Tree planting, lottery poll results, min. wage, upcoming events

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast from Friday, October 20, 2017 to Sunday, October 22, 2017

Today – Mainly sunny. Wind becoming south 20 km/h this afternoon. High 20. UV index 3 or moderate.

Tonight – Clear. Low 10.

Saturday October 21 – Increasing cloudiness. Wind becoming south 20 km/h late in the morning. High 22.

Saturday night – Cloudy periods. Low 14.

Sunday, October 22 – A mix of sun and cloud. High 22.

Sunday night – Cloudy with 40 percent chance of showers. Low 16.

‘Tomorrow’s Greener Schools Today’

Shade tree coverage in Chatham-Kent is among the lowest in the province.

The Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority estimates that Chatham-Kent has only 4.5% of its land shaded with trees.

This is a big difference from historic data, which estimates that Chatham-Kent was once equally divided in thirds by forest cover, prairies, and wetlands.

The World Health Organization recommends at least 12% tree cover for a healthy, maintainable community.

Tree cover helps to improve air quality, temperature regulation, energy use, storm water management, road pavement life, and quality of life.

Tree cover also provides shade which protects from the dangerous effects of the sun including skin cancer.

About 40,000 Ontarians were diagnosed with skin cancer in 2015.

Since the majority of skin cancer cases are preventable, addressing Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) exposure can greatly change the future problem of this disease.

High risk groups affected by the harmful effects of the sun include our children.

Providing shade in schools is an example of reducing UVR exposure.

The Tomorrow’s Greener Schools Today project is a great multi-component education and communication schoolyard tree planting initiative that encourages sun protective behaviors in schools.

This project was developed in 2013 by Chatham-Kent Public Health in partnership with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, with funding received from the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.

The project continues to be offered to local elementary and secondary schools with overwhelming interest and response from schools.

Information letters and applications are sent in September to all principals inviting them to apply for free trees.

To date over 300 mature trees have been planted in 26 schools.

The goal of the project is to educate students that trees provide shade, which is one way to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun and possible skin cancers that may result from its exposure, as well as why it is important to our environment to plant native species trees.

Students are actively involved during the tree plantings by learning how to properly plant a tree and by planting their school trees.

The project encourages student engagement, as there is a chance for the students to experience hands-on learning, as well as feel as sense of ownership of the trees where they will be more likely to be protective and prevent vandalism by other students.

Tree planting events are scheduled for next week at Queen Elizabeth in Chatham, Montessori in Chatham and Ste. Philippe in Grand Pointe.

Poll results: Should the $6.1M lottery prize be split between the former C-K couple?

Here are the results:

Yes 88.52% (239 votes)

No 11.48% (31 votes)

Total Votes: 270

More details are available, here: $6.1M Lottery controversy in Chatham-Kent

The man has reportedly hired a lawyer as well.

We’ll keep an eye on how this story pans out.

Upcoming events

– The Wallaceburg and District Museum is holding their annual ‘Haunted Museum’ starting this weekend. The show will be held on October 21st and 28th from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Cost is $3. Movie will be playing in the Jeanne Gordon Theatre as well.

– The Chatham-Kent Diabetes Expo is taking place on Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Active Lifestyle Centre, 20 Merritt Ave. in Chatham. The event is free and everyone is welcome however pre-registration is encouraged by calling 1-800-BANTING (1-800-226-8464) Healthy refreshments, draw prizes are included. The Diabetes Expo will feature Exhibits and resources for persons living with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

– The Annual Fall Bizaar is taking place at the Our Lady Help of Christians Parish Centre in Wallaceburg on Saturday. It will run from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m

– A Fall Craft Show is taking place at the Dresden Arena on Saturday. It is set to run from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

– The Dresden Area Allergy Support Group is holding a Teal Pumpkin Halloween Party at the Old Czech Hall in Dresden on Saturday. Admission to the party is one package of non-food treats to add to the Halloween bags for the children. You can come and go as you please, but the costume party will take place at 1:30 p.m. sharp. Email jilliankemp@hotmail.com to RSVP

– The Dover Centre Church is holding a Beef Supper on Saturday. It starts at 5 p.m. Takeout is available. Cost is $20 Adults, $5 for children under 12, and free for children under 5. Call Lindy for tickets at 519-352-6720.

– A Community Musical Celebration is taking place at Knox Presbyterian Church in Wallaceburg on Saturday. The festivities get under way at 7 p.m.

– The Chatham-Kent Diverse City Party is taking place on Saturday at the St. Mary’s Hall in Blenheim from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be performances from the Portuguese Club’s Folklore Group, the Chatham-Kent Hispanic Community, Chatham-Kent Friday Arabic School, Team Thai: Local Thai Migrant Workers, and Erin’s Dance Club. There is also an opportunity to sample food from vendors such as Kabab Hutt, Rice and Noodle, Spice and Curry, Sakura Sushi, Comfort and Soul, The Dutch Market, and Venus de Milo. Admission is FREE and the food sampling is optional and costs $5.

– Looking ahead, CK Recreations Play Rangers are coming to Wallaceburg. It will be held on Saturday, November 4 at the Wallaceburg Kinsmen Community Centre from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There is free admission and children of all ages are welcome.

– The Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce is holding their 20th annual Business and Community Excellence Awards on Thursday, November 2 at 6 p.m. This event recognizes businesses and individuals in the Wallaceburg and district area. Tickets are $60. They can be purchased online at www.wallaceburgchamber.com.

Photo of the day – Wallaceburg Christian gives back

The Wallaceburg Christian School students recently had a lunch box drive for the Salvation Army Foodbank.

The value of these donations was also matched by Refind Charity Thrift Shoppe.

‘Bad Art’ night at the Wallaceburg Library

Leave your inner critic at home and have fun creating bad art on Tuesday, November 7 at 6 p.m. at the Wallaceburg Branch of the Chatham-Kent Public Library.

Don’t know how to paint?

Not good at drawing? J

Just want something to do with your friends?

This is the event for you!

The library will provide the supplies, the participants provide the badness.

All people need to bring is a sense of humour and a willingness to try something new.

At the end of the night participants can show off their creation in the Library’s Bad Art Gallery Show for a chance to win their ‘Trophy of Terribleness!’

This is the perfect opportunity for someone to win an art competition even if they lack artistic talent.

This is an adult’s only event and registration is required.

To register for the program, visit search.ckpl.ca and search Bad Art or call your local branch.

To find out more about upcoming adult programs at Chatham-Kent Public Library, visit www.ckpl.ca.

Minimum wage Bill passes second reading

Earlier this week, Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 passed second reading after debate in the Ontario Legislature.

Government officials say the bill, if passed, would create more opportunity and security for workers by:

– Raising Ontario’s general minimum wage to $14 per hour on January 1, 2018, and then to $15 on January 1, 2019, followed by annual increases at the rate of inflation

– Mandating equal pay for part-time, temporary, casual and seasonal employees doing the same job as full-time employees; and equal pay for temporary help agency employees doing the same job as permanent employees at the agencies’ client companies

– Expanding personal emergency leave to 10 days with an across-the-board minimum of at least two paid days per year for all workers

– Providing up to 17 weeks off without the fear of losing their job when a worker or their child has experienced or is threatened with domestic or sexual violence

– Bringing Ontario’s vacation time in line with the national average by ensuring at least three weeks vacation after five years with a company

– Making employee scheduling fairer, including requiring employees to be paid for three hours of work if their shift is cancelled within 48 hours of its scheduled start time

– The government will also propose measures to expand family leaves and make certain that employees are not misclassified as independent contractors, ensuring they get the benefits they deserve. To enforce these changes, the province will hire up to 175 more employment standards officers and launch a program to educate both employees and small and medium-sized businesses about their rights and obligations under the Employment Standards Act.

“Ontario workers deserve fair wages and safe working conditions,” stated Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour.

“Too many families struggle to get by on part-time or temporary work. Those working full time can often live in poverty. This is unacceptable. If passed, Bill 148 will help ensure everyone who works hard has the chance to reach their full potential and share in Ontario’s prosperity.”

More details:

– The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act responds to the final report of the Changing Workplaces Review. It was the first-ever independent review of the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and Labour Relations Act, 1995.

– The report estimated that more than 30 per cent of Ontario workers were in precarious work in 2014. This type of employment makes it hard to earn a decent income and interferes with opportunities to enjoy decent working conditions and/or puts workers at risk.

– In 2016, the median hourly wage was $13.00 for part-time workers and $24.73 for full-time workers. Over the past 30 years, part-time work has grown to represent nearly 20 per cent of total employment.

– Currently, half of the workers in Ontario earning less than $15 per hour are between the ages of 25 and 64, and the majority are women.
Studies show that a higher minimum wage results in less employee turnover, which increases business productivity.