In this issue...
• Warning to parents: Bounce houses are extremely dangerous in windy conditions
• CBC Radio's Under the Influence: Ads that would never make it to the air today
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• Ellen DeGeneres embarks on reputation repair tour
• Stormy temper gets meteorologist canned
• Mother's Day is Sunday, May 12
• 1,100+ copies sold! #1 bestseller on Amazon: Acadian Recipes and More - Volume 1
• Before you go: 7 things you may have missed last week
• Next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night: Monday, May 27
... and trivia, quotes, community events and more!
| |
 |
Warning to parents: Bounce houses are extremely dangerous in windy conditions
From time to time, I'll see horrific videos of bounce houses (also often called "bouncy castles") taken away by the wind with children still inside. Although this may sound like something from America's Funniest Home Videos, it's far from funny when you see one of these houses picked up by the wind and blown across the road while children fall out of it in front of traffic.
Article excerpt: "A 2-year-old boy has died and another child is injured after being blown away in a bounce house in Arizona.
The tragic incident occurred at around 5:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, April 27, when the bounce house in which the children were playing became 'airborne' in the wind and flew 'into the neighboring lot,' the Pinal County Sheriff’s office said in a statement to PEOPLE.
'PCSO was called to the area of W. Rosemead Dr. and N. Bel Air Rd. outside of Casa Grande. That afternoon, several children were playing in a bounce house when a strong gust of wind sent it airborne into the neighboring lot,' the Sheriff's Office said.
Police added that both children were sent to the hospital for their injuries, where the 2-year-old later died. The second child received 'non-life threatening injuries' in the incident."
If it's windy outside, keep your kids away from these things! Summer is on the way and it's time to take heed before tragedy strikes. Better to have a disappointed child rather than the worst-case alternative.
Read: 2-year-old boy dies after getting carried away in bounce house by wind in "tragic accident". Related: YouTube videos of bounce houses being thrown about by the wind.
|  | |
CBC Radio's Under the Influence: Ads that would never make it to the air today
The latest episode of CBC Radio's Under the Influence with host Terry O'Reilly looked at ads that would never make it to the air today. Honestly, some of these are real doozers! (Actually, all of them are.)
• May 2, 2024 - The Gong Show: Ads That Could Never (Ever) Run Today. Synopsis: "This week, we go back in advertising history and take a look at the ads and commercials that could never, ever, EVER run today. They are either so politically incorrect, so sexist, or so inappropriate, you won’t believe your ears. From doctors recommending cigarettes, to 7-Up advertising to babies, to everyone singing about the joys of DDT, it’s amazing to think they all ran back in the day. Ads that couldn’t run today - this week on Under the Influence." Click here to listen to the episode. Click here for episode's website post.
Click here for the show's website and here for the show's podcast archive.
| |
Ellen DeGeneres embarks on reputation repair tour
I've always enjoyed Ellen DeGeneres but she's been plagued by news reports about her on-air personality not matching the "real life" one.
One or two stories? Sure, you can ignore them. But there have been multiple reports that her "kind and happy" personality on air could not be farther from the truth, and that it's a hypocritical front for a less-than-kind elitist star.
Regardless, now that her award-winning talk show has ended, she seems to have embarked on a reputation repair tour to get people to think highly of her again.
Article excerpt: "Ellen DeGeneres might be able to joke now about the events that led to the end of her talk show, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t take an emotional toll on her.
The comedian reflected on her experience getting 'kicked out of show business' for being 'mean' during her latest stand-up comedy gig, at the Largo in Los Angeles on Wednesday, reports PEOPLE.
She made her cracks in reference to a 2020 BuzzFeed News report in which several Ellen DeGeneres Show staffers anonymously came forward with toxic workplace environment claims, saying they'd experienced racial microaggressions and were punished for taking medical or bereavement leave while employed by the talk show.
'The hate went on for a long time, and I would try to avoid looking at the news,' she told the crowd, multiple outlets report. 'The 'be kind' girl wasn't kind. That was the headline.'
DeGeneres added that her decision to end each episode of the show by reminding viewers to 'be kind to one another' slowly became a 'problem' because the public began to perceive her as a 'one-dimensional character who gave stuff away and danced up steps.'"
When the industry (and public) first turned on her after she came out of the closet, it was completely unfair. It was a different time. This time, however, there seems to be a tremendous amount of evidence that she's not only "not as nice as she seems to be" (it would be hard for anyone to live up to that persona), but that she's just downright not nice to people when the cameras aren't on her.
How can EVERYONE be wrong? Is she simply misunderstood, or are our expectations of 100% "happy as a clam all the time" from her an impossible standard to meet?
Read: Ellen DeGeneres addresses aftermath of toxic workplace claims: "It's hard to dance when you're crying".
Photo credit: Ellen Degeneres Stock photos by Vecteezy
| |
Stormy temper gets meteorologist canned
Meteorologists are often the breakout stars on newscasts, often known for their sunny personalities and wise counsel during bad weather events, they are trusted, liked and believed.
ABC's Rob Marciano, though, was apparently far from being the gregarious personality shown on air. He had a temper and it got the best of him on a number of occasions - to the point where he's been fired.
Article excerpt: "ABC News has reportedly fired long-time weatherman Rob Marciano due to behavioural misconduct.
The meteorologist - who has fronted weather coverage at the outlet for 10 years - is said to have previously received warnings over his conduct and had reportedly been sidelined for 'anger management issues.'
According to the New York Post and other US outlets, Mr Marciano, 55, was released by the network on Tuesday, though it was not clear if a specific event had resulted in his dismissal.
He was hired as a senior meteorologist by ABC in 2014.
In March 2023, Page Six reported that he had been banned from the Good Morning America (GMA) studios in Times Square, in New York, after making people feel 'uncomfortable'."
Meteorologists are highly trained experts, but no one needs to put up with diva-like behaviour. For his sake, I hope anger management counselling helps or his entire career is finished. No one needs to deal with that kind of behaviour in the workplace.
Read: ABC News fires weather man Rob Marciano for "anger management issues", reports say. Related video: Rob Marciano joins Katie on Good Morning Buffalo to talk about the eclipse in Niagara Falls.
| |
1,100+ copies sold! #1 bestseller on Amazon: Acadian Recipes and More - Volume 1
My very first book is now available for purchase! Acadian Recipes and More - Volume 1 is a compilation of recipes gathered from members of the Acadian Poutine Râpée Facebook Group and elsewhere.
There are more than 100 recipes available in the book - many of which are family recipes that are impossible to find! Enjoy the extra bonuses of exclusive goodies from Marven's Biscuits and Cy's Seafood Restaurant, too - both iconic food legends in Moncton, New Brunswick!
On March 21, the book reached #2 on Amazon Canada bestsellers list for ALL books in Canada.
The print edition and ebook (Kindle) are available exclusively on Amazon. Click on the country you live in to visit the appropriate site for purchase:
• Amazon Canada
• Amazon U.S.
• Kobo.com (for Kobo ebook readers)
I'm also pleased to announce that the next two books in the series will be released this year. Acadian Recipes and More - Volume 2 and Acadian Recipes and More - Holidays. Stay tuned!
This is a great book for delicious homestyle recipes. Enjoy!
NEW: A French version of the book will be released very soon!
| |
Trivia: Did you know?
According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, the country with the happiest people aged 30 and under is Lithuania. Meanwhile, the country with the happiest people aged 60 and over is Denmark.
| |
Quotes of note
• 1. "There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will."
- Epictetus (50-135), Greek philosopher (see photo)
• 2. "Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them."
- William Arthur Ward
• 3. "What is a soul? It's like electricity - we don't really know what it is, but it's a force that can light a room."
- Ray Charles
• 4. "We all need people who will give us feedback. That's how we improve."
- Bill Gates
• 5. "A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship."
- John D. Rockefeller
• 6. "The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks."
- Mark Zuckerberg
• 7."The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."
- Dolly Parton
• 8. "The road to success is dotted with many tempting parking spaces."
- Will Rogers
• 9. "Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia."
- Charles M. Schulz
• 10. "Age is not important unless you're a cheese."
- Helen Hayes
| |
Next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night: Monday, May 27
The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club Trivia Night will be held at St. Louis Bar & Grill, 1405 Mountain Road, Moncton, on Monday, May 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m. $10 per person (cash only). Click here for the Facebook event listing.
Participants may play as teams or individuals. The winning team gets 50% of the door receipts as their prize.
It is strongly suggested that participants arrive by 5:15-5:30 p.m. for a seat. Trivia begins at 6:30 p.m. sharp and is usually over by 8 p.m. Everyone welcome!
Please note that restaurant reservations are NOT available for this event. First come, first served. Limited seating of approximately 50 guests.
Participants may bring an optional non-perishable food item (box of granola bars, Kraft Dinner, cereal, etc.) for distribution at Krista Richard's Community Sports Program events, of which the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club is a sponsor. Any donations will be gratefully received and provided to Krista for distribution to her program participants (school-aged children from Moncton-area schools).
Since Rotary Trivia Nights began in 2016, the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club has donated nearly $20,000 to Atlantic Wellness, Karing Kitchen, Ray of Hope Kitchen, Salvus Clinic, The Humanity Project, BGC Moncton (Moncton Boys & Girls Club), Junior Achievement New Brunswick, Project Linus - Moncton Chapter, and Krista Richard's Community Sports Program, among others. During the last Rotary Trivia Night season (September 2022 to May 2023), more than $6,000 was raised.
The Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club gratefully acknowledges the kind and generous sponsorship of its restaurant partner, St. Louis Bar & Grill.
See you on Monday, May 27!
| |
Spring is here! Enjoy the great outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In May, the group is walking on the Dobson Trail in Riverview, meeting at the parking lot on Quinn Court.
The group meets for walks every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. New participants are always welcome! For more information, please contact Wayne Harrigan at 506-386-2187 or via email.
| |
|
About this newsletter
Brian Cormier's Weekly Update is distributed weekly from September to June via email to more than 500 subscribers in addition to many others who access it online. If you're reading this newsletter online and want to subscribe, please email me, fill out the subscription form on my website, or subscribe via the "Join Our Email List" button at the top of the newsletter (if you're viewing this in a browser.) This newsletter is not published in July and August and on holidays.
| |
© 2024 Bricor Communications | | | | |
