July 2014

Artist, activist, catalyst by Bruce Mason • To hear the gentle, but energetic, “Hi, this is Joan Baez” over the phone is to be jarred into the moment. “Sorry I’m late. I’m at home in California working on a painting,” she laughs, pausing, beginning our allotted 15 minutes, which stretches joyfully and generously until the conversation is...

July 2014

• Politics in the City of Vancouver is branded as a battle between Vision Vancouver on the “left” and the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) on the “right.” However, their policies have turned out to be virtually the same regarding development when each had the majority on council over the last three terms. In 2007, then NPA Mayor Sam Sullivan created...

July 2014

You’ve got hepatitis C, now you’re my hostage DRUG BUST by Alan Cassels • The people’s briefing note on prescription drugs A friend of mine who works in the Canadian insurance industry told me they’ve seen their first claim for the new drug called Sovaldi. New drugs come along all the time, but not drugs like this one, which claims to eradicate a...

July 2014

Healthy and Earth-conscious • With so much focus on creating a more eco-friendly living environment, more and more homeowners building a new home are considering green house design for a healthier lifestyle and to protect Earlth’s precious natural resources. There has been a dramatic increase in new materials and products available for green building:...

GMO Bites   GM apple in the hot seat Health Action Network (HANS), in cooperation with GE Free BC and Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN), wish to thank the following stores and distributors for saying “No” to the GM apple. The stores below have committed to not sell the “Arctic Apple” and we acknowledge their support in this public health...

July 2014

by Geoff Olson • In a scene from the 1999 film, The Matrix, a mysterious figure in shades confronts the main character, Neo. “You’ve felt it your entire life, that there’s something wrong with the world. You don’t know what it is, but it’s there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad,” Morpheus quietly says to Neo. Anyone who’s gone...

July 2014

Every Time the Wind Blows… READ IT by Bruce Mason   • “Now what?” That’s the question people have been asking since the Harper government’s decision on Enbridge. “How can we stop this?’ is another, along with the hopeful thought, “Surely we can do better!” Ben West – Tar Sands Campaign Director for ForestEthics Advocacy – has a...

July 2014

SCIENCE MATTERS by David Suzuki • There was little doubt the federal government would approve the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project, regardless of public opposition or evidence presented against it. The prime minister indicated he wanted the pipeline built before the Joint Review Panel hearings even began. Ad campaigns, opponents demonized as...

July 2014

FILMS WORTH WATCHING by Robert Alstead • Last month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave his approval for Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline. After years of government hard-sell and a blitz of pro-pipeline advertising in BC, the PM’s last-minute, tepid approval of the 1,200km pipeline from the tar sands came as some surprise. As crowds roared defiantly...

July 2014

UNIVERSE WITHIN by Gwen Randall-Young • Only those who trust can find love and happiness.  And only those who love, can be betrayed. – Unknown When you find out a partner has cheated, it can be devastating. So many emotions immediately arise: shock, disbelief, anger, hurt, sadness and anxiety about the future. Perhaps you have been cheating and your...

July 2014

A NEW EARTH by Eckhart Tolle • To read Eckhart Tolle’s latest column, please see the current print edition of Common Ground. For copyright reasons, we are authorized to publish this column in our print version only. More than 1/4 million people read Common Ground every month! Pick up your copy today. This article appeared in the JULY 2014 print edition...

July 2014

NUTRISPEAK by Vesanto Melina MS, RD, with Karli Nordman and Kaitlin Berris • Legumes provide protein to vegan and vegetarian diets and are a great addition to many diverse lifestyles. As a rich source of fibre, legumes can help promote healthy cholesterol levels and digestive health and they also help us maintain blood glucose and energy between meals. In...

July 2014

by Mac McLaughlin • Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra Scorpio | Sagitarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces If you notice you’re growing a little extra hair on the back of your hands and that you’re walking on the balls of your feet, don’t worry; it’s just the full Moon effect on July 12. We’re under the Moon’s spell at all...