Driving When the Snow Flies

There’s just no escaping it! The snow is starting to fly in Grey-Bruce and the initial increase in vehicle collisions never ceases to amaze me. Is it that people are putting off changing their tires, a tendency to not adjust speed according to the new conditions, or some other preventable factor?

Whatever the case, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation has a very detailed page loaded with information on safe winter driving. Find out everything from handling your vehicle on icy roads and stopping distances to the joy of snow plows and essentials in your survival kit. Check it out by clicking here.

Safe driving!!

Neighbourly Gawkers

Recently during the 5pm traffic congestion, an abrupt cracking noise could be heard from outside our 3rd Avenue East home. A van slowed down to turn but failed to signal, causing the family sized car behind it to misjudge and collide with its back end.

Despite a twisted hood and grill on the car, there were thankfully no serious injuries. My wife was getting home from work at the precise time of the minor crash. As I walked outside to meet her in the driveway, our attention instantly turned to the damaged car directly across the street. For a minute or two, we both fell into the role of ‘neighbourly gawkers’, fixated on the catastrophe at hand but unsure of what to do about it. Initial reaction seemed to be telling us to do nothing but watch.

It wasn’t long before my wife snapped us out of our gaze and suggested we offer the girl standing with the toddler our house as a place to come and stay warm. This sounded like a very good idea, so I slowly made my way across the road to the confusion of the mishap where at least five occupants of the car were standing and discussing next steps. The girl with the young boy was a bit shaken up but openly accepted our offer.

At the end of it all, the family sorted things out with the driver of the van while our 2-year-old daughter made a new friend for half an hour or so. Interesting how my initial awkwardness at approaching the family during their distress turned out to be the wrong gut reaction. Maybe that is our problem these days. There is a tendency to gawk but not necessarily help out because that is ‘their problem’ and it is ‘not our place to interfere’. I’m glad we proved to be more than ‘neighbourly gawkers’ in this instance.

Signs of the Season

I’ve often heard that the official launch of the holiday season in Owen Sound takes place when the switch is flicked and the Festival of Northern Lights illuminates the downtown and surrounds. This year’s kick-off happens Friday, November 19th at 6pm in the usual spot in the gazebo across from the library. The tradition of Moonlight Magic will continue with stores, cafes and restaurants staying open late to accommodate early holiday shoppers and patrons seeking festive cheer.

Until Sunday, January 2nd, the lights will be on daily from 5 to 11pm. Windsong Horse & Carriage out of Bognor will also be taking bookings from those seeking a romantic or magical ride around the 350 + displays.

On Saturday, November 20th at 10am, residents will line 2nd Avenue East for the annual Kiwanis Santa Claus Parade. Look for over 100 floats from local businesses and organizations.

Later on Saturday, the Meaford BIA will host the 21st annual Christmas Window Unveiling from 7 to 9pm. Downtown Meaford businesses will decorate their storefronts in the theme of “Your Favourite Christmas Music”. Good eats, a visit from Santa and Christmas tree lighting will all be part of the fun.

Yes, that time of year is practically upon us with a busy weekend to kick things into seasonal swing. We will be out and about with our camera taking photos for myowensound.ca and hope to see you there.

Clean Your Clock

Am I the only person who woke up on Sunday with a slight headache? As it stands, a throbbin’ of the noggin is a sure sign that I’ve committed the act of sleeping in. Though in the above instance, I confidently point the finger of blame at the transition to standard time.

Apparently, using that extra hour gained to sleep is a good thing if you are one of the seriously sleep-deprived and need to do some catching up. In my case, less is actually more. Though I have a somewhat flexible body clock, I am bound to feel better in the morning if I have slept for seven hours as opposed to nine.

At the end of the day (or night, to be exact), going back to standard time is typically less of a headache than entering Daylight Saving Time in the spring. There are more reported car accidents and even heart attacks when we ‘spring ahead’. It’s amazing the amount of chaos that can follow the loss of a single hour of snooze!

Hope you remembered to adjust all clocks ‘cause there is always at least one that gets left out and irritates you for a month or two until you finally give in!

Daylight Saving Time is back on March 13, 2011.

Grow A Mo!

Yes, I'm a little behind the eight-ball at times as I'm just starting to learn more about Movember (no, it's not a typo). It appears that the moustache is making a comeback, and thankfully, it's all for the greater good. Let me soften the backlash I receive for saying this by apologizing in advance to the moustache-sporting friends I offend for implying that, in general, the mo is a 'no go' in my books. This month is the exception, of course!

The concept is simple... Change the face (pun shamelessly intended) of men's health by growing a mo! Start November clean-shaven and then let the bristles blossom in support of prostate cancer awareness. Think of the pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness, but give it the macho Magnum, P.I. treatment! Just as the goatee has become a symbol of NHL Play-Off season, the mo signifies a time of increased cancer awareness for men... and maybe a 70's revival. And the latter could've been the intention precisely. The idea came to light in Australia in the early 2000's when some guys thought it would be funny to bring back the moustache but somehow tie it into men's health. Prostate cancer became the focal point and ever since, the 'Movember movement' has been catching on globally with funds actually raised in the amount of $47-million in 2009. Almost $8-million was raised in Canada alone with more than 35,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas participating last year.

Yes, gals can participate too... just to make things more interesting! But please don't ask me how.

I've seen a lot of interesting Facebook correspondence on Movember as of late. It's especially amazing how many people are supporting this locally. Even MP Larry Miller himself shaved in support of the cause! Larry minus a moustache is like Bill Murdoch without a place in his heart for Bognor. You can't have one without the other!

Go to http://www.movember.com/ for more details on Movember and how to raise 'mo money'. Please, please, please just don't wear a tweed jacket this month to match your mo!