Kool Stuff Toys

03/15/2026

Back when Jason Farr was the Ward 2 Councillor,he was a great advocate for the use of Eastwood Arena,as a home for Hamilton Ball Hockey,in which I was a Coach for 9 years,on my son Logan's teams & also as a convenor.At the time,in 2022,as freon was no longer allowed to freeze the arena floor,Eastwood would have continued to sit vacant,with the exception of it being used as a place to repair broken down zambonis,from different arenas.It was also used as a holding area for food,clothing & supplies,being sent over to Ukraine,following Covid.As anyone involved with hockey (ice or ball hockey) knows,it's difficult & expensive to book ice/floor time & most arenas cater to ice hockey first,(at least until the season closes),then things open up a bit.for ball hockey.Back then,the City did not want to spend any money on repairs & although,the President of HMBHL Richard Rocha,had offered to pay for patching up holes in the walls,ceiling/roof & heating,he was told that no repairs were to be done.The City had planned on turning Eastwood into a place for 3 on 3 basketball.I get that recently,there is increased interest in basketball,especially when Hamilton's own,Shai Gilgeous Alexander is winning championships & breaking records.The reality is that you can find very limited places to play ball hockey,while the availability of places to play baskeball,both inside schools/rec centres or outdoors,are numerous.Stoney Creek Arena was built in 1960 & Mayor Howarth,found money to help out with that.Eastwood was built in 1959 & deserves the same attention,I've seen the difference,that being involved with Hamilton Minor Ball Hockey League,brings to Our City,with my own eyes & what that experience brings.I hope that young girls & boys can continue to learn or hone their skills,while learning sportsmanship & becoming a valued teammate.thru HMBHL & at Eastwood Arena.I sincerly hope that the City doesn't let them down. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1510636571066967&set=a.458549192942382&__cft__[0]=AZazQkow2fvBs_vr99uVLIlvXCIauAVLMU7SOkFetWA_f2HaWR04ExkGDVURf3ZkZK6V6PJLEBHhHxQeYMYgHxY3SeKS_nv8DT-SKb-IwjXXRdMWgEstwPp1aM5dwHOTUtknMY30zKEtB-6cKaS7KmywCKIMfntlFx-DDfh4zbxTsNgGDRV5sWEr5HwT4lWmQgQ&__tn__=EH-R

Eastwood Arena is on the verge of permanent closure, and our community deserves answers.

This isn't just a building, it’s home for 1,000 youth and 2,000 adult ball hockey players. The Hamilton Ball Hockey League relies on this space for nearly 30 hours of programming every single week.

But it’s not just hockey. The closure would shutter programs for lacrosse, roller derby, and hundreds of other local athletes who call this rink home.

We are demanding transparency from the City: a clear plan to save this facility.

Recreation spaces keep our community healthy. Community sports keep us connected.
Sign the petition in our bio to help us fight for Eastwood.

11/09/2025

Hello Everyone !.We hope that you are all keeping well.My wife Betty has been looking after children for the majority of her life.She says in the past 4 decades,she has been trying to come up with a song to commemorate Remembrance Day & the sacrifices of so many,but couldn't find the right words & suitable for young children.This year however,she came up with this,entitled Here's A Little Poppy,which goes to the tune of I'm A Little Teapot.She was able to get a few of the parent's permission,to video their children,singing along with her.Enjoy & please remember those who sacrificed their lives,so we can enjoy ours.Thank you.Take care & stay well,Jeff & The Kool Stuff Toys Family.

11/01/2025

Happy Halloween Everyone !.We hope that you all had a fun,safe & spooktacular night !.

10/13/2025

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our family & friends !.Hope you all have yourselves a wonderful day !.

06/16/2025

Hi Everyone !.We hope that you are all keeping well & enjoyed some of this beautiful weekend weather.On behalf of Kool Stuff Toys,I wanted to wish a Happy Father's Day to all of the Dad's,Brothers,Uncles,Grandpa's,Cousins,Guardian's,Step Dad's,Foster Dad's,Special Caregivers & anyone else who does or has fulfilled the role of Dad in your life/in our world !.If you are still fortunate to have them in your life,I hope that you appreciate them each & every day,not just on Father's Day.I feel that EVERY day should be Dad appreciation day,for all of their hard work,dedication & sacrifices,we hope that you all,received the recognition,that you deserve !.For those Fathers,that are no longer with us,we thank them,for all that they did,while they were here on the Earth with us & remind them,that they are sadly missed.If they have gone,hopefully they left you with positive memories.Hope you all had a safe,healthy & wonderful day & weekend !.Take care & stay well,Jeff & The Kool Stuff Toys Family.

05/11/2025

Hi Everyone !.We hope that you are all keeping well & enjoying some of this beautiful weather.On behalf of Kool Stuff Toys,I wanted to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mom's,Sisters,Aunt's,Grandma's,Cousins,Guardian's,Step Mom's,Foster Mom's,Special Caregivers & anyone else who does or has fulfilled the role of Mom in your life/in our world !.If you are still fortunate to have them in your life,I hope that you appreciate them each & every day,not just Mother's Day.I feel that EVERY day should be Mom appreciation day,for all of their hard work,dedication & sacrifices,we hope that you all,receive the recognition,that you deserve !.For those Mothers,that are no longer with us,we thank them,for all that they did,while they were here on the Earth with us & remind them,that they are sadly missed.If they have gone,hopefully they left you with positive memories.Hope you all have a safe,healthy & wonderful day !.Take care & stay well,Jeff & The Kool Stuff Toys Family.

05/08/2025

Hi Everyone.We hope that you are all keeping well.I wanted to share a little bit of a story with you all.Back in 2018,I was travelling on my way to my friend Kevin's house,who lived out near Pearson Airport.I was on Hwy #403 near Dundas Street/Hwy #5,when I saw a large white object off to the side of the highway.As it looked to be about 2' long,at first,I had thought perhaps it was a white plastic trash bag someone threw out.After seeing ruffling the way the wind was blowing past it,I then thought maybe it was a seagull or another feathered object.Something told me to go back & after I went around for the 2nd time,I stopped,only to find it was a beautiful snowy owl,that had been struck & killed by an automobile.It had most likely swooped down after something on the highway & had rolled off whatever hit it & had died at the side of the road.It had a broken wing & leg,but otherwise he looked like it was dozing with his eyes half opened.Upon seeing him,with his beautiful white & black feather pattern with yellow eyes,I knew I couldn't just leave him there.He would have gotten eaten,rotted or crushed.Our daughter Chelsey,used to work at H & M and we had one of their large plastic shopping bag in the van,which the owl fit into with room to spare.I took him home & placed him in our freezer.As it is a bird of prey & considered an endangered species,I immediately contacted the Ministry of Conservation & Forestry,to have it registered,in hopes of getting it taxidermied,so as to give him "new life".I then contacted Mountsberg Conservation Area where they have a number of injured raptors (hawks,owls & eagles) that due to their injuries,will not be able to return to the wild.They also have numerous taxidermied birds of prey on display,so I inquired if they could please refer me to whomever did their birds.I spoke with Lara Butt,who is their Senior Department Supervisor for Raptor Care & Programs.She was kind enough to give me a few names of taxidermists,but when I contacted them,due to these being Federally protected,those people had said no,despite my having the necessary paperwork.After this setback,I figured I would just keep him in the freezer,until I could locate someone to do the work in preserving him.Years go by & my wife Betty goes to look for something in our freezer,opens up the bag containing "Snowy" & instead of looking inside,figured she would just put her hand in the bag & feel what was inside.Feeling feathers was not at all what she expected to find in the bag.Needless to say,it was time to start looking again at getting "Snowy" a new life & OUT OF OUR FREEZER.I then contacted Jim Jackson,on Thursday,January 9,2025,who lives in Hamilton & whom has a long history of not only doing beautiful taxidermy work since the 1970's,but also along with wood carving,Jim has won numerous awards for his amazing work in both fields.I met with Jim & the first thing he asked for was the necessary paperwork from the Ministry of Conservation & Forestry,which I had brought with me.This is the Confirmation of Registration/Notice of Possession form,showing that "Snowy" was registered & the Notice of Possession was in my name.Even dead,it is illegal to possess a bird of prey without this necessary proof of possession,which is very important to know & follow.When I brought him to Jim,Jim immediately fell in love with the appearance & condition of "Snowy".Despite having at least 20 other projects to do before me,as these aren't birds that are seen often here in Ontario,I think as soon as I had dropped him off,Jim,set about working on him,building the foam insert.I had the idea of having him mount Snowy on birch wood,to match his coloring.I was able to go out & locate some downed Birch trees to get for this & Jim worked his magic.Jim had him finished for me on Friday,January 17,2025,a mere 8 days after dropping him off.As Jim was facing & has now had successful heart surgery,I held off posting this,as I didn't want to have him overwhelmed with phone calls or inquiries,until he was healthy again.I heard back from him today & he says he is doing great.I now present to you all,the completed & stunning "Snowy",looking like he is waiting to take flight once again.Thank you all.Take care & stay well,Jeff.

12/19/2024

Thank you to EVERYONE who took the time to call,sing,text or message me on becoming 60 yesterday (which feels like the new 50).Having 3 kids & 3 Grandsons helps in keeping me young(er).I really don't mind birthdays,I just don't like anyone to make a big fuss about something I had minimal involvement in.Thank you ALL again.Take care & stay well,Jeff.

10/14/2024

Happy Thanksgiving everyone !.We hope that you are all keeping well.We also hope that you all have a safe,healthy & Happy Thanksgiving !.Take care & stay well,Jeff & The Kool Stuff Family.

07/30/2024

The Devil was recently interviewed,asking why at the last moment,he turned Trump's head ?.He replied," If he lives & wins,you only have to put up with him for 4 years "." If he died,I would have had to put up with him for an eternity & he'd probably try taking over ".

06/16/2024

Hi Everyone !.We hope that you are all keeping well & enjoying this beautiful weather.I would like to wish all of the Dads out there a Happy Father's Day !.While I feel that EVERY day should be Dad (& Mom) appreciation day,for all of their hard work,dedication & sacrifices,we hope that you all,receive the recognition,that you deserve !.For those Fathers,that are no longer with us,we thank them,for all that they did,while they were here on the Earth with us & remind them,that they are sadly missed.Take care & stay well !.Jeff & The Kool Stuff Toys Family.

05/12/2024

Hi Everyone !.I hope that you are all keeping well and enjoying this beautiful weather.I would like to wish all of the Moms out there a Happy Mother's Day !.While I feel that EVERY day should be Mom appreciation day,for all of their hard work,dedication and sacrifices,we hope that you all,receive the recognition,that you deserve !.For those Mothers,that are no longer with us,we thank them,for all that they did,while they were here on the Earth with us and remind them,that they are sadly missed.Take care & stay well !.Jeff and The Kool Stuff Toys Family.