Yisa Akinbolaji donates $25,000 art work titled Peace and Purpose to CNIB

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

October 11, 2011

Winnipeg, MB – CNIB is pleased to announce a very special gift of mosaic

artwork from world-renowned local artist, Yisa Akinbolaji. The Nigerian-born

visual artist donated his unique work of art,

mosaic is valued at $25,000 and is made of 10,080 glass tiles using 42 brilliant

colours.

Describing why this particular masterpiece was chosen for the CNIB, Yisa

states, “The colours evoke celebration and inclusion.” The entire project took

more than 5 months to complete. Termed a study in patterned elegance with its

stylized peace dove, the Chinese character for prosperity and a star among

other elements, the colours unleash the mystery of hope, peace and joy. It will

be officially unveiled to CNIB at a private reception Monday, October 17.

CNIB Manitoba-Saskatchewan Division Executive Director, Delcy-Ann Selymes

praises, “This is a wonderful example of local community artists giving back to

their community. This large tactile mosaic artwork will allow blind or partially

sighted individuals to conceptualize the message Yisa evokes in

Purpose

Along with unveiling this wonderful gift, CNIB will be showcasing Yisa’s brand

new collection

displayed for all citizens to enjoy at the Gupta Centre (1080 Portage Avenue) in

Winnipeg from Tuesday, October 18 to Friday, October 21.

Yisa Akinbolaji, M.F.A, is a full-time visual artist based in Winnipeg and currently

a member of the Manitoba Arts Council. Since his first art exhibition at the

National Museum in Lagos, Nigeria in 1985, Yisa’s work has gone on to be

exhibited internationally. In 1993, while still in Nigeria, Yisa developed his

innovative “layering and revealing” technique of painting. Before coming to

Canada in 1997, Yisa was valued for his public installation and mosaic works.

He was recognized as a leading Nigerian artist with is work and biography

included in

Bernice Kelly and Janet L. Stanley of the Smithsonian Institution Libraries. Most

recently, Yisa’s work has been published in the

and Still Life Artists, Vol.1

CNIB is a registered charity, passionately providing community-based support,

knowledge and a national voice to ensure Canadians who are blind or partially

sighted have the confidence, skills and opportunities to fully participate in life.

CNIB also work hand-in-hand with Canadians who are blind or partially sighted

to advocate for a barrier-free society and strive to eliminate avoidable sight loss

with world-class research and by promoting the importance of vision health

through public education.

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For more information, please contact:

Wanda Mills

Associate Director, Corporate & Community Development

Peace and Purpose to CNIB. ThePeace andto provide a challenge for all to see beauty.”Unconventional. The free exhibition of the textural art will beNigerian Artists: A Who’s Who and Bibliography (1993) byBest of Worldwide Abstract.

wanda.mills@cnib.ca

204-789-0950

Malinda Lee

Communications Consultant

malinda@mts.net

204-228-7892

Proud to be Winnipeg

Winnipeggers have shown themselves to be great sports fans. It was a weekend in Jets heaven, when it seems like all of Winnipeg was out in full support of the return of their beloved Jets. According to the police, there have not been one arrest. This is fantastic even though the Jets lost their first game rather badly.
    I was also encouraged by the economic activity and everyone cashing in on the Jetsasia (my word). The Premier and the Mayor both agreed that the Jets have brought back some real life to the downtown and they are predicting this trend will increase as more and more  young people choose downtown locations to live.

Please we need more cozy coffee shops and late night eateries in the down town for some of us night owls. It is what is missing. How about if the City waive a year's tax for some new businesses  to give them an edge. We need diversity in the downtown business community  - more than just Chinese restaurants and Japanese sushi, we need to see coffee shops or snack bars from the African, Latinamerican, Indian, Mexican, Portuguese and all the rest. There is so much potential so let's cash in on it for our City. Let us make Winnipeg a destination city for rural people, from Ontarians and other.
Go Winnipeg, go Jets and let's work together to make our city stronger, safer and a place to come home to.

LEAF intervening at SCC in Whatcott v. Saskatchewan (Support LEAF Fundraising Person's Day Breakfast so it can help women)

Prohibiting Religious Hate Speech is Constitutional.
Hate speech is more than mere expression. It is a form of discrimination.
October 11, 2011, Toronto - On Wednesday October 12, 2011, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear Whatcott v. Saskatchewan. LEAF is intervening in the appeal. The case involves a constitutional challenge to s.14(1)(b) of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Code, which prohibits the promotion of hatred against protected and vulnerable groups.
 
"Hate speech is a deeply harmful form of discrimination which not only harms the targeted group, it harms all of society" explains LEAF co-counsel Jo-Ann Kolmes. "Limits on hate speech against targeted groups, like gays and lesbians in this case, play a critical role in promoting an inclusive and tolerant Canadian society that respects equality of all our citizens."

Whatcott distributed homophobic leaflets to homes in Regina and Saskatoon. The Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal and the Saskatchewan Court of Queen's Bench held that these flyers constituted hate speech. The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal held that although the flyers may be "demeaning," "crude" and "harsh," they did not cross the line into expression which vilifies and degrades gays and lesbians and exposes them to hatred. The Supreme Court of Canada will consider whether the flyers constitute hate expression and whether the provision of the Code is constitutional.

"Twenty years ago, LEAF participated in the important and successful effort to establish that limitations to hate speech are constitutionally justified, culminating in the Supreme Court's decisions in the Keegstra and Taylor cases", says LEAF co-counsel and professor of law Kathleen Mahoney. "These limitations are now under attack, only this time, instead of Jews, the target of the hatred is gays and lesbians. LEAF argues that speech rights raised by Whatcott must be subject to the same equality principles Courts have applied to racial hatred. The Court cannot ignore the grievous injuries homophobic hate speech inflicts on sexual minorities."

Mahoney points out that society has long recognized that expression must be regulated in many ways, most of them invisible and now taken for granted.
 
"Journalists are prevented on a daily basis from reporting what could be relevant information by libel and contempt of court laws. Government servants are bound by oaths of lifelong secrecy. The Broadcasting Act sets limits on the content of programming on television and radio. The centuries-old law of defamation clearly limits harmful speech. Human rights statutes prohibit sexual and racial harassment, which often take the form of speech." Mahoney says the regulation of hate speech must be understood in this context, "Hate speech is much more than mere expression. In and of itself it is a form of discrimination. Sometimes it goes beyond discrimination to result in violence. The continuum between expression, discrimination and violence is undeniable."
 
LEAF's factum documents the unique ways in which women are harmed by hate speech.
 
"The portrayal of Aboriginal women as dispensable, run-away prostitutes or 'squaws' has been connected to violence against Aboriginal women, including disappearances and murders," says LEAF Legal Director Joanna Birenbaum. "Hate expression targeted at lesbians, women with disabilities, Muslim and racialized women, depicts and degrades them in specifically gendered, often-sexualized ways. Expressions of hate directed at women must be treated extremely seriously under human rights legislation such as the Saskatchewan statute, especially since women are excluded from the Criminal Code protections."

LEAF has a long history of equality analysis and advocacy with respect to the importance of statutory limitations on freedom of expression. LEAF intervened in the Supreme Court of Canada cases of R. v. Keegstra and Taylor v. The Canadian Human Rights Commission in 1990. In December 2009, LEAF made submissions to government on the importance of s.13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act that also prohibits hate speech (which can be found on our website at
http://leaf.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Submission_to_JUST_Committee2009.pdf)
 
LEAF's factum in Whatcott v. Saskatchewan is available at http://leaf.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Factum_LEAF_Whatcott_Finale_Signed-copy.pdf


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For more information, please contact:

Joanna Birenbaum
 (LEAF Legal Director)
 (Cell) 647-500-3005 - (Office) 416-595-7170 ext. 223 - (E-mail) j.birenbaum@leaf.ca
 
Kathleen Mahoney
 (Counsel)
(Cell) 403-837-1141
 
Jo-Ann Kolmes
(Counsel)
(Cell) 780-993-0839


LEAF is a national, non profit organization committed to confront all forms of discrimination through legal action, public education, and law reform to achieve equality for women and girls under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. For more information, please visit us at http://www.leaf.ca/

 

Happy thanksgiving friends

I came across this comment by someone in Huffington Post a few years ago and I think it is really nice, it spoke to me  so I am going to share it with you

I'm thankful that I live in Canada, a country where, if I get sick, I don't have to worry how much is in my bank account...­..where rates of violent crime are so damn low, they're WIMPY! Where strong government­al (sorry, righties, GOVERNMENT­AL) regulation of the financial industry allowed us to avoid the worst of the meltdown and emerge with the least-dama­ged economy of any G-8 country.

I hope that, someday, the haters and obstructio­nists who are thwarting the will of the American majority will come to their senses, so that your great country, which led the world in progress for so long, can once again do so.

Canada's Thanksgiving is in October, but, on this day dedicated to unity and togetherne­ss in the U.S., I wish all Americans peace, both foreign and domestic.

Now enjoy your turkey, eh?

;-)

Adam616: I'm thankful that I live in Canada, a country where,

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Adam616/thanksgiving-quotes_n_788290_68700985.html

Upcoming Event - Un Women of Winnipeg - October 25th, 2011

UN Women Winnipeg
Chapter Meeting
• University Women’s Club – 54 West Gate
• 7:00 p.m. (business meeting first) October 25th
• Features a speaker from DAWN (DisAbled Women’s Network) who will speak about their work and activism on behalf of women with disabilities and a speaker who will speak about gender and climate change; ecofeminism, and women and sustainable development.
• All are welcome.
• Info: winnipeg@unwomencanada.org; website: http://winnipegchapter.unwomencanada.org/

Upcoming-Event - Lunch and Learn MWAC

Manitoba Women’s Advisory Council
  (Status of Women)

   invites you to attend a

  Lunch & Learn

on

The Healing Powers of Art, Music and Humour

presented by

Bernice Kwasnicki, Author and Cancer Survivor

Thursday, October 27, 2011

 Doors open: 11:45 a.m.
    Formal presentation:  12:05 – 1:00 p.m.

Basement Level
401 York Avenue, Norquay Building

Bring a brown bag lunch
Coffee and a healthy snack provided

RSVP to 945-6281
Please cancel if you cannot attend

Upcoming Event - Maiko Watson in Concert

December 2nd
Westend Cultural Centre
8:00 p.m.
Featuring guest artist - Renee Batson
Advance $20.00 Door $25.00
Tickets: West end Cultural Centre

Upcoming Events - Research Day - Resolve

RESEARCH DAY
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2011
Second Floor, University Centre
UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
Morning
Time Event  Room
8:15 am  Registration
8:45 am Welcome and
Opening Remarks
 
9:15 am - 10:30 am Key Note  Address:
Tomson Highway “Tomson Highway ‘s Days at Native Residential School”
 
10:30am - 10:45 am Coffee Break
 
Time Event Room
10:45 am - 12:00 pm Morning Concurrent Sessions

Session 1 Abused Women’s Encounters with Child Welfare
Kendra Nixon, PH.D. The Experiences of Loss for Abused Mothers Involved in the Child Welfare System
Judy Hughes, PH.D. What Can be Learned From Mother’s Stories About Their Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence and Their Involvement with Child Protection Services.

Session 2 Residential Schools:  The Trauma and The Stories
Marlene R. Atleo, Ph.D. Repositories of Trauma:  Indigenous Peoples in Settler Societies
Marie Lands The Intergenerational Effect
Ken Letander Bearing Witness to Sacred Stories:  The Experience of a Statement Gatherer

Session 3 Healing Journey Stories:  The Impact of Abuse
Meghan Woods, M.A. A Discussion on Sleep Problems in Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence:  Types of Problems Reported and Relationship to Sleep Deprivation and Injury
Jane Ursel, Ph.D. Womens’ Experiences of Abuse and Intervention – Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal perspectives

Session 4 Safety, Respect, and Research in Vulnerable Communities
D. Gaye Warthe, Ph.D. The Development of the Dating Relationship Scales:  Early Findings
Lucia Madariaga - Vignudo The Women Participants and the Researchers Come First:  Safety, Confidentiality and Recruitment Procedures in Research with Young Newcomer Women Experiencing Family Aggression and Violence
           PRELIMINARY PROGRAM
 
    RESEARCH DAY
     MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2011
    Second Floor, University Centre
     UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA
Afternoon
Time Event Room
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Lunch
 
1:15 pm - 2:15 pm Kevin Klein Impact of Domestic Homicide on Surviving Family Members
 
2:15pm - 2:30pm Coffee Break
 
Time Event Room
2:30 pm - 4:15 pm Afternoon Concurrent Sessions

Session 1 Justice Strategies for Domestic Violence
Amanda Nelund M.A. Restorative Justice in Nova Scotia:  A Case Study
Cheryl Fraehlich, Ph.D. Arresting Women for Intimate Partner Violence:  The Impact of Pro-arrest Policies
Leslie Tutty, Ph.D. An Evaluation of the Calgary Partner Check Process for Domestic Violence

Session 2 Children, Parenting, and the Issue of Abuse
Christine Atea, Ph.D. An Examination of the Effects of Intimate Partner Violence on Mothering, Guiding and Responding to Children
Tamara Taillieu, M.A. Childhood on Externalizing and Internalizing Problem Behaviour in Early Adulthood

Session 3 Healing Journey Stories:  Costs and Consequences
Meghan Woods, M.A. Health Service Use in Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and Their Experiences of Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Linda DeRiviere, Ph.D. The Healing Journey Study:  Empirical Findings of the Labour Market Outcomes of Women Who Experienced Intimate Partner Abuse

Session 4 Community Initiatives for Change
D. Gaye Warthe, Ph.D. Stepping Up:  Reducing Dating Violence and Its Impact on Post-Secondary Students
Kim Fellner and Crystal Giesbrecht Modelling and Mentoring:  Creating the Supportive Relationships that Lead to Non-Violent Communities
Lana Wells Shift:  The Project to End Domestic Violence

Fee Registration:   $25.00 for the conference – October 17, 2011. 

Please register via PayPal or send cheque payable to RESOLVE University of

Manitoba.  Please send payment by Monday, October 10, 2011 (make cheques payable to RESOLVE-University of Manitoba) and mail to:

                                                RESOLVE Manitoba

                                                Room 108 Isbister Building

                                                University of Manitoba

                                                Winnipeg, MB  R3T 2N2

                                    Register in person from 8:15am – 8:45am at the conference

Courtesy Registration – Fee waived for students and special guests.

                                   Please e-mail resolve@umanitoba.ca and indicate your name by October 10, 2011.

If you require further information, please contact RESOLVE Manitoba at (204) 474-8965 or email: resolve@umanitoba.ca or check the website: www.umanitoba.ca/resolve.

September 30, 2011

EMPLOYERS ADVISED MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES OCT. 1

Manitoba Labour and Immigration is advising employers the province’s minimum wage will increase tomorrow by 50 cents, to $10 per hour from $9.50.
Employers and employees can find out further information by calling 945-3352 or 1-800-821-4307 (toll-free) or by visiting the Internet site at www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards. 

Mayor of Winnipeg Fumes over Air Canada Allegations

Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz vows to get to the bottom of Air Canada's allegations of  Winnipeg being too much of a violent city for their overnight staff.

Air Canada announced that its staff will no longer be staying in the Winnipeg downtown hotels.  There is claim that the violence has increased since the flood caused many rural evacuees to stay in the down town hotels.

This sounds a bit like racism since most of the people staying in these hotels might be Aboriginals. Is Air Canada practising racism? Jumping to conclusion that Winnipeg is more violent because of the presence of more Aboriginal people in the city? If that is the case then Air Canada needs some diversity training big time. Racism must go.

Canada Elects its first female Premier - Alison Redford of Alberta

We need more female premiers in Canada. It is female time and it will be a better country with more female power.
It was a bitter sweet victory for  Alison Redford because she lost her mother the same day she had to give her acceptance speech.

Redford takes over as leader of the governing party and will become premier when she is sworn in. Premier Ed Stelmach remains in charge for now, but has already delivered his resignation letter.
Read this exciting story
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2011/10/02/alison-redford-alberta_n_990914.html

Air Canada moves to protect its staff from violence

Air Canada is not taking chances with the safety of its staff. According to reports by CBC Winnipeg, the airline will no longer place its overnight staff in the downtown hotelsbecause of the rash of criminal activities occurring in the downtown recently.  Will this keep the staff from hitting the road once they arrive in Winnipeg? How much fun is that being stuck in the airport area. Anyway, perhaps when businesses start to feel the pinch, something will be done to stop crime in the City.   The City needs to do more to attract a larger crowd down town. The more people are visible the less criminal activity there will be. This is a proven fact. Perhaps an incentive to move people in the down town area could be a lower tax base. Subsidized parking, more publicly sponsored events in the malls, the library and other public spaces.
   We have to start thinking outside the box. Putting criminals in jail won't do the trick. For every ne we lock up there are 10 more to take their place. We  need a more proactive, creative approach.
    When there is a game in town the downtown is packed with people. This shows that people are not afraid of being in the downtown, there are just no incentive for them to leave the burbs to come down town just to drink coffee.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2011/10/01/air-canada-winnipeg-security.html

A new Chapter for Its's a new day

After 35 years of New Days, Willard and Betty Thiessen have decided it’s time for a new chapter.

The Winnipeg couple responsible for turning a modest, daily religious program into a small-scale broadcasting empire have announced they’re retiring, and have groomed their daughter and son-in-law, Bob and Audrey Meisner, to assume day-to-day hosting duties on their Christian daytime talk show, It’s a New Day.

This is a great show that I watch even though I am not a Christian but I like the approach of Bob and Audrey and the interesting guest they invite. I have learned a lot. I will miss Willard and Betty, two household names in the Winnipeg community but they have done their job in passing the mantle to an equally dynamic couple. Thank you for the years.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW) is an annual national public education campaign designed to help open the eyes of Canadians to the reality of mental illness. The week was established in 1992 by the Canadian Psychiatric Association, and is now coordinated by the Canadian Alliance on Mental Illness and Mental Health (CAMIMH) in cooperation with all its member organizations and many other supporters across Canada.

Campaign elements include: a grassroots public education initiative; a nationally-distributed poster and bookmark series; the Annual Champions of Mental Health Awards luncheon in Ottawa and an education initiative with federal Members of Parliament, both in their home ridings and on Parliament Hill.

Quick Facts on Mental Illness

Mental illness affects more than six million - or one in five - Canadians. Of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide, five are mental disorders. Close to 4,000 Canadians commit suicide each year and it is the most common cause of death for people aged 15 - 24. By 2020 it is estimated that depressive illnesses will become the leading cause of disease burden in developed countries like Canada. 

                             Nearly 6 million, or 1 in 5 Canadians (20% of the population) today are likely to experience a diagnosable mental illness; 3% of Canadians are likely to have to live with a serious mental illness.

                             About 4,000 Canadians commit suicide each year and it is the most common cause of death for people aged 15–24. Mental illness is a factor in most suicides.

                             Some communities in rural and remote areas of Canada have rates of suicide and addiction that are among the highest worldwide; many of these are Aboriginal and Inuit communities.

                             The downsizing of institutional care was not matched with a complementary upsizing of community-based services, resulting in significant gaps of service for those with severe illness and for people with moderate degrees of impairment.

                             A Canadian study found that two-thirds of homeless people using urban shelters suffered from some form of mental illness.

                             Of the 10 leading causes of disability worldwide, five are mental disorders: major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.

                             By 2020 it is estimated that depressive illnesses will become the second leading cause of disease burden worldwide and the leading cause in developed countries like Canada.

                             Less than 4% of medical research funding goes to mental illness research.

                             The Business and Economic Roundtable on Mental Health has evaluated the impact of depressive disorders on business productivity. It estimates that economic costs of mental illness are the equivalent of 14% of corporate Canada’s net operating profits.

                             A report published by Health Canada estimated that mental health problems cost of $14.4 billion in 1998.

Many Canadians do not recognize that they are ill while others don't seek help because of misconceptions about these diseases. Taking the time to learn about mental illness could make all the difference to you or to someone you care about. It's important to watch for warning signs of mental illness - and to seek medical advice as soon as possible if any become apparent. Symptoms include:

                             Marked personality change

                             Inability to cope with problems and daily activities

                             Strange ideas or delusions

                             Excessive anxiety

                             Prolonged feelings of sadness

                             Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns

                             Thinking or talking about suicide

                             Extreme highs and lows

                             Abuse of alcohol or drugs

                             Excessive anger, hostility

                             Violent behaviour

                             Irrational fears

                             Retrieved from Internet September 30, 2011:  http://www.miaw.ca/en/mental-illness/what-is-mental-illness.aspx

Living mentally well is not simply the absence of Mental Illness

A percentage of our population live mentally well

A percentage live with mental illness

But the majority live neither mentally well nor experience mental illness -

They live some where in the middle

Maintaining positive mental health means…….

Living a healthy life has often meant paying attention – only - to the many ingredients that make up positive physical health. However, we now know that health is composed of both physical and mental health and that the body and the mind interact, with one affecting the other – either positively or negatively.

In our culture, the emphasis on physical health means that most people can easily list what you need to do to stay healthy – eat sensibly, exercise regularly, visit your doctor yearly for check-ups and testing, drink alcohol in moderation, don’t smoke, and get a good night’s sleep.

Because mental health is less talked about, when we think about it, if we think about it at all, we may conclude that good mental health is something we have – or not – and there’s not much we can do about it.

Maintaining positive mental health means paying attention to your intellectual, emotional, and spiritual health – as well as your physical health. Some things to think about:

1. Do you have something intellectually stimulating to do every day? The brain enjoys a work-out, just like the body.
2. Are you able to recognize the ups and downs in your emotional life and take positive action to restore your balance? This can mean talking out angry feelings instead of exploding, or recognizing sadness and not feeling ashamed of your tears.
3. Are your relationships, mostly, positive? No one can insulate themselves completely from difficult relationships but are you able to recognize when you are being treated unfairly or unkindly and stand up for yourself?
4. Do you have loved ones around you who you support, and who support you? Do you have a friend – or several friends – who you can confide in?
5. Does your work (or volunteer activities) have meaning for you? Do you feel you are making a contribution? Nothing is ever perfect but are you able to take action in your workplace to address bad treatment or dynamics that are troublesome?
6. Do you have a role in your community? Do you feel a part of the neighbourhood you live in? Are you a part of other types of “communities” such as those based on interests, identity or spirituality?
7.  Do you know your history and culture? Are you proud of your roots? If, at any time, you have been made to feel ashamed of who you are, have you been able to recognize these feelings and take action to end the cruelty – which may mean speaking out against bigotry or simply reminding yourself that your people have a proud history and have nothing to be ashamed of.
8. Do you make time for fun and a good laugh? Do you recognize that playing can be as valuable as working? Can you describe times in your life that were joyous?
9. Do you have activities in your life that feed your soul. Spiritual fulfillment may come from belonging to an organized religion. Some people make other choices; time spent in nature, listening to music or enjoying the arts.
10. When things go wrong, as they do in anyone’s life, do you reach out for support. Do you know when an event or circumstance has become too heavy a burden for anyone to carry alone - and you need help? Can you ask for help when you need it?

If you’d like to learn more…

Taking care of your mind: This it the mentally fit section of the Canadian Mental Health Association website. It defines mental health, describes the benefits of staying mentally healthy and offers practical tips for mental fitness. Available at: http://www.cmha.ca/bins/content_page.asp?cid=2-267&lang=1

Veterans Affairs offers tips for good mental health. Available at: http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=health/depression/tips

Tips for Aboriginal youth on maintaining mental health and what to do when things go wrong: The Aboriginal Youth Network Health Centre, available at: http://www.ayn.ca/health/mentalhealth.aspx

For examples of community mental health promotion projects, see: http://www.cmha.ca/mh_toolkit/intro/intro_1.htm

Mental health literacy is defined as “knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention.” For research and writing on mental health literacy, see: http://www.camimh.ca/mental_health_literacy.html

For Healthy Living Modules on topics such as Sleep, Goal Setting, Physical Exercise, Healthy Eating and Metabolic Syndrome Assessment and Tracking Tools please visit: http://www.ironstone.ca/client/HealthyLiving.pdf

Beautiful day

What a beautiful fall day. Aren't we lucky? or is this part of the global warming trend. Whatever it is keep it coming.

Search Light in the area of Crazy Corner - around Osborne Bridge area

Last Saturday (24/09/11)  morning about 1:00 a.m. I got up to turn off my TV when I noticed a plane or something like a plane hovering fairly low over by the Crazy Corner area and circling from there to the old train station area near to the bridge. I got up and looked at its circular movement for about ten minutes or more;  this thing was circling and shining a directed light on the ground. The light blinded me temporarily a few times as it shone directly in my face. I watched it for a while wondering what they were doing. Who could it be? What could it be looking for?
This might sound funny but I thought it might be a UFO and the people were coming to get me (lol). I wanted to pick  up the phone and phone my friends telling them if I am not there in the morning I went for a trip with the aliens.
Seriously, has anyone else witnessed the light. I want to know what they were doing. The light was blinding bright and it was like people looking for something. Could this be an unidentified flying object?

Canada's New $100 Bill - Counterfeit Proof

Check out our new $100 bills . . .  Very cool !!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7chpllnU-To

Air Canada should up its customer service in the air

It's not the first time but I have heard it said many times, people have a better flying experience in West Jet than air Canada.  Air Canada flight attendants are apparently not as friendly and welcoming as others.
A friend of mine who flew from Vegas to Phoenix the other day could not speak more highly of the flight attendants on the American Airline she flew. She said they made her feel welcome and the trip more enjoyable. Unlike the attendants in air Canada who are always serious and grumpy. You have to smile more often people, you are serving the customer and it is your job. Is it any wonder no one cares when you go out on strike for more benefits.  You get what you give.
  This friend says that Air Canada ought to send its flight attendants for some lessons from American Airline staff but I say why go that far, take a leaf from the book of our West Jet staff who are always a delight to be around, makes one forget one is in  the air. Being friendly to people, having a smile on your faces helps to take the edge off our fear of flying. So now that you've heard it, I hope you will do better Air Canada.

Former Governor General Michaelle Jean defends big spending

Michaella Jean, former Governor General is accused of spending taxpayer's money for her personal trips which added up to a lot. Jean defended herself saying that her position required the expenses she incurred. It was all part of the job. Read the story here

http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2011/09/should-high-profile-officials-use-government-jets-for-personal-trips.html

The problem with cats

This morning on CBC there was a story about cruelty to cat in the Winnipeg area including Rathgar Avenue. Cats are turning up dead.  One in the Wolsley area was found hanging by a thread,  This is cruel and animals should not be punished for the negligence of their owners.
   Cruelty to animals is never right and as humans we should protect them because they have a right to the environment as we have.
   However, these animals are no ordinary animals but trained house pets and as such the responsibility lies with owners to take care of these animals. In the Rathgar area it is not uncommon to see cats roaming around the streets, sometimes they congregate in the back lane and  if you're driving you just spot these shining eyes.
    I know many people complain about cats wrecking up their gardens peeing and poop around their plants. That's not right. Just like you contain your dogs, you also should ensure that your pet does not become a nuisance to others.
   Perhaps the pet killer is insane and needs empathy and perhaps it's one of those angry property owner who are tired of the pet nuisance and went crazy on the pets.  Pet owners please be kind to your pets and take care of them, know where they are at all times please.  If you can;t do that give it away to a farmer who has more land space to accommodate pets.