Every Thursday evening from 6:00 - 9:00 PM in the Central library’s 3^rd-floor Arts department. New players welcome. For more information visit the Forest City Backgammon Club website or phone 519-719-4615.

A Throbgoblinscontribution (published with permission ).

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These guys showed up after somebody spotted smoke coming from our dryer vent. A false alarm, but nice to have it confirmed that when you live in a Neighbourhood Watch community, somebody’s always looking out for you.

]]> http://frommybottomstep.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/my-evenings-excitement/feed/ fowgre add to del.icio.us Add to Blinkslist add to furl Digg it add to ma.gnolia Stumble It! add to simpy seed the vine Reddit Fark TailRank fire truck http://frommybottomstep.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/bertons-pedestrian-pronouncement/ http://frommybottomstep.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/bertons-pedestrian-pronouncement/#comments Wed, 14 May 2008 21:12:34 +0000 fowgre http://frommybottomstep.wordpress.com/?p=1215

If you haven’t done so yet, click HERE to read Paul Berton’s latest pretentious POV newspaper column.

You probably won’t ever see it printed in the LFP, and it’ll likely be about 4 days before they post it on their website (so fewer people will read it), but you don’t have to worry about that. Because here’s a copy of the response that I submitted to Mr. Berton just moments ago:

It’s About Time How long have I been trying to interest you in pedestrian rights/safety issues? Nice of you to finally get around to writing something. Too bad though that you didn’t think to pick up the phone and talk to me. Are pedestrians using crosswalks? Who’s determined to be at fault, numbers of tickets issued, etc? Did you think to ask any questions about those stats, Paul? Did you think to ask Tom O’Brien why only 30% of auto operators are being ticketed for striking pedestrians? When you want to give this serious issue the attention that it deserves, you let me know.

]]> http://frommybottomstep.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/bertons-pedestrian-pronouncement/feed/ fowgre add to del.icio.us Add to Blinkslist add to furl Digg it add to ma.gnolia Stumble It! add to simpy seed the vine Reddit Fark TailRank http://frommybottomstep.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/timmie-rates-a-thumbs-down/ http://frommybottomstep.wordpress.com/2008/05/14/timmie-rates-a-thumbs-down/#comments Wed, 14 May 2008 20:19:51 +0000 fowgre http://frommybottomstep.wordpress.com/?p=1212

In this post about the Tim Horton’s employee who was fired for giving a Timbit to a baby, I questioned if the company truly cares about the communities in which it’s privileged to make it’s profits, or if everything it does is simply PR-motivated. And I referred to having had some personal experience in that regard.

Over on Dan Brown’s LFP blog (sorry, but you’ll have to search; they don’t provide permalinks) he suggests that “in the collective imagination, the typical Tim Hortons outlet has become the equivalent of a community centre. Their stores now serve the same purpose.” And he asks, “what do you think of my theory?”

Well, truth be told, he directed the question at another regular blogger. So, being as shy as I am about expressing my opinion, I agonized about answering it here. For about 1 second!

I’ve got two different examples to share, which help to explain why I don’t think that the hugely successful coffee franchisor values the communities in which it does business.

The first example involves my experience as a local BookCrosser. I suggest that you read this media article to begin with. And then read the letter that I hand-delivered and never got a reply to.

The second example involves my experience as an active member of my local community association. Specifically, my repeated attempts to acquire permission to post notices of upcoming association meetings and community events in the two local TH franchises. Simply put, the reaction has always been the same… “It’s company policy that we aren’t allowed to put up notices.”

Bah, humbug. Go Scrooge yourselves!

nataliedee.com

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A couple of interesting posts today over on the Alt-London site.

The first article seems to indicate that local Councillor Paul Hubert isn’t 100% supportive of “a voluntary [drive-thru] idling period of not more than one minute “ and/or “a moratorium on new drive-thrus.” ⁰¹

Not too sure what to make of that. The article doesn’t actually come right out and say that Mr. Hubert opposes the proposals, and it doesn’t actually come right out and say that “the councillor is being cynically manipulative.”

I think that instead of making any assumptions about the Councillor’s position, I’ll send him an email and see what he’s got to say.

The other one claims that MPs Glen Pearson and Sue Barnes voted against “a Bill which would have provided mandatory labelling of genetically engineered foods.” ⁰²

There seems less room for interpretation there. In fact, it seems pretty definitive. So, I’m troubled. But I’ll send them emails asking for some explanation also.

Stay tuned…

Appended 2008/05/14:

This response was received from Councillor Hubert this morning…

Greg I did not hear the final version so I can only comment on the interview. What I did not support was a ban on drive throughs as we would have to close all types of drive throughs including banks and pharmacies. I congratulated the Council of Canadians for their initiative and ideas which we will evaluate when the drive through report comes to Planning Committee on May 26th and a review of the idling by law comes forward to ETC in the summer. I feel public education and self regulated behaviour change is the most effective. Any by law must be enforcable. A one minute idling by law would be a real challenge. However I was supportive of all city vehicles leading by example. Paul

Sources:
01. 2008/05/13 - AltLondon: …Paul Hubert supports…
02. 2008/05/13 - AltLondon: Why did…Glen Pearson…

Other Links:
2008/02/23 - FMBS: Pollution From Traffic Harms Children
2008/04/13 - FMBS: Vehicle Exhaust May Damage Your Brain
2008/05/12 - CoC: ‘Clean Air for Children’

I bet you forgot that there’s a Tweetup tonight, didn’t you? Aren’t you glad that I’m here to remind you?

(Actually, I’m on my way there. But that’s only a technicality.)

toothpastefordinner.com

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Hmmm.
Why don’t I see London on this list?

    Attention News Editors:

    WATERLOO, ON, May 12 /CNW/ -
    The Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine (CFPM) has selected
    Vancouver, BC as the Best Walking City in Canada for 2008.
    The CFPM established the Best Walking City in Canada contest to
    bring awareness to the country’s health and well being of its residents
    and to celebrate each city’s unique characteristics. The contest was
    open to the country’s 100 most populous cities and required completion
    of an application and questionnaire. The questionnaire looked at
    8 different criteria in the areas of: trail and park accessibility;
    comfort and safety; and interesting and attractive scenery.

    The City of Vancouver achieved high marks in the areas of:

    - percentage of people who walk to work
    - number of kilometers of trails
    - ideal year round temperatures
    - good air quality
    - many points of interest and attractive landscapes

    In addition, Vancouver’s commitment to making their city
    walking-friendly can be found in other city-wide programs.
    Civic initiatives such as Active Communities Vancouver and One Day
    provide programs that enhance and support citizens to walk to work
    and exercise for enjoyment. There are more than 44 “Step Out Walks”
    featured on the Active Communities web site.
    Several of these City walks include themes such as art, history,
    architecture and nature. The establishment of 23 neighborhoods
    within the City has helped to create local walkable communities.
    These beautiful neighborhoods have been enhanced by the City’s
    infrastructure that emphasizes and supports walkability through:
    transportation corridors, land acquisition and establishing
    Neighbourhood Greenways.
    The First Runner Up is Fredericton, NB.  The City of Fredericton
    scored high in the areas of good air quality, many points of interest
    and attractive landscapes and a very low personal crime rate.
    The Second Runner Up is Nanaimo, BC.  Nanaimo has lots of
    hiking trails and parks, moderate year round temperatures and good
    air quality.
    The members of the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine (CFPM)
    are concerned about Canadians walking comfortably. Healthy feet are
    important to perform Canada’s favourite exercise, walking. Therefore,
    the CFPM would like to recognize the cities that have walker-friendly
    environments and encourage their residents to participate in walking
    as an inexpensive and enjoyable form of exercise.
    Walking can be done anywhere and anytime. It can be for enjoyment,
    exercise and transportation. Studies have shown people who walk
    have fewer incidences of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and
    obesity. The foot-friendly exercise can even help people live longer
    and improve their over all well-being.
    Join us as we celebrate Vancouver as the Best Walking City in Canada
    on Sunday, May 18, 2008, at 2:00 pm in Hastings Park, Vancouver, BC.

                                              % of                    No.
                                              People                  poor
                        Walking   Area        who                     air
                        trail     of          walk to    Average      quality
                        distance  Parks       work       temperature  days

    Vancouver, BC       9.33      8.67        8.67       10           10

    Fredericton, NB     7.33      7.33        5.33       4.67         10

    Nanaimo, BC         10        8           4          9.33         10

    Brantford, ON       8         6.67        2          8.67         4

    Peterborough, ON    8.67      4.67        6          5.33         4.67

    Regina, SK          5.33      9.33        9.33       2            10

    Brandon, MB         6.67      5.33        4.67       1.33         10

    Rimouski, QC        2.67      10          7.33       4            3.33

    Greater
    Sudbury, ON         2         2           10         2.67         6

    Kingston, ON        1.33      1.33        8          8.67         0.67

    Truro, NS           6         4           6.67       6            5.33

    Hamilton, ON        3.33      2.67        2.67       7.33         1.33

    Prince George, BC   4.67      3.33        3.33       3.33         2.67

    Oshawa, ON          4         6           1.33       6.67         2

    Timmins, ON         0.67      0.67        0.67       0.67         10

                        No.
                        of
                        points    No.       No.         Overall
                        of        personal  pedestrian  summary
                        interest  crimes    accidents   presentation  Total

    Vancouver, BC       9.33      5.33      0.67        10            72

    Fredericton, NB     8         10        6.67        10            69.33

    Nanaimo, BC         7.33      2.67      5.33        7.33          63.99

    Brantford, ON       5.33      4         8.67        10            57.34

    Peterborough, ON    8.67      8         4           6             56.01

    Regina, SK          10        3.33      2           4.67          55.99

    Brandon, MB         4         6         6           10            54

    Rimouski, QC        3.33      9.33      7.33        6             53.32

    Greater
    Sudbury, ON         1.33      7.33      9.33        4.67          45.33

    Kingston, ON        2         8.67      8           4.67          43.34

    Truro, NS           6.67      1.33      1.33        4.67          42

    Hamilton, ON        4.67      7.33      4.67        4.67          38.67

    Prince George, BC   2.67      2         2.67        7.33          32

    Oshawa, ON          6         0.67      3.33        1.33          31.33

    Timmins, ON         0.67      4.67      10          1.33          29.35

    For further information:
    phone Stephen Hartman, CEO of the Canadian Federation of Podiatric Medicine
    at 1-888-706-4444, at his clinic at (519) 888-6274 or via email at
    shartman@xplornet.com.

Tomorrow, Tuesday May 13^th is your chance to meet in real life the local people that you follow through Twitter. The London tweetup will start around 7:30 and is being held in the back of Coffee Culture on Richmond St (map).

We had a great turnout for our 1^st-ever Tweetup last month and it’d be great to see even more people this time.

Don’t understand what this is? Need help getting started or making it more useable? No problem… newcomers are welcome!

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