Latest news with #Bergquist
08-08-2025
- Business
Forget Vegas and Florida. Canadians are skipping the U.S. for other international spots
As an avid traveller, Kelly Bergquist used to visit the United States at least once a year. The Edmonton woman was last south of the border in August 2024 when she went to a concert in Las Vegas. She considered another U.S. trip this year, but the ongoing trade war made her think again. I just don't really want to support them right now. If they're going to do that to us, I don't want to give any money to them, Bergquist said. Bergquist said she may instead go to Mexico in the future, and she is already planning a big trip to the Balkan countries in southeastern Europe for next year. I could have easily done a Mississippi River cruise or done any kind of cruise that basically goes out of the States or things like that. But as of right now, I'm just putting all that aside until we kind of see where things are going, she said. Enlarge image (new window) Kelly Bergquist use to travel to the United States at least once a year. Now, with the ongoing trade war, she is reconsidering her travel plans and instead making plans to travel to other international destinations. Photo: CBC / Samuel Martin Since the start of the recent trade war, some Canadians have been shunning travel to the United States (new window) . Many are opting for trips within Canada instead, but there is new data showing Canadians are turning to international destinations other than the United States. Data provided by Flight Centre Canada to CBC News shows that travel spending for many countries booked between May 1 to July 30 is up compared to last year. Travel spending jumped 148 per cent in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 137 per cent in Osaka, Japan, 112 per cent in Copenhagen, Denmark and 101 per cent in Curaçao in the Caribbean, according to Flight Centre Canada data. Aruba, also in the Caribbean, also saw a 71 per cent jump in travel spending, along with Lisbon, Portugal at 61 per cent. Meanwhile, Prague, Czech Republic saw an increase of 38 per cent, Barcelona, Spain saw 35 per cent, Dublin, Ireland jumped 29 per cent and spending in Cape Town, South Africa went up 27 per cent. WATCH | Where will Canadians head instead of the U.S.? Tourism organizations from several countries are also showing similar trends. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, between January and June, Japan saw 335,400 Canadian visitors, compared to 272,264 during the same period in 2024 — an increase of 23 per cent. Turismo de Portugal told CBC News that, from January to May, the number of Canadian visitors grew 6.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. Data from Visit Brasil provided to CBC News reveals there were 57,065 Canadian tourists in Brazil between January and June, a 12.9 per cent jump from the same period last year when there were 50,556 Canadian tourists. Enlarge image (new window) Data provided by Flight Centre Canada to CBC News shows the countries that have seen increases in travel spending by Canadians between May and July compared to the same time last year. Photo: CBC / Adam Ciolfi Flight options, promotional materials and the exchange rate can all influence how a trip is planned. Andrew Stafford, a manager with Flight Centre in Vancouver, said tensions with the United States are top of mind for clients. In the scenario that people are choosing not to do those four or five-day trips south of the border, we're seeing them compile that time and put it into one longer trip to see further-flung destinations, he said. People are still travelling at the same rate they were. They're just choosing different destinations. Targeted campaigns Marival Group, a Canadian-owned hotel chain in Mexico, has also seen more Canadians at its three all-inclusive resorts since the start of the trade war, according to Salvador Ramos, vice president of sales and marketing. Ramos pegs the increase at between five and six per cent, which he said translates to about 15,000 more Canadians at Marival Group's hotels. Enlarge image (new window) In provided materials, a view is seen of Marival Armony resort in Mexico. Photo: Submitted by Marival Resorts [They] give us the opportunity to show our brand and let them know that we are super welcoming Canadians. It's a market that we love, that we care for, said Ramos when asked how coveted Canadian travelers are right now, adding Canadians make up a sizable chunk of the company's business year-round. Feeling safe and welcome Every year, Joan Allison of Windsor, Ont., would spend four months in Fort Myers Beach, Fla., and a couple other weeks in the U.S. campaign. After U.S. President Donald Trump took power in January, Allison said she lost her mojo to be in the United States. Allison cites a combination of Trump's pardons for Jan. 6 insurrectionists, border security concerns and the trade war for her changing travel attitudes. The threats to our economy are massive.… And so for that reason alone, I have no desire to spend any money in the United States, she said. An ardent traveller, she is now proactively choosing international travel that does not involve the United States. Allison said she has booked a trip to Portugal for next year and is mulling another sunny destination as well. Wayne Smith, the director of the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Research at Toronto Metropolitan University, said Canadians want to go to places where they will feel safe. Canadians do like to travel in general. But we're also seeing that Canadians are changing their travel patterns to go to places where they feel comfortable and welcome, he said. Smith also said that Canadians like good value and with rates in cities such as Las Vegas and Los Angeles being seen as expensive and aggressive, he argues that there could be a long-term chill on travel to the U.S. You add in the social political stuff … and then you add in things like the immigration permits and the potential of dealing with border security and ICE, this is probably not going to be a short-term pattern for the U.S., he said.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jerry Bergquist remembered for his dedication, work for Stutsman County
Apr. 30—JAMESTOWN — Gerald "Jerry" Bergquist is being remembered for his dedication, loyalty and hard work for the county and Jamestown community. "I don't think the county has ever had a more dedicated, loyal employee than Jerry Bergquist," said Mark Klose, who served on the county commission for 40 years. Bergquist, 72, Jamestown, passed away on Thursday, April 24, in SMP Health Ave — Ave Maria. He was serving as the Stutsman County Commission chairman when he passed away. "He was just one of those guys that loved our community and was involved in every aspect of it," said Scott Edinger, Jamestown chief of police. "Actually, he didn't just talk about how he'd like to make change. He went out and was constantly involved in making change." A post on Stutsman County's Facebook page on Monday, April 28, says everyone is "shocked and saddened" about Bergquist's death. "To honor Mr. Bergquist, and to allow County staff the opportunity to attend his funeral, all non-essential County offices will be closed all day this coming Friday, May 2nd, 2025," the Facebook post says. Bergquist was serving his first four-year term on the Stutsman County Commission. He was elected in November as a write-in candidate. Klose said Bergquist was doing a "great job" as a county commissioner. He said Bergquist was very knowledgeable about county government operations. "He was always wanting to know all sides before making a decision and he thought it out well," he said. Klose said Bergquist was well liked by many people in the community. "When we reorganized the commission, ... I think every one of the portfolios wanted him on their board because they liked the way he operated and had a way of getting things done," he said. Bergquist served as the Stutsman County emergency manager for 32 1/2 years before retiring in 2021. Klose was a member of the commission when Bergquist was hired as the first emergency manager and 911 coordinator in Stutsman County. Klose said Bergquist did a "very fine" job while he was employed by the county. "I always kidded him when I went to visit with him that he had so many damn many awards that they are going to have to build another wall to hang them all on," Klose said. "He was recognized quite a few times at the state level." After Bergquist was hired, he managed the process of establishing addresses for people living in the country, The Jamestown Sun reported in June 2021. That replaced the rural routes that previously served as addresses outside cities. The 911 system in Stutsman County was the second countywide system in the state when it became operational in 1990. Stutsman County Emergency Manager Jessica Moser said Bergquist was excited to help her in her new role and share his knowledge about emergency management. "There was no one who was more selfless and willing to serve the community and making sure we were on the right path as far as being proactive in safety, mitigation and preparedness," she said. Scott Cebula, Stutsman County Communications Center/911 supervisor, worked with Bergquist from 2005 to 2021. Cebula said Bergquist was an extremely hard worker who put in a lot of hours. "He's gonna be sorely missed," he said. "He had a wealth of knowledge that nobody else had concerning the county and 911 operations as a whole because he basically is the one who put together the 911 for Stutsman County way back in the day." Edinger said Bergquist did a great job working with all the agencies while he was employed by the county. "The guy knew everything that was going on," he said. "He was just really detail oriented, and was always looking to improve things and make sure he did the best for the community that he could." Edinger said Bergquist also was involved with different organizations and served on their boards as well. Bergquist's obituary says he served on committees and boards for the Jamestown Salvation Army, St. John's Academy (Foundation for Advancement of Christian Education), South Central Homeless Coalition, American Red Cross, Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce committees, emergency planning committees, land use and transportation planning, Central Valley Health District Board of Health, Stutsman County Weed Board, Jamestown Regional Airport Authority, Stutsman County Human Rights Coalition and was treasurer of the Jamestown Amateur Radio Club. "It's hard to find somebody that cares that much and is involved as deeply as he was," Edinger said. Bergquist was named the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2020, an award that was co-shared with Reuben and Clarice Liechty. He also received the chamber's Above and Beyond Award in 2009. When Bergquist was named the Citizen of the Year, he told The Jamestown Sun that the award "raises the bar" but it would not change the way he did his job and participate in the community. "Keep doing what I've been doing," he said. "Trying to make the community a safer and better place." Eddy Funeral Home is handling Bergquist's funeral arrangements. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. with a vigil service at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, at St. James Basilica in Jamestown. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 2, at St. James Basilica. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Washington Democrats abandon property tax hike
(Photo by) The property tax battle of 2025 is over in the Washington state Legislature. Democrats are ending their bid to repeal a voter-approved limit on property tax growth, excising one of the most controversial revenue-raising ideas they've pursued this session. The proposal, embedded in House Bill 2409, seeks to allow an increase in the growth factor from the current 1% cap to the combined rate of population growth plus inflation within a taxing district, not to exceed 3%. This would apply to the state's common schools levy and for cities and counties, as well as special purpose districts. A fiscal analysis projected that uncapping the state property tax would net an additional $200 million for public schools and potentially $236 million for local governments in the next budget. The bill passed the House Finance Committee on Saturday and is expected to be voted on by the House today. But Rep. Steve Bergquist, D-Renton, the bill's sponsor, filed an amendment Sunday to remove sections on the growth limit, effectively ending Democrats' pursuit of the change. 'It's my understanding we don't have a three-corners agreement on those provisions,' Bergquist said Monday morning. Three-corners refers to the Democratic leadership of the House, Senate and Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson. Without the property tax change, the bill will be focused on education funding and providing school districts with the ability to collect more revenue from voter-approved local levies. From the outset of the session — now just six days from ending — Democrats' desire to increase the limit has been fiercely opposed by Republican lawmakers and taxpayers who warned the measure would drive up living and housing costs. A year ago, Senate Democrats pushed to erase the cap solely for cities and counties. It too ran into a buzzsaw of opposition, forcing the majority party to set it down. This is a developing story
CNN
01-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
5 tips to harness the power of good stress
Summary Not all stress is bad for you, and certain types actually benefit your overall health. Good stress releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, which mitigate cortisol and build resilience. Challenge yourself beyond comfort zones without being overwhelmed to find the stress 'sweet spot'. Recovery periods are essential; without them, even good stress can become harmful. Building physical stress resilience through exercise and healthy eating also helps develop mental note: The podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the medical science behind some of life's mysteries big and small. You can listen to episodes here. (CNN) — 'Stress is bad for your health' is one message we consistently hear. And it's true: stress can be detrimental, and lead to a whole host of ills, especially when it becomes chronic, unrelenting. But, it turns out, certain types of stress can lead to growth opportunities and, according to one doctor and author of the new book, 'The Stress Paradox: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier,' the right amount of it may actually be crucial to our wellbeing. 'Yes, too much stress harms us, but not enough is actually just as harmful,' Dr. Sharon Bergquist told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta recently, on his podcast Chasing Life. Related video We were never designed to handle this much stress. Here's help Bergquist, an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and the founder and director of Emory Lifestyle Medicine & Wellness, knows a thing or two about stress. As a child, she lived through the Iranian Revolution and ultimately her family was forced to flee. 'We were the last plane to leave before (Iranian leader Ruhollah) Khomeini came,' she recalled. 'The airport was incredibly packed. I remember the whole process of trying to get through security and just the mass of people that were there and how we got onto the runway — every step of it.' Her family fled to England, and eventually they settled in the United States. But life wasn't exactly stress-free in the West either. 'In eighth grade I could not write a paragraph in English without a lot of struggle. It would take me all night,' she said. Yet she managed to prosper, graduate as her high school's valedictorian, attend Yale University as an undergraduate and then Harvard Medical School. Bergquist's childhood experiences planted the seeds for her interest in stress. 'Ultimately it triggered this obsession for me of, why is it that some people grow and thrive from these experiences? And others don't?' she said. She said she became really interested in the question of whether all stress is harmful. According to Bergquist's research, it turns out that it depends on the type and amount of stress a person's exposed to. 'I work with a lot of professionals (who) are very driven, but are also so passionate about what they do,' she said, noting that they lead what can be considered 'stressful' lives. She counts herself among them. 'I call that good stress, which I think has a very different effect on our bodies than the harmful stress that has become almost synonymous with what people describe as 'stress'' she said. 'I think I can now say with a comfortable level, that (the good) type of stress releases a biochemical profile that is actually health promoting: we release, for example, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin.' The dopamine is from the reward for doing something meaningful, she explained. The serotonin is from the joy that comes from accomplishment and the oxytocin is from contributing to the greater good. She said 'bad' stress is unpredictable, unavoidable, and not brief or intermittent but rather chronic. Our biochemical response to that type of stress is to release cortisol which eventually leads to the harmful downstream effects on our bodies, such as high blood pressure. That trifecta of chemicals released when we take on good stress 'mitigates our cortisol level. It literally builds our resilience to stress,' she said. Resilience is like a muscle: It is dynamic and needs to be challenged to get stronger. 'The key, really, is that our stress responses are there to help us. They're there to help us adapt to our world,' she said, noting that for the entirety of human history that is how humans have survived and thrived. 'But the things that help us activate those stress responses have been removed from the fabric of our lives,' she said. No longer do we have to face environmental stressors such as food scarcity and exposure to extremes of heat and cold. 'The introduction of a lot of these comforts has removed our connection with the natural environment that we live in,' she said. Consequently 'we are essentially handicapping ourselves because we are not allowing our bodies to do what they are so capable of doing.' What can you do to introduce good stress into your life? Bergquist has five tips. Search out the Goldilocks zone 'Challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed,' said Bergquist via email. 'Good stress is medicine. And like any medicine, the dose determines the response,' she explained. 'Growth from stress happens when stress is in a hormetic, or Goldilocks, zone — a just right amount that's not too much or too little.' In other words, push yourself to get in the water and swim, but don't let yourself drown. Tune into self-integrity 'Are you challenging yourself in ways that align with your beliefs? Or conflict with them?' Bergquist asked. 'Your heart and mind know the difference,' she said. 'Persevering in situations where you feel stuck or disconnected from your values can become a harmful form of stress.' 'Good stress is not about simply positively reframing the stress in our lives,' she said. 'But instead, deliberately taking action with meaningful and purpose-driven challenges as an antidote to the chronic stressors that we can't control or avoid.' For example, she said, it could involve accepting or creating a job opportunity that aligns with your values or learning a skill that you find rewarding. Be strategic about recovery 'To grow from stress, you have to make time for rest and recovery,' Bergquist said. 'Under stress, your body switches into a mode where you conserve energy and do internal housekeeping,' she said. 'When you recover, your brain and body remodel and build new connections that better prepare you for future challenges.' Recovery, Bergquist said, is just as important as good stress to gain benefits. 'Even good stress can build up to becoming harmful without recovery.' Lean into the connection between your mind and body 'Physically stressing yourself can help build mental resilience and vice versa,' Bergquist said. 'It's a remarkable process called cross-adaptation. 'When you experience good physical or psychological stress, you repair and regenerate your cells, which makes every part of your body healthier and stronger,' she explained. You can build mental resilience, for example, by physically stressing yourself (in a good way) by doing things like 'eating plant-based foods with stress resistance-building phytochemicals, exercising vigorously, briefly exposing yourself to heat and cold, and fasting intermittently through time-restricted eating,' she said. 'We have many tools for managing stress and lessening its harm.' Trust that you were made for some stress Experiencing stress is not a glitch— it's a feature. 'Our human history is one of overcoming stress — and becoming stronger because of it,' Bergquist said. 'Through repeat cycles of stress and recovery, we summon our natural capability. It's a gift we have inherited in our DNA,' she said. 'Resilience is a muscle we can all build no matter where we are or what we are facing. It's okay to have fears. And it's okay to want to avoid challenges. 'Trust and do it anyway. The result can be life-changing,' she said. We hope these five tips help you use stress to your advantage. Listen to the full episode here. And join us next week on the Chasing Life podcast when we discuss an often-forgotten domain of health as we age: mobility. CNN Audio's Grace Walker and Kyra Dahring contributed to this report.
CNN
01-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
5 tips to harness the power of good stress
Summary Not all stress is bad for you, and certain types actually benefit your overall health. Good stress releases dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, which mitigate cortisol and build resilience. Challenge yourself beyond comfort zones without being overwhelmed to find the stress 'sweet spot'. Recovery periods are essential; without them, even good stress can become harmful. Building physical stress resilience through exercise and healthy eating also helps develop mental note: The podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the medical science behind some of life's mysteries big and small. You can listen to episodes here. (CNN) — 'Stress is bad for your health' is one message we consistently hear. And it's true: stress can be detrimental, and lead to a whole host of ills, especially when it becomes chronic, unrelenting. But, it turns out, certain types of stress can lead to growth opportunities and, according to one doctor and author of the new book, 'The Stress Paradox: Why You Need Stress to Live Longer, Healthier, and Happier,' the right amount of it may actually be crucial to our wellbeing. 'Yes, too much stress harms us, but not enough is actually just as harmful,' Dr. Sharon Bergquist told CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta recently, on his podcast Chasing Life. Related video We were never designed to handle this much stress. Here's help Bergquist, an assistant professor at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and the founder and director of Emory Lifestyle Medicine & Wellness, knows a thing or two about stress. As a child, she lived through the Iranian Revolution and ultimately her family was forced to flee. 'We were the last plane to leave before (Iranian leader Ruhollah) Khomeini came,' she recalled. 'The airport was incredibly packed. I remember the whole process of trying to get through security and just the mass of people that were there and how we got onto the runway — every step of it.' Her family fled to England, and eventually they settled in the United States. But life wasn't exactly stress-free in the West either. 'In eighth grade I could not write a paragraph in English without a lot of struggle. It would take me all night,' she said. Yet she managed to prosper, graduate as her high school's valedictorian, attend Yale University as an undergraduate and then Harvard Medical School. Bergquist's childhood experiences planted the seeds for her interest in stress. 'Ultimately it triggered this obsession for me of, why is it that some people grow and thrive from these experiences? And others don't?' she said. She said she became really interested in the question of whether all stress is harmful. According to Bergquist's research, it turns out that it depends on the type and amount of stress a person's exposed to. 'I work with a lot of professionals (who) are very driven, but are also so passionate about what they do,' she said, noting that they lead what can be considered 'stressful' lives. She counts herself among them. 'I call that good stress, which I think has a very different effect on our bodies than the harmful stress that has become almost synonymous with what people describe as 'stress'' she said. 'I think I can now say with a comfortable level, that (the good) type of stress releases a biochemical profile that is actually health promoting: we release, for example, dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin.' The dopamine is from the reward for doing something meaningful, she explained. The serotonin is from the joy that comes from accomplishment and the oxytocin is from contributing to the greater good. She said 'bad' stress is unpredictable, unavoidable, and not brief or intermittent but rather chronic. Our biochemical response to that type of stress is to release cortisol which eventually leads to the harmful downstream effects on our bodies, such as high blood pressure. That trifecta of chemicals released when we take on good stress 'mitigates our cortisol level. It literally builds our resilience to stress,' she said. Resilience is like a muscle: It is dynamic and needs to be challenged to get stronger. 'The key, really, is that our stress responses are there to help us. They're there to help us adapt to our world,' she said, noting that for the entirety of human history that is how humans have survived and thrived. 'But the things that help us activate those stress responses have been removed from the fabric of our lives,' she said. No longer do we have to face environmental stressors such as food scarcity and exposure to extremes of heat and cold. 'The introduction of a lot of these comforts has removed our connection with the natural environment that we live in,' she said. Consequently 'we are essentially handicapping ourselves because we are not allowing our bodies to do what they are so capable of doing.' What can you do to introduce good stress into your life? Bergquist has five tips. Search out the Goldilocks zone 'Challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone without feeling overwhelmed,' said Bergquist via email. 'Good stress is medicine. And like any medicine, the dose determines the response,' she explained. 'Growth from stress happens when stress is in a hormetic, or Goldilocks, zone — a just right amount that's not too much or too little.' In other words, push yourself to get in the water and swim, but don't let yourself drown. Tune into self-integrity 'Are you challenging yourself in ways that align with your beliefs? Or conflict with them?' Bergquist asked. 'Your heart and mind know the difference,' she said. 'Persevering in situations where you feel stuck or disconnected from your values can become a harmful form of stress.' 'Good stress is not about simply positively reframing the stress in our lives,' she said. 'But instead, deliberately taking action with meaningful and purpose-driven challenges as an antidote to the chronic stressors that we can't control or avoid.' For example, she said, it could involve accepting or creating a job opportunity that aligns with your values or learning a skill that you find rewarding. Be strategic about recovery 'To grow from stress, you have to make time for rest and recovery,' Bergquist said. 'Under stress, your body switches into a mode where you conserve energy and do internal housekeeping,' she said. 'When you recover, your brain and body remodel and build new connections that better prepare you for future challenges.' Recovery, Bergquist said, is just as important as good stress to gain benefits. 'Even good stress can build up to becoming harmful without recovery.' Lean into the connection between your mind and body 'Physically stressing yourself can help build mental resilience and vice versa,' Bergquist said. 'It's a remarkable process called cross-adaptation. 'When you experience good physical or psychological stress, you repair and regenerate your cells, which makes every part of your body healthier and stronger,' she explained. You can build mental resilience, for example, by physically stressing yourself (in a good way) by doing things like 'eating plant-based foods with stress resistance-building phytochemicals, exercising vigorously, briefly exposing yourself to heat and cold, and fasting intermittently through time-restricted eating,' she said. 'We have many tools for managing stress and lessening its harm.' Trust that you were made for some stress Experiencing stress is not a glitch— it's a feature. 'Our human history is one of overcoming stress — and becoming stronger because of it,' Bergquist said. 'Through repeat cycles of stress and recovery, we summon our natural capability. It's a gift we have inherited in our DNA,' she said. 'Resilience is a muscle we can all build no matter where we are or what we are facing. It's okay to have fears. And it's okay to want to avoid challenges. 'Trust and do it anyway. The result can be life-changing,' she said. We hope these five tips help you use stress to your advantage. Listen to the full episode here. And join us next week on the Chasing Life podcast when we discuss an often-forgotten domain of health as we age: mobility. CNN Audio's Grace Walker and Kyra Dahring contributed to this report.
