Jackson Pollock (1912-1956) is universally famous for his Abstract Expressionist drip paintings. Two women in his life made major contributions to his success in the Ab Ex movement. The CIA also played a role in promoting Abstract Expressionism. This presentation will consider his well known Ab Ex works as well as the paintings of Janet Sobel and Lee Krasner, and other women of the Ab Ex movement.

Listen and learn about bees and the variety of honeys in a presentation at this farm near Vernon. Watch the bees make honeycombs. Experience working bees up close. Taste the honey and mead, honey wine made from the farm’s honey. Take a bee friendly garden walk suitable for all abilities. Davidson Orchard is nearby and has a cafe and two gazebos for a lunch break. Bring $3 if you would like to participate in the mead tasting. Meet at Shopper’s Drug Mart in the Valleyview Parking lot to carpool. Departure at 10:00 am.

This class is an opportunity to tour, learn the history of, and enjoy a visit with the cats who have been rescued by Sammy’s Forgotten Felines, and who are awaiting adoption through the Catloops Cat Cafe.

The course will cover the ins and outs of printing on a 3D printer, where to find already made 3D files to print and will also introduce how to design your own 3D item to print.  You will be able to print a small item on the day.

The History of the Middle East helps explain its current situation, and provides a foundation for thinking about how it may develop. This lecture proposes a framework for understanding today’s region, by reviewing geography, colonial legacies, oil wealth, individual leaders, and other factors. It identifies recurring regional patterns that play out differently across individual countries. Particular topics include a discussion of why democracy has proven weaker in the Middle East than the state of economic development might suggest, and how the various waves of colonisers have contributed to the mosaic of ethnicities and religions. The lecture concludes by using Iran as an illustrative case study of how all these factors can play out at a local level, inviting discussion of how the same factors have played out differently in other countries. This is a Zoom class, so you may enjoy it along with others in the Sports Council classroom, or in the comfort of your home if you wish.

Let’s explore the underlying reasons for the deep pleasure we find in reading fiction. On one level, the answer is as simple as what Roman poet Horace required of poetry —that it “instruct and delight.”  We learn and we enjoy.  But there are other levels.  What reading fiction does for us and to us is really quite remarkable.  Look at this two-hour session as skimming the surface of answering the title questions and setting the stage for a lengthier exploration in a winter, 2027 multi-session course.

Every day we are faced with persuasive messages. Some of these persuasive messages are misinformation (or disinformation). If we understand why misinformation can persuade us, then we can inoculate ourselves. We will examine the psychological processes involved in the persuasion of misinformation and propaganda. We will also discuss and practice strategies that can be applied to evaluate the validity of information and to prevent the psychological effects of misinformation.

Birken is a Canadian Theravada Buddhist Monastery surrounded by forests and marsh lands.  It operates almost entirely off-grid with a high level of energy efficiency.  For over 2,500 years the monastic tradition has survived solely on the generous support of the lay community.  In return, monastics provide dhamma teachings and spiritual mentorship.  Guests are welcome to stay for a retreat or to experience the monastery on a day visit.  Guests are also welcome to contribute and partake in the lunchtime meal at 11:30 am.  The Abbot, Ajahn Sona is deeply interested in ecological movements at both practical and philosophical levels.  While Ajahn Sona gives Dhamma talks on his YouTube channel and he guides the green design technologies and principles of the monastery

On our visit, our guide will be a monastic who will familarize us with the outside space as well as the beautiful meditation sala.  We will also partake in the lunchtime meal at 11:30 am. There will be time for participants to spend time in quiet reflection both in the meditation sala or the walking paths.

The public is invited to join us at the KALS Annual General Meeting. The meeting will take place at the Kamloops Sports Council, where business side of KALS and reelect a new board of governance.

B.C.’s DRIPA refers to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, passed unanimously in 2019. It establishes the UN Declaration (UNDRIP) as the framework for provincial reconciliation. Recent court rulings sparked a political crisis, leading Premier David Eby to delay planned legislative adjustments to the fall.   Murray will discuss the Act, ammendments, and what it all means for British Columbians.

Recent claims from AI researchers have brought concerns about superintelligence into mainstream political debate. But how credible are these apocalyptic predictions? Are AI companies genuinely losing control of the technology? Or are these distracting us from harms already unfolding, including misinformation, cybercrime, job displacement and the concentration of corporate power?

Listen to wide-ranging panel of AI researchers, ethicists and policy experts as they examine where experts agree and disagree, interrogate the claims and counterclaims about the risks and calls to slow down its development, and explore crucial steps governments and tech companies must take now to help us safely navigate the AI revolution.

The Mount Paul Community Food Centre (CFC) is a welcoming space for all.  It was created in 2017.  With dignified and low barrier programs, the centre creates services aimed at combatting food security concerns in the community.  The centre offers between 20 and 25 programs, depending on the time of year, focused on food access, food skills, advocacy and gardening. These include community meals, food skills classes, a community pantry, food hamper delivery, a market of affordable produce, garden programs and supports for seniors.  It serves between 750 and 1000 people every week.  The centre operates under the non-profit Interior Community Services and is part of a national network under Right to Food.  The Mount Paul Community Food Centre was recognized as the Not For Profit of the Year in 2021 by the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce.