Mascots ~ Advertisement Medium

A mascot is defined as any person, animal or object thought to bring 'luck' ...or anything used to represent a group with a common public identity such as: a school, professional sports, society, military unit or brand name. Mascots are also used as fictional, representative spokespeople for consumer products. Costumed mascots are commonplace and are regularly used as 'goodwill ambassadors' in the community for their team, company or organization...such as the U.S. Forest Services's “Smokey Bear”. Many sports teams (U.S. especially) have official mascots...sometimes enacted by 'costumed humans' or even live animals...e.g. “Thunder II ~ a live 'white horse mascot' for the Denver Broncos. (I can just imagine him galloping around the field when touchdowns scored!)

Consider all the animals/birds used in today's merchandise marketing...to catch our attention! It's a strong effective medium to promote anything and everything from cereal boxes, to pop, tires, clothing, cars and truck names...and the list is innumerable.

A few years ago, a friend's sister, developing a home job, designed and made specific swimwear, cycle racing clothing, etc. for sports persons and clubs competing locally, provincially and nationally. Her name was Elizabeth, usually called Liz...her logo on all designs was a 'Lizard'.

Currently, one of the major sponsors of the Pan American Games TORONTO 2015 is a bank whose advertisement is priceless: believe they are husband and pigeons(?) about to deposit cheques into the bank...when she advises him about an automatic deposit...he then looks for more cheques in the mail.

This topic of 'mascots' intrigued me when being introduced to PACHI (a raccoon) as the “Mascot of the Games”. He is so delightful...and to think he was created with imagination by four Grade 8 students in Markham, Ontario. Significant in meaning, they won the contest among the hundreds of entries.

Of interest, are the “Mascots” over the years

selected for the Olympic Games.

The Olympic mascots are fictional characters...usually an animal, native to the area or human figures who represent the cultural heritage of the place where the Olympic and Paralympic Games are taking place. The 'mascots' are often used 'to help market ' the Olympic Games to a younger audience.

History: The first Olympic mascot was born at the Grenoble Olympics in 1968 in France: It was named SCHUSS ~ a little man on skis, designed in an abstract form and painted in the colours of France (blue, red and white). However, the first official Olympic mascot appeared in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany: It was WALDI ~ a Dachshund dog, a popular breed in Bavaria and it represented the attributes required for athletes: resistance, tenacity and agility. On it we see 3 of the colours of the Olympic flag: blue, yellow, green. Mascots are designed in a simple manner with bright, happy colours appropriate for the 'festive atmosphere' of the Olympics.

1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria: Mascot ~ SCHNEEMAN...its character a Snowman. Significance...it represents “Games of Simplicity”.

1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada: AMIK was a beaver wearing a broad black and red band around its body with the Olympic rings impressed on it. The beaver, one of Canada's national symbols.

1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, United States: Mascot ~ RONI a raccoon. Its face design resembles the hat and goggles used by competitors. Named for the Adirondack Mountain range.

1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Russia: MISHA, a bear cub...national symbol of the Soviet Union.

1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia: VUKO, a little wolf symbolizing the desire of humans to befriend animals. According to the IOC, it helped change the common perception in the region of wolves as frightening and blood-thirsty.

1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, United States: SAM, a bald eagle, symbol of United States.

1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada: HIDY and HOWDY...2 polar bears, both representing Western Canada and Albertan hospitality.

1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea: HODORI a tiger cub...common in Korean legends.

1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France: MAGIQUE a man-star/snow imp.

1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain: COBI a Catalan sheepdog (drawn in Cubic style).

1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway: HAK and KRISTEN...2 Norwegian children dressed in Viking clothing.

(Note the change in years:)

1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, United States: IZZY...an abstract figure being the first computer-generated mascot.

1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan: SUKKI, NOKKI, LEKKI and TSUKKI...the Snowlets representing the 4 major islands in Japan. (The first syllable of each word continues phonetically).

2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia: OLLY (the kookaburra) representing the Olympic spirit of generosity; SYD (platypus) representing the environment and energy of the people; MILLIE (echidna) representing the Millenium. FATSO (the Fat-Arsed wombat) created in protest against the commercialization of the Olympic mascots...this unofficial symbol ultimately became more popular than the official mascots).

2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, United States: POWDER, the snowshoe hare, COPPER, the

coyote, and COAL, the American black bear. All three mascots are indigenous animals of the United State of Utah...and are named after natural resources, important to the state's economy. These animals are major characters in the legends of local American Indians and these legends are reflected in the story of each mascot. To remind them of this heritage, all mascots wear a charm around their neck with a petroglyph image.

2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece: ATHENA and PHEVOS (brother and sister) are two modern children representing ancient Greek dolls...inspired by a bell-shaped archaic sculpture that is on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens. They symbolize the 'Joy of Play' and 'the Value of Olympism'...and was purposely made to promote the values of equality and brotherhood.

2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy: NEVE and GLIZ a snowball and ice cube.

2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China: The FUWA ~ BEIBEI (fish), JINGJING (giant panda), HUANHAUN (Olympic flame), YINGYING (Tibetan antelope), NINI (swallow). The five words means, “Welcomes You'. Each represent an Olympic ring and Feng Shui element.

2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada: MIGA a mythical sea bear...part Orca and Kermode Bear; QUATCHI a sasquatch from Canadian mythology; MUKMUK a Vancouver Island marmot...not an official mascot of British Columbia, but their 'sidekick'.

The INUKSHUK is an Inuit symbol designed as a directional marker, signifying safety, hope and friendship. The Inukshuk, built in the likeness of a human, is a man-made stone landmark used by Inuit and other peoples of the Arctic region in North America...found from Alaska to Greenland. It is built and used as a marker for a sacred place...an aid for hunting and fishing or a navigation tool.

2012 Summer Olympics in London, England: WENLOCK~ drops of steel with cameras for eyes. Named after the village of Much Wenlock in Shropshire which hosted a precursor to the modern Games in the 19^th century. It represents the UK's Industrial Revolution.

2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia: BELI MISHKA (Polar Bear), SNOW LEOPARD and ZAIKA ( the dore hare). These were the first mascots decided by popular vote.

2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: VINICIOUS...and animal representing all Brazilian mammals...inspired by Brazilian fauna. Named after the poet and 'bossa nova' composer Vinicious de Moraes...decided by popular vote.

2018 Winter Olympics to be in Peongchang,...

and 2020 Summer Games to be in Tokyo.

Each selected Olympic country hosts the Olympic Games & Paralympic Games which follow. Each selected Pan American country hosts the Pan American Games & Parapan American Games

That the host countries, through their mascots, present a theme, conveying significant messages, it is not only of great interest but encourages players and spectators to adopt these principles, enhancing our lives...and those of others. The sponsors of Vancouver's Winter Olympics and the current Pan American Games Toronto 2015...have been the First Nations and the Six Nations indigenous peoples. We have much to learn from wise and sage words spoken by their elders and chiefs.

It's having the knowledge of your culture;

It's having respect for your mothers and grandmothers.

It is the language and fluency.

As we say,“That's Harmony...that's what we strive for.”

(Indian adage)

The hearts of little children are pure;

the Great Spirit may show to them,

many things we older people miss. (Black Elk)

Our Spiritual belief is that we were created as part of the land;

so our identity, our names and our songs are all tied to the land.

(Chief Roderick Robinson)

Respect means listening until everyone has been understood.

Only then, is there a possibility of balance and harmony.

(Dave Chief...Grandfather of Red Dog)

Merle Baird-Kerr...crafted July 12, 2015

Your views I appreciate...email to:

inezkate@gmail.com or mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Significance of Toronto's 2015 Pan American Games

There were hundreds, even thousands who devoted their time, their energy and imagination into the creation of these Games and the Parapan American Games that follow. Hosted by Canada...and the first in the Province of Ontario, the Games are being held in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and 17 other 'Golden Horseshoe' communities. This marks the largest multi-sports event in Canada in terms of athletes competing (over 7100) from North America, South America and the Caribbean Islands.

These Games are a precursor to the upcoming World's, whereby the athletes compete as individuals and for team positions in preparation for Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Summer Games 2016. Athletes from the Parapan Games will be selected from this event to qualify for Rio's Summer Olympics in 2016.v

Not only new structures were designed and built, facilities upgraded for required venues...putting this core area of Ontario on the map...it is the amalgamation of athletes who amass for one unified purpose.

The organization committee expected 23,000 volunteers for both Games ~ over 63,000 applicants applied...providing part-time jobs for High School, College and University students...and many others. A senior in my complex was given the assignment of driving VIP vehicles.

The medals were produced by the Royal Canadian Mint...the raw minerals (gold, silver, copper) coming from 3 Pan American countries...and were aboriginal-designed. (Details on these unique medals, I wrote about previously.)

3000 torchbearers travelled about 20,000 km throughout Canada beginning on May 30 in Toronto.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation(CBC) covered the media in both English and French.

Pachi, the Porcupine was revealed as the Official Mascot of the Games.

The Four Host First Nations' role welcomed the world to Vancouver's 2010 Winter Games.

(The 'aboriginal pavilion' was the most visited of any pavilion there.)

The Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation welcome the Americas to Toronto.

Their Incentive: The Games will have a positive influence on youth and their future choices.

The Games give us a chance to inspire our youth to become future athletes.

Success is really important for Aboriginal People.

Together We Are One

as sung by Serena Ryder...was the selected Theme Song of the Games.

We are one; we are beautiful.

It's undeniable we are all the same.

Who's to say what's right or wrong

Cause we all belong...United we stand.

We're strong when we walk together.

Together we can sing much louder.

Louder than any voice alone.

With the strength of a thousand soldiers

We can climb any mountain higher,

Higher, higher, higher.

Stand up...together put your hands up.

You're not alone...together we are one.

Sing with me to the rhythm of your heart beat.

You're not alone...together we are one.

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Together we are one.

Whoa, whoa, whoa,

Together we are one.

It's true, there is no obstacle.

We are unstoppable.

No power can divide one foot in front of the other.

One hand in another...the miracle of one.

Stand up. Together put your hands up.

You're not alone; together we are one.

                                                                   We are one.

                                                                   We are beautiful.

                                                                   We are strong.

                                                                   We are one.

                                                                   We are one.

                                                                   We are beautiful.

                                                                   We are strong.

                                                                   We are one.

Merle Baird-Kerr...composed July 16, 2015

Comments are appreciated...email to:

inezkate@gmail.com or mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Family Life Challenge

Psychologists state, “The human brain is not fully developed until the age of 25.”

They further state: “Legal Adults (those age 18+) are allowed to make adult decisions...without fully mature brains. Someone who is 18 may make riskier decisions than someone in their mid 20's, in part due to lack of experience, but primarily due to an underdeveloped brain. All behaviours and experiences you endure until the age of 25 have potential to impact your developing brain.”

“Hold Your Teen Accountable or He Will Hold You Hostage,”

writes Gary Direnfield...a local social worker.

The question to him from a parent:

“Our 16-year-old teen is refusing to get a job this summer and says he's earned the right to sit around and do nothing if he wants. He says he's through school for the year and this is his vacation. I want him to get a job! Usually, when he sits around, it's to play video games and hang out with his friends. He's never had a job before...how can I make him to get out there and search?”

Answer:

“At 16 years of age, there is really very little you can make your son (or daughter) do. The most you can do is to influence their decisions. How much influence you have depends upon the quality of your relationship with your teen. Typically, teens who think they can get away with whatever they want, do so because they have already been doing so. Often parents inadvertently train them for this by 'giving in' over the years. If finally, you want to hold them 'accountable' , then you must hold true to your expectations. And they will challenge you just being a teenager...and likely have done this for some time to avoid your expectations...and succeeded.

“Speak reasonably with your son.

Be clear about your expectations.

Set out your consequences for when he balks.

“Remain calm and in control of yourself. If you back down from either your specified expectations or your consequences, your teen will continue to hold you hostage!

“You many need to support him in making a resume...do not do it for him. As example, he can be coached for something like hockey; in the end he must play the game...not you!”

If you want your children to keep their feet on the ground,

put some responsibility on their shoulders.

(Abigail Buren)

Defusing the 'Teen Eye Roll' Takes Patience and Fortitude

writes Nancy Maes ~ published in Chicago Tribune:

When teens 'roll their eyes' the meaning of their nonverbal message is not hard for parents to decode. When it first starts appearing, it often ushers in a new chapter of the child-parent relationship. “It's important to understand that teenagers are going through a time of change and are hyper-sensitive, because they're in a very raw period of time, developmentally, when they are trying to separate from their families and become individuals,” says psychologist Alexandra Barzvi.

“Any time they feel like you're judging them or criticizing them or are angry with them, they feel vulnerable and break the lines of communication. Rolling their eyes is their way of expressing their disagreement, frustration and/or resentment with what you're saying or doing.

“Between the ages of 6 and 12, children are pleasant...and they listen better and develop interests and they're still very affectionate and think their parents are great. When teens start to pull away from their parents, it's a very abrupt rupture. The phase will end, eventually. When a teenager 'rolls her/his eyes' during a conversation, a parent should control the urge to call out the behaviour and tell the teen to stop. Rather, stand and wait until the insolent, albeit nonverbal, reaction stops before continuing the conversation. When you attend to negative behaviour, it increases because they know it annoys you. Teens, just like three-year-olds, know when they're misbehaving. By waiting, you let them know that their behaviour is unwelcome.

“Instead: Suggest a timeout until your teen is calmer.

You can say, 'I'm trying to talk to you and I can see that you're not interested;

so why don't I come back later.

You'll get more bang for your buck, if you try to help teens understand the emotions that they're trying to communicate underneath the 'the eye-rolling'. This approach shows that you recognize your child is frustrated or unhappy...and that you're there to listen when she/he is ready to talk.

“Parents of teens have to make sure their own identity is well-shored up from other places. Ideally, they have hobbies, a community of peers or friends, a spouse they like, a spiritual community...so that when the kids exit stage left, the stage is not empty.”

Many parents fail to realize

that their responsibility, when raising children,

is to prepare them for adulthood.

(Author Unknown)

Merle Baird-Kerr...written June 27, 2015

Your opinions are welcome...email to:

inezkate@gmail.com or mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Can Children Bully Parents?

I may not be able to give my kids everything they want,

but I give them what they need:

Love, Time and Attention.

You correct by these ways. (Nishan Panwar)

When Kids go Beyond 'Bossy' or 'Spirited' or 'Lethargic'

We had friends who frequently visited our family. When their little girl was displeased and demanding, she'd lay down on the floor where Mommy was...thrash her feet and arms on the floor...rant and rave with her anger- voice. My friend, to thwart this 'temper tantrum' simply walked out of the room leaving her child alone to vent her extreme displeasure. To the parent, this was a quick remedy as child had no audience. When she discovered that her tantrums were of no avail, she ceased this volatile action.

The parent must remain calm and 'in control'. Giving in, gives the child 'control'.

The Parent LOSES! The Child WINS!

When I was teaching Grade 8 students, John was very lazy, often slouching at his desk, seeming totally disinterested; frequently his assigned homework was not completed and often left at home. Early in the autumn I held Parents' Interviews. Mr. and Mrs Weaver indicated to me that they didn't know what to do with their son: he refused to obey requests from parents; instead he would go to his room to watch TV; he'd prefer to 'hang out' with his friends until bedtime. They felt they had no control over him. What could they do? At 13 years of age, it seemed this boy was having a late-child/early-teen-crisis. Sad to say, by this age, the parents had lost their discipline control.

As a teacher, I delved in conversation with him to determine if any interests.

I gave John assignments to research and write about a couple.

Hockey was one... basketball another...and these he shared with his classmates.

Leanne Italie (Associated Press) wrote the following:

There's a difference in parenting between a little backtalk and kids actually bullying their grown-ups. Parent and family therapist, Sean Grover writes in a new book, “When Kids Call the Shots” that a generation or two ago, it would have been unthinkable for children to bully their parents without any consequences. Today, this means, coming up with new strategies...but also unpacking your own baggage in the esteem, resentment, shame, fear and anxiety compartments of your past. It ain't pretty, but letting go of old tactics...surrendering, punishing, negotiating...is a positive step.

How does this kind of bullying begin?

Grover: It's been around a long time in child development, but it just didn't have that name. The prime reason for it is a 'backlash against the authoritative parenting' of the past. People make these vows that they're not going to be that punishing or that way with their kids. Today, parents go too far in the other direction. They want to be their kids' friends, they're afraid of children, of losing their child's affection.

Children are bullying their parents and bring that culture into the classroom with their peers & teachers.

Are these behaviours out of control?

Grover: What has changed are the parenting models, how people are responding to their children. Many parents come to me: burned out or their relationships are really on the rocks. They begin to relive their own childhood in some way, so it's a mess of internal space that's hard to navigate. The difference is not that child development has changed...but the evolution of parenting.

Is there's more 'guilt-prone', 'anxiety-fuelled', 'fix-everything' parenting today? Are we failing by allowing ourselves to be bullied?

Grover: You get into a strange position where the less parents provide things like structure and boundaries, like in the past, the more kids begin to act up. They're unconsciously waving flags: 'Will you do something over here, please?' It's this crazy dance where kids will push their parents until they set a limit and once they do, things settle down quickly.

You've spoken about your own struggles as a parent.

Grover: When my oldest daughter was about six, she'd have horrific temper tantrums, melt-downs and screaming. I was at a New Year's Day celebration and she was making such a scene. Being a therapist, I was dying a million deaths. She was screaming, running away from me, telling me to shut up. And when I went home, I looked at my parenting books and I just wanted to throw all of them out the window. They were just so generic. It was as if one parenting script fits all cultures. In my book, really I'm asking parents to consider...their history...their culture...their upbringing. What kind of parenting did they get? What were their parents' light qualities? What were their dark qualities?

I went to see a parenting specialist and paid him a lot of money. Reviewing with him my strategies used as a parent (and how miserable the results), this expert said, “I want you to have breakfast with your daughter 3 times a week.” I was like what? And he said, “During that time, you do not talk about yourself; you do not offer any advice or criticisms and you don't tell stories. You just give yourself completely to her.”

I was so desperate at that point and we went to a restaurant and she just devoured that level of attention.

She was a pure delight to be with. It triggered a maturing process.

So on a later trip to Maine she had a melt-down and we talked and finally it came out. She bursts out crying, “You love my sister more than me.” I always shudder to think, had I not taken this route,if I would have gone through punishing and consequences, I probably would have won the battle ~

but I would have lost my daughter.”

* * * * * * *

Where did we ever get the crazy idea that in order to make children do better, first we have to make them feel worse? Think of the last time you felt humiliated or treated unfairly. Did you feel like co-operating or doing better? (Jane Nelson).

Setting Precedents: Most significant it is, for parents to establish with their children what is expected of them. Both parents MUST agree to support each other in the decision making...as children, being the opportunists they are, will play one parent against the other!

When requesting a child to perform a task, there must always be a consequence set immediately. When the child balks or shows resistance of any kind...it is imperative the consequence must follow immediately!

If and when the task is fully completed, be sure to praise him/her!

If we don't shape our kids, they will be shaped by outside forces

that don't care what shape our kids are in.

(Dr. Louise Hart)

Merle Baird-Kerr...written July 6, 2015

To comment...email to:

inezkate@gmail.com or mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Photos/Images That Tell Stories

A photo, or series of them, has the ability to convey stories

to those who view them...displaying emotion, mood, ideas and messages

which, together, are the elements of 'story-telling'.

Most newspaper photography fits into the category of 'story-telling'...something in the photo that grabs the attention of the viewer. Daily, during these Pan American Games, there is a full page of photos and often on the newspaper's front page. Various professional photographers have captured these images of participating athletes...and each one 'tells a story' illustrating agony, ecstasy, despair, elation, determination pushing the body to extreme limits, jubilation ~ from which we can learn.

A dramatic photo of 2 women competing in the 100 metre hurdles. Facing the photographer, he writes of his photo, “With all the determination she could muster, Canada's Jessica Zelinka, left, races the last few metres to the finish line ahead of Breanna Leslie of the United States, to win their heat in the women's heptathlon 100-metre hurdles Friday at York University.

Jason Pryor of the United States positions himself to engage his opponent as his U.S. Team fences with Mexico in the men's epee team quarter-finals. (In this photo, Jason is ready to attack).

Mexico's Samantha Salas is reflected on a wall, as she returns a shot to Argentina's Veronique Guillemette and Maria Vargas during the women's racquetball doubles gold medal match.

Vanessa Spinola, of Brazil, celebrates after coming in third in her heat in the women's heptathlon 110-metre hurdles. Photographer captures her with big smile and right arm raised with upward thumb! And a despondent loser in the background...both showing emotions of the' race heat.'

Alfredo Sepulveda, left, of Chile, runs around Javere Bell, centre, of Jamaica and Joel Mejia, of the Dominican Republic, after Mejia fell while handing off the baton during the semifinals of the men's 4x400 metre relay. An action photo showing the fallen Mejia, and competitors running around him.

Photographer is facing 6 men hurdlers as they hustle through 9 hurdles prior to the run to the finish line. American David Oliver, second from right, leads the runners in the 110 metre hurdles final, with Canada's Johnathan Cabral, right, on his heels. Oliver won the gold medal in this event.

Trinidad and Tobago's Elton Walcott looks for a big finish in the triple jump final. A most dramatic photo showing the side view of the jumper air-borne with arms extended into the air before landing in the sand; a judge stands behind a huge measuring board showing lengths of 14, 15, 16, and 17 (with the quarter and half markings between each numeral). The viewing stands are full of people.

A small picture of interest really captured my attention, taken by The Canadian Press: Up close we view a girl sitting with back to photographer...wearing a sleeveless white shirt and Maple Leaf cap on head with peak at the back over long brunette hair as she watches Ryan Dodd of Canada, jumping his way to winning the gold medal in men's jump water ski. The girl is the focus of the photo as ski jumper is a small silhouette in the distance ~ his leap above the water with only sky as his background.

Yes, I agree, the photographers had ideal opportunities; yet in their imagination, had to create an image that 'told a story'...the secret to good photos. Being in the right place at the right time...is a bonus! It's advised to shoot 3 to 5 different pics of the same subject to ensure correct composition and lighting. Once in a blue moon, a photographer gets lucky!

You and I can create pictures of interest with 'everyday situations'. Consider the following: A back view of a cowboy and other cowboys on a dusty trail herding cattle...a line of businessmen with brief case in hand at a shoe-shining place while boys astride boxes with their supplies are busily at work...an old car abandoned in an open field, rusty in nature, with weeds growing up around it...a young woman in evening dress walking away from the photographer, while she treacherously walks (in high heels) a curving rail on a railway track,'

Pictures should be more than 'just records of the moment'!

They should tell stories...making you want to keep looking into the picture.

Most take pictures for personal reasons: e.g. “me in front of'” or

“Yes, we saw the Eiffel Tower...here it is!”

Solutions? Create the picture to “SPEAK' of the experience...in lieu of just a quickly snapped photo!Have an Idea! Make a mental story! Consider the surroundings! Be aware of the colours that will saturate your photo! Composition and Lighting are the main technical ingredients!

A few story ideas in everyday situations:

Small child kisses Grandpa who displays a loving smile while Grandma stands in the background.

A child takes a Big Breath (open mouth and big eyes) before blowing out her 6 birthday candles.

Egyptian pyramids on the desert floor, leading the eyes into the 3D aspect of the travel photo.

Friends, young boy and girl, sit together on porch step, sharing lunch sandwiches and juice.

A father ties his son's tie as the boy looks down observing as his father intricately 'ties'...father's face shows concentration and adoration in this ordinary act.

Envision a Few Final Colour Photos in Today's Spectator

that “Walk the Talk” with a story-line:

A big blur of water splash that almost hides the swimmer...a spray of kicked-up-dirt that shrouds the long-jumper...the jubilation of a team member jumping into the arms of another...the perfect silhouette of two Canadian synchronized women divers...the whir of wheels of Team Canada's track-cycling's 'Women in Pursuit'...a long horizontal photo of supreme symmetry has Big Impact (a late evening sky of blue with traces of pink, the foreground an extensive line of competing soccer teams set in front of 2015 Toronto banners and our soccer stadium at full capacity; the night lights beam their evening rays.

And this last one is my favourite with the following caption:

“Felipe Miranda, of Chile, had some crazy memories of the water-ski competition as he threads a pair of geese in Toronto's Lake Ontario.” Felipe is centred in the photo on an angular lean as he skis the rippling water while a Canada Goose on each side, disrupted from their domain, fly hastily from this sudden invasion of their solitude.

THINK before you Speak! to avoid the er's, ah's and um's.

THINK before you Write! be clear ( to avoid misunderstanding).

THINK before you Shoot (photos)! compose a mental story.

Advice I've learned to follow!

Merle Baird-Kerr...written July 27, 2015.

To comment...email to:

inezkate@gmail.com or mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Salute to August ~ 2015

~ a Mosaic of Musings and Ramblings ~

Best Sermons are Lived: Today I asked my mentor, a very successful businessman in his 70's, “What are your 3 top tips for success?” He smiled and replied,

“Read something no one else is reading.

Think something no one else is thinking.

Do something no one else is doing.”

(from Carolyn's collection)

Bizarre Facts: Usain Bolt, a runner from Jamaica, ate nothing but chicken nuggets while he was competing in Beijing...because that was “the only thing he knew” and won 3 Gold Medals!

Community Updates: Dundas Cactus Festival turns 40 and is celebrating its 40^th anniversary the weekend of August 14 to 16 along King Street. Enjoy local musicians, the street vendors, ceramic tile painting, rides, free balloons...and more.

Inspirational Hardware: Pan American high-bar Silver Medalist, Kevin Lytwyn, shows his medal to campers of the Boys and Girls Club of Hamilton where he started taking gymnastics at age of 8.

Cruise the Harbour: Bring the family aboard the Hamilton Harbour Queen Saturday & Sunday and see the sights aboard the 90-minute narrated tour that provides unique views and natural recreational and industrial aspects of the city. The cruise leaves Pier 8 on Discovery Drive at 3 p.m.

Panorama: The Royal Botanical Gardens is honouring the Pan American Games with a festival celebrating the nature, culture and heritage of the Americas and the Caribbean while promoting healthy, active living and environmental awareness. These regions are represented through plants, natural landscapes, food, art and music. The Gardens are open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Sports Technology: Three new companies are moving to Hamilton to form the nucleus of a centre of excellence for sports and analyties ~ the art and science using technology to improve the performance of competitors. Ron Foxcroft says, “The project could be worth $200 million and more...providing 500 jobs when fully developed. There is so much business opportunity in sports!”

Hamilton Author Named to Order of Canada is known internationally for his 2007 novel, “The Book of Negroes” which was the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best Books and CBC's mini-series last year. The Order of Canada, established in 1967, recognized outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation...and for contributions that have enriched the lives of others.

Local Firm wins Randle Reef Contract: The Federal Government has awarded a contract to McNally Construction Inc. Randle Reef is the world's worst coal tar-contaminated site in Canada. Mark Johnson, spokesperson for Environment Canada said the $138.9 million project will be completed in 3 stages from 2015 to 2022. McNally's job comes in at nearly $33 million and involves building a steel box around the worst contamination at the bottom of the reef ~ expected to contain the materials for at least 200 years. A layer of rock will cap the top of the box and make the surface re-purposed for industrial purposes. It will take 2 years to build the box, 2 years to scoop up the excess and 3 years to cap and clear the landscape. Other funding: from the Federal and Ontario governments, City of Hamilton Port Authority, City of Burlington and from Halton Region. (Stages 2 and 3 will be tendered at a later date.)

Health is Wealth! Lemon juice and Salt Clean Wooden Cutting Boards. Don't throw them in the dishwasher! Once or twice a month, apply a thin layer of lemon or lime juice (vinegar works too) and coarse salt to the board. Let sit for a few minutes, then scrub it off. The acidity of the juice and the abrasiveness of the salt will help dig in to keep the board clean...and smelling fresh.

Health Drink Craze Taps Birch Trees: Harvested from the sap of silver birch trees and bottled immediately, the drink has many health-giving properties...which proponents say may help to reduce cholesterol levels.

Humour: When my husband got pulled over by a policeman on a trip in Switzerland, he wondered what the trouble was. “Didn't you notice the flash from the speed-control-camera ?” asked the officer. “Ah, that's what it was?” asked my husband, unaccustomed to this technology. “I thought it was a lightning strike.” Before handing him a ticket with a hefty fine, the policeman said, “Yeah, well...here comes the thunder!”

MBK's NewsBits: “So, Evelyn Jones (standing with team personnel), what's the secret to reaching 108 and throwing out 'the first pitch' at a Seattle Mariner's game?”

She replied, “Easy ~ keep having birthdays!

Homeless B.C. Man Finds $2,000, Brings it to RCMP. The honesty of a homeless man who turned in more than $2,000 he found on a suburban Victorian street, could pay off for the unidentified Good Samaritan. RCMP Const. Alex Berube said that police are looking for the man in his 60's to tell him his good deed has spurred people to donate to a fundraiser effort that's already hit $1,400. The man has no fixed address, but brought in the money because he believed it was the right thing to do.

Couple in San Diego Dies in Each Other's Arms Hours Apart: Jeanette and Alexander Toczko were 8 when they became smitten with one another. They married in 1940 and told their children they wished to die in each other's arms. Last month, at their home, just days before their 75^th anniversary, that wish was fulfilled. KGTV reported 95 year-old Alexander's health was failing rapidly after he broke his hip. The children put Jeanette in bed next to him. According to their daughter, after Alexander died, Jeanette said, “Wait for me, I'll be there soon.” Just hours later, Jeanette died too.

'Leap Second' Will be Added to World Clock to make June 30...a second longer. “The move is to ensure time stays in sync with earth's rotation...which is slowing down because ocean tides are moving ahead of it due to events such as earthquakes while the moon, which controls the tides, is trying to pull them back into alignment,” says McMaster's Rob Cockcroft.

Nature: DiCaprio Foundation Awards $15 Million in Grants to evironmental groups including Amazon Watch, Save the Elephants, Tree People and the World Wildlife Foundation...stating, “The destruction of our planet continues at a pace we can no longer afford to ignore! We have a responsibility to innovate a future where 'habitability of our planet' does not come at the expense of those who inhabit it.” The 40 year old actor has been an active environmentalist throughout his career.

It's Possible Asian Crab Was Released into Cootes Paradise on Purpose...possibly for religious reasons by someone who smuggled the creature into Canada. For some 'faiths' it provides points for your karma after life. The live crab was captured at the RBG operated fishway near Hamilton Harbour.

Nova Scotia Gets 23 New Protected Areas: Hundreds of Crown-owned islands on Nova Scotia's eastern shore and 22 other sites across the province are being legally protected as 'wilderness areas or nature preserves.'

Did You Know? River otters prefer life on the shores of deep, clear rivers and lakes, large marshes and ocean bays. The playful animal is primarily nocturnal and remains active year around.

Notable Dates: August 3 (Monday) ~ Civic Holiday

August 12 (Wednesday) ~ International Youth Day

August 15 (Saturday) ~ National Acadian Day

August 17 (Monday) ~ Discovery Day (Yukon)

Samaritan Animal Award: The first time a Los Angeles shelter's 'Hero Dog Award' has gone to a cat!

In May, 2014, Tara, the cat fought off a dog that attacked her 6-year-old owner as he rode his bicycle in the driveway of the family's Bakersfield home. Tara body-slammed Scrappy, a chow-mix that lived next door, when the dog got out of his yard and ran for Jeremy, grabbed his leg and started shaking him from side to side. Tara chased the dog toward its home...it was later euthanized. Jeremy who is autistic, had to have 8 stitches. About Tara, he said, “She's My Hero!”

Footage of Tara's Heroics from home security videos made her an international celebrity ~ placed on You Tube having over 650,000 hits so far!

Space Discovery: NASA Scientists Thrilled About Earth's Cousin. Confirmed: The first near-Earth-sized planet in the 'habitable zone' around a sun-like star called Kepler 452b ~ an area scientists believe could support life. “ It's awe inspiring to consider this planet has spent 6 billion years...that's substantial opportunity for life to arise, should all the ingredients and conditions for life to exist on this planet.”

Merle Baird-Kerr...information compiled July 25, 2015

Comments appreciated...email to:

inezkate@gmail.com or mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca

Canadian Figure Skating Legend ~ Toller Cranston

Born Shalitoe Toller Montague Cranston April 20, 1949 in Hamilton, Ontario;

Died January 24, 2015 at age 65 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

...from an apparent heart attack.

He won the 'free-skate' segment of the World Championships four times and won the Bronze Medal at the Olympic Games in Austria. Toller Cranston, a prolific Canadian figure skater, was widely credited for bringing new artistry to the sport whose creativity changed his sport's esthetic. His free-skating style inspired future generations of champion skaters ~ and was one of the most sought-after choreographers. Jeanne Becker, his long-time friend who first met Cranston in 1979 when she lived across the road from him in Cabbagetown in Toronto said, “He was absolutely outrageous!”

Artistic Career: Living also in Kirkland Lake and Montreal (attending Ecole de Beaux Arts), his mother (also a painter)...both her discipline and schooling were both 'too structured'. He became self-supportive as an artist, making enough money to cover his skating expenses. He held his first exhibition at his coach, Ellen Burka's home, in the spring of 1969; and in November 1971, he had another successful one-man-show in Toronto (the result of almost a year's work). He continued to have gallery and museum displays with over 250 exhibitions around the world. He continued to paint even after his official skating retirement.

Skating Career: After an initial failed experience with ballet lessons, Cranston started skating at the age of 7, when his parents bought him a pair of hockey skates. With these, he tried to 'dance on the ice'...which later was called figure skating. His mother, reluctant to allow him to pursue the sport seriously, at the age of 11, Toller met Eva Vasek, who impressed by his talent, coached him 'for free' for the next 8 years. In 1964, at the age of 13, he won 1964 Canadian Junior Championships. After failing to make the Canadian Team for the 1968 Olympics, Cranston struggled with motivation and lack of training discipline. The following season, he began to work with Ellen Burka in Toronto who required him to do several 'run-throughs' of his entire program....and his results began to improve: 3^rd at the Canadian Championships in1969 and 2^nd in 1970.

He quickly gained a reputation as ...the most innovative and exciting artistic skater of his time. He was the first to emphasize the use of the whole body to express the music...as well as to execute skating moves in best form...even to wearing elaborate costumes. He was particularly known for the quality and inventiveness of his precision landings...and inventive choreographing combination jumps including triple revolutions. His goal in skating was to create 'theatre on ice' as a form of dance expression...rather than winning medals. His first National title included a Triple Salchow and loop jumps (receiving a standing ovation from the audience). At the 1972 Canadian Championships, his marks included 4 6's for 'artistic impression' and 6 5.9's for technical merit. In the1972 World Figure Skating Championships, he won the 'free-skating' medal and again in 1974. He was also the 1976 Olympic Bronze Medalist winning the 'free-skate'.

Professional Career: From 1976 to 1994 he toured with many skating shows in United States, Canada and Europe. One major European show promoted him as Le Patineur du Siecle (the Skater of the Century).He performed 'Skating Specials' for CBC Television which were distributed throughout 67 countries. After breaking his leg while practising for a holiday show in Vail, Colorado, he decided in 1997 to retire from professional skating.

He sold his house in Toronto

and bought a house in San Miguel, Mexico.

As the naturally artistically-gifted Brian Orser once explained,

“Canadian men had always been so far behind after the now-dead compulsory figures

that they needed a virtual knockout punch just to climb back into contention.”

So, Orser became the first practitioner of the Triple Axle...

Kurt Browning introduced the Quad...

and Elvis Stojko made the Quad-combination de rigtueur.

Without compulsory figures, Cranston assumed he would have won on the strength of his free-skating segments. He believed figure skating should be a mix of art and athleticism, not just art...while hyper-extending the creative side. Toller Cranston was an artist of considerable talent who produced thousands of paintings. He said, “I was an artist who skated...not the other way around.”

In 2003, he was awarded recognition

with his Star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto.

Merle Baird-Kerr...written January 27, 2015

Your comments about this 'legend' are appreciated.

Email to: inezkate@gmail.com or mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca