The Bench

Late for anyone being too worried about it, but thought an interesting link.  Evidence based information on H1N1 and the vaccine.

http://www.ebscohost.com/flu/

Saskatoon remains “seriously unaffordable” according to ” the 6th Annual Demographia International Housing Affordability Survey” 2010.  Affordability is based on a multiplier, that is the years of the median income used to pay for the median priced house. “historically…. median house prices being generally 3.0 or less times median household incomes”.  Saskatoon currently stands at 4.4 years of median income (down from 4.6 last year) enough to keep it “seriously unaffordable”.  Here’s how many years income it costs to buy the median house elsewhere.

Least Affordable

Vancouver 9.3 years income

Kelowna 5.9 years income

Toronto 5.2 years income

Montreal 4.9 years income

Dublin 4.7 years income

Calgary 4.5 years income

Saskatoon 4.4 years income

Edmonton 4.1 years income

Ottawa, Denver, Washington DC 3.8 years income

Kingston, Tuscon Arizona!! Richmond Virginia, Spokane WA 3.7 years income 

3.7 years median income = National Canadian Average

Halifax, Quebec City, Madison Wisconsin 3.6 years income

Regina 3.5 years income

Chicago 3.4 years income

Winnipeg 3.3 years income

Boise Idaho 3.0 years income

St. John NB, Minneapolis 2.8 years income

Green Bay, Kansas City 2.6 years income

Moncton 2.5 years income

Thunder Bay, Indianapolis 2.2 years income

Most Affordable

http://www.demographia.com/dhi.pdf Bit long, but interesting read, surprising some of the cities significantly cheaper than Saskatoon

Basically, save for Vancouver, Saskatoon is nearly as expensive as other most expensive markets in Canada, and in Saskatoon, it takes 0.7 years more income than the national median to buy a house, or 19% more than average, once income is accounted for.  Makes the current local housing market seem unsustainable as the rest of Canada emerges from a recession – and Saskatoon continues to lay off, with anticipated “near term” job losses, and of course that large provincial deficit.

Atul’s Birthday Drinks 830 PM Earls Saskatoon

Christmas party in the old folks room in Saskatoon. Talk to Nick for details if in town.

Well not quite, but the only debate all 3 candidates will attend is a $45 a plate Chamber of Commerce dinner (only $25 for Chamber members). This VIP event does little for everyday Regina residents.

Fiacco has stated he is too busy to attend a free debate. Guess his schedule is jam packed campaigning. Too bad he forgot about the average Reginan.

Not a bad idea though, Fiacco has some small to moderate scandals and broken promises, a high approval rating, and no namish competition. Why give them the opportunity and publicity of a debate??

Still, you’d think voters would be at least a little critical that Fiacco isn’t going to even ONE free and accessible debate. Says a lot about what he stands for doesn’t it?

Site to look up swim times for pretty much any pool.

http://www.swimmersguide.com/query/Main1.cfm

Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day

“Ricky, Julian and Bubbles are about to get out of jail, and this time, Julian vows to go straight, even open a legit business. Soon the Boys will all be rich. At least that’s what they’ve told the parole board. But when they arrive back at the park, they find it’s not the same old Sunnyvale – and it’s not the same old Jim Lahey, Trailer Park Supervisor. Lahey’s a new man, hasn’t had a drink for two years. And he has plans – BIG PLANS – for Sunnyvale. But unfortunately for Lahey, Julian stands in his way. With his big plans for Sunnyvale going down the toilet, his relationship with Randy broken down, and having the Boys back in the park is all way too much pressure for him to bear. For Jim Lahey, the countdown to liquor day is on. Meanwhile, Julian’s having problems of his own and the Boys are forced to resort to doing what they know best – breaking the law. Lahey’s descent into the liquor coupled with the Boys descent into crime puts them all on a collision course to mayhem and destruction.”

http://www.cinemaclock.com/aw/crva.aw/sas/Saskatoon/e/34412/Trailer_Park_Boys__Countdown_to_Liquor_Day.html

Canada Post – look up postal codes for any given address in Canada http://www.canadapost.ca/cpotools/apps/fpc/personal/findByCity?execution=e10s1

Apparently live music and wine night.  Patio weather permitting, otherwise may move it into lounge.  Time TBA.  Tentative 9 pm?  Mano’s on 8 th street (just in case some one gets confused and risks life and limb venturing down 22nd)

So apparently Shaw and a nameless friend are starting a work out program back in first year university. The friend decides to start off benching a light weight, 140 lbs. Shaw having never benched before decides to test the weight and proceeds to pick up the bar and start arm curling the 140 lbs without effort. Shaw’s only comment, “yeah that’s kind of heavy” – as the 160 pounder arm curls near his own weight!

Disclaimer – Jason Shaw was working at the Home Depot brick yard at the time, where his work ethic and strength was already legendary.