ONLINE EDITION

Welcome to the online edition of the Central Alberta Coffee News!

Dec 16th, 2024

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“News To Be Enjoyed Over Coffee”

Delivering Smiles Since 1988

Everybody’s Talking

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Unique twins: In Northumberland, England, Donna Keenan gave birth prematurely to her son Dylan at home in her living room. Upon Dylan’s arrival, mother and baby were rushed to Borders General Hospital in Scotland, an hour away. That’s when Dylan’s twin sister, Hannah, arrived. Now the twins have different nationalities. Keenan and her husband are still in shock at the fast delivery. She explained that when she had the couple’s first born two years earlier, it had been a long labour, so she was expecting the same thing this time around. But, the babies just couldn’t wait!

Close call: Swimming with turtles in Maui, Hawaii, turned into fighting off a shark for Mariko Haugen. She saw the 13.5-ft. long tiger shark approaching and tried not to panic. Seeing the shark coming at her was “terrifying,” reports the American from Folsom, California (US). Luckily, Haugen has Tae Kwon Do black belt training, and she gave the shark a bruising punch in the nose. It did the trick, and luckily for Haugen, the shark took off. Her husband and another man carried her to shore. She needed numerous stitches to her hand and thigh, but was, otherwise, in good spirits.

Long walk: It was a long and dangerous walk, but Senad Hadzic, who travelled on foot for 3,503 miles from a town near Sarajevo, Bosnia, to Mecca in Saudi Arabia, arrived safe and sound. He was fulfilling one of the five pillars of Islam – to make a pilgrimage to Mecca. Hadzic explained that he crossed seven countries and two deserts, making his journey without carrying any money. He claims that every day was difficult, but exciting, and he was happy to report that he survived during the most dangerous leg of the trip, which was traveling through Syria.

One big toy: Fathers and sons often build models together, but Maximus Dacey and his father, Ron, went quite a bit further. They built a 23-ft. tall sculpture modeled after Transformer toys. They built their transformer using transmissions and auto parts, and whatever else seemed appropriate, on the driveway of the family store in Port Hope, Ontario, Canada. Young Maximus explains that he got the idea to build the giant sculpture after seeing some three-foot tall Transformers in a market in southeast Asia during a family trip. He pitched his idea to his dad, and they decided to create one together.

Quotable Quotes

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“We find delight in the beauty and happiness of children that makes the heart too big for the body.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

“There are amazingly wonderful people in all walks of life; some familiar to us and others not. Stretch yourself and really get to know people. People are in many ways one of our greatest treasures.”

– Bryant H. McGill

Trivia

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The capital of England is Sussex, London, or Liverpool?
Birds have hollow bones—true or false?
What was actor John Wayne’s real name?
How many keys are there on a standard piano?
Who was the first man to hit a golf ball on the moon?

▼ Trivia answers at the bottom of the page! ▼

What’s Happening

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December 2024

Red Deer

Sugarplum Storytime at Red Deer Public Library

Date & Time: December 19, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Red Deer Public Library Downtown Branch (4818-49 Street)
Details: Wear your PJs and enjoy holiday-themed puppet shows, stories, and crafts. For ages 5+ (8 and under must be accompanied by an adult).
For More Information: Register at rdpl.org/events.

Kids’ Holiday Workshop at Kerry Wood Nature Centre

Date & Time: December 21, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Kerry Wood Nature Centre (6300-45 Avenue)
Details: Games, crafts, and activities for ages 6-12. Cost: $12/youth. Pre-registration required by 4:30 p.m., December 19.
For More Information: Call 403.346.2010 or 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

Mary C. Moore Public Library Christmas Colouring Contest

Date & Time: Submission deadline is December 19 at 8 p.m.
Location: Mary C. Moore Public Library
Details: A colouring contest for teens (14+) and adults. Prizes for the top two entries in each age group. Pick up colouring sheets at the library.
For More Information: Call 403.782.3433 or visit www.lacombelibrary.ca.

Very Merry Snowy Christmas Concert

Date & Time: December 16, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lacombe Performing Arts Centre
Details: Enjoy performances by the Lacombe Community Band and Flat Iron Jazz Band. Admission by donation.
For More Information: Call Mark Kenney at 403.784.3055 or email [email protected].

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

Art Attack: Wire Ornaments at Sylvan Lake Municipal Library

Date & Time: December 20, 3 to 4 p.m.
Location: Sylvan Lake Municipal Library
Details: Create wire ornaments. Supplies provided, and you can take home your creations! Registration required.
For More Information: Call 403.887.2130 or register online at https://parklandab.wufoo.com/forms/z1n3w8z704vzfu6/.

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 favour Cancer winners with the luckiest number being 11.

This weeks edition is sponsored by:

AAA Films and Auto

Aries (March 21 - April 20)

Search deep to find the best route to reach your immediate goals. Patience may be required if you want to find answers to your past. Humour those who need to tell you how to live your life.
Lucky Numbers: 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.

Gemini (May 22 - June 21)

Your strong relationships within your family could make this week a productive one. Show them how much they really mean to you. Count your blessings.
Lucky Numbers: 8, 15, 19, 38, 45, 49.

Taurus (April 21 - May 21)

You may find that you need to balance your career and your personal affairs. Don’t be too eager to launch your goals regarding work until you have established a healthy family foundation.
Lucky Numbers: 17, 19, 27, 29, 37, 39.

Cancer (June 22 - July 23)

You know your nurturing talents could be required by family members. Your caretaking skills can indicate how much support you are willing to give to others.
Lucky Numbers: 11, 34, 37, 40, 43, 47.

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)

Appreciate the maturity, patience, and responsibility you’ve achieved. Plan for those future opportunities that lie ahead.
Lucky Numbers: 1, 2, 12, 13, 35, 46.

Virgo (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23)

Plan for the future while your positive attitude and physical energy levels are high. If you really focus on your objectives, you could get a lot accomplished.
Lucky Numbers: 15, 16, 24, 25, 33, 34.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

You may feel you are in a dismal situation. Use your emotional energy to become a vital part of your social group. This could motivate you to feel much more confident.
Lucky Numbers: 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45.

Sagittarius Nov. 23 - Dec. 21)

If you enjoy spy and mystery novels, an unsolved mystery behind the scenes of a situation is sure to fascinate you. You may be able to probe until you discover the truth.
Lucky Numbers: 11, 19, 27, 37, 39, 44.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19)

You may have to do some work that could interfere with your personal affairs. Take pride that others recognize your talents. New ideas could come up in the conversation.
Lucky Numbers: 3, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20)

An interest in psychology could emerge. You may find you’re more able to spend time with people and really enjoy sharing your talents.
Lucky Numbers: 9, 16, 21, 33, 45, 46.

Pisces (Feb. 20 - March 20)

You might find that you’re able to grasp new concepts very easily. Don’t be impatient with delays. You may need to get your message across to others via writing or speaking to them directly.
Lucky Numbers: 5, 17, 28, 35, 41, 47.

Did you Know?

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Tiny reptiles: The world’s smallest lizard is only half an inch long. Identified as the Caribbean gecko, this little reptile is found in the Dominican Republic. Barbados is home to the shortest known snake – the four-inch-long Caribbean threadsnake.

Music mania: Some people still collect old record music. Most collectors today probably own recordings done on what are called the 33 1/3 rpm (revolutions per minute) long-playing records, which were introduced in 1948 to replace 78 rpm records.

Talking dogs: A rodent called the Gunnison’s prairie dog lives in colonies in the southwestern United States. Scientists believe they communicate by using 11 different alarm calls that give details about approaching predators, including their size and the direction they are coming from.

Calorie reduction: That well-loved dish, macaroni and cheese, can have as many as 900 calories per serving. You can reduce this calorie count a little by substituting puréed cauliflower for some of the cheese.