30 Years of Star Wars

Friday was the 30th anniversary of the release of Star Wars and the beginning of the Summer blockbuster era. I remember that day in 1977 so well even though I was only seven years old. My sister Cherylanne took me to the old Tivoli Theatre on James Street. We couldn't get in because the movie was PG-13 and my sister didn't turn 13 until September. We went home and our mom took us the next night. We sat in the front row, and from that day until "Return of the Jedi" I had to have the figures, ships and almost everything Star Wars. The collection's gone now, I played with the figures like they are meant too and not just kept in a package on a shelf, so they where not worth a whole lot when I sold them a couple years. I think I got $100 for them and a stuffed Chewie who smelled a little funky. I'm not sure what happened to the large scale Millenium Falcon and X-Wing Fighter though.

Since then the Summer movie season has been full of garbage slasher flicks and teen shlock, long live the origional Star Wars trillogy. May the force be with you!


Later,
Kenaz

Hamilton the good

Three good news stories to report from the 'Hammer' today. A north end park was cleaned up and the area BIA is committing itself to keeping it that way. Hamilton will soon be one local calling area and a shake-up at city hall should bring some respect back.

Woodlands park on Barton street between Wentworth and Sanford is on the receiving end of some new trees and continued upkeep. The city will plant 35 new trees in the park thanks to a $5,000 donation from Siemens Power Generation and the Barton village BIA will look after the grounds. I caught the story while I was on my lunch break down at Hotz Environmental, who was on hand at the park in case any hazardous waste was found. Congrats to all the kids who participated, it's nice to see someone has good old fashioned values. I have fond memories of playing in summer and winter at this park growing up, and it would be a same to loose it to the crack heads, hookers and gangs.

Canada's telephone regulator, has cleared the way for local calling throughout the boundaries of the city of Hamilton. It has approved Bell Canada's application to make Hamilton a single local calling area. The changes will take effect in November. Suburban politicians have been pushing the initiative, virtually since amalgamation back in 2000. It doesn't come without a cost. Bell's residential customers will pay a 30 cent monthly surcharge for the next three years. The surcharge is 17 cents for business customers. Small cost for being able to make a call from one end of the city, it seems so obvious, why has it taken seven years?

And finally, the news that Lee Anne Coveyduck will be replaced June 1st couldn't be more sobering and the date couldn't come fast enough. The manager of Hamilton's building and licensing department is going out in a blaze of glory(wink). More concerns about the department came out today. According to the Spectator, one in three Hamilton homes built in the past 18 months was under construction before the city issued a permit. And city officials are admitting that's true. That's despite the fact it's in clear violation of Ontario's building code act, that states no construction can begin on any building without a permit being issued. The city says it is taking steps to address the issue with the development of an updated procedures manual for building inspectors.

The new accountability and transparency subcommittee approved by council to set up the new integrity commissioner's office spearheaded by Joanna Chapman should stem the bleeding. The Dundas book seller is one of four community members on the committee. She's joined by David Broom, Ted Charuk and Denise O'Connor.

Later,
Kenaz

My vision for Sherman Avenue North

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Good day, good riddance

The work week has come to an end and so has my employment at Tomco Steel after eight months. I'm not saddened in any way, in fact I'm a little relieved. I've been trying to get my temp agency to reassign me for quite a while do too the rather juvenile attitudes of the boss Steve and his employees.

I first wrote about my situation back in February in a post entitled "I hate Mondays, ask me why?". In a nut shell the afternoon foreman was a complete idiot who in deed succeed in getting me fired for refusing to work an OPTIONAL overtime Saturday shift. I guess the bigger idiot was Steve who actually did the firing, then rehired me within the same day.

The biggest idiot in hind sight was me, I went back to a company that showed such lack of morals when it came to treating temps. To prove my point here is the second email I sent to my temp agency boss on April 26.

I know we have had this conversation before, but I don't feel you understand the situation. The situation at Tomco is getting slightly worse. It's tough to do your work in amidst an atmosphere of back stabbing and hurtful lies.

The culprits haven't changed they have only multiplied since the incident with Gary the then afternoon foreman. Things where looking better when I went to days away from the problem. But have returned as Steve decided to bring the problem back to days and ignore the problem. The man (Gary) is a spiteful human who has no people skills and I feel enjoys getting on peoples case for no reason.

The second problem is their mechanic Mark who for what ever reason finds it humorous to make comments to you as your passing like "your crazy, stop talking to yourself" (?) Apparently a bigger joke as his buddy a machine operator Adam chimed in with his agreement. This comment was brought to Steve attention, not much was done.

Side note, Adam is known for his lack of attention span, and has been told about his smart mouth, but as long as he's saying things about me behind my back or as today make his comments while pointing or starring at you. (Today was either threatening bodily harm or trying to get someone else to do so) Oh course as his nature, he pathologically denies ever talking.

As I have mentioned to you, it doesn't look like Tomco ever wishes to evoke a work environment that work suite my type of personality. I like to work hard, quietly with people who don't have these types of hurtful attitudes and for a boss that doesn't feel temps are disposable people. I mean if I'm so bad at my job and have such a bad attitude why have I been their since October. (These comments have been made by any or all of the above people the last by Steve).

I don't like being blind sided, I wish to work for you some where else if Tomco refuses to deal with the issues and desist the harmful actions. I do have the right to file a Ministry of Labour Claim against the above persons if I feel their actions deliberate and I will. I hope this letter doesn't strain or relationship, my intention is quite the opposite, a good working relationship can only occur if both sides are happy and that's what it was at the start with Tomco and I hope again or somewhere else with your help.

For eight months I continually proved that I was a damn great packer and one of the best they had. Not my words, Steve's on many occasions. To back up the point all they had to do is read the production sheets. So, that brings me to today, at 3:00 o'clock I got the call, I was fired for get this "being unable to keep up with the machines and thus causing damage!" First of all if I couldn't keep up with a punch press set at 32 parts per minute, why did Adam turn it up to 42 ppm when I was packing by myself!

The joke is on me Adam you got me. You broke the punch and pinned it on me, Steve took the easy way out and got rid of me. So long Tomco, Adam, I miss all your drunkin' tales and childish temper tantrums. Watching a grown man(?) throw around a three step latter because he pinched his fingers (no more painful than cracking your fingers with a tack hammer) and then sulk about it, is down right funny. Oh well good news, he left work early to go camping, hope a bear mistakes him for the rat that he is an makes a snack out of him.

Anyway, off to enjoy my long weekend(Victoria Day, in Canada) the temp boss says he's working on something for me for next week, closer to my home. Crossing my fingers.

Later,
Kenaz

Bob Sherwin will be missed

I was extremely sad to read that former CHML and CKOC radio personality Bob Sherwin had passed away. He died this afternoon at Hamilton General hospital after suffering a severe heart attack on Sunday. Sherwin has been a fixture on Hamilton radio since the 1970's. I have fond memories of listening to his weekly Big 500 countdown on CKOC as a kid. I know god has a master plan for all of us but why take the good souls so young? Mr. Sherwin was only 52.

Later,
Kenaz

Remembering a great mom

The roses my mom planted so many years ago have only started to come up this year,



my tulips are coming to their end of their cycle



and moms lilacs that I continue to grow in her memory and because I love their colour are coming up beautifully.



Since 1999 the meaning of Mother's Day changed for me forever. Still the day for thanking the women who brought me into the world for everything she did to make me the man I am today. May 13 is also the day I reach towards the heavens and ask her to continue to steer me towards what ever destiny lies in wait and ask for her beacon of light to enlighten me so that I can defend against the evils that hide in the shadows. Forever grateful, your son Kendall.



The poem "A Mother's Love" hangs in my dining room and keeps the memory of my mother alive. Please enlarge the photo to read it.

Today was a great day, I watched the young guns of Canada capture gold in Russia and bring home yet another World Championship to complete the trifecta. Joining the juniors and the women Canada yet again showed who where the King and Queen's of hockey. The heat has already started to get to me so, the hair went. Should be a lot more comfortable under the hard hat at work. That's all for now.

Later,
Kenaz

Hamilton's for the birds!

Three in fact! Since my first post back in March about this years Falcon Watch update here in Hamilton, there has been new additions to the family. Here is a capsulized look at the new events.

April 9, 2007 - Three eggs are noticed the scrape and may be four. The cold weather is still keeping Madame X close to the nest.

April 16, 2007 - The fourth egg is seen. The cold weather is still keeping Madame X close to the nest but it looks like things will warm up a bit later this week. Falcon fans will be interested to know that the Falconwatch TV monitor and information signs are now on view in a storefront in Jackson Square Mall. Look for the display in the aisle closest to King Street, on the James St. side of the Sheraton hotel.

May 8, 2007 - Madame X is being one protective mama!. No interviews allowed! Around 11:50AM today Madame X started twisting and turning. A short time later a bit of white appeared, and at 11:52:44 a little black beak and eye line were clearly visible. One here, ?? to go!

May 9, 2007 - At approximately 12:25 the second chick of 2007 emerged. The adults take turns incubating, with a couple of 'shift changes' observed. During the afternoon several clear views of both chicks and the two remaining eggs. Two here, two to go.

May 11, 2007 - At 07:07 in the morning the adults did a food exchange and a clear image of THREE CHICKS and the remaining egg are captured. Three here, one to go.

Click on the link to see pics of the aw! so cute chicks and the proud parents.
http://www.hamiltonnature.org/hamfalcam.html

Later,
Kenaz

Chief Brian Mullan lies again

The families of Lucas Deane, Paul Haggerty and the entire community deserve to read today's report on how police botched the surrender of accused double-murderer Corey Rogers. In case you don't remember Lucas, 18, and his 19-year-old friend Paul Haggerty were stabbed to death outside a Barton Street bar in the early hours of Feb. 17. Two other young men were wounded. Within hours Hamilton police arrested Corey Rogers -- who had been named CrimeStoppers Most Wanted the previous month.

Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse must have sprained his wrist patting himself on the back and congratulating his officers for their "good police work." What he didn't say was that exactly one week before the homicides, Corey Rogers called 911, identified himself and said he wanted to turn himself in. Instead of doing their damn job and sending cops over immediately to make the high-risk arrest, the call-taker told Rogers he'd phoned at a bad time and suggested he walk to police headquarters and turn himself in.

Rogers obviously never showed up. Rogers wasn't arrested until he fell into the arms of cops who finally traced the phone call and waited outside his home until he came home. Not exactly the stuff Sherlock Holmes mysteries are made of.

Hamilton police say they are serious about transparency and regaining the public's trust and doing the right thing, then why are they trying to hide the report? The report was delivered today by Niagara police who conducted an impartial review at the request of Mullen, after the debacle. Instead of answers, we only get more questions and that isn't what Lucas Deane's grieving grandparents deserve.

It took ten weeks to get the report, one that both Mullan and board chair Bernie Morelli promised that when the report was ready, they would share it with the public. Morelli further promised the families and public a full accounting of what happened and said his intention is to release the entire report.

Mullan said he called for the external investigation because according to interview with The Spectator "There's an obligation to give a total and accurate depiction to the community as to what happened because the community is concerned" and "we have an obligation to ensure the families know exactly what happened in great detail."

What is Mullan hiding from the public, we deserve the whole report and not and edited one that seems most likely since Morelli has already ran to his lawyers to talk about censoring the report. Enough is enough, the corruption in Hamilton has to end.

Later,
Kenaz

In memorium of my mother

On May 7, 1999 an incredible women was taken from her family far too early. In memory of my mother Bernice Oliphant I had this tatoo designed and inked based on my drawing shortly after. The ivy leaves represent my mother who switched her first and middle name when she was quite young. The barbed wire represents the ties that bind and sometimes strifes the relationship between son and mother. The peace symbol is self explanitory, Psalms 23:4 is my favourite verse from the bible. The verse tells us not to fear the unknown certainties that come with the passing of a loved one and even when things look their bleakest their is always someone willing to light your way. The word "kid" is something that you will always be called by your family no matter how old you get when your the youngest of ten in total. Mothers Day should be celebrated every day and childhood memories should never be allowed to fade.

One of my favourite poems that deals with memories of family good times is "O for an hour of childhood!"

Ford, Samuel Payne


O for an hour of childhood!
On of those olden hours
When life was bright with sunshine,
And garlanded with flowers;
Ere the happy family circle,
That sat by the old stone hearth,
Was tearfully torn asunder
And scattered about the earth.

Could my childish wish be granted,
And Time turn back in his flight;
Which one of those hours of gladness
Would I have return to-night?
They are all of glad remembrance,
Though a few are dimmed with tears;
Say, which of those precious moments
Shall I call from the mist of years?

Shall I ask for the festal evening,
When father, and mother, and all
Were gathered together rejoicing
In the crowded Christmas hall?
And the gay, glad hours flew speedily,
With music and mirth, and chat?
Ah, no! for i see in the distance
A pleasanter hour than that.

Shall I ask for a summer morning,
When the birds are singing of love,
With never a cloud to darken
The bright blue sky above?
And trip with my little sister
All over the verdant lawn,
Plucking the flowers that blossom
As day begins to dawn;
And then spring cheerily forward
To the top of the pine-clad hill,
To see the sun rise in his beauty?
There are happier moments still.

Shall I ask for a time so often
Enjoyed in the "long ago,"
When after an hour's careering
So merrily over the snow,
An army of laughing loved ones,
All happy, and merry and strong,
We cheerfully tuned our voices
And joined in some sweet old song?
O! passing pleasant those hours were,
Nor shadowed by one regret,
Still ever there cometh the memory
Of holier moments yet.

May I have but one hour only?
I would have one most like heaven,
One calm, sweet hour, with all at home
On some quiet, Sabbath even?
Would list again to the voice of prayer
From hearts to God devoted,
And join again in the songs of praise
That round the old rooms floated?
Would kneel again at my mother's knee,
Beneath her smile of light,
And fall asleep with her lips on mine,
Kissing a fond "good-night"?

Later,
Kenaz

Questions still linger in the wake of CD's closing

CD Sports Bar on Ottawa Street North no longer has a business licence to operate legally in Hamilton. The place that became notorious after stabbings, shootings including one fatal incident and a multitude of complaints from fed up residents.

This should be the final word of the closing chapter in this notorious saga, but this story has a cliff hanger that needs to be solved. If the bar owner's licence expired in early April, why didn't the city's licensing committee know this until the last minute leading up too a meeting that would have decided whether to revoke or fail to renew the licence? Only then council was told there was no valid licence in force.

That means that since the expiry date of April 9, the business had been operating without a licence. City staff knew about the expiry. And during this period of unlicensed operation, someone was shot after leaving the bar.

Municipal policy around business licence renewal is as "flexible". In advance of expiry, business operators receive communication. And after it expires, there is a grace period during which city staff work with business owners on licence renewal.

I don't get a grace period to pay my city taxes or any bill, why should any business be able to operate without a licence? There can't and shouldn't be any gray area here, have a licence, operate your business, or close your doors, period.

The foreward to this tale should read CD bar owner no longer has the right to own, operate or be a partner in any business that serves alcohol in light of his arogance to the laws that he says he never violated and says he will obey regardless. Secondly, the city's licensing department, already in the midst of an overhaul, needs to revisit its standard protocols and tighten their lax way of enforcement.

Later,
Kenaz