nephrus.net – 2009

All articles for December 2009

Cell phone ban coming up

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 1, 2009 • News

In one month, it will be illegal to use a cell phone or any other portable device while driving in British Columbia. The only exceptions are if the phones are set up to use hands-free adapters, such as headsets, one touch or voice activated devices.

Starting January 1^st, 2010 drivers will face $167 fines and three demerits towards their license if caught using a cell phone, mobile device, or media player. Drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program will be prohibited from using any mobile device at all.

British Columbia will join Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador where similar laws are already in place.

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Fullmetal Alchemist volume 22

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 3, 2009 • Anime/Manga

Fullmetal Alchemist volume 22

Alphonse and Hohenheim devise a plan to be captured by Pride and trick him into the darkness where his powers are limited. Edward’s group, including Scar and Lan Fan, head out to take on the mysterious Father, leaving Greed to take his own path.

Meanwhile, Mustang gathers his troops and kidnaps Fuhrer Bradley’s wife take over the military. However, the homunculus have a different plan and clash with the two groups as they struggle to prevent the giant transmutation from being used.

The battle continues on store shelves January 19^th, 2010.

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Bright Nights in Stanley Park

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 5, 2009 • Local, Photography

Polar Bear in the park

If you’re in Vancouver, head on down to Stanley Park for the 12^th annual Bright Nights in Stanley Park. Firefighters from Metro Vancouver and throughout British Columbia have setup almost two million Christmas lights around the famous train and Children’s Farmyard to bring out the Christmas spirit. There’s live music, face painting, and snacks to keep you warm.

Entry to the event is free, but tickets are required to ride the train and enter the farmyard. Visit the official web site for pricing and further information. Donations are welcome and proceeds go to the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.

If you can’t make it, check out our gallery from the event. There are over fifty colourful photographs of the lights and displays.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park is open from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm PST and runs until January 2^nd, 2010.

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More taxes on parking and driving

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 7, 2009 • Local, News

Vancouver-area residents are expected to be hit with additional taxes starting January 1^st, 2010. Commuters will be paying extra for parking as well as filling up at the pump as TransLink tries to raise $150 million towards its operating budget.

The parking tax will remain until the new HST comes into effect on July 1^st, 2010. After that, the tax will be merged into the HST and then given back to TransLink. The gas tax will add three cents to the current price at the pump.

Source: The Vancouver Sun

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It’s been five years

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 8, 2009 • Videos

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Naruto Shippuden Box Set 1

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 9, 2009 • Anime/Manga

Naruto Shippuden Box Set 01 The first Naruto Shippuden box set is expected on store shelves January 26^th, 2010. A special edition box set will also be available, similar to how the first series Naruto collections were done, usually with a limited edition figure. No word yet on what the special edition will include.

The box set will contain three DVDs and come with both Japanese and English dubs. English subtitles are available for the Japanese language track.

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Get those shovels ready

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 10, 2009 • Local

Snow falling

Environment Canada is predicting the first snow to start falling as early as Friday. The forecast calls for the white stuff on Saturday, Sunday and Monday before milder temperatures turn some of it to rain.

Earlier this year, the Vancouver area experienced a heavier than usual dump of snow which made side streets impassible and left many vehicles stranded for days.

The City of Vancouver will plow all streets, including the smaller side streets, in addition to the main roads. Residents are also being asked to keep sidewalks in front of their homes clear — there’s a $2,000 fine for building/apartment complex owners if the sidewalk isn’t cleared by 10:00 am.

Source: The Vancouver Sun

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Streaming anime videos online

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 10, 2009 • Anime/Manga, Videos

Tired of spending hours searching the internet for sites that stream of your favourite anime? Nephrus.net has spared you the hassle and done the searching for you! These web sites are the real deal and not poorly encoded episodes split into four different videos. Popular series like Naruto Shippuden, Bleach, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood are all here, plus much much more! Keep coming back as new series and sites are added!

Read the rest of this article…

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Turnstiles in transit

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 17, 2009 • Local

SkyTrain at Waterfront Station

Starting next year, TransLink will be installing faregates at all SkyTrain, Canada Line, West Coast Express and SeaBus stations. At the same time, smart card technology, with reloadable cards, will be set up making it easier to take transit.

The smart cards will be the same size as a credit card and include a microchip that will contain the card’s total value. These cards can be loaded in person, over the phone or using the web. Similar technology exists in Seattle using the ORCA card or the Chicago Card/Chicago Card Plus in Chicago.

The project is expected to take request for proposals in early 2010, with work starting later in the year. TransLink expects the system to be fully functional in 2013. The Province of British Columbia, Government of Canada and TransLink will be funding the upgrades and installations, which has been given a budget of $171 million.

Currently, TransLink uses an honour system, where passengers purchase a fare and board without having to go through turnstiles. Fare checks are performed randomly on SkyTrain and the Canada Line by TransLink staff or transit police officers.

Source: TransLink

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Milton Bradley traded to Seattle

Frederick Linsmeyer • December 19, 2009 • Baseball

The Chicago Cubs have traded outfielder Milton Bradley to the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Carlos Silva and $6 million in cash. Bradley had initally signed with the Cubs for $30 million over three years in January 2009.

Silva, from Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela, only had eight appearances with the Mariners last season due to an shoulder injury. The pitcher had an 8.60 ERA in the games he played.

Bradley, from Harbor City, California, appeared in 124 games with 12 home runs, 40 RBI and .257 batting average this past season.

Source: Chicago Cubs

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