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Random Bits roundup for 2007-11-30

November 30, 2007

  • After a week and a bit with the new pocket PC I just tried to follow a link by tapping on my laptop screen! #
  • Taking the bus home … The mobile device is kindly letting me know where all the open wifi connections in town are located…sweet #

Written by · Filed Under Administrivia 

Google Maps introduces Terrain view

November 30, 2007

The Google Maps team released a new feature today… terrain view. Now when viewing a Google map you can choose the standard map view, the air photo/sat view and now terrain. The implementation at this time seems fairly limited but I can see where this is going (Remember I am actually a geographer at heart!)

A couple quick thoughts on this and then you can go play for yourself. First this tool as it matures will provide us (the people of Grey-Bruce) to make better decisions and to better understand the place where we live. This terrain view of the area might help us better understand the idea of watershed management for example.

Secondly I think it’s important to comment on the nature by which Google releases new features and tools. I mentioned that this tool will likely mature. Google very rarely releases a static project. The are an innovative and iterative company (and it seems to be working for them!). Release early, test with real people and move ahead from there. This is very much the model of development we are following here at theOwen.com. Things change around here often, sometimes you see the half done stuff, sometimes it’s broken. If it doesn’t work or things could work better please let us know. We are going to try and do a better job of implementing a Google like innovation culture around here. This is both in terms of the growth and development of theOwen and the growth and development of the community we serve.

We are starting to get a little reflective around here given the time of the year. Keep an eye out for a series of wrap up/review/reflection posts coming up in the next few weeks. If you think you’re someone we should talk to about this then please drop us a line! Same goes if you can name someone we/the community should here from regarding the events of the past year in Owen Sound/Grey Bruce.

If you want to avoid the formality of contacting us with your thoughts or ideas you can feel free to add a comment to this post or better yet leave an audio message by calling 519 416 OWEN (6936)



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Written by Ryan · Filed Under The Area, Web Tools 

Skiing The Sound

November 30, 2007

by Nathan Johnston

It’s skiing time now, and although I’m no skier due to the fact that being in the cold for any more than ten seconds will see that I’ve thoroughly turned into a snow cone, I’ve been charged with the task of finding and compiling a comprehensive list of the best hills and prices in this area. Since the choice was either this, or some great and “fun” copy/paste work, I graciously accepted the greater and less monotonous of tasks, just to bring you the information you will need for ski season. Keep in mind that all my information is as accurate as the websites I got it from, namely the sites I have posted later in the article. I have no personal experience in anything involving snow, or of the sliding down hills on fiberglass boards that so many enjoy doing on it.

First off we have Talisman. http://www.talisman.ca/

Next up is another popular resort named Blue Mountain. I have never been there myself, but it gets rave reviews from every one I’ve met that has been there.
Website: http://www.bluemountain.ca/
Prices: http://www.bluemountain.ca/winter_lift_tickets.htm
Events: http://www.bluemountain.ca/events_quickfacts.htm

Beaver Valley is another hill I’ve never heard of, but as I’m not a skier, don’t be offended by my ignorance of it’s beauty.
Website: http://www.bvsc.com/
Prices: http://www.bvsc.com/grouprates
Events: http://www.bvsc.com/menucalendar

And last, but as far as I know, not least we have Hidden Valley Highlands.
Website: http://www.skihiddenvalley.on.ca/
Prices: http://www.skihiddenvalley.on.ca/rates.html
Events: http://www.skihiddenvalley.on.ca/events.html

Written by Nathan · Filed Under Community, Features, Guest Post 

Artie Shaw Orchestra playing May ‘08 in Owen Sound, Ontario

November 30, 2007

Owen Sound, ON, 30 Nov 08 — 560 CFOS and Macarmill Productions of Owen
Sound, Ontario are pleased to announce that The Artie Shaw Orchestra, under the
direction of Dick Johnson, will play a fundraising dance in Owen Sound, Ontario
on Friday, May 23rd, 2008. By special arrangement with the producers, it
will be the band’s only scheduled appearance in southern Ontario in the
spring and summer of the year.

Tickets go on sale Saturday, December 1st in
time for Christmas giving.

The band will play for dancers at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
The evening will open with “A Taste of Owen Sound” featuring food offerings
of 4 area restaurants; an opening quintet “Parsons & Brown and Friends”, and
a silent auction. The event is a fundraiser to help purchase equipment for the
city’s hospital, the Grey Bruce Regional Health Centre.

In Ontario and Canada, governments fund operation of hospitals, but much of the
new equipment needed is provided through local fundraising. 560 CFOS and
Macarmill Productions are excited at the prospect of helping the community
generate funds for the purchase of equipment deemed vital to the well-being of
area residents.

Tickets for the event are $55.00 (CDN) + Svc.Charges; all seats are reserved!
They may be obtained on line at www.attackhockey.com (click on Tickets, &
Special Events); or by calling (519)371-7452 or 1-866-5ATTACK (1-866-528-8225).
Online & phone orders may be paid by Visa or MasterCard.

Today’s Artie Shaw Orchestra hews to the Shaw legacy; in 1983 Mr. Johnson was
chosen by Artie Shaw himself to front the band and has done so ever since.
Artie Shaw, “King of the Clarinet” made his first public appearance as a
band leader in 1936, and performed until 1954. He led a variety of bands, some
with strings, some without, including a US Navy Band during World War II. A
list of his hits through the big band years is a snapshot of jazz and swing,
and they’re the hits dancers will enjoy in Owen Sound on May 23rd ’08.

Written by Ryan · Filed Under Events, Music 

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