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Canadian Women’s Club of Chicago Newsletter
March 2009
President’s
Message
By the time you read this it will be March, and we’ll be that much closer to
spring. Reminiscing about childhood winters was fun for a while, but now I think
those of you who spend most of the winter in southern climes have the right
idea! And it seems like this year more of you than ever have escaped at least
part of this long, snowy winter.
I had a brief escape from Chicago’s winter myself in February – a week in
London, England. It wasn’t exactly an escape from the snow, though -- a few
hours after our plane landed it started snowing and by the next day London, and
most of southern England, were totally snowed in – the worst snow storm in 2
decades! It could only happen to me! In spite of Mother Nature’s interference,
we still had a wonderful time, and I got to see some things few tourists do –
the fountains of Trafalgar Square frozen over, many “Gritter” trucks (to spread
“grit” on the roads for traction!), and a team of workers with tiny shovels
trying to clear Speakers Corner of snow! I never saw a proper snow shovel
anywhere!
I returned in time for our February luncheon. Dr. Alpa Vaghasiya Modi of
NorthShore University HealthSystem prepared an interesting discussion about
several significant health issues for women. She shared detailed handouts, and
took time to discuss these health issues and answer our many questions. I think
we all felt it renewed our commitment to understanding our risk factors and
taking care of ourselves!
Unfortunately we have had to cancel the March 18th outing to the Marriott
Lincolnshire Theater due to limited interest. Please keep your eyes out for the
invitation next month to the April luncheon, which our Programme Committee is
hard at work organizing right now. Hopefully the snowbirds will be flocking back
north by then, and we’ll have a good crowd to catch up with each other!
OOPS: In the “Brie in Phyllo” recipe in last month’s newsletter, I inadvertently
misplaced the last word, “crackers” (Did you guess that’s what it was?).
-
Michelle Gillis,
President
Newsletter Deadline
The deadline for submitting articles to be included in the April newsletter is
March 25, 2009. All articles should be submitted to Jan Dengis. Please put CWC
on the subject line. Any questions, please call Jan.
Membership Report
Birthday wishes for March go to:
Helen Humphries on March 14th, Anne Rizzolo March 16th, Jackie Brennan March
18th, Sheila Chin March 19th, (withheld) March 23rd , Vicki Fraser March 27th,
Elaine Lamberts March 28th, Suzy Campbell 29th and Ann Davies 30th.
- Janet Walker, 2008-09 Membership Chair
CANADIAN NEWS
New Canadian
Citizenship Rules
A revision to the Canadian citizenship laws will take effect April 9, 2009.
Among other things, the new law impacts the citizenship status of children born
outside of Canada to Canadian citizens who were also born abroad.
Quoting from the CIC webpage: "This means that children born in another country
after the new law comes into effect will not be Canadian citizens by birth
if
they were born outside Canada to a Canadian parent who was also born outside
Canada to a Canadian parent."
If you feel this may impact the citizenship status of your children or
grandchildren, you are encouraged to read the official government release here: http://www.cicnews.com/2009/01/canadian-citizenship-rules-change-born-canada-01697.html
and contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada if you have further questions.
- Thanks to Tom for this information!
Canada Remains
Americans' Most Favored Nation
Canada enjoys the highest favorable rating of 19 nations rated by Americans in a
recent Gallup Poll. Nine in 10 Americans view the U.S.’ neighbor to the north
favorably, while only 6% view it unfavorably. Great Britain, another
English-speaking ally of the United States, nearly matches Canada in its U.S.
popularity, with an 89% favorable rating. Japan and Germany fall a notch lower,
viewed favorably by about 8 in 10 Americans, followed by France, India, and
Israel, all with positive ratings around 64%. This is the fourth straight year
that Canada has topped the country rankings.
Did you know?
President Obama’s first foreign trip was to Canada on February 19th – for a
total of 7 hours! (Webmaster addendum: Read a hilarious version of President
Obama's pre-visit briefing paper in Scott Feschuk's column from the February
17th issue of Maclean's magazine...http://blog.macleans.ca/2009/02/17/welcome-mr-obama-and-yes-harper%E2%80%99s-hair-is-real/
More positive Canadian
news
An interesting article worth reading is “Canadian Initiative by Fareed Zakaria”
in the February 7, 2009 issue of Newsweek, regarding the strength of the
Canadian banking system.
“Now there is even more
striking evidence of Canada's virtues. Guess which country, alone in the
industrialized world, has not faced a single bank failure, calls for bailouts or
government intervention in the financial or mortgage sectors. Yup, it's Canada.”
To read the whole article
search http://www.fareedzakaria.com/articles/newsweek/020709.html
- Sent by new member Sarah B. via Janet Walker
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Canadian Event
Calendar
Attention Hockey Fans!
The Canadian Club of Chicago invites you to join fellow Canadians and
sports-loving Chicagoans at the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks hockey
game on Sunday, March 29, 2009, at 6pm, at the United Center, 1901 West Madison
Street, Chicago. Game Tickets are $35.00. These are 300 level seats, rows 4-5-6
(lower than the last game).
There will be a meet up to distribute tickets (and socialize and eat) at 4:30 pm
at the Union Park Lounge, 228 South Racine Street, Chicago.
Canadian Club members have first chance at the tickets, then they may be
available to others. Payment is via credit card only for this event. GET YOUR
TICKETS NOW via the Canadian Club website www.canadianclubofchicago.org or call
(815) 464-3557.
Amazing Maritime Music!
On Friday, March 20, 2009, the Canadian Consulate will be hosting Canada Day at
the Festival de la Francophonie. All Canadian Club of Chicago members are
welcome. Performing is “BLOU, Music from the Maritimes” at 6:30 p.m at the
Alliance Francaise of Chicago, 54 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago. Admission is
free.
Enjoy an evening of Acadian, Cajun and Zydeco fusion music from north of the
border. Serving as musical ambassadors of the ancestral land called Acadie, the
Nova Scotia band Blou has performed in 26 countries to millions of people and
have won 13 international and national awards. On this night, they make their
Chicago debut. A small reception will precede the concert.
More events
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Friday, March 6 and 7,
7:30 pm., Great Big Sea, House of Blues, Chicago, IL
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Thursday, March 12, 8:00pm, Nickelback,
Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL
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Saturday, March 14, 8:00
pm., Barrage, Hemmens Cultural Center, Elgin, IL
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Friday, March 20, 7:30 pm,
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks, United Center, Chicago, IL
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Saturday, March 21, 8:00
pm., Gordon Lightfoot, Coronado Performing Arts, Rockford, IL
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April 24, 25, and 26, Toronto Blue Jays vs.
Chicago White Sox, US Cellular Field, Chicago
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Tuesday, May 5, 8:00 pm.,
Leonard Cohen, Chicago Theatre, Chicago
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Find other local events with Canadian content
by clicking the "Calendar" link at left.
CLUB NEWS
Please update your
calendars
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March 18, 2009 Lunch and
the musical have been cancelled. See alternative suggestion below.
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April 15, 2009 Yousuf
Karsh: Regarding Heroes exhibit, lunch at the Art Institute
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May 20, 2009 Lunch at the
Consul General’s Residence, Chicago
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March 18 Lunch
As an alternative to a structured luncheon and program, there are some of us who
would still like to get together on March 18. If you would be interested in
joining a group to have lunch at Prairie Grass Café in Northbrook, please let
Jan Dengis know by phone or email by Monday, March 16. The restaurant takes
reservations for lunch, so Jan will make one for 11:30. Prairie Grass Café’s
address is 601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook. 847-205-4433. Please go to the cafe's
website for directions and to look at the lunch menu to see if the food and the
pricing are to your liking. Lunch will cost more than the usual $25.00 and
everyone will be responsible for their own tab.
Garden Club
May 16, 2009 Reserve the date!
You are invited to a Plant Exchange and Luncheon at the home of (withheld)
All Gardeners welcome!
Please RSVP to (name withheld)
Book Club
The book club will meet at Sheila Chin’s home sometime this spring to discuss
“Heart Matters” by Adrienne Clarkson, a memoir.
Reading Suggestion
“The Third Coast” written by Ted McClelland is a record of his road trip about
the Great Lakes. McClelland introduces his readers to some known and lesser
known locales. I loved the little bits of trivia and felt as if I wanted to
retrace his steps and introduce myself to all who contributed to the anecdotes.
I can’t take the credit for discovering this gem. Fellow member (withheld) had
read about it and requested it from our local library. (Witheld) knew that I
would enjoy and lent me the book before it was due back. I enjoyed it so much
that I bought a copy.
- Jackie Brennan
Did you see?
In the Sunday, February 22, 2009, Chicago Tribune, Reporter Colleen Mastony
tested many cloth and down winter coats in her search for a warm coat. Finding
this Chicago winter really cold, just as the rest of us have, she was not able
to get warm. Each year she would put off finding the perfect coat, so this year
she tried on coat after coat and…..
“..the clear winner came from a Canadian company: Canada Goose. Leave it to the
Canadians, whose country includes wide swaths of Arctic territory, to know how
to produce a real coat.”
Mind you this coat is worn by Antarctic scientists and Mt. Everest climbers, and
so will keep you warm on the coldest days such as we have experienced this
winter. The Mystique Parka is $625.
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