Thursday 30 August 2007

 

Green Enterprise Toronto invites you to GET Smart! Tuesdays

This arrived in my inbox today, so I'm reposting it here:


GET SMART TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 7 pm WITH CHRIS LOWRY

The GET Network Director presents the fascinating story of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies and Green Enterprise Toronto.

Learn more about the movement that we are part of, enjoy a short BALLE video and refreshments, and meet other local green entrepreneurs.

Tuesday September 11th, 7 pm
At the Centre for Social Innovation
215 Spadina Avenue, suite 120, Toronto

In the fall of 2005 Chris began working with the Centre for Social Innovation and a group of local leaders in the social economy such as Margie Zeidler (CEO UrbanSpace Property Group), Alice Klein (CEO NOW Toronto), Tonya Surman (Centre for Social Innovation), Wayne Roberts (Toronto Food Policy Council), Rose Kudlac (PostCarbon Toronto), Brian Milani (York University Business and Environment Program) and Rob Grand (Grassroots Environmental Products, Coalition for a Green Economy). GET is based on the model of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE). Since the end of June last year when we began to accept members, GET has rapidly emerged as an effective network to help local independent businesses, customers and communities to think local and green.

Find out more about what makes GET tick and hear about the fascinating stories and people behind the BALLE movement. To show some examples of future possibilites, we'll see a short video from Sustainable Connection in Bellingham, Washington, one of the leaders of BALLE. Chris will also introduce some of the great new GET projects and events that we are planning.

The day before this event, Chris will just be returning from Canada's great gathering of values-driven entrepreneurs, the Social Venture Institute on Cortez Island, B.C. Chris will bring inspiration and resources from SVI to you.

The cost for this event is $10 for GET members & $15 for non-members. There will be a prize draw at the end of the event for something useful and beautiful from MEC. The program will include plenty of time for networking and discussion.

Space is limited! Please RVSP by email to camila@socialinnovation.ca

This month’s event is sponsored by The Centre for Social Innovation.

GET Smart! outreach partners include Coalition for a Green Economy, Eneract, Enterprise Toronto, Smart Growth Network, Grassroots Environmental Products, Foodshare, Local Flavour Plus, NOW Magazine, Phoenix Community Works Foundation, Transformative Learning Centre, Universarium, ZeroFootprint, and TorontotheBetter.net

GET Smart! starts again in September on the 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7 pm to 9 pm at Green Enterprise Toronto at 215 Spadina Avenue. See www.socialinnovation.ca for a map.

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Tuesday 28 August 2007

 

Edible Toronto launching free quarterly magazine

EDIBLE TORONTO CELEBRATES OUR LOCAL, REGIONAL FOOD

In September, Gail Oliver's Edible Toronto will launch a new, free quarterly magazine to connect consumers with local growers and producers, food artisans and chefs, farmers' markets and food
retailers.

Look for it in restaurants, hotels, and shops!

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Monday 20 August 2007

 

Anarres Natural Health Inaugural Newsletter

This is the first Anarres Natural Health monthly newsletter. If you would like to join, please reply with the words join. Be well! Tracey TieF

1. Workshop August 21st and Open House August 28th

2. Specials for August - September 2007

3. Introductory Offer Items at Anarres Natural Health Clinic

4. Bonus article: Aromatherapy 101


1. Workshop August 21st and Open House August 28th

NEW!!! Tuesday Workshops at Anarres Natural Health Clinic

What: Learn a Reflexology Foot Massage
When: Tuesday August 21, 2007, 6 - 9 pm
Where: College & Ossington

How can something that feels SO good, be so GOOD for you? Reflexology stimulates the the whole body through the feet! You'll learn a Thai style warm up massage, and an Eastern reflexology foot massage routine. You'll learn why it works, and experience giving and receiving the massage. You'll learn how to protect yourself from infections by sanitizing the feet with essential oils, and create a custom oil blend that will benefit you from head to toe. You'll come away with a skill that can serve you for a lifetime and a foot powder or oil blended just for you!

$30 for 3 hours. Register with a friend for $20 each!
SPACE IS LIMITED. RSVP to register 416.535.9620 or anarreshealth@gmail.com

Anarres first workshops on August 14, were sold out and a lot of fun! Classes are limited to six participants so that everyone gets a semi private lesson experience. There's fruit, veggies and dip to snack on, and, as always, a choice of cool crystal water or refreshing tea.

What: Open House: Ask a Certified Natural Health Practitioner
When: Tuesday August 28, 2007, 6 - 9 pm
Where: College & Ossington

What IS a Certified Natural Health Practitioner and what do they do? You can take a "tour" of Anarres Natural Health Clinic, and ask about the modalities I use in my practice including: wholistic and aesthetic aromatherapy, reflexology, chair massage, Qi Drop therapy, Qi stone massage, polarity therapy, Reiki, Chakra therapy, wholistic health counselling. Ask any question you like! Relax with a seated massage $10 for 10 minutes. Peruse the book collection. Shop for gift or custom aromatherapy items. Enjoy a tea or a crystal water, and a refreshing snack with relaxed informal discussion. Bring a friend!

Drop In, by donation. For address and other info 416.535.9620 or anarreshealth@gmail.com

2. Specials for August - September 2007

FREE 30 minute consultation for every first appointment. Come in just for the consultation (I am a Natural Health Consultant, after all!) or enjoy a treatment with the first half hour free. That's a $30 value either way!

Thermos: Cycle, walk or transit to Anarres Clinic and receive a free stainless steel mini thermos! Just ask!

Referrals: Refer a friend and you will both get 10% off any Anarres product or service.

3. Introductory Offer Items at Anarres Natural Health Clinic

If you haven't been to Anarres Natural Health Clinic, then you haven't seen the dozens of exquisite, safe and ethically produced aromatherapy-related products I have selected to stock for sale at Anarres. Even if you've been to Anarres, you may have missed some of these items. I have decided to let you know about them, and the introductory prices I am offering them at. If you find the same product anywhere else for less (including shipping and handling, of course) I will sell it to you at the lowest price and give you a free gift to boot!

Candles:

Anarres Natural Health sells vegetable wax candles. Paraffin is a petroleum by-product, burning sooty and quickly. Vegetable wax candles burn clean and last twice as long, making them an excellent value that not only protects your indoor air, but may clean it!

See the exquisite dripless Palm Wax Tapers sold at the Anarres Clinic:
<>
4 x 9" (23 cm) tapers per box, burn time: 8-10 hours! $11

See the locally made Scents Alive 100% Vegewax candles sold at Anarres Clinic:
<>
Essential oil scented votives in a dozen scented blends. Box of 6 for $14
Unscented tea lights. Box of 20 for $13.

Aromatherapy Diffusers:

Ceramic essential oil evaporator with tea light and 3 x 1 ml. vials of essential oils of your choice. Only $10!

Terra Cotta Pendants: wear your essential oils!
<<http://www.terra-cotta-pendants.com/homephoto.jpg >>

These beautiful clay pendants are made by a Canadian aromatherapist and her potter family. One drop on your pendant will let you smell the world through rose scented noses, or whatever essential oil you like, for hours! Several dozen designs available including zodiac, runes, footprints, leaves, flowers and Zen elementals. Pendant with 3 * 1 ml vials of essential oils of your choice is $12, or painted pendant with 3 * 1 ml vials for $15.

Nature Clean Products sold at Anarres Natural Health:

It is important to me that my clients enjoy a petro chemical free life, so I offer Nature Clean products as a convenience and as a high quality, affordable alternative to harmful bath, body and household cleaning products. Nature Clean products are made locally, are cruelty-free, biodegradable, SLS-free, septic-safe and are all Environmental Choice products.

The following bulk products are sold for $1 per 100 ml in your own container or one of ours, new or reused:
All Purpose Cleaning Lotion for all your household cleaning from sinks to counters to toilets!
Pure Soap for bath, body, hands, whatever!

The following bulk products are sold for $.50 per 100 ml in your own container or one of ours, new or reused:
Pet Stain & Odour Remover just spray and walk away!
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner

Also for sale at Anarres are:
Laundry Stain Remover 700 ml / 24 oz $5
All Natural Laundry Powder 2 kg / 4.4 lb or 33 loads $10
Oxygen Bleach 700g / 1.5 lb $9

Or order directly any Nature Clean product through me and save 25%!
Shop Non Toxic for Nature Clean's home, cleaning and hygiene needs:
Link Url: http://www.shopnontoxic.com/default.aspx?Affiliate=132

Custom Anarres Products:

Most clients come in for custom perfumes, creams or lotions.
Did you know that I am also happy to create custom blended liquid soaps, cleansers, bath and body washes, shampoos and conditioners?
$5 per 340 ml pump bottle gets you a custom blend including goodies to moisturize or tone, according to your needs, plus an essential oil blend suited to your skin or hair.

Zeolite:

This wonder supplement cleanser is made from volcanic rock. In a nutshell, zeolite safely yet powerfully detoxifies the body by attaching to and shedding harmful heavy metals and unhealthy, abnormal cells.

Liquid Zeolite Activated Cellular Liquid Zeolite in Humic $21 or 2 for $40

Essential Oils:

A variety of uniquely packaged therapeutic grade essential oils for your home use, with suggested bends and uses:
Each essential oil 15 ml $10 Two for $18 Five for $40 and 10 for $70!!!
<< http://www.newdirectionsaromatics.ca/images/poyaoils-LO.jpg >>

4. Bonus article - Aromatherapy 101

Aromatherapy 101: Find the essential oils that work for you
A workshop by Tracey TieF, Anarres Natural Health

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils, plant resins, hydrosols and oil infusions for the healing of the mind, body and spirit.

An essential oil is the fragrant, volatile liquid extracted or distilled from a single plant source. Musk and ambergris are the two essential oils of the perfume industry that are of animal origin, and are not used in aromatherapy. Absolutes are essential oils produced by chemical extraction. Traces of solvent may remain; therefore, absolutes should never be taken internally. Examples of absolutes are jasmine and rose. Resinoids are produced by distillation and/or chemical extraction from the healing gum that extrudes from an opening in the bark of a tree or bush. Examples of resinoids are myrrh, frankincense and benzoin.

The pharmaceutical, food, and perfume industries are the main consumers of essential oils. Natural means present in, or produced by nature, or not artificial. Pure means having a uniform composition, free from adulterants and impurities.

All essential oils are inherently antibacterial. Most, but not all, essential oils are antiviral and some are also anti-fungal. Essential oils can be described as cytophylactic, or biotic, as opposed to antibiotic, which means that the oils strengthen the living tissue without the usual side effects.

The properties of essential oils are:
~ They are highly volatile and evaporate quickly.
~ They are non-greasy.
~ They mix well with carrier or fixed oils.
~ They do not mix with water, but mix with alcohol.
~ They are liquid, with some exceptions.
~ They are absorbed into the skin.

The main chemical groups present in essential oils are:
Acids are anti inflammatory and are found in very small quantities.
Alcohols are anti-septic, anti-viral, uplifting and warming except for linalol.
Aldehydes smell strongest, are anti-fungal, calming to the nervous system, stimulant to the circulation and have possible sensitizing action.
Esters are antispasmodic, fungicidal and balancing to the nervous system.
Ketones are powerful, sedative, reduce temperatures and break up mucous.
Oxides expel mucous. Eucalyptol or 1,8 cineole is found in essential oils.
Lactones suppress prostaglandin production, and are photosensitizing, sedative anti-inflammatory expectorant and anti-catarrhal.
Phenols are powerful antiseptics with analgesic & anti-infectious properties.
Terpenes: Monoterpenes are aggressive to skin, useful as air antiseptics and for skin hygiene. Sesquiterpenes are anti-inflammatory, calming and slightly hypotensive. Monoterpinols are antiviral, immunostimulant and are suitable for longer term use. Deterpinols have hormone-like properties.

A bit of history: Aromatherapy is a branch of herbalism that goes back to the times of Homo Sapiens Neanderthal. In the late 19th and early 20th century, synthetic versions of essential oils were produced easily and cheaply. "Modern" chemotherapy-style medicine was born, replacing and de-legitimizing traditional physical (osteopathy, chiropractic, cranial sacral) and phyto (aromatherapy, herbalism, folk medicine) therapies.

In 1928, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse published Aromatherapie, in which he (re?)discovers that antiseptic properties of whole essential oils are more effective than when their constituents are used separately. In W.W.II , Dr. Jean de Valnet, author of The Practice of Aromatherapy, treated battle wounds and long-term psychiatric patients with essential oils, diet and herbs and won medical acceptance for aromatherapy in France.

In the 1950s, Marguerite Maury, a biochemist, developed wholistic aromatherapy, devising a special massage technique for the application of essential oils, and employing an individual prescription, choosing essences according to the physical and emotional progress of her patients. Maury, the "Mother" of wholistic aromatherapy, wrote The Secrets of Life and Youth. In 1977, Robert B. Tisserand published The Art of Aromatherapy, the first aromatherapy book published in English, and many monographs on essential oil safety. Shirley Price, a leading contemporary aromatherapist, school founder and author, was trained through Maury's school in England. My own teacher, Jan Benham, founder of aromatherapy in Canada and director of the School of Holistic Studies was herself trained, and subsequently taught at The Shirley Price Professional Aromatherapy College in England.

Today, aromatherapy is practiced as:
1) Wholistic Aromatherapy (hands on, nutrition, focus on body, mind & spirit)
2) Medical-Clinical Aromatherapy (essential oils administered internally)
3) Aesthetic Aromatherapy (skin, focus on cosmetics)


Essential oils are used:
Through injection by European medical doctors.
Orally, most commonly by European doctors, but it is considered safe to ingest common fruits (such as lemon) and mints (such as peppermint) with food in the stomach.
Through the skin via massage, baths, compresses, ointments, lotions, carrier oils or creams.
Through smell, via the olfactory/limbic system, using atomizers, burners etc.

Essential oils should be stored:
~ in dark bottles, preferably amber coloured, to prevent exposure to light
~ with exposure to as little air as possible
~ in tightly sealed containers to prevent evaporation
~ in glass or metal, NOT plastic
~ away from fire, as essential oils are volatile
~ unmixed, as mixed oils may spoil within 3 months
~ with a drop of Vitamin E oil if mixed, as a preservative
~ in a cool, dark place

An essential oil is likely of therapeutic quality if:
~ It is listed with its botanical or Latin name.
~ The country of origin is disclosed.
~ The bottle is amber or blue coloured.
~ It is not listed as standardized or deterpenated, synthesized or adulterated by additions of other essential oils or other constituents.

When purchasing essential oils, keep in mind that:
~ They should be listed with their botanical, or Latin, name.
~ They should be listed with their country of origin.
~ They should be sold in amber, blue or opaque glass phials.
~ They should be listed as aromatherapy or therapeutic grade oils.

Some Aromatherapy and Perfumery Terminology
Top, Middle and Base notes are categories of essential oils that have been traditionally used in perfumery and been adopted for Aromatherapy.

Top Notes are fast acting, quick to evaporate, stimulating and uplifting.
Examples of Top Notes are: *basil *bergamot *clary sage *caraway *coriander *eucalyptus *grapefruit *lemon *lemongrass *lime *mandarin *niaouli *orange *petitgrain *sage *tangerine *tea tree *thyme

Middle Notes are moderately volatile, affect the physical body, the metabolism, menstrual cycle, digestion, the "doing" self. Examples of Middle Notes are: *black pepper *chamomile *cypress *fennel *geranium *hyssop *juniper *lavender *marjoram *peppermint *pine needle *rosemary *savory

Base Notes are slowest to evaporate, sedating and relaxing, bind top notes and blends, last longer in the body, and work slowly. Examples of Base Notes are: *benzoin *cedarwood *clove *frankincense *ginger *jasmine *myrrh *neroli *nutmeg *origanum *patchouli *rose otto *sandalwood *ylang ylang

A Bit Of Morphology of Essential Oils:
Morphology classifies of essential oils based on shared anatomical features.
Leaves are specific to the respiratory system. Ex basil, eucalyptus, mints
Flowers are specific to the nervous system, good emotional support, etheric.
Grasses are highly antiseptic, especially when airborne. Ex lemongrass
Herbs include clary sage, origanum, marjoram, palmarosa, patchouli, thyme
Resins are specific to skin conditions, calming redness. Ex benzoin
Woods are specific to the urinary tract, endocrine functioning, centering.
Zests (Peels) are uplifting & refreshing, general detoxifiers. Ex bergamot
Rhizomes are warming, grounding, centering. Ex ginger, nard
Needles & Twigs are specific to the respiratory system. Ex tea tree
Fruits are specific to the central nervous system, sedatives, hypnotics.
Roots are specific to the stomach and digestive organs. Ex ginger
Seeds include black pepper, caraway, coriander, fennel, juniper, nutmeg

Recommended Books:

The ONE book that teaches Wholistic Aromatherapy as a system with a good list of essential oils and their uses:

Price, Shirley, Practical Aromatherapy: how to use essential oils to restore health and vitality. Thorsons, 1983.

Recipes that are safe and that really work, from ingredients that are safe and available. Purchase ingredients and books at The Aroma Shoppe, 1968 Queen Street East - #2, Toronto, Ontario M4L 1H8, Tel: 416.698.5850

Benham, Jan, The Creamy Craft of Cosmetic Making with essential oils and their friends, The Aroma Shoppe, 1996.

Benham, Jan, The Baby Boomers Beauty Bible, The Aroma Shoppe, 2004.

--
Natural handmade ethical affordable gifts?
Consider Anarres Natural Health Gift Certificates for massages and spa treatments or give one of a kind creams, lotions, massage oils, aromatherapy kits, bath truffles, bath salts, shampoos and conditioners.
Contact: anarreshealth@gmail.com - << www.anarreshealth.ca>>

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Friday 17 August 2007

 

Bulk Purchase Solar Energy Opportunity for Downtown Toronto Residents

The Downtown West Solar Energy Project has been getting a lot of mentions in the community newspapers recently. Here's the introduction from their website:

"The Downtown West Solar Energy Project is a group of volunteers who have, over the last year, organized a bulk purchase of solar energy systems for downtown homes. The electricity generated by solar electric systems will be sold to the Province for 43 cents per kilowatt-hour under the new Standard Offer Contract program. The hot water from solar water heating systems will be used in each household."

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Thursday 16 August 2007

 

Parkdale Tree Tour 22nd August 2007

This arrived in my inbox, and it seems to have a good little tie-tin with community development and local food:


JOIN THE TORONTO TREE TOURS AND GREENEST CITY\'S YOUTH GREEN SQUAD
FOR THE PARKDALE TREE TOUR WEDNESDAY AUGUST 22ND FROM 7PM TO 8:30PM
STARTING AT THE MASARYK-COWAN COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTRE IN PARKDALE.

WHAT: Parkdale Tree Tour
WHEN: Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 7:30pm
WHERE: Masaryk-Cowan Community Recreation Centre, 220 Cowan Ave, front entrance
WHO: LEAF, Greenest City

Beginning in the beautiful and bountiful HOPE community garden, the
tour will profile the efforts of Greenest City’s Youth Squad to
grow organic food locally while strengthening community ties in their
neighbourhood. We will also visit an historic pear tree likely planted
by a farmer over 150 years ago, and giant century-old elms that
inspired a local street name. Participants will learn easy ways to
start a downtown vegetable garden and grow the urban forest in their
own neighbourhoods.

Pre-registration is not required but we would love it if you did!
Register athttp://www.treetours.to/rsvp. For more information contact
LEAF at 416-413-9244 ormailto:info@treetours.to. Information is also
available athttp://www.treetours.to/.

Wednesday 15 August 2007

 

GlobalAware Showcases Artists Reclaiming Public Space and Fighting for Social Justice

A message from Hayley Watson of Global Aware:


On Thursday August 16th at the Rivoli Bar and Restaurant, GlobalAware Independent Media Organization is bringing street art and social justice together. take YOUR space! art exhibition and concert is featuring works by artists who engage with social justice not just on the canvas but in public space.

For some artists, such as featured artist Dan Bergeron, this includes tampering with billboards so that they reflect topical political messages. Others such as Specter incorporate messages into the existing landscape of Toronto through sculpture. Others are simple acts, such as manipulating IPod ad’s in the work of Joel Black Beatty. Whatever the work may be, it reflects what the artists and GlobalAware feel is the growing resistance to mass consumer culture in Canada.

GlobalAware runs media workshops in high schools and universities in Ontario, in addition to an info shop and art gallery in Kensington Market. However the arts collective decided it was time to engage the community as well as fulfill their mandate to make alternative media and viewpoints available to a wide variety of people. “This art exhibition is our way to show a large amount of people that activism has many facets,” says GlobalAware student intern Hayley Watson “including art and public expression.”

In addition to the exhibition there will be also be live performances by Lila Rose, Sara Marlowe, Muhammad Ali, and Stacy Berenson. All are artists who work on various social justice campaigns around the city, such as the War Resistors movement, and other social and environmental issues.

take YOUR space! will start at 7pm on Thursday August 16th. There is no charge for the event, and the works will be available for sale through silent auction. Media are welcome to this event. For all media inquiries please contact Hayley Watson.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hayley Watson

GlobalAware Public Relations and Communications Assistant

416 575 5293

hwatson@globalaware.org

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Tuesday 14 August 2007

 

Global fair trade sales continue to increase, with products introduced into major Canadian chains

According to the Fairtrade Labelling Organization, worldwide sales of fair trade products rose by a third in 2005 (with an 47% increase in Canada) and by 40% in 2006 with the following note regarding Canadian markets:

"During 2006, new Fairtrade Certified Coffee, Tea, Sugar, and Cocoa Products were introduced into the major Canadian grocery chains, including Costco, Loblaws, and Sobey’s. Via Rail, Canada’s national rail service, brought Fairtrade Certified coast to coast with its commitment to serve exclusively Fair Trade Certified coffee."

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Sunday 12 August 2007

 

New fair trade organic spot open in The Junction


- New fair trade organic cafe open in The Junction
The revitalised Junction area continues to grow as a place to talk and eat and see and "actify". TorontotheBetter visitors dropped into Reba's Cafe at 3289 Dundas West recently for a pleasant coffee and croissant on a sunny Saturday. Cosy spot, cool art exhibition and a nice feel all round. Not far from Runnymede and across Dundas from Cheri diNovo's constituency office. Arlene's the barista and Reba's her dog.

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Citizen's Income Toronto meeting in September

FIRST FUNDRAISING AND EDUCATION FORUM OF CITIZEN'S INCOME TORONTO


Thursday, September 20th , 2007; 6 to 8 PM

519 Church Street, The East Room

A Citizen's Income (CI) is 'an unconditional, non-withdrawable incomepayable to each individual as a right of citizenship. Our special guest presenter will be Rob Rainer, executive director of the National Anti-Poverty Organisation.

Admission by donation. Light refreshments.


NOTE: The website we were given for further information ([www.citizensincome.ca]) does not appear to be working. You can also check out the temporary home of Citizen's Income Toronto here or the home page of the London, England-based Citizen's Income Trust here for more information.

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Saturday 11 August 2007

 

Good Catch quoted regarding responsible consumption

An article in the August 2007 issue of the Parkdale Liberty Community Newspaper - "But it's organics!" by Roxanne Bielskis - comments that buying organic, local and fair trade can be difficult, but points out that several Toronto businesses are making it easier.

The article name checks three TorontoTheBetter businesses - Alternative Grounds, Foodshare, Good Catch - and provides some positive perspective courtesy of the propreiter of Good Catch:


"Jola Sobolak of Good Catch General Store also sympathizes with the reality of a low or rixed income. Although her shop offers products that all have slightly higher price points than their IGA equivalents, she offers a different take on responsible consumption than more middle-class purveyors of "health foods" (a term she specifically avoids due to its elitist connections) might.

'It's key to do what you can,' she says, even if your budget is small. Buying all organic groceries may not be possible, but you can use your budget for local or organic foods that are packed with nutrients, like vegetables with high water content, berries and foods high in good fats. ' you shouldn't bet yourself up when you can't afford more than that.

...

Sobolak points out that North Americans in general subscribe to the alarmingly false logic that since we can't do everything we might as well just do nothing about our problems."

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Wednesday 8 August 2007

 

ACTION: UNION ACTIVIST ASSASSINATED IN EL SALVADOR

Another reposting from the good folks at the Centre for the Study of Education and Work:


URGENT ACTION: UNION ACTIVIST ASSASSINATED IN EL SALVADOR

The Salvador Action Network (CELSAN) is asking you to take action
in responseto the worrying and highly suspicious assassination of a
union activist, Miguel Angel Vásquez Argueta, in El Salvador on 17 July
only two weeks after the union he represented, the Electrical Sector
Workers' Union (STSEL), endorsed and participated in the peaceful
protest against water privatization in Suchitoto that the Salvadorean
police broke-up violently.

The most recent example of state repression of peaceful dissent and
social movement organization in El Salvador that has culminated in
the charging of 13 peaceful anti-water-privatization protesters with
"terrorism" is but a growing and troubling trend in El Salvador. In
the past year, several social movement and political opposition
activists have been beaten by police, arrested, and murdered
execution-style by "unknown assailants". The memories of the brutal
state terror of the 1970s and 80s that these incidents conjure are
chilling.

Take Action!

Please send an email of protest to the Toronto Consul's email
address: mailto:anamurra@rree.gob.sv.

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Tuesday 7 August 2007

 

Founding Meetings of the Fair Trade Association of Canada

The following news came to us via TransFair Canada:


A preliminary discussion about the formation of the Fair Trade Association
of Canada (FTAC) was held June 3, 2007, during the Canadian Student Fair
Trade Network
's 2007 International Symposium in Saskatoon.

FTAC's steering committee is pleased to invite you to participate in the
next developmental meeting of the Association to be held in Montréal,
October 18 - 20, 2007 at l'Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM).

The June meeting was directional, not decisional. During the meeting,
approximately 25 different Fair Trade organizations discussed the general
purpose, mission, and broad organizational goals of the FTAC. Through a
consensus-building process the direction given to the FTAC was to become
an organization with representational capacity, a networking hub and
centre for resources, as well as a tool for creating national solidarity
within the movement and with other movements.

At the October meeting we will discuss the organizational, membership, and
funding structures. We aim to have direction for the Association on these
topics by the end of the conference. Look forward to a time to network and
connect with important industry partners, enjoy great Fair Trade and
locally produced goods, and become a part of history as a contributor to
the formation of the Fair Trade Association of Canada.

If you think you will attend the October meeting, please RSVP to
ftac.acce@gmail.com by September 4. An official registration form will be
emailed to those that RSVP. The deadline for official registration is
September 17. The registration fee of $50 will help cover logistical costs
(technician, translators, equipment for translation).

Please note that the direction given to the FTAC at the June meeting was
to become an association of associations. While individuals not
representing a Fair Trade organization or business are welcome to
participate in the October meeting, individual delegates are not eligible
to vote. Voting will occur on a one vote per association basis.

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Monday 6 August 2007

 

Leslieville community opposes Wal-Mart development

"Expropriation would solve Leslieville Wal-Mart hassle," a front page article by Duncan McAllister in the August 2007 Bulletin: Toronto's Downtown Newspaper reports:

"The city must expropriate the Eastern Ave. site proposed for a retail complex, say Friends of Leslieville, a new group started to combat Wal-Mart's plans. At a strategy session held July 11 at Ralph Thornton Centre, worried Leslieville residents met with Ward 30 Councilor Paula Fletcher to brainstorm and devise a plan of action to defeat the unpopular Smart Centre proposal for 629, 633 and 675 Eastern Ave.

...

The group has asked city council to expropriate the site and design an employment campus that supports the local economy and requested the province to stop the Ontario Municipal Board hearing and issue a Minister's Zoning Order.

...

In addition to environmental and traffic concerns, the issue here is jobs. Wal-Mart creates hundreds of mainly part-time, low-wage jobs in the communities they serve. "We need jobs that encourage and support young people and opportunities that offer training and internships for our community," says the Leslieville group."

The full article is not available online, but you can the the related editorial here.

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