Stoney Creek’s Memorial Park Nominated for Kraft Celebration Tour. Wish us luck!!

Memorial Park in Stoney Creek has been nominated to receive a $25,000 prize for some much needed upgrades to the park and to host TSN Sports Centre.

Wish us luck.

You can visit the nomination page at this link --> http://www.kraftcelebrationtour.ca/nominations/detail/694/

Hamiltonians asked to cut back on water usage - low water level 1 declared

As of May 8, the Hamilton Conservation Authority's Low Water Response Team has declared a Level 1 Low Water Condition for the HCA watershed.

Based on criteria set out by the provincial government in its Low Water Response Plan, the conditions established are: Level I for the entire Hamilton area watershed, which includes Spencer Creek, Red Hill Creek, Stoney Creek and Battlefield Creek as well as all of their tributaries and other minor watercourses.
The 3 month average precipitation across the watershed is between 40% and 60% of normal for the period of February - April. This follows a winter with a significantly reduced snowpack which reduced the contribution of snow melt to spring flows. Flow stations on Spencer Creek, Ancaster Creek, and Red Hill Creek are indicating average monthly flows below normal for this time of year.

At this time we are requesting all users reduce their water use by 10%, and to forward this message on to other water users in their sectors. Strategies for reducing water use can be found on the Low Water Condition Factsheet below.

The Low Water Response Team is made up of water users in the watershed including agricultural representatives, golf courses, nursery operators, quarry operations, and industrial users as well as provincial, municipal, and HCA representatives

Hamilton’s John Axford blown save sends wife into labor

The final numbers from Friday night's five-hour, 13-inning Cubs-Brewers marathon include 21 combined walks, 43 of 50 players used, four hit batters and one player's wife going into labor.
That's right, Brewers closer John Axford had more to think about than his blown save, which ended his streak of 49 consecutive that were successfully converted. It was the fourth-longest such streak in major league history.
Not only did the Cubs' David DeJesus end the streak with his RBI triple in the ninth inning, but according to Axford, the moment might have started the entire labor process.

Axford wasn't available after the game to talk about it. He left before the final run had crossed the plate, but was kind enough to leave a note behind for media members.
"I put my wife into contractions with my performance tonight!" Axford's handwritten note began. "So I had to run to the hospital. The streak is over so now you can talk about it."

Axford later kidded about the interview process in general, dropping a conclusion that read "Cliché ... cliché ... another cliché. Gotta go! Love, Ax."
As of early Saturday afternoon, Axford's wife still had not delivered, and was in the hospital on bed rest.

Courtesy of ESPN

Is Hamilton's air quality bad for your health?

Lorna Moreau has won the chance to be an air quality guinea pig.
The McAnulty Boulevard retiree has advocated for better industrial pollution control for years, particularly during “black fallout” emissions from Hamilton steel plants in the mid-2000s.

But earlier this week, Moreau used her personal health story — and industry air quality data — to convince the city to investigate whether air pollution is harming residents in Hamilton's industrial neighbourhoods.
While overall city air pollution has improved in the past 10 years, Moreau said she and her neighbours still get “that burning eyes feeling” sitting on their verandas. They swap news about chronic coughs. Last month, Moreau was diagnosed with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a condition commonly associated with smokers.

“I don't smoke. I've never smoked. It was a bit of a shocker,” she said. “I truly believe … this is a problem with where I live.”
Hamilton monitors air quality more than most cities.
In addition to provincial monitoring information, public health has testing stations on and below the Mountain, and residents can look up real-time air quality data in the north of the city on the industry-run Hamilton Air Monitoring Network.

Results from a unique neighbourhood air pollution study released in January showed higher-than-average levels of fine particulate matter, lung-damaging molecules found in suspended dust, in the McAnulty area.
Moreau also showed councillors HAMN data for her neighbourhood, including spikes of fine particulate matter of almost 300 micrograms per cubic metre in March. The province calls air quality “very poor” when fine particulate matter exceeds 100 and warns even light outdoor activity can cause “serious respiratory effects.”
“It's great that we track (pollution). But the next question residents have is, what are we doing about it?” said Lynda Lukasik, head of Environment Hamilton.

Lukasik said she hopes the study will help the city and Ministry of Environment focus on the “low-hanging fruit” of pollution prevention such as industrial dust control. But an epidemiological study could also give ammunition to tighten air quality laws, she added.
Showing a cause-and-effect link “would be huge,” said Sam Merulla, the councillor who made the motion calling for the creation of an air quality task force. The city will also ask the Ministry of the Environment for cash for a pollution study.

Dr. Chris Mackie, associate medical officer of health, said the scope of the study is still up in the air. He hopes to bring a progress report to council before the end of the year.

Article written by the Spectator's Mathew Van Dongen

Hamilton to Host all 2015 Pan Am Soccer Games

The city of Hamilton will play host to all the 2015 Pan Am soccer games, including the medal round, at the new Ivor Wynne Stadium.

Calling all SENIORS with talent. Senior Star 2012 Coming Soon.

Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT is excited to announce local auditions will be held in June for Senior Star, Canada's largest talent competition dedicated to seniors. Now in its 6th year, this singing and musical instrument competition is open to anyone 65 years and over and a Canadian resident.

Chartwell is proud to be hosting regional auditions at their long term care and retirement homes across Canada during June. Registration forms can be obtained at individual Chartwell homes. Contestants do not have to be living in a Chartwell residence. 

"Chartwell's Senior Star has grown to be the largest celebration of seniors' talent in Canada," announced Brent Binions, President and CEO of Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT. "We are proud to support the incredible talent of Canadian seniors and continue to be amazed and entertained year after year by the caliber of performers who participate." 

During the Regional Competitions, contestants are given a maximum of five minutes to sing a song, play an instrument, or do both, and their performance is videotaped. Musical accompaniment is provided to singing contestants, if required. A panel of three judges, made up of local musical experts, government officials, and media representatives choose the top three local contestants, each of whom will be recognized with a Senior Star trophy. 

Videos of the first and second place winners from across Canada are then submitted to a celebrity panel of judges who narrow the list to ten competitors invited to compete in the Senior Star National Final. The National Final will be held in Niagara Falls in November 2012.

Chartwell Seniors Housing owns and manages over 180 retirement residences and long term care homes across Canada. 

For more information contact:

Contact:

        Chartwell Seniors Housing REIT

        Danielle Scheinman

        Communications Manager

        905-501-4898 office or 647-825-5278 cell

        dscheinman@chartwellreit.ca