FALL 2010
OPEN HOUSE: September 16, 2010
TUESDAY PROGRAMS
THE BATTLE CONTINUES: ABBOTSFORD'S WAR ON YOUTH GANGS
September 21, 2010
Mike Novakowski
In 2009, Abbotsford became the "murder capital" of Canada. Of 11 murders, 8 were gang and drug-related. Operation Impact is the latest Abbotsford Police campaign to reach teens and pre-teens, and convince them that making "small bad choices" can lead to terrible results.
SERVICE CANADA FOR SENIORS
September 28, 2010
Brenda Wertman
Did you know there are nine different benefits available under the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security programs? Or perhaps you have lived or worked outside of Canada and could benefit from one of the over 50 International Social Security Agreements Canada has in place. Maybe you have a question and don't know who to ask. Introducing Service Canada, your one-stop source for information on Government of Canada programs and services.
BALD EAGLES: BIOLOGY, COMEBACK AND CURRENT THREATS
October 5, 2010
David Hancock
Did you know that only 10 per cent of eaglets live past their first year? It’s not uncommon for eagles to go years without successful young, even when the eggs do hatch. Biologist David Hancock has some amazing and inspirational stories to tell about the mighty birds of the Pacific Northwest.
HEAD INJURY
October 12, 2010
Everett Van Ee
In the space of a minute, a life can be changed forever. Head injuries are one of the least understood traumatic experiences we know of. Everett, an Abbotsford resident and longtime Learning Plus member, tells the story of how the accident that caused his injury has affected his life. He'll also show the BCTV news report of the accident and sing a couple of the songs he's written since then.
THE TRAGIC DESTRUCTION OF A COMMUNITY IN DEMOCRATIC BRITISH COLUMBIA
October 19, 2010
David Giesbrecht
First, we'll examine the presence and contributions of Japanese people in BC prior to WWII and the growing public antagonism towards them. Then we'll look at the events leading up to the War Measures Act of February 5, 1942, and the drastic consequences to BC Japanese settlers. Could this sort of thing happen again?
MONEY MANAGEMENT
October 26, 2010
Cindy Boury
Regardless of age or income, most of us could use some investment advice. Cindy will cover base line tax information concerning investments, Income Splitting, Tax and Probate minimization and lower costs. What are Segregated Funds and Annuities? Bring your questions and participate in open discussion.
EASTERN EUROPE EXPLORER
November 2, 2010
Betty Funk
Take a leisurely cruise on the Danube with Betty, from Vienna to Bucharest and the Black Sea. There'll be some interesting side trips along the way (including one to Prague), and of course many beautiful photographs.
THE REALITIES OF EATING LOCAL
November 9, 2010
Randy Hawes
In 2008, MLA Randy Hawes and his family joined a dozen Mission families committed to 100 days on the "100-mile diet" -- an experimental planet-friendly plan that allows only food (including additives) completely produced within 100 miles of the consumer. That meant "no coffee, no tea ... no sugar, no beer or distilled products, no soda pop, no chocolate, no fruits (unless grown within 100 miles) ... and no McDonalds, Burger King or A&W." What worked? What didn't work?
THE LATEST BUZZ: WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR HONEY BEES AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
November 16, 2010
Mike Campbell
We may think a bee's primary purpose is to produce the honey we love. But without bee pollination, our crops would be in a sorry state. And throughout North America hives are dying (last year, the number of US hives declined by 33.8%). Why? Can it be stopped? An experienced Fraser Valley beekeeper and honey producer throws some interesting sidelights on one of mankind's oldest and most beloved foods.
DRIVING AND OBSERVATION: SEE-THINK-DO
November 23, 2010
Tracey Dyck
Winter driving is on the way. Tracey's driving lesson today is based on three principles: SEE (scanning for hazards); THINK (which is the most dangerous and which one will I have to deal with first?); DO (a manoeuvre to keep you and others safe.)
IRELAND'S SOUTHERN COUNTIES
November 30, 2010
Janet Trout
Brilliant music, beautiful landscape, rich history and a warm welcome. What more could you ask of a vacation? Ireland enchanted Janet during her springtime trip in 2008. Come and hear about it!
ELECTRIC CAR
December 7, 2010
Lin Long
Every time we pull up to a gas pump, most of us mutter "there has to be a better way." Is the electric car the transportation of the future? How does it compare on cost, carbon dioxide emission, and performance? Hear the opinion of someone who has worked on electric cars for many years.
CHRISTMAS TEA
December 14, 2010
THURSDAY PROGRAMS
CHETE ISLAND SAFARI LODGE: A DREAM COME TRUE
September 23, 2010
Ruth Thiessen
What would be your "dream job"? For the Thiessens, it was managing a safari lodge on an island on Lake Kariba, Zambia, downstream from Victoria Falls. Join them in exploring this beautiful, intriguing island.
PANAMA PASSAGE
September 30, 2010
Ken Baker
The Panama Canal is endlessly fascinating, and the area surrounding it a mecca for travellers. Join Ken and Peggy on their cruise through the canal, with stops in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia.
THE DOCTOR IS IN!
October 7, 2010
Dr Alex Bartel
It's not often that a visit to the doctor is actually fun. Even less often that said doctor is willing to discuss more than one area of concern. Dr Bartel's approach to health issues affecting seniors is refreshing and illuminating -- and no need to spend time in the waiting room! Have some specific topics you'd like him to cover? Send us your questions (as far in advance as possible) and we'll pass them on.
LIFE ON THE EDGE: A DOGSLED JOURNEY TO THE EXTREME NORTH OF GREENLAND
October 14, 2010
Lee Treloar
The Inuit hunters of Northern Greenland survive in an environment that is harsh and unforgiving. Using traditional dogsleds and basic equipment, they find a way to overcome the challenges of their climate. Join Lee on a week-long dogsled journey with Inuit hunters on their quest for the elusive Narwhal. Camping on the sea ice, 24-hour daylight, wild dogsled rides and the magnificent solitude at the end of the earth are all part of this photographic journey.
OF LAND AND OF SEA: THE REAL AND THE IMAGINARY IN 19TH CENTURY BRITISH LANDSCAPE PAINTING
October 21, 2010
Jill Bain
John Constable and J.M.W.Turner are Britain's best-known landscape painters. They were contemporaries and intense rivals, whose styles were diverse, although each was associated with the cultural phenomenon of Romanticism. This illustrated lecture will examine the work of these two painters, considering their styles, subjects, personal and political motivations, and subsequent influences.
HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISE IN THE ORIENT, PART II
October 28, 2010
Jerry Gosling
Join Jerry and Norma for the second leg of their 32-day cruise to the Orient. They visit Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and China. In Shanghai, Jerry rides the Maglev rail which travels at 431 km per hour. He has visual proof of this speed!
TEN YEARS IN THIRD WORLD MISSION HOSPITALS
November 4, 2010
John & Ruth Lennox
Doctors and other medical staff face difficulties in any hospital. But working in a mission hospital in Third World countries carries its own set of challenges. The Lennoxes have ten years of such experiences to share with us -- the good, the bad, the amusing and the tragic.
VETERAN'S DAY November 11: No Classes
METEOROLOGY
November 18, 2010
Ernie Saunders
We've been trying to understand and predict the weather for thousands of years. What will it be like tomorrow? How far away are those thunderclouds? Will it be snowing in Winnipeg by the time I get there? So much depends on our ability to see and interpret weather patterns. Ernie will discuss meteorology from a pilot's point of view, and tell us about innovations that try to make it more accurate. Bring your questions!
MANAGING STRESS IN A STRESS-CRAZY WORLD
November 25, 2010
David Harper
We are all stressed, but did you know that there's good stress and bad stress? Do you know how much stress you're coping with and how well you're managing? In this workshop you will learn to identify your own good and bad stressors and discover how to effectively manage them.
WHAT IS EFFECTIVE SUPPORT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSERS?
December 2, 2010
Brian Gross
Recovery from drug use, abuse or addiction can take many forms. The best approach is the one a person is ready to try. At IMPACT, an Abbotsford-based counselling centre, this may include one-to-one counselling, supervised detoxification, residential recovery and several other methods. There have been both tragic endings and miraculous turnarounds, says today's speaker. But "we have always seen positive change for those who are ready and willing to change."
EXPERIENCING ETHIOPIA
December 9, 2010
Bill & Marianne Thiessen
With the help of unique photography and stories of human interest, the Thiessens portray a country with a profoundly deep-rooted history; a resilient people who have endured frequent hardships of famine and conflicts; and a land of breathtaking beauty, including the famous and treacherous Blue Nile.