Category: Sports and Leisure


Download Speeds Netflix

We will see if some accounts of 100 megabits per second will stand, for now here is some info on broadband applications we think is accurate. One thing for sure there is a lot of utilities activities in the small central interior City of Merritt.

The upgrade and stitching of Telus fiber optics is in full charge. A line worker said that this community is lucky as we will have the highest speed internet available. “Good for Netflix, digital to the home”. Telus is also installing some new poles on Garcia Street, often phone lines are shared on Hydro poles and are the lower lines about 2 meters lower then power lines.

Below are the Internet download speed recommendations per stream for playing movies and TV shows through Netflix.
•0.5 Megabits per second – Required broadband connection speed
•1.5 Megabits per second – Recommended broadband connection speed
•3.0 Megabits per second – Recommended for SD quality
•5.0 Megabits per second – Recommended for HD quality
•25 Megabits per second – Recommended for Ultra HD quality, source: Netflix
HD Video Quality

Movies and TV shows that are available in high definition will play in 720p or better with a fast enough Internet connection. To watch Netflix in HD, ensure you have an HD plan, then set your video quality setting to High in the Playback Settings for your account.

A source says Telus is providing 7MB/s now and is going to 100 Megs/a second:
stichers on the site maintain it is the highest TELUS will offer meaning 10 megs or 1000 bites a second

What Internet Speeds Are Available?

While there are many rural communities that cannot even reach the 2 Mb/s speed, more of the larger cities, suburbs and urban areas have speeds available of 10 Mb/s and above. It is not limited to broadband/cable internet. In some cases internet speeds nearing 20 Mb/s from a DSL internet connection may be available.

The workers on the project puff the value of the work but it appears that an improvement is coming to this small rural community that will give the choice to those that may want it , higher speeds to watch in particular Netflix films in better definitions. Modems are a concern when matching performance to what is offered. Buyer Beware.
Editors note: David Calloway writes a good explanation of Broadband speeds here:
http://broadband.about.com/od/speedissues/a/Broadband-Speeds-Explained.htm

On this Day: November 4th 1822

Howard Carter finds the Tomb of King Tut.

Not all poles are equal File Photo KDG

Not all poles are equal
File Photo KDG

TGIF- Halloween

Halloween

Trick or Treatment

Wear reflective clothing stay safe this weekend.

On this Day: October 30th 1947
The General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs comes about.

Pacific forest Rally Oct 4-5th

Pacific Forest Rally: file photo KDG

October 23 and 24th ,2015 will see the Pacific Forest Rally, and 21 rally vehicles * brochure 33 according to a source, take to the back roads about Merritt. Dust and spills add to the excitement as the competitors drive ,through Helmer Gates, Coldwater, and Dillard rds., off 5 and 5A/97C.
Our featured event: Friday October 23rd 4:30/5:30 PM car display on Granite Avenue.

http://www.pacificforestrally.com

On this day: October 23rd 1707

The first parliament of Great Britain meets.

Bear deterrent

Bear deterrent Photo KDG

Bear deterrent
Photo KDG

Does this work a recent TV show on Alaska showed a fellow that placed spray cans in trees to stop bears ” they get an bang and a taste” He didn’t show one that had been bitten into however a first hand account of a local ranch person relates a bear biting into a spray can and there was ” no deterrent ” turns out it was a can of whipped cream. I wonder why.
The dumpster in the picture had a deer hide and horns in it illegally dumped no bites yet….
Editors note: using ammonia in balloons can blind a bear permanently and make him very dangerous.

On this day: October 21 2013

Smog closes schools in Harbin China.

Interesting cars, a lifestyle that appeals, access to cheap fuel ,open roads and some leisure time, when this car was new... File Photo KDG

Interesting cars, a lifestyle that appeals, access to cheap fuel ,open roads and some leisure time, when this car was new…
File Photo KDG

The local gas price came down a cent a liter this week . Retail gas prices have a range of value including lower efficiency ethanol content. It is good to shop around loyalty programs can also take of cents per liter.

At this writing the British Columbia average is $1.13 a liter, national average is $1.05 and the trend is rising.

https://www.gasbuddy.com/GasPrices/BC

On this day: October 9th 1604
Super Nova 1604 is observed in the Milky way.

Gliders

Glider activity Merritt BC Photo KDG

Glider activity Merritt BC
Photo KDG


There have been a couple of days this week when gliders were seen in the skies above Merritt. Gliders are mostly used for recreational purposes,however they can be used for military as well as commercial activities in hostile places.

Learning to soar is one of the least expensive ways to learn to fly. The gliders are club-owned and are simple to maintain, compared to powered aircraft. Because fuel is only consumed during the launch, the cost of flying a glider is much lower per-hour than flying a motorized aircraft. Training costs are kept low because our instructors are unpaid volunteers who simply enjoy the rewards of introducing new people to the joy of soaring. At a gliding club, everyone pitches in to hel

source:http://www.sac.ca/website/index.php/fr/home-all/learning-to-soar

On this day: October 1st 1908

The Ford Model T is marketed for $825 dollars USD

TGIF-Eclipse

Moon rising file photo KDG

Moon rising
File photo: KDG

The total lunar eclipse this weekend coincides with the end of the….. nomination period for the federal election. Elections Canada will publish all registered candidates on Sept 30th.

Update:

In the US, Canada, and Central and South America, this rare Total Lunar Eclipse of a Supermoon will begin on the evening of September 27, 2015. In Europe, South/East Asia, Africa, the Arctic, and in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans it starts after midnight on September 28, 2015.

Also called a Blood Moon this eclipse will last for about 1 hour and 12 minutes.

Is this Total Lunar Eclipse visible in Kamloops? source: http://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/lunar/2015-september-28

 

On this Day: September 25th 1890

The  US, Sequoia National park is established.

 

Dress for success

Dress's for formal events File Photo KDG

Dress’s for formal events
File Photo KDG

Fund raiser File photo KDG

Fund raiser
File photo KDG

Sometimes having an expensive dress for a grad or occasion is a barrier for young people. These file photos shows a group that made dresses for those that had trouble.
They also had a fun night to raise money for the project. It was at the Merritt Desert Inn, here in town and it was successful. No word if the activity continued.
The Merritt Desert Inn is On Voght street in Merritt and the Proprietor Melba White is a Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, as a supporter of country music including local festivals. The Hall of Fame is on the 2000 block of Quilchena Avenue here in Merritt. It is open during summer months and some long weekends displaying the inductees plaques and a 2 hr video panel of activities including a young looking
On this Day: September 23rd 1908
The University of Alberta is founded.

Land Rover.

This land rover is a rebuilt  with . Photo KDG

This land rover is a rebuilt with .
Photo KDG


Land Rovers are iconic to naturalist activity. The British built vehicle also had military application. A source says finding new parts for these in forgotten p0laces were the British military explored the world is a desirable.The vehicle above was made at a land rover business between Merritt and Spence’s bridge a number of years ago.
The 1948 to 1985 iconic style The series 1 was built by Land Rover in Solihull England. They maintain that 70 percent of the all aluminum body vehicles are still in use.
The ” series” version 1948-85 including 1,11,111 were rough riding and the transmission was not that synchronized and required skill in matching engine RPM to shifting. It remains the image most associated with the plains of Africa and deserts of the world.
Editors note this information relys on some personal experience and info from Wikipedia that calls for some more sourcing to be considered fact.

On this day September 22 1888

National Geographic magazine is first published.

Film society AGM

Osprey

Osprey in flight
File photo KDG

The Nicola Valley Film Society has its AGM on October 6th,6:30 PM  at the local public library. Its film season starts Monday at the lecture theater at the local community college. It features Pride as its first of the six films to be shown this season.

Film schedule

 

On this day: September 17th 1987

The Pope visits an Aids infected boy in San Francisco.

 

TGIF-Scrooge

Call for auditions Scrooge Photo KDG

Call for auditions
Scrooge
Photo KDG

The local congregation of the Anglican fold is looking for actors. The Church on the corner of Granite and Chapman is a historic site of this small community. meaning that it was foundational to the city and its incorporation and being at the beginning of the 20th century.

Al Clark a retired radio journalist, is an enthusiastic member and adds an air of professionalism to all activities. ( our opinion) Al worked at Q 101 and covered city business for many years, was well ahead on Bicycle Safety as being legally blind kept him from a driver’s license and helmets gave him comfort. https://www.facebook.com/al.clarke.3910?fref=ts

 

On this day: September 11th 1919
The United States invades Honduras
Editors note: Honduras has the highest murder rate in the world.Source Wikipedia

Who is after Tokyo.

The 2010 Olympics saw the Torch come through Merritt.File Photo KDG

Waiting patiently! The 2010 Olympics saw the runners for the flame come through Merritt. File Photo: KDG

The 2010 winter saw Olympic success and our community had a part in the event. Toronto has to decide if they will submit a bid after a proven record of the Pan Am games. Volunteers make Canadian Olympics unique to a degree. Lots of luck to those involved and possible future involvement. Here’s looking at 2024, and is Toronto interested in 2028.It would be Canada’s forth Olympic Venue.

Toronto had interest in bidding for the 2020 or 2024 Summer Olympics, especially after their successful bid for the 2015 Pan Am Games. However on 20 January 2014, it was revealed that Toronto would not be pursuing a 2024 Summer Olympics bid due to bidding costs and a “next to no” chance of being awarded the games competing against a strong European and United States bid. Instead, mayor Rob Ford and deputy mayor Norm Kelly suggested that 2028 could be a feasible opportunity for Toronto depending on who is awarded the 2024 Summer games.[32] Toronto previously bid for the 1996 and 2008 games, but lost out to Atlanta and Beijing respectively. source Wikipedia

On this day: September 10th 1960
A sub-Saharan athlete, Abebe Bikala wins a gold medal in running at the Rome Olympics, he does it barefooted.