Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Weather forecast for Thursday, August 3, 2017
Today – Sunny this morning then a mix of sun and cloud with 40 percent chance of showers this afternoon. Risk of a thunderstorm this afternoon. Fog patches dissipating this morning. High 30. Humidex 37. UV index 9 or very high.
Municipal summer information meeting in Dresden tonight
A community meeting will take place in Dresden tonight, August 3, at 6 p.m. at the Dresden Arena.
Municipal staff members will be on the road again throughout the month of August to gather information on how best to meet the needs of residents in various communities.
During July, public input sessions were held in Wallaceburg, Dresden, Wheatley, Tilbury, Blenheim and Chatham.
Round two will take place in the same communities in order to reach individuals who were not able to attend the first sessions.
One of the aspects being discussed during the community meetings is how to improve services through initiatives such as community hubs.
Dr. April Rietdyk, General Manager, of Health and Family Services for the municipality, said staff learned a lot from the first round of consultations and is looking for more information.
“The residents of Chatham-Kent care for their communities and want simple things, a few more library hours, community gardens to stock their food banks, swimming time on Saturdays, more programs for youth, and basic needs, things like high speed internet,” she said.
“Community input provides valuable information for administration and Council as we address the goals of CK Plan 2035 and prepare for the 2018 municipal budget deliberations.”
One of the aspects being discussed during the community meetings is how to improve services through initiatives such as community hubs.
“Taking a variety of services and putting them in one accessible, appropriate location is an idea that has worked in a number of communities,” Rietdyk said. “It allows agencies and community groups to share services more effectively and efficiently, all with a desire to meet residents’ needs in a more meaningful way.”
She said community hubs can take many different forms, making the gathering of information essential. “What works in one area may not be ideal somewhere else. That’s why it is so key for us to know what each community wants, what’s important to them, and how the municipality can help.”
Here is the remaining schedule:
Dresden Rotary Summer Concert Series continues tonight
The Rotary Summer Concert Series continues tonight in Dresden.
The Barley Boy will be taking the stage from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A barbecue starts at 6 p.m.
Here is a list of the entertainment throughout the summer:
Horwath visiting Wallaceburg
Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath will be making another stop in Wallaceburg this week.
Horwath will be visiting Sarnia and Wallaceburg today, to discuss Ontario’s health care system.
Specifically in Wallaceburg, Horwath is set to be joined by representatives from Save Our Sydenham and the Ontario Health Coalition, to release internal government documents relating to hospital funding.
This is set to take place at the Sydenham District Hospital at 12:30 p.m.
Watch for coverage on the Sydenham Current.
Potawatomi Gathering continues on Walpole Island
A full slate of activities is taking place on Walpole Island First Nation this week at the Potawatomi Gathering.
Some of the events planned for Day #2 of the event include: a youth conference, language and history conference, workshops, vendors, kid’s zone, gathering activities, opening ceremony and entertainment.
For more details, visit: walpoleislandfirstnation.ca/potawatomi-gathering-2017
Gala Days kicks off tomorrow in Port Lambton
Gala Days is being held on the Civic Holiday weekend, which falls on August 4, 5 and 6.
The event is located in Port Lambton at McDonald Park on the corner of Reedy and First Street.
Gala Days kicks off on Friday night with the men and women’s slow pitch tournament and the adult dance from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Gate opens at 8 p.m. and there will be no entry after 11 p.m.
The dance is 19+ event.
Admission is $10.
Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Jessika Rabbit Band offering a wide variety of genres guaranteed to get everyone on their feet.
The fun continues Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with slow pitch resuming and the co-ed volleyball tournament, only to pause at 11 a.m. for the famous Gala Days parade.
Make sure to bring the kids out to see Beebo from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. for the Exotic Animal Show immediately following.
The beer garden entertainment continues with Scott Manery and the Barnburners taking the stage from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
There is no shortage of fun on Sunday as the kids can participate in the water ball fight at 1 p.m. and stick around to catch the Slimy Creature Race at 2 p.m.
Slow pitch and volleyball both continue at 10 a.m. with Pull 3 taking the beer garden stage from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Directly after will be the homerun derby at 4 p.m.
Face for Radio takes the stage from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. to close out the weekend.
Gala Days is a strictly volunteer-run event and would not be possible without the help of their dedicated community members.
The goal of the weekend is to raise money for the Athletic Association, which helps fund children’s extra curricular activities within the community.
Tonight – Mainly cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers and risk of a thunderstorm. Low 21.
Photo of the day
The Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard Jeffery Hutchinson met with his employees in Sarnia on Tuesday August 1. Coast Guard Marine Communications and Vessel Trafffic Services officer Julie MacRae showed Commissioner Hutchinson the latest technology used to keep ships moving safely and efficiently throughout the Great Lakes. MCTS employees have a vital role in the maritime search and rescue system as well as vessel traffic management. The Communications centre is located in the federal building in downtown Sarnia.
World news
Indonesia’s Mount Sinabung spews ash into the sky
NAACP issues its first travel advisory
Caroline Mulroney is seeking Ontario PC nomination
Two sunbathers killed as plane lands on beach near Lisbon
NASA has a job opening for a Planetary Protection Officer
Scientists repair disease-causing genes in human embryos
More than 250,000 glitter iPhone cases recalled after causing burns
Former Suncor CEO Rick George has died
Montreal’s Olympic Stadium is housing asylum seekers from the US
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
