Who controls Canada's Money?

       Canadians should be ashamed of themselves. We pride ourselves on being a thoughtful caring people but our reckless legislative and regulatory banking practices have enslaved generations to come to debt.
        Let 12 year old Victoria Grant enlighten you. If you love your children, heed her recommendations that we legislate back control of our financial future.

City seeks public input on $50-million spectator facility

The Royal Canadian MintChip - the Kiss Your Privacy GoodBye Chip

The Harper Government, through the Royal Mint of Canada, has announced the desire to create the MintChip - which would eventually become the official currency of Canada.
         It should really be called the Kiss Your Privacy GoodBye Chip, the No Privacy Chip  or the We Are Watching Everything  That You Do Chip.
        All Canadian's should be very concerned with the privacy issues related to this proposed currency. History has shown us that whenever we give any government access to our personal information, that access is abused and rights violated.
       For instance, the contentious Long Gun Registry has been cancelled but this will eventually give the government a way to know what rifles you may have, just by watching your rifle, pistol and ammunition purchases - Welcome to the New Long Gun Registry - actually it is the everything you buy registry.

This government likes watching - EVERYTHING.
      
Contact your Member of Parliament and let them know that you don't want digital Trojan Horse - cash is freedom, the MintChip is Orwellian control.
        Here is a link to help you find your MP (Member of the Parliament of Canada) and here is a list of the current MPs.
        For those readers living in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Rick Dykstra is your MP and here is his contact info. Those Canadians who wish to send a comment to Prime Minister Harper can reach him here.

The Harper Government's MintChip - the Kiss Your Privacy GoodBye Chip

Meet the 2012 Loonie and Toonie

Have you ever wondered why the Canadian Mint's Loonies and Toonies look like they are made from silver and gold? Well they are neither silver nor gold but plated steel.

The reason that they are made to look like silver and gold is because we humans have recognized silver and gold as being a meaningful currency for thousands of years. In fact we in Canada and the US had a defacto currency based on gold until August 15, 1971.

Then one once of gold was worth US$35 - today, as I write this entry, gold is selling for US$1668. That is 47 times what it sold for in 1971. That is to say both the Canadian and US Dollar are worth a little over 2 cents in 1971 money.

So why is the Canadian mint celebrating it's new coins? They are really celebrating the stupidity of the populace to put up with the debasement of their currency. The current digitally created money is relatively worthless when compared to the real mined representation of convertible wealth, silver and gold.

Some would say that if you have no debts and extra cash on hand that people might consider buying and taking possession of physical silver or gold MINTED coins. The Canadian Maple Leaf silver and gold coins are usually regarded as top quality bullion.

The Canadian Mint introduces the 2012 Loonie and Toonie - and no, it isn't precious metal

Cedric's Barber Shop

I needed to be shorn this past week.  So I chose a local professional barber, Cedric.

Cedric is the owner of "The Head Shop", which is located at Welland St., which is near the intersection of Welland St., and the QEW in St. Catharines.

I phoned Cedric at 905-988-9772 and made an appointment for 1 p.m..  As Cedric's shop is less that 1 km from my home, I had planned on walking or bicycling over but I had some other errands to run beforehand and I was pressed for time so I took the car and arrived 5 minutes early as there was plenty of available street parking.

Cedric's shop is clean and tidy with a few barber chairs and a bench for those waiting their turn in the chair. As I had made an appointment, I was in Cedric's chair at 1:00 and my shearing and our conversation began.

We had an interesting conversation about shaving and razors and related paraphernalia as well as the importance to all of us in the region and on both sides of "the river" to buy and use local goods and services whenever possible.

Cedric's 1950's Marvy Barber Pole Sign

While in the chair a family entered with their son. They waited on the bench until I was finished and then the very well behaved young fellow took his turn in the chair.

I was delighted with both the conversation and the professional haircut. Clearly Cedric knows what he is doing and I encourage my readers to give him a try. I think that you'll be pleased - I was.

The Head Shop has relocated to:
20 Hartzel Rd.

Unit 10
St. Catharines, ON
L2P 1M3, Canada
+1 905-988-9772

 theheadshop.blogspot.com

Happiness is a Bicycle

Can you believe the weather we are having? Too warm too soon for me but I like a normal Spring.

I have been riding a bicycle, have you thought about riding yours? Gas is $1.33 a litre here in St. Catharines, that is CAN$6 for an Imperial Gallon. Our US friends pay CAN$5 for the same amount.

So save some money, enjoy the weather and improve your health .... ride your bicycle!

And here is my Yuba Mundo Bicycle in front of the St. Catharines Central Library

 

Here is the Environment Canada forecast for St. Catharines:

Issued: 9:09 AM EDT Wednesday 21 March 2012
Today:Sunny. Fog patches dissipating late this morning. High 25 except 16 near Lake Ontario. UV index 4 or moderate.
Tonight:Clear. Low 12.
Thursday:Sunny. Becoming a mix of sun and cloud late in the afternoon. High 24 except 16 near Lake Ontario.
Friday:Sunny. Low 10. High 17.
Saturday:Showers. Low 9. High 14.
Sunday:Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Low 7. High 13.
Monday:Sunny. Low plus 1. High 6.
Tuesday - April 2, 2012 :Sunny. Low minus 2. High 7.

And for our friends in Buffalo and environs:
NYZ010-212130-
NORTHERN ERIE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...BUFFALO
932 AM EDT WED MAR 21 2012

.REST OF TODAY...SUNNY AND VERY WARM WITH RECORD HIGHS IN THE
LOWER 80S. LIGHT WINDS.
.TONIGHT...MAINLY CLEAR. MILD WITH LOWS IN THE MID 50S. SOUTH WINDS
10 MPH OR LESS.
.THURSDAY...SUNNY AND VERY WARM WITH RECORD HIGHS RANGING FROM
THE MID 70S ALONG THE LAKE ERIE SHORE TO THE LOWER 80S INLAND.
SOUTH WINDS AROUND 10 MPH...BECOMING SOUTHWEST.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...PARTLY TO MOSTLY CLOUDY. MILD WITH LOWS IN THE
LOWER 50S. SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 MPH OR LESS.
.FRIDAY...PARTLY SUNNY AND WARM WITH HIGHS AROUND 70. NORTHEAST
WINDS 10 TO 15 MPH...BECOMING EAST.
.FRIDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S.
.SATURDAY...MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A 50 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS. HIGHS
IN THE UPPER 50S.
.SATURDAY NIGHT...SHOWERS LIKELY. LOWS IN THE MID 40S. CHANCE OF
RAIN 60 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY...SHOWERS LIKELY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S. CHANCE OF RAIN
60 PERCENT.
.SUNDAY NIGHT...PARTLY CLOUDY WITH A 30 PERCENT CHANCE OF SHOWERS.
LOWS AROUND 40.
.MONDAY...SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE MID 50S.
.MONDAY NIGHT...MAINLY CLEAR. LOWS IN THE UPPER 30S.
.TUESDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 60S.

Why isn't the City of St. Catharines properly enforcing contracts?

Why isn't the City of St. Catharines enforcing Municipal Contracts such as tree maintenance. Given the problems with mature trees coupled with the new normal of more frequent severe wind storms, trees must be trimmed so as to ensure both reliable electrical service and safety to the community.

I am fed up with the talk of the new arena, also known as McMullan's Folly, the City should be taking care of the existing physical infrastructure.

There is currently an inadequate and possibly life threatening level of service in place. I would hope that if there is a serious event that someone be held accountable under the full force of the law - when warranted, the Ministry of Labour can put negligent contractor's and employers in prison.