Left to right: Kendra Abraham, Board Chair for Child Witness Centre, Robert Coole, Ontario Trillium Foundation representative, Aislinn Clancy, MPP for Kitchener Centre, and Robin Heald, Executive Director for Child Witness Centre, at the celebration for the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.

On Wednesday, local MPP Aislinn Clancy met with Child Witness Centre (CWC) representatives and partners to celebrate a $95,700 Seed grant they received from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to help bridge critical gaps in mental health support for young survivors.

“The integration of cultural and trauma-informed support is so important for the long-term wellbeing of victims of abuse and crime, especially for young victims. I’m glad the grant will help the Child Witness Centre expand their wraparound services, to help break the isolation that often comes with trauma and ensure that our community members are not left alone in their time of need,” said Aislinn Clancy, MPP for Kitchener Centre. “Healing is a collective journey, and when a community comes together to support its most vulnerable, it creates a foundation of compassion and resilience that strengthens everyone. By investing in these services, we’re not just helping individuals heal, we’re building a more supportive and connected community where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”

Awarded in September 2024, the grant has funded critical strides made by the Child Witness Centre in addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing their clients: the lack of immediate access to mental health support and counselling.

This timely funding enables the agency to deliver short-term, trauma-informed crisis counselling to children and youth when they need it most, while waiting for long-term care to become available. The project is aimed at not only supporting young survivors at a crucial time in their healing journey, but also helping to reduce pressure on already overburdened community mental health services.

“The impact of this OTF grant has been an incredible investment,” said Robin Heald, Executive Director of Child Witness Centre. “We’ve strengthened our wraparound supports and enhanced our ability to provide immediate, trauma-informed care. Early intervention is essential for long-term recovery and wellness, and this funding helped us bridge a gap that so many children and families fall through.”

Child Witness Centre staff and Board members were joined by Aislinn Clancy, MPP for Kitchener Centre (back row, far left) and Robert Coole, Ontario Trillium Foundation representative (back row, third from right), at the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre of Waterloo Region (located inside Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health).

The OTF grant came at a time when the charity is experiencing high demand for their services and stretched resources – resulting in them being forced to start a waitlist in late 2022. Staff had to make difficult decisions daily on who they could serve and who had to wait for their vital services. A total of 447 young people spent time on their waitlist before it was eliminated in March 2025. Now, they are doing everything they can to avoid its return, and to strengthen services to better meet the needs of their clients. The OTF grant helped accomplish that!

“When children and youth are supported at the moment they need it most, the long-term impact of trauma can be significantly reduced,” said Heald. “We’re committed to doing everything we can to prevent another waitlist. Our goal is to continue strengthening our services to meet the needs of our community and prevent revictimization and the need for ongoing downstream services.”

Child Witness Centre believes every child and youth who has been hurt and harmed should be supported through the criminal justice system – and not have to walk the very difficult journey alone. That is why they work closely with them, and their caregivers, from the time of investigation through to a court resolution. This non-profit organization began in the community in 1981 and has been passionately serving local young survivors and families since. To learn more about Child Witness Centre and their work in the community, visit www.childwitness.com.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

The post OTF Grant Bridges Gap in Mental Health Support for Young Survivors first appeared on Child Witness Centre.

The post Thanksgiving Hours appeared first on Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym.

The post Thanksgiving Hours appeared first on Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym.

That is anybody's guess. Sure the chief liars have either retired or stepped back at Uniroyal/Crompton/Chemtura and especially at the MECP.  Representing Lanxess and GHD there are two with a history namely Lou Almeida and Allan Deal. Mr. Deal's history is much worse than Lou's although Lou does seem to be attempting to catch up with his Stroh farm nonsense. 

I am confident that councillor and TRAC Chair Nathan Cadeau along with Tiffany Svensson and mayor Sandy Shantz will soon realize that all their manipulation, deception and just plain blatant  and willful blindness and deafness on the subject will not fly.  Unfortunately for them I am a team player and made certain over a decade ago that a number of local citizens were fully aware of the situation on the Stroh farm.. That situation also applies to the Martin farm immediately south of the Stroh farm with the migration of contamination being both directly from Uniroyal (southern property line) as well as indirectly through the Stroh property and the SDDB (Stroh Drain, Ditch & Berm). 

What limited evidence there is due to Chemtura/Lanxess's refusals to do even a half hearted investigation with serious soil, ground and surface water sampling (in the ditch) supports the likelihood of serious contamination including dioxins and DDT migrating off-site. The Mickey Mouse investigation along the property line between Lanxess and the Stroh farm speaks volumes. Soil sampling was only fifteen to twenty metres onto the Stroh farm and the soil sampling extended to a whopping 15 centimetres or 5.9 inches in depth. WHAT A JOKE !  Nevertheless the contamination was serious enough all these decades later to require removal. 

One of the key pieces of evidence is the topographical maps showing that the lowest ground elevation is on the Stroh farm to the immediate east of Lanxess's south-east corner. In other words all the admitted gravity flowing toxic liquid wastes from Uniroyal's overflowing east side pits had to go somewhere and most of that somewhere was not into on-site GP-1 & 2 . It was onto the Stroh property as well as the adjoining Martin  property. Lanxess have intentionally been muddying the waters to the best of their abilities for years on this matter. 

Fess up Lanxess! And then clean up or else the Creek will never be safe or healthy.

♦Photo by Damian Baranowski.

I've been away longer than I intended from this blog, and I remember back in the days of blogging when "longer than I intended" was about two or three days. In the years since, this blog has gone silent for months. But I was away longer than I intended and I felt increasingly bad about that. So perhaps that's a hopeful sign for the health of this blog.

We talked a bit about blogging over at Benjamin Gorman's Tilting at Windmills podcast (formerly Writers Not Writing). We talked about how social media has slurped up a lot of our audience, and uses the algorithm to keep them locked in, but that blogs can still be important as something that stands permanently (as permanently as electrons can be) without the social media algorithms shushing things in the echo chamber. In these days as polarization increases, it's important to keep saying what it is you stand for. In my case, it's that all people should have access to healthcare. They should all have enough to be able to eat and put a roof over their heads. They should have a chance at a good education, and they should be allowed to live as they are, regardless of race, gender, pronouns, or neurodiversity. Severe income inequality would appear to thwart all of this, so we must end severe income inequality.

Anyway, thanks to Benjamin and Chrys for having me back to their podcast! As always, we had a great and thought-provoking conversation. You can see the whole episode here.

Similarly, thanks to Alex Lewczuk from Southside Broadcasting in the UK for having myself and my Shadowpaw Press editor Ed Willett for a discussion of our recently released fantasy novels (in my case, re-released) as well as the process of publishing. This was my third time on Alex's podcast and as always, he was welcoming and enthusiastic. I hope I can be back again so we can share our thoughts about classic Doctor Who.

Finally, I would like to thank the good folks at Bakka-Phoenix who hosted an evening mingle for The Night Girl on Thursday, September 18. Sorry it took so long to properly thank you. As always, Canada's premiere science-fiction and fantasy bookstore was wonderfully supportive and accommodating, and it was a joy to talk to everyone who came out and share another wonderful cake from The Cake Box. Special thanks to Victor from my planning class, who shocked me by turning up. I think it must have been eleven years since we last met, and that's assuming he came out to the reunion evening. If not, then it was thirty years. But we still got back to talking just like old times.

I'd also like to thank my friend Damian Baranowski, who was on hand with his camera to shoot some great photos. He's been a tireless supporter of The Night Girl, and has even put together some wonderful reels, which you should view. The first one is the opening of the conversation about what The Night Girl is, and the second one talks about my interesting choice for the fictional mayor of Toronto in the story.

Looking ahead, I have further podcasts to attend, and I'll be at Can*Con to help Stephen Kotowych celebrate the launch the 2025 edition of his Year's Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction. I am super chuffed that my Tales from the Silence short story "After the Apocalypse in Moosonee" was chosen to be among those honoured. I'm also looking forward to being in Ottawa, as if anybody needs an excuse to visit this fair city.

After that, winter is coming. The leaves are already changing, and while I appreciate the colours and the cooler temperatures (especially once the first frost puts away the wasps and the ragweed), I'm feeling the loss of light more acutely than in the past. It's been a difficult year finding joy with all that's gone on around us in the world and at home, but I am blessed to have been able to find that joy with my family and with my friends, and with the work that I do. Thanks to all for the good days we've had so far this year, and here's to good days tomorrow.

Guelph Non-Profit Housing Corporation (GNPHC) is a housing provider serving the City of Guelph. We own and manage approximately 545 rental homes across a mix of family, adult, and senior-lifestyle communities. Our work focuses on safe, well-maintained, and affordable homes that strengthen neighborhoods and support tenant well-being.

• Mission: Building community through safe, affordable, and inclusive homes.
• Vision: We envision our community as a place where everyone is welcomed, connected, and lives with dignity.

GNPHC’s volunteer Board governs the affairs of the Corporation, sets strategic direction, ensures strong financial and risk oversight, and supports the Executive Director to deliver on our mission. Directors serve until the third Annual General Meeting following their appointment (or until a successor is appointed).

• Meetings: Board meetings and occasional committee meetings (several days per month including preparation).
• Expectations: Review materials in advance, participate actively, and uphold fiduciary, legal, and ethical duties.

We welcome applications from individuals with diverse levels of expertise, particularly in areas such as affordable housing, communications, or board governance. Knowledge of housing policy, social justice, non-profit leadership, or financial oversight are valuable assets, paired with a strong commitment to advancing affordable housing in our community

• This is a volunteer position. (Reasonable expenses may be reimbursed where applicable.)
• Directors must adhere to GNPHC’s Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, and confidentiality requirements.

Please reach out to Clayton Freeborn at claytonf@wellington.ca with a resume and the application no later than October 19th, 2025 for an application or any questions.  Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview or to attend our next board meeting for a meet and greet!

Sincerely,
Clayton Freeborn
Executive Director,

Guelph Non-Profit Housing Corporation

The post Guelph Non-Profit Housing Corporation (GNPHC) appeared first on Capacity Canada.

♦

Leaving work, driving out of my school’s neighbourhood, I saw a woman walking, alone. She looked like she was walking for no particular reason, just because she wanted to. Envy. That’s what I felt. I wanted to be her. Instinctively, I tried to squash that feeling, crush it, shame it into disappearing; but like all feelings, envy is not bad or good in and of itself, it’s neutral, it exists, it’s information.

The woman was walking, alone, coming from a wooded trail, there was still a lot of afternoon left, the air was warm, the leaves on the trees sun-soaked. I’d already swerved swiftly, effortlessly into envy’s twin, self-pity. She’s so lucky, she looks so content and free, that’s not for me, I don’t have that kind of time. All of this happened — seeing her, feeling envy, swerving to self-pity, squashing down both — in approximately ten seconds while I was turning a corner to get onto the highway. I had decided to run errands between work and home, and my first stop would be the library, about a ten minute drive away. I was listening to a political podcast and quickly became distracted by an aggressive driver who tailed me onto the highway, then floored it to pass me. So I wasn’t thinking about the woman, or envy, or self-pity anymore, or not consciously.

But as I walked into the library, I thought, you could just go for a walk.

It was there for the taking — the very thing that had sparked my envy. There are trails near the library. I didn’t have to be anywhere in particular. I actually did have the time (self-pity wasn’t a reliable source of information; it rarely is). I could just go for a walk.

And I wanted to. I wanted to be outside, to see the trees and feel the sun’s heat on my hair, and hear the insects humming.

I wonder: without that flash of envy, would I have known that this was what I wanted?

Of course, it wasn’t simply about wanting to go for a walk. I wanted what she’d represented to me, what I’d projected onto her. In her ease, she looked free to me, content, autonomous, capable of giving herself time to enjoy this beautiful day. I wanted those things, and driving away from work, those things seemed inaccessible. But maybe those things were inaccessible precisely because I had not even known that I’d wanted them.

I was like a sleepwalker and envy was a jolt, a pinch, a pain, a mirror.

This seems a little messed up, now that I write it out. I’m sure there are other ways to identify my wants and needs, but the truth is that I don’t always know what I want or need. I often have no idea. My responsibilities as a mother are changing and I have more time, and I will fill that time mindlessly if I don’t know what I want. I am attempting to wake up in the middle of my life and in the process not become an asshole or a raging void or a restless narcissist or a frightened recluse. So I’m open to taking whatever prompts arrive.

I went for that walk. I walked and walked and walked — alone, for about an hour. My senses opened, my body relaxed, my mind softened. I had to remind myself continuously that everything was okay. It was okay to keep walking. You don’t have to be anywhere. You can walk a little further. It’s okay. No one needs you right now. You are free to do this. But those cues only deepened my contentment, because my inner voice was reassuring and kind, which is also what I want. I want an inner voice that gives me permission to enjoy my life.

♦

On the way back, I said to myself, you should do this more often. But that didn’t sound reassuring or kind. A should do is not the same thing as a want to do. So I began to list alternative prompts. What do you want? What do you long for? What do you yearn to do? (These made me laugh, actually, they sounded more earnest than I was feeling.) What do you wish to do? What would you like to do?

Ah. What would you like to do?

That question sounds like an invitation to my ear. What would you like to do? I’m asking it now. I was asking it as I stared into space about half an hour ago. I picked up the travel mug of leftover coffee from work and came into my office, I sat down in my great aunt Alice’s tiny rocking chair, I opened this app and I began to write.

And now, I ask it again. What would you like to do? And will you do it? Will you tell yourself it is okay to do it?

xo, Carrie

Let's see that would include the OW57-32R and W4 DNAPL by the Howard St. water tower as well as the on the Varnicolor site DNAPL consisting of trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, dichloroethene  and more. Then of course there is also the likely off-site DNAPL from Uniroyal that flowed over to the Nutrite/Yara property consisting of chlorobenzene, mercaptobenzothiazole, carboxin etc. There could also be DNAPL from any of the six to eight properties which used chlorobenzene recently identified by Jesse Wright of Arcadis Inc. near First, Union and Howard Ave.. 

Now the details required by the public would include the exact location, the depth, what stratagraphic unit they are in, the estimated mass plus as many of the components as possible. Confirmation as to whether it is still free phase DNAPL or whether it has spread out under gravity to the point that it has been reduced to residual DNAPL or not would also be helpful. This is the kind of data and evidence that must be given to the public so that they and any alleged representatives at TRAC can do their jobs properly.

This data would have resulted in citizens both on and off any alleged citizen committees being able to quickly point out years ago to Dr. Neil Thompson (U. of Waterloo)  where the excess 2,000 kilograms of dissolved chlorobenzene originated from. Clearly he was kept in the dark by Chemtura during his efforts to write up a worthy and professional Conceptual Site Model (CSM) versus what the first TAG Chair (Dr. Richard Jackson) described as nothing more than a cartoon that Conestoga Rovers had done.

All in all we've had just about 34 years (Jan. 1992-2026)  of intentional mushroom treatment of our alleged public consultation. This has of course consisted of keeping them in the dark and covered in bullsh*t. The guiltiest bodies include Uniroyal, Crompton, Chemtura, Lanxess and the M.O.E./MECP. Honourable mention goes to Woolwich Township especially for the efforts of Mark Bauman and Sandy Shantz in September 2015.

For the moment we will forget (Ha!) Jim Dochstader and Glen McDonald, two former M.O.E. officers who were fired and faced criminal charges for their actions. Now Mr. McDonald among other things tipped off Severin Argenton about the upcoming May 17 ? 1990 raid on his business at 62 Union St. in Elmira (i.e. Varnicolor Chemical). Mr. Dochstader, I have been advised, may have used his M.O.E. position inappropriately and been involved in some paperwork shenanigans to improperly assist a client (polluter?) . Now what I always found interesting was that prior to working in the Sarnia area Mr. Dochstader was involved here in Elmira with the Uniroyal Chemical file. 

After the M.O.E. excavated the buried tanker behind Varnicolor's office building that I informed them about, they immediately cut it up with a torch. This was after promising myself, Rich Clausi and APTE that they would carefully examine it first looking for intentional drainage holes or other anomalies.  They blatantly and intentionally destroyed evidence that could have made a huge difference in understanding the extent and volume of dumped toxic liquid wastes on that site.  It also probably reduced the jail sentence that Mr. Argenton received  as the Judge did not know the extent of damage he had done to the Elmira drinking aquifers. 

On top of that they virtually ignored the buried septic tank that was also hooked up to the floor drain in the (orange) office building. This buried septic tank had likely been converted to a toxic liquid waste disposal system after Elmira was hooked up to the Elmira Sewage Treatment Plant in 1965. All in all a sophisticated and cunning method of disposing of inconvenient toxic wastes without having to pay for proper disposal.

The Ontario Ministry of Environment knew all this yet never raised it at trial or anywhere else. They always wanted to minimize evidence and facts of other polluters than Uniroyal Chemical in Elmira. Why?  Probably because it would damage the false narrative that the M.O.E. and Uniroyal agreed on as part of the settlement package for both their illegal and inappropriate environmental behaviours over the decades. 

♦

♦Leg Up! Holiday Registration
Friday, October 3
Various costs

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! It’s time to sign up for Holiday Classes at Leg Up! Learn to bake delicious goodies in the kitchen with Michelle, make some crafty holiday cards with Annita, or paint a magical masterpiece with Marc. There’s Sing-a-longs, Sewing Stockings, Classic Holiday Movies and more! Make sure you register as soon as possible so you get a spot in your favourite class!

Click here for more info

♦♦ ♦

♦Kitchener Council’s Grillefest
Friday, October 10
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
$5
Kitchener City Hall and King Street – 200 King St. W, Kitchener

Join Kitchener City Council for a sizzling good time at Grillefest, part of the official Oktoberfest celebrations! Enjoy a traditional sausage on a bun, cold drinks, and cookies, all for a minimum donation of $5. All proceeds go to the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. Don’t forget to check out all of the other Oktoberfest Celebrations going on this weekend too. King Street will be filled with music and traditional celebrations from City Hall all the way down to Queen Street. Let’s come together as a community, enjoy some Bavarian vibes, and support a great cause.

Click here for more info

♦

Fall Dance
Wednesday, October 8
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
$20
Bridgeport Community Centre – 20 Tyson Dr. Kitchener

Come and party with us at this fun and inclusive Fall Dance! Your ticket includes pizza, pop and other snacks. We will have our favourite DJ and a photobooth! All proceeds will support Outspoken Self Advocates activities and events. Get your tickets now. This dance will be unbe-leaf-able!

Click here for more info

♦“Beetlejuice” Outdoor Screening
Tuesday, October 7
5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
FREE
The Gaslight District – 64 Grand Ave. S, Cambridge

Get ready for the Halloween season with a spooky movie to get you in the spirit. This double feature has “Beetlejuice” at 5:30 PM and “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” at 7:15 PM. Nearby patios and restaurants will be opened. Outside food and drinks are allowed. Please bring your own chairs, blankets and person to hold your hand if you get scared!

Click here for more info

♦

♦Cooking For Community
Every other Wednesday
2:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Learn to prepare and cook meals
FREE
Health Caring KW – 44 Francis St. S, Kitchener
Click here for more info

Heartfulness Yoga and Meditation
Sundays
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Chair Yoga and Guided Mediation
FREE – Registration Required
Click here for more info

Day5Games
Fridays
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Play Board Games, Card Games and Puzzles
FREE
Spectrum – 210-283 Duke Street West Kitchener
Click here for more info

The post October 1, 2025: What’s Happening in Your Neighbourhood? appeared first on KW Habilitation.

The luxury real estate market continues to show resilience this fall. Across North America, buyers remain active and intentional, while sellers are moving more strategically, releasing inventory at a slower pace. Here in Waterloo Region, the same pattern is playing out: steady demand, limited supply, and a market that rewards preparation and precision over speed.

This month’s numbers reflect a shift toward thoughtful decision-making on both sides of the table.

In August, luxury single-family home sales rose 6.7% compared to last year, even as new listings increased by only 2.5%. The balance between engaged buyers and cautious sellers has created a stable environment where well-positioned homes continue to attract strong interest.

While affluent buyers are less sensitive to mortgage rates, the recent downward trend has sparked new momentum. More buyers are re-entering the market, expanding their search, or considering second homes and investment properties.

The focus has shifted from square footage to lifestyle. Today’s luxury buyers want homes that match how they live—smart technology, energy efficiency, modern design, and turnkey quality. Move-in-ready properties with strong aesthetic and functional appeal are leading the pack. Renovation projects still attract attention, but only when they offer clear value or customization potential.

Sellers, on the other hand, are taking a more calculated approach. Many are choosing to wait for the right timing rather than rushing to list. Those who do go to market are pricing with purpose and preparing thoroughly, knowing that buyers are informed and selective.

Overall, the North American luxury market remains steady and competitive, with measured supply and sustained demand setting the tone for the rest of the year.

Locally, Waterloo Region continues to reflect a balanced luxury market. Both single-family and attached segments are performing steadily, with neither buyers nor sellers holding a clear advantage.

Luxury Single-Family Homes

• Median Sale Price: $1,229,950
• Sales Ratio: 17% (Balanced Market)
• Days on Market: 30 (up from 23 last year)
• Sale-to-List Price: 97.44%

Inventory dipped 5% compared to last year, and homes in the $3.6M–$3.9M range performed exceptionally well, achieving a 100% sales ratio. Buyers are still active, but they’re more selective, looking for homes that stand out in quality, location, and design.

Luxury Attached Homes

• Median Sale Price: $749,800
• Sales Ratio: 20% (Balanced Market)
• Days on Market: 23 (down from 31)
• Sale-to-List Price: 100%

Attached properties, particularly townhomes and condos, continue to appeal to professionals and downsizers seeking a low-maintenance lifestyle. The full-price sales and shorter market times show that buyers are ready to act when they find the right fit.

These numbers confirm that while the pace has cooled from the highs of recent years, strong listings are still selling efficiently and close to asking.

For Buyers: This is a market that rewards clarity. With conditions balanced, you have more time to evaluate options but still need to move decisively when the right home appears. Falling interest rates may also expand your budget, so it’s a good time to reassess what’s possible.

For Sellers: Preparation is everything. Buyers are focused on quality and presentation, so listings that are staged, marketed well, and priced accurately are commanding attention. Homes that don’t meet today’s standards risk sitting longer. Thoughtful timing and strategy can make a measurable difference.

Heading into fall, the luxury market is expected to remain steady. Lower borrowing costs may draw more buyers into the mix, while sellers who lead with quality and value will continue to see results. It’s a market built on strategy, patience, and clear positioning rather than quick moves.

If you’re planning your next step, understanding these shifts is key. A tailored strategy based on current data will help you make the most of this balanced environment.

The post Luxury Market Report – September 2025 appeared first on Kitchener Waterloo Real Estate Agent - The Deutschmann Team.

♦

On September 30, we encourage all Canadians to wear orange to honour the thousands of Survivors of residential schools.

Written by Cythnia Wesley-Esquimaux, Capacity Canada Board Member
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux served as Vice Provost for Indigenous initiatives at Lakehead universtiy for three years.  Cynthia is a member and resident of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario and has dedicated her life to building bridges of understanding.

I have been asking “does truth and reconciliation still have meaning in an era of distraction?”  We are living in strange times, maybe we always have, but the amplification of distraction, national and global, and technology as a panacea for everything that ails us, strikes me as unique. We are witnessing mental health challenges, familial splintering, and disengaged youth at levels never before experienced. Truth and Reconciliation is about bringing humanity together, reaching out a hand to family, friends and allies across the table, across growing social incivility and across the country. We have much to protect and honour in Canada. Indigenous peoples have been telling us for centuries through wampum, word and song, there is a better way.

The Dish with One Spoon wampum provides an example of how we can co-exist in a county this diverse, “Respect territorial jurisdiction, leave something in the dish for others, and keep the dish clean”, this means, having respect for boundaries and what belongs to others, take only what you need and leave something of value for others, and above all, please, keep the dish clean. We only have one planet, let’s learn to work together in respect, friendship, and peace – Truth and Reconciliation reminds us we are one global human family, and we must learn to want, give, and receive the best for everyone.

The post National Day for Truth and Reconciliation appeared first on Capacity Canada.

At KW Habilitation, we believe the best way to plan for the future is to do it together. That’s why we are excited to begin a new Strategic Planning process that will guide our work over the next five years.

This is more than just a plan, it’s about listening, learning, and co-creating a shared vision with everyone connected to KW Habilitation. From employees and people supported to families and community partners, every single voice is essential.

Our Strategic Plan will set the direction for the future of KW Habilitation. It will help us focus on what matters most, respond to the needs of our community, and create opportunities for inclusion, belonging, and growth. By working together, we can ensure the plan reflects the values and goals of all the people who make KW Habilitation what it is.

This fall, we are inviting families and people supported to participate in sessions with Holly Hendershot and Christa Haanstra, who are helping us with this planning process. These sessions are a chance to share what you like about KW Habilitation, and where you think we can go in the future.

• Lived Experience Sessions:
  • October 20, 1:00–3:00 pm RSVP Here
• Family Sessions:
  • October 21, 5:00–6:30 pm for families connected to Inclusive Living Supports RSVP Here
  • October 21, 6:30–8:00 pm for families connected to Community and Employment Supports RSVP Here

Each session is limited to a small group so that we can take time to hear directly from people. Please RSVP now so you don’t miss out.

Alongside these sessions, we will also be launching a survey for employees, volunteers, families, and people supported. The survey will be another important way to share your perspective. Please fill out the survey today! (Survey closes October 10, 2025)

We are committed to creating a process that is open, inclusive, and transparent. Every voice matters, and every perspective will help shape the direction we take together.

This is your chance to help build the future of KW Habilitation. We invite you to join us on this journey.

The post Shaping Our Future Together: appeared first on KW Habilitation.

♦

Heading northeast out of Russell, County Road 3 runs basically parallel to the Castor River and when it becomes Notre-Dame Street in Embrun curves quite sharply toward the east: that point is just about where you will find Euphie d’ici Café and Smoothie Bar.

With a lovely multiuse trail virtually right at the café’s parking lot, along with some benches and some snazzy public art, it’s possible to see the café as genuinely at the centre of a community hub. By the way, the trail is called, curiously perhaps, “The New York Central Railway” trail because it was once part of a rail system owned by the New York Central Railroad which was dismantled seven decades ago.

Outside the café, there are a few picnic tables and a sandwich board that proclaims “tasty, local, healthy.” That is certainly appropriate because people are walking dogs, jogging and cycling along the path and stop into Euphie d’ici to re-fresh.

Inside, the café is a basic and casual dining room with a few tables and chairs. But what surrounds them is the evidence that the business is dedicated to local (and seasonal) products that support other food businesses both in town and further afield.

It’s in fact a small marché that includes products like coffee from an Ottawa roaster, artisanal sodas from Prince Edward County, caramels from Merrickville, honey from Green Valley and an Ottawa salsa maker who supplies stores in London, Magnetawan Township and Winkler, Manitoba.

Euphie d’ici has a philosophy that allies itself closely with other local businesses and supports eco-responsibility and a reduction of their environmental footprint too.

Menus appear on chalkboards in a few places, and offer a wide selection of foods, both to eat in the dining room and frozen to take home.

There are about a dozen wraps – four of which are listed as for breakfast in addition to three breakfast bagels – that range in price from $7-$10 and include club, BLT, grilled chicken, veggie and Caesar crunch. You can get a smaller version of a wrap for 15% off.

Now, I’m not much of a “wrap guy,” but I was impressed by both the composition of Euphie d’ici’s “Avocado Chicken Wrap” and its execution. A good-sized handheld, the wrap was packed with chicken, cheese, guacamole, spinach, lettuce, tomato and ranch dressing. What was supposed to be crispy was crispy; what was supposed to be moist and tender was moist and tender.

A similar sort of flattish and handheld cousin to the wrap, the restaurant also prepares chicken or veggie quesadillas ($11-$12), with a gluten-free option for a couple bucks more.

Add to that the still flattish but heftier pressed panini: among the four ciabatta selections are bacon, tomato, Cheddar; a Greek-tinged spinach with black olives and feta; classic ham and Swiss; and, a spicy-hot antipasto and guacamole with bacon, tomato and Cheddar, which tops out the price scale at $12.

There’s smoothie bowls and barbecue chicken pizza. I also found it interesting to see signs posted for Belgian waffles and “s’mores pretzels” as well as pretzels of the salty Bavarian variety with a few mustard selections and the cross-cultural Italian Parmesan version served with a ranch or garlic sauce. They are about $9, and you can also get Nutella or cinnamon too.

There’s an espresso bar with about a half-dozen espresso beverages available, but it’s obvious where Euphie d’ici shines: in the smoothie division of their menu. There are nearly three dozen, from fruit and protein to super smoothies and frappés.

Their names are varied and inventive: Canadian Sunset with strawberry, Princess Peach, Coco Loco with pineapple, Cold Warrior, Reload Athlete and Stress Busters, among many others. The beverages are generally available with dairy alternatives such as almond, coconut, oat (or lactose-free) and plant-based protein.

So-called “add-ins” to their cold drinks include ingredients like chia seeds, hemp hearts, flax seeds, almond butter and something known as “fruit popping bubbles.” If such beverages are your go-to, these items will likely be no surprise – except perhaps the fruit-popping bubbles (which I assume are part of a bubble tea concoction).

With the trail for bikes and walking virtually at Euphie d’ici’s side door, it is easy to see the alliance here with these beverages and a focus on a healthy mind and body as well as stewardship of the environment.

Oh, and yep, it’s also that flavour time again: fall specials at the café include apple pie, the seasonal pumpkin-spice latte and chai and pumpkin hot chocolate (also offered as a frappé).

Euphie d’ici Café and Smoothie Bar is open daily.

Check out my latest post Cafe Euphie d’ici is a community hub from AndrewCoppolino.com.

The red carpet was rolled out, the popcorn was hot, and Bullas Hall was buzzing with excitement as Creative Spark premiered their newest short film, Retro High. Friends, families, and supporters packed the room to celebrate a film full of music, laughter, and heart, with a message about friendship, fairness, and finding your voice.

The evening opened with a throwback 80s soundtrack that set the mood for the high school-inspired story. Anneli Sawatzky, a new member of Creative Spark, welcomed the audience and spoke about the power of storytelling and person-directed creativity. As the lights dimmed and the extended version of Retro High began, the room filled with laughter, cheers, and even a few gasps.

Following the film, the entire cast joined the front of the room for a panel discussion. Each person shared what the project meant to them, what they enjoyed most, and how they contributed to the story. Audience members noticed how much the work has grown since last year’s Cory’s Revenge. Everyone had lines, everyone had a voice, and the film clearly reflected a spirit of teamwork and shared vision.

Guests enjoyed snacks, drinks, and signed posters. Cast members posed for photos, autographed merch, and enjoyed the buzz of a well-earned celebration. The room was filled with smiles, hugs, and excitement for what had just been shared on screen.

Creative Spark is a group from KW Habilitation where people with disabilities create and share what matters to them through film, social media, and storytelling. The group is driven by collaboration and focuses on fun, creativity, and real inclusion. Retro High is Creative Spark’s 2025 submission to the Pegasus Incredible Film Festival (PIFF), a festival that celebrates inclusive filmmaking and diverse talent.

The energy at the premiere was joyful, proud, and unforgettable. Retro High is more than just a short film. It is a showcase of what is possible when everyone has a chance to participate and shine. We cannot wait to see what Creative Spark creates next.

♦

The post Light’s Camera Action! appeared first on KW Habilitation.

Article Written by: Hannah Schmidt, CTV News Kitchener

A Waterloo Region farm is changing its policies after saying persistent thefts stripped roughly 500 pounds of apples from its orchard.

Shuh Orchards said people have been picking fruit without paying.

“Myself, I’ve caught about 250 pounds of stolen goods on three occasions, of around 80 pounds each,” owner Tim Shuh told CTV News.

When confronted, Shuh said they claimed they “didn’t know how [the apples] got in there.”

“The stealing is disappointing in itself, but that, paired with the lying, is inexcusable,” he added.

Commenters on Instagram and local public Facebook groups said they had also seen families filling wagons and strollers with apples. Others reported instances where individuals would hide fruit in the wagons and lie about payment when confronted.

“When we have that many people on the farm, it can be difficult to keep track of who’s coming into the orchard,” Shuh said.

They have been forced to bring in more staff during busy times, put up caution tape near the main road and ban wagons, backpacks and strollers in the orchard rows. Anyone picking apples will have to use a bag provided by the farm.

“It takes a lot of labour, a lot of input costs, and that’s what’s the most disappointing for us is that we’ve seen these apples grow from a bud to an apple throughout their whole growing season,” said Shuh.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service reminds residents that stealing produce from orchards, roadside stands or pick-your-own operations is considered theft under the Criminal Code. Offenders could face charges of theft under $5,000.

The Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce said incidents like this are becoming more common across the province.

“We’ve seen an increase in this locally and, I think, across Ontario,” said Art Sinclair, vice president of public policy and advocacy with the chamber of commerce. “[In] a lot of cases, there aren’t the necessary human resources or staff resources available to provide the security and the policing around these.”

Sinclair said thefts like this are tough for farmers to absorb, especially when money that should go back into the harvest now has to be spent on security.

“It’s going to cost them more, and when you’re on tight profit margins, that additional cost for security and other measures to prevent theft, that’s only going to add to the losses or the cost for the business,” Sinclair explained.

Shuh Orchards said the goal is to keep the pick-your-own tradition alive and fair, and they hope a little honesty goes a long way this apple picking season.

“We want people to know about our farm,” said Shuh.

“We want people to know about how we grow apples. Stealing does not help; we work extremely hard to grow this crop. We put everything we have into this, and stealing just has no place in this country.”

The post Ont. orchard tightens rules after approximately 500 lbs. of apples stolen appeared first on Greater KW Chamber of Commerce.

At the beginning of my career, fresh out of college and immersed in the technology division of Latin America’s largest bank, I was absolutely certain of one thing: my value was in my code.

I was assigned to a Mainframe team and challenged to program in COBOL, a language I had never seen before. In that environment, the leadership model was clear: managers were the top technical specialists, promoted for their mastery of the system, not necessarily for their people skills. Naturally, I believed that was the path for me as well.

For more than two years, my professional identity was defined by an obsessive dedication to honing my skills. If my leader was the system’s guru, then I needed to become one too. But the recognition never came.

My career felt stagnant, and my frustration grew daily. I would look at my more experienced colleagues and the leadership above me, and the comparison was brutal. That solitary effort, focused only on my individual output, was exhausting me and, worse, feeding my insecurity.

I was caught in a trap reinforced by the system itself: the belief that my job was only about the machine, not the ecosystem of strategy and people around it.

It took a company-wide transformation for me to understand that the game was much bigger than the programming terminal.

In 2015, a massive restructuring moved us away from the traditional model and into the world of squads, agile methodology, and cross-functional teams. That external shift forced an internal one. As the bank’s culture reinvented itself, I realized I had to do the same.

That’s when my mindset began to turn: I stopped looking only at my code and started observing the people who were thriving in this new environment.

I began to map the professionals I admired, searching for the behavioral patterns that led to their success.

• What did they do beyond their immediate tasks?
• Who did they connect with?
• Which strategic forums were they a part of?
• How did they communicate their ideas to influence decisions?

The answer was clear: they weren’t just excellent technicians; they were connectors. They translated technical complexity into business value and built bridges between people.

In that moment, I understood that to grow, I didn’t need to be the best COBOL programmer. I needed to learn how to connect my work to the business’s purpose and, most importantly, to people.

This discovery forever changed how I see leadership. Years later, when I took on my first team, I carried this lesson like a mantra. Leading wasn’t about assigning tasks; it was about distributing purpose.

For me, building a strong team begins when everyone understands not just what they are doing, but why they are doing it.

Handing off a project without explaining the context is to treat intelligent professionals like mere executors. It’s a waste of talent and ambition. That’s why my primary role as a leader became that of a strategy translator and a catalyst for potential. In practice, this means:

• Assigning work with intention: Instead of asking, “Who can do this fastest?” I ask, “For whom would this project be a growth opportunity?” Delegation becomes a tool for career development.
• Granting autonomy through context: A team that understands the end goal doesn’t need micromanagement. It needs a leader who trusts its abilities and is dedicated to removing obstacles from its path.

The code that gets delivered is the result; the team that builds it with trust and clarity is the engine. My job is to make sure that engine runs at full power, sustainably.

The most powerful proof of this philosophy isn’t in a system we delivered, but in a person’s journey.

A brilliant engineer joined my team, but she was completely demoralized by poorly handled feedback in a previous role. Her self-confidence was in tatters.

My first job with her wasn’t technical. It was to listen. It was to create a safe environment where her successes were celebrated and her mistakes were treated as learning moments. I gradually gave her projects that forced her to step into new spaces and have her voice heard, always connecting her work to the impact it created. Slowly, she not only regained her spark but became a role model for others. Years later, when I left the company, she was the one who became my successor.

The system we built together is still running, but the real legacy, for me, was seeing a professional who was nearly lost by the system be rescued and transformed into a leader. The legacy wasn’t in the software; it was in the successor I helped shape.

This is why I argue that the code we write becomes obsolete. The platforms we build are replaced. But the trust, autonomy, and capability you develop in people are the only legacy that truly endures.

The most important job of an engineering leader isn’t to build the perfect system, but to build the team that will be able to build the next perfect system with or without you!

Code Isn’t the Legacy, Your Team Is was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

The post GYM CLOSURES! appeared first on Grand River Rocks Climbing Gym.

Here's the rub. The compromised beyond all repair, Ont. Min. of Environment (MECP), hasn't even commented publicly if you can believe that. It was their lawyer/prosecuter Stan Berger who made that  comment about Varnicolor at the Environmental Appeal Board Hearings back in the early 1990s. The then M.O.E. wanted all pressure and leverage they could get against Uniroyal Chemical so they actively lied and covered up Varnicolor's guilt. It was yours truly along with Rich Clausi, Ted Oldfield and Susan RUPERT (not Bryant)  who dragged Varnicolor out of the shadow of Uniroyal and exposed their intentional dumping among other sins.

Lanxess and GHD have recently listed four or five different chlorinated solvents that they now admit migrated from Varnicolor into the Municipal Upper Aquifer under Elmira. This is one of the two drinking water aquifers that have been contaminated for decades. Early on in the 1990s there was a hydrogeological report known as the Golder Report which described the horrid state of Varnicolor's shallow aquifer. It included evidence of both LNAPLs and DNAPLs yet at the time we the public as well as APTE and after 1994 the Elmira Environmental Hazards Team (EH-Team) knew very little about how insidious both could be.  

Around 1994 it was suggested to us that a decade of shallow aquifer pump & treat at Varnicolor would clean up the site. Elmira Pump bought the property approximately in the early 2000s and have been trying to obtain a Record of Site Condition from the MECP at least since 2016 unsuccessfully. By the way the M.O.E. (Min. of Environment) promised to install deep monitoring wells way back in the early 1990s and then immediately reneged on that promise when Phillips Environmental showed an interest in buying the site.  To the best of my knowledge (due to MECP secrecy /shame?) the Varnicolor/Elmira Pump site still requires some environmental work. 

Regarding political corruption it is of some interest to note that former Woolwich CAO Bill Kowalchuk after leaving Woolwich Twn. immediately was hired by Varnicolor to help increase the variety of waste class licenses they held.  This required conversations and lobbying with the M.O.E. and with the Ontario government which did allow a serious expansion of their solvent inventory and further mismanagement. 

Thank you to all levels of government oversight for your ongoing protection of polluters and systemic suppression of honest citizens trying to improve our environment. 

If you are like me, who didn’t realise there was a difference between the three, I’m going to explain it to the best of my knowledge :).

Firstly, what are these methods and why should we care about them? They are dependency injection systems used in .Net Core, to register services. In a nutshell, it defines the lifetime/lifecycle of a service. Essentially, how long a service lives when the application is running. To answer the latter part of the question, we should care because it improves testability, optimizes resources, and makes the code more flexible.

Now, let's delve into what they actually are and when to use them

Think of this method like ordering coffee at Starbucks. Every time you order, they make you a fresh cup. It doesn’t matter if you ordered 5 times in the last 10 minutes , you will always get a new one. It can be used with services that act as formatter or calculators or lightweight services that are stateless

This registers one instance per request. Imagine you order a plate of food at a restaurant. While you sit at the table (your “request”), you use the same plate and if you order more items during that meal, they go on that plate.
But when you leave and come back tomorrow (new request), you’ll get a new plate. Services that have this use case deal with request-specific data, like database contexts.

This registers one instance throughout the application lifetime. Think of it like a water dispenser in the office. No matter how many people or how many times they drink, they’re all using the same dispenser. It stays there until the office shuts down. A typical use case is caching and logging services

Let's do a practical demo to show

public interface IMyService
{
    string GetId();
}

public class MyService : IMyService
{
    private readonly string _id;

    public MyService()
    {
        _id = Guid.NewGuid().ToString();
    }

    public string GetId() => _id;
}

var builder = WebApplication.CreateBuilder(args);

// Choose ONE of these at a time to test
builder.Services.AddTransient<IMyService, MyService>();
// builder.Services.AddScoped<IMyService, MyService>();
// builder.Services.AddSingleton<IMyService, MyService>();

var app = builder.Build();

app.MapGet("/test", (IMyService service1, IMyService service2) =>
{
    return new
    {
        First = service1.GetId(),
        Second = service2.GetId()
    };
});

app.Run();

Now run the app and hit /test a few times in the browser or Postman.

• With AddTransient
  Every time you call /test, and even within the same request,
  service1.GetId() ≠ service2.GetId().
  (the ids are always different IDs).
• With AddScoped
  Within the same request:
  service1.GetId() == service2.GetId() (same ID).
  But if you refresh the page (new request), you’ll get a new ID.
• With AddSingleton
  Always the same ID, no matter how many times you refresh.
  One instance for the whole app.

I hope this explains things , Till next time :)

When to use the different types of Dependency injection systems in .Net was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

If you study CS as a major in 2025 or later, chances are you’ve already come across (or soon will) an assignment like “build your own Operating System”. When I first got this project, unfortunately, I couldn’t find any resources about this topic. However, you are lucky if you need something like that, because I’m going to tell you everything behind the scenes.

The reason our teacher gave us this assignment was to make us fully understand OS concepts and make these concepts more tangible. And honestly? Mission accomplished:)

Since this is a basic OS, it consists of four essential modules, which you can also find in other OSs. These modules are: process management, memory management, file system, and concurrency. Let’s see those in detail below.

Process management is maintained in the process_management.py file and PCB(Process Control Block), Scheduler classes.

Process Control Block contains process ID, state, name, page-related information, runtime, etc. Each process is, in fact, a task. The scheduler works with the Round-Robin scheduling algorithm, allowing each process to have fair CPU time. Time quantum is fixed to 2, but execution time is taken as input from the user.

Basically, it works like this:

Add process → allocate memory → enqueue → run with time quantum → if finished → terminate & deallocate

def add_process(self, name, execution_time=6, pages_needed=4):
        pcb = PCB(self.next_pid, name, execution_time, pages_needed)
        self.next_pid += 1
        if self.memory_manager.allocate_memory(pcb):
            self.ready_queue.append(pcb)
            self.thread_managers[pcb.pid] = TaskThreadManager(pcb)  
            print(f"Added task {pcb.name} to ready queue")
            
            self.file_system.create_file(f"{pcb.name.lower()}.txt", f"Initial data processed: {pcb.data_processed}")
        else:
            print(f"Failed to add task {pcb.name} due to insufficient memory")

 def run(self):
        while self.ready_queue:
            pcb = min(self.ready_queue, key=lambda x: x.total_runtime)  # pick process with least total runtime
            self.ready_queue.remove(pcb)
            pcb.state = "running"  # process state update
            print(f"\nRunning: {pcb}")
            show_rotor_status_indicator(1)
            _, msg = self.memory_manager.translate_address(pcb.pid, 1500)
            print(f"Address Translation: {msg}")
            self.thread_managers[pcb.pid].start_threads()
            time.sleep(self.time_quantum)   # simulate CPU burst
            self.thread_managers[pcb.pid].stop_threads()
            pcb.execution_time -= self.time_quantum
            pcb.total_runtime += self.time_quantum
            with pcb.data_lock:
                
                self.file_system.write_file(f"{pcb.name.lower()}.txt", f"Data Processed: {pcb.data_processed}")
            if pcb.execution_time > 0:
                pcb.state = "ready"
                self.ready_queue.append(pcb)
                print(f"Task {pcb.name} moved back to ready queue")
            else:
                pcb.state = "terminated"
                print(f"Task {pcb.name} terminated")
                with pcb.data_lock:
                    
                    self.file_system.save_metric(pcb.name, pcb.data_processed)
                self.memory_manager.deallocate_memory(pcb)
                del self.thread_managers[pcb.pid]
                self.file_system.delete_file(f"{pcb.name.lower()}.txt")
            self.show_queue()

In practice, this means execution time is decreasing, the task queue is being updated, and terminated processes are being thrown from memory.

Since segmentation can cause external fragmentation, a paging system is used for memory management, with 16 pages and 1024 bytes.

 def allocate_memory(self, pcb):
        if len(self.free_pages) >= pcb.pages_needed:
            pcb.pages = self.free_pages[:pcb.pages_needed]   # allocate first available pages
            self.free_pages = self.free_pages[pcb.pages_needed:]
            self.page_tables[pcb.pid] = pcb.pages   # record mapping in the page table
            
            print(f"Allocated {pcb.pages_needed} pages to task {pcb.name}: {pcb.pages}")
            return True
        else:
            print(f"Not enough memory for task {pcb.name}")
            return False
def translate_address(self, pid, virtual_address):
        if pid not in self.page_tables:
            return None, "No page table for PID"
        pages = self.page_tables[pid]
        page = virtual_address // self.page_size  # calculate page number
        offset = virtual_address % self.page_size    # find offset within page
        if page >= len(pages):
            return None, "Invalid page number"
        physical_address = (pages[page] * self.page_size) + offset
        return physical_address, f"Virtual address {virtual_address} -> Physical address {physical_address} (Page {pages[page]}, Offset {offset})"

These codes provide virtual-to-physical address mapping and apply the free list logic. Furthermore, they are linked with fundamental OS principles like preventing fragmentation, task rejection if allocation fails.

The logs folder and system_metrics.txt provide persistence by logging basic information.

def create_file(self, path, content):
        file_path = self.logs_dir / path   # create a file inside logs directory
        with open(file_path, "w") as f:
            f.write(content)      # write initial content
        print(f"Created physical file {file_path}")

 def save_metric(self, metric_key, value):
        if metric_key not in self.metrics or value > self.metrics[metric_key]:
            self.metrics[metric_key] = value  # update metric only if new value is higher
            self._save_metrics()
            print(f"Updated metric for {metric_key}: {value}")

It automatically creates a file for each mission when the mission is executed. After the mission ends, the file is deleted. This is an example of logging and metric persistence, in terms of a real-world OS analogy.

To handle multiple tasks concurrently, the producer-consumer model is chosen, as you can see in TaskThreadManager.

def producer(self):
        
        sensors = ["gps", "lidar", "camera", "imu"]
        for _ in range(2):  
            if not self.running or self.pcb.state == "terminated":
                break
            sensor_type = random.choice(sensors)
            self.pcb.input_queue.put(sensor_type)  # producer adds sensor data
            print(f"{self.pcb.name} Producer: Added '{sensor_type}' data")
            time.sleep(0.5)  
def consumer(self):
        for _ in range(2):  
            if not self.running or self.pcb.state == "terminated":
                break
            try:
                sensor_type = self.pcb.input_queue.get(timeout=0.5)
                with self.pcb.data_lock:   # ensure thread-safe updates
                    
                    self.pcb.data_processed += 1
                    print(f"{self.pcb.name} Consumer: Processed '{sensor_type}' data, Total Processed: {self.pcb.data_processed}")
                self.pcb.input_queue.task_done()
            except queue.Empty:
                pass

These threads support producing sensor data, such as GPS/LIDAR, and processing them. Additionally, thread safety is ensured by pcb.data_lock.

Bonus features like an ASCII banner, a loading animation, and sound effects were implemented in the system in order to enhance the user experience. There is also a progress bar, which shows your memory usage in a fancy way. Drone ASCII animation was initially designed in a better way; however, the outcome didn’t reflect what I had in mind at the beginning. OS isn’t just becoming handy, but also user-friendly.

As I mentioned above, the very first challenge was finding a resource. It’s an undeniable fact that every other OS is written in other languages because when you start to write this project in Python, you understand the actual reason. Since the code is simpler, you don’t feel like designing a whole OS system from scratch or becoming overwhelmed by low-level details. On the other hand, from the course perspective, I think it’s great because I finally understood the real usage of these concepts, and everything made sense.

My personal lessons from this project are:

• Why is modular design critical?
• Importance of resource management
• Logging for ease in debugging
• How are OS concepts applied in the real world?

Thank you for reading until here! I hope that this project walkthrough will be helpful for you, whether you are a student or just interested in making an OS in Python. You can check the full code here.

How I Built a Mini Operating System for Robots and Drones(Using Python!) was originally published in Code Like A Girl on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

I had mentioned other fabrications. Today however I may focus more on deceptions than fabrications. By the way her fabrication regarding the Stroh farm contamination issues not only has not been RESOLVED but I have had complaints and concerns from citizens other than myself about it. They too do not appreciate their legitimate strong concerns and evidence being swept under the carpet by either professional or amateur liars. This has been the case with this "cleanup" from day one whereby the guilty parties ignore citizen concerns as mere opinions while elevating their hired consultants opinions as edicts handed down by God him/her self.

Tiffany needs to give councillors a more rounded and complete understanding of the extent of the contamination. There are not merely two plumes, one being chlorobenzene and the other NDMA. Despite phony claims that they have merely "scoped" all the chemical contaminants into two inclusive groups, that is not accurate. The breadth and variety of contaminants includes chlorinated solvents, unchlorinated solvents, BTEX compounds which are LNAPLs (floaters), pesticides/herbicides, fungicides, PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), Dioxins, PHCs (petroleum hydrocarbons) including fuels and so much more.

Then there is the actual concentrations of NDMA and chlorobenzene still in the Elmira Aquifers. Lanxess and GHD would like the public to believe that their pump & treat remediation has been so successful that they are almost finished! That is bullsh*t. NDMA in the Municipal Upper Aquifer has an average concentration NINE TIMES HIGHER than the ODWS (drinking water standard). NDMA in the Municipal Lower aquifer has an average concentration ONE HUNDRED and FIFTY TIMES HIGHER than the ODWS.

Then we have chlorobenzene . It's average concentration in the Municipal Upper Aquifer is more than 50% HIGHER than the ODWS and in the Municipal Lower Aquifer is more than TWICE as high as the ODWS.

That folks is not success, it is FAILURE 36 years after Elmira's wells were shut down in 1989.

The National Self-Represented Litigants Project (NSRLP) is seeking new members to join our Board of Directors. We are a national, charitable organization dedicated to advancing access to justice for self-represented litigants (SRLs), who make up a growing proportion of people navigating Canada’s justice systems without legal counsel.

We are seeking individuals from across Canada who are passionate about our mission and who want to contribute their expertise and leadership to strengthen our work. In particular, we are looking for candidates with experience in:

–        Fundraising and Development – to help expand NSRLP’s donor base, foster partnerships, and grow our capacity to serve SRLs nationwide

–        Finance and Accounting – to provide oversight, strengthen governance, and support long-term sustainability

In addition to professional expertise, we are looking for board members who bring the following qualities:

–        Commitment to equity, fairness, and accessibility in the Canadian justice system

–        Strong governance and organizational leadership skills

–        Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities

–        A collaborative, team-oriented approach

–        Willingness to act as an ambassador for NSRLP and broaden our reach nationally

As a Board Member, you will:

–        Contribute to shaping the direction of a national leader in access to justice

–        Support innovative programming, research, and policy development that amplifies the voices of SRLs

–        Join a diverse team of leaders from across the country committed to meaningful, systemic change

Board members can be located anywhere in Canada, as meetings are held virtually.

If you are passionate about access to justice and have the skills to help us grow, we encourage you to apply via representingyourself@gmail.com (please attach a resume)

Learn more about NSRLP at www.representingyourselfcanada.com

The post NSRLP appeared first on Capacity Canada.

Core functionality for AME Wizard

C# 168 Updated Aug 14

A smithy for rusty wayland compositors

Rust 2.4k Updated Sep 20

Navigating the Canada Post Strike: Updates and Alternative Solutions

As the Canada Post strike unfolds, we want to keep you informed about its potential impacts on our services and the steps we're taking to ensure your orders reach you as smoothly as possible. At InkSmith, your satisfaction is our top priority, and we’re committed to maintaining excellent service during this time.

The majority of our shipments will not be impacted.  We will deliver via alternative methods wherever possible.  Alternative carriers will undoubtedly see an increase in their business during the strike, and we don't know yet if this will cause delays.  We will update here when we have more information.

The strike may cause delays or disruptions for packages sent through Canada Post. For some customers, especially those whose shipping addresses include a PO Box, this presents a unique challenge, as alternative carriers typically cannot deliver to these locations. While we are exploring all available options, we kindly ask for your patience and understanding in this matter.

We are actively working to minimize disruptions by:

• Exploring alternative carriers: We are partnering with other shipping providers to ensure delivery to addresses that are not limited to PO Boxes.
• Prioritizing transparent communication: You'll receive timely updates regarding your shipment’s status, including any delays or changes in delivery methods.
• Enhancing local pick-up options: If available, we may offer pick-up points or alternative drop-off locations as an interim solution.

To help us serve you better during this time:

1. Check your address: If your shipping address is a PO Box, consider providing an alternative address, such as a workplace or residential address, where carriers other than Canada Post can deliver.
2. Stay informed: Monitor your our website for updates about the strike and potential impacts on your order.
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Following is a copy of my Delegation spoken to and e-mailed to Woolwich councillors afterwards:

A BRIEF SUMMARY OF MY REMARKS TO WOOLWICH COUNCIL ON SEPT. 23/25

The Montrose Chemical Co. is located in Los Angeles, California. They produced DDT which resulted in a plume of dissolved chlorobenzene, free phase chlorobenzene DNAPL and a benzene plume. DDT was also transported both by chlorobenzene DNAPL as well as by the dissolved in groundwater, chlorobenzene. Early attempts at a remediation plan of pump & treat resulted in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculating cleanup times of between 3,100 years and 5,800 years. Here in Elmira our polluter and their political supporters have found a different solution. Basically despite all evidence you simply deny, deny and further deny the presence of both off-site DNAPL by the Howard St. Water Tower as well as on-site DNAPL . Recently according to the Minutes of the September 12/24 TRAC meeting the presence of DNAPL by the water tower and pumping well W4 was admitted, literally after decades of denial. Hints are beginning to emerge regarding DNAPL from Uniroyal also gravity flowing onto the Nutrite/Yara property.

Both DDT and dioxins entrained in DNAPL and dissolved in chlorobenzene have left the former Uniroyal site and spread through Elmira. One issue is that despite decades of denials that either DDT or Dioxins will dissolve in water, the fact is that they can dissolve at a very low concentration. What is very concerning with Dioxins is that because their drinking water standard is so much lower than even NDMA it is possible to have Dioxins in groundwater exceeding the Ontario Drinking Water Standards (ODWS).

Other issues abound. For example while we know the drinking water standard for NDMA as the sole contaminant in water, what is that standard when mixed with chlorobenzene in the water? What are both the standards for these toxic chemicals when mixed with another fifty or one hundred toxic chemicals? There are no such standards despite the obvious health implications. The drinking water standard for Dioxin is 15 parts per quadrillion ( 15 ppq) in clean water. Again what is the standard when Dioxin is mixed in with Uniroyal Chemical's other chemicals?

I have some advice for Woolwich Council. If you continue doing exactly what you've been doing and that is following the advice and lead of the corporation currently responsible for the badly damaged aquifers and for the ongoing damage to the Canagagigue Creek, you will be in the same position in another 36 years. This goes for their fellow travellor the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MECP) as well. Both bodies have turned a blind eye to the long term effects of DNAPLS as well as of DDT and Dioxins in and around both ground and surface water.

Alan Marshall

CPAC & Elmira EH-Team

Recent (between 3-12 months ago) admissions by Lanxess, Woolwich Twn. and the MECP after decades of brutal and blatant lying include:

DNAPLS were/are? present at former pumping well W4 beside the Howard St. Water Tower.

Dioxins and DDT are still eroding from on-site Uniroyal/Lanxess creekbanks .

Residual DNAPL still exists by on-site (SW corner) observation well OW88-19

Six to eight other locations/companies in Elmira (near First St., Union St., Howard Ave.) handled or still handle chlorobenzene on their properties

Varnicolor Chemical did help pollute the Elmira drinking water aquifers with chlorinated solvents.

Our political authorities at all levels have accepted and permitted this gross deception of the public and coverup of the truth. Does anyone honestly believe that care and control of further cleanup should remain in their hands?