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City Farmer celebrates the new ways that urban dwellers across North America are reimagining cities as places of food production. From homeowners planting their front yards with vegetables to guerilla gardeners scattering seeds in neglected urban corners, gardening guru Lorraine Johnson chronicles the increasing popularity of innovative urban food growing.

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She is everywhere: as a vehicle for both farmers and advertisers, a subject for research scientists and poets, and ever-present in the form of lucky charms, children's toys, or simply as a tasty sandwich-filler. The female of the bovine species is revered as sacred or reviled as stupid, but one thing she never inspires is indifference. After more than ten thousand years living alongside us, she remains a beguiling mystery. Combining a myriad of richly entertaining anecdotes and an abundance of illuminating discoveries, Florian Werner presents the curious cultural history of that most intriguing of animals: the cow.Since evolving from the aurochs, an ungulate that grazed the Persian grasslands, the cow has embedded itself into virtually all aspects of our lives. Cow is the first book to look at the animal in its countless manifestations in cultures around the world. Werner examines cows' role in commerce as an early form of currency and their place on our plates and in our stomachs in the form of meat and dairy products. Florian Werner examines how cows are worshipped in some circles, such as in Hindu mythology, and abhorred in others, today being vilified as an agent of climate change. And he waxes philosophic about the significance of the cow's rumination and cud chewing, as well as her simple but meaningful moo.<br>Combining thorough research with an accessible writing style, Florian Werner offers readers an eye-opening perspective on this commodified animal, whose existence is inextricably intertwined with ours and which we too often take for granted.

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Florian Werner, Temple Grandin, Doris Ecker

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This beautifully illustrated, inspirational guide to bird photography is packed with practical advice for how to photograph birds presented in an informative but accessible writing style. Creative Bird Photography offers a fresh approach to its subject, looking closely at how to photograph specific aspects of birds lives, such as eating and drinking, courtship, and flight. The author gives examples, demonstrating particular points and approaches for taking great shots of all of these daily bird activities as well as taking "mood" photographs at dawn and dusk.  Each shot is accompanied by detailed technical data, information about locations, and advice about other challenges that will need to be surmounted in order to achieve the perfect shot. Coster also shares fascinating anecdotes about his encounters with the birds featured. There are also up-to-date sections on bird photography basics, including equipment and storage of digital images.<br>

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Throughout her childhood, Marion Farrant heard exotic stories of the sophisticated life her mother, Nancy, led aboard cruise ships and in Australia. Nancys world of furs, jewels, cigarette holders, and handsome men seemed miles away from the west-coast hamlet of Cordova Bay, where Marion lived with her aunt and uncle, running wild on the beach with her friends and enjoying weekend visits with her devoted father. But things changed the year she entered her teens. First, a package from Nancy arrived in the maila gift of sexy lingerie. Next, Nancy threw everyone into a tizzy with the surprise announcement that she was coming for a visit.

In this memoir of her fourteenth summer, Marion Farrant captures a lost time and place with hilarity and affection. The setting is Vancouver Island, the year 1960. It is the heyday of the nuclear family; the time of the Three Stooges, the Red Menace, and Whipper Billy Watson; the apex of plastic, arborite, and everything turquoise: high heels, pedal pushers, refrigerators, cars, and even, at Easter, the fur of live rabbits. Witty, tender, and wry, My Turquoise Years is a book for anyone who remembers being a teenager.

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From the scoring exploits of historic greats like Gordie Howe, Dit Clapper and Joe Malone to hockey heroics ripped from yesterday's headlinesincluding the wild 2011 Cup final between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucksthese quizzes and games will test the knowledge and stoke the passions of hockey fans everywhere.In eight cleverly constructed theme chapters, among them a chapter on swashbuckling Stanley Cup clashes and another on the on-ice drama at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, renowned hockey trivia master Don Weekes takes the reader on a colourful journey through hockey lore. From glorious victories to hilarious interview quotes, the greatest sport on ice is crammed, in all its zany glory, into this terrific trivia collection.

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In these delightful meditations, biologist and bird lover Richard Cannings weaves stories of his personal encounters with birds into fascinating descriptions of their behavior, anatomy, and evolution. He muses over the meadowlarks ability to hide their nests so completely that he has seen only two in a lifetime spent searching for them; the trumpeter swan, as picky as a two-year old, devouring potatoes and carrots but turning up its beak at Brussels sprouts; the northern gannet, with its snowy plumage, black wingtips, and startling blue eyes; the little saw-whet owl, which dabbles in bigamy and even trigamy; and more than two dozen other birds. Covering the entire continent, from the cacophony of a seabird colony on the shores of the Atlantic to a symphony of snow geese on the autumn plains to songbird courtship in the alpine tundra of the Rockies, An Enchantment of Birds informs and entertains, in one fell swoop.

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The Natural History of a Changing Region

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The Great Lakes have been central to the development of eastern North America. In this beautifully designed, comprehensive gem of a guide to the ecosystem at the heart of Canada (The Tyee), award-winning science and nature writer Wayne Grady makes scientific concepts accessible as he reveals how human impact has changed this life-giving region.The Great Lakes: A Natural History of a Changing Region is the most authoritative, complete and accessible book to date about the biology and ecology of this vital, ever-changing terrain. Written by one of Canada's best-known science and nature writers, it is intended not only for those who live in the Great Lakes region, but for anyone captivated by the splendor of the natural world and sensitive to the challenges of its preservation. It is both a first-hand tribute and an essential guide to a fascinating ecosystem in eternal flux.

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An Elder's Vision for Our Sustainable Future

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In this expanded version of an inspiring speech delivered in December 2009, David Suzuki reflects on how we got where we are today and presents his vision for a better future. In his living memory, Suzuki has witnessed cataclysmic changes in society and our relationship with the planet: the doubling of the worlds population, our increased ecological footprint, and massive technological growth.<br>Today we are in a state of crisis, and we must join together to respond to that crisis. If we do so, Suzuki envisions a future in which we understand that we are the Earth and live accordingly. All it takes is imagination and a determination to live within our, and the planet's, means. This book is the culmination of David Suzukis amazing life and all of his knowledge, experience, and passion  it is his legacy.

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The imaginative, hilarious, and moving memoir of a woman coping with multiple diseases.
At forty-three, Robyn Levy was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and breast cancer. With irreverent and at times mordant humor, Levy chronicles her early, mysterious symptoms of Parkinson's (a dragging left foot, a frozen left hand, and a crash into downward dead dog position), the devastating diagnosis, her discovery of two lumps in her breast, her mastectomy and oophorectomy, and her life since then dealing with her diverse disease portfolio.
Levy is accompanied on her journey by a fantastic cast of characters, including her Cry Lady (who always makes appearances at inopportune times) and perky Dolores the Prosthesis, as well as her loyal dog and a convoy of health professionals, family members, friends, and neighbors.
Both heartbreaking and hilarious, Most of Me offers a unique glimpse into a creative mind, an ailing body, and the restorative power of humor and fantasy.

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In the spring of 2000, Heather Ingram, a 30-year-old high school teacher in a small town on the coast of British Columbia, was convicted of the sexual exploitation of a minor for having an affair with a 17-year-old student. A straight A student who graduated at the top of her high school class and won the award for top student in the secondary education program at the University of British Columbia, Ingram went on to become one of the most popular and highly respected teachers at Chatelech Secondary School in Sechelt, B.C. Trapped in an unhappy relationship that was undermining her self-confidence, Ingram found herself more and more drawn to Troy, a rebellious young student in her accounting class. She describes in unstinting detail how what began as a mild flirtation developed into a powerful attraction and then into a relationship of several years duration, which had the full support of Troys family. Ingram also describes the pain of going public with the affair, the loss of her job and her status in the community,her trial and conviction, and the ten months she spent under house arrest.

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This book tells the story of the provinces geology and the history of its living creatures. The first edition of Geology of British Columbia,, with its accessible but rigorous science, struck a chord with readers. Since it was first published, theories about plate tectonics and the geological history of British Columbia have evolved, and this new edition reflects the current thinking. This book also features updated content throughout, seven new maps, and a number of new photographs. A brand new appendix lists and describes key geological sites in British Columbia, adding a field-guide component to this informative book that will engage readers and compel them to go see these rocks for themselves.

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Sydney Cannings, Richard Cannings, JoAnne Nelson

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The North Atlantic coast of North Americacommonly known as the Atlantic Coastextends from Newfoundland and Labrador through the Maritime Provinces and the Northeastern United States south to Cape Hatteras. This North Atlantic region belongs to the sea. The maritime influence on climate, flora, and fauna is dominant  even far inland. Both on land and at sea, this region is where north meets south, where the great northern boreal forests intermingle with the southern coniferous-hardwood forests, and where the icy Labrador Current and the tropical Gulf Stream vie for supremacy and eventually mix. The Atlantic Coast draws upon the best and most up-to-date science on the ecology of the region as well as the authors lifetime experience as a resident, biologist, and naturalist. The book explores the geological origins of the region, the two major forest realms, and the main freshwater and marine ecosystems, and describes the flora and fauna that characterize each habitat. It ends with a look at what has been lost and how the remaining natural heritage of the region might be conserved for the future.

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Coming of Age with the Music of Bruce Springsteen

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There are dozens of books about the Boss, exploring every facet of his career. So what's left to say? Nothing objective, perhaps. But when it comes to music, objectivity is highly overrated. Robert Wiersema has been a Springsteen fan since he was a teenager. By most definitions, he's a fanatic: following tours to see multiple shows in a row, watching set lists develop in real time via the Internet, ordering bootlegs from shady vendors in Italy. His attachment is deeper than fandom, though: he's grown up with Springsteen's music as the soundtrack to his life, beginning with his working-class youth in rural British Columbia and continuing on through dreams of escape, falling in love, and becoming a father.Walk Like a Man is liner notes for a mix tape, a frank and inventive blend of biography, music criticism, and memoir over the course of thirteen tracks. Like the best mix tapes, it balances joy and sorrow, laughter seasoning the dark-night-of-the-soul questions that haunt us all. Wiersema's book is the story of a man becoming a man (despite getting a little lost along the way), and of the man and the music that have accompanied him on his journey.

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The Remarkable Legacy of the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation

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In 1998, hoping to leave a legacy for the new millennium, the federal government created the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation, which has since funded and empowered more than a million young Canadians. The Foundation itself has been a remarkable success story, a model of efficiency and political manoeuvring. The essential feature of the program was its innovative partnering with the provinces, recognizing different approaches to the issue - a stellar example of asymmetrical federalism.A brilliant, funny and highly entertaining storyteller, Silver Donald Cameron tells the inside story of the Foundations life, which serves as a case study in astute management practice in the face of serious challenges. Woven into the narrative are the stories of individuals whose lives were affected by the Foundations programs. Inspiring, funny, heart-breaking and surprising, these tales form the heart of the book. A Million Futures is the definitive testament to a unique, ground-breaking and transformative institution, abounding with useful lessons for organizations of all kinds, and anyone interested in innovative public policy.

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As earthquakes have struck around the world with alarming frequency, millions have realized they are unprepared for similar catastrophes close to home. Online disaster plans and older booksheavy with seismic science and a survivalist focusleave the average reader overwhelmed with details and anxiety. How much water will I need? What if Im driving? How do I protect my six-year-old? The questions go onand in this book Maggie Mooney answers them. Her four-week readiness program includes straightforward instructions, forms, and checklists. Mooney explains what to expect during a quake, and what to do when the shaking stops. She also addresses both aftershocks and tsunamis.Use this guide and the checklists inside to get ready:
Find your safe spots at home, at work, at school, and outdoors.Develop your emergency communication plan.Shake-proof your home.
Assemble emergency supplies.
By following the steps in the four-week readiness program described here you can avoid injury and ensure you have the food, water and other essentials you need to be prepared rather than scared.

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Whether you bicycle for fitness, pleasure, transportation or all of the above, Easy Cycling around Vancouver features dozens of routes to discover across the Lower Mainland and northwestern Washington State. From Squamish to Bellingham, Richmond to Agassiz, Jean and Norman Cousins guide you along winding backroads and quiet country lanes, pointing out the best cafes and swimming holes as well as local flora and historic sites.<br>This updated and expanded second edition includes:* forty-five tours (nine all-new ones) ranging from 20 to 45 km long* concise, easy-to-follow maps and route descriptions* helpful tips about cycling basics, safety and trip planningTry a flat, scenic trail with the kids or combine several tours to make up a multi-day trip. Ride right from your front door or take a bus, train or ferry to the starting point. Whatever your cycling interest, Easy Cycling around Vancouver will fit the bill.

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How Human Folly and a Tiny Bug Are Killing North America's Great Forests

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Beginning in the late 1980s, a series of improbable bark beetle outbreaks unsettled iconic forests and communities across western North America. An insect the size of a rice kernel eventually killed more than 30 billion pine and spruce trees from Alaska to New Mexico. Often appearing in masses larger than schools of killer whales, the beetles engineered one of the world's greatest forest die-offs since the deforestation of Europe by peasants between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries.
The beetle didn't act alone. Misguided science, out-of-control logging, bad public policy, and a hundred years of fire suppression created a volatile geography that released the world's oldest forest manager from all natural constraints. Like most human empires, the beetles exploded wildly and then crashed, leaving in their wake grieving landowners, humbled scientists, hungry animals, and altered watersheds. Although climate change triggered this complex event, human arrogance assuredly set the table. With little warning, an ancient insect pointedly exposed the frailty of seemingly stable manmade landscapes.
Drawing on first-hand accounts from entomologists, botanists, foresters, and rural residents, award-winning journalist Andrew Nikiforuk, investigates this unprecedented beetle plague, its startling implications, and the lessons it holds.

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Jack Christie has been sharing his enthusiasm for the outdoors since the 1980s. Through his popular guidebooks and media appearances, he has helped countless Vancouverites and visitors alike appreciate the renowned natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities of the Pacific Northwest. From the first time he combed through his files and pulled together his favourite day trips from Vancouver into a single book, a success story was born. Now revised and updated, 52 Best Day Trips will enrich the west coast experience for many new adventurers. The best views, the best biking, the best beaches, the best outings for kids--they're all here, described in the clear, upbeat, observant prose that is Jack's trademark.Whether you're up for a trek with the dog, in search of a quiet picnic spot with a great view or looking for a place that will impress out-of-town visitors, Jack's 52 Best Day Trips will point you in the right direction. From Delta to Whistler, the North Shore to the Fraser Valley, detailed directions and custom maps help you find your way and enjoy the sights en route. Driving distance, time to allow and activities available once you reach your destination are highlighted for each area.

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Part green-lifestyle guide, part popular science, How Bad Are Bananas? is the first book to provide the information we need to make carbon-savvy purchases and informed lifestyle choices and to build carbon considerations into our everyday thinking.The book puts our decisions into perspective with entries for the big things (the World Cup, volcanic eruptions, the Iraq war) as well as the small (email, ironing, a glass of beer). And it covers the range from birth (the carbon footprint of having a child) to death (the carbon impact of cremation).Packed full of surprises  a plastic bag has the smallest footprint of any item listed, while a block of cheese is bad news  the book continuously informs, delights, and engages the reader. Solidly researched and referenced, the easily digestible figures, statistics, charts, and graphs (including a section on the carbon footprint of various foods) will encourage discussion and help people to make up their own minds about their consumer choices.

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Charles Wilkins, then a university student, took a job as a gravedigger in a vast corporate cemetery in the east end of Toronto during the hazy summer of 1969. The bizarre-but-true events of that time-a midsummer gravediggers' strike, the unearthing of a victim of an unsolved murder, and a little illegal bone-shifting-play out among a Barnum-esque parade of mavericks and misfits in this macabre and hilarious memoir.<br>Amid relentless gallows humor and the inevitable reminders of what it is, finally, to be human, Wilkins provides an unforgettable insider's view of a morbidly fascinating industry. In the Land of Long Fingernails is a story of mortality, materialism, friendship and sexuality... and the gradual coming-of-age of an impressionable young man.