CBC Radio host Steve Patterson, two-time Leacock Medal winner Terry Fallis to host events in Orillia on June 21, 22NEWS RELEASESTEPHEN LEACOCK ASSOCIATES*************************The Stephen Leacock Associates are delighted to announce that two well-known humourists will host the events of the Leacock Medal Gala Weekend. The three finalists for the 2024 Leacock Medal will be introduced and will read excerpts from their books. Steve Patterson of CBC Radio fame will host the Leacock Medal Gala Dinner on Saturday, June 22, at which the winner of the 2024 Leacock Medal for Humour will be announced. The Leacock Medal for Humour awards are generously sponsored by the Dunkley Charitable Foundation. For more information about the Leacock Medal and Stephen Leacock Associates, please visit www.leacock.ca.

I now think I made a mistake and should have simply added the money to the 529 college savings plan we have for him. Another benefit I see to doing so may be that the funds might not be considered in financial aid calculations. He will not qualify for aid based on need as we are financially well off but he may qualify for aid based on merit. Answer: You can transfer the funds from a custodial account, but contributions to 529 college savings plans have to be made in cash. If your primary concern is financial aid and your family won’t qualify for need-based help, then there may be little reason to incur that tax bill right now.

Aurora Cultural Centre presents Martha Chaves and a cast of comic friends March 8Award-winning comedian Martha Chaves with her “fierce, ferocious and effin’ funny female comic friends with their joy and insights” is coming to Aurora for International Women’s Day on March 8. Martha Chaves offers incisive and hilarious insights into politics, pop culture, with observations into daily life that strike a chord — and the funny bone, according to an Aurora Cultural Centre news release. A regular panellist on CBC Radio’s Because News with Gavin Crawford, Chave travels international comedy circuits throughout Canada, the U.S. and Latin America, and is a fan favourite at the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival. Chaves won the 2017 Canadian Comedy Award for Best Standup Comic. Broad Appeal, on Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s College in Aurora, promises uncontrollable laughter and a night of brilliant insights from some of Canada’s funniest women, the news releases stated.

Recently, several research teams have honed in on potential hallmarks of long COVID, formally known as post-COVID-19 condition. Like three and a half million other Canadians, according to Statistics Canada, Halifax's Wood has long-term COVID symptoms. Wood said she belongs to long COVID groups on Facebook and has heard that people have had to get a lawyer to help them apply for disability. According to Wood, medical professionals need to speak out more about the condition so that people don't have to fight to get access to disability assistance. Barrett said there was still no medical consensus on recognizing long COVID as a disability.

Amid a projected shortfall and expected belt-tightening, current and former CBC stars say the public broadcaster should prioritize shows that take risks and reflect the diverse fabric of the nation. Tait told a federal heritage committee in late January that it was up to the CBC’s board of directors to determine who gets bonuses. Toronto-based actor Emmanuel Kabongo, whose credits include the CBC shows “21 Thunder” and “Frankie Drake Mysteries,” said executives should not get bonuses if they don’t deserve them. If dollars are scarce, observers pressed CBC to focus on shows that reflect the country’s diverse population and take risks private networks wouldn’t normally take. Wraich praised the CBC for giving “Sort Of” a platform and said “Allegiance” could have a similar impact.

The Riff's monkey spent time in shops across Newfoundland. (Submitted by Debbie Pickett - image credit)The Riff's monkey spent time in shops across Newfoundland. The Riff's monkey spent time in shops across Newfoundland. (Submitted by Debbie Pickett)Did you know Riff's department stores were once all about monkey business? He said the monkey wasn't a bad neighbour — but he still wasn't a fan of the promotion.

CBC talent and critics are speaking their minds about the future of the public broadcaster as it contends with budget cuts and its president faces scrutiny for refusing to rule out bonuses for execs. The CBC logo is projected onto a screen in Toronto on May 29, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

This photo, taken on Dec. 27, 1942, shows the aftermath of a military train's collision with a passenger train at the station in Almonte, Ont. A train carrying soldiers to Halifax crashed into a passenger train at the station in Almonte, Ont. Thirty-eight people died in the collision and more than 150 people were injured, according to Jaime Bramburger, the author of "Sudden Impact – The Almonte Train Wreck of 1942." Bramburger says a metal train carrying troops on their way to Halifax crashed into the back of a passenger train with wooden coaches. Bramburger says the troop train crashed into the back of a passenger train with wooden coaches.

The city's community services committee has passed a motion directing staff to examine poverty reduction strategies for local artists. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press - image credit)Ottawa's community services committee passed a motion Tuesday directing staff to explore poverty reduction strategies for local artists and culture workers. Troster also highlighted other municipalities that have organizations that assist their local artists, like in Nashville, which is well-known for its music scene. Cassandra Olsthoorn, executive director of Arts Network Ottawa, says city funding can help stabilize artists' finances, allowing them to pursue private funding. Those buildings can be converted to housing, but not all of them are easily convertible and could instead be used by non-profit organizations or artists, Troster said.

Tracy, CA (95376)TodaySteady light rain this morning. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%..TonightA shower or two around the area early, then partly cloudy overnight. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.

Livermore, CA (94550)TodayRain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..TonightRain showers this evening with clearing overnight. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.

As old timers at UNICEF and friends of UNICEF will recall, Mulroney was one of the first world leaders who was persuaded by UNICEF Executive Director Jim Grant to help convene the Summit for Children. Along with five other world leaders, Mulroney requested the UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar to convene the first-ever world summit at the United Nations on the subject of children. Nor was his name in the speakers’ list of world leaders that had been very carefully negotiated by diplomats on behalf of their leaders. As Co-Chair of the Summit, Brian Mulroney masterfully orchestrated Bush’s participation at the Summit. He addressed the world leaders, expressed the US government’s strong commitment to children and solidarity with other fellow world leaders, and departed right away.

Prime Minister Brian Mulroney is all smiles before signing the proposed free trade agreement between Canada and the United States on Jan. 2, 1988. Mulroney, who died this week at 84, is remembered for his ability to foster personal relationships and free trade work. 1988 election campaign centred on free tradeMulroney and Reagan signed the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement in January 1988. Blais argued the free trade deals Mulroney helped usher in paved the way to the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO). "I would argue that the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and NAFTA gutted the manufacturing sector in this country," she said..

In 1996 a group of enthusiastic naturalists and adventurers got together with the desire to share the beauty of the Upper Columbia Valley with other like-minded people. Over the following years, the festival expanded from a birding event to a true nature festival. For over 25 years, the beautiful Upper Columbia Valley has celebrated the return of the Spring migration, and the re-awakening of nature, with the Wings over the Rockies Nature Festival. Come and join us May 6 – 12, for the week-long nature festival. Come join like-minded lovers of nature and enjoy the wonders of the Upper Columbia Valley.

Memories of Mulroney: Anecdotes and Reminiscences | In In Policy Special | By By The EditorsBrian Mulroney at his Montreal home with painting of Parliament Hill by Shirley Van Dusen/Photo by Gray MacDonaldIn the wake of Brian Mulroney’s passing on February 29th, we’ve the Policy community to share favourite memories of the former prime minister. Late one afternoon someone came to tell me Brian Mulroney was on the phone and wanted to talk to me. As First Secretary at our embassy, I was charged with managing the visit of Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and his delegation, including foreign minister Joe Clark. Somehow, the message had not gone through, so the Prime Minister and Minister Clark showed up in tuxedos. !” I apologized to the Prime MInister for the obvious protocolary faux pas.