Salt Spring News

Just updated my Linkedin account and profile

January 20, 2011 By Scott Simmons Leave a Comment

I must have joined a few years ago and it is one of those things that looked neat and what the heck. I was surprised at how many people I know that are members. Sorry to bother you all but have just sent out the group “friend me” email I have no linkedin friends. I’m feeling like I have linked out. The more time I have put into Linkedin the more value I see in it. Check out my Linkedin profile here and if you are on linkedin lets connect.

I’m always amazed at how I can spend so much time on the net and not get anything done. Gotta go my BBQ is burning my steaks. Ug.

Cheers Scott.

Radioactive Uranium ship goes past Salt Spring Island

January 18, 2011 By Scott Simmons Leave a Comment

Apparently there is no danger but what would you expect to hear. How about this “Leaking ship slugs past Salt Spring Island and ooses uranium into local water”. Apparently the gov Regulators have boarded the ship and are trying to figuring out how to handle a spill of radioactive material in the ship’s hold. I wonder if they gave them the old “WE ARE WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND HERE TO HELP” This is the usually kiss of death. key words “government help” AS IF EVER!!! They should have just sent in Revenue Canada the ship would have high tailed it to Panama.

The ship was bound for China. The ship is loaded with powdered uranium concentrate from Cameco mining.

According to the company the uranium is safely contained within the ship’s hold, Cameco spokesman Rob Gereghty said Monday. It was likely he would not say “the Uranium has turned the ship into a bomb and going to level Salt Spring”.

The ship, the Altona, is currently anchored off Vancouver Island near Ladysmith which is way to populated. Why bring the ship into the Gulf Island. Go to China or wherever but why come here into a tiny harbour with little local infrastructure?

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and Transport Canada are aboard. In a statement, the nuclear regulator said there’s “no risk to the environment or public at large.” And chances are they don’t live in the area.

Cheers
Scott

Have a good day and hopefully we have a north wind.

Most Salt Spring homes have wood fire places or wood stoves.

January 17, 2011 By Scott Simmons Leave a Comment

I seem to get a lot of questions about wood stoves. The main questions are were does one get wood on Salt Spring Island and how much is it. There are wood vendors on the island that hang out in town with their trucks full of wood. Generally the wood is green and needs to be seasoned for a year. What most people do is buy the wood and (dry it) season it over the course of a year. So basically you buy next years wood a year in advance. Generally a very full tuck load cost about $200 and will last you half a year or so. I made these quick video clips to show how one get the stove going and all.

Cheers
Scott

Lucas the Maremma Sheepdog of Salt Spring Island

December 26, 2010 By Scott Simmons Leave a Comment

Lucas works full time on the island as a herd protector dog. That is what Maremma Sheepdogs are suppose to do. Every day I try and take him for a walk to get him off the farm and out. The poor guy lives out side year round. He is such a sweet dog.

In the last year we have missed very very few days. Lucas has helped me get into top shape. Thanks Lukas.

Cheers Scott