Our latest and greatest blog additions

Blog Name: BCoutside
Category: Lifestyle
Description: Collective of people that like to be outside in British Columbia and document it with prose and photography.
Location: Victoria

Blog Name: Vancouver Moose
Category: News & Views
Description: At Vancouver Moose, I hope to help keep British Columbians informed about Canadian news and politics. I'm paying particular attention to environmental and LGBT issues. There's also a fair amount of "Internet stuff" like videos and my addition to LOLs. I'm fooling around with making my own webcomic and also posting personal photos from my beloved city.
Location: Vancouver

Blog Name: Quiet Nature
Category: Environment & Nature
Description: Quiet Nature is created to share the insights of Ecopsychology and Deep Ecology and inspire us to shift our attention and feel a deeper connection to Nature. I use my photography and quotes from published books along with antidotes from personal experience and discoveries. When we strengthen a healthier attachment to our environments,we can regain a lively creativity towards sustainability. This stimulates resilience in the face of adversity!
Location: Kamloops

About this site

Welcome to BC Bloggers, a blog aggregator and directory for British Columbians. BC Bloggers is a directory of alternative local news, commentary, and photography from the British Columbia weblog community. If your blog is in -- or talks about -- British Columbia, we would like to see it here as well.

To get your blog listed on this site, all you need to do is tell us about it. Your submission will be reviewed, and placed on the site as soon as possible. (Please bear with us on this, as sometimes it is tough to find free time to do the updates!) All we ask in return is that you link back to us on your blog, using either a link or a button. Feel free to use the code in the Steal this button section in the right sidebar.

Any thoughts or ideas you would like to share? Tell us at bcbloggers(at)gmail(dot)com.

July 02, 2009

Vancouver Island Reviews       (Nanaimo)

BCXS.com       (Vancouver)

Jul 14, 2009: Vancouver Singles Recreational Beach Volleyball at Meet Market Adventures

**To confirm your spot for this event you must contact us directly by phone at 1-800-239-0542, via email: info@meetmarketadventures.com or sign up through http://www.meetmarketadventures.com/events/2717/Vancouver-Singles-Beach-Volleyball-.html RSVPing as yes on this site will NOT ensure you space at this event.**

Join Meet Market Adventures and other Single Outdoor Volleyball enthusiasts for an active evening of beach volleyball! Haven’t played before or aren’t sure how to serve overhand yet? Don’t worry, this evening is all about having fun and meeting new people.

After everyone arrives, we’ll divide you into balanced co-ed teams. Then we’ll take over 2 courts and play the evening away, rotating courts and players so each team has an opportunity to play against each other. Once we’ve rotated through a few games and are all played out, we’ll move the fun to a nearby pub to build on new friendships over some well deserved food and drinks.

What to wear/bring: Shorts, t-shirt, water, sunglasses and sunscreen. Change of clothes for afterwards. You will be playing in your bear feet.

* When you purchase an event online or by phone, your name will be on a Guest List at the door and you will receive a confirmation by phone from MMA the week of the event.

Details are subject to change without notice.
"Where Singles & Adventure Meet"
http://www.meetmarketadventures.com
###

by BCXS at July 02, 2009 10:35 PM

Jul 4, 2009: Vancouver MMA Famous Singles Pub Crawl! at Ceilis Irish Pub & restaurant

**To confirm your spot for this event you must contact us directly by phone at 1-800-239-0542, via email: info@meetmarketadventures.com or sign up through http://www.meetmarketadventures.com/events/1820/Vancouver-MMA-s-Famous-Downtown-Pub-Crawl.html RSVPing as yes on this site will NOT ensure you space at this event.**

No Lines, No Covers, No Driving, No Worries.

Yes it's back, Meet Market Adventures brings you Pub Crawl Vancouver! Join us and other Single Party Goers as we crawl by bus to some of the best bars in Vancouver!

We will meet at Ceili's Irish Pub at 6:00 where we will have some munchies and get the party started. After jumping on the bus to travel to our next destination, you'll be sure to get to know your newfound crawlers in ways you can't imagine. We'll stop in for another pint at a local watering hole before ending the night dancing at the Cellar on Granville Street.

Price includes all covers, no line-ups, interactive icebreaker games, transportation, prizes, guides and lots of cheers!

Dress Code: No Runners & T-shirts

* When you purchase an event online or by phone, your name will be on a Guest List at the door and you will receive a confirmation by phone from MMA the week of the event.

Details are subject to change without notice.

"Where Singles & Adventure Meet"
http://www.meetmarketadventures.com
###

by BCXS at July 02, 2009 10:34 PM

Non-voters Alliance for Democratic & Electoral Ref       (Duncan)

Parliamentary Games

James Travers lists ten reasons why Parliament no longer serves the people. Among them is what he titles "Dumb and Dumber":Happiness here is reducing complex problems to a bumper sticker. "Do the Crime, Do the Time" resonates, but it doesn't make Canadians safer any more than cutting the GST made us noticeably richer. Keep it simple, stupid, is the rule, not the exception. So stick this on your
###

by BCseawalker@gmail.com (Chrystal Ocean) at July 02, 2009 10:03 PM

UBC Farm Blog       (Vancouver)

friendsoftheubcfarm

If you’re already a volunteer, join us at our newest shift: Saturday mornings from 9:30-12:30. For those of you who want to volunteer but have not yet made it out there are two orientations scheduled in the upcoming weeks. Join us either this Saturday, July 4 from 2-3:30pm or Thursday, July 9 from 10:30-12. Remember, updated info [...]
###

by Admin at July 02, 2009 09:49 PM

Tenth To The Fraser       (New Westminster)

Downtown New West neighbourhood BBQ coming up July 30

My 2009 goal of getting more involved in the community is going great. The #NewWest Tweetups have allowed me to meet some of New Westminster’s digital community and heading out to the Royal City Farmers Market gave me the opportunity to mingle with the offline community, as well as get some great local foodstuffs. As I [...] No related posts.
###

by Paul Goodrick at July 02, 2009 08:52 PM

2+2       (Abbotsford)

jnarvey.COM       (Vancouver)

Rug Pulled from Underneath the Anti-Imperialist Crowd

The uprising changes everything. From Terry Glavin in his Tyee column, “Iran: Whose Side Are We Really On?”: The uprising changes everything, and not just inside Iran. No matter what happens next, the uprising will cause convulsions in contested fields of struggle from Afghanistan to Palestine. Already, the spectacle of angry masses thronging the streets of Iranians cities [...] Related posts:
  1. 2008 Currents Year In Review In 2008 Currents has garnered a steadily-growing readership for its...
  2. Globe and Post: “Canada has to support the right of a democratic country to defend itself” The proud supporters of Hamas, including so-called “peace activists” formally...
  3. Globe & Post: Workers of the World, Unite On this May Day, Terry Glavin continues his relentless assault...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
###

by jnarvey at July 02, 2009 07:00 PM

PenderBlog       (Pender Island)

Community housing examined…

From the Islands Trust: ISLANDS TRUST COUNCIL LAUNCHES COMMUNITY HOUSING TASK FORCE VICTORIA ⎯ The Islands Trust Council has created a new Community Housing Task Force to develop a housing strategy for the Islands Trust Area.  Trust Council unanimously approved the task force at its quarterly meeting on North Pender Island June 17-19. Membership on the task force [...]
###

by Jocko at July 02, 2009 06:57 PM

paradise-bat-bc       (Deka Lake)

Paradise ~ John Prine




The two pictures are of John Prine (fellow musicians) singing Paradise at Red Rocks. While John Prine is singing Paradise, SkunkeyeJan is doing her Paradise wave (geez, almost brings a tear to my eye). The far right photo is Charlene and Mr. Skunkeye.
Photos courtesy of: Brett and Janis Ferguson
###

by noreply@blogger.com (jp paradise) at July 02, 2009 06:36 PM

Challenging the Commonplace       (Cowichan Valley)

Parliamentary Games

James Travers lists ten reasons why Parliament no longer serves the people. Among them is what he titles "Dumb and Dumber":Happiness here is reducing complex problems to a bumper sticker. "Do the Crime, Do the Time" resonates, but it doesn't make Canadians safer any more than cutting the GST made us noticeably richer. Keep it simple, stupid, is the rule, not the exception. So stick this on your
###

by Chrystal Ocean (BCseawalker@gmail.com) at July 02, 2009 07:25 PM

Wanderin' Weeta with Waterfowl (and Weeds)       (Delta)

UBC Farm Blog       (Vancouver)

rhubarb understory

It’s the tail-end of rhubarb season, but there’s still time to cook up a batch of this delicious syrup and be on your way to a refreshing summer drink. Rhubarb Soda (adapted from culinate.com) 1 1/2 cups rhubarb, coarsely chopped 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 cup water sparkling water or club soda Simmer the rhubarb, sugar and water in a small [...]
###

by Admin at July 02, 2009 05:13 PM

Vancouver Law Librarian Blog       (Vancouver)

BCXS.com       (Vancouver)

Jul 3, 2009: Mark David Gerson, “The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write” at The Balmoral

See Mark David Gerson on tour to promote "The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write"
###

by BCXS at July 02, 2009 02:59 PM

Vancouver Law Librarian Blog       (Vancouver)

Island Rambles on Vancouver Island       (Victoria)

A Point in Time

This post is for Sky Watch the best place to go and see the sky. Please have a look at the other photos there.Returning to my series on Moses Point. Moses Point is a tiny, hidden beach in Sidney. One of those secret hideaways you go to for years and years that always seems to be unchanged and unknown by most of the people that live nearby. A lonely lookout that offers peace and solitude to the
###

by Island Rambles Blog (oceansblog@hotmail.com) at July 02, 2009 01:08 PM

House Of Infamy       (Nelson)

Vancouver Law Librarian Blog       (Vancouver)

The Love Blog       (Vancouver)

Challenging the Commonplace       (Cowichan Valley)

Vatican to Probe US Nunneries

Over the past three decades, the number of nuns in the US has dropped from 180,000 to 60,000. So what does the Vatican decide to do about this? Investigate orders that have adopted a modern lifestyle, including allowing nuns to wear regular garb and engage in professions previously taboo.The Vatican is quietly conducting two sweeping investigations of American nuns, a development that has
###

by Chrystal Ocean (BCseawalker@gmail.com) at July 02, 2009 11:45 AM

Alpha Mike Foxtrot       (Vancouver)

Anodyne       (Vancouver)

Cariboo Ponderer       (Cariboo)

BCXS.com       (Vancouver)

Aug 3, 2009: Joy For Life at The Ocean Resort

Joy For Life Retreat will take place at The Ocean Resort, located on the East Coast of Vancouver Island. To reserve hotel space at a special rate, please contact the Ocean Resort at 250-923-4281 or 877-561-3425 or email: marionann@oceanresort.ca Spaces limited to 50 participants.
Retreat starts Monday 8-3 at 12pm and concludes Sunday 8-9 at 1pm. For more information email us at Victoria@RawFamily.com or call 541-552-0966
###

by BCXS at July 02, 2009 09:40 AM

Surf Design Planet       (Westbank)

Davin Greenwell       (Victoria)

Powell River Books Blog       (Powell River)

American Robin

One of the earliest birds to arrive in Spring is the robin. It's a sign that summer isn't far away and a welcome sight. Now that it's summer, our visiting robin is all settled in.

She flits around the float and rock wall looking for tasty morsels. She especially enjoys foraging in my float garden for bugs and worms. I hate to lose any of my worms, but she is welcome to the bugs one and all.

The American Robin comes to vacation in Canada after winter is done and the weather starts to warm up. The robin is easily identified by its reddish-orange breast (Robin Redbreast), yellow beak and cheery song. I usually awaken (briefly) at dawn to her melodious song.

The robin's diet includes, of course, worms, other insects and even some snails. I wish she liked slugs, I've got more of those in my garden than I can count. Another favourite is fruit. When I go out to pick my strawberries there are always a few that have been eaten, leaving only a hollowed out shell. That's a small price for all the free bug eradication. -- Margy
###

by drmargy@gmail.com (Powell River Books) at July 02, 2009 07:23 AM

BCXS.com       (Vancouver)

Mirabilis.ca       (Gulf Islands)

Michelangelo signed fresco with self-portrait

From the Telegraph: Michelangelo signed fresco with self-portrait. Restorers claim that a bearded man wearing a blue turban in the Crucifixion of St Peter bears a striking resemblance to portraits and bronze busts of the artist. It’s an extraordinary and moving discovery, said the Vatican’s chief restorer, Maurizio De Luca. The self-portrait is one of three knights [...]
###

by Christine at July 02, 2009 05:25 AM

Chow Times       (Vancouver)

Greek Summer Festival 2009

The Greek Summer Festival sold a whopping 465 lambs within 10 days in the festival last year. This year, they are on track to break last year's count and I am not going to be surprised. We met George "The Real Boss" (the person above is George "the Host"). George "the Real Boss" is the man behind these lambs since the inception of the Greek Summer Festival. Boy, he sure has lots of stories to tell and BBQ burn scars to show too!! Greek-Summer-Festival-47 They used to do this by hand but today they have a whole row of rotisseries that slowly cooks this. It takes four hours of slow cooking to make each. They use the very best New Zealand lamb because of the tenderness of the meat and of the consistent size. They tried to use local lambs but gave up because it was best only during Easter period.
###

by Ben at July 02, 2009 05:00 AM

BCXS.com       (Vancouver)

Jul 24, 2009: UNITY 3D: “The Future of Web and Mobile Gaming” at District 319

To kick off the launch of the Vancouver Unity Users Group, dimeRocker.com in partnership with Unity Technologies invites all local game, web and iPhone developers to a premiere industry event showcasing Unity 3D.

The event will be framed within a "web-ready" context, exploring how tools like Unity 3D, in combination with a new breed of social gaming hives are enabling developers to create, market, and monetize high-quality content for a growing audience of online and mobile casual-core gamers.

Ticket price includes your first drink and some light appetizers.
A Unity Skills Workshop will be held the following day, Saturday, July 25th at the Centre for Digital Media details to be announced.

This is the second event in the Bootup Entrepreneurial Society's (BES) series of International Mentor Program (IMP) series of events. We will be hosting a number of entrepreneurial mentors from the digital media industry, stay tuned for future events.
###

by BCXS at July 02, 2009 04:47 AM

Wanderin' Weeta with Waterfowl (and Weeds)       (Delta)

Busy waterway

We found ourselves in East Vancouver, errands completed for the day, and the sun still blazing; I had a hankering for air, green space, quiet, preferably with a beach. We consulted the map. Burrard View Park was just a few blocks down the hill, New Brighton Park a short drive to the east, by the water.

Burrard View Park was a square of dry grass, with scattered trees.



Burrard View Park

But it lived up to its name; we could see the inlet.



Second Narrows Bridge*.

Burrard Inlet cuts almost straight east, starting from Point Grey at the west end of Vancouver and reaching to Port Moody, 25 kilometres inland. It is deep enough for large ocean-going ships, even close to shore. As a result, much of the shoreline is industrialized.

The inlet is constricted in two places, appropriately named the First Narrows and the Second Narrows; the space in between these widens out, making a protected port area. The Lions' Gate Bridge crosses the First Narrows.

*The bridge over the Second Narrows was originally named the Second Narrows Bridge (unimaginatively, but accurately), but in 1994 the bureaucrats in the provincial government renamed it the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing in honor of 19 workers who died during its construction in 1958. The thought was kind, but the name was belated and wordy; we still call it the Second Narrows Bridge.

Getting back to Burrard View Park; from there we could see North Vancouver on the far shore, and above them, the twin peaks we call the Lions. To the west, the Lions' Gate Bridge is faintly visible, as are two piles of sulphur waiting for shipment. (Vancouver exports 5 million tons of sulphur annually.)



The Lions, above all.



Sulphur piles.

Directly below us, a sailboat made its way up the inlet, between storage facilities and loading equipment. The long grey roof behind it is part of Lynnterm Terminal, which handles forest products, steel and "break bulk".





Ocean of luck, Panama. A grain carrier.



Saga Horizon, general cargo, woodchips, etc.

There was no way down to the shore from here, so we went on to New Brighton Park. It was another expanse of brown mowed grass, with even fewer trees. But there were kites:



Dragonfly kite, over the Lions.



Brown grass.

And more industry: New Brighton is almost in the shadow of the Second Narrows Bridge, separated from it by Viterra grain elevators and loading facilities, only a few metres from the playing field.







Viterra, with pigeons.

Across the fields, we found a pocket-handkerchief beach.



Water-level view of Burrard Inlet.

The wind blew off the water, waves lapped at the stones. Beside a log, a man sat carving a piece of driftwood. Yesterday's dog came and went. We watched a tug hauling an empty barge downstream.


And a pair of white-winged scoters dove for fish.



Ahhh! That's what we were looking for!

.

###

by noreply@blogger.com (Wanderin' Weeta) at July 02, 2009 03:41 AM

MegFowler.com       (Vancouver)

beavers, maple syrup, geese, and tim horton’s: five haiku for canada’s 142nd birthday.

hockey is our sport strange, burnt coffee is our drink one out of two ain't bad, tim. it's not that cold here but staying warm is easy your igloo or mine? beavers and geese are our national mascots both fat and crabby. we share our talent our artists know no borders keep celine dion! we're chill patriots but don't mock our accents, please or ...
###

July 02, 2009 03:31 AM

Slow Coast       (Upper Sunshine Coast)

David

[Editor's note: I hope that this contribution from Tony Colton of the Cranberry Ratepayers will be the first of a series of posts bringing people up to date with what's going on in Cranberry. If you want to report news from your corner of the Upper Sunshine Coast, please let me know. And now, here's Tony.] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Although [...]
###

by David Parkinson at July 02, 2009 03:03 AM

AL6400 Blog       (Vancouver)

Happy Canada Day 2009

Happy Canada to all the Canadian readers. So this is supposed to be the 142nd birthday of the country this year. It doesn’t sound that old to me personally when it comes to a country for some odd reason. I spent the day doing some shopping at a grocery store and it [...]
###

by Alan Yu at July 02, 2009 02:45 AM

Keeping it Real...       (Vancouver)

The Media and the E-mails Scandal

B.C.’s media was rapped on the knuckles today (July 2) by both this blogger and Dr. Dennis Pilon, a respected political scientist from the University of Victoria, for failing to follow up on the BC government’s missing e-mail scandal. Proud to be the first guest on CFUN Talk Radio 1410 AM’s brand new Simi Sara talk show, I [...]
###

by hoberfeld at July 02, 2009 01:46 AM

Ekim's Journey       (Prince George)

July 01, 2009

this time - this space       (Vancouver Island)

Life Eternal: The Great Cosmic Joke

The ONE becomes many to experience LOVE. It is nothing but a quest for LOVE, throughout out time (I use that term loosely), the ONE puts on the garb of billions of beings to experience this.
###

by timethief at July 01, 2009 11:27 PM

Tenth To The Fraser       (New Westminster)

‘Significant’ injuries for victim after car crashes into Rose Garden on Canada Day

Note: Updated at 8 p.m. with new information from the Globe & Mail, CBC and Province websites. New Westminster’s Canada Day celebrations took an upsetting turn towards the close of the Queen’s Park festivities when an elderly driver crashed a car into a park bench in the Rose Garden, injuring at least two people - one [...] Possibly Related posts:
  1. Canada Day! Yee Haw! Our family
###

by Briana Tomkinson at July 01, 2009 10:09 PM

Susan Jones Out On The Coast       (Port Alberni)

paradise-bat-bc       (Deka Lake)

Happy Canada Day


It is Bingo Night here on the side of the mountain. I bake for the bingo. Today, I made rainbow confetti cupcakes with white icing and red decorative sugars which my friend, Charlene in Wisconsin sent for me. I have some Canadian paper flags, sticks, tatoo stickers, and bookmarks for the kids - they'll love them! Happy Canada Day to All.
###

by noreply@blogger.com (jp paradise) at July 01, 2009 09:36 PM

Chow Times       (Vancouver)

Crisp Seedy Oatmeal Cookie

For the dessert, Minoo made some Crisp Seedy Oatmeal Cookies in the Gilmore Park Church Community Kitchen. seedycookie-30
###

by Suanne at July 01, 2009 09:00 PM

Mirabilis.ca       (Gulf Islands)

Bamboo bicycles

From the Beeb: From bush to bike – a bamboo revolution . On the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia, next year’s crop of bicycles is being watered by Benjamin Banda. We planted this bamboo last year, he says, and now the stems are taller than me. When it’s ready we’ll cut it, cure it and then turn it [...]
###

by Christine at July 01, 2009 08:43 PM

Cariboo Ponderer       (Cariboo)

jnarvey.COM       (Vancouver)

Happy Canada Day

Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Canada… Happy birthday to you. And many more. Related posts:MyLife: Happy Birthday, Love of My Life! I love you. You’re awesome. You make my life complete....Have A Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy Chanukah Or celebrate your family’s traditional holiday. It’s all good. Merry...Globe and Post: “Canada has to support the [...] Related posts:
  1. MyLife: Happy Birthday, Love of My Life! I love you. You’re awesome. You make my life complete....
  2. Have A Happy, Happy, Happy, Happy Chanukah Or celebrate your family’s traditional holiday. It’s all good. Merry...
  3. Globe and Post: “Canada has to support the right of a democratic country to defend itself” The proud supporters of Hamas, including so-called “peace activists” formally...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
###

by jnarvey at July 01, 2009 08:01 PM

DBCoopers Pokerlife       (Vancouver/Victoria)

The Agassi story and a Wedding




I just finished reading The Agassi Story. When I first got the book I wrongly assumed it was a biography of Andre Agassi the tennis player. It was actually more of a autobiography of his dad Mike. I honestly wasn't expecting much and thought I probably would just skim through it but I was wrong. It was a great story. It told up his upbringing in Iran and his boxing in two Olympic Games. He managed to leave Iran eventually getting married in the U.S and went on to have 4 kids the youngest being Andre. His wife and him eventually settled in Las Vegas and that's where they live today. In the book he was critical of the way he pushed his two older kids to become tennis players and how much they resented him for it. He said he only wanted the best for them but as we all know parents of kids who push them relentlessly usually find they burn out at an early age and begin to hate the sport they are in.
The book did go into some detail of Andre's rise to tennis stardom but as seen through his dads eyes. He talks of Andres 2 year marriage to Brooke Shields and his current marriage to Steffi Graf. In the book there were also some great photos of a young Mike and of course shots of all the kids including Andre. All in all a really interesting story and one I would certainly recommend.

Reading the book reminded me of years ago I used to coach kids sports. My youngest loved to play hockey and baseball so having played a lot of ball but very little hockey I volunteered to help coach his teams. Boy was that tough. Not the coaching part but the dealing with parents part. I remember I had identical twin boys play on one of my sons teams. They were great kids and pretty good ball players but only when there dad didn't show up to the game. When he was there they looked nervous and of course made errors which he would then criticize them for. I was horrified as my method of coaching was always just encouragement. He wasn't the only one either. I had parents tell me where there kids should play and how much and with hockey it was even worse. If we were winning they only seemed to want the best out there and that's not how I coached. Every kid got equal ice time and equal playing time in baseball. After a couple seasons of listening to parents I gave up coaching and would just come to the games and encourage my son. That was so much better.

When my youngest was playing ball (he was 9 at the time) I remember a particular incident that still to this day makes me wonder about some parents. My wife and I were on the sidelines and my son's team was out in the field and a boy on the other team took a swing at a ball that was pretty high and well out of the strike zone. That was typical of kids that age though. They were just learning and having fun. Anyways his coach called him over and right beside me starting telling the 9 year old that if he swung at a ball like that again he would be benched. The poor kid hung his head and I lost it. I told the coach how dare you talk to a 9 year old like that. His response was and I quote "How is he ever going to learn if I don't". Huh??
This is a 9 year old. Aren't we supposed to give encouragement? anyways the coach stalked away glaring at me and then several parents came over and thanked me. I guess this coach had done this before in other sports too. The real bizarre thing was that he was a high school teacher and should have known better.

In Agassi`s book he gets into the pushy parents and critical coaching that happens in sports. It`s a shame because what happens is kids get turned off and hate sports.


I played my regular Tuesday night live game last night and although I didn't get to the final table I certainly played okay. No real remarkable hands other my pocket queens which when I raised with 4 limpers in the pot everybody folded. I won a few other hands but all small pots and eventually had to push with A5 in the BB and a flop of 8,5,4. I was pretty short stacked at the time and somebody had A8. I didn't improve and I was gone.

So in 4 days my oldest son is getting married. Heading up there tomorrow. Really looking forward to it. It should be a great day for the 2 of them. I wish them years of happiness.
###

by noreply@blogger.com (dbcooper) at July 01, 2009 07:55 PM

Jose Uzcategui Online       (Vancouver)

Retrieving Accidentally Erased Code From Wordpress Editor

Last night I copied a line of code into the Wordpress editor, hit “Update” and *POOF* Everything bellow the line of code I just copied disappeared! What the F*%&?! If before you knew of someone who heard about someone who erased some code… now you know that someone: me. Here’s my story. I take a look at [...]
###

by Jose Uzcategui at July 01, 2009 07:13 PM

Alpha Mike Foxtrot       (Vancouver)

Stephen Rees\' blog       (Richmond)

Stephen Rees

I have lost count of the number of times recently I have had to take avoiding action because of the behaviour of other drivers. Some of it of course is simply because of aggressive driving – the sort of people who overtake on the wrong side, cut in front of the line at the last [...]
###

by Stephen Rees at July 01, 2009 06:30 PM

BCXS.com       (Vancouver)

Challenging the Commonplace       (Cowichan Valley)

Cons do unto DFAIT what they did unto SWC

Recall when the Harper Conservatives began changing the language - and thus mandate and eligibility criteria for grants - used for Status of Women Canada? These changes were seen on its website and other materials, and heard in any references the Cons made to the department. Words like 'equality' were erased. Well they've not been idle when it comes to the Department of Foreign Affairs and
###

by Chrystal Ocean (BCseawalker@gmail.com) at July 01, 2009 06:18 PM

Tenth To The Fraser       (New Westminster)

Canada Day! Yee Haw!

Our family unit and other Tenth to the Fraser crew are heading out to Queen’s Park today, like so many other Royal City citizens. I have been attending Canada Day in this park almost my whole life. For a long time, I thought of it as a big town party just for me - and a [...] Possibly Related posts:
  1. ‘Significant’ injuries for victim after car crashes into Rose Garden on Canada Day Note: Upda
  2. A May Day to remember Readers, w
###

by Will Tomkinson at July 01, 2009 05:03 PM

The Love Blog       (Vancouver)

Powell River Books Blog       (Powell River)

Happy Canada Day

from Powell River Books

Enjoy fireworks at Willingdon Beach
7-11 p.m. in Powell River BC

or head Up the Lake
and stop by the cabin to say hi!
###

by drmargy@gmail.com (Powell River Books) at July 01, 2009 04:29 PM

Susan Jones Out On The Coast       (Port Alberni)

I'm Laila Yuile and This is How I See It       (Surrey)

Laila

I started the day like most- running up the big hill on my running route. I think a lot while I’m running, and it’s where I work through theories about situations or find answers to questions that are bugging me. So there I was  at 5 am, running,sweating and doing the patriotic thing by thinking how [...]
###

by Laila at July 01, 2009 04:27 PM

BCXS.com       (Vancouver)

Jul 8, 2009: Live Chat – Rosita Rabindra V.p H.r Niit Technologies at Online

NIIT Ltd. began its foray into the software segment. NIIT Technologies has built on this expertise, enhancing its presence in markets such as Application Development and Management and Enterprise Solutions including Managed Services and BPO.Apart from customised solutions, NIIT Technologies distinguished itself by bringing packaged software to India's shores and giving a distinctive place to Software as a Solution in the country's domestic market.

IT sector is flourishing in India & to know more about IT career options please log onto www.timesascent.in for a live chat with Rosita Rabindra V.P H.R of NIIT TECHONOLOGIES scheduled on 8th July between 3 p.m to 4 p.m.
###

by BCXS at July 01, 2009 04:23 PM

Langley Politics Dotcom       (Langley)

Harper Valley       (Bowen Island)

harpervalley

This is the famous ‘ringtone’ vid where Obama is at a press conference to announce recognition of gay and other minority rights.  A duck ring tone goes off from someone’s cell. Posted in Political Humour Tagged: Barrack Obama, duck, gay rights, ring tone
###

by harpervalley at July 01, 2009 03:02 PM

Langley Politics Dotcom       (Langley)

Backing Away From The Gregor Plan

I have no inside knowledge on this, but yesterday's big Regional Transportation Accord announcement has Mayor Dianne Watts's fingerprints all over it. Taking a cue from the Livability Accord strategy, Lower Mainland mayors have signed off--along with business, labour and environmental leaders--on a "Regional Transportation Accord calling on all three levels of government and TransLink to work together to find solutions to achieve adequate funding." (See press release here.)

This is a classic Dianne move--when in doubt, expand your coalition--and stands a much better chance at gaining traction in Victoria than the last suggestion the Mayors made: asking for the carbon tax revenue to be directed to TransLink.

That idea, Mayor Green tells me, came from Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson--maybe the last guy in any City Hall in British Columbia that you want to take advice from when it comes to the provincial government.

A former NDP MLA, Gregor runs very hot and cold when it comes to the Province, whether it be gushing over the Premier at an event, retracting those same statements when they were (gasp!) published, or negotiating the HEAT shelter funding via press release. He doesn't seem to grasp any of the fundamental principles of how the BC Liberals operate.

The carbon tax suggestion is the perfect example: here's Premier Campbell's great personal political gambit, which is only barely tolerable to many British Columbians because, by law, the revenues must be returned to the public through income tax cuts and the Climate Action Dividend. Robertson suggests instead that this money should flow into transit--making it a pure tax grab. Instead of just asking for the money outright from the provincial treasury, he tried to be cute with the carbon tax, and that was a complete non-starter. It was shot down within hours, no matter what the Mayors tried to say.

These Mayors have one major hurdle when it comes to the Province baling out TransLink: from what I can glean from the BC Liberals I talk to, they do not feel provincial tax dollars should flow into TransLink's operating revenue stream because, effectively, people in Williams Lake, Trail, Prince George (where new Transportation Minister Shirley Bond lives), and elsewhere would be funding transit in the Lower Mainland.

Now John Winter of the BC Chamber of Commerce gets this. Read his comment from yesterday's signing:
"While the BC Chamber represents businesses of every size, of every sector in every region of the province, we recognize that the current congestion in Metro Vancouver is having a negative impact on the ability to move people, goods and services that are inherent in a healthy, robust economy. We need to ensure that we have the ongoing funding in place to support a long term transportation plan that supports growth in the region and province. The BC Chamber remains committed to providing our input to all parties to find the appropriate solutions."

Of course, as Vancouver Councillor Andrea Reimer pointed out on Twitter this morning, a cow washing up on shore in Victoria received more press than this Accord. Sigh.
###

by noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Bateman) at July 01, 2009 03:01 PM

Gregor Gutted

Mike Smyth at the Province blasted Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson yesterday for his handling of the HEAT shelters:
The False Creek North shelters were so thoroughly botched by city hall that it's hard to imagine any neighbourhood that would now be willing to co-operate with Robertson on his housing agenda. (clipped)

Meanwhile, I hear lots of grumbling that Robertson simply doesn't have the backbone to stand up to the raving left-wing idealogues inside his own party. I'm sure there are some Vision Vancouver types who thought it was deliciously subversive to stick a bunch of junkies and crackheads into a smug cocoon of latte-sipping condo-dwellers and watch the ensuing mayhem.

I think Robertson has tremendous potential as a politician, but he must get a grip on his own agenda. The next "bold idea" that could go sideways on him: the bicycle-only lane on the Burrard Street bridge.
###

by noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Bateman) at July 01, 2009 02:43 PM

BCXS.com       (Vancouver)

Jul 18, 2009: SHIAMAK DAVAR presents SUMMER FUNK 2009 at Bell Performing Arts Centre

Celebrating “Have Feet. Will Dance”, Shiamak Davar International (Canada) Inc. presents a HOT summer night of dance and music. Shiamak’s talented students and instructors will entertain you with a professional showcase of latest moves and hottest grooves in the styles of Shiamak’s IndoJazz, Bollywood Jazz and Inner Dance Movement. Come and enjoy this spectacular performance.

at

Bell Performing Arts Centre
6250 – 144th Street, Surrey, BC
Telephone: 604-507-6355
www.bellperformingartscentre.com

on

Saturday, July 18, 2009 @ 06:30pm
Tickets are $15 & $20

For more info on Shiamak and summer classes, please visit:
http://www.shiamak.com

See You there ... !!!!
###

by BCXS at July 01, 2009 12:59 PM

2+2       (Abbotsford)

Jan Karlsbjerg, Ph.D - Vancouver Techie       (Vancouver)

Quote of the Day – Mental health / addiction

Came across an interesting quote about mental health in David Brin’s scifi novel Sundiver: The measure of (mental) health is flexibility (not comparison to some “norm”), the freedom to learn from experience… to be influenced by reasonable arguments… and especially the freedom to cease when sated. (...)
Related posts:
  1. (Mis)Quote of the Day Freedom fr
  2. Quote of the Day A discussi
  3. Quote of the Day Vincent Ma
###

by Jan Karlsbjerg at July 01, 2009 09:57 AM

Alpha Mike Foxtrot       (Vancouver)

Victoria Daily Photo       (Victoria)

Stephanie Vacher       (Vancouver)

Being a Canadian when you are not a Canadian

In 2003, some time after George W. Bush announced the start of the Iraq war, I made the executive decision to move to Canada. At the time I was 18 and impulsive and I figure I’m allowed to make those kind of crazy decisions up until I reach the magic age of 30. Prior [...]
###

by stephanie vacher at July 01, 2009 07:33 AM

Wanderin' Weeta with Waterfowl (and Weeds)       (Delta)

The log mystery solved

An eventful day. Too tired to finish sorting photos. (Too many good ones. Must remedy that.)

This is for Hugh; see how they get here?


Dog and branch.*


Log that looks like dog.

*The big ones were brought in by your rolling elephants. They also swim.

And I'm off to bed before I get any sillier. G'night!

.
###

by noreply@blogger.com (Wanderin' Weeta) at July 01, 2009 07:20 AM

Langley Politics Dotcom       (Langley)

AL6400 Blog       (Vancouver)

Your Habits or Budgeting Plans

Recently I was with a group of people and a conversation came up about maintaining ones health and one person was saying how he can’t eat too much of a particular item otherwise he will gain weight. Now she seemed like she did a lot of physical activities too and so you would think [...]
###

by Alan Yu at July 01, 2009 06:06 AM

BCXS.com       (Vancouver)

Jul 7, 2009: Live Ubertor Tour : 7 Stops in 60 Minutes at Your Computer

Get expert advice from an Ubertor specialist on how to use the basics of the system. This is a great start for all new Ubertor users eager to learn how to begin maximizing their website for the most return.

This is a live guided tour of Ubertor's control panel - so if you're on the fences about Ubertor's software, click in and join the tour. See how easy it is to get a website up and running

*********************

The live tour will go over the following topics:

1. Logging into your control panel (1 minute)

2. The Dashboard - Overview of cool tools to get your site running (9 minutes)

* Google Maps - Map your listings with 3 different views
* Google XML SiteMaps - Get found on Google faster than others
* Feedburner - Get your blog going with Feedburner
* Google Analytics - Start tracking the number of people coming to your site
* Favicon - Change your favorites icon

3. Crafting your own page (15 minutes)

* Adding content
* Adding photos
* Adding videos

4. Power marketing your listings (15 minutes)

* Display your photos
* Adding files, like floor plans and strata docs to your listings
* Mapping your listing on Google
* Giving your listing its own domain (URL)
* Adding music to your listing
* Have an open house? Advertise the listing as an open house
* Virtual Tours
* Get your listing on Craigslist - and looking good!
* Adding your own filmed video to the listing

5. Unveil the power of CSS and how it can help you mastercraft your website (5 minutes)

6. What is Twitter? How to use it with your website (5 minutes)

7. Q & A (10 minutes)

********************
1. Engage the specialist, Tuesday, July 07 at 10:00 AM PDT.
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/604987834

2. Use your microphone and speakers (VoIP) - a headset is recommended. Or, call in using your telephone.

Dial 646-558-2102
Access Code: 604-987-834
Audio PIN: Shown after joining the meeting

Meeting ID: 604-987-834

********************

**1 LUCKY attendee will win $57.00, just for taking the tour!**
###

by BCXS at July 01, 2009 04:24 AM

Langley Politics Dotcom       (Langley)

Follow-Up Stories

Some stories in the local papers that follow-up on various Township issues:

- Township Council gave final reading to rezoning 222nd/Fraser Hwy. for seniors and single-family housing (Times).

- Looks like we weren't the only municipality relieved to see IPI hit the bricks. Coquitlam has a new contractor, too (Tri-City News).

- Langley Township and City have a new emergency plan (Times).

- Some residents think we should aggressively seek out and cap artesian wells--including the one at Five Corners. That won't make Wally Martin very happy (Times).
###

by noreply@blogger.com (Jordan Bateman) at July 01, 2009 02:33 AM

Secrets Of Vancouver       (Vancouver)

Obama Sets A Speed Record

I like to go fast, but this is absolutely terrifying stuff… This video tries to answer those questions by looking at the debt as a road trip and seeing how fast different administrations have been traveling. Pretty clear that Obama and his Democrat congress are heading for a wreck.
###

by Blair at July 01, 2009 01:03 AM

ReTorte       (Rossland)

Ekim's Journey       (Prince George)

June 30, 2009

PenderBlog       (Pender Island)

Fish on Pender!

Submitted by Richard Fox: I just wanted to let everyone know the exciting news that Fish on 5th (in Sidney) is opening up a clone of their restaurant at the site of Pistou Grill, pretty soon I believe.  It will be called Fish on Pender with the same menu and to start some of the same [...]
###

by Jocko at June 30, 2009 11:42 PM

Vancouver Island Reviews       (Nanaimo)

Vancouver Island Canada Day Celebrations.

There's loads and loads of fun events happening on Vancouver Island for all ages tomorrow!

Nanaimo:

Events are happening down at Maffeo Sutton Park - lots of games, music (From the Kerplunks and Power Project) food, face painting and plenty of interactive booths. Check it all out from 11am-3:15pm)

Parksville:

Canadian rock band Chilliwack are performing at this event which will most likely be the best on the central island. There is a Canada Day Parade which will follow down Island Highway towards the Community Park - finishing off the day with the Thrifty Foods fire works display. There are ample family events happening downtown all day.
The Canada Day ceremony kicks off at noon.

Victoria:

There is always tons to do in Victoria on Canada Day. Events are happening from dawn 'til dust!
Plenty of booths, events, music, food and entertainment for everyone!

Regardless of what you do or how you celebrate Canada Day, we should all take a moment and remind ourselves how lucky we are to be living in a beautiful country such as Canada!
###

by slprzada@hotmail.com (s_przada) at June 30, 2009 11:31 PM

July 01, 2009

Musings from the political youth corner       (Vancouver)

June 30, 2009

Letters Home to You       (Hamburg, Germany)

canada-day

Today, July 1, 2009 is the 142nd birthday of the world’s second-largest nation. As a follow-up to last year’s wildly successful Canada Day post in which 10 facts and opinions about Canada were displayed for your elucidation, delectation, dissection and desecration, we bring you: 10 more facts and opinions about Canada. Lyin’ Brian Mulroney, much-detested [...]
###

by ian in hamburg at June 30, 2009 10:59 PM

paradise-bat-bc       (Deka Lake)

I Met A New Friend, This Morning...

Good Grief, it was a bear. I generally do not venture out far from the four walls we call home. Early this morning, I went about five feet more. I saw movement in the trees, at first I thought it was a deer. Wrong, it was a bear. Oh lord, big time panic set in. I started to sing - holler - backed up slowly towards the house, once on the steps I knew I would be ok. So, in my way of nature, I stood there and talked with the bear. I talked very loud and awoke the noisemaker up...he opened the door and asked - to whom are you talking to? I said, it is a bear - right down there. He did not believe me and went to make his morning coffee.

This afternoon, we walked down the path of Paradise, the evidence was clear to him - yep bear poop - everywhere!
###

by noreply@blogger.com (jp paradise) at June 30, 2009 09:41 PM

Tenth To The Fraser       (New Westminster)

Curbside compost pickup could come to New West in 2010

Change is a-comin’ for New West’s garbage pickup. Sadly, it’s not text-message reminders on garbage day (I always forget!). Starting next year, New Westminster will begin replacing our aging fleet of garbage trucks with automated trash pickup - and potentially also begin integrating a kitchen waste collection program. Trash, and what to do with it, is [...] Possibly Related posts:
  1. Metro Vancouver Seeks to Amend Solid Waste Management Plan In my mail
  2. Leaf collection this week If you
###

by Briana Tomkinson at June 30, 2009 09:28 PM

Wandering Coyote       (Rossland)

Raincoaster       (Vancouver)

Add to Furl

Everyone knows that Winston Churchill was one of the greatest Prime Ministers that Britain ever had. Many people also know he was an alcoholic. Some people know he was a wit. And a few know he was a painter of moderate talents. But who knew he was a rapper? Behold the wonder which is DJ Winston, as [...]
###

by raincoaster at June 30, 2009 09:09 PM

Chow Times       (Vancouver)

Creamy Bow-ties with Broccoli and Ham

In the Gilmore Park Church Community Kitchen, Minoo demonstrated two recipes. The first recipe is Creamy Bow-ties with Brocoli and Ham. bowties-211
###

by Suanne at June 30, 2009 09:00 PM

Stephen Rees\' blog       (Richmond)

Stephen Rees

I am sorry to be banging on once again about what I used to do once. But there was a time, not long after I arrived in Canada, when I first got involved  in environmental assessment. It was a departure for me, since up until that time I had done economic appraisals of projects using [...]
###

by Stephen Rees at June 30, 2009 08:22 PM

Mirabilis.ca       (Gulf Islands)

Computer recognises archaeological material and fake Van Goghs

From physorg.com: Computer recognises archaeological material and fake Van Goghs. People find it very easy to recognise a face, even under very different circumstances. For a computer, on the other hand, it is extremely difficult. Dutch researcher Laurens van der Maaten has developed a new analytical technique which enables the computer to better interpret the content [...]
###

by Christine at June 30, 2009 08:09 PM

Gabriolan.ca       (Gabriola Island)

Gabriola’s deer-skull trail markers

Here are two more Gabriola trail markers for you: deer skulls to guide you through the forest on the straight and narrow path. (Or narrow, overgrown, and t