New Brunswick Public Interest Research Group

Community Calendar
info@frederictonpeace.org

1. WED, SEPT 16: STAND & DELIVER POETRY WORKSHOPS
2. THURS, SEPT 17: LECTURE BY REV. BRENT HAWKES - FROM HUMAN RIGHTS TO SAFE
SCHOOLS
3. FRI, SEPT 18: CINEMA POLITICA PRESENTS: NO MORE SMOKE SIGNALS
4. SUN, SEPT 20: AIDS WALK FOR LIFE
5. SEPT 21 - OCT 28: THE MOTHERS’ VOICES PROJECT
6. SEPT 21: INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY
7. SEPT 21: NEW BRUNSWICK PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP PUBLIC MEETING
8. SEPT 25: MEET OTHERS FORUM WITH DR. FIKRU GEBREKIDAN
9. SEPT 25: 100-MILE FALL HARVEST DINNER
10. SEPT 25: CRITICAL MASS BIKE RIDE
11. SEPT 26: AFRO DANCE DAY WORKSHOP
12. SEPT 27: DECONSTRUCTING DINNER WITH JON STEINMAN
13. SUN, SEPT 27: RADICAL HISTORY WALKING TOUR OF FREDERICTON
14. SEPT 29: ABOUSFIAN ABDELRAZIK TO SPEAK IN FREDERICTON
15. OCT 1-2: NEW BRUNSWICK ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK ANNUAL GATHERING
16. OCT 5: JULIO CHAVEZ TO SPEAK IN FREDERICTON
17. OCT 15: PUBLIC LECTURE: WHY ARE AMERICANS HUNGRIER THAN CANADIANS?
18. OCT 16: COMMUNITY ORGANIZATING IN THE MEDIA AGE
19. OCT 16-17: CONSERVATION COUNCIL 40TH ANNIVERSARY PANEL & CELEBRATION
20. OCT 23-25: COUNCIL OF CANADIANS 24TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
21. OCT 23-25: OPEN SPACE FORUM
–

1. WED, SEPT 16: STAND & DELIVER POETRY WORKSHOPS. Stand & Deliver Poetry
Workshop Begins Sept. 16. Poetry is more than words arranged on a page, wrapped
up in rhythm, evoking emotion. Poetry is language supercharged and ready for
action, it is the vehicle for voices to engage the masses, challenge
unquestioned assumptions, and bring about social transformation. Poetry is the
art of living large and meaning it. Poetry is yours. Poetry is authentic and
powerful speech. In this new, free weekly workshop, you will work with others
to learn how to read, write and perform poetry. Working from the ground up, you
require no previous experience, only a desire to express yourself and have your
unique voice and perspective heard. By reading the works of other poets, we
will explore the boundaries of language and experience, consider genres and how
they work, and critique them for their successes and failures. Far more than
this, you will work with others writing, reading, and critiquing each others
work, and then… And then we take it to the streets! Together in groups we
will Stand & Deliver our poetry in unconventional and traditional places. We
will raise our voices to the rooftops and bring poetry from the classroom to
the hearts and minds of the people. The needle drops Wednesday, September 16th
in BMH 202 at 6 pm and will run every Wednesday from until April. If you have
any questions, please contact Professor Andrew Titus by e-mail at andrt@stu.ca
or check out the FB group:
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readmessage.php?t=1107556014485&f=1&e=0#/group.php?gid=245656575416

2. THURS, SEPT 17: LECTURE BY REV. BRENT HAWKES - FROM HUMAN RIGHTS TO SAFE
SCHOOLS. Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes will talk about his own coming out story in
N.B., his fight for human rights for LGBT people and the importance of the
education system becoming more GLBT-friendly. Thursday, September 17th, 2009.
12:45 pm -1:45 pm, Senator Noel Kinsella Auditorium - McCain Hall. Rev. Dr.
Brent Hawkes, who will be receiving the New Brunswick Human Rights
Commission’s “Pioneer of Human Rights Award” on September 16th at a
ceremony in Woodstock, New Brunswick, is recognized as a key player in
achieving equality for gay and lesbian citizens in Canada, including having
performed the first same sex marriage in Canada. Dr. Hawkes received the Order
of Canada in 2007. He is the first gay rights advocate to receive the honour. 

3. FRI, SEPT 18: CINEMA POLITICA: NO MORE SMOKE SIGNALS. 7:00 PM, Friday, Sept
18 at Conserver House, 180 St. John St. Discussion follows films with Pull Up
the People - a radio show on CHSR 97.9 FM, a campus radio station in
Fredericton. Free films. Donations encouraged. For more info, visit:
www.cinemapolitica.org/fredericton or contact: fredericton@cinemapolitica.org

4. SUN, SEPT 20: AIDS WALK FOR LIFE. Join the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life
September 20th at Wilmot Park Gazebo, Fredericton, NB. Registration begins at
1pm. There will be live entertainment, prizes, and a BBQ! We will also be
announcing the winner of our Beer and Lobster Raffle! What can you or your
organization do to help? Walk, run, pledge or just lend a hand. Contact
459-7518 or aidsnbpsc@nb.aibn.com for more details on how you can participate.
Click here:http://www.aidswalkforlife.ca/FindYourWalk.htm#NB for information
and to donate to any of the AIDS Walk events in New Brunswick. AIDS Walk Raffle
is on Now! You could be a hero to your friend by winning 48 beer and 25 pounds
of lobster from the AIDS NB raffle brought to you by Carolyn Dimock, Realtor,
Exit Realty Avantage: (506) 470-7032, www.carolyndimock.com Tickets are $2 each
or 3 for $5 available at AIDS NB/SIDA N-B, 65 Brunswick St. between 9 am-4pm
Monday to Friday.

5. SEPT 21 - OCT 28: THE MOTHERS’ VOICES PROJECT. The Mothers’ Voices
Project is holding workshops to examine different child care models and
determine what solutions can be put to use in our communities. It’s time to
develop quality affordable childcare for all! Come learn more about community
based childcare and how we can make it happen in New Brunswick! Workshops will
take place in Fredericton September 21st, Miramichi October 5th, Shédiac
October 8th, St. Andrews October 15th, and the Restigouche region October 28st.
To register, or for more info, contact Rachel at the NB Child Care Coalition at
(506) 855-8977. Or visit the website at http://www.nbccc-csgnb.ca

6. SEPT 21: INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY. Celebrate International Peace Day at the
Peace Pole (south side of the walking bridge) in Fredericton at 12 noon,
Monday, September 21 with speakers and music. Rain venue: Christ Church
Cathedral. For more info: info@frederictonpeace.org

7. SEPT 21: NB PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP PUBLIC MEETING. NBPIRG seeks to
empower, educate, and inspire action on social justice and environmental
issues. Join us at our first public meeting on Monday, September 21 at 7:00pm
at Tilley Hall, Room 303, UNB Fredericton. Students, faculty and community
members are welcome to join the NBPIRG. For more info, contact nbpirg@gmail.com
or visit: www.nbpirg.org]

8. SEPT 25: MEET OTHER FORUM WITH DR. FIKRU GEBREKIDAN. As our society has
become more diverse and increasingly multicultural, we have made "tolerance"
both a social and a legal virtue. One of the questions of the new century, if
not the new millennium, is how societies can move beyond tolerance and learn to
celebrate differences. As part of the Meet Others Forum, history professor, Dr.
Fikru Gebrekidan will deliver his lecture, “When You Are in Nairobi Do What
Nairobians Do: Challenges and Rewards of Doing Research in Africa with Personal
Anecdotes of Otherness" on Friday, September 25 from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm in
Holy Cross House, 121. The Meet Others Forum has been developed to host monthly
discussions, with featured guests, to reflect on questions of tolerance,
otherness, celebrating diversity, and other related questions. The atmosphere
is student friendly; there will be time for questions and answers following the
talk. All are welcome. Refreshments will be available.

9. SEPT 25: 100-MILE FALL HARVEST DINNER. The Conservation Council of New
Brunswick is pleased to announce its 2nd annual 100-mile dinner this September.
The 100-mile dinner is a celebration of everything local, from the meal to the
entertainment. Friday, September 25 at the Wilmot United Church, Fredericton.
To reserve your tickets or for more information, contact 458-8747 or
info@conservationcouncil.ca

10. SEPT 25: CRITICAL MASS BIKE RIDE. Critical Mass is a bike ride held the
last Friday of every month (Sept 25). In Fredericton, meet at People’s Park
(Officer’s Square) on the corner of Regent and Queen. Ride leaves at 5:30pm.
Upcoming dates: Friday, Sept. 25, Friday, Oct 30, Friday, Nov 27.

11. SEPT 26: AFRO DANCE DAY WORKSHOP. Maritime Centre for African Dance
Presents Afro Dance Day Workshop
Saturday, September 26 - 10:30 am to 3:45 pm. 732 Charlotte St. at the
Fredericton Arts and Learning Centre. Open to all ages! No age restriction!
Come and feel the rhythm of the African beat!! The workshop will feature
different dances from Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Congo, Creative Hip Hop,
(a mix of African, Caribbean and Hip Hop), and more! No previous dance
experience necessary. The Maritime Centre for African Dance, best known for
performing at President Obama`s Inauguration, will be hosting their popular
workshop with live drumming. The cost is $65 for the day but refer 3 friends to
this workshop and your registration is free. To register or for more details,
please email info@mcafricancamps.com This e-mail address is being protected
from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call us toll free at
1.877.407.3399.
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=122055930698, www.mcafricancamps.com

12. SEPT 27: DECONSTRUCTING DINNER WITH JON STEINMAN. Radio host Jon Steinman
will present on resilient food secure communities on Sunday, September 27 at
3:00 pm at Renaissance College, 811 Charlotte St., Fredericton. Hosted by the
Landless Gardeners.

13. SEPT 27: RADICAL HISTORY WALKING TOUR OF FREDERICTON. Friday Sept. 11th and
Sunday Sept. 27th @ 4:00pm. Think nothing ever happens in Fredericton? Join the
Radical Walking Tour of Fredericton and learn about our city’s hidden
history. Find out why Officer’s Square was called the Peoples’ Park. See
which university building was occupied by students for over forty days in the
1960’s. Check out the hotbeds of recent political struggles, and much more.
The tour will begin at the University of New Brunswick’s Student Union
Building and make its way downtown with plenty of stops and stories along the
way. Don’t miss it. This event is organized by the NB Public Interest
Research Group. For more info, contact: nbpirg@gmail.com or visit:
www.nbpirg.org

14. SEPT 29: ABOUSFIAN ABDELRAZIK TO SPEAK IN FREDERICTON. Abousfian Abdelrazik
will speak in Fredericton on Tuesday, September 29 at 7:00 pm at Tilley Hall,
Room 303, UNB about his six-year forced exile in Sudan beginning in 2003 when
he was imprisoned at the request of Canadian Security Intelligence Service
(CSIS), tortured, and then spent more than one year living in the Canadian
Embassy after his case went public. Hosted by the Fredericton Peace Coalition.
Contact: info@frederictonpeace.org

15. OCT 1-2: NEW BRUNSWICK ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK ANNUAL GATHERING. Join the
N.B. Environmental Network for their annual meeting that will discuss burning
environmental concerns in Fredericton and the province. This year’s theme is
“A Team Effort: Building Partnerships”. This year’s event will take place
at Renaissance College in Fredericton from the evening of October 2nd to
October 4th. Visit http://nben.ca/AGA_09_e.htm for more information about the
event, to see the agenda for the weekend and to register. For more info,
contact NBEN 506-433-6101 or nben@nben.ca

16. OCT 5: JULIO CHAVEZ TO SPEAK IN FREDERICTON. Julio Chávez, a member of the
Lara State Assembly, and head of the presidential commission on popular power
and participatory democracy in Venezuela will speak on Monday, October 5 at
7:00 pm at Renaissance College – 811 Charlotte St. in Fredericton. Contact:
info@frederictonpeace.org

17. OCT 15: PUBLIC LECTURE: WHY ARE AMERICANS HUNGRIER THAN CANADIANS? Joel
Berg, the Executive director of the New York City Coalition Against Hunger and
former senior Advisor in the Clinton Administration, will speak in a free
public lecture entitled: Why are Americans hungrier than Canadians? on
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 7:00 pm at Noel Kinsella Auditorium, McCain Hall,
St. Thomas University. The talk is sponsored by the Rural Social Justice Centre
for Research to raise awareness of food issues on the eve of the UN World Food
Day. The talk is scheduled on the first day of a cluster of UN Days focused on
women, food and poverty. Contact: rsjcr@stu.ca

18. OCT 16: COMMUNITY ORGANIZATING IN THE MEDIA AGE. Workshop on “Community
Organizing in the Media Age” by Joel Berg, of the New York Coalition Against
Hunger, on October 16th 9:30-11:30 a.m. The goal of the workshop: Help aspiring
activists craft successful advocacy campaigns/ messages for media coverage of
the event. Venue TBA. For more info: rsjcr@stu.ca

19. OCT 16-17: CONSERVATION COUNCIL 40TH ANNIVERSARY PANEL & CELEBRATION.
Celebrate the Conservation Council’s 40th anniversary with keynote speakers,
panel discussions and entertainment. Stay tuned for more details. Contact: 506
458-8747 or info@conservationcouncil.ca Visit: www.conservationcouncil.ca

20. OCT 23-25: COUNCIL OF CANADIANS 24TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. The Council of
Canadians will be hosting its 24th Annual General Meeting October 23-25, 2009
at the Hilton Hotel in Saint John, New Brunswick. We will look at how the
current failed economic model, which is based on market priorities, has led to
economic instability and uncertainty for families with job losses, rising costs
and protection for fossil fuel industries that have devastating effects on the
environment. We will talk about ways to pressure governments to recognize the
need for change and opportunities to create a just economy for people and the
planet. Speakers at the free public forum on Oct. 23 include Maude Barlow,
Garry Leech and John Cavanaugh. For more info: 1-800-387-7177, ext. 333;
inquiries@canadians.org For carpooling from Fredericton, contact:
info@frederictonpeace.org

21. OCT 23-25: OPEN SPACE FORUM. We ask you to participate in the very first
large scale community discussion on how to make Fredericton a better place to
live, work, and play. This is an ambitious moment and we would like you, and
others, to share your ideas, vision and heart. While Fredericton is already a
good place to live, we also know we could be doing some things much better.
Just think of one thing like public transit, retaining qualified employees,
fund raising … and you quickly see how your priorities connect with those of
others. We are hosting a two-day event to make those connections happen. It is
called an OPEN SPACE FORUM to be held October 23 to 25, 2009 at the Fredericton
Exhibition Centre. There is more about Open Space on our website, but the short
version is Open Space is a large scale consensus building decision process
which connects people and their goals into a master plan. We have so much and
yet we still struggle to improve. Each of us knows this in our own particular
way. Maybe what we need for a community breakthrough is an innovative process
which brings us all together. The weekend is organized around a central
question or theme: What are our priorities and how do we work together to reach
them? The OPEN SPACE FORUM is the opportunity. No advance preparation is
required. No “talking heads”. You/we make the agenda. You participate only
in the areas you are interested in. It is high energy, creative, passionate and
fun. Social Innovation is focused on building a process which connects
different sectors – business, government, voluntary, seniors, youth, faith,
environment, et al. This moment allows for new, and sometimes surprising,
solutions.