Issue #30 - The Jasper Community Team

Time is right:local foodiescontinued from pg 3More than anything, the groupbelieves the time is right for alocal food society to flourish.McKay, Klassen and Winklerhad been informally discussingthe possibilities of local foodinitiatives—things like bringingin produce from the RobsonValley, garden sharing andfarmers’ markets—but it wasn’tuntil they realized similarthoughts waves had beenp e r c o l a t i n g w i t h o t h e rcommunity members that theystarted to get organized. Whenthe Jasper Library drew largenumbers to a info session ongardening and the nutritionalbenefits of a local harvest, theyknew it was time to act.“I think eating locally isbecoming more important topeople,” McKay said.But as they’re learning, eventhe most relevant, wellintendedplans can comeunder siege if they haven’tbeen looked at from all sides.Klassen, McBain, McKay andWinkler might have imaginedtheir first project would bebuilding the planter boxes forthe Lions’ Park, not creating aletter defending the idea ton a y s a y e r s o r r a l l y i n gsupporters for a councilmeeting.While that thought may be abit of a downer, amongst therapid-fire conversation takingplace in the Winkler’s diningroom, there’s plenty of reasonto believe that this will be buta small hurdle, somethingwhich, if anything, will furthersolidify their dedication to thecause.As the babies bounce on theirparents’ laps, one thing is forcertain: this passion, like thenutrient-rich soil in Ursula’sbackyard, will be the foundationfor anything and everythingable to grow in Jasper.To find out what’s growing, callthe Jasper Library, 852-3652.Page 4Jasper Sustainability Club for Youth members (clockwise from front), Nicole Alton, Matt Doley,Kai Okazaki, Emily Fenton, teacher Adam Robb and Adrian Butler. The group was working ontheir presentation which they delivered at a Green Thinkers “unconference” in Seattle.Flash Mobsters implore greenthinkers to ‘include the youth’They’re too young to be bitter, but if themembers of the Jasper Youth SustainabilityClub were ever sour about not being morei n v o l v e d i n J a s p e r ’s C o m m u n i t ySustainability Plan, they’re over it.Apparently, being the only high school agedgroup to be invited to a high-profile expo ofsustainable planning and development willdo wonders for the confidence.“They felt at the end they weren’t takenseriously,” teacher Adam Robb said abouthis students’ participation in Jasper’sinitiative to glean green ideas fromresidents. “I thought we needed to dosomething positive to show their effortsweren’t for nothing.”Browser search key: Jasper Street Dance 2010Enjoy The Skinny: Issue #30Such was the beginnings of what descendedon Patricia Street April 28 in the form of 150or so costumed, dancing high schoolstudents. The “Flash Mob” was organized viasocial media in the span of a week. Studentswere instructed to show up at 12:20 p.m.and get their groove on while Robb filmedfrom a slowly moving car. The viral videoshows a morose Paul Butler, representingJasper’s ‘old guard,’ making his way downwhat he perceives to be an empty street.He’s oblivious to the melee behind him, tothe youth movement and to the potentialleadership in his community. TheSustainability Club for Youth hopes to makesure the people they meet in Seattle don’tmiss the potential in their own communities.“Our goal is to have 50 builders incorporateyouth directly into their projects,” Robb said.Adrian Butler, the Club’s “tech guy,” saidyouth involvement opens windows ofpossibilities for green projects. “We’re notlimited by politics,” he said. “Youth are apowerful resource if you know how to usethem.”Check their blog: jasperscy.blogspot.comMay 010May 010Enjoy The Skinny: Issue #30Page 9