Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Easy day for police, DCFD rises to occasion, Big Becky

We got about four new inches of snow yesterday night and more today. I liked it better when it didn't snow past minus 10 in Niagara. So much for being too cold to snow...

This will make you laugh --- Does it get any easier for the police...

Dad's grow-op busted after baby dials 9-1-1
January 21, 2009
THE CANADIAN PRESS

WHITE ROCK–A B.C. man probably wishes he had given his 11-month-old son a set of keys to play with instead of a phone, after the infant accidentally dialled 9-1-1 and brought police to dad's marijuana grow operation.

Mounties say a 9-1-1 call came in from a White Rock, B.C. residence Friday morning but whoever was on the other end of the line hung up.

Officers arrived at the residence and after numerous knocks on the door went unanswered, they entered the home.

"The gentleman was quite surprised," said White Rock RCMP Const. Janelle Canning.

She said the 29-year-old male, startled by the sudden sight of police, insisted he hadn't made the call.

When it was suggested a child might have dialled, the father objected and said his son was far too young.

That's when police spotted the baby boy, phone in hand.

"We saw him playing with the cordless phone and just pressing all the buttons, so evidently he had called 9-1-1," Canning said.

With that mystery solved, officers began inspecting the residence and soon discovered a 500-plant marijuana grow operation.

The father was arrested and will appear in court in early April on charges of production of a controlled substance and mischief.

The boy was removed from the home by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, though he was later released into his mother's custody.

The mother does not live in the residence and Canning says she had no idea what was going on at the home.


WASHINGTON, D.C.

FIRERESCE1.com Did an article on the DC Fire-EMS service


For anyone who watched part of the Inauguration yesterday in Washington D.C., you might be asking yourself "logistically how did they handle the emergencies" Well, as expected, DC Fire-EMS did rose to the challenge. They even attended to a VIP Sen. Ted Kennedy. Most people who were treated had cold-weather issues. As Ryan pointed out (if you checked out his blog) Mr. Obama's daughter and even he himself were not wearing hats. Bush the Elder had a nice warm hat on. 

BIG BECKY
Has anyone heard any more news about Big Becky (OPG/STRABAG's Tunnel Boring Machine) It is slowly making it's way along under the city I suspect. But if you want to see what it looks like the Niagara Falls Review has an online photo gallery of it.



Snowing in Yellowknife

Minus 10 and snowing like the Dickens...  (http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/233450.html)

I taught some more lessons today some group and some private/semi-private lessons today did some guarding and then a group of us went to Boston Pizza after work. 

When I got back to Ian's I was looking at the TORONTO STAR and came across the two luckiest guys in the world in 2009 so far. Stranded at sea for 25 days in an icebox in shark infested waters off of Australia.




For the students who were awaiting the York University strike vote, 63% of the 69% of CUPE members voted to reject the offer. This puts not only the fall winter semester into July but also messes up summer studies there too. If the strike goes to Friday it will be the longest University strike in Canadian history. With the University saying its not going back to the table, an arbitrator might have to be called to solve this impasse and Queen's Park might have to act too. For the students I am really sorry about this news.

BYE BYE BUSH



My friend Ryan Androssoff was at the inauguration today along with his classmates from the Harvard Kenned School of Government. You can read what he wrote on his blog and what he wrote for the HKS blog too.



Saturday, January 17, 2009

Yellowknife = minus 7 Queenston = minus 9





For the first time this winter it is now warmer here in Yellowknife than it is in Queenston.

Stay warm everybody.

Last night I went for a walk and it felt like Florida. Today I did some work on my car in just a turtleneck and sweatshirt. The weather is finally warm. I never thought I'd think of mnus seven as warm I mean it's not cold enough for icewine but it feels pretty good.

Brock's Monument Will Re-Open in May !!!



As you know, I served onthe Board of Directors of the Friends of Fort George for three years and have been a supporter for many more. Over the past few years, Brock's Monument has been closed, first because of worry about the structure and later due to budget reasons it waited closed before any work could be tendered. Last summer we were able to get a visitor's reception centre open at the old Burger Shack at Queenston Heights Park. 

Here is a letter that I would like to share from the Friends.

Hello Firends and Supporters,

We are pleased to announce that Brock's Monument at Queenston Heights will re-open in May, 2009, after a long 4 year closure. Restoration work will be complete and The Friends of Fort George will again offer an interpretive program for the season. (May to September).  Attached is a flyer for school tours and the same information applies for independent non-school groups and individuals who visit the site. 
 
The Friends of Fort George would appreciate your passing this information along to schools and others who will once again have the opportunity to take guided tours of the Queenston Heights battlefield, learn more about Brock's Monument and enjoy the spectacular view from the top.  As the bicentennial of the War of 1812 quickly approaches, we are pleased to be able to once again offer tours and stir the interest of students and the general public about this significant historic site and our Canadian hero - General Sir Isaac Brock.
 
We would also appreciate your displaying the attached poster at your workplace or a public bulletin board, if appropriate.
 
Please visit our website at www.friendsoffortgeorge.ca to stay in touch about our 2009 events and activities.
 
Thanks in advance for your support!
 
Erika
 
Erika Alexander, Executive Director
Friends of Fort George
P.O. Box 1283
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON
L0S 1J0
 
Phone/fax 905-468-7681
Friends' gift shop 905-468-6621

Thursday, January 15, 2009

TWO DEGREES OF SEPERATION






After work today I thought it would be fun to compare temperatures between here in Yellowknife, NOTL and in North Bay where my sister is. 

And the results: North Bay wins it's the coldest there then seperated by only TWO DEGREES is Yellowknife and finally NOTL.

Today was a pretty good day here in Yellowknife. I was home from work with a migrane yesterday and had a chance to make some phone calls home instead of trying to call after everyone is in bed back in Niagara. Thanks to everyone who I talked to. I'm doing much better now. 

Did you see the emergency landing in he Hudson River. Wow the flight crew did a great job and the emergency responders (especially FDNY) performed just as expected with honour. 



I have the next two days off and hope to be able to get you some pictures from Yellowknife and the surrounding area. I am thinking about going to the museum and legislature too.

There is talk around town that the temperature might even get to zero! Break out the Bermuda Shorts and Hawaiian shirts.