Fire Safety

 EOV ' s Joey Blacquiere spent some time in conversation with Provincial  Fire Marshall David Blacquiere to get some tips on how we can all have safer residences.

"Fire Safety is often nothing more than common sense. Take a chair and set in the middle of any room in your house. Sit on it, and look around and say, what is in this room that could cause a fire, and what have I put in this room that would make it harder to get out if a fire broke out?"

Fire Marshall Blacquiere gave Joey the following tips:


10 Fire Prevention Tips

1.  Make sure that you have a working smoke alarm in every room on every level of the building.

2.  Make sure that you have a secondary way out of  your home and don't seal it off.

3.  Keep loose combustibles away from your heating equipment, stove, or barbeque.      
.
4.  If you are going to use candles in your home, use them safely. Don't put them too close to objects that can catch fire, and don't leave them unattended.

5.  If you are deep frying,  use a deep fryer with a thermostat so you can control the temperature.  You can't control the temperature of the oil in an ordinary pot.

6 .  Don't hoard papers and other flammable objects that can make your home a tinder box should it catch fire.

7.  Double check your electrical cords on appliances and electronic equipment to make sure they are not broken, frayed, or exposed.  These conditions could spark a fire.

8. If you use extension cords in your home, make sure they are being used properly. Keep them out of the flow of traffic and don't overload circuits by plugging too many devices into them. 
   
9.  Don't store open flammable liquids inside your home.  Open vapours can easily ignite.

10.  If you smoke, be sure to use a nice deep ashtray in a non-combustible area.

11.  If you are going to do maintenance work in your home, be careful to use the right tools properly.  For instance, never use a propane torch on plumbing.  You may end up doing much more harm than good.

Thanks to Summerside Fire Marshall David Blacquiere for your helpful tips.  A little common sense goes a long way.

Joey Blacquiere, EOV  

Two Poems

by Cody Smith

Photo: Catherine Ann

Ocean

The ocean is crystal clear 

and blue like the sky, 

and also just as beautiful.  

Who knows what may be lying 

in the deep dark depths of the ocean, 

perhaps one day, 

we will find out what lays down at the bottom, 

but I'm sure it will be amazing.

Photo: Catherine Ann 

The World

The world is a joyous place, 

filled with light, 

and colors that fill a person 

with joy and happiness.  

The world fills me with joy, 

and so I enjoy 

and live life in this world 

to the fullest.

Craft Corner

by Shawna Chappell

Crafting for a special occasion doesn't have to be difficult to be effective. Here's how to make a pretty candle for Valentine's Day with no muss or fuss.

 Red Bowl Candle

Materials List:

Plain glass globe vase or ivy bowl

Glass votive holder to fit inside the vase

Candle to fit inside the votive

Decorative glass pebbles in red



Instructions:

This candle is very simple to assemble. Simply place the votive candle holder inside the glass globe and surround with red decorative glass pebbles. When you light the candle, you'll find the candlelight is defused by the colored glass, casting a lovely warm reddish glow for Valentine's Day.

Make several candles as a centerpiece for your Valentine's Day dinner or leave one on the bathroom countertop as an invitation to indulge in a relaxing candlelit bath. If you place the candle on a highly polished or mirrored surface, like the one in the upper right photo, the effect of the candle is doubled in the reflection.

Variations:

If you are using an ivy bowl with a fluted edge, consider adding a red satin ribbon around the neck of the bowl and tie in a bow. Or tie a few strands of raffia around the neck of the bowl and hot glue small silk rosebuds in the center of the raffia. For gift-giving, use a fragrant rose-scented candle and attach a small gift card..

Kevin Walker Visits PCC

- by Shawna Chappell

On June 6, Kevin Walker came in to visit PCC. In the past, Kevin has been our guest talking about things like drumming and First Nations issues, as well as giving us a presentation on his trip to Greece.  But now he has embarked on a new adventure.

Kevin came in to speak to us about his summer job - as a Special Constable with the RCMP.

In Canada, First Nations people are under-represented in law enforcement.  This can lead to many problems, especially when non-natives are charged with enforcing the law in First Nations communities with a unique culture different from the police officer’s experience.  This has led to the RCMP actively recruiting within the First Nations community, and Kevin was able to take advantage of this initiative to join the force.

But Kevin knew beforehand that just being a member of the First Nations community would not be enough. He would have to undergo extensive training and conditioning to meet the challenges faced by police officers in the run of a day’s work.

He was sent to Regina for three weeks of basic police training, which included conditioning and technical aspects of police work.  As training began, Kevin was grateful for his hard work before hand as a Zumba instructor, which made him fit and ready for the gruelling physical conditioning.  Many recruits have failed the physical portion of the training, but while he found it difficult Kevin was able to sail right through.

Among the first things new recruits learn is proper marching.  They spend along time on the parade square getting it just right.  And recruits have to do all their own housekeeping, including polishing the showers and preparing for meals.

When it came to learning the specific skills involved in police work, Kevin was given specialized police driver training as well as instruction on working with police dogs.  Many of the things we just assume police officers know have to be learned.  Kevin demonstrated for us how to “speed cuff” a criminal - slapping on handcuffs in a matter of seconds after rendering the criminal (played by Nils Ling) helpless.

On graduation, Kevin was sent back to PEI to serve for the summer as a Special Constable with the RCMP in the Lennox Island area.  He is excited about the upcoming summer and hopes that this term might lead to a career in law enforcement with the RCMP.

Joey Blacquiere - Scout

I scout for a team called the Lewiston MAINEiacs, who play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, one of Canada's premier junior hockey loops.

As a scout, my responsibilities include looking within the Maritime  Hockey League for talented young hockey players who want to play for Lewiston.  We are looking for players who will be with our team for three to four years depending on when they were born.   Junior hockey players graduate at age 20, so our ideal prospect will be 16 or 17 years old – old enough to handle the physical and emotional  punishment of a long hockey season, and young enough to be with the team for several years.

 There are a number of ideal qualities in a young hockey player.  First and foremost is an ability to skate.  A good stride is crucial to any hockey player's future.  Other qualities include quick hands, the ability to give and receive a pass, a hard, accurate shot, and the ability to mesh well with teammates.  At the junior hockey level, players have to be able to play a physical game and give and take hard hits.

Another key quality for any junior hockey player is size.  We will look more closely at a player we feel is large enough to withstand the punishment of a long hockey season.  So players taller than six feet and weighing more than 200 pounds will attract our eyes first.

I enjoy being a scout because I have always enjoyed hockey.  It has been a passion of mine since childhood.  As a scout, I sit in the best seats in the house- the Press Box-and watch the players on the ice differently than an average fan does.  I love looking at a hockey player and imagining where he will fit into the hockey world in three or four years.

In the future, I hope that some day the players who I recommend to the MAINEiacs will make it into the  N H L  or to the Canadian Junior Hockey Team.   I would love to be able to say I had a hand in the drafting of such talented players.

What To Do On A Storm Day

EOV Staffer Joni Miner has some suggestions on what to do to chase the boredom away:

1. One of  the things you can do is watch T.V.

2. If the power goes out you can cook on the wood stove.

3. You can paint a pretty picture for someone you love.

4. You can play a video games – but try not to die.

5. Plan a fantasy vacation.  Where would to go if money was no object?

6. You can get caught up on your baking and cooking.

7. You can look up cool stuff on the internet.

8. You can give the house a good cleaning.

9. You can have play time with your pets.

10. If you have a friend over you can play some games.

11. You can call someone up on the phone to talk to.

12. You can make up a shopping list of what you need – or maybe a list of the things you would buy if you won the lottery!

13.If you have a guitar and you can teach yourself how to play  and/or entertain a crowd.

14.You can get caught up on your laundry.

15. Read that great book you've always wanted to read!

10 Things I Hate About You

EOV's Cody Smith wrote a tender Valentine's Day poem to the Love of his Life:

Boy, you can be a big pain in the butt at times.

You can be loud.

You smell like fish.

Your kisses are way too wet and sloppy.

You have a tantrum when people take things that belong to you.

When I hide your stuff, you tackle me and try to beat the life out of me to get it back.

Your breath can be lethal, especially first thing in the morning.

You run around our place like a lunatic.

When I sit down to eat, you want to go and do stuff.  Every time I want to go out with you, you just want to sit down and eat. 

You tilt your head when you seem confused by something, but you don't fool me.  You're not really confused.  You're just using that to get what you want. 

You drive me completely crazy at times.

But in spite of all that, darn it all ... I love you 

Dudley, you're a great puppy.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ask Miss Heartthrob

Our own Miss Heartthrob happily answers questions on matters of the heart (and liver and spleen).  

Q:  I think my boyfriend is cheating on me. Last week I saw him at the movies and he was kissing another girl. He says it was his cousin, but they kissed through the whole movie. What should I do?

A:   He's cheating!! Tie him in a sack and throw him the river.  And if they are still kissing, throw her in too.

Q:   My boyfriend keeps asking me to marry him. I'm not ready yet. What should I do?

A:  He is too demanding.  Tie him in a sack and throw him in the river.  

Q:  I am a 40 year old man who has a crush on my boss. She doesn't know it. What should I do?

A:   Workplace romances are often a bad idea. But if you want to pursue this you need to let her know how you feel. Either she will feel the same way or you may have to tie yourself in a sack and throw yourself in the river.  

Miss Heartthrob would be delighted to take questions from the general public.   Send us your questions at  eyeopeningviews722@gmail.com.  Then tie yourself in a sack and throw yourself in the river while you wait for a reply.

Spotlight on: Joey Blacquiere

(Our own Joey Blacquiere has been Director of Communications for the Summerside Office of the Lewiston Maineiacs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League for the last two seasons.  Prior to a key road game in Halifax this season, the coaching staff asked Joey to deliver an inspirational address to the Maineiacs players.  Here is that address:)

"A Team is like a Sailing Ship.  As long as you stay afloat, you can bring out your big guns.  You can make a big explosion.  That will take the wind out of their sails.  Then you bring out your middle guns to make a smaller explosion.  And finally you come out with your Big Guns again and blow them out of the water.  Listen to your Commanding Officer and Second in Command."

"NOW ITS TIME TO GO OUT THERE AND PLAY WITH YOUR HEARTS ON YOUR SLEEVES!"

(The team promptly went out and won the game!)

Easter Bunny Egg Basket Craft

 


by Shawna Chappell

    Materials:

    Egg carton bottom

    Easter grass

    cotton ball

    Paper

    Scissors

    Stapler

    Optional:  3 pom poms

    Optional:  wiggly eyes

    Optional:  pipe cleaner

  Instructions:

    Draw an easter bunny head onto a piece of paper.  (You might want to create a template (guide).  What we did was copy the template onto an ice cream container lid and then let the kids trace around onto construction paper to make their own heads -- good fine motor skill practice, plus they got heads in whatever colors they wanted.)
     
    Cut out the head shape.  It's simple enough that most preschoolers will be able to cut it out themselves.
     
    Glue wiggly eyes and pom pom nose/muzzle onto the head.  Cut out two small white paper teeth and glue those on as well.
     
    Pull apart a cotton ball and glue it as the center of the ears
     
    Staple the head onto the front of the egg carton.  It tilts forward a wee bit, but that's ok.
     
    Poke small holes on either side of the egg carton in about the center.  Thread the pipecleaner through and around these holes, twisting to secure, to make a handle
     
    Fill the cups with easter grass.
     
    Add a few yummy jelly beans.

    ENJOY!

Jaw Cracker Cake

(Special to EOV from reknowned Dental Surgeon and Baker Dr. Phil McCavity)

Ingredients:

3 cups Retro Grade Cement
1 cup Sour Milk
2 tbsp Fruit Flies
2 Egg Shells
12 Juicy Slugs
Lady Bugs to taste

You start off by collecting your ingredients. You can find cement in any hardware store.  If you can't find any, borrow it from any construction site. Leave the milk sitting a few days to get it nice and chunky. You can find fruit flies anywhere - behind rotten fruit, in your window behind the screen, hovering over the compost bin. You can find egg shells in any trash can, and you can usually find slugs in grass, in trash, or under rocks.  Note:  if fresh slugs are not readilly available, frozen slugs will do just fine.

Pour the cement into a bowl, then add the sour milk, which should be nice and chunky.  Add the fruit flies for a little extra crunch. Add egg shells, and mix until everything is well blended together. Throw the slugs into a smaller bowl, and grind them into a paste, and sprinkle in some lady bugs to add a reddish color to the paste. Put the cake into the oven, and bake it at 350 degrees for half an hour or several days, until it is grey and hardened. Take out of oven and let cool. Use your slug icing to decorate your cake, then serve and enjoy.

Serves 8.

Meet Amanda Huggenkiss - Philematologist

1. How did you get your name? 

A:  I hug and kiss a lot.  It's called Philematology - the art and study of kissing.  I'm whatcha call a Philematologist.

2. So what do you like most about philematology?

A:  It's a great way to lose  weight, and I get to try out all the different kinds of kisses. 

3. There are different kinds? 

A: Oh, yes.  There are " Well I Never!" Kisses (that's what they say, but in my experience they have and do).   There are  soul kisses, vampire kisses, public kisses, greedy kisses, bipedal kisses, froggie kisses, Venus kisses, Mars kisses ... the list goes on! And I've tried them all, but trying something once really isn't a very scientific approach to study.  So I repeat as necessary.  And sometimes even when it isn't.

4. You mentioned it helps with losing weight?

A:  Yes!  2-6 calories per minute so the studies say.  How do you think I keep my girlish figure?

5. Do you have a favorite kiss poem?

A: Here's one by Marot I love:   "Kiss her gently, but be sly/ Kiss her when there's no-one by/Steal your kiss for then 'tis meetest/ Stolen kisses are the sweetest."

6.  Is there any danger in kissing?

A:  Oh yes one must be cautious as there are "sick kisses"  The kissing disease, strep throat,  head lice,  trench mouth,  cold sores,  stubble rash. But despair not... Get yourself a kissing shield and go right to town!

7. Any future kissing goals? 

A: Yes!  To date I have kissed over 989,764 people, I want to get to 1,000,000.  So send all the lonely people you meet to me!     

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