Category: Blogroll

Turning Over New Leaves

GreenLivingOttawa

Written by Denise Deby.

Balloons fly free - Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, Sept. 1, 2013 - D. Deby
Flying free from the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, Sept. 1, 2013 – D. Deby

September signifies the last bit of summer (my favourite season), but it also brings much to appreciate. Mornings and evenings cool down, the local harvest expands, and nature’s colours intensify, reflecting the earth’s cycles that we’re a part of. The changes can infuse us with new energy as we resume work, school and other activities.

At Green Living Ottawa, over the next week or two, we’ll be sharing news about an innovative swapping service, details of some green gatherings, and suggestions for protecting and benefitting from our environment.

In the meantime, as you settle into September, you might find these links useful:

You may also have noticed that I’ve been updating the Green Living Ottawa blogroll and have added a list of websites related to environmentally-aware living in the Ottawa area (on the right hand side of the blog). Please share any additional suggestions you have.

Capital to Capitol by Canoe 2012

Green Living Ottawa

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social, environmental and urban issues.

A dozen intrepid individuals are canoeing 1800 km from Ottawa to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness of the need to protect and restore our rivers. They launched their 36-foot voyageur canoe on September 5, with the intention of reaching Washington, D.C. in mid-October.

I headed down to Turtle Island (Victoria Island, below Parliament Hill) to see them off, and I’m glad I did; it was a chance to meet some of the paddlers and hear from supporters including the Canadian Wildlife Federation, the Ottawa Riverkeeper and Paddle Canada. A highlight was hearing Evelyn Commanda, daughter of Elder William Commanda, in whose memory the trip is being made. (I’ve written about him before, here.) Evelyn Commanda spoke about the importance of water for all living things, and the connections between bodies of water and between water and the rest of nature.

Paddlers Max Finkelstein and Clive Doucet joked about the long journey ahead, but emphasized why they decided to undertake the trip: to draw attention to the need for healthy waterways, and to connect people in the two countries on water issues. Ottawa Riverkeeper Meredith Brown underlined this connection, encouraging people to think about where our water comes from and the role we share in protecting it.

It’s a big task that participants have taken on. It’s no easy paddle—a six-week journey, with no straightforward route. The canoeists, all experienced paddlers, will rely on tips from local residents along the way as well. It’s part of why the journey brings so many people together.

“River systems know no borders,” says the trip’s website. “The Capital to Capitol by Canoe 2012 will spread the message that we must transcend political borders and work together to protect and restore our rivers.”

You can find more information, including on the route, itinerary and team, on the website. You can also check the blog for updates as they go.

The Ottawa International Children’s Festival 2012

Green Living Ottawa

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues and enjoys being a kid again sometimes.

The Ottawa International Children’s Festival is always fun, but every year the organizers include more environment-themed activities. In this, the Festival’s 27th season, you’ll find plays, puppet shows, music and storytelling with performers from around the world, as well as tons of free activities. Everything happens at LeBreton Flats Park and the Canadian War Museum, this year from May 30 to June 3, 2012.

One of the shows this year is The Man Who Planted Trees, by Scotland’s Puppet State Theatre Company. It promises a mix of comedy, puppetry and storytelling about the adventures of a man who sets out with his dog to transform a wasteland, one tree at a time. Check the website for show times and prices; it’s best to buy tickets in advance as most Festival performances sell out quickly.

The Children’s Climate Change Project is an exhibit of drama, music and media projects done by students in collaboration with artists and scientists, expressing their ideas about climate change and how to address it.

In The Banana Workshop, presented in collaboration with the Otesha Project, kids get to explore where food comes from and how our shopping choices affect the planet. Otesha is also holding Bike Love, in which festival-goers can hang inspiring messages made of recycled materials on bicycles they come across.

At Cycling Safely In the City, Capital Vélo Fest will offer kids and adults a chance to learn about safe bike riding and bike maintenance. (You don’t need your bike with you to participate.)

The Children’s Garden is hosting The Secret Life of Seeds, where kids can choose and plant seeds to take home.

You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the Ottawa International Children’s Festival, so check it out at http://ottawachildrensfestival.ca/.

 

GreenLivingOttawa’s founder, Alette J Willis, will also be participating in a children’s event this weekend.  She  will be reading from her award-winning children’s novel “How to Make a Golem (and Terrify People)” at Collected Works Bookstore on Sunday, June 3rd, from 3pm-5pm.  Her book, which is aimed at children 8 to 12 years of age, deals with the bad decisions people make when they act out of fear and features a wind-powered mud-monster.  The event is free.  Collected Works is at 1242 Wellington Street West.

Apartment613’s Support Local Month in Ottawa

Green Living Ottawa

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues.

The people at Apartment613 have lots of good ideas, but this time they’ve outdone themselves. They’re making November “Support Local” month in Ottawa. And they’re talking not just local food but also local musicians, artists, restaurants and businesses.

They’ve set up a series of events throughout the month—a list too long to replicate here but do check out their website. Some examples:

You can also let Apartment613 know if you have ideas for other events (email editors [at] apt613 [dot] ca with “Support Local” in the subject line).

Green Living Ottawa’s 200th Post

Green Living Ottawa

Written by guest blogger Denise Deby, who writes on local and global social and environmental issues and was more surprised than anyone to realise she has just completed her 63rd guest post for Green Living Ottawa.

You’ll know if you read this blog that Alette Willis created Green Living Ottawa a few years ago as a way to share positive ways of living sustainably in Ottawa.

When Alette mentioned to me recently that this post would be Green Living Ottawa’s 200th, I couldn’t help but use it to say congratulations to her, and thanks – thanks for making this a space for information, conversations and inspiration on how we in Ottawa can live “green,” do what we can, and not feel alone in doing so.

Alette’s been living in Edinburgh, but had the idea to open up the blog to guest bloggers while she’s away, to enable Green Living Ottawa to continue. She’s warmly welcomed our contributions and perspectives, and keeps the blog going despite the time and energy it takes.

So congratulations, Alette, for over 4 years and 200 posts of Green Living Ottawa, and for making Ottawa (and beyond) better.