Canadian Living – Go Green Issue

Further to my rant about how we respond to, react to, and respect each other, I've had my share of applications that were sent off with my best intentions, to which I never received a response. Off they went, on a one-way journey accompanied by a succinct cover letter, leaving me to wonder if my email or fax went to the right place. Ironically, many of these were to apply for positions in the touchy-feely social science field. Maybe not so much ironic as revealing.
I experienced this recently when I contacted Canadian Living Magazine which, upon reflection, likely has more to do with how we view criticism and responsiveness than with business etiquette.

I can't help but be a bit annoyed when reading any publication containing the word Canada or Canadian, when I feel the point-of-view being cultivated is more regional than national, speaking only to a select few. And so, after much thought, I sent an email to Canadian Living Magazine (I'm still waiting for a response) ...

May 1, 2008 - Canadian Living Magazine

Your Go Green Issue accomplished one of its goals without even the use of good content. A fan of the magazine and a pretty “green” guy, I almost bought the issue without even looking inside, based simply on the cover.

Fortunately I was able to borrow my neighbour's copy because, sadly, I was disappointed.

I’m sure I’m not the only person who’s beginning to feel “green” is becoming just another marketing program – I don’t need to be told to change my light bulbs or buy an Energystar appliance. It’s time for some remarkable leadership, and Canadian Living could certainly be a strong leader.

I appreciate you are trying to “do your bit” by greening an issue, and of course there are some really good bits (particularly the green communities and green warriors features), but you do seem to be living in a mythical, perhaps kinder, world where shopping more carefully is going to make enough of a difference.

To me, the magazine reads like Canadian Living Magazine is in the wake of a movement, rather than cresting the wave. And I know you can do much, much better.

I think people are preparing to make bigger changes, but are lost as to how to start or are overwhelmed with the pressure to adopt new technology.

May I suggest some ideas for your next green issue, based on my own attempts to do my bit;

1) follow a typical home in each province as the owners convert from fossil fuel to solar or turbine power. Perhaps include a condo or apartment which used roof-top solar panels to power the exterior lighting, partial hallway lighting and laundry machines.

2) show how a typical Canadian can convert their grass lawn to a drought resistant, dog friendly, mow free carpet of clover or indigenous fescue. Include a bit about push mowers for die-hard grass lovers

3) advise how a home can be retrofitted with a grey water recovery system; using shower water to fill the toilet tank, sink rinse water to hydrate potted plants or your veggie garden, and water from the rinse cycle of your clothes washer to water your trees and shrubs (a bit of soap can help roots to absorb!)

4) follow a family as they enjoy a normal work and play week, utilizing their power assist, Canadian made electric bikes

5) show where to buy and how to install a simple solar panels which can be used to power exterior lights, charge your electric mower or bike, perhaps even run your grey water recovery landscape irrigation system (now that’s efficient!)

6) have a tankless water heater installed in a home and compare it’s efficiency with a traditional tank heater.

7) profile a house / kitchen / bathroom as it is renovated without using any new materials or appliance or paint (accommodating a reconditioned gas stove, installing a 50’s bathroom using fixtures from a Habitat Re-Store or salvage yard, utilize re-tinted paint, use flooring ends or reclaimed linoleum)

8) compare the various types of heating stoves (wood, pellet, corn, gas) and analyse the results based on self-sufficiency, sustainability, pollution etc.

9) profile a “green” office (I worked for a property management company which used recycled copy paper, had banned bottled water, got Autoshare on-site and generally set a good example to tenants and the industry)

As well, we have enough home-grown talent and Canadian made products to keep it a mostly Canadian, greening the red and white, kind of issue.

Please accept my criticism and suggestions in the spirit in which they are intended; living in Canada is a wonderful, remarkable, progressive experience and Canadian Living has the talent and vision to spread that experience around.

Keep producing beautiful, inspiring magazines!

Best Regards

I’d like to know who decided “only qualified applicants will be contacted”, because I have a question for them -

Why?

Why can’t all applicants be contacted?

Is it because it takes a minute or two; about the time it takes to cover your mouth when you sneeze, or say excuse me when you bump someone.

Is it because we don’t need to; like when we accidentally litter and don’t return to pick it up, or only signal a turn when we know there’s another car around?


Well I think all applicants should be contacted.

Thanks for applying.

There, I just did it.

15 seconds; maybe add another 15 to hit the email reply button. Worse case scenario would be 2 minutes to respond by phone.

I guess my point is, I don’t know who made this decision on my behalf, and I’d like to put it back on the agenda.

I move a motion that we all respond to anyone trying to communicate with us, if even just with a nod or smile.

Call me a Pollyanna but maybe there’ll be a little less frustration and alienation in the world.

Which brings me to my latest “only qualified applicants” moment …

Two Great Ladies

We lost two great ladies this week;

One passed quietly, surrounded by loved-ones;

One went in a blaze, having been abandoned, neglected.

Margaret Jean Kerr (Dobie)

Margaret Kerr, Mrs. Kerr to me and thousands of others, was my kindergarten teacher who died this week at 91.

Many of us have fond memories of our first teacher, and my connection to Marg extends beyond teacher/student, as I remember her kindness to me during a difficult time early on in my life.

Our paths crossed several times over the next forty years, most recently last September where I had a moment with her at a church event. At ninety, still living in her own home, poised and assured, she welcomed me back to St. Thomas, and asked me if I'd found happiness in my journeys, to which I responded I had. Later, when I heard she wasn't well, I wrote her a note, sending a big warm hug, returning the affection and comfort she'd given me long ago; comfort I carry with me today.

I hope she was able to feel that hug. While writing it I realized that a moment of kindness can support a soul for a lifetime, as hers had for me.


Alma College
1871 to 2008

When her doors were opened "to the daughters of the worlds elite" in 1881, Alma College was really more of a dame than a lady, offering a liberal arts program and athletics alongside her domestic science, elocution and fancywork (stitchery)

You could catch a glimpse of one of the pointy slate towers almost anywhere in town (keep in mind, most of St. Thomas is no taller than a three story home) and most everyone has their own "Alma" connection.

Apart from those who attended school there or raised a family in the staff accommodations, there were weddings in the chapel and graduations in the amphitheatre, swimming and music lessons. Many were extras in the two movies filmed there. The Alma College International Alumne Association continue to meet, though this year will be bittersweet, now that the inevitable, predictable moment has arrived.











I remember rehearsing a play outside in the amphitheatre, and performing on the small stage inside. The deserted, ruined estate was always part of the tour for our out-of-town guest, who mirrored our amazement that something so beautiful was left to rot; our own Mrs. Haversham, right to the end.

Gutted by it's current, owners, it's downspouts removed to, some have accused, accelerate foundation deterioration, the site was left to the hands of vandals, nature and the elements.

Alma took only minutes to burn to the ground, as much the result of arson as deliberate neglect. Though a couple of bored kids sparked the final flame, her days were quickly coming to a close; her fate was sealed with a demolition order granted shortly before the fire. And in spite of our "saw that coming" attitude, it was shocking to see such a cruel finish come to such a gracious lady.

So, two proud figures of St. Thomas history are now relegated to the world of lore. I, for one, will continue to celebrate both, privileged to have been a witness, and will continue telling my stories.