Portraits if Honour...

In 1970 Dave Sopha was involved in a car accident that left him seriously injured with a broken back. Whilst recovering he discovered his artistic talents, and from then since he has been an avid artist.
When hearing about the deaths of three Canadian soldiers due to a roadside bomb in December 2008, Dave became inspired to form some way to insure that these soldiers and all the others who lost their lives are remembered.
6500 hours of painting later, Dave has created a 3 metre by 12 metre mural dubded "Portraits of Honour" which includes the faces of all 156 members of the Canadian military (soldiers, sailors and air crew) who passed away in Afghanistan since 2001.
Today the mural was unveiled in it's specifically designed trailor, and has already scheduled more than 100 public viewings across Canada. Donations from these events will be given to Service club Kin Canada, in order to help the women and men of the Canadian military who come home physically or emotionally injured.
-Em

Green Exercise

I read an article in The Globe and Mail today called "Why exercising outdoors is better than hitting the gym".I also read an article about elliptical and quad machines coming to parks.The the first article said exercising outside is better because of the fresh air and the scenery to distract you so you work harder.It talks about studies that show "green exercise" is better than exercising in a gym.I don't think the article meant put gym equipment outside I think it meant hike,run,bike,canoe or one of the many other active outdoor activities.I have my doubts about these outdoor exercise machines but I do see its benefits for those  who can't afford a gym membership.I also like the idea that people will take their kids to the park and be able to workout and watch them.I got to tell you I am a little worried about maintenance issues,people stealing or braking them.But I all together think they are a good idea even if all they do is remind people to be active when they drive past these parks.
-D

The Inside Ride

Newspapers are nearly always depressing. The big headlines tend to be very negative, featuring a disaster of some sort, whether it is is a hurricane, a robbing or a car accident. It's rather rare to find positive news in much of the media, and I think it's time for that to change.
I would assume (and hope) that everyone reading this blog knows a thing or two about cancer (the  uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body) that it it quite common (1 in 44 Canadians are diagnosed with cancer within their life time) and that it kills many (on average 205 Canadians will die each day from cancer) but instead of giving you more examples of the horror of this disease, I'd like to tell you about how thousands of students across the country are working together to help cure it.
Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to support children living with, and beyond, childhood cancer through research, peadiatric oncology camps and programming. Eight years ago groups of adults began cycling across Canada to raise money for this cause, and since then over eleven million dollars have been donted to the organization.
In order to get students aware of the cause and involved in the solution (without having to join in and bike all across the country) a program called The Inside Ride, has been established. Over a hundred stationary bikes are brought into schools where teams of six students each take a turn to bike over a two hour period. The cyclists are sponsered by friends and family members and of course all 100% of donations go directly to the cause! Teams can dress up in costumes and there are awards for those that are the most original, and for the team that manages to go the longest "distance" on their bike (as according to the bike's perdomiter)
It should be oodles and oodles of fun!
I can't wait!
-Em

Slave Lake

Two weeks after the fire in Slave Lake its citizens are returning.Slave lake,Alberta had a fire two weeks ago that destroyed more than 400 homes and businesses.7000 people who fled because of the fire are finally coming home.Allot of people aren't going home though their homes have been destroyed but some are returning to see the damage.Now they have to deal with all the garbage and rubble.But it is still a happy note for the citizens who get to return home.
-D

Beer Tents Be Gone!

For the past little while, the provincial government of Ontario has worked towards relaxing alcohol restrictions and laws within Ontario. It was announced on Friday that next Wednesday, June 1st, the new laws, and changes to certain laws, will be enforced. Acording to John Miner of the Toronto Sun, certain new, more relaxed rules include:

• Drinking will be allowed outside of beer tents at festivals and events.
• Special events, such as weddings or charity fundraisers, can serve alcohol for an extra hour until 2 a.m.
• All-inclusive vacation packages can be sold in Ontario.
• Business owners can give a complimentary drink to customers to celebrate a special occasion, such as an anniversary.
• Street festivals can allow people to leave a bar or restaurant with a drink in hand, providing conditions are met to ensure public safety.
• Boat tours can begin serving alcohol before the boat leaves the dock.
• Businesses that are not mainly in the food and alcohol business, such as spas and art galleries, will be able to apply for a permit to serve alcohol during a special event.

Miner, John. "Ont. To Ease Liquor Laws as of Wednesday." The Toronto Sun, 27 May 2011. Web. 27 May 2011. http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/27/ont-to-ease-liquor-laws-as-of-wednesday.

 

-Em

Don't Give Up!!

When we are little we dream Big we not only want but plan to be princesses, presidents, movie stars, singers, athletes, models, writer and billionaires, were does that go? The saying eternal optimist is kind of an oxymoron like Microsoft works. We start of with big dreams then quickly loose them. Christopher Gardner: You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period. Tomorrow I am running in a student council election, I'm not popular I'm not a beauty queen, a cheerleader, a jock or even funny I never thought I should even bother running but tomorrow I am still going to get up in front of my entire school and try anyway,cuz if your not going to try your not really living? So next time you feel like giving up on your dreams remember you can become a princess look at Kate Middleton (not saying that's the only reason she married him). Look at all the billionaires in the world who got rich on doing things they love like Ellen. Or even the singers who were bullied in school like Miley Cyrus PS most actors say they were not at all popular in high school. Or the athletes that fought against all odds to be were they are today. There is also my personal hero Elle Woods’s yes I just put that out there on the Internet but she so amazing you have to admit. Anyway all I'm saying is don’t give up I know that when I walk into that gym tomorrow morning there is a high chance I will embarrass myself and loose, but I'm doing it anyway and so should you!

-D

Modest Needs...

A few weeks ago I began reading Me to We:  Finding Meaning in a Material World, a book written by Marc and Craig Kielburger with contributions from many other leaders and inspirational people. I especially want to share with you the mission of Keith Taylor.
Years ago Keith was thinking of how to fulfill his dream of becomming a philanthropist, and he began thinking of how people have helped him out in his life. He reflected on times in university and in his first apartment when he really just could not pay the bills on time due to complecations such as an unexpected car or house reapair, when his friends and family helped him out. With this idea in mind, Keith began an organization called Modest Needs.
Modest Needs started out as a web site where people could contact Keith explaining their current financial difficulty, whether it was a sickness in need of mediacation or desperate house repairs, and Keith would find a way to get finances to them. Now the award winning organization has expanded greatly, financing new charities, living grants to those who are physically unable to work, and of course still donating to individual households to help them to break the cycle of poverty.
For more information you can visit: http://www.modestneeds.org/
-Em

Be careful!!

 Most teenagers in North America are on Facebook.Facebook yes is great for many reasons but can have its risks.Many teenagers and even adults tent to over share on Facebook which can be very dangerous.I think allot of the time as teenagers we don't think of the consequences of what we put on the Internet.We view facebook as a safe secure network but at the end of the day we need to remember it is still the world wide net.When people trash their parents,friends,colleagues,employers and other students its out there we have to remember it can be copied past and sent.There have been incidents were peoples employers have read what they said about them on facebook and fired them.There are police officers who make accounts and watch people the suspect of crimes until the leak something incriminating,this has actually led to arrests.I have seen many photos of my peers drinking,doing drugs,half naked or even naked trust me guys its not a good idea.Next time think before you post because once its out there you can't get it back.
-D

Threats of an Empty Mailbox...

Birthday presents, online shopping orders, bills and letters may all be delayed if Canada's unionized postal workers go through with their threatened strike. All 45000 postal workers are planning to walk off the job, starting this Friday at 12:01 am, the first strike since 1997's two week long period.
When the previous agreement (which covered over 50 000 postal employees) expired this past January, many workers began demanding wage changes, benefits, staffing levels and a change in working conditions.
Currently negotiations are being made, but a strike is still possible, until a collective agreement is established.
-Em

Banning Hugs

I have a pet peeve of when people see the negative of good things and their outlook ruins it for everyone.That is exactly what schools are doing in Canada,The US, and Britain they are actually banning hugs.When asked for a reason many schools had a similar answer this is on that is from The Globe and mail,"that extended embraces are a gateway to make-outs and sex in the halls, or that they choke corridors and distract in class." Really?!We are taught as young children hugs are good but as soon as we hit puberty we are no longer able to hug the opposite sex, what kind of message does that send out.These schools are trying to stop public displays of affection by banning everything including hugging but the only thing they are really accomplishing is making hugs into something sexual which they are almost always not.Its not just co-ed hugging but also hugging your best girlfriend is not even aloud!Way to make it all dirty administrators now teenagers all over North America are questioning the Innocent hug.I'm a high school student and I know for a fact that hugging and kissing at school is not what jams the hallway its groups standing around and talking.Yes occasionally people will make out in the hall and in if a teacher wants to go up and tell them to stop all power to you but a hug,are they serious!My favourite part of this is the sex in the halls bit,what school do these administrators work at it sure isn't mine people don't even have sex in the bathroom!For people out their who haven't been to high school in awhile or haven't gone yet there is no sex in the hallway!Most teacher close the doors in class and its not people hugging in the hallway that distract us its our fiends hopping up and down mouthing check your cellphone.Whoever said that quote are they even working in high schools at all? Imagine sex in the hallways jeez sex in the hallways were do they come up with that stuff and they say teens are sexual!I absolutely think this no hugs in school thing is ridiculous.It seems to me that administrations are two lazy to walk up to two kids making out which happens like once a month tops FYI and say hey you kids cut that out! Or heaven forbid they could just walk by and ignore it!Let us have our hugs!!!
-D

Camping Out for Change...

With the long weekend and beautiful weather finally here many people plan to head up north with the family and go cottaging or camping. This is extremely different from the popular form of camping going on in Spain.
For the past week hundreds of tents have been pitched and thousands of people have been in Madrid, Spain's capital. Their cause? To protest certain economic policies and the issue of unemployemnt within the country. This far protests have been fairly unviolent, but the demands of the protestors have not been adressed.
We'll keep you posted as this continues!
-Em

Teen Mom Is It A Bad Influence ?

There are two t.v's shows called sixteen and pregnant and teen mom that have sparked some controversy. Many parents feel they are bad influences on teenage girls.The girls on the t.v show are struggling with school,bills,family issues,some even drugs and the fathers.When I hear that these girls are only doing this for fame I can't help but think they are getting paid a little and if I were them I would want any help I could get.Before anyone goes around thinking oh these girls are getting pregnant to be on this show, I would think about the fact that they are kinda be used by MTV I mean years from now that might look back and regret the t.v show.When I watch this show I defiantly don't have the urge to go out and get pregnant or start a pregnancy pact like some parents think.I actually think this show is yes entertaining even though the drama can be too much for me sometimes and I have to change the channel, but also kinda makes me freak out at the idea of getting pregnant.I think that the show acts as a protection against pregnancy because every time you watch it sex becomes less and less appealing.Some of these concerned parents back their beliefs up with evidence like some girls are watching this and decided to get pregnant and I think that has more to do with those girls then the t.v show.I'm not an expert but I think that as long as you communicate well with your children and they have good self esteem they won't look to have a baby for love.Also the parents who are concerned enough about their children to raise this issue probably are attentive parents who can recognize signs and just have to remember to talk to their kids about sex and how to prevent pregnancy.But that's just my opinion.
-D

Hard Copy? Or Hard Drive?

Amazon announced this morning that they officially sell more ebooks, than print books. The ratio reaches 100 print books for 105 e-books, and this is supposed to continue to rise, especially considering that this year the sales of ebooks have trippled all of last years already.
However, these changes in purchasing may not necessarily be better for our environment.
Yes, e-books are paper free, saving our woodlands and protecting the eco-system which is a major bonus over paper books. However, the energy consumption throughout production and use of these computers may be far worse.
An e-book reader uses more energy in its manufacturing process than a book does, and again uses a great amount of energy to be disposed of safely and properly due to the toxins and rare substances used in production, where a print book does not. E-book readers require even more energy to be read where print books need absolutely no more energy outside of production. The KTH Royal Institure of Technology has even said that after 10 minutes of reading you use more carbon to run the computer than it did to create the print book.
A lot of work and effort is still being put into developing a paperless reading method, but until then a e-book reader will not be on my Christmas wish list, but nor will I be shopping at Chapters.
If I`d like a book the surely more environmentally friendly way is the library.
-Em
 

Oranamental or Instrumental

From when we our born to the day we die there are set things for us whether we are boys or girls. When we are little girls we are already being set up to see our bodies as ornamental instead of instrumental. This is mostly done by our toys for example Barbie’s, you dress Barbie up and make her beautiful this encourages girls to view their bodies as something too decorate not use. We have princess dress up not to mention that fact that we have beautiful princesses thrown in our faces constantly at an early age. Its no wonder that women tend to play less sports and have less physical jobs. Not to mention females tend to spend more time on their appearances than males. Boys on the other hand are given toys at a young age like fire trucks, police cars, tools for building; sports equipment and construction work based toys. These toys encourage boys to be more active and see their bodies in a more instrumental way, as something that can be used in a physical way rather than decorative. My question is with all these same toys still be catered to boys and girls why is it that its becoming more of a reality that all girls play some sort of a sport or that more females are taking physical labor jobs? Why is it that men are becoming more decorative when it comes to their bodies? Times are changing does this mean one day toys will no longer be catered to gender and little boys all over the world will get the wonderful experience of cooking brownies with a light bulb.

-D

Modern Day Slavery, In Canada

Slavery was abolished in the United States in the1860s, and thought to be non existant in Canada in modern day. I was shocked however to read of a woman in Vancouver today. This 57 year old woman got in contact with a 21 year old woman in Africa and promised her a job in a salon if she were to move to BC. However, the woman stole her passport and other legal identification papers shortly after she arived and forced the young woman to come live and work for her. She ended up working at LEAST 18 hours a day, every day, managing the house-hold, cleaning, washing, cooking, gardening, she washed the cars of visitors. She was only given table scraps to eat, and was only allowed to rest when the rest of the house hold was already fast asleep.
For months and months this woman lived like this not knowing that it was unacceptable, but once she learned how wrong her treatment was she escaped to a local womens shelter for help. Her "employer" now faces several differnet charges.
-Em

Toxic Makeup

I had no idea how dangerous it was to put on makeup in the morning.Did you know that its quite common for there to be harmful chemicals in your makeup.Call me clueless but I seriously thought there were strict laws to prevent us from harsh chemicals that can make us sick in everyday products like makeup.The David Suzuki foundation is bringing light to the fact that these "dirty dozen"harmful chemicals are found in 80% of the most common makeup products.These "dirty dozen" are 12 chemicals that are linked to cancer,reproductive disorders,severe allergies and asthma.These are the products that many women and the occasional man use every day! The David Suzuki foundation is trying to get stricter laws for labeling of the chemicals on these products so we know whats in the products we are buying.Its hard to believe that America spends roughly eight billion dollars a year on cosmetics that could be making us sick. Queen Elizabeth the first died because her own makeup was poisoning her,I hate to think that 408 years later women can still have a similar fate.

P.S more information at
http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2010/10/19/suzuki-dirty-dozen.html
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/issues/health/science/toxics/dirty-dozen-cosmetic-chemicals/
-D

Shoes To Shew Sickness....

I am already getting very excited to get to work and help organize this TOMS event! It should be a lot of fun to decorate our own shoes, and of course, it's for a great cause! I'm just hoping that you all understand this cause completely.
Dana has already explained the lack of footwear in many parts of Africa, and how we can donate shoes through Shoe4Africa or buy a pair of TOMS and automatically have another donated. I'm sure you all understand the basic reasons why these shoes are needed, to keep feet warm and to protect feet from harmful things we can step on, of course. But not wearing shoes can actually lead to many diseases and deaths:
Podoconiosis: is thought to be caused by walking on red clay soil and due to this a certain type of bacteria enters the foot and plugs local lymph nodes causing the foot to swell, itch and burn greatly
Schistosomiasis: Is caused by walking through contaminated water. Parasidic worms enter through small cuts or scrapes in the foot, lay eggs and then travel through out the body, and can particularly harm the liver, lung and bladder. This condition is very popular with school aged children.
Tungiasis: Is a disease that over 42% of children in Nigerian children are infected with. It is a parasidic flea that enters the foot from the sand. Painful swelling as a result of the parasidic flea leads to fibrous cysts.
Hookwork: Is an intestinal parasite that can enter through the foot, travel through one's veins to the heart and then the lung, where they are coughed up and swollowed into the intestines. (Is that an intense procedure or what?)  They attatch themselves to the bowel wall and suck blood, causing animea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and weight loss.


And all of these diseases?
They can be prevented by wearing shoes.


I really hope that you guys spread the message and are able to help us to make a positive difference in this issue.
-Em

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

Studies show that sleep deprivation is a serious problem in North America.Whether the cause is too long working hours,clinically not being able to sleep,t.v addictions,stress,depression,to much caffeine or a busy schedule its a major problem.The whole I'll sleep when I'm dead idea could make us exactly that dead allot sooner, this could be prevented if only we simply sleep well we are alive.Try not having caffeine past 8:00 am or schedule in eight hours of sleep instead of the occasional power nap and 4 hours of sleep.Also avoid alcohol and late night meals.Being more active and evening considering taking supplements can help you to get your beauty sleep.This information is from The Globe and Mail if you want more there is more information on their website. Two things that the importance of is constantly overlooked are water and sleep!Drinking water will help your skin,hair,health,energy level,sharpens of your mind and help you loose weight.Also sleep helps your immune system,boots your metabolism,clears your skin,keeps you smart and much more.
-D

TOMS

Toms is a shoe company with the slogan one for one. What does one for one mean? It means that with every pair of shoes or toms bought a pair of shoes goes to a child who needs them.
Cute right I have a pair of the ones in the middle.Five years ago in 2006 an American traveler named Blake Mycoskie went to Argentina and found out that allot of children there don't have shoes.So he started TOM'S now he has expanded and he brings shoes to children who need them all over the world.When I went on their website I found out allot of facts about the importance of shoes I didn't know about.A major cause for disease in developing nations is contracting them threw bear feet.Also allot of schools have set dress codes and if you can't meet them you cant go to school, allot of families can't afford shoes and therefore can't send there children to school thus continuing the circle of poverty.Also without the protection of shoes children can get cuts on their feet which can become badly infected.I have eight pairs of shoes and just think some children have none, how many do you have?Thinking about making your next pair of shoes TOMS how about hosting a "Style Your Sole" party and buying plain white canvas TOMS.What is a "Style Your Sole" party its  a TOMS decorating party.Where you order a bunch of plain TOMS and decorate them,don't worry each pair of plain TOMS are $44 so there not super expensive that's not including shipping sadly.Anyway I plan on doing this with  my friends if there interested consider I already have all the fabric paint and other supplies but if you don't threes always Micheal's they have great stuff. If your worried about expenses how bout working out a cost for everyone based on what you need and shipping cost so your not stuck with the Micheal's and food bill. The trick is planning way way ahead then bugging your Friends till you know whose for sure coming also you gonna want to order at LEAST 2 WEEKS AHEAD.
-D

from Ms.Lazy

This post is for Emma.I want to apologize for my laziness, originally I pulled Emma into doing this blog with me than expanding into videos. Emma's pet peeve is people who make commitments and don't live up to them and that's exactly what I've done here and for that I'm truly sorry.For those of you who don't know Emma she is the kindest person I know, and seems to never get mad.But I'm pretty sure I have made the one person who seems to be evolved pass anger just that angry at me, which means I have truly messed up.
I could come up with a million reasons for letting you and myself down,but you deserve better than that.So all I can say is I will seriously put an Emma effort into this from now on and try not to let you down if you will still have me as a blog partner that is.
-D

Renovations...

Hey guys!
So yesterday it turned out that we weren't able to sign into BlogSpot in order to do our post. Some issue has been popping up so BlogSpot had been busy renovating and taking care of this problem. We just wanted to let you all know, just incase we're locked out in the future, and aren't able to write.
-Em

Spain Shakes x2

Each year there are hundreds of earthquakes in Spain, though none of them tend to be felt. Today however two earthquakes hit southeast Spain today, with a magnitude of 4.5 and 5.1, these quakes were not only felt, but they demolished certain buildings. Eight people have been killed as a result of this, and forty have been taken to the hospital. As a precaution for addition tremors, thousands of peole have been relocated to emergency shelters In addition to this 350 troops have been sent to help local rescue teams search for those injured.
-Em

"If you wanna make the world a better place/Take a look at yourself and then make a change". Micheal Jackson. I think that to make positive improvements in your self first you must make goals based on who you want to be and what you want to accomplish.Then make plans to reach the goals and act on them.But I believe you need to know yourself before you can know who you want to be.These are some links to tests that will tell you things about yourself you might not already know.

http://www.personaldna.com/tests.php

http://kisa.ca/personality/

http://www.bgfl.org/bgfl/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks3/ict/multiple_int/index.htm

http://literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html

-D

Live Like A Lululemon Bag

Lululemon pants are extremely comfy, their sewaters extremely warm, and their bags? Extremely wise.
Some of the phrases I can find on mine:
-The pursuit of all happiness is the source of all unhappiness
-That which matters the least, should never give way for that which matters the most
-Do one thing a day that scares you
-Sweat once a day
-Don't forget to breathe
-Jealousy works the opposite way that you want it to
And of course:
Do it now, do it now, DO IT NOW!
-Em

Protest Against Violence

In Mexico City, on Sunday thousands marched in a silent protest against violence. Journalist Javier Sicilia  organized this march, as a result of his sons death because of violence. More than 34 600 have died because of the drug wars since December 2006 to December 2010.Since then many have died as a result to this ongoing problem.The protesters are asking President Felipe Calderon to bring in troops to end the drug wars.The protesters are demanding new plans to end the violence because the old ones have failed. The major goal is for a peace pact to be signed in Mexico's most violent city Ciudad Juarez.
-D

Another Nuclear Notify...

Although it has not been greatly publiscised reciently, great efforts in Japan are still being made to help recouperate the country, and it's public. Part of this, of course, includes dealing with the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.
Currently the radiation levels have dropped within the Fukushima plant, with the help of a ventilator that was instaled on Thursday. If this continues to improve, workers will be able to re-enter the facility in order to stabalise the reactor.
Meanwhile it is being contemplated whether or not to re-open the sister plant, Fukushima No. 2, a four reactor power station. In addition to this, Prime Minister Naoto Kan is reviewing the country's policy regarding nuclear energy, and the plan to construct 14 more nuclear power reactors. 
-Em

Because Looking Like Po Can Destroy Your Skin...

I had a great chance to hang out with some polar bears and some giraffes today as my art class and I took a field trip to the zoo to "sketch" some animals. It was a perfect day, not hot, not cold, but perfect for crops and t-shirts. I have to say that my newly aquired sunburn is a perfect accessory.
As if.
Not only will I look like Po, the red teletubbie, for the next few days, but this will have an effect on my skin for years to come.
When our skin is exposed to the sun's ultraviolet rays the structure and functions of our skin cells are damaged.  Too much exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, which is the uncontrollable growth of abnormal skin cells, if it's not dealt with it can spread to other tissues and even organs.... Goodness, this sounds like the inside of a doctor's office pamphlet, but the thing is not many people are changing their ways regardless of the publicity of this issue. Last year alone two million people in the United States were diagnosed with a form of skin cancer. Yes basal cell, and squamous celled skin cancers can be fairly east to treat, they can be cut out (ouch), lasered out (ouch) and dealt with afterwards dealt with a topical cream that caused the bullet-hole-like spot to puss and blister (yuch), but last year 12, 000 people died from cases of melanoma.
It can be easily avoided too. Stay cool (and subburn free) in the shade, slap on some sunscreen with an spf of atleast 30, half an hour before going out (and make sure it's waterproof if you go swimming, if the sunscreen comes off it's of no use to you, and it pollutes the water and harms the fish) or even wear a pair of pants or a t-shirt over your bathing suit at the beach! It may not be glamorous, but neither is skin cancer.
-Em

What Do You Want to Have Accomplished By Twenty

Today I read an article in the paper about the youngest member of Parliament I automatically thought twenty-seven? Nope nineteen years old!Pierres Luc Dusseault is the youngest person in history to ever to be elected into Parliament. He was elected monday night to the NDP.The next youngest are reasontally elected twenty year old's Mathew Dube and Chambly-Borduas of the NDP.Not only are there twenty year old politicians but there are sixteen year old philanthropists. Like Mathew Conley,Salina Dharamsi and Roxane Fortin Lecompte all award recipients of the top twenty under twenty. Most of the individual who have won this award have started their own charities well still in highschool!It makes me feel incredibly lazy. Not only them but there is Craig Kielburger who started his own charity free the children at twelve.Its very inspiring to read these young peoples incredible stories I encourage you to go online and read them for yourself who knows maybe you could be the next Craig Kielburger.
-D

Freedom of Speech

On World Press Freedom day we celebrate freedom of speech and journalists. This year for the first time there will be a Global World Press Freedom Day conference held in the U.S. Why is it so important to celebrate this day, because freedom of speech is an important human right. Especially right now when all around the world freedom of speech is being taken away. This year more than last because of situations in some parts of the Middle East, Mexico and many other countries freedom of speech is been taken away. In many parts of the world there isn’t freedom of speech to be taken away. It’s so important to celebrate this day to honour all journalists who face physical abuse, verbal abuse, dangerous situations, detainment and even death. That is why we at teens view want to remind you to take this day to be thankful to those who work hard to bring us the truth.
-D

Because Domestic Abuse is Unacceptable...

My friend Dana Kirkham and I reciently entered a contest called "Canada's Next Top Young Philanthropist" our entry was a movie based on our cause and different ways we hope to help create a solution. Starting this saturday you guys can vote on which cause or entry you would like to support. The top ten will be able to attend a conference with Canadian philanthropists, one of which will recieve ten thousand dollars to go towards the solution for their cause.

The cause we chose was domestic abuse, because it's universal, it can and DOES happen everywhere, and it tends to go unnoticed until it's too late.

Some straight facts regarding domestic abuse:
-In Canada over 51% of women over the age of 16 have experienced at least one incident of physical of sexual assault
-Every week in Canada at least one woman is killed by her partner
-Less than 10% of incidences are reported by abused women
-Up to 360 000 children are exposed to domestic violence annually in Canada

-58, 486 women and 36, 840 children sought refuge in one of 473 shelters across Canada between April 1st 2003 and March 31st 2004

For more information, to hear about our plan of action, and to see how you can get involved, the link here is for you: 

http://www.youthgive.ca/entry/4375693-Because-No-One-Deserves-Abuse?offset=0&sort=upload 

more later,
-em

Nearly Something to See on CSI

This February a previous manager at Outdoor Adventures Whistler applied to WorkSafeBC to be compensated for the post-traumatic stress he suffered from work. I assume that most people agree that their work place is stressful, and high maintenance, and that they too should apply for this compensation. But then again, they weren't made to slaughter a hundred sled dogs on the job.
The company's owner claims that all the dogs were sick and old. The SPCA BC however, is not buying it.
This morning the organization announced that a team of anthropologists, vetrenarians and forensic experts will be digging up -by hand- the bodies of these sled dogs to test tissue samples, shell casings and bone fragments. They are looking to find evidence to support charges for animal cruelty under the Criminal Code.
This is to be the largest and most complicated investigation the SPCA has ever preformed, and definately one of the most expensive with a $225 000 price tag, which will be paid for by the SPCA and the provincial government.
-Em