Green 13

This Blog has been moved to Green 13's new website

2011-02-22T05:29:00.001-08:00

For future entries check our new website at www.green13toronto.org

2011-02-12T08:44:00.000-08:00

Free screening and discussion
1 pm Saturday, February 26
51 Vine Avenue
(steps from the corner of Keele and Dundas West)

http://www.petropolis-film.com/#

Shot primarily from a helicopter, filmmaker Peter Mettler's "Petropolis: Aerial Perspectives on the Alberta Tar Sands" offers an unparalleled view of the world's largest industrial, capital and energy project.

Canada's tar sands are an oil reserve the size of England. Extracting the crude oil called bitumen from underneath unspoiled wilderness requires a massive industrialized effort with far-reaching impacts on the land, air, water, and climate.

It's an extraordinary spectacle, whose scope can only be understood from far above. In a hypnotic flight of image and sound, one machine's perspective upon the choreography of others, suggests a dehumanized world where petroleum's power is supreme.

TAKING ACTION FOR A GREENER WORLD – TWO CHANCES TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE

2011-02-06T19:27:00.000-08:00

Green Neighbours 21

Monday, February 7, 7:00-9:00 pm

Fighting global warming means more than changing our homes and lifestyles – we also need to get politically involved. Come and learn about two urgent citizen’s action campaigns and what we can do to support them.

1. Franz Hartman (Toronto Environmental Alliance): “Saving Transit City – What We’re Doing and How You Can Help”

2. Cheryl McNamara (Citizens Climate Lobby) and Lauryn Drainie (Climate Action Network): “Ending Canada’s Fossil Fuel Subsidy – How We can Make it Happen”

Location: St Michael and all Angels Church

(southeast corner of St. Clair and Wychwood, enter off Wychwood, through wooden gate, top floor)

Green Neighbours 21

Citizens call upon the Canadian government to end tax breaks/subsidy to fossil fuels

Fossil-tax-breaks

Let's kick-start 2011 by getting the government to end tax breaks to dirty fuels!

We are only weeks away from the 2011 federal budget and the federal government continues to give billions of dollars in tax breaks to the companies producing oil and gas in Canada. Analysis shows a total of $1.4 billion per year in federal tax breaks alone, with a disproportionate share going to dirty fuels such as the Alberta Tar Sands.

For more information on the federal government’s tax breaks to dirty fuels:

1. Climate Action Network Canada’s report: Fuelling the Problem, why it is time to end tax breaks to oil and gas companies in Canada

See the Fossil Fuel Subsidies Counter here:

2. An open letter to PM Harper and Minister Flaherty calling for an end to tax breaks to dirty fuels.

Over 90 Canadian civil society organizations

have signed-on demanding that the Government honour it’s G20 commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies.

Climate Action Network

Let's find out where every MP in the country stands on this issue and make sure we are putting pressure on in the right places.

The first step is easy – Call, e-mail, or meet with your MP and find out one simple thing: Do they support ending the giveaway of over a billion dollars a year to oil companies?

The second step is even easier – let us know where your MP stands by sending us an email, and let others know how it went on our Facebook page. From here we can build a map and figure out where we need the most pressure.

Please pass this on to your lists and friends!

Here are a few helpful lines:

End subsidies for dirty fuels!

Canadian companies in the business of extracting oil made billions of dollars in profit last year. So why does our government annually give the fossil fuel industry $1 billion?

If lawmakers in Ottawa are looking for ways to reduce spending, it seems that subsidies to the oil, coal and gas industries are the best place to start.

Scientists are warning that we face disastrous consequences unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions that come from burning fossil fuels. By subsidizing the fossil fuel industry, the Canadian government is delaying the conversion to clean energy that’s needed to stabilize the Earth’s climate.

Canadian taxpayers should not be giving money to highly profitable corporations. When the federal government passes a new budget in March, these subsidies for dirty fuels must come to an end. By doing so, Canada will meet its 2009 commitment made in Pittsburgh, along with other G20 leaders, to phase out subsidies and tax breaks to companies producing oil, gas and coal.

Clean Train Coalition Update

2011-01-30T09:29:00.000-08:00

ACTION ALERT

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

WRITE and CALL: ONTARIO PREMIER DALTON McGUINTY
http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/ (416) 325-1941 Fax: 416-325-3745

We demand that Metrolinx NOT purchase diesel trains for the air-rail link to Pearson Airport. Build it once, build it right, GO Electric NOW!

VOLUNTEER at info@cleantrain.ca
Help deliver flyers, share information and get other involved in your area.

STAY INFORMED www.cleantrain.ca

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

CLEAN TRAIN DELIVERS “GO ELECTRIC NOW” MESSAGE

Photo: Toronto Star - January 26, 2011 in front of the Toronto Central YMCA.

PREMIER McGUINTY: DO NOT BUY DIESELS FOR THE AIR RAIL LINK

On Wednesday January 26th the Clean Train Coalition (CTC) held a demonstration in outside the Metrolinx board meeting at the Central YMCA on 20 Grosvenor Street. The rally called on Metrolinx not to proceed with the purchase of diesel trains for the air-rail link (ARL) to Pearson airport. The group then marched up Yonge St to the offices of the Ontario Liberal Party at 10 St. Mary Street. Here, Premier McGuinty was called upon to direct Metrolinx to purchase electric trains.

Notice was served that clean trains will be a major issue in the October provincial election if we are ignored. Thanks, all for helping to get the message through!

The Clean Train Coalition has successfully advanced the case for clean electric trains as the way of the future of sustainable mass transit. Metrolinx Board gave its support to the staff recommendations based on the electrification study to make the ARL the priority project for electrification, and to electrify all of Georgetown and Lakeshore routes.

However, this approval does not stop them from ordering diesel trains which they maintain are still needed. Metrolinx still plans to buy diesels for the air rail link, with the endorsement of the Provincial government. Metrolinx staff state it will take at least 7 years to complete the ARL and 23 years to finish the other two lines.

Clean Train Coalition strongly believes that electrifying the new transit service between Union Station and the Airport can be expedited. This will mean that the option for purchasing diesel trains, negotiated by Metrolinx before completing the Electrification Study, will not be necessary. Suitable electric vehicles can be made in Ontario, and the Japanese manufacturer that Metrolinx prefers makes the same vehicle in an electric version.

The recently released Metrolinx electrification study validates the benefits of electrifying. According to Metrolinx, the ARL will eventually be electrified. The CTC demands that an expert peer review of the proposed timeline takes place to speed up implementation. Costly plans to purchase ‘convertible’ diesels should be dropped in favour of using electric trains from the start.

Build it once, build it right, GO Electric Now!

OUR NEXT STEPS

PLEASE WRITE and CALL PREMIER DALTON MCGUINTY
http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/feedback/ 416-325-1941 Fax: 416-325-3745

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS. Register at info@cleantrain.ca to help connect your local area. Form your own local group and raise awareness. Delivering flyers locally ensures people in your community get informed and encourages them to take action.

PLEASE CHECK www.cleantrain regularly to stay informed.

The Clean Train Coalition is a non-partisan volunteer group that represents the communities along the rail corridor. We believe that a healthy environment and vibrant neighbourhoods depend on smart investment in public transit infrastructure. Build it once, build it right!

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca

Curriculum for Transition

2011-01-21T11:18:00.001-08:00

Clean Train Coalition Update

2011-01-20T14:43:00.000-08:00

ATTEND: THE CLEAN TRAIN DEMONSTRATION

We demand that Metrolinx NOT purchase diesel trains for the air-rail link to Pearson Airport.
Wednesday, January 26 at 8:30 a.m.
Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor St
2 blocks north of College St, west of Yonge St

CALL: 416 205 5807 TO LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR CBC RADIO ON THE ELECTRIFICATION.
VOLUNTEER: send your name to info@cleantrain.ca to help deliver flyers in your area.

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

Policy shift on electric trains is a giant step forward– and the fight is far from over

We just won an INCREDIBLE victory yesterday in the battle for electric trains and healthy transit. The Air Rail Link is now top priority for electrification, and the Georgetown and Lakeshore routes are being recommended to the Province to become the regional electric rail corridors.

Everyone who is part of the Clean Train Coalition should feel proud at the fact that Metrolinx is now admitting that we have been right all along: Electric Trains are the way to GO!

The Electrification Study that CTC compelled them to undertake will set transit policy across Canada, and will advance the case for healthy and sustainable urban transit. These policy discussions will continue into the future, and CTC will be part as the dialogue continues in days to come.

But today our struggle continues. Their plans still include using diesel trains to launch expanded service for the ARL and GO. They are still negotiating the order for buying Diesel Multiple Unit trains for the Air Rail Link, and say these will be converted sometime after they get running. There are serious concerns about noise as well as air pollution: diesel ARL trains would be much louder than electric trains and they would blast their way through our communities every 15 minutes for 20 hours a day!

Do you trust the promise by Metrolinx, when there is no actual plan for conversion of the ARL diesels once they buy them, when the cost of converting from Diesel to Electric is more than buying electric trains up front, and when the only reason driving this is to meet commitments for a 2 week tourist event that adding more bus and train service to the existing GO schedule could handle as effectively? The Pan Am Games are no excuse for inflicting diesel trains on our communities for decades.

We MUST get them to build it right, from the start!

On January 26th the CTC is holding a demonstration in front of the Central YMCA on 20 Grosvenor Street, starting at 8:30 AM. It is an important opportunity to let the Metrolinx Board of Directors and the Provincial Government that there is a gap between words and deeds. We will not stand by silently while the Provincial Government hopes they can sound good for the next election. Talking electric while buying diesel is not good enough, and we vote for electric trains.

CBC radio is taking calls on the electrification, so please call them! Topics can include why diesel, even tier 4 is bad for our health, why diesel trains to the airport pollute more than cars, how incredibly noisy the ‘latest, most modern’ diesel trains are since GO put them online last year, why the Pan Am games 'green and sustainable' shouldn't be the excuse for diesel, why does it now take 22 years to do what in 2001 experts said would take 33 months. Tell your friends. Make this the most called item ever on CBC.

Our Next Steps:

PLEASE ATTEND the CTC Demo, January 26th 8:30am at the Central YMCA before the Metrolinx Board Meeting to demand that Metrolinx purchase electric and not diesel trains for the air-rail link to Pearson Airport. Bring a sign with a positive message, like “GO ELECTRIC NOW!”

PLEASE CALL 416 205 5807 to leave a message for CBC radio on the need for electrification.

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS. Delivering flyers locally ensures people in your community get informed and are encouraged to take action. Register at info@cleantrain.ca to help connect your local area.

The above flyer is clickable for larger size and readability.

The Clean Train Coalition is a non-partisan volunteer group that represents the communities along the rail corridor. We believe that a healthy environment and vibrant neighbourhoods depend on smart investment in public transit infrastructure. Build it once, build it right! For more information please see www.cleantrain.

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca

Inorganic Market

2011-01-20T07:03:00.000-08:00

Inorganic Market - Sunday January 23rd, 11a.m. to 3 p.m.
Nicholson's NoFrills parking lot, 2187 Bloor St. West & Runnymede
http://irecyclecomputers.com/images/community%20collection%20-%20poster.pdf

Upcoming Green 13 meeting

2011-01-20T06:59:00.000-08:00

Upcoming Green 13 Meeting:

Please join us this Monday, January 24th, 6:30 pm
in the basement of Annette Branch Library. We usually
meet the 4th Monday each month.
On this month's agenda, planning for Earth Hour,
the week of Earth Day, community gardens, farmers' markets,
and more.
All are welcome!

The Future of GTA Transit

2011-01-17T19:53:00.000-08:00

Export to a calendar
Jan
26
Wed 7:00 PM
Location
Bahen Centre, 40 St. George St., Room 1190
Building joined to N. of UofT Bookstore,
Enter: 40 ST. GEORGE just N. of College
Toronto, ON M5S 2E4
Not applicable

Who’s coming?
41 people concerned about peak oil
Who's hosting?
Paul Trueman and Toronto Peak Oil MeetUp Host

Mayor Ford has some strong ideas about transit... but whether or not they are practical, economical or even achievable remains to be seen. Maps comparing Transit City plan with the Ford plan is illustrated below.

Steve Munro, the individual credited with saving the streetcars which give Toronto its distinct look, (see his blog at http://stevemunro.ca/... ) will address Post Carbon Toronto on his thoughts on the way ahead for transit in the GTA.

It promises to be a great meeting!

To register to attend:

http://www.meetup.com/PostCarbonTorontoMeetup/calendar/15784268/

WISE Project

2011-01-11T08:51:00.001-08:00

Dear WISE Project Supporters

WISE Project participants have been actively installing solar projects on their own roofs for years. But during those years many residents whose own roofs were not suitable or who did not own their own home asked us about the possibility of forming a co-op to collectively own a solar system. Well, now there is an exciting new opportunity to invest in co-operatively owned solar systems through the Options for Green Energy Queen Street Solar Co-operative.

If you would like to know more come out to the Green Neighbours 21 meeting on Monday January 17th to learn about this exciting development and help build the new energy system we will need in Toronto for the decades ahead. To learn more about Options for Green Energy you can visit their website here.

When: Monday January 17th 7 PM

Where: St Michael and All Angels Church
(southeast corner St. Clair and Wychwood, enter from Wychwood, top floor)

To help us plan the number of materials we need and ensure we have enough seating please RSVP to greenneighbours@yahoo.ca

Clean Train Coalition Update

2011-01-08T13:13:00.001-08:00

Happy new year, everyone! A small group of us have been very busy with Clean Train Coalition work over the holiday season so this is why there’s been such a delay since our last email. (If you have time to help us with that… we would be most grateful!)

In the meantime, it’s short notice, but our NEXT GENERAL MEETING is this Thursday, Jan 6 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport just west of Symington.

Topics in this email:
1. Petitions delivered to the Legislature
2. Seasonal cards and postcards to McGuinty
3. Metrolinx preparing to buy Japanese-built diesel trains!
4. Request for donations
5. Come to next general meeting
6. What else you can do

1. Petitions delivered to the Legislature

Over ten thousand petitions were introduced into the Legislature on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 and the CTC held a press conference to announce it.

With these endorsements, the CTC now has support from members of Ontario’s three political parties. Liberal MPPs who presented petitions were Laura Albanese (York South-Weston), Tony Ruprecht (Davenport), and Shafiq Qaadri (Etobicoke North). Ontario Progressive Conservative MPP and Transport Critic Frank Klees (Newmarket-Aurora) and MPP Joyce Savoline (Burlington) also presented petitions with Klees attending the press conference held in the morning. NDP members presenting petitions were Transport Critic Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park) and Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina). Ms. DiNovo has already presented a large number of the petitions during the past year and more are coming forward daily.

At the press conference, PC Transport Critic Frank Klees said, “I certainly welcome on behalf of the Conservative Caucus the initiative being taken by your group. I want to make it very clear I stand firmly behind this. It is unjustifiable on the part of the government to not go electric from the very start.”

Klees added, “There are literally thousands of people who have expressed their views on the benefits of electrification and it is time for the government to listen. What has not been in the discussion to this point is the economics. There are not only the environmental advantages, but the very large operating savings down the road.”

2. Seasonal Cards and postcards to Premier McGuinty
Did you get one of our holiday cards? The CTC printed about 5000 non-denominational cards and delivered them to people along the tracks, media and politicians. These cards illustrated the need for everyone to contact Dalton McGuinty to let him know we want electric not diesel trains, and we want them now, not later. A big thanks to our distribution team who got them out there. You were a tremendous help and we could not have done it without you.

Please contact the premier if you have not already at dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal..ola.org to say you want electric trains between Union Station and Pearson Airport by 2015. The diesel trains stop with him – he must be the one to change them to electric.

In addition, some friends of the CTC (at www.stopdirtydieseltrains.ca) ran off a large number of postcards that can be mailed to Premier McGuinty. They have been dropped off at various locations in the communities but if you can’t find any, email info@cleantrain.ca if you want some.

3. Update: Metrolinx puts a bid in for Japanese diesel trains!

Despite the CTC having been told directly by Ontario Transportation Minister Kathleen Wynne when we met with her in September that they would wait until the electrification study was completed to decide what locomotives to buy, Metrolinx has announced that it will be purchasing Japanese-built diesel-powered vehicles for the ARL by February 6!

We don’t have to tell you all the reasons this is wrong, but just to restate it:
going electric would pay huge dividends in economic spin-off, job creation, and environmental and health benefits for taxpayers. Virtually everything required – electric locomotives, rolling stock, overhead wires, transformers and all the construction work – could be supplied by Ontario firms. It would be a risk-free, made-in-Ontario solution. Rail and transit industry associations in Canada and the U.S. estimate that every $1 million invested in capital projects such as commuter rail electrification generates $3 million to $4 million in economic activity and creates 26 to 40 new jobs.

With the prospect of a significant decline in world oil supply looming within the next decade, electric power is recognized as the preferred energy source for sustainable transportation.

The CTC is calling on Premier McGuinty to direct Metrolinx to not purchase these diesel trains and rather to direct Metrolinx to make the ARL electric!

4. Clean Train Coalition needs cash!

I am sure you are thinking, doesn’t everyone, especially in these tough economic times?
We hope you can spare some for our fight to ensure a positive outcome!

The CTC is a volunteer group that runs on a very tight shoestring budget used for covering all our communications costs. The 5000 cards we recently printed cost over $500; copies of briefing notes and press releases for government and media relations cost for each round of advocacy; display and hand-out materials are needed for every community education event.

Without your donations, we can’t make our voices heard and be certain that people get informed about what is really at stake, and ensure that the Metrolinx public relations machine is held up to public scrutiny.

Can we afford to allow Metrolinx to choose diesel trains for the ARL instead of electric ones, which would result in over 300,000 people breathing in the most deadly particulates? There are over 1000 children along this corridor registered at school today with asthma. How will we explain to those kids who have to manage the added environmental stress of pollution, what impact diesel trains will have on them and their young friends for the rest of their lives?

Please go to our website (www.cleantrain.ca) and donate whatever you can. If every household on this list donated $10 or more, that would be an enormous boost! It’s our children on the line. We can’t have a lack of funds stop us.

5. Come to our next General Meeting.

Thursday, January 6, 2010 at 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Come and join us for an informative meeting on what is happening with the Clean Train Coalition. It takes place at the Perth Davenport Neighbourhood Centre at 1900 Davenport Ave @ Symington Ave. Refreshments will be served and you will learn of all the good work that is being done. Bring a friend!

6. Other ways you can help

Mail, email, or phone your local councillor (especially the newly elected ones) and your provincial MPPs and voice your continued opposition to the use of diesel trains versus electrification. (Contacts for some key provincial politicians are below)

Remind elected officials that dirty diesel is bad for the environment, bad for the health of Torontonians, and that all the available data points to the fact that electrification is more affordable over the long run.

You can find contact information for key politicians by clicking on the Contact Politicians link on the CTC home page. At the bottom of this email, we've also included contact info for Premier McGuinty, Minister Wynne, and MPPs Laura Albanese and Tony Ruprecht.
Continue to spread the word! Please tell your friends and neighbours that there is still time to make a difference. Direct them to our web site for more information. Have them sign up to our newsletter or volunteer list.

If you might be available to help us with door-to-door delivery of CTC info in your neighbourhood, please let Cherri know at bobbackland@ica.net . It takes about an hour to deliver to 100 front doors, and walking is great exercise!

And last but not least, if you are able to contribute some time to get more involved with the CTC, please contact info@cleantrain.ca at any time so we can plug you in!

Happy New Year and let’s hope it’s an electric one!
The Clean Train Coalition
info@cleantrain.ca

Aftershock: Surviving Haiti Free Screening

2011-01-04T12:21:00.000-08:00

Humbercrest United Church will host a free screening of Claude's Doc on the anniversary date of the earthquake

http://www.keepitinthefamilyproductions.com

Production Studio Owner/Operator ~ Producer & Media Relations
Studio Rentals: drive in, green screen, laundry/showers/makeup, client lounge, parking, kitchen set

Changing Kids: Media Relations for Board of Directors http://www.changingkids.com
Holly's Law Canada Advocate - http://www.protect-kids.org MEDIA RELATIONS
Green 13 Environmental Member - http://green13toronto.blogspot.com

Free Geek

2010-12-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

Free Geek
are holding a Green Tech: Computer Toss
on Saturday Dec 11, at 51 Vine Ave (Dundas and Keele area, at the end of the laneway)

12 pm Free Geek Tour
1pm presentation - Recycling Computers 101
2pm movie "Chemercial" snacks and refreshments will be availab;e
4pm acoustic jam session

www.FreeGeekToronto.org 416-572-3737

Update on the Metrolinx Demo!

2010-12-07T08:47:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone who came out for the Clean Train demonstration at Metrolinx HQ on November 16. It was a fantastic turnout, especially for a weekday morning! Over 60 people took part in a spirited demonstration on the sidewalk in front of the Metrolinx head offices on Bay at Queens Quay. Following the outdoor demonstration, the crowd moved upstairs to the Metrolinx offices and packed the Metrolinx board meeting with CTC supporters.

The demonstration was yet another affirmation of the strong opposition to diesel trains. There was extensive media coverage. You can visit the CTC web site at www.cleantrain.ca where we have posted links to varied media articles.

Again, a huge thank you to all who contributed to the success of the demonstration.

Where the CTC stands on diesel and the Pan Am Games

The CTC believes that tying the long-term rail transit needs of Toronto to a 2-week event like the Pan Am games is the wrong approach for our city. There is surely a better plan that can be devised to deliver the short-term transportation needs of the 2015 Pan Am Games and also address the long-term rail transit needs of our citizens. Why would a world-class city like Toronto move forward with a 20th century, dirty diesel train solution? It makes no sense.

There is still time to change this stupid plan!

We are now redoubling our efforts to do what we can to stop Metrolinx from ordering the first dirty diesel trains. With your support we can still make a difference. Here’s how you can help.

Mail, email, or phone your local councillor (especially the newly elected ones) and your provincial MPs and voice your continued opposition to the use of diesel trains versus electrification.

Remind your elected officials that dirty diesel is bad for the environment, bad for the health of Torontonians, and that all the available data points to the fact that electrification is more affordable over the long run.

You can find contact information for key politicians by clicking on the Contact Politicians link on the CTC home page. At the bottom of this email, we've also included contact info for Premier McGuinty, Minister Wynne, and MPPs Laura Albanese and Tony Ruprecht.

Continue to spread the word!

Please tell your friends and neighbors that there is still time to make a difference. Direct them to our web site for more information, have them sign up to our newsletter, and if they have the ability, ask them to make a donation to the CTC.

We also want to let you know about a new video that was created by some of folks who are angry about diesel trains. The video gives a good overview of the problem with the diesel train plan. Please view the video and pass it along to as many people as you can: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t1PkBstz1M.

Happy Holidays to you and yours!

The Clean Train Coalition

CONTACT INFO FOR PROVINCIAL POLITICIANS

Hon. DALTON MCGUINTY
Premier, Province of Ontario
Rm 281, Legislative Building, Queens Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1
Tel: (416) 325-1941 Fax: 416-325-3745
dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Hon. KATHLEEN WYNNE
Minister of Transportation
Ferguson Block 3rd Floor
77 Wellesley St W
Toronto ON M7A1Z8
Tel: 416-327-9200
kwynne.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

LAURA ALBANESE, MPP
York South--Weston
Unit 102 - 2301 Keele St
Toronto ON M6M 3Z9
Tel: (416) 243-7984 Fax: (416) 243-0327
lalbanese.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

TONY RUPRECHT, MPP
Davenport
1359 Davenport Road
Toronto ON M6H 2H5
Tel: (416) 535-3158 Fax: (416) 325-9961
truprecht.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca

PUBLIC MEETING OF PARKDALE-HIGH PARK

2010-11-26T07:53:00.000-08:00

Community Council on Federal Issues
Thurs. Dec. 9, 2010 7:00-9:00 pm Swansea Community Recreation Centre / 15 Waller Ave., off Windermere
Topic: "Advancing Federal Environment Policies: Protecting Your Health and our Children's Heritage"
Come engage with Gerard Kennedy, federal Environment Critic, on the challenges facing our environment: as local and immediate as our air and water, and as large as climate change, biodiversity and regulating the tar sands.

Eco Energy Fair is at Artscape Wychwood Barns this Sunday, Nov. 28th, from 1-4 p.m.

2010-11-26T07:51:00.000-08:00

This is back by popular demand from last year's Hole in the Home Show. Exhibitors will include businesses working in the energy audit field, efficient furnaces, insulation, and solar solutions. There will be neighbours with experience in retrofitting their homes who can answer some of your questions about what worked for them and what kind of a difference their changes are making in reducing their energy consumption. As well we will have the latest on government rebates--yes, there still are some of those available. We look forward to seeing all of you there!

TOWN HALL ON COMMUNITY GARDENS AND LOCAL FARMERS' MARKETS in Ward 13

2010-11-26T07:50:00.000-08:00

Thursday, November 25 7:30 - 9:30 pm Swansea Town Hall, 2nd floor• Learn about what's involved in starting a community garden or farmers' market.
• Find out how Green 13 and the Live Green Toronto Community animators can support these projects.
• Meet neighbours and form committees
Don't miss this opportunity to be part of an exciting project in your neighbourhood!

Support Front-Yard Veggie Plots in Toronto!

2010-11-20T08:40:00.000-08:00

The city of Toronto has decided that front yard vegetable gardens are out! However, the mayor of Vancouver, BC has not only supported the idea of front yard vegetable plots, they are actively promoting them. Please write to your local city council member or to city hall directly to have the recent front-yard vegetable plot decision overturned.

http://tinyurl.com/2cftej2

2010-11-14T08:54:00.000-08:00

An Invitation to: Gathering Strength in Times of Climate Change

2010-11-05T10:03:00.002-07:00

A Directed Reflection Workshop

Multi-Faith Centre, University of Toronto, 569 Spadina Ave

November 14, 2010 (1–4pm)

"The intention of this workshop is to help participants experience emotional dimensions of environmental awareness and transform pain for the world into resilience and empowerment."

"The process of this workshop is planned as a context for us to regain confidence in our thoughts and deeds and strengthen our commitment to work towards a sustainable Earth. Participants can expect to gain knowledge associated with local and global environmental and social sustainability, applicable in many aspects of community and individual life."

Gathering Strength in Times of Climate Change: a Spiritual Response

2010-11-05T10:03:00.001-07:00

November 14, 1-4pm, Multifaith Centre at the University of Toronto

A directed reflection workshop helping us to experience our emotions around climate change and environmental destruction, and to transform our pain into resilience and empowerment. Based on the "Work that Reconnects" group processes developed by Joanna Macy and colleagues.

Click here to register

Health, Faith, & the Environment

2010-11-05T10:02:00.001-07:00

November 11, 7pm

Knox Presbyterian Church, 630 Spadina Avenue

This workshop will explore the connections between health and the environment, through the lens of faith and spirituality. Participants will engage in small and large group discussions.

- Dr. Alan Abelsohn, of the University of Toronto, will highlight the human health challenges we face in the context of our deteriorating environment, particularly with respect to climate change.

- Hilda Swirsky, President of Canadian Nurses for Health and Environment and Chair of Beth Emeth Bais Yehuda Synagogue's Greening Committee will explore the growing linkages observed by nursing and health professionals between a healthy person and a healthy environment; and will speak about the role of nurses and health professionals in advocating for environmental health.

- Gideon Forman of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) will speak on the strong leadership coming from the medical community to protect human health through advocacy and political involvement. Gideon's energetic approach challenges participants to engage more fully in the democratic process as citizens.

Economy, Faith, & the Environment

2010-11-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

November 10, 7pm

St. Andrews United Church, 117 Bloor St. E.

This workshop looks at how our present-day economy has negatively impacted the natural environment through its endless growth imperative and consumerism, as well as the options that exist for moving to a sustainable economy that is respectful of the natural world. Participants will engage in small and large group discussions.

- The Hon. David McDonald outlines the present pathway of the destructive impacts of the present economy on the environment, especially the carbon economy and the growing impacts of climate change, highlighting the new ethics that are needed for us to transition to a more viable economy.

- The Hon. Michael Chong, MP for Wellington-Halton Hills, draws on his business experience and his deep concern about the direction of the economy to provide a vision of how we could move away from an economic system that harms and exploits the natural world to one that is sustainable.

- John Dillon, Economic Justice Coordinator for KAIROS, explores the varieties of economic injustice that threatens the well-being of people around the world, and the opportunity to bring together social and economic justice with environmental sustainability.

Food, Faith, & the Environment

2010-11-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

November 9, 7pm,

Bloor Street United Church, 300 Bloor St. W.

In recent years, the health and environmental benefits of local and organic foods, have moved onto the centre stage in our concerns. Urban farming and guerilla and community gardening have become popular activities in Toronto. But does food also help us connect with a deeper sense of community and spirituality?

- David Mayberry of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank will highlight the moral and justice implications of food, pointing to how we all must work to protect our food sources and food security, especially with the growing impacts of drought, expanding deserts, and climate change.

- Risa Alyson Strauss of the Jewish Nature Centre of Canada: Torat HaTeva and the Kavanah Garden will speak on the links between Judaism, food and the environment as well as the deep connection that can be made with the environment through working with the land.

- Genevieve Anderson coordinates the "Eat, Pray, Share" program with Faith Connections exploring such topics as hospitality, grace, God's presence, fasting, feasting, and Eucharist.

Clean Train Coalition Update

2010-11-04T10:20:00.001-07:00

Join the Clean Train Demonstration at Metrolinx's offices, Tuesday November 16 at 9:00am, 20 Bay Street at Queen's Quay.

The Metrolinx Board is meeting to make recommendations to the provincial government regarding rail transit priorities. This is a crucial time for us to demonstrate to Metrolinx and the Provincial government that we are not willing to accept any increased pollution in our neighbourhods.

The Clean Train Message: Electrification of the Georgetown Corridor must be the #1 priority for Metrolinx and the Government of Ontario.

Please join us on the 16th and help promote the event. Visit www.cleantrain.ca to download the poster.

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca

This message was sent to you by Clean Train Coalition

215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 120
Toronto, ON M5T 2C7

You can change your communication preferences or you can unsubscribe from future mailings.

Creating a Safe and Prosperous World

2010-11-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

Please know that you are cordially invited to attend a half-day conference at which we'll be speaking, being held on November 14 in Toronto: "Creating a Safe and Prosperous World - Nutrition, Food Security and Climate Change." Details below and at http://www.beautifulearth.org (which is where you register for free to ensure enough food).

If you want to hear some straight talk about the climate change emergency, or learn how a simple change in diet is one of the simplest and most important actions you can take, or the contribution that education can make -- and must make -- to ensure a viable future, this seminar is for you. Please share with anyone else you think might (or should ;-) be interested.

Julie Johnston
GreenHeart Education
http://www.greenhearted.org

Peter D. Carter, MD
Climate Change Emergency Medical Response
http://www.climate-change-emergency-medical-response.org

Creating a Safe & Prosperous World
♥ Nutrition, Food Security & Climate Change ♥
Sunday, November 14th, 2010
from 1:00 PM sharp to ~ 6:00 PM
The Bram & Bluma Appel Salon
Toronto Reference Library, 2nd Floor
789 Yonge Street (1 street north of Bloor, exit at TTC Bloor-Yonge subway station)
Paid parking - lots available on Cumberland Avenue, Asquith Ave and Church Street

*****
Featured Speakers:
Dr. Peter Carter, M.D., Founding Director, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
Jessica Sedlock, 2009 North American Biathlon Champion
Betska K-Burr, Behavioural Scientist – Positive Thinking Specialist
Julie Johnston, GreenHeart - Transformative Education for Sustainability
Dr. David Jenkins, M.D. Ph.D., Canada Research Chair in Nutrition & Metabolism

*****
Delicious Vegan Meal – Free Event! Ages: 12+
Register Online: http://www.BeautifulEarth.org
or contact Calvin 647-802-3459

FALL 2010 ENVIRONMENT SEMINAR SERIES

2010-11-04T10:01:00.001-07:00

********************************************************************************************
Centre for Environment, University of Toronto
FALL 2010 ENVIRONMENT SEMINAR SERIES
********************************************************************************************
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010 4:10 p.m.
LOCATION: Woodsworth College, 119 St. George Street, Rm. WW 121

SCOTT PASTERNACK, Supervisor, Policy Development, Toronto Environment Office, City of Toronto
(brief bio below)

TOPIC: “Local Government Efforts to Address Climate Change”
(abstract below)

No registration or fee required; all are welcome.

Seminars are subject to change or cancellation.
Visit www.environment.utoronto.ca for schedule updates, abstracts and
speakers' bios.

To receive regular email messages with the same information, please contact
Pavel Pripa at 416-978-3475; or environment.seminars@utoronto.ca.

For additional parking, please call 416-978-PARK for info and rates.

********************************************************************************
ABSTRACT: The views expressed in this abstract and in this presentation are those
of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of
the City of Toronto. The need to mitigate and adapt to climate change is perhaps
most pressing for our cities. The larger populations, more extensive infrastructure,
and higher degrees of economic activity of cities often results in a greater reliance
on resources from the energy, transportation, and agriculture sectors, the leading
sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, cities have limited authority to comprehensively
address this growing problem. Against this backdrop, local and regional governments
in North America and around the globe have accomplished a great deal in addressing
climate change. I will spend part of my talk discussing the sustainability response
plans for Toronto and New York City, two cities where I have contributed to the climate
change programs. What should become clear from this discussion is that many of
the issues that shape how cities respond -- for example, emission standards, fuel
economy standards, food labelling standards -- are left predominantly if not exclusively
to other orders of government. This dilutes the voice of cities and the voice of
the voting, tax-paying residents whom cities represent. What is the best way forward?
I would like to the engage the audience in a dialogue about whether the current approach
is working and whether an alternative, multilevel governance approach to climate change
that gives cities a credible, equal seat at the table might be a better way.

BRIEF BIO: Scott Pasternack is the Supervisor for Policy Development in the Toronto
Environment Office, where he is responsible for climate change, green energy, and
environmental sustainability initiatives. He previously served as environmental
counsel for the New York City Law Department, where he represented the City in climate
change, green energy, and environmental sustainability litigation and policy matters
and advised Mayor Bloomberg’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability on PlaNYC 2030.
Pasternack has also handled international environmental impact litigation for Earthjustice
and worked on energy matters in private practice. An author of Defending the Environment
and several articles in the field, he is a graduate of the College of William and Mary
in Williamsburg, Virginia and New York University School of Law in New York City.

SAVE THE DATE: Greening Sacred Spaces Event

2010-11-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATE: Greening Sacred Spaces Event
Sunday, Nov. 7th, 2:00 – 4:30 pm
Noor Cultural Centre,123 Wynford Drive, Don Mills, ON M3C 1K1
Directions → http://www.noorculturalcentre.ca
To register (free): go to www.greeningsacredspacesnov7.eventbrite.com
Please register in advance – we need to order refreshments ahead of time!

Presents “Moving Forward in Community”

A presentation intended to motivate you and your faith community to live in a more sustainable way; whether in your community or in your household.

1. Green Faith Building Case Studies
Noor Cultural Centre “Waste, Water and Energy” Samira Kanji
St. Clement’s Anglican Church “Renovation Retrofit” Lee Harmer
Richmond Hill United Church “Solar Microfit” Peter deVita

2. Live Green Toronto Presentation
Learn about the Live Green Toronto program and funding and website and resources available
Saira Ansari, Community Animator and Diversity Engagement Expert from EcoSpark

3. 2011 Energy and Green Building Incentive and Grant Update
What is new for 2011 in GTA and surrounding area? City of Toronto, Toronto Hydro etc.
Donna Lang, Toronto Representative from Greening Sacred Spaces

Greening Sacred Spaces helps faith communities to green their faith buildings and communities. In a very practical way, we help them become environmental stewards in their own community.

Live Green Toronto also has a very practical program to support neighbourhood-based actions to green Toronto and its’ households.

All Faith Communities, Community Leaders and Families and Friends are Invited to Join Us

Donna Lang
Greening Sacred Spaces Toronto Representative
Faith & the Common Good
dlang@faith-commongood.net
(416) 481-1327
www.faith-commongood.net

Moving Forward

2010-11-04T09:55:00.000-07:00

An Invitation to: Gathering Strength in Times of Climate Change
A Directed Reflection Workshop
Multi-Faith Centre, University of Toronto, 569 Spadina Ave
November 14, 2010 (1–4pm)

The grave existential threat of our times is the impending collapse of sustainable support for complex life forms, including humans. In the face of this reality, we address the questions: how can we possibly respond? How do we want to live? What can be our present and future roles in response to this emergency? Knowing the dangers are human-created makes for despair — and potential for change. The intention of this workshop is to help participants experience emotional dimensions of environmental awareness and transform pain for the world into resilience and empowerment. Workshops such as this are especially important for individual citizens now as climate change is one of the most intractable issues we have faced ever and there is no public or private governance momentum towards any comprehensive program of mitigation and adaptation.

Based on The Work that Reconnects group processes developed by Joanna Macy and colleagues, this workshop creates a context of acceptance and safety where our personal and collective pain can be acknowledged and plumbed, often with surprising results — as emerging emotions such as foreboding, disappointment, confusion, grief, rage, and despair are honored and transformed to unleash creativity, commitment, and action for social and environmental justice. Participants will be encouraged to deepen their understanding and feel the reality of our embedded existence in the larger life of Earth. Finally, we will reflect upon alternative futures and how we might claim the power to reconnect with our communities and the landscapes in which we live.

The process of this workshop is planned as a context for us to regain confidence in our thoughts and deeds and strengthen our commitment to work towards a sustainable Earth. Participants can expect to gain knowledge associated with local and global environmental and social sustainability, applicable in many aspects of community and individual life. In these workshops, participants have reported increased desire, resources, and capacity for constructive work on personal and professional levels. The experience can enhance understanding of the essential role of engaged citizenship and activism for sustainability and justice in our current planet time. Participants can also find rejuvenation, connection with community, and greater appreciation of their own needs and responsibilities as leaders for future generations. This workshop is being planned as a pilot for future sessions.

Adults: $20.00 Students: $5.00
If you require financial assistance please email ldrainie@climateactionnetwork.ca
http://www.ucalgary.ca/oikos/retreat/Toronto/november
**Please register early, as space is limited to 60 participants.

Facilitated by:
Laurie Hollis-Walker, M.A., Ph.D. candidate, Clinical Psychology, York University
Sally A. Ludwig, M.A., Sessional Instructor, University of Guelph, Couple & Family Therapy Program
Beginning 2008, Laurie and Sally have both received intensive training from Joanna Macy in the Work That Reconnects.

Organized by:
Laurie Hollis-Walker, M.A., Ph.D. candidate, Clinical Psychology, York University
Rev. Vicki Obedkoff, Trinity St. Pauls United Church and Centre for Faith, Justice and the Arts
George McKibbon, McKibbon Wakefield Inc.
Peter Timmerman, Professor, Environmental Studies, York University

Front Yard Veg Plots

2010-10-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

Please copy and paste these addresses into your browser:

Here's an article on front yard veg plots:
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters/article/882048--veggie-garden-story-telling

Here's another article on front yard veg plots:
http://www.thestar.com/article/877949--the-real-dirt-city-squashes-front-yard-veggie-plot

Election Day

2010-10-24T15:46:00.001-07:00

Greetings.

As you are no doubt aware, Monday, October 25th is election day. Green 13 encourages you to consider environmental issues when casting your vote for Mayor and Councillor.

The Toronto Environmental Alliance - in a campaign we supported - have worked hard to make a range of issues related to environmental concerns a priority in this election. They have also surveyed the political candidates on these issues and shared and ranked their responses on their website - http://www.torontoenvironment.org/. We encourage you to review it before voting.

Over the past couple of years, our group has, with other partners in the community, advocated for a community right to know by-law, a bike lane on Annette Street, clean, electric trains for the planned airport link and clean, beautiful and accessible parks. We intend to continue to advocate on environmental issues regardless of the outcome on Monday.

Thank you.

Regards,

Chris Holcroft
for Green 13

Clean Train Coalition Update

2010-10-22T08:29:00.000-07:00

GO ELECTRIC a success!

Thanks to everyone who came out to the Go Electric Music Festival on September 26th. The weather held out, the acts were fantastic, and over 400 letters were signed to Premier McGuinty and other key Ministers advocating for electrification!

On top of the letters, community members decorated squares on the "Go Electic Quilt" which was featured alongside other pro-electrification works as part of Nuit Blanche. Very cool.

We'd like to extend a special thanks to all the musicians and volunteers. Without you, it simply could not have happened.

CTC to take part in YIMBY Toronto - Saturday, October 16

Come down to the Gladstone Hotel to meet members of the CTC at The YIMBY (Yes, In My Backyard) Festival. Why YIMBY? Because we want electric trains in our communities!

YIMBY provides a social space for community groups and citizen's organizations to gather and exchange ideas and strategies. YIMBY provides an opportunity for neighbours to meet neighbours, citizens to meet politicians and politicians to meet community groups, in the spirit of people coming together to say YES to positive change in their neighbourhoods.

Check out the event page: http://www.gladstonehotel.com/events/exhibitions/yimby

Time to focus on the Province

With the municipal elections coming to a head, it may seem early to focus our attention on the province, but it's time to apply pressure directly on the decision makers who are going to make this call. Our advocacy work at the municipal level has been enormously effective and every mayoral candidate, save one, has signed the Clean Train Pledge. Most candidates for City Councillor in wards along the corridor have also taken strong positions in favour of electrification.

It's clear that Toronto politicians know they have to be on the right side of this issue if they hope to win in an
election. Now it's time to make sure our provincial leaders understand this reality.

The CTC has met with some provincial politicians, including the new Minister of Transportation. We will continue to make our case with the province and demonstrate that electrification is the best political, economic, and environmental choice. Add your voice to this effort.

Phone, email and write the Minister of Transportation, Premier McGuinty and your MPP (especially if they are a Liberal). Let them know that your vote is one for electrification!

Metrolinx's Electrification Study is set to report out in December. We expect a decision on this project shortly after. It's important that we're heard from in the lead up to this decision.

We will likely draft up some standard letters which can be personalized but, for now, we encourage you write your own letter or email and to express your views. Studies have shown that personal letters have the greatest effect on politicians.

Hon. DALTON MCGUINTY
Premier, Province of Ontario
Rm 281,Legislative Building, Queens Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1
Tel: (416) 325-1941 Fax: 416-325-3745
dmcguinty.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Hon. KATHLEEN WYNNE
Minister of Transportation
Ferguson Block 3rd Floor
77 Wellesley St W
Toronto ON M7A1Z8
Tel: 416-327-9200
kwynne.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

LAURA ALBANESE, MPP
York South--Weston
Unit 102 - 2301 Keele St
Toronto ON M6M 3Z9
Tel: (416) 243-7984 Fax: (416) 243-0327
lalbanese.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

TONY RUPRECHT, MPP
Davenport
1359 Davenport Road
Toronto ON M6H 2H5
Tel: (416) 535-3158 Fax: (416) 325-9961
truprecht.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca

Green 13 upcoming meetings

2010-10-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Please join Green 13 for a 6:30pm start at their meetings listed below:

We now have confirmation of dates for our Green 13 meetings at Annette Branch Library, with our thanks to Pam Mountain.

At our last meeting we clarified certain difficulties - such as the Oct. 25 election day, and lined up as many dates as possible withthe 4th Monday each month.

Please note below that in place of the originally anticipated Oct. 25 date, we are meeting on Monday, November 1st, and also keeping the Monday, November 22nd date.

So, our meetings are set for the following dates:
● Mon. Nov. 1 2010
● Mon. Nov. 22
● Mon. Jan. 24 2011
* Mon. Feb. 28
● Mon. Mar. 28
* Mon. Apr. 18
● Mon. May 30
● Mon. Jun. 27
● Mon. July 25
● Mon. Aug. 22
● Mon. Sept. 26
● Mon. Oct. 24
● Mon. Nov. 28

Let's talk about the December social (proposed in place of a meeting ) when we meet next, November 1st, and see whether we can provide an answer for Pam regarding December.

Centre for Environment, University of Toronto

2010-10-19T14:11:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010 4:10 p.m. LOCATION: Woodsworth College, 119 St. George Street, Rm. WW 121

SCOTT PASTERNACK, Supervisor, Policy Development, Toronto

Environment Office, City of Toronto (brief bio below) TOPIC: “Local Government Efforts to

Address Climate Change” (abstract below)No registration or fee required; all are welcome.

Seminars are subject to change or cancellation. Visit www.environment.utoronto.ca for schedule updates, abstracts and speakers' bios.

To receive regular email messages with the same information, please contact Pavel Pripa at

416-978-3475; or environment.seminars@utoronto.ca.

For additional parking, please call 416-978-PARK for info and rates.

********************************************************************************ABSTRACT: The views expressed in this abstract and in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the City of Toronto. The need to mitigate and adapt to climate change is perhaps most pressing for our cities. The larger populations, more extensive infrastructure, and higher degrees of economic activity of cities often results in a greater reliance on resources from the energy, transportation, and agriculture sectors, the leading sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, cities have limited authority to comprehensively address this growing problem. Against this backdrop, local and regional governments in North America and around the globe have accomplished a great deal in addressing climate change. I will spend part of my talk discussing the sustainability response plans for Toronto and New York City, two cities where I have contributed to the climate change programs. What should become clear from this discussion is that many of the issues that shape how cities respond -- for example, emission standards, fuel
economy standards, food labelling standards -- are left predominantly if not exclusively to other orders of government. This dilutes the voice of cities and the voice of the voting, tax-paying residents whom cities represent. What is the best way forward? I would like to the engage the audience in a dialogue about whether the current approach is working and whether an alternative, multilevel governance approach to climate change that gives cities a credible, equal seat at the table might be a better way.
BRIEF BIO: Scott Pasternack is the Supervisor for Policy Development in the Toronto Environment Office, where he is responsible for climate change, green energy, and environmental sustainability initiatives. He previously served as environmental counsel for the New York City Law Department, where he represented the City in climate change, green energy, and environmental sustainability litigation and policy matters and advised Mayor Bloomberg’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability on PlaNYC 2030. Pasternack has also handled international environmental impact litigation for Earthjustice and worked on energy matters in private practice. An author of Defending the Environment and several articles in the field, he is a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia and New York University School of Law in New York City.
********************************************************************************

beautify our Public Spaces

2010-10-08T20:24:00.001-07:00

The Junction Parks Committee
needs your help to beautify our Public Spaces

JOIN US
on

October 16th, 2010 at 10 a.m.

to

Plant Bulbs

at

Malta Park
Maria Street Parkette
St. John’s Road Plaza
Vine Avenue Parkette

Help beautify our Public Spaces

2010-10-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

The Junction Parks Committee
needs your help to beautify our Public Spaces

Join us on

October 16th, 2010 at 10 a.m.
to plant bulbs at:

Malta Park
Maria Street Parkette
St. John’s Road Plaza
Vine Avenue Parkette

" Based on the quantity of bulbs the JRA Junction Parks Committee received from the Toronto Parks and Trees Foundation, we estimate needing 70 volunteers to each plant four dozen bulbs." And that's a lot of bulbs!

Free Webinar on Financing a Community Power Project

2010-09-30T17:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Our Power Members,

Looking for Funding and Professional Advice on Building a Community Power Project?

Announcing Community Energy Partnerships Program Financing Webinar: October 6th

Community Power Project Financing Webinar: Is your Community Power Project Economically Viable?

Wednesday October 6th, 10 – 11:30 a.m. EST

Finance is important when developing a renewable energy project: developers have to invest, and likely borrow, a lot of money up front, and then receive “returns” over 20 years or more. They need to satisfy lenders and potential investors that project returns will be sufficient to justify building the project.

In this webinar, explore finance basics (including income, equity, debt, rate of return, and risk) and learn what requirements providing financial evidence you’ll need for your Community Energy Partnerships Program application.

To register, send your name and email address to webinars@communityenergyprogram.ca. Login information will be sent to registrants on Tuesday October 5th.About the Community Energy Partnerships Program: You may qualify for a grant of up to $200,000 for your community-owned renewable energy project!

Visit www.communityenergyprogram.ca for details.

Car Free Day at Lake Promenade in Etobicoke (Sun. Oct. 3rd) Etobic;oke, ON

2010-09-29T10:47:00.000-07:00

Car Free Day at Lake Promenade in Etobicoke (Sun. Oct. 3rd) Etobic;oke, ON

Lake Promenade from 39th to 42nd Streets will be closed for a street party. You can bike or skate in from the Waterfront Trail near Marie Curtis Park. Join the folks for street hockey, a bike clinic and kid activities. Contact Mike Olivier (rapidtransitman@yahoo.com).

Mayoral Debate

2010-09-29T10:43:00.000-07:00

On Thursday October 7th, PPT, in partnership with Toronto Debates 2010, presents a mayoral debate with the leading candidates about planning, community, and environmental sustainability.

Mayoral Debate on Planning, Community, Environment & Sustainability
Thursday October 7th at 7 pm

St. Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts - 27 Front Street East.
All are welcome – this is a free event.
For more information, go to www.peopleplantoronto.org.

2010-09-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

1 – 6 pm (Keynote speakers at 3 pm)
SORAUREN PARK (on Sorauren Ave, 1 block west of Lansdowne, south of Dundas Street West)
Join the Clean Train Coalition for the Go Electric Music Festival. Send a message to Premier McGuinty that Toronto wants an electric rail link to the airport now, not dirty diesel. This FREE, family-friendly event will feature speakers, children’s activities, a community BBQ and musicians including:

• The drumming sounds of: Pound for Pound
• Kids band: The Monkey Bunch
• Indie rock recording artists: The Stormalongs
• “Clean Train Anthem”: Rob Joy
• Singer songwriter: Peter Katz

This event will be fun for people of all ages, but it is also an important demonstration of continued community opposition to the diesel-based plan, and support for immediate electrification. There is still time to change this plan, but we must show the government that citizens are engaged and committed to this effort. Add your voice to the growing chorus calling for electric trains along the Georgetown Corridor. Help us ensure that electrification becomes a reality.

Join the facebook group at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=151281554893912
Spread the word, show your support and bring family and friends.

Call for Volunteers!
Your help is needed to distribute leaflets announcing the festival as well as to help out on the day of the event.

Distributing leaflets door-to-door is still the most effective way of spreading the word. We reach neighbours who would otherwise not hear about the event. And the leaflet contains important news about the campaign.

The leaflets are ready for pick-up. Please email Rob at robfairley@sympatico.ca to get leaflets and to find out where they still need to be handed out. The leaflets are also available on our site if you wish to print them out yourself. Go to www.cleantrain.ca to download them.

For more information or to volunteer on the day of the event, please contact Vin at vheney@gmail.com.

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca

GREAT Quick and Easy Tree ID Workshop!

2010-09-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

LEAF has organized a very exciting workshop to help quench your Quick and Easy Tree ID thirst. This workshop will introduce you to some tricks of the trade and fun ways to remember your different tree species.

Please RSVP, spread the word and we look forward to having you join us for this exciting event.
Amanda

Amanda Gomm
Manager of Volunteers & Community Engagement
LEAF - Local Enhancement and Appreciation of ForestsArtscape Wychwood Barns
601 Christie St, suite 253
Toronto, Ontario M6G 4C7
416-413-9244 ext. 14
yourleaf.org treetours.to\
@LEAF_to on twitter

CANNING WORKSHOP

2010-09-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

CANNING WORKSHOP

Hello Everyone!

I am pleased to announce that the West End Food Co-op will be running another canning workshop on Tuesday September 28th in the Parkdale Neighbourhood Church at 201 Cowan Avenue!

The workshop will be led by Heather Kilner, an expert preserver with many years of experience.

You will learn about the theory and practice of preserving, gain hands-on experience using a hot water bath canner, and leave with a jar of delicious preserves to take home with you. We will also take time to reflect on the meaning and significance of learning to preserve our own food, and our experiences of preserved food.

The workshop will run from 6:00-8:30 with registration starting at 5:30. The total cost for the workshop is $30 for West End Food Co-op members or $35 for non-members (which includes the cost of a lifetime membership). Payment can be made in person at the workshop.
Please register online by visiting our website at westendfood.coop. (If the hotlink does not work please paste the following link into your browser address bar:

http://westendfood.coop/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=40 or follow the link entitled Community Cannery Workshop on the left-hand side of the main page of our website at http://westendfood.coop).

Previous workshops have filled very quickly so don't delay!
If you have any questions about the workshop please don't hesitate to contact me at katie@westendfood.coop

Happy Canning!

Katie

"A City for Everyone"

2010-09-19T19:15:00.000-07:00

Date: Saturday, September 25, 2010
Time: 10 am to 3:30 pm
Location: Ryerson School of Urban and Regional Planning, 105 Bond Street

Description

On Saturday September 25th, PPT is hosting a free, public city building forum called “A City for Everyone” at Ryerson University.

Expert speakers (including Joe Berridge of Urban Strategies, Gil Penalosa of 8:80 Cities and Zahra Ebrahim of Architext) will spend the morning giving short and provocative presentations on topics such as mobility, urban design and environmental sustainability.

The afternoon will break attendees into round table working sessions to create suggested principles for Toronto’s next Official Plan, practical suggestions for improving community engagement in city planning, and action-oriented questions for mayoral candidates, to be asked at the October 7 debate.

Admission is free but space is limited. Register at www.peopleplantoronto.org.

Generously sponsored by planning Alliance

Contact: Dale Duncan, (647) 262-9809

From their press release:

"PPT believes that citizens have become too far removed from the planning process. Urban planning has a huge impact on issues that affect us all, including affordable housing, transportation, the environment, public safety and the beautification of our city. The next term of council will see the City appoint a new Chief Planner and conduct a review of the Official Plan. Torontonians are hungry to be involved."

TEA's ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITIES MAYORAL DEBATE

2010-09-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

TEA's Environmental Priorities Mayoral Debate

Date: Thursday, September 23, 2010
Time: 6:30 - 9:00 pm
Location: St. Simon The Apostle Church, 525 Bloor St E (Sherbourne & Bloor)Book online (free tickets) at: http://toenvirodebate.eventbrite.com/?utm_source=Council+Watch&utm_camp

Description: TEA's mayoral debate is an opportunity for the top mayoral candidates to tell Toronto what their environmental commitments and priorities are, and to ensure that the environment is a top issue this election. Moderator: Gord Miller, Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner will be moderating the debate.

For more information: www.torontoenvironment.org/voteto

DR HASEN SPEAKS AT PUBLIC TALKS

2010-09-15T10:09:00.000-07:00

Public talks:

Wednesday, September 15 at the McMillan Theatre (capacity: 800), Edward Johnson Bldg (North), 80 Queen’s Park, Toronto

5:30pm – 6:30pm Science presentation by Dr. James Hansen
6:30pm – 7:00pm Intermission7:00pm to 8:45pm

Climate Reality: A Conversation with Dr. James Hansen, Naomi Klein & Clayton Thomas-Muller, moderated by Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux.

About Dr. Hansen:

Dr. James Hansen is one of the world’s foremost climate scientists. In his scientific work, Dr. Hansen has proven to be consistently accurate in his predictions. He has long been recognized as an authority on climate science and has been asked to give briefings to every U.S. administration since that of President George H.W. Bush. Recently Dr. Hansen testified to the U.S. Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, to the Committee on Ways and Means, and to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (U.S. House of Representatives). Overseas, he most recently spoke to the Club of Rome, at the United Nations University in Tokyo and to the French National Assembly.

Dr. Hansen will be able to discuss the most recent scientific findings about climate change, about what can be accurately predicted and about areas of uncertainty, and about the reasoning behind his own recommendations of a complete phase-out of coal. You will find in him an accessible and humane man, deeply concerned about the welfare of future generations.

Organized by:The Centre for Global Change ScienceScience for Peace

Clean Train Update

2010-09-14T21:31:00.001-07:00

Please forward to your Networks!
In this update:
CTC on CBC's Metro Morning
"GO ELECTRIC" update: request for leafletters and planning meeting
Upcoming mayoral debates
"GO ELECTRIC" update: request for "leafletters" and planning meetingThe "GO ELECTRIC" Music Festival is a "GO"! It will take place on Sunday September 26, from 1-6 p.m., in Sorauren Park (on Sorauren Ave, 1 block west of Lansdowne, south of Dundas Street).Your help is needed to distribute leaflets announcing the festival. Publicize the event! Build the campaign!Distributing leaflets door-to-door is labour-intensive but very effective. We reach neighbours who would otherwise not hear about the event. And the leaflet contains important news about the campaign. The leaflets will be ready for pick-up at 86 Brock Ave (just south of the railway underpass) on Thursday, September 9, 8:00-9:00 p.m., and Friday, September 10, 6- 7:30 p.m. If you cannot pick up leaflets at either of these times, please email Rob at robfairley@sympatico.ca to arrange an alternative time.The leaflets are also available on our site if you wish to print them out yourself. Go to www.cleantrain.ca to download them. If you want to get more involved in organizing this event, the next planning meeting will be on Wednesday, September 15, from 6-8 p.m., at the Learning Enrichment Foundation, at 1267 Weston Road, about one block north of Eglinton. For more information, contact vheney@gmail.com. Clean Train Coalition Members on Metro Morning!Two members of the CTC were featured today on CBC Radio's Metro Morning, as part of a series on civic engagement in Toronto called "Civic Muscle," produced by Mary Wiens.If you missed it, you can listen to the piece here: http://www.cbc.ca/metromorning/2010/09/civic-muscle-3.html
A few members of the CTC are also planning to head down to Metro Morning's live broadcast focusing on civic engagement in Nathan Phillips Square this Friday. Email us at info@cleantrain.ca if you are interested in joining us.
Upcoming mayoral debates Below are a few upcoming mayoral debates. You may want to ask how each of the candidates will help us in our fight for electric trains!
Wednesday, September 8 - "Prosperity and the Economy" at the MaRS centre auditorium, 101 College Street, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 9 - Co-hosted by four Weston and Mount Dennis residents associations and moderated by John Tory, at the York Memorial Collegiate Institute at Eglinton and Keele, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 13 - At 90 Croatia street, from 6:30-9:00 p.m.
Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca

Clean Train Up

2010-09-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

Inorganic Market

2010-09-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

Inorganic Market
An Inorganic Market will be held at Sarah Doucette's Campaign office at 3109 Dundas Street West (east of Clendenan) during the Junction Arts Festival.

On
Saturday, September 11th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m Inorganic Market willbe collecting old cell phones, ipods, chargers and laptops for freee-waste recycling.

RUNNYMEDE LIBRARY TREE TENDERS COURSE

2010-09-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

offered by LEAF. Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests
Location: Runnymede Library, 2178 Bloor St. West. Located at the northeast corner of Bloor St. W. and Glendonwynne Rd . (two streets east of Runnymede subway station), Toronto
Cost: $56.50 incl. tax. Course manuals are available for $22.60 incl. tax (highly recommended but not mandatory).

September 2010 Runnymede Library Course Dates and Times:
Monday September 13th, 5:30-8:30pm
Thursday September 16th, 5:30-8:30pm
Monday September 20th, 5:30-8:30pm
Saturday September 25th, 10am-4pm

Topics to be covered:
Tree biology
anatomy
functions
Trees and soils
Tree and shrub identification

City of Toronto Urban Forestry tree-related policies and activities
Identifying and managing tree stressesSelecting quality stock
Tree planting and establishmentTree care and maintenance
Finding the right tree for the right place

CANNING WORKSHOP

2010-09-07T17:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

I am pleased to announce that the West End Food Co-op will be running another canning workshop on Tuesday September 14th in the Parkdale Neighbourhood Church at 201 Cowan Avenue!

The workshop will be led by Heather Kilner, an expert preserver with many years of experience and we are planning, weather permitting, to can Christine Klucha's beautiful late-season golden peaches.

You will learn about the theory and practice of preserving, gain hands-on experience using a hot water bath canner, and leave with a jar of delicious preserves to take home with you (probably a chutney!). We will also take time to reflect on the meaning and significance of learning to preserve our own food, and our experiences of preserved food.

The workshop will run from 6:00-8:30 with registration starting at 5:30. The total cost for the workshop is $30 for West End Food Co-op members or $35 for non-members (which includes the cost of a lifetime membership). Payment can be made in person at the workshop.
Please register online by visiting our website at westendfood.coop. (If the hotlink does not work please paste the following link into your browser address bar:

http://westendfood.coop/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=38 or follow the link entitled Community Cannery Workshop on the left-hand side of the main page of our website at http://westendfood.coop).

Previous workshops have filled very quickly so don't delay!
If you have any questions about the workshop please don't hesitate to contact me at katie@westendfood.coop

Happy Canning!

Katie

Please Help us save a Linden tree

2010-08-19T10:11:00.000-07:00

Not sure if Fereshteh has had a chance to send this out yet so here it is.Fereshteh has just heard that a gentleman who bought a property at 154Windermere Avenue, Toronto has applied to the city to remove agorgeous healthy 74cm diam 3 story tall Linden tree. I've attached apicture of the tree taken in the spring, it is even more lovely now.We have been asked to send emails and faxes to Bonnie Maginn at UrbanForestry by August 16th so that we can try to save this tree! Allletters will be forwarded to Bill Saundercook and he will play animportant role in deciding the fate of the tree. Might be good ideathen to email him as well councillor_saundercook@toronto.ca

Bonnie MaginnUrban Forestry441 Kipling AveToronto ON M8Z 5E7

phone 416-338-6596fax 416-394-5406email tpprwest@toronto.ca

Please help us spread the word.

Thank you.

Green 13

Summer Heat

2010-07-26T10:26:00.001-07:00

Photos from the recent meeting at Annette Public Library on beating the heat this summer:

Green 13 supports TEA during the next municipal election

2010-07-16T08:06:00.000-07:00

Green 13 would like to formally annouce that we confirm our unanimous support for
Toronto Eviromental Alliance (TEA), during the next municipal election.

www.torontoenvironment.org

HOT TIME, SUMMER IN THE CITY... HOW WE KEEP OUR COOL

2010-06-25T05:40:00.000-07:00

HEATWAVES

Tuesday, July 13th 6:30 - 8pm
Annette Branch Public Lbrary
145 Annette Street

cool comfort

SPONORED BY:

Green 13

Stephanie Gower of the Environmental Protection
Office, and Sandra Okengwu from Toronto Public Health will speak on;

how to keep cool
heat waves and pollution
heat waves and climate change
when Heat Alerts, Extreme Heat Alerts are called
the urban heat island effect
aerial imaging of summer heat in our area
how suffers most from extreme heat
how a health community builds resilience to heat waves

Community Meeting

2010-06-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

Date: Monday, 28, 2010
Time: 7 to 9pm
Location: Annette Community Recreation Centre Gymnasium
333 Annette Street

The full meeting notice is posted at: www.highparknature.org

Detailed site plans, to be presented at the meeting, will be posted on-line one week prior to the public meeting. Please visit www.toronto.ca/parks

This meeting will be of interest to all park users. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Karen Yukich & Sharon Lovett
Co-Chairs, High Park Natural Enviroment Committee

Stephanie Gower of the Environmental Protection Office and Toronto Public Health

2010-06-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

Hot time, summer in the city...How we keep our cool.

Tuesday, July 13th 6:30 - 8:00pm
145 Annette St. - Annette Branch Library

Stephanie Gower of the Environmental Protection Office and Toronto Public Health

who is at risk and suffers miost from extreme heat
how to keep cool
how to healthy community builds resilience to heat waves
heat waves and polution
heat waves and climate change
when Heat Alerts, Extreme Heat Alters are called
the urban heat island effect
aerial imaging of summer heat in our area

Sponsored by Annette Branch Public Library and Green 13

Clean Train Coalition Updates

2010-06-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

Thomas ,please post on the blog, Thanks, Annabel-------- Original Message --------
Subject:
Clean Train Coalition Update
Date:
Sat, 19 Jun 2010 14:36:07 -0400 (EDT)
From:
Clean Train Coalition
To:
Friend

Reminder: Clean Train General Meeting this Tuesday, June 22nd The Clean Train Coalition will be holding a general meeting at Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport Road, just west of Symington. The meeting will take place in the main hall/sanctuary.We will be discussing our strategy to build support for the Clean Train movement in communities along the line and our plan to use the Clean Train Pledge Campaign and other strategic initiatives to pressure Premier McGuinty, who ultimately has the say.
We plan to reach out to community groups along the line, and hope that each can send a representative to learn about the pledge and take it back to their membership for review.

Everyone is welcome. Join us. Be part of the solution!

Where: Davenport- Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport RoadWhen: Tuesday June 22, 7pm

Clean Train Pledge Campaign Successfully Launched
The Clean Train Coalition launched a "Clean Train Pledge" campaign which asks elected representatives from all levels of government to commit to taking action in favour of electrification. The pledge reads:

"I will, by Simcoe Day, August 2, 2010, publicly call on Premier Dalton McGuinty to direct Metrolinx to electrify the Georgetown Corridor, prior to the expansion of passenger rail service including both GO Transit and the Air Rail Link."

Launched at City Hall on June 7, the campaign is off to a great start. Support at the municipal level is strong, and every city councillor representing a ward along the Georgetown corridor, except one, has signed the pledge. Courtesy of the National Post, we also have an indication of where the mayoral candidates line up. (National Post Article).

We are now in the process of reaching out to politicians from other levels of government to ask them to sign and to make this simple commitment to contact the Premier and advocate on the behalf of their constituents.

Stay tuned for the results.

Keep up the Pressure During the Municipal Election We maintain that Toronto needs a mayor who will champion electrification, and we need councillors who are knowledgeable and willing to go to bat for their constituents. But in order to get this, we need to continue to press the issue at every opportunity.
If you attend any debates, or if you are speaking with any prospective candidates in this election, tell them you demand electrification. Ask them what they have done and what they are willing to do. Make it clear that your vote is one for electrification!

Residents of Davenport (Ward 18) will have an opportunity engage with their prospective councillors at the all candidates debate, scheduled for July 23. We encourage residents of Ward 18 to attend the debate and to find out their would-be councillors’ views on electric trains.
Where: St. Anne’s Parish Hall, 615 Dufferin Street (east side, north of Dundas)
When: Wednesday, June 23, 6:30pm-9:00pm

If you know of other debates in any affected wards and you would like us to help spread the word, send an email to info@cleantrain.ca and we’ll do our best to include it in our regular emails.

Metrolinx Electrification Study

Metrolinx Electrification study is proving to be a study in frustration and wasted money. Those who attended the study update put on by Metrolinx on May 27 at The Lithuanian House know that the study will have little relevance to the plans for the Georgetown Corridor. The study is so broad in scope that it won’t produce any actionable results, especially not ones that can be implemented prior to the Pan Am games. But, worst of all, the study won’t even produce any recommendations. One year and $4millon will be spent to arrive at some general conclusions, which may or may not lead to recommendations, which may or may not be acted upon.

Nonetheless, the CTC continues to participate in their stakeholder workshops, the most recent of which was held earlier this week. At the workshop, under questioning from the CTC’s research director, Greg Gormick, the leader of the Metrolinx-GO Transit Electrification Study Team, Karen Pitre, admitted she has never seen or ridden on a main line electric rail passenger service. Pitre also said wouldn't be able to study the benefits of rail electrification firsthand because of a lack of travel funds. Revelations such as this don’t inspire much confidence.

We are not remotely satisfied with the study, and we will continue to push for the electrification of the Georgetown Corridor and Air Rail link. We will not sit by and let our health be comprised, and our communities harmed.

Metrolinx Georgetown South Open Houses

Metrolinx will be hosting two open houses next week. They invite community members “to review the project scope, current status, and learn about next steps in the design and construction phase.”

We encourage people to attend the open houses and engage Metrolinx’s staff on the subject of electrification.

Where: Westminster United Church, 69 William Street
When: June 23, 2010, 6pm-9pm, presentation at 7pm
and

Where: Lithuanian Hall, 1573 Bloor Street WestWhen: June 24, 2010, 6- 9pm

CTC at Totstock

The CTC will be joining other community organizations at Totstock, the annual children’s fair in Sorauren Park. Bring your kids, enjoy an afternoon of music, food, families and fun, and find out about community groups working in west Toronto. For more info go to www.littlepaper.com/totstock.

Where: Sorauran Park (on Sorauran Ave, just South of Dundas)
When: Sunday June 27, 2-5pm It's time to find out who is on side, and for those who are pro-electrification to commit to taking action.

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca

Solar Fair with Vendor Displays

2010-06-11T08:12:00.000-07:00

Solar Fair with Vendor Displays

Fairfield Senior’s Centre,
Monday, June 21, 6 – 9PM

Sponsored by Our Power a project of the Toronto Renewable Energy Co-op and supported
by Ward 5 Councilor Peter Milcyzn
80 Lothian Ave. 4 Blocks South of
Bloor West ‐ East of Islington Ave.

What's Planned for the evening?

1. Meet Solar Contractors about an installation on your home
2. See the technologies first hand
3. Get your questions answered by professionals
4. Attend an Introductory Solar Seminar
5. Sign up for an On-line Solar Site Assessment
6. Get information about City of Toronto Environment Programs

Solar Belongs on your Roof
Get an on-line solar assessment at www.ourpower.ca

Launch of Clean Train Pledge Campaign

2010-06-09T15:10:00.000-07:00

Launch of Clean Train Pledge Campaign

The Clean Train Coalition will be holding a press conference at City Hall today, Tuesday June 8, to launch our “Clean Train Pledge” campaign which asks elected representatives from all levels of government to make the following commitment:

"I will, by Simcoe Day, August 2, 2010, publicly call on Premier Dalton McGuinty to direct Metrolinx to electrify the Georgetown Corridor, prior to the expansion of passenger rail service including both GO Transit and the Air Rail Link."

It’s time our elected officials made it clear where they stand, and time for those who claim to be pro-electrification to commit to taking action.

We’ll be reaching out community groups along the corridor to ask for their endorsement of the pledge, and we ask that individuals contact their elected representatives and encourage them to sign on.

Clean Train Forum Recommendations at City Council

As a result of ongoing Clean Train advocacy work, Toronto’s Board of Health and Parks and Environment Committee held a joint public forum last spring on the Georgetown South Corridor trains entitled “Diesel, electric and clean air: which way forward?”.

The Forum led to a report, which was referred to the City Parks and Environment Committee, which, in turn, led to deputations from members of the CTC calling on the committee to protect parks along the Georgetown rail corridor from the fumes, noise and vibration that would result from the proposed diesel-based service expansion along this corridor.

As a result of all these efforts, Parks and Environment Committee are expected to put forward a motion in council meetings this week, recommending that:

“City Council request the Premier of Ontario, the Ministers of Energy and Infrastructure and Transportation to require the Air Rail link between Union Station and Pearson Airport to be electrified by year 2015 as a demonstration project for regional transit.”

Stay tuned for more details.

Keeping the Pressure up through the Mayoral Race

As we said last update, we need a mayor who will champion electrification for us, and we need councillors who are knowledgeable and willing to go to bat for their constituents.

Tonight there is another opportunity to get Clean Trains on the agenda through the televised debate being held by CP24 (http://www.cp24.com/election2010/).
Torontonians are invited to participate by emailing their questions to now@cp24.com with the subject line “Your Vote.” You can also tweet your questions and comments to @CP24news with the hashtag #CP24mayor. Phone questions and comments will be taken throughout the live event. Viewer Response Line Phone:416-384-2700

If you attend any debates, or if you are speaking with any prospective candidates in this election, tell them you demand electrification. Ask them what they have done and what they are willing to do. Make it clear that your vote is one for electrification!

“Bending the Rail” Screenings taking place this week

Junction Triangle resident and filmmaker, Jeff Winch, has produced a 45 minute documentary about the struggle and advocacy work in response to Metrolinx’s diesel expansion plans. It is featured this week at the Ryerson DOC NOW Festival, and, according to CTC’s official pre-viewer, co-chair Carina Cojeen, it is GREAT!

Where: EATON THEATRE Rogers Communication Centre, RCC 204 Ryerson University, 80 Gould St, Toronto, ON 416.979.5000

When: Friday June 11th at 2pm and Saturday June 12th at 7pm
Come early to get a good seat!

Get your datebook! June 22nd is the next Clean Train General Meeting

The Clean Train Coalition will be holding a general meeting at Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport Road just west of Symington. The meeting will take place in the main hall/sanctuary.

We will be discussing our strategy to build support for the Clean Train movement in communities along the line and our plan to use the Pledge Campaign and other strategic initiatives to pressure Premier McGuinty, who ultimately has the say on this.

We are going to be reaching out to community groups along the line, and hope that each can send a representative to learn about the pledge and take it back to their membership for review.

The Clean Train Pledge aims to reach every politician and political candidate along the corridor from every level of government. Its needs your help to make it happen, and we need communities along the corridor to work together.

Join us! Be part of the solution! Clean Transit is possible!

Where: Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre, 1900 Davenport Road

When: Tuesday June 22, 7pm

Please forward to your networks

Clean Transit is possible!

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.ca

Diesel Train Information Evening

2010-05-27T19:12:00.000-07:00

Clean Train Coalition
presents a
Diesel Train Information Evening

at

Annette Street Public Library
145 Annette Street
Tuesday June 1, 7pm

Are you aware that Metrolinx plan to run hundreds of polluting, diesel-powered trains through this neighbourhood? Are you concerned about air quality and healthy neighbourhoods? Come meet

Members of the Clean Train Coalition, the grassroots group demanding that this rail line GO ELECTRIC.

Learn about the effects of diesel pollution on children’s health, and the impact diesel trains would have on local parks and neighbourhoods along the corridor. Hear why electric rail is the right way to go and how you can help make that solution a reality.

Bells on Bloor!

2010-05-27T19:11:00.000-07:00

Join Toronto's biggest pedal-powered parade in a musical ride along Bloor Street. Meet at High Park Saturday, May 29th at noon. Come ring your bells along Bloor St. from High Park to Queens Park to demonstart the need fro bike lanes on Bloor! www.bellsonbloor.ca

Clean Train Coalition

2010-05-26T07:53:00.000-07:00

Metrolinx Electrification Study Update and Public Meeting
Metrolinx is hosting a public meeting this Thursday to update community members on the electrification study. After a brief presentation, there will be an opportunity for people to ask questions and provide feedback on work done to date.

Join the Clean Train Coalition as we continue to insist that only clean, quiet electric trains should be used for expansion of service on the densely populated Georgetown rail corridor. Don’t miss this opportunity to let Metrolinx know what you think!

Where: The Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West
When: Thursday, May 27, 2010, 7:00 to 9:30 pm

Clean Train Information Evening in the Junction

The Clean Train Coalition will be holding an information session at the Annette Street Public Library. This meeting is intended to serve as an introduction to the issue and to get interested parties up to speed on the ongoing advocacy work of the CTC.

Come meet members of the Clean Train Coalition, the grassroots group demanding that this rail line GO ELECTRIC. Learn about the effects of diesel pollution on children’s health, and the impact diesel trains would have on local parks and neighbourhoods along the corridor. Hear why electric rail is the right way to go and how you can help make that solution a reality.

Join us! Be part of the solution! Clean Transit is possible!

Where: Annette Street Public Library, 145 Annette St.
When: Tuesday June 1, 7pm

A Win at the Parks and Environment Committee

Members of the Clean Train Coalition made deputations to the City of Toronto’s Parks and Environment Committee on May 21st. We asked the committee to protect parks along the Georgetown rail corridor from the fumes, noise and vibration that would result from the proposed diesel-based service expansion along this corridor.

Public parks are the heart and soul of the community and must be preserved as clean, quiet places in which we can relax from the stresses of urban life and participate together with our local communities in recreational activities.

In response to the deputations, the committee passed a number of motions including recommendations that:

the Parks department do an analysis of the number of parks which would be adversely affected by an increase in diesel traffic;
the electrification of the Air Rail Link be given priority precedence;
the Parks & Environment Committee and the Board of Health jointly invite the provincial ministers of Transport, Infrastructure, and Environment to sit down with them to discuss the ARL as test case for electrification; and
a noise and vibration study be completed by the Medical Officer of Health in consultation with noise and vibration specialists.
The Clean Train Coalition would like to thank the Parks and Environment Committee for their support and attention to our concerns about the deleterious effects of the planned diesel train expansion on parks near the Georgetown rail corridor.

Gerard Kennedy - Better Late than Never

At a meeting held on May 19th Gerard Kennedy told the public that he believe this expansion should only go ahead if it will create no negative health impacts on any of the neighbourhoods it passes through. Kennedy shared plans to work with other elected representatives across multiple levels of government to advocate for the electrification of the corridor.

Gerard is now one of many politicians who support the work of the CTC. We are glad he is now on side, and we will work with him and the other representatives on this issue.

Continuing Pressure at the Municipal Level

The Mayoral race is heating up, and Clean Trains will be on the agenda. At a recent debate in BloorWestVillage, the mayoral front runners were asked for their opinion of the issue. Here is some of what was said: http://bit.ly/cfXvvz

We ask all our supporters to continue to press for electrification at every opportunity. We need a mayor who will champion this issue for us, and we need councillors who are knowledgeable and willing to go to bat for their constituents.

If you attend a debate, or if you are speaking with any prospective candidates in this election, tell them you demand electrification. Ask them what they have done and what they are willing to do. Make it clear that your vote is one for electrification!

Please forward to your networks

Clean Transit is possible!

Help get the word out - get your neighbours to sign up to www.cleantrain.caThis message was sent to you by Clean Train Coalition215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 120Toronto, ON M5T 2C7

COMMUNITY COUNCIL ON FEDERAL ISSUES

2010-05-15T08:05:00.000-07:00

Topic: Federal Transportation Policy and Metrolinx

Wednesday, May 19, 2010
7:00-9:00pm

Location: Bishop Marrocco Catholic Secondary School, 1515 Bloor Street West (at Dundas Street West)

Please join me for my next regular “Community Council on Federal Issues (flyer with agenda at http://www.gerardkennedy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/Community-Council-Flyer-May-20101.pdf ).

It is an opportunity for me to learn your views on current federal issues and to let you know about the initiatives that I am undertaking on your behalf. Some of my current projects are listed on the attached flyer and you are invited to get involved in any that are of interest.
As you may know, Metrolinx/GO is proposing a large increase in the number of diesel commuter trains travelling through our neighbourhood. Our next meeting will discuss their proposal in relation to federal government transportation policy.

I also invite you to help shape Canada from Parkdale-HighPark by joining my non-partisan “Community Council on Federal Issues”. The council is made up of interested community members and leaders of local organizations. Members are invited to attend regular public town hall meetings, receive MP Reports (to view my April 2010 MP Report please go to: http://www.gerardkennedy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/April-2010-MP-Report.pdf ), as well as review information and provide advice on issues about which they care.

For more information:
Phone: (416) 769-5072
Email: kenneG1@parl.gc.ca

TOWN HALL: An Evening With Alanna Mitchell, author of

2010-05-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

Date: Wed., May 19, 2010

Time: 7 pm - 9 pm

Place: Lawrence Park Community Church

2180 Bayview Avenue, Toronto

Moderated by Michele Landsberg

Invited guests: Rob Oliphant, MP for Don Valley West
Kathleen Wynn MPP for Don Valley West

Sea Sick is the first book to examine the current state of the world's oceans, and the great unexamined ecological crisis of the planet: the fact that we are altering everything about the oceans, from their temperature, salinity, and acidity, to the life within them.

There will be a booksigning following Q & A.
A project of WHEN www.womenshealthyenvironments.ca

WHAT IS IN THE AIR YOU ARE BREATHING?

2010-04-21T08:53:00.000-07:00

>>EARTH DAY EVENT<<
WHAT IS IN THE AIR YOU ARE BREATHING?
=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

Thursday, April 22, 7:00pm
Koffler House, University of Toronto - St. George Campus
569 Spadina Avenue (map: http://bit.ly/crFjRR)
Room 108

Speakers:
>>Dr. Pieter Jugovic, CommunityAIR
>>Angela Bischoff, Ontario Clean Air Alliance
>>Lin Grist, Clean Trains Coalition

Toronto Island Airport, Metroxlinx diesel trains, coal power plants—how do these affect the air we breath? Join the Toronto Climate Campaign on Earth Day as we hear from climate campaigners on the safety of Toronto air and what we can do to improve it!
Special update by Maryam Adrangi on Cochabamba, Bolivia: World People's Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth, April 19-22

=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=
SPONSORED BY OPIRG - Toronto
www.opirguoft.org

TORONTO CLIMATE CAMPAIGN
web: www.torontoclimatecampaign.org
e-mail: info@torontoclimatecampaign.org

Annual Rennie Park & Ravine Commuity Cleam Up

2010-04-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

Green 13 is organizing the Annual Rennie Park and Ravine CommunityClean Up (Runnymede and Morningside).

Please come out and get involvedon Saturday, April 24 starting at 10:00 a.m.

Meet in the parking lot,bring a few small shopping bags, gloves if you have them and welliesif you plan to go down into the ravine.

Large garbage bags and somegloves will be provided. Hope to see you there.

Heritage Trees - Preserving Our Natural Roots

2010-04-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, April 13, 7 p.m.
Annette Public Library - 145 Annette Street

Ms. George will do a presentation on how a tree is designated as a heritage tree. Trees are part of our natural heritage.

She will use the evaluation form from the toolkit called “Securing the Future of
Heritage Trees: A Protection Toolkit for Communities”.

This toolkit is produced by the Ontario Heritage Tree Alliance: A Project Of The Ontario Urban Forest Council.

Environmental Decline & Climate Change as Moral Issues

2010-04-11T18:25:00.000-07:00

2 Panels

2 nights of empowering & inspiring dialogue
cutting-edge speakers

Environmental Decline & Climate Change: What do faith communities have to offer? with Mardi Tindal, Moderator, United Church of Canada & Mishka Lysack, University of Calgary

Wednesday, April 14
7 p.m.
Trinity-St. Paul United Church
427 Bloor St. W.

Creation Care: Why should Christians care for the environment?
with:
Dave Toycen, World Vision & Loren Wilkinson, Regent College and Don Hutchinson, Evangelical Fellowship of Canada

Thursday, April 15 @ 7 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, 630 Spadina Ave.

Free & open to all. An Opportunity not to be Missed
for info re Panelshttp://www.ucalgary.ca/oikos/Retreat/Toronto/Programmaps & locationhttp://www.ucalgary.ca/oikos/Retreat/Toronto/Venue

Public Forum

2010-04-11T18:24:00.000-07:00

Concerned about the environment? Diesel trains? Global warming? Public transit?

Public forum moderated by Cheri DiNovo (MPP Parkdale-High Park) featuring:

Gord Perks (Councillor, Ward 14)
Mike Sullivan (Clean Train Coalition)
Peggy Nash (Candidate, Parkdale-High Park)

Tuesday, April 20 7 pm

Bishop Marrocco School 1515 Bloor St. W. at Dundas
Doors open at 6:30 pm; light refreshments served.
Authorized by the Financial Agent for the Parkdale—High Park Federal NDP

Heritage Trees - Preserving our Natural Roots

2010-04-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, April 13 at Annette Public Library
145 Annette Street
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Admission is Free

Concerned about the Environment?
Diesel trains? Global warming? Public transit?
Public forum
Tuesday, April 20, 7 p.m.
Councillor Gord Perks, Ward 14, Mike Sullivan of Clean Train Coaliton and Peggy Nash Candidate, Parkdale-High Park will speak moderated by
Cheri DiNovo, MPP Parkdale-High Park
At Bishop Marrocco School
1515 Bloor Street West (Bloor & Dundas)
All Welcome.

Bloor Street businesses participating in Earth Hour

2010-04-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

A + Tax Accounting
Acupuncture & Shiatsu Clinic
Adria Travel
Anna's Bakery and Deli
Astra Famous Deli
Barbershop
Beauty Nails and Spa
Bettenhaus Drapery and Bedding Centre
Blo
Bloom Restaurant
Bloor Animal Hospital
Bloor Jane Restaurant
Bloor Meat Market
Bloor West dental
Bloor West Remedys
Bloor West Village Chiropractic
Body Language Academy of Dance
Book City (open and featured relevant books)
Booster Juice
Bows and Toes
Bread and Roses
Bruce Hair Design
Bryden's
Caleche
Carload Fruit Market
Cavalier
Cinelli Hair Design
COBA Studio
Cob's Bread
Coffee Tree Roastery
Cora Couture
Coupe Hair Lounge
Dark Horse
David's Tea
Dental Clinic on Bloor
Dental office at 2259 Bloor W
Diaper-eez
Dollar Plus
Dr. Generosity
Enrico’s Place
Everhart
Falafel World
Feet First
For Friends
Fresh and Wild Fruit Market
Gold'n Clock Shoppe
Grace & Angeline
Green Mango
Green Thumb Fruit Market
Guy’s Hair Design
Health Products
Homelife Realty Plus Ltd.
Hong's Flowers
Hot Oven Bakery
Humber Optical
Inner Luxe
Interiors Only
Jasmine's Fine Jewellery
Jealous Bridesmaids
Jenny Craig Weight Loss Centre
Joe Simardone
Karpaty Pastry and Deli
Kingsway Meat Products and Deli
LCBO
LDL Collection
L'Envelope Rouge
Linen World Inc.
Ling's Importers
Listen Up Canada
Luggage Expert
Madelen M
Marlborough's Stationery Inc.
Max's Market
McDonald’s
McLellan Jewellers & Boutique
Mega Save
Mendocino
Merrygoround
Mila’s Aesthetic
Moksha Yoga
My Place
Nail’s Salon
Nameling's Photo Studio
Ocular Canada
Olive Mediterranean Grill and Café
Onyschuck & Co
ParklandMeat Delicatessen Ltd.
Peachtree Health Foods
Petit Pied
Queen's Pasta Café
Queen’s Pasta Take Out
Quipus Crafts
Red Label Hair Company
Rowe Farms
The Second Cup
Say Tea
Second Nature Natural Foods
Serenity Nails and Spa
Sharkey's Village Café
Shoe Repair
Snapper Fish Market
Soft Moc
Sorrento Hair Stylists
Strada
Strictly Bulk
Studio Anka
Suppersolved
Supplements Plus
Sutton Group
Swan and Firkin
Swansea Town Hall
Swansea Travel
Swansea Village Pharmasave
Tabi
Thai Classic Cuisine
The Eclectic Gallery
The Yellow Griffin Pub
Trixie
Villa Restaurant
Village Cobbler
Westville Flower Shop
Write Impressions
Young and Sons Fruit and Vegetable Centre
Your Choice Optical

Bloor Street businesses participating in Earth Hour

2010-04-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

1plus 2 Pizza
Adam's Orthopedic Foot Wear
Adria Shoes
Agora Mediterranean Marketplace
Algarve Auto Clinic
Angel's Place FlowersAnti-Aging Clinic
As Is Home Decor
Axis Gallery and Grillbakes good
Big Daddy's DVD Shop
Bike Place
Bosna Burek & Cevap
Burnhamthorpe Roofing
Celestial Church of Christ Ayo Parish
Christopher Plumbing
Church of God Prophecy
Cleaning Supply.ca
Coast 2 Coast
Code Revolt
Coin Laundry and Lounge
CollectablesCosimo's Unisex Hair Styling
Crema Café
Da Costa Fine Furniture & Upholstery
Dave Charlotte
Deborah Friesen Architect
Delight
Dencan Books
Dollar Guys
Dr. Yen, Physician
Dundas Dental
Dundas Furniture
Dundas Pizza
Dundas West Pawnbroker
DV Shop
Earthstones
El Rio Grande
Espresso mi VidaEva's Hair Stylist
FashionFatima's
Flamingo Banquet Hall
Forever Interiors
Fresh Up Cleaners
Future Watch
Gallery Singidunum
Ghetsum
Global Star Company
Green Lavender
Hair & Wigs
Hair Sprung Salon & Aesthetics
High Park Architect
High Park Nails & Spa
Hip Kik
Holy United Church of Jesus Christ
House of Beauty
Iron Kore Martial Arts
JF Furniture and Appliance
JPC Post
Junction BIA
Junction Chiropractic
Junction Mode
Kaleidoscope & Photography
Latitude 44 Gallery, Framing, and Decor
LavishyLaw Office of Sidney Solniuk
Little bird flyLittle Fish
Lowe's School of Music
Lucky YouLucy Nails
Luxor ShoesMalta Bake Chop
Martial ArtsMartin's, The Flower People
McMaster, McIntyre and Smyth Barristers and SolicitorsMemco
Mr. BarberNorth of BombayOffice of Councillor Saundercook
Office of M.P. Gerard Kennedy
Office of M.P.P. Cheri DiNovo
Ontario Early Years Centre
Opta media
Pacific Hair Studio
Pandemoium Books and Discs
Paradigm Events
Pascal's Baguette and Bagels
Pearl Nails & Spa
Peter's Dental Ceramic StudioPhil's Espresso
Photo MetropolePost and Beam Reclamation Inc.
Privé
Rawlicious
Reba's Café
Relax Shack
Rhythm & Motion
Rona Guffin's Hardware
Salon Art and Gallery
Sebastian's
Secured CourierShiatsu Place
Signs
Smash
Soar Traxx Records and Soar Traxx Entertainment
Spicy House
St. Clair Motor Service
Stagesound Production
Steve's Meats & Sausages
Studio Cycle
SubmarineSunny Shores Travel
Sunnyside Café
Sweet Potato
Sweet TrolleyTails and Scales
The Bike Place
The Book Exchange
The Centre for Health and Well Being
The Friendly Thai
The Junction Optometrists
The Rue Morgue
The Storefront Studio
The Troubadour
Toronto Gospel Ministries
Toronto Orthopedic Services
Toronto Orthopaedic Mobility
Triple Z West Indian Roti Shop
True BlueUrim Equipment
Venerica Meat
Vesuvio Pizzeria and Spaghetti House
Victoria and Co.Vu Ja De Designs
West Toronto Paint & Wallpaper
Young Thailand

Roncy Earth Hour 2010

2010-04-04T08:23:00.000-07:00

“Green Energy and Sustainability”

2010-04-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

Gerard Kennedy invites you to a public meeting of the Parkdale-High Park Community Council on Federal Issues

“Green Energy and Sustainability”
Thursday, April 8, 2010
7:00 - 9:00pm
Location : Loyola Arrupe Centre for Seniors
1709 Bloor Street West (Keele and Bloor)

Please join me for my next regular “Community Council on Federal Issues”. It is an opportunity for me to learn your views on current federal issues and to let you know about the initiatives that I am undertaking on your behalf.

Our next meeting will review the ongoing challenge of creating a sustainable, environmentally friendly energy plan for Canadians. We will discuss how green energy will affect climate change and explore ways to generate economic prosperity through environmental sustainability.

I hope to see you there !

Gerard

Green 13 TOP10 Environmental tips

2010-04-02T10:01:00.000-07:00

Green 13 is avolunteeredenvironmental grouporiginating fromWard 13, Toronto.Our Efforts focus onpublic education,advocacy andinitiation ofneighborhoodprograms, that willencouragestewardship of theenvironment.****Printed

Greening Parkdale - High Park

1) Walk, bike or carpool. If you do drive, make sure your vehicle is in good repairand remember, do not idle.

2) Conserve energy. Turn off appliances and lights when not needed, power down,wash in cold water and switch your bulbs to florescent.

3) Replace older household appliances with energy efficient ones. Select EnergyStar ratings.

4) Be Water Wise. Use a low flow aerator on your showerhead, get low flush/dualflush toilets. Collect rainwater. Reserve landscape watering.

5) Recycle, Reuse, Reduce. Use the largest City of Toronto recyclable bin, challengeyourself to use the smallest garbage bin. Learn to donate unwanted items and try hosting an annual yard sale.

6) Faithfully use the City of Toronto’s Green Composting system. Think of it as aninvestment towards future organic fertilizing. Try composting your own gardenwaste and start a Holistic Garden.

7) Plant a tree for the future. The majority of the City of Toronto’s Street lined treesare destined to perish at the same time. Start a home garden and grow your ownproduce. Plants are the lungs of Society.

8) Live Solar. Plant deciduous trees on the south of your home for summer shadingand winter solar access. Plant evergreens to the north of your home to serve asprotection from cold winds.

Close window coverings on a hot summer day, openthem when you want bright warming rays.

Dry you clothes outside.

9) Make your home more efficient. Insulate, weatherstrip. Upgrade your heating andcooling systems.

10) Shop Local. Balance out the carbon footprint by eliminating transportation costs,which affects fuel consumption and pollution creation. Support your Neighbor.

Celebrate National Poetry Month at Annette Brach

2010-03-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

Sandra Lynn Hutchison
The Art of Nesting

7-8p.. April 22 at the Annette Street Brach

From the critics:

"A very fine poet...her work is a pleasure to read."
"Poems are full of lyric intentsity, subtle grace, clarity, and layers."
"Stunning...a very gifted writer."

Born in Toronto, Sadra Hutchiso did a PhD i oder Poetry at the UofT. For her doctoral dissertatio she wrote a lierary biography of oderist poet Dorothy Livesay. She lives i. Orono, Maine, a full-time writer and a part-time professor of Maine Literarture, Canadian Literarture, and Cross-Border Studies.

We are lucky to host this skilled poet at Annette Branch. Her books include Chinese Brushstroes: Storeis of China (1996), a work of creative non-fiction, and The Art of Nesting (2008). Chinese Brushstroes was chose by Canadian editors as a boo of the year, and some of the poems inthe Art of Nesting received an Emily Dickinson Poetry Prize by Uiversities West Press. A novel, The Red Pen Society, and new collection of poems, The Origin of the Sea, are forthcoming.

Memoirs of Praying Mantis

2010-03-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

As you wander through High Park, obvserving the sculptures and recalling the legends from the past, you might encounter a mighty monarch, a blue butterfly, or even heed a ghostly whisper in a tree crown. Pause, take in the voices in the wind and let your senses guide you through the labyrinths of the Memoirs of the Praying Mantis.

Join us at the Annette Street Branch as Bianca Lakoseljac will tal about her inspiration for her new book of poetry and read a sample poem from each of the seven sections. The reading will be followed by a discussio with the author and book signing.

Tuesday April 20th

7 to 8pm

@ The Annette

Street Branch

145 Annette
Street, Toronto, ON M6P 1P3

416-393-7692

MEET GREEN 13 LOCAL HEROES IN BLOOR WEST VILLAGE

2010-03-16T13:23:00.000-07:00

March 2010
TORONTO WEST

MEET GREEN 13 LOCAL HEROES IN BLOOR WEST VILLAGE

Green 13 is a grassroots community environmental group operating in Ward 13 and surrounding Wards in Toronto. The group was formed last March following an Earth Hour candlelight walk through our Bloor West Village neighbourhood that was attended by more than 500 people.
This past year has been a busy one for Green 13. We have organized several community events, including:
Andrew Nisker’s film Garbage - The Revolution Begins at Home. The film, shown at Margret Bar during the municipal workers strike, demonstrated how much garbage we generate and its impacts on the environment.
Sisters on the Planet, a film made by Oxfam, was shown last fall at Margret Bar. This film tells the story of four inspirational women and their fight against climate change.
In November, we held a Town Hall meeting, sponsored by the Live Green Toronto Community Animation program and Green Awakenings, that featured presentations on local food production, water, energy efficiency, transition towns and how to organize around climate change.
On January 19th we screened Earth 2100, first aired on ABC in 2009 at the Annette Branch Library. It explores the impacts of failing to act on climate change, peak oil, and population growth.
On March 2, we hosted The Power of Community : How Cuba Survived Peak Oil, again at the Annette Branch Library. This film tells of the hardships and struggles as well as the community and creativity of the Cuban people when the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1990 led to a dramatic decrease of oil imports and food. Cubans share how they were able to make the transition from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens.
For more information about Green 13, visit: www. green13toronto.blogspot.com

We have a list of funders with granting proposal due dates in April. Please email Whitney, wcrooks@toronto.ca, or Janet, janetlgtwest@rogers.com, if you would like an electronic version of this list.
DID YOU KNOW THAT ON AVERAGE, CANADIANS USE 390 LITRES OF FRESHWATER PER DAY? IN COMPARISON, THE SPANISH – DESPITE THEIR MUCH WARMER YEAR-ROUND CLIMATE – USE ONLY 260 LITRES/DAY, AND GERMANS AROUND 135 LITRES/DAY. ALMOST 2/5TH OF THIS IS USED FOR FLUSHING TOILETS, AND ANOTHER 1/5TH FOR SHOWERS AND BATHS. SOURCES: CANADIAN GEOGRAPHIC, CANADIAN ENVIRONMENT AWARDS 2004; UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME, DIVISION OF EARLY WARNING AND ASSESSMENT (DEWA), 2005

WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE
March 11 was Bottled Water Free Day. This is a great opportunity for your group to spread the word in your community to not use bottled water where public water is available. Sure, it may seem convenient, but the environmental, energy, and economic cost of shipping drinking water in plastic bottles is astounding. It’s hard to believe that something that was a novelty ten years ago now accounts for over 31 billion litres of product annually (in the U.S.) at an energy cost of 17 million barrels of oil. Go to http://www.bottledwaterfreeday.ca/ for details, sign the pledge, and remember to fill your own (best: non-plastic) water bottle from the tap.
Here’s another interesting calculation: There are 4,000 drops of water in a litre. One drip every second from a leaky tap will waste 21 litres of water a day, or 7,665 litres a year, which means those little things we do to conserve can also add up to a significant impact. And when you consider that pumping water is the biggest part of the City of Toronto’s electricity cost, then turning off the tap also makes sense from an energy-saving perspective.
So use tap water but don’t let it run unnecessarily! Other water websites of interest: World Water Day (March 22, 2010), Riversides, Clean Water Foundation, and Polaris Institute.
Town Hall meeting hosted by Green 13
UPCOMINGEVENTS

Friday, March 19
Mimico's Theatre of Change is hosting a poetry reading at the Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop2861 Lakeshore Blvd. W. (between 4th & 5th Streets)on Friday March 19 at 7pm. Contact Theatre of Change attheatreofchange@hotmail.comor 416-503-4129 to recite your work.

Earth Hour, Saturday March 27
Candlelight walks from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Starting points are Jane St./Bloor St. W. and Dundas St. W/Pacific Ave. More info: www. Green13toronto.blogspot.com

Inorganic Markets, March 20 & 28
Mar 20, 10 am to 3 pm at No Frills (372 Pacific Avenue south of Dundas St. W)
Mar 28, 10 am to 3 pm at No Frills (2187 Bloor St. W. and Runnymede)
Visit www. green13toronto.blogspot.com and http://www.inorganicmarket.com/for more info

Live Green Seniors Health & Wellness Fair, March 31
Franklin Horner Community Centre, 432 Horner Ave
11:00 to 3:30
Call to register: 416 252-6822

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PUBLIC FORUM

2010-03-13T12:33:00.001-08:00

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO SEE : CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
This forum, hosted by the City of Toronto, is an opportunity for public discussion of the proposed Metrolinx expansion of the Georgetown South transit line and the rail link from Union Station to Pearson. The Board of Health supports expanded public transit as a way to reduce vehicle traffic, but remains concerned about health risks and air quality impacts predicted with the proposed diesel rail expansion.

Date: Monday, March 22, 2010Time: 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.Place: Council Chambers, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street W.

Moderator: Eva Ligeti, Executive Director, Clean Air PartnershipPanelists: Gary McNeil, Executive VP, Metrolinx Minister of the Environment, Ontario (invited)Prof. Christopher Kennedy, Transportation Infrastructure ExpertDr. David McKeown, Toronto Medical Officer of Health

Questions from the audience will follow the panel discussion.
This forum is hosted by City Councillors John Filion, Chair of the Toronto Board of Health, and Paula Fletcher, Chair, Parks & Environment Committee.
Everyone is welcome to attend. No registration necessary.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!
We need your help to get the word out!

Please help distribute Clean Train flyers to let residents know
about the City's Public Forum on the Metrolinx Proposal. Please pick up leaflets and route assignment When: Monday March 15, 6 - 8 pmTuesday march 16, 5 - 7 pm Where:86 Brock Ave(South of Dundas, up the stairs immediately south of the railway bridge) 416.536.9673 416.536.9673 Why:Residents need to know about the City Hall Clean Train Forum on March 22. A big turnout at the Forum is needed ANDPeople need to know that the fight is still on and we can win! The Clean Train Coalition Progress Report leaflet features both an announcement of the City Hall Forum and a concise report of current campaign issues. Please take a couple of hours next week to distribute this important message.

info@cleantrain.ca www.cleantrain.ca

Let's fill the Council Chambers! This is your opportunity to ask questions of Metrolinx officials and show that there is public support for a clean, electric transit vision.
This message was sent to you by Clean Train Coalition215 Spadina Avenue, Suite 120Toronto, ON M5T 2C7You can change your communication preferences or you can unsubscribe from future mailings.

HERITAGE TREE - PRESERVING OUR NATURAL ROOTS

2010-03-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 - Annette Public Library - 145 Annette Street 7:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

FREE ADMISSION

next Green 13 meeting

2010-03-10T13:35:00.000-08:00

Next Green 13 meeting is this Monday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. at
Café Agora,
3015 Dundas W, at High Park.

Solar Fair Artscape

2010-03-01T17:36:00.000-08:00

April 18, 12 - 4PM

What's Planned for the day?

Introductory Solar Seminars in the Public Gallery Room at 12 PM, 1:30 PM or 3 PM

A chance to talk with your neighbours who have already installed solar systems

Sign up for an On-line Solar Site Assessment if you have not already had one

Meet with Solar PV and Solar Hot Water Contractors about an installation on your home See their technologies first hand and get your questions answered

Get information about City of Toronto Environment Programs

Learn about the Artscape Wytchwood BarnsStay Tuned for more details in the coming weeks

There has never been a better time to go solar and earn great returns on your investment while you whittle down your carbon footprint !

The new Green Energy Act and the microFIT program have made installing solar PV a great investment for Toronto Homeowners.

In our neighbourhood 35 families are already feeding the electric grid and making an excellent economic return on their investment now that they receive 80.2 cents for every kilowatt hour they produce.

Over 4,400 applications have been submitted to the OPA microFIT program proving that Ontario residents are interested in renewable energy
This event is a project of the Our Power Program of the Toronto Renewable Energy Co-op (TREC) with the support of Councilor Joe Mihevc.

Additional Links of Interest
www.ourpower.ca
www.greenenergyact.ca
www.trec.on.ca
Subscribe by RS

EVERGREE BRICK WORKS

2010-03-01T05:47:00.000-08:00

google yahoo bing
Evergreen Brick Works SEED* Award at Canada Blooms

(*Society, Environment, Education, Design)
Visit the Evergreen Brick Works booth at Canada Blooms from March 17–21 »
More and more gardeners are learning about the benefits of gardening with plants native to their region, and becoming more eco-conscious in their planting techniques.
That’s why Evergreen has teamed up with Canada Blooms to host the first ever award for the “greenest exhibit”. The award will go to the exhibitor whose display is the most environmentally inspired. The winner – picked by a jury of gardening experts and horticulturalists well known in the gardening community, landscape architects, pollinator experts and sustainability professionals – will be invited to design and build a plot at the soon to be opened Evergreen Brick Works.
Jury
A selection of gardening experts and horticulturalists well known in the gardening community, landscape architects, pollinator experts and sustainability professionals have been invited to join the jury. A number have confirmed. In total, there will be 5–7 jury members.
Criteria
Design and Plant Choice
Creativity and aesthetics
Use of native species / edibles / medicinal
Seasonal hardiness
Attractiveness to pollinators, birds, habitat creation
Alternatives to turf
Water needs and conservation (e.g. rainwater handling, permeable surfaces, cistern, rain barrel)
Interactivity/opportunity to engage public, children
Level of feasibility and adaptability and uptake of concept to roofs, windows and the average home gardener
Build

Responsible sourcing and re-use of materials
Maintenance

Protection of soil (use of mulches, erosion control) and soil building (composting)

Level or lack of pesticide use, fertilizer use

Mowing, trimming, blowing requirements

The Jury will consider other environmental elements such as:

Does the exhibit enhance group and individual experiences?

The landscape design includes spaces or small outdoor “rooms” to accommodate varied activities and to promote free flow of child play.
Pathways and small social gathering areas.
Amenities such as tree houses or natural play elements – sand/water, loose parts and shade.

Could have some grass for small children – ecolawn – that can be maintained if necessary with a push mower.

Does the exhibit contribute to the reduction of the urban heat island effect? e.g. what is the percentage of plantings and shade vs. hard surface area?

Does the exhibit consider alternatives to turf? e.g. edible landscaping such as vegetable gardens

Is the exhibit energy wise? e.g. does garden utilize solar lighting, LED lighting, wind/solar powered pumps, windbreaks to lower heating costs, shade on south and/or southwest sides of dwellings to lower cooling costs?

If known, what is the exhibit’s carbon footprint? This would take into consideration the amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the materials, build and maintenance of the proposed designs.

2010-02-20T07:57:00.000-08:00

Volunteer with Green 13

Volunteer

High school students - earn your community service hours

• Be a Walk Marshal

• Deliver posters and flyers

• Help with the Pre-walk rallies

• Entertain the crowd with your band or other talent

• Co-ordinate groups of participants

For more information or to become a Green 13 volunteer, please contact Chris Holcroft, at 416-760-8557 or green13group@gmail.com

STUDENTS OF PARKDALE - HIGHPARK

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

SATURDAY MARCH 27TH 8:30 - 9:30

Earth Hour Upsdate

2010-02-20T07:54:00.000-08:00

PARKDALE - HIGH PARK BUSINESS

MARCH 27TH 8:30-9:30 P.M

Power Down in support of Earth Hour 2010

Initiated by community environmental group Green 13, all local businesses are invited to join in the annual global movement in recognition of climate change.

Neighborhood candlelight walks are being organized to raise environmental awareness among residents and local businesses.

What do you can do?

· Power down between the evening hours of 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. on Saturday March 27th 2010

• Display Green 13’s poster on your front door or window

• Illuminate your entrance with candle light if open

• Proudly display your Green Tagged Earth Hour participation Decal/ribbon

• Encourage “Earth Hour specials”

• Participate if you can

What Green13 will do

· Prior to Earth Hour 2010, Green 13 will announce scheduled events and will invite local residents to participate in the annual candlelight walk along business districts

• Supply you with a Poster

• Advertise the event

• Conduct a pre-walk rally with activities, entertainment and refreshments

• Organize the walks with route marshals

• Include your business in a Green Tagged participation competition

• Acknowledge and promote participating business in the local media

outlets

• Encourage walkers to patronize restaurants, cafes, pubs and other

business after the walk

Earth Hour 2010 and you

Don’t get caught in the dark, Join Earth Hour 2010

Climate change is often referred to as the challenge of a generation. The global effort to draw attention to this issue and the future of the planet continues with the 3rd annual Earth Hour, scheduled for Saturday March 27th from 8:30 - 9:30. The World Wildlife Federation promotes public participation in Earth Hour in cities around the world.

Here in our neighborhoods in Toronto, Green 13 (a volunteer community group) is organizing community rallies and candlelight walks throughout various local business districts. And we want you to join us!

Participate

Power down at home - Shut off your lights, computers and televisions

Then just don’t sit there...go for a walk- a candlelight walk through your neighborhood!

Green 13 is co-ordinating a walk through Bloor West Village, the Junction and assisting with walks in other nearby neighbourhoods. Prior to each walk there will be a rally with entertainment, refreshments and information on other environmental initiatives. Then walks will be held in each business district with individual businesses invited to power down as well.

For more information please contact:

Chris Holcroft, Chair Green 13

416 760-8557 / green13group@gmail.com

GREEN SCENES

2010-02-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

Spend your March Break with the NFB Mediatheque!

GREEN SCENES
Daily animation workshops and a week-long camp

NFB MEDIATHEQUE
March 15 through March 21

Green Scenes is a series of hands-on animation workshops for children aged 6 to 14 years old and their parents. Workshops are offered twice a day, at 10 AM and 2 PM. Sign up today for only $5 per child. Parents can join the fun at no extra cost. Call 416-973-3012 to reserve a spot today!

MONDAY, MARCH 15 Take out the Trash! Getting rid of garbage used to be easy! Help get the recycling and organics to their proper collection bins. (3D clay)

TUESDAY, MARCH 16 Aquatic Adventure What will you find under the waves… is it something that belongs in the water? (pixillation)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17 One, Two, Three… Grow! There’s no need to wait… these trees will rise before your eyes! (painting on glass)

THURSDAY, MARCH 18 Car Free and Carefree! Taking public transport is good for the environment. Animate your subway adventure! (3D clay)

FRIDAY, MARCH 19 Gone Fishing Reel in some fishy friends, or maybe some bizarre deep sea creatures! (paper cut-out)

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 Lettuce Animate! Grow your own food in our animated garden. (3D clay)

SUNDAY, MARCH 21 Race Against Time Help the polar bears find their way to safety before their ice floe melts! (3D clay)

Looking for a more in-depth animation experience? Sign up for our WEEK-LONG GREEN SCENES CAMP for children aged 8 to 14. From Monday to Friday (9 AM to 4:30 PM), participants will work in teams to create their own original animated film. Your film will premiere on the BIG SCREEN on Friday afternoon at the NFB Cinema! (Limited enrolment. $275 per child. Pre- and post-care available at an additional cost. Call 416-973-7114 or e-mail m.matthews@nfb.ca for details.)

NFB MEDIATHEQUE | 150 John St., Toronto | 416-973-3012 | NFB.ca/mediatheque

FREE FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION

2010-02-11T07:16:00.001-08:00

FREE FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

A film on how Cuba responded to the challenges of peak oil in the 90's.
Followed by a discussion on creating a more local, low-energy society and
addressing the challenges of climate change in our own neighbourhood.

FREE FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION

Tuesday, March 2nd at 6:30 pm
Annette Street Branch Library
145 Annette St. (E of Pacific, W of Keele)
Community Room 1

Organized by Green 13, Hosted by Annette Branch Library

Planet Matters

2010-02-07T19:27:00.000-08:00

Please join us in the Friendship Room, Humbercrest United Church, at 7:30 pm this Monday, February 8th. Prabhjit Banga from Earth Day Canada will be our guest speaker and present how we can work as a team to save water, energy, and reduce waste and emissions through the EcoAction Team Program.Together we can inspire one another, and achieve our goal of living more lightly on this Earth. All are welcome!

16 Baby Point Road
Toronto, ON M6S
(416) 767-6122
Humbercrest United Church
www.humbercrestunitedchurch.com

ChangeCampTO 2010

2010-01-30T10:27:00.000-08:00

Thank you for getting on the pre-registration email list for ChangeCampTO 2010.

An Inspiration:

The organizers are inspired in part by Peter Block's A Small Group. Please watch this video overview of his work: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIj52Xbd4fY

Peter Block's work is characterized by how it sees problems as an opportunity to build relatedness in the community. He flips conventional thinking on its head in order to create a context where alternative futures are possible. Some examples of this thinking:

The openness to learn creates the teaching.
The audience creates the performance.
The citizen creates the leadership.

Registration:

Registration for this event will be limited and will require a commitment from participants to secure a spot. The organizing team will be gathering in the next couple of weeks to design the event and the registration process. You will receive another email when registration has opened.

Volunteers:

Please reply by email if you would like to volunteer to help organize and stage the event.

Event Date/Time/Location:

ChangeCampTO
Tuesday, February 16th
6pm-9pm (exact start & end subject to change)
Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge Street, Toronto

Event Format:

This will not be an open space style unconference like past ChangeCamps. This is a collaborative work event for people who want to roll up their sleeves and will be designed and focused on a single question and goal.

The Question:

"How do we use the weeks leading into the 2010 municipal election as a catalyst for Torontonians to actively shape their desired future, one meaningful conversation at a time?"

The Goal:

To create an organizers' toolkit ("ChangeCamp-in-a-Box") and a program of self-organizing public engagement activity to begin in April, 2010 and continuing beyond the 2010 municipal election in October 2010.

Recruiting Stakeholder-Participants:

We are looking to recruit participants and stakeholders from the following kinds of communities and organizations.

Designers
Media-makers
Newcomers
Youth
Community organizers
Social entrepreneurs
Technologists
Public servants
Nonprofit/charitable organizations
Private sector companies
Public sector organizations
Media/journalism organizations
Neighbourhood associations
BIAs
Neighbourhood centres
Community centres

If you know people from these kinds of communities or organizations that should participate in this event, please direct them to get on the list at this link: http://changecamp.ca/2010/01/changecamp2010creatingimpact/

Thank you for your interest and stay tuned!
___________
Mark Kuznicki
ChangeCamp
email: mark@changecamp.org
twitter: http://twitter.com/changecamp/

FREE screening of NFB Mediatheque!

2010-01-30T10:23:00.001-08:00

FREE screening at the NFB Mediatheque which I thought your constituents would be interested in attending.

Green Screens is a FREE monthly screening series at the NFB Mediatheque which partners NFB films with experts and panellists selected by the Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy.

This month’s film is This Land, by Dianne Whelan, a documentary concerning seven Canadian and Inuit rangers and one documentary filmmaker (Whelan) who set out to cover more than 2,000 km of the harshest terrain on the planet, in the Canadian North. The film features breathtaking footage of the Arctic landscape, and a mesmerizing soundtrack by Nunavut-born singer and narrator Tanya Tagaq.

Would you be able to forward the below evite to your constituents, in order to spread the word about the film? It screens on Wednesday February 3rd at 7pm at the NFB Mediatheque (150 John St, at Richmond).

PEAK OIL

2010-01-30T10:19:00.001-08:00

PEAK OIL and your neighbourhood!

A film, a presentation and a discussion

Thursday, February 11th 7:00pm

Trinity-St.Paul's Church ♦ 427 Bloor St. West ♦one block west of Spadina station

For info: John Riddell, Annex Transition Initiative

jhriddell@sympatico.ca

Please feel free to print some of these handbills to give to people at work, school, talking to people on the bus, leave a few lying around at the public library, etc.

Transition Towns is where climate change was three years ago so be an early adopter and come to find out how transition and energy descent might work!

Please forward this to your friends, family, foes, etc and urge them to pass it on, too!

There is city-level Transition Towns group working to support local Transition / community resilience building groups:

http://transitiontoronto.ning.com/

There is also the international movement - read more here:

http://transitionculture.org/

Georgetown South Project - Project Update

2010-01-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

As 2009 comes to a close and we begin to look ahead to the New Year, we thought this would be an excellent opportunity to send an update on the status of Georgetown South project.

What’s New

Since our last email update, Metrolinx has received federal approval and provincial approval to proceed with the Georgetown South project as outlined in the Federal Screening Report and the provincial Environmental Project Report.

The Environmental Approvals enable Metrolinx to:

· Implement the Project in accordance with the Environmental Study Reports

· Develop and implement an air quality monitoring plan

· Use Tier 4 technology for GO locomotives and the air rail locomotives, when commercially available

· Provide additional Human Health calculations and assessments based on use and implementation of Tier 4 technology

We want your input

In accordance with the provincial conditions of approval, Metrolinx is to submit an ambient air monitoring and reporting plan. The air quality monitoring plan will measure pollutants from three reporting stations along the Georgetown South Corridor to confirm levels remain as predicted in the Environmental Project Report.

A draft of this plan has been prepared in consultation with a Working Group, which included representatives from government agencies and community representatives from along the corridor.

The draft Air Quality Monitoring Plan is now available for public review and comment.

Please take a moment to review the monitoring and reporting requirements, as well as site locations for the air monitoring stations, outlined in the plan and forward your feedback by January 31, 2010 to:

· Metrolinx, 20 Bay Street, Suite 901, Toronto, ON M5J 2N8, c/o Georgetown South Project

· info@metrolinx.com

· 1-866-658-9890

Next Steps

Early in 2010, Metrolinx will be out in the communities to share an outline of what to expect over the next 12 months with respect to this project. Project detailed design is underway and construction is expected to begin in late Spring/early Summer 2010 in some areas.

We will continue to send project updates and provide opportunity for neighbourhood comments as progress continues and we have more details to share.

We look forward to constructing this important transit project that will make travel by transit easier and faster across the region.

Happy holidays and we’ll see you in 2010!

Disclaimer: you have received this email because you signed-up to receive project updates during the environmental assessment for the Georgetown project. If you wish to have your email removed from the list, please email: info@metrolinx.com and advise that you would like your email removed.

HUMBERCREST UNITED CHURCH (19 Baby Point Road) presents

2010-01-25T10:56:00.001-08:00

HUMBERCREST UNITED CHURCH (19 Baby Point Road) presents

GUEST SPEAKER:
Dr. Tom Brydges,
Environmental Scientist

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2010
AT 12 NOON
in the Friendship Room
following the worship service.

- REFRESHMENTS -

All are welcome.

DIRT – The Movie

2010-01-25T10:55:00.000-08:00

DIRT – The Movie

Thu, Jan 28, 6:30-8:30 PM (Reception at 6:30 PM, movie at 7 PM)

Bloor Cinema (506 Bloor St Wat Bathurst)

You can buy sprouts, vegetable earrings or memberships during the reception.
Advance tickets are available online (http://bit.ly/5mvEPT) and at the door on a sliding scale of $10-20 (fundraiser for FoodCycles).

DIRT! The Movie, tells the amazing and little known story of the relationship between humans and living dirt. The film offers a vision of a sustainable relationship between Humans and Dirt through the stories of global champions who are determined to fix the damage we've done before it's too late. There are many ways we can preserve the living skin of the earth for future generations. If you care about your food, water, the air you breathe, your health and happiness... it's time to see DIRT! the Movie, roll up your sleeves for action and Get Dirty.
FoodCycles, a new Toronto urban farm and host of the evening, will give an introduction to the night talking about how you can take action here in Toronto.http://foodcycles.org

CLIMATE JUSTICE NOW: Report-back from UN Climate Change Talks in Copenhagen

2010-01-25T10:54:00.002-08:00

CLIMATE JUSTICE NOW: Report-back from UN Climate Change Talks in Copenhagen

Thursday, January 28, 7pm
United Steelworkers Hall
25 Cecil Street
(south of College, east of Spadina)

On January 28 Toronto Climate Campaign is hosting a report-back from the UN Climate Change Talks in Copenhagen, Denmark. Join us as we hear participants from different delegations discuss the negotiations and the "Copenhagen Accord", the 100,000-strong demonstration, the shameful role of the Canadian Government which won the "Fossil of the Day" award ten times throughout the conference and what we can do to build a vibrant movement for Climate Justice in Toronto.

Speakers include:
CLAYTON THOMAS MULLER Tar sands organizer, Indigenous Environmental Network
CAROLYN EGAN President, Steelworker Toronto Area Council
DAVE MARTIN Energy coordinator, Greenpeace Canada
KIMIA GHOMESHI Member, Canadian Youth Delegation
(Moderator) BRETT RHYNO Organizer, Toronto Climate Campaign

FREE! ALL WELCOME!
Help build the report-back. Posters, leaflets and supplies are available at Trinity-St. Paul's Centre (2nd floor), 427 Bloor Street West (just west of Spadina).

TORONTO CLIMATE CAMPAIGN
web: www.torontoclimatecampaign.org
e-mail: info@torontoclimatecampaign.org

DREAMLAND

2010-01-25T10:54:00.001-08:00

DREAMLAND
Presented by Cinema Politica
Free film screening
Wed. Jan. 27, 6 p.m.
Hart House, Arrbor Room, U of T

This is one of the best environmental films ever made. An incredibly, moving, inspiring and fantastically political film that will make you want to be a better steward of this planet.

SYNOPSIS: How much unspoiled nature should we preserve and what do we sacrifice for clean, renewable energy? Dreamland gradually turns into a disturbing picture of corporate power taking over small communities.

Dreamland is a film about a nation standing at cross-roads. Leading up to the country’s greatest economic crisis, the government started the largest mega project in the history of Iceland, to build the biggest dam in Europe to provide Alcoa cheap electricity for an aluminum smelter in the rugged east fjords of Iceland. Today Iceland is left holding a huge dept and an uncertain future.

In Dreamland a nation with abundance of choices gradually becomes caught up in a plan to turn its wilderness and beautiful nature into a massive system of hydro-electric and geothermal power plants with dams and reservoirs. Clean energy brings in polluting industry and international corporations. It’s the dark side of green energy.

This event is FREE and OPEN TO EVERYONE.

Brought to you by:
University of Toronto Students' Union (http://www.utsu.ca)
University of Toronto Environmental Resource Network (http://www.utern.org)
Cinema Politica ( http://www.cinemapolitica.org)
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=256770514540

Earth 2100

2010-01-25T10:52:00.000-08:00

Please join Green 13 tonight at Swansea Town Hall, 7 - 9 pm as we report back on our recent screening of Earth 2100, and as we plan for community participation in Earth Hour and the week leading up to Earth Hour.

Green 13 would like to inform you of some upcoming events and meetings.

2010-01-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

1. Free screening of Earth 2100

Please join us for a free film screening and discussion of Earth 2100. This film, first aired on ABC, explores the impact if we fail to act on climate change, peak oil, and population growth.

When - Tuesday, January 19th at 6:30 pm

Where - Annette Street Branch Library ( 145 Annette St.; E. of Pacific, W. of Keele), Community Room One. Wheelchair accessible

This screening is hosted by Green 13 and by the Annette Street Branch Public Library

A poster with these details is attached, please feel free to distribute to your contacts and if you have time to assist with wider distribution in the community, please let us know.

2. Green 13 committee meeting

Our regular monthly meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 25th at 7 pm at Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Avenue. Wheelchair accessible. All are welcome.

3. Earth Hour planning

Yes it is that time of year again. We will begin planning events for and around Earth Hour in the coming weeks. Your ideas and participation are most welcome. To become involved in this community collaboration please contact us:
green13group@gmail.com

Free Screening of "Earth 2100"

2010-01-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

EARTH 2100

Please join us for a free film screening and discussion of Earth 2100. This film, first aired on ABC,
explores the impact if we fail to act on climate change, peak oil, and population growth.

• Tuesday, January 19th at 6:30 pm

• Annette Street Branch Library ( 145 Annette St.; E. of Pacific, W. of Keele)
Community Room One
Wheelchair accessible

This screening is hosted by Green 13 and by the Annette Street Branch Public Library

Get Informed! Get empowered!

Copenhagen lobbying follow

2009-12-12T11:53:00.000-08:00

Tuesday December 15th: Get ready for post-Copenhagen lobbying!

Post Copenhagen, we need to talk to our MPs! A briefing session on how to lobby your MP (right here in Toronto) will be held. We will be organizing teams of people to go on these visits, and welcome anyone who has already attended a briefing session to come to this one to link up with others in their riding.

Tuesday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m.
West Toronto Baptist Church
3049 Dundas St. W.
(Junction 40 bus from Dundas West TTC Station)

Hope to see you there!

Lynn McDonald
for JustEarth www.justearth.net