Buy Nothing Day

It warmed my heart today to walk into the Thirsty Camel downtown, for a quick lunch before a haircut and library trip, and be told by Ilan that he was refusing to take money today because it was Buy Nothing Day. In an effort to further awareness of the absurd over-consumptive nature of our society, Ilan suggested a trade for food today. He simply asked that you offer something of equal personal significance for the meal you received.

At first I was really uncomfortable, wondering if it would be fair to exchange a yet to be determined IOU for food? What could I give him of equal value? After all, his food is kick ass. I would go so far as to say his food is the best in Nanaimo! (!!)

We ended up writing our IOU's with promises of a book (one from my previous posting), some baking and the offer of labour in a variety of ways if he needs it. Carpentry skills, gardening, moving help... whatever he needs. 

I suppose the idea isn't that the trade is "equal" so much as the importance of the actual nature of the transaction. There was thought put into our offer and there was an even greater appreciation for the meals we ate.

We don't buy a lot, especially at this upcoming time of year. We don't give gifts at all in fact. My kids might receive a gift or two from family members who refuse to take a different approach but the holiday time is spent enjoying each other's company and doing things together with family and friends. This approach isn't limited to the few times of year on recognised holiday's. This is a year round approach and one that seems most sensible.

Ilan is a good person. We are all lucky to have someone like this in our community.

Ward System In Nanaimo?

Larry Gambone
November 16, 2008 at 11:50 am ·

I will be interested to read your alternative to a ward system, Ann. But I think we have to realize that “at large” is a deliberate rigging of the electoral system to favor the more privileged section of the population. Vancouver used to have a ward system, but it was abolished in the late 1930’s when it looked like the CCF could take city hall, since poorer wards outnumbered the wealthy ones four to one.

I don't have an alternative to the ward system but I don't think it will solve all the city's electoral problems. 

I'd like to see electoral reform on a Federal and Provincial level more than a Municipal. Nanaimo isn't the same as Regina or Kelowna and while North Nanaimo's issues are very different than the South End's, many residents live and work all over the city and we are electing eight councillors to represent the whole city instead of just one area. The Ward system would regionalise and polarise the city when we're looking for unity.

I like that I have the ability to vote for a good candidate outside of my local area (Fred/Ron), just as I like being able to avoid supporting a poor candidate from my neighbourhood (Angela/James). Just because a candidate lives here won't mean they'll be the best option for Nanaimo.

I'm a strong supporter of Gordon Fuller and Simon Schachner but they would have been my only choice had the Ward system been in place!

I'd like to have my vote count towards the whole of city council and not just one representative. I like my vote to address issues and problems outside of my Ward area. With the Ward system you'd essentially be casting your vote based on the one most significant issue in your area only. (Much like the reactionary voting against Gary Korpan.)

I strongly believe that it's imperative for a community that wants representation to work hard at getting local residents informed and involved. If everyone from the South End voted in support of a candidate addressing South End issues than our voices would have been heard.

These elections should be about issues instead of politicians and their personalities. How we achieve this is up to us all. The southern half of the city is just that- half the city. Our inability to mobilise and make the issues affecting us on a daily level a significant factor in the election says more about us than it does about the electoral system or the politicians. No matter the circumstances each individual's vote carries the same weight. 

Let's work together now to make the next election count and work with the current elected councillors until that time.

Less than a week until the 2008 Canadian Federal election.

I'm really interested in what's going to happen with the Federal election next week. I haven't posted all that I wanted to with my various thoughts throughout the campaigning but I thought I would share some of my somewhat random thoughts in the few minutes I have free here.

NDP. I read a few blogs that are obvious NDP supporters. I always read with interest despite the fact that I would never vote NDP, federally or provincially. I enjoy the fact that people care about politics and issues more than I do about who someone actually supports.

Is it me or is Layton looking really old all of a sudden? Sorry but I've really been wondering! I'm not an NDP supporter for a lot of reasons but mainly because they gain support by promising to prop up labour interests in this country without accepting the reality that our country is in desperate need for a change in the way we think and do things. It's not enough to promise to protect "jobs" in failing industries when the nature manufacturing and resource extraction is changing rapidly. People in these industries should be looking elsewhere for real employment security instead of waiting for bail outs and clinging to paradigms that have changed long ago.

Liberal. I wouldn't call myself a Liberal supporter but I find myself enjoying Dion more as time goes on. I watched some of the Liberal leader's race awhile ago and thought what a surprise it was that Dion came out on top. He didn't seem to be the right leader. Almost like he wasn't politician-like enough. He seemed too much like a real person. Ha. Turns out I like that kind of politician and feel like I can trust him more. I like the promise of systemic change, even if it's hard for some Canadian's to swallow. I think Dion could lead us through a period sweeping changes and still maintain the common values that Canadian's seem to share.

Conservative. I'm not sure there's much to say on this front. Economy economy economy. Having the economy as a prominent feature on your election platform (such that it is) is really only paying lip service to a beast that is largely out of their control. Our government, whoever they are can not significantly change the economy in any immediate fashion. It's gone the direction it has because of the policies and agreements (read: Free Trade) made in the 80's and 90's. I don't think it's such a bad thing in the grand scheme of things for the economy to wane. This could provide the motivation for us to look into the future and decide what we want our country to look like. 

Ideally, I'd like the government to start thinking less globally and consider what would be good for Canada not having to fear whatever the world economy is doing. Less exporting of jobs and resources and less importing of food...... I'd like to see Canada move in a more self sustainable direction. I have no confidence that a Conservative government would do anything in the interest of Canada apart from lining their own pockets as well as the wealthy and of those who own big business. I've said it before but I'll say it again. I don't think profit for the wealthy should be the bottom line.

Green. What's interesting to me about the Green party is their ideology. Their platform shows them to be quite financially conservative (small c). Many peg them as left when they are actually a pleasant mix landing themselves in the middle. I hope that the Green party can at least keep one seat in Parliament and offer their different yet very pertinent perspective to our government.

I admit I'm very turned off of one part of their party platform and that's the interest in legalising marijuana. I suppose that could be a whole separate posting ranting about how un natural marijuana has actually become, how physically damaging it is to use. While I may not be opposed to a little discreet personal use I absolutely disagree with allowing it to have mainstream acceptance.

Bloc Quebecois. I have almost nothing to say about the Bloc except that I think they are just as important a voice to be heard in Parliament as any of the parties. Even if they are only running in one province they are speaking for a large population of our country and therefore an important part of what makes up our government.

So who do I vote for? In the past I've felt a kinship with the favourite Canadian pastime of political apathy leading me to vote against the party I liked least. This year I'm happy to say that I feel like I have two real choices. I could gladly vote for the federal Liberals or Green party. Sadly where I currently live neither are favoured to be hitting that finish line first. 

It seems that in many places in BC, voters confuse provincial and federal politics. And rightly so thanks to our provincial Liberals actually being a Conservative (big C) party. I imagine this makes things a bit harder for the federal Liberals. We live in a world that is increasingly dominated by the actions of political and religious extremists. Canada is a multi cultural society and centralist politics will address the needs of the greater proportion of the population in these extreme times. It's unfortunate that people feel that they have to vote in such a polarised fashion. Neither hardline conservative nor leftist government will fully address the needs of the province or the country. 

You may also want to:

Vote for the Environment

Gordon Fuller

Further to my post about South End Representation and Gordon Fuller's running for city council I was in touch with Gord today. He was kind enough to email me some information about himself to facilitate anyone looking online in getting to know who he is and what he can offer the City of Nanaimo. I replied to him with the sentiment I share now: I think he would be an asset to the City of Nanaimo and I would be proud to live here if the changes he suggests are made. 

November 15th
Elect to Council

Gordon Fuller

Building Community

An Alternative to Vested Interests

In running for Council for the third time Gord believes he would bring a balanced perspective with both personal and professional experience around social issues as well as his involvement over the years with various community groups. A long time Social and Community activist Gord knows it is critical to recognise the importance of a healthy diverse economy in providing meaningful employment and the necessary tax base from which to run our fair city. “We need a strong advocate on council representing the interests of the South End, an advocate who also understands the issues in other areas of the city as well. There is much to be said for the Ward system as opposed to the at large. This becomes even more apparent when we consider South of the Hospital area has seen no elected representation for years.”

Gord is a third generation Nanaimoite, himself having lived in Nanaimo for the past 27 years most spent in the South End and Downtown areas. In 2002 he completed a degree in Child & Youth Care at Malaspina University/College while working full time as manager of Samaritan House Emergency Shelter. Gord is currently employed with Nanaimo Youth Services Association as coordinator of their 20 unit Youth Housing Complex.

Active in the community Gord Fuller is currently Co-Chair of the Nanaimo 7-10 Club Society, President of Friends of Plan Nanaimo, Vice President of the South End Community Association and Vice Chair of the Nanaimo Neighbourhood Netwerk. He is also an active participant on the Board of Citizens Advocacy as well as with the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership – Housing Design Development subcommittee, Working Group on Homeless Issues, Neighbours of Nob Hill, Nanaimo Old City Association and Mid Island Coalition for Strong Communities. Gord’s past community involvement has also been extensive including participation with the Nanaimo Crystal Meth Task Force, Nanaimo Alcohol and Drug Action Coalition, Working Group on Downtown Social Issues, Mental Health Advisory Council, City of Nanaimo Nuisance Property Committee, Nanaimo Social Development Strategy, S.A.F.E.R Downtown Nanaimo Project, Community Food Connection, Food Link Nanaimo, Action for Diversity Team and Nanaimo Food Share Society.

“I believe Nanaimo is a unique city that still has an opportunity to work collectively towards not repeating the mistakes other cities have made in the past. We need to focus on the preservation of Nanaimo’s heritage with development that works in harmony with the waterfront and mountain vistas, maintaining the unique character of neighbourhoods and the community, Citizen Driven and Not Developer Driven. Smart Growth not rapid growth should determine Nanaimo’s future.”

“We need to implement sustainable small-scale social programs that move away from the institutional and towards community integration. We must work towards Social Equality and the elimination of the endemic poverty that exists in Nanaimo. This process can be accomplished in part through innovative sustainable affordable housing options that do not place a greater burden on the already high taxes that exist in Nanaimo. It is imperative that we, as a community, recognize and value diversity and the potential of all citizens in contributing to make Nanaimo a vibrant and inclusive community.”

In keeping with a vision of a healthy community Gord believes, “we must look towards the environment both urban and rural. Initiatives towards green energy, environmental protection and public ownership of our drinking water must be given priority.”

Other Comments:

Parks: “ From recreational to Tot Lots we need to ensure all of Nanaimo’s Parks are safe from rezoning in the future.”

Water: “We need to ensure that privatization of water never comes up on the agenda of the municipality and Regional District. Nanaimo needs to look to the purchase of the watersheds surrounding our drinking water.”

Planning: “Nanaimo is fast becoming a laughing stock, among communities across Canada, when it comes to urban planning. We need to implement smart growth principals creating density within, rather than by expanding, the urban containment boundary.”

Development: “Neighbourhood involvement needs to be the first step for developers before taking their projects to the city for approval. “

Housing & Homelessness: “The City of Nanaimo must lobby provincial and federal levels of government to work with the municipality in the provision of affordable/social housing and other means to end homelessness and poverty in Nanaimo.”

Concentration of Social Services: “Most communities work from the adage that you put the services where the people are. This has tended to concentrate services in the downtown or bordering neighbourhoods and results in urban decay and the ghettoization of the community. Poverty is not located in any one area and as such we need to look at creating smaller scale services outside of the downtown areas. We need to move away from large scale all-in-one institutional settings.”  

Food Security/Policy: “The City of Nanaimo must adopt a food charter coordinating municipal strategy that will encourage greater support for local food producers as well as allowing for the development of community gardens that would help provide food security to those in need in Nanaimo.”

Conflict of Interest: “If there is even a remote chance of conflict or perceived conflict of interest councilors must make it known.”

Councilor behaviour at council meetings/public hearings: “The denigrating of people speaking to council must stop. All citizens coming before council must be treated with respect.”

City Council Terms of Office: “Too often this has become a career, many having sat on council for 25 years or more. I believe we need to limit the number of terms a person sits on council to 2 or 3 at the most. This would allow for a quicker turnover to fresh ideas and enthusiasm on the part of newly elected municipal officials.”

A strong believer in an open communication process you can feel free to contact Gord at:
Ph: 250 754 6389
e-mail: gorfathome@yahoo.ca

South End Representation

I saw in the paper today that Gordon Fuller is going to run for Nanaimo city council. While I'm glad to see an article about him, for gawd sakes could then not use a better picture? I'll save the rant on the dodgy editorialising by the local newspaper for another day. Go Nanaimo Blog also makes mention of Gordon here (with a normal photograph of him even). I wish there was more about Gordon online to get to know him better and follow his campaign to become a city council member. Maybe Gord needs to enter the world of Facebook!

I don't know Gordon apart from what I'm reading recently and occasionally seeing him around town but I'm excited about the possible south end representation. Too many decisions made for (south) Nanaimo are made by people who don't live here and their decisions seem to be exclusively interested in making money instead of putting what's good for the local community first. These people can't and/or don't truly care what goes on here because it isn't in their backyard. 

From what I've read about Gordon so far, I like that he's involved in a number of different programs in the community. Oh heck, if that's not the understatement of the century. This guy is a part of almost every social advocacy group in the city! He obviously has an interest in making things better and is aware of the many real problems our community faces. 

I'm looking forward to hearing more about Gord's vision for the city. 

South End Community Association

I noticed the South End Community Association now has a blog of their own. 

http://seca1.wordpress.com/ 

This will be a good opportunity to stay up on what's going on in the South End. I see that they already have a number of good articles about the South End being split into different ridings for Provincial elections and updates on Deverille Park. It's worth a look.

Full Steam Ahead?

As you probably read in the paper today the Island Corridor Society is looking to increase support in renewing and enhancing the train corridor on Vancouver Island.

I've written before in support for rail travel here. I wholeheartedly believe in the logic behind developing affordable and extensive train services on Vancouver Island, all over BC and across Canada. I was excited to read about what the Friend's of the Corridor are working towards.

Please consider signing up in support of this worthy issue. Your privacy is assured and names and email addresses are not posted (unless you want you name listed on the site).

Negative Option With Cable Bay Lands Project

Negative option marketing is morally questionable business behaviour and yet it seems the city has embraced this policy with enthusiasm. 

Go Nanaimo Blog has laid out the Cable Bay Lands Project quite clearly. 

The city wants to take 39 hectares from the Regional District of Nanaimo to add to it's 420 hectares and allow an Alberta developer to come in and build a high density resort. The city has given Nanaimo residents opposed to this project about a month during prime holiday season to sign an Elector Response Form. You can also find and drop off these forms at the Green Store or the Thirsty Camel. If the city receives less than 5815 forms than the deal will go ahead. 

The Alberta developer wants to build more than 1800 residential units, a golf course and resort on this forested and trail covered land. This is a wildlife corridor and includes wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas. This self contained resort will bring little, if any benefit to the Nanaimo area. In fact, the burden on the city infrastructure will offset whatever tax payments the resort will make to the city. Not to mention the inevitable upgrades and civil works the city will have to provide to support the large scale development. Power lines, fiber optics, sewer, water, gas, roads and intersections.... 

The Cable Bay area is already subject to a relatively high rate of property crime. Adding a new subdivision so far from town and police services will likely only increase potential targets for thieves. These will be largely seasonal homes occupied by absentee well to do owners. We don't need another distraction for already overworked police services. 

It would be nice if the city of Nanaimo would consider a plebiscite that more accurately and thoroughly establishes the opinion of the citizens. Financial gain for a few should never be the bottom line. Real estate developers have become experts at selling these projects but they seldom serve the interests of anyone but a handful of investors. 

Please take a moment to fill out an Electoral Response Form at the Green Store or the Thirsty Camel downtown.

VIHA and CMHA and Balmoral Hotel, Oh My

Thanks to Dilling for the heads up with this post. 

Despite the lack of adequate notification to people who live in the south end of Nanaimo that this meeting was taking place it was reported that about 120 concerned neighbours attended. It was so crowded that the hosting South End Community Association put a speaker in the hallway so attendees could hear those speaking into the microphone inside. Those who attended cared enough that they withstood the stifling heat in the building.

I was left feeling conflicted at this meeting. On one hand, I was pleased that I wasn't the only one with the concerns over what the Vancouver Island Health Authority and the Canadian Mental Health Association is proposing. On the other hand, I was really let down that it appeared that VIHA and CMHA representatives were acting on the obligation to be there. They seemed to be going through the motions instead of listening to the opinions and concerns shared. If I could have asked one question it would have been to ask where these representatives lived. I highly doubt any of them live in the south end.

The biggest disappointment for me wasn't even a main topic for the night. It was realising that when we're told that created housing is going to be spread out over the Nanaimo area they really mean it will be spread out over the South Nanaimo area. There seems to be no intention of opening up housing outside of this already burdened neighbourhood. To hell with the people that live here who have been working hard to turn the neighbourhood around and create a worthwhile community.

As many many people have already attested, having a low barrier style resource center in a neighbourhood that is actively trying to make drug sellers and users unwelcome is a serious step backwards. To impose this on the community is unfair and unkind. I can see the benefit to having a low barrier style living room space for the purpose of getting these people off the street as well as getting them in touch with crisis response in the interest in harm reduction. The location however, is vitally important to get right. It needs to be central but also enclosed enough that it discourages people from loitering and hanging out in large groups in front or near by. It's a difficult balance of offering addicts access to much needed services and making it uncomfortable enough that they won't linger after their treatment. 

VIHA and CMHA seem to be giving the whole harm reduction strategy lip service rather than wholly buying in to the concept. They consistently don't employee enough people and jeopardise the whole process by underfunding and understaffing the front line service. There's a serious lack of planing. They don't consult with the city, neighbourhoods or police. They simply look for the cheapest building immediate to the problem area and slam as many services as possible in it. Many of these people need hospital services every day or week. Why aren't they creating housing and service options near the hospital? 

The most significant pillar of the harm reduction strategy is getting the people at risk removed from their stressers. That means off the streets, away from direct access to drugs and the drug culture. This is why VIHA should be looking outside of South Nanaimo and around the municipality and throughout the central island. We only need to look at the problems facing the city of Victoria right now to understand how horribly wrong things can go if this stress is concentrated in one area. 

Organisations like VIHA and CMHA must work with the community. If there isn't significant buy in and commitment at all levels then the whole thing is for naught. It's important to remember that the homeless and those at risk are still members of our society and we have an obligation to help them move towards a healthy lifestyle. Throwing pennies in the wishing well hoping this will go away is more expensive in the long run and ultimately helps no one.

From the South End Community Association:

HI everyone: well, the media has picked up on our issue and we need to ensure that our message is heard. 

The first article in Thursday's Nanaimo Daily News, focuses on much of what happened at the meeting on Wed nite. Here's the link.

Today's articles reflect the city's growing rebuttal to our efforts. Here's the link. 

It appears that their major argument is going to be that we've got all the druggies and homeless here anyway, that we are a neighbourhood under great stress and they are the great white knight riding in to help us. 

Yes, we have had some problems in the past few weeks, but those have been due to at least 2 drug busts that have sent people out onto the street. The last 18 months has been relatively free of the type of hassles we used to suffer years ago. And we are doing most of it ourselves, with the help of the RCMP and bylaws. We have taken charge of our neighbourhood. We need to bring THIS message across.

Please, please take the time to reply to one of these articles....NOW...there's a section at the end where you can post. The media will help us, but ONLY if we feed it...and we know that the PR folks on the other side will be doing exactly that.

Or send an e-mail directly to the editor: editor@nanaimodailynews.com

The Nanaimo Bulletin also published an article on the front page of Thursday's paper (no link avail) and there will be an article on Saturday. They are happy to post as many letters to the editor as they can fit in, so don't forget them, because this is the paper that many of your neighbours read.

Here is their e-mail address: editor@nanaimobulletin.com

What you write doesn't need to be perfect...and if you are stuck, just call me at 740.0123 and I'll help.

And please, send a copy of your letter to us so we can bundle them together for city council.

Thanks

Barbara Densmore

Also, city council meeting Monday night July 14, please mark on your calendars. We are on the agenda.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Okay so the title doesn't totally work but hey, it's catchy.

It's becoming more and more expensive to drive vehicles and fly airplanes these days. Prudent people are increasingly trading in their gas guzzlers for more efficient cars or even trying to go car free as often as possible. Buses and bikes are seeing more use as a result. Airlines are also scaling back on flights and even reducing airspeed in an effort to save on fuel costs. I can't help but agree with many out there that rising fuel costs are a blessing in disguise. That sadly this may be the only way our society will make a more ecological change in the way we do things. 

So even if we want to be gentler on the environment we still need to get places. Unfortunately, the way we live is not always logical or efficient. Living far away from where we work doesn't make a lot of sense and yet many people choose to make long daily commutes. There are so many residential waste lands far away from not only work but... well, anything. You have to drive to get groceries, take your kid to school, go see a doctor, rent a movie... It doesn't help that people in general love box store shopping. Everything you need and more things you don't, all in one place, cheaply made and a price to match.

North America is a car centered society. It's entirely redundant, expensive and ecologically unsound for every household to own and maintain at least one internal combustion vehicle and many families own more than one! Here in North America the mentality is often one of abundance and entitlement to that abundance no matter the cost to others or the environment. In many jurisdictions the costs of insuring and maintaining vehicles is becoming increasingly prohibitive. Automobiles put a huge strain on our domestic, civic and provincial infrastructure. Purely from a land use perspective to dedicate the space to park all these vehicles is simply wasteful.  

It's truly a shame that with a little forsight and community spirit as a goal we might all live with useful shops including a decent grocery store in walking distance and if we didn't work nearby there was some sort of transit option to get there with ease. Europe is an excellent model for this kind of living.

So here's where we get to trains. 

When rail systems are well maintained they can be a fantastic way to travel long or short distances. Trains can be incredibly environmentally efficient and safer than alternatives like driving on highways. Trains are a more comfortable way to travel because you can get up and stretch your legs, have space to catch up on work, and survey the passing scenery usually without that including endless highway. You can meet and connect with other people on trains, grab something to eat or have a snooze. All this you can do before getting to your chosen destination. The only downfall to train travel as I see it is the fact that it's not quite as fast as other options. All the more reason to slow down your life a bit, if you ask me the benefits far outweigh the converse.

It would be encouraging to see serious investment in train travel over Canada, throughout BC, on Vancouver Island and locally around Nanaimo. I would love to travel around Canada with my bike and backpack. I'd love to see far reaching places beyond what you can see from the limiting few highways. It would be great for tourism for most of these rural places if it were easy and comfortable to access the area. A trip up island for a couple of days via train would be fantastic. On the other hand, a trip down island to Victoria would be handy as well, not to mention much safer than driving the congested Malahat.

I walk around Nanaimo and imagine the train tracks already in place being used to their full potential and even expanded with more track laid. I can imagine a main downtown train station at 109 Front Street, right on the corner of Esplande where a dilapidated, slummy drug addict hangout currently sits. How brilliant would it be for people in North Nanaimo to hop on a train and come downtown for the day or evening event. It would be equally great for someone in South Nanaimo to go into North Nanaimo for a quick trip. No cars needed. No parking concerns. Ahhhh.... 

Trout Slapped and Falafel Heaven

Further to this posting...

Why put needed sidewalks on busy roads where they don't exist when you can just redo perfectly satisfactory sidewalks you already have? This is the corner of Albert and Kennedy downtown Nanaimo and not the only sidewalk getting a facelift. 

I don't even know what more there is to say about this.  

On a more positive note, while walking downtown to get some groceries from Thriftys last night we stopped and had supper at the Thirsty Camel. It was as fantastic as ever. I see that the Thirsty Camel is now making speciality coffees and more quick breakfast type items. The muffins sound amazing! 

Here's a shot of our supper- a Falafel Patter and a Chicken Platter. Best falafel I've had (and I've long made a great falafel!). The chicken is always so fresh and delicious. It probably has to do with the fact that it's locally grown and non medicated chicken from Piper's Meats. The tahini, the hummus, the olive oil... it's all so good! My stomach is starting to growl for more!

Third Most Walkable City in Canada?

NNB

They should clarify that distinction to "most drive to walking destinations". I walk often and I find "dangerous" to be a better descriptor than anything else when it comes to walking in the city of Nanaimo and the fact that it's dangerous seems almost entirely attributed to the lack of sidewalks this city has built. Is this problem exclusively a South Nanaimo problem or are there a lack of sidewalks on many main roads in North Nanaimo as well? Somehow I think not. 

With newer and more exclusive neighbourhoods, sidewalks being found on not only one side but both sides of the street is fairly common. What's ironic to me is that many of the people who live in neighbourhoods like these don't like to leave their overly large houses on small lots unless it's in their cars. Yes, this is a pretty big generalisation but in my experience a fair one. Most of these neighbourhoods don't offer anywhere to walk to even if you wanted to get out for a walk! They're residential labyrinths purposely designed to make it hard to find your way out once you've driven in. They're gateless (well, some are actually gated) gated communities with the only roads leading anywhere productive to be on the outside perimeter. So while they have sidewalks on each and every street winding this way and that, few people are out walking and less with any destination in mind.

There are many of us who can't afford to or simply can't imagine living in these kinds of subdivision "communities". I for one enjoy living in a small but decent sized home with character on a block where I know and talk to my neighbours. I like living where I can walk to the grocery store and enjoy all that the city's community has to offer in the way of parks and eateries. I like getting to know people and having people get to know me on my daily and evening walks. It is however a bit tiresome to be running from one side of a busy street to the other to avoid being hit by a speeding car because there are no sidewalks and no better place to cross when wanting to walk on the "safer" side of the sidewalkless street.

Look at Bruce Avenue as a prime example. This road has three schools located on it and doesn't have a sidewalk apart from a few random sections like the new addition of a one sided sidewalk next to the mall. So either kids are dangerously walking to school on the shoulder of the road each day or they are being driven to school however few blocks they live away. 

Pine Street is another street lacking in basic sidewalk requirements. Once it passes Third Street (or is it Fitzwilliam at this point?) it goes up over a limited vision hill and with the speed so many drive on this section of road a pedestrian must constantly be aware of impending danger. Pushing a stroller or wheelchair on this uneven gravel shoulder is next to impossible if your goal isn't to drive right into the littered bush. This road is even worst if cars are going top speed as it winds around to become Park Street. 

Harewood Road isn't much better unless you're talking about roads to successfully speed on. In that case it seems to be a very favourable road for that activity. Obviously a big part of the safety in walking on these roads has to do with drivers driving responsibly but this is a topic I'll save for a different blog posting.

I find myself questioning why $500,000 is being spend on "beautifying" a park that already exists and is already beautiful when the people who live here can't even walk to it in relative safety. Now I don't actually have a beef with money being spent on updating and renovating a park so it has a slightly different look for the sake of having it "feel" new and improved but it does seem to me like ridiculous city priorities.

I suppose that's how it works in bureaucracy and it's overwhelming singular interest in economy and wealth. Spend all the money on those who "contribute" most to the city. The tourists and those who live here who are more well to do. At least I imagine that's the city's thinking when it comes to city improvement projects. 

I'd like to see this city more useable for all the members of it. I believe something like sidewalks on at least one side of each street would enrich the community and offer a safer opportunity for people to leave their cars behind. It could encourage people to get outside where they would meet their neighbours and benefit their health and well being by moving their bodies and being in the fresh air.

There are a number of studies and books written about the enormous benefits of simply being outside. Studies that showed that sick people will recover at remarkable rates if they have even a small view of something outside. Children in particular can gain a great deal from being outside. Last Child in the Woods is a fantastic book outlining the pitfalls of our children being away from nature, including obesity and adhd type behaviour. 

The other obvious benefit of building sidewalks and walking when possible is not having to fill up your gas tank as often. With the ever growing cost of fuel it's a good time to be considering alternatives. Walking is certainly an affordable and proactive option.

Sore Sight

I don't like to drive often but needed to do a big grocery shop this morning at the Thrifty's downtown. Sitting at the intersection of Victoria Crescent and Nicol Street waiting for the light to change offers a sad sight. So many "shady" characters hanging out next to the highway on the same strip of grass that announces "Welcome to Nanaimo" or some such sign. It was hard to see the sign past the shopping carts. Skinny young gangster types obviously hooked on crystal and who's bodies are so ruined by drugs and street life that they can barely walk like they are younger than ninety years old. Unshaven men who look older than they probably are seem as if their only drive to go elsewhere is if they're told to move on and women who may have been beautiful long ago, covered with scabs and barely clothed giving every man they walk by a come hither smile. The New Hope Centre is supposed to discourage the lounging around on that strip of grass but it seems every time I walk by it's littered with people and the garbage they leave behind. 

The homelessness issue is one I feel so conflicted by. There are many people out on the street with mental illness who have little other option since taking care of themselves is obviously not feasible. There are many others out there who are there thanks to drug addictions. I'm sure there are even a few who are out there because they have no where else to go. Difficult home lives and the like. What can be done? What is being done already to help with this problem? I have to scratch my head when some suggest the police "do something" about it. Being homeless isn't against the law. 

The housing initiatives I've read about happening in Nanaimo over the next few years have me asking more questions. For one are they going to be placed all over Nanaimo? Many of the people that need housing need to get away from the downtown area and the life they've know for so long. They need a new perspective. Many people on the street need mental health assistance. These people aren't able to be independent. Is there going to be appropriate housing for these people?

I'm not sure how I feel about too many "low barrier" style housing options. I'd like to think that the bulk of the new housing goal is to help people get a step closer to breaking free from homelessness, drugs, crime or whatever their personal problems associated with being homeless are and getting people independent and contributing to the quality of their own lives. I guess I hope that it goes beyond putting a simple roof over their heads.

I would feel so much less contempt for some of these people if they weren't littering (garbage, needles...) or generally showing minimal concern for the community that cares about enjoying where we live. I suppose many of them would show more care and concern if they were less looked down upon and ignored. Quite the conundrum. 

A big part of me wonders why no one cares to think more about why people are becoming homeless in the first place? Why the appropriate mental health professionals are coming up with evaluations for individuals just barely above what's deemed needing full time care? I mostly wonder though why we put so little thought as a society into supporting families in raising children into becoming mentally healthy, stable individuals who care about their community and other people. 

Mainstream parenting these days seems to push children away to make them "independent" despite the fact that they are children and in every way need to feel dependant on their parents or guardians. A baby who came from the most intimate of places- inside our womb is born and placed in a barred box in a room down the hall, away from the comfort of our arms. We have devises like bucket car seats and swings to put our children in so we don't even have to hold them. There are self feeding bottles so you needn't be troubled with being near when they are hungry. Schedules and control are central to many parenting practices. This teaches our children not to trust themselves or their parents. Many parents aren't even raising their own children because of the "need" for a second income. Older children and teens quickly decide that their peers are their real family. How frightening is this? That they rely on one another for emotional support and growth. How can you mature if what you strive to be like is the same age and maturity level as yourself?

I propose a great deal of societies problems could be solved by trying to focus on families now. Endorse back to the basics, sensible and natural parenting practises and perhaps teaching families skills like how to cook basic, nutritious yet appetising whole foods meals and other ways to make staying home with your children affordable and generally helping families to thrive.

There are studies done that say the most important years in a person's life are the first three. That how the child is raised and treated during this time can determine what kind of person they could become. Having their needs met in these early years can make it easier for these children to one day meet their own needs and other's later in life. I read one study (and damn it if I could find it now!) in which convicts were questioned about their upbringing and virtually all had difficult and dysfunctional family situations often including abuse. 

It's easier for me to feel compassionate for these people when I recognise the many reasons that they are out there. 

One of my favourite things to do when I'm walking around town is to look at houses. I particularly love old heritage homes, but really any house is fair game when it comes my 'constructive critiquing'. "What the heck were they thinking when painting that house pepto PINK and all those odd additions... tsk tsk... They really should address the water damage thanks to all the stucco." 

The one thing that stands out to me the most is when TV's are placed in front of big picture windows in living rooms. I've seen so many ranging from giant flat screen tvs to smaller box tvs nestled in those big rectangular entertainment units. I've even see more than one tv plus equipment piled up in front of a window. These people really don't want to beat around the bush when it comes to their priorities. Why look outside when you can look at the TV? Who needs sunlight anyway when the tv emits perfectly good radiation over everything day and night?

I actually find it disturbing, although pretty standard to be walking in the evening and seeing house after house with tvs flickering away. When the tv isn't conveniently placed in front of the window you can usually see everyone in the family sitting perfectly still as the picture reflects off their faces. I suppose this is a much better sight than seeing the flickering of tvs in each room with the family separate from each other. I'm often surprised when normally intelligent, motivated people are drawn in and completely consumed by tacky low grade television, they've likely seen before, for hours at a time. 

How many people out there don't even own a tv anymore? Why is cable considered a "need" for people of lower income? How can it even fit into some people's budget? The most basic of cable is $32.95 a month. That's almost $400 a year of time wasting mind suck! How much do you spend on cable tv? 

There are many article out there that would caution against letting young children even watch tv. Just to name a few: Infants weaned on tv cannot concentrate, Too Much TV Can Have Negative Impact on Children, TV Has Negative Impact On Very Young Children's Learning Abilities, Trash Your TV.... 

What happened to getting outside after supper in the evenings to sit on the porch or out for a stroll? Can you imagine conversations with family and friends in the evenings or games being played? How about a quiet book to feed and relax your mind? 

I say do like the bumper says and:

Here I sit, buns a flexin'...

I'm hoping this blog will give me the opportunity to comment on where I live, the unsustainable and short sighted choices we make and some of the many possible alternatives. 

I first started thinking about writing this blog on one of my many daily or evening walks around Nanaimo. I mainly walk in the downtown and Harewood area since this is where I live. I'm constantly blown away by the way people choose to live and the way our city isn't set up to encourage being more sustainable and healthy. I love this area with it's history, character homes and accessibility to the downtown core as well as the many parks and eateries. 

Allium