Pete's Hit and Run Notes

March 27th...... 

Now's the time to sign up to take part in the MS Supercities Walk taking place here in Hamilton Sunday April 13^th. Join Jason Farr and myself as we host the two fun Hamilton Walks as we raise funds for support services and a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.  For details on how to sign up go to K-litefm.com and join the Springtime walk for a great cause

(A terrific, entertainment-filled fundraiser for the SPCA coming up this Monday evening starting at 8PM....."THE YEAR OF THE CAT" takes place at Pepper Jack Café , 38 King William Street. Admission is just $10 and for that you get to check out the talents of Rob Lamothe, Harrison Kennedy, Melissa McClelland, Kim Koren, Christopher Clause, Mike Trebilcock, Ginger St. James, The Heartbroken Souls, and Tim Gibbons. Wow !!It's an all ages affair, and the tunes start cranking around 8:20 PM.  All the critters at the SPCA will be helped by proceeds, and the thank you very much for going.)

Clint Eastwood says he has no hard feelings with Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger after being fired from the California state parks board.  Clint opposed a toll road project that would have run through San Onofre state beach, a popular surf and scenery park in Orange County and he attributes that as the reason the Governator may have wanted him not to be reappointed to the board.

Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora was arrested Tuesday evening around 11 oclock on suspicion of drunk driving. He was weaving and straddling lanes in Laguna Beach and may face child endangerment charges since 2 minors were in the back seat. He was twice in rehab last year, his next date will be in court. That's on May 7^th.

After 19 years of marriage, Robin Williams wife has filed for divorce. Marsha Garces Williams cites irreconcilable differences and they've got a couple of kids, Zelda is 18, Cody is 16.  Can't imagine that a creative Wildman like Robin Williams would be a piece of cake to live with.

We've spend 19 million on snow clearing already here in Hamilton and there's no guarantee we won't get pounded a couple more times before early Spring lets go of winter weather.  When all said and done we could end up 10 million in the red for this years plowing and salting budget.

A new passenger train platform at Hamilton's Liuna Station should clear the way for increased GO train service to the city and perhaps a return of VIA rail serve too.  The Hunter street TH&B station is pretty much at capacity for GO service,  so another platform in the city will increase the number of commuters to Toronto who can leave their car behind.

The new Ottawa street farmer's market is now open for business on Fridays and Saturdays. It replaces the old Center mall market and is on the East side of Ottawa, between Cannon and Edinburgh. Grand opening ceremonies are planned for May but for now, feel free to head down and fill up on the fresh bounty of Ottawa Street.

GOOD LUCK TO ORCHARD PARK THIS WEEKEND !!!!  Check this.......

Orchard Park Secondary School's FIRST Robotics team looks to build on recent success.

Orchard Park's Patriotics robotics team to participate in Toronto Regional completion March 27-29 at Mississauga Hershey Center.

Stoney Creek, Ontario, March 26, 2008:  Stoney Creek Secondary school Orchard Park is Hamilton's only entry in Greater Toronto FIRST Robotics competition being webcast on Discovery Channel.ca. Having competed last weekend in the Waterloo Regional and securing a berth for the world championship in Atlanta in April; team 2056 as they are known in the FIRST world are preparing for this week's event.

With over 20 students involved in the design and manufacture of this year's robot; Stan Hunter the teacher responsible for getting Orchard Park students involved in this program indicated that the team is looking forward to this week's competition in Mississauga. "We have a very dedicated team of students." Said Hunter. "This program is based on Gracious Professionalism and our school is proud of how our students performed this past weekend in Waterloo."

Orchard Parks team is very young; having only been formed for the 2007 competitions. Even though they compete against teams with much more experience and funding; the Patriotics team completed the seeding at Waterloo in first place giving them the first round pick for the final alliance. In addition the team was awarded the ‘Motorola Quality Award' for this year's design.

Hunter and the team are currently fundraising to support the trek to the Worlds in Atlanta April 17-19 at the Georgia Dome. Orchard Park are one of 1500 teams comprised of 37,000 high school students from Brazil, Canada, Chile, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, UK, and every state in the US participating in this year's events. Robots were built from a common kit of parts supplied by FIRST during a limited 6 week period. For additional information or to offer support contact Mr. Hunter at the school.

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About Orchard Park Patrotics Team #2056

Founded in 2007 by Stan Hunter team #2056 has over 20 members designing and manufacturing this year's robot. Students are divided into various disciplines including Engineering, Manufacturing, Marketing, Scouting, and Fundraising. The Orchard Park team receives funding from Hamilton District School Board, CNC Woodcraft, Winona Men's Club, Rack Solutions, All Tool Automation, ArcelorMittal Dofasco, Burlington Hydro, Echo Hill Automation, Donald Brown Funeral Home, Scotia Bank, Royal Bank, ThunderIT, Michael Walker Advertising, Greg Moro Plumbing and Heating, and others.  The Team also receives mentoring from Tyler Holtzman and RMT Robotics.   www.oppatrotics.com

Team Highlights:

·         2008 Waterloo Regional Winners

·         2008 Motorola Quality Award Waterloo Regional

·         2007 Indiana Robotics Invitational Winners

·         2007 National Championship Galileo Semi-Finalist

·         2007 Greater Toronto Regional Winners

·         2007Highest Rookie Seed Award Greater Toronto Regional

·         2007 Waterloo Regional Winners

·         2007 Rookie All-Star Award Waterloo Regional

·         2007 Highest Rookie Seed Award Waterloo Regional

Contact:

Mr. Stan Hunter

Orchard Park Secondary School

905-662-3838 X330

Stanley.hunter@hwdsb.on.ca

About First Robotics

Accomplished inventor Dean Kamen founded FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) in 1989 to inspire an appreciation of science and technology in young people. Based in Manchester, NH, FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology, and engineering. With the support of many of the world's most well known companies and scientific societies, the not-for-profit organization hosts the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and the FIRST Tech Challenge for high school students, FIRST LEGO league for children 9 to 14 years old, and Junior FIRST Lego League for 6 to 9 year olds. For additional information, visit http://www.usfirst.org/