SGC Admin News and views

Thank you Mr. Fitzsimmons and Greg Hardy of the Town of Whitby for saving one of our mature trees.

Post Date: October 4 2012:

From the Editor:

Multicolour abstract tree 2 Stock Photo - 11009043
Graphics: http://www.rf123.com

June 2012 until November 2012 sees sewer and water-main improvements happening within the down town core of the Town of Whitby, mainly John Street West from Hight Street to Brock Street North. 

This is the older part of town and the water and sewer systems that run underneath the street have to be updated as they are 50 years plus, and like our human bodies these things can deteriorate. 

But, because this is an older part of the town, the Trees planted along the side-walks are also older, some as mature as 100 years. Their beautiful and practical presence makes the neighbourhood unique, cosy and welcoming and reminds us of the History of Whitby, along with the people who made that history.

The project was begun in June of this year and is expected to be completed by November of 2012. As the work progressed it came upon a lovely mature tree who was standing within the work zone. EEK….. :(

A concerned long time resident couldn’t just stand by and let the work progress for fear the wonderful mature tree would be pulled down… So he contacted the Town of Whitby ‘s Engineering department to voice his concern and plead for the life of the tree. 

Thank goodness his pleas were heard and Mr. Greg Hardy of Town of Whitby ‘s Engineering department was happy to come up with a plan to keep the old tree safely where she was and still continue the project as planned. 

With the help of an Arborist (Tree person) :) a solution was found… so now the work will go ahead around the tree, and in such a manner underneath the street as to avoid any upsetting of the root system… :) 

What a fabulous story, such good news… Huge thanks go out to Mr. Tom Fitzsimmons for caring enough to speak up and reach the right people, and to Mr. Greg Hardy for caring enough to make the project work while still respecting the fabulous work of Mother Nature… Well Done Boys… :) 

Source: Whitby This Week: October 3 2012

SGC Admin Moon Phase: Current Sun Sign:

Full Moon September 29 2012:

September’s Full Moon falls in the sign of Aries:

September 29 2012: 

Aries is beginning of the Zodiac, and he can be selfish.  But he can also be the hero and the adventurer… He’s certainly not afraid to “go where no one has gone before” 

So what does a full moon in Aries mean… 

Well, for some, it might prove to be an exciting one, where speaking up or out is more of an option then usual. A strong inclination to try something new, wear something different, explore a new night club, try a new sport etc. is also likely along with a sense of urgency or a heightened energy level. 

Have fun, but don’t force issues or over do things, try and use discretion when needed, and be patient around others and all should go well… :) 

This Full Moon is likely to have a “stronger effect” on people who have one or more of  the following: 

  • Sun Sign Aries:
  • Moon Sign Aries:
  • Ascendant Aries: 

Aries is the polar sign to Libra so those with Libra traits may also indirectly feel the effects of this full moon. 

  • Sun Sign Libra
  • Moon Sign Libra
  • Ascendant Sign Libra
SGC Admin Classifieds: Ads: Job Postings: Craft Shows, Eco News

Durham Seeks Environmentally minded youth: :)

Post Date: September 21 2012:

clean earth Stock Photo - 7577855

Calling all youth… the future is yours, but what kind of future are you walking into? 

If you are environmentally minded and feel you would like to make a difference in  a positive way regarding our environment… your chance may just have popped up… :) 

Durham region is accepting submissions from youth who are interested in sitting on the Durham Environmental Advisory Committee. 

Who can apply? Membership is open to all Grade 11 and 12 students who have an interest in environmental issues. 

What is the Durham Environmental Advisory Committee and what does it do? 

It’s a 17 member volunteer advisory committee. The task before the members is to provide advice to the Region regarding environmental planning. The members are also responsible for providing environmental awareness and out reach activities. 

If you are up to this it’s expected that you attend an evening meeting once a month in Whitby. 

If this sounds cool to you, don’t be shy… here’s what you need to do.. 

Submit a letter of interest as well as a letter of reference from your school along with a letter of support from your parents or guardian. 

You have until October 12 2102 to submit your letters, but it’s best to get them submitted while you are thinking about it… :) 

Submissions can be emailed to: deac@durham.ca

Mailed to: Planning and Economic Development Department: 4th Floor: The Regional Municipality of Durham: 605 Rossland Rd East: P.O. box 623, Whitby: L1N 6A3:

For more information Please Click Here to go to Durham region website. 

Thanks for your interest folks, and we hope you can come up with brilliant solutions to tidy up the mess us old folks have made… :) 

Source: Whitby This Week: 09/14/2012:

SGC Admin News and views

Town of Whitby Makes Waste Collection Easier:

Post Date: September 21 2012:

illustration of bed and pillow on a white background Stock Photo - 15028945

graphics: www.123rf.com

FYI Whitby Residents… :) 

The Town has launched a new on-line booking service for your special collections.. This is intended to make it easier for residents to dispose of unwanted items in a timely and efficient manner. :)

Each year residents are “allowed” one free special pick of up to 12 items once per calendar year. (12 month period). 

This special pick up is for those big bulky items you no longer need such as: 

Household furniture: 

Appliances: 

Car, light truck and bicycle tires: 

Please Click Here to visit the Town’s website to view a complete list of acceptable items or to book your pick up date. 

 

Source: Whitby This Week: 09/13 2012:

SGC Admin Eco News

FYI: Eco-news… A massive ray of hope: clean energy is booming, producing nearly 20% of the world’s electricity!

Post Date September 14 2012: 

From the Editor: FYI From our inbox to you… 

Healthy living, handwritten with white chalk on a blackboard. Stock Photo - 14351599

Avaaz Foundation

857 Broadway, 3rd floor: New York, NY 10003

Avaaz.org is a community of global citizens who take action onmajor issues facing the world today. Our aim is to ensure that the views and values of the world’s people — and not just political elites and unaccountable corporations — shape global decisions. Avaaz.org members are taking action for a more just and peaceful world and a vision of globalization with a human face.  Read More: 

Dear friends,

Climate change is accelerating, but there’s a massive ray of hope: clean energy is booming, producing nearly 20% of the world’s electricity! Incredibly, the US and EU are threatening to stifle this breakthrough — but together we can stop them.

In the last decade the Chinese government has invested billions in solar, sending panel prices plummeting and making clean green tech almost as cheap as dirty fossil fuels. But the US and EU, who give billions in taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil and Coal, are about to drive solar prices back up by putting tariffs on China, and now China is threatening to retaliate. A full on trade war is brewing that could kill the crucial green energy revolution.

The EU and US are deciding right now. Most of the solar industry is against tariffs — and now massive public support could tip the balance. Sign the urgent petition to save solar – if we build a 500,000 strong petition, Avaaz will make a formal submission to the US International Trade Commission and EU trade Commissioner calling for talks not tariffs:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/a_ray_of_hope_on_climate/?bYgpqcb&v=17625

China has a poor human rights and environmental record, and its strategy of flooding the global market with subsidised goods could be found to be too aggressive. But the right response to this is not tariffs, it is investment. While China, the EU, and the US all funnel billions into Big Coal and Oil to destroy our planet, China is also providing huge loans and subsidies to the solar industry. And that’s exactly what other governments have failed to do.

Following the bankruptcy of a handful of US and EU solar manufacturers, some lobbyists are pushing politicians to blame China, instead of their own insufficient and inappropriate subsidies. Some claim that domestic jobs are threatened by low-cost Chinese panels, but the truth is the opposite — experts predict that tariffs could cost 60,000 jobs in the US alone. The vast majority of jobs in the solar sector outside of China are in installing and servicing panels, not manufacturing them, so cheaper panels now means more work, and more jobs. And less climate change.

The EU trade Commissioner initiated the investigation into tariffs today and the US ITC proceedings are about to kick off. Written statements to both must be submitted in days to be considered. We’re in a race against the clock to green our economies and prevent catastrophic climate change, and Chinese success in green tech could be the perfect catalyst for the rest of the world to scale up the technology and sustainably bring down prices. Let’s make sure the EU and the US don’t kill our ray of hope:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/a_ray_of_hope_on_climate/?bYgpqcb&v=17625

With hope,

Iain, Joseph, Alice, David, Julien, Emma, Ricken and the rest of the Avaaz team

PS – Avaaz has launched Community Petitions, an exciting new platform where it’s quick and easy to create a campaign on any issue you care strongly about. Start your own by clicking here:http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/start_a_petition/?do.ps.solar

More information:

BBC — “China solar panel imports investigated by European Union”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19498382

Forbes – “Solar Trade War Widens To Europe, SolarWorld Called ‘Crazed Agent Provocateur'”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/toddwoody/2012/07/24/solar-trade-war-widens-to-europe-solarworld-called-crazed-agent-provocateur/

CBS — “Chinese solar industry faces weak sales, price war”
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/story/19337660/chinese-solar-industry-faces-weak-sales-price-war

NYT — “U.S. Slaps High Tariffs on Chinese Solar Panels”
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/18/business/energy-environment/us-slaps-tariffs-on-chinese-solar-panels.html?pagewanted=all

Bloomberg – “U.S. Solar Tariffs On Chinese Cells May Boost Prices”
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-05-17/u-s-solar-tariffs-on-chinese-cells-may-boost-prices.html

The Butler Firm — “Fighting Fair: A legal analysis of SolarWorlds trade dispute with China”
http://www.thebutlerfirm.com/fighting-fair-a-legal-analysis-of-solarworlds-trade-dispute-with-china/