The Story of The Leaf Fan and Pitbull

Two boys are playing hockey on a pond in the park in Toronto when one is attacked by a rabid Pit Bull.
Thinking quickly, the other boy takes his stick, wedges it down the dog's collar and twists, breaking the dog's neck.
A reporter who was strolling by sees the incident and rushes over to interview the boy.
"Young Leafs Fan Saves Friend From Vicious Animal," he starts writing in his notebook.
"But I'm not a Leafs fan," the little hero replied.
"Sorry, since we are in Toronto, I just assumed you were," said the reporter and starts again.
"Little Jays Fan Rescues Friend From Horrific Attack" he continued writing in his notebook.
"I'm not a Jays fan either," the boy said "
"I assumed everyone in Toronto was either a Leafs or Jays fan. What team do you root for?" the reporter asked.
"I'm a Montreal Canadiens fan." the child said.
The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, "Little French Young Offender from Montreal Kills Beloved Family Pet."

New Jersey Firefighter Collapses in Station, Dies - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

New Jersey Firefighter Collapses in Station, Dies - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty: "

A veteran firefighter in New Brunswick, N.J. collapsed and died in his station Tuesday morning.

Acting Lt. Thomas VanLiew, 52, was found unresponsive in an office, said Fire Director Robert Rawls.

His crew initiated care, and continued the effort until paramedics arrived. VanLiew was transported to Robert Wood Johnson Hospital where he died.

VanLiew, a career firefighter in New Brunswick for the past 20 years and 11 months, also was a volunteer at Highland Park Fire Department.

Rawls, who said he started on the job with VanLiew, called him a very dedicated firefighter who was active in his community.

He is survived by his wife and a son."

New York Firefighter Collapses at Brush Fire - Firehouse.com News

New York Firefighter Collapses at Brush Fire - Firehouse.com News:

"Funeral services are pending for a longtime volunteer firefighter who collapsed at a brush fire in a New York village Sunday.

Hector 'Sandy' McClune, 76, was assisting at a small brush fire behind Millerton Elementary School when he collapsed. Fellow personnel from Millerton Vol. Fire Co. attempted to revive him. However, their efforts proved fruitless.

McClune was transported to the hospital in nearby Sharon, CT., where he was pronounced dead."

New Christmas Goodies!!!

Hey, it's almost that special time of year again. Here are some extra little special toys for the little ones in your family. Can't you just picture them playing with all this stuff around the Christmas tree at an ungodly hour of the morning. I know I know..you're not feeling very well after downing a few libations the night before and gorging on seasonal treats. But don't worry; take a couple of Tums because you get to start all over in a few hours as you look at the turkey roasting in the oven. Have fun.... and make sure you have lots of Tums and Alka Seltzer on board.

Ellrose Fire

I got these pics from Bill McLeese.. (remember him?)

Here we have a major conference where everyone is talking behind Lou's back!!! Hey, Lou.. turn around before someone throws a bucket of water on you!!!

(Who the heck is the old fart with the white hair? Kinda looks like me but I know I retired)

Taxes Rhymes With Axes

I received this from Ted Seagull. Makes a lot of sense to me. Although it is apparently relating to the United States it could very well apply here in Canada. On your next raise make sure you have enough to cover the taxes. Oh ya.. and what is the stat now? You start earning your own money after the month of June because up to that point you've been paying $$$'s to those folks who tell you how much taxes to pay. Wow, would you take this from the oil companies? ooops...we already do.

Be sure to read ending comment!

Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.

Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.

Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.

Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries, then
Tax his tears.

Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.

Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers,
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
upon his tomb,
"Taxes drove me
to my doom..."

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
Inheritance tax.

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax,
Fuel permit tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Interest expense
Inventory tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road usage taxes
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone federal excise tax
Telephone federal universal service fee tax
Telephone federal, state and local surcharge taxes
Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax
Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax
Telephone state and local tax
Telephone usage charge tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

COMMENTS: Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago,
and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.
We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class
in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What happened?

And NOW I have to "press 1" for English?

Chief Burke Re-Invents Himself

This audio tape was secreted to me by a confidante..... He is to remain anonymous.

Jo Anne: "Pat, it's time to get out of bed."
Chief Burke: "I don't want to go to work any more. I'm bored!"
Jo Anne: "C'mon, Honey.. don't start with the "I want to reinvent myself" talk again, shall we?"
Chief Burke: "Hey, what's wrong with re inventing oneself every once in awhile.. ? I still have visions of myself as a cowboy on a white horse."
Jo Anne: "Oh Pat, drink your coffee or you'll be late."
Chief Burke: "I really envy those other two fellows from Windsor, ya know?"
Jo Anne: "Who? Tapak and Percy??? What on earth for? They're not doing anything really different ya know? In reality they're just repeating themselves in order to do it right. It's a matter of repeating yourself. You keep doing something until you get it right... I think Bob has about three more picks as a Chief and then he'll finally get it right, don't you think? When you think about it...it's kinda like reincarnation... keep repeating until you getter better at it"
Chief Burke: "I suppose.... but if I cant be a cowboy then I want to be a doctor or a lawyer!!!"
Jo Anne: "Sweety; You were a lawyer remember?"
Chief Burke: "Oh ya... I forgot about that one.... see what I mean... I need something new to do with my life.... something easy yet pays well..know what I mean?"
Jo Anne: "Honey? you're the Chief.. remember... think about it... it pays well and is still pretty easy.... after all Percy is a kind of chief and he still likes it, right?"
Chief Burke: "I guess so"

Sound of phone ringing in background

Jo Anne: "Honey, it's the Fire Marshall's office... they want to talk to you.... they say it's important .. if you're not on the phone in 30 seconds they're going to call Tapak!!!! Hurry up."

EVOC: Anatomy of a Rollover Accident

Event Registration (EVENT: 32250): "EVOC: Anatomy of a Rollover Accident
Event Date: December 19. 2006 02:00 PM EST

Presenter: Mike Wilbur

A must for all personal vehicle drivers and apparatus operators, this Webcast will focus on recent rollover incidents. This program will include a frame by frame account of a recent accidents and what you can do to prevent the same thing happening to you when you are driving the apparatus. Mike Wilbur will also focus on emergency vehicle defensive driving procedures and exactly what needs to be done once you round a curve and your wheels leave the pavement. He will also investigate how apparatus design impacts apparatus rollover incidents.
If you have previously registered for this event, please login below:
Email Login

Registration is required to attend this event. Please register now."

North Carolina Firefighter Killed in Tornado - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

North Carolina Firefighter Killed in Tornado - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:



"Note from the Editor

The USFA has received information that this firefighter was on his way to an emergency medical call when he encountered the tornado, and was killed. Therefore, the flags at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial have been lowered to half staff to honor him as a line-of-duty death.

RIEGELWOOD -- As some firefighters searched through the rubble looking for survivors they discovered one of their own had not survived. The flags at the Acme-Delco-Riegelwood Fire Department are flying at half staff.

It was as Acme-Delco-Riegelwood firefighters scoured the area, looking for signs of life, pulling survivors from the debris, they learned fellow firefighter Mike Browne had been killed by the tornado along Holly Tree road. They pushed forward. They had to."

How It All Began

How the Internet Began


In ancient Israel, it came to pass that a trader by the name of Abraham Com did take unto himself a young wife by the name of Dot. And Dot Com was a comely woman, broad of shoulder and long of leg. Indeed, she had been called Amazon Dot Com.

She said unto Abraham, her husband, "Why doth thou travel far from town to town with thy goods when thou can trade without ever leaving thy tent?"

And Abraham did look at her as though she were several saddle bags short of a camel load, but simply said, "How, dear?"

And Dot replied, "I will place drums in all the towns and drums in between to send messages saying what you have for sale and they will reply telling you which hath the best price. And the sale can be made on the drums and delivery made by Uriah's Pony Stable (UPS)."

Abraham thought long and decided he would let Dot have her way with the drums. The drums rang out and were an immediate success. Abraham sold all the goods he had at the top price, without ever moving from his tent.

But this success did arouse envy. A man named Mac Enron did secrete himself inside Abraham's drum and was accused of insider trading. And the young men did take to Dot Com's trading as doth the greedy horse-fly take to camel dung. They were called Nomadic Ecclesiastical Rich Dominican Siderites or NERDS for short.

And lo, the land was so feverish with joy at the new riches and the deafening sound of drums that no one noticed that the real riches were going to the drum maker, one Brother William of Gates, who bought up every drum company in the land. And indeed did insist on making drums that would work only with Brother Gates' drumheads and drumsticks.

And Dot did say, "Oh, Abraham, what we have started is being taken over by others."

And as Abraham looked out over the Bay of Ezekiel, or as it came to be known "eBay," he said, "We need a name that reflects what we are," and Dot replied, "Young Ambitious Hebrew Owner-Operators." "YAHOO", said Abraham.

And that is how it all began.

North Carolina Firefighter Killed in Crash - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

North Carolina Firefighter Killed in Crash - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"Marshallberg, N.C. Volunteer Firefighter Robert Gerald Whitaker was killed in a department vehicle when it went off the road Tuesday morning, according to the Carteret County, N.C. Fire Marshal's Office.

Whitaker, 55, was responding to a mutual aid structure fire call in Harkers Island, N.C.

The vehicle Whittaker was in was about four miles from the fire scene when it crashed. The fire was determined an arson and is currently under investigation."

Internet Site for Weisbrich Memorial

I received this as an email.

Dear Sir or Madam,

My condolences to the Weisbrich family and the Melrose Fire Department on the recent loss of Probationary FireFighter Kyle Weisbrich. I have created a permanent memorial for Kyle on my website. It can be viewed at:

http://www.firefightinglinks.com/kweisbrich.html

If there is any additional information or photos you would like added to this memorial, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Stay Safe

Shawn McDonald

[firefightinglinks@snet.net]

Minnesota Firefighter Killed in Wreck - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

Minnesota Firefighter Killed in Wreck - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"The Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Association has reported that Melrose, Minn. Firefighter Kyle Weisbrich was killed in a crash Sunday, Nov. 12 on his way to an emergency call.

The MFFMA is currently helping the family and the department make arrangements for a memorial service."

Remembrance Day

Something a little different.

Horseshoe Hotel Fire - 1976

I received a link from Bill Craig regarding the old Horseshoe Tavern fire way back in the day. I'll post the photos here and the commentary that was in the newspaper describing it. Have fun reminiscing.

The fire that burned down the Horseshoe Hotel occurred April 29, 1976. As many will remember the Windsor Star was an evening Newspaper until the late 1990’s. So the evening edition on 04/29/1976 had this story in a small box on Page one.

FIRE LEVELS CITY HOTEL

It’s believed that no one was
injured in a three-alarm fire
which destroyed the
Horseshoe Hotel today.

Fire chief Jack Malott said
the fire, which began about
1:15 pm, was fought
by seven units, including a
snorkel unit.

The entire roof caved in
and a 60-by-30-foot section
of the upper east wall
collapsed into the parking
lot beside the building.

Flames and dense black
smoke from the fire at
Howard and Glengarry
Avenues, could be seen
in the downtown area.

The main story about the fire appeared the next day in the April 30th edition.

MOPPING UP

Windsor firefighters poured water on the smouldering remains of the Horseshoe Hotel last night and early this morning after the building was gutted by a fire causing more than $200,000 damage and leaving a city firefighter’s dreams in ruins. Firefighters finally had the fire out at 7:30 am today. For more on the fire see the photos and story on Page 3 in today’s Star.

FIREMAN’S DREAM GONE WITH $200,000 BLAZE

By Tony Wanless

Fire destroyed the Horseshoe Hotel at Glengarry Avenue and Cataraqui Street Thursday causing more than $200,000 damage, slightly injuring an ambulance attendant by a bizarre incident and leaving a city fireman’s dreams in ruins.

Mike Casey, an ambulance attendant standing by at the fire, was shot in the arm after a gun in one of the hotel’s rooms went off. He received only a superficial wound.

Firefighters battled the blaze for more than 18 hours as dense black smoke , visible two miles away, filled the area.

The fire broke out about 1:00 pm in a second floor room in the building’s south east corner as nine patrons sipped beer in the beverage room downstairs.

The hotel, a former stagecoach roadhouse, was formerly owned by Margaret Irvine who left it to her four great-grandsons last year.

Their father, Bill Irvine, a city fireman who was acting as trustee of the estate, said he was in the midst of renovations that have cost $30,000 so far. He had been working on his off-duty hours for a year to give the hotel a new life and his sons a future business.

Mr. Irvine valued the buildings loss at $200,000. He said he had only $120,000 in insurance coverage.

Nine rooms of the hotel were occupied while 42 were being renovated. No one was in the occupied rooms when the fire broke out.

Mr. Irvine said he was in the beverage room when he heard a trouble alarm and ran upstairs.

Standing on the street, wet and covered in soot, he described what he saw.

“Just as I got up there the fire seemed to flash through the corridors,” he said. “I ran through he smoke to check all the rooms but, thank God, they were all empty.”

Mr. Irvine then returned downstairs and told everyone to leave the beverage room.

The spectacular blaze sent flames shooting 20 feet in the air and raised a column of dense black smoke that had residents in Detroit, two miles away, calling police to ask what was going on.

About 30 minutes after the fire began the roof of the building caved in and, 20 minutes later a 50-foot-by-20-foot section of the east wall collapsed into the parking lot.

Firefighters then turned their hoses to the west wall which was also showing signs of collapse. The water cooled the wall enough to save it.

While 30 firefighters and 10 units poured water on the flames, extra police arrived to keep back hundreds of spectators.

Mr. Irvine was joined by his four sons, Joe 16, Jim 14, Bill 12, and Jason 4, after the fire had been burning for two hours.

Joe salvaged one bright spot from the loss. “In a way, I’m glad the place burned down” he said. “I haven’t seen much of my dad lately. He’s either working at the hotel or at the Fire Department. Now he’ll get a rest and I’ll get to see him more often.”

Mr. Irvine said he was trying to complete changes required in order to obtain a liquor license for the semi-circular-shaped hotel. “As a matter of fact, the liquor inspector was supposed to come today,” he added. “I guess there’s no need for him now.”

The hotel, although little used in recent years, was at one time a stop-over for stagecoach travellers and farmers bringing produce to the Windsor Market.

Clayton Broomfield, 1096 Lillian St., said he could recall before the First World War when the hotel, which was surrounded by hitching posts and horse troughs, was filled every night with carousing farmers.

Built around 1885 on a mud road at what was then the edge of Windsor, the hotel was first remodelled in 1907 to accommodate a growing population. Members of the “Horse Shoe Gang” were known for their pranks and their singing.

In 1915, the hotel was taken over by William “Red” Irvine, a prominent horse racer, who turned it into a posh nightclub and dining lounge that sported massive crystal chandeliers and red velvet drapes.

The hotel was one of the first in Windsor to receive a liquor license when it became law in the 1930’s and, just before the Second World War, a west wing was built and renovations undertaken but never completed. The hotel has been renovated at least three times.

Mr. Irvine said the wing contained an elevator and several half-completed rooms.

Then as is still the case now, the Windsor Star wasn’t always accurate. The expansion “just before the Second World War”, actually occurred sometime between 1956 and 1961.

A Firefighter throws a brick to break windows so water could get inside

When Jack's away ....Jeannie will play

Guess who left the blog open and is working on my computer :-) now let's see what kind of mischief can I create here in the few minutes I have..... oh oh busted ... publish... he's baaaaack

Oil Change Charges???

Okay... Here's the scoop.... !!!! Have you had your oil changed at the dealership lately?
Good... now check your invoice and see if they charged you "environment costs" for disposing of your used oil. Isn't that nice of them.. being politically correct, etc about the environment.

Now.. have you ever wondered how they got rid of the oil????

They sell the stuff to a "refined oil" company who buys it from the dealership for .10 Cents a liter.. neat huh? They not only charge us for getting rid of it but they sell it besides. Talk about double dipping. Next time you notice your invoice ... question them.

Or better still find a place that does it for half price.. oil, lube, filter and a 27 point check for around $20.00 .... and NO "environment costs"!

Connecticut Firefighter Dies of Heart Attack in Station - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty

Connecticut Firefighter Dies of Heart Attack in Station - Firehouse.com In The Line Of Duty:

"Capt. Joseph Pagano, a 28-year veteran of the Middletown, Conn. Fire Department, died Friday, Nov. 3 while working at his desk in the station.

Pagano, 52, went into cardiac arrest some time after 6 p.m., according to Deputy Chief Robert Kronenberger.

Shortly before Pagano suffered the heart attack, he went to the kitchen to check to see when supper would be ready.

The on-call firefighters told him it would be ten minutes, but after the captain failed to return they found him at his desk."