Friday, March 12, 2004
Community Organizing / Participatory Democracy
Is There an Urban Demoncratic Deficit?
CALGARY, AB, Mar. 12, 2004 (International Centre, U of C) - The Institute for Advanced Policy Research, the Centre for the Study of Public Affairs, and the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Calgary, are pleased to invite the public to a forum titled " Is There an Urban Democratic Deficit;" the 3rd event of the Symposium on the Democratic Deficit. Former Calgary Mayor Al Duerr, Political Scientist Judith Garber and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray will address the question based on their own experiences. They will discuss issues such as whether cities have the capacity to implement the democratically expressed will of their residents, privatization of government functions, democratic accountability and the impact of global economy on cities, and the ability of cities to control their own destinies. The lecture is open to the public and will be held on Thursday March 25, 7 pm, at the University Club, 4th floor Macewan Hall. For more information please call 220-5288.
Is There an Urban Demoncratic Deficit?
CALGARY, AB, Mar. 12, 2004 (International Centre, U of C) - The Institute for Advanced Policy Research, the Centre for the Study of Public Affairs, and the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Calgary, are pleased to invite the public to a forum titled " Is There an Urban Democratic Deficit;" the 3rd event of the Symposium on the Democratic Deficit. Former Calgary Mayor Al Duerr, Political Scientist Judith Garber and Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray will address the question based on their own experiences. They will discuss issues such as whether cities have the capacity to implement the democratically expressed will of their residents, privatization of government functions, democratic accountability and the impact of global economy on cities, and the ability of cities to control their own destinies. The lecture is open to the public and will be held on Thursday March 25, 7 pm, at the University Club, 4th floor Macewan Hall. For more information please call 220-5288.
Co-Housing / Our Shifting Focus
Prospective Nanaimo Cohousers Events
Our project is beginning to move along briskly, and we are pleased to invite you to two events: First, a potluck on Saturday, March 20 - just to get to know each other and socialize. It will be at Kari Fetherston's home, 992 Malaspina Crescent in Nanaimo(take Brechin Road to Beach Drive, to Malaspina Crescent; phone 716-1060). Time: 5:30 pm; children welcome. Secondly, we are pleased to announce the inaugural meeting of the Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community Association, a nonprofit society whose mission is to promote cohousing in the Nanaimo area. Joining the Association ($20 membership fee) is an opportunity to become more involved in Cohousing, without committing to a specific project. The Association will have much to do, and this meeting will be devoted to business. It will be held at the home of John Van Beek and Lavana Kilborn, 5716 Heather Place. (Hammond Bay Road to Turner Road; then follow Map 2 in the front of the Telus Directory. Heather Place is in section D4 of Map 2; John and Lavana’s phone number is 751-1451.) Refreshments will be served at 6:30; the meeting will commence at 7:00 pm. Please RSVP to this message, and please feel free to ask questions. Looking forward to seeing you, Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community.
Prospective Nanaimo Cohousers Events
Our project is beginning to move along briskly, and we are pleased to invite you to two events: First, a potluck on Saturday, March 20 - just to get to know each other and socialize. It will be at Kari Fetherston's home, 992 Malaspina Crescent in Nanaimo(take Brechin Road to Beach Drive, to Malaspina Crescent; phone 716-1060). Time: 5:30 pm; children welcome. Secondly, we are pleased to announce the inaugural meeting of the Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community Association, a nonprofit society whose mission is to promote cohousing in the Nanaimo area. Joining the Association ($20 membership fee) is an opportunity to become more involved in Cohousing, without committing to a specific project. The Association will have much to do, and this meeting will be devoted to business. It will be held at the home of John Van Beek and Lavana Kilborn, 5716 Heather Place. (Hammond Bay Road to Turner Road; then follow Map 2 in the front of the Telus Directory. Heather Place is in section D4 of Map 2; John and Lavana’s phone number is 751-1451.) Refreshments will be served at 6:30; the meeting will commence at 7:00 pm. Please RSVP to this message, and please feel free to ask questions. Looking forward to seeing you, Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community.
Local Living Economies / Empowerment
Local Economic Renewal
LONDON, UK, Mar. 9, 2004 (New Economics Foundation) - Creating the right balance between local and global economies will help to increase individual well-being, reduce inequalities and promote environmental sustainability. NEF is pushing to relocalise the economy through the local works campaign and by empowering communities through enterprise and innovation. The tools for local economic renewal help people create their own futures. Our flagship inner city 100 project shows the power and dynamism of inner city business, and our work on access to finance addresses the problem of people being excluded from mainstream finance. http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/m2_i4_ic100.aspx?page=963&folder=148& .
Local Economic Renewal
LONDON, UK, Mar. 9, 2004 (New Economics Foundation) - Creating the right balance between local and global economies will help to increase individual well-being, reduce inequalities and promote environmental sustainability. NEF is pushing to relocalise the economy through the local works campaign and by empowering communities through enterprise and innovation. The tools for local economic renewal help people create their own futures. Our flagship inner city 100 project shows the power and dynamism of inner city business, and our work on access to finance addresses the problem of people being excluded from mainstream finance. http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/m2_i4_ic100.aspx?page=963&folder=148& .
Community Building / Local Self-Reliance
Need for Community Connections
VICTORIA, BC, Mar. 2004 (Quality of Life Challenge) - A vibrantly sustainable community is a well-connected community. Studies have shown that having people connected with each other in their community increases their ability to talk about and address community issues, and together overcome barriers to improve the quality of their lives. Well-connected communities are more resilient. They have greater capacity to assess problems, to nurture young leaders, to build stronger organizations and to mobilize resources. http://www.qolchallenge.ca/connections.html.
Need for Community Connections
VICTORIA, BC, Mar. 2004 (Quality of Life Challenge) - A vibrantly sustainable community is a well-connected community. Studies have shown that having people connected with each other in their community increases their ability to talk about and address community issues, and together overcome barriers to improve the quality of their lives. Well-connected communities are more resilient. They have greater capacity to assess problems, to nurture young leaders, to build stronger organizations and to mobilize resources. http://www.qolchallenge.ca/connections.html.
Local Living Economies
An International Clearinghouse on Big Box Anti-Sprawl Information
GREENFEILD, MA, Mar. 9, 2004 (Sprawl-Busters WEBSITE Reference) - No matter what the logo on the building says--Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target, Lowe's, Kohls, CVS--if its unwanted development, Sprawl-Busters can help you stop it. In hundreds of communities, we have helped citizens groups strategize and carry out a plan to stop the superstores. Our Newsflash page contains the latest on big box battles from around the globe, and the book "Slam Dunking Wal-Mart" has become a citizen's classic for hands-on combat with Sprawl-Marts. If a big box store is causing you a big problem, call on Sprawl-Busters! Local visits can be arranged. Contact info@sprawl-busters.com. Your quality of life is worth more than a cheap pair of underwear. http://www.sprawl-busters.com/.
An International Clearinghouse on Big Box Anti-Sprawl Information
GREENFEILD, MA, Mar. 9, 2004 (Sprawl-Busters WEBSITE Reference) - No matter what the logo on the building says--Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Target, Lowe's, Kohls, CVS--if its unwanted development, Sprawl-Busters can help you stop it. In hundreds of communities, we have helped citizens groups strategize and carry out a plan to stop the superstores. Our Newsflash page contains the latest on big box battles from around the globe, and the book "Slam Dunking Wal-Mart" has become a citizen's classic for hands-on combat with Sprawl-Marts. If a big box store is causing you a big problem, call on Sprawl-Busters! Local visits can be arranged. Contact info@sprawl-busters.com. Your quality of life is worth more than a cheap pair of underwear. http://www.sprawl-busters.com/.
Pesticide Reduction / Healthy Soil / Lawns
Get Your Lawn Off Drugs
NANAIMO, BC, Mar. 12, 2004 (CIP) – One of the exhibitors at the recent annual Seedy Sunday & Self-Reliance Exhibit (to be expected on the first Sunday of every March) was Blake Howe (email: bumblebee-lawncare@shaw.ca) from Bumblebee Lawncare. He says, “We now know that it is possible to get our lawns off drugs without compromising quality and appearance. Untill recently most of us believed that turf grass needed highly soluble synthetic fertilizer and chemical pesticides to look good. Healthy lawns grow on healthy soil. Understanding the role of microorganisms in the soil is a key component of the organic process. These “good bugs” help your lawn defend and feed itself. Pesticides harm these and other helpful soil life forms. Good maintenance practices and the addition of organic matter will help the grass to flourish and out compete the weeds.” Find his website at: bumblebee-lawncare.com.
Get Your Lawn Off Drugs
NANAIMO, BC, Mar. 12, 2004 (CIP) – One of the exhibitors at the recent annual Seedy Sunday & Self-Reliance Exhibit (to be expected on the first Sunday of every March) was Blake Howe (email: bumblebee-lawncare@shaw.ca) from Bumblebee Lawncare. He says, “We now know that it is possible to get our lawns off drugs without compromising quality and appearance. Untill recently most of us believed that turf grass needed highly soluble synthetic fertilizer and chemical pesticides to look good. Healthy lawns grow on healthy soil. Understanding the role of microorganisms in the soil is a key component of the organic process. These “good bugs” help your lawn defend and feed itself. Pesticides harm these and other helpful soil life forms. Good maintenance practices and the addition of organic matter will help the grass to flourish and out compete the weeds.” Find his website at: bumblebee-lawncare.com.
