This (Past Four) Week's Favourite Things! Monday May 2nd - Sunday May 29th, 2016

1.  Our garden, especially lemon balm and asparagus that are now nice and established; as well as haskap berry bushes and lots more.  Next time I'll post some pics.
 
2.  This "Paradise Stolen" youtube series, by Stefan Verstappen who also made "How To Survive Corruption" which has been on this list before.  I like that this guy keeps making the connection between psychopathy and all sorts of things in society that don't otherwise make sense.

Paradise Stolen - Episode 1 (don't show your children!)  Paradise Stolen - Episode 2 - The Myth of Efficiency  Paradise Stolen - Episode 3 - The Myth of Overpopulation Paradise Stolen - Episode 4 - The Myth of Terrorism Paradise Stolen - Episode 5 - Why We Are Poor
 
also: 

Historical Cycles: Are We Doomed To Repeat The Past?

3.  This Vimeo video, a short cartoon by Taylor Erikson called "The Greatest Economics Lesson"

4.  This American company: Youthbuild - where youths are taught the skills necessary to construct affordable housing, in a number of countries, thus fixing 2 problems with one solution: underemployment among youths, and a lack of affordable housing.  This company receives funding from the Skoll foundation, which was founded by Canadian -born billionaire Jeffery Skoll.  I ended up researching this guy after reading Canadian Business's article: Canada's Richest People 2016: The top 25 Richest Canadians. 

5.    Speaking of creative uses of resources to solve problems: this article about Portland Oregon commercial real estate investors "Menashe Properties" who offered up one of their office properties to shelter homeless "As Multnomah Village Shelter Closes, Menashes Offer Up Downtown Relo Spot"

Given the high vacancy rate reported for office property in downtown Halifax, perhaps there is opportunity here too. 

6.  Animal Sculptures by Ellen Jewett 

7.   This post "Ceramic Animal Art", especially like the pieces at the end by Brendan Hesmondhalgh

8. We Create - Why we need handbuilt homes.  Great documentary on youtube about cob building with a focus on how this building method is both affordable and fosters community

9.  Companies in other provinces that develop affordable housing available to purchase "rent to own", for locals who may just want to own a relatively simple place and not one of the luxury units that seem to be used increasingly as investment vehicles for foreign investors.  Sounds good in this Global news article: "1000 dollar down payment among Canada's affordable home ownership options."   Eg, Options for Homes in Ontario,  and its affiliate in Montreal, "Acces Condos" which works in collaboration with SHDM. Would similar rent to own developments make sense for Halifax?  Councilor Gloria McCluskey has mentioned this preference in the media both recently and in the past.