Thank You & news from Environmental Defense

SGC Admin: From our inbox to you….

From Environmental Defense…. 

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“Thank you!” It’s a phrase that we can’t say enough to all of our supporters. Thank you for helping us make a difference by making a donation, signing one of our petitions, attending one of our events, and so much more. We couldn’t do our work without you!

Take a moment and watch this special video featuring one of our supporters and celebrity partners, Bruce Cockburn, who has a few words to share. Thank you to Bruce and all the sponsors and guests who made our recent Gala such a huge success!

Smaller than you might think – the role of renewables in Ontario residential electricity bills

In Ontario, there’s been a lot of rhetoric about the role renewable energy plays in rising electricity costs. It’s true that electricity costs have gone up. But it’s not true that renewables are to blame for that increase.

We recently released Your Home Electricity Bill: A study on the costs in Ontario. The study contains data from Power Advisory, an independent energy consulting firm, that crunched the numbers and found out how much the average Ontario resident will pay for renewable energy on a monthly bill this year and in 10 years. The answer? Not as much as you might think.

This year, non-hydro renewable energy (wind, solar and bioenergy) will account for just 9 per cent of the average residential electricity bill in Ontario. That’s pretty small. By 2024, renewable energy will account for just 16 per cent of the average residential bill. The study also explains other factors behind the rising prices.

Renewable energy is the best option for our environment, and with the costs of it dropping fairly quickly, it’s appealing for our wallets too. For more on the study, click here.

Introducing Energy East — an export pipeline that’s our risk and their reward

TransCanada’s controversial Keystone XL pipeline project generates a lot of headlines. But did you know another risky TransCanada project – even larger than Keystone – is on the horizon and could put hundreds of communities across Canada at risk of an oil spill?

TransCanada’s Energy East is a pipeline plan to get tar sands oil from Alberta to the east coast. The plan would see an old natural gas pipeline converted to ship heavy oil from Alberta through to Ontario, and a huge new pipeline built across Quebec and New Brunswick. The oil would then be exported through massive new export tanker terminals in the St. Lawrence River, and the Bay of Fundy.

As a new report shows, Energy East is an export pipeline – not a made-in-Canada energy solution. Energy East would carry 1.1 million barrels of oil per day. Of that, between 750,000 to 1 million barrels would likely be exported unrefined via tankers.

Learn more about this risky pipeline. Live in Ontario? Tell the Ontario Energy Board to say no to this risky pipeline.

Copyright © 2014 Environmental Defence, All rights reserved.

The Wheel of the Year: Litha June 21 2014: Patti Wigington Your Guide to Paganism/Wiccan

SGC Admin: From our inbox to you … Thanks for sharing Patti… :) 

Big hot gold sun  Stock Vector - 23547480
Copy Right: Larisa Kravets

From Patti Wigington, your Guide to Paganism / Wicca

Hard to believe the wheel of the year turns so fast, but Litha is rapidly approaching. Falling on June 21, this is the longest day of the year. It’s a time of celebration for cultures around the world, and the summer solstice has always been rich in folklore and tradition. Midsummer is a celebration of the sun and its power and energy, as well as of the summer harvest, as gardens come into bloom. Today, we’ll look at some of the customs and history behind the midsummer celebration.

Litha History

Nearly every agricultural society has marked the high point of summer in some way, shape or form. On this date – usually around June 21 or 22 (or December 21/22 in the southern hemisphere) – the sun reaches its zenith in the sky. It is the longest day of the year, and has been celebrated by everyone from the Celts to the Egyptians to the peoples of ancient Greece and Rome. Read More About Litha History

Honoring the Sun People have celebrated the sun for thousands of years.

One of the key themes of Litha is the power of the sun – after all, it’s the longest day of the year, with more hours of daylight than any other. People have been honoring the energy of the sun for a long time – be sure to read about:

Ra, the Sun God
Sun Worship
The Sun Dance

Legends and Folklore

No matter where you live, or what you call it, chances are you can connect to a culture that honoured a sun deity around this time of year. Let’s look at some of the gods and goddesses from around the world that are connected with the summer solstice, as well as some of the traditions and folklore associated with Litha.

Deities of the Summer Solstice
Litha Folklore and Customs
Setting up Your Litha Altar

Patti Wigington
Paganism / Wicca Guide

Contact Information:
1500 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10036

© 2014 About.com

Looking for work? 55 to 64 Years old… Maybe Northern Lights can help

 

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Copyright : Yuliya Yurchenko
  • Organization: Northern Lights Canada. An Employment Ontario program funded by the Governments of Ontario and Canada. 
  • What they do: Targeted Initiative for older workers Program:
  • Are You one or more of the following?
  1. 55 to 64 years of age
  2. Unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week
  3. Needing to update your working skills
  4. A resident of Durham residing in Ajax Eastward
  • Contact: 1-800-361-4642

 

source: Whitby This Week: June 12 2014 Edition

 

Camp X Artifacts Stolen from Durham Region Head Quarters…

SGC Admin: What a sad day it is when folk steal stuff from by gone days… Especially sad is that these items were on display at The Region of Durham Headquarters…. a place one would expect such items to be more then safe… :(

The items stolen were on loan to the location from Camp X thanks to Mr. Hodgson and Lynn Philip Hodgson. These dedicated people opted to display them at the Regional Headquarters, so the general public could view them for Free and perhaps learn a little something about the incredible men and women who played such an integral role during the 2nd world war right here in our backyard of Whitby/Oshawa, Ontario. 

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Copyright : Daniel Villeneuve

Camp X was a 2nd world War spy school for Canadian and American secret agents was in operation from 1941 to 1946 and then again up until 1969. Camp X was also used as a top-secret communications relay for sensitive information and was located near Lake Ontario on the border between Whitby and Oshawa. 

If it wasn’t for the brave men and women of the 2nd world war who went above and beyond the call the duty we would not be enjoying the life we have today…. It wasn’t the leaders, the prime minister’s, Presidents, Kings or Queens, nor the military personal who issued orders from “on high” that fought our war, it was regular hard-working, family & freedom loving folk that fought and won. This cannot ever be forgotten or disrespected, and the knowledge of the sacrifices that have been made must be passed on to our children. 

SGC Staff, ask that we all keep our eyes and ears open regarding the missing items and contact the police (Sergeant Bill Clader) as soon as possible to relay your information. If you are a collector and someone tries to sell you the items, please do the right thing… 

Sometimes, the young do things they regret later, sometimes they do things without fully understanding the consequences of their actions or the upset their actions may produce… If this is the case, anonymously returning the items may be suggested. 

What went missing: (Pictures are generic and do not present actual items stolen)

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Copyright : nejron

About 20 pieces of European Currency (paper money)… This was used by the agents, which was sown into their clothing to be used to buy themselves out of trouble when behind enemy lines. 

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Copyright : miltonia

An irreplaceable silk scarf. This particular scarf had a map of European countries printed on it, which would be worn by the agents under a shirt. When the agent was dropped into a foreign country they would use the scarf/map to guide them. The Scarf dates back to 1943. 

Please Click Here to visit Camp X official website. 

Source: Whitby This Week: June 12 Edition: Jillian Follert: jfollert@durhamregion.com

Summer Solstice Goddess Party @ The Tranquil Garden Oshawa June 23 2014

Summer Goddess  Young Blonde Woman with Summer flowers in her Hair Stock Vector - 18868519
copy right: Heather Wimberly

 

  • Event: Summer Solstice Goddess Party
  • Date: June 23 2014
  • Location: The Tranquil Garden 805 King Street West, Unit 8, Oshawa
  • Time: 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
  • What’s There: A free evening of light refreshments, great giveaways, ‘Eminence Organics’ facial demonstrations, and mini treatments to launch our fabulously re-vamped Spa Goddess Membership!
  • Cost: FREE
  • Contact: Call 905-576-5982: Click Here to register