In the first Come to the Concert class of the new year we will preview music that spans the centuries: from Bach to Brahms and Bernstein to Coleman. This concert turns the stage over to the brass and percussion sections of the Kamloops Symphony, who will perform an arrangement of Bach’s most well-known organ composition, his Toccata and Fugue in D minor.  Brahms’ musical homage to composer Joseph Haydn, his Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Bernstein’s familiar and exciting West Side Story Suite and contemporary American composer, Valerie Coleman’s, Fanfare for Uncommon Times, will provide further proof of the power of brass to inspire audiences.

Artificial intelligence has long been an object of both fear and fascination in the stories we tell, from the murderous HAL in 2001: A Space Odyssey to the benevolent android Data in Star Trek: The Next Generation.  Lately, questions about AI’s impact on our lives have taken on a new urgency.  While HAL famously proclaimed, “I’m sorry, Dave.  I’m afraid I can’t do that,” today’s AI is increasingly showing all that it can do.  This course will look at how narratives around artificial intelligence in fiction, film, and other media explore what it means to be human, and what the future may hold for our relationship with AI.

The speaker for this presentation, a retired forecaster at the Canadian Meteorological Centre, will introduce the science of winds, from the basic principles to specific wind systems and extreme events such as tornadoes and hurricanes. There are identifiable wind patterns on earth, our presenter will explain what they are and what causes them. He will go on to introduce the scales for winds in different events. This is a zoom class, so attendees can join from the comfort of their own home or come in person at the Kamloops Sports Council.

An aging driver might notice the changes but not always the bad driving habits that have accumulated over the years.  This course will familiarize you with everything you need to know in order to remain a safe and confident driver. Sylvia will cover the driving statistics, the latest rules for senior drivers and effective techniques to navigate the senior driving years.

In this talk, we’ll explore the complex and evolving process of wildfire recovery through the lens of social-ecological systems. From the urgent steps of bringing communities home and coordinating salvage logging and replanting, to the unexpected consequences of the emergence of morel mushrooms and the influx of harvesters they attract, wildfire recovery reveals a complex web of both opportunities and challenges. The morel boom can create sudden economic activity, but it also brings environmental pressures and social tensions. We’ll also explore the long-term healing between communities and the land, and how these relationships must adapt in the face of an ever-changing climate.

Guernica is one of most iconic images of the 20th century. The painting depicts the German bombing of Guernica, Spain in 1939. Picasso was in Paris working on a piece commissioned for the World’s Fair when he received word of this horrific attack. His inspiration for the monochromatic painting seems to have come from newsreels, newspaper articles and photographs of the devastation that was left. Although the painting was done in a very short time, its impact has resonated long after the event. If time permits, I would like to have participants do a schematic drawing of the painting to discover how Picasso organized the composition and how that relates to classical design in the way paintings from the Renaissance were configured,

Mahjong is an intriguing, fast paced tile game sharing some similarities with Western card games of Canasta.  The version played at Seniorloops  is aligned with the Chinese Mahjong with some American adaptations.  Instruction is given as you play.  There are two instructors; each playing at a table with 3 learners.

In this lecture, John Felvinci explores the Big Bang theory, which is supposed to have started our Universe. Of late, new theories and interpretations have emerged. Some have put the date back by many billions of years; others are delaying the birth by having inflation precede it. Many new measurements by the Webb telescope, and other new ideas about dark matter indicate a a need for revision.

Zoom class—you can enjoy it in the comfort of your home or in the company of others at KSC

Bats in British Columbia are an essential, vulnerable, and underappreciated species.  Join Emily in an introduction to the world’s only flying mammal to discuss the benefits bats provide to our environment and the ways we can help them.  Over half of BC’s bat species are listed as endangered or of special concern. This talk will explore the threats they face, bust common myths, explain what to do if you encounter one, and highlight the work of the BC Community Bat Program.  Learn how you can help protect these fascinating creatures and gain a new appreciation for the bats living in our own backyard.

Session 1 – What is Community Wealth Building?
Community wealth building is a people-centred approach to economic development, which redirects wealth back into the local economy, and places ownership, control and benefits into the hands of local people and organizations. It emphasizes the importance of locally-rooted structures such as cooperatives, social enterprises, businesses, and creative financing structures such as community bonds. In this session, we’ll explore the pillars and guiding principles of community wealth building, and learn from successful examples from across Canada and abroad.
 
Session 2 – Models of Community Wealth Building
What would the Kamloops region look like if we took a people-centred approach to economic development, affordable housing, and community ownership? Through interactive discussion and workshop activities, we’ll explore examples of community wealth building in the Kamloops region and opportunities to further grow our community wealth building strategies

On a recent trip to Egypt, I was met with a world both ancient and modern  — old and new mingled in a way that was unexpected. Egypt is a country and culture rich in art, history, ancient artifacts and architecture. Mine was an intense visit filled with surprises and amazing sights. This photo presentation will provide some historical background and share what I saw and experienced in the places I visited.

This talk by a retired meteorologist takes us to the fascinating world of clouds-what they are and why they matter. Starting with the physics of condensation, Rick explains how rising air cools to produce droplets of ice crystals, sometimes leading to rain. He then identifies the different cloud types, their structures and how they signal changes in weather. Reinforced by informative short videos, the presentation leaves us with a clear understanding of clouds and their role in weather. This is a zoom class, you may attend from the comfort of your own home or join in person at the Kamloops Sports Council.