Air travel is full of many potential delays, what with weather, mechanical and human factors at any given time possibly contributing to a disruption of one's travel schedule.
And we guess we should add nature to the list, at least when it comes to air travel and the Masset airport.
The QCI Observer offers up a reviewof a recent mechanical problem that has resulted in a Pacific Coastal Airlinesplane to remain stranded in Masset awaiting repairs after an encounter with a deer on the airport's runway.
The deer apparently darted out in front of the plane and ran right into the propellor of the turbo prop aircraft, requiring the plane to return to the terminal area and wait for mechanics to be summoned to provide for repairs.
The deer it seems jumped over one of the shorter fences at the end of the runway, which is designed to allow the planes to take off, though in this case it seems it may have contributed to the plane not taking off.
Bird strikes on occasion make the news in aviation, but deer strikes are rather rare things and Masset officials can only remember one other occasion, many years ago when deer and technology collided.
Masset officials offered up on report on the condition of the deer.
As a drive through any Prince Rupert neighbourhood will show, it's a buyers market in real estate these days, and in British Columbia the best bargains it seems are to be found in the Northern BC real estate region.
The BC Real Estate Association has provided it's latest numbers, a third quarter update that shows that BC's housing markets are returning to the typical post recession demand patterns, with a gradual increase in home sales forecast through to 2011.
A larger inventory of homes for sale has provided for favourable supply conditions for would be home buyers, the most favourable of conditions in more than a year.
In British Columbia the average MLS residential price is anticipated to rise by 6 per cent to 492,800 and edge downwards to 489,500. But Northern BC has better pricing points than that, still one part of the province where the cost of housing is still somewhat reasonable and more amenable to a family budget, and a portion of the province where the trending in prices will go upwards over the next year.
The forecast for Northern BC's region (which includes Prince Rupert) will see a 6.4 per cent increase in the sales of units for the fall of 2010, which translates into around 3,850 units while the average price of unit this fall will be $217,500, with the 2011 projected average price going up in Northern BC to $224,000 with projected sales of 4100 units.
By comparison the projected average price this fall of a home in Victoria is $507,800, in the Okanagan it's anticipated to be at $389,000 while Vancouver remains the most expensive location in the province with a fall forecast of the average cost of a home to increase to $654,500.
A service club seeks new members, The RCMP begins an investigation into the death of a baby in Terrace and the province expands its fire information system, some of the items of interest for Friday.
The Northern View Port Edward Lions in urgent need of new members -- With low membership numbers one of the area's service clubs put the call out for new members (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News Police investigate Baby Death in Terrace-- The sudden death of an infant in Terrace has prompted the RCMP to start an investigation. (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News Northwest Fire Situation Heats Up-- Lightning strikes over the last week have started at least 29 new fires in the Northwest Fire region (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News Province rolls out new fire website --The province takes its fire information system into the internet age with a new website, twitter feed and Facebook page (see article here)
QCI Observer Deer, plane collide in Masset--A Pacific coastal plane remains at the Masset airport awaiting repairs after an incident with a deer on the airport runway (see article here)
CBC News Northern BC Daybreak North Daybreak North is only posting selected items on their website now.
The most recently posted items can be found on the archive page for Daybreak North click here
A brand name that some would rather not have, BC's real estate slows this summer and jittery social security thoughts in the US, some of our findings for the Friday financials.
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His efforts have provided his sponsor with perhaps the most attention their product has ever seen, thirty second vignettes that have become the talking points of coffee shop and water cooler communicators across North America and perhaps beyond.
He plays the role of a cop in the comedy Horrible Bosses, which is to be released July of 2011. When he finishes filming that session he reportedly will have a guest shot on the TV show Chuck next season.
It's been quite a ride for Mustafa a one time NFL player who has become a pop culture icon with his renditions of the various merits of Old Spice, an ad campaign which apparently has resulted in an increase in product usage of 107 per cent for the men's bath and grooming products.
The ad has received over 16 million views on YouTube since it was first posted and Mustafa's twitter account has accumulated over 95,000 followers since he first arrived on our television screens. A bio featured on the Ellen Degeneres show website outlines a number of interesting background items on the sudden star of TV commercials, among them, he once won 50,000 dollars on the weakest link, and once was a middle school math teacher.
One thing is certain, with all of that looking here and there and back here again, following directions won't be a problem.
Travellers travelling north or south on Highway 37 to the Yukon border will have a significant amount of travel time added to their itinerary for the near future, as a forest fire has closed the route north.
Signs at Kitwanga advise motorists with a destination north to the Yukon that they will be required to take highway 97 North which will require a six hour drive east to Prince George and then north on to the Yukon to complete their journey.
The fire which is started at some 210 hectares has tripled in size in a short period of time and is burning so ferociously and is so unpredictable at the moment that the Northwest Fires Centre in Smithers pulled its fire fighters off the line as it was deemed to dangerous to be in the area, the Fire Centre will reassess the nature and direction of the blaze and engage the fire again when it is safe to do so.
The Fire Centre reminds Northwest residents that if you see flames, smoke, or an abandoned campfire, please call *5555 on a cell phone or 1-800-663-5555.
Further highway updates can be found at the Drive BC website
Users of the public dock and boat ramp in Port Edward contributed to the need for a bear killing in the community, Fire closes a Northwest highway and questions grow in Kitimat over the province's intentions towards the Eurocan mill, some of the items of note from the Thursday newsfiles.
The Northern View No new items of local interest were posted to the website on Thursday
CFTK TV7 News Grizzly Bear death in Port Edward was preventable -- More background on the recent shooting of a bear in Port Edward, a situation that conservation officers say could have been avoided. (see article here) Sahar Nassimdoost also providedthis reportfor CFTK TV News
Terrace Standard Fire forces northern highway closure-- Travel North along highway 37 has been disrupted due to a forest fire situation 17km south of the Yukon border. The 210 hectare wildfire has resulted in the Tranaportation and Highways Department in closing Highway 37 North, (see article here). Signs are up at Kitwanga at the junction of Hwy16 and Hwy37 telling motorists the route to the Yukon is closed. Motorists are being told to take an alternate route via Hwy97.Full highway conditions can be found at the Drive BC website.
Kitimat Northern Sentinel Haisla petition gov’t to maintain Eurocan closure-- The Northern Sentinel outlines the steps of the Kitamaat Village Council reportedly requesting the government to maintain the closure of the Eurocan Mill. A request that has local residents in Kitimat asking questions of the provincial government (see article here)
CBC News Northern BC Daybreak North Daybreak North is only posting selected items on their website now.
The most recently posted items can be found on the archive page for Daybreak Northclick here
Canada's deficit challenges may end early, An American warning of deflation and will the UK banks kill any economic recovery, some of the items of note for the Thursday.
Council examined a number of items for their late July session of civic governance, including a look over of the Five year Plan Amending bylaw, discussion on a grant to examine the feasibility of cargo service at Prince Rupert Airport and report from the CFO on the Utility Fees structure report.
There's controversy a brewin' in the world of international politics and finance, after a photo described as "racy" has spread across the internet featuring the Finance Minister of Georgia reportedly taking to the stage at a Vancouver strip club.
Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is under attack for hiring Vera Kobalia or as the Russian media prefer to describe her appointment as putting "strippers into his cabinet", though it seems that perhaps his opponents may be making a bit of political hay out of the photograph, which the Minister says was taken more than 10 years ago while in Florida.
The photograph was reportedly taken from a Facebook page before gaining wider distribution thanks to Russian media sources a group not particularly fond of the Georgian President and his policies of late.
If nothing else, Ms. Kabalia's troubles are perhaps a cautionary tale for all about photos and Facebook and the potential damage they can wreak in later years.
Ms. Kobalia, who is Georgian but grew up in Canada, attended BCIT and may or may not have worked in the Vancouver media (news departments are hard pressed apparently to find her files) was appointed to her position after meeting with the Georgian President at the Vancouver Olympics.
A move that apparently hasn't been universally hailed by his political and media opponents.
The Vancouver Sun features the photograph and the fallout from the world of international intrigue.
And while the photo may be the focus of the conversation in Georgia and beyond at the moment, one news service in Georgia(and we imagine another group not particularly fond of the President) has picked up on the resume gaps and offered up some thoughts on her travels of late.
As always, for real salacious detail of scandal it's always best to head for the British and Australian press, the wolf packs of Fleet street and beyond have closed in and offered up the kind of reporting that makes them famous.
Enbridge protests take to Vancouver's streets, a music festival in Rupert and fire bans continue across the northwest, some of the items of note for Wednesday.
The Northern View Enbridge responds to Greenpeace protest -- The debate over pipeline construction and tanker traffic into Kitimat heads to the big city, as protestors speak out against the Enbridge project in Vancouver (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News Prince Rupert hosts first ever music festival -- Details on a music festival to take place Thursday at Mariners park (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News More Fire Bans Announced -- Long weekend camping plans to the east will include being aware of the current fire bans in the region (see article here) Sahar Nassimdoost provided a video report for the evening news (see report here)
QCI Observer MLA Gary Coons looking forward to Fall Fair-- The North coast MLA heads to Haida Gwaii this long weekehd (see article here)
CBC News Northern BC
Daybreak North Daybreak North is only posting selected items on their website now.
The most recently posted items can be found on the archive page for Daybreak North click here
Prince Rupert's new bandstand will get its first official workout on Thursday as Mariner's Park plays host to the Mariners Music Festival, a five hour celebration of local talent.
The show which gets underway at 4 pm will feature live performances from a number of local musicians, such as Tom and Kate with Pete Jackson, Frances and Sarah, Sall Giblson and Joshua Comeau to name a few.
Timed to coincide with the arrival of the weekly cruise ship, it should provide for a festive atmosphere in the park, making use of the new Spirit Square band shell which was recently completed by the city.
The hope is that this debut edition of the Music Festival will prove to be the blue print for more to come, putting Prince Rupert onto the music festival schedule, perhaps with an opportunity to also add out of town performers to shows in future years.
The trade mission, no doubt one of the favoured perks of politicians who get to do a little travel on the public dime, could soon be on the endangered list. That is if the findings of a UBC study in the effectiveness of those long distance junkets is taken to heart.
Keith Head and John Ries, two professors at the Sauder School of Business, studied trade statistics before and after a number of high profile Federal trade missions to China from the Jean Chretien era and found that there was no noticeable trade development that came from those missions.
The statistical survey was culled from 1983-2003 during the much heralded Team Canada excursions which saw politicians and business leaders fan out across Asia to stoke the fires of investment and trade with Canada.
The trade mission to Asia is also a favourite device of the current provincial Liberals and even Prince Rupert politicians have made the pilgrimages to China and Japan with trips overseas going as far back as the Pete Lester era.
A time when we all awaited development of such projects as China Steel, which as history has gone on to show never quite reached the developmental stage.
If the two professors data is to be taken as correct, much like the days of China Steel, very little in the way of development has come from the trans Pacific journeys of our political and business classes.
Not surprisingly, some business leaders dispute their findings, suggesting that without the face to face personal communication that these missions provide, the opportunity to expand Canadian trade could very well be lost.
Though it seems that instant success isn't always there for the taking from the efforts of the wandering officials, sometimes they say it takes years to navigate relationships and negotiate deals, which to their mind could explain the lack of success as seen in the Sauder School study.
Getting ready for the next economic power, warnings of a second recession for the UK and China is warned on bad loans, some of the items of interest from the Wednesday financials.
The Prince Rupert Airport Authority, Economic Development office along with the Port of Prince Rupert are all on the same page when it comes to looking at potential expansion of services at the Prince Rupert Airport.
Towards that goal, the city will be seeking a grant from the Northern Development Initiative Trust to explore the possibility of bringing cargo jet service to the city's Digby Island airport.
The total cost of the study is estimated at $21,500 . The Port of Prince Rupert has already advised that it will chip in $5,000 towards that total, while the Airport Authority is offering $5,000 to the study. Other funding has been offered by ICCI (Invest Canada Community Initiative) which is set to contribute $4,000, leaving $7,500 outstanding which it is hoped will come from the NDI.
The scope of the study is outlined on the city of Prince Rupert website, as part of the agenda item for this weeks council meeting. The application is found on page twenty of the agenda, and outlines what the city hopes to determine from feasibility study.
The application explains that the airport would like to attract shipments that include just time inventory requirements, short shelf like products and any items that would benefit from a reduced transit time .
The goal is to increase demand and capacity at the airport as well as to diversify the transportation options for the city. The possibility of expanding the job opportunities both in any construction phase and actual operation phase is also touted as the key part of the application.
The prospect of jet service to Prince Rupert is not an uncharted territory, at one time the city was serviced by jet passenger jet service, which was downsized to the current model of smaller connector service to Vancouver after the mergers and acquisitions of the eighties and nineties.
The Prince George airport recently underwent a major expansion, an expansion which was assisted by funding from Federal and provincial governments, as well as the Northern Development Trust, so the template for financial assistance for such ventures is certainly in place.
The expansion of transportation services in Prince George increased the capacity to handle cargo traffic, with part of the blue print the hope of attracting the large international shipping lines such as DHL, UPS and such who it was hoped might use Prince George as a refuelling stop on trans Pacific journeys. Though there was a fair bit of controversy regarding that expansion and the cost of it, which has yet to attract the increased usage that had been suggested.
The Prince Rupert study, if approved by the NDI will examine a number of factors to bringing cargo service to the city's airport, though one imagines that the largest hurdle locally may be the transportation infrastructure required to bring cargo from the airport to the city side of the harbour.
Troubling times for the fish industry in the city, the Port Authority adds its thoughts on a cargo study for the airport and the Gathering Strength journey is underway, some of the items from the newsfiles for Tuesday.
The Northern View Prince Rupert councillor pushing for disaster relief in the wake of disastrous fishing season -- Another troubling fishing season has Councillor Joy Thorkelson, who also is the spokesperson for UFAWU warning of the need to seek out disaster relief for local workers (see article here)
The Northern View Federal ministers tout Fairview's potential -- The weekly reviews last weeks visit to Prince Rupert by two Federal cabinet ministers (see article here)
The Northern View Seven day canoe trip re-connecting youth to traditions -- Some background on the fifth annual Gathering Strength canoe journey currently underway from Kitkatla to Lasgalts'ap (see article here)
The Northern View Consumer support lacking, potential impacts too significant -- An outline of some of the key concerns of opponents to the proposed Enbridge Gateway Project (see article here)
The Northern View Project creates jobs, builds safety capacity -- A review of some of the company's answers to safety and economic questions for the Enbridge Gateway Project (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News Prince Rupert Port Authority looks to the sky for increased productivity -- Some more background on the proposed airport study into cargo development, this time from the perspective of the Prince Rupert Port Authority (see article here) (Sahar Nassimdoost report for TV 7 here)
CFTK TV 7 News Fire Ban Expanded -- Medium and large sized open fires on the North Coat and Haida Gwaii are now part of a general fire ban for the Northwest (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 World Renowned Artist from the Northwest Working on New Project -- A look at the current project of renowned artist Roy Henry Vickers (see article here)
CBC News Northern BC Daybreak North
Daybreak North is only posting selected items on their website now.
The most recently posted items can be found on the archive page for Daybreak North click here
Small business owners are happiest in parts of BC, Intervention staved off a 2nd depression and China knows its limitations, some of the items of interest in our financial reviews for Tuesday.
Perhaps aware of some rumblings of discontent among the townsfolk, Prince Rupert city council has announced dates for round table discussions with the community for this fall.
The concept of increased communication was addressed at the Monday July 26 council meeting (page 19 of agenda) where the council offered up a motion to book the Auditorium at the Civic centre for these community sessions. It's hoped to schedule the meetings for a variety of times in order to offer an opportunity for all residents to participate.
If council members are inclined to perhaps see what some of those talking points may look like this fall an instructive review of a recent topic on the local chat portal hackingthemainframe may prove helpful.
Seemingly getting a head start on council in the round table discussion, some regular contributors to that forum havetaken it upon themselves to examine some of the concerns of the community. A project which provides some interesting thoughts on the issue, though occasionally a discussion which seems to wander off sideways at times.
For those members of council and the administration that may find some value in Internet forums, there could be a few nuggets of information along the way however as to what may be the flash points of debate when the city designed sessions of the fall get under way.
A bear is destroyed in Port Edward, the city makes plans to hear the people and concerns over hidden agendas over the Eurocan mill closure, some of our items of note for Monday.
The Northern View Grizzly bear destroyed in Port Edward-- Details of the destruction of a 400 pound Grizzly Bear near the Port Edward docks on July 23rd (see article here)
The Northern View Prince Rupert's Acropolis Manor officially opened -- July 26 marked the official opening of the city's long term residential care facility Acropolis Manor (see article here)
The Northern View No campfires by B.C. Day weekend -- Forestry officials have issued a campfire ban for the coming long weekend, all areas of the province other than the Kootenay's are under the ban (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News City of Prince Rupert applies for funding grant -- The city throws its support behind the airport authority seeking a 6,000 dollar grant to study Air Cargo feasibility for the airport (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News BC Transit will hear the concerns of the region -- Council makes some plans for this year's UBCM gathering with a motion to meet with BC Transit and the Minister of Transportation to address Transit concerns of the northwest (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News Prince Rupert's Acropolis Manor Officially Opened -- A look at the opening of the city's long term and residential care facility (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News Prince Rupert Council has picked its dates -- The city makes plans for a trio of community meetings in September, October and November offering up the chance for round table discussions between council and residents (see article here)
CFTK TV 7 News Kitimat councillor alleges backroom dealing over Eurocan closure -- One Kitimat councillor is expressing his concerns over perceptions of behind the scenes discussions aimed at keeping the Eurocan pulp and paper mill closed (see article here)
QCI Observer Dialogue starting in Sandspit -- Communication is set to improve in Sandspit as the Moresby Island Management Committee seeks more public input on agenda items in that community (see article here)
CBC News Northern BC Daybreak North Daybreak North is only posting selected items on their website now.
The most recently posted items can be found on the archive page for Daybreak North click here
He must have found some shelter as he never faded away.
Mick Jagger turns 67 today, still one of the most influential persons of rock over the forty eight year history of the Rolling Stones.
Much of their music has provided the soundtrack to a generation or two, always punctuated by Jagger's vocals, over the driving arrangements of fellow conspirators Keith Richards, Bill Wyman Ronnie Woods and Charlie Watts (as well as a rotating cast of helpers who have moved in and out of the line up over the decades).
Deemed dangerous by more than a few politicians and other officials through the sixties, the Rolling Stones have almost become the establishment as they continue to evolve past a century's turn.
The song writing tandem of Jagger/Richards has provided a catalogue of work that has spanned genres (from blues to rock and country to disco) and reflected the shifts of our times.
Longevity certainly moves a celebrity to the top of the A list, ability, popularity and relevance must however enshrine Mick Jagger and his mates there.
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Our weekly review of some of the events of the week begins at the gates of a Florida prison, where one time press baron, member of the House of Lords and scion of Toronto society, Conrad Black found a taste of freedom from his prison sentence this week. Lord Black (we're not actually sure if he still can use the term Lord having been in the hoosegow, but it has an interesting ring to it anyways), was released this week, while the Illinois justice system takes a break from the Governor Blagojevich tribunals and contemplates if perhaps their interpretation of Lord Black's malfeasance wasn't quite correct under revised American law.
The possible return of Lord Black to Canada of course has received mixed reviews, many suggest that he's paid his dues to the legal world and should be allowed to reclaim his Canadian citizenship (surrendered upon his peership) and take to his Toronto estate. Others of course aren't inclined to forgive nor forget and with more than a little bit of glee find great comfort in the stateless, near homeless condition (though not quite) of the one time giant of journalism in Canada.
For now, the Black's will call a Palm Beach ocean front property their home, awaiting approval and opportunity to return to Canada like any other snowbird making their way back to the north.
Perhaps upon his return, Lord Black may wish to taste a sample of what his (hopeful) nations best has to offer, some good ole Canadian beer.
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There are some troubles brewing for the film industry as well, with word that the "Golden Goose" of 3 D technology may not be ready for flight after all. Meaning that perhaps you won't want to corner the market in 3D Glasses just yet (not to mention the latest wave of TV sets).
The Telegraph newspaper in the UK explains that many in Hollywood are rethinking the whole next wave of entertainment, after less than successful conversions of older movies have left audiences feeling let down, if not down right ripped off. No less a power broker than Jeffrey Katzenberg suggests that these "Cheeseball" conversions are serving to foster the backlash against the technology that everyone once thought was set to change the industry. If his thoughts aren't enough to help you keep the ole HD TV for just a little bit longer so as to watch your favourite movie releases, perhaps Roger Ebert can help. His impression of 3D: " a waste of a perfectly good dimension and Hollywood's current crazy stampede toward it is suicidal," adding for good measure, "It adds nothing essential to the movie-going experience. For some, it is an annoying distraction. For others, it creates nausea and headaches". You can put away the glasses we guess, some suggest that this fad like the 50's and 80's will fade away, destined to return we imagine in 2040...
Maybe live entertainment is your thing instead, if so Fortune magazine suggests that if you had a choice you would be an International soccer fan or be looking for seats to an NFL game. Forbes came out with their most successful financial sports team list this week and all 32 NFL teams grabbed a spot on the top 50 list, a remarkable feat though not surprising considering the financial power that the NFL produces each year. European football teams or soccer clubs for you and I, grabbed nine of the top 50 spots, including Manchester United which was considered the number one sports club financially in the world. Baseball claimed five spots, basketball two and motor sports 2. However, for hockey fans there will be no joy in Bettmanville tonight, Hockey did not crack the top 50, a not surprising result considering the rather worrisome financials of late for a good number of Mr. Bettman's partners. You can check outthe entire top fifty list and the accompanying article here.
One team that probably was never in any danger of qualifying for the Forbes list would have been the Montreal Expos, the one time love affair for many a Canadian through the seventies and eighties, died a horrible and very public death when baseball, abandoned the city and rewarded those that oversaw its demise with a trip to Florida, allowing the Expos to then be reborn as the Washington Nationals.
While cold comfort for those that followed the Expos as though a religion, it will at least acknowledge that devotion and reflect a time (and perhaps for the last time) when the Expos were thought to be the next possible dynasty in baseball. Those days and the sad ending that the sport came to in Montreal have provided for no shortage of conversation and investigation,a most interesting review can be found from a panel discussion on the topic, where a number of thoughts on those days of the Expos are revealed. Though we, personally prefer the more musical tribute to a team that was long on sports history, but short on actual time among us.
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It's something that will have to tide us over until we can once again root, root, for our home team again.
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For fans of baseball, even without Nos Amours, our podcast selection of the week comes from the Baseball History Podcast, where you can review some of the famous and perhaps not so famous careers of the game.
A move he says he has undertaken to show an example for other Chinese residents who have accumulated wealth. Yu says all is well with the kids, who he says haven't opposed his plan (though no one has actually it seems asked the kids if they think Dad's a tad off his rocker) and he's put in place stipulations with his bank that none of his holdings can be inherited, sold or invested. He sums up his approach to the spirit of sharing as thus. “I don’t care what others think. It makes me happy to give my money away. I used to be poor.”
For Yu and all that he do, the Red Hot Chili Peppers..
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