Four weeks after introducing a five cent charge for single-use grocery bags, Metro grocery stores across Quebec and Ontario (Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Marché Richelieu) are reporting that 70 per cent fewer bags have been distributed in store, compared against the monthly average. Demand for reusable bags has increased fivefold since June 1, when the fee was implemented.

Photo: MNBAQ

It is interesting to follow the century long path that led the United States of America to the point where its major cities have become international art capitals.  The exhibition presently at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Quebec, starts us off with a series of landscape paintings, a su

Photo: Cynthia Sheehan

Quebec City Judge Michael Sheehan has received an Order of Quebec in recognition of his work in the area of suicide prevention. Quebec Premier Jean Charest presented the Order, one of 32 given this year, during ceremonies last Thursday. Annually, there are approximately 250 nominees for the Order.

My mother is English-speaking and my father is French-speaking.

Like them and like my grand-parents, I was born in Québec. I was baptised and raised in Québec City. I attended both French and English schools. My friends are both French-speaking and English-speaking Quebecers.

St. Peter's Anglican Church in Stoneham is celebrating its 170th Anniversary on Sunday, July 12th, 2009, with a service at 3:00 p.m. All welcome.

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church will be hosting their annual 1st of July Picnic at the St. Gabriel de Valcartier Community Centre.  The picnic starts at 3 p.m. and will include games, bake table, euchre, etc. and a light supper.  All are welcome.

The Anglophone Quebec City group, the Aurian Haller Band, will be launched its first CD, a five song extended play effort, last night at Le Salon d'Edgar.

The album is the group's first, since its formation last September.

Sincere congrats to all involved in producing the 245th Anniversary Edition.Special kudos to Catherine Mills Rouleau, who soared Memorials and Things of Fame to unprecedented heights! All that research gave us a dandy, readable history lesson.

R. Clive Meredith

A 35-year-old combat engineer has become the second soldier based at Valcartier to die in Afghanistan in less than a week, the victim of a roadside bomb.

Photo: Denis Sarrazin, Centre for Northern Studies (CEN).

A team of Quebec researchers are taking off to a northern tip of the country to study climate change.

It was good news and bad news regarding federal funding for two summer events in Quebec.

First the good news:

The Department of Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Josee Verner last week announced funding for the Festival d'humour de Quebec, to aid in the presentation of the Festival Grand Rire de Quebec, which runs through July 5, 2009.

The Eastern Québec Learning Centre graduates students throughout the year from its many programs, but traditionally, an outing is organized at this time of year to say goodbye for the summer to the students in General Education and to provide an occasion for all students at the Centre to enjoy a day out together.