The year of the race
One of my major ambitions for 2012 was to run the Green Mountain Relay. However, the team that had invited me to join them couldn’t collect enough committed runners, so most of them decided to run the 15k Boilermaker in Utica instead. It’s a pretty major road race, with more than two thousand athletes already registered.
So, I followed suit. And because I felt like I need something to ramp up to that, I also signed up for the Ottawa Race Weekend 10k.
I’ve talked about doing races for, well, several years. But, I never have, due to cost or schedule conflicts or pure laziness on my part. Not this year. I’ve registered, spent my money, and told a bunch of people … including, now, the blogosphere. I’m determined to make this happen, even though it will probably mean waking up at 5 a.m. to go running before work.
Feel free me to leave training tips and motivating music suggestions, or share your own stories and encouragement, in the comments section.
Shipwrecks and oil pipelines
In case you’ve been hiding in a cave over the last few days, here’s a quick rundown of recent news both in Cornwall and around the globe.
- A cruise ship crashed. Eleven people died. The captain apparently abandoned his post and refused to go back to help his passengers. He’s been charged with manslaughter, among other things. Here’s a photo of the wreck, as seen from space.
Courtesy of the BBC
- Cornwall city council terminated its human resources manager. We saw it coming, though it’s still not clear why it took so long for them to make a decision. The employee, Robert Menagh, was under fire recently for a couple of legal tangles – he even faced charges in a whistleblower case until the city pled guilty and the counts against him were dropped. Council had a slew of closed meetings over the last few months, cumulating in an “emergency session” last Tuesday that led to Menagh’s termination the following day.
- President Barack Obama rejected the Keystone XL pipeline application today. The company can try again with a new route to the southern coast of the U.S., but I’m sure this decision will only strength Canadian aims to make its oilsands more accessible to China and the Asian market instead.
- The Rideau Canal has opened to skaters. Okay, this isn’t exactly world news, but I am super pumped about it. Ottawa, here I come.
- North Glengarry elected Chris McDonell its new mayor in a by-election on Monday, to replace Grant Crack who was voted MPP in the last provincial election. Jamie MacDonald finished in second place, behind by just 112 ballots.
- The defence has rested in the “honour killings” trial in Kingston. Closing arguments will be made next week, and then the fate of Mohammad Shafia, his wife and their son – all charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of their three teenaged daughters/sisters and Shafia’s first wife – will be in the hands of a jury. We’ve talked about this one quite a lot in the newsroom, throwing out ideas of what have happened on that fateful night in June of 2009. I do not envy the deliberations and decisions that face those jurors next week.
City council – Jan. 9
After a month-long break during Christmas and New Years holidays, Cornwall’s councillors returned to City Hall Monday night for an overview of the draft 2012 budget.
If approved with the proposed 2.38% increase, the average homeowner would see an extra $53.16 on their tax bill this year. Revenues are expected to be $4 million higher than 2011, while expenditures will jump by $6.6 million – due mostly to a new waste and recycling disposal contract and extra infrastructure projects. However, thanks to a surplus, uploading of court security costs and a refund from the city’s benefits provider, the overall shortage is just $1.26 million.
There’s still a lot of numbers to be hashed out, such as the police services budget, transfers to outside agencies, staffing for the fire department and oh, so much more. I’m expecting a schedule of upcoming budget meetings shortly.
In addition to the budget, councillors talked about a policy for idling city vehicles, agreed on the need for better bus service and approved a draft plan of subdivision.
In non-Cornwall news, MP Lise St-Denis crossed the floor to the Liberals this morning. She was elected for the NDP last year, but apparently disagrees with their positions on Libya, Senate reform and the Champlain Bridge. She says she spent six months making the decision to move from one opposition party to another.
2012
It’s 2012. I’m pretty pumped about it, though also increasingly freaked out by how ridiculously fast time is whipping by.
I’m not a big resolution person – in terms of starting a new habit or ending an old one – but I do attempt to set goals for each new year that I’m blessed to experience. Here’s a few for 2012.
- Learn to bake bread
- Start working on my book
- Run the Green Mountain Relay
- Be more fiscally responsible … i.e. save some money.
- Go back to Colombia for a visit
- Cross off a few more items from my bucket list. I’m thinking numbers 57, 68, and 97 … to start off with anyway.
- Be deliberate about developing and improving my writing and photography skills. I’m hoping the Lytro will help with the latter.
- Become more radical and passionate in my pursuit of Christ and his destiny for my life
Over to you. What are your expectations for the next year?
Year in Review: My favs
Here’s a quick recap of a few of my favourite things, events and experiences from 2011.
- Music: Switchfoot’s Vice Verses
There’s almost no contest. This album is just that good. - First experience: Running out of gas.
No wait, that can’t be it.
First fillings? Nope.
It was definitely moving into my own apartment. My landlord is fantastic, it’s a great space for me, and in all honesty, I quite enjoy living alone. - Movie: Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows
My mind was pretty much blown. Plus I’ve been a Sherlock fan since I first read through Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s creative collection as a kid. - Trip: Cuba
I stepped foot in a new country this year with my week-long trek to Cuba in March. It was a fantastic experience and I’m already excited about heading back this spring to attend the same conference. I’ve kept in touch with some of the folks I met – our email correspondence keeps me practicing my Spanish. - Assignment: I don’t think I can choose just one story, but moving into the city hall beat has been a fabulous new challenge for this Standard-Freeholder journalist.
I’ve enjoyed getting to know all the councillors and staff, though I can’t say every meeting has been thrilling. I’ve reported on some city legal tangles, budget debates, bylaw discussions, and oh, so much more. - Technology: iPhone 4S
I finally upgraded, after years of a crappy flip phone with T9 texting. It’s like a whole new world. - New acquaintance: Toby
I haven’t officially met him yet, but my newest nephew is definitely my favourite person to enter the world in 2011. - Bucket list item: U2
Seeing this band in concert was absolutely incredible. I managed to check a few things off my life to-do list this year, but finally going to a U2 show topped them all.
In addition to all that, this year included my first dance recital, the death of my beloved grandmother, the birth of my cousin’s first child, a hugely welcome influx of young people to my church and circle of friends, and a glorious trip to British Columbia.
It’s been a good year. It just went by too fast.
Year in review: The News
This has been quite a year. From Japan’s triple disasters to the Arab Spring, it feels like not a week went by without major news spreading across the globe.
It seems like it’s been a record-setting 12 months in terms of cost from natural catastrophes. Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornados. You name it, it probably happened.
I’m pretty sure 2011 has seen the most deaths or oustings of dictators as well. From Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak to Libya’s Mohammar Ghaddafi – and then recently the sudden passing of Kim Jong Il – leaders have toppled across the world. There’s a large number countries in the midst of transition as the calendar year changes, including the writing of constitutions, free elections, forming new governments, creating civil rights.
Here at home, NDP leader Jack Layton died, Prime Minister Stephen Harper won his first majority, four women were found dead after an alleged honour killing, laws against polygamy were upheld, debate in Question Period continued to deteriorate, and most provinces held elections.
In Cornwall, city hall was slapped with fines for mistreatment of employees, two people died in car crashes in two weeks, residents were left temporarily homeless after the Gretchen Court fire, a culture committee was formed, the mayor battled stomach cancer, and debate continued to rage over the location of the port of entry.
It hasn’t been a boring year, that’s for darn sure.
A white Christmas
I worked for a little while today … but it was okay. I met some crazy inspiring people along the way.
I ate way too much food. I played snow football – full body contact style. I won a game of Settlers. My family played some sweet music and sang carols by our tree. We spent some time with great friends.
And it snowed. Like a lot.
What I’m trying to say is, it was a good day. A fantastic Christmas. A reminder that God came to be among us one day so long ago. It’s a reality that shapes my life and who I am for not just Christmas day, but the other 364 days in a year as well.
Merry Christmas!
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel
So … it’s Christmas.
Maybe it’s because it has been so green lately, with barely a snowflake in sight all month long.
Maybe it’s because my family members out west have chosen to postpone a trip to Ontario until February, depriving us of exciting arrivals to look forward to.
Maybe it’s because an unusually high number of people have been ranting to me lately … so much for holiday cheer.
Maybe it’s because I’m working this weekend … again.
Maybe it’s because I attended a bunch of Christmas concerts and plays early in the season but then became caught up in various other – and unrelated to the time of year – activities.
I haven’t entirely put my finger on it, but I’m aware that I’m seriously lacking Christmas spirit. Oh, I’m excited for a candlelight Christmas eve service at my church, and seeing my massive and awesome extended family next week. But these last few weeks have been so busy, with work and random other commitments. My spare time has been filled with baking, shopping, wrapping, photo shoots and editing, etc. Which is not my usual routine. And none of it is Christmas to me.
I think part of it has to do with the sheer commercialization of the holiday, which I seem to be strangely vulnerable to this year. It’s also frustrating to see the continuing debate over “merry Christmas” verses “happy holidays”. From cancelled school Christmas concerts to holiday trees, the ridiculousness goes on. And all while the majority of people seem completely content with the day’s title. Christmas is the name on the calendar, and it’s going to take more than political correctness cops to change it.
As Richard Land wrote, it’s not easy to be a Christian at Christmastime. I’m hoping a good nights’ sleep and a read of the book of Luke will put me in the right frame of mind. I may have some shopping to finish first though …
Report from city council
It’s been a busy couple of weeks at City Hall – so busy in fact, I apparently forgot to blog about it.
Deliberations on the 2012 budget began this month, with council approving a 2.96% increase in water/sewer rates. The steering committee met twice last week to hear and debate presentations by agencies looking for more than $600,000 in funding for next year. So far they’ve trimmed $50,000 from that amount, but no final decisions have been made. No future meetings have been scheduled either, which is okay with me; I think I’m still recovering from the seven hours I spent in council chambers last Tuesday.
At city council’s last regular meeting of the year on Dec. 12, they agreed to changes and fare hikes in the Cornwall Transit system, postponed a decision on e-bikes in the park as they wait for more input, argued for a meeting with MP Guy Lauzon on the customs relocation issue, demanded information from VIA Rail on suspected service cuts, and approved a drinking water financial plan.
They also approved an advertising policy that cuts off funding to websites that allow “offensive or inflammatory” commentary. May I suggest the column of my esteemed colleague Claude McIntosh on the topic.
Tonight, the planning advisory committee meets, with a new take on development fees on the agenda.
The counties have had some excitement over the last few days as well. North Stormont had to call in the OPP to investigate cash missing from township coffers, North Glengarry pled guilty to a couple of environmental charges, and a group in South Dundas is ramping up its opposition to a proposed wind farm.
Frank Cerbasi
He taught piano for years out of the back room at Melody Music Centre. He wandered the downtown and throughout the mall, making friends with passersby and talking to anyone who would listen. He was easily recognized for his trademark fedora, wooden cane and Italian charm.
I first met Frank Cerbasi when I was just a girl. He would come to our house on a weekly basis and give lessons to my siblings and me. He developed the tradition of bringing donuts along with him, and we developed the habit of calling him “Grandpa” (I can’t promise the two are unrelated – we were kids, remember). He was patient and dedicated, evident in his common phrase: “Take your time, but hurry up.” Eventually I moved on to guitar and clarinet, but he remained my tutor for many years. Probably not at all once, but I’m fairly certain he gave lessons to all seven of us over the years … seven of dozens, if not hundreds, of students he taught in his long musical career in the city.
He died on Sunday evening. His landlord emailed me yesterday, calling him a “gentleman and a scholar” who will be missed by many. He didn’t have relatives close by, so his colleagues, students, friends and neighbours became his family – much like we did. He attended church on a regular basis as long as I knew him, always willing to testify of the goodness of God in his life.
Goodbye, Grandpa. Thanks for the music.
Cheryl
