Houston, we’re having some beach problems

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Good morning,

I’m heading off out east today, to Toronto and New York. If you have any recommendations for things to do, or most importantly for me, places to eat, let me know! 

Unfortunately the hot weather in Vancouver will be over for the next little bit, with rain expected on and off throughout the week. 

Today we’ve got a couple stories on Vancouver beaches, both of the annoying and dangerous variety.

With that, let’s dive in to today’s newsletter.

— Geoff Sharpe, Vancity Lookout editor

PS - If you find this newsletter valuable, please consider forwarding it to your friends. New to the Lookout? Sign-up for free.

WEATHER

Wednesday: 19 🌡️ 13 | 🌧️

Thursday: 17 🌡️ 13 | 🌧️

Friday: 22 🌡️ 14 | 🌤️

ENVIRONMENT

Houston, we’re having some beach problems

What happened: Multiple beaches in Vancouver were under an E. coli alert this week after the water quality became unsafe to swim in, according to Vancouver is Awesome. On Monday Sunset, Second and Third all had high counts of E. coli

• Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver was also flagged this week, with 840 MPN (most probably number) E. coli per 100 millilitres of water, according to CBC. Repeat samples of 400 E. coli/100 ml or collections of samples above 200 mean beaches are not suitable for swimming.

High rates of E. coli can cause gastrointestinal and upper respiratory issues. According to reports there were no signs posted at the beach during the outbreak. 

 The cause: There can be a few reasons why E. coli levels may increase, including animal waste, detritus from recreational vehicles, and sewer overflows.

• As of yesterday afternoon, Ambleside and Sunset were both flagged as not suitable for swimming according to Vancouver Coastal Health. 

Speaking of sewers: The recent sewage leak in Olympic Village led to a massive spike in E. coli levels in the water in the area, as some of it got into False Creek. The levels were 10 times higher than the normal safe level for any swimming activity, according to CityNews.

Bigger questions: There were two leaks in False Creek over a three-day period over the weekend, and investigators are still looking into what caused them, though the Vancouver Sun reported that the pipes were installed in 1999, and were 25 years old. They should normally last between 50 to 100 years. 

• And yes, according to those nearby at the Main Street Science World SkyTrain station, did say the whole thing smelled awful near the spill. There was some spillover smell farther away at the Dragon Boat Festival, but people did not let it bother them according to reports. 

Speaking of the Dragon Boat Festival, while swimming was not recommended, boating activities were still allowed, though Vancouver Coastal Health recommended people shower afterwards. 

No fun city: CityNews reported that beachgoers and one city councillor, Peter Fry, are raising concerns that the police are being overly aggressive in clearing out people from English Bay who were there enjoying the sunset at 10 pm. 

• The police deputy chief Howard Chow responded that the photo was out of context, that beaches shut down at 10 pm, and the police help park rangers clear out the area to cut down on fights and noise. 

SPONSORED BY COASTAL JAZZ

Long weekends were made for music festivals

The 39th Vancouver International Jazz Festival takes over Granville Island from June 26 to 30 with a host of free and ticketed shows. Ocean Artworks lights up as the Festival’s hub where music fans, tourists and city dwellers alike can grab a seat and a cold one on the patio. Don’t miss the live music (4:00pm, 8:30pm) and free dance parties with DJ O Show, Friday through Sunday (10:30pm). 

Performance Works hosts free afternoon shows (1:30pm) including the first-ever performance by the Vancouver Youth Jazz Orchestra on Sunday June 30 (1:00pm). Evenings at Performance Works offer up an incredible slate of international jazz stars like Lakecia Benjamin, Ulysses Owens Jr., We All Break and Wayne Horvitz Electric Circus. The Revue Stage hosts the Festival’s beloved Innovation Series with experimental and creative music jams into the wee hours. (5:30pm, 11:30pm). For full schedule and ticket information head to coastaljazz.ca.

VANCOUVER NUMBERS

🏘️ $44 million: A beach home in Vancouver sold for this much, though it did sell for $4 million under asking price. [Urbanized]

🛩️ 7.8 million: The number of passengers expected during the summer at Vancouver International Airport, from July to September. This would be an all-time high, surpassing the previous high set before COVID. [Vancouver Sun]

🔢 4: The place BC United, the current BC opposition party, placed in a recent poll at 11%. The NDP stood at 40%, the BC Conservatives at 33% and the Green Party at 15%. [CTV]

DEVELOPMENT

(Insider members only) Why is the city ending minimum parking requirements?

What happened: By next week, minimum parking requirements for new developments will be a thing of the past, as the city aligns its development policies with the province’s to reduce the requirements for new parking, according to Urbanized. The changes apply to all developments, not just residential units.

This does not change the requirement for accessibility and visitor stalls in residential developments. The changes would take place on June 30.

SURVEY

What Lookout Insiders think of Shaugnessy upzoning

As part of being an Insider member at the Lookout — more info here — you get to participate in debates over big issues facing the city.

In our latest City Hall Insider newsletter, we asked readers whether they supported the city’s move to upzone Shaughnessy and allow multi-unit developments. We laid out the pros and cons, letting Insiders vote and share their opinions.

Here are the final results of the poll, with readers supporting the move to densify Shaughnessy.

Here’s what readers had to say.

Those in favour

Those opposed

THE AGENDA

💰️ Metro Vancouver’s board of directors will debate a motion later this week to reign in international travel expenses after numerous stories broke this month about spending by the organisation. The motion would mean individuals travelling for trips would have to get board approval and submit expected expenses beforehand. [Global]

🚶 Robson and Granville will soon have a pedestrian scramble, where pedestrians will be able to walk all across each side of the road, with the pilot expected to start in July. [Urbanized]

❌ The Seawall will be intermittently closed between Third Beach and Prospect Point until June 28, from 8 am to 4 pm due to tree hazard mitigation. [Vancouver Park Board]

👍️ The park board approved a synthetic turf field, a walking loop and field house at Moberly Park in South Vancouver. [Vancouver Park Board]

📉 Youth unemployment in Vancouver is a real problem, with it becoming harder and harder for younger people to find a summer job. [CBC]

🏞️ Park board commissioners were in Seattle this weekend meeting with Minnesota park commissioners as part of their attempt to save the organization. The Minnesota group was an inspiration for the park board’s creation back in 1888. The park board members paid for their own trip down. [Vancouver Sun]

🔥 That huge bridge fire in Richmond will take a while to be investigated, as Richmond Fire-Rescue had trouble accessing the area, due to the need to assess the safety of the area before proceeding. [Richmond News]

💰 Over 340,000 low- and middle-income families will get an average of $445 as part of the B.C. Family Benefit program starting in mid-July. [CBC]

🐟 Around 14,000 square kilometres of marine ecosystems off the coast of the Great Bear Rainforest will be a protected area, with the federal and provincial governments, along with philanthropic investors, chipping in $335 million. [City News]

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ARTS

Theatre

Bard on the Beach is adding another show to the year, with Measure to Measure, a less popular Shakespeare work, but interpreted in a way reminiscent of Footloose. 

Firehall Arts Centre is asking the city for $7 million to help with accessibility upgrades to their building. [Stir]

Music

Check out Ring of Fire, a theatrical concert featuring the music of Johnny Cash at the Granville Island Stage, on now until August 11.

Killer Mike fans will enjoy this interview with the Vancouver Sun.

Ignite Music Festival is taking place June 30 at the Plaza of Nations, featuring popular artists Rick Ross, Waka Flocka Flame and more. [Straight]

Movies 

Yorgos Lanthimos’s The Lobster blends realism and absurdity, where people without a life partner are turned into animals at the Cinematheque, plays this Thursday at 8:55pm.

The cult classic Dazed and Confused is playing at the Rio this Saturday.

Art

Create! Eastside Arts Festival is on from July 22 to 28. It’s an all-day outdoor festival at Strathcona Park, with art, live music and a beer garden. [Vancouver is Awesome]

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Ivy’s Kitchen will make you crave spicy pho

I knew I had a problem as soon as the broth exploded into the back of my throat.

If you’ve ever enjoyed pho, Taiwan beef noodle soup, or Japanese ramen, part of the pleasure comes from that deep slurp, practically an inhale, of too-long noodles as they shoot into your mouth. As far as I’m aware, there’s no better way to eat soup, manners be damned. 

There is, of course, one important caveat. A soup incorporating blindingly hot chilis requires a more dexterous, delicate consumption, a drawn-out spoonful you gingerly sip to prevent the oily red sheen coating the broth from searing your mouth.

In my case, like a dam breaking as my slurp drew the spicy broth into my throat, each cough showed other customers I had made a horrible mistake. No amount of water could dislodge the peppers. I can imagine the serving ladies ruefully shaking their heads, holding in laughs behind me. I thank them for their silence.

To read this story and instantly subscribe to our restaurant review newsletter, click here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• This popular online furniture store is opening a physical location in Vancouver. [Urbanized]

• Looking for affordable and exciting entertainment this summer? Doorwarz lets you experience the heart-pounding thrill of drag racers speeding down the strip at 200+ MPH. Tickets. [Sponsored]

• Ever wondered why pub culture doesn’t exist in Vancouver? Here’s why. [BC Robyn]

• UBC is trying to answer where all the Metro Vancouver butterflies have gone. [UBC]

• Warning, you may lose your Canucks season tickets if you resell them. [CityNews]

• Looking to take your wine knowledge further? A complete newbie looking to explore new wines? Then Third Place Wine is for you. Get their free newsletter today. [Sponsored]

• Here’s a handy list of Canada Day events this weekend. [Listed]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

PHOTO OF THE DAY

If you followed the Canucks during Luongo’s era, you can’t help but feel a little emotional seeing this, even if it wasn’t with us.

VANCOUVER GUESSER

Can you guess this beach? It may be one of the ones impacted by the E. coli warning. Reply with your name and the correct beach name to have your name mentioned in the newsletter.