Latest news with #SurvivaloftheFittest


Hamilton Spectator
28-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Vandalism of chainsaw sculpture gift from Chetwynd deeply disappoints Prince Rupert's city council
A striking chainsaw carving has been vandalized just days after the District of Chetwynd gifted it to Prince Rupert at the North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) conference in May. In a press release, the city council of Prince Rupert expressed that they are deeply disappointed after witnessing the damage done to the wood carving installation at the beloved Totem Park. Someone has removed the wing of the mighty eagle in the sculpture. 'It's heartbreaking to see something that was gifted to us as a sign of friendship damaged in this way. We hope to see it soon restored to its former glory,' said Mayor Herb Pond. The chainsaw carving, created by Jarette Dahl titled 'Survival of the Fittest,' highlights the area's wildlife. It was presented to the City by Chetwynd's mayor, Allen Courtoreille. The City says this gift was intended to be a lasting symbol of inter-community connection and shared appreciation for local artistry. 'The City is currently assessing the extent of the damage and will be working with Chetwynd and the carver to determine how and when repairs can be made,' City said. The press release urges anyone with information about the vandalism to contact the City.


Hamilton Spectator
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Chetwynd gifts chainsaw carving to Prince Rupert to kick off local government conference
As a symbol of working partnership and shared purpose, the District of Chetwynd presented a striking chainsaw masterpiece to the City of Prince Rupert, celebrating the bond between the two northern communities. Titled 'Survival of the Fittest,' the art piece by Jarette Dahl was unveiled at the Totem Park during the kickoff of the 2025 North Central Local Government Association (NCLGA) conference. The shiny-brown sculpture captures northern wildlife in motion with bears, ravens, and an eagle in mid-flight clutching a salmon. Chetwynd has proudly hosted the International Chainsaw Carving Championship for nearly two decades. This world-class event draws top-tier artists from countries such as the U.K., U.S., Australia, Ireland and beyond. Mayor Allen Courtoreille, who attended the NCLGA in Prince Rupert, highlighted the global recognition the competition has earned. While the District keeps winning pieces, it follows a tradition of gifting other carvings to communities across the region. Courtoreille said the piece chosen for Prince Rupert felt especially fitting, a tribute well-matched to the spirit and wildlife of the North Coast. Prince Rupert Councillor Reid Skelton-Morven shared on Facebook that the piece represents more than just a working partnership between the two communities. It also symbolizes Rupert and Chetwynd's resilience through challenging times and the boom-and-bust cycles they have both endured. Mayor Courtoreille shared that some of the highlights of his trip to the NCLGA included touring the port terminals by catamaran and connecting with local community members. He emphasized the value of networking at the event, particularly with companies involved in energy transportation, such as Enbridge and Coastal GasLink. His goal is to discuss how the movement of oil and energy through Chetwynd affects the district and explore opportunities for collaboration.


Perth Now
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Suzanne Vega was advised to pull out of Glastonbury headline slot due to death threats
Suzanne Vega was told by police to pull out of headlining Glastonbury after receiving death threats. The 'Luka' hitmaker was due to be the first female to top the bill at the annual music festival back in 1989 but her performance almost didn't go ahead because of the threats that had come from her touring bassist's stalker, but she refused to take the advice from cops. She told The i newspaper: "They had included me in the threats. Scotland Yard sat me down and said, 'We advise you not to do the show.' I was like, 'Are you kidding me?'' After making it clear she planned to perform, police asked Suzanne, now 65, to wear a bulletproof vest on stage for her own protection. She recalled: 'A man from Scotland Yard took his and said, 'You'll have to wear this.' He was twice my size, so I had to gaffer tape myself into this giant bulletproof vest, and then put a denim jacket over it. It felt like every song was 20 minutes long. It was not comfortable. We were all nervous.' But despite her discomfort, Suzanne is happy with her history-making performance. She said: 'I'm proud of being the first woman to headline. There's nothing diminished about that.' The 'Tom's Diner' hitmaker recently marked the 40th anniversary of her self-titled debut album and admitted she never expected to enjoy the level of success that she has had. She said: 'I had expected to remain underground for most of my life. And it still may happen that I'm discovered after my death. 'Emily Dickinson sitting at her desk, what were her thoughts? Now we have schools named after her. So you don't know. I just prefer to think about what's going on right now.' Suzanne's latest album 'Flying with Angels' features "songs of struggle" but she gave it a more uplifting title than her original plan of 'Survival of the Fittest' because she felt it was what people "need". She explained: "But then if you call your tour ['Survival of the Fittest'] it sounds ominous or like a game show. So 'Flying with Angels' just felt to me like we need this now. We need protection. We need guidance.'


The Citizen
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Thohoyandou to host major boxing showdown
LIMPOPO – All roads lead to Khoroni Hotel and Casino on June 27 for the highly anticipated 'Survival of the Fittest' International Boxing Tournament, a major event set to spotlight local and international boxing talent. The official launch of the tournament was held on Friday at the same venue, led by Sports MEC Jerry Maseko, who highlighted the important role boxing plays in promoting social cohesion and nation building. Maseko was joined by a host of dignitaries, including senior traditional leader Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, MEC Vhamusanda Livhuwani Matsila, Phalaphala FM programme manager Sharon Ravele, Black Leopards FC managing director Tshifhe David Thidiela, promoter Modipadi Kgasago and Limpopo Champions Promotion's Phatutshedzo Dongola, among others. Speaking at the launch, Maseko celebrated Limpopo's rich boxing history, referring to acclaimed boxers such as Tshifhiwa 'Spider' Munyai, Phillip 'The Time Bomb' Ndou, Isaack Hlatswayo and Cassius Baloyi, who were all recently honoured at the Ministerial Boxing Special Award Ceremony. 'The province is proud to have produced champions who have competed on the global stage in World Boxing and International Boxing Organization bouts,' he said. Looking ahead, he spoke of the department's commitment to developing women's boxing and amateur boxing, in collaboration with the Limpopo Sport Confederation. He encouraged promoters to organise more professional women's bouts, promoting inclusivity and broader participation in the sport. 'This tournament is more than just a competition. It is a celebration of our collective strength and a testament to the power of sport to unite and inspire,' Maseko said. He also extended a warm welcome to international participants: 'We embrace your skills, your passion, and your commitment to excellence. To our local heroes, may this be your moment to shine and represent the nation with pride.' Traditional leader Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli added his support, noting that it was long overdue for local communities to host such tournaments. 'Events like these offer young people the chance to expose and shape their talents,' he said. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!