It's Canada Day!

Byron, a southwest suburb of London, was the place to be Wednesday night. Despite the steady but light rain, the Optimist Sports Complex on Boler Rd. was packed for the Byron Optimist annual Canada Day celebration fireworks. The Byron Optimist club is currently seeking new members. If you have an interest, contact them by e-mail at: ocb@byronoptimists.ca.

Cheers,
Rockinon

City fields Citi Plaza

Citi Plaza? I was startled to notice that Galleria London is no more. It is now Citi Plaza. A quick google and I find a blog, Urbanity, that discusses the change that was official as of May 7, 2009. I find it rather sad to see the Galleria name abandoned. The mall in downtown London was named after the famous Galleria in Milan, Italy. The Galleria in Milan was restored after it was seriously damaged during the Second World War. Who knows what the future holds for the former Galleria London.

I also found a lot of information on the rebranding on Iconoclast Media, another London, Ontario, blog. Apparently, as part of its lease agreement for a 114,000 sq. ft. call centre, Citigroup demanded the giant mall complex be renamed to honour the famous TARP recipient. In 2008 Citigroup posted a record loss of $27.7 billion and has had to be bailed out on three separate occasions by the US Treasury Department. Citigroup is the American financial services company that is paying $20 million a year for 20 years for the naming rights to the new New York Mets stadium, Citi Field.

All too weird.

Milan is above; London is right.

The Phantom of the Opera (House)

 On the left is the 1895 London Music Hall on Dundas Street today. Below is artist Fred Harrison's depiction of the hall painted on a wall outside the Rainbow Theatre complex in the former Galleria London.

From londonhistory.org we learn that, "In 1895, the London Mechanics’ Institute, located on 229-231 Dundas Street, closed down and the theatre in this building became the London Music Hall.

The opening performance in the new London Music Hall was given by 'J. L. Clark and his excellent company of actors, singers, dancers and comedians.' For 10, 20, or 30 cents, the public could watch the presentation that was described by the Boston Globe as 'Black Face Farces' in the London Music Hall.

"The London Music Hall was later overhauled, electricity was installed, and it became a temporary theatre space for the New London Opera House.

"In 1905, the building was taken over by Charles W. Bennett, and renamed the London Vaudeville Theatre (also popularly known as Bennett’s). This theatre enjoyed exceptional success until Bennett retired in 1909. After Bennett’s was closed down, the building became the Majestic Theatre."

When I moved to London I believe the ground floor of this building was a men's clothing store and the upstairs was office space. I have heard rumours that at the very top of the building there are still clues to its opera house past.

Windmill Fan

Before we get to the facts, just look at this windmill. It's beautiful but extremely controversial. I may dig deeper into the issues on my other blog, rockinon.wordpress.com. But here, let's just enjoy the beauty. Saturday was a gorgeous day in London and the surrounding countryside. A perfect day for a french fries run to Port Burwell in the Morgan.

Now, let's get to some facts. The road from Port Bruce to Port Burwell goes right through the Erie Shores Wind Farm, a 99 MW wind farm developed by Erie Shores Wind Farm Limited Partnership. In commercial operation since May 24, 2006, the wind farm utilizes 66 GE wind turbines with each having a rated capacity of 1,500 kilowatts. They are dispersed over 25 kilometres of shoreline and extend up to approximately three kilometres back from the shoreline. Over 5,260 hectares of farmland is optioned for future wind power development in the townships.

Good Cause Causes Parking Lot Brawl

Boxers from the King Street School of Boxing duked it out Thursday in a Clarence St. parking lot. Each punch struck a blow for the Heart and Stroke Foundation as the $10 ticket price, plus donations, went to the well respected charity. The admission price also included a heart-healthy box lunch.

Art for AIDS International

Art for AIDS International is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds and awareness for those most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, specifically the women and children of sub-Saharan Africa. Art for AIDS organizes simultaneous workshops at schools across Africa and around the world. A number of collages from each workshop are made into signed and numbered limited edition prints. Thursday, volunteers displayed some of the prints in front of the Art for AIDS International Gallery located on the Lower Level of 242 Dundas Street in downtown London.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

There was a severe thunderstorm watch Thursday afternoon, just before dinner time. If you were caught while heading home, you watched the severe weather though the windshield of your car. This is assuming that you could see at all. The rain was being dumped onto London faster than many windshield wipers could clear it away.