A few days ago I paid a visit to Neil and Rebecca in Sackville, NB. Throughout the visit I saw signs indicating that 2012 was the 250th anniversary of the founding of Sackville. Not surprisingly, I didn't really pay much attention to these signs as I didn't have any plans to look into the associated events.
That being said, I was pretty impressed that Sackville was so old. Though I'd been there 4 times previously, I had no idea that the town predated Confederation by 105 years. (And it's not even on a river of significance).
Anyway, as the sun began to set on Friday evening Rebecca noticed that people began to gather on the lawn across the street. She suggested that it looked as though people were gathering view something, maybe like a parade.
Of course it being 9:00 PM made it unlikely that people were gathering for a parade. A little poking around the town's website allowed Rebecca to figure out that people were gathering for anniversary fireworks at 10:00 PM.
Despite the fact that the fireworks were to be set off almost immediately behind our base of operations none of us seemed particularly excited about the prospect of heading outside to see a small town fireworks show. We didn't hold out much hope for it being much more than rinky-dink affair.
When at about 9:45 PM we heard a quick series of explosions and saw the reflection of these explosions on the building across the street we immediately raced to the building's back porch to check out the excitement.
The quick succession with which the fireworks seemed to be exploding caused us to wonder if we had a San Diego situation on our hands.
[Embedded video]
We arrived just as these explosions came to an end and were left wondering if we'd just seen everything that was to be seen or if that first flourish was just some kind of test run. A city worker we spoke to as the smoke cleared didn't do much to wash away these suspicions when he suggested that this was to be the first fireworks show in the town in about 20 years.
As the next fifteen minutes passed another one or two fireworks were launched, though if these were remnants of a botched show or additional practice runs was not the least bit clear.
Much to our surprise, at 10:00 PM the show proper started.
Almost immediately we knew that we were in for something special.
Not only were we close enough to feel each explosion, the fireworks themselves were quite impressive.
Of course, just before the show started I set up a time-lapse capture to record the event (if there was going to be an event).
While the event was progressing I could see that I was capturing a few of the explosions. Of course it wasn't until after the event when I could see the full clip that I realized how bad my time-lapse set up was for capturing fireworks.
[Embedded video]
Anyway, despite the fact that I didn't get to see a fireworks show where everything was released at once, I did get to see the best fireworks show of my life. It turns out that our fears that Sackville's fireworks would be rink-dink were completely misplaced.
Showing posts with label New Brunswick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Brunswick. Show all posts
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Information they don't post in Newfoundland
A few days ago I noticed a CBC story about Newfoundland and Labrador not posting restaurant inspection results for the public to see, and not having any plans to do so in the near future.
At the time my thought was that the implementation of such a scheme would likely be relatively straightforward, particularly because the data already exists (and probably in a relatively accessible way). Basically all the province would need to do is release it to the public.
Moments ago I happened to be browsing through New Brunswick related web-content and found their restaurant inspection depository. From what I can tell from this site, it looks as though this process is just about as easy as thought it would be. I imagine that they have a database that then feeds the site so that the most current reports are displayed and restaurant profiles automatically updated. Presumably they would have such a database even if they weren't actively providing the information to the public, the internal management of the data would require such a structure.
Perhaps not surprisingly, most of the location being inspected seem to pass quite easily. Though I was surprised to see some of the infractions. In particular I was surprised to see infractions that I just wouldn't have really thought likely.
For instance, in at least one case a location was cited or not having refrigerators with thermometers. Such an infraction immediately raises at least two questions. Firstly, if fridge thermometers are required wouldn't you expect them to come with fridges? Secondly, given that these inspections seem to be somewhat regular, how could such an infraction arise in a place that is not new to the food service industry? Shouldn't such an infraction have been caught almost immediately?
If you examine the inspection report I just linked to you might also see that there seems to sometimes be inconsistency between the broad information provided about the report and the details contained within. Notably, the report itself suggests that the last inspection was on November 22, 2011 and that the follow-up should be on December 6, 2011. The higher level information suggests that the last inspection was on November 22, 2011 but that the follow-up inspection should be on January 16, 2012.
One final thing that I found interesting about these New Brunswick restaurant inspection reports is that they seem to either be done in English or French, not in both languages. Furthermore, one has to open the report to see in which language the report was prepared.
At the time my thought was that the implementation of such a scheme would likely be relatively straightforward, particularly because the data already exists (and probably in a relatively accessible way). Basically all the province would need to do is release it to the public.
Moments ago I happened to be browsing through New Brunswick related web-content and found their restaurant inspection depository. From what I can tell from this site, it looks as though this process is just about as easy as thought it would be. I imagine that they have a database that then feeds the site so that the most current reports are displayed and restaurant profiles automatically updated. Presumably they would have such a database even if they weren't actively providing the information to the public, the internal management of the data would require such a structure.
Perhaps not surprisingly, most of the location being inspected seem to pass quite easily. Though I was surprised to see some of the infractions. In particular I was surprised to see infractions that I just wouldn't have really thought likely.
For instance, in at least one case a location was cited or not having refrigerators with thermometers. Such an infraction immediately raises at least two questions. Firstly, if fridge thermometers are required wouldn't you expect them to come with fridges? Secondly, given that these inspections seem to be somewhat regular, how could such an infraction arise in a place that is not new to the food service industry? Shouldn't such an infraction have been caught almost immediately?
If you examine the inspection report I just linked to you might also see that there seems to sometimes be inconsistency between the broad information provided about the report and the details contained within. Notably, the report itself suggests that the last inspection was on November 22, 2011 and that the follow-up should be on December 6, 2011. The higher level information suggests that the last inspection was on November 22, 2011 but that the follow-up inspection should be on January 16, 2012.
One final thing that I found interesting about these New Brunswick restaurant inspection reports is that they seem to either be done in English or French, not in both languages. Furthermore, one has to open the report to see in which language the report was prepared.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Is it just me or are do these bare more than just a passing resemblance to one another?
I have recently come across a few passage that deal with the election of speakers in Canadian legislatures. As I was reading these I occasionally had a strange sense that I had read some of the passages before.
From Monpetit and Marleau's House of Commons Procedure and Practice (2nd edition):
From British Columbia legislature's Standing Orders:
From the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly's Standing Orders:
From the Rules and Procedures of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan:
From the New Brunswick legislature's Standing Rules:
From Monpetit and Marleau's House of Commons Procedure and Practice (2nd edition):
The election of a Speaker has precedence over all other matters. No motion for adjournment is accepted until a Speaker is declared elected and installed in the Chair. Once he or she has been elected, after the customary thanks and congratulations have been expressed and after announcing the time and the date for the Speech from the Throne, the Speaker adjourns the House until the next sitting.
From British Columbia legislature's Standing Orders:
11 (a) (4) The election of a Speaker shall take precedence over all other business and no Motion of any kind shall be accepted, and the House shall continue to sit, if necessary, beyond its ordinary hour of daily adjournment, until a Speaker is elected and is installed in the Chair and if the House has continued to sit beyond its ordinary hour of daily adjournment, the Speaker shall thereupon adjourn the House until the next sitting, unless otherwise ordered.
From the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly's Standing Orders:
2 (7) The election of a Speaker shall take precedence over all other business and the House shall continue to sit, if necessary, beyond its ordinary hour of daily adjournment, until a Speaker is elected and is installed in the chair and if the House has continued to sit beyond its ordinary hour of daily adjournment, the new Speaker shall thereupon adjourn the House until the next sitting day.
From the Rules and Procedures of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan:
40(4) The election of a Speaker shall take precedence over all other business and no motion of any kind shall be accepted, and the Assembly shall continue to sit, if necessary, beyond its ordinary hour of daily adjournment, until a Speaker is elected and is installed in the chair. If the Assembly has continued to sit beyond its ordinary hour of daily adjournment, the Speaker shall thereupon adjourn the Assembly until the next sitting.
From the New Brunswick legislature's Standing Rules:
The election of a Speaker shall take precedence over all other business and no motion of any kind shall be accepted, and the House shall continue to sit, if necessary, beyond its ordinary time of daily adjournment, until a Speaker is elected and is installed in the Chair and if the House has continued to sit beyond its ordinary hour of daily adjournment, the Speaker shall thereupon adjourn the House until the next sitting, unless otherwise ordered.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
On the Road: Sackville to Charlottetown
This morning we awoke on the early side of things and soon found ourselves on the road to Dorchester. Before long we were in front of the town hall looking at the World's Largest Sand Piper, a local landmark. Our next stop in Dorchester was their famous penitentiary.
Almost as soon as we pulled into the institution's parking lot we were greeted by a guard in a van who informed us that if we did not have an appointment we were not welcome on the premises. Apparently this jail, unlike some of the others in the Canadian federal jail system, does not have a craft shop selling goods made by the inmates.
After heading back through Dorchester we made our way to Memramcook to look for the Monument Lefebvre. After some hunting around and a little confusion we figure out that the monument was actually a building that it was closed on Sundays in the off season.
Our next goal was to find a local covered bridge. Unfortunately the tourist map we had wasn't very precise so we didn't know exactly where the bridge was or how to get there. After about 30 minutes of searching we eventually encountered a jogger who was able to point us in the right direction.
[Embedded video]
As you have seen, it was something of a dud as far as covered bridges are concerned.
After a return trip to Sackville and a visit to the Mount Allison art gallery we continued along to PEI and Charlottetown. Of course we crossed at the bridge instead of taking the ferry (which we later learned isn't even operating at this time of year).
[Embedded video]
Shortly after arriving in Charlottetown my father and I visited some friend's of his who lived in St. John's in the early 1980s. As they have now lived here for 25 years I though that this couple might be able to recommend a few things for Jeannette and I to do tomorrow while my father is in his meeting. Much to my surprise they couldn't really come up with anything other than visiting some of the local beaches and the comparing them other beaches. Of course, as it is pretty cold outside this sounds a little less fun than it might be in the summer.
For dinner we went out for fish and chips at a local restaurant. What was particularly notable about this restaurant was that they served a variety of fish, including cod, haddock, halibut, and sole.
We are now back in the hotel room and trying to dink around with bluetooth so that all three of us can use our room's single wired internet connection. So far we have two computers up and running but have been unable to link up the third machine.
Almost as soon as we pulled into the institution's parking lot we were greeted by a guard in a van who informed us that if we did not have an appointment we were not welcome on the premises. Apparently this jail, unlike some of the others in the Canadian federal jail system, does not have a craft shop selling goods made by the inmates.
After heading back through Dorchester we made our way to Memramcook to look for the Monument Lefebvre. After some hunting around and a little confusion we figure out that the monument was actually a building that it was closed on Sundays in the off season.
Our next goal was to find a local covered bridge. Unfortunately the tourist map we had wasn't very precise so we didn't know exactly where the bridge was or how to get there. After about 30 minutes of searching we eventually encountered a jogger who was able to point us in the right direction.
[Embedded video]
As you have seen, it was something of a dud as far as covered bridges are concerned.
After a return trip to Sackville and a visit to the Mount Allison art gallery we continued along to PEI and Charlottetown. Of course we crossed at the bridge instead of taking the ferry (which we later learned isn't even operating at this time of year).
[Embedded video]
Shortly after arriving in Charlottetown my father and I visited some friend's of his who lived in St. John's in the early 1980s. As they have now lived here for 25 years I though that this couple might be able to recommend a few things for Jeannette and I to do tomorrow while my father is in his meeting. Much to my surprise they couldn't really come up with anything other than visiting some of the local beaches and the comparing them other beaches. Of course, as it is pretty cold outside this sounds a little less fun than it might be in the summer.
For dinner we went out for fish and chips at a local restaurant. What was particularly notable about this restaurant was that they served a variety of fish, including cod, haddock, halibut, and sole.
We are now back in the hotel room and trying to dink around with bluetooth so that all three of us can use our room's single wired internet connection. So far we have two computers up and running but have been unable to link up the third machine.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
On the Road: Halifax to Sackville
Our weekend road trip started early this morning. Of course, it has been much colder and snowier than any of us would have wanted, oh, and it has been pretty windy as well.
After a quick to the airport to add me as a driver to the rental car agreement we made our way towards Truro. Before reaching Truro we stopped in Stewiacke, the former homeland of giant mastodons. What drew us to the site was the large mastodon statue that was visible for the road. Not surprisingly, we took the opportunity to take a few photos with the mastodon and some of the other touristy items (including a cement Flinstones car).
From Stewiacke we made our way to Truro to watch the 12:20 tidal bore. Much to all of our surprise, the tidal bore turned out to be something of a local attraction (there were 15 cars worth of people there) and of a fair size. If you are in the area it is definitely worth checking out.
[Embedded video]
After the tidal bore we made our way to Margolians, a locally owned department store. While at first I wasn't particularly impressed with the store I soon found that the prices for many of their items were half of what I thought they were. In the end I walked out with a handful of brandname shirts and sweaters for about $10 a piece. Everyone else found great things as well. Actually, we were all so impressed by the experience that we are hoping to head back on our way back from PEI.
We were all pretty impressed with Truro, it was definitely a nice little down.
From Truro we made our way to Parrsboro and the Fundy Geological Museum . After quickly passing through Parrsboro we made our way to the aforementioned museum and checked out a few of the exhibits. The museum employee then gave us a few suggestions about things to see in the region, we were particularly taken by her suggestion that we go gem hunting on a local beach.
Almost as soon as we arrived at the beach we noticed that a car a little further along the beach appeared to have gotten stuck in some loosely packed beach stones. Obviously we decided that it would probably be best if we didn't drive any further and that we should offer to help the guy get unstuck.
After a few unsuccessful attempts at lifting the front of the car with the guy while his ladyfriend gave it some gas we left them to do some digging out while we made our way down the beach to do some gem hunting (it really wasn't as bad as this likely sounds). After limited success gem hunting (none of us knew what we were looking for) we made our way back to the stranded car and helped them put some boards under their front tires. With the boards in place we were finally able get the front tires enough traction that our pushing actually mattered.
After freeing the car from the beach we made our way to Joggins Cove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of some very old fossils. Of course, because it is off season, we weren't actually able to see anything or visit the interpretation centre.
After our failed visit to Joggins Cove we were finally on the final leg of our trip to Sackville. Shortly after checking in at the Marshlands Inn (an inn that once hosted the Queen) we made our way out to find a restaurant for dinner. After dinner we took a brief tour of the town, though managed to see basically everything there was to see (at least those things that you could see by driving by).
The plan for tomorrow is to head to Dorchester to see the world's largest Sand Piper as well as the infamous penitentiary (there should be a museum-type aspect of the prison). We are also hoping to see the Mount Allison Owens Art Gallery, though we will have to check this out on our way back from Dorchester. I guess we will also eventually have to make our way to Charlottetown, which is where we will be spending the night.
After a quick to the airport to add me as a driver to the rental car agreement we made our way towards Truro. Before reaching Truro we stopped in Stewiacke, the former homeland of giant mastodons. What drew us to the site was the large mastodon statue that was visible for the road. Not surprisingly, we took the opportunity to take a few photos with the mastodon and some of the other touristy items (including a cement Flinstones car).
From Stewiacke we made our way to Truro to watch the 12:20 tidal bore. Much to all of our surprise, the tidal bore turned out to be something of a local attraction (there were 15 cars worth of people there) and of a fair size. If you are in the area it is definitely worth checking out.
[Embedded video]
After the tidal bore we made our way to Margolians, a locally owned department store. While at first I wasn't particularly impressed with the store I soon found that the prices for many of their items were half of what I thought they were. In the end I walked out with a handful of brandname shirts and sweaters for about $10 a piece. Everyone else found great things as well. Actually, we were all so impressed by the experience that we are hoping to head back on our way back from PEI.
We were all pretty impressed with Truro, it was definitely a nice little down.
From Truro we made our way to Parrsboro and the Fundy Geological Museum . After quickly passing through Parrsboro we made our way to the aforementioned museum and checked out a few of the exhibits. The museum employee then gave us a few suggestions about things to see in the region, we were particularly taken by her suggestion that we go gem hunting on a local beach.
Almost as soon as we arrived at the beach we noticed that a car a little further along the beach appeared to have gotten stuck in some loosely packed beach stones. Obviously we decided that it would probably be best if we didn't drive any further and that we should offer to help the guy get unstuck.
After a few unsuccessful attempts at lifting the front of the car with the guy while his ladyfriend gave it some gas we left them to do some digging out while we made our way down the beach to do some gem hunting (it really wasn't as bad as this likely sounds). After limited success gem hunting (none of us knew what we were looking for) we made our way back to the stranded car and helped them put some boards under their front tires. With the boards in place we were finally able get the front tires enough traction that our pushing actually mattered.
After freeing the car from the beach we made our way to Joggins Cove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home of some very old fossils. Of course, because it is off season, we weren't actually able to see anything or visit the interpretation centre.
After our failed visit to Joggins Cove we were finally on the final leg of our trip to Sackville. Shortly after checking in at the Marshlands Inn (an inn that once hosted the Queen) we made our way out to find a restaurant for dinner. After dinner we took a brief tour of the town, though managed to see basically everything there was to see (at least those things that you could see by driving by).
The plan for tomorrow is to head to Dorchester to see the world's largest Sand Piper as well as the infamous penitentiary (there should be a museum-type aspect of the prison). We are also hoping to see the Mount Allison Owens Art Gallery, though we will have to check this out on our way back from Dorchester. I guess we will also eventually have to make our way to Charlottetown, which is where we will be spending the night.
Friday, March 18, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 521
-Today is a day that the wind has made cold. If we could somehow get rid of this wind it would actually be pretty nice outside.
-I am down to 3 for 19 in this year's RUTRTW contest. I think it is pretty clear that my heart just isn't in it this year. I wouldn't be surprised if I don't even make it to 4 wins before they run out of contest cups.
-I will be heading to New Brunswick and PEI this weekend with Jeannette and my father. On our way to Sackville, which is where we will be spending the first night, the plan is to stop in Truro, which should be something of a bore.
-I guess I should try to do a little more grading.
-I am down to 3 for 19 in this year's RUTRTW contest. I think it is pretty clear that my heart just isn't in it this year. I wouldn't be surprised if I don't even make it to 4 wins before they run out of contest cups.
-I will be heading to New Brunswick and PEI this weekend with Jeannette and my father. On our way to Sackville, which is where we will be spending the first night, the plan is to stop in Truro, which should be something of a bore.
-I guess I should try to do a little more grading.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Strange timing
Just a few days ago I noted the strange prevalence of small, sometimes online-only universities in New Brunswick. It seems that in the intervening few days big news has come out about one, Lansbridge University.
It seems that the province will now be revoking its license to grant degrees because it failed to meet a number of required standards, and then failed improve the problems.
The university's own website includes a statement outlining the situation and how things will proceed from the time of the notification of their loss of status. Much to my surprise, the university will be offering classes and granting degrees until the end of the fall semester.
Maybe all of this growth wasn't sustainable after all? I wonder if some of the other new, small universities in New Brunswick are facing similar problems?
I wonder what this means for the students who have been granted degrees by this 'university'? I am not sure if this will matte for most of these graduates, but how does one procure transcripts and whatnot if the university no longer exists? How much does it hurt the value of your degree that the university that granted your degree was shut down only a few years after it opened?
It seems that the province will now be revoking its license to grant degrees because it failed to meet a number of required standards, and then failed improve the problems.
The university's own website includes a statement outlining the situation and how things will proceed from the time of the notification of their loss of status. Much to my surprise, the university will be offering classes and granting degrees until the end of the fall semester.
Maybe all of this growth wasn't sustainable after all? I wonder if some of the other new, small universities in New Brunswick are facing similar problems?
I wonder what this means for the students who have been granted degrees by this 'university'? I am not sure if this will matte for most of these graduates, but how does one procure transcripts and whatnot if the university no longer exists? How much does it hurt the value of your degree that the university that granted your degree was shut down only a few years after it opened?
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A Few Quick Notes 443
-Today has been another nice day in Halifax, though as I look through my window I see that things have become slightly overcast.
-As some of you might have guessed, Kirsten and I arrived safely in Halifax last week. Our train ride, while uneventful, was quite fun. The second leg of the journey, from Montreal to Halifax, took about 24 hours and saw us really traveling in style. Not only did we have access to the panorama car, but we also had access to the dining car and our own sleeper room.
The sleeper room was nice, but quite small. Kirsten could easily stretch her hands from one side of the room to the other. Actually, it was somewhat difficult to move around once the bunks were folded down. This was most problematic when it came to going to the bathroom at night. Fortunately, there were no serious problems on this front.
[Embedded video]
This is a video Kirsten took of a train heading in the opposite direction of our train. Very exciting stuff.
I also liked looking from the back windows of our two trains.
-While Kirsten was here she convinced Neil and Jeannette to take her to the Nova Scotia Natural History Museum to check up on Gus, the museum's resident tortoise. As it turned out, while they were at the museum Gus was out on the lawn for a stroll.
[Embedded video]
Fortunately Jeannette had her camera and was able to film Gus's escape attempt.
-How are there so many small universities in New Brunswick that I have never heard of? At first I thought hearing about Crandall University was strange, more recently I learned that there are actually quite a few small, specialized universities in the province (St. Stephen's University, Lansbridge University, Yorkville University, and Saint Thomas University).
-On Monday I bought a new kettle. Unfortunately it isn't quite as nice the one I used to have.
-As some of you might have guessed, Kirsten and I arrived safely in Halifax last week. Our train ride, while uneventful, was quite fun. The second leg of the journey, from Montreal to Halifax, took about 24 hours and saw us really traveling in style. Not only did we have access to the panorama car, but we also had access to the dining car and our own sleeper room.
The sleeper room was nice, but quite small. Kirsten could easily stretch her hands from one side of the room to the other. Actually, it was somewhat difficult to move around once the bunks were folded down. This was most problematic when it came to going to the bathroom at night. Fortunately, there were no serious problems on this front.
[Embedded video]
This is a video Kirsten took of a train heading in the opposite direction of our train. Very exciting stuff.
I also liked looking from the back windows of our two trains.
-While Kirsten was here she convinced Neil and Jeannette to take her to the Nova Scotia Natural History Museum to check up on Gus, the museum's resident tortoise. As it turned out, while they were at the museum Gus was out on the lawn for a stroll.
[Embedded video]
Fortunately Jeannette had her camera and was able to film Gus's escape attempt.
-How are there so many small universities in New Brunswick that I have never heard of? At first I thought hearing about Crandall University was strange, more recently I learned that there are actually quite a few small, specialized universities in the province (St. Stephen's University, Lansbridge University, Yorkville University, and Saint Thomas University).
-On Monday I bought a new kettle. Unfortunately it isn't quite as nice the one I used to have.
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