Wednesday June 1, 2011

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Ted Talks

Dennis Hong: Making a car for blind drivers

Using robotics, laser rangefinders, GPS and smart feedback tools, Dennis Hong is building a car for drivers who are blind. It's not a "self-driving" car, he's careful to note, but a car in which a non-sighted driver can determine speed, proximity and route -- and drive independently.

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Transportation

Kitchener city council approves Square to Square - Car Free Sunday event for July 17

KITCHENER – Earlier this week, during a special meeting of city council, councillors voted in favour of proceeding with Square-to-Square - Car Free Sunday, a joint initiative with the City of Waterloo, as a pilot event on Sunday, July 17.

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Safety

Answering the call when seniors need help

Program helps family caregivers prepare for emergencies

WATERLOO – A call in the middle of the night that Mom had a bad fall or Dad accidentally overdosed on his meds can strike terror in the hearts of family caregivers. It could happen at any time, often because seniors take so many different medications. According to a study conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care network, far too many adult sons and daughters don’t have the information they need should that emergency call come, and their senior mother or father needs help.

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Communication and Global Issues

CIGI website offers news media better access to experts, for informed comment on global issues

Waterloo - To provide media with better access to expert commentary on pressing global issues, The Centre for International Governance Innovation has launched a redesigned website.

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Transportation and Economy

Rapid Transit Service in Waterloo Region will drive investment & economic vitality

Kitchener - The Board of Directors of Canada’s Technology Triangle Inc. voted at their May 2011 meeting to support the staged Light Rail Rapid Transit system proposed to Council by Regional staff.

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Fundraiser

THAT’S AMORE PIZZA FOR KIDS GIVES BACK TO WATERLOO REGION!

Waterloo – For the first time since it began the successful That’s Amore Pizza For Kids fundraiser 12 years ago, Pizza Nova has dedicated proceeds to a charitable organization in Waterloo Region.

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Arts and Culture

New Cultural Initiative Animates Guelph’s Newest Public Spaces

GUELPH – Colleen Clack, General Manager of Arts, Culture and Entertainment for the City of Guelph, announced the creation of RBC Royal Suite, a new cultural initiative made possible through the sponsorship support of RBC Royal Bank. This multi-year program offers a phased-in series of activities that marks a new cross-disciplinary and participatory approach to programming and sponsorship.

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Geography and Health

You are where you live - Western researchers say geography matters to your health

London - Believing geography matters significantly to the health of Canada’s next generation, researchers at The University of Western Ontario are using innovative technology to measure and monitor the physical activities of 1200 children in 60 elementary schools across Southwestern Ontario.

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Business Growth

CANADA'S FASTEST-GROWING COMPANIES REVEALED

The stars of PROFIT Magazine's 23rd annual PROFIT 200 ranking prove that opportunities are everywhere in our economy.

TORONTO - With the Canadian economy apparently mired in a prolonged period of subpar growth, one couldn't blame business owners for being pessimistic about current opportunities for expansion. But the firms honoured in the PROFIT 200 ranking of Canada's Fastest-Growing Companies are proof that more than a little optimism is in order.

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Solar Energy

Canadian Solar Announces 600 MW PV Cell Plant Joint Venture

Toronto - Canadian Solar Inc., one of the world's largest solar companies, announced that it has signed an agreement with Suzhou New District Economic Development Group Corporation and Suzhou Science and Technology City Development Co., Ltd to build a 600 MW photovoltaic cell production factory in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province.

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Auto

Ontario's Investment In Chrysler Pays Off For Families

Ontario Government Loan Repaid, Auto Sector Strong

Toronto - Premier Dalton McGuinty personally congratulated Chrysler Group CEO, Sergio Marchionne, for the car company's payment of its Ontario loan -- six years ahead of schedule.

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Entrepreneur Summit

CYBF Launches Call for Delegates to Join the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit in Nice, France!

TORONTO - The Canadian Youth Business Foundation announced a call for dedicated and enthusiastic young entrepreneurs to join the official Canadian delegation at the G20 Young Entrepreneur Summit in France this fall.

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New Refinery

Greenstone bolsters team to help land Ring of Fire refinery

Greenstone - The Council of the Municipality of Greenstone has passed a Motion to retain G & G Global Solutions and Environmental Communications Options in order to facilitate a positive decision regarding the establishment of a smelter in the community.

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Skills Competition

Skills/Compétences Canada: Mike Holmes of Holmes on Homes and Canada's Most Trusted Contractor helps kick off the 17th Skills Canada National Competition

GATINEAU - Skills/Compétences Canada, a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies, along with Mike Holmes, Canada's Most Trusted Contractor, and the man whose mission is to Make it Right opened the Skills Canada National Competition, which takes place in Québec, QC, June 1 -4, 2011.

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Astronomy

Canadian Astronomers set their sights on London

London - This week, astronomers from across the country are gathering in London to set the course of Canadian astronomical research for the next decade and celebrate Canada’s role in astronomical and astrophysical research.