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Local teen receives first Wintergreen writer’s subsidy
Hannah Ellsworth, a graduate of LaSalle Secondary School, will have the opportunity to meet one of her writing idols, Lawrence Hill, while participating in a writing workshop with the Book of Negroes author this April. The opportunity comes as a result of an online fundraising campaign initiated by Wintergreen Studios. Tricia Knowles-Kingston This Week
Aspiring writer and Kingston This Week intern Hannah Ellsworth will not only have the opportunity to meet one of her writing idols, Lawrence Hill, she’ll have the opportunity to participate in a writing workshop with The Book of Negroes author this April.
Thanks to an online fundraising campaign initiated by Wintergreen Studios marketing director Claire Grady-Smith, Ellsworth will be able to attend the three day workshop being held at Wintergreen Studios next month.
Wintergreen Studios can often be difficult to get to for young people without cars, and because Wintergreen aims to offer the highest calibre of writers for their workshops, the tuition fees at Wintergreen Studios are often prohibitively high for students and youth.
“We want to make writing more accessible for everyone,” said Grady-Smith. “These writers don’t give workshops in Kingston very often, so we wanted to bring talented youth out to learn from these renowned authors.”
The campaign aims to send six youth in total to the off-grid educational retreat centre near Westport to participate in the writing workshop with either Lawrence Hill or their August workshop with Helen Humphreys (author of Afterimage).
Lawrence Hill will be teaching a fiction writing workshop for three days in April, while Helen Humphreys has paired up with artist Kelley Aitken for the first time to offer a five day art book and writing workshop.
“Because the workshops are very different, there is a choice for the nominees in terms of what kind of experience they would like to have,” said Grady-Smith.
Nominees will receive full tuition payment, all meals, accommodation in the main lodge, and transportation from their homes to Wintergreen.
“I’ve had a pretty strong literary background through high school, and I’m so grateful for the nomination,” said Ellsworth, a graduate of LaSalle Secondary School who is currently enrolled in the Theatre Complete Focus Program at QECVI. Nominated by one of her teachers, Melanie Craig-Hansford, Ellsworth said, “It’s a big deal” being able to study with such a renowned author.
Ellsworth, who is planning to study journalism at Trent in the fall and has future dreams of working in publishing, said she doesn’t have expectations from the Lawrence Hill workshop, but she is hoping for guidance.
“I really love his work and the way that he writes with authenticity in experiences that he himself has never experienced,” she said. “I hope that someday I can write like that.”
With accolades that include the Kenneth Campbell graduate award for excellence in writing, being the first Grade ten student to score 100 per cent on the literacy test in the LaSalle data base, and being named poet laureate of her graduating class, Ellsworth is on her way to achieving her dreams.
“I don’t write the kinds of stories a lot of people expect teenage girls to write. I like to write historical fiction with a magical surrealism,” said Ellsworth, who completed her first novel at the age of 13. Currently working on two projects, a novel on Celtic mythology and one on black opal mining in Australia in the late 19 th century, she said she’s hoping to have her work critiqued as much as possible.
“I’m still learning how to be concise,” she said. “I want him to show me anything that isn’t working for me and to open my eyes to the stuff I haven’t looked at yet.”
Wintergreen is a small organization, and because of this has opted to execute an online Indiegogo campaign to raise money in order to subsidize the cost for the six aspiring writers under 30. Wintergreen will need to raise $6,000 in order to meet their goal. To donate to the subsidy program, visit Indiegogo or click on the “Canada Helps” icon at http://www.wintergreenstudios.com.
While Wintergreen is working within their own networks to find qualified candidates, they welcome emailed nominations from the community at info@wintergreenstudiospress.com. Those nominating a youth for the subsidy program are asked to indicate why they think their nominee would benefit from either the Lawrence Hill or the Helen Humphreys workshop. Full details on each workshop are available online.
Thanks to an online fundraising campaign initiated by Wintergreen Studios marketing director Claire Grady-Smith, Ellsworth will be able to attend the three day workshop being held at Wintergreen Studios next month.
Wintergreen Studios can often be difficult to get to for young people without cars, and because Wintergreen aims to offer the highest calibre of writers for their workshops, the tuition fees at Wintergreen Studios are often prohibitively high for students and youth.
“We want to make writing more accessible for everyone,” said Grady-Smith. “These writers don’t give workshops in Kingston very often, so we wanted to bring talented youth out to learn from these renowned authors.”
The campaign aims to send six youth in total to the off-grid educational retreat centre near Westport to participate in the writing workshop with either Lawrence Hill or their August workshop with Helen Humphreys (author of Afterimage).
Lawrence Hill will be teaching a fiction writing workshop for three days in April, while Helen Humphreys has paired up with artist Kelley Aitken for the first time to offer a five day art book and writing workshop.
“Because the workshops are very different, there is a choice for the nominees in terms of what kind of experience they would like to have,” said Grady-Smith.
Nominees will receive full tuition payment, all meals, accommodation in the main lodge, and transportation from their homes to Wintergreen.
“I’ve had a pretty strong literary background through high school, and I’m so grateful for the nomination,” said Ellsworth, a graduate of LaSalle Secondary School who is currently enrolled in the Theatre Complete Focus Program at QECVI. Nominated by one of her teachers, Melanie Craig-Hansford, Ellsworth said, “It’s a big deal” being able to study with such a renowned author.
Ellsworth, who is planning to study journalism at Trent in the fall and has future dreams of working in publishing, said she doesn’t have expectations from the Lawrence Hill workshop, but she is hoping for guidance.
“I really love his work and the way that he writes with authenticity in experiences that he himself has never experienced,” she said. “I hope that someday I can write like that.”
With accolades that include the Kenneth Campbell graduate award for excellence in writing, being the first Grade ten student to score 100 per cent on the literacy test in the LaSalle data base, and being named poet laureate of her graduating class, Ellsworth is on her way to achieving her dreams.
“I don’t write the kinds of stories a lot of people expect teenage girls to write. I like to write historical fiction with a magical surrealism,” said Ellsworth, who completed her first novel at the age of 13. Currently working on two projects, a novel on Celtic mythology and one on black opal mining in Australia in the late 19 th century, she said she’s hoping to have her work critiqued as much as possible.
“I’m still learning how to be concise,” she said. “I want him to show me anything that isn’t working for me and to open my eyes to the stuff I haven’t looked at yet.”
Wintergreen is a small organization, and because of this has opted to execute an online Indiegogo campaign to raise money in order to subsidize the cost for the six aspiring writers under 30. Wintergreen will need to raise $6,000 in order to meet their goal. To donate to the subsidy program, visit Indiegogo or click on the “Canada Helps” icon at http://www.wintergreenstudios.com.
While Wintergreen is working within their own networks to find qualified candidates, they welcome emailed nominations from the community at info@wintergreenstudiospress.com. Those nominating a youth for the subsidy program are asked to indicate why they think their nominee would benefit from either the Lawrence Hill or the Helen Humphreys workshop. Full details on each workshop are available online.
Anthology project gives youth opportunity to be published
Two high school students, Ashley Clark (left) and Hannah Ellsworth, are hoping to raise money to help fellow youth artists get published with an afternoon arts fundraiser on May 5. ROB MOOY - KINGSTON THIS WEEK
Two high school students are hoping to raise enough money to help fellow youth artists get published with an afternoon arts fundraiser on May 5.
The Youth Anthology Project is aiming to give local artists between the ages of 14 and 24 the opportunity to have a piece of work included in the book. From photography, sketches and graphic design to short stories, song lyrics and poetry, each piece has been carefully chosen to allow for a true representation of the younger arts community in Kingston.
“It’s to encourage arts in the community and the youth that is creating it,” said Ashley Clark, the Grade 11 student at LaSalle Secondary School who is organizing the fundraiser with Theatre Complete student Hannah Ellsworth. “There isn’t a lot of recognition for what’s being done by youth, so this anthology book seemed like a great project to be a part of.”
Clark, who was first published at the age of 12, said she felt YAP would help in encouraging people to continue with their chosen form of artistic expression.
“YAP is a really cool opportunity for youth to be able to say they’ve had their work published,” she said. “I know from personal experience that the recognition you receive when you have been [published] helps inspire you.”
The fundraiser is an extension of the material in the anthology with the afternoon consisting of many visual and performing arts. Music and readings of poetry and prose will happen throughout the afternoon, as well as a silent auction for the visual art pieces on display. Set up like an art gallery, the display will showcase 10 of the visual arts pieces from the book and give people the opportunity to bid on the original work of art.
Thanks to donations by local businesses supporting the project, there will also be a raffle and a bake sale with all money raised going towards the cost of printing the book.
The YAP fundraiser will also give members of the community the opportunity to place advanced orders to reserve a copy of the book.
“People should come out to support the arts in the community and youth,” said Clark. “When you’re trying to express yourself in the teenage world, you need an outlet and a lot of expression comes in the form of art.”
The Arts Fundraiser takes place at Norton Electronics in Kingston from 1-5 p.m.
The Youth Anthology Project is aiming to give local artists between the ages of 14 and 24 the opportunity to have a piece of work included in the book. From photography, sketches and graphic design to short stories, song lyrics and poetry, each piece has been carefully chosen to allow for a true representation of the younger arts community in Kingston.
“It’s to encourage arts in the community and the youth that is creating it,” said Ashley Clark, the Grade 11 student at LaSalle Secondary School who is organizing the fundraiser with Theatre Complete student Hannah Ellsworth. “There isn’t a lot of recognition for what’s being done by youth, so this anthology book seemed like a great project to be a part of.”
Clark, who was first published at the age of 12, said she felt YAP would help in encouraging people to continue with their chosen form of artistic expression.
“YAP is a really cool opportunity for youth to be able to say they’ve had their work published,” she said. “I know from personal experience that the recognition you receive when you have been [published] helps inspire you.”
The fundraiser is an extension of the material in the anthology with the afternoon consisting of many visual and performing arts. Music and readings of poetry and prose will happen throughout the afternoon, as well as a silent auction for the visual art pieces on display. Set up like an art gallery, the display will showcase 10 of the visual arts pieces from the book and give people the opportunity to bid on the original work of art.
Thanks to donations by local businesses supporting the project, there will also be a raffle and a bake sale with all money raised going towards the cost of printing the book.
The YAP fundraiser will also give members of the community the opportunity to place advanced orders to reserve a copy of the book.
“People should come out to support the arts in the community and youth,” said Clark. “When you’re trying to express yourself in the teenage world, you need an outlet and a lot of expression comes in the form of art.”
The Arts Fundraiser takes place at Norton Electronics in Kingston from 1-5 p.m.
Kingstonian recognized for volunteer work 0
Catherine Reynolds, development coordinator for the Canadian Diabetes Association in Kingston, wraps volunteer Mel Viner up in a Team Diabetes banner. Viner has raised more then $250,000 for the organization over the past 20 years. He was honoured by the Canadian Diabetes Association, along with 17 other volunteers and community partners, during a ceremony last month. ROB MOOY - KINGSTON THIS WEEK
Kingstonian volunteer Mel Viner knows all about making a difference in the community, having raised more than $250,000 for the Canadian Diabetes Association over the past 20 years. Recently, he was recognized for his efforts.
In 1992, Viner was between contracts and became involved with Project Renewal, a resource for unemployed professionals. During one of the program’s meetings, recruiting began to raise money for diabetes. Despite the lack of background knowledge about the disease, he decided to volunteer. He recruited a team of several other unemployed professionals, and the rest is history.
Viner knew that if he was going to have a positive impact, he would need to learn more about it. He went straight to the library and read as much about diabetes as he could. The realities of the disease shocked him.
“Diabetes was an underdog in need of a bit of help,” said Viner, who believes people need to hear about what can happen when diabetes isn’t managed properly.
He recalled one woman in particular who attended a Canadian Diabetes Association meeting. She was in her early 40s, and had been diagnosed in her 20s. She was teaching coping strategies to others who had been diagnosed with diabetes, including dietary and lifestyle tactics. However, she did not take her own advice and eventually became blind and dependant on a wheelchair and dialysis.
When Viner goes door to door, he isn’t just fundraising. He also actively recruits more volunteers in the hopes that some of them will remain committed in the years to come.
“Canvassers move away, or they get too old. That’s why we’re always looking for new people,” he said.
Since 2004, Viner has recruited nearly 80 volunteers who have raised an additional $45,000 combined.
In 1992, Viner was between contracts and became involved with Project Renewal, a resource for unemployed professionals. During one of the program’s meetings, recruiting began to raise money for diabetes. Despite the lack of background knowledge about the disease, he decided to volunteer. He recruited a team of several other unemployed professionals, and the rest is history.
Viner knew that if he was going to have a positive impact, he would need to learn more about it. He went straight to the library and read as much about diabetes as he could. The realities of the disease shocked him.
“Diabetes was an underdog in need of a bit of help,” said Viner, who believes people need to hear about what can happen when diabetes isn’t managed properly.
He recalled one woman in particular who attended a Canadian Diabetes Association meeting. She was in her early 40s, and had been diagnosed in her 20s. She was teaching coping strategies to others who had been diagnosed with diabetes, including dietary and lifestyle tactics. However, she did not take her own advice and eventually became blind and dependant on a wheelchair and dialysis.
When Viner goes door to door, he isn’t just fundraising. He also actively recruits more volunteers in the hopes that some of them will remain committed in the years to come.
“Canvassers move away, or they get too old. That’s why we’re always looking for new people,” he said.
Since 2004, Viner has recruited nearly 80 volunteers who have raised an additional $45,000 combined.
Singing to support grandmothers in Africa 0
A grandmother supervises her grandchild while attending an education session at Grandmother Day, which are held monthly. During these sessions, participants are provided with a nutritious meal, as well as education about health and social issues.
Local a capella choir Melodia Monday will perform its second annual fundraising concert in collaboration with the Kingston Grandmother Connection on Saturday, April 27 at St. John’s Anglican Church.
The Kingston Grandmother Connection is a local organization committed to helping grandmothers in Africa who have lost their children to HIV/AIDS and are now raising their grandchildren. The concert will feature an eclectic selection of music and will be accompanied by a reception afterwards.
The Kingston Grandmother Connection was founded in 2006 by Anne Richards, who was very moved by the grandmothers’ situation in Africa. She united with three friends to create a completely volunteer-run grandmother group that has grown to approximately 220 members.
All proceeds raised by the Kingston Grandmother connection are given to The Stephen Lewis Foundation and Help Lesotho.
The Kingston Grandmother Connection has a special relationship with the Help Lesotho organization, as its founder Anne Richards is one of the sisters of Pat Herbert, the founder of Help Lesotho.
Herbert travelled to Lesotho for the first time in 2004. Travelling through the mountains, she was devastated by the death and social problems she found. Lesotho had the third highest rate of AIDS in the world, a reputation it has maintained, partly because there is no treatment for the disease beyond the capital city.
Herbert returned to Canada with several manageable projects in mind, and began laying the foundation for what is now Help Lesotho. The Stephen Lewis Foundation provided funding to kick start the program and hire staff personnel, while the KGC provided funding for the actual programs. Despite the fact that her charity receives no government funding, they’ve managed to raise over $11 million, and gathered close to 10,000 beneficiaries every year within the past eight and a half years.
The charity’s initiatives include a program for Lesotho’s grandmothers, which supports grandmothers for two full years and transitions them out over a six month period afterwards. This allows the program to aid grandmothers in building village networks without creating dependence upon the program itself.
During this program, the grandmothers’ huts are fixed, roofs are thatched, holes are sealed, mattresses are provided and missing doors and windows are installed. The program also provides grandmothers with seeds and helps them to cultivate their own gardens. During the winter, food parcels containing flour, sugar, salt and candles are provided.
Once every month, Help Lesotho holds a Grandmother Day. The grandmothers are waited on, served tea and a nutritious meal. Volunteers have often watched as the grandmothers slipped precious fruit into their bags to share with their grandchildren later. As childcare is scarce, volunteers provide mattresses for the children to rest on as their grandmothers learn. The grandmothers also receive education regarding health and social issues.
The program also holds a conference for the grandmothers each year or two, depending upon the funding. During the conference, all grandmothers gather together for five days of a camp-like experience, where they learn and share their stories.
Herbert herself has benefited from KGC’s fundraising efforts for the past six years.
“They’re really good about involving people. It’s only by getting involved that it changes us. Writing a cheque doesn’t change us. It’s by caring that changes us. And they really care; all these years they have cared about these grandmothers.”
Herbert further explained the charity’s commitment to Lesotho for sustainable change, demanding both time and patience. The charity’s actions have always been based upon what is best for the beneficiaries, as opposed to what makes the volunteers and contributors feel best. An example is that the charity does not ship supplies from North America to Lesotho, choosing instead to support the country’s local economy. All supplies, such as mattresses and shoes, are bought from local vendors.
Herbert expressed her appreciation of the Canadian donors who have committed to supporting Lesotho year after year.
“Anyone who wants to help the poorest of the poor in rural Lesotho is amazing by definition. They don’t get any credit. They’re just doing it because it is the right thing to do. These people are faithful in supporting us, because they believe in what we’re doing. And that is very inspiring to meet so many truly good people, because our culture encourages us to look after ourselves. They’re thinking about people they’ll never meet.”
The Kingston Grandmother Connection’s members are always trying to think of new fundraising opportunities, small or large. Last year an idea surfaced: Why not hold a spring concert?
If the concert proves to be as successful as it was last year, the Grandmother Connection will continue to feature the concerts as an annual event – availability of the choir permitting. Herbert expressed her motivation for helping the grandmothers and caregivers of Africa,
“I thought it was a good cause to try to help the grandmothers who are struggling there to raise their grandchildren, when all their children have passed away due to Aids.”
Debbie Ruse joined the Kingston Grandmother Connection a year and a half ago, and was asked to co-chair the committee planning the concert with Lindsay Morgan.
With so many charities and programs to help Africa, it can be difficult for Canadian donors to decide how to contribute. And yet, Ruse believes “with all her heart” that people “want to be involved with something good.”
“When it comes to Africa, people want to be involved in something that’s accountable and sustainable and has a real impact on the ground. We can do things; it is possible to make a difference. And we shouldn’t be cynical about that.”
Tickets for the concert $15 for adults and $40 for families. All proceeds will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Help Lesotho, to help African grandmothers provide for HIV/AIDS orphans.
The Kingston Grandmother Connection is a local organization committed to helping grandmothers in Africa who have lost their children to HIV/AIDS and are now raising their grandchildren. The concert will feature an eclectic selection of music and will be accompanied by a reception afterwards.
The Kingston Grandmother Connection was founded in 2006 by Anne Richards, who was very moved by the grandmothers’ situation in Africa. She united with three friends to create a completely volunteer-run grandmother group that has grown to approximately 220 members.
All proceeds raised by the Kingston Grandmother connection are given to The Stephen Lewis Foundation and Help Lesotho.
The Kingston Grandmother Connection has a special relationship with the Help Lesotho organization, as its founder Anne Richards is one of the sisters of Pat Herbert, the founder of Help Lesotho.
Herbert travelled to Lesotho for the first time in 2004. Travelling through the mountains, she was devastated by the death and social problems she found. Lesotho had the third highest rate of AIDS in the world, a reputation it has maintained, partly because there is no treatment for the disease beyond the capital city.
Herbert returned to Canada with several manageable projects in mind, and began laying the foundation for what is now Help Lesotho. The Stephen Lewis Foundation provided funding to kick start the program and hire staff personnel, while the KGC provided funding for the actual programs. Despite the fact that her charity receives no government funding, they’ve managed to raise over $11 million, and gathered close to 10,000 beneficiaries every year within the past eight and a half years.
The charity’s initiatives include a program for Lesotho’s grandmothers, which supports grandmothers for two full years and transitions them out over a six month period afterwards. This allows the program to aid grandmothers in building village networks without creating dependence upon the program itself.
During this program, the grandmothers’ huts are fixed, roofs are thatched, holes are sealed, mattresses are provided and missing doors and windows are installed. The program also provides grandmothers with seeds and helps them to cultivate their own gardens. During the winter, food parcels containing flour, sugar, salt and candles are provided.
Once every month, Help Lesotho holds a Grandmother Day. The grandmothers are waited on, served tea and a nutritious meal. Volunteers have often watched as the grandmothers slipped precious fruit into their bags to share with their grandchildren later. As childcare is scarce, volunteers provide mattresses for the children to rest on as their grandmothers learn. The grandmothers also receive education regarding health and social issues.
The program also holds a conference for the grandmothers each year or two, depending upon the funding. During the conference, all grandmothers gather together for five days of a camp-like experience, where they learn and share their stories.
Herbert herself has benefited from KGC’s fundraising efforts for the past six years.
“They’re really good about involving people. It’s only by getting involved that it changes us. Writing a cheque doesn’t change us. It’s by caring that changes us. And they really care; all these years they have cared about these grandmothers.”
Herbert further explained the charity’s commitment to Lesotho for sustainable change, demanding both time and patience. The charity’s actions have always been based upon what is best for the beneficiaries, as opposed to what makes the volunteers and contributors feel best. An example is that the charity does not ship supplies from North America to Lesotho, choosing instead to support the country’s local economy. All supplies, such as mattresses and shoes, are bought from local vendors.
Herbert expressed her appreciation of the Canadian donors who have committed to supporting Lesotho year after year.
“Anyone who wants to help the poorest of the poor in rural Lesotho is amazing by definition. They don’t get any credit. They’re just doing it because it is the right thing to do. These people are faithful in supporting us, because they believe in what we’re doing. And that is very inspiring to meet so many truly good people, because our culture encourages us to look after ourselves. They’re thinking about people they’ll never meet.”
The Kingston Grandmother Connection’s members are always trying to think of new fundraising opportunities, small or large. Last year an idea surfaced: Why not hold a spring concert?
If the concert proves to be as successful as it was last year, the Grandmother Connection will continue to feature the concerts as an annual event – availability of the choir permitting. Herbert expressed her motivation for helping the grandmothers and caregivers of Africa,
“I thought it was a good cause to try to help the grandmothers who are struggling there to raise their grandchildren, when all their children have passed away due to Aids.”
Debbie Ruse joined the Kingston Grandmother Connection a year and a half ago, and was asked to co-chair the committee planning the concert with Lindsay Morgan.
With so many charities and programs to help Africa, it can be difficult for Canadian donors to decide how to contribute. And yet, Ruse believes “with all her heart” that people “want to be involved with something good.”
“When it comes to Africa, people want to be involved in something that’s accountable and sustainable and has a real impact on the ground. We can do things; it is possible to make a difference. And we shouldn’t be cynical about that.”
Tickets for the concert $15 for adults and $40 for families. All proceeds will go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation and Help Lesotho, to help African grandmothers provide for HIV/AIDS orphans.
Kingston takes initiative in streetlight upgrade project 0
Willard Brown, Utilities Kingston traffic streetlight maintenance technician, installs one of the new LED streetlights along Old Quarry Rd on April 9. Utilities Kingston crews are replacing some 10,000 high-wattage streetlights with the new energy-saving LED lights. The new fixtures will reduce street lighting energy costs by 45 per cent. The $4-million city-wide upgrade is expected to be complete by the end of the year. ROB MOOY - KINGSTON THIS WEEK
Utilities Kingston has begun to implement a citywide initiative to upgrade all HPS (High Pressure Sodium) streetlights to LED streetlights.
The new fixtures are intended to conserve the city’s energy and budget while improving the quality of Kingston’s lighting. Kingston Utilities crews aim to have completed the majority of the light fixture installations by the end of 2013.
The capital cost of the project will be $4 million, and is expected to break even in seven years by saving on operation and maintenance costs of approximately half a million each year. An anticipated cutback of more than 60 per cent of the electricity used to power the lights has been determined, alongside a reduction of 300 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Kingston’s traditional HPS lights also contain mercury, a chemical not present in the LED lights, making the new streetlights a more environmentally conscientious choice as well.
Maintenance of the new LED lighting fixtures will also reduce much of the city’s budget dedicated to this realm of public maintenance — LEDs have a 15-20 year life expectancy compared to the four to five year life expectancy of traditional HPS fixtures.
The upgraded fixtures are expected to increase reliability too, due to the amount of LED lights within a single fixture. Even if a single bulb burns out, the rest of the fixture will continue to function.
The majority of the LED lighting units – if not all of them – have been approved by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) due to the decrease in glare, which encourages clearer skies at night in city areas.
IDA supports outdoor night lighting that uses light efficiently and conscientiously. However, night lighting is often inefficient, either because the light is not directed properly and shines where it isn’t needed, e.g. upwards to the sky, or due to the lack of consideration for the amount of energy being used to power the light.
When lighting is directed properly, it allows for the use of more energy-efficient lighting sources. As new outdoor lighting technologies continue to develop, the degree to which light can be developed and controlled will improve.
Scott Kardel, managing director of the International Dark-Sky Association, said as less light is wasted, less light is needed.
“All too often, there are lights on all night long even in areas with little or no use. Many cities have adopted regulations on outdoor lighting and IDA encourages more communities to do the same,” said Kardel.
Utilities Kingston has been encouraging community members who manage any kind of exterior lighting similar to the city’s streetlights – including car lots, parking lots, and apartment buildings – to invest in the new LED lighting fixtures. The organization offers assistance in identifying the prospective savings, providing a quote for potential incentive earnings, as well as the application process so that they can provide the funds needed to enable investments in this initiative.
“We’re willing to put our money where our mouth is, and help other people in Kingston make the same investments,” said Scott Sottile, conservation officer for Utilities Kingston.
The program also helps Utilities Kingston meet its conservation targets and create space in the electricity system. Increased space in the electricity system prevents the need to build more wires, transformers and generating plants.
Kingston communities can expect Utilities Kingston crews to upgrade the streetlights within their communities over the upcoming year. The installment period is expected to be short and accompanied by minor noise and other disruptions.
While the new lighting fixtures will not alter the lighting intensity, some report the lights as seeming brighter. Traditional HPS streetlights tend to emit a yellow-tinted light, but the colour of the new LED lights will be more of a natural white.
Many communities across Canada are converting HPS streetlight fixtures with LED lights, notably within Nova Scotia in locations such as Halifax, Amherst, and Wolfville. As LED lights continue to grow in popularity, the International Dark-Sky Association estimates that LED street lighting will overtake all other traditional varieties within the outdoor lighting market over the upcoming decade.
“For now, while many communities are making the switch to LEDs, it seems that Canada is at the forefront of adoption,” said Kardel.
For further information about what initiatives the Kingston community can take to conserve energy and reduce light pollution, citizens are encouraged to learn more at kingstonhydro.saveonenergy.ca, utilitieskingston.com/conservationtips, and 546-0000-CONSERVATION.
The new fixtures are intended to conserve the city’s energy and budget while improving the quality of Kingston’s lighting. Kingston Utilities crews aim to have completed the majority of the light fixture installations by the end of 2013.
The capital cost of the project will be $4 million, and is expected to break even in seven years by saving on operation and maintenance costs of approximately half a million each year. An anticipated cutback of more than 60 per cent of the electricity used to power the lights has been determined, alongside a reduction of 300 tonnes of CO2 per year.
Kingston’s traditional HPS lights also contain mercury, a chemical not present in the LED lights, making the new streetlights a more environmentally conscientious choice as well.
Maintenance of the new LED lighting fixtures will also reduce much of the city’s budget dedicated to this realm of public maintenance — LEDs have a 15-20 year life expectancy compared to the four to five year life expectancy of traditional HPS fixtures.
The upgraded fixtures are expected to increase reliability too, due to the amount of LED lights within a single fixture. Even if a single bulb burns out, the rest of the fixture will continue to function.
The majority of the LED lighting units – if not all of them – have been approved by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) due to the decrease in glare, which encourages clearer skies at night in city areas.
IDA supports outdoor night lighting that uses light efficiently and conscientiously. However, night lighting is often inefficient, either because the light is not directed properly and shines where it isn’t needed, e.g. upwards to the sky, or due to the lack of consideration for the amount of energy being used to power the light.
When lighting is directed properly, it allows for the use of more energy-efficient lighting sources. As new outdoor lighting technologies continue to develop, the degree to which light can be developed and controlled will improve.
Scott Kardel, managing director of the International Dark-Sky Association, said as less light is wasted, less light is needed.
“All too often, there are lights on all night long even in areas with little or no use. Many cities have adopted regulations on outdoor lighting and IDA encourages more communities to do the same,” said Kardel.
Utilities Kingston has been encouraging community members who manage any kind of exterior lighting similar to the city’s streetlights – including car lots, parking lots, and apartment buildings – to invest in the new LED lighting fixtures. The organization offers assistance in identifying the prospective savings, providing a quote for potential incentive earnings, as well as the application process so that they can provide the funds needed to enable investments in this initiative.
“We’re willing to put our money where our mouth is, and help other people in Kingston make the same investments,” said Scott Sottile, conservation officer for Utilities Kingston.
The program also helps Utilities Kingston meet its conservation targets and create space in the electricity system. Increased space in the electricity system prevents the need to build more wires, transformers and generating plants.
Kingston communities can expect Utilities Kingston crews to upgrade the streetlights within their communities over the upcoming year. The installment period is expected to be short and accompanied by minor noise and other disruptions.
While the new lighting fixtures will not alter the lighting intensity, some report the lights as seeming brighter. Traditional HPS streetlights tend to emit a yellow-tinted light, but the colour of the new LED lights will be more of a natural white.
Many communities across Canada are converting HPS streetlight fixtures with LED lights, notably within Nova Scotia in locations such as Halifax, Amherst, and Wolfville. As LED lights continue to grow in popularity, the International Dark-Sky Association estimates that LED street lighting will overtake all other traditional varieties within the outdoor lighting market over the upcoming decade.
“For now, while many communities are making the switch to LEDs, it seems that Canada is at the forefront of adoption,” said Kardel.
For further information about what initiatives the Kingston community can take to conserve energy and reduce light pollution, citizens are encouraged to learn more at kingstonhydro.saveonenergy.ca, utilitieskingston.com/conservationtips, and 546-0000-CONSERVATION.
Local libraries introduce French programming 0
Franca Blackman is the new programming and outreach employee for the Kingston Frontenac Public Library. She has announced the enhanced French-language library services that are now available in the Kingston area. Rob Mooy-Kingston This Week
The Kingston Frontenac Public Library has initiated a pilot project called Biblio Française in an effort to emphasize the importance of French programs within the public library system.
“We’re hoping that we can build stronger connections with the francophone community,” said Kimberly Sutherland-Mills, manager of programming and public outreach for the Kingston Frontenac Public Library.
The public library has received many requests over the years to offer French programs and services, but it was not until last year that they were met with the catalyst for Biblio Française.
Last year, a local group interested in public access to more French literature education donated French books to the library’s collection. Many French speaking families turned up during the celebration of the donation, and the library realized the amount of people in the Kingston community who desired access to French library services and materials.
Soon after, the library was granted the Cultural Strategic Investment Fund by the Government of Ontario, and work began to implement Biblio Française.
The library’s first step in this initiative was to hire a part-time programmer for the organization of Biblio Française.
The recently hired programmer, Franca Blackman, officially filled the position earlier this month. Her previous experience includes specialized teaching for children, literacy tutoring for the Limestone District School Board, and teaching French in different community settings. .
The new program will include readings in the park, Bébés à la biblio (readings for families and their very little ones), Contes en Pyjama (family bedtime stories), and children’s performers.
While the demand for French programming is primarily in favour of a focus on children, adult programming will also be included in Biblio Française, most notably through film screenings.
At the end of the year, the public library will review the project’s success and the Kingston community’s response to the project. This will help them to decide what their next step is.
If Biblio Française is successful, and the public’s response to the program is positive, library staff will seek funding to continue further programming.
“Ideally, we’ll eventually offer all of our children’s programming in French by the end of the pilot project,” said Sutherland-Mills, who added the library is open to all questions and suggestions from the community.
“We are happy to serve anyone in our area, and we will always try our best,” she said.
“We’re hoping that we can build stronger connections with the francophone community,” said Kimberly Sutherland-Mills, manager of programming and public outreach for the Kingston Frontenac Public Library.
The public library has received many requests over the years to offer French programs and services, but it was not until last year that they were met with the catalyst for Biblio Française.
Last year, a local group interested in public access to more French literature education donated French books to the library’s collection. Many French speaking families turned up during the celebration of the donation, and the library realized the amount of people in the Kingston community who desired access to French library services and materials.
Soon after, the library was granted the Cultural Strategic Investment Fund by the Government of Ontario, and work began to implement Biblio Française.
The library’s first step in this initiative was to hire a part-time programmer for the organization of Biblio Française.
The recently hired programmer, Franca Blackman, officially filled the position earlier this month. Her previous experience includes specialized teaching for children, literacy tutoring for the Limestone District School Board, and teaching French in different community settings. .
The new program will include readings in the park, Bébés à la biblio (readings for families and their very little ones), Contes en Pyjama (family bedtime stories), and children’s performers.
While the demand for French programming is primarily in favour of a focus on children, adult programming will also be included in Biblio Française, most notably through film screenings.
At the end of the year, the public library will review the project’s success and the Kingston community’s response to the project. This will help them to decide what their next step is.
If Biblio Française is successful, and the public’s response to the program is positive, library staff will seek funding to continue further programming.
“Ideally, we’ll eventually offer all of our children’s programming in French by the end of the pilot project,” said Sutherland-Mills, who added the library is open to all questions and suggestions from the community.
“We are happy to serve anyone in our area, and we will always try our best,” she said.
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