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Kamloops Energy Fair - Understand These Businesses Please!!

This picture was a quickie from my iphone. In hindsight, I obviously should have moved closer and to one side to avoid that nasty bit of metal in the middle of the shot. My only excuse was I was running late for a seminar!

A Really Important Event
Government at all levels and of all stripes are making grant money and attractive programs available to citizens who are trying to be more green in their lifestyles. I spent a lot of time yesterday browsing around the different exhibitor booths at the Kamloops Energy Fair and found a great many businesses in the renewal energy world - solar, geothermal, wind, electric bicycles, and scooters - and much much more.

There's another very important point to make about Kamloops fledgling renewable energy industry. If we as a community don't take the time to understand the value propositions these companies are offering, this industry might stutter and stop before it really gets off the ground.

I would encourage those who were not able to attend yesterday to look at the virtual trade show (online listing of all the exhibitors).

Thanks to all the folks at the Kamloops chapter of the BCSEA for another incredible event!

Online Neighbourhood Networks...

I'm faciliting a "blue sky" session on this tomorrow, at the Kamloops Energy Fair. Very passionate about this concept:

Online Networks in our Neighbourhoods by Arjun Singh

Upstairs Lounge, 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm.

This workshop will explore the concept of websites, online forums, and blogs connecting people living within neighbourhoods in Kamloops. For example, a Lower Sahali group or a Brocklehurst network could help neighbours get to know each other, share news, and and even buy or swap goods and services. Online networks can be a positive way to build connections, and each group can be creative about the ways they want to use them. Come out and be prepared for an active discussion!

Why tomorrow's Kamloops Energy Fair is so frickin important!

Ran across this posting on Stephen Rees very good transportation and urban areas blog. It's about an MIT peer reviewed comprehensive study on climate change. Here's the money quote:

The most comprehensive modeling yet carried out on the likelihood of how much hotter the Earth’s climate will get in this century shows that without rapid and massive action, the problem will be about twice as severe as previously estimated six years ago — and could be even worse than that.

This is a completely worrying study, but also one that showcases the great opportunity if we do act now. I firmly believe the business community needs to lead the way, as with so many other issues.

I'm so grateful to the people involved with the local chapter of the BC Sustainable Energy Association who have organized yet another Kamloops Energy Fair.

This year's event runs tomorrow, Saturday May 23rd, from 12pm to 5pm at the McArthur Island Sports Centre.

    Here are further details:

Look who's coming to the Energy Fair!

• See wind turbines, solar panels, a micro-hydro system.
• Learn how to measure the electricity consumed by your household appliances.
• See what TRU is offering in Sustainable Energy Technology.
• Learn how an Earthship home uses passive solar heating.
• Find out how growing food in our community saves energy.
• See energy-saving ways of using the new Home Renovation Tax Credit
• Discover ideas to reduce your carbon footprint and save money.

Our Exhibitors list is posted here and is updated regularly.

Speakers and Workshops

Join our workshops and learn about the award-winning Green Dream Home, how online neighbourhood networks can make our lives easier, and growing food in your backyard.

Workshops and presentations are open to anyone on a drop-in basis, at no charge.

Information about Speakers and Workshops is posted here and is updated regularly

A referendum on water meters?

As I mentioned here, I support City Council's decision to go to water meters. I should have added the best way to resolve this issue, I still think, is to go to referendum. Then the ghost of the last referendum would not hang over council's collective head. I think this referendum would go in favour of meters, if it were to occur.

The Push to Replace Jayme Russell...what can we do?

With the gang crackdown in the lower mainland, and with the imprisonment of Kamloops gang leader Jayme Russell, one has to wonder if there might be interest from some coastal criminals in filling what might perceived an "opportunity" in our community.

I really no have idea actually. But, a friend asked me the other day if I had noticed more sporty souped up luxury cars with tinted windows than normal. I haven't but he says he has.

I know the RCMP must be thinking about this, but have no idea what steps they would try to take, or what the community can do to help keep organized crime out.

Is the Enemy Really the Cul-De-Sac?

Cue thought provoking video:

Kevin Krueger on Premier Campbell's Committment to Free Votes...

Last week, on the Jim Harrison Show, Jim had both Terry Lake and Kevin Krueger on together to talk about the provincial election campaign and their plans as MLAs for the next 4 years.

In a discussion on Cabinet positions, Kevin made some interesting points. First, he noted that he found it tougher to provide strong constituent services once he got into Cabinet. So,  Cabinet representation can be a double edged sword for a community.

He also spoke about Gordon Campbell's commitment to free votes. This is pretty exciting, in my view, and will help MLAs better represent the interests of their ridings.

 Here is a verbatim transcript:

Premier made it clear to everyone of us, before we signed on as candidates, let alone got elected, that we would have free voice and free vote on everything except throne and budget speech, confidence matters, and those caucus is thoroughly consulted...

Here is the audio clip from the Jim Harrison Show,

Kamloops Chamber announces New "Green" Categories for 2009 Business Excellence Awards

It's a positive signal from the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. Added to the categories for the 2009 edition of the annual Business Excellence Awards are categories for "green" businesses of various sizes. The way I read the category descriptions, the award could go to businesses who embed sustainability in their everyday activities, which opens up the award to businesses outside of the environmental sector.

Congrats to the Chamber and BC Hydro is sponsoring the green awards.

I hope one day the Chamber also reconsiders resurrecting their category for Corporate Citizenship (not just because I was nominated once). There are a lot of businesses who give so much back to Kamloops and we should continue to recognize them anyway we can.