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.
THE 10 Things you can do!
-
Think Local
If you can do it, buy it or support it locally do! -
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Speaks for itself. -
Share information knowledge and skills.
Don't let knowledge go to waste - share with everyone that wants to learn. -
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. -
Volunteer
Be it your time, energy, products or money. Whatever you can do to help others in the community - do it! -
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. -
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. -
Keep it Clean
Don't litter and if you see litter pick it up. -
Smile, Dance and Sing
Spread warmth and cheer. -
Be Grateful
Show your appreciate for all the good you have in your life!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
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!
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!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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?
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?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
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.
Friday, April 8, 2011
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.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
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 -
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 -
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Clean Up 1st Ave East on Earth Day April 22
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
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!
Monday, April 4, 2011
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!
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 have to believe that if all of us try together we can make positive changes in our community!
Thanks for listening!
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!
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