The first Canadian qualifying championships for the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron, Ohio, was held this past weekend. Canada’s only permanent soap box track, The Gravity Cavity at Kawartha Downs in Fraserville (just south of Peterborough). The winner of Sunday’s event will be represent the GPSBDA/CSBRA, and Canada at the World Championships of Soap Box racing on July 26th.
A dozen racers competed in a double elimination format. Strong winds made for some interesting racing, and there was heavy rain for the final hour of the day. The final round had 12 year old Devon Pearce racing against 15 yr old Courtney Freemantle. Devon beat Courtney in the final, but since Courtney was undefeated all day, this was only her first elimination. Being a double elimination format, there was a second round of finals. This time Courtney won, giving Devon his second loss of the day. Courtney was the overall winner of the day and will now be going on to the All-American Soap Box Derby.
Congratulations Courtney
15
May
Eastern Milk Snake
Eastern Milk Snake (Lampropelis triangulum triangulum)
Photo: copyright Stewart Stick
The Canadian Press
May 14, 2008 at 12:56 PM EDT
FREDERICTON — A skateboarder who says he will go to jail rather than pay a fine for riding his board on Fredericton’s streets turned himself in at the provincial courthouse Wednesday.
A judge signed a warrant for Lee Breen, and deputies immediately took him into custody…. http://tinyurl.com/5ga3v7
The 25-year-old local businessman, who owns an eco-friendly lawn care company, has said the city bylaw prohibiting anyone from using a toboggan or skateboard on city streets is at odds with the city’s bid to be environmentally friendly.
I haven’t had much time lately to update the blog, so here are a few photos from the past week. Starting off with a few from the soap box season opener “Spring Dust Off” at the Gravity Cavity located at the Kawartha downs. The Gravity Cavity is Canada’s only dedicated soap box racing track.
Photo 2
Photo 3
A lone Trillium growing in Burnham Woods. (note the Insect on lower leaf)
Photo 4
Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)
27
Apr
Tommy Ramone
Uncle Monk featuring Tommy Ramone (from the Ramones) and Claudia Tienan performed at the Underdog in Peterborugh on Saturday night. They describe their sound as Alt-country indi-bluegrass. Unfortunately their music was drowned out by the concert going on at the other bar upstairs. Check out their website at http://www.unclemonk.com
24
Apr
One scary log
While out for a walk with fellow photographer Clint, looking for snakes and salamanders to photograph, we found this large hollow log. We experimented with some strobist inspired lighting. After we put away the gear and started to leave, I found this plastic sword and came up with this idea for an image. We returned to the hollow log and set up a light and I modeled for this shot. I’m really happy with the result of this collaborative effort.
(Photo: copyright 2008 Clint Gilders)
