Category: Fauna


Dead Beaver

Filed under: -Photography, Environment, Fauna by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 3, 2014
File photo live beaver on the Nicola River. Photo:KIDG

File photo live beaver on the Nicola River.
Photo:KIDG

Beaver, one of the national symbols of Canada, an image of industry, tireless work and thrift ( on the nickel). We never expect them to be seen in a less the desirable circumstance!

On the weekend we came upon a dead medium size beaver on a beach of a local river. With a clutch of poplar sticks drawn up behind him he lay about 6 feet ahead on an open beach, tail flat on its stomach and resting its head on a forepaw in a dignified spread. Maybe winter kill with no signs of trauma. with great respect we came back several times and we somewhat amazed at its condition that it was no being taken as carrion by birds or coyotes but remained in its stretch producing several moments of wonder with us.

Heres to you Mr>Beaver in your image and likness to our selfs we wish you luck as you continue to be our symbol one step ahead of the penny.

Editors note: Beavers can be trapped in season by licensed trappers and they can be moved on by destroying their homes but a permit is required to do so. Aviod touching dead or sickly beavers as they carry a bacteria and can give you parasites.

Today in history: April 11th 1976

The Apple 1 computer is released.

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Search and Rescue forum

Filed under: Crime and punishment, Public health, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 1, 2014

 

Local river 27/1/11 Photo KDG

There is a community meeting coming to the Merritt in respect to search and rescue. Hosted by the Nicola Valley Search and Rescue society, it highlights the society formed to provide recovery activities after a demonstrated need occurred when two young men drowned in their canoe on Nicola Lake.The meeting place is at the local community college NVIT Nicola Valley Institute of Technology on Belshaw Avenue in Merritt.

The presentation is billed as being by the founders of the recovery society and is on April 13th at 1pm.

Search and rescue goes to a recovery phase after a certain time passes.

Update: The mission Statement of the Legacy Water Search and recovery as a non-profit society is to search and safely recover drowning victims with innovative technology. They are committed to provide victim’s families with emotional support and drowning prevention education to the public.

The groups inspiration came from the activities of Gene and Sandy Ralston, who for only expenses have traveled thousands of miles in North America. The Ralston’ have used advances in key technologies such as side scan sonar and remote operated vehicles to search and recover victims in very deep water.

The Ralstons and associates efforts have lead to the recovery of 90 victims of drowning since 2000. source Legacy Water Search and Recovery brochure.

At this time they are looking for support to purchase equipment, they can be contacted at  their web site  http://www.legacywatersearch.com .
Today in history: April 1st 1891

The Wrigley company is founded in Chicago Illinois

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Fish by prohibited method

Filed under: Crime and punishment, Environment, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
March 13, 2014

So you just can’t catch a fish by any method at all.  A 50 dollar fine under section 63 for not fishing by an approved method is probably a reasonable action in conservation. Using tree pronged hooks or nets or barbed hooks on certain lakes or streams can get you in trouble.  When ever you break a regulation you put  your equipment at risk for seizure. People in the past have lost trucks and campers as well as the fishing rods  and tackle or even boats. Little points like only having two days limit when transporting or not leaving heads and tails on can get you into real dutch.

The conservation people encourage reporting of  poaching and other  infractions including illegal dumping and using deactivated roads.

Regulations are available when licencing and need to be heeded. http://www.britishcolumbia.com/fishing/?id=28

Today in History: March 13 1964

Research into the bystander effect is begun after Kitty Genovese is murdered in full view of her neighbours who do nothing to stop it.

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TGIF – First nations education

Filed under: First Nations People, Public health, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
March 7, 2014

There has been a real transition to self-governing among the First Nations people’s in the Nicola Valley.  Some real markers for the recapture of a near dead culture are here. NVIT is a first nations run public college, it has agreements with major universities for university transfer. They use the facility for traditional feasts and have a FN language dean.

Located behind the senior highschool is a mock-up pit house with architecture that models the original design and demonstrates the importance of circular dynamics of meetings. The Provincial park at Nicola lake also has ancient pit house remains as a topical interest.

The healing of local natives is in some ways apparent including a marked departure from excessive drinking and there is fewer tragic accidents in the last half decade.

The aboriginal mine training association posts employment goals in the near 1000 range and is well on its way to achieving.

There are catagory two, grade schools that are government certified including one at Douglas Lake, featuring kindergarten to grade twelve. nkwala@uppernicolaband.com

Kudos to visionaries like the late Grand Chief Gordon Antoine for his clear vision and patient resolve to create conditions for success.

Today in history: March 7th 1994

The United States Supreme court rules that parodies of an original work is  acceptable under the fair use provision.

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By election result

Filed under: Politics and Politicians, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
February 24, 2014

Candidate Menard won the local by-election for city council on Saturday.  The only of the six candidates to get more than 200 votes.

Neil Menard has an honorable discharge from the Navy and has a background in the IWA union where he was employed in administration for  decades. ( source NM all candidates forum)

He is purported to be a BCJHL hockey supporter, Merritt boasts the longest existing franchise in the league 41 years

Today in history: February 24th 2008

Fidel Castro retires as Cuba’s president after 50 years.

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Family Day -free swim

Filed under: Public health, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
February 6, 2014

Monday the 10th of February is BC Family Day. This is the second year that the  legal holiday is being observed.

The Nicola Valley Aquatic center is offering some free events as well as a free swim from 1 to 4 pm on the 10th.

Family day is a holiday in other provinces but some are on the 17th of February.

Today in history: February 6th 1959

The patent for the first integrated circuit is filed by Jack Kilby of Texas instruments.

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Fish and Game Banquet

Filed under: Fauna, Fish by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
February 4, 2014

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.

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Kon-Tiki

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Environment, Fish, Flora by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
February 3, 2014

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 .

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Survey Stakes

Filed under: Environment, Public health, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
January 27, 2014

The Hydro authority has been busy with the construction of a third 500 kilovolt line to the lower mainland from t the Revelstoke dam. lost in the shuffle has been a relatively minor additional line  to the Highland Valley from the Merritt Substation. The huge Teck corporation open-pit moly and copper mine is there and has been having its mill expanded.

The line to a substation in the Highland valley will replace an existing one that follows Voght street in Merritt now. The line in the 60 thousand volt range  will be replaced with a 130 thousand volt range line.

It was also planned that a cogeneration plant from a local saw mill burning green wood waste would add to the electrical production going to the Highland valley.

There is no word on the cogeneration project however on the weekend it was observed that the survey stakes have been placed for the new branch line. The new line follows the Coquihalla highway 5 north for away then heads to the Highland valley. survey stakes go right through Extra foods and Coyote bluffs residential development to the Merritt substation site that is currently being upgraded.

The line also follows an existing  just outrside Merritt Telus fiber line and comes close to a high pressure pipeline to Burnaby before veering off north of Saunders field  the local airstrip outside Merritt city limits.

The province has put up signs saying that BC has 95 percent green energy at at least one EV charging site.

Today in history: January 27th 1961

The Soviet submarine S-80 sinks with all hands.

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Public hearings

Filed under: Climate, Environment, First Nations People, Government Works, Politics and Politicians, Public health, Social Activism, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
January 17, 2014

The time to be heard at the public process for the Kinder Morgan  twinning project application is fast approaching. opening on Wednesday the 14th and ending on February 12th you must apply to the National Energy board to make a submission.

Here is the contact info according to Trans Mountain Pipeline; Kinder Morgans subsidiary and active agent in this application.

Grass seeding at a construction site in Merritt Photo KDG

Grass seeding at a construction site in Merritt
File: Photo KDG

Trans Mountain notes an error in the email notification that was sent to you this afternoon on behalf of the National Energy Board.

The correct email address for the National Energy Board’s Process Advisor, Reny Chakkalakal is transmountainpipeline.hearing@neb-one.gc.ca.

The National Energy Board (NEB) has issued an Application to Participate Notification about the hearing process for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.

Those who wish to take part in the NEB hearing must apply to participate. The application to take part is on the NEB’s website at:

www.neb-one.gc.ca select Major Applications and Projects, then Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC – Trans Mountain Expansion.

Applications to participate in the NEB Hearing are due on or before noon on 12 February 2014.

If you need more information, the NEB has appointed Ms. Reny Chakkalakal as Process Advisor to give assistance.

Ms. Reny Chakkalakal Process Advisor, NEB E-mail: transmountainpipeline.hearing@neb-one.gc.ca  Telephone (toll free): 1-800-899-1265

The notice is also posted on the Trans Mountain website. You can read the full notice here.
Sincerely, The Trans Mountain Expansion Project Team

Today in history: January 17th 1946, 2007

The UN security council holds its first meeting.

The doomsday clock goes to 5 minutes to midnight in response to North Korean nuclear testing.

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Maury Sinclair

Filed under: Fish by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
January 16, 2014

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

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Flu

Filed under: Public health by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
January 6, 2014

 

Flu shots in the public interest (free) ended at the end of November here. The flu season is November to April . most everyone can benefit from a flu shot. and it may keep you from a unpleasent run of  sickness.

Travel centers are available for those that may be going out of the country. Your resistance to flu that originates in other counties could be poor.

There is information on shots here: http://immunizebc.ca/clinics/flu

 

Today in history: January 6th 1986

Paul McShane Irish football player born.

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