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I finally got around to finding my ball of Boku scraps and adding some thumbs to the fingerless Hyphening mitts I was making for my friend Ken back in November, when I visited him in New York! I was dashing (Ha! ha! that is a Pune, or a Play on Words) to finish these for him as a thank-you gift for letting me stay at his place. I misread the amount of yarn called for in the pattern, brought only 1 skein of yarn, and thus ran out of yarn before I got to the thumbs, so I ended up giving him a 3-D drawing pad instead. But he's quitting his Corporate Suit job soon and taking up a new, thrilling, idealistic, creative job at a nonprofit, so I thought it would be a good congratulations-on-the-new-job present instead.
Pattern: Dashing, by Cheryl Niamath, from Knitty Spring 2007
Size made: the larger size
Yarn used: Plymouth Boku, one skein and a tiny bit more, colorway 4 (brown, purple, green, yellow)
Needles used: US size 7/4.5 mm circs for the main part of the mitts; US size 6/4.0 mm DPNs for the thumbs
Date started: 11/28/07, on the airport shuttle on my way to the airport; finished knitting by 11/29/07 (it took about 3.5 or 4 hours per mitt), but had run out of yarn and put these in hibernation for a couple of months
Date finished: 2/18/08
Mods:First of all, I made these much shorter than the pattern called for–hyphens instead of dashes–bound them off after the 15th row after the last cable twist.
When I resurrected the project tonight, I inserted afterthought thumbs: snipped a single stitch on each mitt about 2.5" down from the top edge, and unraveled to either side until I had 5 sts above the hole and 5 stitches below. I put these live stitches on DPNs, then picked up an additional 3 sts on each side of the hole for 16 sts total. I knit 1 round, then worked the thumb in 1×1 rib for a total of 9 rounds, and bound off with a suspended 1×1 rib bindoff. Easy as pie, and it took probably half an hour.
Notes: The mitts are pretty loose-fitting on me, but probably will work well for my friend, assuming he doesn't have tiny, skinny, bird-boned hands. Because I don't have a professional photography setup, these pictures were taken with flash and look terrible.
Also, I added a couple more things to that bearded hat that make it even more amazing.
First of all, I added some ties to the back, to keep it fitting snugly around the neck:
Then I thought about what I would want if I had a beard of my very own, and I said to myself, Well, I would want to store things in it. That's what I would want. So I added a little pocket to the inside of the beard, with a button flap, so now Rahul or I can hide little treasures in the beard. If we lived in Boston or Hong Kong or another place with RFID-based public transit cards, I could put my Charlie Card or Octopus Card or whatever in the beard and just casually wave my chin over the sensor as I went by, like the Subway Knitter's mittens, but with more panache.
Here it is with a cell phone inside:
And open:
And buttoned closed:
I have not yet extracted any promises from Rahul regarding his wearing this hat in public, but he did go and look at himself in the mirror for a while and adjust his mustache (he prefers a narrower mustache, with the bottom edge folded up) and then announce that he wanted to grow a big gray beard himself.
Here he is, working on a marketing assignment about cereal.
Here's how I added those modifications:
Ties: At about 5.5" back from each side of the beard, at the lower edge of the cap, I picked up 6 sts with the yarn single-stranded on a size 6 DPN and knit an 8.5" tie in 1×1 rib, slipping the last st of each row and knitting the first st.
Pocket: Cast on 15 sts single-stranded on size 6 DPNs. Work in half-linen st for 3.5" (3" wide), knitting the first WS row instead of purling to create a ridge at the top of the pocket. Bind off.
Pocket flap: CO 15 sts single-stranded on size 6 DPNs with long-tail cast-on. Work 7 rows half-linen st, ending w/WS row. Work 6 or 7 sts (last st s/b k), yo, k2tog, work to end. work 1 row even. k1, ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. p1, p2tog, work to last 3 sts, ssp, p1. k1, ssk, work to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. BO all sts. Use yarn tail to buttonhole-stitch around the edges of the buttonhole to tidy it up.
Sew the pocket in place, then sew the pocket flap directly above it. (I used the yarn tails to do the sewing, and just whipstitched around the edges, being careful not to pull too tight.) Sew button to pocket in location corresponding to pocket flap buttonhole.
I knitted the pocket pieces separately and sewed them on because I wanted them to be as invisible as possible from the outside, and I thought picking up stitches would be more visible. I used half-linen stitch because it doesn't have a lot of stretch, and I thought it would make for a more stable and strong pocket.
Half-linen stitch is:
Rows 1 and 3 (WS): purl
Row 2: *k1, sl1 wyif* across
Row 4: *sl1 wyif, k1* across


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Hi - I'm writing an article for the BBC News website on workplace discrimination against atheists. I have seen a few stories on this site about people who felt excluded by their co-workers or even lost their job after expressing their beliefs. I would like to talk to people who have been through such an experience. You can contact me directly - my email is email@example.com - or share your stories in this forum.
Brian Wheeler
BBC News, Washington
**Moderator's note: After our initial message of caution to all of you we've had an opportunity to confirm that Mr. Wheeler is indeed who he says he is. Knowing this, we'd like to encourage everyone to please share their stories of discrimination in the workplace with Mr. Wheeler. We shouldn't let the opportunity of a BBC News reporter telling the world the story of very real anti-atheist discrimination pass by! He is on a deadline so you must contact him as soon as you're able to.
(Anyone interested in confirming the legitimacy of this Moderator's note may contact Nelson either on TA or by email.)**
Views: 5198
Oh my dog Gordon! How have you not been drummed out of the service for not liking hockey? I don't watch any, never have, never will.
One of my wife of 30 years criteria for males of interest way back when was: doesn't watch hockey (growing up in rural Ontario with 2 tv stations, one tv, one father who worshipped hockey, especially the fights). Also no smoking...good on both counts.
Down in Cincinnati, Ohio, it's all about the Reds baseball team and the Bengals football team(the laughing stock of the NFL!). Gets old quick. Sometimes I feel like I would be a better American if I could just give two hoots about football and baseball. Lol.
At work I really haven't been discriminated against mostly because I am not vocal about it. There are a few people who know but they aren't the gossiping type. Truth be told no one has out right asked me "are you a christian?" but I have had a few hiccups. To show you the type of people I work with, I run an online leather mask shop, nothing terribly outlandish but there are a lot of fantasy designs. Some people at work saw my site and immediately labeled me a Satan worshiper... it was a fringe group so it really didn't effect me, but it is typical for the South. Just recently someone saw me reading The God Delusion on my lunch break (I was off by myself and they approached me), when he saw what I was reading this look of instant disgust and pity came over his face then recommended some author that refutes the book. In my personal life I am a very outspoken atheist, and I will not hide it at work, but at the same time I'm not broadcasting it, the backlash I'm sure would be termination as they have fired others who just look different from cookie cutter bible belt theist. Free country? Yeah right.
Nate wrote: Just recently someone saw me reading The God Delusion on my lunch break (I was off by myself and they approached me), when he saw what I was reading this look of instant disgust and pity came over his face then recommended some author that refutes the book. (end snippet)
@ Nate - You reminded me of something. This past summer I was invited to a family 4th of July day long outing that I was not up to. I don't do well in the heat. I thought if I could bring my Christopher Hitchens book and find a shady spot to read in, i might survive lol. I took the jacket off a fiction book and put it over the Hitchens book so no one would bust me. It worked like a charm. lol.
I'm in deepest, darkest, bible belt, Wise County (oxymoron) Texas. I am known at the local Starbucks and Macdonalds for always having a book with me to read as I masticate and drink. Most of the time it's a Hitchens book, or Dawkins or some related atheist book. I take Hitchens' "The Portable Atheist" with me a lot and I'm entertained by some of the weird looks i get when some of the bible-pounders take notice of the title, fun and games among the dolts.
Are you sure you're not getting funny looks because of your choice of eatery? Damn, if I saw someone reading Hitchens in Starbucks or McDonalds, I'd give them a funny look... why is someone, obviously intelligent, eating in Starbucks or McDonalds? :-)
At Starbucks I have herbal tea and two of the small, overpriced cookies, and at Mickey-Ds I have decaf coffee and fresh oatmeal/raisin cookies that are incredibly delicious. The other item I get occasionally is a biscuit to have with my coffee. "Senior" coffee @ Mickey-Ds cost me 27-cents for a bottomless cup and three cookies are a buck, so for $1.35 with the Texas evangelist governor Perry's cut I can have all the coolies I should and all the coffee I want, which is usually two cups. I have no other fare @ Mickey-Ds as if that's any business of yours. Mostly I go to either establishment to allow these bible-believers to see there are Atheist living among them. Occasionally I get challenged and then the fun begins.
Mind your own bucking fuisness and don't chastise me, or anyone for their choice of diet or from where they obtain it.
Ok, I'll chastise you for jumping off the handle and not reading the :-) at the end of my reply denoting wit/sarcasm/irony... remember, you're amongst friends here, not deepest, darkest, bible belt, Wise County.
Not a problem, chastisement received and noted. ;-)
I can see that you're well anchored in reality... that's good. You're not one of those free floating agnostic types are you?
Ok, I'll stop now... ;-)
I'm a free-floating atheist having passed from an otherwise life-long status as a hyper agnostic until my family, missus, son & daughter dragged me along with them to a fully Pentecostal "Christian Fellowship" church; I gave them a year mostly out of curiosity. That weird experience some 25-years ago resulted in my going with the "Big A" as my brother in law called it, I think he's a deist, and I've been a self-outed and very active atheist ever since. Seeing the weird and bat-shit crazy stuff those folks do made me the non-believer I am today. Erin Go Bragh!
I do this. I find that Terry Pratchett's hardcover dust covers are just the right size and width for The God Delusion. I call it the Pratchett Delusion:)
In other news - I work for a large corporation in South Africa. The working population is very Afrikaans and white. Not only are they a bunch of racist mofo's (the stereotypes of white SA'ns aren't untrue in some places), but this area is also predominantly Christian (old-school, very Calvinistic). I have a lift club with two brothers - the one puts on worship CDs in the car; the other switches over on the way home for the 6pm 'Godsdiens' ('God service') on the radio, which takes members of the listenership and gets them to read psalms and pray etc. I once tried to report an interesting comment I'd read about chaos theory (from one of Nelson's Sunday School links.. but that is besides the point), and Brother #1 thought it sounded too much like evolutionary theory, and went on a 10 min rant about evolution and how it's a crock.
In my department, the secretary had a small statue of Buddha in her office, which she had been given as a present. The CEO (our co. employs over 1500 ppl) got wind of it and told her to remove it as it is against 'company policy'.
I am very quiet about my worldview - I wish it never to come out as long as I work here, and I'm very scared of the idea. Brother #2 has starting trying to engage me with one liner conversation intros after the Godsdiens has finished, which I have so far successfully diverted. I have no idea how I plan to handle it if the question ever comes up directly. I do not pretend to not know the Bible, so that I think is an adequate decoy at the moment.
I am also typing this at work, waiting for the brothers to decide it's home time (they leave anywhere between 1 - 1.5 hours after the official end of the work day), Alt+Tab'ing like mad whenever someone walks down the corridor, as this is the ONE site you do not want to get caught on.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
By Los Angeles News Group editorial board
Just when Southern Californians were beginning to recover from a series of public sex, corruption and drug scandals, another doozy drops. One that, if allegations turn out to be true, could be one of the biggest state legislative scandals in decades, bring down one of the West's most powerful political families and seriously damage the Latino caucus that it helped build. And guess who will end up paying? Californians.
It's the oldest hustle in politics.
A sealed affidavit obtained by the recently launched Al Jazeera English channel alleges that Democratic Sen. Ronald Calderon and his older brother have collected more than $1 million in payments in exchange for shaping legislation in the Capitol.
It looks like the old game of the rich paying politicians to write laws that make them even richer. While these cozy relationships, if true, have bulked up the politician's pocket they have left taxpayers' a little thinner.
The affidavit lays out two troubling cases against the senator who represents the heavily Latino, Southeast communities of Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Whittier, Bell and others.
It tells of the wealthy, former owner of Pacific Hospital of Long Beach, Michael Drobot, who is alleged to have given Thomas Calderon, the senator's brother, a $10,000 monthly consulting fee and a $1 million in exchange for their hand in helping to ensure a legal loophole in state law went untouched. The loophole could have allowed Drobot to milk tens of millions in workers' compensation claims. The California State Compensation Insurance Fund has accused Drobot, in a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court this June, of orchestrating the filing of false and inflated workers' compensation claims.
Outrageous would be an understatement. But it's only half the story.
The affidavit also details the senator's relationship with an undercover agent posing as an independent movie executive. Sen. Calderon allegedly accepted $60,000 in bribes from the agent — much of it funneled to his children — in exchange for pushing legislation that would give breaks to Hollywood.
The made-for-TV setup comes just as the real Hollywood is about to come out with its portrayal of another state scandal that rocked the East Coast back in the 1970s, often known as Abscam. Its title: "American Hustle."


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Valganciclovir: A New Treatment for Cytomegalovirus Retinitis
In March 2001 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved valganciclovir (Valcyte) as a new treatment for cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. CMV retinitis is an inflammation of the retina, characterized by loss of visual acuity (sharpness) or "blind spots." A herpesvirus, CMV can infect almost any part of the body, but in persons with HIV it can devastate the eyes. If left untreated, CMV retinitis can lead to blindness.
History of CMV
Prior to the HIV/AIDS epidemic (i.e., before 1981), CMV retinitis was a rare disease occurring only among individuals with primary (inherited) immunodeficiency syndromes, autoimmune disorders, and those who had undergone organ transplants or immunosuppressive cancer chemotherapy. In people with HIV, retinitis is by far the most common manifestation of CMV. (In persons who have had bone marrow transplants, in contrast, CMV pneumonitis [lung inflammation] occurs much more frequently than retinitis.)
From the beginning of the HIV epidemic through 1996, estimates of the incidence of CMV disease in HIV-positive individuals ranged from 10% to 40%. In the current era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the CMV prevalence rate among those who have access to HAART is less than 5%. CMV disease generally occurs late in the course of HIV disease and is associated with very low CD4 cell counts. The average CD4 cell count in persons with newly diagnosed CMV retinitis is below 30 cells/mm3. The main symptoms of CMV retinitis include "floaters" (moving spots), blurred vision, "blind spots" (missing portions of the visual field), and visions of flashing lights or sparks. Even subtle visual changes, such as a minor loss of peripheral vision, can signal the development of CMV retinitis.
Treatments for CMV retinitis are suppressive rather than curative, that is, they inhibit CMV progression but do not eradicate the virus. Resistance to the antiviral drugs previously approved by the FDA for CMV retinitis -- intravenous (IV) ganciclovir (Cytovene), foscarnet (Foscavir), and cidofovir (Vistide) -- is common. Until recently, no oral drug indicated for CMV induction therapy existed. Induction therapy is used to control the active spread of CMV and usually requires higher and/or more frequent dosing than is required after the disease has been brought under control. Once the spread of CMV is controlled, a lower and/or less frequent dose (known as maintenance therapy) is used to prevent CMV reactivation. In severely immunosuppressed people with CMV retinitis, lifelong maintenance therapy is recommended to keep the infection in a quiescent, or inactive, state. However, many people taking HAART have been able to stop preventive therapy. Recently published guidelines from the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) indicate that "discontinuation of [secondary CMV] prophylaxis may be considered in patients with a sustained (e.g., greater than three- to six-month) increase in CD4 cell count to greater than 100-150 cells/mm3 on HAART."
Pivotal CMV Study: Valganciclovir
Valganciclovir is the oral prodrug of IV ganciclovir. A prodrug is an inactive form of a drug that is converted within the body to a usable, or active, form. Valganciclovir is thus converted into ganciclovir when taken into the body as a pill. In 1997 the FDA declined to approve valganciclovir solely on the basis of pharmacokinetic data (information about drug absorption, metabolism, and elimination) demonstrating that WATCH a 900 mg daily dose of valganciclovir yielded drug levels comparable to standard daily IV ganciclovir at a dose of 5 mg/kg (as measured by area under the curve, or AUC, an expression of the total drug concentration in the blood plasma over time). Instead, the FDA required Hoffmann-La Roche, the manufacturer of valganciclovir, to conduct a randomized, controlled clinical trial demonstrating equivalence between valganciclovir and IV ganciclovir for CMV retinitis induction therapy.
Roche WV 15376 was a registrational study by Hoffmann-La Roche that evenly randomized 160 persons with CMV retinitis to receive either valganciclovir or IV ganciclovir. (A registrational, or pivotal, study is designed specifically -- with input from the FDA -- to produce data to be considered by the FDA for the drug's approval.) Valganciclovir was taken at a dose of 900 mg twice daily for three weeks, followed by 900 mg once daily for one week; IV ganciclovir was taken at a dose of 5 mg/kg twice daily for three weeks, followed by 5 mg/kg once daily for one week. After the four-week induction phase, all participants received maintenance therapy with open-label valganciclovir (900 mg daily). The primary study endpoint was CMV retinitis progression within four weeks of initiating treatment. Progression was measured using fundus photography, a specialized form of medical imaging used to diagnose abnormalities in the eye. Progression was defined as expansion or enlargement of an existing retinal lesion greater than or equal to 750 mm or the appearance of new lesions greater than or equal to 750 mm in diameter.
Statistically, the study was not a traditional head-to-head comparison (comparing two drugs with each other), but a noninferiority study (proving that one medication is not inferior to another). The study was powered to show that valganciclovir was not 10% less effective than IV ganciclovir. Both study arms were similar in terms of baseline demographics and disease status: approximately 90% were men, approximately 70% were taking HAART, the median CD4 cell count was 23 cells/mm3, the median HIV viral load was approximately 4,000 copies/mL, approximately 24% had zone 1 retinitis, and approximately 25% had bilateral retinitis (i.e., in both eyes). [Ed. note: Assessments of retinal abnormalities are described using a grading protocol defined in terms of zones that specify the location of lesions. The diameter of the optic nerve (the optic "head") is used as a unit of measurement such that "zone" is a unique measure for a given individual; specifically, zone refers to the number of optic head distances from the center. Zone 1 retinitis refers to lesions within the optic nerve; zones 2 and 3 refer to lesions located two and three diameter-lengths away from the optic nerve, respectively, and so on.]
Study Results
Of 146 participants who completed the four-week induction phase, seven of 73 participants (10%) in the valganciclovir arm experienced retinitis progression, compared with seven of 73 (10%) in the IV ganciclovir arm. No progression was seen in 64 and 63 participants, respectively, in the valganciclovir and IV ganciclovir arms. Hoffmann-La Roche also carried out an open-label safety study, Roche WV 15705, involving approximately 200 participants. No significant differences in adverse events or hematological (blood) toxicities were noted between the valganciclovir and IV ganciclovir arms.
Safety Data
Safety data for the Roche WV 15376 study were available for 158 participants. Adverse events were similar for valganciclovir and IV ganciclovir: headache (9% vs. 5%, respectively), diarrhea (16% vs. 10%), fever (13% vs. 11%), nausea (8% vs. 14%), and vomiting (11% vs. 6%). The administration of both IV ganciclovir and IV foscarnet requires long-term catheters, or plastic tubes, placed in large central veins (usually underneath the collarbone); catheters are prone infection. Not surprisingly, the IV ganciclovir group had significantly more infection: 2% for valganciclovir vs. 11% IV ganciclovir. There were no significant differences in hematological abnormalities between the valganciclovir and ganciclovir arms: absolute neutrophil count less than 750 cells/mm3 (21% vs. 19%), hemoglobin 6.5-8.0 g/dL (5% vs. 3%), and low platelet counts of 25,000-50,000 cells/mm3 0% vs. 1%). [Ed. note: Neutrophils are a type of immune system white blood cell that protects against bacterial infections. Hemoglobin is a measure of red blood cell oxygen-carrying capacity; a low hemoglobin level is an indication of anemia. Platelets are cell fragments necessary for normal blood clotting.]
The safety profile of valganciclovir is almost identical to that of IV ganciclovir. The most serious toxicity of both valganciclovir and IV ganciclovir is neutropenia (low neutrophil count), which leaves those taking the drug prone to infection. In the Roche WV 15376 study, approximately 20% participants experienced a grade 3 or 4 adverse event by week 4. [Ed. note: In clinical trials, symptoms are graded on basis of severity and frequency. Grade 1 side effects are mild and transient, grade 2 side effects are moderate or persistent, grade 3 adverse effects are severe, and grade 4 side effects are life-threatening.]
Valganciclovir has been shown to provide systemic drug levels (AUC) comparable to IV ganciclovir. Hoffmann-La Roche fulfilled the FDA Antiviral Drugs Division's approval requirements by carrying out a randomized, controlled Phase study of valganciclovir, which showed that valganciclovir was not inferior to IV ganciclovir for induction therapy for AIDS-related CMV retinitis. The recommended dosage of valganciclovir for individuals with active CMV retinitis is 900 (two 450 mg tablets) taken with food twice daily for 21 days. Following induction treatment, the recommended dosage is 900 mg (two 450 mg tablets) taken with food once daily.
Hoffmann-La Roche should be commended for testing valganciclovir against the "gold standard" treatment, IV ganciclovir; other available CMV antiviral drugs were approved using the quick and easy immediate vs. deferred trial design (in which some participants are given the drug at the start of the trial and compared with other participants who receive no treatment until later in the study). Valganciclovir is the first drug that has been tested against IV ganciclovir for induction therapy for CMV retinitis since the Studies of Ocular Complications of AIDS (SOCA) Research Group tested IV foscarnet vs. IV ganciclovir in 1990.
In the 13 years since the FDA approved IV ganciclovir, the prevalence of AIDS-related CMV retinitis has declined dramatically in industrialized countries, due in large part to the use of HAART. Nevertheless, having an effective oral agent to treat CMV -- freeing those who need treatment from the risks and discomfort of IV therapy -- will completely alter the clinical management of this infection.
A similar article by Michael Marco appears on TAG's Web site: www.aidsinfonyc.org/tag/comp/valgposition.html.
Michael Marco is director of the Infections and Oncology Project of the New York-based Treatment Action Group (TAG).
|CMV Factors and Diagnosis
Factors most associated with CMV disease are a CD4 cell count below 50 cells/mm3 and at least one other prior opportunistic infection (OI). Recent studies have shown that anyone who has detectable CMV levels using the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) viral load test, or who is either CMV antigen or culture positive, is at higher risk for developing CMV disease; however, a measurable CMV level by itself does not always correlate with active infection or symptomatic disease.
The diagnosis of CMV retinitis is usually confirmed by an ophthalmologist, a physician who specializes in diseases of the eye. The ophthalmologist applies chemicals to dilate the eye, making it easier to look inside the eyeball for evidence of retinal lesions that may be caused by CMV. The virus also commonly attacks the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines) and the nervous system (brain and spinal cord); the diagnosis of CMV disease in other parts of the body is usually done by performing a biopsy of tissue from the suspected organ.
For more information about CMV see:
Back to the SFAF BETA Winter 2002 contents page.


text:
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Center for the History of Cartography Programs
Chicago Map Society Meeting
Later this fall, Chicago will be the center of the World of Maps. Help us celebrate with a preview of the Newberry's fall exhibits, part of the Festival of Maps– an unprecedented collaboration of Chicago's cultural and scientific institutions. Jim Akerman, Bob Karrow, and Diane Dillon will discuss the reception of Ptolemy's Geography in the Renaissance, Chicago's role in mapping the American West, and how they chose 130 of the world's greatest maps for the "Maps" exhibition at The Field Museum.
Exhibits include:
"Ptolemy's Geography and Renaissance Mapmakers,"
"Mapping Manifest Destiny: Chicago and the American West,"
and "Maps: Finding Our Place in the World:"


text:
*Charges apply
~Some balconies are metal fronted instead of Glass.
*Charges apply
^ The two lower beds cannot be converted to a queen-size bed if the 3rd or 4th upper berths are occupied or if a cot is required. A lower berth will be removed to accommodate a cot (Cot subject to availability).
*Charges apply
*Charges apply
^ The two lower beds cannot be converted to a queen-size bed if the 3rd or 4th upper berths are occupied or if a cot is required. A lower berth will be removed to accommodate a cot (Cot subject to availability).
*Charges apply
^ The two lower beds cannot be converted to a queen-size bed if the 3rd or 4th upper berths are occupied or if a cot is required. A lower berth will be removed to accommodate a cot (Cot subject to availability).
Waterfront Restaurant - Cost Included
The Waterfront Restaurant is a modern, stylish restaurant offering, full service, a la carte dining. You can choose from the regular menu or the ever changing range of specials, and the young ones will love the selection on the kid's menu.
Family style share platters are popular features on the Waterfront Restaurant menu. Designed for four to six people to share, choose from platters such as Honey and lemon whole roasted chicken with bread stuffing, natural gravy, charred onions and root vegetables, or baked, rustic beef and onion pie in Shiraz sauce with roasted vegetables.
The Pantry - Cost Included
Exclusive to P&O The Pantry is a brand new dining experience like nothing you've seen on a cruise before. Say good bye to the traditional cruise buffet and hello to freshly made food from around the world. It's the perfect venue for a quick bite or long lunch and the best bit, it's included in the your fare.
The Pantry provides an all inclusive dining experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with delicious food and a contemporary café vibe, replacing the former buffet area on deck 11.
Inspired by modern Australia, Hook's Fish and Chips feels like a beachfront restaurant. Mexicana embraces its Aztec look. The sleek façade of the Sugar Bar is the perfect backdrop to the rainbow colours of the decadent sweets and cakes on display. It's no surprise that Fat Cow carvery is all about meat. Curry House dishes up modern Indian while Stix serves up tantalising Asian fare. Drinks are all sorted at the blue and white tiled Coffee Bar.
Choose from communal long tables to lounge chairs and high tables, with scattered pictures, plants, fruit bowls and books adding to the relaxed urban café feel, created by Tillberg Design of Sweden.
Cafe - Cost Required
Calling all chocoholics! When you are craving a chocolate fix while onboard a visit to The Cafe will hit the spot. Try the warm chocolate volcano with a melting heart of pure chocolate or the freshly baked Belgian waffles, served with chocolate sauce of course.
Open from early in the morning until late at night and located on deck 12 right near the pool, The Cafe is the perfect spot to grab a quick snack, coffee or cocktail.
Pay per Item
Charlies Bar - Cost Required
Open from early in the morning until late at night, Charlie's Bar is a great place to sit back and take in all of the action unfolding in The Atrium. Here you can purchase espresso coffee, specialty teas, pastries, cookies and cakes by the slice.
Pay per Item
Salt Grill by Luke Mangan - Cost Required
Celebrity chef Luke Mangan brings his reputation, talent and flare to Salt grill's exquisite menu. This stand out restaurant brings the very best of fine dining and the finest Australian wines exclusively to P&O Cruises, all for a fraction of the price you pay on land.
One mouthful of Luke Mangan's luscious signature dish, Salt grill crab omelette, enoki mushroom salad and miso broth, and you'll know why this award winning Australian chef is celebrated around the world.
Surcharge of AUD$49.00pp applies (3 course Evening Meal), AUD$35pp for Lunch (Sea days only) or AUD$20.00pp for High Tea.
Shell & Bones - Cost Required
Enjoy a bounty of sumptuous seafood at our new venue, Shell & Bones. Featuring crab from Queensland, blue mussels from South Australia and much more, this restaurant is set to reel in guests. Or, take a pick of items off the grill with beef short ribs and roasted chicken. Alongside, there are vegetarian options as well, with a sweet treat for all to finish.
Pay per Item
Chef's Table - Cost Required
For a meal that is equal parts memorable and mouth-watering, join us at Chef's Table.
Your evening starts with a cocktail and canapes reception hosted by the Executive Chef, followed by an exclusive tour of the galley. Once seated, the Executive Chef will introduce each course and its expertly matched wine.
It's your job to relax amongst great company and indulge as we serve up this extraordinary dining experience.
The Grill - Cost Required
When the weather's just too good to go inside to eat you can grab a casual meal from The Grill and enjoy it on the the top deck overlooking the pool. The selection includes a gourmet beef burger, a pulled pork burger, hot dogs, nachos, pizzas, meat pies and chips.
For a classic Aussie dining experience you can also purchase a bucket of prawns or chicken wings. What could be better than lounging by the pool, enjoying some sunshine and nourishing some morsels along with a chilled beverage.
Pay per Item
New Zealand Natural Ice Cream - Cost Required
Room Service - Cost Required
You can also order from our 24-hour room service menu.
Pay per Item
Unwind with some rejuvenating 'you' time. At our onboard day spa you can loosen your muscles, relieve your tension and clear your mind. And we're not just talking facials and massages. Reflexology, acupuncture, men's treatments, even teeth whitening are all on the menu.
And if you're not feeling quite prepped for the poolside, we've got you covered with spray tans, body scrubs, and the full service range of a hair and beauty salon.
Aqua Health Spa Fitness is open daily though we suggest you make a booking on embarkation day for an appointment time which suits you.
Charges apply.
At MIX the drinks are sophisticated and the scene is chic. Choose from our innovative cocktail menu of classics and new creations or seek inspiration from our expert staff for something unique. Whatever you choose your cocktail will feature top shelf spirits expertly mixed with real, fresh ingredients.
If you feel like dancing the night away The Dome is the place to be. Our DJs know just how to get the party started so make sure you wear the right shoes to burn a hole in the dance floor.
Connexions Bar is a late night venue featuring live music and entertainment like quizzes and pub trivia. A great place to start, spend or end your night
At the Orient, the atmosphere is warm and the beer is frosty. This pub-style venue serves draught beer on tap, bottled ciders and craft beers. So sit back and relax with your favourite in this cosy and comfortable venue.
It's just like it sounds - a happy, peaceful place that's all about down-time, drinks and deckchairs.
Sip the day away by the pool – you're never going to feel so relaxed.
Take in a performance or even a game of bingo (charges apply for bingo).
Open from early in the morning until late at night, Charlie's Bar is a great place to sit back and take in all of the action unfolding in The Atrium.
Here you can purchase espresso coffee, specialty teas, pastries, cookies and cakes by the slice.
Conveniently located on top deck close to the pool, The Cafe serves a range of snacks and drinks ranging from coffee to cocktails.
P&O's unique Kids' Club programs have been developed with guidance from professional childhood academics, with a focus on the sorts of can't-wait-to-tell-my-friends-back-home type activities you wont find anywhere else. P&O also limit the number of children onboard each cruise to ensure everyone receives an even higher level of care and attention.
Here's just a sample of the activities on offer:
Turtle Cove (2-6yrs)
iPad activities, DUPLO Zone, Arts and Crafts, Movies and Cartoons, Talent Shows, Theme nights, Mini Olympics, Sleepyheads storytime.
Shark Shack (7-10yrs)
iPad activities, LEGO Zone, Arts and Crafts, Movies and Cartoons, Scavenger hunts, Jewellery making, Dance lessons, Karaoke.
HQ & HQ+ (11-14 & 15-17yrs)
Stop-Motion film making, Teen jam music sessions, Sports competitions, Movies, Theme nights, Karaoke, Talent Shows, Dance Classes.
Please note: toilet trained children two and up are welcome without adult supervision and infants under two may access the centre as long as they are accompanied by a parent/guardian who is over the age of 18.
From 10.30pm until 1am each evening, toilet trained kids three and over can hang out in the Kid's Clubs for a nominal fee per child, per hour, with a special reduced rate per additional child. Check with Kid's Club staff for details and prices.
Any child using the pools must be supervised by a parent /guardian at all times. For public safety reasons, children in nappies (including swim nappies) and children who are not toilet trained are not permitted in the public swimming pools and spas.
P&O Edge is not for the faint hearted. If you're up for some extra adventure, join the adrenalin junkies at P&O Edge Adventure Park.
It's Australia's largest adventure park at sea, and take it from us, it's awesome! With up to 19 exciting activities you can really get your heart pumping.
Bookings for all P&O Edge activities can be made at the P&O Edge Shop front on Deck 14 (Under the TV screen)
Rock Climb
Climb to some of the highest points on the ship. There are a range of purpose built climbs that use an auto belay system allowing you to climb over and over again up to 10 metres high off the deck.
Flat Line
Seen the clowns at the circus walk the tight rope? You can try it out for yourself on our portable adventure that can run almost anywhere on the ship. It's a flat line that you must attempt to walk from side to the other on, great for improving your balance and a great social activity.
Titanic Moment
Come through crew only areas to arrive at the bow of the ship. You will walk on flat surface out to the very front of the ship; and we mean the front! We've even built a purpose built platform to get you further forward as you re-enact the infamous Titanic moment whilst being securely fastened to the ship.
Slackline Surfing
Seen the clowns at the circus walk the tight rope? You can try it out for yourself on Deck 15 in the sunshine. It's a flat line that you must attempt to walk from side to the other on, great for improving your balance and a great social activity.
Ship Apex Climb
This activity will be accessed by a purpose built ladder and gate on bow Deck 14 with a walkway to Deck 15 (port and starboard). The walkway will give access to a purpose built platform which will be situated at a level which allows passengers to stand and be located in the middle of the flag mast. This platform will have the capacity to hold 8 pax standing side by side. Participants will be wearing a harness and attached via a custom length rope to the platform. A photo will be taken from the platform behind the big screen TV. All necessary personal protective safety equipment to be worn by the participant as directed by PA Instructors.
Challenge yourself on these amazing 2 wheeled vehicles. Receive an introduction on how to ride
P&O Bow Ladder Experience
Let us guide you through crew only areas to arrive exclusively at the bow of the ship. You will walk up a small ladder system to have a great photo opportunity from the photo department next the P&O Logo with the bridge in the background.
Laser Tag
Two teams will battle it out in the Marquee Theatre on Deck 7 using our laser equipment which consists of a phaser (gun) and head band (sensors to aim at). Plan your strategies, reload your weapon and respawn to conquer the ship.
Pacific Jewel Sail Away Opportunity (Limited Spaces)
Be lucky enough to have this unique opportunity to stand in some of the highest places on the ship whilst sailing away from the beautiful destinations on either the Big Screen or Ship Apex of the Pacific Jewel. This experience also includes a glass of Bubbles or Wine.
Flying Fox
You can soar over 80m across the open decks of the ship on one of our zip lines! A unique experience at sea that is not to be missed!
Cargo Net Race
Race your friends, family and fellow guests to the top of the cargo nets in the Atrium (and the open deck on the Jewel). Start from the ground on Deck 5 and race up one of the 2 nets to the top of Deck 7 whilst being harnessed in and traditionally belayed by our instructor team.
Bungy Tramp
How high can you jump on a trampoline? Let's add some bungy cords and a harness into the mix, how high can you jump now? This is a purpose designed trampoline that allows participants to jump higher than ever before whilst being securely fastened to the structure.
Bosun's Chair Swing
Swing through the Atrium or open decks just like the Cirque team on our purpose rigged swing for children.
Big Screen Climb
This activity will be accessed by a purpose built ladder and gate on the bow section of Deck 14 with a walkway to Deck 15. The walkway will give access to the rear of the big screen TV where a purpose built platform will be, at level height with the top of the screen. This platform will have the capacity to hold up to 24 pax standing side by side. Participants will be wearing a harness and attached via a custom length rope to the platform. A photo will be taken from Deck 12 of the group. The possibility of a personalised caption on the big screen would also be available. All necessary personal protective safety equipment (helmet, harness) to be worn by the participant as directed by PA Instructors.
Pacific Jewel & Pacific Dawn: Enjoy the views whilst you climb to the very top of the Aft funnel where you will be met by an instructor who will then guide you in Abseiling down the 10m high funnel, controlling your own descent the entire way! Pacific Eden & Pacific Aria: Test your nerves as you balance on the edge of the railings on the bow of the Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria. Step over the edge and make your way down the Iconic P&O Sign on the bow of the ship.
Pacific Adventures has a minimum age of 6yrs on all activities. Note that to safely participate, you must also be able to correctly fit in the appropriate PPE. Children age from 6-17yrs. Adult ages from 18+
For safety reasons, weight restrictions apply to P&O Edge activities. Pacific Adventures may ask you for your weight before participating in an activity. Note, a maximum weight of 110kg on all activities. Exclusion to this is Bungy trampoline which is maximum of 90kg.
Add a little luck to your cruise!
There are roulette and blackjack tables, gaming lessons for beginners and poker machines. We also offer a Casino Rewards program which offers a wide variety of benefits.
And on cruises of seven night or more, don't miss Ladies Evenings where you can learn how to play the fantastic variety of games on offer including Blackjack, Roulette, Three Card Poker and Texas Hold'em Poker. It's a friendly, informative evening that's lots of fun.
Check the Pacific Daily onboard newsletter for more information.
Fancy a show after dinner? Our original production shows are choreographed by a leading Australian production company, designed exclusively for P&O Cruises audiences.
Performed in the impressive two-story Marquee Theatre and with a number of different shows*.
*Production Shows may vary from ship to ship dependent on itineraries
There's nothing like keeping up to date with your favourite movie and sports stars on the Big Screen with the epic ocean as your backdrop.
Visible day and night, the Big Screen is a giant entertainment screen located on top deck. Here you can catch your favourite film, watch live sporting events like NRL games and participate in Big Screen fun you definitely wouldn't be able to fit in your lounge room.
Available on Pacific Pearl the state-of-the-art LED Big Screens stretch a whopping four metres high and seven metres wide while the 63,000 watt sound system ensures the audio can be heard even when the ship is at full speed.
Located on Deck 12.
Whether it's window shopping or pure unabashed purchasing, there's a floating marketplace to discover. You'll find top names in fragrances, cosmetics, fashion, jewellery and accessories, plus the latest in digital cameras and equipment. And in our tax and duty free stores+, there are savings of up to 40% off the recommended retail price.
Be sure to keep an eye out for sales and special offers in Pacific Daily, the onboard newsletter.
+Tax and duty-free shopping is not available on Australian coastal cruises, except Queensland cruises featuring Willis Island.
This adult's only event features some of Australia's funniest stand-up comedians in a comedy club setting.
The Oasis...it's just like it sounds - a happy, peaceful place that's all about downtime, drinks and deckchairs. A child-free refuge, where the sound track is the ship's wake, the cocktails are crisp and the view is a show-stopper.
But don't take our word for it, get onboard and pull up a day bed!
Located on Deck 10.
Get moving outdoors with a game of table tennis, deck chess, gold putting, shuffleboard or quoits.
Have a bowl at the back of Deck 9 and try your luck hitting that Jack!
Access to the fitness centre is included in your cruise fare and it's professionally staffed, with weight and aerobic conditioning equipment. There are also fitness classes, a sauna and steam rooms available (charges apply). Guests using the fitness centre must be 16 years or over.
Bootcamp will get your pulse racing and your adrenalin pumping. Our exclusive program consists of specifically designed workouts conducted by qualified instructors. Challenge your body, strengthen your mind and build your character! To sign up visit the Fitness Centre once onboard (charges apply).
Enjoy one of the 2 swimming pools on Deck 12.
Pacific Jewel also has 2 x Hot Tubs and a Kid's Paddling Pool onboard
Any child using the pools must be supervised by a parent /guardian at all times. For public safety reasons, children in nappies (including swim nappies) and children who are not toilet trained are not permitted in the public swimming pools and spas.
P&O Cruises have four new themed parties you won't be able to stop yourself from joining, not that it was ever an option.
Bring your whitest and brightest outfits to this top deck whiteout featuring a DJ, live music, performers, white body paint, white cocktails and more!
Get a hit of nostalgia and go back to school for a night in the Dome or Connexions. Features include a giant blackboard wall, graffiti decor and even a principal handing out detention slips for the class clowns. Get back to the good old days where your biggest worry was what to have for lunch.
Get glammed up and join us on the pool deck for an afternoon of sin (Sin City, that is). This pool party will be packed with high-energy music, Vegas style cocktails and performers. Think over-the-top, high-energy vibes you can only find in Vegas.
Live the extravagant style of Gatsby in real life. This high end cocktail party will be complete with themed music, entertainment and classic cocktails.


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Set of Slides include:
Animals: Goldfish Scale, Hare Hair, Camel Hair and Geather Fowl Point
Plants: Woody Stem of Pine, Camellia Leaf Section, Bamboo Shoot and Stem of Sponge Gourd
Insects: Leg of Butterfly, Wing of Butterfly, Wing of Locust and Leg of Honey Bee
Textile Fibers: Hemp Fiber, Silk Stuff, Cotton Fiber and Bemberg


text:
Urban Agriculture Notes
by City Farmer - Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture
Now Celebrating Our 40th Year!
Go to our new City Farmer Web Site - "City Farmer News" (www.cityfarmer.info)
On January 1, 2008, we created a new web site "City Farmer News" at (www.cityfarmer.info) where all our new stories are featured.
This site, "Urban Agriculture Notes" (www.cityfarmer.org), which has been running continuously since 1994 with its hundreds of pages of urban agriculture information, will remain online and will be updated when necessary with corrected emails, URL's, etc. It is still a gold mine of useful resources.
March 23, 2008
Search the City Farmer Website.
Go to our new City Farmer Web Site - "City Farmer News" (www.cityfarmer.info)
The material below this line is part of our original web site from before 2008.
Most Recent Pages and Links Added (by Date)
Established 1978, Vancouver, BC, CanadaPrepared by Michael Levenston, Executive Director
On-line on the World Wide Web since October 15, 1994.
© Copyright City Farmer 1994-2018
E-mail us at: email@example.com
Mailing Address:
City Farmer - Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture
Box 74567, Kitsilano RPO,
Vancouver, B.C. V6K 4P4 Canada
Office Phone: (604) 685-5832
Map showing the location of our garden at 2150 Maple Street.
Garden Location:
Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden
2150 Maple Street, Kitsilano, (6th and Maple)
Vancouver BC, V6J 3T3 Canada
Garden Phone: (604) 736-2250
City Farmer runs the Vancouver Regional Compost Hotline: 604.736.2250
Email the Hotline at: email@example.com
Check this site, top10bestpro They have done a really great job in reviewing some of the best garden products.
Research and compare popular composting, portable and camping toilets at ToiletSquad.com
TheBeastReviews was created to provide a one stop platform for users searching for unbiased reviews on the best products in a particular product category.
Best Paint Sprayer
Visit Noble Rate for professional home and gardening product reviews.
Recommended Weed Killer
Find the best cordless drill for the money at: CordlessDrillZone where countless hours went into reviewing each cordless drill to help save you money and time.
At the website, ProductExpert, They have some of the best reviews of garden products available on the market.
For the latest garden tool reviews online, head over to Best of Machinery today.
For the best home & garden power tools, visit ProToolZone as they go in-depth with each tool they review.
Need Agriculture thesis writing help? You have a chance to write dissertations with this service online.
Best Reclinercoupon
Homewares Insider
Best Cordless Impact Driver Buying Guides
Introduction to Organic Food Gardening - City Farmer's 2014 Classes in March
Learn how to grow your own vegetables in an urban environment. City Farmer's hands on organic food gardening course includes: site selection/design/soil preparation seed sourcing and starting; planting/harvesting/composting; organic gardening techniques/natural pest control; container gardening; waterwise gardening.
Click here for silk flowers from Silk Flowers Warehouse.
City Farmer's Step-By-Step Photo Guide to Composting in a Backyard Bin
"Alternate layers of green and brown materials; keep the layers 2" - 4" deep. Common green (nitrogen) materials are grass, food scraps (uncooked fruit and vegetables, coffee grounds, filters, tea bags and egg shells) (wet), garden trimmings. Common brown (carbon) materials are, fall leaves, straw and newspaper strips (dry). Chop up larger materials for faster decomposition." Posted March 31, 2005
City Farmer's Step-By-Step Photo Guide to Worm Composting
"Harvesting: You can dump the entire contents of the bin onto a large plastic sheet and separate the worms manually. Most children love to help with this process and you can turn it into a fun lesson about worms for them. Watch out for the tiny lemon-shaped worm cocoons which contain between two and twenty baby worms! By separating the worms from the compost, you save more worms for your next bin." Posted March 21, 2005 Metro Vancouver Composting Brochures
Download "How To" brochures in PDF format here: Here's the Dirt - Backyard Composting; Here's the Dirt - Worm Composting; Compost Bin Construction Plan (Single Bin System) and (Three Bin System); Natural Yard Care; Waterwise Gardening. Revised January 9, 2009
How to Worm Compost: Comix Style - How to Backyard Compost: Comix Style
City Farmer has produced two, new, teaching flyers in comic-book format. These are based on images from our How-To Slide Shows.
Posted January 8, 2008
One Year of Time-Lapse Photos of the City Farmer Demonstration Garden
Graham Clark chose one web cam photo from every day over the past year, November 2006 - October 2007, and put 360 of them in this time-lapse movie. You'll see the garden slowly come to life and also see some of our visitors.
Sharing Backyards in Greater Vancouver
Grow your own veggies, herbs, flowers, and soft fruit. If you have a garden and want to share it with someone, or if you are looking for a space to garden, this page is for you.
Updated March 5, 2008
Use quick links for Vancouver residents:
European Chafer - A New Turf Pest - Now in Greater Vancouver * Grow Natural * City Farmer's Waterwise Garden * Community Gardens in Greater Vancouver and Victoria * Instructions for Backyard Composting * Home Composting* Worm Composting * Grasscycling and Natural Lawn Care * Waterwise Gardening and the City Rain Barrel Program
* Organic Landscapers/Gardeners in Greater Vancouver * Other Rain Barrels and Water Wisdom From Around the World * How to Set Out Your Yard Trimmings * Worm Suppliers * Pet Waste Composting * Farm/Garden Land For Rent in Greater Vancouver and Elsewhere * Wholesale and Retail Native Plant Nurseries in BC * Drought Tolerant Plant List for Vancouver City Boulevards * Fruit Tree Projects
Composting's New Appeal
"Vancouver is a perfect climate for a worm bin," Levenston explained, speaking of a bin filled with about 500 worms working to break down kitchen scraps on an apartment balcony. "You set up this bin with a bedding of newspaper and other materials and the worms will process the food waste and within three to four months you will have a finished compost," he said." Posted August 24, 2007
City Farmer Was Born At The Vancouver Community Conservation Centre in 1978
During a six month federal energy conservation project, City Farmer was created. Read about the group's formative months in a report written by the project's leader. "The first issue of City Farmer came out at the end of July (1978) and the second at the end of August. Both received a very positive response. The paper attempts to interest the public by showing them examples of successful Vancouver city farmers. It also reports on political issues that affect the city farmers (there has been a great deal of controversy lately about a particular woman in Vancouver who raises chickens in defiance of city by-laws), and products and information that are of use to them." Posted August 13, 2007 City Farmer's Pig-tailed Gardening Dynamo Teaches Kids About Bugs
Keating, an enviro-science grad, who works at the City Farmer compost demo garden, and runs her own biological control consulting company, teaches kids about the important jobs bugs have; why we have them; and if they are good or bad bugs. Her high-energy bug classes, which typically run from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, include interactive games, glossy flash cards, the always-popular bug song ("two antenna and six legs and don't forget the wings") and, of course, lots of live bugs!" Updated August 20, 2007
Nature's Way of Recycling
Sharon Slack (of City Farmer) is not squeamish about worms. She encourages people to get their hands dirty and slimy, all for a good cause. "These little guys do a very good job for us," she says. "They're called red wigglers. They're not the same as the big worms you see in the garden." Posted June 6, 2007 Using Compost to Make a Container Garden: Step-by-Step Slideshow
"Balconies, Rooftops and Decks. City Farmer Head Gardener, Sharon Slack, shares her recipe for starting a container garden." Posted July 17, 2006 Fly From Space to Community Gardens in BC Using Google Earth
City Farmer created 'place-markers' in Google Earth, which allow you to fly from the sky to different garden sites; that is virtually. You can visit individually chosen sites or you can push the 'play' button (an arrow under the Places window) to automatically fly to all the gardens. See Victoria's Capital City gardens for instance and then fly back to UBC's Acadia gardens. Simply click on our link to download a tiny 'kmz' file (unzip the .zip file first) and then open the file in your Google Earth program. Updated September 27, 2006 BC Community Gardens Up Close - Aerial Photos
We've created a slideshow of aerial photos of community gardens in British Columbia; most of these are higher resolution images than can be found on Google Earth. See the Fraser Street Garden in Vancouver, or visit us in the Compost Demonstration Garden next to our neighbours, the Maple Street Community Garden. We've also included photos of some of the gardens at ground level for those who don't like heights. Posted September 27, 2006 Pristine Outhouse a Compost Outpost
Features City Farmer's Toilet - "There's a lock on the outhouse door, so the toilet is used only by staff and garden visitors willing to abide by the rules: 'Please place toilet paper in toilet after use but do not add other hygiene products; Please sprinkle a cup of shavings from the green container on solid waste after use; Please mark on the calendar an X for liquid waste or an O for solid waste after using the toilet.' " Posted September 4, 2006
Meet City Farmer Staff at the Garden or call our Compost Hotline
"City Farmer staff both garden and teach at our Demonstration Garden all year long. They give workshops, attend 'outreach' events in the community, speak to the media, develop educational material for our web site, answer the Compost Hotline, look for new varieties of plants and search out the 'greenest' gardening techniques. Here's a brief summary of their expertise." Posted August 10, 2006 City Farmer's Pesticide Reduction Resources
"On this page you will find a growing list of resources to help you replace pesticides with natural pest control techniques. BC biological suppliers, organic fertilizers for your lawn and garden, organic landscapers in Vancouver and a look at insects we see at our garden and how we respond are published here." Posted April 9, 2006
See City Farmer's Fabulous Coldframe
Graham Clark built this attractive and useful mini-greenhouse for us. The used skylights (double glazed so you get two for one) cost us only $25 at a used 'stuff' store. Updated December 4, 2005 Garden Warriors of 'Yesteryear' - Photos Slideshow
We are building on the ideas and work of past generations. These photos are from the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington and one from the Archives of Canada, Ottawa. Posted November 15, 2005 School Children Gardening - Photos 1914-1918: Slideshow
These wonderful photos are in the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington. They remind us that earlier generations were as excited as we are today about the potential of teaching kids about food gardening. Posted November 7, 2005 City Farmer's Bugshops - The "5Ps" : Slideshow
"Pollinators, Predators, Processors, Pests, Parasitoids. Photos � by Maria Keating" Posted October 4, 2005 Using Compost to Start a Food Garden: Step-by-Step Slideshow
"Compost is an essential ingredient for making fertile soil. We've used it for 25 years at our Demonstration Garden. Sharon digs over-wintered leaf mulch and compost into the beds. She seeds some plants indoors in flats. First she adds sifted compost." Posted July 25, 2005 Design for Food: Landscape architects find roles in city farms.
Short excerpt from the June issue of Landscape Architecture Magazine "There are many different ideas about what constitutes an urban farm. Michael Levenston, executive director of City Farmer, one of the oldest North American organizations devoted to urban food production, says: "An urban farm can be a pot of herbs grown on a balcony or a large market garden. If it involves something you eat, and you're growing it in the city, I'd call it an urban farm." Updated August 18, 2005 Insect Life at 2150 Maple Street
"At City Farmer, we show visitors both beneficial and pest bugs as part of our "natural yard care" tour of the garden. By introducing people to the fascinating life of a wide variety of insects, we believe people will come to appreciate rather than fear them. Less than 1 percent of garden insects actually damage plants." Posted May 15, 2005 Wise Water Use at our Demonstration Garden: Step-By-Step
Reducing water use in the garden and managing stormwater runoff are priorities at the Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden. Posted May 8, 2005 Natural Gardening Posters in Chinese
We've translated five large gardening posters, featured at our Demonstration Garden, into Chinese: backyard composting, worm composting, waterwise gardening, natural lawn care and grasscycling. Posted April 29, 2005 City Farmer's Step-By-Step Photo Guide to Natural Lawn Care
"No pesticides. No wasted water. No air pollution. No trucking grass clippings to the landfill." " Posted April 20, 2005 City Farmer's Isabelle Speaks from the Garden
(Needs Real Player on your computer, 46 second clip.) Isabelle tells CBC why she likes to work at our Demonstration Garden." Posted April 13, 2005 A Bug Lady's Observations at Vancouver's Compost Demonstration Garden
"Today I saw mothflies in the composter. They are neither moths nor flies, but are members of the the same order as aphids. In the compost they are not considered pests, but their numbers can skyrocket. When that happens the best thing to do when opening the lid is to keep your mouth closed. To reduce the numbers, cover the top layer of the compost with baking soda and a newspaper." Updated September 28, 2005 Urban Sustainability Tours at City Farmer's Garden
"City Farmer's garden has been open continuously since 1982 at 2150 Maple Street in Vancouver. We demonstrate urban agriculture and various "green" technologies, all of which can be practiced by residents in the city. Urban Agriculture, Backyard Composters, Worm Bins, Water-wise Garden, Natural Lawn Care, Rain Barrels, Compost Toilet, Country Lane, Cob Shed, Garden Gates and Animals in the Garden." Posted September 16, 2001
City Farmer's Cob Shed - It has a Living Green Roof
Sculptor, George Rammell, donates Haida artist Bill Reid's clay to our cob project. "The clay I provided belonged to Haida artist Bill Reid. It provided the form for many of Bill's sculpture projects including the Whale at the aquarium, and the huge bronze Spirit Canoe at the airport." Updated October 9, 2003 City Farmer's Green Roof on the Cob Shed Photos of the roof planted, our goat, and Arctic roof gardens from long ago. Posted October 9, 2003
City Farmer's Country Lane
Vancouver City Council passed a report to fund three demonstration "Country Lanes". These lanes have permeable surfaces that allow stormwater to flow into the earth rather than drain into the sewers. Updated October 9, 2003
City Farmer's Waterwise Garden
"Waterwise gardening is not synonymous with xeriscaping. Waterwise gardening is a more appropriate explanation for gardening in mesic climates like Vancouver and incorporates the collection and storage of rainwater, soil health, maintenance techniques and the choice of appropriate plant species to create healthy, beautiful gardens. " Posted February 14 2004
City Farmer TV - 2007 - 2008
Video Blogging! These short clips will bring you up close and personal with the kind of work we do at the Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden. See how we trap rats in a compost bin and plant our cold frame with over-wintering salad greens. Our videoblog will put you in touch with what happens at our garden. We talk to our gardeners, to visitors and also visit other urban agriculture projects in Vancouver. You can watch these short films on your computer.
City Farmer TV - 2006
City Farmer TV can also be seen on YouTube
LA Times Story: Vancouver Envisions Radicchio on its Rooftops
"The Canadian city sees food-producing gardens in urban residential developments as the wave of the future. ... The Southeast False Creek conditions require shared garden plots for 30% of the neighborhood's residential units that lack access to balconies or patios of at least 100 square feet. False Creek buildings also will have a maximum of 12 stories to increase green space and sun exposure. Plans call for fruit trees and raised beds on rooftops, courtyards lined with blueberry bushes, and balcony trellises to support fruit-bearing vines." Updated August 26, 2007
Farming In The City 2
(Guests: Steve Pedersen - Coordinator, Public Health Association of BC. Michael Levenston - Executive Director, City Farmer. Peter Mcallister - Woodlot Director / Mushroom Grower, Lofstedt Farm.) "This broadcast marks the second of an ongoing series that will explore urban agriculture in British Columbia, Canada, and around the world. Featured on the broadcast will be the launch of an on-line community of gardeners with the hope that every lawn in British Columbia will contain a food producing garden. We will learn of an innovative project that links up underutilized backyard garden space with those willing to urban farm it. When we think of urban agriculture, rarely do we think of growing mushrooms! The steps on how to go about becoming an urban mushroom grower will be shared on this broadcast."
Posted May 13, 2007
In Memoriam: Arthur Wesley "Wes" Barrett, 1937 - 2001. Wes was Head Gardener at City Farmer for over ten years. He was loved by everyone and will be sorely missed by all of us who worked with him at the Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden.
On his retirement from City Farmer in 2000, this song was written about him.
From the Desk of Jac Smit - "Urban Agriculture"
Jac Smit will be contributing his thoughts here from time to time. "Jac has contributed to plans for agriculture in cities as diverse as: Abidjan, Asmera, Bogota, Dar es Salaam, Karachi, Philadelphia, Vancouver and Washington DC. Some of his most satisfying urban agriculture effort was in refugee camps in India, Bangladesh and the Ivory Coast."
Urban Agriculture Magazine from the RUAF
18 wonderful issues have come out so far, and they all can be read on the internet. Some issues are available in Espanol, Fran�ais, Arabic, Chinese, Portugu�s, and Turkish. "The Urban Agriculture Magazine is an initiative under the RUAF Programme. It functions as a platform for exchange and discussion of grounded information on urban agriculture: research results, project experiences, and critical analyses of conventional and innovative policies on urban agriculture." UA Magazine no. 14 - Urban Aquatic Production; UA Magazine no. 15 - Multiple Functions of Urban Agriculture; no. 16 - Formulating Effective Policies on Urban Agriculture; no. 17 - Strengthening Urban Producers' Organisations; no. 18 - Building Communities through Urban Agriculture Posted August 21, 2007
Go to our new City Farmer Web Site - "City Farmer News" (www.cityfarmer.info)
Food Urbanism: Urban Agriculture, Food Security, Local and Sustainable Food Systems, Grow-Your-Own, Polyculture, Urban Food ...
"When I was in Vancouver a few months ago for the Bridging Borders Toward Food Security conference, I visited a number of Urban Agriculture projects, the most significant of which was City Farmer. City Farmer has been focusing on Urban Agriculture for almost 30 years and their web site is, for many people, the main portal into the diverse world of growing food in a city." Posted January 18, 2007 All-You-Can-Grow Buffet
Broken Pencil #33 The Food Issue, October 2006. An excerpt from the article on this web link; 800 more words in the hard copy issue." 'Food is essential for us, so it only makes sense we should know where it comes from,' Levenston says matter-of-factly. But where to start? He recommends growing sprigs of parsley and handfuls of oregano at first, something small that can be put in a pot on a balcony. Progressing further means securing a swath of land to grow vegetables, fruits and even grains if the space allows." Updated October 19, 2006 44 Urban Agriculture Photos
Finding new photos that illustrate city farming is an exciting occasion. You'll find something to surprise you in this collection. "Queen Elizabeth II in lively discussion with gardening enthusiasts on their garden allotment." and "With their garden implements held on their shoulders these blind children form a 'V' for victory gardening." Posted July 27, 2006 National Post article: Worms dine just outside my kitchen
City of Vancouver - City Farmer Program. "I recalled my wife's expression from earlier that day, and also her parting words. But it was too late to bail. The instructor had already dumped a bucket of worms onto a composter lid. From this pile of damp earth emerged a swarming mosh. Suddenly, it was our turn to handle worms. We hived off into groups and got to work. My team prepped its black plastic compost box, filling it halfway with a supply of straw and shredded newspaper. Using a watering can, we more or less soaked the bedding." Posted July 23, 2006
Agricultural innovation responds to market forces just like the stock market, and all of the others in between. Issues like water, nitrogen, phosphorous, synthetic fertilizer, local foods,aquaculture, pests, and the move toward organics all need to be addressed in order to gain attention from potential ag investors. There certainly exists plenty of room for agricultural improvements, which also yields the underlying potential for agricultural innovation to transform into the next hot investment sector. Take a quick peak at what currently has Silicon Valley investors and bankers buzzing.
IDRC reports...Vancouver's Urban Agriculture Resource Centre
"A group of five writers, supported by IDRC through its Focus City Research Initiative, toured Vancouver's City Farmer, a demonstration site and resource centre for urban agriculture (UA). In addition to its public education programs, City Farmer offers a Web site that has become a information clearinghouse for UA information around the world. During WUF, City Farmer provided material and staff to demonstrate some of the innovative programs the City of Vancouver funds." Posted July 8, 2006 Soild Waste Branch Vancouver BC - Experience over 15 Years
"As sophisticated, beautiful and livable Vancouver is, there exists an element of poverty and pollution in the raw underbelly of our City that demands leadership, innovative thinking, and aggressive strategic policy and planning, combined with a healthy dose of compassion on the part of our civic leaders. " Posted June 27, 2006 Compost Chef Shares Recipe for Composting Success - at World Urban Forum
"It's like a cake," she said, "you layer it - green, brown, green, brown." The green Costa is referring to are moist materials, like kitchen scraps that are high in nitrogen. Brown materials, like leaves, are drier and high in carbon. Costa is with City Farmer, a long-time IDRC partner." Posted July 8, 2006 Lure of the Urban Veggie Garden: Digging for love, money, fame and sex appeal.
"The various efforts in Vancouver are what make the city feature prominently on the international urban gardening stage, says Michael Levenston. "We're it: Vancouver, Canada," he argues. Levenston is the seasoned guru behind the local fixture City Farmer, and he's witnessed his life-long obsession go from the fringe to the mainstream since he started out in 1978." Posted May 29, 2006 Grow your own, Big City
"People like Levenston believe there is an enormous and untapped potential to turn concrete jungles into abundant food producers. According to a mapping project undertaken by City Farmer, one third of a typical residential block in Vancouver is landscaped, and could be growing crops." Updated June 6, 2006 Urban Agriculture in Vancouver: Slideshow by City Farmer
"Vancouver is recognized as one of North America's most liveable cities. It is no coincidence that 25% of British Columbia's food is produced within an hour of downtown Vancouver and more than 40% of Vancouverites grow food in yards, balconies, and community gardens. The city is home to 1000 community garden plots at 22 active sites." Posted June 6, 2006
Vancouver's New Pesticide Reduction Bylaw - January 1, 2006
"As of January 1, 2006, the use of outdoor pesticides on lawns and in gardens will be regulated by section 5.17 of the Health By-Law No. 6580. Application of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, will be restricted. Certain conditions will need to be met before pesticides will be permitted provided they are listed in Schedule A to the by-law."
You can read about the new by-law on the Grow Natural web site:
Pesticide Use Restriction By-law for 2006
The Good, the Bad and the Bugly
"Keating says many people are afraid of ground beetles because they're quite large, but she explains they serve a very important function in biological control by eating the eggs of snails, slugs, cutworms and grubs. She blames science fiction movies about giant bugs for promoting people's fear of them. 'You have to realize they're not 10 feet tall and they're not coming to get us.'" Posted April 27, 2006 Parks board says: bugs not drugs
"The ladybugs were at the City Farmer garden with other environmentally friendly methods to illustrate a new city bylaw banning the application of pesticides. Dessureault said pests and weeds can be prevented without using harmful chemicals. She said the parks board, city and Vancouver Coastal Health are encouraging residents to 'get their yards off drugs.'" April 9, 2006
Sign up for City Farmer's Email Updates
City Farmer's Step-By-Step Photo Guide to Making a Dog Waste Composter
This waste biodegrades and flows into the subsoil. It is not used as compost in garden beds. "Collect the dog doo and drop it into the hole. Sprinkle a packet of septic tank starter on top of the dog doo and add a litre or so of water. Cover the hole with the lid. Within 48 hours, the septic tank starter, which is non-caustic, and promotes natural bacterial growth will have begun its work and you can add more dog doo. You can then begin to add it daily." updated August 17, 2005
Tours of Urban Agriculture Sites in Vancouver, BC
Visitors coming to Vancouver have a wealth of interesting urban agriculture sites to visit. Perhaps the most important sites, from City Farmer's perspective, are people's home gardens. Back lanes are useful for studying urban agriculture. They display the private back yards of homes, making it is easy to see what gardeners are growing.
Posted January 24, 2005
25 Years of City Farming, 1978-2003 - City Farmer's Story
In 1978, a group of young environmentalists working at the Vancouver Energy Conservation Center stumbled across a book called The City People's Book of Raising Food by William and Helga Olkowski. It described in everyday language how the authors grew all their own food right in the middle of the city of Berkeley. This inspiring book led us on an exploration of urban food production, which continues today, twenty-five years later.
Posted January 25, 2005
Vancouver's Worm Program Written-up in Der Spiegel Magazine
"Der Spiegel magazine published a story about Vancouver's worm composting program in their well-read magazine on page 182 of issue No. 39, dated September 20, 2004. Their circulation is around 1.1 million and the magazine is distributed in Germany, Switzerland and Austria, as well as all over the world at foreign language newsstands." Posted September 26, 2004
Worm Bins Turn Kitchen Scraps Into Compost
National Geographic's web site features a story on Vancouver's wormbin distribution program. Their on-line site publishes roughly 60 stories a month, and has on average 1.3 million readers a month. This is wonderful coverage and shows the world our City's commitment to a healthier environment. Posted September 14, 2004
Virtual Tour of City Farmer's Demonstration Garden
This virtual tour was created by Graham Clark in April 2004. You will need QuickTime and the On2 codec installed to view the tour. This software is free and can be downloaded once you click on the link. If your QuickTime software and browser won't play the tour, go to this site and download the On2 QuickTime plugin. On2 Plugin Updated September 13, 2005
Cob Oven Cooking Event at City Farmer
Played on CBC radio on August 29, 2004 ... the City Farmer show, recorded on location at the City Farmer garden in Vancouver. Guests include James Barber, Eve Johnson and Assefa Kebede cooking in the cob oven..." Posted September 5, 2004
Green Roof on our Cob Garden Shed (see Cob Oven and Cob Slideshows 1 and 2 as well)
44% of Vancouver Households Grow Food says City Farmer
40% of Toronto Households Grow Food
News Flash ... March 1, 2005 ... "Angola" and "Suriname" are the 199th and 200th countries to visit our web site since we began tracking visitors! (See City Farmer's country count.) Almost 5 million hits were recorded on our site during the year 2004!
Urban Agriculture
Books For Sale
How to find information on our site. Our web site includes both local (Vancouver) City Farmer stories and urban agriculture information from around the globe.
1. Use the search engine:
The "Recent Pages" link just below is updated almost daily. That's where you'll find all the latest stories. Don't miss it!
2. See most recently added pages:
Most Recent Pages and Links Added (by Date)
3. Use the topic links:
Africa * Asia * Europe * Latin America * Middle-East * North America * South-East Asia/Australia * South Asia
Allotments/Community Gardens * Books/Media * Children * City Farmer * Entrepreneurs * Growing Food * Health/Nutrition * Hydroponics * Insects * Livestock - Fish * Policy/Planning * Rooftops/Containers * Solid Waste/Composting * Urban Forestry * Water
4. Use quick links for Vancouver residents:
European Chafer - A New Turf Pest - Now in Greater Vancouver * Grow Natural * City Farmer's Waterwise Garden * Community Gardens in Greater Vancouver and Victoria * Instructions for Backyard Composting * Home Composting* Worm Composting * Grasscycling and Natural Lawn Care * Waterwise Gardening and the City Rain Barrel Program
* Organic Landscapers/Gardeners in Greater Vancouver * Other Rain Barrels and Water Wisdom From Around the World * How to Set Out Your Yard Trimmings * Worm Suppliers * Pet Waste Composting * Farm/Garden Land For Rent in Greater Vancouver and Elsewhere * Wholesale and Retail Native Plant Nurseries in BC * Drought Tolerant Plant List for Vancouver City Boulevards * Fruit Tree Projects
5. Some popular pages on this site:
The "Recent Pages" link just below is updated almost daily. That's where you'll find all the latest stories. Don't miss it!
Most Recent Pages and Links Added (by Date) * * Bulletins/Conferences * UA References
Welcome to City Farmer's home on the World Wide Web. After 28 years digging in the fields of Urban Agriculture, we want to share with you what we have learned. The Web makes it possible for us to reach a much larger audience than we were reaching before the arrival of on-line publications.
Our non-profit society promotes urban food production and environmental conservation from a small office in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia and from our demonstration food garden in nearby Kitsilano, a residential neighbourhood.
Map showing the location of our garden at 2150 Maple Street.
Virtual Tour of City Farmer's Demonstration Garden
This new virtual tour was created by Graham Clark in April 2004. You will need QuickTime and the On2 codec installed to view the tour. This software is free and can be downloaded once you click on the link. Posted May 2, 2004
Urban Agriculture is a new and growing field that is not completely defined yet even by those closest to it. It concerns itself with all manner of subjects from rooftop gardens, to composting toilets, to air pollution and community development. It encompasses mental and physical health, entertainment, building codes, rats, fruit trees, herbs, recipes and much more.
Our Office wants you to know about some of the issues we deal with from day to day. There are very few offices in the world that have our experience serving city farmers all year round or have done so for as many years as we have.
These pages will grow as we select the latest breaking information that comes to us, as we review our large library of resources for useful documents to put on-line, and as we hook you up with other Urban Agriculture Web sites that most certainly will emerge.
Urban Agriculture Notes is written for those who want to start up their own "Office of Urban Agriculture", for those who have already done so, and for gardeners who are curious about what we refer to as political horticulture.
"The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due, not a garden swollen to a realm;
his own hands to use, not the hands of others to command."Sam Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien
The "Recent Pages" link just below is updated almost daily. That's where you'll find all the latest stories. Don't miss it!
Most Recent Pages and Links Added (by Date)
- City Farmer's Urban Agriculture Survey
- Please help us learn more about your involvement in city farming by filling out this short survey form. Thank you!
Posted March 25, 2000
- City Farmer's Survey Results No. 2 - Second 100
- See our summary. "14 people said they sold some food at farmer's markets, retail and wholesale, a coop, restaurants and caterers, traded food for services or other food, reinvested income back to an organization, sold eggs at work and to neighbours and friends."
Posted December 27, 2001
- City Farmer's Survey Results No. 1 - First 100
- See our summary. "People from 16 countries submitted surveys - Australia, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Egypt, England, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Kuwait, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Spain and the USA. The vast majority were from the USA (56%) and Canada (26%)."
Posted May 20, 2000
- Participating in Urban Gardening, or "City Farming" - Results of an Online Survey conducted by City Farmer
- This study is based on a survey conducted by one of the organizations working to encourage participation in urban gardening and urban greening activities in general - City Farmer, based in Vancouver, B.C. City Farmer conducted an online survey over the course of 4 years. The survey asked respondents about their interests and experiences with gardening in urban areas ("city farming") The survey garnered 500 responses at the time of writing. Each respondent was asked 19 different questions about their experiences with gardening."
Updated August 5, 2007
- Resource Centre on Urban Agriculture and Forestry (RUAF) Stories: City Farmer is honoured to be a partner in this five year project.
- "During recent decades, Urban Forestry has been developed as integrative and interdisciplinary approach encompassing the planning, establishing and management of those urban green areas in which trees are the main element, such as woodlands, parks, gardens, cemeteries, derelict land and former industrial sites, and roadside and square plantations." Posted March 3, 2004
- January 31, 2004 Application Deadline for the AGROPOLIS Awards
- "AGROPOLIS International Graduate Research Awards in Urban Agriculture - application forms can be obtained from the Cities Feeding People website in English, French, and Spanish and also in Arabic (not yet posted)". Posted November 11, 2003
- Urban Agriculture and Food Security (PDF)
and Urban Agriculture Magazine for the World Summit on Sustainable Development(PDF)
- "Two special issues of the UA-Magazine have also been published. The first one, Urban Agriculture and Food Security, was distributed at the FAO World Summit on Food Security, held in June in Rome, Italy. The second, has been prepared for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, which will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August 2002. Both specials can be downloaded as PDF files." Posted October 6, 2002
- RUAF: Resource Centre On Urban Agriculture And Forestry
- "RUAF is a global information and communications programme implemented by seven regional institutes and coordinated by ETC-International, based in Leusden, The Netherlands. RUAF is a five-year programme that is funded by DGIS (the Netherlands)and IDRC (Canada)and initiated in October 1999. The general aim of RUAF is to facilitate the integration of urban agriculture into the policies and plans of city authorities and to enhance the active involvement of all local stakeholders."
Updated October 6, 2002
- City Farmer Stories:
- 44% of Vancouver Households Grow Food says City Farmer
- "This is the first time in Canadian history a question of this sort has been asked by a professional pollster and the result is significant," says Michael Levenston, Executive Director of the 25-year-old non-profit society based in Vancouver. "That figure represents more than three-quarters of a million people in Greater Vancouver who live in households growing vegetables, fruit, berries, nuts or herbs in their yard, balcony or community garden." Posted October 6, 2002
- City Farmer Uses the Latest Aerial Photos To Find Out How Much Food is Grown in the City of Vancouver
- "Looking down from the sky it's easy to see where city farmland lies. Roofs, driveways, sidewalks, swimming pools, trees, lawns and gardens are all clearly visible. The photos on this page were taken of homes in South Vancouver between Fraser and Clarke Avenues. The excellent resolution of the shots (15cm = 1 pixel) allows us to close in from an airplane-view to an almost tree-top view of homes and gardens."
Updated October 31, 2001
- Current Photos from the Demonstration Garden
- "Wasup"? We get excited about new crops, visitors from other countries, creatures both pest and beneficial --- and because Mike has a new digital camera, this page exists.
Posted September 14, 2001
- The Christmas Tree Shredding Ceremony
- "Look, all I'll say is this. People want to know that their trees' lives haven't been sacrificed in vain; that they've served a purpose greater than a light rack. Over the years, we've recycled hundreds of thousands of Christmas trees and their remains are composted in our yard trimmings composting facility here at the Landfill. That product is then spread around Vancouver parks and sold to landscapers and residents as a rich organic fertilizer. If that isn't a higher purpose, I don't know what is."
Posted December 29, 2001
- City Farmer's Grasscycling and Natural Lawn Care Project
- "Once a week, a gentle pull of the lever starts the quiet machine - there's no gas or oil to mess with, no fumes to breathe in. A simple squeeze of the lever by the right front wheel adjusts the mower height and in minutes the lawn is cut, all the clippings are out of sight, blown as tiny pieces into the lawn where they will break down and nourish the grass."
Posted May 13, 2001
- Roots of a Political Plot
- "The growing international movement known as urban agriculture has its origin in a 2,500-square-foot Vancouver garden"
Posted May 26, 2001
- Results In! - The Best Food Garden In Vancouver Contest
- "Filled with, at different times, chicory, radicchio, basil, tomatoes, kiwis, figs, grapes, prunes, pears, and corn, Calogero's garden occupies two back yards and much of the front yard. It produces something different every week, says his daughter Lucy: "[My father] has been growing vegetables since he moved from Italy over 30 years ago. My mother makes enough tomato sauce for the family year-round, and sends some to my sister in Victoria."
Updated September 22, 2000
- City Farmer's Demonstration Garden: Detailed Plan Showing Plants and Features
- Collin Varner has drawn a beautiful plan of our garden showing exactly where everything is located. Posted August 28, 2000
- Photo Tour of City Farmer's Demonstration Garden
- See it all! The vegis, the compost toilet, the worm corner, the office in a greenhouse, and much more. Posted November 3, 1999
- Introduction to the Demonstration Garden
- Many media events take place at our beautiful garden. Sesame Street shot a segment on worm composting. And the Mayor of Vancouver cut fresh artichokes before the cameras. Updated November 3, 1999
The Easiest Way
To Predict The Future
Is To Invent It
**More Urban Agriculture Stories Can Be Found Here**
- City Farmer's Garden Gate
- Metal artist, Davide Pan has created a distinctive front gate for City Farmer's Demonstration Garden. Posted June 28, 1999
- City Farmer's History: The First Ten Years 1978-1988
- Filing cabinets, desks and high shelves of books overflow with a paper record of our efforts from the past 21 years. We have chosen various documents from this archive and placed them on the following pages to give the reader a brief glimpse of our past. Posted June 6, 1999
- Red Celery In the Sunshine - An Urban Eden: transforming hopeless backyard hardpan into a lush organic plot
- First published in 1984 in Harrowsmith magazine, this article describes City Farmer's Demonstration Food Garden. "I thought for years that just compost and the occasional load of manure were enough, and I had perfectly adequate gardens, but now, I'm not satisfied with adequate. I want Brassicas that are four feet high and three feet wide." said first Head Gardener, Catherine Shapiro. Posted May 6, 1999
- City Farmer Newspaper 1978 -1981
- "25 cents was the street price for our 'rag'. If a copy sold in a corner store we'd get half that back from the proprietor as our share. More often, we'd never find our way back to that store, and if we did, we'd find our paper had turned yellow with age." Posted May 13, 1998
- We Have a Compost Toilet!
- "But how do we use it", the staff wanted to know? "There's no water in the bowl, no handle for flushing. What can we throw in it, how do we keep track of how much human waste goes in, and what words should we use to describe our waste?" Posted November 12, 1998
- Composting Toilets
- In Vancouver, British Columbia, a 30,000 sq. ft. office complex, utilizes composting toilets and urinals for human waste disposal. City Farmer has links to toilet manufacturers from around the world. Updated March 11, 1999
- Urban Home Composting, City Farmer Style
- If all our urban organic waste was turned back into crop nourishing humus, think how fertile the ground would become.
- Dealing With a Rat in a Compost Bin
- An individual who calls the Compost Hotline is usually quite shocked that he has a rat on his property.
- City Farmer/City Of Vancouver Wormshop Program
- "Half a pound of writhing red wiggler worms are included in each worm "kit". The bin will accommodate up to 1500, so participants are encouraged to make up a second bin for themselves or a friend (they make excellent wedding gifts, shower gifts and Christmas presents!)."
- Worm Suppliers
The world's largest list of worm sellers. Updated January 4, 2002
- More about the City's Distribution of Worm Bins!
Newsweek magazine, Feb. 12, 1996, reports "Entire cities are getting into the act. Vancouver sells worm bins, wrigglers included at half price." (Kitchen Help: Wrigglers Under the Sink, page 76)
- Composting With Red Wiggler Worms
- The great advantage of worm composting is that this can be done indoors and outdoors, thus allowing year round composting. It also provides apartment dwellers with a means of composting.
- Jerry Seinfeld's Worm Bin
"What's The Deal With Worm Composting?"
- Kramer's friend, a kooky zoology Professor at a New York museum, is leading a secret expedition into the sewers of New York to search for a new species of worm that will speed up the process of decomposition in the bin.
- City Farmer Donates Garden Produce To Vancouver Hospice
- "The visual appeal alone was enough to stimulate the resident's taste buds and heighten their interest in food. This is important, as often we have to work at tempting the appetites of our residents." Updated November 8, 1998
- Mayor Opens Water-wise Garden
- This unique water conservation garden was developed by the City of Vancouver, in cooperation with City Farmer. The project, funded by Environment Canada, demonstrates the principles of water-wise gardening. It is located on the street front and will be open to the public year-round. Updated August 22, 1998
Waterwise Gardening
Principal Wholesale and Retail Native Plant Nurseries on the BC South Coast and Islands (PDF format)
- Vancouver Begins Disconnecting Downspouts
Disconnecting residential roof downspouts from the combined sewer system may be an important way to reduce water pollution caused by Combined Sewer Overflows.
- Rain Barrels and Water Wisdom From Around the World
- "Here in Bermuda all residential properties catch rainwater on the roof. Roofs are constructed of lapped limestone slate on a timber frame. The water collected drains down into a water tank which is located beneath the house."Updated October 5, 1998
The "Recent Pages" link just below is updated almost daily. That's where you'll find all the latest stories. Don't miss it!
*** Most Recent Pages and Links Added (by Date) ***
- In 1979, almost 20 years ago, City Farmer's founding directors spoke at the 20th International Science Education Symposium about our vision of Urban Agriculture.
- "Ideally we believe that simply by changing from suit to jeans, digging up a bit of lawn, and planting vegetable seeds, the city person will begin asking questions about his environment and about his urban behavior and thinking patterns."
- "To most city people soil is simply mud or dirt, not a substance in which food is born.
- "Rain, means 'no beach'. It is not seen as a drink for thirsty plants.
- "Sunny days are 'tanning days', not givers of food energy.
- "There are no such things as 'beneficial insects'. They're all big game for a can of 'Raid'.
- "Big toothed dogs are nice animals to feed. Egg producing chickens are not.
- "Left-over food, minutes after a delicious meal, becomes garbage to be trucked away out of sight rather than a valuable homemade soil conditioner."
- More About City Farmer's Work - Update December, 1996
- Our Compost Hotline has received 17,000 calls since 1992.
- 3000 visitors a year come to our Demonstration Garden.
- Since 1992, City Farmer has taught 431 children's wormshops for a total of 9771 "contacts".
Go to our new City Farmer Web Site - "City Farmer News" (www.cityfarmer.info)
The ideal project is one where people don't have meetings,
they have lunch.
The size of the team should be the size of the lunch table.Bill Joy, cofounder of Sun Microsystems
Readers in the following countries have accessed our web site since February 12, 1996. We will be looking at our web stats every day to see what new additions can be made to this list.
News Flash ... March 1, 2005 ... "Angola" and "Suriname" are the 199th and 200th countries to visit our web site since we began tracking visitors! (See City Farmer's country count.) Almost 5 million hits were recorded on our site during the year 2004!
Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Austria Australia Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Canada Cayman Islands Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Croatia (Hrvatska) Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Great Britain (UK) Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guyana Heard and McDonald Islands Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Korea(South) Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malaysia Malawi Maldives Mali Malta Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand (Aotearoa) Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Lucia Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovak Republic Slovenia Solomon Islands South Africa Spain Sri Lanka St. Helena Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tanzania Thailand Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Turkey Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay USSR (former) Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City State (Holy See) Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands (U.S.) Yemen Yugoslavia Zambia Zimbabwe
Recognition Of Our Site
We have received lots of awards and are noted in many places. Visit the trophy room.
What would you like us to add to Urban Agriculture Notes ® ?
Tell us about Urban Agriculture activities in your city.
revised, April 25, 2019
E-mail us at: firstname.lastname@example.com
Mailing Address:
City Farmer - Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture
Box 74567, Kitsilano RPO,
Vancouver, B.C. V6K 4P4 Canada
Office Phone: (604) 685-5832
Map showing the location of our garden at 2150 Maple Street.
Satellite view of 2150 Maple Street.
Garden Location:
Vancouver Compost Demonstration Garden
2150 Maple Street, Kitsilano, (6th and Maple)
Vancouver BC, V6J 3T3 Canada
Garden Phone: (604) 736-2250 Garden Hours:
Summer, April-November, Monday - Saturday 9am - 4pm
Winter, December-March, Monday and Wednesday-Saturday 9am - 4pm
Hotline: From Monday-Saturday, all year, 9am-4pm


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