Whalley to be designated Metro Vancouver's second downtown core. Looks like they're well on their way... Whats their dog boutique and "dollar" pizza count? I know they got Starbucks. (Thx to miss604 for those second two links.)

People in Vancouver would choose more transit over more roads, and apparently they want that transit free. Re:place re-posts this well written, in depth article, which includes a list of 17 reasons why transit fees should be covered by taxation. The Tyee originally published this series in 2007, but I missed it the first time around; kudos to re:place for resurrecting an idea that deserves renewed attention. Any thoughts in the wake of climbing fees and taserings?

How about a footbridge underneath Burrard instead of that expensive expansion?

The press is all over Salvia Divinorum lately. An extremely intense and mysterious psychoactive herb that's evaded criminalization. This was some seriously hot stuff five years ago at UBC, when people were picking it up from the (now relocated) 'Urban Shaman' out on Commercial Drive. I did it once, and never again. Not recommended for anyone but the most schizophrenically-inclined. Although I'm against it, I'm a sucker for a good link: videos of people smoking the stuff. Oh how glad I am we didn't have YouTube in my dorm days.

So Wal-Mart is looking at some mega Canadian expansion. Well, you might want to consider the environmental cost of shipping all that shit around. Essential viewing: Where do Wal-Mart products come from?. A list of Wal-Mart resources, including an article on how the business 'caught the China bug.' Update: they've announced a new Wal-Mart at Grandview and Boundary.

How conscious are you of buying locally? It's something I only really hear about when it comes to food...

I'm gonna go against the grain and start out positive today: BC unemployment rates are the lowest they have been in over 40 years. Sure, we're all making less, addicted to more drugs, and faced with high and rising housing prices... but at least more people can support their habits via menial labor these days. Okay... that got negative fast.

I'll try and bring it back with a thousand crosses raised for lives saved by Insite. Meanwhile, the mayoral candidates band together to urge the feds to keep Insite open. It's nice to see the city unanimously supporting the program, but all this energy should be channeled towards improving the program; as DeGenova says, "we should be expanding... not fighting to keep the one open." Alas.

Church sandwich-handout program shut down, because homemade sandwiches might make someone sick? Versus a diet of 7-11 smokies and pizza crusts? And what does starvation do to the system again? Ridiculous.

After their recent multi-million dollar deal to become the official paper of the 2010 Games, Globe and Mail president John Furlong actually said "it's implied that 60 per cent of the headlines will be 'Those VANOC guys are super-great.'"

Oilpatch injuries are more severe and costly than those in any other sector. Hmmm... maybe God is telling us something? Stay out! Stay out boy!

The Canadian Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal for cyclone-swept Myanmar. Go to redcross.ca or dial 1-800-418-1111 to make a donation.

Apparently, Canada is preventing the use of Canadian-made low-speed electric vehicles that have been approved in 44 states, because their maximum speed is under 50kph. I didn't realize that speed was even possible on Vancouver streets. Seriously, how good would these things be? After some searching, this news has been around for awhile... but that new Economist article is the only one that brings up the obvious role of oil-rich Alberta.

Radiohead have announced that they're gonna give it their all to make the upcoming tour as eco-friendly as possible. Check out their new page where you can calculate the carbon impact of your trip to the show, as well as view updates on how the band itself is managing their environmental footprint. Or you could just go see an act who don't have to make a trans-Atlantic flight to get here, as Wolf Parade tickets go on sale Friday morning.

I always half-sarcastically gripe that a good portion of Vancouver's bike riders are all about the image. The Tyee's new competition definitely capitalizes: in anticipation of bike to work week; snap a photo of yourself and your bike, then win a new one. I say no Polaroids or one-speeders allowed.

Want to know if you're a hipster? Someone needs to write a better, Vancouver version of this. Tangentially related: an audio sideshow of Bolivian coca growing, via the Walrus.

re:place continues their look into bus stop design, but more importantly has a wonderful essay on what needs to change with this city's venues if we hope to propel Vancouver's creative community to the next level. I think this is a good place to start:

9. Fostering a Culture of Support

Why are we so negative all the time? It is about time Vancouverites start extolling the virtues of the spaces, people, and activities that make this city great. Write letters, show support, and highlight the positive.

If you think Vancouver's music scene has problems... take a look at Calgary. They just announced the amazing sled island festival for the end of June. With a lineup five times as exciting as Pemberton's, including a load of local bands, all at almost half the cost; I know where I'll be damaging my eardrums this summer. But the funny part is the list of venues; Calgary's choices pale next to Van's, and bands like Broken Social Scene, Yo La Tengo, and Mogwai might end up playing places like the Calgary Science Center and the Glenbow Museum? I can't wait.

Wednesday at Langara there's a debate over who should be responsible for social housing. I think the guy behind the world's first billion-dollar home could lend a hand. Sigh.

A plan to ship our garbage off to the States has been strongly opposed. Hasn't 'Hollywood North' been doing that for years?

If you think Canada's Beijing Olympic clothing is a horrendous waste of fabric, which it most certainly is,
at least we won't look like the French.

As the Tyee reports, welfare rate raises have been deemed 'unreasonable,' and according to the government would turn BC into a welfare 'magnet.' Growing up in Cowtown, I'm reminded of Ralph Klein's 90s scheme to solve Alberta's unemployment: one-way bus tickets to BC.

Concerning those Beijing uniforms... just ignore the fact they were outsourced to China - they're made of bamboo and coconut! The plant has become a real darling of eco-marketing, but apparently bamboo ain't so 'green'. You might wanna re-evaluate the impact of those lululemon pants, as I know you don't need any more convincing on Beijing.

Sniper in Surrey goes on a shooting rampage... with a potato gun. Celebrating Year of the Potato Surrey-style?

Photo: gearing up to be the unofficial uniform of the 2010 Olympics?

Since 1992, Vancouver-based neworldtheatre has produced 17 original plays, winning 17 Jessie awards and always getting a lot of local press. Their recent works include an ambitious adaptation of Crime and Punishment; the FUSE installation placebook, an analog version of facebook; and The Adventures of Ali and Ali and the Axes of Evil, a ballsy satire which garnered some great reviews and won the company quite a bit of attention in 2007.

The group has become one of Vancouver's most consistently exciting theatre companies; priding themselves on a mandate of diversity and a celebration of the places where Vancouver's distinct cultures and aesthetics intersect. newworld's consistently edgy productions are a testament to their dedication to Vancouver's broad artistic community, something that will be on display again as they rev up for the seventh edition of the Bite of the Underground cabaret-style variety show, an event which functions as a fundraiser for the company.

It happens tonight at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, with doors at 8:30. The evening will feature the work of a number of hot local performers, including stand-up, poetry, spoken word, and a variety of music. Some notes on the featured acts after the break...