17 January 2010
Reader Response Forum
23/01/2010 00:09
Pictures From Our Readers Libraries
These shots of the recent hoar frost in our area clearly show the accumulation, especially on the pine trees. Our thanks to Geordie of the city for sending them along to St. Albert’s Place On The Web.
The Letter To God
There was a man who
worked for the Post Office whose job was to
process all the mail that had illegible
addresses.
One day, a letter came addressed in a shaky handwriting to God with no actual address. He thought he should open it to see what it was about. The letter read:
Dear God,
I am an 83 year old widow, living on a very small pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension payment.
Next Sunday is Christmas, and I had invited two of my friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with, have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. Can you please help me?
Sincerely,
Edna
The postal worker was touched. He showed the letter to all the other workers. Each one dug into his or her wallet and came up with a few dollars.
By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96, which they put into an envelope and sent to the woman. The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of Edna and the dinner she would be able to share with her friends.
Christmas came and went. A few days later, another letter came from the same old lady to God. All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened. It read:
Dear God,
How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift.
By the way, there was $4 missing. I think it might have been those bastards at the post office.
Sincerely,
Edna
Woman’s Cable Box Mysteriously Orders Porn
23/01/2010 00:09
SINC SAYS:
A woman who lives alone and is out of town a lot has a cable box that keeps ordering porn.
Porn that she never sees, nor would watch.
She just gets charged for it at billing time.
She’s even unplugged the power from the box when out of town and still it bills her for porn.
What’s going on here?
How To Obtain A Computer In The UK
23/01/2010 00:09
SINC SAYS:
This just in from our trusty correspondent Norm in the UK. It would seem that government over there doesn’t work much better than government here does, does it?
Don,
The UK government is offering free computers to families who cannot afford to buy one.
Applicants are advised to apply on line.
Norm in the UK
Can't Get Away With Speeding
23/01/2010 00:09
I got stopped for speeding yesterday!
I thought I could talk my way out of it until the officer looked at my dog in the back seat . . .
I thought I could talk my way out of it until the officer looked at my dog in the back seat . . .
The Cave Woman Of Billings, Montana
23/01/2010 00:08
SINC SAYS:
You might find a story about a cave woman a bit unusual in this day and age, but a real Wilma Flintstone resides in a cave high above Billings.
How did she come to be living in a cave?
Well that’s quite a tale as she used to be a model for a clothing store’s annual catalogue.
She went from lingerie on the runway to painting in a cave.
But why?
Reader Response Forum
22/01/2010 00:57
Notice Of Chapter Meeting
Alberta Seniors United Now Society St. Albert Chapter
Guest Speaker: David Eggen – Friends of Medicare
Monday Jan 25, 2010
1:30 PM
St. Albert Legion
6 Tache Street
St Albert, AB
Local Information Tel. 780-460-7736
Members of the public welcome.
Also please mark your calendars:
Wednesday April 21, 2010
SUN Annual General Meeting
Century Casino Showroom
13103 – Fort Road
Edmonton
E-Mail About Canada Post Misleading People
SINC SAYS:
I get hundreds of e-mails every day from our readers and some of them are helpful and we repeat them here.
But I make it a policy to not run an anonymous e-mail without first checking its authenticity.
Such was the case with an e-mail that was circulating in which someone reported that if you use Canada Post services in a postal outlet in a Shopper’s Drug Mart, that you would be at the mercy of that outlet as far as rates go.
The e-mail went on to relate that you could be charged as much as $6.00 more for a single transaction.
That e-mail went on to quote a supposed reply from a Canada Post official that the story was in fact true.
But that e-mail folks, like far too many on the internet is false.
How do I know, you ask? Because I went right to the source and Canada Post myself. Here is there reply to my e-mail:
Hello Don Sinclair,
Thank you for your message to Canada Post.
It is very important to us that the customer experience is the same no matter where our customers choose to shop.
With respect to the rates, all of our 6,000 automated post offices, corporate or dealer, use the same Retail point-of-sale system software and corporate rating engine. Therefore they all charge the same rate for the same identical service.
Dealers cannot charge a higher rate for a postal service, as the system will not permit it and contractually they would be in default.
We will further investigate the matter that you brought to our attention.
Thank you for your continued service.
Regards,
Robert Whyte
Customer Service
Canada Post
So you see folks, if you get such an e-mail, ignore it as the farce it really is. You’re welcome.
WEBBITS . . .
22/01/2010 00:57
Don’t You Hate It
When This Happens?
A roundup of bits from the web:
* Peak to Peak Charter School in Lafayette was closed Wednesday morning after a large duffel bag containing a Kermit the Frog -- which appeared to have blood stains on it -- was found on the west side of the campus.
* A man has been banned from a public park - after he allegedly tried to have sex with a TREE. He has been ordered by a court not to enter Central Park in Airdrie after claims he attempted to bonk the plant.
* A 61-year-old US man who slapped a stranger's two-year-old child in a Stone Mountain Wal-Mart was found guilty of child cruelty and sentenced to six months in jail.
* An eastern Pennsylvania man was charged after he allegedly broke into a home, cut his hair and prepared fried chicken before being discovered. The man was charged with breaking into the home in Easton, about 50 miles north of Philadelphia. According to court documents, the homeowner returned home Sunday to discover him watching TV and cooking chicken.
* Hey look, it's a bird in a tuxedo! Today, as you are no doubt already aware, is Penguin Awareness Day, a day set aside so that none shall forget the humble flightless birds of Antarctica.
Be Careful What You Ask . . .
22/01/2010 00:57
Do You Use Facebook? Have You Been Mugged?
22/01/2010 00:57
SINC SAYS:
If you are a Facebook user, you might want to pay close attention to this latest little scam.
It’s called virtual mugging folks.
If you think you can only be mugged in a dark alley, think again.
You can be and some people have been mugged right on Facebook.
Best you read this carefully.
Mysterious Poe Grave Visitor Fails To Show
22/01/2010 00:57
SINC SAYS:
For some 60 years now, a mystery visitor has stopped by Edgar allan Poe’s grave and left three roses and a half bottle of cognac.
But not his year.
He (or she) stopped.
No one knows who the mystery person is or why he stopped.
Hmmm, have they considered he might be dead?
Speeding Ticket Issued For Being Parked?
22/01/2010 00:56
SINC SAYS:
With more and more of those red light/speed cameras being installed, trouble can’t be far behind.
Take the problem a chap in the UK had when he parked his car on the street, in front of his house, near an intersection with a camera.
The poor chappie doesn’t have a garage, or for that matter even a driveway, so the street is his only option to park.
But how did he get a ticket?
Reader Response Forum
21/01/2010 05:21
The Rudeness Of People On Cell Phones
Don,
It happened again, my misfortune to be in the same restaurant as an utterly phone-etiquette ignorant sales rep.
No less than 12 calls in about an hours time.
Didn't I get the dirty look for dropping an audible hint.
Twice.
Every time I run into some schmuck with no common sense in using a cellular phone, I secretly wish this will happen to them:
Bixman
St Albert
SINC SAYS:
You’re not alone Bixman, you’re not alone in that wish.
Frankly My Dear . . .
A man walks out to
the street and catches a taxi just going by.
As he gets into the taxi, the cabbie says, "Perfect timing! You're just Like Frank."
Passenger: 'Who?'
Cabbie: "Frank Feldman. He's a guy who did everything right all the time. Like my coming along when you needed a cab, things happened like that to Frank Feldman every single time."
Passenger: "There are always a few clouds over everybody."
Cabbie: "Not Frank Feldman. He was a terrific athlete. He could have won the Grand-Slam at tennis. He could golf with the pros. He sang like an opera baritone, danced like a Broadway star, and you should have heard him play
the piano! He was an amazing guy."
Passenger: "Sounds like he was something really special."
Cabbie: "There's more! He had a memory like a computer He remembered everybody's birthday. He knew all about wine, which foods to order, and which fork to eat them with. He could fix anything. Not like me. I change a fuse, and the whole street blacks out. But Frank Feldman, he
could do everything right."
Passenger: "Wow, some guy then."
Cabbie: "He always knew the quickest way to go in traffic
and avoid traffic jams. Not like me, I always seem to get stuck in them. But Frank, he never made a mistake, and he really knew how to treat a woman and make her feel good. He would never answer her back even if she was in the wrong, and his clothing was always immaculate, shoes highly polished too. He was the perfect man! He never made a mistake. No one could ever measure up to Frank Feldman."
Passenger: "An amazing fellow. How did you meet him?"
Cabbie: "Well, I never actually met Frank. He died. I'm married to his damn widow."
WEBBITS . . .
21/01/2010 05:21
SINC SAYS:
A new feature with a roundup of bits from the web that we've cleverly called "WEBBITS". That’s the Webbit himself at his keyboard to the left.
Don’t You Hate It When This Happens?
* A man reportedly bit off an officer’s nipple during a fight outside a Chicago bar on Monday night.
* A 33-year-old Tampa man was jailed early Monday after his 13-year-old child called 911 to report that the man was driving drunk, deputies said.
* A single mum in Middlesbrough, UK gave a 12-year-old boy a pair of sneakers to mark the 100th time they had slept together.
* A coroner in Kansas says a Liberal couple died last week after the man suffocated his wife and then cut his legs with an electric saw and bled to death.
* A Syracuse NY man was shot Monday and charged with driving while intoxicated after attempting to drive himself to the hospital.
Only A Scotsman . . .
21/01/2010 05:21
Did you hear about
the thoughtful Scotsman who was heading out to
the pub?
He turned to his wee wife before leaving and said, 'Maggie, put your hat and coat on, lassie.'
She replied, ' Awe Jock that's nice. Are you taking me tae the pub with you?'
'Nay, Jock replied, I'm switching the heat off while I'm out.'
Holy Batcrap, Batman!
21/01/2010 05:21
SINC SAYS:
This is a bit of a batty story, but we’re going with it anyway.
An Ohio man was bitten by a bat.
Seems simple enough so far, right?
But the bat was rabid.
Uh, oh. That means he needs some shots.
His state allows for medical expenses in such a case and he applied.
How much did he get?
And how much did it cost?
Shipping Container Housing In Haiti?
21/01/2010 05:21
SINC SAYS:
With approximately 75 percent of the buildings in Haiti demolished in the recent earthquake, a novel idea for emergency shelter has arisen.
Shipping containers just may be the short term answer to provide shelter for the homeless.
And get this. Those containers far exceed structural code for any earthquake zone in the world due to their unibody construction.
Seems like a great plan in the short term and maybe even in the longer term.
Story stacks up here.
Hospital To Stop Hiring Smokers
21/01/2010 05:21
SINC SAYS:
As if smokers haven’t been ostracized enough yet, now a hospital in Tennessee is refusing to hire them.
And the policy is under fire as discrimination, but is it?
Let’s face it folks, people who smoke are now relegated to the great outdoors in bars and restaurants as well as most public buildings.
And when they return from those 10 minute junkets to puff the weed, they stink to high heaven.
And just how much work time is lost in any given day to smokers and their “smoke breaks”?
More smoke and mirrors here.
Reader Response Forum
20/01/2010 02:39
Pictures From Our Readers Libraries
Sunrise,
January 17, 2010 - Elke Blodgett, St.
AlbertSATA Presentation To City Council
Hi Don:
The St. Albert Taxpayers Association made the following presentation to Council Monday night speaking to this issue:
SATA is a registered non-profit society. Our vision is: “A St. Albert where all can afford to live, taxes are affordable and spending is weighted to the interest of the majority versus special interest groups.”
It is in this context that we applaud Councilor Bracko's motion for Council to set a 1.5% limit on tax increases for St. Albert in 2011 and 2012. At the same time we suggest that we could do better, where all tax increases (that is, a combination of property taxes and user fees) are so limited.
We continue to live in highly uncertain economic times where recovery is elusive and this measure would provide some certainty at least on one expenditure front facing taxpayers.
We continue to see seniors and others living on fixed incomes struggle to make ends meet in St. Albert because of our high tax and utility costs.
St. Albert continues to have the highest property taxes in Alberta, and we need to change that fact if we are to attract younger families.
This limitation to budget increases could moderate those impacts on these vulnerable groups as well as all taxpayers.
In addition, SATA views the cap on taxes as reassurance that Council will spend wisely on wants and not needs. We also see this as Council holding Administration accountable to “value for the taxpayers dollar”. If Administration doesn't have the "bottomless" taxpayers pocket to draw from, then the focus will shift to:
reallocating tax dollars to projects with the highest return to the taxpayer
looking for efficiencies that enhance performance
limiting expenditures on “nice to haves”
We also see this as providing the next Council with realistic targets for tax increases. There is a temptation for elected bodies to “get the bad news over early in their mandate and spend big” that could be moderated by this measure.
SATA suggests that 2002-2008 era of profligate spending has to end. We use the term profligate because:
Residential property taxes collected increased to $52 Million, up 13% annually
User fees (like utility and user-pay fees) went up to $36 Million, or 16% annually.
Debt increased to $72 Million, or 51%/year
Staff increased to 534 FTE, or 9%/year.
Total expenditures increased to $128 million or 17%/year.
Now this might be OK if our population or the dwellings we serviced increased similarly. But St. Albert population increased only 1.7%/year, and the number of dwellings increased only .4%/year, and spending is far in excess of that growth. *
St. Albert cannot continue down this path. We suggest St. Albert Councils:
“Make do” with current buildings and facilities,
You can't change the excessive spending that brought the taxpayer Ray Gibbon Drive, Servus Place or Riel Park. But you can stop future spending on nice to haves “like $14 Million for a Heritage Park”, and stop musings on an expanded/new city hall, library, kids cultural centre and/or museum. Take them out of your 10 year capital plan and require plebiscites for these types of spending.
Move away from “gold standard” for facilities—we don't need it and can't afford it;
Focus on making sure our trails, parks, roads, water and sewer systems are taken care of first. Look for savings in other cost areas to subsidize these areas;
Ensure developers pay for infrastructure needs.
We also strongly encourage Council to set the stage to provide improved information for future Council's budget processes. We suggest zero base budgets (modified, or done on a rotating 4 year department schedule) as a process for doing so. We encourage this Council to require administration to move to this budget format.
In summary, we encourage you to pass the proposed motion, and provide St. Albert taxpayers with hope that reasonable taxes may be attainable.
* Source all statistics: St. Albert Annual Financial Statements, Alberta Municipal Affairs: Municipal Profiles.
Not surprisingly, Council voted this down, with Councilors Bracko and Jones voting for the motion.
The old adage, "we can't fetter the next Council" was used for justification by several Councilors.
Lynda Flannery
President
St. Albert Taxpayers Association
``Your membership is your voice``
www.saintcitytaxpayer.org
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the update Lynda, I applaud the effort that you and your association have put into that detailed presentation which provides a sensible alternative to current runaway spending.
Can I open by saying that the fact council rejected councillor Bracko’s motion does not surprise me in the least?
While adopting such a motion would have shown strong civic leadership, not to mention sound financial policy, this bunch of misfits that constitutes a council is not capable of stemming the flow of spending.
They are so hooked on sucking at the public teat that they cannot resist the temptation to continue. They are like cocaine addicts needing yet another fix.
Hiding behind the old “we can’t fetter the next council” excuse is just that, another excuse to keep their unwashed hands in our severely depleted wallets.
They apparently
have learned nothing from the Ray Gibbon
Drive, $ervu$ Place, Riel Park fiasco. Does
administration have some kind of deep, dark
secret on council that serves as blackmail to
do their bidding?
For some reason, council can’t seem to summon the courage to stand up to the city manager and administration, Robbing Hood And His Merry Band Of Men, to insist we move to zero based budgeting.
Something's rotten in more than the state of Denmark.
Why Do Guys Dress Like This?
20/01/2010 02:39
A Mother's Instinct In The Wild
20/01/2010 02:39
Dead Man Has Urge, Er, Urn To Travel
20/01/2010 02:39
SINC SAYS:
Not many dead guys get to travel much, but old Ralph is doing just that.
Ralph, whose been dead for a while is still travelling the world and leaving some of his ashes here and there.
‘Tis an interesting yarn and where his ashes are being left is somewhat surprising.
You can follow along with Ralph here.
Musical Chairs Game Of Choice At This Cemetery
20/01/2010 02:39
SINC SAYS:
It was a bad enough experience for a woman who lost her husband and bought two plots in the local cemetery, one to lay him to rest, and one for her beside him when she followed.
And after he was planted, she made regular trips to put flowers on his grave.
One day, she arrived only to discover that a man had been buried next to her hubby by mistake.
So, she had him dug up and moved to a new double plot to end the problem.
She took flowers out to the grave again recently and guess what?
They did it again.
Thirty Days Hath January?
20/01/2010 02:39
SINC SAYS:
Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November;
All the rest have thirty-one,
Save February, with twenty-eight days clear,
And twenty-nine each leap year.
That old verse has served us well for a very long time to keep us informed of the number of days in any given month.
Except if you live in Grand Forks North Dakota that is.
They’ve changed the verse to read:
Thirty days hath September, April,
June, November and January.
How’s that you ask?
Reader Response Forum
19/01/2010 05:06
The Things We Get From Readers
Don,
I think your readers would enjoy the following:
“A palindrome reads the same backwards as forward. This video reads the exact opposite backwards as forward. Not only does it read the opposite, the meaning is the exact opposite. This is only a 1 minute, 44 second video and it is brilliant. Make sure you read as well as listen, both forward and backward.
This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20-year old. The contest was titled "u @ 50" by AARP. This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. So simple and yet so brilliant. Take a minute and watch it.”
George Proulx
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Thanks George, that is not only unique, but carries an important message.
The Tale Of Two Wolves
One evening an old
Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that
goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, there is a battle between two wolves inside us all.
"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee replied, "The one you feed."
UPDATE: Haiti Rescue Dogs Team
19/01/2010 05:06
SINC SAYS:
The following message and pictures were received by out special correspondent KC4 from a member of the CASDDA (Canadian Search and Disaster Dog Association) we featured here in the January 15 issue and provided as an update for our readers.
By KC4
Special Correspondent
St. Albert’s Place
Sent from my iPhone
I am very glad to report that the entire team is back, safe and sound. What a great job they must have done to save six people in only a couple of days!
Hooray for the CASDDA team! We can all be proud of them.
Here is a copy of an e-mail received from team member Krista:
“Hi KC4,
Its Krista, from the flight to Houston. We have all made it back from Haiti safely. Attached are a couple photos.
The first one (above) is Wrangler searching a school on the day that we arrived. And the second one (below) is myself and Trish waiting to leave the airport compound to go out for a day of searching.
The trip went good, and the team was involved in six live finds.”
The following message and pictures were received by out special correspondent KC4 from a member of the CASDDA (Canadian Search and Disaster Dog Association) we featured here in the January 15 issue and provided as an update for our readers.
By KC4
Special Correspondent
St. Albert’s Place
Sent from my iPhone
I am very glad to report that the entire team is back, safe and sound. What a great job they must have done to save six people in only a couple of days!
Hooray for the CASDDA team! We can all be proud of them.
Here is a copy of an e-mail received from team member Krista:
“Hi KC4,
Its Krista, from the flight to Houston. We have all made it back from Haiti safely. Attached are a couple photos.
The first one (above) is Wrangler searching a school on the day that we arrived. And the second one (below) is myself and Trish waiting to leave the airport compound to go out for a day of searching.
The trip went good, and the team was involved in six live finds.”
Shark Attacks Our Own Fault?
19/01/2010 05:06
SINC SAYS:
You hear about them all the time.
Sharks attacking people at the beach while swimming in the ocean.
And Great Whites are the most feared among all sharks.
Cue the theme song from Jaws please.
But some are saying it is our own fault for baiting the sharks in the first place.
Huh?
Prevention For Prostate Cancer: Beer
19/01/2010 05:06
SINC SAYS:
Oh joy, this is great news for men.
And women too by the way.
It seems that beer contains a powerful molecule that prevents both prostrate and breast cancer.
Researchers are now suggesting that beer is an even better health drink than red wine, long touted as a healthy alcoholic alternative.
Did I mention I love beer?
Do You Still Use Butter? Maybe You Shouldn’t
19/01/2010 05:06
SINC SAYS:
I had a heart attack some 10 years ago and up until that time I used butter.
Since then on the advice of dietitians, I switched to Becel margarine and am supposedly at far lower risk for a repeat performance. A doctor in the UK is saying much the same thing.
Butter kills.
Reader Response Forum
18/01/2010 04:29
The Best Funny Stories Are The True Stories
SINC SAYS:
It’s often the true stories that make better jokes than jokes. Such is the case with this tale sent in to us by regular reader “RP” in Ontario.
He and his wife had the following experience on one wedding anniversary. Thanks for sharing it with our readers, RP!
It goes like this:
My wife and I were reflecting on our 40 years together and the topic of anniversary celebrations came up. For some reason we have always been reserved about our celebrations: going to a movie, my making a special dinner, but one celebration, in particular, seemed to be a hallmark.
It was when I was working for a major bank. I had just been transferred to a Toronto area branch who had a very nice restaurant as a client. I had mentioned to the owner that I would like to have our anniversary dinner at his restaurant. Beaming, he told me that he would plan a special meal for us and that he had a location within the restaurant that was used for groups [ it was a seating area with a horseshoe shaped wall around it, which was about 4 feet high ] as no groups were booked that day it would be our own private "room".
I jumped at the chance and that week my wife and I went to the restaurant for our "special meal". Seated, by ourselves, we were waiting for the waitress to arrive to take our drink order. In the course of our conversation I was telling my wife about, what I thought was, a funny cartoon I had seen that day. It was a man and a woman in a restaurant, however the woman appeared to be sitting on the man's lap. The caption read: " I hope you don't think I'm unsophisticated, but I've never screwed in a restaurant before".
Just as I as telling my wife the punch line, the waitress came over to take our order ..... it was the best service at a restaurant we had ever had.
How Not To Handle An Icy Road In The UK
This video was sent to us by SAP reader Merv H. of London Ontario and clearly demonstrates what NOT to do when your car slips on an icy road.
Travelogue: A Foodie’s Bite Of Texas
18/01/2010 04:29
SINC SAYS:
The following is a special report by our intrepid correspondent who is a food reviewer for a major web site. She is currently on what she calls a “Foodie Expedition” of “Texico”, the border area between Texas and Mexico. (The entire series and photos are being done on an iPhone.) This is the second in a series of reports.
By KC4
Special Correspondant
St. Albert’s Place
This morning was another blindingly early start on our day's packed itinerary.
The photographer is usually the first one up, to catch the morning light and the last one to sleep because camera equipment needs to be checked and cleaned, images downloaded to a storage device and this is in addition to everyone else's normal turn in routine.
I'm wearing runners today. I had a significant epiphany about appropriate footwear yesterday when the young vaquero wearing snake protection boots up to his armpits grinned at my pink painted toes and Birkenstocks.
Breakfast was dinner plate sized flour tortillas and a small mountain of Migas, a scrambled egg dish with squares of deep fried corn tortilla and homemade salsa. Oh, and a foothill of refritos- a seasoned refried bean medley. I eat the whole thing, with only a little help from my friends. So much for just tasting and sampling.
We finally see the great Rio Grande River which forms a natural border between Texas and Mexico. In parts, it could be waded across and probably has been many times over.
Before heading to Matamoros, Brownsville's Mexican twin city across the Rio Grande, we spend an hour shooting footage at Boca Chica Beach. Boca Chica means Little Mouth and it is where the Rio Grande meets the ocean. From one vantage point , it is easy to see the Ocean, Texas, the mighty Rio Grande and Mexico.
Today we actually take the bridge across the Rio Grande and enter Mexico. We are going for dinner at a well known and popular restaurant there named Garcia's.
Corn Husk Dolls:
Garcia's is not just a restaurant. It's a major business empire in Matamoros, owning and operating many businesses in the area. Next to the restaurant is a big commercial space were you can buy almost anything you want. Jewelry, clothing, pottery, leather crafts, souvenirs and food. Junky cheap souvenirs to amazing pieces of craftsmanship and art. Want a sombrero? OK. $10 US. How about a piñata? $20-$35 USD. Feeling sick? You can buy prescription medications, especially antibiotics, by the pound, no prescription required, Pesos or US dollars accepted.
Bull Whips Anyone?:
The restaurant is huge by most countries' standards. A buffet area is available if anybody wants but I want to order off the menu. I see frog legs on the menu. I am not particularly fond of the hoppers, but it is something that is not readily available in Canada. I order the frog leg platter. It was OK but certainly nothing to jump about.
There is a Mariachi band playing. I love mariachi bands and say so. The producer on the team decides that it is my birthday and informs the band of this momentous occasion.
The Mariachi Band:
Consequently I have a Mariachi band orbiting and serenading me for the rest of the evening much to the sadist amusement of the rest of the team. Other restaurant patrons send drinks to my table, which includes margaritas on the rocks oddly garnished with green olives.
I drink about two and a half before I remember that Mexican Tequila is somehow more potent than I'm accustomed to. I need to keep my head clear as my chef friend also relies on me for business advice, and the trip so far has been one long negotiation session.
The strange thing I notice about this Mariachi band is that they are trying to appeal to the mainly Mexican diners by playing American music. What the...? We heard Red Roses for a Blue Lady, New York New York and of course, Happy Birthday among other American standards.
After dinner we re-enter the attached market. I notice that my walk is rather spongy and know that if I notice this it must be obvious to others. Maybe I should head for the Pharmacia and see if they have any Tequila anti venom, because I'm bitten bad. Nope, but I did find a basket of my favorite pumpkin candy, Calabacita. That will have to do for now.
Next it was time to get back in the line if traffic to return over the bridge to Brownsville. It only took us about 10 minutes to get across from Brownsville to Matamoros, but it will take us the better part of an hour to cross it the other way.
The Border Lineup:
The lineup crawls and many vendors and beggars on foot wind their way around the cars. We see people selling roasted corn, jewelry, stuffed animals and candy. An open window is an invitation to thrust one's wares into the vehicle and even walk along with the vehicle as it advances in line.
Next will be to drop the crew off at the hotel and then head to our home base so that I can begin my nightly routine while the rest sleep.
(To be continued.)
The following is a special report by our intrepid correspondent who is a food reviewer for a major web site. She is currently on what she calls a “Foodie Expedition” of “Texico”, the border area between Texas and Mexico. (The entire series and photos are being done on an iPhone.) This is the second in a series of reports.
By KC4
Special Correspondant
St. Albert’s Place
This morning was another blindingly early start on our day's packed itinerary.
The photographer is usually the first one up, to catch the morning light and the last one to sleep because camera equipment needs to be checked and cleaned, images downloaded to a storage device and this is in addition to everyone else's normal turn in routine.
I'm wearing runners today. I had a significant epiphany about appropriate footwear yesterday when the young vaquero wearing snake protection boots up to his armpits grinned at my pink painted toes and Birkenstocks.
Breakfast was dinner plate sized flour tortillas and a small mountain of Migas, a scrambled egg dish with squares of deep fried corn tortilla and homemade salsa. Oh, and a foothill of refritos- a seasoned refried bean medley. I eat the whole thing, with only a little help from my friends. So much for just tasting and sampling.
We finally see the great Rio Grande River which forms a natural border between Texas and Mexico. In parts, it could be waded across and probably has been many times over.
Before heading to Matamoros, Brownsville's Mexican twin city across the Rio Grande, we spend an hour shooting footage at Boca Chica Beach. Boca Chica means Little Mouth and it is where the Rio Grande meets the ocean. From one vantage point , it is easy to see the Ocean, Texas, the mighty Rio Grande and Mexico.
Today we actually take the bridge across the Rio Grande and enter Mexico. We are going for dinner at a well known and popular restaurant there named Garcia's.
Corn Husk Dolls:
Garcia's is not just a restaurant. It's a major business empire in Matamoros, owning and operating many businesses in the area. Next to the restaurant is a big commercial space were you can buy almost anything you want. Jewelry, clothing, pottery, leather crafts, souvenirs and food. Junky cheap souvenirs to amazing pieces of craftsmanship and art. Want a sombrero? OK. $10 US. How about a piñata? $20-$35 USD. Feeling sick? You can buy prescription medications, especially antibiotics, by the pound, no prescription required, Pesos or US dollars accepted.
Bull Whips Anyone?:
The restaurant is huge by most countries' standards. A buffet area is available if anybody wants but I want to order off the menu. I see frog legs on the menu. I am not particularly fond of the hoppers, but it is something that is not readily available in Canada. I order the frog leg platter. It was OK but certainly nothing to jump about.
There is a Mariachi band playing. I love mariachi bands and say so. The producer on the team decides that it is my birthday and informs the band of this momentous occasion.
The Mariachi Band:
Consequently I have a Mariachi band orbiting and serenading me for the rest of the evening much to the sadist amusement of the rest of the team. Other restaurant patrons send drinks to my table, which includes margaritas on the rocks oddly garnished with green olives.
I drink about two and a half before I remember that Mexican Tequila is somehow more potent than I'm accustomed to. I need to keep my head clear as my chef friend also relies on me for business advice, and the trip so far has been one long negotiation session.
The strange thing I notice about this Mariachi band is that they are trying to appeal to the mainly Mexican diners by playing American music. What the...? We heard Red Roses for a Blue Lady, New York New York and of course, Happy Birthday among other American standards.
After dinner we re-enter the attached market. I notice that my walk is rather spongy and know that if I notice this it must be obvious to others. Maybe I should head for the Pharmacia and see if they have any Tequila anti venom, because I'm bitten bad. Nope, but I did find a basket of my favorite pumpkin candy, Calabacita. That will have to do for now.
Next it was time to get back in the line if traffic to return over the bridge to Brownsville. It only took us about 10 minutes to get across from Brownsville to Matamoros, but it will take us the better part of an hour to cross it the other way.
The Border Lineup:
The lineup crawls and many vendors and beggars on foot wind their way around the cars. We see people selling roasted corn, jewelry, stuffed animals and candy. An open window is an invitation to thrust one's wares into the vehicle and even walk along with the vehicle as it advances in line.
Next will be to drop the crew off at the hotel and then head to our home base so that I can begin my nightly routine while the rest sleep.
(To be continued.)
Dangerous Things Kids Should Do?
18/01/2010 04:29
SINC SAYS:
And now for something completely different.
Here’s a guy who thinks your kids should be allowed to do things.
And what is it that he thinks parents should allow their kids to do?
Among them are, play with a pocket knife. Break glass. Throw things from a moving car. Drive a nail. Find a beehive. Glue your fingers together with superglue.
And once you read the story . . .
It’s hard not to agree.
Keeping Your Lottery Win A Secret
18/01/2010 04:29
SINC SAYS:
The Irish do a lot of things that other folks don’t do, but some of them make a lot of sense.
They can keep their internal problems and kissing some old rock, but they have come up with a great idea here.
You see, if you happen to win the Irish Lottery, you don’t have to tell anyone.
That’s right, you can keep your win a secret.
It’s something we could use here instead of broadcasting the news all over the place.
The lottery corporations not only make a fortune on ticket buyers, they exploit winners to the max.
And they shouldn’t.
One Very Lucky Little Puppy
18/01/2010 04:28
SINC SAYS:
This little puppy had wandered out onto the railroad tracks during a recent US cold snap.
The poor little guy was so cold that he froze right to the tracks.
This is the tail, er tale, of the track inspector who found him and came to his rescue.
You can’t help but go awww at that picture, can you?
Details and more pictures here.
Reader Response Forum
17/01/2010 05:42
Travelogue: A Foodie’s Bite Of Texas
SINC SAYS:
The following is a special report by our intrepid correspondent who is a food reviewer for a major web site. She is currently on what she calls a “Foodie Expedition” of “Texico”, the border area between Texas and Mexico. This is the first of a series of reports.
By KC4
Special Correspondant
St. Albert’s Place
Yesterday was spent in Houston and Richmond Texas.
This isn't my first foodie expedition. I should really know better. I just can't help myself. It's been too long and I couldn't resist. In less than five hours after arriving in Texas, I was stuffed worse than a tick on a two day bovine bender.
Note to self: Taste and sample only ... this is going to be a long feed.
Still running for the border in a giant van with the celebrity chef, her husband, a producer from San Francisco, a director from LA and a filmographer from Las Vegas.
I am the token Canadian on the crew and consequently have my own "special" status. The wealthy ranchers seem fascinated and ask many questions about Canada. I am happy to explain our raw seal meat diet and -50 degree F temperatures.
Gratuitous Longhorn Shot:
There have been many stops along the way. A museum in Sarita, Longhorns in scrub, a tiny working post office in the middle of nowhere, a working ranch complete with ranch house, and a multiple million dollar hacienda.
Armstrong, Texas Post Office:
The weather started out with steady rain which turned to torrential rain which thankfully cleared up in time to tour one of the ranches in a Land Rover. The steady rain has turned the Texas soil into a sticky gumbo in lower spots.
I will be staying with the Chef's family in Brownsville tonight. I am treated as a member of the family. More food, more restaurant kitchen visits, more tequila and more Pepto Bismol before I can lay my head on a pillow tonight.
I am amazed that I still have cell phone service. There have been a few updates since I last visited the border area about three years ago. I was a little disappointed to learn that some of the bigger ranches now use helicopters to do the big seasonal roundups. Vaqueros with helicopters? Just not the same.
(To be continued.)
A Bit Of History On Early Snow Machines
SINC SAYS:
The name Al Popil is familiar to our readers for his photography, but Al came across this video of Henry Ford himself demonstrating a snow machine he invented way back when. Although there is no sound with this video, it sure was a unique machine and it is hard to understand why something like it is not around today. Seems to me the traction, based on a “screw type” drive might just be better than some of the tracks on sleds today.
Advice From Your Doctor
17/01/2010 05:42
A woman who was
beaten black and blue, goes to the doctor.
Doctor: What happened?"
Woman: "Doctor, I don't know what to do. Every time my husband comes home drunk, he beats me to a pulp."
Doctor: "I have a real good medicine for that. Whenever your husband comes home inebriated, just take a glass of chamomile tea and start gargling with it. Just gargle and
gargle."
Two weeks later she returns to the doctor and looks reborn and fresh again.
Woman: "Doc, That was a brilliant idea! Every time my husband came home drunk, I gargled and gargled with chamomile tea and nothing happened."
Doctor: "You see how keeping your mouth shut helps!"
Tiny Kitten Rescued From Ledge On Abutment
17/01/2010 05:42
SINC SAYS:
No big deal you say?
One wouldn’t think so as we read “save the cat from heights” stories pretty much any given week.
But this yarn is just a bit different.
You see, this was just a kitten and how it got stuck on the ledge of an old railroad abutment is still a mystery.
The red arrow in the photo herewith shows just how high up that poor kitten was on that ledge.
The real story was that a person grabbed some climbing gear and climbed up and rescued said kitten.
Oh, by the way, the rescuer was a woman.
And she is 60 years old.
Here’s A Doggone Good Tail, Er, Tale
17/01/2010 05:42
SINC SAYS:
WE ll love to hear those feel good stories about pets.
This story has a strange twist though.
A man in a wheelchair, rescued a dog from the pound after it had been tossed in a dumpster as a puppy.
The twist comes when the dog rescued the man a couple of years later and saved his life.
How did the dog do it?
Oh Boy, Urine Trouble Now
17/01/2010 05:42
SINC SAYS:
A couple of Ohio bus drivers are in trouble with their bus line.
You can’t help but wonder if they’re pee’d off about it.
You see, they were caught relieving themselves in an alley behind a dumpster while on duty.
And that’s apparently a big no-no in Ohio.
Take a pee, er peek here.
