Weekly News Recap: April 7, 2023

🐰 Happy Easter! 🐥

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen smiles during a news conference held by NASA and the Canadian Space Agency at NASA Johnson Space Center's Ellington Field in Houston, Texas, on Monday. Hansen will be one of four astronauts travelling aboard the Orion spacecraft during Artemis II, the second step in NASA's mission to return astronauts to the surface of the moon. (Mark Felix/AFP/Getty Images)

Space travel is life-enhancing, and anything that's life-enhancing is worth doing. It makes you want to live forever. -- Ray Bradbury

SOME GOOD NEWS

London Lonely Girls Club gains thousands of new members (BBC) Women are so smart. Love this. "Almost 20,000 women living in London have joined a club tackling loneliness since pandemic restrictions ended. Holly Cooke founded The London Lonely Girls Club on Facebook in 2018 after moving to the city from Stoke-on-Trent. She said the club had 10,000 members at the start of 2022, and had 'grown spectacularly' in the last year to almost 31,000 people. 'More people have come back to London and are wanting that connection,' she said. 'London is so big, it leaves a lot of space for loneliness.'"
VIDEO: An 89-year-young surfer lives his best life as he catches a wave (video) (Boing Boing) #Wow So inspiring. Thank you Seiichi-san. "Age really is just a number for 89-year-old Seiichi Sano, who, after climbing Mt. Fuji at age 80, recently started taking surfing lessons. Although he considers himself a novice at his new sport, the full-time Japanese businessman who sells timber, said he feels ageless as he catches gentle waves with fellow surfers (who are all decades younger than him)."
VIDEO: Yes, that's Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright singing the national anthem. (The Athletic) This is a lovely surprise. Well done Mr. Wainwright.
Climate Cafe creates space for climate change conversations (CBC) LETHBRIDGE STORY #AlbertaIsCool "What does a positive climate future look like to you? What are you going to do to achieve that future? What are you not willing to give up? These are the kind of questions people asked each other during the Climate Cafe this week at Theoretically Brewing in Lethbridge, Alta. The setup is simple. People come to the brewery and split into groups at different tables. There, they talk to each other steered by prompts provided by Environment Lethbridge, a sustainability and environment focused non-profit organization."
VIDEO: Ricochet, a therapy dog that loved to surf, has died (CBC) I included this story in some good news not because Ricochet has passed away but because of his amazing life. A beautiful life, well lived. RIP Ricochet. "Ricochet was trained to be a service animal, but the energetic pup was more fond of chasing birds than assisting with household chores, Fridono said. The canine's mission became clear in 2009, when she got on a surfboard with quadriplegic surfer Patrick Ivison. A viral video of their ride got more than six million views. 'That day she hopped on the board with Patrick, she was reborn,' Fridono said in a 2012 interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune. 'She kept running back to the water with her tail wagging like she could finally tell me, 'This is what I want to do.'"
'It is glorious,' says astronaut Jeremy Hansen, announced as 1st Canadian to orbit the moon (CBC) CANADIAN STORY Congratulations Col. Hansen. We are all incredibly proud. And, for those who want to be even more inspired, Col. Hansen started his journey to the stars as part of the Canadian cadet movement. "Jeremy Hansen is heading to the moon. The 47-year old Canadian astronaut was announced today as one of four astronauts — along with Christina Koch, Victor Glover and Reid Wiseman — who will be part of NASA's Artemis II mission. 'For me, it's a bit unreal still,' Hansen told CBC's Paul Hunter. 'I just want Canadians to feel that pride. I just want Canadians to realize, hey, we are up to big things here in Canada and can accomplish the seemingly impossible if we believe in ourselves.'"
VIDEO: Wildlife photographer captures crews pulling elk calf from Bow River (CBC) BOW VALLEY STORY This is an amazing story, made even more amazing by the incredible professionalism the Parks Canada personnel involved in the rescue. #Amazing "A herd of elk crossing the Bow River on Sunday morning caught the eye of wildlife photographer Hunter Scrimshaw. He stopped to snap a few images of the herd near Mount Rundle in Banff, Alta., not far from the town's pedestrian bridge. While he was checking his shots, he heard a loud crack. 'Sure enough, I look back and one of the calves had fallen through the ice,' he said. The calf began to struggle in the frigid water, kicking to keep its head above the surface. The commotion startled the herd, Scrimshaw said, noting they looked confused for a moment before moving on, leaving the calf behind."
VIDEO: Calgary man makes suits of armour for cats and mice (CBC) CALGARY STORY This is worth the full watch. His work is beautiful. "Jeff de Boer describes himself as the world’s first, and only, maker of cat-and-mouse armour. A visit to De Boer's studio reveals the intricate details of his one-of-a-kind creations."
VIDEO: A tiny bird’s heartwarming gesture melts the hearts of strangers (CBC) NEW BRUNSWICK STORY Nature is amazing. "The CBC’s Aniekan Etuhube went to the Oromocto Gateway Wetland trail and hung out with a cool bunch of black-capped chickadees. These New Brunswick birds are so friendly, they will snack from your hand."
Amazing Invention- This Drone Will Change Everything (YouTube) This is an older story but it is engineering at its finest. Thanks to my friend James Paras for sharing the article.

TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK

Randy Bachman Offers Look At More Than 80 Of His Guitars In Studio Bell Exhibit (Vigour Times) CALGARY STORY This is fabulous. I highly recommend visiting the exhibit if you can. "Randy Bachman is shedding light on his incredible guitar obsession with a new temporary exhibit set to open at Calgary’s Studio Bell next month. Organizers say the Guess Who co-founder and 'Taking Care of Business' hitmaker will showcase more than 80 of his prized axes for 'Randy Bachman: Every Guitar Tells a Story.' The exhibit will include instruments from every part of Bachman’s career and feature videos of the 79-year-old musician telling the stories behind them."
Welcome to the roommate capital of Alberta (CBC) BANFF STORY The housing crisis is real. "Life with seven roommates is quieter than you might think, at least according to Andrii Tkachenko. Tkachenko, who works as a line cook in Banff, Alta., says the group is a mellow bunch. They work a variety of different shifts and aren't typically home at the same time. So far, he said, he likes his living situation, though he wouldn't mind a bit more space. He shares his bedroom with one other person and sleeps on a single bed; at roughly six-foot-six, it doesn't leave much extra head room. 'In my opinion, [the room] can be bigger,' said Tkachenko, 33, who moved to Canada from Ukraine through the emergency travel program for evacuees."
VIDEO: Barbie trailer starring Margot Robbie — and a whole lot of Canadians — shows life in plastic is fantastic (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT Watch the trailer. #PureGold "Margot Robbie is a Barbie girl in a Barbie world — and that world sure does look Canadian, if the candy-coloured trailer for the upcoming summer blockbuster is anything to go by. Robbie stars as a live-action version of the iconic Mattel doll in Greta Gerwig's Barbie, which hits theatres on July 21. Barbie, suffering from an existential crisis, goes on a fabulous adventure after she's expelled from Barbieland. The star-studded ensemble includes Canadian actors Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu and Michael Cera, clad in their finest neon yellow rollerskates, baby blue lycra swimsuits and synthetic wigs. Gosling plays the Ken to Robbie's Barbie, a bleached blond, golden-skinned, delightfully mindless take on the classic boyfriend doll — who apparently meets his foe in Liu, here playing an alternate version of Ken."
Chocolate egg nog? B.C. farm's Easter creation sells out in days (CBC) KAMLOOPS STORY #HappyEaster "A dairy farm in B.C.'s Interior is selling chocolate egg nog to mark the Easter holidays — though those looking to try it might be out of luck. While egg nog is traditionally associated with Christmas celebrations, Blackwell Dairy Farm in Kamloops, B.C. — about 250 kilometres northeast of Vancouver — is hoping customers will be interested in a spring version of the drink, with a chocolate twist. They've sold out in only a matter of days."
AFN honours singer Jully Black for her change to Canada's anthem (CBC) CANADIAN STORY I hope we change it permanently. Well done Ms. Black. "Canadian R&B singer Jully Black was honoured at an AFN Special Chiefs Assembly in Ottawa on Monday night for making an appreciated tweak to the Canadian national anthem at the NBA All-Star Game in Salt Lake City, Utah, in February. The Juno Award-winner had swapped out one word in the anthem's usual opening line 'O Canada! Our home and native land!' with 'O Canada! Our home on native land' to recognize the Indigenous people who lived on the land before European settlers. Black was presented with an eagle feather and wrapped with a blanket during a Blanketing Ceremony by AFN Knowledge Keepers and National Chief RoseAnne Archibald."
VIDEO: What new MLB rules mean for the future of baseball | About That (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT I love baseball but it has become...boring. These changes are making a huge difference. And this video segment provides an excellent overview of the new rules. "Major League Baseball introduced multiple new rules this year in an attempt to make games faster and more exciting. Andrew Chang and About That producer Brock Wilson hit the diamond to talk baseball. Then, Sportsnet host Donnovan Bennett breaks down what the rules mean for baseball's future."
OPINION: Pride nights have split open hockey's closed culture — and that's a good thing (CBC) CANADIAN STORY I don't agree with players being forced to wear pride jerseys but I am fully on board with League celebrating Pride. "On Monday, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said that NHL Pride nights would have to be re-evaluated in the offseason, the latest fallout from a controversy that has engulfed the NHL. As a rising number of players refuse to wear Pride jerseys, the last few months have been one of those rare and uncomfortable occasions when hockey's closed and insular culture is split open and revealed to the world."
Rogers takeover of Shaw approved, with conditions (CBC) CANADIAN STORY "The federal government has approved the multibillion-dollar merger of telecom companies Rogers and Shaw, but with conditions that Ottawa insists will make the deal good for consumers. François-Philippe Champagne, minister of innovation, science and industry, said at a news conference Friday that the government has approved the transaction first proposed in 2021. As part of the deal, the vast majority of Shaw's wireless business, Freedom Mobile, will be sold to Quebec-based Videotron. While Freedom Mobile and its more than two million customers will move over to Videotron, Rogers will maintain a much smaller part of Shaw's wireless business, known as Shaw Mobile, which operates mostly in Alberta and B.C. Those Shaw Mobile customers will be added to Rogers' more than 10 million wireless customers across all of its brands, which includes Fido, Chatr and others."
Why the exclamation mark is still something to get excited about! (CBC) I have never liked the exclamation mark but perhaps I can come around. "The exclamation mark has arguably seen better days. The explosion of emojis on smartphones and social media offers hundreds of alternatives to the old-fashioned exclamation mark. On the other hand, its excessive use by some public figures has led critics to malign its oversaturation in public discourse. But literary scholar Florence Hazrat argues we could use more exclamation marks — or exclamation points, depending on your preference — in our lives, not fewer."
Tetris biopic was Noah Pink's passion project. He wrote it in a Toronto café (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT We watched this last night. It is EXCELLENT! <--- (see, I do use exclamation marks on occasion). "In a year already full of them, Tetris might be one of the unlikeliest biopics being released. Going up against everything from Oppenheimer, Napoleon and Maestro, to Blackberry, Air and Ferrari, an in depth look at the falling blocks video game may sound like the most bottom-of-the-barrel choice — other than maybe pop-tart biopic Unfrosted and, of all things, the upcoming Flamin' Hot Cheetos flick Flamin' Hot. But when Noah Pink stumbled on the story behind one of the best-selling games of all time, he saw something different.The Halifax-born screenwriter behind Tetris saw it as a passion project — one that took nearly a decade to make."

SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS

Unlocking the Power of ChatGPT: A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Conversations (Borden Baida) We all need to get on board with AI. Here is another great guide.
Increasing Your Efficiency: The Powerful Intersection of Technology and Productivity (Jacob Blackwood) Without a doubt, technology has dramatically increased my productivity. If you are not using it, I encourage you to reconsider.
7 Quick and Easy Weekend Habits to Boost Your Energy Levels (Khushi Anand) Please, please don't do work on the weekend. You need the recharge.
7 compelling reasons why Good Branding is Essential for a Successful Business. (Shantung Kumar) An excellent primer on brand and branding.
Should taking breaks on peak workdays be normalized? (Trishita Banerjee) The sweetness of doing nothing.
Cover your ears — your headphones are cultivating radical emotions inside of you that you can’t control (Freddie Kift) Sound is second only to smell in terms of importance as a sense.
Why Tidiness Matters (Louis Bray) I need tidy to do real work.

TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK

Ford announces $1 Million scholarship program to support students pursuing careers as automotive technicians (CBT News) "Ford Motor Company Fund, the company’s philanthropic arm, is joining Ford dealers across four U.S. regions – Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Phoenix – to provide a million dollars in scholarship funding to help students pursue careers as automotive technicians. The auto industry has long faced a shortage of technicians due to fewer students entering and graduating from post-secondary programs, according to TechForce Foundation. Despite annual demand for 258,000 new technicians, there are only 48,000 graduates from technician programs each year nationwide."
Canadian Canoe Museum Announces $1.775M Transformative Gift for New Waterfront Campus (Canoe Museum) PETERBOUROGH STORY Nice gift! "The Canadian Canoe Museum is thrilled to announce a transformative gift of $1,775,000 to create a vibrant, community-oriented waterfront campus along the shores of the Museum’s future home [...] The Lakefront Campus and Gathering Circle, made possible by the philanthropic efforts of former CFL player and businessman Stuart (Stu) Lang and his wife, Kim, will offer visitors the chance to learn and build connections with the land, water, and community through immersive, authentic outdoor experiences that will create a new generation of paddlers."
New North Shore Library receives million dollar donation for library's children's section (Milwaukee Sentinel Journal) "The North Shore Library project has received a donation of $1 million from the La Macchia family for the construction of the library's children's section. The North Shore Library Children's Section will be named in the memory of Sharon La Macchia, who passed away in February after living with ovarian cancer for five-and-a-half years."

LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES

Welcome to our recap of the week's news, articles, and information of note. ViTreo Group Inc. provides this information for the benefit of our clients, associates, staff, partners, and stakeholders. The content is collected and curated by ViTreo President & CEO Vincent Duckworth. If you would like to submit a link for consideration, please send an email to info@vitreogroup.ca.

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Vincent DuckworthApril 7, 2023Comment