The Monday Special Blend

Ottawa's Urban Wildlife

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:21:20 -0400

Clashes between Ottawa's wildlife and human activity; that's the subject of this interview with the President of the Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre, Donna Dubreuil. She tells us about some innovative programs to help the two sides coexist and more importantly, of the change in attitudes to make them happen.

Transition Town Peterborough

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 20:29:53 -0400

Transition Towns are springing up around the world, helping communities to transform in the face of environmental challenges. Canada's first, and so far only official TT is in Peterborough, Ontario. This is an interview with Fred Irwin, who helped set up Transition Town Peterborough and now chairs the steering committee.

Managing Without Growth: Peter Victor

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:41:15 -0400

An interview with Peter Victor, Environmental Studies professor at York University. His book, Managing Without Growth: Slower by Design, Not Disaster, challenges the priority we've placed on economic growth.

Vélo Vogue Urban Cycling Fashion Show

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:56:07 -0500

Ottawa's Tall Tree Cycle was the venue for Vélo Vogue, a fantastic evening celebrating urban cycling, fashion and all. The Monday Special Blend was there and in this piece you'll hear first from the co-owners of Tall Tree, Will Ficner and Tom Johnston.

They're followed by Régine Paquette and Katie Frappier, co-owners of Ottawa's Victoire Boutique on Dalhousie Street, which supplied some of the clothing and accessories for the models. Clothing (and interviews) were also provided by the ladies from Toronto’s Deadly Nightshades: Laura Mensinga, Irene Stickney and Cat Essiambre. We also hear from Ottawa messenger (and Vélo Vogue model) Angelo Sarazin.

The Street Stops Here

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:03:08 -0500

Ottawa author Patrick McCloskey spent a year getting to know students, teachers and parents at Rice Catholic High School in Harlem. In his book The Street Stops Here, McCloskey writes that the catholic school system at Rice is the reason for its incredible success in a difficult environment.

He was our guest on the MSB on January 12.

To The Tar Sands

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:30:44 -0500

In 2007, nineteen young environmentalists cycled 1,300 kilometres across Alberta to witness firsthand the impact of the tar sands. Along the way they met residents, labourers, farmers, oil executives and aboriginal people, and asked all of them how the tar sands development was affecting them.

They also filmed their adventure and released a book on the trip. The film was recently screened at the SAW Gallery in Ottawa where I had a chance to speak with Tim Murphy, a trip member and editor of the book, and Lori Waller, an Ottawa resident who was also on the trip.

Dr. Shiv Chopra

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:55:09 -0500

Dr. Shiv Chopra is one of three Health Canada scientists whose testimony before a Senate Committee in 1998 triggered headlines around the world.

They testified that Health Canada managers had pressured them to release veterinary drugs into the food chain without the evidence of safety required by the Food and Drugs Act. Six years later all three scientists were simultaneously dismissed. They’ve been fighting it ever since.

Dr. Chopra has written a book about his journey into becoming one of Canada’s best known whistleblowers. It’s called Corrupt to the Core: Memoirs of a Health Canada Whistleblower.

He was a guest on the Monday Special Blend.

Carbon Rationing Group in Ottawa

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:52:35 -0500

An Ottawa man wants to setup this city's first CRAG (Carbon Rationing Action Group). The idea is for residents to pledge to each other to reduce their carbon output and consumption by 10% of their current level. They meet on a regular basis, share their ideas and progress, and even trade carbon credits among themselves.

Michael Poos is the guy trying to set this up in Ottawa, and we spoke to him on the Monday Special Blend, one day before the group's first meeting on November 25, 2008.

Pausing to make the world a better place

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:27:11 -0500

A Carleton professor’s new book says the planet will be fine…it’s the people we should worry about. Ian Prattis began teaching Anthropology and Religion at Carleton University in 1970. In his new book Failsafe: Saving the Earth From Ourselves, Prattis says that if we are to survive on earth, we must all pause our minds, and re-evaluate the current world order.

It’s a positive book which encourages and guides readers to take action to transform, even if only a bit, their role in making the world a better place. I had a chance to speak with Ian Prattis in his Ottawa home.

Portland's Cycling Scene

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:56:59 -0500

An interview with Jonathan Maus, the editor of BikePortland.org. We hear what makes Portland such a hotbed for biking, including how decisions at Portland City Hall are often made with two-wheelers in mind. Jonathan also gets us up to speed on a new US bike tax credit for commuters who cycle to work.

Who’s on the upcoming MSB show...

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:26:32 -0500

Join us Monday morning from 7 to 9 on 93.1 FM in Ottawa, or via on-line streaming. Times are approximate and may change...

7:15 am....Social justice advocates are gathering in Ottawa next weekend to learn some best practices in their business. We’ll hear about the upcoming Organizing for Justice conference.

7:40...Local author Kathlyn Bradshaw will join us to discuss her fiction novel The Frankenstein Murders.

8:10....We visit Ottawa’s Ian Prattis who says it’s not the planet we need to worry about, it’s the people. The retired Carleton professor has just released Failsafe, a book that encourages us to transform our lives if we are to survive on earth.

8:30...Lucette de Cunha joins us with her weekly arts report.

8:45...And we’ll talk with Jonathan Maus, the editor of BikePortland.org. The cycling scene in Portland, Oregon is among the hottest in North America, and Jonathan will chat with us about why that’s so, about a new federal bike tax credit, and about the debate in Portland on introducing a controversial tax for bikes.

Thanks for the support

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:10:22 -0500

We did it. The Monday Special Blend reached its fund-raising target for CKCU FM, bringing in $1,640 over the two fund-raising shows, and helping the station surpass its overall target, reaching $112,263.15.

A big, heartfelt thank you to everyone who pledged their support, helping keep Ottawa’s biggest community radio going for another year.

Investigative journalist tackles the RCMP

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:50:17 -0500

Paul Palango is an investigative journalist who’s work has appeared in the Globe and Mail and the Hamilton Spectator. His focus over the years has been looking into Canada’s Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He’s just released his third book about the RCMP, called Dispersing the Fog: Inside the Secret World of Ottawa and the RCMP. In it, Palango examines several high profile cases which have been the subject of criticism for Canada’s historic police force.

The biggest of those is its handling of the Maher Ahrar case. But Palango’s conclusions of how the RCMP handled that case may surprise you.

Off to a great start

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:32:44 -0400

Results of our first fund-raising show this morning are in. The target was $500 for the one hour, and we hit that and then some: $533.33. I have no idea why we got a donation with 33 cents, but we’ll everything you send us.

A big thank you to everyone who pledged their support. And a special thanks to local man David Chernushenko who joined us in-studio to help kick start our funding drive.

The second and last fundraising show is next Monday, November 3rd, from 8 to 9 am. For how you can help our station stay around another, check out yesterday’s post and make your donation now. Go ahead, be a hero.

Thanks,
Giacomo

CKCU’s Funding Drive

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 09:55:17 -0400

The station’s annual funding drive is underway. We’ve come to rely a lot on our listeners over the years, and we’re hoping they (you?) will step up to the plate once again.

For 35 years, CKCU FM has been broadcasting community radio in Ottawa-Gatineau. One third of the station’s budget comes from the annual funding drive. Hopefully you can help us out this year.

The MSB’s two funding drive shows will be October 27 and November 3, between 8 and 9 am. On the 27th show, David Chernushenko will be our special guest, and he’s bringing a DVD copy of his film Be the Change to give away for someone who calls in their pledge during the show.

You can call in your pledge at 613 520-3920 (local) or 1-877-520-3920 (for outside Ottawa, but in North America). You can also pledge on-line, or contact me and I’ll fill out a pledge form on your behalf. The station then mails you what you need to honour your pledge.

Be sure to specify you’re pledging for the Monday Special Blend. It does not mean that our show gets comfier chairs, but it does help our show reach its target.

Thanks for your support.