Tag Archives: Port Dover

Culture

The 1% Lifestyle That 99% Of Us Can Afford

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Screenshot from waaaay back in 2010 and from an Ontario Lottery Gaming commercial. The premise? You’re stuck in a desert in a stalled car with a giant robot attacking. But then you remember what’s in the glove compartment…watch the video below and realize that counting on a lottery win is not the best way to financial security.

Maybe you’ve seen the ad, or one like it? For example-an Ontario Lottery Gaming commercial that depicts an attractive woman climbing out of bed, enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee before climbing into the cockpit of a sailboat, the implication being that if one wins a multi-million dollar jackpot, one can have the “yachty” lifestyle.

As I write this, I am sitting in the cockpit of my sailboat sipping a cup of coffee while enjoying the morning sun, and I have never won the lottery. In fact, I will be going to work at my average-guy, average-wage job shortly. Then, at the end of the workday, I will be returning to my sailboat, to enjoy the sunset.

For several years my wife, and I, and our dog, have spent the spring, summer and fall aboard our small sailboat. We return to our “dirt-home” only occasionally, to do laundry, mow the lawn so the neighbours don’t complain, collect mail and make sure the place hasn’t burned down.

This is the view that Bryan enjoys along with his ‘dock coffee’ at the Port Dover Harbour Marina. photo: B. Jones

After all, we need some place to live when the water is too hard and too cold to float a sailboat.

When new acquaintances find out that we are sailors and dock-rats, we often hear, “Oh, I have always wanted to sail!” or “I have always wanted to live on a boat!” What follows is often an enjoyable conversation about how to make it happen, how to “live the dream.”

I will confess, though, when hearing “Oh, I have always wanted to…” that the curmudgeonly little voice in the back of my head wants to retort, “No, you haven’t. If you really did, you would be doing it.”

Because it ain’t that hard to do.

We’re not rich. As I mentioned, my wife and I are pretty average people. Average age, average income, average credit scores, average sized mortgage, kids in college… look up “average” in the dictionary, and you don’t see our picture, because there are millions of folks just like us, and somebody way up the line got the honour.

We made a choice. We chose to buy a good, old boat for a mid-four- figure sum, invest a few hundred bucks a year on maintenance and a few hundred more on a slip to dock it in.

Our boat cost less than the annual membership at many golf clubs, and our slip fee for 6 months is less than a two week cottage rental in Turkey Point.

Bryan’s solution to beating the heat is to leave the dock and sail into the wind.

(Okay, before you start pelting me with hate mail, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with golf or vacationing in Turkey Point. Really. Except the clothes. KIDDING!)

It isn’t all fun and games and Jimmy Buffett tunes though.

Before you dash out and buy an old boat, here’s ten things my wife and I have learned over the past few seasons:

1. The stuff that bothers each of you about each other in 2000 sq ft on land does not magically go away in less than 200 sq ft on water. Learn to communicate, consider and compromise.
2. If you take it out, put it away. Now.
3. Each new item onboard means an old item has to leave.
4. Its okay to not talk.
5. One cooks, one does dishes. Helping doesn’t help.
6. When the dog needs shore patrol, the dog. Needs. Shore. Patrol. Now.
7. Find your own quiet spot, whether it is the v-berth, quarter berth, foredeck or cockpit.
8. You don’t have to get there today. You don’t even have to get there tomorrow.
9. When docking, mooring, anchoring, tacking or damn near anything goes awry, talk it out, and then hug it out.
10. There is a difference between being heard, and yelling.

We live in a slip on a dock with no services. No electricity and no water (aside from that which the boat floats in, smart-alecks,) means we have to refill our onboard water tank from 6 gallon water jugs hauled up the dock a couple of times a week, heat water on our alcohol stove to wash dishes, use solar panels to keep our batteries topped up and we don’t have air conditioning, or a microwave, or a big flat screen TV. A shower is a 10 minute dinghy ride or 15 minute walk away.

And we’re cool with that. We have become better, more creative cooks, we read more, we talk more, and the sunsets here and the characters we share them with more than compensate. We have talked more, laughed more and shared more with our dock-side neighbors than we ever have with our neighbors “on the dirt.” Our house is a house, but this is our home. For the Silo, Brian Jones. 

Earth

Will Ontario’s Poison Caterpillar Return This Summer?

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The Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar as found on Prospect Street, Port Dover, Ontario
This Hickory Tussock Moth Caterpillar was found on Prospect Street, Port Dover, Ontario

Important safety tip: if you see a caterpillar that has hypodermic-like needles poking out from its body DON’T TOUCH.

That might seem like common sense but Summer 2014 had Ontarians reporting to emergency rooms and to family doctors with symptoms ranging from swelling and rashes to vomiting and intense pain. All this from a seemingly harmless caterpillar sting.

Nature has a way with defense mechanisms and the hickory tussock moth caterpillar is no exception.

During mid to late Summer this caterpillar has one thing on its mind: time to cocoon. In order to accomplish that task, it needs to crawl around out in the open to discover the best places to begin its transformation. So it’s easy pickings if you’re a hungry bird. That explains the caterpillars needle like barbs and the poisonous toxin that they deliver.

Other signals to predators  that say “stay away” are black dots on the belly of the caterpillar .

If you see one of these critters the best way to handle them is to use a leaf or a stick to gently encourage the caterpillar to hop on board. That way you will remain safe when you transport them somewhere else- away from those areas that your family and pets enjoy. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Sci-Tech

Canadian Detects And Tracks Over 4,000 Orbiting Objects

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When Port Dover astronomer Michael Earl thought about how to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Sputnik, he did not know what he was in for. He decided that over the year 2007, he would detect and track 1,957 individual satellites. He managed to detect 2,053 of them; nearly 100 over his initial goal.

The project did not stop there. Mr. Earl decided to continue to determine how many of our orbiting satellites could be detected using retail telescopes and research-grade digital cameras.

Michael Earl stands near his CASTOR facility in Port Dover. This equipment was used to detect and track over 4,000 of our orbiting satellites. Image by Michael A. Earl and Jane E. Yaeger.

Mr. Earl has seen some of our most prestigious satellites, including the International Space Station, the Space Shuttles, all of the GPS satellites, Telstar, NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory and Canadian satellites Alouette, ISIS, Anik A1, CTS and Radarsat. He has spotted all of the satellites that all North American satellite TV subscribers point their dishes toward.

A decade ago, he spotted the famous Hubble Space Telescope only ten degrees above Port Dover’s southern horizon.

(see image) The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was seen to travel across CASTOR’s field of view at 4:16 a.m. on July 5, 2011. The HST is traveling right to left in this image, which is actually comprised of five 5-second images. The HST’s reflected sunlight is seen as streaks as the satellite orbits the Earth during the exposures. The small dots are stars in the constellation of Grus (the crane). The large clumps at the bottom are foreground trees. Image by Michael A. Earl / CASTOR.

The furthest man-made object he has seen is an old Soviet-era x-ray observatory called Astron. It was 196,000km away at the time, or half way to the Moon.

At the present time, there are a total of 16,000 catalogued satellites that are tracked regularly by the United States military. Mr. Earl has detected over 4,000 (one quarter) of these to date. This includes two thirds of all payloads and three quarters of all rockets orbiting us right now.

He has compiled his findings into a unique satellite catalogue.

This is the first such catalogue to be compiled within Canada. He is also the first in the world to detect over 4,000 individual satellites single-handedly.

Mr. Earl hopes that his satellite catalogue will be used by amateur and professional astronomers to determine which satellites can be detected using their own unique equipment. The catalogue could be used as an initial point of reference for optical satellite tracking research initiatives all over the world.

The Iridium 67 communications satellite is seen to flare as it reflects sunlight back to the CASTOR camera. For much of its orbit, Iridium 67 is invisible to the naked eye however once in awhile its high gain antenna reflects most of the sunlight that hits it. We see this as an easily visible flare from Earth. CASTOR has detected all 98 Iridium satellites. The arrow denotes the satellite’s direction of travel. The small dots are stars. The number next to the satellite denotes the NORAD satellite catalogue number. The compass at the upper left corner denotes the orientation of the image. The numbers at the bottom denote the time, date and exposure time of the image. Image by Michael A. Earl / CASTOR.

Today, astronomy can be used for much more than observing stars, nebulae and galaxies.

The science can also be used to observe and track our most important assets in space and motivate others to develop new satellite tracking initiatives.

The CASTOR Satellite Catalogue can be viewed in its entirety at Michael’s CASTOR Catalogue

Michael Earl’s CASTOR satellite tracking web site can be viewed at  Michael’s Satellite Website.

Fashion

What Keeps The Mona Lisa Smiling?

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This is the most famous painting in the history of art. It is titled the Mona Lisa but it’s original name was Monna Lisa- a short form of “Madonna” or “my lady” but thanks to a spelling error we know this work as the Mona Lisa. Painted by Leonardo Da Vinci in the years 1503-1507, there are actually three different versions painted beneath the visible version. In one hidden version (discovered using xrays) she is seen clutching the arms of a chair. image/info courtesy of prlog.org

Every year 8.5 million visitors see the renowned work of art that is the Mona Lisa. It is a vision that graces t-shirts, calendars, coffee mugs, and art history books worldwide. Still, among those millions, I would wager that few are those that have left Paris remarking on the wall on which Mona is placed. More on this later….

Did you know that the Mona Lisa is the only work of art to be stolen from the Louvre( in 1911) and recovered? Not only that, but in 1956, it was attacked with acid and, in that same year, cut open with a rock thrown at Mona’s elbow. It would seem that times haven’t changed much either. In 2009 a coffee mug was thrown at it by a gazing woman.

Art hygiene: the Mona Lisa is protected by bulletproof glass while on display at Paris’ Louvre photo: Gilli8888/flickr

Time has provided the foresight to maintain Mona’s beauty. With 2 centimeters of bullet proof glass and an inner casing protecting against heat and humidity the artwork seems safe. But what about the wall ‘holding’ the Mona for all of us to admire?

Take a look at these choppers…are they healthy enough to support a Mona Lisa smile? Pay attention because we’re about to switch gears and talk a little oral health.

As a dentist I am prone to notice the wall and that famous Mona Lisa smile. That smile, seen on TV and used in advertising everything from vacations to toothpaste, would be worth little without considering the healthy gums and bone that keep it in place. In other words, without noticing the wall. Years spent in my business have taught me, that if not protected properly, a smile can be stolen from us, chipped, and worn away with acid leading to very costly repairs. If you value your smile then the bullet proof glass is a worthy investment.

By focusing on in-office prevention and care the need for extensive intervention is often averted. It is more time and cost effective to put up and maintain a very impressive wall for your work of art than it is to meticulously rework the masterpiece. This analogy holds true for your teeth, gums and your smile. Maintenance is the greatest security from acid and coffee alike and with it, your smile can continue to break the ice… but I wouldn’t count on 8.5 million visitors. That may be a little more than any of us can chew. For the Silo by Dr. Peter Gunn. Dr. Gunn’s practice is in Port Rowan, Ontario. www.facebook.com/caredental

Supplemental– New Scientist article: Mona Lisa’s smile a mystery no more

Culture

Port Dover Hosts Biggest Single Day Biker Event In Canada

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Before you contemplate the pictures above lets flash-back to Friday 13th, 1984, when Chris Simons, a local biker, and a few of his buddies met in the “ZOO,” a local watering hole, to shoot the breeze and have a few cold ones. They agreed to meet every Fri. 13th and pass the idea on to friends. And so it began.

Friday the 13th in Port Dover,ON

Many local people, including the Municipal Council, feared the 1% of potentially violent bikers invading Norfolk County (as opposed to the 99% of peaceful riders), but as it grew into the biggest money making event the Kinsmen had ever seen, the need for some organization became evident.

The word went out to “LEAVE YOUR COLOURS AND ATTITUDES AT HOME,” otherwise the Council threatened to shut it down. The Kinsmen knew the bikers would continue to come and numbers would soar. The Coffin Bike and even Santa Claus were soon regular attendees as well as the Motor Maids (6000 strong nation-wide) and the Christian Riders.

HOG (Harley Owners Group) and BRO (Bikers Rights Organization) were present. By 1999 the OPP reported 12 outlaw biker clubs present in Port Dover, including Satan’s Choice, Hells Angels, Outlaws, Nomads, Para-Dice Riders, Red Devils, Piston Pushers, and even Banditos. Still, no violence erupted and over 100 police were brought in to maintain order.

As word spread Port Dover became THE place to be on Friday The 13th. Bikes were showing up from Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and B.C., as well as Americans from as far away as Florida. Even several Brits put their bike on a ship and came over.

Tim Hortons Drive-Thru soon was a walk-through. Yard Sales were common; seniors sold food to pay for a wheelchair-van. Pop, water and Freezies were sold from many local yards and eateries. Bars and beer gardens struggled to meet the demand in the summer months.

Big name bands were soon playing, like Steppenwolf, Colin James, Blue Rodeo, Dry County, Tragically Hip and local favourites. As the 20th century came to a close over 100,000 people were attending in the summer months.

As crowds swelled to over 150,000 in a town of 4,500, businesses placed “WELCOME BIKERS” signs in their storefronts and traffic backed up to Simcoe in the West and Cayuga in the East. Lodgings were booked-up for a year in advance and campgrounds swelled to full capacity quickly. Some businesses closed for the day like law offices, pharmacies, hardware stores and banks, though they stocked their debit machines full and went to work with the service clubs.

In 2009 The Port Dover Board of Trade, Kinsmen and the Lions partnered to run this massive event. The Kinsmen now handle bookings for 100 vendors in Powell Park and the Harbor Front, and run a 1,200 capacity beer garden. They monitor about 1200 campers in Kinsmen Park and Doverwood School, as well as selling souvenirs, including over 1,000 t-shirts. Shuttles are provided to haul campers to the action downtown.

Over the years the Kinsmen Club recruited many others to help, like Minor Softball and Hockey, Hard ball, Jr. Hockey, Figure Skating, Soccer, Maureen Dodds Art Foundation, Alzheimers, Big Brothers, High School Council (the Port Dover High School was closed a few years ago) Scouts K. of  C., and the Harbor Museum. Other Kin Clubs came on board as did “Support our School.” At one point 26 other groups assisted the Kinsmen with everybody getting a share of the pie. It’s well known that bikers come back to visit Port Dover even when it’s not Fri. 13, as can be witnessed on any good weekend throughout the summer. The welcome mat is out so come visit us on Friday, September 13th, 2013 and every Friday the 13th to follow.   For the Silo……Yours in Kin: Life Member Dave C.

Culture

Ontario Building About 500 Electric Vehicle EV Charging Stations- Here’s Where

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Ontario is building almost 500 electric vehicle EV charging stations at over 250 convenient locations across the province to help reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight climate change.

The province is working with 24 public- and private-sector partners to create an unprecedented network of public charging electric vehicle stations in cities, along highways, at workplaces and at various public places across Ontario. This includes over 200 Level 3 and nearly 300 Level 2 charging stations. The entire network will be in service by March 31, 2017.

The province’s $20-million investment under Ontario’s Green Investment Fund will expand charging infrastructure across the province and will help address “range anxiety,” a common concern of consumers regarding the distance electric vehicles can travel compared to traditional vehicles. Building a more robust network of public chargers across Ontario allows electric vehicle owners to plan longer trips knowing that charging stations are as readily available as gas stations. With the new network of stations, electric vehicle drivers will be able to travel confidently from Windsor to Ottawa or from Toronto to North Bay and within and around major urban centres.

The $325-million Green Investment Fund, an initial investment in Ontario’s new five-year Climate Change Action Plan, is already strengthening the economy, creating good jobs and driving innovation while fighting climate change — a strong signal of what Ontarians can expect from the plan and proceeds from the province’s cap and trade program. These investments will help secure a healthy, clean and prosperous low-carbon future and transform the way we live, move, work and adapt to our environment while ensuring strong, sustainable communities.

Investing in climate action is part of the government’s economic plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality college and university education. The plan is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, roads, bridges and transit in Ontario’s history and is investing in a low-carbon economy driven by innovative, high-growth, export-oriented businesses. The plan is also helping working Ontarians achieve a more secure retirement.

QUOTES

“By investing in charging infrastructure that is fast, reliable and affordable, we are encouraging more Ontarians to purchase electric vehicles, reducing greenhouse gas pollution and keeping our air clean.”

— Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation

“Transportation is one of the single biggest contributors to climate change. Supporting more charging stations across the province will help to reduce greenhouse gas pollution by making it more convenient for drivers of electric vehicles to get around.”

— Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

 

QUICK FACTS

  • An interactive map of the EVCO network of stations will be easily accessible on

Ontario 511. Station location data will also be posted on Ontario’s Open Data Catalogue to allow software developers and other interested parties to use the data in their mobile application or digital product development.

  • Ontario’s Climate Change Action Plan is providing people and businesses with tools and incentives to accelerate the use of clean technology that exists today.
  • A shift to low- and zero-emission vehicles is vital to the fight against climate change and achieving Ontario’s greenhouse gas pollution reduction target of 80 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050.
  • Green Investment Fund projects include: more electric vehicle charging stations; energy retrofits for single-family homes and affordable housing; support for Indigenous communities, industry and small and medium-sized businesses, and helping local organizations fight climate change.
  • Greenhouse gases from cars account for more emissions than those from industries such as iron, steel, cement, and chemicals combined.
  • There are nearly 7,000 electric vehicles currently on the road in Ontario.
  • Over 200 applications to the Electric Vehicle Charger Ontario program were received between Dec. 21, 2015 and Feb. 12, 2016, totalling more than $165 million in grant requests.

 

LEARN MORE

 

Ontario’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Program

Ontario 511 Climate Change Action Plan

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

 

 

 

BACKGROUNDER
Ministry of Transportation

 

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

July 13, 2016

 

The province is investing nearly $20 million from Ontario’s Green Investment Fund to build almost 500 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at over 250 locations in Ontario by March 31, 2017.

 

City/Town Number of Chargers Location of Chargers
Central Region Level 2: 223

Level 3: 84
Barrie Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 446 Bayfield St.
Beamsville Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 5005 Ontario St.
Beaverton Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 84 Beaverton Ave.
Bolton Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Albion Bolton Community Centre – 150 Queen St. South
Bradford Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 440 Holland St. West
Brampton Level 2: 6

Level 3: 0

 Soccer Centre Recreation Facility – 1495 Sandalwood Pkwy. East

Heart Lake Conservation Area – 10818 Heart Lake Rd.

Claireville Conservation Area – 8180 Hwy 50
Burlington Level 2: 1

Level 3: 2

 IKEA – 1065 Plains Rd. East

Appleby Crossing – 2435 Appleby Line
Caledon Level 2: 3

Level 3: 1

 Albion Hills Conservation Area Chalet – 16500 Regional Rd.

Albion Hills Conservation Area Beach Parking – 16500 Regional Rd.

Glen Haffy Conservation Area – 19245 Airport Rd.

Margaret Dunn Library – 20 Snelcrest Dr.
Collingwood Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 285 First St.

Tim Horton’s – 4 High St.
Elmvale Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 68 Yonge St. South
Fort Erie Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 325 Garrison Rd.

Tim Horton’s – 1167 Garrison Rd.
Goodwood Level 2: 1

Level 3: 0

 Claremont Field Centre – 4290 Westney Rd. North
Hamilton Level 2: 1

Level 3: 2

 Centre on Barton – 1275 Barton St. East

Tim Horton’s – 1470 ON-6

Tim Horton’s – 473 Concession St.
Keswick Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Glenwoods Centre – 443 The Queensway South
Markham Level 2: 10

Level 3: 2

 123 Commerce Valley Dr. West

125 Commerce Valley Dr. West

50 Minthorn Blvd.

140 Allstate Pkwy.

Armadale Crossing – 7690-7770 Markham Rd.

80 Allstate Parkway
Midhurst Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Simcoe County Museum – 1151 Highway 26
Midland Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 16815 ON-12
Milton Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Campbellville Country Court Plaza – 35 Crawford Cres.
Mississauga Level 2: 58

Level 3: 20

 80 Courtneypark Dr.

5800 Explorer Dr.

Meadowvale Corporate Centre – 6880 Financial Dr.

5750 Explorer Dr.

2085 Hurontario St.

4701/4715 Tahoe Blvd.

Indian Line Campground – 7625 Finch Ave. West

Pearson International Airport – 6301 Silver Dart Dr.

Pearson International Airport – 8 Network Rd.

Pearson International Airport – 3111 Convair Dr.

Hilton Mississauga – 6750 Mississusauga Rd.

2630 Skymark Ave.

Novo-nordisk – 2680 Skymark Ave.

Airway Centre – 5935 Airport Rd.

30 Eglinton Ave. West
Newmarket Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 1100 Davic Dr.
Niagara Falls Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 8089 Portage Rd.
Oakville Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 Tim Horton’s – 228 Wyecroft Rd.
Orangeville Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 23 Broadway Ave.
Orillia Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 320 Memorial Ave.

Tim Horton’s – 25 Colborne St. East
Oshawa Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 Best Western Oshawa – 559 Bloor St. West
Pickering Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Petticoat Creek Conservation Area – 1100 Whites Rd.
Richmond Hill Level 2: 9

Level 3: 0

 30 Leek Cres.

38 Leek Cres.

95 Mural St.

1725 16th Ave.

Swan Lake Centre – 1229 Bethesda Sideroad
St Catharines Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 170 4th Ave. South
Stayner Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Clearview Joint Emergency Services Operations Centre – 6993 ON-26
Stouffville Level 2: 1

Level 3: 0

 Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area – 3291 Stouffville Rd.
Toronto Level 2: 121

Level 3: 25

 IKEA Etobicoke – 1475 The Queensway

IKEA North York – 15 Provost Dr.

St. Joseph’s Health Centre – 30 The Queensway

Royal Bank Plaza – 200 Bay St.

University Centre – 383 University Ave.

5775 Yonge St.

Lucliff Place – 700 Bay St.

York Mills Centre – 4325 Yonge St.

MaRS Centre – 661 University Ave.

Yorkville Village – 87 Avenue Rd.

Madison Centre – 4950 Yonge St.

Citibank – 123 Front St.

110 Yonge St.

525 University Ave.

175 Bloor St.

Metro Centre – 200 Wellington St.

Airport Marriott – 901 Dixon Rd.

Maple Leaf Square – 15 York St.

Air Canada Centre – 50 Bay St.

Air Miles Tower – 438 University Ave.

720 Bay St.

655 Bay St.

5001 Yonge St.

Adelaide Place – 181 University Ave.

2075 Kennedy Rd.

Dynamic Funds Tower – 1 Adelaide St. East

Atria – 2235 Sheppard Ave. East

30 Adelaide St. East

Commerce West – 401 and 405 The West Mall

SNC-Lavalin – 304 The East Mall

Burnhamthorpe Square – 10-20 Four Seasons Place

Morneau Shepall – 895 Don Mills Rd.

145 King St. West

150 King St. West

Sun Life Centre – 200 King St. West

Manulife Centre – 55 Bloor St. West

Bloor Islington Place – 3250 Bloor St. West

33 Bloor St. West

Scotiabank Plaza – 40 King St. West

115 Gordon Baker Rd.

Foresters – 789 Don Mills Rd.

277 Wellington St. West

Glen Rouge Conservation Area – 7450 Kingston Rd.

Milliken Crossing – 5631 – 5671 Steeles Ave. East

Black Creek Pioneer Village – 1000 Murray Ross Parkway

Humber River Hospital – 1235 Wilson Ave.
Tottenham Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Tottenham Mall – 55 Queen St. South
Vaughan Level 2: 4

Level 3: 3

 TRCA Head Office – 101 Exchange Ave.

Joint Operations Centre – 2800 Rutherford Rd.

IKEA – 200 Interchange Way
Vineland Station Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 3335 North Service Rd.
Washago Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Washago Carpool Lot – HWY 11/169
Whitby Level 2: 1

Level 3: 0

 Taunton Gardens – 320 Taunton Rd. East
Woodbridge Level 2: 3

Level 3: 0

 Boyd Conservation Area – 8739 Islington Ave.

Kortright Centre – 9550 Pine Valley Dr.
East Region Level 2: 17

Level 3: 49
Arnprior Level 2: 0

Level 3: 3

 Tim Horton’s – 201 Madawaska Blvd.

Metro/Food Basics – 375 Daniel St. South

McDonald’s – 16 Baskin Dr. West
Bancroft Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 234 Hastings St. North
Barrhaven Level 2: 2

Level 3: 0

 Ottawa Park and Ride – 3347 Fallowfield Rd.
Belleville Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 218 Bell Blvd.
Brockville Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 2454 Parkdale Ave.

Tim Horton’s – 77 William St.
Campbellford Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 148 Grand Rd.
Carleton Place Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 144 Franktown Rd.
Casselman Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Metro/Food Basics – 21 Richer Close
Cornwall Level 2: 0

Level 3: 3

 Tim Horton’s – 81 Tollgate Rd. West

McDonald’s – 1301 Brookdale Ave.

St. Hubert – 705 Brookdale Ave.
Deep River Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 33235 Hwy 17
Embrun Level 2: 2

Level 3: 0

 Embrun Arena – 8 Blais St.
Fenelon Falls Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 23 Lindsay St.
Gloucester Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 St. Hubert – 2484 Boulevard St. Joseph
Hawkesbury Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 St. Hubert – 456 County Rd. 17

Tim Horton’s – 418 Main St. East
Johnstown Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Gas Bar – 2618 CR-2
Kanata Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Ottawa Park and Ride – 130 Earl Grey Dr.
Kemptville Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 TSC Stores – 2966 County Rd. 43
Kingston Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 681 Princess St.
Lindsay Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 Lindsay Recreation Complex – 133 Adelaide St. South

Tim Horton’s – 85 Mt Hope St.
Madoc Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 14118 Hwy 62

Tim Horton’s – 14121 ON-7
Manotick Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 989 River Rd.
Napanee Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 478 Centre St. North
Nepean Level 2: 2

Level 3: 0

 Ben Franklin Place – 101 Centrepointe Dr.
Newcastle Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 361 King Ave. East
Ottawa Level 2: 3

Level 3: 8

 McDonald’s – 670 Bronson Ave.

City of Ottawa Fire Administration Building – 1445 Carling Ave.

St. Hubert – 4010 Riverside Dr.

Ottawa Public Parking Lot – 687 Somerset

IKEA – 2685 Iris St.
Pembroke Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 805 Pembroke St. East

Tim Horton’s – 11 Robinson Ln.
Perth Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 35 Dufferin St.
Peterborough Level 2: 7

Level 3: 4

 Tim Horton’s – 1527 Water St.

Lansdowne Place Mall –  645 Lansdowne St.

Norwood Town Hall – 2357 County Rd. 45

King Street Parking Garage –  200 King St.

Memorial Centre Arena – 151 Lansdowne St. West

Riverview Park Zoo – 1230 Water St.

Downtown Lakefield Public Parking – 39 Queen St.
Picton Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Downtown Picton Public Parking – 55 King St.
Port Hope Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 175 Rose Glen Rd. North
Port Perry Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 14500 Simcoe St.
Rockland Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 Metro/Food Basics – 9071 County Rd. 17

Tim Horton’s – 2875 Laporte St.
Northeast Region Level 2: 1

Level 3: 24
Azilda Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 514 Notre Dame St. East
Burk’s Falls Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 27 Commercial Dr.
Elliot Lake Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 269 King’s Hwy 108

Tim Horton’s – 261 ON-108
Espanola Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 701 Centre St.
Gravenhurst Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 1105 Bethuine Dr.

Tim Horton’s – 150 Talisman Dr.
Huntsville Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 44 ON-60
Kapuskasing Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 240 Government Rd.

Tim Horton’s – 8 Government Rd. East
Kirkland Lake Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 155 Government Rd. West

Tim Horton’s – 175 Government Rd. West
New Liskeard Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 883350 Hwy 65 West

Tim Horton’s – 883307 ON-65
North Bay Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 999 McKeown Ave.

Tim Horton’s – 114 Drury St.
Parry Sound Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 118 Bowes St.
Port Severn Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Jag’s Petro Canada – 41 Lone Pine Rd.
Sault Ste. Marie Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 673 Trunk Rd.

Tim Horton’s – 223 Second Line West
Sudbury Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 914 Newgate Ave.
South Porcupine Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 4556 ON-101
Timmins Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 520-522 Algonquin Blvd. East
Wawa Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 92 Mission Rd.
Northwest Region Level 2: 0

Level 3: 7
Dryden Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 520 Government St.

Tim Horton’s – 655 Government St.
Fort Frances Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 831 Kings Highway

Tim Horton’s – 525 Hwy 11 West
Kenora Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 900 Highway 17 East
Thunder Bay Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 770 Memorial Ave.

Tim Horton’s – 121 East Ave.
West Region Level 2: 33

Level 3: 47
Amherstburg Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 The Libro Centre –  3295 Meloche Rd.
Arthur Level 2: 1

Level 3: 2

 Arthur Library and Medical Centre – 110 Charles St. East

Arthur Sports Complex –  158 Domville St.
Brantford Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 73 King George Rd.

Tim Horton’s – 1290 Colborne St. East
Cambridge Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 416 Hespeler Rd.
Cayuga Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 51 Talbot St.
Chatham Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 710 Richmond St.

Tim Horton’s – 33 3rd St.
Clifford Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Clifford Community Complex – 2 Brown St. South
Clinton Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 300 Ontario St.
Drumbo Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Mister Steak Highway Travel Plaza – 80667 Oxford Rd. 29
Essex Level 2: 0

Level 3: 4

 Essex Centre Sports Complex –  60 Fairview Ave. West

Colechester Harbour –  100 Jackson St.
Exeter Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 153 Main St. North
Goderich Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 354 Bayfield Rd.
Guelph Level 2: 1

Level 3: 3

 Social Services Building – 138 Wyndham St. North

Puslinch Library – 29 Brock Rd. South

N Hanlon Park Mall – 218 Silvercreek Pkwy.
Hanover Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 McDonald’s – 800 10th St.

Tim Horton’s – 639 10th St.
Harriston Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 182 Elora St.
Ingersoll Level 2: 2

Level 3: 1

 Downtown Ingersoll Public Parking – 16 King St.
Innisfil Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 940 Innisfil Beach Rd.
Kitchener Level 2: 8

Level 3: 0

 50 Queen St. North

55 King St. West
Leamington Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 214 Talbot St.
London Level 2: 6

Level 3: 1

 Wellington Commons – 1210 Wellington Rd. South

Tim Horton’s – 146 Clarke Rd.

City Centre – 380 Wellington St.
Meaford Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 291 Sykes St. South
Mount Forest Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Mount Forest Sports Complex – 850 Princess St.
Owen Sound Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 1015 10th St. West
Port Colborne Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 429 Main St. West
Port Dover Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 1 St Andrew St.
Port Elgin Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 278 Goderich St.
Sarnia Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 1399 Colborne Rd.
Simcoe Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 77 Queensway East
Southampton Level 2: 1

Level 3: 0

 Saugeen First Nation Gas Bar – 43 Cameron Dr.
Stratford Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 1040 Ontario St.
Strathroy Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 269 Caradoc St. South
Tillsonburg Level 2: 0

Level 3: 2

 Tim Horton’s – 401 Simcoe St.
Wallaceburg Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 848 Dufferin Ave.
Wasaga Beach Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 McDonald’s – 1275 Mosley St.
Waterloo Level 2: 7

Level 3: 0

 Northland Business Centre – 60 Northland Rd.

Waterloo Corporate Campus – 180 Northfield Dr. West / 595 Parkside Dr.
Welland Level 2: 1

Level 3: 1

 Fitch Street Plaza – 200 Fitch St
Wiarton Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 445 Berford St.
Windsor Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 80 Park St. East
Wingham Level 2: 0

Level 3: 1

 Tim Horton’s – 33 Josephine St.
Woodstock Level 2: 2

Level 3: 1

 Quality Inn – 580 Bruin Blvd.

 

Some of the above noted locations may be subject to change prior to March 31, 2017.

 

Level 2 charging stations use a 240 volt system (similar to a clothes dryer plug) and can fully charge a vehicle from zero per cent charge in about four to six hours.

 

Level 3 charging stations (also known as Direct Current Fast Chargers or DCFC) use a 480 volt system and can charge a vehicle to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes.  These stations allow EV drivers to charge their vehicles about eight times faster than Level 2 charging stations, and permit them to travel further than ever before.

Culture

Unique Ontario Bill 36 (designed to promote Local Food) passes final Vote

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Local Food Bill

Ontario is moving forward to help promote the good things that are grown, harvested and processed in Ontario with today’s passage of the Local Food Act, 2013. The new legislation is part of a strategy http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/about/localfood.htm  to build Ontario’s economy by making more local food available in markets, schools, cafeterias, grocery stores and restaurants. This will create jobs and expand the province’s agri-food sector.

The new legislation — the first of its kind in Canada — will increase local food awareness, and boost sales by setting local food goals and targets in consultation with sector partners. The act will also create a non-refundable tax credit of 25 per cent for farmers who donate their surplus harvest to eligible community food programs such as food banks, and proclaim a Local Food Week that will take place annually, beginning the first Monday in June. Building a stronger agri-food industry is part of the government’s economic plan to support a dynamic and innovative business climate, invest in people and invest in infrastructure.

QUOTES

“The Local Food Act will benefit people by making the connection between buying local and helping grow an important Ontario industry. If we increase demand to homegrown food, we will create jobs and boost the agri-food sector’s contributions to our economy. It’s an important and historic step forward and I thank everyone who helped support this legislation.” — Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario and Minister of Agriculture and Food

“The Local Food Act will serve as a constant reminder of the bounty of Ontario. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is happy to see that it will target food literacy, local food use and will help farmers attend to the needs of others through a community food donation tax credit.” — Mark Wales, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

“By raising the profile of local food, the Local Food Act will provide Ontario food and beverage processors with an opportunity to further develop local food systems and market development strategies. Ontario consumers are demanding high quality food and drink, and our processors are willing and able to deliver. ” — Steve Peters, Alliance of Ontario Food Processors

QUICK FACTS

The Local Food Act will also require the government to produce an annual local food report on its activities to support local food.  The province’s agri-food sector contributes approximately $34 billion to the economy and supports more than 740,000 jobs across Ontario.  The province’s farmers produce more than 200 commodities, including fruits, vegetables, livestock, dairy, poultry, grains and oilseeds. Food processors in Ontario purchase about two-thirds of the food that is produced on the province’s farms. 

Ontario’s Local Food Fund is part of a $30 million investment from the province to create jobs and support innovative local food projects over the next three years (2013-2016).

LEARN MORE

About the Local Food Fund and how to apply http://news.ontario.ca/omafra/en/2013/09/growing-more-local-food-opportunities.html . Discover award-winning local food innovators in Ontario http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/premier_award/2012-13/winners/index.htm. Be adventurous in the kitchen by visiting Foodland Ontario and trying new recipes http://www.ontario.ca/foodland/foodland-ontario.

Politics

Ontario Green Party Vows To Protect Our Water

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GREEN PARTY LEADER LOOKS AHEAD; COMMITS TO PROMOTING CHANGE DURING MINORITY GOVERNMENT

Toronto – The Green Party of Ontario promises to continue to promote positive change during this minority session of government.
“I am proud of the Green Party’s campaign. The historic gains we made in terms of volunteers, membership and fundraising are accomplishments that build for the future,” said Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario.
“I’m disappointed, but not discouraged by the outcome of the election,” said Schreiner. This election saw the lowest voter turnout in Ontario’s history, and created a minority government.

“We’ve established a solid foundation for the Green Party to grow. The policies articulated in our platform are what Ontario needs, and our organization grows stronger by the day. Unfortunately, vote totals don’t always reflect the strength of a party. I am especially committed to strengthening our democracy by re-engaging the people who didn’t vote this time.”
The Green Party will continue to promote solutions that move the province forward toward a sustainable future for ourselves, our children and future generations. “Our campaign focused on key issues that won’t go away. We will continue to challenge the old parties on tackling tough challenges including local job creation; climate change; access to healthy local food; and responsible government that protects our water, preserves our farmland and puts the needs of our communities ahead of special interests,” says Schreiner.

Contact:

Becky Smit
Green Party of Ontario
(c) 647-830-6486
(o) 416-977-7476
(e) beckysmit@gpo.ca Sent from Green Party of Ontario

PO Box 1132
Toronto, ON M4Y 2T8
Canada

Politics

A Need To Rethink Health Care

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Amongst all the vital issues of provincial significance that get discussed at this time of year, there is no doubt that health care remains as the number one priority for people in Ontario.

Unfortunately, while health sector spending accounts for about 46 cents of every tax dollar allocated, the size and scope of our health system obscures the most important person: the patient.

All too often, care in Ontario is structured around forms, processes, long lines, and bureaucracy, when it should be built from the patient out.

Over the past eight years, money that should have gone to nurses, emergency rooms, and frontline patient care was instead diverted to salaries and expenses for fancy health care consultants. The lessons learned from the billion dollar e-health boondoggle should not be forgotten.

As Ontario’s Opposition we have watched too long as we pay more and get less in health care services. It’s time for patient-centred reforms that make the patient – not bureaucracies, not administrators – the focus of our health care system.

Tim Hudak has announced plans to grow our investments in health, while instilling the patient centred focus we deserve.

Specifically, we will increase annual investments in health-care by $6.1 billion by the end our first term. At the same time we will introduce a rigorous system of patient satisfaction and health outcome measures including the establishment of wait time guarantees for emergency room visits.

To accomplish our goals we will need to take aim at eliminating fraud and waste in health care and reducing administration.

The Ontario PC plan will target the costly health bureaucracies that take money from direct patient care. We will put a stop to scandals like eHealth and limit health care dollars towards ever-expanding salaries for administrators.

For example, the LHINs are unelected, unaccountable, faceless bureaucracies that the Dalton McGuinty Liberals hide behind whenever there are beds to close, emergency rooms to shut, or nurses to lay off. To date, $300 million health care dollars have been diverted from frontline care to pay for salaries and administration. We will close the LHINs and redirect those dollars to patients.

We continue to advocate bringing more doctors to communities that need them. We will do this by encouraging doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants to work collaboratively. We will increase residency placements for medical students from Ontario who have training outside Canada and want to return home to practice. Locally, the excitement surrounding plans for a new Port Dover Health Centre – ideally building on the success of the Delhi Community Health Centre – will go a long way to attracting and retaining physicians and other health professionals.

Our plan also includes improvements in health care for Ontario seniors with 40,000 long-term care beds – 5,000 new and 35,000 upgraded. And we will give homecare users more dignity, more flexibility and more say in determining where they acquire these important services.

For all we pay in taxes, we should receive the highest quality services in the country. In many cases, it’s not about more money but rather about rethinking and revitalizing the way our services work. We will work to ensure we receive the world class health care services we deserve.

Culture

A Dollar For Compressed Air – Are You Getting Gouged?

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The Silo does a lot of travelling and we take notice of the highs and the lows that go along with working in parts of four counties.  Some standouts are the comparative condition of the roads, the comparative prices of gasoline and diesel and one thing that surprised us: the rising cost of compressed air and the variations in the amount of time you get for the compressed air.

But why do we notice these things?

You see, we live in a wonderfully exotic environment. In just a few months time, air temperatures can vary between -20 degrees C to + 25 degrees C and this temperature jump combined with a (seemingly) growing number of potholes means checking your vehicles tire condition and pressure is a must. If you want to drive safely and economically and comfortably.

And that’s the rub

The vast majority of service stations are no longer Ma and Pa operations that cater to the automobile enthusiast. Sure they have candy and coffee and DVD’s and scratch lottery tickets. But what about putting the word ‘service’ back into service station? None of us on staff are old enough to remember a time when pulling your car into a gas station meant at a minimum a check under the hood. None of us are old enough to contemplate a time when your car was jacked up and inspected like a ship in dry dock. But all of us are aware of the rising cost of not only fuel but compressed air.

As we make our way around the different county lines and roads, our vehicles are taking a toll. On average, the roads are spotty and checking tire pressure has become a bit of an obsession. [If any of you are driving a vehicle with Nitrogen or another gas in your tires, please let us know if you’ve noticed a difference]

We are shocked by the rising costs of air pumps. The average cost of filling your tires is now 1$. The fill rates vary between pump manufacturers and it’s plausible that station owners may adjusting the length of time that 1$ will buy. We will report back our findings.  In the meantime- visit Burcham’s Service on Main St. in Port Dover for FULL service gas [sorry no diesel] and FREE compressed air. Pay attention to the warning sign above the air pump- this is a high pressure nozzle but when used properly, does a great job of filling your tires at no cost.  CP

 

Earth

Cultural Artifacts Complicate Plans For Any Construction

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Flaking and percussion bulbs point towards human manufacture

This stone shows signs of ancient human manufacture. Percussive bulbs result from being hammered and chipped, and facial flaking along the sides are strong indicators. It was retrieved in April 2010 from the then drained shoreline of Silver Lake millpond in Port Dover, Ontario. In the vicinity of the stone were animal bones and glacial till.

According to Ontario’s Heritage Act– municipalities must

  • Provide clear standards and guidelines for the preservation of provincial heritage properties.
  • Enhance protection of heritage conservation districts, marine heritage sites and archaeological resources.

Even when cultural artifacts are not immediately discovered, a cultural assessment must take place to establish any archaeological remains. The Cayuga Bridge construction project was delayed due to this requirement.