Welcome to Your Kamloops!

Podcast: Rob Purdy on the Big Picture of Sustainability...

 

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pagedooley/4370352638/

One of the organizers of the Kamloops Energy Fair, and former BC Wildlife Park manager Rob Purdy, spoke to me about some big picture sustainability issues. Recorded at the 2010 Kamloops Energy Fair on June 19th 2010. Almost 7 minutes.

Audio Map

00:00  - big picture of sustainability
00:22 - problems with oil based economy
01:03 - contribution of the Kamloops Energy Fair
02:06 - momentum towards transitioning to a cleaner energy society - key number is 13%.
03:55 - women another potential driver to greener world
          - green economy huge potential.
 

Podcast: Why The BC Grasslands Conservation Council Is Important....

I've been impressed with the work of the BC Grasslands Conservation Council (GCC). The GCC is based in Kamloops and, over the past years, they have worked cooperatively with governments and citizens to preserve what I now know to be quite a valuable resource.

 

At the 2010 Kamloops Energy Fair, as part of my podcast booth, I had the great opportunity to speak with Tasha Sargent, stewardship planner with the GCC, to find out more about the work of the GCC and its value to the province. The audio runs about 11 minutes and, I think, provides a good primer on the importance of the GCC.

Audio Map

 00:08 - what is the Grasslands Conservation Council and why grasslands are important    

01:50 - working closely with ranching industry, created monitoring manual for ranchers
 02:10 - how the GCC is funded, offer opportunity for membership
 03:16 - working with different levels of government (eg. City of Kamloops)
 04:13 - why should we care if species ( eg.that depend on grasslands) die out?
 06:14 - current grasslands conservation philosophy
 07:30 - how can people help conserve grasslands when using them for recreational purposes
 10:14 - pocket book for motorized users
www.bcgrasslands.org

Podcast: Talking to Grant Fraser...

 
Since I met Grant almost six years ago, I've been a great admirer of his mind and of his style. In other words, he is not only a forward thinker, he also has a knack for getting across his thoughts well. Grant is a former TNRD Director and Green Party candidate.

Here is the podcast:

In this conversation at Cowboy Coffee on the North Shore, we talk about:

00:45 - creosote gasification proposal

04:10 - airshed management plan

06:20 - Green Party / Green issues

08:45 - state of discussion on environmental issues in Canada

09:47 - impressions of the North Shore.

Podcast: A Conversation with Dale Bass, Kamloops This Week

 

I sound pretty goofy in my intro to this podcast. Dale, by contrast, sounds ever her intelligent and engaging self.

An audio map:

01:21 - Creosote Tie Gasification Proposal

04:35 - Kudos to School District Public Engagement

07:27 - Journalist and/versus Community Member

09:00 - Kudos for Mayor Peter Milobar

09:14 - General Impressions at Start of 2010 Vancouver Olympics

Podcast: A Conversation with Dr Tom Owen, Director of Environment and Sustainability at TRU

Early in 2009, Dr Tom Owen assumed a very important job in Kamloops. He became the first Director of Environment and Sustainability at Thompson Rivers University. I was really honoured when Tom agreed to an interview on Your Kamloops Radio. Under the player below, you will find an "audio map" of our conversation:

00:33 - how did he come to TRU
01:49- state of environment and sustainability of TRU when you arrived
03:41 - steps taken to carbon neutrality
05:15 - challenges and successes in measuring carbon footprint
06:48 -examples of new sustainability practices
07:48 - ways to provide feedback for TRU sustainability plan
08:55 - is it too late to stop climate change impacts?
10:21 - what the loss of species like salmon and grizzly bears could mean for humans
11:17 - what motivates you to work for sustainability and the environment
13:07 - does the economy in recession trump the environment? Political capital for core environmental value of environment
15:45 - environmental demographic change strategy
17:45 - climate change messaging, be positive, be pragmatic
19:47 - the green economy in Kamloops
21:58 - whats on deck in terms of TRU sustainability office activities in the near future
23:14 - sharing sustainability info with other BC Universities

Podcast - Melissa Lampman on Networked Journalism, Being a Reporter in Kamloops

A trailblazer in using social media for news reporting in Kamloops, Melissa Lampman graduated from journalism school at TRU. Find her at Kamloops This Week Online or on twitter (@mlampy):

 - 01:26 - Melissa's social media and the use of social media at Kamloops This Week
 - 02:23 - web first content at Kamloops This Week - twitter, facebook, web site
 - 02:55 - Melissa's use of twitter, Kamloops use of twitter
 - 06:50 - What Kamloops is like for a young journalist
 - 07:42 - big stories in Kamloops, Aug 2009
 - 08:17 - details on proposed cuts to arts funding
 - 10:02 - lots of interesting news in Kamloops
 - 11:40 - getting behind the issues of the day
 - 13:17 - importance of bringing positive, community content
 - 14:42 - journalistic input at Kamloops This Week
 - 16:04 - online at kamloopsthisweek.com

A Conversation with Jann Bailey, Executive Director of the Kamloops Art Gallery

 

Today, I'm very pleased to bring to you a podcast conversation I had with one of Canada's most successful arts administrators, the executive director of the Kamloops Arts Gallery, Jann Bailey.

Jann has led the Gallery in all of its most significant projects - the creation of a new, modern gallery space and the curation of the Canadian  entry in the Venice Bienalle, known as the Olympics of culture and the arts.

Jann is the very definition of a community leader, and I am so appreciative she shared some of her time with me...

(download this podcast directly on to your computer)

01:11 - how Jann became the Executive Director of the Art Gallery
03:19 - Jann arrived at time of waterfront development proposal referendum
           wanted to build a new gallery, took 10 more years
04:33 - history behind the creation of the Art Gallery
05:43 - is Kamloops a community that values the arts? if so, why and how?
06:44 - were there tough times?
07:22 - the importance of arts even in economically tough times
09:00 - the mandates and artistic vision of the Art Gallery: quite varied
10:56 - building the present Art Gallery
12:19 - Gallery membership base
13:20 - featured Gallery programs
16:48 - factors contributing to the success of the Gallery
17:50 - life lessons from Jann Bailey
19:09 - the incredible experience of curating at the Venice Biennale.
23:29 - upcoming Gallery events    
 

Podcast - Rediscovering Sahali Centre Mall

A conversation with the manager of Sahali Centre Mall, Sara Reynolds. Learn more about  Sahali Mall's advantages for shoppers, tenants, and the community at large.

01:01 - how Sara became manager of the mall
01:59 - Sara's responsibilities at the mall
02:28 - spaces for lease at the mall
03:18 - new owners committment
03:52 - dispelling rumour that mall will be torn down
04:38 - advantages to locating store in Sahali Mall
05:56 - new  mall web site, www.sahalimall.ca
07:29 - use of twitter and facebook
08:45 - free non profit display space
09:50 - artist collective in mall
10:54 - mall tenant mix and general mall ambience

Podcast - A Conversation with Mary-Ellen Grant about Green Drinks Kamloops...

 

Photo from TRU Alumni Newsletter November 2005

At the last Green Drinks Kamloops monthly get-together, had the privilege of recording this conversation with Mary-Ellen Grant, our fearless coordinator.

 0:47 - when green drinks meets   
 1:24 - what is green drinks?
 2:19 - welcoming to many people
 3:07 - drop in, informal format, fabulous discussions
 5:22 - motivation for Mary Ellen and other Green Drink leaders
 6:32 - when Green Drinks meet and where?
 7:12 - broad demographic of attendees

Green Drinks Kamloops meets the last Monday of every month from 5:30pm to 7pm at Lynx Grill. You can either drop in or come for the whole 90 minutes.

Mary Ellen Grant does a great job facilitating the group !

Podcast: Domtar's Bonny Skene, Kamloops Pulp Mill and Air Quaility

Thanks to Domtar's Bonny Skene for agreeing to answer some of my questions about the Kamloops Pulp Mill's request for an air permit amendment and extension. If you would like to provide feedback to Domtar on their request, their formal 60 day public consultation period ends on next Monday, August 11th. I would imagine folks could still contact Rick Adams at the Ministry of Environment after this.  

Domtar's contact info for this issue is on their air permit amendment web site.  Rick Adams' phone number is (250) 371-6225 and can be emailed.

Audio Map:

01:00 -  Can you briefly describe why Domtar is seeking this amendment to the Kamloops Mill air permit?

03:33 - Can you explain the proposed new stack configuration for the mill?

06:01 -  On the valley stacks, is there any way that you could avoid them?

07:27 - As this is the second extension request on the mill's air permit, can you give any confidence that Domtar will not seek further extensions?

09:58 - It's a pretty bad economic environment for pulp producers and some would say pulp producing is a secondary area of business for Domtar, what is Domtar's vision and outlook for the Mill?

13:05 - Is there a committment from the senior management of Domtar, those who the Kamloops Mill management report to, that this air quality work will be done by 2016?

15:05 - Concerns have been raised by West End Kamloops residents that their air quality may actually be worse if your proposal is granted, is this true?

19:27 - In my opinion the public engagement from Domtar on this air amendment has been well done, can you talk to the importance placed on consulting and engaging the community on this issue?