#guelph

[newsfromstolenland]

Butter continues to be a hot commodity in Guelph, Ont.

At least seven large-scale thefts have been reported over a 10-month period, including two hauls in just the last month.

On Oct. 12, at around 7:45 p.m., two men entered a store on Speedvale Avenue East.

“They placed a number of items in a cart – including three cases of butter with a value of $936 – and left out a receiving door,” the Guelph Police Service said in a news release.

Full article

Kind of obsessed with this...seven large scale butter heists?? What is happening in Guelph?? I have to know why but I don't want these guys to get caught

[petitworld]

Two Rivers, Guelph, Ontario, Canada by Randy Bartholomew

[brutalistinteriors]

South Residence, University of Guelph. John Andrews.

(One more anomalous post before I resume interiors and not talking. This beauty was going to die unloved on the previously mentioned personal blog with 2.47 followers, so I'm posting it here.)

[timebeingfilm]

July 2024

Olympus OM-1 | Kodak Gold

Location: The University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario

[unteriors]

Fairview Boulevard, Guelph, Ontario.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

For the next year, this is what Alexandra Mussar will call home: a cramped bedroom with water damage and dysfunctional sinks, in a house shared with six other students. For this, she's paying $840 every month. This isn't how she pictured her university housing experience, but after six long months hunting for somewhere to live, she says she felt she had to settle. "There were no other options. This was my last resort," she said. "It was either that or I was couch surfing for the next year." Across the country, students are sharing similar stories. The soaring rents that have hit some of Canada's biggest cities have also walloped college and university towns, with little relief in sight. Take Guelph, Ont., where the latest data shows the average cost for a one bedroom apartment has spiked to $2,095 per month in June, up 27 per cent from the same time last year. [...]

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada, @vague-humanoid

[golly-that-beat-is-dandy]

GO VOTE ONTARIO!!

Voter attendance for the last election was awful, less than 45% of eligible voters exercised their right to vote, and that's what Doug Ford is counting on so he can stay in office!! Even if you've never voted before or think that it's pointless, please just go anyway! It's incredibly easy to do! Just bring one piece of ID that has your address on it (like your health card or drivers licence) and if you don't have ID that has your address you can bring any official mail that does, like bank statements, T4 slips, government mail, or anything like that. You do NOT need a voter card! You do NOT need to register in advance!

If you're unsure of your electoral district, go here to find out where to vote, and if you want to help us have a better chance to vote out Doug Ford, go to smartvoting.ca and enter your electoral district to see what party has the better chance of beating the conservatives!

My partner and I both voted early, but now the only chance to cast your vote is on the 27th! This is so important, especially because only 6% of eligible voters cast their vote during the early voting period!

Remember, you have a legal right to vote, even if you're at work. Your job is REQUIRED to let you leave so you can cast your vote! Ontario can't handle another 5 years of Doug Ford's leadership, voting him out will help save the healthcare system from becoming even more privatized, help save the post secondary education system, and help alleviate the housing crisis!! VOTE SMART! VOTE OUT FORD! GO VOTE!!!

[mmenvs3000w25]

Prompt 10: Describe your personal ethic as you develop as a nature interpreter. What beliefs do you bring? What responsibilities do you have? What approaches are most suitable for you as an individual?

Nature is something I deeply value in my life. As a zoology major with a minor in ecology, and someone who aspires to pursue a career in these fields, the natural world drives my goals, passions, and ambitions. Because of this, nature interpretation is something I take seriously. If I am passionate about nature, then the people who listen to me talk about it will feel passionate as well (Beck et al., 2018, p. 83). That is also why I believe having a personal ethic—guiding principles and values that shape the way I present nature to others—is essential. Nature interpretation plays a crucial role in environmental protection, as it allows people to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and, in turn, inspires them to work harder to protect the land (Beck et al., 2018, p. 475). This belief is central to my identity, both as a nature interpreter and as an individual. I strongly believe that nature is valuable not just in its usefulness to humans, but beyond that, in its role for all living organisms. Because this is one of my core beliefs, I feel it is my responsibility as a nature interpreter to convey this perspective to others in a way that fosters positive change (Beck et al., 2018, p. 99).

Another key belief I bring to my role as a nature interpreter is that interpretation should always be evidence-based. As someone planning to pursue a career in academia, I have a responsibility to present scientific information accurately. It is easy for misleading or oversimplified messages to slip into conversations, but as interpreters, we must ensure the information we share is factual and reliable. However, nature interpretation is not just about presenting facts—it is about making them engaging and memorable for the audience (Beck et al., 2018, p. 83). As our textbook emphasizes, interpreters must be able to connect with a diverse audience, as interpretation is meant for everyone, not just those with a scientific background (Beck et al., 2018, p. 93). This means making information accessible and interesting, even for those who may not have studied science in years. It also requires recognizing and addressing the diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds of our audience, ensuring that interpretation is inclusive and meaningful to all (Beck et al., 2018, pp. 131-132). It is my responsibility, as well as that of all nature interpreters, to recognize the barriers that minorities may face in the field of nature interpretation, including economic, cultural, communication, and educational challenges (Beck et al., 2018, pp. 133-134). By breaking down these barriers and making interpretation more accessible, we can effectively communicate our messages and inspire positive change in a wider audience.

One way I can make my interpretation more accessible is through storytelling and poetry. Our textbook highlights the value of incorporating various art forms into interpretation (Beck et al., 2018, p. 216), and for me, storytelling and poetry are the most effective forms of artistic expression. Stories are powerful tools for engaging audiences, particularly when interpreting for children who may find narratives more relatable and digestible than straightforward explanations (Beck et al., 2018, p. 222). I have linked a video below that provides an example of how storytelling can be used to teach children about environmental protection—notice how characters, dialogue, and plot structure help convey an important message in an engaging way. Poetry, on the other hand, can evoke emotional responses while still communicating a message (Beck et al., 2018, p. 225). I have previously used both of these art forms in my blog posts, such as telling a story about raccoons in Unit 9 to engage readers and writing a short poem about the Arboretum in Unit 4. In both cases, these creative approaches allowed me to communicate key ideas without directly stating them, making the message feel more natural and immersive. Storytelling and poetry have been used across cultures for generations to convey important lessons (Beck et al., 2018, p. 223), so I believe they are valuable tools for nature interpretation as well.

Another approach that I find effective is using interactive and hands-on learning techniques. In Unit 2, I learned that I am primarily a bodily-kinesthetic learner, meaning I learn best through movement and active engagement (Beck et al., 2018, p. 110). Additionally, I discovered that I am a naturalistic learner, meaning I enjoy learning about and in nature, and a logical-mathematical learner, meaning I am drawn to problem-solving (Beck et al., 2018, pp. 111-112). Given these strengths, I believe an effective approach to nature interpretation for me would involve engaging audiences through hands-on activities that foster curiosity and problem-solving. For example, I might take participants out into nature, allowing them to experience firsthand what we are striving to understand and protect, while encouraging them to ask questions and engage in active thinking. While it is important to make interpretation accessible to individuals with various learning styles, I also believe there is value in playing to my strengths as an interpreter to create the most impactful experience for my audience.

Beyond engaging others, I believe it is my responsibility to continually develop and refine my own skills as a nature interpreter. Growth in this field is essential for creating experiences that not only draw people into nature but also affect them emotionally and intellectually (Beck et al., 2018, p. 419). One way to achieve this is through self-evaluation—reflecting on my own methods and identifying areas for improvement (Beck et al., 2018, p. 423). Additionally, feedback from supervisors or peers can provide valuable insights into how my interpretation techniques are received and where they might be enhanced (Beck et al., 2018, pp. 421-423). Ongoing learning is also crucial (Beck et al., 2018, p. 461), whether through attending workshops, taking courses, or seeking mentorship from experienced professionals. As someone who hopes to become a professor in zoology and ecology, my interpretation skills will be invaluable in my future career, both in research and in teaching. This course has provided me with an incredible opportunity to explore the art and science of interpretation, and I am grateful for the knowledge and skills I have gained.

Thank you to everyone following my blog—I have had so much fun throughout this journey!

References

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage for a better world. Sagamore Publishing.

[coochiequeens]

Ladies in Guelph Ontario please look into this.

The workshop is April 13 at the Delta Marriott in Guelph

By Karis Mapp 

Following an increase in the number of sexual assaults reported in Guelph last month, Nathan Skoufis and his mom Sophie at the Guelph Family Martial Arts studio are preparing to host a free self defence workshop for women. Originally planned as a series of classes, the overwhelming community response prompted the studio to hold a workshop to equip women with tools and confidence to feel safe in public. CBC K-W's Karis Mapp stopped by the studio to learn more about the event.

A Guelph martial arts studio is fighting to keep the community safe. 

Guelph Family Martial Arts is hosting a free self-defence workshop for women in hopes of equipping them with the tools to protect themselves in worst-case scenarios. 

This comes after an increase of sexual assaults reported in the city last month.

"I think there's just been a lot of troubling things that have happened in the area," said Nathan Skoufis, owner of the studio.

"We were getting different community leaders, organizations, individuals that were calling and emailing and coming in the studio and talking about it."

According to Guelph police, on March 14, a stranger sexually assaulted a young woman around 6 a.m. while she was walking home. She was taken into a vehicle and assaulted.

"That was on a Friday and then the following Monday, we had a young woman who was followed by a stranger and was the victim of a sexual assault at the intersection of Speedvale Avenue and the Hanlon Expressway," said Guelph police media relations co-ordinator Scott Tracey.

That assault happened in the middle of the afternoon, with dozens of witnesses stepping in to help. 

Police have made arrests in both assaults.

Prior to the two assaults, Guelph police also notified the public of a high-risk offender being released into the community.

"Included on his record was sexual assaults on strangers," Tracey said. 

Though the offender was not involved with the two assaults, Guelph police posted a reminder of safety tips including:

Walk with a purposeful stride. Know where you are going and walk with confidence.

Avoid isolated areas and try to use high-traffic, well-lit routes.

Don't let other people get too close, even if they appear to have a reason such as asking for the time.

Tracey confirmed that women are more frequently, and almost exclusively, the victims of sexual assaults in the area.

Making an impact

After receiving an overwhelming response to a social media post about the idea of the self-defence classes, Skoufis chose to start with a big workshop. 

It will feature how to defend against wrist grabs, front and back chokes, as well as what to do if someone grabs your hair from the back.

"We've heard people [say] that they don't feel comfortable going on a walk, they don't feel comfortable walking their dog, they don't feel comfortable doing things on their own," said Skoufis. 

Currently a member of Team Canada's kickboxing team and a sixth degree blackbelt, Skoufis adds that the basics are more than enough for people to feel safer out in the community. 

The workshop is happening April 13 in the conference centre at the Delta Marriott in Guelph from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

While teaching the moves is the main focus, Skoufis says building confidence and a sense of community is just as essential.

Nathan Skoufis and his mother Sophie run classes at the Guelph Family Martial Arts. (Karis Mapp/CBC)

"I think it's very important, especially as a woman, to have a little bit of knowledge if someone does attack you because the first thing is to freeze up," said Nathan's mother Sophie. 

"It really would make a difference. Just awareness and a little self-defence goes a long way."

The workshop is open to anyone, including people who aren't Guelph residents. People interested are asked to contact the studio before the event. 

In the future, Skoufis said, they plan to open the offering to men as well with a variety of classes to come.

[asianamsmakingmusic]

“I had never envisioned myself in country,” says Nicolette. “Why would I? I had never seen anyone who looks like me in that world. But now that I’ve found my voice, I want to see what it has to say.” [x]

[mistwalker-official]

Mistwalker / Twin Banshee Tour complete!

⛓️🖤⚔️🖤⛓️

Stoked to have spent the past four days on the road with these wonderful people, including my bandmates in Mistwalker and the awesome people in Twin Banshee.

A huge thank you goes out to everyone who came out to our shows in Ottawa, Hamilton, Guelph, and Toronto, and to the Dominion Tavern, Vertagogo, Jimmy Jazz, and Houndstooth for hosting us!

Thanks also to Unsucked, Nasu, and Nepenthe for joining us on stage and to Jocelyn, and all the wonderful folks at the Class HQ for letting us crash at your places!

A huge thanks also to Sewer Pool Productions, Fvck You Too Productions, World Eaters, and Chris Verge for their help in booking and promoting this run of shows.

Also a special shoutout to Chris Verge for pulling double duty with both bands, doing nine sets in four days, and driving us across the province.

Until next time, Ontario. 🤘

[oldshowbiz]

Firestone of Southern Ontario

[bsenvs3000w25]

Blog #1: My Relationship with Nature

Hi everyone 🦋🏕

Welcome to my first blog post for the ENVS*3000 Winter 2025 semester!

Past Relationship with Nature Growing up, my family wasn’t particularly involved in outdoor activities. I lived in a fast-paced environment where my parents were often busy with work, and I spent most of my time at school or indoors at home. Living in the suburbs, I found it challenging to connect with nature, as there were few quiet, green spaces where I could escape and unwind. As a result, I never felt truly connected to my surroundings, and finding moments of peace in nature always seemed out of reach. As I developed a love for nature during my later teenage years, I encouraged my mom to join me on walks, even if it was just around our neighborhood. These outings gave us the opportunity to exercise, disconnect from our phones, and catch up, all of which helped reduce my stress and anxiety. One of our favorite places to walk is the Lake Margaret Trail which connects to Pinafore Park, one of the largest parks in our hometown. 

Lake Margaret Trail St Thomas, ON

The first trip that really sparked my love for nature was to Alberta, Canada. As someone who had never left my home province, I was completely captivated by Alberta’s stunning landscapes. While there, I explored various landmarks in Jasper and Banff, and was in awe of the turquoise lakes and the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This was also my first experience hiking up mountains. This trip allowed me to appreciate the beauty and tranquillity of nature and motivated me to incorporate more of it into my life back home.

Banff, Alberta

Me in Jasper, Alberta 2019

My relationship with nature now

As I got older and life became busier, my relationship with nature continued to evolve. With the school year being quite hectic, I often experience stress and anxiety during this time. Although Guelph is larger and busier than my hometown, I find it easier to unwind here. My roommates and I enjoy exploring new places, with one of our favourite spots being Guelph Lake where we spend alot of time during the warm months. I have also learned a lot about nature through various courses I've taken at the University of Guelph, including Ecology, Evolution, and Botany. As I have entered my 20s, I have developed a deeper appreciation for nature and the simple pleasures in life.

Guelph Lake

Who gave me a "sense of place"

It is challenging to identify exactly who has shaped my sense of place, as discussed in the textbook. Growing up with immigrant parents from Albania, who lived through communist times, created a childhood that was quite different from the one I experienced. Attending University and living away from home allowed me to become more independent and develop new routines. The friends I made during this time have significantly influenced my sense of place. Most of them were raised in rural areas and have a deeper appreciation for nature than I initially did. My experiences with them over the past three years have encouraged me to nurture my own connection to the environment.

Biona🐝🦋

[phallicide]

Selfcest is out. Guelphcest is in. Go to Guelph and fuck yourself

[sophiasoni]

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[aryburn-trains]

In order to catch the morning lineup before the activity of the weekday begins, it was imperative to take advantage of the early summer sunrise. In this case, I was on the scene by 0515 after getting on the road around 0400 on my day off; and seeing these GO APCUs all in a row like they expected me was certainly worth the effort. We have GO 904 (x-ONR 1513)which was sold to Tri-Rail of Miami in 1991; then 910 and 911, formerly MILW 93A and 104A respectively, then 906 and 907, (both x-ONR) which along with the 910 and 911 were retired and scrapped in 1995. This GO facility has since been relocated in Milton. Guelph Junction, ON July 26, 1990