In this issue...
• "Ghost tapping" - and what you can do to protect yourself from being scammed
• WestJet called out over lack of legroom in viral social media video
• By the numbers X 10 + 1
• Mattel introduces an autistic Barbie doll
• Before you go: 7 things you may have missed in the news
• Trivia: Did you know?
• Quotes of note
• Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
• Enchanted Owls - Relaxing Owl Mandalas colouring book by Rose Michaels
• Monday, January 26: Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night
| |
"Ghost tapping" - and what you can do to protect yourself from being scammed
The natural reflex after someone bumps into you in public is to be slightly annoyed - but then forgive them after they profusely apologize to you. That's been the norm for years. These days, though, you'd better check your bank or credit card account right away, because they may have used a device to secretly tap your card(s) in your wallet or purse.
Article excerpt: "Ghost tapping is a fraud method that targets the 'tap-to-pay' feature found on cards and mobile wallets. It involves using near-field communication (NFC) technology, which enables a card or phone to exchange data with a payment terminal at very close range.
Unlike older scams that required a physical swipe or a tampered reader, ghost tapping can proceed without a card ever leaving its owner’s wallet or phone. According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers have several approaches:
• They may bump or brush past someone in a crowded location with a hidden reader, triggering a payment from the victim’s tap-enabled device
• They might pose as vendors, charity collectors, or door-to-door sellers and insist on tap payments - then charge far more than the buyer expects
• In more sophisticated schemes, scammers trick victims into entering their card details into phishing apps or links, adding them to mobile wallets they control to make unauthorized tap-to-pay purchases without the physical card present
Although most documented incidents to date are U.S.-based, Resecurity reports that the same NFC infrastructure and payment flow exists in Canada, making locals vulnerable."
One more thing to worry about...
Read: "Ghost tapping" is on the rise - what Canadians need to know about this contactless payment scam.
| | |
WestJet called out over lack of legroom in viral social media video
It was difficult to miss this story over the recent holiday season because it was all over the place. An Alberta man has gone viral after showing the unbelievably small space for his legs during a WestJet flight from Edmonton to Toronto. They chose the cheapest seats possible - as many people do - and certainly got what they paid for.
Article excerpt: "A viral video showing an Alberta family's tight squeeze on a recent WestJet flight is prompting conversations about passenger legroom on Canadian airlines and whether the federal government needs to get involved.
On Dec. 26, 2025, Amanda Schmidt, her mother and father, Manfred Schmidt, were flying on WestJet from Edmonton to Toronto, en route to the Dominican Republic.
The family bought ultra-basic economy seats, which were non-reclining, and found their seating circumstances quite cramped.
A video posted to TikTok by Amanda shows her father, Manfred, who is 6'3" tall and approximately 220 pounds, appearing uncomfortable in his seat.
'I could not get into the seat. I mean, I tried to get my knees in front of me… I'm a little bit taller than normal, maybe, but not a lot,' Manfred said."
I don't fly very often, but comfort on long flights would be of the utmost importance to me. While individual flyers must choose their own budget points, of course, airlines can certainly do the bare minimum to ensure that their passengers are able to - at the bare minimum - walk out of the plane when they land without being practically maimed during the flight due to Scrooge-like space restrictions.
Read: Viral video on WestJet plane sparks debate over passenger legroom, calls for more regulation.
| | |
Mattel introduces an autistic Barbie doll
In its continuing efforts to be more inclusive of many aspects of society, Mattel has introduced an autistic Barbie doll complete with fidget spinner and earphones to reduce noise.
Article excerpt: "In an attempt to help 'more children to see themselves represented in Barbie,' toy creator Mattel Inc. is releasing their first-ever autistic Barbie doll.
The doll was created with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). Noor Pervez, the non-profit's community engagement manager, said they aimed to help autistic children see themselves, and also deliver a message to non-autistic people.
'We want people to kind of get an early reinforcer,' Pervez said. 'And to be able to pass down to their kids this early reminder that autistic people are a normal and valuable part of our communities.'
Advocates helped choose the doll's unique features over 18 months of development, Pervez said. For example, the eyes of the new Barbie shift slightly to the side to represent how some autistic people sometimes avoid direct eye contact, he said.
The doll also has mobile elbows and wrists to acknowledge stimming, hand flapping and other gestures that some autistic people use to process sensory information or to express excitement, according to Mattel. It also comes with a fidget spinner for similar sensory reasons."
In recent years, the Barbie franchise has embraced diversity and empowerment despite a general corporate move away from "wokeness" due to political influences currently gaining momentum in some areas of the globe. Despite this trend, Barbie continues to thrive and move forward with determination in appealing to a broader audience and displaying empathy that seems to be on the wane.
Read: Why autism advocates are celebrating Barbie's first-ever autistic doll. News release: Barbie introduces the first autistic Barbie Doll, championing representation for children through play.
| |
Trivia: Did you know?
The giraffe has the highest blood pressure of any mammal reaching 290/180 and even 300/180 in order to pump blood up its long neck to its brain.
| |
Quotes of note
• 1. "Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."
- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), President of the United States (1861-1865) (see photo)
• 2. "Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories."
- Deborah Kerr
• 3. "One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: ‘To rise above little things’."
- John Burroughs
• 4. "May the New Year bring you courage to break your resolutions early! My own plan is to swear off every kind of virtue, so that I triumph even when I fall!"
- Aleister Crowley, Moonchild
• 5. "It was just a kiss...."
"Yeah, and King Kong was just a monkey."
- Linda Howard, After the Night
• 6. "Once upon a time there was a boy who loved a girl, and her laughter was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering."
- Nicole Krauss, The History of Love
• 7. "Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever."
- Walt Disney
• 8. "From the moment I picked up your book until I put it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Some day I intend reading it."
- Groucho Marx
• 9. "I am free of all prejudice. I hate everyone equally."
- W.C. Fields
• 10. "The problem with winter sports is that – follow me closely here – they generally take place in winter."
- Dave Barry
| |
Enjoy the outdoors with the Greater Moncton Walking Group
In January, the group is walking in Mapleton Park with meetup in the Rotary Lodge parking lot off of Mapleton Road.
In February, the group moves to Centennial Park, meeting in the parking lot off St. George Boulevard.
The group meets for walks every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. New participants are always welcome! For more information, please contact Wayne Harrigan at 506-386-2187 or via email.
| |
Enchanted Owls - Relaxing Owl Mandalas colouring book by Rose Michaels
Discover the perfect blend of beauty and mindfulness with this intricate and relaxing adult coloring book from Rose Michaels featuring stunning owl mandala images. Each page of Enchanted Owls - Relaxing Mandala Designs offers a fun and creative escape, with elegant, detailed coloring images that invite you to slow down, focus and let your imagination soar. Perfect for relieving stress and embracing mindfulness, these beautiful illustrations capture the charm and wisdom of owls while offering endless coloring possibilities. Whether you’re an experienced artist or just beginning your coloring journey, this collection provides a soothing and rewarding experience. Grab your favorite colors and bring these majestic, magical owls to life in your own style. A total of 50 images are available in the book with a blank page on the other side of the image if you want to use markers.
• Amazon Canada: amzn.to/4q9Izx9
• Amazon USA: amzn.to/3W5hjSR
To view the entire list of Rose Michaels' colouring books, visit her website or follow her Facebook page.
| |
Monday, January 26: Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Trivia Night
The next Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club Trivia Night will be held at St. Louis Bar & Grill, 1405 Mountain Road, Moncton, on Monday, January 26, beginning at 6:30 p.m. $10 per person (cash only).
Participants may play as teams or individuals. The winning team gets 50% of the door receipts as their prize.
It is strongly suggested that participants arrive by 5:15-5:30 p.m. for a seat. Trivia begins at 6:30 p.m. sharp and is usually over by 8-8:15 p.m. Everyone welcome!
Please note that restaurant reservations are NOT available for this event. First come, first served. Limited seating of approximately 50 guests.
Participants may bring an optional non-perishable food item (box of granola bars, Kraft Dinner, cereal, canned goods, etc.) for distribution at Krista Richard's Community Sports Program events, of which the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club is a sponsor. Any donations will be gratefully received and provided to Krista for distribution to her program participants (school-aged children from Moncton-area schools).
Since Rotary Trivia Nights began in 2016, the Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club has donated more than $20,000 to Atlantic Wellness, Karing Kitchen, Ray of Hope Kitchen, Salvus Clinic, The Humanity Project, BGC Moncton (Moncton Boys & Girls Club), Junior Achievement New Brunswick, Project Linus - Moncton Chapter, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement New Brunswick, Children's Wish Canada, Krista Richard's Community Sports Program and Bicycle Program, Diabetes Canada's D-Camps for kids, and Anglophone East School District's School Supplies Drive, among others.
The Greater Moncton Sunrise Rotary Club gratefully acknowledges the kind and generous sponsorship of our restaurant partner, St. Louis Bar & Grill.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a no telephone rule at these events. The answers cannot be researched except among discussion with your team members.
Facebook event listing: bit.ly/43QNMk5
| | |
About this newsletter
Brian Cormier's Weekly Update is distributed weekly from September to June. If you're reading this newsletter online and want to subscribe, please email me, fill out the subscription form on my website, or subscribe via the "Join Our Email List" button at the top of the newsletter (if you're viewing this in a browser.) This newsletter is not published in July and August and on holidays.
| | © 2025 Bricor Communications | | | | |
