Greetings Greens!

Here is an update from Ottawa Centre candidate Jen Hunter, and a list of local September events in which you might be interested.  Remember to attend the Ottawa Centre Greens’ Annual General Meeting on Sept. 18 7:30pm (details below).

Best wishes,
Your Ottawa Centre Greens
www.ottawagreens.ca/ottawacentre
 

Jen’s Corner
Preparing for the Election – Standing in the Candidate’s Shoes

Well as the days begin to get shorter and kids everywhere possibly excited about back to school or dispairing about the end of the summer, it seems as Parliament may experience a different “Back to Session” than many were anticipating.  In just a few short weeks, rumours of a fall election have began to take on a life of their own in our fair city.  A couple of weeks ago, a few of us were stuffing envelopes to invite all of you to join us (and meet me – and hear a little about plans for the election as they are shaping up) on September 18th at the NcNabb Community Centre between 7:30 and 9:00 pm and the conversation included some thoughts about the campaign, key roles to be filled, ideas to excite and engage members and voters in electing one of the first Green MPs in Canada and now we are prepping to run a campaign as early as this weekend!  WOW!

With the strong support of our Sign Chair Guy Talevi, we have been seeking to identify people interested and able to play key roles in the coming election campaign.  Thanks to the many of you who have personally contacted me about helping with the campaign – we definitely will have something for everyone to do and your help will make a HUGE difference.  Currently, we are still looking for someone who would like to play the role of Volunteer Coordinator. Do you love meeting and working with a variety of people?  Have you been told you make people feel glad they contributed to something you asked for help with?  Are you passionate about making sure our campaign is fueled by the ideas, energy, effort and capacity of the many talented people interested in being involved in this historic campaign?  This may be the job for you!  Give me a call and we can talk about the role in greater detail (613) 858-0874.  This is a role that will be central to our success – as our approach reflects a desire to bring Green Jobs front and centre in our work … You will be much appreciated for sharing your gifts and talents with us.

A couple of other huge opportunities exist for folks to jump up and say YES to being involved in meaningful campaign work this fall (assuming an election is called as is currently anticipated). 

1) Policy advisors – I would love to have a team of people who are interested in bringing their knowledge and insight on key areas of Vision Green.  I would love to host open to the public sessions on key subjects like: Eco-Innovation, Canada’s Role on the International Stage – Time to
reclaim our Small Giant Status?, What does “good government” really mean?, How will sustainability work in Ottawa-Centre?, What role does the federal government have in the health of Canadians? In transportation?, What vision for Canada will excite and inspire us as a nation?, How does the federal government work, really? – and others like this… 
2) Home Event Hosts – You bring some friends to your place and have some snacks available, and I’ll come and talk to everyone. Whether they support the Green Party or not, this is a great way to get to know individual voters.
3) Student Campaign – by students and for students – Jen has a provocative plan for engaging the hearts and minds of Ottawa-Centre and I need your help!  I would love a core team of 3-5 people (age is not necessarily the key factor) to work with me to launch this campaign in a professional and highly impactful way!  This will be a great aspect of the campaign – and I could really use your help to plan and implement something special!
4) Fundraisers!  While we are well positioned to run a winning campaign – it is important to connect with members as well as my personal contacts and seek their support for our work — I’d love to have a couple of people who are interested in this important aspect of the campaign to help us out.  If making sure there is money in the bank to support our campaign, this is a great place to bring your talents to the campaign. 
5) Endorsements – I’d like to get a page of local citizens who endorse me, from famous people to everyday citizens from every walk of life.
6) Canvassers(smiles and curiousity required), Sign Team Members (bicycles required), Phone callers (you know who you are)… 

These are a few of the key Green Jobs needed for a winning fall election! We’d love your help – if there is something else you’d like to contribute, let us know! If you’d like to donate to the campaign, you can head to www.ottawagreens.ca to make a contribution.  Thanks for taking the time to read this note – I am looking forward to seeing you at at the AGM on September 18th if not before.  I am always interested to hear your thoughts about the best ways we can ignite the hearts and minds of voters.  After all, as Plutarch once mused, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but rather a fire to be ignited!”

Yours, in partnership for continued prosperity and an ever-increasingly just and sustainable world,
Jen Hunter
Ottawa Centre candidate, Green Party of Canada
 

August 2008
Events listing compiled by the Green Party in Ottawa Centre

The Green Party is pleased to provide you with this compilation of events in and around Ottawa Centre.  The Green Party does not officially endorse any of these events unless otherwise indicated.  We believe that community organization is essential to grassroots democracy … and community events are just plain fun too! 

Enjoy our community!
Your Ottawa Centre Greens
www.ottawagreens.ca/ottawacentre

WEEKLY FARMERS’ MARKETS:

Lansdowne Park: Local farmer’s market at Lansdowne Park.  All local, much of it is organic too.  Every Sunday 8-3:00 and Thursday 2-7:00pm until October 30.
More info: www.ottawafarmersmarket.ca

Main Farmers’ Market: Local farmers’ market in parking lot of St. Paul’s University (223 Main Street).  Every Saturday 9-2:00 until Sept. 27.
More info: sustainablelivingottawaeast.googlepages.com/mainstreetfarmers%27market

Do you know how the Green Party promotes local organic agriculture?  See the Green Party of Ontario’s agricultural policy at www.gpo.ca/sites/greenparty.on.ca/files/GPOStatemntAgricultureOct3Web_0.pdf

SEPTEMBER 5-7:
Festival: “Simply Raw Festival and Raw Lifestyle Film Festival�
Where: Two downtown locations
What: Celebrate raw vegan lifestyle with food, films, and discussion.
More info: www.simplyraw.ca/festival08/index.php

SATURDAY SEPT 6:
7:30pm
Book launch: “What is America?�
Where: St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts & Humanities, 314 St. Patrick St.
What: Explore the achievements and challenges for the USA with author Ronald Wright (A short history of progress).
Host: Adrian Harewood (CBC Radio host)
Cost: $15 ($10 for students & seniors)
More info: www.writersfestival.org/events.html

MONDAY SEPT 8:
Elections: “Three federal by-elections in Canada�
Where: Guelph (Ontario), Saint-Lambert (Quebec), and Westmount-Ville-Marie (Quebec).
What: Green Party of Canada candidates are running in each of these by-elections, including Mike Nagy in Guelph (Green Party’s prominent environment critic) and Claude William Genest in Westmount-Ville-Marie (Green Party’s deputy leader).  You can help their campaigns even if you live here in Ottawa.
More info: www.greenparty.ca/en/take_action/by-elections

WEDNESDAY SEPT 10:
5:30pm
Social event: “Green Drinks Ottawa�
Where: Lieutenant’s Pump Pub, 361 Elgin Street
What: Monthly get-together of enviro-minded folks who chit-chat enviro-matters over drinks.
Cost: Free (except your drinks)
More info: www.biothinking.com/greendrinks/index.php?country=Canada&city=Ottawa

THURSDAY SEPT 11:
7:00pm
Film: “Taxi to the dark side�
Where: Bytowne Theatre, 325 Rideau Street
What: An in-depth look at the torture practices of the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, focusing on an innocent taxi driver in Afghanistan who was tortured and killed in 2002. Winner of Best Documentary 2007 Oscar.
Organizers: Nowar-Paix and Justice for Mohamed Harkat
Cost: $7-10
More info: www.nowar-paix.ca/taxi/index.html

SATURDAY SEPT 13:
2-5:00pm (rain or shine)
Social event: “Ecology Ottawa’s Unplugged BBQ�
Where: Central Park, Bank & Clemow (Glebe)
What: Local entertainers, crafts for kids, vegetarian food, and more.
Host: Ecology Ottawa
More info: www.ecologyottawa.ca/calendar/09.php

SUNDAY SEPT 14:
12-4:00pm
Festival: “Feast of Fields 2008�
Where: Vincent Massey Park, on Heron Road near Riverside Drive
What: Local organic farmers and local chefs meet to produce great cuisine – and you get to eat it!  Buy tickets ahead of time (day-of-event tickets were sold out last year).
Organizers: Canadian Organic Growers in Ottawa
Cost: $25-50 depending on ticket type
More info: www.cog.ca/ottawa/feast_of_fields/index.html

MONDAY SEPT 15:
7-10:00pm
DVD release party: “Be the change�
Where: Georgetown Pub, 1159 Bank St.
What: Watch an environmental documentary featuring local enviro-friendly citizens, and chat about local sustainability.
Host: David Chernushenko of Living Lightly (former Green Party candidate in Ottawa Centre)
Cost: DVDs cost $20
More info: www.livinglightly.ca

MONDAY SEPT 15:
7:00pm doors open (7:30 film starts)
Film: “The Year of Paper�
Where: Club SAW, 67 Nicholas Street
What: Film follows three newlywed Canadian couples in 2004; one gay, one lesbian, and one heterosexual. Explores ideas and challenges of marriage.  Part of Divergence Movie Night series.
Cost: $5 suggested donation
More info: www.divergencemovienight.com/

TUESDAY SEPT 16:
7:30-9:00pm
Discussion: “Climate change: the challenges and the opportunities�
Where: St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4321 Alta Vista Drive
What: Climate change offers well-known challenges, but also an opportunity for Canada to renew itself. Dr. Stone speaks from over 20 years’ experience studying climate change.
Speaker: Dr. John Stone, adjunct professor at Carleton University and member of Nobel-winning IPCC authorship team
Host: Dr. Qais Ghanem, Green Party of Canada candidate in Ottawa South
Cost: Free, with donations appreciated by Green Party in Ottawa South
More info: www.ottawasouthgreenparty.ca/en/node/172

THURSDAY SEPT 18:
7:30-9:00pm
Meeting: “Green Party of Canada in Ottawa Centre – Annual General Meeting�
Where: McNabb Community Centre’s Pre-School Room, 180 Percy Street (near Gladstone and Bronson).
What: Elect executive for upcoming year, talk to local candidate Jen Hunter, and find out more about the party and how you can contribute locally.
More info: www.ottawagreens.ca/ottawacentre/?page_id=252

SEPTEMBER 18-28:
Festival: “Ottawa Photography Festival�
Where: Venues across Ottawa/Gatineau
What: Exhibition for local photographers.
More info: www.festivalx.ca/html/english/home.html

SEPTEMBER 19-21:
Convention: “Green Party of Canada 2008 Convention�
Where: Pictou, Nova Scotia (Elizabeth May’s riding)
What: Previously scheduled for Sept 5-7.  If you are a political junkie, you’ll love the convention.  Hear Farley Mowat, Dr. Gordon McBean (co-recipient of Nobel Prize awarded to IPCC authors), elect council, and contribute to decisions on motions for party action.  If you want to attend, contact your Ottawa Centre party executive at ottawa-centre@greenparty.ca.
More info: gm2008.greenparty.ca/en/index.html

SATURDAY SEPT 20:
Fundraiser: “Wheelchair relay challenge�
Where: Terry Fox Athletic Facility, Mooney’s Bay, 2960 Riverside Drive
What: Able-bodied and mobility-impaired people are invited to join a team and race wheelchairs. The event raises funds for The Canadian Paraplegic Association Ontario and raises awareness and understanding for those with spinal cord injuries.
More info: cpa-ontario-donate.akaraisin.com/Common/Event/Home.aspx?seid=2022&mid=8

SATURDAY SEPT 20:
5:00pm (registration opens), 7:00pm (walk begins)
Fundraiser: “Scotiabank AIDS walk for life�
Where: Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave., Festival Plaza
What: Raise funds for the fight against AIDS in Canada, and join members of your community in the walk.
More info: www.aidswalkforlife.ca/Ottawa.htm

MONDAY SEPT 22:
By-Election in Don Valley West, Toronto
What: Green Party of Canada candidate is Dr. Georgina Wilcock, Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Scarborough Hospital.  You can help her campaign even if you live here in Ottawa.
More info: www.greenparty.ca/en/take_action/by-elections
Campaign website: http://donvalleygreen.ca/

THURSDAY SEPT 25:
7-9:00pm
Summit: “Ottawa Clean Air Summit�
Where: Irving Greenberg Theatre, 1233 Wellington St. West
What: Panel discussion and question & answer session on the effect of air quality on people’s health, and what we can do to improve things individually and collectively.
Host: Clive Doucet, City Councillor for Capital Ward
Panel moderator: Ken Rockburn (journalist, broadcaster)
Panelists: Dr. Tom Kovesi (Pediatric Respirologist, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario), Marco Di Buono (Director of Research for Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario), Brian Stocks (Air Quality Manager for Ontario Lung Association), and Councillor Doucet.
RSVP: catherine.henry@ottawa.ca (limited seating)
More info: www.clivedoucet.com

SATURDAY SEPT 27:
10:00am
Cleanup: “Kettle Island Paddle and Cleanup�
Where: Meet at Ottawa New Edinburgh Club Boathouse, 501 Rockcliffe Drive
What: Join Ottawa Riverkeeper in cleaning up Kettle Island in the Ottawa River. Wear appropriate clothing, and be prepared to clean up garbage (and feel good about it).
RSVP: Laurel Rosene, tobeonwater@yahoo.com
More info: http://ottawariverkeeper.ca/events/fall_paddle_and_garbage_pick_up_2

OCTOBER 4-13:
9-4:00 daily
Exhibit: “Carleton’s annual butterfly show�
Where: Nesbitt Building, Carleton University
What: Enjoy viewing beautiful butterflies. Arrange a tour to learn information about butterflies from an expert.
More info: www.carleton.ca/biology/butterfly/

OCTOBER 18-27:
Festival: “Ottawa International Writers Festival�
Where: Library & Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street
What: Meet your favourite authors and open your world to new books.
More info: www.writersfestival.org

TUESDAY OCT 21:
7:00pm doors open (7:30 film starts)
Film: “The Fall of ‘55�
Where: Club SAW, 67 Nicholas Street
What: Documentary on the hysteria surrounding male prostitutes exposing their client list in Boise, Idaho in 1955.  Part of Divergence Movie Night series.
Cost: $5 suggested donation
More info: www.divergencemovienight.com/

OCTOBER 25-26:
Community event: “Hidden treasures give away weekend�
Where: Curbsides throughout Ottawa
What: Put your own unwanted items on the curb with a “free� sign, and see if other peoples’ trash could become your treasure.
More info: www.ottawa.ca/city_services/recycling_garbage/giveaway/index_en.html