Solar Energy, part two

Politics - Darkening solar energy ambitions

Although approved by the senate, a Florida bill giving tax breaks to businesses who install solar panels is not likely to come before voters. Roof top solar is viewed as a threat to the electrical utilities. If the vote came to the average Floridian, the vote would be 90 per cent for solar initiatives. Rallies are planned to protest. Business men have already voted with their feet and taken solar technology to warmer receptions and out of the sunshine state.

Over three million dollars has already been spent on campaign contributions in this election cycle so far by the utilities. What does this mean to the environmentally conscious home owner? Well, ask Robin Speronis. She has been charged with living off the grid, illegal under the International Property and Maintenance Code. After a year and a half keeping house with a camp stove, rain water and solar energy, she has to hook back up to the big utilities grid.

In contrast, two young students living in London, Ontario became somewhat of a "cause célèbre" when they spent the summer under similar conditions. I am sure they did not make it over the interminable Ontario winter, but they got local TV and newspaper coverage for their experiment.

Let us hope that Florida politicians don't take this issue as seriously as in close by Texas. Swat teams were sent in to intimidate the Garden of Eden Community, holding members at gunpoint and putting them in handcuffs. Apparently there were no laws against off grid life, and no drugs or guns were found. At the end of the day, they enforced a few city code violations and assorted traffic violations. Not exactly good use of manpower or tax payer funds!

Sunshine in the Sunshine State, A Squandered Resource?

Despite a promising start in the thirties when solar water heaters graced many subdivision homes, Florida has a dismal record in their use of solar power. It does sound hopeful to write that they have three solar plants up and running for the last three years and a world's first next generation solar plant that is connected to a conventional plan, but more should be done.

Their  record lags way behind states with grey skies, such as New Jersey and Massachusetts. Fifty billion dollars a year leaves Florida to purchase coal, natural gas, and gasoline. Discouraging elements are changes in solar models, federal tax credits and a state with a record of rejecting renewable energy plans. Utility companies are the only ones that can sell power, solar companies can only sell at wholesale rates to utilities. Add to the picture electricity rates lower than in the North and the huge start up costs associated with solar power, and you have dismal results.

Solar companies are now considering leasing equipment to businesses. We can only hope that this trend will catch on and include residential customers.

Many thousands of Floridians live in RVs or some type of manufactured home. It takes only a short ride anywhere in the state to see the many trailer parks. Go across an overpass and the flat, white roofs seem to stretch right across the horizon. An ideal spot for solar installations. As boomers join the older snowbirds, a solar option will become more and more appealing. The demand peaks in the summer for the necessary air conditioning, but winter needs often include running a heater for a few hours a day.

Florida's Governor, Rick Scott, is fighting for his political life in the upcoming elections. One of his recent campaign statements bragged about a good record in protecting the environment. Would that this were so; journalists quickly punched holes in this assertion by hauling out the record of the many cutbacks taken while he was in office. A well thought out plan for the state with 86 per cent of America's sunshine would go along way to ensure his reelection.

Creative Art from Recycled Materials

The new buzz word - upcycling!

At the Fine Arts Festival in Tarpon Springs, it was apparent that the selection committee was impressed by artists using recycled materials. Upcycling was the aim of many participants; silver spoons appeared in jewellery, driftwood in carvings, barnboard in framing for stained glass, lake glass shards in pendants, and on it went.

The miniature creatures created Melissa Menzer were intriguing. She uses pieces of jewelry from the 1920's and 1930's, wiring them onto each bird or animal by hand.

For a truly whimsical use of recycled paper, bottles and cans, check out Joyce Curvin's website at www.joycecurvin.com. Her collection of almost life-size dogs, cats and birds are adorable. All in bright colours, they amuse and remind us the cartoons of our childhood. Somehow she makes the paper mâché exteriors look like clay.

A nice way to browse a way a warm Sunday morning in Florida.

A Closer Look at Tarpon Springs
By Jacky Crawford

Tarpon Springs still bills it seek as the "Sponge Capital of the World), although the heyday of the sponge industry was in the thirties and the forties. The Greeks, arriving in the early days of the twentieth century, came in droves to bring their diving skills to their new land. But a red tide, fatal for the sponges, wiped out many of the beds. The industry did not restart until the sixties. By that time there was fierce competition from man made sponges. Today there are still some sponge boats with plucky divers who plunge one hundred and fifty feet to the ocean floor to harvest sponges. Other Greeks now run interesting shops selling these sponges, sea shells and olive oil soaps. Perhaps the first tourist spot selling more sponges than t-shirts!

Of course, there are more bakeries and restaurants with Greek fare. Just walk along Dodecanese Boulevard across from the docks; pick one and dig into some amazing moussaka, gyros, baklava, etc.

If you want to delve into Greek culture, there are many options. Visit the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral fashioned with some sixty tons of marble in the Byzantine style. The Epiphany Celebration is in early January. some 30,000 people come to watch young boys dive into the chilly Spring Bayou in pursuit of the Greek Cross thrown in by the Bishop.

Any visitor will easily find the two beaches, Sunset and Fred Howard Park which come complete with - sand! No ring of condos and large hotels, minimal commercial activity at Sunset Beach.

Biking has to be the best way to see the interesting architectural mix around Tarpon Springs. There are many grand Victorian homes around the five sapphire blue bayous to gape out, but if you go into the surrounding residential streets, attractive examples of the twentieth century homes with tropical landscaping around every corner.

Tarpon Springs has many festivals through out the year, as do the surrounding towns. Truly, a spot of Florida not too be missed.

Notes from a Tin Can Tourist

After many years of endless condo building and strip mall proliferation, there is a movement afoot to protect and even display, the real Florida. I know firsthand that it can be enjoyed from the waterways, but previous land bound visits had left me soured on finding places apart from mansions, malls, and multi-lane highways. It seemed that there was no escape from Flager's heritage. Could this one man have doomed the entire state to an entirely coral pink future?

However, a short but luckily victorious bout with cancer left us with an overwhelming desire to relax in the sun. The grey cold of a bitter Canadian winter was too much too bear; we packed our recently acquired motor home in frigid temperatures and fled South.

Arriving in Florida found us with plenty of sunshine although a bitter wind was blowing. But we could shed our coats and mukluks!

Armed with our Camping in Florida pamphlet, we located and checked into the city run Manatee Cove Park, just outside of Titusville. It is an excellent park, and an inexpensive way to visit DisneyLand (note to self - perfect for a grandchild visit) and to view space launches. For this reason, it is often fully booked. Call ahead.

We wanted to stop at the first lock on Lake Okeechobe, but they were full. With a view of the canal and a resident family of alligators, we knew this to be a peaceful natural site. It is state run and inexpensive for boaters and campers. However, they had been booked months ahead, so that left us with Indiantown Marina and Campground.

Knowing what to expect at a somewhat primitive location was a plus. We had spent a month there on board our trawler. Nothing comes close to being other than basic, but the managers and the people there are friendly. There are many old salts willing to share their sailing adventures with you. As Florida's past is definitely linked to boating, and not just the huge pleasure yachts dotting the waters around Miami, this is a glimpse into that world.

Still in search of the real Florida, we left after a weekend and headed across to the Gulf side. We tracked down Canoe Outpost  (www.canoeoutpost.com). Bingo!

A very small campground, but there was a cement pad for our rig, BBQ, and two sets of tables and chairs. Waving grasses gave us great views from the motor home, a short walk took us to a winding stream, and there were kayaks and canoes to rent. The owner should get an award for the most unusual restroom facilities - full of Florida kitsch and you could literally shower under the stars!

Encouraged by our stay at Canoe Outpost, we hit the road again and headed to Frog Creek, (www.frogcreek.com). They have every amenity, landscaped grounds and many organized activities.
Disappointingly, it was hard to forget you were in a campground because there were no opportunities to walk or bike anywhere.

Our following week was spent in the Happy Traveller Park which had cheaper fees and was set among many live oaks. Less rule bound than the previous spot, it was not as pristine, but had an interesting mix of campers and permanents. It is opposite a gigantic flea market, which is a more lively option than shopping at the mall. A visit to nearby Myakka State Park gave us a nice respite I  lovely natural surroundings. Our favourite part of the day was the view from the seventy foot tower - after we had caught our breath!

Feeling that I had more of a grasp on picturing and finding good campsites, I booked a week stay at Bayshore Cove in Tarpon Springs. Again, bingo!

A brief memory of a visit to the sponge docks some twenty years ago inspired me to think that this area might have it all. It does - a town based on fishing, not just tourists, that sits near the Gulf and has some beautiful homes with lovely bayou views.

The campground was full of snowbirds who stay for five of six months at a time. The few spots serving transients seemed to be mostly occupied, so booking ahead would be safer. Unlike any other spot, we were not given a package of rules and information. For awhile, I didn't even know there was a laundry. No pool, no pet leash laws, and not a lot of space between sites. But everything was in biking and walking distance with wonderful views that made you eager to jump on your bile and do mundane errands at the library or the grocery store. Within a week we were much healthier and fit.

Striking The Right Note

Running 1-800-Get-Rid-Of-It does give Rick Crawford, owner and president, opportunities to benefit the community in unusual ways. he manages to recycle an impressive 60% of the items his crews pick up, so that striking piece of furniture at your neighbour's may have a storied past. Many readers/clients are also familiar with Rick's Clean Up the Humber event, but recently he had more unique task. A local radio station, Jazz FM, had collected a lot of musical instruments after an appeal to their listeners. Rick picked them up and then delivered them to the music department at Regent Park Public School.

Like many other schools, programs and funds had been slashed, so Rick became a veritable Santa Claus, complete with Rid-Of-Its red outfit!

The arrival of Rid-Of-Its big red truck caused quite a stir. The instruments were then carted to the auditorium and carefully unpacked. Many students with musical abilities will appreciate some new opportunities from these underused treasures.

Ours is a throw-away society as our over-flowing landfills can attest to. It becomes essential to be creative about possessions no longer needed. The old axiom, one man's trash, etc. still rings true today. If you are living with clutter, paring down will simplify your life and perhaps enrich someone else's. Taking a picture of an old treasure will preserve the memory, making it easier to part with. You can be a secret Santa many times over!

Humber River Clean up was a HUGE SUCCESS!

Gary J. Wood / Toronto / Ontario

Our third annual Humber River Clean up was a massive success. Thanks to all our 30 volunteers who helped us clear rubbish, chemical containers, dead animals and other strange items (like a message in a bottle!) from the river. All in all, we pulled out two tonnes of solid waste, and the Humber River is one step closer to being back to its natural beauty.

We'd like to send a big thank you to our corporate sponsor The Complete Paddler for helping us out as well. We hope that next year we will have even more corporate sponsors, volunteers, and that the government of Ontario will consider offering support!


Thanks again Junk Lovers!

The 1-800-Rid-Of-It Team

Help Us Clean Up The Humber River!

Hello Junk Lovers!

Please join us for our third Humber River Clean up event on September 11 2013. From 8:30AM-1:30PM we'll be pulling out garbage from the river; in previous years we've found rusted shopping carts, garbage cans, bottles, cans and even a provincial history plaque which marks a trading post founded by Jean Baptiste Roussaeux (1758-1812)!

This event was created by President Rick Crawford, who lives in the Bloor West village and is also an avid kayaker. He decided to take action when seeing all the rubbish and junk while paddling through the area.

"Pollution is not just impacting the delicate Humber River ecosystem, but is literally burying our history,” said Crawford. “As a local kayaker I can’t believe the things that have ended up in the Humber River and around the shoreline. It’s a beautiful part of the city, but it really needed someone to step in and clean it up.

We have the Complete Paddler  assisting us with water-based recovery of junk from the river, and we would love to have more individuals, small businesses or corporations to assist us as well! Volunteers are both needed and welcome and will meet in the parking lot, just south of Petro Canada gas station just North of the Queensway and off of South Kingsway at 8:30AM!

1-800 RID-OF-IT can be reached at 1-800-743-6348 or online at www.ridofittoronto.com.

Hope to see you there!

Get Organized

By: Vicki Alexopoulos

If you are lucky like me, you are able to access your computer in your bedroom, kitchen table or an otherwise cozy location, where you are free to stretch out and sprawl all over your own space. Unfortunately, like my sister who is working at the Bank of Montreal this summer, the majority of jobs in Toronto are office jobs, requiring long hours of sitting at a desk, using your computer, and spreading out as much as you can over a small desk.

If you are anything like my sister, you hate clutter. But what can you do with such a small space? Here are some tips to keep your desk free of junk:

• Make sure you have a trash can near or under your desk, and become aware of the recycling bins close to your area. A very simple addition like this will help you throw out unwanted or used paper and other junk that may be clouding up your desk space
• Prioritize. Take everything off your desk, and begin to put on the desk your most important items, i.e. computer, mouse, keyboard, clock, pencils and highlighters etc. Place these items in easy reach 
• Store items that you do not commonly use in a file cabinet or in lower drawers, and if you are a labeler, go ahead and label so you know which drawer holds what
• Invest in a paper organizer. Ikea has good, sturdy metal ones in cool colours like pink, white and silver, that add height to your desk while organizing loose papers 
• If you have a drawer, kitchen cutlery plastic organizers can be your best friend. They're inexpensive, you can usually find them around your house, and they are perfect for storing loose items like pencils, erasers and useful junk of that sort
• Make room for inspirational items, be it a picture frame, a small jar with flowers, or an interesting desk calender - not only does this lighten your mood, but it gives your newly organized desk a more personal feel
• Once a week, go through all your junk that you have accumulated and throw out the stuff you know you will not need. Place the other items in a "maybe" pile, and after a month if you have not used anything in that pile, toss that junk out!

Feel free to comment any more tips on Desk Organization! I'd love to hear from you. Anyways, til next time Junk Lovers!

Update: Toronto Flood

Photo by Vanessa Alexopoulos

By Vicki Alexopoulos

Last week Toronto got hit with record breaking rainfalls and power outages  complete with destroyed basements, furniture and in some cases entire homes. Homeowners around Toronto were all asking the same questions; how do we prevent this from happening again, what do we do if it happens again, and who should we call to help us with all this junk? Luckily, I have some answers.

Preventative measures for future floods should be taken by Torontonians now that we have felt the wrath of Mother Nature. This includes:

• Sealing cracks in windows, foundations and floors
• Increasing greenery around your house to absorb rainwater
• Regular checks and maintenance of weeping tile systems
• Avoiding carpeting and storing valuables in the basement if possible
• Make sure that the plumbing is in good condition
• Research what types of flooding your insurance does and does not cover

If a flood was to reoccur in your home, these steps are helpful to keep in mind:

• Call 311 (City staff will come and inspect the problem, available 24-hours a day)
• Be safe while cleaning up your flooded area 
• watch for sewage
• be mindful of electical accidents
• dress appropriately
• dry and ventilate areas with de-humidifiers and/or fans
• remove all drywall/insulation that has come into contact with sewage or water

On Saturday, the City provided a special collection to pick up the waste that came from the flooding. However, driving through Etobicoke earlier today, I could not help but notice piles of garbage, old mattresses, carpets, dressers and other ruined things on the curb, either because of a delay in getting these items outside or being unaware of this special garbage collection. Not to mention the Green Bin collection was not part of this collection service, leaving people with spoiled food unfortunately from their warmed up freezers/fridges.

Thankfully, you know who to call for efficient and effective Junk Removal services. Feel free to call us up (1800-RID-OF-IT) and we will gladly talk with you about your options and our services.

Til next time, Junk Lovers, and stay dry!