www.bobcat.com (Bobcat)
Bobcat’s website is loaded with tons of information. On the main page
there are links to their products, training resources, dealers, and the WorkSaver
newsletter. From each product-line page there are links to the available
attachments, machine specifications, and news stories. There are also
links to machine video clips and safety video clips. The market link
on the main page lists all of the available equipment with application suitability
to those conditions. For added ease of selection each attachment page
has links to the machines the equipment can be used on.
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/wnv-vwn
(Health Canada – West Nile Virus)
Visit Health Canada’s website for the latest information on the status of
West Nile Virus in Canada. They have information about the disease,
symptoms and how to protect yourself and your family. The “Surveillance”
link provides information on monitoring programs in place across Canada and
the results of past monitoring.
www.clga.org (Canadian Ladies’ Golf Association)
One for the ladies . . . This is the home of Ladies Amateur Golf in Canada.
You’ll find links to information on membership, tournaments and player development.
There is a section for junior ladies, with information on Scholarships and
Awards.
grimshaw.redirectme.net (Grimshaw Tornado 2003)
If you live anywhere in Western Canada and are reading this article and think
you will never see a tornado in your hometown, think again. I live
in Grimshaw, travel to Fairview to teach at the college, and my wife and
I also own an electronics business on mainstreet in Grimshaw. At around
4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 30, I was in Fairview when I got the call from
my wife that a Tornado had just hit Grimshaw and tore the roof off of our
store and now the rain was pouring in. My first thought was that this
could not possibly happen in northern Alberta and that she must be joking,
but sadly I knew by the fear in her voice that it was all too true.
It took me about 20 minutes to drive 58 kilometres to Grimshaw and as I drove
by the ball diamonds, the tennis courts, the pool, the arena and headed towards
mainstreet, I cannot even explain what I saw. The devastation was something
like out of the movies. It took several minutes to weave my way around
huge trees and power lines that were now blocking the streets. As I
worked my way down mainstreet, I could not believe the damage to buildings
where trees, shingles and any other flying objects had impaled them, broken
glass everywhere, and now, only minutes after the tornado, many people scurrying
about in the pouring rain trying to provide assistance to anyone who might
need it. As I parked in front of my store, I was in disbelief that
this thing could rip a tar and gravel flat roof right off of a block building.
As I entered the store through the front door that no longer had any glass,
I was again amazed at what I saw. There were several volunteers assisting
my wife Fay, frantically moving TV’s, DVD’s, VCR’s, satellites and anything
else that was getting soaked by the rain that was now pouring into our store
like a huge waterfall. We drilled holes in the floor just to get the
2 inches of water to dissipate down into the gravel below. We were
at the store that evening for several hours past our regular closing time
of 6:00 p.m., moving things to safer, drier locations within the building,
and waiting for the water to stop draining into the building from the roof.
I am amazed by the courage that my wife displayed during this ordeal.
She had 3 customers in the store at the time and they all made it to the
office where they laid flat on the floor waiting for the tornado to pass.
When I looked at the path of destruction the next day, it is truly a miracle
that no one was killed or seriously injured. We were supposed to be
having our 50th anniversary celebration as a town on July 1, but now that
has been put off to a later date this year. And now the tough
part really begins, rebuilding the town facilities, businesses, and residences
that were damaged. Last I heard the arena was a write-off, as were
a couple of businesses. My business will probably suffer damages and
losses to the tune of $80,000, and now I will see how good my insurance company
really is. Disaster Services has come through with some money, but
much more is needed. If you came through the town a couple of days
after the tornado, you would not see any of the mess that was littered over
several blocks of the town. The volunteers that came out from all over
the Peace Country did a tremendous job of cleaning up and it makes one proud
to live in an area where there is so much support from your fellow man.
Anyway, I thank my lucky stars that my family is well and the rebuilding
is around the corner. Please take the time to visit this website and
reflect on how powerful weather can be and how fragile the environment we
live in really is.
If you come across any interesting web sites (turf or non-turf related) please
forward this information to:
Dave at dallan@fairviewcollege.com; or
Jeff at jeff.hoyem@ualberta.net.
