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The agenda for tonight’s North Bay City Council meeting includes a motion to create an ad hoc committee to “meticulously” review the city’s Code of Conduct, specifically the definition and examples for conflict of interest. Should be interesting. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and can be attended in person or viewed via the City of North Bay’s YouTube channel. UPDATE: This motion was withdrawn at the last minute, but we’re not sure why … yet.

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Top Shelf

• Sweden silver in hockey, golden in lifestyle
• There were no heroes to save pet dog

Today’s Sinking Feeling

There’s an old saying about Lake Nipissing: “The ice isn’t safe until after at least one ice hut and a truck or two sink into the drink.” Looks like we’re part way there. Cogeco’s Clarke Heipel took this photo Monday on Callendar Bay (you can see the lighthouse on the right along the horizon). Be warned, however, the snow from this week and last is not helping, because it’s acting like a blanket that is insulating thin ice … and the temperature next week is expected to peak just above freezing.

Echo Essentials

Gothenburg, Sweden
impresses with
lifestyle, attitude

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 today’s episode of the To North Bay With Love podcast, hosted by Lisa Boivin.

He saw very few homeless people in Gothenburg, the second-largest city in Sweden behind Stockholm, and the populous had a very easy-going lifestyle, he says. Three times a day, they “drop everything” and enjoy the company of their friends or coworkers drinking coffee and munching on large cinnamon rolls. And, instead of abandoning the outdoor patios during winter, they put thick blankets and furs over the chairs to enjoy the fresh air.

Hard to bear
watching dog
drown in river

It was heart-breaking to read about the old dog that broke through the ice and drowned in South River recently, especially when the elderly owners (Dennis and Linda Weaver) described how they pleaded with firefighters to assist a rescue attempt. The first responders are not trained to risk their lives in moving water, they were told, with human life favoured over that of a pet.

Gary MacInnis wrote a letter to the BayToday editor that sums up the disappointment many people felt, suggesting the South River fire chief and volunteer fireman at the site should have “bent” the rules and assisted in some way.

As upsetting as this incident was for all involved, it is enlightening to read this SooToday story about water rescue training that went wrong.

Today’s Zen Suggestion: If you’re reading this newsletter, your life is likely better than 80% of the people worldwide. Take a moment to appreciate that fact.

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:

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

‘The Sarlos’ episode of To North Bay With Love had the most downloads last month. See their website HERE.

Cogeco:

Cogeco has Corbeil’s Ben Gaudreau and his Erie Otters vs North Bay Battalion game live on YourTV Thursday at 7 p.m.

More ‘Music North Bay Style’ shows are planned in 2024. You’ll see new episodes of ‘Now You’re Cooking’. North Bay City Council coverage resumes on Tuesday, Jan.16 starting at 6:30 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.

Small Town Times:

The latest Small Town Times podcast focused on the top North Bay stories of 2023, many of which will continue to make headlines in 2024. Guests included BayToday City Hall reporter Stu Campaigne and former councillor Dave Mendicino, joining host Dave Dale (former municipal issues columnist for both the Nugget and BayToday). BayToday posted a story about the podcast interview, focusing on the Trout Lake development issue.

Backroads Bill:

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Gaylord Treu was one of his country’s top fighter pilots at the height of the Cold War. Unfortunately, his Convair F-102 Delta Dagger crashed into a long-range bomber 28,000 feet above the ground Dec. 17, 1959. His body was never recovered although bits and pieces of his interceptor are strewn over a long stretch of bog 50 kilometres north of Hearst, making it both an adventure and mystery Backroads Bill Steer couldn’t ignore.

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 talk 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

Wednesday, Jan. 17

• Digital Creator North Bay holding ‘Sticker Making Art Jam’ from 3 to 7 p.m.
• Birds of a Feather playing at Lou Dawg’s starting at 7:30 p.m. ($3 cover added to tabs)

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

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

(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]