Sunday, December 28, 2014

Could many of our current health problems be linked to food? Probably.



Some good research is being done as to what is causing obesity, diabetes, cancer, asthma, dementia, arthritis, cardiovascular disease and other metabolic conditions. Doctors and researchers around the world are starting to speak up. Here's a good lecture from Dr. Gary Fettke linking food to disease. And it's probably not what you're expecting.

More on this topic in coming posts.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

Saturday, December 6, 2014

1 percent is a big number


Change initiatives based on consumers voting with their dollars can be very powerful. Businesses that participate in 1% For The Planet do just what the name suggests: they donate 1% of their gross sales to non-profit organizations involved in environmental initiatives. Visit www.onepercentfortheplanet.org for more information.

Sunday, November 30, 2014

How do you get your Christmas tree noticed?


It's not news when you put up a Christmas tree in your hotel lobby. But money talks. When you adorn the tree with $250,000 worth of Swarovski ornaments, you get local news coverage. A clever tactic by the Rosewood Hotel Georgia in Vancouver.


Wednesday, November 19, 2014

French fries to fuel


In New York, this company picks up used cooking oil from restaurants and converts it into biodiesel, a fuel with a low carbon footprint. Can all the spent cooking oil in the world replace petro-diesel? Probably not. But turning waste into something useful is generally a good idea.

Saturday, November 15, 2014

CVS/pharmacy takes a stand on tobacco


I was in New York earlier this week and noticed that CVS/pharmacy has become the first national pharmacy in the USA to stop selling tobacco products. According to their news release:

"Ending the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products at CVS/pharmacy is the right thing for us to do for our customers and our company to help people on their path to better health," said Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO, CVS Caremark. "Put simply, the sale of tobacco products is inconsistent with our purpose."

Smoking is the leading cause of premature death in the United States with more than 480,000 deaths annually. So hats-off to CVS for taking a stand on what should be obvious to everyone: companies in the health care space should not be selling products that are proven to cause harm.

Large scale public art is a show-stopper


This mural on W. Georgia Street in Vancouver is inlaid into the brickwork.

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

More art in public places


These sketches are posted in the change room at the Levis store in the Meat Packing District of NYC. It's fun local art in an unexpected place.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Architecture meets literary arts


Here's a clever bit of architecture at the Fairmont Pan Pacific hotel in Vancouver. Those words on the window sills are actually a poem visible from the street.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Compostable plastic


Speaking of composting, here's a progressive item. This paper cup at Teaja in Vancouver is compostable (not all that new). But the plastic lid is also compostable! Guilt-free takeout is upon us.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Composting at David's Tea


Many of us tea drinkers know that our tea leaves and bags are compostable. Problem is, most tea shops don't provide a way to compost them. Kudos to David's Tea on Bleeker Street in NYC for solving this problem.


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

"Scent marketing" a bad idea


When my wife and I checked-in to a Yaletown-area hotel in Vancouver, we noticed a perfumed odour in the air. The next morning, we both woke up with splitting headaches (which has never happened before). The scent had made both of us ill, so we checked-out and got some fresh air. Problem solved.

I learned that some hotels now inject scents into the interior air through their ventilation systems in a new trend called "scent marketing". Apparently, the scent gives customers a point of differentiation and positive association with the location.

I'm not normally sensitive to perfumes, but many people are. In some jurisdictions, this sort of sensitivity is actually considered a disability. Aggravating people with disabilities is generally a bad idea!

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Vancouver crosswalk stands out


Here's an excellent example of art and practicality. Will this tactic on Davie Street in Vancouver help prevent pedestrian collisions by drawing better attention to the crosswalks? 

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Saturday, October 18, 2014

Neon Sign Museum unique in Canada


Here's a video we produced for the City of Edmonton about their neon sign outdoor museum (the only one in Canada). This is a great way to preserve what many people believe is an important 20th century art form.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Clever toilet humour


Toilet humour normally isn't very creative, but I'm sure parents of infants and toddlers can appreciate this.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Radio in a mason jar



For those of you who appreciate clever design (and only like one radio station), this product could be for you.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Who really needs a fire hydrant?


No fire hydrant for tethering Rover while you zip in for a coffee at Cafe Gitane on Mott Street in NYC? No problem. However, I'd recommend removing the tether before riding away.

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Pinkyotto mannequin stands out in a crowd


I've said it a million times: You can't stand out in a crowd by being like everyone else in the crowd. This pinkyotto store mannequin stands out in the endless window displays along Prince Street in NYC.

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

National payroll week yet another creative ripoff?


It's already getting a little tired. Keep calm and (fill in the blank here). Will this slogan become as overused as (fill in the blank) Busters and Got (fill in the blank)? Probably.

But at least this ad takes a bizarre, obscure, boring-but-self-proclaimed-important topic and makes it fun / noticeable.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Aerial advertising in NYC


When you're doing business in a city with one of the densest populations in the world, it's good to keep in mind that potential customers are everywhere. Even above you.

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Cool door on Greene Street


The SOHO area of NYC is a cool mix of grunge and upscale style. This door to a residential loft along Greene Street illustrates the point. I suspect the security is pretty good too.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Don't you dare park here


Want to discourage unauthorized parking? Here's a clever idea at a residential property in NYC. I'm guessing the vehicle in this picture is "authorized."

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Abortion by mail


I suspect nobody missed this recent New York Times Magazine cover. It's brilliant and provocative!

Saturday, September 6, 2014

Clever? Not so clever?


Given the traffic insanity in NYC, it's understandable why this obstacle was put in place to protect this Citi Bike rack on Mercer Street. But notice that it was placed on top of a drainage grate. Did NYC's Drainage Department approve of this? I'm guessing, not.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

An unexpected variation on the green roof concept


Green roofs are becoming all the rage in urban areas. They add biodiversity while keeping buildings cooler. This roof in the Greenwich Village area of Manhattan ads some seasonal flair with sunflowers.

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Alessi orange dispenser is a new take on the tired old fruit bowl


Some ideas can solve problems you didn't even know you had. In this case, boredom. When was the last time you thought that a fruit bowl was cool? This fine example is at the Alessi store in the SOHO neighbourhood of Manhattan.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Hydrostor might solve the Achilles' Heel of renewable energy


OK, back to the subject of storing renewable energy to be used when the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine. Could Hydrostor have the solution?

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Your Personal Paleo Code and The Calorie Myth are eyeopeners


If you found my previous two posts interesting, here are two other books that argue how our health epidemic may be a result of eating the wrong things: Your Personal Paleo Code and The Calorie Myth.

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Are processed foods making us sick and affecting our genes?


Could it be that our diet of processed foods is shortening our lifespans, causing chronic disease and hurting our offspring? Could it be that the diet of our great grandparents and other ancestors was actually better? Were they more clever than us?

Probably.

To find out more, you might want to check out the book, Pottenger's Prophecy or listen to a podcast with the lead author here:

Interview with Gray Graham


Wednesday, August 6, 2014

TED Talk: Is the obesity crisis hiding a bigger problem?



Some clever people are starting to question the typical North American diet and link it to many health issues. Dr. Peter Attia shares his personal and professional observations in this moving TED Talk.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

How to make an electric car go 1,000 miles on a charge



Could aluminum air batteries provide the solution to range anxiety with electric cars? Phinergy and Alcoa may have the solution.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

How to store wind and solar energy


When the sun doesn't shine and the wind doesn't blow, solar panels and wind turbines have an obvious problem. Has Isentropic solved the problem of grid-scale electricity storage? 

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Elio Motors combines the best aspects of cars and motorcycles


Cars are big, expensive and use a lot of gasoline. Motorcycles are smaller, cheaper and more fuel efficient. But motorcycles aren't as safe and don't provide protection from bad weather. Problem solved.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Doggie daycare solves two problems


Here's a great win-win problem-solving idea. People attending the farmers' market in Ganges village on Salt Spring Island can't leave their dogs in their cars on hot, sunny days. They can't take them to the market either because it's contrary to health regulations. So the BC SPCA has set up a doggie day care at the market as a fund raiser. The SPCA makes a few dollars and the pet owners keep their dogs safe from a hot car interior.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

False Creek a great example of urban redevelopment


It's hard to believe now, but False Creek in Vancouver was a polluted industrial wasteland just a few short decades ago. It's now one of the best examples of urban redevelopment anywhere. First, the land was temporarily redeveloped for the Expo 86 World's Fair and then redeveloped again as a residential and commercial district. The transformation is astounding. If you're ever in Vancouver, be sure to spend some time in the Yaletown area on the north side of False Creek.

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Reuse. Reuse. Reuse.


I have a lot of respect for people who can keep waste out of landfills by finding a new use. This PVC pipe enhances the sound of these musical instruments and contributed to a wonderful day at the park in Ganges village on Salt Spring Island.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Footbridges reduce wildlife roadkill


Something I never really thought about when traveling through national parks is the effect highways can have on wildlife (other than don't pull over and try to feed them). But highways can be linear barriers that prevent wildlife from freely roaming their natural feeding and breeding areas. If they try to cross the highway, they might be killed. If they don't cross, they limit access to food and reproductive opportunities.

So these overpasses along the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff National Park are designed to provide access without wildlife having to dash across the highway. They work in conjunction with fencing to direct animals to safe crossings. Do they work? According to the federal government, since fencing and crossing structures were first constructed, wildlife-vehicle collisions have dropped by 80%.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Two books that caught my attention: Ethical Oil and Groundswell


This post is going to be longer than normal, so please stay with me.

Most of you know that I believe alternate energy has an important future globally. Sources like wind, solar and biofuels will likely make an important contribution to our energy mix once the challenges get sorted out.

Challenges? Well, storage for one thing. When the wind doesn't blow and the sun doesn't shine, these sources can't generate electricity. So someone needs to invent a viable way of storing a huge number of electrons to supply power to the grid while the wind and solar generators are idle.

Then there's the issue of birds. I suspect wind turbines have killed and maimed more birds than the Exxon Valdez. Almost certainly more than oil sands tailings ponds ever will. But that does't make any of this okay. Whatever the method we use to generate energy, we need to protect wildlife.

Will these problems ever be solved? Probably. You know what I think about humanity's capacity to solve problems.

No one knows how long this will take or if alternate energy will ever replace fossil fuels entirely. So Levant's books ask the question: If we're going to use fossil fuels for the foreseeable future, where do you want to get them from?

Although Levant makes some good points, these books are not for the easily offended. They would be considered provocative, blunt and even insulting to many people. Levant takes shots at everyone from Vladimir Putin to Gazprom, the Saudi Royal Family, Iran, Nigeria, Green Peace, the documentary "Gasland" ... you name it. Politics. Religion. Hidden agendas of environmentalists. All kinds of taboo topics are in Levant's crosshairs and he doesn't hold back.

Of special note: According to Levant, the United States has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions below that required by the Kyoto protocol thanks to natural gas fracking (with no environmental consequences). Much of Europe could do the same if they embraced fracking, plus have the energy independence and political freedom that come with it. Really? I didn't know that.

Levant cites some credible sources and appears to trust the scientists who say fracking is okay, but appears to disbelieve the scientists that say climate change is being caused by humans. Environmentalists seem to believe the opposite science. All of this reminds me of the lyrics from the Dire Straits song, Industrial Disease: "Two men say their Jesus. One of them must be wrong."

Facts are facts. But how they can be interpreted and spun is crucial. With issues such as this, it might be most appropriate to challenge those who make claims to cite their scientific sources. We might be best served if we then take the time to read the primary research ourselves before drawing conclusions.

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Whole Foods wants you to skip the shopping bag and support local charities


This Whole Foods store on Robson Street in Vancouver appeals to your sense of social responsibility by donating 10 cents to charity each time you forego a disposable shopping bag. Great idea! Not sure if other Whole Foods locations are doing the same thing. If you do decide you need a bag, it's biodegradable paper.

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Want more support? Don't forget to explain "why".


One more in my series of posts about signage. For many people, it's more effective to remind them WHY you want them to do something, rather than to just tell them to do it. Community support can make a big difference too. Nearly every resident along this narrow stretch of road on Salt Spring Island has posted this sign. It makes an overwhelming statement about how drivers should act in a neighbourly way.

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

More creative signage


While we're on the topic of creative signage, here's another one that puts a fun spin on a tired message.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Who reads signs?


Let's face it. Signs that tell you to "do this" and "don't do that" are not very memorable. But inject a little creativity and people will understand and remember the message – like this example at the Salt Spring Island goat cheese farm.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Say "thank you" to the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue


Sometimes it just blows my mind how residents in small towns can come together and solve big problems. Picture this: 1,000 kms of remote shoreline. A gazillion houseboats. Inexperienced operators. No search and rescue.

The solution?

Residents from Sicamous, BC (population 3,000) banded together to create a 25-volunteer arm of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxilary on Shuswap Lake. Known as the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, they help boaters in crisis. They also transport paramedics to medical emergencies - a service that was not previously available.

This group is now one of the busiest Coast Guard posts in Western Canada.

Did I mention they're all volunteers?

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Got creativity?


People who rip off a great creative advertising slogan don't normally get my respect. But I'll make an exception with this.

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Chocolate on a diet?


Here's the counterpoint to Beta 5's amazing cream puffs. They also make a 90% dark chocolate bar that has zero grams of net carbs (carbohydrates minus fibre) and zero grams of sugar. So for those of you who are on a low carb / low sugar diet such as the Atkins diet, this may be the perfect treat. It's also the first high cocoa chocolate I've tried that doesn't taste bitter. I wonder how they do that. Clever!

As a footnote, I should mention that the list of ingredients does include cane sugar. How can something that includes sugar indicate zero grams of sugar on the nutrition label? I'll be sure to ask them the next time I'm in Vancouver stocking up on these chocolate bars.

UPDATE: Okay, so I asked. The amount of sugar is so minuscule (less than .5 of a gram) that it is rounded down to zero in accordance with labelling regulations.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

What happens in Vancouver stays in Vancouver


I was one of the people who stood in line for hours at Dominique Ansel's pastry shop shortly after he unleashed his cronut craze on NYC. It wasn't my idea to invest that much time cueing for his cross between a doughnut and a croissant, but my taste buds were glad I did.

Now, another clever idea is surfacing in Vancouver. Beta 5 is selling their new take on the lowly cream puff. This diet-busting pastry is by-far the guiltiest thing I've ever tasted. It tastes way better than skinny feels.


Saturday, May 24, 2014

If CO2 was valuable, would we still emit it into the atmosphere?



Here's a post about sustainable energy that you probably weren't expecting.

A lot has been said about the evils of spewing CO2 into the atmosphere. A lot has also been said about the potential for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS). In case you're unaware, the idea behind CCS is that we can capture the CO2 as fossil fuels are being burned and inject the CO2 back into the ground where it had been safety stored for millions of years.

But what if we could capture CO2 from fossil fuels and, rather than trying to bury it back into the ground, create valuable products? In doing so, CO2 capture wouldn't become a cost burden, but a profitable revenue stream.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Heat + water = electricity



I think it's becoming fairly obvious to my readers that sustainable energy is one of my favourite topics. Here's another example. This technology has the potential to generate electricity when the wind isn't blowing and the sun isn't shining (even at night).

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Canada Post takes advantage of the green grid for mail delivery


In a previous post, I suggested that spud.ca might want to consider electric delivery vehicles. In another post, I proclaimed that, although I love the Tesla Model S, I'm not going to buy one just yet. Sounds contradictory? Not really, because in Vancouver where the above photo was taken, the provincial grid is powered by hydro (no carbon emissions). But the electrical grid in my province is powered mostly by coal and natural gas. So I need to deal with my car by purchasing carbon offsets whether it's powered by gasoline or electricity (coal / natural gas). Kudos to Canada Post for taking advantage of the green electricity in British Columbia. 


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Sustainable produce delivery gets it half right


While I applaud spud.ca for their innovation, it's unfortunate that such a delivery service should need to exist. In a perfect world, people living in dense urban centers like Vancouver should be able to walk or cycle to their neighbourhood store and buy local organic produce. Just one suggestion here: the monster van kind of negates the sustainable theme. Electric vehicles or cargo bikes might be more appropriate delivery methods.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Abilities@Work Program is a clever win-win for employers and employees


Here's a fantastic initiative at the City of Edmonton. The Abilities@Work Program employs people with intellectual disabilities and creates a win-win for employers and employees. The initiative is gaining excellent momentum within the City of Edmonton and other employers are now inquiring how they can do the same thing. Through volunteering to produce this video, we were reminded that great things happen when people delete the word "can't" from their vocabulary.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Korner uses technology to enhance neighbourhood watch security


Here's something clever and useful: an affordable home security system (starting at $100) with no monitoring fees. It uses a smartphone app plus your neighbours and other people in your social network to protect your home.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Hold the plastic! Butcher's Daughter deli offers boxed water.


The bottled water industry has taken a lot of heat over plastic bottles. Could this be a solution? I trust this packaging is recyclable. Kudos to the Butcher's Daughter deli in NYC for trying something different.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Repurposed telephones light up the Crosby Street Hotel


Here's a great example of reusing old stuff and keeping it out of the landfill. These repurposed telephones have been converted into quirky light fixtures in the lounge / restaurant at the Crosby Street Hotel in NYC.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Advertising interest rates is boring. But Interac nails it.


When I worked in marketing and advertising in the financial services industry, one of the ongoing challenges was doing something interesting and clever with interest rates to attract attention while delivering a poignant message. Even harder: do it in less than eight words and make it readable at a glance on a billboard. Here's a great recent example of a well-executed billboard in Vancouver from Interac.