Raise the Hammer
Here's what's been going on here, there, and everywhere in Hamilton this past month.
By Ben Bull
Apr. 14, 2005
Well, it's been another busy week in the Hamilton activist community. Trivia nights, meetings, more meetings, and erm, well even more meetings - and the Raise The Hammer crew were all over it! Like those heavily scripted and painfully untalented "reporters" on City TV, we're everywhere!
Here's what been going on here there, and everywhere in Hamilton this past month.
Let's start with something that hasn't happened. At press time, there are still no takers for our historic Tivoli theatre. Sadly our special RTH Tivoli Edition did not elicit any takers for the last of our old time auditoriums.
However, we were pleasantly surprised to get an email from the man who plugged local hero Bob Young into the Ti-Cats. Unfortunately it was only to tell us, "I'm out of multi-millionaire friends that are from or interested in Hamilton."
What will happen now? If anybody has any ideas - or any friends! - please tell them to check out our Special Edition and hurry up and save our Tiv.
Now let's get positive! What's with all the buzz around James Street these days? Tiv or no Tiv it seems like we have another Locke Street revival on our hands. Here's a snippet of what's going on along this grand old thoroughfare:
The Conservatory of The Arts is hosting a fashion show on May 1st at the Conservatory of the Arts building, 126 James Street South. Time is 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Tickets are $10. The event has been organised by the local merchants and services providers and includes a food fare and lots of, well - models (what else could you possibly want?). Sounds like a plan to me.
The James Street South merchants have set up their own 'Historic James Street South area merchants group'. No doubt they are fed up waiting for their new customers to move into the Chateau Royal. Contact Laurie at Nouveau Orie for additional information.
Check out the up-coming Durand Neighbourhood Association newsletter for an information page re shopping James Street South. It's a great place to stroll, shop, view art or have a coffee. Go for a stroll today!
The Red Hill Defence Fund raised $2,723 at their Trivia night on Saturday, April 9th. St Paul's church in Westdale was packed to the rafters with people who had nothing better to do than answer completely irrelevant questions all night.
Yeah that's right, I was one of them.
Fortunately, the Vicar was nowhere in sight, which is just as well as he might not have appreciated all the blasphemy and swearing going on at my table, in, erm, my chair.
Well who the hell knew that the Cheviot Hills were on the English/Scottish border? Not me, that's for sure. Any why the hell should I be expected to answer all the 'English' questions?
On the subject of Red Hill Tree Sitters - can someone please remind me why we are wasting good taxpayers money suing these people? Ah yes, I forget - this is Hamilton. Hmmm. Congrats to Tina De-Clemente and Angelo for a great night!
Speaking of environmentalism - why not plant a tree on April 30th? What's that? You have better things to do on a Saturday? Ah yes, I do believe Man U are playing Fulham that day, Hmm. that's a tricky one. Well, maybe we can get back for the second half, then? Yes, that will do it.
Come early and meet Raise The Hammer, Environment Hamilton and councilors Dave Braden and Brian McHattie as we get down and dirty saving our environment and getting our first bit of exercise in months. Enjoy the company, the fresh air, and the free beverages.
Don't know where we're planting them yet. Hopefully not along Burlington Street.
Check out http://www.environmenthamilton.org or contact tonnes@environmenthamilton.org and sign up. Please bring a shovel (and a telly so I can watch the game - Thanks).
When you're alone and things are getting you down you can always go, erm. I forget the rest. But suffice it to say that things is heating up in the downtown! Here's a quick run down on the ups and downs in our soon to be hip and happening favourite neighbourhood:
Room 41 at King William and Hughson is now open! By all accounts (i.e. Jason's) it's very cool inside. The owner told CHML that he disagrees with La Costa's owners that downtown was to blame for their closure; he sees downtown as a great opportunity.
Baroli Caffe is opening in Jackson Square near the huge wall fountain. Eager-beaver-nothing-better-to-do Downtown Bureau chief Jason Leach reports, "it looks very cool and upscale. It should be a hit." Thanks Jason.
Don't know if any of you have tried Churrisimo Café in the square, but this too is "very good," yes, also according to Jason. Where do you get all this disposable income, Mr Leach? That's what I want to know. Perhaps this is the future of Jackson Square: ethnic eateries, cool cafes, niche clothing, etc. With any luck, Walts will get their outdoor patio this year and maybe spur the others to follow suit.
Petteplace books looks as if they're close to having an agreement to move the bookstore to the second floor of the building on King William that houses the British Raj on the main floor. The second floor has huge south-facing windows and 14 foot high ceilings. Let's hope this move works out - it is a great spot for a bookstore.
Polos Tap and Grill in Hess has been completely gutted and is now being reno'd. Jason will try and find out what's going on (believe me - he has nothing better to do).
Lister update - After scooping the story (Woo Hoo!) on last months issue, RTH has learned that the Lister announcement might have something to do with the City Hall renovations. What does that mean? You may ask. Oh, I don't know, we're not supposed to say ... something about displaced workers, a revitalized Lister Block, City Hall gets fixed, workers move back in, and the Lister gets taken over by... OK, that's enough. Hey! You never heard it from us - you'll just have to read between the lines on this one (sorry J).
The newly renovated AGH opens next month! There is a private bash on May 26, and the public opening is May 28. They have a new gift shop and café and the inside looks amazing - Check out Jason Leach's interview Larissa Ciupka and come on down for the opening. This should be a huge hit and another boost for our downtown.
Lastly - what's in a name? Hamilton's two newest activist groups are gathering members and ideas at a furious rate. The only things they still need are names! One group is hoping to become Hamilton's first municipal political party, and their first order of business is going to be getting well qualified councilors elected next time around.
Can you capture that mandate in a name? My suggestion was 'Political Party Of Hamilton Trying To Get Good Councilors Elected' but all I got were some long hard stares. If you can do better than that, please contact Alice Smith at civics@hotmail.com or via Raise the Hammer.
The second group is planning to promote all things downtown and lobby our elected leaders to push harder to bring back the beat in the core. Any ideas for this? Contact RTH and we will pass your suggestions along! No, no, there no prizes - whaddaya think this is? City TV?
That's it for now folks! (sincere look into the camera. like my new haircut?) So, until next month (walk purposefully towards the camera), thanks for joining us! (oops - dropped my clipboard). Our name is Raise the Hammer (bend over to pick up clip board, ouch, bang head on camera), and we are (camera topples over. ) erm, Everywhere!
Please send all rumours, innuendos and sexist jokes (just kidding! -Ed) to us at rumours@raisethehammer.org and we promise to re-cycle, I mean read them all. Thanks.
Oh man, I'm giddy with anticipation about the Lister Block (which takes some of the edge off the Tivoli mess). I absolutely love this site. Thank you all for keeping us up to date. You rock!
By thompsmr
Posted
seriously, this is my new favorite page on all of RTH. you guys are awesome
Lister Block redevelopment has been approved!!
Yup. No more Lister rumours required! Overall I would have to say I'm very happy about the whole thing. I don't think there ever was going to be a Cinderalla ending. I hope now that the City gets serious with delinquent landlords, takes stock of the heritage buildings we still have left, and starts pushing their secondary plan with the energy it needs. The next stage in downtown renewal needs to be 2-waying the roads and getting the buses out of Gore. Hopefully council will see that this 30 mill is an investment and not a one time charitable donation to the downtown. In order to propoerly manage their 'investment' they will need to move onto the next Phase. Let's all get gunning for Gore Park! Give the people back their public spaces! (Revolution anyone?)
It's money that we get which is very good, but it will cost us more money and that's the bad news. We can do some enhancements but we're going to have find some other resources as well, so we need to really deal with this very carefully." -- Hamilton Mayor Larry DiIanni, explaining why the city is reluctant to use gas tax money for HSR improvements
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By Steeltown
Posted
Man I wish they could announce Lister Block redevelopment now! It's driving me nuts.
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