November: Events Around the City

Sunday Nov 1st 1:30 pm
STROLL at FANSHAWE CONSERVATION AREA McIlwraith Field Naturalists.
Meet the leader at the Fanshawe Dam for an easy stroll to enjoy late fall. Enter the park via the Clarke Road entrance and proceed past the gatehouse. Turn left at the administration buildings and park on the south side of the river by the dam. Call 519-434-1931 for more details if required. Our outdoor events are perfect excuses to get away for a few hours and visit natural sites in and around London. There are always MFN members along who are able to help with tricky identifications and are willing to share their knowledge. It is useful to bring along binoculars, pencil and notebook, field guides, etc. (but don't burden yourself too much). Families with children are welcome on field trips, but pets should be left at home.

Tuesday Nov 3rd 7-8:30pm
Water and Climate Change...What we know; What we don't know; How do we respond? The purpose of the lecture is to bring together environmental community groups from across the Upper Thames River Watershed to learn about and discuss: Water and Climate Change. Guest Speaker: Professor Slobodan P. Simonovic. Venue: Ridgeview Community Church - 1470 Glenora Drive. Please RSVP to Julie at 519-451 2800 ext 255 or visit www.thamesriver.on.ca.

Tuesday Nov 3rd 7-9pm
The Centre for Environment & Sustainability (UWO) presents: Dr. Peter Victor –
“Managing Without Growth: Slower by Design, not Disaster”
Venue: Middlesex College Room 110
Growth, expansion, greater wealth – these have long been the standard policies of governments and business. But is growth effective in eliminating world poverty, solving unemployment, protecting the environment and contributing to individual happiness? What would happen to world economics if we had a no growth policy? Dr. Peter Victor will address these issues and others in his upcoming lecture as part of the E&S Special Lecture Series. An economist and Professor in Environmental Studies at York University, Dr. Victor has worked on environmental issues for nearly 40 years. Dr. Victor was one of the original founders of ecological economics and was the first President of the Canadian Society for Ecological Economics. He was Dean of the Faculty of Environmental Studies, York, an Assistant Deputy Minister of the Environmental Sciences and Standards Division in the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, and has worked as a consultant on economic studies in Canada and abroad. He is a technical advisor in such areas as air pollution and health, emissions trading, emerging issues and education for sustainable energy development. His most recent book is Managing Without Growth - Slower by Design, not Disaster. (Edward Elgar, 2008) Plan to attend and hear how Peter Victor challenges current economic myths. A reminder: Dr. Victor will be the guest author for E&S Reads – 10:30 to Noon, Nov. 3, 09 – Kresge Building Room 106. This is an excellent opportunity for a intimate discussion with the author. Copies of “Managing Without Growth” are available in the Bookstore.
Everyone is welcome to both events.
Presented by: The Centre for Environment and Sustainability, The Global and Ecosystem Health Interest Group at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and The McConnell Family Foundation.

Friday Nov 6th 7pm
Canaries in a Coalmine – What Are Ontario’s Birds Telling Us?
An illustrated lecture by Mike Cadman. Wolf Performance Hall London Public Library, 251 Dundas St Leading bird authority Mike Cadman is a Songbird Biologist with the Canadian Wildlife Service. Mike has devoted 8 years as the staff lead on The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Ontario (2001-2005). Without doubt, the second Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas ranks among the most successful, important and exciting bird research and conservation projects ever undertaken in the Western Hemisphere. The Atlas database is an incredibly powerful foundation not only for the book itself, but for innumerable bird research and environmental management applications for many years to come. Mike is now involved in researching conservation solutions for some of the challenges identified in the Atlas. Mike will be presenting findings from the Atlas and new developments in avian conservation with a special emphasis on the role of habitat conservation by groups such as the Thames Talbot Land Trust.

Saturday Nov 7th
Live Food Nutrition Workshop - More Energy, More Life
Discover easy weight loss, renewed health and greater energy with Whole, Organic Vegan Live-Foods. Like thousands of ecstatic Living Centre clients, you won't ever need to look at another fad diet book again! Fact is, the Live-Food diet is proving to be the healthiest, most common sense diet on the planet. Why? Because when we eat foods in their natural state we receive maximum nutrition and with this - maximum health. The mysteries of nature cannot be duplicated artificially. Nature exists in holistic forms. Their effects are also holistic. A raw and living food diet brings more energy and a resilient immune system. Stress, chronic illness, burnout, immune dysfunction, depression or weight concerns are all addressed in this very informative training. The live-food diet includes unprocessed and uncooked plant foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouts, seeds, nuts, grains, beans, dried fruit, and seaweeds. Raw and living foods have all the vitamins, minerals, proteins, enzymes and Phytonutrients intact. Heating food over 118 degrees destroy all Phytonutrients and enzymes (the sparks of life) and depletes foods of their vitamins, minerals and protein. As well as being the most nutrient rich diet on the planet, live-food cuisine is enormously creative and satisfying to prepare. The vibrant colors, textures and scents are nourishment to all of your senses. For more information visit The Living Centre - www.thelivingcentre.com.

Tuesday Nov 10th 6-9:30pm
Public Meeting for London's Transportation Master Plan
The City of London is embarking on a Transportation Master Plan (TMP) study to improve the ways we get around in London. It is also known as Smart Moves. The study will be looking at how to accommodate the needs of all transportation users in the City including drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, and transit users.

The first of three public meetings is taking place soon:

When: Tuesday, November 10

Where: Western Fair Grounds - Carousel Room

Time: 6-7p.m. Open House, 7-9:30 p.m. Workshop

Visit the City of London’s webpage at www.london.ca/smartmoves, where you can find more information about the Plan, fill out a survey, and share your thoughts on the discussion forum.

Please send RSVPs for this meeting to Charles Tilden at ctilden@canurb.com or 416-365-0816 x282, by November 6th.

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please contact:

Maged Elmadhoon, M.Eng, P. Eng.
Manager, Traffic Engineering and Transportation Planning
City of London
Tel: (519) 661-2500 Ex. 4934
Email: melmadho@london.ca

OR

Dick Gordon P.Eng., MCIP, RPP
Manager, Transportation Planning
AECOM
5080 Commerce Boulevard
Mississauga, ON L4W 4P2
Tel: 905-238-0007
Email: dick.gordon@aecom.com

Please note we encourage you to carpool, take transit, walk or cycle to the meeting. Transit route information is available on the LTC’s website www.ltconline.ca and bicycle racks are available next door, outside the Slots building entrance. There is ample free parking at the Western Fair.

Tuesday Nov 10th 7:30-9:00pm
"Financial Crisis an Opportunity for a New Global Order?"
Featured Speaker: John Dillon, Economic Justice Program Coordinator, KAIROS
Beyond Tinkering: Growing an Inclusive Economy - Lecture 3 of 4 Part Series Organization: Sisters of St. Joseph.
Where: Brescia University College 1285 Western Rd
Join the Sisters of St. Joseph for the rest of this four part lecture series. All lectures will be held at Brescia University College from 7:30 - 9:00 pm.

Monday Nov 16th 7-9pm
Raw Food 101
Interested in raw/live food but don't know where to start? Come learn how a raw food kitchen works. We'll explore appliances like the Vitamix, the dehydrator and the spiralizer. We'll chat about the benefits of eating whole, raw foods and create yummy recipes (raw onion crackers, hummus, noodles with marinara sauce and brownies) to share over a cup of tea. Cost: $40 plus GST. Location: 2237 Wharncliffe Rd S. To register call The Lotus Centre at 519-642-2378.

Wednesday Nov 18th 1:30-2:30pm
Lecture: Developing Climate Change Policy in Canada
Speaker: Mr. Bob Hamilton, Associate Deputy Minister, Environment Canada
Everyone is welcome to attend a series of three public lectures by members of the Government of Canada, delivered at various locations on campus. Location: Room 1, Natural Sciences Centre

Wednesday Nov 18th 7-9p.m.
SPEAKER: Maude Barlow and Sid Ryan speak on
These free trade deals will stop your local government from choosing to spend your tax dollars in your community. The lowest bidder wins regardless of the impact on local economies. The federal and provincial governments are selling Canadians the idea that provincial purchasing policies and other rights are barriers to free trade. What’s really behind the push for ‘inter-provincial trade’ deals, the Canada-European Union pact and a new NAFTA accord? Find out when Maude Barlow and Sid Ryan speak in your community. This event is free of charge. AEOLIAN HALL 795 Dundas St. East London, ON N5W 2Z6 For more information: CUPE Ontario: www.cupe.ca ; 416-292-3979 The Council of Canadians: www.canadians.org ; 1-800-387-7177. Hosted by the Council of Canadians and CUPE Ontario.

Thursday Nov 19th 6:30pm
GREENDRINKS SOCIAL - The Morrissey House - 359 Dundas Street (Downtown between Waterloo and Colborne). Good food, good drink, fantastic conversation!

Thursday Nov 19th 7-9pm
Super Foods for Wellness- Organization: London Regional Cancer Program - London Health Sciences Centre. Loblaw Superstore Wonderland & Southdale Rd, Learn about nutrition, antioxidants, and the tips and tricks for a healthy diet. Presenter: Heather Thomas, RD MSc PhD Student Public Health Dietitian, Middlesex-London Health Unit. This is a free event, but registration is required as space is limited. To reserve your seat or for more information, call 519-685-8742 This event is presented by: London Regional Cancer Program - London Health Sciences Centre, Wellspring London and Region, Canadian Cancer Society, Middlesex-London Health Unit and London Community Food Advisory Group

Friday Nov 20th 5:30pm
ON THIN ICE: CAN CARBON IN FORESTS AND BOGS HELP SAVE POLAR BEARS?
McIlwraith Field Naturalists - ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET.
Dave Pearce. Our guest speaker, Dave Pearce, CPAWS (Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society) Wildlands League’s Forest Conservation Analyst, will tell the story of how “ice bears”, climate change, and carbon choices collide dramatically in Ontario’s far north. Ontario has the world’s most southern population of Polar Bears, the poster beast for climate change issues, and it also has one of the richest natural carbon reserves in the world in the Boreal Forest. Pressure to extract resources threatens to release this carbon and accelerate climate change. But, in spite of this development pressure, Ontario’s far north is still relatively pristine. Premier Dalton McGuinty recently recognized it as one of the last great intact ecosystems of the planet and a vital carbon storehouse and, most importantly, committed to permanently protect more than half of it. For this promise to live up to its potntial, it must become law and the commitment to sustainable development must be real. The banquet will be held at the Hellenic Community Centre at 133 Southdale Road West (opposite Notre Dame Drive). The Centre is very accessible, and there is ample parking close to the entrance. Dinner will be a buffet meal. Tickets ($34 each) must be purchased in advance; they can be ordered via the membership renewal form enclosed with this issue, or by calling Ann Day (519-473-0294). A social hour from 5:30 to 6:30 will allow time to visit and take part in the bucket raffle. If you can donate a gift for the raffle, please write or call Karen Auzins (karen@auzins.ca, 519-652-9483) or Sue Read (psread@xplornet.com, 519-472-2887).

Saturday Nov 21st
Ayurveda: Nature’s Wisdom
Often called the “Mother of All Healing” this powerful system of healing originated in India. More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a “Science of Life”, (Ayur = life, Veda = science or knowledge). The ancient wisdom of Ayurveda provides specific guidelines for incredible health, and these precepts are taught by renowned expert Shantree Kacera, D.N., Ph.D. In Ayurveda, body, mind and consciousness work together in maintaining balance. A lifestyle approach, Ayurveda emphasizes prevention through offering guidelines on ideal daily and seasonal routines, nutrition, exercise, and the proper use of the senses and herbs. This in depth training of the ancient wisdom and science of Ayurveda will give you the tools to attain and maintain vibrant health of body, mind and emotions. Register today to take advantage of this special opportunity. Openings are limited. For more information visit The Living Centre - www.thelivingcentre.com.

Tuesday Nov 24th 6pm
Blind Spot with special guest, John Michael Greer - What if all of the expectations you have about the future are completely wrong? Mark your calendars for November 24, 2009 and plan to see the documentary film Blind Spot by Adolfo Doring. Come and enjoy a film, pizza and a lively Q&A led by John Michael Greer, social critic on resource scarcity and depletion and author of The Long Decent, The Ecotechnic Future. The evening begins at 6:00 p.m., University of Western Ontario, Middlesex College in Rm 110. All Welcome!

Thursday Nov 26th 7:30-9:00pm
"Does This Crisis Create an Opening to Change our Economy, Not Just Stabilize It?" Featured Speaker: Jim Stanford, Economist - Canadian Auto Workers Union Beyond Tinkering: Growing an Inclusive Economy - Lecture 4 of 4 Part Series
Join the Sisters of St. Joseph for the rest of this four part lecture series. All lectures will be held at Brescia University College (1285 Western Rd, London). FREE.