Just a few Reasons to Love the Owen Sound & North Grey Union Public Library

There is no better place to recharge your intellectual – and, sometimes, emotional –batteries than the library. If you haven't been in awhile head on over for an afternoon. You don’t know what they’re missing.

There are many reasons why I love the library and here are a few of my favourites!

You’re surrounded by some of the greatest minds in history – at your fingertips. Walk in. The sheer amount of material is enough to inspire. Any subject, any question, and idea you may want to explore – it’s all right there. And not just the latest bestsellers; you’ll find volumes there that a bookseller could never carry. Ages of wisdom! For instance, on the self-help shelves, you’ll find advice from great minds from years, decades, even centuries ago.

Silence. Serenity. It’s about respect, and nice manners. No cell phones ringing, either. Peace and quiet: Priceless. It's an Oasis. A mini-vacation. It's so much easier to read People in a comfy chair than in line at the supermarket.

Being able to focus! Sample your day. How often in a room is the TV on, with a constant stream of chatter from one of the 24-hour news channels? Sometimes the radio is on as well. Next add cell phones, ipads, laptops, other peoples chatter and barking dogs. Can you say “overload”? The library may be the only place left in the world where there is no soundtrack, no ticker tape news in the background. You can hear yourself think.

You can take books home. For FREE. And not only books – CDs, back issues of magazines, and DVDs.

Deadlines. Okay, admit it. How many books are on your shelf, stacked by your bed, even still in the bag with the receipt? You’ll get around to reading them “someday.” But – if the book has a due date, you’ll usually read it – or at least make a decision about whether you really want to read it or not. There are only three reasons I usually finish a book – especially nonfiction. One, it’s too compelling to put down; two, my book club meets in two days; three, it’s due at the library tomorrow. Deadlines can be inspiring.

It’s a community centre, too. Check it out! Movie nights, classes on writing, book clubs, lectures, play readings, and more. There was even an all-candidates debate during the recent election. Check the library's website or add them on facebook. Keep up-to-date about what's going on there. They also have a posting board in the library stairwell, so if you are looking for guitar lessons, a play that is in town, or a baby-sitter for the night chances are you will find a flier posted.

Used book sales! Oh, yes these are BIG trouble for me. Last time there was a book sale I came home with three BOXES of books. So much fun. And, at the prices they sell them at, you can buy them, read them - and donate them back when you're done.

At the library, you are surrounded by fellow seekers: people who read, who look for answers, and enjoy the presence of other humans. And – just for the joy of it – you can also visit the children’s section and watch the kids play.

The expertise of the staff. Librarians know a lot. Try them. Research librarians are amazing resources. Ask them questions; it’ll save time and frustration, and the answers come with a smile too.

Oh, and (have I already said this?) it’s all free. The peace, the knowledge, the solitude, the company; the books and all the rest. Try it – even one hour a week. You’ll be hooked – or at least I hope you will. The world waits for you at the library. Use it, support it, teach your children and friends about its pleasures. It’s your tax dollars at work, in the best possible way.

Another Great TED Video - Dave Meslin: The antidote to apathy

Local politics -- schools, zoning, council elections -- hit us where we live. So why don't more of us actually get involved? Is it apathy? Dave Meslin says no. He identifies 7 barriers that keep us from taking part in our communities, even when we truly care.

Get Out and Vote!

It sometimes can be tough to make up your mind about who to vote for and to decide who will be the best person to represent and GET THINGS DONE for your community!

No one wants to enter the voting booth and make a snap decision when so much is at stake. Voting is an important part of becoming part of the growth and change you want to see in your local community, so it is best to make an informed decision and get out and vote for the person/party that best matches what you feel is best for your community.

I have found a few things that I like to go through in order to make the best choice to represent me.

Do an Internet search of each candidate and look at how they feel about the issues that matter to you. How do they stand on Health, Job Creation, Supporting local economies, or what are they going to do in terms of supporting initiatives for a healthy eco-system. Who is going to challenge Bruce Power and the storage and movement of nuclear waste? These are a few of the issues that I looked at, so you would adjust your search to look at the issues that matter to you.

Talk to the people in your life on what needs to be done to make Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound a better place to live. Talk about the debates, both of the local candidates and of the national leaders. Talk to people you disagree with as well , expand and challenge the way you think on things, and get the answers you need to fill out where your knowledge of where the candidates stand on the issues.

Use a ranking system of pluses and minuses - how does each candidate make you feel in your gut?

The biggest thing though is to make sure you have a say in who is representing YOU in our federal government. Who matches what you want?

Decide that and then go out and Vote!

Another Great Local Blog!

Ran across the blog Sharin' with Sharen and am completely in awe of this woman and inspired by her commitment to fighting for what's best for our community.

I have a cold or something today so am very low energy so I will not even attempt to summarize the goodness of this blog, but will just say go over and show her some love.

Inspiration from younger people!

I've been a busy bee these past few days which sadly means less time for me to post about incredible stories of goodness in the area.

And the worst thing is I missed the Earth Day celebrations at the Legion because I was working.

Before I had to head to work though I did manage to pop down to the 1st Avenue Clean Up! What an amazing group of people who did a wonderful job of cleaning up that stinky mess and another shout out to the amazing Tracy who organized and instigated the whole thing! I have footage I am hoping to put up tomorrow but first a teaser form one of the young participants:



Young people these days! Made me smile for practically the whole day!

Another wow young people are great moment when I finally got home after work and my partner gave me the run-down on what I missed at the Earth Day ceremony. It basically came down to three points that really stick in my head:

1. Richard's poetry was AMAZING!
2. She gave me all the details and contact info on the women that did the water blessing, including a nifty bracelet that I haven't taken off, some lovely tea, and a unity button.

3. A pamphlet called "How does Your Garden Grow"? a most wonderful thing put together by Julia Grein. A summary of her project can be found here.

Check it out! Especially if you garden but really the conclusions she draws from her research should be published and talked about in local newspapers because they are that important!

Earth Day is Tommorrow - Let's Help clean up the City

Tomorrow morning is Earth day and earth needs all the help me can give 'her'.

I know there are several events out there celebrating, and because I am working in the afternoon I am missing the big one I'd like to attend so anyone one that wants to go in spirit for me I thank greatly. Mostly go for the earth who gives us all life despite how me mistreat her.

Richard's blog Wundernutblog (LOVE the name) has a great list of the events so please head over there and give him a shout for the great work he's doing.

I will be heading over at 9am to the clean up 1st avenue event!

Here's a video of Tracy talking about the event and the challenges she has faced in the simple desire to clean up the litter in her community.

All Candidate's Meeting

Last night at the Owen Sound Public Library an All-Candidates meeting was held- except one candidate did NOT show up even though multiple dates were given just after the election was called.

It seems Larry Miller was busy with other things and could not make the time to talk about the issues important to a wide range of social organizations who organized the event.

Entirely disappointing and a true look at how unimportant these issues are to the 'Harper Government'. I personally want a Member of Parliament who is working for the people who live in Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound and not for the corporations who despite ridiculously low tax rates keep pulling jobs from the area.

SO the meeting last night really highlighted something for me. I think it was Emma who said it but it could have come from Kimberly or Karen as well because they all demonstrated it. The thought is why can we not cooperate to make the changes that will make our community better? The candidates differed on some issues but often you would hear, ditto, as an answer. It seems that 3/4 of the people running for MP agree on a good 75% of how to get it done.

Why then do polls say that the one person who did not show up has 51% of the vote according to a recent poll?

What do we do?

As one candidate advised - go out and talk to your neighbors, your friends, your co-workers - hell even strangers. Talk about the issues, and get the spin and rhetoric out of the way. How can we make Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound better for all of us. How do we revitalize and clean up? How do  we cooperate and work together so me make sure that ALL of us have the essentials of life and are safe and happy? 

This is a fabulous community and I have been blessed in the two years since I moved here. How can I make it better? I try to incorporate my suggested 10 things into my life and do what I can. I listened to the candidates last night and wondered who would work for this community. Not for their party, not as a politico, but as a person who wants to make our home a better place. I am still distilling last nights meeting, but by his absence I am left to wonder what our incumbents stand on these issues are.

Did you go to last night? What are your impressions? If not, why?

Be an Informed Voter

I was forwarded and email by a friend from the Grey Bruce Coalition for Peace and Justice that listed all candidates meetings and debates. Here is the list:

Monday April 18th, 6:30pm - Owen Sound Public Library, 824 1st Ave W, Owen Sound. Owen Sound Women's Center presents - All-Candidate Debate, exercise your right to know.

Wednesday April 20th 7-9pm, Keady. Ontario Federation of Agriculture presents - All-Candidates Meeting, exercise your right to know.

Friday, April 22nd, Owen Sound. Earth Day - Let's Clean Up 1st Ave East on Earth Day, Check out the Facebook page or start your own group in Grey/Bruce.

Wednesday, April 26th 7-9pm - Meaford Community Center, 151 Collingwood St West. Meaford All-Candidates Meeting, exercise your right to know. (to be confirmed)

Wednesday, April 27th 6pm doors open - Bay Rm, Bayshore Community Centre, 1900 3rd Ave E, Owen Sound. OS Chamber of Commerce presents All-Candidates Meeting, exercise your right to know.

Thursday, April 28th 8-11pm, Woodford Hall, Woodford Crescent

All-Candidates Meeting, exercise your right to know.

Monday, May 2 - Election Day in Canada

If you haven't voted already, check here for your location to vote.

So go out and find out which of the candidates will work for YOU and OUR community. Find out the details and don't just listen to the sound bytes or the pundits!

The Rodents Have Eaten My Perennials

I've been speaking to many of my neighbors who I know garden and we are all facing the same heart breaking fact. The mice, voles, moles and other rodents have had a field day this winter with our plants, shrubs and trees.

My decimated front garden

My whole front garden is gone: black-eyed susans, hostas, echinaceas the list goes on.The only thing that survived are the Shasta Daisies.

Many people have suggested that I should use poisons, but for me that is not an option.

I did a little research and instead I will be planting plants that others have found rodents don't like.

If you are interested some of these plants include: mint, holly, garlic, castor beans, daffodils, camphor, alliums, and lavender.

If you can try to use less harmful to the environment ways to accomplish things around your yard.

Local Goodness

Disclaimer: It's been a really busy day today, so I am not spending  the time on this post I should.

I went to my local butcher today as I am making food for my dog and needed to get dog bones and stuff and was sad to hear that even they have noticed a drop in customers. It's a great local business - Taylor’s Country Meadow Meats - and they have local grain raised beef and carry Grassroots products and Meridith's Elixers and all kinds of great stuff for reasonable prices, so here's my plug if you are a carnivore and eat meat please consider buying form one of the butchers that raise and get their product locally. It will be better tasting and surprisingly I often pay LESS (yes I said less) than at the no frills.

The other shout out I want to give is to a fellow blogger - Richard (check out his blog here) who since my start in the world of blogging this week has been wonderfully supportive and has put me onto the wonderful work of Tracy at Mr. Inkbee in trying to clean up 1st Ave. East - like and come down to help on the 22nd!


I wasn't going to post today due to lack of time, but I have talked to so many wonderful people today who are really trying to make a difference that I had to say something. This lovely area is physically beautiful and filled with so many wonderful and talented people that even though I see issues and problems all around - I also can envision all of us banding together and truly making this community of ours an even more wonderful place.


So thanks to all of you out there who have made me smile in the past few days and shown so much support and shared so much wisdom.

Give the Gift of Life

Just came back from the Legion (1450 2nd Avenue) where they are holding a blood donation clinic until 7p.m. tonight. If you are able, and want to stop on by - you could save someone's life.

Clean Up 1st Ave East on Earth Day April 22

Wonderful Event that hopefully will have a large turn-out!

I will be there - like them on facebook but better yet show up and help get Owen Sound cleaner for a most beautiful spring!

Yeah to Tracy from Inkbee!!!!! Another fabulous local business in Owen Sound

How do I leave comments on a blog?

How do I leave comments on a blog?

New Action of the Day - Keep it Clean

My dog Kahlo and I are about to go for a walk at the most beautiful Inglis Falls

Unfortunately, as the snow melts the impact of littering is seen very abundantly.

Today's action is Kahlo and I are going to pick up all the garbage we see and clean up one of our favorite places.

We won't stop there - whenever - we see littler we will pick it up and put it in it's place.

Will you join us?

Action of the Day - Think Local

Today to help my community I am going to purchase food from my local grocer who is locally supplied. I will pay more for these groceries but I will be thinking locally and supporting local business. What will you do?

Around the Sound 685 6th Street East in Owen Sound. GO check them out and try to buy any groceries you can from them. AROUND THE SOUND is a LOCAL FOOD MARKET that sells products grown, raised, caught, processed and created as close to Owen Sound as we can find them.

Go shop there when ever you can instead of at the big grocers. There hours are: 
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 to 7
Saturday 9 to 5

Glee gets it's Green on

They sing and dance and now they give green tips to make your community better!

THE 10 Things you can do!

The heart of this blog.

I'll be exploring each of the more in the future but for now here are the 10 things you AND I can do to make Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound (or your community) a better place for all of us.

1. Think Local
If you can do it, buy it or support it locally do!

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Speaks for itself.

3. Share information knowledge and skills.
Don't let knowledge go to waste - share with everyone that wants to learn.

 4. Get Involved.
 At minimum vote for a candidate (federally, provincially or locally) that looks out for our community's interests. If possible don't stop there - get involved and take action on the issues that matter to you.

5. Volunteer
Be it your time, energy, products or money. Whatever you can do to help others in the community - do it!

6. Socialize!
Get to know your neighbors and the people who live around you. Build a strong community of people that know each other and that look out for each other.

7. Ween off the Finite and invest in Renewables
Do what you can do lower your use of Finite resources and instead see how you can changeover to using a more sustainable and renewable source.

8. Keep it Clean
Don't litter and if you see litter pick it up.

9. Smile, Dance and Sing
Spread warmth and cheer.

10. Be Grateful
Show your appreciate for all the good you have in your life!

Why am I writing this blog?

The simple answer is I felt a NEED to do SOMETHING.

Walking down 2nd Ave. East is more and more depressing as empty storefronts stare back at me. Meanwhile too many small business owners in the area that I have talked to talk about closing or reducing staff as they just can't make a go of it anymore.

I'm not any kind of expert in any kind of area. I've got some skills and I try to share them and make my way through the world, but I am very much NOT an expert in community development, business, politics or the grand social plan.

I am NOT an expert. These are just my opinions.

I am just a concerned citizen of our community and of the world. I see people suffering, businesses closing their doors, people barely scratching by and a downtown core that has been left to wither.

After much discussion and bitching about the state of things and everyone basically taking no ownership and no solution. I decided I needed to do something.

The only thing I could think of was to write this. Take what you can from it. I hope together we can make changes for the better.

I have to believe that if all of us try together we can make positive changes in our community!

Thanks for listening!