As a follow up to my follow up post about the new smoking regulations in BC, I thought I would focus on the direct impact this is having on Vancouverites.
A new province-wide regulation, effective March 31, bans smoking within three metres of those doorways, open windows and air intakes, so people who work in office towers, retail outlets and other buildings will have to go outside and walk farther away from the door to light up legally.
A City of Vancouver smoking bylaw that also comes into force at the end of the month creates a much larger no-smoking zone: smoking is prohibited within six metres of an entryway, openable window or air intake of a building. [The Vancouver Sun]
What this all means is that even if you’re walking down Robson street smoking a cigarette, you are breaking the law as you’re passing countless entryways to establishments.
You may have also noticed the display cases for tobacco products are missing from your neighbourhood store, grocery store and even London Drugs. All items are now behind closet doors, curtains or under counters that cannot contain any kind of tobacco advertising.
At the final Canucks game of the season, they also had a sign outside GM Place stating as of the beginning of the 08-09 season GM Place would no longer offer a smoking area for fans.
We are a non-smoking facility in accordance with the Vancouver City Health By-law. Areas for smoking during events are outside of Gates 2, 3, 7and 8.
Effective September 15, 2008 the outside designated smoking areas will no longer be in effect. Once a guest enters General Motors Place, they will not be granted in and out privileges at any gate. [GM Place]
Also, the other night while entering the Commodore for a concert we were told by two separate staff members that should we be smokers, there would be no in-and-out privileges whatsoever, as they have completely removed their outdoor smoking area.
So if you’re a smoker planning on going to a public event in Vancouver, whatever the venue, you should get all your puffs in at home because you won’t be able to have another until you get back.
Over the last year he’s been an outstanding friend to John and I, from geeky nights in on the couch coding sites, to taking us up to the woods and feeding us too much wine for our own good.
Even though the last few years weren’t the smoothest for him, he’s always willing to share a laugh, help out, have a good time, and support his friends – and for that I think he’s a pretty stand up individual.
I wish all the best in the coming year to a person who is more than just a developer, software engineer, WordPress guru, photographer, blogger, and the king of nachos.
What’s better than watching a completely rockin’ band at the Commodore for $20? Not much at all really. Despite the fact that I felt out of place with out a fedora, horn-rimmed glasses, a beard, or a jean jacket, I thoroughly enjoyed The Black Keys.
The volume and caliber of nostril-tickling sound that those two men produce is beyond compare in rock today. Boy am I sure glad John introduced me to them a few years ago.
Update: The Black Keys website has a fan photo gallery where they’re aggregating in photos with the appropriate tags from Flickr. The photo in this post (above) is now on there. Awesome.
Mr. Bollwitt and I cherish our multi-hour treks off the tourist-beaten paths through our city’s crown jewel – Stanley Park. We’ve been keeping a close eye on it throughout the years and especially since the big storm of 2006.
Yesterday after being disappointed about seeing the same piece of the Seawall I documented a year ago was still not repaired, we came across some pleasant surprises.
Heading down from Hollow Tree we turned onto the Merilees trail. About half way down Merilees we made a right turn onto the Siwash Rock trail – one we hadn’t ventured down in over a year. [See Stanley Park Trail Map]
To our amazement there was regrowth, plant pots, streams, creek beds, widened paths, a new metal railing and the whole trail was pushed back about 20 feet from its original route.
Update: I’ll also be on the CBC’s Early Edition with Rick Cluff Wednesday morning (April 9th) talking about Trevor Linden and more specifically, the petition to rename a street after him.
Did anyone even notice the score last night? I’m sure Flames fans did but all eyes in Vancouver were on #16, Trevor Linden (with brief kudos to Iginla for his 50th goal of the season).
Captain Canuck is the second in all time scoring, he holds almost every playoff records for the team and despite the four dark years when he wasn’t on our team, he’s still played more games than any other for Vancouver. He’s all heart, all class (on and off the ice), and although he hasn’t yet officially announced his retirement, we were all pretty certain last night was his final game as a Canuck.
The team awards were also announced last night and thanks to JJ I was able to sit in on this momentous occasion – here are some photos:
My iPhone doesn’t take the best “on ice” shots hence all the overheads but I’m glad I was able to experience this in person… and get choked up… and have my eyes well up with tears during that impromptu fan tribute to Trev at the beginning of the 3rd.
