Hey LIX Chicks,

The Pride celebrations are over for another year and it's back to school time! Now I realize that it was a very long time ago that I was in grade 2 but I don't remember having to use a daytimer when I was seven years old! At my daughter's school, the kids have to purchase 'agendas' in which they record their homework assignments, get parental signatures for various things and make lists to remind themselves to return library books, etc. Next they'll want her to have a cell phone so she's accessible while she's hanging upside down on the monkey bars! Whatever happened to those carefree days of childhood?

But before Lucy and I roll up the LIX banner and put it back in storage until next year's Pride celebrations, I want to thank all the women involved in this year's LIX Pride events. First and foremost, I want to thank TRS Telecom Corporation for sponsoring the Proud Chicks Dance Party. This company is owned by two fabulous dykes who don't personally want any accolades. They refuse to let me mention their names despite my nagging...they just love that there's a LIX dance each year at Pride and they want to ensure that we can continue putting on the dance. So thank you, thank you, thank you my dears! Your financial assistance allows us to organize one helluva dyke dance and to channel money back into the queer community through our proceeds.

 

Speaking of the dance, we absolutely would not be able to offer this dance each year without the help of those truly amazing dykes who volunteer their time and energy. I'd like to thank Eileen, Kathi, Joan, Allana, Karen and Pam for working on the front table...other than that fist fight that broke out over the black olives around 11:30, I'd say things were tickety-boo in the front lobby. (Just kidding.) Thank you Djuna, Jen, and Laura for helping us with decorations...the room looked fabulous! Thanks to Isabelle, Sinead and Elke for helping us prepare, organize and replenish the food trays...it's important to us to offer healthy food at our dance and we couldn't have done that without you.

The bar ticket sales gals were equally outstanding...smiling, friendly and calm in the face of mad rushes and temporary shortages of loonies and toonies...thank you Karen, Carol, Linda, Danielle, Sinead, Jan, and Joan. And how about those fast and efficient and quintessentially patient dykes working the bar...Chantal, Lena, Ruth and Lucie...these gals on bar crew buy the booze and supplies, haul everything over to Lakeside Gardens on the afternoon of the dance, set up the bar and fridges, work their butts off all night without a break, and then stay to help with clean up! On top of that, Lena does our pay-outs and prepares a financial report for us. Bloody amazing! And last but not least, a big thanks to all of you who stayed behind at the end of the evening and helped us clean up the hall. It's wondrous to see just how quickly a bunch of capable dykes can whip a messy hall back into shape, hop into their cars, and be off in a cloud of dust!

Before I end my thankyou's, I want to give huge kudos and my heartfelt thanks to the small group of LIX Chicks who marched with Lucy and Ana and me in the Dyke March and the Capital Pride Parade. I am extremely proud to be a lesbian and a member of LIX. One of the ways I demonstrate my pride is by marching publicly under the LIX banner. For those of you who were already marching with other community groups, bravo! For the other 240 LIX Chicks who benefit from the existence of this organization...whether it's through the LIX coffee meetings, dinner-speaker meetings, the dance, the monthly e-newsletter, film-nights or educational workshops...please think about taking the plunge and marching with us next year. As one first-time LIX marcher said to me recently, "I was so nervous at first that I couldn't look at the crowds along the route. I just kept my eyes focused ahead of me." She pushed through her fear and ended up proudly carrying the LIX banner for most of the Dyke March. Way to go girlfriend!

Well as you all know, we currently don't have a venue for the monthly LIX coffee meeting. The search continues. Thanks to those of you who have sent in suggestions, and thanks to Catherine for literally walking the streets in the downtown core scoping out possibilities. We have checked out over 10 places so far with no success. We need all the help we can get to find a new home for our meeting. LIX continues to grow and our monthly coffee meeting is a very important place for our new members to connect with other LIX Chicks. So please keep your eyes and ears open for a centrally-located café/restaurant large enough to hold 50-60 women. We'd prefer a place that is usually closed in the evenings and willing to open up once a month for us but, at this point, we will check out places that are open to the public but large enough for us to take over a section. 

And since we won't be having a coffee meeting in October, the best place for us to get together is at Fish 101: A LIX Dinner Event at One Fish Two Fish on Wednesday, October 17th.  There are still tickets available so, if you want to socialize with your sister LIX Chicks while brushing up on your 'fish facts' and enjoying a delightful meal, give Kerry a call at (613) 237-7133 and get on our reservation list.  Kerry can also be reached by email at kbb2178@yahoo.com.  As One Fish Two Fish only holds 50 patrons, we will not be advertising this event outside of LIX.  For event details, see #17 in Upcoming Events of Interest (below).  We need to finalize our reservations with the restaurant by October 1st, so if you're interested in coming, make sure you've contacted Kerry by the end of September!

So fabulous women, my hope is that by the next time I sit down to write this newsletter, we will have found a new home for our coffee meetings. In the meantime, I hope to see many of you at One Fish Two Fish on October 17th!

[To see FABULOUS images (slide show) of Pride, taken by LIX member Ima Ortega, please click here ]

Special Interest Groups and Activities:

1. 'The Ottawa Amazons W.M.C' is a motorcycle club for lesbians. The group was started by LIX member, Molly King. Interest and response has been excellent and they now have 10 official "Ottawa Amazons" in their riding group. The group headed the Dyke March this year and also rode in the Capital Pride Parade. Molly hopes to start holding monthly meetings this fall. If you would like more information please contact her at ottawa.amazons.wmc@bellnet.ca or call (613) 335-2906.

2. Conversational French Classes.  Would you like to learn French without the pressure of a classroom structure? Then this is the conversational French class for you. Classes are held every second Thursday from 7:30-9:00 with an optional 30 minute pre-social time. All levels of French are welcome. The more diverse the levels, the more we learn from each other. Classes will be held at different venues such as the teacher's home or at social events agreed upon by all. We have a professional teacher who will help guide the conversation. Cost depends on the number of students; last session was approximately $55.00 for the full 3 month session. If you are interested, please contact sandyq_54@hotmail.com.

The LIX Chicks Want Ads

1. Wanted: Lesbian Thursday (Girl Friday).  Administrative support required one day a week. Experience with computers and accounting software an asset (Quickbooks). Tasks include accounts receivable, payable, invoicing, preparing deposits, for three companies. Organizational skills a must. Email: wendy@imaginationseverything.com.

2. Recently moved here. I'm trying to find a small leather couch or love-seat (preferably brown Italian leather), road and mountain bikes, in-line skates (preferably K2 or Rollerblades), a gas BBQ and cross-country skis. If you have any of these things for sale, please email me (Michele) at mdamours@hotmail.com or call me at (819) 205-2017.

3. Wanted: Partner for Ballroom Dancing. I'm looking for another woman who's interested in joining the LGBT ballroom dancing class with me...preferably someone with a bit of experience. I prefer to 'lead' so I'm looking for someone who would like to 'follow'. Classes are Monday nights at Let's Dance Studio, 60 Colonnade Road, 2nd floor, between Merivale and Prince of Wales from 8:00 -9:00 and the cost is $60 per person for 9 lessons. The class is made up primarily of LIX Chicks so let's join these gals and have some fun! If you're interested, please contact Marie G. at logmarie@yahoo.ca.

  
 
Upcoming Events of Interest

 

 

  
1. Take Back the Night - Thursday, September 20th

All women and their supporters who want to end violence against women are invited to attend this very special event! This year will mark the 29th anniversary of Take Back the Night. The commemoration will start with a rally at 6:30 pm. at the Women's Monument (Elgin and Gilmour) where, at least four keynote speakers will speak up against violence against women. This will be followed by a march in the streets, and an interactive info fair at Ottawa City Hall at 7:45 pm. There will be accessible transportation available for those who have need for it. Refreshments will be served at City Hall following the rally, and march. The info fair will feature Ottawa community service providers - a great opportunity for women to learn about various services in Ottawa. There will also be entertainment at the rally and at the info fair, so come out and enjoy this important event.

2. Songwriter Mélissa Laveaux - Thursday, September 20th

Respected Haitian-Canadian queer singer-songwriter, Mélissa Laveaux, will be performing with Neema at the Rainbow Bistro, 76 Murray Street. Show starts at 9:00 pm. and the cost is $6.

3. CANCELLED Smorgasbord: A Very Special Event - Thursday, September 20th

CANCELLED: Smorgasbord: A Very Special Event...Thursday, September 20th.  Presented by This is NOT a dress productions at The Mercury Lounge, 56 Byward (upstairs) from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.  Enjoy exquisite catering, hot Cajun 2-step, a taste of fiddle, murky art shorts and the on-site creation of a hand-painted film.  For more information contact Marika Jemma at (613) 266-3737 or send her an email at thisisnotadress@magma.ca.CANCELLED  

4. Ladyfest Ottawa - September 20th - 23rd

Now in its sixth year, Ladyfest Ottawa is a non-profit, women-organized music and arts festival showcasing women's artistic expression through music, performance, film and video, exhibitions, panels and workshops.  Festival pass $20 or pay-per-event.  For more information and the full schedule of events, visit www.ladyfestottawa.com.

5. AIDS Walk For Life - Saturday, September 22nd

Canada's most important HIV/AIDS fundraising and awareness event is the annual AIDS Walk for Life.  During the national event, cities and communities from across the country will host Walks to raise funds for local services and programming and to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. The Ottawa AIDS Walk for Life is a candlelight Walk that departs from Festival Plaza, Ottawa City Hall and makes a tour of the downtown core, stopping at the end of the Walk at the Human Rights Memorial for an annual vigil.  Registration begins at 4:30 pm; Opening Ceremonies start at 6:30 pm and the Walk begins at 7:00 pm.  To register, fundraise, donate on-line, or get more information, please go to www.aidswalkforlife.ca.

6. Business Brainstorming - Saturday, September 22nd

Let LIX member, Cindy Teevens, help you develop your business for success.  The workshop takes place in Stittsville from 9:00 am - noon.  To get more information and/or to register on-line, please go to www.gobeyond.ca/BB.htm.  Early registration is $95 (before Sept. 20th)/$125 after Sept. 20th.  Take this workshop along with the afternoon workshop, Story Brainstorming (see below) and get a 20% discount on the second one you register for. Invite a friend, and that friend gets 20% off. 

7. Story Brainstorming - Saturday, September 22nd

LIX member, Cindy Teevens, is offering a workshop on how to get published and become known as the expert you are.  The workshop takes place in Stittsville from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.  To get more information and/or to register on-line, please go to www.gobeyond.ca/getpublished.php.  This workshop costs $95.  Take this workshop along with the morning workshop, Business Brainstorming (see above) and get a 20% discount on the second one you register for.  Invite a friend, and that friend gets 20% off. 

8. Harm Reduction Forum - Thursday, September 27th

In the fallout from city council's decision to cancel the safer inhalation (crack pipe) program, the AIDS Committee of Ottawa will host a panel discussion on the topic of harm reduction.  Community organizers, politicians and medical specialists have been invited to discuss issues and answer questions posed by the public.  5:00 - 8:00 pm. at the Ottawa Public Library, 120 Metcalfe Street.  Food will be served at a reception at 5:00 pm.  The discussion will begin at 6:00 pm.

9. Information Session for Lesbians Interested in Adoption and/or Fostering - Thursday, September 27th, October 4th, October 25th

The Ottawa Children's Aid Society is actively recruiting adoptive and foster parents in the LGBT community.  They hold two information sessions a month.  The first Thursday of every month is for LGBT people interested in adoption.  The last Thursday of the month is for those interested in fostering.  Sessions take place at the CAS offices, 1602 Telesat Court, Gloucester from 7:00 - 9:00 pm.   If you're interested in attending, please RSVP to Anik at (613) 747-7800 x2857.

10. Women Fully Clothed: An Evening of Sketch Comedy - Friday, September 28th

[Try to see this hysterical show if you can!  -Marie]  They're back again for the third time at Centrepointe Theatre.   Take an all-star cast of five renowned Canadian comedy artists, give them today's challenges of careers and family dynamics and you get Women Fully Clothed.  Eugene Levy calls them "the five funniest women in Canada."  This hilarious sketch show captures life as they see it.  Show starts at 8:00 pm.  TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW for $53.  The show sold out the last two times it was here.  For ticket information, call (613) 580-2700 or go to the web site at www.centrepointetheatre.com.  You can also read more about the show at www.womenfullyclothed.com.

11. Under the Hood: A Car Awareness Workshop - Saturday, September 29th and Saturday, October 13th.

LIX member Laura, an apprentice mechanic, is offering her fabulous car awareness workshops twice again this fall.  Join Laura as she 'walks you through' a demonstration car from bumper to bumper and explains all of the components, what they do and how they work together to make a car run. Learn how to change the oil, how important it is to change your car's fluids and have regular maintenance done, the difference between snow tires and summer tires, what a spark plug looks like and how it works, and how to change a tire (and where that tire is)! The workshop takes place at Otto's BMW, 660 Hunt Club Road from 9:30 am.-12:30 pm. The cost is $30 and must be paid in advance to hold your spot. Light refreshments will be served. To register call Laura at (613) 719-9328 or email her at kingla2001@yahoo.ca. Only eight spots per workshop so contact Laura soon! P.S. Laura says to wear comfy shoes!

12. Halbes Leben (Half a Life) - Tuesday, October 2nd

 A presentation of Divergence Movie Night, a free monthly series presenting independent GLBTTQ movies.  Turkey is the only Islamic country where you cannot be prosecuted for being gay or lesbian.  However, tolerance is dependent on homosexuals staying invisible.  Coming out bears a great risk.  The fear of losing family support, friends and employment keeps the majority of Turkish queers quiet.  In Half a Life three gay men, one lesbian, and one transwoman talk openly about how they think, what they feel and how people react to them.  Club SAW, 67 Nicholas Street.  Free admission, $5 suggested donation.  Doors open at 7:00 pm.; the film starts at 7:30.  For more information, go to http://DivergenceMovieNight.com.

13. An Unholy Harvest - October 5th, 6th, and 7th

Canada's first weekend for women of leather in over a decade, takes place Thanksgiving weekend in Ottawa.  Get ready for a full weekend of BDSM/kink events for women organized and hosted by Montreal's Unholy Army of the Night.  Full registration is $75; volunteer/presenter price is $50.  For more information, visit www.unholyarmy.com.  An Unholy Harvest is open to past, present and future women who respect women's play space and who are 18 years of age or older.

14. Tegan and Sara - Wednesday, October 10th

Canadian twin sisters and indie dyke darlings come to Ottawa on tour with their new album, The Con.  Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson.  7:00 pm.  Tickets are $24.50 at www.ticketmaster.ca

15. Hero 2007: Capital Xtra's Community Achievement Awards - Friday, October 12th. 

Grand Salon Crowne Plaza Ottawa, 101 Lyon Street.  Tickets are $20 and are available at After Stonewall, mother tongue books, Capital Xtra and Venus Envy.  Dessert Buffet included.  Cash bar opens at 6:30 pm.  Nominate your heroes on-line at www.xtra.ca

16. Queer Family Film Day - Saturday, October 13th

The gals from Divergence Movie Night invite you to come and see films on LGBT families from three different decades and to participate in community arts activities led by the folks at Around the Rainbow.  Snacks will be provided by the Ten Oaks Project.  At 1:15 pm. view Homoteens, autobiographical portraits from five young New York queers.  At 2:30 pm. watch In My Shoes: Stories of Youth with LGBT Parents.  And at 3:15, you can see Choosing Children, a 1984 film about lesbians who choose to have children.  Jack Purcell Community Centre, 320 Elgin Street, 2nd floor.  Free admission, donations encouraged.

17. Fish 101: A LIX Dinner Event - Wednesday, October 17th

Research shows that including a variety of fish in the diet is beneficial in reducing the risk of stroke and coronary disease in women.  That sounds good to us.  So we're presenting Fish 101 at One Fish Two Fish, 1463 Merivale Road, on October 17th from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.  Brush up on your 'fish facts' and enjoy a delightful meal.  You'll learn about buying, storing and preparing fish, the health benefits of eating fish, as well as the best wines to accompany different fish entrees.  The cost is $35.  As One Fish Two Fish only holds 50 patrons, we will not be advertising this event outside of LIX.  Kerry will be taking reservations at the September LIX coffee meeting as well as at the Capital Xtra office and by email (kbb2178@yahoo.com).  To reserve your seat, you need to pay Kerry in advance (cash only). 

18. Transgress - Friday, October 19th

This year's event will be hosted by Ivan E. Coyote and Mikiki.  Readers include Ivan E. Coyote, Francisco Ibanez-Carrasco and Joey Comeau.  The Auditorium at Library & Archives Canada, 395 Wellington Street.  8:30 - 10:30 pm.  Tickets are $12/$10 for students and seniors, and are available at Nicholas Hoare Books, 419 Sussex Drive or by calling (613) 562-1243.

19. Insideout: Ottawa-Gatineau LGBT Film & Video Festival - October 25th - October 28th

The world's third largest queer film festival comes to Ottawa-Gatineau this fall!  The line-up boasts films of international flavour, with documentaries, features and shorts.  Advance tickets will be on sale October 5th at Arts Court (2 Daly), Venus Envy or on-line at www.insideout.ca.  Single screenings are $10/$7 for students; a four day pass is $30.  Check out www.insideout.ca for the complete festival listings and ticket information. 

20. Top Girls: A Play by Caryl Churchill - October 25th - November 3rd

To celebrate her promotion to upper management, an ambitious businesswoman summons a group of “Top Girls” – some of the most compelling women from history and legend – to a banquet. The story of her life, and theirs, gives a painful reckoning of the choices, concessions and compromises that women, in particular, must make to get ahead in the world.  Third Wall Theatre Company.  Now entering its seventh season, Third Wall has become the leading, emerging professional Theatre Company in Ottawa.  Arts Court Theatre, 2 Daly Avenue.  Tickets are $24 ($18 for students).  To purchase tickets by phone, call (613) 236-1425 or (613) 564-7240 or in person at Arts Court Reception or the Ottawa Women's Credit Union at 271 Bank Street.

21. 6 Workshops for Lesbians in Midlife - November 5th - December 10th

Monday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. at the Centretown Community Health Centre, 420 Cooper Street.  Topics include getting older, dealing with changes, coming out, and more and more and more.  For more information and to register, please call Andrea Madan at (613) 233-4443 x2193.  Free.

22. Memoir Writing With Ivan E. Coyote - November 7th - November 28th

LIX and Carleton University is proud to announce that this year's writer-in-residence at Carleton, Ivan Coyote, will be presenting a memoir writing course as part of the Learning in Retirement Seminars.  "Join storyteller and author Ivan E. Coyote in this four week course designed especially for seniors.  Please bring your photo albums, journals, recipe books, war medals, old home movies, but most importantly bring your stories and your family's stories."  The course will be held in Room 124 Leeds Residence.  Classes are three hours in length.  Registration is limited to 15 participants.  Cost is $130.  To download the brochure for registration, visit www.carleton.ca/cie/LinR/index.html.

23. GLBTQ Al-Anon Meeting - Sunday evenings

The "Keep it Simple" group of Al-Anon meets every Sunday evening at 7:30 pm. at the Jack Purcell Community Centre on Elgin Street.  Millions of people are affected by the excessive drinking of someone close to them.  If you fall into this category and are looking for a safe GLBTQ space to get help and support, this meeting is for you.  For more information call (613) 860-3431 or go to the web site at www.al-anon.alateen.on.ca.

24. The Voice

...is an Ottawa-based women's literary fundraising magazine...that will donate its proceeds back into various events and charities in the community.  The creators are looking for interested subscribers as well as women who wish to submit writing, photography or artwork for upcoming issues.  The yearly subscription rate is $18.  Find details on advertising, sponsorship, subscriptions, submitting work and more at www.mwdesign.ca/TheVoice.

25. Integrity Ottawa Monthly Eucharist

...takes place on the first Sunday of each month at the Church of the Ascension, 253 Echo Drive, Ottawa at 7:00 pm.   Integrity Ottawa is a gathering of gay men, lesbians and straight friends living in the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa.  They are interested in supporting the lives of LGBTTQ people in the Anglican Church of Canada and abroad in the wider Anglican Communion.  For more information, check out: www.ottawa.integritycanada.org.

26. Venus Envy

...regularly holds workshops of interest to women.  To see what's happening, check out the web site at www.venusenvy.ca.  Venus Envy is located at 320 Lisgar Street.

As always, we encourage you to send us news of events and/or workshops that you are involved in so we can add the information to our Upcoming Events of Interest section of this monthly news update. We need to know the who's, what's, where's as well as cost, where tickets are available, if pre-registration is required, and if it's a fundraiser, what organization you're raising funds for. If the organization has a web site, that web address would be helpful. And we'd love to see more of your entries in the Special Interest Groups and Activities section of this e-news. Networking works...for business and pleasure! Send your news and ideas for interest groups to me at info@girlswanttoknow.com. We need your information by the end of the month in order to guarantee inclusion in the following month's issue.

So...there you go! For more information about the LIX network, feel free to call Kerry at (613) 237-7133 or Marie at (613) 231-4347. You can also send us an email at info@girlswanttoknow.com or chat with one of the four of us (Kerry, Lucy, Wendy or Marie) at a coffee meeting. And please check out the LIX web site at www.girlswanttoknow.com.

Cheers,
Marie Robertson
for the LIX Steering Committee
Lesbian Information Xchange
community-based, not-for-profit network of lesbians exchanging information