Today we go over some of the basics of how to be in touch with BT. Kevin and Jenn help me explain how you can be involved with the show!
See you Monday.
Kevin (kevinf@citytv.com)
On Friday I got the chance to read a Robert Munsch story to 150 students in City Hall Council Chamber. It was to promote Family Literacy Day which happened on January 27th. Myself and four other celebrity readers, including Robert Munsch himself, were attempting to break a Guinness World Record for Most Children reading with an adult – multiple locations. We are still waiting on the results but it looks good. The previous record of 78 791was set in the US in 2006. ABC Canada registration numbers exceeded 190 000 across Canada. It happened in schools, libraries, other City Halls, Literacy Centres, Boys and Girls Clubs etc… Click the play button to hear me read PIGS.
Happy Reading
Jenn
Starting Seeds it seems like a good idea …doesn’t it?? Late January is the time of year that seed displays start arriving at grocery stores to garden centres. The bright coloured packages personally get me excited about the upcoming growing season. The options seem endless. From Blue Poppies, to space saver cucumbers to scarlet runner beans …so many choices so much fun. Before you consider starting seeds ask yourself the following questions.
Do I need that many plants?? Tomatoes have always been a popular choice to start seeds however 1 to 4 tomato plants is all you really need. If planted in the correct location 1 tomato plant can yield enough tomatoes to feed a family of 4 comfortably meaning it may be easier to buy a 4 pack of tomato starters in May then try starting them indoors.
Do I have the space and light?? 1 Seed tray doesn’t take up a lot of space but 4, 5, and 6 trays can take a ton of space!! Light is very important when seed starting. If seedlings are not given adequate amounts of light you’ll find they stretch resulting in weak stems and even plant loss.
When should I sow the seeds?? Most annuals seeds need to be sown indoors 4 to 8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. This info is usually found on the back of the pack of seeds. To figure out what that date is go to a calendar and go to the last time you typically see frost in your area lets say May 15 next count back 4 weeks – this would give you a sow date of the week of May 12th. CHECK THE BACK OF THE PACK TO SEE SOW INSTRUCTION SOME SEEDS SUCH AS MORNING GLORY CAN BE DIRECTLY SOWN OUTDOORS AFTER FROST.
Do my seeds need extra attention?? When reading a seed pack you may find words such as stratification, scarification and soaking. Each is a method of insuring your seeds germination. Stratification means a period of cooling the seed, scarification means nicking or scaring the seed with a nail file to help allow the plant to crack out of the seeds hard shell. Soaking is just as it sounds a period of soaking a seed to soften the seed shell to allow germination.
Do I really have the time to take care of them? Seedlings are living things requiring watering and also requiring hardening off before planting outdoors. Hardening off could simply be opening a window to cool a room in preparation of planting outdoors or also could mean moving seed trays outdoors during frost free days of warmer weather and indoors at night for a period of 1 to 2 weeks. So the time investment could grow!!
Seed starting is fun and can be very easy. Marigolds, tomatoes, beans and many more are very simple however before you get dirty make sure it suits you and your lifestyle. The advantages to seed starting are you will save money, you can get the varieties you want and you can also insure the plants you are growing are truly organic.
Happy Seed Starting!!
Frankie
If you have a question about seed starting or just a gardening gripe email me at frankieflowers@chumtv.com
The Remix Project is a government funded community program that works with at-risk youth using hip hop and urban arts as an engagement tool. It is a 4800 square foot facility with a full recording studio, business development centre, visual arts lab and editing suite. Click the Play Button to Check it out. What an amazing program!!!!!
I got a bunch of business cards before I left…click on some of the websites.
www.theremixproject.ca
www.marceckotime.ca
www.lostinthewilderness.com
www.shuffleparty.com
www.vansheek.com
www.get-fresh.ca
www.myspace.com/aka-cauz
www.mediaphase.com
www.myspace.com/prologicmusic
www.myspace.com/officialpulse
www.ridgewaylive.com
www.myspace.com/royalz06
search facebook for
rep clothing
rep GTA
rep mixshaw
Have a Great Day!
Jenn Valentyne
On Thursday I went to the Danier Spring Preview. They have a lot of great stuff coming out next season. Click the Play Button to check out the footage I shot with my SANYO.
Take a look at the BT Bites at www.bttoronto.ca to see footage from today’s Live Eye at Ultimate Canadian Cheer and Dance.
Have a Great Day
Jenn
I tried it and I liked it! Today was the very first time I tried Haggis. Kev and Dina didn’t believe I liked it but I did…honest. This Sunday is the 250th Anniversary of Robert Burns‘ (Rabbie Burns) birth so we went to Up Yer Kilt in Brampton to celebrate. Click the Play Button to see the addressing of the Haggis and check out BT Bites to see me eat it.
Happy Rabbie Burns Day on Sunday
Jenn Valentyne
I have to admit it, I’m done with winter!! Most years I’m a huge fan of winter I love to ski, I enjoy shoveling the driveway –it’s a work out but this year I’m just tired of temps way below freezing, bone chilling wind chills and snow banks higher than my car!! I’m in need of spring.
My savior!! I bought and then brought some spring home. Grocery stores, garden centres and florist shops are you closest link to spring. Currently they are offering a huge selection of plants and cut flowers that are both cheap and cheerful!! Here are just a few:
Potted Gerber Daisy: Bright colours, bold blooms. Indoors flowers will last for up to a month.
Potted Primula: With flowers of bright blue, warm yellow, powerful pink and cheerful red. Blooms can last for a month indoors and after frost warning primula can be planted outdoors in a shady garden.
Potted Spring Bulbs: Including tulips, daffodils, crocus, and hyacinths. These are true inspirations of spring. Note flowers will cycle faster (die off) when placed in warm rooms. To make them last place in cooler rooms.
Potted Mini Roses, African violets, and more…..
Cuts:
Tulips, Lilies, chrysanthemums and gerbers
My only rule when choosing a flower or potted plant to take you from winter depression to spring smiles stay away from white…I feel with all the snow we have enough white in our lives!! Way too much snow!!
Frankie
Email me your gardening questions at frankieflowers@chumtv.com
Look me up on facebook under Frank Flowers Ferragine
Gyrotonic translates to “circular toning”. Gyrotonic exercise consists of a series of circular, spiraling motions designed to tone your body inside and out. The workout is like Yoga on a Machine. Crispin is an Authorized Pre-Trainer who trained in New York. Click the Play Button to check out an exercise you can do at home to improve your posture.
Have a Great Day
Jenn Valentyne
CLICK HERE for more info on GYROTONIC
So, what does a producer do? That is the topic of today’s “After-Show Blog”.
See you in the morning.
Kevin (kevinf@citytv.com)
Too Funny! Dina created a SUPER JENN graphic along with our Graphic Designer Bryan Hoar. Click the Play Button to see how she surprised me with it this morning. I couldn’t see it because I didn’t have a monitor but everyone else could. I saw it when I got back to the station. I laughed. Thanks Dina…I feel Super.
For more info on Chinguacousay Park in Brampton go to www.brampton.ca
Have a Super Day
Jenn Valentyne