Some photos from the ZZ Chrome for Kids Truck Show & Shine at Mission Raceway
Tag: event
Sturgeon conservation with “Man in Motion” Rick Hansen
Rick Hansen recently gave a talk about sturgeon conservation on the Fraser River at the Port of Vancouver Community Office in Delta BC.
Rick is one of the founding members of the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society. He got involved with sturgeon conservation because he has been passionate about fishing most of his life and lived close to the Fraser River for most of his life and so has a life long connection to the Fraser River. He felt the need to do something about the falling numbers of white sturgeon in the river so he got involved with efforts to address the issue.
Before the session started, Rick shook everyone’s hand and introduced himself to each person and wanted to know each persons name in return. There was a Q and A session as well as a photo op during which Rick told some entertaining and informative stories, some related to sturgeon and conservation and some related to other areas of his life like being on the Rick Mercer Show several times. During the presentation he spoke about his life up to now, as well as the sturgeon conservation efforts he and the FRSCS and various stake holders are involved with. The talk touched on habitat conservation and rehabilitation, what the various stake holders involved with sturgeon conservation are doing as well as what needs to happen going forward to help save the species for future generations.
On a personal note, I have wanted to meet Rick Hansen for quite a while so I am happy I was able to meet him at this event.
For more information about sturgeon conservation efforts on the Fraser River visit the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society website: http://www.frasersturgeon.com/
For more information about the Rick Hansen Foundation visit: http://www.rickhansen.com/
Yours truly with Rick Hansen.
Rick Hansen at the Port of Vancouver Community Office in Delta BC
Rick Hansen at the Port of Vancouver Community Office in Delta BC
Rick Hansen at the Port of Vancouver Community Office in Delta BC
Rick Hansen at the Port of Vancouver Community Office in Delta BC
Sturgeon dispay at the Port of Vancouver Community Office in Delta BC for sturgeon consevation talk
Boat used for Sturgeon fishing on dispay at the Port of Vancouver Community Office in Delta BC for sturgeon consevation talk
Boat used for Sturgeon fishing on dispay at the Port of Vancouver Community Office in Delta BC for sturgeon consevation talk
Boat used for Sturgeon fishing on dispay at the Port of Vancouver Community Office in Delta BC for sturgeon consevation talk
Fred Herzog exhibition
Saturday was a very cool day. I met the legendary photographer Fred Herzog who is well known for his street photography around Vancouver.
There was an opening event for an exhibition of some of his work at the Equinox Gallery in Vancouver and Fred himself was there.
I was lucky enough to speak with him for a few moments about his work. Specifically I asked him about his images taken at night. There are fewer night images of his out there and I asked if he approached night time images differently than his daytime work. He didn’t get into the technical side of things but told me he didn’t do as many night time images because after a long day working he simply hadn’t the time and energy to go out shooting in the evenings.
I was thrilled to have my photo taken with him (even if my eyes are party shut in the photo haha). He suggested we take the photo in front of the gallery promo sign.
Award winning Canadian photographer Lincoln Clarkes was also at the Fred Herzog exhibition opening. I have seen some of his work and also saw a documentary about him on Knowledge Network so it was cool to meet and chat with him for a few minutes. There is a photo of he and I together as well…he is very tall.
I included a few overview photos of the event as well. It was well attended.
Evergreen Line Opening Day
I took a ride on the new Evergreen Skytrain Line extension on its opening day to check things out.
First impressions are mostly good. The new line uses the same mix of cars as the other lines, including the latest Mark III cars.
The stations are bright and shiny with all the standard and upgraded signage. There are large electronic signs that show how long before the next trains will be arriving and their destination along with other information. The stations seem larger than Canada Line stations as well, with room for a train with several cars.
The only negative from the trip on the train is that there is no cell phone service in the tunnel between Burquitlam and Moody Centre. I asked Translink if cell service would be available along the entire line including in the tunnel and the answer I got back was “Not at this time, but in the future that is a possibility.” So this was and is disappointing. Hopefully they do add the ability for people to use their cell phone on the train from end to end with no gaps. Maybe Telus will step up and invest in cell service on the new line?
At Coquitlam Station they had festivities and activities to celebrate the opening of the extension…food trucks, music, a vintage bus and various activities for the kids. There was a pretty good crowd on hand despite the heavy rain.
Time will tell how well the line is used.
Electric Buses
I had a chance to check out Greenpower Motor Company’s all electric zero emissions bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Fall Conference and Expo held at the Vancouver Convention Centre. They have been in the news in B.C recently when they provided the world’s first double decker all electric bus to the transit authority in Victoria BC.
From a passenger perspective, the fit and finish of the bus on display looks good. There are slight differences to the buses we are used with Translink buses here in the Vancouver area; the seats are a formed plastic with no covering or padding and there was no bike rack on the front of the display bus. There are two spaces for wheelchairs or scooters (or baby buggies too I suppose). There are plenty of hand rails to hold on to while standing and there are ample next stop buttons throughout the bus. The bus is also equipped with multiple (8) security cameras on board. I almost forgot to mention how quiet the bus is. While I was there they had to start up and move the bus and it was pretty much silent. In talking to one of the company representatives this was a big issue for Victoria testing out these busses for the cruise ship industry. If you have several busses waiting dockside for cruise ship passengers all running their engines and air conditioning it can be quite loud. These busses should help address the noise issue as well as the issue of emissions.
From an operators perspective the company says there could be more than $50,000 a year saved in diesel fuel costs and less money needs to be spent on electric bus maintenance.
It will be interesting to see how well all-electric buses are received not only in BC but across the country and the world.
Greenpower Motor Company’s all electric zero emissions bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Fall Conference and Expo held at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Greenpower Motor Company’s all electric zero emissions bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Fall Conference and Expo held at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Greenpower Motor Company’s all electric zero emissions bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Fall Conference and Expo held at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Greenpower Motor Company’s all electric zero emissions bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Fall Conference and Expo held at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Greenpower Motor Company’s all electric zero emissions bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Fall Conference and Expo held at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Greenpower Motor Company’s all electric zero emissions bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Fall Conference and Expo held at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Greenpower Motor Company’s all electric zero emissions bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Fall Conference and Expo held at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Fraser Atkinson, Chairman of Greenpower Motor Company in front of thier all electric zero emissions bus at the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Fall Conference and Expo held at the Vancouver Convention Centre
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