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13 the lucky number here

Filed under: Enterprize, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
May 3, 2017

500 volt 120 amp quick charger
File photo KDG

There are a least 13 more EV chargers coming to the Kootenay region of BC through 2018. BC Hydro is installing them and they are the quick version. The 13 planned additions follow the US Border to near the Alberta border going east from Greenwood then go north along the Alberta border to Rogers pass. To side ways roads go to Sparwood and Field being the closest to exiting BC for Alberta.
The 13 are promised by the end of 2018.

Billed as Canada’s first regional and community-driven strategy to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, Accelerate Kootenays kicked off the big push with the opening of a DC fast charge station in Cranbrook. Gone will be the days when longer electric vehicle trips in the region were marathon “making the most of it” affairs that might involve going on a local hike while your car “trickle-charged” for hours at a local campground. Source BC Hydro

Best Western under construction in Merritt includes EV stations
File Photo: KDG

 

 

 

 

 

On this Day: May 3rd 1973

The Sears tower in Chicago becomes the worlds tallest at nearly 1500 feet.

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Fort McMurray Fallout

Filed under: Government Works by Kevin Griffiths — 3 Comments
May 2, 2017

A Bus used by firefighters from New Mexico, in a local motel lot.
File Photo KDG
Photo KDG

The City and rescue bunch are having a Wild fire Community Readiness Day on Saturday May 6th. The training will include a 3 hour controlled burn at the park of Central Park off Vought street, next to the RCMP station. Fire Smart Canada

Controlled burning of grass was an annual thing here decades ago before being stopped due to concerns over air quality. The Canadian Pacific railway would burn the right of ways along the tracks and  put nitrogen into the back into the soil. As well as reduce the chance of damage do to uncontrolled fire.

The major news groups are reporting that California is employing goats at this time to accomplish some of the same results.

The City of Merritt anticipates conducting additional burns within the municipality in the coming months, targeting priority areas identified in the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).  An information bulletin will be distributed in advance of these burns. Fire Chief

 

An emphasis on some sort of fire awareness the pointer reading low risk today.
File photo: KDG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On this Day: May 2nd 1918

General Motors buys Chevrolet.

Old fire truck on display, 100 years old the city has displays of what hey have July 2011
File Photo KDG

 

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TGIF-Wreckmaster Inc

Filed under: road safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 28, 2017

Wreakmaster towing course.
Photo KDG

The organization called Wreck master created to see the want of tow truck operators to be a trade is putting on a course behind the Merritt Desert in this week. Today they will flip a  semi tractor on its roof to prove to trainees the problems associated with large wrecks.

Some of those involved include Toms Towing of Merritt, Dons Towing of Kamloops, Clover Towing from Langley as well as about 10 others from about the province. with about 40 participants.

On this Day: April 28th 1881
Billy the Kid escapes custody.

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Sap

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April 27, 2017

Wind breaks tree. File photo.

Sap is starting to run watch some of those big limbs for stress.

 

On this Day: April 27th 1981

The computer mouse is introduced by Xerox.

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More then just Black and White

Filed under: Arts and Culture by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 26, 2017

Community Art Show youth winner, 50 dollars prize. File Photo

There is an artist reception for the April March showing at the Old Court House Gallery on Thursday night, April 27th at 4 PM. The show is by high school students from Merritt Secondary School.
The show runs to March 5th Gallery hours are Thursdays/Fridays noon to 6, Saturday noon to 3 pm.
The show is a segment of School district 58s Canada 150 “what’s the big idea” Festival of the Arts.
Editors Note: May is the right month not March.
The Old Court House Gallery is at 1840 Nicola Avenue in Merritt, BC, Canada.
On this Day: April 26th 1970

A convention regulating world international intellectual property is in force.

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Otter

Filed under: Fauna, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 25, 2017

DSC_3709 (7)

No its not the Ogopogo it was a fast moving energetic River Otter, in the Nicola river last week.

otter

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
North American river otter
LutraCanadensis fullres.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Mustelidae
Genus: Lontra
Species: L. canadensis
Binomial name
Lontra canadensis
(Schreber, 1777)
Subspecies
see text
LontraCanadensisMap.svg
Synonyms
Lutra canadensis

The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. An adult river otter can weigh between 5.0 and 14 kg (11.0 and 30.9 lb). The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur.

The river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. It establishes a burrow close to the water’s edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems. The den typically has many tunnel openings, one of which generally allows the otter to enter and exit the body of water. Female otters give birth in these underground burrows, producing litters of one to six young.

North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs[2]), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish. Instances of river otters eating small mammals and occasionally birds have been reported as well.

 

On this Day: April 25th 1959

The Saint Lawrence Seaway  better opens Canada to the Atlantic Ocean.

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TGIF-Happy 91st Birthday Elizabeth Winsor Rex

Filed under: Arts and Culture by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 21, 2017

The old court house on Nicola avenue , in Merritt
File Photo KDG

 

On this Day: April 21st 1952

Secretary’s Day is first observed.

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Dispute resolution mechanism

Filed under: Enterprize by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 20, 2017

Grass lands producing grass for cattle are in demand for feed lots and dairy cows They feed for winter as well. for meat producers.
File Photo KDG

Opinion:

The North American Free Trade agreement was touted as not a perfect fix but what was desirable was the fact that it included a dispute resolution mechanism or board.

There are lots of ways to solve an impasse :

Chapter 11 establishes a mechanism for the settlement of investment disputes that assures both equal treatment among investors of the Parties to the Agreement in accordance with the principle of international reciprocity and due process before an impartial tribunal. A NAFTA investor who alleges that a host government has breached its investment obligations under Chapter 11 may, at its option, have recourse to one of the following arbitral mechanisms:

  • the World Bank’s International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID);
  • ICSID’s Additional Facility Rules; and
  • the rules of the United Nations Commission for International Trade Law (UNCITRAL Rules).

Trade infractions or disputes also have an option:

Article 1904 establishes a mechanism to provide an alternative to judicial review by domestic courts of final determinations in antidumping and countervailing duty cases, with review by independent binational panels. A Panel is established when a Request for Panel Review is filed with the NAFTA Secretariat by an industry asking for a review of an investigating authority’s decision involving imports from a NAFTA country.

It seems there is nothing cowboy about the structure and article 19s binational provision seems like it would be attractive at this time.

There are 118 decisions listed with the NAFTA secretariat some taking more time that others and more reports. things range from red raspberries to hot rolled carbon steel plate.

Is it still attractive is a milk dispute out of reach for a filing?

Friends don’t take friends to….

Corn grown in the Nicola Valley
File Photo KDG

Need to be more friendly?

On this Day: April 20th 1918

The Red Baron shoots down his 8oth and last kill before his death on the 21st.

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Water

Filed under: Arts and Culture by Kevin Griffiths — 1 Comment
April 19, 2017

The Nicola Valley Film Society presents its Canada 150 special film tonight at 7PM in the lecture theater at NVIT. The film is in the Lecture hall, top of the hill Belshaw avenue on the north end of the city. Admission is free.
A number of films are being presented in the 150 program in different communities but film night is tonight.

First come first serve.

On this Day: April 19th 1987

The Simpsons first appear on TV as a short on the Tracy Ulman show.

 

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Swedish Columnar Poplar

Filed under: Barns and Old Buildings, Government Works by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 18, 2017

Nicola Avenue Beautification
Photo KDG

The new pavement on Nicola avenue in Merritt BC is getting beautification and it includes a type of poplar tree. Swedish Columnar Poplar is also known as Swedish Columnar Aspen. Transplanted at 10 feet it will go to 40 feet in an erect and towering disposition.

They are best grown in full sun.

On this Day: April 18th 1506

The corner- stone of the current St Peters Basilica is laid.

 

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TGIF- enjoy the weekend

Filed under: Space, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
April 14, 2017

moon rising 5/6/12

On this Day: April 14th 1986
Hailstones weighing over 2 lbs fall in Bangladesh killing 92.

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Happy Easter

Filed under: Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — 3 Comments
April 13, 2017

Crocus flowers
File photo KDG

The forecast here in Merritt at 700 meters is for near 20 C for Sunday. Resurrection tulips are pulling hard…
On this day: April 13th 1997
Tiger Woods becomes the youngest golfer to win the Masters.

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