Monday January 31, 2011
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Ted Talks

Jake Shimabukuro plays "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Jake Shimabukuro strums monster sounds out of the tiny Hawaiian ukulele, as he plays a cover of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." A sensational performance from TED2010 -- it'll send shivers down your spine.

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Transportation

New chair will research sustainable pavement to build better, greener roads

WATERLOO - The University of Waterloo and its Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology officially launched the new $1.5 million endowed Norman W. McLeod Chair in Sustainable Pavement Engineering, which will focus on advanced pavement research, collaborative projects with industry, and graduate student teaching and supervision.

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Literacy

Baby well-being and future success enhanced through community focus on emergent literacy

Waterloo – An integrated community strategy to enhance literacy development in the first year of a child’s life was announced at the YMCA Early Years Centre. Through the generous support of local donors and foundations, the leadership collaborative of KidsAbility Centre for Child Development, Strong Start, and YMCAs of Cambridge & Kitchener-Waterloo will realize a three-year implementation plan.

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Dining

Lunch at Liaison College is back!

KITCHENER - Dear Foodie! A chill is in the air but don't let that stop you from enjoying a delicious 3 course gourmet luncheon. Come join us Friday February 4th and enjoy a luncheon presented by Chef Mike Magda and his students.

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PSA

Public invited to participate in 2011 Heritage Workshop on Friday, February 11

Breslau - The 14th annual Heritage Day Workshop and Celebration will be held on February 11, 2011 at the Breslau Community Centre. The free workshop provides a forum to discuss opportunities to improve heritage planning, management and decision-making, raise heritage awareness and appreciation, and celebrate the national designation of the Grand River.

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Wildlife

Wild turkeys make a comeback

By Janet Baine

Cambridge - What bird living in the Grand River area has a beard, snood and caruncles? Wild turkeys of course. They were eradicated from this area, the province and many states by 1909 due to unregulated hunting and the loss of native forests that were cleared for agriculture. Now they are back in the Grand River watershed by the thousands. They are especially noticeable in winter, because they gather into large groups and move around together in their quest for food. At night they roost in trees.

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Democracy

Canadian politicians' support for democracy in Arab world subdued

Montreal - Weeks after a repressive regime in Tunisia was overthrown, and days after passionate protests for civil liberties in Egypt and Yemen, Canada's reaction to the popular protests remains extremely reserved.

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Communication

ING DIRECT Canada CEO Named 2010 IABC/Toronto Communicator of the Year Award

TORONTO - The Toronto Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators is proud to announce that the 2010 IABC/Toronto Communicator of the Year Award is being presented to Peter Aceto, President and CEO of ING DIRECT Canada.

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Health Research

Carleton Professor Maria DeRosa Honoured With 2011 Research Achievement Award For Work on Biosensors and Synthetic DNA

Ottawa – For the millions of people worldwide who suffer from psychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia, Carleton Professor Maria DeRosa’s next research initiative provides hope for a new treatment.

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Industry

Gross domestic product by industry

Statscan - Real gross domestic product rose 0.4% in November after growing by 0.2% in October. Oil and gas extraction led the way in November, followed by wholesale and retail trade, real estate and the finance and insurance sector. Manufacturing declined, largely as a result of temporary plant shutdowns for retooling in the motor vehicle assembly industry and shift reductions in the motor vehicle parts industry. Construction also decreased.

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Industry

Industrial product and raw materials price indexes

Statscan - In December, the Industrial Product Price Index rose 0.7% and the Raw Materials Price Index was up 4.2% compared with November. The upward trend in the two indexes was sustained by higher prices for petroleum and metals.

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Guest Column

Where Is The Money?

by Jim Bain

Success in business is all about finding the money. In the present economy, the private sector is reeling, but governments, both federal and state, seem to have money to spend and the desire to do so. The problem is that being a contractor or vendor to the government is a tough club to join. If you jump through the right hoops, and if you qualify, there are plenty of opportunities, but dealing with the bureaucracy can be a mind blowing experience.