If you’re a fan of anime and Japanese pop culture, this is the event you’ll want to cancel all your other plans for.

Anirevo, Vancouver’s largest anime convention, is making its return to the Vancouver Convention Centre from August 18 to 20.

The celebration of Japanese pop culture and animation will feature special guests, activities, and a huge vendor hall so you can get your shop on.

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Expect to see cosplayers representing all your favourite anime characters as soon as you arrive at the Vancouver Convention Centre, including everything from Dragon Ball Z to One Piece to Kill la Kill. You’ll be inspired to dress up yourself when you check out the huge cosplay contest.

Attendees at the event will be treated to a massive selection of anime-themed art, apparel, and paraphernalia. Figurines, hats, posters, keychains, and bags can often be found in the exhibition hall.

The three-day festival also boasts a variety of exciting panels to see with your fellow anime aficionados.

Highlights of Anirevo Summer 2023 include autograph and photo booth opportunities, special screenings, live comedy shows, game shows and how-to panels, and more.

Special guests throughout the Anime Revolution weekend include Miku Ito (Spy Classroom), Ian Hanlin (Sonic Prime), Caitlyn Bairstow (Beyblade Burst: Evolution), and Brian Doe Chua (World Trigger)

ANIREVO SUMMER 2023

When: August 18 to 20, 2023 Time: Various times Where: Vancouver Convention Centre – West — 1055 Canada Place Tickets: Various prices, purchase online

Calling all millionaires, a vacant lot is up for grabs in West Vancouver, and it could be the site of your future dream home right along the water for $7,388,000.

If you aren’t a millionaire, Friday’s LottoMax Jackpot is $55 million and could be your path to purchasing the waterfront lot.

A listing from Holly Calderwood reveals more about why this lot is so highly coveted.

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We’ve reached out to Calderwood to figure out what it means, but oddly, the listing for the lot actually states six bedrooms and four bathrooms. It could be that that’s what the lot could accommodate.

The listing calls the lot a blank canvas “awaiting your modern architectural dream home designer ideas.”

It also warns, “Do disturb the tenants next door.”

It’s easy to see why the lot is valued so highly.

It is right by the water, and you have your own backyard beach.

The listing states that the property next door is also for sale at 2998 Park Lane. The land value of that property is basically the same as this vacant lot, less $1,000, at $7,387,000.

According to the District of West Vancouver website, the sale proceeds of the lot will fund the purchase of the last two of 32 waterfront properties at 1444 and 1448 Argyle Avenue.

“This will allow the District to complete the Waterfront Acquisition Plan which started in the late 1970s, and will increase public green space and allow the completion of the foreshore path from Ambleside Park to John Lawson Park.”

If $7.4 million is out of reach, check out this list of cheap homes to buy in Vancouver.

Unsurprisingly, none of them come with a backyard beach.

What a way to start the weekend! One lottery player is pretty much going to be set for life after winning a massive jackpot.

The Lotto Max draw took place on Friday, August 11, and there are quite a few winners who’ll be waking up to the happy news.

The lucky numbers from last night’s draw are 07, 08, 23, 28, 29, 31, 37, and bonus number 43. One very lottery player from Ontario managed to match all seven numbers, netting themselves a life-changing prize worth $55 million.

>   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Atlantic Lottery (@atlanticlottery)

It was certainly a lucky night for Ontario lottery players.

There were four Max Millions prizes up for grabs, but according to PlayNow, only one person won a prize worth $1 million after matching the numbers 3, 9, 26, 27, 34, 39, and 48, and the winning ticket was sold in Kitchener.

Someone also won the Lotto Max second prize worth $243,597.90, and the winning ticket was purchased in the Thunder Bay area.

Two Encore tickets worth $100,000 were also sold in Sarnia and St. Catharines.

The next Lotto Max draw will take place on Tuesday, August 15. The main prize is worth $13 million.

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BC’s very own Felix Cartal is playing another free pop-up show Friday evening at Kitsilano Beach.

This is one of several surprise shows the DJ has announced to fans on Instagram at the last minute this summer.

He first did a pop-up set at Third Beach in Vancouver’s Stanley Park last month and shared epic photos and videos of the sunset dance party.

>   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Felix Cartal (@felixcartal)

Next Felix Cartal did the same in Victoria, and now he’s back in Vancouver.

This time he’s teaming up with Guru energy drinks to play at Kits Fest — which is a basketball tournament happening at the beach this weekend.

Felix Cartal is on at 7 pm tonight. So head over if you want some free tunes, or stay well away if you don’t want to deal with a crowd.

 

You can add another endorsement deal to portfolio of Connor Bedard.

The 18-year-old has yet to play an NHL game, but that hasn’t stopped companies from throwing money at the hockey phenom.

Bedard has already partnered with brands like Lululemon, Hyundai, Holt Renfrew, and Biosteel, and there are surely many more offers to come for the Chicago Blackhawks centre.

Today, Bedard revealed which equipment supplier he will be repping during his rookie season.

The answer? Sherwood Hockey.

“I’m really excited to be joining the Sherwood team,” Bedard said in a Sherwood Hockey press release. “Since I started working with Sherwood to develop hockey equipment that I felt could improve my game, I have been really impressed with their approach, expertise and dedication to building the best gear. They are doing a lot of cool things around the sport I love, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

>   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Sherwood Hockey (@sherwoodhockey)

Bedard joins Sherwood’s roster of players, which includes: Matthew Tkachuk, William Nylander, Alex DeBrincat, Quinton Byfield, Emily Clark, Artturi Lehkonen, Saroya Tinker, Connor Brown, and Savannah Harmon. He’ll play exclusively with Sherwood Rekker Legend sticks and gloves, the Canadian equipment manager said in a press release today.

Acquiring a generational talent in Bedard is a milestone moment for the brand, which was bought by Canadian Tire five years ago and relaunched in 2020.

“Our partnership with Connor Bedard is a key step in the continued re-invention of the Sherwood brand. Since we acquired Sherwood in 2018 and relaunched the brand in 2020, we have been focused on building credibility with the next generation of hockey players who, like us, can’t wait to see what Connor does on the ice supported by outstanding Sherwood products,” said Bobby Singh-Randhawa, SVP, Consumer Brands, Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited. “In addition to being a great example of the progress we’ve made with Sherwood as a brand, this partnership also signals our intention to be a greater force in the hockey market going forward.”

Many of the NHL’s top players have equipment deals with CCM, which roster of players includes: Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Nathan MacKinnon.

Bauer currently has the likes of Elias Pettersson, Quinn Hughes, Jack Hughes, David Pastrnak, Cale Makar, Adam Fox, Patrick Kane, Jack Eichel, Nikita Kucherov, and Aleksander Barkov repping its brand.

Warrior Sports, meanwhile, has a list of players that includes: Leon Draisaitl, Brad Marchand, Drew Doughty, Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Dahlin, Mark Scheifele, and Brendan Gallagher.

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The years-long decline of co-working office giant WeWork appears to be entering a new tumultuous stage, as the company has issued a warning to investors that it may not be able to continue its business.

“As a result of the Company’s losses and projected cash needs, combined with increased member churn and current liquidity levels, substantial doubt exists about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” reads the company’s 2023 second-quarter earnings report released this week.

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This ability to continue the business is contingent on whether they can improve liquidity and profitability over the next 12 months, including reducing rent and tenancy costs, increasing revenue by reducing the loss of members and increasing new sales, controlling expenses and limiting capital expenditures, and seeking additional capital through debt, equity securities, or asset sales.

WeWork saw revenues of US$844 million in the second quarter, representing an increase of 4% year-over-year, but a net loss of nearly US$400 million compared to US$635 million the second quarter of 2022.

Further contrast this to the third quarter of WeWork’s particularly turbulent year of pre-pandemic 2019, when the company reported 94% year-over-year revenue to US$934 million, but a loss of US$1.25 billion.

Ever since, the company has already focused on optimizing its vast real estate portfolio, reducing operating costs, and retaining and growing its membership.

In a statement addressing the most recent financial performance, WeWork interim CEO David Tolley blamed “excess supply in commercial real estate, increasing competition in flexible space and macroeconomic volatility drove higher member churn and softer demand than we anticipated, resulting in a slight decline in memberships.”

Semi-remote office work, as an enduring work-style change induced by the pandemic, has particularly thrown co-working office business models off course.

After the release of the second quarter’s financial performance, WeWork’s stock value fell by about 40% this week to only $0.13 per share.

From the high of the 2019 failed initial public offering, when WeWork’s US$47 billion valuation by investor Softbank crumbled, which led to the ousting of founder and CEO Adam Neumann, the company is now worth just US$270 million.

WeWork finally went public in October 2021 — the same month the company recorded its highest-ever stock price of over $13 per share.

WeWork reports that as of June 30, 2023, it has a worldwide real estate portfolio of 777 locations across 39 countries, which supports about 906,000 workstations and 653,000 physical memberships, equating to physical occupancy of 72%. Its average revenue per physical member was US$502 in the second quarter of 2023.

The company oversees 43 million sq ft of space across the globe, almost entirely through leases with commercial landlords. This includes over 18 million sq ft within Canada and the United States. Although they vary considerably, each WeWork location is typically over 40,000 sq ft in size.

Within Canada, WeWork currently has nearly two dozen locations in the Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal regions.

It has six locations within Metro Vancouver, including three locations in downtown Vancouver within the Bentall II and Bentall III towers of Bentall Centre, and 333 Seymour Street across from Waterfront Station. It has other locations at 2015 Main Street in the Main Alley tech cluster in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant District, as well as Marine Gateway in South Vancouver and Station Square in the Metrotown district of Burnaby.

These existing Metro Vancouver locations have a combined total floor area of almost 700,000 sq ft.

In 2019, prior to WeWork’s crash that same year, the company announced plans to open three major new locations, including 1,200 desks in four office levels of the newly-built Tower 3 of The Amazing Brentwood mall, 54,000 sq ft with 1,200 desks at an older building at 1045 Howe Street in downtown Vancouver, and a 170,000 sq ft flagship location across 10 floors at the new B5 office tower in downtown Vancouver. These locations never opened.

WeWork also previously had a partnership with Hudson’s Bay, which would have led to the department store chain leasing the top floors of its downtown Vancouver flagship store for a co-working location. The 2017-announced plan never materialized, and Hudson’s Bay now has a proposal to undergo a major redevelopment of the building.

The company has a single Alberta location at Stephen Avenue Place in downtown Calgary.

In Toronto, WeWork has a total of 10 locations, with nine locations being within downtown and one in Liberty Village. This includes the June 2023 opening of WeWork’s newest location in the world at 357 Bay Street, occupying the entire 10-storey historic building with about 65,000 sq ft of space in Toronto’s financial core.

There are also four WeWork locations in downtown Montreal.

It has six locations in Seattle, including five in the city centre, and two locations in Portland.

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A growing number of major buildings and landmarks in Vancouver feature special outdoor lighting that not only celebrates and accentuates architectural design details, but also commemorates important cultural occasions, events, anniversaries, and awareness campaigns.

Examples include red and white for Canada Day, the rainbow for LGBTQ Pride, blue and yellow in support of Ukraine in its war against Russia, orange for National Indigenous People’s Day,

Some of these landmarks even accept community requests for consideration to change the lights to certain colours on specific dates to honour a cause.

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The growing number of lighting installations as a permanent building feature have contributed to civic pride and improved the urban vibrancy of Vancouver’s nighttime landscape.

In all applications, the installations use low-energy LED lights with fully programmable lighting technology that enables a kaleidoscope of colours, patterns, and sequences.

The most prominent of these installations are locally designed, installed, and/or operated by Vancouver-based Eos Lightmedia, specifically BC Place Stadium, Science World, Canada Place, and TELUS Garden.

Here is a roundup of 11 landmarks in Vancouver with permanent programmable lighting installations:

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S CONTROL TOWER

Seen from the ground below or the skies above, the slender concrete base of the air traffic control tower of Vancouver International Airport in Richmond features brilliant programmable lighting.

Light projection from the sidewalk level of Grant McConachie Way shoots upwards to over 300 ft to illuminate the top of the tower.

Special considerations were required for its design, such as a system independent of the airport’s internet system, and precise beam angles and radio frequencies that do not interfere with piloting aircraft and air traffic control communications.

> Vancouver Airport control tower lit up in French colours. #YVR #ParisAttacks #PrayForParis pic.twitter.com/DFobxqMuZy > > — Paul Schratz (@paulschratz) November 14, 2015

PACIFIC COLISEUM

The newest addition to Vancouver’s collection of illuminated landmarks is Pacific Coliseum at Hastings Park.

In June 2023, the PNE revealed the Pacific Coliseum’s new nighttime look, following the installation of an exterior lighting system that brilliantly lights up each of the stadium’s 108 exterior panels.

There is a light up schedule, but non-profit organizations and charities are also invited to make their own requests.

The Pacific Coliseum is illuminated nightly from sunset to 11 pm.

> Today is national Indigenous Peoples Day and to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada, we have lit the Pacific Coliseum up in the colour orange. pic.twitter.com/WBzgCfbEek > > — PNE Fair / Playland (@PNE_Playland) June 22, 2023

ROGERS ARENA

The home of the NHL Vancouver Canucks features programmable lighting as well, with the exterior of Rogers Arena illuminated to acknowledge causes and charitable initiatives.

Requests can also be made by organizations to have Rogers Arena lit up in a specific colour.

> #Canucks to honour healthcare workers with pink lights at Rogers Arena 💖 https://t.co/ED12yKljML pic.twitter.com/VHJIzuMXJx > > — Offside (@OffsideDH) March 26, 2020

HARBOUR CENTRE

The Lookout at Harbour Centre tower saw a major upgrade of its lighting system about six years ago. It is similarly lit up for holidays, events, charitable causes, and other occasions. Special requests can be made by contacting their general hotline.

This is Vancouver’s highest programmable lighting installation, with The Lookout located about 550 ft above street level.

Changing colours wash the top, underside, and spire of the restaurant, and LED nodes highlight and emphasize the outer circumferences of the observation deck level.

>   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Vancouver Lookout (@vancouverlookout)

>   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Vancouver Lookout (@vancouverlookout)

>   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by J (@ohhthatguyj)

> Check out @CityofVancouver, Burrard Bridge, @VanConventions Centre, and @VanLookout who will all be lighting up in @CovenantHouseBC blue tonight in support of Sleep Out: Champions Edition! > > Thanks for helping to raise awareness about youth homelessness.#CHSleepOut pic.twitter.com/KDzqBnWWKD > > — Covenant House Vancouver (@CovenantHouseBC) February 16, 2023

CANADA PLACE

The five landmark sails of Canada Place, which form the roof of the Vancouver Convention Centre’s East Building’s exhibition halls, are illuminated nightly from dusk to dawn.

Managed by the Port of Vancouver, the installation — known as the Sails of Light — are viewable on both sides of the pier.

The port authority accepts special lighting requests for consideration from non-profit and charitable organizations.

> In support of World Cancer Day the Canada Place #SailsofLight will be illuminated orange and blue this evening > > À l’appui de la Journée mondiale contre le cancer, les #VoilesdeLumière à Canada Place seront illuminées en orange et bleu ce soir pic.twitter.com/WcIkycCF6n > > — Canada Place (@CanadaPlace) February 4, 2022

> From February 11-27, the Canada Place #SailsofLight will light red, yellow & white to celebrate the Vancouver Winter Mural Festival. The featured colours and shapes are based on Coast Salish weaving patterns that have been in use on these lands since time immemorial pic.twitter.com/dnXE4N83xF > > — Canada Place (@CanadaPlace) February 14, 2022

> The Canada Place #SailsofLight will be illuminated purple this evening in recognition of Provincial Eating Disorders Awareness Week pic.twitter.com/HlHgmGIwyO > > — Canada Place (@CanadaPlace) February 3, 2022

VANCOUVER OLYMPIC CAULDRON

Vancouver Convention Centre’s West Building’s district lighting — large markers/posts and the Vancouver Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza — are similarly illuminated to commemorate special events, causes, and awareness campaigns.

Special lighting requests can also be made.

Separately, for a fee, events held at the convention centre can also request for the reignition of the gas flame of the Olympic Cauldron.

VANCOUVER CITY HALL

Vancouver City Hall’s heritage building features a programmable lighting system to similarly recognize important events and cultural occasions.

These programmable LED lights were first installed just in time for the 2010 Olympics, replacing a previous aging lighting system.

There is a schedule of planned lightings. Special requests can be made by eligible groups for eligible reasons.

> Vancouver City Hall illuminated and controlled with @ColorKinetics‘ iColor Reach and DMX #vancouver #LED #lighting pic.twitter.com/mEzLdq6u9u > > — SLS Group Industries (@SLSGroupInc) March 9, 2015

> VAFF founder Barbara Lee kicks off #AsianHeritageMonth with @explorASIAN‘s Bev Naan and Leticia Sanchez at the lighting up of #Vancouver‘s City Hall yesterday evening. Happy Asian Heritage Month! #VAFF > > Learn more about this year’s scheduled events at: https://t.co/IhHg1LUok9 pic.twitter.com/BwxJV8TNHO > > — Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) (@VAFFvancouver) May 3, 2019

> City Hall and the Burrard Bridge will light up in green, white and red tonight to recognize Italian Heritage Month. pic.twitter.com/HNNVmdFfbi > > — City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) June 11, 2022

> #Vancouver City Hall is lit green tonight as we talk sustainable campuses at #ISCN2017 w @sustainUBC Welcome delegates! #greenestcity pic.twitter.com/hlUCGoJ4BR > > — City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) June 27, 2017

BURRARD STREET BRIDGE

Similar to Vancouver City Hall, special lighting on the Burrard Street Bridge highlights the Art Deco-style architectural features of the Burrard Street Bridge.

As part of the 2017-completed project of reconfiguring the bridge deck to accommodate permanent bike lanes, install new concrete railings and suicide-prevention barriers, and other upgrades, new programmable LED lighting was installed to illuminate the bridge’s overhead truss and the lamps along the sidewalk.

It follows the same schedule of planned lightings as City Hall, including special requests.

> Burrard Bridge construction complete…lights changable #blue#Vancouver pic.twitter.com/hMSLGlknzO > > — rap stars (@rapstarsca) October 30, 2017

> The Lights On Burrard Bridge https://t.co/YMLRT49M1l pic.twitter.com/KGUsQ1lDFP > > — Ken Ohrn (Ridin’ & readin’) (@KenOhrn) October 26, 2017

> Love how the decorative lights on the Burrard Street Bridge can be set to different colours. Very festive this weekend!🎄 @CityofVancouver pic.twitter.com/VLyPjVmf05 > > — David Johnson (@djohnson_vanbc) December 12, 2022

> Burrard bridge testing the lights @CBCNews #kitsilano #granvilleisland #artdeco pic.twitter.com/kGevTxkoeM > > — derek jones (@dekdj) October 26, 2017

> Burrard Street Bridge earlier this week. I’ve seen the lights different colours these last few months, but never a light show like this. #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/021nnz2ANH > > — Barry Komar (@barrykomar) July 18, 2021

> Burrard bridge lights still purple. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0yg6njflPF > > — DeeLeme (@synkdancer) November 23, 2021

BLOEDEL CONSERVATORY

Located at the very top of Queen Elizabeth Park at Little Mountain, the highest geographical point within Vancouver, the Bloedel Conservatory and its nighttime lights can be seen from some perspectives, where it is not obscured by the park’s tree canopy.

In 2019, the dome’s aging lighting system was upgraded to an energy-efficient LED system with colour-changing programming capabilities for events and occasions. The new system reduced the dome’s lighting energy use by 60% without changing the hours of operation.

Special requests can be made for the colour of the lighting.

> @vancouverpride Festival is this weekend! Bloedel Conservatory will be illuminated with a rainbow show every night this week to celebrate 🏳️‍🌈 #vanpride pic.twitter.com/vpJ0Ik5jtv > > — Bloedel Conservatory (@BloedelConserv) July 31, 2023

> Today, we celebrate and recognize the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of Inuit, First Nations and Métis peoples. Bloedel Conservatory will be illuminated orange this evening for National Indigenous Peoples Day 🧡#NIPD2023 #NIPDCanada pic.twitter.com/R5k3kUhXbL > > — Bloedel Conservatory (@BloedelConserv) June 21, 2023

> Bloedel Conservatory will be lit up in green tonight and tomorrow in recognition of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. pic.twitter.com/UuKWVwPAYa > > — Bloedel Conservatory (@BloedelConserv) May 6, 2023

> Bloedel Conservatory will be illuminated red and blue on April 12 & 13 to recognize Emergency Service Dispatchers & 9-1-1 Awareness Week! #911AwarenessWeek pic.twitter.com/3hhTKFrOaJ > > — Bloedel Conservatory (@BloedelConserv) April 12, 2023

> Canada joins our #GlobalGreening … here’s Bloedel Conservatory, a conservatory and aviary located at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver pic.twitter.com/nxHbaN5s1K > > — Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2020

BENTALL CENTRE

Changing-colour programmable LED lights were recently installed on the crowns of the Bentall One and Bentall Two office towers, as part of property owner Hudson Pacific Properties’ multi-faceted strategy of revitalizing the Bentall Centre complex.

This is the first time the towers have seen decorative lighting installed since its temporary lights during Expo ’86.

The lights are illuminated to commemorate celebrations, memorials, sporting events, and seasons.

TELUS GARDEN

The underside of the protruding boxes of the Telus Garden office tower that are cantilevered high above the sidewalks of Seymour Street, West Georgia Street, and Richards Street are animated with programmable LED panels. They recently underwent repairs to replace burnt-out panels.

As well, the office tower’s west facade between the 16th and 18th floors features a projection screen.

> Thanks Telus Garden for lighting up purple last night for #WorldPHDay! #PHAwareness @PHACanada @TELUSGarden @TELUS pic.twitter.com/b2otyB53mn > > — PHAdvocate (@PHAtoronto) May 7, 2016

> Today, TELUS Garden is glowing purple to show our support for ALS Action Canada (@ALSaction) and the 3,000 Canadians living with ALS. Help us #EndALS to find a cure or treatment to this devastating disease by donating today at https://t.co/p7JBwSfgAi pic.twitter.com/CtsirWfyTB > > — TELUS (@TELUS) June 2, 2021

BC PLACE STADIUM

Over a decade after it was first built, the Northern Lights display of BC Place Stadium has become a beloved part of downtown Vancouver’s nighttime skyline views, providing the city with a very distinctive visual landmark.

Programmable LED lights are contained within 1,700 panels that enclose the stadium perimeter, stacked four rows high.

This perimeter lighting system is used to enhance nighttime events held within the stadium and also to commemorate cultural occasions, holidays, seasons, and awareness campaigns.

The Northern Lights are lit from 6 am to sunrise, and from sunset to 11 pm on most nights.

Additionally, there are also programmable lights that illuminate the stadium’s white fabric roof.

Special requests can be made for the lighting sequence.

Unfortunately, the visibility of the stadium and its lighting display from False Creek will be almost entirely obscured in the future by tower developments in Northeast False Creek.

> Freedom. 🌈 #VanPride pic.twitter.com/77ugT4w6jZ > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) August 7, 2023

SCIENCE WORLD

Science World has received quite the glow-up with an all-new lighting system for its landmark dome. A half-year upgrade project concluded in early August 2023 with the first lighting of the dome in a year.

There are now 651 lights, about three times as many as before. And this includes the introduction of inward-facing lights to reflect off the shiny steel dome. It uses new state-of-the-art technology that greatly enhances its programming capabilities.

There is a longstanding tradition of lighting up the dome to commemorate holidays, special occasions, awareness campaigns, and other events. Special requests can be made.

> Aerial drone footage of Science World’s new lighting system, showing off some of its greatly enhanced capabilities. 💡😍https://t.co/UbfM1vAevy pic.twitter.com/mqBh6AUsk2 > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) August 11, 2023

> More drone footage of the new dome lights of Science World.https://t.co/UbfM1vAevy pic.twitter.com/YEnyLbreRu > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) August 11, 2023

> This is quite the nighttime glowup for Science World. 💡😍https://t.co/xMMtZLqAiw pic.twitter.com/Ft5jWTeScx > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) August 11, 2023

SKYTRAIN EXPO LINE IN BURNABY

The City of Burnaby is nearing the full completion of its installation of a five-km-long continuous span of programmable LED lighting on the underside of SkyTrain Expo Line’s elevated guideway between Patterson Station and Edmonds Station. The first segment within the Metrotown area was completed in late 2021.

It enables thematic lighting for seasons, holidays, events, and other occasions.

Similar programmable lighting installations for SkyTrain’s elevated guideway in Coquitlam and Richmond, but the Burnaby project for the Expo Line carries more features and is the most extensive. It also doubles as a placemaking project to improve visibility on the BC Parkway walking and cycling pathway, which follows the Expo Line route.

> We now have a rainbow railway! 🌈@CityofBurnaby has installed the first segment of programmable LED lighting on #SkyTrain in Metrotown. > > By early 2023, 5 km of the Expo Line from Patterson to Edmonds stations will be fully illuminated. #vanpolihttps://t.co/yipZY9CjMh pic.twitter.com/CC0iTtlyq1 > > — Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) December 17, 2021

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The theme music to The Beachcombers is like an instant nostalgia shot for a few generations of Canadians. It sparks memories of Sunday nights, of television with the family, and of the stories of Relic, Jessie, Constable John, Molly, and of course, Nick. The show became an iconic part of Canadiana, but its impact goes beyond the 387 episodes that aired on CBC from 1972 to 1990.

It literally went on to change Vancouver and the Canadian film industry.

The show debuted on October 1, 1972, and for the next 18 years, was must-watch viewing for Canadians on Sunday nights. The show followed Nick Adonidas, played by Bruno Gerussi, as he tried to earn a living as a log salvager on the coast of British Columbia. Joining him was his logging partner Jesse Jim, played by Pat John, on their boat, The Persephone.

Added to the mix was business competitor Relic, played by Robert Clothier, diner owner Molly, played by Rae Brown, and the hapless Constable John Constable, played by Jackson Davies.

At its height in the late-1980s, it often outperformed Hockey Night in Canada for the most-watched show during the week. At a time when Canada had a population of about 21 million, 3.5 million were watching The Beachcombers.

Each week, viewers tuned in to see what Nick, Relic, and Jesse were up to on the ocean or what might be happening at Molly’s Reach.

It was also ahead of its time for its portrayal of Indigenous people, including how Jesse was a partner in the business with Nick. Long before North of 60, The Beachcombers was bringing the Indigenous people of Canada to viewers.

Its format also inspired Corner Gas in many ways, and at one point, the cast of that show debated who they would be on The Beachcombers.

By the time the show ended, it was broadcast in 50 countries and was the longest-running drama series in Canadian history until Degrassi surpassed it in 2012.

But how did it change the film industry and make Vancouver a hot spot for filming?

For one thing, it was arguably the first Canadian series that did not follow an American model, giving a regional slice of life and depiction of blue-collar work that was rare on television at the time. It also set itself in British Columbia, rather than filming in British Columbia and pretending to be in a different location. The beautiful landscapes on the show were seen by viewers across Canada and the world as a result. Gibsons became known worldwide.

It also helped CBC expand its programming and production to regions outside of Toronto, where most shows were filmed at the time.

In the process, it raised the profile of Vancouver as a shooting location. Vancouver was nearly empty of film and television productions in the early 1970s. By the time The Beachcombers ended, Vancouver and British Columbia would be known as Hollywood North, with shows such as The X-Files being filmed there. Soon after The Beachcombers ended, The Odyssey was filmed in Vancouver. That show helped launch the career of a person named Ryan Reynolds.

Those who worked on the show in its early days were often new to the entire industry. Those same people took what they learned and built up the filming scene in Vancouver for decades afterward. Many of the department heads in Vancouver got their start, or were employed, on The Beachcombers, with some estimates being 1,000 people worked on the set at one point or another and then went on to other careers in the industry.

Then there are those who passed through on their way to acting fame.

These included future X-Files villain William B. Davis in 1986, Don S. Davis, who would go on to appear on Twin Peaks and as General Hammond on Stargate SG-1, appeared in an episode in 1989 and would actually move to Gibsons.

Bruce Harwood, a future Lone Gunman on The X-Files, was in an episode also in 1989, while noted Canadian actor Ian Tracey appeared in 1988. Ryan Stiles appeared in 1985 on an episode before reaching fame in the 1990s on Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Janet Wright, who played Emma on Corner Gas, appeared in an episode in 1987. Bruce Greenwood, another well-known actor who played Capt. Pike in the new Star Trek movies, appeared in two episodes in 1977 and 1978.

Interestingly, there is a rumour that a very young Michael J. Fox appeared in the 1973 episode of The Beachcombers called “Truck Logger,” but in 2012, he wrote the forward for the Beachcombers book Bruno and the Beach, noting, “I must have been the only actor in Vancouver that never appeared in a Beachcombers episode.”

Gibsons would benefit from The Beachcombers as well, even beyond the money that comes in from fans of the show visiting the community. Needful Things was filmed in the community in 1993, The Irresistible Blueberry Farm in 2016, and The Seamstress in 2009.

Its international reputation increased in 2009 when it was declared the “Most Livable Community in the World” by the United Nations.

Who knows where Hollywood North would be now, if not for a show about some guys salvaging rocks and unwinding at the local diner?

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Filipino-Canadian Alyssia Palma loves playing basketball. But as good as she feels when she’s on the court, it’s the connections she’s making off of it that bring her even more joy.

“The thing that I enjoy most about playing basketball is the community behind it,” Palma told Daily Hive. “Through the sport, I’ve been able to meet so many new friends from different teams from all over, many of which have become my best friends.

“I’ve been able to connect with many people around basketball, and their support through my journey has been incredible.”

Basketball has brought the Surrey resident farther than she could have initially dreamed. She and Demicah Arnaldo of Burnaby recently had the opportunity to represent the Philippines in the FIBA U16 Women’s Asian Championship in Jordan this summer.

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The 14-year-old rising stars, who both play together on local basketball club AthElite, helped the Philippines go undefeated in the Division B tournament and be promoted to Division A. It was a historic first-place finish for the country.

“Being able to play basketball on an international stage was such a petrifying experience knowing so many people would be watching,” shared Palma. “The first game, I knew it was going to be a bit rough, but I was able to push through and do my role.

“The experience overall was so amazing. I was able to grow as a player and learn about the different styles of play from the different countries.”

The Holy Cross Regional High School and St. Thomas More Collegiate students were two of only seven players from North America to be selected for Team Philippines.

“The feeling of being one of the seven players coming from North America was really surreal,” Palma added. It has been a great honour, especially that I am able to represent my heritage as a second-generation Filipina and still be a proud Canadian. I also feel very fortunate that I’ve been able to experience this with my AthElite teammate, Demicah Arnaldo, who I’ve played with for over two years.

“Meeting the other players from around the world was really amazing. We all clicked really quickly in the time that we had together. We got along both on and off the court and enjoyed the time that we had together in those many weeks. Achieving the gold together has bonded me with these incredible girls for life.”

Anne-Marie Palma, the mother of Alyssia, told Daily Hive that she is proud of her daughter’s on-court accomplishments and off-court drive to succeed.

“My husband and I are beyond proud. She’s worked hard to get to the world stage, and at her young age, she has a bright future ahead, playing for the Philippines,” explained Ann-Marie. “Representing our heritage is not something that we or Alyssia even imagined was possible until we were exposed to Fil-Nation, an organization that helps identify and support Filipino athletes to play at elite levels. Through this experience, she’s been able to play in the company of other talented players who’ve grown up like her – with the privilege of living in dual cultures.

“She’s had to make sacrifices as well, missing out on important family events like her brother’s graduation and being away from her family and friends so she could train for six weeks out of the country. To make it on the team was already something we were proud of, but to have her and her teammates win the tournament and pave the way for the next U16 team was a special bonus.”

Now that the San Jose Sharks have parted with Erik Karlsson, the conditions are ripe for a Tyler Myers acquisition. You might remember Frank Seravalli’s information of a couple months ago on the Daily Faceoff that the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks were working on a deal.

That it hasn’t happened yet may well be a function of Myers’ $5 million bonus due next month. Once that is paid, Myers would cost the Sharks — or any other team — just $1 million in compensation.

And you’d have to think the Sharks are inclined to do this deal following the Karlsson trade. They now have minutes available on the right side of their defence, and part of the return for Karlsson — forwards Mikael Granlund and Mike Hoffman — are veterans expected to be traded over the next couple of deadlines.

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It’s a full teardown rebuild in the Bay Area. Sell stars, acquire vets on expiring deals, and turn them both into future assets.

For the Canucks, the conditions are ripe, too. They’ve just signed Pius Suter and project to be over the salary cap.

The question now is: will it cost the Canucks anything to unload the contract? Particularly if Tanner Pearson is healthy and they have to account for him (and his $3.25 million cap hit) on their season-opening roster?

A special set of numbers proved lucky for one lottery player, who’s now celebrating a six-figure prize.

Robert White, 68, is a retiree who lives in Newmarket, Ontario. And like many other lottery players across Canada, he bought a Lotto Max ticket for the July 25 draw when the jackpot had grown to a massive $70 million. But White didn’t just pick random numbers.

“I’ve been playing the same numbers for years. They consist of my children’s birthdays,” he said.

Ultimately, two people — one in BC, another in Western Canada — split the $70 million prize. When White checked the results on the OLG website, he couldn’t believe what he was seeing: the numbers he had picked landed him a Max Millions prize worth $500,000.

“I was blown away,” Robert said. “I called my wife, and she was happy, too!”

He added that this is the biggest lottery prize he’s ever won.

While at the OLG Prize Centre to pick up his cheque, White said he’ll share his winnings with his family. He also plans to use the money to buy a new home.

“It’s such a great feeling,” he said.

The winning ticket was purchased at Towncentre News & Convenience on Davis Drive in Newmarket.

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A video that was widely shared on social media showing a driver swerving into oncoming traffic near Lillooet, BC, has prompted a police investigation.

The video was taken by a TikToker travelling behind the car in question, and the creator was concerned the driver may have been drunk. The video shows the SUV travelling in the middle of the road, nearly crashing into oncoming cars, and finally veering off the road into a ditch.

“When we first drove up behind them, they were stopped in the centre of our lane,” the creator said in the video. “I thought they were either going to get in a head-on collision or drive off the road.”

> @roslynkent TW: DRINKING AND DRIVING Scary stuff. Glad it was a safe ending for all 🙏🏻 #drunkdriver #drinkinganddriving ♬ Suspenseful and tense orchestra(1318015) – SoLaTiDo

Cpl. James Grandy with the BC RCMP told Daily Hive that a 36-year-old woman from Kamloops was arrested at the scene on August 7 in the Ten Mile Slide area north of Lillooet on Highway 99.

No one was seriously hurt in the collision, but the driver was found to have more than the allowable blood alcohol limit. Mounties have submitted impaired driving charges to the BC Prosecution Service.

The woman was released from custody after being arrested but has an upcoming court appearance.

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Former IndyCar driver Zach Claman DeMelo has issued serious accusations against NHL player Daniel Sprong, announcing in an Instagram story on Thursday that the Detroit Red Wings player assaulted him earlier this year.

DeMelo and Sprong, who both spent their childhoods in Montreal, were at the same nightclub during Grand Prix weekend in Detroit. According to the driver, Sprong hit him multiple times in the face.

“He grabbed my neck and pinned me on a wall, we were separated during that scuffle,” he wrote in an Instagram story. “Daniel came back and sucker punched me in the face while I was defenseless.”

The 25-year-old says that the blows he endured are still affecting him to this day.

“The dental work needed was brutal and I’m still not finished,” he wrote. “I also sustained a concussion that I’ve been dealing with for the past few weeks.”

DeMelo also shared photos of his face after the alleged incident. The images show scratches around his neck as well as broken teeth.

“I just wanted to bring attention to this situation as no one has the right to act this way, especially an athlete of Daniel’s caliber,” continued DeMelo. We must hold ourself to the highest of standards and for him to do this is beyond disappointing.”

“For legal reasons, I can’t say more at this time,” he concluded.

Sprong, 26, played in the Quebec Major Junior League (QMJHL) from 2013 to 2017.

Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015, the Netherlands native excelled in the 2022-2023 season, netting 21 goals and 46 points for the Seattle Kraken.

Sprong secured a one-year, $2 million contract with Detroit over the summer.

The player, the Red Wings organization, and the NHL have yet to comment on the incident involving DeMelo.

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It’s set to be a brutally hot day in Metro Vancouver.

On Saturday, August 12, Environment Canada issued a heat warning, alerting residents that “a prolonged heat wave will affect the South Coast.”

In addition to Metro Vancouver, affected areas include Fraser Valley and Howe Sound.

Temperatures are expected to soar to 33°C, and overnight lows should be around 17°C, according to the advisory. Residents are being urged to take precautions as it’s only going to get worse from here, with an intense heat wave expected to start from Sunday until Thursday.

It’s going to be so hot that it warranted a press conference by the BC government, who spoke at length about wildfire and drought conditions in the province.

Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, referred to the forecast as a “heat event.”

Conditions could feel as hot as they have been in Havana if the forecast pans out. Temperatures should start to fall to more seasonal values by Friday.

So what’s behind Saturday’s extreme weather?

“A strong ridge of high pressure will bring rising temperatures to the South Coast this weekend,” reads the statement. “Well above seasonal daytime temperatures combined with elevated overnight temperatures will mean little relief from the heat. However, daytime temperatures will be several degrees cooler near the coast due to breezes from off the water.”

It’s definitely well above average temperatures: the average high for this time of the year is 22.2°C, and the average low is 13.7°C.

Check HealthLinkBC to learn about heat-related illnesses and how to protect yourself.

With files from Amir Ali

There’s a lot of “Bad Blood” between Canadian Taylor Swift fans and Ticketmaster after the first round of stressful Eras Tour presales.

Many fans came out of the Wednesday and Thursday presales empty-handed, while resellers seemed to come out on top. Not even an hour after the sale started, sites like StubHub and Seat Geek were already reselling tickets for thousands of dollars.

Swifties took to social media to blame the “horrible experience” on Ticketmaster.

> This is for Toronto venue and this was at 11:15 > How does major Resellers get so many tickets, Ticketmaster / Taylor Swift tell me how this happens. > Unbelievable!! pic.twitter.com/71W0G75EVL > > — Bev Jenkins (@Tornado2u) August 9, 2023

On Friday, outraged fans in Canada took it to the next level. A change.org petition is now live, demanding that Ticketmaster change its policies surrounding resellers and its Verified Fan registration process.

“Presale codes have gone out, using the ‘verified fan’ registration process through Ticketmaster, however tickets are immediately being priced with dynamic pricing and being purchased for resale on third party ticket websites and social media for astronomical pricing,” reads the petition.

The petition says this gives fewer fans a fair opportunity to purchase the presale tickets.

It claims that more resellers than actual fans are getting through the Verified Fan process and purchasing the max amount of tickets to resell for a jacked-up price.

“Fans are tired, hurt, frustrated and disappointed,” reads the petition. “We want to be able to support Taylor but feel like we have had our voices and opportunities taken away from us. She has taught us to be brave and stand up for ourselves, so now we are.”

Swifties aren’t the only ones to speak out about concert ticket reselling. Canadian Indie Pop duo Tegan and Sara recently put resellers on blast on Twitter.

The petition has just over 900 signatures as of Friday afternoon.

“I want tickets at a normal price!” commented one person who signed the petition.

“You should only be able to buy tickets if your going to use them,” added another.

Swifties are also urging fans to file a complaint to Consumer Protection Ontario for the Toronto Eras Tour shows.

“Demand change for Ticketmaster’s resale policies and for laws to be implemented to cap resale prices at 50% above the original face value,” reads the petition.

You can sign the petition here.

If you’re one of the unlucky Swifties who has yet to secure a ticket, this upcoming sale will give you one more chance.

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Lizzo has finally released a statement after a bombshell lawsuit by her former dancers alleges they were sexually harassed and weight-shamed working for the singer.

In a response posted on Instagram Thursday morning, the “Truth Hurts” rapper denied the claims, calling them “unbelievable” and “too outrageous not to be addressed.”

“These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behaviour on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional,” wrote Lizzo.

>   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

If you haven’t been keeping up with the story, here’s a quick recap.

On Tuesday, August 1, NBC News published an exclusive report about the lawsuit, which was filed in Los Angeles.

Three former dancers — Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez — accused Lizzo of sexual harassment, creating a hostile work environment, religious and racial harassment, false imprisonment, interference with prospective economic advantage, and other allegations.

This includes specific claims like calling attention to one dancer’s weight gain and then firing them after she recorded a meeting because of a health condition, reported NBC News.

The dancers also accused Lizzo of pressuring one of them to touch a nude performer at a club in Amsterdam.

Another claim says the group was subjected to an “excruciating audition” after they were falsely accused of drinking on the job.

The captain of Lizzo’s dance team, Shirlene Quigly, is also included as a defendant in the lawsuit. They have been accused of deriding other performers who have had premarital sex and sharing sexual fantasies, simulating oral sex, and publicly discussing the virginity of one of the dancers, reported NBC News.

“The stunning nature of how Lizzo and her management team treated their performers seems to go against everything Lizzo stands for publicly, while privately she weight-shames her dancers and demeans them in ways that are not only illegal but absolutely demoralizing,” lawyer Ron Zambrano told NBC News.

>   > > > > > View this post on Instagram > > > > >   > > A post shared by Arianna Davis (@aridavis5678)

In her response, Lizzo rejects the idea that she created a hostile work environment for these dancers.

“Sometimes I have to make hard decisions but it’s never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or like they aren’t valued as an important part of the team,” she wrote.

The musician says that she’s not trying to play the victim, but also knows that she’s not the villain that the media has portrayed her to be.

She didn’t directly address the sexual harassment accusations but says that while she’s open with her sexuality, she cannot allow people to use that openness to make her out to be something that she’s not.

Lizzo did address the alleged weight-shaming.

“I know what it feels like to be body-shamed on a daily basis and would absolutely never criticize or terminate an employee because of their weight,” she wrote.

“I’m hurt but I will not let the good work I’ve done in the world be overshadowed by this.”

Since the lawsuit dropped on Tuesday, other former Lizzo collaborators have also opened up about similar experiences.

Sophia Nahli Allison, a filmmaker who was hired to work on a documentary about the performer, says she walked away after about two weeks on the job.

“I was treated with such disrespect by her,” she wrote in a post on Twitter.

> Sharing this because validating other Black women’s experiences is deeply important to me. pic.twitter.com/gd2xEK6szq > > — Sophia Nahli Allison (@SophiaNAllison) August 1, 2023

Lizzo still has some concerts coming up, so we’ll see if the lawsuit affects the continuation of the shows.

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Sure, last month, Tim Hortons was offering free hot brewed coffee of any size to anyone IF they had a Ken-like name (to celebrate Barbie), but the unique marketing isn’t slowing down.

From August 5 to 6, the popular coffee chain is running its first-ever Boat-Thru. So what’s a boat-thru?

It’s literally a drive-thru on the water.

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This two-day-only event will be happening on Ontario’s Lake Scugog, serving free cold beverages to guests who arrive by watercraft. The free beverages will be from the summer drink lineup, like Caramel Toffee Cold Brew, Vanilla Iced Latte, and Blackberry Yuzu and Orange Ginger Sparkling Quenchers.

“The summertime Tims Run is an iconic Canadian tradition that’s a must-do when you’re gathering with family and friends,” said Hope Bagozzi, the chief marketing officer for Tim Hortons, in a press release.

“Our summers fly by so quickly and Canadians savour every moment of their long weekends – so we thought why not open our first-ever Tims Boat-Thru so our guests on Lake Scugog don’t miss a minute on the water.”

“There’s no better way to beat the heat this long weekend and all summer long than by enjoying one of our refreshing summer beverages.”

If you find yourself on a boat, jet ski, kayak, or other watercraft on Lake Scugog (at Beacon Marina at 3 Marina Drive in Caesarea, Ontario) this weekend, check out this pop-up on the lake from 10 am to 4 pm.

Following a five-year hiatus, the Toronto Raptors are coming back to Vancouver.

The Raptors and Sacramento Kings will play a preseason game at Rogers Arena on Sunday, October 8. It’s the first NBA preseason game scheduled in Vancouver since 2019, and the first visit by the Raptors since 2018, when Kawhi Leonard made his debut with his new team.

Visits to Vancouver used to be a near-annual occurrence for the Raptors, who held training camp at Fortius in Burnaby on multiple occasions. Rogers Arena hosted Raptors games against Sacramento in 2014, the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, the Golden State Warriors in 2016, and the Portland Trail Blazers in 2018.

With each visit, energetic fan support from basketball-starved fans in Vancouver was notable.

“The Raptors have a deep connection with Canada’s west coast – our preseason games there have been a great way for our team to begin our season,” Raptors GM Bobby Webster said in a press release. “We’re looking forward to seeing Vancouver’s basketball fans at Rogers Arena in October, and to starting another exciting NBA season there.”

The Raptors, who missed the playoffs last season, are headlined by Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and new first-round draft pick Gradey Dick.

Sacramento is a team on the rise, winning their division with a 48-34 record last season and making the playoffs for the first time in 17 years. They’re led by a pair of NBA All-Stars in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. The Kings also feature Canadian power forward Trey Lyles.

The Vancouver contest is one of two neutral-site NBA preseason games to take place in Canada this season, as part of the NBA Canada Series. The Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons will play at the Bell Centre in Montreal on October 12.

“We’re extremely excited about this year’s NBA Canada Series presented by Bell, which comes at a time when basketball popularity and the level of talent coming from Canada are at an all-time high,” said NBA Canada senior VP and managing director Leah MacNab. “Through these two games and the surrounding events, the passionate NBA fans in Vancouver and Montréal will have the opportunity to see some of the best up-and-coming players in the league and several hometown heroes, which will inspire the next generation of fans and players across the country.”

Tickets will go on sale at a later date, with pre-sale opportunities available through the NBA Canada Series website.

Rapper Post Malone is the proud new owner of an ultra-rare trading card purchased from a collector right here in Ontario.

The discovery of one of the rarest trading cards in existence in Ontario sent shockwaves well beyond the collectibles community this summer, thanks in part to its estimated value of over $2 million.

The One Ring card was released back in June as part of a Lord of the Rings-themed card set for the game Magic: The Gathering. Like its namesake ring, the card was produced as a one-off, making it extremely rare and valuable in the trading community.

Finding a card valued in the millions was likely the shock of a lifetime for Toronto collector, Brook Trafton, who got even more excitement this week when the time came to sell off the rare collector’s item.

Trafton shared a video on social media showing the moment the card was purchased by Post Malone.

> This is my dream come true, meeting @PostMalone and him buying the One Ring card from me is literally a moment straight out of a fairytale. @PostMalone @wizards_magic you’ve changed my life. Things like this don’t happen to people like me. Forever grateful 🙏 ✨ #mtg #onering pic.twitter.com/VMBlDA1HdD > > — Brook Trafton (@BrookTrafton) August 1, 2023

In an Instagram post, Trafton wrote, “When I found the One Ring, the first person who came to mind was @postmalone. I have played MTG since I was a kid and obviously, it would be amazing to keep this card. But for a guy like me, being able to sell it is life-changing.”

“I just really hoped it would go to someone who would appreciate it as much as I do. This is my dream come true, meeting @postmalone and him buying the One Ring card from me is literally a moment straight out of a fairytale. @postmalone @wizards_magic you have changed my life. Things like this don’t happen to people like me, I guess it’s magic. I am forever grateful.”

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Even before the sale went down, Trafton was clearly excited about striking rich. Another video shows his hands visibly shaking before sending off the card for pre-sale grading.

> The guy who pulled “The One Ring” Magic card worth $2,600,000 took this video before sending it in for grading… pic.twitter.com/5VnBHFCZ5X > > — The Collectibles Guru 🧠 (@ericwhiteback) August 2, 2023

Now a couple million bucks wealthier and with a new celeb friend, Trafton is sure to remember the now-gone card that changed his life forever.

A video from the recent women’s 100m sprint at the World University Games in China is going viral for all the wrong reasons.

Finishing in last place by what seemed like a country mile, Somalian runner Nasra Abukar Ali has apparently set a new record at the event with her 21.81 second run believed to be the slowest sprint ever recorded by the FISU.

And to be fair, calling it a “sprint” is a bit of an overstatement.

The seemingly unprepared athlete finished a whole 10 seconds behind the winner of the race, jogging her way to the finish line.

> An untrained runner from Somalia has reportedly set a new record for the slowest 100m sprint after competing at the @FISU World University Games 👀 > > Nasra Abukar Ali posted a time of 21.81 seconds, finishing a full 10 seconds behind the winner⏱ pic.twitter.com/95KOoCrapm > > — Eurosport (@eurosport) August 3, 2023

The 20-year-old’s run was so slow that Somalia’s sports minister Mohamed Barre Mohamud publicly apologized on Wednesday.

The minister also ordered that Khadijo Aden Dahir, the chairwoman of the national track and field federation, be suspended in a letter addressed to the Somali National Olympic Committee and tweeted by the ministry.

> Suspension of the Chairwoman of the Somali Athletics Federation, Ms. Khadijo Aden Dahir pic.twitter.com/UZsO0A4UiA > > — Ministry of Youth and Sports of Somalia (@MoysFGS) August 2, 2023

When Mohamud addressed the issue, he stated that his ministry had no knowledge of how Abukar Ali was selected to participate in the prestigious event without proper training or preparation. This has since raised questions about the selection process and the criteria used to choose athletes to represent the country at international competitions.

In the report about Dahir, she is accused of “abuse of power, nepotism, and defaming the name of the nation”.

There have also been allegations of the young sprinter being a relative of Dahir’s, allowing her the chance to compete because of it, The Associated Press reported.

The ministry also intends to “pursue legal action” against the chairman of the country’s athletics federation and any other “individuals responsible for falsification of the Somali University Sports Association.”

To make matters worse, on Tuesday, the Association of Somalia Universities said it had not sent any runners to China as part of an official team.

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