The Day the Music Dies

ENTRY 2

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIES: SAYING GOODBYE TO CANADA`S OLDEST RADIO STATION 

September 7 of the year 2015.
That is the day the music dies, along with a piece of Canadian heritage.

Canada's oldest radio station, CKOC, will be changing from a music format (A format it has had for over 60 years),  to all sports.

CKOC began in 1922, broadcasting what most radio stations did at the time, radio programs.

However, in the 1950's , as television began to take over the former job of radio, CKOC had to find something different to play.

It started to play rock 'n' roll.

It remained a rock station, and eventually a top-40 station, through to 1992.

Up to that time, AM radio was slightly more popular than FM. This was due to regulations that restricted how many hits an FM station could play. That meant, that prior to this time, top-40 FM stations were not allowed in Canada.

For many Canadians, those living close enough to the U.S. border, could receive their hits via a U.S. FM station, such as MAJIC 102.5, WMJQ Buffalo (Now Star 102).

Even with that option, Hamilton's CKOC was still on top.

CKOC was one of the first stations in Canada to adopt Motorola C-QUAM Stereo. With the wider bandwidth of AM Stereo, the sound quality rivalled that of its FM counterparts,

In 1992, with hit music FM stations now becoming widely available, CKOC's share began to drop. Despite, the quality of AM Stereo, few people wanted to invest in a new radio, and instead chose to change their listening habits to FM.

CKOC had to make a format change.

In February of 1992, it changed from contemporary hits to an oldies format, and it stayed that way until 2013.

It was at that time, another Hamilton station, Vinyl 95.3 switched from 70's and 80's music to adult contemporary.

CKOC took advantage of the situation, and in an attempt to capture the old Vinyl 95.3 audience, added 70's and 80's hits to its playlists.

Ever since, CKOC has been Hamilton's choice for hit music.

Sadly, early in 2015, Bell Media, owner of CKOC, announced that it would be switching the station's format once again, but this time there will be no music.

On September 7, 2015, CKOC will join the TSN Radio network. A radio network dedicated to sports, whose flagship station is 1050 CHUM, another former hit music station, now located in the formar CITY-TV building on Queen Street West in downtown Toronto.

So now, who will fill the gap?

It has already been filled.

Enter Zoomer Radio.

Moses Znimer bought the licence of CHWO in 2008, and changed the call to CFZM.

Zoomer Radio AM740 "The Best Of the Best", broadcasts all the best of what CKOC has done from the beginning. Music from many decades, and great spoken-word programs.


Even with AM740 replacing CKOC, there is still something disheartening about it.

CKOC is not just a radio station that you can just kick to the curb. It is Canada's first radio station. It is part of Canadian heritage. Show it some respect.


The author of this article has worked in broadcasting, and has been a broadcasting enthusiast for over 20 years. 

Orange Outlets and Caffeine Overdose

ENTRY 1

Welcome to the very first entry of this new blog.
This blog is a spin-off of "Comments From the Blue Corner", and pays homage to a good buddy of mine who hosts a similar blog called "Mixed Nuts".

I am creating this blog, because due to suggestions from readers, "Comments From the Blue Corner" has been getting cluttered with material that was off-topic.
I created this, and one other blog, to keep topics separate from what "Blue Corner" was originally meant to do.

This blog will contain many interesting facts that I have found over the years of doing research for other media.

Without further delay, please enjoy the first entry of "Amalgamated Enlightenment".


AVOIDING A CAFFEINE OVERDOSE

It is part of most adults' daily routine, a coffee, maybe a couple, or maybe even three.

Most of us drink coffee specifically for the caffeine. Although, many of us also enjoy the taste.

However, how many of us ever consider the effects that caffeine has on our bodies?


Affects Of Caffeine

The following is based on information collected by the Mayo clinic.

Caffeine effects different people differently, and the severity of the effects vary depending on body mass and gender.

An athletic person will not be as affected by it as a person who is not so athletic.

Another interesting point is that the effects of caffeine are greater in males than in females.

The Mayo clinic had concluded that in a healthy adult, 400 mg of caffeine per day is considered "safe". It is quite a bit lower for teenagers, at 100 mg, and it should never be given to children. Health Canada has set the limit for adults at 450 mg.

Dark roasted coffee has less caffeine than a medium or light roast. A medium roast coffee, which is equivalent to what you would get at a coffee shop, contains about 200 mg of caffeine per cup (237 ml).

The extra-large cup served at Tim Hortons, for example, is 710 ml.  That's about three cups, or 600 mg of caffeine. That amount already puts you well over the "safe" limit.

Another important thing to note is that caffeine stays in the body for up to 14 hours. That means that the "stay-awake" coffee you had for your afternoon break, is going to prevent you from falling asleep that night.

Caffeine also causes a faster heart rate, high blood pressure, diarrhea, blurred vison, dizziness, and frequent urination.

Alternatives

An alternative is decaffeinated coffee, which has a lot less than regular coffees, only about 4 mg per cup,

Another alternative is cola.

Colas only have 34 mg of caffeine per can. That would mean you would have to drink 12 cans to reach the "safe" dosage.



Chocolate also has a small amount of caffeine, about 8 mg per bar.


Benefits

Caffeine does have a couple of benefits.

It will help keep you focused, and also boosts metabolism. That makes it a good choice for athletes.

However, some take it a bit far by taking caffeine powder.


Dangers Of Caffeine Powder

Caffeine powder is available as a supplement in both the United States and Canada, and other countries as well.

Keeping in mind that caffeine powder is pure caffeine, and one teaspoon is four grams.

Both the FDA and Heath Canada have issued warnings about the use of pure caffeine.


Coffee Shop

Coffee is still safe to drink in moderation, just like everything else.

Something to think about the next time you are standing in line for that extra-large double-double.




WHAT`S THE DEAL WITH THE ORANGE RECEPTACLES?

Have you ever noticed a receptacle that was orange, and thought it was that way just because it looks nice?

Well, there is a specific reason why an outlet is orange.

These receptacles have an isolated ground.

They are a special installation intended to cut down on electrical noise.

Electrical noise can have an affect on electronic equipment. Therefore, they are often used for medical applications, in computer rooms, and in broadcasting installations.

Some newer homes may have them in the living room for home theatre use.

The orange outlets are available in both 15- and 20-amp models.

Regular (white) receptacles, are also available in a 20-amp model.

As shown, 20-amp outlets have one "T" shaped plug. This is because 20-amp appliances have one prong that is horizontal to ensure that it can only be used on a circuit that can handle it.

20-amp circuits are commonly used in kitchens, especially in commercial areas, but are sometimes found in homes.



Mystery solved.



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"Amalgamated Enlightenment" is published twice a week, on Monday and Thursday.

To follow by boxing endeavors, visit Comments From the Blue Corner, published Tuesday and Friday.

For my week in review, my life experiences and journal, visit "The World According To 'The Brick'", published every Saturday. (Starting August 29)

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