Why would anybody choose to start a new year in the dead of winter?

The Australians have it right - start the new year in the middle of

summer, when you can lounge outside or go for a walk without spending

15 minutes getting dressed.

We're working our way through the 2007 photo galleries as we continue

the 2007 Year in Review. So far, we're up to Canada Day (first 2 of 4

parts).

Canada Day - Part 1

Canada Day - Part 2

Calendar

The big event, of course, is back to school and back to work for most

of us. The Fredericton Family Resource Centre's 'Ready for School'

program begins for pre-schoolers, there's a baroque concert this

evening at Christ Church Cathedral, and there's lots of free skating

during the day.

Big Hearts

Auditions for the 2008 Big Hearts for the Homeless Valentine's show

are this Sunday (Jan 13) at Musiplex. The theme this year: Who does

LOVE better? Country or Rock N Roll.

Sign up here.

So welcome back. Time to clean off your desk and get back to work.

The good news: only 75 days left 'till spring.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

We're late today because we left before dawn to catch up with Willie

O'Ree - the local hockey legend who broke the NHL's color barrier 50

years ago- as he enjoyed a community skate at the new sports complex

on the northshide that will be officially named in his honour this

evening.

We're processing the photos and videos now and will get them online

asap.

We're also going to take another day before we announce the winner of

the gift basket - so if you still haven't take our latest poll - you

have another chance.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

Rumours of winter's demise were obviously premature, as the latest

January storm moved in Monday afternoon and blanketed the city

overnight.

What's New

Our new home page system let us put a bit of snowstorm video into the

slideshow today. It's joined by more pics of the weekend bridal fair,

some pre-snowfall shots from the new Northside Canadian Tire Store

construction site, a link to today's calendar of events, the first of

two August 2007 photo essays, and more.

justFRED Poll & Contest

The votes are http://www.justfred.ca/justfred.forums/showthread.php?p=801#post801">strongly in favor of the new home page system.

We'll draw a winner for the gift basket Wednesday from the list of

members who take part in the poll. It will give you something else to

do besides clearing snow.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

Server Move Underway

Our existing web server has been acting up. Friday night was the

absolute worst: nearly four hours to do some maintenance that

normally takes 15-20 minutes max. If I'd had a stick...the server

would have dents all over it.

So we began moving to a new web server over the weekend.

Unfortunately, that's meant the occasional disruption in service. We

should have the transfer completed in the next 12-24 hours, but it

could mean that any modifications to the site (classifieds, forum

postings, calendar entries, etc.) may be lost during the transfer.

The Albums...and The Calendar

We're resuming the interview with Social Media expert Jason Falls -

he was in town last week visiting Radian6 - and agreed to sit down in

front of our video camera and talk about social networks (Flickr,

Facebook, Youtube, etc.) and their impact. We have weekend market

photos, some shots from Sunday's bridal fair organized by Perfect

Parties by Nancy (Nancy Curtis), the auditions for the Big Hearts for

the Homeless Valentine's Day Show, and we begin to delve into what's

happening with the Northside's new Canadian Tire Store under

construction at Two Nations Crossing...and the first half of our July

2007 photo review.

http://justFRED.ca/

Contest Update

WiseCaroline won the pair of tickets to Second Chance New Year, the

annual fundraiser for the Fredericton Emergency Shelters, and says

she had a great time.

We're putting together the graphics for upcoming contests: since

we'll be able to post them on the home page slideshow, as well.

New Calendar

The old version did a great job - but it's not able to keep up with

our needs, so you're going to see a replacement soon. We've been

working on it for the past couple of weeks - but got sidetracked over

the last few days moving to a new web server. We'll keep you posted.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

If you've visited justFRED today, you'll see the beginning of our home

page overhaul in the main image area. While it may not look like a

huge difference at first, trust me: it's a big change that gives us a

whole lot more control of the home page and will make it far easier

for us to change the home page.

So what do you think? Let us know - http://www.justfred.ca/justfred.forums/showthread.php?t=153">take
the quick poll - and you

could win a prize.

2nd Chance New Year Ticket Giveaway

And what better way to celebrate than to give something away: a pair

of tickets to Saturday night's '2nd Chance New Year' - the annual

fundraising bash for the Fredericton Emergency Shelters.

Enter http://justfred.ca/contests.ph">here.

Galleries

In the galleries today, the beginning of a feature interview with

social media expert Jason Falls (he was in town to visit Radian6, a

New Brunswick company that has built a suite of tools being used by

major corporations to track what people are saying about them on

blogs, facebook pages and the like). We'll bring you a 2-3 minute

exerpt from the interview each day.

http://justFRED.ca/cmine/

http://www.justfred.ca/justfred.forums/calendar.php">The Calendar

You know about 2nd Chance New Year - plus there is an experimental

film and video expo at the NB Film Coop tonight, Christmas tree

recylcing continues for a couple more days, and the cooler weather

and expected snow mean more activities for skiers.

And don't forget: the auditions for the Big Hearts for the Homeless

Valentine's Day show - Who does LOVE better? - are on Sunday.

The registration form for auditions is http://justfred.ca/bighearts_08.php">here.

All in all, an exciting back-to-work week for us...with much more to

come for 2008.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

Thanks for playing. Our winner is: Wisecaroline

Enjoy!

-----------------

Log into the http://justfred.ca/contests.php">Contest Entry Form and tell us why you should win the pair of tickets to http://justfred.ca/justfred.forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=2199&day=2008-1-12&c=1">b the 2nd Chance New Year Dance

We'll draw the winner entry from our electric hat and make the announcement on Saturday morning.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

PS - Please don't enter the contest unless you really do intend to use the tickets. This event ALWAYS sells out.

The piles of snow are melting - even the river is opening up again.
While we feel for the skiers, for most of us, this spring-like
weather is most welcome, although it does present some problems for
picture taking: it's tough on gear and nobody wants to stop and Say
Cheese! in the pouring rain. But get ready to zip up again...colder
weather's a-coming.

Albums

We took in the first ever NB Social Media meetup last night...and may
have a bit more about that trend in the next day or two. We finished
up the Canada Day retrospective and revived our Fredericton
Architecture album.

http://justFRED.ca/cmine/

Calendar

Skating on Officer's Square is obviously postponed while the
weather's so warm - but there is indoor skating at several local
rinks, Bingo this evening, and more.

Ex Libris: The Gallery Reading Group

And the clock's ticking on the Big Hearts for the Homeless
Valentine's Day Show Auditions. The auditions are Sunday. If you're a
member of a band, or a solo performer, and you're interested in
helping us find out Who does LOVE better? Country or Rock n Roll? We
want to hear from you.

The audition registration form is here.

justFRED Stuff

During the holidays, we've been busy working on developments that we
think will make the site easier to manage, easier to navigate and
more user friendly. This week, some major breakthroughs that you'll
see in action soon. Wish us luck.

Cheers,
George
justFRED.ca

I know what you're thinking: three days already and no end in sight.

It's so easy to get spoiled with two- and three-day weeks, isn't it?

The folks who perhaps most appreciate the mild weather: the

picketters outside St. Thomas University. We paid them a visit

http://www.justfred.ca/cmine/thumbnails.php?album=646">yesterday.

And we continued our 2007 review with more http://www.justfred.ca/cmine/displayimage.php?album=633&pos=0">Canada
Day photos.

In the calendar today, a LEAP! info session for parents of overweight

children, the search is on for volunteers for the East Coast Music

Awards, Lions Club Radio Bingo and more...

http://justfred.ca/justfred.forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2008-1-9&c=1">Calendar
Events

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

All that fog in the air? Melting snow, of course. Enjoy the thaw while

it lasts.

Last night's http://www.justfred.ca/cmine/thumbnails.php?album=645">Seasons
Baroque Concert at Christ Church Cathedral

featured Seasons Baroque Ensemble performing music for the English

theatre.

And some signs of winter, some friendly Freddy faces, and more.

http://justFRED.ca/cmine/

The Calendar

'Alvin & the Chipmunks' is today's feature at REEL Babies,

Fredericton area moms of multiples meet tonight, Christmas Tree

recycling continues, and more.

http://justfred.ca/justfred.forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2008-1-8&c=1">Calendar
Events

Speaking of Calendars

We're in the process of replacing our current calendar software - for

a whole bunch of reasons. So watch for the transition.

And we've cleaned out the Christmas music from justFRED's Radio

playlist - http://radio.justFRED.ca/

- as we prepare some new entries for the online station of local

music.

Big Hearts

The auditions are Sunday. The audition form is here:

http://justfred.ca/bighearts_08.php

And if my eyes aren't deceiving me...that appears to be the sun

trying to poke through the cloud and fog.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

Why would anybody choose to start a new year in the dead of winter?

The Australians have it right - start the new year in the middle of

summer, when you can lounge outside or go for a walk without spending

15 minutes getting dressed.

We're working our way through the 2007 photo galleries as we continue

the 2007 Year in Review. So far, we're up to Canada Day (first 2 of 4

parts).

http://www.justfred.ca/cmine/displayimage.php?album=633&pos=1">Canada
Day - Part 1

http://www.justfred.ca/cmine/displayimage.php?album=633&pos=1">Canada
Day - Part 2

Calendar

The big event, of course, is back to school and back to work for most

of us. The Fredericton Family Resource Centre's 'Ready for School'

program begins for pre-schoolers, there's a baroque concert this

evening at Christ Church Cathedral, and there's lots of free skating

during the day.

http://www.justfred.ca/justfred.forums/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2008-1-7&c=1">Today's
Events

Big Hearts

Auditions for the 2008 Big Hearts for the Homeless Valentine's show

are this Sunday (Jan 13) at Musiplex. The theme this year: Who does

LOVE better? Country or Rock N Roll.

Sign up here:

http://justfred.ca/bighearts_08.php

So welcome back. Time to clean off your desk and get back to work.

The good news: only 75 days left 'till spring.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca