Tag Archive: British Columbia


Hartley Bay

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February 25, 2013

The northwest coast of British Columbia is a beautiful and near pristine ecology in some places. The Great Bear Rainforest is the subject of interest to a group of canoe sojourners. One spoke yesterday of the trip that they take yearly up the coast to draw attention and interest to the uniqueness of the area. She spoke of  the spirit bear.

This years canoe trip is earlier it will be in July instead of August and will once again focus on shared interest in the region among all involved. They will also be stopping at Ketchcan Alaska. The age range of this group of about a dozen is early adult to late 50S and they spend  time camping on the way up.

A pictograph on the sources shirt  had a north west coast art Tsimshhian figure with tankers in its eyes and tears.

Opinion: Ravaging and excess begins with rational justifications .

Today in History: February 25th,1923

Bread in Berlin rises to 2000 marks.

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The lady

Filed under: Politics and Politicians, Social Activism, Vegtable soup by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
February 19, 2013

About a hundred people of this small south central interior British Columbia community watched The Lady last evening at the local college lecture theater. A powerful storytelling of the the fight for democracy in Burma, the film seemed to hush the people as they left the building.”That was a good film” was one of the comments, I saw that 2 years ago at the coast another. However an overall mood of some reverence was very clear.

Red scarfed soldiers selected and given licence to arbitrary kill seemed to be one of the key elements in a muting of  unsolicited opinion. The fact that the Military allowed a free election May 1 and only won 10 seats of the 400 some also raised a sence of wonder about delusion and arrogance of unrestrained power.

The president of the group was heard to say that the film was attended by 87 members. Ron Brown was in the group, he was an election official here and supported mandatory voting. The group according to the president all voted in the tear off people’s choice with a unanimous excellent.

Today in history: February 19,1861

Serfdom is abolished in Russia

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Rain

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November 6, 2012
English: Map of Kelly Barnes Dam, Toccoa Colle...

English: Map of Kelly Barnes Dam, Toccoa College and Toccoa City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is serious rain here to-day. That is serious to us. In the 1960s we had less than 10 inches a year. Semi desert. In recent years we have 12 . Still we are part of the Great Eastern Desert Basin, it includes south central BC and eastern Washington State.

Two nights ago we had strong winds always a sign that coastal weather is on its way up. The local police station is under going roof repairs with new sheeting being applied over fading colored metal sheathing.

Editors note:We have no idea the feeling and sence of the east coast after Sandy. But have confidence in the citizens and  applaud the decision of the marathon to run and help at the same time.

We feel that unless a piece of plywood is neglected and blows off the police station we are in little danger from the elements.  ( thats on the balance of probabilities )

Today in History: November 6, 1977

The Kelly Barnes Dam above Toccoa Bible College in Toccoa Georgia  fails killing nearly 40 people.

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Heavy equipment operation

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November 1, 2012

A couple of representatives of a heavy equipment operation training business are about the local Community College NVIT. Shawn Bonnough an instructor with Velocity Training http://www.YourInspirationalTraining.com . is here.

Shawn says that he can make a client able to run a heavy dozer in 4 weeks. He adds that the finished student has no experience in operation only competency in knowledge of its operation and safety. They say they have  their school in Alberta and list on their website an Osoyoos, British Columbia address.

In a short interview he expressed confidence in a train the trainer program for baby boomers, as being a proper choice for older experienced clients.

NVIT is a local First Nations run school who have hosted recruiters  like Flatrion Graham, the partnership that has a  share of the 3rd ,500 KV line now under construction to the Lower Mainland from the Revelstoke Dam.

The hosting is limited to supplying a room and advertising the activity at the front entrance.For recruiters like Flatrion  Graham ,according to a source,the Velocity people had an appointment with a  the dean.

The interview we had was in the waiting area of the foyer at NVIT and was ended when the gentlemen were called to a meeting.

A search of the Better Business Bureau in Osoyoos came up as:

Your search for – “Velocity Training” in “VOH1V5” – did not match a known location.

A search without location gets us a High Velocity Training ,201-5061 50 St, Camrose, AB T4V 1R3  showing a no rating status which means that the BBB has no information, that includes no significant government actions involving them. No advertising complaints. The BBB have a file on the company for 3 years with no complaints in the 3 years or last 12 months  that are open.

Velocity Training may be to new to have any BBB activity.

The  HighVelocity  Training website talks about the Enbridge project. The project is yet not approved. It is suggested as being a catalyst for need of equipment operators.

The June 2012 publication of Aboriginal Market Places reports a contracting of Velocity inc in Osoyoos with High Velocity Training in  Camrose Alberta.

It appears that they are trying to accommodate aboriginal aspiration to manage their own people by supplying training leading them to be trainers.

Today in history: November 1 1941

An American photographer takes a picture of a rising moon and it becomes the most famous photo ever taken.

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Highway of Tears

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September 26, 2012
Boazio-Sir Francis Drake in St. Augustine

Boazio-Sir Francis Drake in St. Augustine (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A break in the highway of tears case is not generating a lot of discussion here A DNA link with a victim to a dead prisoner in the US should be giving some relief however it seems anti-climactic around the Local native run school here in Merritt British Columbia. A source at the school said it generated a lot of papers in the sociology and criminology classes over the years of the event stretching from 1970- 2006.

A van and walkers generating support for the case came through here a few years ago. Giving reminders to personal safety of women.

Today in history: September 26,1580

The world is navigated completely around by Sir Francis Drake.

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toastmasters week/month

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February 2, 2012
China: Toastmasters Dalian Club - New Member K...

Image by SoniaT 360. via Flickr

Toastmasters month, the first full week of february was toastmaster week in earlier years. However a big part of it was a proclamation done in the provincial legislature. The current government and party brought in a policy to sit at certain times and it was not sitting in proximity of the week of February. This year it is toastmasters month and an order in council passed it way back in October. Order in council is the cabinet and we prefered the parliament. However we have  a proclamation and we look forward to toastmaster month in British Columbia. District 21 covers all British Columbia for the toastmaster organization and its worldwide mandate of better communication.

Today in history, February 2 ,1901

Queen Victorias Funeral.

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Sensitive information

Filed under: Crime and punishment, Politics and Politicians, Technology by Kevin Griffiths — 2 Comments
January 16, 2012

Opinion: 

The world has changed in the last few decades and the need to have secrets abated. Shared security and its value to the planet  with projects such as the international space station give pause to think. The whole concept of stolen ideas and patent fraud as it were; on the back burner.

The interdependence of the business world and a mature attitude of the good business sence of an interdependent outlook, means that thugs and mugs are not using angles to lever knowledge. Rather in our post war age people understand that their interest will be served better by a defined relationship ( our part in your discovery) as it comes to a market that consumers drive, the demise of the exclusive business relationship has a demonstrative effect as patent holders licence out and do not hold ransom new technologies but try to realize reasonable profit margins on huge volumes serving many human beings.

We find it sad to see that there is a remaining attitude with the RCMP in BC and wish that Spy Vrs Spy would stay a cartoon spoof.

Today in history, January 16,2003

 The Space Shuttle Columbia takes off on the mission that will see its destruction on re-entry 16 days later

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BC Hydro, power and authority

Filed under: Environment, Fauna, Government Works, Social Activism by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
December 13, 2011

Lots of no trespass signs about and some on old hydro meters. Dell from Coopers says they were by and changed his. Some people say they don”t want them because of health issues. Other say they wanted a choice for no wireless connection. The fact is they are being installed and adds in the papers are asking for clear access.

The hydro has worked since it was nationalized in BC as a  monopoly and  as socialism goes it was considered  draconian. However the lower rates we are supposed to get from the monopoly are supportive of the vision of Canada being a mixed economy. As a Non profit crown corporation it is not allowed to have retained earnings and must lower rates for efficiencies it gets. Still you have to watch that the government does not raid it for revenues like raising water licence fees, to accommodate good water levels for the utility.

The off-peak time dynamic will be the next issue us consumers will be watching as we still want it to be an under girding of our economy and not go to profits.

BC Hydro has the rights to all water in the province for generation purposes and a lot of power.  When good snow packs occur the next year should see rate reductions, as they have in the past.

The lines and poles are public property and that always raises an issue when they talk about co generation ; recently the utility has replaced a lot of poles and  is working to have a third 500 KV line to the lower mainland from the interior.

Today in history December 13 ,2003

Saddam Hussein is captured in Iraq. ( The Ace of Spades)

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.08 administrative or criminal

Filed under: Crime and punishment, Vegtable soup, Workers Safety by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
December 5, 2011

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.

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Election events

Filed under: Government Works, Politics and Politicians by Kevin Griffiths — Leave a comment
October 24, 2011

Here in Merritt British Columbia , the local civic election is on November 19th 8 am to 8 Pm . There is an all candidates forum on October 30th 5:30 PM and advanced polls Nov 8th and Nov 16th 8 to 8.

There are 10 councillor contenders and 2 mayoralty. one of the three seats for Regional district rep is filled already by acclamation. that is by Herb Graham a long time rep.

Today in History, October 24, 2003

The super sonic concord makes its last flight.

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RCMP

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October 3, 2011

There are negotiations on here for the renewal of a contract with the province to supply municipal police services from the Federal Police Force.
The press is reporting that a take it or leave it offer is on the table from the feds for March 2012 renewal. The feds are also tendering 30 plus billion in navy ship building contracts and a proposal is in their hands for work to be done in BC shipyards by an eastern shipbuilder.

The BC Provincial Police force was used even up past the end of the second world war in BC and this renewal for the RCMP comes after the completion of a 20 year contract with the province for its 6000 members that the feds supply to municipalities here.

Two police officers were murdered in this community in the 1930s a BC Provincial Police officer and a Dominion Police Services of Canada officer , their killers, surname George, were hung at the New Westminster penitentiary for the killings.

The second war era RCMP were responsible for national security today that task is done by a civilian agency the called CSIS….

The Justice Institute of BC trains police and jail guards for civil police and authorities in BC.

Today in History, October 3,1952

United Kingdom tests nuclear weapon to become the worlds 3rd nuclear power.

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Fall coming

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September 7, 2011

Indian Summer, the weather is warm the  days  bright with  happy people feeding on free vitamin D provided by the sun and giving brain chemicals a lubricated  sence of goodness..This location in the south central part of British Columbia is rife with things coming , harvest, October Fest and hunting.. We will look  for big game coming through town on the back of pick up trucks in the next few weeks.  There is a limited entry bow season on moose going now till the 19th in the Kootenay.

Check regulations for details in the various regions and remember there are 152 species nearing  some classification of endangerment, in this province.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/hunting/resident/

The Americans are getting ready for the republican party’s 2012 presidential candidates debate and looking at what a democratic president may speak to congress about on thursday for another stimulus program. We wonder if they are starting to understand an earlier statement that trying to stimulate an economy with spending is like standing in a bucket and trying to lift your self up by the handle.

Today in history, September 7th,2005

Egypt holds its first multi party elections.

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