tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80835110842389561782024-03-13T04:45:17.625-07:00The Sustainability ProjectThis blog exists to inspire change--to become more in harmony with nature, to appreciate our beautiful planet, and to help preserve it for future generations.Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-90687101064425365782013-09-20T19:42:00.001-07:002013-09-20T19:42:25.999-07:00Burn Calories, Not KilowattsSeen in Boston...<br />
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<br />Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-55218570162419662882013-08-27T13:47:00.002-07:002013-08-27T13:54:28.684-07:00Climate Reality Leadership Training, part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From July 30</span><sup style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> to August 1</span><sup style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">st</sup><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, I was
one of 1500 people from 70 different countries in Chicago for </span><a href="http://www.climatereality.ca/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Climate Reality</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
Leadership training. I was there being
trained to raise awareness of climate change, its impacts, and what we can do
about it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmqSwA2YX6g/Uh0OfnEK1kI/AAAAAAAABmQ/qC7Sl5OWVH0/s1600/CO2Now+July+2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DmqSwA2YX6g/Uh0OfnEK1kI/AAAAAAAABmQ/qC7Sl5OWVH0/s320/CO2Now+July+2013.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><b></b></div>
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<b><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Climate change is
happening, it’s by us, it’s serious, but there are tons of solutions, and there
is enormous hope.</span></b></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Every major scientific society in the world in
the fields related to the study of global warming, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the National Academies,</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and 97% of climate
researchers endorse the scientific consensus: </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">the need for urgent action to address human-induced climate change is
now indisputable.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We have to adapt, but we also have to prevent changes that
are impossible to adapt to.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What compelled me to
go to put my job and family aside for three days to go to Chicago?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The climate crisis resonates with me. It is too important to ignore, and I think I
can use my skills and passion to help. I cannot imagine losing what is so precious about this earth. I want to protect the things I love, but we
are making the world more dangerous every day, and these things are at risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmo55T-Y6FM/Uh0OsvWBn6I/AAAAAAAABmY/KP0ZrzmmZic/s1600/what+I+love.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pmo55T-Y6FM/Uh0OsvWBn6I/AAAAAAAABmY/KP0ZrzmmZic/s640/what+I+love.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://climaterealityproject.org/whatilove/">http://climaterealityproject.org/whatilove/</a><br />
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At the training, when asked what inspires him, Al Gore said: “it
is a rare privilege to be alive when the future health of this beautiful planet
is in the balance.”</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">The
time will soon be here when my grandchild will long for the cry of a loon, the
flash of a salmon, the whisper of spruce needles, or the screech of an eagle.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">But he will not make friends with any of these creatures and when his
heart aches with longing, he will curse me.</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Have I done all to keep the air fresh?</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Have I cared enough about the water?</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Have I left the eagle to soar in freedom?</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">Have I done everything I could to earn my grandchild's fondness?</span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_Dan_George" target="_self" title="www.wikipedia.org">- Chief Dan George</a>,
Tsleil-Waututh (1899 - 1981)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been a while since I posted, but I plan to blog more regularly about my journey on my renewed purpose of the climate crisis. Stay tuned.</span></div>
Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-43535083825800461512011-09-22T07:44:00.001-07:002011-09-22T07:45:56.792-07:00If we are not careful...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UiPrCFKvQvc/TntKCE7-uSI/AAAAAAAABXg/C9CK5DUHaRk/s1600/if%2Bwe%2Bare%2Bnot%2Bcareful.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UiPrCFKvQvc/TntKCE7-uSI/AAAAAAAABXg/C9CK5DUHaRk/s400/if%2Bwe%2Bare%2Bnot%2Bcareful.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655195156639299874" /></a>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-45887253974251011642011-08-25T10:32:00.000-07:002011-08-25T10:34:10.309-07:00Eat Local<iframe width="420" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CRfjMOjrfnI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-68965571246392875612011-06-22T09:43:00.000-07:002011-06-22T09:57:04.191-07:00Cycling in Prince Edward County<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgxshoEH0Vg/TgIdrsA01tI/AAAAAAAABV0/ANeeO_sc5S8/s1600/DSC01378.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgxshoEH0Vg/TgIdrsA01tI/AAAAAAAABV0/ANeeO_sc5S8/s400/DSC01378.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087921298003666" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ozE5x0HQyA/TgIdrHvVKEI/AAAAAAAABVs/LqhaLbcvXlQ/s1600/DSC01377.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8ozE5x0HQyA/TgIdrHvVKEI/AAAAAAAABVs/LqhaLbcvXlQ/s400/DSC01377.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087911560947778" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hF3cUVwCib0/TgIdq-bRWEI/AAAAAAAABVk/TMROsC5gaaM/s1600/DSC01370.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hF3cUVwCib0/TgIdq-bRWEI/AAAAAAAABVk/TMROsC5gaaM/s400/DSC01370.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087909060892738" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2h3pc3LtGX4/TgIdqVwe8qI/AAAAAAAABVc/j2BM6sRS__k/s1600/DSC01364.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2h3pc3LtGX4/TgIdqVwe8qI/AAAAAAAABVc/j2BM6sRS__k/s400/DSC01364.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087898144010914" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_mcWZPTzM4k/TgIdqDAdtQI/AAAAAAAABVU/ipD3icdY7uM/s1600/DSC01358.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_mcWZPTzM4k/TgIdqDAdtQI/AAAAAAAABVU/ipD3icdY7uM/s400/DSC01358.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087893110764802" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VD1jOFXhreo/TgIdTri5AZI/AAAAAAAABVM/KK2KrRs7L3I/s1600/DSC01356.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VD1jOFXhreo/TgIdTri5AZI/AAAAAAAABVM/KK2KrRs7L3I/s400/DSC01356.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087508855587218" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2EMJgblZY0/TgIdTPNAB0I/AAAAAAAABVE/UM3vksNB_B4/s1600/DSC01352.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2EMJgblZY0/TgIdTPNAB0I/AAAAAAAABVE/UM3vksNB_B4/s400/DSC01352.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087501247579970" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PcbqdYrYUN0/TgIdSVdd3hI/AAAAAAAABU8/ZlP5HECRncU/s1600/DSC01350.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PcbqdYrYUN0/TgIdSVdd3hI/AAAAAAAABU8/ZlP5HECRncU/s400/DSC01350.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087485747387922" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SlVXxsdkmmY/TgIdSHJDSFI/AAAAAAAABU0/k8cb1YSxIQE/s1600/DSC01348.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SlVXxsdkmmY/TgIdSHJDSFI/AAAAAAAABU0/k8cb1YSxIQE/s400/DSC01348.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087481903663186" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYgfzG_11a0/TgIdRmCArlI/AAAAAAAABUs/tkjMt_99LqY/s1600/DSC01345.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TYgfzG_11a0/TgIdRmCArlI/AAAAAAAABUs/tkjMt_99LqY/s400/DSC01345.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087473015762514" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejKfnEZx6O4/TgIdByaFZWI/AAAAAAAABUk/_l_-SSJrDyc/s1600/DSC01344.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ejKfnEZx6O4/TgIdByaFZWI/AAAAAAAABUk/_l_-SSJrDyc/s400/DSC01344.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087201460053346" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ps6PCXyQjPk/TgIdBXF0FfI/AAAAAAAABUc/nmo4hynSADU/s1600/DSC01343.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ps6PCXyQjPk/TgIdBXF0FfI/AAAAAAAABUc/nmo4hynSADU/s400/DSC01343.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087194127275506" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKsBN17KDJo/TgIdBOIZKII/AAAAAAAABUU/FoiYVpWzcAI/s1600/DSC01337.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xKsBN17KDJo/TgIdBOIZKII/AAAAAAAABUU/FoiYVpWzcAI/s400/DSC01337.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087191722174594" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JI8HmvU9ytg/TgIdA4dp7tI/AAAAAAAABUM/0FEuivygF4I/s1600/DSC01335.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JI8HmvU9ytg/TgIdA4dp7tI/AAAAAAAABUM/0FEuivygF4I/s400/DSC01335.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087185905774290" /></a><br /><br />Last weekend I went for a joyride through one of Ontario's best cycling areas - Prince Edward County. I covered 86km starting from Prinyer's Cove in the northeast, passing through the towns of Waupoos, South Bay, Milford, and Picton. The roads were very quite--I encountered more cyclists than motorists--and there were many points of interest along what they call they Arts Trail and Taste Trail. Cycling is a great way to discover the lay of the land, and a peaceful and beautiful land it is!<div><br /></div><div>Some of the highlights for me was sampling cider at the County Cider House, wine at Del-Gado's winery, Mariner's museum, Lake on the Mountain conservation area, Black River cheese company, and fresh local strawberries. I hope to go back to discover more of the area!<br /><div><br /></div><div>An excellent <a href="http://www.torontocyclist.com/bbc/images/PECBikeMap.pdf">cycling map</a> is available from the Bloomfield Cycling Company.</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k-59dIa5nAU/TgIdAULpNRI/AAAAAAAABUE/RvSrY27-cUM/s400/Picture%2B9.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621087176166552850" /></div></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-58991466719068327772011-06-06T11:16:00.000-07:002011-06-06T11:42:43.185-07:00Thanks busy bees for a job well done!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-baUbCF2eXWc/Te0eKgrIdwI/AAAAAAAABT8/d_om0xbQh_U/s1600/Picture%2B4.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 353px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-baUbCF2eXWc/Te0eKgrIdwI/AAAAAAAABT8/d_om0xbQh_U/s400/Picture%2B4.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615177476319246082" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I recently re-discovered my new favourite food--<b>honey</b>! It started with a visit to </span><a href="http://www.pioneerbrand.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pioneer Brand</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> honey at the </span><a href="http://www.greenbeltfresh.ca/search-results-profile/548"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Hillcrest Mall Farmers Market</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">. There are so many varieties, from buckwheat honey to blueberry honey to creamed honey, and so many ways to use it. And it's a great sugar substitute in recipes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 14px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"But what really sweetens the pot is knowing the honey in my tea is at work even if I’m not. In this liquid gold, I find a cache of antioxidants, a digestive aid, a detoxifier and even a soothing balm for wounds, all rolled into one delightful concoction.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style=" line-height: 14px; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Honey is the ultimate in products derived from herbs. Fashioned through an ingenious alliance between animal and plant kingdoms, honey delivers a diverse array of phytochemicals in one package. This bounty arrives courtesy of the industrious honeybee, who visits some 2 million flowers to manufacture just one pound of honey." -</span></i><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gina Mohammed</span></strong></p><p face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style=" line-height: 14px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><strong></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I also take a teaspoon of <b>bee pollen</b> every day. It's a superfood! </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal; "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There are 22 basic elements in the human body. Enzymes, Hormones, Vitamins, Amino Acids, and others - Which must be renewed by nutrient intake, no one food contains them all, except Bee Pollen!</span></i></span></p></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I also learned about <b>beeswax candles</b>.</span></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Beeswax is very different: all natural, non-toxic, non-polluting, non-allergenic, and with a delicious honey-sweet aroma. It burns cleaner, brighter, hotter, and longer than candles made from other substances. A perfect, renewable resource, beeswax is made by the female worker bee for honeycomb, which safely contains their honey and the Queen's baby bees. To produce one pound of beeswax, the worker bees eat about ten pounds of honey, fly 150,000 miles, and visit 33 million flower blossom! Beeswax is precious stuff. It's also healthy. Beeswax produces negative ions that actually clean your air of odors, pollen, smoke, dust, dust mites, viruses, and other allergens and hazards - the only known fuel to do so. As does a rainstorm, beeswax candles leave your air fresher and cleaner - they are a true air purifier. They are the only candle for anyone with chemical sensitivities or allergies. </span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Paraffin, on the other hand, is petroleum industry waste that is bleached (adding dioxin and other poisonous chemicals) and texturized with acrolyn. Stearic acid, a by-product of the meat packing industry, is added as a hardener. Often, candles are highly scented with artificial, synthetic oils and marketed to "freshen" our air. They are known to release carcinogens like benzene and toluene.</span></i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: normal; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An excerpt from the children's book </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC6600;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><a href="http://www.scholastic.ca/titles/buzzbuzzbusybeesminibook/">Buzz, Buzz, Busy Bees</a></span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> by Dawn Bentley sums up my sentiments nicely:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i></i></span></span></span></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Mmmm, mmmm. Honey golden as the sun.</span></b></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Thanks busy bees, for a job well done!</span></b></i></span></span></div></blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:11px;"><i></i></span></span></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-70608299844735667122011-05-31T20:41:00.000-07:002011-05-31T21:12:55.879-07:00Greener Side Celebration and Mill Pond Splash<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPrjNyaa4kI/TeW7xw2ea6I/AAAAAAAABTw/jpfnc0g--k0/s1600/IMG_2664.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPrjNyaa4kI/TeW7xw2ea6I/AAAAAAAABTw/jpfnc0g--k0/s400/IMG_2664.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613098974188563362" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXwT3oZEvMk/TeW7xlrkgqI/AAAAAAAABTo/xv-X5_CjX18/s1600/IMG_2660.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXwT3oZEvMk/TeW7xlrkgqI/AAAAAAAABTo/xv-X5_CjX18/s400/IMG_2660.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613098971190035106" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wSCb57mBliY/TeW7xTE5ZiI/AAAAAAAABTg/nPo35xttVoE/s1600/IMG_2653.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wSCb57mBliY/TeW7xTE5ZiI/AAAAAAAABTg/nPo35xttVoE/s400/IMG_2653.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613098966195988002" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHpHu5YvakM/TeW7Xb5ij5I/AAAAAAAABTY/nulQweGlcVA/s1600/IMG_2648.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hHpHu5YvakM/TeW7Xb5ij5I/AAAAAAAABTY/nulQweGlcVA/s400/IMG_2648.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613098521887674258" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6EPrjnHopo/TeW4fKE8_GI/AAAAAAAABS4/rvR6BRQ8WPY/s1600/IMG_2668.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6EPrjnHopo/TeW4fKE8_GI/AAAAAAAABS4/rvR6BRQ8WPY/s400/IMG_2668.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613095356007775330" /></a>With May bringing spring bird migration, blooming flowers, and pleasant temperatures, it's no wonder that nature festivals abound. I took my kids to <a href="http://www.ourgreenerside.ca/">Our Greener Side Celebration</a> at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan on May 28th, and the <a href="http://www.trca.on.ca/MillPondSplash/">Mill Pond Splash</a> on May 29th in Richmond Hill.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Highlights from the Mill Pond Splash included seeing some animals up close (including red tailed hawk, kestrel, and great horned owl), mural painting, walking along the pond, and getting a "grow your own butterfly" kit.</div><div><br /></div><div>At Our Greener Side Celebration (the 3rd annual), my son discovered many creatures in the pond (the volunteers were fantastic!), we attended a Ontario wildlife show by Earth Rangers (see barn owl in photo), the pizza was incredible (local organic ingredients), sat in some electric vehicles, watched some entertaining musicians on stage. There was something for everyone, from crafts from reused materials to expert speakers to tours to a plethora of exhibitors. I hope even more people visit next year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Nature festivals are a great way to enjoy our natural wonders with family and friends, come together as a community, and learn a thing or two about going greener. Another event coming up is the <a href="http://www.cardenguide.com/carden-nature-festival.html">Carden Nature Festival</a> from June 3 - 5, 2011.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibszWF4lW-0/TeW2MonmkVI/AAAAAAAABR4/gccgjrQ90Rc/s1600/IMG_2634.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibszWF4lW-0/TeW2MonmkVI/AAAAAAAABR4/gccgjrQ90Rc/s400/IMG_2634.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613092838765400402" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vov2rz2uRY/TeW2MZ9guoI/AAAAAAAABRw/l873ncJ62qA/s1600/IMG_2631.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vov2rz2uRY/TeW2MZ9guoI/AAAAAAAABRw/l873ncJ62qA/s400/IMG_2631.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613092834830760578" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KI18TgyOaM/TeW2MaqvXmI/AAAAAAAABRo/U88HbyyMOPc/s1600/IMG_2628.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4KI18TgyOaM/TeW2MaqvXmI/AAAAAAAABRo/U88HbyyMOPc/s400/IMG_2628.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613092835020463714" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xPcaeUK4Oz0/TeW2M-TkCVI/AAAAAAAABSA/F6a8EoKbtPo/s400/IMG_2640.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613092844586928466" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px; " /><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yP-ay5V8Jgs/TeW2NG_MpNI/AAAAAAAABSI/BlOmvTpxA4s/s400/IMG_2644.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613092846917428434" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--5qHgaUyxmQ/TeW25qdxZJI/AAAAAAAABSQ/9QUzldOuKbA/s400/IMG_2645.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613093612355150994" /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibszWF4lW-0/TeW2MonmkVI/AAAAAAAABR4/gccgjrQ90Rc/s1600/IMG_2634.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div><br /></div></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-12101270241814494002011-05-30T20:09:00.000-07:002011-05-30T20:30:03.886-07:00A bike ride in picturesToday was Bike to Work Day in the Greater Toronto Area. Here are some highlights from my bike ride today.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gu84aRKLXxY/TeRddEafhDI/AAAAAAAABRg/MOWOKgfSJAo/s1600/DSC01254.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gu84aRKLXxY/TeRddEafhDI/AAAAAAAABRg/MOWOKgfSJAo/s400/DSC01254.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612713789592929330" /></a> <div><br /></div><div>1. New section of Bartley Smith Greenway (between Planchet and Jacob Keefer Pkwy)<div><br /></div><div>2. Bartley-Smith Greenway under Hwy 407</div><div><br /></div><div><div>3. Bartley-Smith Greenway, north of Steeles and Dufferin</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>4. New subway construction at York University</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Future multi-use trail in Finch Hydro Corridor (coming this summer).</div><div><br /></div><div>6. Bike to Work celebration by Smart Commute at York University.</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Collision at Keele/Steeles. Traffic was snarled up for quite a distance.</div><div><br /></div><div>8. Memorial near Rupert's Pond at Barrhill/Rutherford in Maple</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>9. New bike lane on Dufferin (though I think 6 lanes for cars is excessive suburban arterial)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmPwMg5pbLY/TeRdcujESpI/AAAAAAAABRY/y48tOAsTy5k/s1600/DSC01252.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gmPwMg5pbLY/TeRdcujESpI/AAAAAAAABRY/y48tOAsTy5k/s400/DSC01252.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612713783723313810" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_3L0wm8nSg/TeRdUiIuwiI/AAAAAAAABRQ/WG_-uJsSvNk/s1600/DSC01250.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_3L0wm8nSg/TeRdUiIuwiI/AAAAAAAABRQ/WG_-uJsSvNk/s400/DSC01250.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612713642952671778" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HV5106rExWw/TeRdUE6eXtI/AAAAAAAABRA/nIw9j_gsGu4/s1600/DSC01244.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HV5106rExWw/TeRdUE6eXtI/AAAAAAAABRA/nIw9j_gsGu4/s400/DSC01244.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612713635108249298" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PIBaM1jmw0U/TeRdTwxej5I/AAAAAAAABQ4/EB1GuuXECUk/s1600/DSC01243.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PIBaM1jmw0U/TeRdTwxej5I/AAAAAAAABQ4/EB1GuuXECUk/s400/DSC01243.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612713629701803922" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HoPT0hHIrlA/TeRdTpnjAGI/AAAAAAAABQw/bHiAguxa50E/s1600/DSC01241.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HoPT0hHIrlA/TeRdTpnjAGI/AAAAAAAABQw/bHiAguxa50E/s400/DSC01241.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612713627781103714" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9a1FS4Bhmcg/TeRdAAi_yII/AAAAAAAABQo/uhVDTTKo2c8/s1600/DSC01240.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9a1FS4Bhmcg/TeRdAAi_yII/AAAAAAAABQo/uhVDTTKo2c8/s400/DSC01240.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612713290338650242" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_CZ2M4u2UA/TeRcXwEnF0I/AAAAAAAABQg/xwzU7o2e9Ac/s1600/DSC01239.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_CZ2M4u2UA/TeRcXwEnF0I/AAAAAAAABQg/xwzU7o2e9Ac/s400/DSC01239.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612712598721468226" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH4kdrVuyaY/TeRdUaQqCqI/AAAAAAAABRI/_fRrXJhue9U/s400/DSC01246.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612713640838433442" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px; " /></div></div></div></div></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-9446635976737351482011-04-05T05:07:00.001-07:002011-04-05T05:08:44.142-07:00Artificial Leaf turns Water into Energy for Cheap<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; ">A <em>Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)</em> research team, lead by Dr. Daniel Nocera, have created a functioning artificial leaf which in reality is an advanced playing-card sized silicon+catalyst solar cell that can power a house in a developing country for a day using a gallon (3.79 liters) of water and sunlight....<br /><br />The oxygen and hydrogen can either be passed through a fuel cell to generate electricity, or burned to generate heat. All the leaf needs is water and sunlight, and it will work for at least 45 hours without degrading in performance according to testing done in the lab.<br /><br /><span><a href="http://www.reviewsofelectronics.com/scientists-create-artificial-leaf/228189/" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 125, 186); ">http://www.<wbr>reviewsofelectronics.com/<wbr>scientists-create-artificial-<wbr>leaf/228189/</a></span></span></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ilp2DF0ZC0/TZsGEssI7cI/AAAAAAAABPw/3hwm6lg-IhU/s1600/Picture%2B1.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Ilp2DF0ZC0/TZsGEssI7cI/AAAAAAAABPw/3hwm6lg-IhU/s400/Picture%2B1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592070040096140738" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-77203234092044008852011-03-17T13:18:00.001-07:002011-03-17T13:29:56.575-07:00Life, Money, and Illusion: Lesson from the East Coast Fishery<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><div>The City of Hamilton’s planning committee recently heard from Mike Nickerson, the author of <i><span style="color:#0068cf;"><a href="http://www.sustainwellbeing.net/lmi.html">Life, Money and Illusion: Living on Earth As If We Want to Stay</a></span></i>. Excerpts from his presentation are reproduced below. The <span style="color:#0068cf;"><a href="http://hamiltoncatch.org/view_article.php?id=908">full transcription</a></span> is on the CATCH website.</div><div><br /></div><div>“…The really fundamental change between human beings and the earth has been well illustrated by the <b>east coast fishery</b>, because when Europeans came to North America you could drop a bucket into the ocean and pull up codfish. They were so dense in the water they couldn’t escape from a basket. And for 400 years, they were the foundation of the maritime economy. Anybody could go fishing and make a living.</div><div><br /></div><div>“If somebody was ambitious, they fished a little more than they needed to for their immediate needs, they make some extra money and they could invest that in their boat or their net and catch more fish, and make more money. And that more money – more fish – more money – more fish process went on for 4 centuries. It just got better, and better and better and better and then it collapsed. And there’s something about better and better and better that doesn’t naturally need to collapse.</div><div><br /></div><div>“There is something important going on that wasn’t being paid attention to. And that was the fish stock. And the reason it wasn’t being paid attention to is that for four centuries there was nobody that could even imagine that we would dent this incredible volume of fish let alone bring them to the status of endangered species. But because of the expansion of the number of fish and people fishing and particularly because of the power of the equipment we were using for fishing, you could no longer support yourself fishing cod on the east coast.</div><div><br /></div><div>“And what we did with the fish we’re doing with the forests. We’re doing it with fossil fuels; we’re doing it in some places with fresh water, with soil fertility; with the ability of the environment to absorb our waste. <b>These are all wake-up calls to the human family</b>. They’re all telling us one thing. They’re saying we’re grown up now. We’re no longer a young offender; we’re fully responsible for the laws of nature, and we will be tried in the court of natural selection.</div><div>“There are only two laws in nature that we have to obey. One is the law of the minimum. <b>How much resources do we need compared to what the planet offers</b> – which is what the fish and the fossil fuels is about. And the other is the law of tolerance. <b>How much of our waste can we tolerate - can the environment which supports us tolerate?</b></div></span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfAQOBte3Rg/TYJs9SrnLEI/AAAAAAAABPo/KiC_BInFKso/s1600/eucouncilbuilding.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gfAQOBte3Rg/TYJs9SrnLEI/AAAAAAAABPo/KiC_BInFKso/s400/eucouncilbuilding.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585146288135416898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2G8pzOCYBs/TYJs9bZmH6I/AAAAAAAABPg/MJtaj_eb6dI/s1600/vessel-herring-bateau-hareng.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2G8pzOCYBs/TYJs9bZmH6I/AAAAAAAABPg/MJtaj_eb6dI/s400/vessel-herring-bateau-hareng.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585146290475769762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2lLGpVPsWQ/TYJs9BiKElI/AAAAAAAABPY/YxB_XWTpLP4/s1600/090815tipping.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n2lLGpVPsWQ/TYJs9BiKElI/AAAAAAAABPY/YxB_XWTpLP4/s400/090815tipping.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585146283532358226" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-89776340657122136882011-02-28T18:01:00.000-08:002011-02-28T18:27:55.158-08:00The truth about orange juice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-czxngdAZwec/TWxUlmOLu6I/AAAAAAAABPQ/YyJNN70w8Ys/s1600/orange%2Bjuice.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-czxngdAZwec/TWxUlmOLu6I/AAAAAAAABPQ/YyJNN70w8Ys/s400/orange%2Bjuice.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578927043297131426" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><b>Alissa Hamilton</b> is author of the book "<b>Squeezed: What You Don't Know About Orange Juice</b></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i>Here's what the leading orange juice companies don't tell you:</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i>- they strip the orange juice of oxygen so they can store it in huge tanks for up to a year</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i>- this process also strips the juice of its orange juice flavors, so engineered "flavor packs" are added back to make it taste fresh</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i>- without the flavor packs, which contain chemicals to simulate nature, the juice would taste like sugar water</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><i>-More details here:</i></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><a href="http://civileats.com/2009/05/06/freshly-squeezed-the-truth-about-orange-juice-in-boxes/">http://civileats.com/2009/05/06/freshly-squeezed-the-truth-about-orange-juice-in-boxes/</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;"><a href="http://www.suesmarket.com/">Sue's Market</a> in Richmond Hill sells 2L of freshly squeezed orange juice for $7.99, which is not much more expensive than the commercial stuff, plus it tastes way better and is better for you. Or, cut up a fresh Florida Valencia orange and awaken your senses to the taste that the major labels can't imitate.</span></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-27452834146660741682011-02-27T11:42:00.001-08:002011-02-27T11:44:17.524-08:00The Majestic Plastic Bag - A MockumentaryThis is brilliant... uses humour to educate.<br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GLgh9h2ePYw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-13296030004755711382011-02-24T12:18:00.000-08:002011-02-24T12:38:31.985-08:00GO Station's days are numbered<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFTVfXx3fUw/TWa_h91F0SI/AAAAAAAABPI/_XLy6vUrRwA/s1600/DSC00694.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uFTVfXx3fUw/TWa_h91F0SI/AAAAAAAABPI/_XLy6vUrRwA/s400/DSC00694.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577355778798768418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6SZWUW2PH4/TWa_hWVzH7I/AAAAAAAABPA/0b43T6leq54/s1600/DSC00543.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p6SZWUW2PH4/TWa_hWVzH7I/AAAAAAAABPA/0b43T6leq54/s400/DSC00543.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577355768198537138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGI0xyAleBw/TWa_hcWtOaI/AAAAAAAABO4/sD8GdKd9Z6s/s1600/DSC00540.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGI0xyAleBw/TWa_hcWtOaI/AAAAAAAABO4/sD8GdKd9Z6s/s400/DSC00540.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577355769812957602" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j4JTXtXsGFs/TWa_hDlOc8I/AAAAAAAABOw/uRNIZoi7XRw/s1600/DSC00536.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j4JTXtXsGFs/TWa_hDlOc8I/AAAAAAAABOw/uRNIZoi7XRw/s400/DSC00536.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577355763162969026" /></a><div>The York University GO Station is in the boonies. It's about a 2km walk from campus. A free shuttle bus makes the trip for the 4 trains in the morning and 4 in the evening. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, once the subway is <a href="http://www.city.vaughan.on.ca/vaughan/committees/york_spadina_subway_2.cfm">extended to York University</a>, the GO train connection will be moved to the new Sheppard West subway station, providing a multimodal link with the north part of the City. York's GO Station days are numbered. And that's a good thing!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TRV8wZyT3Iw/TWa-JIBTLQI/AAAAAAAABOo/b8sjatsi_Oo/s1600/subway-transitmap.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TRV8wZyT3Iw/TWa-JIBTLQI/AAAAAAAABOo/b8sjatsi_Oo/s400/subway-transitmap.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577354252525972738" /></a><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Photos: 1) Way too much salt! 2) Station platform 3) new Presto fare card is coming 4) e-waste at the adjacent industrial warehouse </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-31431476913466171512011-02-19T10:39:00.000-08:002011-02-19T10:42:18.350-08:00Gangzhou, China wins sustainable transport award<div><object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ZU-LcN68iE&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3ZU-LcN68iE&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; "><div>Guangzhou, one of China’s fastest growing cities, beat out other cities including Tehran, Iran; Lima, Peru; Leon, Mexico; and Nantes France to take this year’s top honors at the ITDP Sustainable Transport Awards. </div><div> </div><div>The committee recognized Guangzhou for its new world-class BRT system that integrates with bike lanes, bike share and metro stations, raising the bar for all cities. Guangzhou’s new BRT attracts 800,000 passengers a day — more than 90% of the existing metro lines in the world. </div><div> </div><div>The Sustainable Transport Award is given annually to the city that made most progress over the year to increase mobility for all residents while reducing transportation greenhouse and air pollution emissions and improving safety and access for cyclists and pedestrians. </div></span></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-65684183361306285422011-02-11T13:20:00.001-08:002011-02-11T13:54:51.865-08:00Which has the higher density?<div>Intensification can be looked at in two ways. The towers at Jane/Rutherford, near Vaughan Mills in Maple, remind me of the picture on the left. They achieve high density, but are still not pedestrian, transit, or cyclist friendly, and are not a highly desirable place to live. The picture on the right, however, is more to the human scale, has quality asthetics and public realm, and achieves an even higher density than the left. Now if we could only get city planners and developers on board!</div><div>-S</div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 155px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3iFyF_xnVI/TVWoovpUfvI/AAAAAAAABNw/YsWljC9icgQ/s400/Picture%2B1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572545531878866674" /><br />[from <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.hamilton.ca/nodesandcorridors">City of Hamilton Visioning Workshop</a>]Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-44670490585119614442011-02-08T13:05:00.000-08:002011-02-08T13:22:28.454-08:00What's Your Big Green Idea?<div>At the Sustainable Engineers Association Conference on Jan 15th, I challenged students to provide their big green ideas. What can the Provincial government be doing to be greener?Below are the responses. I've since put them on <a href="http://dotmocracy.org/">dotm</a><a href="http://dotmocracy.org/">ocracy</a> sheets and asked some of my colleagues if they agree. View the results of voting <a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0BzSgMl15uUX-YmQ5MDYwYWYtODcxMS00NzkyLWFhNmMtNzE3NGZlNDRmNTVk&hl=en&authkey=CKPnzMkP">HERE</a>.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 36pt; "></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small; "><ul><li>Light rail in the median – should be more widespread (already beingplanned on Hwy 407); we should catch up; in between densely populated urban areas it would be a huge energy saver and also immune to congestion</li><li>Driver education interms of awareness of cyclists and how to treat them on the roads</li><li>Promotion of warm mix asphalt</li><li>Smaller buses onthe road, especially on lesspopulated routes and off-peak hours; smaller buses are more than enough for these applications and are more efficient</li><li>DVP bicycle tram (light rail) with major pick-up points (Salma Saad)</li><li>Major bike arteries, with private and tax deductible funding (Salma Saad)</li><li>Wider bicycle lanes on all major roads, like in Beijing, China</li><li>Single fare system between cities/regions. It is too expensive to commute downtown when you need to buy multiple passes (Radhika Sagar)</li><li>Piezoelectric type panels for electricity generation</li><li>Eliminate HOV lanes; they are not a way of saving the environment and a wasted lane when cars sit and idle</li><li>Increase cost of driving by charging road tolls; Implement a car tax a la Denmark</li><li>Solar cells on top of cars to power them or contribute to some of its power. In parking lots it can be plugged in to a system and the owner can get a cut of the electricity made off the parked car. Rest goes to owner of land. (Armin Hamta)</li><li>Wind generation along sides of busy highways; storing energy (heat) from busy highways that surrounding communities can tap in to.</li><li><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 180px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TVGyvebkHlI/AAAAAAAABNo/SBK1BK9_WEM/s400/Picture%2B3.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571430742726286930" /></li></ul></span><p></p></span></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-47601096768311597662011-02-04T06:14:00.000-08:002011-02-04T06:20:59.900-08:00Hot Yam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUwK6quK5DI/AAAAAAAABNg/38j6-U100B0/s1600/DSC00529.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUwK6quK5DI/AAAAAAAABNg/38j6-U100B0/s400/DSC00529.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569838842167092274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUwK6DiZYyI/AAAAAAAABNY/1yVcBbdulPU/s1600/DSC00527.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUwK6DiZYyI/AAAAAAAABNY/1yVcBbdulPU/s400/DSC00527.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569838831648727842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUwK6DJFvtI/AAAAAAAABNQ/gagYBzoayxQ/s1600/DSC00526.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUwK6DJFvtI/AAAAAAAABNQ/gagYBzoayxQ/s400/DSC00526.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569838831542582994" /></a>I ate at <a href="http://hotyam.blogspot.com/">Hot Yam</a> yesterday. Run by student volunteers at the University of Toronto, it's a mostly local, mostly organic, and entirely vegan lunch for only $4. Not only is it healthy food to nourish you, it tastes amazing. It could just be the best deal in town. Available only on Thursdays from 12-2pm at the International Student Centre (33 St. George St.). Check out some recipes <a href="http://hotyam.blogspot.com/2010/03/many-many-recipes.html">here</a>.<div><br /></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-49418263480068088922011-01-31T08:17:00.000-08:002011-01-31T08:30:14.531-08:00Sustainable Engineers Association 2011 Conference<div>On January 29th, 2011 I attended the 1st Annual <a href="http://sea.skule.ca/">Sustainable Engineers Association (SEA) Conference</a>.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUbgx3LAZLI/AAAAAAAABNE/QI_-cRhkKuA/s1600/DSC00499.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUbgx3LAZLI/AAAAAAAABNE/QI_-cRhkKuA/s400/DSC00499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568385136518522034" /></a> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">I was really impressed with this student organization at the University of Toronto, which was only formed last May. Students are driving the change; they are are asking better questions about sustainability, are bridging disciplinary boundaries, and are playing a larger role in creating a world that will subsist for generations to come.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Jean-Francois Bergoum from IBM said that innovation and environment are related: you can’t deal with either without running into the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>IBM has set a priority to use its technology to make the world greener.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The more information you have, the better decisions you can make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many of the world’s problems are information problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Check out the <a href="https://smartercitieschallenge.org/">Smarter Cities Challenge</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Graeme Stewart talked about urban building renewal. Toronto is a city of towers, and the biggest challenge of sustainability in North America is how to make the suburbs work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Sustainability is about how we consume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Eco-refurbishment of the city’s 2000 concrete towers built between 1945-1980 can reduce their collective environmental footprint by 60%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> You also have to look at neighbourhoods as a whole. </span>Zoning is a human-made problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The simplest thing you can do for sustainability and livability in a neighbourhood is to add a fruit stand.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Jane Huang from Zenn motor company gave an overview of the future of electric cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Electric cars provide high efficiency, no emissions, low operating costs, and low noise pollution -- the future looks bright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Tesla Roadster, 2011 Chevy Volt, 2011 Nissan Leaf, 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, and BYD e6 are already generating a lot of buzz.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Trish Yee from Steamwhistle Brewery showed that going green makes a great business case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The Good Beer Folks have incredible corporate culture and vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Their green intiatives include:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul><li>all natural ingredients</li><li>green bottles, green planet: 33% more glass means minimum 45 refills per bottle vs 12-15 refills for industry brown bottle</li><li>painted label eliminates contaminants from paper, dye, glue, saves water and energy</li><li>bio-cups made of corn resin, fully biogradeable and compostable</li><li>100% on green electricity (Bullfrog power), premium $25,000/year</li><li>cleaner fuel for cleaner air, smart car/minis/hybrids, truck fleet use biofuel made from soya and recycled restaurant oil</li><li>keeping cool: water drawn from below lake to cool plant</li><li>energy efficient equipment</li><li>energy efficient lighting</li><li>waste diversion</li><li>clean air commute</li></ul><div>I also had the honour of presenting and talked about how "sustainability superheroes" at the Ministry of Transportation are building momentum for a greener organization. I'll share some of the ideas from the audience in a future posting.</div><p></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-18.0pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-family:Symbol;mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> </span></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUbgxlGTNyI/AAAAAAAABM8/mXp3xnrbz_Y/s1600/DSC00497.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUbgxlGTNyI/AAAAAAAABM8/mXp3xnrbz_Y/s400/DSC00497.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568385131666945826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUbgxOZSGGI/AAAAAAAABM0/rvbp0LsBDiw/s1600/DSC00493.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUbgxOZSGGI/AAAAAAAABM0/rvbp0LsBDiw/s400/DSC00493.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568385125572548706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUbgwzNZ-WI/AAAAAAAABMs/epbOPCcWOd4/s1600/DSC00490.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TUbgwzNZ-WI/AAAAAAAABMs/epbOPCcWOd4/s400/DSC00490.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568385118274976098" /></a>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-52705586360702994672011-01-17T04:58:00.001-08:002011-01-17T07:52:34.958-08:00Engineers Without Borders 2011 National Conference<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-JRcbRCI/AAAAAAAABMk/LwpDw90Q8-w/s1600/DSC00233.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563139768731780130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 194px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-JRcbRCI/AAAAAAAABMk/LwpDw90Q8-w/s400/DSC00233.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">The EWB National Conference, from Jan 14-15, 2011 in Toronto, challenged me to think of my role as a global engineer and as a change agent in my organization and community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is great power in my individual choices and actions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Status quo right now is completely unacceptable; the injustices we see are suffocating for so many people with so much potential.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I learned about putting emotions and stories to numbers, and to never stop having fierce conversations about the “wicked” problems like poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I learned that technology is doing amazing things, but more importantly, it is about the people like John Githongo and their spirit that will unite Africa and the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I witnessed hundreds of bright and socially-minded Canadian students building a better world. Their positive energy was infectious.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Every decision you make every day makes some sort of change; what kind of change are you working towards? How are you using your abilities and position for change? The m</span><span class="Apple-style-span">aximum impact you can have is where you work because that’s where you spend most of your time.</span></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-JddY8CI/AAAAAAAABMc/sdi0e_o4J00/s1600/DSC00232.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563139771957047330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 329px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-JddY8CI/AAAAAAAABMc/sdi0e_o4J00/s400/DSC00232.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-JNVhHZI/AAAAAAAABMU/5deKfN5dXYA/s1600/DSC00229.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563139767629061522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-JNVhHZI/AAAAAAAABMU/5deKfN5dXYA/s400/DSC00229.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-I3d2NuI/AAAAAAAABMM/HFiRN3-V-7E/s1600/DSC00214.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563139761758418658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-I3d2NuI/AAAAAAAABMM/HFiRN3-V-7E/s400/DSC00214.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-IzE6hKI/AAAAAAAABME/bx_Ml_wSoyQ/s1600/DSC00207.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563139760580101282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TTQ-IzE6hKI/AAAAAAAABME/bx_Ml_wSoyQ/s400/DSC00207.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-37119923187147110392011-01-07T20:38:00.000-08:002011-01-07T20:51:41.673-08:00Owl Sighting: What a Hoot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TSfqoN_vTjI/AAAAAAAABL8/FVHs-83YMEA/s1600/Picture%2B3.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 257px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TSfqoN_vTjI/AAAAAAAABL8/FVHs-83YMEA/s400/Picture%2B3.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559670241684835890" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While walking home from the GO Train on Wed, a large bird swooped across my path. It was an eastern screech owl (the most common type of owl found in York Region). I pulled out my bloggie and caught some footage (it was dark, so not the greatest quality). Check it out:<br /></span><a href="http://www.vimeo.com/18537512" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(20, 125, 186); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">http://www.vimeo.com/18537512</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was my first sighting of an owl not in captivity. It looked at me for a while, and I at it looked back, both of us contemplating the other creature. I love pleasant surprises like this in nature when I least expect it. Sometimes, when you really open your eyes to the world around you, the world around you changes.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />According to the local field naturalist group, 313 bird species have been recorded in York Region (29 considered rare and 70 considered very rare). Among the many types of birds I've seen in my backyard are a ruby-throated hummingbird, a red-tailed hawk landing on my deck, and even some escapees (zebra finch in my backyard last year, plus a parakeet outside the community centre a couple of years ago)! Birding is a fun and rewarding past-time and something I'd like to get better at.</span></span></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-5244733834818338692011-01-06T06:35:00.000-08:002011-01-06T06:39:22.182-08:00The war on the car is over?<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; border-collapse: collapse; "><b>"Ladies and gentlemen, the war on the car stops today . . . Transit City is over. We will not build any more rail tracks down the middle of our streets."</b><br />-Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto<br /><br /><b>"The war on the car is over? If only it had actually BEGUN!"</b><br />-Christopher Hume</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 15px; "><h2 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 26px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Map shows that Light Rail Plan delivers more winners than Subway Expansion Plan</span></h2></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">[from </span><a href="http://http://torontoenvironment.org/campaigns/transit/transitmap?utm_source=Council+Watch&utm_campaign=f103970f03-CW_Jan5_TransitMap&utm_medium=email"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Toronto Environmental Alliance</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">]</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TSXTZOynKDI/AAAAAAAABL0/VrnrfwKlrTA/s1600/Picture%2B2.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 253px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TSXTZOynKDI/AAAAAAAABL0/VrnrfwKlrTA/s400/Picture%2B2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559081745479313458" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-11288670108091512992011-01-05T04:47:00.000-08:002011-01-05T04:50:35.795-08:00Seeds of Change<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TSRoo_tPKrI/AAAAAAAABLs/GrYE1mHuyK8/s1600/Seeds%2Bof%2Bchange.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TSRoo_tPKrI/AAAAAAAABLs/GrYE1mHuyK8/s400/Seeds%2Bof%2Bchange.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558682893587262130" /></a><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">We are confronted with some of the greatest environmental challenges humankind has ever faced: climate change and the end of carbon-based energy. It has been said that there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. The green movement’s time has come, and it’s gaining momentum. The seeds of change have been planted in a new generation of ecologically conscious individuals, and together they will change the world. The things they value most, such as ecosystems, biodiversity, and clean air, soil, and water, are rooted in nature. They understand that we need to protect our natural resources so that future generations can enjoy their wonders. I am hopeful that a tipping point will be reached before it is too late. The Ministry of Transportation is embracing this change. On June 17, 2010 it launched a new strategy, Sustainability inSight, the first ministry-wide sustainability strategy in the Ontario Public Service, and I'm proud to be a part of it.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Materials: acrylic paint on canvas, glue, leaves, seeds)</span></span></p></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><br /></span></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-16852295901960534362010-12-20T09:25:00.000-08:002010-12-20T09:28:11.357-08:00Pedal Power<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>Why can't the drivers of cars and bikes get along, as they do in the crowded cities of Europe?</b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia; color: #000099"><b><br /></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b>From bicycle-mad Paris to rush-hour New York and the back alleys of Toronto, the CBC documentary Pedal Power takes a ride through the changing world of bike culture. Watch it online <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Shows/Doc_Zone/ID=1275907713">here</a>. It's worth it!</b></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><b><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TQ-SFf4bRiI/AAAAAAAABLg/mvHq2suWfHE/s400/bike-lane-code.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552817488726279714" /></b></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><b><br /></b></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>Bicycles and automobiles have to share the same roads - a recipe for conflict - and many potential cyclists just won't ride in the city because they see it as too dangerous. Add in the plague of bike theft and a lot of cyclists are simply leaving their bikes at home.</i></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><i>In Canada, bicycles "don't get no respect." From the story of Igor, and the anatomy of the underground world of bike peddlers in Toronto, this film spins out to how other cities are making riding safe. Using innovative "bike-cam" techniques to convey, up-close, the sensation of bike riding, a series of character-driven mini-narratives propel the film through a study of what makes a city "bikeable". Whether it's the public bike program in Paris, bike mega-garages in Amsterdam, bike paths in Vancouver and Montreal, or the surprising leadership of New York City, we follow the story of this remarkable little conveyance as it wheels though the first decade of the 21st century.</i></span></p>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-38679514020741285872010-12-13T13:02:00.000-08:002010-12-13T13:07:50.577-08:00Waste is a human-made concept<div>In nature, everything exists is a continuous cycles. There's no such thing as a landfill. Everything gets recycled. We need to remember this, and design our systems and processes like nature does, sustainably. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TQaKEYiQe4I/AAAAAAAABLY/0ShrxxeLfCk/s1600/Picture%2B1.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 292px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TQaKEYiQe4I/AAAAAAAABLY/0ShrxxeLfCk/s400/Picture%2B1.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550275398690962306" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>from Arthur Potts Dawson's Ted Talk on sustainable restaurants.</div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8083511084238956178.post-10047475514494414912010-12-08T04:55:00.001-08:002010-12-08T13:48:30.294-08:00They don't make 'em like they used to<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8_zvDUVI/AAAAAAAABLQ/Stf8oHuinlY/s1600/music.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8_zvDUVI/AAAAAAAABLQ/Stf8oHuinlY/s400/music.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548431439093256530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8sIWn-hI/AAAAAAAABLI/Mk93A-ONDgQ/s1600/toy-cars.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8sIWn-hI/AAAAAAAABLI/Mk93A-ONDgQ/s400/toy-cars.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548431101030562322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8eN2y6DI/AAAAAAAABLA/g8yhijJULlw/s1600/books.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8eN2y6DI/AAAAAAAABLA/g8yhijJULlw/s400/books.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548430861989505074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8VRYg0YI/AAAAAAAABK4/fkVFwrzU5Ws/s1600/felt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8VRYg0YI/AAAAAAAABK4/fkVFwrzU5Ws/s400/felt.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548430708317409666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8HHyvLvI/AAAAAAAABKw/CTYfg2UNfas/s1600/trains.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_8HHyvLvI/AAAAAAAABKw/CTYfg2UNfas/s400/trains.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548430465224879858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_7fEmPDPI/AAAAAAAABKI/9nUCRYI49q0/s1600/puppets.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_7fEmPDPI/AAAAAAAABKI/9nUCRYI49q0/s400/puppets.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548429777172368626" /></a><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 13.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px">Great toys are played with for months and even years. They engage the child's mind and imagination. And they get passed down for generations. I find nowadays, many toys are made of cheap plastic, shipped from China, require lots of batteries, and just don't have that sturdy and satisfying feel. They end up in the landfill too soon. My mom kept many of my toys from when I was a child, and my kids are now enjoying them.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 13.0px Arial"><br /></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 15.0px; font: 13.0px Arial"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's a list of some top kids toys</span></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span><a href="http://www.choiceaccessories.com/index.asp?Category=6&PageAction=VIEWCATS"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Audubon birds by Wild Republic</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> are stuffed plush birds that play their actually bird call when squeezed. Really cool.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span></span><a href="http://www.grassrootsstore.com/category_s/50.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Grassroots store</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> has some environmentally friendly toys and games</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial, serif;font-size:small;" >-wooden blocks</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-wooden train set (planes, trains, and cars provide hours of enjoyment for my boys :)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-mini cars (the metal ones)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></p><div><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-books</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-sports equipment</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-art supplies (kids love playdough.. you can make your own)</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-create-a-design with felt</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Georgia; "><span style="letter-spacing: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-puppets </span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 14px/normal Georgia; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-tricycle (Noah loves taking his to the park)</span></p></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP_3d0xezJI/AAAAAAAABJo/77zKNd9HRW8/s400/trike.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548425357698190482" /></p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Georgia"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 12px;font-size:13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal;font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></p></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Fisher price music box, c. 1980. Still works great, and no batteries!</span></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_MvO3VrBiG0g/TP-PLy0Z_wI/AAAAAAAABIQ/1CDhC8hSJIY/s400/fisher%2Bprice.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548310698726653698" /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Shawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13572096655360034797noreply@blogger.com0