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C M Y K D1

life
Monday, April 12, 2010 Today Editor BARBARA TAYLOR • 519-667-5468 • barbara.taylor@sunmedia.ca
D

GREEN PLANET

How does your garden grow?


Steps to launch your community garden Identify your resources
Do a community assessment
to discover what already
exists to help you create your
garden. Contact your local
Organize a meeting municipality, conservation
Invite anyone you think area or horticultural society.
might be interested.
Decide what kind of garden
you want to grow and who
should benefit.
Approach a sponsor
Form a planning Churches, schools, private
businesses or parks and
committee recreation departments are
Delegate tasks according to all possible supporters.
skills, interest and availability.
SUZANNE ELSTON where people could
QMI Agency come together to work
for a common purpose.
From Victoria to St. John, “In growing their own food, Choose a site
community gardens are sprout- they ultimately grew themselves
ing up across Canada like spring Vegetables need at least six
into a community,” said Drum- hours of sunlight a day, as
flowers. mond.
A community garden is simply well as access to water. Find
“Air, water, food — it all con- out who owns the land and
any piece of land that is gar- nects,” said Drummond. “You
dened by a group of people. Gar- approach the owner about Organize the garden
can’t grow food without a good, leasing it.
dens can be located on private healthy environment.” Decide how many plots are
or public lands such as school- Community gardens also help available and how they are
yards, church lawns, hospitals, to foster a sense of community Growing food assigned. Allow extra space
or neighbourhood parks. Gar-
dens can also be a series of plots
pride and ownership, which in
turn helps to lower local crime
in our cities, right for pathways between plots,
a compost pile and a place to
dedicated to urban agriculture, rates. where we live, is something store tools.
10 where the produce is grown for Prepare and develop
a market.
“Where gardens flourish,
crime rates drop because
that we need to do. Not
Invest in soil sampling to
20 For Mary Drummond, com- people are engaged in their sometime in the future but ensure that the land isn’t
munity gardens are about creat- community,” said Drum-
ing and strengthening commu- mond. “Community gar-
right now, before we forget contaminated. Organize
30 volunteers to help clear
nities. Drummond is a registered dens are the most cost how, or the land is put to and prepare the soil.
nurse who first became involved effective way for govern- Let the children play
40 with community gardens in ments to deal with a broad “better” use
her capacity as a trained parish range of issues.” by being paved Create a special area just for
nurse in Whitby, Ontario. In Drummond’s case, her kids to help them learn about
50 “We were dealing with a garden has grown into a 100- over or built upon. how their food is grown.
congregation that had a lot of bed cooperative that is com- Toronto FoodShare
60 issues — diabetes, low-incomes prised of both volunteers and
and mental,” said Drummond. community members. Food
“These were people who were is grown and donated to food
70 Put the rules in writing
trying to deal with an incredible banks and people in need.
amount of stress without the “Last year we donated over Good communication Before you begin, agree on
80 benefit of strong relationships or 3,900 pounds of produce to the is the key to success basic rules such as how plots
social networks.” Salvation Army, food banks, are assigned, who does basic
The solution was to create a a Muslim welfare home, a Stay in touch with members
90 via email, bulletin board, maintenance and how the
community garden that would youth shelter, and Eng- garden is funded.
provide access to healthy, nutri- lish as a second lan- website or telephone tree.
100 tious food, raise environmental guage (ESL) classes,”
awareness and provide a place said Drummond.

Essential tools of the trade Gloves


Wheelbarrow
Indispensable for haul-
ing soil, compost, plants,
Hoses
Invest in drip
irrigation
mulch, hoses and hoses to con-
Protect skin and nails
Claw or Hoe Hand Shovel and keep hands clean.
tools. serve water.
cultivator A long-han- pruners & spade
Leather gloves hold up
best.
Trowel Helps to cultivate soil, dled hoe is
Various sizes, Needed
chop up clumps and a gardener’s
From container depending on for planting
work compost and best friend
gardening to large type and size large perennials,
mulch into the soil. Also for keeping
beds, a well-made of plants. shrubs, and trees,
necessary for cultivating weeds at bay.
trowel is essential
in closely planted beds. Fork breaking ground,
for getting your moving soil and leaves.
plants into the For dividing The sharper the blade,
soil. plants. the better.

ADVICE: Best of Robin Anderson WINE: Bold reds for barbecue season

Grill seekers’
My sister is a gold digger
choice
n PARENTING: It may take time to bring everything together, but there are several credits and expenses that can be claimed

Doing homeworkRcan pay off at income tax time


Dear Robin: My sister is a
acting like a true gold digger.
Ever since she got burned by
the love of her life, she will only ecord-breaking tem-

Adate men who have money, nice Robin Anderson been paid peratures
for thislast weekend
child. Transit Expenses: Moms and WINES OF THE WEEK:
cars and s many
lots of asstuff.
46% of Her ex was summoned
Other credits folksorin many parts
expenses dads who commute to work
just anCanadians
average guy, dread
nothaving
rich, not SCHOOL OF LIFE parents of the country
can claim to gather
include: around every day canChris claimWaters
the amount
★★★★ (out of five)
to do their taxes every yearthis?
and the grill and stage a dress paid for public transit passes for Boekenhoutskloof 2008 Porcu-
poor,
I’m
People
so why
one areof them.
is she doing
already starting to
Dear Sick: Kathy Rumleski
I’ve said it before, n Child Tax Credit of $2,089 for
rehearsal
each child.for Canada
If your childDay.
is under
WATERS
themselves and their children ON WINE pine Ridge Syrah
and I’ll say it again. He isn’t
I have
talk,
income
andprepared
hook uptaxes,
I’m worried
with butsome
my she
usually
ownwill
guy just hand
for it
“making arrangementsMOTHER to LOADmeet 18 In
andmy
ping
is
livescase,
withityou,
out possible
available. For
hadthismecredit
pairings
couples with
map- under the age of 18. These
to go passes must permit travel within
Coastal Region, South Africa
women” simply because he is BC $18 | AB $15 | MB SK $18 | ON
over to a professional.
the money. What should I say to with barbecue
children from ribs that
separate mar-will be Canada
grill andon buses, street
a selection cars,
of summery $15 (595280)
Just—pulling all ofTHEmy paper- bored at home.
Canadian Revenue If there are prob- featured in an upcoming issue subways
Agency’s or commuter trains.
her? IN IT FOR MONEY riages, the credit also applies. tunes blasting into the air, will-
work together is Money:
time consuming lems in your
checklist relationship or with of Vines Magazine.
at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ One of the world’s great red wine
Dear For the You There is a note of caution, ningTuition
familyfees.
and Students
friends tasteoftenand
enough. your sex life, he
whtsnw/chcklst-eng.html. should address The irony herelivesis that I more
don’t don’t bargains, the Porcupine Ridge
didn’t say how long she and though. If a child with voice need
their to claim
opinion. all of their
I have to provide everything them
Some with you rather
activities thatthan
don’twhat eat meat — not during
even the Syrah benefits from barrels that
her ex have been apart, but she
he is doing. Tell him how all this than one parent thesuccu-
year, tuition
Goodfees to reducewines
barbecue their pay-have
the tax preparer
is probably needs and
just hurting andget- qualify include go-cart camp lent baby back ribs that my wife able didn’t make the grade for the
makes you feel and ask him to as is the case in shared custody, taxes up
to stand to zero
to the so they
smoke canand
ting all of dating,
the receipts is crucial. or any camp in which the main considers Boekenhoutskloof’s top-of-the-
rebound and not acting
stop. If he isn’t willing, I guess only one of one of her signature
the parents can make transfer
noise —some and of the unused
typically please a line Syrah or its compelling red
veryThis month,
mature I’ve been
about it. Have busya activity is operating a motorized dishes.
this claim. tuition `creditoftopalates.
a parent.
you know where you stand. wide variety blend, Chocolate Block.
gathering
heart-to-heart receiptswith from
sis and try to vehicle.
sports I did, must
Parents however,
work this liberally
out As
Suchparents,
researchwe must make all
has shown that
organizations
get to the bottom my children
of this. Let her I checked in with Intuit sample
and if therethe ishomemade
no agreement, barbe-
the of our are
dollars stretch consider- As a result, this offers terrific
Answer the question of the day at there good candidates from
belong
know the to. image she is portray- Canada, which is a provider cue sauce,
will be aforfeited.
blessedly sweet ably. This tax concentration and intensity for
www.canoe.ca/advice andtaxyou credit all corners ofseason,
the world be sure
to con-to
ing,Since
and2007, Canadians
the damage it is have
doing of business, financial and and spicy mixture that has a real get all when
of the credits youtodeserve. the price.
could win a one-year columnist n Medical Expenses. Expenses sider it comes finding
been
to herable to claim Ask the Children’s management solutions for busi- kick to it,ofknowing
reputation. why she contractconsumers
nesses, with Sun Media!
and account- in excess $2,011 orthat 3% itofwould
net And
greatremember
barbecue the tax filing
options. The 2009 vintage will be appear-
Fitness
chose this Tax route,
Credit.and what she be the dominant
income, whichever flavour
is less, of the deadline
can Some isrecent
coming up fast. It’s
favourites hail ing soon in some markets.

Online Poll
It’s a to
hopes financial
gain from incentive to get
it. Tell her ing professionals, for some more dish. The wine had to work with April
be claimed. Premiums paid to from 30.Canada, Argentina, Chile
children more active. tax tips for parents.
how concerned you are about athe sauce
health plan and areits spicy kick
considered a in and For more information, visit
Spain. ★★★ (out of five)
the Many
way people don’t realize
she is behaving. Then be We“We
you realize that a tax return
asked you... order
medical for the
expense match
as to
well. be suc- www.quicktax.ca.
The reigning king QuickTax
of the grill
can
there also
to claim
help pick creditherfor upsome
when might be the biggest cheque cessful. is free for households with an Beringer 2007 Stone Cellars
If you have a drug plan, the continues to be an affordable
Q
camps that have a physical activ-
she crumbles. some families see all
Do you have the relation-year, so A well-made White Zinfandel income lower than $20,000 or Cabernet Sauvignon
portion that is not covered Syrah from one of South Africa’s
ity Dear
component.
Robin: I have been understand
ship you’d how important
like to have with it is would work well inmedical
my estima- those on active military Boeken-
duty in
can be claimed as a greatest producers, California
Up towith
living $500 my a year
fiance canforbe five to ensure Canadians get back
your siblings? tion, but knowing my audience 2009.
expense. houtskloof.
claimed
years. We forhave
eachboth child under
been the
mar- every penny they deserve when for that trial run, it had to be fla- Another helpful website is BC $14 | AB $13 | MB $13 | SK
No, I wish we If that tongue-twisting name
age
riedofbefore.
16. I have caught him 49%
filing taxes,” said Geoff Morgan,
were closer
n
a
Child
big one
Care
and
Expenses.
vourful and full-bodied reds.
the costs
This
can be
is
www.parentscanada.com.
gives you a fright, you’ll It is be $14.95 | ON $13.95 (606798)
For aon
twice child who
online is eligible
dating sites for
(not who is a PR manager for Intuit, I opted for Cabernet Francs run by to
Canada’s largest Here is a well-made Cabernet
happy know the winepublish-
is called
the
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lines, which ownsYes,
aration
QuickTax,
software.
tax prep-
we are very close quite
from exorbitant.
the child care
The CRA says
Niagara-on-the-Lake
deduction can
and er
be of parenting
Porcupine magazines.
Ridge Syrah. Grill that seems ideally suited to be a
that
making result in movementtoand
arrangements meetuse the Loire Valley and a Gren- Kings You canandalso get information
Queens out there burger wine.
Yes,that
we some
get claimed if parents weretheearn-
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text
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qualify
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children who along just
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Rhone from
Valley and a Shiraz from the cra-arc.gc.ca.
take the
note,CRAnot website
only isatitwww.
easy to It’s got bold, ripe fruit flavour and File photo
as he wasn’t at the pronounce, it’s likely to become Since
some 2007, Canadians
appealing have been able to claim the Children’s Fitness
herbal complex-
attending school or conducting
Parents
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iforthe
have
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Clare Valley region of Australia.
research
Tasting or similar work funded
is comparing.
your new favourite wine.
It’s kathy.rumleski@sunmedia.ca
ity. Credit. Many people don’t realize you can also claim credit for
Tax
ing or more in fitness expenses has by a grant.
always better when bottles can Christopher Waters is the editor some
Somecamps
sweetnessthatonhave a physical activity component.
the palate
as Iforlivequalifies
with theby onevisiting
I love.theHe
says he has never cheated but I 4% I don’t have any siblings be auditioned in real-life situ- of QMI Agency’s Vines Magazine. gives this mass appeal.
He can be reached at

ONLINE
find it hard to trust him. Daily poll questions can be found ations.
47788_ADVColumnist_11_474x1_0833_SUNMEDIAv2.pdf 4/7/10 2:41:57 PM
— SICK OF WANDERING EYES online at www.canoe.ca/advice Fashion,
With Food,
smoke Advice,
billowingHealth off and
the Fitness
chris@vinesmag.com

lfpress.com/life
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