This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Sign In Subscribe Now Carol Jean Barker has now entered the presence of her Lord and Saviour on her 80th Birthday following a severe stroke three days earlier Jean was born January 14,1945 in New Westminster She was a devoted wife to her husband of 60 years Jean was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Rubina Schierling brothers Alan and Norman and twin brother Larry Brian (Robyn) and grandchildren Celyn (Rick Anderson) Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines Automotive supplier Webasto has integrated a battery storage system for its plant's energy supply in southeast Germany Thirty used commercial vehicle batteries temporarily store electricity from the company's own solar power system to make the plant's energy supply more sustainable the battery storage system at the Schierling plant has an energy content of one-megawatt hour It uses 30 discarded “CV standard batteries,” Webasto writes each module has an energy content of around 33 kWh Most come from pre-series production and are now used for energy storage The storage unit is installed in a container where the batteries can be easily installed or replaced using slide-in options The storage system is connected to the building management system via Ethernet and can thus be controlled as part of the plant’s energy management system The primary task is storing self-generated solar power from the plant’s PV system (750 kWp) the batteries are also connected to the power grid via a low-voltage main distribution board in the energy centre should flexible power be required from the grid The 1 MWh storage container that has been put into operation will not be the end of the story the supplier announces that four additional containers each with a capacity of four megawatt-hours These will be built in several expansion stages – “depending on energy requirements and the availability of second-life batteries.” Webasto has been manufacturing battery systems in Schierling since 2019 – from purchased cells The aforementioned battery for commercial vehicles has been built since 2020 Webasto manufactures roof systems for various customers at the above-mentioned factory “With the commissioning of our battery storage system at the Schierling plant we are sending a strong signal for sustainable management and resource efficiency,” says plant manager Christian Gallner “By utilising used batteries as second-life batteries we are extending their life cycle and actively contributing to the circular economy This is a further step in our strategy of acting in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner.” webasto.com (in German) I agree with the Privacy policy electrive has been following the development of electric mobility with journalistic passion and expertise since 2013 we offer comprehensive coverage of the highest quality — as a central platform for the rapid development of this technology Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application peacefully passed away at home in Summerville Janelle was preceded in death by her parents and her sister-in-law Lynn Schierling Janelle is survived by her son John Mason Wilkes (Grace) her siblings George Schierling and Scott Schierling (Maribeth) nieces and nephews Robin Cordonnier (Neil) John Mason and her three cherished granddaughters Eleanor and Claire will all have fond memories of their Mimi’s world travels and Mimi generally doting on them at every opportunity.  A 1968 graduate of Fairmont West High School in Kettering Janelle continued her education at West Virginia University in Dental Hygiene and as a member of the Phi Mu sorority earning an MS degree from the Ohio State University in 1981 and a Doctor of Education from the University of Cincinnati in 1987 Janelle dedicated over 35 years of her life to higher education as a Professor of Dental Hygiene at the Ohio State University and the University of Cincinnati's Raymond Walters College in Blue Ash where she served as program chair from 1984 to 1993 and then again from 2005 to 2011 She enjoyed Honorary Professor Emerita status from the University of Cincinnati until her passing Janelle was an active member of the Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association (serving as president for the 1983-84 term) and the Cincinnati Dental Hygienists’ Association (serving as president for the 1993-94 term and receiving the Dental Hygienist of the Year award in 2012) humor and generosity will be dearly missed by friends in both Cincinnati where she enjoyed her retirement and quickly built a strong community of friends with whom she enjoyed all that Charleston had to offer A memorial service honoring Janelle's life will be held on March 16 at Church of the Holy Cross in Daniel Island Friends and family are invited to attend and celebrate her life Demonstrating Janelle's enduring love for travel and her sense of humor she requested that her ashes be spread in Europe playfully nudging John Mason to finally travel to the continent (a request he is committed to honoring) A thirty-plus year survivor of breast cancer the family requests donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (give.bcrf.org) in memory of Dr Janelle's memory will forever be cherished by those who knew and loved her May she rest in peace in God's kingdom This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text Clark's Crossing Gazette The Sask Five Giants used aggressive base running and timely hitting in their 8-2 win over the East Central Dodgers in a game played at Mocon Field in Martensville on Tuesday East Central opened the scoring in the top of the first inning The Sask Five Giants evened the score in their half of the inning advanced to  second and then third on wild pitches and scored on a throwing error by the catcher The Giants added to their lead with a pair of runs in both the second and third innings Mason Schierling led the second inning off with a single and advanced to third on a Ryder Samulak hit Samulak scored on a line drive single to center field by Grady McMahon In the third inning Carson Perrier reached base on a walk and Corban Zavlanos hit a single to right field A double by Mason Schierling cashed in both runners They added to their lead in the fifth inning stole second base and advanced to third on an error by the second baseman on that play After stealing second he was able to score on a double to deep center field by Mason Schierling Ben Mayo reached base with a walk and came around to score on back-to-back singles by Keegan Schell and Grady McMahon Starting pitcher Carson Perrier got the win allowing one run on two hits while striking out eight batters allowing one run on two hits with four strikeouts and only one base on balls New changes to the province’s building code are putting lives at risk according to the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA) President Todd Schierling says allowing only one stairwell in multi-unit buildings up to six stories limits the number of escape routes during a fire “It’s really just not a safe building structure to operate in emergency situations or firefighters operating in that single exit stairway,” he explained Schierling’s statements come after the B.C government introduced changes to the building code last week Six-storey buildings are now allowed to have one exit stairwell instead of two or more in an effort to boost housing supply and builds 29 that updating the provincial building code to remove the requirement for a second egress or exit stairwell per floor will facilitate more options for residents who need larger layouts government says the main intent of having two exits is to allow occupants an alternate means of escape if one exit is blocked The province says all new buildings designed under the changes will require safety measures including sprinklers and found about eight to 10 per cent of fires in apartment buildings may originate in exit stairs or common corridors Schierling says around 40 per cent of apartment buildings aren’t compliant when it comes to safety “layers and measures” like sprinkler systems and smoke detectors so that’s a problem with this type of situation,” he said Schierling also points to “congestion” in stairwells that would force evacuees through a window or balcony to then be helped by firefighters outside the building on ladders and the like “It puts both the firefighters and the occupants at risk in those situations,” he said “Nearly nine per cent of the fires in these buildings will start in the hallway or stairwell Sixty-eight per cent of residential fire-related deaths are as a result of smoke inhalation when that smoke is introduced into the stairwell chamber we may introduce it when we’re fighting a fire down below or it may start down below and work its way up It’s not necessarily the heat or the flame — it’s the toxins and the smoke that will kill people,” he told 1130 NewsRadio Schierling says public safety professionals raised concerns about the changes during the consultation process but claims the province ignored them and quickly went through with the change “There was a consultation period and I can appreciate the provincial government wanting to find solutions for housing They did consult with stakeholders of various associations and we felt they were going to happen regardless of our input,” he shared several public safety professional organizations have put out a statement saying provincial consultations were rushed and that changes were made rapidly although we did ask to defer this to the NRC — the National Research Council — and it’s a national harmonization discussion consultation process that Canada has that usually takes a lot longer than six months it would take two to three years,” Schierling added Schierling says the association has contacted Premier David Eby and Kahlon again “We’re really trying hard to pivot this over to the NRC so it can be supported by pure evidence-based data,” he added “It’s important for the safety of our firefighters and the occupants of those buildings and public safety.” While other jurisdictions around the world do not require two or more exit stairwells Schierling says those buildings are generally older and are built with different materials “Today’s buildings burn hotter and faster with the new lightweight lumber used in construction.” -With files from Mike Lloyd and The Canadian Press The federal council and the NDP caucus decided on the local MP The Surrey Police Service (SPS) is turning to the public for help Jendhel May Sico is described as a person who lived her life to the fullest she was celebrating the Lapu-Lapu Day festival with those she loved most -- her cousin Killed in a car-ramming attack on Saturday she was celebrating the Lapu-Lapu Day festival with those she loved most -- her cousin speaks to reporter Kier Junos about the day their lives changed forever Huge crowds lined the streets of Vancouver to cheer on 25,000 runners making their way around the city for the 53rd annual BMO Marathon on Sunday Andrew's Saturday in honour of the victims of the deadly Lapu-Lapu tragedy last week The accused person in the deadly car attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day block party in Vancouver on April 26th appeared at the provincial Court of British Columbia 30-year-old Kai Ji Adam Lo appeared via video in court Four people remain in critical condition in hospital and another two remain in serious condition five days after the deadly attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on April 26 Jack Rabb has more on the efforts to support the victims Listen to NewsRadio Vancouver live anytime and get up-to-the-minute breaking-news alerts weather and video from CityNews Vancouver anywhere you are – across all Android and iOS devices We are a union that is proud to fight for you We support politicians and policies – regardless of party affiliation – that protect and empower the work of fire fighters and rescue workers in the United States and Canada There is nothing – NOTHING – more important than the health and safety of our members That’s why we continue to establish services and programs that are widely recognized and imitated by other organizations The IAFF’s training programs empower and educate you in our shared mission to make a dangerous job safer – for you Access our full Course Catalog and your personalized training dashboard Our Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is an annual event that honors the memory of our brothers and sisters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty The Memorial is located in Colorado Springs and hosts a solemn ceremony every September A public petition asking the Canadian Government to implement a complete ban on PFAS and support the transition to PFAS-free turnout gear for fire fighters quickly amassed the number of signatures required to bring it before the House of Commons Initiated by British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA) President Todd Schierling, along with Burnaby Local 323, New Westminster Local 256, and Coquitlam Local 1782, and sponsored by New Democratic Party MP Peter Julian (New Westminster-Burnaby, BC), the petition was launched online and on paper on July 2 and shared with IAFF leaders more than 1,400 had signed the online petition almost triple the number required to certify it receiving more than 400 signatures alone at a Local 323 community event A senior staff member in Julian’s Parliament Hill office told the IAFF she had never seen a petition garner so many signatures so quickly Julian can now table it in the House of Commons after the fall session begins the government will have 45 sitting days to respond stating its current position on PFAS while keeping the issue – a key legislative priority for the IAFF – front and centre on Parliament Hill The initiative stemmed from discussions Schierling and other BC delegates from Local 323 and Local 256 had with Julian about PFAS and its dangers during the IAFF’s Canadian Legislative Conference earlier this year in Ottawa “Peter’s unwavering determination truly made a difference,” Schierling said “We are truly appreciative of his commitment and dedication.” The federal petition dovetails nicely with ongoing local and provincial initiatives aimed at removing PFAS from the fire service including a draft motion by Vancouver City Council asking the Union of British Columbia Municipalities to support a resolution for provincial funding for PFAS-free firefighting gear The BCPFFA is in ongoing discussions with the provincial government about PFAS including a July 9 townhall meeting in Surrey on the issue with BC Premier David Eby “We’re tackling this at all levels of government All levels of government have to be involved,” Schierling said I’d impress upon all local affiliate leaders to educate their city councils and federal MPs as much as possible so we can expedite a ban on PFAS in our workplace Let’s keep pushing the agenda forward on behalf of the IAFF and our members He is asking Canadian affiliates to circulate the petition at community events to maximize the signatures it receives before it closes on Oct “I’d impress upon all local affiliate leaders to educate their city councils and federal MPs as much as possible so we can expedite a ban on PFAS in our workplace,” he said “Let’s keep pushing the agenda forward on behalf of the IAFF and our members.” More information about the initiative, including links to the petition, is available here The Canadian Government has already identified PFAS as “chemicals of interest” under its Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) and banned certain uses but exceptions – including fire fighter turnout gear – persist Canadian Legislative Conference delegates lobbied the government to ban all uses of PFAS and to implement a range of other measures including identifying PFAS as a full class of chemicals under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act; specifying requirements for the safe reclamation and disposal of firefighting gear and foams containing PFAS; banning incineration and secondary use of PFAS-laden gear; expediting the transition to PFAS-free firefighting foams at federal facilities; and implementing “take-back” grants to help municipalities cope with the cost of transitioning to safe firefighting gear Public Policies | © 2025 IAFF Lawrence teacher Andrea Kelly hadn’t known anyone with the same rare genetic disorder she has until a fearless 5-year-old walked into her kindergarten classroom After meeting Leo Peper and his family during Deerfield Elementary School’s kindergarten orientation in April 2023 Kelly leapt to submit a request to be his teacher As both are living with neurofibromatosis (NF) the pairing would prove to be mutually beneficial he was really the first person I met who has NF,” Kelly said “Seeing it in a student of mine — I would have loved to have a teacher who had that similarity to me growing up.” NF can affect numerous systems throughout the body but it is primarily characterized by tumors that are usually benign The tumors grow along nerves and form in the brain and spinal cord making their removal complicated or impossible Leo, now 6, was diagnosed with NF at 9 months old. Since last year The large tumor on his side and the tumor in between his lung and rib cage are both growing but not rapidly enough for immediate intervention so his family and doctors have to closely monitor he sometimes has trouble with his breathing and he gets a lot of respiratory infections He loves socializing and expressing his personality two of the many qualities Wolters loves about him He’d opt to come to school in costumes with a cowboy hat “(Kelly) was always so thoughtful and wanted to make the experience accessible for any kiddo talking about how everyone has different likes and dislikes and everyone’s a little unique and it’s OK to like any color or any outfit Kelly discovered in sixth grade that she had a plexiform tumor Doctors diagnosed her with NF Type 1 (NF1) it’s become harder to be granted medical appointments When Kelly emailed Leo’s family after the Deerfield orientation to tell them she also had NF “Any parent sending their kid off to kindergarten but especially one who’s got these challenges And then just to know that his teacher knows where we’re coming from New beginnings are soon coming for Autumn Schierling She’ll be entering her freshman year at Free State High School in August She has a tumor on the right side of her face over her eye that intertwines in her brain and around her carotid artery Another tumor lives in her intestinal area said the tumor is currently considered stable Brewer said having NF doesn’t really impact Autumn’s daily activities — and certainly not her social life. She still enjoys going downtown with her friends and creating art she’s participating in a high school band camp continuing her clarinetist journey from middle school she’s been traveling with her family to Bethesda Maryland to participate in testing for a few case studies at the National Cancer Institute Selumetinib in 2020 became the first FDA-approved NF drug treatment for children ages 2 and older targeting their tumor cells to stop growing Autumn has helped show researchers that the medicine does help some patients As she prepares to transition to high school the district is supposed to be connecting with Autumn’s family either right before or shortly after the school year begins but Brewer’s concerned that there’s no solid plan in place yet She said Autumn struggled, more than ever before, in her classes this year, even with her parents and Boys & Girls Club staff working with her after school. She has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and meets with a special education teacher but Brewer felt Autumn’s needs were placed on the back burner “I don’t know if there’s just not enough people to go around but there’s people who maybe have more needs than Autumn and so she doesn’t get as much help as she maybe does actually need,” Brewer said “It’s difficult when you go to school and you feel like ‘I’m the only advocate for Autumn.’” Leo has become more cognizant about his condition he told his mom he thought everyone in his family had NF because they all wear awareness T-shirts.  ‘That’s because we are supporting you and you are our hero,’” Wolters said that’s going to be something that we’re looking at very closely just because learning difficulties are very common with kids with NF,” Wolters said Both families and Kelly attended the Lawrence City Commission meeting on May 14, where Wolters spoke to commissioners about NF. Mayor Bart Littlejohn proclaimed May NF Awareness Month and May 17 In showings of support, buildings and landmarks around the world are lit blue and green during the month of May and Bowersock Mills & Power Company participated but the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) and other organizations are hard at work to find one advocates and researchers are focused on resources to improve the lives of people with NF To read more about Leo and Autumn’s stories, check out this article. To learn more about NF and about CTF’s advocacy work, visit ctf.org and follow its Facebook page Click here to learn more about our newsletters first Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here. Note: Two captions in this post have been corrected. MORE … KU to raise tuition by 3.5% across the board; student fees will also increase Tom Harper: Community initiatives to fund third volume of ‘Embattled Lawrence’ history books (Column) Kansas owned and operated publication covering key news and providing important information for the Lawrence and Douglas County We operate without a paywall so that everyone can read our coverage, regardless of ability to pay. Please click here to support us if you are able The Times is a proud “aspiring entrepreneur” member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers We are happy to consider individual requests to republish content; however no content from this site may be republished without express permission (KGUN) — It has been an active couple of weeks for monsoon storms in Southern Arizona That means an active time for those trying to capture that perfect photo of lightning Those lightning bolts are often photographed by Tucson storm chasers like Kathryn Schierling She recently snapped a photo of lightning overlooking the Boneyard: Tucsonan Greg McCown has a knack for capturing remarkable images of monsoon storms: Donna Ruthruff even captured the lightning strike that started the 2020 Bighorn Fire "That is the bolt that started this fire." But these storm chasing photographers have one man to thank: Tucson's Cyclone Cowboy Warren Faidley is one of the lightning capitals of the World," said Faidley during a recent interview from his Foothills home Faidley is the top storm chasing photojournalist in the country Faidley quickly developed a passion for photographing monsoon storms "Lightning in Arizona was fun and exciting," recalled Faidley 'well there's tornadoes and there's hurricanes and other things around the country'." he left his job as a photographer at the Tucson Citizen and started chasing storms in other parts of the country His first chase in tornado alley still sticks with him today Texas had been destroyed by a violent tornado," Faidley said Faidley quickly earned a reputation as the top weather photographer in the country That reputation was enhanced when he captured an iconic image of a tornado in Texas over the course of about four or five hours eventually dropped the tornado that was used in 'Twister' for the poster and all of the advertising and everything else," Faidley said a really big deal for me as a photographer to have something like that." the iconic image on the Twister movie poster is his The poster proudly hangs in his Tucson home Faidley says it's the most money he's ever been paid for a single image Faidley always spends summers in Tucson chasing monsoon storms he captured this remarkable shot near Davis-Monthan because it captured the lightning bolt hitting a light pole 400 feet away from me," remembered Faidley That shot ended up being published in Life Magazine they billed me as a storm chaser and it really did launch my career." Thirty-Five years after that dramatic photo Faidley is still chasing monsoon storms—although he tells me he's much more selective now "Monsoon storms are probably the most difficult because they don't sometimes have a rhyme or reason," admitted Faidley He has a specially-built storm chasing pickup earning him his nickname "Cyclone Cowboy." They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery The 2024 sequel to "Twister," called "Twisters," features a main character nicknamed the “tornado wrangler." "I noticed the guy had the same cowboy hat and almost the same sunglasses," said Faidley Faidley says while cell phones have diluted the market with weather pictures and videos he keeps one trick up his sleeves for the most spectacular shots "The drone is what is absolutely amazing," Faidley said He has now shifted to drones to capture monsoon including the massive dust storms we often see here in Southern Arizona Drones have renewed his passion as a storm chaser—a job he helped define "You just never know what you're going to see," said Faidley "Every day it's like opening up a new birthday present You don't know what you're going to get." Faidley says hurricanes are the ultimate storms to cover He was in the middle of several major hurricanes like Andrew and Katrina You will find him back out chasing hurricanes later this year Report a typo IAFF members and political leaders joined the families of 27 fallen fire fighters who were honoured at the BC Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Ceremony March 3 in Victoria With a call to action to improve occupational health and safety the British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA) honoured 27 individuals whose names were added to the BC Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial during a solemn ceremony March 3 in Victoria After a procession of as many as 675 fire fighters from across the province the BCPFFA joined politicians of all stripes in comforting the families of the fallen at the solemn event held biennially at the Memorial site on the grounds of the provincial legislature including a member of IAFF Local 2217 in Whitehorse BCPFFA President Todd Schierling emphasized the need for enhanced safety standards early cancer detection screenings and strengthened training and education for those in the profession “I want to stress that this memorial stands as a call to action It is our duty to do everything in our power to ensure that every fire fighter goes home safely to their family at the end of each shift,” Schierling said “I offer my sincere gratitude to the families members and community who stand by us here today Thank you for supporting our mission for sharing in our grief and for helping keep the legacy of our fallen heroes alive.” The ceremony included a reading of “The Firefighter’s Prayer,” the Bell Ceremony presentations of the provincial flag to the families of the fallen and remarks from B.C Conservative Leader John Rustad and interim B.C IAFF 6th District Vice President Mike Carter attended the ceremony the 2025 BC Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial ceremony was the largest ever Social media  was flooded with  photos and videos shared by the BCPFFA its affiliates and media from across the province serving to honor the fallen and remind the public about the dangers of the firefighting profession I want to stress that this memorial stands as a call to action It is our duty to do everything in our power to ensure that every fire fighter goes home safely to their family at the end of each shift The ceremony featured the unveiling of a new plaque dedicated to wildland fire fighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty underscoring the growing dangers and the challenges wildfires pose in the province a wildland fire fighter who was tragically killed by a falling tree in July 2023 was among the fallen who were honoured this year Schierling explained that the Memorial had existing plaques recognizing BCPFFA members industrial/federal fire fighters and paid-on-call fire fighters When the BC Wildfire Service inquired about honouring Gale at this year’s ceremony he connected them with the Speaker of the Assembly and Gale’s union and agreement for the new plaque quickly followed “Please know that you are an integral part of the firefighting community across this great province,” Schierling said of wildland fire fighters “Our hearts are with you in grief and gratitude.” The memorial was held in conjunction with the BCPFFA’s annual Robert E where fire fighter delegates lobbied the B.C government on three legislative priorities: presumption for all forms of cancer with reduced years of service for eligibility provincial participation in a fire fighter health screening program and funding for mental health resiliency under the BC First Responders Resiliency Training Program The conference is named in memory of Rob Hall a Vancouver Local 18 member and BCPFFA secretary-treasurer who died of occupational cancer in 2007 at the age of 52 More information about the 2025 BC Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, including the names of the fallen and video of the ceremony, is available online here a significant part of the energy demand is now covered by a photovoltaic system A total of 1,998 solar modules have been installed on the roofs of the production halls in the last two months They have an output of around 750 kilowatts This means that the battery production is completely supplied by solar energy The photovoltaic system measures 4,000 square metres It generates about 740 megawatt hours of electricity annually The photovoltaic system complements the two-megawatt combined heat and power plant installed in Schierling in 2014 and is part of Webasto's strategy to ensure the production of its batteries is sustainable This also includes the use of green electricity from hydropower since the beginning of 2021 and the upcoming construction of a battery storage system with a capacity of one megawatt hour To stay up to date, sign up for our newsletter! The storage unit will be supplied from the photovoltaic system and will provide electricity as needed for production and the charge points on the premises Around 15 cars can theoretically be charged at the same time More than 500 second-life battery modules will be reused for the storage unit With the commissioning of the photovoltaic system Webasto is underpinning the importance of the plant in Schierlingt a modern production facility for battery systems - the Multi-Product-Line - has been located here It can produce up to 40,000 battery systems per year See also: Webasto and Green-G put all-electric small truck on the road Webasto will also manufacture cell modules for Solarwatt's new battery storage system in Schierling The plant is a model for other Webasto battery plants where the company will produce the first passenger car battery for Hyundai-Kia Motors Corporation The Webasto Group is one of the 100 largest suppliers to the automotive industry worldwide The company's product range includes in-house developed roof batteries and charging solutions for hybrid and electric vehicles as well as complementary services related to thermal management and electromobility Webasto's customers include manufacturers of passenger cars commercial vehicles and boats as well as dealers and end customers Also interesting: E-truck with fully integrated PV takes off the group achieved sales of around 3.3 billion euros and employed more than 14,000 people at over 50 locations Looking to stay on top of all relevant industry and business news? Click here to subscribe to our free twice-weekly pv Europe newsletter. A podcast for investors on the opportunities and risks of the solar market The pv Europe editorial team offers their own analysis and discusses current topics with experts Wichita Falls police confirmed they are investigating the death of a 70-year-old man as a homicide Officers were sent to an apartment building in the 1300 block of 11th Street about 3:30 p.m The dead man has been identified at James Shierling Shierling wrote in a Facebook post he had moved to Wichita Falls from his hometown of Lumpkin No other details about the case were available and police said the investigations is ongoing Shierling's death is the 14th homicide in Wichita Falls in 2022 Three of those homicides are considered murders related to distribution of fentanyl which is technically considered a homicide Anyone with information about this crime is urged to call 940-761-7762 or contact Crime Stoppers at 940-322-9888 Autumn Schierling tells how everyone in kindergarten — “the whole entire class except my three friends” — laughed at her on the first day of school like someone talking about ancient history “It was after you dropped me off,” she says to her mom across the table knowing this story and that it’s not the sweet memory most families have of their child’s first day of school and 11-year-old Autumn is now an old hand at absorbing the insensitivity of others and explaining why her face looks the way it does “I was born this way” is something she learned to say at an early age before she even understood neurofibromatosis and the large tumor it produced on the side of her head that keeps her right eye from opening A family photo shows Autumn Schierling as a toddler Autumn was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 “When Autumn was a baby we had to learn together to be comfortable with her unique situation,” her mom says “At first I noticed every single person that stared at us As she got older and could speak for herself I told her to tell people the same.” Soon the simple statement was accompanied by a friendly preemptive strike “If a kid was staring I would tell her to wave and introduce yourself,” Revenew says and Autumn has mostly found success with that approach She’d rather people not ask her mean questions or stare hoping to shield it — and her battered feelings — from the painful attention “I did it even at home,” she says But I mostly did it at school — and a couple years later ‘I don’t need that anymore.'” Today she wears her hair pulled back from her face as she romps with her two big dogs Lennon and Ziggy — she’d like to be a veterinarian when she grows up — and talks about playing the clarinet and social studies her favorite subject at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School “I just like learning about the different Native American tribes,” she says of Ms Revenew says the Lawrence school district has played an important role in normalizing Autumn’s experience Each school year on Neurofibromatosis Awareness Day Autumn has gotten to do a presentation at school “I talk about what I have and show pictures and show some of the videos that I have,” Autumn says “and I bring my stuffed animal that I always bring “Mo” is an anesthesiologist who was on one of Autumn’s many medical teams Revenew says she was “extremely nervous,” this being Autumn’s first year in middle school “that the kids would be very mean.” “I ask Autumn every day if everyone was nice to her,” Revenew says “and so far it’s always a yes.” Autumn is one of about 2.5 million people worldwide living with neurofibromatosis according to the Children’s Tumor Foundation She was officially diagnosed when she was about 6 months old and she underwent seven surgeries in her first year of life “I immediately had so many questions which there weren’t answers to because NF affects people in different ways,” she says The tumors can grow anywhere in the body and can lead to a variety of conditions it has meant two benign tumors: the one in her head These tumors have proved too invasive to remove with surgery but she was “a good candidate for medication,” Revenew says Autumn visits the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda about four times a year for regular checkups and to track progress on the several clinical trials she’s involved in One clinical trial resulted in the FDA approval last year of a medication known as Selumetinib which was hailed as a medical breakthrough as the first treatment for NF1 The drug has shrunk Autumn’s head tumor by about 19% and the family is hopeful that further medical research will lead to more progress “We take things day by day,” rather than stressing “about what could happen in the future.” Autum Schierling’s family takes part in the NF Shine a Light Walk in Lenexa on Saturday Riley Schierling; Autumn; and Autumn’s stepdad Autumn’s family took part in one of her favorite activities Hosted by the Children’s Tumor Foundation the walk is intended to increase awareness about neurofibromatosis and to raise research dollars as Autumn roller-skated with her family at their central Lawrence home she said she was looking forward to the NF event because it was a chance for her to just be a regular kid so I don’t have to explain it,” she said Asked about the “fighter” shirt she was skating in she pointed out that her family members had shirts that read “I know a fighter.” Then she said: “I’m the fighter.” Though the NF Shine a Light Walk was Saturday, donations to Autumn’s team can still be made online at https://join.ctf.org/fundraiser/3151407 The latest headlines from the Lawrence Journal-World and KUsports.com Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of Kansas, LLC | https://www2.ljworld.com | 1035 N. Third Street, Lawrence, KS 66044 | 785-843-1000 | Terms of Service If the city or county decides to establishing marijuana smoking lounges here in Pueblo don't expect the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce to market them to tourists "We've not done any marketing of the marijuana industry to tourism stuff in the past I'm not sure that we'll start even if we end up with some of these marijuana hospitality establishments in Pueblo," said Rod Slyhoff president of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce that the lounges could be a good place for visitors to the city to indulge in marijuana One of the biggest issues facing the city and county from out-of-towners who come here to purchase and use marijuana is there is nowhere legal to do it at outside of one hotel in the city "So we've always felt like why would we want visitors to come here and they're partaking and they end up in jail?" Slyhoff said "I think these would give them a place where's it's legal and they can go and experiment "We know that now there are visitors that come to the state of Colorado many of them say they're coming for marijuana — but most of them are saying still they aren't coming for marijuana But when they get here they seem to buy marijuana We're seeing revenue being spent from out of state visitors for the product so we know visitors do come and they do partake." the ballot initiative that legalized recreational marijuana use in Colorado in 2012 "We've always stayed out of that," Slyhoff said but I'd be surprised if my board came out in favor of actually campaigning for the hospitality establishments." who owns the recreational marijuana shop Harvest Dispensary said he hopes the city opts in and allows marijuana smoking lounges but that opening one isn't on his radar right now that's like running a bar as opposed to what we do which is like running a liquor store," Schierling said I think people need a place to go and obviously all laws would apply: no driving stoned no driving under the influence at all under any circumstance." Schierling said he would be a more inclined to explore opening a lounge once the regulations are established "I'd like to see what the zoning rules would be — and if it's feasible to open one without having to build a building out 12 miles outside of town," he said who along with his brother Mike Kwesell co-owns two Strawberry Fields recreational marijuana shops in Pueblo County said he also sees the value of marijuana smoking lounges for tourists "A Catch-22 exists for people who visit the state in the fact that you can purchase legally but you can't necessarily consume legally," Kwesell said "So I think this fixes a problem for folks to be able to have a place to legally consume I think if handled responsibly it's a good idea I certainly understand some of the trepidation and challenges that folks might have with that but then again I just want to point out that they are the trepidations and challenges they would've had with the regulated cannabis market in general and look at where we're at now." who said he tracked House Bill 1230 closely as it made its way through the Legislature also said if the county did opt to establishing lounges he and his brother would be interested in opening one "We'd definitely look strongly at participating in it," he said "I think we're not certain with anything yet — but we would certainly take a closer look at it We'd certainly take a closer look at compliance and the full picture first before we went through and not even consider it unless we had a plan we knew we could execute." The Chieftain hosts a Facebook Live discussion on the topic at 11 a.m. Tuesday. Questions for the discussion can be submitted on The Chieftain's Facebook page or by emailing rseverance@chieftain.com • Law could change landscape for cannabis in Colorado — if cities allow it • Local government weighs its options on cannabis lounges • Cannabis lounges a tough sell for Pueblo A large group of freshmen from George Mason University in Fairfax enter the festivities through the back-to-school luau entrance Aug Freshmen Ayoub Salahadin Khalifa and Xiaotong Angel play Jenga during GMU Patriots’ annual back-to-school luau at St More than 1,700 freshmen and new students enjoy food Robert Bellarmine Chapel during the back-to-school luau Aug Searby talks with students during the back-to-school luau Aug A group of students enjoys the festivities at George Mason University in Fairfax Aug A student dives for the ball during a game of spikeball Buy photos from the GMU luau at catholicherald.smugmug.com Arlington Catholic Herald200 N. Glebe Rd.Suite 615Arlington, VA 22203703-841-2590800-377-0511 Website Design and Development by New Target How does it feel to win the Home Chef Challenge We are just so excited to be able to share our potato (papas) riff on the traditional Mexican chilaquiles breakfast with our hometown for SXSW We are big fans of the food trailer culture in Austin TodayWhat was the inspiration for the dish This breakfast was inspired by our love for chilaquiles It came together one morning four years ago when I woke up craving chilaquiles and hash browns I described this idea of replacing the fried tortilla chips (totopos) with hash browns – and within the hour Ryan was serving us this breakfast We have experimented with a few variations since but we always come back to this simple preparation TODAY Munchie Mobiles head to SXSW in Austin! I've enjoyed the kitchen for as long as I can remember I may have started out using my little tin bakeware set to make cakes and muffins from mud in the yard but I soon progressed to helping my parents put up the things we grew in our big garden and packing jars of fruit we canned every year My first big accomplishment was baking my own lopsided 2-layer cake for my 10th birthday The camaraderie and creative possibilities of the kitchen have always appealed to me and are what keep me coming back. Today, I share a wee kitchen with a wonderful man who is equally passionate about cooking. Together, Ryan and I explore our random food cravings and family favorites (new and old) on our food blog at FoieGrasHotDog.com. Whether in a raised bed or in pots just outside patio door having fresh herbs available a few short steps away is an absolute must for me Culinary herbs are easy and inexpensive to cultivate and having all those fresh flavors available for cooking and baking at a moment's notice makes a huge difference in our food experience at home I have never been able to answer this question definitively Food is a such a sensual and emotional memory-laden affair that I imagine it would depend entirely on the circumstances of that last meal It could range as wildly as my tastes in general vary – highbrow to lowbrow find myself firmly in the camp of those who would appreciate a runny egg somewhere in the menu and I would hope to share that meal in the company of dear friends Tweet your food photos @TODAYFood with #TODAYSXSW Don't mess with Texas (BBQ): Trek for the best in the Lone Star State Apple logo® and App Store® are registered trademarks of Apple Inc An Egg McMuffin provided some clarity to Donelson Christian Academy middle and high school principal Bret Schierling the morning after a tornado steamrolled the campus March 3 The breakfast item and coffee were the first step in the mammoth community effort needed for DCA to rebound again from a natural disaster DCA also rebuilt after the historic 2010 flood that left much of the campus under water “It was the best Egg McMuffin I've ever had," Schierling said "They were bringing anything they could to keep us going In that moment it clicked in; 'I remember the flood I remember what these people did the last time I know what they are going to do again.'” athletics and extracurriculars are back on DCA's campus even as the COVID-19 pandemic has many public school students studying remotely from home DCA parent and volunteer Courtney Brauss was there the same morning the tornado hit just a few hours after her husband arrived at 2 a.m She said she noticed "the stillness of the devastation followed by the emotion of the families supporting each other.  "It was very quick that everyone pulled together. Immediately questions became 'what can we do? Where can we help? Where can we plug in?'" The damage at DCA is still very visible with much work left to do What remained of the children’s wing was demolished A yellow construction wrap covers much of the rest of DCA’s primary school building as repairs continue. Just beyond the campus the Stanford Estates neighborhood remains in various stages of rebuilding Part of DCA’s parking lot is filled with storage units with items salvaged from the tornado ladders and the sound of power tools are a constant presence on campus. Two alternative cafeterias are in place one inside and one outside under a canopy for students to eat lunch each day since the regular cafeteria was damaged in the tornado “Not everything is back to normal,” DCA senior basketball player Blake Anderson said ...But we’re still back at school.” Subscribe: Keep up with what’s new in Middle Tennessee and support local journalism with a digital subscription that starts at 99 cents per month for the first three months. The 2010 flood is now referred to by the DCA community as the “flood of blessings.” “Whirlwind of change,” is DCA’s catchphrase for the tornado that caused an estimated $13-$14 million in structural The school has launched a $4.5 million building campaign to add to the tornado insurance payout; about $2 million has already been raised Donations and assistance have come from more than 25 states DCA Director of Development Beverly Baskin said The school has had over 11,100 volunteer hours but headmaster Keith Singer said there are considerably more that couldn’t be tracked The capital campaign will help rebuild the children’s wing with two stories that will enable DCA to house both its preschool and elementary school students The new wing will replace the three modular buildings that previously housed preschool students and were destroyed by the tornado The campaign will also fund a 499-seat fine arts center as part of the second floor of the building's middle section that also had damage.  The goal is to have all students back on campus to start the 2021-2022 school year The school opened in September 1971.  Elementary school students now attend classes at First Baptist Church of Donelson with preschool students at Hermitage Hills Baptist But it’s not all about next year – not yet “Even with some of the challenges (now) on the facility side what you see is the strength of the community in all kinds of ways," Singer said "Great schools are made up of great people That shines through now and will shine through in the future with new facilities.” The school’s main gym is expected to be ready within a few weeks and DCA plays its first football game on campus since the tornado in a largely reconstructed stadium on Sept 11 against Middle Tennessee Christian School “It will be great,” DCA football captain Jon Lewis said “We’ve got the community to play for and all the DCA fans.” “All around we are pretty thankful to be here,” said senior and student council president Maddie Lucarini “We want (students) to look back at their lives and see there was a marker,"  Schierling said "If they go through something in the future they will remember that God showed up.” Wilson County's West Wilson Middle and Stoner Creek Elementary 6 months laterThe two Wilson County public schools in Mt Juliet heavily damaged from the tornado are still going through the insurance assessment process It’s unknown when either building could be ready The approximate 1,700 students and 150 staff members at the two schools are being absorbed into other schools Juliet high schools are both being used for grades 7-12 Juliet Middle is housing Stoner Creek Elementary students and sixth-graders from the two damaged middle schools Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles The DCA Fall Golf Scramble will be held at 8 a.m. at Gaylord Springs Golf Links with proceeds to go toward the school’s campus rebuild The ticket price includes a $125 VIP pro shop shopping experience Sponsorship opportunities are also available For information email dcagolftournament@gmail.com or call 615-883-2926 When hearing the words “school” and “band” together most would probably picture sweaty kids in stuffy grimy uniforms marching to the drone of “left left” while lugging along their flutes or clarinets has broken that stereotype and created something entirely new consisting of five Inman High School students named “Horizons,” practices one hour every school day together in their music tech class They are currently performing covers of pre-existing songs including “Counting Stars” by One Republic and “Mountain Sound” by Of Monsters and Men The group hopes to write and perform original music in the near future and they hope to have many more as opportunities arise Schierling had some very positive things to say about this newly created group “They are awesome people and fun to be around,” stated Schierling The band members include juniors Payton Truitt (lead singer) and Jerron Schroeder (lead guitar) and sophomores Gage Real (guitar) Schierling was in a band called Ruskabank in college Comparing his experience then to his experience now “It’s a different style and genre of music working with students who are still learning their craft is a different experience than being a member of a band with more advanced musicians.” Schierling hopes to help the members find their sound and help them continue to enjoy making music and performing it “My experience being in a band and the enjoyment I get from playing pop and contemporary music,” was part of the reason Schierling wanted to form the band The members of the band are also very excited to be playing and performing and continue to work towards advancing their musicianship and friendship with each other “My favorite part would have to be getting to make music with close friends and with people who have the same passion of making music that I do.” We can play music better than when we first were here and I can play the whole set without being terrified of doing it in front of others.” a graphic design student at Salina Area Technical College was kind enough to design a logo for Horizons Horizons has also had numerous individuals approach them offering recording time in a studio and potential gigs All of the members can agree it’s been enlightening to see how music can bring people together and bring out the generosity in others The Munich-based supplier Webasto is increasing the energy content of its traction batteries from 35 to 40 kWh as part of a product update the batteries are designed to supply electric commercial vehicles with up to 720 kWh of electricity Webasto’s new batteries bear the product designation ‘Standard Battery Pro 40’ and are suitable for powering electric commercial vehicles in the 400 or 800 volt range Up to 18 units can be linked in one vehicle offering a total capacity of up to 720 kWh the ‘Standard Battery Pro 40’ is protected by a robust aluminium housing The unit still measures 960 x 687 x 302 millimetres and weighs 297 kilograms Webasto develops and produces both the control electronics and the battery at its German sites in Schaidt the fact that the batteries can be integrated vertically or horizontally into the vehicles contributes to their flexible use the high-voltage battery fits seamlessly into all installation spaces that already utilise the previous Webasto standard battery system Compatibility with the Webasto ‘eBTM’ thermal management system is also guaranteed “The electrification of commercial vehicles and machines is progressing at an ever-increasing pace which also increases the demands on traction batteries we now offer our customers an even higher energy content in a robust battery pack to provide sufficient reserves for an entire working day,” said Dr Director of Batteries and Electrical Thermal Management at Webasto “With the update of our standard battery system and our extensive portfolio of electrical thermal management solutions we offer system integrators and vehicle manufacturers a strong foundation to put the mobility transition in the commercial sector on a sustainable footing.” webasto.com electrive has been following the development of electric mobility with journalistic passion and expertise since 2013. As the industry's leading trade media, we offer comprehensive coverage of the highest quality — as a central platform for the rapid development of this technology. With news, background information, driving reports, interviews, videos and advertising messages. * LOCATION: Produced at the Mars Wrigley Confectionery production plant at 3002 Jersey Pike in Chattanooga * ABOUT THE PRODUCT: Altoids, which are breath mints, were created by London-based Smith & Company in the 1780s. Mike Pare is the former deputy Business editor at the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Mike, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., received a bachelor's degree in communications from Florida Atlantic University. He worked at the Rome News-Tribune before coming to Chattanooga. Copyright © 2025, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. This document may not be reprinted without the express written permission of Chattanooga Times Free Press, Inc. Get The RecipePapaquilesServings:Makes 6 servingsHome Chef Challenge winners Julie Monroe and Ryan SchierlingMore Home Chef Challenge winning recipes: Firefighter health and safety is a hot topic during Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month It’s a key time for British Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Association (BCPFFA) to educate its 4,500-plus member firefighters about prevention and survival strategies Firefighters are at a higher risk of getting cancer than they are from fires and other on-scene incidents BCPFFA president Todd Schierling is among those concerned about the increasing number of cancer diagnoses among members due to on-the-job exposures and he’s urging the provincial government to take further action “We are committed to providing our firefighters with the best information and resources to ensure their safety and well-being,” said Schierling “We urge the government to require employers to institute prevention programs including cancer screening for firefighters,” he added “Swift diagnosis and treatment are vital in preventing firefighter fatalities and we remain steadfast in our commitment to their health Let us work tirelessly to safeguard our firefighters’ well-being.” the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) and Firefighter Cancer Support Network (FCSN) provides education and resources to help reduce cancer among firefighters The focus is on minimizing cancer risk throughout a firefighter’s career including implementing best-practices in station design to reduce exposure to cancer-causing substances promoting safety protocols during firefighting operations and addressing personal risk factors such as nutrition and stress during off-duty hours establishing a national framework to prevent and treat cancers linked to fire fighting This helps IAFF affiliates advance occupational cancer coverage and support for fire fighters leaders of the BCPFFA will meet in Victoria during the Robert E Hall Legislative Conference to lobby the provincial government on issues important to firefighters and their families ranks fourth in Canada with 18 cancers recognized by the BC Workers Compensation Act including bladder The BCPFFA says it will seek to enhance presumptive cancer coverage under the BC Workers Compensation Act to align with the rest of the country and amend some cumulative periods of various cancers “The government can recognize the cancer risk for all members and prevent more names from being added to the Line of Duty Death (LODD) list of the BCPFFA Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial,” Schierling said 108 of those firefighters (61 per cent) succumbed to recognized occupational cancers the BCPFFA is an affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) The BCPFFA includes 55 IAFF locals representing more than 4,500 firefighters prevention officers and support members in B.C firefighters want the province to phase out the cancer-causing so-called ‘forever chemicals’ found in personal protective gear and foam has a great opportunity here to lead across the nation,” Todd Schierling president of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association said Thursday (March 14) He said the plan has the support of the national professional firefighters organization and similar legislation has been adapted in more than 30 states in the United States Schierling was speaking to media with members of his 4,500-member organization’s executive and BC Green House Leader Adam Olsen who had tabled a private member’s bill calling for the change that morning The bill would phase out polyfluoroalkyl substances found in personal protective gear and foam Research from the United States has linked PFAS with various types of cancer with manufacturers facing legal actions Schierling said these cancer-causing substances can seep out of firefighters’ personal protective gears while they are sweating on the job It is laced with (these forever chemicals).” Firefighters can also absorb them through foam Schierling said firefighters work in a carcinogenic environment all the time adding that the International Agency for Cancer Research has deemed firefighting a Group 1 carcinogenic profession Past classifications had only deemed it possible that firefighters may get cancer The bill calls on the provincial government to develop province-wide gear regulations that would include phasing out PFAS Vancouver Fire Rescue Services has announced that it would be phasing out of PFAS-containing firefighting gear but Olsen said more needs to be done to avoid a two-tier system where some departments have access to safer equipment He sees province-wide regulation coupled with financial support as especially important given the reliance of smaller rural communities on volunteer departments “In my experience…smaller services have a much more difficult job in convincing local governments improvements services (to invest) because of just tight budgeting,” he said we are ensuring that whether you are pressed into action in a rural community in British Columbia or in downtown Vancouver every firefighter gets the same level of protection.” said he hopes the bill will help departments shift toward safer protective gear Departments must change gears about every 10 years anyway Phasing out cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals’ would also send a larger signal It would tell would-be volunteers that government is taking their safety and long-term health seriously Private member bills often face a difficult “I think when government takes a look at how this bill was drafted and the content in it I think they will have a hard criticizing it just on its own.” BC United has also recently called for improvements for mental health supports for firefighters and BCPFFA has had discussions with government around these issues READ ALSO: Cancer leading cause of death for firefighters, B.C. study finds READ ALSO: Why cancer is deadlier than fire for firefighters in B.C. people have access to health care inside the North Topeka Walmart Walmart and Stormont-Vail HealthCare on Monday announced the opening of The Clinic located inside the lobby of the North Topeka Walmart "This is a great pairing," said Michelle Schierling medical director for the hospital's emergency room and The Clinic Schierling said she wasn't sure about the pairing at first but after touring the Walmart headquarters in Bentonville she understands that both organizations have the same mission of providing quality products "I am the Walmart mom they are talking about," Schierling said in regard to the target audience of the clinic — busy customers who need care for common health ailments and routine services there will be 98 in-store clinics in Walmart stores across 22 states "Walmart is dedicated to serving our customers and our communities and this type of clinic helps expand their access to quality health care," said Bruce Shepard Walmart's director of health care innovations "I hope this partnership is one of many to come," said Ryan Hoage administrative director of the hospital's emergency and trauma department and The Clinic and patients will be seen by either an advanced registered nurse practitioner or a patient care technician "Our goal is to see patients in 15 minutes," Gamber said If a patient isn't able to be seen right away sinus infections and upper respiratory infections The Clinic also will offer blood sugar testing "Our clinic is staffed with licensed health care providers so families can walk in and know they will receive quality care without a long wait," said Maynard Oliverius Stormont-Vail HealthCare president and chief executive officer "Our mission is to implement programs and services that will improve the health of this community and the clinic is one more way we fulfill our mission." Ann Marie Bush can be reached at (785) 295-1207 or ann.bush@cjonline.com Sign In Register It is with heartfelt sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Iris Doreen Adelman (née: Emmerson) on Thursday Iris is survived by her loving husband of 36 years Brenda Wilson and her children Jorden Berger (Angela) and Jenna-Lee Berger (Dustin); sons: Dale Wilson (Jacqui) and their daughter Talissa (Michael) and Kyle Adelman (Jenna) and their daughter Ellie; stepsons: Tarek Adelman (Amy) and their children Zakhary and Zosia and Scott Adelman (Stacey) and their children Melissa and Stephanie; great-grandchildren: Kieran and Izabel; as well as numerous nieces and nephews Iris worked at the Public Regional Library for 13 years and then was self-employed She will be forever remembered for how much she loved her family She was an avid volunteer and would raise money for different charities The Funeral Service will be held on Sunday Pastor Steve Atkins will officiate and a tea will follow in the fellowship hall A private family interment will be held at Sunset Cemetery at a later date donations in Iris’ name may be made to  Kedleston Gospel Camp, 808 Assiniboine Ave E, Regina, SK S4V 0K6 or Diabetes Canada, PO Box 1223 Stn. 15, Toronto, ON M4P 9Z9. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network. LAist: When did you first discover Harry Nilsson's music? Sean Nelson: Like many other people, I sort of got to know his music after hearing "Everybody's Talkin'" in Midnight Cowboy. But the main way I came to know about him was through the Monkees. I was obsessively interested in the Monkees when I was in junior high and high school. In fact, I wore a Monkees t-shirt to the first day of high school and was roundly destroyed for it. So I knew about him through the Monkees because he wrote songs for them, then I discovered that he was also an associate of the Beatles, who I was obviously also obsessively interested in. I really didn't know the full extent of him until they started reissuing his solo records right around the time my band entered a weird long hiatus mode. I had started playing with a band called the Long Winters and was looking for something new to do on my own—and Nilsson's music really struck a chord. When speaking about Nelson Sings Nilsson, you've said that you've been struck by the fact that scandalously few of your peers know Harry Nilsson's music. For those who are unfamiliar with his music, what is the short pitch you give them to acquaint them with this remarkable man? So you only mention "Coconut" as a last resort… I don't have any problem with that song. I'm a big fan of novelty songs in general. But it's hard when an artist is best known for a novelty song. Take Randy Newman for example. Most people know him only for "Short People" or "I Love LA." When they only know him for that, they kind of dismiss him as a novelty artist and I think that's unfortunate. Maybe even a tragedy. But there are worse tragedies in the world, I suppose. But I admire the fact that he had no compunction about being funny. He really ran towards novelty and sense of humor in his music—sometimes to great effect and sometimes to stupid effect—but he was a very funny guy and certainly never boring. Many people equate Nilsson's various styles over the years with the facial hair he sported on his album covers. Which is your favorite Nilsson—with beard or without? Interesting question. Well, I tend to like his earlier stuff—the late 60s period with his first three records, and Nilsson Sings Newman. That's all pre-beard and it's only with Nilsson Schmillsson that he gets into the beard period. There's a lot of great stuff in that phase, but I tend to prefer pre-beard. What's your favorite cover that someone else has done of a Nilsson song? Well, it's hard to top the Aimee Mann cover of "One." That's pretty perfect. And I'm looking forward to Neko Case's version of "Don't Forget Me." I'm a huge fan of it. I genuinely think Head is one of the best films ever made, and the only psychedelic movie that really works as both a stylistic experiment and as a film. But I'm biased by my conviction that the Monkees were one of the telltale sea change pop cultural events of the late 20th century. What led you to choose this arrangement over Nilsson's, or even the one off the Head soundtrack, which differs slightly from the film? Maybe when your album is released, you can recreate the dance part for your first single… I've actually been talking about that with a friend of mine who's a filmmaker. It's pretty radical. Of course, I'm a full foot taller than Mr. Jones, and a good deal denser… I know you're a fan of Nilsson's album Nilsson Sings Newman. If you were you going to record a three-song EP called Nelson Sings Nilsson Sings Newman, which songs would you include? That's funny, because my plan is to do that as a bonus CD if I ever get a label to put out Nelson Sings Nilsson. My thought has been to do Nelson Sings Nilsson Sings Newman as sort of a live thing. As for which three I'd choose if I were limited to that, I really like his version of "So Long Dad," "Love Story (You and Me)," and I don't know…it's hard to choose, but let's say "Cowboy." Yeah, I know that's sort of the way to do it, especially now, but it's really hard for me because I'm not organized. I'm really bad with doing the admin work of being a record label. I think that if I did self-release the album, it would be more along the lines of putting it up on a website, calling it good and just letting people donate money to it if they want. We'll see what happens. I'm really proud of the album, and actually, the incredibly talented guy who produced it, Mark Nichols, will be joining me onstage at Largo this Saturday. What's the most fun Nilsson song to play live? Well, for a long time it was "Gotta Get Up," but that's kinda obvious. It's pure fun. But I also feel like at this point, "Maybe" is my favorite to sing. Or possibly "Don't Forget Me," which is heartbreaking when done right. Nilsson was quite a chameleon during his career. He seemed right at home with all sorts of styles and lyrics. Is there any single musician from the last decade or so that you feel has matched his energy and talent? Well, obviously I think there are tons of people who are really talented, and I'm very happy and honored that some of them are my friends. I don't feel like Nilsson has many heirs in the sense of his particular aesthetic, which is sort of a combination of Broadway, rock 'n' roll and being really mischievous and humorous. He was more or less a humorist but he was also not afraid to bare his soul a little bit. However, I think in terms of variety of projects and versatility of talent, it's hard to deny that Jon Brion is in that same kind of mold. I've performed at a bunch of his Friday night shows, and I must say that the fact that he can play literally anything is one definite bonus. He's not content unless he's trying something new, and I think that for a certain window in Nilsson's career, he was like that. He was up for anything. Harvey Danger played the Little Room last year. How did that come about? Well, we've been playing at Largo since 1999 when we were mixing our second record in LA. We'd gone on tour with Grant Lee Buffalo in 1998, so we knew Grant Lee Phillips through that. Grant was hosting a variety show at Largo where we debuted some new songs, and just over the years I've played some shows there with whomever I was working with at the time. I've just been friends with Largo owner Mark Flanagan and Jon, and I feel really privileged to be part of that repertory company. You've said that Largo is your favorite club in America. What do you feel makes it so special? I felt that way about the old spot and wondered if they'd be able to maintain the spirit when they moved to the Coronet. But they did, and that made me realize that what I love about that place is really down to the people who run it. And you never know what'll happen on any given night. Although the show this weekend is going to be a little more stripped down, is there any chance you might bring Nelson Sings Nilsson to the Largo main stage with the full orchestra? We really want to, but it's expensive to get all the players down from Seattle. Plus, I feel like it's probably better to do that when the record comes out. I can't imagine debuting it anywhere other than Largo. It couldn't be more perfect. No, but I saw it at the Seattle International Film Festival and we actually played "Maybe" on a rickety upright piano just before the screening. I have to say it's a really good movie and I'm sad that it hasn't gotten distribution yet. What is it about these great Nilsson projects that haven't yet seen the light of day? That's the thing. No one seems to know who he is. Well, not no one, but it's a hard sell. No one seems to know who Harry Nilsson is, and fewer people know who I am. (laughs) So it's tricky. But I think the record is really good and I'm still happy I did it. And in all fairness, I haven't been particularly aggressive about shopping it around. Not my specialty. What's been your favorite interview to date? Do you find that you bring a new perspective to your interviews since you are also a musician? I have no difficulty talking about stuff until the sun comes up, and I really like it, but I don't think that means I'm better or worse at anything. It's just my particular lot, so I like it. I like talking about the ideas behind what I do and the ideas behind what other people do as far as I'm allowed to speculate on them. Since you'll be returning to LA in a few days, I was wondering, do you have any favorite places—restaurants, bars, etc.—you always like to visit when you come to town? Canada’s largest trade show for meetings and events acronyms abound and business cards are like currency It’s a circus from the moment delegates get off the escalator at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre A ringmaster beckons people to gather around for an acrobat show He also offers cookies; by the second day of the August trade show delegates and exhibitors could use a little sugar Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience There are freebies galore at the trade show Cities from Montreal to Las Vegas do everything they can to attract conferences and events And they stand out — no small feat considering the 182,000 square foot of exhibition floor and displays from bigger cities with bigger budgets Decked out in wine-coloured berets and black neckerchiefs the group of six (made up of Tourism Saskatoon staff and partners from local hotels and venues) is eager to promote Saskatoon’s artistic side namely the opening of the Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan “It’s something unique that we’re offering as an off-site location and really putting us on the map internationally for arts and culture It’s a great sell for us,” said Candace Schierling Tourism Saskatoon’s director of national conventions and event marketing The team jokes that this was a bad time to choose a 100 per cent wool accessory The group isn’t looking to attract tourists but rather to turn conference delegates who come to Saskatoon into tourists Attracting these groups has a major economic impact on the city’s hotels the department also brings in big cultural events like the Canadian Country Music Association’s Country Music Week and Awards The 2019 Juno Awards would be another coup Though it is challenging to count the dollars that flow into Saskatoon as a result A 2012 statistic from Meetings Mean Business Canada pegged the average spend per delegate per meeting at nearly $1,000 but still has a tremendous impact on local businesses the national and international conventions and sports tourism departments at Tourism Saskatoon have confirmed 18,600 hotel room nights for upcoming events The groups are also working to secure another 47,000 room nights over all three departments including more than 14,000 tied to national events By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Afternoon Headlines will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? 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Schierling’s national department and the more recently formed international department at Tourism Saskatoon help generate millions of dollars in economic activity by booking these events “All of our restaurants and shops really get increased business with these conferences coming here The economic impact spreads throughout the city in a lot of different ways,” Schierling says Beyond nights in hotels and meals at restaurants meetings and events also use local suppliers Schierling joined the Tourism Saskatoon team in 2012 Her job at incentiveworks would be a nightmare for an introvert a friendly presence who is well known on the convention floor Tourism Saskatoon does this a dozen or so times a year competing with other Canadian and international destinations Schierling said she spends a lot of time dispelling misconceptions about the city ‘Can you host somebody with 250 people?’ and we’re like ‘Um “Often they think grain elevators and tumbleweeds and we’re hoping to get that thought changed.” she knows she has a good chance of selling them on the city “We really promote the city in a lot of different ways to counter-attack those perceptions But if you’re booking a conference where people come from across Canada we’re actually in a great spot.” the department launched a virtual reality experience as a way to transport potential visitors to the city The team used the immersive videos at incentiveworks to showcase a few unique Saskatoon experiences such as paddleboarding on the South Saskatchewan River and skating at the Meewasin outdoor rink Though most of the team’s time at incentiveworks is spent chatting with potential clients in pre-booked they also draw in curiosity with the VR headsets A young man tries out the technology and quickly starts wiggling his hips to the music of Wanuskewin TCU Place sales executive Dave Keegan narrates the experience talking a bit about its cultural significance The din of the convention floor is a huge contrast from the serene river setting said Saskatoon’s reputation has been growing in recent years He describes the Tourism Saskatoon team as “vocal The Tourism Saskatoon booth isn’t inconspicuous either A paint-by-numbers canvas is gradually filled with strokes of colourful paint causing potential clients to linger a little bit longer Someone at the trade show asks if they’re wearing berets for the Saskatoon tagline “the Paris of the Prairies.” Schierling smiles as something dawns on her who is part of the Tourism Saskatoon team as a representative of the Radisson Hotel said it’s fun to see what the other destinations have to offer “It’s a bunch of meeting planners so you have to step up your game You’re selling meetings to meeting planners,” she said with a laugh Schierling and her colleagues try to showcase things that make the city just as attractive as larger centres They also highlight the differences that give the city a competitive advantage Schierling said many clients aren’t used to the kind of VIP treatment Saskatoon can offer “If you have an 800-delegate conference that comes to the city Right now we’ve got an ad campaign going that says ‘in Saskatoon you’re kind of a big deal,’ ” she said Schierling also estimates it’s about 30 per cent cheaper to host an event in Saskatoon versus larger centres Mark Dosman is CEO of Strategic Site Selection a company that books corporate and association events across North America and beyond He worked with Tourism Saskatoon on the CCMA Awards and many other events He said his company works with the team 20 to 25 times a year He admits he thought Saskatoon was a sleepy town before he visited “I thought I probably wouldn’t have a whole lot of fun and wasn’t sure it was a city I wanted to promote He also said Tourism Saskatoon is one of his favourite groups to work with “Saskatoon is way up there at the top of our list it’s that you know they’re going to work hard for the business and put our client’s best interests at heart,” he said The team has to work even harder than some destinations to get noticed as a smaller centre with less well-known tourist draws She recently spearheaded the creation of a new program called Cities in Sync John’s and Victoria to make things simpler for planners so one group can book three destinations back-to-back and we’ll collaborate with one another Schierling said it’s easier to leverage marketing dollars when they’re split three ways Interest in the program has been strong since launching in January At incentiveworks she’s eager to visit her new colleagues on the convention floor By the time planning and execution of the CCMA Awards heated up Schierling was already thinking about booking the next events It can take clients months or up to a year to decide Any business the team wins is cause for celebration but Schierling admits cultural events like the CCMAs and Country Music Week are her favourite “People throughout the city can attend so those are probably my favourite It’s an opportunity to promote the fact that we have a national convention team and people can also see the direct benefit of it There’s a lot of excitement around the community.” many things have to be in place in advance Tourism Saskatoon works with government at different levels to secure funding and also needs to organize a host committee and put local leaders in place They need to provide organizers with hotel and venue contracts and bring in an event’s leadership to tour the facilities that go into creating this,” said Scheirling the CCMA Awards had great success in 2012 so that really helped us.” Schierling said Tourism Saskatoon left incentiveworks with some event leads confirmed business and opportunities for partnership through Cities in Sync the group has two more national shows to attend as well as sales missions in Ottawa and Toronto Editor’s note: Tourism Saskatoon paid for the reporter’s travel expenses smckay@postmedia.com Tourism Saskatoon has helped bring a diverse mix of meetings and events to Saskatoon, some with a big public profile like the CCMA Awards and some that are off the radar. Here are just a few examples: International– InterPride – International Wheat Congress – Ag In Motion – World Indigenous Business Forum National– Skills Canada National Competition – Paramedic Chiefs of Canada – Dermatology Association – Canadian Association of Principals – Mennonite Church of Canada – Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance – Canadian Country Music Association Awards transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account