Tue, Jan 24th - 1:47AM

CONGRATULATIONS!

No matter where you may live in this great country of ours, when you woke up this morning it was in a country that had entered into a time of transition. The people have spoken through the ballot box and Canada has a new government in waiting.

Congratulations are in order. Firstly, to all those who exercised their right and responsibity to vote. A friend who grew up in a communist country reminded us that voting is a privilege he exercises whenever he gets the opportunity....be it for a soccer team captain, secretary for the PTA or in an election. He further said that even though few of his choices have won just having the opportunity to vote is a victory in itself. The party you voted for may not have garnered the most votes but if you voted, that in itself is a victory.

Congratulations and thanks are in order to all those who worked for the party of their choice. Everyone who volunteered in any capacity deserves to be acknowledged for giving of their time, effort and themselves. Those who ran for office unsuccessfully put their ideals and values on display for all to see and in so doing they contributed to the betterment of our country.

Lastly, congratulations to the candidates who were elected to represent Edmonton and area ridings in Ottawa. You've been given a mandate that will best be fulfilled with an attitude of humility, reconciliation, cooperation and a genuine desire to serve. You've been given a trust .....steward it wisely.

Fri, Jan 13th - 9:02AM

The Untold Story of Canada's Federal Election

I heard an interview on a talk show yesterday with someone (didn't catch his name) who was talking about the influence of the "new media" on the current election. The "new media" he was referring to are not part of either the political or media establishmenst. They're ordinary people who are posting their thoughts and opinions on blogs, forums and websites....just as you can on WOWedmonton.

Earlier this morning I read a post by James Murray on The Infozone and he reiterated what the talk show guest was saying. I encourage you to read his post, The Untold Story of Canada's Federal Election and follow through on some of the links. What you'll see is a story of ordinary people exercising their voice and influencing the nation.

Wed, Nov 30th - 10:47AM

PARTICIPANT or SPECTATOR?

After months of heated political debate, posturing and speculation we're headed to the polls for another election. The date has been set, the political campaigning has begun and the race is on. Canadians have been characterized as being apathetic and recent election turnouts seem to confirm that, at least as regards being involved in the political process. I wonder if this election will be more of the same? I certainly hope not, there's too much at stake!

Someone once said the only thing needed for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. 2005 has been designated the YEAR OF THE VETERAN. Canada's veterans were "good men" who gave themselves in the fight against evil and the battle to protect our freedom and way of life. Earlier this week I watched a news commentary about the last veteran involved in a World War 1 combat role who had just passed on. Again it reminded me of the line from In Flanders Fields, To you from failing hands we throw The torch, be yours to hold it high.

The torch Canada's veterans carried and the responsibility to protect and promote our freedom and future, is being passed on to us. To that end, I wonder if YOU and I view this election as a call and a cause worthy of our commitment and involvement? Or will YOU and I sit back and not get involved? Every election is an an opportunity for the electorate to express their hearts & minds with their voices and votes.

What's in YOUR heart and on YOUR mind concerning this election? YOUR sentiments and thoughts are valuable and need to be voiced but unless they're expressed they remain unknown. However, if YOUR sentiments and thoughts are voiced.... they can do much to influence the vote.

One of the main reasons we created WOWedmonton was to provide the people of Edmonton and area an easy and effective means of expression. You can get involved and make a difference in this election just by expressing yourself on our site. As it regards this election we've created a special 2006 CANADIAN ELECTION forum category and a current poll about election issues. (You're invited to submit your questions and ideas for future polls and surveys .)

By now we know most, if not all the candidates running for political office. But don't confuse those running for political office with those who are in the race. We may never run for political office but we can answer the call, get involved and join the race. The race is on, the torch is being passed to us. Will we participate and join the race or be spectators? 

This post tells you that I've chosen to get involved and join the race ........now what about YOU?

Fri, Nov 11th - 6:59AM

Lest We Forget

Throughout history there have been and are countless men & women who gave their all to protect & preserve our lives & liberty. Your dedication, commitment & sacrifice isn't forgotten....not today, not ever! Your memory, your legacy lives on. You've run the race, fought the good fight and passed the torch on. I for one accept and receive it and by God's grace will complete my course.

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Something else happened on this day in history that has dramatically changed the world.

15 years ago today November 13, 1990 was the day the very first web page was posted to the Internet.

The guy who put it up was a nerdy Englishman named Tim Berners-Lee (no it wasn't Al Gore).

Ever heard of 'HTML?' Tim created it.

He also wrote the software protocol that the web runs on.

You know... HTTP. That's Tim's invention too.

One guy laid the entire foundation for everything you do on the web today.

But there's more... 

Two years after Tim posted the first web page, a young college punk named Marc Andreessen suggested a simple idea which set the web on fire... the image tag.

With that one 'little' idea suddenly the web was transformed from boring text-only into
living color and we were off to the races. 

Two years after that, in 1994, Marc's company Netscape launched the first commercial
web browser and the Internet as we know it today took a giant leap forward. 

The Internet is a powerful resource and it is still in its infancy. WOWedmonton is committed to provide the best tools & resources to help impact, influence and transform individuals and cities through digital communications.  

I for one believe WOWedmonton is part of the torch that has been passed on by those who have so paid so dearly for our lives and liberty. Let's take it and hold it high!

Wed, Nov 2nd - 8:03AM

OUTSTANDING YOUNG EDMONTONIAN AWARD 2005

The Edmonton Junior Chamber of Commerce is once seeking nominees for their Outstanding Young Edmontoniam Award. This award ties in with the JCI competition for Outstanding Young Canadian Award.

Nominations can be for any male or female between the ages of 18 -40 who demonstrate exemplary accomplishment in one of five categories. All nominations are forwarded to and are eligible for the national award.

Edmonton has many young people (also many older people aw well) whose lives and achievements are exemplary. If you know one or more of these young people contact mike.holliday@aglc.gov.ab.ca for a nomination form and details.