Hosts Natalie Rocha and Bronwyn Beairsto
Hosts Bronwyn Beairsto and Natalie Rocha began the ninth and final show of the season with news on the news. Namely, the news that Postmedia and Torstar have swapped dozens of newspapers, most of which will or have already been shut down. Metro Ottawa is among the papers that have closed, and before taking her hosting chair Bronwyn spoke with one of their former reporters about signs leading up to the decision and what it means for journalism in Canada.
Midweek reporter Meaghan Richens previewed a fundraising event for Northern Lights Refuge, a settlement group for LGBT refugees established last August. The organization’s co-ordinator told Meaghan that their fundraising event at Todric’s fine dining and catering in Vanier will help them through the application process to do private sponsorship for LGBT refugees fleeing persecution in their home countries and seeking safety in Canada.
Midweek’s Meaghan Richens interviews one of the co-ordinators of Northern Lights Refuge, Adam Frey.
While Northern Lights Refuge works to provide access to safety for LGBT refugees, Carleton University professor Dr. Adrian Chan is being recognized for his research and advocacy around improving accessibility for the disability community. Chan has received a $1.65 million grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for his READi training program (Research and Education in Accessibility, Design, and Innovation). Midweek’s Kat Topinka captured audio of Chan explaining the need to integrate formal, interdisciplinary training into university curriculums so that accessibility is not an afterthought.
Also at Carleton, the Women’s Centre is hosting its first-ever Survivors Speak event for survivors of gender-based violence. Reporter Natalie Rocha spoke with the event programming director about what attendees can expect and what other supports the centre provides.
Music producers Karen-Luz Sison and Tamara LaPlante
Later in the show Midweek’s Darnell Dobson shared a story about gender-based violence in Haiti, which was discussed during a Doctors Without Borders panel this week, and reporter Hamzia Bawa-Zeba brought us a story about three members of the Nobel Women’s Initiative who are making strides toward equality for women globally.
Winter is coming, and while many people in Ottawa are retiring their bikes, the Ottawa Bike Messenger Association is encouraging riders to commit to winter cycling. Midweek’s Kristian Kelly spoke with the association’s co-ordinator about how to prepare your tires and attire for winter riding, what streets to avoid (cough … Waller Street … cough), proper maintenance and other advice. Midweek’s Bronwyn Beairsto followed up with comments from a BMA workshop, which some riders attended to advocate, others to get inspired, and others to share winter cycling war stories.
Producer Jake Munro and teaching assistant Nathan White calculate the show’s runtime…
Art and crafts were featured in two separate stories: Midweek’s Em D’Orazio reported on a henna workshop put on by Empowerem, a club dedicated to empowering young Muslim women. The club president explained how henna is done, and a professional henna artist told how one of her bridal henna session lasted six hours.
Ample time also goes into the crafts featured at the One of a Kind Show & Sale in Toronto. A vendor that works with recycled glass told reporter Carly Pickett that she starts crafting a year in advance of the show, and the director of the show said her team is on the lookout for new talent year-round.
Some say athletes are in their prime between the ages of 27 and 30, but a 39-year-old Algonquin Thunder men’s basketball player is proving he can still shoot competitive hoops. Dan Stoddard is a grey-bearded OC transpo driver, father and first-year Algonquin College student who has become a local celebrity for making the college team. Midweek’s Andrew Savory joined Stoddard on his bus route to talk about his basketball history, the importance of time management and balance, and how he’s getting along with his teammates, many of whom are half his age.
…as this Midweek team’s last broadcast ticks down to its final minutes.
Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and Christmas music in December. But some stores start playing yuletide carols in October. Midweek’s Darnell Dobson asked Rideau Centre shoppers “how soon is too soon?” — and then, as we neared 1:30 p.m. and the end of our season together, the entire Midweek team shared a surprise heartfelt “thank you” to their Midweek mentors, both named Dave.
All that and much more on the Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017 edition of Midweek. Our show will be back on early in the new year, brought to you by a whole new team — so please tune back in then!