Make literacy real
Teach someone to read and you arm them for life. The Kama Reading Series brings three excellent non-fiction authors to the stage Wednesday (January 23), 6:30 pm, in support of World Literacy Canada, an organization committed to improving literacy rates all over the world. On the program are Noah Richler (What We Talk About When We Talk About War), Samantha Nutt (Damned Nations: Greed, Guns, Armies And Aid) and James Laxer (Tecumseh And Brock). Park Hyatt Hotel (4 Avenue Road), $60. worldlit.ca.
Fisk on the real Arab Spring
No one knows the Middle East like Robert Fisk, long-time journo with Britain’s The Independent. For three decades, the author of The Great War For Civilisation: The Conquest Of The Middle East, has been demystifying the politics of the region, and his talk Arab Awakening, But Are We Hearing The Truth? Monday (January 21), 7 pm, will no doubt do the same. Hosted by Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, Fisk speaks at Bloor St. United Church, 300 Bloor West. $20, adv $15 stu $15, adv $10. cjpme.org.
Fight gridlock with transit
Nothing’s more satisfying than talking up public transit in the face of the city’s frustrating congestion. This symposium, hosted by the Toronto Transit Alliance, a group pushing a 1 per cent increase in sales tax to go directly to subway and transit expansion, features TTC CEO Andy Byford, former chief city planner Paul Bedford and transit activist Desmond Cole. Tuesday (January 22), 7 pm. Free. 461 King West, second floor. unlockgridlock.ca.
