regular email newsletter from Brandon Hughes

Brandon Hughes, of the federal government and located in Nelson, regularly sends out an email newsletter of interest for rural BC issues. Here is the latest one.

This e-mail is one of an ongoing series of information updates from Rural Team BC issued by Brandon Hughes (Canadian Rural Partnership/Service Canada). Any input or update ideas are welcomed. If you wish to be added to the list or taken off or for more information on the Team's activities mail me. Please feel free to forward this information to others who would be interested.

1. New Horizons for Seniors – Call for Applications - The Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program funds community-based projects that encourage seniors to participate in and contribute to their communities through volunteerism, mentorship and civic leadership. Eligible applicants include voluntary and non-profit sector organizations, municipal governments, band/tribal councils and other aboriginal organizations, as well community-based coalitions, networks and ad hoc committees. For more information call(604) 988-1880 or toll free at 1-866-317-8555 or visit

http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/isp/horizons/cfa/cfa0407/bc0407.shtml

2. BC Rural Network Newsletter – The Network is an umbrella group of rural organizations and rural representatives formed to enhance the capacity of rural British Columbia to develop responses to rural and remote community issues. The Network works in close partnership with the BC Rural Team and is partly funded by the Canadian Rural Partnership. The newsletter has articles on the Network’s AGM in Smithers, the next Rural Summit in the Cariboo, and Learning Initiatives for Rural and Northern BC http://www.bcruralnetwork.ca/node/141

3. Breakfast For Learning BC – Breakfast For Learning nutrition grant applications are now available on line. Breakfast For Learning nutrition grants start and sustain child nutrition programs in schools and community setting. Deadline for applications is May 15, 2007 Click here to access the online application http://dashbc.org/article.asp?c=43

4. Food Guide for First Nations, Inuit and Métis - Canada's Food Guide has been tailored nationally to reflect the unique values, traditions and food choices of Aboriginal populations. The tailored food guide includes traditional food from the land and sea, and provides the best, most current information for eating well and living healthy. For more information visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/2007/2007_44_e.html

5. Wathershed Workshop - Williams Lake has been selected to host the British Columbia Community Workshop 2007. Registration is open for this biennial conference that brings together both professionals and volunteers involved in watershed management and protection, stream restoration, and fish enhancement in BC and the Yukon. Workshop 2007 is scheduled for May 18, 19 & 20, 2007, and the theme this year is “Stewardship in Transition: Impacts & Adaptations in a Changing Climate”

This year’s event is sponsored by Thompson Rivers University, Community Futures Development Corporation of the Cariboo Chilcotin, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Baker Creek Enhancement Society, Pacific Streamkeepers Foundation, Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society, and Scout Island Nature Centre. http://workshop.pskf.ca/2007/index.html

6. New Fact Sheets on Youth Health in BC (2007) - New research from the latest Adolescent Health Survey is now available for downloading. Topics include: sexual behaviour; connections to school; safety and violence; harassment and discrimination; emotional health; and injuries. McCreary encourages the use and duplication of these Fact Sheets. For more information or to download Fact Sheets, visit http://www.mcs.bc.ca/rs_facts.htm

7. Canada Business - Canada Business is a government information service for businesses and start-up entrepreneurs in Canada. Canada Business reduces the complexity and burden of dealing with various levels of government by serving as a single point of access for federal and provincial/territorial government services, programs and regulatory requirements for business. The site is searchable for audiences such as rural, First Nations, Women, and Persons with Disabilities. The site provides information on business start up, exporting, contracting with the Government and more. http://canadabusiness.gc.ca/gol/cbec/site.nsf/en/index.html

8. Business Strategies in Historic Sites - If you are involved in the Heritage sector, join Fraser Basin Council and the Cultural Resource Management Program at the University of Victoria at the Helen Dixon Centre in Quesnel on May 14 and 15th, 2007 for the following exciting learning opportunity. Heritage organizations, as ‘social enterprises,’ have the capacity to develop innovative and sustainable revenue-generating strategies while also protecting and celebrating the unique heritage values of their structures, landscapes, collections and mission. At this two day forum, workshops will provide a framework in which you can conceptualize a range of heritage business opportunities that have the potential to generate essential revenues and strengthen the services that you provide within your community. The cost is $30 + GST, fee includes lunch and refreshment breaks daily. For information on travel and accommodation bursaries please contact the Fraser Basin Council at 250-392-1400 or e-mail mlebourdais@fraserbasin.bc.ca This workshop is offered in partnership with the Heritage Branch, Ministry of Tourism, Sports, and the Arts, and the Fraser Basin Council. For more information on the event phone 250-472-4747 or mail register@uvcs.uvic.ca or vist http://www.uvcs.uvic.ca/WebSite/CourseDetails/index.aspx?sectionid=37202&SectionCourseID=37190

9. Measuring Up Accessibility and Inclusion Fund - The Measuring Up Accessibility and Inclusion Fund, managed by 2010 Legacies Now, will provide approximately 70 grants of up to $25,000 in support of community projects that are aligned with the Measuring Up initiative and the 10 by 10 Challenge. The Province is investing $2 million to support community projects aimed at increasing accessibility and inclusion for persons with disabilities, Employment and Income Assistance Minister Claude Richmond announced today. The Measuring Up initiative, led by 2010 Legacies Now, focuses on creating fully accessible public spaces and promoting employment and community involvement for people with disabilities. Similarly, the Province’s 10 by 10 Challenge is targeted at increasing the employment of persons with disabilities in communities by 10 per cent by 2010. For full program details click on Measuring Up or contact Cynthia McEwan, Director, Measuring Up Project - Accessibility and Inclusion Initiative at 778-840-5169 or via email at Cmcewan@2010legaciesnow.com

10. Community Flood Preparedness Tool Kit. Is your community at risk for flooding? Are you prepared? By planning ahead and taking precautions, you can do your part to minimize personal risk and property flood damage. The Provincial Emergency Program has published a comprehensive Flood Information Tool Kit which contains important safety information, fact sheets and articles to help you: flood proof your home and property; identify what to do if rising waters threaten your property; understand procedures for evacuating your home; and much more. If you live in a flood risk area, the information in this tool kit will be very helpful to you.

http://www.pep.gov.bc.ca/Community/tool_kit.html

11. Stroke Identification - "During a BBQ a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - at 6:00pm, Ingrid passed away. She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ - had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke perhaps Ingrid would be with us today."

It only takes a minute to read this-

Recognizing A Stroke

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed and getting to the patient within 3 hours which is tough. Please take the time to remember these "3" steps. Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: The mnemonic is STRoke - the first three letters of stroke

*S* Ask the individual to SMILE.

*T* Ask the person to TALK – To REPEAT A SIMPLE SENTENCE Coherently (e.g. . . It is sunny out today)

*R* Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, call 9-1-1 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Widespread use of this test could result in prompt diagnosis and treatment of the stroke and prevent brain damage.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved.

Be a friend and share this article with as many friends as possible, you could save their lives

Here's a link to the report from the American Heart Association referenced above making the same point: a potential stroke needs immediate attention
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3008841