Table of Contents
Everybody’s Talking | Quotable Quotes | Trivia | What’s Happening | Your Weekly Horoscope | Did You Know? | On the Lighter Side
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Vol. 1 No. 12:30 December 30th, 2024
Everybody’s Talking
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Bronze bear: A famous bear who lived in the Berlin Zoo is having his memory set in bronze. Knut was a polar bear cub that was raised by a zookeeper, and the whole country (and even the world) loved him. Unfortunately, Knut passed away at age four due to a seizure. However, a bronze memorial by sculptor Josef Tabachnyk will help fans to remember this beloved animal. During Knut’s time at the Berlin Zoo, an estimated 11 million visitors from every corner of the world came to see him, and he even appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, as well as being featured on German postage stamps.
Big surprise: The family of Gilberto Araujo turned their tears of grief into tears of joy when Araujo turned up at his own funeral in Alagoinhas, Brazil. The car washer was very much alive and well and hadn’t seen his family in four months. Meanwhile, police had identified a deceased person as Gilberto Araujo. When he heard about the misidentification, Araujo tried to phone his family to set the record straight. However, his call was dismissed as a prank. When this happened, Araujo decided he better make a trip home. Upon seeing her son at the funeral, Maria Menezes knew the call hadn’t been a joke and was greatly relieved.
Big bill: Solenne San Jose, from Pessac in the Bordeaux region of France, got an upsetting shock when she opened her phone bill. She couldn’t figure it out because there were so many zeroes included in the total amount due. It turns out that the bill was for 11,721,000,000,000,000 euros, or about 15 quadrillion dollars. That, she knew, was a very big mistake, but it took her several hours on the phone to convince Bouygues Telecom of that. They kept telling her it was all automatic and that time payments would begin shortly. San Jose wondered how many generations would that take? Finally, things got straightened out and the right amount owed was determined: $149.00 (US).
Not a kitty: Raccoons might look like they could become a family pet, but people in Germany are getting tired of the carnage caused by these adaptable omnivores. These animals were introduced to Germany in the 1930s and they now invade towns and cities in search of food and safety. One family in Berlin discovered that a raccoon had come into the house through the cat flap to forage for table scraps. Another homeowner found a raccoon in the house, and he thinks it got in by coming down the chimney. The problem is, raccoons aren’t cats or Santa Claus, so people are now faced with making their properties more raccoon-proof!
Quotable Quotes
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“An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” — Mahatma Gandhi
“All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney
Trivia
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- What causes the most forest fires in the western United States?
- The life-span of a fruit fly under ideal conditions is 3, 25, or 40 days?
- How long does human hair grow in a year?
- During what span of years did Sears Roebuck sell homes by mail order?
- In Spanish, what does ‘Hasta la vista’ mean?
▼ Trivia answers at the bottom of the page! ▼
What’s Happening
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January 2025
Red Deer
Central Alberta Chamber Orchestra New Year’s Eve Dance Party
Date & Time: December 31, 8 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Location: 38167 Range Rd. 280
Details: Join the Red Deer Polka Dots and Dixie, and Jazz Explosion for a lively dance party. Cash bar available (no ATM). Tickets are $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.ca.
For More Information: Email jimbicigo@gmail.com or call 403.598.3843.
Kerry Wood Nature Centre – Family Snowshoeing
Date & Time: Saturday, January 4, 12 – 3 p.m.
Location: Kerry Wood Nature Centre (6300-45 Avenue)
Details: Enjoy a fun snowshoeing experience for the whole family! No experience needed. Snowshoes fit ages 3 and up (sleds welcome for younger kids). Dress warmly for the weather. Drop-in only. $3/person or $10/family. Snowshoes available first come, first served.
For More Information: Visit www.waskasoopark.ca.
Volunteer with Canadian Blood Services
Date & Time: Ongoing
Location: Red Deer Donor Centre
Details: Become a donor centre volunteer. Long-term commitment required.
For More Information: Apply online at blood.ca/volunteering or email [email protected].
Blackfalds
Ring in the New Year with the Optimist Club of Blackfalds
Date & Time: December 31, Doors 5 p.m., Dinner 6:30 p.m.
Location: Blackfalds Community Centre
Details: Celebrate at the New Year’s Eve Silver Jubilee Fundraising Gala. Enjoy dinner, Louis Pezzani’s Mind Magic show, music, and dancing. Tickets are $85. Call or text Karen at 587.877.9266 before December 21.
For More Information: Visit www.optimist.org.
Lacombe
Four Eyes Film Series – “Widow Clicquot” Screening
Date & Time: January 15, 7 p.m.
Location: Lacombe City Cinemas
Details: Watch Widow Clicquot as part of the Four Eyes Film Series showcasing independent and international films. Tickets: $9 in advance at Mary C. Moore Public Library or $10 at the door (cash only).
For More Information: Visit Mary C. Moore Public Library’s website.
Senior Drop-in Bowling
Date & Time: Every Tuesday and Friday at 10 a.m.
Location: Ambassador Bowling Centre, 5020 – 50 Street, Lacombe
Details: Seniors (50+) are invited to stop by for fun. $10 fee includes two games of bowling, shoe rental, coffee/tea, and snacks.
For More Information: Call 403.309.6387
City Facilities Grant Support
Date & Time: Ongoing
Location: City of Lacombe
Details: Are you a community/volunteer organization or business with limited budget capacity looking to utilize City facilities? Grant support is available to assist your group or business.
For More Information: Call 403.782.1251 or visit www.lacombe.ca/grants.
Sylvan Lake
New Year’s Day Fireworks
Date & Time: January 1, 7 p.m.
Location: Lakeshore Drive, Sylvan Lake
Details: Celebrate the New Year with fireworks over the lake. Weather permitting.
Career Leap Résumé Review
Date & Time: January 8, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Sylvan Lake Municipal Library
Details: Drop in to meet the Career Leap team for help with your résumé. First come, first served. Visit the library website for details.
Town of Sylvan Lake Online Winter Community Guide
Date & Time: Ongoing
Location: Online
Details: Explore activities from indoor golf to indigenous plant walks. Registration open.
For More Information: Download at www.sylvanlake.ca/communityguide.
Sylvan Lake Municipal Library – Knit-Wits
Date & Time: Thursdays, 5:45 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Sylvan Lake Municipal Library
Details: Connect with others while working on new or existing projects! Open to knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, and embroidery. Supplies are available or bring your own. Donations of non-perishable food items for the Little Free Pantry are welcome.
For More Information: Contact Sylvan Lake Municipal Library
Your Weekly Horoscope
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Lucky numbers this week: This week’s odds favor Libra winners with the luckiest number being 12.
Aries (March 21 - April 20)
You may be more conscious of the price you need to pay to realize your ultimate dreams. Don’t allow it to discourage you from turning your ideas into reality. Lucky Numbers: 4, 14, 16, 29, 32, 45.
Gemini (May 22 - June 21)
If you crave more stimulation, recognize that communications could come from unexpected places. Your strong sense of adventure is sure to greatly influence your imagination. Lucky Numbers: 13, 16, 22, 25, 37, 48.
Taurus (April 21 - May 21)
Choose to make some kind of self-improvement. Once your life is put into a better perspective, you’ll feel more confident that your goals are attainable. Lucky Numbers: 7, 13, 17, 23, 37, 43.
Cancer (June 22 - July 23)
If you crave more stimulation, recognize that communications could come from unexpected places. Your strong sense of adventure is sure to greatly influence your imagination. Lucky Numbers: 13, 16, 22, 25, 37, 48.
Leo (July 23 - Aug. 23)
You may find that you are able to establish more effective alliances with people who can help your career prosper. Discover new ways for your personal ambitions to be completed successfully.
Lucky Numbers: 7, 8, 18, 34, 40, 43.
Libra (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23)
You’re sure to gain the respect and appreciation of others by assisting them in new ventures or endeavours. If you seek out the familiar, you’re sure to find ways to establish emotional support. Lucky Numbers: 12, 28, 30, 32, 42, 48.
Virgo (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23)
Don’t allow anyone’s comments to ruin your plans. Look past the present. The differences of others could increase your ability to communicate more effectively. Lucky Numbers: 4, 17, 23, 25, 38, 41.
Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)
Your interaction and perception of others may be highly influenced by past experiences. Deepen your research in a specific subject, rather than in a variety of new areas. Lucky Numbers: 4, 18, 24, 28, 34, 38.
Sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec. 21)
You know that you now need to follow your own rhythm. It may be best for you not to slow down your pace just to suit others. Don’t be too abrupt, though. Lucky Numbers: 8, 12, 17, 33, 37, 41.
Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19)
Changing bad habits could enable you to find a new inspiration. Be more flexible, but don’t become disorganized and lose sight of your goals. Lucky Numbers: 3, 16, 18, 29, 35, 40.
Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)
You might need to attempt to create more equal sharing of love and nurturing in your relationship. Share good times with someone special. Lucky Numbers: 16, 25, 26, 35, 36, 45.
Pisces (Feb. 20 - March 20)
You may be quick to lend a helping hand and support the ideas of others. Make sure you are comfortable with how much extra responsibility you take on. Lucky Numbers: 7, 8, 15, 17, 18, 25.
Did you Know?
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Folk folly: Folk singer Bob Dylan got off to a bad start back in 1961. His debut album, produced by John Hammond at Columbia Records, was a sales failure. It became known as “Hammond’s Folly.”
Fire storm: The word conflagration is used to describe a fire that is uncontrolled, whether it be a forest fire, house fire or industrial complex fire. Generally, a conflagration causes property to be damaged or destroyed.
Ancient items: Ancient Egyptians used some of the items we regularly use in our modern society. Their common toiletry items included combs, tweezers and razors. Many men and women wore wigs which were made from human hair or wool.
Long nose: The Foja Mountains of Indonesia are home to an odd-looking amphibian. It was coined by researchers as the Pinocchio frog because of the male’s long nose, which points up when the frog croaks, possibly to attract a mate.
Record sales: Country singer Garth Brooks hit the jackpot with his album “No Fences,” which was released in 1990. Over five million copies were sold in the United States, making it the first country album to achieve this feat.
On the Lighter Side
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Let the spring in your stride banish the winter in your heart.
What’s Frankenstein’s favourite ice cream flavour? Shock-a-lot!
Fisherman: “Where can I find the most fish?”
Guide: “Between the head and the tail.”
Nurse: “Why are Mr. and Mrs. Number so happy?”
Doctor: “They’re going to have a little one.”
What do elephants have that no other creatures have? Baby elephants.
First white rat: “What’s this Dr. Einstein like?”
Second rat: “He’s very smart. Whenever I ring the bell, he brings me dinner.”
Sign in a barber shop: Beware of Falling Locks.
Trivia answers:
- Lightning
- 40 days
- About nine inches
- 1908-1940
- See you later.
This edition has been brought to you by Career Assistance Network
© Published with permission of Costain Corp