Latest news with #Darin
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Edmonton Oilers fans pay it forward after Wayne Gretzky surprise: ‘We all needed that' moment goes viral
It began as a simple, feel-good video, Edmonton Oilers fans Darin and Eric were casually shopping in team gear. When approached by social media personality Zachery Dereniowski, widely known as MDMotivator, who is known for his emotionally charged surprise giveaways, Dereniowski offered the brothers an offer that felt too good to be true: Stanley Cup Final tickets for just one dollar. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But the surprises didn't stop there. Alongside the tickets, the brothers were handed $1,000 in cash. The jaw-dropping moment didn't just come from Dereniowski's generosity. But also from hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and his son Ty, who had collaborated on the plan. To create something unforgettable, for Oilers fans, seeing their hero directly involved in the giveaway only amplified the emotional impact. Edmonton Oilers brothers make an unexpected, generous gesture While still processing the incredible gift, the brothers did something few could have predicted. Although they had mentioned their financial struggles, citing needs like rent and food, they chose to pay it forward. Right there in the store, they handed the entire $1,000 to a fellow shopper, a stranger. This spontaneous act of generosity wasn't staged or prompted; it was the kind of raw humanity that rarely appears in viral content. The brothers' instinct to share rather than keep underscored the true spirit of hockey culture and community. That decision is what transformed this from a fan-focused surprise into a moment that echoed far beyond sports. The emotional ending and the Gretzky connection As if the day couldn't get more special, Darin and Eric were later invited to meet Wayne Gretzky himself, the hockey legend, who greeted them warmly. Additionally, they signed jerseys, making the already unforgettable moment even more deeply personal. Read more: In a world that often feels divided. This small act resonated with thousands, those who needed a reason to believe in goodness again.
The Citizen
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Team Rage kickboxer kicks her way to the top
Team Rage kickboxer kicks her way to the top Charla Pieterse (31), a member of the Team Rage Kickboxing Club, performed exceptionally well at the Kickboxing Organisation of South Africa (KOSA) championships. She secured second place in the Kick Lite category against some of the top kickboxers in the country. Charla, a blue belt, fought a black belt opponent and said, 'It was a difficult fight, but I managed to stick to the basics as the coach would always tell us.' Charla's journey in kickboxing began in 2020, and she credits her coach, Darin Opperman, for believing in her. 'I'm very proud of myself and the work I've put in. I'm also grateful for him because he believed in me, and I knew I could compete,' she said. Her achievement has earned her a spot on the B team for KOSA, representing South Africa at the 2025 World Championships and the 2026 African Championships. For Charla, kickboxing is more than just a sport; it's a valuable skill for self-defence. 'Kickboxing is not just a sport but a technique I use for self-defence. As a woman and a mother, I know that at any time I would be able to defend myself and my family,' she said. 'I also believe that if more women invested in the sport, we would curb the violence facing our country lately.' Darin praised Charla, stating that she performed exceptionally well against a more experienced fighter. 'This was Charla's second tournament, and I'm very proud of her for the work she put in.' For more information, contact Darin on 081 401 2020. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Freeport to replace non-compliant accessibility ramps over next decades
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — The City of Freeport is undertaking an expensive, multi-decade project to bring accessibility ramps for disabled people in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). About 75% of the ramps in Freeport are not compliant with the act's regulations, according to Acting Public Works Director Darin Stykel. Freeport has over 1,800 ADA ramps. Each ramp costs around $20,000 to replace. 'The city of Freeport started approximately a year ago with a plan to evaluate all the ramps and accessibility needs within the city of Freeport and the right of ways,' Darin said. The city collected data and put it in a '.' 'We wanted to create the living documents that could be updated, and they'll always be a resource on the City Hall site, along with the policy and plan that we put together that gives a grievance process for anybody that feels like a ramp in their neighborhood might be not compliant or it can be fixed,' Darin said. The city is replacing some of the noncompliant ramps with federal and state funding, along with local road project funding. 'In the last three years, the City of Freeport has replaced about 322 ADA ramps. We have another 50 scheduled for this year,' said Darin. Megan Ebert, Youth Services Director for RAMP, a nonprofit disability service, said the changes will benefit those with disabilities. 'I think that whenever we have an opportunity to make our community more inclusive, we should take that opportunity. And it's really exciting that we're going to give everyone access to the goods and services that they need,' she said. Darin said replacing all of the accessibility ramps in Freeport will take time and money. 'We're targeting 25 years, based on the finances that will be required for this project. Currently, in 2025, we have about $25 million in ramps to replace. If we extrapolate that for the cost of inflation over the 25 years, that will climb to nearly $38 million,' he said. A majority of the funding will come from Freeport's 1% sales tax. 'This project is able to be funded and move forward because of the 1% sales tax that the city of Freeport took on,' he added. 'We wouldn't have the funding currently to replace ramps or even fixed streets if we didn't have that funding.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
02-06-2025
- General
- Axios
As strawberry season ends, here's where you can still pick them in the Triangle
The waning days of spring — and with it, strawberry season — are upon us. Yes, but: If you haven't gotten around to picking your own strawberries, it's not too late. Driving the news: Strawberry season in North Carolina usually begins in April at the earliest and runs through late May or early June (if we're lucky). Among the farms that are still offering U-Pick, this might be one of the last weekends to do it. Here are some of the places where you can still pick your own strawberries in the Triangle as the season comes to a close. Pro tip: Check the farm's Facebook or Instagram or give them a call to confirm hours and ensure berry availability. And if you don't make it in time for strawberry picking, most farms offer other seasonal produce and ice cream. Of note: Hours are for strawberry season, and many farms change hours with the seasons. Porter Farms and Nursery has two locations, with one in Willow Spring (3525 NC Highway 42) and another in Raleigh (7615 Ten-Ten Road). Willow Spring hours: Monday through Friday 8:30am to 9pm, Saturday 8am to 9pm and Sunday 10am to 9pm Raleigh hours: Sunday through Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 7pm Bonus: The Willow Spring location offers ice cream year round. DJ's Berry Patch, named for Darin and his wife Jessica, is at 1223 Salem Church Road in Apex. Hours: Monday through Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturday 9am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 7pm. Buckwheat Farm sells Bigfoot shirts, local honey, homemade jam and more alongside its strawberries at 2700 Holland Road in Apex Hours: Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 5pm. Po Hous Farm, a fourth-generation farm, is in Apex at 2300 Richardson Road. Heeks Farms, which grows fruits and vegetables with sustainable farming practices, is near Durham at 3602 Hall Road, Rougemont. Hours vary, so check Facebook or Instagram or give them a call before you head that way. McAdams Farm is at the Carrboro Farmers Market Saturday mornings and at 1100 Efland Cedar Grove Road, Efland. Pace Family Farms, a Johnston County family farm just outside Archer Lodge, is at 12701 Buffalo Road, Clayton. WildSide Farm in Chapel Hill offers various U-pick options, from blackberries and strawberries to carrots and beets. Be sure to grab a ticket online before you go. Find the farm at 4001 Teer Road.
Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Milei beefs with Netflix star over price of a dozen empanadas
The price of empanadas – and the impact of Mr Javier Milei's policies on pocketbook issues – dominated headlines on May 26. PHOTO: REUTERS BUENOS AIRES - President Javier Milei and his finance chief criticised a globally known Argentine actor for complaining that the country's staple food was overpriced, stirring debate about how expensive Argentina has become in dollar terms. Mr Ricardo Darin, the award-winning star of Netflix science-fiction hit The Eternaut drew the administration's ire when he told a popular weekend dinner-show host he paid 48,000 pesos (S$54) for a dozen empanadas and questioned Mr Milei's latest tax measures meant to spur dollar spending. The government accused the actor of snobbery and making generalisations after buying a gourmet version of the savory pastry. The price of empanadas – and the impact of Mr Milei's policies on pocketbook issues – dominated headlines on May 26, a preview of what's to come as October midterm elections inch closer. 'There's a lot of people having a very hard time,' Mr Darin said May 24 on Mirtha Legrand's show. 'Empanadas aren't that expensive, Ricardito,' Economy Minister Luis Caputo shot back in a May 25 interview. 'People can eat good empanadas for 16,000 pesos,' Mr Caputo told La Nacion. 'I'm glad he can eat the most expensive ones.' Mr Milei joined in May 26, posting an AI-generated image of Mr Darin from an Instagram story holding a small gold empanada in a jewellery box. Empanadas – a classic takeout option in Argentina – range in price depending on size, ingredients and restaurant status. Mi Gusto, a popular chain on the higher end, sells a dozen for 47,900 pesos. But the median price for 12 in the city of Buenos Aires was 22,000, closer to Mr Caputo's estimate, according to data from the municipal government. Darin defended his remarks Monday when asked by a local television station. 'Of course there are empanadas of every kind – more expensive, cheaper, depending on the neighbourhood,' he told America TV. 'But it's clear what we're talking about. Prices are elevated. People know it.' The president's measures have forcefully tamed inflation, bringing monthly price hikes down to 2.8 per cent from a peak of 25.5 per cent when he took office. But in dollar terms, the peso has strengthened significantly since Milei took office. It was one of the five best-performing currencies around the world in 2024, gaining more than 40 per cent against the US dollar. For locals and foreigners alike that's also made Argentina home to the world's second most expensive Big Mac ($7) and Latin America's priciest cup of coffee ($3.50). Mr Milei's economy will a dominant ballot question in October's midterm vote, when Argentines will elect half of the House of Deputies and a third of the Senate. Investors are watching the election closely to see whether the country is willing to keep backing the libertarian economist in longer-term reforms. 'For the average voter, it's a blessing to be expensive in dollar terms because their buying power goes up,' said economist Martin Rapetti, founder of consultancy Equilibra. 'The thing is salaries in dollar terms went up a ton, but buying power fell.' Prices for some items in the Argentine capital, like the popular pastry, have increased faster than inflation. Empanada prices are up 240 per cent in the city since November 2023, compared with overall consumer price gains of 219 per cent over the same period. 'It is true that the price of empanadas exceeds cumulative inflation and I think it's owed mainly to the fact that the previous government either subsidized or otherwise stepped on food prices,' said Mr Sebastian Menescaldi, an economist at Buenos Aires-based consultancy EcoGo. Everything from wheat flour to milk received government subsidies under Mr Milei's predecessor, Mr Alberto Fernandez, while barriers to meat exports forced down local prices – all of which the libertarian president removed. Meanwhile, price increases since he took office have outpaced pay increases by 3.6 per cent, Mr Menescaldi calculated using the national statistics agency. 'People lost purchasing power,' he said. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
