[kw5150]

It could be the yeast plant on Blackfoot, I think the market is too far away for it to be Lilydale. The only place I've been able to smell Lilydale from is the parking lot of the Shamrock. Not sure if there's any other smell generating buildings in that area. Could be the actual building after all it used to be a slaughter house.

The market seems to be doing fairly well where it is. So I doubt if they are plans to move it. The market's business might be impacted once they move the Currie Barracks' Market to Blackfoot trail.

Well, I love the market but sometimes the smell keeps me away. It must be the yeast factory. Hopefully it is not the bonnybrook. Smelling crap while I am buying food usually deters me from the market.

[Ramsayfarian]

Well, I love the market but sometimes the smell keeps me away. It must be the yeast factory. Hopefully it is not the bonnybrook. Smelling crap while I am buying food usually deters me from the market.

The yeast plant smells more beery than like crap.

[Fiveway]

It could be the yeast plant on Blackfoot, I think the market is too far away for it to be Lilydale. The only place I've been able to smell Lilydale from is the parking lot of the Shamrock. Not sure if there's any other smell generating buildings in that area. Could be the actual building after all it used to be a slaughter house.

The market seems to be doing fairly well where it is. So I doubt if they are plans to move it. The market's business might be impacted once they move the Currie Barracks' Market to Blackfoot trail.

Lilydale carries. I've caught that foul hell-stench as far away as blackfoot, at the Ogden underpass on a warm summer evening. The Fleischmans plant smells the place up a lot, but it's the least offensive. I catch the rank odor of bonnybrook every so often too. Those 3 are the big offenders.

[mersar]

I've only smelt the yeast plant once that I remember as I drove past it, but I'll agree with Lilydale carrying... theres some nights you can smell just a faint whiff of it at my place over by 4th street.

[Ramsayfarian]

Lilydale carries. I've caught that foul hell-stench as far away as blackfoot, at the Ogden underpass on a warm summer evening. The Fleischmans plant smells the place up a lot, but it's the least offensive. I catch the rank odor of bonnybrook every so often too. Those 3 are the big offenders.

Duh, I just clued into what he meant by bonnybrook.

I wish the province would shut Lilydale down. They are horrible corporate neighbours. A few years back, they told the community that they would fix the smell if the community would approve their expansion plans. Then last year the neighbourhood had an anti-Lilydale rally across from the plant. Lilydale was invited to speak, but they sent over chicken snacks instead. I actually thought that was kind of funny.

[devonb]

Shift puchasing habits. I dont know, it is a hard one.

I have stopped going to restaurants right now that keep bumping up the prices on everything and passing it down to the consumer.

I voice my opinion on businesses that burn people.........

It is really hard to help change or do something drastic in this economy. Everything is linked and Ceo's (and shareholders) are always looking at profit and not necessarily producing quality products.

I also contribute by not being a selfish person in my everyday life.

Am I even on topic here? haha

Support small local or Canadian businesses. My friend's dad couldn't get a loan for a house anywhere, but ATB gave him one. As a result, friends have started switching banks to support some of the local credit unions. It's a small gesture, but it's those sort of things that make a difference locally.

[freeweed]

Yeast plants and meat packing smell bad, but the absolute WORST is a mushroom factory. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING smells as bad as walking past one when it's 30C outside.

:yuck: :yuck: :yuck: :yuck: :yuck: :yuck: :yuck: :yuck:

[lubicon]

Duh, I just clued into what he meant by bonnybrook.

I wish the province would shut Lilydale down. They are horrible corporate neighbours. A few years back, they told the community that they would fix the smell if the community would approve their expansion plans. Then last year the neighbourhood had an anti-Lilydale rally across from the plant. Lilydale was invited to speak, but they sent over chicken snacks instead. I actually thought that was kind of funny.

Lilydale is on record as saying they would like to move. They just have not found a suitable location yet that would work, both practically and financially.

[Fiveway]

Duh, I just clued into what he meant by bonnybrook.

I wish the province would shut Lilydale down. They are horrible corporate neighbours. A few years back, they told the community that they would fix the smell if the community would approve their expansion plans. Then last year the neighbourhood had an anti-Lilydale rally across from the plant. Lilydale was invited to speak, but they sent over chicken snacks instead. I actually thought that was kind of funny.

I concur. That type of operation has no place existing anywhere near a residential neighborhood. Their business negatively impacts quality of life for the nearby residents and businesses. A good corporate citizen should recognize that and mitigate the impact. No person could get away with stinking up the entire neighborhood with one of the foulest stenches imaginable, so I don't see why a corporation should.

Every time the community gets a little press about the issue the Herald commenters always come out with 'so don't move there.' But I think the larger issue is why a corporation is allowed to totally disrupt and degrade the quality of life in a neighborhood, despite acknowledgment of the issue by the company and various levels of government. It says to me that the system is broken as it only protects corporations and not people. But I guess that's nothing new.

[Fiveway]

That just made me think of the last time I was in Toronto and I was walking around the Dufferin/Dundas area. All of a sudden it started smelling like chocolate. Sure enough a block up was the Cadbury factory. I thought it would be awesome to live in that neighborhood. I wonder if those people complain about the smell after having lived with it for years.

[Ramsayfarian]

Lilydale is on record as saying they would like to move. They just have not found a suitable location yet that would work, both practically and financially.


I'm not doubting you that they said that, but where is it on record? I'd really like to read it and pass that on to a few neighbours.

[Bigtime]

That just made me think of the last time I was in Toronto and I was walking around the Dufferin/Dundas area. All of a sudden it started smelling like chocolate. Sure enough a block up was the Cadbury factory. I thought it would be awesome to live in that neighborhood. I wonder if those people complain about the smell after having lived with it for years.

Well that is just all sorts of awesome!

[Ramsayfarian]

I concur. That type of operation has no place existing anywhere near a residential neighborhood. Their business negatively impacts quality of life for the nearby residents and businesses. A good corporate citizen should recognize that and mitigate the impact. No person could get away with stinking up the entire neighborhood with one of the foulest stenches imaginable, so I don't see why a corporation should.

Every time the community gets a little press about the issue the Herald commenters always come out with 'so don't move there.' But I think the larger issue is why a corporation is allowed to totally disrupt and degrade the quality of life in a neighborhood, despite acknowledgment of the issue by the company and various levels of government. It says to me that the system is broken as it only protects corporations and not people. But I guess that's nothing new.


Herald commenters are on par with the idiots who comment on youtube videos.

The fact that the plant knowingly breaks several rules, such as improper storage of crap they can't use, and the province does nothing backs your statement.

[DizzyEdge]

I

...

Every time the community gets a little press about the issue the Herald commenters always come out with 'so don't move there.' But I think the larger issue is why a corporation is allowed to totally disrupt and degrade the quality of life in a neighborhood, despite acknowledgment of the issue by the company and various levels of government. It says to me that the system is broken as it only protects corporations and not people. But I guess that's nothing new.

Except the plant has been there what.. since the 70s? the neighbourhood has been there since about 1900. It was a mistake the city made in allowing it to be built, and it must be fixed.

[lubicon]

I'm not doubting you that they said that, but where is it on record? I'd really like to read it and pass that on to a few neighbours.

I've seen articles in the Herald (which I can't find now). Here is the closest I could come on a short time frame.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/01/13/calgary-lilydale-poultry-plant-ramsay.html

[Ramsayfarian]

I've seen articles in the Herald (which I can't find now). Here is the closest I could come on a short time frame.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2010/01/13/calgary-lilydale-poultry-plant-ramsay.html

Thanks for the link. I found this comment, written by Tracy who was quoted in the article, sums things up:



In the earlier years of operation the slaughterhouse operated Monday to Friday, 9-5. When Lilydale took over entirely from Pinecrest in the 1990s, it expanded to operate 24 hours a day! The city has since admitted this was a mistake, but they have done very little to curb the resulting issues. The plant recieved so many complaints the city actually brokered a deal with Lilydale to purchase 4 of the closest houses, which was never disclosed to neighbouring property owners in the early 2000s.

In addition to dealing with 'round the clock noise and pollution, resdents remaining (some who have lived there for decades) had to deal with the festering drug and prostitution issues that came with Lilydale's purchase of these homes. Lilydale did nothing. It wasn't until June 2009, with the help of police, that this issue was finally abated. The houses have gone into complete disrepair and are illegally used by the industrial facility as an extension of their storage.

Children in the neighbourhood have picked up chicken parts on public and private property resulting from an unenclosed waste bin that is against CFIA regulations. Residents are told to contact the company for more information. We have been asking for an emergency response plan for years, and the ammonia leaks are prime examples to illustrate the need for one.

Due diligence when purchasing property is always wise, however, that does not give anyone the right to pollute a neighbourhood to the extent and magnitude Lilydale has done to us. I had no idea of the hidden history that dates years back, and neither do you - it's a novel. Finally, if I don't live here, someone else will. I don't care how much money one has, everyone has the right to health, safety and relative peace. We know better.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[kw5150]

Thanks for all of the replys on the Ramsay topic. I was curious about the dynamic in the cummunity.

[Ramsayfarian]

Are these the same children you run down in your Hummer?

On a serious note though, thanks for your thoughts Ramsayfarian. Very interesting and informative.

The exact same ones. I tend to miss them when they're stooped over picking up chicken feet.

.

[Ramsayfarian]

Thanks for all of the replys on the Ramsay topic. I was curious about the dynamic in the cummunity.

The community rocks and Lilydale doesn't stink up the entire area, I've rarely if ever smell it at my place. Mind you, there's no way in the world I'd live across the street from it.

[shreddog]

The community rocks and Lilydale doesn't stink up the entire area, I've rarely if ever smell it at my place. Mind you, there's no way in the world I'd live across the street from it.
Quick question as I have friends who have been looking at buying something in Ramsay/Inglewood ... where do you do most of your grocery shopping?? I know that there are many small shops for this and that, but what about staples, big tickets items, etc.

thx.

[mersar]

Quick question as I have friends who have been looking at buying something in Ramsay/Inglewood ... where do you do most of your grocery shopping?? I know that there are many small shops for this and that, but what about staples, big tickets items, etc.

thx.

Not in Ramsay/Inglewood myself but from what I've seen/heard in the past you really don't have much choice but to venture out and almost always requires driving. For groceries probably the best bet would be either to venture to the Safeway in Mission or up 17th to the Forest Lawn Safeway or co-op, once Sunterra is open in Keynote that may be an option too. Crossroads market is also not far, so that probably would work for some grocery items. For big ticket items you've really got little choice but Chinook, Deerfoot Meadows or Marlborough/36streeet though.

[DizzyEdge]

Not in Ramsay/Inglewood myself but from what I've seen/heard in the past you really don't have much choice but to venture out and almost always requires driving. For groceries probably the best bet would be either to venture to the Safeway in Mission or up 17th to the Forest Lawn Safeway or co-op, once Sunterra is open in Keynote that may be an option too. Crossroads market is also not far, so that probably would work for some grocery items. For big ticket items you've really got little choice but Chinook, Deerfoot Meadows or Marlborough/36streeet though.

Yeah, I work in Inglewood and that is exactly right. Unfortunately both Inglewood and nearby Bridgeland have no real grocery stores.

[Bigtime]

The lack of a larger grocer is the main reason why we are not looking into Ramsay and Inglewood for our next home.

[Ramsayfarian]

Quick question as I have friends who have been looking at buying something in Ramsay/Inglewood ... where do you do most of your grocery shopping?? I know that there are many small shops for this and that, but what about staples, big tickets items, etc.

thx.
You're kind of asking the wrong person as I rarely eat at home. When I do though, I go the Midtown Co-op on 11 & 11 SW. It's a bit a jaunt but it really isn't that bad. The farmer's market is a good spot for produce and meat, but they're only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

[Ramsayfarian]

Not in Ramsay/Inglewood myself but from what I've seen/heard in the past you really don't have much choice but to venture out and almost always requires driving. For groceries probably the best bet would be either to venture to the Safeway in Mission or up 17th to the Forest Lawn Safeway or co-op, once Sunterra is open in Keynote that may be an option too. Crossroads market is also not far, so that probably would work for some grocery items. For big ticket items you've really got little choice but Chinook, Deerfoot Meadows or Marlborough/36streeet though.

The Co-op in Forest Lawn kind of bites. It's ok for your staples, but the meat department is sadly lacking.

@Bigtime, you might want to think twice about that. Both neighbourhoods have so much going for them that it makes up for the lack of a grocery store.

[Fiveway]

Unfortunately it's a drive for groceries if you live in Inglewood. Also unfortunately the Forest Lawn Coop is really quick and convenient. If I 'go grocery shopping' it's usually at mid-town coop or Deerfoot Meadows superstore. Both are less than ten minutes to drive to for me.

I guess Bite Groceteria is stocking more and more these days, but I haven't been in there in a while. They've got the potential to be the place to go to, but they're not there yet, and it's risky for them to even try to go towards more fresh stuff.

Edit: I also don't find it particularly inconvenient. Sure, I'd love to have a grocery store in walking distance at the Blackfoot truck stop, but I don't mind going over to the Mid-town Coop once a week or so. I have no desire to be car-free or anything, so I don't see Inglewood's lack of grocery store as any less convenient than the stores in, say, Brentwood, Cambrian Heights, or Mount Pleasant, where I grew up. I might have to spend a few more minutes in the car, but I spend WAAAAAYYYYY less time in the car overall as a result of living down here.

[McMahon]

That just made me think of the last time I was in Toronto and I was walking around the Dufferin/Dundas area. All of a sudden it started smelling like chocolate. Sure enough a block up was the Cadbury factory. I thought it would be awesome to live in that neighborhood. I wonder if those people complain about the smell after having lived with it for years.

It's not as awesome as you might think. I grew up in Dublin, close to the Cadbury's factory there. While it's nowhere being a bad smell, it doesn't really smell as chocolaty as you would imagine. A disappointing smell, really.

And being from Dublin, I'm familiar with the smell from the Guinness brewery. In the past few weeks downtown, I've been reminded of it at all times of day. I had assumed it was the Big Rock Brewery, but the yeast factory would make more sense. It's not really a pleasant smell, but I like it.

[Ramsayfarian]

NY Times has been running a wicked series on the Olympics. Check it out here:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/sports/olympics/olympics-interactives.html#tab3

[Innersoul1]

Speaking of the Olympics, some sad news. A Georgian luger has died after crashing off the track in Whistler. CTV is showing the video of the crash on their Olympic website.

WARNING!!!! It's pretty disturbing, no blood or anything but to see a body flying through the air and coming to a stop at the base of a metal pole isn't so nice.

[Bigtime]

Lot's of rumours that unless the track design can be addressed they may move the event over here to Calgary.

[Ayreonaut]

Yeah, I've seen the video once, and would rather not watch it again. Terrible way to kick off the games.

[Ramsayfarian]

Speaking of the Olympics, some sad news. A Georgian luger has died after crashing off the track in Whistler. CTV is showing the video of the crash on their Olympic website.

WARNING!!!! It's pretty disturbing, no blood or anything but to see a body flying through the air and coming to a stop at the base of a metal pole isn't so nice.

CTV should pull that video. There's no need to be showing that.

What a poorly designed track. You don't have steel poles right next to a track. Especially right after a giant corner like that.

He was over to far going into that corner, which means you're going to come out high at the end, basically you run out of track, which drops you hard into the opposite wall. You shouldn't bounce out like that though and if you do there shouldn't be a series of metal poles.

My condolences to his family and to his team. Poor kid.

[Policy Wonk]

Ugh, apparently Palin's coming to town in March. Can't she go rouge it up somewhere else?

Take a wild stab in the dark at who is responsible for bringing Caribou Barbie to Calgary and is fax spamming every office in the city trying to sell tickets.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[freeweed]

Lot's of rumours that unless the track design can be addressed they may move the event over here to Calgary.

Seriously? This has to be a joke.

[Bigtime]

Seriously? This has to be a joke.

Why? The track is ready to go, it's just a matter of moving athletes and camera crews over.

Apparently our track was also the backup for the Salt Lake games.

[Policy Wonk]

^My guess is C^5.

Craig Chandler and/or Concerned Christians of Canada.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7269/spam.png

I'm not a member of any of the above, Chandler has just been fax spamming me for 15 years.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[Policy Wonk]

I get more spam on my fax machine than I get in my email,

[bigcanuck]

What a poorly designed track. You don't have steel poles right next to a track. Especially right after a giant corner like that.

No kidding. Was there really no one involved in the design of the track who thought that it was possible for a rider to go over the side of the track when going at over 140kmh? At the very least, they should have maintained some sort of safety wall above the height of the track so the rider would have simply bounced off a smooth surface and slid down the track.

My condolences to his family and to his team. Poor kid.

Ditto.

[Bigtime]

And paid ticketholders, coaches, family/friends of the athletes, required security, etc., etc.?

Hopefully they get the situation addressed though.

It can be done for those that would need to be here. I can't seriously think if I was a ticketholder for this event in Vancouver I would get mad if the event was moved because of this tragedy.

We'd need less security because the terrorists weren't planning on the venue switching either. ;)

Really for one event I think Calgary could step up very quickly and facilitate it happening.

[Ramsayfarian]

No kidding. Was there really no one involved in the design of the track who thought that it was possible for a rider to go over the side of the track when going at over 140kmh? At the very least, they should have maintained some sort of safety wall above the height of the track so the rider would have simply bounced off a smooth surface and slid down the track.



Ditto.

That should not be happening at all on a modern day track. This is one of the fastest and most challenging tracks in the world. 140kmh on a luge is insane. Out of all the sliding sports, luge is by far the most dangerous as they're higher off the ground and the majority of their body weight is uphill not down.

[Ramsayfarian]

Why? The track is ready to go, it's just a matter of moving athletes and camera crews over.

Apparently our track was also the backup for the Salt Lake games.

Considering at the time our track was one of three tracks in North America, I can believe that. It's always a good idea to have a Plan B. Although I do prefer plan A, which is to Just Giver.

[kw5150]

I nedd some good recommendations for places under 250,000. I f no one has any that is fine but thought I might try the mastermind that is: SKYSCRAPERPAGE FORUM!

[MichaelS]

Considering at the time our track was one of three tracks in North America, I can believe that. It's always a good idea to have a Plan B. Although I do prefer plan A, which is to Just Giver.

I thought that was plan B? That, or else moving the town 3 miles down the road.

[DizzyEdge]

CTV should pull that video. There's no need to be showing that.

What a poorly designed track. You don't have steel poles right next to a track. Especially right after a giant corner like that.

He was over to far going into that corner, which means you're going to come out high at the end, basically you run out of track, which drops you hard into the opposite wall. You shouldn't bounce out like that though and if you do there shouldn't be a series of metal poles.

My condolences to his family and to his team. Poor kid.

Just saw it.. I'm wondering if it was the pole that was the issue, because the way he landed it looks like his head was just extending past the metal grating area that is perhaps 6-10 inches above the asphalt, might have been a neck injury. They should have netting or something.

[Ramsayfarian]

I thought that was plan B? That, or else moving the town 3 miles down the road.

Damn, you're right.

[Wentworth]

I had the same thoughts about the poles, but it didn't take me long to find a video of another Luge track with the exact same design:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhClYfedjNQ

(Warning: Another accident video, but it isn't nearly as graphic.)

[freeweed]

If the athletes are concerned for their safety, let THEM have their say. Somehow, the media is having a very hard time finding any actual athletes that are overly concerned. Every single one I've seen interviewed has said something to the effect of "risk is part of our sport".

But no, the media would never sensationalize and exaggerate danger. :rolleyes:

Seriously, if it's that dangerous, they won't compete. Accidents happen in these sports all the time, this guy just had some really shitty luck.

I'm also astounded that people are implying that this track wasn't tested, or something. I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I'm pretty sure plenty of people have gone down it safely. Do people really think today was the first time anyone's gone down it?

[Riise]

I'm also astounded that people are implying that this track wasn't tested, or something. I'm going to go out on a limb here, but I'm pretty sure plenty of people have gone down it safely. Do people really think today was the first time anyone's gone down it?

I think you brought up some great points, the opinions of the athletes should be the deciding factor not the blokes trying to sell newspapers. With regards to testing, if the IOC is looking to take it a step further they could always implement the rule/condition that I believe UEFA has implemented with the Euro Cup. Basically, any facility that will be used in the competition must be fully operational and regularly utilized for an entire year before the competition starts.

[Ramsayfarian]

I had the same thoughts about the poles, but it didn't take me long to find a video of another Luge track with the exact same design:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhClYfedjNQ

(Warning: Another accident video, but it isn't nearly as graphic.)

That's nothing. Check out St. Moritz. It goes through a freakin' forest.

pIwwHXghcTI

Lake Placid is a real bad track as well. Back in the sixties a sled left the track and the driver was decapitated. The story I heard, had his head landing in the lap of his brakeman.

I've seen video of a world cup race where the winner crossed the finish line unconscious. He got knocked out going through zig-zag.

[Ramsayfarian]

I think you brought up some great points, the opinions of the athletes should be the deciding factor not the blokes trying to sell newspapers. With regards to testing, if the IOC is looking to take it a step further they could always implement the rule/condition that I believe UEFA has implemented with the Euro Cup. Basically, any facility that will be used in the competition must be fully operational and regularly utilized for an entire year before the competition starts.

Whilst I'm all for letting the athletes decide, but you could have a track that had 75% chance of getting killed on and you'd still have full race card.

An Olympic athlete does not think of losing, let alone dying being a possibility.

They made this track way too fast. This guy was doing over 140 kph, that's insanely fast on a luge. I can't remember what a good luge speed is here, but a skeleton is around 125 - 130 kph in Calgary.

Hate to speak ill of the dead, but I'm pretty sure this guy was not an elite racer, which means we'll see even faster speeds. These tracks are supposed to be like giant funnels, you should be able to put a bag of spuds on a sled and it will make it to the bottom. I think it's a combination of a bad design and the way they cut the ice. A good track crew can totally change the way you drive the track by the way they cut the track and prep the ice.

That really didn't look like that was going to be that bad of crash, not bad enough to toss him out of the track.

I'm not sure how long the track has been open, but it's safe to say that there's been hundreds if not thousands of runs down that track. Where this is going to bite Canada in the ass, is how we turned into dickheads and limited other countries ability to train on this track.

[LFRENCH]

Whilst I'm all for letting the athletes decide, but you could have a track that had 75% chance of getting killed on and you'd still have full race card.

An Olympic athlete does not think of losing, let alone dying being a possibility.

They made this track way too fast. This guy was doing over 140 kph, that's insanely fast on a luge. I can't remember what a good luge speed is here, but a skeleton is around 125 - 130 kph in Calgary.

Hate to speak ill of the dead, but I'm pretty sure this guy was not an elite racer, which means we'll see even faster speeds. These tracks are supposed to be like giant funnels, you should be able to put a bag of spuds on a sled and it will make it to the bottom. I think it's a combination of a bad design and the way they cut the ice. A good track crew can totally change the way you drive the track by the way they cut the track and prep the ice.

That really didn't look like that was going to be that bad of crash, not bad enough to toss him out of the track.

I'm not sure how long the track has been open, but it's safe to say that there's been hundreds if not thousands of runs down that track. Where this is going to bite Canada in the ass, is how we turned into dickheads and limited other countries ability to train on this track.

they are expecting to get up over 156km/h with some of the sports that feature a running start as oppose to a push start. World official record was set yesterday, and a previous unofficial was set earlier. They figure they should just about be hitting 160km/h

freaking insane:koko:

[Ramsayfarian]

they are expecting to get up over 156km/h with some of the sports that feature a running start as oppose to a push start. World official record was set yesterday, and a previous unofficial was set earlier. They figure they should just about be hitting 160km/h

freaking insane:koko:

Completely insane and further proof that they goofed on the design. Luge are really tough to drive, the steering is pretty sensitive and the faster you go the more sensitive it becomes.

I know Melissa Hollingsworth's on record saying this track is the most challenging track in the world. In skeleton, challenging means painful.


I hope the rest of the athletes all make it down safe and GO Canada!

[frinkprof]

Nevermind.

[kw5150]

:(

[freeweed]

We could always try wrapping the athletes in bubble wrap...

160km/h. My head spins. I feel suicidal when I hit 80-90 blasting down a ski slope unprotected.

DO NOT CLICK ON THIS IF YOU ARE IN THE LEAST BIT OFFENDED BY THINGS. EVER. THIS IS THE MOST HORRIBLY OFFENSIVE THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. THIS IS WORSE THAN MAKING JOKES ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST. (http://i48.tinypic.com/smqc80.jpg)

And I'm going to burn in hell for laughing hysterically at the ballsiness of it.

[LFRENCH]

I just saw the footage again on the CTV and you can literally hear the steel beam vibrate when his head smacks into it. Truly insane and no amount of padding would prevent that.

[freeweed]

I just saw the footage again on the CTV and you can literally hear the steel beam vibrate when his head smacks into it. Truly insane and no amount of padding would prevent that.

Maybe those in the know can explain this to me... why is the top of the run open? Couldn't they just cover it and make it like a tube, so people can't fly out of it? Plexiglass if we need camera action.

I assume this makes some kinds of crashes *worse*, or something, but I've always wondered that. Seems as obvious as helmets on hockey players to this layman.

Otherwise, I'm hard-pressed to imagine too many people surviving their body plowing into a solid object at 140-160 km/h. As mentioned, no amount of padding would do much.

[Vascilli]

I suspect the designers didn't take into account the fact that the run is so much faster conventional design can't be used. Design-wise it looks exactly like the one at COP but the speeds are much higher and obviously the turns were made as if they weren't. There's a reason NASCAR tracks are so steep..

[Ramsayfarian]

I suspect the designers didn't take into account the fact that the run is so much faster conventional design can't be used. Design-wise it looks exactly like the one at COP but the speeds are much higher and obviously the turns were made as if they weren't. There's a reason NASCAR tracks are so steep..

Not sure what you mean by design. Do you mean the course construction or the layout?

Layout wise it's nothing like COP. It's a bit shorter and there's 2 more turns. Looking at a map of the track the layout is completely different and it drops more, which means faster speeds. Skeleton speeds are 20kph faster than Calgary. That may not sound like a lot but it is.

Deadspin.com has a pretty good article on the track:



Track's Safety Was Already In Question Before Fatal Crash
When Nodar Kumaritashvili died in a training run this morning, it came after years of hype of the fastest, most dangerous downhill run in the world. No one wants death, but we all want the athletes to risk it.

Whistler's run is unique. The tightest turns are at the bottom, where sleds are going their fastest. Bobsleigh champ Steve Holcomb described it as being "designed backwards." It's a track meant to be exciting, to test the very best in the world. It's lived up to that from the moment it opened.

Construction was completed on the Whistler Sliding Centre in late 2007, and testers recognized the danger straightaway.

Pierre Lueders, four-time Olympian, and the most decorated slider in Canadian history, noted: "It's definitely the fastest track in the world and that's what makes it so difficult." Canadian skeleton racer Michelle Kelly agreed, stating, "It's an exciting track and what's hard about it is that it has crazy speed, but any loss of concentration and you can get in trouble because it is technical as well."
Hosting the World Cup in 2008, three riders were sent to the hospital. Athletes were shocked at the speed, and the location and placement of turns

American luger Tony Benshoof told NBC: "When I first got on this track, I thought that somebody was going to kill themselves."
[...]
"There is a human limit," says Canadian luge coach and former German doubles medalist Wolfgang Staudinger. "I hope we don't increase the speed of our tracks. Whistler is on the limit."
At the time, these quotes were great press for the sport. Bobsleigh and luge thrive on speed, and the illusion of danger. But it's been much more than an illusion.

There have been crashes daily in training this week. Just yesterday, a Romanian luger was knocked unconcious after "slamming into several walls."

Even Nodar Kumaritashvili crashed and was shaken up in practice yesterday. The photos are chilling in hindsight.

And don't say we haven't been warned. An Australian luger spoke, clear as day, of her worst fear.

I think they are pushing it a little too much," [Hannah] Campbell-Pegg said. "To what extent are we just little lemmings that they just throw down a track and we're crash-test dummies? I mean, this is our lives."

Well, the luger's worst fear came to pass today. We don't know yet what reservations Kumaritashvili might have expressed about the track. We only know he's a few months past his 21st birthday and didn't have a choice in the matter if he wanted to compete in his first Olympic Games.

The Winter Olympic version of NASCAR relies on pushing the envelope. How close can we get these people to the edge? Luge and skeleton, and to a lesser extent bobsleigh, will now go through the same existential crisis as NASCAR after every driver's death.

But restrictor plates aren't the answer. It's not the vehicles that are the wild card. It's one specific track, the Whistler Sliding Centre, that we've been warned about for years. Now it claims a life, hours before the Games' opening ceremonies.
"

http://deadspin.com/5470753/tracks-safety-was-already-in-question-before-fatal-crash

[Ramsayfarian]

Maybe those in the know can explain this to me... why is the top of the run open? Couldn't they just cover it and make it like a tube, so people can't fly out of it? Plexiglass if we need camera action.

I assume this makes some kinds of crashes *worse*, or something, but I've always wondered that. Seems as obvious as helmets on hockey players to this layman.

Otherwise, I'm hard-pressed to imagine too many people surviving their body plowing into a solid object at 140-160 km/h. As mentioned, no amount of padding would do much.

Completely covered isn't needed and it would add to the cost and it would hinder TV coverage. Plexiglass would just get grimy and hard to see through.

Properly designed corners is what's needed. That poor kid came off that corner and launched himself of the opposite wall like it was a ramp. There shouldn't be any slope on the inside wall.

[fusili]

Completely covered isn't needed and it would add to the cost and it would hinder TV coverage. Plexiglass would just get grimy and hard to see through.

Properly designed corners is what's needed. That poor kid came off that corner and launched himself of the opposite wall like it was a ramp. There shouldn't be any slope on the inside wall.

Would netting work?

[LFRENCH]

Maybe those in the know can explain this to me... why is the top of the run open? Couldn't they just cover it and make it like a tube, so people can't fly out of it? Plexiglass if we need camera action.

I assume this makes some kinds of crashes *worse*, or something, but I've always wondered that. Seems as obvious as helmets on hockey players to this layman.

Otherwise, I'm hard-pressed to imagine too many people surviving their body plowing into a solid object at 140-160 km/h. As mentioned, no amount of padding would do much.

I agree, padding would have done **** all, but CTV was quoting that german designer as saying the bank appears to be about 500 millimeters too short.

"We now have to consider how we can alter the piste. At the exit area we could increase the height of the walls by some 40 to 50 centimetres," he said.

article found here:
http://www.ctvolympics.ca/luge/news/newsid=39652.html#changes+needed+whistler+track+says+designer

[Ramsayfarian]

Would netting work?

Probably wouldn't hurt, but higher walls would be best.

It's very rare for someone to leave the track like that. Tracks are designed to keep the racers in. I only know of one person leaving the track in Calgary and that's because a tarp had come undone and fell into the track.

[Vascilli]

Not sure what you mean by design. Do you mean the course construction or the layout?

Layout wise it's nothing like COP. It's a bit shorter and there's 2 more turns. Looking at a map of the track the layout is completely different and it drops more, which means faster speeds. Skeleton speeds are 20kph faster than Calgary. That may not sound like a lot but it is.
[/B]


The design of the turns. Because the track is faster they should've made the embankments come down much slower. When I watched the video the turn doesn't look dissimilar to one you'd see at COP.

I doubt netting would work, if it was strong enough for him not to tear through it would probably shred him apart. The only solution I could envision having a chance at working is plexiglass boards.

[mersar]

Well the track is going to be changed, including higher walls at that point (and a few others) as well as modifying the profile of the ice to ease the curve there according to whats being reported. Supposedly these changes were being done this afternoon and the races are going ahead as scheduled tonight

[Innersoul1]

Netting would potentially work, however, the fear would be that the net would have to be tight enough meaning that it would potentially act like a slingshot. It could have the give of the netting that they use on downhill ski courses.

That being said, I saw an interview with someone from the Bobsleigh and Luge Federation. He said that it is VERY rare that a racer leaves the track. Indeed during my search of luge accident videos online I was hard pressed to find another video of a luger leaving the course.

Sure, there may need to be adjustments made to the track to deal with speed and such but it seems that the accident (at least the slider leaving the course) was a freak one. Unfortunate really.

[Ramsayfarian]

Netting would potentially work, however, the fear would be that the net would have to be tight enough meaning that it would potentially act like a slingshot. It could have the give of the netting that they use on downhill ski courses.

That being said, I saw an interview with someone from the Bobsleigh and Luge Federation. He said that it is VERY rare that a racer leaves the track. Indeed during my search of luge accident videos online I was hard pressed to find another video of a luger leaving the course.

Sure, there may need to be adjustments made to the track to deal with speed and such but it seems that the accident (at least the slider leaving the course) was a freak one. Unfortunate really.

It's very rare to leave the track. He's not the first slider to come into a corner late, it happens all the time on tracks all around the world. Unfortunately the speeds reached at Whistler made the impossible possible.

Besides raising the wall on that corner, they're moving the men's start to the ladies' start and the ladies are being moved to the Junior start. Which means Canada has lost it's home court advantage. Personally, I feel that's a good thing. I really thought it was a Douche move to limit access like we did.


Forty training runs is not enough runs to master a track, let alone a track like Whistler's. When I raced Skeleton, it took me at least 40 runs before I even knew where I was on the track. You start off counting the corners, but by the time you get to 7, counting it the last thing on your mind and you're just holding on.

[Innersoul1]

Isn't the limiting access the right of the host country, and common practice prior to the Olympics?

[freeweed]

Isn't the limiting access the right of the host country, and common practice prior to the Olympics?

Still seems a bit of a douche move, and completely unlevels the playing field. I thought the Olympics are supposed to be about "the best", not "let's give the home country an unfair advantage".

[MalcolmTucker]

They ran a world cup race on the track last year - how is that limiting access? Perhaps they are comparing access to that of Salt Lake, which opened in '97 since they had started building it before they were awarded the Olympics.

[Ramsayfarian]

They ran a world cup race on the track last year - how is that limiting access? Perhaps they are comparing access to that of Salt Lake, which opened in '97 since they had started building it before they were awarded the Olympics.

Since that race no one but Canadians have been down that track until recently.

[SubwayRev]

Did anybody see the Simpsons last night? Many Canadian jokes, and a Calgary reference too.

Canadian version of Milhouse, Milhoose: Hey Bart, your sister's hotter than a Calgary brush fire, mind if I ask her out?

[McPaul]

It's very rare to leave the track. He's not the first slider to come into a corner late, it happens all the time on tracks all around the world. Unfortunately the speeds reached at Whistler made the impossible possible.

Besides raising the wall on that corner, they're moving the men's start to the ladies' start and the ladies are being moved to the Junior start. Which means Canada has lost it's home court advantage. Personally, I feel that's a good thing. I really thought it was a Douche move to limit access like we did.


Forty training runs is not enough runs to master a track, let alone a track like Whistler's. When I raced Skeleton, it took me at least 40 runs before I even knew where I was on the track. You start off counting the corners, but by the time you get to 7, counting it the last thing on your mind and you're just holding on.


They had the Canadian luge federation representative who said they were following correct procedure, so I would have to think that there are rules in place regarding how much access the host country is required to give visiting teams access to their facilities. it wouldn't be as much of an issue if this wasn't a brand new course in use.

[Ramsayfarian]

They had the Canadian luge federation representative who said they were following correct procedure, so I would have to think that there are rules in place regarding how much access the host country is required to give visiting teams access to their facilities. it wouldn't be as much of an issue if this wasn't a brand new course in use.



It's been widely reported that we've limited access to Alpine downhill course, speed skating oval and the bob sleigh track to other nations so our athletes have home court advantage. While it might be within the rules, it is still a douche bag move that's going to bite Canada in the ass for years to come.

[Vascilli]

If anybody here uses eBay frequently I'd appreciate it if they could help me buy a few things. I'll pay in advance if I must. (E-TTL cord, softboxes, that type of stuff)

[MalcolmTucker]

E-Bay is pretty easy - I bought lots of stuff when I was under age from there - whats the problem? Sellers need someone with a high rating?

[Vascilli]

I don't have a confirmed Paypal account.

[MalcolmTucker]

^ they don't let you buy without one any more? Lame. Anyways - can't you confirm using any old bank account? all you need is the account number.

[Vascilli]

My bank account is under control of my parents, I'd rather they not find out I'm buying more stuff. My other option is to use a prepaid credit card but even the ones with no fees cost $10.

There's still other ways to pay, I just can't do any of them either.

[Ayreonaut]

So uh, do people talk about music when standing around the water cooler?

If so:
2nbXl1gX7TQ

Just started listening to them tonight, even though I've heard about the band for a few years now.

[Jimby]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeAJJDRn_H0

IeAJJDRn_H0

[Ayreonaut]

If I were a mod, I would unlock this thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168235).

[Bigtime]

If I were a mod, I would unlock this thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=168235).

That thread was my finest hour here on SSP. :cool:

[Ayreonaut]

I still watch the Canteen Incident every once in a while.

[Wooster]

Nice


With the closure of 11th Avenue for a water main repair, a group of nearby office workers decided to take to the streets in a quick lunch-hour game.

http://www.cbc.ca/eyeopener/IMG00350.jpg

audio
http://www.cbc.ca/eyeopener/

[Ayreonaut]

Awesome. They should close streets every lunch hour.

[jeffwhit]

That is awesome, but is it kind of odd that they had enough hockey sticks laying around and office for that?

[freeweed]

That is awesome, but is it kind of odd that they had enough hockey sticks laying around and office for that?

A tremendous number of office workers play floor hockey during lunch hours here. I know a bunch of guys who keep a stick at the office.

[kw5150]

So I was at the protest at the Anne Coulter speech last night.......

There were actual skinheads at the Anne Coulter presentation last night. Quite scary really. Attendees also shouted "Canada should be the 51st state" as they left the Red and white Club last night.

One woman leaving the event said she felt sorry for two gays guys and she snickered at them. Its a good thing this group of hate-mongerers is so small. The red and white club only holds about 250 people.

The audience was a collection of anti-gay, anti-race, anti everything white folks who do nothing but spread hate.

The protest was actual quite large despite what the news has stated. There were also many silent protestors inside the red and white club who just wanted to see how much of a whack job she was (and the people attending)

[kw5150]

Im glad that that witch took off her white sheet and flew home on it!!

[Aegis]

anti everything white folks

If one is anti-everything, does that include being anti-anti~everything, and so on? And, if one followed that path towards a logical black hole, is it possible that they could enter the 4th dimension and self-destruct?

[Ayreonaut]

We can only hope.

[kw5150]

If one is anti-everything, does that include being anti-anti~everything, and so on? And, if one followed that path towards a logical black hole, is it possible that they could enter the 4th dimension and self-destruct?

Either you are being seriously funny or mocking me and that is fine. I dont talk in circles and cant understand it either if I dont know you.

I will assume you are fearful of what this woman is acheiving and you are agreeing with me for the time being. Time for some margaritas!

[Aegis]

Either you are being seriously funny or mocking me and that is fine. I dont talk in circles and cant understand it either if I dont know you.

I will assume you are fearful of what this woman is acheiving and you are agreeing with me for the time being. Time for some margaritas!

Wasn't anything against yourself, Ann Coulter, or anyone else. Just jokes!

But in all seriousness, does she have some sort of association with neo-nazi groups? I wasn't aware that she did..the news coverage showed people with protest signs with swastikas and Global interviewed Jason Devine, who is normally only interviewed when the issue of neo-nazi gangs in our city comes up.

I just wasn't sure if there was any real association or if it was just a reaction?

[Ramsayfarian]

I thought this was pretty cool:
National Geographic's 25 Drives of a lifetime. (http://traveler.nationalgeographic.com/drives/banff-jasper.html)

I'm not surprised though, highway 93 has always been one of my favourites.

[freeweed]

I do a run up to Jasper every summer at least once, and usually solo. The view never gets old, and rushing down the highway with just your thoughts and that view is an amazing recharge. I also try to time it for the middle of the week, around dinner, so the road is pretty much deserted. Just set the cruise control and go!

The hiking trails are also practically deserted that time of day, too, if you're the thinking type. You really get a sense of just how isolated (and big!) Jasper is when you can spend several hours without seeing another human being - but your car is safely nearby. It's also a mild adrenaline rush to do this when the bears are out prowling. Not quite skydiving, but it does get you hyper-alert.