November and Robert Bateman

There is so much going on!

Look for us on The Weather Network soon. More in a few days.

I was at a presentation by our patron Robert Bateman on Monday night and — thanks to his wondrous staff member and gate-keeper Alex — I actually got to meet with him backstage. It was an incredible honour.

Mr. Bateman’s presentation was amazing on a personal and professional level. (Apparently my art teachers at Sheridan College were correct; this is how an artist thinks.)

Mr. Bateman is articulate, passionate and entertaining in an easy-going manner — like your favorite teacher or professor.

There were close to 300 people in attendance on a Monday night from my growing town at the base of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Reserve.

He gave us insight into his life, his art and his beliefs for the environment. It was not what I expected at all — engaging and fun, and then challenging (but politely so).

If you get a chance to see Robert Bateman, do.

If I can parse some of his presentation: 1) get kids outside; 2) be willing to pay (pennies) more for what you eat, 3) get to learn about what it takes to make what you eat — where it comes from, what it took to produce and transport; and finally, 4) get your own sweet self outside. There was lots more, of course.

I will write more in a bit about the exciting stuff that we are doing with The Weather Network.