Professor Umbetwellie on Education Matters

editor's note: My thanks to Dr. Umbetwellie for the wisdom he shared with a young education student. "Be sure you're right, then go ahead". And thanks too, for his offer to add comments to this blog on an on-going basic. Even in retirement, the Professor continues to be an inspirational voice to so many.

Henry Ombetwellie, Nov. 30, 2009
I've followed your storytelling and impassioned letter writing for some time now, and often cring at your policy of never taking prisoners, I admire your effort to bring important issues to the floor for discussion. If I can help with this feature, I'm happy to do so. BTW, you still have not handed in that paper on the Progressive Education Movement, even though I agreed to give you a pass in Methods 105 on the condition that I get it soon. Henry Ombetwellie.

ps: editor's note: It's in the mail, Henry. Sorry 'bout that. Jack

Tale of the Two-Headed Giant

They might be called Peak and Climo for short; full names are Peak Oil and Climate Change, and they're the two heads of the same monster we've all helped to create and now need to deal with before it's too late. See the full story in the Maple Ridge News, Wed. Nov. 25th issue. www.mapleridgenews.com Jack Emberly

On the Home Front

Listening Patiently to Criticism: The wife says I have a way of describing the opinions of others as closed-mindedness-when they differ from mine. This is an idea that has never really occured to me before and one which I have promised to be open-minded about in the future. I'll give you a progress report.

New CD-Tales from the Little Red Schoolhouse

My new story and song CD entitled, 'Tales from the Little Red Schoolhouse' is about to be released. Look for the launching date to be announced before Xmas. It would make a fantastic story gift for a boy or girl from grades 3 to 7.My opinion, of course. see www.myspace.com/jackemberly

Green Party Wants Answers to North Alouette River Fish Kill
read the whole story on their website: www.greenparty.bc.ca
/news/2009-09-25

A small sample of 100,000 fry sized fish I discovered on the river, May 25th and reported to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. They did not begin an investigation until 4 weeks had elapsed, and still have not reported any progress. DFO initially refused to accept these fish for analysis, and when they did no actually testing occured to determine possible cause of death. see www.savethealouette.ca

and www.youtube.com/riveralouette

Hidden BC Fish Protection Act Could Save N.Alouette River

The BC Fish Protection Act could declare the N.Alouette a specially protected or "sensitive" salmon stream which would restrict water use by cranberry farmers, and maintain essential habitat, but it hasn't been put in force by the Liberal Government.
The FPA, or Bill 25, was drafted by the NDP in 1997 to enlist the cooperation of all users in the need to consider salmon runs throughout the province, but has sat on a shelf in Victoria since 2001 when the Campbell Government took office. Regulations in the Act would require farmers to conserve water, meter and monitor its use, repair any damage to streams, and hire consultants to assess any activity planned around the river. This Act needs to be fully implemented, and the N.Alouette needs to receive status as a sensitive river immediately. Look for a link to the full story soon.

Welcome to Jack Emberly's new blog

Many thanks to Claus Andrup of Radio Free Haney for jump starting this voyage into cyberspace. This blog will house my essential rantings on subjects ranging from Education in B.C. to dead fish in the North Alouette River. Hopefully, someone out there will read them and be interested enough to write back. In this way, I'm hoping to vent my frustrations while encouraging positive action in our community.