Pollution reduction work can take decades to see results

University of Waterloo professor says it can take up to 35 years to see the effect of pollution reduction

CBC News Posted: Aug 23, 2017

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In this Aug. 3, 2014, file photo, an algae bloom covers Lake Erie near the City of Toledo water intake crib off the shore of Curtice, Ohio. Blue-green algae has been causing issues across Canada this summer, an issue that comes from pollution practices we saw in the 1970s and 80s. (The Associated Press)

A professor at the University of Waterloo reports that while efforts to reduce water pollution from fertilizers have increased, Canadians will have to wait decades to see the actual results.

“Some time frames that we saw here ranged from 10 years to 30 or 35,” said Nandita Basu, associate professor of science and engineering at UW.

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Residents move to protect Waterloo ‘heritage neighbourhood’

Residents of Mary Allen neighbourhood in Waterloo are seeking a ‘cultural heritage landscape’ study

CBC News Posted: Aug 23, 2017

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Heritage districts, like the McGregor Albert Heritage Conservation District in Waterloo, can have very different arrangements, preserving individual houses, the whole area, or simply setting guidelines for new homes. (The City of Waterloo)

Residents in Waterloo’s Mary Allen neighbourhood are worried that historic homes in the area just behind City Hall could be demolished.

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Waterloo wins pair of 2017 Ontario municipalities awards

City wins both of year’s awards, for innovation and asset management

CBC News Posted: Aug 22, 2017

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The City of Waterloo cleaned up at the 2017 Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference, where the city won both awards for innovation and asset management. (City of Waterloo)

The City of Waterloo won awards in both categories recognized at this year’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario Conference in Ottawa, where the province’s 444 municipalities gathered to tackle issues and celebrate achievements.

“I really think this is what shows we have a lot of smart-city technology here in the Waterloo Region,” Mayor Dave Jaworsky told CBC News.

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Tent City: The voices of Kitchener’s protest camp

Young people camping in Victoria Park want a downtown drop-in centre for homeless youth

By Clare Bonnyman, Danielle Kappele, CBC News Posted: Aug 22, 2017 

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Devon Roussell (left) lost his partner, house and job in one week he said, and is camping out in tent city to try and raise awareness of the struggles of homeless youth in Kitchener. He stands with a man who identified himself as Jonathan. (Flora Pan/CBC)

A tent city has been set up in Victoria Park by people who want to see a drop-in centre for homeless youth in downtown Kitchener.

The group, which is located in the back corner of the park, started small but is quickly growing, organizers said.

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Queen Street redesign to tackle laneways, green spaces

The suggested design would enhance ‘lingering spaces’ in the city

CBC News Posted: Aug 21, 2017

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The ‘showpiece’ of the project, is Vogelsang Green, which would include an amphitheatre, green lawn, and enhanced space for performances and festivals. (City of Kitchener)

The Queen Street Placemaking plan is set to give downtown Kitchener a facelift.

“Placemaking is about turning those unutilized spaces into great memorable places for people,” said Brandon Sloan, Manager of long range and policy planning with the City of Kitchener.

The new and improved plan has four main components on Queen between Duke and Charles Streets, and will be reviewed by city council August 21, with the work planned for 2019.

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Rise in food bank use hints at larger issue across region

The truth about food insecurity, is it’s not about food, says Public Health nutritionist

By Clare Bonnyman, CBC News Posted: Aug 21, 2017

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Food banks across the country, such as this one in Toronto, are reporting increases in users. The Guelph food bank reported an increase in visits of 30 per cent from 2015-2016. (CBC)

Food security is not a food issue.

That’s a message that Lisa Needham, a Public Health Nutritionist in the Waterloo Region, struggles to get across.

Continue reading “Rise in food bank use hints at larger issue across region”

Quantum physics for babies — a different bedtime story

Chris Ferrie writes ‘Baby University’ series, to teach big ideas to little ones

CBC News Posted: Aug 21, 2017

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Chris Ferrie writes books on science for babies, covering subjects like quantum physics, general relativity, and rocket science. (Chris Ferrie/Twitter)

Chris Ferrie writes books about rocket science for babies.

The quantum theorist and alumnus of the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo describes himself as a “theorist by day, father by night.”

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Guelph researcher turning ‘Back to the Future’ fuel into reality

Engineer Animesh Dutta is researching how to turn food waste into bio-products

By Clare Bonnyman, CBC News Posted: Aug 21, 2017

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Using food waste as fuel, like in this scene from 1989’s Back to the Future 2, is something that could become real, thanks to University of Guelph researcher Animesh Dutta. (UNIVERSAL PICTURES)

Professor Animesh Dutta has never seen the movie Back to The Future, but his latest project bears a striking resemblance to the film.

The University of Guelph engineer is finding a way to turn food waste into fuel.

“Waste is a resource waiting for an opportunity,” Dutta told CBC News.

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Biologist biking with butterflies to track migration from Mexico to Canada and back

Sara Dykman follows the monarchs on their annual journey, teaching about butterflies along the way

CBC News Posted: Aug 18, 2017

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Sara Dykman is biking from Mexico to Canada and back to ‘speak for the monarch’ butterfly population, that’s declined in recent years. (Darlene Burgess )

Sara Dykman is biking with monarch butterflies, following them from Mexico to Canada and back again, a journey of almost 16,000 kilometres.

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Carrying on after son’s deadly overdose: Mike Zettler’s story

5 months after his son’s death, Zettler is dedicated to raising overdose awareness

CBC News Posted: Aug 18, 2017

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Since his son Chris died of an overdose at 26, Mike Zettler has dedicated his time to raising awareness of drug overdose prevention in the Waterloo region. (Clare Bonnyman/CBC)

Mike Zettler’s worst nightmare came true in February 2017 when his son Chris, 26, fatally overdosed on crystal meth laced with fentanyl.

“He had his battles in life,” Zettler said. “But overall he was a wonderful young guy.”

Since the death, Zettler has dedicated his time to recovery and raising awareness of drug addiction, and hopes that sharing Chris’s story will raise the profile of Overdose Awareness Day in Waterloo Region.

This summer, there are two public events: in Cambridge August 21 and Kitchener on August 27.

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