Interactive City Guide – Chinese, English and German

Stop typing and start clicking on searches with over 3900 preset searches in the latest San Francisco Interactive City Guide from the author, R.G.Richardson and more coming every week.

No more typing, just pick and click with over 10900 quick links for greater accuracy and ease. Stop using paper guides and start using our interactive city search guides and brochures that include Google and Yahoo that never out of date!

Use as white or yellow pages and use it even more often to keep up with what is going on and happening in your city! It also makes for a good gift or promotional item for somebody that has just moved to a new city. Real Estate agents use it as a promotional tool and you use to check Real Estate listing, condos, or rental apartments available in the city.

With over 300 city guides and brochures for sale on Amazon, Kobo and Indigo and here at a 50% discount RG Richardson City Guides in epub and pdf format.

Don’t have an eReader, no problems as you can get on from Amazon and use then you are all set up with Kindle. You can also download a PDF file to your desktop and you are all set up that way too.

San Francisco Interactive City Guide let you use the internet’s full power by eliminating errors with keywords. Google, Bing, Yahoo, Duckduckgo, Facebook, Twitter, Baidu, SlideShare, YouTube or Pinterest; click on the button and you are there; just pick and click the button, no typing. Fully mobile – it works on any device with an eBook reader and that has access to the Internet WiFi anywhere. Don’t think about typing, you are good to go with better results and fewer typos. Sit back in the coffee shop and search away on their WiFi! Our guides are organized into several targeted information Guides including hotels, restaurants, pubs, historical sites, transportation, attractions, real estate and events. Stay up to date with what is happening in your city!

Our interactive ebooks search the web and are organized into several targeted information Guides. Quick links including hotels, restaurants, transportation, maps, hostels, pubs, family attractions, historical sites and on it goes for a complete guide that tells you everything you need to know including how to pack!

Buy at Amazon or Google Play

New employment, shopping and real estate guides.

April 7, 2024

International Democratic Union

Harper, Mike Roman, Sheer, O’Toole and Poilievre have one major thing in common: they are all members of the International Democratic Union (IDU). This organization is an international alliance of far-right political parties that works to destroy democracy around the world. It was founded in 1983 by a group of conservative leaders from Europe and North America who wanted to create a global forum for exchanging ideas on how best to protect right wing values.

The IDU has grown significantly since its founding and now includes over 80 member parties from across five continents. Its membership consists mainly of right-of-centre governments as well as some opposition parties that share similar beliefs about economic freedom, individual responsibility and limited government intervention in people’s lives. Harper served as President of the IDU between 2009–2010 while Mike Roman was Secretary General during 2012–2015; Andrew Scheer held this position until 2019 when he stepped down to run for Prime Minister; Erin O’Toole is currently Secretary General while Pierre Poilievre serves on its Executive Committee representing Canada at this time.

The mission statement outlined by the IDU states “to strengthen our democracies through free markets open competition within societies based upon respect for human rights.” In practice this means promoting policies such as reducing taxes so individuals can keep more money earned through their hard work; encouraging entrepreneurship so businesses can thrive without excessive regulations or barriers imposed by governments; advocating against corruption which undermines trust in public institutions among citizens etcetera . By working together with like minded political groups across borders these five Canadian politicians hope achieve positive change both domestically here at home but also abroad via their involvement with International Democratic Union.

The International Democratic Union (IDU) is an international political organization that brings together far-right and conservative parties from around the world. It was founded in 1983 by prominent members of the British Conservative Party, including Margaret Thatcher, as well as other influential figures such as Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and U.S. President Ronald Reagan. In Canada today, several prominent politicians are affiliated with IDU: Andrew Scheer, Mike Roman, Pierre Poilievre and Erin O’Toole all belong to this group alongside Charles Koch of Koch Industries – a major American industrialist who has become one of the most powerful players in global politics due to his immense wealth and influence over both sides of the aisle in America’s two-party system. Koch funded Trump and the Republicans in excess of a billion dollars out to destroy democracy as Trump racks up indictments with over whelming evidence. Last week, along with former President of the United States, Donald Trump, a Republican operative and now former (apparently) assistant chairman to Stephen Harper’s International Democratic Union, Mike Roman, was indicted in Georgia along with other co-conspirators.

These five individuals have much more than their membership with IDU in common; they share similar views on economic policy which emphasize free markets rather than government intervention or regulation when it comes to business decisions or operations within a market economy structure – something that resonates strongly with Charles Koch’s libertarian beliefs about minimal government involvement within society at large . All five also believe strongly that governments should provide citizens with adequate social services while still maintaining fiscal responsibility through balanced budgets without running up huge deficits for future generations to pay off – another point where they align closely on economic principles .

Finally , these men also support strong national defense policies which prioritize protecting their respective countries against external threats but do not involve getting involved militarily overseas unless absolutely necessary – again mirroring Mr .Koch’s stance on foreign policy matters . All five are committed supporters of limited government interference overall while advocating for increased personal freedom among citizens living under democratic rule , making them natural allies within IDU’s ranks despite coming from different backgrounds politically speaking

March 24, 2024

Our Favorite Cookbook Stories of 2023

This was an exciting year for cookbooks. New releases focused on a diverse variety of cuisines and included the debuts of several exciting authors. Interconnectedness was a key theme, with many books drawing from global influences or emphasizing the fusion of international traditions and groups of people. Gastro Obscura spoke with many authors about how their culture and personal experiences have shaped their goals for developing and sharing recipes. We also explored historical cookbooks and the role they played in creating the food we know and love today. From the old to the new, here are our favorite cookbook stories of 2023.

Source: Our Favorite Cookbook Stories of 2023

March 17, 2024

Raytheon to build microwave weapon antennas for US Air Force and Navy

The US Navy and US Air Force have tapped Raytheon to design, build and test two high-power microwave antenna systems. These will be used in field-grade directed energy weapons to counter aerial drones and similar threats.

Source: Raytheon to build microwave weapon antennas for US Air Force and Navy

March 10, 2024

Brazil’s Congress Passes Bill to Pave Highway Through Heart of Amazon Rainforest – EcoWatch

The Amazon is the largest tropical rainforest in the world. Spanning eight countries, it has been called the “lungs of the planet” for its vital service of converting enormous amounts of carbon dioxide into oxygen.Now, Brazilian lawmakers have approved a bill to allow conservation funds to be used to pave a highway — BR-319 — that cuts through the middle of the Amazon; researchers say the road could threaten the rainforest’s existence, reported Reuters.The bill would allow use of the funds for the “recovery, paving and increasing the capacity of the highway,” according to Reuters.This means capital such as the Amazon Fund’s $1.3 billion — supported by European and United States allies to be used for conservation — could go toward the project.“I don’t think it makes any sense. This project does not fit into any of the fund’s planned support lines,” Tasso Azevedo, one of the creators of the Amazon Fund, told Climate Home News in September.BR-319 was built in the early 1970s by the country’s then-military dictatorship, but quickly deteriorated, and by 1988 had become impassable.Preventing more access is one of the biggest defenses the Amazon has against deforestation. A new road opening up in the undisturbed rainforest provides a way in for loggers, farmers, miners and developers, who often conduct their activities illegally.Since 1978, the Amazon has lost more than 185 million acres to deforestation, and the rate of destruction is accelerating, according to the Amazon Conservation website.Nearly all Amazon deforestation — 95 percent — happens within 3.4 miles of a roadway, Leanderson Lima of Amazônia Real and Micael Pereira of Expresso reported in The Guardian in June.“Deforestation follows a fairly predictable pattern,” NASA Earth Observatory said, referring to satellite images on its website. “The first clearings that appear in the forest are in a fishbone pattern, arrayed along the edges of roads. Over time, the fishbones collapse into a mixture of forest remnants, cleared areas, and settlements. This pattern follows one of the most common deforestation trajectories in the Amazon. Legal and illegal roads penetrate a remote part of the forest, and small farmers migrate to the area. They claim land along the road and clear some of it for crops. Within a few years, heavy rains and erosion deplete the soil, and crop yields fall. Farmers then convert the degraded land to cattle pasture, and clear more forest for crops. Eventually the small land holders, having cleared much of their land, sell it or abandon it to large cattle holders, who consolidate the plots into large areas of pasture.”

Source: Brazil’s Congress Passes Bill to Pave Highway Through Heart of Amazon Rainforest – EcoWatch

February 4, 2024

Crucial ‘Stumble’ on Renewables Moratorium Could Cost Alberta ‘Forever’

“It’s unlikely to think this kind of pause and decision will have no impact on investment,” said Sara Hastings-Simon of the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy. “It’s hard to know how large (the impact) is—but we’re in a competitive market to attract capital.”As recently as last summer, the sun shone bright and the breezes were favourable for Alberta renewables. The Business Renewable Centre, a group that links buyers and producers of renewable energy, said Alberta was on track to see $3.7 billion worth of construction by the end of this year, creating more than 4,500 jobs.Then, in August, Alberta’s United Conservative government announced a moratorium on approvals for all wind, solar, and geothermal projects greater than one megawatt. The announcement was made suddenly, without consultation.Government officials initially said the pause was made at the request of rural municipalities and the Alberta Utilities Commission. When it turned out no such requests had been made, the move was justified by concerns over reclamation, destruction of farmland, and despoiling of what the government called “pristine viewscapes.”Premier Danielle Smith has since expressed public doubts over renewables, calling them a “fantasy” and suggesting they are unreliable and expensive. She mused about creating a Crown corporation specifically to fund natural gas-fired power generation.“They’ve been pretty clear in their public messaging,” said Tim Weis, a professor in the University of Alberta’s engineering faculty. “There seems to be a lot of direct attacks on renewables.”All of which has eroded trust, said Claude Mindorff of PACE Canada, a company behind several solar projects in Alberta, including a stalled 14-megawatt installation outside of the village of Caroline.“I feels like there’s underlying agendas on the part of the government,” he said.Weis said the pause’s end date of February 24 doesn’t necessarily signal a return to normal.The Alberta Utilities Commission has another month after that to complete an inquiry into the industry. Then the government has to digest and implement recommendations.“If (it has) announced that we need another two or three years to figure out the rules, that’s going to add to the uncertainty,” Weis said.Meanwhile, other jurisdictions are making moves. Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia are opening their doors to more renewable power—not to mention the vast U.S. appetite for investment capital.The favourable economics of renewable power in Alberta could also be eroded by increased costs, whether from new regulatory requirements that force companies to front-load clean-up costs or competition for labour and materials as the backlog of projects breaks.“That may move (power purchase agreements for renewables) out of an economic range,” said Jorden Dye of the Business Renewables Centre.Hastings-Simon said installing enough solar power for Alberta to have a net-zero grid would consume about 0.1 per cent of its arable land.“We certainly need to be thoughtful about local land use impacts,” she said. “But as far as the concern around competition for land, the scale of land available suggests that’s not a serious concern.”The Alberta Utilities Commission requested a report on agricultural effects. It found farming can continue around renewable energy sites, from pasturing animals to growing crops.The commission also asked for a report into how giant windmills might affect the province’s much-loved landscapes.That report looked at 20 different studies of how wind farms affected real estate values. Eight showed no effect, six showed a negative effect. while the rest showed mixed results.The very idea of “viewscapes” rules makes investors nervous, said Dye.“It’s too nebulous to be a regulatory concept.”As for decommissioning and remediating costs, developers say those requirements already inform their budgets. Mindorff said a pause wasn’t needed to firm up rules around something companies were already doing.He said placing roadblocks in front of an industry that hasn’t caused any problems is “unbelievable gall.”“Without dealing with the decommissioning of oil and gas sites, how can you with a straight face say the renewable energy industry should deal with decommission?”Another report for the utilities commission concluded that solar and wind facilities have significant, although variable, salvage value. Nor does renewable power create the chemical contamination concerns of oil and gas sites.The pause will come off sooner or later and new rules will be laid down. Alberta’s abundant sun and wind as well as its open-entry electricity market are powerful motivators for companies to build there.Josh Aldrich, spokesperson for Alberta’s Ministry of Affordability and Utilities, told CP the proof is in the number of companies that want to build in the province. The number of projects in the Alberta Utilities Commission approvals queue has grown by almost 50%.“This is a strong indication tha

Source: Crucial ‘Stumble’ on Renewables Moratorium Could Cost Alberta ‘Forever’

January 28, 2024

Once-a-day pill for stubborn cancer delivers a 62.5% positive response

In what has already been tagged as a “game-changer” for cancer treatment, the potent once-a-day tablet known as divarasib has continued to impress at Phase 1b trial stage, outperforming not just current therapies but its previous trial results.

Source: Once-a-day pill for stubborn cancer delivers a 62.5% positive response

January 26, 2024

Opinion: It’s time for prominent alumni to condemn Quebec university scheme

English-language institutions should stop apologizing for what they are.

Author of the article:

Clifford Lincoln • Special to Montreal Gazette

Published Jan 03, 2024 • Last updated 18 hours ago • 3 minute read

Photo shows flags of Quebec and McGill at McGill's downtown campus in Montreal. — A Quebec flag flies over the campus of McGill University in Montreal on Thursday December 14, 2023. PHOTO BY JOHN MAHONEY /Montreal Gazette

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The raison d’être of democratic governments is the common good, which is fair and equitable treatment for all citizens, with special concern and care for the weakest and most vulnerable in society. Governments are fallible, of course, and democratic ideals are too often overtaken by partisan policies and squabbles. All in all, though, our governments in Canada, at all levels, have been democratic institutions, and have ensured a fair quality of life and generally equitable treatment for our citizens across the land.

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However, the current Quebec government is increasingly veering toward a model and spirit of governance that seems to set it aside from the general democratic trend. It has become intensely partisan and intransigent, rejecting fundamental charter rights and freedoms in its legislation, issuing rules and edicts without consultation and justification, and targeting the English-speaking minority relentlessly and with sustained vindictiveness.

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The recent university diktats, coming out of the blue and taking their aim at Quebec’s three English-language universities, are not only mean and self-defeating, but an assault on educational and minority freedoms, as well as the sustainability of these worthy and historical institutions — an essential part of the contributing fabric not only of Quebec, but of Canada and lands beyond.

What else would provoke another petty and self-defeating decision from the Quebec government if not an obsessive bias and animosity against a particular language group? Why would the government persist in its obviously misguided partisanship in the face of outright objective criticism from key sectors and leaders of opinion regardless of language and culture? Why would the government not only dig in its heels, but double down on its flighty and abusive demands by multiplying the ante on the percentage of out-of-province students who must reach an intermediate level of French by graduation, without the least shred of justification to back it?

January 24, 2024

Benedict would have banned same-sex blessings, aide says on anniversary

Pope Francis briefly noted the anniversary in his Dec 31 blessing to crowds in St. Peter’s Square. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Source: Benedict would have banned same-sex blessings, aide says on anniversary

How about the church’s finances or the protection of sexual offenders….a saint?

January 21, 2024

Climate Analyst Urges Balanced Reporting of Canada’s Wildfire Emissions

Canada’s annual climate emissions inventory won’t count smoke from a record year of wildfires, but it will list forests as carbon sinks—despite concerns that global heating has made them drier, more flammable, and increasingly, a source of emissions.

“It is crucial that Canada report carbon emissions and removals from natural disturbances in a balanced way, as required by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change,” Michael Polanyi, policy and campaign manager at Nature Canada, told The Energy Mix. “Since Canada doesn’t count emissions from wildfires, it must also not take credit for carbon removals from regrowth of trees after wildfires.”

But “unfortunately, that is exactly what Canada is doing.”Polanyi was referring to the accounting in Ottawa’s annual greenhouse gas emissions update, due to be submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2024.This year, 18.5 million hectares of Canadian forest burned in a record year for wildfires in Canada, with estimates suggesting their emissions neared double or triple Canada’s usual industrial emissions, reports the Globe and Mail. But rather than counting them towards the country’s emissions total, the inventory will only flag them as an information item.Government officials say that’s because wildfire emissions are variable and outside human control, so including them would obscure emissions and removals that result directly from land management.“Distinguishing between human activities and natural disturbances allows us to evaluate how management activities are affecting forest emissions and removals,” Carolyn Svonkin, press secretary for Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, told the Globe.But Polanyi said many other countries do count wildfire emissions, adding to their motivation to invest in wildfire prevention. And wildfires are partly attributable to humans—directly through accidental fires and indirectly through climate change, which is making forests drier and more flammable. Scientists are now concerned about the transformation of Canada’s boreal forests from carbon sink to carbon source, meaning that they’ll produce net emissions rather than net emission reductions—a tipping point that will generate a feedback loop within which climate change and wildfires aggravate each other into ever-worsening outcomes.“The rationale for counting emissions from wildfires in Canada’s totals includes the fact that these emissions, like emissions from burning fossil fuels, are contributing to planetary warming and require attention and action,” Polanyi said.Plus, Canada does count carbon stored by forests that risks being released when burned—a concern dating back to the 1990s.“Even back then, there were enough of us saying, between pests and fire—and we expected particularly fire to increase—that the odds were weighted very heavily that our forests would be carbon sources,” said Dr. Mike Flannigan, a Thompson Rivers University professor who studies wildfires and climate change.Flannigan pointed to a recent report that states Canada’s forests are “becoming a net source of emissions because of forest fires and disturbances caused by insect outbreaks.” Prepared by Canada’s commissioner of environment and sustainable development, Jerry DeMarco, the report urged Ottawa to be more transparent in communicating forest emissions and Canada’s progress toward forest-related climate policy goals.

Source: Climate Analyst Urges Balanced Reporting of Canada’s Wildfire Emissions