The Evan Pighin plot thickens....Angel and family visit the Hout family and Disneyland!

My thanks to Dan "the stats man" Tisserand for sending me the below story from the Times Colonist regarding the developing situation surrounding Evan Pighin leaving the Chilliwack Bruins to hope to play for the Victoria Grizzlies next season.

I just don't have the time right now, but I would find it interesting to see what the Grizzlies said when they lost several players to the WHL last season in Jamie Benn and Gary Nunn.

While I understand no two situations are the same, I would still find their reactions at that time interesting.

Here is the aforementioned story about the most recent events, OUT OF THE TIMES COLONIST NEWSPAPER, by Sharie Epp.

_________________________

What a great story this is....It's the spin-off stuff like this that makes the game great, and makes having a team in your community that cares about your community great!

It all started back on the Angel Magnussen Jelly-Bean Variety Show on SuperBowl Sunday. I was the MC of the proceedings. The Bulldogs were present to give their time and sign some autographs. As far as I know, it was at this show that my good friend Angel met Bulldog defender Adam Hout. To say that they took an immediate shine to each other would be an understatement!

I still remember Adam staying long through the afternoon after the rest of his teammates left, no doubt to go get fired up to watch the SuperBowl. It was then that I remarked here on the blog how "Houter" was a special guy for helping such a special girl on a big day like this one.

Well, one thing led to another and Adam and Angel became friends. And then the Hout family and the Magnussen family became friends.

It all culminated over the last couple of weeks as Angel and family went and spent time with Adam and family while visiting Disney Land.

Angel's mom Cheryl sent me this cool update:

-

The Hout's were absolutely incredible in all they did for Angel and for Arnie and I. They were determined to give Angel a trip to remember and to make sure she had a lot of fun before her upcoming surgeries. They made her the guest of honor at their party on the 4th of July and both Sam and Kathy's extended families welcomed us into their family as soon as they met us. Angel made a grand entrance and was embraced by all. They sang Happy 12 and a half birthday to her, twice in fact, and had a cake with the American flag on it and placed a candle in it so that she could make a wonderful wish. The whole time we were there they shared their home and their hearts with us. It was truly amazing. They are the kindest and most caring people one could ever meet. We clearly see where Adam gets his kindness, caring and compassion from, he comes from a long line of relatives that show it to all they meet. We are hoping to be able to drive Angel to California next spring, once she has recovered from her surgeries, so that she, and we, can once again visit with our new extended American family, The Hout's. Yes, you absolutely have our permission to share this story on your site.

Cheryl

To view pictures of the journey to Disney Land, click THIS LINK THAT WILL TAKE YOU TO ANGEL'S JOURNAL

Awesome stuff. It warms my heart to hear this and it makes me proud to think I had even a tiny part in making something this awesome happen! The Houts are incredible people, and just another reason that I love my job so much! I get to meet and get to know some incredible people!

That's two feel good stories in two days (Kevin Ross, now Adam Hout) about the quality of individuals that you people cheer on every night! And don't think for one second it ends with just these two guys either!

And a note to the people that raise these boys- I know the families a little and I can say that the apples sure don't fall too far from the tree, if you get my drift!!

I certainly hope you all appreciate the efforts of the team to get guys like this, and the efforts of the players themselves when they go above and beyond to make a difference.

Remember the impromptu street hockey game last year with the kids? Just awesome stuff!!!!!

Hammer

Kevin Ross story, Tim Kehler U17 Challenge Interview, George W Bush to visit Mars Water Bombers?

Hello and happy Tuesday. No posting yesterday so I'd better get down to work right?

First off is an incredible press release from the Bulldogs highlighting the year the was and the incredible individual that is Kevin Ross. Anyone that has heard me talk about Kevin knows I think he is one special individual. This release highlights the kind of guy he is.

Kudos to the team to release this. People need to know about Kevin, and the other special individuals that they are trying to make a part of their organization.

Bulldog Kevin Ross Excels On and Off the Ice

Defenseman Kevin Ross of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs is an outstanding example of the type of well rounded, exceptional young man that the Bulldogs are proud have as part of their organization. Ross came to the Bulldogs in September of 2007 from Cranbrook BC and completed a strong rookie season with the team while at the same time achieving top academic marks at both Alberni District Secondary and Mount Baker Secondary back home in Cranbrook. On and off the ice Ross is well respected by coaches, teammates, teachers and classmates for his leadership, determination and character. This combination of academics, athletics and character has not gone unnoticed by universities and coaches on both sides of the border.

In his rookie season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Ross was named the team’s Top Defenseman. Academically, Ross achieved even greater success. In his Grade 12 year at Alberni District Secondary School, he was the first Bulldog player to successfully tackle three academic courses in one semester: English 12, Physics 12 and Principals of Mathematics 12. His average for these courses was over 95% making him the school's top grade 12 academic student that semester. After the hockey season, he returned home to Cranbrook, British Columbia where he graduated from Mount Baker Secondary School with an overall grade 12 average of 96%.

In recognition of these marks and his leadership in the school and community, Ross was awarded the school's most prestigious award, The City of Cranbrook Memorial Scholarship ($3,500) which is given annually to the school's top all around student. He was also awarded the Tembec Engineering Scholarship ($4,000) and the Cranbrook Ministerial Association Scholarship ($1,000).

In another example of his tremendous character Ross was voted valedictorian by his graduating class and delivered an inspirational speech that drew a standing ovation from the audience. He has been accepted into the faculty of Applied Science at the University of British Columbia where he was awarded the Harold Anderson White entrance scholarship ($30,000) and a President's Entrance scholarship ($4,000). UBC has granted a deferral of his admission and awards. This will allow Ross to play a second season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in 2008-2009. While UBC is one option for Ross he is also very interested in attending an Ivy League university in the US and several are interested. This would give him the opportunity to pursue his dream of playing NCAA hockey while studying engineering.

Bulldogs Educational Advisor Tom McEvay commented, “Kevin is an exceptional young man and it has been a pleasure to work with him this past year. He is an outstanding role model for other young people and our players to emulate. There is no doubt Kevin will go on to play hockey at the university level and he already has several teams very interested. It would not surprise me to see him commit to a prestigious US school in the near future. I know coach Bryant Perrier and I are looking forward to this next year with Kevin back here in Alberni.”

Where ever Kevin Ross plays and goes to school it is clear this young man is going to make a difference in this world and the Alberni Valley Bulldogs are proud to be a part of his development. Ross is already signed up to take courses at North Island College in Port Alberni this fall when he returns to be a part of what is shaping up to be a strong Bulldogs team for 2008-2009.

For further information contact Bulldogs Educational Advisor Tom McEvay

image: HOCKEY CANADA

I had the pleasure yesterday of catching up with TEAM PACIFIC Head Coach Tim Kehler, who will lead the "home" team at the 2009 World U17 Challenge in Port Alberni this up coming December and January. Wow, it sure is approaching quickly isn't it?

Tim is a great guy and a great interview, and it was a pleasure to get to know him and interview him over his years with the Surrey Eagles and later the Trail Smoke Eaters.

He was always one of the best interviews, and as you will be able to tell if you listen below, he certainly hasn't lost his talking abilities.

Besides his involvement with Hockey Canada, he is also the Assistant Coach with the Swift Current Broncos of the WHL.

Click the link below to listen- What a great interview!

TIM KEHLER, HEAD COACH, TEAM PACIFIC- INTERVIEW

And to finish today, how about this exposure for the Martin Mars Water Bombers and Coulson Flying Tankers?



A story from the Times Colonist Newspaper reports George W Bush to possibly tour Mars Water Bombers

Wow, that would be cool!

Hammer

Tall Ships in the Alberni Inlet- 2008 Festival of Sails...enough pictures to choke a pirate!!

Wow, what an evening! For the first time (if you can believe it) I got to see Port Alberni from the WATER! Incredibly, I have never before been in a boat in the Inlet.

Huge thanks to Shiggy, AKA MIKE from Six Gill Adventures for taking us on the water to tour the ships for the purpose of getting some great pictures and videos for the blog!

I am READY FOR BED right now, but first I will post some pictures directly on the blog...I will then post a link below that will open into a photo album so you can review all of the pictures in large sizes and great quality.

These pictures are NOT FOR SALE and NOT FOR REUSE but just my own personal pictures.

Please do me ONE FAVOR....Do not complain about the quality of my pictures! I am a huge rookie amateur picture taker, and I use a simple, cheap, low quality camera. Point, click, voila. Throw me in a bouncing Zodiak and my bad pictures get WORSE!

I hope you appreciate the work put in to getting all these pictures off the camera and on here for you to see, no matter how they look.

I also hope you appreciate the vantage point as much as I did. Thanks a HUGE THANKS again to Six Gill Adventures for giving me the adventure of a lifetime! I was giddy like a school boy to go to this today!

I will also work on a VIDEO that I will embed on the blog in the future. Don't expect it too quick, bed time remember?

Some favorite pics first!

Paul knows where the STAR is. I say the STAR because the Bounty attracts lots of attention for being a historical vessel while also being a movie star- Most recently Pirates of the Caribbean II, and, yes, Sponge Bob Squarepants.

The Hawaiian Cheiftan chases the Lynx in the Gun Battles...

My boatmates: Lynn, Celeste, Little Paul, Sarah, Keith, Big Paul, Jolie, Shig, and two fellows from Ontario that also were on the ride. Sorry guys I can't remember your name but I hope you email me from the card I gave you so you can see my pictures and we can also see yours! Cool story, the one guy just bought a place here and LOVES it. I know, what is not to love right?

This is me and 93.3 THE PEAK afternoon drive host Jolie McMullan.
And her better half and my good friend Paul. Look at the true worker hands on him.

Below- V.I. FRIES. Home of many yummy things- I suggest the TWISTED TATERS. I ran into these guys at the MotoCross last Friday. They say that they believe that they are the best new chip truck running and that they are proud to be Port Alberni owned and operated!

Upon closer zoom if you missed it.....They are rocking the NEW PEAK STICKER on the truck!! Thanks guys and gals!

And a final thanks again to Mike aka Shiggy from Six Gill Adventures!

Now- My huge photoset from today can be viewed by clicking the below link. You can click on the pictures and MAKE THEM BIG and then even bigger by ALL SIZES.

The quickest and most convenient way to look at all the pictures might be to click the slideshow link after you have navigated to the photoset- by clicking the link below

TALL SHIPS PHOTO GALLERY- CLICK THIS LINK.

(Hopefully this method works better as some were having problems going directly from this blog to the slideshow......Thanks Kris and Maggie for the feedback on that, it is much appreciated!)

I know some of you need it super easy and right here on the blog but it would be a HUGE chose to post all those pictures!

So just enjoy it this way....pretty please!

Hammer

Port Alberni Festival of Sails starts today-Tall Ships are here+BC Bantam B Girls Fastpitch Championships here.... and more and more

What a busy weekend in Port Alberni.

The 2008 Festival of Sails officially kicks off today. Get all the info on their official WEBSITE HERE

The EVENT SKED is HERE

It looks like I might be able to get on the water tonight with Mike and the crew from Six Gill Adventures, so I'm excited! I will try to get some pictures and videos to put on the blog from the water.

Besides the Tall Ships, the 2008 Bantam B Girls Provincial Fastpitch Championships also go all weekend in the valley, with action today tomorrow and Sunday at the Echo Minor ball fields. 16 teams from across BC are taking part.

FOREST FEST goes tomorrow at the Train Station with live entertainment, and Sunday at McLean Mill with Logger Sports and a Logger Sports Exhibition.

The uptown street fair also goes today and tomorrow with great sales and discounts, entertainment, vendors, and stuff for the kids.

Today I will be live with 93.3 THE PEAK at Harbourtowne Ford. I hope to see you there to pick up some free PEAK stuff and of course your PEAK STICKER for our 93 days of summer contest where we will give away a $2000.00 prize pack from our major sponsors at the end of the summer. That's 11 to 1 today at Harbourtowne Ford.

Sunday afternoon I'll be at the Argyle Pub doing my regular Celebrity Charity BBQ with proceeds going to the Ty Watson House. If you are feeling hungry for a smokie or a burger with all the fixins for $3.00, drop by between 3 and 5pm!!

Other than that, I'm playing the rest of the weekend by ear, getting down to the Tall Ships and hopefully the lake a time or two!

Wear that sunscreen!!!

Hammer

Even the deer thinks it's a beautiful day!

Canucks sign Pavol Demitra, Victoria Grizzlies loading up for RBC Cup...

He's no Mats Sundin, but he's no slouch and he also comes just a little cheaper than 10 million a season.

Canucks Sign Pavol Demitra

_________________________

image: Hockey Canada

Call me old school, but I still just want to call it the "R-B-C" for "Royal Bank Cup"

It's actually the "RBC CUP" now. Just doesn't have the same ring to it for me, but I realize it's all about the Corporate name.

Yes, the Grizzlies are loading up big time. Much to the chagrin I'm sure of their opponents on the Island and in the Coastal Conference. And also to the chagrin of the WHL's Chilliwack Bruins, as it appears that Evan Pighin will be foregoing his 20 year old season in the WHL to join the Grizz.

This is Exhibit A when it comes to just what exactly hosting the RBC Cup can do for the quality of your team. From all accounts Pighin wasn't going to be a role player in The 'Wack but one of several go-to guys. The lure of the RBC Cup I guess was too much. Along with any other treats that might have been thrown in to sweeten the pot.

It's not like Victoria and Bear Mountain aren't alluring enough already. Throw in the RBC Cup as a further enticement, and you've got a pretty easy sell. Even for a guy that can't get an NCAA schollie who might have been playing big time minutes in the WHL.

Thanks to Dan "the stats man" Tisserand for sending me this story by Cleve Dheensaw out of the Times Colonist in Victoria, all about the recent loading up the Grizz have done.

CLICK HERE to READ IT.

Hammer

Beautiful Day!

For all things Spring lacked, Summer has been exactly as one would've hoped in Port Alberni.

Running to work this morning under beautiful pink and blue skies I had this song running through my head over and over!

Ray Emery heads to Russia.

Wow.

INDEX:SportsFormer Senators goalie Emery signs one-year deal with Russian club

Ray Emery will kickstart his hockey career in Russia.

-

The 25-year-old goaltender, bought out by the Ottawa Senators last month, has signed a one-year deal worth around US$2 million (tax free) with Atlant Mytishchi of the new Continental Hockey League.

-

`The reality is that since Ray's buyout there hasn't been a lot of interest, it doesn't seem like someone (in the NHL) wants to give him a second chance right now,' Emery's agent J.P. Barry told The Canadian Press on Wednesday. `It's a terrific offer from Russia and we've been speaking to them for several weeks since the buyout.

-

`I've been talking to Ray a lot over the last couple of months and I know he's taken a lot of steps to make changes. This is his best opportunity to play next year.'

-

After helping the Senators reach the Stanley Cup final in 2007, Emery had a nightmare 2007-08 season, losing his starting job to Martin Gerber and grabbing headlines for the wrong reasons - such as being late for practice or throwing his stick in the stands.

-

Sens GM Bryan Murray had enough and bought him out of a deal that was to pay him $6.75 million over the next two NHL seasons.

-

(The Canadian Press)

Last day of FREE Wrestling Camp today, Sendoff for Olympic Athletes today in Parksville, Tallships coming soon!

Parents, if you are waking up today thinking "what am I going to do with the kids today!?" then I have a great idea for you. Send them to the free kids Wrestling Camp and have some time for yourself!!

Free Summer Kid’s Wrestling Camp July 7-9

The Alberni Wrestling Club is once again hosting their annual Kids Wrestling Camp July 7-9th in the ADSS gymnasium. The camp is running all three days from 10am to 12 pm and will feature instruction from local coaches, alumni, and high school wrestlers. As well as learning some basic wrestling moves and technique, the camp participants will also partake in fun wrestling themed activities.

During the month of June, high school wrestlers visited the local elementary schools to introduce and promote the sport of Olympic wrestling. Through games and skill development the participants were given the opportunity to try the sport while being in a fun and safe environment.

"When we [the wrestling club] introduce wrestling at elementary schools and the kids camp, we always stress the importance of fun and safety," explains Aaron Keitlah, an ADSS high school wrestling alumni and now a wrestler at North Island College and a coach in the Alberni program. "We always go through a proper warm-up and stretch to limit the possibility of injury and try hard to reveal the enjoyment of wrestling rather than the competitive side."

The camp will be a great opportunity for kids to stay active and meet new friends over the summer break. For some it will serve as a kick start to summer and being a part of the wrestling programs at the local middle schools. Others may come to simply enjoy participating in the fun games. The camp focuses on participants in Grades 4 -7, although there are some cases where younger and older athletes have been involved.

If you already feel like you would benefit from some time away from your kids over the summer, this would be a perfect event to take part in. The camp will run from 10 am to 12 pm all three days with registration being held each day starting at 9:30. There are registration forms available at the gymnasium which needs to be filled out by a parent/guardian. Participants are asked to bring gym strip and clean running shoes. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact Aaron Keitlah or Roxanne Neville at 724-0778.

___________________________

PacificSport is hosting a send-off rally for Athletes and Coaches from the Mid-Island Area who will be representing Canada at the Beijing Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games today in Parksville.

Athletes attending will be: Port Alberni's own Travis Cross, Michelle Stilwell, Trevor Hirschfield, Tony Theriault and Dan Proulx.

The Rally Host is Sue Schellinck who represented Canada at the Barcelona Olympic Games.

This all goes down at the Parksville Community Beach today at 11am.

___________________________

For those of you wondering if there will be a Port Alberni send-off for Travis Cross....OF COURSE there will be, you should know better when it comes to this town!

I don't know all of the details yet but trust me, it will be a great event. Tom McEvay has some plans he is trying to pull together as only he could do. This will be a send off of McEvay-i-an proportions. Do I owe Don Taylor 2bits for using that one? HA.

Keep tuned to the blog at the stations for the details when they are available!

Imagine how good the send off will be when just the "welcome home" was this well attended on only one day notice?

____________________________

The FESTIVAL OF SAILS kicks off Friday, as the Tall Ships start arriving tomorrow. I'll surely post some pictures here on the blog, but the best source for all of your needed Festival info is on the OFFICIAL WEBSITE

That's it for now.

Alberni Valley Charity Golf Classic, More from California on the Martin Mars Water Bombers, Bob Ackles passes away, Kids Wrestling Camp!

Hello and happy Monday. I'm back in the saddle (sort of!) after a long, busy and crazy weekend. It all started Friday with the morning show here and then an on-location with 93.3 THE PEAK FM at the B.C. Provincial Motocross Championships all afternoon. After that it was off to the Alberni Valley Charity Golf Classic Wine and Cheese reception as I met my teammates and we strategized about how bad we might be the next day!

It turns out we were bad at all...Second place! How that happened, we don't really know. No kidding! We had to be the least caring, most fun team out there. Maybe that's why we did so well?

The honest truth- we had just finished our third last hole (by virtue of me downing a 30 footer for BIRDIE, I might add) and all of a sudden our scorekeeper said "We're 9 under!" No one on our team could believe it. I certainly know that I couldn't. At the very best I thought we were 5 under or so, as did everyone else. We just had that much fun and were that carefree that we didn't really care and didn't really feel the pressure. And that might be further proved to be true as we all of a sudden thought we had a chance to win and we couldn't get a birdie our last two holes because we might have been thinking too much about it!

I still thought that 9 under wouldn't even get us in the prizes. I thought at least 10 under would be the score. I'm glad I thought wrong, as I won a beautiful Alberni Golf Course golf bag courtesy of Bruce MacDonald and Mac 5 Golf.

My huge thanks go out to my teammates Dave, Luke, Cory, and Anne. We had a great time and they we were all great golfers at various times. That is why it's 5 person best ball! Great games team!

Thanks also goes out to all the volunteers, sponsors, and organizers of the event. Another huge success that keeps getting more fun and better run and just a little different every year!

I am working on getting a final number raised that will go to all the charities. When I get it, I'll add it to this post.

Someone made a lengthy post in the comment section Saturday regarding the tournament and the lack of local Bulldogs attending. I will post my reply to that comment. I am only raising the topic here so the comment-maker knows I am not ignoring their concerns. I always encourage comments and appreciate them.

___________________________________

The Coulson Flying Tankers Martin Mars Water Bombers are still wowing crowds and impressing their clients in California. I continue to be impressed by the great online coverage coming from various sites, especially the work by Eric Cassano at Shasta Lake.com

I emailed Eric on Friday saying how much I appreciated his updates and pictures, and especially his thanks to Port Alberni, BC, and Canada.

Eric sent me back this nice note: Thanks again Eric!

Hi Evan!

Thank you very much for the wonderful e-mail and the kind words about the photos. Thank you for mentioning the ShastaLake.com website, too! The Martin Mars is really a beautiful airplane and a joy to photograph.

Coulson Flying Tankers and the crew of the Martin Mars are doing an incredible job fighting the fires here in California. We are deeply grateful for all the help and support we have received from Coulson Flying Tankers, Port Alberni, British Columbia, and the wonderful people of Canada.

Many thanks and best wishes to you all!

Sincerely,
Eric Cassano
ShastaLake.com

Thanks again Eric! For updates again check out shastalake.com

Redding.com is also a site that has been sent to me several times by people finding updates.

_________________________________

Sad news came out of Vancouver yesterday with word of Bob Ackles passing. What an incredible story, and no doubt an incredible man.

-

B.C. Lions president and CEO Bob Ackles dies at age 69 of heart attack

-

VANCOUVER - Bob Ackles, who started with the B.C. Lions as the team's first water boy and went on to become the CFL team's president and chief executive officer, died suddenly of a heart attack Sunday, the club said in a statement.

-

Ackles was 69.

-

`It was our league that virtually adopted him when he was just a boy, and it's our league that has looked to him as a man for counsel, inspiration and leadership by example,' CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement.

-

`As much as the CFL has meant to Bob, he has meant so much more to us.'

A small jovial man with a quick smile and a huge love for football, Ackles served in the CFL, NFL and XFL.

-

The return of Ackles to the Lions in 2002, along with his hiring of Wally Buono as coach and general manager, has been credited with revitalizing the CFL in Vancouver.

-

(The Canadian Press)

___________________________

Alberni Wrestling is hosting their kids summer camp today tomorrow and Wednesday. Kids are welcome to come for one day or all three. The best news- IT IS ALL FREE! Read below for details!

Free Summer Kid’s Wrestling Camp July 7-9

The Alberni Wrestling Club is once again hosting their annual Kids Wrestling Camp July 7-9th in the ADSS gymnasium. The camp will run over three days from 10am to 12 pm and will feature instruction from local coaches, alumni, and high school wrestlers. As well as learning some basic wrestling moves and technique, the camp participants will also partake in fun wrestling themed activities.

During the month of June, high school wrestlers visited the local elementary schools to introduce and promote the sport of Olympic wrestling. Through games and skill development the participants were given the opportunity to try the sport while being in a fun and safe environment.

"When we [the wrestling club] introduce wrestling at elementary schools and the kids camp, we always stress the importance of fun and safety," explains Aaron Keitlah, an ADSS high school wrestling alumni and now a wrestler at North Island College and a coach in the Alberni program. "We always go through a proper warm-up and stretch to limit the possibility of injury and try hard to reveal the enjoyment of wrestling rather than the competitive side."

The camp will be a great opportunity for kids to stay active and meet new friends over the summer break. For some it will serve as a kick start to summer and being a part of the wrestling programs at the local middle schools. Others may come to simply enjoy participating in the fun games. The camp focuses on participants in Grades 4 -7, although there are some cases where younger and older athletes have been involved.

If you already feel like you would benefit from some time away from your kids over the summer, this would be a perfect event to take part in. The camp will run from 10 am to 12 pm all three days with registration being held each day starting at 9:30. There are registration forms available at the gymnasium which needs to be filled out by a parent/guardian. Participants are asked to bring gym strip and clean running shoes. If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact Aaron Keitlah or Roxanne Neville at 724-0778..

That's it for now, thanks for reading!

Hammer

Off to the Alberni Valley Charity Golf Classic

You see, this is why I gave you all so much stuff yesterday!

I'm off to the golf course for the day and night and maybe even the morning.

All for a good cause of course. This year's charities include:

Kid Sport BC and Port Alberni
Meals on Wheels
Kiwanis Hilton Centre
Alberni Valley Community School

and the BC Children's Hospital.

I'll try my best to get some pictures!

Hammer

Blog Special- Chris Shaw interview

How much can one man do in one day!! I am on fire today!!

I had the pleasure today of catching up with new Bulldogs assistant coach Chris Shaw for a little interview. Click the link below to listen.



Chris Shaw interview



Thanks as always for checking the blog!

Hammer

Martin Mars Water Bombers VIDEOS- Shasta Lake

Enjoy.

Busy weekend in the Valley- BC Provincial Motocross Championships, Alberni Valley Charity Golf Classic, Martin Mars Water Bombers update/pictures

Lots of stuff happening in the Valley this weekend!

image: albernimx.com

First off it's the BC Provincial Motocross Championships. Practice sessions run today, with racing beginning Saturday and Sunday at 10am out at The Alberni Motocross Park. There will even be live entertainment out there Saturday night with Mr. 2cents rocking the place.

All the information you could need is on the fantastic Alberni Motocross Association website

I'll be LIVE ON LOCATION for 93.3 THE PEAK FM out at the Park pumping up the event from 1 to 5pm today. It will be LOUD and I can't wait!

image: albernigolf.com

This weekend is also a huge one for the Alberni Golf Club, as they host the 14th annual Charity Golf Classic with the wine and cheese festivities tonight, and the real action kicking off tomorrow with the golf. Or does the real action kick off tonight? HA.

This is always an incredible time, with various local and BC charities being the benefactors. You are welcome to head out to the course for the wine and cheese tonight or dinner and the party tomorrow night even if you aren't golfing. The more the merrier!

Got your eyes on a Wayne Gretzky signed jersey? How about one from Sidney Crosby? A Gordie Howe autographed Stanley Cup? They've got all that and more for the silent and live auction items.

Again, it's all at the ALBERNI GOLF CLUB. I'm golfing, so look out for me, you might want to bring a helmet!

Celebrities attending this year include Port Alberni's own Rob Schick, Mira Laurence from A Channel, "King" Richard Brodeur and more!

It will be a blast!

_________________________________

Looking for more updates or pictures on the Martin Mars Water Bombers? A great update can be found at Redding.com here

Here is a great update (nice to see some Canadian and Port Alberni mentions!!) from Shasta Lake.com

Thank You Fire Fighters!Thank You Canada!

(Tuesday, July 1, 2008)

The Martin Mars "Hawaii" waterbomber made several drops Tuesday on the "Motion Fire" near Shasta Lake, California, USA.

(Photos from Shasta Dam Vista Point)

The airplane is operated by Coulson Flying Tankers and is operating under contract with the U.S. Forest Service.

Home base for the Martin Mars is Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada. The Martin Mars is currently stationed atBridge Bay Resort on Shasta Lake.

(more photos)

Also some incredible pictures can be found at Shastalake.com HERE

Thanks Barb and Maggie for the updates!!

That's about it for today, see you over the weekend hopefully!

Hammer

Jaromir Jagr signs in Russia- OFFICIAL / Gilbert Arenas, most honest athlete ever.

From the Sports Wire this AM....

URGENT-HKY-Jagr-Russia:

Jagr signs with Russia's Avangard Omsk after being released by Rangers

MOSCOW - Russian club Avangard Omsk says it has signed Jaromir Jagr, a day after the New York Rangers parted ways with the star winger.

Avangard announced the signing on its website today but did not disclose the terms of the contract.

Jagr had long been reported to be considering lucrative offers from Russia. Rangers general manager Glen Sather said Thursday the club could not wait any longer for Jagr to decide where he wanted to play.

Jagr played for Avangard during the NHL's lockout season in 2004-05.

On Thursday, the Rangers signed former Vancouver captain Markus Naslund to replace Jagr.

(The Associated Press)

No way Markus Naslund is replacing Jagr, in my humble opinion....

Moving on.

I can't tell you how refreshing it was to read the words of NBA'er Gilbert Arenas today. It took something this cool to get me talking about the N B A on the blog!! If every other athlete was so honest!! Read the story below:

Free agent Gilbert Arenas is taking one for the team. The three-time all-star point guard took less than the maximum available from the Washington Wizards on his six-year contract so the team can have more cap space. Arenas put the contract into perspective, telling The Washington Post -- ``What can I do for my family with 127 (m) million dollars that I can't do with 111 (m)
million?''



More later!
Hammer

More pictures...

Yes, I know how it works. I can't write a BOOK of a posting one day without making up for it the next day with some eye candy that is easy on the brain!

First off- A picture taken by me with my HTC 6800 SmartPhone from Bell off the Bailey's deck looking over Sproat Lake to Mt. Klitsa. What a beauty! It was 30+ degrees so the lake was incredibly refreshing.

Now to a series of pictures taken by Brenda Kraneveldt at Relay for Life. Please accept my apologies for posting these so late. I have two excuses. #1- Brenda took forever to send them to me. Reason- She had my email address wrong. Come on though, it was 2 in the morning or something! Who could remember an email under those circumstances!? Excuse #2- I've just been really busy lately!

The story goes like this. Brenda and Candice from the 7-11 on 10th and Redford came and visited THE PEAK tent in the middle of the AM, looking for a way to stay awake just like the rest of us.

Brenda had a kick-butt camera so I asked her if she could take some pictures of THE PEAK set up for the station and for the blog.

Thanks for the pictures Nicole!

These cool Canadian Cancer Society flags/banners were right in front of us

Now this is some funny stuff.....As the ladies were visiting us, Jolie and myself were feeling pretty darn tired.

The 7-11 crew might've saved the Relay for Life for us, as they said "We told our Red Bull Rep that we were going to be in Relay, so he donated a case to us....want one?"

Ummm.......Is the pope catholic? Does a Bear poop in the woods? It's 2am or so and we're going all night until 7am. OF COURSE WE WANT A RED BULL!

As you can see by the below picture, Jolie is REALLY needing the Red Bull.

Oh man, that is good RED BULL! Hey, we made it all the way until 7am, not a wink of sleep. Cancer doesn't sleep and neither did we! (with a little help from our friends!)

Thanks to the Girls from 7-11 at 10th and Redford, and THANKS THANKS THANKS Red Bull man!! I know a certain morning show host that could use a few more of those!

One last picture-Candice shows everyone how it's done on the putting green!

And thanks again to Brenda for the pics!

Hammer

Martin Mars Water Bomber picture - Lake Shasta

My thanks to Lyle Pitts for sending me this beauty picture!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to the Bulldogs, and "Are you a Leaf fan again now?"

I hope everyone had a good long weekend!

For those of you that had a LONG LONG weekend and you are starting work this week on "humpday" today I am very jealous of you!



Hopefully you have a couple free minutes to read this posting.

Just what the title says- THANK YOU Bulldogs.... And a special thanks to Jim and Noreen Pelk!

Why? Well Monday night The Pelk's hosted a little "sorry we can't make it to your wedding" party for Sarah and myself out at Sproat Lake because no one that works for and with the team will be able to make it out to Manitoba later this month.

My thanks to everyone who attended- Laurie and Norm, Dave and Carolyn, Blair and Marilyn, Tom and Trish, Dennis Shannon and Aiden, and of course Noreen and Jim.

And thanks to Ashley and Chad for the tastiest steaks ever!

The Bulldogs staff as a group went in and got us a great present. I must say a huge huge huge thanks to everyone with the Bulldogs because the present was very very cool. Thank you for being such thoughtful people and being so great to work alongside.

It was kind of funny how it all happened. Noreen and Laurie came and said they needed me to make a little presentation, saying (and I quote)



"it wouldn't be the first time we have asked you to do something for us on very short notice"

(very true)

I was actually thinking it was a presentation welcoming new business manager Blair Noel and his wife to town and to "the club" so to speak.

It was actually for us! We were given two framed pictures- 1 being a panoramic photo of the puck drop from the last ever game at Maple Leaf Gardens between the Leafs and the Chicago Black Hawks.

The other being the same photo of the puck drop from the FIRST game ever at the Air Canada Centre between the Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens.

I actually posted a picture of one of the pictures here on the blog back around the Bulldogs Spring Camp. I went to check things out at the rink and saw Noreen Pelk sitting at the Season Ticket Table with some hockey memorabilia on the surrounding tables. I said how bad I wanted the Toronto pictures...I never believed I would actually get them! It's on the right below.




Thanks for remembering Noreen, haha!


The LAST game at the Gardens is a special one for me because an acquaintance of mine, and Flin Flon, MB native Reid Simpson was the 1st star of that game, making him the last player to skate on MLG ice for an NHL game.

Both pictures will fit very well on our wall surrounding our matted framed and certified "piece of the boards" from Maple Leaf Gardens.

Now all of this actually goes hand in hand with the comment made on the blog yesterday asking "Are you a Toronto fan again?"

Please allow me to explain. This story isn't simple, but I'll tell it as quick as possible...

I grew up a Montreal Canadiens fan. My dad was drafted by them.....His initials matched their logo. I wasn't forced to cheer for them, I chose to.

Being a Hab fan was great in 86 and 93 was great as they won two Cups. 89 wasn't great losing to CALGARY of all teams in the finals. And losing to Boston in the playoffs wasn't a fun time either!

Cheering for the Habs ended when my hero and idol ended playing for them. I still remember watching Patrick Roy getting embarrassed and left in the net against the Wings, finally getting pulled and walking over to Ronald Corey to tell him he just played his last game in Montreal. I believed Roy was mistreated and after he got traded cheering for Montreal wasn't the same anymore. I couldn't cheer for Colorado!

So who to cheer for now? I grew up in Manitoba, so I somewhat cheered for the Winnipeg Jets. That of course ended when they flew to Phoenix. I just couldn't cheer for PHOENIX! The Jets were dead to me!

I started cheering for my "second" team. The St. Louis Blues.



Right now you are probably thinking ST LOUIS??!! Yes, the Blues all of a sudden became MY TEAM. Why? Well back in 1993 I was watching the playoffs cheering for ANYONE but Toronto, because that's what Montreal fans typically do. I still vividly remember the performance of one Curtis Joseph that series. He was heroic. He got his head taken off by Wendel Clark and others. He gave the Blues a shot. The way he battled immediately won my heart as I was a goalie myself and a fan of goalies.

The Blues thing ended pretty early after Cujo squabbled over a contract with Mike Keenan. He even spent time in the IHL with Vegas. I didn't know who to cheer for then. Eventually, Joseph signed with Edmonton and I had a team again. The Oilers of the Cujo era were fun to watch. Never very good, always good for a playoff upset or miracle. Ask the Dallas Stars in 1997 and the Colorado Avalanche the next year.

Exhibit A. Game 7. OVERTIME. I remember running outside around my house screaming when this one ended. Bob Cole at his all-time BEST.


Eventually Joseph became too expensive for Edmonton and he ended up in Toronto. All of a sudden I was supposed to cheer for....THE LEAFS???? WHAT????

In the end it wasn't too hard to cheer for Toronto. They were on TV almost every single night, and on CBC every single weekend. And they had several exciting playoff runs.

I must do a funny back track that leads me to having the piece of the boards from Maple Leaf Gardens on my wall....

During Joseph's time in Edmonton, I managed to buy an autographed Edmonton Oilers team stick at a fundraising auction. I kept it for several years as I was an Edmonton fan. After Joseph ended up in Toronto, my friend Robbie B. approached me about trading my signed Oilers stick for a matted and framed piece of the boards from Maple Leaf Gardens. I was the biggest Leaf fan out there, I took the offer in a heartbeat!

Eventually Joseph left Toronto and went to Detroit....Try as I might, I just couldn't cheer for Detroit! It was about this time I actually started cheering for Vancouver. I was in Manitoba still, but the GM place crowd won my heart with their passion shown in the playoffs when they started singing O Canada. Maybe 2003 or around that?

Now- I cheer for the Canucks, and any Canadian team. And the Washington Capitals, as any blog reader will know.

With Curtis Joseph resigning in Toronto yesterday, I'm guessing it was my good buddy Robbie asking me if I'm a Toronto fan again. The answer is YES because I go where Cujo goes.

I was even a Calgary fan for the first time in my life in the spring (besides their 2004 Stanley Cup run) because Joseph was Kipper's backup!

The fact that the Bulldogs gave me the two Toronto pictures one day and Joseph resigned there the next is pretty cool actually!!

Now if anyone out there is thinking for a gift for us I'm into ANY hockey history stuff.

I have enough Maple Leaf Gardens and Air Canada Centre stuff. Something from the Montreal Forum or Bell Centre would be very cool, and so would anything regarding Chicago Stadium or Pacific Coliseum or GM Place!

No, I'm not canvassing for gifts....Just helping you along if you are having trouble picking something! :)

I'm worried I need a new security system in my house knowing that Bruce Sly (the biggest Leaf fan in BC) reads this blog and maybe he wants some Maple Leaf schwag?

Thanks again to the Dogs staff and Jim and Noreen, and thanks to you for reading!


Hammer

Canadian AND Community Pride Abound in Port Alberni on Canada Day

Well, WOW is about all I can say. It was apparently the longest Canada day parade ever today in Port Alberni. It had to be at least an hour. I don't know how long it took to get to us but it ended just shortly before 12 noon and started at 10am.

I was sitting next to a couple from Victoria, who left their camp site at Sproat Lake to come into town to see what Canada Day and Port Alberni are all about. About halfway through the parade (although we didn't know it was only HALF way at this point) the man said "wow, this is a pretty long parade!" If he only knew it was only half done!

I know for sure they were impressed with Port Alberni's community SPIRIT.

You can't describe it, and you can't teach it. It is just a part of the fabric of this city. In my humble opinion, it's a HUGE factor in making this city a great place to live!

Here's some pictures I took off my camera phone - a HTC 6800 from Bell.
(a cell carrier/shop really needs to sponsor this "feature" don't they?)

Parade getting to us

Below is my buddy Jacob, who was nice enough to share his candy haul with me as the "big kids" don't get any! Thanks Jacob! (don't mind my thumb, haha!)

Tom McEvay and Corey Curtis, from the 2009 WORLD U17 HOCKEY CHALLENGE FLOAT


Jessica and friends with the 93.3 THE PEAK FM Community Cruiser. Way to go Peak People!

My favorite part of the parade is always the old trucks and cars- many from the Alberni Valley Industrial Heritage Society. Port Alberni Mayor Ken McRae waves to the crowd below, along with City Councillor Hira Chopra. 1937 truck and OLD Ike Patterson. Who's older Ike?

Below-Helma Swinkels approaches me from the Alberni Valley Hospice Society. They are raffling off a QUAD all summer long to raise funds so get a ticket! Only 2000 will be printed. Also coming up this summer- THUNDER IN THE VALLEY Sweet wheels!

This gal below was the flag bearer for the Alberni Motocross Riders. Of course Alberni Motocross hosts the BC Provincial Motocross Championships NEXT WEEKEND!

I forgot my phone when we went down to Glenwood Centre to sing O Canada and Happy Birthday to Canada and to have a piece of Canada's Birthday Cake, but there were hundreds of people there too!

Way to go Port Alberni and way to go FolkFest Multicultural Society for doing such a great job with the parade and the celebrations at Glenwood!

Happy Canada Day!!!

I must make this a quick one as I'm doing a typical Canadian thing today- helping a brother out in need! Yes, I'm off with some friends of the Bulldogs to help move new Business Manager Blair Noel and his wife into their new home!

For those that want the historical stuff of Canada day- CLICK HERE

As for these videos- a tear to my eye for some of them! Enjoy!

Happy 141st Canada!

Hammer