Latest news with #Janda
Global News
3 days ago
- Global News
Calgary woman loses $800k in romance scam: ‘I have nothing left'
Barbara Grant was one of many Canadians who found themsleves lonely during the pandemic. For the first time in her life, she set out to find a connection on an online dating site. That's when she met Michael Janda. 'We started talking… he said, 'You are gorgeous, I want to be with you,'' Grant said. The two quickly formed a bond. Janda's profile said he worked in the same oil and gas industry where she had built a successful career. As the weeks went by, they spoke about plans of marriage and buying a home together in Victoria, B.C. Then came the requests that preyed on her emotions. 'He told me he was caught in Doha, Qatar, carrying $1.5 million in cash,' she said, 'And police put him in jail.' Story continues below advertisement The two continued to communicate on LinkedIn after moving away from the dating site where they first connected. Over a period of nearly a year, Grant sent Janda money in several bank transfers — first to a trucking company in Ontario, then an individual in the U.S. Then one day in November, Grant realized her mistake — Janda wasn't who he said he was. 'He contacted me through LinkedIn and said, 'I can't come to Calgary any more, they've locked me up again.' He was coming to the airport and I was going to pick him up. 'I then realized it was a scam.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I then realized it was a scam." Grant lost $800,000 CAD — her life's savings. 'I have nothing left, except what's in my (Registered Retirement Income Fund). I'm devastated by it… absolutely devastated.' 4:24 Spotting romance scams Falling into a deep depression, Grant was checked into a mental health unit on multiple occasions in Calgary. She contemplated ending her own life. Story continues below advertisement Then she took action, hiring a B.C.-based private investigator to look into her case. Six months later, Denis Gagnon had compiled a 400-page report. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'It's basically a daily event,' Gagnon said, explaining his work. Gangon was able to trace the transfers Grant sent. He says those recipients are commonly referred to as 'mules.' 'The money that's being transferred goes through a mule and goes to a different account. That person takes a percentage and then sends it overseas.' But who was ultimately behind it all is still a mystery. The lengthy report was then forwarded on to the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Interests, which earlier this week ruled in favour of Grant's bank, TD. 'I want TD Canada Trust to know about what happened to me… it has ruined my life,' Grant said. 'The bank is not responsible, not accountable… they have a fiduciary responsibility to me to give me some of my money back.' 2:36 Matchmaker warns of new, advanced romance scams In 2024, TD faced fines on both sides of the Canada/U.S. border — first in May, when Fintrac fined the bank $9.2 million for a range of failures including not submitting suspicious transaction reports when there was reasonable grounds to require it to do so, not assessing and documenting money laundering/terrorist activity financing risks and for the bank not taking prescribed special measures for high risk. Story continues below advertisement CIBC and RBC were also fined similar amounts. But that number was then dwarfed months later in the United States, when TD became the largest bank in U.S. history to plead guilty to violating a federal law aimed at preventing money laundering, and agreed to pay over $3 billion in penalties to resolve the charges. In that case, TD said its program was 'insufficient to effectively monitor, detect, report, and respond to suspicious activity' and work is underway to remedy the deficiencies. 3:52 TD Bank fined $3B U.S. in money-laundering case Global News asked TD officials for a statement on improvements to that program and further protections for its clients, but did not hear back by deadline. Grant says she's looking into a debt consolidation loan in order to wipe her hands clean from a years-long ordeal that has altered her world. Story continues below advertisement But she also wants her story to serve as a warning to others — if it can happen to this savvy, successful 75-year-old, it can happen to anyone. 'When someone comes forward and is willing to talk about what happened, we really should be commending them,' explained Wes Lafortune of the Better Business Bureau of Alberta. Lafortune estimates only five per cent of these type of crimes are ultimately reported and awareness can make a huge difference. 'It's really important to report these crimes to police, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, Better Business Bureau… so these organizations can determine what sort of resources can be put into this.' Gagnon says it will take much more than status quo to turn the tide on this situation. Story continues below advertisement 'I think Canada has become a bit of a target for fraudsters. In the United States, I believe the penalties are much more severe. Canada is (still working through that),' Gagnon explained. 'Most people don't break into a house now through the door. They come in through your phone — or the screen you're looking at.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Most people don't break into a house now through the door. They come in through your phone — or the screen you're looking at." Grant was ready to spend her golden years travelling, downsizing her home and spending time with her children. Now at 75, she says she'll likely return to work as a consultant in the fall. She also sells her own paintings and dances. She's quite the catch — but you won't find her on any dating sites. 'No. No. I have some good friends, that's it, that's all,' she said.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Where Wisconsin football's class of 2026 ranks nationally after Jack Janda's commitment
Where Wisconsin football's class of 2026 ranks nationally after Jack Janda's commitment Wisconsin football's class of 2026 rose significantly in the national rankings following tight end Jack Janda's commitment on Wednesday. Janda, who committed to the Badgers following his official visit this past weekend, became the 11th athlete to offer his pledge to Luke Fickell's class of 2026. The pass-catcher's addition elevated Wisconsin's national ranking from No. 34 to No. 27. Notably, Janda is Wisconsin's fifth commitment in his class since Sunday. He joins tight end Jack Sievers, defensive lineman Arthur Scott, linebacker Ben Wenzel and defensive lineman Djidjou Bah as players to commit after the May 30 visit weekend, a strong indication of what could transpire during other visit windows this summer. Prior to the recent string of commitments, Wisconsin's class of 2026 took a hit when defensive lineman Carmelow Reed flipped his commitment to Ole Miss. With Janda, Sievers, Scott, Wenzel and Bah joining the fray, coupled with wide receiver Tayshon Bardo reaffirming his commitment to Fickell's program, UW has officially turned the corner in the 2026 cycle. Wisconsin's next batch of targets includes linebacker McHale Blade, wide receiver Jayden Petit, running back Amari Latimer, offensive tackle Kamari Blair and athlete Jackson Ford, all of whom visited Madison this past weekend alongside Janda. As of June 4, Wisconsin does not boast a blue-chip recruit in its class of 2026. In terms of Janda as an individual prospect, 247Sports lists the three-star prospect as the No. 818 player in the class of 2026, the No. 43 tight end and the No. 12 recruit from his home state of Michigan. He is Wisconsin's fifth-highest-ranked commit in the class. For more on the Badgers' pursuits in the 2026 cycle, bookmark our class of 2026 tracker. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Badgers Land Key TE Commit for Offensive Rebuild
Badgers Land Key TE Commit for Offensive Rebuild originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The train keeps rolling for the Wisconsin football team. The first official visit weekend has already produced multiple commitments, and now they have another one. Advertisement 3-star tight end Jack Janda gave the Wisconsin coaching staff a verbal commitment during his trip to Madison, joining Jack Sievers as the second player at the position to join the class. Janda's commitment is the start of a positional rebuild for the Badgers' tight end room. New offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes will surely feature the tight end position more than Phil Longo did with the Air Raid in his two years in Madison. Adding to that, Robert Booker medically retired, Riley Nowakowski transferred, Tanner Koziol also transferred out of Madison shortly after he arrived. To add some more bodies, Wisconsin hit the portal again, adding Lance Mason from Missouri State and converted RB/FB Jackson Acker to tight end. They also added Emmett Bork and Nizyi Davis a a part of the 2025 recruiting class. Advertisement Janda's big 6-6 frame makes him an ideal redzone target for the Badgers. He has some nice natural pass-catching ability. But in this new offense, he'll be expected to do his fair share of blocking as well. Right now, that looks to be a bit of a work in progress, but he will have some time to develop that early on in his time in Madison. You will be able to see a little bit of both in his junior season highlights below. Jack Janda in the Recruiting Rankings You won't find Janda listed among the top tight ends in the country, but the newest Wisconsin football commit is a classic example of Wisconsin finding another potentially underrated player. Advertisement 247Sports has Janda listed as the 41st-ranked tight end in the country and the 15th-best player in the state of Michigan. On3 also has him as a 3-star prospect. According to the online recruiting service, Janda is the 824th-overall prospect, the 45th-ranked tight end, and the 13th-best player in the state. The 247Sports Composite, which compiles the grades from around the internet, has Janda as the 819th-ranked prospect nationally in the 2026 class. He is the 42nd-ranked tight end and 11th in Michigan. The Michigan native had a very impressive offer list from plenty of big-time programs such as Michigan, Oregon, and Miami. Other notable programs include Michigan State, Illinois, Kansas, Washington and more. Advertisement Related: Wisconsin Recruiting Heats Up with Commitment from Bah Stay in the loop with all things Wisconsin Badgers football and men's basketball by visiting for more updates. Ready to join the community? Follow Athlon Sports on YouTube, Facebook, and X to join in on the conversation. You can also follow Staff Writer Christian Borman at @ChristianBorman on X. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The Surprising Significance of Wedding Flowers: What 18 Popular Blooms Symbolize
Out of all the things guests will remember about your wedding—from the food and the band to the playlist and the dress, it's typically the florals that have the biggest visual impact. Whether it's in your artful centerpieces that include a mix of moody blooms with votive candles or your bright bouquet that perfectly complements your chosen aesthetic, even the smallest flowers can make an eye-catching statement. While florals are often selected for their color and seasonality, they can be imbued with meaning—particularly when it comes to weddings. And as these celebrations become more and more personalized, know that there are countless ways to infuse greater significance into your décor. 'Choose a flower representative of your culture,' says Christine Janda, a Chicago-based wedding planner and floral designer. 'A client of ours featured tulips to honor her husband's Turkish heritage, as it's Turkey's national flower. We've used orchids to [reference] a bride's past visit to an orchid farm in Thailand, and ikebana floral design for a couple's Japanese heritage. You could feature hydrangeas because they remind you of your grandmother's garden, or a color palette in the hue of a sunset from the night you got engaged.' However, in addition to choosing florals that are particularly relevant to your own love story, some blooms also have time-honored meanings you may want to Janda is the wedding planner and designer behind Christine Janda Design & Events and CJE Design in Chicago. She recently opened a floral-inspired event venue, Bloom Events. Schentell Nunn is the founder and lead designer at Offerings, a Los Angeles-based bespoke floral studio. Staci Miller is an event designer for HMR Designs, a Chicago-based design firm that produces luxury events nationwide. Below, the experts explain all of the meanings behind some of the most popular wedding flowers. From tulips and roses to allium and anemones, here's what to know about your florals. Related: 6 Wedding Flower Trends Florists Are Pushing for in 2025 Though it's actually a member of the onion family, allium comes with beautiful symbolism: The plant represents unity for the way multiple blossoms grow from a single bulb. 'They have a short season [late spring to early summer], but exemplify pure joy to me,' Janda says. 'Cheery in their lavender hue, they form a near-perfect sphere, and add such surprise and delight to a centerpiece.' Unlike allium, amaranthus boasts a much longer lifespan—both before and after it's cut. For this reason, the flower has come to symbolize eternity, immortality, and everlasting love. 'There is no other shape like the amaranthus; they're drop-dead gorgeous and add depth and movement and drama,' Janda says. 'I love them in installations or designs with height—the higher the better!' A wide variety of meanings have been attached to the anemone flower: excitement and anticipation thanks to their early spring bloom, protection for the way their petals close up at night, as well as peace and luck. Their colors also evoke meaning: white for purity, red for love, and purple for protection. Ultimately, it's a statement-making flower. 'I love the boldness an anemone can bring; it's so whimsical in shape with its soft petals and whirly stems,' Janda says. 'I find them to be very playful.' As a time-honored wedding flower, calla lilies represent devotion, holiness, and purity of the bride. But if all that feels a little old-school for you, know that you can still appreciate them for their stunning beauty. 'With clean lines that are also seductively curvaceous, calla lilies make for a sleek bouquet, and I love them best in monofloral designs,' Janda says. And despite their traditional meaning, Staci Miller, an event designer, says she loves them for modern weddings. 'Calla lilies are typically used for more modern brides,' she says. 'Think clean lines, modernity, simple elegance, and classic style.' Chamomiles are associated with joy and positivity, which makes sense since 'you can't help but smile when you look at them,' Janda says. 'I love them in boutonnieres, and small touches in low centerpieces for a surprise-and-delight moment.' The tiny flower is a perfect fit for rustic-inspired bouquets at outdoor weddings. 'They provide that 'picked straight out of a field' look,' Janda says. These round yellow globes, often referred to as 'billy balls,' represent wholeness, completeness, and good health. For Janda, these florals even have a personal meaning. 'They remind me of my late brother; they are cheery like the sun, just like him,' she says. 'At every family gathering, we sneak a few in.' These flowers are also easy to preserve, making them the perfect nod to a long-lasting marriage. As the national flower of Mexico, dahlias represents pride and inner strength. They're the perfect unique-meets-classic bloom. 'Dahlias are a timeless and dreamy alternative to roses and peonies,' says Schentell Nunn, a floral designer. 'They can elevate any centerpiece, adding incredible texture and richness.' Miller agrees that this flower is the perfect fit for someone wanting something out of the ordinary. 'Dahlia brides tend to lean a little more boho and natural, although that isn't always the case! Dahlias can be mixed into other arrangements to add lots of texture or when large focal blooms are important.' Hydrangeas are thought to be tied to deep emotion, representing understanding and apology. To wedding florists, they embody a beloved versatility. 'Hydrangeas are incredibly special because they are so versatile,' Nunn says. 'There is no limit to creativity when working with hydrangea, whether creating whimsical gardens or modern architectural installations.' Plus, they come in a range of hues. While they're most well-known for their shades of blue, they also appear in pink, white, and purple. Related: 28 Beautiful Hydrangea Centerpieces for Your Wedding Reception This fresh floral is typically associated with serenity and tranquility. However, in recent decades, it has also become a symbolic marker for LGBTQ+ couples and weddings, appearing as a marker of resistance, strength, and peace. 'Lavender is beautiful in weddings that are seeking a whimsical touch that is less traditional,' Nunn says. 'Creating moments of 'gardenscapes' on aisles or even tables, and using plants in pots, as well as within the tablescapes, are beautiful ways to bring these blooms into your celebrations.' Lilacs mark the season of renewal and have come to represent springtime, rebirth, and first loves. However, they're also beloved for their scent. 'Lilacs are very fragrant, so I find that a lot of brides request lilac for the fragrance alone,' Miller says. 'The flower tends to pair [well] with the peony; these are another variety that is very seasonal, leaning toward spring.' A truly stunning—and statuesque—flower, orchids are often said to represent not only beauty itself, but also love, fertility, and virility; the ancient Greeks would eat various types of orchids in hopes of having a boy or a girl. But no matter what it symbolizes to you, and regardless of the variety you choose, 'orchids are always impactful and elegant,' Nunn says. 'Oncidium orchids have become extremely popular, adding unparalleled texture to bridal bouquets, centerpieces, and even bar and installation pieces.' A peony's symbolism is tied to its colors, and in its most common hue—a blushing pink—it symbolizes love and affection. (Wealth, honor, and good fortune have also been ascribed to the flower.) 'Peonies are unapologetically feminine—fragrant, romantic, soft, and beautiful,' Janda says. 'They're the ultimate spring wedding flower.' Miller agrees, adding that they're her favorite flowers to turn to for such a celebration. 'Peonies lean toward more of a garden aesthetic,' she says. 'They're pretty, lush, textural, and dreamy.' Traditionally, poppies have a less romantic meaning, often representing sleep and death. However, in modern times, those interpretations have come to symbolize peace and remembrance. Regardless, their vibrant orange-red hue makes them a stunning addition to any nuptial-related installations. They're one of Miller's favorites to use for a couple's big day. 'I love them for their unique properties and what they add to floral arrangements,' she says. 'Ranunculus is a classic bloom that is not only elegant, but also hardy in a multitude of uses,' Nunn says. Their blooms have thick layers of delicate petals; they showcase strength in softness—and are well-known for their beauty and charming features. 'These blooms can be a beautiful way to build cohesiveness throughout your day, from ceremony to reception,' she adds. Traditionally known as the flower of love, roses—especially in a classic red shade—symbolize passionate romance. As a result, they're a fitting choice for your nuptials. With dozens of different hues and varieties, this bloom is also versatile. 'I believe roses can belong in almost every setting and should be invited to almost every party!' Janda says. This year in particular, she's loving the Moab Rose, a warm, toffee-colored bloom reminiscent of the Utah desert's sand. Gratitude and contentment are often associated with the sweet pea, a bloom that's commonly used included in thank-you gifts. However, it can also symbolize pleasure, happiness and joy. Along with the daisy, it's one of the April birth flowers, making it a fitting choice for springtime-inspired nuptials. 'Sweet pea is delicate, classic, soft, and romantic,' Janda says. 'It is stunning in a bridal bouquet, adding movement to any design.' 'Tulips are similar to roses in that they are so versatile and come in so many colors and varieties,' Miller says. 'They can be used alongside calla lilies in more modern arrangements, but then look equally at home next to roses and peonies in a lush, garden-style arrangement.' In terms of their symbolism, these florals represent new beginnings, a sign of the rebirth that comes with spring. In Japanese culture, wisteria carries great meaning. Known as an auspicious flower due to its long lifespan and fertile traits, its symbolism has expanded to include devotion and long-lasting love. As a result, it's a meaningful floral to have on display at your wedding. 'Wisteria is best when it is focal and abundant,' Nunn says. 'Building your ceremony under existing wisteria vines is an incredible way to bring life and wow to your wedding day. Some designers chose to bring faux wisteria en masse to ceiling installations to create a textural backdrop for the rest of the celebration.' Up Next: How Much Do Wedding Flowers Cost? Read the original article on Brides
