The Golden Ticket
Given the events that transpired yesterday afternoon, I suppose it’s fitting that the picture I posted for the snow storm prominently features one of our solar-powered parking stations. Before I get into my tale of woe, I want to clarify that I do pay for parking more often than not. That said, when I know I’m only going to be 5 minutes in a store, I usually take my chances, roll the dice and hope to hell the parking attendant isn’t making his way towards my vehicle. And so, on the 29th day of the 11th month in the year 2008, my 27 and a half year streak of being parking ticket free came to a glorious, fiery end. Will life ever be the same?
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The “S” Word
In case you missed it, Kingston and many parts of Ontario were bombarded with the white stuff, snow that is. Just when we thought Old Man Winter might hold off for a few more weeks, and let the kiddies have a Halloween without snow pants, or the veterans a glove-less Remembrance Day, wet and unpleasant snow rained down on our fabulous Fall parade. It wasn’t even nice fluffy snow, which I could deal with, rather it was the type that soaked through 5 layers of gortex, and chilled the bone. Can you tell how much I like winter? Please share your thoughts on the prospect of more snow in the next few days, and enjoy our new snow-based Flickr set .
How to Ignore a Celebrity
This weekend, my new bride and I made our way to Kitchener where we picked up a piano from her brother’s house, and relocated it to our new home in Kingston. (Note to all: moving a piano is not fun, always hire someone who knows what they’re doing.) So after we arrived back in Kingston late Saturday night, we decided that we’d earned a frosty beverage and perhaps some nachos. As we made our way downtown, we encountered long lines out the doors of many establishments, and legions of Blue Rodeo fans who were just getting out from a rocking concert at the KRC. We ended up finding a table at The Toucan, but sadly the kitchen was closed, and there were no nachos to be had. As I nursed my nacho pain with a beer, I glanced over to a dark corner of the bar, and low and behold there he was, sitting there like any other patron. Out of respect, I ignored this celebrity, allowing him to carry on without any acknowledging gestures, requests for an autograph or even a compliment. Read more
Brock Street Art Project
Yesterday I attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Brock Street Art Project. The project consists of 4 separate sculptures, each representing a European époque in art history – Renaissance, Baroque, Art Nouveau & Contemporary. The freestanding sculptures are approximately 9 feet tall, with each unit constructed of five different pieces of variously forged iron pieces. The artist, Stefan Duerst , immigrated 5 ½ years ago from Munich, and views the sculpture as a visual and conceptual "Thank You" to Canada and his new home of Kingston. This project was initiated by the United Way via a donation from Kincore Holdings , while the proposal for a public art installation was vetted by the Downtown Kingston BIA and the City of Kingston’s Arts Advisory Committee . The installation is on the south side of Brock Street, in the parkette across from Le Chien Noir and Atomica. Check out all the pics from the ceremony in our newest Flickr set .
It’s Not Easy Being Green
Did you know that this week is ‘Waste Reduction Week‘? Me neither. In any case, City Hall is (re)promoting their new(ish) initiative that aims to increase recycling by 14% in an effort to divert a total of 65% of our household waste from the landfill by 2012. According to the most recent data (from 2005), Kingstonian’s use their blue and grey boxes to divert as much as 42% of their waste. Although I am sure that the figures have increased since the 2005 snapshot, I think the final push towards the goal will come from the new green bin system, which we previously featured. Unfortunately, the city is projecting that the green bins won’t be available until Spring ‘09, vice the hopeful launch of Fall ‘08. Read more
Art on the Street
Kingston has a unique and diverse community because of its many government and privately run institutions. We have students from all walks of life, military folk of all kinds, artists galore, new immigrants, business types…the list goes on. We all live in this community together but rarely interact outside of our circles. As an artist, I think it is safe to say that most of my friends and acquaintances in town are also artists in some form. It’s just how it goes. So it is always wonderful when someone in the community creates a reason for all these various groups to get together on common ground. Read more
The New Bar Scene
Kingston has a pretty happenin’ bar scene, with the Hub (Alehouse aka AJ’s, Stages, The Brass, The Griz and Elixir) drawing huge crowds night after night, while other downtown establishments (The Iron Duke , Brew Pub, Tir Na Nog, Merchant , and Joy) chorale the rest of Kingston’s age of majority card holders. Categorically, the former cater to students who enjoy loud dance music and the odd live concert, while the latter are for those who enjoy a pub-like atmosphere, and frequent concerts featuring local musicians. There’s nearly a bar on every street corner between the Hub and the waterfront, which makes it easy to find a place to grab a pint or cut a rug on any given night. With some new establishments making their way onto the scene, Kingston’s night life destinations are better than ever. Read more
Back in Business
Hey there stranger, welcome back! I am sorry you had to go over an entire week without any updates from me, or the Kingstonist team. What can I say to make it better? I’d promise to never leave our fare city again, but then I might not be able to make comparisons and ultimately appreciate it as much. In my recent travels I ventured to Hamilton, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City, all of which have their magnificent charms and modest flaws. As the end of my vacation drew closer, I really got excited about returning to the Limestone City. The camera was doing it’s thing on the drive in, catching all the great Fall colours along the 401, the mega-Kings Crossing shopping development at Division and 401, as well as a beehive of activity along Princess Street. After you’ve checked out the new videos , please drop us a line and tell us what you enjoy the most about Kingston in the Fall.
Happy Turkey Day
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Sorry things have been slow around here the last few days. I have been taking some time off, and will continue to be on hiatus for the next week or so, while I’m away on my Honeymoon. In the meantime, some of the other contributors have assured me that they will be picking up the slack. In any case, here’s to a safe holiday with friends and family. Cheers!
Pharmapremecy
Many Kingston residents know, and perhaps love Herbies, purveyor of discount food and drugs. It has enjoyed prime real estate in a plaza that has seen better days on the corner of Princess Street and Centennial Drive. Once a neighbor to Winners, and a myriad of other failed businesses, Herbies survived where others could not. This past Spring I noticed a new retirement centre being constructed on the doorstep of the Cataraqui Town Centre, and I knew right away that Herbies would benefit. But on a recent trip out to mall, I was shocked to see a huge structure being built in the Herbies plaza parking lot, which displayed a Shoppers Drugmart - Coming Soon sign. Read more
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Friends & Supporters
