Black Gold Screening at the Owen Sound Library

September 11, 2007

Tadesse Meskela, star of the internationally acclaimed documentary Black Gold will be in Owen Sound this Wednesday September 12 for a screening of the film and a discussion. The film documents the problems Ethiopian coffee farmers face in getting a fair price for their coffee and the impact fair trade has made on improving their lives.
Meskela is the manager of the Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union which represents more than 74,000 coffee farmers. Meskela has become the international face of struggling farmers. He also led the fight to ensure Ethiopia retained its rights to their own coffee strains against actions by multi-national coffee giant Starbucks.

Start time 7 pm but you should proably get there early for a good seat and some interesting discussion.

Not sure if my schedule will allow me to make it out to this event. If someone attending would be interested in writing up a few words about the event we would love to post it. Alternatively, anyone who takes part in the evening can share their thoughts via theOwen.com caller feedback line.

After the event simply dial, 519 416 6936 wait for the message and leave you thoughts. Keep in mind this works for any event going on in and around Grey-Bruce so now might be a good time to slap that number into the speed dial of your phone (mobile or otherwise!)

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Written by Ryan · Filed Under Get Out, Events, Community, Politics

An interview with Brenda Scott of the GBFS

August 24, 2007

summerfolk audience I had an opportunity on Sunday evening to have a short conversation backstage at Summerfolk with Brenda Scott. Brenda is the president of the Georgian Bay Folk Society and Chair of the Summerfolk committee. We talk a bit about the festival this year including the new stages, the vital role of volunteers and how you can help to support the folk festival and society throughout the rest of the year.

The interview is around 10 minutes in length. You can listen with the player below or download it here (right click, save as)

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Written by Ryan · Filed Under Podcast, The Arts, Summerfolk, Music, Get Out, Audio, theOwen Features, theOwen

Homecoming Obstacle Course

August 1, 2007

**Update** For those of you planning to run the obstacle course, we neglected to mention in our first release of this article that the hours of operation for Thursday are different than the rest of the days. On Thursday Aug. 2nd the obstacle course will be open from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. We apologize for any inconvenience this omission may cause. **

Think you have what it takes to be a soldier? Or maybe you just love a challenge? If pushing yourself to your physical limits is your thing, or maybe you just feel like sauntering through some different terrain, the Grey Simcoe Foresters have set up an obstacle course in the field to the north of the Marine & Rail museum.

~Pte. Dietrich guides us through the course

The obstacle course will be open from Wednesday Aug. 1st to Saturday Aug. 4th. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. they are keeping things casual. However, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. the event gets casually competitive. To cater to working families the hours are switched on Thursday to run from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. There are two identical versions of the course set side by side and so during the competitive time slots event-goers can race against one another to win a prize. I went there yesterday with my media pass and got a chance to meet the young men who are running the event, Privates Dietrich, Selinger and Pedrosa. All three of them were extremely friendly, and we had a great time doing a photo shoot. The following is a photographic map of what to expect on your race through the course.

Step 1: Running the Log

~Pte. Dietrich Runs the Log

The first stage of the course is to run down this 10 foot long log.

Step 2: Running Through the Tires

~Pte. Dietrich runs through the tires

The second stage involved running through tires. It’s just like a boot camp movie, isn’t it?

Step 3: Overleaping the Hay Bale

~Pte. Dietrich Barrel Rolls the Hay Bale

The third stage is to surmount this hay bale. In this instance Pte. Dietrich chose the advanced “barrel role” method!

Step 4: Crawling Through the Wires

~Pte. Dietrich crawls through the wires

At this stage of the course you must wriggle your way under the wires. Don’t forget to keep your rifle dry soldier! Also , if you want to go hard on the course and you’re planning ahead, wear long pants that you don’t much care for because you’re bound to get some grass stains or cut knees at this stage of the course.

Step 5: Overleaping the Hay Bale (redux)

~Pte. Dietrich displays the leaping method

At stage five of the obstacle course you will face another hay bale. Here Pte. Dietrich shows us another way to get ‘er done!

Step 6: Ducking Through the Tires

~Pte. Dietrich crawls through the tires

At stage six you will crawl through a series of tires located under a camouflage net. Another reason to wear clothes you’re not concerned about!

Step 7: The Hot House

~Pte. Dietrich enters the hot house

At stage seven you will run through a small house complete with two target enemies to be taken out with water pistols.

Step 8: The Swing of Doom

~Pte. Dietrich swings over the pit of wet

The last stage of the course is to use a rope swing to swing over a pit filled with muddy water. Yet another reason to wear clothes you don’t mind trashing!

Once you’ve completed the swing you’re finished! Have fun out there Homecomers! Watch the heat when you’re pushing yourself to get through the course at your personal best speed! Just to let you know, I completed the course (and got grass stains on some fairly nice pants!) in good time and I have a bad back. This is just to say that you needn’t be intimidated to try the course. It will be fun for all ages!

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Written by adam · Filed Under Events, Get Out, Community, Homecoming, Participation, theOwen

MIX IT UP AT THE MEET & GREET TENT

July 27, 2007

The following post was provided to theOwen.com by Mary Price who holds the position of Manager of Tourism and Culture for the city of Owen Sound. If you have any events happening in the Grey-Bruce area that you would like promoted just contact us!

The Meet & Greet Tent is the heart and soul of Homecoming 2007. It’s the best place to catch up with old friends and meet new ones during Owen Sound’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations. There’s a fully licensed bar, full service catering facility, interesting displays including Bell Aliant’s vintage telephone equipment, and live entertainment day and night featuring the finest of Owen Sound and area musicians.

The Meet & Greet Tent is located on the west lawn of the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre. The tent opens Friday July 27 at 5:00 p.m. and is then open daily July 28 to August 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The tent closes at 6 p.m. on August 5. Entry to the tent is free during the day.

Evening concerts featuring Tanglefoot, The Beckett Family, Steve Dickinson and more run nightly July 29 to August 4, starting at 8:00 p.m. Admission to the evening concerts is free with a Homecoming 2007 registration wristband and to youth under 19. Seating is limited and entry is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Last-minute tickets for any remaining seats go on sale half an hour before each performance. $5 nightly except Generation Y Night (July 31 – pay what you can) and Steve Dickinson (August 4 - $10). Music fans are encouraged to register for Homecoming and to arrive early to increase the chance of gaining entry.

For more information contact Homecoming Headquarters at (519) 376-6202 or visit the Homecoming website at www.owensound150.com.

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Written by adam · Filed Under Music, Concerts, Get Out, Events, Homecoming, Community, theOwen

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