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Recreate safely

Opportunity meets moments

Relief in a week…

Safely Recreating in Hot Weather

When it comes to staying safe while enjoying outdoor activities in hot weather, it’s crucial to take certain precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses. Here are some tips for safely recreating in hot weather:

  1. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your outdoor activities. It’s essential to stay hydrated in hot weather to prevent dehydration.
  2. Dress Appropriately: Wear lightweight, light-colored, and loose-fitting clothing to help your body stay cool. Wearing a hat and sunglasses can also provide protection from the sun.
  3. Choose the Right Time: Schedule your outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or evening, to avoid the peak heat hours.
  4. Take Breaks in the Shade: If possible, take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas to give your body a chance to cool down.
  5. Use Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen with a high SPF to protect your skin from sunburn.
  6. Know the Signs of Heat-Related Illnesses: Educate yourself on the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, and be prepared to take action if you or someone else exhibits these symptoms.

By following these guidelines, you can safely enjoy outdoor recreation in hot weather while minimizing the risk of heat-related health issues.

Look 👀🎶

Photo KDG, poster subject to copyright of holder, Fair use editorial claim by the Proprietor Review for this article.

John Paul Byrne, Gordon Lightfoot tribute artist, will be at the Canadian Country music Hall of Honour in Merritt British Columbia on July 6th 2024, the doors will be open at 7:00 p.m.. The evening show will be in the building, tickets are available from Home Hardware or at the door or by calling 250-525-0869.

What do we know about John Paul Byrne, he is an acknowledged and competent musician singer and is deeply associated with others in the presentation of the Gordon Lightfoot musical legacy. Tech savvy he presents ability in the format of interactive computer reach through Eventbrite.

PP

The Canada 2024 Day was observed on Monday at and about the band shell at central park. The Doug James band invited 3 hours of music ending at 3:00 p.m.. There were many kids that enjoyed the water and the playgrounds while some parents and grandparents took in the music and the displays including a Merritt Country Capital of Canada tent, face painting the mobile art van from the Arts Council. The park entrance was guarded by two fire trucks and a number of first responders welcomed people to the park in the parking lot. Symmetry seemed to be in vogue as people were often in red and maple leafs were abundant giving a sense of connection.

Have a great year

One Hundred Fifty Seven Years Young

Good luck and here’s loving you…

Former Merritt Bylaw officer and her husband hanging out at the A&W this week seems to have proved Canada’s virtues in the lifestyle that developed into a classic car and the joy to visit and drive about.

Screen shot merritt.ca

Happy Canada Day 2024, RULE OF LAW, citizenship, security of person, personal freedoms… Have a great day.

What could you do with less of?

Not time and that anologous of your use of it.

Clutter is time consuming…

Your read on the photo below generated fewer questions then a cluttered one would.

Is less more sometimes…

In certain situations, having less can indeed be advantageous. For example, having a clutter-free living space can lead to a sense of calm and organization. Similarly, a concise and focused piece of writing can often be more impactful than a lengthy one. Embracing the principle of “less is more” can lead to efficiency and simplicity in various aspects of life.

One persons sacrifice pays off:

There are various factors to consider when deciding between renting and owning a home. Both options have their advantages and drawbacks. Renting provides flexibility and requires less responsibility for maintenance, while owning allows for equity build-up and the freedom to customize the property. It’s crucial to evaluate your financial situation, long-term goals, and personal preferences before making a decision. Additionally, seeking advice from a financial advisor or real estate professional can provide valuable insights based on your specific circumstances.

Tax sheltered investment

No capital gains tax on primary residence.You may need to show reasons to move up or down in primary residence but in all the years we have watched no one we know has complained about not being able to sell with out capital gains on the principal residence. So this is a good way to help deal with inflation.

In Canada, the sale of your primary residence is generally exempt from capital gains tax. This exemption can be a significant benefit for homeowners, as it allows individuals to reap the financial rewards of property appreciation without incurring additional taxes. However, in order to qualify for this exemption, certain criteria must be met, such as using the property as your principal residence for the entire period of ownership. It’s important to consult with a tax professional or real estate advisor to ensure compliance with the specific regulations and to fully understand the implications of the tax laws related to primary residences in Canada.

Bill Miner, AKA George Edwards

Photo source: Walkman Talk, Google Wikipedia, secondary sources.

Bill Miner the local bandit from the turn of the 20th century was a local legend here in the Nicola Valley. Known as Miner and old George Edwards, the gentlemen train robber he lead a double life for years between Merritt BC, Princeton and Coalmont. He also is reported to have worked the Douglas lake Cattle company for the owner JP Greaves.

Taking 7000 dollars in money and gold dust as well as about 250 thousand in US bonds and Australian securities in his famous Mission train robbery( first in Canada) he was on the lam here as a gentlemen and traveling abroad to Europe.

The local Coldwater hotel (1908) has a story of the securities being hid behind a mirror and in the dome of the three story building. There are no accounting of the securities ever being recovered but a strong interest in the CPR authorities to do that.

The timeline of Minors activities brought him to the 1907 Duck lake train robbery which netted Bill Minor, Shorty Dunn  and Louis Colquhoun,( died of TB in the BC Penn was a teacher from Ontario) about 20 dollars and the registered mail that secured their conviction in a two week trail in Kamloops. The three had been arrested after one of them had lost his nerve when being talked to by searching posse members.

Minor and Dunn got life in the BC Penn the other 25 years. However Minor weighing in at less then 140 lbs acted in the way of a rabbit and slid out of prison under a fence within 13 months of the sentence. He died in Georgia in 1913 after at least one train robbery there. Noted as the picture of innocence it was reported that the locals there chipped in for a burial.

Nina Wooliams in her 1979 book Cattle Ranch says that while working as George Edwards,  Minor  was responsible for and accident where a Chinese laborer fell out of a wagon and died of head injuries. The mans brother a cook at the ranch was wanting to kill minor causing Greaves to let him go. This gave him the time and inclination to plan the Duck lake robbery. It is also noted that he was after the relief money going to the San Franciso earthquake victims in 1907. He got the wrong train.

This year is the 100th year since his death in Georgia and it marks an age that passed the authorities excepting of Robin Hood types like Miner. Even the 1907 attribution of  credit in Miner with the catch words Hands Up by a the head of the Pinkerton agency would probably not be done today.People operating on the wrong side of the government and community face public relations and vilification that is hard to beat. Even political figures like Saddam and others must not have been all bad.

In the words of a favored son ,when talking of  an arch villain Adolf Hitler the statement of innocence ” I heard he was good to his dog” gave  a sense that borrowing trouble not your own is a pricey emotional and spiritual due.

Hating someone makes them bigger then they are and engaging them somehow lessens you. Though necessary sometimes, we hope that you are spared these episodes in you and yours lives.  We wish that you escape like a rabbit under the fence the cost and confinement of ill will.

Ode to the Grey Fox may he continue to rest in peace. Watch out for PR on the other side.

Shorty Dunn drowned at 70 years of age involved in prospecting in northern Canada, its said that he lost his life in bravery saving another. Colquhoun is buried in the New West Minister Penitentiary grave yard with about 100 other unclaimed bodies. The NWP is torn down however the graveyard remains with unmarked graves and some concrete marker bearing prisoner numbers.

Although the stories are sanitized through the lens of history and belief, he is noted as having a career by the RCMP in their web site page”The Story of Bill Miner” it included over thirty  years of prison time and is  softer then the term  ” Career Criminal”. The police also say that his capture gave then credibility. Two jurisdictions did the arrest here in Merritt. The CPR also lost a lot of chinese labourers building the rail road to nitro explosions ( transported in wagons)

In 1914 a year after Bill Miners death in Georgia the Government of British Columbia purchased two Chilean Navel submarines, this was covert against the law and against an American embargo. The constitutional authority for defence was the Canadian Federal Government who quickly acquired them from the province of British Columbia. The price that BC paid a reported 1.1 million dollars was bigger then the Federal governments navel budget. the clouds of war in Europe had been gathering foe some time and challenges to structure had occurred since the death of Queen Victoria in 1901. The time and setting fit  the range of Miner in BC. Since the arrest in Merritt was done by a BC Policeman and a NWMP federal cop we can image politics and positioning even with the reports of Pinkerton cops coming up and the vilifying reports that Miner had been after the San Fransisco relief money going south.

He was a crook and a thief ( a long record) but some civility was clear and gave a mood that fit the time and sense of right and wrong here in BC.

His play was acted out some time after the Mcleans who were real murders and uncontrolled. They were hung at the BC Pen after holding off a large posse at  the Douglas large ranch. The posse formed after they had killed a civil cop at the stump lake ranch north of Merritt. Still the conspiring context of these criminal acts were addressed by a need for credibility and country that did not fully get settled untill after the great conflict of the first world war and events like Vimy ridge and other.

Why is this relevant today, because the same passions are excited by insecurity now and in particular with young people they are the easiest group to blame for budget problems and malaise and political strife. Case in point the 15-year-old that was shot by police in Greece, that perception and movement against banks and globalization ran a gambit several years ago.

These guys were bad guys but where did it start, someone missed a opportunity to lead and it went to blame…..?

Its save to say that being civil has its rewards; sometimes.

Review: Nina Woolliams Cattle Ranch, 1979: For a frontier sense in Canada *****  excellent

Boost Your Midweek Productivity: Attitude and Strategy Tips

Midweek Attitude and Strategy

Maintaining a positive and productive mindset in the middle of the week can set the tone for a successful end to the week. Here are some tips to consider:

Attitude:

  1. Positivity: Embrace a positive outlook to overcome any midweek blues.
  2. Gratitude: Acknowledge achievements and express gratitude for the good things.
  3. Resilience: Stay resilient in the face of challenges, knowing the weekend is approaching.

Strategy:

  1. Prioritize: Review current tasks and prioritize efficiently to stay on track.
  2. Breaks: Schedule short breaks to maintain focus and avoid burnout.
  3. Team Support: Collaborate with colleagues to tackle tasks and boost morale.

By blending a positive attitude with effective strategies, the midweek can be a productive and fulfilling time.

Don’t forget to give yourself some recharge time

Photo KDG

EV the BC Hydro quick chargers in Merritt are next to the downtown Tourist info center 2202 Voght street. Recently renovated it is a clean well lighted facility.

Photographer Kevin Griffiths, Merritt BIO

Longtime Nicola Valley resident and contributor to the fellowship of the local arts community. He is showing work running from Wednesday into the summer at the Gallery in Merritt.The photographer is understanding of the grace and presence that this interior of British Columbia Valley has on the population and guests as they seek imagery on travels and tours over time.

Kevin uses a Canon 800D camera and is an avid fan of developing digital tech.

Venue

The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council, Gallery is located at 2051 Voght street in Merritt BC, Canada. The entrance is next to the Kekuli Cafe.

It’s natural for people to be invested in local sporting events, but it’s important to maintain a balance and stay informed about global events as well. The day after the 2024 Stanley Cup is determined, the world will likely carry on with its usual mix of news, events, and developments. While local sporting favorites bring joy and unity to communities, it’s crucial to also be aware of and engaged with broader world events that may have a significant impact on our lives. Strike a balance between celebrating local achievements and staying informed about global affairs.

By the way: Happy birthday to my First born son.

People Matter

Music to think by

Calm will always now truth over rash ruckus row.

Events and reactions, be a fan not a post.

The frequency of personal injuries can vary, but some studies suggest that weekends tend to see more accidents, possibly due to increased leisure activities and alcohol consumption. Additionally, certain holidays and events associated with celebrations may also pose a higher risk for accidents. It’s important to exercise caution and follow safety guidelines at all times.