September 11, 2012 · 4:16 pm

The Final Labour Day Classic

Canada’s National Anthem being performed before the last Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Even though the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a shocking fourth quarter comeback, the final Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium was a game to remember not only for it’s dramatic ending, but also from the overall Labour Day experience that’s never failed to disappoint.

The Labour Day Classic at Ivor Wynne Stadium is known around the league as one of the most intense, important, and hotly contested games of the regular season. Toronto Argonaut players hate it, Hamilton Tiger-Cat players love it, and just about everyone in Hamilton wants to be there for it.

Scott Park, which is located across the street from the south side of the stadium, was over-capacity with tailgaters consuming their fair share of alcohol and sausages hours before kick off. The atmosphere surrounding the stadium before the game was almost celebratory, with a cheerful crowd passing the turnstiles, ready to absorb every second of a famous last game.

Ivor Wynne Stadium is a relic; a stadium of times past; a reminder of better days in The Hammer, when jobs were in abundance and industry was booming. Previously named Civic Stadium, it’s inception was in 1928, ages before modern monolithic, boring stadiums. With wood seating, pillars blocking fans views in some sections of the south side, and no variety of concessions, it’s easy to see why management is so eager to see a new stadium erected in it’s place. Most Tiger-Cat fans, however, would disagree.

The stadium is sandwiched between Melrose and Balsam Avenue in East Hamilton, where many would call the “heart” of the city. Parking is scarce, so often you find yourself parking on the driveways and lawns of residents (thankfully, my grandfather lives a block away and always saves a spot on his front lawn for me) within the areas surrounding the stadium. If you’re taking the HSR, you get a free shuttle ride upon brandishing your ticket as the city increases the transit schedule for the additional ridership the game brings.

In an unexpected twist, the halftime show was the Syracuse University Orangemen marching band. They were seated in section 21 during the game (directly behind where I was seated – awesome!) and were a great boost to the home fans, performing Hamilton chants and classic marching band songs in-between plays. Needless to say, they overshadowed the traveling Toronto Argonauts band, “The Argonotes”.

A perfect day was only mildly disrupted by a tough loss. But one thing is for certain, it’s going to be a very sad day when this stadium is torn down. Many memories were made here, over several generations. It will be interesting to see how the new stadium will turn out, however. Will they change the stands from North-South to East-West? Is there going to be more than just beer and hot dogs? And will the citizens of this passionate city accept their new mecca?

Bring on 2015 and the new Labour Day traditions that will follow. Us Tiger Cat fans are hungry for more.

Oskee Wee Wee.

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April 5, 2012 · 12:02 am

Hamiltonian wins 118th Around The Bay 30k road race

As many as 11,000 participants took part in this year’s 118th Around The Bay 30K road race on Sunday March 25, 2012.

This year’s event featured a hometown Olympic hopeful, running the Around The Bay for the first time and a record amount of runners from all over Canada who participated in one of the most popular spring races.

Hamilton’s own Reid Coolsaet, who just recently qualified for the 2012 London Olympic games at the Toronto Scotiabank Marathon, ran the event for his first time and came out victorious. Coolsaet finished with a time of 1:33:20, just 58 seconds off the course record. Krista Duchene, a mother of two and one of Canada’s elite female runners from Brantford, Ontario was the first placed female, with a time of 1:47:03.

This years event was held on a beautiful spring day and the spectators were well in the thousands, both on the course and inside Copps Coliseum – where the finish line is located.

The next Around The Bay will be held on March 24, 2013. Make sure to sign-up and participate in North America’s oldest road race before it’s too late!

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January 13, 2012 · 11:23 am

Ted McMeekin visits Mohawk College to announce new post-secondary grant

Liberal M.P.P. Ted McMeekin visited Mohawk College’s Fennell Campus to announce the provincial government’s new grant for students.

McMeekin, a former Mohawk graduate, addressed a room full of journalism students to discuss the 30% discount Ontario students can receive on their post-secondary tuition. The new grant was launched by the province this January and is available for anyone who meets the requirements.

“We’re delivering our promise for making post-secondary education more accessible and affordable for students and families,” said McMeekin.

The grant will amount to $1,600 a year for university students and $730 for college students.

Students who are eligible must be less than four years out of high school with parents who make (combined) under $160,000, gross. While students who are already on OSAP will have their applications submitted automatically.

McMeekin says the grant was not only to help make post-secondary education more affordable for Ontario residents, but also to help the province compete internationally.

“We’re out to make sure that we can outcompete the world,” said McMeekin.

Rob MacIsaac, President of Mohawk College, was in attendance to thank McMeekin and the provincial government for the grant. MacIsaac says the grant is important for the growth and reputation of Mohawk college.

“With this grant our value proposition just got a whole lot better,” said MacIsaac, “it’s going to make education […] more affordable”.

The deadline to apply for the grant this term is March 12th. Over 300,000 students in Ontario are eligible.

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November 17, 2011 · 6:54 pm

Hamilton remembers on Remembrance Day

The 93rd Annual Remembrance Day Memorial Service took place at the Gore Park Cenotaph in honour of soldiers past and present.

The ceremony started at 10:45 a.m. with a Parade of Attention welcome by John Clarke, Chairman of the Hamilton Veterans Committee.

Mayor Bob Bratina then took to the podium to welcome everyone. In his address, he said that Remembrance Day is “more than just about World War Two,” it’s about everyone who has served or is serving our country.

“I know over 285 names from one unit and I’ve never forgot them,” said Ron Cosby, a Vietnam war veteran who says many Canadians fought in Vietnam. “A lot of people don’t realize [that Canadians served in Vietnam]… I served with the 101st Airborne Division.”

“I’ve lost friends and had buddies messed up in Afghanistan,” said Corporal Steve Wright, who is still serving with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. He said he’s attending to remember everyone who courageously fought for us.

After Mayor Bratina’s words, “O Canada” officially opened the ceremony. Played by the Dundas Concert Band, it was boisterously sung – echoing off the downtown buildings in a great display of patriotism. Later, the war veterans of different ages laid wreaths in what was an emotional moment.

Following the wreath-laying, “In Flanders Fields” was quietly recited by those attending. The two minutes silence that preceded John McCrae’s timeless poem were undisturbed except for the church bells mournfully ringing around the Cenotaph.

“Six church bells throughout the city rang during the two moments silence,” said Mayor Bratina during the closing remarks about the new addition to the ceremony. The six memorial bells were from churches throughout the downtown.

As the service came to an end a Lancaster Bomber from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum thunderously flew over the city as a reminder of our freedom.

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November 4, 2011 · 11:17 am

Somali women of Hamilton share their story through pictures

Homegrown Hamilton Café hosted the “Pathway & Barriers” exhibit, a photographic presentation of the struggles faced by female refugees from Somalia in Hamilton.

The exhibit was created by the Immigrant Women’s Centre (located on Barton Street and Nash) not only to present the struggles that newly arrived immigrants to Hamilton face, but also the help the Centre provides. The photographs in the presentation were taken by one of seven Somali women who participated in this exhibit. Under the photos were captions by one of the women explaining the idea in the picture.

“IWC helps a lot of newcomers with education and job searching,” said Deqa, a Somalian woman who has been in Canada since 1999. She’s managed to go to school and now helps new arrivals with their English. Along with help in education the women also explain other obstacles in their community.

Like Salado, who says in a caption below the picture of a bus stop in Hamilton that she “doesn’t feel safe at times” and that people need to stop discriminating because it hurts her feelings. Salado’s lived in Canada for 8 years and like the others she volunteers at teaching new Somalians in the community.

The other women included in their photographs scenarios they faced that the IWC’s Leading and Learning workshop (an eight week workshop program funded by Immigration Canada) can have a positive effect on. This workshop allows participants to use their experiences to help newcomers as peer support workers and become leaders in their communities. The IWC says their goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness “over the challenges and successes that many newcomers face”.

The women also voiced other concerns over life in Hamilton, such as poor housing, troubles with public transit, finding jobs,  and the importance of community centers.

“The Immigrants Women’s Centre asked if we would be interested in this and we said yes… it was a worthwhile project,” Tim Lidster, Homegrown Hamilton Café owner said about the exhibit.

The exhibit will be on display at the café from October 13th to Nov 4, between 11:00am and 2:00pm.

Homegrown Hamilton Café is located at 27 King William St, Hamilton, ON.

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October 13, 2011 · 9:57 am

Citizens voice little concern over proposed amendments

A public meeting was held on September 19th at City Hall for amendments to The Downtown and Community Renewal Community Improvement Plan and Project with citizens approval.

The changes were proposed by Alan Waterfield and Hazel Milsome, of the Urban Renewal committee. What they proposed were amendments for many businesses and communities within Hamilton and the amalgamated areas.

Citizens and business owners who attended voiced few concerns over the proposed amendments.

The changes aim to rehabilitate and revitalize land and buildings within targeted areas of the city. The plan provides greater initiatives for small businesses, heritage buildings and potential business investments.

Waterfield says the committee does not expect approval from city council until early 2012.

The program is currently working with a 20 million dollar budget and is hoping to see the budget expand to 40 million. Milsome said this will not be an issue.

“The idea behind our proposals is to bring in more tax revenue,” said Milsome, with optimism that changes to the program will succeed.

The committee plans to expand the downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA) zone, covering areas further outside the core of the city. Six current incentive programs could be modified.

Amendments include loan extensions to heritage buildings, extended deadlines for property improvement loans, more lenient requirements for loan spending on commercial developments, and grants for facade face-lifts of up to $25,000 on new businesses.

The facade upgrades will help give the downtown a facelift, boost property value,  and entice businesses to move into active Business Initiative Areas of Hamilton says Waterfield.

The amendments are just in the first phase of the approval process and Waterfield says there is “always room for improvement”.

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