Interested in a bit of wholesome fun?  Come to the lower level of the Bayfield Mall between noon and 2 p.m. on June 15.  In that nice open space near the bowling alley and Canadian Tire, you will find people grooving and dancing, and singing along to a slightly adapted version of a Beatles song.

Curious?  Come and find out for yourself.

Similar events are being held all around the world that day, to mark the 8th World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD).  The first was held on June 15, 2006 in support of the United Nations Plan of Action, which recognizes the significance of abuse and neglect of older adults as a public health and human rights issue.

The Senior Groove event at the Bayfield Mall is a bit of light-hearted fun, but there’s a serious purpose behind it.  The Barrie event is organized by the Prevention of Senior Abuse Network (PSAN) of Simcoe County to shine a spotlight on this largely hidden issue.  See http://www.psan-sc.ca.

It’s shocking to realize how often the senior members of our communities are abused and neglected.  The abuse is often hidden, partly because of the shame the elders feel, and partly because they may be too frail in mind and body to take action.  Sometimes all they can do is try and tell us what is happening, and all too often we don’t pay attention when they do report it.

Have you ever dismissed an older person’s reports as “complaining”?  Perhaps with an affectionate chuckle?  So some elders suffer in silence at home, in care facilities, and wherever else elder abuse is happening.

Shame on us.

Come on out to Senior Groove, learn more and have fun too:  June 15, noon to 2 p.m. at the Bayfield Mall, lower level.

Did you know First Nations children on reserve receive lower levels of service for health, welfare, and education?  This is because federal funding falls below provincial levels of funding offered to other Canadians.  On average, schools receive $2000-3000 less funding per student than provincially run schools.

See http://www.fncaringsociety.com/our-dreams-matter-too.

Walks are being held across Canada to focus attention on this ineqity.  The Barrie Friendship Centre is holding a walk on Wednesday, June 12 at the Centre.  To join in solidarity with them, be at the Centre at 3 p.m. for singing and drumming before the walk begins at 4 p.m. 

 For more information, contact Elaine Gareau: 705-252-3459

People are speaking their minds over the next few weeks, about more than a few important issues, and at more than a few times and places.  Here’s a look at some events happening in May.

Saturday May 25:

March Against Monsanto is an international event.  In some places, including here in Barrie, it’s called Rally Against Monsanto, and it’s happening in the courtyard at City Hall, 70 Collier Street, at 2:p.m.  If it rains it will be held in the Rotunda.

Rallies against Monsanto are taking place in towns and cities at 2 p.m. everywhere in the EST time zone.

The purpose of the rally is to send Monsanto a clear message:  We are not happy with genetically modified foods, but even more so, we are not at all happy with the control Monsanto holds over production of our food.  To quote the RAM movement’s website: “Whether you like it or not, chances are Monsanto contaminated the food you ate today with chemicals and unlabeled GMOs. Monsanto controls much of the world’s food supply at the expense of food democracy worldwide.”

If this is your hot issue, check the website for more information:  www.occupy-monsanto.com.  There is a complete list there, many pages long, of every municipality holding a Rally Against Monsanto on May 25.  Then come down to Barrie City Hall at 2 p.m. and raise your voice.

Springwater Park

Just to remind everyone that there is a pot-luck supper every Saturday at Camp Nibi (“fresh water” in Anishinabek) in Springwater Park.

This one’s for you, if you prefer a get-together with a few people who care about nature, the earth, and our provincial parks.  If you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about, Google Springwater Park to get the full story of how the Ontario Government closed this park, shut down the animal rescue centre, took away the picnic tables, barbecues and toilets, and put up a barrier so that you can go in there only on foot.  Which is fine, except when someone might need an ambulance.

Two brave women from the Anishinabe First Nation are camping in the park to reclaim treaty rights over non-operational Crown land.  To show your support, take a tasty dish to the pot-luck and enjoy a summer evening with old friends, or make some new ones.

If you haven’t already, sign on to www.springwaterparkcitizenscoalition.wordpress.com to read Les Stewart’s informative and always interesting blog.  Thanks Les.

Sunday, May 26:

Looking for something meaningful and interesting to do on Sunday?

Water Is Life is an afternoon of film, discussion and food, in the Angus Ross room at Barrie Public Library, on Sunday May 26, 1 – 4 p.m.  The discussion focuses on access to safe, drinkable water and adequate sanitation, which in 2010 the UN declared to be basic human rights.  Canada was one of only three UN member states that did not acknowledge the right to water in a UN declaration or resolution.  Finally, in 2012 our government is recognizing this human right.

Groups participating in this event include the local chapters of Council of Canadians, Amnesty International, and Kairos.

Wednesday May 29:

Barrie and District Raging Grannies are joining two other Raging Grannies gaggles, Toronto and Peterborough, in a protest against plans to refurbish one of the closed nuclear reactors at Pickering.

Kate Chung of the Toronto Grannies is one of the people making a presentation at the public hearings on May 29 and 30.  Her presentation is on Wednesday morning, and one of the Peterborough Grannies will also present later the same day.

On the Wednesday, starting around 11 a.m., inside the hearings, and outside, and wherever we find ourselves, Raging Grannies in all their finery and in full voice will get our message across loud and clear.  Here’s a sample, to the tune If you’re happy and you know it:

“Bring us solar, bring us hydro, bring us wind,

Bring us energy from sources that won’t end.

Before we could trust uranium,

We’d need holes in our cranium,

We haven’t yet gone that far around the bend.”

Come back after the protest for our report, with pics.

Also on May 29:

Back on the topic of chemicals that are bad for us, have you ever wondered what’s in those products we slather all over ourselves with nary a thought?  On May 29, 7 – 9 p.m., speaker Joanna Keats will tell us about her personal quest to discover and avoid the chemicals hidden in personal care products.  She will then explain how we can make informed and healthy choices about what what we put on our bodies.

Where?  89 Dunlop East, behind Casa Cappucino and the English Tea Room.  Go to the back of the building abutting on Fred Grant Square. Park at the back, or at the Fred Grant parking meters.

This free event is organized by Transition Barrie.  See www.transitionbarrie.org/may-29th-7pm-what-are-you-putting-on-your-body/ or contact Karen Fox at 705-721-6867 or move@sympatico.ca.

Come back to this page in a week or so to see what the BAD Grannies have to tell you about events in June.

Enjoy the summer.  Have fun, laugh, sing, play.