Do you like to talk about the news stories of the week? If you do, we invite you to join  moderator Ray Pillar for lively, thought provoking discussion and debate about local, provincial, national and world issues. Whatever the news, we look forward to a range of views and great discussions.

At 19 and 20, Claire set off on 2 incredible journeys that shaped her as a young woman and solo traveller.  Join her to hear the countless lessons about resilience, cultural diversity and confidence that come with travelling the world as a young female.

Session 1 – This first adventure was a whirlwind 10 month solo adventure, four months exploring the diverse landscapes and cultures of South America, a month wandering through Europe and four months immersed in the vibrant corners of Southeast Asia.  In each region, she learned something new about independence, navigating the unknown and the beauty of being on her own far from home.

Session 2 – This second trip was a more slowly paced and deeply rooted experience.  Over 10 months, she settled and truly lived in a few special places, volunteering for 3 1/2 months in Croatia, followed by 3 1/2 months living in Northern India.  Afterward, she trekked through stunning trails in Nepal, visited Vietnam for a month and finally worked in Austria.  This slower journey provided an opportunity to connect more deeply with local communities and absorb the rhythm of everyday life in each place.

Cpl. Justin Yacoboski and Potter will introduce us to the  life and work of a police dog master.  Hopefully, there will also be live “quarry” so that we can see them in action.

You’ve a story that’s haunting you to tell, but you wonder; is it worthy? How do I begin? Is there a simpler way to make this happen? (Or maybe: Is my family going to disown me when they see what I have to say?) During this course, you will experience a variety of memoir writing options, discover your best way to get your story told, and create a doable plan to make it happen. And yes, telling your story is worthy…beyond a doubt

This presentation will discuss the scientifically established benefits of, and the many resources available with respect to whole food plant-based (WFPB) eating.  How it can increase the chances of avoiding chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer, as well as improve our chances of increasing not just our lifespan, but our “health span”.

After years of mining, the land is often left disturbed. My project explores how we can bring these lands back to life using soil amendments, materials that have the potential of restoring soil fertility and reviving the community of native plants. I believe, with every native leaf, the story of healing begins. It’s a story of recovery of how science and stewardship can help ecosystems restore themselves, one handful of soil at a time.

This presentation will take us on an exploration of humanity’s historical relationship with substances, examining how drugs have been used across cultures and time.  Renee will discuss world events that have shaped substance use and policy, discuss the influence of culture, and scrutinize the development of laws, particularly those rooted in racism rather than in scientific evidence.  By understanding the historical context, we can better recognize how we have arrived at our current substance-related challenges, evaluate what interventions are working, and consider innovative ideas for moving forward.  When we truly learn from history, we are less likely to repeat its mistakes.

Join an expedition ship sailing from Iceland to Greenland in the Wake of the Vikings. Then enjoy a land add on with a trip to the Greenland Icecap followed by a visit to Illulissat, the iceberg capital. Learn about the history and culture of this land so much in the news recently.

This presentation will introduce you to the history and the work of the BC SPCA.  Their work is much more than animal protection.  The BC SPCA’s community work provides resources such as low-income spay/neuter programs and food banks for pet food to enable people who are struggling and their companion animals to stay together. They fight for better laws for all animals: domestic, wild and farm.  Dora will share with us some stories of animal rescues they have performed.  The tour of the facility will allow us to experience the daily life in the busy Community Animal Centre.

What do Alzheimer’s and early childhood education have in common?  At first glance, you might say, “nothing”; however, as I lived through Alzheimer’s with my family members, I realized that many of the principles that I learned and practiced in my professional calling could be implemented to help navigate through the changes in my loved ones and support them as the disease progressed.  In this talk, I will share ideas and concepts from early childhood education, along with practical examples, that helped me as I adapted to my mom who lived with Alzheimer’s.  Participants will come away with a greater understanding of ways to adapt and adjust to a loved one who is living with Alzheimer’s.  

In this class, we examine the relationship between colonialism, law and the modern human rights regime.  It offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the structure and scope of law and the emergence of global institutions in an era of globalization. We further discuss how violence, elitism and power have come to shape the world in which we live today.

This talk will explore the underlying science of many common things you have, see or do (or should not do) around the house or backyard. These include equipment, appliances, gadgets, processes, materials, food, drinks etc. It will also point out things that should be treated with caution.