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Spotlight is on Nanaimo bullying

April 7th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Spotlight is on Nanaimo bullying)

A violent incident in Nanaimo has refocused attention on bullying, schools, parents and social media

A Nanaimo woman has established a Facebook page called Bullying Awareness in Nanaimo in the aftermath of a high-profile incident involving teenaged girls that found its way onto YouTube and is now the focus of a police investigation.

Several teens assaulted a Nanaimo girl while more than a dozen others watched and videotaped the attack. The assault took place over spring break in the parking lot at Woodgrove Centre. Criminologists and police say the incident is part of a bigger issue related to social media and how it has been used to glamorize fighting. Kristyn Robert, who herself was bullied while attending a Nanaimo school, says that “enough is enough.” She hopes to start a campaign to stop bullying through the involvement of local schools. (more…)

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Permaculture sustainability in demand

April 7th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Permaculture sustainability in demand)

Working in harmony with natural principles, method maximizes effect while minimizing the work involved

“Permaculture is about creating a world where we can live indefinitely,” writes Javan Kerby Bernakevitch. The term was coined as a combination of the words permanent and agriculture, and then permanent and culture, and its origins as a movement and educational approach can be traced back to the late 1970s.

Permaculture is finding its way into educational programs and local initiatives, and in the process becoming a local response to larger problems. In Edmonton, a high school’s Aboriginal 30 class provides a way for new, more sustainable forms of growing food to be combined with aboriginal traditions. And instructors such as those at Permaculture BC are focusing on theory and hands-on activities for people who want to incorporate this approach to sustainability and food security more deeply into their lives. (more…)

Dentists to volunteer at new clinic

April 7th, 2011 | Posted by pfmarchive in uncategorized - (Comments Off on Dentists to volunteer at new clinic)

Community dental clinic in Nanaimo will provide dental care for people with low incomes

A group called Community Organized Dental Clinic, working with Volunteer Nanaimo, is about to open a dental clinic for people in the city who aren’t able to afford dental care. The group initially received a grant from the City of Nanaimo’s Social Planning Advisory Committee and it then worked with volunteer tradespeople to prepare a space for the clinic at 489 Wallace Street. The clinic, which was two and a half years in the planning and making, now has four volunteer dentists, but seeks additional dentists as well as other volunteers to schedule appointments and help with bookkeeping. (more…)

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