Author: szpinner
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Vive les dames !
Claudia Sheinbaum, known as “la Doctora” for her academic achievements, has made history by becoming the first woman and the first Jewish person elected as President of Mexico. She won approximately 60% of the vote in the largest election in … Continue reading
FBNA: A great association of caring residents
The FBN Ratepayers Association is a neighbourhood group that’s a model for other neighbourhoods in the City of Pickering: they volunteer they donate time, energy and effort they give to the City’s needy they give help where help is needed … Continue reading
PICKERING: DARS Dinner Plan
Community volunteers working for the community needy. ______ Dinners served to the homeless in Pickering.
PICKERING: Executive Council Meeting, June 10, 2pm
Get involved from your own device… Just some of the delegations that will be speaking: Link –> PICKERING
PICKERING LIBRARY: Special EVENT, June 6, 7pm
Joyce E. Perrin A model for Seniors. Rather than be ANTI-AGING, she’s PRO-LIVING! She is giving a talk on… “I’m not dead yet…let’s talk about Ageing” Pickering Public Library June 6, 7 pm
PICKERING: TOWN HALL, Ward 1, 2 – June 12
Meet your PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD trustees and ask questions about the education of you kids and grandkids. ___________
PICKERING: Poetry in the Park, June 10
Writers of poetry and other works are invited to read from their work to the event visitors. If you’re a writer, read a sample of your work to an live audience to learn their reaction.
PICKERING: Farmers Market opens for new season
Buy fresh produce that really is ‘fresh’ and support your local farmers and food producers. Every Tuesday at the Chestnut Hill Recreation Centre, northeast parking lot.
SENIORS: Celebrate SENIORS MONTH – JUNE, 2024
Snow on the roof doesn’t mean no fire in the furnace. Keep your fires going and participate in some of the great events for Seniors going on in Pickering this month.
PICKERING: 55+ Committee receives new banner/logo
The 55+ committee is working on behalf of Seniors in Pickering. They have developed many great events that help you remain an ACTIVE and ENERGETIC SENIOR.
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Councillor Robinson raises significant considerations
Councillor Lisa Robinson raises serious questions about Mayor Ashe letter to Minister of Legislative Affairs Paul Calandra. There are many serious points Councillor Robinson raises such as full Council debate about the issues concerned, the impact Mayor Ashe’s decision will … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Community at fault, not Council
It may be easy to fault the City Council for poor communication with its residents. After all, finding information on the City website is horrendously challenging, the councillors do not send out concise, informative newsletters, no regular communication system between … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: City of Pickering Councillors earning their salaries…what do you think?
This is not a criticism or condemnation of the Council of the City of Pickering. We just want to hear a straightforward, concise description of what they have done for us to justify their average salary of $40,ooo? [Also see … Continue reading
PICKERING: ARTFEST rained dampened on Day 1
ARTFEST Day 1: no fun as the intermittent rain dampened the outing for everyone. Umbrellas and rubber boots were the order of the day for Day 1. All the vendors had their booths ready to go but Mother Nature put … Continue reading
PICKERING: Pickering Town Centre gets new name
[videopack id=”63669″]https://videos.files.wordpress.com/NN0Os8Zh/20240525_132409.mp4[/videopack]
SCAMS: They never let up…like whack-a-mole
Scammers never let up, always finding new ideas to persuade you into giving up your money. AI and fake celebrity images The latest ones use Artificial Intelligence to add another layer of sales pitch to their endeavour, in this case, … Continue reading
WRITING PROJECT SERIES: Fiction – The Short Story
This post is a slide summary of the workshop on writing SHORT STORIES. There are some important DO’s and DON’T’s that apply to many other writing forms. Worth spending some time examining. [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/WPS-Fiction-24.pdf” title=”WPS-Fiction 24″]
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Is Pickering Mayor Ashe trying to consolidate his “Super Mayor” powers?
Ultimately he is trying to build upon land in Northeast Pickering often referred to a the Carruthers Creek Headwaters which is land that is only zoned for farming and rural purposes. Ashe wrote this letter without discussion with any of … Continue reading
PERPLEXITY: An AI company that puts customer satisfaction first
Perplexity is an AI tool that responds to input by searching the Internet for information. Often, the material any AI reports is overwhelming, as the computer bot responds with all that it finds. Refining and distilling posed questions yields responses … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: We’re being taxed to early death…thank you govts
So what is a billion? If I give you $1 billion and you stand on a street corner handing out $1 per second, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, you would still not have handed out $1 … Continue reading
PUBLISHER (POETS): Model Press publishes poetry CHAPBOOKS online
Model Press is a site worth exploring if you are a poet and interested in publishing. I think they publish poetry chapbooks. Check them out at –> MODEL PRESS
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Do only jerks run for political office?
This is what Doug Ford has done since July, 2018. I’ll keep adding to it. Thanks to Debra Gallant, Antonia Zerbisias and Kev Holman for it’s beginnings. Here’s the list thus far. 1. Killed Cap & Trade resulting in between $3B and … Continue reading
SCAMS: A guide to dealing with ‘misinformation’…SIFT
The ‘SIFT‘ strategy: A four-step method for spotting misinformation Pioneered by digital literacy experts, the “Sift” strategy is a technique for spotting fake news and misleading social media posts It’s no secret that misinformation is rampant on social media. Research … Continue reading
HISTORY: The history of “MOTHER’S DAY”
The origin of “Mothers’ Day” Material from Heather Cox Richardson Substack: “Letters from an American” “Mothers’ Day” actually started in the 1870s, when the sheer enormity of the death caused by the Civil War and the Franco-Prussian War convinced writer … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Govts paying lip service to problems of FOOD BANK use
Food bank lines prove we’ve lost our way Toronto Star, May 12, 2024 NICK SAUL AND VALERIE TARASUK CONTRIBUTORS The long lineups of bundle buggies, anxiety and despair in front of churches and social service organizations in our cities and … Continue reading
HEALTH: Be aware of TICKS risks for you and your pet
Ticks are bloodsucking creatures found throughout Canada. They are active in the spring through to the fall. Common species include the black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick, the brown dog tick, the American dog tick and the Rocky … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Pickering cashes in housing chips but at what ante?
The City of Pickering received more than $5 million from the Provincial Government for achieving and surpassing the home building objectives. Bully for it….are the home prices going to be at attainable levels for the average home buying purchaser? Given … Continue reading
HEALTH: Move your butt to retain your memory!
It Ain’t Over Yet By Michael McFarland My hearts in the right place; what’s left of it, I guess My heart ain’t the problem; it’s my mind that’s a total mess It ain’t over yet; you can mark my word … Continue reading
EDITORIAL: ‘O CANADA’ – A response to Thomas Caldwell, Caldwells Securities
<– [This FULL PAGE AD appeared in the Toronto Star, Sunday, May 5,2024] A couple of points to consider, Mr. Caldwell… When You write a glowing, heart-warming bit of nostalgia there, but the question is, “When?” What time period are … Continue reading
PICKERING OF TOMORROW: I’m getting scared
Pickering of tomorrow, I’m getting frightened. Read Glenn Hendry’s column, “Downtown Pickering continuing to grow up with condo tower proposals” at HENDRY The story is starting to scare me. 14-tower mix at the “Shops of Pickering Centre” 40-story condo project … Continue reading
FIGHT MOSQUITOES: Remove stagnant water from your yard
Mosquitoes are more than just a seasonal nuisance – they pose serious health risks. As warmer weather approaches, mosquitoes will become more active and abundant. These pests can transmit dangerous diseases like malaria, dengue, Zika, and West Nile virus. Mosquito-borne … Continue reading
PICKERING COUNCIL: BRENNER MAY Newsletter
Councillor Brenner, Region & Ward 1 Councillor, has a very comprehensive newsletter that covers a broad range of topics including…hold your breath now: Fire Safety Rabies Clinic for Pickering pets Petapalooze details Artfest information Council Meeting highlights Building Permit Reports … Continue reading
POETRY IN THE PARK, May 13, 7pm, Esplanade Park
EDITORIAL: Food Banks … we’re perpetuating them, NOT ELIMINATING THEM
FOOD BANK use – sky rocketing…up 80% since the pandemic. FOOD BANK donations – declining like a stone…less than 30% of prepandemic levels. GLOBAL NEWS: –> FOOD BANKS CBS NEWS: –> FOOD BANKS ______________ What is the government doing about … Continue reading
POLITICS: TorStar columnist Vinay Menon writes a great piece about insult trading between Junior and Petey in Ottawa
PUBLISHING: Why consider SELF-PUBLISHING
VITAL BINDER: Crucial home & personal data all in one place
Consider creating a VITAL BINDER which is a compilation of all your vital information in one place. Make two copies: digital copy for storage on your computer and a hard copy for storage in a secure place at home in … Continue reading
HEALTH & AGEING: What is a stroke?
I remember my uncle had a stroke in his 70s, and no one in the family knew what was happening. With medical intervention, he was rehabilitated to some extent. He lived into his 90s but never regained proper walking capability … Continue reading
HEALTH & AGEING: 5 Tips to help prevent falls
Source: McMASTER OPTIMUM AGEING PORTAL As we age, our bodies change, and tasks that were once second nature may become more challenging. One of the most significant concerns for older adults is the risk of falling, and globally, falls are … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: OPG asks for extension to 50 year old NUCLEAR PLANT
To Whom it May Concern: The Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility (CCNR) wishes to intervene in the CNSC hearings to deal with OPG’s request to allow the continued operation of the four Pickering B reactors until the end of December … Continue reading
LAWN CARE: Sharpen up while it rains!
Sharpen the blades! Take advantage of the rainy weather. Get the lawn mower blades sharpened and ready to rip through the lawn when the rating stops.
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Finally Pickering acts on disruptions to Council meetings
Disruptive delegates deflect Council focus from City municipal agenda. City of Pickering Council meetings have recently been disrupted by unruly, discourteous and disruptive delegates. The delegate process in order to address the council has a specific procedure. Prospective delegates must … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Comments regarding the City OFFICIAL PLAN
[Comments/opinions may be added at the end of the post.] The BYLAW: Tribute (Brookdale) Limited has submitted Pre-Submission Applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment for the Brookdale Centre to permit a multi-phased, high-density, mixed-use residential development consisting … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Could Councillor Robinson have some validity?
“Even a broken clock is right twice a day. “ [ Comments or opinions may be added at the end of the post.] Unfortunately, Councillor Lisa Robinson set an aura for herself when she took unique positions about marginalized group recognition … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: City Council dynamis very unsettling s
There is growing grumbling and dissatisfaction with the dynamics of the current City of Pickering Council. [Comments and counterpoints can be written at the bottom of the post.] From the statements of certain Councillors to some of the Mayor’s actions … Continue reading
HEALTH: Foods to help unclog ARTERIES
PUBLISHING: RAPIDO BOOKS – self publishing service (Canadian)
A French expatriot brings his passion and expertise relating to print to Canada. Letting Go of EITHER/OR and Embracing BOTH/AND With more than 30 years of experience in printing, Simon Dulac began his career in France, where he simultaneously oversaw … Continue reading
PUBLISHING: LULU – Self publishing service
This is a self-publishing company. Read more below: CHAPTER 1 Our Mission Lulu is dedicated to making the world a better place, one book at a time, through sustainable practices, innovative print-on-demand products, and a commitment to excellent service. CHAPTER … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Only tax payers should have delegation rights
Council approves “DELEGATION RIGHTS” Concern over DELEGATES’ SPEAKING RIGHTS Just a concern over the motion approved tonight concerning new rules surrounding delegating before Pickering Council. Residents not having access to the motion put forth by Councillor Pickles and seconded by … Continue reading
PUBLISHING: A service for self-publishing with support
This looks like a very interesting service. It costs you nothing until you sell something through them. At first examination it looks like a service that offers many benefits and services to writers. Should be explored further. For more information, … Continue reading
AUTO: Check your car for spring/summer driveability
Check your car for spring/summer driveability. Here’s a checklist to help you: OIL CHANGE TIRES – tread wear? Proper pressure? Spare ready? WASH WAX VACUUMED TRUNK CLEANED
PICKERING: Durham Region Residents need to know about Nuclear Energy
Neighbours of a Nuclear Plant What Durham Region Residents Should Know about Nuclear Energy Ontario’s power grid has become increasingly reliant on nuclear energy. Currently, Ontario is home to three nuclear stations – two of them are in Durham Region, … Continue reading
DUOTROPE: a subscription based service for writers
Duotrope is a subscription-based service for writers and artists that offers an extensive, searchable database of current fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and visual art publishers and agents, a calendar of upcoming deadlines, a personal submission tracker, and useful statistics compiled from the millions of data points we’ve gathered … Continue reading
TOOLS4WRITERS*: Some very useful tools for writers*
The variety and selection of writer’s tools are endless because their selection is so subjective. Here are what we believe are the essential ones every writer should have in their writer’s toolbox. We invite you to submit additional tools you … Continue reading
WRITING ASSIGNMENT: “In the year 2075” (Szpin)
“Rrrrr” The tingling in my forearm woke me up. 6:30 a.m., the time I had set the alarm. Nice, woke me up in time for the day. I need to test the other features of this new implant. Fifteen years … Continue reading
PUBLISHING*: *** Interactive map to publisher sites* ***
An INTERACTIVE MAP displaying publishing companies across Canada. Very useful to writers who are looking for a publisher. Meet the Presses is an all-volunteer collective devoted to promoting micro, small and independent literary presses within the Greater Toronto Area. This new … Continue reading
FERTILIZE LAWN: High first number on the fertilizer
On special at Canadian Tire…$22.99
PICKERING: CITY OFFICIAL PLAN
PICKERING FORWARD is the OFFICIAL PLAN for the City of Pickering What is an OFFICIAL PLAN? This is a long-range plan that deals with land use aiming at responsible, efficient and sustainable growth. The plan deals with: Location of new housing, … Continue reading
PICKERING: Website…survey and commentary
No matter how you view the City of Pickering website, the City would benefit from your doing their survey to give them feedback about user who have used/visited their website. The BAD Users of the website complain endlessly about the … Continue reading
POETRY: “FAN STORY” – A place to have your poetry evaluated, critiqued
Learn from feedback that will be written on everything you write. Share your poetry, stories, script writing and book chapters. All skill levels welcomed. Click link –> FAN STORY
LOBLAWS: May not be the biggest corporative thief
This grocery giant may just have been replaced as the biggest thief in the corporate community by elexiconenergy. Loblaws has been criticized for price gouging many times, so many it had been crowned as a corporate capitalist crook in the … Continue reading
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS: Strong bonds in the community
Community associations can be the means to strengthen every community. There are a number of community associations in the City of Pickering, varying in size, membership, resident population and persona. These associations serve many constructive and concrete purposes. They bind … Continue reading
PICKERING: Councillor Compensation Policy regulating office expenses
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Pickering Councillor financial reports
The City of Pickering has recently released the financial accounting of councillor expenditures. These are always interesting and revealing. Residents can see how councils manage their office budgets. An important caveat It is very important to note that these reports were … Continue reading
HEALTH: How much red meat is safe to eat?
How much red meat is safe to eat? Source: Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline I find it’s really easy to get into debates about red meat. On one hand, it’s absolutely packed with micro- and macronutrients that your body thrives … Continue reading
TOWN HALL REPORT, 4-10-24, Ward 1 & 2
Councillors Maurice Brenner, Linda Cook, and Mara Nagy hosted this town hall. The topic of discussion was “Sustainable Pickering,” a bureaucratic label for policies dealing with Climate and Environment. Introduced by Melanie Edmond, the primary speaker was Jade Schofield representing … Continue reading
HEALTH: Strength training for Seniors
The information here is from PENSIONER FITNESS, a website done by a dedicate senior, Ian McClymont. He lives in Burkina Faso, Africa, can you believe it and he is passionate about fitness, especially for seniors. Below you will find two … Continue reading
THOUGHTS: Saying yes to whatever comes next
Source: Ask Polly, Heather Havrilesky You could be missing out on a lot of life if you are a nay sayer, quick to say ‘NO’ to anyone and any thing. Read the following reading to get a new perspective on … Continue reading
HEALTH: 12 Ways to Expand Your Social Life After 50
Source: healthline.com 1. Get active with others People don’t talk about the social benefits of exercise quite as much as the physical and cognitive benefits — but they should. So many different forms of exercise that involve other people — … Continue reading
EDITORIAL: Former Que. Premier Charest calls on Cdn leaders to promote social civility
Incivility is a problem that is becoming increasingly serious in our society. We have written about it in earlier Editorials and once again return to the issue as a well-known political leader has picked up the cudgel of the cause: … Continue reading
EDITORIAL: Puppy Poilievre copies DOG Ford’s campaign strategy: speak, say nothing
Pierre Poilievre may not be the sharpest pup in the litter but he sure is the cockiest. Taking a page from Dog Ford’s campaign strategy book, Poilievre promises absolutely nothing. Instead he continually criticizes, condemns and verbally combats anything Trudeau … Continue reading
EDITORIAL: Enough is enough….the last straw piled on by Israel
We have purposely steered away from commenting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as it is such an emotional and sensitive issue. However, bombing the World Central Kitchens food delivery team is the last straw. WCK is a humanitarian organization delivering food … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: COUNCILLOR Robinson – A nagging issue
“I pose a threat to the status quo. I fearlessly expose the corruption that runs rampant in our city hall, and I am shining a light on the abuse of power by both staff and council members. And for this, … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Aggressive dogs – pet owners at fault
The dog photo in this article is an untrained, aggressive dog who has an irresponsible owner/master. Dog ownership has many rewards but irresponsible dog ownership is unacceptable. Dogs are pack animals that respond well to positive and constructive training and … Continue reading
PICKERING: City launches its new “Pickering Heritage & Community Centre”
The $65 million City of Pickering Heritage & Community Centre was launched in a ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, Apr. 4, 2024. The City’s Heritage & Community Centre is planned as a new, 44,000 sq. ft. facility celebrating the … Continue reading
The CAMEL CLUB, David Baldacci
The Camel Club David Baldacci Synopsis Existing at the fringes of Washington D.C., the Club consists of four eccentric members. Led by a mysterious man known as “Oliver Stone,” there’s also Library of Congress reference expert Caleb Shaw, computer genius … Continue reading
FAIRPORT BEACH NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION annual general meeting
I attended the Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association annual general meeting recently and I was impressed. Most neighbourhood associations are viewed as being loose gatherings of a bunch of neighbours convening for a coffee clatch about their neighbourhood, probably a vestige … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: CITY BUDGET for website design beyond reason
City of Pickering has budgeted $900,000 for modifying and maintaining its new website (delivery sometime in 2024). This is absolutely insane if taken at face value. Every web design and managing company has been astounded by this budget figure. The … Continue reading
WRITERS: 8 tips for reading poetry in front of an audience
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: Hospital possibility muddled by FORD
Premier Doug Ford stated that a hospital was to be built in the Durham region, in Ajax. However, the Premier is playing with the promise as if it were a hacky sack ball. Read the full story –> HOSPITAL _____________________ … Continue reading
PICKERING: TOWN HALL, Ward 1 & 2
This Town Hall will be co-hosted by Councillors Brenner, Cook and Nagy. The presentation will focus on Environmental issues relating to the City of Pickering culminating in a Q&A session. The City is developing its first Community Climate Adaptation Plan. The … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: PICKERING FINANCES – Tranparency vs Transgression?
People wonder if civil servants are spending appropriately. Are they dipping into the public purse or spending their own dime. Just as importantly, citizens want to know how their money is being spent: TRANSPARENCY vs TRANSGRESSION. [COMMENTARY that is anonymous … Continue reading
TOOLS4WRITERS: SCRIVENER* – A writing tool for serious writers*
The VIDEO is a approximately 5-10 minute overview of SCRIVENER. (It is a rudimentary video as I was teaching myself how to create videos on my website, but it will give you an excellent overview of SCRIVENER.) [videopress q7e42nxg]
EDITORIAL: City of Pickering Website near $1 mill website budget looks catrastrophic
The City of Pickering has budgeted nearly $1 million for website makeover. To say that this is absurd budgeting may be a gross understatement. No matter which website designers I speak with, TD Bank, Toronto web design, even in my … Continue reading
ANTHONY’s Notes: Keeping you up to date on the CANDIDATE NOMINATION News
The CANDIDATE NOMINATION process for PICKERING UXBRIDGE has been the center of confusion. Some candidates have withdrawn, others have sunk into the woodwork, while others have been surrounded by controversy, viz. Anthony Yacub. Anthony Yacub threw his hat into the … Continue reading
WORKSHOPS Newsletter, 4/2/24
Hey everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend. Thanks so much for your interest in receiving updates on writing-related programming at the Pickering Public Library. I promise not to invade your inboxes too often. For those … Continue reading
POINT-COUNTERPOINT: TOP 10 STOLEN VEHICLES IN CANADA, 2022
Stolen vehicles is a criminal epidemic in Canada today. Organized crime has sunk its teeth into this and once that happens, the crime incidents will increase in number drastically. The finger of “missing in action” in who should be working … Continue reading →