Stark 'Spec Headlines'

(September 10 Issue)

Daily receiving this newspaper, much I have enjoyed for many years.

There is always the Positive news...and always the Negative.

Such is Life!

These Elate Me

Majestic Forest once covered much of Hamilton ~ a rain forest of towering oak and walnut from Dundas to Lake Erie.

Flamborough Farmers Can Really Thresh – part of a successful Guines World Records attempt ~ using a tractor and thressing machine.

Monarchs at Sam Lawrence Park were congregatng among flowering trees

as they begin their migration.

Serena Sees a Lot of Herself in Emerging Star Anrescu. Bianca, the 19-year-old daughter of Romanian immigrants, won the title by defeating Serena Williams.

Jackson Bennett's Debut as 'running back' with the Tiger Cats on Labour Day, included scoring the game-winning touchdown.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moirwill be the judges at the first episode of Battle of the Blades at First Ontario Centre on September 19.

Nurse's Hoops Passion Shows Through. The day after the Toronto Raptors capatured their first National Basketball Association championship in June, Nick Nurse received a video from the Chicago Cubs ~ the mesesage was from Gary Pressy, the Cubs' organist for more than 3 decades :

Nick, great job on the great run to the championship.

And there's a song here that fits the moment.

Pressy, seated at his organ proceeded to play Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

Make sure I see you in the summer here at Wrigley Field!

Horoscopes: For Pisces, Robbie Robertson says he's not slowing down. The76-year-old's projects include musical scores, books, TV...and always writing. A Canadian rock legend, he says,

I'm motivated to keep discovering and learning.

Being Pisces,I daily read ~ giving me enlighentment and goals for the day.

“A Year of Dreams “ for Tenille Towers. She was named 'female artist of the year

and won for 'single of the year' for her song, Somebody's Daughter.

At the Movies, I check out what's being shown...and if of interest, I wait 'til it arrives at the 'movie complex' in downtown Burlington ...and there view it for $5.00...flat fee!

Tips and Techniques for Garden Transplanting: Great advice by Jessica Damiano.

In the Living section, Paul Wilson writes about Entertainment...local plays and movies.

Food: Take advantage of the late-season bounty with corn soup,

finished with a contrasting swirl of green pepper puree.

Comics: Zits I always read...also Hi and Lois...Drabble...Mutts...Sherman's Lagoon...sometimes Dilbert...Hagar the Horrible...Pickles and occasionally Rhymes with Orange (sometimes confusing).

Crossword Puzzles I attempt to daily solve...and Sudoku when 1 to 3 stars, 4 and 5,too difficult!

Life News: Glancing at Death Notices, I agree with a friend who states,

“If my name 's not there, I'm really delighted!.”

The daily photo Eye on the Area fascinates me...often I remove for placement in a Scrap Book for my son, who when working out of country, totes along a book with local colour pics...and working staff is amazed 'how beautiful his home locale is'!

An aerial colour photo of Dundurn Castle on Burlington Bay

reminds us that the castle was restored as a centennial project 50 years ago.

Following a painting of this iconic scene, City Hall ordered 65,500 postcards for promotion.

Non-Elation That Make me Cringe!

Eight Puppies Found in Trash still have their umbilical cords attached.

Two Women Failed to stop for a school bus ~ which had activated its lights,

and extended its STOP sign.

A 29-year-old woman is charged with 'careless driving'

after police say she fell asleep at the wheel on Sunday.

“Why do I still have pain months after knee replacement surgery?”

(asked a writer to Mayo Clinic News National)

No one seems willing to help me.

From the Negative ~ to Positive!

Sunwing Plane Blows Tire on Landing in Toronto:

Passengers were aboard a flight from Mexico when a tire on the plane blew out.

All disembarked safely after a rough flight to Toronto Pearson International Airport.

Crews Tackle Dorian's Aftermath

Canadian soldiers armed with chain saws

fanned out across the Halifax area to clean up the tangled mess

of fallen trees and power lines left by post-tropical-storm, Dorian.

I close this writing with a Rhymes With Orange cartoon:

A wide-eyed orangy cat is racing along a green rug in its human household.

And being questioned why he was racing, replied in feline languge,

“The Vet said to throw treats down the hall to give my cat exercise!”

Author: Merle Baird-Kerr...September 12, 2019

Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeo.ca

MILLIONS of STARS

MILLIONS of STARS ~

Studded in the Midnight Sky

The day, hot and humid, gave us relief as the sun set in the western sky.

With cool refreshing cocktails, we escaped to the balcony as the sun approached the fading of its orb. The residential street was slow in traffic. As wafting by was an occasionally breeze ~ the night became silent ~ as o'er the horizon, the yellow moon rose.

Together we sat as Nature turned on her 'lights of the night' with a twinkle here ~ and a glimmer there, the evening sky became alert! My evening friend directed me to the North Star...to Ursa Bear and other 'nearby galaxies' shining ever so brilliantly. In the far distance of the northwest was a sparkling star ~ . He told me it was Vega ~ and with watchful eyes, she was surrounded by a host of twinkling starlets.

Oh! the wonders of astronomy ~ its planets and shooting stars!

“Wonders of the night sky has fascinated humanity for millennian ~ from celestial sights in summer to bright stars and constellations. The true joy of a moonlit night is something we no longer understand. Only the 'men of old', when where there was no light, could understand the true joy of a moonlit night,” observed Yasunari Kawabata.

“A sunset is the sun's fiery kiss to the night,” stated Crystal Woods.

“A starry sky is something that touches your soul. Our civilization's religion, philosophy, science and literature ~ all have roots with our views of the heavens,” observed Alisha Sevigny.

A few years ago, when our balconies were replaced, my table and chairs were stored. During this time, my statue of a 'sitting Yoga' disappeared. Shopping for another statue, I found a few 'on sale' at a local nursery. All, being white, my eyes dwelt on a female with a hand to her brow and seemingly looking into the future. She spoke to my inner soul.

Much too heavy for me to lug, a garden assistant lifted it to a cart...

to the cash register for payment...then lugged it to my veheicle.

Upon arriving home, the 'super' kindly carting it in

a shopping basket...

coming to my 3^rd floor apartment...kindly placed my new statue

upon my balcony's black iron stand.

And there, with hand to her brow, she peers into the night sky at Vega's constellation!

And you've guessed ~ I've named her Vega!

Vega is the 5^th brightest star in the night sky ~ and the second brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere. Vega is known as Alpha Lyrae, as it is the principal star in the constellation Lyra, the lyre.

Located just 25 light years from Earth, visible in the summer sky only of the Northern Hemisphere.

She 'stars' with Deneb and Altair. Surrounded by a disc of debris, possibly as the result of a planetary collision, she is the 5^th brightest star in the sky! Vega is the Second Most Important star in the sky.

A Scientific Opinion

Vega will only last another few hundred million years ~ before coming a 'Red Giant.'

And someone replied to said astronomer, “Well, That's a d___long time!

Most of us watching this night video, will be dust ~ within 50 to 60 years.

And someone else concluded: “ So any possible civilizations

in the world would be referred to as Vegans!”

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...August 11, 2019

To comment: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

IG and Uana

By ANI...on assignment from Wild Writings Press...Planet Earth

I've been to Yukatan a couple times (each of 2 years when adjoining friend Eleanor), who'd winter there escaping Oakville's harsh weather. Said she, “We'll fly into Merida (Where's that? I asked.).

“'Tis the capital city of Yukatan, near a million population ~ very metropolitan...30 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. And there on the coast is Progreso, a bustling Mayan port town. Most speak the Mayan tongue...some speak Spanish...and a few can English-ize.” With dictionary in hand, we struggled in Spanish. And there we met ANI, our English-speaking journalist.

Each day we'd walk into town ~ or take a local van;

and at the beach bar, there we met IG

who recommended lunch and chilled Corona beer.

(and since that day ~ Corona's been my favourite).

Our home 'on the Gulf' had 2 swaying palm trees,

a long sandy beach with view of Gulf waters ~ and ocean going ships.

At end of 'his day' Ig brought us sunhats and told of his race.

He was born Mayan, who as a child, loved Iguanas

so 'Iggie' (his Papa nicknamed him.

Our specie of Lizards is Iguana dwelling in Mexico's Yukatan.

They thrive in tropical, sub-tropical forests, in deserts and coastlines.

Spending most of their time in the canopy of trees,

they descend to mate and lay eggs ~ then probably change trees.

Primarily as 'herbivores', their daily activity

is feeding on leaves, flowers and fruits.

They live near the water 'cause they're excellent swimmers.

The Green Iguana, lengthen 5 to 7 feet (from nose to tail); they have strong jaws with very sharp teeth.

Tails are long ('bout half of body length) and being very sharp ~ used for 'defence' to punch any enemy!

Reproduction

(as reported by ANI in her journalist assignment)

Iguanas tend to breed in dry season, ensuring that the young hatch in wet season when food is more readily available. In 'courtship' more than one female may be present. Courtship behaviour of males includes head-bobbing...extending and retraction of the 'dewlap'...and nuzzling or biting of the female's neck. “Dominate Males' may mark rocks, branches and chosen females with a waxy substance secreted from their femoral pores. During mating, the male approaches the female and climbs on her back, straddling her. To restrain his mate, he grips her shoulder skin with his teeth.

Coplulation may last for several minutes.

“About 65 days after mating, a female is ready to lay her eggs. Over a 3-day period, an average of 10 to 30 leathery white or pale-cream coloured eggs are deposited into a nest ~ which is located about a metre deep and may be shared by other females if nesting areas are limited. After laying the eggs, females may return to the nest several times ~ but do not stay to guard it.

“Incubation lasts 90 to 120 days. The hatchlings 'pip the egg open with a special tooth' that falls off shortly after the hatching. The absorbed yolk provides nourishment for the first week or two of an Iguana's life. After the eggs are hatched, there is no direct 'parent investment' in the young.

“The diet of the Iguanas,” as reported by ANI, “is related to age.

The young consume insects and eggs.”

ANI further states that Iguanas can live for more than 20 years in captivity;

although those 'in the wild' live only 8 years.

Behaviour ~ as observed by ANI:

“In the wild, most disputes among Iguanas

take place over 'basking sites.'

Usually, adequate food ~ but 'good perches' are limited.

During breeding season, males become 'terratorial'.

They will bite at each other ~ yet, injuries in the wild are rare

as ample space, there is, for males to retreat when threatened.

Injuries in captivity are more common.

Females display some of these behaviours when nesting sites are limited.

IG, unhappy with mate, UANA, related to ANI: She doesn't wannna eat that food..she doesn't wanna go there...wants cosmetics for her sensitive skin...wanna a different nest...doesn't wanna attend another 'gathering'! So, now, ANI ~ her name no longer is AUNA : I call her WANNA!

“Green Iguanas may travel considerable distances.

Females migrate to the same nesting site for several years, then travel back to their home territory. Once their eggs hatch, the hatchlings may disperse over long distances.

Colour, Habitat and Predators

“Although called 'green iguanas' these animals are variable in colour, The young may appear more blotchy or banded between green and brown. In the morning, when body temperature is low, skin colour will be darker helping the lizard/iguana to absorb heat from sunlight. As hot-mid-day sun radiates, their skin becomes paler, helping to reflect the sun rays ~ minimizing the heat absorbed.

Iguanas prefer to bask in tree limbs that over-hang water ~

so when threatend by a predator ~ they can dive into the water

and swiftly swim away.

Hawks and large birds are potential predators of juvenile aguanas. Humans eat both iguanas and their eggs. Humans also use these reptiles for crocodile bait and poach them for the pet trade.

Travelling With ANI:

Arranging with a taxi and driver who understood bit o' English, ANI had suggested tours to view Mayan country, wild life and historic places. The SPEED HUMPS on roads were the biggest we'd seen...so' slow-down' and 'slow-over' were absolute MUSTS! Along Yucatan's west coast was a scenic cove where sea-going birds often landed. How marvellous their wings and air speed! Along the coast at Celestun, were hosts and hosts of pink flamingos! And parrots, brilliantly coated, a pleasure to see.

Discoveries in recent years have unearthed several years of civilizations...one of great interest was the famed Chichen Itza encompassing a massive pyramid with 'ball court' and stone temples. Climbing the many steps, we rested atop ~ visualizing history, as new, in an earlier year. Nearby was a Cenote like a miniature clear-blue lake. Several there are in Yucatan. A Mayan, lazing nearby, invited us to step into this natural swmming hole (formed by the collapse of porous limestone bedrock which revealed a sub-terranian world of a groundwater pool.) How wonderfully refreshing on this hot, very humid day! It was at these Cenotes that Mayans communicated with gods. Further south, we travelled by boat into a 'mangrove'...unsettled I was (due to fear of snakes and other reptilian creatures!)

Comments for ANI MAL ~ kindly email to

mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca 

Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...July 9, 2018

Significance of Sports

SIGNIFICANCE OF SPORTS

Bob Feller stated:

Every day is a new opportunity!

You can build on yesterday's success

or put failures behind ~ start all over again.

That's the way life is ~ a new game every day ~

(and that's the way baseball is)!

Sports build good habits, confidence and discipline.

They make players into community leaders

and teach them how to strive for a goal....handle mistakes...and cherish

growth opportunities, confessed Julie Foudy.

Badgers Win Entertaining Debut

“New basketball team makes its case for a place on Hamilton's sporting landscape,”

wrote Scott Radley recently in The Spec.

“Generations from now when lecture halls of historians gather to recount the glorious story of the Hamilton Honey Badgers ~ optimism is always good ~ they will tell of the team's monunental victory in the opening game. On Sunday afternoon in a chilly First Ontario Centre, the Canadian Elite Basketball League team in gold and black uniforms beat the Edmonton Stingers 106-83 to to launch a new era in local hoops. Pro basketball's first female coach ~ GM, Chantal Valleee earned her first win!

“I was aware and I understand the significance of this,” she says.

“What really hit me is the amount of women who came to me and said,

'I came to the game to support you!'

Dance Enhances Physical and Emotional Well-being!

She's on the dance floor...grey-haired and alone...charmingly dancing to the rhythm.

Dancing for her ~ is a fitness solution.

To all who noticed her photo, she commented,

Dance is healthy at any age ~ but especially for older adults.

Since dance is a multi-tasking activity,

it requires mental, physical, emotional and social skills

making it very stimulating for the brain in general.

Atop the World ~ with a 'Precious' Record

Jeff Mahoney's writing captured my attention:

Gordon Precious, 95, who helped start

Chedoke ski hill, is the world's oldest heli-skier.

Why to me, it this significant? I was a skier and for many years skied nearly every winter weekend. When my son was born,,,and to reshape my body to fitness level...every Saturday I skied ( leaving the babe with his 'Daddy'). When my little boy turned 5, I took him to Chedoke ski hills....teaching him to snow-plow on easy slopes. And when the following winter he was 6, I placed him in children's ski classes. Every winter he skied...until when Glen Eden in Milton opened... took him there to ski with me. Enjoying the sport, he often skied weekend trips...and when approaching his teens, he thoroughly was thrilled to join Shirley and me for a very cold and icy end of Janauary winter ski week in the Laurentian Mountains north of Quebec City. When university days began, time and money was at a premium. Once or twice, he joined other students on designated ski-weekends.

In March, Hamilton-born Gordon Precious set a world record:

for being the world's oldest heli-skier

after completing a run in the Cariboo Mountains with his grandson, Trevor Young.

“When Gordon Precious found himself perched atop Nectar mountain in the towering Cariboos of B.C. this March, he had one question: Watching the helicopter he arrived in, peel itself away from the summit...on its way back to base, without him in it, and he said to no one in particular:

How the h__ do I get down from here?

He's long been an expert skier ~ starting when he was 12 ~ but he admits to being 'panic stricken'!

Below him stretched a sheer steep drop of hitherto untouched snow. Probably, no other human had ever before seen this particular vista (it sure wasn't the 'bunny-hill' at Glen Eden) ~ so it was uncharted territory he was going into. You might ask, Who would leave a 95-year old man ~ yes, Gordon is 95, at the top of a mountain, at an age when most people don't feel comfortabkle facing a flight of stairs?

Who? Why? His grandson, Trevor Young, of course.

Gordon, over the course of his long, rich life so far, has skied in Lebanon, Iran...in the foot of the Himalayas...(again with grandson, Trevor)...Switzerland, France, Italy, Whistler and Mont Tremblant.

And, of course, the Chedoke hill in Hamilton, which he helped start.

But the long run down the virgin slopes in the Cariboo Mountains

is the one that's earned him a place in the Guiness World Records:

'the oldest heli-skier' ever.

“When I meet him at the Granite Club, where he plays tennis, h'e just put in a morning on the courts.

As he says 'hello' I'm tempted to ask if he ever gets carded at the liquor store. He's trim and fit...his teeth as white as his hair...and his white hair is abundant, downward flowing as a fresh base of silky snow on a handsome mountain.

“Gordon was born in Hamilton in 1924 ~ and stayed 71 years

before retiring to Toronto, with his first wife Jeanne,

from the independent insurance business he ran.

He was a true city builder here ~ not the least of his contributions

being that ski hill at Chedoke, which opened in 1964 (closed in 2003).

“He enjoyed skiing as well as tennis from an early age.

When young, and got better at skiing, we'd go to Cedar Springs ~

but I was 15 and not allowed to drive ~ so I'd go with 16-year-old friends who were.

Once, there were 4 of us in the car.

Our names were Precious, Love, Darling and...Anquish.

Michael Jordan states:

I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career.

26 times I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed.

I”ve failed over and over again in my life.

And ~ that is why I succeed.

The foregoing assembled by Merle Baird-Kerr...July 16, 2019

To respond:mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Mystique Between Mammal & Man

“Man is the only animal for whom his own existence is a problem

which he has to solve,” Erich Fromm, stated.

“Every animal has his or her story about his or her thoughts, daydreams and interests. All feel love and joy, pain and fear. All deserve that the human animal afford them the respect of being cared for with great consideration for their interests and needs ~ or left in peace,” wrote Ingrid Newkirk.

Mark Buber's observation: “An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language”.

Doris Day said, “I've never met an animal I didn't like ~

and I can't say the same thing about people.”

Ellen Generes states, “I am a person caring passionately about equal rights.

I care about human rights and I care about animal rights.”

Famed deduction from Anatole France: “Until one has loved an animal,

part of one's soul remains unawakened.”

“When you look into the eyes of an animal you've rescued,

you can't help but fall in love,” observed Paul Shaffer.

“It is believed in religion, that soul takes body according to our character or changing nature. Indian epics and Puranas contain stories where the same living entity, the soul is born as animal, plant, man, etc. But, yet the human body is considered superior because only with his body, can one attain a higher body. It is all about Knowledge! Spirituality!”

Ty Watson questions, “How would understanding the animal's nature, differ from understanding the nature of a natural disaster? Neither can explain the actions, yet, both can be perceived as functioning in a common matter. Consequently, humans associate animal intellect with tame-ability.

But, a great question is this:

What is a genius who loses all five senses ~ and how would you know?

My answer is: the Animal.

About feline purrers, Lloyd Alexander opines, “Perhaps one reason we are fascinated with cats, it is because such a small animal can contain so much independence, dignity, freedom and spirit.

Unlike the dog, the cat demands acceptance on its own terms!”

Your Dog Dreams About You

According to Harvard University's psychologists, when dogs dream, they dream about their owners because their REM cycles and brain patterns are similar to ours. Cats probably dream about hunting prey. This was based on sleep observation where a scientist 'turned off' a part of the cat's brain that restricts movement during REM sleep. When they were dreaming...and movement was not restricted...

they'd get up...arch their backs...hiss...and pounce!

Facts That Will Put a Smile on Your Face

There are times when the world can seem like a fairly negative cynical place.

This big, beautiful planet with animals will raise your spirits.

Sea Horses Get Married: They tend to be 'monagamous' and will intertwine their tails to stick together while moving through the ocean. But, is it becuse they're loving? The truth is that seahorses are pretty bad swimmers and spend a lot of time hiding from predators. So, in finding a mate for life, it boosts their chances of successful reproduction.

Male Puppies Let Female Puppies Win Play: In the canine world, chivalry is dead. Adorable male puppies will pretend to be more vulnerable and allow female puppies to win, in an effort to keep the game going longer. This will also enable them to get closer to the female. Studies have found that when female puppies play with females ~ or mate with males, every one plays to win!

Penguins Propose and Stick Together for Life: Male Penguins search for the smoothest pebble to court a female penguin. Should she accept, this will be the first stone that builds the nest in preparation for the eggs that will lay in it. If male penguins have trouble finding their own, some will steal from other males.

A Group of Bunnies is Called a”Fluffle” Baby bunnies are called kittens and when a rabbit jumps and squirms in the air, that move is called a 'binky'. So, when you are at a 'rabbit-jumping-event' you could find a'fluffle' of bunnies and kittens working on their bunky skills.

Cows Have Best Friends: Did you know that cows have dedicated friends they spend day in and day out with? When they are separated, they get stressed. But, once reunited with their 'bestie' ~ their heart rates significantly drop to normal levels. These findings could greatly benefit the dairy industry. In addition, it has been proven that happier cows make more and more nutritious milk.

Studies of these animals (and birds) ~ we as 'humans' can learn much!

The Test of Heaven

Three nuns who had recently died, were on their way to heaven. At the' pearly gates', they were met by St. Peter. Around the gates there was a collection of lights and bells. St. Peter, stopped them, telling them they would each have to answer a question before they could enter through the 'pearly gates'.

St. Peter: “What were the names of the two people in the Garden of Eden? 1^st nun: “Adam and Eve.”

The lights flashed...the bells rang...and she went through the 'the pearly gates'.

St. Peter: “What did Adam eat from the forbidden tree?” 2^nd nun: “An apple.”

The lights flashed...the bells rang...and she went through the 'pearly gates'.

And, finally it came the turn of the last nun.

St. Peter: “What was the first thing Eve said to Adam?”

After a few minutes, thinking she said, “”GOSH, that's a hard one!”

The lights flashed...!

With gracious thanks, to readers who submitted all the foregoing!

Assembled by Merle Baird-Kerr...May15, 2019

To comment: mbairdkerr@bell.net

Informative News from California, British Columbia and France

Southern California Struck by Aftershocks!

A colour photo depicts a resident inspecting a fissure

aftter a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck northeast of Los Angeles.

“Aftershocks from Southern California's largest earthquake in 20 years, rumbled beneath the Mojave Desert, as authorities tallied damage in the sparsely populated region.

The colour photo of a man standing a-centre of the vast desert land

captured my attention as well as his.

“The strongest aftershock so far, hit shortly after 4 a.m. and awakening people all the way to the Pacific coast. Multiple injuries and two house fires were reported in a town of 28,000. Emergency crews dealt with small vegetation fires...gas leaks...reports of cracked roads. Kern County Fire Chief David Witt said 15 patients were moved from the Ridgecrest Regional Hospital as a precaution.

California Highway Patrol Lt. John Williams said officials

found cracks on several roads in the county.

“In a Ridgecrest liquor store, the aisles were filled with broken wine and liquor bottles...knocked down boxes...and other groceries strewn on the floor. Flames were seen shooting out of one home in the community. Lucy Jones, a seismologist, said the earthquake was the strongest since a 7.1 quake struck another area of the Mojave Desert on October 16, 1999.

Jones said the 6.4 quake was preceded by a magnitude 4.2 quake

about a half-hour earlier. She said also that there was little likelihood

the quake raised the risk of a quake on the mighty San Andreas Fault.

“The B.C. quakes and California's quakes are unconnected and didn't occur in the same fault zone.”

(the foregoing are excerpts by John Antczak and Olga R. Rodrigez ~

reported to The Associated Press)

(After working several assignments in California's tech areas,

and with the threats of fires...earthquakes...tsunamis, my son rejected further offers.)

No Tsunami or Damage Reported After Multiple Temors off B.C.

From Vancouver, Beth Leighton reported to The Canadian Press:

“A series of earthquakes off British Columbia's coast on Friday may be linked to a stronger quake in the same area earlier this week, experts say. Alison Bird, a seismologist with the Pacific Geoscience Centre near Victoria, said they are working to determine if the latest tremors are aftershocks from Wednesday's 6.2 magnitude quake in the same region. I'm wondering if this might be more of a swarm sequence than a main shock,” she said, “A swarm sequence is an outbreak of seismic activity, which is common off the British Columibia coast. It often has a sudden flurry of activity where you get 100 earthquakes within a week-and-a-half period,” she said. “ They're a bit of a nuisance.”

“The quakes occurred under the Pacific Ocean between Haida Gwaii and the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Bird said she had calculated 2 larger tremors ~ one occurring at 5:58 a.

m, Pacific time Friday , with a preliminary magnitude of 5.1 and a second one 4 minutes later measuring 4.7. None set off a tsunami ~ and no damage or injuries were reported.”

Tour de France: Five Race-Defining Stages

With seven mountain stages and five summit finishes, including three above 2,000 metres,

this year's Tour de France is the highest in the history of the race.

The route for the 106^th edition of the 3-week marque event offers only a few moments of respite. The first mountain test will come after just 5 days of racing ~ and contenders won't be able to hide their tactics for long. Also, there is only 54 kilometres against the clock, split between one team time trial and an individual time trial ~ meaning a pure climber has a good chance to triumph in Paris on July 28.

Here are 5 key stages that could define the race dynamics:

Stage 6: Mulhouseto Las Planche Des Belles Filles: 160.5 km July 1l. Introduced to the Tour in 2012, the Planche des Belles Filles ascent immediatelybecame a classic. Set up in the Vosges mountains, it is steep, tortuous and brutal ~ featuring a 20 per cent gradient at the top. The final ascent comes after several other climbs including the Markstein, the Ballon d'SAlsace and the Col de Chevreres meaning the pack should be reduced to a small bunch of general classification contenders in the last few km.

Stage 13: Pau, individual time trial, 27.2 km, July 19. The only individual time trial of this year's Tour is taking place on a rolling terrain and features an uphill stretch of road with a 7% gradient. A good chance for overall contenders to gain valuable time on the pure climbers before the race ventures into the high mountains. The winner of this stage will receive a special collector's shirt, making the 100^th anniversary of the 'yellow jersey'.

Stage 15: Limoux to Foix Prat d'Albis, 185 km, July 21. Coming right after Stage 14 to the famed Col du Tournalet ~ the first of 3 finishes over 2,000 metres this year ~ the last Pyrenean trek running close to the ancient Cathar castles, is a grueling and daunting ride totaling more than 39 km of climbing. The final ascent of the day, leading to the finish at Prat d'Albis is an average of 6.9 per cent.

The Tour's Queen Stage.

Stage 19: Saint-Jean-De-Maurienne to Tignes, 126.5 km July 26. At 2,779 metres, the Iseran mountain in the Alps, is a Tour de France giant ~ and one of the highest road passes in Europe where thin air makes things harder for the peloton. Tour riders will tackle it for the 8^th time in the history of the race ~ from the tougher south side, before a final 7.4-kilometre uphill effort to Tignes ski resort.

The last kilometre is rather flat and seems ideal for a sprint between the best climbers.

Stage 20: Albertville to Val Thorens, 130 km, July 27. In their bid to maintain suspense, Tour organizers have set up an ideal stage for a final-showdown in the Alps.

On the eve of the final processional stage to Paris,

yellow jersey contenders will be taking on each other

on a royal battleground ~ featuring 3 climbs and technical downhills.

Capping the highest Tour in race history,

the final climb to the ski station of Val Thorens, at an altitude of 2,365 metres

is more than 33 km at an average gradient of 5.5 per cent.

Good Luck with that!

***Rider Mike Woods Gives the Tour a Maple Leaf Flavour***

Canadian Mike Woods remembers growing up watching the Tour de Fance.

Now the 32-year-old from Ottawa, wants to give viewers back home something to cheer about. “When watching the Tour, I'd get super-excited when I'd see a Canadian in the field,” he stated.

Let's All Watch ~ and Cheer for Mike!!!

Writer: Merle Baird-Kerr...written July 7, 2019

To send comments: mbairdkerr@bell.net