Reader Response Forum

$100,000 For Public Art?
__________________________________

__________________________________
More expenditure proposed for arts and culture!
Whatever happened to the spirit where artists donated pieces to public institutions, and or patrons sponsored pieces? Again, our arts and culture "councilor" is proposing we spend more taxpayer’s dollars in 2010, thus raising taxes again.
This proposal is coming to Council on Monday, May 22nd if anyone is interested in speaking to it. It is in addition to the move last fall to include at least 1/2% of the cost of construction for any public building, for public art.
Lynda Flannery
President
St. Albert Taxpayers Association
“Your membership is your voice”
READER RESPONSE: Hey Don,
What’s with this whacko idea to spend money on outdoor public art?
You buy a car and use it outside, it wears out, you junk it.
You plant a tree outside, it dies, you cut it down.
You build a deck outside, it rots, you tear it down.
You put art outside, it deteriorates, you junk it.
Please no more good money after bad.
I’m gonna start an anti-art lobby and get myself elected to put whacko ideas like this one to bed.
Sign me,
Had Enough Of Art
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Well HEOA, you are not alone. People are apparently sick to death of this councillor’s arts spending ideas.

The Things Our Readers Send Us
Infrared Thermal Imaging Around The Home
Here’s an interesting piece courtesy of Ontario reader Robert who tipped us off to the slide show. The contrasts between heat and cold of common objects around you house is not only interesting, but looks really cool in some cases. The shot below is of cookies just out of the oven.


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WEBBITS
* Drunk, high dad leaves baby in oven overnight, police say.
* Man used penis to assault female police officer.
* Briton is recognised as world's first officially genderless person.
* Tongue, steak, chops found in man's pants.
* This 1-Year-Old Happy Meal Has Aged Surprisingly Well.
Fountain Of Youth Really Exists
Ponce de León tried and failed, but there is one animal out there that appears to be immortal.
That is to say it goes from a baby to an adult, then back to a baby.
It does this over and over again and science thinks its life span is indefinite.
But what kind of animal can do this?
The answer lies in the deep.
Scientists Invent Invisibility Cloak
Scientists in Germany are all excited about their very latest invention, the invisibility cloak.
They use a method to bend light waves to make objects invisible to the eye.
They are currently working on making gold invisible.
I really don’t know what all the fuss is about.
Magicians have been using cloaks for years to make things disappear.
They should have just asked the magic men.
Virgin Mary Sightings Continued
As you know, we try to keep you updated on sightings of both Jesus and his Mom.
Today is no different in our quest to keep you informed.
And no, she didn’t appear on a grilled cheese sandwich this time.
She’s on a bedroom door.
See the video here.
This Little Piggy Had None
Stories of the runt of the litter are not uncommon, even among pigs.
But this little guy was different.
He was born without the ability to walk and the farmer was going to put him down.
He didn’t and Mama pig took over.
See the pictures of her successful efforts to nurse this little guy back to health.
No chops for this little piggy.
Reader Response Forum

Fastest Birds In The World
Here’s an interesting video submitted by a reader which features tiny cameras mounted on the backs of the word’s fastest raptors. The cameras give an amazing perspective of just how well they see and how fast they dive when hunting.

The Things Our Readers Send Us


Playing Tomorrow Night At LB’s Pub


WEBBITS
Finally A Cure For Breast Cancer?
SINC SAYS:
Science’s search for a cure for cancer has taken a downturn.
That is to say they’re experimented with freezing cancer cells via injected gas.
And so far it seems to work which is great news for the women of the world.
No word yet on any brass monkeys involved in the process.
Declared Dead by The CRA
If you’re having trouble with the Canada Revenue Agency, it is usually because they are all over you trying to get every last dime.
But a woman in Nova Scotia, Garden of Eden Nova Scotia to be exact, has quite a different issue.
The CRA thinks she’s dead.
She got that little misunderstanding corrected and her pension money flowed again.
Then the CRA killed her off again.
It Happened At School
A Couple On The Move
When the subject of moves comes up in conversation, most couples have a story to tell.
Some have moved many times and others hardly at all.
In our case, we have moved 11 times as a couple and the longest we have resided anywhere is right here in St. Albert.
But a couple in the UK have moved more times than us.
Many more times.
Reader Response Forum

A Video That Makes You Wonder How . . .

A Smile To Start Your Day
"Anyone with 'needs' to be prayed over, come forward, to the front at the altar."
Leroy gets in line, and when it's his turn, the preacher asks:
"Leroy, what do you want me to pray about for you?"
Leroy replies: "Preacher, I need you to pray for help with my hearing."
The preacher puts one finger in Leroy's ear, and he places the other
hand on top of Leroy's head and prays and prays and prays, he prays so hard for Leroy.
After a few minutes, the Preacher removes his hands, stands back and asks, "Leroy how is your hearing now?"
Leroy says, "I don't know, Reverend, it ain't 'til next Wednesday."

WEBBITS
* Scissors bandit couldn't do anything right.
* AG: Mass. dentist used paper clips in root canals.
* Surfer trains alpaca to ride the waves in Peru.
* Towed away while making a bust: NYPD detectives irked as unmarked cars are hauled off.
* Erectile Dysfunction May Indicate Doubled Death Risk.
New Event Planning Company Launched In Toronto
One of our regular readers in the Toronto area pointed Calum McGuigan to our web site. Calum has just launched a new and innovative business in Toronto called Fervent Events and wanted a helping hand with a bit of publicity. As always, mybirdie.ca is willing to give a new venture a boost. Good luck with your new venture Calum!
Fervent Events performed a 60 minute silent disco on King & Bay Street (Toronto) on Wednesday 10th March 2009, 8am-9am. The stunt was a creative way to showcase our event planning service via our guerrilla marketing service! Fervent Events is a new and creative event planning company in Toronto, ON which specializes in 3 components of the event planning industry; Corporate event planning, social event planning and guerrilla marketing.
Calum McGuigan
President
Fervent Events
About Me
I studied at Glasgow Caledonian University from 2002-2006 where I obtained a BA (Hons) Events Management Degree. After graduating I moved to Toronto, Canada where I worked for 2.5 years as Special Events Officer at Daily Bread Food Bank. In this role I was responsible for fundraising events such as Daily Bread’s gala, which raised $300,000 annually, Daily Bread’s golf classic which raised $85,000 annually and many other events.
In August 2009 I left Daily Bread Food Bank and launched Fervent Events, my own event planning company.
About Fervent Events
Fervent Events is an exciting, innovative and multi-purpose event planning company based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in September 2009, we specialize in three components of the event industry:
- Corporate Event Planning
- Social Event Planning
- Guerrilla Marketing & Brand Ambassadors
The urge is to create a company which offers interactive and engaging event planning , as well as interactive and fun guerrilla marketing. The stunt on Wednesday was a great way for Fervent Events to market our event planning service via our guerrilla marketing service. Fervent Events received a few calls before the stunt event finished and web hits increased by 250% of March’s usual daily average.
Icebergs Carved By The Forces Of Nature

Various systems exist for the classification of icebergs but the one used by the United States Coast Guard's International Ice Patrol ranks them from the 'growler', which is less than one metre (3ft) above the surface, to the 'very large', which protrudes by over 75m (246ft)
See a dozen examples here.
Embarrassing Medical Moments
When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that her pubic hair had been dyed green and above it there was a tattoo that read, 'Keep off the grass.'
Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing, which said, 'Sorry, had to mow the lawn.'
- Submitted by a RN No Name
It Happened In School
Reader Response Forum




Happy St. Patrick’s Day Everyone!
In honour of the day, we’ve filled today’s issue with pictures of Ireland, so be prepared to see lots of green here today. Except for beer that is. No green beer here!

![MPj04034110000[1]](mpj04034110000005b1005d.jpg)


An Irish Smile For St. Paddy’s Day
Murphy said 'I wonder how deep that well is?'
O'Brien said, 'There's one way we could figure it out'.
Murphy says, 'What's that?'
O'Brien says, 'We drop something down it, we time how long it takes to hit the bottom, you multiply that time 32 feet per second squared, the rate at which objects fall in a vacuum, subtract a little for wind resistance and we've got the depth of the well'.
Murphy says, ' What are you going to drop down it?' Then O'Brien looked all around and he saw this big heavy log lying on the ground. Next he squats down by the log and, using his legs correctly, he gets it up onto his shoulders and staggers over to the edge of the well, tips it up, drops it into the well and they start to count, 'One hippopotamus, two hippopotamus, three . . .'
SPLASH!!!!
Murphy said, 'Three seconds!'
O'Brien said, 'Quick, multiply that time 32 feet per second squared!'
'288 feet!', Murphy said. 'Subtract a little for wind resistance, let's say 18 feet. The depth of that well is 270 feet deep'.
As he finished the calculation Murphy shouts, 'LOOK OUT!!' and he pushed O'Brien backwards and a goat ran between them and jumped head first down the well.
Murphy said, 'My God, I've never seen anything like that'.
Just then a farmer walks into the clearing and said, 'What's going on here boys?'
O'Brien says, 'We just figured out the depth of this well to be about 270 feet deep and then the strangest thing happened. A goat ran between the two of us and jumped head first down into the well.'
The farmer says, 'Thank heaven it wasn't one of my goats.'
Murphy says, 'How do you know it wasn't?'
And the farmer says, 'Because all of my goats are tethered to big heavy logs.'

Here We Go Again Folks . . .
More Sports Facilities Proposed
Don,
This just came to our attention ... another proposal that will compete with the expensive sports complex we now have and which the city is unable to make pay for itself, as well as with Riel Park and the "debacle" of cost over-runs and grandiose ideas that that entailed.
The sports lobby in this city already gets too much attention, dollars, and facilities that the taxpayer ... not the sports organizations pay for. We support an active lifestyle ... walking, jogging, gardening, etc., but this type of development isn't necessary to raise fitness levels.
I'm guessing this is another project that will be knocking on the taxpayers door, via Council, for special deals and funding.
Please go to the “Guestbook Blog” on this site and give them feedback from a taxpayer perspective.
Lynda Flannery
President
St. Albert Taxpayers Association
SINC SAYS:
It can almost be guaranteed that such a project would somehow cost taxpayers in St. Albert. Proponents of this type of thinking will say there will be no costs to the city, but trust me folks, there will be a cost to pay somewhere along the line. I ask you, how can there not be?
Just how grandiose is this project? Well how about an indoor CFL sized football field? And four NHL sized ice surfaces? And a single Olympic sized ice surface? A 500 yard two tier driving range with practice greens, bunkers and three complete practice holes? A 2,500 seat baseball field with all the amenities? And the list goes on folks. You have to visit the website above to even believe it.
Think about who will pay for maintaining the ongoing cost of such a facility over the years to keep it afloat? There are not enough users of $ervu$ Place now and we’ve just been dinged another $878,500 to keep it operating in 2009 over and above the construction costs we will continue to pay for another 17 years plus. How can we believe otherwise, after we’ve been duped so many times? Think $ervu$ Place, Riel Park and the Road To Nowhere (that has yet to receive a dime in provincial funding.)
And it appears this project will be in direct competition to $ervu$ Place in many areas.
Remember all the hoopla during the drive to build the Wreck Centre that such a venue would allow us to attract quality entertainment to St. Albert? Can someone please name just one such event that has been held at $ervu$ Place over the past two years?
The one good thing is, the project will be front and centre during the upcoming election campaign. Residents will surely want to know where every candidate running for council stands on this issue, so they can vote accordingly.

WEBBITS
* Ugg-style boots 'damage feet due to lack of support'.
* Flight attendants: Carry-on crunch is a pain.
* Man caught driving without a license for 15th time.
* Smokers who quit see improved artery health within year, UW study shows.
* World’s Shortest Man Dies
* What do you think? Are butt covers for pets something you can get behind?
Squeaky The Cattle Round-Up Pig

A Dash of Guinness

Cooking with Ireland’s famed brew
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’ve rounded up both sweet and savory recipes that incorporate dark, velvety Irish stout. Though some people will balk at the idea of pouring a perfectly good pint into your dish rather than straight into your mouth, we think Guinness’s malty, toasty flavors cook up rather well. For more ideas, check out this St. Patrick’s Day Menu. And there are great discussions (and recipes) on Chowhound about Irish soda bread, stuffed cabbage, and St. Pat’s cookies and desserts.
Woman Caught Driving With Hood Up
We’ve all heard the stories about woman drivers, haven’t we?
And to be fair, men have their fair share of bad drivers too.
But would you pull away and start out down the street with the hood up?
In the UK, they call it the bonnet of course, but that’s their problem.
Either way it shouldn’t be done, should it?
Lend A Hand With A Search Please?
There’s a pub in the UK that is 684 years old and they need a hand searching for an item stolen from their establishment.
They found the object, dating back to the 18th century in the fireplace when remodeling the pub many years ago.
It is said to have belonged to a gambler who cheated at Whist and as a result lost the item.
Just what is the item?
Emergency Broadcasts No One Understands
I guess there is the odd emergency broadcast system still kicking around out there.
At least there sure seems to be one near the waterfront in NYC.
Trouble is, no one can understand the garbled muffling that the system emits.
The only thing they’ve been able to hear plainly is the phrase “this is a test”.
What’s going on?
Reader Response Forum

Reader Appreciates Pictures Of Wales
Don,
I've enjoying the photos of Wales. Especially enjoyed the middle one of the three today, March 15. The town is Aberystwyth and I was fortunate enough to attend university there in the early 70s.
This photo was taken from the top of Constitution Hill, looking south over the town. The remains of the castle are just visible on the headland at the south end of Aber.
Cheers,
Ann Conlin
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for the note Ann. It is response like that that keeps me going in the daily quest to keep this page alive. The picture Ann referred to in yesterday’s edition, is repeated below:

The Things Our Readers Send Us
Michael and Patrick decide to take up scuba diving.
Patrick asks the instructor why scuba divers always fall backwards out of the boat.
Michael interrupts saying, “ You are really thick Patrick, if they fell forwards they would fall into the boat.”
Norman In The UK
SINC SAYS:
That’s a bit of a groaner, isn’t it Norman?

The Things Our Readers Send Us Part II
The Laptop Of The Future?
This German concept laptop sure is futuristic. Thanks to a certain loyal readers for sending it along.
Playing At LB’s Pub Tonight
March 16th - Johnny Bowmeister and Paul Van Ramshorst
Johnny B - is a original jammer that came to us years back at The Blind Pig Pub. Walking in with his cowboy hat on and asking me what the crowd may think about a country swinging style set with all this blues and rock stuff going down. I replied its a jam not a gig and told him I would love to have a set of his stuff. This was the stuff that makes history in the making because he smoked a set of Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, and some country shuffling’ blues that just got the crowd really pumped and when I tried to get the next band up an encore for Johnny pursued.
Ever since then Johnny graces us with his appearances and this will be the second invite for Johhny as a featured blues country shuffling’, boogieing, fun guest. Paul - is a guitar player introduced to me at Kenny Skoreyko's Thursday night MGD jam at L.B's Pub. In my search for new talent always, I thought this guitarist would be a great fit as he showed his different style of play throughout the night. Everything from the blues to country to rock was on his platter to jam with and he was very impressive at each style.
First time visit to the Moosehead stage for Paul who also fronts a set or two with vocals and guitar. I am sure we will get to hear at least three or more different styles of music from these two.
Ammars Moosehead Tuesday Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

WEBBITS
It Happened In School
Church Holds Services In Local Pub
“The Rev. John Fisher leaned forward on the barstool, took a sip of his dark beer and started talking about divine providence.
Kenneth Stanley interrupted the religious lesson to ask Fisher to pass the ketchup.”
Seems to be a bit of an odd Spot for a church to be, doesn’t it?
Why are they there and is attendance up?

What’s That Awful Smell Anyway?
The workplace in the city of Detroit just took a turn for common sense.
Or is that scents?
Many a day during my time have I been blasted with a strong odour from someone wearing waaaay too much perfume.
I recently had to move tables at a local pub for this very reason.
I have no idea why some people douse themselves in scent.
Detroit however, has taken steps to stop the pollution.
Reader Response Forum

The Things Our Readers Send Us
Don,
A novel way to leave a “tip” for a meal!
Bixman
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Indeed it is, thanks for the tip on this video, if you will pardon the pun!

The Things Our Readers Send Us Part II
If My Nose Was Running Money
This video courtesy of Russ Vickers of the city.
WEBBITS
* What’s Really in Your Food? Learn the truth about these four fast-food favorites.
* On Satan’s trail with Don Gabriele, the world’s most famous exorcist.
* Restaurant: We Don't Charge Enough For This Food, So You Can't Have A Doggie Bag.
* Women on the Pill May Live Longer.
* Maryville woman accused of stealing 500 rolls of toilet paper from Blount Memorial Hospital.
* The Milkman Is Back Manhattan Milk Reintroduces Doorstep Delivery and Old-Time Customer Service.

A Lesson In Bra Stuffing
We’ve all chuckled about young girls stuffing their bras with Kleenex in their younger years, haven’t we?
It was always a joke in school when sizes used to, uh, alter, day by day.
Now there’s a young woman in WA. State who stuffed her bra, but got caught.
Only difference was that she used cash.
Just how much cash?
The Wrong Side Of The Law
Someone getting picked up for a DUI, (or impaired driving here), is not unusual and that saddens groups like MADD.
There are times however that it is unusual and this tale is one of them.
It concerns the cop and the driver, but in this case the driver is a cop too.
Did I mention it was his third DUI in a year and he’s still on the payroll?
10 Weirdest Places On Earth
SINC SAYS:
This is quite a collection of photographs and the one above is taken in Osseous, BC and described as follows:
“Spotted Lake is a saline endorheic alkali lake located northwest of Osoyoos in British Columbia. In the summer, most of the water in the lake evaporates leaving behind all the minerals. Large “spots” on the lake appear and depending on the mineral composition at the time, the spots will be different colors. The spots are made mainly of magnesium sulfate, which crystallizes in the summer. Since in the summer, only the minerals in the lake remain, they harden to form natural “walkways” around and between the spots.”
See the other nine locations here.
Robot Helps Stroke Patients In Portland
In our never ending search for the bizarre on the web, sometimes the story itself is not the story.
Such is the case with this story.
You see, the story is about a robot in a hospital what helps patients who have suffered a stroke.
But that’s not what the headline infers, is it?
Reader Response Forum

Did You Turn
Your Clocks
Ahead This Morning?

Bits ’N Pieces From Our Readers
Cast your vote here.
Lynda Flattery
President
St. Albert Taxpayers Association
SINC SAYS:
Lynda, As you can see from the screen shot above, the Gazette poll clearly shows that local residents want tax relief and that should come as no surprise to anyone, except perhaps city council and administration that is.

More Bits ’N Pieces From Our Readers
Just to let you know the happy ending to the search for information.
I checked the sites you suggested and the ones suggested by another family history "nut", then someone suggested contacting Veterans affairs.
So I passed this on to my friend and here is what she wrote to me:
“I called Veterans Affairs and they couldn't help me but gave me the number for the National Archives. I gave them his name and date of birth and they gave me his service number.
So now the family can get a military headstone for him!”
She was amazed that people are willing to put their thinking hats on to help someone they don't know.
Thanks!
Anon
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
It comes as no surprise to me that our readers are willing to assist other readers with anything they possible can. I’ve seen it happen too many times not to know that as fact. I’m glad your friend was able to find the information she sought. If any reader has a question, please pass it along and we’ll try our best to dig up an answer for you.

Your Sunday Smile . . .
LESSON FOR TODAY:
Sometimes, we try too hard to get to the greener grass. In the process, we can end up in trouble . . .

And when you find yourself in trouble and you're
stuck in a situation that you can't get out of, there
is one thing you should always remember . . .

Not everyone who shows up is there to help
you.

WEBBITS
Er, About That Van Of Ours You Towed
A guy employed by a firm that has a nondescript white van, left it parked on the street in front of the business.
Seems normal enough, right?
But he left it there for three hours while he did some work before he had to leave to deliver a package to the airport.
When he came out to head for the airport, the van was gone.
The van had been ticketed, then towed to the city compound.
But what was the package in the van?

Your Daily Animal Fix
READER RESPONSE:
Don,
The picture of the gorilla reminded me of a story and had me laughing this morning.
When I first got married, my wife and I were watching Gorillas in the Mist. throughout the movie (it was on TV) were ads for the Jane Goodall foundation. My wife being an animal lover, decided to adopt a baby Silverback Gorilla. WE received all of the documents, pictures etc and felt really good about helping out an endangered species.
About a year later we received a newsletter updating us on what has been happening with the gorillas. I was reading the newsletter when I noticed that our baby gorilla had died. The date of death seemed a little strange to me. I asked my wife when we adopted this gorilla and it turns out the date we adopted it was after the date of death. We adopted a dead gorilla!!
Needless to say we cancelled our donations. I still laugh about this.
Warren In Ontario
What’s In The Cards For This Guy?
Some days all you can do is wonder why.
Such is the case of this guy, a US architect who spent 44 days building a house of cards in the window of a Macau hotel casino.
He used nearly a quarter million cards too.
The photographs included with this story are indeed amazing, but it does prompt the question:
Why?
Did You Know That . . .
READER RESPONSE:
Hey, just thought I'd point out that horse statue did you know section is a common error.
http://www.snopes.com/military/statue.asp
Kerry Kineshanko
Mortgage Broker/Owner : iMortgage Services Inc- Residential and Commercial
Realtor - Executive FlatRate Real Estate
http://imortgageservices.ca
http://www.getsold.ca
Ouch! That Hurt, Dear
A lady in New Zealand was heading out to go shopping.
She hopped into the car and backed out of the driveway.
She felt a bump and realized she had hit something.
So she pulled forward and felt the bump again.
Turns out it was her hubby.





