Chilliwack Lake camping

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/chilliwack_lk/

CONVERSABLE ECONOMIST: Administrators Take Over Academia

CONVERSABLE ECONOMIST: Administrators Take Over Academia: Some decades ago, institutions of higher education used to follow a philosophy of "faculty governance," which was that the faculty...

The Tyee - Canada's Fossil Fuel subsidy $34 billion

IMF Pegs Canada's Fossil Fuel Subsidies at $34 Billion

In such giveaways we're a world leader, a fact rarely noted when federal budgets are debated.

By Mitchell Anderson, 15 May 2014, TheTyee.ca

  

   

There's a reason Canada enjoys some of the cheapest gas in the developed world. Nozzle photovia Shutterstock.

• Global Shift to Clean Energy No Longer 'Theoretical'

  That, and other surprising insights from a Q&A with Bloomberg New Energy Finance's Ethan Zindler.

• How Much Does Western Canada Subsidize Fracking?

  Compared to US gov'ts, which take home a greater percentage of revenue, quite a bit.

• $1.7 Billion and Rising: Taxpayers' Gas Bill for Oil Sands

  Extractors gobble natural gas, deducting the cost from their taxes. That already huge public subsidy, hidden from view, is due to balloon.
• Read more: Energy,

While Canada slashes budgets forresearch, education and public broadcasting, there is one part of our economy that enjoys remarkable support from the Canadian taxpayer: the energy sector.

The International Monetary Fund estimates that energy subsidies in Canada top an incredible $34 billion each year in direct support to producers and uncollected tax on externalized costs.

These figures are found in the appendix of amajor report released last year estimating global energy subsidies at almost $2 trillion. The report estimated that eliminating the subsidies would reduce global carbon emissions by 13 per cent. The stunning statistics specific to this country remainalmost completely unreported in Canadian media.

Contacted by The Tyee, researchers from the IMF helpfully provided a detailed breakdown of Canadian subsidies provided to petroleum, natural gas and coal consumption. The lion's share of the $34 billion are uncollected taxes on the externalized costs of burning transportation fuels like gasoline and diesel -- about $19.4 billion in 2011. These externalized costs include impacts like traffic accidents, carbon emissions, air pollution and road congestion.

The report also referenced figures sourced from the OECD showing an additional $840 million in producer support to oil companies through a constellation of provincial and federal incentives to encourage fossil fuel extraction. This brought total petroleum subsidies in Canada in 2011 to $20.23 billion -- more than 20 times the annual budget of Environment Canada.

In comparison to other countries, Canada provides more subsidies to petroleum as a proportion of government revenue than any developed nation on Earth besides the United States and Luxembourg.

Natural gas consumption also enjoys billions in subsidies in Canada. The IMF estimates that un-priced carbon emissions from burning natural gas added up to $7.3 billion per year. There's another $440 million in producer support and $360 million in other un-taxed externalities, all of which tops $8.1 billion. This tax giveaway on natural gas alone is 44 per cent more than Canada provides in international aid every year.

What about coal? Canada consumes over 30 million tonnes per year. While we currently export over half our domestic production, the IMF study only considered externalized costs within our own country. They found that the coal industry receives $4.5 billion in annual subsides -- almost all of this is un-priced carbon and sulfur dioxide emissions. This generous largesse towards the dirtiest of fuels is about four times what the CBC receives in public support every year.

Or we could spend that on...

What could Canada do with an extra $34 billion a year? Both Vancouver and Toronto are struggling with how to fund long overdue upgrades to public transportation. Subway construction comes in at about $250 million per kilometre, meaning we could build about 140 kilometres of badly-needed urban subway lines every year. Light rail transport (LRT) is about one-quarter of the cost of subways, meaning for the same money we could build about 560 kilometres of at-grade transit infrastructure.

This foregone revenue in less than two years could fully fund the Big Move transit plan for southern Ontario, providing affordable access for 80 per cent of people living from Hamilton to Oshawa. Toronto's transit system has languished for decades. This sorely needed infrastructure would save the average household thousands in wasted time sitting in traffic, and Canada's economy billions in reduced congestion costs.

The proposed Vancouver subway line to the University of British Columbia could be built using less than two months of the subsidies provided every day to the energy sector. Forty kilometres of rapid transit in Surrey could be had for about the same amount.

What about green energy infrastructure? Adding solar and wind capacity provides some of the best job-generation per dollar of any option available -- more than seven times the employment from an equivalent investment in oil and gas extraction. Extrapolating the findings from a 2012 report on green jobs, $34 billion could create 500,000 person years of employment and install more than 150,000 megawatts of clean generating capacity. Canada currently ranks 12th in the G20 on green energy investment and has been steadily falling behind our competitors.

Canada's infrastructure deficit of crumbling roads and outdated water and sewage treatment is pegged at $171 billion. This backlog could be wiped out in five years with the revenue we are subsidizing to the energy sector.

Of course, not all things of value can be measured by bricks and mortar. Thirty-four billion dollars each year could provide $10-a-day childcare for 5.5 million children ages 0 to 5. Canada's child care costs are currently the highest in the OECD.

No free lunch in energy costs

For all the complaining Canadians do about fuel prices, it's ironic to note the IMF essentially says we are undervaluing the true cost of gasoline by about $0.30 per litre. Compared to other nations, Canada enjoys some of the cheapest gas in the developed world. Fuel in Italy and Germany is almost double our price at the pump. Ever think it's odd that bottled water at the gas station costs more than the fuel you just put in your tank?

Consider for a moment all the costs of finding and extracting crude oil, shipping it across the globe, refining it into gasoline and trucking it to your neighbourhood. Not to mention the billions spent by some countries projecting military power into volatile oil-producing parts of the world and the very human price of those interventions. Additional un-priced costs after petroleum is burned, such as climate change, traffic congestion, road accidents and air pollution make gasoline perhaps the most subsidized substance on Earth.

Every decision based on artificially low energy prices can have years of unintended consequences. If gas is cheap, people will choose to buy cars rather than take transit, clogging both our roads and emergency rooms. Transportation accidents alone cost Canada $3.7 billion each year. Every vehicle bought based on low fuel prices will produce years of carbon emissions, and every owner over the life of that vehicle will have an interest in voting for cheaper gas.

The opposite, of course, is also true. Less than half of Vancouverites in their early twenties today have chosen to get a driver's license, down from 60 per cent 10 years ago. Better public transit and more expensive car ownership seem to be the main factors driving this remarkable demographic shift.

The IMF can hardly be accused of being a left-leaning, alarmist organization. Through this valuable research, they make the case that there is no free lunch in energy costs, and we exclude these externalized costs at our peril.

A country can be judged on what it chooses to tax and what it chooses to subsidize. And by that yardstick, this nation currently seems to care more about cheap energy than almost anything else. 

Read more: Energy,

cats eating mice

For the first time I saw a mother cat bringing her teenage? offspring a newly caught mouse which was scarfed down in a few seconds. I was quite surprised because I had seen the same teenager catching birds for itself. I provided some leftover goat milk replacer laced with dewormer and the meal was complete.

Mangoes May Benefit Blood Glucose :: Diabetes Self-Management

Mangoes May Benefit Blood Glucose :: Diabetes Self-Management

Mara Jernigan culinary trip

Join me for the ultimate Culinary Trip to Italy October 27th to November 3d From  Rustic Tables to Michelin Stars... From Piedmont to Puglia with stops in between to get to the origins of organic Parmasan Cheese, Balsamic Vinegar, Culatello, Cold Pressed Virgin Olive Oil, Adriatic Seafood, Top Barolo, Barbaresco and Verdiccio Producers, a Once in a Lifetime Truffle hunt in Piedmont, the Day of the Dead in Orsara di Puglia, and a grand finale with Tuscany's most famous butcher. 8 days, 7 nights, 5 delicious regions. After taking a Master of Italian Cooking Program in Le Marche, I have been leading small, exclusive culinary tours to Italy since 2004. With a private driver and a custom itinerary featuring the best artisanal producers and chefs you will experience an off the beaten path tour of Italy that will leave you feeling a sense of freindship and connection with local chefs and producers and an understanding of the culinary landscape of Italy. 3,750. Euros (approx. $5,500) based on double occupancy (10% single supplement) includes all accommodations, all transporatation within Italy, combination of private driver and one first class train trip, all food, wine and other beverages and all tours. Have you always dreamed of going to Sicily? Contact me to book a private tour of Sicily in November 2014. After 4 culinary focused trips to the region I have figured it out! We can rent a villa and I will cook for you or give you private cooking classes or let me plan your custom itinerary! Contact me for questions or to make a reservation marajernigan@gmail.com Check out this You Tube video on my blog with Italy/Sicily trip highlights by award winning filmaker Craig Noble http://farmchefblog.com/?page_id=88

Truffle hunting with Toronto Chef Chris McDonald from Cava: “ Mara really knows her stuff, has built great relationships and keeps it fun!” Chef Chris McDonald  Get to the heart of iconic Italian ingredients, visit the finest organic producers of Balsamic Vinegar Visit an organic producer of Parmasan cheese to see how it is produced, from the milking of the cows to the making and aging of the cheese The trip starts in Piedmont, home of white truffles, fine Barolo and Barbaresco wines, and the home of Slow Food. Combine your trip with a visit to Slow Food's Terra Madre or Salone del Gusto http://www.salonedelgusto.com/  Celebrate Day of the Dead with a 7 course traditional lunch in Orsara di Pulia followed by a walk to see the fires in the ancient town. Baking in a 500 year old wood buring brick oven in Puglia

World Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine Conference October 31 - November 2, 2014

American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the City of Houston

World Conference Co-Hosted by City of Houston

World Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine Conference October 31 - November 2, 2014 Royal Sonesta Hotel, Houston, Texas Register Now!

Featuring Andrew Weil, Zhang Boli, Kiiko Matsumoto, Andy Ellis, Marilyn Allen, Jake Fratkin and more!

The American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and the City of Houston invite you to the WFAS World Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine Conference to be held at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Houston Texas, October 31 - November 2, 2014. Visit the event website wfas2014.acaom.edu for detail.


Texas Night Gala Banquet:
Don't miss out this festive social event, combining marvelous cuisine, quality entertainment, a lively dance floor, exciting live auction, and door prizes. Proceeds go to funding of scholarships, community services, and research in Oriental and integrative medicine.

Special Hotel Rates:

A special discount is reserved for the conference at the Royal Sonesta Hotel through October 15, 2014.

About:

This unique intellectual symposium is sponsored by the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. WFAS is the Non-Government Organization in official relations with the World Health Organization in relation to acupuncture. WFAS is made up of national acupuncture bodies with member representatives from over 50 countries. Approximately 1000 distinguish guests will partake the exchange of intellectual information and updates on medicines.

Let him talk to Bell Hooks instead

Don’t want to give that guy your phone number? Let him talk to bell hooks instead! http://www.salon.com/2014/06/13/dont_want_to_give_that_guy_your_phone_number_let_him_talk_to_bell_hooks_instead/ via @Salon

Will Enbridge's pipeline ever get built Progressive Economics Blog

Will Enbridge's pipeline ever get built? - http://www.progressive-economics.ca/2014/06/18/will-enbridges-pipeline-ever-get-built/

horses

Having my first experience with horses for years, not even going to say how many years.

Professor Heather Boon Appointed Dean of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Professor Heather Boon Appointed Dean of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy

Following a global decanal search, the University of Toronto announced the appointment of Professor Heather Boon as Dean of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, effective July 1, 2014. Dr. Boon will hold this appointment for a five-year term.
Dr. Boon is licensed pharmacist, Professor and Interim Dean of the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, and holds cross-appointments with the Department of Family and Community Medicine and the Department of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.
A graduate of the Faculty’s Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and PhD programs, Professor Boon has been an active member of the Faculty since 2001. Over that time, she has developed a robust research program and instructed a large complement of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate summer research students. Focusing on the safety and efficacy of natural health products, and related regulatory and policy issues, her research has been supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the SickKids Foundation, the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation, and the National Centres of Excellence program, among others. Through this research, Professor Boon has published more than 130 peer-reviewed articles, as well as numerous book chapters, policy reports, and textbooks.
During the 2013-2014 academic year, Professor Boon served as Interim Dean for the Faculty. Prior to assuming this role, she was Associate Dean, Graduate Education, where she was responsible for overseeing the Faculty’s Master’s and Doctoral programs. During her term as Associate Dean, Dr. Boon successfully grew these programs, enhanced the graduate student experience, and brought fiscal sustainability to the graduate department.
Throughout her career, Professor Boon has held key administrative roles both at the Faculty and in a variety of national and international associations and organizations. Through these experiences, she has developed strong operational skills, demonstrated an ability to build productive relationships with students, faculty members, administrators, and key stakeholders, and cultivated a highly collaborative leadership style that she will apply to the role of Dean.
“I am excited and honoured to be leading the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy at a time of incredible opportunity, when how we care for patients and promote health is changing rapidly,” said Boon. “Our innovative academic faculty, including those teaching in our new PharmD and PharmD for Pharmacists programs, pioneering researchers, and exceptional graduate and undergraduate students are leading this change.”
“I look forward to working together with our inspiring faculty members, staff, students, alumni, healthcare partners, and the University of Toronto community to drive this change forward, continue our growth as a Pharmacy educator and hub for groundbreaking research discoveries and innovations, produce outstanding graduates, and improve patient outcomes across the country and throughout the globe.”

Birds & reptiles following my movements with compost

http://www.bcreptiles.ca/snakes/comGarter.html

http://www.askbud.ca/pileated_woodpecker.htm

http://islandnature.ca/2011/02/signs-of-spring-the-american-robin/

the Puget Sound Garter Snake (T. s. pickeringi) - I saw the tail disappear at least three times as I moved back and forth between the piles of leaves and branches and the wheelbarrow

 Pileated woodpecker - saw for the first time today raiding the compost that I put in a planting area in front of the cabins

 American Robin (Turdus migratorius)- so many times, not sure how many birds there are, or if it is the same couple of birds

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and the Role of Botanical Medicine with Dr. Tori Hudson, N.D. FREE Webinar

JUNE 11TH, 2014 Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and the Role of Botanical Medicine with Dr. Tori Hudson, N.D. FREE Webinar This presentation will contain a review of this complex endocrinological disorder including etiology, physiology, clinical presentations, diagnostic evaluation, and risk factor assessment. Also included will be a brief overview of non-botanical interventions, though the focus will be on the plant medicines for addressing the underlying causes of PCOS, as well as symptom management. This lecture will highlight botanical therapies that affect ovulation, positively impact androgenic effects, and that address insulin sensitivity.* Plants to be included: Green tea, Bitter melon, Licorice root, Spearmint, Saw palmetto, and Nettle root. *This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This webinar is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The webinar will be held from 4PM-5PM EST. Click here to register Click here to learn more about Dr. Hudson

Three New Non-reducing Polyketide Synthase Genes from the Lichen-Forming Fungus Usnea

New citations

Article: Ethnoveterinary medicines used for ruminants in British Columbia, Canada. Cited in 1 publication: Article: Three New Non-reducing Polyketide Synthase Genes from the Lichen-Forming Fungus Usnea long... Yi Wang, Juan Wang, Yong Hwa Cheong... Mycobiology 03/2014 42(1):34-40. View Usnea longissima has a long history of use as a traditional medicine. Several bioactive compounds, primarily belonging to the polyketide family, have been isolated from U. longissima. However, the genes for the biosynthesis of these compounds are yet to be identified. In the present study, three different types of non-reducing polyketide synthases (UlPKS2, UlPKS4, and UlPKS6) were identified from a cultured lichen-forming fungus of U. longissima. Phylogenetic analysis of product template domains showed that UlPKS2 and UlPKS4 belong to group IV, which includes the non-reducing polyketide synthases with an methyltransferase (MeT) domain that are involved in methylorcinol-based compound synthesis; UlPKS6 was found to belong to group I, which includes the non-reducing polyketide synthases that synthesize single aromatic ring polyketides, such as orsellinic acid. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis demonstrated that UlPKS2 and UlPKS4 were upregulated by sucrose; UlPKS6 was downregulated by asparagine, glycine, and alanine.

MSc studentship: The influence of feline neutering voucher value and expiry date on owner redemption at University of Bristol

MSc studentship: The influence of feline neutering voucher value and expiry date on owner redemption at University of Bristol

Smartest dog breeds

I saw a retreiver going to a bush to chew off his own stick so I decided to look up dog intelligence

 Top Dogs

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/how-smart-is-your-dog

In his bestselling book, The Intelligence of Dogs, neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, PhD, focuses on trainability as a marker of intelligence.

The University of British Columbia psychology professor relied on the assessments of 110 breeds by more than 200 professional dog obedience judges who scored breeds based on working/obedience tests.

The top dogs absorbed commands in less than five repetitions and obeyed them 95% of the time or better. Here's the list along with a breed description by the American Kennel Club:

1. Border Collie: A workaholic, this breed is the world's premier sheep herder, prized for its intelligence, extraordinary instinct, and working ability.

2. Poodle: Exceptionally smart and active. Bred to retrieve things from the water. The miniature variety may have been used for truffle hunting.

3. German Shepherd: The world's leading police, guard, and military dog -- and a loving family companion and herder.

4. Golden Retriever: Intelligent and eager to please. Bred as a hunting companion; ideal as a guide and as assistance with search-and-rescue operations.

5. Doberman Pinscher: Known for its stamina and speed. Bred to be a guardian and in demand as a police and war dog.

6. Shetland Sheepdog: The "Sheltie" is essentially a miniature working Collie. A rough-coated, longhaired working breed that is keenly intelligent. Excels in herding.

7. Labrador Retriever: An ideal sporting and family dog. Gentle and intelligent.

8. Papillon: A happy, alert breed that isn't shy or aggressive. Known as Dwarf Spaniels in the 16^th and 17^th centuries, they reach 8-11 inches high.

9. Rottweiler: Robust and powerful, the breed is happiest with a job. Suitable as a police dog, herder, service dog, therapy dog, obedience competitor, and devoted companion.

10. Australian Cattle Dog: Happiest doing a job like herding, obedience, or agility. Energetic and intelligent.

Gender and the labour market | vox

Gender and the labour market | vox

Probability of me becoming a PI is 62%

Segal Lab: Predict probability to become PI http://genie.weizmann.ac.il/pubs/PIPredictor/predict.php

Your probability to become a PI is:

62%

Your score is greater than that of 50% of PIs in our data, while compared to non-PIs, you outscore 90% of them (i.e., false discovery rate of 10%)

Here are some of the statistics we computed from your publication history:

Feature	Value
Number of Publications	11
Number of Publications as First	11
Mean Impact Factor	2.1
Max Impact Factor	2.6
Max IF As First	2.6

Curcumin Webinar Thur June 5 2014

Curcumin Webinar Online

Previous Event        Next Event

This webinar will focus on "The Truth and Value of Curcumin and Turmeric: Answers to your 10 most commonly asked questions." Call to register: 866-842-7256. More information can be found here. Date: Thursday, June 5, 2014
Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Alpaca Acres and Dashwood Meadows Qualicum

My computer has been down since last week. It probably needs a new battery. I am using my host's computer. I am on Alpaca Acres, Qualicum Beach which is for sale. It used to have therapy alpacas and brain damaged men. There are no animals now, but three men are still here. I was taken to see alpaca shearing at Dashwood Meadows and then saw their socks and other items for sale at a fabric fair in Coombs.