The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict

On March  4th Dr. Martin Bunton, Associate Professor, UVic Dept. of History, took us through the modern historical basis of the Palestinian – Israeli conflict. In doing so he has helped us understand why peace in this region has been so elusive. Dr. Bunton is the author of The Palestinian – Israeli Conflict, Very Short Introduction…

Looking at Others Looking at Us

At our February 5th meeting Dr. Robert Dalton introduced us to 20th century portrait photography by both “outsiders,” those without formal training and academic credentials, as well as preeminent art photographers such as Helmut Newton, Yusuf Karsh, and Dorothea Lange. Using high quality slides, Dr. Dalton eloquently critiqued a wide variety of black and white…

Holiday Fun @ December Meeting

Come one, come all to the annual Christmas-themed general meeting on Friday 4 December (9:15). Wear your most outrageous holiday sweater or crazy Christmas tie and prepare to enjoy carols, mulled wine and lots of goodies from the ingenious hospitality committee (who previously delighted us with ‘special’ brownies, brain food, and little blue pills). This…

Understanding Your Brain

Ken Lee, our speaker at the November 6, 2015 meeting has taken varied  paths in both his career and volunteer efforts, much of it guided by life events. At the age of 48 his wife died of Huntington’s Disease, a fatal hereditary neurological disorder and his daughter later succumbed to the same disease.  Following such tragedy, he…

Philippe Lucas, Tilray

Medical Marijuana

Philippe Lucas; Vice President, Patient Research and Services at Tilray, Nanaimo’s medical marijuana growing company was our engaging speaker on Friday 2 October 2015.    Diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1995, Philippe had a very personal reason to get involved with medical cannabis, as a patient.  Not only is he a principal in Tilray, but he is also a PhD…

Pancake Breakfast 2015

Pancakes & Jokefest

The strains of “Mama, Don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys” greeted PROBUS members as they arrived dressed in jeans and cowboy hats to enjoy a wonderful pancake breakfast at the September 4 meeting. Setting the jovial tone of the morning, President Robert Grose regaled the group of thirty with several western themed…