Jan 31, 2009

The 2009 Budget - not enough job/green incentives

(left-click to enlarge images)
Here are two interpretations of the federal budget delivered a few days ago.
Once again, smoke and mirrors presented by this conservative gov't ... and extremely little green/jobs emphasis. Why subsidize renovations instead of jobs for lower income folks? 
I agree with most people (a poll by CARP) the liberals did the right thing by not rejecting it. 


Do you have an opinion?








Jan 26, 2009

(left-click to enlarge image)
Have you had good experience with this "Canadian leader in non-surgical spinal decompression" for chronic back pain? First page attached.
I received a brochure in the mail

While I don't feel at the chronic stage yet, it has been over two months and my sciatica doesn't seem to be improving as quickly as I had hoped. 

Do you know of any good procedures not requiring surgery?

Jan 24, 2009

Israel-Hamas Situation

(left-click pic to enlarge image)

This article in the Star today seems very clear on the Israeli position. If this is the general feeling within Israel, the conflict may never end until Hamas has been completely eliminated.

If this is a correct positioning, it is puzzling why only Harper supports the Israeli action in Gaza (out of 47 countries).

I think most people believe Hamas (Sunni Muslim Palestinian extremist group) is a terrorist group supported by Iran. Terrorism is a unique animal ... it doesn't have scruples or regard for human life and will hide behind the weak and defenceless and use any means it can to gain sympathy.
In my opinion, we must have genuine agreement from many countries and then a concerted effort to eliminate it. Unfortunately, I really don't see genuine commitment nor concerted action.

If you have an opinion, pls share it on this blog.

Jan 23, 2009

our planet - environmental impact

If you haven't seen the Leonardo DiCaprio narrated documentary 11th Hour, you (and your children) should. This should be mandatory viewing (and testing) in our high schools.

The one that started this environment awareness is the Al Gore narrated documentary An Inconvenient Truth.

There is also an excellent NatGeo documentary, Aftermath: Population Zero, on what happens if all humans were suddenly removed from the planet.

If you would like a copy of the complete film, let me know.

Oil Sands development - a serious problem

Not that I am looking for more environmental items to focus on but this oil sands development in  Alberta appears to warrant some attention IMMEDIATELY.

Apparently, producing a barrel of oil from oil sands produces 3 times the amount of greenhouse gases than from conventional methods.

As per the Sierra Club, in 2000 the GG emissions from oil sands produced approx 3% of our total GGs
The GG emissions from oil sands will increase to approx 3 to 5 times by 2015.  

If you are interested, read this item from the Pembina Institute and then the Greenpeace item and indicate your support by signing your name to the petition.

Mining companies can take over your property

It appears any mining company in Ontario can decide there is a mineral on your property and stake a claim to the area underground and mine it at their leisure ... and you have no recourse!
Apparently, this Ontario law was set at the turn or the 20th century and no one has forced a change ... yet.
 
Here is some information on the outdated mining law and a situation that was finally resolved without penalty. I think the mining folks felt it might be better to withdraw than force change to the law.
 
You folks in cottage country better be very cautious about ownership of your property.

PeakSaver PLUS and Energy Display

13.12.24: How to use the Energy Display (PowerCost Monitor)

There is now a link to the PowerCost Monitor setup site.
I used it to set up our electrical energy use monitor. Follow the screen-by-screen instructions for each setting and be sure to include Sat/Sun as off-peak.

The monitor is quite useful for determining impact of an appliance (old freezer, fridge, clothes dryer, computer, etc). 






13.11.19: Peaksaver PLUS and Energy Display

In Ontario, there is a program that will install a free Peaksaver PLUS thermostat (illuminated screen) in your home and provide a PowerCost Monitor.


Powerstream has included this Peaksaver PLUS offering under its Energy Management tab.

Caveat, if you have the original Peaksaver installed, they will NOT provide the newer illuminated model ... unless your thermostat is somehow broken...


The Energy Display unit is given to you but not set up. However, it is a little technical to set up. I am about to contact technical support for assistance.
Be sure you have a couple of hours available, before calling your power supplier.
Update - quite easy via the online setup above.






09.01.23: With your permission, PowerStream will install (at no cost) a programmable thermostat that allows them to briefly reduce the central air conditioning electricity usage during 'critical' peak use times – typically weekday afternoons during the hottest days of the summer, but not on holidays or weekends. 
As added incentive, you receive $25 from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) for signing up.

How to sign up:Contact PowerStream's peaksaver call centre at 1-866-323-0206 to book an appointment for a service technician to come to your home to install a programmable thermostat.
have

Brave New Films

I am impressed with Robert Grenwald's Brave New Films about the USA:


Blocking Telemarketing calls

There is now a way to stop those annoying phone calls.
Go to the National Do Not Call List and register your phone number. It blocks your number for three (3) years. 
While it is not known if mobile phones can/will be effected, it is probably a good idea to include your cell phone number as well.

TFSAs

Six Reasons to Contribute to The New Tax Free Savings Account (TSFA)

Although the benefits of the TSFA will be small in the short term, the long term benefits can be very significant. And here are 6 reasons why.

1. It makes good sense to open up a TSFA even if you do not make an immediate contribution to it. When you open an account your contribution room will be allowed to accumulate and if you have the money at a later date you will have the room to move it into the account. As an example, if you opened up a plan but did not make a contribution for 10 years at that time you would have over $50,000 room to shelter a one time windfall or extra cash that might be available when the mortgage is paid off or the house was sold.

2.The contribution limit is $5,000 per annum regardless of any amounts contributed to an RRSP/RPP. Those individual who have maxed out contributions to their pension plan and their RRSPs can still contribute to the TSFA.

3.Another great feature of the TFSA is that earnings within the account and withdrawals do not affect income-tested benefits such as the Canada Child Tax Benefit or Guaranteed Income Supplement. RRSP withdrawals can result in losing the Guaranteed Income Supplement and impacting the OAS clawback. While the benefits of a RRSP are debatable for low-income earners, the TFSA will provide the tax deferral benefits of a RRSP without any of the drawbacks.

4.The $5,000 limit is indexed to the CPI and will increase in multiples of $500. For example, if inflation goes up by 3% a year, after 10 years inflation will be 34% higher and the annual contribution by that time will have grown to $6,500.

5.Amounts can be withdrawn at any time and any amounts withdrawn can be subsequently re-contributed. For example lets suppose that the TSFA grew to $30,000. You could withdraw it , and then you will have $30,000 contribution room that you can put back into the plan in the future.

6. Over the years for an individual contributing to a TSFA with a combination of rising contribution level, and tax free compounding on the assets can build up sizable TSFA that can then be withdrawn with no taxes to be paid. If we assume an 8% return and 3% inflation rate and maximum contribution, after 10 years the annual contribution will then be $6,500 and the size of the TSFA will be $98,000. After 20 years, the annual contribution room is now $9,000 and the amount in the plan is $330,000. The $330,000 is earning income tax free. The full amount could be taken out or any partial amount could be taken out with no tax penalty.


Extracted from Second Opinion.  

planning the Christmas party

DATE:    October 01, 2008
 
         FROM:    Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
         TO:        All Employees

        RE:       Gala Christmas Party

I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the private function room at the Grill House. There will be a cash bar and plenty of drinks! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 pm. Exchanges of gifts among employees can be done at that time;    however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees!

Our CEO will make a special announcement at that time!

Merry Christmas to you and your family,

 Patty


      ================================

         FROM:    Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
         TO:        All Employees

         DATE:    October 02, 2008

         RE:       Gala Holiday Party

           In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees. We recognize that Hanukkah is an important holiday, which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on, we're calling it our "Holiday Party." 
 
The same policy applies to any other employees who are not Christians and to those still celebrating Reconciliation Day. There will be no Christmas tree and no Christmas carols will be sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.

Happy now?

Happy Holidays to you and your family,

Patty



      ================================

        FROM:   Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

         TO:      All Employees

        DATE:   October 03, 2008

        RE:        Holiday Party


Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table ..
You didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?

 Somebody?

And sorry, but forget about the gifts exchange, no gifts are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and the executives believe $10.00 is a little chintzy.

REMEMBER: NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.

Patty


      ================================

        FROM:  Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

        To:        All Employees

        DATE:   October 04, 2008

        RE:        Generic Holiday Party


What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! 
 
Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon at this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps the Grill House can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party or else package everything for you to take it home in a little foil doggy baggy. Will that work?

Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Weight Watchers to sit farthest from the dessert buffet, and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms.

Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men and each group will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men's table.

To the person asking permission to cross dress,  the Grill House asks that no cross-dressing allowed, apparently because of concerns about confusion in the restrooms.  Sorry.

We will have booster seats for short people.

Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet.

I am sorry to report that we cannot control the amount of salt used in the food.  The Grill House suggests that people with high blood pressure taste a bite first.

There will be fresh "low sugar" fruits as dessert for diabetics, but the restaurant cannot supply "No Sugar" desserts. Sorry!


Did I miss anything?!?!?

        Patty


      ================================


         FROM:    Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director

        TO:         All F#$&*ng Employees


        DATE:    October 05, 2008

        RE:         The F*%#ing Holiday Party


 I've had it with you vegetarian pricks! We're going to keep this party at the Grill House whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your fu&*^%g salad bar, including organic tomatoes. But you know, tomatoes have feelings, too. They scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right NOW!

The rest of you fu@*&ng weirdos can kiss my *ss.  I hope you all have a rotten holiday!

Drive drunk and die,

The B* from HE*^!!!!!!!!



      ================================


FROM:  Joan Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director

        DATE:   October  06, 2008

        RE:   Patty Lewis and Holiday Party

I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery and I'll continue to forward your cards to her.

In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.

Happy Holidays!

  Joan

Explaining the USA economic situation

A very easy-to-understand (and amusing) explanation of how the USA got into their current economic problem ... and the solution.

Somehow, I cannot get my head around the solution proposed ... subsidize the very large companies so they can continue to pay their CEOs astronomical salaries ... rather than providing jobs which would encourage spending.

the automotive bailout

I somehow think we may miss the point (and opportunity).
(left-click to enlarge the pic)

Cook Islands native song

In our trip to Australia this year, we stopped at Rarotonga in the Cook Islands on the way.
It is an excellent place to rest for a few days, as it is not very commercial and everyone is very helpful and friendly ... and the prices were right. 
Here is a short video I took of a song performed at the Rarotongan Inn during our supper extravaganza.

Recycle sites

Well, environmental progress is slow ... but is happening.
This 
DOWHATYOUCAN site will help you identify where you can take the following:


For instance, paints batteries and propane tanks go here...

I think provinces such as BC are well ahead of us on this.

It would be nice if the governments could make it a little simpler. To this end, stores are being asked to allow/encourage returning environmentally unfriendly items. More on this in the NEAR future.

This blog is helpful tools, information, and comments related to home computers and the Internet

This blog is also my way of communicating my concerns/opinions/comments of items I am passionate about: the environment, computers/Internet, travel, golf, road biking and home renovations. 

I have created a Web site that identifies free computer/Internet tools and I have also included information on computers and the Internet.
This is an attempt to help the general computer user understand more about their computer and the value of the Internet.
There is also a Google Group on the site to allow you to comment and ask questions.