Weekly News Recap: June 24, 2022

Mark Jones, CEO of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, speaks at a ground-breaking event in Red Deer on June 21, 2022. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children. -- Nelson Mandela

SOME GOOD NEWS

‘Oh yes, right there!’: These trash cans talk dirty to folks who throw out litter (New York Post) Smart! #LoveSweden "As part of a clean-up campaign, the seaside city of Malmö programmed its high-tech rubbish bins to sense when trash is tossed and give steamy positive feedback, according to The Local. The sex pot receptacles also cry out, 'Just to the left!' and, 'Come back soon and do that again!'"
How a grandmother found herself playing pickleball with Steelers T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Alex Highsmith (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) This picture made me smile. "When Meg Burkardt arrived at the North Park pickleball courts Saturday, she noticed that a few strapping young men were on the court where she and her friends usually play. Two of them were playing one-on-one and she saw that a third was just sitting down watching, so what she did next came natural."
She Couldn't Find a Bar Showing Women's Sports, So She Opened One (NBC) #Brilliant "Jenny Nguyen got frustrated back in 2018 when she was trying to watch the NCAA women’s basketball final, and none of the TVs at a local sports bar were showing the big game. Out of that frustration, Nguyen conceived the idea for The Sports Bra, her Portland hangout where women’s sports are always on and the best athletes in women’s sports are celebrated. Nguyen chatted with LX News storyteller Ngozi Ekeledo about opening the business."
What these Identical Twin Pitchers Tell Us About Genes, Performance, and the Making of a Major League Ballplayer (GQ) Fascinating. "Talking to Taylor and Tyler Rogers, who became the first set of identical twins to pitch against each other in a Major League Baseball game in April, can feel like, as Yogi Berra put it, déjà vu all over again. Identical twins are perfect genetic copies of each other, and the physical similarities between the two relief pitchers are striking, their remarks and mannerisms uncannily alike. But they pitch in wildly different ways. Taylor (career ERA: 3.14), who plays for the San Diego Padres, is the more conventional of the two, and throws much harder, topping out around 98 mph. Tyler (career ERA: 3.08), a San Francisco Giant, is a submariner who relies on unusual mechanics and movement to succeed."
Auction of Russian journalist's Nobel Peace Prize raises $103M for Ukrainian refugees (CBC) This is truly amazing. #ABeautifulGift "The Nobel Peace Prize that Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov auctioned off to raise money for Ukrainian child refugees sold Monday night for $103.5 million US, shattering the old record for a Nobel. The proceeds will go directly to UNICEF in its efforts to help children displaced by the war in Ukraine. A spokesperson for Heritage Auctions, which handled the sale, could not confirm the identity of the buyer but said the winning bid was made by proxy."
Coming in: A Sask. filmmaker's two-spirit journey (CBC) SASKATCHEWAN STORY "Growing up in northern Saskatchewan, Julianna Maggrah (she/they) always felt something was off when it came to who she was and how she felt. Maggrah, a storyteller, filmmaker and member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, was raised both on the reserve in La Ronge and in Prince Albert, Sask. Maggrah says she never felt accepted on the reserve because she looked 'too white.' But in the city, she felt like she looked too boyish. She also felt uncomfortable in her body and thought maybe she was supposed to be born a boy."
This Cheslatta Carrier Nation woman says braiding helped her grieve loss of her mom (CBC) BRITISH COLUMBIA STORY "When her mother passed away in 2021, Jenn Jack says she almost 'lost herself.' 'Life really wasn't the same without her,' she said. Searching for something to cure her sadness, she found braiding. She'd read online that braiding had a healing power, and turned to doing hair as a way to cope. 'If I'm sad and I'm braiding someone's hair, then my sadness will get entangled and entwined into the hair almost like a dream catcher would catch a bad dream,' Jack said."
Airdrie Pride walk aims to send message of support (CBC) AIRDRIE STORY #GoAirdrie "Dozens of people gathered in Airdrie on Saturday to take part in a Pride solidarity walk, the first event of its kind since the start of the pandemic two years ago. Airdrie Pride said it chose to host a walk of solidarity instead of a parade to pay homage to those who have fought for LGBT rights in the past and to acknowledge that there is still work to be done to attain meaningful equality."

TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK

Canada's inflation rate now at 7.7% — its highest point since 1983 (CBC) CANADIAN STORY #Ouch and #DoubleOuch "Canada's inflation rate rose at its fastest pace in almost 40 years in the year up to May, as the price of just about everything continues to go up fast. Statistics Canada reported Wednesday that an uptick in the price of gasoline was a major factor causing the overall inflation rate to hit 7.7 per cent. Gas prices rose by 12 per cent in the month of May alone, and are up by 48 per cent compared to where they were a year ago."
Sports minister freezes Hockey Canada's government funding in wake of sex assault settlement (CBC) CANADIAN STORY This is a good move. More please. "The federal government has put Hockey Canada on notice. Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge announced Wednesday the organization's access to public funds has been frozen, effective immediately, over its response to an alleged sexual assault and subsequent out-of-court settlement. The move comes after Hockey Canada president Scott Smith and outgoing CEO Tom Renney were grilled by MPs earlier this week during a Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage hearing."
Horgan suspends controversial rebuild of Royal B.C. Museum (CBC) BRITISH COLUMBIA STORY "The province is suspending the controversial $789-million plan to rebuild the Royal B.C. Museum, Premier John Horgan announced Wednesday. Horgan said the costly project was the 'wrong decision at the wrong time' and that the government heard opposition from British Columbians 'loud and clear.' 'I made the wrong call,' the premier said. 'I made a call when British Columbians were thinking about other concerns.' Horgan explained that British Columbians were unwilling to accept an $800-million price tag for the project while the province faces a doctor shortage, an increasing cost of living and other critical issues coming out of the pandemic."
French’s creates summer’s worst treat: a ‘horrifying’ ketchup-flavored popsicle (New York Post) CANADIAN STORY Um...I have no words. "There is no shortage of delicious summer treats, so a new, ice-based dessert’s flavor profile would have to really stand out. Enter the 'Frenchsicle,' a ketchup-flavored popsicle created by French’s, best known for their condiments — and now, for a limited time only, a polarizing popsicle flavor. Available at pop-up locations in Canada until June 24, French’s is foraying into the dessert world in collaboration with Happy Pops, a local Canadian business specializing in all-natural ice pops made from real fruit and sweetened with organic cane sugar."
New home for Child Advocacy Centre and others at RDP expected to save lives (Red Deer News Now) RED DEER STORY Congratulations to all. ViTreo is proud to be helping the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre with its fundraising. "Ground was broken Tuesday on what will soon be home of the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC). The CACAC will call home the innovative Centre of Excellence, as it’s been dubbed — a 66,566 square foot facility on the grounds of Red Deer Polytechnic. It’ll also be home to the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre and Alberta Health Services, plus others. Guests included Premier Jason Kenney, who was credited for his cooperation with the CACAC when they pitched for provincial funding, $3.5 million. Also present was Respect Group Inc. co-founder Sheldon Kennedy, and CACAC mastermind Terry Loewen."
Calgary's Centre for Newcomers opens new facility in city's northeast (CBC) CALGARY STORY Congratulations to the Centre for Newcomers. ViTreo is proud to have helped the Centre with its fundraising and its case for support. "Calgary's Centre for Newcomers has officially opened in its new location, which gives the busy settlement organization a bigger and much more visible presence in the community. The non-profit agency that helps immigrants and refugees took over the space formerly occupied by two big box stores at Northgate Village, located across from Marlborough Mall on 36th Street N.E. The centre has a 200-seat auditorium, a storefront cafe run by newcomers as well as child care, a spiritual space and a youth centre. The new location covers 53,000 square feet and will act as a community hub, not just for employees and clients but for the surrounding community."
Canadians seeking closure are finally holding funerals, memorials delayed by COVID-19 (CBC) CANADIAN STORY My sister passed away during COVID-19. We still have not celebrated her life. I feel this pain. And I need closure. "For more than a year since Neil McIlveen's death, his family has been waiting for the opportunity to hold a large gathering to celebrate his life. When McIlveen died in Hamilton, Ont., in May 2021, lockdown measures meant his relatives were unable to hold a proper funeral service or to physically comfort each other. 'When I needed to hug somebody and say, 'Oh my God, Neil's gone,' there was nothing — so you kind of live in denial a little bit,' said McIlveen's sister, Ann Marie Burnside."
New St. Mary’s president focused on growing liberal arts college (Catholic Register) CALGARY STORY Welcome to Calgary Dr. Vanderpool. "Dr. Sinda Vanderpool begins her tenure as president and vice-chancellor of St. Mary’s University in Calgary next month with a mindset for growth. 'St. Mary’s has such amazing people and students who are attracted to this wonderful Catholic liberal arts education, and I feel like the impact of (St. Mary’s) can be so much greater,' said Vanderpool, who takes over her new role on July 1. 'Really my vision is focused on growth of the student body.' For the past 18 years, Vanderpool ascended through the faculty ranks at Baylor University, a private Christian research institution in Waco, Texas. While at Baylor, Vanderpool was a modern foreign languages instructor, director of advisement for the College of Arts and Sciences, assistant vice provost for academic enrollment management and associate vice provost for academic enrollment management."
Dr. Verna Yiu named interim provost, vice president of U of A (CTV) EDMONTON STORY Excellent move UofA. Congrats to Dr. Yiu. "Former Alberta Health Services President and CEO Dr. Vena Yiu has been named interim provost and vice president at the University of Alberta. Yiu has been appointed to a two-year term set to commence on July 1. 'I have deep roots with the University of Alberta, and after a decade away I’m excited to re-immerse myself in this community,' she said in a written release. 'I know the community is in a place of tremendous change, and I look forward to getting reacquainted quickly so that we can work together to move the U of A into the future.'"
Big bucks for stadium names may not generate cash flow, but it boosts branding: expert (CBC) CANADIAN STORY Very interesting article, especially for us naming nerds. "If you're a Canadian sports fanatic, you've probably heard of the Rogers Centre and Scotiabank Arena. They're hard to miss, with their names plastered in bright lights and mentioned on national broadcasts. But does seeing Auston Matthews score a record-setting number of goals in Scotiabank Arena make you more likely to switch banks?"

SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS

Introduction to Personal Content Curation (Joash Xu) The recap began out of my love for personal content curation. It is a highly satisfying and creative exercise. #Recommended.
Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Our Fitness? (In Fitness And In Health) Good question. Not sure if there is a clear answer.
I Read 30 Books About Focus (Alfred I.) A short and snappy article with some critical keys to flow. Key for me is to avoid switching costs...at all costs.
The Quiet Morning Routine That Produces 6 Articles a Week Alongside My 9–5 (Writing Community) Very jealous to see someone who can carve out 12 hours of writing time per week. I am definitely going to try.
5 Habits That Will Make You Emotionally Strong (Nick Wignall) "Do you ever feel like your emotions are all over the place? Like your moods ping-pong around erratically and unpredictably? If so, you probably wish you could feel a little less at the mercy of external events — able to stay cool and keep your calm no matter what was happening. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with feeling any emotion. And it’s normal for our emotions to fluctuate. But some people are able to control their emotional reactions better than others."
If you worry a lot, you need to read this (Alex Mathers) Interesting that, like staying in focus, attention shifting is the enemy. If you want to worry less, focus.
6 Best Foods To Clean Out Your Colon (ILLUMINATION) I know. I know. Some of you are thinking why did Vincent put an article about your bottom bits in the recap. Well, turns out, I did it because it matters and I care about you. You're welcome.

TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK

Schulich School of Business and CIBC Partner to Establish Research Chair in Sustainable Finance (GlobalNewsWire) TORONTO STORY Nice partnership. Nice gift CIBC. "York University’s Schulich School of Business, one of the world’s leading centres of sustainability research, and CIBC, a global leader in sustainable finance, are partnering to produce next-generation research in the emerging field of sustainable finance."
Space & Rocket Center receives $10 million donation to support Space Camp (AL.com) Cool gift. "The U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville on Friday announced the largest financial gift in the museum’s history, a $10 million donation to support Space Camp programs. Jared Isaacman, founder and CEO of Shift4 and who attended Aviation Challenge at the rocket center as a child, gave the donation."
Taggart family donates $10 million to Ottawa hospital building campaign (Ottawa Citzen) OTTAWA STORY #Grateful "The Taggart family, whose name is emblazoned on construction projects across Eastern Ontario, has made a $10 million gift to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation’s fundraising campaign in support of a new, $2.8-billion Civic campus."

LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES

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Vincent DuckworthJune 23, 2022Comment