Photo from CNN
By Tayvie Van Eeuwen
@tayvieeee
Summer’s ending but that doesn’t mean we have to succumb to the doom and gloom of fall. Celebrate the good with A Happy Place: Volume 6!
Local
retired Richmond Fisherman wins $60 Million lotto max
Joseph Katalinic has been retired for 20 years in his hometown of Richmond. Little did he know his retirement plans would change one Wednesday afternoon.
He stopped by Seafair Centre to scan his Lotto Max ticket, not expecting to get the surprise of a lifetime: $60 million.
“I thought to myself that it can’t be true… I was so excited, I had to go to two other locations to scan my ticket again just to make sure it was real,” Katalinic told Vancouver Is Awesome.
His Quick Pick ticket made BC history as the largest lottery prize ever won. Prior to Katalinic’s perfect seven number match, BC had three $50 million Lotto Max winners.
Katalinic’s record breaking win is definitely a well-deserved one. After working hard as a fisherman for the better part of his life, he can now relax very comfortably.
In the future, Katalinic says he plans to “live like a king”, make family trips to Hawaii, and visit his parent’s hometown in Europe.
Congratulations!
Western Canada’s largest pet festival arrives in vancouver
A dream. Am I right?
Put on by The Day of the Dog, Pet-A-Palooza is Vancouver’s best festival of the year (in my opinion). Known as the West Coast’s largest outdoor free and pet friendly festival, the event has popped up in Calgary, Victoria, and now Vancouver.
So, how did they decide to come to Vancouver? The latest census illustrates that 1 in 8 Vancouverites owns at least 1 dog. Imagine all those pups!
The day-long Yaletown event swept both people and pups off their feet. Pet-A-Palooza featured 70 of the leading pet related exhibitors, with photo booths, yoga with puppies, trick-or-treating, and a treat tasting station.
Looking for some cute pictures of the day? Find them on Pet-A-Palooza’s Instagram.
12-year-old Vancouver prodigy makes debut at LPGA
Michelle Liu is playing in the big leagues at only 12-years-old. This August, the Vancouver eighth grader made her way to the LPGA by being the top Canadian finisher in the Canadian Amateur. Now, she’s in the same field as some of her idols.
Liu is not only making history as the youngest woman to ever play in the Canadian Women’s Open, but for her notorious swing. Videos of her competing have gained attention online, with many calling her game “beautiful.”
“I hope to become a professional golfer one day and play on the LPGA,” she told the Toronto Sun. “I hope to be just as great, but not better than Brooke Henderson.”
Despite missing the cutline, Liu got to experience the thrill of being against some of golf’s top players.
As CBC explains, she had many of her career firsts.
“Hearing her name called out on the first tee at an LPGA Tour stop. Her first news conference, first birdie at a pro event, and first walk up the 18th fairway in front of an adoring crowd,” wrote Gregory Strong from CBC.
With Liu back in Vancouver, the real work begins.
“I think it’ll take a few days to digest,” said Coach Rob Houlding to CBC. “The biggest thing is that she’s seeing how some of the best players play. She can gauge her performance against theirs and get some reference on what she’s working towards.”
Nationwide
Alberta woman uses 34 year-old coupon to get into disney for free
This is my dream come true. *Praying this happens to me.*
Since her early teenage years, Tamia Richardson, has fostered a deep love for Disney. When she was only 14-years-old she visited the parks on Disneyland’s 30th anniversary, where Disney was giving out prizes to every 30th guest (how times have changed). Richardson got lucky and won a pass to use for a return visit- which she kept for over 30 years.
The price difference between a ticket in 1985 and now is approximately $75, for the cheapest single day admission. While getting ready for a girls’ trip to Disney with her mother, aunt, and daughters Mia and Maren, Richardson decided to take a trip down memory lane. Tucked away in an old shoebox, she found pictures, mementos, and her 34-year-old ticket.
Upon inspection, she realized the ticket had no expiration date. Trying her luck, she approached Disney with the ticket, where they verified its details and let Richardson in without as much as a surcharge.
After her free day, Richardson told CBC about another crazy occasion between her and a park photographer.
“He remembered the gift-giving machine, or whatever it was called,” Richardson remarked to CBC. “He would have been working that day he [told us]. So, that was kind of fun.”
Altogether, Richardson called the day a “full circle moment”. Since the story broke, Richardson and her family have been the subject of global journalism.
Take a look at Disney’s post about the incident here!
random act of kindness- $100 bill and note for a lucky Nova Scotia resident
Sometimes, I really love Canadians.
In the town of New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, an anonymous individual left a $100 bill and sweet note in a park. The package was taped to a gazebo, protected by a Ziplock bag.
That weekend while preparing for a funding announcement, recreation staff member, Doug Miller, arrived at Carmichael Park to find the gift. The Town of New Glasgow posted the story on their Facebook page to thank the stranger and empower the community.
New Glasgow’s efforts proved successful, with the story being the talk of the town and racking up almost 1,000 likes and hundreds of shares.
The note read,
“Whoever finds this $100 bill it is yours! I hope it will bring you joy and that you will use it for your own enjoyment. Always know that there is good I the world and joy to be found. I hope you know, or will learn that you are priceless and with more than any paper or plastic. I hope that you will always choose to be happy.”
My faith in humanity is restored.
Worldwide
Variety to waive popular emmy party for donation to planned parenthood
With everything going on in the USA concerning abortion, this news brings a bit of light.
Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that is the main provider of sexual and reproductive health services in the United States. As a prominent part of international sexual health, they are the USA’s largest sex educator and work with 100 global organizations.
The decision to forego Variety’s annual Emmy Awards party came in wake of Planned Parenthood’s August 19 news of their withdrawal from the federal family planning programme. The sexual health provider made the announcement after the Trump administration put in blockades for clinics to refer patients for abortions.
Without federal funding, Planned Parenthood has lost around $60 million per year. However, the organization says it will challenge the “unethical and dangerous gag rule” in court.
“We are so grateful to Variety for its unwavering support of Planned Parenthood and commitment to sexual and reproductive health and rights,” said Director of Arts and Entertainment Engagement, Carol Spruch.
As for Variety’s motive to stand with Planned Parenthood, Variety Editor-in-Chief, Claudia Eller, and Group Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer, Michelle Sobrino-Stearns, say they will “[continue] to advocate for women’s rights.”
shelter dog makes big screen debut in disney’s ‘lady and the tramp’
Despite public opinion, there’s two things that make this story so glorious. 1.) That Disney has decided to make a live-action of Lady and the Tramp and 2.) They chose a shelter dog.
Meet Monte: the two-year old terrier mix that had been residing in Phoenix, Arizona, after being transferred from Las Cruces, New Mexico. The scruffy pup had been waiting for adoption, not knowing his would come with celebrity status.
Earlier this summer, Disney producers visited the shelter, where they selected Monte to play Tramp (voiced by Justin Theroux). Once social media caught wind of the story, Monte became a viral sensation.
Shelter staff at HALO Animal Rescue told local station CBS 5 that Monte was a joy to have. His friendly and loving nature made him a perfect pick, especially for a Disney movie.
Overjoyed to see Monte have his big break, HALO rejoiced on Facebook saying, “We have a celebrity dog in our midst!”
“His adopters say he’s been such a good boy and loving life,” the shelter explained. “We are all so happy for him and can’t wait to check out the movie when it comes out!”
Watch the trailer of Lady and the Tramp here. The movie will be available starting November 12 on Disney+.
A self-declared witch, Tayvie spends her time with all things magic. Her circle is small, but her joy is large. She splits her time between over-thinking and visiting Disneyland. Read her articles to take a peek inside the world of mental illness and happy news, because it’s all about balance, right?
