VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR SPRING BIRD FESTIVAL

WANTED:  VOLUNTEERS TO SET UP FOR OUR

 FIFTH ANNUAL BIRD FESTIVAL AT COLONEL SAMUEL SMITH PARK

Date:  Saturday, May 24, 2014

Time:  7:30-9:00 a.m.

Some jobs volunteers could help with are:

- posting directional signs (for those that are familiar with the park – we would provide a map and all the signs, tape, etc)

- helping to unload vehicles, to ease traffic congestion

- table and tent set-up.

We could also use a few volunteers from 1:00-1:30 p.m. to finish up.

The city will provide a bunch of high-visibility vests that we can use to identify volunteers.

If you are able to help, please contact Barbara Keaveney at Barbara.keaveney@sympatico.ca, or 416-252-7047.  “Many hands make light work!”

SUMMARY - MINUTES FOSS STEERING COMMITTEE - FEBRUARY 24/2014

Summary: Minutes of the FOSS Steering Committee Meeting 

February 24, 2014

7:00 PM LAMP, 185 5^TH Street, Etobicoke

• FOSS will submit a formal letter to Councillor Grimes outlining specific suggestions/requests for improvement of the dog park.
• A meeting scheduled by Councillor Grimes for March 3 to discuss the proposed vegetable garden has been postponed until the councillor is able to consult with local residents/businesses.
• (NOTE: The meeting has since been rescheduled for March 3 at 7 pm with or without the Councillor. Location: Humber College Lakeshore Campus, Main Building L - Room L1017, Please RSVP to sandrav@lampchc.org or call Sandra at LAMP 416-252-6471 x239)
• FOSS supports the development of a community vegetable garden at the originally suggested location only, i.e. in the field found on the south side of Lakeshore Blvd. just west of the Rabba store.
•  FOSS is concerned that proposed alternate sites (farther south or near the dog park) may be environmentally detrimental. FOSS also questions if there are alternate future plans for development of the Lakeshore Blvd. site that are comparable to the new Humber College welcome centre at the SW corner of Lakeshore and CSSP Drive. FOSS advocates open public consultation.
• Colonel Samuel Smith Park’s annual clean-up day: Sunday, April 27, 2014 from 9:00AM-3:00PM. Volunteers would be greatly appreciated.
• Spring Bird Festival is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, 2014, 9:00AM-1:00PM. FOSS will have items (e.g. t-shirts/caps) and memberships for sale. Kids’ activities include bird house/feeder construction. Art projects will have a bird-focussed theme.
• FOSS is sponsoring a spring photography competition. Theme: “To portray CSS Park as a place for quietly enjoying nature in any season”. Limit of 2 photos per competitor. Watch blog for details. Winning photos to be showcased on the blog and at the Spring Bird Festival. Prizes.
• CCFEW-sponsored bird walks are scheduled for: March 15-Col. S.S. Park, April 26-CSS Park. April’s walk is led by Bob Yukich. Meet in the south parking lot.
• For more information about kids’ (Grades 1-8) nature classes scheduled to be held in CSS Park during May and June, contact Jimmy Vincent (416.675.6622 ext. 5009/jimmy.vincent@humber.ca) at the Humber Arboretum. Be sure to mention the CCFEW subsidy. The park is readily accessible by TTC bus.

SATURDAY MARCH 15TH - SAM SMITH PARK BIRD WALK

FIRST EVER FOSS PHOTO COMPETITION

FOSS PHOTO COMPETITION – 2014

Although many themes are possible in a much used and appreciated park like ours, the theme we have chosen is one that best portrays Sam Smith Park as a place for people to quietly enjoy nature in any season -

a photograph that would encourage those who do not know the natural beauty of our park (the plants, animals, birds, scenery etc.) to come and visit.

The competition is open to everyone on our mailing list at any skill level (hopefully to become full members soon!) Here’s a link to the FOSS membership form.  Photographs can be ones you have taken at any time.

Send your digital photographs to FOSS email – friendsofsamsmithpark@gmail.com and please don’t send us more than 2 per contributor. Photographs should be in jpeg format and have enough pixilation suitable for an 8 x 10 print. If you want, an embedded caption could be added to the photograph. The deadline for sending photographs is Tuesday, May 13th, 2014.

Photo contributors understand that by emailing their photographs they will be giving FOSS permission to reproduce them for non-commercial purposes like promotion.  All submitted photos will be eventually posted on FOSS’s website as a slideshow for all to enjoy

The current steering committee will judge all entries.  The first and second place winners will be notified by e-mail and the results posted on the website a week before the Spring Bird Festival (Saturday, May 24^th).

Prizes will be awarded at the festival at the FOSS booth where the two winning 8x10 prints will be on display.

Enjoy.  Give us your best shot!