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Author Archives: szpinner
POLITICS: TorStar columnist Vinay Menon writes a great piece about insult trading between Junior and Petey in Ottawa
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PUBLISHING: Why consider SELF-PUBLISHING
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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HEALTH: Foods to help unclog ARTERIES
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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FERTILIZE LAWN: High first number on the fertilizer
On special at Canadian Tire…$22.99
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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PICKERING: Councillor Compensation Policy regulating office expenses
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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WRITERS: 8 tips for reading poetry in front of an audience
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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
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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
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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.)
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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
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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
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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
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ONTARIO: Provincial Budget
Provincial Budget links: The BUDGET Long Term Care HOME in Pickering Bethlenfalvy APRIL NEWSLETTER
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EDITORIAL: Conservative Party plays the blood sport passionately
Politics is a blood sport, unfamiliar to the common voter. It’s a game that is populated by the treacherous and black-hearted. Remember “E tu Brute?” Well, the sport is alive, well and practiced with a passion in Canada today. Read … Continue reading
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WRITERS OF NOTE: Writers worth learning from…
There are many professional writers from whom budding or developing writers can learn. This is an ongoing list of writers I respect and think are examples of excellent journalism: Katharine Lake Berz Berz is a frequent contributor to various Canadian … Continue reading
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ESTATE PLANNING: Are you covering all the bases?
Estate planning is a huge task, no matter how little monetary value you make think it has. Click –> Estate Planning” to see the many posts I have written about this very important topic. You should consider it a priority … Continue reading
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DIGITAL ASSETS: Can your heirs access your digital assets, files, photos, memorabilia?
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EDITIORIAL: Digitial device users, you don’t work in isolation
Katharine Lake Berz, a Canadian writer, touches the globe with her words. I draw attention to Berz for far more than her writing which has depth and empathetic sensitivity. I draw attention to her because she walks among us. She … Continue reading
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YOUR WILL: Consider having a lawyer confirm the solidity of your will
Recently, a newspaper article gave me pause to consider. I have a will that I drafted based on Internet research. The article pointed out that wills based on ‘will kits’ could have loop holes in them which can give the … Continue reading
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DANGEROUS DEVICES: Use with discretion
Tablets, cell phones, smart phones generate radiation. The human body may be affected adversely by radiation, most certainly, by too much radiation. View this video about the emission of radiation from these digital devices and act on the information with your … Continue reading
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ONT silly servants: FAT CATS cashin’ in (includes Durham Region Mayors)
Just look at the salaries of the civil servants on this list. It really does pay off to have friends in high places who can give you a “little assistance.” Hospital Sick Children President CEO Ronald Cohn $851,414 University Health … Continue reading
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EDITORIAL: Pickering City Council swiming in turbulent waters over fiancial reporting
It seems like the City of Pickering Council is swimming in turbulent waters endlessly. For months, the waters are roiled with racism accusations and bigotry criticisms. Then, council meetings become heated to rolling boils, so turbulent that police are needed … Continue reading
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Anthony’s notes: Anthony meets with former Minister of Trade Ed Fast
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PICKERING: Council Meeting, Mar 25/24
The City of Pickering Council meeting, Mar. 25, 2024, heated up from the first gavel. The opening spiritual words fell on some deaf ears at this particular meeting. The temperature-raising issue, not part of the declared agenda, was in relation … Continue reading
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Casino revenue sharing may be coming to an end. It will interesting to watch how this story unfolds. Casino revenue sharing may end after 2026 – City of Pickering Pickering | Ajax | Clarington | Durham | Oshawa | Whitby | Latest News By Glenn Hendry Published March 25, 2024 at 4:09 pm … Continue reading
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EDITORIAL: Pickering council beating a dead horse with Lisa Robinson issue
Should the “Lisa Robinson” issue be moved off the council table? Two council meetings had numerous delegates speaking to the issue, the council meetings in February and March. The issue is very serious and quite caustic. However, the responsibilities of … Continue reading
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HEALTH: Meditation at your desk, easy and beneficial
Meditation: at your desk First minute: Sit quietly and comfortably, and lose the distractions: loosen your belt, take your shoes off, close the laptop, put your phone on silent. Second minute: Pay attention to your breathing as you inhale slowly through your … Continue reading
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TOOLS4WRITERS*: poetry writers especially*
I found a writing app, described as useful for poetry writers, but I think prose writers might find it useful too. Poke!Book is very interesting and useful: it’s free, and it stores everything locally in your browser. Having two notepads … Continue reading
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Pickering’s on a ‘wild ride,’ says Mayor Kevin Ashe
Residents of Pickering, put on your seat belts. The City is going to hit the big time like it has never seen before, a ‘wild ride’ according to the mayor. Read the full story at –> WILD RIDE
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CREATIVE WRITING SERIES (simple schedule)
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WRITING PROJECT SERIES (simple schedule)
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POLITICS: Reasons to oppose Ford’s Highway 413
Ford is bashing his way into construction of Highway 413. There many reasons why this should be opposed: Highway 413 would cause over 17 million tonnesof additional CO2 emissions by 2050 – the same date by which Canada is committed to … Continue reading
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TOILETS: Ever thought about how useful, yet simple, the toilet is
Ever think how useful, yet simple, the flush toilet is? ____________________ Fortunately, the flush toilet enables us to dispose of human waste extremely easily. Using water to dispose of waste dates back as far as the Indus Valley Civilization, but … Continue reading
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WRITERS PROJECT SERIES: Dates, Times, Agendas
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CREATIVE WRITING GROUP: Meeting Dates Times
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WRITERS PROJECT SERIES: Flyer and Agendas
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WPS-FlyerAndAgenda-Digital-2024-1.pdf” title=”WPS-FlyerAndAgenda-Digital-2024 (1)”]
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WRITERS PROJECT SERIES: Drafting pdf
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/WPS-Drafting-1.pdf” title=”WPS-Drafting (1)”]
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FOOD: Global chocolate crisis
Chocolate production globally is being outstripped by demand. Therefore, the price of chocolate is skyrocketing. Your Easter bunny just got smaller, a lot smaller. Shrinkflation, folks. Shrinkflation. Global chocolate crisis The global chocolate industry is facing its worst crisis ever. … Continue reading
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SUNSHINE 11: Baby swans
This Baby Swans performance goes beyond ‘cute’…the synchronization, the coordination, the physical demands, the rehearsals needed…..just amazing….just imagine the self-discipline that is required to complete this wonderful performance….this is more than just enjoyable….it is amazingly “AHHHsome”. Click –> BABY … Continue reading
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HOUSING: How well ONT Cities are meeting home building goals
[pdf-embedder url=”https://www.szpin.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/HOUSING.pdf”] NOTE: Chair Henry has stated that the region will be out 900 million dollars because of the Actions taken by the Ford government to remove the monies from developers that normally would pay for infrastructure. Sounds like … Continue reading
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HEALTH: Ya just gotta drink more water !
MENTAL CONFUSION by Arnaldo Liechtenstein, physician Particularly aimed at those 60 years of age, though it applies to anyone. Whenever I teach clinical medicine to students in the fourth year of medicine, I ask the following question: “What are the … Continue reading
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ELEANOR COURTOWN, Lucy E. M. Black
ELEANOR COURTOWN By Lucy E. M. Black Review by Heather Stuart Lucy E.M. Black is a local author from Port Perry in the Durham Region, Ontario. After reading her first book of short stories, “The Marzipan Fruit Basket” published in … Continue reading
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HEALTH: Falls are not inevitable if you take precautions
However, falls aren’t inevitable for your aging body. Whether you’re alone or with a partner. But there are common sense measures and changes you can implement around the house to stay healthy and prevent falls. Click –> FALLS [Source: PensionerFitness ]
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NEWS: Ottawa aims to fight online HATE
The Canadian government is making an effort to control online HATE. Read the excellent report by OPEN MEDIA, Matt Hadfield. It is an well-done presentation allowing you to navigate to questions you may have with answers given succinctly and simply. … Continue reading
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PICKERING: Is our URBAN SPRAWL uncontrolled, poorly planned?
Urbanization is a necessary response to growing population. However, it must be well-planned, clearly thought out and thoroughly considered as to its costs. Is Durham’s Future Urban Expansion too costly? Your taxes are going UP, possibly due to Durham Regional … Continue reading
Posted in .NEWS - General, .PICKERING, .PICKERING+ - bits & bites, .POLITICS
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Who paid for this trip?
Not to say Councillors can’t vacation but in light of transparency, when they do, it shouldn’t be on the taxpayers dime. Was this Councillors’ trip at public expense. We should know. Mayor Ashe and Councillor Dave Pickles travelled to Europe … Continue reading
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Oshawa school board trustee ban has relative connection with Pickering representatives
Oshawa trustee banned for 6 months for “hate speech” Source: Glen Hendry, inDurham news Oshawa school board trustee Linda Stone finds herself on the carpet once again, with the Durham School Board’s Integrity Commissioner recommending she be barred from three … Continue reading
Posted in .COMMENTS n OPINIONS, .NEWS - General, .PICKERING, .PICKERING+ - bits & bites
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PICKERING “Iron Lady” Perry endorses Anthony Yacub for PUCDA nomination
Posted in .PICKERING, .PICKERING+ - bits & bites, .POLITICS, .SENIORS, ANTHONY notes
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PICKERING “Fighting Irish” finally cash in financially with Ont government
Pickering finally cashes in to tune of $5+ million from Queen’s Park for exceeding housing target. The City may be a tad slow but like the tortoise it get to the finish line eventually. Pickering Receives $5.2M for Exceeding Housing … Continue reading
Posted in .MAYOR's desk..., .PICKERING, .PICKERING COUNCIL News, .PICKERING+ - bits & bites
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OASIS: Seniors living as it can be
Independent senior living has risks from emotional to physical. OASIS living for seniors may be a practical and viable seniors’ living consideration. These Seniors Are Forming Their Own Retirement Communities—Without Leaving Home Source: Reader’s Digest, Vanessa Milne Oasis, a program … Continue reading
SCAMS: Boost Your Fraud-IQ – Defensive tips
Boost Your Fraud-IQ Source: Tandia Financial Credit Union You’re probably hearing a lot about fraud these days. Why all the buzz? Unfortunately, fraud attacks (especially ones that take place online) are more common than ever before and are happening every … Continue reading
Posted in .PICKERING, .SENIORS, .TECHNOLOGY, .THOUGHTs, SCAMS
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PICKERING: Pickering-Uxbridge Conservative Association hold nomination meeting
[ EDITOR: The PICKERING-UXBRIDGE District Conservative Association held its AGM (Annual General Meeting) Mar 10. The meeting was stormy as there was some confusion in its intent: populating its Board of Directors vs open meeting for nomination of the constituency … Continue reading
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PICKERING: BUDGET EXPLANATION of “Digitization of City Services and Information”…BBB
Digitization of City Services and Information: Lots of information seems available but only Stan Karwowski, Deputy Director of Finance-Treasurer can understand it. Below are pages from the City Budget 2024 relating to Information Technology. Some where $900,000/2 yrs was published … Continue reading
Posted in .PICKERING, WEBSITE: City of PICKERING
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PICKERING: Digital Readiness, right idea, wrongful expenditure
Most certainly, the City of Pickering is correct in betting on Digitization of City services. This is the wave of the future, today! However, the City’s explanation and its accounting/budget are very questionable. Explanation: the City has never heard of … Continue reading
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Honoring the “Unsung Nightingales” of rural Atlantic Canada
Unsung Nightingales Source: SALTSCAPES magazine, Gail MacMillan Plucky rural nurses in Atlantic Canada had their own rhythm, wisdom and stamina. Elizabeth Innes In the early years of the 19th century, decades before England’s Florence Nightingale brought recognition to the … Continue reading
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Ten Commandments of Safe Computing
Ten Commandments of Safe Computing Source: Cloudeight Info Ave. Ten Commandments of Safe Computing Fortify Your Defenses Install strong antivirus/anti-malware software and keep it updated. Guard Your Gateway Secure your home router with a unique password. Routers come with default … Continue reading
Posted in .TECHNOLOGY, .TECHNOLOGY DEPT
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POSITIVITY: Think differently, change the world
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PICKERING: Updates City website and looking for feedback
Posted in WEBSITE: City of PICKERING
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SCAMS: AI can be used to scam you
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a dangerous monster! What is AI? AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines and computer systems. It is a computer system which learns and uses that learning to create new ideas, new strategies, … Continue reading
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Are frustrated by sloppy work done by some online sites?
We increasingly urge people to use computers, the Internet and website accessibility. However, the people at the other end have to do better work. Many Internet users are frustrated in trying to get information from a website only to find … Continue reading
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BLOOD, BONES and BUTTER, Gabrielle Hamilton
BLOOD, BONES and BUTTER The inadvertent education of a reluctant chef By Gabrielle Hamilton “Magnificent. Simply the best memoir by a chef ever. Ever. Gabriel Hamilton packs more heart, soul, and pure power into one beautifully crafted page than I’ve … Continue reading
Posted in RICHARD reads reviews
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Dan Rather, retired CBS news broadcaster, on NEWS today.
Enough with Both-sides-ism We are now living in an altered political universe. Some of the old rules no longer apply or at least need adjusting. Civil discourse is a thing of the past, as is allowing both sides their say, … Continue reading
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NEWS: Integrity Commissioner recommends Oshawa trustee be barred from meetings
Durham School Board’s Integrity Commissioner recommends trustee be barred from future school board meetings for six months. An Editorial comment This call to action is becoming a problematic issue in politics in the Durham Region. First, the issue seemed about … Continue reading
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HUH? I can’t keep up with it. What’s 2SLGBTQIA+ ?
Either I am getting too old too fast or this world is spinning around faster than I can handle. What is the world do all these letter/numbers now mean and they keep getting additions to them… “2SLGBTQIA+” One time is … Continue reading
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SCAM: Canada Revenue is central to a new scam relating to TAX RETURNS
The latest scam is a request for money relating to your taxes and seemingly authored by the Canada Revenue Agency. Don’t believe it. If you don’t initiate the issue, it’s a scam. Phone Canada Revenue if you have doubts. Ph: … Continue reading
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Nuclear BS…oops, I mean OPG
For a number of years, I have been complaining about the nuclear evacuation plan the City has in case of a nuclear emergency. The plan we have in place is nearly 15 years old. The City has changed significantly in … Continue reading
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EDITORIAL: I am becoming more afraid every day with growing incivility
I am becoming more afraid every day…the scary world we live in is becoming scarier each day. As George Orwell foretells, “The people will not revolt. They will not look up from their screens long enough to notice what’s happening.” … Continue reading
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FINALLY…some good news: There are sane people in the USA
Finally, some semblance of sanity shows signs of returning to the United States. Nikki Haley has won a primary. Whoa…wouldn’t this make the race for Republican Presidential candidate much more interesting than seeing wacko T**** run away with it? But … Continue reading
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FOOD DRIVE: Consider donating to the Food Bank
Posted in .PICKERING, .PICKERING+ - bits & bites, .RCRA, .THOUGHTs
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THOUGHTS: We’re screwin’ up somewhere!
Recent news stories from Durham Region: 12 and 13 year olds stab victim in Oshawa; 3 teens arrest in Oshawa jewellery store heist Uh, like where are we screwin’ up here. Kids are now doing crimes far above their weight … Continue reading
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WTF? – Whitby Recreation Centre receives $100K from ON Govt….. huh?
What’s the story here? Kind of boggles the mind and begs the question, “What’re Pickering Council and Mayor Ashe doing?” [Populations: Whitby, 149,ooo; Pickering, 105,000] Click these stories: Money $100K for Whitby Rec Centre Whitby gets $2.4 mill for EV chrgers Ottawa $25 mill to Whitby sports … Continue reading
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MAR. 21 – WARD 1 TOWN HALL
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George Orwell on why people will not revolt
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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 →