I VOTE TORONTO

Just spreading the word about I Vote Toronto's campaign to extend municipal voting rights to non-citizen permanent residents.

Check out the Maytree Foundation's think piece for the argument's in favour @
http://www.joemihevc.com/WriteFolder/pics/Maytree%20policy%20in%20focus.pdf

and visit http://www.ivotetoronto.org to learn more about the campaign and how to get involved.

26 countries so far, including the United Kingdom, Portugal, Germany, Israel, New Zealand, Chile, Barbados and Australia have to date enacted similar laws, which have been considered an important step in better engagement of newcomers in civic life.

~BAAH

VANNIS

Latest endorsement for some good Toronto eats is VANNIS - a midtown (mostly) italian eatery at 672 St Clair Avenue West near Christie. It's only been open for about half a year now, but being in the old 'hood I couldn't help but pay attention to so many fam & friends vouching for this new little spot sandwiched between my old convenience shop and movie store.

So tonight was the night - dinner party for the Grand Sacki 60 - and it didn't disappoint. Server was fast, owner was friendly in full mingling spirit, and most importantly the food kicked ass and was in abundance. And the prices ain't bad either!

Moral of the story - I'll be back.

B

Ps - Order the Salmon or the Gnocci for an entree without regrets.

One year ends, Another begins

While I won’t quite call it a holiday letter, the new year seems an appropriate time to resurrect the old bryguy blog=) So why not make post #1 a statement about the year that was, and what’s on the horizon for the year that is ...

Like many, 2008 had seen its ups and downs – for family, for friends, for myself. For all of you who were around for the highs, thank you for the memories - it’s been an extraordinary ride. For everyone adjusting to new realities, my thoughts are with you and let us look onwards and upwards as the sun rises on the new year.





Though it doesn’t feel like I got away too much this year, a quick glance back saw the bags being packed for a couple great visits to the nation’s capital, the west coast, the sun and sands of Cayo Sol Santa Maria (Cuba) - and a truly breathtaking hike of Peru’s Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and fly-by of the famed Nazca Lines with Dad, Jen, Shaki, Sasha, and Ryan.

On the fitness front - the marathon with Regina’s NCFC gang was something I did not attempt to repeat (I know I’m a slacker Ben!).
While I still love pounding the pavement (or snow in this bloody cold country), I’ve been getting in some regular bike and swim sessions in pursuit of next year’s Ironman 70.3 (the half IM) competition in the Muskoka Lakes.

As I continue shedding grad school to official acceptance of the real world - I look forward to continued involvement with UNA-Canada’s Ripple Effect initiative, to teaching my first classes at McMaster, and to progress through the ever slow federal recruitment with the Public Health Agency & Department of Defence.

Should the latter effort be successful, there will certainly be one more far off adventure before buckling down. Location still TBD, but a visit to the Middle East tops the current list, with Russia coming in as a close 2nd – not to worry folks, not planning to conflict with the gamut of weddings that will no doubt keep the domestic travel circuit at capacity=) On a smaller and more immediate scale, Paul, Janice, Winy and I are kickstarting the year in style with a January road trip to D.C. to help roast the Obama’s in their new hometown!

Ok signing off for now – time to make it all happen! ‘Till next time - may peace, health, happiness and good people find you all in ‘09.

Need Action, Not Another Report

Letter to the Editor in the 20 Nov 2008 issue of METRO (Toronto), in response to the launch of the 'Roots of Youth Violence' report. -Bryan


Re: Probe links youth violence to mental health neglect, Nov. 14

NEED ACTION, NOT ANOTHER REPORT

Dear Editor(s)

The links between mental health and violence have long been raised by clinical and social scientists, youth agencies, and community advocates. In raising the profile of the cause, we hope the recommendations of McMurtry & Curling to address the ‘Roots of Youth Violence’ are adopted so that real action is finally seen in communities at risk.

In a new approach, any provincial reorganization should consider a revised definition of ‘youth’ so that young people transitioning from the childhood to adult mental health system no longer lose proven crime and homeless-prevention services simply because they have turned 18 and no longer qualify.

The Roots of Youth Violence is an excellent study with serious recommendations. The time is now for those involved to demand real action from the Premier, and not allow this to be another report that ends up sitting in a library without affecting meaningful change.

Bryan Heal, Public Health Consultant