Denman's Community Vegan Potluck Series

Solstice Potluck, Saturday, Dec. 17th, 2011

2011-12-12T17:08:00.000-08:00

Solstice Potluck Sat., Dec. 17th

Come celebrate Winter Solstice with your fellow islanders at this season's Community Vegan Potluck scheduled for this Saturday (NOT Sunday!), December 17^th at 6:30 pm in the Back Hall. As always, food lovers of every persuasion are invited to join in on our delicious, turkey-free holiday smorgasbord. After dinner we gather round the blazing Yule-fire to celebrate both the nurturing darkness of winter’s respite and the promise of returning light with carols appropriate to the solstice season!

Any 100% plant-based dinner entrée, salad, dessert, or single item dish that all may share (excluding dairy, eggs, honey and gelatin, please) is a suitable contribution to our feast. The now quarterly potluck series continues to welcome food lovers of every persuasion, and the delicious opportunity to pick up creative, and healthy new vegan recipe ideas. However, nothing fancy is required unless you are so inspired!

Please bring along your ingredient list, and thankyou in advance for also helping keep these inclusive community gatherings accessible for folks with chemical sensitivities by attending ‘scent-free’. Admission is by donation (suggested $3 towards expenses). Peace to one and all!

Going Cold Turkey

21/11/2011 02:22:00 Author: Fireweed
Posted by: NewsClipTV Reporter

It you’ve been thinking about it, you’re not alone. More and more folks are deciding they’re no longer comfortable including the sacrifice of a bird (or any other animal) in their holiday dinner plans. Fortunately, the discomfort of disapproval from some friends and family is a worthwhile trade-off for the peace of mind that comes from opting out of a ritual that more often than not supports the horrors of factory farming- not exactly peace on earth! Somewhere in the range of 1.9 million turkeys are raised in BC each year, with approximately half consumed during the Christmas season.

Turkeys are the only commonly farmed animal native to North America, and wild ones live in forested land where they can roost high in the trees at night, safe from predators. Unlike their domesticated counterparts they have excellent eyesight and can run up to 35 mph. Comparatively, the vast majority of turkeys raised for human consumption today can only manage a slow walk, as they have been bred to be twice the size of their wild relatives, mainly to increase breast volume for the marketplace. They can no longer fly, or even mate (they must be artificially inseminated). In nature these birds would spend up to five months- the age when most farmed turkeys are slaughtered- close to their mothers.

Supermarket turkeys labeled 'free-range' do not necessarily fare any better, as the vast majority are still raised in cramped grow-out quarters awash in ammonia. To prevent these so-caled ‘free-roaming’ birds from injuring each other, a portion of their beaks and toes are routinely severed. While it is standard practice not to use anesthesia, Ian J.H. Duncan, a professor of Poultry Ethology at the University of Guelph, says, “The idea of beak trimming being a short-lived discomfort for the bird may be far from accurate”. Changes in behavior, he explains, such as a substantial decrease in activity, particularly following the first week of the operation, “suggests that the birds are suffering severe pain”.

In the wild a turkey can live from 10-12 years, but domesticated free-range birds are routinely slaughtered between 14 and 25 weeks of age. BC turkey production is concentrated in the Fraser Valley and the live birds are transported via multi-tiered, flat-bed trucks in crowded, tight wire cages, through all kinds of weather conditions. At the slaughterhouse, they are hung upside down by their legs to have their throats cut- still fully conscious.

In BC it is only legal to kill an animal raised for food yourself- rather than make sure the act is carried out by the butcher in a government inspected abattoir- if the animal’s carcass is for ‘personal use’ only, and not going to be sold to someone else. In online forums that discuss backyard poultry slaughter, differences of opinion abound about the most so-called ‘humane’ way to extinguish a bird’s life. Not everyone is convinced that when a bird ceases to struggle it is actually calm. Some small-scale poultry handlers believe this is more akin to the kind of ‘playing dead’ response many animals resort to once escape seems unlikely. Many agree that avoiding exposing individual birds to the ‘kill process’ prior to their own turn, is integral to stress reduction- a modicum of consideration still admittedly difficult to provide in a backyard operation, and obviously impossible on a standard slaughterhouse assembly line.

I would like to stress that my comments here pertain to the industry at large, and not to any local production of turkeys I may or may not be familiar with here on Denman, or elsewhere in the Comox Valley. Whether or not one can afford to pay the high price for a certified organic turkey (the feed alone can cost the farmer three times as much, and the ‘finishing’ time is longer), it simply bears remembering that regardless of the 'label' attached, not all animals are necessarily raised, or slaughtered, under the kind of conditions we might imagine. Ultimately, of course, most will meet the same end in a fear-filled environment. Even those folks who take personal responsibility for the act of extinguishing the lives of the animals they choose to eat, cannot deny the fact that death does not always come easy for those who would prefer to live.

Whenever we allow ourselves to really 'connect' with an animal, it’s impossible to deny their individual will and unique personality. If you find yourself drawn to the idea of going ‘cold turkey’ this season, it’s easy to find inspiring stories on-line about ’companion’ turkeys- birds people have allowed themselves to bond with, and been moved by to include in their circle of compassion.

There are lots of wonderful resources on the internet to assist anyone interested in eating lower on the food chain, and you’ll find all sorts of great links on Denman’s Community Vegan Potluck Series website at www.denmanpotlucks.blogspot.com. If you could use some support in the new year, Denman is already home to a friendly community of happy herbivores who love to share great food and recipe ideas. Happy holidays, and bon appetit!

Forks Over Knives

2011-10-25T00:41:00.000-07:00

Thursday, Nov. 24

Thanks to everyone who supported our Horn of Plenty Dineout in September, the Community Vegan Potluck Series sponsored event raised $824 for Medicins Sans Frontiers and their relief work in the Horn of Africa.

Our next 'actual' potluck celebrates the Winter Solstice. With only four official dates a year on our plates these days, the Potluck Series has decided to squeeze a film nite into November- with no dinner attached!

On Thursday, November 24th, at 7:00 pm, come on out to the Community School library for a special viewing of, "Forks Over Knives". We've been promising to show this insightful documentary for some time, and don't want to wait till next year! We all have friends and/or family who have been touched by cancer, heart disease, and other devastating illnesses. Renowned physicians Dr. T. Colin Campbell (author of "The China Study"), and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn (author of "Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease") share the bold claim in "Forks Over Knives" that not only will increasing consumption of healthy fruits and vegetables lead to better health, but that removing animal products from the diet saves lives.

Both Esselstyn and Campbell grew up on family farms. "Forks Over Knives" is not an animal rights doc and the word 'vegan' isn't even used in the film. Inspired by remarkable discoveries early on in their careers, these men conducted several groundbreaking studies independently which led them both to the same startling conclusion about food, health and healing. The film traces the personal journeys of Campbell, a nutritional scientist from Cornell U, and Esselstyn, a former top surgeon at the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic. It also follows the progress of several "reality patients" taught by their doctors to adopt a whole foods plant-based diet as the primary approach to treating their ailments.

Denman Islander Bryanna Clark Grogan is a vegan chef, lecturer, columnist and internationally-acclaimed cookbook author with a passion for keeping up to date on peer-reviewed, science-based nutritional findings. In addition to being available after the showing of "Forks Over Knives" for questions about plant-based eating, Bryanna's latest (and ninth) cookbook, "World Vegan Feast" will be offered as a door prize to a lucky winner! Recently released to rave reviews, this culinary treasure contains over 200 stellar recipes inspired by cuisines from around the world.

Different ideas, traditions, and sometimes conflicting interests influence our dietary choices. As always, food lovers of every persuasion are welcome to attend this community event. We want everyone even remotely curious about eating lower on the food chain to have a chance to view "Forks Over Knives", so while there will be a donation jar on site, admission to the showing is FREE. For further information, please visit see the film trailer below, and/or call 335-1209. Visit Bryanna Clark Grogan's blog at http://veganfeastkitchen.blogspot.com/

SEPTEMBER 18th FALL FEAST FUNDRAISER

2011-08-19T03:13:00.000-07:00

-HORN OF PLENTY- (click on poster for enlargement)

It is a longstanding tradition of the Denman Island Community Vegan Potluck Series to mark the Fall Equinox with an abundant harvest supper, but this year will be a little different. Horn of Plenty, a special fall feast fundraiser for the drought stricken Horn of Africa- will take the place of our usual September potluck on Sunday, September 18^th at 6:00 pm.

Please come on out to celebrate the bounty so many of us are blessed to share, and together we'll make our caring count. All proceeds from Horn of Plenty will benefit the relief efforts of Medicins San Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) in Somalia and the surrounding refugee camps.

MSF is running nine medical-nutritional programs in south-central Somalia, and three large programs in camps in Kenya and Ethiopia. Across the Horn of Africa region, MSF nutrition programs are serving more than 260,000 children and pregnant or lactating women.

Between June 6^th and July 6^th, about 40,000 people arrived in Dadaab, Kenya in search of humanitarian assistance and safety. Dadaab, near the Somali border, is home to more than 380,000 people living in three massive camps: Dagahaley, Ifo and Hagadera.

In Dagahely camp, MSF is the sole provider of medical care for the 130,000 people and currently treating 6,400 childen for malnutrition. In Ifo, MSF provides medical care to the 25,000 refugees gathered on the outskirts.

In Liben, MSF is providing medical care in the six camps where 119,000 refugees are gathered. Here, more than 10,000 children are enrolled in nutritional programs.

Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999, MSF does not accept any government funding - all funding comes from private donors. For further information or to donate on line, please visit www.msf.ca.

Denman's dine-out , Horn of Plenty, takes place in the Back Hall at 6:00 pm on Sept. 18th, and seating will be limited. Our Mediterranean-style menu will include entree, dessert, tea or coffee (see details at top of the right hand column on this page). Donations of appropriate organic produce from local islanders welcome! Please call 1209 to make your reservation before September 14th, thankyou.

More research indicates the importance of eating lower on the food chain

2011-08-17T12:42:00.000-07:00

Local Food or Less Meat? Data Tells The Real Story -from the Harvard Business Review

8:25 AM Monday June 20, 2011

In recent years, one part of the food business has rivaled organics as the hot growth area: "local" food (defined vaguely as coming from the same state or from less than 100 miles away, for example). It's a market segment that has just about doubled in sales and number of outlets over the last decade. The world's biggest food buyer, Wal-Mart, jumped on the bandwagon last fall and announced that it would double the amount of local food it sells (to 9 percent of all its food sales).
The idea of buying locally is not new, and farmers' markets have been big for years. It's become almost gospel that the food on our plates hastraveled about 1500 miles to get to us.

So it would seem logical that the best way to shrink your food-related carbon footprint associated would be to buy from near by. But it turns out that this assumption is wrong.

Thankfully, a couple scientists took a harder look at the data and published an analysis in the Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. The abstract for this article is a prime example of clear writing and good lifecycle analysis — which don't usually go together — so check it out. But here's the essence:

Food is transported a long way, going about 1,000 miles in delivery and over 4,000 miles across the supply chain.
But 83% of the average U.S. household's carbon footprint for food comes from growing and producing it. Transportation is only 11%.
Different foods have vastly different greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity, with meat requiring far more energy to produce, and red meat being particularly egregious, requiring 150% more energy than even chicken.

So the journal article adds this up to an obvious conclusion: if you want to reduce your food's carbon footprint, eat less meat. In short, "Shifting less than one day per week's worth of calories from red meat and dairy products to chicken, fish, eggs, or a vegetable-based diet achieves more GHG reduction than buying all locally sourced food."

As a numbers geek, I love this kind of analysis. Now for the caveats: none of this data should dissuade anyone from eating locally also. The footprint benefits are real, even if dwarfed by food choice. And the benefits to local economies and smaller farms are very important.

But let me repeat: just moving away from meat for one day a week is more effective than buying everything you eat locally. This number will be surprising to most people, but it's partly why the global call for "Meatless Mondays" is gaining steam, with school systems and universities adopting the approach in cities around the world, from Baltimore to Tel Aviv.

As companies keep discovering, it really helps to run the numbers. As I've written about before, Pepsi discovered that the largest chunk of the footprint of its Tropicana orange juice was not in production (squeezing oranges) or in distribution (shipping heavy liquids is fuel-intensive), but in growing the oranges with natural-gas-based fertilizer.

Smart, knowledgeable execs are consistently surprised when good lifecycle data trumps seemingly solid assumptions. So we shouldn't expect consumers to figure out the right choices themselves. Buying local food seems like the obvious choice — until you run the numbers.

We have a lot of work to do, both in companies and in our homes, to tackle climate change. Good data and analysis will let us focus on the quickest paybacks and get the most out of our efforts.

FALL EQUINOX POTLUCK- September

2011-08-12T23:04:00.000-07:00

UN urges vegan diet

2011-08-12T23:02:00.000-07:00

Summer Solstice Potluck, June 19th

2011-06-12T00:31:00.000-07:00

Solstice Potluck for the Birds, June 19th

Denman's Community Vegan Potluck Series is pleased to welcome wildlife rehabilitator, Maj Birch, as guest speaker for our Summer Solstice feast on Sunday, June 19^th.

Come celebrate the longest day of the year -and father’s day- over a delicious meal in the back hall at 6:30 pm. As always, food lovers of every persuasion are welcome and encouraged to attend. Any 100% plant-based entrée, salad, dessert or single item dish that all may share (free of eggs, gelatin, honey and dairy, please) is a suitable contribution. The potluck series provides a great opportunity four times a year to pick up healthy new recipe ideas that are also climate conscious and animal friendly, so be sure to include a list of your own ingredients, and prepare to take home some creative, tasty new ideas!

Maj Birch is the founder of Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society in Merville, which exists to assist ill, injured, orphaned or oiled wildlife and to transport for rehabilitation and eventual release those which have a chance for survival. MARS specializes in avian species- songbirds, waterfowl and raptors. The centre is not open to the public, automatically reducing potential acclimatization to human contact. All efforts are concentrated on providing a safe, stress-free environment for wildlife recovery.

The Society has been providing this important service to the region since the mid 90’s, often on a shoestring budget. Admission to the potluck is by donation, but you may wish to bring an extra $5 along to support MARS' work for wildlife through the purchase of their 2011 Island Experiences Raffle - there are some really great prizes in store!

Maj has an audio visual presentation that will appeal to the whole family, so mark your calendar now! And thankyou in advance for helping keep both the potluck and after dinner event accessible to folks in our community with chemical sensitivities by attending scent-free. Visit MARS online at www.wingbeats.info.

SUNDAY, MARCH 20th, 2011

2011-03-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Clayoquot Sound on the menu at Spring Equinox Potluck

Dan Lewis and Bonny Glambeck of Tofino are touring BC coastal communities this spring with a presentation called Secrets of Clayoquot Sound’. Come on out to hear these two seasoned naturalists and expedition sea kayakers at Denman's spring equinox Community Vegan Potluck scheduled for 6:30 pm, March 20th, in the Back Hall.

Dan and Bonny have paddled much of the BC coast. They'll be sharing stories about their many adventures at home in Clayoquot Sound, and show images from some of BC’s leading outdoor photographers.

Join these inspiring, longtime activists for an unforgettable journey through the natural beauty and splendor of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Learn about the ecology of the region’s globally significant ancient rainforests, and threats to that ecology including fish farms, logging and an open-pit copper mine proposal.

As always, food lovers of every persuasion are invited to attend our delicious community potluck feast prior to the after dinner presentation. Any 100% plant-based salad, entree, dessert, or single-item dish (free of eggs, dairy, honey & gelatin, please) that all may share, is a suitable contribution. Please include a list of ingredients.

Admission is by donation (suggested $3), and the potluck series is also designated 'scent-free' for inclusivity. For further information about the potluck series, please click here. To learn more about the Friends of Clayoquot Sound, drop by their website at: www.focs.ca. Spring is on it's way!

A Life Connected!

2011-03-07T12:29:00.000-08:00

Compassion Documentary excerpt

2011-03-05T10:52:00.000-08:00

featuring Australian activists David Coles & Philip Wollen

Sunday, February 20th, 2010

2011-01-28T19:33:00.001-08:00

ART & ACTIVISM: RAGING, RESISTING, REJOICING

With Fireweed

Sunday, Feb. 20. 6pm Vegan Potluck, 7pm Presentation. Back Hall. Admission by Donation

Inside and outside of gallery walls, on the streets and in the landscape, art reflects and influences the way we see and experience life. The exciting merger of art and activism is a growing phenomenon today- confronting the status quo, encouraging dissent, and revisioning our world. In her audiovisual presentation, Art and Activism: Raging, Resisting, Rejoicing!, local activist Fireweed explores this widening culture of creative societal transformation. With International Women's Day right around the corner, Fireweed will be highlighting the work of women artists and activists in her slide show (although not exclusively so).

An honors grad from the Emily Carr College of Art and Design (Vancouver, BC, 1982), Fireweed has exhibited as a multi-media artist across Canada as well as internationally. Currently working in graphic design and digital photography, she founded BC’s Women and the Earth, a conference and workshop series dedicated to women’s personal empowerment through activism, in 1991. She has participated on the frontlines of numerous logging blockades, in solidarity with First Nations, anti-biotech activists, and in anti-G8 protests. Fireweed coordinates regional actions opposing Canada’s commercial seal hunt, other marine mammal slaughter, local rodeo, etc.

In 1993 she initiated the Community Vegan Potluck Series on Denman as another form of animal advocacy, environmental and social justice activism, and enjoys combining her art and politics in part through the creation of nutritious plant-based cuisine that all may share. As a keynote speaker or workshop facilitator on the topics of ecofeminism, art and activism, animal rights and/or feminist earth-based spirituality, Fireweed has addressed numerous women’s events over the years, as well as college classes, environmental gatherings and community groups. With her partner she currently co-hosts a weekly activist-oriented pirate radio show called “Connections”. Also an impassioned writer, Fireweed is a contributing ecofeminist author in the newly released anthology, “Call to Compassion: Religious Reflections on Animal Advocacy” (Lantern Books, 2010). She lives with her partner and feline family in the woods on Denman Island.

FORKS OVER KNIVES

2011-01-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

This important new film will have to be added to our loan collection, for all islanders to share. It's due out in theatres by mid March, 2011.

Solstice Potluck 2010

2010-12-18T01:07:00.000-08:00

Come celebrate Winter Solstice with your fellow islanders at this season's Community Vegan Potluck scheduled for Saturday (NOT Sunday!), December 18^th at 6:30 pm in the Denman Back Hall. As always, food lovers of every persuasion are invited to join in on our delicious, turkey-free holiday smorgasbord. After dinner we gather round the blazing Yule-fire to celebrate both the nurturing darkness of winter’s respite and the promise of returning light with carols appropriate to the solstice season!

At last year’s UN sponsored Celebration of Faiths and the Environment in the UK, guests representing nine different religious/spiritual traditions gathered to launch long-term initiatives aimed at influencing the attitudes and behaviors of their communities for generations to come. Accomodating the interests of such a wide range of individuals from different cultural backgrounds resulted in the first ever vegan banquet at Windsor Castle…a dining experience that could be equally shared and enjoyed by all!

Any 100% plant-based dinner entrée, salad, dessert, or single item dish (excluding dairy, eggs, honey and gelatin, please) is a suitable contribution to our local feast. Denman's vegan potlucks are a great place to pick up new recipe ideas, but nothing fancy is required unless you are so inspired! Please bring along your ingredient list, and thankyou also in advance for helping keep these inclusive community gatherings accessible for folks with chemical sensitivities by attending ‘scent-free’. Admission is by donation (suggested $3 towards expenses). For further information, call 1209. Peace to one and all!

Transition Denman

2010-10-22T16:31:00.000-07:00

On Oct. 17th, coincidentally the day after World Food Day, Transition Denman hosted a community event involving 30 or more local groups in our active community. Each had only three minutes to talk a little about who they are and how they may fit with the transition movement. Here's what was presented in this brief window of opportunity about the Potluck Series. For further information, click here to access our actual home page, and check out our amazing LINKS list on your immediate right!

DENMAN POTLUCK SERIES

Denman Island’s Community Vegan Potluck Series began in the mid 90’s, hosting monthly 100% plant-based group meals over many years for food lovers of every persuasion, and after dinner presentations- meetings, guest speakers, films or slide shows on a wide variety of topics pertaining to social justice and environmental issues.

There is no formal group structure to the series, but former Saltsprng Island resident John Robbins’ best-selling, Diet for a New America”, was our original inspiration. Robbin’s founded ‘Earth Save,’ a now worldwide initiative to raise consciousness about the global impact of our dietary choices, and in larger communities Earthsave chapters host similar potlucks promoting the many advantages to personal , environmental and animal well-being through eating lower on the food chain.

In the spirit of community inclusivity, our vegan potluck series also encourages a fragrance-free environment, for the comfort of chemically-sensitive individuals.

Over the last couple of years the series has scaled back to just four seasonal gatherings a year- our next one celebrates the Winter Solstice- but we started archiving our history online through our blog back in 2006, so you’ll find posters and information on the last 44 potlucks hosted here in the Denman hall since 2004, ranging from guest speaker and anti GMO farmer Percy Schmeiser, to our recent screening of ‘The Cove’, this year’s Oscar winning best feature documentary on the plight of dolphins in Japan.

The potluck series blog is also a valuable educational tool, providing links to information sources to do with all of the material we have featured during the series archived history, and a listing of over 16 films in our collection available for loan to islanders for private or group viewing

Some of the island initatives that have taken shape through discussions shared at the potluck series have included a successful petition to DIRA in favor of declaring Denman, in principle, a GMO crop free zone, following in the footsteps of Powell River- the first municipality in Canada to set such an example. And Denman Donderdag- likewise a solidarity initiative, advocating in it’s case, the reduction of animal product consumption as a deliberate community-based political act.

Like Meat-Free Fridays, or Meatless Mondays, in other communities around the world, Ghent Donderdag is meat-free Thursday in Ghent, Belgium…the first city in the world to go as far as legislating one meat-free day a week, so that all government offices, hospitals, schools, and other public institutions are expected to provide healthful meat free meals as a deliberate response in large part to the growing problem of global warming and the widespread impact animal agribusiness is having on climate change.

Please visit www.denmandonderdag.blogspot.com to support this kind of consciousness raising transition work in our community in your own circles on and off island, and for further information and links to inspirational resources. [For information on Denman Island's fledgling Veganiculture Association, DIVA, pleaes click here.]

So the Community Vegan potluck Series has always been for everyone, but does strive to provide a comfortable environment where those of us who choose not to eat any animals at all can enjoy sharing our culture of choice and the reasons for it with family, friends and extended community.

Come celebrate the Winter Solstice with us and enjoy the fruits of the earth at our next friendly gathering!

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

2010-08-31T15:09:00.000-07:00

Fall Equinox Community Potluck

You are invited to join in on a fabulous harvest feast at Denman’s annual Fall Equinox Community Vegan Potluck scheduled for Sunday, September 19^th, 6:30 pm in the Back Hall. As always, food lovers of every persuasion welcome! Any 100% plant-based entrée, salad, dessert or single-item dish (free of eggs, dairy, honey and gelatin, please) that all may share is a suitable contribution. Please bring a list of ingredients along with your offering.

The now quarterly potluck series originated in 1996, and almost always includes an after dinner presentation concerning topical environmental and/or social justice issues. Anyone interested in marine ecology and dolphins in particular will appreciate our September 19^th screening of The Cove.

Winner of the 2010 Oscar for ‘best feature documentary’, The Cove introduces us to Richard O’Barry, the man who once trained the various marine mammals named ‘Flipper’ for the popular 1960’s tv show. That series essentially spawned Sea World and countless other aquariums around the world where dolphins perform stunts and interact with human beings. O’Barry now spends his life trying to make it up to our cetacean friends, and is determined to help bring about the end of the secretive capture and slaughter of thousands of dolphins that takes place in Japan between Sept. and March each year.

According to movie critic Alonso Duralde, “The result is some of the most exciting filmmaking you’ll see this year —The Cove could very well change not only the face of nature documentaries but also laws, policy and attitudes toward the life and death of dolphins.“

Our dolphin-friendly potluck series is also designated ‘scent-free’ for inclusivity! Admission is by donation towards expenses (suggested $3 per person). For further information about The Cove, please visit http://www.takepart.com/thecove

The Cove PSA -My Friend Is... 2 min. version Directed by Andres Useche Produced by Fisher Stevens, Lina Esco, Chris Gartin from Andres Useche on Vimeo.

SUNDAY, JUNE 20th SOLSTICE POTLUCK!

2010-06-10T14:32:00.000-07:00

Coal on the Menu at Solstice Potluck

Denman Island environmentalists host a community vegan potluck supper four times a year, and everyone is invited to come celebrate Summer Solstice (and Father’s Day!) at the next one scheduled for Sunday June 20th. The series provides a friendly forum for food lovers of every persuasion to enjoy a healthful meal together that all may share. Any 100% plant-based entrée, salad, dessert or single item dish is a suitable contribution (also excluding dairy, honey and gelatin, please!)

Coal is indeed on the menu, as special guest speaker Tria Donaldson, Outreach Coordinator with the Western Canada Wilderness Committee is this potluck's featured guest speaker. Tria will be sharing an informative audio visual presentation after dinner on this timely topic.

“Coal is widely regarded as one of the dirtiest fossil fuels,” says Tria. “And yet here in BC we are in the midst of a massive increase in our coal mining industry, at the very same time we are claiming to be a climate leader.”

Tria will talk about climate change, coal mining, and the environmental impacts of the proposed Raven underground Coal Project. The Western Canada Wilderness Committee always has many different campaigns on the go and the lack of endangered species legislation in BC is another issue the Committee is engaged in educating the public about.

Tria is an active volunteer with several organizations, including the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Sierra Youth Coalition and Canadian Youth Climate Coalition. She has worked on numerous social justice and environmental causes – like access to education, anti-racism, and campus sustainability. Tria is very passionate about engaging young people in social activism, and to this end she helped organize Power Shift Canada, the largest youth climate conference in Canadian history. She recently traveled to Copenhagen with the Canadian Youth Delegation for the climate talks, and was the Project Manager for goBeyond, a youth driven climate project that works with 12 post-secondary institutions in BC.

Islanders and others are invited to come on out and support Tria’s voluntary trip to Denman to share WC²’s presentation in the DI Community Hall on June 20^th, as well as to ienjoy a great meal with friends, neighbours and visitors in celebration of the Summer Solstice. Dinner gets underway at 6:30 pm, and admission is by donation ($3 suggested towards expenses). There is no set time for the after dinner presentation which always gets underway whenever diners have finished their meal.

Please note thtat the potluck series is designated ‘scent-free for inclusivity’ in consideration of individuals with chemical sensitivity.The Community Hall is a short walk up the ferry hill for off islanders who park in Buckley Bay to arrive on the 6:00 pm sailing.

March 21 Spring Equinox Potluck

2010-03-02T22:11:00.000-08:00

Come celebrate the arrival of spring at the next Denman Community Vegan Potluck, scheduled for Sunday, March 21st at 6:30 pm in the BackHall!

This month, in honor of International Women’s Day, our after dinner presentation will be the highly acclaimed documentary, Tough Guise- an insightful exploration of the relationship between pop-cultural imagery and the social construction of masculine identities, particularly in [North] American culture. The film features Jackson Katz, a leading anti-sexist male activist who is the co-founder of the Mentors in Violence Prevention programs. Primarily directed towards liberating youth culture from stereotypes, Tough Guise is a must see, too, for women and men of any age who are concerned about healthy, safe community for all. (Scroll down for a video clip introducing the film)

As always, food lovers of every persuasion are invited to attend! Any 100% plant-based contribution (free of dairy, eggs, honey and gelatin) is suitable- nothing fancy required. The great diversity of salads, entrees, dessert and single item dishes that always manage to arrive create a bountiful meal that all may enjoy.

This year’s Spring Equinox potluck also coincides with the 25th anniversary of Meat-Out- an international, educational event about the power of our individual food choices that has spread to over 29 countries in the past quarter century. Please vist the links list on the right to a long list of articles on the relationship between our dietary choices, global warming and other environmental concerns, personal health and animal welfare.

Admission is by donation (recommended $3 towards expenses). And thanks for remembering that all potluck events are designated scent free for the comfort of community members with chemical sensitivities. See you there for a fabulous Spring Equinox smorgasbord!

Below is a short video clip introducing "Tough Guise". See you there!

Spring is just around the corner!

2010-01-28T09:41:00.000-08:00

Well, it doesn't feel like winter yet, even though the crossquarter at Brighid is imminent! Honoring Brighid on January 31st (actual date, Feb 2nd), will be a Dineout for Haiti in the Back Hall.

Our next community vegan potluck is scheduled for Sunday, March 20th. Stay tuned!

Please click on the words 'older post', OR look on the right (scroll down) for the list of links to older entries here featuring several years of past potluck presentations.

next community vegan potluck: Winter Solstice!

2009-10-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

"Nothing will increase the chances of survival for life on earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet." -Albert Einstein

September 20th, 2009

2009-09-17T19:19:00.001-07:00

Come share the harvest bounty at Denman Island's fabulous Fall Equinox feast!
As always, food lovers of every persuasion are welcome.

Please bring a 100% plant-based dish that all may share (free of eggs, dairy, honey & gelatin).

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

After dinner, participants are invited to stay for the powerful educational film, EARTHLINGS.

By far the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals, and human economic interests, EARTHLINGS leaves viewers with new-found courage
to make a difference through their lifestyle choices, and to work for change.

Divided into several segments, including our relationship with animals as pets, food, clothing, entertainment and in science, EARTHLINGS provides a behind the scenes expose of various animal-based industries. This highly recommended, award-winning film is deeply compelling, but can be emotionally challenging for some viewers. It also contains course language. Not recommended for children.

"This is the single most powerful and informative movie about societies treatment of
animals. A must see film for anyone who cares enough to know". -Woody Harrelson

Dinner gets underway at 6:30 pm in the Back Hall. Visitors can arrive on the 6:00 pm sailing from Buckley Bay and walk the short hike up the ferry hill to the community hall.
Admission is by donation (suggested $3) towards expenses. Please note that all potluck events are also designated scent-free for inclusivity.

Please visit the DI Vegan Potluck Series webite mainpage for details!

June 21st, 2009

2009-06-13T20:02:00.000-07:00

Summertime, and the livin' is easy... especially getting together for a fabulous meal that doesn't require anything fancy, because it's all about the sum of it's parts! That's one reason why our community vegan potlucks are enjoyed by food lovers of every persuasion. So don't be shy- come on out and take part in a deliious, 'slow' meal this weekend, on the longest day of the year. Gather with familiar faces and introduce yourself to new ones! Any 100% plant-based salad, etree, dessert, or single item dish that all may share (free of eggs, dairy, honey and gelatin) is a suitable contribution to ou eco-friendly smorgasbords.

Our Solstice supper will be a purely social event with no after-dinner presentation scheduled- just lots of time to enjoy a great meal, share news, and celebrate community. Children welcome! The potluck series is taking place just four times this year -once a season, so don''t miss out!

Admission is by donation towards expenses, and all events are designated 'scent-free,' to futher inclusivity. Call 1209 if you'd like further information. Our next gathering is scheduled for the Fall Equinox, September 20th.

Sunday, March 22nd, 09

2009-03-04T15:45:00.000-08:00

SPRING EQUINOX POTLUCK!

Come celebrate the arrival of spring with your neighbours at the next Denman Community Vegan Potluck, scheduled for March 22^nd, 6:30 pm in the BackHall.

As always, food lovers of every persuasion are invited. Any 100% plant-based dish (free of dairy, eggs, honey and gelatin) is a suitable contribution- nothing fancy required! The great diversity of salads, entrees and dessert items that always manage to arrive create a bountiful meal, and often provide creative new recipe ideas.

This particular potluck date dovetails with MeatOut- an international, educational event about the power of our individual food choices that takes place on or around the Equinox each spring and has spread to over 20 countries in the past 25 years. The much-quoted report by the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, "Livestock's Long Shadow -- Environmental Issues and Options" (Nov., 2006), has done a lot to raise awareness about the devastating effects of animal agribusiness on the planet and global warming. And what of global hunger? Around 16 pounds of grain and 2,500 gallons of water are required to produce 1 pound of meat (thus feeding one or two people on meat versus approximately 16 people on grain). The Denman potluck series website links to a long list of articles on these topics and others, for anyone interested in exploring the many merits of eating lower on the food chain.

The now quarterly potluck series had long provided a forum for sharing information that furthers community discourse around issues of social justice, environmental awareness, and calls for action. Since the mid '90s when one of our featured guest speakers, Welsh builder Ianto Evans, shared his now old-fashioned slide show on natural building around the world, the renaissance in cob construction he helped spark here in North America has only grown in leaps and bounds. The Lasquiti Island-born women's collective known as the MudGirls, brought their own enthusiasm for self-empowerment through building with earth two years ago to a community vegan potluck presentation, inspiring a whole new generation of Denman Islanders to 'think outside the box.'

After dinner on March 22^nd, local women who have since participated in MudGirls' skill-building workshops will share their experiences, their belief in the "necessary revolution of natural building," and their vision of a more sustainable future for housing here on Denman. In concert with the aims of the Denman Community Land Trust Association (DCLTA), these activists are keen to pose the question, "What if we were able to gift our community with healthy, affordable and earth-friendly homes?" DCLTA is a local, grassroots volunteer circle of Denman Island residents, representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds and experiences who have come together out of a common desire to do something tangible to address the need for affordable housing on Denman Island. Please come on out and support the conversation.

December , 2008

2008-12-16T17:38:00.000-08:00

The potluck series is currently taking place four times a year... our next gathering won't happen until Spring, so come on out and celebrate!

Please note that we are scheduled for MONDAY, not our usual Sunday time slot. Hope to see you there!

May 2008 FUNDRAISER

2008-05-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

Dine out, for Africa!

[Postscript: Hooray! We raised over $600 with our vegan lasagna dinner to contribiute to Billy's efforts!]

Sunday, May 25th, 2008. Instead of our regular potluck this month, the series is hosting an informal pasta dinner in the back hall, in support of a Day for Africa, and the Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF). Reservations required!

Upon hearing former United Nations Envoy for Aids in Africa, Stephen Lewis, speak in Nanaimo last year youth activist Billy Strachan was moved to support the good work the SLF does to ease the pain of HIV/AIDS in Africa at the grassroots level. It provides care to women who are ill and struggling to survive; assists orphans and other AIDS affected children; supports heroic grandmothers who almost single-handedly care for their orphan grandchildren; and supports associations of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Billy came up with the idea to involve local businesses and volunteers in a fundraising initiative he calls, A Day for Africa, on the first Saturday of each month from March through June. He has accepted Denman’s invitation to tell us about his endeavour at our own local fundraising dinner, the proceeds of which will be added to the check he can now looking forward to presenting Stephen Lewis himself in person, on June 27th in Courtenay. Billy didn’t know at the time he started his Comox Valley-wide, A Day in Africa project, that Lewis would end up being anywhere near our area of the world at this time. Neither did he know that his youthful idealism would inspire so many folks to rise to the occasion and support his own vision to collectively make a difference! You can also read about Billy in this month’s In Focus Magazine in the article by Laura Busheiken.

Tickets to the June Stephen Lewis event in Courtenay are now available at Abraxas Books on Denman ($30 adult or $15 student/youth.)

Denman’s Dineout for Africa gets underway at 6:00 pm in the BackHall, and will include a presentation by Billy Strachan about his project. Please make your dinner reservation asap by calling 335-1209. ($15 adult, $8 youth)

April 2008

2008-04-02T00:45:00.001-07:00

The Scoop on Soy

Controversial reports about soy have left many people confused about what to believe. If you are concerned about the safety of soy food products, or are simply curious to learn more about this excellent source of dietary nutrition, bring your questions to Denman Island's next community vegan potluck event, Sunday, April 20th.

After dinner, Denman author and vegan chef Bryanna Clark Grogan along with Shin Meido Miso's Susan-Marie Yoshihara will be happy to share their considerable knowledge on soy in an informal discussion geared to separating fact from fiction.

As always, food lovers of every persuasion are invited to participate in Denman's amazing monthly smorgasbords. Nothing fancy required- any 100% vegan entree, salad, dessert, or single item dish (free of eggs, dairy, honey and gelatin, please) is a suitable contribution.

Dinner gets underway at 6:30 pm in the Community Hall, just a short trip up the hill from the ferry landing. Admission is by donation (suggested $3 towards expenses). The Denman Community Potluck Series strives to be a scent-free gathering, out of consideration for individuals with chemical sensitivities. Please visit our main webpage at http://www.fireweed.ca/ for additional information.

March 2008

2008-03-02T23:26:00.001-08:00

March is a popular time for ordering spring seeds, and this month’s community vegan potluck series honors our island’s status in principle as a GMO Crop Free Zone!

On the heals of Seedy Saturday, GreenPeace and our Comox Valley NO GMO’s Coalition are hosting an island wide strategy session on March 8th at the BCGEU building in Courtenay. Greenpeace and GE Free BC have declared March 11th GE Free Day in BC, and local activists will be collecting signatures in downtown Denman that day for a petition to make labelling of GE foods mandatory.

On Saturday, March 29th, the Community Garden Party Series invites everyone interested in supporting our local organic produce growers to pitch in for an hour or two at Rob and Vlasta Ulovec’s Apple Lane Orchard between 1 and 3 pm. And over the course of the month our brand new potato co-op, SPUDS, will be sprouting in it’s chosen home at the Hermitage on Denman Road (now is the time to sign up and encourage other new members!)

Last, but not least, the Community Vegan Potluck scheduled for 6:30 pm in the Back Hall on Sunday, March 16th, will feature both a seed swap and the award-winning European documentary, Unnatural Selection.

Featuring such internationally renowned activists as Vandana Shiva, Andrew Kimbell, and Canada’s very own Percy Schmeiser, this fascinating educational film does an excellent job of exposing several of the alarming consequences of genetic engineering on three continents.

The future of planetary biodiversity will certainly be influenced by consumers with the privilege of choice, so thanks for coming on out to help further public education about these important issues. Unnatural Selection is produced by Jeffrey Smith, director of the Institute for Responsible Technology (Iowa), and author of the world’s bestselling book on Genetically Modified foods, Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating.

Last month’s film, Saved by Sun, is available for home viewing for a nominal donation the Potluck Series will contribute to REDI’s solar panel project for the Hall.

As always, food-lovers of every persuasion are invited to our 6:30 pm dinner in the DI Backhall, and any animal-friendly entrée, salad or dessert that all may share, is an appropriate donation (egg, dairy, honey and gelatin-free, please.) And thanks for helping us maintain a scent-free event for the comfort of chemically sensitive individuals. Did you know that DI Hardware carries scent-free laundry and other cleaning products!?

February, 2008

2008-02-17T20:06:00.000-08:00

Saved by the Sun

Sunday, Feb. 24th,

DI Back Hall

In support of REDI, Renewable Energy on Denman Island, the community vegan potluck series is planning to show an award winning 2007 Nova documentary, all about solar power. Any extra donations will go towards supporting REDI’s initiative to outfit our community hall with solar panels. “Saved by the Sun” is a fascinating, exciting film you won’t want to miss!

And YES, it has arrived on time for showing this Sunday...we were a little concerned it had been held up at the border but our worries are over now! For further information about this fabulous documentary, visit http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/solar/ . I'll also post the url for a sneak preview of the film under the Links column on the right hand side of this potluck blogspot.

For those who can afford to help this fundraiser along, we're encouraging a $5 donation for tonite's screening, but as always it's 'pay what you can'. If you can't make it for dinner but still want to see the film, the best time to show up is probably around 7:30pm. Not that we would want to discourage anyone from enjoying a great vegan community meal that helps reduce our collective ecological footprint!

As always, our event is designated scent free for the comfort of chemically sensitive individuals. Thanks for your support!

JANUARY, 2008

2008-01-07T19:42:00.000-08:00

Everyone is invited to come on out and participate in our first community vegan potluck of the new year on Sunday, January 27th!

Why would you want to attend if you aren't vegan or vegetarian?

-Most omnivores enjoy a wide range of foods, and our 100% plant-based
feasts provide a wonderful way for food lovers of every persuasion to
come together for the enjoyment of a nutritious, hearty meal that
excludes no one.

- Our potlucks help build community,

-welcome new islanders,

-provide an almost monthly venue
for single folks and families to mingle
with friends and neighbours,

-and the opportunity to gather new
recipe ideas for treading more lightly
on the planet with our daily food choices.

December 07

2007-12-13T18:35:00.001-08:00

November, 07

2007-11-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

October 07

2007-10-18T23:00:00.001-07:00

Animals, Culture and the Law

The struggle for human rights is lengthy and ongoing—but what about non-human rights? Denman Island's Community Vegan Potluck Series is pleased to welcome law professor Maneesha Deckha as this month’s guest speaker on Sunday, October 21st. Everyone interested is invited to attend what promises to be a fascinating exploration of some challenging contemporary issues.

Deckha teaches a University of Victoria law course that examines the gap between how animals and humans are treated by the legal system. “Animals, Culture and the Law,” was recently awarded the distinguished Animals and Society New Course Award from the Center for Respect of Life and Environment, an affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States. The course explores whether animals should have legal rights, whether the law should recognize some other interests for animals and whether some animals are more equal than others. Deckha draws comparisons between the struggle for rights by other groups, such as women and indigenous people, and the question of legal rights for animals, encouraging discussion on whether animal rights can coexist with human rights.

The assistant law professor’s academic research interests include feminist legal theories, law and culture, bioethics, and the boundaries between property and personhood, especially as they relate to nonhuman animals. Her work has been published in the Canadian Journal of Women and the Law, the Osgoode Hall Law Journal, the Hastings Women’s Law Journal, the UCLA Women’s Law Journal, the Harvard Journal of Gender and Law and the Journal of Animal Law and Ethics.

Deckha is a graduate of McGill University (1995), the University of Toronto (1998), and Columbia University (2002). She joined the University of Victoria Faculty of Law as an assistant professor in 2002 after completing her graduate thesis on gender and cultural equality at Columbia Law School. She is a member of several academic associations and also serves as part of the National Steering Committee for the National Association of Women and the Law.

Deckha is generously making time for her visit to Denman as a member of UVIC’s speaker’s bureau. Admission is by donation (suggested $3), and anyone unable to attend the potluck portion of the evening is welcome to arrive later for the guest speaker’s presentation.

Denman’s monthly vegan-friendly potluck suppers get underway at 6:30 pm, accommodating folks arriving on the 6:00 pm ferry from Buckley Bay. Any 100% plant-based entrée, salad, dessert or single-item dish (free of eggs, honey, dairy and gelatin, please) that all may share is a suitable contribution. The series also stives to be scent-free, for the comfort of chemicaly sensitive individuals.

September, 07

2007-06-13T22:34:00.000-07:00

It's been a long summer hiatus, and the Potluck Series is ready to reconvene on Sunday, September 16th with a Fall Harvest feast! After supper, rock gardening enthusiast and naturalist Bernie Guyader will be on hand to share his knowledge and love for apline meadows, with a slideshow documenting three seasons in Strathcona Park!

May 2007

2007-05-07T23:09:00.000-07:00

Natural Building, May 20th

On Sunday, May 20th, the Lasquiti Island Mud Girls will join the Denman Community Vegan Potluck series for an evening discussion about natural building and energy efficiency. The MudGirls are a natural building collective aiming to empower people with self-sufficiency skills to build both shelter and community.

Specializing in cob- a mud made of clay, sand and straw that is sculpted into form for use in building everything from outdoor clay ovens to outhouses, cottages and homes- the Mud Girls have expanded their horizons recently to include building to-code hybrid projects that can incorporate elements of adobe, strawbale and earthbags.

Says MudGirls member Amber Hieb: " Because I come from a long line of builders who were all men- my brothers, my uncles, father and grandfather- to be able to reclaim building for myself, in a way that is using what is readily available and accessible around me is rewarding on many levels". Although the group offers courses for both women and men, there is an emphasis on women for this very reason: to change not only what is built, but also how.

"Where presently we have a more rigid, square, hierarchical model of construction, the MudGirls represents the shift towards a more fluid, feminine, cooperative way of building- from the bottom up", says member Julie Chadwick.

"We seek new and ancient ways to live in harmony with the earth and have a singing dancing laughing good time while doing it," adds founder Jen Gobby.

Please bring a 100% plant-based dish that all may share to the 6:30 pm potluck in the BackHall (vegan-friendly means no eggs, dairy, honey or gelatin, please). Admission is by donation, suggested $3. And thanks for helping keep our events scent-free so folks with chemical sensitivities can also attend.

Link back to the potluck website to find information on this issue, and lots of other details about the potluck series. And see the relevant link also in the column to the right of this blog entry to access the Mud Girls fun website!

April, 2007

2007-03-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

Far more than your average birdwatcher, Mike Yip is a man on a mission! He 'accidentally' discovered the joys of photographing birds only a few short years ago, but the Nanoose Bay resident has been hooked ever since. In his first book, proudly presenting 124 colorful images of frequently and infrequently seen west coast species, the author's descriptive narratives portray a deep understanding and empathy for bird life, and the ecological challenges they face. Yip's new edition of "Vancouver Island Birds", will soon be hot off the presses, containing another 90 species not included in his first beautiful, full color book.

The photographer has been invited to share his wonderful images in an audio visual presentation on Sunday, April 15th, following our community vegan potluck supper in the Back Hall. Yip's desire to share his enthusiasm with other nature lovers is born out on line, where anyone can view the birds contained in his first book for free and enjoy referencing their own sightings. Please come on out to celebrate and learn more about the fascinating feathered species that share our island region!

March 2007

2007-03-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Week!

Please note the following change in our evening presentation. French director Jacques Perrin's gorgeous documentary "Winged Migration", will be taking the place of "Being Cariboo", previously advertised for this date. Perrin's film looks at the migration patterns of dozens of bird species and involved hundreds of people to make, including 17 pilots and 14 cinematographers. They were broken down into five teams that followed the birds into 40 countries, venturing from Iceland and Alaska to Senegal and Mali with more breathtaking stops in between. Spectacular, and a must see on the big screen!

"Migration" will be preceeded by a delightful 20 minute 'rough cut' (work in progress) titled "Surfin' the Waste". This thought provoking film about dumpster diving involves a handful of friends from the Comox Valley who moved to Montreal and found an edible island overflowing with food! Our all star cast bikes through the back-east winter in search of culled bounty in an all-singing, all-dancing, all-recycled musical documentary about actively reducing environmental impact. Featuring musicians Alden Penner and Mike Kirk from Campbell River, Allison Trumble from Cumberland, Liz Whittaker from Black Creek and director Tomoe Yoshihara from Denman Island!

February, 2007

2007-02-05T11:50:00.000-08:00

No More Silence by Fireweed

When American scientist Rachel Carson published her now famous expose on chemical poisons back in the early 60's, the book's title "Silent Spring" roused a nation. It's been said that while others had been cautioning about pesticide dangers for some time, it was Carson who struck upon the metaphor that would draw all these dire warnings to a point.

"There was once a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings ... Then a strange blight crept over the area and everything began to change ... There was a strange stillness ... The few birds seen anywhere were moribund; they trembled violently and could not fly. It was a spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of scores of bird voices there was now no sound; only silence lay over the fields and woods and marsh." (Silent Spring, 1962)

How fortunate that here on Denman and elsewhere around our lively west coast, we can look forward to spring being anything but 'silent'. Even while winter's chilly grasp continues to hold on tight, February's promise of rebirth and renewal cannot be denied. Before we know it, those boisterous sea lions and raucous gulls will be kicking it up a notch, celebrating the returning herring with all the noisy fanfare the rest of us seaside dwellers have come to take for granted!But can we afford to be complacent?

According to the results of the Fourth Waterbird Population Estimate survey released this week from the Netherlands by Watershed International, nearly half of the world's waterbird species are in serious decline. Not surprisingly, coordinators of the study covering 100 countries, attribute the most frequently known cause of population decrease to habitat destruction, "often caused by unsustainable human activity". Besides the more obvious forms of encroachment like urban sprawl, it seems to be becoming clearer everyday that global warming is contributing to increasing drought and rising sea levels that disappear habitat also.

And of course even while so many of us dream the final days of winter away pouring over open-pollinated seed catelogs and organic gardening plans, the right to adequately protect our own personal and ecosystem health from chemical contamination is nowhere near a given. While Cumberland and Comox have now joined other communities across Canada in adopting at least regulatory bylaws for the cosmetic use of pesticides (banned in places like Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver), Courtenay recently decided to stick with the 'educational approach' rather than opt for legislation.

The over-stretched bylaw officer I spoke to made it clear that in his opinion there's little point in enacting regulations he doesn't consider enforceable! City Council still needs to be convinced of the reality that wherever such bylaws do get passed, significantly more public compliance has been shown to follow than where voluntary education options exist alone.

According to the Cancer Smart Consumer Guide, an expanding body of evidence points to a correlation between our increased use of pesticides, household cleaners, food additives and other chemicals and rocketing cancer rates. In the 1930's, 1 in 10 Canadians could expect to develop cancer. By the 1970's cancer rates had risen to 1 in 5, and today 1 in 2.4 Canadian men and 1 in 2.7 Canadian women can expect to develop cancer over their lifetime.

While the damage being done by poison chemicals around the world today is far worse than when Rachel Carson wrote her now famous book on the subject, "one shudders to imagine how much more impoverished our habitat would be had Silent Spring not sounded the alarm." (environmental writer, Peter Matthiessen)"

"The beauty of the living world I was trying to save," wrote Rachel Carson in a letter to a friend in 1962, "has always been uppermost in my mind - that, and anger at the senseless, brutish things that were being done. I have felt bound by a solemn obligation to do what I could - if I didn't at least try I could never be happy again in nature. But now I can believe that I have at least helped a little. It would be unrealistic to believe one book could bring a complete change."

Carson died herself of cancer, at the age of 56. This year marks the centenary of her birth, and renewed appreciation for her important contributions to the world.

Gaylene Rehwald, mother and regional health and safety promoter, is a modern day crusader for pesticide reduction. Two years ago this month Gaylene was scheduled to make a presentation at our community vegan potluck series on behalf of the group she co-founded in Courtenay, Valley Green. A last minute cancellation due to illness intervened, but at the invitation of Denman Islander Peter Thomsen, she braved winds and choppy seas to finally attend our DIRA meeting last month. In honor of the Potluck Series choosing this month to celebrate Rachel Carson's centenary, I'm delighted to report that Gaylene is happy to share her knowledge and inspiring spirit with others in our community once again on Sunday, February 18th.

Among other issues, Gaylene is sure to touch upon the fact that aerial spraying for the gypsy moth is scheduled to happen in the Courtenay area three times between May 15th and June 30th this year. While the deadly DDT used for such purposes back in Rachel Carson's day has been replaced by the comparatively benign Foray 48B - containing Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki (Btk) - many aerial spray opponents take issue with government claims that the health risks are negligible. Concerned citizens can find plenty of evidence to the contrary compiled by STOP, Society Targeting Overuse of Pesticides, accessible on line @ http://www.vcn.bc.ca/stop/

Gaylene's advocacy work through Valley Green first came to my attention when she and other mothers descended upon Courtenay City Council chambers a few years ago in concert with their children…the latter dressed as ladybugs and butterflies. Children are exceptionally vulnerable due to their small size, physiology and lifestyle, according to the Sierra Club of Canada. Kids typically play in grass and dirt, put toys and hands in their mouths, consume considerably more pesticides than adults do per pound of body weight, and have immature metabolic systems that can't process or excrete toxins like adults' systems.

For their sake, and the health of our planet, I believe activists like Gaylene Rehwald deserve our full attention and support. We've still a long way to go to do justice to Rachel Carson's legacy, and it's up to all of us who share her passion to rise to the occasion and make whatever difference we can. For further information and links, please google Denman Potluck Series online or call 335-1209.

January 2007

2007-01-15T21:54:00.000-08:00

World-renowned musician and human rights worker, Michael Franti, shares his travels to Iraq, Palestine and Israel in this wonderful documentary entitled, "I Know I'm Not Alone".

The Community Vegan Potluck Series was pleased to kick off the New Year potluck series with this film on Sunday, January 21st., for an appreciative audience of about 40 people.

Franti succeeds in appealing to a multigenerational audience with the soundtrack, visual and musical montages, and his intimate commentary. The film's guerilla style footage captured in active war zones, makes this documentary unlike the many academic and politically driven pieces provided by the mainstream media.

This film (available for loan now from the Potluck Series for small private showings) is an opportunity to hear the voices of everyday people living, creating and surviving under the harsh conditions of war and occupation. "I Know I'm Not Alone" is a tribute to the courage of the human heart, and an antidote to despair. Power to the Peaceful!

December 2006

2007-01-15T21:43:00.000-08:00

Our Solstice Celebration was lovely...even only two days away from Christmas, we still had a good turnout, and lots of folks stayed after our delicious feast to sing solstice carols, and light candles with peaceful wishes for the new year that lies ahead. We were lucky to have some respite between all the high winds and crazy weather that actually allowed people to get out and gather together around the Yule fire in our warm and cozy back hall!

November 2006

2007-01-15T21:34:00.000-08:00

Paul George is one of the hero's of the BC environmental movement. He and partner Adrianne Carr (current leader of the BC Greens) are an inspiration to many. George's 25 year history of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee's activism in this province and beyond is fascinating! Potluck goers helped raise enough to purchase a copy of "Big Trees, Not Big Stumps" for our local Dora Drinkwater Library!

October 2006

2007-01-15T21:20:00.000-08:00

Two members of the Comox Valley chapter of Amnesty International presented case files that their group works on (specificly two young law students incarcerated for protesting in favor of democracy in Burma), along with some of the history of AI. A good turnout with at least 20 letter writers involved, and a postive act of Denman solidarity with this important organization's work for justice and human rights worldwide!

June 2006

2006-06-16T03:31:00.000-07:00

A Taste of India-

our final potluck for the spring 2006 season before our summer break. You won't want to miss this intimate evening of stories and images about time spent volunteering this year in Dharamsala. Denman Islanders helped raise money for art supplies among other things for the children Eli and Sandy assisted there.

May 2006

2006-06-16T03:28:00.000-07:00

Romping with Otters-

an informative audio-visual presentation by our one and only Jenny Balke about these fascinating creatures that live along our shoreline

April 2006

2006-06-16T03:27:00.000-07:00

The March of the Penguins-

a fascinating and touching documentary about the Emperor penguins of Antartica

March 2006

2006-06-16T03:21:00.000-07:00

WOMEN AND NATURE-

In collaboration with the Denman Island Women's Outreach Society, this month's Community Vegan Potluck Series is pleased to welcome renowned environmental activist Ruth Masters, as our special guest speaker on Sunday, March 19th in the Back Hall.

In ongoing celebration of International Women's Day, the participatory theme for this special event is Women and Nature (and yes, all genders are invited to attend!) On display will be work in any media created by local women artists that reflect this theme, so plan to come early before our 6:30 pm smorgasbord to thoroughly enjoy this very informal show! Photography, painting, ceramics, fabric art, you name it...if it's been made by you, or another Denman woman and reflects the natural world in any way, please consider it an appropriate contribution! If you are unable to attend the dinner but would still like to submit a piece, just call and we'll arrange to pick it up. Otherwise, please plan to arrive early (around 6:00pm) with your artwork.

Ruth Masters is a well loved Comox Valley elder who has been inspiring men and women concerned about ecological issues on Vancouver Island and beyond for decades. Awarded Courtenay Citizen of the Year for the second time in twenty years last year, she has been on the frontlines in every battle for greenspace and its wild inhabitants from MacDonald Woods in Comox, to the Walbran, Sitika, Strathcona, Clayoquot, Carmanah, Cathedral Grove- the list goes on! Inspite of numerous run-ins with authorites over the years, loggers, hunters and even the Supreme Court, the government saw fit to award Ruth with it's BC Environment Award in 2000. Please don't miss this wonderful opportunity to come on out and celebrate another remarkable heroine in our midst!

Note: Collectively this potluck ended up fundraising $100 on behalf of RAWA, the Revolutionary Afghani Women's Association providing underground education for girls in that country. http://www.rawa.org/index.php

February 2006

2006-06-16T03:19:00.000-07:00

Women and Words-

an imtimate evening of spoken word, poetry, and song by six talented islanders

January 2006

2006-06-16T03:17:00.000-07:00

Rivers and Tides-

a gorgeous documentary about Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy. Available for loan in the community, so feel free to borrow for private viewing!

December 2005

2006-06-16T03:15:00.000-07:00

Winter Solstice time again!

November 2005

2006-06-16T03:13:00.000-07:00

Safety and Preparedness-

a potentially life-saving presentation by our local volunteer fire fighters and emergency response team personnel

October 2005

2006-06-16T03:07:00.000-07:00

Going Exponential-

A fascinating prsentation about global trends by award-winning, investigative journalist, Will Thomas. Check out Will's website at www.willthomas.com

September 2005

2006-06-16T03:01:00.000-07:00

The Future of Food-

an excellent documentary by Deborah Koons Garcia, about GMO's. Available to borrow for private viewing on Denman, so please do ask!

June 2005

2006-06-16T02:56:00.000-07:00

In the Wake of the Tsunami- an audio visual presentation by Qualicum Bay resident and disaster relief worker Len Walker.

The potluck series raised over $300 to send to Sri Lanka to assist in recovery efforts there at a school devestated by the tsunami

May 2005

2006-06-16T02:54:00.000-07:00

The Story of Tree Island's Sand Verbena Moth, by former Denman Islander Dorrie Woodward, and the Story of Scotch Broom, by islander David Hicks

April 2005

2006-06-16T02:52:00.000-07:00

Peaceable Kingdom-
the wonderful story of Farm Sanctuary by Tribe of Heart Productions

March 2005

2006-06-16T02:39:00.000-07:00

Can't find a poster for this month! But it was the beginning of our community garden party series, because I remember the potluck forum was provided as a venue for seed sharing, and dialogue around community land issues, which ended up centering on community gardens. While that has yet to come to fruition, the idea for an alternative form of community supported agriculture that grew out of that discussion, did take off! Here's a photo of the later...just google Denman Community Garden Partys for further information, or visit www.fireweed.ca for access!

February 2005

2006-06-16T02:38:00.000-07:00

Valley Green-
avoiding chemicals in our environment!

Spokeswoman Gaylene Rehwald had to cancel
due to illness, but Rae Eckel rose to the occassion
and shared important information about chemicals
in our immediate environment, and the 'scent-free'
issue our potlucks aim to support by encouraging
folks not to wear scented bodycare products or
laundry items with fragrance that folks with
chemical sensitivities could suffer a serious
reaction from.

Two years later, Gayelene is back on Denman,
and offering her presentation on behalf of Valley
Green at the Feb. 2007 Potluck! (see above)

January 2005

2006-06-16T02:36:00.000-07:00

Bryanna Clark Grogan-

Vegan Chef Extraordinaire! This local vegan writer has at least eight successful cook books to her credit, hosts a fabulous resource forum for new veggies on www.vegsource.com, has an incredible subscription newsletter on line, along with an equally mouthwatering blog that proves there is absolutely no limit to the amazing variety and taste sensations possible on a vegan diet! ww.bryannaclarkgrogan.com

December 2004

2006-06-16T02:34:00.000-07:00

Winter Solstice Celebration!

November 2004

2006-06-16T02:31:00.000-07:00

Percy Schmeiser Vs. Monsanto!

I couldn't believe how lucky we were to find out that Percy Schmeiser was not only in BC at the same time we were already planning on showing this video about him...but that he was going to be in the neighbourhood, and yes, would actually squeeze in coming on over to Denman for a personal appearance! What an inspiring man...a true Canadian hero! Percy was our first guest speaker in the renewed Denman Island Vegan Potluck Series which had been on hiatus for a number of years. The politics of food remains a central force in all our lives, and people like Percy are beacons of hope in the revolution!