Weekly News Recap: Friday, September 13, 2024

Bill Flanagan, president of the University of Alberta, unveils the newly-named Mike Petryk School of Dentistry on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. Photo by Shaughn Butts /Postmedia

I can feel a mountain rain, that'll wash away and shine again -- k.d. lang

SOME GOOD NEWS

• VIDEO: Willow helps Calgary Fire Department investigate suspicious blazes as city's arson dog (CBC) CALGARY STORY #GoWillow "When the Calgary Fire Department wants to sniff out the cause of a blaze, its secret weapon for years has been its canine investigator, Willow. The seven-year-old black Labrador is the Calgary Fire Department's resident accelerant detection dog."

• VIDEO: Sarah McLachlan honoured with Canada Post stamp (CBC) CANADIAN STORY A lovely tribute to a great songwriter. "British Columbia-based singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan's achievements are being honoured with a Canada Post commemorative stamp."

• VIDEO: Humpback whale rescued near Prince Rupert, B.C. (CBC) BRITISH COLUMBIA STORY We need to do better. "It’s been a difficult few weeks for whales on the North Coast. Two were recently found in distress — one survived, and one died."

• VIDEO: Police drone finds missing child in massive cornfield (BBC) This is amazing. "Drone video shows the moment a missing three-year-old was found in a massive cornfield in Alto, Wisconsin. Law enforcement was able to quickly locate the toddler using drones with thermal capabilities. The toddler was half a mile from home and was found uninjured."

• The world’s largest wind-powered cargo ship just made its first delivery across the Atlantic (Fast Company) More please. "When a new cargo ship set sail from France to New York last month, loaded with hundreds of pallets of champagne, wine, and cognac, it was the first time in nearly a century that a large cargo ship crossed the Atlantic powered almost entirely by the wind."

• A photographer captures life in America’s last remaining old-growth forests (NPR) These are stunning. "From mosses to mountain lions, the temperate old-growth rainforests of the Pacific Northwest provide the complexities and conditions necessary to support high levels of biodiversity."

• They went from rehab and jail to owning a real estate portfolio: ‘You own the hell out of this house!’ (The Guardian) I love stories like this. "The Baltimore houses are in rough shape. They might be missing roofs, or even floors [...]. These houses are a metaphor for so many of Waterbottle’s worker-owners – himself included – who are in recovery from substance use disorders or have had run-ins with the criminal justice system."

• Town officials shut down a boy’s ice cream stand. Fundraisers and death threats followed (AP News) But, there is more... "Bored and looking for something to do this summer, Danny Doherty hatched a plan to raise money for his brother’s hockey team by selling homemade ice cream. But a few days after setting up a stand and serving up vanilla, shaved chocolate and fluffernutter to about 20 people, Danny’s family received a letter from the Norwood Board of Health ordering it shut down."

TOP TEN STORIES OF THE WEEK

1. In photos: Remembering 9/11, 23 years later (CBC) We will remember. "Biden, Harris, Trump make rare joint appearance to mark anniversary."

2. A language guide for judges is a window into modern Britain (The Economist) This guide is the best guide on inclusivity I have EVER seen. I highly recommend taking a spin through the document linked below. "The Judicial College, which is responsible for the training of judges in England and Wales, issued its latest triennial update of the “Equal Treatment Bench Book” (ETBB). Its advice on how judges should address different litigants and witnesses is more than just a training guide."

3. 6 Dangerous Asteroids On Collision Course With Earth, First One May Hit In October (NDTV) Eeek! Thanks to Tamara McCarron for sharing this article. "[Scientists] across the world were surprised by the unexpected entry of a previously undetected asteroid into Earth's atmosphere [...]. Fortunately, the asteroid was too tiny to pose any damage. However, this unexpected event serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards lurking in our solar system, highlighting the need for monitoring and efforts to better prepare for future asteroid encounters. "

4. A little taste of Italy bursts to life at Swift Current's newest restaurant (CBC) SWIFT CURRENT STORY We have been to their restaurant in Shaunavon -- it is wonderful. This is good for Swift Current and it is good for Saskatchewan. "Step inside Trattoria Raccolto and you'll be transported to Tuscany, with a distinct nod to Saskatchewan. One wall is decorated with a mural of deer on a rolling countryside, juxtaposed with the Italian wines and food on the tables."

5. Concordia University of Edmonton facing $3.7M lawsuit over doctoral program (CBC) EDMONTON STORY "Six women who enrolled in Concordia University of Edmonton's first-ever doctoral program in 2021 are now suing the school, alleging they could not graduate on time because the school did not offer enough clinical field placements."

6. James Earl Jones, Whose Powerful Acting Resonated Onstage and Onscreen, Dies at 93 (New York Times) Such a wonderful voice. RIP Mr. Jones, we will not see your like again. "He gave life to characters like Darth Vader in 'Star Wars' and Mufasa in 'The Lion King,' and went on to collect Tonys, Golden Globes, Emmys and an honorary Oscar."

7. Alberta-born k.d. lang to reunite with Reclines for first time in 35 years at CCMA Awards (CBC) ALBERTA STORY #Yay I always loved her work with the Reclines. "Alberta-born singer-songwriter k.d. lang is getting back together with the Reclines for a special performance at the CCMA Awards."

8. VIDEO: Which generation of parents had it the hardest? It depends who you ask (CBC) In my day... "[The] U.S. surgeon general issued a public health advisory about the impact of modern stresses on parents' mental health, saying today's parents face unique challenges, like social media and the youth mental health crisis. But some parents from older generations say raising children has always been, and always will be, a struggle. And while some experts agree that parents today have it worse, others say that since we lack objective data, it's all about individual perspective."

9. VIDEO: Why doesn't Canada have more electric school buses? (CBC) CANADIAN STORY "For anyone who spent their childhood riding stinky, noisy school buses, it's a revelation to climb aboard one of the electric models coming off the assembly line at Lion Electric in Saint-Jérôme, Que., northwest of Montreal. 'The only thing you hear is the wheels on the road,' said founder and CEO Marc Bédard. Proponents believe kids who ride e-buses show up calmer and more focused for school."

10. VIDEO: Has Banff National Park reached a tourism tipping point? (CBC) BANFF STORY "Peter Duck has lived in the town of Banff for more than four decades, a period during which he says there's been plenty of change [...]. Now, traffic is so bad that Duck says he won't go into downtown Banff unless he has to, and he can count more than one wetland that's been snuffed out by a parking lot. "

SEVEN LIFE AND CAREER HACKS

1. Time to Say Goodbye to the B.M.I.? (New York Times) I have never liked BMI, I am glad it is on the way out.

2. How To Completely Unlock Your Shoulders, Spine, & Hips in Minutes (David Liira) I tried this, feels great.

3. What Would a World Run by Women Actually Look Like? (The Noösphere) It is pretty clear that it would be a much more humane world.

4. I Tried This Trendy Journaling Practice for 28 Days To Uncover My Deepest Self — Here’s What Happened (In Fitness And In Health) Very interesting mental health practice. #ShadowWorkJournaling

5. The 5 Running Drills You Need To Get Faster & Feel Sharper (Runner's Life) 3 minutes a day they say.

6. Seeking a “Minimum Viable Softness” (UX Design) Some nerdy design talk on lines.

7. Hot Tip — Micro Periodization = Breakthrough Races; The Power Of Weird Faces; Best HIIT Workouts (Runner's LIfe) I am all about the weird faces.

TOP FOUR GIFTS OF THE WEEK

1. Alberta family donates $10M to U of A school of dentistry to 'give back' (CTV) EDMONTON STORY Great gift! Congrats to all. "The University of Alberta has renamed its school of dentistry after an Alberta family who donated $10 million to its research and future students. The donation was made by U of A alumni Mike and Pat Petryk and their kids, Susan Petryk and Bob Petryk."

2. Atlantic Canada’s largest children’s hospital receives record $25-million donation (Winnipeg Free Press) HALIFAX STORY #Wow "The largest children’s hospital in Atlantic Canada has received what it describes as the region’s single-largest individual donation to health care. The $25-million donation to the IWK Health Centre in Halifax came from Myron and Berna Garron."

3. Glenbow Reimagined Receives $2 Million Gift from Gail & David O'Brien (Yahoo Finance) CALGARY STORY Yay, another leading gift. "Glenbow is thrilled to announce a $2 million gift from Gail and David O'Brien as part of Glenbow Reimagined. In recognition of the O'Brien's generosity, the new double-height salon gallery will be named in their honour when Glenbow reopens at the JR Shaw Centre for Arts & Culture in 2026."

4. Dow makes historic donation of more than $9 million towards community projects (Fort Saskatchewan Record) FORT SASKATCHEWAN STORY This is great and we are very happy to see that some of these funds are being given to the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank. ViTreo is proud to have worked with the Fort Saskatchewan Food Bank on its recent campaign. "[Recently, ]Dow hosted a partnership event [which] included announcements of major community investments from the Dow Company Foundation, totalling more than $9 million in community projects. Dow’s funding will support the following:"

LAST WEEK'S MOST POPULAR STORIES

• VIDEO: Canadian gymnast Ellie Black wins Fair Play Award at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (Olympics.com)

• VIDEO: NHL player Johnny Gaudreau, brother dead after being struck by suspected drunk driver (CBC)

• City can no longer afford Green Line LRT project, Calgary mayor says (CBC)

• Ninety-Nines Receive $1M Donation (Flying)

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