1257 replies to this topic

[G-Man]

That is a huge one. And I thought the ones in Central Park were bad behind Crystal Pool.

I see some are only today starting to disapate.

[Rob Randall]

Walking along a quiet sidewalk in Bangkok I noticed the cover missing from a manhole. No warning cones or gates, just an open manhole. I peered in and it was a rushing river. I mean actual whitewater rapids. If you were unlucky enough to fall into that unguarded manhole you probably would have been swept out several kilometres to the sea.

[G-Man]

So are you saying that it could be worse? 😀

[G-Man]

Need to get a good coffee or sit down with your laptop and peruse VV for awhile? Here is my list of the best coffee shops in the city.

 

https://www.sidewalk...afe-in-victoria

[thundergun]

Most of my favs are on there. Feel like you're missing having one of the three Cafe Fantasticos on there though. 

[G-Man]

I have been hearing that pretty consistently in the twitterverse. I need to make a concerted effort to try and get out to them more often.

 

If you want to read another post I just finished on the need for green space or the lack of need...

 

https://www.sidewalk...or-people-space

[Brantastic]

Nice! I have a thing for coffee shops, but don't drink dark coffee like you. Haven't yet been to Koffi but I've been meaning to! I've made it a goal to try a mocha from every single coffee shop in the core. Why? I don't know. But Discovery and 2% Jazz are my top two, though Habit, Union Pacific and Bean Around the World are up there for me. 

Cafe Fantastico is one I really wanted to like, but their mochas were awful (I've tried the Dockside and Humboldt locations). I like the vibe in Macchiato but don't like their drinks. 

[Brantastic]

So far I've tried:
-Discovery (Blanshard/Broughton, James Bay, Whole Foods)
-2% Jazz (in the Hudson)
-Habit (Both locations)
-Bean Around the World
-Hey Happy
-Macchiato Cafe
-Union Pacific
-Cafe Fantastico (Vic West, Humboldt)
-Grindstone Cafe
-Rise and Grind
-Milano Coffee
-Sherwood
-Shatterbox
-Wild
-Wildfire
-Dolce Vita
-Loft and Ladder
-Cracked Mug

-Liberty Cafe
-Bows X Arrows
-The Coffee Lab
-Spiral Cafe

-Demitasse
-Little June
-Parsonage Cafe
-James Bay Coffee and Books
-Gorge-ous Coffee
-Roundhouse Cafe
-The Coffee Project
-Good Earth Coffee (Uptown)
-Bibliocafe
-Finnerty's 
-Munchie Bar (Cinecenta)
-Starbucks (most locations)
-Tim Hortons
-McDonald's (most disgusting mocha)

Other than Koffi, any others I should seek out specifically?

Edited by Brantastic, 14 January 2019 - 10:31 PM.

[Sparky]

Walking along a quiet sidewalk in Bangkok I noticed the cover missing from a manhole. No warning cones or gates, just an open manhole. I peered in and it was a rushing river. I mean actual whitewater rapids. If you were unlucky enough to fall into that unguarded manhole you probably would have been swept out several kilometres to the sea.

 

On a recent trip to Mexico I noticed some similar sidewalk "booby traps".

 

This one would certainly send a hapless pedestrian to the hospital should he encounter this bad boy on a dark night.

 

 

 

This one however has been upgraded to not only protect one from having to purchase a set of crutches, the upgrade has added the benefit of a convenient trash storage receptacle. I love the innovation skills of these people.

 

[G-Man]

Those are awesome Sparky. Yes Mexico has some of the worst I have seen for sure.

[G-Man]

Nice! I have a thing for coffee shops, but don't drink dark coffee like you. Haven't yet been to Koffi but I've been meaning to! I've made it a goal to try a mocha from every single coffee shop in the core. Why? I don't know. But Discovery and 2% Jazz are my top two, though Habit, Union Pacific and Bean Around the World are up there for me.

Cafe Fantastico is one I really wanted to like, but their mochas were awful (I've tried the Dockside and Humboldt locations). I like the vibe in Macchiato but don't like their drinks.

Koffi has awesome mochas so there you go! Give it a try.

[G-Man]

New post up on Sidewalking Victoria this morning on a piece of public land that most people might not even know is a dedicated park in the city. 

 

https://www.sidewalk...st-public-space

[Nparker]

This photo from G-Man's article above speaks volumes about the CoV's near obsession with creating "people spaces" but not enacting policies that encourage people to visit or live near them.

"Build it and they will come" has proven to be a failed concept when it comes to spaces like these. You might think the city has learned something over the years, but all you have to do is look at the public realm around the new JSB to see that nothing has really changed.

[G-Man]

That is an interesting take on this North Parker I certainly could have delved into the perspective of city public space planning over the long term. You are correct that there is a bit of build it and they will come, but also they take it to a certain point and then stop.

[RFS]

^how many needles do you suppose are in that pic

[G-Man]

There actually didn't look like a lot of evidence of drug use. It is pretty far from where you get your drugs too.

[Mike K.]

It’s a common stopover spot for folks passing between downtown and the social services at the shelter and the various social housing projects in that area.

On Friday afternoon there was a guy there with his packed shopping cart who did not appear to be having the best of times. I imagine the police weren’t far behind. Every now and then you see CoV crews hauling away stuff left behind in the bushes.

[thundergun]

Until something changes in that neighbourhood there's no reason to ever spend time there. The surrounding businesses are pawn and vape shops, furniture stores and multiple cement factories. None of those things lead to one enjoying those products in the park.

 

If the car rental spot (could this be the most random spot for a car rental in the CRD?) changed into something else (housing) or that stretch of Douglas between Hillside and Bay ever improves and adds any foot traffic I could see a change here. All you need is some pedestrians and a coffee shop to make a park usable. Add in a playground and you've got a winning combo.

[Victoria Watcher]

that's an interesting observation.  other than the rental apartment at bay and douglas that whole stretch from bay to 5-way could be redeveloped.

[thundergun]

^ Both Douglas and Government between Hillside and Bay seem to be full of buildings and storefronts that seem to have zero customers/traffic. It's quite a sad little area.