Archive for May, 2010
Alton Mill Art Exhibition: Home Ground
May 31st 2010On the weekend, Mike, my sister Barbara and I were happy to go to the Alton Mill for the opening reception for Home Ground. This is an exhibition by The Art Group (TAG), which is made up of five Headwaters artists: Diana Hillman (landscapes), Susan Powell (watercolours), Pam Purves (photography), Hugh Russel (sculpture in wood), and Ian Sinclair (Adirondack-inspired rustic furniture).
Here’s what they say about their exhibition: “Home Ground” is often defined as “an area of special strength or competence.” To the artists that make up TAG, Home Ground also refers to places dear to their hearts. TAG was formed earlier this year by these five artists who have worked and shown together for the past few years. Their common ground is a commitment to excellence, a respect for traditional skills, and an interest in exploring new takes on old artistic media. All five also call the Hills of Headwaters and the Niagara Escarpment home.”
The show “Home Ground” runs until July 4. The exhibition has a variety of wonderful works and the gallery is located in a wonderful revamped old mill, full of interesting spaces to explore and treasures to discover. There’s also a small cafe to let you refuel.
Alton Mill Gallery is in the village of Alton, just north of Erin and is worth the drive for a delightful afternoon.
What kind of art do you like, and what is your favourite place to see or buy it?
If you like this post you may be interested in our articles
“Autumn Colour: Touring for Artists’ Studios”
“The Creative Hands of Benitta Wilcox”
“Brigitte Schreyer: Continuing the artistic tradition”
And if you like our website, you’ll probably love the magazine! You can subscribe to get Escarpment Views at your door.
Help name Mountsberg’s American Kestrel!
May 20th 2010Conservation Halton needs your help! The Mountsberg Raptor Centre has a young male American Kestrel that needs a name, and they want your suggestions.
American Kestrels are North America’s smallest falcon – they’re active, agile predators that can snatch a sparrow right out of the air. They also feed on large insects and small rodents. American Kestrels have black “malar” stripes under their eyes to protect them from the glare of the sun, just like football players.
This little kestrel is blind in his left eye due to impact trauma sustained in an accident when young. He’s very interested in his surroundings and, despite his disability, he’s learning to fly in the Mountsberg Raptor Centre shows and is doing quite well. The Mountsberg Raptor Centre team is very proud of this little fellow, and can’t wait to have an official name for him.
How to enter
Entries are open to people of all ages and are not restricted in any way. You may submit multiple entries. Please submit your chosen name along with a short description (200 words or less) of why you’ve suggested it. Deadline is Thursday, June 3rd at midnight, EST. Winners will be announced on Friday, June 4th, and contacted to arrange their tours.
- Facebook – Click on the ‘discussion’ tab of the Mountsberg Raptor Centre Facebook fan page (http://www.facebook.com/mountsbergraptorcentre), and add your suggestion to the ‘Name the Kestrel’ discussion thread. You can also post your suggestion directly to the Wall.
- Email – Send an email to raptorcentre@gmail.com with your suggested name and a description of why you’ve chosen it.
- In Person – Are you at the park? Drop by the Raptor Centre and give your suggestion in person. Staff will take your information, telephone number and/or an email address where they can reach you if your suggestion is chosen.
- Ballot – Guests attending the Conservation Halton Awards Night on June 3rd will be able to submit an entry by ballot that evening.
Prizes
Aside from choosing the winning name, the successful entrant will have the opportunity for a unique behind-the-scenes tour of the Mountsberg Raptor Centre, and a photo of themselves holding the newly-named American Kestrel on their gloved hand. Three runners-up will also be chosen for a Raptor Centre tour and photos with the birds.
About the Mountsberg Raptor Centre
Tucked within Mountsberg Conservation Area, the Mountsberg Raptor Centre is currently home to 14 different species of native birds of prey. Many of the Raptor Centre’s resident birds of prey have permanent injuries that have left them incapable of surviving on their own in the wild. In many cases, these injuries were caused by human activity. With the help of these feathered ambassadors, the Mountsberg Raptor Centre teaches the community about the native birds of prey that share our environment and how to reduce the negative impact we can have on them.
Mountsberg Conservation Area is located on Milburough Line, 5 km west of Campbellville, ON, between Hwy 6 south and the Guelph Line. For more information, visit www.conservationhalton.ca/mountsbergraptorcentre.
If You Can Get Escarpment Views for Free, Why Subscribe?
May 18th 2010We’re on standby here, waiting for the printer’s call to say that the first copies of the summer issue are ready. We’re updating our mailing list, and this reminds me to explain again why you would bother to subscribe if you can get a copy for free from our advertisers.
We value the support of our subscribers and we make sure you are among the very first to get each issue in your mail. You don’t have to leave your home because you’ll get Escarpment Views at your door!
As a plus, if you provide your email address, we’ll notify you about free tickets and other offers that we occasionally make available through this website. The value of what you could receive can be far more than the cost of your subscription.
Right now there’s another reason to subscribe before July 1 and that is to beat the HST! Subscriptions for four great keeper issues are $21 before July 1 and $22 after. You can save even more by subscribing for two years at $36.75! After July 1 it will cost $39.50.
First crack at each issue. No need to leave your home for it. Free online giveaways. Saving money. Four good reasons to get four great issues a year!
Crocodile Found Loose in Hamilton
May 04th 2010A crocodilian species reptile has been observed and photographed in a pond off Van Wagner’s Beach Road in Confederation Park, Hamilton. A local birder, Tom Badeau, discovered the reptile when he was taking pictures of birds along the shoreline of the pond. He took pictures of the animal and sent them to the Hamilton Conservation Authority on Monday.
HCA staff contacted the Canadian Wildlife Service because the stranded reptile might be a rare or threatened crocodilian species. As a result, HCA staff has contacted reptile rescue expert Bry Loyst, from the Indian River Reptile Zoo. HCA staff members met Monday afternoon at the pond with Loyst and Badeau. The animal was spotted shortly afterwards, but exact species identification has not been determined.
HCA is concerned about the well-being of the abandoned reptile as well as the safety of the Hamilton community. It is important that the reptile is rescued from the pond as quickly and as safely as possible.
The reptile is likely a pet that has been abandoned at the pond. The species requires a specific temperature range to survive. The water in the pond is too cold for the reptile, which means that it is not feeding at this time. It also means it will be less mobile than normal to conserve energy and heat. As a result, the expert and staff ecologists believe it is unlikely the animal poses any danger to the public, if left undisturbed.
HCA staff will be working with Loyst and his employees to retrieve the animal from the pond and transport it to the Indian River Reptile Zoo, a research and education centre that provides sanctuary, breeding facilities and detailed study of reptile species.
HCA reminds the public that abandoning pets in conservation areas or parks poses not only a risk to the pet, but also to members of the public and the ecology of the natural area. If you would like to surrender a pet, please contact Animal Control or other appropriate agencies.
