Community Thread (Off Topic) - Page 50

SignalHillHiker · #**981** Posted **May 26, 2015, 5:59 PM**

Can't link to it on my phone but Big Picture from the Boston Globe has a gallery of Cities in the Clouds that's really beautiful.

JP4R · #**982** Posted **May 28, 2015, 12:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

This is beautiful and engaging:

http://www.nytimes.com/video/nyregio...ion=title-area

Makes me even more excited to see the multimedia elements in the Colonial Building once it's done.

That is awesome.

SignalHillHiker · #**983** Posted **Jun 5, 2015, 11:32 PM**

So cool:

http://www.businessinsider.com/aeria...ampaign=buffer

SignalHillHiker · #**984** Posted **Jul 4, 2015, 1:47 PM**

Great TED talk about the ghastliness of suburbia:

http://www.ted.com/talks/james_howar...ia?language=en

Stryker · #**985** Posted **Jul 6, 2015, 7:23 PM**

http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_silbe...ge=en#t-319055

Found this linked from the same video.

It's a pretty astounding history when you think of the scale of it.

Autistic people are one of the largest minority groups on the planet numbering approximately 100 million people.

Yet our existence was denied(for 50 years) due to a crazy shrink called Kanner.

The guy literally blamed autism on mothers being cold hearted bitches, and regarded anyone not fitting that stereotype to be non autistic.

jthetzel · #**986** Posted **Jul 25, 2015, 6:26 PM**

Exciting news for fans of municipal utilities!

Public Works recommends accelerated implementation of an automated side loader truck system for garbage collection in St. John's ( page 171 of http://www.stjohns.ca/sites/default/...%28R%29pdf.pdf ). Here's one of Mount Pearl's, for example:

Twenty-three of the twenty-seven current garbage trucks can be retrofitted with hydraulic arms. The other four would be replaced. The automated system requires just a single operator per truck and reduces injury risk. Costs for the trash bins could be offset by renting them to residents for, say $20 per year. The bins will do away with the need for our lovely trash nets.

The total cost for the project is around $4.8 million. The accelerated plan adds an additional $1.4 million by purchasing now new trucks that would otherwise have been purchased later under the existing fleet replacement program. Accelerated plan would be ready to go September 2018, a year ahead of the non-accelerated plan.

As a disadvantage, the aesthic of our municipal waste collectors is expected to decline. And maybe we should just hold out for a fleet of Google garbage collectors?

MrChills · #**987** Posted **Aug 9, 2015, 2:55 AM**

Anything has to be better than the current net system.

The town I am living in now just on the border of Edmonton, we have to split our trash into three separate bins. One for normal garbage, one for all food waste and compost, and one for recyclables (pretty much anything that is plastic, glass, metal). It was a pain in the ass when they introduced it, with much moaning and groaning by all. However, once you get used to it, it obviously makes sense to do this, and it's all picked up by the automatic collection like displayed in the photo above

J_Murphy · #**988** Posted **Aug 12, 2015, 11:56 AM**

Random question. Does anyone here heat their home (or a portion of it) with propane? I'm considering getting a propane fireplace installed and wondering the comparison of cost between propane and electric heat. With the price of electricity going up, I'm thinking propane may be a cheaper alternative, and a good back-up in the event we go through another blackout in the middle of winter.

Thanks

MrChills · #**989** Posted **Aug 12, 2015, 12:41 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_Murphy

Random question. Does anyone here heat their home (or a portion of it) with propane? I'm considering getting a propane fireplace installed and wondering the comparison of cost between propane and electric heat. With the price of electricity going up, I'm thinking propane may be a cheaper alternative, and a good back-up in the event we go through another blackout in the middle of winter.

Thanks

The tank rental is $200 a year, you have to fill the tank to its capacity when getting fill-ups (at least that's the only way that North Atlantic will do it) and that costs nearly $500. As a heat source they are amazing and really cuts down on your secondary oil furnace or electric heat. You will need power for it to be useful though really as without the fan blowing the heat out it's not nearly effective. I used to go through 2-3 tanks in a year, but that was with other people in the house that liked heat A LOT more than I do, so it was on more than really needed I think.

Offshore1 · #**990** Posted **Aug 12, 2015, 5:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrChills

The tank rental is $200 a year, you have to fill the tank to its capacity when getting fill-ups (at least that's the only way that North Atlantic will do it) and that costs nearly $500. As a heat source they are amazing and really cuts down on your secondary oil furnace or electric heat. You will need power for it to be useful though really as without the fan blowing the heat out it's not nearly effective. I used to go through 2-3 tanks in a year, but that was with other people in the house that liked heat A LOT more than I do, so it was on more than really needed I think.

I beg to differ on the need for a fan. I have a Valor direct vent propane insert with no fan. It heats my living room and more ( over 400 square feet). Whenever the power happens to be out heat is not a worry - they're designed for radiant heat. While not cheap I have zero complaints. The new models are even better in that they don't require the pilot to be lit all the time, you can light it when turning on the fireplace.
I'm not sure if I can recommend a particular retailer on this site so let's just say I got it at a certain fireplace store on Topsail Rd, and they don't sell vacuums.

MrChills · #**991** Posted **Aug 12, 2015, 5:36 PM**

That's neat to hear.. Mine is much older so it required a fan, if you ran the flame to high without the fan, or at least that's what they told me

J_Murphy · #**992** Posted **Aug 12, 2015, 5:42 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrChills

That's neat to hear.. Mine is much older so it required a fan, if you ran the flame to high without the fan, or at least that's what they told me

I'm thinking the fan would help if you are trying to heat a bigger space? I can't see it being a much bigger cost to have it installed. Thanks for the info folks. I didn't realize you had to rent the tank, so that is good to know.

I may even considering replacing my wood burning fireplace. I currently have a fireplace but it has been sealed off. Going to consider all options.

SignalHillHiker · #**993** Posted **Oct 12, 2015, 10:27 PM**

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIpavqpuO10

jthetzel · #**994** Posted **Nov 20, 2015, 5:25 PM**

If any of you boys like to support old buildings or haven't yet had your fill of Dale Jarvis ghost stories, the NL Historic Trust is hosting a super spooky Victorian and Edwardian ghost story evening with ol' bard Dale at the Crow's Nest this coming Wednesday, November 25, at 7:30 pm. Not satisfied with your Halloween costume last month? You're in luck, 'cause Victorian or Steampunk attire is encouraged (I had to google 'steampunk'). Tickets are $20 ($10 for NL Trust members [student memberships are only $10]). Get'em while you can, as Crow's Nest has a cozy fire code.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1044630405588271/

Dale "the Bard" Jarvis (right) with his security detail.

jthetzel · #**995** Posted **Dec 9, 2015, 6:53 PM**

There are rumours that Council might act to raise property tax on vacant lots. At least one CEO of a local major land holder is concerned ( http://vocm.com/newsarticle.asp?mn=2&id=59094&latest=1 ).

Quote:

St. John's businessman Charlie Oliver has released an open letter to members of St. John's city council expressing his concerns about the potential doubling of taxes on vacant spaces in the city.

Oliver, who was the former Chair of the Tax Blending Advisory Committee, says in 2012 the city gave a commitment to building owners that the new blended tax would be revenue neutral.

Oliver says he's since learned that council is considering doubling the taxes on vacant spaces in the city, something he says makes no sense at anytime, let alone during the current challenging economic climate. He says council will not discuss the matter prior to Monday's budget.

To me, at least downtown, tax penalties for vacant or under-developed (i.e. the Fabulous 50's parking lot next to Murray Premise that Horsell has his eye on) lots are reasonable. Vacant lots burden the community and the tax code should encourage their development. Currently, I understand, vacant lots receive tax breaks, which encourages speculative landholding and discourages development. On the other hand, I really don't know anything about commercial property tax.

rad709 · #**996** Posted **Feb 1, 2016, 9:33 PM**

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but does anyone think Uber might pop up in St. John's in the future?

Marty_Mcfly · #**997** Posted **Feb 1, 2016, 10:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rad709

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but does anyone think Uber might pop up in St. John's in the future?

I don't think so, unless they make an effort to expand into smaller Canadian cities. That being said, I'd welcome them with open arms.

jthetzel · #**998** Posted **Feb 15, 2016, 3:00 PM**

The NL Historic Trust is hosting a forum for the Ward 4 city council candidates tomorrow (Tuesday, February 16) at 7:00 pm at the Arts and Culture Centre MMAP room. All the candidates (Jill Bruce, Matthew White, Sheilagh O'Leary, Janet Kovich, and Debbie Hanlon) will be there to discuss development and conservation in St. John's. If you're in ward 4, don't forget to vote often this by-election.

https://www.facebook.com/events/969495693131362/

jthetzel · #**999** Posted **Feb 15, 2016, 4:19 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jthetzel

The NL Historic Trust is hosting a forum for the Ward 4 city council candidates tomorrow (Tuesday, February 16) at 7:00 pm at the Arts and Culture Centre MMAP room. All the candidates (Jill Bruce, Matthew White, Sheilagh O'Leary, Janet Kovich, and Debbie Hanlon) will be there to discuss development and conservation in St. John's. If you're in ward 4, don't forget to vote often this by-election.

https://www.facebook.com/events/969495693131362/

And the pre-game for the forum is at Georgestown Pub, where Happy City St. John's is hosting their monthly city-planning-themed happy hour beginning at 5:30 pm. Gonna be a ruckus night for sure.

http://happycity.ca/events/february-happy-city-hour/

Marty_Mcfly · #**1000** Posted **Feb 24, 2016, 1:01 AM**

Sheilagh O'Leary wins the by-election in Ward 4 with 53% of the vote.