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The week in pictures 10/12/11

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TGIF

Today in humour, I believe in forth telling by the time I tell them 4 times they believe so I won't tell them a fifth.

Longest undefended border

The 49th parallel, the US and Canadian border, is the longest undefended border in the world. The peace arch crossing at Bellingham Washington a few hundred miles from here meant a lot to citizens of both countries for years. International friendship when lost is a lot more noticable and engaging then peaceful borders.So to the two nations working on border relations in the last few days and years we say kudos to you and hope you rise to every challenge.

Since 1818 and the anglo american treaty thnks to all those that appreciate international relations and its concerns.

Today in History, December 8th 1993

The North American Free Trade Agreement a into law.

Fools moon

English: Woody Allen in concert in New York City.

Image via Wikipedia

There is a big full moon in a big cold sky here tonight.A person that works at the Desert Inn says that it is not full and it is a fools moon. On looking closer it does seem to not be completely round with a sliver off the south east quadrant.

There is a full moon every 28 days and at one time Greek city states had a 13 month 28 day calender. the dynamic of upmanship with Julius Caesar and  his 31 day month and his nephew Augustus have had there way over time and Easter is  different as the calender coördinates the Sunday with the resurrection moon of 33 AD.

We hope you all get at least Woody Allen‘s Due of 15 minutes of fame, and don”t have to pay the price for it as the Caesars did.

Today in History, December 7th 2003

The Conservative and Alliance (The Reform Party) partys merge.

Persian rugs

On the weekend there was a auction of distressed goods at the local civic center. A viewing at 1 pm was followed by an auction a 2pm.Connoisseur Heirloom carpets were shown with pedigrees as to origin. One that I viewed was presented as from Kazakstan and the tribe you made it was related. The auctioneer said that antiques of that pedigree ( over 90 years ) go for 35 thousand dollars at auction houses in New York. A small 4X6 went for 500 dollars on Saturday and a large carpet was taken of the floor when it did not get a 25 hundred-dollar reserve bid. A number of small rugs were acquired by buyers at the beginning of the show.

The Auction was cut short and the were loaded into white vans to go to another community. The prices were advertised in a local paper  as bid plus 15 percent  buyers premium and HST a contact number in Vancouver was also advertised as 604-229-1800. The men were well dressed and professional with little fuss or stuff.

Today in history, December 6th,2008

Greek riots break out because of  the murder of a 15 year old boy by police.

The province is saying that they are pleased with the results of a tough new roadside suspension law after a year of activity. The results they say saved lives. There were 40 % fewer deaths accruing over the time of the implementation that saw roadside suspensions coupled with very severe administrative penalties.

There are 4 million people in this province and the death rate is very low, some what over 2 per thousand per year for all causes, that ranks with the Arab emirates that are filthy rich, and is far below Canada’s rate of about 7 per thousand. There are approximately 350 some vehicle related deaths per year here and Stats Can does not break down the ones that are drunk or alcohol related. It would be safe to say that if the general population has enough regard for life and safety to keep the rate of death so low for the general population that we’re not bunch of drunks out there needing constant supervision and scrutiny of our assets . This brings up the specter of political opportunism the great success that they are promoting did not translate into a premium benefit the opposite is true as drivers are facing a 30 dollar increase to the levy dictated by ICBC. Makes you want to go find an occupy movement camp does it. It gets worse the real change is that more public control is welded and less trust and presumption in the population to act above the reasonable prudent person. The Chinese say more laws get more criminals. Now they say a portion of the law is unconstitutional as there is not enough process and appeal for those that blow over the 0.8 that is the criminal benchmark for impaired drivers. You  can bet it was just grease for that application of the non criminal high administration penalty bonanza that the province is reaping; and of course they are not taking it from you the taxpayer but some vilified group who  enjoyed the relief of stress by having a couple of beers with the office staff after work twice a week. Can it be? and I give this to you; that the dynamic contributed to less benign deaths in the general rate of our society. KDG

Editors note: A designated driver is not a hard ship for most people to arrange and rotating is not hard for you sociable types to get a turn….

Today in history, December 5 1945

Flight 19 is lost in the Bermuda  triangle.

The week in pictures 3/12/11

 

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TGIF

 

Today in history, December 2 2001

Enron files for chapter 11 bankrupcy protection.

Speedy trial

There is at this time an inquiring going on in this province as to the long delay and trail of a serial killer Robert Picton. The  inquirery is  headed by a former Attorney General of the province Wally Oppal and has already flushed out  some disturbing items including a public relations officer that has said that she will testify on behalf of the victims and not her employer the RCMP. She has been quoted in the papers as saying that she was the victim of sexual harassment and that her superiors were more interested in drinking  and her then solving the crime.  The harassment part would make her a hostile witness to the events and it all seems a troubling affair.

A local fellow says he has a transcript of a trial of a local train robber from Kamloops shortly after the turn of the 20th century and it took two weeks to secure a 15 year conviction based on eye-witness ( credible) and  the possession of registered mail; must have been simpler times.

We think that a incrediable expense and waste of time is appearant and if there is an undisclosed benifit to the investigation it needs to be disclosed by statement from the  police and investgators. As this expense is now salt in a wound.

Today in History, December 1 800

Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo the third at the Vatican

Chunnel tunnel between UK and France meets 40 meters below the seabed.

Gold mine

The Bralorne mine is still operating in Bralorne.Today some miners one the person responsible to run the mill returned to the operation for a 2 week rotation. Within driving range of Merritt BC the operation has been stable for some time. A deep old underground working the mine has always had a interest in particular when economic times are uncertain and the price of gold is higher. A fellow named Bill Smith was a prospector and miner here 40 decades ago and the lure of that rugged country and gold heritage drew him away long ago on inquiring he is reported as still being involved in his 7th decade of life and working  at this time there.

I worked as a driller about 20 years ago  at Gold Bridge a gold camp not far from Bralorne and I recall talking to a couple of contract underground miners in the camp. They lived in Summerland and the earning potential of  thier expert abilities  had made Doctors peers in homes in the neighbour hood that housed them in Summerland BC. This according to them.

Mining is a risky business and caution is advised for career and investment.

Today in History, November 30 1940:

Lucille Ball marries Desi Arnez

Granite and Garcia Street beautification, Merritt BC

The crews are back at work on th upgrade after talk of being laid of because of wheather they are hard at it again. Two new bus stops are taking shape on alternating sides of Garcia at the the corner of Quilchena Avenue and the black steel posts that will guard the shelters from miscreant vehicles are noticeable. As the work continues   large star forms are in place for cement filling and  they complement two country murals already placed on the government building housing the EI office there.

A lot of  stimulus money and much volunteer effort has gone into continuing a theme of Merritt being the Country Music Capital of
Canada.

Construction has not closed down the street from traffic so one must pay attention to hazards and flagging control people at the site.

Today in history, November 29th 800

Charlemagne goes to Rome to investigate the crimes of Pope Leo the third.

Transit

Merritt, British Columbia

Image via Wikipedia

The  local BC  transit bus has a scheduled route that provides a lot of relief to the to those that have to use it. Today a source rode it as it picked up 13 residents of the Nicola Meadows home for the aged or assisted living home a caregiver  ensured their safety as they got on and they were happily taking a scenic route about  to get to their destination a shopping trip to Wal Mart. they estimated that they would have about 2 hours in the store and complex before catching the small 26 passenger bus to return to there living space . The source said that he sat beside  a legally blind person that has an endorsement to travel as required on the transit system. Ms Kinvig a person in her late 50s was also going to an assisted living facility; The Florentine just down from the local college. Not to live  but to sing for the residents and entertain them.

Another private tour bus has opened its doors for profit and is advertising tours around the Walk of Stars hand prints and murals By Michelle Loughery.
They also offer a passage from the skytrain in the lower mainland to Merritt 10 dollars less then the Greyhound. It is limited to Fridays and Mondays however. Merritt Bus Lines operates its charter service out of the optical shop on the corner of Voght and Quilchena, ” Vision Quest Optical is the in part owned by Harvey Keys  a new comer from California and a North American Indian. Harvey garnered  a little more then 300 votes in the recent civic election, a good showing up against a filed of incumbents and former mayors.

Today in history, November 28th 1925

The Grand Old Opry begins broadcasting as the WSM Barn Dance from Nashville Tennessee