Friday Presentations

Winter/ Spring 2025 presentations commence with our usual Meet and Greet on Friday, January 10th at 10 AM

Selkirk College Silver King Campus rm 112/113   10am-12 noon

Drop-in for members $3/session

Download the Winter-Spring 2025 Presentation Details

Download the Presentation & Course Calendar 

January
Jan.10

Meet and Greet

LIR course instructors will give a brief overview of their winter/spring courses. Registration for courses begins at 12:30pm on Jan 10. Information on winter/spring courses and registration procedures will be emailed to all LiR members and posted on the LiR website.

Jan.17

The Power of Story Telling – Mike Funergy

Stories have been told as far back as we can remember, and they’re still just as powerful today. Stories have been used to bring people together, teach lessons, form nations, start revolutions, sell products, and everything in between!

Mike Funergy is a storyteller and host of Kootenay Mornings on Kootenay Co- Op Radio. He has appeared at the Toronto International Storytelling Festival, Storytellers of Canada National Conference, Vancouver’s Science World, and on various podcasts along with teaching a variety of storytelling workshops. Mike is also an Expressive Arts Therapist, clown, and puppeteer.

Jan.24

 

Climate Change:1772-2024 Action and Inaction -Ron Robinson, Greg Amos

Ron and Greg will discuss how our understanding of climate change has developed since 1772, the push back from industry, the bad news, the good news and what you can do. There will be a focus on the current Sue Big Oil campaign in B.C

Ron Robinson has been a local climate advocate since 2013 and part of the West Kootenay Climate Hub organizing Team. Ron has facilitated 3 Climate Discussion sessions for LIR.

Greg Amos has been a West Kootenay Climate Hub member since 2019 and coordinator of the Sue Big Oil West Kootenay campaign.

Jan.31

The Scoop On Kootenay Co-op Radio – Stephenie Hendricks, Richard Metzner

Kootenay Co-op Radio programmers Stephenie Hendricks and Richard Metzner share the history and current state of affairs for the area’s community radio station. They will offer important reasons why community radio is so crucial, especially in this day and age. Both have amusing anecdotes about being KCR programmers

Stephenie currently hosts two “Spoken Word” shows – Kootenay Morning and What if? She has interviewed the Parliamentary Chair of the Federal Intelligence Committee, Canadian medics live from Poland working in Ukraine, Senators, Members of Parliament, and other decision makers as well as interesting individuals in the community. Stephenie Hendricks started in community radio at age 15 at the Pacifica Radio Network flagship station, KPFA, in Berkeley, California. She went on to work in commercial live radio and television talk shows and in public broadcasting.

Richard Metzner started programming on KCR in 2001 shortly after the station’s 1999 inception. He also founded the Kootenay Blues Society, where he brings major Blues acts from all over to Nelson, as well as supporting local Blues artists. His program “Make Room for the Blues” has been airing on KCR since the early 2000’s. Both Stephenie and Richard, like all KCR programmers, are volunteers.

February
Feb.7

The Nelson Pier and Our Public Realm – Marc Boutin

The presentation will offer a description of the new Nelson Pier, its design intentions including its urban design ideas, material and tectonic ideas, and its connection to the famous Ladybird racing boat. As well, the presentation will discuss how the new pier contributes to Nelson’s public realm.

Marc Boutin has studied architecture, architectural history and sculpture throughout Canada, in Barcelona and Rome. He taught architecture at the University of Calgary from 1997 to 2023. His architectural practice has focused on the synthesis of art, architecture, and urban design, and has been recognized nationally and internationally. Marc was the recipient of the 2002 Prix de Rome and is a Fellow in the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Art

Feb.14

Grief is Love: Nelson and District Hospice Society – Lonnie Facchina, Jane DiGiacomo

Lonnie and Jane will talk about Nelson & District Hospice Society, including the Society’s history and what we do for our community. Dying and grief are subjects that we often try not to think about, making it a lonely experience that feels taboo. Ask us questions and let us share stories and tools to make end of life and mourning less frightening.

Lonnie has 12 years of experience with NDHS and is currently the Board Chair. She has worked for many years in the health care field supporting seniors along with people with MS and and clients dealing with mental illness. Previously she was a business owner in Nelson.

Jane has 25 years management experience with not-for-profit organizations. She is currently the executive director of the Nelson and District Hospice Society. She has certifications in psych-social care from Victoria Hospice and death doula training. Previously she was a practicing attorney for 15 years.

Feb.21*

 

The Harrop-Proctor Community Forest – Ken Foot

Ken will share the history of how 2 small villages on Kootenay Lake became one of the first Community Forests in BC and how Eco System Based Planning created the platform for truly sustainable forestry. He’ll explain the importance of protecting community watersheds, creating jobs and the current strategies to manage the forest while considering the future effects of climate change.

Ken Foot is a Forest Technician, one of the founders of the Community Forest, a Woodlands Manager for 7 years, a current Log Scaler and has presented to communities all over the province of BC.

* NOTE: This is ONLY acccessible via Zoom (See our weekly LiR email for access).

Feb.28

Teaching Abroad – Andy Leathwood

Andy will share a history of his time spent as Head of School (Turkey and Japan) and Chair of Accreditation teams (8 countries) internationally. He’ll discuss similarities and differences between cultures along with lessons learned and descriptions of overall experiences.

Andy Leathwood is a retired Head of School who spent 43 years working in education. His teaching background includes PE, Math, Science and Health and Career Education. He has worked at all levels of administration, including five years as the Director of Innovative Learning Services for SD8 and as Head of School at Tarsus American College (Turkey) and Marist Brothers International School (Japan). He now enjoys a variety of activities such as cross country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, squash, golf and hiking. He continues to lead accreditation teams internationally for the Council of International Schools

March
Mar.7

Wildlife Mating – Alistair Fraser, Cynthia Fraser

In the many years of talks given at various local places, the only one on wildlife mating was given last summer by us at Kokanee Creek Park. This is a bit odd in that mating is one of the two basic things that a species depends upon for survival.

Both Alistair Fraser and Cynthia Fraser enjoy photographing wildlife. Alistair is retired and Cynthia works for social and environmental organizations.

Mar.14*

Naked Eye Astronomy – Brian d’Eon

A chance to increase your familiarity with the night sky—a quick survey of all 88 constellations and the objects of interest within them. A guide to when and where you should point your binoculars. A follow-up night-out session is possible.

Brian is an unabashed generalist with a lifelong interest in astronomy. He has owned a telescope since he was ten years old. He is thrilled to be living in the golden age of astronomy where new discoveries are made almost daily.

* NOTE: This is ONLY acccessible via Zoom (See our weekly LiR email for access).

Mar.21

Altitude Project: Education in Upper Dolpo Nepal – David Swain

Altitude Project’s primary mission is to support education in the remote Upper Dolpo region of Nepal. This region is culturally and linguistically Tibetan and it includes some of the highest altitude villages on the planet. We also operate a hostel in Kathmandu for 30 students attending secondary level education. Altitude Project Community Support Foundation is a non-profit society registered in BC and a registered charity in Canada.

David Swain is the founder and president of Altitude Project Community Support Foundation. He has travelled the Himalaya region of Nepal extensively for the past 15 years. Previously he was the director with PRT Growing Services, the largest forest seedling nursery in North America.

Mar.28

My Life in Cartoons: Reflections on Animated Filmmaking – Steve Evangelatos

The presentation will start with a brief overview of the evolution of animation, both technically and as an art form. Following this will be a discussion of my own life in the industry over the course of 44 years. Lastly will be a presentation of a case study of the creation and production of a sample animated project, Apple TV’s The Snoopy Show, which I directed for 4 years

Steve has worked in animation since the age of 19, starting as a lowly “inbetweener,” before moving up to animator and eventually director. He ran his own studio for 15 years, and has been involved with features, TV shows and commercials. He has directed some well-known animated names, from Bugs Bunny and Scooby Doo to Mickey Mouse and Charlie Brown!

April
Apr.4

Introduction to Whiskey – Geoff Burns

Participants will learn about the fundamental elements of the whisky making process. While the focus will be on Scotch whisky and the different regions and styles in that country, we will also touch on other world whiskies and how they all differ.

Geoff has been enjoying whisky for many years, but recently spent a year working at Glen Ord Distillery in Scotland. As an employee in one of Scotland’s largest whisky producers, he worked in retail, behind the bar, and most often as a guide describing the entire whisky making process.

Apr.11*

Reconciliation – Michele Morin

Michele will discuss what we can do for reconciliation and how to be a good ally.

Michele is a white-passing Indigenous woman, Traditional Knowledge keeper, Indigenous Studies Instructor for Selkirk College, and an Indigenous Social Work Instructor for UVic. She was born and raised in Nelson.

* NOTE: This is ONLY acccessible via Zoom (See our weekly LiR email for access).

Apr.18

SELKIRK CLOSED

Apr.25

Unarmed Civilian Protection: A Pragmatic Response to Violence – Randy Janzen

While most people do not want war, finding alternatives still seems elusive. Unarmed Civilian Protection (UCP) is deploying specially trained professionals to volatile situations to reduce violence, or to create safer space. Randy will give an overview of how this is currently being implemented around the globe, showcasing inspiring success stories and discussing ongoing challenges.

Randy is a retired instructor of Peace and Justice Studies at Selkirk College. He has written books and articles, has developed curriculum and conducted research on UCP. Randy recently returned from the West Bank where he was part of a team conducting a feasibility study to implement a large scale UCP project there.

 

May

May.2

Traversing the Mountains of SE BC – Douglas Noblet

Douglas will share his Images and tales of 3 ski traverses of the entire length of the Selkirk, Purcell, and Monashee Mountains along with a summer traverse of a section of the Purcell Mountains

Douglas is a photographer, pilot, and avalanche professional and has lived in Nelson most of his life.

 

May.9

LiR AGM- LiR Board

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Nelson and Area

Learning in Retirement Society

Nelson, BC

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Nelson and Area Learning in Retirement Society is a non-profit run by seniors for seniors, working in partnership with Community Education at Selkirk College to provide a diverse program of speakers, courses and activities for its members.

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