Coming into a new school is extremely hard, especially when you are unaware of the different people, challenges and topics of conversations that you will be encountering once you settle in.
You would never expect a school whose academic reputation is so highly admired to have people who care so much about things like getting engaged before finishing the school year.
Now, I am not saying that an engagement is insignificant. It’s quite the opposite. It’s a decision between two people who are planning to spend the rest of their lives together.
My concern is with the manners in which people mock the idea of two people making that decision at such an early age. There have even been movies made about the topic in order to make fun of those who seem “desperate” to have or give that ring. No matter what reasoning a couple has in deciding to take that step, it is none of anyone’s business.
“Ring before spring” is the idea that many couples are looking to have sealed the deal by the time spring comes. It encourages the thought that many people are only in relationships looking to get married as soon as possible, rather than enjoying what they have now with their partners and having more time to plan ahead after college.
I understand that in a university with a relatively small student population like Baylor, a lot of people can be surprised by discovering that their friends, peers or classmates are making big decisions like this one.
It’s good to be excited for them — to celebrate this commitment. What astonishes me is that conversations about the matter don’t usually go this way, and I am relieved for couples when they actually do.
I won’t say that I’ve never spoken about this with other people; I have. However, thinking through it, I have come to the conclusion that I don’t understand their situation and that I am really not one to judge.
Life is about choices, and the beauty of it is that we always have more than one option for everything. To get married or not to get married. To talk or not to talk. Whatever we decide to do, we should always be aware that some of those decisions could involve other people, directly or indirectly.
I am not trying to give the talk that always ends in saying, “Never talk about people behind their back,” because it happens and is, many times, inevitable. What I am really asking is this: Is a random student’s engagement plan really a conversation you should be a part of?
The Winnipeg Humane Society (WHS) says it’s a step in the right direction to hear the issue of puppy mills and animal abuse being raised at the federal level.
Federal Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole made headlines Monday by pledging to ban puppy mills if elected — something WHS CEO Jessica Miller said many Canadians don’t realize is still an issue.
“There are a lot of backyard breeders — and our definition of that would be someone who is not registered as breeding under the canine kennel clubs, they’re doing whatever they want with multiple litters.
“They’re really tough to catch, because this is largely unregulated, which I’m sure is why it’s coming forward now.”
Part of the problem, Miller told 680 CJOB, is that there are multiple laws from all three levels of government aimed at preventing this type of cruelty, but they all tend to be reactive and complaint-based, largely due to a lack of resources.
“Through our partnership with the province’s Chief Veterinary Office, we do investigations with them and do investigations of our own through the humane society,” Miller said, “and it’s on a weekly basis that we’re seeing large seizures of hoardings, of people that call themselves breeders.
“We have animal protection officers, and they are going all day long to emergency calls to different hoarding situations … and also the province is doing this throughout Manitoba. They’re always on the road going to different situations, and they’re doing this based on public complaints.”
Also, animals in Canada in general are considered property, so if someone is accused of hurting or killing and animal on purpose, they can be criminally charged — but it’s a different situation than if someone was charged for hurting another human being, she said.
“It’s exciting that parties are considering (preventing animal cruelty) as a platform.”
O’Toole said Monday that the demand for pets during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in unethical breeders and pet dealers, something he intends to crack down on if elected.
“Tragically, we’ve also seen an increase in animal abuse and violence — closely tied to the increase in domestic violence,” he said.
Canada election: O’Toole pledges to ban puppy mills, combat animal abuse
Canada election: O’Toole pledges to ban puppy mills, combat animal abuse
Last night at the regular council meeting one of the hot topics was rejuvenating the pier and adding a 75 metre walkway. Certain counsellors expressed there frustration with a lack of options in regards to costs to repair and alternative methods from the quote they received.
A lengthy discussion occurred and it was concluded that there will be another round of public engagement in September to discuss the waterfront and associated costs. Having been modified and expanded since 1832, the pier now has structural issues and requires ongoing maintenance and repair to fix issues like sinkholes.
In 2018, Shoreplan conducted an engineering assessment of the town pier and gave several options for addressing its structural integrity.
The city of Southlake is the topic of a new NBC News podcast delving into the racism controversy sparked by a viral video of high school students chanting a racial slur in 2018.
The podcast — titled "Southlake" and available on streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music — follows what unfolded after a video showing a group of Carroll Independent School District students chanting the N-word went viral in 2018. The incident prompted the district to consider diversity training and cultural education among other items as part of a Cultural Competence Action Plan — a plan subsequently met with both support and criticism from ISD parents. The school district has not yet formalized the plan, and the matter has since garnered the attention of national news.
Two of "Southlake's" six episodes went live on Monday, with new episodes expected to be released every Monday in the coming weeks. NBC News national investigative reporter Mike Hixenbaugh and NBC News correspondent Antonia Hylton serve as hosts, with composer and producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad writing and performing the series' music. "Southlake" was created by the same team behind "Do No Harm," another podcast co-produced by NBC News and Wondery.
Listen to the first two episodes of "Southlake" here:
Premier Andrew Furey met with Quebec Premier François Legault in person on Monday. It was the first in-person meeting between both premiers. (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)
Premier Andrew Furey met with Quebec Premier François Legault in person for the first time on Monday, marking Furey's first trip out of the province in an official capacity as its leader.
Furey told reporters during a conference call the meeting covered "numerous items" including economic opportunities for the north, a green energy transition, reconciliation, mining opportunities and COVID-19.
He said the meeting was suggested over the last few weeks as travel restrictions began to ease across the country.
Muskrat Falls was also on the agenda. Furey said Legault was supportive of Newfoundland and Labrador's $5.2 billion agreement with the federal government in July.
Also on the table were discussions about hydroelectric capacity in Labrador and the "immense opportunity" it presents, Furey said, adding there were no specific details discussed.
"Especially during this time in the transition and the disruption in energy markets, both provinces know that there's going to be an increase in demand for clean green energy and that represents a significant opportunity," said Furey.
When asked, Furey said specifics were not discussed about Quebec potentially looking to extend the contract on the Upper Churchill hydroelectricity project beyond the 2041 expiry date. He said when that time comes the best interest of Newfoundland and Labrador will be in mind.
Furey says Legault was supportive over Newfoundland and Labrador's deal with the federal government for Muskrat Falls. (Nalcor Energy)
"We didn't get into the specifics. Not to oversimplify this, but this was the first meeting of two premiers who have never met face-to-face. This was the first time of being able to meet with Premier Legault and it was a healthy exchange of ideas," said Furey.
"While hydroelectric capacity is a key component of potential synergies into the future, there was no granular or specific details or discussions on any one or all the projects."
On the mining front, Furey said cross-border assets were the topic of discussion, including potential investments such as upgrades, which would be beneficial for both provinces.
He said both sides want to ensure current mining developments are green and also reflect a "tone of reconciliation" with Indigenous groups in the area.
"Prior to this meeting Minister Dempster sent letters on my behalf to the three Indigenous leaders in Labrador to ask them if they had any issues they wanted to discuss, and mining and cross-jurisdictional issues around that was brought up," Furey said.
"Certainly we raised it today, but it was a real healthy discussion about how we can be synergistic in the approach, and I know that word is used a lot, but there are real overlaps there that we can exercise for the benefit of both Quebecers and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."
Furey said he hopes to build on N.L.'s relationship with Quebec through a collaborative approach.
After the Miami Dolphins' wild victory against the Cincinnati Bengals in the preseason finale Sunday, Brian Flores not surprisingly was asked about a player who doesn't play for either team.
Flores responded to the initial question exactly how one would have expected considering the way he's done business since taking over as Dolphins head coach in 2019.
"Reports, speculation are not things we really get into," Flores said. "Look, I understand the question, but as I've said in the past, any conversations that we have or don't have with other clubs are going to be internal. I've been pretty steadfast about that. ... That'll remain the case."
Given the large amount of displeasure expressed on social media at the thought of Watson coming in to replace second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Flores later was asked whether he was interested in taking the opportunity to tell Dolphins fans the team would not be going after Watson.
Flores punted.
"I would say I'm interested in the players that are on our team," Flores said. "That's what I'm interested in. I'm interested in (quarterback) Reid Sinnett, who went out there and played his butt off tonight. I'm interested in (running back) Gerrid Doaks. I'm interested in the guys that didn't play today that we're focused on recovering and being fresh for next week. That's what I would say. Look, I'm interested in the players on the Miami Dolphins."
Another question during the media session involved Flores' confidence level in Tagovailoa.
"I'm very confident in Tua," the coach said. "He's done a lot of good things this spring, this offseason, this training camp, played well last week and, again, my conversations with the players are going to always remain between me and that player. I talk to a lot of players every day. Obviously spend a lot of time with the quarterbacks, but yeah those conversations will remain between myself and that player."
It wasn’t long ago that the world was captivated by the story of Elizabeth Holmes and her ill-fated Theranos company. Now, as a new drama series about her is poised to debut amid her ongoing court battle, many may be hoping to catch up on the embattled Silicon Valley personality’s story.
Hulu has been developing a series about Holmes since 2019, when "Saturday Night Live" actress Kate McKinnon was announced to play the Theranos founder in a series titled "The Dropout."
In keeping with the title, McKinnon has since dropped out and been replaced with Amanda Seyfried in the leading role. The show is expected to come out sometime in the fall of 2021. Meanwhile, the real-life Holmes is set to go on trial in August after she was indicted by a grand jury on hearty fraud charges to the tune of $700 million from investors.
Her story highlights the incredible distance one can go in Silicon Valley on sheer promises and even alleged lies without ever actually having a working product. At its height, the company was valued at more than $9 billion after raising nearly $900 million from investors, according to The Wall Street Journal. Before the SEC got involved, she herself had an estimated net worth of roughly $4.5 billion, making her one of the world’s youngest self-made female billionaires at the time.
The story of Holmes’ rise to prominence and fortune, as well as her spectacular fall after it came to light that her blood-testing machines were not based in any real medical reality, were chronicled in a bevy of sources that people who are interested in her story can still find.
Ahead of her trial and the subsequent dramatization of Holmes’ life on Hulu, below is a rundown of everything you can consume in media about Elizabeth Holmes:
‘Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup,’ a book by John Carreyrou
Elizabeth Holmes, founder and former CEO of Theranos, arrives for motion hearing on Monday, November 4, 2019, at the U.S. District Court House inside Robert F. Peckham Federal Building in San Jose, California.(Yichuan Cao/NurPhoto via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Long before anyone else was getting wise to Elizabeth Holmes’ fraud, The Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou was reporting on her precipitous fall and was instrumental in letting the public know that her blood testing machines could not do anything close to what she hyped them to be able to do. The story was kicked into high stakes after Theranos started actually giving diagnosis to patients based on Holmes' faulty design and broken promises. Eventually, Carreyrou compiled his reporting into a New York Times best-selling book titled "‘Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup."
According to GQ, Carreyrou’s extensive reporting includes interviews with more than 150 people, 60 of whom were key figures or ex-Theranos employees. All of those 60 had inside knowledge into what was going on and how such a major lie could proliferate into a multi-billion dollar company.
‘The Dropout' podcast from ABC News
Elizabeth Holmes is the subject of documentaries, podcasts and a book.(Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images / Getty Images)
Although Carreyrou’s reporting helped shine a light on what Holmes was doing with Theranos, perhaps nothing got it out to the public more than the ABC News-produced podcast "The Dropout."
In fact, it was so prolific that it will act as the inspiration for the upcoming dramatization about Holmes starring Seyfried. Similar to The Wall Street Journal’s reporting, ABC’s Rebecca Jarvis, Taylor Dunn and Victoria Thompson take listeners on a journey through Holmes' life and her indictment that unveils the fruits of a multi-year investigation that includes interviews with several former Theranos employees, investors and patients. The reporting was also compiled into a special episode of the network’s "20/20" that aired in 2020.
The series isn’t finished, either. It will continue with new episodes that cover Holmes’ upcoming trial in a new batch of episodes appropriately titled "The Dropout: Elizabeth Holmes on Trial."
‘The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley’ documentary from HBO
In perhaps the most accessible form the Elizabeth Holmes story takes, HBO released a documentary about the incident that leads right up to her 2018 indictment.
Directed by Alex Gibney, the compelling and artful look at Holmes as both a Silicon Valley figure and, ultimately, the big lie she created with her Theranos technology, initially debuted at Sundance in 2019 before HBO quickly scooped it up and premiered it the same year.
While everything on this list has boasted interviews with former Theranos employees, the Oscar-winning director was allowed to stand on the shoulders of giants and pick out core figures from Carreyrou and ABC’s reporting, such as Carreyrou himself, Theranos whistleblower Tyler Shultz and former Chief Creative Officer Patrick O’Neill.
As The Vergenotes, the documentary goes deeper than just Holmes’ story, shining a light on Silicon Valley’s startup culture and the seemingly direct incentives that are created to lie to investors.
As a positive behavioral intervention support at Watson Chapel High School, according to a news release, the Pine Bluff Faith Community Coalition Ministerial Alliance and the Pen or Pencil transformation mentoring initiative talked with students regarding the March on Washington for social change, justice, jobs, and freedom.
Saturday marked the 68th anniversary of the march held in August 1963.
The clergy named the Six Principles of Nonviolence used by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his fight for social change, justice, jobs and freedom.
“The 1963 Children March in Birmingham … was a lesson in active citizenship when young people broke the back of segregation in Alabama. Students were encouraged to break the back of violence, bullying and fighting on the campuses to set the example in Pine Bluff for the rest of the state,” according to a spokesman.
King’s six principles of nonviolence are:
Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people
Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding
Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people
Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform
Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate
Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice
Local clergymen encourage students to adhere to Dr. Martin Luther King’s six principles of nonviolence. (Special to The Commercial)
Readers name the video game reviews they’ve disagreed with the most, including Aliens: Colonial Marines and God Hand.
The subject for this week’s Hot Topic was suggested by reader Simon Ashworth, who asked what review – either one of ours of from somewhere else – sticks out to you as being either too harsh or too lenient?
We had lots of different suggestions, most of them perfectly understandable, but by far the most common complaint was that Red Dead Redemption 2 was overrated by almost everyone.
Agree to disagree
For me, the one I disagree with the most is the reviews for Bayonetta 1 and 2, which I find to be the most overrated games of all time. I know they’re a GC favourite, and it was their review which made me try the second one even thought I didn’t like the first, but if anything I think it was worse.
I know the games are very highly rated by most sites but rather than claim that I’m right and everyone else is wrong I’d like to say that… I’m perfectly fine with this. Complaining about reviews you don’t agree with is one of the worst things to happen in game fandom and people are fooling themselves if they pretend it’s about anything else other than not wanting to be proven wrong.
In my experience, the people that complain have been hyping a game up for months in their own head and when anyone dares to suggest that reality is different they get upset. That’s not healthy. If you disagree with a review and it’s from someone you trust, like GC, that just means your taste is different. Nothing more. That should be something any sensible person is able to cope with without sending death threats over the internet. PhantomZ
Game over, man
One that always sticks out to me is the EGM review for Aliens: Colonial Marines. I don’t read EGM but I’ve heard of it and always assumed it was at least reasonably well respected, since it’s been around for ages. The thing that made me laugh though was not so much that they gave it 90%, which is clearly ridiculous, but that if you look at Metacritic the next highest mark is 68%, which is totally justified.
I just don’t know how anyone who pretends to know anything about video games can justify that score at all, especially when you see what everyone else gave it. People talk about game journalists being bribed but I’ve never really believed it. In some cases though there are a very few instances where you wonder what went on and if it was related to some kind of advertising deal.
Maybe, maybe not but, in this case, I certainly won’t take notice of anything EGM ever says. Gorbie
Good God
I bet someone mentions the IGN review for Deadly Premonition, which was awful, but the one that always stuck out to me was the 3.0 they gave to God Hand. God Hand, one of the best action games of all time (and well due a remaster or remake, if you ask me).
This was in the mid-2000s when IGN was still pretty terrible and almost everything with any kind of hype got a minimum of 7.0. Anything less and they got the cleaners to review it and you get scores like this and Deadly Premonition.
To be fair to them they are a lot better nowadays and you can tell the people reviewing are a lot more knowledge and they use much more of the full marking scale. Their still far from my first port of call for a review but at least they’re not laughably bad anymore. Gadfly
More than half
Anyone that gave Sonic The Hedgehog 2006 anything above 50% deserves to be mocked and laughed at for their rest of their lives and looking at Metacritic there are a few.
Play Magazine gave it 85%, which is the highest score of anyone, and I assume had to do with some kind of cover exclusive bribery. Then Games Master UK, which is weird because usually UK publications are harsher than others. Then it’s Planet Xbox 360, whoever they are, and Game Informer, who I have heard of and should have known better. I mean, when even Official Xbox Magazine is giving it ‘only’ 60% you know you’ve messed up.
I think generally the standards of game reviews are higher than they used to be, although there’s clearly still a hesitancy to give big names low reviews. Often I think this is more from fear of a fan lynch mob though, which is a very real fear in these days of social media. But then some people never like to hear the truth. Valey
Not perfect
I think any reviewer that awarded Red Dead Redemption 2 full marks would be the standout for me, as reviews I disagree with. My reasons are the pedestrian gameplay and chore-like maintenance of things like stamina, which are well-noted at this point. I also think a point that GC made was also an interesting one, which was something along the lines of the narrative forcing the reader into a course of action that they wouldn’t necessarily have taken themselves (which in Red Dead Redemption 2 was Dutch’s insistence that you do one last job, despite your pocketful of cash by that point).
The game is a strange case though, because I can’t think of another example where the average gameplay has been bolstered so much by other aspects of the game. The locations, authenticity, and random, organic-feeling events stay with you long after you stop playing, which can’t be said for pressing aim and flicking the right trigger up, even if you can’t make out your target on screen, and getting the umpteenth headshot in a row. Nathan
Not enough said
Zelda: Twilight Princess 8.8 from GameSpot. ‘Nuff said. Cole
GC: That seems like a perfectly fair score to us.
Final decision
I take reviews as a guide and a means to getting useful information about a possible purchase of and like the scientific method I’ll check a variety of sources to get a more objective and reasonable impression of the game.
I have read a lot of reviews which are suspect, to say the least, so really you should not take them for granted. I tend to go by gut feeling and confidence in the developer’s passion for the game, as well as its history.
One way the above can go pear shape is the amount of hype you’ve personally built up in waiting for the game and the memories of a previous title. This can override good sense and judgment and a game you were particularly excited for then falls down quickly in your estimation and disappointment is then ensured!
Nintendo Magazine System, back in 1998, gave South Park on the Nintendo 64 about 90% for the game, which turned out to be a very big overestimation, and I then lost the confidence I had for the magazine, which up till then was pretty OK at giving fair and critical scores.
The Cyberpunk 2077 scores in our modern day times, with the leaking of information on social media, put me well off getting the title and saved me time and money. In a pre-social media world, Cyberpunk would have been pre-ordered and bought and only then found out to be fully of bugs and glitches.
You can’t get away with it now, as you could back then, as magazine scores were the only ways you could count on and the odd TV show like GamesMaster and Bad Influence. Now and again even GameCentral can, in my own opinion, give a lower score than I would have. I have bought six and seven out of 10 games, maybe the odd five reviewed by GC.
The good thing is you get to work out the psychology of gaming sites and websites and know that a six in one site is better than a six on another website. GameCentral’s six and sevens are a winner in my book and a nine is a full marks game. A 10 score – wow!
I am a veteran at games, enough to have a good idea as what to expect if the research I do is logical enough, but that’s not to say I won’t get caught out with a bad port through impatience and overexcitement or something! Like Fallout 3 on the PlayStation 3 – with the buggy and rough looking graphics.
Scores give you a good estimation but the better the research you do, watching streaming sites like Twitch, will definitely fill you in with the vital info you’ll find fundamental for making your final game buying decision. Alucard
The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.
You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.
You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
Comedian George Carlin says: “Just when I discovered the meaning of life, they changed it.” He also says: “I put a dollar in a change machine. Nothing changed.”
One of my favorite comedians, Jeff Foxworthy, says: “You have to change those diapers every day. When those directions on the side of the Pampers box say, ‘holds six to 12 pounds,’ they’re not kidding!”
From comedians, we shift our attention to a genius Albert Einstein who says: “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
It is fascinating to see and study the thoughts of Greek philosophers as they address the topic of change. Many times they come into “conflict” with each other. Take for example the philosophy of Parmenides. He took the view that nothing changes in reality; only our senses convey the appearance of change. Heraclitus, by contrast, thought that everything changes all the time, so it is his view that “whatever is - is changing.” His famous quote reflects his philosophy. He says: “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river, and he’s not the same man.”
Today we have a contemporary slogan that is quoted by both speakers and executives alike. We hear them say: “There is nothing permanent except change.” “The only constant is change.”
I came across this piece of writing, but could not find the source of authorship. Nevertheless, it is something worth reflecting upon.
The never-ending evolution cycle of corporate sometimes causes frustration and anxiety. Just as quickly as one personnel issue adjudicates, another cultural-maxim raises its need which warrants attention. Human resource management and education have become a pendulum swing of extremes. The more we change to accommodate societal shifts, the further we seem to be from mission and vision.
Zig Ziglar, in his book Top Performance, offers the following corporate best-practices that accommodate change while keeping an eye on the prize:
• You are working for progress and not perfection. You are not everything to everyone, but each day for some on your team and staff, you are all they have.
• You make your cause more significant than your ego. Sometimes the will to win has to be preceded by negotiating a compromise if that serves the need better.
• You find value in others. Denis Waitley often said that value is in the doer, not the deed. Mr. Zig Ziglar often advised us to criticize the performance because the performance deserves criticism, but praise the performer so they can fight another day.
• You are undaunted by the challenge. Failure is never final or futile, and you can fail at something, but never as someone. Accept the trust, believe in the training, and complete the task.
• You understand that no one on your team is smarter than all of you put together. So, we win as a team, but do it in time.
What has surprised us is the speed of change that the pandemic has accelerated. Many are suffering from burnout. Leaders are running on empty. Perhaps these words will encourage and inspire our people to endure and stay hopeful as we go through these uncertain times.
Ziglar says: “Live your day by the clock, but your life with a vision.” To which I heartily agree. And as I would frequently quote in my webinars, and it always brings in a ring of laughter. “Your aspirations for the future should always outnumber your regrets of the past.” These are words taken from a K-romantic comedy my wife and I enjoyed watching. Yes, we can learn from comedians, philosophers, and experts, even from K-drama. The world is changing.
Washed up zebra mussels are seen scattered on the shores of Lester Beach, which sits along Lake Winnipeg just north of Grand Beach. The Coalition to Save Lake Winnipeg says they want to hear more from federal election candidates about what they will do to address the health of Lake Winnipeg. Gordon Campbell photoPhoto by Gordon Campbell /Winnipeg Sun
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An organization advocating for the health of Lake Winnipeg hopes that when federal candidates come calling and seeking votes in the coming days and weeks, that Manitobans make it clear that the health of the environment and of this province’s largest lake are topics that must be top-of-mind.
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“I know candidates and voters are going to want to talk about the economy, and the pandemic, and health care, but ultimately water is the most precious resource we have on this planet, and we’re fortunate to have an abundance of lakes here in Manitoba,” Gordon Campbell said over the phone on Friday morning from his Lester Beach cottage.
“Unfortunately our lakes are under constant attack by the impacts of changing land use, waste disposal, hydroelectric power generation, shoreline development, and other human uses of water.”
Campbell is one of the members of the Coalition to Save Lake Winnipeg, (CSLW) an organized group of Manitobans who own cabins and properties along different areas of Lake Winnipeg.
The coalition is now asking Manitobans to ask any federal candidate who seeks their votes a number of specific questions about what can be done on the federal level to address the health of the lake, while also addressing larger issues of environmental sustainability and climate change.
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In a Facebook post by Campbell on August 25, he urged Manitobans to discuss the major environmental issues currently facing Lake Winnipeg with candidates, including the ongoing issues of algae bloom growth, and of invasive zebra mussels.
“Over the next weeks candidates in Manitoba’s 14 federal ridings may be contacting you to request your support,” Cambell said in his post.
“Engaging the candidates in a conversation about water and how they will support sustainable practices for the health of Manitoba’s waterways will highlight the need for this to be a priority for government attention. You can ask your candidates to look beyond their party’s plan to consider the needs of our province and the waterways they can protect.”
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Campbell said he believes the two most pressing issues for Lake Winnipeg are currently the algae blooms and the zebra mussels.
Campbell knows the extent of the zebra mussel issue first-hand, as he is one of many volunteers at Lester Beach, which sits about 15 km north of Grand Beach, who spends summer mornings cleaning the thousands of zebra mussels off of the shores of the beach, just so beachgoers can be comfortable.
He said the mussels also “clear out the lake,” leading to clearer water, which allows sunlight to penetrate deeper and support more algae growth.
And Campbell said he has known the extent of the algae bloom issue for years, as every summer the water in the lake on some days can turn a bright green because of the blooms, and when it’s like that he said it is not safe for swimming or any activities.
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Campbell said CSLW has also prepared a list of four specific questions that they will send to each candidate in all of Manitoba’s federal ridings, and are hoping to get a response from candidates by September 10, ten days before the planned September 20 election.
— Dave Baxteris a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
The news seems to be flying at us faster all the time. From COVID-19 updates to politics and crime and everything in between, it can be hard to keep up. With that in mind, the Winnipeg Sun has created a Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox to help make sure you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Clickhereto sign up.
The Jefferson County Historical Society will present “Coast Salish Wool Weaving” as the next event for its First Friday Speaker Series.
The event will be on Friday, Sept. 3 from 7 to 8 p.m., and hosted by the Northwest Maritime Center.
The First Friday Speaker Series highlights local craftspeople in the county, aiming to honor the hand-crafted arts through various mediums.
This upcoming event will celebrate Susan Pavel, who will share her wool-weaving journey beginning in 1996, and how it led to her dream job teaching the art of weaving at Evergreen State College in Olympia. She will distinguish context from content, identifying the relationship between the Coast Salish worldview, and the craft of Coast Salish wool weaving. Guests will enjoy a show-and-tell of her work, a process often requiring several months of dedicated focus. This event is limited to 30 guests and all attendees must pre-register.
Sa’hLa mitSa (Susan Pavel), Filipina by birth, first learned Coast Salish wool weaving during the summer of 1996. Her master teacher was Subiyay (Bruce Miller) of the Skokomish Nation, uncle to her husband CHIXapkaid (Michael Pavel). Each summer she would take three months to produce one ceremonial blanket, and then gift it to an elder Tribe member.
By the fourth year it was suggested she sell her creations as an exchange of gifts, which she did. By the seventh year Pavel was invited to teach weaving classes for other nations, and has taught hundreds of students since.
Pavel has curated, participated, and solo-exhibited in 12 museum exhibits and more than 25 gallery exhibits. She has been awarded 17 artist-in-residence or grant opportunities, with more than 30 bibliographic acknowledgements. She has taught, presented, and demonstrated at least 80 times.
Pavel’s weavings can be seen in 10 public venues and numerous private collections across the nation. She currently serves as the executive director of the Coast Salish Wool Weaving Center, as well as an adjunct faculty member at Evergreen State College.
She also continues to weave and teach, as she is obedient to SQTsya’yay (pronounced cut-see-ya-ya) — Weaver’s Spirit Power.
President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett that the United States is “putting diplomacy first” in efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, but if that fails Washington is “ready to turn to other options.”
Biden made the comments as the two sat down at the White House on August 27 for their first face-to-face meeting since Bennett was sworn-in as prime minister in June.
The meeting, originally scheduled for August 26, was postponed by one day as Biden focused his attention on the aftermath of a suicide bomb attack at the Kabul airport that killed 13 U.S. troops and more than 100 other people.
Asked what other options Biden might be mulling if diplomacy to revive the nuclear deal fails, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki declined to comment.
Bennett arrived at the White House aiming to dissuade Biden from returning the United States to the deal between Iran and world powers that was brokered in 2015 and scrapped in 2018 by then-President Donald Trump.
Bennett, the right-wing leader of a highly fragmented coalition government, expressed satisfaction that he and Biden are in agreement that Iran should never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon.
“I was happy to hear your clear words, that Iran will never be able to have a nuclear weapon, and you emphasized that we will try the diplomatic way but that there’s other options that will work out,” Bennett said.
But the two leaders’ political positions on whether to rejuvenate the nuclear agreement likely will remain at odds.
Biden has made clear that he wants to find a way to salvage the 2015 landmark pact, but indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran have stalled, and Washington continues to maintain crippling sanctions on the country.
Bennett said granting Iran sanctions relief would give Iran more resources to support Israel’s enemies in the region.
Since the U.S. withdrawal from the accord, Tehran has abandoned several limitations on its nuclear enrichment.
Iran maintains its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purpose.
Bennett's Washington visit comes weeks after Ebrahim Raisi was sworn in as Iran’s new president.
Raisi, 60, a conservative cleric with close ties to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has suggested he'll engage with the United States. But he has ruled out negotiations aimed at limiting Iranian missile development and support for regional militias -- matters that the Biden administration wants to address in a new accord.
Biden and Bennett also differ over the creation of a Palestinian state, but played down the differences. Bennett opposes it and supports expansion of settlements in the West Bank. Biden supports a two-state solution and opposes expansion of settlements.
An organization advocating for the health of Lake Winnipeg hopes that when federal candidates come calling and seeking votes in the coming days and weeks, that Manitobans make it clear that the health of the environment and of this province’s largest lake are topics that must be top-of-mind.
“I know candidates and voters are going to want to talk about the economy, and the pandemic, and health care, but ultimately water is the most precious resource we have on this planet, and we’re fortunate to have an abundance of lakes here in Manitoba,” Gordon Campbell said over the phone on Friday morning from his Lester Beach cottage.
“Unfortunately our lakes are under constant attack by the impacts of changing land use, waste disposal, hydroelectric power generation, shoreline development, and other human uses of water.”
Campbell is one of the members of the Coalition to Save Lake Winnipeg, (CSLW) an organized group of Manitobans who own cabins and properties along different areas of Lake Winnipeg.
The coalition is now asking Manitobans to ask any federal candidate who seeks their votes a number of specific questions about what can be done on the federal level to address the health of the lake, while also addressing larger issues of environmental sustainability and climate change.
In a Facebook post by Campbell on August 25, he urged Manitobans to discuss the major environmental issues currently facing Lake Winnipeg with candidates, including the ongoing issues of algae bloom growth, and of invasive zebra mussels.
“Over the next weeks candidates in Manitoba’s 14 federal ridings may be contacting you to request your support,” Cambell said in his post.
“Engaging the candidates in a conversation about water and how they will support sustainable practices for the health of Manitoba’s waterways will highlight the need for this to be a priority for government attention. You can ask your candidates to look beyond their party’s plan to consider the needs of our province and the waterways they can protect.”
Campbell said he believes the two most pressing issues for Lake Winnipeg are currently the algae blooms and the zebra mussels.
Campbell knows the extent of the zebra mussel issue first-hand, as he is one of many volunteers at Lester Beach, which sits about 15 km north of Grand Beach, who spends summer mornings cleaning the thousands of zebra mussels off of the shores of the beach, just so beachgoers can be comfortable.
He said the mussels also “clear out the lake,” leading to clearer water, which allows sunlight to penetrate deeper and support more algae growth.
And Campbell said he has known the extent of the algae bloom issue for years, as every summer the water in the lake on some days can turn a bright green because of the blooms, and when it’s like that he said it is not safe for swimming or any activities.
Campbell said CSLW has also prepared a list of four specific questions that they will send to each candidate in all of Manitoba’s federal ridings, and are hoping to get a response from candidates by September 10, ten days before the planned September 20 election.
— Dave Baxter is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
A B2B product launch relies heavily on marketing to generate awareness and interest in the new product. And content marketing is particularly influential in stimulating buzz and discussion. Among the various types of content that one can create and distribute, blogs can be one of the simplest, yet most effective avenues. When compared to articles, eBooks, white papers and other long-form written content, blogs are typically the shortest in length, making them helpful for releasing tidbits of information about a new product.
So, what blog topics can help to interest and engage audience about a new product? These five primers are key to prioritize in paving the way for a successful product launch.
1. Why You Created the Product
There may be many reasons behind why you created your new product, but your audience might not know. It has become more common for brands to craft an “origin story” that highlights what their product is and why they developed it. Regardless of the industry or vertical, new products most often stem from pain points. People that understand the “why” behind a product can form a stronger connection with it. Their understanding that they are not alone in the challenges that they are experiencing can build more trust in your brand and the new product.
2. Feature Preview
There is no doubt that your new product has unique features. So, why not write about them? While disclosing every detail about every feature might not be the best idea, giving an overhead view of key features can give your audience exclusive insight into what your product will provide. For example, if you have a customized feature or one that is personalized and tailored to every user, you can briefly give an overview of what it is, how it works and why it’s important in addressing a challenge or pain point.
3. Insight into Beta Results
Many companies utilize beta testing to allow users and early preview of a soon-to-be-released product, help uncover any issues, and get thoughts and feedback on what users liked or disliked. Information gathered from beta testing can fuel a great product launch blog. Buyers trust customer testimonials and reviews from people who have used the product. So, crafting a blog focused on beta test details, feedback and results can be valuable for your product launch awareness, especially your target audience. It’s always essential to focus on the positives, but don’t be afraid to share failures as well. Being authentic with your readers and audience is important. Plus, the failures or challenges you mention can also be spun into a positive with how you chose to address them.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Product launches naturally generate questions from those interested in buying your product. This often happens right just before purchase as prospects inquire about different features and overall performance to build confidence for buying decisions. What better way to answer these questions than creating a blog that provides frequently asked questions (FAQs)? Search engines also appreciate content that has questions included. So, doing a simple blog post about FAQs can give your buyers the information they need and boost your search engine rankings.
5. What to Look Forward To
What is your team most looking forward to upon the product launch? Whether it is a product feature, the business improvements buyers will experience, or something else, this can also be a welcomed blog topic. Query product launch team members in marketing, sales, product development, and other areas about the areas of the product they are most passionate about and what they think buyers will gain. Buyers that hear directly from the people that are developing, marketing and selling the product behind the scenes gain trust and authenticity.
Expand the Reach of Your Product Launch
Promoting a new B2B product launch is all about spreading the word, generating awareness, and even gaining interested buyers. While blogs might be a simple, basic content marketing technique, they can achieve everything that you are looking to do. Focusing on blog topics that highlight the product, answer key questions, and give audiences an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into a product’s creation is a great place to start.
Assistant professor of public policy at the University of Saskatchewan, Vince Hopkins, says in some ways, affordability is almost the crisis behind the COVID-10 crisis.
“Abacus Data ran a survey just a few weeks ago, 62 per cent of Canadians say cost of living is one of the top issues and I think what’s interesting is this isn’t partisan. Whether it’s Liberals, Conservatives, New Democrats, affordability is on people’s minds,” said Hopkins.
Canada is facing some tough economic issues and political parties are offering slightly different ways to make life more affordable for voters, come election day.
‘Affordability’ among key issues with a third of the election campaign in the rear view
‘Affordability’ among key issues with a third of the election campaign in the rear view
Between July 12 and 18, 2018, fire believed to have been started from a nearby campfire swept through 2.25 square kilometers of the 32-square kilometer area known as Altona Flat Rock located about 20 miles north of Plattsburgh, devastating the landscape, which includes a historic jack pine bush and scores of blueberry and huckleberry brush, according to Dr. Danielle Garneau, associate professor of environmental science.
Both Garneau and Dr. Mark Lesser, assistant professor, environmental science, will discuss the wildfire and its aftermath at the Sept. 2 talk.
While the fire was a complete loss of the berries and a swath of standing dead jack pine trees, the fire, and a smaller one that sparked last summer, provides a unique opportunity for research.
“We are observing ecological succession in real time following a major disturbance,” Garneau said. “Faculty from various expertise have contributed valuable information as to how the ecosystem is responding to loss of over-and-understory vegetation and a massive pulse of nutrients.”
Jack Pine Cones
Jack pine have developed cones that are covered with a thick outer layer that has to be melted in order for the cones to open and release seeds. When a fire such as the 2018 event occurs, the cones open, seeds are distributed and germination can occur in the ash.
Garneau said she, her colleagues and student researchers are monitoring the vegetation and area left behind after the fire.
“We’re specifically looking at overstory — the uppermost layer of foliage — composition, fire severity, understory and soil composition,” she said. Lesser brings his students from forest ecology and management and independent study researchers in the fall to collect data.
“We all go out in the summer to do the majority of understudy sampling together,” Garneau said. “I take my students from wildlife ecology and management to the Flat Rock to survey small mammal community composition and the larger animal monitoring is occurring via game cameras.”
Students’ Semester-Long Projects
Students in class have also surveyed birds, turtles and beaver since 2018 for semester-long projects, Garneau said.
The wildfire has, in fact, created a unique outdoor laboratory for environmental science majors, graduate students and faculty alike. Dr. Timothy Mihuc, distinguished service professor in environmental science and director of the Lake Champlain Research Institute, brings students, independent study research students and graduate students to Flat Rock to monitor insect community changes, while Dr. Mary Alldred, assistant professor, environmental science, has students monitoring soil in the wetlands and across the swath cut by the wildfire.
Others doing research there include Drs. Kimberly Coleman, Curt Gervich and Colin Fuss, along with Garneau and Lesser, all of whom received a nearly $150,000 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service grant to develop fire planning for the community.
“This resulted in an equipment upgrade to the Altona Fire Department and wildland fire training support, outreach initiatives with the community and an opportunity to build in some land management working with foresters, CV-Tech students and SUNY Plattsburgh students as well,” Garneau said. “We have been fortunate to have independent study students who have wanted to continue monitoring the game cameras, and that resulted in a recent peer-reviewed publication with our students.” You can find the publication here.
A reception showcasing student research will be held prior to the “Afterburn!” talk at 6:30 p.m. at the institute, 586 Ridge Road, Chazy. For more information, contact Garneau at [email protected] or Lesser at [email protected].
Between July 12 and 18, 2018, fire believed to have been started from a nearby campfire swept through 2.25 square kilometers of the 32-square kilometer area known as Altona Flat Rock located about 20 miles north of Plattsburgh, devastating the landscape, which includes a historic jack pine bush and scores of blueberry and huckleberry brush, according to 
Jack pine have developed cones that are covered with a thick outer layer that has to be melted in order for the cones to open and release seeds. When a fire such as the 2018 event occurs, the cones open, seeds are distributed and germination can occur in the ash.
The wildfire has, in fact, created a unique outdoor laboratory for environmental science majors, graduate students and faculty alike. 
