Inspired

It's been a while since I wrote an actual blog that is less an essay and more a ... log. Well, I've seen and read lots of great stuff and lots of crap, so I figured it was time for a "what's been going on in the world of Mel" edition.

First off, Theatre. My baby, what keeps me going, what floats my boat. Holy crap it was a disappointing start to the season. The Tempest, need I say more? A very pretty show with very pretty music (including a mid-show operetta ...?). No risk, no message, no real point (isn't the play about forgiveness? Did that get lost between Miranda's-3rd-costume-change-into-a beautiful-gown even-though-they-were-marooned-on-an-island and the sailors who look like they were auditioning for the next role as "dark and dashing leading man" even though they were supposed to be kind of freaked out by all of the weird stuff going on in this strange place?) . The drunks saved the day, thank the gods. It just ticks me off when a theatre that has the ability to produce great theatre just doesn't because it's too risky. *shudder* The first few shin-digs at PTE and the Warehouse were better, but nothing to be crazy about. Wonderful performances in both Apple and Retreat, and Robb Patterson managed to find the funny in a play that could have been a long painful trudge through the trenches of divorce. Good, but ... meh.

Thankfully the smaller companies are around to keep me interested. Theatre Project's The Monster Trilogy and Hana's Suitcase at MTYP were great. I also just got home from Summer of My Amazing Luck at the Warehouse. For those unfamiliar with the Mariam Toews tale, teen mom Lucy lives in the Have a Life (or Half a Life) housing project with the other welfare moms and working poor. Then, her and crazy neighbour Lish decide to hit the road to find Lish's long lost street performer love one day, and Lucy discovers that this might be the summer of amazing luck.

It was a great show to see with the MTC crowd - you could sense when people were a little uncomfortable when being confronted with "the system" and how it's pretty crappy for those stuck with it. The whole "they're just happy living off of my tax dollars" is a little harder to swollow. Chris Craddock is brilliant. The show was hilarious, simple, full of life and ... it just had a point. It's so great to see a show that has a point.

Mel's latest must-read: The Time In Between by David Bergen.

Finally, film. I can't believe how few movies I've seen in the past year. Seriously, I've been to the theatre maybe 4 times in 12 months. However, with an unexpected cancellation from work, I got the chance to see Babel. Awesome, well done, bravo all around. Also, incredibly scary - how we're so globalized and yet have no ability to communicate to one another. Frightening.

I think I'm just bursting with opinion because I'm so excited about season 2 of Theatre by the River. We took care of all the messy crap from last year, trimmed the fat, reformed and are now starting off into an exciting season. Plus I'm getting the chance to write more, I've found an awesome audition piece. Ah, life is good.

Well, I'm still working too many jobs for not nearly enough money so that's kind of crappy. You win some, you lose some. C'est la vie. As I learned from Lucy tonight, you can find happiness and luck in the most unlikely of places. Eternal optimism it is.

Think Global / EAT LOCAL

If you've been following the Sunday Free Press, you'll notice that Lindsay Wiebe has been writing a series of articles on her decision to eat only Manitoba grown food for a month ... in November (and she's a vegetarian). Quite a challenge! You can read her article on page A15 today.

I decided to spread the word and post the stores in Winnipeg that stock locally produced food so that we all can Think Global and BUY LOCAL! Caulfield’s Organic Market: 885 Westminster Ave.

EatIt: www.eatit.ca, 603 Wall St.

Fresh Option: www.freshoption.ca, 1338 Clifton St.

Harry’s Foods: 905 Portage Ave.

Organic Planet: 877 Westminster Ave.

Organza Market: www.organzamarket.com, Confusion Corner

Big-box grocery stores: Of course the big guys carry local food — just be sure to check the label.

Any produce marked Peak of the Market is definitely OK.

The Bay Food Market: basement of The Bay downtown.

Community Organics: www.saveyourfork.ca.

Foodfare Stores: 247 Lilac St., 115 Maryland St., 1840 Arlington St.

The Market 520: 520 Academy Rd.

Stephen & Andrews Food and Wine Shoppe: 384 Academy Rd, http://stephenandandrews.mywinnipeg.com.

Vic’s Fruit Market: 1038 Pembina Hwy.

Vita Health Natural Food Stores: 102 Osborne St., 845 Dakota St., Cityplace Shopping Centre, 4611 Reenders Drive, 16-845 Dakota St., J-2211 McPhillips St., 156-2025 Corydon Avenue,Kenaston and McGillivray, www.vitahealthstores.ca.

De Luca’s Specialty Foods: 950 Portage Ave.

Dutch Meat Market: 245 Marion St.

Foodland: in St. Norbert

The Forks Market: wide array of local-friendly stores

Frig’s Natural Meats and More: 3515 Main St.

Gimli Fish Market: 625 Pembina Hwy.

House of Nutrition: 770 Notre Dame Ave.

Manitoba Beef: www.manitobabeef.com

Naleway Caterers: 1411 Main St.

Natural Raised Pork: www.naturalpork.ca

Neechi Foods: 325 Dufferin St.

Portage Meat and Sausage Deli: 1032 Portage Ave.

Scoop & Save Bulk Foods: 3133 Portage Ave.

Scoop N’ Weigh Fine Ingredients: 1885 Grant Ave.

Spenst Brothers Premium Meats: 235 Perry St., Winkler

Wenkai Garden Fresh: 2247 Pembina Hwy.

Here's a summary of Wiebe's Why Bother Buying Local? : 1) Discover new foods! 2) Go Fresh or go home

"It's commonly reported that in North America, food travels an average of 2,400 kilometers before it reaches your plate - closer to 3, 200 kms in Manitoba"

3) It Tastes Better 4) Support the Local Economy

"A study in Maine found that every $100 spent at a sample of local businesses generated an average of $45 in local spending, compared to $14 in big box retailers."

5) Reduce Food Kilometers 6) Cut Fructose

"...and xanthan gum, whatever that is. For me, buying local has meant very little in teh way of pre-packaged food, and more cooking and meal planning than I'd like. On the upside, buying unprocesssed foods has helped limit the number of additives, preservatives and artificial sweeteners in the foods I eat."

7) Save the Farm

"Between 1981 and 2001, the number of Manitoba farms plummeted nearly 30% according to the Manitoba Food Charter. That means of approximately 29, 000 active farms a few decades ago, more than 8, 000 have vanished."

8) Knowledge is Power

"the ability to speak with farmers and producers directly to ask how their crops are grown, and where their ingredients are sourced."

9) Eat Safe

"How can an E. Coli outbreak in California leave manitobans without spinach for months? ... Regional buying is, by its nature, typically smaller in scale ... a smaller supply chain means the outbreak will generally be easier to track, and contained to a smaller number of people."

10) Would you like a Story with that?

"Finding out the stories behind your meals is as rewarding as locating the food itself. You'll swear it makes dinner taste that much better."

Now after all this talk about food, I'm going to eat some lunch. I'm thinking toast with honey - I've been buying this local honey at The Bay Market for years. It tastes great! You can follow Lindsay's blog to keep up on her shopping and cooking adventures yourself and get lots of helpful hints on how to add more local food to your diet. Enjoy!

Vancouver to Vancouver and a Green MP!

Congratulations to Tim Harvey, who completed his trip around the world on his own steam! He's spent 2 years sailing, cycling, walking and rowing himself across the globe, all to show that if he can get himself around the world without using fossil fuels, can't we all get ourselves to work and school using less?

Exciting news is brewing! Will the Greens finally have an MP in the house? You can help make it happen!

Elizabeth May, the new leader of the Green Party of Canada, is running in the by-election in London North Centre. The need for a Green Party voice in the House of Commons is more urgent than ever before. Developments in the last two weeks highlight this urgent need:

1. The Stern Report, released in the UK, predicts that climate change will cost up to $7 trillion and will be more catastrophic than two world wars and a depression combined. Melting glaciers and rising sea levels could displace 200 million people; and up to 40% of species face extinction. This report was not from an environmentalist but a former Chief Economist for the World Bank. Electing Elizabeth May in the London North Centre by-election will put a Green Party voice in Parliament that cannot be ignored. We need to have a fully funded campaign in this by-election. Go to www.elizabethmay.ca to support the campaign.

2. Marine scientists say that almost a third of the marine species now being caught have collapsed by more than 90% from their historical maximum catch. They warn that if we don't change the way we manage ocean species, then this is going to be the last century for any semblance of a healthy marine eco-system. Helping Elizabeth to win this by-election is the best way to ensure the magnificence of a diverse marine life on earth. 3. For the first time since 1990, Canadians are saying that the environment is their #1 concern. Canadians realize that we are on the brink of irreversible climate crisis. Stephen Harper's minority government is in clear violation of international law and the Kyoto protocol. The NDP have sacrificed Kyoto for their own short-term electoral advantage, and the Liberals talked a good line but did nothing.

Canadians are waking up to the peril in which our Liberal and Conservative governments are putting the future of our children and grandchildren and all life on earth. Mr. Harper wants to rip up the Kyoto Protocol while under 12 years of Liberal rule, emissions rose by 25%. Electing Elizabeth will finally force the old-line political parties to act! Donate to Elizabeth's campaign at www.elizabethmay.ca to help make history! We need to elect Elizabeth May. We need a Green Party voice in the House of Commons.

This will be the largest campaign in Green Party history. We are budgeting to raise the maximum allowable $88,119.87 and the campaign will involve more than 10,000 hours of volunteer time as we work to canvass and phone every elector up to three times.

Elizabeth needs your help. The campaign has raised $40,000 but we are still $48,000 short of our goal. Make History: Elect Elizabeth

* Elizabeth is the only national leader running in London North Centre

* Elizabeth is the only female leader of a national political party

* Electing Elizabeth will profoundly change this Parliament. Electing any of the candidates from the three old-line traditional parties will change nothing.

* Only electing Elizabeth will ensure that the issues of climate change, marine life depletion in our oceans, smog, Afghanistan and poverty will even be discussed in the next election and televised leaders' debates.

* By supporting Elizabeth's campaign you will be helping to make history.

The by-election campaign in London North Centre is historic - for these critical reasons:

* The one million Canadians who say they have decided to vote Green in the next federal election deserve a voice in Parliament;

* Out of the four major party candidates running, only Elizabeth will profoundly change this Parliament;

* Electing the first Green to a Canadian parliament: will be news that is heard around the world;

* Elizabeth May is committed to raising the bar for political discourse through the rejection of the politics of the personal and the elevation of the trivial. She will act to restore dignity and non-partisan cooperation to advance solutions in the House of Commons.

* We can avert the $7 trillion economic cost of climate change and avoid tripping the "tipping points" in atmospheric chemistry that could flood every coastal city, melt the ice caps and create permanent drought over much of the planet, by forcing action soon. By electing Green Party leader Elizabeth May, voters in London North Centre will be sending a clear message to all the old line parties that we will no longer accept the disintegration of our life support system under the weight of our careless exploitation of the planet.

How You Can Help:

1. Make a donation to Elizabeth's campaign today by going to www.elizabethmay.ca or www.greenparty.ca and click on the red button on the right side of the page. Or you can mail a cheque made out to: "L. Loretta Pellizzari, Official Agent, Elizabeth May Campaign" to:

The Elizabeth May Campaign Office 211 Dundas St London, Ontario N6A 1G4 Tel: (519) 850 4MAY (4629); or (519) 913-2474

Corporations and trade unions can also make political donations of up to a total of $1,000 per calendar year - "L. Loretta Pellizzari, Official Agent, Elizabeth May Campaign" and mail it to the campaign office above.

On donations of up to $1,275 you get the majority of you donation back as a deduction on your federal tax payable. See the table below.

2. Forward this email to your friends, family and contacts. We can all make a profound difference by campaigning in this by-election!

3. Go to www.elizabethmay.ca and find how you can get involved! For instance, more than 120 Green Party members throughout Canada have volunteered to be part of the "virtual phone bank" organized by Phil Spidle (pspidle@greenparty.ca)

Take action! Get involved. Volunteer. Canvass. Phone. Join. Blog. Email friends. Come to London! Rebecca Bromwich Rebecca Bromwich Chair Campaign to Elect Elizabeth May Sharon Labchuk Sharon Labchuk Campaign Manager Campaign to Elect Elizabeth May Disponible en français Authorized by the Official Agent for the Elizabeth May Campaign Information: slabchuk@greenparty.ca Subscribe | Unsubscribe

Reading list

Quick thingy:

I've been wanting to update my reading list, as I've had a bunch of books on the go for a while now, but nothing that I could really sink my teeth into. I'd love to get some "must reads", so let me know!

Books that I've read recently that have been great are The Kite Runner, Home from the Vinyle Cafe, The Way the Crow Flies, A Complicated Kindness ... just to give you an idea of my "genre".

Toodles friends and fellow Greenies!

Researchers Project Collapse of Seafood Species.

That's right. If the downward trend continues, by 2050 there could be no seafood harvest from the ocean.

"The loss of biodiversity is reducing the ocean's ability to produce seafood, resist diseases, filter pollutants, and rebound from stresses such as over fishing and climate change"

"but [researchers] say it's not too late to change"

Tick tock goes the clock, and time is running out for us to save ourselves. Perhaps this new evidence will stress why the "Clean Air Act" - which essentially lays out a bunch of rules that the government might put in place maybe by 2010 is simply not good enough. We need to get our shit together NOW!

I finished reading Elizabeth May's How to Save the World in Your Spare Time the other day, and I recommend it to all. She has some brilliant advice on how to get yourself out there - I even used some of the tips on media and promotion with Theatre by the River this summer! But it is meant for the everyday environmentalist who wants to get active. It is brilliant! Here are some great quotes:

"If we don't change our course, we'll wind up where we are headed." - Chinese Proverb

"Why is it whenever we destroy something man made, it's called vandalism? And whenever we destroy something God made, it's called progress?" - former Democratic senator of Arkansas, Dale Bumpers.

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Truth is stranger than fiction, because fiction is obliged to stick to the possibilities." - Mark Twain

"Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed." - Ghandi

"Sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the present generation without sacrificing the ability of future generations to meet their needs." - World Commission on Environment and Development

"Humanity is conducting an unintended, uncontrolled, globally pervasive experiment whose ultimate consequences are second only to global nuclear war." - Consensus Statement, "our changing atmosphere: implications for global security", June 1988.

"No more TV until you clean up your planet!" Sierra Club of Canada T-Shirt, 1990's