For some reason that I haven't completely figured out yet, yesterday's
home page update got shuffled out of order - and ended up in August
instead of November.

So - let's try that again...

http://justFRED.ca/

The calendar also went down for part of the morning. Talk about the
Monday morning blues. But it's back up and working properly again.

http://justFRED.ca/calendar.php

We've been fairly fortunate with computer glitches in the past couple
of months. Just the odd bit of trouble here and there. So I suppose we
were due.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

The Silver Wave Film Festival wrapped up Sunday with the screening of
Tony Merzetti's documentary about the Mazucca brothers. We also
visited Christmas in the Country, the Christmas Bazaar at St. Francis
of Assissi, three galleries of outdoor art works by the students @ the
NBCCD...and more.

http://justFRED.ca/

Lots to do in the calendar this week - from Flu shots to a free legal
clinic.

http://justFRED.ca/calendar.php

We quietly celebrated an anniversary on Sunday, by the way: justFRED
was two years old yesterday.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

A small gathering of UNB students, a few faculty and a crop of
reporters and photographers yesterday at the protest over the high
debt loads being carried by New Brunswick's graduates. The student
organizers were hoping to collect stories totalling $1 million in
debt from students to fill the debtometer they'd hung from the rear
of the student union building. They were all wrong. By the time the
protest took place, the total had risen to $8 million.

You have to wonder about our commitment to the future when we load
students up with crushing debts. It might be good for Canada's banks
- while their profits will likely be down in 2008, they recorded more
than $19 BILLION in profits in 2007.

We also stopped by the Canadian Paraplegic Association (NB) annual
art and antique auction, checked out that luscious full moon, and
more.

http://justFRED.ca/

The Silver Wave Film Festival continues through Sunday - get out and
see a mix of local, national and international films, Christmas @ The
Market continues, and a whole lot more.

http://justFRED.ca/calendar.php

Oh, and by the way, it's justFRED's 2nd birthday on Sunday. Terrible
two's...sounds about right.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

Student designers from the New Brunswick College of Craft & Design
teamed up with Changes to revitalize wedding gowns donated to the
not-for-profit...we visited the fashion show and tea last night.

http://justFRED.ca/

Another group of students will be holding a rally - part of a
cross-province event - to protest the high cost of post secondary
edution in New Brunswick that leaves the majority of grads with
crushing debts, not the best way to begin their careers.

On a happier note, the Silver Wave Film Festival is back - with the
opening gala taking place this evening.

http://justFRED.ca/calendar.php

Get out an enjoy what looks like another beautiful sunny day.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

Thousands came out to the streets of Fredericton yesterday - many of
them families with young children - to pay tribute to the mostly
young men and women who lost their lives in the pursuit of freedom.

http://justFRED.ca/

Lots to do in the calendar today including the fashion show, auction
and tea by Changes, the book launch by Gooselane...and more.

http://justFRED.ca/calendar.php

Thanks to the folks who wrote with such kind words about
justFRED...we'd like to keep it going, but it's incredibly time
consuming. Do you have any suggestions about how we could engage the
business community? Our ad rates for a year are about the same as
what a business would spend in a day in the newspaper.

We do appreciate your support and will personally respond to your
emails.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

On Thursday, November 13th, students at the University of New Brunswick will
participate in a public demonstration, a Day of Action, to raise awareness
and foster a public investment of affordable education and the impact it can
have on New Brunswick.  The University of New Brunswick Student Union
(UNBSU) has moved to act against current government policy that leaves
funding gaps to high needs students, allowing New Brunswickers to incur the
highest average national debt of over $34,000.

"When the Action Plan to Transform Post-Secondary Education was released in
June, our government promised it would reassess financial aid before the
budget in the spring and deliver a new, pragmatic system to New Brunswick,"
explained Bethany Vail, UNBSU President, "On our Day of Action, we will
remind the government that students are still waiting for commitments to
change."

The UNBSU advocates for the reallocation from funds programs such as the
$2000 First Year Student Bursary and the $10,000 Tuition Tax Rebate towards
upfront grants through means of a Student Loan Debt Cap and debt management
assistance through an Income Contingent Loan Repayment Program.

"To cultivate an accessible education, we must leave no students behind"
reaffirmed President Vail, "the pragmatic policies reflect the best interest
of our students, and generations of students who are yet to begin study."

Prior to the Day of Action on November 13th, members of the UNBSU will be
collected post-cards to be delivered to Premier Shawn Graham, identifying
themselves with the debt burden they carry.  The Union is striving to
connect with every student on campus, and provide faces and names to the
millions of dollars of debt that the government has not yet addressed.

"Students are not just statistics to be discussed behind closed doors,"
President Vail declared. "Students contribute to every aspect of our
province.  The government has the opportunity to make education a priority,
catapulting a New Brunswick Education to the standard other provinces aspire
to become."

- 30 -

The University of New Brunswick Student Union (UNBSU) is the elected
representative body of full time undergraduate students at the Fredericton
Campus of the University of New Brunswick.  Representing roughly 8,000
undergraduates, the UNBSU has been advocating for students since its birth
as an organization in 1914.

For further information:

Bethany Vail

President UNBSU

506-452-609

suprez@unb.ca

Jon O'Kane
Vice President External UNBSU

506-458-7164

external@unb.ca

It's been a couple of weeks since we posted a justFRED-O-GRAM. We've
been incredibly busy plus we wondered if anyone would notice or
comment on our silence.

It's nearly two years since we launched justFRED and while it's been
fun, it's also a tremendous amount of work. And right now we're
wondering if we should keep it going or say 'It's been fun, but...."

In those two years, we've attended hundreds of community events,
talked to thousands of people, and posted more than 70,000 photos and
videos. But despite all the talk about going green and being a smart
city, the advertiser support keeps going towards the expansion of the
landfill.

We'll decide in the next couple of weeks if justFRED will continue
for another year - and if so, in what format.

Meantime, check out the latest crop of smiling faces:

http://justFRED.ca/

And all of the things to do...or not do (like no school today)...in
the calendars.

http://images.justfred.ca/calendars.html

And whatever you do, don't forget to Say Cheese!

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

October 29, 2008

FREDERICTON- New Brunswick’s capital has welcomed one of the World’s best chefs home.

Chef Ray Henry, Executive Chef at BrewBakers, recently returned to Fredericton after his Culinary Team Canada squad won four gold medals at the 2008 IKA Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany.  The team placed fifth in the World in the medal standings. The competition wrapped up on Saturday.

"It is an honour to represent my country in this capacity,” says Chef Henry. “We represented Canada in so many ways-competitiveness, sportsmanship and great team work. Canada is so respected around the world for our high standard of cuisine; it was great to lay it on the line and show our stuff. 2012 is not so far off for Team Canada. If the phone rings again, I would jump at the opportunity."

A veteran member of Culinary Team Canada, Chef Henry’s career of over 20 years has won him many accolades such as Bermuda Chef of the Year and the mentor of Canada’s first Next Great Chef in 2006.

Chef Henry is also an active member of the community. His desire to help the Fredericton area and Atlantic Canada is reflected in his efforts to see the region shine as a premiere culinary destination and his work with the Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network to try and connect regional growers with chefs.

“BrewBakers is extremely excited that a professional of Chef Ray’s level has decided to call Fredericton home,” says Mr. Mark Haines-Lacey , President of Ross Ventures Ltd. “He has already had a positive effect on the food quality at BrewBakers. We know this because our customers are telling us so!”

Mr. Haines-Lacey adds that Chef Henry has won the respect of many within Ross Ventures Ltd. and the community.

“He is professional in everything he does. But that’s obvious – how can you win gold medals at the premier international culinary completion without being the best of the best?,” Mr. Haines-Lacey says. “He is also a wonderful teacher. All of his staff are so happy to be working with him. If I was a young chef looking to develop my career, Chef Ray would be my only choice of employer to apprentice with. He uses cutting edge techniques and has international connections. Best of all, he enjoys developing talent in others that are serious about their professional pursuit.”

A native of British Columbia, Chef Henry joined BrewBakers earlier this year.

The justFRED-O-Grams may experience some interruptions this week as we
perform upgrades to the system and the software...but we didn't want
to miss this morning with a reminder that it's Election Day in Canada
and to encourage you to cast your ballot.

Meantime, you can enjoy our photos of the Thanksgiving weekend - the
fall colours, the turkey dinners, the treck through the woods.

http://justFRED.ca/

So do your civic duty, support the democratic process, and mark your
ballot.

Cheers,

George

justFRED.ca

PS - I'll be taking part in Rogers TV's election coverage tonight. So
while justFRED tends not to do hard news, we do take the election
process very seriously.

From all of us, to all of you: Thank you.

And have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with your loved ones.

Cheers,

George

http://justFRED.ca