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SuPaah Amazing, Burnaby, BC (2025)

07/22/2025

A bright meteor shower featuring 'fireballs' is set to peak in Metro Vancouver. Here's what you need to know.

Aug. 9, which may dim the perspective of the grand finale. The moon will be at its fullest in Metro Vancouver at 12:54 a.m., according to timeanddate.com.

The shower is also famous for its "fireballs," which are "larger explosions of light and colour that can persist longer than an average meteor streak," according to NASA. They are also significantly brighter than other meteors.

Perseid meteors appear to fall from the constellation Perseus
The shower has been active since last week, and some of its meteors will be visible until late August. However, they will gradually ease up heading into September.

According to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), the Perseids originate from Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which leaves a trail of dust and gravel as it orbits the sun. Earth crosses the comet's orbital path and trail of debris each summer, resulting in the annual meteor shower. The debris transforms into "shooting stars" as it disintegrates in Earth's atmosphere.

Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle makes a full orbit around the sun once every 133 years.

The CSA says the Perseids originate in the constellation Perseus because they appear to fall from it. Greek astronomer Ptolemy catalogued the constellation and named it after the Greek mythological hero Perseus (see slide three).

Perseus is at its highest vantage point in the sky right before dawn, which is the best time to see numerous shooting stars.

Watching the Perseid meteor shower in Vancouver
To fully enjoy the spectacle, here are a few tips for meteor hunting:

If possible, head away from city lights, which make it hard to see fainter meteors. To increase your chances of seeing shooting stars, set out in search of dark skies in the countryside.

If you need to use a flashlight, place a red filter over the bulb (a red balloon will do in a bind). White light is very blinding and may affect your night vision.

Dress warmly. Even though the Perseids occur in the summertime, it is still a good idea to bring warm clothes. August nights can be very chilly.

Sit back and relax on a reclining chair or lie down on a blanket. Not only is it much more comfortable to observe the stars lying down, but you'll also see more that way.

Pack a thermos of hot chocolate or coffee—it will come in handy if you start to drift off or get a little chilly.

Be patient. It might take a while before you see your first shooting star. Don't be quick to give up... It's worth the wait.

07/22/2025

Source: CBC news

British Columbia

District of North Vancouver councillor wants to make bike bells mandatory
‘Not everyone who's walking along the paths wants to hear people yelling at them,' says Jim Hanson

A District of North Vancouver (DNV) councillor wants to make bike bells mandatory in his community and wants to see other municipalities in B.C. follow suit.

During a June 23 council meeting, Jim Hanson put forward a motion to create a bylaw mandating bells on bicycles out of concern for pedestrian safety.

"I think it's important as we move towards active transportation, building out our bike lanes [and] that we make our multi-user paths, pedestrian and cycling paths safe for everyone and courteous," he told CBC's On The Coast.

Often, if cyclists don't have bells, they shout "on your left" or some variation of that to let people on foot know there's a bike coming up behind them, so as not to startle them.

But Hanson said some people find that "aggressive."

"Not everyone who's walking along the paths wants to hear people yelling at them," he said, adding that some people, seniors, for example, may hear the sound of a bell better than the sound of someone's voice.

"I just don't believe it to be courteous for cyclists to be hollering out at pedestrians as they go down these paths."

He pointed to the City of Vancouver, where the bylaw states that cyclists must have a bell on their bicycle.

But not everyone realizes that's the rule; Duncan Wilcock, who often rides his e-bike in communities throughout the Lower Mainland, wasn't aware of that until this motion came about.

But he said requiring bells on bikes won't solve the problem of pedestrians and cyclists trying to share pathways respectfully.

"Mandating a bike bell is not the same as somebody actually being socially considerate," he said.

DNV Mayor Mike Little suggested during the council meeting that bells may, in fact, be required by the province, but the Ministry of Transportation confirmed to CBC News that bicycles are not required to have bells or horns under the Motor Vehicle Act, and those rules are the responsibility of municipalities.

Coun. Jordan Back wondered how such a bylaw would be enforced.

"I think that would be really challenging," he said during the June 23 meeting. He suggested education and signage instead to encourage courtesy on multi-use paths.

"I think any time you start mandating something like this, it just is going to create a whole other thing for us to try and manage and enforce."

Wilcock, a volunteer with HUB Cycling — a non-profit organization that promotes cycling in Vancouver — said municipalities should focus on building separate pathways for people on foot and people on bikes.

"People in the cars get to travel side by side. Why shouldn't the people walking have plenty of room to walk side by side? Same with people on bikes," he said.

"The conflict is happening because people are on a multi-use path, because it's squished too close together, people travelling different speeds. That's the root of the problem."

Hanson hopes the DNV does eventually make bike bells a requirement on city pathways and streets, and that other communities on the North Shore follow suit.

Ultimately, he said, he plans to take the issue of bike bells to the Union of B.C. Municipalities, calling for bells on bikes as a provincial rule.

"I think we need to normalize bell usage. I mean, we've normalized helmet use for cycling. We need to develop a way of life that involves courtesy on our multimodal paths and safety, and I think bells on bikes is an idea whose time has come on a provincewide basis."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Courtney Dickson
Journalist

Courtney Dickson is an award-winning journalist based in Vancouver, B.C.

07/21/2025

Source: PENINSULA NEWS REVIEW

LETTER: BC Ferries justified in ban on electric vehicles

BC Ferries has every right to refuse any vehicle deemed unsafe. They ask if Jerry cans are with you, they have specific dangerous goods guidelines, and also serve smaller Gulf Islands Sundays with a dangerous-goods-only early morning sailing.

It only took one laptop to bring down a large UPS cargo plane. I hope one day the EV cars and bikes will be segregated somehow, as we all know the possibilities of one going up in flames. That can jeopardize over 2,000 people. Some of the older ferries could do that now, given the unique car deck design.

We give EV owners massive rebates courtesy of the taxpayer. We let them ride solo in the HOV lanes. We provide charging stations, which if enough are made, will produce rolling blackouts if we do not find more energy solutions. Car companies have already told our government they cannot meet their 100% EV-only car sale in time, so the prices will have to go up due to fines imposed by our Liberal government.

The cost will also do irreparable damage to our economy far worse than tariffs. Maybe EV owners could spend that rebate money they got on a rental or wait in line for our Island dealers to fix their problems. The recent fires in Los Angeles had quite a battle dealing with every EV damaged car. I will never park near one of these cars in a parking lot.

Stuart Walker

Central Saanich

07/21/2025

Source: NORTH SHORE DAILY POST

Swimming advisory issued for West Vancouver beach

Vancouver Coastal Health has issued a swimming advisory for Dundarave Beach in West Vancouver. The beach is not suitable for swimming due to high levels of E. coli. Advisories are also in effect for three beaches in Vancouver: Third Beach, Sunset Beach and Trout Beach.

“When the level of bacteria is high there is an increased risk of illness to swimmers. The public is advised not to swim or wade in the water until the advisory is removed. Seniors, infants and children, and people with weakened immunity are the most susceptible,” VCH says.

An advisory pertains to the water only. It does not affect enjoyment of the rest of the beach. The latest water sample reveals elevated bacterial counts, far exceeding the safe levels. The E.coli count in Dundarave was 2187 MPN/100mL. E.coli of 400\100 mL is considered to be high for swimming and other sports in which the whole body is immersed and water is likely to be swallowed.

High counts of E. coli in recreational water may increase the chances of gastrointestinal illnesses and skin/eye infections.

07/21/2025

Source: CTV news

Mosquito study underway in B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky region after scattering of severe illness

By Mina Kerr-Lazenby
Published: July 18, 2025 at 10:12PM EDT

A small-scale mosquito surveillance project is being launched in B.C.’s Sea-to-Sky region to better understand the mosquitos in the area and what diseases they may be carrying.

The project, launched by Vancouver Coastal Health in collaboration with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, Líl̓wat Nation, Squamish Nation and the University of B.C., was prompted after a spate of mosquito-borne illness was reported in the region late last year.

“Late last year in the fall, we were notified of a small cluster of individuals who were diagnosed with an illness known as California Serogroup, and they had all presented with severe neurological symptoms of encephalitis,” said Dr. Moliehi Khaketla, medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health. Encephalitis is an autoimmune response that leads to a swelling of the brain.

According to Khaketla, the majority of people who contact the virus show “mild to no symptoms” and it is only “a very small proportion” of individuals that have these severe neurological presentations.

While the specific infection was not new to the province, it was notable that four cases occurred over the course of one summer and that the severity of those cases meant the infected required hospitalization, said Khaketla. Prior to these four cases, there had been only three cases of California Serogroup reported since 2009.

“We decided to investigate to better understand if these individuals had acquired this illness while traveling to another area, or if they had stayed locally in B.C., and we determined that they had all likely acquired this new emerging pathogen locally in the Sea-to-Sky region, which was new,” said Khaketla.

The project, due to last three months, may be extended to allow surveys of other regions in B.C. if new cases arise.

“Because this is an emerging pathogen, this is our first step to being able to better understand this problem,” Khaketla said. “Depending on how these results go, and if we see new additional cases this summer of this illness, it may prompt other regions across B.C. to conduct something similar.”

As the study gets underway, VCH is highlighting the importance of preventing mosquito bites and the various ways that they can be protected against. Khaketla recommends wearing mosquito repellents, wearing clothing that covers more skin – like full-length pants or long-sleeved shirts – installing screens on windows and avoiding being outdoors during times when mosquitoes are more active, typically around dusk and dawn.

Removing sources of stagnant water, where mosquitos can breed, may also remove the risk, he said.

“That could be simple things like removing the water under saucers or flowerpots, or changing bird baths, or unblocking your rain gutters, things like that,” he said.

07/21/2025

What’s that orange stuff? Algae bloom flourishes at Stanley Park’s Lost Lagoon

By Penny Daflos

Published: July 20, 2025 at 4:50PM EDT

If you’ve been to Stanley Park this summer, you may be wondering what the strange-looking orange stuff is on the edges of Lost Lagoon.

It’s a type of algae that began blooming in early May and continues to flourish, with the organic material stretching metres from the shore into the man-made lake in some areas.

“We’re not testing it, doubt that it’s toxic algae, but they do happen in various lakes,” said Chad Townsend, the Vancouver Park Board’s environmental planner, adding they want parkgoers and their dogs to stay out of the water.

He said they’re monitoring the algae but that they can’t do much except let it run its natural life cycle: bloom, diminish, then sink to the bottom of the lagoon.

“Due to the decisions of the past, we have a major project with Lost Lagoon. It’s human nature, I think, to look for easy solutions and think, ‘This one change would, clean up Lost Lagoon.’ But it is a major project,” said Townsend.

The lagoon used to be a tidal ecosystem connected to Coal Harbour, but a century ago it was closed off for pleasure boating when the causeway was built and the water has no natural circulation. The pond is iconic in the park, but the water has been brackish for years and park board staff expect to present various options for the lagoon’s future in the fall.

Townsend says the board will work with the port authority and First Nations to determine what the future of the lagoon will look like. In pre-colonial times it was a shellfish harvesting site and has cultural significance for local Indigenous communities.

07/21/2025

Blue-green algae closes HRM beach for swimming

By Natasha O'Neill

Posted Jul 17, 2025 01:29:05 PM.

Last Updated Jul 17, 2025 01:29:39 PM.

The presence of possible toxin-producing blue-green algae closed Oakfield Park Beach until further notice.

The beach northeast of the provincial capital is not allowed for swimming because testing found a possible algae bloom that poses risks to people. The algae are occurring in freshwater environments and can grow when the weather is calm and warm. It can be harmful to pets and humans alike because of the possibility of producing toxins.

“People who come in contact with blue-green algae blooms or ingest water containing blue-green algae blooms may experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea,” officials said in a press release.

People are being encouraged to avoid any water contact in the area, or towel off “vigorously” if they did wade or swim near blue-green algae. Pets should not drink the water or swim near it as well.

“When a blue-green algae bloom or mat is observed, a beach closure is issued and initial testing is done to determine whether it is a toxin-producing algae bloom is,” the press release reads.

If it’s not toxin-producing, no further testing is needed and the beach will reopen.

Algae can appear like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint or a thick thick scum on the surface. Algae mats often look like clumps of vegetation and can appear brown, black or green in the water.

In 2024, the Nova Scotia NDP renewed calls to create a Provincial Lake Advisory Commission that would be responsible for the protection and conservation of healthy lakes and other bodies of water.

07/21/2025

It appears that e-scooter injuries are increasing throughout Canada.

Medical professionals are expressing concerns, emphasizing that these devices are not intended as playthings. Recent data indicates that approximately 1,000 individuals were admitted to hospitals due to accidents involving scooters between April 2023 and March 2024, which is an increase from 810 the previous year. Furthermore, over half of these injuries were attributed solely to e-scooters, representing a 32 percent rise within a single year.

Specialists suggest that a combination of factors, including a lack of experience, high speeds, and small wheels, contribute to the increased risks associated with these vehicles. Pamela Fuselli from the injury-prevention organization Parachute recommends that riders reduce their speed, wear helmets, and adhere to traffic regulations as if they were operating a conventional vehicle. She also advocates for more consistent enforcement of laws, given the variations across cities and provinces, to enhance safety on roadways.

07/21/2025

WARNING ⚠️
Toxic algae bloom at Nicola Lake prompts concern, frustration in community

By David Nadalini

Posted July 14, 2025 5:12 pm.

Last Updated July 16, 2025 5:13 pm.

A director for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District is criticizing the province’s handling of toxic algae in Nicola Lake, which has killed and sickened a number of animals.

David Laird says cyanobacteria, otherwise known as blue-green algae, have become a serious issue at the lake. But despite growing concerns, Laird says there has been little action from the province.

“So far, we haven’t been able to get the provincial government to come and do complete regular testing of what the nutrients are, where they’re from, and how we can start controlling it,” said Laird.

According to the province, cyanobacteria are common in freshwater ecosystems across B.C., but when they bloom, several species are capable of producing toxins that can be harmful to humans, domestic animals, and livestock.

“We’ve been fortunate enough that a child hasn’t been playing in the lake at Monck Park, where they have a nice beach and drank some of the water, and got sick.”

Laird says after reaching out to the Ministry of Environment and Parks, they were told it was the regional district’s responsibility to put algae signage at the lake. Laird denies this.

“It’s not our jurisdiction,” said Laird. “We can’t print a sign, we have no idea what’s in the lake, we have no records of anything that goes on, and it’s not part of our job to do that.”

Laird says about 100 campers visit Monck Park every weekend and feels like the community is being left out of the conversation. He has since formed a group called “The Friends of the Nicola Lake” society to give the province a chance to talk to local politicians on the matter.

07/21/2025

You want to know: Where's the worst park or beach for summer parking in Metro Vancouver?

Whether you’re headed to White Pine Beach, Spanish Banks, or a city park in Burnaby or North Vancouver, one thing’s clear: finding parking at a park or beach this summer is brutal.

On Canada Day alone, Port Moody Police said around 60 vehicles were towed and dozens of tickets were issued near White Pine Beach due to illegal parking, just one example of how chaotic long weekends have become.

Even parks with large lots, like Buntzen Lake, can fill up by 7 a.m.

City parks and rec zones across Burnaby, Surrey, Coquitlam, and Vancouver are seeing crowds, clogged roads, and packed lots.

07/20/2025

Sunday at Tsawwassen Mills

SuPaah Amazing

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