FREE Labour Film Fest this weekend
The Canadian Labour International Film Festival is the first-ever film festival dedicated to telling the stories of workers - their working conditions, lives and struggles. It launched in Toronto last week and takes place this weekend at locations across Canada, including here in Ottawa. We see labour stories so seldom in the media - pretty much only when there is a strike or some sort of crisis, and even then it's a struggle to get accurate coverage of what can often be complex issues. Take the current 60+ day strike by staff of the Canadian War Museum and Museum of Civilization: are we hearin

Carruthers Fire Fund
Last week a 7 unit apartment building on Carruthers Avenue burned, and tenants lost everything. A fund has been set up for to help these fire victims - you can donate at any TD Canada Trust branch under the Carruthers Ave. Fire Fund Account 513-5206374. Please give generously!

you guessed it... upcoming events!
As usual, lots of stuff happening! Hintonburg's annual Artisan Craft Fair takes place today and tomorrow at the Hintonburg Community Centre. Drop by and browse from 2-8pm today and 10-6pm on Saturday. There is usually diverse range of crafty offerings, a bake sale and silent auction... and they are even serving up some yummy chili! On Saturday, why not start at the Craft Fair and shuffle down Wellington St West for the second annual Wassail. Here's a great opportunity to make a dent in your holiday shopping list, and to let our small businesses know how much we appreciate them. There will be hot cider stations at Gilchrist, Holland and Melrose, a choral performance outside the G

Cornerstone update
So the quick response from local bloggers and social media types is yielding results. Bob LeDrew from Flacklife/Translucid Communications took Ian Capstick's call to action to heart and offered up his time and vehicle on Friday to collect donations. So come on! Can you help? Bus tickets, clothing and household items, Tim Horton's gift certificates, phone cards and especially CASH are needed. And in other charitable giving news, I'm still waiting for someone to take me up on

Magic Boxes: A Giveaway!
Planned Parenthood Ottawa is a great organization that has been providing nonjudgmental reproductive and sexual health information, support and resources in Ottawa for 45 years. They provide an impressive range of programs and resources - from tips for parents talking to teens about sexuality to the amazing Insight Theatre. To Celebrate their anniversary and raise some money for their programs, PPO is holding a fascinating fundraiser at the Cube Gallery this Thursday, November 19. It's called