GANGBUSTERS
January 31, 2012
Mike Novakowski, Abbotsford Police Department
In 2008 and 2009 the Lower Mainland saw a chilling escalation in gang violence. Abbotsford was no exception. Following a string of gang related homicides, the Abbotsford Police Department (APD) implemented a series of community based initiatives. These included broad based messaging, school assemblies, and parenting presentations. Join Sgt Mike Novakowski as he outlines APD’s experience and offers insight on how the community responded.
STEPHEN LEACOCK AND SUNSHINE SKETCHES OF A LITTLE TOWN: 100TH ANNIVERSARY
February 2, 2012
Ron Dart, Philosophy and Political Science, UFV
One of our best-loved Canadian books, Stephen Leacock's Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town, chronicled the amusing everyday adventures of the fictional town of Mariposa. Hard to believe, as you chuckle your way through, that it was first published 100 years ago. You'll enjoy Ron Dart's presentation even more if you get a chance to read Sunshine Sketches beforehand.
ARCHAEO LOGIC: ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE 21ST CENTURY
February 7, 2012
Christina Reid, Collections Manager, MSA Museum Society
To interpret the past and learn from it, you first have to "find" it. Archaeology has evolved, over several centuries, from an undisciplined digging up of what our ancestors left behind, to a highly technical area of study with rich rewards. Christina will discuss past, present and future archaeological methods, show some of the tools used and discuss how we date finds and interpret pre-history.
PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF SENIORS
February 9, 2012
Michael de Jong, Abbotsford West MLA; Ministerof Health
Following an outburst of complaints last year about the treatment of seniors in BC care facilities, The Province newspaper put together a "Boomerangst" team to study the issues, get input from readers, and make recommendations on how the lives of BC seniors in general -- not just those in care homes -- could be improved. They came up with ten interesting proposals. Health Minister Michael de Jong leads an open discussion of these recommendations and how they might be implemented.
MEGABYTES AND GIGBYTES
February 14, 2012
Ken Baker
Ken's earlier class on how to master your digital camera left you asking for more. Here are some further tips on taking digital photographs, transferring them to a computer, adjusting if necessary, and printing the result. Questions will be welcome, with answers most of the time.
RCMP SCHOONER ST. ROCH: WORKHORSE OF THE NORTH
February 16, 2012
Dan Lemieux, RCMP, Ret'd
Before the Arctic became accessible by aircraft, the St Roch, a small, specially designed wooden vessel, was headquarters for the RCMP in Canada's North. From 1928 until 1950 it serviced the four western detachments, and when frozen in the ice became itself a working detachment, with the crew conducting patrols, looking for missing persons, and rendering medical treatment. It was also the first vessel to navigate the Northwest Passage from west to east. Today it sits in Vanier Park adjacent to the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Dan, retired from the RCMP, will relate the ship's history and tell some exciting stories about a Canadian treasure.
THE PEOPLE OF ABBOTSFORD
February 21, 2012
Molly Ungar, Dept of History, UFV
This illustrated talk highlights the stories of the individuals who made Abbotsford their home. From hopeful beginnings in the late 19th century to the Fabulous Fifties, Abbotsford and its residents have contributed to a fascinating community.
WHY IS THE FVRD SO CRANKY ABOUT GARBAGE INCINERATORS? and
LEVELLING THE GREEN PLAYING FIELD
February 23, 2012
Patricia Ross, Abbotsford City Councillor
We defeated the polluting power plant SE2, and thought we’d created such an awareness of our sensitive airshed, it wouldn’t happen again. But here we are, fighting another significant threat. Patricia details why our airshed is so unique, and what the better solutions are to dealing with waste. In Part II, Patricia will share strategies on how to engage all levels of government, the private sector and the public in fostering a true green economy.
FLOURISH: CURRENT THINKING ABOUT WELL-BEING AND HAPPINESS
February 28, 2012
Connie Davis, MN, RN
Positive psychology has gained attention in the past few years as a way to help people develop resilience and have more meaning in life. We'll review recent research about late life depression, as well as happiness, and talk about what it means to "flourish."
ABBOTSFORD DELEGATION TO CHINA: AN AGRICULTURAL SLANT
March 1, 2012
Tom Baumann
Last year, a delegation from UFV travelled to China to meet with partner universities. Horticulturalist Tom Baumann joined the delegation, citing "many areas of mutual support and learning that we can develop with our Chinese partners" in the agricultural field. Today he'll share slides and some interesting stories from the trip.
EXPERIENCES IN AFGHANISTAN
March 6, 2012
Terry Hackett, Correctional Service Canada
Kandahar is a long way from the Fraser Valley. But Terry Hackett's experience in Correctional Services helped him mentor and train correctional officials in the Afghan city considered to be at the heart of the insurgency. He headed a three-man Canadian contingent, whose object was to help develop a functional correctional institution and re-establish security in the conflict zone. "I firmly believe in the mission," says Terry. " I felt that I needed to be here."
LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE SUMAS FIRST NATION
March 8, 2012
Ray and Millie Silver
As cultural and spiritual advisors, Elders Ray and Millie Silver have long experience teaching about the history, culture and current issues of the Sumas First Nation -- which, as part of the Sto:Lo Nation, has been in the Fraser Valley for more than 9,000 years. Ray, born in 1929, lived through a period of great sorrow for most aboriginals, but acknowledges that things are changing for the better, particularly in the field of education..
IRISH SODA BREAD
March 13, 2012
Chef Dez, Food Columnist, Culinary Instructor & Cooking Show Performer
St Patrick's Day celebrations wouldn't be complete without Irish Soda Bread, a hearty treat just made to go with corned beef and cabbage. And it's so easy to make! Let Chef Dez, whose food column runs in over 50 community newspapers, show you how. There will also be a discussion of other Irish recipes.
THE AMAZING RECOVERY OF THE BALD EAGLE
March 15, 2012
David Hancock
David Hancock has been studying the bald eagle for more than 50 years from Alaska to Florida. He initiated his Live Eagle Cam project six years ago when he installed a camera in a tree in Sidney, outside of Victoria, that held refuge to a young eagle pair. Now there are four more nests being monitored by cameras in the Lower Mainland, and all are currently bearing eggs. Hear the exciting story of this remarkable bird.
THE DOUKHOBORS: PERSPECTIVES ON A COMMUNITY OF SPIRIT WRESTLERS
March 20, 2012
David Giesbrecht
Western Canada is home to half the world's Doukhobors, or, translated literally from the Russian, "Spirit Wrestlers." This presentation will examine the origins and early years of Doukhobors in Russia. Then we'll trace their migration to Canada, their presence in BC, and the beliefs and customs that shape their communities.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOOTCAMP: A GUIDED TOUR OF FACEBOOK AND TWITTER
March 22, 2012
David Thomson, Communications Department, UFV
Following up on his November presentation about social networks, David will offer an answer to the question, "What are Twitter and Facebook good for, anyway?" The talk will run through the main features of these two popular social networking platforms, offer some tips on managing one's online profile safely and effectively, and touch on a few of the many ways Twitter and Facebook affect our media and culture, both offline and online.
CAMPUS 2020: THINKING AHEAD
March 27, 2012
Rosetta Khalideen, Dean of Professional Studies, UFV
Higher learning for our grandchildren, and their children, may differ dramatically from the model we're familiar with. As university colleges evolve into full universities, a host of new disciplines will be included -- including aviation, business administration, child and youth care, adult education, teacher education, health sciences, library and information technology, and social work and human services. Dr Khalideen, as Dean of Professional Studies, guided by BC's initiative report Campus 2020: Thinking Ahead, will help UFV as it makes this transition.
A SOCIAL WORKER'S EXPERIENCES AT THE REGIONAL PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE
March 29, 2012
Isadore Noel
During part of his long career as a social worker, Izzy Noel worked nine years for Correctional Service of Canada at the Regional Health Centre in Abbotsford. He'll discuss some of the programs in place there, and the challenges faced by inmates and staff.
THE FIVE GLOBAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFE DRIVING
April 3, 2012
Tracey Dyck, Instructor, Valley Driving School
Tracey will focus on the five global skills involved in safe driving: Observation, Space Margins, Speed Management, Steering and Communications. How are the SEE-THINK-DO processes (see the hazard; think about how to deal with it; and do a manoeuvre to avoid it) applied within each skill?
HISTORY AND CURRENT ISSUES OF UNIVERSITY OF THE FRASER VALLEY
April 5, 2012
Cheryl Isaac, Director, Continuing Studies, UFV
In one way or another, the University of the Fraser Valley has an impact on just about every person who lives here. Cheryl's 35 years of service there have given her a unique slant on the history of UFV, what it's doing now and what it hopes to accomplish in the future.
***UFV President Mark Evered and Anne Russell will be joining Cheryl Isaac for this presentation. Don't miss this opportunity to meet our local university president!!
SUNLIGHTING: BRINGING SUNLIGHT TO THE CORE OF A BUILDING
April 10, 2012
Radu Postole
Can sunlight replace the light bulb? This presentation will cover the basics of sunlight and its potential to be funneled into a building to reduce the demand for electrical lighting. When it becomes commercially available next year, it's anticipated that the Core Sunlighting System will reduce energy costs and provide practical, natural illumination deep within a building.
BETWEEN THE STATIONS
April 12, 2012
Bob and Janet Trout
Last year, the Trouts enthralled us with tales of their "Train Adventure," travelling throughout Europe using as many different railways as possible. By popular demand, now they'll return to show us the rest of their pictures.
LEARNING ABOUT NUCLEAR ENERGY
April 17, 2012
Jeff Schizma and Tim Cooper, Dept of Physics, UFV
How does a nuclear reactor work? What are quarks? How does an MRI work?, What makes the sun shine? How do we know how old the sun is? Can you turn lead into gold? Bring along your questions. Tim and Jeff promise that if they don't know the answers, they'll find out.
MARITIME MEANDERINGS
April 19, 2012
Ken Baker
An illustrated tour of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Sights such as the flowerpot rocks at Hopewell Cape; the Cabot Trail; Green Gables and Avonlea on PEI; the tidal bore near Moncton; a winery in the Annapolis valley and the Titanic cemetery. Live shows such as the Men of the Deeps miners' choir; the musical Anne of Green Gables and the gigantic Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo. Did we mention the Confederation Bridge and lunch with Rita MacNeil?
SPRING TEA
April 24, 2012