International Year of Astronomy Stamps

Approximately once a month, I am in need of a new book of stamps. I suppose some pick up a standard book of stamps from say, the grocery store or drug store. For the same price as the boring old book of 54¢ Canadian stamps, you too could be picking up the newest specialty designs of stamps. For example, if one were to write correspondence to a favourite actor or actress, or pen a note of encouragement to our Canadian troops stationed across the globe, the International Year of Astronomy stamp would surely be a natty addition to the envelope. This, one of the latest philatelic products from crown corporation Canada Post, is sold in booklets of 10 costing $5.40. I would highly recommend purchasing these from Kamloops Post Office located at 217 Seymour Street. The more we support this postal outlet, the better the chance it has of staying open. The polite and efficient staff offer services in both English and French. Hours of operation are from 08:30 to 17:00 Monday to Friday. If not able to patronize this fine establishment, requests for commemorative stamps can be mailed (through the post, of course!) to:

NATIONAL PHILATELIC CENTRE

CANADA POST

75 ST NINIAN ST

ANTIGONISH NS

B2G 2R8

CANADA

The Glorious Establishment known as "Senor Froggy"

Now I'm quite the cheap-skate, and would like to know...Has the following ever happened to you? You're going for a stroll downtown, with either a magazine to read or a card to write and immediately desire an indoor table to sit at, out from the elements, that provides cheap eats and self-serve ice-cold water?

This mythical place does exist, right here in downtown Kamloops. The recently opened Lansdowne location of Senor Froggy Fast Food and Mexican Cantina tops my list of affordable, sanitary eateries. An extensive menu will be posted above the order counter, and the pleasing sounds of Spanish renditions of your favourite golden oldies will drift into your earhole at reasonable decibal levels from the restaurant sound system.

The menu affords a staggering amount of options, with a great percentage of them made from scratch, using fresh ingredients. The most frugalicious items on said menu include a jalapeño slammer for 99¢, a variety of crisp tacos ranging in price from $1.60 to $2.25, a small order of freshly fried chips and cheese for $1.99, and my personal favourite, a crisp bean burrito (includes cheese in the filling!) for a mere $2.95. These prices do not include tax, but as a wise man once said..."Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's!"

Senor Froggy is located at 450 Landsdowne Street.

Perfect for an Ice Cream Social

I find great comfort knowing that there is a carton containing ice cream in my freezer. Even in the depths of winter, this frosty dessert has consistently soothed my being. Whilst strolling through the Sahali Safeway earlier this week, I was delighted to find Lucerne ice cream on sale for $3.00 (Regular price $4.99, not including tax.) In the past, favourite flavours of this brand included Coffee, Rum and Raisin, as well as a lesser known flavour monikered "Nuttin' Better". During this most recent visit, I picked up two litres of Cherry Blossom ice cream for this sale price. This product is pure creamy goodness. The retro appeal in my opinion is also through the (ahem..."tin") roof! If you are planning a special meal, especially now that cherry blossoms will soon be appearing on the trees, I would highly recommend this grocery item. It will stand alone after any repast (and I guarantee that Granny will ask for seconds!)

As an aside in regards to the attached picture, the batteries in my camera have had the biscuit. I did purchase a rather shoddy battery recharger, but it proved less than satisfactory. Here is a Microsoft Paint rendition of the Cherry Blossom ice cream. Note to self: Seek out Microsoft Paint tutorial!

The Best Little Butcher Shop This Side of the Thompson River

Yesterday afternoon, I made my bi-weekly trip to Summit Gourmet Meats. The budget was stretched a little tight this month, so I decided to stock up on carne, only enough to last for one week. My purchases included, moving clockwise from the upper left: one pork cutlet, one large chuck steak, one pound stewing beef, one pound extra lean ground beef (divided in two), and one chicken breast, which was skin on and bone in. This bounty, with tax included, came to $20.75. This is a most exquisitely run establishment, and since its inception, I have felt liberated from the doldrums of supermarket meat shopping. Other items of interest include legs of lamb, all manner of sausage, and halal chicken. As an added bonus, the staff will provide lesser known cuts of meat on request. I look forward to a fatter pocketbook in the following weeks with which to stock my larder with even more of these tasty morsels. Summit Gourmet Meats is located in the Summit Shopping Centre, specifically at Suite 105C 1180 Columbia St W Kamloops, BC , V2C6R6. The phone number is (250) 372-8868.

You Call This Shawarma??? Sheesh!

Greetings, All. As of late, I've been lurking about the Thompson Rivers University campus, as my better half is now a bonafide student. Hunger gripped my belly and I staggered toward the Campus Activity Centre. I headed upstairs to the "Food Court" and sidled up to the "Grill Works" food kiosk. I was fixated on an item on the menu claiming to be Chicken Shawarma. My stomach started to growl in earnest as I licked my chops at the prospect. To me, a shawarma is marinated meat that is roasted on a spit and served in a pita nestled betwixt lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, and onions with possibly more vegetables and herbs added. Dressings should be flavourful and lip-smacking. While I wasn't expecting fresh fowl rotisseried over a wood fire, the product I received from this "Grill Works" was poor. Very poor. My purchase consisted of pallid strips of pre-cooked chicken breast dredged with stale curry powder and resuscitated on a flat top. This was served with anemic tomatoes and iceberg lettuce, rolled into an un-split stale pita dressed with...ummm...yogurt and salt? Tzatziki? I'm not sure, but it was tasteless. In retrospect, however, I observed a clean work environment with sound Food Safe habits displayed. This sandwich, accompanied by a small paper bucket of starchy french fries, lightened my pocketbook by $5.69.