published Dec.19/2008: Marketside

Score one for the litte guys! In Owen Sound we have this wonderful little food shop on mani street. It's been around for awhile. It's name is Marketside. Seems like Wal-Mart (the giant) wants to get more into fresh, more locally grown produce... and I guess that's not a totally bad thing.... although, do they have to get into everything. Pretty soon they'll be selling cars, escort services, and weapons of mass destruction, too, I suppose. In any event they already have begun to use the name "Marketside" in the States, and they had plans to do the same in Canada. Well, it turns out that our local little shop contacted them and in a nutshell the whole matter was settled out of court and Wal-Mart backed down..... maybe they can call this department in their store "Market-Mart".... has a nice rap sound to it, don't you think?

published Dec.17/2008: Telemarketing blocking

This one was actually drawn in Oct. when the story first happened, but I'm glad to see it surfaced eventually in the newspaper. Maybe it's better this way. Serves as a reminder for procastinators like myself to actually get on this "Do-Not-Call-And-Bug-The-Hell-Of-Me" list.

published Dec. 10 or 11/2008: Murdoch-McPherson beefs with Meaford

Well, the newest mayor of Meaford is under attack. What else is new? Again, I don't really know what's going on in Meaford. I don't know if anyone does. But it seems like a never ending source of "issues" and it still is a pretty place. I have two wishes regarding Meaford: One is that I hope it gets everything straightened out soon and has a smoother ride... and two is that I wish I don't end up being its mayor. Now, in reality, there's no chance of the latter, but I do hope there is a chance for the former wish to happen. (Anyway, this cartoon also gets a little shot in at the recent Federal issues of P.M. Harper facing a coalition takeover... that I predict will not happen, just for the record.... cause it sounds too good to be true.

published Dec. 5/2008: Billy Bishop Museum: The Ghost Hunters Return

I'm pleased with the ghost effect drawing here. I'm not convinced about ghosts. But maybe there are.... there's interesting "evidence" out there. But if there are ghosts I think we should just leave them alone. It seems that, outside Hollywood films, all they really do, IF they are there, is just make a few noises and knock a few things over. I don't see any so-called reality ghost shows where ghosts are actually hurting real people. Hey, I make noise and am clumsy too, and most of the time I just want to be left alone. Keep this in mind should I ever turn into a ghost.

published Dec. 3/2008: biowaste

The one on the "Southgate Council Roundtable" got published. The other two are variations on the same topic. I don't know about you, but something strikes me as weird about this whole thing. Now I admit that I'm putting words into people's mouths just to poke fun at what is the main news story. Is 100% capacity a totally good thing? Should this be something private enterprise is involved in? Should we not, as a society, be trying to both reduce waste and recycle the waste we do produce? Or am I just wasting my breath? Oh well, Mother Nature recycles wasted breath... for free!

published Dec. 2/2008: Farm Smells

Farms smell. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Depends what your mind set is. But it's natural.... Unless they're using sludge which is more like industrial and/or human sewage which sounds a bit risky to me. Don't blame the cows and other livestock for that one. Hey, manure happens.
If you want to keep building your condos and dream homes etc. near farms, deal with it. Just like I do when I have to drive by a farm during fertilizer season. But hey, I just driving by, I'm not stupid enough to set up my tent next to a farm field. Let's show some zoning sense here, people.

published Nov.28, 08: Olympic torch relay for 2010 to spend night in O. S.

O.K., I admit it. This is very silly. It was meant to be. I just wanted to have fun with a news story that was both significant and positive. Dear Mayor Ruth... I hope you or anyone else didn't interpret me saying your reading is boring. I wouldn't really know since I've never had you read a story to me, let alone a bedtime story. But the whole idea of such stories are to be relaxing and to get someone to go to sleep.

published Nov.26, 08: Dentist's perspective of Historical Heritage

There was a big letter to the editor (with a picture!) in the paper that talked about how the city is erecting all these nice looking plaques in places where significantly historical buildings had been. I think the plaques are a nice gesture, and if a building has to go, or if it goes through accident or thoughtlessness, it's good to a least have one of these nice plaques as a public reminder of what we used to look like. But it would be nice to try to keep some of them if at all possible.... just like our teeth. Thus the silly, but hopefully effective, idea I came up with for this.

published Nov.21, 08: Peanut Butter Jam, '08

There are many great musical events each year in Owen Sound and the area. This is definitely one of them. Great, great music by a variety of the area's best, headlined and hosted each year by that fabulous blues band, The Bearcats, and all for a worthy cause. I wanted to do a cartoon that helped promote it. So I came up with this image idea and the nicknames. The Bearcats seemed to get a kick out of it. When the bass player, Kevin Dandeno introduced the band members he used the nicknames. I later got them to sign a copy of the cartoon. I plan to frame it and treasure it. It will go up on the wall next to the one I got Mr. Dressup to sign when he was in town and I had a toon about some political party approaching him so they could better appeal to the youth.

published Nov.19, 08: Conservationist Blake Smith Tribute

Another tribute cartoon. As I'm sure I've said before, I enjoy paying tribute to people who have made significant public contributions to our area. I can't do it for everyone, but I do pick out some from the news from time to time. My sincerest apologies to all those who seem to get overlooked. But hopefully anyone you have in mind was respected enough in life and appreciated in death. That's what really counts.

published Nov.12, 08: Pet animal ban in West Grey Mu

It was my pleasure to spring this one on Warden Kevin Eccles when we were taping a show for a local cable t.v. station down that way. It was even more my pleasure when it got printed in the newspaper. When the paper ran it they cut out some writing i put just to our left of the guy in the first column. It said, "Dedicated to my favourite cartoonist, Gary Larson. Thanks for the goldfish." Larson inspires some of my drawing style. In this case I drew his type of goldfish.

To our right of that same guy there's a little asterick * indicating that what I have the councillor saying is actually what he said, as quoted in the newspaper. I like that guy's sense of humour.
At this point I don't know if the ban went ahead... but while it has some merit in a few situations, it sounds like kind of a dumb idea to me, for what it's worth.

published Nov.11, 08: Historical Heritage tax breaks

I'm glad the city is apparently going to help support heritage buildings lasting longer. Really, I am. We've lost enough already. I just thought it would be funny to have someone with a brand new house thinking about it. Just another way of drawing attention to a story. In this case a good story.

published Nov. 7, 08: Downtown Parking

It seems like every campaign needs a good slogan. Obama had that "change" thing and the "Yes we can" phrase. Even if you're going to do something most people actually won't like you need
a catchy phrase. Were you around in the Premier Mike Harris Days??? Remember the so-called "Common Sense Revolution". How many people who later regretted it, swallowed that one?

published Nov.45/08: Red Leckie tribute

I said on another post that I enjoy being able to celebrate the lives of some noteworthy area people. This was the 2nd member of the city's Sports Hall of Fame to die in the past several days. I wish I didn't feel the need to do this too often. To say I wish I didn't have to do it all would be unrealistic. That day comes for us all, sooner or later.... it's part of life. But enough reflection. From what I read, Red Leckie was a great guy, and it's my privilege to offer this tiny token of respect and appreciation for a life, apparently, well lived.

published Nov.4/08: City budget planning

I know these are tough times, and I know the word taxes is a bad word in politics, just like "socialism".... whatever.... I just hope we don't keep cutting away all the good things that the average, middle or low income people can enjoy, or maybe even more importantly, need.

published Oct. 31/08: Peaceful Playgrounds

Another example of how I like to take some local news item or issue and blend it with things that are happening on a provincial, national, or international level. This took the education story and then tagged it up with a city issue (downtown parking), a Grey/Bruce County issue (our M.P.),
and a national issue (the federal election we just needlessly went through).

published Oct. 28/08: Cy Lemon tribute

I said to the Sun Times when I sent this one in, that I wish I could do something like this for everyone who dies. I think most people, and not just celebrities, deserve some kind thoughts and words directed their way, and not just when they die. But, having said that, it is nice to be able to do these type of cartoons for some of the people who were especially noteworthy and who made special contributions to this area. Like I said.... wish I could do it for them all, but that's not really possible for me.

published Oct. 22/08: New Spay and Neuter Operating Room

I borrowed, all right, in the tradition of comedian Henny Youngman, I stole this punchline from some stand-up comedian I saw years ago on T. V. I can't remember who it was, but this is one of a handful jokes I can actually remember. I just adapted it to work with animals and not a human.

published Oct. 21/08: Williamsford Arena

There had just been some sports news about this goon for the Maple Leafs who just came off a suspension and in first game back smashed someone from behind into the boards. Amazingly he only got a 3 day suspension. He's played about 2 minutes total time for the Leafs after 5 or 6 games and I'm sure he's making a lotta cash for this. Anyway, I just tied that into the situation at the Williamsford arena and came up with this joke idea.

published Oct. 18/08: Dundalk students meet with Southgate Council

published Oct. 16/08: Post Election

I still find it amazingly disgusting that Harper breaks his own rule for his opportunistic attempt to gain a majority. Thank God, he failed.... but that does mean another election, and probably sooner than later. Oh well, maybe he can go the way of Bush and McCain. I posted this cartoon the day after the American election.

published Oct. 10/08: Chatsworth's new bridge

I often like to combine two different stories into one cartoon. Chatsworth is, in fact, getting a new bridge on one of its roads. And if you've followed the U.S. election I don't need to tell you about Palin and some of her wackiness. Now, I doubt she actually has or will call Chatsworth, although, to her credit, she does at least realise that Canada is a neighbour of Alaska.
I'm convinced that the Republicans are trying to throw this election. Hey, would you want to take over power after what Bush and the forces behind him have done? So, I bleieve they are quite content to just sit back and bide their time for 4 years and let the Democrats take the heat.
If the Republicans were to win again by actually putting up reasonable candidates, or if worse came to worse and fix the election like they did 8 years ago (remember Florida???), the public down there would NEVER forgive or forget them. So that's why we have two of the wackiest, weakest candidates ever to run for the White House. And if they seem to be getting too close to winning, they can always rig the election in reverse to see that the other side wins... or suddenly(???) have a financial crisis that focuses attention on their candidates weak suit.

published Oct. 78/08: Pumpkin Chucking in Kemble

And now for something lighter.

published Oct. 7/08: Attack ads

Harper was actually running these ads. I pretty well just quoted him. I wondered, "When is the right time to try something new, since what we've been doing clearly hasn't been working?" So I did this cartoon and submitted it. Then the next day a story was in the paper about some of the concerns of teens... especially 18 yr. olds. So instantly this cartoon became even more relevant.
P.S..... Just after the election was completed I saw some news graphic that said that the majority of young people that had voted in mock trials at schools around the country had voted Conservative... (So much for hope in the future) ... but at least N. D. P. came 2nd.... but still.... what the hecks wrong with those kids? Are they brainwashed like many of their elders appear to be or what? .... or maybe the Conservatives used their "shock and awe" rhetoric on them too, and scared the bejesus out of them, just like they do to old people.

published Sept. 30/08: Wandering Predators

Every once in a while we get a bear sighting in the city. With this latest one it occurred to me that they aren't the only ones who invade our neighbourhoods. At least when bears do it they are easy go get rid of, by either ignoring them, or getting the authorities to chase them away, or catch them (via tranquilizer gun) and hauling their asses back to their home turf. Not so easy, apparently with the door to door salesmen... especially those utility predators. I've got a note posted in our door that says "No Salespeople", but that doesn't always stop them.

published Sept. 27/08:PPG plant in Owen Sound closes

The actual news item referred to how the employees were expecting to "kick off" negotiations, before they were dealt this bombshell.
Chalk another one up to free trade and Reaganomics (also known as Thatcherism and Mulroneyism). Ah, the new world order. When I submitted this one I didn't want to call it a cartoon, ('cause I don't think the situation here is funny), so I called it an "editorial image". But I guess the role of a satirist is to point out issues through humour and then, hopefully, you step back and say, "Hey, wait a minute, what am I laughing at here?"
If you go to the company's website, which is based in Pittsburgh, they'll tell you all the wonderful ways they treat their employees. I think you might get a different viewpoint from many of the actual employees both here and elsewhere around the world.
And between the time I drew this and when I got around to posting it on this website we've seen this financial meltdown starting in the U.S. and spreading around the world. How stupid do we have to be to keep believing that all this bunk about unregulated capitalism and the good ol' "trickle down" theory works? At this point I'm not even sure it's possible for the common man, and therefore the common good, to take back control. But I hope we try. I'm not all that confident about what politicians like Barack Obama can actually do, but he seems like a decent guy and at least he's saying more decent, logical things. And you've got to start with the spirit... the pocket book will, hopefully, follow.

published Sept. 25/08: Bill Murdoch is kicked out of Conservative Party.

Was he kicked or did he jump? I think it was a bit of both. Clearly both sides have apparently grown tired of one another... and I suppose this will just perpetuate Bill's image as... dare I say it... a "maverick".... seems like that term has gotten a little out of hand in the election to the south of our border. (As the democrats have argued down there: If you vote along Party lines most of the time.... or just don't show up to vote one way or the other does this really make you a maverick?) Maybe they need to come up with another, more accurate catch phrase to describe the attitude of "I just couldn't be bothered." The other bit that's fascinating about this story is how little Tories in both the provincial and federal parties are allowed to think or speak for themselves. Both Stephen Harper and John Tory seem to really apply the clamps. They would have made great feudal lords..... I thought we had a democracy and free speech.

published Sept. 23/08: Military career advertising is Schools

Someone actually said something like this. I just embellished it a bit to make a point. I think maybe the world would be better off if we started to see peace,(and the environment too) as sound financial investments, a good career, and a healthy life choice. Too much money has been made at war and pollution. Let's turn those suckers around.

published Sept. 19/08: Yet another Tim Hortons is coming to town

published Sept. 18/08: Election Overdose

published Sept. 16/08: Georgian College Navigation Simulator

Please click on the image to make it bigger. I have no idea why this one appeared smaller than normal when I posted it. Technology's funny that way sometimes.

published Sept. 12/08: Prognosticator Phone Calls

The bottom one is the one I did for the newspaper, but then I had the other idea, so I just used the same illustration and changed the wording.

published cartoons: Sept. 10/08: Branningham Grove faces deomolition

I ate there once when it was in one of its restaurant incarnations. It was beautiful... the food was o.k., too. It seems a shame that it's going to be plowed under, likely.
Having said that, let me share a personal anecdote about this cartoon. I went over to my neighbourhood friend's porch where a bundle of papers are dropped off for his son to deliver. I
took my copy, and as I was walking home I turned to page "A4" to see if I had a cartoon in that day. I did. It was the "Contractor Tales" one you will see posted below. I set the paper aside to do some housework. In the afternoon that neighbour asked me what I did to get two cartoons in the paper in one day. I said, "What?" (I thought he was pulling my leg). He said he was serious, so I immediately thought I must be blind. I asked him where it was? He said right beside the other one on the opposite page, (A5), accompanied by a letter from some reader. So I went and checked it out and sure enough there it was.
So I'm not blind, just unobservant... but I already knew that. Anyway, I was really glad this one got printed because I spent some time at it and consider it more a work of "fine" art than a cartoon. (Does that make cartoons "not-so-fine art"??? Apologies to my cartoonist soldiers in arms... ) Maybe what i mean to say is that I was just shooting for more visual realism than caricature or visual jokes.

published cartoons: Sept. 10/08: Contractor tales

When I read the story about the contractor fraud I just made the connection to politics. To be fair to contractors in general, I think a much higher percentage of them do what they say they will and what they get paid to do than politicians.

published cartoons: Sept. 6/08: Hockey Moms

I like hockey moms! Not personally, just theoretically. But I think this Palin circus in the States is giving hockey moms a bad name. And it doesn't matter who the next President is because I don't think they care too much about what we think.... Heck, some of their presidents probably couldn't even spell "Canada", let alone tell you much about it. Although some Canadian Prime Ministers don't want to tell them anything; they just want to suck up to them to get whatever it is they must be getting... And that's how I feel about that.

published cartoons

Maybe it's the best thing to do to tear it down and build new, maybe it's not. Seems like the money they're getting to build new could be used to restore the old part. It just seems a shame that so much of what makes this city unique is being lost lately. If the goal is to look like every other city around our size then I'd say we're well on our way. But once this stuff is gone, it's pretty well gone.... the same as aspects of the environment... like endangered animals, clean air, clean water and all that kind of cost prohibitive stuff that, without imagination, is hard to make a buck on. All I know is that if and when the world ever ends there's going to be a whole whack of rich people with sheepish grins on their faces praying to reverse everything they and others had done. And so it goes.

published Aug. 29 /08: Labour Day '08

As I've said before, I come from a blue collar background. My father worked in factories on assembly lines most of his life. In high school I learned about what life was like for workers before there were unions. Child labour was common. For instance they would work in the tiny spaces in mining, as well as in factories. Workers who were injured due to unsafe working conditions were just dismissed, (fired), because they were suddenly useless to the owners. So if you want to say bad things about Unions, it's a debate I'll gladly undertake with you.
I know that Unions sometimes have done and will continue to do "bad" things. But then some teachers, politicians, doctors, policemen, and soldiers, to name a few categories, do some bad things, too... But then that's just human nature. There are bad apples and mistakes in every field. But it doesn't mean that the concept is bad. Anyway, if you want to go back to a time when there weren't any unions, just stick around for awhile, 'cause that's where we seem to be heading. And if you're impatient, then just move to a third world country. I'm sure you can get a job in some sweat shop pretty easily.... that is, if you're tough enough.

published Aug. 28/08: Owen Sound gets money for infastructure

published Aug. 21/08: salmon spectacular

This is how it might look in the year 2058 if water levels continue to go down. Is it just a natural cycle? Is it dredging in the St. Clair River? Is it global warming... and if it is, and the glaciers keep melting, then we'll have plenty... maybe too much, in the future? Anyway, studies and meetings continue about the low levels now, and it was in the news this week, as well as the 2008 Salmon Spectacular... and the two seemed to go hand in hand for this cartoon idea.

published Aug. 14/08: Summerfolk 08 Cartoon

I don't have anything to add about this cartoon or the rest of the August ones below... they pretty much speak for themselves and I have no "issues". But let me just add this one comment on this year's Summerfolk: It was great, once again, and Richard Knechtal did another wonderful job with the lineup in this his 2nd year as artistic director. The whole management team also deserve high praise for their efforts. It's near impossible to see all the performers on the various stages, so having said that, here is my favourite performer and also personal discovery from this year.... Toby Walker. Stephen Fearing and Harry Manx were great, as to be expected. Runner up goes to Little Miss Higgins and also The McDades. Who did you like? Add your opinion about this or any of my cartoons in the "comments" option, that you'll find below each cartoon

published Aug. 3/08: Suble Sandfest '08 Rained Out

published Aug. 12/08: Chi-Cheemaun fare increase

published Aug. 7/08: Billy Bishop Museum Ghosts

published Aug. 6/08: triathalon

published Aug. 1/08: Drive-thru drugstores

I'm having a hard time getting my head around this concept. Drive thru coffee, I get (although not for people who order about 6 different meal combos)... Drive thru automated bank teller machines, I get... but this I don't get. Have we gotten this damn lazy? Although with the doctor shortage and the shorter amount of time you get to see one, if you're lucky enough to get to see one, maybe it's next: drive thru doctor..... then perhaps drive thru physician.... I think I just thought of a cartoon that I'll have to do... just for my own collection probably, cause it's a little dark. Anyway, one day I'll have to try it out, just out of curiosity. Maybe ask for some pills to help combat agoraphobia (fear of public places), and that's why I won't get out of my car, not 'cause I'm lazy. Or maybe for some laxatives, and then ask them if they've got washrooms inside for customers.

published Aug. 1/08: Soapy Sewer Sud Water in local rivers

I'm really pleased with the way this drawing turned out. O.K., I admit it... sometimes I put a little more effort into some drawings than others. It all depends on how I'm feeling, how much time I have, and of course, sometimes one just gets a little more inspired. I always try to make the words work to create a laugh, but I'm extra pleased when it all comes together like in this one.

published July 31/08: Summerfolk

It's a great music festival and I look forward to it every year... especially now that I'm retired. When I was still teaching I'm sure I had the same feeling that a lot of kids had. It's the feeling that is expressed above.