February is Black History Month: The Underground Railroad

Two Wheel Sunday - Exhibitor Booth

Two Wheel Sunday is celebrating it's 7th annual motorcycle street festival this year, once again bringing riders, clubs, shops and other enthusiasts together in one place at one time, the date this year being June 7th, 2020!

We certainly get a lot of riders stopping in to visit ( about 6000 ) and we're always happy to have more guests, but what about those who have a motorcycle lifestyle business and want to be a part of this fantastic event? On several fronts the good news is that, yes, you and your business can be part of the Two Wheel Sunday celebration!

Since we've moved to our new location at 5th Street NE between 42 Avenue & 46 Ave NE, we have a whole lot of room on the boulevard and can accomodate even more than the 100 vendors and exhibitors we had last year. Also, we're all about making this event affordable for everyone involved, so not only is it free for riders to attend, a booth for an exhibitor is only $50 for a 10' x 10' plot! How can you go wrong with that awesome deal?

If you're interested in joining the amazing group of people who put on this well attended and celebrated event, contact the TWS treasurer...

e-mail them at treasurer@TwoWheelSunday.com or call them at 403-948-2526.

My Driving Discount

"my Driving Discount" is our insurance program that offers you a personalized discount through the assessment of your driving habits based on a specific number of kilometres driven and recorded on a special App for your mobile device. 

Essentially, the better your driving habits, the more money you could potentially save on your insurance premiums!

Who doesn't want to save money on anything, including insurance premiums. Rates have increased, even for those with good driving records, but "my driving Discount" is a way to prove you're a good driver and earn a discount.

Check out these FAQ's and see if this program might work for you....

Who can sign up?

If you’re insured with Intact Insurance, you own an iPhone (iOS 8.2 or later) or Android device (Version 4.3 or later) and you have a data plan, and meet eligibility criteria, you can sign up for my Driving Discount through your insurance broker.

What's in it for me?

You’ll get up to a 10% discount immediately (some exceptions apply)** for signing up and could save up to 25%* on your car insurance premium on your next renewal once you complete the assessment period (up to nine months). You'll also receive valuable information about your driving habits.

Can my premium go up because of my driving habits?

Your premium will not increase as a result of the data used to calculate the discount. However, on renewal you could earn a personalized discount based on your driving habits, which can range between 0% and 25%.

Is there any cost to enroll?

No. There is no charge for enrolling in the my Driving Discount program.

How do I sign up?

If you already have an auto insurance policy with us, you can enrol in the my Driving Discount program through your broker (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria).

What type of smartphone do I need to have? 

To be eligible for the my Driving Discount program, you need an iPhone with iOS 8.2 or later, or an Android device with version 4.3 or later. The "my Driving Discount" mobile app is not compatible with iPhone 4, 4S, 5 and 5C or older phones that pre-date these models. You also need a data plan with your cellular service provider to collect and transfer the driving data.

Can I change my mind and opt out of the program? If so, will my insurance policy be cancelled?

This program is voluntary. You may opt out at any time during the assessment period and your insurance policy will NOT be cancelled. However, as of the date you withdraw, you will no longer be eligible for the savings available with the my Driving Discount program.

How long will my discount apply?

You will receive up to a 10% enrolment discount (some exceptions apply)** as soon as you join the my Driving Discount program. Once your assessment period is complete, a personalized discount will be calculated based on the driving data collected. Your personalized discount will be automatically applied on your next renewal and you will remain eligible to receive discounts as long as you continue to be enrolled in the program.

Can I register all my cars in the my Driving Discount program? 

Yes. A principal driver can register all vehicles for which he or she is identified on the policy as the principal driver, as long as the eligibility conditions are met. You'll only need to install and use the mobile app once, and we’ll apply the discount to any other vehicles that appear on the policy with you as the principal driver.

How long is my assessment period?

Your assessment period can last up to approximately nine months from when you first log in to the app and start driving. If the assessment period cannot be completed prior to when your renewal is issued (not the effective date of the renewal), then the renewal will be issued with your enrolment discount. The personalized discount will be applied on the subsequent renewal.

Is there a minimum number of kilometres I must drive?

In order to be eligible for a potential discount, you must drive a minimum of 1,000 km during your assessment period as the driver of the vehicle.

What happens after I sign up?

We will send an email containing a link for you to download the app onto your smartphone, along with all the information you need to log in to the app. You must activate the link in the email to complete your enrolment. Once installed and set up, simply drive as usual. You can view your driving profile and potential discount on the app any time you are logged in with the location services enabled.

What trips will the app record?

During your assessment period, the app will record all trips where it believes you are driving a car. You will have to go into the app and confirm whether you were the driver or not. If you do not do so, or if you do not confirm your mode of transport, the app will consider you the driver by default after seven days. Once your assessment period is completed, the app will no longer record any trips.

Which trips do I need to confirm as a driver?

You will need to confirm that you were the driver in all trips where you were driving a car, whether it’s your car or not. If you were driving a motorcycle, a recreational vehicle, or any other vehicle that isn’t a car, you need to confirm that you were not the driver and confirm your mode of transportation.

Can I delete the app when I’m done?

Once you receive your confirmation email that you’ve completed the program, the app will no longer record any trips and you can delete the app from your smartphone.
Before you delete the app, you will be able to review your past trip information for a limited time. However, you will not be able to go back and tag any trips on the app that are waiting to be tagged. These untagged trips will not be used to calculate your potential discount.

Be Mine

I'm not a big fan of Valentine's day and all that concocted sweetness, which is really just another commercial gimmick to sell over priced flowers, chocolate and other such "tokens of love"!

Yes, the above photo shows the skull of St. Valentine, on display at a church in Rome. Not sure if there's anything romantic about that and though his name is asscoiated with courtly love, St. Valentine is the patron saint of epilepsy (?), so there's something slightly odd about the whole set-up in my mind!

Just as odd, the celebration of love takes place on February 14th, which was the day Valentine was executed. How lovely!  Or, perhaps it was the day one of or all of the Valentines were executed, as apparently there are references to three St. Valentines. One was a Roman priest, another the bishop of Interamna, and one in the Roman province of Africa. Pick one or pick them all.

Anyway, enough of my little rant. Here's an anti-Valentine post that shows some of the strange and weird associated with the day, starting with some creepy, inuendo laden vintage cards.

Did you do a double take on this image? haha

Whoa, there's laws about beastiality ya know! 

Hmmm. let's encourage suicide shall we?

The depiction of the black man, the 'language", the lynching imagery! Seriously? 

Not even sure where to begin with this one...

Of course, there are a few modern cards that are sure to raise a few eyebrows...

Had to leave out the one that said "Be Mein" ( say no more)!

Any fans of "Alien" that you want to show some love?

Or fans of "The Walking Dead"?

As for other bits of oddness...

Yikes!

Double Yikes!!

 And, for a laugh, here's some for those who want to put a little bit of playfullness/kinkiness in their Valentine's wish...

Winkin' kitty! haha

Stuffin' the muffin? hahaha

Cake anyone?

February Is Black History Month: Lincoln Alexander

Lincoln Alexander ( Jan 21, 1922 -Oct 19, 2012) holds the distinct honour of being the first black Member Of Parliament in the House Of Commons, opening doors that helped advance the progress of many people of colour who came after him.

Of course, that's not all there is to the man, but this distinction came at a time when racial prejuidice was still prevalent in Canada and Alexander definitely "shattered some barriers"! 

In his first speech as an elected official Alexander said "I am not the spokesman for the Negro; that honour has not been given to me. Do not let me ever give anyone that impression. However, I want the record to show that I accept the responsibility of speaking for him and all others in this great nation who feel that they are the subjects of discrimination because of race, creed or colour."

Alexander came from a humble background but learned to "walk tall" and chose to work hard to excel. He joined the Canadian military in 1942, becoming a wireless operator, then used his veteran's grant after the war to enter college and earn credits that enabled him to enrol at university. He did well but soon realized that there weren't many opportunities for an educated black man in Canada, so he returned to university and studied law, allowing for "self employment". 

Of course, racism and prejuidice still made life difficult but he persevered, joining forces with others who were suffering the same indignities. He practiced law with a firm run by a Polish immigrant brother and sister team, work which eventually forged some bonds in the community they served and ultimately helped him to win a seat in the 1968 Federal election. 

Alexander was the first black Member of Parliament and also went on to become the first black Cabinet Minister. He also served as the first black Chair of the Worker's Compensation Board, became the first black Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and also served five terms as the Chancellor of The University of Guelph.

Lincoln Alexander was an accomplished man indeed and Canada is fortunate to have had his influence and service to make Canada a better country.

Mr Mind Blown

Here's a cool little 10 minute video of some interesting optical illusions to start your day with a blown mind!

February Is Black History Month: John Howard

You may have read another of my Black History Month posts about Jesse Owens, so you'll be interested to know that our very own John Howard is the Canadian version of a person whose grit and perseverance prevailed against against prejudice and racism. 

John “Army” Howard was born in the U.S. but moved to Canada with his father in 1907, working for the railroad in Winnipeg. He was an outstanding athlete, particularly on the track, and in 1912 he became Canada’s first Black Olympian.

His selection to the Canadian Olympic Team was historic but also came with a list of issues, such as racist coverage in the newspapers, problems with the Olympic track coach, and the usual gamut of segregation, like being forbidden from staying in the same hotel as his white teammates when they gathered together in Montreal prior to boarding the boat that would take them across the Atlantic Ocean.

Howard was a top-ranked sprinter in the 100m and 200m, but a stomach ailment in Stockholm left him unable to race at his best and he did not advance to the finals in either of his individual events nor the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. A year after his Olympic debut, Howard became the Canadian champion in 100 yards and 220 yards. He served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I and won 100m bronze at the 1919 Inter-Allied Games.

Howard was long and lean!

Receiving his medal at the Inter-Allied games

Though Howard had his troubles later in life, many due to racism, he left his mark and also his incredible athletic genealogy. His grandchildren, Harry and Valerie Jerome, would follow in his footsteps and become Olympians at Rome 1960. Harry Jerome would go on to win 100m bronze at Tokyo 1964.

February Is Black History Month

February is Black History Month and you can expect to see a series of future posts on some important facts and figures in Canada's past, discussing things like slavery and racism, and the people who played important roles in evoking change. 

To set the tone, here is the word of the week, which you will find relevent to many of the posts you'll read in February.

Definition supplied by Dictionary.com

man·u·mit

/ˌmanyəˈmit/

verb

HISTORICAL

past tense: manumitted; past participle: manumitted

1. release from slavery; set free.