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Earth : North America : Canada : British Columbia : Lower Mainland : Vancouver
Vancouver [20] is the largest metropolitan area in Western Canada, and third largest in Canada, with a population of 2.6 million. Located at the southwestern corner of the coastal province of British Columbia, it is well known for its majestic natural beauty, as it is nestled between the Coast Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It is frequently ranked as one of the "best cities to live in" and is certainly a beautiful destination to visit.
We're proposing to revise Vancouver's districts. If you have any thoughts/opinions, please join the discussion on the talk page.
Vancouverites broadly split their city into three: the Westside, the Eastside (or East Van) and downtown. This split is simply geography: everything west of Ontario St is the Westside, everything east is East Vancouver and everything north of False Creek is downtown. Each of these areas have their own attractions and neighbourhoods, so time permitting, explore as many as you can.
This list covers only the city itself. For its many suburbs, see Lower Mainland.
While Vancouver is a comparatively young city, at just over 125 years, its history begins long before. The Coast Salish indigenous peoples (First Nations) have lived in the area for at least 6000 years, and Vancouver's namesake Captain George Vancouver sailed through the First Narrows in 1792. The first settlement on the downtown peninsula was Granville, located on the spot of today's Gastown. In the year of Canada's confederation a saloon was built on this site and gave birth to a small shantytown of bars and stores adjacent to the original mill on the south shore of what is now the city's harbour. A seemingly endless supply of high quality lumber was logged and sold through the ports of Gastown and Moodyville, across the inlet. Some of the trees were gigantic beams which were shipped to China to construct Beijing's Imperial Palace, and one account maintains that the world's windjammer fleets could not have been built without the trees of Burrard Inlet.
Vancouver proper was signed into existence in 1886. The first City Hall was little more than a hand painted sign nailed to a wooden tent post. The arrival of the transcontinental railway a few years later spurred growth even more and by 1892 the area had over 20,000 residents; eighteen years later this figure was over 100,000.
Factor in constant growth every year since (many in the double digits), and Greater Vancouver today is Canada's largest metropolitan area west of Toronto by far with more than 2,600,000 residents, more than half of British Columbia's population as a whole. It is also the fastest growing part of Canada. Greater Vancouver is one of the most ethnically diverse metropolitan areas in the world and is home to the second largest Chinatown in North America after San Francisco.
The city truly arrived in 1986 when Vancouver "hosted the world" with the Expo 86 World Fair. Media attention from around the world was consistently positive, and many considered it the most successful World's Fair since Montreal's. Vancouver also hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics, which wound up a rousing success after a very fitful start and once again brought the city to global attention.
Vancouver is perhaps best known for its scenic beauty, and the opportunities afforded by its natural environment. Vancouver is one of those rare places where you could theoretically ski in the mountains, windsurf in the ocean, and play a round of golf all in the same day. Surrounded by water on three sides, and crowned by the North Shore mountains, Vancouver is a great destination in itself, as well a great starting point for discovering the area's many outdoor activities.
Vancouver is a major sea port on the Pacific Ocean, and a base for many Alaska Cruise Ships in the summer. It has the same name as another city in the region, Vancouver, Washington (USA).
With the exception of Victoria, Vancouver has the mildest climate of any major city in Canada; even palm trees can grow here. It rains a lot in Vancouver, especially during the winters, but during the summer months Vancouver gets less rain than most other Canadian cities. During the winter months it can go weeks without seeing the sun or a dry day, but the temperature rarely goes below freezing. Heavy snowfalls are an unusual sight and often lead to major traffic congestion. The weather in Vancouver is similar to the southern UK, and while weather is similar to Seattle's, Vancouver frequently enjoys somewhat better weather overall. In the early summer the days often start out cloudy, due to marine air, but becomes clear by noon. Contrary to Vancouver's wet reputation, during the summer it is actually the second driest major Canadian city (after Victoria). Summer temperatures are not extreme, the typical day time high between June and August is around 25°C (77°F).
There is one word to describe Vancouver's weather: unpredictable. The weather can be completely different depending on what part of the city you are in. It can be pouring rain on the North Shore and sunny in White Rock.
If you are visiting the city between July and October, you will most likely have excellent weather. The rainy season often starts in the middle of October. Without warning, one day it will be nice and sunny and the next the rain will begin and continue, seemingly continuously, until early March. If you are coming to the city for a ski holiday, the best time to visit is February; the region has a great record for excellent ski conditions during this month, once you get to altitudes above the constant rain.
Visitor Information
Get in
By plane
Vancouver International Airport
Vancouver International Airport (IATA: YVR) [21]. YVR is located immediately south of the city of Vancouver. It serves as the hub airport for Western Canada with frequent flights to other points in British Columbia, major cities across Canada and the U.S., Asia and several to Europe. The majority of Canadian flights are with Star Alliance member Air Canada [22] and WestJet [23]. U.S. destinations are served by United Airlines, Alaska Airways, Continental Airlines, US Airways, Delta Airlines, Air Canada, and WestJet. International flights are serviced by Air Canada, KLM, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Singapore Airlines (until 25 Apr), Korean Air, Philippine Airlines, and Air New Zealand to name a few.
YVR's three terminals are: Domestic for jet flights within Canada, International for flights outside of Canada and South, which is the base for prop, small jet, and seaplane service to 'local' communities in B.C. and Yukon. The domestic and international terminals are connected and you can easily walk back and forth between them. The South Terminal is not attached and requires separate transportation to get to it.
The International Terminal has two boarding areas -- Transborder and International. The transborder area (Gate E) services all U.S. bound flights and has U.S. customs onsite. Travellers leaving Canada to fly into the U.S. must clear customs before you board the plane, so give yourself some extra time to check-in when you leave Vancouver for U.S. destinations. [Note: In the summer season when the Alaska cruises are operating to Vancouver, the afternoon flights are filled with Alaskan cruisers disembarking at Vancouver; give yourself even more extra time to get through the long customs line.] The remainder of the international terminal (Gate D) has all other customs and immigration services, and has a sophisticated layout complete with native scapes of the B.C. terrain and sights. Construction is currently taking place to expand the international terminal and refurbishing and expanding the domestic terminal.
There is a range of restaurants, services and shops if you are hungry or want to kill some time before or after a flight. The airport has a policy of "street pricing", obliging retailers and restaurants to sell at the same prices in the airport as in the city to avoid customer gouging. Typical fast-food restaurants are located before the security check-ins in the departure areas. For a nice meal, a Milestone's restaurant is located in the domestic terminal just outside the security check-in. In the international terminal, the upscale Fairmont Hotel has a nice view and some reasonably priced choices on their menu. Duty-free purchases may be made both before and after you clear customs in the airport, up to your personal exemption limit. ABM machines are scattered throughout the terminals. Currency exchange counters are located on both sides of security in the international terminal.
There are a number of ways to get into town from the airport. Prices and directions below are for getting into downtown Vancouver.
Floatplane and heliport
There are floatplane facilities located both in the Coal Harbour area of downtown Vancouver (IATA: CXH) and at Vancouver International's South Terminal. Floatplanes operated by Harbour Air, Salt Spring Air and West Coast Air [26] fly frequently from downtown Vancouver and/or YVR to Victoria's Inner Harbour, Vancouver Island, the scenic Southern Gulf Islands, Seattle and other local destinations. Some float plane operators also offer spectacular tours of the central city and nearby attractions starting at about $80-100 per person... a great way to see a panoramic view of downtown. A quick search of Google will bring up websites for most of these float plane operators.
Finally, Helijet [27] operates helicopter service from the downtown heliport next to Waterfront Station, providing quick and convenient connections to Victoria and YVR.
Abbotsford International Airport
Abbotsford International Airport [28] (IATA: YXX), located about 60 km (37 mi) east of Vancouver in Abbotsford, is Vancouver's alternate airport. It handles mostly domestic flights and, with an arranged ride, you can be in and out of this airport in under 10 min (with no checked in baggage).
The best way to reach Vancouver from Abbotsford Airport is by car -- take the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) west. The drive will take .75-1.5 hours, depending on traffic. There is no public transit link between this airport and Vancouver, so if you don't have access to a car, it is highly recommended that you fly into YVR instead. Car rentals are available at the airport.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Flying in and out of Seattle, most notably for US destinations, and then using the bus, train, or car rental for travel to and from Vancouver city can be a less expensive option than buying a direct flight from YVR or YXX due to tariffs and "other" reasons. A U.S. visa may be required and could take some time to procure. For budget travelers, you may wish to consider checking flights to and from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The bus or train ride takes about 5 hr one way and driving time is approximately 2.5-3 hr. Allow extra time to clear customs at the border.
By car
The main highway into Vancouver from the east is Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway). This road skirts the eastern edge of Vancouver, so if you want to get into the city, you will need to exit off it at Grandview Highway, 1st Avenue or Hastings Street.
From the U.S./Canada border south of the city, Highway 99, which links up with U.S. Interstate 5, runs north to Vancouver. Note that the freeway ends after the Oak Street Bridge, turning into Oak Street heading north. Drivers with a downtown destination will need to get onto Granville Street (parallel to Oak St to the west), or Cambie Street (parallel to the east), in order to get on the Granville Street or Cambie Street bridges which cross False Creek into the downtown peninsula.
If you are coming from the North Shore or other points further north, the only way into Vancouver is by bridge. Your options are the Lions Gate Bridge (Hwy 99) which brings you into Stanley Park and Vancouver's West End or the Second Narrows Bridge/Ironworkers Memorial Bridge (Hwy 1) which brings you into the neighbourhoods of East Van.
By bus
Vancouver is well served by bus service. There are a number of different bus lines providing service to various cities near and far. Here are a couple of examples:
By train
Taking the train to Vancouver is unlikely to be the cheapest option, but it is a scenic one. Rail options include:
All trains arrive at Pacific Central Station, located at 1150 Station Street (east of downtown off Main St). From there, it is a short taxi ride into the central business area, or you can pick up the SkyTrain at the Main St/Science World station two blocks away.
If you have the time and money, traveling to Vancouver by train can be an excellent way to see the Canadian Rockies. This is discussed further at the Rocky Mountaineer.
By boat
There are two ferry terminals serviced by BC Ferries [37] in the area, although neither is within the city of Vancouver itself.
Both terminals are far enough from the city core that you will need to travel by car, taxi or bus to get into town from them (and vice-versa). In terms of bus transportation, the various coach services are recommended over public transit. Public buses to and from the ferry terminals are fairly easy and direct. From Vancouver downtown, you take Canada Line (Skytrain) from downtown to Brighouse Station. From Brighouse Station, take the 620 bus which takes you directly to the Tsawwassen ferry terminal.
By cruise ship
Port Metro Vancouver[38] is the homeport for the popular Vancouver-Alaska cruise. From May-Sep, more than 3/4 million visitors pass through the two cruise ship terminals in Port Metro Vancouver. Check with your cruise line as to which terminal your ship is using, especially if you are embarking at Vancouver.
US passport holders may be able to participate in "Onboard Check-in" and "US Direct" to streamline processing at the cruise ship and the airport. US Direct allows passengers arriving at Vancouver Airport (YVR) to transfer directly to a same-day-departing cruise ship by participating in expedited immigration and customs clearance process. Onboard Check-in allows passengers arriving on a cruise ship and flying out of YVR on the same day to transfer directly to YVR by participating in an expedited immigration and customs clearance process.
These programs do not apply to passengers who are planning a pre- or post-cruise stay in Vancouver. Not all cruise lines participate, so check with your cruise line to see if you can take advantage of the Onboard Check-in/US Direct program.
Get around
Vancouver is one of the few major cities in North America without a freeway leading directly into the downtown core (freeway proposals in the 1960s and 1970s were defeated by community opposition). As a result, development has taken a different course than in most other major North American cities resulting in a relatively high use of transit and cycling, a dense, walkable core and a development model that is studied and emulated elsewhere.
By public transit
Vancouver's public transit is run by the regional transportation authority, TransLink [39] as an integrated system of buses, rapid transit (SkyTrain) and passenger ferry (SeaBus) . The transit system connects Vancouver with its neighbouring municipalities, stretching as far north as Lions Bay, south to the U.S. border and east to Langley and Maple Ridge.
Adult fares for travel within the city of Vancouver cost $2.50. Travel from Vancouver to nearby places like North Vancouver, Burnaby and Richmond costs from $3.75-$5.00 depending on the time of day and number of transit zones you cross. Travel on weekdays after 6:30PM on weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays is always $2.50 regardless of the destination. The ticket you receive is valid for 1.5 h from the time of purchase and can be used to transfer to any bus, SkyTrain or the SeaBus during that time. TransLink's website and customer information line (+1 604-953-3333) both offer complete trip planning. A regional system map is widely available at convenience stores and on TransLink's website.
A more convenient option for the traveler may be the Daypass, which offers unlimited travel for a single day at the cost of $9.00. It is valid in all zones so that avoids having to worry about that and is available from fare machines at SkyTrain stations.
Books of 10 prepaid tickets (FareSaver tickets) are available for $17.00 -$42.00 from many convenience stores. Concession fares are available for Vancouver grade-school students and BC seniors and cost between $1.75-$3.50. If you're a student or a senior, you must be carrying a TransLink GoCard or BC Gold CareCard to receive the reduced concession fare. Monthly passes are also available, which can cost $73-136. All these prices depend on how many zones are covered.
The bus service covers the widest area and travels along most major streets in the city. Passengers must either buy a ticket or present their ticket immediately upon entering a TransLink bus. Buses accept coins only and will not give change. Tickets can also be purchased from vending machines in SkyTrain stations that accept coins, bills, debit and credit cards. In addition, several bus rapid transit lines named B Lines crisscross the city.
SkyTrain is the mostly elevated rapid transit system that connects Vancouver's downtown with some of its southern and eastern suburbs. The Expo line runs out through Burnaby and New Westminster to King George station in Surrey. The Millennium line follows the Expo line to New Westminster and then loops back through Burnaby and into Vancouver again ending at VCC/Clark. The new (2009) Canada Line connects downtown with Richmond and Vancouver Airport. Notable SkyTrain stations in Vancouver include:
The SeaBus is a passenger ferry that connects Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. It generally runs every 15 min except in the evening and on Sundays. The exact schedule is available on TransLink's website.
Purchasing tickets for the SkyTrain and the SeaBus operates on a proof-of-purchase system, with ticket checks occuring not every time but at random. It is possible to ride without paying, especially during rush hour, but those who do so ride at their own risk. If caught, the passenger has to pay a fine of $173. Tickets are easily available through vending machines at SkyTrain stations and either SeaBus terminal.
SkyTrain and SeaBus service ends before last call at night clubs and bars, so if you'll be partying downtown, be sure you figure out a ride home.
By ferry across False Creek
A quick trip across on a cute little-boat-that-could ferry can be the most fun, traffic-free, and convenient way to get between various points on False Creek:
Service is offered by Granville Island Ferries [40] with little blue boats and by Aquabus [41] with little rainbow boats. The two ferries run slightly different routes, and their docks on Granville Island are on either side of the Public Market. Current prices for adults start at $3 for short routes to $6 for long routes.
By car
Vancouver's road network is generally a grid system with a "Street" running north-south and an "Avenue" running east-west. Arterial roads follow the grid fairly well (although not perfectly), but side streets frequently disappear for blocks at a time and then reappear. Most of the "Avenues" are numbered and they always use East or West to designate whether it is on the East side or the West side of Ontario Street. Some of the major avenues use names rather than numbers (Broadway would be 9th Ave, King Edward Ave would be 25th Ave).
Downtown Vancouver has its own grid system and doesn't follow the street/avenue format of the rest of the city. It is also surrounded by water on three sides, so most of the ways in and out require you to cross a bridge. This can cause traffic congestion, particularly at peak times (morning and evening commutes, sunny weekend afternoons, major sporting events), so factor that into any driving plans, or avoid if possible.
A unique feature of Vancouver and the rest of British Columbia is intersections with flashing green traffic signals. These do not indicate an advance left turn as it would in many other parts of North America. Instead, a flashing green light indicates a traffic signal that can be activated only by a pedestrian or a cyclist on the side street, but not by a motor vehicle. When the signal turns red, traffic stops as at any traffic signal. Any side street traffic must obey the stop sign on the side street and must yield to any pedestrians crossing the side street, even if traffic is stopped on the main street.
Parking downtown generally costs $1-2.50/hour or $12-$20/day. Commercial areas will typically have meter parking on the street, with meters accepting Canadian and American change only (American coins accepted at par value). Residential streets may allow free parking, but some will require a permit.
Easy Park [42] lots (look for an orange circle with a big "P") rank as the most affordable of the parkades, but generally the cost of parking will not vary greatly among parkades within a certain area. Most will accept payment by credit card, as well as coins. Beware of scammers hanging around in some parkades, trying to sell parking tickets for less than their face value — typically, they have purchased the tickets with stolen credit cards. Also be careful parking overnight, as vehicle break-ins are not uncommon.
City meters and parking regulations are enforced regularly. Meter-related offenses will result in fines. Violations in private lots are generally unenforceable, but may result in your car being towed. If your vehicle is towed on a city street, you can recover it at the city impound lot at 425 Industrial Ave.
By bicycle
The city of Vancouver is a very bicycle-friendly city. In addition to the extremely popular seawall bicycle routes along Stanley Park, False Creek and Kitsilano, there are a whole network of bicycle routes that connect the whole city. The City of Vancouver provides a map of the bicycle routes that is available at most bike shops or online. Also, all buses have bicycle racks on the front to help riders get to less accessible parts. North American visitors will find that drivers in Vancouver are well accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists.
Bicycles are available to rent by the hour, day or week. Many places also rent tandem bikes. Some bicycle rental locations:
Alternatively, buy a used bicycle and either sell it on or donate it to someone in more need of it at the end of your stay. There are a number of 2nd owner bicycle stores on Dunbar and the surrounding area.
Hosted Bicycle Tours are available from a number of suppliers. These tours are educational and cover many of the interesting areas and attractions of Vancouver.
By Scooter
Renting a scooter is a good compromise between a bike and a car. Scooters are not allowed on the famous bike path, but it is possible to travel in the inner roads, park and walk at all the attractions. Average cost is ~$80 for 24 hours + gas.
While Vancouver is still a young city, it has a variety of attractions and points of interest for the visitor. Many of the city's landmarks and historical buildings can be found downtown. Canada Place, with its distinctive sails, the Vancouver Convention Centre located just beside it, the intricate Art Deco styling of the Marine Building and the old luxury railway hotel of the Hotel Vancouver are in the central business district. Stanley Park (the city's most popular attraction), along with its neighbouring Coal Harbour walkway and the Vancouver Aquarium are in the West End and Gastown, the original town site of Vancouver, has a number of restored buildings and its steam clock is a popular spot to visit. Modern architecture worth visiting also includes Shangri-La, currently the tallest building in the city, and the Sheraton Wall Centre. Another popular city landmark, the bustling markets and shops of Granville Island, is just to the south of downtown in South Granville.
If you're looking to learn a little about the people of the Northwest Coast and some of its history, one good spot is the impressive Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, which houses several thousand objects from BC's First Nations. The museum is also home to significant collections of archaeological objects and ethnographic materials from other parts of the world. The Vancouver Art Gallery, located downtown combines local with international through a variety of exhibitions and a permanent collection that focuses on renowned British Columbia artist, Emily Carr. The Vancouver Public Library, located downtown at Homer and Robson Sts, is modelled after the Roman Colosseum, and houses the city's largest library. Another downtown sight is the small Contemporary Art Gallery on Nelson Street, which features modern art. Also located nearby, just south of Chinatown is the shiny geodesic dome of the Telus World of Science (commonly known as Science World), which has a number of exhibits, shows and galleries aimed at making science fun for kids. There are also some smaller sights in Kitsilano, including the Vancouver Maritime Museum, Museum of Vancouver, and H.R. Macmillan Space Centre.
The city has a wealth of parks and gardens scattered throughout. The most famous is Stanley Park at the tip of the downtown peninsula. Its miles of trails for walking and cycling, beaches, magnificent views and the attractions (including totem poles) within the park gives it something for everyone. The most popular trail is the Seawall, a paved trail that runs around the perimeter of Stanley Park and now joins with the seawalls in Coal Harbour and Kitsilano, totaling 22 km in length. The Vancouver Aquarium is located within Stanley Park. Other notable parks and gardens include VanDusen Botanical Garden and Queen Elizabeth Park in South Vancouver, the Nitobe Memorial Garden (commonly known as the Nitobe Japanese Garden) and UBC Botanical Garden at the University of British Columbia and the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Chinatown downtown.
Admission to Vancouver's various attractions can range from $10 to up to $30 per person. There are a variety of attractions passes available that help visitors save on retail admissions such as the See Vancouver Smartvisit Card and the Vancouver Five in One Card.
Finally, a trip to Vancouver wouldn't be complete without a glimpse of the skyline and the Coastal mountains rising above the city (clouds permitting, of course!). Popular spots to view it include Stanley Park and the Harbour Centre downtown, Spanish Banks and Jericho Beaches in Kitsilano and Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. Other interesting views can be seen from City Hall at 12th and Cambie, Queen Elizabeth Park and East Van's CRAB Park.
If you want to orient yourself in the city, there are a variety of tours -- bus, walking, hop-on, hop-off -- based out of the City Centre that will regale you with Vancouver lore while taking you to many of the main attractions.
Outdoor Activities
Vancouverites love the outdoors and one of the most popular things to do is to walk, jog, bike or rollerblade the Seawall. It starts at Canada Place downtown, wraps around Stanley Park and follows the shoreline of False Creek though Yaletown, Science World and Granville Island to Kits Beach in Kitsilano. The most popular sections are around Stanley Park and along the north shore of False Creek. Bike and rollerblade rentals are available from a few shops near the corner of Denman & West Georgia if you prefer wheeled transportation over walking. If the weather's nice, go out to Granville Island, rent a speedboat and take a boat ride on the waters around Stanley Park and Coal Harbour. Golf courses also are abundant in the city, along with more cost-conscious pitch-and-putt courses.
If you'd rather lie in the sun than play in the sun, Vancouver has a number of beaches. While certainly not glamourous and lacking waves, there's sand, water and lots of people on sunny summer days. Kitsilano has a string of beaches, the most well known being Kitsilano Beach, Jericho and Spanish Banks. Kits Beach is the most popular and has beach volleyball, Spanish Banks is a bit quieter and popular with skimboarders. There are a few beaches on the south and west sides of downtown, with English Bay Beach (near Denman & Beach) being the largest and most popular. Finally, no discussion of Vancouver beaches would be complete without mention of Wreck Beach at the tip of Point Grey in UBC. As much rock as it is sand, it holds a place in the Vancouver identity and is the only city beach where you can bare it all.
For many, Vancouver is synonymous with skiing and snowboarding. While there are no ski hills within the city itself, there are three "local" hills (Cypress, Grouse Mountain and Seymour) across the harbour on the North Shore. And of course, Vancouver is the gateway to Whistler, the biggest and one of the highest rated snow destinations in North America.
Spectator Sports
When you tire of doing stuff outdoors, or prefer that someone else do the hard work, you can always grab a seat and take in the local sports teams.
The biggest draw in town is hockey (the variety played on ice, not a field) and the local professional team is the Vancouver Canucks [52]. The team plays at Rogers Arena in the City Centre and the season lasts from October to April (and possibly longer when they make the play-offs). Tickets are pricey and the concessions are even worse, but it's a good game to watch live. The local junior hockey team, the Vancouver Giants [53], offer a cheaper but no less exciting experience. They play out of Pacific Coliseum in East Van.
The BC Lions [54], the city's Canadian Football League team (think American football with 12 players a side, three downs, a slightly larger field, and much larger end zones) plays during the summer and fall at BC Place downtown.
The Vancouver Whitecaps FC [55], the third team to bear the "Whitecaps" name, began their first season in Major League Soccer in March 2011, becoming the second MLS team in Canada. Because BC Place was closed for renovations following the 2010 Winter Olympics, the Lions played the 2010 season at Empire Field, a temporary stadium on the Pacific National Exhibition grounds in East Van. The MLS Whitecaps are beginning their inaugural 2011 season at Empire Field as well. When BC Place reopens in late September 2011, both teams will move there. The Whitecaps initially planned to build a new stadium of their own near the waterfront, but local opposition has led the Whitecaps to make BC Place their long-term home.
Roller Derby
The Terminal City Rollergirls [56] are Vancouver's first female roller derby league and are members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association. Created in 2006, the league now has four full teams (Faster Pussycats, Bad Reputations, Public Frenemy, and Riot Girls) as well as an All-Stars team made up of the best players in the league. The players are a diverse group of women, from nurses to construction workers, graphic designers, television producers, teachers, stay-at-home moms, PhD students and aspiring rock stars. The bouts are exciting and fun (there is usually an entertaining half-time show), and you may even see some hard hits that show up on the League's Hall of Pain [57]. If you're thinking about attending a bout and know nothing or very little about flat track roller derby, check out the 'How Derby Works' section [58] on the TCRG website. Bouts are generally held April-September and at various arenas around the city, although the PNE Forum in East Van has been a popular venue.
Vancouver has a single A baseball team, the Vancouver Canadians [59], who play out of Nat Bailey Stadium in South Vancouver.
Culture and Festivals
Vancouver isn't all about the outdoors as it offers a variety of theatre, concerts and other cultural events. There are symphony and opera venues downtown and much of the city's live theatre can be found in South Granville, particularly on Granville Island with its thriving arts scene.
The city's Chinese heritage comes alive during Chinese New Year. Chinatown, in the east side of downtown, is awash in colour and has many festivities, including a parade. June sees the annual Dragon Boat Festival on False Creek.
There is no shortage of festivals around the city, with many local ones particular to a neighbourhood. The festival that draws the largest crowds is the HSBC Celebration of Light [60], a four night extravaganza of fireworks over English Bay in late July and early August. Countries compete with 20-30 min displays choreographed to music. The fireworks start at 10PM and are best viewed from Sunset Beach in the West End or Kits Beach/Vanier Park in Kitsilano. It is strongly recommended to take public transit and to get there a few hours early as the crowds are huge. Roads in the vicinity of English Bay are typically closed from 6PM onwards.
EAT! Vancouver - The Everything Food + Cooking Festival takes place every May. In 2010, the festival takes place May 28-30, at the new Vancouver Convention Centre - West. Celebrity chefs, popular local restaurants, wineries, food & beverage manufacturers, cookbook authors, retailers, artisans, & many others from the culinary world will come together for a 3 day public extravaganza at the Vancouver Convention Centre. EAT Vancouver encompasses unique food experiences, opportunities to learn behind-the-scenes culinary magic from professional chefs, dynamic entertainment through celebrity chef cooking demonstrations & intense culinary competitions, diverse food, beverage & cooking related exhibits; & of course fantastic shopping opportunities. www.eat-vancouver.com
Other notable festivals include the Vancouver International Film Festival [61] that runs in Sept-Oct; the Fringe Festival [62] that presents live theatre in a variety of styles and venues; Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival[63] that runs May - September at Vanier Park in Kitsilano; and the three day Folk Fest [64] on the beach in Kitsilano that features a large selection of current and upcoming folk, roots and world music acts. Another notable event is Vancouver's annual Vancouver Pride Parade [65], for 2011 held on 31 July, which attracts over 500,000 spectators.
There are a number of educational institutions both in Vancouver and in the surrounding cities and suburbs. Places of study within the city of Vancouver include:
Traditionally, much of Vancouver's industry has centred around its port facilities and the forestry and mining sectors. Although these industries are still important to the economy, Vancouver's largest employers are now the various hospitals and educational institutions in the area and companies with head offices in Vancouver such as Telus Corp and the Jim Pattison Group. Recently, Vancouver has expanded as a centre for software development and biotechnology, while streets provide a backdrop for the developing film industry. Many jobs exist in the varied small and medium sized businesses that operate in the region. As with many cities, jobs are posted on-line or in the newspaper, but it helps if you have some contacts within the industry that can point you to the jobs that are open but not posted.
As with any tourist centre, there are a number of service jobs available. The attractions, restaurants and hotels downtown frequently need staff. Other areas to consider are Granville Island and the North Shore with its ski areas and Grouse Mountain.
This is only a sample of things you can look for in Vancouver. Visit the separate district pages for other info.
Tip - There were two local taxes that are charged on the vast majority of goods, the 7% PST (Provincial Sales Tax) and the 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax). These have been replaced with a combined HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) of 12% since July 1, 2010.
There are some unique shopping areas in Kitsilano and East Van. In Kits you can visit the first store of Vancouver-born and based athletic retailer, Lululemon Athletica, sporting popular yoga-inspired apparel [78]. Gore-tex jackets are ubiquitous in Vancouver and the best place to buy them is at Mountain Equipment Co-op [79], Taiga Works [80] or one of the other outdoorsy stores clustered together on the east-west main drag called Broadway (equivalent to 9th Avenue, running between 8th and 10th) between Cambie St. and Main St., just east of the Kitsilano area.
Where to begin? There is something for everyone in this cosmopolitan city, and the variety of cuisines and price points have been described as a foodie's delight. In particular, you will find many different kinds of Asian food available. If you fancy sushi many places offer "all you can eat" lunches for $10, which offers food of a wildly varying quality. In general, the city is up there with some of the best cities in North America when it comes to food. If you can do without alcohol, you can usually have a pretty reasonable meal for under $10, and at one of the more expensive restaurants in the city, $70 will get you a four course feast with exquisite service.
The highest density of restaurants is in Kitsilano or the West End. The central business area has many of the high end restaurants either along Robson Street or associated with the many hotels in the downtown area. East Van tends to have many authentic ethnic restaurants.
Vancouver is also famous for its dim sum restaurants. Because of the big Chinese population, the price and quality of dim sum here is among the best in the world. One of the consistently highly-ranked dim sum restaurants by local magazines is Sun Sui Wah, at 3888 Main St. Also, check out Floata in Chinatown on Keefer St, Top Cantonese Cuisine in East Vancouver on Kingsway and Earles, or the Kirin at Cambie and 12th; reservations recommended. There are many restaurants on Victoria around 41st Ave which offer cheap dim sum ($2/plate), albeit with less class and more oil. In Burnaby, try Fortune House in Metropolis Shopping Complex. The city of Richmond, with a majority of its inhabitants being of Chinese descent, will have a plethora to choose from. Restaurants are all over the place on No. 3 Rd, Westminster Hwy, Alexandra Rd, and on the many side streets just east of Richmond Centre.
For budget travellers, pick up a Georgia Straight (a free local paper available all over the place), and clip two for one coupons from the food section.
Be advised that although the vast majority of stores around Vancouver accept credit cards, small family-owned Chinese businesses and restaurants, more often than not, accept only cash.
Bubble tea (or boba tea) is also a popular drink among the Vancouver youth. There are countless tea houses throughout Vancouver, the most notable being Dragon Ball Tea House on West King Edward Ave and Oak St.
Most of the nightclubs are located in the central business district, especially along the Granville Street strip, south of Robson and along Water Street in Gastown. There are a number of good local pubs in the various quieter neighbourhoods of the city, such as along Main Street or Broadway. Closing times for most of these pub-like establishments begin at 1AM; nightclubs close between 2AM-3AM with a very small number operating after-hours. Nightclubs with music, a DJ and a dance floor usually charge an entrance fee. Be aware that many nightclubs often have long lineup queues on weekends, which are usually self-imposed regardless of whether or not the establishment is near capacity to attract business. Flexibility and willingness to go early is key should nightlife become part of your travel plans.
Note that liquor stores at the latest close by 11PM, while many are closed by 9PM, and there will exist no other legal options apart from drinking at an establishment beyond this time.
Vancouver offers a number of destinations for beer drinkers. The largest is the Granville Island Brewery on Granville Island (tours are available). Other microbreweries are housed in brewpubs, popular ones include the Yaletown Brewing Company and Dix BBQ and Brewery in Yaletown and Steamworks at the entrance to Gastown. The Alibi Room, near Gastown, specializes in beers by Northwestern microbreweries.
In general, accommodations in Vancouver are on the expensive side. Most hotel rooms begin at $200-250/night, and most motel rooms cost somewhere between $90-150/night. If you are lucky to find hostel accommodation, the cheapest of these will cost around $20/night, more reasonably between $35-50.
The City Centre is centrally located for attractions and has the bulk of Vancouver's accommodation, including most of the high-end hotels and backpackers hostels. If you don't mind getting away from the chain hotels, there are a number of smaller boutique hotels outside of the central business district but still close to the action that are cheaper than the four and five star options downtown.
Staying outside the City Centre area may give you a wider choice of affordable accommodations. There are a few budget hotels/motels along Kingsway in East Van and Broadway in South Granville. A number of B&B's are also scattered throughout the city in each district. If you want/need to stay close to the airport, Richmond has a number of hotels with varying degrees of luxury and price.
Finally, if you don't mind driving or commuting in to see Vancouver, the suburbs also have some cheaper options. North Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster all have easy access to Vancouver via the public transit system. The closest Provincial Parks with campgrounds are near Chilliwack and Squamish.
In case of an Emergency, dial 9-1-1 from any public phone for free. Be advised, however, that with the rise of cell phone use, many public phones have been removed, and can therefore be hard to come by (especially in the suburbs).
A good travel tip to remember: Dialing 1-1-2 from a cell phone automatically connects you to the nearest cellular network and calls the emergency number, regardless of its combination (ex. 9-1-1, 1-1-2 etc.) Please note that 1-1-2 will work only on GSM cellphones in Vancouver. While GSM cellphones are very common worldwide, PCS/CDMA cellular phones through Telus Mobility are more common in Vancouver, and Telus doesn't support 1-1-2 on its cellular network. To be safe, dial 9-1-1 for emergencies if you are anywhere in North America.
The area codes for phone calls in Vancouver and the surrounding area (known locally as the Lower Mainland) are 604 and 778 (these area codes overlap). Vancouver has ten-digit calling, so when making a local call you must include the area code. Calls outside the Greater Vancouver region (i.e. east of Langley or north of Squamish, including to Whistler) are toll calls from Vancouver. To call these numbers you need to add a "1" before the area code, i.e. "1-604" or "1-778".
Local calls at pay phones costs 50 cents per call. They are not metered, so you can talk as long as you want. Note that downtown pay phones are often broken. Working pay phones are almost always available at all of the downtown SkyTrain stations.
Internet cafes are not as popular as they once where, having been replaced by free wireless found in many hotels, cafes and restaurants; However, there are still many around the Vancouver area and are generally quite reasonably priced; typically $2-5 per hour with all-day passes common.
In addition, there is free internet available at Canada Place. Bell has some free standing room stations set up in the main concourse of the convention centre. Also, the Apple Store in the Pacific Mall has free wifi.
For those who have brought a laptop, free wireless points are abundant in the downtown area (including every branch of Blenz Coffee [81]), and reasonable paid service is also available in a pinch.
Stay safe
Vancouver is a great place to visit if you use common sense like keeping an eye on your possessions, knowing where you are going and avoiding alleys and unfamiliar areas at night should keep you out of trouble. Unless involved in illegal activities (such as the drug trade), it is highly unlikely you will fall victim to any sort of violent crime. If you need emergency help, dial 911.
Like any major metropolitan city, Vancouver has areas that should be travelled with caution. The most notable is the Downtown Eastside (specifically Hastings Street between Abbott and Gore). This neighbourhood is infamous for homelessness, drug-use, and prostitution. As a result of these conditions, violence is quite a common problem. If you do accidentally stroll into the Downtown Eastside it is not difficult to find your way out, but if you get lost or feel uncomfortable the best thing to do is approach a police officer. Tourists exploring Gastown and Chinatown can easily wander into the Downtown Eastside unwittingly.
It's also wise to exercise caution in the Granville Mall area downtown on Friday and Saturday nights. As Vancouver's bar and nightclub district, the sheer volume of people combined with alcohol consumption make disorderly conduct and rowdy behaviour fairly common. But this shouldn't act as a deterrent - if you're not looking for trouble, you probably won't find it, and there is a strong police presence. The streets at night in the Granville Mall area are usually (and quite literally) clogged with people at night time. Such an enormous mix of people and alcohol can be a dangerous mix if you are not cautious.
Some parts of the city have high rates of property crime. Theft from vehicles is especially problematic and parked cars with foreign or out-of-province plates are frequently targeted. The best thing is to not leave any money and valuables in plain view. Many of the locals use steering wheel locks to prevent vehicle theft.
Panhandling is common in some parts of downtown, but is unlikely to pose a problem. Don't be rude, as there may be negative consequences.
A common belief is that marijuana is legal in British Columbia. That is a myth. Although Vancouver's police and the justice system tend to turn a blind eye to marijuana use, tourists should be advised that possessing any amount of marijuana is illegal in all of Canada without a government-issued medical exemption (the legality of possession is, however, currently under dispute by the Supreme Court). However, if you are caught with a small amount of cannabis (7 grams or less) in Vancouver it is extremely unlikely that you will be charged, in the vast majority of cases the police will simply ask you to move somewhere out of sight to finish up, or ignore the fact altogether. If you have a rental car, please note there are serious penalties for driving under the influence of marijuana.
Other free weeklies include the Vancouver Courier, Westender, and Xtra West (gay and lesbian bi-weekly newspaper). Free dailies include 24 Hours and Metro.
There are a number of wireless network providers in BC's lower mainland, all with store locations throughout Vancouver, including Telus, Rogers, Fido, Bell, Koodo, Wind Mobile, Moblicity, and Virgin.
Religious services
Healthcare Centres
There are also a number of walk-in clinics around Vancouver. Unfortunately waits are usually around 30-45 min for an appointment.
Consulates & High Commissions
Get out
Nearby municipalities
There are a number of things to see and do just outside of Vancouver's borders. Some of the most popular are listed below. All of these places are accessible by public transit, or if you have a car, within an hour's drive.
Day trips
Further afield


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subset: commoncrawl


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"Carrie" was unable to spook the unflappable "Gravity" at the box office this weekend, as the hit 3-D space drama easily claimed No. 1 for the third week in a row.
Heading into the weekend, industry projections indicated the two films would be in a tight race for the top spot, with each movie poised to take in between $30 million and $35 million. But only "Gravity" hit that mark, collecting $31 million. According to an estimate from distributor Warner Bros., the film starring Sandra Bullock has sold $170.6 million worth of tickets since its debut 17 days ago.
Movie box office: An article in the Oct....


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View All Calendars is the default. Choose Select a Calendar to view a specific calendar. Subscribe to calendar notifications by clicking on the Notify Me button, and you will automatically be alerted about the latest events in our community.
March 11, 2018, 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM @ Robert Ney Memorial Park Reserve
Join us this winter at the Nature Center at Ney Park. We have cross country ski's and snowshoes available for rent for only $5 for the day and plenty of neat things to see inside the building.


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CRYSTAL LAKE – The Rev. Calvin Morris will be the keynote speaker at the fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Prayer Breakfast on Jan. 21.
Known as a powerful speaker, Morris' topic will be "One Nation Indivisible: Where Do We Go From Here."
In addition to prayers, readings and blessings from a variety of faiths, there will be video footage of Dr. King and music by Lia Nicine McCoo.
The breakfast will be from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at D'Andrea Banquets, 4419 Route 14, Crystal Lake.
It is sponsored by FaithBridge, a consortium of local faith communities.
Breakfast tickets are $20 ($15 for teens) for a vegetarian buffet and program.
Morris retired last year after 14 years as the executive director of the Community Renewal Society of Chicago.
He met the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. when he came to Chicago in 1967 to complete his doctoral degree. Because of Jackson's influence, Morris ended up as associate director of Operation Bread Basket, now known as Rainbow Push.
Some years later, Morris returned to Boston with his wife and two children and taught at Simmons College. From Boston, Morris went to the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta, where he served as executive director.
Tickets are available at the Center for Spiritual Evolution in Cary, Bethany Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, the Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock, the McHenry County Jewish Congregation in Ridgefield, the Crystal Lake Ridgefield Presbyterian Church, the Universal Unitarian Church of Woodstock, the American Muslim Community Organization in Algonquin and the Department of Mission and Spiritual Care at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.


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The news keeps growing worse for the Padres.
Left-hander Cory Luebke, who Padres manager Bud Black believes was developing into one of the top left-handers in the National League, could be facing elbow reconstruction surgery.
Apparently, an MRI exam conducted Wednesday showed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in Luebke's elbow as well damage to the flexor tendon and fluid in the elbow.
The 27-year-old pitcher was conferring with Padres team physicians and officials before Friday night's game to plot a course of action. Two sources confirmed that elbow reconstruction surgery is a possibility and wasbeing discussed with Luebke.
When asked about his elbow earlier in the afternoon, Luebke said it "isn't coming along as expected" and said team officials might be in a better position to discuss the possibilities.
Luebke said he was planning to get a second opinion over the next couple and days and was waiting for other experts to look at his MRI. When asked if "Tommy John surgery" was a possibility, Luebke nodded in the affirmative and said that question might be better addressed by Padres manager Bud Black and other Padres officials.
"I don't know what is going on," said Luebke. "I've never even had had a sore arm."
Luebke declined comment after the game.
During Tommy John surgery the UCL is replaced by a ligament from another part of the body – usually the opposite forearm or leg. Rehabbing from the surgery usually takes a full year.
Luebke is one of the blocks upon which the Padres were building their future. During spring training they signed him to a contract extension that committed Luebke to the Padres through the end of the 2017 season. Luebke is guaranteed at least $12 million with the total value possibly $27.25 million if the Padres picked up club options for 2016 and 2017.
Luebke was 3-1 this season with a 2.61 earned run average in 31 innings covering five starts. He had allowed 28 hits and eight walks while striking out 23. Over his last four starts, Luebke was 3-0 with a 1.38 ERA. The Padres were 4-0 in those starts.
Twice Luebke was the pitcher of record when the Padres halted a four-game losing streak. He started four of the Padres first seven wins.
Luebke was placed on the disabled list Wednesday due to "elbow tightness and soreness." He said he felt something in his first start of the season against the Dodgers and again last Friday night while facing the Giants in San Francisco.
Asked about Luebke before Friday night's game, Padres general manager Josh Byrnes said: "Cory is going to talk to Dr. (Heinz) Hoenecke and Hutch (Padres' trainer Todd Hutcheson) and compare notes. I don't want to speculate on a best or worst case scenario.
"Surgery in general is always the last resort."
Padres manager Bud Black said "this one I'm being cautious about" when asked about Luebke's elbow. He said Luebke would not be playing catch "for a number of days."
But two Padres sources confirmed that elbow reconstruction surgery had been discussed regarding Luebke.
Luebke is one of eight Padres currently on the disabled list, including three-fifths of the projected starting rotation. Right-hander Dustin Moseley has already been lost to season-ending shoulder surgery after just one start. Right-handed starter Tim Stauffer (elbow strain) made his second rehab start with Triple-A Tucson Friday night.
Also rehabbing in Tucson is left fielder Carlos Quentin, who has yet to play after having right knee surgery March 19. He was signed last winter to be the Padres cleanup hitter.
Also on the disabled list are outfielders Kyle Blanks (out for the season following shoulder surgery) and Jeremy Hermida, right-handed relief pitcher Micah Owings and infielder Logan Forsythe, who has just started playing following March 9 surgery to remove the fractured sesamoid bone from his left foot. Forsythe played shortstop in a simulated game at the Padres spring training base Thursday.
Outfielder Mark Kotsay opened the season on the disabled list by returned to action on April 16.


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"You can make a fortune in the import business," promised the ads in the pulp magazines of my teen years. While most of the fortunes were made by those selling their "blueprints for financial success," there was a fascination and mysteriousness about goods from other parts of the world — and their low cost and potential for profit only added to the allure.
Made in Japan, a label that was sneered at post-World War II as representing shoddy workmanship, soon grew to represent high quality in automobiles, electronics, cameras, and a flood of other goods craved by an America in the throes of economic prosperity in the '70s and '80s.
Other countries quickly jumped on the bandwagon, cranking out everything from athletic shoes to textiles of every kind, washing machines and other appliances, you-name-it. Then Nixon pierced the wall that China had built to keep out the rest of the world, and the whirlwind was unleashed. With an almost limitless supply of labor willing to work for a pittance, a government hungry for the infusions of cash that trade could generate, leaders able to manipulate the monetary exchange rate in their favor, and megalithic multi-national corporations seeking the lowest possible cost for their manufactured goods, it was a perfect storm that catapulted China to prominence on the world trade stage and set the United States on the road to basically an outsourcing economy.
Now, it would be possible to go through one's entire day eating, wearing, driving, and working entirely with goods that came from outside the United States.
It is somewhat ironic then, that the American public on the one hand embraces the flood of foreign products and the cost savings they allow, and on the other is taking an increasingly insular stance toward trade agreements and international affairs.
A recent nationwide USA Today/Gallup Poll found that 50 percent of respondents believe increased trade with other countries hurts U.S. workers and that the impact is greatest on U.S. companies. That compares to a similar poll five years ago in which respondents said it was mainly U.S. workers who were hurt, while U.S. companies were helped.
The U.S. Business and Industry Council, which represents small and medium-sized domestic manufacturers, has been among the critics of American trade policy. In light of the recently announced $700 billion-plus U.S. trade deficit, USBIC president Kevin Kearns asks, "Does anyone still need proof that the free trade policies pursued by the U.S. government for the past 12 years have taken us down the wrong path?"
The mushrooming deficits, he says, represent "a systematic looting of American factories, jobs, and assets by foreign rivals, with the full support of their governments. We desperately need an overhaul of U.S. trade policy before America's core domestic manufacturing is gone for good, and with it the capacity to create wealth and to sustain a broad middle class."
Curing trade's ill is a tightrope, however. Perhaps no sector of American business is more dependent on overseas markets than agriculture, which has historically posted a positive trade balance. Building walls isn't an answer. Achieving fair and equitable policies is the challenge.
e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Medical Appointments
April 16, 2014
Table of Contents
Getting the Most From Office Visits
Health care office visits are usually very short. Many times, patients leave the office feeling they haven't been listened to. They may have more questions than when they arrived. This fact sheet talks about ways to prepare for your next office visit. It also offers advice on how to get the most from your health care provider. Many people get their care from a physician's assistant or a nurse practitioner. When this fact sheet talks about your "doctor" it means any of these health care professionals.
Choose the Right Provider!
If you and your provider don't have the same approach to your health care, it will be difficult to be satisfied with your appointments. Fact Sheet 202 has more information on choosing a health care provider.
Prepare Ahead of Time
What's been going on since your last appointment? Write a list to use during your appointment. Be sure to include:
You may not have time to discuss all of these, so focus on the most important items. You can leave a note with the doctor to let them know about the items you didn't get to discuss.
Bring information with you to help your doctor. This might include pill bottles for all of the medications and supplements you're taking, lab reports or test results from other health care providers.
Keep Track of the Time
Show up for your appointments! That's the only way your doctor can make sure you're getting the best treatment to maintain your health. If you arrive late for your appointment, you can throw off the office schedule for the rest of the day. If you skip an appointment, you're wasting time for the doctor, the office staff, and other patients.
On the other hand, it can be very frustrating to get to your appointment on time and have to wait. Usually this means that a serious health problem came up for another patient earlier in the day. If you're ever the one with that problem, you'll appreciate the doctor spending more time with you. It can be a good idea to call the doctor's office before you leave home to see if appointments are running on time, or are delayed.
Don't Be a Hero
If you're having a hard time taking your medications correctly, tell your doctor! Maybe a side effect that didn't use to bother you is getting impossible to deal with. Maybe you'd do better with a simpler medication schedule. Your health care providers can't help you unless they know about these issues. Don't worry about not being a good patient or upsetting your doctor. They want the best for your health!
Get Your Questions Answered
When you walk in to your appointment, you should know the most important questions that you want answered before you leave. It's a good idea to write these down. This will help you organize your thoughts and make it easier to know if you're missing something.
Take your list into your appointment. Tell the doctor about your questions. If the appointment is ending and you don't have your answers, ask for them! Doctors have to manage their time, but you also have to manage your appointment time. You might only have fifteen minutes every few months, so make the most of it!
Medications: If a new drug gets prescribed, make sure you leave with information on exactly how to take it. What's the dosage? How often? Does it matter if you take it with food, or on an empty stomach? Does it have to be kept in the refrigerator?
Know what side effects to expect. Are there things you can do at home to deal with them? When should you call the office if the side effects are too severe or go on for too long?
Tests: If your doctor wants you to have some medical tests, be sure you understand what the test results are supposed to show and what your doctor will do with them. When you discuss the test results, ask again if you're not sure what the test is for and what the results mean.
Don't be embarrassed if you don't understand the answers to your questions. Tell the doctor that you don't understand. It's not rude to insist on getting your questions answered. That's the only way to be a better partner in your own health!
Take the Answers With You
There's usually a lot of information going quickly back and forth during a health care appointment. Be sure to take that information home with you!
Some of these tips might work for you:
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Carly is 30 weeks old...OR...she will be 7 months old on the 22nd. I took her to the vet today to get a check up/physical, because she is getting spayed this Friday. Well she only weights 11 lbs. The vet said he was worried she isn't gaining weight like she should. Asked me how much she eats, etc. She eats twice a day. Once at 7am and again at 4pm. She eats half a cup each time, so she gets a full cup of food a day. Which is what the bag says is okay. What do you guys think?
Here is a picture of her from just a couple of days ago:


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I saw in an earlier topic yesterday that we would not be in due to the three way tie.
Well Thank Sando because he cleared that up. Because Minn lost to both Seattle and Tampa they would be elimanated and we hold the edge over Tampa.
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/ ... -standings
hopefully this clears up some confusion


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Dave Gorman, Victim Of A Bogus DMCA Takedown, Highlights Flickr's Horrible DMCA Takedown Policy
from the press-'DEL'-to-shrink-your-user-base deptDave Gorman, a Flickr user whose photo was taken down by a bogus DMCA notice, is fighting with Flickr to get it to, if nothing else, change the way it handles takedown requests. Gorman's photo, along with all of its comments and views, was deleted based on the "strength" of a scatter-shot DMCA issued by Degban, supposedly on behalf of porn producers Wasteland.
Obviously, his photo was not property of Wasteland. While Degban's CEO continues to claim this is a result of having its software hacked (despite the fact that the alleged hacking occured 12 days after the takedown notice was issued), Flickr has basically responded with... nothing.
Flickr's system for handling DMCA requests is even more screwed up than the DMCA process itself, if that can be believed. Gorman, artist that he is, has crafted a handy flowchart illustrating just how screwed Flickr users are if they should find themselves on the receiving end of a DMCA takedown.
On the upside, if you are a US resident and the takedown is issued by a US-based company, all that will happen is the image itself will be removed and replaced with a message stating "THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN REMOVED DUE TO A CLAIM OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT." Once everything is sorted out, it's simply a matter of restoring the photo if the DMCA notice is challenged successfully. (Taken from Flickr's Help Forum.)
What does this mean?Unfortunately, should you be a resident of any other country in the world, Flickr will continue to simply delete your photo and everything attached to it. Even if, as in Gorman's case, the DMCA takedown notice is successfully challenged, it is left up to the user to repost the image on their own. All attached comments are permanently gone, along with the view count, and anyone linking to that particular photo is left with a useless dead link.
-- US members will still receive a warning that contains the name of the complainant and now will include a link to the image where the content has been removed.
-- The original image will be stored by Flickr. Should we receive notice from the US Copyright Team to replace the original, we will be able to do so. *** Please note will be able to do so as long as the original photo.gne page is left in place. If a member chooses to delete the photo.gne page we'll assume that they're not interested further activity like restitution of the image. ***
-- The existing title, description, comments, tags, notes, etc. will be available. The image can still be added to sets and groups.
-- Blog This, Edit in Picnic, "replace this image" and the EXIF info will be disabled.
-- The image will be flagged NIPSA and as such will not return in search results nor be available in the API.
For the rest of the world
-- The existing process of photo removal will continue. We're going to begin reaching out to the other regional copyright teams to see if they would like us to enact this feature where they are. Given that the counter-claim process is unique to the DMCA, we'll need to work out how image restoration will work elsewhere.
Now, according to the terms of the DMCA, the service provider is supposed to replace the content it removed. Flickr is obviously not interested in doing that. It's not as if Flickr doesn't have the technology. Gorman pointed out on Twitter that Flickr has restored deleted accounts in the past, which means that a permanent backup of Gorman's entire page probably still resides on its servers. It even repaired external links for the user. But for some reason, Flickr is simply unwilling to fix this for Gorman or change how it handles foreign accounts.
Flickr did not respond to Gorman's emails. Yahoo!, which owns Flickr, did, but its "answers" were completely useless.
I have to communicate with flickr and Yahoo! separately. Flickr have yet to reply to a single email about it. Yahoo do reply. Eventually. It takes them 5 days. And then it's the kind of reply that doesn't actually reply to anything. Imagine typing a reply to someone who's asked 4 questions, knowing that you've not attempted to address 3 of them, and still ending it with the words, "we trust this answers your concerns"? It doesn't. And they know it doesn't. That's Yahoo.Gorman did receive a phone call from Flickr's senior community manager, but found that conversation to be nearly as useless as Yahoo!'s incomplete answers:
When I asked Zack if he could tell me why the rules were different for non-US based customers he said that he couldn't tell me. I asked if he knew and couldn't tell me because he wasn't allowed to or if he couldn't tell me because he simply didn't know. He replied that he couldn't tell me that either. When I asked if he thought they could replace the photo he said he didn't know. I told him that I knew they had managed to replace a whole account that had been deleted recently, and he told me that replacing an account was not the same as replacing a page. I asked him why he thought they didn't have to comply with the terms of the DMCA and replace the photo and he told me he wasn't able to answer questions like that.Following this disheartening phone call came Flickr's official response to Gorman's situation, and it appears that the photo service is not going to deal with this at all.
I don't believe Zack's employers are giving him the tools required to do his job.
"If it's possible to replace the photo, will you do so?"
"Ack... I ... um... that's tricky... I can't say yes to that."
"But the only reason you wouldn't say yes to that, is if you can imagine a situation in which you discover it is possible but still don't do it?"
"And can you imagine that happening? Can you imagine one of your engineers saying that he can replace the photo... and you deciding not to do it?"
"Well... no."
"So promise me that if it's possible to replace it, you will replace it."
"I don't think I can do that."
"After reviewing your recent correspondence, we have no further comments to make regarding this case, and consider it closed."That's no way to run a social service on the internet. Your users are from all over the world, and while it is extremely difficult to play by the hydra-esque rules of a multitude of rightsholders, there are a million better ways to service the needs of your customers—and Gorman is indeed a paying customer with a Pro account. If the comment thread on Gorman's picture is any indication, Flickr is going to start leaking users simply because it refuses to budge an inch on its so-called DMCA response policy.
Filed Under: copyright, dmca, takedown
Companies: flickr, yahoo


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1) TSC Nabrun Leids: Yes, this is my absolute favorite. I just think this such an interesting and different figure like no other. Great sculpt, great paint job, yet not overdone. I display him on my desk getting drunk...he does have four arms, you know.
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White Sox drop 9th straight, 3-0 to Tigers
DETROIT -- Don't blame the starting rotation for this long losing streak by the White Sox.
"We can't get across home plate, and that makes it tough to win a game," manager Robin Ventura said.
Max Scherzer took a shutout into the eighth inning before being pulled, and the Detroit right-hander became baseball's first 16-game winner when the Tigers held on for a 3-0 victory over the punchless White Sox on Saturday night. Chicago has lost nine straight.
The White Sox got another solid start that they failed to take advantage of. The Chicago starters have a 2.72 ERA during this skid.
John Danks (2-9) allowed six hits in seven innings, including solo homers by Torii Hunter, Jhonny Peralta and Jose Iglesias.
The White Sox have scored two runs in their last three games.
Scherzer (16-1) allowed three hits in 7 2-3 innings. Jose Veras got the third out of the eighth, and Joaquin Benoit finished for his 12th save in 12 chances.
"It is pretty tough to do much against Scherzer right now," Ventura said. "He's just got too much stuff. He can throw all of his off-speed pitches exactly where he wants them, and you can't tell them apart from his fastball. So you are watching for the break, and you don't have a chance to catch up to his velocity."
Chicago pinch-hitter Jordan Danks hit a long flyball in the eighth that center fielder Austin Jackson caught at the wall in left-center. When Veras came in, Alexei Ramirez jack-knifed out of the way on his first pitch -- only to have the breaking ball drop across the heart of the plate for a strike.
The Tigers have won 11 of 12, despite playing most of that stretch without slugger Miguel Cabrera.
Cabrera has been bothered by hip and abdominal problems and sat out Saturday.
"I've always said that we have so much talent in this clubhouse," Scherzer said. "Miggy's a big part of it, but even without Miggy, there's plenty of guys in here that are very capable of dominating in the major leagues."
Scherzer is the first pitcher to win at least 16 of his first 17 decisions since Roger Clemens started 16-1 in 2001, according to STATS. Scherzer walked three and struck out six -- he's now a strikeout short of 1,000 for his career.
Scherzer has been the beneficiary of a lot of run support this year, but he didn't need much against the White Sox. Hunter opened the scoring with a homer to left in the first. Peralta -- who faces a possible suspension from Major League Baseball's drug investigation -- made it 2-0 with a drive to the bushes beyond the center-field wall in the second.
Iglesias, acquired just before the trade deadline -- partly as insurance against a possible suspension to Peralta -- added a homer of his own in the fourth.
"After the fourth inning, I figured the only thing I could do was try to get deep enough into the game that we wouldn't burn up the bullpen," Danks said. "I've been working on trying to keep the ball in the park, but I didn't get that done tonight. They were all solo shots, but that didn't matter."
This was the second game with the Tigers for Iglesias. He hit one homer in 63 games for Boston this season.
NOTES: Chicago has requested waivers on OF Dewayne Wise for the purpose of granting his unconditional release. Wise has been on the DL since May 30 with a strained right hamstring and right oblique strain. ... Detroit tries for a three-game sweep Sunday, with RHP Rick Porcello (8-6) taking the mound against Chicago RHP Andre Rienzo (0-0).er, Jhonny Peralta and Jose Iglesias.