We have a fascination with those who face the challenges of the north. Here are three books about such men, the first chronicling the story of Richard Proenneke in Alaska, an inspiration for naturalists. The second takes on the controversial flight of Richard Byrd to the North Pole. The third is the story of S.A. Andree who attempted to fly to the North Pole in 1897 in a hot air balloon.

One Man's Wilderness: an Alaskan Odyssey by Richard Proenneke

"This book made a big splash when it debuted in 1973. Keith based the text on the journals and photography of Richard Proenneke, who, after racking up years of 50-hour work weeks, did what many of us only fantasize about: he chucked it all and went to live in the woods. Now in his 80s, Proenneke still abides in the log cabin he built with his own hands and has become an icon for naturalists. Though few will follow Proenneke's lead, his story can be quite inspiring." (Library Journal)

Show Me a Hero: the Sin of Richard Byrd Jnr by Jeremy Scott

"Richard Byrd wanted to be the first man to fly to the North Pole. By telling one momentous lie he become an all-American hero, received the highest distinction his President could bestow, and secured a lifetime of celebrity. The cost to others of that race proved fatal, the price Byrd paid himself was no less than his own soul. This is the story of Richard Byrd, who claimed to have won the race to the Pole in 1926, and the consequences of the lie he told."

(Amazon)

The Ice Balloon: S.A. Andree and the Heroic Age of Arctic Exploration by Alec Wlkinson

"Wilkinson recounts the thrilling story of the visionary Swedish explorer S.A. Andree, who in 1897, at the height of the heroic age of Arctic endeavor, attempted to discover the North Pole by flying over it in a hydrogen balloon." (Syndetics)

If you love fabrics and/or crafting, one of the best green crafting events is just around the corner! For the last five years the Ujamaa Grandmas have held an annual sale, to benefit the Grandmothers Campaign of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. The sale is so good that people line up around the block.

The next Ujamaa Grandmas Annual Fabric & Craft Sale is scheduled for April 14, 2012 ~ 9:30 am-3:00 pm. at Woodcliff United Church, 5010 Spruce Drive S.W. Calgary

But, the Ujamaa Grandmas need your help – AND your cast off fabric & yarn in advance. Donations of the following are needed:

• Unused fabric 0.5 meter or longer, unless quilting cotton or exceptional piece
• Yarn
• knitting needles
• Sewing Notions
• Threads
• Patterns
• Embellishments

Donations may be dropped off: Wednesday, April 11th & Thursday, April 12th 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at Woodcliff United Church – 5010 Spruce Drive S.W. Calgary

For more information or to volunteer contact: Carla 403-256-2828 carla.lorfing@live.ca

See you at the sale, or on Etsy with your fabulous recycled fabric products!

If you missed our Europe on a Budget program all is not lost. Over the next few weeks, we'll share a few of the great ideas that Danielle from Travel CUTS discussed.

You do not have to stay in the most expensive hotels to have a great time. A few weeks ago, we blogged about staying in monastaries as an alternative accommodation. Danielle discussed other alternatives such as hostels, bed & breakfasts and camping.

Hostels come in all shapes and sizes and are not just for the young backpacker. You can stay in anything from a downtown hostel to a castle.

Depending on the hostel and what you are willing to spend, you can book anything from a private room to a 16-bed dormitory. Some of the advantages of a hostel, apart from the price, are a chance to meet with other travellers and the ability to cook meals. Downsides are that there is not always a private bathroom in your room (take your flip flops) and there can be a lot of comings and goings in the dorm rooms (and sometimes goings on).

We have a fun DVD, A Map For Saturday, which shares the stories of long-term, solo travellers from four continents. It provides a fascinating glimpse into hostel life.

You don't need to take linens or a sleeping bag, but a silk sleep sheet gives you a sanitary cacoon to slide in between the sheets. A combination lock, a head lamp, ear plugs and a sleep mask are also good additons to your arsenal. It's also a good idea to book in advance if you are travelling in the high season from June to September. Danielle strongly recommends booking at least your first few nights so you're not scrambling for a place to stay when you first arrive at your destination.

For more tips on hostelling, check out this great guidebook for hostelling in Europe: Hostels European Cities (2010): the only comprehensive, unofficial, opinionated guide.

Bed and breakfasts are also a great alternative, often offering an opportunity to get to know the locals. There is no one on-line listing of bed and breakfasts, but if you go to the official tourist page for your destination, you will often find a link to approved B&Bs. Again, you can find everything from utiliarian to charming. These are some of the great guidebooks that you can borrow from the library to discover special places to stay.

Camping is probably the cheapest alternative, and probably the only one where you will need a sleeping bag. Just remember that the campgrounds are often far from the city centre and you will have the expense and time of travelling to where most of the attractions are located. Also, you will be carrying your camping gear everywhere you go!

Watch the Travel Talk blog over the next few weeks as we share more tips and tips for budget travel.

Celebrate our environment and sustainable living in Calgary
with fun for the whole family!

Fish Creek Library

Thursday, April 12, 2012
5:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Fun Activities for Kids
Face-painting and magic 5:45 – 6:45 p.m.
Eco-Storytime with Alderman Peter Demong (ages 2-5) 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Voices Of Nature Concert with Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright
Singers from Canyon Meadows School join Holly and Kevin in standing up and
singing out for nature in a high-energy musical performance. 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Central Library

Saturday, April 14, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Main Floor – Speakers and demonstrations
Edible and Medicinal Plants with Julie Walker 10:00 – 10:45 a.m.
Home-Made Body Products with Sara Haney, 11:00 – 11:45 a.m.
Home-Made Green Cleaning Products with Green Calgary, 12:00 – 12:45 p.m.
Electric Bicycles with Power in Motion 1:00– 1:45 p.m.
Composting and Vermicomposting with the Calgary Horticultural Society 2:00– 2:45 p.m.

2^nd Floor: Fun Activities for Kids
Eco-Scavenger Hunt 10:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Eco-Babies Storytime (6-23 months) 11:15 – 11:45 a.m.
Eco-Storytime (2-5 years) 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
Green Poetry Slam (Teen/All ages) 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Eco-Friendly Art Drop-in (6-12 years) 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Face-painting, air-brush tattoos and a balloon artist!

Voices Of Nature Concert with Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright
Singers from Canyon Meadows School join Holly and Kevin in standing up and
singing out for nature in a high-energy musical performance. 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

 Saddletowne Library

Saturday, April 21, 2012
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Ecopalooza Fair 10:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Local organizations share what they're doing to create a greener Calgary with hands on activities.
Fair entertainment: Face-painting, magic, caricaturist, and a balloon artist!

Green Calgary Rain Barrel and Composter Sale
Begins at 10:00 a.m. – until supplies last! More info here.

Eco-Storytime 11:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Fun stories with an eco-theme for kids aged 2 to 5.

 Wildlife Talk with Lyn Hancock 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
The author and conservationist tells stories and shows pictures
of her exciting adventures saving orphaned wildlife.

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development 10:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Educational trailers 310-FIRE and Respect the Land

For program registration information click here