Meeting Calendar
Our weekly meeting calendar is developed twice a year in consultation with our members. If you have an idea for a topic or know someone who you think would be of interest to the group, please let us know! Please check back regularly as sometimes the schedule does change at the last minute. And don't forget - guests are always welcome to come to our meetings.
Winter/Spring 2012
January 10
10 Things You Must Know About Organizing
Carolyn Caldwell, a local mom and entrepreneur who founded Wellrich Organizers in 2005, will provide 10 key pieces of information to help mothers of toddlers, parents of teenagers and children of downsizing parents.
January 17
Documentary - The End of Suburbia
Since World War ll North Americans have invested much of their newfound wealth in suburbia. It has promised a sense of space, affordability, family life and upward mobility. But as we enter the 21st century, serious questions are beginning to emerge about the sustainability of this way of life. With brutal honesty this film explores the future and challenges us with what can be done individually and collectivel
January 24
The Last Frontier of Tourism in NL - yet to be experienced!
Jane Pitfield will be telling us about her efforts and adventures developing tourism in the isolated south-central part of Newfoundland.
January 31
City of Toronto Councillor Jaye Robinson
Jaye Robinson, city counsellor for Don Valley West, will discuss current plans for ex-Pontiac Land and Waterfront development. She will also share with us the city's plans for bike lanes and the LRT along Eglinton.
February 7
Landscaping - Graham Leishman
Graham Leishman is the owner of Leishman Landscaping Ltd., a Leaside company that does landscape design and build projects. He can offer advice about hiring the right contractor, how to prepare your garden for the various seasons, outdoor kitchens, or how to make your backyard/patio an outdoor living space etc.
February 14
Chocolate Exchange/Games Day
Each of us will be invited to bring some chocolate treats to share; such as cookies, brownies, or dipped strawberries, with the idea that we each take a plate home to share with our families. Meanwhile we can play a hand of Euchre or some other "party" game.
February 21
Writer Alissa York
Alissa York's novels include Mercy, Effigy, (shortlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize) and, most recently, Fauna (shortlisted for the Toronto Book Award). She is also the author of the short fiction collection, Any Given Power, stories from which have won the Journey Prize and the Bronwen Wallace Award. She has lived all over Canada, and now makes her home in Toronto. For more information, please visit www.alissayork.com.
Alissa will read from her recent novel, Fauna, and discuss various aspects of the writing life, including the creative journey from initial inspiration to completed book.
February 28
Community Supported Agriculture - Elaina Asselin
Former Toronto chef and now a certified organic farmer, Elaina Asselin will be speaking about organic farming and why we should be entertaining a healthier food lifestyle for ourselves and our families. For the past 6 years, Elaina and her husband have been farming 40 acres east of Toronto on Lake Ontario. They do a Community Supported Agriculture drop box in the Leaside area once a week during the farm season. See Wicklow Way Farm website for more information.
March 6
Cancer and the future of medicine - Alison Symington
Learn about how new treatments for diseases like cancer are being designed for each patient. Known as personalized medicine, we will discuss how your genetic makeup will dictate what kind of treatments you would receive and how eventually it will be used to prevent disease. We will also discuss whether the incidence of cancer is on the rise. See TVO's The Agenda: Rethinking Cancer from October 13, 2011.
March 27
Book Discussion & Trade
Book TBA.Declutter your home libraries and bring in your gently used books to trade - $1 a book to support the group. Fiction, non-fiction, children/teen fiction. No textbooks.
April 3
Van Ness Florists - Current trends in floral arrangements
Owner, Mr. Van Nes, will share with us current trends in Floral Design and commonly used materials.
April 10
Dave Sparrow, Comedian
April 17
Reiki
Janet Zenwirt, a reiki practioner and former NLWG member, will speak to us about reiki; what it is and how it works on a physical, emotional and spiritual level to improve our health and well-being.
April 24
Author Marina Endicott
The Author of Open Arms, Good to a Fault and The Little Shadows will be speaking to us about her experiences as a writer and reading from her latest novel. Marina won the Commonwealth Writer's Prize for best book, Canada & the Caribbean (2009), and is a Giller Prize nominee (2008 & 2011)
May 1
How to Buy a Car
Our Leaside neighbour, Jim Davidson, will be speaking to us about his car-buying service, CarSmart, and will offer valuable tips on buying a new car. He will also talk about his book, 75 Ways to Save Gas which is being sold all over the world and will share his fuel-saving ideas! There will be copies available at cost ($5) as well as a raffle for a signed copy!
May 8
Zen Beginnings – Marina Zelenovic, Director
Zen Beginnings is a multi-disciplinary maternity & wellness centre offering a wide variety of natural and holistic services aimed at general health & wellness, fertility, pregnancy, hormonal balance and parenting.
May 15
Urban Nature Store
To be confirmed.
May 22
Planning Session for Fall 2012
May 29
Great Summer Reads
Once again, Ben McNally, owner of Ben McNally books will give us his wonderful recommendations for summer reading. Not to be missed - and don't forget - there will be books to buy!
June 5
End of Year Party
Share memories of the past year and plans for the summer ahead. Enjoy the treats provided. All welcome!