No Stupid Questions

It's a piece of cake

Why do we say things that are easy are a cakewalk?

The Cakewalk was a dance. Its origins in slavery and the plantation south, the Cakewalk was the sole organized and even condoned forum for servants to mock their masters. A send-up of the rich folks in the "Big House," the Cakewalk mocked the aristocratic and grandiose mannerisms of southern high-society. Much bowing and bending were characteristic of the dance, which was more a performance than anything else. Couples lined up to form an aisle, down which each pair would take a turn at a high-stepping promenade through the others. In many instances the Cakewalk was performance, and even competition. The dance would be held at the master’s house on the plantation and he would serve as judge. The dance’s name comes from the cake that would be awarded to the winning couple.

See source, more information and a video clip of a Cakewalk here.

They've got your number

Why do sports teams 'retire' players' numbers?

Wikipedia says it best. Retiring a player's number is an honor bestowed on a successful player, usually after the player has left the team or quit the game. It honors a player who has meant so much to his team that he has "given it the shirt off his back." Their club or franchise will retire the shirt number that the player wore during their time there, meaning no other player is permitted to use that number in the future.

Number retirement policies will vary by team. Some teams (especially after franchise shifts) have revoked or suspended retired numbers. Other times, numbers are retired across an entire league; for example, in 1999 Wayne Gretzky's number 99 was retired league-wide by the National Hockey League on his retirement from the game (in this case, no other NHL player had worn  number 99 at the time).

Hurricane season

How do hurricanes form?

Nature's recipe for a hurricane is precise.

According to howstuffworks.com, it can take anywhere from hours to several days for a thunderstorm to develop into a hurricane. Although the whole process of hurricane formation is not entirely understood, three events must happen for hurricanes to form:
    •     A continuing evaporation-condensation cycle of warm, humid ocean air
    •     Patterns of wind characterized by converging winds at the surface and strong, uniform-speed winds at higher altitudes
    •     A difference in air pressure (pressure gradient) between the surface and high altitude

Warm, moist air from the ocean surface begins to rise rapidly. As this warm air rises, its water vapor condenses to form storm clouds and droplets of rain. The condensation releases heat called latent heat of condensation. This latent heat warms the cool air aloft, thereby causing it to rise. This rising air is replaced by more warm, humid air from the ocean below. This cycle continues, drawing more warm, moist air into the developing storm and continuously moving heat from the surface to the atmosphere. This exchange of heat from the surface creates a pattern of wind that circulates around a center. This circulation is similar to that of water going down a drain.

Hung out to dry

How can a new subdivision ban a clothesline if it is not an actual municipal bylaw?

According to Derek Hannan, manager of bylaw services for the Town of Ajax, there isn't a bylaw outlawing clotheslines.

"It's a covenant in deed of the property. It's an agreement with the developer" that clotheslines can't be put up, he says. This doesn't apply to umbrella-style clotheslines, only those clotheslines that stretch across a property.

"If you get a good gust of win, clothes will be flapping in your neighbour's yard."

It has to do with "sightlines and enjoying your backyard," Mr. Hannan said.

Downtown Oshawa

An article appeared in Oshawa This Week regarding ICC Global's request for $1 million and a 10-year tax deferral to refurbish the Genosha Hotel. ICC Global specializes in city revitalization.  I was wondering if they had an agreement with the City to help them with the revitalization of downtown Oshawa?

We turned to the expertise of This Week reporter Jillian Follert. She replies:

The City of Oshawa does not have an agreement with ICC Global to help with downtown revitalization; the company simply owns property downtown. ICC purchased the Genosha in 2005 for $1.8 million and asked the City to support its efforts to renovate the property, by providing things like parking spaces and a tax deferral. The City received multiple hotel proposals this year, and decided to put its support
behind another party, prompting ICC to pull the plug on its project.

Wish on a star Sunday

What's the best way to watch this weekend's meteor showers?

The annual Perseid meteor shower is expected to be terrific this year, due to a new moon on Aug. 12, which will mean dark skies. The height of the shooting star activity is expected after midnight Sunday, Aug. 12, through dawn on Monday. According to space.com, 90 to 100 meteors could streak across the sky per hour, although they'll be harder to see in urban areas due to light pollution.

The site offers advice on how to enjoy the show, from Bill Cooke of NASA:

Find a comfortable spot with a clear view of the northeast horizon, away from local lights. A dark rural location is best. Lie back on a blanket or lounge chair and scan the entire sky. In the late evening, after dark, sharp-eyed observers might see "earthgrazing" meteors that skim the northeast horizon.

"Earthgrazers are long, slow and colorful," Cooke said. "They are among the most beautiful of meteors." But don't expect more than a handful in an hour, he said.

Later and during the overnight hours, the shooting stars will be higher in the sky as Perseus rises. Some skywatchers enjoy counting the number of meteors they see per minute, per hour or during a 15-minute interval and comparing notes.

Telescopes and binoculars are no help, as the meteors move too swiftly and are best observed with the naked eye.

Supporting the troops

Where can I purchase decals, car magnets and other 'Support the Troops' items?

Inotek Signs and Graphics in Ajax donated the decals the Region of Durham
used during the “Support the Troops” ceremony July 25.

Inotek donated 600 decals to the Region of Durham and 400 to the Town of Ajax for their “Support the Troops” campaign.

According to Eric Fowler, one of the company owners, there are a few hundred extra decals on hand and if the general public would like to have one for their personal vehicle they can drop by the office and pick one up.

Mr. Fowler said there is no charge for the decals, but warns they will only be available while supplies last.

Inotek is located at 845 Westney Rd. South in Ajax.

People can also purchase “Support the Troops” magnets and other merchandise through the Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency  website.