BobSongs Musings - Where Bob Gray writes about other stuff.

Kateslem After School Program…

Last night, my wife and I were invited to a Birthday Party/Fundraiser, at the John B Pub in Coquitlam.

It was an opportunity to get a group of friends together, and make the husband of one of the volunteers REALLY uncomfortable, while supporting a program that his wife helps out with!

Win Win!!!

It was great seeing our friends again, and catching up… on what was new with the old crowd.

As always at these types of events, the volunteers were busy selling raffle tickets, 50/50 tickets and chances on a sheet full of Lottery Tickets. They’d sold tickets through the Pub, for a burger and beer combo.

I think we’ve all been involved in these types of fund-raisers, and we’ve probably all chipped in to help friends/family or groups we support, raise money.

Just before they had the prize draws, they called for quiet, to make some introductions.

Sitting in a corner, I was at first not paying much attention, as these were all folks I was sure I didn’t know.

As they continued, my ears perked up.

There was a Federal Senator… A Mayor… Several City Councillors… Others, whose names I recognize as being important community builders.

And I had heard NOTHING about this program.

So, plagiarizing massively from their brochure, let me tell you what I NOW know about the Kateslem After School Program.

Kateslem After School Program provides vulnerable youth with a positive, consistent, supportive and safe after school environment.

Kateslem aims to empower youth through experiences and skill development.

The individual’s abilities and needs, in relation to their family, peers, school and community, are valued and respected.

They help the kids with homework. They also help with literacy, life, health, nutrition and hygiene skills. Promote Community Service and leadership. Provide recreational activities. Build friendships, and provide lessons in conflict resolution.

But what does it ALL MEAN ?!?

The word Kateslem is a First Nations word meaning “coming together”.

Kateslem currently operates After School Programs in Coquitlam, at Banting Middle School and Como Lake Middle School. The Programs run concurrent with the school year, from September to June.

Kids between the ages of 11 and 14, from Banting Middle School or Como Lake Middle School in Coquitlam, are eligible.

There is no registration fee for the youths, although they are required to bring one item of non-perishable food per month, to help those in need in the community. The students can be referred by a teacher, parent, or counselor. Or the students can sign themselves up.

From everything I read, and the people I met… this is a great program, and one that other communities should probably get on board with!

The group itself is currently supported by teachers, school administrators, parents, community workers, and civic leaders. They are working together to see Kateslem through the next step of its progress… becoming a Registered Charity… so that sustained growth and progress can continue.

If you would like more information, would like to help, or know of a Youth At Risk who could benefit from the Kateslem Program, please contact Ms. Karyn Bell, Coordinator. Her e-mail address is KarynKateslem@yahoo.ca or you can call her at 604-250-9332… or you can follow them on Twitter !!!

Graham James Pardoned…

I’m riled.

I get that way sometimes, when I read about Bullies.

I was a small kid, but I was able to look after myself, a bit. I could bluff my way out of fights, by saying I knew martial arts.

Some kids are not so lucky.

I just read a Canadian Press article, which says, in part:

OTTAWA — Graham James, the junior coach convicted of sexually abusing his players in a case that rocked the hockey world from house leagues to the NHL, has been pardoned by the National Parole Board, The Canadian Press has learned.

Though the pardon was granted three years ago, it comes to public light only now as a result of a previously unknown accuser contacting Winnipeg police.

A shocked Prime Minister’s Office, notified of the pardon by The Canadian Press, called it a “deeply troubling and gravely disturbing” development that demands an explanation from the parole board.

Graham James was a Junior Hockey coach, who plead GUILTY to sexually assaulting two former teenage players.

Graham James – Photo: The Canadian Press

Other people have come forward to say that they were ALSO assaulted by James, including former NHL star Theoren Fleury.

I believe that, in some cases, if someone has “served their time”… then fair game, they should be able to integrate back into society.

All bets are off, when a Pedophile who has been convicted of sexually assaulting teenagers, asks for and gets a Pardon.

Pardon me, but SCREW that!

Unbelievable.

James whereabouts are currently unknown.

He could be living next door to your family… and even if a background check is run on him?

Apparently, because of the Pardon, his criminal record is kept in a separate file, and wouldn’t show on the CPIC system. That’s the database where RCMP and other Police Departments do their checks.

I will next, be sending a letter to my MP, asking how it is possible that high profile sexual predators like Graham James can get what appears to be preferential treatment?

I would invite and suggest you do the same.

If you do not know who your Member of Parliament is, or how to contact them, you can get that information from the Government of Canada website:

https://www.ourcommons.ca/parliamentarians/en/constituencies/FindMP

I cannot believe that he was granted a Pardon… let alone OVER THREE YEARS AGO !

Tough on Crime?

When the Conservatives recently prorogued Parliament, they killed several Bills which would have strengthened the fight against predators like James. True, he already has his Pardon, and is laughing, I’m sure, somewhere tonight, as the news breaks.

Tough on Crime?

My Aunt Fanny.

I’m riled, and I hope you are too!

Under Blogstruction…

Hello, and welcome to the Headway version of the BobSongs Blog.

You will notice that things are moved, colours are changed… Everything is just a little different !!!

In order to better integrate my BobSongs website… http://www.BobSongs.com with this Blog, I felt it was time for a spring clean/make-over.

I have heard excellent things about the Headway Theme for WordPress, and I have to say, just an hour in, I’m loving it !

Foolishly, I’ve started doing this during a busy time… but I was eager to jump in !

So I hope you will bear with me, it will probably be a few days before I write any new Posts, and I’ll be trying to get the Blog “up to snuff” as soon as I can.

In the meantime, please do take a look through the archives, and check out the Post below, for some great Tweeps to follow on Twitter !

Happy Easter !!!

The Voyeurs Guide To Things That Happen When I’m Away…

In December, I left my old job, and decided to start on a new and different career path.

I was having some issues with my hand, and so January was given over to hand surgery and the recovery, afterwards.

February was the Torch Relay, the Olympics and early March the Paralympics.

Because I had many things going on, and a supportive wife, I was able to take a bit of a holiday/rest/recuperation period.

When I was working, my wife and I would usually leave together in the morning, I would drop her at the train station, and would continue on to work. On the way home from work, I would pick her up from the train station, and come home. We were usually gone from 6:30 in the morning, until 5:45 at night. We missed, most of the daytime activities in our neighbourhood.

While I have been home, there are many things I have learned about the neighbourhood we live in… that I had not learned in the previous 10 years.

School kids obviously have different hours, than when I was a kid. Most of the schools seem to let the kids out at 2:30 or 2:45, depending on the age of the kids.

A younger child in our neighbourhood has a battery-powered ride-in car, that he LOVES. They have obviously solved the battery life issue, because he rides it… ALL… DAY… LONG. : )

If the Mail Carrier has a package for us, they do not check if folks are home… I guess because usually we aren’t.

Basketball (very popular when we moved in 10 years ago) has been replaced by Skateboards, in the hearts of neighbourhood children.

Some folks REALLY love their pressure washers.

I do not intend to sound dismissive or mean.

These are just some observations I have made while at home.

As I am spending more time at home, I’m sure that my neighbours are learning things about me, as well.

(I have NO IDEA what they would learn about me… but if any of them have blogs, I’ll forward the links!!!)

I have, however, learned things about my life.

My cats have NO concept of time, and any time I leave, and then return home – they come running, as they believe it is dinner time. EVERY single time !!!

They also like to stretch out on the heated tile floor of my wife’s bathroom, and have their tummies scritched.

……..

And this is where I hesitate.

My Blog has never been about gossip.

It is about the things I do, what I experience, and things I perceive to be factual.

Because I have been home more, and stopping to smell the flowers, I have been seeing things, previously unnoticed.

Most of what I have addressed above, comes under the broad heading of observations.

None of it is rude… None of it is particularly personal… and I have NEVER delved into the world of “peeping-through-blinds” voyeurism.

However, the other day, I came across a sight so unnatural… so… WRONG… that I could not help but to stop and stare.

I could not tear my gaze away from the couple, sharing their affection before me.

They were undeterred, and stared brazenly back.

By chance, I had my camera in my hand, and I raised it, questioningly… because I knew the world would question both my sanity and my veracity, if I did not have proof.

I took the steadfast stare as acquiescence.

I’m not sure if this was their first liaison… or if this has been on for some time.

Honestly, it is probably better that I don’t know.

One question answered only brings tumbling forth a hundred more, unanswered.

I was too disturbed at first to speak of it… but afterwards, I began to wonder if it is only my age, that makes me judge this as wrong ?

I believe myself to be a loving, open-minded liberal… and with that openness, I share with you my latest neighbourhood discovery.

Maybe it’s best… What happens in Pitt Meadows… STAYS in Pitt Meadows !!!

My Toughest Day Is Nothing By Comparison…

I think we all do it.

Sometimes, from where we stand, life seems to be sloping up hill. In all directions.

In the mist above our heads, we can see the ground continuing up, even as it disappears from sight.

And that is fine… I think we all know that without the depth of the valleys, the exultations at the peak, might not taste so sweet.

I, for one, would not like to live a life, reflected as a prairie landscape. Flat, and seemingly without end… feature… or relief.

I am a lucky man.

I have a wonderful wife… great family and friends… a beautiful home in a nice community.

Not a lot to complain about.

But…

I feel like I’ve been at the bottom of a valley, and have been looking for a way up, for a while now.

I’m getting frustrated at my lack of progress.

Not for lack of trying… but I just haven’t found the way, yet.

So, I found myself, sitting at my computer, catching up on a week’s worth of “I’ll get to that soon” correspondence.

And I came across this video.

www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9xwCG0Ey2Mg

I’ve seen it before, and have heard a lot about the story.

It shook me out of my “poor me” doldrums… and gave me a fresh look at my surroundings.

As I look out the window, the tree above my new deck is about to burst into bloom. There is a beautiful bird, making a crazy loud chirping. I think possibly he’s goading one of my cats, who is probably sitting in another window. I am heading out shortly to meet some new friends for Tea.

The bottom of the valley has it’s own beauty, that I should take in and enjoy… while I am on my journey to the next peak.