Yellowknife Online

I forgot to publish this last Thursday when City of Yellowknife crews painted and rearranged the road lines. New turning lanes have been added to the intersection at Woolgar and Kam Lake Road. If you have already driven through the area, be aware that lanes are now different.

On another note, I also saw, what I assume to be, someone counting vehicles at the intersection of Finlayson Dr and Kam Lake Road. Are studies being done as to if another set of traffic lights need to be added. What are your thoughts on adding another set of traffic lights to Kam Lake Road?

This is a post of me thinking out loud. It is something I have thought about a lot actually. I have been hesitant to share the thought, as I try to keep my opinions to myself and just generate the conversation, but I don’t think I can for this one.

I just finished reading the article in the Yellowknifer about how summer student numbers for the government jobs is a lot lower this year than last year. This got me thinking about jobs, life in the north, us as youth and entrepreneurs. I have always felt as though Yellowknife does not have a very large community of entrepreneurs, although Yellowknife is not a very big community. I have always gotten this feeling that working for the government, which is a large employer for Yellowknife, was an “easy” job to have. I’m definitely not saying that the job is easy to do, but rather it offers more security, benefits and money than working in the private sector.

During the last couple of years, I have seen more and more government workers who really can’t wait for 5pm Friday. They really care less about there job, just about the weekend. In my opinion, that is not a healthy way to live. Sure some may not have much of a choice, but I believe, a person should at least enjoy what they do. Am I completely wrong about this observation? I have always wanted to do something I love, and that is what I am doing. Sure the money is not very good now, but it will start coming. If I am doing something I’m passionate about and willing to do without being paid, wont the end product be better?

To go off that thought and on to entrepreneurs, where are you by the way? Again, just an observation, which I  may be pulling from left field, but are those government jobs taking away from those who probably have great ideas a business but don’t want to risk it. If you look at other cities and towns around the country you’ll see small start-ups all over the place. Sure there is government, but it never seems as prominent. Maybe it is just the demographic of Yellowknife, and we can’t support both.

It seems that if you are an entrepreneur in this town you need to be well-connected to get off the ground, which is rare, unless you are high up. So when you have someone like me, who is not connected, it take a lot of work, time, sweat, blood, and money! I would love to see more in this town for small entrepreneurs, other than government funding. One idea I had, which I got from another town, was a possible sub-chamber off of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce, but categorize for those under 35 or less that 20 or 10 employees. I’m not sure how exactly it would work, but something where a group of similar like-minded people could come together and support each other however that can.

These are just some scrambled thoughts from a small town entrepreneur who is building a business around a very new medium. Lets get the discussion going. Am I completely bonkers and out of my mind? Or do you see something similar? Hey and if you’re a small business owner trying to make your passion work, give me a shout. I want to help out the little guys (and the big guys).

Back in March, I first learned that a young artist by the name of Michael Bernard Fitzgerald would be coming to the 30th annual Folk on the Rocks festival in July. At the time I didn’t think much of it, I didn’t think much of him. I had never heard of him before, that was until I listen to some of his stuff on Youtube. Then on iTunes where I bought a couple songs, at which point I was pretty much hooked.

Originally I had planned to write about how I had heard rumors that people were disappointed about the line-up for this years festival and how I didn’t agree, considering I’ve heard Michael Bernard Fitzgerald music everywhere. I was going to write all that but as time grew near to Folk on the Rocks I kept putting it off. That was until I got the ambition to make the video below. The overall question I ask is, what is your feeling about the up coming festival?

If you are at work and can’t watch the video, email yourself the link. It is definitely worth watching me make a fool of myself. Also make sure you watch MBF’s music video to understand what the heck I’m doing on the grass. Once you watch it leave a comment about what you this this years Folk on the Rocks will be like!

Tourism week is happening right now and goes until Sunday, June 13. This is a nation wide celebration highlighting the economic impact and social benefits tourism has in Canada. The week-long event, which is held annually is to recognize the $71 billion contribution tourism has in the Canadian economy. It is also the largest renewable resource-based industry in the NWT, worth more than $133 million last year.

Minister of ITI, Bob McLeod says:

The tourism industry has the potential to create successful ventures in each of our 33 communities and Tourism Week is an opportunity to highlight our industry and the people involved in it. Tourism is a sustainable sector and contributes to diversifying our economy and providing all of our communities with jobs and business opportunities.

Tourism is something I hold very high. I love promoting, this town and sharing it will anyone who will listen. I have worked in and out of the Tourism industry in this town for the past 10 year and hope to get back into it. Along with the Fun in the Sun Golf Tournament happening this Friday, there will also be a BBQ at the Northern Frontier Visitor Centre on June 13, in conjunction with the opening of the weekend Arts Market.

Like I mentioned above, tourism is something every important to me and I could probably write about it all day long, but I wont. What I want to know is what does Tourism in Yellowknife/NWT mean to you?

Last week a controversial article from the Toronto Star was brought to the attention of many local twitter users. The article was about this journalist’s experience at Yellowknife’s famous Old Town Bistro, Bullocks Bistro. The writer went on about how the service wasn’t that greats, the food wasn’t all that good and how the bill at the end of the night was atrocious. She closed the article by saying the sign going into the bistro should be taken seriously: “Hot Beer, Lousy Food, Bad Service: Welcome. Have a Nice Day.”

This article kind of bent me the wrong way. Obviously, I want to defend our own and tell this writer they are a complete wacko and don’t understand our northern ways, but maybe that would be just adding fuel to the fire. Maybe she’s right, maybe she has been the only one with a backbone to say something. I want to direct you for a second to another local blogger. This local blogger at the time (last summer) was rather knew to town and had a fresh perspective of the place. Well she went to Bullocks to try the place and went home questioning it. She published a blog post about how she was purely surprised at the service and the soggy fries, among other things.

When she published that post about her experience at Bullocks another local blogger (Most of us are friends) had some suggestions about how to dine at Bullocks and even offered to go with her. So they went to Bullocks, expect this time blogger 1 was in the hands a blogger 2, a life long Yellowknifer. Needless to say blogger 1 had a much better time and once again wrote about her experience, this time being a good one.

So lets look at what we have here. Two different people go to Bullocks who know little of the place and town. They both leave with the same experience, somewhat lousy. One goes back with an “experienced” Yellowknifer and has a wonderful time. I guess what I see here is that you need to know what you’re doing at Bullocks to have a good experience. Is this true Yellowknife? I don’t want to think so but…

I have been to Bullocks a couple times over the years, so before you jump down my throat keep that in mind, and quite honestly never found it all that bad, granted I’m a very relaxed customer at restaurants. The place has a real authentic “old town” feel to it, which I much enjoy and I think most others do as well.

That being said, what have your experiences at Bullocks Bistro been like? What would you change or keep the same? Do you think this Toronto Columnist is off her rocker? What advice would you give to a first time goer?

I’m definitely not trying to cut Bullocks down by any means, just trying to figure out where this article in the Toronto Star came from. Maybe she did just have a fluke of a bad time. What I do fear though is if we Yellowknifers have a different perspective on the bistro, than a visitor. Tourism is a big part of our economy and I would hate for an article, like The Star’s one, to be the beginning of the end for our beloved bistro’s reputation for having some of the best fish and chips in Canada.

This is a Guest Post from GordUpNorth. If you’d like to submit a Guest Post go to http://ykonline.ca/contribute

Personally I feel the transit system is average when compared to other cities. We do not have a huge number of lines, due to the low population, and low ridership. From what I have seen, they have responded quite well to riders when changes are requested, but it is limited to what their budget and what the number of riders really determine.

One thing to note about the transit system are the drivers, I have never had a bad experience with a driver, they have always been very helpful and positive in any circumstance I have witness. However, the bus routes do frustrate me at times, the complexity of the routes to hit certain locations seems scattered, though the logic is understood when you see the locations they are seeking to provide service to. To get from down town to co-op, you end up taking such an enormous tour of the residential part of the city, timing wise, it is better for me to just drive.

Just my opinion, I am sure many people have different opinions, it is good to see transit is actively trying to share their planning with the public, my desire would be for a similar tour to be held at a later time. I would guess that 90% of the people that were interested in such a tour do not have the luxury of taking 2 hours off from work in the middle of the day for this tour. Reporters and councilors sure, that’s their job, but residents that have day-time jobs…. It was no wonder not too many attended.

Have something to add? Leave a comment and start the discussion!

Monday at 12:17pm I had the pleasure to jump on one of Yellowknife’s public transit buses and go for a tour of our transit system.  I was joined with a few of the public, members of the transit council and 4 City Councilors as we traveled around Yellowknife.

Many things were discussed on the ride that explain our transit system. Things such as proposed new route, travel time and transfer access, among other things. From what I gather from being on the ride, the City is trying their best to have the best possible transit system for the people of Yellowknife. Councilors and transit members did an excellent job discussing ideas and possibilities. There was even talk about somehow getting the Transit System on Twitter and Facebook to deliver up to date information to the people of Yellowknife.

It was unfortunate that more residents of Yellowknife did not attend the tour to voice their thoughts, but over all it was an enlightening experience. I’m curious to know if any of our readers have any thoughts on the Yellowknife Transit System. What don’t you like? What could be improved?

Lloyd and Paul

Lloyd and Amanda discussing timing

Paul showing off Transit Map

Transferring Buses

Driving a bus is serious business

Today, Saturday March 26, 2010, is the grand opening of Canadian Tire’s Bait and Tackle Shop. The shop is really just a revamped version of the stores outdoor section but nonetheless has more than what they use to. Assumptions can be made that the extension of this newly named Bait and Tackle section is to satisfy the outdoor enthusiasts of Yellowknife after the closure of Wolverine Sports.

Reports in the local paper say that Wolverine Sports could not keep up with the big box stores, like Canadian Tire and Walmart, and had no choice but to close. At the same time many Yellowknifers would probably protest and say that although Canadian Tire and Walmart have some selection, Wolverine had better and also had more knowledgeable staff on hand. From experience of being an outfitter, I would always take clients to Wolverine Sports first as I knew their staff could help my clients. Wolverine Sports was also one of the last spots in town a person could get specific maps of the local areas.

Saying that about Wolverine Sports is not to say that the Big Box stores intentionally ran them out, it is just the way business goes. I praise Canadian Tire for making the effort to serve Yellowknife better by expanding their Outdoor Section and for listening when we spoke about the issue. Walking through the aisles there is definitely more stock among the shelves and things look positive. Another promising point would be that a past Wolverine Sports staff member is now working in the new Bait and Tackle Shop, so you can hopefully expect a similar service experience.

Now it is your turn, Yellowknife. What do we think of Canadian Tire’s effort to please the outdoor enthusiasts? Will they fill the void the Wolverine’s has made? What about Firearms, who is going to be the local supplier for them? Let us know your thoughts on any of this below in the comments or by e-mail to info@ykonline.ca

A couple weeks ago I started hearing rumors that Google Street View was slowly being released or something or rather. People were telling me it was on the iPhone already through Google Earth’s app, others were saying you needed a special app. Whatever the method they told me it doesn’t matter now because Google Street View has been launched completely for Yellowknife.

You are now able to explorer Yellowknife without ever leaving your house. Is that the way the world is going? But seriously now having this available for Yellowknife it gives those interested in visiting or moving to the north the opportunity to explore our streets with out having to spend huge amounts of money.

Unfortunately I had just left town when the Google Car arrived in Yellowknife, so I wasn’t able to get into any of the photos. What a marketing ploy that would have been. Did you try and get into any of the photos, if you did send me where and maybe you’ll get featured here on YkOnline.

I can’t really think of any bad reasons why Yellowknife shouldn’t be mapped online for the world to see, but I’m all for promoting our city and the north online. What do you think the pros and cons are?

Yesterday was a crazy day I don’t really remember what happened. I did manage to do one thing though and that was read the paper. I know it is not what others might do, but the mystery of the UFO caught my eye. Although the UFO is not the reason I am writing this, the Yellowknife Bay regulations is. I am going to keep this short, like really short as I am trying to get this done between jobs.

The issue I want to discuss with you is about the houseboaters. The City of Yellowknife and INAC want to regulate Yellowknife Bay as they believe it is becoming crowded with houseboats, planes and boats. So what was brought up was the issue of restrictions being put on houseboaters or rather those wanting to build a houseboat. At the moment there are no restrictions as far as I’m aware. Regulating the harbor would include such things like speeds, buildings, development, etc.

To go a little off topic, I believe the Yellowknife Bay house boats are a tourist attraction. Where else in Canada will you find a floating house community. It is just flat-out neat.

My question is should there be restrictions on where and how houseboats are built? I realize this post isn’t up to par and I will come back on this when I’m in a better state of mind.