Jake Raynard Brings A Community Together

Jake Raynard was warmly welcomed on Friday evening by a crowd of 1500 citizens in Thunder Bay, Ontario, a small harbor city just north of Lake Superior. A concerned and proactive community gathered in a local park to show their support for Jake and the gay community at large after a horrendous act of violence left Jake physically beaten and emotionally distraught. This event has opened the public's eyes to issues concerning gay rights and gang violence, while also showing that Internet social forums such as Facebook.com can be a powerful social platform for positive change!

Article - Community Rallies For Raynard

Video Coverage Here

*Photo by Jamie Smith www.tbnewswatch.com

Jake Raynard Makes Statement Following Hate Crime

Facebook Brings Global Community Together In Aftermath Of Hate Crime !

A recent attack, which is believed to be an act of hate against the gay community has devastated a Canadian city and left a young, vibrant man, Jake Raynard, in physical and emotional distress. In response to this violent behavior, Jake's friends have created a Facebook Group: Unified Community Around Jake Raynard in order to inspire community support and bring attention to this violent act of ignorance! In just over two days I have seen this Facebook group grow from a few hundred people to a few thousand! Comments are filtering in daily and people are reaching out to help in any way they can. Please join Jake's friends in a protest for peace and understanding through global community support!

ARTICLES:

Man In Hospital After Vicious Brick Attack

Raynard In Good Spirits Despite Attack

Thunder Bay (Ontario, Canada) Rallies Against Homophobic Attack

FACEBOOK:

FACEBOOK GROUP

LOCAL RALLY FOR JAKE

LOCAL FUNDRAISER FOR JAKE

DONATIONS FOR JAKE?

Please contact Bay Credit Union for more information on how you can help Jake with rehabilitation and legal fees. Personal checks and money orders are accepted via post.


*Photo courtesy of www.tbnewswatch.com

A Concrete Connection

The Importance Of The Urban Collective

As I walk up to Camas, an independently run, not-for-profit bookstore and info shop in Victoria, British Columbia, I see a girl with a guitar. She is perched on a chair outside of the store. A variety of artists and musicians surround her cross legged on the sidewalk hanging out, playing guitar, laughing and chatting. It's 8pm on a Friday night and I'm feeling a warm welcoming vibe coming from the softly lit doorway to the shop. I seem to pay no mind to the mad traffic behind me on Quadra Street, a busy, never-ending street that extends the length of the city, lined with an eclectic mix of neighborhoods along its way. I'm here to support my friend Jody Franklin as he and his fellow Camas friends set up a guerrilla art show PANIC! Along with community events and art shows, Jody, an artist originally based out of Vancouver, experiments with music, film, performance art and is co-founder/editor of online magazine MungBeing.

Inside Camas is a stack of bookshelves to my left that have been pushed to the font of the store to make room for the night's event. On the walls are various posters spreading the message of anarchy, bulletins for community support groups and organizations, politically charged art and perspectives on canvas. There is also a rack of clothing against the wall full of screen-printed T-shirts and message patched pants for purchase. Everything in this venue of the night is a piece of art that has been experienced and shared by its community. Ahead of me lies the artwork of the evening, a collage of local creations by artists, including Mr. Franklin, that have dropped in to collaborate and co-habitat in the Camas space. It's a relaxed atmosphere where antique velour sofas rest together as if to resemble your own living room. A wooden coffee table is displayed in the center like a work of carved art. Its moldings of babies, skulls, lumps and bumps painted in white holds this comfy circle of cushions together in the middle. Jody is found behind the front counter over to the right riffling through some cds and preparing for the show. I walk over to this man dressed in a bright orange button up T-shirt with a black tie and say hello. He walks around the counter and greets me with open arms and a warm hug! We chat for a few minutes before I allow him to return to his creative pursuits. I sit down in the corner by the book shelves and proceed to read a chapter from a book on the physical and psychological effects of Marijuana. As I'm reading, a young, spirited girl grabs the banjo next to me and sits down. She begins to strum a few chords, then holds the open back of the banjo up to her mouth and breathes into it, making vibrations with her voice that carry throughout the room. She uses different tones with each breath creating a wave of beats that form a juicy plethora of sounds. I am amazed at this raw talent sprawled out on the floor before me and move to her music in my chair...

Later in the evening I find myself nestled on a long, green velour couch at the back of the store with a glass of water in hand. I look up at Camas' crowd that has grown to a fair 20 or so people and the lights have dimmed. There is a band about to go on, yet a worldly sound is beating through the speakers and everyone is deep in conversation. I overhear two men speaking of a sustainable food collective in the city that they would like to see more people involved in. They discuss the possibility of including a sign-up sheet at their table for The Victoria Anarchist Bookfair next weekend in hopes of receiving more donations and stirring others to get involved. I see a beautiful gypsy girl in the distance. She looks my way and smiles. A few minutes go by and she has made her way through the crowd and casually sits beside me. I'm looking through a small pictorial art book that holds abstract sketches and collage art. We look at it together as we trade stories. This stunning brunette, with deeply stained lips, draped in flowing fabrics and a crochet shall is a student filmmaker and scriptwriter. We briefly touch on our family histories, life making ends meet, inner peace and contentment as well and the subject of spirituality and religion. I realize in the midst of our insights that we are connected in our thoughts and we are both in pursuit of finding balance in our lives. My magical friend then introduces me to her friend Alex, a tall, slim, neatly dressed young man with bright, honest eyes and a modest demeanor. He wavers in front of me as he settles himself into the crowd and chats with our mutual friend. I welcome him into me space and he sits next to me. We talk about opportunity, day jobs and personal goals. In a matter of 30 minutes I have shared experiences with my new found connections, creating a moment of honest understanding.

Wrapped up in the warm blanket of stimulating banter, surrounded by art and music, I feel this sense of belonging that I once felt when I was a part of another urban collective: Apollo, a small bar and restaurant in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Local musicians and university students would come together to share their ideas, art and creative visions, as well as offer support and make connections. The Apollo had a lasting effect on me. A creative collective of minds who became my family, my friends and my greatest supporters at a time in my life when I needed it the most. I still continue to benefit from loving friendships that I've gained as part of its community. Urban collectives are integral to the social life and culture of our communities. These venues provide supportive social interaction, creating a basis for strong community involvement, political and social awareness, artistic expression and human connections. In turn, places like Camas Bookstore and Info Shop give the people a place to call home where they are accepted without labels, giving each individual a sense of worth and belonging.

Dumping E-Waste: Where Is Your E-Waste Going?

The technology industry produces a continuous array of innovative electronics every day often without taking responsibility for the bi-products of its waste when a product has run its course. Computers, cell phones, fax machines, printers and other electronic devices are commonly made up of toxic materials that can be released through the air and absorbed through the skin when broken down part by part. North Americans consume massive amounts of electronics per year, many of which we then dump into domestic waste disposal sites and/or unregulated E-waste recycling plants. E-waste recycling if one way of disposing of our electronics, although many of our electronic products are shipped to countries overseas by these "electronic recycling depots" where adults and children break our electronics down in the recycling process releasing toxic chemicals such as asbestos. These chemicals are causing evident diseases such as various cancers and birth defects, and are also polluting the ground water. Some companies are now beginning to produce electronics that can be safely recycled, although many popular name brand electronics continue to be made with toxic materials! What can you do?

Steps That You Can Take To Ensure Your Electronics Are Recycled Safely:

1. Purchase electronics from an environmentally accountable company that produces electronics that are made up of ecologically safe materials that can be recycled easily and without causing harm to others.

Companies That Are Up For The Challenge By Cutting Out Toxins And Producing Environmentally Safe Electronics:

Guide To Greener Electronics

2. Investigate your E-waste disposal site: Ask questions about how these products are recycled and where your used electronics end up in the process.

3. Check with a local environmental group or technology organization for information on a reputable E-waste recycling depot in your area.

Here's one in Vancouver BC Canada:

FreeGeekVancouver

FreeGeekKingston (Ontario, Canada)

U.S.A.:

Basel Action Network (BAN)

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

MORE INFO:

Chainsaw Bird?!

The Lyrebird has the ability to mimic many different sounds including the siren sound of car alarms or the buzzing sound of chainsaws.

Wiki Here!

IT'S GOOD TO BE GREEN!

Out of many things I'm learning about being "green" (or environmentally conscious) each and every day as I build onto this blog is that both my actions and words matter.

Spreading Information Over The Internet

Whether it's through social forums, blogs, Twitter, comment posting on news sites, etc. these Internet communication avenues are often the best ways to share one's knowledge, as more than half of us in this world tune in online for the information we seek on a daily basis. The Internet is the new way of communicating (particularly on a global level) and for anyone who hasn't had their head in the sand for say the past 10 years knows this!

Community Action

Getting involved with at least one group or organization in your community is the best way to spread the word locally about environmental issues. You will make yourself available to those in your community through education, whether it's in your neighborhood, through your local school systems, or at local fairs and events! It's also a great way for you to learn about what's happening in your community and pinpoint additional opportunities for "green" projects.

Take A Stand At A Global Level

The world is your oyster as you surf the net! Expand your friendships and include those people you know through online social forums and workplace contacts. Spreading your "green" word to those you are unlikely to include in your personal life expands your horizons and builds on the knowledge you and others already have.

Keep Your Options Open!

Always look for alternative ways of sharing your "green" ideas. Artistic endeavors, discussions with your local shop owner, talking to children, or sharing with your elders are all effective ways of communicating your "green" knowledge.

Garden Raid Your Neighbors Backyard!

Connecting apartment dwellers with owners of local land can often be the only way for urban gardeners to grow a prosperous and edible garden. Sharing Backyards, an initiative of the Lifecycles Project Society, has a solution for this with user friendly land share listings on their website and a map to connect you to your closest neighbor with yard space. Sharing Backyards will even set you up with a program in your city!

See Links Below For Details:

SharingBackyards.com

Article On "Virtual Gardening" - Sharing Backyards

LifeCycles Project Society

*Sharing Backyards is seeking support from advertisers for their website!

Eat Where You Live!

Sustainable farming, local food co-ops and farmers markets are the way to go in a time of fossil fuel uncertainty. It's also a great way to support your community, get to know your local farmers, and eat fresh and healthy meals! Here's a few links I picked up in the Victoria BC area as well as a great food co-op located in Brooklyn NY, in case you want to pack it up and move to a brownstone on the east coast!

POCKET MARKETS

LOCAL FARMERS GROCERY MARKET

ORGANIC/LOCAL FOOD DELIVERY

PARK SLOPE FOOD COOP - BROOKLYN, NY

ALSO: Check out local farmers/craft markets on the weekends! Victoria BC has many in and around the city! List Here

T’Sou-ke Nation Reconnecting With The Sun

The T’Sou-ke Nation in Sooke BC finds a better way to energize their community and educate the public...Click Here!

Strength Through Joy statement (2nd August, 1938)

As of August 1 [1938], the great savings programme for the People's Car 'Strength-Through-Joy' will begin. I herewith proclaim the conditions under which every working person, can acquire an automobile.

1. Each German, without distinction of class, profession, or property can become the purchaser of a Volkswagen.

2. The minimum weekly payment, insurance included, will be 5 marks. Regular payment of this amount will guarantee, after a period which is yet to be determined, the acquisition of a Volkswagen. The precise period will be determined upon the beginning of production.

3. Application for the Volkswagen savings programme can be made at any office of the German Labour Front and of 'Strength Through Joy', where further details can also be obtained. Factories and shops can submit collective orders.

A Volkswagen for every German—let that be our aim. That is what we want to achieve. Will all of you help in that; it shall be our way of saying 'thank you' to the Führer.

A Few Chemicals To Watch Out For When Cleaning Your Home & Office!

The Toxic Clean!

5 Myths About Cleaning Your Home!

1. The faster a product works, the better it is.

Truth: The faster a product works, the more toxic it is!

2. Natural cleaners such as Baking Soda and Vinegar are not as effective.

Truth: Vinegar and Baking Soda are great products and often better cleaning solutions if you use these correctly. SEE BELOW FOR USES

3. You must use a strong disinfectant to kill germs.

Truth:Sunlight dish detergent(mixed with water)is a great surface cleaner that kills bad germs and keeps the good ones there to stay!

4. More laundry detergent means cleaner clothes.

Truth:A 1/4 cup or less of laundry detergent is all you need to keep your clothes clean.

REMEMBER! Fabric softeners are needed when clothing fibers are filled with excess detergent! DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!

5. You need a wide variety of different cleaning solutions for every household cleaning job.

Truth:
WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND!

CLEANING SOLUTIONS

Baking Soda
Vinegar
Sunlight Soap/Dish Detergent
Borax
Lemon Juice
Orange/Lemon Oil/Hemp Oil - polishing furniture

BASIC TOOLS

Green Scrub Pads - Heavy Duty and Regular
Micro-Fiber Cloths - Vileda Brand
Old Toothbrushes - great for sink fixtures and drains!
Fleece Baby Blankets - for rags
Bucket/Mop


How To Use Baking Soda

Use as a paste mixed with water for:

Showers
Tile
Toilets
Bathtubs
Sinks
Dishes
Stove tops and grills
Ovens(vinegar, lemon juice, water and baking soda paste) Let sit overnight!
Lightly wipe (non-abrasive cloth) stains off of walls, cupboards and baseboards, as well as floors!
REMEMBER! Always rinse well and avoid using abrasive scrub brushes if possible!

How To Use Vinegar

Vinegar Mixed with 2-3 parts water for:

Windows
Wood surfaces
Dusting furniture
Floors
Bathroom fixtures
Washing walls
Cleaning coffee makers
Stainless steel sinks and appliances

Vinegar Mixed With Baking Soda And Water:

Ovens (plus lemon juice)
Stove tops
Bath tubs
Sinks

Vinegar Mixed with Water, Lemon Juice and/or Natural Oils Such As Lavender:

Dusting
Microwave Ovens


USES FOR BORAX:

Basic Cleaner
Laundry - Water Softener
Natural disinfectant
Bug Repellent!

WASHING YOUR HANDS?

Good old soap such as Olive Oil based soap!

Some thoughts on the new GM

I'm obviously not an economist, but historical precedent alone is enough to convince me the new GM will also fail. There's so many reasons. It's hard to even think this when even the BBC is being so positive about it. Where to start?

1) It is 61% owned by the US Government. Ignoring the fact that nationalised industry is supposed to be a "commie evil" that Americans loathe (and most Americans are against the bailouts anyway), the fact is, no government is equipped to guide a car company from massive losses to even minimal profit. That's not really what Government is for anyway; even it /was/ full of auto industry experts I'd actually be worried. If GM's own executives, for generations now, have failed to adapt to market changes, how can Obama's fancy taskforce, likewise made up of, err, white, upper middle class nobodies...? The drain of GM on the US economy may even bring down Obama in the end.

2) The market, despite rosey predictions, will never pick up to where it was. And we can assume that if it does reach previous levels, customers of Toyota, Nissan, Honda, VW, Hyundai, Kia and the now-kicking-ass Ford are hardly likely to flock to buy a GM (or a Chrysler - oh wait, they only sell trucks and minivans). Only the French and Italians support their domestic manufacturers with blind loyalty. Not even the British bought Leyland to the same level after it was nationalised to prevent collapse. The market is naturally shrinking to a more sustainable level. There are already too many companies building too many cars. There is no longer any room for GM or Chrysler. They remain the weakest players, no matter what anyone says.

3) Can we compare this to BL? I think so. BL, like GM, was a massive operation employing thousands of people across many inefficient and antiquated factories, selling too many brands and failing to adapt as fast as the next wave of successful companies. It was simply unthinkable to "let them fail" so they were propped up year after year with public money. Brands were shed, leaders replaced, new guys brought in, mergers attempted, parts sold off. All it does is slow the decline whilst costing everyone a lot more in the long run (and what about the damage to other companies, especially Ford, by keeping two subsidized players in the game?). The new GM will not magically sell enough cars now to be profitable. They didn't sell them last year, why would they now? They have fewer dealers and fewer incentives. They've also reduced their capacity to build new cars, so even if they do want to ramp up in response to the market, they can't. Also, doesn't it strike you as unfair that a company can screw it up for so long, file for Chapter 11, sell the best bits to the same guys, shed the worst bits with half the debt, and then try again, all the while being funded by the public of two countries?

GET A LOAD OF CO2 AND SHOVE IT INTO THE GROUND FOREVER?! WHO ARE WE KIDDING?!

CAPTURING CARBON - article here!

Plastic Bag Overload In India!

New Delhi's poor and impoverished collect an overwhelming amount of plastic bags off the streets of India's capital for fashion?!

See "Bags to Riches" Podcast July 02/08, 2009 at: CBC Radio One - Dispatches

Cycling On A Different Path (No War Here!)

Article On Low Risk Cycling In Denmark...Here

MICHELLE OBAMA HARVESTS WHITE HOUSE GARDEN!

BEST PICS HERE!

Moving Faster Into The Future!

Victoria Regional Rapid Transit

LIVE & LEARN GREEN!

Learn How To Utilize Natural Building Materials, Produce Organic Foods Through Sustainable Means and Help Others Find Their "Green" Thumbs!

GO TO THE ECO-VILLAGE

HOW CAN RENTERS GET IN ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY?

FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW:

SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR RENTAL HOUSING

GREEN LANDLORDS PROJECT

WHAT ARE YOUR GREEN HABITS?!

Here's a list of "green" habits I do and "non-green" habits I am hoping to break!

GREEN DOs

Recycle all my glass, plastic, and cardboard
Use my bicycle, walk, car pool or take public transportation everywhere I go!
Buy 95% of my clothing, housewares, home decor, fabric, etc. second hand
Wear very few beauty products and purchase the products I do use from eco-friendly/socially conscious companies
Always turn off my lights when not in use!
Use energy efficient light bulbs!
Monitor leaky faucets
Re-use plastic bags and use homemade cloth bags for shopping, etc.
Use re-usable wet/dry bag for the rags I use for work
Refuse to ride with friends who own gas guzzling vehicles!
Live as a minimalist - I use what I need and donate what I don't use!
Use eco-friendly cleaning solutions
Use an apartment sized compost and I have it picked up bi-weekly!

*We actually have 3 companies in Victoria, BC that will pick up your compost for you and bring it to a local composting site

Compost Pick-up 1
Compost Pick-up 2
My Compost Pick-up!


NON-GREEN HABITS TO BREAK!

Take longer showers than I truly need!
Live in a less than eco-friendly apartment building!
Do not have a garden or plants growing in my home!
Buy products that are not manufactured by eco-friendly, socially conscious companies!
Some of my clients choose not to use eco-friendly products - I am trying to convince them otherwise!

What's your GREEN HABIT list look like? Please post it in your comments if you wish!

OFF THE GRID WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY?

Living off the grid with renewable energy. It can work, but for whom and where? What do you think?

more about "untitled", posted with vodpod

Can We Do It In The City?

What Does This Mean To You?

This is a photo of an abandoned farmers market...

What do you think when you see this? Post your opinions in your comments below.

*Photo by Charles Knox

Water Guzzling Showers?!

more about "Water Guzzling Showers?!", posted with vodpod

Go On, Obama

"The Tyranny of Oil" angered me. I suggest you read it. I think Obama should do something so extreme and awesome that he'd go down in history, hopefully for the better. Overnight, he should completely nationalize all the US oil companies. The entire US oil industry should be brought into public ownership, and all their directors and board members kicked out (but not shot, this isn't 1917). He could use their extreme profits to finance any infrastructure project he could dream up. Hell, even if he at least made them pay as much tax as the average working man...

DO IT!

And no, I don't think GM should be nationalized. Why nationalize losses when you can nationalize profit?

Desert Island Discs

People often talk about the books they would save or take with them if they were stranded on this proverbial desert island. Despite the fact that books consume no power I still think it's a stupid thing to save or cling on to. Re-reading books is no good. The pleasure is reduced everytime. Just how much enjoyment could you get reading the same five books over and over? Not much I expect. That's why I would take music instead, and assume this island had a reliable power source (maybe Hydro Electric because they usually always have a cascading waterfall) and the plane that crashed had allowed me to check-in a semi-decent amplifier, CD player and pair of speakers. Anyway, to the point. The five albums I'd have with me, knowing they'd bear up under the closest scrutiny and still remain great albums, and most important of all, still be enjoyable (and comforting) to me on the thousandth playing (and in all cases, probably already have):

(In no particular order because even picking five is hard enough.)

1. Low by David Bowie (1977)

Low hasn't always been a great album. When it first appeared the critics weren't sure - since "the critics" love to follow popular trends. Only in later years did they rewrite their history (and reviews) and give it the good old "5 out of 5" it deserved. I always knew it must be great before I heard it. Just look at that sleeve: it's orange and forboding, and Bowie is looking to his left. It's called "Low" so he's obviously been feeling moody. Oh, and it's the first of his Eno Trilogy. It's not even a very long album but it's very special and in my extremely humble opinion, it is easily, by far and away, and without a shadow of a doubt, the best thing he ever produced. It doesn't matter if you don't own ANY other Bowie, because Low is the essence of Bowie and this album is a true album and does what an album should do, and already I can find myself listening to it over, and over, and over. So along it comes.

(Personally, I have the vinyl cover stuck to my wall for mental inspiration and enjoy the sound of the 24 bit CD remaster.)

2. Remain In Light by Talking Heads (1980)

Those of you in the know (out of my Facebook friends I actually think that numbers just two) will have spotted that Brian Eno has already helped to produce two of my choices. Well, so be it, because his sound is very special and suited to the mythical isolation associated with being stranded far from home, forever. Remain In Light is an easy choice, I admit. But it's my choice and not some magazine or journal's. I loved this album as soon as I heard the opening of the first song, and it was a crusty record shop guy that thrust the vinyl into my hand after, once again, that sleeve had piqued my interest. If you are partial to complex layers of sound, cutting edge techniques and all kinds of African rhythms blended with Byrne's isolationist themes and lots and lots of percussion, then you'll know what I mean. It's so damn clever; it's anything but simple. When I listen to it I am still struck by how amazing and perfectly balanced it sounds. How they throw so much sound in and get something so ordered and melodious out. Everything clanks and clicks and ticks and tocks. Drums here and there, chanting, lead guitar, electronic whirrings and buzzes - except it goes somewhere, from start to finish. I also can't think of a more fitting song than Listening Wind to being stuck somewhere and trying to contemplate what the hell is going on.

3. Disintegration by The Cure (1989)


I've already been through a period in my life when I listened to this every day for at least a month or two, so I know already it can be used over and over again when I'm very sad or very happy - I'm not sure which one I'd be if I was stranded on a desert album without ever having to see people again (Ha. Yes I do know.). The Cure have gone off in recent years, and even in their prime put out a lot of 'questionable' material. Pornography is awesome, but doesn't seem to be the complete picture in the way Disintegration is. Usefully, it also fills an entire CD, without filler, so I'd be entertained for 74 minute chunks of my limitless time. Disintegration never seems to get the recognition it deserves. It's so damned good that it defies explanation. It's both soft and hard, fast and slow, and unlike early Cure, it doesn't get bogged down in itself. If only they'd made this their swan song.

4. The Smiths (1984)

I have to have a Smiths album in here, because they are my favourite band of all time (yeah, above Joy Divison). So I would probably go insane a lot sooner without some Smiths on hand, and out of their four albums, this one has the highest proportion of my favourite songs. Also, none of their many compilations contain some of these favourite songs. Quite simply, I needed some Smiths, so this is the one. Choice picks personally: You've Got Everything Now about those people we always hated at school and Accept Yourself: how do I feel about my shoes?

5. Script Of The Bridge by The Chameleons (1983)

Quite a fantastic album, and being reminded about Middleton is a minor drawback. I was going to for Loveless, an oft-maligned piece of guitar noise that most people consider no better than Metal Machine Music, but then I realised that I just like this album more, and I couldn't be bothered explaining for the 17th time how the noise masks the subtle melodies. This is The Chameleons first, and best, album. A band, that if we base fame purely on talent, should have been way bigger than U2. This album could easily play like a Greatest Hits, such is the quality of every single song.

Apologies to: The Clash, Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine, The Beatles and Pink Floyd-- Wish You Were Here came very close.

How to correctly use a roundabout (traffic circle)

A roundabout is just like an intersection. It's just a different method of getting your car left, right, or straight ahead. Just like an intersection, you need to signal on approach. You also need to signal when you exit the roundabout, to aid the flow of traffic and for the sake of safety. Always yield to traffic on a roundabout. If someone is on the roundabout, then they have right of way over you, no matter what. If you drive out and smash into them, it's 100% your fault. A roundabout will usually have three exits. Ones in Canada aren't on the UK scale (yet) so there's no 6 exit mega roundabouts with 52 sets of traffic lights and a motorway underneath. The first exit will take you to the right, the second straight ahead and the third to the left.

As you approach, get in the correct lane and signal your intention thus:

If you want to turn right, then signal right and keep the signal applied exactly as you would turning right from a stop sign or any other intersection.

If you want to go straight ahead, then do not signal as you approach (most people don't signal anyway, leading me to believe they are always going straight ahead). As you turn onto the roundabout, drive past the first (right turn) exit and then apply your right turn signal. This lets the drivers behind you know you're turning off, but most importantly, the drivers waiting to enter the roundabout know in advance you are leaving so won't have to delay in moving. This helps the flow of traffic on a roundabout.

If you want to take the left exit, then signal left even as you approach the roundabout. This may confuse people, but that's the way it should be done. Just like a left turn at a standard intersection, a roundabout is no different. As you drive onto the roundabout, keep the left signal applied and pass the right exit. Then, as you pass the straight ahead exit, change your signal to a right turn signal and leave the roundabout. Simple huh?

And if you miss your turn, just go around again. It's not illegal. In fact, it's one of the advantages of a roundabout.

So remember:

1) Signal your intention (left or right) approaching and entering the roundabout.

2) Signal your intention to leave the roundabout (right) as a courtesy to other road users.

3) Unless you have a damn good reason (for example, an emergency vehicle wants to get through) then never stop whilst on the roundabout to let someone else on. Do not try to be polite and disregard traffic laws because on a roundabout it is doubly dangerous. Traffic on the roundabout is always flowing so the person behind you won't be expecting a sudden stop.

Consumer Response Centre
P.O. Box 40,
Cambridge,
Ontario, N1R 5S9


To Whom It May Concern,

After researching online and visiting in person many stores across Canada and the United States it seems that the Salt & Vinegar flavour of Ruffles has been discontinued. I understand that such a decision would never be taken lightly but since they were such a firm favourite of mine I would like to express my support for a decision to re-launch them. My online search has revealed hundreds of other consumers who likewise wish to see this fantastic flavour back on the supermarket shelves. Since the vast majority of people will not go to the lengths of registering their opinion either in a letter or even online, we can safely assume that many thousands of people have noted, with a sigh, that Salt & Vinegar Ruffles are no longer available. Not only that, but here in British Columbia at least, no other company offers my own favourite variety of potato chip; i.e., one that is both ruffled/wavy and flavoured in salt and vinegar. This seems to represent a gaping hole in the market since salt and vinegar is a staple chip flavour the world over. The Lay's brand offers a salt and vinegar chip, and a wavy brand of chips, but not a combination of the two!

I cannot hope to convince you on my own, but please at least re-investigate the market for Salt & Vinegar Ruffles. There is a demand for them, and carefully marketed perhaps this could be exploited into a more profitable one. If you have time for a reply, I would be very interested to know the reasons for the discontinuation, and whether flavours and varieties such as Thick Cut Au Gratin and Thick Cut Creamy Dill are more lucrative than a simple salt and vinegar flavour.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Robin Sharrock