Comox Valley Eldercollege Search Results

ElderCollege membership Comox Valley is an annual membership from September 1 to August 31. CVEC does not run courses during the period of May 1 to August 31. By requesting membership with ElderCollege, I understand the membership fee is non-refundable; I consent to NIC releasing my personal information to the ElderCollege Executive Committee and its subcommittees, for the purposes of course registration/notification, and in supporting ElderCollege volunteer activities.

During the first session, you will describe your personal experience with and aspirations for gardening. Once course takeaways are identified, everyone will explore possible ideas for a course project. The course aims to include water conservation, small space gardening, landscaping basics, soil prep, offseason care, plants good for wildlife (bees, hummingbirds, butterflies), native plants to the area, and general upkeep. Course Leader: CURTIS LITZENBERGER

Peter shares his artistic journey of the past 44 years with examples of his art reflecting memories of growing up on the prairies in the late 1940s and 1950s. This retrospective includes some of the 50 paintings of his major work, "For Our Children," exhibited across Canada. Participants will enjoy the stories behind the many paintings inspired by these memories and by his Ukrainian heritage.

Few great philosophers had a closer connection with music than Friedrich Nietzsche. He was a fine pianist, composed music from age fourteen, and wrote on many musical subjects throughout his productive life. This talk considers Nietzsche's stormy friendship with composer Richard Wagner, providing insight into the musical qualities of his famous poetic-philosophical work, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," and describes its influence on such later composers as Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss. Course Leader: NICOLAS KRUSEK

Come hear the joys and challenges of writing from members of the Comox Valley Writers Society. This two-session course will feature published novelists and prolific non-fiction authors including Marlet Ashley, Sylvia Bourgeois, Ian Kennedy and Christine Dickinson. Both sessions will be facilitated by Stewart Goodings, past chair of the Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival, and Sharon McInnes, president of the Comox Valley Writers Society.

The local published author of Release Your Inner Wild will share her year-long book-writing experience and process from inception to marketing, including the ups, downs, lessons, and what she might do differently in the future. This course will include a Q&A session so bring your curious minds. Course Leader: DANA MAHON

As the cost of living has increased dramatically our ability to live the life we are accustomed to has become increasingly difficult. In this interactive seminar we will discuss the financial and legal options that exist for carrying debt into retirement. Our presenters have expertise in brokering mortgages and helping clients with their financial and estate planning Course Leaders: LYLE CARLSTROM and KEN GRANT

This course uses a modified version of the Functional Movement System developed by Gray Cook. Learn how we develop movement and movement patterns. Work together through a seven-step movement screen to determine your own function and then take away simple home exercises to correct dysfunctions. Course Leader: IRENE BORECKY

This is an introduction to the practice of osteopathy-- a manual therapy that uses gentle techniques to treat the body as a whole. Changes that occur with aging may mean that some traditional approaches are not suitable for an older individual. Osteopathy is a safe method to help mobility, communication, and function within joints, the nervous system, the circulation system, the digestive system, etc. Course Leader: IRENE BORECKY

While aging is inevitable, graceful aging is when we take preventative steps to support our future selves. Discuss what things you can do now by eating the right foods, taking key supplements, and prioritizing self care for your mind, body, and emotions. Course Leader: SHAWN PETERS

According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, 124,000 Canadians were diagnosed with dementia in 2020. That's a staggering number. There are many causes and types of dementia, including vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease. While there is no cure, there are factors that can be addressed to reduce your risk. The presenter, a naturopathic doctor, aims to help you identify risk factors and present options to address these.  Course Leader: SHAWN PETERS

Explore a variety of topics that can be included in end-of-life planning to support you and your loved ones today and tomorrow. Course Leader: KRISTA MANUEL

Explore the creation and development of an important European monarchy, how it emerged as an arbiter of international disputes, how it became an important member of the European community, and how it enacted world-leading progressive social legislation in the 20th and 21st Centuries. Course Leader: JOHN STERK

In March 2024, after the presenter had purchased an electric vehicle in January, a friend called and asked 13 questions about the pre-purchase, purchase, and post-purchase. We talked about my personal experiences, starting in January 2023, of deciding, choosing, sourcing, negotiating, waiting, accepting, accessorizing, and the real-world use of an electric vehicle. This presentation is based on that two-hour call. Information sharing - not a debate. Interested in an EV purchase tale? Course Leader: TERRY HOOPER

The rise and fall of the GDR (German Democratic Republic/East Germany) as seen by someone who saw a divided Germany and then a united Germany after the wall fell. Course Leader: MIKE JOSS

This lecture examines the challenges and rewards of trading city "convenience" for a quieter, more nature-oriented lifestyle. Discover how this transition can lead to improved quality of life and a deeper connection with community and environment. Course Leader: FERNANDA GIMENEZ

Salmon stocks across Vancouver Island are facing numerous challenges. The Puntledge River Hatchery in Courtenay is part of a Fisheries and Oceans effort to restore the chinook salmon - and other species - to the Puntledge. Course Leader: LAURA TERRY

 By the early years of the nineteenth century, Vancouver Island was undisputed British territory, but there were no governmental structures. When American settlers began to move westward, coal was discovered on the Island, and there was a gold rush on the Fraser River, change was inevitable. The first Europeans began to trickle in, and these were tough, courageous, and determined people.  Course Leader: CHRISTINE DICKINSON