Care about Climate Issues.....

Get involved with EcoSociety’s election campaign (ecosociety.ca/Voter2015)asking voters to pledge to vote for democracy and the climate this October by attending our Cranbrook campaign training we are putting on along with the BC Health Coalition on Tuesday, August 18. RSVP: http://goo.gl/forms/JW94YHkIzG
We only have just over 2 months left and lots of work to do, our campaign will only be successful with your help, as it’s all about our grassroots.

Learn more about the campaign and sign our pledge to vote for democracy and climate: ecosociety.ca/Voter2015

WHO: Cranbrook, Kimberley and surrounding area community members who want to be part of a non-partisan campaign based in democracy and climate issues
WHAT: Campaign orientation and training
WHEN: Tuesday, August 18, 1-5pm
WHERE: Manual Training School Meeting room at the Public Library- 1212 2nd Street North, Cranbrook
RSVP: http://goo.gl/forms/JW94YHkIzG

NDP Proposal for Minimum Wage

http://thetyee.ca/News/2015/08/11/NDP-Federal-Minimum-Wage/

NDP's Proposal for a Federal Minimum Wage, Explained
Who would benefit? Who's opposed? And more questions answered.
By Jeremy J. Nuttall, 11 Aug 2015, TheTyee.ca

What is the NDP proposing?

The NDP proposal is for a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour. That means it would apply to federally regulated industries only, such as transportation, broadcasting, and banks. Last year, The Tyee published a story about how it could mean a raise for small town radio reporters.

In 1996, the governing Liberals scrapped the federal minimum wage because it had not been raised in 10 years, and provincial wages were higher than the $4-an-hour rate anyway.

A federal minimum wage would not apply to all minimum wage jobs in Canada, such as retail or restaurants. The federal government does not have the authority to set minimum wages for industries that are not regulated by Ottawa.

To read the entire article go to the link above.

What's Happening......

Friday August 14th

Cranbrook and District Arts Council Gallery
Summer Night Miche Bag Party 7pm to 8:30pm 
135, Tenth Av. S.

https://www.michebag.ca/

Saturday August 15th

Hike to Grassy Mountain
Call Lorne 250-426-8864

Cranbrook Farmer's Market
9:00am - 1:00pm
Tenth Av. S.

Summer Sounds
with Fisher Peak Artists
Rotary Park
11:00am - 2:00pm
David L'Hirondelle

Summer Sounds in the Evening
Rotary Park
with Fisher Peak Artists
Rotary Park
7:00pm - 10:00pm
The East West Connection

Ongoing August 17 to September 12
The work of Joel Robinson
Key City Theatre Gallery

Cranbrook and District Arts Council 
The Gallery
10th Av S.
Members Open Art Exhibit



Each and Every Wednesday 'til September 2nd
Rotary Park

What to do on  a Wednesday Night?  is the scorching Summer Heat getting to you , well then what are you for head on down to Rotary Park  downtown Cranbrook. From humble beginnings on Wednesday June 24th with a grand total of 10 vendors and a  sparse crowd, The Little Market Who Could (as I like to call it) grew to  21 vendors and a large crowd on July 1st. The market which starts at 5pm and ends at 8:30pm,  has been averaging 18 vendors per week and the attendance has increased thanks to the hard work and dedication of Beverlee Bullough, Fisher Peak Vendors Market Coordinator, week after week she puts in countless hours to ensure that everything runs smoothly. There are also a small group of dedicated volunteers that help with set up and take down for vendors that require assistance. Beverlee gets to Rotary Park, Cranbrook at 3pm to set up and gets home after 10pm
The market features a variety of vendors from artisans, crafters, jewelry, health and skin care, cleaning products, food, fresh fruit and vegetables is presented by Fisher Peak Performing Artists Society who also provide Live Musical Entertainment showcasing  Local performers from 6pm to 8:30pm. Jamie Neve has been a mainstay in setting up, handling sound tech duties and taking down week after week, it must be a labour of love. Jamie gets to Rotary Park, Cranbrook at 5pm and usually gets home around 10pm. There are also small group of dedicated volunteers who have helped out with set up and takedown.
I for one wish to THANK both Beverlee and Jamie for everything they have done to make Cranbrook a better community, next time you are attending the Fisher Peak Vendors Market stop by Moon Bead Design Plus and say hi to Beverlee, walk up to the stage and say hi to Jamie as well.  There are three more markets Wed Aug 19th,  Aug 26th and Sep 2nd, hope to see you there. 
Best Regards
Louie Cupello 

  

Debate Play-by-Play

As others see it.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/aug/06/canada-first-party-leaders-debate-live-updates

An interesting play by play of the leadership debate on The Guardian.
The wrap...

And, we’re done.

The immediate winner tonight is Elizabeth May. But the strategic victor is Tom Mulcair’s NDP.
Under attack from the other three parties, Harper withered. But while May rose to fill the room, and Mulcair’s calm demeanor gave him the last word over and over again, Trudeau failed to hit the near-impossible moving target he had to hit to put his party back in contention.

Colouring Lethbridge History

News Centre

Lethbridge Colouring Book

Published August 11, 2015

The City of Lethbridge's Recreation and Culture department, along with the Lethbridge Historical Society, decided to collaborate on a fun colouring book that would highlight some of the recreational and cultural opportunities in Lethbridge through an exploration of Lethbridge's past and present in an ABC Colouring Book titled, "Lethbridge Abecedarium".

The publication and completion of this coloring book is timely with the trend towards adult colouring growing and of course, with parents looking for things for their children to do in the summer that involves some connection to learning and curriculum. 

The coloring book is available for download here and a limited number of print copies will be available for free at City Hall and some of the attractions included in the coloring book, such as the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. 

"This has been a great partnership," says Lori Harasem, Recreation and Culture Development Manager with the City of Lethbridge.  "For children who enjoy coloring, they can learn a little bit about everything from 'V is for Valley' to 'K is for Kainai', and learn about the people, places and things that make our area so unique."

"The LHS is always looking for new, creative methods and partnerships to share our phenomenal history and we hope this book is enjoyed by kids and adults alike as they explore our community," states Belinda Crowson of the Lethbridge Historical Society.

The drawings were commissioned from local artist, Shanell Papp, who has become a familiar face in the arts scene in Lethbridge with her unique style. 

The different letters of the alphabet have been features in the Recreation and Culture Guide, a free monthly publication coordinated and published by the City, throughout the last year.  Past copies are available through the Active Lethbridge app, free in Andriod and iOS stores.

Media Contacts:   
Belinda Crowson
Lethbridge Historical Society
403 894 2853

Lori Harasem

http://www.lethbridge.ca/NewsCentre/Pages/ColouringBook.aspx

Caution, Twins About

One, of what seem to be many replacement sets of twin fawns around the city these days.  Always pretty to look at but caution required with protective Momma doe close by.

photo Stewart Wilson

Shady Hike for a Hot Day

Craving a shady hike on these hot days?  The Old Growth Trail at Island Lake Lodge, Fernie provides a great little work-out plus the shady beauty of some ancient cedars and then the opportunity for a great lunch at the lodge with a spectacular view.

Wizard tree

The Tyee: Harper Government and it's abuses of power

Tyee staff and contributors have compiled a list of 70 government assaults on democracy and the law.  As a list of 70 is pretty difficult for anyone to verify all at once we will post a few at a time.  To read the entire list at once go to this link.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2015/08/10/Harper-Abuses-of-Power-Final/

Evidence Compiled

The Tyee's full, updated list of 70 Harper government assaults on democracy and the law.

By David Beers and Tyee Staff and Contributors, Yesterday, TheTyee.ca 

Stephen Harper and his Conservatives have racked up dozens of serious abuses of power since forming government in 2006. From scams to smears, monkey-wrenching opponents to intimidating public servants like an Orwellian gorilla, some offences are criminal, others just offend human decency.

Last week we published 59 examples in two parts, and asked our readers to suggest any we may have missed. Among the many suggestions we gratefully received, we concluded that 11 more meet the criteria for "abuses of power." Today we compile all 70 items into one omnibus of abuse by the Stephen Harper government.

Thanks, once more, to friends of The Tyee who help with this list.

PMO Tied to Senate Hush Money Scandal
An RCMP affidavit reported widespread involvement by PMO staffers in a secret payment to Senator Mike Duffy to try and make a political problem go away. The Senate expenses scandal brought on allegations of a cover-up, a breach of the public trust, and a whitewashing of a Senate report. The PMO was found to have hand in the altering of a damning Deloitte audit.
Harper Found in Contempt of Parliament
For refusing to disclose information on the costing of programs to Parliament, which Parliament was entitled to receive, the Harper government became the first in Canadian history to be found in contempt of Parliament.
Against Court Order, Refusal to Share Budget Info
Even though it lost a court case and was ordered to comply, the Harper government nevertheless refused to share 170 times reasons and impacts for cuts with Canada's independent budget watchdog, mocking Parliament's right to control the public purse.
Conservative Cabinet Staffers Granted Immunity from Testimony

A PMO edict absolved political staffers from ever having to testify before parliamentary committees.

Explaining Obama's Plan

Obama's Climate Plan