Owen Sound Celebrates Canada Day!

June 25, 2007

Canada Day! Starting at 12 noon on July 1st, with a program stretching over two days, Kelso Beach Park will be buzzing with activity.

The Fulfillment of A Dream Native Arts Festival produced by Anishinaubaek author and cultural producer Basil Johnston returns, with a fantastic entertainment showcase July 1 and 2. Both days begin at 12 noon and include an afternoon and evening of
performances by established and emerging artists alike. Performers include Juno nominees Digging Roots and, from Central America, the Surco Dancers.

On Canada Day kids are welcome to bring a swimsuit and towel to try the Crazy Canuck Waterslide. There are games, face painting, bouncing castles and pony rides for the kids and Randy’s Challenge Games for older kids and teens. As always, a great variety of food and refreshment vendors will be on hand as well.

Magic-lovers will enjoy the strolling performances of John T the Magic Man. His shows are always entertaining and fun for all ages. John T will be providing walk-around magic on Canada Day and will also perform two special stage performances near the entrance to Kelso Beach Park at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. on July 1st.

Leading up to the fireworks on Canada Day is a great entertainment line-up featuring Rewired. An original and dynamic four-piece homegrown Owen Sound band, Rewired features songs from Led Zeppelin, Melissa Etheridge, Heart, Sass Jordan, Rush, and many more. Join Angele, Scott, Roger and Jay and ROCK your Canada Day with Rewired.

Opening for Rewired is Turnerbridge, an innovative acoustic quintet from Bruce County. Turnerbridge plays songs drawn from the joys and tribulations experienced in the courageous act of living an ordinary life. The emotions of the lyrics, whether funny, sad or inspirational, are underscored by the music of guitar, mandolin and keyboard and by the group’s warm vocal harmonies.
Owen Sound Celebrates Canada Day!
Also performing during the evening event, 11 year old singing sensation Rain Richardson. Rain is from Six Nations and is one of the performers featured in the Festival of Native Arts. Rain says, “I started to sing when I was six years old and I love it! I recently performed in the Barrie Jazz & Blues Festival for the first time and I’m honoured to sing O Canada at Owen Sound’s Canada Day Celebrations.” Rain will also be performing a selection of her favourite songs.

Also in the Canada Day evening program: the Owen Sound City Band and the Owen Sound & District Pipes & Drums. Mayor Ruth Lovell and MP Larry Miller appear at 8 pm. The evening program begins at 6:30 and is emceed by J.D. Moffat from The Mix 106. The grand finale occurs at 10 p.m. with a spectacular fireworks display over Owen Sound Bay.

Canada Day extends into Monday with the continuation of Fulfillment of A Dream at Kelso Beach Park.

For more information please see the Canada Day program insert in The Sun
Times Tuesday June 26, visit www.e-owensound.com/canadaday.htm or call
Owen Sound Tourism at (519) 371-9833.

This piece on Canada Day 2007 was contributed by Doug Cleverley. Please feel free to send us coverage of events that matter to you and (barring any inappropriate content) we will post them for you!

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Written by adam · Filed Under Get Out, Music, The City, Events, Participation, Community, theOwen

Know What to Do During a Disaster

June 25, 2007

Ready?
Here are some basic procedures for specific disasters. (For more information on these and other disasters, visit the Public Safety Canada Website.)

During an Earthquake

If You Are In a Building:

Stay inside. Stay away from windows. Get under a heavy desk or table and hang on. If you can’t get under something strong, flatten yourself against an interior wall, protect your head and neck.

If You Are Outside:

Go to an open area. Move away from buildings or any structure that could collapse. Stay away from power lines and downed electrical wires.

If You Are In a Car:

Stop the car and stay in it. Avoid bridges, overpasses or underpasses, buildings or anything that could collapse on you and your car.

During a Tornado

If You Are in a Building:

Go to the basement immediately. If there isn’t one, crouch or lie flat (under heavy furniture) in an inner hallway or small inner room or stairwell away from windows. Stay away from large halls, arenas, shopping malls etc. (their roofs could collapse).

If You Are Caught Outside:

If there is no shelter, lie down in a ditch or ravine, protecting your head.

If You Are Driving:

Get out and away from the car. It could be blown through the air or roll over you. Lie down in a ditch or ravine, protecting your head.

During a Severe Lightning Storm

If You Are in a Building:

Stay inside. Stay away from windows, doors, fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks or other electrical-charge conductors. Unplug TVs, radios, toasters, computers and other electrical appliances. Don’t use the phone or other electrical equipment.

If You Are Outside:

Seek shelter in a building, cave or depressed area. If you’re caught in the open, crouch down with your feet close together and your head down (the “leap-frog” position). Don’t lie flat- by minimizing your contact with the ground, you reduce the risk of being electrocuted by a ground charge. Keep away from telephone and power lines, fences, trees and hilltops. Get off bicycles, motorcycles and tractors.

If You Are In a Car:

Stop the car and stay in it. Don’t stop near trees or power lines that could fall.

During a Flood

Turn off basement furnaces and the outside gas valve. Shut off the electricity. If the area around the fuse box or circuit breaker is wet, stand on a dry board and shut off the power with a dry stick. Never try to cross a flooded area on foot. The fast water could sweep you away.

If You Are In a Car:

Try not to drive through flood waters. Fast water could sweep your car away. However, if you are caught in fast-rising waters and your car stalls, leave it, and save yourself and your passengers.

During a Winter Power Failure

Turn the thermostat(s) down to minimum and turn off all appliances, electronic equipment and tools to prevent injury, damage to the equipment and fire. Power can also be restored more easily when the system is not overloaded.
Use proper candle holders. Never leave lit candles unattended.
Don’t use charcoal or gas barbecues, camping heating equipment or home generators indoors.
Home generators are handy for backup electricity in case of an outage, but there are hazards to be aware of.
To operate a generator safely, follow the manufacturers instructions, and always:

ensure that the generator operates outdoors in well-ventilated conditions, well away from doors or windows;

Connect lights and appliances directly to the generator. If extension cords must be used, ensure they are properly rated cords approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Direct installation of a generator to an existing electrical system should only be done by a qualified technician.

This information is a synthesis of various sources. For more disaster preparedness information visit the Public Safety Canada Website.

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Written by adam · Filed Under Emergency, Events, The Environment, theOwen

Weekend Events On the Calendar in Owen Sound

June 22, 2007

Events, Music & More
If you’re trying to plan out a fun weekend for you and the family but feeling like there’s nothing to do, let me assure you that this is not the case. A quick look at our Events Calendar will reveal that on Saturday June 23rd the Grey Roots museum is helping to celebrate National Aboriginal Day by showing the National Film Board’s production, “First Nations: The Circle Unbroken”. This is a series of thirteen short video programs discussing a variety of Aboriginal perspectives on history, culture, spirituality, education, justice, and the environment. The films are suitable for ages 9 to Adult and are showing from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free!

The Grey Roots museum will also be offering a Moccasin Making workshop on the same day. Starting at 10:00am and running until 4:00pm., Susan Forrest of Stoney Keppel Bison will be leading the Moccasin workshop. A cost of $25.00 includes materials. Registration is limited to 15 participants so please call Lisa at the Grey Roots ,museum, extension 128 to reserve your spot.

Here is some contact information for the Grey Roots museum:
102599 Grey Road 18, RR 4, Owen Sound, Ontario
Telephone: 519-376-3690
Toll Free: 1-877-GREY ROOTS (473-9766)
Facsimile: 519-376-4654
Information: info@greyroots.com

Yet another great family event this weekend is the Variety Extravaganza. A fundraiser for the Canadian Diabetes Association, this event offers quality family entertainment including comedy, juggling, magic and a spectacular laser light display! This promises to be great entertainment for all ages with lots of laughs and audience participation. The event is running on Saturday June 23rd from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. up at the Georgian college, 1450 8th St. E, Owen Sound. For more information contact the Canadian Diabetes Association at 1-888-777-9793.

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Written by adam · Filed Under Movies, Get Out, Events, Community

Homecoming’s “Destination Valhalla” Event Checks Out

June 21, 2007

Well, the flames of controversy over Steve Santini’s “Destination Valhalla” have burned down and now all that is left is to enjoy the actual flames and suspense as “The Dark Master of Escape” performs his death-defying escape on July 28th. Yesterday theOwen.com waded into the controversial issue of kerosene use in the stunt, asking several pertinent questions to the general public, hoping for responses from the key personalities involved. We have heard from both the Ministry of Environment, Tom Pink from city council, and Steve Santini himself. Thanks to all parties for their quick responses. Mr. Santini’s and Mr. Pink’s comments can be found at the bottom of yesterday’s article, “Homecoming Santini Escape Questions”.

The Ministry of Environment sent replies to our questions in the form of the following email:

Hi Adam,

I am available for follow up questions this morning – 519-371-5517

Question #1: Reporter stated stunt is “Approved by the Ministry of the Environment”

Response- The ministry indicated they have no objections to the stunt, given the event coordinator’s understanding of their responsibilities to report and clean up, in the event of a spill. Additionally an artistic or outdoor entertainment event is exempt from requiring a ministry Air approval.

Question #2: What Environmental Impact Assessment was done?

Response- The volume of kerosene (less than 1 litre) to be ignited does not represent a significant source of emissions to the environment to demonstrate an adverse environmental impact.

Question #3: What process did the MOE go through before giving the clearance?

Response – Owen Sound harbour waters are under Federal jurisdiction the MOE indicated they have no objections to the stunt as proposed and advised the event coordinators of their obligations under the Environmental Protection Act. Additionally the MOE contacted the event coordinator who indicated how the stunt was to be conducted use of kerosene and three minute burn time for act –these factors addressed concerns with mitigating the potential for an environmental impact.

Question #4: What role did the MOE play?

Response – The MOE advised the event coordinator of their obligation under the Environmental Protection Act to provide notification to the ministry in the event of a spill and conduct a clean up

Question #5: What legislation is involved with this type of event?

Answer- The Environmental Protection Act exempts outdoor entertainment or artistic events from requiring an approval from the ministry.

Question #6: How did MOE determine if impact was acceptable?

Response- Were we given the mitigation measures the event staff are to put in place to reduce the potential for an impact. Including limiting volume of kerosene to be used in the act and providing containment on the raft for any kerosene that does not ignite.

Question #7: How are the flames going to be put out?

Answer- The event coordinator indicated a pilot boat with an OPP water rescue boat nearby, would be within the safety perimeter with fire extinguishers. Due to the small volume of kerosene to be ignited (less than 1 litre) and the act’s short duration the resulting fire would be short lived which would limit any emissions to the environment. Any fire extinguishing which would be required would result in negligible impacts. The City of Owen Sound is following up to make sure that firefighting materials are going to be non-toxic.

Heather G. Pollard

Thank-you all for raising valuable questions and helping us to get them answered. Despite the controversy this issue has raised, we here at theOwen.com are proud to be a part of the discussion. Please feel free to use our reply option and let us know what you think.

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Written by adam · Filed Under Events, The City, Community, Homecoming, Participation, The Environment

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