Update: Vancouver City Council has just approved the tougher anti-smoking law. “The law bans smoking in taxis, bus shelters, on restaurant patios, and within 6 metres of any door, window or air intake on a public building” – News 1130
There was a comedian on Last Comic Standing a few weeks ago who was talking about people invaded the ‘public’. For example a guy talking loudly on a cell phone in a public place asking others to be quiet so he can hear the person on the other end – thus invading everyone’s ‘public’ with his ‘private’. I think the same concept applies. If I want to enjoy a meal on a patio in Vancouver I shouldn’t have to be lumped in with all the smokers, that just makes the air inside the restaurant nicer to breathe and defeats the entire purpose of the patio.
The recent recommendation of a staff report to Vancouver City Council suggests a ban on all restaurant patio smoking, but that’s not all.
The proposed by-law would also ban outdoor smoking near building entrances, air intake vents and windows. If approved, it could go into effect within six months. [News1130]
Apparently Vancouver smokers have had a pretty easy go at it so far, John even noted when he moved here how much of a difference was made by what non-smoking bylaws we did have in place [audihertz].
“Consider the fate of die-hard smokers across the chilly expanses of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, who have been lighting up outdoors since May 1 [2004], when governments introduced territory-wide bans on smoking in public places.” [CMJA]
Non-smokers shouldn’t have to stand in the rain, while smokers light up inside bus shelters, says a North Vancouver councillor who is proposing a smoking ban at bus stops… …He said if his motion is approved by council, no-smoking signs would go up at the shelters, prohibiting people from smoking within a radius of up to five metres. [CBC] (Since this story the by law has been passed and enforced at all North Vancouver bus shelters)
Health Canada also has a Bronze/Silver/Gold rating for cities in BC based on their limited public smoking bylaws, designated smoking rooms and other restrictions.
New Westminster went from Bronze in 1997 to Gold in 2000. They then slipped to a Silver rating after allowing DSR’s in 2002. Surrey has a Silver rating, being smoke-free in bars and restaurants for the last 10 years. Vancouver is Silver as well, with DSR’s permitted but they cannot occupy more than 10% of the floor space. Richmond has been Gold since 2000, along with the Greater Victoria Area.
So what’s the verdict: Are we being mean to smokers by casting them outside or making them wait for a puff? Or does everyone have the right to smoke-free air in any public place, inside or out?
(Poll Closed)
To view and vote on past polls, visit the Miss604.com poll page.
New official jerseys go on sale at the Canucks Store (Gate 6 of GM Place) this Friday.
Tickets for the general public (non season ticket holders) go on sale this Saturday. However, on Craigslist you can find the pre-pre-sale purchase codes, although I think those specific tickets are sold out.
Thanks to Darren for sending this along, there’s a poll up on Mirtle’s site asking who will make the playoffs from each conference. The Canucks seem to be neck and neck with Anaheim and San Jose at this point. Very interesting -slide on over to cast your vote as well. One of Dave’s photos was featured in a post of Mirtle’s recently as well.
Monday the Canucks hit the ice in pres-season action vs the Ducks and I will be there, along with the lovely Keira – who wrote about our scheme here.
October 3rd is Raise a Reader Day, look for your fave Canucks on the streets of downtown Vancouver handing out newspapers for a cause. Last year I got to put my arm around Trevor Linden. Oh man, so worth it.
Almost four months ago I signed on with my company, based out of Gastown. I’ve been blogging about my discovery of the neighbourhood ever since. Where to get lunch, what to see and do, and where to get a great sammich. Well yesterday our company moved out of our cramped, non-natural-lighting office space on Abbott street and have settled into a new space over on Mainland.
As the years progressed, the proximity of False Creek and the railway meant that Yaletown became heavily industrial. Many factories, rail buildings and warehouses were built, many of which survive to this day.
After the real-estate boom and bust cycles of the 20th century, the area became shoddy and contaminated, and was bought up by the city. After the 1986 World’s Fair (Expo 86), held on neighbouring former-industrial land, the whole area became ripe for development. The site was sold to a Hong Kong-based developer by the name of Li Ka-Shing, setting in train the dramatic redevelopment process which continues to this day. [Yaletown- Wiki]
I’m a little torn by all of this. On the plus side, it’s a nice little area, lots of places to eat, I didn’t get asked for spare change once on my walk in today, it’s a new shiny office that used to be a film studio and I get a window view. On the flip side… there are no trees, there’s noisy Canada Line construction outside, the restaurants are super expensive and pretentious, and the office renovations aren’t quite complete so I’m feeling a little discombobulated.
I’m willing to give Yaletown a break since I’m always expecting people to give Surrey a chance…. but then again those who put Surrey down usually have never even spent time in the City of Parks. However for this reason, I’ll wipe the slate and form my opinions within the coming weeks, and see what it’s like to be an office worker in this part of town. As long as I can still wear jeans that cost less than a tank of gas, shoes that I got at a BOGO sale, and not conform to wearing sunglasses that eat up my entire face, I should be okay.
To help me out in my attempt to befriend my new work neighbourhood, if you have any tips on great, fun, places to get lunches, drop me a comment.
Special item of note: Chez Faye Cafe is nice and has excellent scones, WiFi access, and the dude at the counter is pretty darn funny.
Start Time: Monday, September 10, 2007 at 12:00am – End Time: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 12:00am
September 10th, 2007 will be remembered as the biggest Free Hug day this world has ever seen.
Vancouver’s event will take place once again near the Art Gallery steps (facing West) on Robson. I already passed by one dude with a sign earlier while he was being filmed by Channel M. You have until Midnight to get your hug-on.
Friday night Sparta was in town opening up for Alice in Chains and Velvet Revolver. It was their first night joining the VR tour and their set was kick-ass, as usual. John and I were supposed to interview the band but after wasting 40 minutes dealing with rude and uncooperative security and venue personnel we knew things would be messed up.
I didn’t expect nor want any special treatment at all, aside from having access to Tony and Keeley as arranged by Sparta’s management. But really, what is it with arena security people in this town? They were snide and demeaning, basically ruining that part of our night and making it impossible to conduct our interview after detaining us for so long. Do John and I just look like total thugs or what?
FYI when you have an arranged interview with a band, the tour manager’s number in your cell phone, a VIP laminate & tickets you still cannot bring in a Canon Powershot camera. Well that was totally fine, no worries, the interview audio was the most important thing so I really didn’t need the camera although it was a bit of a bummer. But when I agreed (with no fuss at all) to leave it at Guest Services, I didn’t expect the reaction I received. The security guard turned to his buddy and said, “she can get it back after the show,” followed by a couple winks and some exchanged laughter. Not only was I already embarrassed enough, I was now the butt of their joke.
This is not the first time something like this has happened to us, all while being 100% cooperative and catering to every request no matter how unreasonable, undeserving or unethical said requests have been.
Despite all of this, it was still a pleasure to deal with Sparta’s management, and tour manager – they are always enthusiastic about our podcasting and promotion of the band and made every attempt to make our night enjoyable. In fact their manager literally went out of his way to rectify the situation, which unfortunately was to no avail by that time.
We still enjoyed our amazing seats compliments of Sparta and stayed in them until Alice in Chains was on stage. Hundreds of people seemed to leave when Velvet Revolver came on and by their drunken rants and shouting, apparently VR’s show was not the best and most would have been happy with Alice in Chains headlining. But that was just a small sampling of the audience, so if you were actually at the concert as well, leave me a comment/review.
All in all, the night wasn’t a total bust, we did have fun although I am pretty soured on attending any big venue shows for a very long time. Best of luck to Sparta who will be opening on the tour through October, and if you’re at any of the upcoming stops, show up early to catch this act, you won’t be disappointed.
