Ian's Messy Desk

I took this picture of St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral last March while in Iqaluit, Nunavut. In November, an arsonist set a fire that damaged the cathedral beyond repair.  In December, American Indian Report used my photo to illustrate their short piece on the fire.

Now the Anglican Diocese of the Arctic has announced a campaign to rebuild St. Jude’s. Given that Iqaluit is a small community —fewer than 7,000 residents— the $3 million needed will be bigger that even the entire Diocese of the Arctic can manage. They are hoping to extend the fund-raising efforts beyond the bounds of the diocese.

“The Anglican Diocese of the Arctic is about to launch an appeal to raise the $3 million needed to rebuild St. Jude's Cathedral in Iqaluit.”

CBC News: Anglicans begin campaign to rebuild Iqaluit cathedral.

Technorati Tags: Iqaluit, Anglican Church, Diocese of the Arctic

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 05:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Ah, to be a globetrotter.

If you could move freely on the globe, you could enjoy the awesome spectacle of a total eclipse of the sun pretty often. The next one is scheduled to darken the daytime skies on Wednesday, March 29, 2006.

This week, you might be in Africa or Turkey. You might be cruising on the Mediterranean, Black and Caspian Seas right now, waiting for Wednesday's eclipse. Your big concern would be the weather.

From Earth & Sky

If you're not in Turkey or thereabouts, you can watch it on-line at MSNBC.com: Watch a total eclipse on the Web - Space News

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 06:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"Two Canadian hostages held in Iraq for nearly four months have been freed in a carefully planned military operation involving Canadian, British, American and Iraqi forces."

From: CBC News: Military operation frees 2 Canadian hostages in Iraq

[composed and posted with BlogJet]

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 07:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tim Horton's annual Roll up the Rim to Win is as iconic to Canadians as the donut shop itself. Sooner or later, this was bound to happen.

Winning Tim Hortons cup sparks bitter row

A dispute is brewing in Quebec over a sport utility vehicle after two schoolgirls found a winning "Roll Up the Rim" coffee cup in a garbage can.

CBC News: Winning Tim Hortons cup sparks bitter row

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 11:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

BD’s identity is secret no longer. He’s the guy that controls the weather! Monday evening I posted this comment to his blog, requesting some of the snow fall Ontario received to be sent our way. Tuesday, this happened in Edmonton. Coincidence? I think not!

I’ll not be messing with someone this powerful.

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (1)

SF eyes dog doo as power source

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — City officials are hoping to harness the power of dog doo.

San Franciscans already recycle two-thirds of their garbage, but in this dog-friendly town, animal feces make up nearly 4 percent of residential waste, or 6,500 tons a year -- nearly as much as disposable diapers, according to the city.

Within the next few months, Norcal Waste, a garbage hauling company that collects San Francisco's trash, will begin a pilot program under which it will use biodegradable bags and dog-waste carts to pick up droppings at a popular dog park.

The droppings will be tossed into a contraption called a methane digester, which is basically a tank in which bacteria feed on feces for weeks to create methane gas.

The methane could then be piped directly to a gas stove, heater, turbine or anything else powered by natural gas. It can also be used to generate electricity.

The Seattle Times: Nation & World: SF eyes dog doo as power source.

Technorati Tags: Alternate Energy

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 04:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Jordon links to the Globe and Mail Article, “Emerson defection 'different,' MacKay says” and asks if he’s only that thinks this story screams for a joke about the main difference being that David Emerson and Peter MacKay are not dating?

Technorati Tags: News, Canada, David Emerson

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 07:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado--International Bible Society (IBS) and Bible.com recently created an alliance that allows Bible.com to display IBS' English Scripture translations on its newly redesigned website. These translations include IBS' New International Version (NIV), and other Scripture texts.

"The alliance with IBS enables Bible.com to put the best contemporary English translations of the Bible into the hands and hearts of the Internet audience," said Stacy Fornara, CEO of Bible.com. "Together, IBS and Bible.com are taking strides to reach as many people as possible with the Word of God."

Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Bible.com also provides a wide selection of other online, faith-based biblical resources. To learn more about Bible.com, visit www.Bible.com or call 480-505-3218.

According to IBS President Peter Bradley, "IBS is pleased when ministries such as Bible.com commit to use our Scriptures in meaningful, effective outreach. We are all working together to build God's Kingdom through His Word."

Founded in 1809, International Bible Society faithfully translates and reaches out with God's Word so that people around the world may become disciples of Jesus Christ and members of His Body. You may learn more about IBS at www.ibs.org

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 02:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

according to Christianity Today Magazine

1. Hurricane Katrina Pounds Gulf Coast
2. Tsunami Spurs Massive Relief Effort
3. Benedict XVI Succeeds John Paul II
4. Terri Schiavo Dies
5. Supreme Court Vacancies Trigger Debate
6. Evangelicals Target Global Poverty
7. Media Spotlight Religion
8. Graham Leads Final Crusade
9. Stem-Cell Research Worries Many
10. Narnia Hits Theaters

Top Ten Stories of 2005 - Christianity Today Magazine

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 01:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bill C-37 passed the Senate and was given Royal Assent Friday afternoon. It will come into force on a date set by the Governor in Council.

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 04:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

"There is nothing in the Legion bylaws that donates ownership of this symbol. We cannot forget, nor can we allow a few misguided committee members command ownership of what cannot be owned."

Reducing the poppy to a trademark diminishes the significance of this symbol of remembrance.

Categories: Canadian Poppy

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Macleans' writers skewer the most irritating man on Canadian television, the Canadian Tire Guy. This will not make much sense for my non-Canadian readers, but the CTG is the television face of Canadian Tire.

What a tool

Was my face red! Secrets from the diary of Canadian Tire Guy

“If you'd like to see Tim (The Tool Man) Taylor kick the Canadian Tire Guy's ass, you're not alone. Canadian Tire's long-running ad campaign -- starring the Ned Flanders of home improvement -- seems directly aimed at middle-aged, middle-class suburbanites who are desperate to keep their lawns neatly trimmed and their minivans perfectly polished (a.k.a. the crowd that already goes to Canadian Tire 1.8 times a week). Problem is, it seems nearly everybody else can't stand him.”

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

story at Slashfood

Elmer "Len" Dresslar Jr who gave the Jolly Green Giant the unforgettable 'ho ho ho' has died at the age of 80. He died in California but was orignally from Texas. His last re-recording of the jingle was 10 years ago.

Posted by Ian McKenzie at 01:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Gonna miss the Radio Shack sign in every city, town and hamlet in Canada. ;)

All RadioShack stores in Canada will be renamed The Source by Circuit City â the fallout from a legal ruling that went against the U.S. company that operates the Canadian stores. Last month, a U.S. district court judge ordered that more than 900 stores in Canada must stop using the RadioShack brand name in any of their signs, packaging, products or advertising by June 30.

CBC News story
Circuit City press release

Technorati Tags: RadioShack, Circuit+City, Retail, Electronics, Legal

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