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GENERAL NEWS AND EVENTS CALENDAR
Got a second to read this?
1.
Integrity and reliability are the most important quality that a public
employee especially that of a politician should maintain otherwise the
institution gets corrupted. 2. Poor immigrants are the greatest investment a
country like
‘Domestic Terrorists’ Prey on Kids in Summertime
Advocate Offers Tips to Prevent, Spot, Child Sexual Abuse
Instances of child abuse increase during the summer, with some shelters and child advocacy centers actually doubling their caseloads, according to anecdotal reports.
While these tragedies include everything from neglect to beatings, child advocate Michelle Bellon, author of The Complexity of a Soldier (www.MichelleBellon.com), says parents and caregivers should be especially alert to one of the most easily hidden and underreported crimes: child sexual abuse. Her novel centers on this epidemic, and aims to raise awareness about it.
“Children may be less supervised during the summer, or they may be in the care of extended family members so their parents can save money on child care,” she says. “Both situations put children at risk; the former for obvious reasons and the latter because 90 percent of child sexual abuse victims know the offender.”
Child predators are terrorists, Bellon says. Like the terrorists we deploy armies to battle overseas, they prey on innocents and subject them to physical and emotional torture. The consequences can be devastating and lifelong, including post-traumatic stress disorder and separation anxiety, according to the American Psychological Association reports.
“Does this sound like anything else we have heard about since 9/11? To me, it is very similar to what victims of terrorism face, and what soldiers face after fighting wars,” Bellon says. “I think child predators should be called what they are – domestic terrorists.”
Bellon shares these guidelines from a number of sources, including the Centers for Disease Control, to keep children safe this summer.
• When choosing a summer program, ask about employee (and volunteer) screening and how interactions are monitored. A criminal background check is not sufficient to ferret out sexual abusers, since many have never been charged or convicted. Instead the program should look for warning signs in written applications and interviews. For instance, some predator adults spend all of their time with children and have no significant adult relationships. Policies on interactions between adults and children should include examples of appropriate and inappropriate conduct, and definitive steps for both monitoring and addressing concerns and complaints.
• Ask about the training. Staff and even temporary volunteers should undergo training to recognize signs of sexual abuse and to learn when it’s appropriate to report concerns. There should be a designated person to handle reports. Training should be required for staff and volunteers who come on board midway through the summer. Policies should include procedures for handling not just potential abuse, but also violations of the code of conduct for interactions.
• Ask about interactions between older and younger children. Some programs allow older children to serve as “junior counselors” or activity assistants. Ask about the guidelines for these situations, including whether and how long children may be unsupervised by an adult.
• Make sure children understand “personal boundaries.” Teach children the importance of recognizing and respecting the invisible barriers that separate them from other people. They should be able to recognize their comfort zone – and that of others! – and know that they can and should speak up about setting limits. Start at home by respecting a child’s right to say “no” to physical contact, such as tickling and hugs. Never force a child to kiss a relative.
• Recognize signs of a problem. Children often won’t or can’t tell you what’s happening, but there are signs to watch for, including changes in behavior such as withdrawal or unprovoked crying, night terrors, bedwetting, eating problems, unexplained injuries, suddenly avoiding a particular person, and unusual interest in or knowledge of sexual matters.
About
Michelle Bellon ; Michelle Bellon earned her associate degree in nursing, and
lives with her husband and four children in
If you would like to run the above article, please feel free to do so. I am able to provide images if you would like some to accompany it. If you’re interested in interviewing Michelle Bellon or having her write an exclusive article for you, let me know and I’ll gladly work out details. Lastly, please let me know if you’d be interested in receiving a copy of her book, The Complexity of a Soldier, for possible review.
Ginny Grimsley, National Print Campaign Manager, News and Experts, 3748 Turman Loop #101, Wesley Chapel , FL 33544, Tel: 727-443-7115, Ext 207
The Fifth International Writers’ and Artists Festival
The
Fifth International Writers’ and Artists Festival “Words in the world” at
the Writers’ and Artists’ Residence at Val-David - In
a highly emotionally charged atmosphere, the V International Multilingual,
Multicultural Festival has closed its doors for now. The next Festival will take
place on 6 and
School of Canadian Irish Studies Weekly e-Newsletter June 1, 2012
TICKETS
ON
Featuring the music of Pierre Schryer, Martine Billette, and Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin.
WHEN:
WHERE:
Grey Nuns Chapel,
ADMISSION: $20.00
Limited number of tickets available.
To purchase online, please visit http://www.liftticketsystem.com/shop/tickets/canadian-irish-studies-july-events
or for in-person tickets call (514) 848-2424 ext 8711.
BLOOMSDAY IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING!
Montrealers
will soon celebrate Bloomsday, June 16, the date made famous in James Joyce’s
Ulysses, with an all-day roster of activities. Anyone interested in Ulysses,
Joyce, or things Irish, please mark June 16 on your calendar! Festivities will
be held all over the city, including
The School of Canadian Irish Studies ' Principal Dr. Michael Kenneally will be at the Official Launch on June 15th at 4:00 p.m. , giving a lecture on "The Achievement of Joyce's Ulysses".
This
lecture is free, and will take place at the
Please visit our website's "Events and News" page to see a detailed schedule of this year's exciting events and this year's poster.
FEATURED COURSE:
The
Irish in
Winter 2013
Prof. Jane McGaughey
Tuesday,
Thursday
Four
million Canadians claim Irish ancestry today. Arriving in
For further information or registration assistance contact Matina Skalkogiannis at 514 848-2424, ext. 8711 or email: cdnirish@alcor.concordia.ca
(Click on the 'Montreal News' link to be redirected to the Montreal News page on the Canadian Irish Studies website)
-
"How You Can Be Rewarded For Introducing
-
A Genealogical Day in
- NUACHT Newsletter Now Available
Irish Diaspora News
(Click on the 'Irish Diaspora News' link to be redirected to the Irish Diaspora News page on the Canadian Irish Studies website)
-
Updated Information: "
- Thomas D'Arcy McGee International Summer School
- Oireachtas Gaeilge Cheanada
-
"Our Roots: An Art Show And
- William Trevor/ Elizabeth Bowen International Short Story Competition 2012 Shortlist
-
Sarah Sharkey Postdoctoral Research Fellow Position Available (
School
of Canadian
Irish
Studies,
THE 2ND ANNUAL FACEOFF FOR A CURE
TEAM
ROCKSTARR PRESENTS: THE 2ND ANNUAL FACEOFF FOR A CURE CHARITY HOCKEY GAME
BENEFITING THE CEDARS BREAST CLINIC Thursday May 17th,
Canada Direct – A new series from BBC World News focuses on Canada in 2012
Richard
Porter, Controller English, BBC Global News says: ”In 2012 BBC World News’
has travelled to
Programming highlights from Canada Direct include:
Flagship Newscast BBC World News America anchored from Calgary
The
BBC’s flagship newscast BBC World News
Energy
Panel special from
Canada’s
role in a world of energy is under the spotlight, when a special panel from
across the energy industry moderated by the BBC’s Katty Kay, will discuss both
the challenges and opportunities for the industry and its relationship with the
US. The debate will be recorded at the
One Square Mile documentary with Lyse Doucet explores Montreal
Born
in
Working Lives documentary in Vancouver
Working
Lives with the BBC’s Michelle Fleury is in Vancouver, one of the country’s
most ethnically
diverse cities, to meet six people working in different professions. These
include a local policeman who immigrated to
Travel show Fast Track on the Eastern Coast
BBC
World News’ travel strand Fast Track is in
Weekend
World in
BBC.com/canadadirect
will feature a range of multimedia content as part of the season, including
features on the challenges
If you are planning to attend
Please share this information with your e-mail lists. Thank you
Please
note yet another room change to
School
of Community & Public Affairs,
Date:
Place:
Citizens in Action
An Alternative Globalization Organization
“Another World is Possible”
Together we can make a difference
Citizens in Action, a non-profit, non-partisan, progressive group of concerned citizens, dedicated to economic & social justice, presents:
a Free Public Conference on
The Hidden Face of “Le Plan Nord”
“Is Québec Managing its Resources in the best interests of its citizens?”
The question has surfaced again with ” Le Plan Nord Project,”of non-renewable resources proposed by the Charest government
By Guest Speaker, writer, professor & media personality,
NormandMousseau
Author
of “All you need to know about the Energy Crisis,” and “the Future of Québec
is in its Energy Independence .” He also hosts a scientific television
program: “The Grand Equation,” to popularize scientific issues. He is also
professor & Canada Research Chair into Complex Physics at the
From “Shale Gas extraction” to “le Plan Nord,” there is no dearth of projects by the Charest government to exploit our resources, with basically no input from citizens. Mining companies are not compensating citizens sufficiently for the extraction of their non-renewable resources, which often results in the degradation of both the environment, as well as social damages, especially regarding water and health. However, there are two sources of hope: first, international examples, which allow for more equitable royalties, and second, in the absence of a perfect example of exploitation, Quebecers can develop their own model.
N. B. We usually meet once a month, to tackle a different political issue, at Concordia Hall bldg. room 760. For further information, please call the founder & coordinator of the group, Nadia Alexan, at tel. (514) 846-0644, or e-mail: nadia.alexan@videotron.ca (sponsored by Gender Campaigns Center 2010)
Frank Talks Weekly Relationship Workshops
Starting
Saturday May 5th from
Minelab Electronics announces revolutionary new metal detector
New CTX 3030 metal detector is the first to integrate GPS and enable treasure finds to be uploaded to Google Maps.
Canada Direct – A new series from BBC World News focuses on Canada in 2012
From
Five pre-ride checks every cyclist should learn during National Bike Month
Former elite racer says small issues can result in big problems when left unattended
Citizens in Action
An Alternative Globalization Organization “Another World is Possible”
Together we can make a difference
Citizens in Action, a non-profit, non-partisan, progressive group of concerned citizens, dedicated to economic & social justice, presents:
aFree Public Conference on
The Hidden Face of “Le Plan Nord”
“Is Québec Managing its Resources in the best interests of its citizens?”
The question has surfaced again with ” Le Plan Nord Project,”of non-renewable resources proposed by the Charest government
By Guest Speaker, writer, professor & media personality,
NormandMousseau
Author
of “All you need to know about the Energy Crisis,” and “the Future of Québec
is in its Energy Independence .” He also hosts a scientific television
program: “The Grand Equation,” to popularize scientific issues. He is also
professor & Canada Research Chair into Complex Physics at the
Date:
Place:
room: MB 1.109
Time:
From “Shale Gas extraction” to “le Plan Nord,” there is no dearth of projects by the Charest government to exploit our resources, with basically no input from citizens. Mining companies are not compensating citizens sufficiently for the extraction of their non-renewable resources, which often results in the degradation of both the environment, as well as social damages, especially regarding water and health. However, there are two sources of hope: first, international examples, which allow for more equitable royalties, and second, in the absence of a perfect example of exploitation, Quebecers can develop their own model.
N. B. We usually meet once a month, to tackle a different political issue, at Concordia Hall bldg. room 760. For further information, please call the founder & coordinator of the group, Nadia Alexan, at tel. (514) 846-0644, or e-mail: nadia.alexan@videotron.ca (sponsored by Gender Campaigns Center 2010)
That's was then and this is now
So, after Stephen Harper got his majority, within 6 months
Le Lys Blues Awards
Every
year, Le Lys Blues Awards are given to chosen Blues artists in
The
Gala was held on Sunday, April 22 at
There aren't enough words to express our gratitude for the support you gave us throughout the year, but you can surely count on us to keep on pushing the evolution of the Blues in our 3rd album. To thank you for your vote of confidence, here is the official video of the title track "Original Sin" on youtube: http://youtu.be/bTSv3OQrAjE
Here are the shows for the month of May.We look forward to seeing you!
May
May
11: L'Aquarium -
May
12: House of Jazz -
May
17: Calistoga's -
May
25: House of Jazz -
NOW IN ITS 20TH YEAR, THE FARHA FOUNDATION AND ÇA MARCHE CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV/AIDS!
Join
the most important HIV/AIDS fundraising walk in
The
ARTISTES DE HEMMINGFORD ARTISTS
On
Saturday, May 19th and Sunday, May 20th, from
Historic opening of a downtown Community Centre
Association Récréative Milton Parc (A.R.M.P.) &
The Yellow Door Announce the
MONTREAL
April, 2012 - Association Récréative Milton Parc (A.R.M.P.) and The Yellow
Door, two well established, non-profit community organizations, stalwarts in the
downtown/Plateau Montreal neighborhood for many years, have joined forces to
open the Centre Communautaire Galeries du Parc. This new community centre is on
the easily accessible main level of les Galeries du Parc, situated at Jeanne-Mance
and Prince Arthur streets. A wide variety of activities and classes at
affordable prices are being offered to area residents and non-residents of all
ages and backgrounds, including seniors, mothers with young children and youth.
Proceeds from Novembers
Window into Fashion fundraising event at the
The
Yellow Door, a longstanding and respected community institution which organizes
student visits to seniors, a drop-in seniors activity group, the renowned Coffee
House which for years has featured many local and international singers, along
with the Association Récréative Milton-Parc (A.R.M.P.) headquartered at the
Centre Multi-ethnique on St. Urbain, offering over 800 language, sports, dance,
cultural and educational courses and programs to over 8,500 members of all ages are collaborating on dozens of
activities at the new Centre Communautaire Galeries du Parc.
The
official opening ceremony took place in February and was attended by over 100
local residents. Also present were representatives of all three levels of
government along with Lucia Kowaluk, president of the Milton Park Citizens
Committee.
According
to Terrence Regan, Executive Director of A.R.M.P., The
opening of this community centre is an historic first. To the best of our
knowledge, this is the first time in Québec that a multi-purpose community
centre has opened in a commercial shopping complex in Québec. We are very excited
to have the opportunity to offer our activities directly to people in the place
where they work, live and shop. We are grateful to Second Investment Inc. and
Redbourne Realty for this unique chance to help enhance the lives of members of
the local community in a real and meaningful way.
Pietro
Bozzo, Executive Director of the Yellow Door for the past 17 years, sees
the opening of the new Centre as a truly positive step forward in addressing a
huge need for senior citizens: staying active physically, mentally, and
socially. We
need to recognize the tremendous importance that social interaction and physical
exercise play in maintaining a positive quality of life especially for seniors.
This new Centre will provide people over 50 years old with a great
chance to stay healthy and active while meeting new friends. It will promote
togetherness and develop a greater sense of community for people of all ages in
this wonderfully diverse downtown neighbourhood.
Registration
is being accepted at the new Centre for a multitude of courses, all starting the
week of April 9th. Programs specifically geared towards people over 50 years old
include Yoga, Tai-Chi, Line Dance and Zumba, as well as Knitting, Art,
Photography, Book and Film Discussion groups. Other courses for non-seniors
include Hip-Hop, Swing Rock N
Roll, Baladi (Belly-Dancing), Zumba, Salsa, African Dance, Ballroom Dance, Tango
and a Mama/Baby play group. For
information and to register for courses:
The
GRAVITY
FREE, the World's Only Multidisciplinary Design Conference, proudly announces an
exclusive media partnership with The Atlantic to promote GRAVITY
FREE 2012, May 1-2, VenueSIX10 at the Spertus Institute in downtown Chicago.
"The
GRAVITY FREE is a two-day conversation with the world's most inspiring design
thinkers and doers. This world-class event is designed to take attendees out of
their daily routine of familiar ideas, and connect them with the most diverse
and fearless designers who are changing the way we see the world.
This year's theme - "Outlaws and Icons" - is a riveting program of
twenty of the world's most fearless designers whose passion and personal vision
takes them outside convention - where breaking the rules often produces
breathtaking results. No surprise: Outlaws often become icons.
Lee Knight, Founder and Chief Instigator at GRAVITY FREE, said: "We're
excited with the opportunity to partner with The Atlantic. With its
award-winning focus on cultural trends as well as foreign affairs, politics and
the economy, The Atlantic is aimed at a target audience of thought leaders which
provides us the opportunity to grow and extend the reach of GRAVITY FREE."
This year's program of world-class designers include: Javier Mariscal, a multidisciplinary maverick of design; George Lois, Art Director/Magazine Designer, Iris van Herpen, Fashion Designer; Rafael de Cardenas, Interior Designer; Neville Brody,Typographer; Ivan Brunetti, Comic Book Artist; Chip Kidd, Book Cover Designer; Jer Thorp, Data Visualization; Leland Maschmeyer, Commercial Designer, Professor, & Writer; Alex Lieu, Artificial Reality Game Designer; James Ramsey, Urbanist; Margie Ruddick, Landscape Designer; James Victore, Graphic Designer; Gordon Gill, Architect; Kyle Cooper, Motion Designer; Brian Collins, Brand & Experience Designer; Karsten Schmidt, Computational Designer
GRAVITY
FREE 2012 will be held at the Spertus Institute in
See the complete program registration and event details at www.gravityfreedesign.com.
About GRAVITY FREE
GRAVITY FREE 2012 is a one-of-a-kind showcase for the best ideas in design. This
year, twenty of the world's most remarkable designers - from twenty different
design disciplines - invite you to join them for a close-up look at
"Outlaws and Icons" - the conference theme for 2012. For more
information go to www.gravityfreedesign.com
or follow on Twitter at @GravityFree.
About
The Atlantic
The Atlantic delivers bold ideas in surround sound. It engages its print,
digital, live, and mobile audiences with breakthrough insights into the worlds
of politics, business, technology, culture, and the arts. For more information
go to www.theatltantic.com
Contact:
John Pavek, Marketing and Public Relations, GRAVITY FREE: The World's Only
Multidisciplinary Design Conference
www.gravityfreedesign.com
questions@exhibitormagazine.com
Journalists
may request for accreditation to attend GRAVITY FREE 2012.
Press passes for individuals who write design-related personal or corporate
blogs will be considered by the GRAVITY FREE team, and approval will be given on
a case-by-case basis. Online sites must be established and updated regularly
with original and current news. Press passes will not be granted to anyone whose
principal purpose for attending our event is, in our judgment, for reasons other
than covering the event as working media.
To request a press registration, please send a link to your online presence with
your name and title appearing in an editorial capacity, such as a bylined,
industry-related article from your publication written by you and published
within the last six months. Please email to jpavek@exhibitormagazine.com.
After
we have received your credentials, they will be reviewed and are subject to
approval based on availability and management's discretion.
JAZZ
AFICIONADO TIM TAMASHIRO TO HOST
CBC
RADIO 2’S TONIC AS KATIE MALLOCH DEPARTS
AFTER
40 YEARS AT THE MIC
“I
am absolutely thrilled to be hosting my favourite jazz program, and it really is
an honour to be taking over from the phenomenal Katie Malloch,” said Tamashiro.
“I’m excited to be able to continue her work of bringing to Canadians the
best the jazz world has to offer, and of growing the audience for this
beautiful, important music.”
“Katie
Malloch will be missed on the Tonic airwaves and Tim is the perfect host suited
for the job,” says Mark Steinmetz, Director of Radio Music, CBC. “As Louis
Armstrong once said, ‘If you have to ask what jazz is, you’ll never know.’
He doesn’t need to ask – he knows, and because of this I will continue to be
a faithful listener.”
Tamashiro,
previously host of the weekend edition of Tonic, is passionate about jazz –
listening to it, discovering great stories about it, and telling those stories
to his audiences. He’s been working in the music industry since the 1980s,
both as a record company representative and as a crooner, though now he
concentrates on being a conduit between jazz artists and jazz listeners. His
mission in life is to spread the word about how cool jazz is – a passion he
shares with Malloch, who has hosted Tonic since 2007.
“I’m
happy that Tim will be the new full-time host of Tonic.” said Malloch, who
announced her retirement in January. “The audience already knows and
appreciates him from his years hosting Tonic’s weekend programs, and he’s
got such a love for the music. He’s a natural!”
Find
out more online at http://music.cbc.ca/#/Tonic-with-Tim-Tamashiro.
About
CBC/Radio-Canada: CBC/Radio-Canada is
For
further information, contact: Nell Crichton, Veritas Communications (416)
482-0864 Crichton@veritascanada.com
The
One World Film Festival presents:
NEVER
COME BACK: A Year in the Life of the Roma in
Documentary
Film Screening and Panel Discussion
Library
and Archives Auditorium,
"Although
the focus of the film is a year in the life of the Roma community in
-
Filmmakers Karl Nerenberg and Malcolm Hamilton.
Following
the screening of this hour-long documentary, a panel discussion on
The
23rd Annual One World Film Festival will take place from
“The Hero has Feet of Clay!”
An
Honest assessment of
Author of the “Black Book of Canadian Foreign Policy” & other books.He has just written a new book: “Lester Pearson’s peacekeeping: The Truth May Hurt.” He has been dubbed as one of the most important voices on the Canadian left today, equal to I. F. Stone. His books have been praised by Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, Rick Salutin, and many others.
Date:
Written
in the form of a submission to an imagined “Truth and Reconciliation
Commission”about
Feeling Traumatized by the World’s Upheaval?
Author Offers Tips for Writing Off Emotional Pain
The
unexpected blows experienced by so many Americans during the current economic
recession have left many dealing with what psychotherapist Daniela Roher calls
“recession stress disorder” – feelings of helplessness, shame and
betrayal, headaches, loss of appetite, insomnia, depression. Add to that the
emotional turmoil endured by tens of thousands of families directly affected by
the wars in
Inspiring Lenten lecture series
At
Saint Matthias’ Church: The Significance and Relevance of Honor Noteworthy
speakers include: Donald Boisvert, the Honourable Justin Trudeau, Roy L. Heenan
and Patricia Kirkpatrick, for this free series - The Reverend Kenneth M.
Near, Rector, is pleased to offer this free Lenten programme for 2012; a
thought-provoking speakers series around the theme of honour. Lectures take
place over the next four Sunday mornings at St. Matthias’ Church in
It’s Not Too Late to Make Good on those Resolutions!
Let Your Spirituality Be Your Guide, Says Noted Doctor
The
new year is already well under way. Job deadlines – or job searching – has
begun anew, and the stresses of bills, kids in school again, and the sometimes
endless treadmill of daily life can make us forget those New Year’s
resolutions we made not so very long ago. Physician and healer Amnon Goldstein,
who has earned an international reputation for his practice of both Western and
Eastern medicines, says it’s time to slow down and re-evaluate. “You’ve
heard it said before and you know it in your heart, but it’s the external
pressures that leave us feeling
stressed, depressed, disappointed and overwhelmed,” says Goldstein. “Add to
that the lingering economic troubles, families in flux and all of us working
harder just to maintain our standard of living and it’s easy to forget the
most person to take care of first is – you.” Those resolutions to exercise
more, eat healthier foods, meditate or otherwise tend to spiritual needs, they
should be priorities, Goldstein says. They will ensure you’re stronger,
happier, and better able to manage the external pressures, maybe even with a
smile. Quiet contemplation and a focus on spiritual growth – no matter one’s
religion or beliefs – will lead to a clearer vision of how to accomplish the
goals set for this year, Goldstein advises. “Spirituality is no longer linked
only to religion,” says Goldstein, the author of the recently released book
Screwed: The Path of a Healer (www.iuniverse.com), a title that reflects the
twisting nature of his global journeys as a healer and his own experiences with
depression, divorce and illness. “More and more people understand that they
must nurture both body and spirit, which is why they make the sorts of
resolutions they do. No matter how difficult your life, it will become easier
and more joyful if you keep to those goals.” Israeli-born Goldstein has
practiced medicine around the world using conventional Western, traditional
Eastern and less-familiar spiritual and mystical methods. In Screwed, he
chronicles the path to wellness, understanding and enlightenment, a journey that
takes the traveler to unexpected places. Goldstein has known the horrors of war,
witnessed the birth of new nations and experienced the mysterious healing powers
of unconventional medicine. As a physician he has explored unconventional
approaches to age-old physical and mental health challenges, embracing an
over-arching philosophy that a life well-lived is not one which follows a
straight or uncomplicated path. Goldstein advocates proper nutrition as the
basis for good health (no overeating, no dairy, no sugar), and exercise and
meditation as the foundation of healthy living. “We can live healthier and
more fulfilled lives by looking inward,” Goldstein says. “Most of us will
find that we have everything we need to celebrate the holidays in one form or
another - either a healthy family, a warm home or some aspect of our lives that
brings meaning. Expectation of perfection at this time of the year is toxic to
our minds and spirits. Every healing is self-healing, but we need to take the
time in the midst of our busy lives to take care of ourselves.” About
Amnon Goldstein, M.D. Amnon Goldstein is a physician with more than 40
years of experience in conventional Western medicine and holistic and Eastern
medicine. He has specialized in trauma care, vascular surgery and hypnosis, and
has done in-depth study into the evolution of HIV and cancer research and
treatments. A resident of
Crucial sign to Companies that something is not working.
According
to Right Management, 84% of employees planned to look for a new job in 2011 –
up from 60% in 2009. Such a high turnover is a crucial sign to
Companies that something is not working. In today’s
frenzied work pace, employees want to feel “engaged” and know that what they
are doing is making a difference. If Companies thought more about
“employee engagement”, much of the turnover they’re experiencing would be
avoided. As it is, many people leaving companies are now turning to
Coaching as their next career for this very reason! iPEC
Horizon
2067: The Plan for
Those who cannot attend these sessions can provide their input online at www.horizon2067.ca between February 20th and March 16th.
These sessions will mark the end of the first phase of engaging Canadians in the future of their nation’s capital and begins the next phase of engagement. Following these sessions, the NCC will work to develop the vision and strategic directions for the new plan. A second public consultation will be held in the fall of 2012. The NCC expects to complete this exercise by the end of 2012.
Thousands of Canadians shared their thoughts on the future of the Capital
In
the fall of 2011, the NCC invited Canadians to share their ideas about the
future of
A
summary of the activities associated with the Capital Conversations is available
online. Additional information about Horizon 2067, the review of the Plan for
Media Information: Cédric Pelletier NCC Media Relations 613-239-5709 (office) 613-852-2804 (cellular) cedric.pelletier@ncc-ccn.ca
Mario Tremblay NCC Media Relations 613-239-5665 (office) 613-859-9596 (cellular) mario.tremblay@ncc-ccn.ca
Tips for Successful Women Fed Up With Kissing Frogs
Both women and men are waiting longer and longer to get married for the first time, according to the Census Bureau, and fewer women are having babies before their 40th birthdays, the Centers for Disease Control reports. Interestingly, more and more women are having babies well into their 40s. Could it be that it has become more difficult for couples to connect romantically?
“Women are likely to be more independent and professionally successful than they were a generation or two ago, and that’s wonderful, but it can come with baggage,” says Jane Atkinson, author of The Frog Whisperer: A Three-Step Approach to Finding Lasting Love (www.frogwhisperer.com). “We’re less likely to think about the energy we’re putting out to others, particularly the opposite sex, and that energy has a lot to do with how people react to us.”
Atkinson says finding Mr. or Ms. Right requires taking your eyes off of work and focusing on yourself more. What can you do to become the person you would want to date? She offers some tips for finding “the one.”
• Figure out what you’re looking for. Have you thought hard about what kind of person you’re looking for? One trick is to visualize your perfect day. Are you at the beach? Traveling? Is the man with you quiet or chatty? Is the woman serious or funny? Does he want children? Does she go to church? This will help you identify the characteristics and values of your Mr. or Ms. Right so you can recognize them when he or she comes along.
• Get happy in your own head. Once again, it’s all about attraction. Putting out positive, confident energy will attract the same. Besides, it’s never a good idea to rely on other people to make us happy. If you need to recover from old hurts, lose weight or find a job, take care of that business first.
• Think you’re ready? Test yourself with this quick quiz.
1. Are you happy with yourself? (Or are you miserable because you’ve put on 50 pounds since your divorce?)
2. Are you looking for someone to rescue you or take care of you? (If you answer “yes” to this one, you may not be ready.)
3. Is there room in your life for a relationship? (Or do you have three kids and work a 60-hour week?)
4. Has enough time passed since your last relationship? (Or are you still wounded?)
• Now, get yourself fabulous. Rather than, “Why can’t I find a good man?” ask yourself, “Who do I need to become to attract the man (or woman) who is perfect for me?” It’s not about changing you; it’s about being your best you. Part of that is your mojo – your self-esteem. If your mojo is slipping, you’ll attract control freaks, players and jerks. Pump it up with a makeover, a workout, a sincere inventory of your attributes.
• Get out there! Put on your sexy jeans get yourself out the door. Where to start looking? If you enjoy working with your hands, volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity project. If you’ve always wanted to learn Italian, take a class. If you love to do yoga, check out a new studio (ladies, you’ll find a surprising number of guys there.) Perhaps you find a new church or take a class on Buddhism. The list of meeting spots for singles is a long one: bookstores, dance clubs, supper clubs, book clubs, gyms, golf courses, rowing clubs, dog parks.
Atkinson’s tips come from real-life experience. At 40, she realized she’d been kissing a lot of frogs and found not one prince. She applied the model she developed for her business, tweaked it and came up with “Frog Whisperer” – and a prince of a husband
About
Jane Atkinson Jane
Atkinson is the author of The Frog Whisperer: A 3-Step Approach to Finding
Lasting Love and The Frog Whisperer Journal as well as a Positive Practice audio
CD to help women (and men) get mentally ready for meeting their perfect mate.
She lives in
If you would like to run the above article, please feel free to do so. I am able to provide images if you would like some to accompany it. If you’re interested in interviewing Jane Atkinson for a feature/Q&A or having her write an exclusive article for you, let me know and I’ll gladly work out details. Lastly, please let me know if you’d be interested in receiving a copy of her book, The Frog Whisperer, for possible review.
Ginny Grimsley National Print Campaign Manager News and Experts 3748 Turman Loop #101 Wesley Chapel, FL 33544 Tel: 727-443-7115, Extension 207 www.newsandexperts.com
The 12th Annual Seedy Weekend Seed Fair at the Montreal Botanical Gardens on February 11th & 12th 2012
Action
Communiterre proudly presents the 12th edition of Annual Seedy Weekend Seed Fair
which is held in collaboration with Friends of the Montreal Botanical Gardens on
February 11th & 12th from
Use and Capacity of Global Hydropower Increases
Industrialized and developing countries continue to rely on their critical water resources as a renewable electricity source.
The cost of hydropower is relatively low, making it a competitive source of renewable electricity. The average cost of electricity from a hydro plant larger than 10 megawatts is 3 to 5 U.S. cents per kilowatt-hour. Hydropower is also a flexible source of electricity since plants can be ramped up and down very quickly to adapt to changing energy demands. Yet there are many negative aspects associated with hydropower: for example, damming interrupts the flow of rivers and can harm local ecosystems, and building large dams and reservoirs often involves displacing people and wildlife and requires significant amounts of carbon-intensive cement.
"In the future, hydropower is likely to continue to grow----despite the environmental challenges involved in expanding it----because of its competitive price and climate benefits, which make it an attractive option as countries seek to lower their greenhouse gas emissions," said report author Matt Lucky, a Worldwatch MAP Sustainable Energy Fellow.
"While hydropower energy production helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and avoids much of their carbon dioxide emissions, this form of electricity generation is rarely without social and environmental cost and risk," said Worldwatch President Robert Engelman. "Hydropower is indeed low-carbon renewable energy, but new hydro development nonetheless needs to pass rigorous tests for its environmental and social impacts."
Hydropower
is produced in at least 150 countries but is concentrated in just a few
countries and regions. The Asia-Pacific region generated roughly 32 percent of
global hydropower in 2010.
In
2008, four countries----
Micro-hydropower,
which is defined as a plant with an installed capacity of 100 kilowatt-hour
(kWh) or less, has grown in importance over the last decade and can be an
effective means of providing electricity to communities far from industrial
centers. As of 2009, roughly 60 GW of small hydro was installed worldwide,
accounting for less than 6 percent of the hydropower total. Small hydro is
likely to expand, especially as populous countries like
Further highlights from the study:
Five
countries----
There
are now three hydropower plants larger than 10 GW: the Three Gorges Dam in
A total of $40-45 billion was invested in large hydropower projects worldwide in 2010.
Notes to Journalists: For a complimentary copy of this trend, please contact Supriya Kumar at skumar@worldwatch.org.
About
the Worldwatch Institute: Worldwatch is an independent research organization
based in
Tips For De-cluttering Your Life
A cluttered home or workspace can be stressful and distracting. Although getting rid of clutter can sometimes seem overwhelming, by taking small and manageable steps you can quickly and easily reclaim your space, helping you to feel more calm and productive.
Mike Thorne, owner of JustJunk.com, has seen a lot of clutter in his day. Here are his top five tips for de-cluttering your life.
Be Prepared: Don’t start your cleanup without the proper supplies. When you are motivated, you need to be fully equipped and ready to win your de-cluttering battle. Cleaning supplies, garbage bags, recycling containers, tote boxes and a label maker are a great de-cluttering toolkit.
Set Goals: Make sure that your goals are small enough so that you can meet them without getting discouraged. Something like “Garage cleaned out by the end of the week” is manageable and will be a big relief when it is completed.
One Step at a Time: Just because there may be clutter in every room of your house doesn’t mean you need to tackle it all at once. Choose to tackle one room, or even one section of a room once a week.
Make Quick Decisions: When you are rummaging through all of your clutter, ask yourself “Have I used this in the last 2 years?” If you haven’t, you likely will never use it again. Remember, the goal is to simplify your life. Get rid of the items you no longer use and free up space.
Donate Items: Not only will you be getting rid of the clutter out of your own home, you’ll also be helping others. Label the items you need to donate and call a local charity or junk removal service. Donating items that are still in good condition will help you remember why de-cluttering is so important, both for yourself and for others.
About www.JustJunk.com JustJunk.com is a professional junk removal service that removes almost anything from anywhere, and always with a smile. No muss, no fuss, they take care of all of your junk removal needs. JustJunk.com also recycles and donates up to 60% of everything they remove to local charities and recycling facilities. For more information, or to book your hassle-free removal today, please visit http://www.justjunk.com
Know someone in Grade 4 or 5 or 9 or 10 years old?
Let them know they can ski and ride for free with the Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass!
Winter
officially began four weeks ago so there is still a lot of winter left and what
better way to enjoy the season, then out skiing and snowboarding at some of
These
lucky 9 and 10 year old (or born in 2001 or 2002) children from across Canada
have the opportunity to ski or ride for free up to three times at each
participating ski area in their region this winter.
There are 60 ski areas on the Canada West SnowPass card (available to
residents of BC,
Since the Grade 4 &5 SnowPass program began 15 years ago, over half a million children have taken part. Each year the popularity of the program builds - after all, what child (or parent) wouldn't jump at the chance for some free and exciting winter fun! One of the great things about the program is that it encourages children to stay active during our Canadian winter. It's also a wonderful way to introduce kids to the sports of skiing and snowboarding.
"Skiing and snowboarding are excellent ways to get kids outside and active in winter," says Colin Chedore, President of the Canadian Ski Council (CSC). "Skiing and snowboarding are healthy and fun outdoor activities, and what's more, they're family sports that everyone can enjoy."
Applications
for the Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass program are available online at www.snowpass.ca.
All you have to do is upload your child's picture, proof of age and enter your
method of payment and presto! Your child's personalized SnowPass will be mailed
directly to your home. Remember, this year anyone in grade 4 or 5 or born in
2001 or 2002 can ski or ride for free this winter! The Canadian Ski Council was
founded in 1977 to work on the behalf of the Canadian snowsports industry to
increase participation in recreational snowboarding, alpine and cross-country
skiing in
National Leader in Performing Arts Training Celebrates 15 Years of Discovering & Training Top Talent
Victoria— The Canadian College of Performing Arts (CCPA) is looking to top a very successful 2011 season with a new round of national auditions and large-scale 15th anniversary celebrations.
“Students who earn a spot at the College this year will be a big part of our commemoration,” says CCPA College Director Ron Schuster. “This past year we challenged our students with nationally renowned instructors and directors, tremendous performance opportunities and a rich and rewarding outreach program.
Highlights of the 2011-12 season include(d):
Mounting stellar productions guest-directed by veteran Stratford Director Darcy Evans and Stuart Aikins, Casting Director of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Eclipse and the recently released Breaking Dawn.
Long-awaited return performances with the Victoria Symphony featuring suites from South Pacific, Footloose and Ragtime.
Collaborations with Jacob Richmond, the creative force behind this year’s acclaimed national touring production of Ride the Cyclone.
Workshops and Master classes with Artistic Directors like Michael Shamata, of the Belfry Theatre and guest instructors like Richard Lucas of Lucas Talent Agency.
Continued success by CCPA alumni in earning top-contracts in theatre and musical theatre productions across the country and around the world (see attached Where Are They Now).
CCPA’s
national tour goes from February 4 to March 3 and includes stops in
Youth Deserve Gold Medals for Sustainability
Worldwatch's Nourishing the Planet team highlights medal-worthy examples of youth-centered sustainability efforts from around the globe
As we prepare to cheer the young athletes of the Winter Youth Olympics, let us also applaud the young leaders of sustainability efforts across the globe. Dedicating their time and energy to making the world better for themselves and for generations to come, they are not motivated by medals but deserve them nonetheless. Nourishing the Planet would like to honor 10 medal-worthy organizations and their youth-focused sustainability efforts:
1. Bridges
to Understanding: Using digital technology and storytelling, Bridges to
Understanding seeks to empower young people, promote mutual understanding across
cultures, and cultivate a sense of global citizenship among youth. Students who
participate are taught how to use cameras and editing software to create stories
about their cultures and communities. These stories are shared online with other
participating students in
2. Care International's Farmers of the Future Initiative (FOFI): The FOFI works with children in primary schools in Rwanda, using school gardens to teach kids how to manage natural resources and develop rural enterprises. The project started with 27 pilot schools. Each school re-invested half of the profits from its garden into its own agricultural efforts and gave the other half to support other schools' development of new gardens. After three years, projects have been started in 28 new satellite schools.
3. China Youth Climate Action Network (CYCAN): Seven youth organizations merged in 2007 to become the CYCAN, the first network promoting the involvement of Chinese youth in the effort to combat climate change. CYCAN raises awareness about climate change, encourages public participation and government action, and connects Chinese youth to similar efforts internationally. Its projects include China Youth Climate Action Day, the International Youth Energy and Climate Change Summit, and the China Youth League to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP17). CYCAN reports that youth from over 300 Chinese universities have participated in its events and that roughly 1 million Chinese have taken part in or been affected by one of the network's actions.
4. Climate
Leaders India Network (CLeaIN): CLeaIN unites Indian youth with
organizations that care about climate change and related environmental concerns.
The network works to inspire Indian youth, unleash their leadership potential,
and facilitate the movement of green technologies from laboratories to the lives
of average Indians. CleaIN's Rural Energy Project introduces rural communities
to solar cookers and sun-powered LED lighting systems. The network is also
co-sponsoring a WAVE (World Advance Vehicle Expedition) Campaign that is
traveling throughout
5. Developing
Innovations in School Cultivation (DISC): Because farming in sub-Saharan
6. Farmers of the Future (FOF): In Niger, FOF believes that subsistence farmers must branch into agribusiness in order to escape poverty. FOF works with children to help cultivate a new generation of agrarians who are open to innovation, market focused, and environmentally conscious. The project started with 50 children, ages 10-14, and includes access to agricultural learning environments such as tree nurseries, drip irrigate vegetable gardens, and animal fattening facilities.
7. Girl Up: The United Nations Foundation sponsors Girl Up, which educates Americans about the challenges faced by young women in other countries and provides them with opportunities to raise funds for those girls in need. Girl Up supports the Berhane Hewan project in Ethiopia (a nation where only 38 percent of girls 15-24 years old are literate and one in five are married before the age of 15) in its efforts to promote literacy, family planning, financial preparation, agricultural training, and household chore improvement.
8. Peace
Child International: Using publications, trainings, and lesson-plan sharing,
Peace Child works to educate young people in order to empower them to become
change-makers. Based in the
9. TakingITGlobal (TIG): Combining online social networking and education programs, TIG seeks to provide young people with the information, tools, and networks they need to understand the world's problems and act to address them. TIG knits together 340,000 members and 22,000 non-profits across 13 different languages. It works with educators in over 2,400 schools in 118 countries. Through TIGweb.org, young leaders can network, research background information on issues, access tools such as petitions and toolkits, and publish their ideas and actions on youth media platforms.
10. UK Youth Climate Coalition (UKYCC): This coalition comprises and is owned and run by British youth who are dedicated to a future that is "happy, affordable, clean, and safe." In 2010, UKYCC helped establish the Youth Advisory Panel to their country's Department of Energy and Climate Change and this year sent a youth delegation to the COP17. Throughout the year, UKYCC sponsors trainings and campaigns, including their "Adopt an MP" campaign that encouraged 650 youth to hold their local Members of Parliament (MPs) accountable to their track record on climate change
Jesus said,"On this rock you will build my church." Not, "For Roman swastika red and black."
Lord
Mengchang between 294bc-230bc built more than 1thousand miles of wall. Then
almost 1500years latter they added another 3000 miles of wall, to help keep the
invaders out and to help the cultures inside their own country survive from all
this other turmoil. The
Sincere concerned person; bggene1004@hotmail.com
P.S.
[Father of Fascism] Benito Mussolini was named after the Mexican Revolution by
his mother. companies/corporations, universities, professional sporting teams
will be Roman communists swastika red/black in chariots circling the globe not
because of Christ but because of Power, rape, murder, drugs, theft or many other
devises. Continuing controlling the gambit the way Mussolini- Roman
Imperialist only caring about one nation under their glory,; while destroying
the education system for their means. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to
serve one God for all of Gods creation. But it’s the way you go about
it. To: Those concerned about our Southern border.
www.overpopulation.org/immigration.html,
www.cis.org/articles/2001/forsaking/popimm.html
+by
Excellence Group Enhances its Luxury All-Inclusive Offering
- The Beloved Hotel Playa Mujeres, rebranded to incorporate All-inclusive, five-star service.
- Excellence Resorts in Rivera Maya and Punta Cana receive more than $7 million dollars in renovations and improvements
As part of this new structure, Excellence Group Luxury Hotels & Resorts is now the umbrella brand for the company's product lines: Excellence Resorts and Beloved Hotels. This new brand architecture will allow the company to define a vacation experience that is tailored to customer preferences, as well as to the attributes of each product line.
For the launch of Beloved Hotels, the group has selected one of its most renowned five-star resorts. La Amada Hotel, in Playa Mujeres - Cancun, has become the first hotel under the banner of this new and exclusive offer; a brand that now combines the luxury and comfort of a boutique hotel style with the convenience of all-inclusive service for the joy of guests, whether couples or families.
According to Ignacio Fernandez, vice president of sales and marketing for Excellence Group, "The goal of this restructuring is to meet the needs and demands of our clientele. Our mission is to always be attentive to satisfy our guests and to continuously surpass the highest standards of quality. We're dedicated to offering an unforgettable experience of sophistication and pleasure in each of our properties.”
Along with this rebranding, in order to keep improving their high standards, an important investment in the Excellence Resorts operated by the group in Riviera Maya and Punta Cana has been completed.
At gorgeous Excellence Punta Cana, the hotel group invested over five million dollars. Improved facilities include:
-
Renewal of the Excellence Club rooms; aimed at guests who look for
comfort and sophistication, as well as privacy and preferential treatment. In
this exclusive area, guests can enjoy in-room premium liquors and amenities, a
private lounge, and preferred locations that make guests feel they have arrived
in an earthly
- A renewed Spa with a new hydrotherapy circuit, a spacious and comfortable space that offers showers sensations, massage pool stations and saunas, among others.
- The renewal of all the Honeymoon Suites, now featuring new private large outdoor decks with hydro spa pools.
-
Two new, 1,000 sq.ft. in size, Excellence Club Ocean View Honeymoon
Suites, offering a large private furnished terrace with an additional exterior
hydro spa pool and spectacular views of the
- Two new, 1,800 sq.ft. in size, Excellence Club Ocean Front Honeymoon Suites with Rooftop, with lavish private furnished two-story rooftop terrace, equipped with hydro spa pool and impressive ocean front views. Located on VIP Club floor with all the superior amenities for the Excellence Club.
Over two million dollars were also invested in the renowned Excellence Riviera Cancun, investment dedicated to:
- Seven new Excellence Club Ocean Front Two-Story Rooftop Terrace Suites, with breathtaking ocean front views, equipped with hydro spa pools on a private furnished Rooftop Terrace of 390 sq.ft. in size.
- One new Excellence Club Ocean Front Honeymoon Suite with Rooftop, with lavish private furnished two-story rooftop terrace equipped with hydro spa pool and impressive ocean front views. At this Suite you will find a separate couples massage room, a separate living room area, a bedroom and an additional Jacuzzi on one of the two balconies.
-
Upgrades also included the expansion of the Gym. The 1,900 square feet
facility offers state-of-the art equipment plus a Fitness Trail with a scenic
route, for guests who wish to jog or walk while enjoying
Other additions to the new amenities and products being introduced by Excellence Group in 2012, are the opening of Las Olas Restaurant, located on the beach, in both Excellence Riviera Cancun and Excellence Playa Mujeres resorts; as well as the inclusion of a complimentary "Marine Wellness” spa treatment for guests staying at Excellence Club Suites.
Excellence Group properties are recognized within the industry for their quality and exceptional service. The group's hotels and resorts have garnered prestigious awards, including the Gold List from Conde Nast Magazine; Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards; TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence, and many others from International Wholesalers.
About The Excellence Group:
Excellence
Group Luxury Hotels & Resorts is a luxury resort group specializing in hotel
management and worldwide real estate development, with a primary geographic
presence in the
CONTACT: Stephanie Velasco, Newlink Communications 305-532-7950 ext. 288, Stephanie.velasco@newlink-group.com
NEW BALANCE CANADA OFFERS FIRST UPDATE TO THE SURPRISINGLY LIGHTWEIGHT NEW BALANCE 890 FOR SPRING 2012
Toronto,
ON - This spring 2012 New Balance Canada will update its one-of-a-kind neutral
running shoe with the New Balance 890v2, which promises the same bouncy,
resilient, and durable REVlite foam and a super soft and supple upper in an even
more lightweight package. The 890v2
will launch in
New to the shoe, the 890v2 will now be built on the Natural PL1 last, which slightly drops the heel height, bringing the shoe closer to the ground and making it more stable without changing the cushioning properties. The new 890v2 features an 8mm drop from heel to forefoot (rather than the previous 12mm drop in the 890), putting the foot in a more natural position. With careful craftsmanship, a few changes to the detailing and grooving were made on the midsole, composed of REVlite foam, to create an even more lightweight package, without sacrificing cushioning, stability or durability.
Much like its predecessor, an ABZORB® cushioning crash pad combined with Ndurance in the heel, work to absorb initial shock and provide the right amount of lateral release to guide the foot smoothly through toe off. Full ground contact through the bottom unit allows for excellent cushioning, inherent support and smooth striking and transition through the midstance. The upper package of the 890v2 continues to be modern and bold, with interesting design details on the upper material, overlays, aglets, and throughout the shoe. No-sew welded upper materials continue to provide a secure, seamless fit while a thin and discreet supportive wrap at the midfoot encases the instep in a comfortable, aesthetically pleasing way.
The
shoe will also continue to feature the names "Baddeley" and "Barringer"
on the men's and women's version, respectively.
These names stand for
The 890v2 delivers to neutral runners everywhere the surprisingly lightweight running experience they crave with the durability and protection of an everyday trainer. The bouncy, resilient, lightweight REVlite midsole foam and soft, supple beautiful uppers combine in an even lighter weight shoe that promises enough protection and durability to endure lots of kilometers - and enable the runner to look great doing it. The 890v2 remains the lightest running shoe in its class.
About
New Balance: New Balance, headquartered in
Software AG’s new Technology Community: direct access to expert knowledge
New platform supports IT professionals with project development by giving them
direct access to expert knowledge. Up-to-date information on products available
instantly · Extensive search capabilities cover all Community areas. RESTON,
Va., Dec. 15, 2011 – Software AG’s new Technology Community provides a
database of knowledge and experts for external use, connecting developers and
other IT professionals via a professional network and accelerating development
initiatives. The platform includes all Software AG product areas and gives
developers and other IT experts access to the latest articles, code samples,
webinars, forums, product videos, and wikis in the technical product
environment. The new search functionality helps in the search for generic
keywords across areas. The new Community encompasses all of Software AG’s
product areas, including the Adabas, ARIS, CentraSite, Natural, Terracotta, and
webMethods product families. Along with providing opportunities for direct
interaction—for example, via the chat function or with the help of
‘friends’—the Technology Community is the online venue for the latest
information about product releases, downloads, and newsletters. Posts on the
various discussion boards can be shared on other social networks, such as
LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. “Software AG’s new Technology Community is
a one-stop shop to connect to all Software AG developer assets, channels, and
community members,” says the Eaton Corporation’s Brian Johnson, the North
American Representative of the Software AG User Group Executive Committee. “It
offers many useful tools which enable you to interact with others and find
answers that you can't find anywhere else. I encourage everyone to use the
Technology Community and contribute your insights to build on this intuitive and
dynamic environment.” The Technology Community has more than 16,000 members
and contains over 50,000 posts on various discussion boards. In the last two
years, the number of posts made to this knowledge base every day has doubled,
and the Community is now accessed more than 14,000 times daily. “The
Technology Community is the single best source of getting the latest updates on
our products and tap a huge knowledge base of demos, trial downloads, code
examples, and expert know-how,” says Gerd Schneider, Vice President of
Communities at Software AG. “It meets the needs of our stakeholders for
sharing knowledge and gaining insight to simplify development and problem
solving. With the new capabilities, it is now even easier to share information
and collaborate on a day-to-day basis.” Participation in the Software AG
Technology Community is free. For more information or to register, please go to www.communities.softwareag.com
About Software AG: With more than 1,000 U.S.-enterprise customers and 800
employees, Software AG's
National Postal Museum Opens “Systems at Work” Exhibit
A
letter is dropped into a mailbox. How does it go from there to its destination?
The answer to that and other questions unfolds in “Systems at Work,” a new
permanent exhibit opening today at the Smithsonian’s
LULU SOFTWARE Launches Soda 3D PDF Reader
The
First 3D PDF Reader Brings the
Caring and Caregiving through the Holidays:
Seven Considerations for Families of Alzheimer’s or Dementia Patients
If you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, your instinct might be to cling to beloved traditions this holiday season. But you—and your loved
one—might experience the most holiday joy by adapting your plans and expectations.
By Nataly Rubinstein
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, one in eight people over the age of 65 suffered from Alzheimer’s disease in 2011, with that statistic rising to almost half of individuals over age 85 (that’s 5.4 million Americans overall). With those disturbing odds, it’s likely that you’ll be coming into contact with someone suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia this holiday season.
Whether your loved one is a parent, grandparent, other relative, or family friend, you’re probably wondering what to expect during your time together. The presence of Alzheimer’s or dementia will change the way the holidays “have always been,” but you can take concrete steps that create the best odds for an enjoyable experience.
When someone you know and love is diagnosed with one of these diseases, the “new normal” can be difficult to understand, accept, and deal with, especially around the holidays. The key to best managing your holiday experience is to educate yourself as to what you should expect and to regulate your expectations accordingly.
I speak from experience. As a licensed clinical social worker and geriatric care manager, I have over twenty-six years of professional and personal experience. (Visit www.AlzheimersCareConsultants.com for more.) Besides my professional work in dementia care, I served as a primary caregiver for sixteen years after my own mother was diagnosed with dementia.
Here are seven things to keep in mind if you’ll be visiting someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia in the coming weeks:
Understand why you feel the way you do. There’s nothing joyous or merry about the fact that someone you love has a degenerative and ultimately fatal disease. So even though this is supposed to be “the most wonderful time of the year,” it’s completely normal for you to feel sad, confused, worried, or even frustrated by the prospect of coming holiday gatherings.
Especially if the diagnosis is fairly recent, family members and friends tend to feel some mixture of fear and dread as the season of celebration approaches. That’s because we know on some level that things have changed forever. We are losing the holiday experience and beloved traditions as we’ve always known them, so of course our emotions are going to take a hit. It’s very important to admit and articulate to yourself—as well as other family members—why you’re feeling uncharacteristically stressed and upset.
Manage your expectations. We live in a society that’s inundated by Hallmark holiday images: families gathered happily around the menorah or Christmas tree, laughing around the dinner table, or singing favorite holiday songs. Even if you’ve somehow managed to achieve this type of complete holiday bliss in the past (which is unlikely), you need to know that this year will not be the same.
Don’t set yourself up for disappointment by dwelling on the past. Even if you have spoken to Dad recently and he sounds good, realize that celebrating with him will not be like old times. Alzheimer’s and dementia will dramatically and permanently change aspects of your father and his behavior. So trying to force him—and your family as a whole—into a pre-disease holiday template is like trying to fit the proverbial square peg into a round hole. While it might sound Scrooge-like, it’s wise to hope for the best while preparing yourself for the worst.
Acknowledge the elephant in the room. For all families with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia (especially if that person is nearing or in the late stages of the disease), there is an 800-pound elephant standing in the middle of the room, right next to the stockings, garland, and snowglobes. What if Mom dies on Christmas or during Hanukkah? That’s the worst thing that could possibly happen—it would absolutely ruin this year, and it would attach bad memories to the holidays for the rest of our lives.
I don’t doubt that the thought has occurred to you, and I bet that you feel guilty and selfish for considering it. You’re probably reluctant to express this worry to your family members for fear of being perceived as depressing or morbid. But the fact is, you have to deal with reality—a death on Christmas could happen. You don’t need to insert this dreadful “what-if” into every conversation, but it might be helpful to discuss it with a few close loved ones. You might be surprised when they admit that they’ve been considering the same possibility.
Don’t expect family dynamics to change. Consider this scenario: Grandpa has been diagnosed with dementia, and he wasn’t in the best of health to begin with. Realistically, this might be his last holiday, and everyone knows it. So of course your brother will tone down the passive-aggressive jabs, and Mom will refrain from openly criticizing your decisions so that everyone can enjoy this time as much as possible…right? Unfortunately, that’s highly unlikely.
A family member with Alzheimer’s doesn’t prevent everyone from reverting to their old roles. So if your cousin has a tendency to ask inappropriate financial questions, she’ll probably continue to do so this year even if you expect her to be on her best behavior around Grandpa. If you know this going in, you’ll be much less frustrated when your family acts like, well, your family.
Be sensitive to the needs of the patient and the caregiver. If you don’t see your loved one and her caregiver on a regular basis, you might not be aware of just how much their daily lives and needs have changed. Before visiting or hosting, check with the caregiver to make sure that you understand the “new normal.” For instance, maybe you’ve always brought a bottle of wine to the big holiday get-together for toasts. But this year, sparkling grape juice might be better since it won’t interact adversely with Aunt Penny’s Alzheimer’s medications.
Take extra care to think through how you do things and make decisions based on reality. For example, if you have small children whose exuberance might overwhelm Grandpa, talk to them beforehand about how to behave. If you have a cold, reschedule your visit so that he won’t catch it. Don’t decorate with poinsettias since they are poisonous. And realize that this year, maybe your visit should end after two hours instead of eight. What’s appropriate will vary from family to family, so stay in the loop with yours.
Arm yourself with knowledge and meet your loved one where he or she is. If you are unfamiliar with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you might be reluctant to interact with your loved one. That’s normal. Most people who aren’t the primary caregiver are unsure of what Mom is capable of doing, how to approach her, how to make her feel comfortable, etc. That’s why it’s a good idea to have a basic understanding of how patients at different stages of the diseases will be able to handle different levels of interaction and activity. Everyone is best served when you meet Mom where she is instead of walking on eggshells or trying to force a conversation that’s no longer possible.
Here are some basics to keep in mind:
In the early stages:
• Don’t be afraid of Uncle Joe because he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He has a disease, but he is still the same person. Be yourself around him. If he has always complimented your smile or your sense of humor, display those things!
• Don’t wait for Grandpa to feel comfortable enough to join the conversation or activity on his own. Make a point to include him. Ask, “Grandpa, I know that you love your keepsake ornaments. Would you like to help me hang some of them on the tree?”
• Ask specific yes and no questions—they will be easier for your loved one to understand and answer. For instance, “Would you like me to pass you the gravy?” would be more effective than “Is there any dish you’d like more of?”
• These are diseases of forgetting, and memory loss will include words and—eventually—the fundamentals of communicating. When conversing, it’s okay to offer a word or phrase that Mom seems to be searching for—as long as you do so kindly.
In the moderate stages:
• Eventually, many dementia and Alzheimer’s patients have trouble remembering names. Even if you’re close, it’s a good idea to start conversations with an introduction such as, “Hi, Dad! It’s your oldest son, Nathan. It’s so good to see you!” If you have to re-introduce yourself mid-conversation, try to work your name in without embarrassing the patient; e.g., “My friends are always telling me, ‘Nathan, you are the funniest guy at work!’”
• Patients often feel anxious or on edge because they’re confused about whom they’re with, what’s going on, or where they are. It’s best not to startle them unnecessarily so approach them from the front and make sure you don’t initiate physical contact until your loved one knows you’re there.
• Especially as these diseases progress, patients feel uncomfortable and overwhelmed by crowds. Remember that one-on-one conversations in areas without distracting movement or sound will be most effective.
•
If you’re having trouble talking to Grandpa, keep in mind that he is likely to
remember older memories as opposed to newer ones. Remind him of those things.
You might say, “I drove through
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s patients are known for being repetitive. (Partially, that’s because telling a familiar story is comforting to them.) It’s natural to feel somewhat bored or annoyed when Aunt Sue tells the same story five times in a row, but remind yourself that this repetition makes her happy—and it doesn’t hurt you. Be patient. If possible, you can steer the conversation to another topic by saying, “That reminds me…” or, “I know what you mean! Last week I…”
• Your loved one might not remember your name or all of the memories you once made together, but he will still appreciate hearing sincere compliments about himself. Even if a behavior is unnecessary, you can still say, “Thanks for checking the locks—it makes me feel good to know that you’re helping to keep us safe.”
• If there’s going to be a large crowd of people at an event, ask someone capable to stay near Mom at all times. This person can help her interact and feel included, as well as make sure that she and others don’t feel needlessly uncomfortable. Remember, if interactions become too stressful, take Mom back to her room. There is no reason for everyone—Mom included—to be subjected to an uncomfortable situation for the sake of “being together.”
In the late stages:
• In the late stages of the diseases, Alzheimer’s and dementia patients might not be able to carry out a simple conversation. If that’s the case, just sit near your loved one. A hug or a squeeze of the hand can still be meaningful and comforting.
• Long after many memories, skills, and abilities are gone, patients can still appreciate (and often respond favorably to) music. Play favorite holiday songs for your loved one and sing along!
And
for caregivers: Let yourself off the hook! The holidays can be especially trying
for primary caregivers. After all, you’re responsible not only for yourself
but for your loved one every day. It’s crucially important for you to make
time for yourself in the midst of the holiday bustle (read: chaos). Start
looking at your schedule, deciding what you want to do on your own, and making
plans now because holiday schedules fill up fast. If you want to renew
spiritually, for example, arrange for someone to watch Mom while you go to
temple or
Most importantly, caregivers, manage your expectations. I used to absolutely dread the holidays because I’d try to host the perfect family gathering in addition to taking care of Mom, and they never lived up to my Hallmark-level expectations. If you’re hosting and have formerly prided yourself on your Martha Stewart-esque abilities, let yourself off the hook. I can’t stress that enough! Things have changed, and you have to adapt. For example, maybe this year you buy pre-prepared food or turn the gathering into a potluck. Overall, think about the time together and not the meal, décor, and trimmings.
When you know what to realistically expect, the time you spend with your loved ones this holiday season will be greatly enhanced. And remember, don’t push yourself too far or beat yourself up for not living up to “how things used to be.” If you remain positive and adaptable, I promise this season can still be full of celebrations to cherish.
About the Author:
Nataly
Rubinstein is a licensed clinical social worker and a certified geriatric care
manager specializing in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. For sixteen
years, she was the primary caregiver for her mother, who was diagnosed with
dementia. Nataly also worked for several years at the
About the Book:
Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias: The Caregiver’s Complete Survival Guide (Two Harbors Press, 2011, ISBN: 978-1-9361981-3-9, $17.95) is available at bookstores nationwide, from major online booksellers, and at www.AlzheimersCareConsultants.com
PlaneClear
Sees Record Demand in
Sales At Private Aviation Firm Increase, As More Travelers Avoid Hassles of Flying Commercially
NEW YORK, NY- With escalating delays and cancellations, long security lines and fees on everything from baggage to bottled water, more consumers are looking for alternative ways to travel that are efficient and cost effective. Advanced holiday bookings for private charter firm PlaneClear have rebounded to pre-recession levels. Over the last year, sales are up 600% with a 400% increase in the number of flights, confirming it’s not the just the corporate CEO flying the friendly skies.
“Flying privately no longer has the stigma of being a lavish expense - it’s a practical way for businesses to maximize productivity. About half of our clients are mid-level executives,” says James Chitty, President, PlaneClear. “We’re also seeing large families traveling with big ticket items like snowboards, skis and surfboards. That adds up to a lot of excess baggage charges. Flying private becomes a more enticing option because you are not being nickeled and dimed for every amenity.”
With an increasing number of industry mergers and airlines filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, consumers are starting to pay closer attention to the benefits of private aviation - flexible schedules and greater freedom when it comes to flying in inclement weather because private flights can be more easily accommodated by a larger number of airports across the country.
“Looking ahead to the state of private aviation in 2012, we forsee travelers will continue to question the efficiency of commercial airlines, and the value of flying private will continue to dispel public perception that only the elite fly privately,” says Nicholas Bozzo, Vice President, PlaneClear. “Private jet charter will be not just a luxury item, but a necessity.”
Founded in 2008 by entrepreneurs James Chitty and Nicholas Bozzo, PlaneClear brings unprecedented transparency to the private aviation charter industry. The company was created to bridge the gap in available information between the private aviation client and the operators who exercise control of their charter services. PlaneClear provides impartial, personalized and totally transparent private aviation solutions delivered with integrity and dependability. The results are personally tailored, cost beneficial options as unique as the individual needs of its clients. CONTACT: Martha Pulido / Gina Giacomantonio, Evins Communications Ltd. (212) 377-3572 / (212) 377-3573 martha.pulido@evins.com gina.giacomantonio@evins.com
The 2012 World Cancer Congress: Connecting for Global Impact
Session
topics announced and early registration now open: 2011 has become a critical
year in the international health arena, as it is the first time we have seen a
global concerted effort in the fight against cancer. Many worldwide conferences
and events took place: the historical UN High-level Meeting on Non-Communicable
Diseases (NCDs) in
NFB’S LOC DAO AND WELCOME TO PINE POINT
Toronto,
December 7, 2011 – National Film Board of Canada (NFB) executive producer and
creative technologist Loc Dao and NFB web documentary Welcome to Pine Point <pinepoint.nfb.ca>
were honoured at the 2011 Digi
Awards ceremony in Toronto on December 6. Dao was named
Launch of In Search of the Canadian Car
An online exhibit of the Virtual Museum of Canada
Eric Gonzalez, named chef of Snow Village ’
From the Farm to the Freeway: Biocomposite Plastics
VPN4ALL Blocks Carrier IQ as a “Phishing Attack” on Smart Phones
Leading VPN provider treats CIQ as spyware and prevents data from leaving the smart phone, protecting those who use their VPN service
VPN4ALL, a VPN service that provides its subscribers with online and mobile security, privacy and anonymity, announced that it protects its mobile VPN members from Carrier IQ by treating it as spyware and blocking any information the program gathers from leaving a member’s smart phone when their VPN mobile service is active and enabled. A feature, according to VPN4ALL, not found with any other mobile VPN provider. “Carrier IQ has been under a microscope recently,” says says Alex Tishler, VP of VPN4ALL, “and it has shown to be very difficult, if not impossible, to remove from one’s smart phone. That is why VPN4ALL treats the program as a ‘phishing attack’ and prevents information Carrier IQ collects from being sent out from the phone while our service is active and enabled.” Carrier IQ, according to the company, is known to be installed on over 140 million smart phones and found on several different mobile platforms and carriers, including iOS, Blackberry, HTC, Sprint and ATT&T. While intending to merely capture data, such as app usage and data speeds, and send it back to carriers and manufacturers to make one’s phone better, a recent YouTube video released by Trevor Eckhart illustrated how Carrier IQ logged keystrokes, SMS messages, calling data, as well as browsing and location data – even when thought to be browsing on a secure, HTTPS, website. Carrier IQ released a statement saying they only capture the information their clients, the carriers, request and send it to them over an encrypted channel, and it is up to the carriers how the information is used and for how long the information is stored, which is typically about 30 days according to CIQ. Many mobile carriers and device manufacturers, however, have released statements in the last few days trying to clarify, or distance themselves from, their relationship with CIQ. U.S. Senator, Al Franken, said that Carrier IQ’s software may prompt Congress to consider new legislation and wants the company to come clean about their business practices. “We value our users’ data and anonymity,” continues Tishler, “which is why we want them to be aware of this very simple solution to a possibly real threat to their private data. Enabling a mobile VPN service is much easier than trying to track down and remove all the bits and pieces of CIQ on one’s phone, especially for a program that was practically unknown prior to last week to the millions and millions of individuals who had it running silently in the background on their smart phones.” For more information about VPN4ALL’s mobile VPN service, visit http://www.vpn4all.com/mobilevpn . To arrange an interview with VPN4ALL’s VP, Alex Tishler, contact media consultant, Ryan Newhouse, at press@vpn4all.com or (718) 407-0002. About VPN4ALL: VPN4ALL is a no-hardware-required subscription-based VPN service which combines enhanced VPN technology, a fast global VPN server network in over 30 countries and an easy-to-use VPN client for Windows and Mac systems. Since 2009, VPN4ALL has provided over 100,000 users worldwide with ultimate online security, privacy and anonymity, as well as unrestricted online experiences through any type of Internet connection.
Make this Christmas one the kids never forget,
Pick up a SnowPass for your 4th or 5th (or those born in 2001 or 2002) grader and give them the gift of skiing/snowboarding this winter.
With
Christmas just around the corner, parents everywhere are in search of the
perfect gift for their child. And with the new 3D gaming systems, interactive
"friends", and tablet computers, shopping for your kids has never been
harder or more expensive. This year, give the mall the cold shoulder, bundle up
the kids and give them the gift of skiing or snowboarding. The Canadian Ski
Council (CSC) knows that learning to ski or snowboard is a gift that will last
your child a lifetime. That's why for the past fifteen years the CSC, in
partnership with Forzani, has given parents of more than half a million children
an easy and affordable way to get their kids skiing and snowboarding. The CSC's
Grade 4 and 5 SnowPass program allows children all across
The
Ottawa Little Theatre has been producing theatre in
STRATEGIC PRIORITY ONE: QUALITY PRODUCTS
Produced a main season of eight plays which were well-received artistically and honored with eight nominations in the Capital Critics Circle Awards, and won two Eastern Ontario Drama League (EODL) Awards Expanded the summer season from one to two plays and partnered for the second year in Summer Fling: A Theatrical Affair to co-promote summer theatre events in the Downtown Rideau BIA Entered a one-act play in the EODL One-Act Festival winning five EODL Awards Presented a one-act play in the Ottawa Fringe Festival to critical acclaim Attracted an audience of 52,140 people to its productions
STRATEGIC PRIORITY TWO: LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Offered Workshops in Acting, Voice, Accent Acquisition, Directing, Lighting Design, Set Design, Lighting Board Operation, Playwriting, First-Aid and more
Introduced the Actor’s Gym, a weekly work-out for actors
Presented a series of Talk-Backs between the artists and the audience
Conducted the 70th National One-Act Playwriting Competition and presented rehearsed readings of the winning scripts during Playwrights Week
Provided Drama Camps and Youth Theatre Workshops for over 200 young people
Attracted nearly 2000 people to the Learning @ OLT events (over 700 participants and 1,290 audience members for public presentations)
STRATEGIC PRIORITY THREE: INCREASED REVENUE GENERATION
Achieved most of its financial goals for the year, ending the year with a surplus of $12,485
Increased sponsorship by 44%
Focused on retaining some of the gains made in previous year while containing costs
Reduction in Box Office revenue and Production Expenses partly attributable to not including a musical in this season
Laid groundwork for a major fundraising campaign for the 100th Season
STRATEGIC PRIORITY FOUR: FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT
Expanded capacity of hearing assistance system by purchasing 12 additional receivers
Improved sound system by purchasing additional microphones and speakers
Improved theatrical lighting system by replacing dimmers and cyclorama
Replaced carpet in lobby
Continued upgrading washrooms, finishing replacement of all toilets with new low-flow models
STRATEGIC PRIORITY FIVE: INNOVATIVE MANAGEMENT
Expanded Online Box Office Sales to 16.7% of overall ticket sales
Initiated an Archives Committee to sort and document current holdings and set policies for records retention for the future
Set new policy on handling issues of Violence and Harassment in the Workplace in accordance with Government of Ontario’s new legislation
Set new policy on Accessible Customer Service in accordance with Government of Ontario’s new legislation
Revised Production Manual and Guidelines, including updating Volunteer Job Desciptions
STRATEGIC PRIORITY SIX: COMMUNICATIONS AND OUTREACH
Co-produced two productions with Tara Players, one in main season and one in summer season
Hosted the 2010 EODL One-Act Festival with nine community theatre companies participating
Hosted 25 rental events presented by a variety of community organizations
Provided space for nine art exhibits a year organized by Ottawa Art Association
Hosted the Capital Critics Awards for professional and community theatre companies
Participated in the country-wide Culture Days weekend
Built connections with the tourism market, attracting three student group tours to shows
STRATEGIC PRIORITY SEVEN: 100TH SEASON CELEBRATIONS
Plans for the special activities of the 100th Season completed
Critical path and budget completed
Received grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation to hire Fundraising Director for the upcoming 2 years to assist in finding resources required for the 100th Season. Position has been filled.
TRENDS IN ATTENDANCE
Main Season shows sold a total of 45,695 tickets, playing to 77% capacity. This included 3,871 Classic Subscriptions and 1,149 Custom Subscriptions. The remaining 20% of ticket sales were made to single ticket buyers. This is a small decrease over the previous year’s attendance, but this was expected due to the nature of the shows presented during the two seasons (i.e. the previous season included a musical). The two Summer Season shows sold 5,053 tickets, playing to 50% capacity. This was a 58% increase over the previous year’s summer sales, an increase explained by the expansion of the summer season from one to two productions. Total attendance at main stage productions was 50,748. Rentals, special events such as the EODL One-Act Festival and the Fringe Festival, and the Learning @ OLT events attracted a total of 11,060 people, an increase of 11% over the previous year. Overall, the total number of visits to the OLT in 2010/11 was 61,808.
FINANCIAL REPORT
OLT ended the year with a surplus of $12,485. At 1.1% of total revenues, this surplus has left the OLT with a healthy accumulated surplus of $238,437. This is equivalent to 21% of OLT’s annual expenses, giving the organization a reserve fund equivalent to 11 weeks of its operational costs. Total revenue for the year was $1,141,785 and total expenses were $1,129,300. An astonishing 92% of OLT’s revenue was earned from Box Office, Learning @ OLT, Bar, Rentals and Other Revenue Sources (advertising, etc.)
Ski
and Snowboard for FREE this Winter
Attention Grade 4's and 5's (and nine and ten year olds) Ski areas across Canada are opening their hearts and hills to over 500,000 4th and 5th graders, with an invitation to ski and snowboard for FREE this winter!
All
you need is a Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass, which is a coupon card offering 4th and
5th graders three complimentary lift/trail tickets and each and every one of the
participating ski areas in the province and region where they live. With 60 ski
areas on the Canada West SnowPass card (available to residents of BC, Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba), and 92 ski areas on the Canada East SnowPass card
(available to residents of Ontario, Québec, and Atlantic Canada) that amounts
to hundreds of days of free skiing and snowboarding this season! The Grade 4
& 5 SnowPass program is a ski and snowboard industry initiative to encourage
kids to get outside and be active during the winter months. Grade 4 & 5 was
selected for the program because the ages of nine and ten are ideal ages for
children to learn how to ski or snowboard. "The Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass
not only provides a unique opportunity to 'try before you buy', it helps make
skiing and snowboarding more accessible to families who might not otherwise be
able to participate", explains Colin Chedore, President of the Canadian Ski
Council, the non-profit organization that is spearheading the program.
"Even if the Grade 4& 5 SnowPass is only used once, it will have been
worth it to the industry if we are providing a child with a once in a lifetime
opportunity", says Mr. Chedore, Now in its' fifteenth year, the
Grade 4 & 5 SnowPass program has already generated over
two million ski resort visits by more than half a million grade 4 and 5
students across Canada. The program is funded jointly by the regional ski area
operator associations; the Canada West Ski Areas Association, Ontario Snow
Resorts Association, Quebec Ski Areas Association, Atlantic Ski Area
Association, the Canadian Snowsports Association, the National Snow Industries
Association, and the Canadian Ski Instructors'
Finding a babysitter or a nanny during the month of December:
One of the biggest challenges for Québec parents!
Finding
a babysitter or a nanny during the month of December is a nightmare for Québec
parents and their children. Juggling with professional obligations, school
closures, and the too many-but-necessary social events and outings can be
stressful. New Year’s Eve is the worst evening to find a babysitter and
parents have to take the appropriate measures early. Some parents start looking
for a babysitter in September! SOSsitter highly recommends booking a babysitter
from the very first days of December and agreeing with this person in advance on
all day and evening dates in December. SOSsitter Web site offers an easy,
efficient and affordable service that allows any
Some tips for December 31st
· Find a babysitter as soon as possible. Go to SOSsitter and use selection criteria such as the postal code, spoken language, availability, salary expectations and any other specification. The choice is so extensive that finding the ideal candidate is very easy.
· As of the first week of December, choose and hire the babysitter. Agree in advance on the hourly rate, working hours and transport issues.
· Since the babysitter will probably have to sacrifice a New Year’s Eve party with her friends, offering a supplement can be a very good incentive and help make her accept the offer to spend the evening with (overexcited) kids.
· Offering the babysitter to stay overnight will eliminate transport at the wee hours. A fixed price should then be proposed by calculating the total number of hours worked and the supplement.
· Sharing the same sitter with other parents by having all kids under one roof can make everyone happy. The sitter’s fee should be higher, activities must be planned, movies set aside and many sweet and salty treats made available. Buying themed pyjamas to all kids and the sitter can add to the fun. Plan ahead for the designated driver to bring back the sitter safely to her home.
A sitter for every need
SOSsitter
was created by a
Membership is free for candidates who wish to offer their services. For a family, an unlimited usage membership costs a fraction of the cost a placement agency would charge: $24.99$ to $79.99, depending if it is monthly, quarterly or yearly. Payments can be made through Paypal or with a credit card.
Security
Each
sitter registered with SOSsitter has a mom-reviewed detailed profile with
relevant information available to families in order to help them make an
educated decision. Furthermore, tools have been put into place to ensure safety
when using SOSsitter’s services, such as parent reviews, third party
references, and the option to purchase a background check in order to make an
informed decision before hiring. “We are aware that parents have legitimate
concerns when it comes to their loved ones and need reassurance. This is why
SOSsitter signed an agreement with one of the largest company providing
background checks in
About SOSsitter
SOSsitter
is a bridge between caregivers and families. This user-friendly site offers a
fast, reliable, efficient caregiver service.
It allows anyone who’s looking for a caregiver for children, the
elderly or pets to take over temporarily on short or long tems basis. Winner of
the Mothers in Business 2011 Award, SOSsitter is present across
English Web site: www.sossitter.ca <http://www.sossitter.ca> French Web site: www.sosgarde.ca English Facebook : www.facebook.com/SOSsitter <http://www.facebook.com/SOSsitter> French Facebook: www.facebook.com/SOSgarde <http://www.facebook.com/SOSgarde> English Twitter: SOSsitter French Twitter: SOSgarde Telephone : 514 505 1780 and outside Montreal : 1 888 767 7330
High school students interested in science can apply to Shad Valley
Students
in grades 10, 11 and 12 looking for a life-changing summer program that helps
prepare them for university can apply to
Cat & Kitten Adoption Day (SPCA Monteregie)
Saturday December 3rd, 2011, Jaz-zoo, 5666 chemin de Chambly , Saint-Hubert, 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Meet the most amazing cats in town looking for a forever home! Please bring your own animal cage. For more information: 514 704-3445 Annie Choinière
Shaare Zedek Congregation
Speaker.
Isabelle Morin MP for NDG-LACHINE SUNDAY, DEC. 11th. Come and Meet
Your New MP, Place: Shaare Zedek Congregation,
Renowned
Canadian engineer and scienties join the forty-eight scientists and innovators
who have been inducted into the Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame.
This year’s inductees are Dr. Sidney van den Bergh one of Canada’s leading
astronomers, Dr. Gerald G. Hatch, P.Eng., founder of Hatch Associates, one of
the world’s leading private engineering companies, and Senator Kelvin Kenneth
Ogilvie, an expert and pioneer in biotechnology and genetic engineering. The
Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame honors individuals whose
outstanding scientific or technological achievements have made a significant
contribution to Canadian society. “Since its creation in 1991, the Hall of
Fame has been known for the high calibre of its membership, and has served as a
reminder to all young Canadians of the possibility of conducting exceptional
scientific and engineering research in this country,” said Denise Amyot,
President and CEO of the Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation.
“The achievements of these individuals have been so remarkable, and their
contribution to society so great, the Museum wants all Canadians to be aware of
their accomplishments.” The presentation of this year’s Hall of Fame new
inductees has been made in collaboration with Engineers Canada. "We are
very proud of our association with the Canadian Science and
Dr. Sidney van den Bergh
Dr.
van den Bergh is known as
Dr. Gerald G. Hatch
At
the age of 35 Gerry Hatch was Works Manager of the world’s only ilmenite
smelter at
Senator Kelvin Kenneth Ogilvie
The Honorable Kelvin K. Ogilvie, C.M, PhD.,D.Sc.,H.Col.,F. C.I.C.
Senator
Ogilvie was President and Vice-Chancellor of Acadia University in
Senator
Ogilvie was admitted to the Order of
AIESEC
Canada,
the country’s largest student organization, is holding an election for its
next President at their National Congress (NC) running from
Our annual Chanukah breakfast morning
Music,
dancing, singing, latkes and candle lighting. SUNDAY, DEC. 18th FEATURING
entertainer
School
of
Special Reminder
Sixth Annual St. Patrick's Society Lecture David A. Wilson - Thomas D'Arcy McGee and Montreal 's St Patrick's Society Professor, Celtic Studies Program and Department of History, University of Toronto ; author of a two-volume biography of Thomas D'Arcy McGee WHEN: Thursday, November 17, 2011 , 7:30 p.m WHERE: EV 1.615 (York Amphitheater, 1515 St. Catherine W., ground floor)
Three New Hall of Fame Members Announced
On
The Canadian Science and Engineering Hall of Fame was originally established in
1991 as a partnership of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), the
Canada Science and Technology Museum, Industry Canada and the Association of
Partners in Education to mark NRC’s 75th anniversary. Located at the Canada
Science and
For more information, visit the Hall of Fame at: http://sciencetech.technomuses.ca/English/about/hallfame/u_s_e.cfm
Window into Fashion
The Fashion World Steps up for Seniors and the Community
MONTREAL November, 2011 - Exciting, young, up-and-coming fashion designers and models are teaming up with two local community stalwarts, the Yellow Door and the Association Récréative Milton-Parc (ARMP) to present Window into Fashion, a benefit fashion show at the Rialto Theatre along with a silent auction, on Wednesday, November 23. All proceeds for this unique event will go to support the soon to be opened Galeries du Parc Community Centre. Situated in the La Cité complex, this new community centre will be an innovative, collaborative effort between the Yellow Door and ARMP to offer activities and courses to residents in the area, particularly senior citizens, mothers with young children, and youth. Window into Fashion will highlight Québecois fashion designers and labels Sugaristik by Rossi Kalkovska, Ramonalisa by Lisa Bobrow, Everyone Has a Dream by Karine Breton, Mylaine Design by Mylaine Juteau, Andy Hoan Nguyen, Debora Tavares and Khala Sithole. Hats supplied by Margarita Millinery and jewellery by Josée Gagnon. This exciting event brings together designers, models, make-up artists and hair stylists and is a great opportunity to see new lines and a first-class fashion show up close. The evening will also feature a silent auction offering great items along with an array of passes and certificates, popular dance crews WarYNC and 24 K, and music supplied by D.J. Affable. Omar Ramos, well known man about town on the entertainment beat, and Alexa Cos, will be the hosts for the night. Natalia Tourbina, model and one of the fashion show organizers, is overjoyed with the response from the fashion industry, “The sense of will and determination promoted by the Yellow Door are equivalent to those displayed in the world of fashion, and it is a great pleasure for me to see so many people who are willing to donate their time to help us with this valuable project.” For Pietro Bozzo, Executive Director of the Yellow Door, the new Centre will be filling a huge gap in the area, “The Yellow Door and ARMP are collaborating to organize a wide variety of activities for seniors, single parent families, teens and other members of our community in this wonderfully accessible space. Seniors in particular need to have places like this where they can go to stay active and healthy. This new Centre will potentially benefit thousands of people within the immediate community.” Sentiments were echoed by Ms L.O., a regular Yellow Door client and long time downtown resident, “You must keep your brain active, be interested in the world around you and keep busy.” Terrence Regan, Executive Director of ARMP, had first-hand experience last week with the response the new Galeries du Parc Community Centre elicits, “We took the paper off the windows and the space looks beautiful and bright. There was an unbelievable response from local seniors passing by while we were cleaning up the room. They were overjoyed and are just disappointed that we are only going to start in January.” For Regan, “Everybody wins with this project” He continues, “This includes members of the community of all ages and backgrounds, community organizations, and merchants in the mall who will see increased volume from the participants in our activities. We applaud the social responsibility and cooperation of Second Investment Inc. for their willingness to give us the opportunity to get this highly innovative project off of the ground. Hopefully it will serve as a model for successful cooperation between commercial malls and non-profit organizations offering direct, affordable recreational services in other communities.” By attending this exciting event you help reach the goal of $10,000 to support the Galeries du Parc Community Centre; ARMP and the Yellow Door’s new leisure and recreation center. The funds will serve to buy equipment and develop new programs for senior citizens and other neighbourhood needs. A presentation of The Yellow Door in partnership with ARMP (Association Récréative Milton Parc) Window into Fashion- a benefit for the new Galeries du Parc Community Centre At the Rialto Theatre, 5723 ave. du Parc, Doors open at 7:30 PM show starts at 8:00 PM Tickets $25 in advance or $30 at the door To purchase online: http://windowintofashion.eventbrite.com If you are interested in purchasing tickets, donating to the silent auction, or helping a great cause get off the ground, please call the Yellow Door at (514) 845-2600, or ARMP at (514) 872-0566.www.yellowdoor.org www.miltonpark.org
Elise Letourneau wins national composition award
Elise
Letourneau of
The Ave Maria was written in March 2011, as a reaction to learning the news that
a soprano colleague and friend, Mary Tevlin, had become seriously ill.
Coincidentally, the piece is being premiered on the first anniversary of her
passing.
One
of
Elise
Letourneau is the founding music director of the Capital Vox Jazz Choir, which
has been heralded as
Adapted,
Directed, and Performed by Paul Van Dyck, A Beyond the Mountain Fundraiser
benefiting The Montreal Children's Hospital. Beyond the Mountain brings Paradise
Lost, a one-man, multi-media, theatrical adaptation of John Milton’s epic 17th
century poem one night only to the Segal Centre Theatre to raise funds for The
Montreal Children's Hospital. Combining traditional techniques in puppetry and
groundbreaking special effects, along with the greatest epic poem ever written,
Paradise Lost has achieved acclaim with audiences and critics alike. Winner of
'Best of the Fest' & 'Sold Out' Awards, 2011 Frigid
Learning
Language Through the Fine Arts: How to Read a Painting
Speaker: Deirdre Potash (Art Educator)
Art is a perfect vehicle to promote language use and development. Let me share some great ideas with you. This is also a perfect opportunity to advance English or French as a second language while solidifying new concepts in all subjects. In a fun, stimulating and interactive learning environment, you (and then your students) will be inspired by art history and create art. Take back lots of ideas to be used to enhance learning in your classroom. This is a great workshop with lots of opportunity to ask questions. All materials supplied. Come create. http://www.qpat-apeq.qc.ca/images/stories/pdfs/Convention%202011/Convention_Program.pdf
Quebec school wins $20,000 Outdoor Classroom
Community
support helps
(
“The
Trees of Knowledge competition was created to get Canadian schools thinking of
ways to incorporate outdoor learning and environmental education into their
curriculum. Selecting the winner
through a public vote allowed us to encourage all Canadians to get involved and
reflect on what they can do each day to protect and preserve the environment,”
says Jim Schedler, Vice President of Marketing for MAJESTA.
“We were thrilled at how
More
than 50 schools from across the country applied to the Trees of Knowledge
Competition. A panel of judges from
MAJESTA, Tree
With the announcement of the winning school in the 2011 competition, MAJESTA is now accepting school submissions for the 2012 Trees of Knowledge Competition, which will award another school a $20,000 outdoor classroom. Visit www.majestatreesofknowledge.ca for more information.
About MAJESTA:
MAJESTA is the soft and green choice for household paper products. MAJESTA products are made from trees from J.D. Irving, Limited’s forests. As part of its award-winning commitment to responsible forest management, J.D. Irving, Limited plants seedlings every spring and summer to reforest the woodlands. In the past 50+ years, J.D. Irving, Limited has planted over 850 million trees. Since 2001, J.D. Irving, Limited’s forests have been certified by The Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc. (“SFI”). Our promise is: “We plant three trees for every one we use to produce MAJESTA products.” Both soft and green, MAJESTA delivers the softness you can feel and feel good about.
About
Tree
Tree
About Focus on Forests:
Focus
on Forests provides hands-on activities and support materials to assist teachers
of all grade levels. The lesson plans are well organized and designed to be
easily adapted to any teaching environment or grade level. Tree
National Postal Museum Opens “Mail Call” Exhibit
The
Smithsonian’s
The German Canadian Christmas Market
The
German Canadian Christmas Market will be held Saturday, December 3,
Ultra-rare
Glenfiddich 50 Year Old pairs well with
One
of the world’s rarest and most celebrated single malt scotches has landed in
As Global Population Surpasses 7 Billion, Two Clear Strategies for a Sustainable Future
Greater reproductive choice and measures to reduce resource consumption and waste are critical to reducing humanity's environmental impact : As the global population surpasses 7 billion people sometime around the end of October, addressing the challenges associated with a still-growing world population will require a two-pronged response, according to experts with the Worldwatch Institute. The combined measures of empowering women to make their own decisions about childbearing and significantly reducing global consumption of energy and natural resources would move humanity toward rather than further away from environmentally sustainable societies that meet human needs. Roughly 4.5 billion people have been added to the world population in just the last 60 years, according to United Nations estimates, putting increased strain on the world's ecosystems and resources. Because humans interact with their surroundings far more intensely than any other species and use vast amounts of carbon, nitrogen, water, and other resources, we are on track not only to change the global climate and deplete essential energy and other natural resources, but to wipe out thousands of plant and animal species in the coming decades. To some extent, these outcomes are now unavoidable; we'll have to adapt to them. But in order to improve the likelihood they will not be catastrophic, we need to simultaneously work to influence the future path of population and to address the environmental and social impacts that continued population growth will have. "It is precisely because the human population is so large and is growing so fast that we must care how much we as individuals----and nations----are increasingly out of sync with environmental sustainability," said Worldwatch President Robert Engelman, an expert on global population. "The challenge becomes even more with each generation. Fortunately there are ways to practically and humanely both slow population growth and reduce the impacts associated with the growth that occurs." Earlier this year, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) launched 7 Billion Actions, a campaign to highlight positive actions by individuals and organizations addressing global development challenges. By sharing these innovations in an open forum, the campaign aims to foster communication and collaboration as the planet becomes more populated and increasingly interdependent. "Addressing global population growth is not the same thing as 'controlling population'," Engelman said. "The most direct and immediate way to lower birth rates is to make sure that as high a proportion as possible of pregnancies are intended, by assuring that women can make their own choices about whether and when to bear a child. Simultaneously, we need to rapidly transform our energy, water, and materials consumption through greater use of conservation, efficiency, and green technologies. We shouldn't think of these as sequential efforts----dealing with consumption first, then waiting for population dynamics to turn around----but rather as simultaneous tasks on multiple fronts." Worldwatch recommends two main approaches to mitigate the impacts of a soaring global population: Empower women to make their own decisions about childbearing. More than two in five pregnancies worldwide are unintended by the women who experience them, and half or more of these pregnancies result in births that spur continued population growth. Engelman has calculated that if all women had the capacity to decide for themselves when to become pregnant, average global childbearing would immediately fall below the "replacement fertility" value of slightly more than two children per woman. Population would then move onto a path leading to a peak followed by a gradual decline, possibly well before 2050. Women must be able to make their own decisions about childbearing free from fear of coercion or pressure from partners, family, and society. And they must have easy access to a range of safe, effective, and affordable contraceptive methods and the information and counseling needed to use them. Consume fewer resources and waste less food. Humans appropriate anywhere from 24 percent to nearly 40 percent of the photosynthetic output of the planet for food and other purposes, and more than half of the planet's accessible renewable freshwater runoff. In addition to overuse of finite resources, humans waste large quantities of food every year. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, industrialized countries waste 222 million tons of food annually. If fewer resources and less food were wasted, the world would be able to feed more people and use fewer resources. With nearly 1 billon hungry people worldwide, wasting less food would also mean utilizing existing resources----not new ones----to feed them.
A Barnyard Halloween at the Canada Agriculture Museum
The
When:
October 29th to 30th 2011
HIGHLIGHTS: Caramel Apple Making: Learn how this fall fruit is linked to Halloween and treat yourself to a sample. Recipes will be available to take home. Costume Parade: Take part in the costume parade and show off your costume to everyone in attendance. Pumpkin Dessert Making: Learn interesting facts about pumpkins and help prepare a delicious pumpkin dessert. Recipes will be available to take home. Guess the Mystery Objects: Take the challenge and guess what the mystery objects are by touch alone. Beware though, on Halloween visitors should be extra careful… Scavenger Hunt: Experience the farm and the spooky occasion during the trick-or-treat Scavenger Hunt through the barns and exhibitions. Pumpkin Decorating: Children can decorate a pumpkin with craft materials and bring their creation home. ($1) General information: Visit www.agriculture.technomuses.ca or call 613-991-3053.
NEW EXHIBIT ON OPTIC GUITAR CELEBRATES NOVEL USE OF FIBRE OPTICS IN MUSIC
Ottawa,
October 20, 2011 - “Optical
Guitars: Sound and Light,” an exhibit that profiles how Canadian-led research
in fibre-optics is leading innovation in music opened today at the Canada
Science and Technology Museum. Produced
in partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of
Canada (NSERC), the largest federal funding agency for research in the natural
sciences and engineering, the exhibit looks at how fibre optic cabling can be
used in both an acoustic and electric guitar to generate music from light waves.
The exhibit features the research of Canada Research Chair in Future Photonics
Systems, Dr. Raman Kashyap of the École Polytechnique of
Dr.
Hans-Peter Loock of Queen’s University (
“The economy of tomorrow relies on the innovation and creativity of researchers such as Dr. Kashyap and Dr. Loock,” said the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology). “As a result of investments provided by the Government of Canada, researchers can achieve ingenious breakthroughs that contribute to economic growth, job creation and a higher quality of life for Canadians.”
The acoustic photonic guitar is strung with fibre-optic cabling, which when strummed, creates a light wave. The light signal is converted by digital equipment into sound. While it looks mostly like a traditional guitar, the instrument produces a richer, acoustic sound, allowing guitarists to mix with greater accuracy. For both researchers, the instruments were extensions of their other research interests.
“I started this project hoping to create a lighter cello for my daughter,” says Dr. Kashyap. “It has spun off into new understandings of the potential of fibre-optic technologies.”
“Originally, I was looking to create a proof of concept for some of my other work in vibrational sensors, and I thought, ‘hey let’s demonstrate it through music, something everyone understands,’” says Dr. Loock. “The concept worked and today we are working on commercializing this technology into mainstream guitar manufacturing.”
Visitors to the exhibit will be able to experience this unique musical technology first hand, by strumming a mock guitar that generates sound waves.
For NSERC, the exhibit is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to highlight the work done by the Canadian researchers. “In celebrating the achievements of Dr. Kashyap and Dr. Loock we want to emphasize not only the value innovation brings to our economy and society, but the incredible role scientific discovery plays in enriching our lives and expanding the imagination of young people to the possibilities of scientific discovery,” said Dr. Suzanne Fortier, President of NSERC.
These achievements were supported by the Canadian Institute for Photonic Innovations (CIPI), a Network of Centres of Excellence funded by NSERC. “Having a demonstration of two CIPI-funded projects during the National Science and Technology Week is a great way to emphasize the truly enabling and transformative power of photonics. We rarely have the chance to highlight its potential in a way that is both fun and easy to understand”, said CIPI President Mr. Robert Corriveau.
“The
Canada Science and Technology Museums Corporation is really proud of this
partnership with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of
Canada. The beauty of this exhibition is that it links science and technology
with music and culture.” said Denise Amyot, President and CEO of the Canada
Science and Technology Museums Corporation. “As keepers of
The
exhibit opened as part of National Science and Technology Week, a celebration
taking place around
About
the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of
NSERC
is a federal agency that helps make
About
Sharing
Celebrating Nutrition on America's "Food Day"
Worldwatch's Nourishing the Planet team supports Food Day events to raise awareness of healthy, sustainable agriculture and nutrition
But promoting safe, healthy and affordable food is only one aim of Food Day, which is sponsored by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit watchdog group that fights for food labeling, better nutrition, and safer food. The organizers also want to support sustainable, humane farming, and fair trading conditions.
"Food Day is a good time to pause between bites and consider the unfinished business in our generally well fed country," said Robert Engelman, President of the Worldwatch Institute. "Much of our food is produced in environmentally unsustainable ways, and millions of Americans don't have the means or the information they need for healthy diets. We should be working to fix these problems."
Around
the
In
addition to these forums and celebrations, nearly 400 individual events are
being sponsored by communities, groups, and companies across the
Universities. Events
are being planned at the
These
events are all steps toward healthier and more sustainable farming systems in
the
Researchers
with Nourishing the Planet (www.NourishingthePlanet.org) recently
traveled to 25 countries across sub-Saharan
State of the World 2011 is accompanied by informational materials including briefing documents, summaries, an innovations database, videos, and podcasts, all available at www.NourishingthePlanet.org. The project's findings are being disseminated to a wide range of agricultural stakeholders, including government ministries, agricultural policymakers, a farmer and community networks, as well as to the increasingly influential nongovernmental environmental and development communities.
Pocket Monsters a Hit for Celebrities and Horror Fans this Halloween
Montreal,
QC- Local crafter and business entrepreneur Dr. Kyla Sentes has recently
become a success in the horror genre for her unique of commemorating her
favourite horror villains, and her product is being requested by all kinds of
celebrities. “I’ve been a big fan of the horror genre all my life, but I
wanted to make something that horror fans of all ages could enjoy, but didn’t
have to hide from guests when they come over. A less terrifying representation
so people could enjoy the genre without the blood and guts,” says Sentes, who
was recently invited by the Fantasia Film Festival to create custom pocket
monsters for John Landis (as part of his lifetime achievement award) and Guillermo
del Toro. Landis sent her a thoughtful thank you for her rendition of American
Werewolf in London. Horror film/TV icons James
Marsters, Sid
Haig and Doug
Bradley are all proud owners of their pocket monster counterparts, and Kyla
was invited by a Swedish horror film director to create one for his film’s
villain. Says Sentes “I’m thrilled to see how the horror genre has evolved
to the point that it’s no longer just talked about at Halloween but all
through the year and that my mini contributions have been so well accepted by
genre fans and celebrities. I look forward to creating many more customized
characters for fans and filmmakers this coming year.” Kyla’s pocket monsters
will be available to the public at the
TETRIS® WORLD CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN 2ND ANNUAL TOURNAMENT
Final Week for Voting in 2011 Canada ’s Best Restroom Contest
Public
Voting Ends October 24 for Second Annual Awards Program Presented by Cintas
Will
The
public is invited to vote for their top pick at http://www.bestrestroom.com/canada
through
This
year’s finalists for
Allstream
Centre,
Allstream
Centre combines luxury with the highest environmental standards. The ladies
washroom features a separate carpeted lounge and makeup area, complete with
comfortable seating and individually illuminated mirror areas finished in walnut
wood accents. The vanity areas showcase clean white custom Corian
countertops with frosted and backlit mirrors and touch-free taps and soap
dispensers. Allstream Centre is
David
Morris Fine Cars,
This contemporary washroom features an exquisite handpicked sandstone floor-to-ceiling accent wall, mosaic floor tiles, cultured stone and a mahogany freestanding sink. The washroom features low flow toilets and energy efficient CFL bulbs. Water restrictor taps finish off this modern space. Fresh flowers and cloth hand towels add to this inviting space. For a personal touch, this auto dealership offers its clients a shelf of complimentary items such as mouthwash, body spray and hand lotions
e11even,
Toronto ,
e11even’s
contemporary and spacious washrooms were designed by members of the world
renowned
Hotel
Le Germain Montreal,
Hôtel Le Germain Montréal offers the comforts of home in their public washroom. Soft hand towels and luxurious bath products await you. The ambiance is serene, the light both functional and soothing, and the luxury unparalleled.
The
The
Ottawa Convention Centre, which opened this year, is
Cintas
created
Philanthropist Makes $100 Million Investment In Nation’s Future
Schulich Leader Scholarships to provide 75 high school students with full university funding
(
The
Schulich Leader Scholarships are aimed to increase enrollment in STEM subjects
– Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – among students entering
Canadian and
All
graduating high school and CEGEP students in
“We
plan on piloting this initiative for three years,” said Seymour Schulich, a
Canadian business leader known for his strategic philanthropic contributions in
the education sector. “Science and technology are the principal drivers
for a country’s economy where education, fuelled by strong math, is essential
for national and global economic performance. My hope is that after a successful
pilot this initiative will help ensure
Schulich
has selected UJA Federation of Greater Toronto to be the administrator of this
scholarship program. Twenty Canadian and five
Protection against worst conditions, Population concerns, Bobby Hull, Circumcision, and related stories.
At least some city has been listening to me since I’ve been putting information out like this for over 20yrs. Thxs. 4 all concerns about these issues that I felt strongly about for almost 50yrs.
Sept.
2010-ANDREW GARAB, TIMOTHY O’ROURKE; NEW YORK TIMES,-“SOARING CAR CULTURE
CLASH.” ENGINEERS; MR. CHAN ZHANG,
WANG JANKA PLEASE SEARCH IT ON THE WEB! Guangzhua,
Optimum minimum usage of light weight crude oil/wildlife needs to be the plan, not just sustainable energy, so children can enjoy crude oil at a cheap price with the knowledge it will be there for thousands of years, if our usage would be redirected. Once the OIL is used up, it will be near impossible to fix this problem. How are our fields to be plowed or freight to be moved, when all the oil is used up. Adding some electrical cars, changing a few light bulbs or putting some solar panels up, don’t do the job. Some people think electrical cars is the solution to this engineering dilemma. Household solar energy units that produce no less than 4.75kw to help sustain and put back into the system where it’s needed in some places very much needed that not even the top nuclear physicist understands.
WE
CAN ENGINEER OUT OF THE PROBLEM. Please send a response.
I’ve always cared about everyone, anyone that
The endless senseless mindless slaughter of all creation is so sick in its own taking. Butterflies millions murdered each year, raccoons, armadillos, walking sticks, slaughtered on our nation’s roads and highways without any real preservation in mind. There was a time anyone could see 2 to 3 butterflies of different varieties floating above plants, bushes or shrubs at any time of the day. So they ask,” when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly will the caterpillar die for good?” At the human rate of thoughtlessness we are making butterflies extinct, are we human at all? Ask the animals, and they will teach you. Speak to the earth, and it will tell you. Every one of these will know that the hand of Lord has done this.” JOB, chapter 12, verses: 7-9. From a deaf ear; someone says, “People are like termites they eat the main structure and they crap it out.” From the great toaster society. Fossil fuel, butterflies, wild cats, and most of creations creatures should be seen in twilight futures.
Please
don’t be like the churches in the French Revolution.
What appeared to be a scourge for food or gun powder as many where being
taxed to death by the church as well as the country? It was much more the only
way
IN Considerations of All Artist & Songs to be found on: YouTube
1.) Harry Chapin – Cat’s in the cradle. 2.) Barry White – Can’t get enough of your love baby. 3.) Cat Stevens - Peace Train+2001 return. 4.) Peter, Paul & Mary Travers - Puff the Magic Dragon. 5.) John Lennon - Imagine 6.)Alison Krauss-Down in the river to pray. 7.) George Harrison - I, Me, Mine 8.) Seekers-Five Hundred Miles. 9.) Ringo Starr - As the Earth stood still. 10.) Bon Jovi – Livin on a Prayer. 11.) Sam Cooke - If I had a hammer. 12.) Dan Fogelberg – The Reich/Nether lands.
To:
Population eating people that choose not to slow down for other people;
www.sustainthenation.org,
www.limitstogrowth
www.Optimumpopulation.org
www.preventioninstitute.org
www.cis.org/articles/2001/forsaking/popimm.html
+by
From Gospel of John verse 1 thru verse 14 tells you how Jesus is the Holy Spirit, holy word, flesh and bones, God or in other words Trinity!
For
a couple of years the mafia was stealing the
A
month later they asked me who my favorite hockey players are.
I said, “Bobby Hull and Tony Esposito.”
A couple of weeks later no one was in the house every time/each time I
would turn the TV on Bobby would Score a goal and the fans where so nuts that I
would turn the TV off again and each time I would turn it back on; I would here
the announcer in the background say after Bobby would score another one, “Next
time both teams meet Bobby Hull will be punished for this.”
About the seventh goal I was tired of hearing the fans going nuts in the
background + the announcer saying the same phrase and turned off the TV
completely. Later on I here’d he
scored 14 goals that night just one shy of 5 hat tricks.
Shirr enough 2wks. Later not even 2 minutes into the game they sent 3
thugs out there to shove his teeth down his throat and broke his jaw in three
places, almost the same time Mohammed Ali was getting his Jaw broken from the
Hammering Tank Joe Frazer. Then a
couple of weeks went by and these bastards wanted me to get a signature of Tony
Esposito at the local Ace hardware store. So
Bobby Hull was one of the 1st. people on the ice with a football helmet that had
one bar protecting his wired back together jaw, that the other team enjoyed
grabbing and punching his face into submission, It was like magnet and steel,
The other teams took pleasure of bastardism.
Very much later in 2011 I learned it was the
Give liberty to women by giving liberty men. They cut off way too much Foreskin and people are shy to talk about it. The Real Cure is the Condom.
What
they don’t tell you about circumcision: There is a service called,
“IntactCare.org” Education about intact care is so important and would save
so much pain. Foreskin removal is an
almost guarantee that the males won’t give females diseases and will give
males erectile dysfunction. Over 100
babies per year die of foreskin removal. Foreskin
mutilation people are two embarrassed or uneducated to talk about something that
is important in satisfying there partner. On the web site it says. ‘That
without foreskin women loose 80% of the experience.” So a doctor will come in
and say he will do a little procedure and the Mom will say it’s okay and a few
minutes later it will be done, like a thief in the night. That they leave a 3”
wide scare that won’t allow you to masturbate properly, also won’t quit
during times that you don’t want it, during your puberty years.
Dr. Dean Odell said, ‘It’s wrong.’ This is something that needs to
be nationally outlawed and proper education needs to be in place.
I guess the old establishment is always right.
I’ve always thought they removed too much skin and people would always
laugh, when you question what this is about.
Now that I see sometimes; how unkind and stupid people are, I guess they
didn’t hear the word rude in the bible, I suppose this is a spiritual gift
many people get except it really is bondage.
The invention of the condom did two things 1.) Keeps people from having
babies 2.) It decreases the spread of disease.
Foreskin is a very useful and valuable part of the body part that most
Adult men do not want to give up. Why don’t you look up the demographics?
Please stop this unethical unnecessary procedure.
WWW.intactAmerica.org or
look up youtube=circumcision-Assault on Male.
I see why it’s a laughing matter and it’s another shame we need to
get over or demonstrate some kind of kindness but sense the senseless will put
money before sensibility we’ll just accept things the way they are.
At one hand they say there’s starving people in
JOHN
THE BAPTIST golden platinum haired man, CHRIST cousin one of the Original
genuine owners before Romans stole their country.
Near the year 350B.C. This vast civilization was called the Henderdities
before there king was murdered and there people became the Nobles of Rome
because of their understanding of architecture and aqueducts of Henderland.
George Patton doesn’t go thru two world wars then gets into a finder
binder then dies at the very end of war even thou he fought well against Mexico
during World War one. Hitler
had over 90% of the Roman Vatican working for him, birth place of the swastika.
Benito Mussolini was named after the Mexican Revolution.
As allied forces pancaked every populated town in
Multi-Pronged Approach Needed to Fight Global Hunger
With World Food Day approaching, Worldwatch's Nourishing the Planet team emphasizes the need for innovative hunger-fighting initiatives at all levels
Telefood. Launched in 1997 by the FAO, Telefood funds micro projects that help small-scale farmers at the grassroots level. The projects aim to help farmers be more productive and to improve both local communities' access to food and farmers' access to cash income. Telefood is involved in 130 countries worldwide.
World
Food Program. The WFP operates in 74 countries and is the world's largest
humanitarian agency fighting hunger. Currently, the Horn of Africa is suffering
from the worst drought in 60 years, and 4 million people are in crisis in
Hunger Free World. This Japanese NGO was formalized in 2000 with the goal of ending hunger and poverty through education and awareness around the world. The group supports local initiatives and young volunteers, organizes information programs, and joins forces with national and international networks to make these issues a priority for both citizens and politicians.
Trussell
Trust. This charity works to empower local communities to combat poverty
and exclusion in the
There is no single solution to end world hunger, and these are just a few of the organizations that are taking the multi-pronged approach that is necessary to address this global problem. World Food Day is the perfect occasion for researchers, policymakers, and NGOs to reflect on the existing efforts as well as potential future initiatives that can help fight global hunger and malnutrition.
Worldwatch's
Nourishing the Planet project ( www.NourishingthePlanet.org)
recently traveled to 25 countries across sub-Saharan
State
of the World 2011 is accompanied by informational materials including briefing
documents, summaries, an innovations database, videos, and podcasts, all
available at www.NourishingthePlanet.org.
The project's findings are being disseminated to a wide range of agricultural
stakeholders, including government ministries, policymakers, farmers and
community networks, as well as to the increasingly influential nongovernmental
environmental and development communities.
Students should know that Integrity and reliability are the most important quality that a public employee especially that of a politician should maintain otherwise the institution gets corrupted. Conrad David Brillantes
Thanksgiving Weekend at the Canada Agriculture Museum
Celebrate
the arrival of fall and take part in special harvest-themed activities at the
When:
Where:
Prince
of Wales,
HIGHLIGHTS:
Apple Cider Making : What happens to all of the not so perfect apples? They are ground and pressed into cider! Operate the cider press and sample your own fresh cider.
Windmills - Wind at work: Come see one of the oldest forms of renewable energy in action! With the help of many interactives, discover as well how modern farms use this wind energy produced by windmills.
Grain Grinding and Bread Making.
The Corn Corner: Participate in various activities related to this crop. A quiz, popcorn, product display and colouring are some of the activities to enjoy!
General
information: Visit www.agriculture.technomuses.ca
or call 613-991-3053
As the World Food Prize ceremony approaches, Worldwatch's Nourishing the Planet team emphasizes the critical role that policymakers must play in combating hunger and poverty
Washington,
D.C.----Policymakers around the world need to step up their critical efforts to
combat hunger, malnutrition, and poverty by providing greater support for
agriculture, according to researchers with Worldwatch Institute's Nourishing the
Planet project. As the awarding of the annual World Food Prize approaches, the
project acknowledges the important contribution that the Prize makes in
recognizing policymakers and leaders who have invested in their countries'
agricultural futures. This year's award is being given to two former heads of
state to highlight the importance of transformational leadership in effecting
positive change and improving people's lives. The World Food Prize, awarded each
year since 1994 and sponsored by businessman and philanthropist John Ruan,
recognizes the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development
by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world,
thereby helping to boost global food security. This year, the prize will be
awarded to John Agyekum Kufuor, the former president of
DundeeWealth speaker series helps Canadians cope with caring for aging parents
TORONTO, October 4, 2011 – DundeeWealth is pleased to introduce ‘Coping with Care’, a national initiative devoted to educating the sandwich generation of Canadians who are challenged with supporting ailing parents and managing the impacts on their families. Travelling to six Canadian cities, two guest speakers – Dr. Lisa Genova, author of the award winning book Still Alice, and Evelyn Jacks, tax expert and President of the Knowledge Bureau – will discuss both the personal and financial impacts of a parent’s sudden disability or illness.
“In
The ‘Coping with Care’ speaker series is inspired by DundeeWealth’s Snapshots program, an educational tool for financial advisors to help clients through various life events, including their first child, retirement and ailing parents.
“At DundeeWealth it is a priority that we continue to meet our clients’ personal financial needs,” said Richard McIntyre, Executive Vice President, Head of Retail at DundeeWealth. “Helping them care for their aging parents is exactly the type of enhanced client experience we want to provide as a firm.”
Genova, a Harvard-trained Neuroscientist and author of Still Alice, a novel about a 50-year old women’s sudden descent into early Alzheimer’s, understands the human impact of coping with a disease affecting many elderly people.
“Being prepared to handle a parent’s disability or illness can dramatically improve the situation for everyone involved,” said Genova. “Part of that is understanding, from your parent’s perspective, what it’s like to live with a disease like Alzheimer’s so you can better care for them.”
The
first ‘Coping with Care’ event will take place in
Safe Kids Canada to make fire safety education personal for parents
New focus on reducing tragedies announced ahead of Fire Prevention Week
“With fire safety, complacency leads to tragedy,” says Carol Heller, a home
safety specialist with Kidde. “In two of every three fires where there are
fatalities, investigators find no working smoke alarms. Either the
batteries are missing or expired, or the smoke alarm has been removed from the
ceiling or was never installed at all. It’s a parent’s duty to equip
the home with fire safety devices and to equip their kids with fire safety
knowledge. This will be the core of our Kidde for Kids program with Safe
Kids Canada.” Burn prevention is a key area of focus. Dr. Joel Fish,
medical director, Burns Program at
Some additional tips for parents:
Don’t
Just Survive—Be Happy!: Twelve Reasons Why Your Best Life Can Be Only Three
Months Away
Many
of us simply try to endure each day and avoid unnecessary trouble—happiness
rarely enters into our aspirations. Todd Patkin is adamant that it doesn’t
have to be this way—and he shares twelve steps that will bring you much
closer to your greatest life.
Foxboro, MA (September 2011)—You’re busting your butt at work so that you can snag that coveted promotion, and when you come home each evening, a whole separate pile of responsibilities and chores awaits you. Whether you’ve accidentally overdrawn your checking account or you were unlucky enough to become your mother-in-law’s scapegoat just by answering the phone, you feel like you’re a victim of circumstances on a regular basis. You’re convinced that the best you can do is to simply try to survive each day without a meltdown. In short, you’re the farthest thing from “happy”—and there’s not a thing you think you can do about it. Sound familiar?
If your answer is “yes,” Todd Patkin has an important message for you: You can start to live a happier life…and believe it or not, the choice is completely up to you.
“Earlier in my life, if you had told me that happiness was a choice, I too would have told you that you were crazy. After all, no one chooses to experience things like the pain of low self-esteem, anxiety, or depression,” points out Patkin, author of the new book Finding Happiness: One Man’s Quest to Beat Depression and Anxiety and—Finally—Let the Sunshine In (StepWise Press, 2011, ISBN: 978-0-9658261-9-8, $18.00, www.toddpatkin.com). “But what I’ve come to realize is that happiness isn’t about leading an obstacle-free life—instead, it’s about learning how to change what you focus on and how you react to circumstances, regardless of whether they’re good or bad.”
Patkin isn’t just a talking head—he speaks from painful personal experience. After dealing with feelings of anxiety and depression throughout his life—despite achieving outward success, wealth, and respect—he suffered a devastating breakdown at the age of thirty-six. Finding Happiness chronicles Patkin’s difficult life experiences, as well as his eventual recovery and the lessons he has learned about the true nature of both depression and happiness.
“I can tell you unequivocally that money and success and accolades aren’t going to make you happy,” Patkin says. “In fact, they have surprisingly little to do with it. Happiness is the culmination of all the little actions, choices, and habits that fill your day. Whether to smile and be cheerful, for example, or whether to instead be more negative and participate in water-cooler gripe fests.”
Learning to choose how you respond to life isn’t always an easy journey, Patkin admits. In fact, he likens building a happier life to strengthening your abs or your biceps—it’s going to take some effort, and you might feel a little sore at first! But, Patkin stresses, the work is worth it—and he has some concrete suggestions to help you get started on strengthening your happiness “muscle.”
“I’ve identified twelve things that will help anyone begin to lead a happier life, especially if they’re added on one at a time to your life and in the order in which they’re given,” Patkin shares. “You’ll begin to focus more often on the behaviors, people, and things that will enrich and fulfill you, and that will inspire your positive physical, mental, and emotional growth. And conversely, you’ll stop allowing your negative moods and habits to dictate your life.”
Patkin explains his “Twelve Weeks to Living a Happier Life” in Part Two of his book and has also provided free corresponding instructional videos on his website, www.toddpatkin.com. Each video features Patkin, who talks about his own experiences, provides explanations as to why each of the twelve weeks is important, and shares tools for implementing each of the steps into your daily life.
If you’re ready to take control of the stress, anxiety, and negative thoughts that have been running your life so far, then read on to learn about Patkin’s Twelve Weeks to Living a Happier Life…and why they’ll work for you.
Step One: Exercise. Yes, you’ve heard it (a million times) before, but exercise is one small change that yields really big, life-changing benefits. For starters, it will begin to make you feel more relaxed, stronger, and more capable of handling life’s challenges—also, it will improve your sleep, and it’s a natural anti-depressant that will help your attitude and outlook. And as time passes, you’ll gain the added bonus of being happier with your physical appearance as well.
“I’ve placed exercise in the number one spot because I think it’s the single most important thing you can do to improve your life right now,” Patkin asserts. “Exercise is a fantastic energizer, and it actually opens you up to future change by invigorating your mind and body. If working out is already a part of your life, great! If it isn’t, commit to walking just twenty minutes every other day to start out. You don’t have to join a gym, sign up for exhausting classes, and completely reorder your life to reap the benefits of this investment!”
Step Two: Take Charge of Your Mind. Why do you eat breakfast? To give your body the nutrients it needs so that you’ll have the energy to get through the day, of course. And guess what? Your mind is no different. If you want your thoughts and attitudes to be positive, you must fill your brain with encouraging ideas. For this reason, Patkin recommends making motivational books and audio recordings part of your daily ritual, too.
“I know, I know…this probably sounds incredibly hokey,” Patkin admits. “But trust me, listening to a motivational CD during your morning commute or reading for fifteen minutes as you sip your coffee in the morning can put you in a positive place until you go to sleep in the evening. When you do this each day, you’ll find that your attitude is improved, and that you have learned new tools to eliminate your own self-doubt and self-criticism. By focusing more on all the positive aspects of who you are, what you are doing, and what is great in your life, you’ll find that the whole direction of your life can change. If you’re not sure where to start, I have a recommended reading and listening list on my website.”
Step Three: Learn to Be Easier on Yourself. If you’re like most people, you probably tend to focus a lot of your mental energy on the things you mess up rather than the things you do well. And as a result of magnifying your failures, you reinforce in your mind just how “subpar” you think you are. No wonder you’re unhappy! It’s time to realize that you’re human—and thus fallible—so you will make mistakes. Instead of beating yourself up, start celebrating your many successes. Until you give yourself permission to break free of the cycle of self-blame and negativity that causes you to be stuck demanding perfection from yourself in every situation, you’ll never have a chance to be a truly relaxed, content, and happy person.
“The really tragic thing about fixating on your screw-ups is that for every one thing most people do wrong in a week, they usually do a hundred things right,” Patkin points out. “It’s not an easy thing to do, but if you want to be happier, you’ve got to start showing more compassion and love to yourself. This means giving yourself a break when things don’t go perfectly, and giving yourself a pat on the back when they do. For instance, let yourself bask in your family’s compliments when you cook a delicious meal, and savor your boss’s praise when you offer an ingenious solution at a meeting. Basically, extend to yourself the same love and kindness that you would to others you care about!”
Step Four: Play to Your Strengths. Most of us don’t spend a lot of time doing things we enjoy or are truly good at. In fact, it sometimes seems like frustration, boredom, and discontentment are the bricks that are used to build the so-called “American Dream.” The fact is, though, we all possess special abilities and unique talents. And if you want to be happy, you need to recognize, use, and share them. When you do, you’ll feel more fulfilled and proud of yourself, and the world will be better off, too.
“If you’ve never done so before, sit down and first make a list of the things you are best at, and second, make a list of the things you enjoy doing the most—often, the same items will appear on both lists,” advises Patkin. “Then, make it a goal to spend more time doing these things. Focusing more on a hobby or personal interest is a good start, even if, like exercise, you do it for only twenty minutes every other day. And if you determine that your career doesn’t utilize your strengths, start looking at online job postings or for local classes in your field of interest. It’s never too early—or too late—to start doing the things that make you happy.”
Step Five: Eliminate Stressors. Newsflash: Stress is bad! It prevents you from living in and enjoying the moment, and it can also cause negative long-term effects ranging from high blood pressure and insomnia to depression and anxiety. So although it’s easier said than done, it’s smart to eliminate as many stressors as possible. Often, something as simple as a shift in perspective can make all the difference.
“Start by identifying the two or three things that cause you the most stress on a consistent basis—maybe having a messy house is one,” says Patkin. “Often, you’ll find that there are concrete things you can do to lessen or even eliminate the pressure. For example, you might have a frank discussion with your spouse and kids regarding chores. Or, you might finally hire a cleaning person to help you once or twice a month if you can now afford it.
“Also, if you can’t eliminate or change a stressor, such as a job you hate but can’t afford to quit, challenge yourself to handle it differently. Specifically, decide beforehand how you will react in a more enlightened way when certain stressful situations occur—actually visualize yourself handling them with poise instead of becoming outwardly or inwardly worked up. Having a game plan in place before the ‘beast’ rears its ugly head really can reduce your negative reactions to stressors—big time.”
Step Six: Live in the Present. How often do your thoughts “live” in the present? More to the point, how often are they instead fixated on your disappointing or disturbing past or spent worrying about your future? If you are like most people, your percentage of time not spent in the present is way, way too high, and thus you’re missing out on life itself. If you’re ruminating on what’s already happened or fretting about what might come to pass, you’re not enjoying the blessings all around you. You’re exacerbating your anxiety and unhappiness by choosing (there’s that word again!) to dwell on things you can’t change or control.
“In order to practice being in the present, you’ll have to do a little bit of homework,” Patkin instructs. “Specifically, you’ll need to look at your past and forgive others (and yourself!) for any wrongs you might be holding on to. Also, you’ll need to identify what, exactly, you dread about the future. First, figure out how likely these things are to actually happen (in most cases, they won’t be very probable), and then plan how you’d deal with the worst-case scenario. Usually, you’ll see that even the worst turn of events would not destroy you and could be handled, albeit with some stress and difficulty.
“Once you have begun to take control of your past- and future-oriented thoughts, you can truly begin to appreciate the present moment. You’ll need to be aware of what your thoughts are ‘doing,’ and please don’t get discouraged when you find yourself going back to your old negative mental habits! In fact, pat yourself on the back because you’re noticing that you’re doing something you don’t want to do anymore. Over time, you’ll start to live the adventurous, wonderful life in the present you were always meant to!”
Step
Seven: Spend More Time with Positive People. Have you ever heard of “social
proof”? It’s the phenomenon of being influenced more by the people we are
around the most. And what does social proof have to do with happiness? Well, if
you spend as much of your time as possible with positive people, the physical
and mental improvements you’ve made thus far through week seven will be much
more likely to “stick”—and you’ll continually be inspired. However, if
most of your friends, family, and coworkers are negative, they will inevitably
pass their unhealthy attitudes on to you.
“If you’re truly serious about building a happier life for yourself, you
need to look at the people with whom you spend most of your time and decide
which are positive influencers and which are negative influencers,” Patkin
instructs. “Gradually, you need to gravitate more toward the ‘Positives’
and distance yourself from the ‘Negatives.’ This might mean calling a
positive friend and asking to meet up for coffee or a beer, or walking away from
the water cooler when your coworkers begin to gripe and complain.
“Over time, your goal is to make a significant shift in terms of the people with whom you surround yourself. I know that it’s hard to put distance between yourself and a person who has been a big part of your life, but the fact is that you’re at a crossroads. Would you rather maintain relationships that are familiar, but built on negativity, or would you rather form new ones that will propel your happiness journey forward? I strongly recommend you choose the latter.”
Step Eight: Strengthen Close Relationships. Unless a family member or close friend is a truly, irredeemably toxic influence, Patkin insists that it’s always worth putting work into improving close relationships. This is simply because the quality of the relationships you have with the people you are the closest to—your family and friends—can make or break the quality of your life. Loving, supportive relationships will majorly enhance your happiness levels. But fractious, unstable, or even distant relationships with your family members and historically close friends can leave you feeling unappreciated, angry, alone, and anxious.
“So, starting with your immediate family members and the people you see every day, and then working outward, reach out to the people who are meaningful to you and tell them how important they are to you! Also, try to address any unresolved grievances and apologize for the things you may regret,” Patkin advises. “And there’s one relationship you need to focus on in particular: the one with your spouse or significant other. Put more work into this relationship than you do into anything else: your house, your car, or your job, etc. Celebrate your spouse every day. Trust me: This can make such a great difference in your emotional health, your stress levels, and your overall happiness!”
Step Nine: Be Friendlier. Although our society is more and more “connected” by technology, we interact less and less with other people on a meaningful, face-to-face level than ever before. But guess what? Extending simple human kindness to other people can make a huge difference in their lives…and in yours. This could mean starting up a conversation with the guy beside you on the subway, sincerely thanking a bank teller for her help, or just smiling at coworkers you pass in the hallway.
“Everyone on Earth is carrying some sort of burden,” Patkin points out. “You can’t make their pain, stress, or grief just magically disappear…but you can be what I call a ‘lamp-lighter’—someone who makes others feel just a little bit lighter and happier on their journey, even if only for five seconds. When you make friendliness a habit, you’ll attract kindness and smiles in return…and you’ll feel great about yourself for making a positive difference in the world!”
Step Ten: Help Others. It’s true: It really is better to give than to receive. You see, humans are by nature social beings, and we find our greatest fulfillment in helping others. Plus, reaching out a helping hand to someone who isn’t as fortunate as you tends to quash selfish impulses and highlight your own blessings. Giving of yourself doesn’t have to involve money, either—remember that your time, talents, and compassion are just as valuable as cash, if not more so.
“To put it simply, givers are happy people,” asserts Patkin. “I know; we’re all busy—but as often as you can, make the effort to do something nice to help another person or organization. This could be visiting a disabled veteran at the VA, or simply rolling your neighbor’s trashcan up the driveway! And if you have kids, you’ll be setting a wonderful example for them. I promise you, whether you’re giving time, energy, money, or encouragement, being generous will build up your self-esteem, broaden your perspective, keep you anchored in reality, and connect you to your blessings—all components of a happy life.”
Step Eleven: Deepen Your Relationship with Your “Higher Power.” Yes, spirituality (much like politics) is a touchy subject. But according to Patkin, believing in something bigger than yourself is essential to developing the kind of perspective you need to be happy. Whether you consider your Higher Power to be God, Yahweh, Allah, Buddha, Krishna, the Universe, or even just Nature or another entity, being willing and able to see and feel His (or Her, if you prefer!) presence in your life will enable you to move away from self-centeredness and focus your energy and concerns on the greater community. It’ll also provide solace and give meaning to unfortunate events and troubling life circumstances.
“Personally, I’ve been connected to the Jewish faith for my entire life,” Patkin shares. “My faith has helped me create a strong sense of identity that’s rooted in a heritage I’m proud of—but you don’t need to espouse my beliefs, or even join an organized religion and attend services regularly. What I do hope you’ll do, though, is make an effort to clarify your thoughts about faith and also make an effort to connect to your Higher Power, whether it’s through prayer, meditation, writing in a journal, doing random acts of kindness, or just spending time in nature. Eventually, I hope you’ll begin to see your Higher Power as a source of inspiration, renewal, strength, guidance, and aid—as I do.”
Step Twelve: Develop an Attitude of Gratitude. Yes, living with an “attitude of gratitude” is a clichéd concept. But across the board, grateful people are happier and healthier; yes, studies have actually shown that thankful individuals are 25 percent healthier too! And the way Patkin sees it, if you’re reading this, you have a lot to be thankful for already.
“If
you live in
It’s time to make a choice. Do you want to put in the effort to build a happier life for yourself and your children as well? (Always remember your kids are likely to grow up conforming to the example you set for them.) If so, you’ve got your work cut out for you—but you can also look forward to an enriched future with confidence. Or will you decide to take the path of least resistance and allow life’s unpredictability to continue to dictate your unhappiness?
“I can tell you from experience that happiness is something that’s largely within your control,” concludes Patkin. “No, you’ll never wake up and have the ‘perfect’ day with everything going just the way you’d like it to. But you can choose how you respond to life…and I promise that will make all the difference!”
About
the Author:
Todd Patkin grew up in
About
the Book:
Finding Happiness: One Man’s Quest to Beat Depression and Anxiety
and—Finally—Let the Sunshine In (StepWise Press, 2011, ISBN:
978-0-9658261-9-8, $18.00, www.toddpatkin.com)
is available at bookstores nationwide, from major online booksellers, and at www.toddpatkin.com.
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