EloraInfo Blog

Laura Bird at the Elora Acoustic Cafe

2012-02-09T07:47:00.000-08:00

From Steve Royall:

Laura Bird's CD (The Water In Between) is described as "A beautiful collection of fourteen original compositions painted on a colourful canvas of sultry vocals and stellar musicianship".

Laura grew up in Gananoque by the waters of the St. Lawrence surrounded by a musical family with early influences from the likes of Joan Baez, James Taylor, John Pine and many more (ah - a musical soul mate!).

Since the release of Dreamwalker, Laura has firmly established her roots in the folk community, appearing at Ontario festivals including the Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival, Quinte Spirit and Clarendon Blue Skies Festival, as well as realizing the childhood dream of performing at the Mariposa Folk Festival at its 40th Anniversary. In 2003, she self-produced a live EP recording of new material along with long-time partner Jack Walker. During the summer of 2004, Laura teamed up with four other female songwriters that culminated in a March 2005 tour in celebration of International Women's Day. She, Tannis Slimmon, Katherine Wheatley, Marianne Girard and blues vocalist Heather Katz formed what was to become 'The Pomelos', who now tour annually during Int'l Women's Week.

Find out more about Laura, her music and her work with Headwaters Acoustic Music Society (Live! at the Opera House concert series) at => http://www.laurabird.com/Index.htm

Where?The Elora Centre For The Arts.
75 Melville Street, Elora Ontario. http://www.eloracentreforthearts.ca/

When? Friday Feb 10th

- 7:00pm Setting up the room / making coffee etc

(as always, I appreciate all the help we can get for this part of the evening).
- 7:30pm Doors open - open stage sign up (room for 8-10 artists - 2 songs each)
- 8:00pm Open stage performances begin

- 9:15pmish Break
- 9:30pm Featured Artist - Laura Bird with Guitarist Robert Reid

Post show - Join in to help put the room back as it was (thanks in advance for your continued support).
Cost?$5.00 cover at the door (donations for cookies, coffee, tea and water are welcome).

This is a non-profit event. After expenses, all proceeds go to the featured artist.

New Summer Location for Elora Farmers Market

2011-05-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

The Elora Farmers Market outgrew its previous summer location. Starting Saturday May 14 they will be in Bissell Park, every Saturday until the end of October. When the colder weather comes, they'll be moving back up to the racetrack location, same as last winter.

Rich Burnett at Elora Acoustic Cafe

2011-05-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Rich Burnett is a singer, songwriter, performer and acclaimed teacher. Rich is also a local (Fergus based) musician and good friend to many of us in this rich local arts community.

Since the release of his first full length album, ‘Not So Blue’ in 2010, Burnett continues to build a reputation as a stand-out songwriter and go-to guitarist amongst the musical

community. With a warm, relaxed voice; intuitive and adventurous writing style, Burnett freely embraces all things folk, roots and alternative. He will be joined by a number of

special guests for this return to the stage of the Elora Acoustic Cafe as our May Featured Artist.

Where?
The Elora Centre For The Arts - Harris gallery.
75 Melville Street, Elora Ontario. http://www.eloracentreforthearts.ca/

When?
Friday May 13th

- 7:00pm Setting up the room / making coffee etc (as always, I appreciate all the help we can get for this part of the evening).
- 7:30pm Doors open - open stage sign up (room for approximately 10 artists at 2 songs each)
- 8:00pm Open stage performances begin
- 9:30pm Featured Artist - Rich Burnett (and special guests)

Post show - Join in to help put the room back as it was (thanks in advance for your continued support).
Cost?
$5.00 cover at the door.
donations for coffee, tea and water are welcome

This is a non-profit event. After expenses, all proceeds go to the featured artist.

New Taxi Company in town

2011-05-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

Allied Taxi (519-843-3900) has just started business in the Elora/Fergus area. And they offer some features that are new to this area. The cars are equipped with Debit/Credit card machines. But that's not all. How about GPS Tracking, and Texting to your cell phone?

So what, you might well ask. Well, it's all about efficiency. GPS makes for efficient dispatching. When the dispatcher gives you a time estimate, he/she isn't just guessing.

And I think the texting to your phone is a big feature. If that text means that your driver won't have to sit for five minutes waiting for you, then that's time saved, for everybody. Next time there's a really busy day, and you're waiting at the supermarket, wouldn't you rather see your car pulling up in front, instead of thinking about how your driver might be sitting in front of someplace else, just waiting. I think texting is win/win; great for the drivers, and great for customers.

If you sometimes use cabs in the Elora area, remember, Allied Taxi made a considerable investment to offer their services. Give them a try at 519-843-3900.

Belwood Wind Project, Invenergy Bails out, sells

2011-02-19T09:25:00.000-08:00

Wellington Advertiser: Invenergy sells wind farm back to earlier owner

There seems to be very little coverage or discussion of this story. But it's interesting to speculate. Why is Invenergy suddenly bailing out? If the outlook for wind energy is starting to cool (especially considering the upcoming Ontario election), and if their hopes for the Belwood project are dimming, is this simply a way of capturing a tax loss? Hmmm, when is the Invenergy year end?

And if the outlook for wind in Ontario is dim, why would TransCanada be so willing to buy the project back again? Was this sale truly an arm's length transaction?

In the world of politics and wind energy, and the pursuit of billions of dollars, I guess anything is possible.

Ontario quietly reverses on wind energy

2011-02-19T09:07:00.000-08:00

Kelly McParland: Ontario quietly reverses field on wind, solar energy | Full Comment | National Post

Suddenly McGuinty and crew does an about-face on one of their energy positions. Could it be that somebody has actually done the math on cost and effectiveness?

Or the elites of Toronto don't want to risk having a blemish in the view from their penthouse windows?

Anything to do with elections around the corner?

In any case, it's quite a good article, in the National Post--worth a read.

Santa Claus Parades

2010-12-09T06:32:00.000-08:00

There have been Santa Claus parades all over the place lately. Both evening and day-time parades are popular.

Elora had one of the best parades, and even though Elora is a small town, they put on an astounding parade. Parade participants (and there were lots!) were enthusiastic, and displays were amazing.

Elora Farmers Market, Christmas activities

2010-12-09T06:09:00.000-08:00

Saturday, December 11, Santa will be attending between 10:30am and 12:30am. Make a donation to Centre Wellington Food Bank, and get a free picture of your visit with Santa.

On December 18, come and see the live animal nativity. An Artisan Crafters Bazaar will give you a chance to get unique gifts that will really be appreciated.

The Elora Acoustic Café Friday Dec 10th Open-Stage

2010-12-08T18:57:00.000-08:00

Dec 10th show will be an All Open-Stage - Christmas theme evening.

It will be a great evening. The logistics (other than Christmas bells and mistletoe) are the same. The one exception being that in addition to the $5.00 cover, anyone who can, please bring a donation for our local foodbank. There are some foods they seem to run short on - see list below.

Logistics for the evening:

Where?
Friday Dec 10th, at the Elora Centre For The Arts
75 Melville Street, Elora Ontario.

When?
- 7:00pm Setting up the room / making coffee etc (as always, any help is appreciated).
- 7:30pm Doors open - open stage sign up (musicians are allowed up to 4 songs - "no", they don't have to all be Christmas tunes ;-).
- 8:00pm Performances begin - Short break just after 9:00pm

- Post show - Join in to help put the room back as it was (thanks in advance for your continued support).
List of items that the food back would love to see fill a box at the door Dec 10th!!!!

Cereal
Spaghetti Sauce
Canned Fruit
Canned Meat
Flakes of ham, chicken, turkey
Chili, stew, canned ham
Chunky Soups
Canned Juice
Children's lunch snacks
Juice boxes
Granola bars
Fruit or pudding cups
Crackers

Any questions, contact Steve directly, royalls@sympatico.ca

Elora Mill Inn closed, for now...

2010-11-15T21:23:00.000-08:00

GuelphMercury.com - News - Elora Mill Inn closed, but new life expected

The famous Elora Mill Inn has closed, and has been sold. The new owners plan significant renovations, so the Mill will remain closed for a while. This will hurt some stores who rely on tourism.

Kevin Breit at the Elora Centre for the Arts

2010-10-31T10:40:00.000-07:00

Friday Nov 12th, at the Elora Centre For The Arts
75 Melville Street, Elora Ontario.

Kevin Breit is a Canadian musician (Elora resident) who has recorded and toured with many artists. He has just released a new disc, Simple Earnest Plea, which is his first as a singer. He will be performing songs from this and other recordings he has made.

This is truly a unique opportunity to see an international artist in a warm and intimate venue at our own Elora Centre for the Arts.

Open Stage at 8PM, and Kevin Breit at 9:30PM.

To learn more about Kevin, his music and upcoming shows:
http://www.kevinbreit.com/
http://www.kevinbreit.com/aboutkevin.htm

Fishing Ontario's Grand River Country

2010-10-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

No more trout fishing on Ontario's Grand River until next April. What to do?

Now that trout fishing on the Grand River is closed, the winter is the perfect time to tie flies, organize tackle boxes, and study the maps and plan for opening day next year. There is a new book (well, second edition actually) which contains a wealth of information about fishing the Grand River. It's available from GRCA, and also from Amazon.

Elora Farmers Market, now winterized

2010-10-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

Last year, around this time, Elora's Farmers Market hibernated, disappeared like the groundhog, until June, and Elora's best source of quality produce was gone.

This year, hurray, there is going to be a Winter Farmers Market, every Saturday, 9AM to 1PM--same day, same hours, but indoors!

Starting October 16, you'll find Farmers Market indoors at Grand River Raceway at 7445 Wellington Road 21, in the building that houses the Lighthouse Cafe.
Click for map to Elora Winter Farmers Market

The Julie, Pete and Tricia Trio at Elora Arts Centre Oct 1

2010-09-18T12:24:00.000-07:00

"Peter Hillam, Tricia Brubacher, and Julie Corey met at the Fergus Tuesday night jam and found that they loved to laugh and harmonize together. Now they leave behind their workdays to play and sing and bliss out on 3 part harmony whenever they can. They are looking forward to sharing their music with you."

Here's Tricia Brubacher:

Don't miss it; 7:30pm Doors open - open stage sign up.
- 8:00pm Performances begin and run for approximately 60-90 minutes (2-3 songs per musician - subject to participation).

- Short break before the Trio's set - time may vary slightly.
- 9:30pm The Julie, Pete, and Tricia Trio

Ziplining Over The Gorge

2010-09-17T07:47:00.000-07:00

Elora is well-known for unique gifts in their many boutiques. The upscale chain stores in your local mall have lots of nice gifts, but if you want unique, then you want Elora.

Speaking of unique, this past weekend I actually went rappelling down the cliffs of Elora gorge, and ziplining out over the middle of that chasm, 80 feet in the air. What an exciting and unique experience that was!

In fact, I don't like heights, so at first I had my doubts. But over the years, I've seen so many people ziplining down at the gorge--a wide range of ages, both sexes--and they all, every one, seemed to be having so much fun. And when you ask them, you find out that quite a few share a fear of heights. And yet, there they are, leaping off the cliffs of Elora gorge.

Some might think that ziplining simply means getting sent out over the gorge like a pair of pants on a laundry line. I found out that One Axe Pursuits (the people who run the zipline operation I attended) combines the excitement with learning!

Fear of heights is a good, self-preservation instinct. However, when you see the top quality equipment, and ropes that can actually hold up a truck, it goes a long way toward letting you get control of that fear. But even more, when you learn hands-on rappelling (just like in the movies), and they teach you how all the equipment works, you'll feel more comfortable, and feel that you have some control. You'll be ready to leap off the cliffs.

I highly recommend it. My pictures are here on EloraInfo.com.

If you want to learn more, take a look at One Axe Pursuits website.

A Million Trees

2010-09-11T04:15:00.000-07:00

There are so many "environmentalists" who talk a good game, and others who make token gestures. But some others make major efforts and actually make a real difference.

The Green Legacy Program of Wellington County started planting trees in 2004, and next month, on October 3rd, 1:30PM, they will plant the one millionth tree, at Wellington County Museum and Archives. There will be all the hoopla and fanfare that you would expect.

First Anniversary Event at Dreamland Pet and Equine

2010-09-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

September 24 to 26, join the celebrations at Dreamland Pet and Equine. If you have a cat or dog or horse or any other pet, hopefully you already discovered this store over the past year. If not, do yourself a favour and check it out. Either way, owner Oscar invites everybody to help him celebrate his first year in business at this location.

Three things stand out at Dreamland Pet and Equine:

The range of products: whether food, toys, or health supplements, there is a huge range of quality offerings.
The store is beautiful and large, so you don't have to squeeze down the aisles to browse. (And, as already mentioned, there's lots to see!)
Something rare these days: the owner really knows his products, so he can be very helpful.

Anyway, plan to drop in, Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, it's right here, next door to Elora Gorge Animal Hospital (in the building next to the race track).

Good Neighbours

2010-09-06T10:22:00.000-07:00

I have a question for you. But first I have to set the scene:

On August 28 there was a big Tractor and Truck Pull up at the Grand River Raceway. Since that time, it's become evident that a great many residents of Elora were greatly annoyed, if not angry, on that Saturday evening.

For five hours, the noise levels were unbelievable. And it wasn't just the trucks and tractors--the announcer had the PA system (number of audio megawatts unknown) cranked up to the limit. I happened to be out for a walk around 9PM, and I was near the Elora Center for the Arts, which is 1.2 Km (three-quarters of a mile) from the Raceway. The noise was soooooooo loud, I couldn't believe that it was not coming from across the street, but from a distance greater than a kilometre away. It was heard all over the entire town.

As it happens, that same evening Elora Center for the Arts was having their annual outdoor musical event, Riverfest. Imagine how the audience felt, after paying to enjoy the music, with truck noises thundering above the music. Image how angry the performers must have been, to have traveled all that way, done all the work of setting up, only to be drowned out by truck noises. And imagine how embarrassed the organizers at Elora Center for the Arts must be. Pretty soon they'll be trying to line up the talent for next year's show--I can only imagine the comments they will hear.

Here's my question:

In this small town, back when the Racetrack and Casino was trying to get permission to operate, there was so much anger, and bitterness, and lawsuits, and countersuits--feelings which remain to this very day. So why, why on earth, would the Raceway subject the entire town to this deafening noise, trucks and tractors at full throttle, PA amplifiers at full volume, which they must have known would anger just about all citizens except the truck-pull fans. Seems like a very stupid decision, or a very arrogant and uncaring one. Stupid or arrogant, what's your opinion?

David Celia at Elora Arts Centre Sept 10

2010-09-01T08:01:00.000-07:00

David Celia is a singer-songwriter and a sublime guitar virtuoso, who's plucked his strings behind such high-profile acts as Ian & Sylvia, Andy Kim and Quartette.

He entertains all across Canada and has regularly toured Europe for the past five years. On Sept 10, just back from Germany, he'll be in Elora.

Give it a test run: go right to the music here. Then check out the rest of David Celia's website. If you like the songs off the web, you'll love the real thing!

Sept 10, at the Elora Centre for the Arts

Musicians, please try to make it out by 7:00pm to help set up (by 7:30 to sign up)

- 7:00pm Setting up the room / making coffee etc (as always, I appreciate all the help we can get for this part of the evening)
- 7:30pm Doors open - open stage sign up

- 8:00pm Performances begin

- Short break before David's set

- 9:30pm Featured Artist – David Celia

Nick Gush at Elora Acoustic Cafe

2010-07-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Elora Centre for the Arts is the location for the Elora Acoustic Cafe. Steve Royall, organizer of the event, says: "Nick is quite simply one of the most incredible guitarists I have seen in years."

Here's the info for the next evening of music, on Aug 6, 2010:

A variety of “open stage” performances, will open, and close, the evening. 15 minutes per musician will be allowed during the 1st open stage (approx 8:00pm - 9:00pm) and 10 minutes per musician during the 2nd open stage (after feature artist).

- Doors open - open stage sign up at 7:30pm
- Performances begin at 8:00pm
- Featured Artist – Nick Gush 9:00pm
- Additional open stage performances following Nick’s set
- Short break before and after Nick’s set

Free Energy, What's Not to Like!?

2010-06-27T04:04:00.000-07:00

So much controversy over wind power! No wind farms coming to Elora (yet), but it looks like there's an industrial wind project in Belwood's future, just up the road.

A process to convert free energy into electricity, with no polluting emissions--what's not to like!?

Many who are against wind turbines focus on the health effects. Hard to prove though. There are reports of people living near turbines who go to a motel to get a good sleep. Still need more facts on this issue.

Other points are easier to pin down. It's well documented (and obvious) that residential property values take quite a drop. So, a farmer gets a $20,000 payment for allowing a couple of turbines on his land, while right next door, a family with a country home might see the entire equity in their home wiped out. One guy gets $20,000 and next door they lose $100,000? Try telling them it's for the greater good, but some people are so unreasonable.

There's cost and effectiveness. Green is good, of course. Clean power. But it's like buying a very expensive car that gets fantastic mileage, runs for next to nothing, and emits no pollution. Only trouble is, sometimes it runs and sometimes it doesn't. Can't fix it--that's just how it is.

The extremely high cost of our super-car is ok, though, because government subsidies pay for it. Years ago, people knew that their taxes had to pay for things, but it doesn't work like that any more. Now, you just "run a tab", and add a few more billion to the deficit. Is it immoral to pile up debt and just leave the long-term disastrous consequences to your kids and grandchildren? Who cares--after all, you're doing it for them. A depression and unemployment for a decade or two builds character, and they'll thank you.

Ever notice that wind companies toss out quotes like "this project will have a capacity of 52 megawatts which will power 16,000 homes." 90 percent of people who hear this will equate this amount of power with a conventional fueled power plant that also produces 52 megawatts. Of course they aren't comparable at all. An industrial wind development is tremendously expensive, and some of the time you get ZERO output for your money. No, nothing's broken. Just the wind has died down.

This last point is definitely bothersome. It's like the car salesman that sold you the wonderful $200,000 car that gets 200 kilometres on a glass of water. If he never mentioned that the car only runs at unpredictable times, that might be a sore point.

Everybody should think about the pros and cons for themselves. Well, except for the few who aren't capable of thinking past the "Green is good; renewable energy" mantra--you're excused.

Here's a simplified (but educational) fun little widget to show how things work, sometimes great, sometimes not so great....

Thoughtful and Lasting Gift

2010-06-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

Elora's Neighbourwoods' tree stewards were out the other day, taking care of a Celebration Tree in a local park.

What a great gift idea! Make a tax-deductible donation and get an engraved plaque beside a young Celebration Tree, a lasting reminder of something special. Check it out, here.

Elora Acoustic Cafe

2010-06-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Elora Centre for the Arts is the location for the Elora Acoustic Cafe. Here's the info for the next evening of music, on July 9, 2010:

Doors open / performers open stage sign-in at 7:00pm
Open stage show starts at 7.30pm
Featured artist 8.30 - 9.30pm
Additional open stage 9.30 - 10.30pm
$5.00 cover charge at the door
More info: Steve Royall at royalls@sympatico.ca

The featured artist on July 9 will be Ian Reid.

Farmers Market opens tomorrow (June 12)

2010-06-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, Farmers Market is open from 9am to 1pm tomorrow. Can't wait to see what's available. To check on other important dates in the Elora area, go here:

http://elorainfo.com/eventcalendar.php

Elora Quarry opens June 12

2010-06-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

All of the GRCA parks are already open, except one: The Elora Quarry opens on June 12.