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18:45: Registration.

19:00: MeetUp begins.

We'll follow our usual agenda.

One of our members, John-Paul Warren, will talk about "smart metering" and what the authorities hope to achieve with it. I'm pleased we can present this when electricity use and grid failure is on our minds due to the heat.

This presentation was originally for a Winter 2005 Ecological Economics class under Professor Peter Victor at York U. in the graduate program in Environmental Studies.

The presentation outlines a couple of different metering systems, and discusses some of the pros and cons of each. Paul and Farrah Ali-Khan, his co-author, tried to approach the subject from an ecological economics viewpoint regarding the needs and aims of the province and planetary communities.

Paul says:

"We noted the importance of end-use conservation, and discuss a bit about net metering, distributed vs centralized generation, and a little on the renewable portfolio standard.

We looked into what might constitute a Smart Meter Guidebook as a way to help consumers get the most from their smart metering systems. Then we talked about some of the questions that arose as we worked on this project."

John-Paul looks forward to hearing questions and discussion points from the Oil Awareness group both during and after this presentation.

See you there!

For June, July, and August, I have booked room 301 on the third floor at the Miles Nadal JCC.

The JCC is on the south-west corner of Spadina and Bloor, diagonally opposite the Spadina subway station on the Bloor subway line.

To get to Room 301, ask the desk staff for electronic access to the staircase or the elevator. Go to the third floor. Walk down the hallway as far as possible to the south side of the building -- away from Bloor Street.

Room 301 is on your right at the end of the hall. It does not have a room number on it.

How to get to the JCC: http://www.milesnadaljcc.ca/cu-directions.html

Parking at the JCC: http://www.milesnadaljcc.ca/cu-parking.html

For our social get-together afterwards, we'll go to "that pub across the street from Future Bakery just next to Grass Roots", like last time. In August I'll nip over there before the MeetUp and get them to save us that table at the back. Great beer!

At the June MeetUp we'll be focussing on action, one component of which would be the merits of political engagement.

Speakers:

Adriana Mugnatto-Hamu, CEO of Green Party of Canada, Toronto Danforth.

Action:

Some time ago, some of us began a process of creating a collective list of "things we do" about peak oil.

One of this MeetUp's goals will be to rekindle that list.

Action can be personal, organizational, communal, political, etc.

Hearing about what other people do can be a source of new ideas.

So we can get a head start on the list, think about what actions you're taking.

For June, July, and August, I have booked room R301 on the third floor at the Miles Nadal JCC.

The JCC is on the south-west corner of Spadina and Bloor, diagonally opposite the Spadina subway station on the Bloor subway line.

How to get there: http://www.milesnadaljcc.ca/cu-directions.html

Parking: http://www.milesnadaljcc.ca/cu-parking.html

For our social get-together afterwards, we can go to the Future Bakery a few blocks west of the JCC on Bloor. Beer is of course available, with seating inside and on the patio.

There are also other pubs, cafes, and restaurants in the Annex on that stretch of Bloor Street.

The next MeetUp will be the fourth Wednesday in April, the 26th.

Peter B., one of our members, will present.

In his words, "I will talk about energy efficiency ... very simple, inexpensive methods to achieve dramatic reductions in domestic electricity consumption. ... I live in a very ordinary 2000 sq ft 5-bed house with, fridge, freezer, washer, drier, central air, electric lawn mower, electric garage door, TV, VCR, 2 computers, etc., and enjoy annual electrcity consumption under 3400kWh.

Comparing notes with people living off-grid, it my electricity consumption is only 10-25% greater. Most of this is accounted for by their lack of A/C or a clothes drier.

...

I left Canada in 1968 for Kenya (with CUSO) where I taught in the new medical school for 4 years.

...

In 1988, I returned to Canada, and began working in the chemical industry in Barrie. I still work as a chemist, but am also a part-time university Prof at Laurentian University's satellite campus in Barrie.

My interest in energy conservation began in Kenya, over 35 years ago, where necessity forced me to improve my Land Rover's fuel consumption by about 30%. Energy gradually became a passion. My colleague Barry T. and I are founding members of "Windcatchers", a small group hoping to see a wind turbine built in Barrie."

Barry T. will also attend the MeetUp.

After the MeetUp, we have a social gathering at Cafe Frappe, 519 Danforth Ave. The cafe is one block to the east of Logan, on the south side of the street at the corner of Fenwick and Danforth.

*** Re limited attendance. ***

This month's venue limits the number of people to 45. Thus I have put a limit on the number of RSVPs. Thank you.

=== Topic

Our February MeetUp will feature a presentation about peak oil by a noted Canadian journalist who writes on energy and business issues.

For specifics and the agenda, see the Message Board, where the information will be posted a few days before the MeetUp.

=== Social Gathering

After the MeetUp, we have a social gathering at a location near the MeetUp. Once we decide what that is -- and I'll be asking for suggestions -- I will inform you.

The venue for December is the Frankland Community School:

Frankland Community School Jr
816 Logan Avenue
Toronto, ON M4K 3E1
(416) 393-9720

From the Chester subway station, walk two blocks east on Danforth. Cross to the on the south side of the street. Turn south on Logan. The school is on the west side of the street.

The meeting room is on the second floor, in Community Room C.

Chris Lowry, of BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) Toronto, will give us a short talk on that organization. What does that have to do with peak oil, you ask? Well, if transportation becomes prohibitively expensive, we'll have to consume what we produce locally. So why not start now?

Toronto BALLE now has their own web site: <http://www.toballe.net/>

For the rest of the agenda, see the Message Board. It will be posted a few days before the MeetUp.

As usual we'll have discussion topics from suggestions you make. I notice we already have some good suggestions on the message board, thank you!

This time we WILL break into groups to discuss, since that seems more lively and involving than regulated discussion in one big circle.

After the MeetUp, we have a social gathering at Cafe Frappe, 519 Danforth Ave. From the MeetUp, walk north to Danforth. The cafe is one block to the east of Logan, on the south side of the street at the corner of Fenwick and Danforth. Let's sit at the tables upstairs this time; it makes the group a bit looser and promotes networking.