The Converged Citizen - Publication January 24, 2014

THE

CONVERGED CITIZEN

Volume IX Issue I

www.ThemedIaPleX.com

January 30, 2014

Polar vortex brings extreme cold to region Dan Gray Citizen Staff Reporter

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The citizens of Windsor and Essex County are dealing with another round of extreme cold caused by an arctic air mass and polar vortex.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Earth Observatory describes a polar vortex as winds circulating the Arctic in a counter-clockwise manner. When it is weak, parts of the vortex break off causing extreme cold to descend into our region.

The polar vortex and the arctic air it brings with it have dropped the temperatures well below normal.

According to Environment Canada normal temperatures for January in Windsor range between -1 C for a high and -8 C as overnight lows.

Despite the extreme temperatures caused by the polar vortex Mark Schuster from Environment Canada said this January hasn’t fallen far from normal so far. He said compared to January months of the ‘70s and even compared to 2009 this one isn’t too bad.

“There has been some really cold weather obviously, specifically earlier in the month but there was also a stretch of about five or six days where we had temperatures several

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degrees above zero,” said Schuster.

“But it seems pretty certain that January as a whole will average to be below normal.”

This cold weather has caused some problems for local homeowners and overtime for utility workers. Enwin

Curbside garbage pickup to change Sean Previl Managing Editor

See FEATURE

Photo by Dan Gray 37-year-old homeless man Don Lawson bundles up on Ouellette Avenue on Jan. 23.

Windsorites are having mixed reactions to how their garbage is going to be collected.

City council voted last year to make hard-sided garbage bins mandatory for garbage pickup but delayed the enforcement of it until March 1 of this year. The mandate is part of the city’s commitment to controlling the rodent and wildlife population.

Anne Marie Albidone, environmental services manager for the City of Windsor, said with more animals are getting into garbages, causing in frus-

tration for the public. The new by-law will help limit the trouble animals can cause.

“By having people put their garbage into hard sided container, essentially a garbage pail, we’re going to be reducing that food source for all those wild animals,” said Albidone.

Regardless of the reasons for the change, some residents are concerned about having to pay for the bins.

“We’ve seen other costs related to municipal services going up at a rate that people find kind of shocking,” said Todd Gervais, 41.

See GARBAGE on page 6

employee Steve Corriveau was at a house on Janette Avenue Jan. 21 to turn the water off. He said there was a problem in the basement of the house, and he was there to turn the See VORTEX on page 7

New city hall moving forward Justin Prince Citizen Staff Reporter

City council is moving forward with the process of building a new city hall with or without the cooperation of Public Works and Government Services Canada.

According to Mayor Eddie Francis, the government agency was planning to lease part of the new building, but stopped negotiations before the city council meeting Jan. 20. The council

See CITY HALL on page 2

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decided to continue the process without the PWGSC. The new facility will now cost about $12 million less to build. If the PWGSC had agreed to lease the space, the project would have cost $47 million.

“The building was always projected to be built as a city building,” said Francis. “We only got involved with the Government of Canada when we knew there was an opportunity. That’s their decision. We’ll proceed on our own.”

The decision by the PWGSC was mainly influenced by the state of the

ly designated by the Windsor Historical Society. That designation would come into effect once the building is sold, and means any potential buyer would have to fix the façade themselves.

“No deal had ever been reached with the City of Windsor regarding the building’s future,” said the PWGSC in a statement.

“Due to a decrease in federal office requirements in Windsor, the Paul Martin Building has been declared surplus … The city as well as any other supplier can place a tender on the building.”

The PWGSC also said in the statement it would be looking for a possible lease

NEWS PWGSC wasn’t essential but said the decision will make it less convenient for Windsorites who require their services.

“It would have benefited the citizens of this community to have all government services in one building,” said Marra. “But we need to go ahead. We have some very serious problems in (the current) building and if we attempt to start repairing them we’re going to have to spend millions of dollars.”

The proposed site for the building is adjacent to the current location at 350 City Hall Sq., or the site of the main parking lot. Once the new city hall is completed in 2017, the current facility

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Photo By Grace Brown

An anonymous victim of sexual assault holds a quote from his attacker.

The silent victims of sexual assault have found their voice Hailey Trealout Citizen Staff Reporter

Photo By Justin Prince

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis speaks to the media before a city council meeting on Jan. 20, 2014.

Paul Martin Building on agreement for its services Ouellette Avenue. The pro- currently inside the build- will be demolished.

“I think city council has had posal stated that the ing, but not in the new city the opportunity in the ensuing Canadian government hall. would have to fix the “It would have been nice years to look at the reality of building’s crumbling in terms of having a tenant the challenges this building façade so it could be used in the building and helping presents,” said Gignac. “The by the University of pay for the costs,” said determination to move forWindsor’s Faculty of Law Ward 6 Coun. Jo-Anne ward with a more efficient program. But they decided Gignac. “But it’s not building has been made.”

The discussions about the to sell the building as is, essential.” because of the potential Bill Marra, councillor for building will continue Jan. 27 cost of repairs. The Paul Ward 8, agreed that sharing at 6 p.m. during a special Martin Building is current- the new building with the council meeting.

Mickey Renaud Award Chelsea Lefler Citizen Staff Reporter

LaSalle Vipers defenceman and former Sun County panther Austin Hall has received the Mickey Renaud Award.

Renaud was born on Oct. 5, 1988 in Tecumseh, Ont.

He officially joined the Spitfires in 2005-06 and in 2007 was named captain of the team. On Feb 18, 2008 he collapsed in his home and was taken to Windsor Regional Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Hall is a 16-year-old Vipers rookie and attends

St.Anne’s Catholic High School. He was selected in the seventh round by Guelph in 2013 OHL Priority Draft.

“It’s a huge honour for me. Mickey was a great player, a great role model See AWARD on page 3

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Despite increased awareness and education, numbers from Statisitcs Canada shows that tens of thousands of Canadians continue to suffer sexual assaults.

A report done by the Fredericton Sexual Assault Crisis Centre states about 1,400 sexual assaults occur daily in Canada.

Groups around the world work hard to keep them from happening, having students escorted to their cars at night and having awareness lectures to educate citizens before they are victimized.

In October 2011, 19-year-old New Yorker Grace Brown was approached by a friend who disclosed she was a victim of sexual assault. That night, Brown was sleepless, trying to think of a way to make things right again.

“It wasn’t the first story I had heard, and it wasn’t the worst story I had heard,” said Brown. “Something about the story had really gotten to me… I wanted a way to say, ‘Look at what’s happening.

Look at what’s going on in the world’.”

The following morning, Project Unbreakable was born with the goal of helping victims become survivors.

“Sexual assault is a certain taboo,” said Brown. “Reality is, most often, the perpetrator is someone the survivor

knows and just the way our society views sexual assault, and the shame and the hiding it under the rug, it perpetuates everything else.”

Since Project Untouchable’s beginnings, Brown has photographed 450 survivors of sexual assault. She has also received 3,000 submissions from people all over the world.

Lydia Fiorini is the executive director at the Sexual Assault Crisis Centre in Windsor. She said she will be referring some of her clients to Brown’s group.

“They all have a story to tell in terms of what was the lasting words or comments that stayed in their mind as a result of their victimization,” said Fiorini. “It gives them an opportunity to decrease the impact of that fear of those words. Some of these victims have that lasting statement, the fact that they’re sharing it with other victims gives them a sense of ‘I’m not the only one.”

According to Project Unbreakable, less than half of all sexual assaults are reported to authorities, a number Brown says she wants to improve through her photos.

“I want people to know that they’re not alone, that they are supported and believed and understood – that they are unbreakable.”

For more information on Project Unbreakable, visit www.projectunbreakable.com .

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Dragons’ Den sets fire to Windsor Sean Previl Managing Editor

From computer bits to doggy bites, Windsorites are showing their city is more than a factory town -- it’s a place of innovation.

The popular CBC television show Dragons’ Den held auditions at the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Jan. 23 for startup business owners wanting their first big break.

Canada’s version of Dragons’ Den started in 2006, based on the international franchise that started in Japan.

The show gives participants the chance to pitch ideas to a panel of investors in hopes of securing financing to grow their business.

Jane Chupick, 28, a producer for CBC’s show said holding auditions in cities across Canada shows the range of talent the country has to offer and ideas the Dragons rarely see.

“You’re going to see something completely different in Windsor than you’re going to see in Saskatoon,” said Chupick. “The needs of Windsor compared to the needs of people in Saskatoon means that people are developing businesses that are completely different.”

One such person with a new idea is Joe Latouf, 54, who pitched his Context Ordered Replacement Algorithm method used to secure data on computers. Latouf said he came to the auditions because of what the Dragons could provide him with.

“I have the expertise and the concept and the product for data security,” said Latouf.

“But going from that stage to having contracts with the global marketplace, that’s where they would come in.”

Shawn Amerlinck, 48, owner of My Pet’s Butler, said he believes his business can get on the show because of the professionalism they show.

His business is a professional pet-sitting business that employs registered veterinary technicians.

“We’ve certainly raised the bar for pet-sitting,” said Amerlinck. “It’s a professional pet-sitting business. We’re always in uniform, the company vehicle is always with us.

It’s strictly professional.”

Michael-John Knoblauch, 40, Amerlinck’s business partner, said the benefit of a show like Dragons’ Den is the possibility of gaining more expertise for their business from professionals in the field.

“We know the concept. We know it works. We just need help in franchising the business,” said Knoblauch.

Chupick said if anyone is thinking of auditioning for Dragons’ Den it’s important to prepare properly. She said the Dragons are not looking for boring presentations and with television, it’s important to not just talk about the business but show it in an interesting way.

“They hear so many business pitches and so if you want to grab their attention, you’re going to have to really convince them that you’re excited about your business,” said Chupick.

Photo By Jessica Curtis

A local cyclist continues peddling on the bike trail through Dieppe Gardens on Jan. 24. Despite the extreme cold weather conditions, he is one of the very few people facing the cold .

Coping with the cold Jessica Curtis Citizen Staff Reporter Health officials are warning the public that only a few minutes of exposure to the extreme cold weather could increase their chances of getting hypothermia or frostbite.

Medical Officer of Health for the Windsor Essex County Health Unit, Dr. G. Allen Heimann issued a cold weather alert on Monday, Jan. 20 cautioning Windsorites to keep warm to prevent frostbite, hypothermia and other health complications. The alert was in effect until Jan. 25.

“When exposed skin tissue freezes, individuals can develop frostbite,” said Heimann. “It’s characterized by a loss of feeling and colour-loss in part of the body, most often where the skin was exposed or damp and cold.”

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Photo By Sean Previl

Joe Latouf, creator of CORA, presents the product to a Dragons’ Den producer at the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce during the show’s auditions Jan. 23.

for everyone in the hockey community, especially around the Windsor area. I watched him growing up, though he was a great player, it’s just a huge honor to get this award,”said Hall.

The award is presented annually

Warning signs of frostbite include white or grayish-yellow areas on the skin, numbness and skin that feels firm or waxy.

The Health Unit also warns that hypothermia, another danger of extremely cold temperatures, can occur when the body loses heat faster than it is produced. Warning signs of hypothermia in adults include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech and drowsiness. In infants, bright red cold skin and very low signs of energy are signs of hypothermia.

So far there haven’t been any extreme cases of hypothermia or frostbite in Windsor this winter season.

“People are using good judgement,” said Ron Foster, Windsor Regional Hospital’s vice-president of public affairs. “We’re mostly just monitoring

those affected by the influenza and visitor restrictions.”

Health officials warn that it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if hypothermia or frostbite is suspected.

Individuals most at risk for hypothermia include the elderly, babies sleeping in cold bedrooms and people who are outdoors for long periods.

The Health Unit advises people to stay warm and dry. Adults and children should wear appropriate clothing and check frequently for signs of hypothermia or frostbite.

People with heart disease or high blood pressure should avoid strenuous outdoor activities.

Windsorites are reminded by the Health Unit to keep up to date with weather conditions to ensure that they have a safe winter season.

The Head Coach of the Viper, Bill Bowler talked about Hall and why he won this award.

“Obviously that’s why Austin is playing at our level, his ability on the ice, everyone can see, but it’s the attributes and the character of the young man I think are real special,” said Bowler. “That’s one of the

key reasons he is playing for our team at a young age. He is a leader, his practice habits and he’s so constant like Mickey was, I had the privilege of coaching Mickey Renaud as well and those characteristics he liked to see in young people as well.

Austin deserves this award as well.”

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The Princess Ball adds magic to fundraising

Photo by Bobby-Jo Keats

Kelly Spinarsky, a local cosmetologist, applies make up to a little girl at a fundraising event in support of Cystic Fibrosis at the Fogolar Furlan Club, Jan. 18.

Bobby-Jo Keats Citizen Staff Reporter Children received the royal treatment at the Fogolar Furlan Club Jan 18. during a fundraising event for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Little girls dressed like princesses as they walked the red carpet

during the first annual princess ball held in Windsor.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada and other volunteers hosted a princess-themed event Jan.17 to increase awareness and raise funds toward finding a cure.

Suzanne Grouette, President of Cystic

Fibrosis Canada’s local chapter, says the ball took volunteers more than four months to plan. She said there were 420 people in attendance including more than 75 volunteers.

“This was originally done in Red Deer, Alberta and it was such a great event that everybody loved

it,” said Grouette. “We haven’t had anything like this in the Windsor area, so it really clicked with our volunteers. All the funds we raise will go towards research to find a cure for CF and also to support our local clinic.”

The event will assist the Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis clinic in providing care for those living with the disease. The clinic is located at Windsor Regional Hospital Metropolitan campus.

“It is the only clinic in North America that operates on weekends in order for children to not have to miss school and so parents don’t have to miss work,” said senior fundraising coordinator Chantalle Foreman.

“The money raised will be used to help find a cure or effective treatment for the disease and will benefit the clinic.”

Activities at the event included games, dancing, making magic wands, face painting, arts and crafts as well as hair, make up and nail centres. Sashes were given to the children before walking down the red carpet and the children were announced upon entering the hall.

Mandy Couture attended the event with and her children Mia, 5 and Macie, 4.

Her mother was a volunteer

for the event and said the girls received their tickets to the ball for Christmas.

“I think it’s a very magical day for them. They have been looking forward to this since Christmas and they are so happy to be here,” said Couture.

According to Foreman, there are about 55 people living with CF within Windsor-Essex and Chatham Kent. It is a genetic disorder that mainly affects the lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines and sinuses. Presently, there is no known cure for the disease. However, Grouette remains hopeful that with the success of fundraisers like the princess ball, more research can be done in order to find a cure.

“The reason we exist is to make people aware of the cause and raise funds in order to research and find a cure for the disease,” said Grouette.

“This is an opportunity to put them both together, to help people become more aware and to raise funds for research. It has been a success so far, the volunteers have done such a great job putting it on. Now, hopefully people are more aware of the disease than they were before.”

The event raised over $12,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.

Biotechnology inspires local artists exhibit Millar Hill Citizen Staff Reporter Local artists are creating art through a series of science experiments.

In the summer of 2011, 20 artists, scientists and university students went to Banff National Park in Alberta. They spent two weeks helping Jennifer Willet, an assistant visual arts professor at the University of Windsor, in producing science and art for her project called BioARTCAMP. “Bio Art is a form of art production that uses biological media or living media as its media in the art,” said Willet. “In paint-

ing or drawing, how you might use a pastel or clay, in bio art we are using cells, plants and other organisms.”

After meeting fellow artists in Australia at an organization called SymbioticA, Willet said she started looking at new ways to create art. When she was younger, she did a lot of painting and drawing. Her focus was on the body, science, technology and medicine.

“They encouraged me to try these things for real instead of just making drawings or photographs of biotechnology,” said Willet. “That’s what really opened my sphere as an

artist.”

The reception for Willet’s art exhibition was held at Artcite Inc. gallery Jan 17.

The exhibit presented a collection of items such as images, life forms and artifacts gathered from art camp. The purpose of the exhibit was to show the role of biotechnology through history and share the experiences gained from camp.

Sarah Hurts, 20, attended the reception. She said she liked the mix between science and art because it was interesting.

“I saw some of the material before the exhibit, but I was not expecting there to be this much stuff,” said

Hurts. “I’d like to see more students get together and start doing collaboration projects such as this project.”

Willet said she is interested in democratizing biotechnology by asking regular people to engage in low-end biotechnological protocols.

She wants people to be aware of the sacrifices of life that is involved in those types of technologies.

“I want people to understand its complex and there are a lot of benefits, but also a lot of harms,” said Willet. “We together need to make the decision about what amount of harm we’re

prepared to accept.”

Activities like growing yogurt or making beer in your basement are some of the earliest forms of biotechnology.

These things can be done at home without attending a lab.

People who may have an interest in biotechnology can visit the incubator lab at the university, or public labs within the city.

“I’d like people to take away an idea, that biotechnology or even science in general is open to a wider audience of participants,” said Willet. “You don’t have to be a scientist or have a PhD to participate actively in this community.”

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BATTLE OF the bands

Takers and leavers

St. Clair College hosted a Battle of the Bands at South Campus on Saturday, January 18. The six bands who participated are World I Witness, The Culls, Dangerfield, Seconds before the light, State of Us and Takers and Leavers. The Takers and Leavers took the win which takes them to provincials and World War I Witness was the runner-up. (Photos by Taylor Desjardins)

The Culls

sTaTe of us

dangerfIeld

World War I WITness

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Bullying discussed with open forum Sarah Ryrie Citizen Staff Reporter

Photo by Kenneth Bullock

Mudpuppy Gallery in Amherstburg displays winter pictures for its monthly theme. January 17, 2014,

Gallery helps promote regional artists Kenneth Bullock Citizen Staff Reporter

Emerging artists are being encouraged to display their work at an Ahmestberg art gallery.

Robert Honor is a local artist and one of the five founders of Mudpuppy Gallery. Honor says the gallery’s main goal is to provide an area where artists can promote their art for minimal cost.

Besides drawings, there are photographs, paintings, and occasionally crafted art such as wood carvings.

Studies on the art industry show many artists need promotion of their work in order to further themselves in the business.

“We have had many different types of art come through here Continued from GARBAGE page 1

“(Council) is offloading the cost of the container onto the resident and they’re limiting the amount of garbage you can throw out in one go.”

Albidone said residents who have concerns about buying the bins should understand they don’t have to purchase something expensive. She noted a 30-gallon pail for $30 at Home Hardware will still be collected as long as it is within regulation.

“It just needs to be in a pail,”

over the years,” said Honor.

Each month Mudpuppy has a distinct theme to the art it displays. During January, pictures of snowy landscapes cover the walls. Pictures of animals such as wolves, bunnies, and owls appear next to fields of white.

Michelle Wilson is in charge of social networking and relations with other businesses in Amherstburg. Wilson serves as a secretary, usually calling artists whose pieces have been sold.

“We have over 600 contacts, many of them are artists from around the Windsor/Essex area,” said Wilson.

Wilson and Honor say wellknown artists from Windsor and Amherstburg stop in to check out new art. Mudpuppy engages in different activities to promote artistic endeavors.

Book signings are held along with books being available for sale. The gallery also runs “Beat Nights,” which are open-mic events for poets, singers, authors and comedians. Mudpuppy works with the Downtown Espresso Bar in Amherstburg to organize the events. Wilson attracts customers at the bar to Mudpuppy during intermissions.

Originally Mudpuppy’s main intention wasn’t promoting the artwork of others.

“The fives of us originally planned to showcase just our art,” said Honor.

The group of ultimately decided it would be better to promote their fellow artists rather than compete against them. Mudpuppy’s next beat night is being held Jan. 25 at Downtown Espresso Bar.

said Albidone. “They can buy a 30-gallon pail and that will usually at its fullest be at our weight limit which is 45 pounds.”

Albidone said if it is over 45 pounds it is preferred the garbage be placed in a pail with wheels. These products, such as a Herby Curby can be rented for as low as $6 a month for a 96-gallon pail.

However, not all residents are having issues with the new regulation. Audrey Young, 51, who moved to Windsor eight years ago, said she thinks people cooperating with the new rules will help keep the city

clean.

“It needs to be done,” said Young. “Everybody needs to get on board, work as a team and take care of this. Even cities that are smaller than Windsor have these incentives so that their city is clean and safe and beautiful.”

City council made the decision Jan. 20 to postpone the deadline for citizens to purchase their bins to July 1 and will be spending $50,000 to educate the public about the transition.

Albidone said people can learn more at citywindsor.ca or by calling 311.

Windsorites were given the chance to vent about their experiences with bullying during an open-mic night Jan. 23 at Legends 2012.

St. Clair College student Ralph Paul Frak hosted the event, along with comedian Dave Squeak. This is Frak’s fifth open-mic night in the last two years. The night featured free pizza and people talking about their experiences with bullying and mental health.

Olivia Bauer, a college student, who was also once a victim of bullying, said she thinks open-mic nights are a great way to help people who need to talk.

“I used to be bullied myself and it really used to eat me up inside,” said Bauer.” I wish that nights like these had been available while I was being bullied, I think they would’ve helped me out a lot.”

Frak is the creator of an online Facebook group called “I been bullied, so let’s talk about it.”

Frak says the group was created to help students feel as though they’re not alone. The group offers support and gives people a place to write down how bullying is affecting their lives. Other members of the group comment on the victim’s post and offer advice, or tell them that they can personally message them if they need to talk to someone.

The group has grown to 5,000 active members throughout the country.

Most of the group’s members are students and young adults who have been victims of bullying, or have been a bully themselves. Frak says he was both a victim and a bully in high school.

“I started the group because growing up I was a victim to bullying myself and used to bully other students,” said Frak.

Frak said he spent many nights alone and didn’t

understand why no one would want to hang out with him. Frak said he started getting bullied when he was six years old and it got worse when he started high-school.

“Someone made a Facebook within the first month of high school group called “Beat up Ralph Day.” It really frustrated me but hurt my feelings as well,” said Frak. “You know, people get suspended for what they did. But things like that, like the “Beat up Ralph Day” you remember that for the rest of your life.”

Frak said once college started he no longer wanted to be a bully and that’s when he started making friends by connecting with other students who have been bullied.

“I remember sitting at home on Friday and Saturday nights when everyone else was going out and doing stuff and wondering why no one was messaging me on MSN or calling me to hangout,” said Frak. “You realize after a point that words do hurt. Plus, who’s going to care about the guy getting bullied when he picks on kids himself.”

Frak says to this day he still gets bullied, but it’s a lot easier with the support of his friends, Facebook group and open-mic nights.

“Even in college I’ve been bullied. As you grow up, people are much crueler than high school,” said Frak.

Bauer said she thinks it is much easier to speak with people who have also been bullied.

“I’d much rather talk with people who have also been bullied at an open mic night then talk about my struggle with bullying to people who have never been in my shoes,” said Bauer.

If you are being bullied, or are a bully yourself and looking for help call the Kids Help Phone: 1-800668-6868.

Legends 2012 is located at 1056 Wyandotte St. E.

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‘Express’ makes history at Caesar’s Windsor

Photo by Shaun Garrity

Head coach Joe D’Amore, left, and assistant coach Donnavan Carter are responsible for creating a successful team. The Lancers football program is becoming known nation wide for its tough football regimen.

Photo by Caesar’s Windsor

A crowd of 2,800 people watch the Windsor Express play the London Lightning in National Basketball League of Canada action at Caesar’s Windsor. The casino made history by hosting the first pro basketball game at a casino in Canada.

Brett Hedges Citizen Staff Reporter History was made Jan. 15 when the Windsor Express played the London Lightning in National Basketball League of Canada action at Caesar’s Windsor.

The Clash at the Colosseum marked the first time in history that a professional basketball game took place at a casino in Canada. More than 2,800 people watched the Express defeat its rival, the Lightning, with an 86-78 score. The win also put Windsor in first place overall in NBL Canada.

Afterwards, Express point guard Darren Duncan, was thankful to the big crowd for being part of the historical event.

“One word – awesome,” Duncan said. “The fan support, the crowd was awesome.

They were really into it. We really fed off of that crowd.

But the key is not having them for one game. We want to keep this crowd and feed off of it.”

The Express normally play their home games at the WFCU Centre in front of crowds in the 600-700 range.

One of the main complaints Contined from VORTEX page 1 water off so the homeowner could get the proper repairs done.

“All the water mains are starting to freeze up,” said Corriveau. “There was 40 to 50 hours extra overtime last week.”

from fans is that the WFCU is too far from the city’s core.

Azzy Rennie, a Riverside secondary school student who attended his first Express game at Caesar’s, believes the event will help generate more fans in the future.

“A lot of people know who the Windsor Express is now,” Rennie said. “Being at Caesar’s, the game was easier to get to and more accessible.”

Transit Windsor only offers one route that goes directly to the WFCU, the Lauzon 10, which only loops its route between Lauzon Parkway and the border of the town of Tecumseh. Fans in any other part of Windsor would have to use a variety of routes – and hope they catch their connecting buses to go watch the Express.

Despite the team’s struggles to draw more fans, NBL Canada commissioner, Paul Riley, said the franchise is critical to the success of the league as a whole.

“It’s been tough for them to get entrenched in their community,” Riley said. “But it takes time. The work they’re doing (ownership group), the efforts they’re making, we’re confident it will pay off.”

Riley dispelled rumours of the franchise folding in the near future.

“The Express are going to be around for a long time,” he said.

Season ticket holder Brad Bondy wholeheartedly believes that the city needs to embrace the Express.

“This team is unbelievable, they put on a great show,” Bondy said. “The fan support was terrific. I think this (Caesar’s) proved that the venue is important.

Hopefully, it will have a domino effect and will encourage people to come out to the WFCU for the rest of the season.”

Riley described the game as “spectacular” and agreed the venue was a factor in its appeal.

“They called it the Clash at the Colosseum and it was a spectacle,” he said. “This is what happens when you put a pro basketball game in downtown Windsor.”

Riley said he hopes there will be an encore performance at the Colosseum.

“Tonight was a smashing success,” Riley said. “I’d love to see another game here, I’d love it.”

Dr. Allen Heimann the medical officer of heath for Windsor and Essex County Health Unit issued a cold weather alert in response to the extreme cold Jan. 21. The advisory was put in place to make people aware the region would be experiencing this cold through at least Jan. 25.

The advisory is meant as a way for the health unit to get the message out about what to do to protect yourself.

“Prepare for cold weather, stay indoors during these cold periods unless you need to go outside and if you do make sure you are properly dressed,” said Heimann.

Lancers football a breeding ground for the pros Shaun Garrity Production Team What is it about the blue and yellow stitched jerseys that is constantly being recognized by the CFL? With more than six players in 10 years furthering their careers after they depart the Windsor Lancers football program, this club’s work ethics is beginning to pay off.

In 2008, the team witnessed Daryl Stephenson,28, crush the field by being the first football player in CIS history to surpass 5,000 rushing yards. The exLancer was also the only man to run for over 1,000 yards for three consecutive seasons. He would later be drafted in the CFL and is currently playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. That was almost five years ago and the organization is still producing talent left and right.

On Jan. 13, another ex-Lancer was in the media limelight Daryl Townsend, 28, from Windsor, agreed to a new three-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes.

It was a tough road for Townsend to get where he is. His dreams almost came to an end when he was cut from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a few years ago. Joe D’Amore ,Windsor Lancers head coach, said Townsend spent a year training with the Lancers and tried out for the Montreal Allouttes the following year.

“A lot of guys in that situation would have gave up,” said D’Amore.

“He is a guy that works real hard, doesn’t really take for granted his opportunities.”

A Lancer from 1996-2000 coach D’ Amore knows what it takes to keep a tough regiment and a strict football program. This year should be a special year for the coach

since the Lancers added three new faces Terrance Crawford cousin of Townsend, Lucas Moore and Joe Latzko. The new additions may make this season memorable for the Lancers, Coach D’Amore Terrance Crawford, Austin Kennedy and Dylan Whitfield are coming together for the first time since they won the Ontario Varsity Football League championship in 2010 for The Essex Ravens.

“To have them all together for one year at this level, we are pretty excited about that,” said D’Amore.

Crawford might have weight on his shoulders and big shoes to fill, being the brother of Tyrone Crawford, who has most recently signed to the Dallas Cowboys. The two play a very diverse style of football.

“He is lucky to have a brother like Tyrone that he can learn from and train with,” said D’Amore.

The success of the the Lancers does not stop. At the end of March wide receiver Evan Pszczonak, has been invited to the E-Camp, which is similar to the NFL Combine. They invite the top 40 players in the country to work out and train with the CFL organization.

Assistant coach Donnavan Carter, 38, said success for the Lancers has come from the United States being in arms reach and the locality of the team’s roster “Our makeup is 60 per cent of local Windsor kids,” said Carter.

Austin Kennedy,22, quarterback for the Lancers said he takes much pride in playing for his hometown. " We are a Hotbed for good athletes in Windsor," said Kennedy.

Windsor will open the 2014 season on the home field Sept. 1, when they go head to head against Queen’s Gaels in the Labour Day Classic.

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ONVERGED CITIZEN

FEATURE

JANUARY 30, 2014

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Adventure Bay makes a splash opening day

Photo by Shelbey Hernandez

A lifeguard watches over the wavepool on opening day Jan. 18, 2014.

Shelbey Hernandez Citizen Staff Reporter Adventure Bay has seen more than 1,100 guests since its opening on Jan. 18.

“We were really happy with the turnout,” said Scott Bisson, the manager of Adventure Bay. The

original opening day was set for Dec. 23 but was rescheduled due to the lack of a Technical Standards and Safety Authority approval on two of the water slides.

TSSA approval is necessary for any business to be permitted to operate.

According to Don Sadler, the project manager of Adventure Bay, the park covers 45,000 square feet which is about the size of a football field. It consists of approximately five slides, a wave pool, a lazy river and other attractions for children and adults.

Sadler said the new water park will be good for the Windsor community because it is something all ages will be able to experience.

“We have an indoor water park and that’s where all ages will get to enjoy what is happening. It is where every age bracket from 18 months right up to senior citizens have something that they can do,” said Sadler. “For the longest time, we’ve heard that the youth of the city or the region don’t have anything to do downtown and now there is something to do downtown.”

Sadler also said the water park is beneficial because it offers attractions that are comparable to some of the bigger water parks around the world.

William Jun, a resident who visited Adventure Bay on Jan. 18 with his two children, said Adventure

Bay is good for the Windsor community because it is convenient unlike Kalahari, a water park located in three different locations in the U.S. “The new water park is just amazing,” said Jun. “It’s great for the city, I think, and for families around. Now I don’t have to go to Kalahari.”

Doug Nagey is another resident who was accompanied by his daughter and his wife on opening day. As a father, he said he likes how safe and clean the new water park is for his daughter.

The park is also wheelchair accessible with a wave pool which has beach entry and wheelchair accessible bathrooms.

According to Bisson, the Adventure Bay building will also contain a health centre for people to work out in within the next few weeks.

MARS program launched to combat extreme weather Richard Riosa Copy Editor Flooded streets. Collapsed bridges. Power outages. These are the effects of extreme weather on municipalities and mayors in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence region are working to combat those effects.

A group of American and Canadian mayors with the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative have launched a program meant to help municipalities improve aging infrastructure to withstand the effects of extreme weather conditions such as the recent ice storm in Toronto. The program – the Municipal Adaptation and

Resiliency Service launched at Ceasars Windsor Jan. 17. – has received $145,000 in funding from the Ontario government. With a population of over 4.5 million in the affected region, MARS will help municipalities in eight states and two provinces to combat climate change.

MPP Teresa Piruzza (L–Windsor West) said the Ontario government is dedicated to supporting adaptation in the Great Lakes region.

“We’re pleased to be able to provide that funding to kick off the MARS program and the funding to partner with municipalities so they can share that research and we can

really ensure that we’re protecting our Great Lakes,” said Piruzza. She also said infrastructure improvement is needed to combat climate change.

Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell also said it’s necessary for the region to adapt to climate change.

We’re following the science and we know that we have, in our future, rainier days, extreme rain events that we need, as a city, to prepare for,” said Heartwell.

Heartwell said the city of Grand Rapids is currently looking into raising its floodwalls following a major flood in 2013.

As part of the new service, an online portal will be provided to officials from each member city. Hosted by the Centre for Climate Impacts and Adaptation Resources, Cities Initiative executive director David Ullrich said the portal will be a one-stop-shop for climate change and adaptation information.

“What we are doing with MARS is trying to pull together, in one location, the best information about adaptation and resiliency for cities so that it is user friendly and easy for our member cities, and others, to find and put into practice for their cities,” said Ullrich.

Ullrich said he hopes MARS

will be a useful tool for municipalities when adapting to climate change.

Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis said all Great Lakes region cities must remain prepared for major weather events. Francis said he believes MARS will help ensure this preparation is complete.

“There are many issues that are facing the Great Lakes and having a dedicated group of individuals (Cities Initiative) working with state and federal officials and provincial and federal officials on both sides of the border ensures that the appropriate work and planning is done,” said Francis.

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