Initiatives such as giving each student a reusable plastic mug to eliminate their reliance on one-use styrofoam, providing each with a reusable bag to break the dependance on plastic bags as well as investing in electric vehicles to be used to get students from campus to campus are part of the agenda.

The Sustainable Concordia Project can be credited for kicking this into high gear as their 2003 and 2006 assessments ‘paved’ the way for this program.

By demonstrating that this is a win- win situation at a low cost investment from students helps not only Montreal, but the planet.

Will the Quebec government step up and match their contribution? Will other organizations take notice of the lead that Concordia is setting and launch their own employee/member/student contribution plans? I can only hope so…

Oh and if you are still not convinced that Concordia University isn’t going to be the greenest campus on the planet… they have recently given Al Gore an honorary doctorate. To see the photos – click here

With roughly 77 farms that sell their organic veggies and meats to consumers, roughly 7,500 applications for weekly food baskets resulting in over 20,000 happy fully bellies here in Quebec.

For more information, check out this link

This is such a jovial looking location and a spot which I do plan on frequenting quite soon. Their line up of events include such diverse offerings as a talk by Buddhist master (and translator to the Dalai Lama – Mathieu Ricard, a free musical performance by Catherine Major and several circus events.

For more information, check out the site here Tohu- La Cite Des Arts Du Cirque

No, not with repeats of “Nanny 911″ or “Trading Spouses” but with the power of the law (no, not “Judge Judy”)

Reports suggest that camcorder-pirates are sitting amongst us in bilingual cinemaplexes and then selling the recorded materials to the Asian market before it is released by their local theatres.

Potential implications could be delays in movie releases in Canada. Will be interesting to see how this all pans out.

Readers can choose to purchase the book in either French or English, however the French version features a little novella on the history of pork whereas the forward of the English copy is written by uber-gonzo-chef-journalist Anthony Bourdain.

Visit http://www.restaurantaupieddecochon.ca for more information or to get yourself a copy.

Kids can record messages and share their thoughts, feelings and experiences. Asking the question “What do you wish you could tell your parents?”- the easy to use interface allows the participants to take centre stage in expressing themselves and being heard.

Be sure to share this link and help it spread worldwide. Communication and sharing is the key here…

Talent includes:

Master of Ceremonies Sherlyn Knight (of Fun Fun Fun)
Malcolm Mazumdar “The Sweet Lady of Kensington”
Donna, Marion & Randy The Pinsky Sisters Dance Trio
Spoken Word by Alia Thomas, Sophia Baigs & Shaka
Klezmer Music by Melodie Adler
Dylan Spivak – Storyteller
The Band with No Name
Royal Vale School Choir
Phyllis Carter
plus other surprises

Also join the 100 Club at the performance by providing whatever you can provide in the amount of 100 (100 pennies ($1), 100 nickels ($5), 100 dimes ($10), 100 Quarters($25), 100 dollars($100), 100 letters to Gerald Tremblay, 100 phone calls to Michael Applebaum, 100 faxes to Labonte’,100 prayers, 100 volunteer hours, 100 emails to friends asking for support, etc.

They will be here to buy up our bagels and smoked meat I swear it here to you now.

Reported to be taking a vacation to see her daughter be married in Cuba and then take some courses at university, her life was stolen from her and police and her family are pleading for clues to help them solve this crime.

She was struck while crossing near Notre Dame des Neiges cemetery and if you have any information, PLEASE contact the local police with any details that may help them to solve this crime.

I’ve always been fascinated by the history and beauty of this structure as it is the highest point in the entire City of Montreal.

Additional facts from the L’Oratoire Saint-Joseph website include:

- You can scale the 283 steps to reach the doors of the Basilica from street level.

- An exclusive flight of 99 steps is reserved for those pilgrims who wish to climb on their knees.

- The carillon consists of 56 bells and was designed originally for the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

- 2 million visitors and pilgrims visit the Oratory every year.

Have any of you scaled the steps? Tell us all about it.