Strathis Greek Cuisine on College Ave. and Campbell

A new restaurant recently opened up on College Ave., just east of Campbell, called Strathis Greek Cuisine. I am looking forward to checking it out, and you should too! It has replaced the former "Dean's" that was located there.

Whenever a business invests and locates in an area, it is a sign of confidence in the neighbourhood. We should all show our appreciation by supporting these investments and businesses in any way that we can.

Regards,
Fabio

Vote! Vote! Vote!

Friends,

I received the following email from a fellow west-ender:

"Hi Fabio 

Could you please post this to the Our West End Blog in support of The Summit Centre for Preschool Children with Autism's bid for new playground Equipment?

The winner is chosen by popular vote on Facebook, and we need more votes!!! 

They are located at Prince and College Ave, a great gem in the West end!! 

Voting by PC instructions below.

Vote Daily and Thank you!!!" 

If anyone is on Facebook, Please vote daily from a PC Only for the Summit
Centre for Preschool Children with Autism.  It would mean a great deal to
our family to see this organization win the much needed equipment.  They are
completely privately run, relying on donations only, not government funded.
They continue to be an amazing support for our family and what they do for
the children & families is life changing - they will do AMAZING things with
the equipment.

Thank you!!!
Jonathan's Family

Pathway at the End of Mill St.

Friends,

I recently received an email from a west-end resident saying how wonderful it is to see so many people using the pathway and park space at the end of Mill St. Many folks are fishing there and enjoying themselves since the area has been cleaned up.

If you are in the area, take a stroll and see for yourself!

Fabio Costante

Police Investigate West-End Stabbing, Victim in Detroit Hospital

Police Investigate West-End Stabbing Sunday Morning

Courtesy Bicycles in Olde Sandwich Towne

Friends,

I recently purchased a bike at Courtesy Bicycles (www.courtesybicycles.ca) in Olde Sandwich Towne. It's a great place with great service. I am looking forward to riding on beautiful days like today.

Hope you're all having a great long weekend and enjoying this beautiful weather.

Fabio

Assumption Students Doing Us Proud - Producing Top Competitors

FIRST Robotics Competition

A few months ago, a group of students from Assumption high school competed in the annual FIRST Robotics Competition held in Toronto. According to its website, www.firstroboticscanada.org, FIRST Robotics is a competition where “high school students team up with the world’s best technology companies to build the most impressive robots you’ve ever seen.”  It goes on to say:

Built from scratch in only 6 weeks, these 5-foot tall, 140-pound robots compete in high intensity robo-sports. With bragging rights at stake for schools and the companies that support them, robotics takes on a pro-sports experience. Watch the best of the best in robotics come out to play.

The varsity sport for the mind, FRC combines the excitement of sport with the rigors of science and technology. Under strict rules, limited resources, and time limits, teams of 25 students or more are challenged to raise funds, design a team “brand,” hone teamwork skills, and build and program robots to perform prescribed tasks against a field of competitors. It’s as close to “real-world engineering” as a student can get. Volunteer professional mentors lend their time and talents to guide each team.

Students get to:

·      Learn from professional engineers

·      Build and compete with a robot of their own design

·      Learn and use sophisticated software and hardware

·      Compete and cooperate in alliances and tournaments

·      Earn a place in the World Championship

·      Qualify for over $12 million in college scholarships

There were 44 teams who competed in the competition this year from all throughout Ontario, Canada and a few teams from places all over the world.  This is the first year Assumption entered a team into the competition.

This year, the teams had to develop robots that had the capacity to throw frisbees in a basket, climb pyramid structures and block and cause “havoc” to prevent the foregoing, all in an attempt to gain points for each basket made, pyramid climbed and shot blocked.  The purpose of the robot that Assumption created was to cause havoc and block shots from other robots.  In other words, its main function was to play defence.  

The competition started with 44 teams and then went down to 24, then 12 and finally 6.  Assumption made it to the final 6 where they were teamed up with two other teams, competing against the remaining three.

As a result of the strong showing from Assumption, they qualified to compete in the World Competition held in St. Louis, Missouri, at the end of April.  

Enactus Windsor Entrepreneurship Competition

I recently judged an entrepreneurship competition where high school students from across the region developed micro businesses and competed against each other.  Groups of students worked together in identifying a product or service, developed a marketing plan and financial statement, and finally implemented their idea into the marketplace. 

Each presenting team was judged by the innovation of their product, their financial performances, their presentation skills and ability to answer tough questions from the judges, along with their marketing and advertising capabilities. 

Among all of the competitors – and there were many good ones – Assumption high school came up victorious.  With a dynamic presentation and solid business idea (selling delicious cakes in a jar), they wooed the audience and clearly impressed the judges. 

On a personal note, it was pleasing to hear some students say that all of their lives they are taught to grow up to be lawyers or doctors, or good employees, but after this experience, many are considering entrepreneurship.  The idea of being your own boss and actually creating jobs is appealing to many. 

I often worry about our region’s economic future, but after judging yesterday’s competition, and getting to meet these smart, dynamic and energetic youth, I am confident that our future is in very good hands. 

Fabio Costante

Friends for Atkinson Parks and Pool Skateboard Competition

Friends, 

I received the following from the Friends for Atkinson Parks and Pool group: 

"Hi fabio we are having our first skateboard competition on June first at 12 noon  at Atkinson  and we sill have hot dogs chips etc. and some home made crafts and some cookies come out and attend hope to see you there. We are also doing swimming registratioon for the working poor kids. If you know of any tell them to bring there income tax receipt and talk to us the cost to the families is $10.00 per child  the cost for the first session is about 86.00 dollars we pay the differrence any money extra we roll back into the swimming program. the senior pass for this year is $45. from June 23 - labour day 7 days a week and any nights and it covers all pools  June 24 is firer works night there will be a night time swim and barbeque at atkinson. the parking lot will be blocked so people using the pool and park can park the barigades will be taking down at about 8 pm 

 Your friend marilyn"