07 February 2010
Reader Response Forum
13/02/2010 06:03
A Smile To Start Your Weekend
After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant, and resumed their trip.
When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table, and she didn't miss them until they had been driving for about forty minutes. By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around, in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses.
All the way back, the elderly husband became the classic grouchy old man. He fussed and complained, and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive. The more he chided her, the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up for a single minute.
To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant. As the woman got out of the car, and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the old geezer yelled to her:
“While you're in there, you might as well get my hat and the credit card!”
Graham & Associates A Local Institution
I got a pleasant surprise when I pulled up in front of Graham & Associates brand new premises at 110 - 20 Circle Drive in Campbell Park on the north side of Servus Place. It was quite a contrast to their old location, but I was in for an even bigger surprise when I opened the door.
I was greeted by a large open atrium and a modern new decor. I’ve been dealing at Graham & Associates for a dozen years or more now dating back to the first time I met company founder Peggy Graham.
The firm is now ably managed by daughter Wendy and her staff and the pride in their new premises is etched on the faces of staff members. It is a spacious new two story layout with such a bright and fresh new look and it radiates efficiency.
The business has its roots some 25 years ago in the basement of Peggy’s home and has grown to what it is today.
If you are in the market for someone to prepare your 2009 tax return, look no further that Graham & Associates.
It is no surprise to me that their clients number well over 4,000 individual accounts and their solid base of business accounts continues to rise.
Years of experience combined with their knowledge of Canadian tax law will make your return simple and easy with Wendy and her staff advising you all the way on savings you might otherwise never know about.
They’ll be sure you take advantage of such things as prescription receipts. Did you know you can have your pharmacy print out a whole year’s review for you?
Did you know that you can claim health services premiums including one that you pay through your place of employment?
You can also claim any travel medical insurance you may have purchased as well as any fees paid to a long-term care facility.
And if you have to travel to get proper treatment, you may be able to claim some of those expenses too.
Another little know area are transit passes, which can also be claimed.
Did you know that taxpayers can allot up to half their eligible pension income to a spouse or common-law partner? Any type of income that qualifies as pension income qualifies for income splitting and can save you tax dollars.
You can even claim registration expenses to place your child in sports related programs.
And if you’ve ever wondered if you should purchase RRSPs or need a financial planner, Graham & Associates can help you as well.
Want to stay informed on tax return issues? Send us your e-mail address to:
Info@grahamtaxandaccounting.com
We’ll send you our quarterly newsletter!
Open special longer hours Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. through the end of April.
Drop by and see them for all your tax filing needs.
WEBBITS
13/02/2010 06:03
A roundup of bits
from the web:
Obese Children Twice as Likely to Die Before 55. Read more:
Facebook Wants to Be Your One True Login. Read more:
Nelson Mandela’s South Africa, 20 Years Ago. Read more:
Beet juice mix helps melt ice. Read more:
Hundreds forced into labor, sex in Ohio. Read more:
Storm could mean snow on ground in all 50 states. (Do you think they might have forgotten Hawaii?) Read more:
Obese Children Twice as Likely to Die Before 55. Read more:
Facebook Wants to Be Your One True Login. Read more:
Nelson Mandela’s South Africa, 20 Years Ago. Read more:
Beet juice mix helps melt ice. Read more:
Hundreds forced into labor, sex in Ohio. Read more:
Storm could mean snow on ground in all 50 states. (Do you think they might have forgotten Hawaii?) Read more:
10 Foot Long Macrocheira Kaempferi Found
13/02/2010 06:03
SINC SAYS:
It’s not every day one finds a 10 foot long Macrocheira Kaempferi, but they found one in the UK.
They say its body is the size of a basketball with legs that span 10 feet.
They also say it’s not done growing and it will eventually be 15 feet long at age 100.
The darn thing can straddle an automobile.
What the heck is a Macrocheira Kaempferi anyway?
Dangers Of Buying Discount Electricity
13/02/2010 06:03
SINC SAYS:
A New Zealand couple who own a sports bar and grill found out the hard way just how wrong things can go when buying discount power.
You see, a sales type stopped by and convinced them to sign up for a much cheaper rate on power and they did just that.
Funny thing is it took the power company years to realize a mistake had been made.
They billed them for $55 grand.
Own A PC? Here’s Another Reason To Worry
13/02/2010 06:03
SINC SAYS:
If you own a PC, and according to statistics most people do, there is yet another reason to be concerned about security.
2009 saw the world wide release of a botnet called “Zeus” that is designed to infect your computer and then give criminals access to your usernames and passwords.
But a brighter brand of crooks have come up with a clever way to get at your bank accounts.
They’ve developed a program called “Kill Zeus” or “Spy Eye Toolkit” which innocent users load, thinking they are getting rid of a problem, but in reality, just adding to their problem.
Are you infected? Not me. I use a Mac. (Slow to load, give it some time.)
Reader Response Forum
12/02/2010 04:59
Non-government Organization Conference
Hi All:
This is an opportunity to learn more about community groups and support SATA. Hope to see you on:
- SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13th, 3-5pm
- Hosted by: St. Albert Community League
- Held at SACL, 17 Perron Street, St. Albert
Non-government Organization Conference
- Learn about what 20 non-profit, self-sustaining, and community-oriented organizations in St. Albert have to offer.
- Keynote speaker: Carol Wodak, a longtime elder care activist and researcher and lead author of the Seniors Action Liaison Team eldercare reports
- Support the St. Albert Taxpayers--we'll have a table--by bringing friends, neighbours, family.
Lynda Flannery
President
St. Albert Taxpayers Association
``Your membership is your voice``
Click on banner below to go to SATA web site.
SINC SAYS:
And regular contributor Deanne Doucett follows up with this informative submission regarding the Community League meeting.
Dear Don:
Rather late, yet in hope; our St. Albert Community League asks you to invite all members of the community to attend the NGO Conference that we are hosting at our hall (17 Perron Street) this coming Saturday afternoon, February 13.
For members of the community who are not already members of one or more NGOs, we think this will be a great opportunity to learn what we're all about, and even to become member of one or the other, and join in the fun.
A copy follows of an email just sent out. We think it will give a pretty good idea of what this gathering is about:
To our invited NGOs who have confirmed your attendance, and those we hope will confirm: we hope the following will be helpful.
The purpose of our conference will be described below. There is no intention to formalize a "league-of-NGOs"; rather our hope is to discuss possible mutual benefits of drawing closer together.
This copy of an email to SACL members may be helpful to you:
This is to inform all SACL members of the NGO Conference which we are convening at our hall this Saturday (13 Feb.) beginning at 3:00 PM; hopefully to wind up at 5 PM. NGO = Non-government organization. In this case, NGOs like us: non-profit, self-sustaining, and community-oriented.
Invitations have gone out to 30 some St. Albert NGOs. Responses have been very positive. We are hoping around 22 will be represented.
Our prime motivation in hosting public gatherings is to draw crowds of citizens who we hope to recruit to membership. And to increase public awareness and support.
Beyond that, our purpose in hosting this NGO Conference is to try to find group motivation for *all* St. Albert NGOs to draw closer together. And to begin a "to-be-continued" dialogue if we see the benefit.
Following is copy (edited for new info)) of an email I sent to Carol Wodak, well-known Edmonton community activist.
Dear Carol:
I have already expressed my delight with your agreement to deliver our keynote address. I'll try to lay out as clearly as I can our present thinking regarding format as follows.
Roy Bedford, a City employee, has agreed to moderate our gathering. He's being a grand help to us.
Vic Charlton, our SACL president, will lead off with a welcome and introduction of SACL. Vic will then invite NGOs to introduce themselves in turn (one minute each).
That complete, Vic will then introduce Carol for her twenty minute keynote address. That complete, Vic will thank Carol. He will then introduce Roy who will call for a brief Q&A (15 min.). That concluded, he'll declare a 10-minute tea-break. Roy's major task will be keeping the conference focused in our second hour.
Those are the high points. See Wednesday's Gazette and today's SCN for more. And Don Sinclair's mybirdie.ca web site. This is beginning to show itself a very ambitious undertaking. We'll hope for the best. We think we see the potential for major mutual benefit.
Hope to see you and your many readers there.
Sincerely,
Deane Doucette
For St. Albert Community League
The Bottle Of Wine
Sally was driving home from one of her business trips in Northern Arizona when she saw an elderly Navajo woman walking on the side of the road.
As the trip was a long and quiet one, she stopped the car and asked the Navajo woman if she would like a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the woman got into the car.
Resuming the journey, Sally tried in vain to make a bit of small talk with the Navajo woman. The old woman just sat silently, looking intently at everything she saw, studying every little detail, until she noticed a brown bag on the seat next to Sally. 'What in bag?' asked the old woman.
Sally looked down at the brown bag and said, 'It's a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband.'
The Navajo woman was silent for another moment or two. Then speaking with the quiet wisdom of an elder, she said 'Good trade.'
WEBBITS
12/02/2010 04:59
A roundup of bits
from the web:
* Man charged with indecent exposure for unzipping at office. Read more:
* One in three women watch porn - study. Read more:
* Child-urine solicitor arrested in L.A. Read more:
* A DAD who cut a thug's ear off with a Samurai sword has been cleared by a jury. Read more:
* Swearing surgeon snaps over woman's 'lifestyle' choice. Read more:
* Man charged with indecent exposure for unzipping at office. Read more:
* One in three women watch porn - study. Read more:
* Child-urine solicitor arrested in L.A. Read more:
* A DAD who cut a thug's ear off with a Samurai sword has been cleared by a jury. Read more:
* Swearing surgeon snaps over woman's 'lifestyle' choice. Read more:
Demystifying Airline Travel
12/02/2010 04:59
SINC SAYS:
If you fly the friendly skies folks, there have likely been times when you wondered what this or that part of an airplane actually did.
One airline has taken passengers questions to the max and come up with a novel way to answer those types of questions before they are even asked.
But bing on that particular plane won’t answer any questions for you at all.
You see, you have to be on the outside of the darn thing to get a look at it.
One thing is for sure, it doesn’t look like the normal 737 pictured here.
See photos of the plane.
1950s Automobiles Remembered
12/02/2010 04:59
Here is a series of photographs of those great old
cars from the 1950s folks. Now we’ve run pictures of
old cars here before and they are very popular, but
these ones are different. Very different. Look
carefully for a clue as to their real size in the
final photo.
Man Gives Everything He Owns To Charity
12/02/2010 04:59
SINC SAYS:
You hear about philanthropists all the time.
Good folks who’ve mad a fortune and given millions to charity.
But this guy is in the process of giving it all away to charity.
Yep, every last possession sold and every last dime gone.
Did I mention he had millions?
Getting Stuck In An Elevator
12/02/2010 04:58
SINC SAYS:
If it hasn’t happened to you at some point in your life, you’re lucky.
Getting trapped in an elevator is no fun and I can tell you that from experience.
I once spent nearly an hour in an elevator between floors in the old Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto in the 1970s.
Fortunately for us, it was caught between the lobby and the first floor.
So I can empathize with a group of tourists in Dubai who were trapped near the top floor of the world’s tallest building.
How did they get out?
Reader Response Forum
11/02/2010 03:56
The Videos Our Readers Send Us
Hi Don,
Your readers would enjoy the following video, but be sure to watch past the first 60 seconds.
George Proulx
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Good old George is always on the lookout for “stuff” for this site and I hope he continues to do so. This is a video of an act from 1944 - a sister act called The Ross Sisters. The song they sing is about 45 seconds long (nothing special) but what they do after the act is amazing! Can you imagine these girls on today’s talent shows? I don't think I have ever seen a human being do some of the stunts they did way back then! Hope you enjoy it!
The Videos Our Readers Send Us Part Two
Thanks to our ever alert readers, we’re never short of video fun for the rest of you. Here’s an example of Redneck Water Skiing sent in by Bixman of St. Albert.
WEBBITS
11/02/2010 03:56
A roundup of
bits from the web:
* UN Slams Haitian Hospitals for Charging Patients. UN vows to stop giving out free medicine to any Haitian hospitals who are charging patients. Read more:
* Thirdhand smoke forms indoor carcinogens, Lawrence Berkeley lab scientists report. Read more:
* A theft, a chase, then a wild ride in a pickup truck bed before man is thrown. Read more:
* Troops face fury of animal rights campaigners after eating scorpions and drinking snakes' blood. Read more:
* Obsessed teacher took her top off for boy. Read more:
* UN Slams Haitian Hospitals for Charging Patients. UN vows to stop giving out free medicine to any Haitian hospitals who are charging patients. Read more:
* Thirdhand smoke forms indoor carcinogens, Lawrence Berkeley lab scientists report. Read more:
* A theft, a chase, then a wild ride in a pickup truck bed before man is thrown. Read more:
* Troops face fury of animal rights campaigners after eating scorpions and drinking snakes' blood. Read more:
* Obsessed teacher took her top off for boy. Read more:
The Tales Our Readers Send Us
11/02/2010 03:56
Some years ago,
Stan married an attractive woman, Marilyn,
half his age, in a small rural community.
After several months, Marilyn complained that she had never climaxed during sex and according to her Grandmother, all women are entitled to a climax once in a while.
So, to resolve the problem, they went to see the Veterinarian since there was no trustworthy doctor anywhere in the village.
The Vet didn't have a clue, but he did recall how, during the hot summer, his Mother and Father, would fan a cow that was having difficulty breeding, with a big towel. This would cool her down and make her relax.
So the Vet told them to hire a strong, virile, young man to wave a big towel over them while they were having sex. This, the Vet said, would cause the young wife to cool down, relax, then climax.
So the couple hired a strong young man from a farm to wave that big towel over them as the Vet suggested.
After many efforts, Marilyn still had not climaxed so they went back to the Vet. The Vet said for Marilyn to change partners and let the young man have sex with her while Stan waved the big towel.
They tried it that night and Marilyn went into wild, screaming, ear-splitting climaxes, one right after the other for about two and a half hours.
When it was over, Stan looked down at the exhausted young man and in a boasting voice said: 'I hope youse was paying attention, cause that, my son, is how you wave a towel!'
The Quack Medicine Of A Lame Duck
11/02/2010 03:55
SINC SAYS:
We’ve all heard the expression “lame duck” and pretty much know it means something lacking.
But a boy in the US who met such a duck by fate is glad he did.
You see the young fellow has cerebral palsy and has never walked.
That is until he met this handicapped duckling.
It’s quite a story.
What Colours Fit Your Mood?
11/02/2010 03:55
SINC SAYS:
Did you ever wonder if the colours that surround you can have an effect on your mood?
A recent study has shown that gray encourages depression while yellows do the opposite.
We’ve had a yellow living room for years now, thus my upbeat mood all the time.
How about you?
Do you know what colours have effects on you?
Find out here.
Hmmmm, What’s That Awful Smell?
11/02/2010 03:55
SINC SAYS:
Some folks will tell you that there is a little child lurking inside every adult.
And it must be true given the actions of this 51-year-old guy in Florida.
Some folks will also tell you that a Wal*Mart has a rather distinctive odour.
But nothing like the way this Wal*Mart smelled when this guy got through with it.
What’d he do anyway?
Reader Response Forum
10/02/2010 05:08
Hi Don:
Going back over the past few weeks you featured "Only at Walmart" - if you go to "Jungle Jim's - Cincinnati" on the computer you would be amazed at what this individual has carried out - a 6 1/2 acre store that defies Walmart in so many ways.
George Proulx
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Wow George, that is some centre old Jungle Jim has set up there. It’s more like a mini West Edmonton Mall than a Wal*Mart. Talk about a true one stop shopping experience!
Readers can visit the site here.
Does Government Minister Even Know The Facts?
In a recent news story, Children and Youth Services Minister Yvonne Fritz stated, “"I think that lots and lots of effort is put into doing the best screening that the service system knows how to do … but I just don't think that there is an answer that would reassure people that if we did this the problem would disappear.
"While the case has the province's Liberal party questioning the competency of the Department of Children and Youth Services, Fritz said incidents of abuse within the foster care system are very unusual."
Full story here.
LIES!!
As a person who recently provided foster care in Alberta let me tell you what the "screening process" really looks like: The children were brought to our home; no social worker accompanied them, nor visited within weeks to ascertain that they were well - or - not! When the caseworker did arrive, it was to drop off forms. I stated that I had documentation ready to provide: Criminal record check, for instance, and was told, "No time, no time today".
For the home inspection, the social worker sat down and filled out a check-list of safety items, but not once did the worker actually support the accuracy of information by examining the household. The worker never left the room. The information gathered was solely relied upon my word!
While I am an honest and good service provider who does care for children, what about those who are not? No one ought to be free from accountability and yet this is exactly how the system operates.
As a mother, I do not appreciate the lies that are being perpetuated by the leaders of this province and will not support these by remaining silent!
Name Withheld
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the letter to alert Albertans that a government minister sometimes has no idea what they are talking about. As one who has “been there, done that”, your experience is a real eye opener.
WEBBITS
10/02/2010 05:08
A roundup of
bits from the web:
* Westchase teachers learn a lesson: Say 'no' to mints in pill bottles. Read more:
* Cows now outnumber humans in New Zealand . Read more:
* Teen crashes car into school, drives down hall. Read more:
* Worker: School banned Spanish. Ex-CMS secretary says she was fired after she kept speaking Spanish to Latino parents. Read more:
* Ship disguised as island. Read more:
* Westchase teachers learn a lesson: Say 'no' to mints in pill bottles. Read more:
* Cows now outnumber humans in New Zealand . Read more:
* Teen crashes car into school, drives down hall. Read more:
* Worker: School banned Spanish. Ex-CMS secretary says she was fired after she kept speaking Spanish to Latino parents. Read more:
* Ship disguised as island. Read more:
Soft Drinks Linked To Pancreatic Cancer
10/02/2010 05:08
SINC SAYS:
Now that we’ve established that beer is healthy to drink, this story comes to light.
It seems that having a Coke a couple of times a week can put you at risk for cancer.
I don’t know about you folks, but I’m gonna stick with the beer.
Want a Coke?
The Very Best Of Cookbooks
10/02/2010 05:07
SINC SAYS:
The Food Network’s Alton Brown has selected his top five cookbooks of all time.
I just happen to have two of them in my cookbook collection.
Are any of them in your collection?
Or did he miss some great ones?
Check it out here.
Getting Along Without God
10/02/2010 05:07
SINC SAYS:
A US based group in Florida is campaigning to rid the world of a belief in God. Any God.
The group has bought billboard space and they are going up in very public places.
This comes as no surprise to anyone who has watched the rise of secularism in the past quarter century.
Churches may soon go the way of the Dodo if the trend continues.
They believe in nothing.
Just One More Reason To Drink Beer
10/02/2010 05:07
SINC SAYS:
I love it when this happens.
Yet another study outlining why is is good for you to drink beer.
This time it has been shown that beer helps build strong bones.
Did I mention I love beer?
Yep, gonna buy me a six pack today.
How about you?
Reader Response Forum
09/02/2010 05:38
The Things That People Send Me
Bear Shot Near Restaurant:
Alert To Anybody Using A Wood Burning Fireplace!
The other day, I finally stopped procrastinating and decided to have my furnace cleaned. After consulting with friends and neighbours, checking BBB (ha ha!) and other reliable sources, calling every furnace cleaner to discuss the services they provide, I hired an outfit.
I even checked out the weather forecast to make sure it would not be too cold the day of the appointment.
That was my first mis-calculation. The crew arrived on time, early on what turned out to be a very, very cold morning. The front door would be open for quite a while, and I was a bit worried about the furnaces getting shut down and my plants getting too cold, so I made a fire in my air-tight wood stove to keep the house warm.
That was my second miscalculation. I was hanging around the basement to see what was being done, but as soon as the duct-cleaning started, there was a smoke alert from the assistant upstairs. He asked what was burning. I went upstairs to find the entire house full of heavy white smoke.
Obviously, modern technology is not my forte. Nobody had warned me that one can not use a wood burning fireplace when the furnace is getting cleaned. I have used wood burning fireplaces for many decades, cook on a wood stove all summer, am a potter and have built and fired wood fired kilns for over 30 years, have even suffered from carbon monoxide exposure, but it had never occurred to me that the downdraft from the powerful exhaust fans used to clean the vents would have such a devastating effect. The airtight fireplace was belching smoke from every tiny opening it could find. My cleaner advised me that I should turn off the fire!
I carried the burning logs out into the snow, opened doors and windows, turned on the bathroom exhaust fan to clear the smoke, but three days later, my house still smells of smoke and fire. The bathroom fan still is running a lot, and I keep a window open all the time.
Alert: I have three smoke alarms. They go off each time a bit of toast smells funny, or I open the oven door. Not one of the alarms went off. I tested the buttons and they work just fine. But not for smoke from a wood fire place. Why?
I do not have a carbon monoxide alarm, so I spent a rather restless night, with everything around me stinking of cold smoke, wondering if I would wake up if I went to sleep. Kept the bedroom window open, at -20C!
Oh, I forgot. I had to leave the house all day after the cleaners left. It was impossible to breathe indoors. When I got home at 5.30 p.m. it was colder than usual in the house. I figured that made since I had had the doors and windows open all morning. So I turned up the heat.
Another miscalculation: one of the furnaces did not go on! I was choking on smoke, was freezing cold, so I was not too happy. Luckily, the business was still open and I let them know that I wanted the furnace functioning that evening. They sent out somebody who eventually discovered a disconnected wire. The nice lady at the cleaner's place also told me that this was the first ever report they had about backdraft from a fireplace!
This was the most expensive furnace cleaning I ever had done. There is the cost of running two furnaces full-blast for a night and 2 days to warm up the house whilst the smoke was clearing out open windows.. Then there is the stress of not knowing if the house was full of CO. I can't afford sleepless nights.
Mostly, I was more than surprised that an outfit which is highly recommended and advertises its excellent services does not alert home owners not to have a woodfire going. They did not.
They are also supposed to check the furnace out completely, so I would assume they would have a CO detector at all times. They did not offer to test the air.
I suppose they are expected to check the furnace before they leave to make sure it works. Apparently, they did not.
So my advice to anybody who intends to hire a furnace cleaner. Don't trust them to know what they are doing.
Elke Blodgett
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Sorry to hear of your troubles Elke, but many thanks for sharing your story. It might just save someone else a whole lot of trouble should they decide to have their furnace cleaned. For the record, we have our furnace cleaned every summer.
WEBBITS
09/02/2010 05:38
A roundup of
bits from the web:
* Patient ‘locked in’ by brain injury answers question using thoughts alone. Read more:
* Dead man found in landing gear. Read more:
* Patrol car pins, kills deputy from Georgia. Read more:
* Woman crawls under tracks to leave home. Read more:
* Jack Nicholson Plans Sky Burial. Read more:
* Patient ‘locked in’ by brain injury answers question using thoughts alone. Read more:
* Dead man found in landing gear. Read more:
* Patrol car pins, kills deputy from Georgia. Read more:
* Woman crawls under tracks to leave home. Read more:
* Jack Nicholson Plans Sky Burial. Read more:
Playing Trick On His Mom Backfired
09/02/2010 05:38
SINC SAYS:
We all know that young guys love to play tricks on people.
This young guy though he would play a trick on dear old Mom. Well, maybe not that old, she’s only 37 and the kid’s 21, but I digress.
So just how does a guy pull a trick on Mom that she’s sure to remember.
Well, you see, first you get your self a ski mask.
What could go wrong?
What To Do When You’re Bored At Work
09/02/2010 05:38
16 Panda Cubs Start At Nursery
09/02/2010 05:38
SINC SAYS:
If there is any animal cuter than Panda Bear cubs folks, please let me know.
The Daily Mail has a visual delight with their story about these little guys and photos of them at play.
Take a peek at them all here.
Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round That Tree
09/02/2010 05:38
SINC SAYS:
Seems a simple enough headline, doesn’t it?
It’s going on all over North America and it happens in Edmonton all the time.
When our troops return from Afghanistan, people tie yellow ribbons around trees along the return route to welcome them home.
And residents and even businesses tie yellow ribbons around tress on their property to honour those who serve their country.
But not so in this small US town.
Reader Response Forum
08/02/2010 06:23
Anyone Spotted Any Unusual Coins?
Wondered if anyone else has spotted some unusual twoonies in their change lately.
Adorned with a clear sticker over the Queens side that reads around the edge
Turn this $2 into $10 any Friday at Empire Ballroom
A clever advertising ploy on their part. Wonder who will be next ?
Bixman
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Well Bixman, I have to say this is news to me. Anyone else out there spotted one of these coins?
Kit-Cat Klock History
The Tradition Lives on . . .
The Kit-Cat® Klock had its humble beginning in the mid 1930's when it brought mystery and excitement with its rolling eyes and wagging tail to an economically depressed nation ready for a smile and a friend.
Read more here.
Jumping To Conclusions . . .
When it came time for Al and Janet to be the hosts, Janet wanted to outdo all the others. Janet decided to have mushroom smothered steak, but, mushrooms were expensive. She then told her husband, 'No, mushrooms, are too high!'
He said, 'Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms? There are plenty in the creek bed.'
She said, 'No, some wild mushrooms are poisonous.'
He said, 'Well, I see varmints eating them and they're OK.'
So, Janet decided to give it a try. She picked a bunch, washed, sliced, and diced them for her smothered steak.
Then she went out on the back porch and gave Ole' Spot (the yard dog) a double hand full. Ole' Spot ate every bite.
All morning long Janet watched Ole' Spot and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them.
The meal was a great success, and Janet even hired a helper lady from town to help her serve. She had a white apron and a fancy little cap on her head. After everyone had finished, they relaxed, socialized, and played games.
About then, the helper lady from town, came in and whispered in Janet's ear, 'Mrs. Williams, Ole' Spot just died.' Janet went into hysterics.
After she finally calmed down, she called the doctor and told him what had happened. The doctor said, 'That's bad, but I think we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quick as possible. We'll give everyone enemas and we will pump out everyone's stomach. Everything will be fine. Just keep them calm.'
Soon they could hear the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road. The EMTs and the doctor had their suitcases, syringes, and a stomach pump. One by one, they took each person into the bathroom gave them an enema, and pumped out their stomach. After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, 'I think everything will be fine now.' Then he left.
They were all looking pretty weak sitting around the living room, and about this time, the helper lady came in and said, 'You know, that fellow that ran over Ole' Spot never even stopped.’
WEBBITS
08/02/2010 06:23
A roundup of
bits from the web:
* Is homosexuality a form of mental illness? A small but evangelical band of psychotherapists believe that it is – and they're on a mission to 'heal' the afflicted. Read more:
* Suspected thief flees into police station. Read more:
* City employee sues for arrest over $2.50 ice cream sundae. Read more:
* Brazil handing out 55M condoms for Carnival. Read more:
* All US military bases required to offer morning-after pill. Read more:
* Former Lancashire town mayor jailed over knicker thefts. (Wait until you see this guy’s picture!) Read more:
* Is homosexuality a form of mental illness? A small but evangelical band of psychotherapists believe that it is – and they're on a mission to 'heal' the afflicted. Read more:
* Suspected thief flees into police station. Read more:
* City employee sues for arrest over $2.50 ice cream sundae. Read more:
* Brazil handing out 55M condoms for Carnival. Read more:
* All US military bases required to offer morning-after pill. Read more:
* Former Lancashire town mayor jailed over knicker thefts. (Wait until you see this guy’s picture!) Read more:
Look Up. Look Waaay Up
08/02/2010 06:23
SINC SAYS:
No, it’s not the return of the Friendly Giant show folks, it’s another problem altogether.
It’s about those darn airplanes that keep flying across the skies above us.
It seems that more of them these days are “losing” parts as they fly along.
Apparently not enough parts to cause them to fall out of the sky, but big enough pieces of them to do serious damage when they hit the ground.
What fell off a plane now?
Maxine’s Question Of The Day
08/02/2010 06:22
Police Lead Protest To Remove Photo Radar
08/02/2010 06:22
SINC SAYS:
A US sheriff has had enough of the companies who convince local councils to prey upon their residents for extra cash with photo radar cameras.
Sound familiar? Our very own council has openly admitted that photo radar here is nothing more than a cash cow.
But this sheriff says enough is enough and wants the cameras removed from his town.
Finally someone with the cajones to call it like it really is folks.
Meet sheriff Paul Babeu.
Reader Response Forum
07/02/2010 03:27
Is It Time We Tightened Our Belt Too?
SAP reader Robert Hartley drew our attention to a story that ran recently in the National Post about the US city of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The story got me to thinking about the plight we share with this city right here in St. Albert. We are facing a super high rate of taxation and sadly our council’s seemingly endless desire to keep us in the poor house.
If you think about further proposed spending, Here’s a prime example. This council has committed us to blow away half a million bucks on a rather useless birthday party. That’s half a million bucks with zero return folks, other than some left over cake and ice cream. Nothing. Nada. Zip.
From what I can tell among most residents who communicate with us here, there is no compelling desire to blow this much dough so frivilously. It seems to me that only the artsy fartsy crowd have such desires.
Please take the time to read the story below. You might even want to send it along to members of council, although I doubt it will do much good. They are hell bent to keep spending. What we really need is a fresh new council in the fall to put a halt to all this.
Here’s the story with a link to the original site:
From the National Post:
Cut the lights, fire the cops, let the grass go brown: One city just says no to more spending
Ever wonder what happens when a determinedly anti-tax voter base runs up against a city that's pushed its budget crisis one chasm too far?
Here's your answer. Colorado Springs, second biggest city in the state, has decided that enough is enough.
Confronted by a $38 million budget shortfall, and opposed to a proposal to triple property taxes to make up the gap, residents are instead bracing for spending cuts that make "draconian" sound tame.
According to the Denver Post:
More than a third of the streetlights in Colorado Springs will go dark Monday. The police helicopters are for sale on the Internet. The city is dumping firefighting jobs, a vice team, burglary investigators, beat cops — dozens of police and fire positions will go unfilled.
The parks department removed trash cans last week, replacing them with signs urging users to pack out their own litter.
Neighbors are encouraged to bring their own lawn mowers to local green spaces, because parks workers will mow them only once every two weeks. If that.
Water cutbacks mean most parks will be dead, brown turf by July; the flower and fertilizer budget is zero.
City recreation centers, indoor and outdoor pools, and a handful of museums will close for good March 31 unless they find private funding to stay open. Buses no longer run on evenings and weekends. The city won't pay for any street paving, relying instead on a regional authority that can meet only about 10 percent of the need.
"I guess we're going to find out what the tolerance level is for people," said businessman Chuck Fowler, who is helping lead a private task force brainstorming for city budget fixes. "It's a new day."
Sounds more like a new Depression. The city's mayor, Lionel Rivera, admits a big problem is the voters' total lack of faith in the ability of local politicians to deal with the problem, even if voters had agreed to the tax hikes. The mayor and council are part-time positions paid token amounts, but city workers cost on average $89,000 each and enjoy rich benefits.
"There's a lot of anger, a lot of frustration about how governments spend their money," Rivera told the Post. "It's not unique to Colorado Springs."
No, but the severity of the solution may be.
Read more:
READER RESPONSE:
Now I know why St. Albert removed so many trash cans along our Red Willow Park trails! They just forgot to put up a sign to remind us to take home our own litter! It is time for tightening our belt.
Spending cuts measures in Colorado Springs include:
"The parks department removed trash cans last week, replacing them with signs urging users to pack out their own litter.
Elke Blodgett
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
I knew you would pick up on that Elke!
Top 10 Super Bowl Ads From Last Year
I’m not sure what people look forward to more, the big game or those wacky ads.
Here is a review of the top 10 ads from Super Bowl Sunday last year. Will they be as good this year? Tune in today to see for yourself.
HINT: Try the HD channels. Sometimes our miserly Canadian cable/satellite providers allow the US commercials to run there.
Snack Stadium Smackdown!
In staying with the Super Bowl spirit today, we present this amazing video of a Los Angeles bar’s impressive building of a Super Bowl Stadium entirely out of snack foods. Yum!
And thanks to SAP reader Warren in Ontario for alerting us to this video.
WEBBITS
07/02/2010 03:27
A roundup
of bits from the web:
* Pink Ouija Board Targeting Young Girls Riles Critics. Read more:
* Teenager fights off shark with boogie board. Read more:
* Is that Right? Sunny-side-up eggs are okay to eat? Read more:
* British researcher asks: How many friends can you have? Read more:
* Gen Y too lazy and unfocused to hire - bosses. Read more:
* Pink Ouija Board Targeting Young Girls Riles Critics. Read more:
* Teenager fights off shark with boogie board. Read more:
* Is that Right? Sunny-side-up eggs are okay to eat? Read more:
* British researcher asks: How many friends can you have? Read more:
* Gen Y too lazy and unfocused to hire - bosses. Read more:
A Taste of Texico
07/02/2010 03:27
A Foodie’s Expedition To Southern
Texas
By KC4
Special Correspondent
St. Albert’s Place
Part Three:
Another early morning finds us at the H.E.B., a local flagship grocery store in Brownsville. This is more than your average grocery store; it’s a community center for Brownville’s residents, it’s a deli style restaurant and it’s even a bit of a department store with wide assortment of non-grocery merchandise.
We are buying groceries. None of us is actually planning on cooking today, not even Chef. We have been invited to dinner at the home of a friend of Chef’s Mom. Since there is such a large crew of us, we insisted on at least buying the ingredients.
I am Canadian but I am made momentarily homesick for my one time home of Texas when I see the insulated metal boxes containing stacks of hot, fresh corn tortillas. They are a staple of the local cuisine. Now, the only way I can get stacks of hot, fresh corn tortillas in Canada, is to make them myself. Somehow they just don’t taste the same.
Another purpose to being at H.E.B. this morning is to eat breakfast in the deli. This deli has the best fresh gorditas in town. Gorditas are small, pancake thick tortillas made from masa harina (corn flour) and pork lard. Made fresh and griddled to a crisp outer shell and a soft moist inside, these are sinfully good. Typically, people slice them open, bagel style and stuff them with an assortment of fillings such as beans, queso (Mexican cheese), meats and of course, salsas.
I also note with glee that they have barbacoa available every day. My choice of gordita filling has instantly been decided, no contest. This treat is usually reserved for weekends only because of the time and effort it takes to prepare.
Barbacoa is the roasted cheek and jaw meat of cattle. This Tex-Mex delicacy is typically roasted in pits, on the bone, skin on, for 12 or more hours. No organs, skin or otherwise included in the barbacoa; just the incredibly tender and tasty meat. It is easily the most succulent beef I have ever experienced, without exception.
After we drop off the groceries, we head for the Brownsville home of our ranch owner friend that toured us around his ranch the previous day. His lovely wife wants us to try her homemade tamales. Not only do we get wonderfully soft and tasty tamales, we receive an entire lunch plate of delicious home-cooked food.
We invite our 70-something rancher buddy to accompany us today if he wishes. His wife is more than happy to get him out of the house and tells us so. We enjoy his company because not only is he a character, he is an encyclopedia of information about the areas we are touring.
He asked me if I know the history of a famous Tex-Mex food called the burrito. I said, yes I think I do. He tells me that he bets that I don’t know the real story.
Oh really? Please tell. He goes on to explain the etymology of the word burrito itself. Any time the suffix “ito” is added to a Spanish word it turns the word into a diminutive form. So, he says, burrito means little burro.
He continues that historically, the cattle weren’t as hardy and died easily on the harsh Texas ranges. The only thing that would reliably survive was the resilient and adaptable burro. In order to survive, the vaqueros were forced to raise burros as food instead of cattle.
When they rolled small chunks of burro meat into their tortilla, they were eating little burros, and therefore called them burritos. The name for the food stuck, even though burros are no longer a typical filling.
This was told to me with a completely deadpan straight face. I wrote notes fastidiously as he spoke. Then I checked the facts when I had internet access. I should have known, that Canadian seal meat comment of mine was coming back to haunt me.
Next, we meet up with some regional Film Commission people who have joined us on this expedition. We pile ourselves and our gear into their larger vehicle. It’s time to head across the bridge to Matamoros for further, more official exploration.
We target Garcia’s again first. This time we actually meet with Mr. Garcia himself who shows us around a bit his grand establishment. Mr. Garcia’s constant companion is a medium sized brown Schnauzer he has named Baby.
While kneeling on the floor to take pictures of Baby, two sets of shoes walk into the frame. I look above my viewfinder to see two of the Mariachi musicians from the night before smiling down at me. They are here already? It’s so early! Hopefully it’s too early for another rousing rendition of New York, New York.
As they speak with Mr. Garcia, I decide to get out of Dodge just in case the music strikes up again. I head for other parts of the market. Maybe I missed something good in my Tequila poisoned state from the night before.
A little too late, I found religion. One entire wall is covered in every conceivable variation and size of a cross. Wooden ones, pottery ones, glass, silver, wrought iron and beaded. Anything you could possibly want. I was puzzled to see a security mirror in the same corner. People steal crosses?
The Catholic religion figures prominently around this border area, but even it has a unique Tex-Mex identity. Many of the religious icons are not depicting Jesus but instead an image of the beautiful and serene Virgin Mother called Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, or Our Lady of Guadalupe.
All of the homes big and small that we have visited so far have a shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Sometimes it was a simple wall or shelf display and other times it was as grand as a whole room or even an entirely separate building made into a small private chapel. One of the ranches had an open-air shrine for the benefit of everybody on the ranch, especially the vaqueros. It is a deeply ingrained and important part of the culture.
Mr. Garcia has been gracious enough to help pre-arrange many places for us to visit this day. I also learn that we will have a Mexican police escort to accompany us around the city of Matamoros.
I am somewhat surprised about our escort because this isn’t a rough, sketchy border town like the infamous Tijuana. Matamoros is a very visitor friendly place.
At first I think it’s rather fun being given a police escort around town. They even rope off an area around our vehicle when we park.
Unfortunately, this also attracts attention and people stop and crowd around wondering who we are. Maybe we are famous; maybe we are just in deep trouble. Either way, there must be something fun to see.
I’m guessing we had better get accustomed to working with and around crowds. I can’t imagine it will be much different if and when we set up a film crew.
To Be Continued Next Sunday.
By KC4
Special Correspondent
St. Albert’s Place
Part Three:
Another early morning finds us at the H.E.B., a local flagship grocery store in Brownsville. This is more than your average grocery store; it’s a community center for Brownville’s residents, it’s a deli style restaurant and it’s even a bit of a department store with wide assortment of non-grocery merchandise.
We are buying groceries. None of us is actually planning on cooking today, not even Chef. We have been invited to dinner at the home of a friend of Chef’s Mom. Since there is such a large crew of us, we insisted on at least buying the ingredients.
I am Canadian but I am made momentarily homesick for my one time home of Texas when I see the insulated metal boxes containing stacks of hot, fresh corn tortillas. They are a staple of the local cuisine. Now, the only way I can get stacks of hot, fresh corn tortillas in Canada, is to make them myself. Somehow they just don’t taste the same.
Another purpose to being at H.E.B. this morning is to eat breakfast in the deli. This deli has the best fresh gorditas in town. Gorditas are small, pancake thick tortillas made from masa harina (corn flour) and pork lard. Made fresh and griddled to a crisp outer shell and a soft moist inside, these are sinfully good. Typically, people slice them open, bagel style and stuff them with an assortment of fillings such as beans, queso (Mexican cheese), meats and of course, salsas.
I also note with glee that they have barbacoa available every day. My choice of gordita filling has instantly been decided, no contest. This treat is usually reserved for weekends only because of the time and effort it takes to prepare.
Barbacoa is the roasted cheek and jaw meat of cattle. This Tex-Mex delicacy is typically roasted in pits, on the bone, skin on, for 12 or more hours. No organs, skin or otherwise included in the barbacoa; just the incredibly tender and tasty meat. It is easily the most succulent beef I have ever experienced, without exception.
After we drop off the groceries, we head for the Brownsville home of our ranch owner friend that toured us around his ranch the previous day. His lovely wife wants us to try her homemade tamales. Not only do we get wonderfully soft and tasty tamales, we receive an entire lunch plate of delicious home-cooked food.
We invite our 70-something rancher buddy to accompany us today if he wishes. His wife is more than happy to get him out of the house and tells us so. We enjoy his company because not only is he a character, he is an encyclopedia of information about the areas we are touring.
He asked me if I know the history of a famous Tex-Mex food called the burrito. I said, yes I think I do. He tells me that he bets that I don’t know the real story.
Oh really? Please tell. He goes on to explain the etymology of the word burrito itself. Any time the suffix “ito” is added to a Spanish word it turns the word into a diminutive form. So, he says, burrito means little burro.
He continues that historically, the cattle weren’t as hardy and died easily on the harsh Texas ranges. The only thing that would reliably survive was the resilient and adaptable burro. In order to survive, the vaqueros were forced to raise burros as food instead of cattle.
When they rolled small chunks of burro meat into their tortilla, they were eating little burros, and therefore called them burritos. The name for the food stuck, even though burros are no longer a typical filling.
This was told to me with a completely deadpan straight face. I wrote notes fastidiously as he spoke. Then I checked the facts when I had internet access. I should have known, that Canadian seal meat comment of mine was coming back to haunt me.
Next, we meet up with some regional Film Commission people who have joined us on this expedition. We pile ourselves and our gear into their larger vehicle. It’s time to head across the bridge to Matamoros for further, more official exploration.
We target Garcia’s again first. This time we actually meet with Mr. Garcia himself who shows us around a bit his grand establishment. Mr. Garcia’s constant companion is a medium sized brown Schnauzer he has named Baby.
While kneeling on the floor to take pictures of Baby, two sets of shoes walk into the frame. I look above my viewfinder to see two of the Mariachi musicians from the night before smiling down at me. They are here already? It’s so early! Hopefully it’s too early for another rousing rendition of New York, New York.
As they speak with Mr. Garcia, I decide to get out of Dodge just in case the music strikes up again. I head for other parts of the market. Maybe I missed something good in my Tequila poisoned state from the night before.
A little too late, I found religion. One entire wall is covered in every conceivable variation and size of a cross. Wooden ones, pottery ones, glass, silver, wrought iron and beaded. Anything you could possibly want. I was puzzled to see a security mirror in the same corner. People steal crosses?
The Catholic religion figures prominently around this border area, but even it has a unique Tex-Mex identity. Many of the religious icons are not depicting Jesus but instead an image of the beautiful and serene Virgin Mother called Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe, or Our Lady of Guadalupe.
All of the homes big and small that we have visited so far have a shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe. Sometimes it was a simple wall or shelf display and other times it was as grand as a whole room or even an entirely separate building made into a small private chapel. One of the ranches had an open-air shrine for the benefit of everybody on the ranch, especially the vaqueros. It is a deeply ingrained and important part of the culture.
Mr. Garcia has been gracious enough to help pre-arrange many places for us to visit this day. I also learn that we will have a Mexican police escort to accompany us around the city of Matamoros.
I am somewhat surprised about our escort because this isn’t a rough, sketchy border town like the infamous Tijuana. Matamoros is a very visitor friendly place.
At first I think it’s rather fun being given a police escort around town. They even rope off an area around our vehicle when we park.
Unfortunately, this also attracts attention and people stop and crowd around wondering who we are. Maybe we are famous; maybe we are just in deep trouble. Either way, there must be something fun to see.
I’m guessing we had better get accustomed to working with and around crowds. I can’t imagine it will be much different if and when we set up a film crew.
To Be Continued Next Sunday.
Getting Groped At Disneyland
07/02/2010 03:27
SINC SAYS:
A California woman who took her daughter for a day at Disneyland wound up getting more than she bargained for on a ride.
One would assume that a visit to the park would be a day of fun and no worries.
But a man on a ride changed all that in just a few seconds.
What did he do?
Geocaching Popular New Pastime
07/02/2010 03:27
SINC SAYS:
This item is about geocaching and from all accounts it has turned into quite a popular pastime.
But that’s not the story.
The story also points out that one can get in trouble if you are not careful when geocaching by trespassing on private property.
But that’s not the story either.
The real story here is that the TV station who posted it on their web site have no idea how to use the term “pastime”.
Their headline reads “past time”.
World’s Fattest Man Loses 280 Pounds
07/02/2010 03:27
SINC SAYS:
You would think the headline tells the whole story folks, but it doesn’t.
You see, a chap in the UK who was touted to be the world’s fattest man had surgery to remove those 280 pounds. (20 stone in UK speak.)
Trouble is, he’s still the world’s fattest man as after the surgery he weighs in at 49 stone or 553 pounds.
I don’t know about you, but this tale give me the creeps.
I keep having this vision of a wheel barrow in the OR to lug out the excess.
How about you?
