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...

Last night, I was lucky enough to be a part of Beyond Robson's staff meeting at the Cambie. I had a great time, and am pleased to know we all have heads larger than 1cm tall!
...and with that, I bring you (a New Music West infused) Concert BReak.

Thursday, May 8
Here are tonight's concerts.

Friday, May 9
♦ NOFX @ Commodore: These satirical punks have been at it since the early 80's.
♦ You Say Party! We Say Die! @ Astoria: Abbotsford's dance-punksters unite with Better Friends than Lovers and Wintermitts for a Vancouver indie extravaganza.
♦ Dawntreader @ Railway Club: This bunch of locals are celebrating their album release with Cinderpop, The Top Drawers and Empire Alley.

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!

Photo courtesy of Arne Gulstene.

I remember how excited I was when I learned that sports talk radio was coming to Vancouver.

It's hard to believe that the TEAM 1040 has been on the air for seven years.

Before that, the only form of sports talk radio came on CKNW 980 and it happened in the evenings, when I was away from the radio.

But with the all new TEAM 1040 taking over the station once known as 1040 Kicks CKXY, it was 24/7 and I was in Heaven.

Thanks for breaking the silence of my office during the day.

Thanks for showing me that Jim Rome was more than just the guy that pissed off Jim Everett back in the nineties--he was actually a good host.

Thank you Sherminator and B-Mac for talking more than just local sports. I love hearing about my Lions, Giants and Canucks, but I also like hearing about things like March Madness as well.

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.

It's May 1953 and a man is walking down Burrard Street on a clear night. He sees something and stops walking. To no one in particular he says "hotdamn, what is that sonofabitch!" Then he takes off his hat, runs his fingers through his hair, and stares in amazement for a good few minutes. He takes a step back, and then a step to the right, so as to see it from different perspectives. Thoroughly impressed, he snaps his fingers and grins. "Well if that ain't somthin" he exclaims before replacing his hat and walking off.