HAL’S HEADLINES: It’s so easy being Orange

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An 18-year nurse, Carla Compton, is the new NDP MLA for Tuxedo. Some were surprised at the byelection’s outcome this week but I wasn’t. Yes, the riding has always been PC since it was established in 1981. But the New Democrats came very close to winning it last October without even really trying. And premier Wab Kinew has only gotten more popular in the last eight months. He hasn’t made a single misstep. Unlike Heather Stefanson when she took over. But now what? Well, the Kinew government, while it hasn’t made any mistakes, also hasn’t generated many results. At some point soon, people are going to start demanding that they see all the promises come to life, especially with health care. Don’t get me wrong though, it’s always better to be in government. As for the opposition Tories, they have a lot of work to do. They need to pick a new leader next April. Who knows who it’ll be. Maybe a better question is who would want the job. And then even more importantly, what kind of party will that person lead? There’s still confusion among supporters after the campaign the Conservatives ran last year. But I guess it can always be worse. Just ask the Liberals.  

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RIP, LARRY

I got the sad news during my radio show on Thursday morning. Larry Updike has passed away from cancer. He was only 69. Larry was so good at so many things. He was certainly a great broadcaster, both on rock radio and talk. It was my honour and privilege to take over the CJOB morning show from him in 2011 when I also made the transition from rock to talk. I was also there when Larry fell in love with his wife Mary-Ann. Saturday is their 33rd wedding anniversary. They fell in love in the early 1990s when Larry was on air at 92 CITI and Mary-Ann worked in KY-58’s promotions department. If you knew Larry or just appreciated his many talents, please do what he asked in his social media post when he found out about the cancer less than a week before he died. “Mary-Anne will need moral support or more. I am far more concerned about her and Gordon than anything else. If you consider me your friend, please remember that.” We got you, Larry. Rest in peace, my friend.

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SAVE THE KILNS

Stonewall is trying to save its historic kilns. Limestone quarrying where the town is now dates back to the 1800s. Over $3 million dollars has been raised for the project so far, including almost $100,000 in community donations. A raffle that got underway at the end of May will come to an end on July 1 when the community celebrates Canada Day. The party will feature Stonewall’s first-ever Ribfest with all the money going to Save The Kilns.

SPECIAL MOVIE SCREENING

This is a great idea! The Anxiety Disorders Association Of Manitoba is holding a special screen of Inside Out 2 on Thursday night. One of the new characters in the animated sequel is Anxiety. The evening will begin with a brief discussion about youth anxiety. Dr. Lauren Chance, a Winnipeg child and adolescent psychologist, says many families have told her the original movie helped them talk about emotions with their young kids. Go to ADAM’s Facebook or Instagram account for more details on how you can be there.

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WASH AWAY THE POLLEN

With summer comes a new allergy season. If you suffer at this time of year with congestion, coughing, sneezing and teary eyes, you might want to give this a try. Shower before you sleep. Dr. Monica Kraft, an allergist and immunologist at Ohio State University, says going to sleep with the pollen that’s coated your hair, skin and respiratory tract can mean longer exposure to what you’re allergic to, even when you’re no longer outdoors. She adds that steam from a hot shower not only removes pollen but it also loosens mucus and lessens your symptoms. Other experts also suggest changing your clothes as soon as you get indoors. It’s worth a try if your nose is running so much it needs new shoes.

— Hal has written columns for years. He’s also the host of Connecting Winnipeg weekday mornings from 10 to noon on 680 CJOB. You can email him at Hal@HalAnderson.ca.

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