News, Events & Comments

Come As You Are/CAYA Cooperative is celebrating their 10th year in business, all year long, beginning now.

The first event is in the store on Thursday, January 25th, from 6-9 PM.

Then they are sponsoring The Erotic Arts and Crafts Fair at the Gladstone Hotel on Wednesday, February 10th.

Labels: Come As You Are

The Fair Trade Clothing Co-op is looking for new shirt designs.

Send your questions and submit your entries to Kate at fairtradeclothing@gmail.com.

Labels: Fair Trade Clothing Co-op

~Night at the Indies~
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Toronto Women's Bookstore and Meow Films invite you to submit feature films, documentaries, short films and videos for our ~Night at the Indies~ series. Please include a brief synopsis and a short bio of the key creative team.

Our intention is to have the producer, director, or director of photography attend the screening in order to communicate with other filmmakers and the audience.

* * Submissions must be in DVD format. Please include all contact information on your one page synopsis and be sure to address how your project speaks to the communities that TWB and Meow Films represent.

Screenings are run every third Wednesday of the month at Meow Films from 7-10pm. Our next screening is February 21st, 2007. All selected films/documentaries/shorts/videos are invited to be sold on consignment at the Toronto Women's Bookstore.

Please send submissions to:

Meow Films
868 Dovercourt Rd.
Toronto, Ontario-M6H 2X5

If you would like your film/documentary/short/video sent back to you please provide a SASE in your package. If you need more information please call Meow Films at 416-519-9800 or email us at meowfilms@gmail.com

As the series is ongoing we are always accepting submissions.


A token honorariums will be provided to the filmmaker after their film has been screened in appreciation.

The goal of ~Night at the Indies~ is to showcase filmmakers/producers/directors from the feminist, anti-oppression, anti-racist, differently-abled, first nations, people of colour and the LGBTTQ2S community who are willing to share/educate about their work and provide audience members with an opportunity to discuss their creative process, challenges, rewards, etc.


TWB and Meow Films are both anti-racist, anti-oppression based community organizations that wish to support work that is based on these principals.

Thank you for your time and commitment to film!
TWB & Meow Films



--
Meow Films is a growing production company that makes documentaries of an educational and motivational nature to inspire social change and empower marginalized communities. We hope to empower our community by telling untold stories. This company was formed with the intent to support local community artists and to work with other like-minded organizations to foster local cultural ties within this city. We want to connect and work with artists that are working for similar goals such as building community-based art, music, theatre, film and media. We hope to build a strong community that allows for every individual to explore their creativity.

www.meowfilms.com
www.youtube.com/meowfilms
www.myspace.com/meowfilms

Labels: Toronto Women's Bookstore

Organic Food Buying Club Info Session - Tuesday, January 23 @ 7.30pm

Are you interested in buying organic and natural foods, household items and cleaning products? How about buying them at wholesale prices? What if we told you that you could order them anytime you like and in whatever quantityyou desire?

If so, please join us on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at the St. LawrenceCommunity Recreation Centre (230 The Esplanade) for a free information session about the Ontario Natural Food Co-operative (ONFC). Start time is 7.30pm.

ONFC Staff Kate Jarvis and Graeme Hussey will be on hand to discuss the ins and outs of setting up a food buying club. Light refreshments will be provided (including samples of organic products available through the ONFC).

The Ontario Natural Food Co-op (ONFC) is a co-operative federation of retailfood co-operatives, food buying clubs, and non-collectively structured retailers. The ONFC serves as a member-owned and directed wholesaler for its members. They also sell to non-member natural food stores, daycares, and non-profit organizations.

To learn more about food buying clubs, visit http://www.onfc.ca/buying_club_info.html

For more information about this session or to RSVP, please call 416.488.3966 or email ben@smartliving.ca


Best, Ben Marans - Project Coordinator, <http://www.smartliving.ca/stlawrence> smartliving St.Lawrence

Eneract: innovation solutions sustainability
401 Richmond Street W, Suite 401Toronto, ON M5V 3A8p.
416.488.3966f. 416.977.2157w.
<http://www.eneract.org/> www.eneract.org, <http://www.smartliving.ca/>www.smartliving.ca

Labels: Ontario Natural Food Co-op

Environ Mental #5 – Special CD Release Issue

Are you racing while others are lacing? Or was it the other way around? Hey! It’s snowing!!

You know that CD I have been on about, “Trying to Keep an Open Mind”? Well it’s done…What’s the connection between the CD and the weather? I was hoping to get it done for the Winter Solstice and celebrate it with the track “Standing Still Sun” but unplanned things happened. So, appropriately as I watch the snow falling and the temperature plunging for the second time this winter (sic) here in Toronto, it will be welcomed with the track “Wintertime” not to mention the rapidly approaching Groundhog Day. This Groundhog Day is particularly auspicious as it coincides with a full moon and you must hear “The Groundhog Day Slaughter”. A damning indictment of NAFTA, Global Warming, conspicuous greed, revenge, sex, conspiracy…sex? Have I got your attention?

I would also like to take this opportunity to invite you all to an official CD release party! You are welcome to join Marie and I at Fionn MacCools Pub at 21 St. Clair W. on Saturday, Jan. 27/07 after 1:30 PM. When this CD goes 'gold' then you will be invited to a party where everything is on the house, but this time bring your wallets. :-) If you can't make it to the party, let me know if you would like to buy a copy and I'll send it to you. It costs $15.00: info@alter-eco.net RSVP

As some of you know, I have been writing songs and poems on and off since puberty but was sparked by a comment from an old friend I hadn’t seen for decades who melted my heart when she told me that “Night Trains” was a favourite of her daughter’s. Soon after I heard that TVO (TV Ontario) was having a songwriting competition and decided to enter it. It was a ‘winner’ in the sense that I committed myself to putting together all my songs & poems and recording them with a cool, open source, recording software, Kristal Audio Engine, my trusty computer, Darthcricket productions (me - my alter ego), Marie’s patience and all the Angels that reside in “This Old Guitar”.

In the next few months I will be developing a website for the music but in the meantime I have an online publisher, Lulu.com, where you can hear all the samplesand enjoy them - hopefully enough to buy individual tracks or the whole album, 13 tracks (37 mins) as mp3’s. You can purchase it directly from me a personal copy for $15.00 playable in any CD player. If you think that you know someone who is interested, passing it on to them is very appreciated.

So I hope you are all waxing your skiis and sharpening your edges because it will go a long way to reducing the damage to the ozone and turn commuting into a healthy pursuit.

Cheers and all the best to you in 2007, John aka Darthcricket

Labels: Alter-Eco

This past December, the Community Bicycle Network (CBN) announced that it's internationally renowned BikeShare programme would be closing due to lack of funds and now Maogosha Pyjor, after six years of exemplary service, is leaving as BikeShare coordinator.

However, Allan Crawford - a staffer with the City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation department - plans to revive the programme and make it sustainable by operating BikeShare out of the City's community centres and getting support from Canadian Tire and other retailers.

See the Eye Feature Can BikeShare Be Saved? for details.

Labels: BikeShare

Dear friends,

Once again I am excited to be a part of the planning committee of ONE EARTH COMMUNITY. I would love to see you there - please see information below.

With warmest wishes, Marilyn.

Marilyn Daniels, M.A., M.Ed.,
PrincipalVisionLegacy Coachingwww.visionlegacy.com



The Transformative Learning Centre presents One Earth Community: Sharing Our Stories from April 20-22, 2007 at the University of Toronto.

In collaboration with Resurgence Magazine (UK), Mpambo Multiversity (Uganda), Centre for Environment (University of Toronto), Faculty of Environmental Studies (York University) and the Paulo Freire Institute (Brazil) we invite you to join:

David Abram, Maude Barlow, Zenobia Barlow, Deborah Barndt, AbelardoBrenes,Marilyn Daniels, Jorge Ferrer, Laara Fitznor, Anne Goodman, Satish Kumar, Diane Longboat, Jack Miller, Herb Nabigon, Adegboyega Najeem, Oscar Olivera, Edmund O'Sullivan, Vandana Shiva, Starhawk, Paulo Wangoola, Moema Viezzer, Gary Warner and Jose Zarate.

"One Earth Community: Sharing Our Stories" is the title of the 2ndSpirit Matters Gathering. The first such Gathering was held in Toronto in May 2004 and thediversity of peoples and wisdom traditions presented in that gathering inspired our current emphasis on developing a new vision and set of practices for a One Earth Community.

Labels: Vision Legacy

Labels: GET (Green Enterprise Toronto), TorontoTheBetter.net

We are proud to announce that this week boilingfrog turns five, and
coincidentally I (kelly) turn 36.

I spent the several hours composing a history of boilingfrog which
was intended to be shared with you. Sadly, because of an error on my
part, the whole thing is now lost.

On the upside, you'll be spared all the 'lengthy' details of how
boilingfrog came to be, how it has developed, and what our plans are
for the future.

Briefly, it began in January 2002 out of a desire to help promote
and distribute growing amounts of activist and independent media.
The name came from Bridget. She heckled a local Toronto weatherman
with 'BOILING FROG!'. This chap was very happy about the
unseasonably warm January temperatures.

We started very humbly with 3 VHS tapes consigned from TVAC,
http://webmail.web.ca/hwebmail/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tvac.ca , $0, and endless enthusiasm. Today, a large
collection of videos and other media, a half decent computer, and
equipment for screenings. We've also amassed about $40 worth of
Canadian Tire money and another $50 in real currency.

We've hosted or co-hosted hundreds of screenings, several film
festivals, and a radio program. We've had 4 Canadian tours: G8,
2002; End of the (new) World (order) Tour, 2003; EARTHonPEACE (the
tour that will not end in outr lifetime) Tour 2005; Healthy Mind
Body Planet (HMBP) Tour, 2006.

Growing from our work hosting screenings and the radio show, we
slowly began producing original material.
Reclaiming Independence was our first radio play. First peformed
live on www.natradio.com it was then remastered for release on CD
and as a podcast at the rabble podcast network.
http://webmail.web.ca/hwebmail/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rabble.ca%2Frpn%2Fboi

In spring of 2006 we combined our production and organizational
efforts. Teaming up with Angela Bishoff, we created the HMBP tour.
24 community presentations, dozens of hous of video shot, 20
audio/video podcasts produced to date. presentation dvd imminent*,
to be followed by our documentary 'Off The Rails'.

In these last 5 years we've had the honour to work with people from
across the country and around the world. It is these relationships
and the work we've accomplished together that really stands out as
our major accomplishments. And thanks to your compassion, support,
feedback, contributions, and multiplied efforts, we've found a way
to keep going.


Boilingfrog's work has evolved over the years. The original goal was
to operate boilingfrog for 10 years. We are half way there. At the
end of this 10 years, Jan. 2012, we will have created a secure
physical space. This environment will continue to promote, produce
and distribute activist and independent media. In addition, we will
create living and work space too. All completely sustainable
regarding energy, shelter, water, and food.

This spring, we take a major step in that direction. Bridget and I,
with the help of some close friends and family members have
purchased a $3000 home in Craik, Saskatchewan. http://webmail.web.ca/hwebmail/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.craik.ca
We will move our base of operations there and immediately start
creating the space described above.

We haven't finalized details, but we're offering some co-operative
opportunities. Whether it be time and skills, equipment, tools, cash
or a combination, select individuals can trade with us in exchange
for access. Imagine a super affordable retreat for activists to get
away from it all, or a space to live affordably for extended
periods.
The possibilities...


In the mean time, we ready for the release of our HMBP Presentation
DVD.
*First promised for the end of October, 2006, the production of this
DVD has had several slow downs. My sincere apologies once again for
not meeting our promised schedule. It is a much larger job than
first anticipated.

Thanks to those of you who've sent in a donation of $25 or more
towards production of our documentary, 'Off The Rails', a copy of
the HMBP Presentation DVD will be sent to you by months end. Thanks
for your patience.


If you haven't yet, but would like to help fund our new doc, or
other ongoing work, donations by way of cheque, money order,
Canadian Tire money, or even current postage stamps can be sent to

Kelly Reinhardt
Dundas Dovercourt rpo
Box 16040
Toronto, ON.
M6J 3W2


For those of you in Toronto and area, we'll be having at least one
more event here before departing west. Details tba.

all bests in 2007!
kelly and bridget

Labels: Boiling Frog

2nd National Canadian Conference on Social Enterprise,
January 28-31, Vancouver

The conference brings together Canadians involved in social enterprise
initiatives to deepen their understanding of the field, to develop new and
tangible skills relating to social enterprise development, and to explore
emerging policy and sustainability issues in the field. Includes
discussion of the concept of social finance to encourage enterprising
non-profits.

If you or your groups are interested in participating, please let us know
by email conference@responsibleinvestment.ca or by phone 647-880-4047.
Attendance is free. For more information please visit:
www.enterprisingnonprofits.ca/conference/

Labels: Social Enterprise

Please CirculateJOB POSTING:INFORMATION and COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER: Location: Toronto, CanadaTerms: 6 month contract (possibility of permanent position) Start Date: ImmediateApplication Deadline: January 19, 2006The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) is a labour rights organization dedicated to improving wages, working conditions and the quality of life of workers in the global supply chains of retailers and brand merchandisers. With offices in Toronto and Mexico City, MSN's program combines corporate campaigning and engagement; participation in multi-stakeholder initiatives to promote improved corporate accountability and transparency; and solidarity and capacity-building with partner groups in countries producing for export, primarily in the garment sector. For more information about our work see: http://www.maquilasolidarity.org/Scope of Work MSN is looking to hire a new team member for our Toronto office to take on communications and program support responsibilities, including assisting us with our website, publications, media and network outreach.Core Job Functions· Track, monitor, review and file incoming materials · Provide research and program support to program coordinators· Coordinate translation and/or revision of materials between Spanish and English· Assist in the maintenance and elaboration of the MSN website (Spanish and English)· Writing, editing and/or proofing (for website, newsletter, network updates, etc.)· Promote and distribute MSN publications· Respond to information requests· Maintain and upkeep media contact files· Assist in organization of meetings, conferences, and/or workshops· Assist in management and implementation of special projectsRequirements· Minimum 2 years work experience in communications field· Commitment to social justice, labour and women's rights, and solidarity · Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English· Spanish fluency· Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, E-mail readers, etc.· Ability to be accurate and detail oriented in a multi-task environment· Project management experience· Good interpersonal skills: strong problem-solver, highly motivated to invent solutions independently, ease at working in teams.· Ability to travel· Eligible to work in CanadaPluses· Prior experience in communications/journalism/publications coordination· Website and / or publication design skills· Experience in using/administering website Content Management Systems (preferably Drupal)· Knowledge of issues related to labour rights and corporate accountability· Knowledge of the global garment industry -- particularly supply chains, trade, workers' rights, and women's issues· French language fluencyDeadline for applications: Friday, January 19, 2007.To applyPlease submit your resume and cover letter, summarizing your interest and suitability for the position and including three references. Please forward by e-mail to the attention of Lynda Yanz, MSN Coordinator -- lyanz@maquilasolidarity.orgCompensation Type: SalaryAmount: Pro-rated equivalent to $45,760 annually.We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
********************************************************
Maquila Solidarity Network / Ethical Trading Action Group606 Shaw Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6G 3L6416-532-8584 (phone) 416-532-7688 (fax)http://www.maquilasolidarity.org/

Labels: Labour

Ananda More has become the Holistic Nomad.

Ananda - a homeopath, nutritional counsellor and reiki practitioner who joined TorontoTheBetter in September 2006 - is flying into Delhi on January 16th, 2007. From there she plans to document a variety of holistic and traditional medical practices throughout India.

Check out her new blog for details.

Labels: Ananda More