Ontario Bans Bans on Clotheslines

Submitted by Charles Frost on Wed, 01/23/2008 - 22:17.

by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 01.23.08

 

It is a scandal. For 50 years the Government of Ontario promoted planning policies that encouraged the building of neat and tidy subdivisions with tight restrictive covenants that prevent all kinds of things that might be ugly, like wind turbines and solar collectors. Now, it's the thin edge of the wedge as they bring in legislation that abolishes restrictions on clotheslines for anyone who lives in a freehold detached, semi-detached or row house.

 

"We have a clothesline -- both at our home and at our cottage,'' [environment minister Gerry] Phillips said. "My neighbour has her clothes out all winter long . . . . Most homes right now can put up a clothesline and it's worked pretty well.''

 

Clothes dryers use about 900 kilowatt hours of electricity a year on average, or about six per cent of residential electricity consumption. By hanging one-quarter of their laundry loads out to dry, Phillips said consumers could save about $30 a year on their electricity bills while helping to reduce greenhouse gases.

 

"It's a no-brainer,'' he said. "It's a really good idea.'' ::Guelph Mercury

 

Next thing you know people will be allowed to rip up their driveways or put photovoltaics on their roof or build wind farms that I can see from my cottage dock. What is the world coming to?

 

See also Do Clotheslines Really Lower Property Value? , Get Ready for National Hanging Out Day and ::Fight For Your Right... to Dry

 

 

 

From: http://www.treehugger.com

 

 

 

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Skiing and skating in Northeast Ohio

Submitted by lmcshane on Thu, 01/24/2008 - 17:23.

You have to find a way to love winter in Northeast Ohio. Enjoy some skating this weekend and if we get 3 more inches of snow, you can cross-country ski at the West Creek Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks in Parma OH.  For skating, there are several frozen over wetlands just south of the main TV tower in the Reservation.

I checked the conditions today at West Creek and it was a rough x-country ski, but beautiful snow globe weather.  I encountered three families walking their dogs, but other than these brief interactions, it was just me and the off-the-beaten-track world of nature. 

West Creek is a study of nature in recovery--you will find some interesting archaeological remnants as your hike through the preserve.  I was startled to find an interesting stick igloo constructed near the TV towers.  Wonderful, primitive and anonymous art. 

We are expected to get more snow on Friday or Saturday and Sunday is predicted as sunny.  I will be out again on Sunday morning around 10 a.m.--maybe I will see some other intrepid winter aficionados.   You can always reward yourself at the strange and surreal Nice Place Cafe for a drink.

Say hello to the bar moll Holly and throw back a shot and beer with the rest of the crowd.