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Weekly News Recap: December 2, 2022

Vincent Duckworth

Weekly News Recap: December 2, 2022

Doris Gietz, Miriam Bergen’s cousin, holds a photograph of the late philanthropist at Tuesday's announcement. (Warren Kay/CBC).

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. – Will Ferrell

SOME GOOD NEWS

  • How Wordle brought us back together (experience) Brilliant move by New York Times to buy Wordle. And, it has brought us back together. Well, most of us 😉. "[Online] chatter is integral to the Spelling Bee experience. That’s doubly true when it comes to Wordle, the guess-a-word game created by Brooklyn software developer Josh Wardle in 2021. The game, which gives players six tries to solve for a five-letter word each day, quickly grew from 90 daily users to about 2 million before it was acquired by the Times in February 2022. According to a May earnings report, the game has been responsible for drawing 'tens of millions' of new users to the Times in the months since."

  • Zola the Gorilla's Dance Moves in a Tub at Dallas Zoo are Making a Splash Again (News18) Even as a throwback, this makes me happy. "In a throwback video posted by the Twitter page Fascinating, one can see a big gorilla grooving to the song 'Maniac' (you know this one from the movie Flashdance) while bathing in a large blue tub. The animal, identified as Zola, a silverback gorilla, can be seen splashing around in the pool, twisting and twirling as he does so. The primate's energy levels are through the roof!"

  • How a Marine Biologist Remixed Whalesong (The New Yorker) Haunting. Beautiful. "In 2014, a group of ambient composers and artists released a compilation album called 'POD TUNE.' Whales’ otherworldly emissions are now literally otherworldly: in 1977, nasa included whalesong recordings on records it attached to its Voyager spacecraft. Sara Niksic, a biologist and musician from Croatia, is a recent participant in the genre. In 2019, she self-released an album of electronic music titled 'Canticum Megapterae - Song of the Humpback Whale.' (Humpback whales belong to the genus Megaptera.)"

  • Alberta-developed device helps mobility-challenged kids turn thoughts into action (Global News) ALBERTA STORY #Amazing "The technology can rely on small hand movements or read little directions from the child’s eyes. The Thank2Switch device, developed by researchers at the Universities of Calgary and Alberta, uses brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to turn a child’s thoughts into action."

  • Escaped ostriches spotted in southern Alberta town, prompting Mountie response (CBC) TABER STORY Bet they did not talk about that in Mountie school. "About 20 ostriches descended upon the streets of Taber, Alta., on Thursday, prompting local Mounties to help capture the birds. Destiny Nanaquewetung, who works at a convenience store in the small town about 230 kilometres southeast of Calgary, was on a break when she saw an RCMP vehicle driving next to an ostrich. She recorded a video, which she posted on social media. In the video, a man, who is the ostrich's owner, can be seen leaning out the window of an RCMP cruiser and attempting to grab the bird."

  • People pour love on brewery owned by family of veteran who took down Colorado Springs shooter (CBC) I want some of this gear! "People across North America are throwing support behind and buying up merchandise — including T-shirts and headbands — from a brewery owned by the family of a Colorado Springs army veteran who was one of two people who took down a shooter at a club last Saturday. Richard and Jessica Fierro were celebrating a birthday at Club Q in Colorado Springs with their family and friends when a shooter attacked patrons enjoying a drag show. The Fierros own Atrevida Beer Co., a brewery celebrated for its beer and as Colorado's first Latin-owned brewery, with a female head brewer."

  • Canada is leading the way on health care for astronauts — to be used here on Earth, too (CBC) CANADIAN STORY #GoCanada "As humans once again begin our foray back to the moon, there are some very serious questions about how to ensure we can do so safely. After all, space is dangerous. Very dangerous. There's the threat your rocket could blow up, or there could be a problem with your spacecraft. There's also a risk of space debris or meteoroids. But the biggest threat is to our health. Our bodies were designed for Earth: its gravity, its air, its atmosphere. There's none of that in space, plus deadly space radiation to consider. And then there's just everyday health concerns. That's why the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is working to develop technology to be used in space to help astronauts stay as safe as they possibly can as part of its Health Beyond Initiative. But the bonus? That technology is first being developed for those of us living here on Earth."

TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK

  1. The new influencers: three women who are transforming the commercial real estate industry (The Globe and Mail) CANADIAN STORY ViTreo is proud to have worked with Vivo and with DIALOG on one of Marion's projects. Congrats to all three of these amazing humans. "Marion LaRue is an architect and principal at DIALOG’s Vancouver office. Her area of commercial real estate design expertise includes sports, recreation, public and institutional projects. Currently Ms. LaRue is working on student residences and dining commons for Simon Fraser University, the Vivo for Healthier Generations recreation centre in Calgary, a student housing facility for North Island College on Vancouver Island and an aquatics/ice arena addition in Edson, Alta. She is passionate about creating environments that inspire people to take ownership of their health and well-being."

  2. Alexa, is the voice-assistant industry doomed? (CBC) I wonder if the ancillary sales justify the loss? "A recent report indicating that Amazon's Alexa division is on track to lose $10 billion US this year is raising questions about the future of the entire voice-assistant industry. 'I think there is a next-generation battle for voice assistance that will require very, very deep pockets to survive,' said Andy Wu, an assistant professor of business administration in the strategy unit at Harvard Business School. Voice-assistant software driven by artificial intelligence responds to verbal commands via enabled devices; that can include asking them to play music, look up general information, set timers or place orders to a restaurant."

  3. Why Christmas trees are scarce and more expensive this year (CBC) CANADIAN STORY My wife Christine loves live trees. "If the pain of inflation is already cutting into your holiday gift-giving plans, prepare to pay more to decorate, too. The average cost of a Christmas tree is up — like everything else this year — thanks to higher fuel, fertilizer and labour costs, climate change, higher insurance rates and, according to several growers, a continent-wide shortage of trees."

  4. Calgary philanthropist offers matching funds for Bow Valley College's first ever Giving Day (Bow Valley College) CALGARY STORY ViTreo is proud to be working with Bow Valley College and is thrilled to see this wonderful gift. Congrats to all and thank you to the Bharwani Foundation. "Mr. Bharwani has been a donor to Bow Valley College since 2011, sponsoring multiple student awards, including the Esmail Bharwani Veterinary Office Assistant Program Award. Student recipient Daniela Basabe says she is grateful for the Bharwani award she received in 2020. 'This award was a breath of fresh air during a time of darkness and uncertainty,' Daniela notes of her time as a student during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Bow Valley College was the most rewarding choice I made. I gained confidence in myself as a student, and I’m now able to continue my education and build my career.'”

  5. RBC buying HSBC Canada for $13.5B (CBC) CANADIAN STORY "Royal Bank of Canada has agreed to buy the Canadian arm of mutinational bank HSBC for $13.5 billion in cash. RBC chief executive Dave McKay said the deal offers the opportunity to add a complementary business and client base."

  6. A no-fuss royal: Why Princess Anne's profile could be on the rise (CBC) CANADIAN CONTENT
    I heart Princess Anne. "The rain was pouring down, but Princess Anne carried on, making a speech and waving off the offer of an umbrella to shield her from the elements. Watching that unfold, as Anne visited Canadian Forces Base Borden north of Toronto during a private visit a few years ago, Col. Andrew Downes was struck by her fortitude. 'She stood there in the rain and gave her speech. And I thought, wow, that's pretty stoic and rather dedicated,' Downes recalled in an interview this week. Such sentiments are often attached to Anne, the 72-year-old younger sister of King Charles, who has long been known for her no-fuss, down-to-royal-business attitude. Often described as one of — if not the — hardest-working royals, there is a sense her profile is rising as Charles shapes the monarchy going forward from the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth, in September."

  7. Do parking lots have a future in Calgary's core? Yes … but perhaps not only for cars (Calgary Herald) CALGARY STORY #Finally "Empty parking stalls, once a rarity in Calgary’s bustling core, are now commonplace among the city’s surface lots and parking garages, as vehicle traffic into downtown remains below historic highs due to prolonged challenges, including lower levels of leased office space and more people working from home since the COVID-19 pandemic."

  8. CSULB responds to suit over $25 million donation agreement (Hey Social) #Ugh "Cal State Long Beach responded Friday to a lawsuit by a 95-year-old woman who wants a judge to rule she is not obligated to make a $25 million donation to music education at the school, saying her attorneys have filed an 'ill-considered and unsupportable complaint' in her name. Plaintiff Regena Cole maintains in her Long Beach Superior Court lawsuit that she was coerced into signing the agreement by a former 49er Foundation executive and others associated with the university. Her suit brought Monday alleges financial elder abuse, fraud, negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment. She seeks at least $500,000 in damages and a court order declaring the agreement void."

  9. Alberta's 1st esports strategy sets out path to win in a growing industry (CBC) ALBERTA STORY Change is the only constant. "Competitive video gaming is now a billion-dollar industry and a new strategy has outlined how Alberta can get a piece of the esports pie. The Alberta Esports Strategy was released Thursday, outlining what Alberta can do and what it can gain from setting itself up as a hub for esports. The report estimates that in 2019, global revenue was $1.1 billion with a year-over-year growth rate of around 15 per cent."

  10. Iconic Maple Leafs defenceman Börje Salming dies at 71 (CBC) TORONTO STORY I loved watching you play Börje! RIP. We will not see your like again. "Legendary NHL defenceman Börje Salming, who was a fixture on the Toronto Maple Leafs' blue line for 16 years, has died. He was 71 years old. The Maple Leafs announced Salming's death Thursday afternoon. 'Börje was a pioneer of the game and an icon with an unbreakable spirit and unquestioned toughness,' President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan said in a statement. "He helped open the door for Europeans in the NHL and defined himself through his play on the ice and through his contributions to the community."

SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS

  1. Have We Forgotten How to Read Critically? (Dame Magazine) I sure hope not. But, if we have, we still have time to find it.

  2. How to Win at Wordle (Without Cheating) (Quanta Magazine) As much as I hate to say it (and I don't do it), picking the right starting word matters.

  3. If You Have Eggs and Tomatoes, You Have Dinner (Bon Appétit) Oh, this looks so good.

  4. People Are Sharing The One Small Ingredient That Makes The Biggest Difference In Their Go-To Dishes (And I'm So Excited To Try These In My Own Kitchen) (BuzzFeed) Too many to pick favourites. Well, I do love smoked paprika, anchovies, and fish sauce but...

  5. Your Section-by-Section Guide to Storing Foods in the Fridge, From the Upper Shelves to the Crisper Drawers (martha stewart) It's true but it might destroy your marriage. Just sayin'.

  6. How to Estimate Distance Using Just Your Thumb (lifehacker) I learned this as a teenager and it has been very helpful, especially in the bush but...also on the golf course.

  7. 100 ways to slightly improve your life without really trying (The Guardian) #34 will change your life.

TOP THREE GIFTS OF THE WEEK

  1. Winnipeg Foundation willed $500M, largest gift to a Canadian charity by an individual (CBC) WINNIPEG STORY This gift is just stunning. What a legacy! It takes a $1.5 billion endowment and increases it to $2 billion. #Incredible "The Winnipeg Foundation says it has received the largest gift ever made to a Canadian charity by an individual — a $500-million bequest by a local business owner who died earlier this year. 'It is with immense gratitude I am here today to announce a gift that will be transformational for our community,' board chair Tom Bryk said at a news conference Tuesday. The money was left to the foundation, which distributes grants to charitable organizations in Winnipeg, in the will of Miriam Bergen, who died in January."

  2. McGill receives $11.4 million for brain research collaboration (Philanthropy News Digest) MONTREAL STORY "McGill University has announced a C$15.3 million ($11.4 million) gift from the Irving Ludmer Family Foundation in support of a brain research collaboration with the university’s Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics & Mental Health and its research partners across Montreal."

  3. Perot Foundation awards $15 million to United Way Dallas (Philanthropy News Digest) "The Perot Foundation has committed a $15 million gift to United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, NBC Dallas Fort Worth reports. Announced on Giving Tuesday, the largest gift in the organization’s history will help United Way Dallas strengthen the community’s access to education, well-paying jobs, and health care. To that end, the organization aims to increase the number of third graders reading on grade level by 50 percent by 2030."

LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES

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