Technology | The Proprietor Review

Category: Technology

TGIF- Spill drill

Filed under: Environment, Industrial projects, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

February 19, 2016

Fire crew returning from Slave Lake fire in Alberta

File Photo KDG

There were some Kinder Morgan people this week looking for locations to do a spill drill for May.” we are looking for a location for a command area for about a hundred and fifty people” and were not sure where on the line to have the drill yet.
With maps draped across the back of a white pickup box in the Arena parking lot. The three planners were receptive to the suggestion that the airport had a Fire base forestry training center and the local search and rescue kept a mobile command vehicle there. “They are involved in this: Search and Rescue.

Pig catcher for pipeline, .File photo KDG

Editors note: The existing pipeline from Edmonton to Burnaby runs by the North end of the local airstrip now and has a good safety record. ” we found some spills with our smart pig in the past. The device found anomalies in the pipe and we found moistened soil when we responded to it”

The company has an application before the National Energy Board at this time that has been delayed by the incoming government by a further 6 months.

There is no confirmation that any drill has been planned at this writing. There is however a call for the other pipeline in the area. The call is for contractors to supply work on Spectra Energy’s Natural Gas line (existing). The info meeting is on February 24th, and is advertised in the Merritt Herald.

On this Day: February 19th 2006
A methane explosion in Mexican coal mine kills 65.

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Street sweeper

Filed under: Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

February 18, 2016

Beet juice and salt in solution for ice in Merritt BC

File photo KDG

The city street sweeper was out this week on Granite avenue. .They do an initial sweep that takes most of the winter gravel off the road and then a 3 day a week program till the next winter. ” if it snows and sticks again this year we will use the beet juice solution.”
Watch Nicola Avenue as it is a highway and may be on a different schedule then city streets.
Glass shops can do a circle cut of a rock chip to save you a crack in your windshield.

On this day: February 18th 1979
Snow falls on the Sahara Desert in Southern Algeria for the first time on record.

Tags: street cleaners

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Kiosk for education

Filed under: Environment, Government Works, Sports and Leisure, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

January 7, 2016

Broken sign no contract….File Photo KDG

There is a kiosk at a sensitive grasslands area here in Merritt. It is dedicated to a local, Laurie Guichion , a rancher and the former chair of the Nicola Valley Community Round table. Laurie lost his life in a motorcycle accident years ago, however his legacy remains as the grasslands he loved is somewhat guarded by the awareness to the sensitive area. The published information isat the kiosk at the entrance of the Lundbom Lake grasslands area at he top of Hamilton Hill leaving Merritt on the connector east of town.
The Trans Mountain Pipeline company owned by Kinder Morgan is reporting that another such facility is installed through a contribution to a Kamloops social action group.

The project was completed on a sunny day in early October. Constructed off-site, the structure transported to the Lac Du Bois Grasslands in two parts. KBRA volunteers worked to prepare the site by digging two holes to hold the kiosk posts. Once on-site, the kiosk frame was pieced together, placed in the holes and reinforced with concrete footings. After placing a roof on the structure, the map panel was incorporated.

The Kamloops Bike Riders Association has placed it at the head of its Lac Du Bois trail.
It is said to give awareness of the combined value of recreation and grasslands sensitivity and the ability to co exist.
Trans mountain is nearing the end of a process to get permission to twin its 60 year old line to Edmonton that passes north east of Merritt’s airstrip.

Editors note: Trans Mountain has operated here for 60 years without any serious trouble we think that the twinning will bring scrutiny to the aging infrastructure here producing a net security benefit.

http://www.transmountain.com/updates/lac-du-bois-grasslands-trailhead-kiosk-successfully-installed?utm_source=Trans+Mountain+Today+December+31&utm_campaign=TM+Today+12%2F31%2F15&utm_medium=email

On this Day: January 7th 1990

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is closed to the public for safety concerns

Tags: Trans mountain

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Snow persisting

Filed under: Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

January 5, 2016

Snow staying in Merritt
Photo KDG

A high pressure system bringing calm and cool weather to the Nicola Valley is producing snow the persists here. For the first time in decades we will have snow that builds and needs removal. The city worked at night to plow snow into the center of streets to truck it out of the core of the city.
Snow removal can be a burden to local government budgets, especially in places like Moscow. We have escaped this to a good degree for years as warming fronts usually followed snow falls.
The two week forecast sees below freezing highs giving more then a month of snow pack.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merritt,_British_Columbia

On this Day: January 5th 1892

The first Auroal Photograph is produced.

Tags: Merritt British Columbia, weather

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Snow

Filed under: Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

November 24, 2015

There is a risk from above when snow is wet and thawing….

On this Day: November 24th 1429

Joan of Arc fails to take La Charite in a siege.

Tags: weather

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TGIF- Coffee promotion

Filed under: Collective bargaining, Environment, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

November 20, 2015

100_2247

Coffee promotion starting November 20th

File photo KDG

The local Macs is participating in their chains coffee promotion starting today. The promotion is for a week and offers a free small coffee once a day one per customer.
There is an upgrade offer 50cents to a medium and 1 dollar to a large.
On this Day November 20th 1982
The labour union, The General Union of Ecuadoran Workers is founded.

Tags: Business and Economy

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Download Speeds Netflix

Filed under: Enterprize, Sports and Leisure, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

November 4, 2015

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

Tags: Telus

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Snow

Filed under: Environment, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

November 3, 2015

When it comes it can be something to manage
file photo KDG

The Nicola Valley has its first snow fall of the year Sunday and Monday. There was no snow at the city level it could be seen on the mountains to the west.

Most snow removal by individuals is clearance of driveways and walkways. After heavy snowfalls, snow may be removed from roofs to reduce the risk of structural damage due to the weight.

In places with light snow, brooms or other light instruments can be used to brush off snow from walks and other surfaces. In regions with more precipitation, snow is commonly removed with snow shovels, a large lightweight shovel used to push snow and lift it, and snow scoops or sleigh shovels, a large and deep hopper-like implement fitted with a wide handle and designed to scoop up a load of snow and slide it on any slippery surface to another location without lifting. Other tools include snow pushers and shovels with one or more wheels.

Shovelling entails a considerable amount of physical effort and can strain the back and the heart. Each year many senior citizens and middle aged persons die from heart attacks while shovelling snow: source Wikipedia

On this Day: November 3rd 1817

The Bank of Montreal begins business in Montreal Canada.

Tags: Snow

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100 Megs

Filed under: Technology by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

October 29, 2015

Telus fiber stiching portal in use this week, a source says can stitch cable. File photo KDG

There are Telus trucks as well as their subcontractors all over this small central city. A source says they are upgrading the fiber system to give faster internet service (choice you have to pay for it). The source says that all residential areas are getting the upgrade. It is said to be to 100 megs of of capacity.
The company has a storage facility from a local company Secure all storage on Midday valley Road, indicating the scope of the upgrade.
Fiber optics were brought into Merritt in the 1900s 911 service followed shortly after.

On this Day: October 29th 1964
Murf the Smurf makes off with the star of India gem from the American Museum of Natural History.

Tags: Telus

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Oh Deer

Filed under: Crime and punishment, Environment, Fauna by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

October 22, 2015

Deer on Garcia Street Merritt
Photo KDG

There were 10 deer on the lawns of Garcia Street, Tuesday morning. Deer seem to know that there are no firearms to be used in the city.

On this day: October 22 1836

Sam Houston becomes the first president of the Republic of Texas.

Tags: deer

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Bear deterrent

Filed under: Environment, Tourists by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

October 21, 2015

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.

Tags: Bears, traps

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Transformer

Filed under: Enterprize, Environment by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment

October 15, 2015

The Merritt Green Energy project s 40 megawatt electric steam generator is in progress. A worker on site says they are doing the transformer for kicking up voltage to transport. A security person says there is about 1 year left in the plants construction.

A huge bin for the receiving and storage of Hog fuel ( chipped wood waste) is part of the plant construction. The bin, made of vertical steel pipes with planking bolted to the inside is on the north side of the rising generator building..