My brother at work

Hot off the press – this just in!

I thought I’d share with the world what my brother does for a living. Here he is doing the job his country asked him to do, and we should be forever grateful that people like him are willing to do that job.

And while I’m “at it”…

Check out a story I wrote in this week’s edition of Business in Vancouver Newspaper – small companies working on sustainability.

I’m not an “eco-addict” by any means, but the companies I mention in the article are doing some interesting things.

Also – last week’s issue of BIV had another story I wrote about how some of B.C.’s resorts are re-marketing themselves to attract different clients.

And – the Meeting Places BC and Meeting Places AB are on sale now. If you’re looking for a good place to host a conference for your business, this is the magazine for you.

Back at it

It’s been seven months since my last post to this website, and what a seven months it’s been. I won’t bore anyone with the details, suffice to say I lived in the prairies for six months, jumped out of a plane, walked on a glacier, taught myself to fish, camped alone in grizzly country and learned more about myself that I have in recent memory.

I’m back “at it” – writing that is – and will be posting various things on this website with some regularity, I hope.

Stay tuned…

Traffic an issue at PoCo’s first Town Hall meeting

It looks like traffic congestion may be the focus of next Tuesday’s town hall meeting in Port Coquitlam.

Local resident Christopher Fan has formally opposed the construction of a Driver’s Services Centre at the strip mall near the Oxford Street and Lougheed Highway intersection.

Attend the meeting for full details, but it seems Mr. Fan is concerned that the addition of said Centre will aggravate existing traffic congestion issues and turn his neighbourhood into a driver training course.

You can download his letter to city council here.

MEETING DETAILS -

Town Hall Meeting – 6:30pm
Council Meeting – 7:00 pm
TUESDAY, April 14, 2009

New Meeting Location for April 14, 2009
Westwood Elementary School, Gymnasium
3610 Hastings Street
Port Coquitlam

Upholstered armchairs and polished wood will be swapped for plastic seats, folding tables and some good old-fashioned community discussion on Tuesday, April 14 – when Port Coquitlam City Council hosts its first Town Hall Meeting of 2009.

Rather than being held in the Council chambers, the meeting will take place in the Westwood Elementary School gymnasium at 6:30 p.m., followed by a regular Council meeting at 7 p.m. Council voted to host the meetings off-site during its Finance and Intergovernmental Committee meeting last night.

Mayor Moore will moderate the half-hour Town Hall Meeting, which will include an open microphone and the opportunity for citizens to address Council on any issue. Those who stay for the Council meeting at 7 p.m. can also participate in the question period that follows each meeting.

Click here for Council Meeting agendas and minutes.

For more information on Council Meetings, including appearing as a delegation before Council, click here.
For a complete 2009 Council Meeting schedule, click here.

Contact
Corporate Office
Tel 604.927.5421
Fax 604.927.5402
Email corporateoffice@portcoquitlam.ca

More traffic tribulations for Tri-Cities

Although the province’s Gateway Program is supposed to relieve the Lower Mainland’s traffic congestion, it looks like it will get worse before it gets better for the Tri-Cities.

According to the Wednesday Tri-City News, a portion of the historic Fraser Mills site is going to be set aside as a staging area for the Port Mann bridge project. Coquitlam city council approved the preliminary plan on Monday, but it was not a unanimous decision. Councillor Fin Donnelly rejected the proposal. He called it “unorthodox” and expressed his concern that it might make traffic congestion in the area worse.

For full details read the story, but it’s worth pointing out that both ends of the serpentine-like United Boulevard are already among the worst spots in the Lower Mainland for traffic congestion. Between the one-way bridge behind the recycling depot on one end and the Mary Hill Bypass at the other end, I’ve spent more time riding the clutch on United than I care to remember.

Although I agree that the Fraser Mills site is within a convenient proximity of the Port Mann (and makes good use of sorely under utilized industrial land space), United’s business owners might be wise to consider how this will affect them.

Coquitlam city manager Jim McIntyre admitted that the project will bring an additional 40 heavy trucks and 400 employee vehicles into the area every day. Perhaps that number is nothing to get worried about, but when you consider that there are only three ways in or out of United Boulevard it could quickly become a hassle for commuters.

It should also be mentioned that the King Edward Overpass (one of the three ways in) is slated for renovation, and daily traffic around the casino and Wastech is already substantial.

Ironically, the Port Mann bridge project is part of the province’s Gateway Program meant to improve the Lower Mainland’s transportation infrastructure.

NOTE – The Fraser Mills real estate development will go ahead as planned, and the Beedie Group has said that the bridge project will not affect its construction schedule. For more about that development, check out this story I wrote for the Dec. 2, 2008 issue of Business in Vancouver Newspaper.

Home Makeover magazine – strange “green” items

Okay, this article was a lot of fun.

Another story for the April edition of Home Makeover magazine, this one features several designers that have broken the mold for eco-friendly design.

I’ll try not to give everything away but items featured include: composting toilets (again with the human waste), floors made from recycle tires, furniture made from discarded junk and a living bath mat.

On that note, the bath mat is by far one of the coolest ideas I’ve seen yet. I was lucky enough to communicate with designer Nguyen La Chanh directly, and her portfolio is worth a look.

Have fun!

Home Makeover magazine – saving water

Check out the April edition of Home Makeover magazine for an article I wrote about eco-friendly water systems at home.

The story features several appliances you may not have heard about that include: dual-tray dishwashers, condensing dryers, eco-faucets and dual-flush toilets – lovely!

You’ll have to read the article for the full details (it can be viewed for free on the website, shhh…), but according to the experts the bathroom is an affordable and effective place to start an “eco-reno.”

ALSO

If you haven’t already heard about Streamline Properties‘ 24-unit concrete low-rise in North Vancouver, the article would be a good place to start.

According to company president Jeff Wiegel The Brook, as it’s called, is one of the greenest buildings in Canada and he’s aiming for a LEED platinum certification.

Check it out!

BIV – Black Edition – Cutting Costs

Hello again,

Another story for this week’s Business in Vancouver Newspaper. The story will appear as a part of the Black Edition inset, and it focuses on cost cutting strategies for businesses.

With the business sector slowing down amid a global recession, effective cost cutting strategies will be important for businesses both big and small. The story includes interviews with business people that work in the auto, security and small business sectors – and they all had something important to say.

The overall theme? Small changes can create big savings.

Pick up a copy and check it out!

BIV – Black Edition – Leadership

Check out the March 31st edition of Business in Vancouver for a story I wrote about leadership in tough economic times.

The Black Edition is an annual magazine-style inset that focuses on profitability. Given the current economic climate, this was an interesting story to research and write and a good opportunity to pick the brains of some of the Lower Mainland’s finest business leaders. According to the experts, honesty and communication skills are the keys to leadership during tough times.

Pick up a copy and let me know what you think!

One week slow down

Hello,

Just wanted to let everyone know why this site has slowed down over the last few days. I’m a few weeks away from finishing my degree (and planning a move to another province), so I have half a dozen papers and several exams to get out of the way in short order.

I doubt I’ll find time for any additional updates this week, but check back soon and I promise there’ll be lots more!

- Joel