December 1, 2009
Contents:
- Fundraising Update for HANS
- Bill C-6 Session Update
- Brain Research Offers Hope in Prevention of Dementia
__________
Fundraising Update for HANS
by Lorna HancockNovember 30, 2009
It is Monday morning, and just yesterday, I stood at the recycling depot after our sixth trip there, and had a moment of silence and reflection as I looked at what to most eyes would just be a pile of metal sitting there in the recycle bin. But it wasn't just a random pile of metal. It was the remnants of the HANS reference library system. The same system that had once been lovingly put together by a member who had a background in library systems. Over twenty years ago, she had ordered the system, created the schematic, put it together, and we dedicated ourselves to keeping information that we felt our members would appreciate. And they did.
But my friends, information doesn't work like that anymore. Libraries are re-inventing themselves to adjust to a world that now has information at their fingertips. And, as sad as I felt for those few moments looking at our history, I also realized, "It's OK." Change is OK. Change is ... wonderful, actually. It makes room for the new. It releases us from a system that was so appreciated by many but no longer works well enough. Change paves the way for exciting possibilities.
So, as we work in the office this week, moving books and reconfiguring our space, we are receiving many heartfelt expressions of support. To all of you who have answered our important call for holiday donations and membership support so far, we thank you. Thank you also to all of you who have expressed ideas to review by our Executive Committee about the future of HANS.
Every response is critical
It is still early yet in our holiday fundraising campaign - and we have raised $12,000, which is a huge boost, for sure. Our goal to raise is an additional $30,000 to sustain our organization in 2010.
If you have thought of becoming a member and haven't, please don't put this off. If you have thought of making a donation, then please do so. You can make that donation online at www.hans.org.
We have given ourselves until the end of December to gauge the level of interest in our community of friends and HANS members. Do we have the collective passion, and planning, to stay in the game? I believe we do, and I hope you do, too.
Lorna Hancock
Founding Member and Volunteer Executive Director
HANS - Health Action Network Society
__________
Bill C-6 Session Update
by Canadian Charter of Health Freedom TeamOn Wednesday, November 25th, constitutional lawyer Shawn Buckley appeared before the Senate Committee on Social Affairs regarding the unconstitutional nature of Bill C-6.
Shawn had a few minutes off the top of the session where he outlined his concerns about the bill, followed by an hour and half answering Senators' questions. The trade lawyer, Cherniak, appearing with Shawn opposed Bill C-6 as well. Shawn made it clear that he was not speaking against consumer safety but rather questioning whether consumers were unsafe to the degree that fundamental rights such as the rule of law and due process had to be given up.
Here is a post session comment by Shawn:
http://www.youtube.com/user/media109#p/a/u/0/fziDmnM...
Here is Senator McCoy's colourful November 25 and 26 [Health Canada] posts:
http://www.albertasenator.ca/hullabaloos/?article&44...
For the unofficial Bill C-6 Senate Committee meeting transcript from November 25, email tsamson@nhppa.org and request a copy in the form of an attachment.
For the December 2nd transcript of the Senate Committee;s clause by clause review of Bill C-6, email tsamson@nhppa.org and request a copy in the form of an attachment. (A clause by clause review is to take each section of the bill and have amendments or observations attached to it.)
Social Affairs Committee has agreed to Bill C-6, with amendments and will now take it back to the [regular] Senate for a 3rd vote.
The Hill Times - Canada's politics & government news weekly
Shawn has written a guest article published in the
Hill Times, Monday, December 7 2009, that speaks as a last message to the public and Senators about the dangers of Bill C-6. Thank you Kate Malloy, editor of the
Hill Times, for the opportunity.
Where is Bill C-6?
Closer to becoming law. Everyone must continue to email and CALL the [105] Senators, [308] MPs & very urgently the national media to draw attention to STOP Bill C-6 in the last vote. If this Bill passes, we have even more work ahead of us.
Copy/paste the link below for contact information for all 105 Senators:
http://nhppa.org/?page_id=325
Call, email, and write 1, 10 or all 105. Now that Senate Committee has come to a close, it is back to the entire 'upper house' [Senate] to Vote against the Bill. Ask the other 93 Senators to act independently and know the dangers of the Bill C-6 so they can vote against it in 3rd reading.
Thank you for your understanding in allowing the Charter Team to focus our attention on Bill C-6.
The Charter of Health Freedom's concept and petition signatures grow daily.
Our work on moving the Charter forward ramps up in 2010.
Charter of Health Freedom Website Update
Follow this link see our updated media and latest news for articles and radio programs on Bill C-6 and heath freedom issues:
http://www.charterofhealthfreedom.org/index.php?/rel.../
In Health Freedom,
The Charter Team
__________
Brain Research Offers Hope in Prevention of Dementia
by Gary AnakaTrouble focusing? Brain fatigue? Frustrating forgetfulness? Is this you? If it is, you know all too well how difficult it is to live well if you don't have a fully functioning brain to do it with. In short, if your brain is not well, you are not well.
The Alzheimer's League tells us that more than 500,000 Canadians presently suffer from dementia. No one plans for cognitive decline, but it certainly happens. Luckily, neuroscience has answers and there is great hope and optimism for people of all ages.
If you've ever heard that you use only 10 percent of your brain or that you can't grow new brain cells or that your brain can't change, you've been misinformed. These statements are simply not true. They are old myths. Don't believe them.
Two great discoveries are changing the way we live: neurogenesis and plasticity.
Neurogenesis and plasticity
Now a widely accepted theory, neurogenesis means that your brain can grow new brain cells. When? Absolutely everyday and at any age. The easiest and simplest way to grow new cells is through movement and exercise. Neuroscientists are piling up research that clearly states that physical movement and aerobic exercise are absolutely necessary for achieving optimal brain functioning and good health.
Plasticity is the new frontier of hope. It means that your brain is constantly changing. You have a choice between brain wellness and fitness or disease and pathology.
Brain research is the hottest science on earth. Find out more and avoid the wave of dementia sweeping the country. You are responsible for your brain. There are no magic pills. Prevention is the key.
Tips for brain health
Drink up. Since your brain is made up of mostly water, sip clean, filtered throughout the day. Brain dehydration is a huge, underestimated health problem.
Gets lots of oxygen. Air is a key element for brain health.
Feed your brain with a nutritious, life supporting diet of fresh, natural foods.
Keep life interesting. Your brain craves novelty and challenge. Novelty keeps your brain fully functioning by keeping the regulatory system for plasticity working.
Sleep well. Over time, sleep deprivation destroys the bio-integrity of your brain.
Laugh a lot. A laughing brain is a healthy brain.
Keep learning. To grow your brain, you have to use it. If you are not learning, your brain does not grow.
Get moving. The brain needs your body to move. Get physical and enjoy aerobic exercise.
Gary Anaka is a brain-based learning facilitator. He believes in wellness through education. His latest book is Brain Wellness: The Secrets for Longevity. For more information visit www.braincoach.ca or call (250) 753-0688.