Microbrewers and Micropubs, George Orwell, and the 21st Century
The Brain on James Street North is an interesting place, a tightly packed bar with no televisions, poor lighting, a wide selection of craft brews, great coffee, and always full of people. The Baltimore House on King William is similar, with better lighting. The bars I used to…
East Kiwanis Club turned boy into man by Susan Clairmont (Feb 2000)
East Kiwanis Club turned boy into man Susan Clairmont** The Spectator** I’ve barely stepped through the front door of the Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club when a young man lunges at me, arm outstretched. “Joe Coleman,” he says, shaking my hand furiously. “I’m pumped for this.”…
How I Voted: The Federal Election
I’m revealing how I voted in the 2015 Federal Election in the interest of transparency in my journalism. This is not an endorsement, merely a disclosure which is done in an abundance of openness. To quote from my previous posts on this topic: I’m an independent journalist who…
Update: What's Happening with Joey Coleman?
[](http://joeycoleman.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/26364_726313181127_5581037_n.jpg)On Assignment in the Persian Gulf in 2009 On August 16 I [announced that I had to shut down](https://www.thepublicrecord.ca/2015/08/from-the-editor-the-public-record-suspends-operations-thanks-patrons-for-support/) The Public Record. The outpouring of support since then is overwhelming and one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I…
So I Didn't Succeed, But I Sure Had Fun and Learned a Lot
“At this time, I feel the bitter taste of failure. But I’m mindful that I’ve failed before, and I hope to have the opportunity to fail again. Failure can only occur when one tries to succeed.” So I had to suspend operations of The Public Record today. It…
Ontario's Open Data Directive: Great Draft, Good Direction
I attended the GO Open Data conference Friday, the annual provincial open data conference which brings together hundreds of open data stakeholders for a day of talks, workshops, and planning. Deputy Premier and President of the Treasury Board Deb Matthews kicked off the day with the morning keynote.…
Why does the 4-Bayfront Still Use MacNab When James Became Two-Way Years Ago?
I was on the 4-Bayfront the other day and I realized the routing along MacNab Street makes absolutely no sense, and is a legacy of the time – over 10 years ago – when James Street was a one-way southbound street. The 4-Bayfront departs downtown from James Street…
My One Big Regret from Friday's Panel Discussions
Friday, Hamilton hosted Jesse Brown’s CANADALAND podcast for a discussion of Hamilton’s media landscape with a focus on the challenges that result in Hamilton being the most under-served mid-size city in Hamilton. It was a really fun event, and I’m told by the Public Library their security counted…
NYC, Broadband, Poverty, the Library, and Signing Out Wifi
Digital access and literacy are what clean water and universal education were to the beginning of the 20th century – society requires them for progress, they must be treated as universal rights without exception. The New York Public Library is now lending portal mobile wifi hotspots to 10,000…
Stories I Like To See: Who Else is Profiting from Money Mart Gift Card "BuyBack"?
I can’t write every story there is to tell, but I can use my personal blog to write what questions I hope to see answered in someone else’s story. The Ontario NDP is calling on the government to regulate Money Mart’s Gift Card purchasing business, saying the 50%…