Thursday, June 24, 2010

Additional Emergency Contact Line Open for Residents

Midhurst/ June 24, 2010 – The County of Simcoe, in co-operation with the Town of Midland, has opened the County’s Customer Services telephone lines to assist in addressing public inquiries with respect to the Midland tornado. Customer Service is open from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM from Monday to Friday.

For information, please contact 705-735-6901:
1. If you require information on evacuation and reception centre information
2. Where to properly dispose of debris or storm damaged acceptable materials
3. Other questions and concerns that residents may have following yesterday’s confirmed tornado in the Town of Midland

The Canadian Red Cross Barrie Branch will continue to act as the main contact for family and reception related inquires. That contact number is 705-721-3313.

County of Simcoe Emergency Management Co-ordinator asks that residents listen to local radio stations for updates, as well as local media websites and the County of Simcoe website. County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Eight candidates vie for five positions on OSMH Board of Directors

(Monday June 21, 2010 - Orillia, ON) – Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) has released the names of the eight (8) individuals who will be considered for election, or re-election, to the hospital’s Board of Directors at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, June 29, 2010.

The five open positions are a result of one pre-existing vacancy and four terms that will expire at the AGM. Current Board members, John Cameron, Gord Michener, Paul Leskew and Bill Swinimer are at the end of their current 3-year term. All but Swinimer have indicated they will be seeking re-election.

Joining them on the ballot will be Ken Brownlee, Heikki Cox-Kikkajoon, Jeffery French, Ted McCollum, and Allan Scott

At the AGM, each candidate will have three minutes to address the membership in attendance, at which time the corporate members will vote by secret ballot.

The hospital’s AGM is set for 7:00 pm on Tuesday, June 29, 2010 in the Normandy Room at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 34. Business will include the approval of corporate and credentialed staff by-laws along with presentation of the 2nd annual Board Awards of Excellence. Members may obtain the AGM agenda at the hospital’s information desk or online at www.osmh.on.ca

Thursday, June 17, 2010

RSM Richter raises $150,000 for children with disabilities and their families

First event benefiting the new Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation supports specialized care, research and education

Toronto, Thursday, June 17, 2010 – Children with a wide range of disabilities, including brain and spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, autism, epilepsy and genetic disorders, stand to benefit from a $165,000 contribution raised by RSM Richter, one of Canada’s largest independent accounting, business advisory and consulting firms.

The donation to Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation, formerly Bloorview Kids Foundation, was generated through proceeds from the 2010 RSM Richter Charity Golf Classic, and will support specialized care, research and education for kids with disabilities and their families. Since it was established in 1998, the charity golf tournament has helped raise more than $1 million for health-related causes across Ontario. It now has the added distinction of being the first event benefiting the hospital under its new Holland Bloorview name.

“RSM Richter is proud to support the invaluable and pioneering work of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the more than 7000 children that depend on it for treatment every year,” said Jeffrey Tannenbaum, partner in the Audit group at RSM Richter. “This donation would not have been possible without the generous support of our event sponsors, particularly Fabricland, as well as our clients and staff who were integral to the tremendous success of this event.”

As Canada’s largest children’s rehabilitation and complex continuing care teaching hospital, Holland Bloorview is an international leader in childhood disability. Holland Bloorview conducts research focused on enhancing care, developing assistive technologies, and evaluating the barriers restricting the inclusion of children with disabilities.

“Holland Bloorview is committed to helping kids with even the most severe disabilities live ordinary and sometimes extraordinary lives – just like other kids. Funds raised through the RSM Richter Charity Golf Classic will support programs, services, and innovative research that enables children with disabilities to be active participants in their communities,” said Valerie McMurtry, President and CEO of the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation. “We are thrilled that RSM Richter is the first event to support us under our new Holland Bloorview name. With the support of donors like RSM Richter, Holland Bloorview has the opportunity to give every child a chance to achieve their personal best.”

Monday, June 14, 2010

Guitars on Parade to be launched June 26 in Orillia

Well-known artist Charles Pachter, Toronto musician and artist Kurt Swinghammer, and Six String Nation's Jowi Taylor take part in Orillia's first ever Guitars on Parade!

Orillia, ON - June 14 This summer, the City of Orillia will become home to a 'parade' of 50 giant guitar sculptures, as one local businesswoman's vision for a public art event comes to life in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Mariposa Folk Festival.

Downtown retailer Leslie Fournier has orchestrated an outdoor gallery of 50 larger-than-life guitar sculptures for a summer-long showcase called Guitars on Parade! The seven-foot guitars, each hand-painted with designs by local artists, will be unveiled June 26 in downtown Orillia as part of the second annual Streets Alive! festival. Last year�s inaugural Streets Alive! event served as a kick-off to the successful Festival of Banners, initiated by Fournier three years ago. The Streets Alive! goal is to present Orillia as a vibrant artistic community and bring visitors to the area.

Adding to the draw is the participation and support of nationally known artists.

"When the idea for Guitars on Parade! came to me, I thought it would be a coup to have a well-known Canadian artist take part in the project and help spread the word beyond Orillia," says Fournier.

The first person she thought of was Charles Pachter. An iconic presence in the visual art world, the work of this leading contemporary artist has been shown at the ROM, the AGO and the McMichael Gallery, among others. Pachter has a real connection and affection for Orillia. He cottages on Lake Simcoe and visits downtown Orillia regularly in the summer months. The Pachter guitar will be placed outside his favourite haunt for butter tarts, Wilkies Bakery.

Two other big talents affiliated with the guitar project are Ed Robertson of Barenaked Ladies fame and Toronto musician and visual artist, Kurt Swinghammer.

"I ran into Ed Robertson in April before the Barenaked Ladies concert at the Orillia Opera House," says Fournier. "Within minutes of hearing about Guitars on Parade!, Ed expressed interest and enthusiasm for the project and wondered if he could sponsor one of the guitars. He mentioned having his buddy, Kurt Swinghammer, design and paint it." The Barenaked Ladies guitar is now the 51st in the project. The group is calling this last one their celebrity guitar. "We sure don't mind surpassing our initial goal of 50!" laughs Fournier.

Guitars on Parade! is modeled after other successful outdoor art projects like Toronto's Moose in the City and Vancouver's Orcas in the City. "I had wanted to do something different this year for Streets Alive! and became excited when I saw images from these other projects," explains Fournier. "When it came to setting a theme, the 50th anniversary of the Mariposa Folk Festival just seemed to fit perfectly. We're thrilled to be able to help celebrate the amazing 50 years of Mariposa."

All 51 guitars will be unveiled at the Streets Alive! celebration on June 26 in Orillia. The event takes place on Mississaga Street from 10 am to 5 pm and is free. Event-goers can view the giant guitars on a walking tour, take in guitar demonstrations, participate in hands-on activities and competitions, enjoy concerts on the street, and meet Jowi Taylor and his celebrated 'Voyageur' guitar. Taylor is the impresario behind one of Canada's most creative guitar projects "Six String Nation, and author of the book by the same name. The project took Taylor across the country to build the ultimate Canadiana guitar using pieces of our country's historic and geographic icons. Jowi will be making special presentations at Streets Alive!, and the Voyageur will be on hand for photos with members of the public.

Local businesses, organizations and the community at large quickly signed on to support Guitars on Parade! The 50th guitar, 'Reflections' represents participation by Orillia citizens, who are invited to drop off donations to sponsor the sculpture at Apple Annie's Caf. Other sponsors of the event include Downtown Orillia, the City of Orillia, Mariposa Folk Festival Foundation and Larrivee Guitars, whose vintage C-10 acoustic guitar serves as the design template for the super-sized guitars. Funding has also been made available from the federal government's Community Adjustment Fund through the Orillia Area Community Development Corporation.

Select sculptures from Guitars on Parade! will travel to the Mariposa Folk Festival July 9 to 11 and then return downtown to take their place as part of the Orillia streetscape throughout the summer/fall tourist season.

Barb Baguley wants public input as campaign for Mayor continues

For Immediate Release
June 14, 2010 - Innisfil’s first candidate for Mayor, Barb Baguley, is kicking her campaign into high gear by asking residents what they think.

Baguley is directing voters to her website baguley4mayor.com where they can complete a survey and comment on town services and issues.

“I think it is important at this point in the election campaign to reach out to residents and find out what is important to them,” Baguley said. “This is a big town with a variety of issues and as I start campaigning door-to-door, I want to know what people are concerned about and what they expect from their elected officials.”

Early results of Baguley’s survey have confirmed her belief that residents want strong leadership and effective communication from their next Mayor.

Baguley has spent the past four years meeting residents as she volunteers for a variety of organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Innisfil Historical Society, Greater Innisfil Chamber of Commerce, Nantyr Shores Spin 4 Kids, Crime Stoppers, Physician Recruitment and Innisfil Rotary.

“Our town continues to grow and many of the people who will be voting on October 25 didn’t even live here four years ago. I want everyone to know that their opinions matter to me and I want to truly represent them on Council. As mayor, I will always have the best interest of residents in mind as decisions are made to move the Town forward.”

Thursday, June 3, 2010

LIVING WITH CANCER? Come as you are. The red door is open! You are welcome!

Are you or someone you love living with Cancer? Now – there is a place in our community where you can meet people who are also living with Cancer; Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka has opened the RED DOOR. We welcome you to come in and experience the community that is Gilda’s Club!

The mission of Gilda’s Club is to provide free support for everyone living with cancer – men, women, teens and children – along with their families and friends, whatever the outcome. Our innovative Program is an essential complement to medical care providing support and networking groups facilitated by licensed mental health professionals, workshops and lectures plus a variety of social activities. Come in our RED DOOR and meet some people who are living with cancer – just like you.

Our new Clubhouse provides a welcoming home-like, non-residential environment for those living with and affected by cancer. Gilda’s Club and its distinctive program are centered on building community. Located on Quarry Ridge Road in Barrie (across the road from Royal Victoria Hospital beside Tim Horton’s) and serving all the residents of Simcoe, Muskoka, Parry Sound, Grey-Bruce and Dufferin Counties, Gilda’s Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka is now open!.

We encourage you to come as you are, to know that you are not alone and to experience firsthand social support, information sharing, friendship, laughter, hope and inspiration. You’ll find attached for your convenience a sample of our Program Calendar for June.

Membership is free – all you have to do is call us at (705) 726-5199 or email program@gildasclubbarrie.org and Ann, our Program Co-ordinator, or one of our trained volunteers will get you signed up for a New Member Meeting. It is that simple.

Please call or email today and take the first step towards becoming a member of Gilda’s Club Simcoe Muskoka. You are not alone ~ our RED DOOR is open.

Looking forward to meeting you,

Kristen Dawson,
Program Director.
Gilda's Club Simcoe Muskoka
10 Quarry Ridge Road
Barrie, ON
Ph: 705.726.5199 Ext. 223
Fx: 705.726.7101
james@gildasclubbarrie.org

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

NHL Greats Gartner and Leeman confirm for Hockey Night in Barrie III

Barrie - MP Patrick Brown is pleased to announce that Hockey Night in Barrie III will be taking place this summer on August 12, 2010 at the Barrie Molson Centre. All proceeds raised will be going directly to the Royal Victoria Hospital’s Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Care Centre.

“I am very excited preparing for this year’s Hockey Night in Barrie charity game supporting RVH and the Cancer Care Centre” said MP Brown. “We are building on past successes of this event and expect this year’s game will be bigger and better as we continue to increase awareness and raise even more funds for this extremely worthy cause” he added.

This year’s event promises to be even more illustrious than years past with NHL Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Gartner, former Toronto Maple Leaf Great Gary Leeman, NHL Star Aaron Johnson, Canadian actor Mark Day and Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay all confirming their attendance for this year’s game. Many more are expected to confirm in the coming weeks!

“This will now be my third year participating in Hockey Night in Barrie and every year it has proven to be not only a fun filled evening for players and fans alike but also a success in raising much needed funds for the Royal Victoria Hospital and the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Care Centre” said Mike Gartner, NHL Hockey Hall of Fame. I am happy to play again this year” he added.

Those interested in attending this year’s game are encouraged to purchase their tickets soon as the event is already twenty-five percent sold out. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.

Orillia Mayor Ron Stevens to receive Lakehead University Orillia Campus Civitas Award

(June 1, 2010 – Orillia ON) Orillia Mayor Ron Stevens will be honoured with the Lakehead University Orillia Campus Civitas Award at the University’s upcoming June 5 Convocation.

The Civitas Award is presented annually to a Simcoe County resident who has made significant contributions to the community and to the Orillia Campus. The award was first introduced in 2008 when it was awarded to Sue Mulcahy who spearheaded the Simcoe College initiative in the 1960s and 1970s. In 2009, the second Civitas Award recipient was Lloyd Dennis, distinguished for his outstanding contribution to education in Ontario.

Mayor Ron Stevens was nominated for his leadership as Chair of the Mayor’s University Task Force and the role he played in establishing the Lakehead University Orillia Campus.

“I believe that without Mayor Stevens’ conviction and commitment to this initiative, that Lakehead – Orillia would not be the reality it is today,” says Robert Lamb, Simcoe County Manager of Economic Development. Lamb nominated Stevens for the award, and notes how instrumental he was in developing a successful partnership with Lakehead University to establish the new Orillia campus.

Mayor Stevens began his municipal service in 1974 when he was appointed to the Township of Orillia Planning Board. Following positions as Councillor for the Township of Orillia and then Mayor of the Township of Severn, Stevens was elected Mayor of the City of Orillia in 2000. Upon completion of his third term as Mayor this fall, Stevens will have the distinction of being the longest-serving Mayor in the history of the City. He has declared this will be his final term as Mayor.

Stevens acknowledges the development of the Lakehead University Campus in Orillia as one of the highlights of his Mayoral tenure. “The entire experience involved a group of leaders who all shared a similar vision,” Stevens recalls. This vision-sharing experience included Lakehead University President Fred Gilbert. “Dr. Gilbert visited us and made a public presentation, and when I saw the standing ovation he received from the audience, I knew we had clear project direction and ample community support,” Stevens notes.

With the new University Avenue campus set to open this fall, Mayor Stevens says he is proud of what Lakehead – Orillia brings to our community and the region. “At the onset of this project, our interest in attracting a university to Orillia was inspired by a statistic we noticed in a census report,” explains Stevens. The document reported that the Canadian average of those with post secondary education was 27 per cent, compared with less than twelve per cent in Orillia and Simcoe County. “By establishing the Lakehead Campus in Orillia, we committed to improve this statistic and contribute to the long-term social and economic development of the region.”

The Civitas Award will be presented to Stevens at the Lakehead – Orillia Convocation on Saturday, June 5, at which over 200 graduands, including some students from the campus’ charter class, will receive their degrees. The ceremony will be held at Patrick Fogarty Secondary School at 10:30 a.m.