Saturday, December 31, 2016

Vancouver: Kitchen Exhaust Vent test results in permutations greater than Rubik's Cube 43 quintillion


Rubik's Cube
The puzzle consists of twenty-six unique miniature cubes, also called "cubies" or "cubelets".

Cambridge Gardens is a high-rise building that offers 181 units (cubies or cubelets) and was built in 1989.
Which 1989 planner in Vancouver City Hall came up with the idea of connecting different floors exhaust vents with 2 others higher up?   Are the bathroom vents connected too?  Are the dryer vents connected?

Two towers:  2628 Ash Street, Cambridge Gardens


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Six Vents not Three



In case of an emergency, Vancouver General Hospital is almost right next door.


Tuesday, December 27, 2016

A BC Librarian Backgrounder May 2007: Site C Dam: Historic Overview and Key Issues



May 2007

The Site C Dam: Historic Overview and Key Issues

The Site C project, a proposed third dam on the Peace River, was first suggested by BC Hydro in the 1970s. This paper provides an outline of the history of discussions around the project and an overview of arguments for and against the project.

Paper updated January 2008

Prepared by Emily Yearwood-Lee

Reference Librarian

Legislative Library of British Columbia

LEGISLATIVE LIBRARY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

BACKGROUND PAPERS AND BRIEFS ABOUT THE PAPERS

The Site C project, a proposed third dam on the Peace River, was first suggested by BC Hydro in the 1970s. Every decade since has seen heated discussion over whether to build the hydroelectric generating plant. The project would flood several thousand hectares of land near Fort St. John, producing enough electricity to power about 460,000 homes.1 It would take over 10 years to complete2 and create approximately 5,110 person years of employment over the construction period.3 In February 2007, the B.C. government said it would enter into “initial discussions around a potential Site C project.” 4
Christy Clark's make work project doubles peson years to 10,000
While the workforce for Site C will be weighted towards heavy equipment operators to move large volumes of materials, like a mining operation, the LNG industry has a greater reliance on skilled trades.   As a result, the labour requirements for Site C are not expected to interfere with the NON-EXISTENT LNG industry.

CHRONOLOGY

Feasibility studies and initial public consultations on Site C were first conducted in the mid-1970s.5 In 1980, BC Hydro applied for an Energy Project Certificate to allow it to build the dam. The B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) held numerous hearings on the issue, listening to over 70 witness panels at formal hearings and 100-plus representatives at local and special First Nations meetings.6 The commission ruled in 1983 that cabinet should defer issuing a certificate until certain conditions were met. Cabinet ultimately refused the certificate.7  

Three years later, BC Hydro signed a “study agreement” with a U.S. federal energy agency and several utilities in the Pacific Northwest and California. The agreement resulted in a 1987 report concluding a market for power from Site C existed in the U.S. The study agreement referred to Hydro’s willingness to consider building the dam and “allocating power generated… in excess of domestic requirements for export to the United States under long term contracts having economic benefit to British Columbia.”8 In 1989, BC Hydro began holding public consultations on building the dam.9 However, in 1991, a Hydro spokesperson told reporters the project had been shelved for an indefinite period.10 In 1993, Hydro’s president said the Site C project was “dead” because it was too costly and environmentally unacceptable.11             

The present decade has seen periodic talk of Site C. In 2001, a Hydro spokeswoman said the Crown corporation had commissioned a study to update information on the dam’s environmental impact, generating capacity and economic viability.12 Information about the project was included in Hydro’s 2004 and 2006 submissions to the B.C. Utilities Commission.13 Most recently, the B.C. government stated in its 2007 energy plan that it would “enter into initial discussions” with key stakeholder groups to “ensure that communications regarding the potential project and the processes being followed are well known.”14 Energy Minister (Call me Mr. Senator now) Richard Neufeld was quoted as saying: “This does not commit the province to building the project, only to explore further the possibility.”15

REASONS FOR BUILDING

BC Hydro has identified electricity supply sources to meet demand only for the next decade; beyond that, additional reliable sources are required.16 In its 2006 Integrated Electricity Plan (IEP), Hydro noted the types of projects that “typically offer energy and capacity are large hydroelectric dams, biomass, coal or natural gas facilities.”17      

Reliability is one reason for considering larger-scale hydroelectric projects. Hydro cannot rely purely on a lot of smaller generation projects, said Hydro CEO Bob Elton in a 2004 newspaper interview.18 (At the time, Elton said Site C was just one possibility and that Hydro was not sure if it was the best option.)

Hydroelectric power has a reputation for being a “clean” energy source that mitigates global warming.19 It does not release CO2, radioactivity or dioxins directly harmful to human health.20 It has also been noted that the dam would be built on a river that already supports two dams, rather than a wild, untouched stream.21

Some proponents also argue hydroelectricity is a relatively cheap energy option. A former chair of the B.C. Progress Board called Site C “our least expensive source of large-scale new power generation.”22 Cost estimates for building the dam have varied, with recent media reports providing cost estimates ranging from at least $2-to-$3.5 billion.23  
SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

First Nations and Displaced Residents

Local First Nations have long argued that flooding will impact their traditional fishing and hunting.24 Some aboriginal speakers at the BCUC hearings (1981-’82) expressed resentment over their treatment by Hydro during the building of earlier dams.25 The West Moberly First Nation, based south of Fort St. John, was involved with a protest in 2006 against building Site C.26

In 1980, Hydro estimated that approximately 35 households or about 135 people would have to relocate if the dam were built.27 Documents included with the 2006 IEP suggested that about 30 people would be relocated if Site C were built today.28 Residents of Hudson’s Hope, B.C., are also concerned about the possible flooding of their route to nearby Fort St. John.29

Impact on Land and Wildlife

The original Site C plan called for the removal of approximately 2,600 hectares of land from the Agricultural Land Reserve in the Lower Peace River Valley. At the time, Hydro stated the dam would not stunt the development of a fresh vegetable market or processing industry since enough necessary land would be unaffected.”30 The BCUC 1983 report noted there could be some impact on climate in the immediate area of the reservoir “from increased fog and humidity which might adversely affect farming in the region.”31 The main impact on agriculture would be lost potential farmland, stated the report, which estimated the social value of the land to be about $59 million.32

The BCUC report also found flooding would result in the loss of some productive forest land and a “significant loss of both game and non-game wildlife in the region.”33 The reservoir was expected to create “lake-type habitat and fishing opportunities but eliminate some river-based fishing.”34   

Recreation and Heritage Sites

The original Site C plan would have flooded one historic site – the Rocky Mountain Fort – and would possibly have affected the Rocky Mountain Portage House. “Some other areas where artifacts have been found may be affected to varying degrees by the reservoir or construction activity,” according to a Hydro report published at the time.35    


The BCUC’s 1983 report also found that “while the project will create new reservoir recreational opportunities, these will not offset the quality and value of lost river based recreation.”36 At the time, the commission estimated a net recreation resource loss of $6.9 million.37

JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES - ALBERTA

The Peace River flows from British Columbia into northern Alberta and the Site C dam would be located approximately 60 kilometres from the border. The impact of B.C. dams on water levels across the border has been a sensitive issue for some Albertans. Another dam on the Peace River – the W.A.C. Bennett dam – was blamed by some for lowered water levels in Alberta’s Athabasca and Peace deltas. In 2004, members of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation were awarded $4 million by BC Hydro as compensation for the effects of the dam, built during the 1960s.38 

In 2005, B.C. and Alberta signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Bilateral Water Management Agreement Negotiations. The document laid out the process for negotiating a Bilateral Water Management Agreement. The MOU noted the agreement would focus on the Peace River watershed.39 In 2007, the B.C. government’s energy plan stated that it would enter into discussions with Alberta to discuss Site C to “ensure that communications regarding the potential project and the processes being followed are well-known.”40

SOURCES


1 BC Hydro, Challenges and Choices: Planning for a Secure Electricity Future, Vancouver: BC Hydro, 2006, p. 10.
2 Ibid.
3 BC Hydro, “Project: Peace River Site C” [Database sheet included in Appendix B: Project and Program Database of Appendix F) in 2006 Integrated Electricity Plan, Vol. 2, Vancouver: BC Hydro, 2006, p. 3.
4 British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, News Release: B.C. Energy Plan Outlines Vision for Clean Energy: February 27, 2007 Victoria: The Ministry, 2007.
5 BC Hydro, Peace Site C Summary Status Report Draft March 1991, Vancouver: Hydro, 1991, p.4-1.; British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, Generation Planning Department, Peace River Site C Status Report Preliminary, Vancouver: Hydro, 1977, p. 1-3.
6 British Columbia Utilities Commission, Site C Report, p.1.
7 BC Hydro, Peace Site C Summary Status Report: A 900 MW Electrical Generation Facility and Two 500 kv Transmission Lines at Site C on the Peace River in British Columbia, Victoria: Hydro, 1991, p. 1-1.
8 BC Hydro, Peace River Site C Study Agreement: Executive Committee Report: Vol. II, Vancouver: BC Hydro, 1987, p. Appendix A-1.
9 ARA Consulting Group, Peace River Site C Public Consultation Program: Draft Final Report: Prepared for External Relations, BC Hydro, Vancouver: BC Hydro, 1991, p.1-2.
10 David Hogben, “Hydro switches off megaprojects,” Vancouver Sun, Jan 8. 1991, p. B6.
11 (Retired Business Editor) Rod Nutt, “Hydro runs up $10 billion spending bill: Peace River Site C dam dead,” Vancouver Sun, Nov. 30, 1992, p. D1.
12 Chris Nuttall-Smith, “BC Hydro to study pair of megaprojects,” Vancouver Sun, July 9, 2001, p. A3.
13 Scott Simpson, “BC Hydro resurrects Site C dam proposal,” Vancouver Sun, April 2, 2004, p. A1; Vaughn Palmer, “Is a power shortage looming? Let's talk about it for a while,” Vancouver Sun, March 30, 2006, p. A3.
14 British Columbia, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, News Release: B.C. Energy Plan Outlines Vision for Clean Energy: February 27, 2007 Victoria: The Ministry, 2007. http://www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca/newsrelease/default.htm
15 Ian Bailey, “Energy self-sufficiency plan means Site C to get new look-see,” The Province, February 28, 2007, p. A25.
16 BC Hydro, Challenges and Choices, p. 10.
17 Ibid.
18 Scott Simpson, “Water powers the future at Site C,” Vancouver Sun, July 2, 2004, p. H1.
19 “Hydropower - Friend or Foe?” Global Environmental Change Report Vol. 17, Iss. 4, p. 4.
20 Godfrey Boyle, Renewable Energy: Power for a Sustainable Future, 2nd Ed, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004, p. 177.
21 David Black, “Peace River dams provides a powerhouse of opportunity,” Vancouver Sun, April 8, 2004, p. A11.
22 David Black, “Peace River dam provides a powerhouse of opportunity,” Vancouver Sun, April 8, 2004, p. A11.
23 Vaughn Palmer, “Is a power shortage looming?” Vancouver Sun, March 30, 2006, p. A3; Scott Simpson, “BC Hydro boosts plans to build controversial Site C dam,” Vancouver Sun, Sept. 15, 2005, p. A01
24 British Columbia Utilities Commission, Site C Report, p. 275.
25 Ibid, p. 276.
26 “Protesters demanding dam project be scrapped,” The Daily News (Prince Rupert), July 18, 2006, p. 10.
27 BC Hydro, Highlights of the Proposed Peace River Site C Project, Vancouver: BC Hydro, 1980, p. 13.
28 BC Hydro, “Project: Peace River Site C” [Database sheet included in Appendix B: Project and Program Database of Appendix F) in 2006 Integrated Electricity Plan, Vol. 2, Vancouver: BC Hydro, 2006, p. 3.
29 Wendy Stueck, “Peace River dam back in favour,” Globe and Mail, February 28, 2007, p. S1.
30 BC Hydro, Highlights of the Proposed Peace River Site C Project, p. 13.
31 British Columbia Utilities Commission, Site C Report, p. 13.
32 Ibid.
33 Ibid, p.13, 15.
34 Ibid.
35 BC Hydro, Highlights of the Proposed Peace River Site C Project, p.16.
36 British Columbia Utilities Commission, Site C Report, p.14.
37 Ibid.
38 “Chipewyan band accepts BC Hydro $4M deal,” Edmonton Journal, Dec. 13, 2002, pA6; Ed Struzik, “Alberta natives vow to fight Site C,” Vancouver Sun, July 3, 2004, p.E1.
39 “British Columbia-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding Bilateral Water Management Agreement Negotiations, March 18, 2005.                   https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.iir.gov.ab.ca/canadian_intergovernmental_relations/documents/WaterManagementNegotiatingMOU_March22005_FINAL.pdf
40 British Columbia, The B.C. Energy Plan, Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources: Victoria, 2007, p.4 https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.energyplan.gov.bc.ca/PDF/BC_Energy_Plan.pdf

Friday, December 16, 2016

1973 Winchester R.C.M.P. Presentation Model - 'One out of Ten' deserved a proper, unique, resting place

Blogging yes;    not too much lately

Walking yes;  every day minimum 6 kilometres, all weather 2015 - 2016;
     2019 Avg. per month 10.9 Km


Woodworking yes; but not in the dead centre of a winter wonderland



We were requested to find a unique way to display a 1973 RCMP Commemorative rifle, one out of ten Presentation Models.





The sales person at Reliable Gun - Vancouver    tried to sell me a carton of rifle ammo, but to do that I would have needed a license.   All that I required was six, took eight (two spares) in pristine  condition without the 'lead', without the 'powder' and without a 'pin' mark on them for $3.45 

It was strongly suggested to add oil to the empty shells to kill the primer, let it soak in.... and after a week .... I used my miniature pipe cutter to shorten each shell to one inch ..... to hide the screws that fastened the Black Walnut blocks in place.



















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How to hang a cabinet:

We prefer to have the wall cleat about four inches shorter in length to allow for adjustments





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The Competition Cabinets



Pedestrians and cyclists may rightfully claim full access to Alex Fraser Bridge right lanes because ..... in 1986 ...


Vancouver History
September 22, 1986 The Alex Fraser Bridge opened, linking Delta with Lulu Island. This high-level bridge crosses the main channel of the Fraser River. When it opened, the 465-metre main span was the longest in the world. The stay cables radiate from two tall concrete towers, founded on large steel pipe piles of similar length. The deck is concrete, laid on steel plate girders. Originally the six-lane deck was restricted to four lanes, the outer lanes being reserved for cyclists and pedestrians. In about a year the bridge had generated sufficient traffic to justify opening all six lanes to vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists were moved outside the cables. It was named for the late Alex Fraser, minister of highways.

630  Cached
“We had some snow overnight as everybody on the Lower Mainland knows, and it collected on the cables at Alex Fraser. There’s a bit of an inversion at the bridge which means it’s warmer up high than it is down on bridge level and so we’ve started to see snow fall straight down off the cables,” he said.

Earlier this afternoon, the right lanes in both directions had been closed to address the issue.
 Living Landscapes
Jesse Ketchum tells a story that he believes illustrates Gertrude's unflappable, take-things-as-they-come style. One day, as Jesse, Gertrude, and Alex were driving from Quesnel to Vancouver, rocks from the top of a Ministry of Highways dump truck flew at their windshield with such force that it smashed the glass completely. The three passengers were quite shaken and covered in glass. After they pulled over, Gertrude said, "Do you think we can go back to Williams Lake and get it fixed, or will we have to drive to Vancouver like this?" .....


Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Is there a view from Capilano Suspension Bridge of Grouse Mountain? or is it a misleading marketing technique


A cursory look at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park website doesn't show one photograph that has mountains in the background.

Google Earth's Panorama photos from the Suspension Bridge and the surrounding area (extremely limited) .... no mountains as a backdrop to the Bridge, nor from the Cliff Walk.   Photo Shopped?

A message from the President of the British Columbia chapter of the American Marketing Association (BCAMA): ....
Will marketers get it right all of the time? Likely not, but there’s an opportunity to learn as we go through the experience. And there is still so much to learn about the rapidly changing marketing landscape, not only in Canada, but globally as well. 

..... Ahhhh. The rapidly changing marketing landscape landscape definition: all the visible features of an area of countryside or land, often considered in terms of their aesthetic appeal.

'Vancouver Mag' Marketing
'Mysteries of Canada' within the trees
'Wikipedia' within the trees

'PositivelyBeaming' within the trees
Sky above, River below
Waterfront Seabus Station ....


Are tourists to the North Shore tourist attraction being led astray when it comes to the view they will have 'adjacent' to the Suspension Bridge?

For the Locals the first guess is that the advertising of the Bridge with the mountains in the background are the Lions.  Second guess?  Grouse Mountain (Resort).  Its there but is it visible through the trees?


 Down at the bottom of the red bar is the Capilano Suspension Bridge 70M above the River.

Mountains: Crown, The Camel, Spindle Peak, Goat, Crown N1, Dam
eg. Crown: 49°24'36''N, 123°05'31''W

Capilano Suspension Bridge Cliff Walk images
Design and Construction of Capilano CliffWalk


The Galleries page for the Capilano Suspension Bridge doesn't have any photos of the Lions in the background so why are tourists being encouraged to think that they are paying to have a view of the mountains?


A photo from the surface of the Capilano River implies that the bridge is higher than the trees AND the mountains.  The trees are a higher elevation than the bridge.  All that can be true is that the bridge is higher than the River.
Photo Credits: Tourism Vancouver, Capilano Suspension Bridge



BCMAM 2012 Winner:  Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

We have no shortage of praise for our client who picked up the 2012 Marketer of the Year with the help of this creative .....

http://www.bcama.com/event-recaps/2012-marketer-of-the-year-award-gala/


Spring Advertising
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Find a Geographic Name   KML file eg. Capilano River


Historical photographs provided by the Capilano Suspension Bridge .... No Lions

Sunday, December 11, 2016

...... you know the cruise control don't work in the snow


Alerts in effect December 12, 2016   14:46

Detroit cabbie:
"you know the cruise control don't work in the snow, so how would those driverless cars work??

I'm waiting for those cars that float, like in Star Wars - two feet above the road.

They probably already exist but the tire companies are paying to keep them from getting out..."

Industry response