Londont

Cold Fusion 2012 Energy Production?

2012-01-02T23:45:00.018-05:00

In its January 2, 2012 publication, New Energy and Fuel, highlights 3 companies that will optimistically get into production with Low Energy Nuclear Fusion generators. They are:
1. Andrea Rossi's E-Cat home heat generator -Italy
In a recent interview, Rossi says,“We have already started the sales of the industrial plants of 1MW, but now focusing on the household, we have to resolve the issue of certifications, and we are working on those, and we are organizing the production. The target price will be between $1000-$1500 US for an E-Cat with a power between 10-20 kilowatts. Such an E-Cat is able to give the thermal energy and air conditioning for an average family house."
2. Defkalion home heat generator            -Greece
Their design permits coupling units (similar to Rossi's) generating an output range from 5KW to 5MW.
3. Randall Mills' utility electricity generator   -USA
Dr. Mills was to have a commercial unit ready in 2011, but it has not surfaced yet. He has been busy making preliminary patent filings on his process to derive commercial electricty directly from hydrogen in water.

In spite of skeptics in governments, in energy sectors and in the physics fraternity, the race to certification and to market for a new and disruptive energy source is on. More power to these start-ups.

NASA research scientist in this video clip sees a much cleaner and cheaper energy future.

   Don't hesitate to forward this link to acquaintenances interested in moving off the grid.

E-Cat in Production

2011-11-03T11:32:00.010-04:00

Andrea Rossi's Energy Catalyst passed its October 28, 2011 test and has also passed some certification tests, but still lacks endorsement by physicists. On Nov 4, 2011, CBSNews gave a cautious "thumbs up" to the latest E-cat demonstration. It is rumored that the U.S. Navy is the customer who purchased the test unit housed in a 20 ft shipping container. Production of 1 megawatt units is about to start in the U.S. Early adopters are the military -with utilities, industries and home-sized units likely to follow.
At the start of the 20th century, London's Sir Adam Beck was a prominent electricity grid advocate and founder of H.E.P.C. A hundred years later, the grid's years may well be numbered because of proliferation of distributed low-cost energy generation. Today, London could be one of the first regions with a stand-by unit to provide continuous electricity in events of blackouts and brownouts.
If you happen to be a qualified potential user, get in the que for one of the first units.
http://beforeitsnews.com/story/1321/637/E-Cat_Cold_Fusion_Orders_Being_Taken_After_Successful_Launch.html
Sales of another 13 heat-producing (not electricty-generating) units at $2million each have been reported by Wired -UK.
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-11/06/cold-fusion-heating-up

Finally -Solar-powered Asphalt Shingles

2011-10-31T07:53:00.002-04:00

Install Dow Chemical's sloar-powered roof shingles on your home while awaiting delivery of
Rossi's E-Cat domestic heater.
The new shingles roll-out in the southern US in 2012, followed by a roll up the east coast.

Oct 6 2011 E-cat Test

2011-10-06T15:57:00.037-04:00

On the eve of the heralded E-cat (Energy-Catalyst) test in Bologna, Italy on Oct. 6, 2011, Wired Magazine publishes an article on Andrea Rossi's experiments.
http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-10/06/e-cat-cold-fusion

The big day has arrived and the results and experts' comments will begin to flow over the next few hours and days. One good source of information is:
http://peswiki.com/index.php/News:Real-Time_Updates_on_the_October_6%2C_2011_E-Cat_Test
Early tweets from some attendees (referenced in comments section of Peswiki item) indicate success with test. If so, then it will be immediately reflected in energy and oil stocks in the mornings EU stock exchanges.
Sequel
The editor of the Nebraska Engineer gives a "thumbs up" on October 7th to Rossi's latest demonstration in Bologna.
http://mnispel.net/neengineer/?p=229

(PESwiki site references Rossi's statement that he desires public input on exterior design of his proposed household cabinet.
http://peswiki.com/inde.php/OS:Cold_Fusion_E-Cat_Case_Design_Competition
This is followed by an Oct 11, 2011 press release that Defkalion (Rossi's initial Greek partner) is ready to market a product based on the Rossi design:
http://ecatnews.com/?p=1007

Under a Networkworld headline, Cheap Power: An Overnight Revolution, journalist Mark Gibbs on October 14, and in a Forbes Magazine article on Oct 17) tells readers to watch the outcome of the 1MW e-cat test in Bologna on October 28th as the world political and energy scene could be upset.
http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2011/101411-backspin.html
and
http://www.forbes.com/sites/markgibbs/2011/10/17/hello-cheap-energy-hello-brave-new-world/
and
if you have a pile of wet fire wood to stoke the cabin stove this winter, you might track this site as you freeze in the dark:
http://peswiki.com/index.php/News:October_28%2C_2011_Test_of_the_One_Megawatt_E-Cat

Producing 470 kilowatts, the prospective purchaser and seller claim Oct 28 E-cat test a success:
http://world.std.com/~mica/cft.html

.

Cheap Energy Watch

2011-02-23T01:05:00.083-05:00

     The previous post highlighted the case of BlackLight Power of New Jersey and its promise to demonstrate a process of cheaply separating hydrogen from water through a proprietary catalyst to directly generate electricity -sometime in 2011.
In addition to BLP there are others claiming to be on the threshold major energy breakthroughs. Over in Italy, a couple of researchers at Bologna University claim they are ready to commercialize a cold fusion process generating low-cost energy. See Pesn Feb 8, 2011 paper on the possible connections between the fusion research being pursued by New Jersey's Mills and Italy's Rossi.

MIT research on solar cells is likely to make first generation solar panels obsolete. Technology Review magazine features an article on what's next in solar energy. In a long assessment of current research, the editor of the magazine is not optimistic that solutions are imminent. However, MIT has spun-off Sun Catalytix Corporation to commercialize solar-powered hydrolysis research of Prof Daniel Nocera. This start-up has received ARPA-E research funding and a $9.5 million injection led by Tata Limited.

In the face of rising oil consumption in China and India plus political turmoil in the Arab countries, the cost of oil will soon approach $200 a barrel. So, it doesn't matter if alarmists are right about the barrel being less than half empty, or our energy-wasting optimists are right about the barrel being more than half full of tar sands oil.
Within the lifetime of the oldest baby boomer, it is likely fossil-fueled electricity generation will be replaced by swift and disruptive transitions to Low Energy Nuclear Reactors and solar power.

Events:

July 11, 2011 interview with Andrea Rossi
   Read introduction to Rossi's career here, and then read interview transcript.
In this interview, Hank Mills (editor of Pure Energy Systems -News) obtains some credible-sounding information from the Italian engineer who has set up an operations base in Miami to produce reactor modules for one megawatt plants to be assembled in Greece for the European market -commencing in October, 2011.

Cheap Energy ...Soon-to be-Reality or a Scam

2011-02-09T19:50:00.003-05:00

It has just been leaked that Saudi Arabia's oil reserves have been grossly overstated. If so, we are on the threshold of declining oil, and Obama's plans for having one million electric cars on the roads in 10 years, and giving 80% of Americans access to high-speed trains over the next 25 years are indeed timely.
Alberta's tar sands together with deep-sea drilling will help bridge the widening deficit in conventional oil production but, the recovery costs of the new oil are major. Cheaper sources for heating and transportation fuel will have to be found. Hydrogen is the likeliest candidate since there is an inexhaustible source in water. The big obstacles are the high cost of using electricity in separating the hydrogen from the oxygen and expensive distribution.
A company in Cranbury, New Jersey believes it has the solution to both these problems -and, within the next 10 months expects to make a public demonstration of its technology. Randell Mills, founder and CEO of Blacklight Power says he has a compact reactor that liberates energy from hydrogen in a totally new and inexpensive way.
Back in January 2009, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in an article titled, "Loser: Hot or Not" analyzed BLP's efforts and threw cold water on their claims.
Two years later a pundit at the American Reporter took a much warmer position. He puts a lot of faith in the recent testing done by labs at nearby Rowan University. The article states, in part, "The company, funded by $70 million in investments by three large venture capital firms, says the technology allows an electric car the size of a Prius and costing about $9,000 to build, to travel more than 5,000 miles on a gallon of water."
BLP claims electricity can be produced without large plants and steam generators. Their system apparently produces electricity directly from water. The units can be scaled from those for cars, to individual homes, factories and community utilities.

Visit the Backlight Power website to monitor their updates -or check back here to learn if the promised demonstration materializes this year.

Transportation Minister Listens

2010-05-26T23:27:00.004-04:00

Whether it's agriculture, manufacturing, or tourism, good highways are essential.

A May 17, 2010 email reminded Mr. Serge Lavoie, President of the South West Economic Assembly, and Mayor Decicco-Best that the northern counties and towns will not benefit economically without improved connections to trade corridors. They were invited to look at the Provincial map of Southern Ontario Construction Programs.

Such prompt was followed up with an email to Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne and about ten southwestern Liberal MPPs with the admonition that the northern 519 region returned enough members to Queen's Park to get some action on overdue transportation infrastructure.

In a May 25th speech to the Economic Club of Canada, Minister Wynne said, "If we don't think about people living in poverty in rural communities, for example, and think about how they can move around (to improve their circumstances) then we're missing a huge social impact of transportation. I've become acutely aware of the role that inadequate transportation networks play in inhibiting economic growth and reducing quality of life."

Has the big city MPP (Don Valley West) been listening this past week to Liberal members from way west of the GTA?

London's Destiny -by Ballot

2010-04-21T21:06:00.010-04:00

The National Post featured a proposal floated by Bill Murdock, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, that Toronto become a province and that the capital of "The Rest of Ontario" be London.
To set the stage, London needs a new Vision Statement, and needs a mayor and council capable of looking at the big picture. The vision statement should include the words: A competitive City with safe streets, strong neighbourhoods, solid fiscal management, a significant regional presence and a thriving economy.
London has to discard its moat mentality and its neglect of transportation infrastructure. Attracting new industry and jobs are top priorities; since both depend on trade, the focus needs to be on improving regional connections rather than ring separations -and expressway stubs.
Two decades ago, the council of the day had a clean slate to secure an in-city expressway corridor across the north. On the west it had the opportunity to use (the then rural) Westdel Bourne arterial road as main component of a west expressway, and collaborate with Middlesex in connecting it with the Denfield Road. Subsequent councils obstructed such projects by allowing subdivisions to proceed before securing essential transportation corridors.
Over the last decade, this blog has recommended Provincial involvement in resolving the highway standoff between London and Middlesex. See here and here. The post titled "The Highway 4 Diversion" presented the city and the northern counties with one low-cost solution.

London's pro-business/pro-development lobby, ActionLondon2010, has just launched a website facilitating input and debate in an attempt to draw out more voters. In addition to London Free Press election reportage, concerned citizens can also visit websites of two local pundits: Chapman's Voice of London, and the McLeod Report.
As the election approaches, the messages to that heretofore majority of non-voters is:
Get informed, get focused, and get involved.

Grid-Free Non-Combustion Heating Arrives

2010-03-13T18:46:00.003-05:00

A December 2007 post included the prediction, "An Australian firm may be the first to domestic market with a natural gas fuel cell targeted at lighting and heating homes. Indeed 2008 and 2009 could be the years that distributed generation and CHP (Combined Heat Power) register on investor and consumer radars."

Whereas Canada pioneered hydrogen fuel cells for buses, a BBC item indicates the Japanese take the lead in CHP for homes.
The home systems could well be the answer to fuel savings in countries colder than Australia and Japan, especially if they happen to have abundant supplies of natural gas. Another prediction: Within a decade, rather than freeze in the dark, Canadians we will be able to swim in back-yard pools nine months of the year -just like Floridians.

The Folly of Certaintude

2010-01-10T22:06:00.005-05:00

That innate "feeling of just knowing" is sometimes wrong. Yet, we are in love with our hunches and really hate to be wrong. Intelligent people should be able to compensate for such possibility. Few do. Such is the thesis of Dr. Robert Burton's new book, "On Being Certain"
Believing we are right when we are not, is of little consequence on trivial matters, but if one is a doctor or pilot the results can be deadly. Indeed, the most dangerous actionable thoughts are those which make intuitive sense.
In trying to answer the basic question, how do we know what we know?, this Yale neurologist covers a lot of terrain from snap-judgements to the gulf between religious and scientific beliefs.

If there is much, you the reader, is certain of, borrow or buy this 224-page book, and you may suddenly be more skeptical. Not inclined to delve into the book? Then, take the 25 question test made available by oldblackjoe. So, step up to the plate and find out if you bat over 300.
The questionnaire is independent of the book, but is an ideal test of part of the good doctor's summation offered under the overarching mandate: Above all, do no harm:
"Just as we learn to cope with the anxieties of sickness and death, we must learn to tolerate contradictory aspects of our biology. Our minds have their own agenda. We can intervene through greater understanding of what we can and cannot control, by knowing where potential deceptions lurk, and by a willingness to accept that our knowledge of the world around us is limited by fundamental conflicts in how our minds work." (italics are mine)

Dinner for One -a must see Holiday Skit

2009-12-23T04:09:00.010-05:00

Throwing a New Year's Eve dinner party? Stumped for entertainment and menu? Then, read on.

Few Austrians, Germans and Swiss have ever heard our Royal Canadians, and even fewer Australians and North Americans have viewed a skit that has been broadcast every New Years eve in German-language countries since it's recording in Hamburg in 1963. Why is this? Especially since it was performed by a couple of British actors and has no captions.
Clues can be found in a December 2008 article at this site . And here's the 20-minute film kindly provided by ChristmasMagazine. If you enjoy it, use the envelope icon (below) to relay to friends who cannot make it to your party. Skol!

PS
If you find the vintage film too raunchy for the season, gather the grand-children around and brouse the ChristmasMagazine. This lovely magazine is published by Swiss/Canadian, Ester Schonwandt.

519Area Economy Run

2009-09-13T07:49:00.014-04:00

As enthusiasm for London's ShunPiker Tour dwindles due to fuel prices, a replacement event is advanced. Rather than pack the kids into the SUV for a lemming tour of bucolic boonies and ghost hamlets, economy enthusiasts register for a high-tech run from point A to point B.
Electric, hybrid, 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder and 8 cylinder cars equipped with GPS navigation, mobile WiFi and economy calibration compete for Zee-prizes in respective categories. Liters of gasoline/diesel per 100 kilometers and elapsed time are the measurements of economy and efficiency.
Registrants own their own their own cars and pay an entry fee. They log on to learn of surprise start and end points, and then file their ideal trip route and anticipated elapsed time. Proprietary system tracks their progress in real time, and at destination records arrival time and fuel economy -and posts category winners.
With run scheduled during normal work-day traffic, keen navigation and driving skills are essential. Cars sport either commercial or non-commercial decals and fly the logo flag.
Software controls the run from start to finish with just two officials needed: one at the start point of the run and another at the finish. Results would be instantly on the website.
Whereas a catchy idea cannot be patented, the enabling computer system and logo can be protected. Here's an opportunity for an entrepreneurial type to be first off the mark with a continent-wide turnkey package for groups interested in launching their own annual economy run.
Next steps?

The Highway 4 Diversion

2009-07-25T15:32:00.031-04:00

A November 2007 blog post titled, "Provincial Highway vs. West London Expressway" made the case for a low-cost alternative to the City's long-term plan for a west-side expressway stub. And, faithful readers will have seen a later item labelled, "SWEA -a Truly Regional Entity, or just a Freeway One", which was critical of our regional economic organization not addressing regional economic development and transportation conundrum.
Be advised that whereas there was favourable reaction from some MPPs, city and county councils as well as SWEA (South West Economic Alliance) are still pondering. With the recession and attendant job losses facing constituents, it seems timely to remind councillors in London and Middlesex that they have some long-standing transportation matters to resolve.
Given the 401 and 402 in south London and the eastern Veteran's Memorial Parkway, many Londoners believe completion of the dream ring must be of Expressway proportions. Readers are reminded that an Expressway is a multi-lane road divided by a wide median with access/egress at major intersections only. They need also to be reminded , that unlike the highly industrialized east, the mainly residential far west has little need for an "industrial-strength" mid-block expressway.
For the west, an affordable and practical alternative is a Provincial Highway (utilizing mainly existing road allowances) to service both west London build-out and the economic revival of the northern Counties. Without improved access to markets (and improved access by tourists) the northern 519 region will continue to lose population and its little remaining industry.
To Re-cap:
Proposed is a re-route of Highway 4 from Clandeyboye (just above Lucan) south along Denfield Rd, across the river, and then along Westdel Bourne Rd to the 402/401 -and ultimately beyond to Highway 3. The stretch from Clandeyboye to Sunningdale Rd would be of the same paved proportions as the highway to Exeter. From Sunningdale Rd to Westdel Bourne Rd to the 401, it would initially be a two-laner, with provision for future widening to four lanes ...similar to Wonderland Rd.

The message then, to leaderships of all stripes in the City, in the Counties and in the Towns which Highway 4 services: Think Strategically. Act Regionally. Collaborate. Make Necessary OP Changes. Get It Done.

An early version of this post was submitted to London's Mayor and Middlesex's Warden for inclusion in correspondence to respective councils.
While London idles on the peripheral, Calgary gets Harper to accelerate closing of its ring.

PS 1
Following circulation the Highway 4 project to City council, it is noted that the Park's Department is considering an Upper Thames Conservation notion of utilizing the extreme northern Right of Way of Westdel Bourne Rd (from Kains Rd to the river) as a nature path. It is hoped that the Transportaion Dept is giving consideration to more optimal usage of the ROW as proposed above.
PS 2
Meanwhile, Middlesex County closes Old River Rd at the west end of a rehabilitated narrow Kilworth Bridge. The County is concerned with poor sight lines and increasing usage of the twisted and hilly gravel road to as a shortcut around west London.
PS 3
The immediately preceeding notes demonstrate once again the long-standing disconnect between City and County when it comes to addressing accommodation of inevitable traffic growth arising from build-out of Kilworth, Komoka and the western periphiary of London.
The City seems steadfast in its long term plan to construct a mid-block expressway stub (across farmland between Westdel Bourne and Woodhull Rds) from the 402 to Ox St W, and rely on the zig-zag of Oxford St and Hyde Park roads to get ever-increasing traffic further into the city and thence northward.
Will businesses, frustrated commuters and residents send a "wake-up" call in advance of the next elections?
Will Middlesex County and its northern neighbours call upon the Province to overcome obstacles to direct access to the 402 ...and get action on the western Provincial Highway?

2010 Grass Roots Stimulus -Cont'd

2009-04-24T14:03:00.019-04:00

The aims of advocacy blogging are to increase awareness and thinking, and to stimulate engagement and action. If you want to mobilize people, according to Professor Rao of Stanford University, you need the One-Two punch of a "Hot Cause" and a "Cool Solution." (See Dr. Sutton's blog post on his colleague's new book). The third requirement is of course, the targeting of alert and concerned segments of the populace.
The idea being advanced for 519 area economic stimulus would appear to meet Rao's prescription. The red-hot cause is stimulus in the midst of recession and the cool remedy is grass-roots activism across all communities in the area. The test in the South West is whether individuals and businesses see the potential -and grasp the opportunity to help move the project forward. Bruce County catches the spirit with a website facilitating personal invitations to local points of interest.
If leaders from each of the five areas step up, Design Thinking can lead to a structure where the regional economy tends to be driven by fresh ideas, by participation -and by collaboration in lobbying for improved access roads. We cannot sit back and wait for things to get better.

519 Area Home Coming

2009-04-16T19:20:00.037-04:00

A FastCompany cell , "London Think & Do Tank", was to help identify community problems to be tackled by retirees using Web tools. A good target emerges from old posts on regional roads and the South West Economic Alliance.
Suggested is a project called "519 MMX Home Coming" where 5 areas participate over the first 19 days of August. MMX is Latin for 2010. Areas are roughly defined as: Bruce Peninsula, Southern Georgian Bay, Thames Valley, Huron Shore and Erie Shore.
This would be a great time for family and school reunions, community festivals and vintage auto tours. Cultural events -always big draws during prosperous times- need to garner support during lean times; ditto for the hospitality industry and golf courses, which as prime beneficiaries, might step forward as sponsors. Farm organizations, historical societies and tourist associations can help propel the band-wagon.
In spite of job-creation efforts, we will likely still be in recession in 2010. Many south-western Ontario families will have slim budgets for entertainment and vacation travel; they will welcome the down-home variety. With widely promoted mid-summer events, there could well be an influx of visitors from across Canada and the US.
There is still enough lead time for home-owners to setup for Bed & Breakfast and for farmers to create tent-camping sites.
August 2010 is just 15 months away; not much time for organizing, planning and promoting. Municipal governments are too slow to get the job done. And, Chambers of Commerce will have to learn to collaborate. We cannot assume "George will do it." Who then besides u & i?
Students might set up a Wiki site. Retirees and service associations could lend a hand. First Nations would be encouraged to participate. Timely press releases would help the media spread the word. And, software shops can design the all-important umbrella Web site.
If you see merit in such proposal hit the little "envelope icon" (below ) to bring your contacts on board.

Has Cadillac Seen the Future?

2009-03-03T19:53:00.058-05:00

The brochure for the top-of the line Cadillac features a map of Germany's tortuous Nurburgring where the latest CTS-V model was tested. See this video of GM's engineer, John Heinricy, talking about setting the 7:59.32 lap record for a production sedan.
The dealer proudly directs the tire-kicker to a GM video of the 7:59.32 minute record lap in a automatic shift car -as well as to a burnout clip. And, without any prodding the salesperson whips out a 4-page article from the October 2008 issue of Road & Track magazine describing the race between Cadillac's 556 HP CTS-V sedan and BMW' 500 HP M5 sedan.

For sedate drivers, the car is amazingly tame around town. A grey-haired lady returning from a demonstration ride is heard to comment that her Ford Probe has better acceleration. Before Hot Momma discovers "tire-smoking" sport mode, she had better double her laibility coverage .

As at Nurburgring, the Cadillac emerges the winner on the new Monticello Motor Club's circuit north of New York City. John Heinricy, the GM engineer who set the Nurburgring lap record for a production sedan, takes a stick shift car for a lap around the Monticello track.
That new Monticello Club is actually an exclusive resort catering to owners of fast and expensive cars of any vintage. Today, for a membership fee of $125,000 US dollars plus annual dues, you get to use the 4.1 mile curvy track, clubhouse, and secure storage and car maintenance.
Really big cars are suddenly an endangered species. Within a generation, the surviving post-1980 production will be relegated to the electronically-disabled scrap heap. (See auction link for fate of that Nurbring CTS-V). Pre-80's survivors, being banned from public streets and roads, will quickly become "trailer queens" and "garage princes."
Cadillac's message to racing aficionados may be that such steeds are likely to soon lose street-legal status. But not to worry; rich North American "gentlemen hotroders" can continue to enjoy the thrill of driving fast -if they move quickly to get a membership in exclusive auto clubs. Millionaires will always pay to play with their toys. Germans will always have no-speed limit autobahns, Americans will always retain the right to bear arms while Canucks will insist on the right to bare breasts.

PS 1
The new US administration will soon bring in new mpg rules for 2011 and beyond. US automakers have to cut fuel consumption for cars and light trucks to 27.3 mpg or 8%.
Even with current fuel economy regulations, and based on its mix of models and volumes, GM is limited to producing about 900 Cadillac CTS-Vs in 2009. Impending bankruptcy aside, the current formula generates even fewer CTS-Vs in 2010 because of tumbling overall auto sales.
PS2
See independent video review of this high-performance luxury sedan.
PS3
A dealer-installed $500 rolling WiFi unit from Autonet Mobile becomes available for the CTS in April 2009. This Caddy unit could well be eclipsed by a pocket card costing $100 and $40 monthly for 250 Gigabites. And, Rogers has a stick for $200 which plugs into a laptop providing 4GB of memory.

Networking -Why and How To

2009-02-01T00:28:00.007-05:00

Politicians. executives and sales people know networking is essential to their success -and they select the best (expensive) electronic tools for the job. Students, parents, employees and retirees should also practice network skills and organize according to their means.

The goals of purposeful networking are to to gather an ever-expanding circle of influential people and to maintain contact with old friends and business and professional people. Yes, use the Internet for information and for seeking out smart people to network with, but don't neglect random acts of kindness; they can generate unexpected rewards down the road.

Don't be shy about diversifying contacts across multiple groups, across gender and generational lines. Get to know neighbours. They know others you wish to know. And, don't forget to stay in contact with widely-dispersed school mates.

Use networking to meet the right people before you need their help. Don't just be a taker. Ask for help, yes, but also give. Exchange is the motive-power of networking. Use it to test relationships. Offer to introduce contacts to those who might be able to help them. Acessing sources and resources is not using people if you reciprocate. And, after getting useful referrals, always follow-up with thanks. Implementing all of this prescriptive advice takes effort, some organization -and structure.

How to: You can find applications in Office Suites, you can set up a spread sheet, or you can simply lay it out in a Word Document. The key is to set up separate categories for say, family, school, church, business, etc. A basic format would include:

Name, e-mail, birthday

Occupation and or title

Hobbies and/or special interests

Postal address, tel/fax, blog, flickr

The Last Ark

2009-01-22T21:41:00.015-05:00

The planet that temporarily sustains us will end long before its sun self-destructs. Who then will write the planet's obituary? Whereas most have distaste for drafting their own obituaries, very few individuals have the breadth of knowledge and writing skills to propose the design, launch and navigation of a capsule capable of propagating the human species upon death throes of mother-ship Earth.
Collectively there are minds eager to collaborate on such Last Ark literary project. Astronomers, doctors, engineers, physicists, etc. would contribute articles on the advances in space medicine and in materials, guidance and propulsion technologies. Their signed essays would build on the evolving story, and after viritual launch they would be part of the crew reporting back on the greatest adventure.
Science fiction, yes, but crafted by brilliant scientific minds.
John Brockman, the founder and editor of Edge (a website devoted to cutting-edge science) has the forum for attempting such an undertaking.
Scan answers to his 2009 question: "What Change Will Change Everything?"

Energizing Alphabet Soup -CPV, LENR, LHC, NIF

2008-12-28T18:39:00.024-05:00

This blog has attempted to bring its readers a smattering of current research and innovation relating to physics and clean energy -from switching on the Large Hydron Collider, through advances in photovoltaic cells, to breakthroughs in hydro-kinetic and wind turbines.
Now, scientists a Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California are about to use laser pulses to produce nuclear fusion. Ten times more enery will be released than required to initiate the reaction.
At their National Ignition Facility (NIF) and at a partner facility in England, they hope to demonstrate that lazers can provide a viable energy supply -and that building of nuclear fusion power plants is practical by 2030.

FCC Opens Spectrum to Wireless Hot Spots

2008-11-16T12:57:00.018-05:00

When US TV goes digital in February 2009, Federal Communications Commission rules " that "freed-up" white space is to be used for cell phones and high-speed wireless hot spots. Indeed, the new spectrum and associated devices could facilitate seamless and less costlier cell phone roaming . PC Magazine predicts consumer devices will be available stateside within two years. Hello, rural and remote communities ...and bye-bye, landlines.
As the last month of his presidential term nears, Bush is resistant of "free spaces, while Obama apprears to favour it.
Canadian regulators with their change-over date of August 31, 2011 are 2.5 years out of sync with the USA. The Industry Canada website, nonetheless assures us: "Since digital television is more spectrum-efficient than analog television, conversion to digital will free up parts of valuable airwaves for other important services such as advanced wireless (police, fire departments, etc) that will benefit Canadians.
Meanwhile, Governments in Alberta and Ontario push ahead with old technology in bringing expensive broad-band to their Counties without clarifying whether they will be able to utilize immenent "free white spaces."

Wind Turbine Breakthrough

2008-11-13T20:48:00.005-05:00

An invention by Vancouver-based, ExRo Technologies, tames the wind-variability factor in electric generation. It is poised to change the economics of wind farms by increasing annualized power output by 50%.

PS If you think this Canadian development merits wider attention, click on envelope icon.

SWEA Hears Transportation Call Too Late

2008-10-01T17:44:00.030-04:00

Within days of the early closing of The South West Economic Alliance in Sarnia ly on September 25th, Volvo announced it was closing its grader operation in Goderich and moving it to Pennsylvania because of transportation logistics.
Another irony is that the main presentation at the SWEA meeting was the Ivey School of Business study making the case for improved transportation infrastructure; this coming in the wake of exodus of such plants as: CanGrow in Exeter and Cambell's Soup in Listowel.
For the last few years this writer has been advocating regional lobbying of the Province for improved highways in the south west ...here, here, here & here & and here.
To repeat the concluding observation of an earlier post: "Business leaders and voters are ultimately to blame for procrastination leading to regional economic decay and population decline."

Where are Accessable Wi-Fi Hot Spots?

2008-07-18T16:56:00.057-04:00

People need to get online wherever they go -be it an airport, a cafe, a golf course or a hotel. That requires Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity). Checking email, skyping the spouse and getting a weather forecast is a partial list of uses. Autonet-Mobile has a portable unit on the market now.

State-side, Delta Airlines is the first to wire its fleet for access to Internet and e-mail; around $10 for short-haul and $13 for flights over 3 hours.

With Apple's iphone3G now selling in Canada, knowing the locations of accessible hot spots along normal travel routes and destinations is of increased interest to sales people, tourists and truckers.

Toting a laptop computer and an iphone to the cottage or on the boat, allows road warriors to accomplish more and linger longer -if they know the location of the nearest hot spot -or if they can afford one of the new mobile units, enabling them to finish and send that report, or pursue prospects regardless of location ...and vacation!

Informtion Week Magazine recently reported on a mobile router that makes a Wi-Fi connection on the go. Stay tuned for the launch of mobile devices taking advantage of the FCC decision to open up "white spaces" (unused space between TV broadband channels).

For those with deep pockets and speed, a Web-enabled Caddy arrives in April 2009.

In the meantime, perhaps the Chambers of Commerce will assist with compiling a list of safe and accessable hotspots across Southwestern Ontario.

-------------Feedback on Locations ---------------

Grey County: see Hot Spot map

Grand Bend Hot Spots: Chamber of Commerce advises the Gill St library is a hotspot and there are several others along Main St.

Bayfield?

Goderich WiFi Zone: The "prettiest town" in Canada is both parking-friendly (no meters), and Wifi friendly.

Kincardine Hot Spots: The Chamber suggests the Bruce County Library and Books & Beans coffee shop.

Markdale Hot Spot: Highway 10 North, it's the library!

Sarnia Hot Spots: Ever the promoter of local atttractions and businesses, the Sarnia/Lambton Chamber provides links to a few of the many area hot spots. http://www.bridgeviewmarina.com/, http://www.coffeeculture.ca/, http://www.ssec.on.ca/, http://www.stokesbaysarnia.com/, http://www.stokesinland.com/, http://www.starbucks.com/retail/locator/MapResults.aspx?storeKey=104228

New "WINDOW" on Solar -and Demise of OIL

2008-07-13T15:02:00.021-04:00

MIT is spinning off of a company (Covalent Solar) to commercialize a solar concentrating process that achieves superior solar conversion without tracking of the sun. Such technology will help make glass-sided office towers energy self-sufficient.
If only battery storage technology would keep apace of solar technology we would see a quick end to the transportation fuel crisis. Sweeney says, "Within a decade, glass-sided box cars and glass-sided box-containers on 16-wheelers could halve diesel consumption -and glass-domed automobiles will not have internal combustion engines. "
Shell's reasons for killing its multi-billion oil refinery at Sarnia -surging construction costs and market conditions- ring a bit hollow in the face of long-term demand. Connecting the dots, or rather the hyperlinks, indicates Shell is content to milk its cash cow while investing heavily in alternative energy.

The dot com and sub-prime mortgage bubbles deflated quickly. The new bubble of pre-stressed glass heralds the era of Sun & Silicon. Get ahead of the curve; use some of your oil profits to scoop plate-glass stocks.

Londont Archives

2008-07-07T11:33:00.023-04:00

Most visits are to current posts, but there are a surprising number of hits on archived entries. The continued popularity of "Urban Cougar Forest City Mascot" is likely due to trailers linking to media reports of on-going cougar attacks and sightings, plus the usual search engine queries -and your thoughtful referrals.
After migration to FastCompany website, a June 2007 post generated interest in England and Australia, but nary a response from target retirees in London, Ontario.

Other old favourites are found at:
http://londont.blogspot.com/2007/11/regional-road-vs-west-london-expressway.html

http://londont.blogspot.com/2006/04/places-to-grow-in-south-west.html

http://londont.blogspot.com/2005/01/wine-morels-and-sex-j.html
http://londont.blogspot.com/2005/01/twirling-lures-j.html
http://londont.blogspot.com/2005/01/shrikes-farmers-naturalists-at.html

Con-CERN & LHC

2008-06-30T20:37:00.027-04:00

All doomsday cults should mark 10th day of the 9th month of the 8th year of the 2nd millennium on their calendars. That's when when CERN physicists throw the switch on the Large Hadron Collider buried in a circular tunnel beneath the French/Swiss border. Physcists are in the hunt for evidence of "dark matter" and "dark energy" and are hoping to glimpse particles never seen before oblivion.
CERN says there is no conceivable danger of a cataclysmic event.
Tweaking of controls will be pretty well complete by August 10th with the big test coming on September 10th. CERN will webcast this event.
While the boys are experimenting with their accelerator,
perhaps they will discover how to output more
electricity than they input.
Don't get it? Then tune in Large Hydron Rap.

Neither Fission Nor Fusion -just Reduce Spin

2008-06-27T03:42:00.011-04:00

The fuel is water and the catalytic process to release heat and generate electricity has been demonstrated in a 2 megawatt prototype at Blacklight Power's research complex in New Jersey. A 50 megawatt plant is being built and there are plans to manufacture the new concept generators in 2009. The rub is that it flies in the face of current theory of quantum physics.
Device.com site provides some simple description and a diagram to illustrate the process.
A June 26, 2008 item on NewEnergyandFuel site sums it up with the comment:
"What is encouraging is that some highly competent people are on a path to validate within a couple of years. If it is shown to be viable the energy and fuel economy will shift in a big way..."

Ontario might stall its Darlington nuclear plans and stick with coal until the New Jersey verdict is in. Meanwhile, London Hydro can best avoid brown-outs and insulate itself from provincial energy antics by budgeting for a "new-concept" (grid-independent) generator.

Cold Fusion -Three New Approaches

2008-06-05T04:54:00.033-04:00

It will be recalled that the Fusion-in-a-Jar claims made in 1989 by Professors Pons & Fleishman could not be reproduced. See Wired Mag Aug 2007 article for background. Two two decades after the failed University of Utah attempt, scientists at Osaka University and at UCLA appear to have made separate breakthroughs.
1) A couple Japanese Profs dared demonstrate their process at Osaka University on May 22, 2008. Whither replication and utility?
2) UCLA scientists used a pyroelectric crystal experiment to produce a small amount of electricity. Their approach may lead to small fusion-powered scanning machines.
3) Emc2Fusion of Santa Fe, with a $1.8 million infusion by the US Navy is following through with plasma experiments of the late physicist Robert Bussard.
Stay tuned as the international fusion drama unfolds:
Positive review of Osaka Demo by PhysOrg publication -May 27, 2008
International Conf on Cold Fusion -Washington DC -Aug 10 to 15, 2008

So much for links. If you want expert opinion, follow posts on the AtomicMotor blog of nuclear physicist, Johnathan Chan.
The quotes alone warrant a bookmark; a favourite by R.P. Feyneman: "Our responsibility is to do what we can, learn what we can, improve the solutions, and pass them on."
At the 2008 ISA EXPO, keynote speaker, David Nagel, Ph.D said, an infusion of just $10,000 annually for five years, could move Low Energy Nuclear Research (LENR) from experimentation to "products."

SWEA -a Truly Regional Entity -or just Freeway One

2008-06-02T20:07:00.029-04:00

The Clinton News Record reports on Provincial infusion of $300,000 to rev up efforts of the South Western Economic Alliance (SWEA) to enhance economic prosperity in a broad region sweeping east of Lake Huron over to Guelph, Brantford and Simcoe. Aside from Stratford, all six listed partners are astride the 401/402 corridor: Chatham-Kent, London, Sarnia, Windsor and Woodstock. Conspicuous by its absence from the list is St Thomas.
Since jobs in communities north of the two freeways are mostly in agriculture and tourism, improved highway access to southern markets and northern tourist destinations is crucial. And, if school closings and more ghost towns are to be avoided there has to be investment in highways before manufacturers can be attracted -and before the exodus of more food processing plants can be arrested. Paul Steckle, MP for Huron/Bruce acknowledged the situation is desperate, but didn't identify neglect of highway network as a major problem in new era of high transportation fuel costs.
The city of Owen Sound and towns such as Exeter, Goderich and St. Marys will have to step up as partners, else; by default, SWEA remains a promotional tool of southern freeway cities. The "freeway partners" can best engage their northern neighbours in promoting regional economic development by pushing for better connections to the 401 and 402.
The Ivey School of Business was commissioned to study the area's trade and the need for expansion of road, rail and airport infrastructure. Academics might review the case made for enhanced highway connections via earlier posts --here and here.

Solar Power comes to Snowy Climes

2008-05-24T06:44:00.034-04:00

Ever-higher fossil fuel prices stimulates investment and research in renewable energy innovation. An Ontario firm announces demonstration project for its industrial/commercial solar concentrator. Menova Energy's roof-top installation will help provide electrical power, heat, cooling and optical cable interior lighting to a new Wall-Mart store in Markham.
Suddenly the future looks a lot less cold and gloomy; at least Ontarioians need not freeze in the daylight.
Before we cheer, however, it looks like small thinking trumps again -even as we face brownouts and the Province schedules shut-down of coal-fired generating plants. Ontario regulators cast chill over green energy initiatives with 10 megawatt cap. Read Toronto Star article.
Meanwhile, IBM research makes headway with increasing electric output of concentrator photovoltatic cells while reducing their cost.
Intel funds solar startup and HP licences its clear transistor for use in solar panels.
Patent holder assigns rights to a team of MIT students who deliver a prototype solar/steam generator that is cheap and scaleable. Check out their new company, RawSolar, and spread the good news.
California firm demos solar array panels shading corporate parking lot.

Hydrokinetic Turbines for S-W Ontario?

2008-05-16T20:25:00.024-04:00

Wherever water flows there is kinetic energy. Hydrokinetic turbines placed in fast-flowing river channels could provide new clean power sources for many Ontario communities. Two American firms are already developing prototypes to harness international currents on the Niagara River. Read breaking story in BuffaloNews.What's next? Perhaps submerged turbines in the Detroit and St Clair rivers.

Plutonic Power Corp. is on the forefront of "run-of-river" hydro projects in B.C.

Scan other hydro innovations in Economist Magazine. With the turbine/generator unit developed by Open Hydro (an Irish firm), the Saugeen River from the Grey County highlands to the Lake Huron shore could well become a major electricity producer. Even London Ontario might be able to eke out a couple of megawatts through redesign of spillways at Fanshaw and Springbank dams.

Read London writer/producer, Mary Ann Colihan's investigative piece on Verdant Power's installation at Cornwall on the St Lawrence.

Portual and the Orkney Islands are building Atlantic "wave farms."

The United States is about to take a fresh look at hydro power. as part of economic and infrastructure stimulus.

It's the Paradigm, Stupid

2008-05-05T06:43:00.017-04:00

Bill Clinton got elected on the four words, "It's the economy, stupid."

Mr. Brooks, a New York Times Op-ed writer now suggests, "It's the Cognitive Paradigm, Hillary." Brooks points out that rather than blame economic upheaval on free-trade and out-sourcing, Americans should accept that we are on the cusp of the Cognitive Age and get on with learning new cognitive skills.

Meanwhile, Wired Magazine highlights a story on the creator of a software application that may just provide part of the solution to acquiring such cognitive skills. Unfortunately, the journalist's "story" gets in the way of the reader's prime need -access to usable information. Apparently Supermemo can help disciplined students develop skills in absorbing, recalling and combining information. It assists with the building of an enduring second-language vocabulary, as well as improves retrieval of previously absorbed info in fast-evolving technical fields. Forgetting is easy, but recalling words, definitions and formulas takes solitary effort in interval practicing.

A more dynamic skill for absorbing concepts and tackling complex problems is "mind-mapping." To wrap your mind around this thinking tool, read article in New York Times and a Wikipedia entry.

Review: Animals in Translation -by Temple Grandin

2008-01-18T20:28:00.001-05:00

There are basically two approaches to reviewing a book: critical and descriptive. Since the author has a PhD in animal science, this retired farmer will not stray from the descriptive mode.

Although co-authored by Catherine Johnson, the voice is that of Ms Grandin -and what an authoritative and unique voice this is. Their book should be on the reference shelf of every farmer, animal breeder and veterinary student. Even the reader who does not have to contend with chickens, cows, horses or pigs, will benefit from insights provided through a special lens.
Grandin contends the worst thing an owner of a farm animal or household pet can do is make the animal feel afraid. The pages devoted to understanding the temperament of the various breeds of dogs is a great help in the selection of a family puppy; this alone is well worth the price of the book.

As a teaser, Ms Grandin provides chapter excerpts on her web site:
http://www.grandin.com/inc/animals.in.translation.excerpts.html
In an associated blog, Grandin and Johnson relay a Wall Street Journal report on agressiveness by wild turkeys towards humans. Herein, naturalists warn that turkeys may join the "nuisance" ranks of city wildlife along with whitetailed deer and Canada geese. The bloggers' translation: Never let bulls, dogs or Toms think they're dominant.

PS Grandin's new book, "Animals Make Us Human" subtitled, "Creating the Best Life For Animals" is another great addition to the animal handler's bookshelf.

NAFTA Union Arrives

2007-12-10T12:55:00.002-05:00

With 2007 fading into history, this post fast forwards to a view of the North American geo-political landscape around Sweeney's 100th birthday.
By that date, the 3 main NAFTA nations melded into a quasi union akin to the European Common Market. From Panama to the Arctic, a common currency and a totally metric economy prevails. Because of birth rates and immigration, Arabic, Mandarin and Spanish lingo flourish south of the Great Lakes and the 49th parallel. Because of failing infrastructure in heritage cities -overflow of joint storm and sanitary sewers, rupture of water mains and lead contamination- new sustainable cities are beginning to crowd the shores of the northern lakes.

Northern polar waters became ice-free in the summer of 2016. Given a year-round ice-free North West Passage fifteen years later, Churchill Manitoba with its strategic location -ready access to both Asian and European markets- is now the largest port in the world. This center is the trading gateway to the continent and is the administrative capital of the new geographic entity. The 20-lane, mid-continent, trade corridor stretching from Hudson Bay to the Panama Canal is quite visible from the orbiting Inter-Galatic launch pad which was completed in 2023.

In preparation for super-nation status, duplication of place names disappeared, e.g., London and its neighbour Woodstock Ontario are no longer on the map: their respective monikers are Londont and Toyotown. The 10 lane expressway connecting Toyotown with the burgeoning city of Strathroy is called the DeCicco-Best Visionary Freeway. Although, Old Sweeney had a good run, dementia ensured he didn't make it to 100. Regardless, the name lives on with the dedication of the freeway loop connecting Strathroy via Wingham, Mount Forest, and Markdale to Barrie: Sweeney Memorial Turnpike.

Yes, the biggest changes are in transportation. Interstate highways and Provincial freeways are now seamless. The freight handling revolution started with trucks around 2022 and by 2030 auto traffic was pretty well automated. For the last ten years all new cars and trucks have factory-installed transponders which are monitored by a National Grid Authority using sophisticated GPS technology. Key feature is a "user pay" system permitting the various provincial/state jurisdictions to automatically collect toll rates and speeding fines. Municipalities will soon tie into the International Grid and be able to extract user fees based on kilometers actually travelled on all streets and local roads.
And, of course, much of this only came to pass because parochial-minded politicians were the first passengers on the one-way inter-galactic space ship.

Dire turn-of-the-century predictions of droughts, floods, and starvation never materialized. Following the 20-year period of rising temperatures (1978 to 1998) northern hemisphere temperatures plateaued. Now, a new crop of alarmists claim diminishing co2 emissions are about to percipitate another little ice-age. Indeed, the latest tempertature modelling report predicts temperatures will fall over the next decade.

PS
Blog archives contain the first post on NAFTA highways. Related essays can be called up by clicking on labels at bottom of this piece.
PPS
England is first to test GPS -based toll collection.

To end 2007 on a nostalgic note, transportation-obsessed and car-crazed readers are directed to the Le70Sabre site. Have an enjoyable trip, and slide into a happy and sober NeW YeaR.

Provincial Highway vs. West London Expressway

2007-11-22T20:02:00.122-05:00

A Place to Stand, A Place to Grow was Ontari-ari-ari-o's theme at Expo 67. Soon there was standing room only in the Greater Toronto Area. To deliver on "a place to grow" the NDP government pushed through massive expansion of London -giving the City six million dollars to plan for population and infrastructure growth.

Soon, the City's north Urban Growth Boundary was set along the new Middlesex County line, and Community Plans were approved without provision for an in-city expressway ring and associated interchanges. See map of conceptual ring road in August 2006 London Free Press.

The City's dream of a west industrial-strength expressway was shunted to a long-term Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The controlled-access mid-block corridor would run from the 402 only as far as Oxford St W, leaving north-bound traffic to dog-leg eastward across the Oxford St Bridge and then north through Hyde Park.
Meanwhile, approval of west subdivisions proceed as do estate lot severances in the county. These events complicate designs for the connection of two arterial roads (in two different municipalities) for a wide peripherial highway ....even as plans for servicing the city's southwest sector are pursued.

What then, does the City's transportation vision reveal? Two things: Optimum mobility in London and region is not an objective, and fully-functional peripheral roads on the west side and across the north cannot be planned and built without Provincial involvement, and without cooperation of and benefit to all impacted municipalities.

Advocated is a Westdel Bourne Rd river crossing with a short easterly alignment over converged CN/CP tracks at the southern terminus of the Denfield Rd. This is the key link in what is obviously a regional highway connecting Highway 4 at Clandeboye (south of Exeter) to the 402/401 .
The cross-river stretch from Oxford to Gainsborough streets can be a 4-laner initially. The rest of the route on mainly existing road allowances is a 2-laner which can gradually add extra lanes as needs arise -given foresight of adequate building set-backs.

Since the section of Highway 4 between Clinton and London was not down loaded in 1998, any southern re-routing from Clandeboye through Denfield and rural west London would logically be a provincial responsibility. With a Provincial Highway designation, the costs of engineering, construction and ultimate maintenance would not fall entirely on Middlesex and London taxpayers.

Unlike the TMP's short mid-block expressway, the Highway 4 re-route actually intersects all east/west city arterials. With no disruption to productive farmlands, it benefits both commuters and truckers, and gives northern communities (from Durham through Exeter) direct access to GTA and NAFTA trade routes.

Building a bridge to link a couple of expandable arterial roads enhances London's western gateway -and with Provincial involvement opens up an affordable trade/tourism route for the whole region. Surely, this makes more sense than forever plotting a far-off expressway well beyond the City's fiscal and geographic reach.

Let's focus on a seamless rural/urban interface rather than static separation. Build the connection and industries will come; miss the opportunity and more northern factories will close. If champions emerge, the Highway 4 diversion with an interchange at the 402 and improved intersections at Oxford St. W, Gainsbourough, Sunningdale and Fanshaw Park roads can be operational within a decade.

First, such highway diversion has to get on the Transportation Ministry's Five-year Southern Highways Program. And, before Queen's Park central planners put their stamp on Places to Grow in S/W Ontario, the South West Economic Alliance (SWEA) might provide traction for a 519Transportation Action Plan.

The big questions:
1. How many more elections before London's council shows the practical foresight of their predecessors who expedited completion of the Guy Lombardo Bridge linking old Hutton Rd with Wonderland Road?
2. Where are the champions across other mid-western municipalities and at Queen's Park for such strategic initiative?
3. Where's the concerted push of regional trade and tourist associations -and area Chamber's of Commerce?

The message then, to leaderships of all stripes in the Counties, the Towns and the City which Highway #4 services:
Think Strategically. Act Regionally. Take a Stand. Get it Done.

Since affected municipalities can be slow to present a united front,individuals and business associations might consider making direct submissions for the required Provincial needs/justification study to local MPPs, the Minister of Transportation, the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, the Minister of Trade and the Minister of Tourism. Find the MPPs at:
http://www.ontariotenants.ca/government/mpp.phtml

PS1
Comparison of MOT's (2007 - 2011) construction maps for Southwest and Central Ontario indicates the Province has pretty well abdicated new highway work in the area north of London and west of Owen Sound, while concentrating its resources (inc'l s/w fuel and vehicle license taxes) in the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
PS2
A long article by Dr. Glaeser of Harvard, on the sad fate of Buffalo NY, highlights the real genius of democracy: Business leaders and voters are ultimately to blame for procrastination leading to regional economic decay and population decline. Apathy is complicity.
PS 3 If you see far-reaching benefits of this proposal, get on the advocacy bandwagon and continue to push political buttons.

Gates Challenges Grads -Sweeney Goads Retirees

2007-06-09T17:57:00.034-04:00

The world's biggest philanthropist urges Harvard graduates to use their intellects and the Internet to overcome complexities in tackling global inequities in health, wealth and education. Surprisingly, he does not suggest to these business school graduates that wealth creation is the surest way to give back to society. And, inexplicably he does not exhort them to help resolve America's chief domestic problems: drugs and guns.
http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2007/06.14/99-gates.html

Regardless of whether you, the reader, is still a student or a recent graduate, take time to ponder what Bill says. Sure, pressures on students and grads are heavy, but a little extra-curricular effort researching a complex problem outside the immediate area of specialization brings its own rewards.
Let old Bill and young turks tackle global problems. Actually, the greatest squandering of intellectual resources is with retiring baby-boomers; this is the cohort who have spent 30 to 40 years honing analytical, business, trades and communicative skills. Rather than lament the loss of usefulness, take the opportunity to balance domestic chores, golf, and travel with community engagement. Earlier retirement, exercise and excellent medical care -together with a little productive work -results in a more satisfying and longer life.
But, how many retiring professional and business leaders will use their time, talents and perspectives to benefit their city and region? How many will use their intellects in networking with locals to attack & solve local problems?
1. Determine the goal.
2. Identify the highest-leveraged approach.
3. Discover the ideal technology for such approach.
4. Make smartest application of existing technology.

People in their 60s and beyond need productive relationships. Discovering and implementing needed solutions to intractable problems gives purpose and structure to retirement work that matters.
The Test:
Where's that collaborative can-do & will-do spirit?
Do retiring Londoners have the creative spark to launch Think & Do Tank(s)?

If you think you might be able to contribute, read short FastCompany Magazine's handbook on forming city cells. A shorter version of this post appears on the FastCompany web site in conjunction with the launch of a London cell.
If you retired in south-west Ontario and any of this pushed your button, let's connect.
IDEAS:
1. Investigate, staff, and fund a shop for wannabe innovators who need facilities and tools to develop their product ideas. One model: http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/oct08/6801
2. Steal an innovation by the mayor of Curitiba, Brazil to increase bus ridership by using bus tickets in local lottery.

Urban Cougar -Forest City Mascot?

2007-05-26T17:48:00.124-04:00

If you've visited this long post before, be sure to scroll towards end to read 2008/09 media links to on-going cougar attacks and sightings. If you think media reports are exaggerated, you might scan statistics compiled by a blogger in California.
In event of a cougar encounter, real fear and panic can kick in -with disasterous consequences. VancouverIsland.com provides important advice to rugged westerners venturing into the big cat's wilderness territory. Given the common reaction of housewives to scampering mice, this site is an essential read when cougars (aka mountain lions) make forays into densely populated urban areas. In the east, cougar attacks are indeed rare: rare because, so far, the predator is rare. Their numbers are growing fast however, and no one wants to hear of a child being mauled. That's why parent education is vital. They must be vigilant, because there is little use telling a child not to run, to stare the kitty-cat in the eye, and try to look as big and mean as possible.
The arrival of 4-legged predators adds a whole new dimension to "Neighbourhood Watch." If you spot a big long-tailed cat roaming your locale, hustle children inside, snap a picture if you can, alert neighbours, call police and dial MNR.
Here is an email originally sent to grand-kids in mid-May of 2007. Read some serious satire plus sobering links -and make up your own mind about cougars.
Hallo, my Dearest
Yesterday morning, I stealthily tip-toed through the trilliums hoping to see deer and wild turkeys grazing on the far side of the woods. There were none in sight, but I did spot a pair of cat-like animals which I had only seen before in books and zoos. Beyond the open woods, a pair of brown animals were stalking woodchucks. One came along the fence-towards me and the cows. The other, squatted and stayed very still, looking towards the ravine. Suddenly, it bounded in long smooth leaps down the slope and out of sight. Its partner joined in the chase, and soon a flock of turkeys exploded over the ridge and flew to safety in the trees.
I did not have a camera, but was able to watch them for about 10 minutes in an open area. To see them so close to cattle and subdivisions was alarming. For the first time in decades of country living, this is my only sighting of the elusive cougar. Lately, they are spotted with increasing frequency in the City of London and on the nearby Oneida First Nations lands.

It's a bird. It's a UFO (unidentifable feline object.) It's Supercat. He can can pounce from 40 feet up, leap 30 feet on the ground and hit 60 km and hour in a sprint. Supercat is about 7 feet from the nose to the tip of tail; the tail being about the same length as the body.
Supercat is the ultimate "stalk and ambush" predator; big, quick, ferocious and deadly. He will eat about 50 deer a year. A female with 3 kittens will double the deer kill of a male. Whereas coyotes hunt in packs, cougars are generally loners. A pair is only together at mating time, and a mother will look after her young for about a year and a half.
A cougar hunts a river corridor for a week or so and then moves up stream or down stream, circling back in another season as hunger for fresh venison dictates. Turn up the volume to hear its blood-curdling scream.
Crouching on rocks and tree limbs, these Bambi killers stalk a variety of unsuspecting creatures. In sparsely populated western terrain, they are known to attack horse, sheep, camper, cyclist, hiker, and skier. Now, such havoc is about to be unleashed in densely populated southern Ontario. Some jurisdictions permit one to defend self and loved ones against a pit-bull dog, but not against the big long-tailed cat. And to add to civic madness, "some" cities believe large passive parks for deer and their predators constitutes great urban planning.
Be sure to tell your golfing uncles to look over their shoulders and to stay out of the rough. Because running triggers the cougar's chase instinct, early-morning joggers are particularly at risk. By the way, an Ontario hunter in the same defensive circumstances as that turkey hunter in Nevada would face a crippling fine or two years in prison -or both; pity his poor wife and children.
Since cougars, not humans are the protected species, farmers will have to carry a pop gun -or perhaps a loud chainsaw, and hikers in Gibbons Park, Komoka Park, Sifton Bog and Warbler Wood might be wise to carry bear repellent. Parents and teachers should warn adventurous students to avoid wooded river banks and parks during the holidays.

Cities and towns are for people.
City parks are for families, not wildlife refuges.
Urban corridors connecting "passive woodlots" for marauding animals are not in the public interest.
Upon including cities (over-run with deer) in their hunting territory, cougars tend to lose fear of dogs and people and come to see them as fresh meat.
Are politicians caring enough to face these realities -or will they await inevitable tragedy?

Toronto has a zoo. London is fast becoming one with geese, coyote, cougar, fox and wild turkey. Next, we will try to attract black bears and wild boars -and to fascinate Junior, let's add the endangered Massassauga rattler.

Before Council can officially proclaim Supercat as new mascot, Little Red Riding Hood has more to worry about than the rabid wolf when she visits Grandma in Forest City.

Take care. Love, Grand-dad

PS
Brave lads, here's a test for you, big sis, your mom, gramps and grandma:

If you should cross paths with a cougar (rather than being the victim of a stalk and pounce approach from the rear) would you?
(a) follow our learned friends' advice and stare the beast in the eye while waving your arms and trying to look as big and mean as possible
(b) freeze and wet yur pants
(c) fill yur pants, turn and run
(d) faint on the spot
(e) have a heart attack
If your instinctive reaction was (a), do you believe Supercat would be the first to blink?
How do you think the cougar would respond to the more likely reactions (b), (c), (d) or (e)?
In any case, tally the family results and forward them to the Mayor.
What else would you do to convince City and Province to act in curbing this new city menace?
E-mail the Mayor: adecicco-best@london.ca. and, the Deputy Mayor: tgosnell@london.ca
And, be sure to message or copy:
Ontario Premier, Dalton McGuinty mailto:dmcgquinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org or, try his new Minister of Natural Resources, the Hon Donna Cansfield: dcansfield@liberal.ola.org
Also, PC leader John Tory: john.tory@pc.ola.org
------------------------Cougar Chronicle-----------------------
The Eastern Cougar is listed under Ontario's Endangered Species Act. Since a hunter cannot distinguish the protected species from other subspecies, all cougars are essentially protected from harm and harassment under the Act. Even with DNA analysis, it is difficult to define a genetic profile for the Eastern Cougar, i. e. they essentially have the same genes and attack instincts as the western Mountain Lion. If the somewhat isolated incidents in the sparsely settled Rockies are any indication, then once recovery efforts in Ontario's populous heartland bear fruit, killing and mauling of children can be expected -especially as deer are depleted.
Many researchers and predator sympathizers do not believe the Eastern Cougar survived efforts of pioneers to eradicate threats to farms and early settlements. The media picks up on the tune that the menace having disapeared by the late 1800s, there have been no cougar attacks in Ontario in the intervening (cougar-less) century. With their rebound, all the more reason for the MNR to act in reducing real threats by any artificially introduced cross-breeds -especially in metropolitan areas. When it comes to controlling the dangerous cougar population, however, the MNR apparently has a "no-touch" policy under their mandate of protecting native wild life. Yet, when it comes to roaming domestic fallow dear, which are not native but are harmless to humans, they have a "no-tolerance" policy.
In Pamplona, the crazies run with the bulls ...and some get gored.
In the Forest City (an oxymoron), thrill-seekers will be tempted to befriend cougars ...and some will get bites and scratches, others will be breakfast. The point being: Bulls and pumas have their appropriate places, but by their lethal nature can never share urban spaces with people.

Does something have to be done about urban deer management, and elimination of cougar and coyote threats in cities ? Absolutely, if citizens are to reclaim safe usage of back yards, community parks and pathways.

After a cougar chased a couple and their dog near their home in Prince Edward County, the local newspaper attempted to draw attention to the matter by headlining, "Cougar sightings few and far between: expert " The quoted expert claimed, "With wild cougars there is not really any danger at all. They're quite a shy animal." Readers of the Belleville Intelligencer know that regardless of source , the eating habits of these big cats are deadly, unpredictable -and unacceptable in farming and urban areas.
Across North America, cougars are not endangered. In the far west they are locally common and are legally hunted in some parts.

Skeptics might scan this synopsis of fatal cougar attacks in North America. Given this trail of fatalities, one can only guess at the number of children left with disfigurement and permanent scarring after being mauled by cougars.
With their alarming population increase they are quickly spreading eastward into agricultural and urbanized areas. Already, their presence has been noted in northern Michigan and in northern , eastern and southern Ontario.

After just over a century of eastern containment, the lid on Pandora's puma box has been sprung. Organized apologists for a predator that can maim or kill you or your child would ignore the sobering implications. To them, cougars are the peak of wild beauty and deadly power. Hence equal space here to the US-based easterncougar.org whose aims are:
1. To teach us to live with cougars.
2. Propagation and protection of cougars regardless of origin -and regardless of human population density and threat to kids, pets and farm animals.
Then, we have the Nature Canada organization who appeal for help in "stimulating concern for this beautiful endangered animal. " But again, without any concern for endangered children. Schocked by the ordeal of a mother and child, another organization calls the actions of cougar propagators criminal.

Some readers may have heard a July 5th, 2007 CBC interview of London's Manager of Environmental Programs. He stated there have been at least 10 recent sightings of big cat-like animals along the City's river and creek valleys. His concluding comment preplexed CBC listeners: Londoners may have to learn to live with cougars just as they have done with deer. " Left unsaid, "It's the City policy of not culling the timid white-tailed forager that entices the foracious predator to enter and linger in our midst." Whereas, citizens may tolerate hedge-nibbling deer, brazen turkeys and lawn-pooping Canada geese, they are not about to live with child-stalking predators. City Hall has yet to make the distinction between menace and nuisance -and between pest and predator.
The City of Yellowknife officials are more pro-active. See media advisory
Cougars preference for habitat is a large back-woods area along a waterway with plentyful food supply. Apparently the Forest City qualifies. The question for thinking Londoner's is: "Given increasing big-cat sightings over the last year, where will such lassiez-faire attitudes leave us by the next election?" Certainly, slow thinking and even slower reaction by public servants will not protect the vulnerable (kids and old folks) in our neigbourhoods from a cunning and lethal predator.
In and around Calgary, cougar management is practiced by catching and removing predators to more remote areas; still, wildlife experts expect increasing urban encounters. Oregon takes a more drastic approach to cougar management in urban areas.
Near Kamloops, a 12-year-old boy recovers in hospital from major lacerations to his face, scalp and rib cage. After cougar maulings of a girl (accompanied by her mother) and of a tourist in a campground, a BC conservation officer warns, "Cougars are particularly dangerous because of shortage in their normal prey."
Note: The officer did not say the cougar population becomes self-regualting through cannabilism and starvation. As cougars continue to breed and cull deer, these resident predators will not go hungry. It boils down to:
More cougars = Less venison = Hungry cats = Child prey
To the east, cougar revival appears to be centered in the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority's 234 hectare Wainfleet Bog and in the Kawartha Lakes area. In the west and just downstream of London and First Nations lands, the likely sources of our city's prowling cougars are the Skunk's Misery conservation complex and the nearby Nature Conservatory of Canada lands.

Remember, the only threats to cougars in the 1800s were the guns and hounds of farmers and trappers. By the 21st century Ontario Man was effectively defanged and neutered by legislation. Is there any confidence that today's enforcers of gun laws and the Endangered Species Act have the balls to eradicate a deadly predator from our cities and towns?

Read a long article in a 2003 issue of Outdoor Magazine. In detailing his quest for confronting a cougar in the wild, the author sheds some light on the amazingly fast and frightful cougar comeback. Multiple attacks on cyclists and horses suggest cougars quickly acquire a taste for more than vension.
Media reports of sightings and attacks usually include the disclaimer: "Cougar attacks on humans are very rare." As evidenced by many links in this article, such comments should read, "Cougar attacks on humans are growing in frequency both in the wilderness and in farming and urban areas." Indeed, with an abundance of 2-legged (human and turkey) prey and a fluctuating supply of 4-legged prey, cougars in southern Ontario could soon be out of control.
Farmers are used to handling large animals and are unlikely to be intimidated by a cougar. Those not so conditioned, eg. campers, owners of hobby farms, seasonal residents in cottage country and urbanites need to get informed -and should be alerted by authorities when cougars are spottted near their homes. Even professional cougar trackers are fair game. No one should approach a cougar, its kill, or its kittens.
Who then, in their right mind would campaign to introduce child-eaters in areas frequented by families? Trent and other universities in conjunction with the Canadian Wild Life Service, use endangered educational dollars to talk-up habitat recovery for this wide-ranging predator. Indeed, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resourced, in conjunction with the Ontario Puma , is quietly developing a recovery plan for the cougar. Since academics, bureaucrats and councillors can be slow to comprehend unintended consequences, it's up to farm organizations (CFFO and OFA) plus sensible urbanites to call for a sunset clause on the "protected" status of the cougar, request the legalization of wild animal repellant for campers, farmers, joggers and hunters -and plans for regional predator control programs. Because of the big cat's protected status, anyone shooting a cougar in an attempt to protect himself, family members, a pet or livestock could end up in court.
Contact your MP and MPP and copy the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources. It will take exceptional grass-root resolve to prompt politicians at all levels to react -let alone lead.

The MNR, after acknowledging the presence of cougars in Ontario, has just set up a research project (Trent/MNR/DNA Lab) in Peterborough.
Not yet convinced that cougar recovery in central and eastern areas of the continent -and over-spill into southern Ontario's urban areas is alarming? Then read about the Medal of Bravery awarded to Elliot Cole for saving a cyclist -and the posthumous Star of Courage award to a BC mother who died in saving her six-year-old son from a cougar.
Maybe it's time for mothers displaying a "Baby on Board" sign in their car's window, to paste a "Children before Cougars" sticker on the bumper.

Since a child's life is worth more than a cougar's, the arrival of the stealthy urban intruder is not to be celebrated. If parents become aware of a killer loose in a nearby woods, what can they do? Heed disclaimers of experts and await the mutilation of the first child -or educate themselves on the ever increasing threats (see media items below) and insist on responsible wildlife management.

Grey County Back-date December 2006
The Georgian Bay Explorer reports Cougars spotted throughout Grey County
London Up-date Sat June 16, 2007
Another sighting on Westdel just south of Oxford St W. A resident awoke to a ruckus in his front yard at 1 am. A cougar was attacking what appeared to be raccoon up in a tree. Police were notified around 8 am. On Monday the MNR arrived to search for animal hairs and scat.
London Up-date June 7
Residents and police see and hear another cougar in Byron Village
London Up-date Mon June 18
There was a daylight sighting by police near Exeter Road.
Manitoba Jan 2007
Good description of cougar feeding on prey together with sharp picture.
Saskatoon alert of June 19
Saskatoon June 22
Police spot cougar patrolling a foot-path on the other side of the river.
Saskatoon to deploy tracking hounds. June, 29
London Up-date June 29
Forest City retains under-cover specialist to confirm if sinister Big Cats roam.
Quebec June 29
Gatineau Park sighting.
Whistler BC July4
Conservation officer shoots cougar suspected of stalking cyclists and golfers.
London Up-date July 11
Having spooked residents and deer in west London, mystery animal(s) make foray into the London's Medway Creek Valley, bringing count of suspected sightings to 17.
Whistler BC July 23
Cougar that chased cyclists and allegedly stalked golfers finally killed.
Belleville Cougar July 24
Prince Edward County couple and Labrador Retreiver chased by cougar in field behind their home.
West of Saskatoon July 26
Fatal attacks on horses implicate cougars.
Saskatchewan July 27
Farmer blames cougar for killing horses in paddock, while official says, "The reason people are seeing more cougars and the effects of cougars is because we are going into their territory."
Hot Weather Hunt Comes up Cold August 3
London Under-cover Specialist finds no hard evidence in spite of over 30 reported sightings.
Simcoe County Aug 16
Cougar north of Barrie dines on wild turkey.
Georgina, York Region August 22
Horse injuries blamed on cougar. Laurentian University confirms fur sample was from a cougar.
Saskatoon Aug 23 "News types" spot down-town cougar. Sask Environment say there's still no hard evidence.
Vancouver Island Aug 23
Another BC parent saves small son from big cat.
Canmore Alberta Aug 29
Family terrorized. Cougar has hissy-fit after house wife throws brick at terrier-snatching cat.
Welland Sept 12
Big cat attacks horse in paddock
Vancouver Island Sept 20 Cougar spotted close to Day Care, Elementary, and High School.

Vancouver Island, Horne Lake Oct 1 Cougar lunges at dog and owner out for walk.
Colorado, USA Oct 8 Cougar grabs dog on chain, and owner shoots to protect himself.
Minnesota, Oct 12 Trailcam records Cougar in wild.
Parkhill, Ont. Oct 23
Cougars are now patrolling Ontario's west coast in vicinity of Pinery Provincial Park.
Pelham, Ont. Oct 26 Spooked resident claims big cat visits his barn, but MNR'r motion-camera shows nothing of interest.
Warwick, Ont. Nov 1 Big cat spotted alongside Lambton County road. Police issue alert.
Arizona, Nov 16 Bioligist dies after performing a necropsy on a cougar that was later confirmed to have died of the plague.
Port Franks, Ont Nov 16 Big Cat spotted in yard tree in Lake Huron community.
Missoula, Montana Nov 20 Deer hunter stalked, panics, drops rifle, and runs to get behind a tree. cougar jumps on his back, victim manages to scare cat with pistol shot.
Whitewood, Sask Nov 21 Cougar blamed for attacking pigs.
Saskatoon Dec 7 Mangy coyote roams city parks.
London, Ont Dec 13 Big black cat revisits Kipps Lane. Leaves tracks.
Prince George, B.C. Feb 1, 2008 Within a week officials shoot two cougars after one kills dog on porch and another kills dog in yard.
Vancouver Island Feb 9 Biker injured in cougar attack.
Brantford, Ont. Feb 18 Police spot big cat with six-foot stride travelling along sidewalk near apartment complex and thence along a Hydro line easement.
Prince George, B.C Feb 20 Cougar shot ...believed threat to kids and dogs.
Prince George, B.C. Feb 29 Another Cougar shot after killing llama.
Okanagan, B.C. March 6, Two cougar attack ranch dogs, are tracked and shot.
Frankford, Ont (10km north of Trenton) March 12, Large paw marks lead MNR to small animal kills 20km away. Hair-trap and trail camera set up.
Hamilton, Ont March 18, MNR says animal injured along 403 was a coyote and not a cougar . Cougar sightings have been reported along London's Hamilton Rd and Dingman Creek in firtst two months of 2008.
Okanagan, B.C. March 14 Duo of male cougars attack ranch dogs; are tracked and shot.
Brantford, Ont March 25, Outdoorsman tracks animal spotted by police back in mid-Feb, takes pictures of paw prints, and actually spots the long-tailed cat.
Carnduff, Alta April 4, Citizen shoots cougar in farmer's yard; incident under investigation.
Chicago, April 15, Slaying of Cougar inside city justified.
Port Franks, Ont May 6, Man spots cougar-like animal in resort village, and gets paw cast.
Markdale/Flesherton, Ont, May 4, Grey County woman tells MNR, cougar-like animal seriously injured her dog.
Plum Coulee, Man. May 11, Cougar photographed running through rural back yard.
Los Angeles, May 10 Bold attacks on young children results in tracking and killing of six coyote.
Port Hardy, B.C. Jun 5, Campers Beware!! Woman in a camping party, seeking privacy behind a tree, is attacked by a persistent cougar.
Phoenix, Arizona, June 24 Eaten alive: Cougar partially eats 55 year-old man near his mobile home.
Warwick, Ont. June 25, Big cat spotted along Lambton/Middlesex County border, near where a bear was seen last week.
Port Franks, Ont. June 30, Editor of GrandBendStrip newspaper tells the story of a resident routinely feeding racoons and a big cat in the resort village near Pinery Provincial Park.
Petrolia, Ont. July 4, Horse injured in paddock. Unknown animal inflics severe wounds on horse's front leg. MNR unsure whether a cougar or dog was responsible.
Ucluelet, Vancouver Island, July 11, Scary Encounter: Starving cougar approaches jogger and his dog in parking lot. Conservation officer called, and shoots cat.
Banff, Alta. July 10, Boaters get Photo of rare Bighorn sheep kill.
Spruce Grove, B.C. July 24, Cougars Stalk Hikers along park trails.
Moose Jaw, Sask. July, 31. Cyclist (and others) spot Cougar.
Morinville, Alberta July, 31. Homeowner shoots cougar out of tree, after wife is spooked getting the mail.
Litchfield, Connecticut, September 7, State officials doubt injuries to horses were caused by cougars.
Invermere, B.C. Oct 2, Cougar shot by conservation officers after it confronted three women walking their dogs.
Jackson County, Michigan. Oct 6. Horse killing attributed to cougar after latest of many sightings across Michigan
Saskatoon, Sask. Oct 7. Officers shoot cougar in Saskatoon residential neighbourhood.
Landcaster, Pennsylvania, Oct 10. Amish farmer claims he wounds cougar, follows it into woods where another one pounces on him. He stabs at it with knife and cougar retreats. Conservation officers don't believe his story, and subsequent evidence tends to confirm a hoax.
Port Franks, Ontario,.Oct 30. Sarnia Observer reports on inconclusive paw casts. Resident who feeds wild animals will try for better casts -and for pictures.
North Bay, Ont. Oct 29. On two recent occasions, cougars were spotted in city.
Pickering, Ontario, Nov 2. In separate incidents, a boy and a man spot cougar. Media & police alert schools, children and parents.
Welland, Ontario. Nov .Horse, believed to have suffered a cougar attack , put down by vet.
Peterborough, Ont Dec. 18 Cougar spotted in town.
Similkameen Valley, B.C. Jan 6, 2009 Man and dog attacked in backyard. Both recover from wounds; healthy cougar tracked and shot.
Oxford County, Ontario, April 2, Police spot cougar within 100 feet of rural home. Expert says it was not likely a cougar.
Meaford, Ontario, June 15, Restaurant owner spots golden cougar in rural area.
Barrie, Ontario, June 20, Area cougar develops a taste for veal.

Northern BC, Jan 4, 2010, Mother and dog are heros in separate incidents of cougar attacks near homes.

Milford, Connecticut, Jul 26, 2011 Young (and apparently wild) cougar killed by vehicle on highway

had DNA of Dakota origins.

Research & Innovation vs. Inconvenient Truths

2007-05-15T21:12:00.002-04:00

The previous post brought you links to emerging fuel-cell technologies. If your energy readings are running low, here's a spring tonic:
SOLAR BREAKTHROUGH
Canadian-born entrepreneur and Silicon-valley investment partners launch (24-hour) steam-generated power in the Mojave desert.

SOLAR POWER AT HALF THE COST
Technology Review magazine informs readers of new roof-top solar panels that concentrate sunlight.

BIOMIMICRY LEADS TO BETTER TURBINE BLADES
The Toronto Star features a story about doubling the energy of wind turbines in light winds. It involves an American researcher, a Canadian entrepreneur and UWO Engineering's wind tunnel.
International patents are being applied for in areas of propellers, compressors, pumps, fans, etc.
British Columbia pushes hydro power without dams using penstocks to divert a portion of river flow to down-hill generating stations. Sweeney says, given better turbine blades, engineers can develop in-line turbines that can be hung in fast flowing streams and rivers, eliminating not only dams but penstocks and generating stations.

BREAKTHROUGH APPLICATION OF AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY.
Honda's CHP (combined heat-power) is a basement unit that uses 90 percent of a fuel's energy by simultaneous generation of heat and electricity. It is used in Japan and Europe and is coming soon to North America. Be free of the grid, order one today!

US CONGRESS FAVOURS COAL-to-LIQUID (CTL) TECHNOLOGY
In the drive for "energy independence" commercialization of this technology will require the same kind of subsidies as corn ethanol and biofuels.

NUCLEAR FUSION -the HOLY GRAIL
Sandia National Laboratories has built and tested a prototype system making power generation by fusion practical within decades.

FOWL FARMERS GENERATE ON-SITE POWER
Scatologicaly speaking, by gassifying chicken poop, innovative farmers become independent of electricity grid.
technology
BATTERY STAND-BY PROLONGS LIFE OF BLACKOUT PRONE SUBSTATIONS
West Virginia utilizes Japanese technology eo manage grid overload.

MIT and SHARP MAKE SEPARATE ADVANCES IN FUEL CELLS
MIT boosts output of direct methanol fuel cells by about 50%. Sharp's new technology facilitates fuel cells that have same volume but longer life spans than current lithium-ion batteries.
NUCLEAR RENAISSANCE
As "Peak Oil" arrives, 4th generation nuclear plants enter the planning stage.

And, here's a tool for the few willing to go beyond ranting about wasteful energy consumption.

Coal to Electricity sans Combustion

2007-03-12T18:43:00.000-04:00

While enviro-evangelists Gore and Suzuki preach doom and gloom, Ontario proceeds with plans to transition coal-fired plants to natural gas and go nuclear long-term. Meanwhile, multi-nationals advance prototypes of clean energy generation based on coal-fed fuel cells.
Read about General Electric's test of its gassified-coal solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). Potential efficiency of over 50% is claimed vs. 35% for coal-fired plants.
Another article claims Siemens' pilot unit has a projected 90% efficiency. These articles include interesting quotes from a manager at the US National Energy Technology Laboratory: In January's Technology Review, Mr. Surdoval says, "I do believe GE has established new state of the art." A couple of months later in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, he says, "...the type of fuel cell that Siemens created is the most efficient of all."
The SOFC technologies which are designed to run on gassified coal are called distributed co-generation with carbon dioxide capture and storage (sequestration). Prototypes are scalable, and according to an April 07 article in Mechanical Engineering Magazine, megawatt systems will be online in 2012.
The International Energy Agency claims nearly one quarter of the world's energy is produced by coal. With China and India economic expansion, such use is expected to increase 30% by 2015 and 60% by 2030. Carbon dioxide spews into the atmosphere wherever coal, oil, or gas are burned to generate heat or electricity. Only wide-scale adoption of new coal technologies can curtail toxic emissions and climate change. Even 90% percent coal effecinecy, however, won't cut it in Europe and North America, let alone in Asia if coal gassification and carbon dioxide sequestration costs aren't acceptable -and if there aren't international phase-in agreements.

An Australian firm may be first to domestic market with a natural gas fuel cell unit targeted at lighting and heating homes. Indeed, 2008 & 2009 could be the years that "distributed generation" and CHP (Combined/Heat Power) register on investor and consumer radars.

An undated snapshot of fuel cell R & D in Ontario indicates the Province supports a variety of new energy initiatives. The March 07 issue of IEEE Magazine takes an outside look at Ontario's electric generation capacity and its long-term plans. More locally, world-class fuel cell work is well underway: UWO in commercializing a bio-fuel cell which uses a micro organisim, and Sarnia/Lambton going mobile this spring with hydrogen powered golf carts.
On the stationary front, there is an opportunity for London Hydro to become an early adaptor of coal-fed fuel cell generators. With appropriate planning and reserve build-up, the Great Southwest gets economic advantantage with uninterrupted electricity supply.
Monitor Canadian clean energy engineering at the h2fcc site.

Places to Grow in the South West

2006-04-07T11:11:00.004-04:00

Extending the 403 west from Woodstock makes St Marys and Strathroy magnets for new industries; it also puts Exeter, Mitchell, St Marys and Stratford in closer proximity to a NAFTA highway. The Smart Growth panel of 2003 ignored this suggestion and recommended more reliance on rail and improvements to the 401 between London and Windsor. To spur economic development, better connections were advocated for the Southern Georgian Bay area.
A new regime at Queens Park shelved smart growth and passed the "Places to Grow Act." Targeted is the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH) stretching outward from the GTA to encompass Barrie, Guelph, Fort Erie, Hamilton, K-W, Orangeville and Peterborough. The desperate operative words are: densification and transit. To appreciate the sheer size of the new growth area beyond the green belt, visit the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal site.
Other places to grow haven't been identified. If pressure is to be taken off the GGH, then the old Western Smart Growth area -call it the 519 Progress Zone- (see SWEA maps and statistics) stretching from Georgian Bay down to Lake Erie over to Lake Huron is key. The action words here should be economic integration and northern freeway planning.
The latter comprises two elements: a westward extension of the 403 and a new freeway heading north of the proposed 402/403 intersection to track by Wingham, Walkerton and Flesherton and thence across to the 400 near Barrie. This trade corridor brings Goderich, Collingwood, Hanover, Kincardine and Owen Sound plus the broad Saugeen district into the NAFTA sphere. With a wide corridor secured, construction can be staged over decades as an initial 2-laner and then built out to full freeway standard as mid-century needs dictate.
The architects of the Greater Golden Horseshoe reacted to a projected 25-year 3.7 million population growth with a Transportation Strategy. While not having the immediate traffic volumes of the Toronto-centric area, a Strathroy/Hanover to Barrie 400-series corridor deserves attention. Without good GTA and NAFTA connections, farmers and townspeople in Bruce, Grey, Huron and Perth counties face economic crisis -while our provincial taxes are used to renew and expand infrastructure across the outer regions of the GGH.

Agriculture is the predominant land use in the south west ...and is a major economic sector, albeit, an ailing one. Ignoring transportation deficiencies and concentrating on traditional agri-businesses is the strategy recommended by a consultant retained by Grey and Bruce counties. Such strategy does not stem the flow of young people taking two-lane highways south to find jobs along the four-laners. Restricted to small local markets and lack of off-farm jobs, farmers go bankrupt and places to grow crops lie fallow. Entrepreneurs locate elsewhere, leaving subsistance farming and tourism to sustain an economically-crippling geriatric demographic
The future of heretofore isolated towns need not be limited by their agricultural roots, low commodity prices ...and ghost rail lines. Local apathy combined with Provincial neglect just leads to depleted population -and re-generation of the Queen's Bush.

Fresh-thinking about highway planning and industry growth north of the 401's western corridor is overdue. First, comes evidence of a willingness of a broad coalition of northern 519 Zone interests to get their act together. Farmer groups, business associations and citizen's groups need to work with mayors and wardens in identifying ideas, projects and resources that will help build their economies from within. Lobbying for the freeway initiative is critical.
Cities straddling the western 401 and 402 corridors cannot be expected to take the lead in such northern strategy. They need to be reminded, however, that they prosper if the broader region prospers. Put another way: Only new trade links can prompt market forces to disperse new industry to places where jobs are really needed .. and in doing so, create the critical population mass to support expansion of world-class educational, medical and research institutions (and yes, arts & culture) in the freeway cities. With many of London's ward councillors having an aversion to both densification and peripheral development, perhaps a few members will entertain the regional growth alternative.
Region-wide investments in industry will keep pace with improving travel and freight efficiencies. Indeed, high-skilled jobs and increased municipal tax bases will not magically appear in advance of connections to wider markets. The latter involves making a persistent case for strategic investments in northern highways. Strategically, transportation planning should always reflect the needs of the regional economy. Participation in the South West Economic Assembly can help set the stage for enabling northern freeways to attract industry and jobs. And, since highways are an integral part of economic strategy, SWEA can best encourage northern participation by championing a 519 Transportation Board. To compete with the economic might of the GGH, forward-looking business, labour and civic leaders in the south-west have to focus on connections rather than separations as the best road to regional cohesion ...and lasting economic traction.

Thus, the seed for freeway expansion has been sown. It has recently been spread via a Wikipedia item on the 403 extension. Unless the impacted municipalities fertilize these ideas, there is little likelihood, however, that they will ever be germinated by Queens Park.
Globe & Mail article on Oct 10, 06 lauds small-towns (mainly east of Highway 10) in their success in attracting Japan-based auto parts plants. Proximity to to Alliston Honda, non-union workforce and great highways are credited. Here's an August 07 article on rural plant locations preferred by Asian parts suppliers.

A Sun Media March 15th article on dismal census results in the south-west foretells a stagnant economy, declining school enrollment and a geratric populace. And while municipalities struggle to present a viable regional economic front, academics do what they do best, form a group (ONRIS) to study the best practices in inter-regional economic innovation.
In September 2008 Sarnia will host yet another gathering of academics, consultants and politicians talking up regional economic development.
PS
Here is a short post on Sarnia sequel:
http://londont.blogspot.com/2008/10/swea-hears-for-investment-in.html

Berners-Lee Finally Blogs

2005-12-30T16:26:00.000-05:00

Bloggers are indebted to Sir Tim Berners-Lee for creating their space on the Web. He set up the first read/write Web site in 1991 ...and then promptly offered it free on the Internet. For this he was knighted. Researchers, educators and businesses around the world immediately capitalized on his invention. When the essentially hypertext-free Weblog (blog) version came online around 2003, wannabe journalists also got a free ride.
On his first blog earlier this month, the father of the Web says, "I intend it to be for semantic web stuff mostly." After scanning his 2nd post, the average blogger looks forward to other than the semantic "mostly." He tells us he has been writing geeky stuff on a MIT Web site (DesignIssues) for some time. Here's the guy who transformed geeky insight into foresight by facilitating creative space for border-less communal writing. Within a few days of writing his first post, he turned off congratulory comments when they surpassed 455.
The DesignIssues site has some dated comments on copywrite myths. Among bloggers and even blog providers there is a lot of confusion about "fair use" of links. In view of the emerging blog phenomena, perhaps Tim --or a media-savvy lawyer-- will provide clarification.
High-speed Internet is changing the document generation and retrival landscape. Last Century reclusives familiar with Microsoft Word but intimidated by publicly assessed Blogs, should have a look at a couple of recent entrants.
At Writely.com is a Web-based word processor which permits one to type, edit, save and share documents. Writely documents can be strictly private or made accessible to specified team members for editing. Writely brands its online word processor as: simple & secure document collaboration and publishing. It permits up-load of Microsoft Word documents and a one-click post to your blog. This online service should be a great creative medium for corporate project teams as well as students/teachers, and for members of writing groups who like reading and critiquing each other's work.
In spite of a catchy name, JotSpot is a high-octane WIKI workspace for institutional and commercial users. Here, early adapters are looking at a whole suite of customizable templates for collaborating on projects and written reports. managing written communications and records. See launch of a local initiative here.
Flickr,(from Vancouver)is an online photo sharing and organizing service that is catching fire around the world.
Thanks to pioneering work by Sir Tim, your creative words and pictures can now be parked on the Web safe from home computer crashes, natural disasters and vandals.
New technology is strengthening the sense of community and removing borders. Indeed, ever-increasing Web capabilities provide the workspace of choice for such onliners as educators, project teams , researchers and writers. They can now author, publish, interact and engage. In the near future, all of their files: data, text and music will be stored online.
September 2006 global celebrations mark the Web's 15th anniversary.
Sequel: Both Writely and JotSpot were bought by gorilla Google.

Silos as Hi-Tech Accelerators

2005-09-27T20:49:00.001-04:00

High-risk municipal incentives are not needed to kick-start next economy companies. Speculative bets are the domain of the private sector. It is not Council's mandate to provide seed capital. Needed is a culture conducive to starting and growing businesses, i.e. an arms-length role by council in coordinating and cultivating.
By underwriting London Economic Development Corp'n and contributing to various incubators, London taxpayers already prime the growth pump to the tune of $30 millions annually. Some would have us "up the ante" another 2 to 3 million. Out-of-control civic expenditures outpace home-owner tolerance for aggregating yearly tax increases ...and send progressive businesses to better managed jurisdictions.
Venture capitalists shun early stage investments. Why would a city council venture where professional VC partnerships dare to tread ... and draft taxpayers as guillible investors?
The most attractive lure for new entreprneurs is a competitive tax level. It is attained by operational management -not equity risk management. The city will never have the expertise to compete with angels, banks and venture capital firms. Stick to municipal basics. Do them well, and economic health follows.
To play devil's advocate: if the city has no business being lead VC, what in the name of economic development can be salvaged from the Next Economy Report?
1.Synergy amongst city silos : LEDC, Stiller Center, and TechAlliance should realize economies of combining info-structure before infusion of new civic money is even considered. Industry and university collaboration is best for fostering home-grown hi-tech. Any government-sponsored VC pool should be left to the Feds or the Province a la Israel's Yozma fund.
2. Regionalism: This would be a noble departure for London. A place to start is working with municipal partners from Woodstock to Strathroy in lobbying for an extended 403 trade corridor. Short-sighted turf mentality is the barrier.
The single-silo Toronto Region Research Alliance (with Fed and Prov support) also chases the holy grail of a high-wage economy. Unlike London, there is no sign that Toronto City Hall dares take equity positions in early stage startups.
New Directions: We have to decide between an emerging research, development, and commercialization center ...or an encroaching wilderness. Tree City's council must reverse its back-woods image and get its priorities straight by putting "open for business" ahead of saving old buildings that have outlived their usefulness ...and using property taxes to acquire woodlots at subdivision land prices.
T'is time for those seeking re-election to worry more about high taxes and decaying infrastructure and to worry less about promoting the hip element and starting a municipal venture capital pool. Millwaukee recognizes the drivers of standard of living are competitiveness and productivity. Its next economy slogan is "Competitive City." Also, for reality in the post dot com economy, read Uncool Cities.
Only enlightened leadership can instill the requisite "next economy" mind-set on Council ...and curtail excess zeal for investing tax dollars in nano/bio start-ups, woodlot acquisition and decrepit building preservation.

Old posts may be updated with new information. Re-visit.

With their location and cultural mix, Montreal and Vancouver rate high on Fast Cities. All speed-readers (and Prof Florida fans) should click on those side bar titles.
Within weeks of Christmas, creation of the new London Regional Development Development Board is announced as a merger of LEDC, TechAlliance, Stiller Centre for Biotechnology and the Small Business Centre.
While regional members in the new single silo are sparse, we still expect to see a noticeable leap in our region's techno-competitiveness. Regular reports on projects and results would be appreciated; no need for expensive annual high-gloss PR ...just a straight-from-the-shoulder blog by the honcho would suffice.
A week before commercial Xmas, a couple of tech-hip councillors use their BlackBerrys to message that the Civic VC fund died before birth ...and that a city-funded agri-expressway is among the walking dead.
On the eve of the penultimate longest night: Merry Holiday to all, and to all a good hike!

Dateline Queen's Park Nov 15, 2007 7, The Provincial Liberals have assembled a Super VC fund with four institutional investors to administer an initial $165 million pool.

Business/Professional Blogs & SEO

2005-09-17T12:37:00.000-04:00

To blog is to engage influencers in getting your ball rolling. Your advocacy blog should be more than an easily updated web site since your great idea impacts only if it has agents capable of spreading it through personal networks and support structures. It takes design and planning to flog your blog.
Whereas, the acronym SEM (search engine marketing) came to the fore with the proliferation of business web sites, it's newer teammate, SEO (search engine optimization) is often associated with business and professional blogs.
In starting LondOnt it was assumed, "build it" with original content and readers will "find it." It was envisioned as a niche site to show-case journalistic skills and to advance progressive civic projects, while shaming some councillors into representing all constituents rather than catering to a special interest. After 9 months, the Pulitizer Prize jury is still out ...and pre-election hype is just starting.
Advocacy blogs would benefit from September tips in blogbusinessworld. The return in investment of time/effort by blogger owner's subtle infomercials is not as easily measured as direct marketing efforts, yet the public relations, referrals and ultimate sales potential of their blogs warrants technical expertise not usually available in small (non-tech) firms and in professional offices; here's a great consultancy opportunity for some under-employed geek. A cheat sheet helps demystify HTML code.
There's a multi-page screed on the blogger site itself showing how to use the SETTINGS Tab to help optimize search engine page rankings.

Blog on Advocacy Blogs (revised)

2005-09-14T22:49:00.012-04:00

Philosopher/writer. Ayn Rand, said, "Ideas cannot be fought except by better ideas. The battle consists not of opposing, but of exposing, not of denouncing, but of disapproving, not of evading, but of boldly proclaiming a full consistent and radical alternative."

In advocacy blogging, the presumption is that content :
- is relevant
- is understood, and
- is usable
Aims of advocacy blogging are:
(a) to increase awareness & thinking.
(b) to stimulate engagement -and action.

Bloggers wear three hats: author, editor, and e-publisher. He/she is neither given assignment nor deadline; the only self-imposed dictates are original content and appropriate supporting links. Distill the facts, take a position and encourage online discussion,

1. Be persuasive, not abrasive.
2. A blog can be a web of influence.
2. Used skillfully, it's a great advocacy tool.
3. Articulate a problem and advance remedy.
4. Support your case with persuasive evidence.
5 Raise awareness & rally support for the cause.
7. Post often, but only with content that matters.
8. To grow readership, write magnetic headlines.
9. Strive to get it right & keep it tight. Less is more.
10. A well thought-out blog outreaches a good speech.
11. A hyperlink can be more compelling than blog post.
12. For impact, link to high quality relevant documents.
13. Online is forever, so don't author your own misfortune.
14. Be provocative yet respectful ...and advance alternatives.
15. Via ripple effect, a blog amplifies your message and impact.
16. If audience is wide and diverse, avoid jargon and acronyms.
17. Original thinking and relevant links are keys to high traffic.
18. Readership may be minuscule, but blog readers are influential.
19. Advocacy blogs, above all, are about connecting and credibility.
20. Figure out what the hell you want to say, then cut to the chase.
21. It's not as much about who you know, as it is who you can reach.
22. Anyone can rant and complain; most bloggers do. Offer solutions.
23. Few academics, farmers & politicians are convinced of new ideas.
24. Few bloggers exhibit the critical thinking and crafting of journalists.
25 If you can spell there is little need to go for purfection -or sloppiness.
26. And, beware of Sturgeon's Law: Ninety per cent of everything is crud.
27 Sweeney Law supplants Pareto's 80/20 rule: 90% of effort is for naught.

Blogs are not held to the literary standards of books and magazines, but they should show more finesse than email messaging. Even though time-pressured, executives who blog are expected to show some journalistic craft. e.g. avoid the passive voice.
Unlike journalists, bloggers don't have editors to clean up their prose. With instant publishing, we should heed a Hemmingway comment from the typesetting era: "The most essential gift of a good writer is a built-in shock-proof shit-detector."
All serious bloggers should ask the question: What's the purpose of broadcasting my unfiltered thoughts into cyber-space? This scribe's profiles on the Londont and on Le70Sabre Web sites attempt to answer that question.

On Feedback
1. Be succinct.
2. Engage; toss the ball back & forth.
3. Stay on topic and contribute new info.
4. Don't comment just for sake of commenting.
5. Attack or promote the idea, not the proponent.
6. Keep comments civil, intelligible, short and relevant.
6. Comments can be more interesting than original post.
7. Guru sez, "Absence of comments often signifies agreement.
8. Since comment cannot be deleted, delay response if emotional. *
9. Well-reasoned dissent (sans rudeness) helps understand topic.
10. Ignore Trolls: People who just comment to get a rise out of others.
11. Email is intended to be private; a blog comment is a public 1-to-many msg.
12. Some have courage of their convictions, others audacity of their anonymity.

* A properly signed comment submitted to this blog does not register immediately, but is moderated and if found acceptable is published after a day or two. Thus, if you have reservations or changes, submit a second comment within 24 hours asking that first comment be deleted -or just revise wording in a second comment and it will be the one considered for publishing.

The Opportunity & the Responsibility

2005-06-03T21:25:00.000-04:00

The municipal issue of our time is inner-city decay and densification accompanied by sprawl. Somewhere between here and Athens, Greece there is a municipality ready to throw in the towel and re-invent itself in a model appropriate to the electronic communication age. Let's prepare London for e-democracy by cultivating an engaged and better informed electorate in appropriately sized wards..

Mircro wards are a throw-back to the horse-and-buggy era. In the geographic lexicon communities are broader than neighbourhoods. It follows that "communities of interest" encompass neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood issues are mainly NIMBY. Petty issues will always be there; let's not multiply them. Better that Council cope with regional competiveness, infrastructure and tax containment than internal combativeness.

Toronto, the country's financial capital, is not a model. Being locked into 44 neighbourhood sand-lots and lacking a cohesive financial directorship, it is forever in turmoil. There is movement towards reduction of wards, i.e. bigger wards and also creation of an elected-at-large executive committee led by a "strong mayor." See:

Council need not be panicked into doubling wards while making a token reduction in total council members. Look beyond the self-serving easy-out of 14 mini wards for 14 incumbent councillors. Even if it means debating a seven ward "strong mayor" council next term, the legacy could be exemplary municipal governance for the rest of the Century.

Election Issue # 2 -size

2005-05-18T11:28:00.000-04:00

How many does it take to change a bulb in council chambers of Mississauga vs. London?
Mississauga: One to turn the bulb + ten to hold the ladder.
London: One to hold the bulb plus 1.5 dozen to turn the ladder.

Mississauga, with nearly twice London's population, manages well with 11 council members. Ditto for Windsor.

London voters asked for a downsized council at the last election; by a 9-7 recommendation on May 17, members opted for preserving the backward-looking status-quo; full council will decide on June 13th whether to protect their jobs with 19 positions, consider expansion to 14 NIMBY wards, ...or consider a 7-ward re-alignment based on broad commonality of economic interests. In any case, voters capable of envisioning the benefits and possibilities change offers, will note the "status-quo" holdouts or expansionists...and take appropriate action at the 2006 polls.

Council Size

2005-05-16T17:46:00.000-04:00

Things are tough when a blogger links to his own archives.
http://londont.blogspot.com/2005_01_01_londont_archive.html
In the midst of these posts is a Sept 2002 op-ed proposing 4 wards for the suburbs, 2 for mid-town, and one for the rural south. Scroll to: Better Model For City Government.
Inclusion of the far southern lands draining into a Lake Erie watershed was an accident of annexation. Since they could not be urbanized, the Annexation Act stipulated a distinct rural ward.
In spoke wards, councillors have to pretend they are qualified to represent all of the above distinct communities. They struggle with their given cross-section ...and the central and rural areas are marginalized.
With re-population of core underway (in spite of fights over demolition of every low-density eye-sore that has out-lived its usefulness), burgeoning central inhabitants deserve meaningful representation. Without a ward shake-up, the bulk of voters will live in the subdivisions and those they re-elect will continue to cater to suburbia.
Were candidates drawn form broad "Community of Interest" wards, they would have an excellent grasp of local concerns ...and constituents (and the city) would be better served. Using the proposed structure with 1 councillor per ward we get 11 elected civic servants --including controllers but excluding the Mayor.
Servants who won't put aside self-interest (job protection & name recognition) to advance the public good are requested to make the case for London having over 50% more elected reps than well-managed Mississauga. A comment of 25 to 30 words on this post should suffice. If they have no comment ...or their case is not not convincing, they risk being rejected by their masters at the polls. Incumbents are always an important election issue. Let the spin begin.
Given historical turn-out, voters themselves are perhaps the most pressing issue; that calls for a separate post.

PS posted May 26~~In reacting to a 14-ward proposal by the Urban League, Prof Sancton commented that London is too small for communities of interest. Such conundrum is avoided by the Sept 2002 proposal for 7 wards based more on communities of common economic interests than on feuding neighbourhoods.

~PS posted on eve of 2006 municipal election ~~~ Voters coping with 14 wards rather than 7, might want to review the 1991 Supreme Court decision in the Saskatchewan Povinicail ridings case. Professor Sancton was prescient in observing that groups will inevitably argue "effective representation" means boundaries must be drawn to take account of their particular concerns. As applied to London, an OMB Chair (not a boundary commission) determined "the right to effective representation" meant a doubling of wards.

Accountability, Semantics & Transparency

2005-05-13T18:59:00.000-04:00

Files 1.055 and 1.072 mentioned in a recent Environment & Transportation Committee agenda use such terminology as "northern freeway corridor" and "peripheral freeway." A May 7th e-mail to the Mayor and to Environment & Transportation Committee pointed out:

Freeways: divided roadways carrying traffic at high speed under free-flow conditions with access at interchanges only, typically connecting larger cities.
Arterials: roadways where movement of through traffic is the primary consideration with land access a secondary function.
Expressways: generally divided arterial roads with at-grade intersections.

Elected representatives are left with these questions: What city are they connecting to in Middlesex? If a freeway is preferred, why not engage all affected counties and the Province?

Buried in the January 04 State of City Address, "...we have continued our discussions with the County of Middlesex and the Province regarding the ongoing issue of a ring road." In the January 05 address neither a ring nor a peripheral expresssway is on the radar.

Back in 1972, Queens Park committed to helping with construction of Airport Rd. Thirty-three years later it's not a four-laner. Yet, some members of council would kid taxpayers that London can go it alone on a northern corridor (twice the length of initial Airport Rd) ...and in another municipality, without financial and planning assist from the province. For the sake of accountability, the January 06 State of the Capital address should reveal the amount spent on ring/peripheral road studies over the last 10 years.

Montreal, in its fight to retain the Shriner's Hospital, plays the "poor transportation access" card. Local support for a northern trade corridor provides broad regional access ...and 403 interchanges at major arterials takes pressure off an already jammed Wellington Rd.

Now, this blog encourages comment; pro, con or straddling the median. Perhaps a few brave council members will lend some transparency by accepting the challenge to sell voters on their doable 33-yr peripheral vision?

Election Issue -Affordable Ring Rd

2005-04-12T16:33:00.000-04:00

In an August 25th, 2004 letter to council, the London Development Institute emphasized the city neither needs a peripheral expressway nor can it afford one; it doesn't solve internal or external linkage problems. London Development Institute suggested the city encourage the Province to structure a Regional Transportation Plan ...as in the GTA, the Technology Triangle and the Golden Horseshoe.
In its city-centric drive for an agri-expressway, ring road discussions would involve London/Middlesex horse-trading ...with Perth and Oxford left out entirely. Provincial consultation might occur later.
Is it possible the alternative to a ring road, i.e a trade corridor, is viewed as giving the much smaller centers undue advantage in locating new industries? The Southwest Capital has an insecurity complex if it sees benefit in dealing with Middlesex to salvage a far-out commuter loop, over working with regional partners in lobbying for a provincially financed trade link.
Meanwhile, at the confluence of two freeways, Woodstock is in a position to attract a major auto plant ...rather than a call center. If London dithers much longer, there will be industrial land use on the field where a full 401/403 clover-leaf should go.
City and regional taxpayers take note: A northern inter-city freeway with ramps at Clarke/Airport Rd, Adelaide, Richmond, and at a connected Westdel/Denfield Rd completes a peripheral city road at minimal local expense while benefiting the region.
While others say, "Build the future by building trade corridors," London spins its wheels on a dream expressway far beyond its fiscal and geographic reach.

Closing the Ring

2005-03-22T16:24:00.000-05:00

Middlesex County always cast a wary eye on London's plans for an exclusionary expressway ..and rightly so, since it did nothing for the people of Huron, Middlesex, Oxford and Perth counties. Intersecting their major north/south roads with a 403 extension to Strathroy gives Exeter, Stratford, St. Marys and Wingham greatly improved access to a NAFTA route.
Our midwest cities and towns will only thrive if they cooperate now in promotion of such a high-speed corridor. The region either enhances its NAFTA presence or watches future generations of graduates follow the jobs south.
It is unlikely that an August 2004 letter from the London Development Institute was noticed in the counties. The letter provided ring road estimates of $62 millions for right-of-way purchase and construction estimates of $335 millions. LDI concluded: London can't afford to go it alone on its north expressway and urged the Mayor to improve external links by leading a rally to have the Province sponsor a Regional Transportation Plan.
As the newly self-proclaimed Capital of the Southwest, London should be ready to push the more practical and affordable alternative to the in-city-out-of-city agri-expressway. Indeed, all municipalities have to turn a new leaf ...and focus on connections instead of separations.
An inter-city freeway with ramps at Clark/Airport Rd and at a connected Westdel/Denfield Rd completes the north ring at minimal local expense -and just as importantly, benefits the counties.
Simple and straight-forward, yes, but it takes exceptional resolve to get municipalities to work together for the collective good. Voters will have to persist in e-mailing editors, their Mayors, MPPs and MPs.
Sent to the press in Exeter, St Marys, Strathroy & Stratford in March 2005 ...and appeared in the Lononer Apr 20, 05

Mass Transit & Trade Corridors

2005-03-18T13:45:00.000-05:00

All agree high-speed rail has priority over new freeways inside large cities. Still, this does not mean bullet trains are appropriate or affordable in medium-sized cities or in servicing vast but separated trading areas of the continent.
Convertible and SUV lovers now find they have to share their romance of the road with exhaust-spewing 18-wheelers. Via freeway networks these monster rigs help get food to the table, raw materials to factories and finished goods to consumers.
The urban planner's solution to resulting road congestion is densified housing along transit-served arterial roads. But, the children of families relegated by income to reside in such areas suffer the most from poor air quality. See Californian's lament about costs of free trade:
The boomer bulge pushed subdivisions beyond the range of mass transit. To paraphrase those old Caterpillar ads, "There are no easy solutions ...just tough decisions." In the absence of intelligent decisions on birth control and immigration we continue to build houses, factories, schools and supporting infrastructure. And, where the run to the job takes 40 minutes by stop-and-go bus or 10 minutes by car, few will spend an extra 5 hours a week on a bus.
Within a generation the motor replaced the horse. Soon the gasoline and diesel that powers today's engines will be replaced. So, don't feel guilty about your present mobility; just be prepared to welcome cleaner motive power over the next few decades ...and support staking out a future trade corridor north of London.

Surprise! London is # 3

2005-03-16T15:37:00.000-05:00

Cheer up sno-birds, global warming is putting London on the map. Although we still shovel snow for four months, London Ontario is a great place to retire -at least according to Geography Professor, Dr. Warren H. Bland. The well-traveled prof just published a 300 page book, Retire in Style: 60 Outstanding Places across the U.S.A. and Canada.
On his 12-point ranking, London comes in 3rd, behind 1st place Victoria, BC and 2nd place Boulder, Colorado.
For the full scoop on London, the Chamber of Commerce and the big real estate offices can order the book; the rest of us can start with a book review by Robert H. Bruss.

Transport Board Needed

2005-01-10T20:48:00.005-05:00

Cities and regional governments around Toronto have a joint board whose top priority is a seamless highway system. Given the province's decreasing role in funding roads, the London area should move to such a structure to avoid turf wars over road routing, design and cost sharing.
Case in point -Middlesex and London drivers are not convinced north and west agri-expressways fix inner-city traffic woes. Although the far west has no industries, millions would be spent on a heavy-duty high-speed stub across creek and through productive woodland and cropland from the 402 to Oxford St W; far better to avoid such disruptive mid-block corridor and join two existing roads, Westdel and Denfield; thus connecting Highway 4 at Clandeboy with the 402 .
Perspectives -In 98 the Province said there were plans for widening the 401 between Wellington Rd and the 402 intersection, but no current plans for a freeway connecting Woodstock to Strathroy. Regardless, business and political leaders in the area can best advance their NAFTA priorities by pushing for that northern 403/402 link.
Reality Check -The thru-London stretch of the 401 is not capable of handling future truck and auto volumes. Perhaps with London's ring distraction, other south-west municialities will take the lead in creating a strategic Transportation Authority.
In London Business Magazine & St. Thomas Times-Journal back in 1999

Ring Fixation Risks Provincial Support

2005-01-10T16:43:00.000-05:00

Brampton and Vaughan vie for a Highway 427 extension to service their industries. In the Niagara and Guelph/Kitchener regions, concerted lobbying has brought new 400-series roads to the planning stage. Sarnia quietly promotes a major upgrade of Highway 40; what is good for the Chatham and Wallaceburg areas must be "great" for Sarnia. New crossings at Bufallo, Sarnia and Windsor spell carnage through south London; yet, the city opts out of any region-based initiative and snubs benefits of a 403 westward extension. Unlike an expressway ring, it gives 400-series outlets to Richmond and Adelaide and other major roads shared by London and Middlesex.

Albert Einstein said, "Problems cannot be solved at the same level of awareness that created them." London is not an island and should not be obsessed with drawing a ring around itself. Fom the get-go, promotion of an in-city-out-of-city expressway ring begged regional and provincial players.
The whole area needs population growth to produce the critical mass enabling London status as a regional cultural, educational and medical center. Only broad public agitation overcomes political denial of competitive yet collaborative regionalism.

Across the Southwest we need a strong movement to push for integrated transportation and economic growth planning. Incumbents have the choice of accepting such reality now -or facing rebuff down the road.
In London Free Press & South London Reporter in spring of 2002

Shrikes! Farmers & Naturalists at Loggerheads

2005-01-07T09:07:00.000-05:00

The spin put on the fate of the eastern loggerhead shrike in the Globe & Mail (Dec. 17, 97) begs a response. This is a bird that eats native songbirds, devours insects nourished by crops and cattle -the latter of which stave off starvation of fields of naturalists. It is alleged the key to its survival is a law preventing cultivation around nesting sites of the not-so-adaptable predator.
His sources assure the G & M columnist the bird's decline was due to road-kill and alleged 65 to 85 percent conversion of grazed pastures to row-crop. Well, in granddad's day, best management practices dictated rotation of pastures with forage and grain crops.
The solutions are those parotted by urban naturalists who would use the metropolitan press to con parliamentarians into rushing ahead with disastrous USA type habitat protection. There was no admission the advance of post-war housing and feline infestation were factors. Nor was it acknowledged farmers had to adapt to feed millions more urbanites and pets than they had to in 1947. No caution was expressed that without a sensible sunset clause, ever-increasing acreage would be taken out of food production if release of breeding pairs by cavorting naturalists show results.
This is just another story of the powerful urban majority lobbying for laws they are not affected by, while the "rural minority" has to bare the burden of the negative impacts of the law. Regardless, the habitat recovery team asks farmers to partnership with them. Well, soon naturalists will see their country cohorts moving down their streets on a dark winter's afternoon. Set the field glasses aside and invite your fellow birder in for a hot cider; it can get pretty cold and lonely spreading the fruit of the thistle and thorn across gardens and front lawns.
Ontario Farmer Magazine in winter of 98

Sequel: where it's at 10 years later:
http://www.agrinewsinteractive.com/fullstory.htm?ArticleID=8416&ShowSection=News

Ethics 101 for Politicians

2005-01-05T19:53:00.000-05:00

Many are attracted by the platform local politics provides. If one is eligible to vote, one is supposedly qualified to run for elected office. Before teachers teach, and before preachers preach, they must acquire credentials. About the only leadership jobs people fall into without formal preparation are parenthood and political office.
A little education is a dangerous thing, and those who would lead should get a lot of it. Perhaps, Harvard Professor Bok was thinking of rookie politicians when he uttered, "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." Two weeks devoted to municipal governance, speed-reading and comprehension helps the chosen hit the road running. The electorate deserve no less -and should have access to scores on provincially mandated tests before casting their vote.
When sitting on committees, councillors have a responsibility to represent all constituents. Each issue coming before council has to be debated on its own merits. No member of council should have a knee-jerk reaction (grandstanding) just because supporting the "right thing" in a given situation offends a special interest group.
The non-voting majority complain about raucous council meetings and rising taxes. However, they permit that 35 per cent of voters who regularly return candidates based on name recognition to set council's composition. As much as we need an influx of councillors committed to working together for the good of all, we desperately need a large infusion of critical and informed voters.
When incumbents come calling, ask each to prove by their track record they bring the skills necessary for effective leadership, responsible policy making, and tax containment. When a new candidate knocks on your door, ask about their business or administrative experience, what they think the constituents' priorities are -and if they are comfortable representing everyone.
In an August 2003 issue of TheLondoner

Better Model for City Government

2005-01-05T16:17:00.000-05:00

All organizations represent the basic idea of community of interests. A few years ago such a structure was circulated to stimulate thinking on how to attract a strong team of political candidates. That was expecting too much. Through the device of an "appointed" task force, the status quo report council so desperately wanted was delivered.
The city has three main economic engines -agriculture, commercial/ industrial, and university/medical. There are three somewhat corresponding population bands: the outlying rural area, the expanding circle of of post-war suburbs, and the more mature central area. In the spoke configuration, the mid-town and rural sectors are marginalized since councillors cater to the concentration of voters in the "burbs."
Spoke wards neither reflect distinct communities nor optimize the mix of skills and experience needed. A more balanced council respectful of distinct community needs corrects the slide to a suburban agenda at the expense of central job growth and agri-enterprise. Eliminate a profusion of ward boundaries, and there will be less infighting over dollars for road upkeep and sports facilities. And, with the focus on community conditions and outcomes, more spokespeople will engage the civic process.
Better to allocate four wards to the urban ring, two wards to mid-town, and one to the rural south. This helps counter disruptive rivalry amongst too many councillors in too many wards. The board of trade in Brampton contends the 17-member council is too large for their city of 300,000. Neighbouring Mississauga functions well with a 10-member council. At 19 members, London is bloated.
The challenge: change both size and structure to put broad community interests ahead of special interests. That is the only way we will get what we need -a lean team of the brightest and the best.
There is always a better way; find it, refine it.
Proposal Advnced in a September 2002 issue of TheLondoner

Trade Corridor Needs Champion

2005-01-04T13:51:00.000-05:00

Back in Vision 96 days, council cheered the NAFTA Highway concept and asked the province to improve the 401 between London and Windsor. Then they forgot the trade corridor and launched expensive and inconclusive reports on a self-serving commuter ring.
The 1950s design of the Woodstock to London segment never anticipated a 21st Century free trade highway. Now, looking ahead 20 years, a multi-laned 401 through London will not be able to absorb projected truck volumes. Think of a clogged six-lane Wellington Road with a cloverleaf at Commissioners Rd. Relief would be provided by a NAFTA link near the north London boundary giving new outlets for north/south arterial roads such as Adelaide St., Denfield Rd, Hyde Park Rd, and Richmond St.
The city's Transportation Master Plan shows a proposed mid-block corridor paralleling Westdel Bourne (a designated 4-lane arterial) from the 402, north beyond the Thames then easterly near the city boundary to Clarke Rd. There is no evidence of a cost/benefit analysis comparing the ring with the 403 extension and west arterial alternative.
Council believes a peripheral loop avoids gridlock. The key assumptions: future generations in the west end would take a far-out northern ring to jobs in the east end ...and would tolerate their fuel taxes going to inter-city freeway expansions in more dynamic regions, while we bear full brunt of construction and maintenance of a city expressway.
Local councils resist improving London and Middlesex traffic flows while we await a modern-day Adam Beck to champion the obvious solution to Londons future traffic woes.
In South London Reporter in May 2004

Parallel Freeway Urgent

2005-01-03T19:49:00.000-05:00

To accommodate 50-yr build out, London vowed to protect a ring corridor even as it approved subdivisions to the north border. No problem. Just route it through the township. Result: Rather than intersect their major north/south roads with a provincially funded freeway, London and Middlesex lock horns.
Meanwhile , Dorchester, Mt. Brydges and Strathroy complain about bearing the brunt of 401 closures due to accidents and weather. When the city and its neighbours fail to see a road around such problems, the Transport Ministry naturally allocates our fuel taxes to new 400-series projects in more cohesive regions.
Queen's Park will soon legislate our region's landfills as a quick fix for GTA's trash overflow. Smart politicians might join in advancing a long-term solution -deposit residential waste in salt caverns -and use methane to generate electricity. The salt beds have remained sealed since the primordial ocean evaporated eons ago. Saline leaching never threatened our freshwater lakes. Let the finest minds in hydrology determine if aquatic life and drinking water would be at risk.
Rather than a local landfill crisis and a far-out commuter ring, better a provincially financed garbage road and trade corridor. Our NAFTA-driven economy depends on moving the freight just in time. The province knows that without a northern freeway, US gateway improvements will soon choke the sole mid-west truck route, and that for national security reasons alone a parallel freeway is imperative.
Neighbouring counties and London win big with a 403 extension sweeping by Arva over to the 402. Normally, it takes a coalition of municipalities seven years to get the province to complete a highway needs study. The garbage crisis shortens that time frame. But, as more garbage trucks pound the 401/402 and irate Michiganders quack foul, the trash coalition reacts rather than pro-acts.
In Strathroy Age Dispatch and TheLondoner in spring 2003

Small Town Turn Around

2005-01-03T16:02:00.000-05:00

Small Town Anywhere is about small business -and unfortunately about small vision. Let's think for a moment of the commercial plight of satellite communities of cities, and the responsibilities of both commuters and merchants in generating economic change in towns that principally serve as dormitories of choice for many city workers.
Local hardware stores, pharmacies and coffee shops are now being KO'd by chain outlets on the rim of the big city. There is no quick fix. But, if the townspeople remain apathetic, the prospects are grim indeed. Surviving establishments will have to capitalize on proximity to a large market. More businesses will have to mimic auto dealerships and furniture stores in pushing product by wider advertising. By offering products not being mass-merchandised and by providing personalized service, retailers and service shops can wean some customers from the chains.
A consistent "Main Street" theme can make a difference -but only if local consumers are part of the solution. Commuters have to buy into allocating an appreciable portion of their budgets to the town where they sleep and school their children. This takes a conscious effort. When buying groceries, picking up lumber, or having prescriptions filled, think local -not big box. Think small, not mall.
On a somewhat broader scale, enlightened consumers can easily shift more support to estate wineries and small town brewers. By helping each other, we help ourselves.
With apologies to Nike, Jacques Sweeney says, "Courage, mes amis, Just do it."
In Ontario Farmer Magazine and the Middlesex Banner in January 2002

Twirling Lures & Winded Politicians ~{ ;~J

2005-01-03T11:53:00.000-05:00

This spoof appeared in the March 13, 2003 issue of TheLondoner.

After years of missives on governance and roads, a reader e-mailed, "Lighten up! Politics is for pundits. Readers' interests range from scandals and sports to entertainment." That calls for a crossover column. How about imitating that 1950s story teller, Greg Clark? Greg avoided politics and scandal. His material came from fishing and hunting. Now, the fishing season is not exactly upon us, but let's give it a try.

Two codgers in the waning years of their summers sat on the dock glaring at a bevy of girls who had just kicked over the minnow bucket. To the joy of the giggling girls, the little fish had slithered between the planks to freedom.
"Don't worry," laughed the one in the ponytail, "They will be big enough to catch next year. Twins in pig-tails gushed in unison, "Our good deed for the day."
Frizzy-top smiled sweetly and said, "Sorry, Pops," pirouetted and did a back flip off the dock. With glee her companions took the cue, twirled and dived.
Now without action, fishing can be downright monotonous. The big fish were not interested in live bait that day. These two characters, (let's call them Seamus and Shameus) actually enjoyed the disruption. Better an empty minnow bucket than ice bucket. They sipped a couple of cold ones, picked favourite lures from the tackle box and resumed fishing -and commiserating.
Seamus, the bald one, ventured that all four teenagers were blondes.
This prompted his curly friend to say, "When I was their age, blondes were outnumbered 20 to one and redheads were as rare as albinos."
"Maybe so," said Shameus as he made a perfect cast of an iridescent lure, "but au naturel was the hair style. Why, when I was a boy my mother turned gray, and by the time I settled down and married, she was resigned to being white."
Curly responded, "Reminds me of a twist on 'old soldiers never die, they just fade away' -well old blondes never fade, they just dye away. Females deceive us with colouring, perfume, and strategic padding."
"Yup," concurred old chrome dome. "Speaking of perfume, my wife says that signage down by the fish store: 'Young fishermen never die, they just get hooked' needs updating. At that moment his train of thought is interrupted by a tug on his fishing line. "We were just as gullible as this bass going for a shiny twirling lure. That's how we got hooked."
"True nuff," muttered Shameus, and after reflectively rubbing his three-day stubble he asked, "Do you know what happens to old wheezers at City Hall?"
Seamus snorted, "You're wandering off topic, but I'll bite. Thought you'd ask what the Missus thinks the sign should say."
"Don't need remindin," groused his friend. "At our cottage we have 'his' and 'her' towels. His are inscribed with: Old fishermen never die, they just smell that way."
"And for your information, winded politicians never kick the bucket, they just run once too often."

Wine, Morels and Sex ~{;~J

2005-01-02T20:27:00.001-05:00

A short story published in Mosaic Magazine -April 2003

Two couples who met in the maternity ward socialized for the quarter century it took to bring their babes from nursing through schooling to graduation. To celebrate, they decide to hold a formal DINK (double income no kids) dinner on Mother's Day.
The wives would pool their culinary skills. Shamus' wife, a Parisian, was a gourmet cook. Dylan's wife, a teacher , would host the event at their summer home at Traverston --a ghost town on the Rocky Saugeen River.
Although the men are of Irish and Scottish descent, they are not descendants of Glenelg Township's pioneers. Indeed, old family names associated with the operation of the grist and sawmills disappeared generations ago. New migrants from the city, craving rustic settings, bought the houses of the miller and smithy as well as riverfront farms.
Since Dylan's and Shamus' ancestral lands are noted for short cookbooks the husbands are not allowed in the kitchen. Being Canadian, they like their suds, and yet pretend to be wine experts; grape bores, say the wives.
This occasion requires something unusual. While the ladies plan courses, their gentlemen retire to the patio for a few beers ...and decide to play real dinks.
"Lets get Irish or Welsh vintages," suggests Shamus.
"They're hard to find," responds Dylan. "Domestic wines around $12 will do. Now, while we are in the spirit let's script our parts." The actors settle on customary praise of the first bottle, with subsequent assessments being increasingly randy. They no longer have to restrain their language because for the first time, teenagers will not be present.
The next week, Dylan, with unusual theatrics, carries three bottles to the cellar. Later his wife checks the selection and plans a few surprises of her own, one of which is to substitute pig's feet and knuckles for spareribs.
Meanwhile, Shamus rolls his vintage 1970 convertible out of the garage in preparation for the first spring trip. The weather forecast is sunny, so food boxes and precious bottles are carefully stowed in the trunk. The two couples pile in and cruise north in a festive mood.
On Mother's day, dinner gets underway with champagne toasts to their mothers -and to the long-awaited empty nest status. Then comes the predictable ritual with the first bottle of wine; extolling the area, the winery, and the year.
Throughout the first two courses there are effusive compliments about the cuisine, especially, the pork dish and woodsy morel sauce. Dylan comments, "Someone once said, 'Marrying these plump fungi with a youthful wine substitutes for sex.'"
His wife retorts, "Whoever said that must have been a monk. Lucky for us these wines aren't that great."
"Maybe so," adds Shamus, "but my favourite American author, Ambrose Bierce, got it right when he said, 'Wine, Madam, is God's next best gift to man.'"
His lady parries with, "When man marries, surely mother-in law replaces wine as the second best gift."
"Touche," concedes Shamus, "but on this feast day, let's not go there."
"And, don't forget the words of the porter in Macbeth, "she adds, "'Drink provokes the desire, but it takes away from the performance.'"
Having lost the verbal duel, the dudes eagerly test the second bottle. "Ah! This one is absolutely ravishing, if not downright seductive," chortles Dylan.
His friend concurs, "Ah yes, lithe, nimble and nubile with a titillating fragrance."
These observations bring a rose blush to the cheeks of the petite Parisienne. The hostess merely smiles and brings on the faux truffle ravioli.
Upon opening the next flask, Shamus pronounces, "Matronly and somewhat past its prime."
"Wait a moment, interjects Dylan. "Let me have a sip." After a taste, he purrs, "Humm, full-bodied, yet there's still residual suppleness and it's slightly nutty. Let the ladies decide."
Feigning annoyance, the hostess snaps, "Let's just set it aside, and have this sweet wine with dessert."
Slamming the cork in the suspect bottle, Shamus mutters, "Smells like wet dog to me." He brightens up when he sees passion fruit pudding being served. Passing the suggested sweet wine to his collaborator, he makes the aside, "More fun to come."
Without noticing sediment in the slim bottle, the host pulls the loose stopper, and starts to say, "A luscious character, and..." The stench wafting across the table is not ice wine or anything a delicate nose would care to identify. He stammers, "and fruit flies ..er rather, fruit lies at its core."
Shamus cuts him short, "You mean rotten to the core," and rushes to open the patio door. Pandemonium reigns. Dylan trips as he dashes down the hall to flush the contents.
The wives grab sweaters and bolt outdoors. "In all my years I've never seen them act like this," says one.
A chill sets in as shadows of fragrant cedars lengthen across the gravel road. Realizing their skit is totally tasteless, the gonzos are about to apologize when laughter echoes from the pathway down the limestone gorge.
"My scheming wife doctored that bottle", growls Dylan. "What was that garbage anyway? Wild leek and rotten egg?"
"Yep," says his now contrite pal. "Yolks on us. Let's take our just desserts, wash the dishes and go polish the old Buick. "
jd sweeney
PS Should you have contacts in the Markdale/Traverston area, be sure to relay this link to them.

The Next Big NAFTA Thing

2005-01-02T17:43:00.000-05:00

Londont: January 2005
Philosopher/writer, Ayn Rand, said, "Ideas cannot be fought except by means of better ideas. The battle consists not of opposing, but of exposing; not of denouncing, but of disapproving; not of evading, but of boldly proclaiming a full consistent and radical alternative."

The federal transport minister touts intermodal rail and border improvements as answers to highway congestion. With over 80 grade crossings, London doesn't need longer and more frequent trains. London cannot limit thru-traffic, but it can champion a 403 extension with a parallel rail line. Diversion of significant rail and road freight volumes along new links between Woodstock and Strathroy has the same priority as capacity expansions at US gateways. This gives London and its neighbours better access to North American markets. And, closing one of the rail lines slicing its heart, opens up a future east-west transit route through central London. Connectivity is the watchword.
Instead of a ring, capitalize on strategic location through promotion of an intermodal trade corridor. Such bold stroke (together with a regional road on London's west side) helps achieve necessary growth and averts gridlock.
To suggest London and area jobs grow at their dismal historical rate implies acceptance of accelerated brain drain, an ageing work force, and stunted medical facilities. Will our Smart Growth Panel members advance region-wide strategies that are innovative and visionary? Sadly, rather than co-operate on a new deal, our leaders want to spend big on their ring. Who then will save addled London from its insular self ...and from bankruptcy? At the end of the term, it is you ...the thinking voter.
PS Texas is running with this Big idea. Initial federal approvals on the Trans Texas Corridor are expected in 2006!
In November 2007 Connecticut (off the Super N/S highways) objects to massive expansions of I-35 and I-69.
Guest editorial in inaugural edition of the Londoner -August 22, 2002