livable city

Chocolates and shortbreads aside, we’ve selected a few tasty stories for you to chew this week as many of us prepare for winter hibernation in Vancouver. Unless, of course, you’re one of the many who aren’t so keen to kick it in this increasingly unlivable city. Vancouver is now deemed the 22^nd ‘most livable’ city in Canada in ratio to family income. With the giant sea turtles washing ashore in Tofino and bears getting caught in our urban spaces, it seems even our wildlife can't survive long in the city.

Last refuge: space! For those of us awake Saturday morning at 5am, you might have been lucky to catch a glimpse of the lunar eclipse.

As forewarned, bright and early Monday morning, Occupy The Ports was carried out to varying degrees from Oakland to Portland to Vancouver, without the support of labour unions, and without much disturbance to regular port traffic in Vancouver

Calling all birders. Bird photographers are out in force and capturing their imagination is the impressive number of snowy owls that have made their appearance at Boundary Bay. Some 18 have been spotted at one time perched on logs and in the grasslands. It’s tough to see snowy owls any time of the year, let alone 18 in one place. They’ll be around all winter, but better to catch them now while they’re being seen.

Near the MOVeum: Migrating birds dropping in on Vancouver are at their height in December. A walk around Vanier Park (in Kitsilano) or Stanley Park will offer a lot of diversity, more so than any other time of year. Come visit the last weeks of Bhangra.me while you're in the neighborhood, and maybe you'll spot the eagle that enjoys sitting on our roof!

[photo credit: "9//365", by Jeremy Saunders; "Winking Snowy Owl", by Pandamon via flickr]