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A Movember moustache without a name

By Robert Washburn

One of my students was doing a video for a Movember story. He was asking a set of questions to each of the members of the Loyalist Mo-crew, the team of journalism students raising money for prostate cancer research. After a few standard questions, like “Why are you doing this?”, he quickly asked me if my moustache had a pet name. Huh? (more…) Continue Reading →

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Changing gears with council coverage

For the past 12 months, citizen journalist Scott Lamberton has faithfully provided live, interactive coverage of Cobourg council. His efforts were part of a research project being undertaken using this website under the direction of Professor Robert Washburn (Full story on project). The pace of the research is slowing down and so is the coverage. Consider This will return to live blogging on a meeting-by-meeting basis depending on the issues facing council. As issues of greater importance to the community arise, you can count on Scott or other members of the team, to provide live blogs to ensure public participation and information. Continue Reading →

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Learning a lot in Movember

By Robert Washburn

A colleague shared the spirit of Movember with me on the way out the door Friday. It seems her husband had a beautiful moustache when he was younger, but it did not suit him as he grew older. So, off it came. Now, for Movember, he is growing it back, much to her chagrin. Like the rest of us, it tends to be a bit pokey (her term) in the early stages. Continue Reading →

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Rating a great moustache for Movember

By Robert Washburn

One of the greatest moustaches of our time is the one sported by Kurt Russell in his role as Wyatt Earp in the 1993 movie Tombstone. It’s a classic. Sure, Russell gets some stiff competition from his fellow actors Val Kilmer and Sam Elliot. They sport some pretty cool moustaches. But nothing comes close to that thick black handlebar on Russell’s face. Continue Reading →

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A striking resemblance in Movember

By Robert Washburn

One of the first things that struck me when I saw a picture of myself without facial hair last week was the resemblance to my father. That might not be a big deal in many people’s mind, but it was huge for me. No one wants to be like his or her parents. We all grow up thinking we are going to be different. We are a new generation, full of hope and aspirations. Continue Reading →

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A matter of moustache style is considered for Movember

By Robert Washburn

Moustache growing is serious business, at least if you are a member of the American Mustache Institute. The first thing to get right is the spelling, which is different than the British. The institute was founded in 1965 to fight discrimination against people with moustaches. It claims to be the world’s leading facial hair advocacy organization and think tank committed to promoting the growth, care and culture of the “lower nose forest”, says its website. Quick history lesson points to the Second World War and the decline of the moustache due to Adolph Hitler’s toothbrush-style. Continue Reading →

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Police asking for more surveillance cameras in Cobourg

By Deborah O’Connor

Early in 2011, Cobourg Police Chief Paul Sweet announced at a public meeting, through a grant from the Proceeds of Crime Fund, the police services had obtained two closed circuit surveillance cameras and the hardware to put them in place. There didn’t seem to be any objections from anybody and the cameras were duly installed and staff trained to operate them. Now, a few short months later, the chief has asked the Police Services Board to find funds to buy a dozen more. The request, totalling approximately $91,000 was forwarded to Deputy Mayor Stan Frost’s ambitious three-year budget process with the goal of implementation during the same period. (more…) Continue Reading →

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