A pair of local Lions Bayers has entered Canada's first Amazing Race competition. Father and daughter, Simon and Millie, have launched a social media campaign in an effort to garner the attention of the Race selection committee. The show is Canada's version of the Amazing Race, a reality television game show in which two people with preexisting personal relationships race around the world in competition with other teams. Simon and Millie were born in the UK, resided in Hong Kong for nearly 20 years and have now made their home in Lions Bay. "Even though we haven't been here a long time, we love living in Lions Bay. We love the warmth and generosity of the people and we are still awestruck by it's beauty. This is a place that we are proud to call home and want to represent the amazing Lions Bay," enthuses Simon.

After seeing an advertisement  for Amazing Race Canada, Simon's wife thought that they would be perfect candidates. "They would make for great television, with the perfect amount of charisma and hutzpah! If they don't kill each other, they have a darn good chance of winning the Race."

Methylene Blue

Methylene Blue was the world's first fully synthetic drug developed by Paul Erlich in 1891 as a means to cure malaria. The drug's invention predates Aspirin by 6 years. Although the "Prussian Blue", “Magic Bullet” drug was in widespread use up until the Second World War, it fell out of public favor when Navy soldiers, who observed, "Even at the loo, we see, we pee, navy blue", felt that the Navy was controlling every aspect of their lives. 

Today this once daily malaria preventative is marketed under the trade name "Rember" and has many more uses, ranging from Cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Anti-Fungal, Anti-bacterial, Anti-Viral, Urinary Tract Infections, Toxin Antidote (Cyanide Poisoning, Carbon Monoxide poisoning, Methemoglobinemia, Septic Shock, etc.), delay senescence (Anti-Aging on a cellular level), Anti-depressants (must not be mixed with other anti-depressants), Anti-Anxiety, Nootropic (Cognitive Enhancer) to biological stains and dyes. Furthermore this generic drug cannot be patented (one reason why it is not commercially hyped) and is available dirt cheap in the form of a dye or tropical Aquarium fish "cure all" Kordon Blue for general disease prevention.

The above list of uses for this super antioxidant, make it an excellent candidate for the third world and Canadians alike in achieving the most bang for the buck. Common third world ailments such as bacterial infections and pesticide exposure could be treated with the same catch all solution at a price the third world can afford. From a business perspective though, it is too cheap to be worth the effort of marketing. But this has its own consequences. Had this once well known, now obscure drug, been used, Pope John Paul II, who died of a septic shock and a urinary tract infection might be, in my humble opinion, still alive today, for it is an effective remedy for both ailments. 

Even right here in our Canada, this effective solution against Parkinson’s and Alzheimers would make this an excellent means for seniors to increase their overall longevity all the while keeping many a senior out of assisted care living. And yes, it will also most certainly make your vacation more enjoyable as the preventative will allow you not to worry about catching malaria or other tropical diseases.

The downside of this drug is minimal, namely blue colored urine and, with prolonged use, blue colored eye whites, however even these side effects can be counteracted with vitamin C. Methylene Blue should also not be mixed with existing anti-depressant prescriptions. Furthermore longtime users should not expose their eyes to prolonged bright unfiltered sunlight (the drug breaks down in bright sunlight so there is a need to wear sunglasses) which may cause cataracts. Nevertheless this was once a common military drug used in the extremely sunny tropics with little repercussions. 

Then there is the drug’s political downside. Its inexpensive price amounts to pharmaceutical dumping whereby more expensive drugs cannot compete. Companies do not want to invest in its research as the incentive for competitors to shirk is too great. Also the drug would result in fewer jobs in the assisted care industry as seniors would be more independent, devoid of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's and other debilitating illnesses. Longer lifespans would result in greater strains on the government pension system.

Little wonder why Paul Erlich won the Nobel Prize for medicine in 1908 and became a great Jewish Prussian hero of the then Kaiser Wilhelm II. In Erlich’s obituary, the Kaiser wrote “I, along with the entire civilized world, mourn the death of this meritorious researcher for his great service to medical science and suffering humanity; his life’s work ensures undying fame and the gratitude of both his contemporaries and posterity”. 

It is sad that today, much of his life’s work is buried as bulk distributions of Methylene Blue to the poor without health insurance could threaten the financial success of the modern pharmaceutical industry. But then again public health insurance and government agencies are there to prevent that all from happening.

My journey with cold laser started about 5 years ago when my husband could get no relief with his Achilles problems. He had done Physiotherapy, diligently performed his exercises and still had no relief. A rheumatologist suggested he try cold laser. Five treatments later and he has never looked back. He still performs his exercises but in 4 years has not had to have laser again nor experience the pain.

My experience with cold laser was different. I was given a cold laser facial as a gift. Ever the skeptic I went to the treatment with some trepidation. It started with a Safire abrasion and ended with a relaxing lasering session. After one facial I too was an advocate of cold laser.

Lions Bay’s Longest Continuous Game at the Village Hall.

Monday nights hold a secret of which most Lions Bayers are unaware. "Volleyball Night" in Lions Bay has been an enduring community activity for some decades. It all began as a way to keep fit, with volunteer firefighters and others participating over the years. It was started in the 1980's by local diehards and has continued on as a couple of hours of weekly fun and exercise for any adult who wants to play.

Those who participate in this fun, fast paced, heart pumping physical activity in the hall don't want to miss their "special" evening. No matter how dark, cold and rainy it is, nor how tired one is on a "volleyball night", if enough people show up and play, by the end of the evening everyone is really feeling the effects of the endorphins, not only from the physical exercise, but also due to the camaraderie, teasing and laughter of the teammates.

On Sunday 3rd June 2012, six intrepid cyclists departed Lions Bay at 06:45 to take part in the International Trails Day Challenge 2012

Every year Trails BC organise such an event which is open to all outdoor loving folk and one can either hike, jog or cycle the course.  It is necessary to pre-register for this event and the general consensus was that we would attempt the 60kms bicycle ride - other options were 100kms or 40kms.