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A Queens Hotel Blues update and more

May 12, 2008

Editor’s Note: SO things around the office have been nothing less than slammed as of late. Many, many projects on the go that have be unfortunately diverting my attention from theOwen.com a bit. A few steps are being taken to rectify this …first off I am about to begin the process of seeking out some summer interns. Secondly, it is likely that I am looking to hire someone on the creative services side of the business and thirdly I am working on getting more good folks set up with publishing power here at theOwen.

An excellent case in point (both of the me being slammed for time and the setting good folks up with publishing power) is the fact that it has been weeks that I haven’t gotten around to publishing several updates relating to the Queens Hotel Blues documentary which was shot and produced locally under the guidance and direction of local filmmaker Graeme Bachiu. I have a couple of drafts detailing what has happened lately with this project that have yet to be published. To save myself the trouble I figured I would pass that task off to Graeme, who nicely summed things up in an email this past weekend…

It’s been a few months since our successful A Night at the Queen’s documentary premiere event. Thanks to the combined efforts of our MC, Ryan Wiseman, Paul Thompson and Eric Van Allen who handled the musical entertainment, David Adair who said a few words about the importance of documentary work, the staff at the Roxy along with my parents, my sister Kate, Adam and Jenn Olivero and of course, Mr. Steady himself, Ian Austin…well, we had a great night.

Then came Christmas and New Years’ and other complications and challenges to overcome. By the end of the winter the three of us were feeling kind of exhausted, I guess. But as the weather gets warmer and spring is in full swing I’m prepared to get to work again and set some new bearings for where our work will take us.

Thanks again to Ryan Wiseman and his website theowen.com we’re working on a better home for Queen’s Hotel Blues on the web. This has always been our plan and even though we’ve been a bit busy over the past few months we’re back in business. We’ve also got a few added goodies to whet your appetite, all available at www.theowen.com/go/queens-hotel-blues …

* An audio podcast entitled Toe Tappin’: A Musical Journey to the Queen’s Hotel Blues that features selections from my vast archive of Eric Van Allen and Paul Thompson recordings…narrated by myself
* A video podcast version of Queen’s Hotel Blues. Yes, take the Queen’s Hotel with you on your iPod!
* A gradual ‘making of’ documentary on our next project, done in the style of ongoing video blog type posts
* A sneak peek of our new documentary: Ten Years Gone

The last two items are perhaps the most exciting part of our new content! Weeks, once the snow started to melt and rebirth from winter seemed possible, I began thinking about what our next project would be. We have a number of interesting ideas on the go but for the most part I think we wanted to keep things brief and simple…or at least simpler than QHB had been. I’ve recently upgraded some of my equipment, as well, and I wanted to try something a bit different.

Another impetus for the direction we’re going with all of this is that I’ve been doing some web video work on the side and I feel strongly…well, all of us do…that video on the web is still just in its infancy. Sure, you can watch TV shows and endless Star Wars spoofs and Deep Purple concerts online but content specifically for the web is still somewhat of a niche thing. I also felt compelled to give something back to Ryan Wiseman, whose support through the final stages of Queen’s Hotel Blues was invaluable.

To get myself going, I started going through my tape archives, cleaning things up and rearchiving on DVD or other better formats. I found some funny stuff that I’ve done over the years and some video that Ian Austin and I shot almost 10 years ago now of Eric Van Allen and Paul Thompson. I was surprised that I’ve known these two guys for a decade (yikes, getting old) and the wheels in my mind started moving. Other content surfaced as time went on and I expanded my search. Eric and Paul both came up with old videotape and audio recordings that I didn’t have.

Getting a small crew plus Eric and Paul together with all of our busy schedules is a challenge but when we hang out I have a great time with these guys, and I’m going to bring you along for the ride. Due to the improvements in my own personal technology I’m going to make video podcast posts on theowen.com as we produce the documentary. We’ll give you some peeks behind the process and, hopefully, in the end you’ll be drawn into the process and the content in a way that is unconventional and compelling, as long as I’m a good storyteller!

During the production and post production of Queen’s Hotel Blues I sent out emails as an update on our process. This time—along with the video podcast segments—Ryan and I are planning to automate the process through theowen.com, freeing me up from writing long emails and adding context to the video podcast segments. In other words, check out theowen.com for more updates!

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Written by Ryan · Filed Under Guest Post, theOwen Features, Features, Video, theOwen 

Composting 101

April 30, 2008

As part of theOwen’s urban gardening initiative, we bring you a selection of resources on composting for everyone from the absolute beginner to the more seasoned composter who wishes to learn more.

The Composting Council of Canada has a wealth of resources available, including articles such as an overview of what composting is, a guide to composting at home, and how to use compost.

There are many composters available for purchase at a retail level, but you can also choose from a number of designs and detailed plans to build your own.

Garden Girl’s Urban Sustainable Living has a number of urban gardening resources including the following video on composting and vermiculture.

Compost Guide, “a complete guide to composting”, details how to make compost. It also features a page of composting tips and a compost blog.HowtToCompost.org is a comprehensive composting resource. It features an overview of composting as well as a directory of general information.

There will be a composting gathering held on Saturday May 24th 2008 at 11 o’clock am!

Interested in local gardening initiatives? Subscribe in order to recieve more information about this, or if you may have something to contribute, get in touch.

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Written by Lauren · Filed Under Conservation, The Area, Owen Sound, Gardening, The City, Community, The Environment, Participation, Features, theOwen 

Win Tickets to Queen’s Hotel Blues

December 3, 2007

We are only 5 days away from the premiere of Queen’s Hotel Blues.

Want to Win a pair of tickets?

If you would like to win yourself a pair of tickets to the event it’s real simple. We have three pairs of tickets for the first three people to call theOwen.com feedback line and leave a message about…

Your experience with the Queens Hotel or your thoughts on Heritage building protection in general.

Here’s how you enter…

  1. Call theOwen.com feedback line (519) 416-OWEN (6936) it’s a local number!
  2. When you hear the beep record your message (you should get up to 5 minutes of recording time, if the system cuts you off you can hit 5 on the phone keypad to continue the message!).
  3. Be sure to leave your name and a contact phone number at the end of your message!

Winning messages will be included in an upcoming audio production we are working on about the Queens Hotel Blues project and heritage buildings (don’t worry we’ll edit out your phone number!).

Winners will be notified at the contact number provided before Friday and arrangements can be made to pick up tickets at theOwen’s downtown office or at the Roxy on the night of the event.

About the doc…

The Queen’s Hotel Blues is an independently produced and financed documentary about the history and final days of the Queens Hotel in Owen Sound as told by the people involved and those who remember the building.

Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the Roxy box office, 251 9th Street E, Owen Sound. 519 371 2833 for box office inquiries.

Proceeds from the event will go to the North Grey branch of Architecture Conservancy Ontario’s restoration project of the Historic Church at Mennonite Corners.

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Written by Ryan · Filed Under Heritage, The Arts, The City, Features 

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

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

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