Wanderlust and Words

Did you know? Cabbage White butterfly were introduced in Quebec in the 1860s and have since spread across North America. They can be found from Nunavut to northwest Mexico.   I’m sure that none of you have a problem identifying a Saskatoon Berry  and if you’ve done any gardening at all you will be able to recognize a Cabbage White butterfly at a glance. But you may be less familiar with Water Boatman and Tiger Salamander . And I only learned to recognize Garry Oak and Camas after multiple trips to Vancouver Island. Four years ago my brother, Andrew McKinlay, was hiking in Big Bend National Park in Texas and was frustrated. He was seeing all sorts of interesting plants, insects, trees, and other wildlife but was struggling to identify them. “What I need is one app that lists the most common plants, trees, animals, insects, reptiles, and birds that I’ll find in a particular area,” he said. “There are lots of specific bird, flower, or insect guides, but nothing toget...

Films & Fermentation I’m looking forward to attending the opening session of the Saskatoon Environmental Film Festival at 7 pm, April 24 , at the Frances Morrison Library . Following a screening of the film Growing Cities , Noelle Chorney, Slow Food Saskatoon, will lead a workshop on fermentation. Participants will learn about the fermentation process, its health benefits, and get to taste a few samples as well as taking home a little fermentation project of their own. At 7:30 pm, April 26 , at the Roxy Theatre , you can watch GMO OMG , a look at how the loss of seed diversity and the growth of genetically modified food affects our health. Saskatoon’s Terra Madre Delegate  Photo credit: Daybreak Mill Nicole Davis, Daybreak Mill , will be attending Terra Madre/Salone del Gusto on behalf of Slow Food Saskatoon. The diversity of food producers and food products from around the world showcased at Terra Madre/Salone del Gusto is truly amazing. I’m thrilled that on...

Wild Sage Kitchen & Bar, Regina  Regina will soon have a new restaurant. Wild Sage Kitchen & Bar will open on November 1 in the DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Centre at 1975 Broad Street. Advance publicity states that Chef Geoffrey Caswell-Murphy will profile the Farmer to Chef relationship using as many locally sourced, artisan and organic ingredients as possible. The chef is East Coast born and raised so I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a focus on seafood. I'm pleased to see that the trend towards locally-sourced restaurant meals continues in both Regina and Saskatoon. Seeds of Diversity AGM, Nov. 9  Seeds of Diversity is holding their annual general meeting at Station 20 West on November 9 from 3-8:30 pm . The event will include a seed exchange, a seed-saving workshop and a gala dinner. Luscious Desserts  Never let it be said that I am derelict in my responsibility to seek out all decadent desserts available in Saskatoon. Dad’s Organic M...