A no messing around guide to the coolest things to eat, drink and do in Vancouver and beyond. Community. Not clickbait.

On Fanning Chinatown’s Flames And Vancouver Not Being So Awesome

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by Sean Orr | You don’t say! Vancouver: Canada’s most dissatisfied city. The headline that ran in the print edition – complete with scenic photo of Vancouver – asked, “Wait, this isn’t good enough for you?” No, actually. It really isn’t. What good is scenery when the only way to afford living in its midst is to work three jobs and dig a hole of personal debt? The only reason Sudbury is number one on this silly, click-baiting list is because there’s nothing to look at except other people. Consequently, they talk to each other. What a concept.

Vancouver Is Not Always Awesome weighs in on the report, with gumballs.

But seriously, why would we be happy? Vancouver is crippled by its own newness. It has grown so fast that it culturally cannibalizes itself every couple of years. It should surprise no one that it thrives on its own isolation – politically, geographically, economically and, ergo, socially. Plus the rain. Always with the rain.

We also smoke a lot of pot: “The annual 4/20 smoke-in has drawn concern from parents who said not enough was being done to keep teens away from the marijuana rallies”. I don’t want to sound like a narc but Monday was the first time I’ve ever gone to 4/20 at the VAG, and it was totally bonkers. I didn’t see a single weed vendor ID anyone.

Viewed askew, if 25,000 people similarly gathered for a booze fest, we’d probably have a lot more problems on our hands than a couple of freaked out teens with heart palpitations.

In any event, apathy wins elections, but who cares? Indifference could help ‘yes’ vote. I’m mad as hell and I’m probably not gonna keep taking it some more. “Meanwhile, many ballots are being treated like letters from Nigerian princes and going straight into recycling…”

As part of Chinatown burned down yesterday, this guy proved that Canucks fans can make anything about hockey:

Oh, so I guess there was a budget yesterday: 7 Times Joe Oliver’s Budget Speech Departs from Reality.

And: Cracks seen in Canada’s economy as Joe Oliver delivers budget.

And: Use Of EI Funds By Tories To Help Balance Budget Draws Criticism.

Late April Fools? Park board to vote on giving Queen Elizabeth Park a zipline for its 75th birthday. I’d only be okay with it if the Queen herself took the inaugural zip…

Meanwhile, The NPA park board proposes to use money allocated for new parks to destroy a new park: Vancouver park board might demolish 3-year-old Mount Pleasant skateboard park. If you’re of the skateboarding persuasion, you should go to the meeting on Monday April 27th, 7pm, 2099 Beach Avenue.

On Ken Sim’s So-Called “Swagger” and ABC’S Class War

Sean Orr is back from his hiatus with a rundown of the local headlines that have been running on a ticker tape through his mind over the past six months...

On Post-Election Recuperation, Platform Paradoxes and Refund Communities

In his latest read of the local news headlines, Sean Orr finds irony in "safety, affordability, and sustainability", and shouts out a bunch of amazing local organizations working on the frontlines.

On Running for City Council, Playing Whack-a-Mole with Homelessness, and the Public Washroom Deficit

In his latest read of the local news headlines, Sean Orr finds a park ranger with a grudge, a gross misuse of air quotes and Tripadvisor slander.

On Living in a City Preoccupied with Street Cleaning, Chandeliers, and Campaigns Against the Homeless

In his latest read of the local news headlines, Sean Orr hones in on the recent Langley shootings, and the ongoing criminalizing and dehumanizing of the homeless population.