Local Life
Common Sense Health: A fast for the Holidays
By Dr. Gifford-Jones and Diana Gifford-Jones on December 23rd, 2022
As 2022 comes to a close, grave existential questions loom. Is the doomsday clock ticking louder? Have we harmed our planetary home beyond repair? Is the global economy headed for collapse, or will a reckless war end all things? These are some of the debates that friends and families will have when they gather in ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Eye on the Esplanade: A Year in Review – 2022 brought us together again
By Aaron Nelson on December 23rd, 2022
As you pass by the south and west sides of the Esplanade you may have noticed the portraits of fellow Hatters. These 122 portraits offer a glimpse into the depth and breadth of our community. Artist Kat Valenzuela has captured the history, the future, the wisdom, the energy, the struggles, and the light that is ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Heritage in the Hat: The school that never was
By MALCOLM SISSONS on December 20th, 2022
On the hillside above Altawana Drive and Parkview Drive, Medicine Hat had its own “Indian residential school”, built between 1890-98. The building was 38-by-40 feet, two storeys high, and constructed partially by H. Yuill. A pamphlet stated it is “substantially built of concrete”, one of the few buildings on the north side of the river, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!What’s Up Doc?: Is surgery the best way to handle obesity?
By DR. NOORALI BHARWANI on December 20th, 2022
Much has been written and discussed about obesity but we are nowhere close to solving the problem. In fact, the problem is getting worse. Many factors can contribute to excess weight gain including genetics, a person’s eating pattern, physical inactivity and sleep routines. A person whose BMI (body mass index) is greater than or equal to ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Common Sense Health: All stuffed up for the Holidays
By Dr. Gifford-Jones and Diana Gifford-Jones on December 16th, 2022
There’s a lot of “stuff” this time of year – the stuffing in the turkey, for example, or all the meaningless commercial stuff we buy for the Holidays that ends up in landfills. The Holidays are a good time to look around and assess what is good stuff and what is bad. It might disappoint ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Mental Health Matters: Mindfulness
By Michelle Deminick on December 16th, 2022
Is your mind full or are you mindful? There are many stressors, challenges and problems in the world and most people tend to pay attention and worry about those stressors and problems of day to day life. Instead of being present and experiencing the moment, on average people either live in the past or the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!All Psyched Up: Be well
By Linda Hancock on December 10th, 2022
Often people tell me that they are doing “poorly”. They don’t have any diagnosis and can’t identify a reason for their malaise. This situation can go on for days, weeks or even longer. When I question them and offer suggestions, many reply “I know but I don’t want to do that”. Sometimes in life, we ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Science Smarts: Secret science Santa letter
By Patty Rooks on December 10th, 2022
I just looked at the calendar and cannot believe how fast Christmas is approaching. With Christmas just around the corner, I hope that all of the young scientists out there have written their letter to Santa so they will not be missed on Christmas morning! Just in case you are worried your letter will fall ... Read More »
1 responseFinancial Focus: Early 2023 tax tips
By Craig Elder on December 10th, 2022
When the end of the year approaches, many individuals place a greater focus on tax planning to minimize their income tax liability. Beyond the end of the year, however, there are some areas of tax planning that often get overlooked. For example, there are tax planning strategies that may only be available early in the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Common Sense Health: What a dog’s nose knows
By Dr. Gifford-Jones and Diana Gifford-Jones on December 9th, 2022
What a wonderful world if people could be as generous to humankind as dogs. Regardless of our faults, dogs provide unfailing loving care. A new study suggests dogs may be able to use their sniffing powers to know when someone is having a really bad day. Who knew there is an aroma to being stressed, ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!What’s up Doc?: Is it possible to control sugar consumption?
By medicinehatnews on December 6th, 2022
I call sugar a sweet slow poison, a weapon of mass destruction. We use the poison on ourselves, our families and our friends, but not on our enemies. It is reported the North American diet contains about 20 per cent sugar. This is equivalent to 30 teaspoons a day! Most of it is hidden in ... Read More »
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