19 August 2012
August 25, 2012
25/08/2012 06:13
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
SOSA And The 150th Committee
What's Going On This Time Council?
Why Does SOSA Have Our Tax Dollars?
Many folks are asking questions about the Spirit Of St. Albert Society (SOSA) and rightly so. With a simple picnic, costing $73,500 taking place tomorrow, it is high time council came clean with taxpayers on what is going on.
Here are some of the things people would like answers to:
* Why did council give this hastily formed group $10,000 when they were already the recipients of all the leftover cash and assets of the 150th Birthday Committee? That cash totalled some $60,000 and was given to SOSA by the 150th Birthday Committee as a legacy grant as well as the leftover chattels of the 150th committee according to what SAP has learned from documents recently obtained.
* Did the 150th Birthday Committee have the authority to give that $60,000 and assets away without consultation with mayor and council?
* Why was that $60,000 not returned to city coffers by the 150th Birthday Committee instead of giving it away? If there was a surplus, should that not be returned to the city due to it being the largest single contributor to the 150th committee with tax dollars?
* Was council part of the decision making team that created SOSA and if not, why not?
* Why has the 150th Birthday Committee not submitted a report on its spending of the half million dollars of tax dollars it was given in a formal report to council? It is now eight full months since the committee's mandate ended and surely that is enough time for any fool to produce such a report. Why are the mayor and council not demanding an accounting of that half million bucks?
* When councillor Parker tried to question why a 150th Birthday Committee report submitted to council was only a single page during a council meeting in May, why did mayor Crouse appear to be so desperate to shut him up and cease any further discussion on that single piece of paper? Look up the council meeting video on the city website for the last meeting in May and see for yourself.
* Why is tomorrow's picnic costing $73,500 and why is it being paid for with taxpayer dollars?
* Why are not such events if even necessary, not firmly controlled by city administration under the direction of city council?
* Why was the web site of the 150th Birthday Committee abruptly removed from the city's web site and replaced with a SOSA substitute? Is the city hiding something again, much like they did with the Starbucks at $ervu$ Place fiasco?
* Why did the 150th committee invite the public to submit photos of anniversary celebrations, yet not one picture was submitted that appeared on their web site.
* Why did the 150th committee website promise regular newsletters? Only six were ever issued during the anniversary year, the last being July of 2011. Nearly half a year's activities received zero promotion. Or were there any activities during the final five months of the year?
* Why did the 150th committee website announce a contest for kids, inviting kids to submit drawings to appear on the website, when not one drawing ever appeared?
* How much money was spent on the 150th Birthday souvenir items and how much merchandise went unsold? Ask anyone you meet on the street if they ever saw any 150th related material. The vast majority will answer no.
* Under the heading "Grants" on the former 150th committee website, only a single grant was shown as received by the committee, that being $75,000 from the province. What was that money spent on?
* Why was there no media coverage of any event after August 17, 2011 noted on the former website. Was there any coverage or were there no events held?
* Why did the 150th committee 'Call For Artists' to produce bronze outdoor sculptures on the website, when not a single submission was noted.
* Why did the former website show only two private donors? Is that really all the donors there were?
* Why it is widely rumoured that at least two well-known members of the 150th Birthday Committee quit the committee in disgust at the way things were being run?
Something stinks to high heaven with the 150th Birthday Committee. Will the stench carry over into the SOSA group? Are the two groups made up of the same people?
Council needs to come clean with the taxpayers of St. Albert and how their money was squandered by the 150th Birthday Committee. Either that or produce a proper public accounting to taxpayers to prove it wasn't. Is SOSA yet another private group of the privileged few quickly forming their own group, to tap tax money to spend on zero benefit events for most members of the community?
The ball is now in city council's court. Have they the cajones to face the public with the real story, or will it be fudged like the Starbucks at $ervu$ Place pack of untruths by this council? Over to you mayor and council.
See more via these links:
+ The SOSA 2012 - 2014 Objectives and 2012 Financial Operating Plan:
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
+ The SOSA Certificate of Incorporation
+ The SOSA 2012 Operating Budget
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
The Photography Of Paul Dicaire
Don,
This autumn picture was taken in early October near Barry’s Bay, Ontario.
Paul Dicaire
St. Albert
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
READER RESPONSE To Live Chat:
"The law is the law"....really!!! A cop once said to me, " there's no grey area in the law"...... Really!!! ... Then what is case law? New grey area discovered every day. So you can't drive and do anything distracting at the same time!!! Eg. When a cop races after a car and talks on the radio at the same time. I can do two things at the same time ... But I'm not from Edmonton.
Linda Locicero
St. Albert
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Senator's wife charged for airplane disturbance - CBC
2 dead, 9 wounded in Empire State building shootings - CNN
Quebec woman drowns during wedding photo shoot - CTV
Jury rules for Apple in case against Samsung - Edmonton Journal
Woman dies after LRT fall - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Perhaps a bit of truth here . . .
Doggy
High
Chair
Senior Olympic Synchronized Swimming
This group get a great laugh from the crowd.
*Submitted by Geordie of the city.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
SOSA And The 150th Committee
What's Going On This Time Council?
Why Does SOSA Have Our Tax Dollars?
Here are some of the things people would like answers to:
* Why did council give this hastily formed group $10,000 when they were already the recipients of all the leftover cash and assets of the 150th Birthday Committee? That cash totalled some $60,000 and was given to SOSA by the 150th Birthday Committee as a legacy grant as well as the leftover chattels of the 150th committee according to what SAP has learned from documents recently obtained.
* Did the 150th Birthday Committee have the authority to give that $60,000 and assets away without consultation with mayor and council?
* Why was that $60,000 not returned to city coffers by the 150th Birthday Committee instead of giving it away? If there was a surplus, should that not be returned to the city due to it being the largest single contributor to the 150th committee with tax dollars?
* Was council part of the decision making team that created SOSA and if not, why not?
* Why has the 150th Birthday Committee not submitted a report on its spending of the half million dollars of tax dollars it was given in a formal report to council? It is now eight full months since the committee's mandate ended and surely that is enough time for any fool to produce such a report. Why are the mayor and council not demanding an accounting of that half million bucks?
* When councillor Parker tried to question why a 150th Birthday Committee report submitted to council was only a single page during a council meeting in May, why did mayor Crouse appear to be so desperate to shut him up and cease any further discussion on that single piece of paper? Look up the council meeting video on the city website for the last meeting in May and see for yourself.
* Why is tomorrow's picnic costing $73,500 and why is it being paid for with taxpayer dollars?
* Why are not such events if even necessary, not firmly controlled by city administration under the direction of city council?
* Why was the web site of the 150th Birthday Committee abruptly removed from the city's web site and replaced with a SOSA substitute? Is the city hiding something again, much like they did with the Starbucks at $ervu$ Place fiasco?
* Why did the 150th committee invite the public to submit photos of anniversary celebrations, yet not one picture was submitted that appeared on their web site.
* Why did the 150th committee website promise regular newsletters? Only six were ever issued during the anniversary year, the last being July of 2011. Nearly half a year's activities received zero promotion. Or were there any activities during the final five months of the year?
* Why did the 150th committee website announce a contest for kids, inviting kids to submit drawings to appear on the website, when not one drawing ever appeared?
* How much money was spent on the 150th Birthday souvenir items and how much merchandise went unsold? Ask anyone you meet on the street if they ever saw any 150th related material. The vast majority will answer no.
* Under the heading "Grants" on the former 150th committee website, only a single grant was shown as received by the committee, that being $75,000 from the province. What was that money spent on?
* Why was there no media coverage of any event after August 17, 2011 noted on the former website. Was there any coverage or were there no events held?
* Why did the 150th committee 'Call For Artists' to produce bronze outdoor sculptures on the website, when not a single submission was noted.
* Why did the former website show only two private donors? Is that really all the donors there were?
* Why it is widely rumoured that at least two well-known members of the 150th Birthday Committee quit the committee in disgust at the way things were being run?
Something stinks to high heaven with the 150th Birthday Committee. Will the stench carry over into the SOSA group? Are the two groups made up of the same people?
Council needs to come clean with the taxpayers of St. Albert and how their money was squandered by the 150th Birthday Committee. Either that or produce a proper public accounting to taxpayers to prove it wasn't. Is SOSA yet another private group of the privileged few quickly forming their own group, to tap tax money to spend on zero benefit events for most members of the community?
The ball is now in city council's court. Have they the cajones to face the public with the real story, or will it be fudged like the Starbucks at $ervu$ Place pack of untruths by this council? Over to you mayor and council.
+ The SOSA 2012 - 2014 Objectives and 2012 Financial Operating Plan:
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
+ The SOSA Certificate of Incorporation
+ The SOSA 2012 Operating Budget
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
The Photography Of Paul Dicaire
Don,
This autumn picture was taken in early October near Barry’s Bay, Ontario.
Paul Dicaire
St. Albert
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
READER RESPONSE To Live Chat:
"The law is the law"....really!!! A cop once said to me, " there's no grey area in the law"...... Really!!! ... Then what is case law? New grey area discovered every day. So you can't drive and do anything distracting at the same time!!! Eg. When a cop races after a car and talks on the radio at the same time. I can do two things at the same time ... But I'm not from Edmonton.
Linda Locicero
St. Albert
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Senator's wife charged for airplane disturbance - CBC
2 dead, 9 wounded in Empire State building shootings - CNN
Quebec woman drowns during wedding photo shoot - CTV
Jury rules for Apple in case against Samsung - Edmonton Journal
Woman dies after LRT fall - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Perhaps a bit of truth here . . .
Doggy
High
Chair
Senior Olympic Synchronized Swimming
This group get a great laugh from the crowd.
*Submitted by Geordie of the city.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
Today's Quote From A Chelsea Pensioner
25/08/2012 06:13
"I have still got what it takes to get a lady into the bedroom - a stair lift."
Jack Woodward,
Chelsea Pensioner Aged 90
*Submitted by Norm in the UK.
WEBBITS
25/08/2012 06:13
Remembering Hollywood Squares
25/08/2012 06:13
Peter Marshall: According to the IRS, out of every 10 Americans audited, how many end up paying more taxes?
Paul Lynde: 11.
Peter Marshall: According to FEMA, people from Florida should be prepared for hurricanes and people from the Midwest should be prepared for floods. What should people from California be prepared for?
Charley Weaver: The people from Florida and the people from the Midwest.
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
25/08/2012 06:13
Today's Activity Corner
25/08/2012 06:13
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
August 24, 2012
24/08/2012 06:34
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
The Photography Of Elke Blodgett
Local photographer Elke Blodgett writes, "reflections of a Summer sunset over the Sturgeon River, August 22, 2012."
READER RESPONSE:
Elke:
My artistic sensibilities are (admittedly) very shallow. But ... There's something about this picture that strikes me as outstanding. There's nothing there that shouldn't be there, and everything is in exactly the right place. If you were Japanese, I guess you'd be worrying about offending the gods by producing perfection.
Deane Doucette
Grandin
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Conrad Black asks court to force Order of Canada hearing - CBC
Norway killer ruled sane, given 21-year prison term - CNN
Armstrong facing loss of 7 Tour de France titles - CTV
Consumer debt hits record high in Canada - Edmonton Journal
Projected $10.6M surplus for Edmonton - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Watching too much 16:9 . . .
Domino
Effect
Typewriter Symphony Orchestra
Who knew a typewriter would take a place in an orchestra?
* Submitted by Peter Hubbard of the city.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
The Photography Of Elke Blodgett
Local photographer Elke Blodgett writes, "reflections of a Summer sunset over the Sturgeon River, August 22, 2012."
READER RESPONSE:
Elke:
My artistic sensibilities are (admittedly) very shallow. But ... There's something about this picture that strikes me as outstanding. There's nothing there that shouldn't be there, and everything is in exactly the right place. If you were Japanese, I guess you'd be worrying about offending the gods by producing perfection.
Deane Doucette
Grandin
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Conrad Black asks court to force Order of Canada hearing - CBC
Norway killer ruled sane, given 21-year prison term - CNN
Armstrong facing loss of 7 Tour de France titles - CTV
Consumer debt hits record high in Canada - Edmonton Journal
Projected $10.6M surplus for Edmonton - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Watching too much 16:9 . . .
Domino
Effect
Typewriter Symphony Orchestra
Who knew a typewriter would take a place in an orchestra?
* Submitted by Peter Hubbard of the city.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Grandchildren Are Special
24/08/2012 06:34
* Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him!
* My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over, you hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.
WEBBITS
24/08/2012 06:34
Chicks In Hats
24/08/2012 06:34
See them all on BuzzFeed.
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
24/08/2012 06:34
Today's Activity Corner
24/08/2012 06:34
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
August 23, 2012
23/08/2012 05:32
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
A Closer Look At Rockin' August
This 1948 Buick Roadmaster convertible drew many admirers.
That's a straight eight engine, before Buick brought out the V-8.
Even the interior was a thing of beauty.
Neighbourhood Idiots Were Out Last Night
Residents of Deer Ridge had a rude awakening this morning as people with nothing better to do tipped dozens of garbage bins overnight. Just one more advantage of the city's new garbage system. With the old system, there was nothing to tip.
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
PQ backpedals on french test for election candidates - CBC
Florida braces for tropical storm Isaac - CNN
Body parts probe could delay funeral - CTV
Photo radar ending in Strathcona county - Edmonton Journal
Wildrose says give back transition allowance - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Dizzy anyone? . . .
Bullseye!
World's Most Amazing Dog
You won't believe what this pit bull can do!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
Songwriters Showcase with Elvin Berthiaume at 9:00 p.m.
Then an Open Stage hosted by "Shaved Posse" - Rocko Vaugeois, Charlie DeShane and Kenny Skoreyko.
MGD $4.25, great food, service and music.
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
A Closer Look At Rockin' August
This 1948 Buick Roadmaster convertible drew many admirers.
That's a straight eight engine, before Buick brought out the V-8.
Even the interior was a thing of beauty.
Neighbourhood Idiots Were Out Last Night
Residents of Deer Ridge had a rude awakening this morning as people with nothing better to do tipped dozens of garbage bins overnight. Just one more advantage of the city's new garbage system. With the old system, there was nothing to tip.
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
PQ backpedals on french test for election candidates - CBC
Florida braces for tropical storm Isaac - CNN
Body parts probe could delay funeral - CTV
Photo radar ending in Strathcona county - Edmonton Journal
Wildrose says give back transition allowance - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Dizzy anyone? . . .
Bullseye!
World's Most Amazing Dog
You won't believe what this pit bull can do!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
Songwriters Showcase with Elvin Berthiaume at 9:00 p.m.
Then an Open Stage hosted by "Shaved Posse" - Rocko Vaugeois, Charlie DeShane and Kenny Skoreyko.
MGD $4.25, great food, service and music.
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
The United Way Donation
23/08/2012 05:32
The volunteer opened the meeting by saying, "Our research shows that even though your annual income is over two million dollars, you don't give a penny to charity. Wouldn't you like to give something back to your community through the United Way?"
The lawyer thinks for a minute and says, "First, did your research also show you that my mother is dying after a long, painful illness and she has huge medical bills that are far beyond her ability to pay?"
Embarrassed, the United Way rep mumbles, "Uh . . . no, I didn't know that."
"Secondly," says the lawyer, "did it show that my brother, a disabled veteran, is blind and confined to a wheelchair and is unable to support his wife and six children?"
The stricken United Way rep begins to stammer an apology, but is cut off again.
"Thirdly, did your research also show you that my sister's husband died in a dreadful car accident, leaving her penniless with a mortgage and three children, one of whom is disabled and another who has learning disabilities requiring an array of private tutors?"
The humiliated United Way rep, completely beaten, says, "I'm so sorry, I had no idea."
And the lawyer says, "So . . . if I didn't give any money to them, what makes you think I'd give any to you?"
* Submitted by Alan Towey of the city.
WEBBITS
23/08/2012 05:32
Famous Quotes Of Note
23/08/2012 05:32
* Don't forget Mother's Day. Or as they call it in Beverly Hills, Dad's Third Wife Day. - Jay Leno
* Drawing on my fine command of the English language, I said nothing. - Robert Benchley
* Electricity is really just organized lightning. - George Carlin
* Every man's dream is to be able to sink into the arms of a woman without also falling into her hands. - Jerry Lewis
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
23/08/2012 05:32
Today's Activity Corner
23/08/2012 05:31
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
August 22, 2012
22/08/2012 06:42
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
A&HF, City Both A Proven Taxpayer Burden
Editor:
On August 27th, Council will have to decide whether to renew its current stewardship agreement with the Arts and Heritage Foundation (AHF), incorporate AHF into the city administration or pursue another option altogether. No doubt the gallery will be packed with AHF supporters who are trying to save the foundation. Council will feel pressured to listen to these ardent supporters, many of whom come out to vote on election day.
But before they make their decision, council should also consider the perspective of the other voters out there. These would be the taxpaying voters who are dismayed at the increasingly high taxes they have to pay to fund arts, heritage and cultural projects and programs supported by the city and AHF but have become so frustrated with the state of the city that they’ve stopped voting altogether. This is the bigger issue and it was highlighted by Ms. Watamaniuk's commentary in the Gazette on August 18th.
The city takes AHF to task for its increasingly expensive operations. Surely this state of affairs results from the attitude of the city that we have to have the best cultural department and cultural services in the province. But, I ask why should St. Albert have this standard? Why should Carol Watamaniuk and her followers make the decision that St. Albert, a bedroom community of 60,000+ has to be a cultural Mecca? Certainly it’s not supported by those residents who answered the city's own satisfaction survey. They said most of the arts, heritage and culture programs and facilities were of lowest importance to them. And this result came despite the bias in the survey results to those who are older and most affluent in our city.
Council recently approved a Cultural Master Plan presented by its cultural department. This plan had millions of dollars of proposed increases in expenditures in programming as well as funding for huge projects. These projects included a new art gallery and the $16 million heritage project, both of which sit on the city's unfunded capital project list. This plan is seen by the cultural department as the way to further St. Albert in its dream of being a cultural Mecca. So why should they blame AHF for coming to them and asking for a new gallery when it’s in their own plan?
So you may want to ask whether it is really AHF that is the problem here, or is it the city? Perhaps AHF coming back to the city for more and more money to fund the best is just reflecting the perspective of administration. There are options that could improve the efficiency of AHF including the service contract option where clarity on what services AHF provides and results of those services are measured accurately. This would automatically eliminate the duplication of services for which administration faults AHF. And efficiencies could be achieved by using excess capacity within city departments, like as been stated as existing in finance, to provide AHF administrative services from within the city. Those costs could then be cut from their funding.
But don't hold AHF responsible for the city's own mistakes. And, ask whether an administration that is responsible for the Cultural Mecca Plan would be more effective at providing the services now provided by AHF. Keep and refine the services and facilities we now have. They are more than enough for taxpayers to pay for.
Are our taxes high? They are because we allow council and administration to do as they please!. We need to get involved and let council know that there is a limit to the tax increases we will allow! Take charge, get involved and at the next election, vote in a council that is committed to zero tax increase during it’s tenure! You can do it! Nothing will change unless you push for that change. Check out my web-site and be a part of the solution.
We do not need to spend millions to become the best, we are already the best!
B.K. Kang
Realtor
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Perhaps the best letter ever received on the out-of-control-spending by city council and administration here on St. Albert's Place. Finally a voice from the wilderness, from one in the know who understands the damage the cultural types in this city have done to local taxpayers over the years. Bottom line: A&HF should be turfed, shut down, disbanded and good riddance. Thank you Mr. Kang. And folks, if you really want to help Mr. Kang, send the link to this letter to mayor Crouse and council. Just click here to send an email with your comments.
The Photography Of Paul Dicaire
Don,
This picture of a fishing boat was taken near Stanley Bridge, PEI.
Paul Dicaire
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
That PEI is one pretty place Paul.
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
PQ would ban non-french speaking persons from running for office - CBC
JetBlue, WestJet shrink legroom for coach seats - CNN
NDP little changed from house that Jack built: poll - CTV
Rat patrol reinforcements arrive in Medicine Hat - Edmonton Journal
West Nile virus hits Alberta - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Hot air ballooning in Australia . . .
How Many
Guys Was
That?
Hermit Crab Versus Conch
The 11-pound horse conch might seem invincible against most threats. But the tables are turned a bit when hermit crabs stage an invasion of the dinner-snatchers.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Songwriters Showcase with Elvin Berthiaume at 9:00 p.m.
Then an Open Stage hosted by "Shaved Posse" - Rocko Vaugeois, Charlie DeShane and Kenny Skoreyko.
MGD $4.25, great food, service and music.
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
A&HF, City Both A Proven Taxpayer Burden
On August 27th, Council will have to decide whether to renew its current stewardship agreement with the Arts and Heritage Foundation (AHF), incorporate AHF into the city administration or pursue another option altogether. No doubt the gallery will be packed with AHF supporters who are trying to save the foundation. Council will feel pressured to listen to these ardent supporters, many of whom come out to vote on election day.
But before they make their decision, council should also consider the perspective of the other voters out there. These would be the taxpaying voters who are dismayed at the increasingly high taxes they have to pay to fund arts, heritage and cultural projects and programs supported by the city and AHF but have become so frustrated with the state of the city that they’ve stopped voting altogether. This is the bigger issue and it was highlighted by Ms. Watamaniuk's commentary in the Gazette on August 18th.
The city takes AHF to task for its increasingly expensive operations. Surely this state of affairs results from the attitude of the city that we have to have the best cultural department and cultural services in the province. But, I ask why should St. Albert have this standard? Why should Carol Watamaniuk and her followers make the decision that St. Albert, a bedroom community of 60,000+ has to be a cultural Mecca? Certainly it’s not supported by those residents who answered the city's own satisfaction survey. They said most of the arts, heritage and culture programs and facilities were of lowest importance to them. And this result came despite the bias in the survey results to those who are older and most affluent in our city.
Council recently approved a Cultural Master Plan presented by its cultural department. This plan had millions of dollars of proposed increases in expenditures in programming as well as funding for huge projects. These projects included a new art gallery and the $16 million heritage project, both of which sit on the city's unfunded capital project list. This plan is seen by the cultural department as the way to further St. Albert in its dream of being a cultural Mecca. So why should they blame AHF for coming to them and asking for a new gallery when it’s in their own plan?
So you may want to ask whether it is really AHF that is the problem here, or is it the city? Perhaps AHF coming back to the city for more and more money to fund the best is just reflecting the perspective of administration. There are options that could improve the efficiency of AHF including the service contract option where clarity on what services AHF provides and results of those services are measured accurately. This would automatically eliminate the duplication of services for which administration faults AHF. And efficiencies could be achieved by using excess capacity within city departments, like as been stated as existing in finance, to provide AHF administrative services from within the city. Those costs could then be cut from their funding.
But don't hold AHF responsible for the city's own mistakes. And, ask whether an administration that is responsible for the Cultural Mecca Plan would be more effective at providing the services now provided by AHF. Keep and refine the services and facilities we now have. They are more than enough for taxpayers to pay for.
Are our taxes high? They are because we allow council and administration to do as they please!. We need to get involved and let council know that there is a limit to the tax increases we will allow! Take charge, get involved and at the next election, vote in a council that is committed to zero tax increase during it’s tenure! You can do it! Nothing will change unless you push for that change. Check out my web-site and be a part of the solution.
We do not need to spend millions to become the best, we are already the best!
B.K. Kang
Realtor
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Perhaps the best letter ever received on the out-of-control-spending by city council and administration here on St. Albert's Place. Finally a voice from the wilderness, from one in the know who understands the damage the cultural types in this city have done to local taxpayers over the years. Bottom line: A&HF should be turfed, shut down, disbanded and good riddance. Thank you Mr. Kang. And folks, if you really want to help Mr. Kang, send the link to this letter to mayor Crouse and council. Just click here to send an email with your comments.
The Photography Of Paul Dicaire
Don,
This picture of a fishing boat was taken near Stanley Bridge, PEI.
Paul Dicaire
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
That PEI is one pretty place Paul.
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
PQ would ban non-french speaking persons from running for office - CBC
JetBlue, WestJet shrink legroom for coach seats - CNN
NDP little changed from house that Jack built: poll - CTV
Rat patrol reinforcements arrive in Medicine Hat - Edmonton Journal
West Nile virus hits Alberta - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Hot air ballooning in Australia . . .
How Many
Guys Was
That?
Hermit Crab Versus Conch
The 11-pound horse conch might seem invincible against most threats. But the tables are turned a bit when hermit crabs stage an invasion of the dinner-snatchers.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
Songwriters Showcase with Elvin Berthiaume at 9:00 p.m.
Then an Open Stage hosted by "Shaved Posse" - Rocko Vaugeois, Charlie DeShane and Kenny Skoreyko.
MGD $4.25, great food, service and music.
Every Now And Then A Classic Turns Up
22/08/2012 06:41
As I was walking out the door she yelled, "I hope you die a slow and painful death!"
So I turned around and replied "So now you want me to stay?"
WEBBITS
22/08/2012 06:41
* Bill Gates gets a potty mouth: foundation holds toilet reinvention fair.
* Bass fisherman takes heat for big catch.
* City of Toronto will allow topless rallies in city parks.
* Fisker Karma hybrid car sets itself on fire.
* The most embarrassing place to live in Britain is . . . Shitterton.
Chicken-Apricot Skewers
22/08/2012 06:41
Read the recipe on Epicurious
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
22/08/2012 06:41
Today's Activity Corner
22/08/2012 06:41
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
August 21, 2012
21/08/2012 05:48
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
Down At The Petting Zoo
Don,
Here are a few pics from a petting zoo for children. The chicken that has spiked feathers is from Portugal.
Paul C.
Edmonton
SINC SAYS:
Cute shots Paul, thanks for sending them along.
Reader Response:
The Assange Saga
Don:
Thank you for your (Saturday) link to another milestone in the Julian Assange / wikileaks saga. In June, Ecuador's London ambassador gave Julian sanctuary. Last week, Ecuador offered him asylum. That Julian has accepted isn't clear. Here's the Guardian's take on Friday.
Gov-U.K.'s comments add an interesting wrinkle. I guess it's that foreign states operate embassies on British soil at the pleasure of HMTQ. And she decides what embassy business is proper, and what isn't. I find that hard to disagree with ... within long established limits.
However, PM. Cameron has next rattled his saber publicly, declaring that Ecuador's giving refuge at its London embassy to one evading a British court order is not on; and Gov-UK is entitled to extract Assange from Ecuador's embassy by force.
Hearing of that threat, Ecuadorians are united in high dudgeon. Next come the seven other states members of the ALBA bloc in solidarity with Ecuador. The bloc numbers roughly 70 million citizens. They're conveniently labelled "left-wing". Followers in the tradition of Simon Bolivar (I'd say) is more accurate. Then weighs in UNASUR, the union of all South American states (pop. 400 million), also in support of Ecuador.
What Ecuadorians, ALBA and UNASUR appear to be saying to Cameron is: "Invade Ecuador's embassy; then see what happens!"
My guess: IRA will spring to life, ETA may take interest, and Muslims will weigh in. Plus the "Great British" won't be safe anywhere in South America. Perhaps that's a very extreme view. But ""Parvis e glandibus quercus." (mighty oaks from little acorns grow).
If I were Julian, and considering the alternative (the possibility of loss of freedom for the rest of his life), I think I'd waste little time accepting Ecuador's offer.
The voluminous wikileaks files are easily found and read on the web. They pretty much all have to do with US plans and intentions externally, and extremely frank comments on foreign states and their leaders.
One needs to have read these files to appreciate the magnitude of the damage done to US prestige worldwide by the publication.
The next fascinating question: how to get Julian from Ecuador's consular compound in London to Ecuador's home soil?
The fun goes on and on. Here's a new slant just read from Reuters/UK.
Deane Doucette,
Grandin
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Fire risk spikes as lightning forecast for B.C. - CBC
Wynonna Judd's husband lost leg in bike crash - CNN
Valedictorian denied diploma for saying 'hell' in speech - CTV
Gardens thriving in ideal summer conditions - Edmonton Journal
Thief taken down by Good Samaritans - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
World's strongest tree . . .
How Did
He Do
That?
Putting Massive Ships In The Water
Ever wonder how they get those monster ships into the water after they build them?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
August 21
NORM HENZE
(Guitar, vocals and slide guitar)
We have been watching Norm gain ground on his numerous styles of guitar for the past seven years and as of late he has been dabbling with the slide guitar. Through the numerous jams we have all been around, Norm has dabbled with everything from folk, roots, rock, pop,soul, R&B and as of late started experimenting with slide guitar. Norm has always shown attention to detail whatever he takes on when it comes to guitar stylings. He works hard to get the right tone and sound out of his gear. We wanted to feature him for a night and let him loose on his slide with some great backing from some of Edmonton's finest blues musicians. Norm has been a huge part of the building blocks it took to get the open jam scene up and running in St. Albert. A local St. Albert native he always had a dream of an acoustic jam that started on Wednesday nights and gained huge ground until it was unfortunately shut down with the closure of The Rock Pub. Norm then joined us in our move to LB's and took on the Saturday open jam, with former members of The Rock Pub's Saturday jam and got it off the ground and running for all to enjoy. Norm was also was the house guitarist at The CastleRock in its hey day with Simon Bennett's merry house band. Norm has performed with for sure over 1,000 musicians in the past seven years with a knack to sit in in the background with a very smart clean guitar sound. Currently in the band Coaster 44 . Slidin' will be on the menu for this one.
The Tuesday
Moosehead/Barsnbands
Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Hosts Mark Ammar, Jim Dyck and Randy Forsberg
Moosehead Beer Specials and barsnbands prizes
Moosehead Beer
Barsnbands
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
Down At The Petting Zoo
Don,
Here are a few pics from a petting zoo for children. The chicken that has spiked feathers is from Portugal.
Paul C.
Edmonton
SINC SAYS:
Cute shots Paul, thanks for sending them along.
Reader Response:
The Assange Saga
Thank you for your (Saturday) link to another milestone in the Julian Assange / wikileaks saga. In June, Ecuador's London ambassador gave Julian sanctuary. Last week, Ecuador offered him asylum. That Julian has accepted isn't clear. Here's the Guardian's take on Friday.
Gov-U.K.'s comments add an interesting wrinkle. I guess it's that foreign states operate embassies on British soil at the pleasure of HMTQ. And she decides what embassy business is proper, and what isn't. I find that hard to disagree with ... within long established limits.
However, PM. Cameron has next rattled his saber publicly, declaring that Ecuador's giving refuge at its London embassy to one evading a British court order is not on; and Gov-UK is entitled to extract Assange from Ecuador's embassy by force.
Hearing of that threat, Ecuadorians are united in high dudgeon. Next come the seven other states members of the ALBA bloc in solidarity with Ecuador. The bloc numbers roughly 70 million citizens. They're conveniently labelled "left-wing". Followers in the tradition of Simon Bolivar (I'd say) is more accurate. Then weighs in UNASUR, the union of all South American states (pop. 400 million), also in support of Ecuador.
What Ecuadorians, ALBA and UNASUR appear to be saying to Cameron is: "Invade Ecuador's embassy; then see what happens!"
My guess: IRA will spring to life, ETA may take interest, and Muslims will weigh in. Plus the "Great British" won't be safe anywhere in South America. Perhaps that's a very extreme view. But ""Parvis e glandibus quercus." (mighty oaks from little acorns grow).
If I were Julian, and considering the alternative (the possibility of loss of freedom for the rest of his life), I think I'd waste little time accepting Ecuador's offer.
The voluminous wikileaks files are easily found and read on the web. They pretty much all have to do with US plans and intentions externally, and extremely frank comments on foreign states and their leaders.
One needs to have read these files to appreciate the magnitude of the damage done to US prestige worldwide by the publication.
The next fascinating question: how to get Julian from Ecuador's consular compound in London to Ecuador's home soil?
The fun goes on and on. Here's a new slant just read from Reuters/UK.
Deane Doucette,
Grandin
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Fire risk spikes as lightning forecast for B.C. - CBC
Wynonna Judd's husband lost leg in bike crash - CNN
Valedictorian denied diploma for saying 'hell' in speech - CTV
Gardens thriving in ideal summer conditions - Edmonton Journal
Thief taken down by Good Samaritans - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
World's strongest tree . . .
How Did
He Do
That?
Putting Massive Ships In The Water
Ever wonder how they get those monster ships into the water after they build them?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tonight At LB's Pub
NORM HENZE
(Guitar, vocals and slide guitar)
We have been watching Norm gain ground on his numerous styles of guitar for the past seven years and as of late he has been dabbling with the slide guitar. Through the numerous jams we have all been around, Norm has dabbled with everything from folk, roots, rock, pop,soul, R&B and as of late started experimenting with slide guitar. Norm has always shown attention to detail whatever he takes on when it comes to guitar stylings. He works hard to get the right tone and sound out of his gear. We wanted to feature him for a night and let him loose on his slide with some great backing from some of Edmonton's finest blues musicians. Norm has been a huge part of the building blocks it took to get the open jam scene up and running in St. Albert. A local St. Albert native he always had a dream of an acoustic jam that started on Wednesday nights and gained huge ground until it was unfortunately shut down with the closure of The Rock Pub. Norm then joined us in our move to LB's and took on the Saturday open jam, with former members of The Rock Pub's Saturday jam and got it off the ground and running for all to enjoy. Norm was also was the house guitarist at The CastleRock in its hey day with Simon Bennett's merry house band. Norm has performed with for sure over 1,000 musicians in the past seven years with a knack to sit in in the background with a very smart clean guitar sound. Currently in the band Coaster 44 . Slidin' will be on the menu for this one.
Moosehead/Barsnbands
Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Hosts Mark Ammar, Jim Dyck and Randy Forsberg
Moosehead Beer Specials and barsnbands prizes
Moosehead Beer
Barsnbands
Where Has All Our Innocence Gone?
21/08/2012 05:48
One afternoon, he and is wife, Joanne Woodward, stopped by to have lunch with the kids.
A counsellor at a nearby table, suspecting the young patients wouldn't know Newman was a famous movie star, explained, That's the man who made this camp possible. Maybe you've seen his picture on his salad dressing bottle?'
Blank stares.
'Well, you've probably seen his face on his lemonade carton.'
An eight-year-old girl perked up. 'How long was he missing?'
WEBBITS
21/08/2012 05:48
The Rules In Rural Alberta
21/08/2012 05:48
* There's little for 'vegetarians' on the menu. Order steak. Or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the two pounds of ham and turkey.
* When we set a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup.
* You bring 'coke' into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice.
* You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.
* Alberta Hockey League and Minor Hockey is as important here as the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers and more fun to watch.
* Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards -- it spooks the fish.
* Two inches of snow and ice isn't a blizzard - it's a vacation. The pickups with snow blades and tractors with snow blowers will have you out the next day.
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
21/08/2012 05:47
Today's Activity Corner
21/08/2012 05:47
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
August 20, 2012
20/08/2012 06:24
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
The Photography Of Paul Dicaire
Don,
This was taken on a street corner in Charlottetown, PEI. The bee was just leaving as I took this. Interestingly, the bee took off backwards.
Paul Decaire
St. Albert
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Police continue search for body parts near Toronto - CBC
14-year-old swims solo across Lake Ontario - CNN
'Top Gun' director dies after jumping off bridge - CTV
Seniors homes planned for surplus school sites - Edmonton Journal
Fringe draws large crowds - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
All you can eat, eh? . . .
It Even
Hurts To
Watch!
Sugar Art
A Chinese master craftsman demonstrates how it is done.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
August 21
NORM HENZE
(Guitar, vocals and slide guitar)
We have been watching Norm gain ground on his numerous styles of guitar for the past seven years and as of late he has been dabbling with the slide guitar. Through the numerous jams we have all been around, Norm has dabbled with everything from folk, roots, rock, pop,soul, R&B and as of late started experimenting with slide guitar. Norm has always shown attention to detail whatever he takes on when it comes to guitar stylings. He works hard to get the right tone and sound out of his gear. We wanted to feature him for a night and let him loose on his slide with some great backing from some of Edmonton's finest blues musicians. Norm has been a huge part of the building blocks it took to get the open jam scene up and running in St. Albert. A local St. Albert native he always had a dream of an acoustic jam that started on Wednesday nights and gained huge ground until it was unfortunately shut down with the closure of The Rock Pub. Norm then joined us in our move to LB's and took on the Saturday open jam, with former members of The Rock Pub's Saturday jam and got it off the ground and running for all to enjoy. Norm was also was the house guitarist at The CastleRock in its hey day with Simon Bennett's merry house band. Norm has performed with for sure over 1,000 musicians in the past seven years with a knack to sit in in the background with a very smart clean guitar sound. Currently in the band Coaster 44 . Slidin' will be on the menu for this one.
The Tuesday
Moosehead/Barsnbands
Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Hosts Mark Ammar, Jim Dyck and Randy Forsberg
Moosehead Beer Specials and barsnbands prizes
Moosehead Beer
Barsnbands
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
The Photography Of Paul Dicaire
Don,
This was taken on a street corner in Charlottetown, PEI. The bee was just leaving as I took this. Interestingly, the bee took off backwards.
Paul Decaire
St. Albert
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Police continue search for body parts near Toronto - CBC
14-year-old swims solo across Lake Ontario - CNN
'Top Gun' director dies after jumping off bridge - CTV
Seniors homes planned for surplus school sites - Edmonton Journal
Fringe draws large crowds - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
All you can eat, eh? . . .
It Even
Hurts To
Watch!
Sugar Art
A Chinese master craftsman demonstrates how it is done.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
NORM HENZE
(Guitar, vocals and slide guitar)
We have been watching Norm gain ground on his numerous styles of guitar for the past seven years and as of late he has been dabbling with the slide guitar. Through the numerous jams we have all been around, Norm has dabbled with everything from folk, roots, rock, pop,soul, R&B and as of late started experimenting with slide guitar. Norm has always shown attention to detail whatever he takes on when it comes to guitar stylings. He works hard to get the right tone and sound out of his gear. We wanted to feature him for a night and let him loose on his slide with some great backing from some of Edmonton's finest blues musicians. Norm has been a huge part of the building blocks it took to get the open jam scene up and running in St. Albert. A local St. Albert native he always had a dream of an acoustic jam that started on Wednesday nights and gained huge ground until it was unfortunately shut down with the closure of The Rock Pub. Norm then joined us in our move to LB's and took on the Saturday open jam, with former members of The Rock Pub's Saturday jam and got it off the ground and running for all to enjoy. Norm was also was the house guitarist at The CastleRock in its hey day with Simon Bennett's merry house band. Norm has performed with for sure over 1,000 musicians in the past seven years with a knack to sit in in the background with a very smart clean guitar sound. Currently in the band Coaster 44 . Slidin' will be on the menu for this one.
Moosehead/Barsnbands
Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Hosts Mark Ammar, Jim Dyck and Randy Forsberg
Moosehead Beer Specials and barsnbands prizes
Moosehead Beer
Barsnbands
Funny One Liners
20/08/2012 06:24
Boycott shampoo! Demand the REAL poo!
C program run. C program crash. C programmer quit.
Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
Chocolate: the OTHER major food group.
WEBBITS
20/08/2012 06:23
* Incredible photos of heroic mother dog carrying her ten-day-old puppies from a blazing home to safety.
* Metal thieves steal clock from UK town building.
* Donations pour in granting Vietnam vet's dying wish.
* Texting competition prize defended by U.S. champion.
* GM recalls more than 38,000 Impala police cars.
Questions, We Have Questions
20/08/2012 06:23
If nobody buys a ticket to a movie do they still show it?
How do you tell when you run out of invisible ink?
Do movie producers still say lights, camera, and action when it is a dark scene?
What do you call male ballerinas?
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
20/08/2012 06:23
Today's Activity Corner
20/08/2012 06:23
Word of the Day
Word of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
Article of the Day
Article of the Day
provided by The Free Dictionary
This Day in History
This Day in History
provided by The Free Dictionary
Today's Birthday
Today's Birthday
provided by The Free Dictionary
In the News
In the News
provided by The Free Dictionary
Quote of the Day
Quote of the Day
provided by The Free Library
Match Up
Match Up
provided by The Free Dictionary
Hangman
Hangman
provided by The Free Dictionary
August 19, 2012
19/08/2012 08:26
Welcome To SAP And Good Morning!
Pull up a chair, grab a cuppa
hot coffee and spend 10 minutes to start your day with St. Albert's only daily news site.
Not from St. Albert? Not to worry, there's plenty for you too.
A great way to put a smile on your face before you begin your day.
Have an opinion, gripe or grin to share? Use our Live Chat feature below to share it with other readers. Try our frequent recipes. Give our puzzles a whirl or a game of hangman. Check out our outstanding linked photos. Got a story or photo to share? Want to wish someone happy birthday or anniversary? We love your stuff from any location. Go ahead, send it in. We dare you!
Best of all, it's all free thanks to our advertisers. Enjoy and please, tell your friends. And be sure to check back often each day as the site can be updated as events occur. Follow @mybirdietweets
Heritage Management Plan Survey Wants Input
Hello:
St. Albert is creating another plan ... Heritage Management Plan ... that you may want to stand up and be counted on. Go on-line and do the survey, its the fourth link in blue, and it takes five minutes. I've read the documents they have listed on the site and came away unimpressed with the need for any heritage plan. Notice in the survey, they do not ask you whether you want a plan or not.
If residents don't comment, then I guess we have no right to complain about the next shoe that will drop. Already the Heritage Site by the grain elevators is hovering over our heads for a $13-16 million additional price tag (its unfunded, but who knows what projects will rise to the top of the heap now that Council is OK with borrowing from reserve funds to finance nice-to-have projects). There are over a 100 sites in the inventory, whittled down to over 60 of Interest.
There is no price tag associated with what this Plan will entail, but you can bet it will cost a bundle, just like the Downtown Redevelopment, Cultural and Recreation Master Plans. Of course our Council will be told to approve whatever comes up, because it does not mean any money will be spent. Of course, unless you spend money you achieve nothing in the plan. So do you believe administration when they say this? Personally, I don't.
Lynda Flannery
Director, SATA
SINC SAYS:
Good grief, will the spending on stupidity never end?
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Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
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Quebec party leaders debate tonight - CBC
Flight returns after engine problem - CNN
Assange addresses public from embassy - CTV
Opposition blasts hiring of defeated Tory - Edmonton Journal
Edmonton gangs still scuffling - Edmonton Sun
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Well, that clears that up . . .
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Rinspeed's First Underwater Car
Driving under water? You bet!
* Submitted by J.H. in Edmonton
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Heritage Management Plan Survey Wants Input
St. Albert is creating another plan ... Heritage Management Plan ... that you may want to stand up and be counted on. Go on-line and do the survey, its the fourth link in blue, and it takes five minutes. I've read the documents they have listed on the site and came away unimpressed with the need for any heritage plan. Notice in the survey, they do not ask you whether you want a plan or not.
If residents don't comment, then I guess we have no right to complain about the next shoe that will drop. Already the Heritage Site by the grain elevators is hovering over our heads for a $13-16 million additional price tag (its unfunded, but who knows what projects will rise to the top of the heap now that Council is OK with borrowing from reserve funds to finance nice-to-have projects). There are over a 100 sites in the inventory, whittled down to over 60 of Interest.
There is no price tag associated with what this Plan will entail, but you can bet it will cost a bundle, just like the Downtown Redevelopment, Cultural and Recreation Master Plans. Of course our Council will be told to approve whatever comes up, because it does not mean any money will be spent. Of course, unless you spend money you achieve nothing in the plan. So do you believe administration when they say this? Personally, I don't.
Lynda Flannery
Director, SATA
SINC SAYS:
Good grief, will the spending on stupidity never end?
__________________________________________________________________
BBC News Feed:
Welcome To St. Albert's Place Live Chat
Links To Other Stories In The News:
Quebec party leaders debate tonight - CBC
Flight returns after engine problem - CNN
Assange addresses public from embassy - CTV
Opposition blasts hiring of defeated Tory - Edmonton Journal
Edmonton gangs still scuffling - Edmonton Sun
__________________________________________________________________
The Things That People Send Us
Well, that clears that up . . .
In And
Out Again
Rinspeed's First Underwater Car
Driving under water? You bet!
* Submitted by J.H. in Edmonton
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Letter From Grandma
19/08/2012 08:26
Dear Grand-daughter,
The other day I went up to our local Christian book store and saw a 'Honk if you love Jesus' bumper sticker.
I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting. So, I bought the sticker and put it on my bumper.
Boy, am I glad I did; what an uplifting experience that followed. I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good he is, and I didn't notice that the light had changed.
It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed. I found that lots of people love Jesus!
While I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and then he leaned out of his window and screamed, 'For the love of God!' 'Go! Go! Go! Jesus Christ, GO!'
What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus! Everyone started honking!
I just leaned out my window and started waving and smiling at all those loving people. I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love!
There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach.
I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. I asked my young teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant. He said it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.
Well, I have never met anyone from Hawaii, so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign right back. My grandson burst out laughing. Why even he was enjoying this religious experience!!
A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me.
I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed. So, grinning, I waved at all my brothers and sisters, and drove on through the intersection.
I noticed that I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared.
So I slowed the car down, leaned out the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away. Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!!
Will write again soon,
Love,
Grandma
WEBBITS
19/08/2012 08:26
* Bulldog recovers after tangle with porcupine leaves her with 500 quills.
* John Daly finds novel way to raise awareness of prostate cancer.
* Pet owners spend up big on dental work.
* Canning factories on wheels rev up beer 'Canvolution'.
* Mother of five told to keep her legs shut.
Famous Quotes Of Note
19/08/2012 08:25
* By trying we can easily endure adversity. Another man's, I mean. - Mark Twain
* California is a fine place to live - if you happen to be an orange. - Fred Allen
* Cleanliness becomes more important when godliness is unlikely. - P. J. O'Rourke
* Cross country skiing is great if you live in a small country. - Steven Wright
Links To Today's Outstanding Photographs
19/08/2012 08:25
Today's Activity Corner
19/08/2012 08:25
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