Opinion

Richard Mackenzie On Nov. 6, Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq unveiled the ship’s bell from the recently discovered wreck of Sir John Franklin’s HMS Erebus.

Back when I was young and fresh-faced, a University of Victoria researcher published a paper that shifted the ground under my idealistic, environmentally conscious, fair-trade sock-clad feet. The year was 1994.

When most of us think of a small town, we think of friendly neighbours and quiet streets — the type of place where you know almost everyone. I’m privileged to be elected as mayor of Invermere, which is pretty close to being a perfect small town.

It’s Monday and students trickle into the UVic Interfaith Chapel from around campus. They have come to practice meditation. When everyone has arrived, over 40 students sit in a large circle on meditation cushions.

A Liberal-majority committee of MLAs has endorsed a number of ideas from the public that would represent a bit of a course change for the government — if they’re pursued.

At the Highlands candidates’ forum last week, facilitator Alan Dolan explained how the forum would proceed — such things as who would speak and for how long — then finished with this admonition: “Use plain language.

I'm the first to admit that hashtags can be ridiculous. However, they can also help you quickly cut your way through the avalanche of Twitter, Instagram — even Facebook — to find information that is actually relevant to you.

I was both disturbed and enlightened by Tuesday’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Parliament Buildings. The ceremony itself was well done, and I found it heartwarming that thousands of people turned out for it.

[Update: A reader suggests zippered pockets to keep wallets from going astray. If not for pants, for a vest. But keep track of that vest. Another suggestion: put a tracking device in your wallet, like Tile. I have not tried it.

A recent Times Colonist editorial on the importance of prevention in improving health and reducing health care costs is on target (“Prevention key to health costs,” Nov. 9).