Side Notes: Work in Progress

(1) The blog break is still in full swing, much to my chagrin. Three consecutive weekends out of town (including this coming Friday) and the rhythm really starts to fall apart. The mid-summer doldrums have finally arrived, and I apologize profusely. On the plus side, I'm hoping that all of this downtime will produce some solid posting in the coming weeks. There's been some loose talk of a print version in the fall. Any thoughts?

(2) The Ti-Cats are heading to Montreal this week to battle the Alouettes, kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening. The team needs to make some serious moves over the next few weeks if they want a shot at an Eastern playoff berth, especially with a 1-4 record out of the gate.

(3) On a lighter note, I found some old concert tickets the other day, including a Sloan/Flashing Lights gig from 2000. "Where the Change Is" is a classic, check out the tambourine work from Hamilton native Gavin Dianda. Just search "New Music Canada, Artists, Flashing Lights" on cbcradio3.ca, and enjoy.

O'Neill's

My friend Adam took me to a burger stand in the east end last night near the corner of Barton and Kenilworth. O'Neill's, "home of the one-pound burger," proved to be a solid little take-out restaurant with great food. There was about a 20-minute wait due to the large volume of orders being placed, but if you're patient and enjoy a great burger with fries, then O'Neill's is definitely worth a look. Check it out if you're in the neighbourhood, 1374 Barton St. E.

Note: I was at IWS for the Ticats game this afternoon, but I need to let the last-minute loss sink in a little before posting about it. So close, so close...

Side Notes: Links, Tunes, and Football

(1) Some good friends and former coworkers of mine have blogs of their own on the go, and they're definitely worth checking out. Sarah Beukema, Sarah El-Hamzawi, and Chris Arnett tackle all things fashion, culture, and strange. I'll post the links permanently under the "friends" category.

(2) Special thanks to Two Hours Traffic for playing a slightly extended set after we walked in during the last song on Wednesday. "New Love" was a great closer, I don't think they played it last time.

(3) The Tiger-Cats will be squaring off against Saskatchewan tomorrow afternoon at Ivor Wynne Stadium. I caught a few interviews with Jesse Lumsden and Kori Dickerson this week, and the team seems to be extremely focused. "11 wins this year" was the prediction from Dickerson. The last time the Cats went 11-7 was 1999, which was also the last year they won the Grey Cup. Eerie foreshadowing, or wishful thinking? I'm pulling for the former.

Mac News

I had an editorial published in the Silhouette this morning regarding Peter George's full contract and the message it sends to McMaster students. For those of you who aren't familiar with the fine details, you can view the contract here. If you're in the west end, grab a copy of the paper on campus. The content may not be posted online, so I'll run the full article on here if that's the case. 

Also: Because it's so nice out today, here's a classic track to ride out the afternoon. 

Thanks, CANCON

While listening to the radio this morning, I came across two stations playing the same song at the exact same time. Both 102.1 The Edge and Hamilton's own Y108 were pumping out "That Song," a Big Wreck hit from 1997.

I understand what the MAPL system is trying to do, but when you're regularly filling the gaps with music from over a decade ago, it's not exactly showcasing the best and brightest new talent in Canada. I can understand the move on Y108 given their classic rock format, but the Edge can do better.

Check out Let's Fix CANCON, a website devoted to overhauling current CRTC regulations.

Bird Rentals

Maybe I missed the boat, I didn't realize these guys were back together. Awesome in 2005, awesome today. Definitely one of the best groups to come out of Hamilton in recent years. Check out some tracks here, and you can catch the Bird Rentals live at the Casbah on July 18th.

The Abbreviations

I just put together a small bio for the Abbreviations, which you can read here. The band recently signed with Down by the Point Records, linking up with Matt Paxton, Cam Malcolm, and Cowlick. Give a listen on their MySpace page, "Never Walk when you can Ride" is a great track.

CFL-Congrats

The streak is over. Hamilton trounced the Argonauts 32-13 at the Rogers Centre, finally ending a seven year dry spell in Hogtown. As if the victory alone wasn't sweet enough, the team looked fantastic. Printers was a machine, the receivers looked sharp, and Lumsden/Smith tore up the backfield. Props to Lawrence Gordon for bouncing back from a rough game against Montreal.

This is the team's best start since 2004, and a win against Saskatchewan next week isn't looking so out of the question. Is it too early to use a "Boston Celtics of the CFL" tag?

See you in Box J on the 12th.

CFL- Game Two

Do you want to be a Hamilton Tiger-Cat? The Tabbies are currently lacking Canadian starters for tonight's contest in Toronto, and need to dress a minimum of seven by game time. You can contact the front office here. Special preference will be given to alumni from the McMaster intramural flag football league.

On a serious note, the Cats are currently boasting a 0-10 road record, and have gone 1-16-1 against the Argos over their last 18 meetings. We need this win, big time.

Prediction: One shot for every Ti-Cat penalty, and I'm running out of whisky.

Right Move on Lister?

Even though a Lister Block deal has finally been closed with LIUNA, I'm wondering if it really is the right move for the city. Don't get me wrong, it's about time something was done with the site, and I'm glad to see a plan in motion for the next 4-5 years. However, it's the specifics of the deal that have me scratching my head a little.

Check out Nicole MacIntyre's Lister Math (at the bottom of this page), there are some interesting figures to consider. The deal will cost taxpayers an extra $1.3 million per year, although the city will own the building in 20 years. Cal DiFalco also raised a good point on MacIntyre's blog, noting, "A new City Hall or retirement residences are things that ordinary people would see as staples of a city. Not attractions."

Is restoration still a good idea? What do you think?

Spec Updates

The Hamilton Spectator ran another one of my articles this morning, which felt great. You can check it out here, and feel free to weigh in on the debate.

Also, big news regarding the Lister Block. Apparently LIUNA accepted a deal from city hall at the eleventh hour, and will finally begin work on the site. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the project, and what made Joe Mancinelli change his mind only hours before the window closed.

Side Notes: Lister Block Online

Hamilton stalwart Matt Jelly recently started a Facebook page regarding the Lister Block, which you can check out here. According to the site, a full web page will soon be up at listerblock.ca, which should be a great resource for anyone interested in saving the heritage building. I'll post the link when it comes up.

July Preview

The last few days of June could be some of the most important in recent Hamilton history. On June 30th, developer Harry Stinson is hoping to close his $9.5 million bid to purchase the Connaught and begin renovations. Not long after that, city council will be forced to give $7 million back to the provincial government after failing to broker a deal with LIUNA regarding the Lister Block.
Make no mistake, each of these events could have a major impact on the economic future of Hamilton. The failed Lister deal is the fourth in recent years, including 1995, 2000, and another bid earlier this year. Even Harry Stinson expressed interest in the property, and was shot down.

While the Lister deal may be dead once again, I'm hoping that Stinson can inject some excitement into the core and generate a little positive press.

Churchill Rink

When the Churchill Fields Lawn Bowling Club folded last year, many people thought the grounds would remain vacant unless the Club was resurrected. However, I just heard about potential plans to turn the site into an outdoor skating rink. In recent years, the old outdoor rink on the east side of the park seems to have waned in popularity, most likely due to inclement weather and a lack of consistently cold evenings. If the new rink becomes a reality, I think it would be a huge boost to winter activity in the Westdale area. It would be even better if the existing LBC could still operate during the summer. What do you think?

Side Notes: Feeds and Links

Thanks to a great new feature on blogger for all of us technical hacks, you can now subscribe to hamiltonreview quickly and easily by following the "Subscribe to HR" link.

Also, I'm going to have another Opinions piece in the Hamilton Spectator on Monday, regarding the Golden Horseshoe Pan Am bid and Ivor Wynne Stadium. I'll post the link when it comes up.

Oh, Ti-Cats

I don't know what has been worse for the city over the past 24 hours: the Lister Block deal falling through, the Eisenberger press scandal, or the brutal showing at Ivor Wynne Stadium.

I was at the Ti-Cats home opener last night, and you could almost hear a collective groan echo throughout the stadium as the game closed. 33-10 Montreal, with the only Hamilton touchdown coming on a surprise 75-yard run from Tre Smith (on a handoff from Richie Williams, no less). I could write 1,000 words on what was wrong with the team last night, and rest assured, the message boards will be full of ire over the next week. However, one lowly post on the boards grabbed my attention, and I decided to take the high road. Here's to you, "blitz4." Let's try to keep the faith alive for at least one more game. Check it out.

Lister Blocked

My apologies for the lack of posting, I've been trying to wrap my head around the current Lister Block fiasco. Rather than finally broker a deal with LIUNA that would see the aging landmark put to use, city council voted 9-6 against the proposed deal in favour of "staying the course."

Perfect. Three years later, and the building will continue to sit empty over a $50,000 discrepancy. I respect city council's efforts to protect Hamilton taxpayers, but if that was the case all along, why sink $25 million into buying the property from LIUNA in the first place?

You can check out the details here.

Bus Rider

The Hamilton Spectator reported today that HSR services may soon be free when a humidex advisory is issued in the city. HSR representatives are slated to meet with city council on July 8, where the financial viability of free bus rides will be discussed in depth. The plan could be in effect as early as August.

Seems like a good idea to me, if the city can afford it. With so much talk surround Light Rail and other transit alternatives these days, it can't hurt to have a little positive press for the HSR. With driving becoming more of a privilege as gas prices continue to climb, this could be a great way to kick off a public transit boom in Hamilton over the next 5-10 years.

Side Notes: Chris Murphy

Legendary Sloan frontman Chris Murphy holds nothing back in a recent National Post interview. A lifelong fan myself, I was a little surprised at some of the things he commented on, including Leonard Cohen, My Bloody Valentine, and the Hip. Check it out here.

I really hope his sharp wit and sarcasm were the driving force behind this piece, especially "in the ’90s, all we had to do was show up, we were cooler than everybody." Oh, Chris.

Suburban Slump

There has been a great deal of discussion lately regarding the devaluing of suburban property if gas prices continue to rise. Global News reported today that homes in the suburbs could see a significant drop in value if gas prices hold for an extended period in the $1.50 range.
What does this mean for Hamilton? For starters, the subdivision building-boom in Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Flamborough, and parts of the Mountain may come to a grinding halt over the next five years. Some pundits are already referring to Canadian suburbs as "the next ghost towns;" a trend which has already been observed in several US cities. While suburban property may be cheaper per square foot in some cases, the cost of commuting (even from rural Ancaster to downtown Hamilton five days a week) has some prospective home owners looking inward rather than outward.
What do you think?

NXNE

I'm currently in Toronto for the North by Northeast festival, which has been great so far. Last night we caught Besnard Lakes, Swervedriver, Ted Leo, Attack in Black (surprise gig) and Hamilton's own Arkells, who played a really tight set. Swervedriver were also amazing, and it was cool seeing Attack in Black in such close quarters. Lee's Palace was about 40 degrees on the lower level, and surprisingly cooler upstairs at Dance Cave. All told, it was a solid evening.

Visited the Hockey Hall of Fame this afternoon, and took a picture with the Cup. I scored two goals in the virtual shootout, and you can check out a broadcast clip I recorded here. I'm expecting a phone call from TSN as we speak.

Spec Letter

My friend Mike pointed out this letter in the Spectator today, in response to my article last week. Glad to see it generated some buzz around town.

Pan Am Games in the Golden Horseshoe

$1.8 billion later, Southern Ontario may have a shot at the 2015 Pan Am Games. The Hamilton Spectator reported today that a successful bid would lead to multiple upgrades to the city's existing athletic facilities, including Copps Coliseum and Ivor Wynne Stadium. My only worry is that a collective "Golden Horseshoe" bid may lead to a series of costly upgrades for minimal city exposure (comparatively). On the other hand, Copps and IWS are long overdue for at least a face lift. If all goes as planned, the latter may even cease to exist come 2015.

All told, I think it's a good move for the city. Keeping in line with my take on the Lister Block situation, it may finally be time to bid Ivor Wynne a tearful goodbye and plan for the future. At the very least, here's hoping a new stadium can be built on the same site. Is it too outlandish to have the Ti-Cats play at Mac in the interim? Ronald V. Joyce Stadium would need significant seating upgrades, but look how well it worked in Montreal.

Side Notes

(1) Congrats to all of the Mac grads who hit the stage this morning, it feels good to finally have that degree in hand. I'm sure I'll see most of you in a west end bar later this evening.

(2) I came across this travel blog today, administered by my old Silhouette buddy Ian Horsewood. The writing is pretty funny, especially "Cast Away," which chronicles a rugged ankle injury he suffered while in Korea. Check it out if you want a few cheesy laughs.

Spectator Article

I had an Opinions piece published in the Hamilton Spectator today, which you can read here. The article basically talks about students leaving Hamilton after finishing their postsecondary education, and how more effort should be made to keep them here.

Check it out, and let me know what you think.

New Sil Website

The Silhouette, McMaster University's undergraduate campus newspaper, just launched a new website. Check it out in the coming weeks and months for updated content on campus affairs.

Welcome to Hamilton

I came across this story in the Hamilton Spectator today. City Council is planning on erecting several gateways to welcome visitors and capture the true "essence" of Hamilton. The so-called civic gateways would be located along 400-series highways heading into the city. No offence, but I think the $100,000 could be better used elsewhere. Major streets like Aberdeen, Barton, John and Bay are all going to be resurfaced this year, but there are dozens more that could use a little work. After all, is our goal to look good from the 403, or to look good in the core?

Check out the tentative designs here, and let me know what you think.

NHL- Triple Overtime

What a finish. Detroit was about 30 seconds away from their 11th Stanley Cup title, and the Pens came through in the clutch to force Game 6. For those of you who stayed up for the duration, I'm sure you'll agree that it was well worth the wait.

IELTS Exam

An article in today's Toronto Star discussed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the impact it may have on new Canadians. The test consists of "30 minutes of listening, 15 of speaking and an hour each of reading and writing," and was originally developed at Cambridge University. Considered in England and Australia to be the standard test of English language proficiency, the $200 exam may soon become mandatory for all new immigrants to Canada. What does this mean for cities like Hamilton? One criticism is that skilled workers may be deterred from emigrating to major urban centres like Hamilton, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Another is that the test wasn't developed internally, and should therefore not be considered the benchmark of English language proficiency in Canada.

According to Stats Canada, over 16,000 immigrants moved to Hamilton between 2001 and 2006. Over 127,000 Hamiltonians declared their mother tongue to be "Other."

In my opinion, if the test is mandatory it should be free. Especially if multiple tests are required to receive a passing grade (6/9). Thoughts?

CFL- Return of Danny Mac

Word on the street (or on cfl.ca) is that the legendary Danny McManus will be making a visit to the Ti-Cat training camp this year. A Grey Cup winner with Hamilton in 1999, McManus will be one of five "guest coaches" to attend the camp, including John Salavantis, Scott Fawcett, Guido Falbo and Custavious Patterson. Somewhere in my house is a report card from Westdale S.S. with about half of the '99 Ti-Cats signatures on the back. The parade was on the same day.

I also came across some interesting, albeit dismal, stats heading into camp. Here's hoping the interim coaching crew can inject a little life into the young squad.

Green Bin City

I saw this quote in the View rants and letters, and thought it was worth posting.

Friday May 23, 12:49 p.m.
Reusable coffee cups are the best solution, but in Hamilton the paper cups can be put into the green bin and the lids go into the blue box containers.

Are public green bins around the city a good idea, or too hard to manage? I know one major deterrent would be the smell, especially in the summer. On the other hand, I don't know many people who bring their coffee cups home to separate and recycle. What do you think?

Time for Light Rail?

The Hamilton Spectator reported today that gas costs could climb as high as $1.40 per litre over the summer. So much for that cross-Canada roadtrip. With the costs of driving rising ever-higher, is it finally time to implement a new mass transit system in Hamilton? In April, Councillor Brian McHattie proposed to run a preliminary light rail line from McMaster to downtown, with extensions at Eastgate Square and on the mountain if the system fares well. Seems like a good idea to me, if the city can make it affordable for the average transit user. It will be interesting to see which message they project in the coming months: big savings in commuters' wallets, or a big change in city ideology. With any luck, it will be a little of both.

IIHF- Tragic Loss

One of the NHL's rising stars was killed early this morning in a tragic motorcycle accident. A rock-solid defenseman, Luc Bourdon delighted fans at the 2006 and 2007 World Junior Championships, winning gold in both contests. He was drafted 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2005.

You can check out his career stats at sportsnet.ca.

Hate Couture?

"Moonbats" responsible for Rachel Ray's keffiyeh in a Dunkin' Donuts ad. It's a good thing a threw my Blue Jays cap in the garbage last night, I certainly don't endorse crime in Toronto.
Give me a break.

NHL- Game 3

Physical, physical, physical. That's how Pittsburgh needs to play tonight if they want a shot at the Stanley Cup. Down 0-2 to a powerhouse Detroit team, the Penguins need to send a powerful message in their own building or it's over. If they can shut down the Wings in the neutral zone and make a little more room for Crosby and Malkin, they may be able to finally put one in the net. Forget the finesse; just close the Wings down in the middle, dump the puck, and crash the net. I like Chris Osgood, but he can't get away with this diving act forever. As Al Strachan so correctly pointed out, "he faces 80-90 mph shots on a regular basis and doesn't even flinch." Look for the refs to keep close tabs on Ozzy this evening.
Prediction: 3-2 Pittsburgh victory. Come on, they're due.

Monday Conference

On June 2, Harry Stinson will address the public regarding the Connaught redesign. You can catch the development magnate at the Chamber of Commerce (555 Bay St. N.) from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

World Federation of Great Towers

I found this to be quite interesting. If the Connaught project becomes a reality, the tower will land somewhere between the 10th and 15th tallest buildings in the entire world (depending on the final exact height). It would also become the fourth Canadian structure on the World Federation of Great Towers list, including the CN Tower (1), The Calgary Tower (21), and Olympic Stadium in Montreal (24).

Too big, or just what we need?

Stinson Update

On Friday morning, the Globe and Mail reported that Harry Stinson will open an off-site sales office for the proposed Connaught project. On June 7, a total of 300 units will be up for grabs, starting at $199,000. Regardless of Stinson's history in Toronto, I certainly admire his enthusiasm. One online reader noted that "the Royal Connaught Hotel [originally] closed in Hamilton because it had few customers." True, but the average customer may not have been so keen on Hamilton in the first place. Stinson's tower will be an attraction in itself, and will highlight other downtown gems that locals are already more than familiar with. Think about what the project could do for the AGH, Theatre Aquarius, Gore Park, Jackson Square, the Lister Block site and the entire core.

Are we moving too fast, or is this exactly what Hamilton needs?

CFL- Training Camp '08

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats recently released their spring training camp schedule. Once again, all of the practices will be held at McMaster University's Alumni Field (behind IWC) and the brand new Ronald V. Joyce Stadium. I toured most of the stadium during the East/West Bowl, and the facilities are amazing. Even if you're not a huge fan, the Ti-Cat camp offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of a pro team. Definitely worth a look. Check out the Snooty Fox during May/June; you may see a few of the team's finest on hand.

The Rookie Camp kicks off this Wednesday, May 28 at 4:30 p.m. Check out the full schedule details online.

Gallagher's

A new addition to the Augusta strip, Gallagher's turned out to be a great pick last night. With good music (Motown/soul), a nice layout, and a relaxed atmosphere, this place seems perfect for dates, pre-drinking, or just hanging out. No pitchers, but there's a nice variety of beer on tap and a small but varied menu. Prices are in the mid-range, but not unreasonable. I'm pretty sure the address is 69 Augusta St. @ John St. S.
Check it out if you like: Bean Bar, Absinthe, Bar on Locke.

CFL- Breaking news, Armstead cut

Yet another seasoned receiver leaves Hamilton. Looks like Chris Bauman may need to step it up in a hurry, although it could be a good opportunity for some of the young guns to truly shine. Check out Ken Peters' review of the deal, is Obie making the right call here?

http://catchat.thespec.com/

Stinson Tower

Harry Stinson revealed his plans today for a 100-storey, 1,000-foot tower behind the old Connaught on King St. E. The project involves renovating the existing hotel over the next two years, before constructing the massive tower in the rear vacant lot. Check out the details in the Spectator, the artist's conception is pretty astounding.

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/373122

At $180 million, is the project a step in the right direction or could the money be better distributed around the core? All I know is that Stinson is passionate about this city, and it's nice to see some truly bold thinking going on downtown. If the tower actually becomes a reality, I don't see other developers skipping out on the surrounding real estate.

King William St. makeover

The Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) is vowing to clean up properties on King William St. by clearing out broken windows and adding some landscaping to the empty lots. The same old debate has emerged: attempt to restore the aging buildings remaining on the street, or knock them down and make use of the space. For the time being, at least, I think adding a small parkette on the block would be a lot nicer than staring at the empty facades. Is it a quick fix solution? Perhaps. Pressure on LIUNA has been intense over the past few weeks, and it may be a move to silence the critics. On the plus side, at least something is finally in the works between James St. N. and Hughson St N.

Sports, sports, sports, sports

NBA- Another close series for the Celtics, but at least they came out on top. Sorry LeBron, you just can't do it all on your own. If Boston can start winning on the road again, they could make a solid run against the Pistons.
Lakers and Spurs: I don't think anybody wants to watch another basketball clinic in the NBA Finals, here's hoping LA can push through. Tough break for Chris Paul in the East, but he's got a long and (hopefully) successful future ahead of him.
NHL- A Pengiuns/Red Wings final should be one of the best in years. It's basically a gift-basket series for the NHL brass; you can spin it 100 different ways, Oilers/Islanders comparisons, etc. Normally I'd be cheering for Detroit, but the Pens are just too much fun to watch. Gill will need to keep Holmstrom out of the crease, or it's game over.
Prediction: ask me when the series is over.

East End block party

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats are holding a meet-and-greet on Sunday, May 25 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Several players will be on hand at Ivor Wynne Stadium for a ticket pick-up party, barbeque, and charity field goal contest. Throw down $2 and try a 25-yard shot at IWS.

Check it out...

http://www.ticats.ca/index.php?module=newser&func=display&nid=23788

NBA- Game 7 in Boston

Another low-scoring affair, another Celtics loss in Cleveland. I’m not a huge LeBron fan, but who can dispute his 32-point, 12-rebound clutch performance last night? Boston can’t rely on their home court advantage forever, and Ray Allen really needs to take it up a notch (9.7 PPG over seven games). If Allen and Rondo can deliver on the same level as Pierce and KG, the Celtics may still have a chance on Sunday in the Garden.
Prediction: 81-77 Boston victory.

McMaster gossip

Rumour has it that Mila Kunis and Mark Wahlberg are currently filming part of a movie at McMaster University. Most likely a closed set, but you never know. If the back room of the Ceilidh House is closed this evening, you’ll know why.

NHL/NBA- Road battles

Much to my chagrin, the Penguins lost last night in Philadelphia. They made a game of it in the third period, but couldn’t quite go the distance. Tough loss, but I think it may be good for them in the long run. Nobody said a Stanley Cup run would be easy, and they could use a little adversity to prepare for Detroit in the finals. Philly may take one more, but they’re done for the year. Same goes for Dallas. Good showing, nonetheless.
Game 5 prediction: 4-2 Penguins victory. Beer-showered Flyers in the box: 1.

“A LeBron James team is never desperate.” True, but when you’re one loss away from being eliminated in the Eastern semifinal round, it may be time to stifle the swagger…if the Celtics can finally pull one out on the road. Here’s hoping.
Prediction: 94-87 Boston victory. Posterized Cav’s: 4.

NHL- Dallas makes it interesting; Philly on the ropes

But don’t worry; Detroit won’t let that happen in game five. Even without Franzen, the Wings are going to seal the deal on home ice. Much respect to Brendan Morrow, who is still playing with fire in his eyes after a grueling series with San Jose.
Prediction: 3-1 Detroit victory. Fight: Draper and Petersen.

The Pittsburg Penguins are going to sweep the Flyers in Philadelphia tonight. Quote me on that. Even though the East Final is wholly lopsided and not much of a contest on paper, it has been one of the most entertaining series of the entire playoffs. The Flyers may be able to outmuscle Pittsburgh, but a lack of offensive production (Briere) will ultimately seal their fate. I may not be a Flyers fan, but any team who can move from last place in 2007 to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2008 deserves a pat on the back. If only the Leafs could follow suit.
Prediction: 3-1 Pittsburgh victory. Breakaway slap shots: 2.

Balfour Building

I had a very small editorial printed in the Hamilton Spectator today. King William St. has become a hot topic lately, especially the 100(+)-year-old buildings between James St. N. and Hughson St. N. The neighbourhood has so much potential, and it's time to reach a general consensus as a city and move forward. The remaining businesses in the area deserve at least that much.

Check it out...

http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/LettertotheEditor/article/368599

Weekend Music

I recently saw Queens of the Stone Age at Copps Coliseum and Two Hours Traffic at the Pepperjack Cafe. Completely different scene at each venue, but they were both great shows. Props to the Abbreviations, Mardeen, and Mercy the Sexton for representing Hamilton (Westdale), Halifax, and St. John's. The new material from THT is solid, you can still check them out in Guelph, London, Brantford, and Toronto this week.

Good luck to Hamilton's native sons Arkells, who recently set out for the west coast.

Welcome

I started this blog to keep up with what's going on around Hamilton, or whatever else catches my eye. I hope you enjoy!