Quote of the week:

“It really is a blue-ribbon team of embryonic stem cell researchers in Canada,” said Drew Lyall of the Canadian Stem Cell Network, whose controversial project involving “fresh” embryos—a Canadian first—was approved this week.

Moving-day detritus, away!

So you’ve nearly finished packing, and you’re dutifully separating mountains of trash, filling bags and recycling boxes to the brim—but what about that scuffed up old nighttable, that beaten up easy chair, that crashed PC? You could leave it all on the curb, but the city is encouraging Montrealers to haul their moving-day leftovers to any of its eight Éco-centres.

Francisco Ramirez Dionne says that everything from sofas to paint thinner is welcomed year-round at the Éco-centre he manages in St-Michel. As more people become aware of its environmental benefits (and its mere existence), eco-dumping is steadily gaining popularity as an alternative to landfilling, particularly during moving and renovation season. In 2004, over 250,000 people visited six centres, and 67 per cent of their junk was re-used or recycled. Dionne says that anything in good enough condition to re-gift is donated to charity, while other detritus is refashioned on-site. For details about locations, hours and what can and can’t be eco-dumped, go to http:// servicesenligne2.ville.montreal. qc.ca/sel/info/collectes/eco-centres2Ang.jsp. —Lorraine Carpenter

Local support for Six Nations

Montrealers will join in on cross-country solidarity action today in support of the Six Nations blockade in Caledonia, Ontario. The blockade began last February to protest plans by real estate developer Henco to build houses on land that Six Nations says belongs to them.

In 1784, the British Crown awarded the disputed territory to Six Nations, allowing them to “take possession of and settle the land.” However, over 95 per cent of that land was eventually repossessed by the government.

“We’re demonstrating to support their community, and what they are reclaiming,” says Tania Halle, an organizer with a Six Nations solidarity group. The protestors, who will gather in Berri Square at 6 p.m., will call for a peaceful end to the standoff and respect of First Nation land rights.

Six Nations activists in Ontario have ignored Henco’s court injunction asking them to end the blockade. Last week, the Ontario government essentially assumed the company’s role in the dispute, announcing that it would buy the land and compensate Henco for lost profits. —Samer Elatrash

Jokes, tokes and charity

Anyone who’s ever been seriously ill and scored the lackluster reefer available through official government channels will tell you what a literal lifesaver the Compassion Club can be. These guys consistently have the top-notch bud to help with whatever’s ailing you.

In order to raise both awareness and funds for said benevolent organization, ex-Montrealer Howard Dover has organized the Montreal Medical Marijuana Extravaganja, an evening of music and comedy that will be going down Saturday, July 1, 9 p.m., at Club Lambi (4465 St-Laurent).

Says Dover, who will be hosting the soirée, featuring comedian Kenny Robinson, the sounds of Tariq Khan, the High Breed and others, “I’ve been doing these events in Toronto for at least seven years and they’ve been jahnormously successful, so now I’m really working to replicate that success in Montreal.”

Tickets are $12, $10 in advance, and are available at les Anges Vagabons (72 Rachel E.), Je l’ai (159 Duluth E.) and B3 (2285 St-Mathieu). For more info, go to www.greentherapy.com. —Chris Barry

Run off Olympic fever

Does running 10 kilometres to raise funds for amateur athletes seem like an unusual way to spend a Saturday morning? Call it Olympic fever.

With the Vancouver/Whistler Olympics only four years away, Olympic partner HBC has focused its annual charity run on supporting 200 promising Canadian athletes, hand-picked by the Canadian Olympic Committee. The HBC run will take place in 10 cities across Canada, up from last year’s seven, Montreal being one of the new additions.

Local HBC rep Annie Bourbonnais says participants can choose one of three levels of intensity: the 10-km “scenic route,” the 3-km run/walk and the kids’ 1-km. All depart from the Old Port promenade, at 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., respectively. Those who wish to join in can register at the Bay downtown during business hours today or Friday, June 30, or on-site, a minimum of a half hour before each run begins. Every participant in this rain-or-shine event will receive a fake medal, a t-shirt and other swag. Go to www.hbcrunforcanada.ca for details. —Lorraine Carpenter

REAR-VIEW MIRROR

14 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK
June 25–July 2, 1992

On the cover: A BMW parked in front of a row of houses, signifying changes to coop housing following severe cuts to government subsidies. The article highlights a perceived invasion of yuppies, emergence of cliques and weeding out of low-income “free-loaders.”

•The creation of the UV index is marked with an analysis of the effects of UV rays on different skin types, methods of protection from the sun and the link between skin cancer and the depletion of the ozone layer.

•Martin Siberok reports on Hollywood’s success with sequels, namely Batman Returns and Lethal Weapon 3. Less lucrative was Alien 3, a film that, writes Siberok, “leaves viewers entangled in an unsatisfying ball of

confusion.”

•In an article about the Charlatans UK, Richard Bird describes “a burgeoning little scene in Manchester, England, where the Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and an endless series of sweaty, drug-enhanced warehouse parties created a sense of happening that had been sorely missing from British music since the late ’70s.”

Angel >> Period-free pill Women and the men who love them will dig Anya, a new birth control pill meant to be taken 365 days a year, erasing menstrual periods—and their associated cramps, headaches, PMS and costly hygiene products—from the picture. Of course, women can dodge periods with any pill by simply skipping the recommended monthly one-week break, and plenty of women have been at it for years. A two-year Canadian study on Anya supports the safety of this practice, though critics point out that the long-term effects of menstrual suppression remain unknown, and that the side effects of oral contraceptives could increase as women consume more pills.
Insect >> Senior moments Minor memory lapses in seniors are commonly dismissed as mildly embarrassing, mildly amusing “senior moments,” but a new study suggests that they may in fact be symptomatic of Alzheimer’s disease. Chicago scientists studied the brains of 134 people who suffered from “subtle forgetfulness,” and over a third showed clear signs of Alzheimer’s. But none of the deceased had been diagnosed with the disease, or even with mild cognitive impairment. This lends credence to the theory that the well educated, socially connected and otherwise mentally fit can suppress the effects of considerable brain degeneration. Those who experience senior moments should keep this in mind (if possible).