News Briefs, January 8, 2014 issue: Chargers back at it, Camosun student makes exceptional recovery, Sooke resident on shortlist to go to Mars

News January 8, 2014

Camosun Chargers ready for more

After the mid-season break, the Camosun Chargers teams are heading back into action. The women’s basketball and volleyball teams finished strong after the first semester, both at third in the PACWEST standings. The men’s basketball team will be training hard after a tough start to the season, and the men’s volleyball team is aiming for consistent wins. Home games start with volleyball on January 10.

Camosun student’s recovery surprises doctors

Camosun student Paige Young was saved from a potentially fatal blood clot last month, thanks to the persistence of the medical staff at the Victoria General Hospital. Despite an extended period of time with inadequate blood flow to her body, doctors say there was no apparent permanent damage. Though her recovery was called miraculous, she has not yet improved enough to be released from the hospital. Best wishes for her recovery from all of us at Nexus.

Sooke author gets closer to Mars

Out of over 200,000 applications, Sooke resident Marina Miral has been chosen as a short-list candidate for a one-way Mars mission. Dutch non-profit foundation Mars One aims to create a settlement on Mars, hoping to send four colonists in its first launch. If the local author is one of the final candidates in 2015, she will spend seven years in training before living her dream of space travel. (And, yes, we said “one-way.”)

TEDx Victoria talks posted

For those who didn’t make it out to the actual event, the talks from last November’s TEDx event in Victoria have been posted online. The presentations are given by speakers such as Bob McDonald, Adam Kreek, and Mary-Wynne Ashford, to name just a few. The entire playlist of TEDx Victoria 2013 talks is now available for viewing on YouTube.

Pipeline recommendation debated

Last month a review panel recommended that the federal government approve the contentious Northern Gateway Pipeline that would carry oil through Alberta and BC. This announcement has not dulled efforts of those opposing the project, especially from many First Nations groups in BC, who are considering legal action if the project is approved.

They think their compost don’t stink

You might think it’s obvious that garbage, especially compost, smells bad, but did you know it’s against the law to subject the neighbourhood to those nasty odors? Compost facility Foundation Organics found that out the hard way by ignoring warnings and even a licence suspension, continuing to emit a foul stench into the surrounding area. The facility was charged under public nuisance laws after “significant odour complaints” were received. So, now you know: it’s against the law to be too stinky.