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

Share This

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

What to do with that Pumpkin

October 30, 2007

I have a great co-op student working with me this semester at rjgcreative. I have given him a couple of Halloween related topics to explore this week and hopefully we will see some more writing from him here at theOwen in the near future. I think having a more youthful voice around here from time to time will be a great addition to the site. So here’s Nathan’s response to my question what do you do with your Halloween pumpkin Thursday morning?

By Nathan

Well Halloween is coming and that means the annual killing of the orange fruit is coming about. After the while venture is over, what happens to the pumpkins we are finished with? Mostly, they get thrown away. Is there anything better you can do? I have a few suggestions:

1. Compost it.
2. Keep the seeds and eat them (after cooking- directions here) or plant them next year (directions here)
3. Give it to the dog. Maybe he’ll rip it up or something. Just make sure you take it away before the pumpkin rots or the dog makes too big a mess. Under no circumstances should you employ this method then employ method #2.
4. Learn to blow stuff up with your mind, using the old pumpkin as a test subject.
5. Drop it off a cliff. Make sure nobody is below you when you employ this pumpkin disposal method.
6. Make a pumpkin boat. This only works if: A) Your pumpkin is very large, and B) your pumpkin does not have holes in it.
7. Give it as a gift to someone. If they complain, tell them that many starving children in third world countries would be very happy to have this pumpkin. Alternately, give it to your gardening friend and tell them where to stick it. I’m talking about their garden. They should put it in their garden for fertilizer.
8. Wear it as a hat. I realize that this is no long term solution, as it will soon smell bad and will be slimy, however, I believe that this is a great short term solution that provides a few laughs and some good old fashioned entertainment.
9. Play kick the rotting pumpkin. Make sure to wear some sturdy shoes, always play outdoors, and above all, wipe your feet before you step on the carpet. Think, instead of hearing the ting of a can, you’ll hear the sickening thud of someone kicking their way through the pumpkin when they manage to get home free.
10. Incinerate it. I’m not suggesting that this is a safe method for disposing of a pumpkin, but it is fun.

And here’s a recipe for pumpkin pie: http://www.pumpkinnook.com/cookbook/recipe01.htm

Visit <a href=”http://www.ibetathat.com” target=”_blank”>http://www.ibetathat.com</a> for more by this author.

Share This

Written by Ryan · Filed Under Guest Post, theOwen

Halloween, Halloween, This is Halloween…

October 26, 2007

By Nathan Johnston

While I, myself have elected to be Jay from the clerks movies, along with my friend who shall be Silent Bob, you may not be so lucky as to have such a readily available costume. Fear not, for you, yes YOU could DIY for the “scariest” night all year. Here are some simple and easy plans.

MakeZine Includes all sorts of DIY Halloween projects, including a giant Lego man costume.

TheFunTimesGuide has every kind of costume under the sun. DIY and bought costumes all.

Womansday.com While perhaps a bit bland as far as costume ideas go, they are simple and cheap.

Stretcher.com a very imaginative bunch of ideas as almost no cost. I like it.

FoxNews Even the tv station has something to say about cheap and fun costume ideas.

But what of the unsightly ritualistic killing and dismemberment of the organic substance known as Cucurbita moschata, better known as the pumpkin? I got you covered there, too!

dltk-holidays Stab your pumpkin into art. But seriously, this site has every pattern you could want.

Pumpkin Lady has so much knowledge about the carving of pumpkins, you may suspect she’s from the squash family herself. Includes the heads of state.

CarvingPumpkins has how many patterns? Over 500! ‘Nuff said.

Visit http://www.ibetathat.com for more by this author.

Share This

Written by Nathan · Filed Under Guest Post, theOwen Features

A little Align-ment from Ange

June 26, 2007

Editor’s Note: This post marks the beginning of a partnership between theOwen.com and Angela Wright of Align Nutrition. Angela Wright is a registered Nutritional Consultant, who focuses her efforts on educating people about the role of whole food in wellness, and how small, positive changes over time can lead to big changes in health. Her business, Align Nutrition, offers personal consultations, grocery store tours, cooking classes, and educational seminars on topics including Nutrition 101 and Detox for Beginners. Find out more at www.alignnutrition.com. Many thanks to Ange for her contributions. If any other readers have topics of special interest that they would like to contribute content for, please contact us.

Angela Wright of Align Nutrition I teach a class called ‘Detox for Beginners’ - it’s not an AA thing, but more of a forum for learning about all the toxins that we are exposed to from our food supply, personal care products, cleaning supplies, cooking methods, clothing, furniture, air, water, etc, etc, etc. As with anything that I teach, it’s not in an apocalyptic manner, but all about the education. The more you learn about something, the more often you can make a conscious decision to avoid or embrace that particular fact. It’s all about the baby steps - one change at a time. So anyways, the students in my class really wanted to get together on a regular basis to share their new findings - recipes, products, articles - with other people that are also looking to better their nutrition and lifestyle through these baby steps. The more I mentioned this idea, the more people outside the class wanted to attend.

So now it’s open to everyone and anyone that wants to get together, talk about holistic lifestyle changes they have made through small steps, and eat good food. Our first night is on June 28th, from 5:30pm ’till whenever, at Kinexions Holistic Health Studio (970 3rd Ave West O/S - two doors north of the Billy Bishop Museum). Come bearing a healthy potluck dish (with recipe - I’ll post them for everyone after); a plate, cup, and cutlery (so we don’t throw out paper or plastic); a lawn chair; any new products you’ve discovered, article, info etc. to share with the group; and $5 to cover incidentals. For more info, email me at ange@alignnutrition.com. Hope to see some new and old faces there!

Share This

Written by Angela · Filed Under Guest Post, Wellness, Get Out, Events, theOwen

« Previous Page