Crave: What do you mean there’s nothing to do???

I'm just loving these winter sunrises.

Enough hibernating, it's time to get back out there and do stuff!

Here’s some cool local shindigs to go to.

-On January 23^rd, Jean Crowder, MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan, will speak on the issues surrounding our Canadian food supply system. This event begins at 7:30pm and is being held at the St. Philips-Cedar Anglican Church Hall on 1797 Cedar Road.

-Qualicum Bay/Parksville’s Seedy Saturday is being help on the first Saturday of February at the Convention Centre in QB.

-Knox United Church in Parksville is hosting an all-day event featuring Kate Green from USC Canada to talk about the Terminator Seed. There will also be events around local food sustainability and environmental issues. This will be an all-day event planned for February 14^th.

-For those looking to lounge and chill, there’s 'Green Drinks Nanaimo', a non-partisan gathering with no set agenda or formality other than mutual respect and common courtesy.

Simply… it's a chance to meet regularly to informally chat, debate, socialize & connect with others passionate about our environment and sustainability.

They meet at Lighthouse Bistro Pub on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 5-7 p.m.

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I just got emailed a note from Lynn Wytenbroek, Chair of the Malaspina Faculty Association Human Rights Committee:

Below is a notice about an up-coming panel of politicians discussing solutions to global warming, from the international to municipal levels. It would be good to get as many people out as possible so that there can be a really productive discussion at the end and so that we can see how engaged our politicians really are with this issue. Groups that wish to set up an information table about what they are doing on environmental issues should contact me. We want to include ANYONE doing anything for the environment in the mid-Island region--from organic farmers to green builders to alternative energy to bio-diesel to conservationists to groups working to educate about environmental issues. So please spread the word and let me know if you or others want a table for information (or even half a table).

Thanks,

Lynn Wytenbroek

Chair, Malaspina Faculty Association Human Rights Committee

PANEL ON ENVIRONMENT FOCUSSES ON SOLUTIONS

Solutions to global warming that are being or could be implemented from the

international to the municipal sphere will be the topic of a panel discussion at 7pm on

Thursday, 25 January, at the Silver Bridge Inn in Duncan. The Honourable David Anderson,

ex-Federal Minister for the Environment, will address the international response to global

warming while Jean Crowder, MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan, will discuss the Federal response.

Matt Price, Chair of the provincial group Conservation Voters, will look at the provincial

response while Jon LeFebure, Mayor of North Cowichan, will talk about what is happening

municipally. Bring your questions, ideas and friends to this energetic and stimulating dialogue on

how we all can help protect ourselves, our planet and our future. Entry is by donation.

For more information contact Lynn Wytenbroek, 753 3245 loc 2111 (Nanaimo) or 743 1847 (Cowichan)

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Finally, the Harvest Bounty Festival is looking for volunteers:

HARVEST BOUNTY FESTIVAL SOCIETY SUPPORTS LOCAL FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY

The Harvest Bounty Festival Society for the past six years has produced a festival of food and the arts for food lovers of this area. These events which have been greatly enjoyed by the community have featured wonderful food from the producers of the region creatively prepared by our best chefs. All produce, food preparation and staffing is provided free of charge. The event is intended to showcase local producers and restaurants that are committed to growing and serving local food.

The Harvest Bounty Festival Society also has a mandate to promote local agricultural and food endeavours by printing a bookmark early in the produce year listing dates and locations of food related events; publishing the Oceanside Produce Guide viewable on our website; organizing
agricultural tours in the region and supporting the great work being done by the Societies of the
Foodshare Centre, Nanaimo.

However times are changing and there is definitely a feeling in the air that as a society we all ought to be doing more. The Harvest Bounty Festival Society wishes to work together with all the other food-related organizations to lead the way to food self-sufficiency for the region.

In order to do this, we are seeking volunteers who have a strong interest in food self-sufficiency, to join our board and working committees. We also wish to include individuals with experience in websites, events promotion and photography.

Because of the importance of this initiative, we are proposing a two
possible dates for a meeting. They are: Monday, January 22nd at 6:00 pm and
Monday, February 5th at 6:00 pm. There is a possibility of a morning meeting on a weekday. Please let us know when best would suit you to attend.
Location and agenda will be set when we have heard from respondents.

If you are interested in becoming involved we want to hear from you! Please
pass this invitation along to others who may be interested.

Sincerely,