Building for a Bright Future How our Expanding Rural Population Can Help with the Climate Crisis - theHumm July 2021
Building for a Bright Future How our Expanding Rural Population Can Help with the Climate Crisis - theHumm July 2021
By Chandler Swain
Lanark County will see many new neighbours move to our towns, villages and countryside in the coming years. All the homes these folks will need must factor into how we manage to slow down and reverse carbon pollution.
The Buildings and Transportation working group of Climate Network Lanark is currently focused on this issue, and its members have expertise in this important part of the climate puzzle. Check out their page at climatenetworklanark.ca . It’s worth noting their top mandated item: “Actions to reduce/eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings and transportation in Lanark County and region by 55% by 2030”.
A big part of this involves working with Lanark County’s Climate Action Plan, as well as Official Plans that the individual municipalities are revising this year, in order to meet this carbon reduction target. Since municipalities can control or influence fully half of all carbon pollution in their regions, we need proactive planning. Critical to creating our Official Plans is to tap into the effective solutions from near and far that offset the big climate problems associated with “urban sprawl.” Currently, when new homes are needed, developers plan new subdivisions, buy swaths of land, and build without many of these important considerations. The province stipulates building codes and provides direction to Official Plans, but municipalities control local land use and practices.
Canadians have had the luxury of living in large new homes on big lots in new developments for many years. My family moved to a new home in a housing development in the west end of Toronto in 1959. Our neighbourhood sat on one of the Golden Horseshoe’s fertile food producing spots: a cherry and apple orchard. A few of these abundantly producing trees were left in between the big energy-sucking homes (our “modern” house had huge floor-to-ceiling windows under which were vents that blasted warm air all winter, as my dad hollered at me to “turn off lights after you leave the room!”). We lived within sight of the four huge smokestacks of the Lakeview Generating Station and its eye-popping mountains of coal. The Lake Ontario shore near us was lined with miles of oil refineries and my town (Port Credit) had the dubious reputation for being the “nose cancer capital of Canada”. I learned to sail at the little harbour, as did all the local kids; keeling our clunky little sailboats frequently into the oil-topped water. The swimming was awful.
I clearly remember living in this mid-20th century model of new housing in expanding small towns. Cute little Port Credit and the neighbouring towns of Lorne Park, Clarkson, Cooksville, Streestville and Brampton are now indistinguishable from one another. We know this area as car-clogged Mississauga. Many of the problematic issues associated with this model of planning are coming closer to us here in Lanark. I am haunted by the spectre of wall-to-wall strip malls, crammed highways and endless solar panel-less rooflines connecting them. After all, I can report that Mississauga used to look exactly like Lanark County. It was a rural paradise spotted with pretty little towns, unique small business along walkable main streets. Old farms vanished faster and faster as the new highways allowed new strip malls and housing to follow.
Granted it has been amazing for so many people to get to live in our prosperous country and have all the modern conveniences of Canadian living: except for one thing. It’s coming back to bite us in a big way via the climate crisis.
I talked with CNL member Doug Smith about the third house he is intending to build: a four-season cottage on the western shore of White Lake. His recollection of overseeing a new house build years ago in Ottawa included several huge dumpsters of building waste being removed from the site. He now regrets this and is clear that his new build won’t be wasteful. He tells me that building waste can comprise around 60% of landfill! His builder has already suggested tweaking his plans to avoid waste in the Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) build. But another factor he spoke about was water use. This isn’t something high on our radar: especially here in the heart of so many beautiful lakes and rivers. But it’s worth noting that in a conversation with a well installer from Calabogie, Doug was told that groundwater is increasingly requiring deeper and deeper wells: 30 to 40 feet deeper on average (farther south in Lanark this figure is 75-100 feet deeper). We do indeed need to think about our water use, and especially what happens to grey water (as is done in many parts of the world). Doug has seen smaller old cottages being replaced with big homes way too close to the water, causing disruption to shore life and water quality. He plans to build back from the water, leaving every possible tree intact. He directed me to Endeavour Centre: The Sustainable Building School for the best information on sustainable building. Check out endeavourcentre.org .
We need to follow the example of new builds in more crowded places where they leave their green spaces intact and have chosen to build for a livable future. We now know that green spaces are as important to healthy living as a dry, warm house. We know that healthy communities allow us to walk to do our daily activities. We know that houses can be built to use only the sun and other renewables to run them. We know we can build closer together, with smaller homes, using cars less by having services in our subdivisions, creating 15-minute neighbourhoods like the ones currently being planned in Ottawa. There are many sites you can search for that are filled with information and photos about inspiring “eco neighbourhoods” around the world.
If we follow a mandate of sustainability and plan for vibrant communities using the proven examples at hand, we can hope for Lanark to thrive beautifully in the coming decades.
If you want to know more or contribute to the work with CNL on this or any of the other working groups, please email lanarkclimate@gmail.ca .
Danielle Barabé-Bussières: Nature/Wildlife Photographer - theHumm July 2021
By Sally Hansen
Art… and Soul
“Nature is the place to be,” according to nature and wildlife photographer Danielle Barabé-Bussières. Danielle celebrates her love of the natural world by capturing stunning images and transforming them into works of art. She has a gift for composition, a talent for exploiting the extensive capabilities of current post-processing software, and the dedication and patience needed to create an extraordinary photographic work of art from an excellent photograph.
Take a ......
Red TrilliumStudio Tour, July 3 & 4 - theHumm July 2021
The 43rd Red Trillium Studio Tour will take place over the weekend of July 3 and 4, showcasing the studios of some of West Carleton’s most talented artists and fine craftspeople. Just twenty minutes beyond Kanata into the scenic countryside around Carp, Dunrobin and Kinburn, you will be welcomed at studios featuring paintings, jewellery, sculpture, photography, woodturning, pottery, glasswork, designer clothing and fine art textiles.
Artists will be on hand to discuss their wo......
Almonte Celtfest is Turning 25! - theHumm July 2021
By Makayla Moore
Celtfest is a free afternoon of Ottawa Valley and Celtic entertainment, typically performed in the natural amphitheatre of Gemmill Park in the heart of Almonte, that has moved online almonteceltfest.com for the 2020 and 2021 installments of the festival.
It is hard to believe that this long-running event has been bringing the community together in Gemmill Park (and online) to dance, sing, and celebrate all things Celtic for 25 years!
......
Pleasure in the Small Things Part 3 of the Clothesline Saga - theHumm July 2021
By Glenda Jones
My clothesline suffered a slow and painful collapse one day last fall, and after a couple of estimates I convinced myself I could use a lot of dryer time for what it was going to cost to erect a 14-foot pole and re-string that line. But every wash day through the winter I yearned for the fresh smell of frozen laundry. I was tired of lint on the dark clothes, jeans shrinking, socks disappearing, everything in a wrinkled tangle like day-old spaghetti. I needed that clothesline.
A casual c......
MidSummer Herbfest A Virtual Celebration of Healthy Living - theHumm July 2021
MidSummer Herbfest is going virtual again in 2021 with a week-long event running from Sunday, July 25 to Sunday, August 1. Stay tuned to midsummerherbfest.ca for more details about this celebration of healthy living. This year, Herbfest will be showcasing parsley — the international herb of the year. You’ll find musical sets from Ottawa Valley artists Vicki Brittle and Khloe B Music, as well as online vendors, videos, kids’ crafts, an......
Music at Daisy Dell Farm - theHumm July 2021
By Kris Riendeau
As we emerge from months of lockdown and take our first tentative steps back into the “real” world, one of the first experiences many of us are seeking is that of live performances. Remember that elusive but transformative feeling of sharing a great vibe with musicians and fellow audience members? Tapping your feet and grooving along, mouthing the words to your favourite songs? Fortunately for the Ottawa Valley, Barb (Mattiacci) McIlquham recalls all those great feelings, having experienced them both as......
Three Artistic Outings in the Valley - theHumm July 2021
By Miss Cellaneous
Strévé Gallery Celebrates Canadian Local
In celebration of Canada’s Birthday and the Support Local Movement, Strévé Design Loft Gallery is featuring three Perth area artists and artisans during the summer months. Owner Cheryl Straby explains that: “supporting local emerging and professional artists has always been the mandate of the gallery since moving into my wonderful space three years ago. I guess that’s reason enough ......
“Ditch ‘Settlers' — Use ‘Neighbours'” An Interview with Tony Belcourt - theHumm July 2021
Born in the historic Métis community of Lac Ste. Anne, Alberta, Tony Belcourt’s career spans over 50 years of experience and significant achievement in Indigenous affairs, the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. As founding President of the Native Council of Canada (1971-1974), he was instrumental in creating a national voice for Canada’s Métis and Non-Status Indians, and his efforts were an important contributing factor in the Métis being recognized in the Constitutio......
Radiothon To Support Local Land Trust - theHumm July 2021
Submitted by Carolyn Piche
It’s no secret that our forests and wetlands provide us with countless environmental and health benefits. Being in wild areas can lead to improved emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing, while Nature purifies our air and water. Wild areas are also a key resource in our efforts to slow climate change because they sequester large amounts of carbon from the atmosphere.
Were you among the thousands who visited the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT......
Bloomfest Garden Art Show and Sale - theHumm July 2021
By Suzanne Patry
Last year, during the third week of July, Whitehouse Perennials hosted our first garden art show and sale. Late July is a particularly beautiful time because the display gardens and daylily field are in full bloom. It was a great success, and customers and artists were enthusiastic about making it an annual event. Beginning on July 21, the work of 14 artists will be installed throughout the three display gardens and the daylily field. The art will remain in place until August 2. The gardens ar......
A Lifelong Learner, Still On the Go - theHumm July 2021
By Sally Smith
There’s a “thief” in Araina Clark’s life.
“It takes away a lot of things, things you never realized it could, but one by one it marches through and takes….” Araina talks about the thief bluntly: “Reading has become more challenging. The thief took it early.”
She talks about “him” waiting around a corner, waiting to steal again next week, next month, in a few minutes.
“For me, the progression [of Parkinson’s Disease] has been slow, but I felt every loss, was amazed how my life was broken do......
Putting the “Live” Back in Live Music - theHumm July 2021
By John Pigeau
With live music venues set to open outdoors again, I actually feel a little silly trying to write about the transformative power of live music. I can’t, really. Because that power comes from the genuine human experience between musician and audience — and that transformative power is created live. In the moment. With music and voice, spontaneous gestures and impossible-to-describe feelings. And anyone who loves live music knows that. They don’t need it explained to them; they merely need to he......
Cross-Cultural BioBlitz with Youth Circle - theHumm July 2021
Submitted by Joanna Jack
Youth Circle for Mother Earth (YCME) will be hosting a youth-led BioBlitz across Ontario, online and on-site at the local Plenty Canada headquarters over a two-week period during the month of July. A BioBlitz is an event that involves searching for and identifying as many species as possible over a short period of time. Not only will this event be a fun and exciting way to contribute to crowd-sourced western science, but participating youth will also be contributing to I......
New Books byBlack Authors at the Mississippi Mills Library - theHumm July 2021
My name is Renée Kokonya Sullivan. I am from Kenya and have been living in Canada now for four years. I didn’t have a library growing up. I loved to read though. My only books were my textbooks from school. I loved reading through them, especially my English and Swahili books. The first time I entered a library was in university. I was in awe! So many books, such little time. I was hooked. Libraries and bookstores became some of my favourite places to hang out. I loved the smell of books, the qu......
How-Tos for Happier Hiking - theHumm July 2021
By Vickie Walsh
Are you prepared for emergencies while hiking? Is your child? Do you have supplies and know how to care for your dog?
Now that provincial restrictions are lifting (knock on wood), mud season is over, and maybe, just maybe, the worst of bug season is behind us — hiking is in full swing! Whether it’s inner-city trails or country escapes, there are plenty of trails (literally hundreds upon hundreds) for us all to enjoy. Safety is sometimes an afterthought when it comes to getting......
Two New Exhibitions at the Textile Museum - theHumm July 2021
From July 17 to September 18, the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum presents exhibitions of works by Murray Gibson and Donald Stuart.
Murray Gibson is a master artisan and member of the Royal......
Perth Manor: the End of an Era - theHumm July 2021
By Kris Riendeau
Gordon and Linda Craig have owned and run the Perth Manor Boutique Hotel for the past ten years, during which time they have made many contributions to the cultural and musical scene in the Ottaw......
Declutter for a Good Cause! Fundraiser for the Carleton Place Hospital - theHumm July 2021
You can now declutter and support the Carleton Place hospital at the same time!
The Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital (CPDMH) Foundation is thrilled to announce it has partnered......
MERA 2021 Award of Excellence - theHumm July 2021
By Submitted Helen Mogford
MERA (McDonalds Corners & Elphin Recreation & Arts) is delighted to announce that Fred Fowler is the recipient of the 2021 MERA Award for Excellence in the Fine Arts and Fine Crafts, with......
Building for a Bright Future How our Expanding Rural Population Can Help with the Climate Crisis - theHumm July 2021
By Chandler Swain
Lanark County will see many new neighbours move to our towns, villages and countryside in the coming years. All the homes these folks will need must factor into how we manage to slow down and rev......
60+ Hockey Coming to Almonte - theHumm July 2021
By Al Foubert
I will be moving to Almonte this October and wanted to pursue some gentle-manly and gentle-ladies hockey. Most leagues in the area had younger players mixed with seniors and in most cases it is d......
Update on the Blakeney Project Garden - theHumm July 2021
By David Hinks
I wrote a few months ago about the Blakeney Project — a two-acre field in Blakeney that has been leased (free of charge) to the Lanark County Food Bank (also known as the Hunger Stop) to grow fre......
Winning Big with the Hospital Lottery - theHumm July 2021
At first glance, Audrey Kealey and Jordan Waito don’t appear to have much in common.
Audrey is 81. Jordan is 22. Audrey is retired and lives in Carleton Place with her husband Brian. Jordan i......
Summer at Your Local Library - theHumm July 2021
By Amanda Robinson is the CEO of the Lanark Highlands Public Library
Summer Readingat the Lanark Highlands Library
The Lanark Highlands Public Library has had a very busy spring. We have continued to work on improving access to our coll......
Cubacan Bikes Sending Two-Wheel Lifelines to Cuban Families - theHumm July 2021
A volunteer group is collecting used bikes throughout Eastern Ontario to send to Cuba, and is asking local people for donations and help.
“More than a million Canadians normally travel to Cub......
That’s Me In Here by Cliff Bennett - theHumm July 2021
Cliff Bennett, a lifelong resident of the Almonte and Carleton Place area, has written a collection of his memories called That’s Me In Here. Over the past 89 years, Cliff has been active in......
Truth and Reconciliation Program for Youth - theHumm July 2021
The Plenty Canada team is excited to announce the third year of their Truth and Reconciliation Training Program for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth aged 15-30!
This year’s program will r......
Step Up and Dance! - theHumm July 2021
Dawn Dewar has been teaching Ottawa Valley Step Dancing for years, and when the pandemic made it impossible to do so in-person, she “pivoted” (dance pun intended) and decided to offer virtual cla......
Summer Movie Picks - theHumm July 2021
By Matt Roche
Summer is upon us, and this is the time for blockbusters and money-makers, for a quick escape into the dark cool movie theaters, supplying crisp air and buttery popcorn, for movie lovers to gathe......
Apr 27 Festival of the Maples
Apr 27 The Moth Project
May 4 - 5 Spring Fine Art Show
May 4 - 5 Spring Fine Art Show
May 4 Outskirts
May 5 Music at Mera: The Andrew Collins Trio
May 9 Family Paint Party: Paint Nite
May 11 - 12 Art in the Attic
- IS THIS A PROTEST?
- A Classic Whodunnit Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee at Studio Theatre
- Readers, Writers, and Poets
- Celebrate Indigenous Culture in CP
- Celebrate the ClassicsWith the Arnprior Choir
- 4F Auction Concoction Food, Fun, Fashion & Favourites
- Cheerfully Made Spring Market
- Electrify to Decarbonize Lanark
- Volunteer Forum
- Frankenstein Comes to The Station Theatre
