Category: Fish


Pallets are money

Wooded pallets for moving beer are made from oak. Photo KDG

Wooded pallets for moving beer are made from oak.
Photo KDG

Sources says that pallets can cost about 85 dollars a piece and that one supplier of brew in kegs may have a thousand of them. That’s near 6 figures in capital. the one for moving beer kegs are made of Oak. Oak is cut in the province of Quebec here in Canada.

Toxic to some:

The leaves and acorns of the oak tree are poisonous to cattle, horses, sheep, and goats in large amounts due to the toxin tannic acid, and cause kidney damage and gastroenteritis. Additionally, once livestock have a taste for the leaves and acorns, they may seek them out.[clarification needed] Symptoms of poisoning include lack of appetite, depression, constipation, diarrhea (which may contain blood), blood in urine, and colic. The exception to livestock and oak toxicity is the domestic pig, which may be fed entirely on acorns in the right conditions, and has traditionally been pastured in oak woodlands (such as the Spanish dehesa and the English system of pannage) for hundreds of years.
Acorns are also edible to humans in processed form, after leaching of the tannins. source Wikipedia

Oak is used because of it’s strength and the prestige of its name, often in furniture and trim in expensive buildings. Pallets can be a valuable source of recyclable material.

Make a Relationship with Local Business People You Deal With on a Regular Basis Over the years, I’ve chatted up more than my share of produce department managers. Yes, part of this friendliness was totally self-serving. I was looking for empty cardboard boxes for a household move, and then in later years, to move the kids to college. The same approach can work for pallets. If you are looking for a specific type of pallet, and you are a valued customer, good things can happen. You should understand, however, that some reusable pallets have to go back to suppliers. These may be rental pallets that are the property of those companies, or other reusable pallets that must be returned. Many shop operators, however, have pallets they will happily give away if it is not too much of a hassle to segregate them for you./p>  source:http://recycling.about.com/od/Scrap_Theft/a/Five-Great-Places-To-Find-Free-Or-Low-Cost-Pallets.htm

 

Today in history: November 13th 1986
Kevin Bridges Scottish comedian and actor born.

Nicola Naturalist Society

The local Naturalists had there AGM on September 18th, they reported 63 members after its 4th Year of operation. they have a schedule of monthly meetings in the non summer part of what they do. Speakers included Bruce Archibald ( Fossils of the BC interior),Richard Doucette, ( mine reclamation) Barbara Pryce ( nature conservancy of Canada) and they reported others. The group had outings over the year including the Christmas bird count, Spius Creek Hatchery, and many frogging outings. They had two nature presentation in elementary schools by members. They report their website as having 5 50 visits on average per month, http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/ .They report a healthy balance sheet with a three fold increase in income over last year to $14,119.11 after paying $11,259.62 in expenses they had a net income of 2,859.49. The club has a balance of $6,936.02 in cash and $4,310.26 in assets, with outstanding liabilities of 75 dollars in cheques to clear, and 1500 dollars in liability to BC nature. they report 15 dollars in petty cash reserve. Directors for 2014/15: Alan Burger Norm Hanson D. Kerridge Anne Pang Chris Lepsol Margret Carlson

The next meeting is on October 16th 2014 with Doreen Olson on the Similkameen Natural park proposal, the presentation starts at 7:00 in the NVIT Lecture Theater

Today in history, October 8th 1904 The Canadian City of Edmonton Alberta is incorporated.

Nicola Naturalists

The local naturalists are starting their fall/winter program on Thursday the 18th, they will have their member photo night and annual meeting at 7 PM in room 0001.
President Alan Burger, a PHD and artic explorer is the president at this time, and will present a brief AGM. The group has monthly meetings with guest speakers open to the public with a request for membership or donation.

Today in history: September 18th 1906

A typoon kills ten thousand people in Hong Kong.

Spawning salmon

Salmon, Photo: KDG

Salmon, Photo: KDG

Returning salmon, look for spawning opportunity, Photo KDG

Returning salmon, look for spawning opportunity, Photo KDG

Returning salmon, look for spawning opportunity, Photo KDG[/caption]Salmon are seen in the Coldwater River, some dead after spawning some still looking for the right bit of gravel bed that was the water temperature from the time  the fish were fry here. Water temperature is all important for the navigation of returning salmon.

Black bears are also being seen near the water of the two rivers that meet in our Nicola Avenue, with piles of scat about town it makes for a caution that needs to be respected.

Today in history: September 16th 1987

The Montreal accord is signed for the protection of the ozone layer:

Bears about!

bears leaving fish in park

A fish dropped by bears when feeding. file photo KDG

A lady reported that bears have been about and one took a piece out of her iron gate. Helen a resident of the north end of Garcia street says that a big black bear is about and a mother with two cubs.

Its been said that when bears are feeding on meat they are more dangerous to people then when eating berries and grubs, regardless care should be taken  the regional district has a bear aware program.

Bears On The Prowl Before Hibernation

Thompson-Nicola Regional District

tnrd.ca

For Immediate Release (November 19/12): The Bear Aware program and the Thompson-

Nicola Regional District would like to remind everyone to ensure their community stays free of

bear attractants this month as bears make final preparations for hibernation. Bears aim to gain

two to five pounds per day during this period, so they are on the lookout for any easy meals.

Surveys conducted in the last two weeks revealed that

garbage bins, barbecues, and yard waste are the top three bear

attractants in many neighbourhoods. Compost, bird seed, and

outdoor fridges make up the rest of the items noted in the surveys.

Bears have recently been sighted throughout the TNRD

and reports indicate that garbage left outside was the attractant

in most cases. Help your neighbourhood be Bear Aware this

year and next by following these simple steps:

• Store garbage inside or in a bear-proof container until disposal. Do not put garbage

outside the night before pick-up.

• Do not place bird feeders outside until Dec. 1.

• Keep barbecues clean and free of residual food and grease.

• Feed pets inside and store pet food indoors.

• Mix compost regularly or treat with lime to reduce odour.

• Pick any remaining fruit and share with friends if you have too much to handle.

The Bear Aware program would also like to extend a warm welcome to two new

enthusiastic volunteers in Clearwater.

To view bear sightings in your area, check out the new Bear Aware interactive online map

at http://www.bearaware.bc.ca that locates bears and identifies attractants. For more on bears sightings,

go to http://www.facebook.com/BearAwareBC.

The Bear Aware program is sponsored by the TNRD and the Ministry of Environment.

Please report sightings or conflicts with bears to the Conservation Officer Service’s RAPP hotline

at 1.877.952.7277.

Bears and humans cannot coexist at some point there will be an action taken.

Today in history September 11 1941:

Ground is broken for the Pentagon</code>

photo: KDG

The sun the source of all energy Photo: KDG

The current monarch of Great Britain just celebrated her 88th birthday, that was the official birthday it is celebrated some months apart from her actual one. Elizabeth the second was born on April 22 1926. She was crowned in 1952 on February 6th. Her ancestor Victoria was monarch for 67 years, she has served 62 years and 4 months to this time making her 93 years old to reach the record of Victoria. She has caught  up to George the 3rd who reigned 3 months short of 60 years  to take the second longest crowned monarch in Great Britain.

The Crown of Great Britain has not got power in Canada any longer, neither do her ministers, the legal governing authority is  the Parliament of Canada, however we are not representative government as the Americans are. Referendums and other actions are not binding on Parliament however the parliament can only last 5 years without a general election by the people. The Queen is still technically the commander in chief of our armed forces through the Governor General, this is ceremonial and not functional as the Chief of the defence staff, usually a military officer, is accountable to the Cabinet for this, which can make decisions according to the laws parliament arms them with.

The whole thing is dependant on people who vote in or out members of parliament. Private business is subject to laws of parliament which include permits and regulations that they seek to have as advantageous as possible to their interests. The invisible hand of market capitalism is less invisible in Canada then in the US.

The public interest is something more directly valued then the trickle down sentiment in the US and the recent letting of permission by the Federal Cabinet for a pipeline in British Columbia has many demands above simple economics here. The 209 conditions are as potent now as they were before the approval. As are the 5 conditions of the province.

A birth right extends to all Canadians with residual benefit to her commonwealth historical links as a trickling effect. We value our resources and expect the spending of them to be responsible and as sustainable as possible. An as the implementation of their use comes about, that they would not be dispersed as a drunken resource binge. That public safety and enjoyment of aesthetics will be as important as wealth creation.

So to those that historically braved the seas and risked life and limb for the future peace and prosperity of nations, such as David Thompson,and Simon Fraser ,we say, good day!

Editors Note: lots of luck and good fortune to the federal MPs in British Columbia

Today in history: June 20th 1837

Queen Victoria  becomes monarch of Great Britain.

Fish and Game Banquet

The local fish and game club is having a banquet on March 8th ,2014. The club calls this a big event and is looking for help to organize and present it.

The Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club has events such as trap shoots, it has a junior firearms program and ice fishing derby, they are involved in the Core firearms safety program in the schools  having 21 grads this year according to the December newsletter.

B.J. Moore is in charge of the Archery program and is promising 3D archery this spring.

They can be contacted through their communications person: Othmar.Vohringer@yahoo.ca

www.nvfishandgameclub.ca

Today in history: February 4th 2004

Facebook is founded by Mark Zukerburg.

Kon-Tiki

The Nicola Valley Film Society is putting on Kon Tiki on February 17th at 7:30 PM  in the Lecture Theater of the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology.

This is a Norway /Denmark/ UK “2012” . The film has a G rating.

The film is about  travel by raft by Thor Heyerdahl. The voyage  was used to document ability of migration of Polynesian people from South America in antiquity. The film will be with out violence and intrigue and should be a pleasant departure from some of the programing we are used to seeing.

The raft traveled an average of 42.5 miles a day and the voyage took 101 days.  The navigation was not aided by modern navigation and relied on currents such as the Humboldt current and winds. This film is based on a true story of naturalist endeavor.

The film starts at 7:30 and season ticket holders need to be there before 7:15 to make sure of seating. No food or drink in the lecture theater. There is free parking at the college. NVIT is at 4155 Belshaw Avenue Merritt BC Canada.

http://www.kontikidefilm.com/#expeditie

Today in history: February 3rd 1967

Ronald Ryan is hanged, being the last execution in Australia .

Maury Sinclair

DSC_2115

Maury Sinclair resident of Merritt British Columbia, and founder of Broads with rods. Lived at 2137 Nicola avenue for a several years. She was a fishing guide for many years. Maury showed us her fathers fishing licence, one that had no expiry date and was issued early in the 2oth century. It was metal and she sometimes wore it on a chain as a necklace.

http://broadswithrodsonline.vpweb.ca/

Maury served on the hospital ship the USS Hope of the coast of Africa and was a nurse and dentist. Although in the Canadian Navy she was attached to the US Navy in an engagement program.

She went to university in the Carolina’s and had an appreciation and world view for diversity and reconciliation.

She would come for coffee ant the downtown tourist booth in Merritt with her small white dog that she rescued when it was beaten by a drunken owner. The dog always wore a jacket or a sweater and was a cute as a button.

We understand she has moved on to better conditions and we at the PR would like to say a dew.

Today in history: January 16th 1973

The Bonanza show has its last episode on NBC

Spade foot

The local naturalists are having a presentation on the Spade foot on the 18th of April.

The northern limit of the great basin Spadefoot is the subject of the evening.

The naturalists also enjoy a presentation of members wildlife pictures before the main presentation as well.  Gerry Sanford and freelance published author Murphy Shewchuck are some of the members that regularly share unique captures at the pre presentation.

The event begins at 7:00 at the local community college lecture theater NVIT, 4155 Belshaw Avenue in Merritt.

Today in History:  April 11,1976

The apple 1 is created.

22-wmr

A spent casing for this weapon was found on the walk path on Voght . The casing was in the middle of the path and was in an area where vehicles don”t often pull over. Baring some child playing with it we remind you readers that discharging a fire arm in City limits is illegal and a wounded bear can be more dangerous then a healthy one with a clear path of escape.

Today in history: October 1st 331 BC

King Darius the third is defeated by the Macedonians in the battle of Gaugamela.

Have a great weekend, and visit merit and malice and rate them

Alan  Burger and the Naturalists presented their AGM. Last evening at the local college room 001,financial statements ,and newsletters as well as reports all clear and concise.:Opinion

The society bought two Kyac boots last year and acquired 3 GPS mapping units. They accounted for the work and cost of their amphibian mapping count and after adjourning the business meeting went to a members picture contest, where 29 blind slides were shown as each member in the voting bar had three votes to pick a winner. And the winner was Jack Madrigas with a capture of a Great Grey Owl.Jack is the secretary and his wife the treasurer.

The society added two directors to bring the count to 7 and they will decide the executive roles at the first directors meeting. The group have a website.

http://www.nicolanaturalists.ca/

The next event is October the 10th at NVIT. The provincial naturalist president will be showing at the lecture theater.

Today in history: September 21 1991

Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the United States first Female Supreme Court Justice