By Tayvie Van Eeuwen
@tayvieeee

The sun is out and somehow, everything feels a little bit better. Fill up your heart and soul with these little bits of happiness.

National

edmonton locates treasure hunt’s $100,000 gold prize

The search for buried treasure is over!

GoldHunt, a private company that hides $100,000 prizes in various cities, recently announced their treasure hunt in Calgary. After Edmonton’s prize was found within 20 hours, Jeff Lerue and his girlfriend were determined to find Calgary’s first.

On Monday night they began their research, going through clues and looking at Google Maps. A day later, they felt confident in their plan, and drove to Calgary where they searched into the night.

Lerue said that there were crowds of people searching within one neighbourhood, but continued to miss a secluded area nearby. Soon enough, Lerue came across the prize promising $100,000 worth of silver and gold.

For Lerue, this comes at the perfect time as he hasn’t been able to work for two years due to a disability. He said that this money will help him pay off his debts and wait for a knee replacement comfortably.

“This couldn’t have come at a better time for me,” explained Lerue in a news release. “I was just denied AISH.”

Congrats Jeff Lerue!

world renowned doctor to receive $20 million for cervical cancer research

Both the federal government and BC Women’s Health Foundation have committed to funding $10 million each for cervical cancer research based in Vancouver.

Internationally recognized leader, Dr. Gina Ogilvie, is a forerunner in vaccines and early detection concerning cervical cancer. Her work as both a UBC professor and a researcher at BC Women’s hospital has made her the one to oversee all funding provided by said sources.

This funding comes from the extended research needed towards HPV vaccinations.

“The research here will examine how effective one dose of HPV vaccine is among girls who’ve already been vaccinated, review how effective the HPV vaccine is in British Columbia and improve access to cervical screening by piloting an HPV self-collection program among rural, indigenous and new Canadian women,” explained federal Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor.

Ogilvie’s previous work has been along very similar issues. Her dedication to educating the public about the connection of HPV and cervical cancer has encouraged students to receive their shots.

As Ogilvie continues research, we hope this funding helps to improve the health of all women across the globe.

worldwide

Young black woman makes history at yale

A few weeks ago, Ocase, a young woman from Yale, graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Astrophysics. This made her the second Black woman in history to graduate from Yale in this department. Not only did she finish her degree, but she won the department’s prize for astronomy.

Her tweet about her incredible success has now gone viral, being favourited over 235,000 times. With an astounding abundance of modesty, Ocase used her fast fame to direct support towards Stephanie Washington, who was shot by Yale police last month.

In addition, she continued the thread to encourage the awareness of science and mentorship programs available for young Black women in New Haven. With many links leading to educational support systems, Ocase has gifted others knowledge.

Learn about more Black junior astronomers on @That_Astro_Chic‘s Twitter.

Blind and autistic contestant, kodi lee, buys ticket to ‘America’s Got talent’ final 12 with golden buzzer

Both judges and viewers were stunned by Kodi Lee, a blind and autistic teen with a knack for singing. His incredible performance of Donny Hathaway’s “A Song For You” won him a standing ovation and ticket to the final 12.

Despite his struggles, Lee’s mother remarked that he has excelled in music since an early age.

“His eyes just went huge,” she said. “He started singing and that’s when I was in tears because that’s when I realized, ‘Oh my gosh, he’s an entertainer.'”

“Through music and performing he was able to withstand living in this world because when you’re autistic it’s really hard to do what everybody else does. It actually has saved his life, playing music.”

Lee’s story particularly touched Gabrielle Union, a new mother and the most recent addition to AGT’s judge lineup.

“I’m a new judge this season and I’m also a new mom this year,” Union shared. “It’s the toughest job I’ve ever had, it’s also the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. You just want to give your kids, the moon, the stars and the rainbows.”

Union continued her recognition by rewarding Lee with a golden buzzer and confirmed spot in the show’s final round.

Safe to say we all cried watching this! See the touching video here.

Artist recreates his daughter as Mona Lisa to inspire and empower

I think I’m safe to say this is a new level of incredible parenting.

When Laurence Cheatham’s daughter told her dad she wanted to draw the Mona Lisa, but was intimidated, she didn’t know he would turn her hesitation into a surprise.

As a way of motivating her to pursue her dream project, Cheatham turned her into the Mona Lisa. The beautiful painting acted as a symbol of empowerment, giving Cheatham’s daughter the ability to see both herself and her potential in art.

In addition, he drew her as Frida Kahlo– the famous Mexican artist and activist known for her bold self-portraits.

“This painting, along with a few others, are my way of encouraging her because she loves to draw too,” Cheatham told USA Today. “I’ve drawn her plenty of times in the past, but this is the first time I’ve created paintings of her at this magnitude.”

“I told her, ‘with the right amount of practice and patience, I think you can definitely nail it. If I can do it, so can you’.”

Her reaction to the unveiling of the painting has now gone viral, with almost a million views and tens of thousands of likes across various platforms.

This story is the perfect reminder of how important representation is. Check out @thisissketch on Instagram to support Black talent!

couple spends 20 years regrowing over 300 acres of rainforest

In 1991, Pamela and Anil Malhotra purchased 55 acres of private forested lands. This deforested region had been subject to destruction for cardamom and coffee field. However, you would never know now.

Over twenty years later, the couple has rehabilitated over 300 acres of land into a healthy rainforest. Regarded as one of the most incredible rainforest sanctuaries in the world, the Malhotra’s dedication to this patch of southern India has truly revitalized the land.

They began by slowly growing back natural grasses and shrubbery. Once there was a healthy abundance, native insects naturally came back and allowed the land’s native trees to thrive.

Many years later, elephants and monkeys moved back into their past home. According to the United Nations, the Sai Sanctuary is considered one of the world’s greatest “hot spots” of biodiversity.

Today, numerous rare and threatened species prosper in the rainforest. These include: river otters, civet cats, giant Malabar squirresl, lesser loris, monkeys, snakes, foxes, jackals, leopards, the Asian elephant, Royal Bengal Tiger, and more.

One, couple goals. Two, can we all try and do this?

New York barbershop creates safe space for LGBTQ+ Folx to change their look

After hearing stories from her friends in the LGBTQ+ community, Khane Kutzwell decided to change the sub-par standard for inclusive barbershops.

Her friends told her of horrendous experiences including: denial of service, hateful and derogatory comments, and refusal to get the haircut they asked for. Even those outside of the LGBTQ+ community were telling her they felt a need to be hyper-masculine while in a barbershop.

“When you get your hair cut as a queer person, people just assume you want a regular chop, or something like that,” said a Kutzwell customer.

“But for me, when I first cut my hair, it was an emotional decision. I might go to, let’s say, a male-dominated barbershop and they might look at me differently or treat me differently or not listen to what I want.”

Kutzwell took matters into her own hands and set out to create a barbershop where everyone could feel safe. She enrolled in a barbering program at the American Barber Institute and upon graduation, turned a bedroom in her house into her first hair studio.

Over the next ten years, every place she lived would become a home barbershop. As she grew her clientele across New York, California, Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, and New Jersey, the need for a larger location became clear.

With the help of a client and his family, Kutzwell was able to open a location of Camera Ready Kutz Inc. in December of 2017. Since then, the shop has grown to eight barbers and many loyal customers.

“A lot of people believe that your hair holds a lot of weight. So for me, cutting my hair off was also cutting a part of me. You know, and moving onto a next chapter,” concluded a Kutzwell client.

12-year-old student starts pride parade in her hometown

Molly Pinta is a 12-year-old social justice warrior. Her dedication to the LGBTQ+ community led her to doing something unheard of for her age– starting her own pride parade.

Her home town of Buffalo Grove was lacking inclusive events to celebrate their internal LGBTQ+ community. After being inspired by neighbouring cities, including Aurora’s Inaugural Pride Parade, Pinta decided to aspire to the same for her home.

As a gay woman herself, Pinta holds pride close to her heart. With the help and encouragement of many gay family members and friends, she created the Pinta Pride Project.

The project aims to “keep pride coming to Buffalo Grove every year and to support other young people in bringing their own events.” Their website states that Pinta’s largest goal is for being gay to be both normal and seen.

Check out their website here to learn more.

A self-declared witch, Tayvie spends her time with all things magic. She loves a good sunset, iced coffee, and every known essential oil. Catch her chilling with her black-cat sidekick, Shadow, and hiding by the ocean. Look for her bold eyebrows and vintage style, and you’re bound to find her.