April 9th: Apart. But not alone.

Best line of the day: “I feel like a teenager again. Gas is 50 cents a litre and wouldn’t you know it, I’m grounded.”  (Andy Lockhart)

We Birds ‘Zoomed’ together on Thursday, April 9th at 8:00 am. Eight o’clock? Yup. Seems we’re enjoying sleeping in and besides, we need to have breakfast, dress (from the waist up) and hook up to the Zoom Network. (This was easier than expected and I think all who tried, succeeded . It IS easy to use.)

We’re doing it again next Thursday at 8:00 and all Birds are invited to participate.

Brett Bain and Vicki: Are able to isolate on their farm so they have a fair bit of acreage to wander about and shake off the dregs of cabin fever. Brett mentions that his company is deemed an essential service which has benefits (of some sort). Vicki is pleased the Ed department wants online-learning for school students, now at home, but is disappointed the solution for doing so is: “you teachers just make it work, okay”. There are no programs, apps or systems provided. 

• Brett is curious about the ‘no interest Business Loan’ (for qualifying businesses) but would like more info from ATB. Jim (Bladon) mentions that there are details on ATB’s website and better still, Birds can call him for way finding.

Sean Baylis: Is certainly experiencing a different way of serving clients. I suspect that never have so many questions been asked in such a short period. Markets just had a good week but in previous weeks, Bottoms have been hit and Bounces experienced. His advice: stay in touch; he knows the value of good communications and is up for it. And yes, there are some beaten up (er, down) listings like Resorts, Airlines and Boeing. But there are also some interesting opportunities like Disney and McDonalds. As always, good asset allocation of quality companies will … will out, eventually. 

Jim Bladon: It has always been good to have a knowledgeable banker on line; now, more than ever. Who’d a thought you’d ever hear: Thank Gawd for Jim Bladon! (I expect he’ll hear a lot of this in the days to come.) He said, “Yes, today’s risk environment is different but make no mistake, gentlemen, ATB is open for business.” (Jim said more but his statement covers much of what we need to hear.) He also added: 

••• About the recently announced government programs, know that providers are scrambling to catch up but catch up … they will. And Yes, do check out the emergency $40G loan with the hefty forgiveness clause.

Paul Boucher: As host, Paul performed more than he talked. His Hinterland Who’s Who spoof of the endangered west coast coffee barista – produced for Dr. Tom Olson – was a delight. We will find some way of sharing it with those of you Birds who were unable to join us.

Ian Campbell:

Matt Dart:

Todd Dean: His business continues okay for now. 

•  He is somewhat put off by our government’s strategies for these unprecedented times. They’re unwieldy and seem hit-and-miss. The programs are confusing, subject to abuse and probably way more costly than need be.  He points to the simple mothballing of the months of April and May (and longer, if required) in France. He doesn’t deny we need to resolve this unpredictable mess; but it needs focus, freedom from political rhetoric and simplicity.

George Doherty: His laptop wasn’t up to the demands of Zoom but his iPad was Mac-easy: he clicked on Paul’s link and it pretty well did all the heavy lifting for George. 

• His cream is in high demand: we’re all washing our hands so often, we need a special dry skin cream to offset our raw and dry skin. And hey, the Canadian distributor may be buying the Canadian rights from the fellow who bought George’s Cream. This will be good for those of us who use George’s Cream, I figure. 

• The fellow who purchased George and Skip’s pharmacy, has closed because of Covid19: he was worried about the risks to his staff. 

• George mentions that inventory and supply of drugs has become an issue so Pharmacists are only allowed to provide 30-day fills. This is a result of our times; not a move to gouge patients (as some folks seem determined to believe.)  

Don Doolan: Don is discomforted like Todd and others are: our government programs are pretty much “don’t pay now but boy, are you going to have to pay later”! Don sees a 15% Provincial Sales Tax coming our way – not to mention a hefty GST. 

• Speaking of haircuts, Yvonne’s barber shop is operating in Don’s house and as her only customer, he’s a VIP. (I expect that over the next few weeks, we – and specially our wives – will be clamouring for hair salons to be made essential services! We will all ‘see’ why.)

Tony Fisher:

Gord Forsyth:

Mel Gibson: All 2000 of his peers are now working from home. This will likely lead to changes in how insurance companies work to provide their services, in the future. 

• Some interesting challenges are anticipated. For instance, how do we assess business interruption claims? And where on the priority list of the top 70 risks will pandemics sit? (Before covid, it was at 66 out of 70). 

• The isolation/stay at home protocol is really hard on teenagers. They’re rambunctious and need to wear off some of that energy. But hey, we’re all doing the best we can!

Henry Heuver:

David Hicks:

Dan Kennelly:

Matt Litke:

Andy Lockhart: He mentioned that shooting ranges have been declared essential in Arizona. (I think he was kidding. ???) Andy’s Mom – she’s 105 –  is a resident in the care centre across the field from the McKenzie Town residence where so many have caught and succumbed to the coronavirus. It’s a worry and then some: his daughter Cathy – who’s an RN – provides care in his mom’s residence. 

• BTW Andy mentioned that his mom survived the Spanish Flu of 1918; he’d like to see her survive the Covid-19 event, too. 

• He’s working on a post-Covid Plan for SAWS  (we will come out of this crisis and SAWS will be ready). 

• He reminds us: there are smart folks who will find opportunities in this environment. And NB: you are better than what you might, at first blush, think you are. 

JD MacDonald:

Michael McLennan:

Ross Mikkelsen: He started by referring to The Titanic. It didn’t just stop, it sank. Quickly, too. 

•.Retailers of non-essential goods are facing bleak prospects – and for a spring and summer seasonal operation, the covid-19 timing couldn’t be worse. However, Canada is probably the best place to undergo whatever we’re about to undergo. 

• Ross’ parents in law had, and have recovered from, covid-19. There are some good stories out there and therefore, room for hope. 

• Ross wondered out loud about negotiating with commercial landlords. He’s being proactive. Bird advice ranged from: “make it a problem solving exercise; not a bargaining event”. “Everyone is in the same boat: your landlord needs you as much as you need him. Who will they lease to if you move out.” “You have more clout/power/leverage than you think." ”We can make this work.”

Mike Mikkelson:

Brad Pachal. What was looking like a good project, for this season, in the Shuswap, is not likely to happen this year - Ah well, he does have his own project to work on. It’s been a year since he started on his own China cabinet; likely to now happen quite rapidly. 

• Meanwhile, he’s finding his suppliers eager to fill his orders and even load them aboard his truck when picking up. Brad could get used to this kind of service. 

• He’s concerned about his twin grandchildren: they’re just six weeks old and the world isn’t quite the safe place it used to be. 

• There is a monster in his basement. A bike trainer. He does ride it but the experience is … horrid.

Gerry Parcells:

Dwayne Vinck: He started with a shout out to Gord and Heather Forsyth. They’re still in isolation. Hi Gord and Heather! 

• Dwayne’s wife, Tyla, works at the assisted living facility across from the McKenzie Town residence that’s so much in the news. So far, she and her fellow caregivers are crossing their fingers. 

• Dwayne has made it his business to look into and understand the government programs related to deferred payments and also, the 70% and the 10% programs. If you’re looking for info you might want to talk to Dwayne.

Bob Wiggins:

George Roberts: I was Zoomed and do encourage other Birds to join in. I felt like I’d been out and about a bit – even though I just sat in front of my computer for an hour and some.

Associates

Gregg Callander:

Alumni

Ken Eades:

Bill Hoogstratten:

Tom Olson: (Alumni guy and also, a Dr. of sorts). Tom is on the coast. He continues to lobby, consult, mentor and coach the salty folks on the west side of Canada. He is trying to get them to follow the Right light which would help them abandon their socialist leanings while they, on the other hand, endeavour to get him to accept the NDP mantra: what you have is ours and since we have so little, you get nothing.

Bruce Roblin:

Chris Wright: