Articles written by James Ellsworth

Professor Davis, renowned author and academic activist, draws attention to mining projects in a B.C. wilderness paradise, known as the Sacred Headwaters.

May 6, 2012 - James Ellsworth

The American author of Gorky Park has his rogue investigator, Arkady Renko, tackle crime & corruption from the end of the Soviet-era to Putin-esqe Russia.

Mar 6, 2012 - James Ellsworth

In 1967 Israel fought a short war against Egypt, Jordan and Syria, gaining the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Golan Heights. An anniversary calls for a review.

Feb 19, 2012 - James Ellsworth

The provincial capital is home to the only self-funded museum & castle which promotes tourism and history in equal measure, focusing on the Dunsmuir Family.

Jan 9, 2012 - James Ellsworth

People were sufficiently scared by recent earthquakes to seriously prepare for their own survival. They took advice & gathered caches for 3-day emergencies.

Sep 30, 2011 - James Ellsworth

The 2011 hockey season is over but the old-timers' 22nd Annual Playmakers' Tournament puts F.U.N. onto the ice, not the roller derby variety of the NHL.

Jun 27, 2011 - James Ellsworth

Suicide bombing and self-immolation are the final statements of political activists. Why they commit to either, and the impact on society, bears scrutiny.

Apr 3, 2011 - James Ellsworth

Rugby is played world-wide but the sport shares a brotherhood that goes well beyond match day, from promoting equality to offering assistance in adversity.

Apr 3, 2011 - James Ellsworth

The 5th Annual National 4-on-4 Street Hockey Tournament pits 60 teams in an impressive setting on Victoria's Inner Harbour for two days, Feb. 11-12.

Feb 15, 2011 - James Ellsworth

British writer, Paul Johnson, researched the private lives of several influential figures from the 18th to 20th centuries and found them morally wanting.

Feb 5, 2011 - James Ellsworth

For those who like to combine golfing and winery holidays, Florida can't match locales like California and Washington or the Okanagan and Vancouver Island.

Jan 22, 2011 - James Ellsworth

An Italian author uses a treasure trove of primary evidence to weave the life of his ancestor in Venice, Vienna and Paris during the French Revolution.

Nov 19, 2010 - James Ellsworth

There have been religious antagonisms aplenty but remembering the anniversaries surrounding 3 historic cases indicate a callous side to religious fervour.

Oct 20, 2010 - James Ellsworth

Welsh Societies abound in the U.S.A. and Canada, often acting as vehicles to promote music, literature, & traditions amongst leek-lovers and Welsh-ophiles.

Aug 30, 2010 - James Ellsworth

The Tamil ship, MV Sun Sea, is the latest in a series of incidents in Canadian history concerning immigration, from Sikhs, to Jews, and now Sri Lankans.

Aug 24, 2010 - James Ellsworth

British Columbia's capital is a hive of activity in July, 2010. It runs its own Jazz Fest, Taste: A Festival of Food and Wine, & a 1932 Ford Deuce Day.

Jul 3, 2010 - James Ellsworth

The Island Chef's' Collaborative held the 3rd edition of its festival, Defending Our Backyard, in a pastoral yet military milieu, fitting for Food Security.

Jun 18, 2010 - James Ellsworth

May is typically the onset of renewal and yearning in the northern hemisphere, but May 1 has significance as a worldwide quest for freedom & improvement.

Jun 1, 2010 - James Ellsworth

The Naramata Bench Wineries Association introduced its new wines in Vancouver and Victoria in April, anticipating the upcoming Okanagan Spring Wine Fest.

Apr 19, 2010 - James Ellsworth

Bobby Jones was a child prodigy no less gifted in golf than Tiger Woods. But he focused on a balanced life with a drive to give back to the game he loved.

Apr 16, 2010 - James Ellsworth

There are several indicators to show that, although Canadians have bragging rights now, origins dispute it; championships challenge it; and playing numbers refute it.

Mar 27, 2010 - James Ellsworth

For 17 days Olympic fans in Vancouver were able to see elite athletes become stars; witness Canadian icons participate on the world stage; & rub elbows with celebrities.

Mar 9, 2010 - James Ellsworth

The Own The Podium support program for Canada's Olympic athletes at the XXI Winter Olympics was an audacious attempt to push Canadians to excellence & medals, gold even.

Feb 28, 2010 - James Ellsworth

Vancouver is also hosting a fantastic non-sporting event to showcase Canadian talent, West Coast beauty, and a bevy of international houses to make everyone feel at home.

Feb 17, 2010 - James Ellsworth

Canadians caught Winter Olympic Fever. The infrastructure was in place & the Olympic Torch and athletes' arrival created a buzz. Would two events lower the temperature?

Feb 13, 2010 - James Ellsworth

The selected volunteers at the 21st Winter Olympics had to face hurdles to reach their goal. Their journey to become Olympian assistants was like a three-stage rocket.

Feb 11, 2010 - James Ellsworth

Andrew X. Pham's travelogue explores the plight of refugee resettlement in America and the quest to get reacquainted with his past. Results were mixed but insightful.

Jan 25, 2010 - James Ellsworth

This Indonesian island paradise had fallen on hard times, especially after recent catastrophes, but has rebounded by using its natural beauty and cultural traditions.

Jun 13, 2009 - James Ellsworth

There are two main paths to follow that lead to a livelihood from golf; either you become a touring pro golfer or you become a golf professional immersed in the business.

May 28, 2009 - James Ellsworth

This Southeast Asian country's coast boasts three of the 878 United Nations-designated cultural and natural heritage sites worldwide. In this case, H stands for Hope.

May 20, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Voluntary involvement at any level can often be the catalyst to improved communities, thinking beyond oneself to The Other, and even caring about the 7th Generation.

May 11, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Recent referenda on the process of selecting representatives in Ontario, P.E.I. and B.C. test visions of democracy, British tradition, and also politics & fair voting.

May 6, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Hanoi has been the key to Vietnam's quest for independence from its earliest times and the city will soon celebrate its 1000 year journey in a most memorable manner.

Apr 30, 2009 - James Ellsworth

This Southeast Asia gem on the Malacca Straits coast has attracted merchants, pirates and colonialists since the 14th century and now tourists flock to sample its charms.

Apr 7, 2009 - James Ellsworth

The Japanese occupation,1942-45, weighed heavily on Singapore but they do not forget. They promote their historical memory with museums, monuments and commemorations.

Mar 17, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Great Britain ceded Hong Kong to China after ruling the colony for over 150 years. The sun may have set on the British Empire here but the afterglow is still evident.

Feb 25, 2009 - James Ellsworth

From St. Benedict who founded his monastic rule to Desiderius who rebuilt with artistic and literary foresight, Monte Cassino itself has been a symbol of Catholic values.

Feb 20, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Men can organize book clubs to enhance their friendships, devise tailor-made rules, and prove that a males' night out can be literate rather than sock 'em, rock 'em.

Feb 12, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Ortona, Italy, a seaside holiday town, just passed an anniversary of significance. Canada needs to commemorate its soldiers' wartime deeds from this "Little Stalingrad."

Feb 7, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Italy's terrain from the Tyrrhenian Sea through the LIri Valley and to the Adriatic Sea gives ample proof of the difficulties soldiers faced and the sacrifices made.

Jan 31, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Several geothermal and seismic events occurred in historical Italy, with destructive effects. Unfortunately some notable ones have caught locals and tourists unawares.

Jan 29, 2009 - James Ellsworth

With local politics turning on skimpy turnouts, some activists are thrust into positions of power and are able to implement minority causes for the whole of society.

Jan 21, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Many Canadians volunteered to fight fascism in Spain's Civil War from 1936-1939, but grappled with democracy and communism also, in a preview of both WWII & the Cold War.

Jan 8, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Recent statistics and reports show that golf has replaced ice hockey as the Canadian game of choice, but does hockey still define Canadian culture for men and women?

Jan 3, 2009 - James Ellsworth

Victoria's Inner Harbour sea plane operations have grown exponentially and the float plane fallout is causing unwelcome headaches to residents and governments alike.

Dec 30, 2008 - James Ellsworth

From the University of Texas Tower at one end of Congress St. to Stevie Ray Vaughan's statue and bat tours at the other end, Austin offers the visitor a whole mixed bag.

Nov 30, 2008 - James Ellsworth

Fredericksburg is a Texan touchstone. The town offers a key to understanding the Lone Star state, from a "Come and Take It" attitude to pride of country and countryside.

Nov 16, 2008 - James Ellsworth

Whether touring Rome, Italy, or far-flung Britain, one is amazed by the contributions Hadrian made for generations to enjoy, providing inspiration for over two millennia.

Nov 4, 2008 - James Ellsworth

On Oct. 15/08, Madam Justice Carol Ross of B.C. decided that Victoria's homeless could erect shelters in city parks as part of their right to life, liberty and security.

Oct 20, 2008 - James Ellsworth

American incursions to other areas hearken back to those of Athenians in the Peloponnesian War, not Rome's Pax Romana. Can new American policy makers learn from history?

Aug 25, 2008 - James Ellsworth