Food Week

This will be the one and only post here this week, as I'm busy doing a series of posts on food, health and the environment over on Green Brandon. Check it out!

Friday quickie

Got off to a rough start today after a bad night with little sleep. First I was too cold, then I put on another blanket and was too hot. Then I dreamed a lot of crazy dreams. Then the cats woke me at 5am wanting breakfast.

Despite this, I look great. For some reason, I'm having a good hair day. The humidity (as opposed to the humility) is just right. There is a balance between "done" and "unkempt." The hair gods are smiling upon me. Usually it only looks this good for the hour after I leave Mama's D's chair.

So, with a foggy brain topped by lovely locks, I head into Winnipeg for the weekend. I'm afraid O won't get a chance to see me in all my glory as I have 2.5 hours of dozing on the Greyhound to get through. Hopefully I won't have to sit by anyone smelly.

hand-me-downs

Thinking about my friend Tracy today. After she had her second child, she discovered that her feet had gotten bigger (I had no idea this could happen) and she was kind enough to send me two pairs of shoes that she could no longer wear. Both of them were on my feet today. I've been hiking back and forth to work wearing these cool kid hip hop sneakers, called Invicible Jane. (Mine/Tracy's are in black.)

Once I arrived, I changed into a pair of Nine West open-toe sling-backs with lovely beading. Had to look professional as there was a big meeting at work today (my last, as my boss is now back!), and these shoes worked perfectly with my trousers. Was generally feeling very grateful that I know such a generous person, and that said person has such great taste.

I have been in hand-me-down heaven lately. My dear friend Kana moved to New York in December and dropped off tons of kitchen supplies. Half empty (or is that full?) bottles of booze, spices, oil and all sorts of other goodies. My amazing friend Karen shipped me her old stereo and laptop, because she had new ones and I didn't have any. My darling baby (but taller) sister has kindly shrunk many great clothes over the years, which have convenietly become my size instead of hers.

Hand-me-downs are the ultimate in recycling. When you throw a can in the bin, do you get the feeling that you are making someone really happy? Nooooo. Do you get the satisfaction of knowing that your much loved item has gone to a good home? Nope again.

So, in case you were wondering, I take size 9 shoes, size 10 regular pants, medium tops and I could use a VCR as the old one my mom gave me finally died.

olay olay olay

World Cup started today. Love the 'net. Got play-by-play on the Germany-Costa Rica match thanks to World Cup Blog. Couldn't find anyplace to listen to the game, but that's okay. According to comments posted on the blog, the sites broadcasting the match were so bogged down they weren't working properly. Not a surprise. Heard on the radio this morning that 500 million people worldwide watch each game, and that over the next month, 3 billion people will catch at least one game. Quite the marketing opportunity, I'm sure.

Heading to my mom's at 6:30 to watch the Germany game on replay. Even though I know the outcome, I'm totally pumped.

In non-futbol news, have a busy weekend planned. Watching the Traveller's Day Parade tomorrow morning as my mom will be in it, walking beside the Waves of Hope dragon boat. In the afternoon, I have friends coming into town from the big city. They are apparently picking up a dog, which they will hopefully do before stopping by for a visit. I want to play with the puppy. Cleo won't be thrilled.

Sunday, it's clean, clean, clean. And watch more soccer.

Seven

Mama D just tagged me, so here goes...

7 things I want to do before I die:

• Graduate. First from undergrad (after 6 long years... sigh), then from Library Science.
• Live in one place long enough to watch my garden mature.
• Get out of debt. HA! Ya, right.
• Finally take a trip to L.A. to visit those bugs and swim in their pool.
• Go on a road trip with my brother and his kids. Oh wait... I'm doing that in July.
• Go to Greece and stuff myself silly on their amazing cuisine, while getting drunk on retsina.
• Actually attend World Cup. I've got the fever from afar this year.

7 Things I can't do:

• Sing. Okay, I can sing, just not in tune.
• Paint pretty pictures. Walls? I'm brilliant.
• Scale high buildings, or do anything that requires me to be more than 6 feet off the ground.
• Kill insects, even the "bad" ones. It all goes back to the spruce bud worm infestation of '79. How do I deal? Catch and release.
• Weird. I can only think of four things. So I guess number 5 is complete this list.

7 things that attracted me to my spouse:
Well, we aren't actually married. And we met at a party when I mistook him for someone else, so I'm not sure if you could say I was attracted to him. Though he doesn't really look like the other guy. How about 7 things I find attractive?

• The sideburns, baby!
• His good manners.
• The fact that he is a grammar freak.
• Our banter.
• His goofy sense of humour.
• His amazing kisses.
• Pretty much everything else.

7 Things I say often:

• Bye, baby. (Since we live in different cities, I say this to O every night on the phone)
• Cleo-eo-eo-eo-eo (Cat greeting No. 1 when I arrive home each day)
• Mewdles! (Cat greeting No. 2 when I arrive home each day)
• That sucks.
• Hey? (As opposed to "Eh?")
• Howdy! (Standard non-cat greeting)
• Goddamn (with foot stamp)

7 Books I love:

• Everything by Roddy Doyle.
• We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver (Be prepared to be horrified.)
• After You'd Gone by Maggie O'Farrell (If you take this as a recommended reading list, this one comes with a warning. You will need at least one box of tissues.)
• Emma by Jane Austin
• Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austin
• Franny & Zoe by J.D. Salinger
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Number one fave. Everyone should read it.)

7 Movies I could watch over and over again

• Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai
• Down By Law
• The Princess Bride
• Mediterraneo
• Betty Blue
• Breakfast at Tiffany's (despite stoopid Mickey Rooney)
• Amelie

7 People who I'm going to tag!

How about...
The Bee
Claw of the Conciliator

Like Mama D, I don't have that many bloggy friends.

Oh, heck. Let's tag The Wood Between the Worlds as well.

Green Brandon has moved

I set up a site meter on Green Brandon a couple of weeks ago (thanks to help from Mama D) and found that practically no one was looking at it. Thought about whether I should keep it up, and if so, was Blogger the best place to host it?

Then I discovered that eBrandon is now hosting blogs. So GB has a new home. I don't like the look and useability of the site, but it seems more appropriate for the type of info I'm posting there. We'll see how long I last. I don't think I can deal with too many negative comments! Some of the stuff in the discussion forum is quite nasty. Why can't we all play nice???

My first post there is on Environment Week, which starts tomorrow. My workplace is taking part in the Commuter Challenge, though I personally am not. They have it set up so that you are supposed to take a different form of green transportation each day. No way I'm spending 45 minutes on the bus when it only takes me 12 minutes to walk. In any cse, it's cool that they are doing it.

The high price of gas is sure to get more people participating. I've noticed some very strange changes in Brandon this spring. A lot (and I mean A LOT) more people seem to be riding their bikes. And there are suddenly a bunch of scooters on the road as well as four (count 'em) Smart Cars in town. One of them is totally souped up.

All the scooters whizzing by are making me want two motorized wheels. It will have to remain a dream for now, but I can definitely see one in my future. Maybe an electric scooter. And I don't mean one of these.

Computer Drop-Off Day

Celebrate Environment Week with Westman Recycling
Saturday, June 3
22 – 11th Street

• Computer, cell phone, printer cartridge drop-off
  10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

• Computers – only monitor and CPU (tower) accepted.
  Phones and cartridges support Samaritan House.

• Enjoy a hot dog and drink for $1
  11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: CMHA Re-Store, 22 – 11th Street

mixed tape

I haven't had time to really process Greg's death, but I've thought of nothing else since I heard the news. It has stirred up all sorts of feelings about friendship, love, the symbolic meaning attached to relationships. About quality of life. About death and grief. I need time to deal with my thoughts and emotions.

Therefore, today's post (since it has been a while) is going to be frivolous. I'm not ready to write about the other stuff, and that's all I've had on my mind.

So, in no particular order, 10 songs I'll always love...

1. Veronica by Elvis Costello
O and I were listening to this tape the morning I heard that Greg was gone. I woke up with the lyrics "do the days fly by? did the favors wane?" in my head and it took me ages to figure out what they were from. Unfortunately, they work really well to the tune of Harvest by Neil Young, so that got me off track. If it wasn't for the Archie comics association, I'd consider Veronica as a name for a future daughter. Or cat. That's how much I love this song.

2. Pressure Drop by Toots and the Maytals
Fact is, I like reggae. A lot. I like Toots, too. I never get sick of him. And this is one of his that I like more than everything else. Ya, ya, The Clash and The Specials have made good versions, but nothing beats the original.

3. Train in Vain by the Clash
Speaking of The Clash. "You say you stand, duh-duh-duh, by your man, duh-duh-duh..." It isn't even playing (except in my head) and I want to get up and dance.

4. Innocent When You Dream (Barroom version) by Tom Waits
I'm a sucker for Tom Waits, singing low and powerful, but add a drunken swagger to the delivery, and I swoon. Beautiful. Beautiful.

5. Under Pressure by David Bowie and Freddy Mercury
I'm not sure that I can explain why this one is one the list. Do I need to? Do y'all get it?

6. Victoria by The Fall
The Fall can be a difficult band to love, but even those (like O) who appreciate them but don't love them, must agree that this is a great song. Love the glass smashing, love the lyrics, love the beat, love the melody. And heck, Mark E. Smith is practically singing.

7. You Make Me Want to Wear Dresses by Lisa Germano
This one always takes me back to the summer of 1994. I was working at Candlewood books in Brandon. My bestest friend and I got all dolled up and drove into the big city in my boyfriend's Mercury Meteor. This song reminds me of the prairies, of long summer days, of hot wind on bare legs. Of my boss, Don, unable to get this tune out of his head (if you know what he looks like, you'll understand how hilarious this is). And I do love to wear dresses.

8. No Woman, No Cry by Bob Marley
This songs comes on? Woman, cry. It's embarassing, but it happens every time. I can't explain why. I have no particular sentimental attachmentment. The wail at the beginning gets me misty, and by the "everythings gonna be alright" I'm a river.

9. Straight to You by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
There are plenty of Nick Cave songs that I will never tire of, but I regularly come back to this one. Boatman's Call reminds me of breaking up with Warren and all the sorrow and regret that went along with moving out of our home. Somethings Got a Hold of My Heart will always overwhelm me with teenage angst. The Ship Song is about O and everything I thought we could be to each other back then. But this song has no baggage. I can belt it out with abandon. (And I do.)

10. Heart of Gold by Neil Young
Just love this song. 'Nuff said.

Bonus Track: Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen
Like all of Cohen's songs, I prefer them when they are performed by someone else. The John Cale version, off the tribute album I'm Your Fan, is the one that gets me every time.

How do we control mosquitos in Brandon?

Brandon & Area Environmental Council presents:

“Understanding our Environment Speaker Series”

How do we control mosquitos in Brandon and surrounding communities?
Presentation by Bill Galloway B.Sc. M.Sc., Zoology Department, BU

Sunday May 28, 2006 2pm . Main Floor Classroom, Health Studies Building, B.U.

Renew your membership and buy a BAEC Earth Day t-shirt.

Contact: Dr. Bill Paton, President BAEC 727-9783
Patonw(at)Brandonu(dot)ca

saying goodbye

My lovely and amazing friend Greg died on Friday, around midnight Vancouver-time. I heard the news yesterday from my mom, who had heard from a friend who lives in the same small town as Greg's mom. This news did not come as a shock. I've been saying goodbye to Greg since 1994.

Greg and I met in 1989. I was on the 60 bus going to university. He got on one stop after I did and as he was making his way to a seat, the bus lurched and he stumbled, landing hard with muddy boots on my feet. He began apologizing profusely while he knelt down in front of me and cleaned my boots with his sleeve. I was a bit taken aback. Even more so when he sat down beside me. We talked the entire half hour ride and were friends ever after. I remember what he was wearing, he made such an impression that day... a navy blue shirt with cream pokadots.

Greg and I ate, drank and danced our way through that year, while I went through such events as flunking out of school and meeting O. We ate, drank and danced our way through the years that followed. My move to Vancouver didn't dampen our friendship. He sent me the most fantastic and hilarious homemade postcards. I was soon back in Winnipeg, and we picked up where we left off. I discovered at some point that he was diabetic. I felt pangs of guilt when I considered how much alcohol we had downed together. I knew what having diabetes meant. But he didn't seem concerned, so I decided not to be concerned. I wonder now if I could have changed anything or if it would have been worth it to try. I can't imagine that it would have had any effect except to put a wedge between us.

In 1994, Greg told me he was HIV positive. I was stunned and in tears, afraid for my friend. He told me that it was okay... he never expected to live a long life anyway. He was not trying to buck me up, that was truly how he felt. Despite the diagnosis, or perhaps because of it, we went out dancing as planned and we had a great time.

Greg moved to Vancouver a couple of years later. We stayed in touch, but not as much as previously. Every time I went to the West Coast, we hung out together. It was always so easy to pick up with him. Nothing changed between us. We loved each other as much as always.

Two years ago, his diabetes started to cause him serious problems. He had several small strokes. He went into shock and nearly died. He had kidney failure. Ironically, his HIV positive status was the best thing for him. It meant that when he was no longer able to live on his own, he could move into The Dr. Peter Centre. It was there that he lived out the rest of his life.

I was in Vancouver in November, over the Remembrance Day long weekend. Greg was in the hospital with pneumonia. He had lost part of his foot due to complications from the diabetes. I went to visit him each of the four days I was there. As always, and despite everything, it was so good to see him and talk to him, to lean up against him and put my arms around him. The last time we spoke, I said I'd come visit again when I could. He told me that there might not be a next time. And there wasn't.

A friend visited in February and reported back that he was doing really well. That's the way it went these last years. He did well, then poorly, then well. When he died, he was in the hospital with pneumonia again. He choked and they were unable to clear his lungs. His mother and brother were called and he died with them beside him.

I've been feeling profoundly sad, but also a little relieved, since hearing the news. Greg's quality of life had seriously diminished, and I can't imagine that he would have wanted to linger on. I know he was resigned to his death, that the bitterness he had once felt was no longer consuming him. Mostly I feel thankful that I had seventeen years with him in my life. He was terribly funny, extremely talented and one of the most beautiful people I've ever met. Rest in Peace, my dear friend.

Green Landscaping Brochure

Green Landscaping: Seven Principles

Use minimal water to create a healthy yard Quick Facts:
Water demand is highest during the summer growing season, mainly due to lawn watering.
Typically, 50% of the water consumed by a single family household during the growing season is used to irrigate lawn and garden areas.

1. Planning and Design
Consider:
Site characteristics: drainage, sun, shade, wind, slopes, noise, privacy.
Your needs and wants: garden, entertainment, service, and play areas.
Draw your plan on paper: measure your yard, and include structures and plants you will be keeping. Then try various ideas on paper.

2. Soil
Most plants grow best in loamy soil that drains well and contains organic material.
If your plants are not doing as well as you would expect, a soil analysis may help in determining your problem. Call an accredited lab for information.

3. Reduce Turf Area
Decide how much lawn area you want. Then, gradually reduce the excess by removing the lawn and replanting with appropriate low maintenance plants.

4. Irrigation
If you do have to irrigate, water deeply, but not often.
The larger the drop size, the less evaporation will occur. Apply the water as close to the ground as possible. If water begins to pond while watering, water for 15 minute intervals until the needed water has been applied.
Minimize your need for irrigation. Group plants according to their water needs, and according to the attributes of the area of your yard. If you have one area which is extremely hot and dry, use drought tolerant species. However, if you have an area that is always damp or wet, consider using plants that grow well in that environment.

5. Mulches
Mulching assists soil in retaining moisture, reducing weed growth and preventing erosion. Anything from straw, grass clippings, leaves or newspaper to wood chips, pine cones, compost or peat moss can be used as a mulch. Apply the mulch 3 to 4 inches thick, ensuring the mulch does not touch the stalks or trunks of plants.

6. Plant Selection
Choose plants that are appropriate for the area of your yard (sun versus shade, dry versus wet, etc.).
Consider size, colour, and texture of the plants.
Plants native to your area are already adapted to the climate. In addition, many are perennial or self-seeding, reducing future costs for new plants. Many native plants will also support indigenous animals, such as butterflies and birds.

7. Maintenance
Low-water landscaped areas are intended to require low maintenance. However, this does mean some upkeep must still be done. Some of the tasks include:
Adding mulch yearly.
Amending flower and vegetable beds.
Pruning trees and shrubs.
Dividing and transplant perennials as required.
Cutting down perennial tops.
Ensuring nutrients in soil are adequate for the plants in that area.
Weeding as necessary.

Lawns
Ensure grass is a drought resistant variety.
Grass cut 7.5 to 10 cm long requires less water because roots, new growth and soil are shaded.
Water the garden in the morning when there is little wind to minimize evaporation.
Only water the garden, not the sidewalk, road or neighbour's deck.
Buy a timer for your outside faucet, or use a kitchen timer as a reminder to turn water off.
Use a soil moisture indicator for your lawn, or measure rain and sprinkler water in a container. Three centimetres of water per week is usually enough.
Aerate your lawn regularly.
Use a watering can with water from your rain barrel for plants that need extra water.
Encourage children to use water toys and a splash pool, rather than a hose or a sprinkler, to keep cool. Use the water from the splash pool for your garden.

Other Outdoor Hints
Use a broom, not a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
Wash your car with a bucket of soapy water; only use the hose for rinsing.
Repair any leaks in your hose or connections.

For More Information, Please Contact:
Water Use Efficiency Coordinator
Pollution Prevention
Manitoba Environment
123 Main Street, Suite 160
Winnipeg MB R3C 1A5
Phone: 1-800-282-8069 ext. 8980

Community Shared Agriculture

What is Community Shared Agriculture?
CSA is a system of growing and distributing organic produce which restores the link between farmers and consumers. CSA is ecologically sound. Produce is grown organically. CSA is socially just, striving to foster trust and build community by directly linking consumers and producers. CSA is economically viable, enabling the risks associated with farming and the care and well-being of our land to be shared by all. Money stays within the local community.

How does it work?
You purchase a share of the growers harvest in the spring. Once a week during the growing season (12-14 weeks), fresh picked fruits and vegetables are delivered to a designated place. Members are encouraged to get involved. Come out for a tour, or for weeding and harvesting.

How do I get involved?
In Brandon, we are lucky to have to CSA projects. This year they are growing apples, Asian greens, beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, corn, cucumbers, garlic, herbs, lettuce, muskmelons, onions, peas, parsnip, pepers, potatoes, pumpkin, raspberries, rhubarb, spinach, squash, swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, watermelon and zucchini.

Aagaard Farms
Tel: 727-3788
Email: norette(at)yahoo(dot)com
Aaggard Farms is a family run market garden that was started 25 years ago. It is now operated by the second generation of the family, Jes Aagaard and his partner Norah Tolmie. They offer garden plots, U-Pick, CSA as well as selling produce at the Riverbank Discovery Centre Farmer's Market.

Country Gate Gardens
Tel: Menno at 728-2909 or Linda at 724-7422
Email: meisaac(at)mts(dot)net or raven(at)xplornet(dot)com

further to yesterday's post

I heard back from the editor this morning. He "forgot" to run the article. At first, I was feeling pretty angry, but you know... maybe he did. It's not like I've never done anything like that before, right?

I told him he could make it up to me by running an article for Women's Health Day in June. No reply yet, but I'm guessing he'll be accomodating.

National Day Against Homophobia

Ahhh…. The good ol’ Brandon Sun (or BS, as I like to call it.) Over a month ago, I contacted the editor on behalf of the Sexual Health Committee (which I sit on) about running an article for the National Day Against Homophobia on the topic of homophobia in the workplace. Direct quote from the editor: “That sounds fantastic.” I spent many hours working on the article (I knew the facts, but I wanted to get the tone right, so I kept fiddling with it) and got it to the editor a week ago as he had requested. Today, I grabbed the paper to see the article. Can you guess where this is going? Right. It had not been printed.

Our other local paper, the weekly Wheat City Journal, also agreed to run an article. It was also submitted well in advance of the deadline, but it did not appear in last Thursdays edition. It (supposedly) will run tomorrow. A day late.

The posters for this year’s campaign say that homophobia is becoming more subtle. As subtle as, say, newspaper editors suppressing stories about the day that is supposed to bring awareness to the problem? Just in case you are thinking that Brandon sucks when it comes to these kinds of issues, the local television station had myself, another member of the Sexual Health Committee and a local gay activist on the Noon Hour Show on Monday. My bit was mercifully short. The program was excellent. The host personally knew the activist, so she was very frank about what she was asking, but also very supportive in the way she framed questions. The Sexual Health Committee is also running Ally Training today, and have 30 people signed up from various workplaces.

Since the BS didn’t print my article, I’ll do it myself. Here it is in all its glory:

May 17th is the National Day Against Homophobia. The purpose of this annual event is to raise awareness of homophobia’s harmful effects and to work against exclusion. This year, the campaign targets homophobia in the workplace. Employers, co-workers, unions, corporations and professional organizations all play a role in creating a respectful and prejudice-free work environment.

What is Homophobia?
Homophobia is a negative attitude, feeling or behaviour towards those who are not heterosexual, which includes individuals who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or two-spirited. Homophobia takes on many forms in the workplace and it is becoming more subtle. Homophobia is: not hiring someone because you suspect they are not heterosexual, denying opportunities because of sexual orientation, harassment or violence, homophobic comments, jokes or slurs, shunning, insinuations, insults or threats. Homophobia creates feelings of isolation and fear.

What are Our Rights and Responsibilities?
The Manitoba Human Rights Code and the Canadian Human Rights Act protect employees from being discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, marital status, or religion. Employers cannot refuse to hire or continue to employ a person, treat an employee differently from others, exclude employees from membership in an organization, or pay lower wages based on the employee’s actual or presumed sexual orientation. It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure that personal information is kept confidential. Employers must also protect their employees from discrimination or harassment.

Although legal protections are in place, discrimination often goes unseen or unchallenged. There may be a lack of understanding and awareness, or a fear of being singled out. Everyone is affected by homophobia, and it is up to the employer and all employees to build a culture of respect.

Ways to Create a Respectful Workplace
Implement anti-discrimination or anti-harassment policies
Offer awareness training on human rights issues
Invite significant others work-related social events
Have a benefit package that acknowledges same-sex relationships
Equally acknowledge the relationships of your co-workers, colleagues, or clients by ensuring, for example, that anniversaries, births, and marriages/union ceremonies are celebrated in the same way, and that all partners are acknowledged
Report incidents of inappropriate behaviour
Question your own stereotypes and learn more about others
Value the contributions that different points of view can bring to your workplace

Where to Get More Information
Another way to foster a safe and positive work environment is to provide Ally training. An Ally is someone who is informed about and is sensitive towards those who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or two-spirited, is understanding of their issues, and affirms their experiences and rights. Those who complete the training program in good faith and have a genuine interest in the goals and mission of the program are encouraged to become an Ally, but there is no obligation. Contact the Sexuality Education Resource Centre for additional resources and information about Diversity Training for your organization, business, or school.

Canada Road Safety Week

May 16 – 22 Canada Road Safety Week. Transportation Canada's vision is to make our roads the safest in the world by 2010, but a quick look around their website reveals that they are talking about making the roads safe for those who drive cars, not bicycles.

With gas prices soaring, more people are choosing two wheels instead of four. So what can those of us who choose pedal power do to ensure our safety?

First and foremost, we need to act like we are vehicles, because we are. The City of Brandon Bicycle Bylaw (Pt III, Sec 6.2: pg 20) and Fines (Pt V, Sec. 56.2: pg 60) are available online. If we behave like cars, it helps other drivers know what to expect of us. Don’t ride facing into traffic. Use signals. Stop at stop signs. Stay in your lane. And don’t let road rage get the best of you!

The rest of it is stuff you already know. Be visible. Wear a helmet. Don't wear headphones. Don't talk on your cell phone (?!?). Okay, I'll stop lecturing.

Biking Toronto has 8 Secrets to Cycling in Traffic that are worth checking out. Be sure to read the comments too. Not that we face the same crazy traffic that Toronto bikers do!

Bill to Ban Non-Essential Use of Pesticides

Winnipeg M.P. Pat Martin tabled a bill in the House of Commons calling for a nationwide ban on all cosmetic used of pesticides and herbicides. He cited the growing list of neurological diseases, cancers and reproductive disorders found in the population, particularly in children and pregnant women. The bill would place the onus on the chemical companies to prove that their products are safe before they would be allowed back on store shelves, rather than government and health officials having to prove they are harmful before they are removed.

Ninety municipalities throughout Canada, including all of Quebec, have banned the cosmetic use of pesticides. Brandon is the only city in Manitoba to have done so.

The bill does not ban pesticides for agricultural or commercial use, but if the bill is implemented, Martin says it would reduce overall pesticide use by 40%.
(Taken from The Herald. Please see MP Wants Nationwide Pesticide Ban for the full story.)

Please show your support for this bill by emailing Merv Tweed, MP for Brandon-Souris and asking him to request that this private members bill be brought forward for debate in the House of Common.
Merv Tweed M.P., Brandon-Souris email: Tweed.M@parl.gc.ca

Here are some other MPs you may wish to contact:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper email: Harper.S@parl.gc.ca
Bill Graham M.P. email: Graham.B@parl.gc.ca
Jack Layton M.P. email: Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Gilles Duceppe M.P. email: Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
Minister of the Environment, Rona Ambrose M.P. email: Ambrose.R@parl.gc.ca
Minister of Health, Tony Clement M.P. email: Clement.T@parl.gc.ca

latest musical obsession

I got turned onto the Elliott Smith tribute on the Boston University radio station by Tracy and have been listening to it constantly since. I have yet to hear Tracy's niece, but I have gotten hooked on Emma Cunningham's performace of Waltz#2(xo).

I loved it so much that I emailed her and asked how I could get a copy of it. She emailed back a lovely note and pointed me to her personal page where that song and a couple of others can be downloaded. Maybe I'm delusional, maybe it's not as amazing as I think, but I love this song. I mean, I love the song period, but I really love her version. She delivers it with heartbroken bravado. I feel what she feels. It's beautiful.

I also love her voice. If I could sing (and any of you who have been stuck in a car with me know that I cannot), I would like to sound like her. Since I lack such a clear, mellow voice, I'll just have to turn her recording up loud enough to drown myself out.

Invitation from Westman Recycling

At the recent Westmn Recycling Council AGM, there was some reflecting on the past and a discussion of what's to come. What should Westman Recycling do in the future? Everyone is invited to send your ideas to the Board of Directors. Please respond by Friday, May 19th so that all ideas can be considered at the next meeting. Contact WRC at:

Tel: 729-8123
Email: wrc(at)westmanrecycling(dot)com

Upcoming Events
Westman Recycling will hold its annual hotdog day to celebrate Wolrd Environment Week (veggie dogs, anyone? hint hint).

A computer drop-off day will take place on Saturday, June 3.

Details on both these events to come.

Hazardous Waste Day - May 13

Saturday, May 13th is the City of Brandon Household Hazardous Waste Day. Any old paints, pesticides, batteries, solvents, insecticides, cleaning products, used oils, automotive fluids or other products that you are unsure how to dispose of safely can be dropped off between 10am and 2pm at the Civic Services Complex, 900 Richmond Ave. E.

Green Drinks Reminder

Green Drinks is on at the Double Decker, Tuesday, May 9th starting at 8pm.

The good folks at the Decker have offered to extend happy hour prices on Fort Garry beer especially for us.

See you there!