The United Way of Bruce Grey is 100 backpacks away from its 2008 total!

August 6, 2009

The United Way of Bruce Grey is once again seeing an unprecedented increase in need in the community due to economic pressures.

This will be the 5th year that the United Way has sought to provide back to school supplies to low income families throughout the region. In 2008 the United Way saw a tripling of the need, when the back to school allowance was removed from families on government assistance.

At that time, it was hoped that the peak had been reached and the need would stabilize.

But the economy is challenging and jobs paying living wages are difficult to find, so the need is increasing.

The number of requests is already at 1105, in 2008 a total of 1240 backpacks were required to meet the need. The United Way anticipates a need of at least 1500 with the possibility of reaching 2000.

“The agencies in the region provide us with a list of what they need for their clients, we know these families are in need,” Francesca Dobbyn Executive Director of the United Way of Bruce Grey states. “We’ve been also fortunate to have the two county social services departments communicate to their clients that this is a service they can access.”

The United Way has heard directly from teachers that the program is significant in reducing bullying and the marginalization of poor students. “The kids show up on the first day of school with all the tools they need, no one stands out as poor” Dobbyn asserts, “our goal is to have a backpack in these kids’ hands prior to the Labour Day weekend.”

The United Way is looking for support from the community for this project. “We were fortunate this year to get a summer student grant and Michael Hay is running the project for us. It’s very labour intensive, but it also means that all the donations go directly to providing the supplies, not to administration,” Dobbyn adds.

Donations can be made at Staples in Owen Sound, any TD Bank or Meridian Credit Union in Bruce and Grey Counties, or at by visiting the United Way at 380 9th Street East Owen Sound. Mastercard and VISA donations can be made by calling 519 376 1560 during regular business hours.

For more information please call Francesca at 519 376 1560

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United Way of Bruce Grey
380 9th St. East
Owen Sound, Ontario, N4K 1P1
ph: 519-376-1560 fax: 519-376-5458
www.unitedwayofbrucegrey.com
www.informationbrucegrey.ca
www.volunteerconnection.ca
www.211brucecounty.ca
www.211greycounty.ca

Written by Deb · Filed Under Community, Participation, Press Release, The Area

8th Annual Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film

July 15, 2009

8th Annual Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film
July 30 – August 3

This year’s instalment of the Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film has been consolidated into one weekend (July 30 – August 3), pushing the boundaries of film, video and new media works by artists from around the world. The program for 2009 includes an AIDS docu-musical, video installations on Main Street, a collection of mixed-media work by Asian artists, a contemporary silent film by Guy Maddin and workshops for people of all ages.
The opening reception will take place at the Durham Art Gallery on July 30 at 8pm. Quebec City artist Diane Landry’s media installation and magical kinetic sculpture explores the visually sublime through the “eyes” of familiar mechanical devices. “Picture Happenings” will be on display at the gallery until September 20. Once the summer sun sets the opening continues at the middle dam of the Suageen River for out an outdoor screening. Heather Keung of the Reel Asian Film Festival is presenting a provocative and poignant program of mixed media performances and videos by Asian women.
Filmmaker John Greyson will be present to introduce his documentary “Fig Trees”, recent winner of a Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival. An unsparing portrayal of the continuing impact of the AIDS epidemic and the political quagmire surrounding its treatment, “Fig Trees” brings the viewer on a musical rollercoaster ride of top 100 countdown songs, opera, documentary, and surrealist fantasy.
Afternoons have been set aside for cutting edge documentary films. “RiP: A remix Manifesto” is a film about copyright and re-mix culture and the blurred line between inspiration and infringement. In “The Yes Men Fix the World” we meet Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno. Gonzo journalists, media pranksters, and Swiftian satirists, the Yes Men pose as corporate spokespersons. Can they find a way to defeat the cult of greed and save civilization from its excesses?
Returning artist Lesley Chan will be conducting filmmaking workshops for kids and adults. Lesley is re-introducing the overhead projector, a piece of equipment that is almost “anti-digital”. There has been resurgence in overhead art since it was originally appropriated in the 1960’s where it was used for experimental light shows and installations. These workshops will encourage participants to create their own live performance.
The festival will feature two evening of film and live music in the majestic Symphony Barn. Montreal composer Ben Shemie will premiere his latest work, “Invisible Ink”, a multi-media, new music composition that incorporates a string quartet and electronica.
The second night of live music collaborations features the visually arresting contemporary silent film “Cowards Bend the Knee” by Guy Maddin and the music of Bob Wiseman (of Blue Rodeo) and his band the Silencers. Wiseman will also present some of his own Super-8 films and videos.
New Generation’s Choice is a program of short films juried by young people from the local community. These films, produced by Bravo!FACT, represent a cross-section of Canadian culture, humour and political satire.
And if you find yourself in downtown Durham after dark, walk by the former Stedmans where Michelle Gay will project her video installation “Spampoet” onto the windows of the empty main street store. This work, a constantly evolving word play on electronic spam, will run every evening during the festival.
This unique, rural-cultural event, called “one of the country’s most unusual film festivals” by the Globe and Mail, is not to be missed. Challenging, provocative and unique in both setting and content, the rich tapestry of the Fabulous Festival of Fringe Film will inspire and delight.
Individual tickets are available at the door. Festival Passes are $35 available through the Durham Art Gallery or on-line. For any further information about the festival, the workshop or volunteering opportunities contact the Durham Art Gallery, 519.369.3692 or email info@fabfilmfest.ca. For a full schedule, timetable and directions visit the web site www.fabfilmfest.ca.

If you would like high resolution stills for publication, access to programmers or filmmakers for interviews, or any other media materials, please contact Myke Dyer at 519.369.2908 or email: info@fabfilmfest.ca

Written by Deb · Filed Under Guest Post, Movies, Participation, Press Release

COURAGEOUS-BE!

May 25, 2009

Dufferin School is Proud to Present
COURAGEOUS-BE!

Dufferin Dragons What kind of adults do we want our children to be? When they are faced with challenges, do we want them ‘shrink away’ and give up when things get tough? Or, do we want them to rise to the challenge and stand up for what is right…even if they are standing alone? Courage is to go ahead even when you feel like giving up. This courage is needed in trying new things. Sometimes courage has to do with admitting mistakes and then doing the right thing. It is doing what needs to be done even when it is really hard and scary. Without teaching and having children experience courageous adventures, children like adults would only do what is easy. The virtue of courage is a ‘gift of character’ that we want our children to practice as they develop into responsible citizens and caring human beings.

The variety musical review, Courageous – Be!, features clips from familiar shows such as ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, ‘Is That Your Final Answer’ and ‘Class Clown’. As well, it offers the poetry of Shel Silverstein, popular music from this era and from the past, and much, much more. A portion of the set and props have been created and designed by students, and displays of student work samples blend into the set to add realism and a personal feel. Our grade 6 students are responsible for running the show from beginning to end. In this musical review, the teacher and children are at times faced with what seems as insurmountable tasks – the learning of lines, the movement on stage from level to level and place to place. They require personal bravery in the face of fear – fear that they may look foolish to their peers. The Grade 6 students at Dufferin School have immersed themselves in a variety of challenges. Some are learning to act on stage in a manner they have not experienced before. Others have dared to take a risk by placing themselves in front of their peers in a circumstance that may look or appear ‘geeky’. The easy way out would be to let fear be in charge. However, we want our children to keep trying and to stand up for what is right.

Through the visual and performing arts, we are able to express our personal vision of the world and understand the vision of others.

Charlie Brown says “You know… courage and tenacity are about the greatest values that a man can have. With the strength of his convictions a man can move mountains.” Patty says to Snoopy, “But at least you tried. Even though you failed, it always makes you feel better when you know you’ve done your best.”

Students from neighbouring schools will enjoy three morning performances.
Performances for the general public will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wed. June 10 and Thurs. June 11. Tickets are $3.00 each and are available by calling 519-376-8696 ext. 527.

All proceeds from this production will go towards the Dufferin grade 6 trip to Toronto.

NOTE TO NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Dress Rehearsal will take place on Tues. June 9 at 9:30. We would be very pleased to accommodate a photographer at that performance.

For further information or interview opportunities, please contact the school at 519-376-8696 ext. 527.

Submitted by Dan Russell, Principal of Dufferin Elementary School

Written by Deb · Filed Under Concerts, Get Out, Guest Post, Owen Sound, Press Release, The Arts, Youth, fun, theOwen

Sauble Beach: One of Canada’s Top Ten Beaches

April 8, 2009

Sauble Beach, Ontario. Sauble Beach was just recently added to the list of Top 10 Beaches in the Country by the Canwest News Service via www.canada.com. The local Bruce County hotspot is profiled with other beaches such as Long Beach in BC, and Martinique Beach in Nova Scotia.

“This type of validation and endorsement is extremely beneficial for Sauble. It proves what we as locals have always known, and sets the region out on the world stage by a major national media outlet”, says Chris Hughes, Bruce County Tourism Manager.

This is not the first time Sauble has received this kind of attention. Macleans magazine and the Toronto Star have both declared Sauble Beach as a major beach destination in the past 5 years. What makes this quaint little beach town so appealing? Jeff Lobsinger, owner of Lobby’s (beachfront) Restaurant says, “Sauble Beach has this magical ‘beach town’ charm that just draws you in. It creates lasting memories for families that keep coming back to the 11km of Sauble sand each year. It is what a summer vacation is all about.”

Tourism officials and businesses are very excited about the timing of this announcement. “People more than ever need a vacation this summer, and Sauble Beach is so close and so affordable. We hope it will be an easy decision to visit Sauble this year and get back to traditional family fun” says Hughes.

Read the Article.