Maple Lake Ontario

Ontario: Show Some Spring! Webcam Photos – 03.29.09

Ξ March 29th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake Ontario, Ontario, Photography, Travel/Vacation, cottage country, family, marine/marina, nature, spring, webcam |

Reach Harbour, Ontario- 03.29.09

If you have a job in which you arrive at the beginning of your shift and then go to a desk area with a computer what do you do? Get up and fix yourself some coffee? Make some conversation with your office-mates? Jump online and go directly to the Weather Channel’s webcam site?

If you are my spouse you skip the coffee and the office mates and go straight to the Ontario webcams.  He told me this last night as we were walking our dog and I knew to respond with “Why? Are you looking for signs of spring?” To which he replied yes, then ticked off a number of benchmarks like the hole in the ice on Head Lake in Haliburton is bigger but he OTOH, sees very little change from the winter scenery on Lake Muscoka.

Lake Muscoka, Gravenhurst 03.29.09

Of course what we are both intested in is what Maple Lake looks like  but we have to wait until we get there to really know. It would be fun to watch spring unfold not near Maple Lake as I’m doing here but actually on the Lake which is my plan from this year and beyond. I’ve made that choice as a solid one after going through today and viewing every single Ontraio webcam resource that  is made public online and finding that 90% of them are non-functional/too fuzzy to see anything/being battered about so much that a non-blurry screen shot is impossible ( Niagara Falls). Still, the Weather Channel’s webcam link is your best best to find the most webcams that are operating in some fashion so I continue to rely on them–and am thankful for their availability.

Indian River, Port Carling -3.29.09

Head Lake, Haliburton, Ontario -03.29.09

Kincardine Harbour, Lake Erie -03.29.09

Penetangore River Channel to Lake Erie, Kincardine- 3.29.09

Weekend Weather – Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake, Short and Long Term Weather Forecasts

Ξ March 27th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton Highlands, Ontario, Photography, Travel/Vacation, cottage country, marine/marina, weather, webcam |

Haliburton Highlands-Maple Lake area weather forecast for Saturday, March 28 predicts mostly sunny skies with a high of 46°F with no chance of precipitation. To put it shortly, this will be the nicest weather of this week–so enjoy!

Clouds come in by Saturday evening and by Sunday, March 29, expect light rain with accumulations of less than one inch, a high of 48°F  and a low of 35°F.

For Monday, March 30, expect a cloudy day with an occasional sunny break. There’s no rain in the forecast and the temperatures should run 37° for the high and all the way down to the tied-for-coldest night of the week at 21°F. On the last day of March–the 31st–there will be a mix of rain and snow, close to 1″ accumulation of the wet stuff,  and a high of 35°F and the low–for the second night–of 21°F.

Wednesday, April 1st expect isolated flurries and perhaps less than an inch of accumulation. The high will be 30°F and the low 24°F. Looking ahead to Thursday, April 2,  temperatures are on the rise with a forecasted high of 41°F, variable cloudiness, and a low temperature of 24°F.

Pay close attention to Friday’s forecast because if it plays out the way the forecasters are predicting it will have an impact on your daily activities. The forecast for Friday April 3, calls for 10″ of SNOW.  The high is to be 37°F and low 28°F.

Have a great week!

Ontario to hit record $14.1B deficit in 2009(!)

Ξ March 27th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Maple Lake Ontario, Ontario, Sorry, Travel/Vacation, United States, business, canada, financial, government/politics, me, news, opinion |

1 Canadian dollar = 0.813008 U.S. dollars

Ontario will rack up a record $14.1-billion deficit in 2009

Ontario will rack up a record $14.1-billion deficit in 2009 as it commits billions to infrastructure projects and job retraining aimed at pulling the province out of a recession, provincial Finance Minister Dwight Duncan revealed on Thursday in the tabling of his $108.9-billion budget.

The fiscal plan also proposes corporate tax cuts to ease costs for struggling businesses and stimulate investment in Ontario’s sagging economy, which has shed hundreds of thousands of jobs in recent years.

The budget forecasts a deficit of $3.9 billion in the 2008-2009 fiscal year, followed by a deficit of $14.1 billion in 2009-2010. It anticipates Ontario will run deficits for the next seven years, with a proposed return to balanced books no later than the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

The province and the federal government have also agreed to harmonize the provincial sales tax and GST into a single 13 per cent sales tax by July 1, 2010, which Duncan called the “next essential step” in growing the province’s economy and improving competitiveness.

It also allocates a $3.4-billion contingency fund, from which an unspecified amount can be directed toward a bailout package for the province’s beleaguered auto industry once negotiations with automakers are completed.

You know what alarms me about Ontario’s fiscal situation? Just last summer the Canadian dollar was worth more than the American. For the first time ever we spent more to vacation in Ontario at the cottage that in my entire life! And I was completely happy to do so. Happy for Canada, happy for Ontario. But in less than nine months time the Canadian dollar has plummeted to be worth roughly 80 cents on the American buck! Call me fiscally naive but that seems really out of whack. What the heck happened?! And so quickly.

Here in the States we are up a creek with no paddle but this has been building for many years. I have to think that the Canadian economy was in a fix 9 months ago but something was over-inflated and it appeared you all were fine. Best of luck. We’ve got a long slog too so at least you are not alone. Hate to consider this but I’ve been told that as the US goes so goes Canada about 6 months later and darned if  it’s not happening.

Second point. What is with the word “harmonize” when describing the fusing of  the provincial sales tax and GST into a single 13 per cent sales tax? Harmonize? Really? The politicians really know how to spin.

And 13%? Oi! Even with socialized medicine as a benefit and that silly baby supplement that families get– a 13% tax? We have the highest sales tax in the United States and it’s 10.25%. Honestly, when I really start comparing the two countries I have to believe that Canada is not better off than the States. What’s next? Your infant mortality rates going up and life expectancy going down? Do you really want to follow the muddy path that the States has followed– or is it too late? I hope not. On both counts.

Between Seasons – Lake Michigan, Chicago, IL – Lake Muscoka, Gravenhurst, Ontario

Ξ March 22nd, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton Highlands, Ontario, Photography, United States, canada, cottage country, spring, weather, webcam, winter |

In some ways right now–past the mid-point in March is the hardest time of year here in the Midwest in regard to the weather. We hope that the worst of winter is over with yet still we’ll be unsurprised if we get hit again with winter weather and the plows and the salting commence. On the flip side, there’s no snow left on the ground, the grass is showing hints of green, the birds are chirping like crazy, bunnies are hopping about–you get the idea. It feels like spring is almost here yet it remains elusive–quite far away still. Our seasons are very odd in that the transition time is short. It’s not months–it’s only weeks that we experience both a traditional spring or fall. The rest of the time it’s either summer or winter. For now, no matter what the calendar says–it’s winter.

Navy Pier, Chicago, Lake Michigan, IL, USA -March 22, 2009

Lake Muscoka, Gravenhurst, Ontario, Canada - March 22, 2009

Southern – Central Ontario Haliburton Highlands 7-Day Weathercast

Ξ March 21st, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton Highlands, Ontario, Photography, canada, cottage country, spring, weather, webcam, winter |

Lake Superior, Ontario, Canada March 19, 2009

Bottom line for the Haliburton-Maple Lake Area is NO snow from the 21-27 of March–all next week. On only one day–Thursday, March  is there” a 90% chance of showers. Finally, every day next week is forecasted to be above freezing with three days– Weds, Thursday  & Friday having temps  closer to 50°F than 40!

Weekend Weather Haliburton Highlands

March 21- 27 Long Term - Weather Haliburton Highlands - Maple Lake

Ontario, Canada Photos – Spring 2009 Emerging – Haliburton Highlands, Southern, Central Ontario

Ξ March 19th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton Highlands, Internet, Ontario, Photography, Travel/Vacation, business, canada, cottage country, marine/marina, opinion, personal, webcam, winter |

Lake Muscoka, Gravenhurst, Ontario - March 19, 2009

Yesterday, whilst we were taking our dog Raven for her nightly walk, my husband remarked that “the snow is melting off the docks on Lake Muscoka.” He’d been looking at the webcam shot available on the Internet as he made the assessment. Since “the melt,” as I’m calling it seems to be underway (I’m never certain that there is not going to be another freeze of any duration–is anyone?) I thought it best to see what I could pull up on the Ontario webcams.
As much as I hate sounding curmudgeonly there remains only a couple of public webcams in the entire province of Ontario that give access to a nice scene. Otherwise webcams , especially those that are sponsored by business’s like oh say, the Toronto webcam by CBC television are absolutely unremarkable. The shot CBC shows could be of “any city” and it’s any city of not great beauty. Conversely, a second shot of Toronto Island sponsored by The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto, though a long shot, is in focus and gives a wonderful view of the magnificent vista.

Toronto Island - March 19, 2009

It still flabbergasts me that a province like Ontario that depends so on income from tourism does not take advantage of the ever-burgeoning use of the Internet and strategically install tourism-inducing webcams in some of Ontario’s most gorgeous areas. I’m sure if the province put a bit of money into this and found some competent people to periodically make sure that the camera was pointed in the right direction, in focus, not obscured by dirt, debris, etc. that the pay-off over time would more than outweigh the initial cost of installing the cameras and the recurring cost of bandwidth that allows the showcasing of the picture pretty Ontario webcam shots.

If I sound discouraged, I am, mostly because it’s such a wasted opportunity for the province and frankly, that sharp minds in Ontario haven’t already thought to do this when so many residents have been industrious enough to do so, despite the fact that they are almost always selling something. I don’t mind adverts but in the case of Haliburton’s webcam shot “sponsored by Halcom Communications,” one must go to their site, which many of us are reluctant to do as doing so as a practice makes one vulnerable to cookies attached to one’s browser. I’ve actually written to Halcom asking it they could adjust/clean the lens of their webcam–got no reply. So they get free advertising and they give us next to nothing in return.

Kincardine Harbour, Lake Erie

Indian River, Port Carling, Ontario - March 19, 2009

Lake Kawagama, Dorset, Courtesy Mountain Trout House

Lights Out! For Earth Hour 2009 on March 28!

Ξ March 18th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Photography, United States, canada, events, family, fun activity, government/politics, health/happiness, home, news |

What can you do?

It is easy! From 8:30 – 9:30 local time turn off all lights and non-essential electrical appliances to support an increased awareness of environmental issues. See below for unique ways to mark Earth Hour 2009 with friends and family.

10 Ways to Mark Earth Hour

• Attend local Earth Hour events or organize one.
• Go outside and look at the stars.
• Find a great viewing spot to see your town or city go dark at 8:30 p.m.
• Take pictures and send them to Your Weather.
• Go for a lantern walk through a park.
• Patronize local restaurants and businesses taking part in Earth Hour.
• Gather your family or friends for a candle-lit dinner.
• Meet your neighbours at a street or block party.
• Have an acoustic music jam.
• Talk to your children about how much electricity your family uses. Brainstorm ways to reduce it.

Source: WWF-Canada
From the official video source: Official Earth Hour 2009 video. Earth Hour is on March 28th, 2009 at 8:30pm. More at http://www.earthhour.org

Support Earth Hour by making your own video and adding it to our Earth Hour Global group here:
http://www.youtube.com/group/earthhourglobal/

Earth Hour images can be downloaded and shared from our flickr photostream, including Shepard Fairey Vote Earth artwork: http://www.flickr.com/photos/earthhour_global/

Smart Home: Home in 90 Seconds/Becoming Edvard Munch

Ξ March 17th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Uncategorized |

“The construction and assembly of the modular Smart Home took about four months (give or take). Here’s your chance to watch it come together in less than 90 seconds!”

Museum of Science And Industry

Story source: Huff Post

Visitors will again be able to stroll through the Museum of Science and Industry’s environmentally friendly home exhibit after a brief closure and renovation.

Museum officials say the Smart Home exhibit that closed Jan. 4 reopens Thursday. The home is on museum grounds and originally opened in May 2008. Since then, more than 100,000 people toured the exhibit, which runs through Jan. 3.

The goal of the Chicago exhibit is to show visitors that saving energy and conserving resources are within reach of everyone. The redesign updates the 2,500-square-foot home with the latest in green technology, including an eco-friendly baby nursery and a garage workshop.

Just in time for spring break!

But I wanted to go to the Art Institute and it’s my chance to pick. Dilemma.

This uber green home looks very interesting and educational and practical but I’m in the  mood for aesthetics.

Houston we have a problem. This: Becoming Edvard Munch.

It has pieces such as this one on loan:

"Melancholy" 1894-96 - Edvard Munch

Oi. I have to see this exhibition. Why live near a city that has wonderful exhibitions come through and not go see them? Exactly.

Spring Arrives in Southern Ontario – Webcam Photos, Long Term Weather Forecast UPDATE

Ξ March 16th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton Highlands, Ontario, Photography, cottage country, opinion, personal, spring, weather, webcam, winter |

As much as I wish I could be in Ontario to witness winter turning into spring, the best I can do for now–and in truth it is a pretty fun endeavour, is to visit various areas  of southern/south central/central Ontario and through the magic of live webcam imagery record the changes. I do tend to go to specific spots regularly either because I find them so appealing or the  spots I’d like to go to have the craziest webcam setups ever. Strangely, quite a few of the odd webcam setups –meaning the picture is a blurred or non-existent altogether are sponsored by businesses. (People who put up outdoor webcams for pleasure seem to care about getting it right.) Halcom Communication in Haliburton, Ontario: I’m talking to you. You’ve had the most craptastic picture of Haliburton up for years now–and one can only get to it after wading through your self-promotion. Now I’m all for self-promotion but when there is a crummy, fuzzy, CROOKED webcam shot as a reward? Um, no. Now onto my stable of regulars after a quick look at the 14-day forecast for south central Ontario. It is indeed changing–and if you like warm and dry–for the better.

14-day Weather Trend, Haliburton Highlands

Out of the next two weeks, 10 of 14 days are forecasted to have normal or above-normal temperatures. Yay!

Barrie stills looks quite frosty 3.16.09

Downtown Chapleau looks positively inviting!

Lake Superior in Wawa

Lake Muscoka, Gravenhurst has a while to go before melt

Kincardine: Penetangore River to Lake Huron: melting

Lakefield - Reach Harbour. This may be the one I'm most looking foreward to watching as it transforms.

Weekend Weather – Haliburton Highlands, Maple Lake, Short and Long Term Weather Forecasts

Ξ March 13th, 2009 | → 0 Comments | ∇ Haliburton Highlands, Ontario, Photography, canada, cottage country, nature, weather, webcam, winter |

Though Friday night’s clear skies bring with them the lowest temperature of the week, we can look forward to an extended thaw beginning Saturday afternoon which with have variable cloudiness, a high of 33°F, and 9 mph winds out of the southwest. Sunday, look for bright, sunny skies and a high of 44°F with lows dipping down to 19°F overnight.

Monday is expected to be mainly sunny again with a high of 44°F and overnight lows falling only to 23°F. On Tuesday, March 17, expect a mix of clouds with sunny breaks and the week’s “highest” high at 46°F with lows overnight yet again not at all severe at 24°F. Looking to Wednesday the warming trend will continue with a high of 44°F with a 60% chance of light rain. I believe that overnight Wednesday will be the first night in quite some time where the temperatures are forecasted to remain slightly above freezing at a low of 33°F. Thursday the 19th ushers in the first real drop in temperatures. Expect variable cloudiness, a high of only 28°F and a nighttime low of 19°F. For Friday, March 20 expect more variable cloudiness with a high of 30°F during the day and a nighttime low of 17°F. There is no precipitation in the forecast for either Thursday or Friday.

Here is the 14-day extended weather forecast:

Below are some webcam shots I took of various pretty spots by the water in south central Ontario. Depending on the spot you will notice degrees of ice melt. I’m assuming that the  upcoming 4-day thaw should enhance the thaw even further. Should be fun to follow.

There’s the tell-tale melting near the center of Head Lake in Haliburton.

But at Lake Muscoka in Gravenhurst it looks like winter still has a firm grip.

The ice-melt is very apparent in Kincardine where the harbour is quickly reverting to it’s liquid state.

The Silver Lake Resort still looks like it has a ways to go before an expanse of water is on the vista.