Good morning, Greater Sudbury! Here are a few stories to start your day.
Styrofoam litter ‘just not acceptable,’ says MPP Jamie West
Styrofoam fragments snowing onto residential properties is indicative of a construction practice that’s “just not acceptable anymore,” Sudbury NDP MPP Jamie West said. “That’s just the way it was, but the world has moved on,” he told Sudbury.com, adding that although he has sympathy for the contractor, who has done nothing wrong by the letter of the law, regulations need to change to prevent littering such as this from continuing to take place. “Even though there isn’t anything legally wrong with what he’s doing, I think that ethically, things have to change,” West said, citing the federal government’s July 2019 banning of microbeads in toiletries as one of many examples of changing times. Another example are the various other environmental regulations which led to Sudbury’s superstack being deemed redundant. Last month, area residents began complaining about polystyrene foam (best known by its brand name of Styrofoam) fragments blowing onto their properties from the site of a six-storey Bawa Hospitality Group building currently under construction. Construction crews had been installing the foam on the building’s exterior and shaving it down (“rasped level”) to size, sending fragments “snowing” onto neighbouring properties.
Sudbury festivals and events to receive $140K from the province
The province announced more than $140,000 in funding toward festivals and events in the Greater Sudbury area this week. “The festival and event industry plays a vital role in strengthening local economies in communities throughout the province,” Nipissing Progressive Conservative MPP Vic Fedeli said in a media release issued through his office. “Our government’s support for festivals and events through the Experience Ontario Program demonstrates that we are supporting organizations across the province that are creating new and innovative opportunities to bring Ontarians together.”
Sudbury sending a (dragon) boatload of paddlers to Italy
In the days of Team Chiro and various other local vessels that followed to some degree in their footsteps, Sudbury paddlers were in the business of making waves at dragon boat competitions both in Canada and also around the globe. And while the challenges of assembling a team some 20 strong has created the need to look for other alternatives, rest assured that Sudbury paddlers continue to garner attention – just not all on the same team. The Canadian Dragon Boat Championships were hosted from July 20-23 in Welland and no less than six local athletes managed to qualify to attend the 2024 World Club Crew Championships in Ravenna, Italy, in September 2024. Rob Gregoris, Brenda Loubert and Deb Doucette will all represent the Canadian Senior Dragonboat Club (CSDC) while Dave Barrett and Julie Vakaroskov are back with the Pickering Dragon Boat Club (PDBC) and Melanie Cartier is with True North Paddling Club. As reported yesterday, Barrett and Vakaroskov are also participating in the 16th International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Dragon Boat Championship in Pattaya, Thailand Aug. 7-13.
Laurentian receives more than $1.2M for virtual learning
As part of Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy initiative, the government of Ontario has announced their support for the work of Laurentian University researchers by awarding grants totalling $1,246,775, to three novel projects. These projects advance virtual learning opportunities for future students and create new ways of delivering post-secondary education. “Innovation takes place through collaboration and these projects are great examples of people coming together to share ideas and advance our understanding of learning,” said Brenda Brouwer, interim provost and vice-president academic at Laurentian University, in a press release. “We are thankful for the investment from the province and have now made these projects a reality.” “The innovative projects completed in 2022-23 as part of Ontario’s Virtual Learning Strategy are furthering Ontario’s solid reputation as a global leader in post-secondary education,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Achievements from these projects are helping Ontario to expand the suite of high-quality, market-responsive hybrid learning resources offered across our province to help learners gain the skills and training they need to succeed, no matter where they live, and prepare for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Cereal cartoon parties return to the Indie this month
After two widely successful sold-out Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Parties that happened at Sudbury Indie Cinema in December and April, Cereal Cartoon Parties are returning this summer. Happening August 12 and 26, Sudbury Indie Cinema is hosting another three-hour compilation of retro cartoons, commercials and PSAs from the 1930s to 1990s, combined with an unlimited amount of your favourite childhood cereals. Starting at 10 a.m., you can stay in your PJs and head straight to Sudbury Indie Cinema, located at 162 MacKenzie St. for an unforgettable morning. Curated by David Bertrand of Stompbox, the Saturday Morning All-You-Can-Eat Cereal Cartoon Party is an event for all ages, from children to nostalgic adults. Attendees gather in the cinema to watch beloved classics (The Flintstones) as well as obscure audience favourites (Rambo: When S.A.V.A.G.E. Stole Santa). With over 40 varieties of cereal to choose from like Trix, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Pebble, Reese Puffs, Captain Crunch, as well as gluten free, vegan, and low carb options, including milk varieties, there is something for everyone. Refill your bowl as many times as you want - cereal is included in the admission.
“The Cereal Cartoon party is one of the busiest events we had put on since the pandemic started,” said theatre manager Miranda MacLeod. “It is really nice to see so many people in the cinema having a great time at this one-of-kind event.” Tickets are on sale online here.
Risk of a thunderstorm Wednesday
Wednesday will be mainly sunny. Increasing cloudiness in the morning then 30 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon. Risk of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h late in the afternoon. High of 23 C. Humidex of 27 C. UV index 7 or high. Wednesday night will be cloudy with a 70 per cent chance of showers. Low of 17 C.
