Script for ENG

What’s red and white, and is popular every Christmas season?

No, not that jolly old elf.

Nothing rings in the holidays like the beautiful poinsettia.

Businesses around the city have been preparing for months. Nothing in vain though as the finished results are well worth the effort.

Mary Phillips, an employee at the Green Spot in Brandon, knows the work involved.

CLIP – Mary Phillips, Green Spot Employee

IN: 3:35:03 “We usually get the poinsettias…”

OUT: 3:44:01 “…singing Christmas carols.”

The poinsettia, although native to the pacific coast of Mexico, has become a popular Christmas symbol across North America. The legend of the Mexican Flame Leaf tells the story of a young boy who had nothing to take to the Christmas eve service. On his way to the church the boy picked a handful of green weeds and laid them next to nativity scene, later blooming into the full-of-life poinsettia.

Today, the Winter Rose is celebrated every year at that time.

Here at the Green Spot is no exception.

CLIP – Bernie Whetter, Green Spot Owner

IN: 4:09:01 “We’re starting our festival…”

OUT: 4:22:08 “…right up to Christmas.”

So if you’re in the market to add some red, white, or pink to your holiday décor, just remember:

CLIP: Mary Phillips, Green Spot Employee

IN: 4:27:12 “Keep them…”

OUT: 4:33:01 “…but not wet.”

For Westman Newsline, with photographer Matt Turpin, I’m Jaime Dixon.

One pager write-up for profile

Learn Globally, Act Locally

What would you do if you were a rocket scientist who spoke eight languages, had a Ph.D. in education, and had just been accepted to MIT?

You probably wouldn’t be teaching in Brandon, Manitoba.

But that’s exactly what Musabbir Chowdhury is doing.

Chowdhury has been an integral part of the Multi Media and Web Design programs at Assiniboine Community College for the past four years.

However, his life’s journey has been a colourful collection of captivating experiences, and his future plans include more than most could dream to do in a life time.

As a child, Chowdhury knew exactly what he wanted to be: An artist and an engineer.

He got his start as a teen, painting and computing art, and building and flying aircraft in the Ukraine.

Today, Chowdhury is developing a new theory on teaching methods, founding a non-profit organization offering free training for students and teachers in underdeveloped countries, and searching for other ways to give back to the community at large.

And in December he will become a student once again at the world renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the school of management.

What does Chowdhury plan to do with all this experience?

Well, he’s not interested in money or big-time jobs but in fulfilling a self-declared responsibility to give back.

This is the story of one generous genius.