Portrait of Laura Keating in front of wall with graffiti. Photo by Gord Moss.

Laura Keating, a working musician

A horn player recently told me about how jazz colleagues are somewhat rusty from not having the gigs or the opportunity to jam during the forced isolation of the pandemic. Folk rocker, singer songwriter, guitar player and Crown Point resident Laura Keating had a different experience during the past two-years. “I turned to new ways …

Continue reading "Laura Keating, a working musician"
Complete Sreet in Grimsby

Can a city be driven to change?

This spring, Hamilton city council is expected to debate and pass a complete streets design manual to make roads friendlier and safer, especially for more vulnerable pedestrians and cyclists. Under the program, walking, cycling, and public transit will have a higher priority. The 2021 city transportation master plan (unanimously adopted by city council) states that …

Continue reading "Can a city be driven to change?"

Hockey Returns to Balsam Avenue

The Bulldogs have been a part of many memories for me and my family over the years. I have been to games with my kids, my dad and I once took my grandfather to a playoff game which might have been the only time the two of us ever talked hockey.

Continue reading "Hockey Returns to Balsam Avenue"

The Road to 108: A Fan’s Journey

For me, being at Tim Horton’s field for the 108th and my first ever Grey Cup, will be a celebration and reflection on all of the above and the part 75 Balsam and our Tabbies have played throughout the story of my First 48.

Continue reading "The Road to 108: A Fan’s Journey"
Creepy Bits Website

Creeping around “Creepy Bits”

In filmmaking, there is so much work. There are locations, scenery, costumes, traffic control, electrical systems, audio systems, special effects, and all the stuff that allows everything else to happen. Even a small film is a big project with many, many moving parts. Walking through Gage Park or along Ottawa Street when a movie is …

Continue reading "Creeping around “Creepy Bits”"
One truck negotiates a left turn while another waits at the light.
Photo by Sean Hurley

Truck Route Master Plan a wrong turn?

Commercial and long-haul freight trucks are like modern-day dinosaurs. They lumber along and dominate the road networks they share with smaller vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. But we’ve learned to depend on these massive beasts which deliver vegetables, fruit, appliances and other goods to every community across North America, 24-7. In our fulfillment economy, they’ve been …

Continue reading "Truck Route Master Plan a wrong turn?"
Transport truck southbound on Ottawa Street
A transport truck travels southbound on Ottawa St. N. from Barton. Sean Hurley

Heavy trucks coming to Ottawa Street

Ottawa Street South, between King and Main boasts one and two story brick homes with front porches and tall mature trees. At Main, where Ottawa Street divides between North and South, Memorial Public School sits opposite Caro, a trendy and busy Italian eatery with big windows and a patio. Continue northbound and a traveller will …

Continue reading "Heavy trucks coming to Ottawa Street"