Having been one of those families suffering from one of those “restructuring” decisions by a local employer we have been taking some time to review our situation and options.

Anne Finlay-Stewart is currently in the process of opening a local food market in downtown Owen Sound (with free parking!)

Anne is a regular blogger here on the Grey-Bruce views page, as well as my former campaign manager, and a regular member of the "get 'er done" set in Owen Sound.

The new store will offer year-round access to the best food the region has to offer.

The Grey Local of the National Farmers Union has given the plan amazing support with money, experienced advice, committed suppliers and hands-on help.

Presenters were really stepping back from the microphone to take a look at the big picture this morning, as stakeholders in the culinary tourism and local food system movement charted the progress thus far and challenges ahead for the gastronomic phenomena that has seen the word LOCAL slapped up against just about everything in the consumer world.

• This long piece by Dmitry Orlov, a Russian who watched the collapse of the regime there in the 80s, is quite interesting given that we collectively  seem to be well into stage 2 of his 5 stages which he gives as:- 

In 2009 you may not be asked to vote on who will represent you at any level.

Municipal elections will be in 2010, provincial in 2011 and federal...well, according to the fixed election legislation that didn't appear to apply this time, it is scheduled for October 15, 2012.

So in this breathing space when everyone is supposed to be doing his or her job rather than auditioning for it, let's think together about what we want our representatives to do for us.

A few interesting observations can be found in a recent news article about Mr. Schmidt’s recent conviction on contempt of court charges for failing to stop supplying raw milk to his customers.