To the seasons of life
English: Union Flag, Flag of the United Kingdom (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Its good that it is friday….
Today in History: April, 12 1606
The Union flag is adopted in the UK.
Our editoral view on the need to break winter and sympathy to those in England that have not survived it. ( old and sick)
This morning there was heavy frost on the ground, after snow on the weekend that did not stick.
Crocus , tulips and daffodils are seen in yards that have sheltered areas and warmth of soil conditions.
A consultation with Henry a participant at the farmers market and a serious friend of the with in a hundred miles thought said that he planted 80 odd romaine lettuce in side this week in anticipation of planting outside. He said they are frost hardy and lots of green vegetables are, common wisdom for less frost hardy plants is the end of May. Henry intends to have produce at the farmers market when it opens May 18th.
Today in History: April 10th, 1710
The statute of Anne, the first law regulating copyright in the UK is made.
The hill side to the south-west in Merritt is green. It’s the one that’s visible just under some large condos that Claude Lelievre of Merritt Mountain Entertainment built and were abandoned some years ago. The warmth coming from underground workings that burned for many years is still apparent. The developer Claude Lelievre was said to be making a pond or lake behind the area when he lost all the water to underground workings. The hill-side also had billowed a small column of smoke. The smoke has not been seen for years and the story of the water loss was talked about as its cause.
The area is shown on the Active Mountain Resort http://www.freespiritmedia.com/AMRNew/realestateintro.html‘s web page . However the abnormal greening is only apparent in early spring when the surrounding area has not germinated yet.
The Web page has not updated its calender of activities since 2005.
There are unconfirmed reports of new owners and development plans.
Today in History: April 8th 1954
Thirty seven people die as a Canadian Air force trainer collides with an airliner over Moosejaw Sask.
Another provincial rail line for outer Ottawa launched.
Today in History: April 1, 1973
Project Tiger a conservation movement is launched in Corbett National Park , India
Its good that it is friday….
Today in history:March 29,1973
The last US combat soldiers leave Viet Nam
Its spring break for kids and the local dance studio had blue wraps with red strips tied around the trees in the yard of the court-house gallery. ” We did to get attention ” said the Dance instructor ” we need more students”.
The Merritt Dance Society has Ballet and movement classes for 3-5 year olds and is Presented by a ” Royal Academy of Dance” registered teacher.
A brochure also names the same teacher as offering a Dancing Divas dancing fun for women. With beginners courses and Golden girls
( 60 +).
The dance society is in the Old Court House Gallery on Nicola Avenue upstairs from the Art Gallery.
Today in history:March 28 1990
Jesse Owens posthumously, is awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
With weather improving the ability to get out and walk for health and enjoyment is improving along with it Merritt has a sponsored walking trail program that sees a network of walking trails around town and connecting parks. About 5 kilometers of trails connecting parks that can be found at the link below.
Walk briskly for 20 minutes twice a week and stay fit.
http://www.merritt.ca/city-services/public-works/parks
Today in history: March 25th 1807
The slave trade is abolished in the UK by legislation.
Its good that it is friday….
The Nicola naturalists had a presentation from Les Gyug on the Williamson sapsucker last evening. Sapsucker AKA woodpeckers are of interest here as they were the predator of choice when conversations came up about natural ways of dealing with the mountain pine beetle problem that afflicted the province in the last decade and a half. Les had a great slide show that covered the range and characteristics of the Williamson sapsucker, a close relation to the Clark nutcracker who got its name from the Clark in Lewis and Clark the surveyors / explorers that had the great journey to the sea and developed British North America. It would seem that these birds were very much documented by people in the Military, engendering the term closet ornithologist.
The specter of the Forest Practices Code ,an attempt by the NDP to codify forest practices decades ago was brought up with pictures of suitable habitat for the old tree loving sapsucker. The forest practices code was discussed in round tables and was generally a failure as it tried to extent ministry total control to private landowners. However the discussions did cause logging practices to leave trees for wood packers and birds in the clear-cut that were being completely striped as per practice.
Pre harvest silvaculture prescriptions on crown land and nuisance civil law remained after the discourse that was the FPC.
The appreciation for old Lark stands and a care when taking firewood from old dead tress that may be a birds home was the most useful part of the presentation as well an enjoyment of the wonderful photography was voiced by several. A comment “who’s going to the Amazon ” By Doctor Glenn Carlson also gave a sence of responsible interest in habitat use.
The aesthetics debate of the forest practices discourse became mute when the forest in BC became red and dead from the over population of the Mountain Pine Beetle and Spruce Bud Worm. Giving a rest to the War in the Forest and a stage for the mighty woodpecker to do. Of interest is the fact they are in the Merritt area for people to find when overcoming there reclusive nature.
Today in history: March 22,1995
A Russian cosmonaut returns from 438 days in Space,Valoreriy Polakof; sets a record.
Hey Merit what do you say?
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
The Proprietor Review 