Opinion: Modern Media Trust
Teach kids about online personas/'influencers', paid promotions, corporate endorsements & trusted sources as soon as they can comprehend those terms.
Integrity in media shouldn't be for sale but at times: it is. Public personalities have a responsibility to be truthful and ethically responsible in their messaging but at times, even they are sold (their accounts or air time) for branded content/sponsored messages.
It is up to you, the follower, 'liker', listener, viewer to educate the younger generations about CORE values, messages and the humans behind them. Spot the difference between a truth and an opinion that's been paid for.
There is integrity in media. A lot of people put their lives on the line because they are passionate about their work and getting the truth out there. Please resist the urge to paint journalists, broadcasters, public figures with the same brush.
Modern media is changing and it's NOT black and white. Use your judgement.
Bluesfest 2018 wrap-up
I have had issues with Bluesfest in the past. Mostly just a rough run in with some security staff who poorly handled my request for assistance (as advised by police) RE: accessibility needs. It’s old news. I’ve learned from that run-in and I hope Bluesfest and their subcontracted workers have, too.
I did not attend the music festival last year so this time around, I didn’t want to miss out! Despite what happened in 2016, I 100% do not hold a grudge against what I consider to be one of the most fun times in Ottawa. I had to go.
Beck, Sturgill Simpson, The Strumbellas, M. Ward and the Foo Fighters (to name a few) were all top notch.
Lines were lengthy to get in but moved very quickly. I did not require assistance with the festival’s A-Team (accessibility volunteers) this year, though I have heard through a few friends that they were very helpful. This is obviously great news!
I also noticed that a few music lovers with accessibility challenges had some struggles with Bluesfest reps, which can be wildly soul sucking (I know). To this, I wonder if Bluesfest would be interested in partnering with a person or team who’d be willing to prearrange accommodations for individuals with unique needs to ensure everyone is able to enjoy this glorious festival. A liaison who connects with the individual or their care worker who can get their needs met or heard prior to the event in order to best judge whether or not a day at Lebreton is feasible.
One woman who’s story really hit me, was Katie. I saw Katie’s story unfold on Twitter. A stage 4 cancer patient desperate to see the Foo Fighters was allegedly told it wasn’t a good idea for her to attend as she could not be promised an accessible place to sit, nor access to her vehicle should she become overwhelmed or need medicine.
Another person who voiced her concerns via Twitter was a young woman named Samantha. Samantha, again, had very unique issues holding her back but she didn’t want to miss her favourite act, Greta Van Fleet. Luckily, she ended up being able to make it after making some contact with the group (via social media).
Many friends have reached out to me personally asking for guidance when it comes to Bluesfest’s accessibility. I never did get an apology or answers of any kind... I don’t need or really ever expect that. What satisfies me is hearing about the positive changes that have been made and are continuing to be made. I have faith that people want to help. No one wants to put other people down. Music is what unites us. It shouldn’t discriminate.
When a friend (who’s young son needs assistance getting around) asked me if I knew of any parking allowances or accessibility aids that might help her family have a carefree evening at Lebreton. I sent her some links but decided to go the extra mile to ask questions in person (of BF staff and War Museum reception, for on site parking).
I live close to the grounds and now, with my motorcycle, it is very easy to scoot somewhere and ask questions without really leaving the bike!
I spoke with two security members (same company from 2016) who were very understanding with my questions & why I was asking them. They said that the family could drive in through the gate to have their son (and a parent) dropped off in a non stressful way right by the front gates. They would have to do it pre-5pm as the roads close, but HEY! That’s something, right?
An accessible drop zone, that would be huge.
Absolutely huge.
For persons who do not have accounts with ParaTranspo (which can be tricky to set up, especially for just one event/outing), some understanding and cooperation with Bluesfest regarding a hassle free drop off/pick up zone would be incredibly helpful.
How do you ensure this area doesn’t get abused? A liaison working with the accessibly challenged AND the festival would have it all planned out ahead of time.
While I understand that many persons with accessibility issues have deeply unique and possibly intersecting ailments, I want to believe that what is being done to accommodate such individuals could go further. Some people will not be able to attend. I get it. Some people could attend, but need help planning their day/night out to ensure the best chance of success.
Let’s help everyone enjoy this great festival.
Furthermore, I helped myself out by buying one of these inflatable couch thingies which is very awkward and embarrassing to set up but once inflated, it provided hours of comfort and helped me rest up for maximum fun (and the walk home). If you have rheumatoid arthritis or an ailment that makes walking/standing hard, these inflatable thingies are super compact (when deflated), lightweight (less than 1kg) and very comfortable (the brand I got is Vansky). A newfound festival staple!
STANDOUT MEMORIES from this year: the additional toilets are great! Noticed heightened security and a larger police presence (IMO: also great) and Beck. Wow, Beck was gooooood.
Thanks for another year of big names playing in our backyard, Bluesfest. Til we meet again.
*July 15th: Originally posted from my phone, will likely undergo format editing to add more context and style.
**July 16th: Has been edited to include multimedia and direct links to sourced content.
Partake Brewing: the Best Non-Alcoholic Beer
Oh haaaaaay, this is an opinion piece - I'm sure you have your fave non-alc. drink and there are more and more options each day. This is a good thing! I'm 32! I can't handle hang-overs any more, yet my love of beer isn't going away... What to do, what to do?
After a particularly gnarly hangover, I decided to attempt a 'sober summer' and so far, so good. Thanks, in part, to non-alcoholic beer!
A huge shout out to Rockfest & Budweiser for selling frosty tall-cans of Prohibition brew at this year's festival. For some, abstaining from beer is very easy - just don't drink a beer! Right? Well, I don't want to drink 10 cokes at a music festival and I really, really like beer. In addition to h2O, it is super lovely to be able to grab what TASTES like a refreshing brewski (well, it tastes like a beer because it is... just a de-alcoholized one)!! I hope more music fests follow Rockfest & Budweiser's lead here... looking at you, Bluesfest!
I've had Prohibition, Grolsch's Non-Alcoholic Radler and Non-Alcoholic beer - and then I tried Partake...
Words cannot adequately describe the taste of Partake *hence the .gif* - you've simply GOTTA try it. This is the ONLY non-alcoholic brew I've tried that, taste-wise, could pass for a regular beer. At 0.26% and 10 calories per can, their IPA quickly became my Top Choice. I can't recommend their beer enough!
The company was started by Ted Flemming, an avid craft beer drinker from Toronto, who's surprise medical situation 'changed his focus'. After trying major market non-alcoholic beers, he decided to do his own thing... which meant, making his own non-alcoholic craft beer!
The company is working on a Stout, which will have 0.5% alcohol content (the highest a brew can have to be considered 'non-alcoholic' and a Lager, also 0.5%. Pictured below, you see their Pale brew which I've yet to track down in Ottawa!
Partake Brewing Non-Alcoholic IPA
Water, Barley, Hops, Yeast
Ashton Kutcher Blows Kisses in Court
Ashton Kutcher was in court on Wednesday (Feb. 15th) to testify at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. The subject of the hearing was “Ending Modern Slavery: Building on Success.”
Kutcher is the co-founder of Thorn, a tech company that fights the sexual exploitation of children.
“We partner across the tech industry, government and NGOs and leverage technology to combat predatory behavior, rescue victims, and protect vulnerable children.”
While in court, Kutcher spoke about his organization’s capabilities and let everyone know they give away tech tools that are considered key in disabling slavery.
Senator John McCain was very happy to hear about Thorn and their team’s plan to aid in the quest to end modern slavery and exploitation. The whole thing was very professional… except for this one jab from McCain to Kutcher…
PC Organics Baby Food RECALL
Massive recall: PC Organics baby food recalled due to botulism risk
To read the full article via Today's Parent, CLICK HERE.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Loblaws has expanded it's recall of their PC Organics brand baby food, originally issued on February 3rd. The following products or "pouches" may contain Clostridium botulinum which is linked to botulism.
The recall originally included PC Organics Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea flavors but has been broadened to include the following:
- PC Organics Apple, Blueberry & Green Pea strained baby food, 128 ml, UPC 0 60383 06292 7
- PC Organics Apple Crisp Muffin flavour puree snack, 128 mL, UPC 0 60383 13730 4
- PC Organics Apple, Carrot, Apricot & Millet strained baby Food, 128 mL, UPC 0 60383 06996
- PC Organics Banana, Sweet Potato & Blueberry strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05362
- PC Organics Apple strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02840 4
- PC Organics Apple, Banana & Blueberry with Yogurt strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 04491
- PC Organics Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 04488
- PC Organics Apple Cherry strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02843
- PC Organics Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 06294
- PC Organics Peach Maple Cobbler Flavour puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 13732 8
- PC Organics Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05363
- PC Organics Pumpkin, Apple, Peach & Buckwheat strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 06995
- PC Organics Prune, Apple, Butternut Squash & Quinoa strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 06994
- PC Organics Pear strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02842
- PC Organics Mango, Apple, Carrot & Peach strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05369
- PC Organics Blackberry Cobbler Flavour puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 13731 1
- PC Organics Banana & Kiwi strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02846 6
- PC Organics Mango strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 02841 1
- PC Organics Banana & Raspberry strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05480 9
- PC Organics Banana, Apple, Apricot & Rice strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05368
- PC Organics Banana Bread Flavour puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 13589 8
- PC Organics Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 06291
- PC Organics Sweet Potato, Banana & Apricot strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 05366
- PC Organics Tropical Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 15430 1
- PC Organics Banana, Mango & Apple with Yogurt strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 04489
- PC Organics Orange Twist Smoothie with Greek Yogurt puree snack, 128 mL, 0 60383 15431 8
- PC Organics Prunes strained baby food, 128 mL, 0 60383 16963 3
- PC Organics Apple, Banana & Strawberry with Yogurt strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18427 8
- PC Organics Sweet Potato, Apple and Mango strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18429 2
- PC Organics Banana Apple & Carrot strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18428 5
- PC Organics Mango strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18430 8
- PC Organics Pear, Apple and Broccoli strained baby food, 6 x 128 mL, 0 60383 18426 1
If you have any of these recalled products in your home, throw them out immediately or return them to the store where they were originally purchased.
These items may not look or smell hazardous; that doesn't mean they can't make you very, very sick. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth, respiratory failure and paralysis. In severe cases, the bacteria can cause death.