Arjun Singh's Podcast Page: Recent Episodes
Arjun Singh
Kamloops needs more doctors. I learnt more today about a solid initiative to attract more of the right types of doctors to town.
Venture Kamloops Executive Director Dan Sulz gave a great talk to the Kamloops Rotary Club this afternoon. In front of a membership made up of local business people and professionals, Dan presented about the Red Carpet program for physicians thinking about locating / relocating to Kamloops.
The Red Carpet program is designed to provide a warm welcome to doctors, their spouses, and families. It also allow them to experience the many amenities Kamloops has to offer.
The program also offers reputable local businesses the opportunity to provide products and services as part of the Red Carpet welcome packages.
So far, since November 2009, twelve doctors have been attracted to Kamloops through the program. I am so glad that Venture Kamloops is targeting and measuring its programs. I wrote about my thinking about this here.
Venture Kamloops has more information about the Red Carpet program.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
I sound pretty goofy in my intro to this podcast. Dale, by contrast, sounds ever her intelligent and engaging self.
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 Olympic
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
I'm very pleased to bring to you a 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...
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
Former TRU President Kathleen Scherf, of who I am a fan, speaks about her unusualness and being a role model for others
A conversation with the manager of Sahali Mall in Kamloops, Sara Reynolds. Learn more about the Sahali Mall advantage 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
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 !
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 -2600 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?
I found this wideranging convesation so interesting. All about the activities of the North Shore Business Improvement Association with its innovative leader, Peter Mutrie....
00:53 - what is the North Shore BIA
02:22 - mens clothing store wanted
02:37 - other types of businesses wanting to
attract - entertainment, restaurants, artistic businesses
03:13 - international flavour
03:50 - North Shore BIA events - banner festival, outdoor art gallery, art walk, makeovers
06:48 - North Shore ambience, artistic centre
07:40 - business makeovers, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CEPTED)
11:35 - other aspects of the North Shore Business Opportunity
13:20 - catering to global investment
14:35 - most diverse neighbourhood in Kamloops
15:46 - Kamloopsians taking charge of their own destiny, entrepreneurialism, tournament capital program
17:41 - the business case for tackling social issues, the root causes
21:06 - NSBIA social enterprise projects, relationship building
24:43 - the Power of Partnerships
26:17 - business is an exciting world, not working in silos
27:15 - NSBIA web site and email
I was honoured that Kathleen Scherf, TRU's new President, took the time to have this conversation with me about our amazing university. We talk about Kathleen's background, the nature of a TRU education, and also about her experiences managing a large, diverse, rapidly changing institution.
Here is a roadmap for the audio:
01:08: how did you get interested in teaching and academia
02:46: How did you become a Frankenstein scholar
07:55: How did you get into university administration
10:05: Tribute to Roger Barnsley
11:14 - Changing the Culture of TRU
11:58 - How did you find about TRU President Opening and fall
in love with TRU
13:34 - breaking the mold of a University President a bit
14:28 - the mom car, the parking ticket on the first day
16:43 - has been kind of unusual been a challenge, being who
you are and trying to being a role model
19:05 - what makes a TRU education special - your vision?
21:23 - small classes and large classes
23:13 - value of President teaching first year students
25:54 - how do liberal arts students become financially
independent?
27:45 - a comprehensive university preparing students well
28:34 - Law School update
33:54 - House of Learning update, other capital projects - Old
Main repairs
36:17 - Managing a large, diverse, rapidly changing institution:
collegial governance, transparent leadership,
team concept
00:42 - moved to Kamloops 2.5 years ago, born&raised in Meford Ont
02:19 - getting hired by Betty Hinton, the pAssport crunch opportunity
04:15 - Kevin's pre Kamloops history of community involvement
04:42 - what it was like working for an MP
06:03 - the Michael Crawford domain name incident
10:18 - running for city council, municipal politics so much more practical, great experience
16:25 - the Ins and outs of a successful council campaign
17:47 - young people voting, getting involved. How do we get more of that?
21:04 - Barack Obama
22:48 - Kevin one of newest members on city social planning council, business community / social advocates integration
28:10 - takeways from a younger person who is involved in his community.
This short podcast needs a little bit of context. Denis Walsh is a great friend of mine. I served on Kamloops City Council from late 2005 to late 2008. Denis was elected in late 2008. I ran again and fell two places out of being re-elected.
Issues discussed:
- Clean Air Day 2009
- Steep Learning Curve
- Trip to Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention in Whistler BC
My good Jason Wassing talks about his daughter's philanthropy and about the Kamloops technology industry scene in 2009.
Show Notes
00:46 - What is the Arts Council, who do you represent and support, how are you different than other local arts organizations?
03:20 - How do people contact you?
04:24 - Free use of exhibition space for members
05:59 - Helping people sell arts. Art in the Park July 1st
07:42 - How did you personally get involved? The relationship between arts administrators and artists
08:54 - How the Arts Council is run and funded. How many members?
11:02 - Why is the Arts important in Kamloops?
14:02 - BC Arts and Culture Week April 19th-26th. Art Walk between Aoril 23rd and May 18th
14:56 - kick off to Art Walk: Body Beautiful Live Tattoo show. All Welcome, 7pm to 9pm, April 23rd, 319 Victoria Street
16:31 - lantern making workshops in partnership with Kamloops Central BIA, Aprl 23 - 25
18:05 - Free Childrens Festival at Riverside Park, Sept 12th, 11am to 4pm\
March 19th 2009
Another really interesting conversation. This time, with Tara Ettinger, coordinator of the Kamloops Community Action and Assessment Network (CAAN), which strives to improve the situation around youth gangs in Kamloops and region. I am so convinced that the work of this committee is so right and so critical, that I did a bit of editorializing myself in the interview.
Tara talked a lot about "non obvious" approaches and about about her personal experience with misperceptions about youth.
Tara is organizing a series of forums on preventing youth in gangs - March 31, April 7th, and April 14th. For more information, here is Tara's email.
Interview topics
00:38 - what is the CAAN
01:25 - CAAN predates current concerns in BC about gang violence
01:53 - CAAN activities
03:03 - info on th upcoming forums
05:45 - community strengths and gaps
06:37 - dealing with root cause, instead of symptoms
07:50 - getting non traditional parties involved
10:02 - case studies: transit exchange and skateboard park
13:50 - perceptions and misperceptions
16:45 - contact Tara for more info on forums
Ken McClelland's website: http://www.keninkamloops.com/
0:48 - surprised by the rapid change in real estate market?
2:04 - real estate market getting back to normal
2:36 - houses between 250k and 45 0k
3:17 - good market for first time buyers
3:51- good market for buying "up", going to a more expensive housing category
4:32 - strategies in this market for when you need to sell relatively quickly
6:12 - realtors leaving the business and the issue of full time and part time realtors
7:27 - investment properties in this market: "buying and holding" not "quick in and out"
37 minutes with Dr Penny Powers from the TRU Environmental Advisory Committee. A wonderful opportunity to chat about:
- Sustainability efforts at TRU
- How Penny got interested in the Environment
- The importance of paying attention to politics and the difficulty of talking
passionately about issues.
An Interview with Deb Steele, Community Awareness Coordinator for the Society, Feb 6th 2009