Latest news with #AmazingRace
Hamilton Spectator
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Amazing Race Neepawa: The day everyone came back
The heart of Neepawa remembered what it felt like to beat again. Main Street was flooded with life on Saturday. Children sprinted, adults walked with purpose, and strangers cheered each other on in karaoke. It was the Amazing Race Downtown Neepawa, and while no one was actually racing, everyone was, in their way, trying to get somewhere. The idea was simple. Send teams on a series of fun, quirky, sometimes ridiculous challenges hosted by local businesses. Nearly 40 teams and 130 people took part. There were 20 stops from toy stores to gyms to new Filipino restaurants. All of it stitched together by community spirit. 'Our downtown has never been so busy on a Saturday in a long time,' said Belinda Critchlow, co-owner of Hid'n Hollow, the local toy store and one of the event's organizers. The plan wasn't hatched in a boardroom. It started the way good ideas often do in small towns: With a group of business owners talking out loud about what wasn't working. 'For the last couple of summers, we just felt like… people need to know we're still here,' she says. 'A few more people through the doors would be nice.' There was another reason, too. Neepawa's strong and growing Filipino community had begun to open new shops and restaurants downtown. But the two halves of the town, newcomer and established, hadn't yet learned how to overlap. The Amazing Race event changed that. One challenge sent participants into a Filipino restaurant for karaoke, where the team's best voice had to belt out a song. There were cycling mini-classes, fashion missions involving Salvation Army, and an implicit challenge to simply go somewhere you hadn't gone in a while and to walk into a storefront that wasn't algorithmically recommended. There was no stopwatch. Just laughter, prizes ($1,000 total), and five teams who walked away with awards, including the title of Grand Champion. But that wasn't really the point. 'I think we saw a lot of people that we hadn't seen downtown in a long time,' Belinda said. 'They were just smiling. Having fun.' In a world where most purchases are curated by screens and delivered in boxes to your door, there is something quietly radical about simply standing in a shop and speaking to the person who owns it. Events like this are not a solution. They're more like a reminder that the community doesn't live on your phone, and downtowns don't survive by accident. For one day, Neepawa remembered that. And now, the only question is: Why not do it again? — Steven Sukkau is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Winnipeg Sun. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada. Have thoughts on what's going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Big Brother' Legends Janelle Pierzina and Rachel Reilly Troll Fans Over Mystery Houseguest Twist
Janelle Pierzina and Rachel Reilly can't help but stir a commotion online about Big Brother 27's mystery houseguest. Janelle, 45, kicked off speculation on Tuesday, July 8, when she took to social media to share that she thought Rachel, 40, was returning to the beloved competition series. 'Ummmm Rachel's phone goes right to voicemail,' she wrote via X. 'It's her, it's definitely her!!!!' One fan replied to Janelle, asking if she was joking about her claim. Immediately, the two-time Big Brother all-star doubled down on her beliefs. 'Big Brother' Season 27 Cast Teases Mystery Guest — And Newcomers Who Are Sharing Their Strengths 'She [texted] me back saying she was at home. But I got to thinking. Rachel always calls me back. And [her husband Brendon Villegas] could be texting from a laptop responding to her texts,' Janelle responded before analyzing some of the clues from Big Brother about the identity of the mysterious houseguest. 'The B in the study is for [Brenchel] the V is for [Villegas] her married name. The map was all her Amazing Race journeys….' Later that day, Rachel posted an Instagram Reel reacting to Janelle's theory. 'When Janelle keeps calling but I'm literally in Greece,' read text alongside a close-up of Rachel doing a lip sync. The mention of Greece was a reference to Janelle's infamous tweet, in which she claimed she was going to Greece when, in reality, she was returning for Big Brother 14 instead. 'Ever heard of Summer Vacation? ✌🏻😎🏝️,' the Big Brother season 13 winner added. The following day, Janelle posted a video of her and Rachel together from a cruise they enjoyed together earlier this year. 'Me and Rachel on our next Big Brother cruise celebrating her to be the only Big Brother player to win twice. 💫,' she captioned the clip. Julie Chen Moonves Teases Mystery Houseguest on 'Big Brother 27': 'I Never Expected That Person' The official Big Brother 27 cast dropped on Tuesday and includes 16 new houseguests competing for the $750,000 cash prize. A mystery 17th contestant will also be in the mix — but their identity won't be officially revealed until the show's 90-minute premiere on Thursday, July 10. 'So there's a 17th houseguest, and you've all given a few guesses,' the official Big Brother account wrote via Instagram on Tuesday alongside a portrait of a silhouette. 'Wonder who's correct? 🤔🧐.' In addition to a surprise houseguest, Big Brother is introducing a new competition similar to last year's AI Arena. 'It was so successful last summer, that we are bringing it back this season,' the show's host, Julie Chen Moonves, exclusively told Us Weekly. 'But it's called the BB Blockbuster.'
Daily Mail
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
AFL WAG Bec Judd refers to herself as a 'Maori-white girl' as she shows off her tiny figure in skimpy swimwear
Rebecca Judd has surprised fans by referring to herself in an unexpected way while flaunting her famous figure in a racy new video. The AFL WAG, 42, took to social media to share a clip of herself strutting around her backyard spa in a crocheted bikini by It's Now Cool, proudly showing off her slender, gym-honed physique. Bec looked effortlessly glamorous in the footage, which captured her walking confidently in the revealing swimwear. But it was her caption that really turned heads: 'Winter fit check with @itsnowcool. This little Maori-white girl needs a tan. See you soon, Broome.' The remark left many fans surprised - but it's a nod to her little-known New Zealand heritage. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. In August 2023, Bec reflected on her cultural background while speaking to Stellar. The mother-of-four, who is soon to start on The Amazing Race, revealed she is Māori on her mother's side, with fans rarely guessing it as her heritage. 'Mum's side is Māori, so we did a lot of trips to New Zealand when we were kids,' the catwalk star told the publication. 'No-one ever guesses that I'm Māori. No-one. Ever.' Bec said her grandfather has a large farm in New Zealand, with their family regularly enjoying a hāngī - a traditional way of steaming food underground. 'My pop has a big farm, and we'd have all the uncles and aunties over to have a hāngī every time we went over,' she added. During Bec's wide-ranging Stellar interview, she also spoke of her working class roots to the publication. 'We didn't have much growing up and every dollar counted, so we really respected our food, our home and our belongings,' she said. Both Rebecca's mother and father, Hugh Twigley and Kerry Brown, are from New Zealand. They lived in a small cray fishing town called Leeman. The pair moved to Western Australia in the late 70s to take advantage of the mining boom, before having Bec and older sister, Kate. Kerry and Hugh separated early in Bec's childhood, but remain close friends. 'When they moved, mum was 16 and Dad was were like two kids,' Rebecca previously told the Herald Sun. 'I look back and think, ''I can't believe they were ever together'',' Bec added. Bec is married to former AFL star Chris Judd and the couple have four children: Oscar, 14, Billie, 11, and twins Darcy and Tom, eight.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Deaf and hard of hearing students bond through beach games in annual event
Olivia Eassie is one of just two students who are deaf or hard of hearing at Spectrum Community School in Saanich, B.C., but she says she's never been self-conscious about it. That's in large part thanks to the sense of community and empowerment she gets from local events, like the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Beach Day, which was held on Wednesday at Cadboro-Gyro Park in Saanich, a municipality in the Greater Victoria area. "My mom's even told me, don't be insecure about it — and I've told her: 'I'm not, I honestly never have been.' I mean, this makes me feel comfortable that I'm deaf when I'm here," Eassie said, looking around at a group of students playing tug-of-war. The beach day, which welcomed 85 deaf and hard of hearing students from across Southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, along with teachers and parents, is an annual event hosted by the Greater Victoria School District. For more than 30 years, it's brought students from kindergarten to Grade 12 together with games and ice cream, in the hopes of them building friendships and support networks, said Megan Jantz, a teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing in the district. At a time when teachers and parents across the province are calling for B.C. to send financial relief to school districts they say are facing increased funding pressures — and limited resources to meet the needs of students with disabilities — it's a welcome moment of celebration. "That's kind of our aim, to have fun, make connections, and for the kids to meet other kids like themselves — because typically they're [one of] like one or two only in a whole school," said Jantz. "They've said they just feel less alone and can be more their true self in environments and situations like this." In addition, the event helps students learn how others have overcome everyday challenges or advocated for themselves, she said. This year, students did carnival activities, undertook a braille scavenger hunt, chased down "Waldo" — which was Jantz, dressed in a candy-cane striped shirt and a pom-pom winter hat – and competed in an Amazing Race-style competition. The day ended with the three winners of the Amazing Race heaving a trophy over their heads during an awards ceremony, as onlookers raised their open palms, twisting their wrists — a raucous applause in American Sign Language. There were also local disability agencies on hand to let students and their families know about resources. Grade 11 student Eassie has been attending the beach day since she was in elementary school and met one of her closest friends, another girl with hearing loss, at the event years ago. Now, Eassie volunteers at the beach day. Eassie said seeing the faces of younger students light up while playing games or chatting lifts her own spirits. "You don't see a lot of other kids with cochlears, or having the same sort of experience that you had, but this place does that for you," said Eassie, who wears two cochlear implants tucked between her ears and braided hair. Earlier this week, educators and parents raised concerns about funding for disability services and other programs in schools. On Monday, a group of parents across the province rallied at the B.C. Legislature, calling for more funding for public education as numerous districts face budget shortfalls and the threat of looming cuts. Carolyn Howe, president of the Greater Victoria Teachers' Association, said only 70 per cent of the cost for running services for students with disabilities is covered by the province — which can lead to other school programs like music education being cut back. A survey released by the B.C. Teachers' Federation in its 2023-24 report found only 13 per cent of the province's teachers felt the needs of students with disabilities or diverse needs were being completely met. The annual Deaf and Hard of Hearing Beach Day is possible due to partial provincial funding, Jantz said. Although the funding is not currently under threat, she said the school district has limited resources. She is one of just three deaf and hard of hearing teachers providing in-school advocacy and support across the Greater Victoria School District, which she says leaves them "spread quite thin." Accessibility tools — like classroom assisted listening devices and interpreters — also come at a cost. "Funding is definitely hard, but we put a tiny bit of our budget to this [event] because we know the importance and value of this." Events like the beach day show the importance of pushing for these services, both in the classroom and out, she said. "I actually have graduated students who are in university and college asking me when they can come and volunteer because they see the value of the friendships that they've made here, the connections that they've made … just to see that they're not alone is huge," she said.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Brand Montage Swimwear Debuts at Miami Swim Week with Runway Show
MIAMI, May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Emerging brand Montage Swimwear debuts at Miami Swim Week with a breathtaking runway show. The brand presented their first 12 capsule collections, each designed by accomplished models including Amazing Race's Kayla Fitzgerald, fitness influencer Brit Manuela, Selling Sunset's Bre Tiesi and more. Held at the Mondrian Hotel in South Beach Miami, the show hosted upwards of 100 guests including press, influencers, industry professionals, family and friends. All 12 designers were spotted on the runway modeling a piece from their own collection for one big reveal that left viewers in awe. The group of powerful women worked closely with Montage Swimwear for an opportunity of a lifetime to create their very own collection from start to finish. The brand encouraged the emerging designers to take charge of their new business venture from the design process and campaign shoots all the way to the stage bringing their visions to life one step at a time. Each collection reflects the designer's personal style with unique touches of character along with inspiration from their favorite vacation destinations. Designed with the intent to be worn for pool parties, summer soirees, beach vacations and beyond, the 12 collections fuse function with fashion for a limitless wardrobe. Styles include swimwear and coverups to summer-focused ready to wear with prices ranging from $100-$200. Montage Swimwear will continue the launch celebrations with an exclusive VIP event hosted with popular swimwear brand Dippin' Daisy's on Saturday, May 31st at The Sagamore Hotel. The event will welcome an intimate group to enjoy gifting suites, live DJ's, drinks and more. Following, Montage Swimwear will keep the party alive with an all-inclusive after party that is open to the public featuring DJ Vice, poolside drinks, and a vibrant atmosphere. The designers of the first 12 capsule collections are Abby Bagley, Ava Stewart, Bre Tiesi, Brit Manuela, Daniela Tablante, Freicheska Scalze, Ivy Bagley, Janey Lee, Kamila Davies, Kayla Fitzgerald, Taylor Ranftle, and Tiffany Keller. All 12 collections are available to shop now at About Montage SwimwearFounded by Bryan Skowronek, Montage Swimwear is a brand new label entering the market with 12 signature capsule collections. Each designed by accomplished models in their own right, the collections offer fun and flirty styles ranging from swimwear to complementary ready-to-wear. The novelty brand aims to put the power back in the hands of industry tastemakers by empowering young women to explore their creative and entrepreneurial potential. Montage Swimwear is pioneering a new business model with innovation and collaboration at the forefront. Press ContactAlyssa McDonaldamcdonald@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Montage Swimwear
