Downtown Owen Sound’s Bikeface Cycling recently shared some information with us about the Share the Road Coalition.  The coalition is a provincial cycling advocacy organization created to unite cycling organizations from across Ontario and work with and on behalf of municipalities to enhance their ability to make their communities more bicycle- friendly. The organization’s mandate is province-wide with a specific focus on developing public policy at the provincial level in order to provide the kind of legislative, programmatic and funding instruments such as exist in other Canadian provinces notably Quebec and British Columbia.

With cycling a burgeoning mode of transportation across the globe, and communities looking to enhance the health and well being of their citizens, the Coalition is developing partnerships with like-minded stakeholders across Ontario and has focused on developing partnerships geared to building a Bicycle Friendly Ontario. The organization began in memory of OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart, the husband of our Founder, Eleanor McMahon, killed in a cycling tragedy in June 2006.

Since its inception, the Coalition has focused on outreach work with a view to building partnerships with active transportation stakeholders notably: cycling advocates, local cycling clubs, organizations and municipal advisory groups, municipal leaders and officials, law enforcement, planners, provincial politicians and officials, public health professionals, and funders. By uniting Ontarians who share a common set of objectives we are committed to leveraging the resources of those who have those common interests, with the objective of making Ontario the most bicycle friendly jurisdiction in the world.

For more information about the Share the Road Coalition, you can visit their website at www.sharetheroad.ca, or contact Patty Marr or Doug Miller at Bikeface Cycling in Downtown Owen Sound (269 10th Street East – 519-376-9777).

Also:  Please remember that bicycle riding on sidewalks is not only very dangerous, it is against the law in Owen Sound. (click here for more info)

The Ann Milne School of Dance along with organizers of the second annual Dancing for Life are proud to announce the final totals from this year’s event.

Dance Instructor Ann Milne says they’re going to be able to donate a total of $48,600.00 to be split among the local branches of The Canadian Cancer Society, The Children’s Aid Society, The Alzheimer’s Society and Community Living.

The event was held June 18th and 19th at OSCVI and featured several local celebrity dancers including business owners, dignitaries and officers from the Owen Sound Police Service.

The three shows, performed over Father’s Day weekend, were seen by close to 1,800 residents.

For further information contact:

Ann Milne at the “Ann Milne School of Dance” – 519-371-0341 or annmilnedance@hotmail.com

Date: August 5, 2010

Where: Owen Sound Farmers’ Market

Time: 5pm to 7pm

Cost: Adults $10 -  Children $6

Tickets: Available form Market vendors or by calling Tom at 519-376-8571

click on image to enlarge

• Drink lots of water/fluids and drink them often. Attempt to rehydrate every hour
• If working outside work in the shade when and where possible
• Wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your self from UV rays and sunburn
• Avoid strenuous work if possible. If not avoid it for long periods of time
• Take rest breaks when needed

Additional information on Heat Stress from the Ontario Ministry of Labour:

• Heat Stress: Backgrounder (pdf 48kb)
• Heat Stress:  Health & Safety Guidelines (pdf 240kb)

The event was a huge success with an estimated 3000-4000 in attendance.  As usual, this landmark Downtown event featured lots of food, demonstrations, kids’ activities, entertainment, and one of Ontario’s largest annual street sales.

With four blocks of bargains, browsing and fun, the Hottest Yard Sale Under the Sun (HYS) included almost 200 vendors/merchants, kids’ amusements  and activities, a non-licensed seating area, licensed street patios,  and more than two dozen performers.

Organizers welcomed two new attractions to the HYS in 2010:

A new KidZone was added in and around the Metro/A&P parking lot in the 1000 block (2nd Avenue East north of 10th Street).  With Glendale Farms Pony Rides and Airbounce Inflatables & Amusements providing tons of  fun, this new attraction was a big hit with kids and parents alike.

Building on a history of music at the HYS, this year we welcomed the Georgian Bay Folk Society as a sponsor.  Along with their concert management expertise, they brought the Downtown Summerfolk Stage to the centre of the festival.  Located at the intersection of 2nd Avenue East and 9th Street, the stage featured eight terrific performances.  The first three sets which were organized “festival style” included 2010 Summerfolk Discoveries Showcase winners, Jill Jambor, Ben Turcotte, and Anne & David Beverly-Foster. (Jackie Rose Brown & Carrie Davenport who were also selected at the 2010 Discoveries Showcase were not able to perform at the HYS due to a prior commitment). The exciting kick-off set was followed by five hours of outstanding concert performances from the Bearcats, Larry Jensen & Rob McLean, Brothers the Band, Bobby Dean Blackburn, and the Tommy Gilham Band.

In addition to the Downtown Summerfolk Stage, the 2010 HYS also featured some engaging performances on the Steps of City Hall.  This included Taoist Tai Chi, Shalimar’s Veil Belly Dancers, Magic by Jon Thibaudeau, Mijka’s Dance Makers, Hit the Beat School of Performing Arts, Silly Willy & Clown Friends (and some great local buskers who filled in all along 2nd Avenue East and on the Steps at City Hall when ever needed).

Click here for additional photos available courtesy of MyOwenSound.Ca

Click here to read 2010 HYS testimonials

• Dianne Mattice (The Rocking Horse) – Committee Chair
• Sue Carleton (E! Embroidery)
• Rob Dinsmore (Wilma’s Flowers)
• Renee Fair (The Candy Store)
• Maryann Thomas (Ginger Press)
• Mary Ann Hughes (Desjardins Credit Union)
• Tabetha Wallace-Ladd (OSDIA Staff)
• Irwin  Seidman (OSDIA Staff)

In addition to the above committee, we also acknowledge and thank the following additional event day staff & volunteers:

• Steve Furness (City of Owen Sound)
• Jeff Robins (Mane Street Hair Salon)
• Patty Marr (Bikeface Cycling)
• Jean Francis (Jean Francis Studio)
  
• Deb Blackshaw (Rogers TV)
• Brenda Scott & the Summerfolk Team (Georgian Bay Folk Society)
• Susan Seidman
• Bill Driscoll (OSDIA Maintenance Crew Chief)
• Dave Whelan (OSDIA Maintenance Crew)
• Katie MacArthur (OSDIA Maintenance Crew)
• Travis Dodd (OSDIA Maintenance Crew)
• Ken Burtwhistle (Community Living)

And a BIG thanks to our fabulous event sponsors

Unisex Fashions and accessories featuring:

Guess, Lady Dutch, Karv, Fluxus, Domino Jeans, Naked and Famous Jeans, Soia and Kyo, Supreme Being, LRG, Marc Eko Cut and Sew,CBE,

Starting September 1st First Nations status card holders will be exempt from the provincial part of the HST for eligible off-reserve purchases.  For July and August, status card holders will be refunded the provincial part of the HST.

Click here for more info from the Province of Ontario

Saturday July 3rd 2010 – 8am to 4pm

Rain or Shine

Free Admission  -  Free Parking

The 2010 Hottest Yard Sale Under The Sun takes place in Downtown Owen Sound on Saturday July 3rd, 2010.

Experience food, art, kids activities, live demonstrations, live music on the Downtown Summerfolk Stage, and one of Ontario’s biggest street sales.

Owen Sound’s Hottest Yard Sale Under the Sun spans over four blocks and includes more than 250 downtown merchants and vendors.

With roads closed off to vehicular traffic, the streetscape has been described as a sea of pedestrian activity.

This event attracts thousands of visitors each year. With something for everyone and free admission, Downtown Owen Sound is the place to be on the first Saturday in July.

See you there!

Appearing on the Steps @ City Hall

• Taoist Tai Chi Society (9:00am, 9:45am, & 10:30am)
• Silly Willy the Clown (9:15am)
• Hit the Beat School of Performing Arts (10:00am 12:30pm)
• Shalimar’s Veil Belly Dancers (10:45am, 1:00pm, & 1:15pm)
• Dance Makers (11:00am & Noon)
• Kendo Karate (11:30am & 2:15pm)
• Jon Thibadeau, Magician (1:30pm & 2:45pm)

(above times subject to change)

Busking on the Second Avenue Strip

• Jared Both
• Jon Farmer
• Simon Meloche
• Brent James Pattingale
• Kyler Quewezance
  
• Voodoo Highway
  

Event Sponsors