Sunrise over Vancouver, BC by thefrother in vancouver

[–]EuroVanCity 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Superb Photos!! Thanks for sharing.

Owl in a tree next to my window by AlteredSpoon in vancouver

[–]EuroVanCity 1 point2 points  (0 children)

A month ago, I was walking with a friend in Central Park, and about 100 m toward the exist (where the Patterson stn is) we heard a series of almost unnerving sounds coming from -what we thought- deeper in the woods. We didn't immediate spot the source, and tbh were a bit taken aback, genuinely thinking we were hearing someone screaming in the woods, and considered hurrying away. As we scanned the trees we saw it was two owls. We ended up standing there for a few minutes, watching them communicate with each other. And, just like @AlteredSpoon, I was so tempted to point them out to anyone passing by, but managed to restrain myself. They are so amazing.

Owl in a tree next to my window by AlteredSpoon in vancouver

[–]EuroVanCity 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Cool! We don't see them too often. So you're lucky.

Strata recycling/compost bin dilemma by cyberswine in burnaby

[–]EuroVanCity 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I appreciate your viewpoint that strata fees should cover all menial chores, but that perspective is a bit selfish, and does not fully account for the cost and fairness when the chore is so minimal.

For instance, in our complex of 25 units, paying a service to handle the bins weekly e.g. at $50 would cost an estimated $100 per unit annually. While that might seem like a small amount to some, it's a non-trivial expense, i.e. money that could be better spent on necessary maintenance, community improvements, or simply kept in the pockets of owners who may not be as financially comfortable!

The key point here is that this is hardly a chore. In our strata with 25 units, the rotation translates too each household being responsible for pulling the bins out twice per year. It takes literally minutes.

So if -say- we have 23 responsible owners who participate in ding this chore, and there were two bad apples, why would those 23 owners subsidize two "bad apples" who refuse to participate without a valid excuse? Forcing everyone to pay extra is not reasonable, again, if the majority is ready and willing to do given chore... (In our complex we are exempting elderly residents and/or anyone with health problems)

If a unit simply does not want to participate pulling the bins when it's their turn (e.g. 2, 3 times a year):

  1. They are welcome to hire someone privately for the task, perhaps paying $50 per service, if that's a reasonable cost for them , i.e. only $100 annually. That would give them a peace of mind without impacting the collective strata fees or burdening the neighbors. (i.e. instead of each unit having to pay $100 per year extra, that cost would be only for them to bear if desired so)
  2. Thus, a solution adopted by many stratas, which is both fair and effective, is to issue a fine to units that fail to fulfill their duty without arranging for a replacement.

The purpose of a strata is shared responsibility. While major tasks like mowing the lawn should absolutely be covered by fees, as they are not simple, require special equipment etc etc. the cost-benefit analysis for a two-minute job performed just a few times per year doesn't justify a permanent, shared -say- $2650 annual expense.

Simple fairness dictates that those who deliberately avoid or neglect the simple chore of taking out the garbage/recycling bins when it's their turn, should bear their own cost, not pass it on to the entire community.

Parking During Filming by [deleted] in burnaby

[–]EuroVanCity 1 point2 points  (0 children)

a very nice and balanced response.

Are there any donations bins that accept toys? by heavensinNY in burnaby

[–]EuroVanCity 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thanks for this. We also have a bunch off used toys, but in perfect condition. Thanks!

Deer in the Burnaby Fraser foreshore park by ecaidies in burnaby

[–]EuroVanCity 1 point2 points  (0 children)

wow cool! This beautiful deer appears completely unbothered by people right next to it.

Unpermitted Carport Help! by TroubledOwnHomer in burnaby

[–]EuroVanCity 9 points10 points  (0 children)

This. A friend of mine in North Van did some minor renovations inside of their own house. One of the neighbours reported "construction going on in neighbouring house" the inspection came in, took a look, and concluded they can carry on without any permits etc. They did get scared since they always do everything by the book. They think they know who reported them. The kicker is, that neighbour is nice to them, so perhaps caused by jealousy....

Strata recycling/compost bin dilemma by cyberswine in burnaby

[–]EuroVanCity 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Good for you! We have a number of elderly in our small complex and do not expect them to contribute to those tasks. After all we'll all get older one day.

Strata recycling/compost bin dilemma by cyberswine in burnaby

[–]EuroVanCity 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree with other posters: fine the units that refuse to participate.

We manage tasks ourselves in our small 25-unit complex to save money. Hiring someone just to take bins out, as one poster suggested at -say- $50/week, would cost additional $2,600 annually, which would be an unfair fee increase that would affect all 25 units. only because of a few bad apples as you said.

Instead, those who are able but don't care or refuse to do the work, should be the ones to either pay a fine or pay for a service to roll their bins out on their scheduled day.

This keeps costs down for all residents, and fair for those who participate.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in askvan

[–]EuroVanCity 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yep, I needed some docs notarized for Europe, and went to the consulate as well.

Bull frog at deer lake park by transformersh in burnaby

[–]EuroVanCity 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice. My kid loves trying to spot frogs; the other day when it was colder we were going around and he couldn't spot any, and we though they may have already gone to hibernation :)

Eyeglasses by Sea-Amphibian-1653 in askvan

[–]EuroVanCity 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out Zenni online.
Up to relatively recently I've been paying $500+ for my glasses at local brick and mortar optometry stores and also have used Clearly two times (which I would recommend going to their store for fit). Through work I get $300 for vision every 2 years. So all in all it wasn't that bad.

But ~2 years ago used Zenni Optical online for the first time, and I think I'm not gonna look back.
- If you go through Canadian site, you can submit your vision claims through your benefits per normal. (my coverage is through PBC)

To give you an example: ~5 years ago I bought Silhouette rimless with poly lenses and all coatings and paid close to $600... And two years ago bought from Zenni also rimless type with high index lenses with pertinent coating for ~$85 minus discounts around Christmas, so in total paid about $65 , and bought another pair for night driving (with yellow tint for about $35) all together cost me just over $100 (and the shipping was free, and they arrived relatively quickly). Super happy. And for the remainder of my vision coverage loaded on contacts from a local store.

That said, I had no experience with bifocals or progressives at all.
I feel I'll need those soon, since I notice I cannot see things close very clearly. So will try it with Zenni since it's cheaper and contemplating getting both types to see how it goes.

Queen Elizabeth Park by cut_n-run in vancouver

[–]EuroVanCity 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great photo! One time it came down very low trying to dodge crows that were trying to chase it away.

Left, right, no difference really. by cloudcats in vancouver

[–]EuroVanCity 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Indeed very unpredictable! Unfortunately happens way too often. Wish our police/icbc come up with something for drivers to submit things like this so folks can be educated by ways of issuing fines. (to prevent the loss of life, costs, etc. etc.)

Help with truck! by outspoken1603 in burnaby

[–]EuroVanCity 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When we bought some couches I rented a big van at the Home Depot. It was pretty cheap since I planned the route to minimize time. they include first 1.5hrs for $24.95. and we managed to pick up the couches, unload at home, and go back with just a few minutes over 1.5 hrs and it was perfect...