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QNL to mark new academic year with variety of workshops and events in September

Peninsula

Doha: Qatar National Library (QNL) is set to host an exciting lineup of events and workshops for members this September, focusing on heritage and research as well as health, education and learning to support children, parents and teachers for the new academic year. The Library will also hold a lecture on sports event management in Qatar and accessibility features for spectators with disabilities in the run-up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

On 3 September, researchers are invited to attend a one-day event dedicated to strengthening their skills through three technical workshops that give oversight of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

On 3, 10, 17, and 24 September, the Library will host its second “Young Adults Coding Camp,” in collaboration with AdStep, an EdTech start-up led by a group of engineers from Qatar University. The sessions aim to equip young adults with technical skills related to coding, robotics, gaming and design.

On 6 September, the Library will host “The Creative Writing Circle for Adults” which provides an opportunity for creative writers to come together and share their work. The group provides inspiration, feedback and encouragement in a supportive environment.

With the beginning of another academic year, children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) need specific strategies and a special classroom environment that supports their learning. Teachers are invited to join this lecture on “Regulating Behavior in a Classroom Environment for Students with ADHD” on 10 September, to learn about some of these strategies and ways to put them into practice.

The Library will host a series of seminars on 11 and 17 September, where parents are invited to learn skills, tips, tricks, and habits to support children to get to the next level in their academic lives. The seminars will cover topics ranging from human psychology, neurolinguistic programming and physiology to smart ways to study, how to construct an essay and how to improve your memory.

On 14 September, the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra will be back at the Library to perform Schuberts Octet in F Major. This beloved titan of the chamber music repertoire comprises six movements and effuses a tender warmth of expression and lyrical beauty from first note to last.

On 15 September, the Library will host “FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: Accessibility for Spectators with Disabilities,” a practical discussion guide to raise awareness about the accessibility features of FIFA 2022 to ensure that the unique atmosphere, matchday services and passion for the event can be shared and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of physical ability. The program will be presented by representatives from the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and Qatar Social and Cultural Center for the Blind.

On 15 September, the Library invites teachers and parents to a workshop that discusses how to nurture and guide gifted and creative children to help them get the most out of their talents.

Then, on 18 September and with the FIFA World Cup rapidly approaching, the Library will host a lecture that will cover the historical aspects of managing and hosting large sporting events as well as the current and future implications for Qatar. Guest speakers for this event will be Dr. Danyel Reiche and Dr. Matthias Krug. Dr. Danyel Reiche is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) and an Associate Professor at Georgetown University in Qatar where he leads a research initiative on the FIFA World Cup 2022. With Paul Brannagan, he published the book Qatar and the 2022 FIFA World Cup: Politics, Controversy, Change (Palgrave Macmillan 2022), and edited the volume Handbook of Sport in the Middle East (Routledge 2022). Dr. Krug is an academic and author of Journeys on the Football Carpet, the first book published about Qatars incredible football journey.

Finally, the Library, the regional IFLA Center for Preservation and Conservation in the Arab Region and the Middle East, will host a webinar on 27 September to highlight the efforts of the National Center for Manuscripts in the Adrar region of Algeria, known for its many family-held collections, which contain a vast number of manuscripts. The lecture will be presented by Belfakir Ahmed, a specialist in the preservation and conservation of manuscripts. 
 

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Cardiac rehab score predicts event risk at 1 year

Cardiac rehab score predicts event risk at 1 year

August 19, 2022

2 min read


Disclosures:
The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.


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Exercise performance during cardiac rehabilitation, scored with a novel index, can reliably predict CV event risk at 1 year, according to data from a single-center study.

Participating in a cardiac rehabilitation program is essential to improving patients’ survival and quality of life following myocardial infarction or heart surgery and for patients with HF,” Ofir Koren, MD, FESC, an interventional cardiology fellow with the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Smidt Heart Institute and a senior interventional cardiologist with Emek Medical Center in Afula, Israel, told Healio. “Our study supports previous evidence and emphasizes the importance of understanding the level of endurance required to promote improved outcomes by designing a simple-to-use formula that can guide physicians and physiotherapists toward a target-directed program.”



Graphical depiction of source quote presented in the article

Data were derived from Naami R, et al. Clin Cardiol. 2022;doi:10.1002/clc.23890.

Koren and colleagues analyzed data from 486 adults who participated in at least 80% of sessions in a cardiac rehabilitation program between January 2018 and August 2021 at Emek Medical Center in Israel. The rehab program is a twice weekly, 3-month government-funded program; each session includes exercises on a treadmill, elliptical, bicycle and handcycle. Researchers assessed patient performance using a novel index, the “CR score,” which integrated duration, speed of work and workload conducted on each training device. Researchers then determined the optimal thresholds for a cumulative CR score and assessed the mortality rate among patients who developed a major adverse CV event and those who did not (controls).

The findings were published in Clinical Cardiology.

Major adverse CV events occurred in 5.5% of patients at 1 year; events were more common among those with prior cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack (14.8% vs. 3.5%; P < .001). Age, sex, comorbidities, HF and medical treatment did not affect the outcome.

The median cumulative CR score of the study group was lower compared with controls (median, 595 vs. 3,500; P < .0001). A cumulative CR score of greater than 1,132 correlated with the outcome with 98.5% sensitivity and 99.6% specificity (95% CI, 0.9850.997; P < .0001). Patients older than age 55 years with a cumulative CR score of greater than 1,132 were deemed at highest risk for a major adverse CV event at 1 year, with an OR of 7.4 (95% CI, 2.84-18.42); Kaplan-Meier survival curve indicated that major adverse CV events at 1 year occurred much earlier among patients with a low CR score (log-rank P = .03).

The researchers noted that the CR score is a novel score that has not been validated on a large scale.

“These data may assist physicians and physiotherapists in tailoring a specific CR program with clear physical targets,” Koren, also a clinic lecturer at Technion University in Israel, told Healio. “We need a prospective study involving two groups randomly assigned to two therapeutic options — current CR practice and a CR program directed using our model.”

For more information:

Ofir Koren, MD, FESC, can be reached at ofir.koren@cshs.org; Twitter: @dr_ofir.

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Explained: Islamic New Year That Coincides With The Tragic Events Of Muharram

Explained: Islamic New Year That Coincides With The Tragic Events Of Muharram

In the Islamic lunar calendar, the new crescent moon marks the beginning of the year 1444. Based on the moon, the Islamic year has a length of 354 or 355 days. It runs for a whole year, beginning with Muharram.

The Hijrah – the Prophet Mohamed’s journey from Mecca to Medina with his companions, marked the beginning of the calendar in 622 AD.

History and significance

The Islamic New Year commemorates the migration of the Prophet Mohammad and his companions from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE to avoid persecution. In 629 CE, following the city’s conquest, the Prophet made his way back to Mecca. The following year will be known as 1444 AH (Anno Hegirae or the year of the Hijra), signifying that 1,444 years have passed since the Prophet’s migration to Medina.

Traditionally, Muharram is regarded as a time for reflection and penance among many. The Islamic New Year gives followers a chance to look forward to the future and reflect on the good and bad things they have done in their life.

As the death anniversary of the Prophet’s grandson Hussein is observed around this time, Muslims see the first 10 days of Muharram as a sacred period of remembrance. On the tenth day of Muharram, Hussein lost his life at the Battle of Karbala. The day, also known as Ashura, is observed as a day of mourning by Shia Muslims around the world.

Islamic Calendar, Islamic New Year, Muharram 2022, Muharram, Ashura 2022, Ashura, Islamic New Year 2022,
Anmar Khalil/AP Photo

When does Muharram 2022 start?

Based on where a person is in the world, the expected Gregorian Date of 1 Muharram in 2022 is either Saturday, July 30, or Sunday, July 31, 2022.

Different nations choose various techniques, but the date is ultimately determined by astronomical calculations or confirmed moon sightings.

There is also disagreement about whether the concept of a moon sighting should refer to a person actually witnessing the moon in an area, which could be complicated by things like weather, or whether to take into account sightings in Saudi Arabia or other places.

Islamic Calendar, Islamic New Year, Muharram 2022, Muharram, Ashura 2022, Ashura, Islamic New Year 2022,
Unsplash/Representational Image

Some claim that because of scientific advances in astronomy, it is now possible to predict the rising of the new moon with certainty, allowing Muslims worldwide to utilize a single start date without variance.

Rituals

According to traditional belief, the Children of Israel were saved from Pharoah by Allah in the month of Muharram. On this day, the tenth of Muharram, Prophet Moses (or Musa) fasted as an act of gratitude to Allah. When Prophet Muhammad moved from Mecca to Medina in the year 622 CE during the month of Muharram, he learned from the Jews that they fasted on this day in accordance with the teachings of Moses.

Islamic Calendar, Islamic New Year, Muharram 2022, Muharram, Ashura 2022, Ashura, Islamic New Year 2022,
Unsplash

Prophet Muhammad chose to fast twice, once on Ashura and the day prior that is the 9th and 10th day of Muharram, in order to encourage his followers to express the same thanks to Allah. These are the customs that Sunni Muslims traditionally follow.

Muslims observe a day of mourning known as Ashura to remember the martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s great-grandson Hussain Ibn Ali in Karbala. 

In order to mark public mourning and remember the suffering inflicted upon their great leader and his family, members of the Shia community wear black clothing, observe abstinence, fast, and participate in processions on the day of Ashura, when Imam Hussain is believed to have been beheaded in the Battle of Karbala.

Islamic Calendar, Islamic New Year, Muharram 2022, Muharram, Ashura 2022, Ashura, Islamic New Year 2022,
Anmar Khalil/AP Photo

When is the day of Ashura?

According to the Islamic calendar, Ashura occurs on the tenth day of the first month, which places it between Sunday, August 7, and Monday, August 8, this year.

The holy day of Ashura is a day of remembrance and fasting for millions of people around the world.

Islamic Calendar, Islamic New Year, Muharram 2022, Muharram, Ashura 2022, Ashura, Islamic New Year 2022,
Anmar Khalil/AP Photo

Both Sunni and Shi’a Muslims mark the day, however in different ways.

The split between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims began with disagreements about the Prophet Muhammad’s rightful successor and leader of the Muslim community, and it was made worse by the subsequent killing of Hussain ibn Ali, the Prophet’s grandson years later.

For more on news and current affairs from around the world please visit Indiatimes News.

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EDI Year in Review: Events and happenings  

EDI Year in Review: Events and happenings  

The 2021-2022 year celebrated artists, ideas, and anniversaries at Illinois State University. Lectures and film series prompted discussions. Exhibits and performances inspired. Here is a look at events and happenings at Illinois State that honored and celebrated equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).  

Find highlights of EDI initiatives and efforts on campus here.

Find highlights of EDI research and honors here.

Series and celebrations: 

women sitting on a stage and talking
Title IX Celebration Banquet

Title IX  – A year-long commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the landmark statute Title IX  kicked off with the unveiling of a banner at Redbird Arena for ISU trailblazer and longtime coach/administrator Dr. Linda Herman, and culminated in a three-day celebration with leaders including Herman, Jill Hutchinson, and Dr. Terri Goss Kinzy. Events took place throughout the year, including the School of Kinesiology and Recreation hosting the Title IX Conference, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies hosting Know Your IX co-founder Alexandra Brodsky, and holding a summer course on the many facets of Title IX.  

Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Student Research Symposium 25th anniversary –  The University commemorated 25 years of the annual Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Student Research Symposium with an exhibit at Milner Library called 25th & Change, and a dynamic lineup of speakers. 

headshot of Dr. Cara Wong
Dr. Cara Wong

International Seminar Series – The International Seminar Series honored “A New Normal in a Global Context,” with talks on U.S. foreign policy, the world economy, and public health. Speakers included Dr. Cara Wong, author of Boundaries of Obligation in American Politics: Geographic, National, and Racial Communities, presenting “National Identity and Racism in an Era of COVID-19: The Case of Asians and Asian Americans.”  

Photograph by artist Aaron Turner
“Meanings of the past” by Aaron R. Turner, who was a visiting artist

Native American Film Series – The Native American Film Series offered discussions throughout October of films that focused on historic and contemporary issues facing indigenous peoples. Films included Our Spirits Don’t Speak English, Rumble: The American Indians Who Rocked the World, and The Peyote Road.   

Wonsook Kim School of Art Visiting Artist Lecture Series – The Wonsook Kim School of Art Visiting Artist Lecture Series featured works and presentations by artists such as Maria Gaspar, M. Rachael Arauz, Aaron Turner, and Ishan Khosla. Their works delved into spatial justice, identity, and Blackness.  

Experiencing Images: How the visual shapes our world – The Experiencing Images speaker series looked to spark discussion on how people use images to construct identity and meaning. Speakers included Cecil McDonald Jr., Cannupa Hanska Luger, Nicholas Mirzoeff, Dr. Byron Craig, Jin Lee, and Jason Reblando.  

illustration of a comic book character
ReggieCon explored Amulet, a Lebanese American high schooler 

ReggieCon ReggieCon is a series of virtual panels with experts in comic and popular media, focusing on issues of race and diversity. This year featured panels that focused on the authors and comics of Black Jack and Black Panther, Jessica Jones, Amulet, and My Neighbor Totoro

Breaking Bread – Illinois State’s Design Streak Studio helped to design and promote the Breaking Bread series, which explored culture through food.  

Green Screen – The Center for Math, Science and Technology and the ISU Office of Sustainability sponsored The Green Screen: A Climate Change Film Series. Films featured a different topic each month, with a focus on the global climate change crisis.  

artists reaching up to his work
Fidencio Fifield-Perez was one of several speakers for Latinx Hertge Month. @fidencio.f.perez

Water Wednesdays – The Water Center hosted a series of talks on water-related scholarship, known as Water Wednesdays, throughout the spring semester.  

September

Events surrounded Recovery Month on campus.  

Filmmaker David Osit and Ramallah Mayor Musa Hadid spoke after student viewed a the documentary Mayor on September 8. 

Latinx Heritage Month opened with artist Fidencio Fifield-Perez, continued with Dr. Maritza Quiñones-Rivera speaking on Centering Blackness in Latinx, Neyda Martinez showing her film Decade of Fire, and the Latinx Cultural Dinner’s welcome of Oscar- and Tony-award winning actress Ariana DeBose.  

logo
TRIBE

Milner Library hosted Leadership of Liberation framework to explore the connections between cultural preservation, community-based leadership, and academic libraries.  

The student organization TRIBE@ISU (Teaching, Reviving, Indigenizing, Beautifying, and Equalizing, Illinois State University Chapter) hosted Honoring Life: Vigil for Residential and Boarding School Victims and Survivors on September 30. 

October 

University and community leaders gathered during Homecoming Week to hold a ribbon cutting and dedication for the new Multicultural Center on October 15. See more on the Multicutural Center in the EDI Year in Review: 2021-2022 story.

headshot of Travis L. Wagner
Travis L. Wagner

Travis L. Wagner presented “The Algorithm Led Me Here: Using Contemporary LGBTQIA+ to Understand the Future of Queer Archives” for QueerTalks on October 18. 

The Office of the President hosted the first campus-wide retreat for the EDI Leaders Circle. Advocate-leaders from across campus gathered to discuss their plans and strategies to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion. 

The Center for Civic Engagement welcomed Dr. Ngozi Ezike, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, for an exploration into health equity on October 19. 

November 

Logo for an art installation titles I am Here. We Ae Here. We Belong.
Graphic for I am Here. We are Here. We Belong. art installation

The University honored National Immigrants Day on October 28, with a thousand 4-by-6-inch flags that lined the Quad for 24 hours on November 1. 

University College’s TRIO hosted First Generation Week from November 1-5. The week was a tribute and celebration to the often-unsung contributions and achievements of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who were the first in their families to enter higher education. 

Ariana DeBose headshot
Ariana DeBose

Tony-nominated actress Ariana DeBose spoke at the Latino Cultural Dinner on November 8. 

Illinois State University held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11.  

Illinois State University’s Muslim Student Association hosted an “Introduction to Islam, Myths and Facts with Dr. Sabeel Ahmed” on November 11.  

The School of Theatre and Dance presented Sueño by Pedro Calderón de la Barca throughout November.  

headshot of Dr. Jennifer Parker
Dr. Jennifer J. Parker

The annual Charles Morris STEM Social for Underrepresented Students featured alum and healthcare researcher Dr. Jennifer J. Parker on November 10. 

Queer Coalition and Pride honored Transgender Awareness Week on November 17 with listening circles and a vigil.  

MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient and author Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt presented the talk “Biased” on November 18. Eberhardt offered a reasoned look into the effects of implicit racial bias and offered practical suggestions for reform. 

December 

#ObsidianVoices celebrated artistic excellence in the African diaspora on December 10.  

January 

African American Studies hosted “Black Women Rising: From the Classroom to the Boardroom with Angela Allen and Tiffany Mathis on January 24.  

The Sociology & Anthropology Research Series featured Dr. Liv Stone sharing her research titled “Popularizing Anarchist Ethics: Autogestión in Mexico City” on January 21.  

Dr. Buffie Longmire-Avital explored how academic institutions can mitigate systemic injustices experienced by BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students in her talk “Historically Underrepresented or Historically Excluded? The Creation of an Institutional Infrastructure that Amplifies Student Capital” on January 28. 

February 

peope cheering
Cheering during the Play4Kay game, 2022

Athletics hosted the annual Pride Night on February 4 in Redbird Arena. 

The 12th annual Play4Kay game returned on February 6. The event raises funds for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and the fight against all cancers affecting women. 

Author and scholar Dr. Ebony Omotola McGee presented “Black, Brown, Bruised: Looking at racialized STEM education” on February 18.  

Mexican American and Indigenous poet-author Jennifer Givhan offered insights into issues affecting the lives of women and the ways we inherit and construct or reconstruct our identities on February 18.  

Students gathered for a photo
Sudents gather for a photo during a trivia night from the Undergraduate Women in Economics.

State Comptroller Susana Mendoza spoke during one of two February events from the Economic Literacy Project cohort, which promotes economic literacy.  

Undergraduate Women in Economics hosted a watch party of the panel “Diversifying Economics: Moving Beyond the ‘D’ in DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging)” from the virtual Women in Economics Symposium on February 24. 

AsiaConnect hosted a virtual forum featuring Dr. T.Y. Wang on February 25.  

Adaptapalooza gave community members an opportunity to experience inclusive recreation for people with physical disabilities on February 23.

Person in a harness on the climbing wall
The annual Adaptapalooza on February 23, 2022

Dr. Zine Magubane delivered the Black History Month lecture “The Uses and Abuses of Jim Crow: Contemporary Race Theory and the Problem of History on February 28. 

March 

Dr. Mirelsie Velázquez, author of Puerto Rican Chicago: Schooling the City, 1940-1977, led CRCC Conversations on communities and spaces of belonging for institutions of higher learning.   

The Multicultural Center presented Sunn M’Cheaux in March and April to lead the “Safe(ish)” program, which helps individuals understand the personal narratives and experiences of gender- expansive and LGBTQIA+ individuals. 

The Women’s History Club hosted speaker Dr. Martha Horst to discuss women and music composition on March 21.  

Person holding sign that says Protect Trans Kids
ISU’s Queer Coalition hosted a Trans Day of Visibility Sashay and rally in Uptown Normal.

The Katie School of Insurance hosted a career networking event with a panel titled “The Power of an Inclusive Workforce” that featured Michelle Schrotter and included a panel discussion with Priscilla Escobar, Angela Allen, Jean Celestin, and Tawonda Goode 

The School of Theatre and Dance performed the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, Fairview, which shines a spotlight on modern day racism.  

Queer Coalition staged Transgender Day of Visibility Sashay through Uptown Normal on March 31.  

Dr. Charissa Cheah and Dr. David Chih drew attention to the impact of the increase in violence against Asians and Asian Americans during the pandemic in their talk titled “Racial Discrimination against Asians and Asian Americans and Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic” on March 29. 

April   

headshot of performer LaLa Ri
LaLa Ri

LaLa Ri, named Ms. Congeniality of RuPaul’s Drag Race season 13, headlined the 23rd annual Pride Charity Drag Show, which raised funds for the LGBTQ+ Support Fund at ISU.  

NexSTEM program students presented research topics at the multi-institution 2021-22 Research Poster Symposium on April 2.  

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated producer Jose Antonio Vargas was the keynote speaker for the Asian Cultural Dinner on April 12.  

Jose Antonio Vargas speaking
Jose Antonio Vargas was the featured speaker at this year’s Asian Cultural Dinner.

In celebration of Bilingual Advocacy Week, a talk by Dr. Kim Potowski explored “Spanish in the U.S.: Myths and Realities” on April 14. 

Aburoo Due Creative Productions, led by Illinois State University Professor of Ethnomusicology Ama Oforiwaa Aduonum, performed Walking with My Ancestors: Cape Coast Castle on April 8 in Kemp Recital Hall.  

The annual exhibit FOOD for THOUGHT: Understanding Cultural Identity and Heritage Through Food launched on April 19 at Milner Library.  

African American Studies presented sociologist Cedrick-Michael Simmons’ talk “The Challenges of Diversity Management” on April 22. The talk explored the political and structural challenges confronting diversity managers.   

The Clothesline Project

Director of the Center for Civic Engagement Katy Strzepek and Assistant Director Harriett Steinbach guest spoke on “Designing Civic Engagement Assignments Using an EDI Lens” on April 15. The workshop explored ways to decolonize service learning and other forms of civic engagement. 

The Clothesline Project brought awareness to the unique stories of survivors of sexual assault and violence on April 19. The event was part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month events, hosted by Students Ending Rape Culture and Health Promotion and Wellness.  

Honoring Asian art and artistry highlighted Asian Heritage Week at Illinois State University, with events running from April 22-25. 

Maura Toro Morn posing in classroom
Maura Toro-Morn

Dr. Maura Toro-Morn, professor of sociology and director of Latin American and Latino/a Studies, delivered the 2022 Spring College Lecture on April 25. The talk, “Gendered Migrations in the Age of Global Disruption,” explored global migrations and inequality. 

In recognizing World Design Day, the Multicultural Center hosted “Design Thinking for Student Success” on April 27. 

The Crossroads Project presented a staged reading of Dear Mr. C by Tidtaya Sinutoke, winner of the 2022 Diverse Voices Playwriting Initiative. 

Summer 

ISU marked the observance of Juneteenth.   

people gathered in front of a house
Members of the Illinois State University TRIO program

Illinois State University hosted the statewide TRIO conference from June 3-5.

The College of Education helped to sponsor the Restorative Leadership Community Series, June 27-29. The series guided participants on an overview of restorative practices and focused on building proactive and responsive listening circles.   

ISU helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pell grants.  

In light of the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade, Illinois State University held a Listening Circle under the guidance of Associate Director of Diversity, Equity, and Outreach Danielle Beasley of Student Counseling Services on July 7. 

University Galleries presented Nazafarin Lotfi: Subtle Time as an online exhibition, exploring experiences of growing up in post-Revolutionary Iran and continuing artistic practice as an immigrant in the United States.   

Items in the story were taken from features in the bi-weekly newsletter Identity, and the weekly newsletter Report. If you have events from the 2021-2022 year to add to this story, please contact Rachel Hatch at rkhatch@ilstu.edu.

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‘Tractor trekkers’ raise record amount for Eden Foundation in event’s 15th year

Fifteen years ago, Armin Enns, the chair of the Eden Foundation at the time, came up with the idea of a vintage tractor trek through area villages as a fundraiser.

      

The fifteen-year milestone of the event happened this past Saturday.

      

Director of Development with Eden Foundation, Jayme Giesbrecht says 54 tractors were registered for the trek this year, which is higher than they’ve seen in a number of years.

“This isn’t the highest it’s ever been, however, we were so thrilled that 54 people were willing to take the whole day to spend time on their antique tractors and just have fun with us,” said Giesbrecht. “We’re really glad we could honour Armin’s idea. And to this point, over 15 years, we have raised almost $ 1 million. So, in the coming years, we will hit that milestone and it will be another exciting chapter.”

This year, the 54 ‘tractor trekkers’ brought in a record amount through the event for the Eden Foundation, raising $78,375.

The money will get divided during the foundation’s granting season. However, Giesbrecht says they first need to get a better idea of what the needs are in each of Eden’s organizations, including Segue Career Options, Recovery of Hope, and their housing and supports.

“Linden Place we have in Winkler, and then in Steinbach, we have some housing facilities as well, and in Winnipeg. In Steinbach right now, we’re working towards a kitchen upgrade, a commercial kitchen that will allow people to kind of re-learn cooking techniques, and community meals…that’s one big way the money will help. There are always upgrades to be done at the (Eden) mental health centre, and so there are a variety of ways that this money will help, but it is helping in a big way to provide that hope and that healing and community that our vision statement says.”

A number of vintage tractors are lined up in a straight row.“What was really neat this year was to be able to start in the City of Winkler at the Emmanuel Church, because that way some of the folks in Winkler were able to line up on 15th Street and see the tractors go by,” noted Giesbrecht. “Terrance Klassen, our photographer got some really neat photos of these vintage tractors with modern style houses in the background, and it just shows how far we’ve come.”
A number of vintage tractors are lined up in a straight row.Supplied photo
Two men on their antique tractors surrounded by beautiful yellow fields. Photo by Terrance Klassen – provided by Eden Foundation. 

 

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Live events return underpins ‘strongest ever’ year for Aeorema

Live events return underpins 'strongest ever' year for Aeorema

Live events agency Aeorema Communications reported its “strongest year on record” in an update on Wednesday, with trading throughout the year just ended ahead of its own expectations.

The AIM-traded firm reported a 130% increase in revenue in the 12 months ended 30 June, with revenue expected to come in no lower than £11.8m.

It also flagged record profitability, with expected profit before tax set to be at least £0.7, swinging from a loss of £0.16m in the 2021 financial year.

The board said the return and ongoing increase in live events was behind the growth, including the Cannes Lions, where Aeorema had its largest-ever presence.

Virtual and hybrid events were continuing to be a source of revenue as well, however.

Aeorema said it was in a “strong” cash position in excess of £1.65m at year-end on 30 June.

“I am delighted to be reporting our best financial performance in the history of the company, demonstrating the success of the shift in strategy over the last two years,” said chief executive officer Steve Quah.

“This is because despite facing headwinds with the Omicron variant of Covid-19, which was a major disruption in the middle of our financial year, we have once again shown incredible spirit and talent to help our clients navigate another challenging period and deliver some of our best work ever.

“We continue to support our clients to help them achieve their strategic and communications objectives, and I am very proud that we are also being recognised for our work; to win Creative Team of the Year at the Conference News Agency Awards four years running is astonishing, and to recently win Best Agency in the Micebook V Awards is both humbling and had brought an incredible feeling of pride for the agency.”

At 1243 BST, shares in Aeorema Communications were up 36.27% at 74.95p.

Reporting by Josh White at Sharecast.com.

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Amazon Will Have Two Prime Shopping Events This Year, Second One Coming in Q4

Amazon Will Have Two Prime Shopping Events This Year, Second One Coming in Q4
  • Amazon is planning to hold a “Prime Fall deal event” in the fourth quarter, according to a notice viewed by CNBC.
  • The company recently notified third-party merchants about the event.
  • Amazon is increasingly looking beyond Prime Day to drum up sales and attract new members to its discount club.

Amazon plans to hold a second shopping event for Prime members this year, in the fourth quarter, according to a notice viewed by CNBC. It will be the first time Amazon will hold two shopping events exclusively for Prime members in the same year, and comes as the company is gearing up for for Prime Day, its big annual sale designed to attract new Prime subscribers, which is happening July 12 and 13.

The company recently began notifying select third-party merchants of a “Prime Fall deal event” via its internal seller portal, called Seller Central. The notice doesn’t name a date for the event, but it instructs sellers to submit limited-time “lightning deals” by July 22nd, well in advance of the fourth-quarter event.

“The Prime Fall deal event is a prime-exclusive shopping event coming in Q4,” the notice states. “Submit recommended Lightning Deals for this event for a chance to have your deal selected!”

The fall event could help drum up additional sales for Amazon, which booked the slowest revenue growth for any quarter since the dot-com bust in 2001 in its latest earnings report. It could also help retailers clear out some of the extra inventory they’ve accumulated, as inflation squeezes shoppers, and they shift their spending to areas like travel and entertainment.

Analysts have voiced concerns that Prime Day has lost some of the momentum it once had, pointing to slowing sales growth, smaller order sizes and more muted promotion on Amazon’s website. Jefferies analysts on Monday predicted Prime Day will contribute $8.1 billion in gross merchandise volume this year, which is “consistent with the Summer event last year.”

Amazon has increasingly looked beyond Prime Day to hook shoppers, launching new deal events focused on specific categories. The company last October held its first beauty products event, and in May it held an “Amazon Pet Day” discount event.

An Amazon spokesperson declined to comment on the event, which was previously reported by Business Insider.

WATCH: If you have a longer time horizon, I’m extremely bullish on Amazon, says Zillow co-founder