Nova Scotia - climate change

Climate Change Nova Scotia:

http://climatechange.gov.ns.ca/

Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average (e.g., more or fewer extreme weather events). Climate change may be limited to a specific region or may occur across the whole Earth.

Facts on climate:

1. changing ocean temperatures will change the geographic distribution of fish stocks - affecting Atlantic Canada's fishing industry.
2. Sable Island is extremely vulnerable - to rising sea levels.
3. Rates of erosion can reach 10 meters per year in Atlantic Canada.
4. Contraction of the Arctic ice cap is accelerating climate change - the earth loses its protective cooling layer, absorbs more sunlight and gets hotter.
5. Hurricane Juan impacted Halifax to a much more severe degree than normal - warmer southern waters were a source of energy for the storm.

We can stop feeding the change by reducing greenhouse gases.

• recycle waste products
• reduce energy costs in homes with energy efficient windows and doors and adequately insulate the home
• use energy efficient transportation (ie: electric automobiles / public transport)
• reduce the usage of electricity in the home (take advantage of government programs)
• use clean energy sources

REDUCE THE CHANGE.
LEAVE A BEAUTIFUL WORLD BEHIND FOR
OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS
LIVERPOOL --- ESCAPE FROM THE USUAL

Hogweed in Nova Scotia

 

Hogweed,  Heracleum mantegazzianum, was first introduced into North America by early colonists. It is a fast growing plant that creates a beautiful hedge for instant privacy

"It's large, it's grand, it's very tropical looking."

Giant hogweed is a perennial member of the carrot family originally from Asia. It was introduced in Nova Scotia as an ornamental garden plant. This plant has the potential to readily spread from gardens along roadsides, ditches and streams invading native habitats. Giant hogweed closely resembles our native cow parsnip which is also a member of the carrot family. Its size makes it a distinctive plant, growing up to over 5 meters tall at maturity under ideal conditions. The white flowers, resembling those of Queen Anne’s Lace, form a largeumbrella shaped head, that can be 1 meter or more wide.

Health Concerns:

The clear watery sap of giant hogweed contains irritating sap that can cause severe dermatitis. Ultraviolet radiation activates compounds in the sap resulting in severe burns when exposed to the sun. Symptoms occur within 48 hours of contact and consist of painful blisters. Purplish scars may form, and can last for many years. Eye contact with the sap may cause temporary or permanent blindness.

First Aid Instructions:

* Wash the affected skin IMMEDIATELY and thoroughly with soap and water.

* Affected skin should be covered to avoid exposure to any sunlight for a MINIMUM of 48 hours, avoidance of any sun exposure within 48 hours of exposure lessens the severity.

* Ocular exposure: requires immediate and thorough (20 to 30 minutes) eye flushing with lukewarm water. A UV-absorbing wrap should be used around sunglasses for 24 hours after exposure to decrease the potential of ultra violet sunlight contacting the eye.

* Continued use of sunscreen is recommended for up to 6 months after exposure as a MINIMUM.

* Clothes, tools, and anything that contacted the plant sap should be washed, ensuring that they cannot spread further contamination

Escape from the usual........ 

WHERE GARDENS AND GARDENERS COME TO LIFE

Nova Scotia - too good to waste

With regulations and a provincial strategy for managing solid waste, we're wasting less, recycling more and reaping the environmental, economic and social benefits.

The Nova Scotia Government is committed to maintaining a goal of 50% waste diversion and to reach a target for waste disposal of no more than 300 kilograms per person per year (kg/per/yr) by the year 2015.

By essentially turning waste from an unpleasant by-product of modern living into an exploitable resource, our waste management approach is positioning Nova Scotia among world leaders in environmental stewardship.

The Province of Nova Scotia has become a world leader at diverting valuable materials from disposal. Seizing the opportunity to turn waste into resources, the Province has created hundreds of jobs while protecting the natural beauty of Nova Scotia. We are investing in our people and our newest natural resource: solid waste.

Nova Scotia's recycle program includes controlling the following:  

• compost disposal site for leaves, trees, grass and garden waste
• construction and demolition debris disposal program
• solid waste landfill with disposal bans on recyclable items
• the program prohibits disposal of "substance" products which expel  sound, vibration, heat, radiation, or other form of energy,
• division of recyclables which includes glass, metals, paper, cardboard and some plastics.
• groundwater monitoring to protect ground and surface water sheds and air quality

Less waste means fewer and safer disposal sites, a cleaner environment and a stronger economy. Nova Scotia is moving into the next century with a sustainable vision and a will to ensure that our natural resources are protected and job opportunities are maximized for future generations.

Nova Scotia Environment :

 http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/

Recycle today for a cleaner tomorrow

Liverpool ... escape from the usual

Inexpensive Victorian Housing - Liverpool NS

If you are looking for a great place to retire or semi-retire, close to the sea, in a safe friendly neighbourhood, surrounded by historical homes, with arts and entertainment in the heart of town, miles of beaches all within a 5 minute drive, with some of the mildest winters that Canada offers and inexpensive Victorian and Colonial homes awaiting your arrival ........ then Liverpool, Nova Scotia is probably for you.

 There are countless opportunities for the semi-retired;  open a little boutique shop right on main street; or for the retiree - simply relax in our community with good old-fashioned lifestyle; take a book, sit by the sea or sit in the privacy of your own garden. People come to Liverpool from all over the world; some for holidays, some to enjoy their summer homes and others that visit and decide to stay; simply for a good life.

Liverpool is situated in the heart of the South Shore of Nova Scotia where tourists love to visit. It is a great location for enjoying day trips from your home to further explore this beautiful province.  This is the perfect region for the outdoors man or woman with activities year around to captivate your interest. 

If you are searching for property in Liverpool or in the surrounding area we have three real estate offices right in the heart of Liverpool to serve your needs.

Anne Thomson Realty  http://annethomsonrealty.yolasite.com/

Exit Realty Inter Lake - Liverpool http://www.exitinterlake.com/agents/1

Walt MacDonald Real Estate Ltd http://macdonaldrealestate.ns.ca/

                           Explore Nova Scotia http://www.explorenovascotia.com 

LIVERPOOL IS PERFECT FOR RETIREES OR SEMI-RETIREES

Fruit Flies - Control and Elimination

Are fruit flies getting to your fruit bowl before you are ......... then overtaking your home??? Most commonly, the answer yes. The fruit fly population is especially bothersome  with above normal seasonal rainfall.  There are many methods to control or to eliminate the fruit fly in your home and these easy steps will direct you to the easiest and most effective one without witnessing the second and third generations as they grow from infants to adults.  

The life cycle of the fruit fly is only 10 days and these little flies could be better named "nuisance flies".

HERE IS THE SECRET

1. Remove all fresh fruit from your beautiful fruit bowl
2. Store all fruit in the refrigerator
3. Build the trap!!!!

• Fill a glass jar 1/3 full with vinegar ( do not fuss about using expensive vinegar)
• Add a wee squirt of dish soap
• Add a quick burst of water from tap (to create a lot of bubbles)
• Drizzle a wee bit of red wine over top (just as extra bait)

The vinegar (and wine of course) attracts them, the dish soap creates the bubbles and the bubbles are the actual trap. Throughout the day quickly stir the mixture to keep a nice head of bubbles on top. Within seconds the flies will be drawn to the glass, get trapped in the bubbles and you will have one-by-one less flies to trouble you.

   4. Place stoppers in all of the sink drains. This is a common nesting place - possibly due to    

        the dampness. I even leave a little water lying in the sink and catch a few unsuspecting

        flies there daily.

   5. It is not clear to me where else they nest, beside the sink drains, but I do continually

       spray my cupboards down with ammonia (or Windex) and wipe them with paper toweling.

       I am obsessed with the flies being inside my home and am often found spraying the flies
       with ammonia, which does not kill them - but it stuns them, they drop like flies which
       allows me to squish them with paper towelling. This is a very slow method of control and
       a bit disgusting.

   6. Keep doors tightly closed to prevent them from entering from outdoors and ensure that
      the windows are well screened. Wipe exterior door casings with ammonia to deter them
      from hanging around and waiting for the door to be opened.

   7. Remove all empty soda and beer cans from the house as well as any empty wine bottles.

   8. A gift of fresh flowers in the home is not necessarily a good gift when it also comes into

      your home with a family or two of fruit flies nestled in the petals of the flowers.
  9. Move the green recycle bin as far from the doors as possible. They love the green bin
      and for good reason, as yummy stuff is always in there.

Do not keep freshly cut flowers in the home as they attract flies and create a nesting spot for them.

DO NOT BE DISHEARTENED WHEN YOU OBSERVE THE NEXT GENERATION OVERTAKING YOUR HOME. FOR EVERY FLY THAT IS CAPTURED IN THE TRAP THAT IS ONE LESS THAT IS PROCREATING AND EVENTUALLY THE NUMBERS WILL DECREASE.

Wiki link to control fruit flies:
 http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Fruit-Flies



Liverpool International Theatre Festival 2012

Liverpool International Theatre

           Festival 2012

       The Eleventh Festival

                      

       

To all theatre lovers:

the upcoming LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL THEATRE FESTIVAL, takes place from May 16-20th, 2012. The stage of the Astor Theatre will be hosting plays from around the world; competing to win top prize. Theatre lovers are also invited to attend theatre workshops, critiques of the plays and evening entertainment. Liverpool will be buzzing! Keep on top of the latest news by joining the Facebook group at the link below or by visiting www.litf.ca. This must-see event is already the talk of the town.

 

Join in for the fun, the entertainment, shows and workshop. This is a great event that only happens every two years.

FACEBOOK:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Liverpool-International-Theatre-Festival-2012/148587901907921?ref=ts

 Get your tickets at  www.astortheatre.ns.ca or by calling the box office at: 902.354.5250

Liverpool in Blossom

There is hardly a street corner or garden that does not burst with colour from early spring until late autumn in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Tulips and daffodils send out sprays of colour by the end of April, azaleas and rhododendrons follow throughout the month of May with summer blossoms blending into autumn shades and roses often still blooming into November.

Pine Grove Park bursts with colour in early May with the massive numbers of azaleas and rhododendrons, wild orchids and magnolia trees. In the summer a perfect place to enjoy an evening stroll is along the River Mersey, in the Centennial Park and Privateers Park, where it is edged with shrubs, evergreens and perennial flowers filling the air with scent and a kaleidoscope of colours giving way to the backdrop of the river.  Wildflowers of the season burst with showy colours, decorate the footpaths and nod their dancing heads along the sea shores. 

The provincial flower of Nova Scotia is the trailing arbutus, more commonly known as the delicate pink mayflower, blooming in the forest glades in early spring, signifies Nova Scotia's coming of age. As far back as 1820 the mayflower emerged as a native patriotic symbol, suggesting high achievement in the face of adversity. The humble evergreen from the native countryside blossoms amid the last remaining snows of winter.

It is a member of the Ericaceae or heath family, its botanical name is Epigaea repens, and it's related to such popular plants as blueberries and cranberries (Vaccinium, various species), rhododendrons and azaleas (Rhododendron), Bog rosemary (Andromeda), and wintergreen (Gaultheria), not to mention of course heaths and heathers (Erica & Calluna). Ericaceous plants like acid soil, which is commonly found throughout much of Atlantic Canada, and certainly here in Nova Scotia. Mayflower is a sub shrub, creeping along the ground in woodlands, (both conifer and hardwood), with woody stems and leathery, hairy leaves. Apparently it ranges as far west as Saskatchewan, and as far south as Florida, although it is sparse in many regions and listed as endangered or vulnerable in several American states.

Although we call it mayflower, it usually starts blooming as early as March on the south shore. Flower colour can be white, tinged with pink, or very pink, and the flowers are edible too. The fragrance is wonderful, sweet without being cloying, and it too varies in strength, possibly connected to the type of soil where it's found growing.

The Country Gardener:

 http://www.outdoorns.com/countrygardener/

Happy gardening Liverpool