Local Life
Science Smarts: Tiny ecosystems in your own backyard
By PATTY ROOKS on May 7th, 2022
I have been outside enjoying the warmer spring weather this week. It always amazes me what kinds of little critters emerge early in the spring after their long winter nap. Can you believe I had a mosquito buzzing around my head last night? I hope any large swarms of these pesky bugs wait a little ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Common Sense Health: Watch out for warm summer nights
By DR. GIFFORD-JONES & DIANA GIFFORD-JONES on May 6th, 2022
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John sang about romance in “Summer Nights,” the opening song in the hit movie, Grease. But now, at 68, he, more so than she, may want to watch out for a different kind of summer heat. New research shows that warm summer nights increase the risk of heart-related death among men ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Close-up On Co-op Place: Finding my way home with food
By ADAM KOCH on May 6th, 2022
My career in foodservice spans the better part of 25 years. I’m from Medicine Hat but lived in Toronto from 2004 until last summer. I originally went to university to become a teacher, which reflects the way I like to help and interact with people. I am a sponge for information, and an absolute nerd ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Miywasin Moment: From cottonwood to cedar, trees are good medicine
By JoLynn Parenteau on May 4th, 2022
Every year on the last Friday in April, trees are planted worldwide in honour of Arbor Day. First observed in Nebraska in 1872, last week the tree planter’s holiday celebrated its 150th anniversary. Across time immemorial, Turtle Island’s (Native North America) original inhabitants understood, respected and nurtured trees for their life-sustaining benefits. For Indigenous peoples, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Collector’s Corner: Let’s talk nickels
By Ron Schmidt on April 30th, 2022
I would like to talk about the nickels. The first nickel under the reign of Queen Victoria was in 1870. These were very small and get easily confused with a dime. The small nickels were actually made of .925 silver. Most of these nickels range in price, (in the poorest condition), from $5. To $50, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Science Smarts: Mother’s Day gift fun
By Patty Rooks on April 30th, 2022
Mother’s Day is fast approaching, and I am sure each and every one of us has someone special in our lives who we should celebrate on this special day. One thing I know, there is nothing more special than when someone who makes me a gift. It really means a great deal to me. Throw ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!All Psyched Up: Let it go!
By Dr. Linda Hancock on April 30th, 2022
I am often surprised when a person makes a statement that doesn’t seem to make sense. S/he might say things like “I am not very smart” or “I am ugly” or “I am unlovable”. Despite these claims and the firmness of their belief, there is no obvious evidence to verify that what they are saying ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Common Sense Health: A little nostalgia goes a long way
By Dr. Gifford-Jones and Diana Gifford-Jones on April 29th, 2022
Tracing the medical history of nostalgia involves a sharp U-turn. Centuries ago, it was considered a psychopathological disorder. Still today, nostalgia can be associated with negative feelings and sadness. But researchers are reaching new conclusions about the health benefits of wistful affection for the past. We recently witnessed the medicinal effects firsthand on a special ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!What’s Up Doc? What you should know about outpatient treatment for COVID-19 infection
By Dr. Noorali Bharwani on April 27th, 2022
According to Reuters, global COVID-19 cases have surpassed 500 million, as the highly contagious BA.2 sub-variant of Omicron surges in many countries in Europe and Asia and North America. Recent surge across Canada has been driven by the Omicron variant and its BA.2 subvariant. In Alberta and rest of Canada, COVID-19 numbers are going up ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Miywasin Moment: Preserving history in the Hills
By JoLynn Parenteau on April 27th, 2022
Every day, Royce Pettyjohn goes to work following his ancestors’ footsteps. As park manager for the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park on the Saskatchewan side, Pettyjohn cares for the homelands of his Dumont Métis forefathers. Born in the Cypress Hills like generations which came before him, Pettyjohn was raised in a ranching family in Merryflat, Sask., ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Science Smarts: What’s in the soil?
By PATTY ROOKS on April 23rd, 2022
I do not know about you, but I have been “itching” to get out in the garden and start digging. The weather is just not cooperating… well, if I cannot get outside, I guess I will have to bring some of the outdoors in. Let’s get started! Remember to ask an adult before doing this ... Read More »
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