Check it out - Paul Gipe, Mr. Wind Power, talking about renewables on September 22nd, 2010. (We have his book at the store).
Tammy and the staff did a good job of taking care of store business while I was on holidays. I very much appreciate the long hours and extra effort they gifted the store.
To mark World Vegetarian month in October Earth's General Store will be donating 5% of purchases made by Vegan and Vegetarians of Alberta members. If you are a member bring in your card and when you shop let us know so that we can keep track of it.
We will not be doing the rain barrel truckload sale since we only had one person pre-purchase a rain barrel and we had 200 to sell. I intend to do this in the spring of 2011. BUT do come out for the September 12th, 2010 event where will have some special things happening in and around the store to mark our move to this location and our 19th year in business.
Lorraine Mansbridge from Global TV will be doing her show from Earth’s General Store on Wednesday morning (September 8th, 2010). Check us out and if you could write some feedback to the station.
Timothy and I had a very good time travelling in Europe visiting friends and places. I will get around to posting the pictures to my Facebook page soon.
We stand in silence for a world without violence. Wearing black we remember those who have died, are dying and will die at the hands of violence around the world. Women in black Edmonton was formed November 2001 and is part of the international network of women in black. Anyone is welcome to stand with us for all or part of these vigils.
The Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society (EBC) is offering a Canadian Cycling Association CAN-BIKE 2 course beginning September 11. CAN-BIKE 2 is an 18 hour, on-road cycling course.
The course is suitable to all cyclists who feel comfortable on their bicycles and want to learn more about cycling safely and efficiently in traffic. CAN-BIKE 2 is 18 hours of advanced skill and knowledge development in defensive cycling for commuter and recreational cyclists who already ride in traffic. Includes classroom bike handling skills and riding in all traffic conditions. This course will improve your skill and confidence in riding in challenging traffic situations. This certificate course is quite often a requirement for jobs that involve cycling.
Participants must attend all 18 hours to complete the certification:
Tuesday Sept 7, 6 to 9 PM
Saturday Sept 11, 9 AM to 4 PM
Tuesday Sept 14, 6 to 9 PM
Saturday Sept 18, 9 AM to 4 PM
About CAN-BIKE:
The Canadian Cycling Association’s CAN-BIKE program is a series of courses on all aspects of cycling safely and enjoyably on the road; it is oriented toward recreational and utilitarian cycling. The CAN-BIKE cycling safety program provides a nationally standardized set of courses that can be taught through a variety of organizations who are interested in education, safety and health. CAN-BIKE Instructors are nationally certified highly skilled cyclists and instructors.
Location: Central Edmonton
Address: tba
Cost: $80 + textbook (borrow for free or buy for $35)
World-wide there are 776 million adults who have difficulty with literacy. In Alberta, 4 out of 10 Albertans struggle with literacy. In the Edmonton Capital Region, 400,00 people lack the literacy skills to function in everyday life. Due to these reading difficulties, thousands of Edmontonians have trouble: understanding their prescriptions, helping their children with homework, filling out job applications or understanding banking and credit statements. Those who need help reading need to know that there is help and they are not alone.
So widespread is the problem that 9 literacy groups in the Edmonton region have united under the Literacy Works banner to draw attention to this astonishing reality and raise awareness. Literacy Works is asking if you know any adult who needs help with reading, writing or math, and to tell them that there is help available: simply pick up the phone and dial 211 (the Support Network helpline).
Literacy Works is celebrating International Literacy Day by holding a Book Giveaway at the Clareview and Churchill LRT stations. Members of the Edmonton and area literacy community and special invited guests will be offering free books and bookmarks to unsuspecting Edmonton commuters. The Book Giveaway is a fun way to promote the value of reading and raise public awareness.
Location: Churchill LRT station and Clareview LRT station
Sir Ken Robinson makes an entertaining and profoundly moving case for creating an education system that nurtures (rather than undermines) creativity. Come watch the TEDTalk, then participate in a lively discussion and share your thoughts and opinions! Bring your lunch! Screenings at 12:15pm and 2:30pm.
Creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson challenges the way we're educating our children. He champions a radical rethink of our school systems, to cultivate creativity and acknowledge multiple types of intelligence. A visionary cultural leader, Sir Ken led the British government's 1998 advisory committee on creative and cultural education, a massive inquiry into the significance of creativity in the educational system and the economy, and was knighted in 2003 for his achievements. His latest book, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything, a deep look at human creativity and education, was published in January 2009.
Please join the North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance (NSWA)and other Stakeholders at a Forum to introduce:
the DRAFT Integrated Watershed Management Planfor the North Saskatchewan River Watershed in Alberta
The NSWA is the Watershed Planning and Advisory Council (WPAC) for the North Saskatchewan River watershed under Water for Life: Alberta’s Strategy for Sustainability. It is a multi-stakeholder watershed planning partnership.
The NSWA has completed a wide range of technical studies on the North Saskatchewan River watershed: water supply, water use, water quality, groundwater, economics, cumulative effects assessment and multi-stakeholder engagement.
These studies, plus consultations with stakeholder groups at a previous series of Watershed Management Planning Forums are the basis for this DRAFT watershed management plan.
The purpose of the DRAFT Integrated Watershed Management Plan (IWMP) for the North Saskatchewan River watershed is to protect the long-term supply and quality of water resources for future generations. The draft plan is comprehensive, and addresses a diverse range of water, land and development issues. It incorporates stakeholder interests and addresses the current policy context for watershed plan implementation.
Using feedback from a continuing series of meetings and forums, the NSWA will revise the DRAFT plan and submit it to the Government of Alberta in spring of 2011.
Come and add your voice and views to the discussion.
Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ABCEE) fall workshop:
Participants will: - Understand what a logic model is - Build a logic model for
an existing or new environmental education program - Review
instruments that can be used to measure outputs, outcomes, and impacts - Create
a draft evaluation plan that can be used to evaluate the success of
your environmental education program
Resource people: Philip Cox -Plan:Net Gareth Thomson - ACEE
All workshop are free, but registration is mandatory. Lunch will be provided. THANKS to the Calgary Foundation
and Alberta Ecotrust Foundation for their support of this workshop
series.
Location: tba
Address: tba
Cost: Free but registration is required
Contact: Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ABCEE)
Big Bin Events allow residents to dispose of household items too large for regular garbage collection at no cost. Encourage your neighbours to clean up their yards and make your community safe and beautiful!
The 2009 Big Bin Events accepted 2,103 tonnes of material - the equivalent weight of 161 ETS buses! Thank you for helping to keep our neighbourhoods clean.
If you have items that are in good condition that can be donated for reuse please visit the online Reuse and Recycling Directory: www.edmonton.ca/reuse
Big Bin Events do not accept household hazardous waste items like varnish, household cleaners or batteries. Please take these to an Eco Station. They will be accepted at no cost.
2010 Big Bin Events: See website for a printable PDF of Big Bin Event dates and locations.
May 1 & 2 @ Callingwood (17740 – 69 Avenue) May 8 & 9 @ Millwoods Town Centre (23 Avenue & 66 Street) May 15 & 16 @ Abbottsfield Shoppers Mall (118 Avenue & 34 Street) May 29 & 30 @ Blue Quill (11304 – 25 Avenue) ~ June 5 & 6 @ Woodcroft (13915 – 115 Avenue) June 12 & 13 @ Castle Downs (11520 – 153 Avenue) June 19 & 20 @ Northlands (11203 – 73 Street) ~ August 14 & 15 @ Callingwood (17740 – 69 Avenue) August 21 & 22 @ Kennedale (12810 – 58 Street) August 28 & 29 @ Blue Quill (11304 – 25 Avenue) ~ September 11 & 12 @ Millwoods Town Centre (23 Avenue & 66 Street) September 18 & 19 @ Commonwealth Stadium (112 Avenue & 90 Street)
If your community would like to host a Big Bin Event, please contact Capital City Clean Up. Grants are available up to April 30 (see Information section of the Activist Agenda or website below).
The EHS Plant Exchange and Sale is a great opportunity for members and other gardeners to find new homes for extra plants, exchange them for new ones, and buy locally hardy plants at reasonable prices. This event is held twice a year—each spring just as you are getting started and may have extra plants, and during fall clean-up when you may be dividing perennials or have seeds to share.
For every plant you bring, you get one credit. Then during the exchange, trade your credits for an item someone else brought—perennial for perennial, annual for annual, house plant for house plant, seed for seed. After the exchange portion of the event, remaining plants are sold for very reasonable prices. There are also vendor and display tables to browse.
Guidelines for preparing your plants: * Please pot healthy plants in individual, sturdy containers (no paper or plastic bags, please). Bulk, bare root stock (such as iris) is permitted but must be identified as to the quantity of tubers, bulbs, or corms, as well as the labeling requirements listed below. * Plants must be labeled. Please identify plants by botanical name, if known, common name, height, spread, colour, location preference, and bloom time. * No guarantee is offered that there will be plant material available of equal value to your plants. * No credit is given for Chives or Goutweed. * We do not accept plants designated as noxious. Seewww.invasiveplants.ab.ca. * The Exchange Director, whose decision is final, will resolve any disputes
Join youth from across Edmonton in learning about potential for Green Energy development in Alberta. Participants will have the opportunity to attend presentations and speak to local experts on green energy technology and policy.
This symposium is a meeting of youth to discuss the importance of energy issues and to support the implementation of a green energy strategy. Experts and Sierra Club Energy Campaigners will speak.
Location: 6th floor meeting room, Stanley Milner Library
Play a part in planning Edmonton's growth and change! Join the Planning Academy!
The City of Edmonton's Planning Academy offers a series of courses designed to provide a better understanding of the planning and development process in Edmonton.
The Program consists of core and elective courses. Participants can earn a Certificate of Participation by completing the three core courses and one elective course. Participants are welcome to take any course, in any order, whether or not it will lead to a certificate.
The City developed Planning Academy to help Edmontonians:
- better understand and participate in the planning process
- better understand the roles, rights and interests of all parties involved in the planning and development process
Courses vary in length from three to six hours and participants will receive a manual, instruction, and light refreshments. Sessions will consist of discussions and "real life" activities to increase participants' understanding.
Be sure to register early as space is limited. REMEMBER: Your registration is not complete until we have received your payment.
Fall 2010 dates:
Land Use Planning: The Big Picture
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 - 6:30pm to 9:30pm
$25
Getting a Grip on Land Use Planning
Saturday, September 25, 2010 - 9:30am to 4:30pm
$35
Come Plan with Us: Using Your Voice
Saturday, October 30, 2010 - 9:30am to 4:30pm
$35
Urban Design Elective
Saturday, November 6, 2010 - 9:30am to 4:30pm
$35
Transportation Planning Elective
Saturday, November 13, 2010 - 9:30am to 4:30pm
$35
Next Up was created by a group of people who wanted to help emerging leaders develop new and better skills, smarts and ideas. The program is intense. Over 6 months, we dive into a number of topics and disciplines, combining theory, practice, deep thinking, and hard skills.
We look at some of the most pressing Canadian foreign and domestic policy issues, and where “progressive” thinking is at on how to solve them. We look at how change is made in society. And we meet some of the most innovative change-makers — from the non-profit, business and public sectors — who are working for a better world.
By joining Next Up you’re committing yourself to an extraordinarily rigorous and exciting program. The program runs from October 2010 to April 2011, and during that time you will:
- Attend one evening session per week
- Attend one day-long weekend session per month
- Connect with community leaders during mutually convenient times
- Explore and take action on an issue or topic of social change that you’re passionate about.
Next Up BC takes place in Vancouver.
Next Up Alberta takes place in Edmonton.
Next Up Saskatchewan takes place in Saskatoon.
(if you live in BC, Alberta or Saskatchewan but outside of Vancouver, Edmonton or Saskatoon we may be able to help with travel costs, so please apply).
The cost of the program for the 13 participants will be covered entirely by the program. You have to commit, time, energy, curiosity and a desire to change the world.
The application deadline is Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at Midnight.
Location: TBA
Address: TBA
Cost: Free - seriously!
Contact: Aliya Jamal, Program Coordinator, Next Up Alberta
Sheila Watt-Cloutier is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and world leader on global climate change and human rights.
Everything is Connected
With a focus on solutions, Watt-Cloutier brings us to the realities of the Arctic, where Inuit today face profound challenges to their environment, their economy, their health and their cultural well-being. The challenges they face are clearly connected to the industries we support, the disposable world we have become, and the non-sustaining policies we create.
Because her Inuit culture faces the most extreme challenges of globalization, Watt-Cloutier speaks from firsthand experience -- and couples that with her extensive experiences as a global leader. Drawing upon her ancient culture, and speaking from a position of strength, not victimhood, she helps audiences find common ground.
Her Arctic voice -- not as far away as we might imagine -- enlightens and inspires. With inclusive good will, it bridges some extremely divided gaps around the world.
Everything is Connected: Environment, Economy, Foreign Policy, Sustainability, Human Rights and Leadership in the 21st Century.
The Luncheon & Presentation is from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Doors open at 11:30am. Tickets are $50 each, or a table of 10 is $450.
Presented by:
Edmonton Community Foundation
Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (E4C)
Edmonton Social Planning Council
The Centre for Race and Culture (CRC) is pleased to offer a train-the-trainer workshop. This series is designed to create internal capacity in organizations in order to foster an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace. This training series is recommended for people with a foundation of cultural competency, diversity, and equity knowledge; including educators, training coordinators, employment equity specialists, HR professionals and business owners. The workshops will be delivered by a team of CRC's facilitators as well as other guest facilitators experts in their area.
4 full-day workshop series comes with certification of attendance. Registration is available for individual workshops.
Expected Outcomes: * Review and solidify your knowledge and understanding of cultural competency language and concepts * Acquire and apply vocabulary, tools, techniques and resources needed to conduct experientially-focused in-house training * Examine Alberta legislation as applied to Multiculturalism and Human Rights
Sept 16: Educational framework for inclusive and participatory training delivery Oct 21: Teaching your organization the impact of culture in the workplace Nov 18: Tools and resources for race relations and human rights Dec 16: Creating change from within- put your knowledge to test!
Location: Centre for Race and Culture's (CRC) Training Room
Address: 10871 - 96 St NW
Cost: $200/day (includes lunch)
Contact: Ricardo Carlos, Program Manager, Cultural Crossroads
In 2006 the United Nations Millennium Campaign hosted the first international Stand Against Poverty initiative. Three years on, nearly 2.5% of the human population takes part in the event in a collective voice aimed at energizing our leaders to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. For the first time in 5 years nearly all world leaders who promised to achieve these goals will meet up in New York on Sept 20-22nd for the final MDG Review before the goals are due. It is an unprecedented opportunity to stand up for the earth and the 1.4 billion people suffering extreme poverty today.
In Edmonton the annual Stand Against Poverty event has both a global and local focus towards applying the Millennium Development Goals with emphasis on the Millennium Villages holistic development approach, Fair Trade Certification, Buying Locally, Child Poverty, Homelessness and Aboriginal development.
The event uses a Sphere Network approach to allow 8 spheres of society to display the groups and individuals within each sphere that are working on the Millennium Development Goals or within the general areas of the goals as listed below:
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Goal 5: Improve maternal health Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
EVENT QUICK FACTS: - Finale Event: Fifty foot banner drop! - 4th annual occurrence - Over 2.5% of the world’s population participated in 2009 worldwide - Crowd engagement, banner drop and a massive drum circle - Previous years have had media coverage from CBC, Global, CTV, Omni, Metro, Edmonton Sun, Edmonton Journal, Gateway in Edmonton - Over 800 attendees in previous years - University President Indira Samerasakera, Strathcona Member of Parliament Linda Duncan, and representatives of several prominent organizations spoke at the event in 2009 - Event has won the University of Alberta’s ‘Student event of the year’ award - Over 300 high school students, over a dozen University Deans and dozens of organizations have already confirmed their attendance this year - 8 workshops that attendees can choose from on the different Millennium Development Goals - Tents featuring dozens of organizations in the City (including faith groups, labour unions and non-governmental organizations) that are working to eradicate poverty locally and abroad (50+ in previous year) - Tents highlighting the Millennium Villages project, the concept of Fair Trade Certification, local purchasing, homelessness and Millennium Indigenous Communities.
In the spirit of our Living Local campaign, the Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues are promoting September 18th, the third Saturday in September, as Edmonton's "Community League Day".
The EFCL team has already received the commitment of many leagues who are moving their September activity to this date. Find out what your community is doing by viewing the event map on the EFCL website (see below)!!
We are encouraging every league to participate by hosting an event on this date, so that we can create a city wide community league festival. The more leagues that participate, the bigger the buzz we will be able to create. A fun, informal event like this lets everyone know what their community league is and does in their neighbourhood. It might be just the event that brings out new members to your community league!
If you have an idea of an event you'd like to see in your neighbourhood get involved with your league and volunteer to help with the event.
Sponsorship opportunities available! Discuss it with EFCL. Alberta Arts has cooperated with EFCL to be able to provide sponsorship opportunities for things like food and beverage, posters and publicity, and more: http://culture.alberta.ca/artsdays/resources.aspx
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
Board games
LAN gaming
Tea party
BBQ
Drop in sports
Kids games
Make a maze
Paper airplane contest
Kites
Gardens
Street hockey
Bike rodeo Dance party
Musical jam
Yoga
Chalk the sidewalk
Painting party
Art fair
Community Gardening Day
Clean up the park
Perform a play
Make a movie
Create an obstacle course
Pet fair
Celebrate our diversity with a cultural fair
Sherbrooke Village Gardeners' purpose is to encourage our neighbours and friends to grow their own food and plant in ways to beautify their yards and be natural in their choices.
We invite you to join us for our free family-friendly Harvest Fair! Take part in the Kid's Parade at 11:30 and follow with carnival games! Enter your garden's produce in growing contests or bake up your fruits and/or veggies and enter the sweet and savory baking contests. Too much bounty to use for yourself? Bring it to share or trade at the bounty table. Contribute some gardening items or plants you no longer need to the seed and plant exchange! Share, trade or take, it's all free!
Sherbrooke Village is looking forward to having you join us for food, entertainment and community spirit!
For more info or to volunteer call Christina @ 780-452-2363.
LitFest: Edmonton’s Nonfiction Festival is pleased to partner with the David Suzuki Foundation and Greystone Books to present:
David Suzuki, the Legacy Lecture
Based on the premise — 'If I had one last lecture to give, what would I say?' — David Suzuki: The Legacy Lecture will present a critical and candid exploration of a period of human history. He includes his own life's journey—an era which has overlapped and converged with many of the most important social, scientific, cultural and political developments of the past seventy years. His focus also acknowledges the wisdom of his grandparents and moves forward through to the promise held in the birth of his new grandson.
Dr. Suzuki's words on stage will be accompanied by a dramatic backdrop. As his intimate storytelling propels us to locations around the world, ever-changing and much-larger-than-life images will illustrate the inherent inter-connectedness of life on Earth.
Witness a turning point in a great thinker's life. David Suzuki, The Legacy Lecture, will be a moving and profound discussion as Dr. Suzuki shares a lifetime of lessons learned about our impact on our planet and his hope for the future.
Citizens Advocating the Use of Sustainable Energy (CAUSE) presents: Lean and Green: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Alberta with Hunter Lovins
Lovins’
company National Capitalism “creates innovative, practical tools and
strategies to enable companies, communities and countries to become more
sustainable”. Lovins is a lawyer, sociologist and founding Professor
of Business at Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco, one of the
first accredited programs offering an MBA in Sustainable Management. She
cofounded Rocky Mountain Institute and was its CEO for 20 years.
Hunter Lovins now lives just outside Denver, Colorado.
- Time Magazine's Hero of the Planet in 2000 - Renowned 30 year consulting veteran and expert on energy efficiency and renewable power - Newsweek Magazine's Green Business Icon in 2009 - Co-author of 9 books including Natural Capitalism, & the e-book Climate Protection Manual for Cities 2 Great Opportunities to Discover: - Options for meeting our current electricity challenges - The business case for climate protection - How Alberta can lead the way in energy solutions September 21 at the Glenbow Museum, Calgary MC - Gary Holden, CEO of Enmax $20 - Coffee reception to follow September 22 at the Mac Hall Ballroom, University of Calgary $10 (or pay-as-you-can at the door; seating is limited)
Tickets available at: Sunnyside Market, MEC, online athttp://www.cambridgestrategies.com/, and at the door. 100% Calgary Dollars accepted at Sunnyside Market in Kensington, and at the door.
About CAUSE: CAUSE is a Calgary-based grassroots coalition whose mission is to empower Albertans to become active citizens with the knowledge, skills and passion to choose sustainable energy solutions and keep Alberta nuclear-free. www.nuclearfreealberta.ca
Location: Calgary
Address: Calgary
City: Calgary
Cost: see below
Contact: Citizens Advocating the Use of Sustainable Energy (CAUSE)
Alberta has tremendous clean sustainable renewable resources. Come hear how to make the transition from one who really knows. Paul Gipe is a pioneer in developing renewable energy policies all over North America. Instrumental in architecting the successful Ontario Green Energy Act Mr. Gipe is an authority on what works and what doesn’t in Canada.
Paul Gipe is a sought after speaker on renewable energy policy. In 2004, Gipe served as the acting executive director of the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association where he created, managed, and implemented a provincial campaign for Advanced Renewable Tariffs. The campaign sought to adapt electricity feed in laws to the North American market and was instrumental in placing the European concept on the political agenda in Canada and the United States. He is also the author of several books on wind energy. He has also lectured widely on wind energy and how to minimize its impact on the environment and the communities of which it is a part. For his efforts, Gipe has received numerous awards.
No registration required. Free refreshments at 6:30 pm, presentation at 7:00 pm.
What is Pecha Kucha Night?
Pecha Kucha Night was conceived in 2003 as a place for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. The key to Pecha Kucha Night is its patented system for avoiding long, slow presentations. Each presenter is allowed 20 images, each shown for 20 seconds each – giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. This keeps presentations concise, the interest level up, and gives more people the chance to show.
Pecha Kucha (which is Japanese for the sound of conversation) has tapped into a demand for a forum in which creative work can be easily and informally shown, without having to rent a gallery or chat up a magazine editor. This is a demand that seems to be global – as Pecha Kucha Night, without any pushing, has spread to over 100 cities across the world.
Interested in being a presenter at Edmonton's Pecha Kucha Night 8?
We're currently accepting presentation submissions. The deadline for submissions is August 16 at 4pm. If you're interested in presenting at PKN 8, let us know by email: nextgen[at]edmonton{dot}ca or through the form on http://www.pecha-kucha.org/night/edmonton
Location: Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science, U of A
Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (ACGC) would like to extend an invitation to you to join ACGCs member organizations during our annual conference!
ACGC is a coalition of over 65 voluntary sector organizations located in Alberta, working locally and globally to achieve sustainable human development. The conference is an excellent opportunity to network and share with other international development organizations.
The theme of this year`s conference will be "Changing Your World" and will focus on how our sector can increase its impact both in Alberta and around the world. Stephen Lewis will be the keynote speaker on Friday evening. Saturday will be filled with exciting keynote addresses and workshops looking at our upcoming major media campaign, and ACGC member-only resources. In addition, the conference will include a presentation by our Change Your World Youth, who have recently returned from their ACGC member project visit in Ethiopia.
Stephen Lewis speaking at theUniversity of Alberta, January 30, 2006.
Stephen Lewis is one of Canada's most influential commentators on social affairs, international development and human rights. He is both passionate and insightful. Perhaps most compelling is the way in which Stephen engages, moves and motivates his audience so that they emerge challenged and energized.
Stephen Lewis will be speaking as part of the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation`s `Change Your World` Conference. In addition to Stephen Lewis' keynote address, there will be a fair trade wine and cheese reception beginning at 6:00PM, where ACGC members will be showcasing much of the amazing work they have been doing internationally over the past year.
This is a great opportunity to hear an amazing speaker and to learn more about the exceptional work being done by Albertan non-profit organizations around the world.
We will be lighting our candles as a symbol of hope and healing. The candle-lighting ceremony begins at 8:00pm and will mark the culmination of our campaign. If you are unable to attend the march, we encourage you to participate by lighting a candle at home that night in support of child and adult survivors of sexual violence. This year's march will be for women and girls only, while men will be invited to participate in an anti-violence discussion group. We will be gathering at the Alberta Avenue Community Centre.
Want to get involved - check out their website.
Location: Alberta Ave Community League, 9210 118 Avenue
Are you an amazing recycler? Learn what happens to all the blue bag and blue bin stuff once it leaves your home!
Do you love compost? Discover how Edmonton composts everything you put in your household garbage and how to start composting at home!
See what Edmonton is doing to be a world leader in waste management. (Really, we are. Come see why!)
The Edmonton Waste Management Centre (EWMC) is North America's largest collection of modern, sustainable waste processing and research facilities. The Open House tour will take you inside a number of the facilities on site, including: * Materials Recovery Facility, where Edmonton's recyclables are sorted and baled * Edmonton Composting Facility, where Edmonton’s household garbage is composted * Global Electric & Electronic Processing (GEEP) facility, where Edmonton’s electronics are recycled * Construction and Demolition Recycling Operation * Clover Bar landfill (closed Sept 2009) * Integrated Processing & Transfer Facility (the replacement for the landfill) * Learn about the upcoming facilities for the site: Greys Paper & Glass Recycling Facility (closed loop recycling) and the Biofuels Facility
Tours start every 15 minutes from 9am–5pm and take about 1.5 hours. There will be craft activities for the kids and some great door prizes! Buy grade A compost made on site for just $5/30L bag! Donations will be collected for the Edmonton Food Bank.
Parking is limited on site so take advantage of the FREE ETS Shuttle Bus service from Commonwealth Stadium LRT station parking lot every half hour from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Location: Edmonton Waste Management Centre
Address: 13111 - Meridian Street (1st St)
Cost: Free
Contact: Waste Management Branch, City of Edmonton
12:30-2:00pm
"Reinvigorating Democracy in Canada - Three Perspectives"
Ricardo Acuña, Satya Das, Kim Krushell
With voter turnout declining and regard for politicians plummeting, there is a growing sense that something has to be done to get democracy in Canada back on track. Three distinguished Albertans with ties to the University of Alberta will share their perspectives on the need for revitalizing democracy in Canada and how that might be accomplished.
2:00-3:30pm
“Way Ahead not Closed - Perspectives of an Optimist”
Elizabeth Dowdeswell is a leading international figure in environmental advocacy with extensive public service experience that spans provincial, federal and international borders. A former Executive Director of the U.N.’s Environment Program, and now consultant and adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, McLaughlin–Rotman Centre for Global Health, Ms. Dowdeswell’s remarks will survey some of the key issues facing society and share insights from a rich and full career that point the way to ensuring a sustainable and equitable world for all.
2:30-4:00
"Inuit in Canada"
$10
Mary Simon is the national leader of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK). Her distinguished career has been devoted to advancing Aboriginal rights and achieving social justice for Inuit and other Aboriginal peoples nationally and internationally. A leading advocate for indigenous peoples world-wide and for cooperation among Arctic nations, Dr. Simon argues that "for the lessons of history to have enduring value, awareness of past injustice must inspire determination to correct current injustice." Canada's future, Simon contends, will be measured "by how the aboriginal peoples of this country are faring".
Enjoy a full day of fun at City attractions and selected leisure, sports and fitness facilities – for free! For a complete list of activities scheduled at each facility stop by one of the facilities listed below for your event guide.
Attractions: Fort Edmonton Park; John Janzen Nature Centre; John Walter Museum; Muttart Conservatory, City Arts Centre; Valley Zoo; City of Edmonton Archives.
Golf Courses: Rundle or Kinsmen Pitch n Putt
Leisure, Sport & Fitness Facilities: ACT, Bonnie Doon, Eastglen, Hardisty, Jasper Place, Londonderry, Mill Woods Recreation Centre, O’Leary, Peter Hemingway, Kinsmen Sports Centre.
Hop onto the free ETS shuttle buses to various venues. Details on the ETS website:www.takeETS.com More info on this event, seewww.edmonton.caand search "free admission day"
We stand in silence for a world without violence. Wearing black we remember those who have died, are dying and will die at the hands of violence around the world. Women in black Edmonton was formed November 2001 and is part of the international network of women in black. Anyone is welcome to stand with us for all or part of these vigils.
The People’s Food Policy Project (PFPP) announces a national week of Kitchen Table Talks, October 7 to 17, inviting Canadians to dig in and discuss what could be the most important public policy development since Medicare.
Peopleʼs Food Champion’s Needed ~ Host a Kitchen Table Talk!
We should all have a say in food policy. To make sure that the Peopleʼs Food Policy truly reflects a diversity of opinions, we need citizens like you to contribute your ideas, values, time and efforts.
It’s as simple as gathering together with friends, family and/or community members, digging into our recommendations and discussing how you would like to see our food system improved. Then, visit the PFPP website to tell us what you think. This is a chance to participate in developing policy that will shape the future of food in Canada and ensure it is truly sustainable and just.
The PFPP is a pan-Canadian network of citizens and organizations that is creating Canada’s first food sovereignty policy. Our network includes eaters, farmers, community and health workers, academics, cooks, small business owners and others engaged in the food system. During a year of extensive consultation, volunteers heard from more than 1,000 Canadians to develop our proposals and now we would like to hear what you think!
Citizens Should Have a Say in Their Food System
The Liberal Party, the NDP and the Canadian Federation of Agriculture are all calling for a national food strategy for Canada. We are working to ensure that citizens have a voice in how this food strategy takes shape, and we need your help to do it.
Our website contains a number of tools to help get you going, including:
- a Participation Guide that gives you three options for how to hold your Kitchen Table Talk,
- a list of Animators across the country who are available to support you if you need it,
- 10 discussion papers that outline our policy proposals will be posted as they become available throughout the summer,
- a calendar of events where you can find out about Kitchen Table Talks in your region, or let others know about yours.
The Gulf oil spill dwarfs comprehension, but we know this much: it's bad. Carl Safina scrapes out the facts in this blood-boiling cross-examination, arguing that the consequences will stretch far beyond the Gulf -- and many so-called solutions are making the situation worse. Come watch the TEDTalk, then participate in a lively discussion and share your thoughts and opinions! Bring your lunch! Screenings at 12:15pm and 2:30pm.
Carl Safina explores how the ocean is changing, and what those changes mean for wildlife and for people. In the 1990s he helped lead campaigns to ban high-seas driftnets, re-write US federal fisheries law, work toward international conservation of tunas, sharks and other fishes, and achieve passage of a UN global fisheries treaty.
The Centre for Constitutional Studies presents:
The 22nd Annual McDonald Lecture in Constitutional Studies
The Honourable Frank Iacobucci, Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Reception to follow - RSVP by October 1, 2010.
The John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre invites you to a one-day symposium on disability ethics.
The symposium will introduce participants to disability ethics, help refine the concept of disability ethics and clarify its relationship with traditional health ethics.
The symposium is open to everyone and may have special interest to:
- Health Care Practitioners
- Scholars and Students in Health Sciences, Law and Humanities
- Clinical Ethics Committee Members and Ethicists
- Health Care Administrators
Registration Deadline: 7 October 2010
The John Dossetor Health Ethics Centre in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta is an interdisciplinary centre committed to work in health ethics. We endeavour to promote ethical engagement, mutual respect and critical reflection on matters of moral concern in health care. We aim for excellence in four interdependent domains of activity: interdisciplinary scholarship, clinical ethics, health policy consultation, and professional and public bioethics education.
The Timeraiser is a silent art auction with a twist. Instead of bidding money, participants bid volunteer time to agencies needing their skills and energy. We buy all artwork at fair market value beforehand and auction it off on the night of the Timeraiser.
Successful auction bidders have 12 months to complete their volunteer pledge. When they do, they bring the artwork home as a reminder of their goodwill. During the 12 months after the Timeraiser, while participants are completing their volunteer hours, artwork will be displayed in the offices of corporate partners and in various community spaces.
To date, the Timeraiser has generated 55,000 volunteer hours and invested $355,000 in the careers of emerging Canadian artists.
Youth 13-23 years old who want to make a difference in Edmonton, are invited to apply to be a General Assembly Delegate for the City of Edmonton Youth Council. The deadline for the 2009/2010 term is September 26, 2010. Application forms can be found at www.ceyc.ca and can be submitted online, by fax or mail.
The Youth Council has monthly meetings to learn about the projects and plans of the city government and to discuss the youth perspective on these issues and make sure that the voices of young Edmontonians are heard. There are also other working committees where projects, events and ideas come together and make a positive impact on the issues that YOUTH think are important.
Successful applicants will also be asked to come to a personal interview in early October to complete the process. Please email youth.council@edmonton.ca if you have other questions or would like recruitment posters to display at your school, organization or office.
the spoke is a new Downtown Division Neighbourhood Empowerment Team (NET) initiative. The first sessions started in May 2010 (8 sessions total) and all of the participants were referred by the EPS Youth Coordinator. They are community residents who have been caught stealing bicycles.
the spoke fosters a sense of belonging and self
worth for inner city youth by providing a positive and engaging
community space and hands on work experience. Volunteer mechanics work
with youth, providing mentorship and skill sharing. Youth are given the
opportunity to build relationships with peers and volunteers in a safe
and positive environment centered on the values of cooperation, mutual
respect, and the love of bikes!
the spoke provides workspace, knowledgeable
volunteers, and the tools for youth to rebuild bicycles that would
otherwise end up in our City’s landfill or scrap metal. Youth are given
the opportunity to repair a bicycle using the tools in the shop and the
skills they have gained during weekly sessions facilitated by volunteer
mechanics.
the spoke promotes active and environmentally
sustainable transportation. Many youth do not have access to bicycles
and have limited opportunities in terms of positive community based
recreation. the spoke offers a solution! By recycling used bicycles and providing them for public use, the spoke keeps bicycles out of landfills, cars off roads and provides sustainable transportation for youth and this community.
Once graduated, youth participants have the chance to facilitate future
sessions with new youth from the community. This transition intends to
foster confidence, self-esteem and life skills; encouraging and
supporting youth to be leaders and role models in their community.
Now accepting youth applications for the spoke program
Calling all youth, bicycle enthusiasts, commuters & advocates! the spoke
is gearing up for a session in September and we are currently accepting
applications. The best part is that there’s no cost to participate – all that’s
required is a commitment to participate and a love of cycling! Drop us a quick line about your youth and let us know what makes them the perfect fit for the spoke. Space is very limited - but we’ve got a waiting list and will run sessions throughout the winter months. Applications may be submitted to Kris at kris.andreychuk{at}edmontonpolice{dot}ca.
Volunteer as a youth mentor bike mechanic
The Edmonton Bicycle Commuters' Society has been involved with the spoke by helping with
volunteer mechanics as well as resources and expertise. Alex, EBC’s
BikeWorks Coordinator, has been working closely with Kris, the spoke
coordinator, to develop the program, determine and acquire the
necessary parts and tools, and facilitating the actual workshops If you are interested in volunteering for the spoke program, please contact Alex at info[at]edmontonbikes[dot]ca.
Position: Volunteer for Peace Ambassadors Program Organization: Centre for Race and Culture (CRC) Mission Statement: CRC works within the community to promote and support individual, collective and systemic change to address racism and encourage intercultural understanding.
Description: A Peace Ambassador is a youth mentor or leader who works within their community; Peace Ambassadors act as educational facilitators/role models for creating awareness of issues on race and culture in their community and promote peaceful outcomes to racial/cultural differences.
Skills and Experience: · Some past volunteer experience would be nice but is not required · Aged 15- 30 years · Interest in social Justice (interest in making the world a more equitable place) · An open mind and comfortable with challenging your own assumptions and views · Commitment of 4 hours /month minimum Other requirements: A criminal records and child welfare checks may be required (arranged by CRC)
Training Provided: · Anti-racism · Conflict resolution · Skills facilitation/train the trainer · Theatre and social artistry · Opportunities for other professional development
Other Benefits to Volunteer: · Reference letters or references provided for jobs · Volunteer recognition/Volunteer retreats · Leadership and public speaking training · Development of presentation skills · Solid foundation in race, culture and human rights issues
Time: Flexible days and hours Duration: 6 months + Location: Volunteer opportunities available at various locations in Edmonton.
For
those of you looking to get out of the city for a day or a weekend or a week,
consider coming out to visit Lac'ech EcoLodge.
For
2-4 hours help per day, we will feed you 3 organic meals a day and put you up
in our Homesteader's Cabin. Pictures of the Cabin are posted on our
website. You also have access to our walking trails, canoe, mountain bikes and
of course, kissing llamas.
It's
a great idea for an affordable vacation or even a weekend out of the city. A
great way to experience living close to the land and being part of the bio
sphere!
This
offer is open until October 31 or while the weather holds. Openings are
available immediately. Please contact us to arrange a vacations date!
Salute,
Chris
Christiane Guilbeault, Partner
Lak'ech EcoLodge and Ranch
It's that time of year again! The Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair Collective is issuing a call-out for workshop proposals for the 2010 Bookfair set to take place October 8-10 in our city. We are hoping to have things in place farther in advance this year than we did last year, and thus respectfully ask that submissions be sent to us no later than Friday, September 24, 2010, using the submission form in the body of this e-mail below (copy and paste the form into the body of a new e-mail and send it to edmontonanarchistbookfair|at|gmail|dot|com). For a list of last year's super-awesome workshops, please visit http://edmontonanarchistbookfair.ca/index.php?page=workshops.
In Solidarity, Alex (on behalf of the EABF Steering Committee)
Info: The 2010 Edmonton Anarchist Bookfair, will once again create a forum to explore ideas, share skills, and learn from each other.
We are inviting presentations that address: Current or historical horizontal community organizing Current or historical perspectives on Anarchism Community organizing in other countries Skill Sharing Other topics of interest Note: Preference will be given to workshops and presentations that are interactive and directly link topics with Anarchy and/or Anarchism.
Limited assistance for travel and billeting may or may be available for out of town presenters. The specific amount will be contingent upon the success of our fundraising.
Presentation (may submit a maximum of two abstracts): Name: Affiliation: Address: City: Province: Telephone: Fax: Email: Date:
Co-presenters(s): Brief description of workshop/presentation (1-2 sentences for reproduction in promotional materials): Presentation Format: Preferred Date/Time: Audio visual requirements (may be provided by Bookfair with advanced notice):
Please Note: Presenters must bring presentations on CD/DVD, or memory stick We are able to provide copies of any handouts to participants, provided that you supply us with an electronic copy of the handouts by October 1st 2007. Otherwise, presenters will be required to duplicate any handouts at their own expense.
Travel Information 1. Where will you (and your co-presenters) be traveling from, and by what method? 2. If you will be driving, can you drive other people that need rides in your area? If so, how many spaces can you provide? 3. If you are not driving, can you ride with other people? How many spaces will you need? 4. Do you require a travel subsidy? If so, how much?
Billeting: 1. Will you need a place to stay while you are in Edmonton? If so, for how many, and for how long? Please provide dates. 2. Other concerns or considerations, including smoke or pet allergies?
Childcare: Will you require childcare? For how many children?
Do you have a fruit tree that you don’t have the time or the energy to harvest? Are there more berries than you can handle? OFRE will send volunteers to your house at your convenience to pick your fruit or berries for you. 1/3 goes to you, 1/3 goes to Edmonton’s Food Bank*, 1/3 goes to the volunteers.
Established in 2009, Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (OFRE) is a volunteer organization of fruit owners and pickers.OFRE is off with a bang starting August 14/15, 2010!
In the central part of Edmonton: - pick apples and possibly raspberries at 2 locations. - pick apples and possibly other fruit at 1 or 2 locations. For pickings in central Edmonton, pleaseRSVP to Tiffanyatofre.edmonton[at]gmail{dot}comor 780-922-7705
In the west end of the city: - pick cherries, apples and crabapples at 4 locations. For picking in the west end, pleaseRSVP to Meganatofre.edmonton[at]gmail{dot}comor 780-984-8693
For those of you new to OFRE, please come prepared to pick fruit and have a good time outside – that means: - sunscreen and bug spray, hats and water to drink! - any boxes or pails that you can carry fruit in - any ladders or stepladders that you can bring. Please remember that fruit grows on tall trees, so you’ll probably have to climb up at some point to get it picked. :)
More than anything, this is an opportunity to get outside with fun people and get some local food to where it can do some good – whether for you or for a local charity. Thanks so much everyone!
Canada’s oil sands mining operations produce vast and fast-growing quantities of deadly substances, including mercury, heavy metals and arsenic, new data released by Environment Canada shows.
The information on pollutants sheds new light on the environmental toll exacted by Canada’s bid to extract oil from bitumen, showing in stark relief how many nasty substances are being laid on the northern Alberta landscape in the process – and how quickly those are growing.
In the past four years, the volume of arsenic and lead produced and deposited in tailings ponds by the country’s bitumen mines – run by Syncrude Canada Ltd., Suncor Energy Inc., Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. and Royal Dutch Shell PLC – has increased by 26 per cent. Quantities of some other substances have increased at even faster rates.
The companies also released huge amounts of pollutants into the air last year, including 70,658 tonnes of volatile organic compounds, which can damage the function of human organs and nervous systems, and 111,661 tonnes of sulphur dioxide, a key contributor to acid rain.
The numbers are contained in Environment Canada’s national pollutant release inventory, which details the dangerous compounds generated by industrial Canada. New numbers published this weekend track 85 mining facilities that generate tailings and waste rock. Of those, the oil sands produce just under 50,000 tonnes of reportable substances in tailings, or 10 per cent of the total.
Metal ore mines are by far the worst, with 54 per cent, followed by iron ore mines at 25 per cent. Other mines – which include diamond, asbestos and phosphate – generate 5 per cent.
Oil sands operations, however, produced the overwhelming bulk of several dangerous substances: for example, bitumen mines generated nearly all of the Canadian total of acenaphthene, one of a bevy of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons released around Fort McMurray. Such substances can cause tumours of the lung, skin and bladder, and some are carcinogens. And their volumes are growing in north-eastern Alberta: companies generated 42 per cent more acenaphthene in 2009 than they did in 2006.
Last year, oil sands mines also produced 322 tonnes of arsenic, 651 tonnes of lead and measurable volumes of mercury, chromium, vanadium, hydrogen sulphide and cadmium.
The numbers “are just ridiculously huge," said Justin Duncan, a staff lawyer with Ecojustice who helped prosecute the 2007 court case that forced Environment Canada to release the data.
“You’re talking hundreds of thousands of kilograms of heavy metals going into some of these tailings ponds. If one of these things bursts, it’s a catastrophic risk to the Athabasca River system."
The Environment Canada data do not include naphthenic acids, which researchers consider the most toxic component of the effluent brew.
Yet scientists say simply knowing how much pollution is generated by the oil sands does little to show how toxic the mines’ tailings are. What’s needed is the concentration of the substances – a figure Environment Canada does not provide.
John Giesy, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and the Canada Research Chair in Environmental Toxicology, points to a potato as an example: a grocery store spud contains 600 to 700 chemicals, some of them carcinogens, but they’re in such small quantities that they’re not harmful.
“Everything is toxic. It’s the concentration that makes the poison," he said.
The actual toxicity of oil sands effluent remains a nascent field of scientific inquiry. But some research that has been carried out by the University of Saskatchewan has found some surprising results. Some older tailings ponds, for instance, are capable of sustaining fish life. And virtually all tailings ponds can sustain invertebrate life; Julie Anderson, a PhD student, has discovered that mosquito-like midges will survive, but not grow, in tailings water.
To allow midges to grow, oil sands wastewater needs to be diluted roughly as much as the effluent from some sewage treatment plants.
And industry says it is working to improve. Travis Davies, spokesman for the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said companies will spend $1-billion in the next year to reduce tailings, “so you have less of these in the environment for any extended period of time."
Environmentalists, however, said the Environment Canada data show the full slate of dangerous compounds emitted by the oil sands and will serve as an important industry barometer.
“More information coming to light is essential, I think, to eventually have a meaningful discussion about the unacceptable risk of these tailings ponds," said Simon Dyer, oil sands program director for the Pembina Institute.
"Green Fingers are the extension of a verdant heart."- Russell Page
Grow a Row with Edmonton Meals on Wheels promotes going green and eating local. We invite our local gardeners and farmers to donate their fresh produce to us. With these fruits and vegetable, we are able to make the meals that nourish the body and feed the soul throughout the city.
In 2008, we received a generous donation of over 2,340 lbs of fruit and vegetables and 1,860 lbs in 2009. We accept all fruits, vegetables, herbs and federally inspected meat products.
We want to keep the tradition of local gardeners helping poeple by helping your green thumb with our compost. Come into our office and we'll give you our organic fertilizer to keep your garden feeding the community.
Call 780-429-2020 for more information or drop in at 11111 103 Avenue Edmonton, AB.
Edmonton City Council encourages citizens with a desire to share their talent, time and skills to serve as members of Agencies, Boards and Commissions.
The annual recruitment campaign to fill citizen vacancies on agencies, boards and commissions begins September 1, 2010 and the Office of the City Clerk will begin to accept applications that day. Deadline to apply is September 30, 2010.
Most board opportunities are volunteer, however a few do have remuneration because of their responsibilities and required time commitment. Preference is given to residents of Edmonton. Most appointments are for one year, renewable for up to six consecutive years. For position descriptions, see website.
Get involved in making the policies that shape your city!
Contact: Civic Agencies Coordinator, City of Edmonton
Take the first step towards becoming a Certified Organic Land Care Professional.
You can gain Transitional Certification this spring by taking one of the 8-day intensiveOrganic Master Gardener courses offered in Courtenay starting March 29, and Tofino starting April 19.
These courses qualify for funding under the Workplace Training for Innovation Program. What an opportunity to introduce some true innovation into your business!
Residents qualify for $9,000 cash back on installation costs beginning at $25,000.
With over 2,300 hours of sunshine a year, Edmonton is one of Canada's sunniest cities. Now, the City of Edmonton will help residents harness the power of the sun. In response to greater demand for ways to reduce CO2 emissions and growing interest in renewable electricity generation, the City is introducing a solar-electric pilot program.
This one-month program will allocate the total budget of $200,000 in the form of rebates for home and business owners interested in installing solar panels to generate electricity.
Total budget: $200,000.
Residential Solar Electric Program - The program covers systems with a rated capacity of a minimum of one kilowatt with the rebate based on $3.00 per watt of installed capacity. The maximum allowable rebate per residential system will be $9,000. For example, a residential system with panels having a rated capacity of one kilowatt would be eligible for a rebate of $3,000 and a larger system of 3 kilowatts would be eligible for a rebate of $9,000.
Commercial Solar Electric Program – The program covers systems with a rated capacity of a minimum of two kilowatts and a maximum capacity of ten kilowatts with the rebate based on a rate of $3.00 per watt of installed capacity. The maximum allowable rebate per commercial system will be $18,000. The program is available for existing buildings within the City of Edmonton. The term 'commercial' encompasses: 1) non-residential buildings, and 2) residential buildings with a footprint greater than 600 m2 or greater than three storeys.
The program is for existing buildings only and funds systems that will be installed between September 1 and December 31, 2010. Interested applicants are asked to visit the Solar Electric Pilot Program website for more information and to read the terms and conditions of the program.
CSL 300: Theory & Practice of Community Service-Learning Documenting (for) Social Change Fall 2010 term on Mondays 1:00-3:50pm
What is social change? How does social change happen? How do we recognize social change? How is social change documented? How do practices of documentation and research contribute to social change?
We will explore these questions in the classroom through interdisciplinary readings and seminar-style discussion and outside the classroom in community-based activities. Students can expect to practice community-based approaches to bringing about social change and to documenting social change and community engagement (i.e., story collecting and storytelling, survey research, event planning) in their CSL placements.
Prerequisite: Previous CSL experience or permission of the instructor. Please contact Dr. Joanne Muzak for more information about the course.
A 'Big Shift' from the 20th century (a time defined by hyper-consumption) to a 21st century age of Collaborative Consumption, is underway.
Collaborative Consumption describes the rapid explosion in traditional sharing, bartering, lending, trading, renting, gifting, and swapping redefined through technology and peer communities.
The Little Green Thumbs program is a powerful tool to engage youth in learning and caring about the plants and the environment that sustain us. The program provides schools and after school agencies with indoor garden equipment and support such as classroom mentors, technical and horticultural advice and program resources. In the past 3 winter seasons, 19 schools and child service agencies were the fortunate recipients of an indoor garden through the Little Green Thumbs Program!
Get a Little Green Thumbs program at your neighbourhood school or child care facility We are currently looking for schools and child care agencies who would like to participate in our 2010-2011 Little Green Thumbs Program. To apply for an indoor garden program, please e-mail us for an application form or complete the online form by Friday, September 10, 2010.
Timeline The information/training session will be held in October. The indoor garden will be set up and seeds are planted in January, followed by the transplanting session in early February. Your indoor garden can be maintained until the end of the school year. In subsequent years, you may choose to start the garden in October or January. Replacement materials (soil bags, seeds, etc.) can be ordered at replacement cost through Cityfarm.
Technical Requirements Space: The garden area needs to be approximately 6 x 6 feet, ideally accessible from 3 sides. The garden will be installed before Christmas break. Ceiling: The grow light will be suspended with two chains and T-bar clips. If you have ceiling tiles held up by T-bars, the T-bar clips can be used. If not, we will be using hooks. Please verify that hooks can be screwed into your ceiling where the garden will be located. The light can be suspended from existing lights; please note that the maximum weight of the light assembly is 9 lbs (4 kg). Electrical: The grow light must be plugged into a lightly loaded electrical circuit and must not be on a circuit that is already used for computers, printers and microwave ovens. The distance from the centre of the garden area to the electrical outlet should not be more than 9 feet, as the power chord for the grow light is relatively short. A three prong grounded extension chord can be used.
Volunteer as a Growing Assistant Enjoy gardening and young people? Be part of our volunteer Growing Assistants service program. As a Growing Assistant you will provide quality, practical, and personal assistance to school teachers and agency leaders who often lack horticultural skills and experience. As a volunteer Growing Assistant you will help us enhance our capacity to provide horticultural and learning supports at Cityfarm Little Green Thumb sites in the Edmonton area. A green thumb is not a pre-requisite. However gardening experience and a passion for children and youth are an asset. Commitment: 2-3 hours/month October 2010 – June 2011. Application are due September 10 and can be downloaded here: http://www.city-farm.org/jobs_volunteer.htm
Contact: Claudia Bolli, Personal Community Support Association (Now offering the Cityfarm, Community Gardens and Little Green Thumbs Programs)
The City of Edmonton's Carbon
Dioxide Reduction Edmonton (CO2RE) program focuses
on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Edmonton. What better and
easier way to do
so than by reducing vehicle idling!
The
City and the Alberta Capital Airshed Alliance are calling on aspiring
young actors and directors to produce creative, three-minute videos about why
idling is so lousy for the environment.
They
are calling on contestants in three age categories, 7-11 years old, 12-14 years old and
15-18 years old to enter the "Be Idle Free Video Contest" in an attempt to help
inform the public about the negative effects
of idling vehicles in our city.
Contest winners will get some amazing prizes, including:
private snowshoe
lessons for up to 10 people combined with a $500 gift card from Mountain
Equipment Co-op
14 box seat tickets to an
Edmonton Oil Kings game and $200 in food and drinks from Northlands
Coliseum
an iPod
an Olympus digital camera
movie tickets
a Flip
digital camcorder
Contest
entries will be received from July 15 to September 30, 2010. Members of
the public can vote on their favourite entry from July 15 to October
11, 2010. Winners
will be announced mid-October.
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