Minutes of Aug 25

Good news: the Birds BBQ is on September 17th. It will be at Henry Heuver’s and we will be paying $25 a head or $50 a couple. (I did the math for those of you who are challenged by sums.)

Please bring your cheque to Birds: Matt Dart is collecting funds (on Bob Wiggin’s behalf.)

Members:

Brett Bain. One outrageous idea begets another: as The Birds’ Security Conscious Conscience Guru, Brett wondered out loud if the driverless cars (soon to be seen on a road near you) … might be misused by the Russian Mafia to take people hostage for ransom. And yes: some people expect the driverless car soon. Others think it is a pipe dream. • Brett is disappointed by Apple’s decision to get out of the training business. They’ve given the franchise to LearnQuest who are milking it for themselves – with no consideration for retailers or for the trainee’s.

Sean Baylis. Sean is enjoying the LPGA tournament on behalf of both RBC and his 10-year old daughter, who’s drive is well above that of golfers of a mere decade. • He’s not expecting a rate change. But hey, he’s ready for anything. • While the market hesitates, Sean et al continue to favour cashflow and dividends.

Jim Bladon.

Paul Boucher.  We never expect the usual from Paul and he never disappoints. This morning he told us about “The Hunt for a Proper Toilet Seat.” It seems there are rare models to be had and those running upwards of $200 are most desirable. JD has joined Paul in this arcane search. For more than you might wish to know about  the interface between humans and the great white ceramic throne, go to http://www.kohler.ca/onlinecatalog/category.jsp?category=13

Greg Callander. 

Ian Campbell. 

Matt Dart. Chickens are coming home to roost: Matt’s bird doggin’, over the winter and spring, is paying off: condo projects are engaging Matt for good-sized contracts. • Matt is anticipating the driverless car sooner than some.

Don Davis. Don is an LPGA fan, of course … but his rant was about the EpiPen price gouging. What was $110 a pen went to $649 a pen. Just like that. And for no reason other than greed. Well, okay, plus the CEO of the firm wanted a raise from $2 million/year to $19 million. She got it … at the likely cost of lives lost to unaffordable pens. • Don praised Ross’ BBQ Galore newsletter.

Todd Dean. 

George Doherty. Musing about Birds golf tourney timing. He wonders: if our tourney was in September … would more Birds be able to participate?

Don Doolan.

Ken Eades. 

Tony Fisher. Ready for this? The CIA will open the new terminal on October 1st. (This year.) * His Rotary Club raised major funds with the Country Thunder Event. And they’re already selling tickets for next year.

Gord Forsyth .

Mel Gibson. 

Henry Heuver. Henry is proud of the Olds College Wetlands project. • He’s looking forward to hosting our BBQ on the 17th. We will need some volunteers for salads, wine and beer, potatoes, to pick up meat, do we need a BBQ (?), buns and potatoes, desserts etc. (More to come on this.)

David Hicks.  Betcha didn’t know that Dave’s a piper? He sold his bagpipes some years ago but they’re back on the market … so he’s using them as an excuse to go to Vancouver to negotiate their repatriation to Alberta. • Had some scary data crashes this summer but all is recovered.

Bill Hoogstratten. 

Dan Kennelly.  Hmm. Appears the NDP liquor control people are getting very aggressive with their compliance activities – at public events like golf tournaments. They’re charging big dollars for little offences. I realize the NDP need more revenue but surely there are more productive and popular ways of doing so.

Keith Kozak.

Matt Litke.

Andy Lockhart. Drop In Centre decision has been rendered and it looks hopeful. • Andy is a volunteer at the LPGA tournament, along with 1399 others. It’s an amazing machine, Andy says.

J.D. MacDonald.  Truths be told in the backhouse:” JD related a tale of what makes a plumber’s daughter … a real plumber’s daughter. (Shudda been here.)

Michael McLennan. 

Ross Mikkelsen. Heads up for next year: Brewery and the Beast was a fine and tasty event this year. Should be even better, next. • Ross is now prepping for BBQ on the Bow.

Mike Mikkelson. Amazed that the fires around Spokane are not in the media. They’re mighty big. • Mike is working on bringing provincial sanity to Birds. (AKA Jason Kenny.)

Gerry Parcells. If you like classic antique cars, the car show in Chestemere this weekend will be a treat to visit.

Bruce Roblin. 

Dwayne Vink. Sounds like his mining operation is getting a chemical boost that should simplify ore processing. And increase profits.

Bob Wiggins.

Chris Wright. 

George Roberts.  Words work when written well.