Monday, March 11, 2019

Campus invited on a wild goose chase

This week, the hunt begins.

#GooseChaseUW is a campus-wide scavenger hunt that encourages all employees and students to engage with all services, faculty, and clubs across campus that support sustainability. Students, faculty and staff can join in the shenanigans for a chance at a $600 grand prize.

The week-long campaign gathers over 20 services, faculty, and clubs across campus to host online and offline activities.

Here's how it works:

1. First, download the GooseChase app.
2. Enter the hunt code: NDV3MV to join the chase.
3. Daily activities will be released on the app this morning at 9:00 a.m.
4. Participate in daily online and offline activities for your chance to win

The scavenger hunt is part of a promotional campaign for the upcoming Impact Alliance Global Solutions Conference, set to take place on March 16 in the Science Teaching Complex.

The one-day conference will gather 400 university students and community members across Waterloo Region to showcase the different pathways to achieve meaningful change, and promote collaboration through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Special opening remarks will be presented by the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Ontario's Lieutenant-Governor, and MP for Waterloo Bardish Chagger, and include the attendance of municipal officials.

Impact Alliance is a student-led organization that has a strong passion for taking action to bring sustainable development solutions forward. The group was founded to gather university clubs and sustainability focused students together and increase collaboration across clubs, share resources, and work towards effective sustainable development at the University of Waterloo.

Employment milestones will be celebrated at 25-50 year dinner

Employees celebrating milestone anniversaries will be celebrated next month at the 25-50 Year Dinner.

The former 25-Year-Club event now formally celebrates those faculty and staff members who have worked at the University for 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and, yes, even 50 years.

This year's milestone employees include:

Those celebrating 25 years (1994):

Adairsh Ramlall; David Everest; Elizabeth Bevan; Glenn Stillar; Jeff Voskamp; Jenniffer Fleet; Jonathan Morgan; Jonathan Price; Karen Flanagan; Keith Peck; Kenneth Salem; Kimberley Boucher; Lori Suess; Louise Green; Mari-Alice Jolin; Michael Greulich; Micheal Stone; Monica Vesely; Nancy MacNeill; Philip Bland; Randy Jardin; Robert Park; Stephanie Filsinger; Sue Ann Campbell; Tammy Neal; Timothy Ireland; and Trefford Simpson.

Those celebrating 30 years (1989):

Anita O'Connor; Brenda Denomme; Brian Forrest; Carol Murray; Cynthia Zalewski; David Ferguson; David Wang; Debbie Collins; Denise Mueller; Diane Bandura; Dorothy Chapman; Eilleen Davidson; Elizabeth Weckman; Helen Simon; J.Scott Paterson; James Johnston; James Peacock; Jean Andrey; Jeff Mason; Jennifer Crane; Jennifer Rothwell; John Hirdes; John Michela; Karen Macedo; Karen Majaury; Karl Kliewer; Kenneth Hadley; Laurie Peloquin; Linda Brogden; Lisa Schneider; Lisa Szepaniak; Margaret O'Neill; MaryJane Thomas; Ming Li; Nancy Heide; Patricia Barlow; Patricia Rumble; Patrick Ulett; Robyn Landers; Ron Koelewijn; Ronald McCarville; Rose Koebel; Roydon Fraser; Ruth Forlippa; Sandra Fletcher; Sharon Dahmer; Steven Furino; Susan Beaupre; and Wendy Fleming.

Those celebrating 35 years (1984):

Alison Zorian; Audrey Sloboda; Beniamino Colussi; Catherine Richardson; Christine Strome; Dennis Herman; Donna Schell; James Baleshta; Jerry Hutten; Joel Norris; Joyce Becker; Keith McGowan; Kimberley Gingerich; Les Van Dongen; Margaret Feeney; Marian Davies; Melanie Campbell; Peter Carrington; Philip Regier; Robin Cohen; Terrance McMahon; Tracy Taves; Vicky Lawrence; Vivienne Ballantyne; Wayne Gadsby; and William Kern.

Those celebrating 40 years (1979):

Antonio Chaves; Barbara Heppler; Fatima Mitchell; Jeannie Watt; Joseph Heffernan; Patricia Bester; Paul Gatcke; and Shaun Frape.

Those celebrating 45 years (1974):

John Costa; Wayne Whetstone; Dave Bowyer; and Connie Deighan.

The 25-50 Year Dinner takes place on April 16 at 6:00 p.m. in Federation Hall.

Waterloo students make NSERC video contest finals; other notes

Waterloo graduate students Siyavash Izadi, Rina Wehbe and Reinier Torres Labrada.

University of Waterloo graduate students Siyavash Izadi, Rina Wehbe, and Reinier Torres Labrada are among top entries for the NSERC Science, Action! Video contest; a national competition that showcases NSERC funded research.

The videos with the most views by March 27 will proceed to the judges’ panel, where they will compete for one of 15 prizes.

For more information and to support Siyavash, Rina and Reinier, watch their videos.

The Healthy Workplace Committee has issued its Healthy Workplace Tips for March:

• Have walk and talk meetings to get away from your desk and get the blood flowing.
• Take lunch away from your desk; this is a great way to refuel your energy and take your mind off any work-related stress.
• Meditate to clear your head (even if it is just for a few minutes).
• Make a workplace wellness bulletin board, providing employees with all the different resources for their health and wellness
• Encourage employees or your whole team together, to attend presentations or view online videos and have discussions regarding mental health awareness.

Check out the latest issue of the Healthy Workplace Newsletter for more information.

Here's today's Nutrition Month "myth vs. fact" supplied by Health Services Dietitian Sandra Ace:

Claim:  Heartburn is caused by eating too many spicy foods.

Evidence:  Many foods and beverages can trigger or increase the symptoms of heartburn, which actually isn’t related to the heart at all. When you drink or eat something, it passes from your mouth through the esophagus and into the stomach, which produces acid to help start the digestion process. A muscular ring, called a sphincter, joins the esophagus and the stomach and ensures the flow of acid is one way. If the sphincter doesn’t close tightly, stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. The resulting discomfort, also called GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), can range from mild to severe and can be felt in the chest or even as far up as the throat.

In addition to spicy foods that contain chili, cayenne or black pepper, other common heartburn triggers include citrus fruits and juices, coffee and other caffeine-containing drinks, hot beverages, tomato products like pasta sauce or tomato juice, onion and garlic, peppermint, chocolate, carbonated beverages and alcohol. Consuming rich, greasy or large meals or eating right before you go to bed can aggravate symptoms. If you are overweight, smoke, are pregnant or take certain medications you may be at higher risk of experiencing heartburn.

The GI Society provides Canadians with free, evidence-based information on many topics related to digestive health and has lots of resources on GERD and heartburn, including this tipsheet. There are many medicines available to treat symptoms, both over-the-counter and prescription. Contact your healthcare provider if your heartburn symptoms persist. If you develop sudden or severe chest pain and are not sure what is causing it, seek medical attention right away.