Arjun Singh's Podcast Page

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 Gallery03:19 - Jann arrived at time of waterfront development proposal referendum           wanted to build a new gallery, took 10 more years04:33 - history behind the creation of the Art Gallery05:43 - 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 times09:00 - the mandates and artistic vision of the Art Gallery: quite varied10:56 - building the present Art Gallery12:19 - Gallery membership base13:20 - featured Gallery programs16:48 - factors contributing to the success of the Gallery17:50 - life lessons from Jann Bailey19:09 - 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 mall01:59 - Sara's responsibilities at the mall02:28 - spaces for lease at the mall03:18 - new owners committment03:52 - dispelling rumour that mall will be torn down04:38 - advantages to locating store in Sahali Mall05:56 - new  mall web site, www.sahalimall.ca07:29 - use of twitter and facebook08:45 - free non profit display space09:50 - artist collective in mall10:54 - 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 attendeesGreen 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 BIA02:22  - mens clothing store wanted 02:37 -  other types of businesses wanting to                 attract - entertainment, restaurants, artistic businesses03:13 - international flavour 03:50 - North Shore BIA events - banner festival, outdoor art gallery, art walk, makeovers 06:48 - North Shore ambience, artistic centre07:40 - business makeovers, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CEPTED)11:35 - other aspects of the North Shore Business Opportunity13:20  - catering to global investment14:35  - most diverse neighbourhood in Kamloops15:46 -  Kamloopsians taking charge of their own destiny, entrepreneurialism, tournament capital program17:41  - the business case for tackling social issues, the root causes21:06 - NSBIA social enterprise projects, relationship building24:43 - the Power of Partnerships26:17 - business is an exciting world, not working in silos27:15 - 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 Ont02:19 - getting hired by Betty Hinton, the pAssport crunch opportunity04:15 - Kevin's pre Kamloops history of community involvement04:42 - what it was like working for an MP06:03 - the Michael Crawford domain name incident10:18 -  running for city council, municipal politics so much more practical, great experience16:25 - 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 Obama22:48 -  Kevin one of newest members on city social planning council, business community / social advocates integration28:10    -  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.

Delivered at the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce AGM.

Show Notes00:46  - 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 members05:59  - Helping people sell arts. Art in the Park July 1st07:42  - How did you personally get involved? The relationship between arts administrators and artists08:54  - 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

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 normal2:36 - houses between 250k and 45  0k3:17 - good market for first time buyers3:51- good market for buying "up", going to a more expensive housing category4:32     - strategies in this market for when you need to sell relatively quickly6:12   - realtors leaving the business and the issue of full time and part time realtors7:27 - 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