November 07, 2005
Tour de NORD: Hudson Bay or Bust III
Mapping the 2006 arctic expedition.
Planning threads:
MINI2
NE MINI
Arctic MINI reference by Ross Trusler.
More about Newfoundland:
Picture gallery by Jerry Curtis.
Posted by omor at 01:33 AM | Comments (0)
October 18, 2005
Northern Voice, Moose Camp
A must for high volume social networkers and consumers and producers
of information, and self-promoters. 2006 Feb 10-11, Vancouver.
Friday will be a little more unorthodox for regular conference goers.
In the spirit of Foo Camp and Bar Camp, Northern Voice includes a
whole self-organized day dedicated to Moose Camp.
Posted by omor at 08:32 PM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2005
Blame Dick, but not for Indentity
ex-Hip, ex Active Perl guy Dick Hartd now chases marrying privacy
and convenience in a single sign on.
And he appreciates fine cars, travel, and wine.
An excellent presentation at O'Reilly's Open Source 2005.
Posted by omor at 06:05 PM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2005
Sinosplice
Sinosplice: worthy of blogrolling: updates
Ape Rifle / China-on-the-Thames / ode to VW Santana (Dasher/Quantum/Passat ?) /
Montreal over Toronto / subtle subtitles
Posted by omor at 03:26 PM | Comments (0)
July 06, 2005
Police unsure how to enforce squeegee kids law
Vancouver police and the RCMP are not rushing to enforce B.C.'s new
law outlawing aggressive panhandling and squeegeeing, saying it will
take them some time to figure out exactly how they're going to use
it.
"Will there likely be any tickets issued today? Probably not,"
Vancouver police spokesman Const. Howard Chow said Friday. "And it's
not because we don't like the act -- but it's growing pains with any
new legislation coming out. It was just released yesterday."
Chow said the department still needs time to get details about the
Safe Streets Act and its penalties out to its officers on the beat
and to resolve enforcement issues, such as how to issue tickets to
people without a fixed address.
Chad Skelton and Krisendra Bisetty
Vancouver Sun
2005 January 29
Police unsure how to enforce squeegee kids law
Chad Skelton and Krisendra Bisetty
Vancouver Sun
2005 January 29
Vancouver police and the RCMP are not rushing to enforce B.C.'s new
law outlawing aggressive panhandling and squeegeeing, saying it will
take them some time to figure out exactly how they're going to use
it.
"Will there likely be any tickets issued today? Probably not,"
Vancouver police spokesman Const. Howard Chow said Friday. "And it's
not because we don't like the act -- but it's growing pains with any
new legislation coming out. It was just released yesterday."
Chow said the department still needs time to get details about the
Safe Streets Act and its penalties out to its officers on the beat
and to resolve enforcement issues, such as how to issue tickets to
people without a fixed address.
"We [need to] have a chance to inform our members on the act itself
and how to use it effectively," he said. "And, like everything else
new, once members become aware of it and become aware of its
effectiveness, undoubtedly they'll use it if the situation warrants
it."
The RCMP also said it is still in the process of reviewing the act.
"It's not a matter of delaying it. It's being cautious and making
sure the right things are in place," said provincial RCMP spokesman
Cpl. Anthony Choy.
Both forces stressed that the act is now law and -- if they receive a
complaint from the public -- they will act on it.
"If [someone] is walking down the street and encounters aggressive
panhandlers, I would recommend they walk away and call the police,"
said Chow, adding if the person feels in danger they should call 911.
Attorney-General Geoff Plant said he's not upset that police are
taking some time to figure out how to use the new law.
"It's not an issue that gives me any concern," he said. However, he
added, "I hope that their consideration is something that takes days
and weeks and not months. If we were to fast-forward four or five
months from now and find that police were still thinking about how to
use the tool, I would be disappointed."
Plant said while he is happy with the media attention the new act has
received -- which he hopes will encourage people to stop aggressive
panhandling -- he thinks it may have created unrealistic
expectations.
"To me, the entertainment is over the extent to which media outlets
are so determined to see if the world has been transformed in 90
minutes or less," he said.
Chow said the VPD are not yet clear what impact the act will have on
the already overworked department.
"Sure it's going to stretch our resources," he said. "But that's what
we're there for -- to keep the streets safe."
Choy said RCMP detachments across the province are still figuring out
how to fit enforcement of the new act into their existing budgets.
"We're more or less trying to determine how it works with our current
service delivery and enforcement plans," he said. "We are at the
stage of analyzing the legislation and seeing how it can be applied
on a day-to-day basis. I would say by next week we would have
something better to tell you."
While the details are still being worked out, Chow said the VPD
supports the law, particularly after receiving "scores" of complaints
from merchants, tourists and people who are being badgered by
beggars.
"This is just going to increase our arsenal," he said. "I think most
of us have probably experienced, having lived in an urban environment
like Vancouver, where you have panhandlers in your face, [who] won't
let you pass, aggressively asking you, sometimes threatening you, for
money."
The new act specifies that tickets ranging from $86 to $115 can be
issued to people for asking for money in a threatening manner, asking
for money while on a roadway (as squeegee kids do) or asking for
money from someone in a "captive location," such as a bank machine,
pay phone or bus stop.
In particularly serious cases, police can file a report to Crown
counsel and an offender could be sent to jail for up to six months.
However, people will not be sent to jail for not paying their fines.
The new law is similar to legislation introduced in Ontario in late
1999 that was directed primarily at squeegee kids.
That law has been heavily used -- with more than 2,000 tickets issued
in its first two years.
In Ottawa alone, police issued 764 tickets under the act in 2003,
with most tickets being issued for squeegeeing, begging in a parking
lot and aggressive panhandling.
Cities in Ontario have seen a noticeable drop in squeegeeing in
particular, but there have been some concerns raised about how those
street people are now making money.
A 2003 study by the University of Guelph that tracked 50 homeless
youth both before and after the squeegee law was introduced in
Ontario found a dramatic drop in the number of teens cleaning windows
for money.
Before the act was introduced, 65 per cent of the teens relied on
cleaning car windows as their primary source of funds.
Following the act's introduction, that dropped to just 24 per cent.
Most of the homeless youth switched to less aggressive forms of
panhandling to replace the lost income, but the survey also found an
increase in the number of male teens selling drugs.
The study also found a large increase in the number of teens relying
on some form of income assistance.
cskelton@png.canwest.com
© The Vancouver Sun 2005
Posted by omor at 11:03 PM | Comments (0)
July 05, 2005
Don't Need Your Gheto Scenes
Posted by omor at 12:34 AM | Comments (0)
May 30, 2005
British Columbia election roundup
The Liberals will form the next government after this month's
provincial election (2005 May 17) in British Columbia. Exactly who
will be sitting in the House isn't certain yet in at least two
ridings after initial counts ended in razor-thin margins.
Roundup:
Right: Fraser Institute
The Liberals have almost nothing to gain by placating the demands of
union leaders. They may further recognize that introducing flexible
and balanced labour laws would result in a better functioning labour
market for B.C. workers, one characterized by higher rates of job
creation, lower unemployment, and higher wages. Finally, they may also
realize that, by introducing measures of flexibility into the
province’s labour laws, they will indirectly weaken the powers
afforded union leaders.
Contrary to the posturing of many union leaders, B.C. still maintains
relatively rigid and biased labour laws. A recent evaluation of
provincial and state labour relations laws found that B.C. ranked 57th
out of the 60 jurisdictions in terms of flexibility and balance.
Left:
Even bear604 is no fan of Jenny Kwan
The churlish and over the top (but union made) BC Liberals bad for BC
Posted by omor at 12:23 PM | Comments (0)
May 19, 2005
Hudson galleries
Uptick's arctic trek gallery.
Ross Trusler's Arctic MINI and Dave Rose' DuctTape.
Posted by omor at 12:59 AM | Comments (0)
May 13, 2005
Hudson trip gallery
Peter E (nakedpillowfight) 's gallery.
Posted by omor at 01:02 AM | Comments (0)
May 12, 2005
canadiansintheus
Sonia Arrison's infrequent Canadians in the US updates.
Posted by omor at 08:16 PM | Comments (0)
May 11, 2005
nemini thread
NE (New England / North East) MINI thread on Hudson trip.
Posted by omor at 01:02 AM | Comments (0)
April 13, 2005
Vancouver housing market
Vancouver housing market.
Somewhere between curbed and housing bubble.
Posted by omor at 01:27 PM | Comments (0)
March 20, 2005
Shoulder of James Bay highway
James Bay road's wide shoulders offer progressively deeper
snow the further off road you go. The centre of the road
offers a thin layer of packed snow and ice.
Posted by omor at 05:18 PM | Comments (0)
February 17, 2005
Hudson 2005 February 18 to 22
2005 February 18 to 22
February 2005
Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa
-- -- _1 _2 _3 _4 _5
_6 _7 _8 _9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28
Fri Feb 18: NYC -- Montreal -- Val D'Or +
Sat Feb 19: Radisson
Sun Feb 20: Radisson
Mon Feb 21: Montreal
Here's the basics of what I would consider a good plan:
FRIDAY
Leave Montreal area by 12 Noon
Arrive Matagami by 10 PM Friday night.
Have beer.
Sleep.
SATURDAY
Depart Matagami by 9 AM
Arrive James Bay / Hudson by 7 PM Saturday night.
Have beer.
Sleep.
SUNDAY
Leaving that in the hands of a "meeting" planner, I'm just doing transportation.
MONDAY
Depart by 9 AM
Arrive Matagami by 7 PM Monday night
Have beer.
Sleep.
TUESDAY
Depart by 7 AM
Haul all the way home.
END.
Posted by omor at 11:36 PM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2005
Hudson hotels: touristy listings
More touristy listings
bonjourquebec
anglais
Nord-du-Québec
Posted by omor at 10:43 PM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2005
Hudson maps B: Quebec
Excellent James Bay Road Highway #109 travel page and kilometre posts.
0 begin
37 Matagami
257 Rupert River and Rapids
381 24hr gas 'Road Halt'
617 Radisson
Road conditions in western Quebec and on the James Bay Highway 109
by Transports Quebec.
"For the most recent information, communicate without expenses
with the
Company of energy of the Bay James (SEBJ) with the
1-888-676-INFO (4636) or
with the Municipality of Bay-James (MBJ) with
(819) 739-4473."
Posted by omor at 10:27 PM | Comments (0)
February 04, 2005
Hudson Maps 4: Mont Laurier to Val-d'Or on Hwy 117
Mont-Laurier – Grand-Remous
Grand-Remous – Limite de la réserve faunique
Limite de la réserve faunique – Milieu de la réserve faunique
Milieu de la réserve faunique – Louvicourt
Louvicourt – Val-d'Or
Posted by omor at 01:31 AM | Comments (0)
January 30, 2005
Hudson meeting, day 1
Champlain, New York (US/Canada border) to:
Val-d’Or: 365.5 Miles, Estimated 7 hours, 18 minutes
Amos: 407.7 Miles, Estimated 8 hours, 9 minutes
Matagami: 508.7 Miles, Estimated 10 hours,15 minutes
(From MapQuest)
Posted by omor at 05:57 PM | Comments (0)
January 28, 2005
Hudson maps A: overview
STL, MO --------- NYC, NY: 1021 miles 15 hours 42 mins
NYC, NY --- Radisson, Que: 1264 miles 19 hours 26 mins
(NYC, NY -- Bennington, VT: 192 miles 3 hours, 42 mins
Radisson is 650% farther north than Vermont)
====
Champlain, New York (US/Canada border) to:
Val-d’Or: 365.5 Miles, Estimated 7 hours, 18 minutes
Amos: 407.7 Miles, Estimated 8 hours, 9 minutes
Matagami: 508.7 Miles, Estimated 10 hours,15 minutes
Bear in mind that from Milford NH to Champlain NY is 235 miles,
Estimated 4 hours 21 minutes, while the first day may be more for
others. We will stop along the way and I'd bet no less than a half
hour will be spent at the meeting place in NY/Canada.
The Next Day to Radisson according to AAA:
Matagami: 372 miles, Estimated 8 hours 24 minutes
Amos: 485 miles, Estimated 11 hours 1 minute
Val d'Or: 538 miles, Estimated 12 hours 13 minutes
The ideal is Val d'Or, as we know, but Amos is about as far north
as we should go on Day 1.
Posted by omor at 06:42 PM | Comments (0)
January 07, 2005
Hudson Trip info 2: clothes
See also MINI2 thread, New England MINI thread and Ducttape Dave Rose's master site.
*** What to bring ***
1. Clothing: [US Elite gear]
1.2 gloves
1.3 socks
1.4 pants:
F-1B Extreme Cold Weather Trousers
F1B Flight Pants from Army Navy Sales.
or Military ECWCS Hyvat Trousers at Army navy Deals
or fleece bear pants.
Posted by omor at 07:08 PM | Comments (0)
January 02, 2005
Correlation Monger
Correlation monger provides pair-wise correlation of
demographic variables across 50 US states. For example,
Canadians increase property values.
Posted by omor at 12:18 AM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2004
CBC Radio One Vancouver, Listen live
Listen live to CBC Radio One Vancouver.
Posted by omor at 12:39 PM | Comments (0)
December 14, 2004
US Canada maps
More USA-Canada maps from the post-election era.
.
from Canada is an ally in the War on Terror.
from BluePrint magazine.
Posted by omor at 10:44 PM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2004
How to be a Canadian
Of interest to Americans fleeing to Canada:
Posted by omor at 01:21 AM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2004
Montreal weblog
Posted by omor at 10:27 PM | Comments (0)
November 14, 2004
Gubenator 2008 ?
The US amends the federal constitution every 8 to 11 years,
it it that time again ? Arnold & Jen in 2008 ?
Article 2, Section 1, Clause 5 of the United States Constitution:
"No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United
States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be
eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be
eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of
thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the
United States."
We think it's time for a change.
Arnold is California Gubernator Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Jen is Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm.
Posted by omor at 03:25 PM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2004
Vancouver news
Vancouver (Canada) news from the _Sun_.
Posted by omor at 09:12 PM | Comments (0)
November 04, 2004
Canadian Ally
Canada is an ally in the War on Terror.
Posted by omor at 08:10 AM | Comments (1)