Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Weather forecast for Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Today – Sunny this morning then a mix of sun and cloud with 30 percent chance of showers this afternoon. Risk of a thunderstorm this afternoon. High 30. Humidex 34. UV index 9 or very high.
Tonight – Partly cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers early this evening and risk of a thunderstorm. Clearing this evening. Low 18.
Municipal summer information meeting in Wallaceburg tonight
A community meeting will take place in Wallaceburg tonight, August 1, at 6 p.m. at the Wallaceburg Library.
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.
Another meeting will take place at the Dresden Arena on Thursday, August 3 at 6 p.m.
Jay Allan performing in Wallaceburg
The Wallaceburg & District Council For The Arts Outdoor Summer Concert Series continues tonight.
Jay Allan will be performing this evening, with Connor Wilson opening up.
All acts booked for the series are Chatham-Kent musicians.
The music will play from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Library Park in downtown Wallaceburg.
Here is the remaining summer lineup:
Aug 8 – Down River Band – Opener: Mikayla Lozon
Aug 15 – Tina Pumfrey – Opener: Alyssa Doherty
Finale Night – Aug 22 – Neil Malcolm Band And Travis Laur
Concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and an empty stomach. Charity barbecues will be offered each week during the series. Raffles and giveaways are also expected during the festivities. Library Park is located on James Street beside the Chatham-Kent Public Library’s Wallaceburg branch in the downtown core.
The Wallaceburg Co-Operators made a $2,500 donation to the program and are the presenting sponsor of the weekly summer series.
The Arts Council was also recently awarded a $5,000 grant through the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Community Partnership Fund, to make the outdoor series possible.
“We’ve had tremendous support from the community and those who attend our live performances,” added Elliott. “To receive that same support from the Municipality and from local business to elevate the local awareness and appreciation for arts, is a game changer.”
More information on the Arts Council can be found at www.wallaceburgartscouncil.com.
Seasonal ‘Beach Bus’ is FREE for the Civic Holiday Weekend
For the 8th year in a row, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent is pleased to offer the Beach Bus FREE on the Civic Holiday Weekend.
‘Art on the Boulevard’ is once again being held in Erieau on Saturday August 5th, or if you’re looking for a break from the heat why not hit the beach in Mitchell’s Bay or Erieau?
The Beach Bus is free beginning Friday, August 4th through to Monday, August 7th, 2017.
Seasonal Inter-Urban Transit Route S1 the ‘Beach Bus’ serves Chatham, Erieau and Mitchell’s Bay with stops in Grande Point, Pain Court, Charing Cross and Blenheim. It operates every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. until Labour Day.
Route maps and schedules are available from your local municipal centre or online at www.chatham-kent.ca.
For further details regarding routes and schedules, please telephone 519-354-7433.
Ontario has a new Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
Premier Kathleen Wynne announced changes on Monday to her cabinet, following the resignation of Glen Murray as Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
Chris Ballard moves from Minister of Housing and Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy to become the new Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, leading Ontario’s fight against climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and overseeing the province’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
Peter Milczyn, MPP for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, is promoted to cabinet, appointed as the new Minister of Housing. He will also take over as Minister Responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy. In these roles, Milczyn will oversee and build on Ontario’s Fair Housing Plan, making sure that people across Ontario are able to find a safe, affordable home. He will also work alongside Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services, on implementing Ontario’s Basic Income Pilot and supporting people in Ontario to get ahead, find income security and break the cycle of poverty, particularly for children and youth.
In addition, the Office of Francophone Affairs for Ontario will become a standalone ministry, reflecting the importance of Ontario’s Francophone population to the province’s economic prosperity and its diverse, vibrant cultural fabric. Marie-France Lalonde will continue in her role as Minister of Francophone Affairs and Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.
Glen Murray will remain as MPP for Toronto Centre.
The changes announced on Monday maintain the size of Ontario’s cabinet at 29 ministers. A swearing-in ceremony was held at Queen’s Park on Monday morning.
Photo of the day – ‘Re-greening’ initiative launched in Ontario
To celebrate Ontario and Canada’s 150th anniversary, 15,000 eastern white pine seed pods will be distributed at events and schools across the province.
Minister of Northern Development and Mines Michael Gravelle launched the initiative recently in Thunder Bay.
The eastern white pine is Ontario’s official tree and these seed pods will serve as a memorable and environmentally beneficial way to give back to the people and communities across the province and commemorate Ontario150.
As part of Ontario150, Ontario is calling on the public to get involved in making the province a greener, cleaner place to live by planting trees.
Each year, the province plants three million trees and this year Ontario is challenging the public to match its target as part of the Green Leaf Challenge. Participants can register trees they plant, including these eastern white pine seed pods, on an interactive map at GreenLeafChallenge.ca.
Ontario150 is a year-long commemoration that will honour Ontario’s past, showcase the present and inspire future generations. This is one of many initiatives and events to recognize this significant milestone.
Celebrating Ontario’s 150th anniversary is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.
More details:
– The eastern white pine is Ontario’s official tree. It is a hardy, long-living tree that thrives in a wide range of soil types, moisture levels and elevations.
– The pods are designed to assure a high degree of germination. The seeds are contained in small biodegradable cups and come with growing instructions.
– Ontario has committed to planting 50 million trees by 2025, planting approximately three million trees each year.
– So far, more than 22.5 million trees have been planted since 2007, creating over 12,000 hectares of new forests.
– The Green Leaf Challenge, 50 Million Tree Program and Re-greening Ontario initiative are part of Ontario’s efforts to improve air quality across the province by planting new trees to remove approximately 6.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by 2050 – the equivalent of taking 1.1 million cars off the road for an entire year.
– The former British colonies of Canada, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are the original provinces of the confederation of Canada, established on July 1, 1867. Ontario and Quebec were part of the Province of Canada pre-Confederation.
– Through the Ontario150 grant programs and a series of signature initiatives, Ontario is engaging youth, encouraging cultural expression, promoting participation in sport and recreation, and creating economic opportunities across the province.
World news
Venezuelan opposition leaders reportedly taken from homes
Glen Murray quits as Ontario environment minister
Australian universities respond to report on campus sexual assault
J.K. Rowling walks back her anger after taking Trump video out of context
Scaramucci is out of his White House job
US orders sanctions on Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro
Toronto Island officially re-opens after flooding
Discovery is buying Scripps Networks for $14.6B
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.
