#design build in Calgary

[swmwconstruction]

Feature Project: Coaldale Fire Hall

Addition and Renovation

Welcome back to another installment of our popular Feature Projects from the team at SWMW, experts in design build in Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and Inuvik, NT!

These Feature Projects are a great way to look back at past successes in our construction projects!

In this piece, we’ll look back on a fire hall construction project from 2019-2020 for the municipality of Coaldale and Lethbridge County. We helped this existing emergency response facility with a renovation to their current 10,000 sq. ft. building and built a new 10,000 sq. ft. addition.

This project was a successful exercise in project management – and in balancing necessary construction activities with the need for zero disruption with emergency response operations.

Project Details

Sector: Commercial Location: Coaldale, Alberta Timeline: This project took place in 2019 and 2020. The renovation and addition each took one year to complete.

This project covered both a renovation and addition to the fire hall for the growing community of Coaldale, Alberta.

The addition featured six spacious drive-through bays for fire trucks, modernized locker rooms, a two-story training area, and state-of-the-art offices. Meanwhile, the renovation efforts included upgrades to the exteriors, asbestos abatement, new offices, a lunchroom, training room, and ambulance garage bays, and new sleeping quarters.

Project Requirements

The municipality, together with the county of Lethbridge recognized the pressing need for additional space to store emergency vehicles and accommodate the growing community. Their primary "must-haves" were functionality and longevity. We achieved this through the use of premium materials and impeccable construction standards.

Considerations

The project required careful planning and effective project management to ensure uninterrupted emergency response services. Our team worked closely with the fire department, meticulously phasing the construction to avoid any disruptions.

Timeline and Sub-Trades

The estimated timeline was one year for the addition and renovation phases. To deliver outstanding results, we collaborated with a range of sub-trades, including civil experts, concrete specialists, steel fabricators, exterior and roofing professionals, electrical and mechanical teams, as well as skilled drywallers, painters, and flooring specialists.

The longstanding relationships we had with these sub-trades ensured seamless teamwork, excellent project management, and impeccable craftsmanship.

Materials and Sustainability

In pursuit of building longevity, we carefully selected materials such as concrete, steel, wood, and brick. While sustainability is a cornerstone of our philosophy, this project did not involve specific sustainable or environmental considerations.

Key Takeaway

This project highlights our team's expertise in new construction and renovations, which helped us to flawlessly integrate the addition and renovation phases.

Our ability to collaborate closely with the project owners and the fire department was instrumental in preventing any disruptions to the community's emergency services. The success of this project is a testament to our commitment to delivering excellence and meeting our clients' needs with unmatched precision.

Connect With Southwest And Midwest Design & Construction

The fire hall project in Coaldale stands as a prime example of exceptional construction prowess and efficient coordination. Moreover, customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we attribute our success to our decades of experience and the importance of continued learning to get the job done right for our clients their way – every time.

Choose SWMW for your next construction project. We’re experienced design-build contractors, with offices in Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, and Inuvik, NT.

Want to learn more about how we can help with your next design and construction project? Contact the team at SWMW with our convenient online quote request tool. A member of our team will be in touch to discuss project details and next steps.

[thedonofgray]

Downtown Calgary

[landendesignbuildab]

Landen Design Build, we believe in turning your dream home into reality. As a leading Calgary custom home builder, our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality, personalized homes that reflect your vision, lifestyle, and unique preferences. With years of experience in the industry, our process is client-focused from start to finish, ensuring every detail is tailored to your specific needs.

Landen Design Build 274044 Tenth St E, Foothills, AB T1S 3L4 (403) 619–4734

My Official Website: https://landendevelopment.com Google Plus Listing: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=14413702178675049692

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new home design Calgary: https://landendevelopment.com/custom-home-design/ luxury acreage home builders Calgary: https://landendevelopment.com/acreage-home-builders-calgary/ cost to build a house in Calgary: https://landendevelopment.com/pricing/home-building-and-renovation-pricing/ architectural design Calgary: https://landendevelopment.com/pricing/architectural-drafting-and-design-pricing/

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[designerinteriors]

The Importance Of Basement Interior Design And From Where You Can Get The Best One?

Basements have a fascinating history that is associated with various cultures all over the world. Cellars and basements were common features in nearly all of the townhouses built in the nineteenth century. While the purpose of designing a basement was to provide much-needed storage space, they were also used as living quarters or servants’ quarters in wealthy homes. These spaces, which are…

[timetravelingslytherinincamelot]

Multiuse - Laundry An illustration of a sizable transitional single-wall utility room with travertine flooring and a side-by-side washer and dryer, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, and beige walls.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Boeing’s deliberately defective fleet of flying sky-wreckage

I'm touring my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me TOMORROW (May 2) in WINNIPEG, then Calgary (May 3), Vancouver (May 4), Tartu, Estonia, and beyond!

Boeing's 787 "Dreamliner" is manufactured far from the company's Seattle facility, in a non-union shop in Charleston, South Carolina. At that shop, there is a cage full of defective parts that have been pulled from production because they are not airworthy.

Hundreds of parts from that Material Review Segregation Area (MRSA) were secretly pulled from that cage and installed on aircraft that are currently plying the world's skies. Among them, sections 47/48 of a 787 – the last four rows of the plane, along with its galley and rear toilets. As Moe Tkacik writes in her excellent piece on Boeing's lethally corrupt culture of financialization and whistleblower intimidation, this is a big ass chunk of an airplane, and there's no way it could go missing from the MRSA cage without a lot of people knowing about it:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/transportation/2024-04-30-whistleblower-laws-protect-lawbreakers/

More: MRSA parts are prominently emblazoned with red marks denoting them as defective and unsafe. For a plane to escape Boeing's production line and find its way to a civilian airport near you with these defective parts installed, many people will have to see and ignore this literal red flag.

The MRSA cage was a special concern of John "Swampy" Barnett, the Boeing whistleblower who is alleged to have killed himself in March. Tkacik's earlier profile of Swampy paints a picture of a fearless, stubborn engineer who refused to go along to get along, refused to allow himself to become inured to Boeing's growing culture of profits over safety:

https://prospect.org/infrastructure/transportation/2024-03-28-suicide-mission-boeing/

Boeing is America's last aviation company and its single largest exporter. After the company was allowed to merge with its rival McDonnell-Douglas in 1997, the combined company came under MDD's notoriously financially oriented management culture. MDD CEO Harry Stonecipher became Boeing's CEO in the early 2000s. Stonecipher was a protege of Jack Welch, the man who destroyed General Electric with cuts to quality and workforce and aggressive union-busting, a classic Mafia-style "bust-out" that devoured the company's seed corn and left it a barren wasteland:

https://qz.com/1776080/how-the-mcdonnell-douglas-boeing-merger-led-to-the-737-max-crisis

Post-merger, Boeing became increasingly infected with MDD's culture. The company chased cheap, less-skilled labor to other countries and to America's great onshore-offshore sacrifice zone, the "right-to-work" American south, where bosses can fire uppity workers who balked at criminal orders, without the hassle of a union grievance.

Stonecipher was succeeded by Jim "Prince Jim" McNerney, ex-3M CEO, another Jack Welch protege (Welch spawned a botnet of sociopath looters who seized control of the country's largest, most successful firms, and drove them into the ground). McNerney had a cute name for the company's senior engineers: "phenomenally talented assholes." He created a program to help his managers force these skilled workers – everyone a Boeing who knew how to build a plane – out of the company.

McNerney's big idea was to get rid of "phenomenally talented assholes" and outsource the Dreamliner's design to Boeing's suppliers, who were utterly dependent on the company and could easily be pushed around (McNerney didn't care that most of these companies lacked engineering departments). This resulted in a $80b cost overrun, and a last-minute scramble to save the 787 by shipping a "cleanup crew" from Seattle to South Carolina, in the hopes that those "phenomenally talented assholes" could save McNerney's ass.

Swampy was part of the cleanup crew. He was terrified by what he saw there. Boeing had convinced the FAA to let them company perform its own inspections, replacing independent government inspectors with Boeing employees. The company would mark its own homework, and it swore that it wouldn't cheat.

Boeing cheated. Swampy dutifully reported the legion of safety violations he witnessed and was banished to babysit the MRSA, an assignment his managers viewed as a punishment that would isolate Swampy from the criminality he refused to stop reporting. Instead, Swampy audited the MRSA, and discovered that at least 420 defective aviation components had gone missing from the cage, presumably to be installed in planes that were behind schedule. Swampy then audited the keys to the MRSA and learned that hundreds of keys were "floating around" the Charleston facility. Virtually anyone could liberate a defective part and install it into an airplane without any paper trail.

Swampy's bosses had a plan for dealing with this. They ordered Swampy to "pencil whip" the investigations of 420 missing defective components and close the cases without actually figuring out what happened to them. Swampy refused.

Instead, Swampy took his concerns to a departmental meeting where 12 managers were present and announced that "if we can’t find them, any that we can’t find, we need to report it to the FAA." The only response came from a supervisor, who said, "We’re not going to report anything to the FAA."

The thing is, Swampy wasn't just protecting the lives of the passengers in those defective aircraft – he was also protecting Boeing employees. Under Sec 38 of the US Criminal Code, it's a 15-year felony to make any "materially false writing, entry, certification, document, record, data plate, label, or electronic communication concerning any aircraft or space vehicle part."

(When Swampy told a meeting that he took this seriously because "the paperwork is just as important as the aircraft" the room erupted in laughter.)

Swampy sent his own inspectors to the factory floor, and they discovered "dozens of red-painted defective parts installed on planes."

Swampy blew the whistle. How did the 787 – and the rest of Boeing's defective flying turkeys – escape the hangar and find their way into commercial airlines' fleets? Tkacik blames a 2000 whistleblower law called AIR21 that:

creates such byzantine procedures, locates adjudication power in such an outgunned federal agency, and gives whistleblowers such a narrow chance of success that it effectively immunizes airplane manufacturers, of which there is one in the United States, from suffering any legal repercussions from the testimony of their own workers.

By his own estimation, Swampy was ordered to commit two felonies per week for six years. Tkacik explains that this kind of operation relies on a culture of ignorance – managers must not document their orders, and workers must not be made aware of the law. Whistleblowers like Swampy, who spoke the unspeakable, were sidelined (an assessment by one of Swampy's managers called him "one of the best" and finished that "leadership would give hugs and high fives all around at his departure").

Multiple whistleblowers were singled out for retaliation and forced departure. William Hobek, a quality manager who refused to "pencil whip" the missing, massive 47-48 assembly that had wandered away from the MRSA cage, was given a "weak" performance review and fired despite an HR manager admitting that it was bogus.

Another quality manager, Cynthia Kitchens, filed an ethics complaint against manager Elton Wright who responded to her persistent reporting of defects on the line by shoving her against a wall and shouting that Boeing was "a good ol’ boys’ club and you need to get on board." Kitchens was fired in 2016. She had cancer at the time.

John Woods, yet another quality engineer, was fired after he refused to sign off on a corner-cutting process to repair a fuselage – the FAA later backed up his judgment.

Then there's Sam Salehpour, the 787 quality engineer whose tearful Congressional testimony described more corner-cutting on fuselage repairs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP0xhIe1LFE

Salehpour's boss followed the Boeing playbook to the letter: Salehpour was constantly harangued and bullied, and he was isolated from colleagues who might concur with his assessment. When Salehpour announced that he would give Congressional testimony, his car was sabotaged under mysterious circumstances.

It's a playbook. Salehpour's experience isn't unusual at Boeing. Two other engineers, working on the 787 Organization Designation Authorization, held up production by insisting that the company fix the planes' onboard navigation computers. Their boss gave them a terrible performance review, admitting that top management was furious at the delays and had ordered him to punish the engineers. The engineers' union grievance failed, with Boeing concluding that this conduct – which they admitted to – didn't rise to the level of retaliation.

As Tkacik points out, these engineers and managers that Boeing targeted for intimidation and retaliation are the very same staff who are supposed to be performing inspections of behalf of the FAA. In other words, Boeing has spent years attacking its own regulator, with total impunity.

But it's not just the FAA who've failed to take action – it's also the DOJ, who have consistently declined to bring prosecutions in most cases, and who settled the rare case they did bring with "deferred prosecution agreements." This pattern was true under Trump's DOJ and continued under Biden's tenure. Biden's prosecutors have been so lackluster that a federal judge "publicly rebuked the DOJ for failing to take seriously the reputational damage its conduct throughout the Boeing case was inflicting on the agency."

Meanwhile, there's the AIR21 rule, a "whistleblower" rule that actually protects Boeing from whistleblowers. Under AIR21, an aviation whistleblower who is retaliated against by their employer must first try to resolve their problem internally. If that fails, the whistleblower has only one course of action: file an OSHA complaint within 90 days (if HR takes more than 90 days to resolve your internal complaint, you can no have no further recourse). If you manage to raise a complaint with OSHA, it is heard by a secret tribunal that has no subpoena power and routinely takes five years to rule on cases, and rules against whistleblowers 97% of the time.

Boeing whistleblowers who missed the 90-day cutoff have filled the South Carolina courts with last-ditch attempts to hold the company to account. When they lose these cases – as is routine, given Boeing's enormous legal muscle and AIR21's legal handcuffs – they are often ordered to pay Boeing's legal costs.

Tkacik cites Swampy's lawyer, Rob Turkewitz, who says Swampy was the only one of Boeing's whistleblowers who was "savvy, meticulous, and fast-moving enough to bring an AIR 21 case capable of jumping through all the hoops" to file an AIR21 case, which then took seven years. Turkewitz calls Boeing South Carolina "a criminal enterprise."

That's a conclusion that's hard to argue with. Take Boeing's excuse for not producing the documentation of its slapdash reinstallation of the Alaska Air door plug that fell off its plane in flight: the company says it's not criminally liable for failing to provide the paperwork, because it never documented the repair. Not documenting the repair is also a crime.

You might have heard that there's some accountability coming to the Boeing boardroom, with the ouster of CEO David Calhoun. Calhoun's likely successor is Patrick Shanahan, whom Tkacik describes as "the architect of the ethos that governed the 787 program" and whom her source called "a classic schoolyard bully."

If Shanahan's name rings a bell, it might be because he was almost Trump's Secretary of Defense, but that was derailed by the news that he had "emphatically defended" his 17 year old son after the boy nearly beat his mother to death with a baseball bat. Shanahan is presently CEO of Spirit Aerospace, who made the door-plug that fell out of the Alaska Airlines 737 Max.

Boeing is a company where senior managers only fail up and where whistleblowers are terrorized in and out of the workplace. One of Tkacik's sources noticed his car shimmying. The source, an ex-787 worker who'd been fired after raising safety complaints, had tried to bring an AIR21 complaint, but withdrew it out of fear of being bankrupted if he was ordered to pay Boeing's legal costs. When the whistleblower pulled over, he discovered that two of the lug-nuts had been removed from one of his wheels.

The whistleblower texted Tkcacik to say (not for the first time): "If anything happens, I'm not suicidal."

Boeing is a primary aerospace contractor to the US government. It's clear that its management – and investors – consider it too big to jail. It's also clear that they know it's too big to fail – after all, the company did a $43b stock buyback, then got billions in a publicly funded buyback.

Boeing is, effectively, a government agency that is run for the benefit of its investors. It performs its own safety inspections. It investigates its own criminal violations of safety rules. It loots its own coffers and then refills them at public expense.

Meanwhile, the company has filled our skies with at least 420 airplanes with defective, red-painted parts that were locked up in the MRSA cage, then snuck out and fitted to an airplane that you or someone you love could fly on the next time you take your family on vacation or fly somewhere for work.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/01/boeing-boeing/#mrsa

Image: Tom Axford 1 (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_sky_with_wisps_of_cloud_on_a_clear_summer_morning.jpg

CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

--

Clemens Vasters (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:N7379E_-_Boeing_737_MAX_9.jpg

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

[leam1983]

The Election - FAQ

You're Canadian; why do you care so much?

We have a saying, up here: The USA get a cold and Canada sneezes. In more straightforward terms, what affects you is, in some other shape or form, going to affect us as well. Our antivax waves were spurred on by American campaigns, our last two elections were marked by the presence of fringe Manosphere and generally misogynist groups that claimed to speak for "family values", and our own Right-wing politicians are only just starting to realize that when filibusters and name-calling in Parliament fail, landing direct threats on an Instagram post works just as well. We have the same bigots, the same zealots and the same Christofascists as you do - they're just slightly less organized by virtue of Canada being a less polarized society than America. Our big points of division are mostly linguistic, with a second one consisting of the Prairies' redistributed wealth, thanks to their rich petroleum industries.

So... Canada is basically America Lite, then?

Yes, absolutely. We're less polarized, but we have the same problems, and we tend to think of America as being Canada's shadow - i.e. what Canada could be if it had more of an Interventionist policy and were less Progressive than it already is. We share a lot of the same problems, however, such as the long-delayed restitution efforts towards Native populations, and the myriad scandals involving the abuse forced on Native kids to "christianize" them, in generations past.

We're the same as you, just - a little less bossy. We're America's quieter, shyer cousin, and we've got a ton of skeletons in our closet. So, considering, when something goes wrong in Uncle Sam's yard, we can expect a few bones to pop up in our turf, too.

Okay, so... What? You'll get nicer versions of Trump?

Something like that. We have a developed anti-trans and anti-woke contingent, but it's mostly limited to the Prairies. Head for the Maritimes, and you enter areas of the country that are staunchly liberal in structure (e.g. Quebec). The local Conservatives' bugaboos tend to be fiscal, which is a little bit more tolerable than attacks based on a person's lifestyle, but we do have our own brewing and growing basin of anti-DEI sentiment, as well as misogynist types aplenty. If you've followed the news, then you probably know that Canada and India are at odds on a few key questions, which has fostered resentment between groups outside of the Indian diaspora, and Indians themselves. As you'd expect, even groups that aren't related but that get tossed in by ignorant locals, like the Sikh, also needlessly get a bad rep.

For the most part, our "Trump" is gearing up to be Pierre Poilievre, a Calgary native who's mostly been campaigning on his, well, not being Justin Trudeau. He mostly promises to redress the Federal budget, cut taxes - and to catch up on the lack of windfall by slashing into Liberal and NPD-backed programs that tended to veer towards more Progressive views. Doubling import taxes are seen as a win, while dental credits helping younger families cover basic oral care were seen as driving inflation up - and slashed. They've audited the ArriveCAN program, which is designed to make re-entry into the country by those born here a tad easier, by driving part of the passport-screening process digitally. A few weeks into the audit, everyone knew they were doing this to stall the program and to effectively mess with the current Liberal cabinet. Poilievre's also used an ad block paid for to promote a home-building bill in order to depict Justin and his father, Pierre-Elliott Trudeau, as Marxists.

If you know anything about Canadian history, you know Social Democracy has nothing to do with Marxism. He's also voted against an aid package destined for Ukraine, citing that Kyiv's downtrodden would be somehow forced to pay for our newfangled Carbon Tax, if Zelenskyy received the shipment.

I could go on, but you get the gist of it. He's not at Trump's level of sheer rhetorical abhorrence, but he gets there, so to speak. And with Trump in the White House and Trudeau losing support and being rocked by a non-confidence motion, of late, this little shit's in the best possible position to pounce.

Trump's strategy for tariffs is likely to hurt the loonie, which will drive inflation up in Canada. I wouldn't be surprised if Poilievre brought it up as a failure of Justin Trudeau's government, and made it a leading campaign point. It's not the other guy's blithe disregard for the law, but it's arrogant sophistry, nevertheless.

It's not that far off, in my book. Trump is going to love Poilievre, as he'll have good synergy well with him, while also being just that smidge more likeable. He'll be a great way for the Trump brand to make in-roads in the Great White North, for his brand of discontent to brew in my back yard - and then spill back into yours.

It's not just one guy, though, right?

Of course not. You might've heard about the Freedom Convoy, a group of truckers that held antivax beliefs and who wanted the government to life health guidelines and restrictions earlier, in the later days of the pandemic. Poilievre is the nice, pretty, polite and regimented spokesperson for every free-wheelin' uncle who wants to keep guzzling diesel like it's water while never having received a single jab since before Woodstock - and they've got their meaner, nastier mouthpieces. The more abusive shitheads were quiet during the Biden administration, for the most part, but they ran rampant during Trump's last presidency. Think every juiced-up man-child that thinks pronouns are the world's greatest evil, for instance; the exact type that lobs death threats on a Facebook Live and then hides behind social commentary.

We'll see more of those, guaranteed. All we need is one guy with a shred of political acumen in the lot, and the fuse is lit. It's lit before - one of our more notorious Union locals was publicly known as the "back-breaking" type... Power to the people, as long as that power means keeping Trans people in their AMAB and AFAB bathrooms...

None of that is a serious, structural threat to democracy as we know it, but erosion should be as much a concern as any intent to blow base charges off of the structural pillars, as it were.

So, you'll be okay?

Sort of, excerpt how for every move Trump and his cronies will attempt, someone's going to be over my shoulder, obsessively taking notes. And I do not like where this leads.

[rabbitcruiser]

Public Art in Calgary (No. 4)

In Search of Gold Mountain (2000) by Chu Honsun

This five-tier stone sculpture chronicles the history of Chinese people in Canada and offers a serene focal point within Sien Lok Park beside the Bow River. The name, In Search of Gold Mountain, evokes the dreams of prospectors who arrived by boat in 1858, lured by the promise of gold in the Fraser River Valley. But the phrase can also be read more broadly as the quest for a better life.

The story is told in stylized images carved into the surface of three of the bands. The figures appear as polished shapes set in relief against a shallow background of pitted texture. In the lowest ring, the ship lands and the first generation sets to work logging, mining and building the railway. Their hard labour lays a foundation for successive generations. More educated and established, the figures in the next ring endure the restrictions of Canadian immigration legislation, the only laws in our history to limit immigration based on race and country of origin. The head tax and Exclusion Act are indicated simply with dates and names.

In the upper level, images of tai chi, dragon dancing and acupuncture represent a time when cultural expression is allowed. The tip of the cone is embellished with rows of small, raised knobs, akin to those on early Chinese bronze bells. The reference is a reminder of ancient Chinese culture and places the Canadian experience in perspective within an extensive timeframe.

Artist Chu Honsun (the artist’s name follows the Chinese custom of family name before given name) has a home studio out near Cochrane, where his sculptures are displayed in a field set against the backdrop of the foothills. Walking among them, he explained his admiration for the sculptors Henry Moore and Constantin Brancusi. “I like sculpture that is powerful, simple, strong and bold, without anything unnecessary,” Chu said. The same could be said of his work.

At the core of Chu’s art is an examination of the relationship between yin and yang. It is quite astonishing that an artist could use an uncompromising medium with such precision to convey a spirit of balance, but Chu certainly understands stone. After graduating from the University of Hong Kong in 1975, the Italian government offered him a scholarship to study art in Florence and Carrara where he learned from the master marble carvers. Well-respected in Hong Kong, where he has major works in public outdoor spaces and at the opera house, Chu came to live in Calgary in 1991 and moved to Cochrane in 2005.

In Search of Gold Mountain has been in its current spot since 2000. Many factors contribute to its enduring success: thoughtful design, pure geometric form and harmonious proportions, enduring and beautiful material (15 tonnes of distinctive yellow granite brought in from China) and content that continues to be relevant to Calgarians.

Source

[thiscitylife]

Urban Renewal: How Simple Acts and Third Spaces can Reconnect Our Communities

Hi everyone! It's been a while, but I'm back with a new post to launch the Urban Renewal series. As we navigate this post-pandemic world, I've been pondering the idea of connection, particularly in our urban spaces. For the first installment of the series, I had the pleasure of chatting with fellow Vancouverite, Peg Fong, a journalist, author, and educator who launched a podcast and book during the pandemic titled, Alone Together, to explore the topic of loneliness in cities.

In our conversation, Peg shared her insights on how we can rebuild a sense of community.

The Simple Act of Walking

During the pandemic when we were mostly confined to our homes, the ability to stroll through the neighborhood and see other people was often our main source of face-to-face interaction.

"I live in Yaletown, a very walkable area of Vancouver, which was something I took for granted," Peg shared. “But during the pandemic it became so important to have these public spaces where we could walk and see other people around, even if we couldn't be together.”

Public spaces like parks and sidewalks became lifelines for connecting with others, reminding us that we weren't truly alone. However when the pandemic was over, many continued to stay home, preferring teleworking and shopping online to being out and about in their communities.

“I grew up in the Prairies and we always had community areas where people gathered, like after church or on the weekends, whether it was a local community center or hockey rink. I think we've lost some of that.”

With more people working from home and having food and goods delivered, we don’t have spontaneous interactions typically experienced when going to the office or the store. To make up for those lost connections, walking and spending time in public spaces becomes even more important to building community.

Activating Public Spaces

It’s not just about having more public spaces – it's about activating them. Imagine a public square with giant chess boards, live music, or pop-up markets. These kinds of events draw people in and create opportunities for spontaneous connection that might not happen otherwise.

You can build a great public space, but if there is no programming, people won’t come. North Vancouver’s Shipyards is a world-class example of how to design and activate a public space - with a massive waterpark (which transforms into a skating rink in the winter), a gorgeous view of the waterfront, shielded from the sun or rain by a vaulted ceiling; surrounded by Adirondak chairs; giant toys and games; an ice cream shop; restaurants; breweries; a stage playing live music; regularly programmed events including movies, night markets, and yoga classes; art galleries; a public market; hotels; shops; public transit; and a seawall - all within 100 metres.

In comparison, when I visited Vancouver’s central public space - Robson Square - during the pandemic, there was nothing going on except one tent trying to illegally sell marijuana baked goods. You can guess where most people would rather spend their time.

Third Spaces: More Than Just Coffee Shops

While discussing the benefits of walking and enjoying public spaces, Peg and I got on the topic of "third spaces." These are places that aren't homes or workplaces, but rather community hubs where we can gather, relax, and connect with others. Think of your local coffee shop, library, or even a dog park. These spaces are essential for fostering those spontaneous interactions with our neighbours that we may have lost during the pandemic.

Urban planning best practices suggest that every home should be within a 5-10 minute walk to a park, but we don’t talk about the importance of being able to easily walk to a coffee shop or corner store.

“I grew up in an apartment above a grocery store in Calgary. We had people buying groceries there, but also people sitting on the deck or stairs eating popsicles and enjoying drinks. It became a gathering spot in my neighborhood, but I never thought about how important it was to have those places until the pandemic shut so many things down.”

Many cities are recognizing how zoning bylaws limit the ability to build these third spaces in residential areas. This includes Vancouver, which has streamlined the permitting process, offering micro-business licenses and creating flexible zoning regulations to allow for more mixed-use developments that include housing and ground-level shops or cafés.

Safe Streets and Small Interventions

When people can safely use streets for active transportation like walking and biking around their neighborhood, they are more likely to get out of their homes and cars to interact with their neighbors, support local businesses, and socialize outdoors. Sometimes, the simplest interventions to make our streets safe, like crosswalks, four-way stops, bollards, and lighting, can have the biggest impact.

Peg shared a story about her relatives visiting from Bogota, Colombia, who were amazed to be able to walk safely under Vancouver’s overpasses. It's a reminder that even small details like well-lit walkways and wide sidewalks give people a sense of security while walking.

We also spoke about how small, low-cost interventions like adding more benches in our public spaces can build community. “One of my favorite episodes of the Alone Together podcast was about benches. They are special because they’re not just a place to sit, they’re spots available to anyone - that availability turns benches into opportunities for connections.”

“Benches are bridges between those eager to chat, and those wanting to just listen," said Peg. "When we sit on a bench, we’re indicating we’re part of a world that maybe we feel too lonely or afraid to fully participate in. Benches give us an opportunity to be engaged in our surroundings, whether it's observing from the side or opening up a chance for conversation.”

What Can We Do?

So, what can we do to rebuild our connections in a post-pandemic city? Here are a few ideas:

Support local businesses: Visit that new coffee shop, browse the farmers market, or check out a local art show. These activities help keep our communities vibrant and provide spaces for us to gather.

Get involved: Go to those local events in your community, or even volunteer to help organize one. Lobby your local government for safer streets and better public spaces. You might be surprised at how quickly you can connect with others who share your interests.

Start small: Organize a neighborhood gathering, strike up a conversation with someone on the bus, or simply offer a friendly smile to a passerby. "Even if that means, you know, checking in on our neighbors, asking if someone is doing ok." These small acts of kindness can go a long way in building a sense of community.

We all have a role to play in creating the kind of city we want to live in. According to Peg, "we have a responsibility to reach out to other people to make our communities a place where everyone feels connected."

[panicinthestudio]

Chinatown staple Diamond Bakery closes as owner retires, July 2, 2023

'Diamond Bakery has been a Calgary favourite and certainly a Chinatown go-to for BBQ pork buns, egg tarts and deep-fried pork dumplings,' said Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong

A decades-long fixture in Calgary’s Chinatown is closing shop, as its owner celebrates moving into retirement. In a social media post, the Chinatown Business Improvement Area commended owner Henry Chan for his 30 years running the bakery. “Henry Chan is one of the kindest and most hard-working merchants you will find in Chinatown and we wish him all the best in his retirement,” they wrote. Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong is a former executive director of the Chinatown BIA. He said Diamond Bakery will be missed, but that there will be an opportunity for a new business to make its home in Chinatown. “Diamond Bakery has been a Calgary favourite and certainly a Chinatown go-to for BBQ pork buns, egg tarts and deep-fried pork dumplings that we’re going to miss,” Wong said. “We wish the owner a great retirement and look forward to another great Chinatown cultural offering.” City council recently approved a plan that aims to grow the historic Chinatown while preserving the downtown area’s cultural heritage. That plan will involve new infrastructure development, including mixed-use residential-commercial buildings and public spaces, with developers needing to meet certain Asian esthetic requirements in their designs. Jason Herring for the Calgary Herald

Further reading:

My go-to for Hong Kong bakery staples like pineapple buns, coconut and egg tarts, and cocktail buns. They had an even wider selection of when I was a kid: 缽仔糕, 白糖糕, fried curry beef bun, wedding pastries, and until the pandemic their selection of mooncakes. The original must-have was their large palmiers--the kind a kid should probably split in two but didn't because there was always the promise you'd have another next week.

"Staple" doesn't quite illustrate the institutional position, it was the oldest independent Chinese bakery in the city and provided a very specific sense of home for so many of us. 老板, his staff, and Diamond Bakery are an integral part of the story Calgary's Chinatown. We were all so lucky to have shared in their warmth.

[0hcicero]

Omg ok so I’m at the Simmons grabbing breakfast before my tattoo and this woman behind me keeps on talking about how she ‘lives a champagne lifestyle’ and how ‘the people are so much more genuine here’ than London and omg wow the privilege!

- “Every area of the city has like its own…microculture!” Omg what a genius - perhaps you might even call them, neighbourhoods?

- “Loved mission, even though it’s a little…dangerous…” ma’am, in what world?! (For context, Mission is downtown and eclectic and busy and artsy, it isn’t like some slums - and even our most low income area of the city is totally fine and not too bad! You have some drug users and some homeless people but they’re really not harming anyone)

- Omg “It’s so strange how people use credit here? When we were buying property it was so interesting. In the UK it’s all debit? And like it’s not like I have a bad credit score, I just need to build it up.” 👀

- “I haven’t really looked for work since I graduated. Actually a lot of people are very much like live slow and take life as it comes” - woman in her fourties wearing designer clothes

- “I could see working for the city of Calgary could be quite interesting, but it’s a bit funny, isn’t it? Taking a municipal job?”

“Absolutely so quaint, but it is nice to get to know the real people of the city, you know? And project-based work, so you don’t always have to be there.” - I imagine a nose wrinkle at staying in the peasant realms for too long 🤪

- “I love Canadian culture but there are gaps, for sure. I’m considering becoming a consulting coach, I think I could help a lot of people” — you with your Champagne lifestyle and your fear of Mission District???👀👀👀👀

- “There’s a piece I’m learning - some people are choosing to work, like?”

- “It’s a choice to work, right? And it’s a choice to work that hard.” - Ma’am, it’s late stage capitalism, us with our wine and beer lifestyles do not have the luxury of not

Please enjoy this insanity and remember, eat the rich!

- love your friendly neighbourhood peasant

[chatgptdetector]

The Top 10 Jobs in Canada for 2024

Canada, with its picturesque landscapes, diverse culture, and robust economy, continues to attract individuals from around the world seeking new opportunities and a higher quality of life. As we step into 2024, the Canadian job market is brimming with exciting prospects across various industries. Whether you're a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or an immigrant looking to build a career in the Great White North, here are the top 10 jobs in Canada that should be on your radar.

Software Developer: With the technology sector experiencing exponential growth, software developers are in high demand. From cutting-edge startups to established corporations, Canada's tech industry offers a plethora of opportunities for those with coding expertise.

Healthcare Professionals: The healthcare sector in Canada is perennially in need of skilled professionals, including nurses, doctors, and allied health workers. The aging population has led to a surge in demand for healthcare services, making it an excellent field for those looking to make a meaningful impact.

Construction Project Manager: As infrastructure projects continue to dot the Canadian landscape, the demand for construction project managers is on the rise. This role involves overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of construction projects, making it a key player in the nation's development.

Data Scientist: In an era driven by data, the role of a data scientist is crucial across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and e-commerce. Analyzing and interpreting large datasets, data scientists contribute valuable insights to guide decision-making processes.

Electrician: Skilled trades, such as electricians, are essential for maintaining and expanding Canada's infrastructure. From residential wiring to large-scale industrial projects, electricians play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the country's electrical systems.

Marketing Specialist: As businesses vie for consumer attention, the demand for marketing specialists continues to soar. Whether it's digital marketing, content creation, or market research, individuals with a flair for promoting products and services are sought after in the Canadian job market.

Registered Nurse: With an aging population, there's a growing need for compassionate and qualified nurses. Registered nurses are integral to the healthcare system, providing essential care and support to patients in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.

Mechanical Engineer: From designing innovative machinery to optimizing existing systems, mechanical engineers contribute significantly to Canada's industrial landscape. Industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace rely on the expertise of mechanical engineers to drive innovation.

Financial Advisor: Canadians are increasingly recognizing the importance of financial planning, leading to a surge in demand for financial advisors. Helping individuals and businesses make informed decisions about their finances, financial advisors play a crucial role in ensuring financial well-being.

Environmental Scientist: With a growing emphasis on sustainability, environmental scientists are in demand to address ecological challenges. From assessing environmental impact to developing conservation strategies, these professionals contribute to Canada's commitment to a greener future.

Conclusion:

As Canada continues to thrive on its commitment to diversity, innovation, and progress, the job market reflects these values with a wide array of opportunities. Whether you're drawn to the tech hub of Toronto, the vibrant culture of Vancouver, or the economic powerhouse of Calgary, these top 10 jobs offer a glimpse into the diverse career landscape that Canada has to offer. So, whether you're a local job seeker or an international talent looking to make Canada your home, these professions could be your stepping stones to a fulfilling and prosperous future.

[bignosebaby]

hi! don't know if we can still send in questions, but I was wondering if you know what kind of careers you can get in conservation?

You can always send in questions!

There are a lot of different careers in conservation. Like, a LOT. Many jobs, especially at the entry level, may be tricky to find as many organizations rely on funding which means you see a lot of very specific jobs that are for specific periods of time as outlined by grants and funding. For example, I recently applied for a job that was hiring specifically for a set number of hours a week a a set hourly rate, for a period of 10 months. This is because when grants are given to organizations to hire people, they tend to be very specific as to how the grant money must be allocated. Some of these jobs are extendable, meaning if they get more funding they can keep the person in the position on for another grant period (usually doubling the original contract).

If you live near a zoo or conservation facility you would like to work for, I recommend checking their career page regularly or subscribing to receive hiring updates via emails. When it comes to conservation jobs getting a foot in the door is crucial so even being a janitor or doing grounds keeping for a reputable zoo is a great way to start networking, and start moving up into a job that you would prefer more. Similarly, working in any type of environmental role or conservation position is an asset. My goal is to work in ape conservation, but I will look for any environmental jobs that are comparable to the type of work I would like to do.

When it comes to what kind of careers you can get, there are a lot of fantastic options to set your sights on. Remember that many of these jobs require many years of experience, but even if you are not qualified knowing what kind of career you want to strive for can help create a path to your dream job. Different skills and experiences can help you become qualified for different rolls, but the single most common thing I see in job postings (especially permanent, salary rolls that pay well) is management skills. This is good news because this is a very transferable skill, meaning that you can become a skilled manager in any field and be qualified to move into a conservation roll. In general, if you have management, financial, or administrative skills and experience you can probably find a conservation job that wants you. Here's an incomplete list of some conservation careers I have seen:

In animal care/wildlife sciences: Veterinarians, Wildlife Health Technicians, Zookeepers, Reproductive Research Assistants, Nutrition Assistants, Conservation Stewards. 

In facilities and infrastructure: Plumbers, Electricians, Carpenters, Mechanics, Gardeners, Material Collectors, Project Managers Exhibit Design Technicians.

In communications and guest experience: Event planning, Partnership & Event Associates, Marketing Associates, Education and Outreach facilitation, Fundraising, Advertising.

In administration and general management: Finance, Purchasing & Supply, Human Resources, Payroll, Technology, Safety & Security, First Aid.

Basically conservation is a very large expanse of many careers, and while it can be very competitive (last job I applied had over 100 applicants for one position) it's a small world where you can make connections with people and build on pretty much any skills or experience you bring to the table. If you have questions about specific career paths I would love to answer them, and I recommend checking out GoodWork.ca* and the websites of places you want to work such as the jobs page for the Toronto Zoo or Calgary Zoo, just for example. Even if there isn't anything you like or are qualified for, you can learn a lot.

*GoodWork is Canadian. If you know of a conservation job posting site for other countries such as the U.S., drop a comment!

[landendesignbuildab]

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[webazu-technology]

Why Do Businesses Need Website Designing Service ?

In today's time a well designed website is essential for any business and individuals professionals. 

If you are looking for website design service in India this blog helps you to cover lots of aspects of website design service from starting development to maintenance. 

We will provide insights into finding the right service provider that aligns with your specific needs.

Website Design and Development Services:

To build a website from scratch or having one, professional website design and development services are crucial. 

These services encompass creating visually appealing layouts, implementing functionality, and incorporating user-friendly features.

Responsive Website Design Services:

Given the mobile-driven era, having a responsive website is vital.  Responsive website design services ensure that your website is easily visible in all devices screens like desktop, smartphones and tablets.

WordPress Website Design Services: 

WordPress, a popular content management system (CMS), allows for easy website customization and management. WordPress website design services offer expertise in creating custom themes, plugins, and optimizing website performance.

Graphic and Website Design Services:

Graphic and Website Design service is important when its come to over all website development  it increase user visual experience .These services focus on creating captivating graphics, illustrations, and visual elements that align with your brand identity and engage visitors.

Website Design and Management Services:

Website Design and Management Service offer proper support till website's work. From initial design and development to ongoing updates, maintenance, and security, these services make sure your website remains up-to-date and functional.

Affordable Small Business Website Design Services:

Small businesses with budget constraints require a professional online presence. Affordable small business website design services cater to these needs, providing cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality.

SummaryA Good Designed website is important for success in the digital era. Whether you require a Best website designer in Lucknow, India, Calgary, or any other location, understanding the available services is essential. From design and development to ongoing maintenance and support, finding the right service provider aligned with your goals will help you create an effective and engaging online presence. Consider your specific requirements, budget, and seek service providers that match your needs. With the right website design services, you'll be on your way to building an impressive online platform.

[mttstructures]

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