Monday, 30 August, 2021
Hurricane Ida bears down; Switzerland’s flying cows; Swifts do it again in netball final; and Woody the wonderdog calls it a day.
LINKS
Swysh: Personalised video messages from your favourite sports stars
List of storm names for 2021: https://www.almanac.com/content/hurricane-names-hurricane-season
Swiss cows on the mooo-ve: https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-58369772
Squiz Kids Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/squizkids/?hl=en
Got a birthday coming up and you want a shout-out? Send us an email at [email protected]
Squiz Kids is proudly supported by the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
THE LOWDOWN
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People in the US state of Louisiana are bunkering down this morning as Hurricane Ida and its 210 kilometre per hour winds and driving rains lash the many towns and cities in its path.
There were long queues of traffic out of those towns and cities yesterday as residents packed up and moved inland, hoping to outrun the storm.
As well as damaging winds and rain, hurricanes are known to cause storm surges – which is when the sea level rises and causes flooding to low-lying areas on or near the coast.
Hurricane Ida comes on the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina – which hit the same state and was a massive hurricane that caused widespread devastation to the city of New Orleans.
The Gulf of Mexico is renowned for having hurricanes every year. Summer – which it is over there – is known for being ‘hurricane season’.
So – why is the hurricane called Ida? Hurricanes, or cyclones as they are called in our part of the world, are given names by weather scientists as it makes it easier for them to keep track of. The scientists come up with an alphabetical list of names – male and female – before each hurricane season and cycle through them as the seasons unfurls.
There’s a link in today’s episode notes to the list of storm names for 2021.
SPIN THE GLOBE
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Each day we give the world globe a spin and find a news story from wherever it stops, and today we’ve landed in Switzerland .. where cows are being helicoptered down from the top of mountains.
Every summer, when the mountain tops are not covered in snow, cows in Switzerland climb up to the highest pastures they can reach to munch on the sweet green grass that’s up there. Most of the cows make their way back down by themselves – but some are either too old or too injured to get down by themselves, so farmers send helicopters up to fetch them.
The lucky cows then get a free joy ride down into the valley.
I’ve stuck a link in today’s episode notes to the flying cows .. and while it might look like a pretty hair-raising trip – the farmers reckon the cows are not in the least bit bothered. It’s a case of cows on the moooo-ve. See what I did there?
SPORT TIME
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There were two quiet arrivals at the Tokyo Paralympics over the weekend – of two athletes who have overcome more than most to take part in the games.
Afghanistan’s two person Paralympic team of Zakia Kudadadi and Hossain Roussali touched down in the Japanese capital after having been evacuate from their country. As we’ve talked about before in the podcast, Afghanistan is currently in crisis as the Taliban re-take control of the country. So for it’s Paralympians to make it to Tokyo is a thing.
Zakia will compete in the women’s taekwondo and Hossain will run in the men’s 400 metres. Though just by being there they’re already achieved a lot.
Meanwhile back home: the Swifts beat the Giants 63-59 in the Super Netball grand final — their second championship in three years. Go Swifts.
And the Melbourne Storm were denied a record-breaking 20th consecutive win when they were beaten by the Parramatta Eels.
ANIMAL KINGDOM
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Today we bring you the story of Woody the wonderdog, a greyhound who has helped save 88 other dogs’ lives. Since the age of three, Woody has been donating his blood to the Pet Blood Bank in the United Kingdom, which sends it on to vets to use in emergencies.
Just like with human blood, dog blood can be either positive or negative. Negative blood can be used with ANY sick patient in an emergency. And, negative blood is much rarer… meaning that the dogs who have it are needed as donors.
Woody, whose favourite foods are cucumber, cheese, and carrots, has donated 10 liters of blood over the last six years! His owner says that he’s always rushed happily into the donation centre, and “bounced” out again, He had a little retirement party over the weekend, and got a hamper full of treats from the blood bank. Let’s hope it included some cheese.
SWYSH
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““It’s time for the S’Quiz, but before we jump in … sshhhh … lean in close .. is your Dad around? Tell him to make himself scarce – or block his ears .. because I reckon I’ve found the perfect Father’s Day prezzie for any sports loving dad out there .. it’s called Swysh – and it’s Australia’s premier provider of personalised video messages from our biggest sporting stars.
All your favourite players just waiting to record a custom-made Father’s Day video for the special old bloke in your life. You can ask them to thank dad for being the best, talk about a career highlight or entertain him with a funny memory, whatever you like!
And the best bit? Part of the proceeds from every Swysh video goes to charities like the Starlight Children’s Foundation and Variety. Check them out at heyswysh.com – that’s swysh s-w-y-s-h. There’s a link to their website in today’s episode notes.””
THE S’QUIZ
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This is the part of the podcast where you get to test how well you’ve been listening …
- What’s the name of the hurricane that has forced thousands to evacuate their homes in the US state of Louisiana?
- In which country have cows been brought down off a mountain by helicopter?
- What’s the name of the greyhound in England who’s been a champion blood donor?
SHOUT OUTS
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It’s August 30 … 186 years ago today, in the year 1835, the city of Melbourne was founded … so happy 186th birthday Melbourne!
It’s also a special day for these Squiz Kids celebrating a birthday today… Aiden and Maharlia from Romaine Park, Aashna, Jamal and Harry from Craigburn, James from Shoal Bay, Chloe from Caulfield, Alicia from
Albany Hills, Austin from Madeley, Ethan from Ashmont, Saphira from Campbeltown, Cecila from Randwick, Cooper from Paddington, Harley from Glen Innes and Charlotte from Springwood.
And belated birthday wishes to… Banreet from Alexander Heights, Koby from Koroit, Bella from Albany Hills, Charlotte from Springwood, Bailey from Ashmont, Marley from Macarthur, Ingrid from Canberra, Joey from Croppa Creek, Derek from Killara, Clarissa from Melbourne and Stella and Charlotte from Kempsey.
Plus!! … Because our friends in Victoria, Canberra and NSW are in lockdown – we’re sending out Home Learning Herograms …
Elly sends a herogram to Ms Price and 4/5P from Camden Public school for being so helpful during online schooling.
A herogram to Mrs Seo and Mrs Forrest at Lindfield Public School.
A herogram to Miss Carla Lolicato and Grade 3CL at Holy Eucharist Primary School in St Albans … and a homeschooling shout out to Austin from Padstow Heights who is working super hard at home – keep it up Austin!
Plus a classroom shout out to the Kookaburra Class at the Australian International School in Singapore – fortunately NOT in lockdown and a special birthday shout out to Zee Zee in that class, who celebrated his birthday on Friday.
The S’Quiz Answers:
- Ida
- Switzerland
- Woody