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Ross Lockwood returns to ‘earth’ after 120 days in Mars simulation

August 8th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Ross Lockwood returns to ‘earth’ after 120 days in Mars simulation)

Can you imagine experiencing a long-duration mission on Mars—while here on Earth?

picture 569Ross Lockwood grew up in the small Canadian town of Winfield, British Columbia, where he developed a passion for science, engineering, and space exploration. Last week, he arrived “back on Earth” after completing a 120-day-long NASA Mars simulation mission called HI-SEAS. The HI-SEAS project  is funded by the NASA Human Research Program for four research missions of extended duration of four months to a year, in an analog of Mars missions.

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The rise of Ebola is pushing us to prepare for future outbreaks

August 8th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on The rise of Ebola is pushing us to prepare for future outbreaks)

West Africa’s Ebola crisis is a harbinger of future outbreaks and a test of how well Canada will do against worse infections, says The Tyee’s Crawford Kilian

picture 570The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommended July 31, 2014 that Canadians avoid all non-essential travel to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone due to an ongoing Ebola virus outbreak in the region.

Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever) is a severe, often fatal illness, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%. The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola is one of the world’s most virulent diseases.

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Musicians highlight Columbian Centre community party Saturday

August 8th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Musicians highlight Columbian Centre community party Saturday)

Performers Donna Konsorado and celtic-folk group Trinitude are set to perform at the annual Neighbours Being Neighbours community gathering on Saturday August 9th 83439nanaimoCommunity_Gathering_WEB

Two Nanaimo-area musicians will be showcasing their talents at an upcoming community festival. Performers Donna Konsorado and celtic-folk group Trinitude are set to perform at the annual Neighbours Being Neighbours community gathering on Saturday (Aug. 9).

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Creating defensible urban community space

July 29th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Creating defensible urban community space)

Nanaimo’s Wisteria Lane neighbours look to the structure of physical spaces to reduce crime, increase stability

picture 566During the recent past, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada, there has been an increasing interest in the effects of neighbourhoods on the health of the people living in them. Researchers and policy-makers have come to understand that the characteristics of neighbourhoods, whether measured in terms of their physical, social or economic attributes, can have important impacts on individuals.

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Q&A with T. J. Dawe at Nanaimo’s Harbour City Theatre

July 29th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Q&A with T. J. Dawe at Nanaimo’s Harbour City Theatre)

The “Lord of the Fringe” was in Nanaimo to present his latest monologue Marathon as a fundraiser for the Nanaimo Fringe Festival

picture 567Acclaimed fringe theatre veteran TJ Dawe performed his latest show, Marathon, in mid-July in Nanaimo as a benefit for the city’s Fringe Festival. Weaving together varied interests and relentlessly pursuing self-discovery, TJ creates intimate and engaging shows that always leave his audiences with something to chew on.

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The story of a young Indigenous woman coming of age in Canada in the 1980s

July 29th, 2014 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on The story of a young Indigenous woman coming of age in Canada in the 1980s)

Creative nonfiction story Tilly: a Story of Hope and Resilience captures spirit of hope, recovery

monique gray smithMonique Gray Smith, an accomplished consultant, writer and speaker, was at the Gabriola Island Public Library earlier this year discussing her new book about a First Nations woman’s journey to sobriety.

The book is called Tilley: A Story of Hope and Resilience. “It’s the story of one woman’s journey from early addiction and alcoholism to discovering who she is as a mixed heritage person,” Gray Smith told the Nanaimo News Bulletin. “Even though it’s a story based on First Nations people and history, it really is a story of common humanity around recovery and the ability to move past early obstacles in life.”

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