Winter Parking Ban Notifications

 Winter Parking Ban Notifications

     So it is that time of year yet again that we the people will most likely end up with unwanted presents on our windows when we come out of work or the house during the day or night. The winter parking ban in HRM will be enforced between the hours of 1 a.m. & 6 a.m. during any and all declared snow/ice events as of December 15, 2014 up to and including March 31, 2015.

     We can all stay well informed & plan ahead by & or subscribing to HRM's CityWatch notification system or listening to the radio or reading the newspapers or by following @hfxgov on twitter. All you have to do is register at this link HRM Winterized site they will do their best to send out timely updates by phone, email, and/or text message to you about the possible status of the overnight winter parking ban('s) within HRM. You can provide up to 2 phone numbers and up to 2 email addresses, or a combination of both when registering online.

*NOTE: The registration pages are currently not compatible with CHROME web browsers (Also not currently optimized for use with Smartphones.) please use Internet Explorer or FireFox 

     Now it is best that if you even have a doubt about the weather during the night your best bet is to secure off-street parking during the winter months as a precaution (Better safe than sorry).

     If you have questions about the municipal overnight winter parking ban and or have an issue with submitting your information online, you can call 311 or email contact@halifax.ca to get further information and or clarification on this all.

     It is recommended that you do not rely solely on the CityWatch notifications for parking ban information due to delivery issues via the internet and or phone notification's. You can also check out their website and or their Twitter feed at @hfxgov or by calling 311.

     If you had signed up for this service last year this service has not stopped it simply hibernated during the non-winter season and is now back up and running for you already. If any of the information you entered last year has changed it is recommended to go back online again and update the information.

Note: the use and collection of the information that you provide online is listed below.

In accordance with Section 485 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the personal information collected on this form will only be used by CityWatch for the identified mass notification purpose, for the purpose of clarifying the information submitted, for providing updates or seeking further information on this same subject. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information, please contact HRM’s Access and Privacy Office at 1-902-490-4390 or accessandprivacy@halifax.ca.

The CityWatch notification system is effective and efficient, but you should not rely on it exclusively for updates. This system supplements, rather than replaces, other communication methods used to broadcast winter parking ban information, including HRM Public Service Announcements, websites and social media channels. CityWatch notifications are dependent upon external providers such as your wireless carrier or email delivery service. Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) cannot guarantee that notifications will be received by the intended recipient. Service costs from your carrier are your responsibility.

     I honestly hope and pray that this helps everyone in avoiding a parking ticket this year, but will be pleased if it only helps a handful of people instead. For every dollar we do not give to the government is a dollar that we get to keep in our pockets for something more important.

Register/Log In

• Snow Information
• FAQ's
• Ice Thickness Reports
• Parking Ban Notifications (PDF 91.23KB)
• Parking Ban Regulations 
• Planning for Snow Events
• Winter Storm Fire Safety
• Generator Safety
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• Winter Parking Ban
• HRM Calendar
• Register for Notifications

You can find me on any of these sites here

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Bells online customer support

     So I had a question in regards to my contract end date with Bell Mobility. So I tried to call them, of course they were closed early on a Saturday night, so luckily I was near a computer and went to their online support instead.

     So after a 1 hour session with the rep, he was able to avoid all technical questions in regards to the IMEI and ICCID associated to the account, he was also not able to verify what in store rep made changes to the account and or what store location was the one that changed/renewed the contract that they have on file.

     He also did not show any indication that a warranty claim had been filed for the phone associated to the account. All he was able to do is provide the same date for the entire conversation.

     Now I can not say whether this is due to lack of system access or lack of training or not fully understanding what I was asking (And if so then he should of asked for clarification) or just unwillingness to provide full support. So for the time being I am going with the assumption that it is due to lack of system's unless I can prove otherwise.

     Now I did keep track of the entire conversation as it went along (it is posted below, names and dates and such have been edited for security reason's) for quality purposes.

     I also love the fact when asked for a call back by either customer care or a supervisor I was told that they can not do that........ Even AT&T Mobility does that....

     I definitely left feedback in the popup window you get when you go to close the chat window, that is also posted below.

     Lets just say at this point my faith in Bell Mobility is dwindling and I hope they can fix that. I have had this service/number since I moved to Nova Scotia and that has been over 15 years now.

Thank you for your patience an online representative will be with you shortly. Your wait time is approximately 1 minute(s).

You are chatting with John A.
Your name: Wilcre
Your number: ***-***-****
Your question: I have a question about my current Commitment period end date. 21:26

• Sir John A: Hi there William!
• Sir John A: No worries, I'm here for you I can definitely assist you with the contract.
• Sir John A: May I know what is it?
• Wilcre: Commitment period end date January 03, 20**
• Sir John A: Yes, would you like to double check it?
• Wilcre: I would like to know what renewed the contract, the last time it should of been renewed is when I got the Sony Xperia™ T
• Sir John A: I see, let me check it. I see that your account is protected by a pin. Can I have that, too? For me to be able to validate and secure your account.
• Wilcre: Sure not a problem it is ****
• Sir John A: Perfect! Thank you very much for the information, William.
• Wilcre: not a problem
• Sir John A: I'll review the log on your account. By the way how's our day today?
• Wilcre: thank you, and it was pretty good. thank you for asking.
• Sir John A: Great that is good to know. Let me see if I can make it perfect.
• Sir John A: I see here that you make a upgrade last January 4, 20** right?
• Wilcre: there was a upgrade but that should of been done sooner than that. does the account reflect when i claimed a warranty replacement for my sony, they had given me a Motorola as a temp phone to use.
• Sir John A: Yes, what I see here is that the contract starts on that date and on a three years contract.
• Wilcre: So with a warranty claim the contract is renewed again?.
• Sir John A: Let review it further.
• Sir John A: I see here that the upgrade started on January 4, 2013 and the contract didn't extend at all.
• Wilcre: can you confirm when it was I filed the warranty claim for the Sony Xperia™ T
• Wilcre: *Please
• Sir John A: Sure, let me check on it.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid but the warranty replacement was not recorded here on the account.
• Wilcre: can you confirm in the system when I was using a different IMEI than I am now, the first date that shows up would indicate the day I sent the phone in for repair and then when it changes again is the date when I got the Sony Xperia™ T back again.
• Sir John A: I see here that it is register last January 4, 2013 and the phone was not change. Did they repair the phone?
• Wilcre: Yes it was a internal battery issue with the phone. I know they didnt change the IMEI on the account; however the IMEI would of changed for the authentication in the system for when I got the temp phone and then again when I got the Sony back again.
• Sir John A: Yes, the thing is that I didn't see any record here that the commitment was change.
• Wilcre: ok just a second please.
• Sir John A: Sure, no worries.
• Wilcre: ok I am back, 21:58
• Sir John A: Great!
• Sir John A: What do you mean by the 21:58?
• Sir John A: Is that for the time?
• Wilcre: do you or your tech department have access to a system that records/lists the IMEI's and ICCID's that are associated and ro used on my account?. if so thenwe can confirm when the Sony Xperia™ T was originally purchased and placed on my account, from the papaer work I ahve been able to find I got the phone in the middle to start
• Wilcre: *start of 20** not 20**.
• Wilcre: sorry the 21:58 was copied over from a personal chat I have going with another person.
• Sir John A: Oh I see, no worries, let me verify the 20** logs again..
• Sir John A: I carefully check the logs for 2012 and I'm afraid but there's no records on it that it started on that date. I see here that it stared on the first month of 2013. That is what I see here base on the information on the account.
• Wilcre: Does your system show when I got the calling plan I have now?.
• Sir John A: Yes, I see here that the plan started on January 04, 20** that is the time when the upgrade is made.
• Wilcre: Does the system show you or can you find out on that date what store location renewed the contract?.
• Sir John A: I see here that when the contract started it was never renewed or extended.
• Sir John A: If the phone is repaired it would not extend the contract.
• Wilcre: Does the system show you or can you find out what store location started the contract?.
• Sir John A: Are you referring on the store where you activated the upgrade?
• Wilcre: I am trying to clarify what store started the contract currently on the account, I need to know if it was the store that did the warranty claim or the store I got the phone from, they are different stores in different cities.
• Sir John A: Let me see if I can find it.
• Wilcre: They are commissioned based their sales ID should be on the account.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid that is not recorded on this system .
• Wilcre: So the notes do not reflect what a in store agent does to the account by their ID or name or such!.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid yes, the system are not showing on what store does the upgrade happen.
• Wilcre: does ti show for the calling plan!.
• Sir John A: Your rate plan change to Fab 10 Promo 65 - 36M last January 4, 20**.
• Wilcre: ok by what store location, only 2 agents had access to my account, i need to know what one.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid that the store location is not shown here.
• Wilcre: does it state a store number possibly?.
• Sir John A: No store Id is reflected. It gives Application number which is ********.
• Wilcre: Unfortunately that doesn't help me without full access to your internal systems.
• Sir John A: I understand you. If you want you may call our client care department for they are using different system from us and they have more access than us here on chat. Would you like to get the number?
• Wilcre: unfortunately unless I speak to tech support customer care is closed as per the IVR which is why I have come to the online department.
• Sir John A: I see, I'm afraid that please contact the said department again tomorrow. For this is the only information I have in our system.
• Sir John A: I'll do everything that I can the thing is that is the only information here on the account. I hope you understand.
• Sir John A: For now would that be all to serve you?
• Wilcre: Are you able to have either have a supervisor or customer care call me tomorrow after 15
• Wilcre: Are you able to have either have a supervisor or customer care call me tomorrow after 15:00 AST.
• Sir John A: I'm afraid but we can't set up a call back.
• Wilcre: Sorry first line got cut short.
• Sir John A: For now would that be all to serve you?
• Wilcre: Are you able to leave detailed notes on the account for me so that all they have to do is read the notes instead of me having to re-explain everything to them when I call back in again.
• Sir John A: Absolutely! I'll explain the situation on the account and leave a notes here. To serve as their reference once you call.
• Wilcre: ok thank you then. that is all. have a good night sir. 22:36.
• Sir John A: You too have a good night! It's been a pleasure assisting you regarding the contract! Thank you for choosing Bell mobility. Have a great day, William! Smile always!
• Sir John A: Bye for now! Cheers!

Thank you for chatting with us. Please click the "Close" button on the top right of the chat window to tell us how we did today.

Did you know you can perform a wide range of self serve tasks online? Find out more

Thanks for visiting bell.ca and chatting with us today. Please provide us with your feedback so we may serve you better.

How satisfied were you with the service from our Client Care rep?
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Do you feel your inquiry was resolved?
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Based on your recent experience, how likely are you to recommend Bell?
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***Yes***

Please feel free to provide additional feedback about your Live Chat experience.

When asking the rep for detailed info in reguards to my contract, he was only able to provide the month, day and year. When asked what agent put the current rate plan in to place he could not provide that information, nor could he provide the store location that put the plan in to place. The agent also stated that he could not confirm when the ICCID on the account changed and then changed back again, He was also unable to find any mention on the account about a warranty claim that was filed on my Sony Xperia™ T.  Either the online customer care reps need more access to the systems to locate this information or the information should be listed in the system, that is going with the assumption that the representitive was not misleading me and just kept me online for a hour. Full transcript of the conversation is available if you dont already have a copy of it for quality assurance purposes.

Total character limitation: 900. I had to reduce the word "Information" to "Info" to make everything fit. Heck, a MMS can handle a higher character count then their "additional info" section can.

And just in case I have the gallows ready and waiting for Bell Mobility.

The dreaded dialing of a phone.

Hello and good day to all.

     This is a message to warn you of dialing your phone (Landlines/Cellular devices or if still around those old archaic things called payphones') in the next 11 days (August 23, 2014) within the boundaries of Nova Scotia (A.K.A: NS) and Prince Edward Island (A.K.A: PEI) you will get a verbal reminder stating "dial 902 before the call is completed"..

CTV News article

     As of  November 16, 2014 which is in (95 days) 10-digit dialing will be mandatory and if not dialed landline users & /Cellular device users (And yes even those old archaic things called payphones) will hear the message of "The area code is now required and you need to redial to complete the call".

     As of November 30, 2014 (109 days) "The new area code, 782 will be introduced and used in the same region as area code 902. Anyone who already has a number with area code 902 will keep the same number. For all local calls, You will always dial 10 digits (area code + local number)".

     So this is a suck it up and make the changes now, or expect some very unfriendly customer service reps either in the stores; or over the phone; or online for the carrier that you are through. They will have a very snarky attitudes towards you when you call them to complain that it is too much of a hassle for you to program your phone book and or update your phone book on the phone you use to include the area code and expect them to do it for you.

     This is a FYI, these agents are not allowed to bring their magic wands with them to work so they can not just wave their wand over your phone to make this hassle go away for you.

Ensure you program your telecommunications devices in advance to handle 10-digit dialing. See the checklist on www.dial10.ca for more information.

kids and Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons Camp Day

     So the Tim Hortons (Twitter name @TimHortons or for the french version they are @ChezTimHortons or in the USA @TimHortonsUs) camp day is on Wednesday June 4th 2014 this year. Every time you and people you know buy a coffee from Tim Hortons all the 100% proceeds of that coffee go to help children go to camp this year with Tim Hortons. Last year alone more than 17,000 disadvantaged children got to go to camp at 1 of 6 local camps in North America run and operated by THCF (on twitter as @thcf1974). You can also help buy texting the word “Camp” to 45678 and you will of donated $5 to this event and the $5 charge will show on your next invoice from your wireless carrier.

This year the target that Tim Hortons has set to send a kid to camp is 200,000  which is a hefty goal but the end result is a miracle not only to reach but also a miracle for the children that get to go to the camps as well. There are 2 recent videos I found online (Listed below). Last year alone Tim Hortons took in 11.8 Million in Donations for the camps and children.

THCF - "In Their Own Words": http://youtu.be/JuFWYIHmRVo
About camp day at Tim Horton Children's Foundation - Because of Camp: http://youtu.be/2A1edJ-aRPU

Tim Hortons just recently passed there 50th year in business starting with their first store in Brampton Ontario and when camp day first started 40 years ago they had coin collection boxes available at their cash registers for people to make donations but now you can also for some time also do what they call is Rent-A-Tent for $1 or Rent-A-Cabin for $2 in the stores as well. But now you can also have then server round your transaction up to the nearest dollar as well and that extra is donated to the Camp Day event as well.

Virtually all stores have a different way of celebrating camp day by decorating each store differently and or by the employee's dressing differently or by doing different events like selling hot dogs and hamburgers or other items or by doing draws for items like Tim Hortons cup's and such. By them doing this they are also taking these extra proceeds and putting them towards camp day as well. So if you have the chance to and you normally go to more Tim Hortons more than once a day try and go to a different one each visit on that day and see what the difference is between them, you may be thoroughly surprised by what you see there.

Also again this year Tim Hortons is holding another free open house at their Tatamagouche Nova Scotia camp site. It is on June 1st from 1pm to 5pm. They will be having games, face painting and boating and snacks as well
The Tim Horton Children's Camp in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia opened in 1988. The camp is located on the shores of the Northumberland Strait where campers can experience Maritime living and heritage.  The Tim Horton Children's Camp hosts residential campers throughout the summer months and March Break. Schools.

• Tim Horton Children's Camp
• RR #3 (Sunrise Trail - Route 6)
• Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
• Tel: 1-(902) 657-2359

Now you can also volunteer with the camps in many ways, but here are the 2 key selling points
Tim Horton Children's Foundation volunteers contribute thousands of hours helping economically disadvantaged children discover their best at camp. Whether you want to volunteer in the camp program, help get the site ready to welcome over 16,000 young people, or support the administration of the Foundation, the Tim Horton Children's Foundation has a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to match your passion, skills and schedule.
Apply to be a volunteer http://www.timhortons.com/ca/pdf/2014_Volunteer_Application_Form_EN.pdf with the Tim Horton Children's Foundation
Benefits of Volunteering: Volunteering is more than just sharing your time and passion, it's about the satisfaction of knowing you are helping people become stronger, giving back to your community and gaining valuable work experience that will enhance your career development.
You can also contact the Tim Horton Children's Foundation Home Office at 1-519-448-1248 to learn about volunteer opportunities in your area.


To wrap this up here is a listing of all the Tim Hortons camp sites with the recommendation to see what you can do to help in one way or another with the camp and or the children.

Tim Horton Onondaga Farms, St. George

Tim Horton Onondaga Farms opened in June 2002 on 400 acres of rolling hills and wetlands in St. George, Ontario (near Brantford) and is the Foundation's newest camp. Onondaga Farms hosts both residential campers and Youth Leadership Program participants throughout the summer months and March Break. Schools, youth groups and other community organizations that meet the Foundation's selection criteria can also benefit from year-round programming.

Tim Horton Onondaga Farms
RR #2, 264 Glen Morris Road East
St. George, Ontario
Tel: 1-(519) 448-1264

Tim Horton Children's Ranch, Kananaskis

The Tim Horton Children's Ranch, which opened in 1991, is nestled on 150 acres in beautiful Kananaskis Country, Alberta. Participants at "the Ranch" have the unique experience of living in the Canadian Rockies, and enjoying activities such as horseback riding, rock climbing and white water rafting as well as other traditional camp activities. Tim Horton Children's Ranch hosts residential campers throughout the summer months. Schools, youth groups and other community organizations that meet the Foundation's selection criteria can also benefit from year-round programming.

Tim Horton Children's Ranch
1 Tim Horton Drive & Hwy. # 40
P.O. Box 117
Kananaskis, Alberta
Tel: 1-(403) 673-2494

Tim Horton Camp Kentahten, Campbellsville

Opened in 2001, this is the first Tim Horton Children's Foundation camp in the United States. The camp occupies 50 acres of waterfront property on Green River Lake, in the heart of Kentucky.  Tim Horton Camp Kentahten hosts residential campers throughout the summer months and March Break. Schools, youth groups and other community organizations that meet the Foundation's selection criteria can also benefit from year-round programming.

Camp Kentahten
49 Kentahten Trail
Campbellsville, KY, 42718
1-(270) 465-9250

Tim Horton Children's Camp, Tatamagouche

The Tim Horton Children's Camp in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia opened in 1988. The camp is located on the shores of the Northumberland Strait where campers can experience Maritime living and heritage.  The Tim Horton Children's Camp hosts residential campers throughout the summer months and March Break. Schools, youth groups and other community organizations that meet the Foundation's selection criteria can also benefit from year-round programming.

Tim Horton Children's Camp
RR #3 (Sunrise Trail - Route 6)
Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia
Tel: 1-(902) 657-2359

Camp Des Voyageurs Tim Horton, Quyon

The Foundation's fourth camp opened in Quyon, Quebec in 1994.  Set on Pontiac Bay of the Ottawa river guests at Camp des Voyageurs Tim Horton can enjoy learning about the rich Voyageur history in the area of the camp. Camp des Voyageurs Tim Horton hosts residential campers throughout the summer months and March Break. Schools, youth groups and other community organizations that meet the Foundation's selection criteria can also benefit from year-round programming.

Camp des Voyageurs Tim Horton
60, chemin du Canal
Quyon, Quebec
Tel: 1-(819) 458-3164

Tim Horton Memorial Camp, Parry Sound

The Tim Horton Memorial Camp is the Foundation's first camp, established in 1975 and is located on Lorimer Lake, north of Parry Sound, Ontario. Situated on 104 acres of land the camp offers many outdoor activities and facilities for all guests to enjoy, including 800 feet of sandy beach.  The Tim Horton Memorial Camp hosts both residential campers and Youth Leadership Program participants throughout the summer months and March Break. Schools, youth groups and other community organizations that meet the Foundation's selection criteria can also benefit from year-round programming.

Memorial Camp
RR #1, Lorimer Lake
Parry Sound, Ontario
Tel: 1-(705) 389-2773

This is a link to all the camp sites right from the main home page that I scoured to get all this info http://www.timhortons.com/ca/en/difference/the_camps.html

PlayOn Halifax

Good evening my fellow readers I am coming to you once more to let you know of a local even that will be happening here in Halifax very soon, once again this year Ultramar is a major sponsor of Hockey Night in Canada's Play On! Halifax Street Hockey Tournament. With over 500 teams and 4,000 participants the event it is continuing to grow every year.

Just lik last year, each Ultramar store in Nova Scotia (34 in total) will be raffling off a jersey (Play on, 4 on 4) to promote this event. The jersey is displayed somewhere visible when walking in to the store. The contest begins on May 9 and ends on June 9 The draws will be done at each store on June 10 2014.

Anyone can fill out a ballot while at the store, 1 ballot per customer per visit. Anyone can make as many visits each day as you like or you can visit more than 1 store and fill out a ballot at each store. The only people that are not allowed to participate is a Ultramar (Cst "parent company name") employee('s) or affiliate('s).

So with the play on! 4 on 4 event happening on June 14 & 15 2014 All ages and all skill levels are welcome to play by registering at www.playon.ca nowthe team registration closes as of June 8 2014.

There is more information available online at that link or by calling the following number 1-902-240-2748. The event is being held again this year atthe Halifax commons so there will be plenty of room for spectators to cheer everyone on in good sportsman like fashion.

Now all the sponsors for this event as like last year are all local people and the sponsors are as follows (in no particular order).

1. Tim Hortons
2. Hockey Nova Scotia
3. PODS4. The Chronicleherald
5. Ultramar
6. Cineplex
7. Scion
8. Halifax Mooseheads
9. GoodLife Fitness
10. Best Westrn Plus (Chocolate Lake)
11. UPS
12. Hockey Life
13. CBCSports.ca
14. Booster Juice
15. Stub Hub!

You can also follow PlayOn! on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/hnicplayon or look on Twitter for the Twitter tag #BestWeekendEver

I hope this entices people to either register and play and or go out and support the local people that have and or will register to play.

Drive Thru's

     So what is with drive thru's these days?

     Drive Thru's were originally used for expiated service for customers! however this day and age people claim that they are there for the same reason and nothing has changed.

     This could not be further from the truth. the next time you go to a location that has a drive thru available take a look at the last vehicle in line before you go in to the store and check again when you leave for the same vehicle, 9 times out of 10 that same vehicle is still in line and awaiting to pull up to the window to get their product.

     In most situations there are a couple things that make the drive thru slower than being served in store in no particular order.

     (Normally most businesses have more people working the drive thru than any other station in the store to try and make it more efficient but in most cases it makes it very inefficient instead).

1. Customers not knowing what they want to get.
2. Customers not having their payment method ready when they have to pay.
3. Being allowed to place large orders.
4. Employee's taking their time.
1. Employee's spending time talking to the customers after the transaction is finalized.

     So why is it that the drive thru is now slower than being served inside majority of the time?.

     Prime example is now most subways I have been to lately either have a sign up or will tell their customers not to be using their wireless devices while placing their order, if the customer does not abide by that they will skip that customer and go to the next one till that person is done using the wireless device.

     By doing that they are not holding up their other customers and wasting time, it is also placing ownership of the customers back on to them for the time spent their and not on the employee's for being frustrated by the customers by not co-operating with the employee that is simply trying to do their job.

     Now we have Tim Horton's drive thru, they will sell anything that they have in the store through their drive thru and in any amount. There have been numerous times I have been in the store and seen the employee's making numerous sandwiches or a couple trays of coffee's and taking it to the drive through window to give to a customer.

     What is the point of going through the drive through to order something that size. That type of transaction should be done in the store instead.

     The thing most people do not realize is that most if not all companies have a time limit for each transaction being conducted at the drive through and that in turn goes towards their appraisals when they are done.

     In summary, people need to get up off of their arses and stop being so lazy and go inside and leave the drive thru alone for the people that are getting 1 or 2 quick serve items in the drive through.

Gift cards

So what is the point of a gift card?

The point is to try and grow your business. This is done in 2 ways.

1. Have a customer base that will spend money in your store and only your store.
2. Have a cash balance sitting in a holding account accumulating a interest revenue very month/year that the money is there and unused.

     This is ideally a great idea to do. For not all gift cards will be used entirely up (Thus a small percentage of money is unused) thus the interest on the unused balance is a automatic profit for the company after a period of time as well as the interest accrued on that balance.

     Also for a percentage of people that do use the card('s) to get the benefit of the discount program albeit knowingly or unknowingly would and or are more likely to refill the card knowing that there is a balance of some sort on the card, thus getting the person to come to the place of business at least 1 more time if not more than that, thus a better chance of increasing customer loyalty and repeat business from someone that may of been a 1 time transaction.

In other terms

These become a long term repeat customer that is a guaranteed income over and over again.

This is the best type of customer no matter the business or the dollar value that is spent there.

     Then you have the people that will continuously refill the card for convenience instead of always using a debit/credit card and also better tracks the expense that is done there (Budgeting people).

But now the question posed is this.

     What is the increased benefit of a gift card that also has the benefit of a companies discount program attached to it!!!!

     Better advertisement of the company by the cheapest for of advertisement "Word of mouth".

     Now it is true a implementation of such a program is not easy to do if this was not done from the start of the discount program, however it can be phased in over a period of 1 year or less (depending on the size and regionalism of the company).

     Now there are people out there that work for these companies that say this would require too much extra work to have done.

     That simply is not true, most discount cards if not all can be swiped even if any of the items being purchased are not part of the discount program and no extra benefit is applied to the purchase.

     All that is required is for the gift card to be programmed with the generic code of all 0's or the like, thus when the card('s) are scanned the system sees the code and applies it as it would normally do for the normal discount card, if a discount is applicable the system would apply it if no discount is applicable then it does nothing as it already would do other than showing that the card was scanned and the balance does not change.

Never take the blame

So why is it that society this day and age does not take responsibility for their own errors?

     If you are having issues and an employee of the establishment gives you help by verbally informing on what to do and how to do it and you confirm you heard it all and understand what you are told.

Why it's it then when you do not follow the instructions that you were given and confirmed That you understood.

     What makes it worse is that there are also instruction on a card right in front of you with good size font so that it can be read where you were standing.

     After your transaction is done you proceed to then complain that you did not get your store discount and continue to push the issue after that employee that helped you reconfirmed to you again politely after the information that was given to you and then proceeds to point out the information that was readily available to be read where you were and where the information was available to you as well.

     With that being said how is it anyone's fault other than your own that you did not do what you were suppose to do with the information verbally given and available in written text in front of where you did the transaction.

     People in my opinion really need to start taking responsibility for their own errors and or mistakes and Stop blaming other people for their mistakes. We are not children but people of and or above the age maturity.

 

*These pictures were only used due to being handy and available at the time and are not specific to the situation posted above.

Sobeys Wyse Rd

     So today I finally broke down and went to the new Sobeys location that is at 210 Wyse Rd in Dartmouth; which surprisingly enough is open until 9pm on a Sunday, per their website but the front door decal at the store location states until 5pm. I think they need to get together and straighten the operational times out so there is no possible confusion.

     They have a large parking lot with ample parking of vehicles with a couple cart corrals as well. From the outside of the building the place looks quite large, however once inside it is larger than it appears to be.

     As for the layout of the store it is very well layed out with ample space to move around even if someone is stopped in the middle of an aisle which is a definite plus.

     They also have a ample amount of windows near the top of the walls near the ceiling in which to let plenty of light in (Which I would hope means that the lights that were installed inside the building are either on sensors to control how bright they are or they are all on dimmers so as to reduce energy use).

     Now it does appear that most of the employee's if not all the employees of the Sobeys from the old location on Primrose St have been moved to the new location. However one of the employee's I had to try and interact with today at the Salad/Sandwich counter was either having a bad day or she is like this all the time, completely ignored me as well as another customer that were trying to get her attention. When we finally got her attention she resisted on interacting with us but she served the other customer that was there. Then came my turn, I had asked if she had any more salads or if 1 could be made (keep in mind this is almost 4 hours before closing time), she walked away then came back and said she only had what was on the shelf then promptly went back to what she was doing before we interrupted her. Definitely not the pinnacle of customer service to say the least from this employee.

     Now during my time in the store I walked around it a couple times to check everything out; and every time I walked past the cashiers they were always smiling and and greeting the customers. I even saw the security guard walking around the store and he even helped a customer locate a item that he was searching for in the store as well, This is definitely a plus because that normally does not happen very often if at all these days.

     So my over all experience in this new Sobeys location is quite excellent and will be going back there again and not because it is the closest grocery store to me.

You can find Sobeys on:

 

My Twitter Link

The prize

So a Youtuber that I am subscribed to named @knuf1985 has started to do some prize give always.

The first prize was for movie and popcorn and pop for empire Theaters and you entered by subscribing and following him on youtube and on Twitter if you were not already doing so (So that is a direct hint; come on it is free and highly educational) you also had to like and share his video.

The first give away went through quite well in my opinion to a local person.

The second prize with the same conditions was a $50 gift card from Sobeys; which surprisingly I won which is excellent.

When I got the direct message through Twitter I could not believe that I had won.

Brandon is very Brandom (that should be in the dictionary) and funny. Check him out asap.

The triple belly buster

Ok so I took the chance of stuffing myself today at Cheese Curds in Burnside by ordering the triple belly buster from them. Total cost for the burger by itself was $12.59 taxs in. When it was given to me there was a wooden spike in it (There is no other way to describe it) to hold it together. Of course me not listening took it out and attempted to eat the burger (the only extras I got on the burger were pickles and onions and chipolte mayo) which failed miserably, note to self and everyone else do not remove the spike from the burger. The burger it self is massive and as per the other burgers very delicious and very filling to say the least. Now for the nitty gritty if you can eat this burger (Even with the spike in it)  without making a mess; then you are eating it completely wrong and should be made to do dishes as punishment. So what are you all waiting for? Get you Twitter butt (Facebook Butt) to CheeseCurds located at 600 Windmill Rd in Burnside right away and get anyone of these fine and delicious mouth watering burgers (And if you have room, the fries and or routine as well). You do not know what you are missing out on.

Handicap spots and idiot's

    So this has been on my mind for some time and finally I have time in which to put this down for all to read. I work in a customer service business in which me and all other employee's have access to view the entire parking lot at all times of the day and night. As all business's have we have parking spots for customer's and employee's to use. Of which there is about 8 or 9 spots total; 1 of those spots is designated for handicap people with proper documentation in and or on their vehicle to use.

    Now with this when we all go for our driving exam and or test we are all told and taught not to park in the handicap spot('s) ("unless otherwise permitted to do so") out of courtesy and requirement by the law. However it appears that this day and age no one cares about what is right and or wrong any more in regards to this and other matters.

    So why is it that people still park in the handicap spots and feel they have the right to do so?. I see soo many people do this it is ridiculous and when it is pointed out to them they get upset that you noticed and said something to them.

    Case in point. I was working a shift starting from 3pm and ending at 11pm 1 winter night. During that time there was about 10 vehicles parking in that spot. Surprisingly all but 1 took it nicely when I told them they were parked in a handicap spot and 1 even moved their vehicle and came back in and finished their transaction. However 1 person took severe offense to it and even said that there were no markings showing the spot as such. Now granted it had been snowing all day and all night. However I also had been spending my entire shift clearing the parking spots of snow and ice. I indicated to this person that had he been paying attention he would of seen the Handicap spot painting that is under his truck, I even pointed it out to him and said also he will be able to see it when he backs his vehicle up. I am starting to think that maybe just maybe all handicap spots may have to start looking like this.

Pay attention and you shall see this.

This is the evolution of handicap spots if we don't do something quickly.

    So I did some researching on what it would cost if a police officer was to see this and issue a ticket for parking in a handicap spot, the information is below with links to the source of the information as well.

    Now the same thing goes as well for "Fire Lanes". There are numerous people that will also park in a fire lane and feel justified about doing it as well. Are we as a society becoming so ignorant to the rules set forth that we no longer care either?. Information and source link also for this fine is listed below as well.

    Now case in point on June 02, 2013 in reference to the rules and regulations I was making a left hand turn from one road to another that also has a cross walk on it, now when there is someone in the crosswalk they have the right away until they are clear of the road entirely. So naturally I stopped and was awaiting this person to finish crossing the street before I continue on. However the person behind me did not like this and went around me and came within 1 meter of hitting the person crossing the street legally. Luckily I was able to get a shot of the plate and sent it to the police, now if anything came of that I do not know.

This car just went around me when I was stopped for someone in a crosswalk on Victoria rd.

    Here is a great Blog for some additional stats and info on crosswalks and other crosswalk data as well done by John McKiggan.

    I have even got to the point now of having a video camera with me every day just in case in see any infractions like this again so that they can be reported and action taken on the person that is putting other people in jeopardy.

    There was also a recent Article from Global News about an App called “SpotSquad” which would unleash a lot of parking bounty hunters. Currently they say it violates our rights because everyone is entitled to their privacy, however if you are breaking the law what right do you have to privacy, If I can see it why cant anyone else? The police can already issue a ticket if they see you breaking the law, so why can they not act on it if you report it to them and then they confirm it. Your privacy is inside your vehicle not the outside of it in public. To date it is still being debated and I say go for it, bring it out for the people to use, in the end we would have less violators doing the things that should not be done.

    A fire lane is a marked lane in a parking lot that is near a structure. Parking is prohibited in fire lanes to ensure the access of safety equipment to the structure in the event of an emergency. Fire lanes are defined as passageways or access roads that allow fire apparatuses to pass through. They are not intended for normal vehicle traffic. There are certain requirements that must be met when designing a fire lane. Because fire trucks and other apparatuses are so large, there must be certain accommodations made for them. Though these can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, they are generally similar. Fire Lanes also provide clear space for egress from a burning building and should therefore be wider for larger occupancy buildings.

Source Info: http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/regulations/sots/NSSOTbooklet.pdf

My name is Wilcre and you can follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/

Windmill Rd Cheese Curds in Burnside

     So I went to Cheese Curds in Burnside today located at 600 Windmill Rd, Dartmouth, Their hours are quite good, they cover lunch and supper times and somewhat late in to the evening (Hours are posted at the bottom of this).

     So when I first walked in, I was quite surprised. The place is massive (They can accommodate just over 300 in the entire place). On the right hand side you have Cheese Curds and on the left hand side you have Habaneros. Doing it this way has left the entire front of the store for seating and standing area, as well it funnels you down to the bathrooms at the back as well as the lines for each restaurant as well.

     Now at the back they also have a "Conference room" with good size seating as well to accommodate for staff meetings for near by business's. They will also cater to your place of work; But you do have to have your order in to them before 10am for that to be done. They also have a upper level which can accommodate about 100 people.

     Now just about anywhere you are while inside you have view of some nice flat screen televisions which is very nice. They also have modern music playing in the back ground as well.

     The staff that I seen today was very nice and upbeat and more than willing to help a Cheese Curds Virgin pick out the right stuff to get and make sure I have everything that I wanted as well. Surprisingly as well when I was placing my order the employee tried to upsell me a beer... Yep that is right, they have beer on tap as well as in bottles (not a big selection, but hey at least they have it there...).

     All the staff their were all doing their own jobs by making fries and the hamburger patties and such, but yet they all were working as a team and interacting with each other the entire time I was there. Now if only more places of business like that were working like that together it would be better.

     So when I placed my order I got the Legendary CC Porker + Cheese Curds’ Original Poutine with a fountain drinking spending a total of $18.11. I thought I would start off with something simple and with what I was hearing people talk about.

     So once I paid for my order they gave me a custom coaster that lights up and vibrates when your order is ready. In total It only took about 5 minutes before I was able to get my food and before I even got it I was asked if I had been waiting long for my food; Which was/is phenomenal to say the least.

     So I got my food. Now the decision is to figure out where it is I want to sit? Upstairs or Downstairs. I choose to sit upstairs. I figured go with the upstairs to get a good view of the place and the employee's to watch as everything goes on.

     Even though they were busy I found a table very easily and it was clean. I sit down and finally get to take a good look at the food. It looked amazing, then I got the smell from it. My mouth instantly started to water, it smelled soo good I could not believe it. Like I said to @ADHD123Sue on Twitter I was having a MouthGasm and it did not stop till I was done eating and left which was almost a hour from the time I walked in. You definitely can not rush the devouring of this food, it has to be savored no two ways about it.

Before

During

After

     Now the short video clip that is attached here is running from the bathroom upstairs through the upstairs sitting area, down the stairs turning left and then out the front door.

     Now I will say this for certain. I will be going back again hands down, but I will definitely be taking people with me next time to enrich the experience of the atmosphere and the conversation as well.  

Mon-Thurs. 11am-8pm Fri-Sat. 11am-9pm Sun. Closed

Sunday        - Closed
Monday       - 11am – 8pm
Tuesday       - 11am – 8pm
Wednesday  - 11am – 8pm
Thursday      - 11am – 8pm
Friday          - 11am – 9pm
Saturday      - 11am – 9pm

WebSite - http://cheesecurdsburgers.com/
Menu - http://cheesecurdsburgers.com/CheeseCurdsMenu_March.pdf
Burger Album - http://cheesecurdsburgers.com/photo-album

*All names are owned by the owner and are not belonging to me in any way shape or form. But seriously, how can you not name/reference a company with such
Great food and employee's?.

ALL HAIL "Appetite" The burger goddess.

Edit 06/08/13: Store Times updated