June 2006

A Taste of India-

our final potluck for the spring 2006 season before our summer break. You won't want to miss this intimate evening of stories and images about time spent volunteering this year in Dharamsala. Denman Islanders helped raise money for art supplies among other things for the children Eli and Sandy assisted there.

May 2006

Romping with Otters-

an informative audio-visual presentation by our one and only Jenny Balke about these fascinating creatures that live along our shoreline

April 2006

The March of the Penguins-

a fascinating and touching documentary about the Emperor penguins of Antartica

March 2006

WOMEN AND NATURE-


In collaboration with the Denman Island Women's Outreach Society, this month's Community Vegan Potluck Series is pleased to welcome renowned environmental activist Ruth Masters, as our special guest speaker on Sunday, March 19th in the Back Hall.

In ongoing celebration of International Women's Day, the participatory theme for this special event is Women and Nature (and yes, all genders are invited to attend!) On display will be work in any media created by local women artists that reflect this theme, so plan to come early before our 6:30 pm smorgasbord to thoroughly enjoy this very informal show! Photography, painting, ceramics, fabric art, you name it...if it's been made by you, or another Denman woman and reflects the natural world in any way, please consider it an appropriate contribution! If you are unable to attend the dinner but would still like to submit a piece, just call and we'll arrange to pick it up. Otherwise, please plan to arrive early (around 6:00pm) with your artwork.

Ruth Masters is a well loved Comox Valley elder who has been inspiring men and women concerned about ecological issues on Vancouver Island and beyond for decades. Awarded Courtenay Citizen of the Year for the second time in twenty years last year, she has been on the frontlines in every battle for greenspace and its wild inhabitants from MacDonald Woods in Comox, to the Walbran, Sitika, Strathcona, Clayoquot, Carmanah, Cathedral Grove- the list goes on! Inspite of numerous run-ins with authorites over the years, loggers, hunters and even the Supreme Court, the government saw fit to award Ruth with it's BC Environment Award in 2000. Please don't miss this wonderful opportunity to come on out and celebrate another remarkable heroine in our midst!

Note: Collectively this potluck ended up fundraising $100 on behalf of RAWA, the Revolutionary Afghani Women's Association providing underground education for girls in that country. http://www.rawa.org/index.php

February 2006

Women and Words-

an imtimate evening of spoken word, poetry, and song by six talented islanders

January 2006

Rivers and Tides-

a gorgeous documentary about Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy. Available for loan in the community, so feel free to borrow for private viewing!

December 2005

Winter Solstice time again!

November 2005

Safety and Preparedness-

a potentially life-saving presentation by our local volunteer fire fighters and emergency response team personnel

October 2005

Going Exponential-

A fascinating prsentation about global trends by award-winning, investigative journalist, Will Thomas. Check out Will's website at www.willthomas.com

September 2005

The Future of Food-

an excellent documentary by Deborah Koons Garcia, about GMO's. Available to borrow for private viewing on Denman, so please do ask!

June 2005

In the Wake of the Tsunami- an audio visual presentation by Qualicum Bay resident and disaster relief worker Len Walker.

The potluck series raised over $300 to send to Sri Lanka to assist in recovery efforts there at a school devestated by the tsunami

May 2005

The Story of Tree Island's Sand Verbena Moth, by former Denman Islander Dorrie Woodward, and the Story of Scotch Broom, by islander David Hicks

April 2005

Peaceable Kingdom-
the wonderful story of Farm Sanctuary by Tribe of Heart Productions

March 2005

Can't find a poster for this month! But it was the beginning of our community garden party series, because I remember the potluck forum was provided as a venue for seed sharing, and dialogue around community land issues, which ended up centering on community gardens. While that has yet to come to fruition, the idea for an alternative form of community supported agriculture that grew out of that discussion, did take off! Here's a photo of the later...just google Denman Community Garden Partys for further information, or visit www.fireweed.ca for access!

February 2005

Valley Green-
avoiding chemicals in our environment!

Spokeswoman Gaylene Rehwald had to cancel
due to illness, but Rae Eckel rose to the occassion
and shared important information about chemicals
in our immediate environment, and the 'scent-free'
issue our potlucks aim to support by encouraging
folks not to wear scented bodycare products or
laundry items with fragrance that folks with
chemical sensitivities could suffer a serious
reaction from.

Two years later, Gayelene is back on Denman,
and offering her presentation on behalf of Valley
Green at the Feb. 2007 Potluck! (see above)

January 2005

Bryanna Clark Grogan-

Vegan Chef Extraordinaire! This local vegan writer has at least eight successful cook books to her credit, hosts a fabulous resource forum for new veggies on www.vegsource.com, has an incredible subscription newsletter on line, along with an equally mouthwatering blog that proves there is absolutely no limit to the amazing variety and taste sensations possible on a vegan diet! ww.bryannaclarkgrogan.com

December 2004

Winter Solstice Celebration!

November 2004

Percy Schmeiser Vs. Monsanto!

I couldn't believe how lucky we were to find out that Percy Schmeiser was not only in BC at the same time we were already planning on showing this video about him...but that he was going to be in the neighbourhood, and yes, would actually squeeze in coming on over to Denman for a personal appearance! What an inspiring man...a true Canadian hero! Percy was our first guest speaker in the renewed Denman Island Vegan Potluck Series which had been on hiatus for a number of years. The politics of food remains a central force in all our lives, and people like Percy are beacons of hope in the revolution!