The Official Website & Blog of Paxton Allewell. Communications Specialist, Educator, Writer and Designer.
Hawkwatching in Grimsby
Apr 14th
overlooking 40 mile creek
It’s been on my ‘to do’ list for awhile now and I finally did it this past Saturday. Hawkwatching at Beamer Memorial Conservation Area in Grimbsy, Niagara.
I’d never heard of anything like it until I moved back to Niagara. Hawkwatching is not only an activity for locals to enjoy, it’s also a unique nature experience for tourists, or for people in surrounding areas to enjoy too. I went with my mom and we met a friendly (first-timers) couple along the trail from Burlington, which is just up the highway from Grimsby.
From early March until mid-May you can enjoy ‘Hawkwatching’ as hawks, eagles, falcons, and vultures migrate through the Niagara Peninsula on their way to nest further up North. They come along the Niagara escarpment because it allows for strong updrafts of wind, which the birds gladly glide on to conserve energy.
Hawkwatching is not just a sight to see, it’s also a serious hobby for the Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch (NPC), which has members stationed daily throughout the migration to identify and record migrating birds.There’s a special Hawkwatching lookout station (which the public can go up as well), and volunteers have binoculars to spot and track the birds.They even have an hourly tally board – like a score board at a golf tournament.
We met one of the trackers – who was a character – and he was happy to give us some insights into Hawkwatching. One thing he told us about Hawk Cliff on Lake Erie, another Hawkwatching hot spot, which is supposed to be even more spectacular than Beamer in the Fall during the winter migration – as Hawk Cliff is the ideal route for birds to travel south.
But Beamer Conservation Area is not just about Hawkwatching. It also has a ‘Lookout Trail’ which features three lookout points that overlook the town of Grimsby and Lake Ontario, and you can even see Niagara Falls hotels off in the distance. Off of one side of the trail is the 40 mile creek, a nice little valley area which is where you’ll also find the Upper and Lower Beamer Falls.
It was really cool to see all the hawks overhead during our walk and we even saw one really close along the cliff just above us. The hawks wings were spectacular and for a few moments I felt the fear of being its prey, as you could imagine the hawk sweeping down and snapping you up – just like the ‘birds’ in Avatar.
So now I can officially say that Hawkwatching is a great weekend activity. It’s like any hobby or past time. If you make a little effort you can learn something new and see the world in a different way, and you can usually get deeper and deeper into it and gain even more appreciation – i.e. Hawk Cliff.
So not only do you get to go for a little walk or hike and enjoy some beautiful views, you also get to do some hawkwatching, and you can also get right up close to Beamer Falls. You could bring a picnic along and easily make an afternoon out of it.
Happy Hawkwatching!
More info:
Niagara Peninsula Hawkwatch >>
Beamer Memorial Conservation Area >>
town of grimsby below with niagara falls off in the distance
Q & A : My Friend Kate’s Adventures in Haiti
Apr 7th
A First Hand Account of The Situation in Haiti
Snapshots from Kate's Adventure
My friend Kate Westrate was recently in Haiti to help out with disaster relief. Kate was there to offer her nursing care expertise, as well as her caring heart. It’s so neat to actually know someone who was able to go and help!
Kate’s been kind enough to answer a few questions for me below and share a few of her photos.
WHEN AND FOR HOW LONG DID YOU GO TO HAITI?
I was in Haiti from March 19-31. This was about 2 months after the earthquake. We flew into Port-au-Prince and then flew over to Jeremie, Haiti.
WHO DID YOU GO WITH, AND WHY DID YOU GO?
I went with an organization called Haiti Needs You (www.haitineedsyou.com)
I have always wanted to go and do some sort of disaster relief, and when the earthquake happened, I knew this was it. I checked in with a number of different agencies and the type of work they would be doing, and Haiti Needs You was a perfect fit for me. They had been established in Haiti (because in a disaster in-country contacts are so important) and would be focusing more on the people that were migrating out of Port-au-Prince to other parts of the country. The outlying cities are over run with displaced citizens and their access to health care has always been minimal. I’m not a surgical nurse, so felt much more qualified to be able to tackle post-trauma/primary care issues. God really just opened all the right doors and led me to this group.
HOW IS THE SITUATION IN HAITI NOW?
I wish I could have seen Haiti before the earthquake, but from what I hear it was struggling then. No amount of words or pictures will ever clearly describe the devastation seen in Port-au-Prince on this trip. A couple of the people I traveled with had been to Haiti immediately after the earthquake and they said that not a whole lot had been done since then. Two months after the earthquake the city is still completely filled with rubble. People are getting medical care, but their living conditions are unreal. They are trying to go about their lives but their city lies in ruins and they don’t have the means to rebuild it or even start cleaning it up.
Almost everyone I met in Port-au-Prince is living in tents. Even if their houses have been deemed structurally sound, they will not sleep inside, as they are too scared of being crushed as many of their family and friends were.
WHAT SURPRISED YOU THE MOST DURING YOUR TRIP?
The people– always the people!! They’re amazing and beautiful! Everywhere we went we were greeted with smiles and loving hearts. They understand they need help and are so grateful for any help that is offered.
The Haitians are very proud people. I don’t mean this in a negative way at all. Everywhere I went, I saw people making the best of situations they were in and they were always well-dressed and clean. Most were living in make-shift shelters or tents, but they would come to our clinic or work (as we used local interpreters) in nice clothes–cleaned and pressed. They have so little but they use what are given in the best way possible.
One other thing that amazed me is, in Jeremie where were working, over 200,000 had migrated to this small city. The mission we stayed at had expected to have to open up the school to be used for lodging. However, the local families opened up their small homes/huts and every last person was taken in! There were sometimes 20+ people living in some homes, and some were complete strangers! Their hospitality and eagerness to help astounded me!
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM YOUR TRIP?
I was so humbled and would often feel so guilty for my discontent in life after meeting the Haitian people. Here in North America we live in a materialistic society and take SO much for granted. Just something simple as complaining that I am “SO HUNGRY” if we get to dinner a little late, puts me to shame. Most of the people I encountered would often only be able to provide 1 meal/day for their families. I felt a little sick to my stomach on my first trip to the grocery store when I got back to the States. How is it that we SO much?
I think the biggest thing I will walk away from this trip learning is to pray to be more content in any situation that I am, but also that I don’t NEED some of the things I think I need in life.
WHAT’S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HAITI?
The media coverage has died down tremendously, but Haiti is still in desperate need for help. They don’t need us to come down there and fix it all for them, what they need is for experienced builders, engineers, economists, etc to go down there and either hire or teach the Haitians how to rebuild their own city. There are so many looking and eager to work, they just don’t have the means/skill sets to do so.
I also met many very educated Haitians, many who were educated in the States, but cannot find jobs. They often work on a volunteer basis in the hospitals and clinics, but have no way of supporting their families that way. One Haitian doctor described it to me as, “We have very over-educated people for the type of economy we have.” They have the people– they just don’t have the jobs, and so they wallow in poverty.
WILL YOU GO AGAIN?
ABSOLUTELY! I left a little bit of my heart in Haiti, I think. There’s talk of another trip later this fall, but for me it will depend on my work schedule. It’s hard to find that balance of being involved and carrying on your life here at home.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE?
Please consider helping down in Haiti in some way or another. If you can’t personally make a trip, consider helping fund an reputable organization that is working in Haiti. The government in Haiti is so corrupt and lost, but the people are wonderful to the core! They are asking for help and I hope the world continues to answer their cries.
Kate and I met during University when we were both volunteering as youth leaders for an organization called Young Life. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but loves making a trip up north every once in awhile to visit friends in Canada when she can.
A photo video made by Kate:
So long Eva Markvoort – aka 65_RedRoses
Apr 3rd
Eva with her laptop at the hospital
I’m sad to report that Eva Markvoort, subject and STAR of the documentary 65_RedRoses, passed away on March 27th. On her blog it said: “Our beautiful girl died this morning at 9:30. She is at peace. Will write more later.”
It hurt to read it.
Eva had battled with the genetic disease Cystic Fibrosis her whole life and recently went through a double lung transplant hoping to be cured (the story of the documentary).
With what seemed to be a successful transplant, Eva’s life was hers again and it was so incredible to see and experience indirectly, but unfortunately her body rejected the lungs and she has since passed only months later. The documentary made note of the serious possibility of rejection, but she seemed clear of that issue. So it was very surprising to hear that her body had rejected the lungs.
I remember seeing the amazingly cool photo of Eva Markvoort on the front of NOW Magazine in Toronto, and also on the cover of the Hot Docs film festival. See pic here >> – (More pics from her visit to Toronto are on her blog as well).
I was fortunate enough to meet Eva in person after a viewing of the documentary 65_RedRoses at the Bloor Cinema during the 2009 Hot Docs festival. I didn’t think she was going to make it as I heard she was heading back to Vancouver that day. But she was in attendance, and I was so happy to spot her just a few rows back from me. I peeked over a few times to see her expression and I could see her looking around at the audience a bit trying to evaluate their experience. She had such an innocent, humble yet movie star-like quality to her. (She was an actor as well).
After the film I got to say hello and shake her hand which was special. I was so impressed with the amount of love and courage she had. The film highlighted her love, her q&a talk after the film highlighted it, her blog highlighted it. Love ran through her like fire and she wasn’t afraid to show and admit it. Her passion and openness about love was inspiring and contageous.
Since last fall I’ve checked out her blog every once in awhile, and I was shocked when I discovered that her body was rejecting her lungs, and that she was going to die. It was so sad, and I literally cried, which I don’t do often.
But she fought so hard throughout her whole life and she’s left a legacy of love that will long outlive her. I hope you can take a few minutes to learn more about her.
Make sure you check out her popular blog: 65redroses.livejournal.com. Also, below is a video of MP Joyce Murray’s Statement on the Life of Eva Markvoort and you’ll also the find the official preview of the documentary 65_RedRoses, which was named after her blog.
Brock’s 24 HR Film Festival Audience Choice Winner!
Mar 14th
I attended the Communication, Popular Culture & Film (CPCF) Society’s 24 Hour Film Festival this past Thursday night, and below is a video of the runner up and Audience Choice award winner, which was really entertaining.
Their film is called “Robots Need Love Too” and it was based on the festival’s theme: “overheard.” Team’s were given the theme and only had 24 hours to script, film, edit and process their submissions.
I co-founded the Society in my last year at Brock and I’m so proud that it’s still around and serving students. The festival took place at the Empire Theatre in St. Catharines and it was to a packed audience; about 200 people attended and 14 films were screened in total. It was a great event and congrats the film makers, actors, judges and society’s executive and volunteers for putting on such a memorable event.
For more about the festival you can read last week’s front page feature article in the Brock Press here: “Brock’s 24 Hour Artists”
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Robots Need Love Too from Lindsay Gray on Vimeo.
Our 2010 Brock University 24 Hour Film Festival movie!
We won Runner Up by the judges, and Audience Choice! Felt like first!
The theme this year was “overheard” but we didnt want to make a serious typical movie like everyone else, so we gave ourselves our own them of incorporating a robot we had made!
I think it turned out awesome!
I am so so proud of this, and had the best time making it!
thanks to everyone that helped out!
Enjoy! 
Lindsay Gray, Filmmaker
With current club President Elizabeth Janzen at the after party
Phoenix “1901″ – The Cadillac Song
Mar 14th
I remember hearing this song on a Cadillac commercial awhile back (and still hear it lately) and it really made me want to hear the rest of the song; not to buy a Cadillac.
Not long ago a friend of mine was playing the song in her car and I was pumped to hear it outside of the context of a commercial. She told me the name of the band was called Phoenix, which I had never heard of. But I finally got to hear the whole song – and it was in a volkswagen.
Perhaps you haven’t been able to hear the whole song yet? Well, it’s your lucky day because the video below features the full tune!
But I have to give the Cadillac’s advertising team credit for finding such a cool song. While it’s kinda of annoying that this awesome song is now associated with Cadillac, it’s deeper essence is perhaps even more associated with the joy and excitement of driving on the road. Beyond that it’s really a pump up song and gets you excited to live your life! And good for Phoenix who not only must have got paid very well for their song on the commercial, it also got their music out to a huge audience, including me.
I’m listening to their myspace as I type this, and I actually know another one of their songs – it’s called “If I ever feel better.” But it looks like it was on their older album.
See their myspace site here: www.myspace.com/wearephoenix
See lyrics to Phoenix’s ’1901′ song >>
An Afternoon in Buffalo’s Elmwood Village
Mar 10th
This past Sunday I took my Dad to the Buffalo airport to send him off to Magical Florida – and while I wish I was going to Florida with him – the good news was that I was able to do something I’ve wanted to do for awhile now. I tied in a visit to Elmwood Village in downtown Buffalo.
Now I know your first impression of “Buffalo” is probably somewhat negative, but hold that thought. I think I might change your point of view.
Now like some of you, I’ve been to a couple Buffalo Sabres games, but I’ve never actually been able to play the tourist role in Buffalo. I was always impressed with some of the architecture that I saw coming into the city, but I really knew nothing about Buffalo.
Working in tourism here in Niagara, just across the border from NY state, I was curious one day awhile back and I checked out Buffalo’s website www.visitbuffaloniagara.com. The site profiled, and really singled out one neighbourhood in particular called Elmwood Village. It sounded like a vibrant, creative neighbourhood with some cool things going on, so I figured it would be a great area to check out first to get introduced to Buffalo. And I finally got to this past Sunday.
Note: This is a longer blog post than usual, but if you keep reading and hang in there, I want to tell you about a couple of the cool places I visited, and also tell you a funny story about how I was confronted twice by a security guard during my visit to an art gallery.
A Nostalgic Morning (My 1st Podcast)
Mar 6th
Hope you enjoy my first podcast just above…please press play!
I went for a nice hike today at St. Johns Conservation Area just a few minutes from where I live in Fonthill.
All morning I had a wonderful energy and deep sense of nostalgia. It forced me into a corner and made me confront my desire to want to reconnect with my past and my old friends. I found myself flipping through an old photo album and reflecting on distant memories.
My 10 year High School reunion is coming up in July – which I’m very excited about – but I don’t want to surpress this renewed desire to reconnect with my childhood friends from Ottawa, and the place itself.
Here’s a few photos from my hike below.
New Dark Mean Music – Free Download!
Mar 3rd
My friend Sandy Johnston’s band “Dark Mean,” who are based in Hamilton ON, recently launched their second EP (extended play) and I am a big fan, and I want you to listen to it!
“Music Box” is the latest EP’s name (blue cover) and it features 4 new songs from the band. Their first EP (green cover) is called “Frankencottage.”
You can listen and download the new EP for FREE at darkmean.bandcamp.com – Go there now!
You can also listen to the band’s first EP and download it there as well. After you listen to Music Box, click on the green cover titled “Frankencottage” and you can listen and download from there. It will ask you to “name your price” if you want to download the songs and you’re welcome to pay for the CD, or just put $0 and you can get them for free too.
My favourite Dark Mean songs are: Frankencottage, China, (green cd) and I really enjoy all of the Music Box songs which are: Music Box; Piano & Beat; Acoustic; Dark Banjo.
For more info on the Dark Mean Band see: myspace.com/darkmeanband or darkmean.com
Band members: Billy Holmes, Sandy Johnston, Mark Dean
They’ve tagged their band “Ambient” “Canadian” “Folk” “Indie” “Canada” on bandcamp, so that might help you with defining their style and genre.
I would also say that Dark Mean’s style is very artistic and has good depth and complexity of sound, and overall it’s mostly chill music that may remind you of the cottage, but it definitely has some rockin’ moments as well. I think you need to listen their songs a few times to get a feel for them, but once you do, then I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Some comparisons/influences that I hear in their music: Coldplay, Radiohead, Broken Social Scene…
Happy Listening!
Do you like their music? Share a comment here>>
Video: Starbucks’ New Green Stores
Feb 27th
Starbucks “aim[s] to achieve LEED® certification for all new company-operated stores beginning in 2010.”
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As someone who worked at Starbucks for three weeks because I liked their coffee and business values (at least at the time), and as someone who takes advantage of the Starbucks environment to do work online, and as someone who prefers Starbucks to Tim Hortons, I was pleased to see the new and green concept stores – they look pretty cool. I just hope that they also find a way to better deal with excessive noise and traffic “pollution” to enhance the experience as well.
So far three new stores “showcase” the new approach. Two stores are in Seattle and one in Paris. For more info about the new stores and a virtual tour of these stores see Starbucks’ new website>>
What do you think of the new stores? Are you a fan of Starbucks? Is LEED certification enough? Please comment here>>
Sneak Peak: New Niagara Film Coming Soon…
Feb 24th
I came across this trailer the other day. I’m really looking forward to watching the whole video, but no word yet on when it will be officially released. This feels more like Niagara; not just Niagara Falls!