-- There's a new petition taking off on Change.org, and we think you might be interested in signing it. Premier Christy Clark and Government of British Columbia: We the people of British Columbia urge and expect that you solve the present crisis and let our schools open by agreeing to arbitration. Niovi Patsicakis Surrey, British Columbia Sign the Petition         We disagree with the position that funding for class size and composition not be part of bargaining but for now settle all else and then continue negotiating.  Special education students or any type of learner can’t be blamed for the present underfunding we are facing in our schools. Teachers can’t be blamed and have shown flexibility and initiative to find a settlement. We want more supports for our special needs students as soon as possible.              The problem is not with our special needs children and how to service them, as government continues to imply and muddles the waters but with the chronic erosion in funding impacting all classrooms. There has been a 12 year struggle to regain the funding that was taken away from all students resulting in unworkable learning and teaching conditions. Class size, composition and ratios to specialist workloads have worked well before government took that language away in 2002. Matching need with service is the best way to guarantee support for students and allow the classroom teacher to focus on all children. Schools require resource, learning assistance and integration teachers, psychologists, counselors, librarians, speech and language pathologists, English language teachers, music and drama teachers, Educational Assistants etc. to provide excellent and timely service to students.               Twice the courts found government wrong and ordered it to make amends and return that language. Now government continues to impose preconditions and not moving their position when teachers are. This is unacceptable to us as students, parents, teachers and taxpaying citizens. We all want schools to open as soon as possible. We demand that government lift the stumbling block to mediation (E80) which is that teachers sign away what they won in the courts. We urgently expect government to agree to binding arbitration and support public education, the cornerstone of our democratic society and future prosperity. Sign the Petition The person (or organization) who started this petition is not affiliated with Change.org. Change.org did not create this petition and is not responsible for the petition content. This email was sent by Change.org to gmh@sassabrass.com. You can edit your email preferences or unsubscribe from these emails. Start a petition   ·   Contact us   ·   Privacy policy Change.org   ·   548 Market St #29993, San Francisco, CA 94104-5401, USA

We got in late, and immediately strolled over a block to The Spotted Cat for some maximum trumpet mayhem. In NOLA Trumpet is King!

Mother Nature reminded us to not take warm weather for granted, and ushered in Autumn with a blustery few days. She has relented however, and the next few days are just like old times!

This is great news for music lovers and foodies..... take note:

This Thursday (Sept 4) I will be sitting in at the Fairview Pub (B'way @Laurel) at 6 pm engaging in Beer, Beef, and Blues. The inimitable John Nolan has been holding court there for years and always has great players in the band.... come and be surprised.

Friday at noon, I am performing a free outdoor concert with Vancouver's most notable old school R&B singer, Billy Dixon. He will have his full Soultrain Express band in action and I will be on trombone. Come on down to Bentall Tower 4 (1055 Dunsmuir, lower plaza) for a great lunchtime show from noon to 1:30. Lots of seating and food stands nearby. Sunshine is guaranteed!

Saturday the 6th, at 7 pm, I will be performing at my regular Rockin' The Ribjoint Saturday Party at Ten Ten Tapas (1010 Beach on the seawall). This place is the perfect trifecta of food, music, and view, and the ribs are unparalleled. The patio is amazing and Chef Matthew always adds new and exciting dishes to the menu. He is a highly trained, award winning culinary master, and must be experienced! Lots of guests show up for a jam, and there is (literally) dancing in the aisles....

Sunday I have a private event on Granville Island, but intend to sneak over on a break to see Dave Guiney's Swing Aggregation at the Arts Club Backstage Lounge. Well worth the small cover!

See you this weekend- and bring your shades!

Here is a sample of a new track on my album scheduled for October... Night Sky (featuring the sax of Rock Hendricks of the Paul Hardcastle Band)

Well, judging by the calendar AND the rain, we have have hit the denouement of the Summer. It ain't over yet, however... we have this one great weekend to look forward to, with a perfectly situated Labor Day! After that, if global warming plays us a good hand, we will have a stunning Indian Summer, as we have been known to have (back when it was politically correct to do so).

So, make this the weekend you meant to have all summer... hit the PNE (early), and in the evening come enjoy yourself with an evening of jazzy music, food, gambling, and take in the view....

Tonight (Friday) I am at the Hard Rock Casino (Coquitlam) in the Unlisted Lounge. I love this place! The food is good (my fav: the fish tacos). I start at 9:30 and go till 12:30, so come around 8 pm, drop $40 on the slots, and have some food and a cocktail while diggin' on the freshest and funkiest jazz around... I am there most Fridays, so check the schedule.

Tomorrow (Saturday) I am at my longstanding haunt Ten Ten Tapas, where the musical guests come by in droves and we always have a real jammin' party. It is not sleepy there, the music cooks! The view is unmatched and the food even more unmatched (is that even a phrase?), and you make excellent friends there ALWAYS! They serve tapas style dishes (NOT Spanish tapas!) and are perfect, succulent portions with a nice price. Come and enjoy a meal and a cocktail for $20!

Sunday afternoon from 3 - 5 pm I am back at the Hard Rock in the event you want to win back that $40 from Friday  ;)

Come say hi!

I have a new album coming in October, and I try to keep the music pretty FONKY, but here is a little bonus, the one love song I have been working on... a little 'bedroom music' if you will...

The Canadian Copyright Board has drastically cut the airplay royalties for Canadian Musicians, crippling an already struggling industry. You can do something to help.... write these honchos and speak your mind...