Noteworthy: Beautiful churches, stolen vehicles and bloated Lotto Max

By Medicine Hat News on October 27, 2018.

People living in the United States are the fattest in the world, according to a recent release from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Nearly 40 per cent of Americans are considered obese, up from 31 per cent 18 years ago. Mexicans are second and New Zealanders are third. Canada has nothing to brag about, sitting seventh in the fattest category, at 25.8 per cent of the population considered obese. The least obese nations are Japan, Souith Korea and Italy, with percentage figures of obesity in the single digits. Nothing to say here, other than I’ll have another cheeseburger and please pass me the ice cream scooper. … USMCA doesn’t really roll off your tongue as does NAFTA, but having “US” front and centre probably makes people in the U.S. government happy. … Noah has bumped off Liam as the most poular name for new babies in Alberta, and Olivia is No. 1 among the girls for the fourth year in a row. Once again, Bruce didn’t make the boys’ list. … It’s naive to think it would ever happen in a different fashion, but the vast majority of political decisions are made not on the basis of what’s right or what’s wrong, but on what uniform the voter happens to wear. We’re looking at you, Brett Kavanagh. … Medicine Hat has many beautiful churches, and local shutterbugs are quick to send us photos of one of the more spectacular ones, St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church on the north side of the river. However, a few others are extremely pleasant to the eye, too, so if you would like to send me a photo (or two) of your church dressed at its best, then we may be able to run them on occasion on our Saturday faith page when space permits. Use the email address below to show off your favourite church. … An average of 34 vehicles are stolen in Alberta every day in jurisdictions covered by the RCMP figures. That’s not counting city police figures. … Recent woes on the stock market prove that you can’t spell ‘down’ without the letters D-O-W. … Somebody asked why we would print an editorial page column Oct. 12 about sex education in Ontario. “We live in Alberta,” said the caller. Here’s why: Would-be premier Jason Kenney and Ontario premier Doug Ford appear to be buddy-buddy and it’s not too inconceivable to imagine changes to the social structure in Ontario would be mirrored in Alberta following next spring’s election. So, it’s something to watch for. … There’s been so much news lately about the legalization of marijuana that …. well, let’s be blunt: Enough is enough. It was a joint decision between myself and my subconscience that it was high time a column without the word ‘marijuana’ was published. … Younger people may not get the reference, but doesn’t Donald Trump remind you of a cross between Ted Baxter and Biff Tannen? … Why can’t all the media outlets in the U.S. be like Fox News and then there would be no fake news — nor accusations of fake news — and our American neighbours could all live in peaceful harmony. … The Conservative Party of Canada has a brilliant communications department. Every news release sent to news outlets across the country critical of the federal Liberals all have headlines that begin with the words “Trudeau fails,” as in “Trudeau fails Canadian coast guard,” “Justin Trudeau fails to keep promises to veterans,” “Trudeau fails Canadian farmers.” I suppose the message they’re trying to get out is that Trudeau is a failure. It’s brilliant. … The U.S. Mega Millions lottery has been getting mega attention ($1.6 billion prize at last report), but Canada’s Lotto Max is pretty monstrous, too. It hasn’t been won since Aug. 3, and had built up to a $60 million prize for last night’s draw. A lottery corporation press release offers dozens of things to do with $60 million, including “pay off your own and the mortgages of your family members and friends. The average mortgage in Canada is about $200,000, so $60 million goes a long way.” … Connor McDavid may be hockey’s best player, but Sidney Crosby can still throw in a ‘wow!’ moment or two as he did in overtime against the Oilers earlier this week. … You may not be aware that Nov. 2 is Vitamin D Day in Canada. It’s to bring attention to Canadians that their vitamin D levels plummet at this time of year as the sun can no longer make vitamin D through their skin at our northern latitude. Not sure how to celebrate it, but you might want to check out the vitamin section of your local pharmacy or grocery store. … Crowds will be packed into the Cypress Centre this weekend for the annual Great West Home & Leisure Show, put on by the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce. It’s always a great place to see new things, and socialize with fellow Hatters. … While the hockey world may be hotly debating ‘who’s better’ between McDavid, Crosby and Auston Matthews, the soccer world is equally excited about two young players destined to become household names: Canadian 17-year-old Alphonso Davies and 20-year-old American Christian Pulisic. … Daylight Saving Time ends next Sunday, Nov. 4, at 2 a.m., which means the mornings will be brighter earlier and the days darker as suppertime approaches. … We may have had some terrible weather in September and early October, but boy, have we made up for it with glorious weather the last couple of weeks.