THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2012 ~ 2:00 P.M.

St. Andrew’s United Church
117 Bloor Street East, Toronto

GUEST SPEAKER: John Doyle

Author, Columnist and The Globe and Mail’s television critic

TOPIC: How Television Explains the World & How Soccer Explains the World

John will talk about his two books: A Great Feast of Light: Growing Up Irish in the Television Age (Doubleday Canada) and The World is a Ball: The Joy, Madness, and Meaning of Soccer (Doubleday Canada). He will explain that there are only two cultural phenomena that cross political, religious and cultural barriers in the world today. A few soccer chants will enhance his interpretation!

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2012 ~ 2:00 P.M.

St. Andrew’s United Church
117 Bloor Street East, Toronto

GUEST SPEAKER: Debbie Field

Executive Director of FoodShare Toronto

TOPIC: FoodShare: From Field to Table

FoodShare is Canada’s largest community food security organization and is recognized as an important innovator of effective programs that have been reproduced all across our nation. This organization works to empower individuals, families and communities through food-based initiatives, while at the same time advocating for the broader public policies needed to ensure that everyone has adequate access to sustainably produced, good healthy food. Debbie Field will highlight FoodShare’s works “from field to table”, demonstrate how FoodShare creates empowering tools and replicable, scalable solution models to combat food problems, and how they mentor individuals and communities in adapting and growing these solutions.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012 ~ 2:00 P.M.

St. Andrew’s United Church
117 Bloor Street East, Toronto

GUEST SPEAKER: Jane Armstrong

President of Jane Armstrong Research

TOPIC: Public Opinion Polling ~ A Primer

Jane Armstrong is a social researcher who has directed hundreds of surveys over the years into what Canadians think about the issues of the day. Her talk will try to unpack the mysteries of “polling” so you have the tools to evaluate surveys you may read about in the news; and be better prepared the next time a pollster calls at dinner time asking for your opinion! For example, Jane will explain how a survey of, say, just 1,000 people can reflect the views of the whole pop - ulation of Canada; she will describe the ways in which bias and other errors can creep into survey design; and she will describe the uses – and abuses – of public opinion polling. Jane will also share some interesting findings from studies she has recently conducted.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012 ~ 2 P.M.

St. Andrew’s United Church
117 Bloor Street East, Toronto

GUEST SPEAKER: Tina Fougere

Canadian National Autism Foundation

TOPIC: Autism – How Much Do You Know

It has been called a national health threat by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It's not childhood obesity or leukemia. In fact, this mysterious disability affects more children than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined. It is called Autism.
Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The result of a neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain, autism and its associated behaviours have been estimated to occur in as many as 1 in 110 individuals. Autism is four times more prevalent in boys than girls and knows no racial, ethnic, or social boundaries. Family income, lifestyle, and educational levels do not affect the chance of autism's occurrence.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012 ~ 2 P.M.

St. Andrew’s United Church
117 Bloor Street East, Toronto

GUEST SPEAKER: David Miller

TOPIC: We Can Fight Climate Change and Create Jobs – Here’s How

The effects of Climate Change are being felt worldwide, and are having a dramatic impact on Cities. As a result, City governments are actively working to implement programs which will both reduce carbon emissions and create green jobs for the benefit of all! David Miller will share what he has learned about what is being done in Cities around the world, with a special focus on what is happening here in Toronto.

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 ~ 2 P.M.

St. Andrew’s United Church
117 Bloor Street East, Toronto

GUEST SPEAKER: Gerta Moray

Author, & Professor Emerita of University of Guelph

TOPIC: Shadowing Emily Carr

Gerta Moray, a Professor Emerita at the University of Guelph and lecturer in Canadian art history at OCADU, has spent two decades tracing Emily Carr's career and relationship with the First Nations of British Columbia. She will relate her experiences in researching and publishing her groundbreaking book, Unsettling Encounters: First Nations Imagery in the Art of Emily Carr (UBC Press 2006) and discuss why Emily Carr remains a captivating and controversial figure in the Canadian imagination.

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2012 ~ 2 P.M.

St. Andrew’s United Church
117 Bloor Street East, Toronto

GUEST SPEAKER: Geoff Cape

Founder and CEO of Evergreen Brickworks

TOPIC: Visions for the future of cities: the story about Evergreen Brick Works

Geoff will present on the subject of green cities and will review what is happening globally with regards to city building – and how Toronto fits in. I will present some details related to the so called “urban century” along with the strategy behind the redevelopment of Evergreen Brick Works and how the projects will be a hub for sharing best practice for the future of city building globally, and hope for the city of Toronto locally.