According to the data derived from 2008 personal income-tax returns, Statistics Canada has found that Calgary led other metropolitan areas in median-family income. Calgary was followed by Edmonton and Ottawa-Gatineau.

Calgary families earned $91,570 in 2008, well above the Canadian average of $68,860. Edmonton followed with family income of $88,190, and Ottawa-Gatineau was third with $87,160.

As the data was based on 2008,  when the people were yet to feel the effects of economic crisis. I suspect, the equation might have changed in the past couple of years.

Yes, it is April 29, 2010, and we still have winter in Calgary with ‘Winter Storm Warning’ still in effect.

Wasn’t it supposed to be the warmest year for some time? When you go out, it seems, the reported ‘Wind Chill’ is a bit on the higher side.

Some photos of the spring buds follow:

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Winter storm at April end

The fastest commercial train in the world is now operational in China running at a maximum speed of 394 kilometers per hour (km/hr) in a trail run. The train link connects two cities, Guangzhou in South to Wuhan in central China, and will travel at an average speed of 350km/hr (217mph). The 1,068 km distance between the two cities can now be covered by the high-speed train in two hours and forty five minutes – that is, a saving of about six hours of travel time.

The high-speed train line uses technology developed in co-operation with firms such as Siemens, Bombardier and Alstom.

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Fastest train in the world

When it comes to the quality of life, Norway enjoys the world’s highest ranking country according to a United Nations agency. The annual Human Development Index prepared by the UN Development Program found that the country with the worst quality of life is Niger with life expectancy of just over 50 years. The Index was prepared by taking life expectancy, literacy, school enrolment and per capita gross domestic product in 182 countries.

The second best in the list was Australia followed by Iceland. Canada ranked fourth (not bad!) and the United States was in 13th place.

Trends in the index since 1980 showed an average improvement of 15 per cent in countries’ scores. The greatest long-term improvements have been shown by China, Iran and Nepal, but progress has been concentrated in education and health rather than income, said the UN agency. (source)

Last month a rat was found in Calgary. The poor little creature created huge outcry. Ill fated varmint probably came into its graveyard by hitching a ride on a recreational vehicle from Saskatchewan.

“A rat? What a big deal?” you might say. Yes, rats are everywhere and for many people, it is a luxury to live rat-free.

But it is a big deal for the province after being rat-free for the last 50 years. Hey, how can a little thing challenge such a big status issue. Albertans pride themselves on being the only place on earth that is livable and is rat free. The only two other places that are rat-free are Arctic and Antarctica. 

Rat control costs the provincial government about $500,000 a year but the effort is said to save tens of millions of dollars in potential crop damage, disease, food contamination and damaged buildings. (news source)

If you love rats and keep rats as pet – Alberta is not a place for you to live.

Pet shop owners, herpetologists and other persons interested in keeping rats as pets are not allowed to do so in Alberta. Only hospitals, universities and other related institutes of education, authorized by the government are allowed to possess live rattus species of any kind. (source)

Pied pipers: keep out, you have no jobs here in Alberta!

Holland (The Netherlands) – There is no official national flower of Holland. But Tulip (Tulipa) is often considered flower of national importance. Tulip bulbs are also used as substitute for onions in cooking.

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What is your National Flower – 9 (H)

Germany – No national flower but oak leaf is considered a national symbol.

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What is your National Flower – 8 (G)

France – Iris

Finland - Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis)

Beautiful flower!

Egypt - Lotus (Nymphaea lotus)

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What is you National Flower – 6 (E)

Denmark – Marguerite daisy (Argyranthemum frutescens)

 
(from)

Marguerites daisy is a large, single, daisy-like flower. It blossoms in the the summer.

Dominican Republic – Mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) tree’s blossom