Smart meter

On the 1900 block Quilchena Ave, in Merritt there is a couple of businesses in the same building. Around the back are two hydro meters one an analog one a digital.(more later)

At this time there are complaints about higher bills then before the utility put in digital meters. The Hydro in BC operates as a not for profit business and lower rates are mandated by law. When the production and distribution of power is efficient, there becomes a benifit to consumers. They can not take retained earnings from year to year except for projects. If people have been not fairly metered in the past by old analog meters then eventually a rate decrease will come through fairer and less defeated metering.

We know of a couple of techniques  the utility is employing to ensure that complaints are legit. Remember that taking any unmetered power, is theft and subject to criminal prosecution.

Today in history, April,10 1983

Born Haig Sutherland Canadian Actor.

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North West Territories

Twenty some years ago they divide the vast expance of land into an eastern arctic  as well as a  west meaning a legislature was distinct from the one in Yellowknife. There is  a lot of land that on the surface looks like it is not of much value, however mineral resources are  abundant. And the world is so small now. Last week at a scrap gold and antiques buyers event. A person brought in two tobbaco cans full of high-grade silver ore.  with silver around 6 dollars an once I talked to a person who mills precious metals for mines and we estimated that the A bar of silver could be poured from the cans of at least 50 onces About 300 dollars worth of silver. Only requiring a make shift furnace producing 2200 degrees farenheit for and hour.

I was in the territories when the Hunt brothers from Texas tried to corner the market for silver,by owning 10 percent of the world supply. The price rose to about 60 dollars and once. before  the supply side economics of Ronald Regan took over in the early 1980s collapsing metal prices back to demand.

The man said that a supervisor said take some for a  reminder fo his experience, and he did, this from a mine on the Camsell River on Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories.Lots of dynamics at work here, including publicly traded shares ,but if all the construction workers did  the same it would amount to a material loss to share holders. A loss more significant then market corrections when speculation increases stock value. We say if this happens to you be aware and get a recipe or something in writing. giving you permission.

There is a six month limitation period on crimes under $5000.00 in Canada, however there is no limitation on the value of your reputation.

Free minors licences are free to people over 65 and very inexpensive for those under and it gives you the right to prospect and collect samples on unclaimed land. You can pan for gold without one.

Today in history, March 5th 1999

The first premier of the  Canadian, new territory of Nunavut is elected.

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Gold Buyers

There is another gold buyer in Merritt this week they are coming regularly looking for silver and gold as well as old jewelry.

Canadian Collectors Road Show.

Treasure hunters and second handlers are a reality of many people’s life in a tough economy.

They are at the Best Western of Voght for four this weekend the buying ends today. They advertised free estimates and coffee.

Kevin and Nate a couple of young fellows were well involved this morning giving verbal appraisals on scrap gold and  artifacts. A small disagreement on the plate or silver content of one item in Kevin’s charge drew attention from Nate and seemed resolved amicably. We watched three clients sell small amounts of scrap gold for amounts under 50 dollars ,they were payed by cheque after producing a name  address and photo ID to back it up.

One of the buyers was a  Thailand  national with a long last name: Tungkulbavarodom. ( just want to test my spell checker.)

An assessment on a hard-hat made by McDonald company that had an artistic relieve of the industries wares on it confirmed a 300 to 400 dollar value, when asked if the owner wanted to sell it he said no but he would check with his son the owner for a possible nother day. When a man produced two tobacco tins of high-grade silver ore ” given as a souvenir from a mine site he worked at in the North West Territories , there  was much conversation generated, but no offer from the buyers to take the ore. A table displayed some silver antiques and antique toys with a 1939 Iron Cross, and some other war medals.

Coffee was offered as advertised as well as free appraisals without pressure to buy.

Canadian Collectors Roadshow is from Vancouver, Canada and have a web site:

Collectorsroadshow.ca

Today in history,February 20 1901

The Legislature in Hawaii convenes for the first time.

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Good will

Alley at night (Photo credit: markhillary)

There is a painting at the Baillie House by the British Columbia Artist of the year in two thousand and eight Norman Kelly is a print 185 of 2000. The work is called River Crossing and features three horses and cowboys crossing a river.

That type of art is popular around here and artists like Arthur Mosely and others have a good constituency when it comes c0wboy to art.

The Kelly print is marked down to 50 dollars from a hundred and its being sold as yard sale donations that come regularly  to Baillie House; a registered charity.

Art is in the eye of the beholder and sometimes the estate holder.

There is a cowboy poet at the Public Library here on March 1st.

Today in history,February 9,1964

The Beattles go on the Ed Sullivan show to be seen by a record 73 million people.

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Persian rugs

On the weekend there was a auction of distressed goods at the local civic center. A viewing at 1 pm was followed by an auction a 2pm.Connoisseur Heirloom carpets were shown with pedigrees as to origin. One that I viewed was presented as from Kazakstan and the tribe you made it was related. The auctioneer said that antiques of that pedigree ( over 90 years ) go for 35 thousand dollars at auction houses in New York. A small 4X6 went for 500 dollars on Saturday and a large carpet was taken of the floor when it did not get a 25 hundred-dollar reserve bid. A number of small rugs were acquired by buyers at the beginning of the show.

The Auction was cut short and the were loaded into white vans to go to another community. The prices were advertised in a local paper  as bid plus 15 percent  buyers premium and HST a contact number in Vancouver was also advertised as 604-229-1800. The men were well dressed and professional with little fuss or stuff.

Today in history, December 6th,2008

Greek riots break out because of  the murder of a 15 year old boy by police.

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Japanese Sushi

On the  east end of town the there is a Japenese Shushi restaurant in a nice building that had a joint tenant , a plumbing company. The plumbers recently moved to the center of town and today workmen wer tearing out the flooring to accommodate what a source says will be an expansion of the restaurant a full three page take out menu is available and it is clean and neat  about another thousand feet of expansion may be available for diners in about a months time. The restaurant is called Garden sushi Japanese restaurant and is at 2701 Nicola Avenue. a few blocks away is a renovation of a moderate apartment building in  an improving high density area.

The restaurant has coffee for 2.24 (including tax) cents a cup a large california salad is 14.95; and is closed on Mondays.

There is serious economic activity here at this election time.

Today in history, October 28,97

Emperor Nerva is forced by the Praetorian Guard, make Marcus Ulpius Trajanus as his heir and successor.

Construction

The streets in Merritt are full of activity today as at least two major projects for this small community are at work. Sanders and Company are busting up the pavement and concrete at the old Grasslands Hotel site as well.

A sewer and water upgrade and a beautification in the small downtown core are in progress.

The local legion is also readying its front for a country music  possibly Merle Haggard according to an unconfirmed source. The about 10 x 10 black white and gray-scale portraits are done by the muralist Michelle Loughery and the Walk of Stars.

Today in History, October 12 1999

Six billion people alive at one time.

The week in pictures 9/4/11

Merritt British Columbia Canada.

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Dry Goods

The old Chinese dry goods store’s front windows are now un-boarded displaying some of the dated goods inside. The new owners are said to be going to sell antiques there and live in the house next door.

Today in History, February 1, 1968

Eddie Adams video tapes execution of Viet Cong officer ,builds opposition to the Vietnam war.

old mine

 

This sheve wheel likely sat on top a mine head frame at one time and is now an object of interest in someones yard.

I drilled at a place called mill creek some years ago and there was a flooded shaft with a wooded head frame on it that this would be right at home with. There were lots of these glory holes about in the last century great depression era.

Today in History, January 26th 1992

Boris Yeltsin announces that the Soviets would no longer target American cities with nuclear weapons.

Wurlitzer

This would fit in the 50′s for sure  the chairs are less likely to be used then a dance floor.

Today in History,November 8 1977

Tomb of Phillip II  of Macedonia discovered.

Peace

This is a peace lily hope you enjoy its assertion of life.
Today in History Sept 20 1920 :
Spanish Legion founded.