Monthly Archives: November 2012

Politics

Grand Erie Schoolboard innovates with Parenting and Family Literacy Centres

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Brantford ON – Grand Erie is excited to offer, for the first time, two Parenting and Family Literacy Centres (PFLCs) at Major Ballachey and Princess Elizabeth elementary schools in Brantford. These centres are places where parents and children can come to play and learn together, families can be introduced to the school system, and children can prepare for Kindergarten.

“We know that a parent is the child’s first and most important teacher,” said Brenda Blancher, Superintendent of Education. “The Parenting and Family Literacy Centres will help prepare children in these school communities for starting school and encourage families to be a part of their children’s learning.”

PFLCs are programs for parents and children of preschool age – from babies to age six. The program offers play-based learning activities that focus on the development of the child and an early love of reading and math. Children’s early learning and development are supported through play while the foundations are laid for a successful transition to school.

On behalf of the Trustees, Chair Rita Collver said she is pleased the Board will offer two centres serving parents and children in the school communities of Major Ballachey and Princess Elizabeth. Trustees advocated for a Parenting and Family Literacy Centre in Grand Erie since the Government of Ontario introduced the initiative in 2007. “Children and parents will engage in play-based learning activities that include music, story time, reading and counting,” said Collver. “Research shows that early childhood education and parent engagement help improve student achievement once children start attending school.”

The sites will be ready for parents and children early in the new year. There is no pre-registration needed and the centres are free for all families.
For more information about Parenting and Family Literacy Centres, visit the Parent Tab at www.granderie.ca

Culture

Letters To Silo- Concern Over Canada-China Treaty Agreement

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Hello Silo, I think this is a very, very important non-partisan political issue.
I believe it is imperative to get the word out to all Canadians.
I hope The Silo will give it some publicity.
It is about the Canada-China Treaty Agreement.
This is a letter I got from Elizabeth May after I sent an eletter to Mr Harper.

“Thank you for your interest in the Canada-China Investment Treaty. Although Stephen Harper prefers to keep Canadians in the dark about this Agreement’s grave implications for our sovereignty, security, and democracy, I am hopeful that we can force the issue into daylight. Your letter proves that you recognize the seriousness and urgency of what is about to take place behind our backs.
While the Canada-China Investment Treaty will likely be our most significant treaty since NAFTA, Stephen Harper plans to sign it into law as early as November 2nd, 2012, without any public consultation, any consultation with First Nations, any Parliamentary debate, or even a single vote in the House of Commons. I do not accept such blatant disrespect for either the will of Canadians or for our democratic institutions.
Sadly, in addition to the anti-democratic process to approve this Agreement, it is the actual content of this investment deal with which I am most concerned. For the first time in Canadian history, the Canada-China Investment Treaty will allow investors (including Chinese state-owned enterprises such as CNOOC or Sinopec), to claim damages against the Canadian government in secret, for decisions taken at the municipal, provincial, territorial or federal level that result in a reduction of their expectation of profits. Even decisions of Canadian courts can give rise to damages.

Realizing what the Conservatives were attempting to do, in secret and without debate, and realizing that we will be bound by this destructive Agreement for up to 31 years once it is ratified, on October 1st, 2012, I made a request in the House of Commons for an Emergency Debate to allow Canada’s democratically elected Members of Parliament to study the implications of the Canada-China Investment Treaty.
Although my request for an Emergency Debate was regrettably denied, we have not given up and are continuing to pursue all available options to stop the treaty’s approval. Given what is at stake, we hope that you will join us.

In addition to the tools found on our Canada-China Investment Treaty campaign site at http://www.greenparty.ca/stop-the-sellout, I urge you to push back against this sell-out of our sovereignty, security, and democracy, and help to educate Canadians by talking to your friends and neighbours, writing letters to the editor in local and national newspapers, calling in to talk radio shows, and filling up the comment boards of news website.

Crucially, this is not a partisan issue, and it is only by coming together to stand up for Canada that we will succeed in stopping this agreement.

Stand up against the sellout to China | Green Party of Canada
www.greenparty.ca
On September 9th, Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed an agreement with China, theCanada-ChinaInvestment Treaty. The agreement was kept from the Canadian public and Parliament until September 26th, 2012, when it was quietly made public, tabled in the House of Commons. No press release. No technical…. Jackie Davies

Follow-up Letter from Mrs. Davies

The Canada-China Investment Treaty is a threat to our national integrity, environmental values, and our autonomy.
And, it is now legal for it to happen without any debate in our nation’s Parliament.

It is the biggest trade deal since NAFTA (1994).

What it will allow is this: Chinese companies (including state-owned enterprises) will be able to sue Canada over decisions that can limit or reduce their expectation of profits. China could claim damages against Canada for decisions at the municipal, provincial, territorial or federal level. Even decisions of our courts can give rise to damages.

It contains the same damaging clauses as NAFTA which are right at this very moment eroding away our Canadian resources and autonomy.

In an email she sent out, Elizabeth May says:
“On November 15th, US-incorporated firm Lone Pine Resources announced its intentions of suing the Government of Canada under the North American Free-Trade Agreement’s infamous Chapter 11. Over what? Quebec’s decision to impose a moratorium on all oil and gas exploration activities in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
By announcing the moratorium, Quebec not only made the right decision (the GPC is the only federal party calling for a moratorium on any oil and gas exploration and/or development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence), but it set the standard for every other province. The decision was made by elected officials and with overwhelming support in the population. Every Quebecer still had the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion in mind. Lone Pine argues the decision was “arbitrary”. I say it was not.”

And so do I and thousands upon thousands of other Canadians.

This is not theoretical. This is happening right now with private US corporations. I shudder to think what would happen if Chinese Communist Party-controlled enterprises had this kind of power over our democratic processes.

For more information on what you can do about the Canada-China Investment Treaty
go to this link http://www.greenparty.ca/stop-the-sellout/action

By the way, Green Leader Elizabeth May won top honours at tonight’s 2012 Parliamentarian of the Year Awards, an annual event organised by Macleans’ and L’Actualité. The MPs themselves voted in eight categories to select the winners.

“I am so honoured to receive such an enormous award from my colleagues in the House.” She is the first woman and first Green Party member to win the award.

Jackie Davies

 

*The Silo is a non-partisan online and print publication. The opinions expressed in Letters to the Silo are not necessarily those of the Silo/Mith Media. We welcome all input and encourage informed debate

Reviews

Canuck Book Review – Linden MacIntyre’s Why Men Lie

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Why Men Lie is the third book in a series that takes place in Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton by Canadian author and journalist Lynden MacIntyre. As a follow up to Giller Prize Winning The Bishop’s Man, this installment of the story follows Effie MacAskill Gillis—a member of the cast in the last two novels in the series.

Effie is an intelligent and accomplished woman. She is a well-respected professor an unnamed university in Toronto. Leads an active social life and has a strong relationship with her adult daughter. However, as reader of the previous two novels will know, Effie has had a rocky past filled with repressed memories that haunt her throughout the book in a series of cloudy flashbacks. As with MacIntyre’s previous two novels, the present is wound fluidly with the past. Effie’s character enhances your understanding of her life and feelings through narrated flashbacks and musings.

Veteran CBC journalist-cum-author Linden MacIntyre

Perhaps what is most remarkable about this novel is that it is written in the female perspective. MacIntyre has been known for many years, both as a journalist and novelist, to have an impeccable ability to tell a story. Throughout reading this novel, the reader will forget that it is, in face, a male author and feel connected with Effie.

If one picks up this novel to see exactly why men lie, they may be disappointed. However, instead of giving the reader an answer, it leads them in the search for truth in Effie’s life and even their own. Sarah Purdy is an avid reader and reviewer of books for The Silo.

Sci-Tech

BenQ’s newest LED monitor- designed so reading is like ‘looking at paper’

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IRVINE, California. BenQ America Corp. today announced that it has been named an International CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award Honoree for its all-white VW30 Series of vertical alignment (VA) LED monitors in the “Computer Peripherals” product category. Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers, and members of the media to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting-edge consumer electronics products across 29 product categories…….[and that’s why we’ve decided to post this in our Fashion category. ‘Cause this monitor is absolutely beautiful. CP ]

Thanks to a new Reading Mode, the new monitors adjust their settings automatically to simulate the warmth of reading paper. How frickin’ cool is that?

BenQ Named CES Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering Award Honoree for VW30 Series of White VA LED Monitors

With no printing, coating, or adhesives on their surface, BenQ’s white, asymmetrical VW2230H and VW2430H monitors give off a pure, uncomplicated, and elegant look. Beyond their design, the VW30s connect to any MacBook through an M-book mode, recreating authentic MacBook picture quality on either the 21.5-inch or 24-inch displays. Additionally, thanks to a new Reading Mode, the monitors adjust their settings automatically to simulate the warmth of reading paper.

For space-savings, a device holder at the base of the monitor offers practicality. The accessory holds iPhones, iPods, and other close-at-hand devices. The monitors also morph into full entertainment hubs; HDMI high-speed multimedia interface, D-sub, and DVI-D connections allow users to hook up gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and additional computers. The VW30 Series offers full 1080p HD, a contrast ratio of 3000:1, and a 178-degree viewing angle, bringing any on-screen content to life.

The VW30 Series’ LED backlighting technology cuts power consumption by up to half when compared to previous generations of monitors. The Eco Mode regulates backlight brightness automatically to ensure the highest quality and energy efficiency. Power consumption is reduced by more than 37 percent when performing daily tasks — such as document viewing, Internet browsing, and emailing — and lowered by 44 percent when gaming.

“With the VW30 Series, BenQ was thinking forward setting out to create the ultimate display with a sleek, minimalistic design perfect for today’s modern lifestyles,” said Lars Yoder, President at BenQ America Corp. “The units combine eco-friendly, high-efficiency operation for an incredible visual experience, and we are honored to receive this recognition as a validation of our efforts.”

The prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards are sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA(R)), the producer of the International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, and have been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976.

BenQ’s VW30 series will be displayed in The Venetian at the 2013 International CES, which runs Jan. 8-11 in Las Vegas. Honorees will also be displayed at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES from 4-7 p.m. on Jan. 6, in the South Seas Ballroom C at Mandalay Bay. For details on all Innovations 2013 Design and Engineering honoree products, please visit
http://cesweb.org/Awards/CES-Innovations-Awards.aspx.

In addition, visitors to BenQ’s South Hall Booth MP25171 during the 2013 International CES will have an opportunity to experience the company’s powerful new lineup of gaming and computer monitors, interactive flat panel displays, and a variety of home entertainment and business projectors.

The VW2230H and VW2430H are available now at MSRPs of $179 and $249, respectively. Information on the full line of BenQ products is available at www.benq.us.

 

Fashion, Sci-Tech

Scottevest intro’s i-phone interactive tech fleece Jacket

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Touch transmissive inner jacket fabric? Hell yeah!

Ketchum, ID – What happens when the greatest thing to ever hit SCOTTEVEST’s electronic shelves gets redesigned? We can’t wait to tell you…

SCOTTEVEST, Inc. has been known for over a decade for our ingenious pocketed clothing marketed toward travelers, gadgetphiles, photographers, and urban adventurers. Over the years, each successive product improves upon previous versions, as indicated by the software-style numeric naming system.

SCOTTEVEST transforms the way you will use your clothing, yet again, with the introduction of the Fleece 7.0 Jacket, available now as a pre-order and shipping October 31, 2012.

The Fleece 7.0 is the successor to our signature jacket, the Fleece 5.0, which quickly became a staple in many SCOTTEVEST customer wardrobes. The Fleece 7.0 features a revolutionary new patent pending pocket, the Quick Draw pocket, inspired by our good friend and London based blogger, Documentally. [Christian Payne – @Documentally CP]

This allows you to access your iPhone 5 (or other smartphone) through the Clear Touch Fabric in the hand warmer pocket, which is something you truly need to test out for yourself. We believe this will fundamentally change the way you interact with your mobile devices. You can plug it in to your wired in headsets or use Siri and FaceTime right through the clear touch fabric, without ever removing your phone from your pocket.

However, we didn’t stop there. Here are some key features that make the Fleece 7.0 so unique:

23 innovative, purposeful pockets for are perfect for gadget lovers, travelers and photographers on the move! Speaking of pocket innovations, this updated style also includes a new iPad/tablet pocket design, which adds extra security and better ergonomics when pocketing a large device.

The In-and-Out Pocket debuts on the Fleece 7.0, allowing you to access the interior chest pocket from the exterior of the
jacket. An updated eyeglass pocket with both top and zippered side access contains a cleaning chamois with a map showing each of the jacket’s many pockets.

Wear the jacket of the ‘near future’ right now: SeV Fleece Jacket7.

Since the sleeves are removable with cleverly hidden zippers, a dual-access back lumbar pocket has been included to hold them if
you are wearing the Fleece 7.0 as a vest. Oh, did we mention that the Fleece 7.0 can turn into a vest? Inside, just in case you need to “show your papers” or “stow your papers” in a hurry, we have highlighted the travel documents pocket with a red zipper and a locking zipper pull, making it nearly impossible to pickpocket. No. Making it impossible to pickpocket (unless, perhaps, you are a really sleeper and hang your jacket in the closet).

Our typical level of attention to detail continues inside with a silky lining and a subtle “fractal” design comprised of our logo
in shades of black and gray. Ergonomic zipper pulls make getting into your pockets easy (even with gloves). Totally stealthy, the Fleece 7.0 is black with gray accents and has NO reflective piping. And if stealth isn’t your thing, it’s also available in a limited edition Red version.

The Fleece 7.0 is now available for pre-order on our website www.scottevest.com and is now shipping. This is just the beginning of many more incredible advances in the SCOTTEVEST clothing line. As the weather begins to cool down in your part of the world, things are definitely heating up at SCOTTEVEST…stay tuned!

About SCOTTEVEST
SCOTTEVEST is one of the world’s leading travel clothing companies, and was named the #41 apparel e-commerce site in 2011
by Internet Retailer Magazine and #77 fastest growing Consumer Products & Services Companies by Inc. Magazine. SeV specializes in stylish jackets, shirts and pants with a unique hidden pockets for travelers, and a patented system of conduits
and pockets for carrying, using and enjoying personal electronics. SCOTTEVEST is the first clothing company to provide
a pocket for the iPad®.

Please see the embedded photos to get a better understanding of our patented pocket feature that allows you to utilize your
electronic device without removing it from the pocket, keeping your hands warm at all times. Be sure to test it out for yourself
on the actual garment!

www.SCOTTEVEST.com

 

 

Earth

Surviving Hurricane Sandy

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Pedestrians come to the aid of a motorist stuck on a flooded-out road along the shoreline area of Milford, Connecticut ahead of Hurricane Sandy October 29, 2012. The storm began battering the U.S. East Coast on Monday with fierce winds and driving rain, as the monster storm shut down transportation, shuttered businesses and sent thousands scrambling for higher ground. photo: REUTERS/Michelle McLoughlin

Dear Silo- I live in Jackson, N.J., about 10 miles inland, and did not get the devastating storm surge from Hurricane Sandy. And yet, I have never experienced such a catastrophic weather event.

High winds brought down thousands of trees, taking out power lines and crashing into homes. The destruction here is something I never imagined I would see.

images courtesy: NASA imaging

The Mantoloking Bridge, where the sea came into the bay, is where I crab all summer. It’s now crumpled in the water, surrounded by flooded homes. It’s heartbreaking to see images of the place you love destroyed.

Since most homes did not have power or internet immediately after the storm, we did not get to see the images of ravaged iconic Jersey Shore towns like Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant, Manasquan, Mantoloking, Atlantic City and Asbury Park. Local residents are shocked at the extent of the devastation revealed in newspaper photos. Entire shore towns are gone; there is nothing left.

People are starting to lose it by the day; they’ve never gone so long without power. People in New York are eating from Dumpsters. The lines for gas, if you can find it, are miles long. A few more days like this and I worry civilization will start to break down.

Thankfully, my family is OK. I’m nutty about preparation, so we have everything we need. It is so important to be prepared for disaster.

Since I had a generator and plenty of fuel, the loss of power was tolerable. I was able to run my refrigerator and freezer, charge my cell phone and iPad, light my house and watch DVDs on the flat screen. The biggest complaint from those without generators has been boredom.

My 4G iPad was a lifesaver. I was able to tune into local radio stations and keep up with the news; view pictures and videos of the
devastation; and play games to pass the time.

Water is worth its weight in gold during a crisis, you can never have too much. Canned food, candles, flashlights and batteries are other must-have prep items.

It is very difficult to get gasoline as many stations have no power or have not had any gas delivered. There are mile-long lines at the stations that do have power and gas. The traffic around them is incredible — it’s a wild scene!

Why did so many people have so little gas that they would line up for hours to fill their tank? Because they did not prepare for the major disaster that had been forecast for the greater part of a week. My three cars are all full because I filled up BEFORE the storm.

The Jersey Shore will come back, but it will take a very long time. I feel a profound sadness seeing the beautiful shore destroyed and witnessing the suffering of those who have lost everything.

Please use this tragedy to prepare your family for disaster natural or man made. The best investment you can make is a generator. Buy one BEFORE a crisis hits.  Louis Scatigna

 

Comics

NORMANDY A Graphic History Of D Day

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“What a glorious book, vivid, accurate, utterly bewitching.” – Alex Kershaw, bestselling author of The Bedford Boys: One American Town’s Ultimate D-Day Sacrifice

Zenith Press and writer artist Wayne Vansant (Marvel Comics The ‘Nam) offer up 103 entertaining pages in the almanac sized Normandy A Graphic History of D-Day. Tastefully spread out over 15 Chapters, this factual graphic comic tells the story of the Allied invasion of German occupied Europe.

There aren’t any consultant or researcher credits listed in this book but it plays out in a fairly accurate way, with a chronology that starts with the initial Allied paratrooper assault and then the storming of the five D-Day beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Fans of WW2 history know the rest: once ashore, the allies had their work cut out for them as the Germans fell back and defended all the way into Berlin.

Here’s what www.armchairgeneral.com had to say about this books accuracy:
“As with any overview, how much new information a reader learns will depend on how knowledgeable that reader already is on the subject, but Normandy‘s attention to the details makes it worthwhile for adult readers. One of the elements that impressed me most was that the book isn’t just about the Americans. Actions of the British, Canadians, Poles, Free French, and, of course, their German opponents are also given more than just a passing nod.

While some of its chapters cover big-picture subjects (no pun intended, for once) like “Bloody Omaha” or “The Cobra Strikes,” the heart of this book is in its anecdotes about individuals or small groups, such as the story of Stanley Hollis of Britain’s 6th Green Howards using a Sten gun and hand grenades to capture a German bunker, or Michael Wittman’s rampage with his Tiger tank at Villers-Bocage, or Free French soldiers phoning family and friends from the outskirts of Paris to say they’d be home soon.”

Normandy has a suggested retail price of $21.99 Canadian funds and is available at http://www.amazon.ca/Normandy-Graphic-History-Invasion-Fortress/dp/0760343926 For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Culture

First Nations reader sends letter outlining FIPA Canada-China trade concerns

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November 1, 2012 His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. Governor General

Your Excellency:

I am going to start with this quote i read today “I am a Canadian, free to
speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I
think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, and free to choose those
who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold
for myself and all mankind.” – John Diefenbaker.

Now as a proud First Nations citizen of Canada, I strongly urge you to use
your discretionary reserve powers as the Head of State of this country and
to suspend Stephen Harper as Prime Minister and to dissolve Parliament in
order to preserve and protect our democracy. The method in which Prime
Minister Harper negotiated in secret the Canada-China Foreign Investment
Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA) and his refusal to have any
debate or discussion on it in the House of Commons is extremely
undemocratic. There are many who believe he no longer nor ever acted in
the true benefit of Canada as a whole, i speak for myself and for my
peoples, as i know many will be, or would have wanted to, sending letters.
The First Nations are only just getting word out with regards to the full
effect this will have on our peoples. We are begging for our
Constitutional Rights given to us through our treaties. I see Elders
crying, these people lead our communities not the false leaders imposed on
us. i cry as i write this…our Elders gave a unanimous decision to reject
any deals to use our lands. We have been closed out of any trade
agreements, some based on technicalities…now to quote from of the
government documents our growing youth population (which is getting
healthier) is excepted to be “400,000” these children are what we fight
for. Our beliefs are that we are here as maintainers or caretakers of this
land. Mother Earth will be here long after we leave, our children’s
children should not have to “maintain” our messes. I was raised outside
the First Nations community, taken away as a child isolated(almost
literally) from people for around 6 years of my life, i had school and i
had my sister but i was forced to spend a lot of time alone, plus
physical/psychological abuse, i am one of the lucky ones. But our
communities are only just starting the healing process, and on top of that
educating ourselves. We need to be able to Listen to our Elders, our
Elders are begging for our Treaty rights and I do know “hear” news of our
tribal leaders asking for the same.

All citizens of Canada have a democratic right to be informed and consulted
on any such far reaching agreements especially when they have the potential
for very dire repercussions as does FIPA. In ratifying this agreement,
which provides communist run corporations the power to sue Canadian
governments at all levels should our laws and policies impede their
expected profits, it is not only completely contrary to the best interest
of Canadians it in fact serves to undermine the very core of our democracy.
By ratifying this agreement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper is providing
Chinese corporations the ability to challenge and overturn our laws and
strike down our democratic process and that is without question an attack
on our democracy and our ability to be sovereign country. The vast majority
of Canadians strongly oppose this agreement but their Conservative Members
of Parliament choose to follow party lines rather than to represent their
constituent’s wishes. The people of Canada have lost confidence in the
Harper Conservative Parliament and our elected representatives refuse to
act accordingly. One of the Governor’s General most important
responsibilities is to ensure that Canada always has a prime minister and a
government in place that has the confidence of the people who elected the
Parliament. For the sake of Canada and Canadians, please execute your
duties and suspend Stephen Harper as Prime Minister and dissolve Parliament.

The above is a quote from a fellow citizen, but I have done research.
Everything I have been looking up over the last month with regards to
environmental amendments and First Nation goals are extremely disturbing,
and to mention on top of those are budget indiscretions and the
environmental impact he has allowed to happen. I am not someone that can
sit on the sidelines and not do something or say something when you know
something being done is wrong. What the Conservative government is doing
to Canada is wrong, what he has planned for the First Nations communities
is wrong. This government can not be allowed to continue on with it’s
agenda.

Sincerely
Lenore Gold
From the Cree Nation and a Canadian Citizen

*The Silo is a non-partisan online and print publication and welcomes open-forum debate and comments. The opinions expressed in letters to the Silo are not necessarily those of the Silo.