Mississauga Blogger: A Mississauga Blog

Peel Region said good bye today to Peel's first officer to die in the line of duty since 1984.

Yesterday you could feel a warm breeze as you walked. Are we done with winter? Hard to guage as snow could still be on the horizon.

Enjoy today's double digit temperatures.




I snapped the photo below while waiting for a light south bound on Spadia near front.Prior to pulling out my iPhone I pulled over a few feet to the curb put the car in park the took the photo.

The funeral for Peel Regional Police Constable Atem "James" Othcakovsky  will be held today at 11:00 AM 1:00 PM at the Hersey Centre at Matheson an the 403.

To accomodate the thousands expected to pay their respects roads in and around the Hersey Centre will be closed today.

Mississauga Transit has three routes that will be affected.



  

- OPP Constable VU Pham, Image Toronto Star

Const. Vu Pham, 37, was shot and "immediately incapacitated" after taking the "initiative to intercept" the suspect shortly after 10 a.m., Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Julian Fantino said. "It is with a sense of loss and deep regret that I'm informing ... that we lost officer Pham.

He succumbed to his injuries a short while ago at hospital," Fantino said late Monday afternoon. "We are rallying around the family to make arrangements to truly express our appreciation to one of our heroes."

The officer was confronted by an armed suspect when he tried to stop the vehicle near Winthrop, Ont., about one hour north of London, Fantino said at a news conference earlier Monday.

Peel Regional Police officer Artem "James Othcakovsky who died last Tuesday of injuries received in an automobile accident while on duty a day earlier in Brampton.

Peel Regional Police Constable Artem "James" Ochakovsky funeral will be held at the Hershey Centre Tuedsay March 9, 2010. Roads in and around the Hersey Centre will be closed at various times.

Saturday March 6. 2010 08:30 EST

Today I'm attending my late Uncle Walt's memorial service. Richard Walton "Walt" MacDavid died Tuesday February 23 at Hospice Niagara.

I've been asked by Walt's wife and my Aunt Sandy to talk a bit about Walt at the service.  When sitting at a service where I don't know the deceased very well, may different word enhancers are used to pay homage to those who have moved on. Caring, loving, giving, selfless, funny, positive, kind, entertaining, life of he part, best father, step father, spouse, uncle, friend, or grandpa or frequentl just some of the lexicon to describe loved ones.

I wonder it these words are true about the recently departed. Today I know they ring true and are not enough to pay tribute to one  awesome guy.


The last of fourteen children  to head on to the after life  from the blended Delaney McDavid MacDavid clan you can bet that they've had one great celebration when Walt arrived with his guitar last week and knowing Walt, his first wife Alice, my dad and the rest of the family they're probably still singing



Bye Uncle Walt..........

• R.I.P. Uncle Walt. Richard Walton MacDavid 1927-2010
• Happy 88th Frances, Mom, Grandama
• Remembrance Day. Thanks Dad

Peel Regional Police  identified on Wednesday that Officer Artem "James" Othcakovski was killed in a collision in Monday evening in Brampton at Airport Road and Steeles.

Peel Regional Police have set up a condolencses page for Officer Othcakvski

On Monday, March 1, 2010, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Constable Artem "James" Otchakovski, while operating a marked police cruiser, was involved in a two-vehicle collision in the intersection of Airport Road and Steeles Avenue East. Constable Otchakovski was taken to Sunnybrook with critical injuries. Despite the hospital staff's best efforts, Constable Otchakovski succumbed to his injuries. 

 

Constable Artem "James" Otchakovski was a two-year veteran of Peel Regional Police. He had been assigned to the Uniform Bureau at 21 Division, where he operated in a patrol function in the City of Brampton. He is survived by his wife and 3 year-old son.

-Peel Regional Police Media Release March 3, 2010

Links

• Brampton Guardian
  
• Mississauga News
• Officer Down Memorial Page
• Peel Regional Police Memorial\

Related Posts

• Peel Regional Police officer dies of injuries
  
• Peel Police at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games
• Mississauga at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Game

Metrolinx Board of Directors at a meeting on February 19, 2010 voted to increase single GO Transit single trips across the board by 25 cents. The new fare takes effect on March 20 , 2010.

- a flat-rate increase of $0.25 that will apply to every adult single- ride ticket, regardless of trip origin and destination, and - a change to the discount structure for multiple ride tickets and passes so that these discounts will be equal across GO Transit fare zones. All 10-ride tickets offer a 7.5% discount over 10 single- ride tickets and monthly passes offer a 17.5% discount over 40 single-ride tickets.
GO Trasnit Media Release February 19, 2010


-Image National Post

Curious as to why a 25 cent  across the board per trip increase to GO transit fares and a change to how discounts are applied  to 10 ride and monthly passes, I contact Robin Alam GO Transit Media Relations and Issues Specialist., earlier this week.

My questions and his answers below.


Why a flat rate increase of 25 cents on every trip?

•  The fare increase is in line with GO fare increases from previous years, and with fare increases implemented by other transit systems, and would make a direct impact on the quality of services and facilities GO is able to offer its customers

• The $0.25 increase is the same for all single-ride tickets, regardless of the origin and destination of the trip.

• A flat fare increase recognizes that all customers enjoy the same benefits of improved services, smooth operations, and well maintained facilities

 

GO has announced a change to the way discounts are calculated for 10 ride and monthly pass discounts. Why the change and how were the previous discounts calculated?

• Over the years of GO Transit's operation, with the addition of new fare zones and the irregular implementation of flat-rate fare increases, the discounts offered on 10-ride tickets and monthly passes have been inconsistent across fare zones. This means that some passengers receive a higher percentage discount on their 10-ride ticket or monthly pass than others. With this fare increase, these percentage discounts will be equalized across fare zones: every 10-ride ticket would offer a 7.5% discount over the purchase of 10 single-ride tickets, and every monthly pass will offer a 17.5% discount over the purchase of 40 single-ride tickets.

• For the first time, GO is adjusting our 10-ride ticket and monthly pass discount rate to make it more equitable.

• Now, 10-ride ticket discounts range from of 7% to 9% and monthly pass discounts range from 15% to 20%, depending on distance traveled, which means customers traveling the shorter distance receive the lower discount. * We are now introducing a standardized discount of 7.5% off the price of a 10-ride ticket and a standardized discount of 17.5% off the cost of a monthly pass.

•   The fare equalization for monthly and 10-ride passes creates a more equitable discount fare system.

- Robin Alam , GO Transit Media Relations and Issues Specialist.


Links of Interest

• GO Transit
• Metrolinx

Related Posts

Monday March 1, 2020 around 23:00  a Peel Police vehicle was involved in a collision at Airport Rd and Steeles Rd in Brampton. A Peel Police officer who was killed has not yet been identified.

• Peel Police at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games
• Mississauga at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

The Toronto star is reporting Toronto city staff has recommended privatizing Toronto's two municipally run ski hills and one campground. 360 could be impacted if the proposal goes through.

"I know ski hills are pretty labour-intensive," he said. "Is running a ski hill a priority for us? If we're losing money at it, can we go to the taxpayers and say we have to give up children's programs because we're running a money-losing ski hill?"

Under the proposal, the city would still own and maintain the ski hills and campground, but the services would be run by a private company in a fashion similar to the city's five 18-hole golf courses.

"They manage the public use of the facility, from people booking greens, to buying things from the pro shop, to taking lessons," explained city spokesman Rob Andrusevich.

Centennial Park Ski & Snowboard Centre
Earl Bales Ski & Snowboard Centre
Glen Rouge Campground
Mount Chinguacousy Brampton

Related Posts
Mississauga Toboggan Hills & Cross Country Skiing
Mississauga Ski and Snowboard Options

It's been a week since CFRB's Bill Carroll has set up camp in Los Angeles at KFI AM 640. Rick Wagoner a freelance writers weighs in with a review of Bill's first show in a Los Angeles suburban paper.



The folks over at SOWNY, a radio discussion board, post about Bill's debut on KFI


Links of Interest

• Mondoville
  
• Good Move For Good Guy Canadian Thinker by Freddie P

Related Posts

• Bill Carroll KFI AM 640 Los Angeles
• Bill Carroll moving to AM 640
• Radio Category

Andy Barrie said good bye to a place he's been heating up the microphones for the last fifteen years ago on Friday. Today Barrie began his retirement  as the first guest on Matt Galloway's inaugural broadcast of Metro Morning. After the show was over Matt and Andy moved into  the Barbara Frum Atrium at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre at Front and John streets in Toronto to meet hundreds of Toronto's premier morning show admirers.


Andy Barrie radio veteran has been at the helm of Metro Morning for fifteen years. Andy and his supportive crew have navigated through the sea of radio to become the number on morning show in Toronto radio. Andy thanked the crew and the listeners for their time, devotion and how it was an honour for him to be welcomed into so many lives every moring.


Filling Andy's shoes is Matt Galloway with his 8 1/2's according to the Brannock Device




Links of Interest

• A Salute To Andy Barrie, By Jill Dempsey -Torontoist
• Andy Barrie, newly retired, goes on Metro Morning - The National Post

Related Posts

• Matt Galloway to Host Metro Morning
• Andy Barrie to Retire
• CBC Radio-Canada Category
• Radio Category
  

Welcome TheHodgeBlog.com a brand new blog by veteran radio talent Rick Hodge. After he and TorontoMike tinkered until the site was just right Rick has two post already up. One looking at the Men's hockey gold medal win and the other on life after CHUM & Astral Media.


Keep 'em coming Rick.


Links of Interest

• TheHodgeBlog.com
• They're Over -Men win Gold at Hockey
• The Blog - Rick discusses setting up his blog
• RSS Feed of The.HodgeBlog.com
• Life is Funny I'm working with Rick Hodge - Toronto Mike
• Hodge and Stockwood Out, Humble and Colleen Remain @ EZ Rock - Toronto Mike
• Live Blogging 97.3 EZ Rock's Morning Show - Toronto Mike

Related Posts

• Radio Category

My Eldest Daughter came home from school today with a cake worth of a reality TV show. I love the basket weave look and that beautiful blue rose.
She put this eatable work of art together at the high school she attends in Mississauga.


Although she prefers I don't wax on poetic about her incredible academics skills, altruism and being a great teenager, this time she couldn't hold her proud dad back.

Related Posts

• Pasta Dinner at Church
  
• Happy New Year & Thank You
• PIXAR Party

Called blog guru Toronto Mike today to see if he wanted to meet for lunch. My idea was to take him for one of Mississauga's best veal sandwiches at Palma Pasta's factory outlet hot table. Mike wasn't sure if he could go but asked me to send him the info on Palma Pasta so he could grab some lunch at a a later date.

Sent him and email from the Apple Store in Square One during a one to one session. On my way back home I decided to swing by Palma Pasta's factory location where all the great cuisine is prepared for their three retail locations and catering.



Palma Pasta is a place I've frequent since first arriving in Mississauga in 1986 enjoying their fare from their retail store at the north east corner of Hurontario/HWY 10 and The Queensway in MIssissauga.

 

Today though I was at their only hot table at the factory outlet ot Semynek Court south off Central Parkay one light west of Wolfedale. My goal. to pick up a veal on a bun.

Upon entering the store Anthony of Palma Pasta approached me and asked if I was the Mississauga Blogger because Toronto Mike was in the corner with some co-workers enjoying pasta and meat balls. Sat down and began chatting with Mike and asked how did Anthony know I was the blogger. Mike said it was because I was now famous. Ha!.

I walked over to Anthony and asked how he knew I was the Mississauga Blogger? He told me he recognized me from a picture on my blog and that he is a regular visitor to my little corner of the blog world and found out about me via TorontoMike.com. Anthony complemented me on my posts about Mississauga and the information I provide. I humbly  accepted his observations and said thanks. Pounding away on the keyboard occasionally as I do ,never thought anyone would recognize me from my blogging let alone say they liked it. Thanks Anthony.

I drove away with the delicious aroma of the veal sandwich wafting through my mini-van and a fresh lasagna courtesy of the folks at Palma Pasta ready for the oven tonight

The Outdoor Adventure Show comes to the International Centre February 26, 27 & 28 and as usual parking is free at the Outdoor Adventure Show.

I've attended this show in the past and have always picked up new and interesting tips, ideas and had a look at camping tents, equipment and supplies. Looking forward to our visit their this week end.

Hardly an extreme great outdoors enthusiast I find the show a great resource for us car campers.



Show Hours

• Friday, February 26, 2010, 12 Noon - 9pm
• Saturday, February 27, 2010, 10am - 6pm
• Sunday, February 28, 2010, 10am - 5pm

You can help Haiti by donating no  sleeping bags, clothing and shoes.



The International Centre is a place I spent covering many shows. On of the most memorable was meeting Norm Abram, Bob Vila's carpenter from the Original This Old House of many moons ago on PBS. Bob and Norm have moved on to other en devours.


It was special meeting Norm at the Wood Working Show in 1999 because back in the early 80's while at College, George, Dave and I would edit and re-edit a 3/4 inch video tape of this Old House on the school's tape to tape editing bench. I chatted with Norm for about 15 minutes after our interview and he discussed the how he became involved in TV by chance in the 70's when This Old House featured his company in on of its shows. The connection between Villa and Abram was instant and soon after Norm was a staple of the show.

The International Centre the site of a Swine Flu/H1N1 CLINICwas also the subject of my first blog post


Links of Interest

• The Outdoor Adventure Show
• This Old House
• New Yankee Workshop

Related Posts

Mississauga photographer Maggie Habieda-Nowakowski of Moments by Maggie was features as the photographer of the month for Janurary 2010 by the Wedding & Portrait Photographers International. At their 2009 convention in Las Vegas the WPPI drew more than 12,000 attendees. I asked Maggie what made her images so unique. 

Thursday February 25, 2010 is Lunch Money Day. Second Harvest is encouraging you give give the equivalent of what your lunch costs. Each dollar raised will buy two meals according to Second Harvest.

Donate via volunteers collecting at TTC stations, key points in the city. Visit Starbucks or when you shop at certian Sobeys. For precise information on donating plese refer toSecond Harvest

Like losing s second father, my Uncle Walt passed away this morning at Hospice Niagara.

Can't say enough of what a great guy he was. Supportive, non-judgmental and a pillar of wisdom. Never to far from the party with his guitar in hand, things won't be the same without him strumming and singing Yellow Bird.


When I arrived in Toronto in August of 1986 Uncle Walt & Aunt Alice allowed me live with them and their family for two years. Not only gained another dad but another mum and couple of sisters in Cheryl and Darlene. Alice passed away in 1990 and then later my uncle remarried to Sandy who's been part of the clan ever since with her daughter Chris and Kris' partner Tara

I'm glad that I was able to visit him last Sunday with my mother. He was still cracking jokes and putting up a strong front for all of us.

Take care Walt and be sure to entertain the folks in the after life.


Related Posts

• Happy 88th Frances, Mom, Grandama
• Remembrance Day. Thanks Dad

Today in Blogger Daughter's class it's heritage day. The students prepare a little presentation about their family past. BD is talking about Ireland. My family came over to Canada during the Great Famine that gripped Ireland in the 1840's.

BD will be talking about traditions from the emerald isle, specifically  Irish Soda bread.

• Pete's Mum's Soda Bread Recipie euporpeancuisines.com

• BC versus Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Commercials

Link's of Interest



Relatred Posts

• Preparing for a little snow
• Mississauga's Snow Removal
• Toronto Snow Storm Season Begins

The weather forecasters are predicting some accumulation today of up some where between 5 to 10 cm. Hardly an impressive amount but enough to through the evening rush hour into chaos.


Perhaps the wind will be with us and push the sown clouds somewhere else  and we dodge the snow.
I fired up the snowthower this morning so I didn't have a surprise if it is needed later today. My dependable Toro has not thrown one flake of snow so far this winter.

Link's of Interest



Relatred Posts

• Mississauga's Snow Removal
• Toronto Snow Storm Season Begins

Last nights loss to the US men's Olympic hockey team was not the out come most of us were hoping for. There are still games left for us to cheer on and hopefully a repeat of th3 2002 glod medal performance.

Today, February 22. 2010 is the 30th anniversary of the Men's US Olympic hockey team defeating the USSR's men's Red Army squad. To clinch the gold the US Olympic team beat Sweden the next day to head to top of the podium.




The Lace Placid Olympics always remind me of some of my earliest experiences in television. In February of  1980 I  was volunteering on a local week-end show at Télécâble-Vidéotron St-Hubert studio's on Losch BLVD.. "Wake Up" a talk show focusing on community events on the South Shore of Montreal hosted by Norm Haslam and a crew made up mostly of  high school friends from Richelue Valley Regional High School.



I was the reporter for MacDonald Cartier Memorial High School. Once I had a few shows in front of the camera under my belt I became facinated with what was going on behind the camera. One moring they were short a cameraman and it was first chance to shine.
The commands coming over the head set from control room where the director briyght all the images and sounds together, guiding the cameramen as to what shots were need seemed like a place you could create magic. Right beside the control room was Videotrons head-end. a large control centre filled with hundreds of monitors that filled with all the channels that were sent out to the subscribers. In this room I watched many events from the Lake Placid Olympics asking many questions to the technician holding the fort. Hours after the show was done I would sit there until it was getting la\te and time to call my dad for a lift home.

Bill Carroll begins his new gig on Monday Februray 20, 2010 at KFI AM 640 Los Angeles. His new show will run from 12:00 to 14:00 PST Monday to Friday. Listen to the KFI stream here in Toronto at 15:00-17:00 EST.

The former CFRB, News Talk 1010,  The Source host is had been filling in at KFI AM 640 Los Angeles from here in Toronto.

KFI program director Robin Bertolucci has a solid reputation for finding talk hosts who fit the "more stimulating talk radio" format that has kept the station in the top five, often No. 1, for years. Carroll, a top-rated talk host in Toronto, was a prime candidate to replace Handel.

"KFI and I have been in a conversation, doing a bit of a dance, for about three years. But it was not the right opportunity, not the right timing. But my contract was coming to an end, and we had an opportunity. It has all been very fast. It came together in days," Carroll said.

Links of Interest

• Mondoville
  
• Good Move For Good Guy Canadian Thinker by Freddie P

Related Posts

• Bill Carroll moving to AM 640
• Radio Category

Global Toronto is opening  a new bureau in Mississauga to cover the western end of the GTA.

Below is information sent to me by the folks at Global Toronto






Links of Interest

• Mississauga News

Related Posts

• Global News Mississauga Bureau
• Reporting from Haiti
• Charles Dubois & Patrice Roy Afghanistan August 2007
• GTA Toronto Neptis Map
• Working on or over the holidays

After Saturday February 20, 2010, the Port Credit Branch Library will close its door to patrons to undergo renovations that are scheduled to be complete in late 2010  Port Credit has had library service 1896 and the current building has been in service since 1962.