Too much sherry
Now where was I? Last week, we addressed the beginnings of the wine industry in Jerez, and how wine production and flavour preferences were influenced by various civilizations. Sherry, as we know it today, resulted from the loss of a major market. Up to the mid-15th century, the vast majority of the wine from this […]
Robot ethics
As any true science fiction geek is aware, robots must have laws to govern their behaviour. The law of robotics was a theory created by Isaac Asimov, who was fascinated by the concept of machines who could look like, act like and eventually improve upon their creators. There are four laws the robot must follow: […]
Cuter than a cruiser
Last week’s Year 148 Canada Day parade was up to, or perhaps even surpassed, the usual high standards of a Wellington parade. Leading off was an OPP cruiser—replete with an oft-repeated “Happy Canada Day” greeting. It felt a bit out of place, because one usually associates the voice inside a police car with some more […]
Heritage
One of the biggest heritage problems facing the County is whether to preserve or demolish. Of course, I’m referring to our architectural history. As far as preserving or demolishing your personal stuff—that’s personal. Preserving architectural heritage is an important part of our sense of community. When we, the community, identify with our streetscapes, we have […]
2015 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees
The 2015 class has been selected to enter the Hockey Hall of Fame. It is a large group, with five athletes in the Player category and two as Builders. One of the members selected to the Builder category is Bill Hay, more commonly known as Red Hay. During his playing days, he had red hair. […]
Learned members
Sitting in council meetings can be a painful experience. There are a few reasons for that. For one, the wooden pews installed across from the horseshoe are not ideal for two or more hours of sitting still. It’s also hard to see those benches empty, with only the usual suspects—a handful of local reporters— filling […]
Sweet sherry
The history of sherry is entangled with the history of Spain. The Phoenicians introduced the vines and winemaking traditions of the Levant when they founded Cadiz as a trading post around 900 BC As time passed, Greek influences were revealed, with the addition of sweet grape syrup—reflecting a contemporary demand for a sweeter wine. By […]
Traces
The overnight rain has left pictures of the dawn and the amber glow from streetlights scattered in the puddles in the driveway of my father’s house. The murmur drifting out of surrounding pines and cedars is that of rising new families of yellow finches, downy woodpeckers and cardinals that have been learning the ropes of […]
Rhymes with barley
One of the challenges the County faces is that even though it is a single legal entity, its constituent communities don’t necessarily feel that way. Wellington residents are dismissive of Picton; yet jealous of the perks—like that roundabout— their eastern cousins enjoy. Ameliasburgh is said to view any County expenditure that does not involve resurfacing […]
Pride
Pride. Yup, we decided to be in Toronto on Pride Weekend. Don’t get me wrong. I have no problem with Pride Weekend. I’ve got lots of Pride in my family. But Toronto, in the summertime, is always a congested place. This weekend, it was the usual construction, oceans of tourists, buses full of commuters, orange […]