Go MSU-official this 2012-2013 school-year!

Have you always wanted to get involved in a recreational or academic activity, celebrate a culture, or take up a humanitarian cause, and struggled to find an extracurricular group on-campus that fits what you’re looking for? Here’s your chance: start your own club and make that dream come true!

The McMaster Student Union is accepting applications for new and returning clubs till Friday, March 9th! With over 200 ratified clubs, McMaster is home to a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities. These clubs vary in their focus, some being committed to academic causes, others to religious causes, others to recreational programs and still others to social issues and humanitarian-based causes.

If you have an idea in mind, don’t hesitate: take this opportunity and seek ratification for your cause from the MSU! Application packages for new and returning clubs can be found along with additional information at the following link:

http://www.msumcmaster.ca/newmsu/clubs/application.htm.

Step up your game: go MSU-official and bring your vision to life this upcoming school-year!

The Beanstalk Project- Empowering Students for A Change

One of my first experiences in university where I was asked to think  about what it means to be a global citizen was during the 2010 Beanstalk Project unconference.

Gathered in a room there was approximately 50 of us listening to a keynote address from Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Canada co-founder and CEO George Roter as he challenged us to think about the values that defined as leaders and as global citizens.

Since that experience I have been deeply engaged in learning about social issues and have become heavily involved with EWB and the McMaster community. Suffice to say my experience with the Beanstalk Project was a truly transformative. But why am telling you, one of our awesome readers about this experience?!

Easy…because you could have it too! That’s right folks, the Beanstalk Project is currently recruiting mentors for its 2012 unconference!

Whether you are a student, an educator, a business leader, a community member, an activist or just a generally cool individual (let’s be serious…everyone is cool in their own way!) the Beanstalk Project wants YOU!

So you are probably wondering what sort of awesome things will I get to do as a mentor and when will this sweet unconference be happening?

As a mentor who will be working with a group of delegates to build relationships, challenge and support each other, be a role model and a question-asker. This happens not only during the unconference but after the fact to support participants future endeavors as leaders.

Sounds pretty fantastic right? Looking for more info? Wondering when and where and how to sign up to be a mentor- check out: http://www.thebeanstalkproject.org/become-a-mentor.html and hopefully you will find mentoring to be an experience of a lifetime!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

It’s that wonderful time of the year when it is acceptable to eat as much chocolate as you possibly can while watching cheesy movies. But we at Pop the Bubble think there’s more to Valentine’s Day than just sweets.  What’s missing is that those sweets should come from Hamilton.

Clearly, I like food. Nay, I love it. And I think Hamilton has some of the best around.  So what better occasion than today for me to declare my love for it. Roses are red, violets are blue… whatever.  Now on to the chocolate:

1) The Royal Botanical Gardens has an exhibition running all the way to April 15th about chocolate. Where it comes from, how it is made, and what it means to us today. I’m sure there is lots to eat there, too. Check out their website for more info here.

2) Westdale village, while not actually downtown, has a great accumulation of sweet shops in one place. You have Walker’s Chocolate Shop right beside the Cupcakes of Westdale, with Weil’s of Westdale Bakery just down the street! If you’re close to campus and are craving something sweet, why not take a stroll through this business community and check out all three locations.

3) Cake and Loaf bakery loves music almost as much as I love baked goods. In particular, they love Hamilton’s music. So if you’re a musician, think about heading over to Cake and Loaf and dropping off a CD or sending them a download link by Feb 25th. If you or a bandmember is from Hamilton, or you are in Hamilton now, and your songs are suitable, they’ll feature you in store! Why not start a happy relationship today? Or, you could be like me and go for the baking… It’s really healthy, but I promise you can’t tell.

4)  The Dundas Valley Conservation Authority is hosting the first annual Hot Chocolate Festival this February 20th. The Festival will feature music, live entertainment, a walking tour of the Dundas Valley Trail System, and, of course, some of the tastiest, most mouth-watering hot chocolate around. So heat things up and check out this great event here.

5) I also love medicine and health sciences, so why not merge my interests? Hamilton’s own newspaper, The Spectator, has an article on what chocolate is best (for you) this Valentine’s day.  Chocolate is healthy. It’s science. Now enjoy!

It IS Easy Eating Green

There are tons of great restaurants in Hamilton, and many of them are vegetarian friendly. Here is a list of a few favourites…

1) Mex-i-can (Tex Mex) – 107 James St N

A popular choice in the office, Mex-i-can is a fantastic and veg-friendly downtown option. Tex-Mex food is always fun to eat, and Mex-i-can upholds that tradition. Making everything from scratch, each dish has a unique flavour distinct from other so-called competitors. With vegan options Mex-i-can is a great choice for those on a strict diet with a huge craving for delicious food. Enough good things can’t be said about Mex-i-can. (Also, I’ve heard their Pina Coladas are fantastic, but I wouldn’t know myself…)

2) The Himalaya (Indian) – 160 Centennial Parkway N

The Himalaya is a small, but delicious vegetarian restaurant. An inexpensive option for fantastic vegetarian food, the Himalaya is a students’ dream… Great food, great prices, great options. The service is fast and friendly, and you can be comfortable knowing that all your food comes from a purely vegetarian kitchen. An added benefit – especially for people who, like me, are bad with very spicy foods – is that you can indicate how spicy you would like your meals to be and they will cook with that in consideration. A definite go to for what is considered some of the best vegetarian Indian food in the city.

3) Wass (Ethiopian) – 207 James St S

With gluten free and vegan options, Wass distinguishes itself from this group as being among the most veg-friendly places in Hamilton. While it serves meat options, you can have an authentic Ethiopian food experience without needing to make dietary accommodations. Ethiopian cuisine is more of an experience than a palate, and Wass embodies that. The whole event of eating at Wass is exciting and flavourful. Plus, the food is phenomenal. A definite go-to for a fun meal out.

4) Village Green (Canadian) – 925 King St W

Village Green has a super friendly environment and staff. I know more than a few Mac students that swear on this Westdale hotspot, and with good reason! The food is delicious (I’d say it was to die for, but it’s far too healthy for that!). The staff is often willing to adapt the menu to suit your craving. Moreover, that friendly nature exudes from every inch of the décor. With a cheerful and fresh perspective on everything from pasta to bookshelves, Village Green does it right.

 

February Special: Black History Month

If a friend were to ask you to define Canadian culture, how would you do so? Is it Tim Horton’s coffee, a keen addiction to hockey, a fast-food nation, cold winters, or the country’s history and its role in shaping world history (eg: through the World Wars)? Canadian culture isn’t any of these alone: rather, it is a mosaic of all these elements, and a multicultural framework that unifies a nation defined by diversity.

Every year, we dedicate the month of February to honoring the legacy of black Canadians, present and past, through Black History Month. Facilitated by the Government of Canada, the campaign aims to raise awareness on a culture, to build a sensitivity to its traditions and its other facets, and to encourage those who belong to it as well as those who don’t to embrace the culture, appreciate its rich history and engage in its festivities and traditions to make it their own.

This year, Black History Month will recognize the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812 and the contributions of black soldiers in the fight for Canada. We take this time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of black Canadians who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we are today. During Black History Month, Canadians can gain insight into the experiences of black Canadians and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history.

Interested in getting involved and participating, but not sure where to start? McMaster has its very own series of Black History Month events coming up: mark off your calendars in advance! Get involved, join the movement and dedicate this month to celebrating Black history.

Me to We: How University Students Can Create Positive Social Change

Craig Kielburger, co-founder of the internationally known, youth-driven charity, Free The Children will visit St. Francis Xavier University on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012, to deliver a keynote address as part of StFX’s McKenna Leadership Centre Encounter. His talk, Me to We: How Students Can Create Positive Social Changes, takes place at 7 p.m AST and will be broadcast live on stfx.ca.

Craig’s talk concerns issues of social change and civic engagement relevant to students, particularly, the role that students play in enacting change.  His intent is clearest in his own words introducing his speech:

“ For many, university is a place to learn about the world and their own place in it. Student life is often a time of profound self-discovery and experimentation, when young people develop the values and views which will guide them in the future. The knowledge they gain, the opinions they form, and the relationships they build during these years will influence their priorities in the years to come as they make some of the most crucial decisions of their lives.

The choices these young people make will have a profound impact—not only on the course of their own personal and professional lives, but on the local, national and international communities in which they live. Today’s university students are poised to assume many of the most prominent positions in our society. As they prepare for what lies ahead, it is vital that these young leaders attain the knowledge, skills and motivation to create and sustain positive social change in a globalizing world.

As participants continue their studies or embark on their careers, they will do so with a fresh understanding of their own potential, equipped with all of the tools necessary to become leading advocates of social responsibility and true global citizens.”

Be sure to check out the talk this Thursday; there’s never been an easier way to become aware about civic engagement.

Who: Craig Kielburger

What: Me to We: How Students Can Create Positive Social Changes

When:  Thursday, Feb 2nd, 2012 7:00 p.m.

Where: www.stfx.ca

 

On the Radar: Heart Month <3

February is the month of hearts, and it’s not just Valentine’s that makes it so. Every February, over 100,000 volunteers across the country come together and put their heart into the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Heart Month, a month dedicated to the fight against heart disease and stroke.

“Heart disease and stroke take 1 in 3 Canadians before their time, and it is the #1 killer of women.” February is dedicated to taking on a disease that has one of the most prominent impacts on the Canadian population, taking more women’s lives than all forms of cancer combined. Children, youth, and adults hit the streets to canvass together, raise funds amongst their peers and within their communities, and donate their time and efforts alongside their collected donations to fueling research, advocacy and education on the issue.

Join the movement this February: sign-up to volunteer with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and leave your mark on many that are affected by the disease across the country and your global community at large. The following is a link to sign-up to serve as a volunteer for the campaign:

http://heartmonth.heartandstroke.ca/site/c.jhLOKYPDLqF/b.5203909/k.BEF8/Home.htm.

Make change happen: all you need to do is put your heart into it!