Tonight my old Topaz went out in a blaze of glory. It was a spectacular display of acrid, billowing smoke, multiple fire extinguishers, ear-splitting sirens, suspendered firemen, and a gaggle of curious onlookers.
Now, I'm in the market for a replacement. My only criteria are fuel efficiency and non-flammability. Suggestions?
I just received a notice that Kim Pate, the Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (of which the Kamloops Elizabeth Fry Society is a member) will be giving a presentation in Kamloops next Friday on the so-called battered women's defence.
As I mentioned earlier, this legal concept owes its existence to a judgment by the late Bertha Wilson in the famous Lavallee case. The event notice indicates that Ms. Pate has been involved for 15 years with implementing Lavallee, and more generally in activist work on behalf of women who run afoul of the law.
CAEFS' mission statement:
CAEFS is an association of self-governing, community-based Elizabeth Fry
Societies that work with and for women and girls in the justice system,
particularly those who are, or may be, criminalized. Together, Elizabeth Fry
Societies develop and advocate the beliefs, principles and positions that guide
CAEFS. The association exists to ensure substantive equality in the delivery and
development of services and programs through public education, research,
legislative and administrative reform, regionally, nationally and
internationally.
Following in the (mincing) footsteps of several US cities, Victoria, BC will be home this Saturday to a march against sexual assault called "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes."
Starting in Centennial Square at 10:30 a.m., men of all ages (including some local luminaries...check out the event's blog or this article in the Times Colonist) will don high heels and walk for one mile to protest rape and to raise funds for the Victoria Women's Sexual Assault Centre.
Pictures of a similar event held recently in LA can be seen here. Someone give these guys a foot massage!
