Opinions. Not so fantastic plastic My two cents on Canada’s new bills By Eric Wilkins, Staff Writer o you often find yourself D leaving your hard-earned dough in a cup of fluids? Have you found that you have an incredible desire to rip a twenty- dollar bill to shreds? Does it bother you that our current paper money is merely translucent instead of transparent? If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then you should likely seek professional help. But while you're waiting for treatment, you will be pleased to hear about Canada’s new plastic bills! simply stain-resistant, and, as such, may be dipped in your favourite beverage should you so desire. The new greenbacks/rainbow-backs are also near impossible to rip if what the government tells us is true. With this point in mind, try it; I dare you. I personally am not a huge fan of the new bills. I know that Canadian currency already has a tendency to look like play money, but these new bills, despite being almost twice the production cost, look cheap. Oh the irony. It’s also not a huge selling point for me that our new cash is practically “Yes, there are some completely unnecessary ‘improvements, but is it really worth the extra cost?” In this lovely month of November, the Canadian Government has released polymer bills unto the public. These new bills are supposedly almost impossible to counterfeit. Beginning with this month, it will now be possible to pick up a brand-spanking-new plastic hundred-dollar bill. In order to pick up a fifty, twenty, ten, or five- dollar bill though, one will need to wait until March of 2012 (for the fifty) or late 2013. One of the much advertised facts about these new bills is that they will last almost three times longer than the current paper currency; the standard bill in my wallet can’t seem to last longer than a day or two, so this new longer-lasting bill will be great! As suggested by the opening questions, the new slips buck tradition in more than one way. They, being plastic, are much closer to being stain-proof than 14 waterproof; for the little time that money actually resides in my wallet, it generally stays there out of harm’s way, not on a table or counter where spills might become an issue. I have yet to actually hold the new moola in my own hands, but the image in my mind is something akin to a laminated sort of feel. When I think laminated, I think one of those cheap to middle-class establishments with laminated menus that have dried and still-sticky food stains on them. I have no wish to place a sticky laminated menu in my wallet. I can’t think of any real positives for our new legal tender outside of the fact that it will cut down on counterfeiting. Yes, there are some completely unnecessary “improvements,” but is it really worth the extra cost? I suppose at the very least, the see-through window provides a relatively inconspicuous way for some people-watching. Yay? Off Campus Cuisine: The Crab Shop Crustacean cuisine at the Quay is a keeper By Bryce Tarling Does cafeteria food fail to cater to your taste buds? Not digging the Dougout? Then grab your finest bib and try to avoid drooling on the person next to you, because we’re here to offer salvation for you students looking to humble your hunger, without having to wear out your shoes getting there. here’s just something about | eating fish and chips down by the water that makes it all the more tastier. Students looking for a place to go between classes might want to take a trip down to the Westminster Quay to check out 1—Piece Cod ’n Chips offers a nice, thick piece of fish, encrusted in a seasoned and crispy batter. The chips aren’t fresh-cut, but they fry them to a nice golden crisp, and you get a decent amount of them. For $6, it’s not bad for a student grab-and-go—and it comes with a tub of tartar sauce. Those with a bit more expensive taste can opt for the halibut meal, which starts at $10 for a 1—-Piece Meal. I also tried the One Fish Taco & Small Chowder Combo for $6.95. The fish in the taco is likely primarily composed of leftover “The real draw of the Crab Shop—and what gives the shop its “fresh,” credibility—is the open kitchen and seafood tanks with live crabs, an assortment of shellfish, and even a few starfish floating about.” the recently opened Crab Shop. The place caters to people looking for a quick meal, or who want to pick up some fresh seafood to cook up at home. The real draw of the Crab Shop—and what gives the shop its “fresh,” credibility—is the open kitchen and seafood tanks with live crabs, an assortment of shellfish, and even a few starfish floating about. And before you ask, the answer is “no”—unless you're roaming the Wangfujing Night Market in Beijing, you don’t typically eat the starfish. Aside from the live seafood, the shop offers a good selection of casual fare that can be eaten at the small counter inside the shop, or taken out to tables in the common area of the market. The take-out menu features a good selection of fish and chips, seafood burgers, sandwiches, and soups. All around the Quay, there are signs boasting “The Best Fish and Chips in New Westminster.” Whether that’s fact or not, the Crab Shop sure didn’t disappoint. The bits, but they’re nicely seasoned and the cabbage gives it a good crunch. Though, if you bring your appetite, just one taco might not be enough to fill up on. The soup had a thin creamy broth, seasoned with plenty of dill. It was a bit light on the seafood—from what I could tell: clams and chunks of salmon—but offered a good array of vegetables. If you’re on a student's budget, you might want to bring your own drink because the place doesn’t offer any fountain drinks—just cans and bottles. It’s great to see that the Quay is finally starting to come back. Even though it was raining on a Saturday, and bitterly cold, there were people milling about at the craft fair where a guitarist belted out campy takes on some old Creedance Clearwater classics. The Crab Shop is located in the newly redesigned “River Market” at the New Westminster Quay, Unit #116. They also have a second location in North Vancouver.