We impede evolution and the development of the human species if we neglect the aged.”   -- James Hillman, Force of Character “Ve gett too soon oldt undt too late schmartt!  -- sign seen in a joke shop The value of Elders: obsolete, replaced, or persisting? I had begun a column on Elders in March this year, but the pandemic ...

What we refer to as “plastic” hasn’t been around for long. But its usefulness has caused production to skyrocket — from about two million tonnes in 1950 to almost 400 million tonnes a year now, and rising steadily. It’s a problem. Although much of it can be recycled, most isn’t. That’s led many local and national governments...

First responders have reached out to media outlets to remind everyone that drivers must – by law – pull over and stop when emergency vehicles approach with sirens on and their emergency lights flashing, from either direction.  Ambulance drivers, fire trucks, police vehicles – all have recently noticed that some drivers seem...

As president-elect Joe Biden pledges to correct course on U.S. climate policy, The Narwhal spoke with the new leader of Canada’s Green Party about the future of her party and the country By Fatima Sayed, for The Narwhal Annamie Paul was a diplomat in Europe when Stephen Harper was elected as Canada’s prime minister almost 15...

Rossland author Rosa Jordan’s latest novel is a rich, varied and gripping read.  Its characters deal with life’s profound issues, including ambition, love, loyalty, illness and death – and Jordan handles them deftly, with generous compassion and a touch of humour. A list of suggestions from Kurt Vonnegut to writers included one advising authors to […]

Powerful new awareness campaign keeps Rossland residents connected to people living with dementia Imagine you’ve worked hard to build a career you love and a great social circle. Then you’re diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s disease. Instead of offering support, your friend makes a joke of your diagnosis. And then your...

By Scott B. Rankin and Angus J. Duff, for The Conversation A growing number of people are redefining what “home” looks like. For many of them, it looks like a van. The trend to #vanlife is fuelled by the declining affordability of homes, rental shortages in urban centres and resort communities, and by a shift in our definition...

By Lucas Alejandro Garibaldi,  Claire Kremen,  Erle C. Ellis, and Sandra Diaz, for The Conversation The big idea Restoring native habitats to at least 20% of the world’s land currently being used by humans for farming, ranching and forestry is necessary to protect biodiversity and slow species loss, according...

I want to start by congratulating all the candidates in the recent provincial election.  As I write this, it seems clear that the successful candidates in the South Okanagan-West Kootenay area were incumbents Dan Ashton and Katrine Conroy and newcomer Roly Russell.  But I know from experience how difficult it can be to step...

By Sean Spence, on The Conversation In April 2020, the United Nation’s Secretary-General, António Guterres, addressed members of the Security Council by warning them that the COVID-19 pandemic could threaten global peace and security. If the health crisis was not managed effectively, he feared that its negative economic...