You are presumed to be honest and responsible without evidence to the contrary beyond a reasonable doubt… on the balance of probablilties you are justified by 51 % likelyhood.
An Arctic front has moved in to BC again after a week break we are back to near dangerous cold. For those that are not acclimatized be careful especially with exposed flesh. When traveling there are still some non freeway roads that are with out cell phone service in the province.
Coverage areas are approximate. Actual coverage, network services and technology can vary and are subject to change. Source: http://www.comparecellular.ca/telus-coverage-maps/
A ditched car situation can start going bad fast… a safety package with warmers and survival supplies is a good investment. A grey wool blanket or facsimile can make a lot of shelter.
Monitor the weather forecast before setting out, especially in rural areas. The website TransCanada.com has advice on supplies for safety.
Editors Note: It is said that TELUS has coverage for 97 percent of the population of BC, that may mean that there is a reasonable expectation of service in proximity to populated areas.KDG
The sun is setting on 2016 what will 2017 bring?
Since the winter season started last week we have been gaining daylight at a slow rate but we have gained 3 minutes ( well two and a half), giving us 8 hrs of light. The gain was 1 second on the 21st to a staggering 42 seconds today.
It is the shortest day of the year ( solstice) in terms of daylight, but it does not have the latest sunrise nor the earliest sunset of the year. This is because of a discrepancy between our modern-day timekeeping methods and how time is measured using the Sun. Astronomers call this difference the equation of time. Source: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/canada/Kamloops
From a low point of 7:57 minutes hrs. of daylight to a bright and shiny 8:extra 3 minutes today.
So; happy end to the calendar year, and an optimistic rise to spring and summer.
On this Day: December 28th 1944
Maurice Richard is the first NHL player to score 8 points in a single game.
The November and December super moon brought the earth close twice in a little over a month increasing the pull of gravity and the wobble of the earths orbit around the sun.
On this Day: December 27th 2001
China gets permanent normal trade relations from the US.
Photo KDG: Public buildings are kept warm and are a good refuge when away from home…
The winter solstice is a week away on the 21st at 4:44 AM, the days will start to get longer. The Spring equinox 12hrs and 12hrs night and day will be on March 20th 3:29 PM giving an 88 day winter.( strike up some Beethoven)
The 6 days could have had an effect on the start of weather here as we are six days ahead to the 23 degrees that tips toward the sun in the summer season.
Full Moon on Tuesday another super moon not as close as the November one but still a hunters moon.
Moon rising 5/6/12 File Photo KDG
Editors: Note Winter is sometimes measured by weather and not seasonal quarters check the local conditions for things like building codes as well as driving needs.
On this Day: December 14th 2004
The Millau Viaduct ( worlds tallest bridge) is opened in France.
The first week of December saw clear skies, twinkling planet’s making 5 point star signatures, silvery moon’s
There is a whole school of thought that the gravitational influence of the moon has a triggering effect on geological events!
In theory, this slight deformation of the Earth’s crust could be sufficient to trigger an earthquake—like the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
“Most earthquakes occur on preexisting tectonic lines, and the majority do occur as a result of geophysical processes, but there may be some correlation [between the moon] and earthquakes,” Chester said. source National Geographic News
” Geoff Chester, US Naval observatory. Washington.”
Today: Moon rise 12:22 PM Sunset 4:01 PM.
On this Day: December 6th 1907
Over 300 coal miners die in an explosion Monongah, West Virginia.
Nicola Avenue Merritt lit up for after pavement and traffic island redo.
Some people suffer from SAD , Seasonal Affective Disorder. Seasonal celebration lighting may help.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that “some people experience a serious mood change when the seasons change. They may sleep too much, have little energy, and may also feel depressed. Though symptoms can be severe, they usually clear up.”[6] The condition in the summer can include heightened anxiety.[7 source Wikipedia
The affliction may happen it summer change and may also have something to do with course change.
The shortest day is on December 21st at 10:44 UTC time. The north pole will be at its greatest distance from the Sun at minus 23 degrees . The sun will rise at 8:01 AM and set at 3:59 PM making for 7 hours and 58 minutes , 7:57:58 for you rocket science people.
Be happy be glad today is yours to have its 24 hours just like everyone else alive.
Best Western under construction in Merritt includes EV stations Photo KDG
Best Western under construction in Merritt includes EV stations Photo KDG
A couple of new motor hotels are nearing completion in Merritt. A Best Western and Comfort Inn have been under construction for some time. an unconfirmed source says that a Tesla quick charger will be included in the mix that will be twice as fast as the quick charger on Voght street, downtown.
The new buildings are at the entrance of Merritt, off highway 5 and 5A.
Cladding going on new power plant. Photo KDG The co gen plant is having its cladding up and moving to completion.
The plant is quite a presence on the hillside south east of Merritt, lighting gives a pronounced signature. Once cladding is on and it is started up it should have less light pollution as visibility is a safety concern at this time. source.
Dr Kerridge gives a talk on bats at Nicola Naturlists. File photo KDG
The Nicola Naturalists are having a night on Bobcats and their possible change of range. The meeting is at the local community college ,top of the hill, Belshaw avenue on November 17th, 7:30 PM, in the lecture theater.
T.J. Gooliaff is a graduate student at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna. He is studying Bobcat and Lynx distributions in the BC Interior. Climate change is causing numerous species across the planet to shift their range to higher latitudes and elevations. Using historic harvest records and sightings, T.J. is analyzing whether Bobcats and Lynx are among those species moving northwards. He is also using photographs submitted by the public to map the current provincial distribution of both species. This will be a fascinating presentation on these elusive cats.
The Ware family at the end of Garcia street had trouble with a Bobcat and chickens on their property at the end of Garcia street on the Nicola river last year. The property historically a small farm has an application to the change the zoning from single family residential to agricultural. The Bob cat was destroyed and the noise from the acreages chickens when disturbed is a concern.
Bobcat prefers rabbits and hares, it will hunt anything from insects, chickens, geese and other birds and small rodents to deer. Prey selection depends on location and habitat, season, and abundance. Like most cats, the bobcat is territorial and largely solitary, although with some overlap in home ranges. It uses several methods to mark its territorial boundaries, including claw marks and deposits of urine or feces. The bobcat breeds from winter into spring and has a gestation period of about two months.
Source Wikipedia
The group is getting ready for its participation in their Christmas bird count on December 18th. The count is a global effort and monitors birds health and numbers for various conservation or interdiction reasons.
You don’t have to be an expert birder to participate in our Christmas Bird Count. It is a great way to get to learn the local winter birds – each birding group has at least one experienced birder. Followed by a festive potluck for participants. If you are interested in participating and not already on the contact list send us an e-mail nicolanaturalists@gmail.com
Kingfisher birds were happily working the local river down town Merritt. They are ” responsible for missing salmon populations” source ” tongue in cheek”
On this Day: October 11th 1952
A British report is published saying children under 15 die by accident more often in the home than any other place, mostly from burns and scalding.
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
The Proprietor Review 