Anytime it’s snowing in St. John’s and the roads are in hard shape I always hear people say “I’m not taking the highway” referring to Pitts Memorial Drive.

Everytime I hear this I feel like defending the highway in poor driving weather.

The “Arterial” as it is called is part of the Governement of Newfoundland and Labrador’s highway infrastructure and thus it’s snowclearing is managed by the provincial government. Compared to the City of St. John’s those roads are immaculate in the snow.

Additionally the highway swurves around the turns of the hills on the southern side of St. John’s and is surrounded on both sides by thick coniferous vegetation which prevents virtually any blowing snow.

To top it off this is a popular highway where there is a lot of traffic. Even when the plows cannot keep up on the accumulation of snow the flow of traffic keeps the roads clear.

When it comes to driving in poor winter conditions I am confident there is no safer road to drive on. Outer Ring Road is a completely different story.

Rants Newfoundland & Labrador, Pitts Memorial Drive, St. John's, Street Cleaning

Last week Bill Cosby made an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. During his appearance he made a reference to Newfoundland.

He mentions Newfoundland around 8 minutes in.

It is appropriate because on a few weeks ago Bill Cosby was talking about Newfoundland after an African-American man came forward with story about Newfoundland during World War II. This man was touched by Newfoundlanders treating him as equal despite his race. Rumour has it the story may spin a feature film.

Interest, Local News Bill Cosby, Newfoundland & Labrador

Finally!

People in and around St. John’s, particularly downtown, have undoubtedly seen or heard about the filming of the CBC program Republic of Doyle.

CBC is now presenting the trailer. It’s very in depth and looks amazing. I actually cannot wait to see this show!

From CBC: Republic of Doyle

Interest, Local News CBC, Newfoundland & Labrador, Republic of Doyle, St. John's

There was some debate todate as to the proper spelling of the word b’y. Any good geek will look up the real answer to any debate so here I am.

The Dictionary of Newfoundland and Labrador spells it “b’y.”

b’y {pronounced: BY} ~ 1. a young male person, a boy. 2. any male person regardless of age. “Have another piece of the cake, my dear, the b’ys are working”

Interest b'y, Newfoundland & Labrador

Normally I am a pretty blind follower of Danny Williams. I generally feel that when he says something or defends a governmental move I believe him. But I am capable of thinking for myself.

In an interview with Randy Simms on his Open Line show, Danny Williams is challenged about the effects of oil revenue for generations to come. He is asked about what is being done to keep Newfoundland and Labrador in the black for the future beyond this era of rich oil on the Grand Banks.

Rather than give a reasonable answer to a reasonable question, he deflects, calls Randy Simms a pessimist for questioning his work, and hangs up the phone.

Additional information: Williams slams radio host for ‘crap’

Local News, Politics Danny Williams, Newfoundland & Labrador

I have been subscribing to the Canadian Business magazine for a couple years now and not once, ever, have I heard them talk about Newfoundland and Labrador. In fact, if this province wasn’t so big on the Canadian map I am sure it wouldn’t even been mentioned.

About half a year ago this magazine released an issue regarding Energy. It was a great issue except for one major thing that rattled my bones; no mention of our province.

Newfoundland and Labrador at the time had just announced Hebron and that the province would have an equity stake in the project. In addition, the refinery at Come-By-Chance was expecting upgrades and a new smelter was to be built around Long Harbour. This doesn’t include the work at the Lower Churchill hydro facility or the Voisey’s Bay nickel mine.

Newfoundland and Labrador is a powerhouse of energy.

82 pages on energy in Canada and not a word of Newfoundland and Labrador.

I wanted to write to the editor, but I saved my breath and just huffed to myself quietly.

Then their latest issue has an article about maritime provinces (finally!), "Go east, young man?" discussing how suddenly Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are "dynamos." The article, of course, does not mention our province. I am dismayed.

The Newfoundland and Labrador econmoy couldn’t be stronger (well, let’s leave out the current cost of oil and removal equalization payments to the province). The remoteness of our province from the global economy seems to have spared us from this recession, for now. Housing values were skyrocketing and people are leaving big cities for employment here. Of course, until recently, Newfoundland has been topping GDP for the country and only a few months ago we were named a "have" province, placing us in a stronger economic position than Ontario (relatively speaking).

How does this slip the radar again? This is getting ridiculous. Canadian Business, expect a letter to the editor.

Rants Canadian Business, Energy, Newfoundland & Labrador