COMMUNITY
Penalties for illegal tobacco
There will now be much harsher penalties for anyone caught buying, selling or even possessing illegal tobacco. A new Tobacco Tax Act promises substantial fines and possible prison time for anyone convicted of breaching the Act.
Smoke Free Places Act
Proposed amendments to the Smoke Free Places Act would eliminate some of the existing exceptions to the Act that currently allow smoking in public places and workplaces: designated smoking rooms; designated indoor smoking areas in long-term care facilities; designated smoking areas on hospital grounds; smoking in vehicles with minors present; smoking on patios/decks of eating establishments and licensed establishments and at provincial parks.
Biofuels development
The Environmental and Renewable Industries Committee (ERIC), tasked by Executive Council to examine the potential for biofuels development on PEI, delivered its final report to Cabinet. The Government has accepted all of the report’s eight recommendations. The report can be accessed at www.gov.pe.ca under What’s New. To make inquiries regarding proposal presentations contact pwboswall@gov.pe.ca.
Govt to lift “can-ban” May 3
Beginning May 3, the provincial government will lift its ban on the sale of carbonated beverage in non-refillable containers. In its place, the Department of Environment, Energy and Forestry is implementing a program of deposit and return for all beverage containers (except dairy containers) sold at Island retailers. Under the new system, consumers will pay a deposit on each beverage container they purchase and receive a refund for each container when it is returned to one of the 10 licensed Container Recycling Depots located across the province. As of May 3, retail stores will no longer accept returned beverage containers or pay refunds.
Medicine Residency Program
A site administrator for the PEI Family Medicine Residency Program has been announced. Lynn Sutherland will be the primary contact for the program and will coordinate clinical experiences for medical students and residents. The Family Medicine Residency Program was launched last Dec by Premier Ghiz and Minister Currie. Five first-year residents will begin training in PEI in July 2009.
Take 30 for the Family
A new bilingual website and toll free family information line, “Take 30 for the Family,” is now available to provide parents with information, activity ideas and tools to promote positive parenting and healthy brain development during the critical period—a child’s first eight years. Staff of the new information line can provide information about family activities that cost little or nothing as well as direction on community programs and services. The number is 1-888-I Take 30 and the website address is www.take30.pe.ca.
Coupon Book Fundraiser
The Lung Association of PEI has announced its Coupon Book Fundraiser for 2008. Coupon books are available for $20 each with coupons from various dining, restaurants, hotels, entertainment, and retail stores across the Island—hundreds of dollars in savings. Funds raised from these books will help the Lung Association promote clean air and respiratory health. To purchase yours, call 1-888-566-LUNG (5864) or email lisa.duffy@pei.lung.ca.
The V R C is 30, 19782008
Do you have pictures, articles, stories or memorabilia about the Voluntary Resource Council over the past 30 years? Would you be willing to share them? The Committee organizing a special event to celebrate this 30th year wants to display a Memories Wall to recognize the work of the many dedicated people who have served our Island community for those 30 years. Contact omega2@peisympatico.ca or call 902-621-0718 if you have something to share.
Cycling Club newsletter
The Summerside Cycling Club has started a newsletter, Wheeling for our Future. View it online at www.summersidecycling.com/news/. SCC Upcoming Events are Bike Fit Open House & Registration Day (May 3), Monday Rec Rides (May 5/12), Group Ride (May 7), Mother’s Day TT (May 10). www.summersidecycling.com/calendar. Send your info to ken@summersidecycling.com.
Experiential tourism
Tourism Summerside is seeking interest from the public in providing up to three new experiential attractions in Summerside: a Horse and Carriage Tour , a Lobster Fishing Demonstration Harbour Cruise, and a Kayak Rental business. Tourism Summerside would assist the operators with signage, marketing, advertising and organization. Specifications on the projects are available at the Tourism Summerside office in the Waterfront Shopping Centre.
Legal information
Do you have legal questions? Call the Community Legal Information Association. They have plain language information on the law. They also provide referrals to lawyers and other services. Call 1-800-240-9798 or 892-0853
Plant Orphanage at the WhY
Has your plant outgrown your apartment? Give it a new loving home with lots of ceiling height and light. Now accepting overgrown plants at Loft 1, 252 Prince Street. Visiting rights negotiable. Call Karen at 892-7384.
Fair Trade Crafts
CUSO has received a variety of Fair Trade Crafts from overseas partner groups in Africa, Asia and Latin America —batik, baskets, drums, weavings and more. These items will be sold occasionally at the Farmer’s Market or can be purchased from the office at 81 Prince Street. Call ahead to 892-2610 or email cuso.atlantic@cuso.ca
Host Japanese children
LABO “Homestay on the Island” for Japanese Students needs host families for eight Japanese children aged 12 to 16. Host families are asked to welcome the youngster into your home and treat him or her like one of the family. Support is provided. Develop a friendship that reaches around the world. Michelle, 887-3299; Nola, 859-3684
Beaconsfield Historic House
Built in 1877 for James Peake and his wife Edith Haviland, Beaconsfield was considered to be one of the finest and most elegant homes in Charlottetown. Today, Beaconsfield Historic House is open to the public for tours, has a bookstore on site and hosts a variety of special events in its Carriage House. During May, the house will be open MonFri, 124 pm. Other times by appointment. In celebration of the Victoria Day holiday, Beaconsfield Historic House will be open for tours Mon, May 19 from 24 pm.
Health Forum—Osteoporosis
Health Forum—Osteoporosis will be hosted by the PEI Chapter Osteoporosis Canada May 31, 1:30-3:30 pm at Murphy’s Community Centre, Richmond Street, Charlottetown. For info contact Audrey Gaudet at 566-1067 or audreygaudet@murphyspharmacies.com. Health professionals will speak about various aspects of this disease.
Live Smart Diabetes Expo
Canadian Diabetes Association’s Live Smart Diabetes Expo will be held at the Rodd Charlottetown on May 3. Experts from the diabetes community will explain and demonstrate various ways to live a healthy and balanced life—while improving the quality of life for you and your family. Learn more about healthy eating, stress management, physical activity and medication management. The hands-on event is brought to you by the Canadian Diabetes Association and also features a special trade show with ‘Ask An Expert’ that includes podiatrists, optometrists, nurses, pharmacists and more. Speakers are Dr. Ian Janssen, physical fitness expert; Mary Sue Waisman, Registered Dietitian and Author; and Dr. Debbie Knight, Internist. 1-800-BANTING (226-8464), diabetes.ca
Meditation Workshop
The PEI Shambhala Meditation Group will host an introductory workshop entitled The Art of Being Human with Brian Hardman, a senior teacher with Shambhala International, on May 2, 79 pm, and May 3 and 4, 9 am5 pm. The weekend will include meditation instruction and practice as well as talks and discussion. The Fri evening session is a free public talk. Sessions will be held at the Seniors Active Living Center, 550 University Avenue (CARI Complex), Ch’town. 566-2043, peismg@yahoo.ca
Slow Food on PEI
A new chapter of the Slow Food movement is being organized in PEI to promote local products. Slow Food is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic organization that was first organized in Italy in 1989. It now has more than 80,000 members worldwide. “Prince Edward Island, with the bounty of its land and sea, is the perfect environment for a Slow Food chapter,” said Bobby Shapiro, one of the organizers. Part of the mission of Slow Food is to defend biodiversity with efforts to save traditional grains, vegetables, fruits, animal breeds and food products that are disappearing. Slow Food organizes events to showcase products of gastronomic quality and to offer discerning consumers the opportunity to meet food producers. The local convivium plans to meet monthly, and will organize field trips to Island producers and dinners that highlight local products. The first meeting is scheduled for May 10 at Flex Mussels in Charlottetown. Join at the meeting or log into the Slow Food website at slowfood.com.
Autism Society of PEI
On May 5 Keith Amerson and Travis Passaro from the Tri State Learning Center will host a conference from 8 am4 pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Charlottetown. You may also register for Family Sessions on May 5, 6 and 7 with Travis and Keith contact. May 20 from 6:308:30 pm, Mrs. Pat Coady will host an Advocacy Workshop at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Summerside. May 21 from 6:308:30 pm, Mrs. Pat Coady will host an Advocacy Workshop at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Charlottetown. To register contact Nathalie Walsh at autism@peiacl.ca or call 566-4844.
Palliative care conference
The 2008 Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Conference, “Hospice Palliative Care—Crossing the Bridge to Knowledge and Sharing,” will be held in Charlottetown, Oct 26-29, 2008. The conference program will be regularly updated on the conference website at conference.chpca.net. Registration is now open, with an Early Bird deadline of June 20, 2008. Exhibit space is still available. The Early Bird deadline for exhibitor applications is May 2, 2008. Visit conference.chpca.net for information on registration and exhibitor rates, or to register.
Hospice Hike
East Prince Hospice and the Summerside YMCA are joining forces for their annual Hospice Hike to be held on May 4 with registration beginning at 1pm at the Y on Green Street. The 5k Hike starts at 2 pm. Refreshments are supplied and everyone is welcome. 438-4231
Tai Chi
A tai chi class is held every Tue at 7 pm to 8:30 at The West Royalty community centre. All ages welcome. Beginners and former Tai Chi practitioners welcome. Roy Johnstone, 675-2541
Business expo
On May 7, from 9 am3 pm, in Summerside at Credit Union Place, Islife for the Island Business News Speaker’s Expo/Business Bootcamp. Event runs . 1-877-248-4784, info@careeralternatives.ca, www.islandbusinessnews.comland Business News comes to
MCOH Giant Yard Sale
Mikinduri Children of Hope is preparing for the 2008 MCOH Giant Yard Sale. Donations would be greatly appreciated. Items can be delivered to the Charlottetown Civic Centre (Trade Centre area) on May 9. Pick up and storage can be provided if needed. The Yard Sale takes place May 10 from 9 am to 1 pm. For info or to volunteer: Sonja and/or Gary Gagnon at 892-6316 or spgagnon@hotmail.com.
Mad 4 Maddie run
Mad 4 Maddie—Run Like You’re Mad (a 5 km fun run/walk for Free the Children) takes place May 31. Maddie Babineau, a Hamilton, Ontario teen, while battling cancer, did something unexpected. She used the wish she received from the Children’s Wish Foundation to help build a school and a well in the Maasai Mara area of rural Kenya. Maddie did not live long enough to see her dream fulfilled. Through Free the Children and the television show No Opportunity Wasted, Sharon Babineau, Maddie’s Mom, and Tara Stewart, an Island teacher, traveled to the school and well last fall, getting to work on Maddie’s water project. On May 31 you are invited to walk or run the trail in St. Peters, raising funds for Maddie’s projects in Kenya. St. Peters was chosen so participants could also walk or run in memory of Adam Mermuys, who lost his battle with cancer last year. Tara Stewart at 687-1352, run_like_youre_mad_pei@hotmail.com or tarastewart@hotmail.com
Natural History Society
“Reptiles and Amphibians of PEI” is the topic for the May meeting of the Natural History Society of PEI. Dwaine Oakley will be the guest speaker at the meeting on May 6, which gets underway at 7:30 pm at the Farm Centre, 420 University Ave in Charlottetown. Enter at the back of the building, next to Sobey’s.
Dalhousie Theatre Reunion
Dalhousie Theatre Department Reunion 2008 will be held June 21, 711, pm at Studio 2, Dalhousie Arts Centre, Halifax (students from 19861990). This reunion is for the students and teachers of: acting, tech, costume studies, scenography, dramaturgy and theatre studies. Event is organized by the Class of 1988. dalreunion@yahoo.ca or join the facebook group Dalhousie Theatre Department Reunion 2008
Kelly Reunion
Kelly Reunion 2008 organizers along with the Hillsboro River Association are sponsoring a Public Lecture on Irish Immigration to PEI with Marie Daley on June 15 at 2pm at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church on Main Street in Mt. Stewart. Marie Daley is a descendant of John Kelly who settled on the Island over 175 years ago. She currently teaches in Boston and is an expert in the field of Genealogy. The event is part activities around Eagle Day.For info check the Reunion website at www.kelly2008.com.
National Mental Health Week
National Mental Health Week, sponsored by Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is May 511 and this year’s theme is “Work-Life Balance: Make it Your Business.” CMHA invites everyone to participate in a “Walk for Mental Health” on May 7 at 12 noon. The Walk will be held at three locations across PEI. In Charlottetown at Confederation Landing Park, in Summerside at the Shipyard Market and in Alberton at Hope Centre. Other activities planned include delivering daisy bouquets and information kits to local businesses and organizations, delivering “mental health tip” bookmarks to libraries and bookstores, setting up information displays, delivering community presentations and distributing information on work/life balance to various workplaces. 566-3034 (Ch’town), 436-7399 (S’side), 853-4180 (Alberton), www.cmha.ca
QoIL on Community Accounts
The Quality of Island Life Cooperative (QoIL) will host a presentation of a new approach to providing communities with freely accessible information about themselves. Community Accounts, has been developed by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and is internet-based approach to provide detailed information to residents and groups who need such information to carry out community development projects and other activities. Newfoundland and Labrador Community Accounts has developed a Prince Edward Island Pilot Project Demonstration which will be interactively presented remotely from Newfoundland on May 20, 8 pm, at the Stratford Town Hall, Stratford, in conjunction with the QoIL Annual General Meeting. The AGM begins at 7 pm. borealis@eastlink.ca
5th annual ALS Walk
The 5th annual ALS Walk will take place June 14. Registration is at 9 am. Walk begins at 10 am at Raceway Park, Oyster Bed Bridge. ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), is a rapidly progressive fatal neuromuscular disease. ALS kills 2-3 Canadians a day. June is ALS month, if you would like to help raise money for those on PEI living with ALS and help fund research contact colleen71@pei.sympatico.ca, for a pledge sheet or information. www.als.ca
CAT meeting
Queens County Chapter CAT Meeting will take place May 15 at Sobey’s Community Room, Allen Street/ Univerity Ave, Charlottetown, at 7pm. CAT is the Cat Action Team. They trap stray/feral cats on PEI, spay or neuter them, and then release them back to their colonies.
Mount St. Mary’s Events
Weekly Christian Meditation Weekly groups meet Tue 9:05 am or 7:15 pm; Christian Meditation Introductory Sessions may be arranged (Sr. Kathleen Bolger 892-6585); Come Away Day With Meditation and Leisure is Tue 9 am3 pm; A Myers Briggs workshop is May 7, 9 am4 pm; Christian Meditation Retreat is June 17, 79 pm.
Macphail Homestead
Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead, Macphail Park Road, Orwell, will hold its Annual General Meeting May 25 at 2 pm. New Board Members are needed to support this National Historic Site. 651-2789
Growing Circle
The inaugural AGM of the PEI Growing Circle Organic Food Co-op will be held on May 10 at 3 pm at St. Paul’s Church Hall in Ch’town (Prince and Richmond). If you are passionate about good eating, local food, and sustainable agriculture, this is your opportunity to build connections between farmers and citizens, and to create easier access to fresh, wholesome, local food. Help elect the Board of Directors, launch the share campaign, and influence public policy on food issues. Jeanne Maki, 569-8724, jmaki@pei.sympatico.ca, Jane McNeil, 569-0233.
Friends of Eptek AGM and Tea
The annual general meeting of the Friends of Eptek Centre will be held on May 8 at 2 pm. All Friends of Eptek Centre are encouraged to attend and new members may join prior to the meeting that afternoon. A Spring Tea will take place following the business meeting. Call 888-8373 to confirm attendance.
Giant Rummage Sale
NGO Training
“Diversity and Policy Development,” facilitated by Cooper Institute, will be held June 6, 8:303 pm, at Red Cross, 62 Prince Street, Ch’town, Sponsored by Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC). Open to members of ACIC and anyone interested in the topic. Complementary breakfast/lunch. www.acic-caci.org
S’side Area Garden Club
May 15 The Summerside Area Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting at 7 pm at the Wilmot Community Centre. The agenda will be published at a later date. All are welcome. May 25 The Summerside Area Garden Club is holding Spring Garden Tours between 12:30 and 4:00 pm. The Garden Tours are free and everyone is invited to join. The tours will be at the following addresses: Yvon Arseneault, 79 Balcom Drive, Summerside; Anna MacDonald, 245 Colin Ave., Summerside; Toy & Sandy Gallant—Contact person, 117 Bay Ave., Summerside; Ed and Kay Pearson, 276 Coronation Ave., Summerside. May 24 between 9:00 and 12:00 noon there will be an Annual Plant Sale at the Shipyard Place at 320 Water Street in Summerside. This event is sponsored by The Brothers Two Restaurant & Lobster House & Oyster Bar. www.summersideareagardenclub.org
Mulch Sale
The Rotary Club of Stratford will hold its annual mulch sale on May 16-17 in Stratford at the Bunbury Mall and May 23-24 in Charlottetown at the Charlottetown Mall. Mulch can be bought in bulk (if you have a truck or trailer) or by the bag. All proceeds will be used to support projects locally and internationally.
Wo He Lo Clothing Sale
The Wo He Lo Club’s high quality used clothing sale will take place at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Classroom A & B (third Floor) on May 15, 8 am8 pm and May 16, 8 am3 pm. Proceeds will go to purchase an Infant Warmer for the Nursery (used for premature babies to keep them warm until they reach a certain weight and can be transferred to a regular cot). Great buys of name brand clothing as well as shoes, purses,hats,jewelry, books for women, men and children available at excellent prices. No donations at hospital please.
Island Trails cycling events
Island Trails weekly recreational cycling events on the Confederation Trail will take place May 17 and 24 at 10 am at the Farmers Market, Ch’town, and May 31 and June 7 at Summerside Library at 10 am. All events are accompanied by Trail Officer volunteers and are open to all cyclists. Denis at 566-5974, Grace at 583-2412 or Frank at 658-2801
Tip to Tip for Africa 2008
Tip to Tip for Africa 2008 takes place beginning May 16 at North Cape and ending May 19 at East Point. This four day bike trip will follow the Confederation Trail on Prince Edward Island from lighthouse to lighthouse. All meals and accommodation for the four days and three nights are included as well as great Island entertainment. The purpose of the cycling is to raise funds for the Townships Project which makes small loans to the poorest of the poor in the black townships outside the city of East London in South Africa to enable them to become self sufficient. Buses will leave Charlottetown at 9. am to take riders to North Cape where the ride will start. It will finish at East Point at about 3 pm on Monday and riders will be bussed back to Charlottetown by about 5 pm. Anyone and everyone over 18 is invited to participate. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian.
Patti Sinclair book signing
A book signing by local author Patti Sinclair will take place May 10 at Health Within Holistic Centre at 500B Queen Street, Ch’town. Motherhood as a Spiritual Practice, a Journeybook will be available to purchase. On May 16 at 6 pm a free information session will be held in the workshop room at Health Within Holistic Centre. Come out and ask questions or listen to practitioners and therapists describe their modality or massage. Demonstrations will be done and tea will be served. www.healthwithinholistics.com or 902-566-5009.