A Community Initiative Comes to Life at the New Driftwood Parkette Playground

On August 13^th over 200 volunteers came together at Driftwood Parkette (359 Driftwood Ave.) for the one-day build of a new playground.The playground is a result of a partnership between Councillor Anthony Perruzza’s office, the City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry and Recreation department, local residents, and organizations.Celia Smith, a local resident and community activist was deeply involved with the project from the beginning. Celia explained that through her work with Action for Neighbourhood Change she consistently heard community members asking for better play spaces for children.In 2015 Celia decided to reach out to Councillor Perruzza’s office, and soon after, a partnership to obtain funding began with Parks, Forestry and Recreation. Part of the initial process involved Celia and the tenant group at 415 Driftwood collecting signatures of support.An application for funding was successful and the city joined forces with Foresters Financial, and KaBOOM! to construct the new playground. KaBOOM! is a non-profit based in the U.S. dedicated to improving the lives of children by creating great places for them to play. Foresters Financial and KaBOOM! partnered to generously provide funding for the new playground. In the last decade their partnership has resulted in the construction of over 130 playgrounds across Canada and the U.S.The consultation process began with children from Shoreham Public school participating in a design day event. “The students were so excited about having an input on the design that they didn’t want to put the markers down. It gave them a great sense of pride to create the drawings” said Hanan Mohamed, who works with Councillor Perruzza.Following the design day, local residents participated in a consultation to decide on the playground equipment based on the children’s drawings. It is great to see that many of the children’s ideas have come to life in the playground through the form of rock climbing walls, slides, spring toys, picnic tables (with game tops to play chess or checkers), and accessible swings.Councillor Perruzza explained that "this project demonstrates what can be accomplished when the City partners with businesses to make Toronto's green spaces more livable," and is looking forward to how the "neighbourhood will benefit greatly from this new playground for years to come."Celia recalls the one-day build with great enthusiasm, “it was amazing! I’ve worked on so many projects, but have never seen anything like this one. There were over 200 people helping and it was so well organized.” In regards to what this meant to the children and youth in the neighbourhood, Celia mentions that, “this really helped them learn valuable skills and it is good to see them enjoying the playground. The kids would roll down the hill before, so it shows how necessary this playground was. It also helps parents because they can take their kids to a safe place to play and they know exactly where their kids are.”The Driftwood Parkette playground is an inspiring example of what communities can achieve when they work together.

A Cleaner Downsview Community: One Mailed Letter at a Time

I recently had a letter to mail and the nearest mailbox, in my area, is one block away. Since the weather was lovely, I decided to take a walk to the mailbox and do an experiment along the way.When I left my house, I took a couple of plastic bags.  My goal was simple: See how much garbage I could pick up during the short walk from my house to the mailbox.  The results were fascinating.By the time I made it half way to the mailbox, I had already filled a full bag of garbage. Its contents included pop cans, chocolate bar wrappers, plastic containers, half-filled bottles of water, newspapers, bus transfers, chip bags, plastic utensils, and a box of organic chicken bouillon.  Wow!Where did all this garbage come from?  Did one of the garbage bins by the curb get knocked over by mistake?  Did the local racoons host a feast for a furry family reunion in the neighbourhood?  I continued my walk towards the mailbox and discovered more garbage along the sidewalk, grass, flower beds, and street.As I walked onward, past people waiting at the bus stop, I realised that some of them were looking at me with a confused expression.  Perhaps it is unusual to see a man walking down the sidewalk, picking up garbage as he goes.  I smiled politely at them and carried on -their faces suggested that they thought I might be out of my mind!Turning the corner, I saw a man and his two sons, about 8 and 10 years old, walking on the opposite side of the street.  He noticed what I was doing, and pointed for his sons to look.  “Great job!” he shouted across the street with a smile, gesturing to his kids to observe and learn.  “Thanks!” I replied.  “We have a lovely community. I’m just doing my part to keep it that way.”  The man’s friendly words felt good.  His children might remember how easy it is to use one of the many City of Toronto garbage and recycling bins.  They might encourage others.  A simple thing might grow.The walk to the mailbox and back took a total of 10 minutes.  The letter was safely mailed.  I filled two full bags of garbage from that single street block.Back at home, I thought about my experiment and what I had learned.  When reading the news, I often find myself feeling helpless to make a difference.  I cannot fix all of the problems.  Picking up two bags of garbage means very little on the larger scale of the city, country, or planet.  Yet, I did not feel that same helplessness.  Instead, I felt closer to my community.  I would wish that pleasant feeling upon you as well, because you too can do one small thing here and another small thing there to make our Downsview community a little prettier, a little more comfortable, a little more our home.  You don’t need any special skills.  You don’t need to be rich.  You don’t need bountiful free time.  You can help keep our community green and clean, one short walk at a time.

Take it Outside

Being outdoors can be a magical event.Research has shown that too little time spent outside, or, “nature deficit disorder”, can lead to depression and anxiety. Getting outdoors can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve immune function. Want more reasons on the benefits of green spaces? Incorporating elements of nature into your day can give your brain a boost, resulting in increased productivity and focus. Also, natural environments have been shown to be one of the most restorative for creative thinking.What better way to unplug and step outside, whether it is a half hour at lunch or for an entire afternoon, than a picnic in the park. Fresh air makes everything taste better – both spur-of-the moment sandwiches on the grass and well planned moveable feasts.It seems only fitting to think portability and casual charm when considering food ideas. These tips and strategies will make for the perfect picnic.Grab-and-go finger foods such as sugar snap peas, carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, crackers, firm cheese, apples, grapes are easy to pack and transport.Stock a tote bag or backpack with the essentials: bread, a knife, cutting board and fillings of your choice for a build-your-own sandwich or wrap. Fill inexpensive, reusable glass jars with salsa, pickled vegetables or chutney that can be served over salad greens or grilled chicken.The refreshing goodness of watermelon is so versatile that you can use it as a starter, a side or have it for dessert.More food in jars! Layer salad ingredients and you are ready to go. Place the dressing on the bottom, follow with hearty ingredients like beans, broccoli, cucumber, avocado and pasta and top with lighter ingredients like lettuce.Skip the soda, and opt for water, iced tea, or ginger lemonade instead.Foods such as rice, eggs, cheese, poultry and red meat can spoil and harbour bacteria when not stored at the proper temperature. Keep everything cold with refreezable ice packs or fill a couple of bags with ice cubes and place into a cooler. If you pack raw poultry or red meat to cook at the picnic, keep it packaged separately to avoid cross contamination.If you intend to cook at the picnic site, barbeque grills are available for public use in some designated areas. Any gathering over 25 people, or a gathering that requires a designated picnic site, requires a permit. Gatherings are only able to use a portable barbeque where authorized by permit or where posted to allow their use. Also, only charcoal or briquettes are permitted to be used in permanently fixed barbeques. You can contact 416 392 8188 for further information.Plan for clean-up at the beginning. Pack extra resealable plastic bags, aluminum foil and plastic wrap for leftovers. Moist towelettes are handy to wash up after eating. Bring plastic bags to dispose of any garbage.Once you have decided on the food, just add sunshine and a shady tree at one of the many parks in Downsview!

Bail out the planet with central bank money creation - The Green Marshall Plan

'For background, see: [ http://mollymep.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Green-Money_ReclaimingQE_V.And... Victor Anderson] Green/EFA, EU Parliament report on Green QE, June 2015. Also see: [http://www.financeforthefuture.com/GreenQuEasing.pdf]In 2008, literally *TRILLIONS* of dollars in various currencies were created by central banks to bail out "banksters", failed corporations, even lawbreakers who were never punished (except in Iceland). If those who cause ecological destruction and loss of natural capital value for us all can be bailed out with large scale new money creation, then certainly central banks can help "bail out" the species, climate & biosphere they have done so much to compromise. The Marshall Plan rebuilt Europe after WWII with the equivalent of hundreds of billions of dollars worth of infrastructure spending, including newly created money. Today, we need a *Green* Marshall Plan for our planet.Whereas: A) The right to create money belongs to the citizens, but has been "contracted out" to irresponsible entities that have participated in creating a vast ecological debt.B) Money creation that helped caused the ecological debt must be used to help repay that debt. If not, then we have a moral hazard of money creation leaving a negative ecological footprint without thought to retribution for all species. If the money creation rights are more flexible and can be exploited to reverse ecological damage and restrict expansion of emissions, then we have a moral duty to use them for that immediately because we are at the tipping point of a runaway greenhouse effect.C) According to academics including professor Mark Z. Jacobson, the technologies exist to cost competitively replace fossil fuels now, in 2016 [https://www.ted.com/speakers/mark_z_jacobson (TED talk)] Thus the moral obligation implement these proposed solutions immediately on a large scale. Green infrastructure paid by new money prevents resistance from those otherwise forced to pay for it.D) With green infrastructure projects come new jobs, a larger tax base, savings from efficiency that will be put to use expanding the economy instead of expanding extraction of fossil fuels. In combination, these will grow the economy, increase the well being of citizens.E) As a cause of inflation, efficiency-focused or "green" money creation is debatable. No claim that money creation in and of itself guarantees inflation is credible. Countries engaged in large scale quantitative easing (QE) have not experienced problem inflation. Nor have countries like South Korea that focused its 2008-9 stimulus on energy efficiency measures.F) Better energy efficiency, reduced fuel use and reduced pollution abatement must reduce long term costs. That "reduces" inflation, as inflation is measured against a basket of actually used goods. If we require less fuel, and get more for less, then actual value received for money is increased. G) Created money creating genuine progress across whole societies reduces expenditures otherwise required for the same amount of genuine progress. Resulting cost reduction is a solid counter to a generic inflation argument against genuine progress money creation.H) Ratified Green Party of Canada policy exists that Greens advocate the BoC return to a prominent role in creating money. That means, among other measures, creating *additional* money. I) The *risk-reward ratio" of reducing carbon vs inflation risk is in favour of reducing carbon. The ecological or natural capital of the biosphere, or indeed any ecosystem within it, is the root of all wealth.J) Green MPs in England have asked the Bank of England to consider green QE. Mark Carney, the Bank's governor has stated a scenario where that may happen. Greens in at least Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, France, Germany, Italy, other EU nations are urging similar measures. G7 and G20 and BRICS countries are also updating their policies to respond to V-20 and COP21 concerns. Canadian Greens should be among this chorus.Therefore: Green MPs and the GPC will advocate for BoC money creation to offer interest free (or sovereign interest level) loans and grants for green infrastructure and efficiency projects that also increase resilience. Such projects may include the creation of for profit crown corporations that build own and operate infrastructure and efficiency projects. Green MP's and the GPC will advocate The Bank of International Settlements support all central banks under it's structure engage in sovereign coordinated Green Marshall Plans. A royal commission will be established to determine the feasibility of creating such crown corporations in given fields of expertise and offer a plan for a virtually carbon free Canada. The royal commission would create specific objectives and operating procedures the green crown corporations. Grants to crown corporations will take preference over any grants to private interests. One example of a green project, which could be owned by a crown corporation: fast electric vehicle charging stations based on stored renewable energy as an incentive to shift to EVs. 

Innovative Fish-run Organic Farming Project on Hold at Downsview Park

An organic and zero waste farming project, driven by 500 lbs of Tilapia fish, is currently on hold at the corner of Keele St. and Sheppard Ave.
Waiting on a long-term lease from Downsview Park, Fresh City Farms seeks to resume the largest scale cultivation of local food in the GTA - using fish excrement.
In a partnership with WaterFarmers Aquaponics, the Aquaponics system, at Fresh City is a closed water system that recirculates water between a fish tank and a floating vegetable bed. Nutrients from fish waste are feed to the plants and the plants in turn filter the water for the fish.
Issues with current agricultural practises like scarcity of freshwater, decline in soil fertility, and extreme weather aren’t an issue with this innovation and it is also beneficial for community building, job creation and food education.
Who wouldn’t be interested to learn about a clean, no waste way to grow food near or at home. Not to mention using fish that you can eat if you wish. Quite the conversation starter.
Saving up to 90% of water compared to traditional agriculture, aquaponics only needs a 10% volume top up to the total water volume each week according to Arvind Venkat, the Chief Scientist, Founder and CEO of WaterFarmers. Not only that, but it is close to one of the “purest food production technologies in the world”, as stated on their website.
“Vegetables grow up to 50% faster than soil farming” says Arvind.
Using the digestive system of cold blooded animal to its advantage, the excrement produces a broad spectrum of nutrients compared to cow or horse manure. Unlike commercial farming which causes erosion and soil depletion, no additives, pesticides or fertilizers are needed within this closed loop system which uses 100% of what goes into it.
The WaterFarmers have projects in over 10 different countries including Hong Kong, Turkey, Costa Rica and Indonesia. Aquaponics is said to be particularly useful for islands surrounded by salt water or areas with harsh climates experiencing extreme weather or drought.
Changes in soil temperature that would normally affect growing conditions are controlled in greenhouses.
That also means basil and cherry tomatoes are available in December - a surprise to those used to just having the choice of local Ontario root vegetables in the winter months.
The WaterFarmers seek to empower sustainable communities ranging from commercial and academic partnerships, down to helping you in your own home.
Visit www.waterfarmers.ca to learn more!