Photo of the day- Kayak

Kayaking on Lake Superior, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Photo of the Day- Determination

Skate Park, Madoc, Ontario

Photo of the Day- Aligator

                                       A garden decoration that managed to avoid the flood water

Photo of the Day- Soldier on

A very fitting message to many Thunder Bay and Duluth residents.

Street Medics in training

BELLEVILLE, ONTARIO, November 11, 2009 On the top floor of a down-town Belleville cafe, in a dimly lit  yellow room decorated with Christmas lights,  political activism posters and brightly coloured paintings, a group of 11 future Street Medics meet. The group training is being presented by two, knowledgeable,  60 something Street Medic's named Jack and Mary. Dressed casually in jeans, dessert boots and an army green hoody, Jack has a very enthusiastic, energetic personality. He has been involved with social demonstrations for 30 years and has helped a lot of protestors, activists and participants while acting as a Street Medic during events. He believes having trained street medics in the crowd during events is extremely important, "they are the ones who pull victims from the front line and administer first aid."

Mary, a registered nurse, has worked for over 20 years helping people in both field and hospital settings. She is a kind lady, who was quick to smile and very willing to share information and her experiences treating others.

During a protest there can be a lot going on at one time, police and activists can end up clashing resulting in injuries including everything from head wounds to tear gas exposure. Having someone who is participating as a primary caregiver for the injured makes it safer for both police and activists. That is the reason Mary and Jack held this training session, which covered topics including minimalist first aid from rubber bullets, how to create a medic kit, safety planning and self protection.

Protecting ones self was a main point of focus, according to Jack "police will take out the first two lines so stay out of the box," if you get hurt you can't help others. He recommends having two buddies or non protestors to assist you and watch your back while you are helping people. Items a street medic should have on them at the scene include first aid kit, bottled water, gloves, ear plugs and a red cross arm band to identify them as a first aid responder.

Although most demonstrations are peaceful and non-violent there are common ailments and injuries that can become serious if not treated and watched. Heat stroke is a common ailment and  can affect anyone out in the sun for long periods of time. Knowing how to help someone who is sick or injured is a benefit to everyone participating in the event and being a Street Medic may save the life of a friend or fellow participant who is in distress.

Frankford Remembers

FRANKFORD, ONTARIO, November 11, 2009- A large number of Soldiers, Veterans and Civilians came together for Remembrance Day Ceremonies held at the Cenotaph in Frankfrord, Ontario. A parade marched from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch # 387 to the Cenotaph located on Mill Street, a reception for members, veterans and supporters was held at the legion after the ceremony.

The Chase

    (photo by LJ Henshell)

     Frankford, Ontario October 29, 2009 A robbery at the Foodland Grocery Store in Stirling shortly before 8:00 pm led  Stirling/Rawdon Police on a high speed chase from Stirling to Frankford. The chase ended with a Silver Chevrolet Cavalier running a red light on the corner of HWY 33 and Mill St and colliding with a pickup truck. After pulling into the parking lot of Rose Home Hardware the driver fled on foot through the Frankford Royal Canadian Legion Branch 387 parking lot with an officer in pursuit.

   (photo by LJ Henshell)

The suspect was last seen running toward the Frankford Municipal Golf Course, Police cleared the area  as the Stirling Police Force, Ontario Provincial Police and a K-9 unit proceeded to search the area on foot using a tracking dog. Two hours after the incident the abandoned Cavalier continued to be searched and processed. One officer was reported to have sustained minor injuries after falling in the Legion parking lot while in pursuit.

(photo by LJ Henshell)

Police later arrested a 24 year old Scarborough man, charging him with robbery, flight from police and possession of stolen property.

Isaac's story- Rough outline

Isaac Toman is a thoughtful, charismatic, active, 12 year old martial art student from Ottawa, Ontario.  When he was young he had behavioural issues caused by Attention Deficit Disorder, he would get into fights, had trouble concentrating and was very forgetful.

Isaac is extremely intelligent, sensitive, enthusiastic and has dreams of becoming an engineer with the Canadian Forces when he is older. He hopes to one day design, repair and improve vehicles, mainly tanks and build devices to help people stay safe. He loves creating, fixing and modifying his toy weapons,  skateboarding and martial arts.

          

Isaac has overcome many of the challenges and behaviours that led doctors to believe he has ADD. His parents decided early on not to put Isaac on medication but to try alternative ways to handle the disorder.

Isaac Shows off a small part of his "weapon" collection. His collection includes a variety of non-lethal "nerf" handguns, shot guns and launchers. He also has one air/paintball gun and his own daisy air rifle. 

 Isaac has been in Jiu Jitsu for close to three years and recently got his green belt.  He says that being in Jiu Jitsu has taught him "discipline", and helped him learn to "walk away" when faced with conflict at school.   He takes his lessons very seriously and plans to continue studying Jiu Jitsu for as long as he can.

Isaac and his sister,  Celeste, 11, also a fellow green belt, practice their moves at the Therien Dojo in Stittsville, Ontario

He attends classes three days a week and says he enjoys the "ground combat, grappling and sparring the most." His sensei has taught him how to handle tense situations in which he is provoked by others calling him names using the "warning" method. This method teaches Isaac to use his words and tell others when they are angering him instead of resorting to name calling, violence or retaliation. "I usually give them like two or three warnings to stop saying dumb things, then I walk away."

Isaac and his favorite teacher, Jean-Yves 

Theriault work on the mats during saturday 

afternoon training class.

Isaac also likes spending time playing video games with his older brother, Jeremy, 15, and his dad Glenn.  Isaac is the middle child in the family and at times has tested his fathers patience by acting out, talking back and having "melt downs".  His father claims that Isaac liked to "question authority" and was very "hyper" and "destructive" when he was younger.  Since starting martial arts Glenn believes Isaac is a lot "calmer" and "more in control." "He has to know why for everything" and he still has trouble "respecting people in authority" but "he listens more now."



A rough first draft