W E S T E R N D I S T R I C T

The last time I remember this property being active was when it was a Toyota dealership.  Then about ten years ago, or maybe less, it was stucco’d and signage went up for “Bruce Anderson Funeral Home”.  Then… nothing happened.  It has sat vacant for years in-spite of a great central location and a huge parking lot.

Fast forward to March, 2010, and here we have crews on-site removing the ugly stucco.  I was heartened to see signs underneath of what was once an attractive 1920s era building underneath.  I was hoping plans were to clean it up and restore the classic front.   Instead they will be renovating the building and adding stucco again.   Not crazy about that but it’s their property, their prerogative, and I wish them luck bringing tenants just the same.

No sitting home with the game console for this budding skater as well as many other Windsor families and young couples who came out in great numbers to enjoy free skating at Charles Clark Square – one of Windsor’s great civic assets.

It’s becoming an annual affair at St. Barnabas church which already has a busy event calendar especially this time of year – their “Living Nativity”.  Drop by on Sunday, December 13th, between 6-8pm to see.  Today’s photo shows parishoners setting up for this event in 2007.

Events such as today’s Walkerville Holiday Walkabout continue to help drive Old Walkerville’s growth over the last few years into being Windsor’s most desirable and vibrant area to live.  Here we see some carolers who were strolling about and setting up in front of various shops entertaining the crowds.

The exhibit, “Electric Avenue: Windsor’s Historic Streetcars” continues to be popular with gallery visitors at AGW.  It runs until January 3, 2010.  If you haven’t visited yet, please consider doing so. The exhibit emphasizes Windsor’s past as a Canadian pioneer in electric streetcar and interurban transit and the potential to be so once again on day.

Cyclist out in front in the Master I race of the 51st annual Tour di Via Italia on Erie street, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009.  A labour day tradition in Windsor since 1958.

Most of you probably remember the amazing airshows sponsored by Big V and Chrysler. It’s been years since Windsor has had any kind of airshow, least of all one of this magnitude.

The Windsor International Airshow continues today at the Windsor Flying Club. If you plan on visiting, don’t forget to take Airport road off Walker to the flying club entrance, not the main YQG entrance on Division.

Pictured above – Airshow volunteer, Barry, selling souvenir t-shirts and coins, as well as helping provide information and direction to visitors.

A crowd pleaser with a storied past, Canadian Mitchell B-25 Bomber with invasion stripes.  This plane resides at the Canadian Warplane Heritage museum in Hamilton.

Admission is $20 and well worth the price to see the static displays and enjoy the demonstrations from the flight line.

This afternoon’s Scaledown Radio was as usual hosted by blogster Chris Holt with guests Bernie Drouillard, Ron Drouillard, and yours truly discussing an upcoming exhibit to take place at the Art Gallery of Windsor from Oct. 3 to Dec. 3.  The exhibit will feature historic photos, route maps, artifacts, and much more of our area’s historic and forgotten past as innovators and leaders in light rail urban and interurban transit.  All of this with an eye on bringing streetcars back to Windsor and Essex county.  Other communities have already rediscovered light rail and have benefited greatly from it.  Why not us?

Listen here

Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies were held at WFCU Centre Thursday night. The floor was reserved for athletes coming from all over Ontario, while the stands were filled with many hundreds of fans and well-wishers.

Reciting together Dr. Hayden’s oath that has been part of the Special Olympics since its second year, in 1970.