Weekly News Recap: January 17, 2020

Weekly News Recap: January 17, 2020

Jann Arden in CBC's q studio in Toronto. Arden will be the newest member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and the first of potentially more to come this year. (Vivian Rashotte/CBC)

If you’re losing your soul and you know it, then you’ve still got a soul left to lose. -- Charles Bukowski

This week's highlights

Last week's most popular stories

We are starting a new feature at the recap. We keep track of which stories are the most popular (by clicks -- don't worry, we don't know who clicked...just that that it was clicked and how many times). We will share these with you each week just in case you had a hankering to see what was hot last week. You're welcome. :-). Stay tuned for more innovations in the coming months (that would be you in particular Mr. Gormaly).

Australian Bushfires

  • News Corp announces major donation for Australian bushfire relief (Fox News) "News Corp [...] announced a major donation for bushfire relief in Australia as the country copes with the growing disaster. The total pledge: 5 million Australian dollars, the equivalent of roughly $3.5 million U.S. dollars." 1/13/20

  • 'Just brilliant': Tennis legends in staggering donation for bushfire victims (Yahoo) "Serena Williams ended a three-year title drought and donated her entire winner's cheque to victims of the Australian bushfires in an emotional WTA Auckland Classic final [...]." 1/13/20

  • Bette Midler says she’ll match Pink’s $500K donation to Australia; slams Rupert Murdoch (New York Daily News) "Bette Midler has pledged $500,000 to help Australia’s devastating wildfires that have claimed the lives of at least 26 people and destroyed more than 2,000 homes since it started in September." 1/11/20

  • Leonardo DiCaprio's 3m donation to Australia (Celebretainmetn) "The 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' actor has launched the Australia Wildfire Fund through his Earth Alliance organisation - of which he is chair, alongside philanthropist Laurene Powell Jobs and billionaire Brian Sheth - to raise money for the cause and has promised to hand over the sum to those tackling the blazes, which burned through over 41,000 square miles and destroyed more than 2,000 homes Down Under since September." 1/10/20

  • Lewis Hamilton makes $500k donation to bushfire charities (ESPN) "Lewis Hamilton has pledged to donate US$500,000 (£380,000) to support charities involved with the Australian Bushfire relief effort. The reigning Formula One world champion urged the country to 'keep fighting' in a social media post announcing his donation, which was accompanied by a video of a koala being rescued." 1/9/20

  • Kylie Jenner confirms $1M donation to Australia fire relief after fur backlash (Page Six) "'God bless you, Australia. I’m still praying for you. I hope everyone is still spreading awareness. I pledged right when this happened,' the 22-year-old beauty mogul said on her Instagram story. 'I knew that I really wanted to help, so I pledged a million dollars to you guys over there.'" 1/9/20

  • B.C. yarn shop reimbursing locals knitting items for injured Australian animals (CBC) KAMLOOPS STORY I heart this. So Much. "A yarn shop in Kamloops is trying to encourage knitters and crocheters in the community to help make items needed for animals injured by the devastating fires in Australia, by offering to cover the cost of their yarn. Nicole Link, owner of That Darn Yarn Shop and Fibre Mill, said that anyone who buys yarn from her shop to make something that is needed and brings it back to her completed, ready to be shipped, she will reimburse them the cost of their yarn. " 1/8/20

  • Paul Ramsay Foundation makes $30M donation to bushfire appeal (news.com.au) "The Paul Ramsay Foundation has announced it will donate $30 million to support communities affected by the bushfires. An initial $3 million will be provided to the Red Cross, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and St Vincent De Paul to assist in the immediate relief efforts, with the remaining funds to be allocated to long-term work with impacted communities. The foundation's donation is the largest individual donation made to Australia’s bushfire crisis appeal so far." January 2020

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News

  • Jann Arden to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (CBC) CANADIAN STORY Congrats! Well deserved! "Jann Arden, the Alberta singer-songwriter whose music career has spanned three decades with success in Canada as well as abroad, will be the newest member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) announced [...]." 1/14/20

  • Calgary Homeless Foundation CEO Diana Krecsy stepping down (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY "Diana Krecsy is leaving the Calgary Homeless Foundation after nearly six years as president and CEO. Krecsy, who took the helm at the organization in May 2014, said she resigned last month because it’s time for a new leader to help keep the CHF moving forward." 1/14/20

  • 'The loss we feel today is profound': Edmontonians mourn 13 'bright lights' killed in Iranian plane crash (Edmonton Journal) CANADIAN STORY We offer our hearts. All are in our thoughts. RIP. "Edmontonians gathered to mourn the brilliant minds and bright futures lost in last week’s Iranian plane disaster at a full-capacity memorial service for the victims [...]. More than 2,300 people filled the Saville Community Sports Centre at the University of Alberta to cherish the lives of 13 Edmonton community members and 163 others killed [...] when Ukrainian Airlines International Flight PS752 was shot down by a missile shortly after takeoff from Tehran’s airport. All 176 people onboard the plane died, including 57 Canadian citizens." 1/13/20

  • Canada Strong fundraiser aims to raise $1.5-million for families of Canadian plane-crash victims (Globe and Mail) CANADIAN STORY "Mohamad Fakih came to Canada two decades ago from Lebanon with $1,200. Now, he’s a food mogul and philanthropist, with money to share. He spent last week waiting for someone to set up a fundraiser to support the families of those killed aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 in Iran. 'If it doesn't happen, I will have to do something,' he told himself. And so [...] he did." 1/13/20

  • Extinction Rebellion ends hunger strike after UBC clarifies commitment to fossil fuel divestment (Vancouver Sun) VANCOUVER STORY "A group of University of B.C. students ended their five-day hunger strike [...] after receiving a clarification from the school on fossil-fuel divestment." 1/11/20

  • Newest Canadian astronauts graduate, ready to fly to the moon (CBC) CANADIAN STORY Only a wee bit jelly. "Canada's two newest astronauts, Jenni Sidey-Gibbons and Joshua Kutryk, graduated today from NASA's astronaut basic training, making them officially eligible for space flight — and to possibly become the first Canadians on the moon." 1/10/20

  • Sean Kennedy selected at Niagara College sixth president (CHCH) WELLAND STORY Congrats! "Niagara College has named Sean Kennedy at the institution’s sixth president. Kennedy is currently the college’s Vice President, International and has been a part of the senior leadership team since 2006. He previously worked as Vice President of Student and External Relations before serving as the College’s interim vice president, Academic from 2011 to 2012." 1/10/20

  • Condolences pour in following death of N.L. icon John Crosbie (CBC) NEWFOUNDLAND STORY Farewell Mr. Crosbie. We honour your service. RIP. We will not see your like again. "News that iconic Newfoundland and Labrador politician John Crosbie has died is sweeping across the province, and condolences are pouring in from the public as well as former premiers and prime ministers." 1/10/20

  • Parker: Dress for Success Calgary working to help empower women (Calgary Herald) We are big fans of Parker PR and Ellen Parker. Nice work! "Going for a job interview can be daunting; being appropriately dressed for the occasion can put one at ease and feeling confident. But what about women who have no suitable wardrobe? The answer is Dress for Success Calgary, the local chapter of a global organization operating in 30 countries that helps empower hundreds of women in this city and area to achieve economic independence and thrive both in work and life." 1/9/20

  • A billionaire is giving away $9 million to his Twitter followers in an experiment to see if the money makes them happier (CNN) Interesting. "A Japanese billionaire will give away more than $9 million to 1,000 people on Twitter to see if it improves their happiness. All they had to do to get it was retweet him. Online shopping mogul Yusaku Maezawa will divvy up 1 billion yen (around $9 million) among the Twitter users. Winners will end up with a million yen each (roughly $9,100)." 1/9/20

  • Joy Johnson appointed new president of Simon Fraser University (Vancouver Sun) VANCOUVER STORY Congrats! "Simon Fraser University’s Board of Governors has appointed professor Joy Johnson as the university’s next president and vice-chancellor. Johnson, SFU’s current vice-president research and international, will take office on Sept. 1, 2020, succeeding Andrew Petter." 1/8/20

  • Redeemer’s Most Successful Campaign in History Comes to a Close (Redeemer) ANCASTER STORY This is a relatively large campaign for a Canadian Christian College. Congrats on making this happen. "As the calendar turns to a new year and a new decade, the Re Campaign — and the 2020 Strategic Plan it funded — officially comes to a close. With over $19.25 million raised from over 900 donors, this has been the largest and most successful campaign in Redeemer’s history." 1/2/20

  • Patricia Bowron, Vice-President, Advancement and International (Saskatchewan Polytechnic) SASKATOON STORY Congrats! "Patricia joined Sask Polytech in January 2020. Prior to joining Sask Polytech, Bowron was at the College of the Rockies for 22 years, where she held a number of leadership roles that focused on strategic business and partnership development initiatives with government and industry in British Columbia, Canada and abroad." January 2020

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Books to read

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Seven life and career hacks -- one for each day of the week

  1. Suboptimal: How To Respond Productively When Things Go Wrong (Better Humans) If you only read one of our hacks, this is the one. Brilliant. In. Every. Way. 1/9/20

  2. 7 Emotional Superpowers Few People Have (That You Can Use to Set Yourself Apart) (Mind Cafe) As usual, Ayodeji Awosika nails it. #3 and #\5 are particularly resonant for me. 1/5/20

  3. What color is your name? A new Synesthesia project will show you. (Noteworthy - The Journal Blog) This is cool. If you want to see your name, go here. Mine is full of lovely greens. 12/29/19

  4. How Healthy Are You? (Live Your Life On Purpose) I love the Smart BMI. Check it out. 12/22/20

  5. Tim Ferriss Says to Consider This Thought — Especially If Your Life Feels like a Mess (P.S. I Love You) My touchstone for 2020 is personal relationships. My life has seen a diminishing circle of close friends. Not cool. I am committed to changing this. 12/13/19

  6. The 1 Thing I Did That Changed My Entire Life For The Better (The Ascent) Talk about discipline! I really love the routine in this story. Read one page...mediate, journal, repeat. 12/11/19

  7. The Ability to Regulate Your Emotions is Quickly Becoming The Premier Skill of The 21st Century (Personal Growth) I could definitely use some tuning of this skill...'name it to tame it'. 11/12/19

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Uncommon knowledge

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Philanthropic controversy

  • Iran plane crash fundraisers shut down by GoFundMe without explanation (CBC) CANADIAN STORY This makes a clear case for using Canadian crowdfunding platforms. "At least two recent GoFundMe campaigns based in Edmonton have been pulled offline, then reinstated without explanation, with organizers concerned that references to Iran or Iranians may have caused the U.S.-based crowdfunding platform to temporarily disable their campaigns." 1/13/20

  • Report: Jeffrey Epstein gave $850,000 to MIT; administrators insisted contributions be made anonymously (Mass Live) "Top administrators at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology continued to approve donations made by disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein after he was a convicted sex offender, and worked to keep his contributions out of the public eye in an effort to protect the college, according to a new a report detailing the Epstein’s relationship with MIT [...]." 1/11/20

  • IRS Update Reignites Concerns About Crypto Donation Appraisals (Bloomberg) "The IRS recently confirmed individuals making large donations of cryptocurrency must get those amounts appraised—stoking fears that the requirement could discourage charitable giving." 1/10/20

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Trends and shifts

  • 11 Trends in Philanthropy for 2020: Anticipate and Embrace What’s Next (Johnson Center) The most robust list I have seen to date -- an excellent list. "Now, for the fourth year in a row, experts and thought leaders from the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy explore 11 trends in philanthropy for 2020 to help you anticipate and embrace what’s next." 1/14/20

  • I’ll Share My Salary Information if You Share Yours (New York Times) Brilliant! "It was a few years into my career that I first talked to anyone about my salary, and then I couldn’t shut up about it. I negotiated my first raise after I learned that a male colleague with the same title was making significantly more than I was. As a freelancer, I often shared day rates and consulting fees with friends in my field, so we could know which companies to tap for more." 1/9/20

  • Helping our students to develop rhetorical literacy (University Affairs) "Greta Thunberg is a powerful case study: in 14 months she went from a 15-year-old protesting alone in front of the Swedish Parliament to addressing world leaders at the United Nations on climate change. Greta is riding a wave of youth advocacy that has become part of our cultural zeitgeist; 'the spirit of our times' is now animated by young people who have become orators of hope." 1/7/20

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Large gifts

  • Barack Obama Foundation Receives $5 Million Donation From Nike For Upcoming Athletic Facility At Obama Presidential Center In Chicago (Baller Alert) "According to Obama.Org, The Obama Presidential Center will consist of four main buildings on its campus, including a museum, a library, a forum for people of different backgrounds to come together for programming, and a plaza serving as a public space for events of many different natures. Now Nike has decided to donate $5 million for Barack Obama to be able to create an athletic facility on the premises." 1/14/20

  • Family donates $1 million to MRI campaign (Owen Sound Sun Times) OWEN SOUND STORY Nice! "A $1 million donation has allowed the Owen Sound Regional Hospital Foundation to reach its goal for its MRI fundraising initiative. The donation, made anonymously by a local family, has allowed the five foundations of Grey Bruce Health Services to reach their $4.7-million target for a new MRI." 1/14/20

  • $2.5 million donation from Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation (Town of Banff) BANFF STORY Woot! Nice gift. "The Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation announces a donation of $2.5 million to the Town of Banff, ensuring the completion of a much-needed pedestrian bridge connecting downtown Banff to the Recreation Grounds and the Cave & Basin District." 1/14/20

  • Newhouse Foundation gives Syracuse University the school’s largest donation ever (Syracuse.com) "The S.I. Newhouse Foundation has announced a $75 million donation to Syracuse University, the largest gift in the university’s 150-year history." 1/13/20

  • KSU gets $10 million donation (11 Alive) "[KSU] got approved for a $10 million donation, which McGee said will go to scholarships for the honors college students. McGee said the donation which came from John and Rosemary Brown, is the single largest gift given to the university since it was founded in 1963." 1/9/20*

  • WLU receives $4 million from Chamberlain family for Faculty of Music project (The Record) WATERLOO STORY "It's a 'transformational' gift that's music to the ears of Wilfrid Laurier University. The Savvas Chamberlain Family Foundation has pledged $4 million to the school's Making Space for Music campaign, which is quickly nearing its $14-million goal to expand and renovate the Faculty of Music building. In honour of the gift, the building will be named the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building." 1/9/20

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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 partner Vincent Duckworth. If you would like to submit a link for consideration, please send an email to info@vitreogroup.ca

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