Weekly News Recap: October 27, 2023

Weekly News Recap: October 27, 2023

Director Stephen Gyllenhaal, left, and Dan Pallotta attend the premiere of "Uncharitable" on Sept. 21, 2023, in New York. The new documentary puts the long-running debate in the nonprofit sector over the role of overhead back in the spotlight. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night. -- Steve Almond

SOME GOOD NEWS

  • 'Claude' the hangar cat reunited with his Yellowknife family after 2 months missing (CBC) YELLOWKNIFE STORY #GoClaudeGo "A five-year-old Yellowknife boy got his Christmas wish early this month when he was reunited with his beloved tabby cat, Peyote (Yote for short). Yote's disappearance from his home during the Yellowknife evacuation in August prompted a two-month-long search by his humans, some of whom feared he'd run afoul of a predator. Meanwhile, Yote was living high on the hog at the Buffalo Airways hangar in Yellowknife, eating as much as he wanted, chasing rodents, loafing in empty planes and sleeping on important paperwork, all under a new name: Claude."

  • How this 76-year-old kokum is fighting grief and loss with kettlebell kickboxing (CBC) SASKATCHEWAN STORY #Inspiring "Four years ago, Iva Geddes-McNabb would take walks to pray and cry for those she had lost. Geddes-McNabb's son Lionel died from a heart attack in 2013, when he was 39 years old. She lost her husband to cancer a few months later. Then in 2016 she lost Matthew, a grandson she raised who ran marathons, to stomach cancer at the age of 26. Geddes-McNabb, now 76, said she didn't know how to grieve so many deaths, but she did know her family wouldn't want her to be sad. She decided to find something that would help her. She tried a few workout classes, but felt they weren't for her. Then one day in 2019 she tried out a kettlebell kickboxing class happening in the next community over [...] After one session, Geddes-McNabb knew she needed it in her life."

  • VIDEO: Moose thanks rescuer with a lick after being trapped in Halloween decorations (CBC) FORT ST. JOHN STORY Ever been kissed by a moose? Me neither. "A B.C. man got a bit of a scare, followed by a rare treat, when a moose became entangled in Halloween decorations this week. Shaydon Soucy and his wife Sydney were driving to a friend's house in Fort St. John in northeastern B.C. on Saturday when they spotted a man using a tube to try to pull Halloween decorations out of what they first thought was a tree. 'I looked at my wife and was like, what in the heck is [he] doing,' Soucy said, before realizing: 'Oh, wait. That's a moose. There's a moose with Halloween decorations on its head.' "

  • Vancouver woman surprises drivers with daily costumes (CBC) VANCOUVER STORY I love her! "Some people love golfing, others like to hike, but Anne Bruinn's hobby is about 'adding a little bit of spice'' to other people's day by wearing a costume at the end of her driveway and entertaining passersby. The would-be Mrs. Dressup likes to call herself the 'queen of the cosplay corner,' referencing the joy of costume play, a performance art where people dress up as a variety of characters. Bruinn said she has been surprising her drive-by audiences with costumes ranging from a Star Wars stormtrooper to Beetlejuice."

  • Do you believe that Cher has released her first-ever Christmas album? (CBC) #DoYouBelieve "There isn't much Cher hasn't done in her career. She's achieved EGOT status — she's the only artist to have a No. 1 song in each of the past six decades — she's got her own gelato business, Cherlato. But a Christmas album is new territory. She says she just didn't want to do one — but the secret was to lean into the incredible eclecticism of her career, all while avoiding the sleepy, saccharine pitfalls of a Silent Night-heavy holiday release."

  • Mi'kmaw language users can now text with new Apple keyboard (CBC) CANADIAN STORY Very cool. Go Apple! "Apple users can now text their friends with a keyboard tailored for Mi'kmaw dialects and one fluent speaker thinks that will help the next generation of language learners. The Mi'kmaw language keyboard, which rolled out last month as part of Apple software updates, was a partnership between Apple and Mi'kmaw Kina'matnewey, a language education authority for 12 communities in Nova Scotia."

  • Which of these 'forgotten' retro toys should be inducted to the Toy Hall of Fame? (CBC) "Every year, a few carefully selected toys get added to the Toy Hall of Fame. But this year, one extra, very special toy, will be included among the inductees. The Strong Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y., has selected five previously overlooked toys, called the 'Forgotten 5,' and one of them will finally get a chance to sit in its rightful place with the other toys in the Hall of Fame. They include the pogo stick, the Fisher-Price Corn Popper, My Little Pony, Pez dispensers, and Transformers action figures."

  • Can the new film ‘Uncharitable’ change people's minds about overhead at nonprofits? (Register Citizen) We saw Uncharitable this past week. I think it should be required watching by all non-profit board and donors. "Pallotta agrees that some philanthropic leaders, including Darren Walker, CEO of the Ford Foundation, who speaks in the film, have increased the funding they allocate for general operations, but he hopes the film will reach a broader audience of smaller donors or those who are not yet convinced."

  • In the wondrous new Super Mario game, every level is 'that one weird level' (CBC) "The first 10 minutes of Super Mario Bros. Wonder has more surprises and moments of joy than the entire Super Mario Bros. Movie from earlier this year."

  • 5 black bears in a tree, a grizzly in the backyard: This week in B.C. bear photos (CBC) BRITISH COLUMBIA STORY It's a wonder that the tree held them up. "After a busy summer, bears are still active well into the fall as they seek out food to prepare for winter. Throughout the province, sightings of black bears and grizzly bears in B.C. communities are being widely shared in photos."

  • 'He's my Superman': Estevan, Sask., man meets U.S. border agent who saved his life (CBC) ESTEVAN STORY #Hero "When Keith Termine saw smoke in the distance while on duty in March 2021, the United States border patrol officer from Portal, N.D., knew he had to take action. Termine drove closer to the Short Creek Dam, southeast of Estevan, Sask., near the Canada-U.S. border, and found a two-hectare field on fire — and Ken Murray frantically driving his burning truck back and forth. 'I'm glad he showed up,' Murray told CBC News. 'He's my Superman.'"

  • How the iconic Lonely Planet travel guides became 'the backpacker's bible' (CBC) I love the Lonely Planet guides. "For 22 years, Nicole Thorpe has been what she describes a 'global nomad,' travelling to and working in as many as 50 countries in total. Throughout her trips, she's always carried a Lonely Planet guidebook. 'It is my bible, and I have kept them all, full of notes and memories,' said the Nanoose Bay, B.C., resident."

TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK

  1. These 5 Canadian Scientists Are Changing the Game—and the World (Elle Canada) CANADIAN STORY "As we face unprecedented challenges in our society, one thing remains true: The world needs science, and science needs women. Without women in science, we wouldn’t get the whole picture; to move forward and make progress, we need an efficient, inclusive discipline that draws on all talents and points of view. Celebrating and financially supporting the groundbreaking contributions of these trailblazers is the goal behind L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science, an international awards program that recognizes engaged, exceptional talent in this vast field."

  2. Jeromy Farkas named new CEO for Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation (LiveWire Calgary) COCHRANE STORY Congratulations! "Former Calgary city councillor and mayoral contender Jeromy Farkas has a new gig – not hiking, not climbing (and not politics), but still in the outdoors and helping raise money. Farkas was named the Glenbow Park Ranch Foundation’s first-ever CEO and will be charged with continuing to build and expand the provincial park’s conservation footprint. The Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is a nearly 3,300-acre natural area and working ranch established in 2007 by the Harvie family, that’s sandwiched between the City of Calgary and the Town of Cochrane. Roughly 180,000 people visit the ranch annually."

  3. YMCA stepping up to help during state of emergency (Cochrane Now) CALGARY STORY Well done YMCA! "The Calgary YMCA has stepped up to help our residents and members of the Spray Lake Sawmills Centre by providing free access to all YMCA facilities in Calgary. Individuals and families impacted by the crisis are welcome to access these locations free of charge for recreational use, showering, etc. as well as drop-in programming and fitness classes during standard hours of operation."

  4. Yukon University wants to join the big league, with application to Universities Canada (CBC) WHITEHORSE STORY We are watching, expectantly. ViTreo is proud to be working with YukonU. "Yukon University is looking to join an organization that represents just about all universities in Canada, in hopes of gaining some status and acceptance in the academic world, and in many ways, a badge of legitimacy. The Whitehorse-based institution wants to join the ranks of Universities Canada, an association that bills itself as 'the voice of Canadian universities.' Yukon University is not part of the club — at least not yet — but it submitted an application to join this fall."

  5. VIDEO: The end of the long dash: CBC stops broadcasting official time signal (CBC) CANADIAN STORY I will miss this long dash. "For more than 80 years the beeps and tones of the National Research Council (NRC) time signal have connected Canadians at exactly 1 p.m. ET. But as of [last Monday], CBC Radio One audiences won't be listening for the beginning of the long dash — they'll have listened to the end of it. Variations of the daily message and the 'pips' that sound along with it have played over CBC's airwaves since Nov. 5, 1939 — forming a link that connects Canadians from coast to coast to coast. CBC and Radio-Canada have announced they'll no longer carry the National Research Council (NRC) time signal."

  6. Bow Valley College announces new Vice President, External (Yahoo Finance) CALGARY STORY Congratulations! ViTreo is proud to be working with BVC. "Bow Valley College is pleased to announce the appointment of Tasneem Rahim as Vice President, External, effective immediately. Ms. Rahim has been serving as Interim Vice President, External since April 2023 and previously held the role of Director of Fund Development and Alumni Engagement at the college for six years."

  7. VIDEO: NHL backtracks on Pride Tape ban, will allow players to represent social causes (CBC) CANADIAN STORY "The National Hockey League is ending its ban on players supporting social causes on their equipment, including a popular stick tape in support of the LGBTQ community, the league announced on Tuesday. The move comes days after Arizona Coyotes defenceman Travis Dermott defied the ban and added Pride Tape to his stick during a game on Saturday against the Anaheim Ducks."

  8. Lacombe celebrates the 20th Annual Gala Awards (Central Alberta Online) LACOMBE STORY Congratulations to all the recipients but especially the 2023 Non-Profit of the Year: Broom Tree Foundation. ViTreo is proud to be working with Broom Tree. "Last night (October 20, 2023), the Lacombe and District Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 20th Annual Gala Awards celebrating several local businesses and people working in the community."

  9. B.C. ultra triathlete becomes first in the world to complete 3 double-Deca races (CBC) BRITISH COLUMBIA STORY #Umm #CrazyCool "Imagine running, swimming and biking more than 4,500 kilometres for 26 days with three-hour naps and 15-minute breaks in between. Now imagine doing that twice in a row. Shanda Hill of Vernon, B.C., just did. After completing an ultra triathlon in Switzerland, the 41-year-old took a week of downtime before doing the same race in San Felipe, in Mexico's Guanajuato state, where she clinched the top spot in the DecaUltraTri Continuous Double Deca on Thursday, besting five other athletes. With her latest victory, Hill has become the only person in history to compete in and finish three double-Decas."

  10. Canadian actor Donald Sutherland honoured with new Canada Post stamp (CBC) CANADIAN STORY Nice work Canada Post. "Donald Sutherland, celebrated star of stage and screen, is not short on accolades. But on a list that includes an honorary Oscar, a companionship of the Order of Canada and a couple of Golden Globes, the latest addition — a stamp bearing his profile, unveiled Thursday — feels different, he said by phone."

SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS

  1. How to carve your pumpkin like a pro (CBC) These tips are amazing. And, just in time. Happy Halloween.

  2. How to Finish Your Tasks 50% Faster (Darius Foroux) Are you separating your creative and non-creative tasks?

  3. Declutter Your Tasks (Rusiru Guanratne) Categories are our friend.

  4. Yes, the moon is indeed 40 million years older than we once thought (CBC) What? No way! Way!

  5. Improve Your Note-Taking Skills with a Powerful 6-Step System (Practice In Public) Yet another great primer on something we all need to be better at.

  6. The Four Quadrants of Employee Performance (Daniel Stillman) Puzzles. Flowers. Candles. Gems.

  7. 10 tiny habits that can change your life. (Madhav Bahl) A nice spin on many of the things we are or should be doing.

TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK

  1. VIDEO: NAACP receives historic $50M donation (YouTube) "The NAACP received a historic $50 million donation from Wells Fargo. The organization said it will use the funds to help teach financial literacy."

  2. Flames Foundation Commits Another $1 Million To YMCA Grade 6 Program (NHL) CALGARY STORY Well done Flames Foundation. This is a great program. "The Flames Foundation has committed another $1million to YMCA Calgary for the Calgary Flames Grade 6 YMCA Membership, bringing the Flames Foundation’s total commitment to this program to $3.25 million. This has been an ongoing partnership and the 2023-24 school year marks their 10th year anniversary. Over the last decade this partnership has helped over 32,000 grade 6 youth develop social skills, confidence and form positive relationships that help them ignite their potential."

  3. Toronto Symphony Receives Largest Donation in its History (The Violin Channel) TORONTO STORY #Wowzers "The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has received a historic donation from the estate of its longtime supporters H. Thomas and Mary Beck. The gift, which is valued at $14.7 million, brings the Beck family's total donations to the TSO up to $50 million over the course of a 60-year relationship."

LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES

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