Broadcaster and author Jay Ingram and the Discovery Channel were at the Aquaplex  with the staff testing math skills to verify a study that suggested people do worse with math in their swim suits.

    How comfortable are you in your bathing suit?
    Are you one of those that jumps out of the water and covers up with a towel? Or do you stroll down the beach?  Do you bask in the sun? Or do you head for a private spot in the shade?
    Most importantly how good at math are you in your trunks?
    That is what broadcaster and writer Jay Ingram and the Discovery Channel came to Drumheller on Wednesday to find out. The staff at the Drumheller Aquaplex was put to the test as the Discovery Channel crew filmed a new segment for Daily Planet.
    “There is a study that was published in the U.S. that showed people don’t do math as well when they have a swimsuit on compared to when they are fully clothed,” Ingram told inSide Drumheller.
    To test out this theory, they asked the lifeguard crew to put their math skills to the test. According to Ingram, part of the reasoning behind the theory is that people are self conscious about themselves when they are not fully dressed and not able to concentrate as well.
    “We’re doing it with the lifeguard crew here, and we’re not sure if it is going to work because they are so used to having swimsuits on, but then we are gong to run over to Chestermere and get random people who may be in a swimsuit for the first time ever,” said Ingram.
    In fact, Aquaplex staff produced six, 100 per cent results in their bathing suits and only one perfect score clothed.
    The column for the Daily Planet is tentatively named Seriously.
    He explains the name came from the Lethbridge City Police spokesperson when they were attempting to debunk the myth as to whether it was possible to light a candle with a Taser.
    The segment Seriously is slated to air every second Thursday on Daily Planet. No word on when the Drumheller clip will be running.

A Drumheller man has put his life on to the page in a compelling work sharing his formative years.  
Nathan Banda, an RN at the Drumheller Health Centre, has self-published his book called Moments That Shaped My Life. Born and raised in Malawi, a small land-locked country in East Africa, Banda brings a unique perspective.  He wished to share this perspective.
    “I was born and raised in Malawi, and I have my wife and three boys. When I am playing with my boys they ask about my childhood,” he said.
    He explains his 11-year-old is a curious sort and to satisfy some of these probing questions, he began working on the book.
    “I thought if I could put something down that he could read, perhaps I can answer more of these questions, instead of one by one,” said Banda.
    He has a compelling story, and he has faced challenges.
    “Especially because Malawi is a poor country, it has its own challenges, but secondly, even though there are these challenges there are a lot of good things which helped shape who I am today," said Banda.
    The book is focused on the formative years.
    “It is from the ages of six or seven to about 14, so it is only seven years, not a whole lifespan. That is the most critical time in the growing up process. It is when you are supposed to be growing up and absorbing everything without realizing you are,” he said.
    He said the influence of parents and the community all factor into a young person’s development on the conscious and subconscious levels.
    “If a person becomes a good citizen it’s because of all these values they are given. If you are instilling the element of hard work, it is at this time, if you are instilling an element of laziness, or rudeness, or what ever, it is at this time,” said Banda.
    Like the journey of discovery he wrote about, the journey towards self-publishing was pleasantly surprising. He learned others wanted to hear his story.
    He was in contact with a few publishers to print the book, including  WestBow Press. After a six-minute conversation, the company, said they were interested. Banda was skeptical, but the company persisted and compelled him to send his writing to them. He sent it along in March, and on June 19 it was released.
    In fact, the publisher is asking when the next book is coming.
    He also forwarded his work onto some peers for review and was very happy to receive positive feedback.
    Today Banda's book is available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Chapters and WestBow’s website. It is also available electronically.
    Banda is hosting a book signing July 26 at the Drumheller Public Library, and then another on July 28 at Chapters in Shaughnessy.