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If you missed the Special Committee Meeting on Wednesday about two housing developments, one on Laroque Road and the other on the escarpment’s Kenreta Drive, see the City of North Bay’s YouTube channel video recording HERE. Residents on Larocque and Cedar Heights Road don’t mind more neighbours but highlighted the need for sidewalks, bike lanes and lighting to make it safer for this growing area of the city. Staff said traffic volumes may soon trigger some investment on those fronts. See the report HERE.

As for Kenreta, The Nugget reported that some Laurentian Heights residents are concerned about allowing semi-detached homes on three of the lots, saying it would devalue their investments. One person said that type of housing is better suited for West Ferris, attracting some backlash in the comment section below the story. See the staff report that explains why such opposition holds little water when the province promotes diversified housing in neighbourhoods as well as intensification to address the lack of accommodation in the province.

(Click on the Echo Essentials logo in the email newsletter for the updated website version, past editions and subscription form.)

Top Shelf

• New White Water Gallery features another ‘Bay’
• Pictographs are different than petroglyphs

Today’s Head Scratcher
by Allan Hirsh

Are you one of those people who are always thinking about something … even when it’s about having a blank mind?

Echo Essentials

White Water Gallery
features Bay of
Fundy installation

Lisa Boivin, host of the To North Bay With Love podcast, gets out of the studio and takes a trip to the White Water Gallery at 159 Main Street East to chat with Artistic Director Alex Maeve Campbell.

She also brings on two artists, Victoria Ward and Gary Blundell, to talk about their trip to the Bay of Fundy inspiring them to paint the pieces featured on display. All three agree that art makes a community better.

Pictographs are
different than
petroglyphs

The Kennedy Island pictograph within the Upper French River. Bill Steer Photo

Backroads Bill Steer explains the importance of pictographs in this weeks podcast, while also recommending where to find the best ones across Ontario. Bill also describes how pictographs, petroglyphs and petroforms are all different kinds of expressions and each has its own historical significance. See his written column on the subject published by BayToday HERE.

Today’s Zen Suggestion: Have you learned how to ‘calm’ yourself? Practicing meditation in the morning starts the day on a less stressful footing, while also developing the ‘muscle memory’ needed when anxious moments arrive later in the day or evening.

Sponsor

Thanks to our sponsor Services. Visit yourhomeservices.ca and mention “Echo Podcast” to get your first 3 months of your water heater rental free  *some restrictions may apply*

Echo Network

To North Bay With Love:

North Bay Echo owner, Scott Clark, and his daughter, Makayla, took in the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Sweden recently. They arrived just after the Canadians were eliminated in the quarterfinals but watched the semis, bronze and gold-medal games before touring the many art galleries for several more days.

They came back over-flowing with enthusiasm about the country and its people with Scott sharing highlights and insights in Tuesday’s episode of the To North Bay With Love podcast.

If you’re interested in a healthy and productive hobby, listen to the 2NBWL episode with host Lisa Boivin spinning a yarn with Rae Brenne, owner of Stix & Stones.

Cogeco:

Cogeco has Corbeil’s Ben Gaudreau and his Erie Otters vs North Bay Battalion game live on YourTV Thursday at 7 p.m. Rotary At Home TV Bingo is on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Lions At Home TV Bingo on Sunday’s at 7 p.m.

Backroads Bill:

Listen to the episode, The Ghost of a Cold War Crash led Bill to an Unlikely Friend.

New podcasts drop Wednesday mornings. Listen on the Echo website HERE. You can also find the Backroads Bill podcast on Spotify, Apple, IHeart Radio, Spreaker, Google, and Amazon. Read the Backroads Bill column at BayToday.ca.

The Frontline:

The North Bay Mitsubishi After Action Report starts live immediately following the final whistle of each Battalion home game. Catch them after Thursday’s tilt against the visiting Erie Otters. Listen to the post-deadline draft acquisitions with Troops coach Ryan Oulahen HERE.

Art People Podcast:

The Art People Podcast is a five-episode series produced by actor Joe Drinkwalter, with interviews with Michelina Beam of Dreamcoat Fantasy Theatre, Brianna Lintner of BReal Studios, actor and director Rob McCubbin, singer and songwriter Hannah Grace, and Kelsey Ruhl, about the On the Edge Fringe Festival.

Cheap Seats:

Cheap Seats is an eclectic conversation between best friends, Drew and Nick, who love talking about movies and whatever else comes to mind. Their 28th episode Jan. 10 has a Game Show theme.

Events Echo

Thursday, Jan. 18

• North Bay Battalion hosts the Erie Otters, which include Corbeil’s Ben Gaudreau as one of the goalies
• Super Fun Time Trivia at Moose’s Cookhouse at 7:30 p.m.
• Legally Blond Musical at Scollard Hall in the Bishop Carter Auditorium at 7 p.m. ($15)

Friday, Jan. 19

• Art Battles at the Raven and The Republic at 6 p.m. Tickets through EventBrite starting at $17.81
• The Blackbirds play at the Raven and The Republic at 9 p.m.
• Lynn Blunt is playing at New Ontario Brewing Co. from 8 to 11 p.m.
• Legally Blond, The Musical at Scollard Hall in the Bishop Carter Auditorium at 7 p.m. ($15)

Saturday, Jan. 20

• Legally Blond, The Musical at Scollard Hall in the Bishop Carter Auditorium at 7 p.m. ($15)
• Opening reception for Visual Stories from the North Bay Art Association at the Callander Bay Heritage Museum & Alex Dufresne Gallery from 2 to 4 p.m.

(For more events further out on the calendar, check Tourism North Bay’s comprehensive events listing guide. On Facebook, check out Creative Industries North Bay or check out their December newsletter HERE.)

First-time reader? Sign up for this free newsletter HERE. We publish Tuesday and Thursday.

If you have something to add to the discussion or an idea for one of Echo’s podcasters or affiliates, email Content Director Dave Dale at [email protected].

Theatre Making North Bay says: Come and play with us! Indigenous Play Reading Series for Seniors: February 3rd, 10th and 17th.

Small Business Video
Challenge offers prizes

The Business Centre is holding a Small Business Video Challenge to premiere Feb. 5, 2024 on @TBCNPS YouTube with a submission deadline of Jan. 15, 2024. It’s a follow up to the small business ad contest last February.

Home-based and commercial-based small businesses in Nipissing and Parry Sound are encouraged to create a 30-second video (cell phone vertical style) that promotes what makes their business special. Once submitted, a selection of 10 will be featured in a podcast-style video with a panel of local experts providing feedback to the viewers and listeners about what makes each submission effective and engaging.

Three prizes will be awarded to the top video creators with points based on creativity, production value and business marketing with an extra prize for most engaging. Of course, each participating business wins by getting exposure in the contest, with both viewers and the other businesses. 

Sponsors are: North Bay Echo, Digital Main Street, OBIAA, Ontario Government, The Business Centre Nipissing Parry Sound and TABIA. The link to submit videos is HERE, where you’ll also find more information.

Does your group
or business want
to have a podcast?

If you want your North Bay and area podcast or YouTube video stories/interviews included on the Echo Community Podcast Network, there are a few basic requirements: Shows need a track record with at least five previously published podcasts or videos; Descriptions of each episode are needed, as well as a general description with artwork; plus a specific playlist of up to 15 shows (so new shows are added to the website listing automatically).

We’re interested in promoting shows that want to expand and grow by capitalizing on promotion through the network and the Echo Essentials newsletter. We also offer a new show development service where we help create, brand and market podcasts for a fee. Inquire by email with [email protected]