Tom Sterling

A Hundred Days

2009-06-12T11:31:00.029-06:00

Local author Michael Kassner, has just published his much anticipated novel, "A Hundred Days'' It's a love story that will grab you. An engaging tale of survival and devotion.

You can still order your personally signed, limited edition copy.

Peter Schiff get the last laugh

2008-11-25T23:54:00.005-07:00

Over the last couple of years, Peter Schiff made some dire predictions about an impending economic collapse. He was openly laughed at by many "experts" in the financial community. He also predicted the collapse of the U.S. dollar. I suspect that he is right about the currency collapse, just a bit off in the timing.

Ireland votes NO to Lisbon Treaty

2008-06-13T11:20:00.003-06:00

The future of the European Union was tonight clouded in uncertainty after Ireland voted No to the Lisbon Treaty.

Jose Manuel Barroso, European Commission President, and a raft of foreign ministers expressed dismay that Ireland - the only member state to hold a referendum on the matter - chose to reject it decisively by 53.4 per cent to 46.6 per cent.

Amid wild cheers from No campaigners, the results were revealed at 5pm as being 862,415 against and 752,451 in favour, meaning a majority of 109,964 for those rejecting the treaty.

Despite the result, EU leaders were tonight vowing to press ahead with ratifying the treaty across all members' parliaments.

read further....

Spam

2008-05-29T21:42:00.011-06:00

Spam's maker, Minnesota based Hormel Foods, saw its profits rise 14 percent in the most recent quarter. The company says it's getting many new Spam customers.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes

2008-05-08T22:09:00.004-06:00

Turn and face the strain

Lisbon Treaty

2008-04-19T22:11:00.014-06:00

On June 12th, Ireland will hold a constitutional referendum on ratifying the Lisbon Treaty. The Irish constitution stipulates that any amendments (ie. treaties) must be put to a referendum. The other twenty six EU member states will (if not already), address the treaty through a parliamentary ratification.

Many observers see this vote, as a choice between democracy and the eurocracy.

Baracky Obama

2008-04-13T11:27:00.009-06:00

Barack Obama gets primed for Pennsylvania.

Bird Brains

2008-01-30T18:59:00.001-07:00

I came across this fascinating video at Baron's blog. Bring an umbrella along during your next visit to San Rafael, California.

Snow

2008-01-15T18:08:00.000-07:00

The first big snowfall of the year brought close to sixteen inches of fine, light powder. It took me about twenty minutes to dig out the car for the trip into town.

There's no England anymore

2007-10-21T22:39:00.000-06:00

Battle at Kruger National Park

2007-08-10T15:03:00.000-06:00

Over ten million people have viewed this YouTube video from South Africa. It features breathtaking footage of lions hunting a buffalo calf, crocodile attacks... then the buffalo herd turns on the lions. This a fine example of a viral video being shared on the internet.

Hogtown West

2007-07-18T13:22:00.000-06:00

Jeffrey Simpson of the Globe and Mail sums up the attitude of many Albertans towards our centre of the provincial universe.

Few tears, however, are being shed for Calgary elsewhere in Alberta. (Edmonton never sheds them.) Calgarians won't appreciate the comparison, but, in Alberta, their city is now regarded provincially as Toronto is nationally: fat, self-absorbed and whining, a kind of Hogtown West.

iPhone

2007-06-12T21:10:00.000-06:00

My BlackBerry 8700 has been a trusted companion for over a year now. It's allowed me to stay connected VIA email, Instant Messenger and web browsing. Apple has partnered with Rogers Wireless in Canada. (Cingular in the U.S.) I suspect that the new Apple iPhone will cut into BlackBerry sales. I'm seriously considering buying one when it's available.

YouTube Video of the Day

2007-06-12T11:33:00.000-06:00

Bad monkey! Should have read the warning labels.

Calgary Flood

2007-06-10T11:58:00.000-06:00

2007 Stanley Cup Champions

2007-06-08T20:27:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks defeated the Ottawa Senators in five games. A well earned Stanley Cup championship.

Saturday Night Swing

2007-05-26T10:39:00.000-06:00

Glenn Miller & his Orchestra - In the Mood

Friday Night Cinema

2007-05-25T13:52:00.000-06:00

Tonights Feature: The Beverly Hillbillies The original episode, broadcast on September 26,1962.

Storm

2007-05-24T15:18:00.000-06:00

A late spring snowstorm knocked out the power. No internet, heat or water. About twenty aspen trees were destroyed. They grow like weeds though. Looks like a busy weekend ahead, cleaning up the damage.

Long Weekend Traffic

2007-05-21T13:45:00.000-06:00

Tim Hortons is a Canadian institution which is known for it's coffee and donuts. Today there was a long line up backing onto 20th Avenue. It created a traffic hazard on nearby Highway 3. It reminded me of the anarchy around Peter's Drive-In in Calgary, during hot summer days. Maybe Tim Hortons is adding something other than caffeine to their coffee.

Friday Night Cinema

2007-05-04T19:51:00.000-06:00

Tonight's feature: The Stranger Edward G Robinson, Orson Welles, Loretta Young. Directed by Orson Welles.

Walmart

2007-04-20T12:19:00.000-06:00

Many Pass residents are now shopping at the new Walmart in Pincher Creek. The map illustrates how Walmart sources it's products. A good reason to shop locally.

Fernie, B.C.

2007-04-12T17:14:00.000-06:00

This view is from downtown Fernie. The original city burned down in 1908. By ordinance, the city was rebuilt with bricks and mortar. A hundred years later, the downtown merchants are facing a new threat. Competition from big box stores.

National chain stores have located on the highway at Fernie's east end. They include a Canadian Tire, Best Western, McDonald's etc.

Since 1926, the Fernie Meat Market has been owned and operated by the same family. They sell the best beef jerky that I've ever tasted. They'll survive any competition.

Mr. Hockey

2007-04-09T12:35:00.000-06:00

(Photo courtesy of allposters.com)

On Thursday, the Detroit Red Wings will host the Calgary Flames to start their first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. For many years, Gordie Howe was Detroit's marquee player. He also shares a birthday with Max. (March 31st).

Mr. Hockey is arguably the most complete player in NHL history. He retired from the Hartford Whalers in 1980 at the age of 52. In 1997, at the of age 69 , Howe skated for one shift with the Detroit Vipers of the IHL. That appearance made him the only athlete to have played in six decades of professional sports.

In 1975, Max's Uncle Alan and I watched Howe and his Houston Aeros do battle with the Calgary Cowboys. He played alongside his sons, Mark and Marty Howe. Gordie Howe was one of the three stars. An amazing athlete.

That game was played at the old Stampede Corral, home of the 1954 Western Hockey League champion Calgary Stampeders. They defeated the Vancouver Canucks in a hard fought series to capture the Patrick Cup.

Canadian Pacific Railway

2007-04-03T18:39:00.000-06:00

(Photos courtesy of Gary Taje)

We had another train wreck this morning. It occurred east of the Pass, near Burmis. It's the second local mishap during the last eight months. Maybe the CPR should refer to Thomas The Tank Engine for tips on how to run a railroad.

April

2007-04-01T12:25:00.000-06:00

Spent last night and this morning, wiping snow off the dish. Spring snowstorms are quite common in the Rockies. I leave my snow tires on until the end of May.

Happy Birthday Max!

2007-03-31T20:37:00.000-06:00

(Photo courtesy of Lynda Dabbs)

Max is nine years old today. Hope you're having a great birthday. Max will soon be asking for the car keys. Check out his birthday cakes.

Snowpack

2007-03-29T15:44:00.000-06:00

We still have a pretty deep snowpack here in the Rockies. This photo of the Flathead Range was taken from Highway 3, west of Coleman.

Coleman

2007-03-25T12:00:00.000-06:00

Global Cooling

2007-03-24T21:08:00.000-06:00

On my trip to Ucluelet last week, I was amazed at the number of oceanfront properties for sale. Al Gore (inventor of the internet) has scared people into selling their properties. Take the time to view this BBC show. After viewing the film, you may want to pick up some waterfront bargains. Tsunami warning systems are quite advanced and the evacuation routes are well planned. Is there such a thing as Tsunami insurance?

YQQ

2007-03-23T12:02:00.000-06:00

The Comox Valley Airport is a throwback to a simpler time. When you would walk on the tarmac to get on the plane.

Westjet has tranformed the valley. Traditionally, access was at the mercy of B.C. Ferries. Now Comox is a short commute away from Calgary.

Island Life

2007-03-22T20:22:00.000-06:00

I just got back from a trip to the Comox Valley. It's a good life on Vancouver Island. The cost of living is very high though. If you're planning on retiring to the island, you'll need a lot of money. Consider buying some property and sitting on it.

Symmetry

2007-03-13T18:08:00.000-06:00

This photo of Crowsnest Mountain was taken from Tecumseh Road. The mountain's appeal may lie in it's symmetry. Or as an artist recently told me, it's the balanced composition.

Animals

2007-03-12T15:16:00.000-06:00

Deer are usually skittish around horses. Today they were almost bumping into each other. We have a lot of whitetail deer that seem to like acreages. According to Ross MacDonald, it's because they prefer our fringe habitat. Terrain that's not too open or heavily treed.

Satellite

2007-03-11T19:35:00.000-06:00

Acreage living has many benefits. You get to see beautiful stars at night and share your land with wild animals. The only sounds at night are a ticking clock and an occasional blast from the furnace. Living in the bush, we miss out on access to town services such as water, sewer and broadband. The dish has been a godsend. First came satellite TV, then radio. I recently signed up for High Speed Satellite Internet. It's expensive compared to Shaw. (no ADSL in the Pass) The "always on connection" has reduced my cell phone bills. When I'm home, the cell can now be forwarded to my (dial-up free) land line. It's resulted in fewer incoming long distance charges.

Another bonus has been the ability to video conference with Max. Gotta love the iMac too.

Wind

2007-03-11T16:03:00.000-06:00

Today we had wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres per hour. Want to know if you're in a windy part of the Pass? Look for the ancient, leaning Douglas Firs.

The old timers have an knack for weather forecasting. Simply look at the current conditions in Spokane, Washington. Tomorrow, it'll arrive here. This winter, we've been able to predict storms by monitoring the wind and rain on Vancouver Island.

Elk and Oysters

2007-03-10T19:05:00.000-07:00

One hundred elk live just north of Highway 3. When we have a deep snow pack, the herd migrates east to the prairies. With our warmer winters of late, they have stayed here year round. These elk are grazing on property owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Vancouver Island is home to the Roosevelt elk. Watch for these elk just off the Inland Highway, south of Exit 101. Afer you've finished taking pictures, visit Fanny Bay Oysters. The canned oysters are quite good, although a tad salty. They'll "cold pack" fresh oysters for your ferry or plane trip home. From there, it's just a short ferry trip to Max's house.

River

2007-03-09T22:46:00.001-07:00

The ice is slowly breaking off from the banks of the Crowsnest River. Another sign of an impending Spring. This photo was taken from the old bridge on 121 Street (looking east) in Blairmore.

Acreage for sale

2007-03-07T19:07:00.000-07:00

16 acres for sale, west of Coleman. Part of the historic Bohomolec Ranch. Currently operating as an equestrian training centre. Nicely landscaped, with old growth Douglas Fir trees and a spring fed creek. The potential exists for rezoning and subdividing the property. It would make an ideal campground or RV business.

Sheltered, with spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. Offered at $925,000.00. Call Tom @ 403.582.0123

Spring Thaw

2007-03-05T19:37:00.000-07:00

Arnold Morris was in with his Bobcat to clean up my driveway. Due to the high snowbank, it'll be a long time before the tipi can go up. A small price to pay for guaranteed access to my house. The old tipi bit the dust after ten years of service. The next one will be ordered through Nomadics Tipi Makers. 18 degrees Celsius is forecast for mid week. (64 degrees Fahrenheit)

Allison Ski Trails

2007-03-01T19:12:00.000-07:00

2007-02-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

Junior Hockey

2007-02-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

In 2004, our Junior "A" Timberwolves folded their tent and moved to Okotoks. This has left a void in our community during the long winter months. The team enjoyed success at the gate. However we didn't have a sponsor with deep pockets to offset the operating costs of the team. Most expenses are incurred during road trips. Hotels, meals, and fuel add up over the course of a season.

The Kootnenay International Junior Hockey League currently has fifteen franchises. A team from the Pass would give the league an even sixteen teams, resulting in a balanced schedule. This would create a strong rivalry with the Fernie Ghostriders. Should we go after a franchise? Please cast your vote on the sidebar poll.

Neighbours

2007-02-23T17:42:00.000-07:00

During the winter, the sun melts the snow on the south facing slope, visible from my kitchen window. This local family enjoys fine dining and mountain scenery that would be the envy of any prairie ungulate.

First Post

2007-02-23T17:22:00.003-07:00

The purpose of this blog is to give you an insight into our local real estate market and the evolution of our community. I'll experiment with videos, pictures and stories that I hope will contribute to your understanding of this dynamic and historic part of Alberta's Rocky Mountains.

This blog may evolve into a wiki. An open source forum where anyone can post, edit, comment and contribute to the community.

Publishing this blog gives me an added reward, an online connection with my son, Max. He lives on Denman Island, B.C.

"So that's what my Dad does for a living!"