Thursday, April 30, 2009

Peterborough Green Expo 2009 and CNIB Tech Fair

At the end of a broadcast season, you might think we don't have much going on. To be honest, I was starting to think it was going to be a bit quiet for me, but lo and behold - there's plenty to keep me occupied!

This past weekend we visited the Green Expo and saw some really different exhibits. We saw much of what you would expect - green lawn care, services and products for a greener home and workplace and local city/county initiatives. I picked up brochures and business cards for many products that I'll have to follow-up on.

Peterborough Green-Up was there with several displays. Today (April 30, 2009) is the launch for this year's Peterborough Moves program. Information was available at the Expo, but you can find out more about this program at http://www.peterboroughmoves.com/.

Some of the exhibits I wasn't expecting though. Once such display was Leading Lady Image Consultants (http://www.theleadinglady.ca/) with their green line of Rocia cosmetics and skincare.

There was representation from local farmers and By The Bushel Community Food Co-operative (http://www.bythebushel.ca/). I didn't get too much time to find out all I wanted to know about this organization, so I will follow up soon. They did have some literature available but I would have loved to see a "sample weekly basket". I know it would very depending on the season and availability what the basket held, but it would be helpful.

Kawartha Country Winery (http://www.kawarthacountrywines.ca/) had a lovely display of their products and I know we'll take a road trip this year to their winery. I have tasted their wines at Fiesta Buckhorn (http://www.fiestabuckhorn.com/), a local food and wine festival a couple of years ago and still remember their Black Currant wine being my favourite. There was no surprise when she told me that it was an award winner!

The other display that I was excited to see was Green St. e-bikes (http://www.green705.com/). I have been talking about getting an electric assist bike ever since we moved to Peterborough. Over the past few years I haven't seen anything that really got me seriously thinking about it until last weekend. At present you dont need insurance or a license - but the Ontario government's trial period on this is due to end in October, so things may change. I'll be watching http://ebikernetwork.org/ and the links posted to find out more. We'll have to wait and see if this is the year I get the bike of my dreams!

The students from Fleming culinary programs and Kenner Collegiate were hard at work in and out of the kitchen with their lunch of local flavours. We were speaking with the chefs before things got rolling and the kitchen at that time was quite warm. I didn't get a chance to eat as we had to tape and run, but I did see lots of people enjoying their tasty lunches.

Today we visited the CNIB Tech Fair held here in Peterborough and got a chance to see some of the amazing technology available - both low and high. From hand magnifiers and stand cameras that can scan pages as fast as you can turn pages to talking GPS systems, Bluetooth Braille keyboards, we got a chance to see it all. One of the most amazing items was a simple USB drive called a "System Access Key. Simply by plugging it into a USB drive on computer makes that system "Accessible" without software or hardware installation, Amazing!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Compassionate Men Where Red High Heels


Yes - compassionate ... and brave! Over 150 wonderful men will participate in Peterborough YWCA's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event at noon on Friday, May 1st, 2009. They'll be walking down George St in red high heels in support of YWCA's Crossroads Safe Haven Campaign for the new shelter. Pictured here are some on the participants and sponsors. Please dont miss the chance to support & cheer them on. We'll see you downtown next Friday!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

When weather hits - I might smile

When the weather hits you just know that some of us are excited (even if just a bit). Weather enthusiasts look forward to bad weather just like the sunshine.

I became a CanWarn volunteer several years ago. I took the training session and then enthusiastically watched the daily weather announcements so that I could put into practice what I learned. Its very much about being in the right place at the right time. I did live in Dufferin County at the time, a very good location for seeing weather action. I however lived at the bottom of Hockley Valley, a beautiful forested paradise. Unless I happened to be out and about, it was impossible to see anything unless you were in the thick if it.

A few years ago we relocated to the Peterborough area and after we were settled I started to look for ways to get involved. I was thrilled to find out that Environment Canada expanded the number of locations that they hosted their training session this year. I was prepared to travel to Toronto or Orillia if I really had to, but it was wonderful to have this training available in my own backyard.

This session featured weather snapshots and video from surrounding locales rather than the US mid-west. Geoff Coulson, Warning Preparedness Meteorologist for Environment Canada did a wonderful presentation citing details about recent regional events that really enhanced the training. It was almost like going to one of the sales conventions from years ago - the anticipation is rising and we're ready to spring into action.

I hope that you'll forgive me, but I AM hoping for a bit of inclement weather. I'm not wishing for anything significant - just enough to confirm that I understood the material.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

A lull in the whirlwind

Hockey is over for the year, most of the station's programming has completed its filming for the season and here I am once again wondering how I'm going to keep busy til next "season".

Now is the time that staff take their vacation time and summer students/interns fill in where needed, so the volunteers arent called on as much.

For months, we're running on empty (and lovin' it) trying to fit things into schedules that are already jam packed ... and now that I can actually sit back and enjoy a hot coffee, I realize I'm bored!

I actually thrive on a packed schedule. I'm more creative, more focused and less grumpy, as my daughter pointed out. I guess thats because I have to be!

I used to look forward to gardening in the spring and summer, but it just doesnt hit the spot now.

Maybe its a blessing that I won't be retiring!

Friday, April 10, 2009

Celebrating National Volunteer Week April 19-25th 2009


Volunteering at TVCogeco has been one of the most rewarding projects I have been involved with. I love a challenge and there is always something new to learn. It continues to be a fabulous way to get to know my new home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7Si1hVuCZo

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Embracing Social Media

OK - you'd thing a web developer would have delved into everything web, but to tell you the truth I really didnt see a reason to do it. I figured it was more of a time waster. I let the SEO people do their thing and I concentrate on building the structure and content.

I do have a Facebook account for keeping up to date with my peeps, but other than that I didnt do much else.

That is until one SEO company we're working with started to push us into participating...

So here I go head first. Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace and now a blog. Geeze - I hope I can post something useful once in a while.