2013 fall airdrielife

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years!

fall 2013

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years!

We’re celebrating

10

s T r a The Tion edi

our th fall issue!!

(my, how we’ve changed!)

featuring our own musicians, artists, actors, dancers, those chairs and the promoters and purveyors of the arts in Airdrie

FREE IN YOU SIDE R Ar GUIDE tem

TO

ber

PLUS Your guide to the 2013-14 season of the Bert Church LIVE Theatre! airdrielife_fall2013.indd 1

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Contributors fall 2013

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years!

Our contributors are artists in their own right, so we asked them what they learned about Airdrie’s arts and culture scene through their assignments.

GROUP PUBLISHER EDITOR COPY EDITOR DESIGN MANAGER

JEFF MACKINNON, WRITER Through researching stories on the BG Café (page 58) and the creation of the Airdrie Multicultural Society (page 56), I came to realize Airdrie is home to a great many caring people who are working hard to make the city inclusive for all ages and nationalities.

KRISTY REIMER, PHOTOGRAPHER There are many more opportunities for kids and adults to be involved in arts and culture in Airdrie than I thought! Kids would have an absolute blast at a splatter paint party at 4Cats Arts Studio (page 108), learning about art while having fun, while adults would enjoy an intimate house concert put on by K-Leigh (page 58).

CONTRIBUTORS

ADVERTISING SALES PRINTING DISTRIBUTION MANAGER

Sherry Shaw-Froggatt Anne Beaty Vanessa Peterelli Kim Williams Joan Bell, Sergei Belski, Michelle Carre, Jennifer Cormier, Leslie Davies, Alex Frazer-Harrison, Ellen Kelly, Kurtis Kristianson, Tiffany Lennox, Jeff MacKinnon, Tina McMillan, Joy Nowland, Carl Patzel, Kristy Reimer, Kent Rupert, Kyla Werschke, Elise Yurkowski Sherry Shaw-Froggatt Print West John Pirzek

ELLEN KELLY, WRITER The arts are alive and well in Airdrie, thanks to the enthusiasm and support of many, many local artists (Good Earth, page 112), musicians (Rotary girls, page 22) and dancers (Morgan Cox, page 68). There is

CONTACT US

so much talent in our community.

airdrielife is delivered to all homes in Airdrie and surrounding areas. If you do not receive an issue please contact sherry@frogmediainc.ca

We also asked our 10th anniversary feature contributors what they learned about airdrielife in the process of reviewing 29 issues worth of material.

VANESSA PETERELLI, COPY EDITOR Vanessa researched, wrote and edited our feature on pages 75-79.

There’s an unwavering passion for LIFE that literally oozes from each and every issue of airdrielife, no matter the number of pages, contributors or stories. The magazine has been a part of – and celebrated – the lives of Airdrionians in the same way as would a close friend or family member.

Look up synonyms for ‘life’ and you’ll find words like growth, heart, soul, energy, essence, excitement, sparkle, vitality and zing. airdrielife has meant all these things and more to thousands of people, and 2,496 pages later, it’s zingier than ever.

Editorial Advertising

anne@frogmediainc.ca sherry@frogmediainc.ca

WHERE TO FIND US

airdrielife is also available at more than 50 locations around the city. You can also find airdrielife in every showhome in the city and at more than 100 locations in Calgary. airdrielife is published quarterly by Frog Media Inc. with the co-operation of the City of Airdrie Economic Development Department.

VOLUME 10, NUMBER 3

ISSN 1916-355X

Contents copyright 2013 by Frog Media Inc. May not be reproduced without permission. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher.

EDITORIAL POLICY

KYLA WERSHKE, GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN Kyla, a fourth-year information design student at Mount Royal University, created the graphics and overall design for the feature.

It’s been an amazing opportunity to work on the 10-year project. I was able to reflect back to the beginning of airdrielife and how much this community has grown over the last 10 years. What amazing opportunities we now have: ARTember, Amazing Women Awards, AIRdirondack Art Project, even the Zombie Cup, just to name a few. airdrielife has reflected a great community that has passion, love and support. It is the people of this city who have made all this possible.

airdrielife editorial is not for sale. Editorial is completely independent from advertising, and no special editorial consideration or commitment of any kind can form any part of the advertising agreement. All editorial inquiries must be directed toward the editor. A copy of Frog Media Inc. Writers’ Guidelines can be downloaded from the editorial page on our website. airdrielife does not accept unsolicited submissions. Freelance writers and photographers interested in assignments are asked to send an inquiry, with samples from at least three published magazine articles, to editorial@airdrielife.com airdrielife is produced from well-managed forests, printed with canola-based inks, and is 100% recyclable.

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Windsong in Airdrie is the kind of place where time is always well spent. Whether you are sharing time with your family in a spacious, well-planned home or enjoying the parks, playgrounds and walking/biking paths throughout the neighbourhood, there is a special quality to the time you spend in Windsong.

Perhaps that’s why more than 1,000 families have already chosen to enjoy the many pleasures of this popular community.

The streets offer a diverse collection of architectural styles so each street has its own personality. We also have 6 Showhomes in Windsong so you can see the style of home that would be best for your family.

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All illustrations are artist’s concept. All dimensions are approximate. Prices, specifications, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. E.&O.E.

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A letter from the publisher It’s a stack just under two feet tall. Twenty-nine issues of airdrielife. That about sums up my career for the past 10 years. But the pages are only a mere reflection of what airdrielife has meant to me.

I have so many people to thank for believing in the magazine and the vision I had. Kathy Anderson was my partner when we launched. She handled sales, the printer and distribution. (In other words, the things I didn’t want to!) Kathy went on to pursue a very successful career in real estate, but without her never-say-no attitude we wouldn’t have gotten off the ground.

Kim Williams, whom I met through Kathy, has been the designer of airdrielife since day one.

Kim and I have worked so well together these past 10 years, improving the look and feel each issue. My biggest thrill every single time is those very first few pages of proofs I see from Kim during production. Kim has grown into such a creative force.

Wendy Potter came along at a crucial time in the growth of the magazine and without her energy and “Six Degrees of Wendy,” as I call her uncanny ability to have a connection with anyone, the magazine would not have continued to evolve so quickly. Wendy has moved on careerwise but we remain the best of friends – one of the best benefits that has come out of this business.

Professional editing – what a concept. Did you know that when I started I did it myself? Now go back and count the typos in those old issues! Thanks to Anne Beaty, who came from 14 years of reporting and editing at the Echo and knew the city so well, we were able to bring some cohesiveness and structure to the overall editorial content. Anne is the consummate professional and I know I drive her nuts.

Vanessa Peterelli was the editor of another magazine we produced for a short time, Cochrane Connects.

When that folded (hey, people, Cochrane is just NOT Airdrie!) Van came to provide that extra set of eyes and act as copy editor, proofing every word, phrase and, yes, this piece right here. I have overheard Anne and Van politely arguing a point of grammar many times during our upload/production day.

We have been fortunate over the years to attract some top-calibre freelancers to airdrielife. Alex Frazer-Harrison was the first and he still works regularly with us. Alex set the bar for all freelance editorial.

Ellen Kelly approached us with enthusiasm, plenty of story ideas and a fresh eye. I really enjoyed Ellen’s humorous, intelligent columns, which I hope to bring back in the future. I remember having coffee with writer/ photographer Carl Patzel fresh from Fort McMurray

dailies; he had decided he wanted to work with airdrielife. I was thrilled and we’ve never looked back, except often at his great photos!

Photographers have in my mind taken airdrielife to a whole new level of quality. Yes, those first few issues featured my own incredibly average camera work, but once we went to professionals, we did not look back. Kristy Reimer did our very first studio shots and they remain my most cherished. Kristy has shot 19 covers for us and countless other features including my personal favourite – our weddinglife feature in 2009.

Carl, as I mentioned, came as a two-for-one; getting a photographer and writer in one makes for great features. Both Carl and Kristy have been recognized by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association for their work in airdrielife.

Sergei Belski is a “fan favourite.” Any time he is out at a shoot representing airdrielife, we hear back from the photo subjects, who love his professionalism and humour. I can always tell when Sergei has had fun on a shoot – it shows right through the lens.

The last photographer to join our current team is Kurtis Kristianson and he is our go-to extreme sports guy but has also proven to be quite gifted with portraits, shooting our first-ever black-and-white cover in 2011. Kurtis has also shown himself to be a great writer, bringing his photos to life for us.

We have had lots of contributors over the years. Alan Tennant was the first to help me out with real estate articles and his daughter, Michelle Carre, has capably taken over with her own style and wit. Joy Nowland was a breath of fresh air all the way from Australia who recently helped us with our special projects, Eat Play Stay Airdrie and the launch of our Parenting Page this past year. Joy is back in Brisbane awaiting the birth of her second child and wrapped up her work in this issue from there so for a few short months we had a bi-continental office! airdrielife gets delivered to your door by the Echo, but the copies you see in more than 50 racks around town and at all the showhomes, restaurants and more get there thanks to the diligence of a great young man named John Pirzek. Before John got his licence (and his own truck!) his parents Rob and Michelle were the ones doing all the driving (and some of the heavy lifting). A special thank you to all of them for making sure airdrielife is always available 52 weeks a year.

I owe a debt of gratitude to the team at Airdrie Economic Development. They were part of the vision from day one and Kent Rupert has always been one of our biggest cheerleaders. The team saw (and still sees) the potential of the magazine to showcase a city that is growing (and growing!) and the role airdrielife plays in promoting the ‘live, work, play’ energy that makes it so unique.

In the very first issue I wrote: “This first edition of ‘airdrielife’ ... represents the culmination of a lot of hard work, creativity and energy….” Today, I would add the words passion, integrity and love.

We love what we do. We hope it shows.

Thank you.

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INTRODUCING A K I N G D O M TO CA L L YO U R OW N I N A I R D R I E

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editor’s note Earlier this summer I was watching PBS NewsHour and enjoyed listening to actor John Lithgow and Duke University president Richard Brodhead discuss the importance and value of the humanities in education. Lithgow and Brodhead were talking about the focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and the potential neglect of the humanities, which, both agreed, would be a real loss on several levels.

As Brodhead said, STEM alone does not make for an educated person, or even an educated scientist; for Lithgow, who studied English and literature at Harvard, his humanities studies put him into the habit of learning, a habit that makes for a broader perspective on the world.

What this discussion brought to mind is the importance of arts and culture in a community – it’s not just infrastructure – and how lucky we in Airdrie are to have encouraged and developed a vibrant arts and culture focus.

Because the positive effect of a strong arts and culture community cannot easily be quantified it can often be neglected. But here we welcome and celebrate all forms of art, in such unique ways as 3-D canvases decorating the city (page 73), an exciting theatre community (pages 28 and 52), a broad range of activities and opportunities for learning for all ages (pages 64 and 108). Our cultural community is equally as welcoming (page 56), and newcomers to Airdrie (page 30) bring with them perspectives and practices (and delicious recipes) from around the globe that enrich our city and broaden our horizons.

Arts and culture have also been celebrated for the past 10 years by airdrielife magazine, thanks to the dedication and commitment of our publisher, Sherry Shaw-Froggatt.

Sherry’s vision has brought to life Airdrie in-depth, giving us the people who make up our community: our friends, neighbours, business owners, professionals – in short, everyone who makes Airdrie such a great place to call home (and to visit, for those not fortunate enough to live here!).

Thank you, Sherry, for putting into practice the humanities in the community, for introducing us to some incredible people and for showcasing all Airdrie has to offer.

Anne Beaty, EDITOR

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fall 2013 |

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34 On the Cover

Sarah Ferguson is art personified!

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years!

PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

Columns and regular features 42

Parentlife with Joy Nowland

44

Events

48

Petlife with Dr. Tiffany Lennox

52

Citylife

86

Lifemoves with Michelle Carre

90

Lifestyles with Tina McMillan

102

Businesslife with Kent Rupert

118

Last Look

32

life in the moment

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20

20

Memories – Musician loves sounds of the ’70s

22

Young Talent – Singers give voice to their passion

24

Healing Art – Painter puts soul into work

26

In the Public Eye – Artist’s painting sends message

28

Super Season – Upcoming shows will please all ages

30

Cold Comfort – Customers love gelato

32

Taste of Asia – Market offers specialty foods

34

Cover Charge – ‘Muse’ celebrates the arts

36

Impressive Results – Fitness challenge wraps up

38

New Look – Makeover delights

46

Here’s Lookin’ at You – Eye health is essential

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life in the community

66

54

Training Ground – Iron Horse Park draws enthusiasts

56

Everyone’s Welcome – Multicultural society opens doors

58

Intimate Concerts – Music sooths the soul

63

Celebrating the Arts – ARTember covers all bases

64

Have a Seat – AIRdirondack chairs decorate city

66

Hanging Out – Café draws a crowd

68

Song and Dance – Youngster trips the light fantastic

70

Beam Me Up – Entrepreneurs create sudsy homage

72

Cubism – Art beautifies community

75

Delightful Decade – airdrielife celebrates 10th anniversary

92

life at home 84

Living It Up – Home design offers myriad options

92

Developing Relationships – Vesta works with community

94

As Time Goes By – Neighbourhood continues to be family’s home

98

Parade of Homes – Builders show their wares

life at work

114

104

Helping Hands – Mentors assist new business owners

108

Fun and Games – Studio caters to young artists

110

Engaging – Woodside hires creatively

112

Community Support – Café showcases the arts

114

Unique Mix – Store is a real gem

116

The Written Word – Calligrapher expresses herself

117

True Colours – Local woman ‘paints’ human canvas

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Creating Beautiful Smiles for Life

Finally ... something to

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Every patient wants to have an attractive smile. When you smile with confidence, you look your best and feel good about yourself.

Straight teeth and a broad smile are very important to a person's positive self- image. As your teeth, jaws and lips become properly aligned through orthodontic therapy, your self-image can improve. This is just one of the many benefits.

What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a form of dentistry that specializes in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of dental and facial irregularities. Technically speaking, these problems are classified as "malocclusion," meaning "bad bite." *Dr. Jennifer Buchanan is skilled in the design, application and control of corrective appliances, such as braces, to bring teeth, lips and jaws into proper alignment and to achieve facial balance.

Most people associate orthodontics with the application of braces to correct crooked teeth in children. *Dr. Jennifer Buchanan, however, treats a wide variety of conditions in people of all ages.

Phone: 403.948.3342

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Our general dentistry practice treats patients with Orthodontic and TMJ disorders. Our office is a modern facility designed specifically to offer you comfort and convenience while providing superior service and quality. We work with our patients so they can achieve and maintain a beautiful smile and healthier teeth and gums. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at Apple Wellness Dental.

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Happy, healthy smiles are what we do best.

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Our friendly team will make every visit an enjoyable one, for any treatment that you may require.

General dentistry services are the foundation of dental care, and include your regular cleanings, examinations, and restorative procedures.

Our commitment to innovative technology means that we can transform your smile in less time and in less invasive ways than ever before. Products like Zoom! Whitening, Invisalign, and CEREC Ceramic Restorations are convenient, long lasting and safe ways that we can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted.

Our team of dental professionals has been bringing friendly, top-quality dental services to the families of Airdrie and area since 1994.

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moment life in the 30 Sweet Treat airdrielife_fall2013.indd 19

26 Street Smarts 38 Fashion Forward

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life in the moment|music Adam Scotten draws on the past as he tells stories with his music.

Vocal a

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about Vinyl I

n an era of corporate music pumping out homogenous, watereddown tunes, Adam Scotten brings to mind the days of substance-driven, meaningful songs and yes, even the nearly extinct vinyl record.

Having grown up on a solid feed of golden-age rock and folk, the Airdrie musician strives to deliver depth and substance through soulful lyrics and guitar playing.

“Good old classic rock is the best stuff, in my opinion, unlike this new stuff. I’m trying to bring it back,” says the soft-spoken 25-year-old.

While his influences are wide ranging, from Metallica to Neil Young, from America to Sam Roberts, the local musician was raised on a steady diet of what is considered these days as classic rock.

“My dad brought me up on all the great old bands like James Taylor and Nazareth, April Wine, Foreigner, Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen – all the greats,” he says.

When he’s strumming his guitar, Scotten doesn’t go down the golden path of regurgitating today’s popular radio hits that to him lack originality – he sticks with the ’60s and ’70 classics from Gerry Rafferty, Bread and even Canadian legend Leonard Cohen.

“I just love how they always seem to tell a story,” he says. “It’s something you can actually listen to and get lost in the words. You really pay attention to the song.”

As for today’s music, Scotten is not terribly impressed. “It’s all cookie-cutter stuff now, basically the same style,” he says.“Nothing really catches my ear for music when I listen to that stuff; I just want to change the station.”

Reminiscent of a time when the smell of fresh-pressed vinyl was accompanied by dazzling album covers, readable liner notes and lyric sheets decorated with plenty of artistic content, Scotten is motivated by the social-consciousness lyrics in earlier music.

“They would talk about living life freely and how love becomes something and how different experiences have changed their lives,” he says.“It’s so much more diverse than it is today.”

Those views are reflected in the young musician’s cover selection and original compositions. A rendition of Oasis’s Wonderwall won Scotten the Airdrie Idol competition in 2007 and earned him some recognition, a bit of free airplay on local radio and encouragement to continue down the lyrical path. “[That] was really when I got my foot in the door and started to get noticed, and being taking seriously as a musician,” he

Adam Scotten STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARL PATZEL

says. “It made me realize that I really wanted to take my passion for music seriously.”

Scotten can be found competing in local SLAM festivals; regularly playing at Good Earth Coffeehouse, the Standard Tap and Bert Church Theatre; and volunteering his talent at local fundraising events.

Original tunes Incomplete and the Neil Young-America-influenced Discovered have become local coffee-shop favourites among his followers. “[Discovered] is probably one of my best that I have been able to come out with. It has that old, vintage feel to it. There’s something straight out of the ’70s,” says Scotten, who recorded the acoustic piece at Alchemy Studios using his own harmonies and an African-influenced djembe drum.

“I want people to listen to it and hear a story and get lost in it, too,” he adds.“You listen back to the old stories and it really taps your mind into a different perspective.”

Scotten is just scratching the surface of his talents; his ultimate dream is to produce a full album, do a small Canadian tour and build his own cabin recording studio where he can write new tunes and spin some old wax.

“There is something about the sound of vinyl, it’s so much different than CDs and MP3s,” he says.“You just can’t replicate that old, vintage feel. It’s kind of cool.” life

fall 2013 2013 || fall

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life in the moment | noteworthy

MADISON MAURO

F

or two years now, the Airdrie Rotary Festival of Performing Arts has provided a wonderful venue for showcasing local talent, allowing local performers to take those talents to the next level by qualifying to compete at the provincial festival held annually in Edmonton.

“We have lots of talent and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to showcase it,” says Nadine Low, president of the Airdrie festival.

Two young vocalists who have competed at provincials – Madison Mauro and Jayla Bainbride – are great examples of how strong the up-and-coming performing arts community is in Airdrie.

“Both are wonderful girls, especially kind to the younger girls,” says Low. “Through hard work, they have found success at the various festivals.”

Divas

STORY BY ELLEN KELLY PHOTOS BY KURTIS KRISTIANSON

delight Young singers live their music

MADISON MAURO, 17, a talented young Airdrionian who is attending Grade 12 in Calgary, started singing a mere three years ago and was more than pleased to be able to attend a provincial competition. “It was an amazing opportunity for me,” Mauro says.“It’s beautiful to watch. I’ve never been in a room with so much talent.”

Competing in up-tempo musical theatre with a performance lasting 12 minutes, Mauro sang in costume without a microphone. “You are in character and you act throughout the performance. It’s so much fun!” she says.

Mauro takes classical voice and musical theatre from Tara Kearney Studio in Airdrie and has previously performed at the Airdrie Rotary Festival of Performing Arts, as well as the Calgary Kiwanis Festival (the largest music festival in North America) and the Olds and District Kiwanis Festival.

She likes all kinds of music. “If it’s good, I’ll listen to it,” she says, adding that her own music is her happy place.“It helps me relax.”

For Mauro, her family is her biggest inspiration, and her mentors include the people who attend the festivals. “They have this energy and you want to be around those people and you want to be like them,” she says.

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JAYLA BAINBRIDGE

Mauro was runner-up in the 2013 Miss Teen Calgary competition, where she also won the talent competition with a musical theatre piece. “[Winning the talent portion of the event] was probably even better than getting first runner-up because that’s what I love doing,” she says.

Although she will always be interested in music and performing, Mauro’s future plans include going to Queens or McGill to become a pediatrician.

But music will always be with her, and ultimately, she hopes her music brings laughter to her audience. “I’d like to pay it forward and make other people want to sing,” Mauro says.

JAYLA BAINBRIDGE, 18, has lived in Airdrie her entire life, graduated from George McDougall High School in 2012 and is currently in her second year at the University of Lethbridge, taking music/education. After university, she would like to go to a film school in New York or Los Angeles, just for the experience.

Music has played an important role in much of Bainbridge’s life. “Ever since I can remember, I’ve been singing for people,” she says,“but I was shy so I didn’t take lessons.”

Bainbridge started in the Young Singers of Airdrie when she was 10 or 11 and Tara Kearney, who was musical director at that time, introduced her to singing lessons.

By age 12, she began singing at the Olds and District and Calgary Kiwanis festivals and recently competed at the Airdrie Rotary festival, earning the opportunity to perform at the provincial festival in both musical theatre and classical categories.

“It was a great experience and I loved it,” she says.

When she sings Bainbridge looks for the audience’s emotional response. “I pride myself [on] when people get emotional because then I know what I’ve done has moved them. The emotion I am feeling comes across to the audience and that’s what I love the most,” she says.

Bainbridge enjoys a wide variety of music, from pop to country to classical,“because that’s what I’m studying.” She is also learning to play the piano, a requirement for her music degree. When it comes to performing, she is most comfortable with musical theatre and Broadway tunes, but she also sings classical. Her favourite performer is Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked).

Looking ahead, Bainbridge plans on becoming a music teacher. “Music is my life,” she says. “Without music I would be pretty much lost.” life fall 2013 |

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life in the moment|artist

Ode to Nature

{

Rabbit in the Rockery Studio is an artist’s haven STORY AND PHOTO BY CARL PATZEL

“When I do watercolour I still use a lot of colour,” she adds. “It’s Heather Plimmer’s heart, soul and even some tears are not very forgiving if you make mistakes – you can’t just paint over it. openly on display in her longtime Airdrie home.

Although she doesn’t want to be defined by it, art has played an unanticipated restorative role for Plimmer in dealing with a few lifechanging, tragic events.

Call it artistic therapy.

“It is sort of a spiritual thing for me [although] I’m not a religious person,” says the local artist, who turned to the canvas while dealing with family loss.“I felt there were more tears in that watercolour than anything, but when I actually finished the painting it was like I was finally going to be on the road to healing.”

Heavily dotted with paintings, sculptures, stained glass and other projects, Plimmer’s home of close to 35 years is a tribute to the empowerment of art.

Her Rabbit in the Rockery studio is an ode to nature, with many acrylic and watercolour paintings depicting large cumulous clouds spiralling above the Alberta landscape, and trees silhouetted by rivers, streams and waterfalls.

“Watercolour is my first love. It’s the most challenging, and I like to challenge myself,” says Plimmer, who studied art in the 1970s but whose art path was interrupted by career, family and daily life.

That’s why I find it challenging; it kind of has a life of its own.”

While subject matter varies, from architecture to human expression to her grandchildren, Plimmer sticks mostly to nature, using her photographic skills as a blueprint for her paintings.

“It’s not always very convenient here to be painting on plain air because the weather changes in three seconds,” she says.“Having the photograph in your studio and [being] able to take your time I find is a lot easier.”

Co-founder of Kids Cancer Camp of Alberta, Plimmer retired from her job with Rocky View Schools and enrolled in a short stint with Airdrie School of Art. Becoming involved with Airdrie’s Main Street Art Project helped the self-professed introvert come out of her artistic shell.

“I’m pretty much an introvert. I’m very much a closet artist,” says the reserved painter who now speaks volumes with colour and brush.

“I was always a person [who] second-guessed my abilities to do anything,” she adds. “I feel like I’m more complete since I started painting seriously.” life

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life in the moment | youth artist

L

ike it or not, graffiti is the one form of public art that cannot escape one’s view for very long. Street art is ubiquitous, styles and locations as numerous as the artists who express themselves in this way.

For 18-year-old Justin Harwood, who calls Crossfield home, street art is a true public form of art that can send a clear message, especially when it is done legally.

Harwood has always been into art, but street art started to take hold around Grade 6 and continues to evolve even today. Ironically enough, the very action of putting pressure on the valve of a spray can be quite painful for him – Harwood suffers from fibromyalgia, a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Although he has learned to live with the disease,“It can be hard just getting up every day,” he says.

However, Harwood hasn’t let his disorder get the best of him and he appears much like any other young person his age. He is ambitious, though, and a little more than a year ago he stood before Crossfield’s mayor and town council as a member of the Crossfield Youth Council and asked for a $1,000 grant to brighten up the local skate park with his own street art. The idea was to mount sheets of plywood around the

perimeter of the park, much like the Miller Street Art Gallery on Airdrie’s Main Street, in order for Harwood and others to legally “tag” and paint without damaging the park itself. Because of his belief and the courage to share his artistic ideas, Harwood was granted the money and shortly thereafter brought his vision to life.

Today Harwood is preparing for college in the fall, but he is still very motivated to display his art. “I want everyone to see what I am painting and creating,” he says. “Hopefully it not only inspires them to be artistic but to just go out and do it publicly, as well.”

As for street art, he understands its culture and history, but feels it can be done well without destroying or damaging property.

“Another thing I like about [street art] – it’s never finished, because it’s art,” he says.

Harwood’s message and current emotional state are reflected in his ‘bubbly’ style and his works are truly more about art than an antiestablishment manifesto. It is clear he is happily motivated to create, and a little bit of pain won’t stop him from expressing himself.

“The best part about street art is it’s your artist signature and you can do it so many ways,” Harwood says. life

Justin Harwood, shown with the tools of his trade, admires his work at Crossfield Skateboard Park.

Street artist advocates for creative space

Justin’s Stand STORY AND PHOTO BY KURTIS KRISTIANSON

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Bijou Clothing Co.

Whether you’re looking for a high rise, mid rise or low rise pant Bijou Clothing has got you covered!

Here are our top 3 picks for pants this Fall season: BEST OVERALL: JAG STRAIGHT AND BOOT CUT PULL ON

BEST SKINNY: KUT DIANA SKINNY

Why we love it? We’ve brought in this best seller season after season. It lays flat on the tummy and provides an exceptional and unparalleled fit. Size 2-16.

Why we love it? This rich colour is perfect for all the tones this fall, see the palette below.

Comfortable but not too clingy makes this style a perfect all round skinny. Size 0-16

BEST FULL FIGURE: KUT NATALIE BOOT CUT

Why we love it? Here’s a great mid rise denim with a heavy top stitch to add interest. The boot cut really balances out a fuller hip and the back pocket flap helps to define the rear. Size 0-16.

Come check us out at 207, Yankee Valley Blvd SW Airdrie, AB we have tons more fits and styles of pants in store! Jag, Kut from the Kloth, Hudson, Blue Essence, BleuLab, Miss Me and Mexx!

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The Fugitives

life in the moment | theatre

Sass Jordan

Jimmy Rankin

The Curtain Rises STORY BY JENNIFER CORMIER

T

on a new season and a revitalized Bert Church LIVE Theatre

he 25th presenting season at Bert Church LIVE Theatre promises to be one to remember. With a renovated theatre and the addition of new support space, patrons will be able to experience some of Canada’s top talent in a comfortable and professional venue.

The Bert Church Theatre experience will be enhanced, as theatregoers will have the opportunity to check their coat, enjoy a beverage and peruse some local art. When the theatre lights dim, patrons will be comfortable in their new seats.

The ticket purchase process has been enhanced, as well, with a new ticket provider. Tickets can be purchased at any time through the website or by calling a bilingual toll-free number that is staffed between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Bert Church Theatre offers something for everyone with both a professional and a family series. Series season subscriptions are available which provide an entire season of fantastic entertainment at a very affordable price. New this year are custom ticket packages – buy a minimum of any three shows and receive discounts on eligible performances to customize your ticket package.

Highlights of the 2013-14 professional series include Juno award-winning guitarist Oscar Lopez; a holiday show with East Coast star Jimmy Rankin; roots band Blackie and the Rodeo Kings; Juno award-winning rocker Sass Jordan; and iconic East Coast fiddler Ashley MacIsaac.

World-class illusionists, a family-friendly comedian, fun-filled children’s theatre, fiddlers and the most hilarious physical comedian you will ever see – the family series will bring your loved ones together for some memorable family outings.

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2013-14 PROFESSIONAL SERIES PASS: $336.25 (actual value of more than $468) s 3INGLE REGULAR ADMISSION TICKET TO ALL 11 Professional Series shows: Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra – Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Oscar Lopez – Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.

International Guitar Night – Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.

The Fugitives – Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Front Porch Roots Revue – Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m.

Jimmy Rankin – Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Blackie and the Rodeo Kings – Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.

Sass Jordan – Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.

Abrams Brothers – March 1, 7:30 p.m.

Arrogant Worms – March 15, 7:30 p.m.

Ashley MacIsaac – April 17, 7:30 p.m. s /NE ADDITIONAL TICKET FOR BOTH THE &UGITIVES AND the Abrams Brothers s 4WO ADULT DROP IN PASSES FOR 'ENESIS 0LACE

2013-14 FAMILY SERIES PASS: $251.30 (actual value of more than $434) s 2EGULAR ADMISSION FOR FOUR TO ALL SIX Family Series shows: Dufflebag Theatre presents Cinderella – Nov. 17, 2:30 p.m.

Chris Gibbs (comedian) – Jan. 11, 7:30 p.m.

Ted Outerbridge (illusionist) – Feb. 15, 7:30 p.m.

Calgary Opera’s Hansel & Gretel – March 8, 2:30 p.m.

Prairie Mountain Fiddlers – March 29, 2:30 p.m.

Robert Post – April 6, 2:30 p.m. s 4WO FAMILY DROP IN PASSES FOR 'ENESIS 0LACE

Depending on the age group, the class will run for two hours on either a Monday or Tuesday evening and culminate in a public performance at its conclusion. Registration and payment are available online at thebertchurchtheatre.com Come and experience Airdrie’s hidden gem.

Imagine it … LIVE! For event information and program scheduling, visit thebertchurchtheatre.com Dufflebag Theatre

Tickets may be purchased at ticketpro.ca or by phone at 1-888-655-9090.

In addition to fabulous entertainment, Bert Church Theatre also offers the very popular P.A.C.K. (Performing Arts Classes for Kids). This program will be back again beginning Sept. 9. Two classes (juniors: age 7-10; seniors: age 11-16) are scheduled to run from Sept. 9 to Nov. 25 and then again from Jan. 7 to April 1.

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life in the moment | food

Customers have become friends for Amato Gelato owners Al and Shaireen Jina.

Gelato Concept Really Gels STORY BY ELLEN KELLY PHOTOS BY KURTIS KRISTIANSON

Owners of Airdrie’s Amato Gelato couldn’t be more passionate about their business. “It’s easy to sell something you believe in, and we love the product,” says Shaireen Jina, who co-owns the business with husband Al. The shop, which the Jinas opened in November 2011, carries more than 70 flavours of gelato (Italian ice cream) and sorbetto.

It also offers specialty coffees, milkshakes, smoothies, ice cream cakes, Italian paninis and Italian pastries including cannoli.

“We were introduced to Amato Gelato for the first time in Vancouver. Then we discovered one in Calgary and it became our favourite place to go. They had a sign saying ‘Franchise opportunities available’ and here we are,” says Shaireen.

The difference between gelato and ice cream, Shaireen explains, is that gelato is much lighter and is made differently. The franchise brand is made with skim and two per cent milk rather than cream so it has fewer calories than ice cream. It has less sugar but is made with all-natural flavours to enhance the taste, and it has the same texture as ice cream because it is made at a lower temperature and takes longer to make. “It is much lighter on the tummy,” she says,“not as heavy as ice cream.

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Special diets aren’t a problem. For those who are lactose-sensitive there are 24 flavours of dairy-free sorbettos from which to choose.

Cakes can be made with non-dairy topping.

Gelato is gluten free except for flavours that include such additions as cookies. There are four options that are sugar-free (sweetened with Sucralose) for sugar-restricted diets.

The most popular flavour of gelato is caramel lava cake; the strangest flavours are tararoot and durian, both acquired tastes. Shaireen also suggests trying a banana split or making one yourself. Take a banana, cut in half lengthwise, add three scoops of your favourite flavours of gelato, chocolate syrup, strawberry sundae topping, crushed pineapple, whipping cream and cherries – decadent and delicious!

While both Shaireen and Al have extensive customer service experience, this is their first business venture, and they are thrilled with the amount of support they’ve received from the business community, especially the Chamber of Commerce. “Airdrie is a big place with a small-town feeling where everyone helps each other,� says Al. For the couple, the best part of owning a business is being able to call it their own and building relationships with the customers who have, in many instances, become friends. “The smiles on kids’ faces make our day,�

Shaireen says. life

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highest potential. A world where kindness prevails over hatred and laughter drowns out tears.

That’s a world where we want to be.

122, 85 Railway Avenue anytimefitnessAirdrie.com Airdrie, "# t anytimehealth.com AirdrieWest@anytimefitness.com fall 2013 |

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life in the moment | spice of life

Maria and Joe Bigornia cater to those who yearn for the authentic taste of the Phillipines.

Flavours of home Asian market fills local niche STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARL PATZEL

S

auce-cured milkfish or spicy sardines may not sound like a taste of home, but for many Filipinos living in the Airdrie area it’s a savoury journey back to that tropical maritime republic.

From spice-laden snacks to liver spreads to the popular Philippine seafood favourites milkfish and sardines, family-run Sagana Asian Market looks to alleviate culture shock for those missing their native lands.

With Airdrie’s expanding population growth, Sagana owners Maria and Joe Bigornia saw a need to fill a gap in the Filipino cuisine.

“We studied the demographics of Airdrie and found there is no Asian store here,” says Maria.“We found out when we started in 2011 the (Filipino) population was about 2,000, with the majority being contract workers.”

Far beyond the well-known meat-andvegetable stuffed spring rolls, the Philippine palate roams from the sweet to the spicy, with unique flavour profiles. Leading the way is the unofficial national adobo dish combining a mix of seasonings that can be used as a marinade, sauce or seasoning for virtually any application using meat, seafood, chicken or vegetables.

When the market first opened in 2011, the Bigornias faced challenges. “It was really hard the first year,” says Maria, “but now there are

more and more people who come in here.

“Most of the stuff we sell here are the popular products that the people are mostly looking for,” she adds.

Whether reminiscent of a childhood trip to the neighbourhood store or the evening family meal, Sagana Asian Market attracts Filipinos from Airdrie, Crossfield, Didsbury and other surrounding communities.

Big sellers include Philippine island-flavoured snack chips, honey yam chips, coated peanuts and Boy Bawang garlic corn snacks.

Seafood delicacies are also sought after, with dried herring, many flavours of sardines, liver spread, jarred milkfish and corned tuna in demand.

Many of these products are imported under the familiar brands of San Miguel and Salu Salo found throughout the Philippines. Other product are imported from Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.

The Bigornias also carry a selection of ready-made meals consisting of roasted pork (sisig), pork blood used as a soup or cooking sauce, cured beef and pork dishes, as well as other native choices.

“Even the regular Filipino [who] has been here a long time, they still look for the Filipino food (for convenience),” Maria says. life

Manila-Style Spring Rolls Stuffed with Meat and Vegetables 20 pieces medium-sized spring roll wrappers Water for sealing All-purpose flour, for dipping before frying 250 ml (1 cup) oil, for frying FILLING: 500 g (1.1 lb) ground pork or ground chicken 40 g (1 pouch) Mama Sita’s Lumpiang Shanghai Mix 120 g (1 cup) carrots, finely chopped 120 g (1 cup) singkama (jicama), chopped 120 g (1 cup) onions, finely chopped 10 g (3 tbsp) spring onions, chopped 1 egg, beaten Combine filling ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Scoop 1 tbsp of mixture onto a spring roll wrapper. Roll tightly. Moisten the edges with water. Roll and press down to seal.

Cut each spring roll into 3 pieces and dip both ends of each piece in some flour. Fry in hot cooking oil until golden brown and drain.

Makes 60 rolls. Serve with Mama Sita’s Sweet Chili Sauce or Mama Sita’s Bottled Sweet and Sour Sauce.

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More than just Yoga ...

Pre-natal Yoga, Family Yoga, Moms & Babes Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Flow Yoga, Hot Yoga, Butts & Guts, Pilates, Zumba & Lean Cuts

Check out our fall schedule at

www.airdrieyoga.com

Carman Thiessen Financial Planning Investment & Retirement Planner 403-462-7727 carman.thiessen@rbc.com

You can go looking for financial advice.

Or you can let it come to you.

Financial planning services and investment advice are provided by Royal Mutual Funds Inc. (RMFI). RMFI, RBC Global Asset Management Inc., Royal Bank of Canada, Royal Trust Corporation of Canada and The Royal Trust Company are separate corporate entities which are affiliated. RMFI is licensed as a financial services firm in the province of Quebec. ® / ™ Trademark(s) of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. ©2011 Royal Bank of Canada. Used under licence.

45808 (09/2011)

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life in the moment | fine arts

About the cover Meet our Muse

Sarah Ferguson is a true Airdrie talent. A natural actress since an early age (just ask her mom), Sarah took 10 years of dance, musical theatre, jazz and hip hop in Airdrie. She was involved in Airdrie’s Kids on Broadway and taught the program for two years.

She graduated from St. Martin de Porres in 2010 and is a recent graduate of Mount Royal University’s theatre performance program, having appeared in Scenes from an American Life, Man of the North, A Prairie Boy’s Winter and The Rocky Horror Show.

Sarah starts her next chapter this fall at Simon Fraser University, where she plans to obtain a bachelor of fine arts degree in theatre performance. Parents of little ones who attended The Little Gym were crushed to learn that Sarah is leaving to pursue school in B.C., as she is incredibly wellloved by the children and famous for her love of costumes, making Halloween a whole month of fun.

Vancouver’s gain is definitely Airdrie’s loss. Break a leg, Sarah!

We wanted to do something whimsical to celebrate our annual arts issue and what better than a Greek muse of the arts, Airdrie-style!

THE PHOTO YOU SEE ON THE COVER TOOK A LOT OF TALENT TO PUT TOGETHER, AND KUDOS GO TO THE FOLLOWING: TUTU:

Worn during the 2009 Airdrie Dance Academy season by another up-and-coming actress, Ali Froggatt, who is now studying at the Randolph Academy of the Performing Arts in Toronto (you might remember her from the fall 2012 cover!)

CUPCAKE:

PHOTOGRAPHER:

TATTOO:

PALETTE AND BRUSHES:

Kristy Reimer (Kristy has shot 19 airdrielife covers!)

Brandi Lee, Human Kanvas (can you believe it’s only done with Sharpies?)

Artist Veronica Funk (she really paints with these)

The Avenue Cakery and Bakeshoppe (yes, we ate them afterward)

HAIR:

FLOWERS:

MICROPHONE:

GUITAR:

Wendy Bates, The Hair Lounge (stylist to the stars)

Summerhill Florist (our fave florist)

Ron Simon, Full Score Sound Design (did you know he is a rock-and-roll legend?)

Sherry Shaw-Froggatt (our publisher is learning the blues on this with her teacher, Lou Rye)

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life in the moment| fitness

12 week to weight lo tal 173 pou ss: nds STORY BY JOAN BELL PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

AND THE WINNER IS....

Truth be told, they are all winners!

Candace Banack (left) and Cheryl Todd Shergold

Ken South (left) and Tim Striblehill

Cheryl Prince (left) and Heather Ryder

42.5 lb

86 lb 44.5 lb June 28 marked the end of this year’s ultimate airdrielifestyle challenge. Twelve weeks of nutritional counselling, weekly group workouts, sessions with personal trainers and fitness classes for our three teams culminated in a total weight loss of 173 pounds. That’s the equivalent of one whole person!

On the final day, participants invited their families and friends to cheer them on at the ultimate airdrielifestyle challenge windup. The teams were asked to bring their weight loss in food to donate to Airdrie Food Bank – all 173 pounds. Each team had an opportunity to speak about what the challenge meant to them before the grand prizes were awarded to the winning team based on percentage of weight loss.

Cheryl Prince and Heather Ryder of Team Reflections lost a total of 42.5 pounds for a 9.7 per cent weight loss. Speaking for the team at

the event, Cheryl shared her and Heather’s emotional journey with the airdrielifestyle challenge. Reflecting back, she says,“It is easy to get lost in the numbers, but the true benefit is in the lifestyle changes.”

“It has been a wonderful blessing to learn from so many remarkable people,” adds Cheryl, who wore her ‘little black dress’ to the event to show off her newfound confidence.

While she admits it will be a challenge to adjust without the personal trainer and nutrition consultant, Cheryl is committed to continuing her weight loss journey.

Ken South and Tim Striblehill aptly named their team Beerbelly Busters, because that is exactly what they did. With a combined weight loss of 10.7 per cent of their initial body weight, the two men are down a total of 44.5 pounds. The visual of them holding only a portion of their

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nce (left) her Ryder

weight loss in food donations drives home the magnitude of their accomplishment.

For Ken, the biggest achievement of the weight loss challenge was needing to buy new clothes, including belts, pants and shirts. “I love having to spend the money on myself, but also that I am smaller now than I have been in years!� he says.

Ken and Tim learned a lot about food and eating and plan to carry these lessons into the future.

Our ultimate airdrielifestyle challenge grand prize winners, Cheryl Todd Shergold and Candace Banack of team ’Cause We Can, lost a grand total of 86 pounds, or 16.7 per cent of their combined initial weight. Cheryl, who lost an amazing 50 pounds over the 12 weeks, allowed her creative side to emerge when she wrote an ode to freedom to express what she gained through the challenge.

For Candace, the most important lesson learned was that she does have the time to devote to fitness and eating healthy. “This was always an excuse for me: I am responsible for all the cooking, cleaning, shopping and yard work, and I play a lot of ball in the summer,� she says.“However, once you are committed to making a lifestyle change, you find the time to treat yourself better and improve your health.�

Cheryl and Candace each received prizes from our great sponsors: s THREE MONTH CONSULT WITH 3IMPLY &OR ,IFE s THREE MONTH WORKOUT PASS FROM Airdrie Yoga & Fitness; s GIFT CERTIlCATE FROM 0HARMASAVE s GIFT CERTIlCATE FROM Cream Body & Bath; and s HAIRCUT AND PRODUCT PACKAGE FROM The Hair Lounge.

As well, Nicole Lacoursiere from Body By Nic invited all six team members to complete a 30-day challenge with her over the summer, free of charge.

Candace summed up the sentiments of all the participants. “We really appreciated the opportunity, and I know that our futures are a lot brighter for having taken part in learning to live healthier lifestyles.� life

Come in and experience a classic feel with an edge. Indulge in luxury products, massage theapy, and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere.

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airdrielife.com 37 2013-08-13 3:16 PM

life in the moment | makeover

Maureen’s Moment STORY BY LESLIE DAVIES | PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

H

BEFORE

ave you ever secretly wanted to nominate someone for a TV makeover show? Not because you think their style is horrible, but more because you want that person to feel beautiful and pampered?

Airdrie resident Kari Anderson nominated mom Maureen (also a longtime Airdrie resident) for an airdrielife makeover for this very reason.

“My mom is the kind of person who brightens everyone’s day – even strangers. I’d love for her to feel as radiant on the outside as she is on the inside,” explains Kari.

And so, with that as our goal, our team of local experts got to work.

Specs Optometry, Nose Creek Dental Centre, The Hair Lounge, makeup artist Krista Ho Lem, Pharmasave/The Store Upstairs, Kristy Reimer Photography and IMPACT Image Essentials came together to make this transformation a reality for Maureen.

Maureen’s journey started with an eye exam by the professionals at Specs – they have some of the latest in optical technology, even a machine to check the health behind the eye! With so many gorgeous, flattering frames available at Specs, it can be difficult to make a choice, but Maureen settled on attractive new frames and lenses to improve her distance and driving vision.

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Next up – a Zoom whitening consultation at Nose Creek Dental Centre. Maureen said that Dr. Gaur and staff were so welcoming and friendly, she is looking forward to returning for her treatment. At the time of our photo shoot, Maureen had not yet completed her whitening treatment. Just look at her fantastic smile in these

photos – I can’t wait to see it after Nose Creek Dental experts work their whitening magic!

Meeting Maureen for the first time, you can’t help but be affected positively by her fun, outgoing nature. She’s bubbly, laughs easily and puts people at ease right away.

My goal in choosing outfits for Maureen was to select pieces which are as vibrant and magnetic as her personality, feel comfortable and easy for her to wear and, of course, flatter her colouring and “H” body shape.

All of Maureen’s clothing, accessories and shoes were selected from Pharmasave and The Store Upstairs.

If you haven’t visited the store for a while, you’re in for a huge treat! They’ve re-merchandized the store by moving most of the clothing upstairs into designer and colour groups – making room for MORE clothing and new designers. The footwear and majority of the accessories remain on the

main floor. Shopping here is like a fun treasure hunt. With every turn there’s another great item waiting to be discovered!

Below are the pieces that made it to the photo shoot.

Since comfort is a huge priority for Maureen, I wanted an outfit that she could wear for a relaxed, casual outing – and mixand-match with ease. For this, I paired a fun, abstract animal print (a huge trend for fall) cropped pant from Tan Jay with a vibrant, coral scoop-neck tunic. The brilliant coral shade flatters Maureen’s skin tone and injects a hit of colour to the go-with-everything neutrals of brown and black.

The black, lightweight Boo Radley waterfall cardi brings balance to the outfit and a little casual sophistication. To tie the look together, I chose a youthful pair of goldcapped suede ballet flats and some black, gold and brown earthy beads.

Ladies, I can’t emphasize this enough: accessories MAKE an outfit! Imagine this one without the fun shoes, great necklace and bracelets. It would still be nice, but not nearly as pulled-together and outstanding as with the accessories. I chose the necklace and bracelets specifically because they pull the colours and texture of the animal print up to the top of Maureen’s body, creating a cohesive connection.

One of Maureen’s favourite colours is yellow, so of course this little casual number had to make it to the photo shoot. The grey cotton pants create a muted backdrop for the yellowand-grey sheer paisley tunic top – and were so flattering and comfortable that Maureen decided they had to come home with her!

The outfit is finished with sparkling silver ballet flats, a unique, designer necklace made from hammered silver, a hammered silver ring and simple but standout hoop earrings.

Next up, Maureen took on the role of gorgeous garden goddess!

A white-and-green botanical tunic with an asymmetrical neckline and asymmetrical sleeve details caught Maureen’s eye – and I’m so glad it did! We chose a pair of white pants to continue the long, lean line of white up her body. Heavenly! This outfit oozes elegance when finished with a matte gold-textured cuff bracelet and earrings, and peep-toe heels!

(Ladies, I encourage you to try wearing white or ivory. It can be so flattering when worn head to toe and in the right style for your body.)

The goddess theme continues … this time with a truly ethereal-looking beaded tunic in soft turquoise. This tunic feels like silk and is luxuriously hand-beaded at the neckline and along the flowing sleeves. What a gorgeous piece to wear to a special event or elegant barbecue.

To give the dressy tunic a more casual feel, I chose a Boo Radley narrow-leg, cropped knit pant rather than a more predictable, straightleg dress pant. Maureen agreed – the pants are so comfortable and versatile! I finished the outfit with a soft-turquoise patent pump and elegant turquoise/gold bracelet and earrings. fall 2013 |

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life in the moment | makeover And ALL of these glamorous goodies are from Pharmasave and The Store Upstairs!

Maureen will have so much fun deciding what to choose with the $350 gift certificate she’s received from the store.

You can’t have a complete makeover transformation without makeup and hair and that’s where the expert team at The Hair Lounge picks things up.

Wendy Bates-Wiebe, The Hair Lounge owner and head stylist, believes your hairstyle is an extension of your personality – it’s what people notice first when they meet you and it needs to reflect who you truly are. (I love how this woman thinks!)

After speaking with Maureen for just a few moments, Wendy knew right away that Maureen sparkles from the inside out. And she wanted to give our winner a hairstyle that reflects her youthful, spunky and fun vibe.

Wendy took about eight inches off Maureen’s hair length and layered it to lighten up

her face and bring the focus to her contagious smile. Wendy used a root volumizer, setting lotion and a little hairspray to style Maureen’s great cut into a model-worthy do.

For the finishing touch, professional makeup artist Krista Ho Lem worked her magic with Pure Minerals makeup. Her goal was to keep Maureen’s makeup neutral so that her natural beauty took centre stage – and she absolutely accomplished that. Maureen’s eyes were beautifully defined and her colouring enhanced with soft pinks on her cheeks and lips.

At Kristy Reimer’s photography studio, with music pulsing and Maureen’s physical transformation complete, it was time to capture it all on film!

Kari wanted her mom to feel as radiant and beautiful on the outside as she does on the inside. Seeing Maureen in front of the camera … beaming with big smiles and looking truly gorgeous … well, I’d have to say that’s another mission accomplished. life To discover your own personal style, best colours and what flatters your unique shape, check out Leslie’s fall workshops, events and private consultation services (lesliewithimpact.com). You, too, can make your own transformation a reality!

WHERE TO FIND IT CLOTHING: Airdrie Pharmasave/The Store Upstairs – 209 Centre Ave. N GLASSES: Airdrie Specs Optometry – 1, 804 Main St. SE HAIR: The Hair Lounge – 113, First St. NW MAKEUP: Krista Ho Lem – kristaholem.com TEETH WHITENING: Nose Creek Dental Centre – 1, 409 First Ave. NW

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fall 2013 |

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life in the moment | column

parentlife

WITH JOY NOWLAND

“Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”

– PABLO PICASSO

N

o matter how vigilant we are as a parent, most of us will, at some point, experience that stomach-churning moment of discovering toddler artwork on the walls.

Generally, toddlers are a confident bunch, too – not for them an obscure or rarely seen portion of wall; most likely it is the one visible from the front door or window, leaving your visitors and passers-by in no doubt of your awesome parenting (and possibly cleaning?) skills.

But once the cleaner has dried and the marks are fairly invisible, a new question arises: how do you nurture the creativity (and obvious talent!) that your little Picasso is demonstrating?

One of the answers could be right under your nose.

Genesis Place offers a huge range of children’s activities – from the ever-popular Crafty Fun and Story Time that allow moms and tots to be creative together and take their new skills home for further honing to Movin’ and Groovin’ classes complete with instruments and songs.

When it comes to dancing, anyone who has seen me lumber into a room is instantly aware of my lack of coordination and grace. Even now, my self-consciousness prevents me from ‘dancing like no one is watching.’ That is why it fills me with joy to watch my daughter, Poppy, dance around our home completely unhindered by the concept of rhythm and talent. She clearly has my elegance and style – she moves like a frog with a bad leg – but she doesn’t know it and she doesn’t care. That is true beauty – the unbridled excitement of a toddler ‘feeling the music.’

If you too suffer from a lack of rhythm and want to break the genetic cycle, Star Bound Dance Company

has a great class called Kinderboogie and it is exactly as much fun as the name suggests. With gentle and positive guidance, children are coached through basic dance skills while incorporating acrobatics and games – and, of course, making new friends.

In keeping with an active lifestyle for the little ones, The Little Gym is another great place to check out.

“We offer a unique opportunity for children to play in a structured environment that promotes increased imagination and creativity,” says Tracy Schmaltz, who co-owns the business with Deb Elliott. “We know that each and every child who walks through our doors is unique in his or her own way and there is nothing we love more than being able to celebrate the individual that they are!”

Just looking at The Little Gym programs, it’s easy to see that children are encouraged to be children and to express themselves creatively. And not only can you book in for a free introductory class, once your child is there you may find that he or she doesn’t want to leave!

There is no doubt that Airdrie is amazingly artistic.

You need only drive down Main Street and see one of the many stunningly decorated utility boxes in the city, check out the Airdirondack chairs displayed throughout the community or take a look at what is on tap for ARTember! Surely there is no better place for you to raise children to be comfortable expressing themselves in ways other than words.

So keep the cleaner handy, but the next time your little resident artiste presents you with a Crayola mural, it could just be time to look into another outlet for his or her creativity. life – Joy Nowland, who hails from Australia, is a mother of one, with another on the way

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parent page Your guide to the programs, service and products your growing family needs!

Look to these Airdrie and area experts to help you raise healthy, happy children.

Sensory learning, neuromuscular activities, and spatial awareness, otherwise referred to as,

The Little Gym helps children reach their greatest potential.

From 4 months through 12 years, classes promote development and build confidence during each stage of childhood.

Call or schedule a free introductory class online.

The Little Gym of Airdrie www.tlgairdrieab.com 403-945-1122

WHO’S READY FOR

SOMETHING DIFFERENT?

To treat a kid

you have to BE a kid.

Airdrie South Learning Centre Ages 1-4

Preschool and children’s programs, swim lessons, birthday party packages and more.

Genesis Place, your destination for family fun.

Access Chiropractic and Wellness Dr. Jacqueline Boyd

Dr. Paul Bajor

Educational curriculum

Two locations to serve you:

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providing safe & gentle family care from newborns to adults

(behind Superstore) (in Airdrie CO-OP)

www.edleun.com/airdriesouth

www.accesschiropractic.net

Did you know you can advertise your child-focused business here for as little as $18 a week?

Contact sherry@frogmediainc.ca today! fall 2013 |

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life in the moment | events

Fall heats up in Airdrie

Events abound for the whole family

A Celebration of Quilts

SEPTEMBER

SEPT. 13-29 ARTEMBER The Creative Airdrie Society presents the third annual arts and culture festival, with something for everyone.

See more details on pages 64-65 and look for the ARTember Guide inserted in this issue of airdrielife. artember.ca SEPT. 13 ARTEMBER OPENING NIGHT ART SHOW & SALE Cam Clark Ford The Airdrie Regional Arts Society hosts the opening night party of ARTember at Cam Clark, 7-10 p.m. All the vehicles are removed from the showroom to make room for more than 30 area artists showcasing an abundance of talent.

Enjoy live music, wine and fun with a funny-money casino! artember.ca SEPT. 13-15 AIRDRIE FAMILY FALL FAIR Airdrie Town and Country Centre Midway, food festival, entertainment and family-friendly tradeshow are all part of the Airdrie Family Fall Fair.

Friday, 4-9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

SEPT. 14 ORIGINAL SLAM ON AIR Bert Church Theatre Enjoy a first-class performance by the finalists in this second-annual songwriting competition. Runs 7-9 p.m.

Tickets at the door. slaminairdrie.com SEPT. 21 25 YEARS OF HISTORY – NOSE CREEK VALLEY MUSEUM Come and discover history at Nose Creek Valley Museum and help us celebrate our 25th anniversary! The event will include good old-fashioned fun games like sack races, tug-of-wars, egg-balancing races, haystack jumping and live music. Look for some very unique stations including an old-fashioned apple-press demonstration, a rope-making demonstration, craft stations and photo ops with the Model T. 12-4 p.m. FREE admission. 1701 Main St. (entrance to Nose Creek Park).

AIRscares

SEPT. 21 4TH ANNUAL AIRDIRONDACK ART PROJECT AUCTION AND GALA McArthur Fine Furniture This “black-tie-encouraged” event presented by Ravenswood is the highlight of ARTember and the annual fundraiser for the Creative Airdrie Society. Featuring the live auction of 11 original works of art on handcrafted Adirondack chairs. Johnny Summers and his Little Big Band will provide a swinging groove as attendees enjoy wine, craft beers and gourmet food stations, all in the upscale environment of McArthur Fine Furniture.

Tickets for sale online.

2013airdirondackgala.eventbrite.ca SEPT. 27-29 CULTURE AT THE CREEK Nose Creek Park The final three days of ARTember wrap up with multicultural experiences in food, crafts and performances plus tons of hands-on ‘ARTivities’ for kids. Live music each day and lots of free family fun. See more details on pages 64-65 and look for the ARTember Guide inserted in this issue of airdrielife. artember.ca

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scares

SEPT. 28 ART OF THE HARVEST Airdrie Ag Park The Airdrie and District Agricultural Society invites you to experience an old-time harvest demonstration, antique farm equipment, horse teams and more. Airdrie Ag Park is located 3 kilometres west of Airdrie on Big Hill Springs Road and RR 14. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. airdrieagsociety.com

OCTOBER

OCT. 19-20 A CELEBRATION OF QUILTS Balzac Community Hall This two-day event features the very best of the Airdrie and District Quilt Guild with more than 100 quilts, merchant mall, silent miniature-quilt auction, door prizes and raffle quilt (proceeds to Airdrie & District Victims Assistance Society). Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 .pm.

OCT. 17-30 AIRSCARES HAUNTED HOUSE (ASSORTED DATES) Oct. 17 (Sneak-a-Peek night); Oct. 18-20, 25-27, 29-30 – date-specific times, event details and ticket info online. NOTE: no one under the age of eight will be permitted. Children age 8-12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times. All proceeds raised throughout AIRscares 2013 will directly support the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie (BGCA), which has been hosting a haunted-house experience, ranging from terrifying houses, to haunted trains, to city jail cells, for more than 10 years.

AIRscares.com OCT. 19-20, 26-27 AIRSCARES FAMILY CARNIVAL BGCA is hosting a family-friendly, all-ages Halloween experience that includes a walk through the Halloween fun house plus carnival-style games and activities. Noon-3 p.m.

NOTE: This is a completely separate experience from the AIRscares Haunted House. There will be no access to the main attraction during the Family Carnival. All proceeds raised throughout AIRscares 2013 will directly support the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie.

AIRscares.com

NOVEMBER

NOV. 1-2 AIRDRIE CHRISTMAS SHOW Town and Country Centre Airdrie Farmers Market is pleased to present this fun show.

Those looking for their favourite vendors from the spring/ summer season will be in luck, as will those searching for just the right holiday-themed crafts and gifts, not to mention baked goodies. Show hours are 1-8 p.m.

Friday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is a donation to Airdrie Food Bank. airdriefarmersmarket.com

When theump.o..on risesso do the terrors of the night

Visit If you Dare!

Oct 17 - Oct 30 2013

FAMILY FRIENDLY DATES AND TIMES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE !

Purchase tickets from these great local vendors!

The Centre – 200 East Lake Crescent Hair Benders – #104 120-2 Ave NW Wizards Wardrobe – 304-800 Veterans Blvd

will you scream unicorn?

@airscares /airscares

airscares.com fall 2013 |

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life in the moment | healthy life

Dr. Andrew Denson checks out airdrielife editor Anne Beaty’s eyes during a regular exam. Below, a 3-D photo of her eye gives yet another perspective.

Ocular health: There’s more to it than meets the eye STORY BY ANNE BEATY | PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

F

or those who have never had to wear corrective lenses to see near or far – or, in the case of middle age, near AND far – a trip to the optometrist has probably never been high on the list of health todos. However, even if you have 20/20 vision, regular eye exams are an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

Your eyes may be the window to your soul, but they are also a window on the rest of your body. An eye exam can detect such diseases and conditions as diabetes, MS, hypertension, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis and, in rare cases, cancer. With the optic nerve running from the eye all the way to the back of the brain, neurology is an important facet of eye and overall health.

“There’s a lot more to it than just the vision aspect,” said Dr. Andrew Denson, owner of Airdrie Specs Optometry. “We want to screen [for other conditions].”

As such, Denson recommends regular eye exams from an early age as part of a lifelong health routine.“An annual eye exam is always a good scenario,” he says, adding that how often you need to see your eye doctor depends on age, family history, health and risk factors.

The first visit to the eye doctor should be at around six to 12 months, Denson says. This is a good age to pick up on any problems, such as lazy eye, which can be corrected if treated early enough. (Yearly eye exams are covered under Alberta Health Care for children up to age 18 and seniors 65 and over. The Alberta Child Health Benefit also covers the cost of a new pair of glasses per year for children up to age 18.)

Continued regular exams are necessary to detect such diseases as glaucoma – which can manifest itself at all ages and shows no symptoms until almost too late, Denson says – and to monitor eye health as you age.

“Our eyes are more at risk of eye disease as we get older,” he says.

Throughout your life, you need be aware of any changes in your vision. Don’t ignore such symptoms as ‘floaters,’ hazed vision, arcs of light and difficulty seeing in low-light situations, as these can indicate serious eye health problems. And although it’s perfectly fine to admit to farsightedness at a certain age (and break down and get reading glasses), this, too, should be discussed with your optometrist.

Denson – who has been practising in Airdrie since he opened Specs in 1999 – is what he terms the “family doctor of eye health.” This means

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that he is the doctor patients see on a regular basis; if specialized treatment, such as surgery, is necessary, patients are referred to an ophthalmologist.

As part of the local health care community, Denson and his colleagues also have a great working relationship with the family doctors in Airdrie, as well as health care providers in Calgary. “We do a lot of co-management with specialists,� he says.

It’s easy to understand why eye health is an important part of overall wellness. According to the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind), 75 per cent of vision loss is preventable, so that yearly trip to the optometrist is essential as a preventative measure.

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“You want to be proactive,� Denson says.

The importance of regular eye exams in your overall health picture can be underscored by an anecdote Denson shares. A patient of his, a man in his mid-50s, was complaining of some peripheral vision loss. During the exam, Denson detected plaque in the artery in the eye, and so sent his patient to another doctor for further testing. This turned up another medical issue which, if untreated, could have led to a stroke. However, because it was caught in time, any escalation of the condition was prevented. “His wife came back and gave me a big hug,�

Denson says with a smile. life fall 2013 |

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life in the moment | column

Go ahead, indulge ...

403.948.6331 | #6, 620 1st Avenue N.W, Airdrie, AB Book your specialty cake at least 3 months in advance in order to avoid disappointment

petlife

WITH DR. TIFFANY LENNOX

Holistic veterinary medicine – a comprehensive approach to pet health “Western medicine� is the term used to describe the treatment of medical conditions with medications by doctors, nurses and other conventional healthcare providers who employ methods developed according to Western medical and scientific traditions.

It’s the mainstay of medical philosophy in North America, and with good reason.

Science has brought us many lifesaving drugs, surgeries and therapies. The expected lifespan of human beings and their animal friends is longer now than at any time in recorded history.

With a longer lifespan, we can expect to also manage more chronic illness, and to start to shift our focus to optimizing our quality of life. “Holistic veterinary medicine� is a general term that can encompass many healing modalities, including Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractics, dietary therapy and more.

Alternative medical therapies can complement Western medicine in the management of many disorders. They are primarily evidence-based, which means that the choices made for treating an individual patient are based on the clinical experiences of veterinarians and doctors using these therapies, both in modern times and from historical traditions.

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Airdrie Paint & Decor Scientific research is now being applied to some alternative therapies, such as traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

For example, in a 2003 peer-reviewed published study, the TCM theory of yinyang was studied in the form of a biochemical analysis of the yin tonic and yang tonic herbs.

In Chinese medicine, yin and yang represent two different types of elements, or energies, that exist within the body. Yin and yang are mutually dependent and together produce the life force of the body, known as qi (pronounced “chee”).

Yin is considered to be cooling – it nourishes the organs and tissues and provides moisture to the body; it provides rest and inactivity. Yang is considered to be warming – it transports qi and blood to the organs and tissues of the body; it provides activity and energy.

In the study, it was found that the yin tonic herbs have, on average, about six times more antioxidant activity than the yang tonic herbs, as based on their measured oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values.

Based on these findings, the researchers proposed a theory that the yin-yang metaphor used in Chinese medicine may represent antioxidation-oxidation within the body.

Holistic veterinary medicine, in conjunction with Western medicine, provides veterinarians with more options in treating our patients. Holistic therapy views the patient as a whole, and takes into account the influence of the environment, stress and the mind-body connection in the origin and treatment of disease.

Holistic and Western medicine are a powerful combination that bring together both the art and the science of medicine. life – Dr. Tiffany Lennox, who has practised at Airdrie Animal Clinic since 2008, has a special interest in holistic and integrative medicine.

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fall 2013 |

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community life in the 54 All Aboard! airdrielife_fall2013.indd 51

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2013-08-13 3:17 PM

citylife | theatre “We can’t compete with the likes of Jack Singer or the Jubilee in terms of facilities, but we can present the same calibre of entertainment and we have something they don’t have, which is a real sense of intimacy”

STORY BY ALEX FRAZER-HARRISON

All the world’s a stage No drama for theatre expansion – only joy

Oscar Lopez is one of the high-calibre acts which will be gracing the new and improved Bert Church Theatre this fall.

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rom veteran Juno-winning musicians to rising future international stars, Bert Church Theatre has seen it all.

And now, as it approaches its 30th anniversary, the theatre is getting a new lease on life by way of close to $3.3 million in expansions and upgrades that are targeted for completion this fall.

The theatre opened in 1984 as part of adjacent Bert Church High School, but by the late 1980s, the City of Airdrie had become a partner and the theatre evolved from a venue for school plays and graduations into one that regularly attracts national- and international-calibre talent.

Two projects are underway: a $3 million, roughly 7,000 square foot addition, and approximately $260,000 in upgrades to the theatre itself, manager Dennis Tinkler explains, adding that construction is expected to finish by September, with the theatre scheduled to host ARTember events on Sept. 28.

The theatre has undergone minor renovations before: in 2007-08, the sound system was upgraded along with the addition of new carpeting, stage drapes and paint, and some water damage has also been repaired on the stage. But Tinkler says that this is the first major overhaul for the 377-seat venue.

“This is the first real renovation we’ve had … all brand-new seats, a complete new installation,” he says. “They’re also going to resurface the stage, and the dimmer rack that controls the stage lighting is going to be completely replaced, and we’re adding some more lights. It will look quite new in here.”

Meanwhile, the addition will allow the theatre to have its own separate entrance; will add a red carpet-ready lobby, multi-purpose room and box office; and will provide new offices, expanded washrooms and new dressing rooms.

“We’re hoping [the work] will raise the profile of the place a little bit,” says Tinkler. “We’re often referred to by our regular Calgary patrons as ‘that little gem in Airdrie.’

“We can’t compete with the likes of Jack Singer or the Jubilee in terms of facilities, but we can present the same calibre of entertainment and we have something they don’t have, which is a real sense of intimacy,” he adds. “There hasn’t been anyone who hasn’t come out [after a performance] for a meet-and-greet.”

And, Tinkler notes, the new multipurpose room and lobby will make it even easier for audiences to interact with the performers after a show.

Juno-winning guitarist Oscar Lopez last played Bert Church in 2011 with Pavlo and Rik Emmett as part of the PRO Trio. Lopez, who is coming back for a solo show Oct. 26, says that he’s looking forward to playing in the revitalized theatre.

“I think it’s extraordinary they can do something like that,” the guitarist says from Penticton, where he’s working on a new solo album.“Every city and town should have something like that. Music and art are very important parts of our life, and in the city of Airdrie it represents your own [artistic] autonomy.”

A Chilean native, Lopez moved to Calgary in 1981, and says that having a Calgary-calibre theatre venue in Airdrie is a strength for this city.

“You have your own theatre, you can give it your own personality and character,” he says. “I’d like to personally congratulate everyone working on this project.”

Lopez is just one of many artists who have contributed to the theatre’s “rich history,” Michelle Lock, City of Airdrie director of community services, says, citing the wide range of performers – from Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies fame to the Dixie Chicks to Michelle Wright – who have lit up the Bert Church stage.

“I think [the expansion] will also provide an opportunity for a number of community-hosted receptions, and there’ll be a space to display visual art,” Lock says. “From a musician’s point of view, having the ability to allow groups to practise and perform in a small, performance-type space will be a huge asset.”

Last January, Nose Creek Players held its first Airdrie Original OneAct Play Festival at Bert Church. President and associate artistic director Kim Cheel says she’s looking forward to seeing actors hitting the renovated stage.

“Having this new space open up when space is at such a premium … it’s great to have a space where people can see a proper theatre show and don’t have to bleed out to Calgary,” Cheel says. “Our first annual festival was a complete success. Six playwrights had the opportunity to perform their own work in front of peers and a panel of judges.

“We are already making plans for the next festival, and we hope to expand [its] reach,” she adds.“We don’t want to limit ourselves by using only one space, but some performances are meant to be performed on a proper stage, and that’s why we’re so excited about the expansion.” citylife fall 2013 |

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life in the community|attractions

Here

Iron Horse Park gets ne

Atlas Griffith waves to his son, sending him off on his first train journey.

Despite the calls of “All aboard!” and engine horns, there are no packed bags, goodbye tears or expensive tickets on this expedition.

Seeing the opportunity for a family outing enhanced by the steel-wheeled lure of the locomotive, the Calgary resident turned to Airdrie’s Iron Horse Park.

“I think it’s awesome. There are not a lot of parks like this right in the middle of the city. There’s a lot of scenery and hills, so it’s a definite outdoor outing,” says Griffith, who spent a good couple of hours riding the rails during a bright Sunday summer day in July.

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e on Wheels

ets new lease on life

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARL PATZEL

Like many passengers who wheel through the miniature iron horse tour, Griffith comes to the same conclusion: everybody loves a train.

Travelling through prairies and around mountains and inlets, the trip simulates the historic Calgary/Airdrie-to-Vancouver Canadian Pacific Rail venture. Many visitors come for the nostalgic draw of days past, or just the thrill of seeing and riding the powerful replica passenger train engines.

“All of us have grown up around trains, so that stays with you. But of course with a four-year-old and a long weekend, we go do something fun, and he loves trains,” says Griffith, who was surprised to find the tuckedaway gem during their first visit to the park.“I was very surprised how long the train ride is and how big the space is.”

The park, a popular Sunday destination owned and operated by the Alberta Model Engineering Society, has been on the right track since 2000.

The 11-acre venue – which includes a replica CPR station, several tunnels and trestle bridges – is a regular birthday party scene and gained notoriety by participating in Hollywood Christmas movies Santa Baby and Santa Baby 2.

Virtually hidden from sight at the end of Railway Gate and slowly being encircled by townhouses and developed land, the park received city land approval in 1997 when it was just a dump site. At one point the park was in jeopardy of going the way of its big brother historic passenger trains, but Iron Horse recently received a lease extension from the City of Airdrie that will keep it on track to 2027.

“We’re all very pleased about that,” says Iron Horse Park president Alan Pile, who looks forward to the long journey ahead.“One of our goals is to start a track expansion program. Once we get started on it, it won’t take us long.”

Volunteers will be working on the railroad all the live-long day for many years to come. Although there won’t be any spike driving, it takes many hours to prepare for a level track, usually built in 20-foot sections.

“No, we’re not driving any spikes,” laughs Pile. “I don’t think that would cut the mustard.

“It can be hard work,” he adds. “As opposed to standing up and pounding spikes, you’re on your hands and knees bolting things together.”

Continuing the efforts to reproduce an authentic CPR expedition along the 1.6-kilometre interpretive journey, expansion plans include manufacturing a down-scaled farmstead, town and industries that previously dotted the pioneer prairie landscape.

Several more trees and pathways are on future blueprints, as well as additional tracks and sidings incorporating crossing signals. A crushed-rock ballast car will be also manufactured to help maintain the authenticity of the time.

Hard work it may be, but to preserve the steel rail history and entertain their guests, Iron Horse volunteers continue to work diligently.

“That’s one of the things we’re working on, getting a balance of history with entertainment and fun,” says Pile. “We are still full of vim, vigour and vitality.” life fall 2013 |

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life in the community | culture

Bringing the w

P

rince Roberts arrived in Canada from Sierra Leone in 2003 and took up residence in Fredericton, N.B., a city that at the time was about the same size as Airdrie is today. Naturally, his new life came with a bit of culture shock. West Africa and Atlantic Canada are indeed polar-opposite worlds.

To Roberts’ joy, the Multicultural Association of Fredericton was waiting to help him make the transition. The group offered language classes, banking seminars and insights into life in the city, and helped Roberts network with other immigrants and Canadian-born people.

“I found it very helpful,” he recalls.“When you’re in a new place there’s very few people you know. It becomes very important that somebody or some organization helps you settle into the community.”

Now it is pay-it-forward time for Roberts and his wife, Ada, who met in Edmonton, married in 2009 and have called Airdrie home for the past four years. The Robertses, who now have two children, have formed The Airdrie Multicultural Society (TAMS) to assist new Canadians who have chosen to put down roots in this ever-growing city of nearly 50,000.

TAMS became a registered organization in December 2012 and in recent months has been in the process of getting its charity organization registration, which will allow it to accept donations and look for grants to establish services. Until that is finalized, the society will focus on providing networking help to new arrivals.

“Eventually we want to get involved in education, communication sharing and things like that,” Ada says. “We just want to see a stronger Airdrie. That’s our goal.”

Already known for its large Filipino community, Airdrie is increasingly becoming a desired location for those from other countries who want to avoid the more congested big city life found just down the road in Calgary. The lack of hustle-and-bustle is the big draw.

“Here in Airdrie it’s nice and quiet,” explains Jocelyn Inocando.“It’s not too crowded. And [the temperature] is cool. We love Airdrie.”

Inocando arrived in the city with her two children in 2009, when they were reunited with her husband, who had already relocated from the Philippines.

Four years later, the former school teacher is an example of a success story for a new Canadian in the city. Inocando works full-time at Airdrie

Daycare, is heavily involved in her community as president of the Filipino Women’s Society and is secretary of a corporation that helps newcomers get their footing financially with low-interest loans.

Making Airdrie a more welcoming place for new arrivals is not a new concept. The group Welcoming Airdrie was formed in winter 2011 after a collection of civic-minded agencies and individuals came together following a workshop entitled How to Become a Welcoming Community conducted by Calgary Catholic Immigration Society.

Ada has been working with Welcoming Airdrie, which encompasses the City of Airdrie, Community Links, Airdrie Public Library, Airdrie Chamber of Commerce and other groups, as they all try to determine how best to make Airdrie a good fit for all who decide to call it home.

“We’re trying to figure out the best way to help our community.

We’re working on a plan to help everyone,” she says.

According to Ada, Calgary Catholic Immigrant Services originally planned to expand its involvement in Airdrie, but she believes funding constraints have prevented that from happening. Calgary Catholic Immigrant Services has continued the long-standing tradition of church organizations helping immigrants settle in Airdrie, most recently holding a symposium here in March 2013 to discuss ways of making rural Alberta more inclusive.

The Robertses love the work churches do and in fact it was to their pastor that they originally went with the idea of forming TAMS. “I find that most people [who] are working with a church organization are having a little more success, just in finding that inclusivity and just helping each other find things,” Ada says. “Without that base to go to, my perception is that people are struggling a little bit.”

Prince and Ada have found they are quite often stopped by people in places like Wal-Mart with requests for help in finding certain things in the city. Talk about getting something done became reality when they formed the organization on Oct. 26, 2012.

“We thought it was a good idea to get something started to help people,” Prince says. life

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e world home STORY BY JEFF MACKINNON | PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

Airdrie’s new multicultural society reaches out

(Left to right) Jocelyn Inocando, Edwin Inocando, Ada Roberts, Prince Roberts, Princess Roberts fall 2013 |

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life in the community| connections

STORY BY ALEX FRAZER-HARRISON | PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

In K-Leigh’s Corner Local music lover hosts incredible concert experiences

K-Leigh Schofield, seen here with Cole Malone, an up-and-comer who performs at her at-home concerts, put together a special fundraising concert June 27 at the Overtime Lounge (above) to raise money for flood relief.

A

irdrie may have escaped Southern Alberta’s June floods, but that didn’t stop a local musical entrepreneur from pitching in.

For several years, K-Leigh Schofield has been putting on “house concerts” at her home in Summerfield, attracting rising and established country music singer-songwriters to perform in her living room or backyard.

When High River was devastated by flooding, Schofield, a music writer who runs the blog K-Leigh’s Korner when she isn’t organizing shows, saw a chance to help. “We were watching TV and asking, ‘What can we do?’ I said I want to do a concert,” says Schofield.

Her mom, Cheryl, who helps organize the shows, warned her that a benefit concert would “take over the house,” so Schofield teamed up with a friend from Team What If, a group that normally rides in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer (postponed to later in the year due to flooding) to book the Overtime Lounge at the Ron Ebbesen Arena for a 13-artist “songwriter’s round.”

Headlined by the likes of Mark Lorenz, Quentin Reddy and Blake Reid – who performed his flood anthem Hell or High Water – the June 27 concert raised $8,000, with another $3,000 raised by early July and a boost of $50,000 from Apache Canada, all going to flood relief.

Not bad for someone who started out interviewing country music stars for the George McDougall High School newspaper.

“In 2008, I was at a meet-and-greet with [singer] Jessie Farrell and she said I needed to do something for the industry, because there was no real website for Canadian country music, so I started up K-Leigh’s Korner,” says Schofield.

Thanks to that website, Schofield got to know several artists, and she began inviting them to perform at her home for small, private shows.

But in 2011, NHL player-turned-country singer Chad Brownlee an-

nounced a house concert mini-tour and Schofield applied to host one.

“He was the first big one we did in the living room,” she says.“We had 20-25 people in there and we were going, ‘Oh my God, this is going to work.’ We borrowed a stool from a friend and it was just him and his guitar.”

Since then, she’s hosted two dozen similar shows, usually once a month, with all ticket proceeds going straight to the performers.

“It’s every level of artist – not just the big guys; we’ve had smaller names, as well,” says Schofield.“I e-mail all the artists and say this is what we do. A typical house concert, we run it with a minimum of 20 people and the artists are good with that.”

For Schofield, a dream booking was snagging Adam Gregory. “I moved out here 13 years ago from Nova Scotia as a 12-year-old kid, and the bribe to get me out here [was when] my mom said,‘I’ll take you to an Adam Gregory concert,’” Schofield says. “Thirteen years later, Adam is a friend of mine and we’ve had him over twice.” One of Gregory’s shows was accidentally overbooked, forcing Schofield to cram 45 people into her living room.

She’s also hosted backyard parties, and it’s not uncommon to see neighbours peeking over the fence and enjoying the music.

Schofield says that she enjoys hearing the artists tell the stories behind the songs they perform, and getting the chance to introduce music lovers to new sounds. Upcoming shows include J.J. Voss, Chris Henderson, and an Up & Comers Night with Cole Malone, Ty Baynton and Quentin Reddy. She also dreams of someday attracting the likes of Paul Brandt and Emerson Drive to her house concerts.

And as for her fundraising efforts, Schofield was pleased with what she was able to do to help.

“It definitely opened my eyes to what I can do,” she says. “The night wasn’t even over and people were asking if I was going to do it again.” life

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A proud supporter of the

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life in the community | festivals

An

ARTember to Remember ANNUAL ARTS FESTIVAL CONTINUES TO GROW

F

or 17 days this September – Sept. 13-29 – Airdrie residents will be painting, gluing, knitting, recycling, shopping, dancing, crafting, tasting, sipping, bidding, rocking out and celebrating, all in the name of ARTember.

The third annual arts and culture festival is bringing ‘ARTivities’ to the city every day, ranging from jewelry workshops to gallery showings to a dance convention.

It all opens Friday, Sept. 13, at Cam Clark Ford with the Airdrie Regional Arts Society third annual ARTember Art Show & Sale.

A funny-money casino element has been added to make the evening fun and play on the Friday-the-13th theme. If tattoos are your thing, check out Human Kanvas, which is donating all proceeds from inkings, piercings and a silent auction Sept. 13 to Creative Airdrie (host society of ARTember).

The weeks unfold with a ton of opportunities to explore Airdrie’s arts and culture scene.

More than 50 local businesses are involved in ARTember, from restaurants offering diningout incentives to businesses showcasing local artwork. Workshops have more than doubled from last year’s offerings, thanks to the opening of two arts-focused businesses: 4Cats and Cre8ive Ways.

Nose Creek Valley Museum will celebrate its 25th anniversary during ARTember with a full day of family fun and heritage Sept 21. Iron Horse Park will offer free rail journeys Sept. 28-29.

The AIRdirondack Gala is back (Sept.

21) with a few new twists, including the exceptional entertainment of Johnny Summer and his Little Big Band. Tickets are on sale at 2103airdirondackgala.eventbrite.ca

Dance Convention cool’ cars that should be declared works of art!

A new element, the Dance with Lukas: Airdrie Dance Convention, has high hopes for attracting more than 500 dancers and their families to Airdrie for the last weekend of the month.

Lukas McFarlane won the 2013 U.K. Got To Dance reality show and is under exclusive contract to ARTember to bring his teaching and inspiration to the Shane Homes field house for a two- day dance workshop. Registration is a must at dancewithlukas.eventbrite.ca

CULTURE AT THE CREEK The big weekend for ARTember is Sept. 27-29 at Nose Creek Park in conjunction with Alberta Culture Days. Culture at the Creek is a family-focused, free weekend full of hands-on art and entertainment.

Friday is all about our local performing arts programs in schools. Join choirs and bands from kindergarten to Grade 12 for the energetic All Schools Performing Arts Showcase.

Over the weekend, other on-stage highlights include live music from SLAM members and multicultural performances from area groups.

Check out the Nose Creek Players Improv, and Sunday’s crazily popular Avenue Cupcake Eating Contest.

The Propak Arts Pavilion will be full of art projects for kids of all ages to try out, and to learn more about their community. Arts vendors will be inside and outside the tent and you’ll find food vendors along the paths, too.

CARtember Saturday only, join the Airdrie Time Travellers Car Club members as they put on CARtember, a mini show and shine with some ‘wheelie

Find them on the grass along the entrance to Nose Creek Park.

Airdrie Craft Wars Be sure not to miss Airdrie Craft Wars, Saturday only, 12:30 p.m., presented by Cre8ive Ways and Airdrie Upcycle. This friendly competition is sure to be fun to watch as you cheer on three competitors while they create the best-looking space with ‘ingredients’ from their mystery box! The audience will determine the winners so please come out and cheer them on! If you want to be a competitor, simply stop by Cre8ive Ways in Yankee Valley Crossing or Airdrie Upcycle on Main Street to get your ballot!

Miller Street Art Workshop Take over the Miller Street Art Gallery with your friends and learn from pros how to turn an ordinary can of spray paint into a work of art. Miller Street supplies all the paints and tools. All ages are welcome. The gallery will be open Saturday and Sunday at the entrance to Nose Creek Park.

Quilted Clothesline Friday through Sunday, discover the gorgeous work of Airdrie Quilting Guild members as they display a clothesline’s worth of quilting in the park! Meet club members and buy a raffle ticket to win a ‘fabricated’ work of art and to support Airdrie Victim Services.

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life in the community | festivals

life in the community | arts fundraising

ART from the Dump Did you know art made from recycled materials is a worldwide phenomenon? Come and join ARTember volunteers and help create fun and colourful temporary sculptures in the park.

Friday through Sunday, there will be lots of clean, reusable materials to work with or you can bring your own recycled materials to add to the project. Of course the art will be recycled at the end of the weekend, but while it stands it will be a series of recycled wonders! The City of Airdrie waste and recycling team will have an information booth nearby for you to learn more about how you can be environmentally friendly with all your activities.

Koos' Koolaboration Project Abstract artist Koos de Jongh wants your input in creating an original work of art! Friday through Sunday, you can stop by and give Koos direction as to what colour, shape or texture he should apply to his larger-than-life painting and then pop back later to see how it has evolved with input from you and a hundred others!

The Great Cupcake Eating Challenge How many cupcakes can you eat in eight minutes? Did you know the record is 42?

If you think you can even come close (nine, 10?) then be one of the first 24 people to register online at theavenuecakery@ gmail.com before Sept 28. The actual eating frenzy takes place on the amphitheatre stage at 2 p.m. Sunday only. The winner gets MORE cupcakes because he or she receives a $250 gift certificate, an incredibly cool T-shirt, his or her photo on the wall of fame at the Cakery and bragging rights of course ... until next year! life

ArT ThAT begs T

T

he AIRdirondack Gala is right around the corner and, for the fourth year in a row, it promises for an unforgettable evening of giving back to Airdrie’s ever-growing art and culture scene.

So what’s on the menu for this year’s gala other than swinging to Johnny Summers and his Little Big Band while enjoying the exquisite setting, gourmet bites, delectable wine and the work of 11 brilliant Airdrie and area artists? CHAIRS: Adirondack – or shall we say AIRdirondack? – chairs, to be precise.

The 10 participating artists have created their masterpieces using their own artistic flavour.

Whether you are a wine connoisseur, an environmentalist or intrigued by aerosol art, there is a chair to satisfy all art cravings. All you have to do is be ready to bid on it at the live auction that takes place at the gala.

Given the calibre of the artists and the competition of artwork that will fill the room on gala night, organizers have given the community a head start in viewing the chairs, on display before the event at various Airdrie locations.

Following is a full list of the participating artists, their beautiful chairs and where to find their wonderful works of art.

The ‘Wine Down Evenings’ chair was created by India-born artist Anita Singh and can be found at Airdrie Public Library. The chair explores the ingredients that promise to invigorate a calm and relaxed evening. Singh has lived in a variety of culturally diverse parts of the world and this is evident in the depth of her art.

Becky Kundert, the self-taught artist with a background in woodworking, spent months transforming her chair into an industrial-waste masterpiece. It can now be seen at City Hall.

The chair features a large tree, which is a reflection of Airdrie and its strong sense of community.

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s To be sAT on STORY BY ELISE YURKOWSKI

A glimpse of history can be explored through the ‘Alberta Dreamscapes’ chair by Char Vanderhorst on display at Good Earth Coffeehouse. The chair features a display of grain elevators, which Vanderhorst believes are quickly diminishing. “I hope, in a small way, it inspires many to remember our past pioneering history,” explains the artist.

With the outdoorsy type in mind, artist Cheryl Todd Shergold has created a fishing-inspired chair – even equipped with a fishing-rod holder. Growing up in the mountains, Todd Shergold found she developed a personal bond with nature. Her chair is on location at Genesis Place.

The “Moonlighting AIRdirondack” chair features a moonlight ocean scene and was created by internationally known artist Kathryn Zondag. It’s the ‘sister’ chair to the one she created in 2012, which was the highest-bid chair of the evening. The chair can be viewed at the Ravenswood showhomes in Airdrie.

The vibrant Koi chair by Michelle Wiebe is hard to miss at the Ravenswood showhomes. Inspired by her recent travels to Turkey, Africa and Central Europe, Wiebe’s chair uses many bright colours sure to grab the attention of anyone walking by.

Also available for viewing at the Ravenswood showhomes is the nature-themed chair by Robyn Cooper. Inspired by a photograph taken in Kananaskis, Cooper’s chair is ideal not only for a backyard, but also in a cottage setting, and features river rock adhered to the chair legs.

The fourth chair leaving people in amazement at Ravenswood is an

The 2013 AIrdirondack Art Project and gala

abstract rendition of aerosol art by Zach Abbott. Abbott’s design combines simple geometry with offset line work. Most commonly known for his street art in graffiti around Airdrie, Abbott sees the AIRdirondack Art project as an experience that has allowed him to be “creative on a different canvas.”

The SLAM-in-Airdrie-inspired chair by Paul Nye can be found at Brewsters. Doing what he does best, Nye has created a music lover’s dream chair using automotive paint through airbrushing.

The chair of special guest and prominent Calgary artist Amy Dryer sits patiently waiting to be joined by the rest of the chairs at gala location McArthur Fine Furniture. Dryer’s abstract chair is covered with umbrella-laden people. “This pattern of people repeats, changes and crosses over. This Adirondack chair design would represent the community of Airdrie (and beyond) and many people who move within it,” explains Dryer.

The final chair currently sits at Home Hardware awaiting its transformation. The ultimate bidder at the Sept. 21 Gala will have the opportunity of working with artist Shawnee Hoffman to create his or her own personalized chair.

Tickets for the gala are $100 and include the wine and craft beer tasting bar. All proceeds go to the Creative Airdrie Society for the development of arts and culture in Airdrie. life

Tickets are only available online: 2013airdiondackgala.eventbrite.ca fall 2013 |

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life in the community | teens

It’s only

rock roll

and and they lIke It....

STORY BY JEFF MACKINNON | PHOTOS BY KURTIS KRISTIANSON

hoW the BG café Is tunInG Into youth

W

hen the BG Café began in fall 2011, it was nothing more than an old barstool, an amplifier, a guitar and a bunch of kids yearning to express themselves. “[The barstool] sort of hung out in the corner of our club location and kids just started sitting there, playing and singing and doing poetry and storytelling,” says program counsellor Mitchell George, the enthusiastic lead of the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie (BGCA) project.

Walking into the club’s hangout at Ron Ebbesen Arena now, one’s eyes immediately catch the permanent bandstand – donated and built by Telus. Guitars, drums, keyboards, speakers and lighting provided by SLAM (Supporting Local Area Musicians) are waiting to be played.

The BG Café is held every Friday night, 6-10 p.m., through the school year, drawing a crowd of 40 or so Airdrie teenagers to a free night of entertainment.

It’s also a place to scarf down free pizza provided by Little Caesars; enjoy billiards, board games, reading and computers; or just chat with friends while getting a break from the seriousness of life.

In George, teens who visit the café find someone who has a real understanding of how hard things can be for teenagers. Now 21, George went through a rough patch when he was homeless and living out of his car.

“When I was a kid, [the café] is only something I would dream of having,” George says. “Open mikes were usually only at bars and pubs. It’s really good for kids who aren’t old enough to get access to that.

“They have a spot just for them,” he adds. “No one older, no one younger. Just teenagers.”

A tour conducted by Kacie Dougherty, BGCA manager of youth services, also reveals a recording studio, a project she hopes to have ready by September. In another room is a row of DJ turntables, where professional DJ Dan McNeil is found Tuesdays and Thursdays teaching kids the skills needed to pack a dance floor.

“When we opened, we anticipated we’d be using it for more of a sports focus, but we found that that’s not what the kids wanted – it’s been more for [a] music and arts focus,” says Dougherty. “We weren’t expecting that.”

The café is drawing youths from all over the city and anyone who can’t catch a ride from someone has access to free bus passes provided by the City of Airdrie.

“These are teens who probably would never have met and mixed together if it wasn’t for us,” Dougherty says. “We get them from all the middle schools and the high schools – all across the board.” life

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Mitchell Geo rge, lead on shares his the BG CafĂŠ enthusiasm project, with everyo ne who stop s by.

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life in the community | creative energy “Morgan is full of energy. He loves to dance – it just

oozes out of him,” says Susan Laing, owner of Airdrie Dance Academy (ADA) where nine-year-old Morgan Cox has taken lessons since he was three.

The young dancer, who is currently taking jazz, hip hop and tap (his favourite), thoroughly enjoys competing in dance competitions.

“Dancing makes me feel happy,” says Morgan.“It’s very fun and it’s good exercise.”

Morgan isn’t the only dancer in the Cox family. Mackenzie, 10, takes ballet and jazz, and Caitlin, 6, takes ballet and tap. Dad Michael still “fools around and has fun,” but before family became his priority he spent 20 years as a serious dancer, the last 10 performing with Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble in Calgary.

“When our oldest was four, it was Michael’s idea to find a dance studio,” says mom Glenda, who believes that dancing is a great confidence-builder.

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Nine-year-old Morgan Cox loves to express himself through the athletic art of dance.

Their lives may be busy, but balancing family, school and dance isn’t difficult.“There’s only one day during the week that we aren’t at the dance studio,” says Glenda, who makes Morgan’s costumes for ADA’s annual production, Follies, at Bert Church Theatre, “but we’ve been doing it for so long, we just do it. I joke that my van can get there by autopilot. ” Even at his young age, Morgan is focused and has an uncanny grasp at what he needs to do to succeed. At seven he told his mom he needed to take ballet instead of the hip hop class he’d been waiting for, because “Miss Susan” said that all the dance steps come from ballet, so he needed to learn them. He subsequently took a year of ballet.

Morgan dances regularly (for ADA) at the Airdrie Home and Lifestyle Show and is a positive role model for other boys who might be interested. “There’s a stigma,” says Glenda.

“People often don’t understand how athletic dancing is or the skill level involved. If you’re sports-minded, that’s great, but the social interaction in dance will serve just as well.”

From Morgan’s perspective, it’s OK to be the only boy in his dance class.

n dad’s footsteps STORY BY ELLEN KELLY | PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

“What guy wouldn’t enjoy dancing with 20 girls?” his dad says. And although he admits to being razzed as a youngster, dancing was a part of Michael’s heritage. “It was always Ukrainian dance for me,” he says. “My mom danced and she got me into it.”

Although Morgan doesn’t take formal Ukrainian dance lessons, Michael, who is his biggest mentor, has taught him a few tricks. And the ‘tricks’ have paid off. Morgan and Michael have danced on stage together for the past two years in Jeunesse Classique Ballet’s annual Christmas production of The Nutcracker.

Jeunesse asked ADA to provide guest dancers to be cupids/candle lighters in the production and Mackenzie and Caitlin were chosen to take part. When Jeunesse learned about Morgan and Michael, the father and son were asked to dance some of the Russian parts. “It’s a huge commitment,” says Glenda, “but a wonderful experience for the kids to be part of a large production.”

Adds Michael: “Being able to pass that [heritage] on to the kids is powerful. Being able to do it on stage with the kids is even more powerful.”

Morgan likes performing and the feeling he gets out on the stage, something with which his father identifies.

“If I could be dancing every day again, I would,” Michael says.“It’s a good high.”

Besides dancing, Morgan likes to play board games and play outside. At school he’s a math and science guy, and when he grows up he’s not sure what he’d like to be but he knows it will include dancing.

“He loves to dance. He’s very proud to be a dancer,” says Laing.

That pride is very apparent.

When asked if he likes dancing with his dad, Morgan’s answer is emphatic: “Yes!” life fall fall 2013 2013 ||

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life in the community | taste trek

Sorlak the Vulcan, a.k.a. Dr. Richard Weger, savours one of his new brews.

Out of this World

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARL PATZEL

How a local beer lover and Star Trek fan melded two passions

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Live long and prosper, and above all, drink a good beer.

Adding an intoxicating brew to that famous Star Trek phrase may be a slight stretch of the Vulcan philosophy. But for a couple of local craft beer enthusiasts, so was enterprising a deal with the most popular science fiction franchise of all time.

A lifelong devotee of the Star Trek universe, local veterinarian Dr. Richard Weger was looking for a personal mind-meld connection with the popular interstellar entertainment series.

Before you could utter“Pointy-eared, green-blooded goblin,” Vulcan Ale was born.

“I watched Star Trek as a kid and it’s fairly important to me. I’ve always been looking for a personal connection to Star Trek. This Star Trek beer is a way that I can do that,” says Weger, who also goes by his alter ego, Sorlak the Vulcan.

Alongside fellow Airdrionian Vern Raincock and Calgarian Paul Carreau, this away mission began in the unofficial Star Trek capital of Canada, Vulcan, Alta., during that community’s 2013 centennial celebration and Spock Days.

Weger, Carreau, a retired military veteran and part-time Klingon, and Star Trek geek/craft beer marketer Raincock were approached by festival organizers to help create space-warping ale.

“The Star Trek co-ordinator in Vulcan wanted to have a specialized Spock Days beer. (Raincock) produced a seasonal, one-time Vulcan Ale,” says Weger, now the official project manager of Star Trek-themed beers at DeLancey Direct Incorporated, of which Raincock is CEO.“We’re all Star Trek geeks and [we] began talking about producing this Vulcan Ale as a beer that we could produce North America-wide.”

Linking their communicators, the Trekkies next needed to transport their idea to Toronto and pitch their ale to the Canadian liaison at CBS consumer products, which owns the right to the Star Trek franchise.

Raincock and Carreau got a quick tricorder fix on the CBS executives, who just happened to be craft beer aficionados themselves.

The CBS group flipped for the idea, leaving the local group just a bit stunned.

“We were surprised … a couple of guys from Airdrie and one from Calgary, and now we have the rights to Star Trek beer,” Weger says.“That is amazing and mind-blowing that they chose us.

“I think (the CBS executives) were attracted to our enthusiasm and our love of Star Trek,” he adds. “For them, you couldn’t have somebody [producing beer] who isn’t interested in Star Trek.”

From there the deal flowed smoothly, going down like a refreshing cold brew. Boldly going where no craft brewer had gone before, the trio began producing the Irish Red Ale out of the Harvest Moon Brewery Company in Montana. They released the beer this past summer in conjunction with the theatrical release of the latest Star Trek movie, Star Trek Into Darkness.

Weger, Raincock and Carreau now beam out to a wide audience, from science fiction fans and Star Trek geeks to craft beer fans.

The trio is hoping the splitfinger labelled beer becomes the logical choice of hopbrewed beverages.

“It’s not just a novelty beer.

We want people to enjoy it on a consistent basis and the feedback has been excellent,” says Weger of the sold-out first batch, ironically described as having an “earthy sweetness.”

Far from the final frontier, these unofficial captains of craft beer aren’t ‘phased’ by their success or their continuing journey. According to Weger, they’ve just hit the outer edge of the craft beer universe with Vulcan Ale. And now, with first contact behind them, they plan a next generation of spinoff beers, including a Klingon brew, and a federation of future episode libations.

“It was a product whose time had come,” Weger says. “Star Trek is in the public consciousness right now and to some degree always will be. Even if you’re not a huge fan of it, you recognize it as a brand.” life fall 2013 |

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life in the community | 3-D canvas

(From left) Artist Lori Presiloski, former Creative Airdrie executive director Linda Bruce and Tom Janzen, Fortis manager of asset maintenance, celebrate the creation of a new work of art on Kingsview Road. Below, Image Works contractor Shaun Peirson and his wife, Joanne, carefully wrap the box.

Thatʼs a wrap!

STORY BY ANNE BEATY PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

Fortis program beautifies communities

W

hen most people think of an artist’s canvas, a utility switch box probably doesn’t immediately come to mind. However, thanks to the vision of FortisAlberta, that’s exactly what is displaying works of art in Airdrie and around the province.

Through the Fortis ‘art wrap’ program, switching cubicles are being wrapped with artwork, in essence turning them into three-dimensional canvases. The program, which was piloted in the County of Strathcona, was first designed as a way of curbing graffiti, as well as beautifying the community, says Alana Antonelli, FortisAlberta manager of corporate communications. Given the huge success of that pilot, though, the program expanded to 11 other communities, including Airdrie.

“We are thrilled with the program to date,” Antonelli says.

“We have received a wonderful response from members of the community where the artwork has been installed.”

It’s here in Airdrie, though, that the program has taken a unique turn, in that all the art is from local artists. Kathryn Zondag, Cheryl Todd Shergold, Olivia McMurray, Lori Presiloski and Char Vanderhorst have provided the visuals: a ‘bearscape,’ a winter scene, a red butterfly, an ocean view and grain elevators.

The five designs are gracing boxes at seven locations: one across from the Fortis facilities on Kingsview Road; two near the intersection of Yankee Valley boulevard and Main Street; one at the corner of Main Street and Erin Drive; one at the corner of Erin Drive and Allen Street; and two in downtown Airdrie.

After Fortis was approached by Creative Airdrie with the idea of showcasing local artists, the five final designs were chosen from 70 entries by Fortis staff and the public. The ability to bring local art to even more people, making it part of the Airdrie landscape, was highly appealing.

“This is a perfect example of a company thinking ‘outside the box’ and working with us to promote our growing arts and culture scene,” says Sherry Shaw-Froggatt, Creative Airdrie vice-chairperson.

From Fortis’ perspective, it’s a win-win situation, says Antonelli.

“We are happy to provide a canvas for local artists to showcase their work while doing our small part to help solve a common criminal concern,” she says.

Plans are to wrap 100 boxes this year, and to keep the program running into the future.

“It’s something that we’ll continue, so we may see more go up in Airdrie at some point,” Antonelli says. life

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airdrielife has celebrated the lives of close to 800 community members since 2004. We thought it would be fun to catch up with a few of the friends we’ve made along the way.

Then

Labait Family

Back when our story began, life together was just beginning for Jason and Stacey Labait, as well. Their fall/winter 2004 feature was one of our first, and the picture of the two of them running out of Airdrie United Church was an early favourite. Five years later, we met up with the Airdrie firefighter and the hairstylist once again. Now happy parents to three-year-old Riley, they were enjoying a new home in Cooper’s Crossing. Looking ahead, Stacey couldn’t wait for Riley to start dancing with Miss Susan at Airdrie Dance Academy.

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ow When not busy protecting the community as fire department captain, Jason runs an excavation company and spends as much time as he can with Stacey, who styles hair out of their home, and Riley, turning eight this September. The Labaits enjoy an active Airdrie lifestyle and also camp and ski together whenever they can. Riley enjoys gymnastics and dance, as well. (Yes, she became a student of Miss Susan’s!)

The Labaits continue to enjoy all the family-friendly amenities Airdrie has to offer. A born-and-raised Airdrionian, Jason has seen the city change and grow quite a bit in his lifetime. While there’s admittedly more traffic now than there was 10 years ago, he says, it’s great to be able to find everything close to home.

52 pages of airdrielife come to life.

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 0 4 • v o l u m e 1 • n u m b e r 1 • w w w. a i r d r i e . c a

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

The first spring issue shows how much Airdrie is blooming as a city.

airdrielife starts to grow – 68 pages!

We launch the business-focused Airdrie WORKS section, and readers can now visit us online.

We interview Airdrie’s oldest resident, Heloise Lorimer

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 0 5 • v o l u m e 2 • n u m b e r 1 • w w w. a i r d r i e . c a

s p r i n g / s u m m e r 2 0 0 5 • v o l u m e 1 • n u m b e r 2 • w w w. a i r d r i e . c a

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

s p r i n g / s u m m e r 2 0 0 6 • v o l u m e 2 • n u m b e r 2 • w w w. a i r d r i e . c a

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

Discover what makes Airdrie great Complete community profiles

Fall in love with one of Airdrie’s great communities

Life in Airdrie is blooming!

Canada $3.00

Inside this issue: detailed city map, city living information, show home highlights and much more

Inside this issue: show home highlights, city living information, detailed city map and much more

2004: Airdrie population: 25,606; Airdrie annexes 3,000 acres for a 30-year land supply.

We're building a great city!

The Airdrie Festival of Lights wants you!

Updated Community Profiles

Canada $3.00

Inside this issue: meet the "first lady" of Airdrie, mark your calendar with events, learn the new transit routes, read about city services and much more

Inside this issue: meet some great Airdronians, discover some exciting new communities, learn timely City information and get down to business with our special feature section "AirdrieWORKS".

2005: Highway 2 between Edmonton and Calgary is renamed the Queen Elizabeth II Highway (QE2) in honour of the Queen’s visit and Alberta’s centennial.

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Sarah and Matt, then 10 and 7, share the claim to fame of being our fall/ winter 2005 cover models. The photograph was taken by publisher Sherry Shaw-Froggatt, who says: “I knew of Sarah through Airdrie Minor Basketball.

Chatting with her mom, Lynn, I discovered Sarah had a brother and I cajoled them both into being on the cover. I literally sat them both in this giant mountain of pine mulch in my backyard, with plastic props to represent fall harvest. It was sort of pathetic when I look at it but they were great sports!

Thankfully I have professional photographers now!�

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Now 18, Sarah is a George McDougall High School graduate working in Airdrie.

Matt, 15, is in Grade 10 at George McDougall, and his interests include hockey, volleyball, basketball and golf.

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

From Bike Night to Little League, this 72-page issue celebrates life in Airdrie with 15 feature stories.

Air dr ieW OR KS

NOW

Airdrie Meadows:

$154,933

$296,000

Bayside:

$258,900

$459850

Cooper’s Crossing:

$282,308

$553,257

Jensen:

$199,477

$327,200

Luxstone:

$182,900

$327,200

Meadowbrook:

$187,760

$344,350

Sagewood:

$238,000

$344,350

Summerhill:

$169,657

$305,743

Thorburn:

$227,182

$393,524

Woodside:

$224,564

$428,445

airdrielife celebrates talent in Airdrie with a 104-page arts issue, plus expanded sections and 25 feature stories!

We grow to three issues a year and our list of contributors grows to eight.

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Airdrie is a great place to grow a family!

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INSIDE: The EXCLUSIVE story of the Prairie Pond Posse

2006: Big box comes to Airdrie: Wal-Mart & Superstore open

In 2004, we started running real estate statistics by neighbourhood. Here is a quick then-and-now comparison.

(Single Family-Statistics as of July 26, 2013)

THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

Airdrie’s got community spirit!

that house?

See the full list at airdrielife.com

Sarah & Matt Davies airdrielife runs reader contest “You know you’re in Airdrie when....�

Contest asks participants to submit their answers. Dealing with the “rat hole� is a common response.

How much is

AirdrieLIFE

%JTQMBZ VOUJM +BOVBSZ

On your mark, get set, The 1st Annual Arts Issue Airdrie's got talent!

New expanded sections: Inside this issue: AirdrieWORKS special section, updated community profiles, on the edge with gymnastics and much more!

Community | Homes | City and our biggest AirdrieWorks ever

go!

OUR 1st ANNUAL

Active Living & Wellness Issue Community | Homes | City | AirdrieWorks

2007: As a special gift to Airdrie, sister city Gwacheon, South Korea, presents three handcrafted wooden totem poles commemorating 10 years of friendship.

Rob Ing

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Rob Ing was featured in our spring 2008 issue. Working full time out of his garage at what was once a hobby, Ing was producing video and music for a variety of clients.

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Rob is continually upgrading his camera, lights and computers, and happily works out of bucket trucks, helicopters and wind-power towers to get just that right shot. In recent years, Rob has had fun working on cross-border productions, tackling such challenges as keeping loads light (“making sure equipment followed me in one piece, and not in pieces….”), tight production schedules, intense heat and delayed flights.

Despite all the travelling, Airdrie is still a great home base. “I still work out of my garage, which is full of gear and equipment. It is known to take a full hour to clean up before clients arrive, just to make room for them to have a seat,” says Rob.

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One of airdrielife’s first contributors and an ongoing resource, Alan has been a Realtor for 26 years.

Before that, he managed a chain of weekly newspapers after working for Toronto-Dominion Bank as a recruit out of SAIT. For his commitment to volunteer work in Airdrie, the City recognized Alan in 2005 with the Volunteer of the Year Award (see our spring 2005 issue).

Today, Alan holds the position of CEO with the Calgary Real Estate Board. He is still passionate about volunteer work, both in his profession and his community.

His ties to Airdrie remain strong – his grandchildren, Lochlan and Smith, are the son and daughter of airdrielife contributor Michelle Carre and husband Matt.

“This is a city with a soul and it is partly because airdrielife celebrates what is so awesome about Airdrie. Every single edition of the magazine is loaded with awesome,” Alan says.

Publisher Sherry Shaw-Froggatt wins the Airdrie Ambassador Award! airdrielife starts introducing a new design, including a ‘cover model’ each issue.

We celebrate five years of life in Airdrie with a fresh new look and a new website. To date, 832 pages of the magazine have been printed.

Fall/Winter 2008

Alan Tennant

Frog Inc. is an Eco Edge Award 2008 finalist. Did you know airdrielife is published using paper from sustainable, forest-friendly sources?

AirdrieLIFE Spring 2009

YOUR LIFE. YOUR MAGAZINE

YOUR LIFE. YOUR MAGAZINE

GREEN

Celebrate

5of YEARS LIFE in Airdrie

is the new

More than 15 prizes to be won

Family

ALL IN THE Meet three families who have grown with us

GET MORE OUT OF LIFE! New features and columns

HOW THE

Mr. Richards goes to

Ottawa Get a glimpse inside Blake’s new life as Airdrie’s man in Parliament

Mega Mall

BLACK

How residents, builders, businesses and City Hall are greening Airdrie and why it should matter to you

Red, white and

GREEN

Secrets from an Italian kitchen

Frog Inc. is an Alberta Business Awards of Distinction finalist!

AirdrieLIFE Summer 2009

YOUR LIFE. YOUR MAGAZINE

$ Million HOMES? Airdrie will surprise you

In full

BLOOM check out award winning Airdrie gardens

55+ Games

athletes and organizers gear up

Pay it forward

affects Airdrie

Airdrie volunteers and businesses get the recognition they deserve

A WHEEL Romance

How one Airdrie couple had to travel 7000 km to fall in love

WIN $1000

PLUS a full line up of summer events including centennial celebrations, Canada Day, Airdrie Pro Rodeo and much more!

ENTER TO OUR home renovation contest!

BONUS FEATURE Plan your wedding

Proud Media Supporter of the Airdrie Centennial 2009

AirdrieLIFE.com

LIFEstyle | COMMUNITY | HOMES | CITY | WORKS

2008: Launch of provincial, national and international award-winning AirdrieNow economic development campaign

Vol. 5 | No. 1 Display until Feb. 28, 2009

without leaving Airdrie

Proud Media Supporter of the Airdrie Centennial 2009

AIRDRIELIFE.COM

Vol. 5 | No. 2

LIFEstyle | COMMUNITY | HOMES | CITY | WORKS

DISPLAY UNTIL

May 31, 2009

Proud Media Supporter of the Airdrie Centennial 2009

Vol. 5 | No. 3 DISPLAY UNTIL

Sept. 10, 2009

2009: Airdrie population: 38,091 (marking the largest annual increase yet at 11.65 per cent)

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Our winter 2010 cover story, Jeff Bell was already attracting attention as one of Canada’s top young ski racing talents. Jeff, who began racing seriously at the age of 12, was training with the Alberta Alpine ski team in Nakiska.

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A 2011 George McDougall graduate, Jeff is still on the Alberta ski team and currently working toward the Canadian team. Jeff had a successful Canadian championships this past winter, placing top 11 in all four disciplines (slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom and downhill), and had two top-three junior finishes – one of them first place! Racing against World Cup-level skiers on the Nor-Am circuit, Jeff also had four top-30 finishes. In Europe, he had a top-five run in the Swiss junior championship GS.

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Lynn Kehoe

airdrielife celebrates 100 years of Airdrie by honouring the area’s rural roots.

AirdrieLIFE Fall 2009

YOUR LIFE. YOUR MAGAZINE

4 Rave

showhomes to about

Showing our

ROOTS

Lynn has come a long way from selling handmade bath products at the farmer’s market back in 2002 in her home province of Saskatchewan. This fall, Lynn celebrates seven years of success as a retailer. Dedicated to making women feel beautiful (including our summer 2013 makeover winner!), Lynn continues to pride herself on providing fine intimate apparel and bath products. She also became a Chamber of Commerce director earlier this year.

Remember the Nielsen family from our first issue? See page 95!

For more great ‘then and now’ stories and photos, visit airdrielife.com

Launching our first ‘fourth issue’ of the year, we celebrate with – what else – good food!

AirdrieLIFE

TASTE Airdrie’s good LIFE

WORKING

FREE

Winter 2009/2010

YOUR LIFE. YOUR MAGAZINE

Spring 2010

WORKING &LEARNING The

Local entrepreneurs share successes and words of wisdom

Issue

Joe Messina has Airdrie’s best job

LENA SPICER Licensed Mechanic

ROB ANDERSON’S

If you had to take your driver’s test again

COULD YOU PASS?

Vol. 5 | No. 4

AIRDRIELIFE.COM

LIFEstyle | COMMUNITY | HOMES | CITY | WORKS

The Airdrie

ANOMALY

HOT new ideas for your home

Do we LIVE & WORK in a bubble?

CHANGE

is a GOOD thing

Recipes

EXPERTS and READERS share all!

FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS Proud Media Supporter of the Airdrie Centennial 2009

DISPLAY UNTIL

Nov. 25, 2009 Fall 2009 | AirdrieLIFE 1

SUMMER 2010

Homebuilding, auto mechanics & emergency services ... just another day on the job

Political Journey

influence

Vol. 6 | No. 2

WOMEN

MAN of FIRE

POINTS OF PRIDE

7 artists of

s

We move to a more streamlined format, “exploring the good life in Airdrie,” including how to look good (nearly) naked!

YOUR LIFE. YOUR MAGAZINE

Mike Dingle

100

& reader contests!

We explore women in traditional male jobs, and launch our second Wedding Life special feature.

AirdrieLIFE

A special focus on our rural connections

101 GIVEAWAYS

When we first met Lynn Kehoe on the cover of our Airdrie Works section in summer 2007, her business, Cream Body & Bath, was less than a year old and already had a strong customer following in Airdrie.

4

The Boys of

Summer

OF AIRDRIE’S TOUGHEST JOBS

KING

of the BBQ

PLUS

WeddingLIFE 2010

What do you Think Airdrie?

SPECIAL SECTION

BE MONEY WISE

FREE INSIDE

2010 Airdrie Pro Rodeo Guide

Proud Media Supporter of the Airdrie Centennial 2009 Vol. 6 | No. 1

2009: Alberta Venture magazine ranks Airdrie as one of the top 10 best communities for business in Alberta.

AIRDRIELIFE.COM

PLUS

How to look good nearly naked www.airdrielife.com

LIFEstyle | COMMUNITY | HOMES | CITY | WORKS

DISPLAY UNTIL

2010: Airdrie’s south QE2 interchange, known as the “rat hole,” changes from a two-lane to a six-lane underpass.

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We publish our first (and so far only) ‘pet cover,’ plus we bring life to wildlife on our pages

Our heroes issue is back with inspiring stories, a daredevil racer and the best tastes of Airdrie yet.

Frog Inc. wins the Airdrie Family Friendly Business Award.

We pay tribute to the men around town. Feature stories include an ultimate man cave – one of the best-kept local secrets. (Not anymore!)

airdrielife presents the first-ever Amazing Airdrie Women Awards.

summer 2011

VETS AND THEIR PETS Wendy McClelland and others share advice and their best friends

JEFF BELL

55+

REASONS TO LIVE HERE

NOW

LIGHTEN

UP with bright ideas for your home

LEAVING

HOME OLD is New

Local businesses take the next step to a storefront

How one man’s vision is changing Airdrie’s downtown

THE

POWER

of mentors

SPICE in the kitchen Hot flavours

2010: ICE Bus System begins scheduled service to Calgary; Creative Airdrie is established

FREE INSIDE

2010 Airdrie Festival of Lights Guide

Man Caves

Chef Stir things up with

Airdrie’s Toughest Jobs

Carla Ducoz Celebrating

THE

Amazing

BEST TASTES OF AIRDRIE

Magic Man

Airdrie Women

AIRDRIE’S

HEROES

Nutty MINOR HOCKEY

in Airdrie

airdrielife.com

Ryan Jade

Housewives

PLUS

Gorgeous photos inside

What it takes to plan a city this great

Is he the next CRAZY CANUCK?

Everything you wanted to know about

On GOLDEN pond URBAN Visionaries

spring 2011

winter 2010/2011

FALL 2010

storm the ice

LOOK INSIDE

AIRDRIE’S

Million-Dollar Showhome

Women’s

WORK

airdrielife.com

High School

FREE INSIDE 2011 Airdrie Pro Rodeo Guide

2011: An Alberta Municipal Affairs report shows Airdrie has the lowest taxes per capita compared to other mid-sized Alberta cities

Heroes airdrielife.com

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9

10

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We love our photos (and know our readers do, too). Here are some that stood out over the years.

Look for more online at airdrielife.com

12

13

14 airdrielife celebrates our vibrant arts and culture community and Airdrie’s first citywide celebration of the arts, ARTember.

We have fun with our first black-and-white cover, and bring lots of colour to our inside pages with stories about extraordinary local heroes.

1. Rhys Eckardt, Summer 2010 2. AFOL directors Ray Rawlins and Shelia Bunz, and sponsor Brian Balson, Summer 2008 3. Blackstone Hexx, Fall 2012 4. Bert Church Theatre staff hamming it up on stage, Fall 2007 5. Brian Ashman, Spring 2006 6. Tim Thorsteinson, Summer 2011 7. Delcene and Russ Fletcher, Summer 2009 8. Armand LaSante, Fall 2011 9. Katie Burley, Spring 2011 10. Soul of Airdrie winner Peter Brown, Summer 2008 11. Calgary Philharmonic member Steve Lubiarz, Fall 2010 12. Wedding Life, Spring 2009 13. Andrew Engelleder, Spring 2007 14. Brenda Moon, Spring 2010

We introduce our first Eat Play Stay Airdrie tourism guide!

And we celebrate our second annual Amazing Airdrie Women Awards.

The T-shirt on this cover launches a whole community fundraising initiative.

spring 2012

fall 2011

summer 2012

airdrielife.com airdrielife.com

The

TS AR ISSUE

Artember SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION

MEET 47 AMAZING AIRDRIE WOMEN

Meet more than

20 men you’ll ADMIRE

(including our nominees for the 2012 Amazing Airdrie Women Awards)

The Miller

She’s got RHYTHM

music teacher

Secondhand

Airdrie’s got

ROSES

TALENT

Meet artists, musicians, dancers, teachers, chefs and welders (yes, welders) who give Airdrie its creative energy

LOOK INSIDE FOR YOUR

2011-12

Bert Church LIVE Theatre

airdrielife.com

Mural

The NEW look of the Airdrie Home & Lifestyle Show

Karlie Kenealey

SEASON GUIDE

2011: Chinook Winds fire hall opens.

fashion consignment is a big business

Singing Sensation SHELLY FULLERTON

PLUS

ON TRACK WITH THE AIRDRIE ACES, A LOOK AT THE NEW AIRDRIE FESTIVAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS, AND MUCH MORE LIFE INSIDE!

FAMILY BUILDERS

love Airdrie?

WHY DOES CHRIS MULDERS

PLUS THE BEST PATIOS FOR DRINKING A BEER THIS SUMMER

2012: Airdrie completes annexation of 12,640 acres for another 50-year land supply.

What IS That?

1

2

Think you can correctly identify the item and story in each of these photos, extreme close-ups from features over the past 10 years?

Send your guesses to contests@airdrielife.com and you could win dinner for two!

3

4

5

You know you’re from Airdrie when....

If you’ve lived in Airdrie 10 (or more) years, you know the landscape has changed a little. From popular places once in different spaces, to special firsts, to changes we were happy to embrace....

Can you answer the questions below? Share them at airdrielife.com and you could win a $250 shopping spree!

1. Where was the original library located?

2. What was the roof made of at the original swimming pool?

3. When was Airdrie’s centennial?

4. Who started the Festival of Lights?

5. What year were traffic lights installed at the intersection of Main Street and First Avenue?

Our arts issue, featuring a painted cover model, proves a work of art in itself.

We profile our first Paralympic athlete.

6. What was the ‘rat hole’?

7. Where was City Hall before moving to its current location?

8. Where was the first Tim Hortons?

9. Who were the original anchor tenants of Towerlane Mall?

10. Which QE2 interchange opened first: Veterans Boulevard or Yankee Valley Boulevard?

airdrielife introduces our $7,500 airdrielife style fitness challenge, and features 11 pages of amazing women.

Happy anniversary, airdrielife!

Now available at more than 150 locations in Airdrie and Calgary, we celebrate 10 years of the good life in Airdrie: a whopping 2,496 pages, including 713 feature stories!

This issue is all about adventures on the track and field.

(Zombies, anyone?)

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years! | spring 2013 exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years! | summer 2013

fall 2012

airdrielife.com

airdrielife.com

THE

ARTS

ISSUE

SLAM

takes the STAGE

Amanda Tozser’s

face painting

Sheri

10 years!

10 airdrielife.com years!

Diving, kayaking, hunting: businesses that THRIVE right here in Airdrie

ZOMBIE FOOTBALL

Reed

is alive and kicking!

THE MAN ISSUE

designs with reclaimed resources

COOL CAREERS, MANLY PURSUITS AND WICKED WORKS OF ART

Creative

Companies

goes

Hollywood

Former Olympian

Ricardo Greenidge

THE $3,000 MAKEOVER You won’t believe your eyes!

THE TOUGHEST WOMEN IN TOWN meet up at the roller rink FREE INSIDE !

YOUR

ART

GUID

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emb

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14-30

PLUS Your guide to the 2012-13 season at Bert Church LIVE Theatre inside!

MEET OUR 27

AMAZING

AIRDRIE WOMEN NOMINEES!

2012: Heron’s Crossing Elementary School and Chinook Winds Spray Park open.

TAKES ON TRACK DUTY

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2013: Airdrie population: 49,560, and the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce celebrates 40 years.

home life at 84 Holding Court airdrielife_fall2013.indd 81

94 Family-Friendly 98 Showing Off

2013-08-13 3:18 PM

Relax in Style

Enjoy the best of times on any one of our customizable living room sets available in hundreds of fabrics & leathers, configured to fit your lifestyle.

Airdrie Home Furnishings

Our incredible in-stock selection allows you to spend more time enjoying your new furniture, instead of shopping around for the best value. It’s all right here.

airdrielife_fall2013.indd 82

2013-08-13 3:18 PM

Come in and check out our expanded Mattress Gallery

“ We have a New Store, New Look, and New Furniture, but we have the same mission as when we started: Offering Airdrie’s Best Value in Furniture and an Unbeatable Customer Experience”- Brian Palethorpe

Visit our new showroom 211 East Lake Crescent airdriehomefurnishings.com 587.775.1331

airdrielife_fall2013.indd 83

2013-08-13 3:18 PM

Living the dream

Cooper’s courtyard has it all

The McKinnon family, Trena and Chad and daughters Cassidy (left) and Melissa

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STORY BY ANNE BEATY | PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

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magine spending those lazy spring, summer and autumn nights relaxing in your back courtyard, curled up in a comfy chair in front of a huge stone fireplace, the flames dancing, the stars sparkling, the drowsy sounds and scents of the season accentuating the perfection of the moment.

Airdrie’s McKinnon family is doing just that.

When Trena and Chad McKinnon and their daughters Melissa, 20, and Cassidy, 17, moved into their new Cooper’s Crossing home in 2011, they were excited about a whole new living concept. Their laned home is not your typical Alberta front-garage style – it has a rear detached garage (triple!), with a lovely multi-use outdoor space in back that includes three levels of living complete with a covered eating area and a protected courtyard/patio tucked between the garage and the house.

The low-maintenance backyard also boasts the requisite lawn, plus a water feature in multi-tiered fountain form and plenty of flower pots and garden beds with a variety of perennials, grasses, shrubs and trees.

“We kind of designed the yard so that we could maximize the sun,” says Trena. “There’s always sun and there’s always shade somewhere.”

The McKinnons also spent time designing how the backyard is lighted, including feature lighting and overhead lights in the courtyard area, so it could be showcased and used to its best advantage.

“I like the fact that we can use it at night,” Chad says.

And gardener Trena, whose mother had a greenhouse, loves the many opportunities to decorate with flowers.

“I love my pots, I love my begonias,” she says.

For the girls, the appeals of their outdoor living area are numerous. The fountain and the fireplace area with the hanging lights above are Melissa’s favourites, while Cassidy likes the overall feel of the backyard, which is reminiscent of patios in Germany where she spent time as an exchange student. (The four-legged family members – pug Max, who thoroughly enjoys posing by the fountain, and cat Sophie – are equally impressed with their new digs.)

ers

So whether it’s basking in the sun, dining, lounging, gardening or reading in front of the fireplace – there’s everything you could desire in outdoor living.

“The back of the house has as much architectural appeal as the front,” says Trena.

The front of the home is equally welcoming, with its comfortable porch seating area in which to relax, and having covered front and back living areas is a real boon in southern Alberta’s variable weather.

“We can go outside in the rain,” Chad says.

The classic estate laned home concept is one which has been embraced by Paul Gerla, development manager with Westmark Holdings Ltd., the developer for the Cooper’s Crossing community. “I just wanted to offer something different,” Gerla says of the design, which is a change from the attached front garage style that has been prevalent in the northern climes.

While laned homes have been offered in the starter home market, Gerla is pleased to see the design being put to good use in the move-up or estate home markets.

“It’s a house type that’s been ignored for too long,” he says.

“You have a far better-looking house from the street. It makes for a more attractive street.”

Along with the pleasing street presence, advantages of the style include: more windows in the house itself; a wider garage, as well as storage space at the rear for boats, trailers and large vehicles; the option to attach the garage to the house (“It creates a nice courtyard effect,” says Gerla.); and the flexibility to either move the house up to the front of the lot to allow for more backyard space or move the house farther back.

Westmark also has special permission that allows for building a loft above the garage, which could then be used for a home office, a home theatre, a guest room or an art studio.

The laned home design is nothing new, Gerla says, as it reflects homes of a century ago, which incorporated a ‘carriage house’ in the back. Now, with the ability to develop above the garage – perhaps even for a ‘mother-in-law’s suite,’ allowing for a multigenerational home – it’s a design whose time has come again.

“We did it all 100 years ago and it’s coming back,” Gerla says,“and I think it’s great.”

For the McKinnons, while their outdoor living space is fabulous, it’s the esthetics of the home as a whole that they find truly appealing.

“I like how open it is,” says Chad.

Adds Trena: “Chad and I have always wanted a ‘character’ home and really love the feel of the neighbourhood.” life fall 2013 |

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life at home | column

lifemoves

WITH MICHELLE CARRE

Art reflects who we truly are THE PURPOSE OF STAGING A HOUSE is to make it feel more like a home. We want buyers to feel like it’s a place where they could live happily and enjoy their lives.

To do this, we use items that create a sense of comfort, such as candles, throw blankets, a bottle of wine or fluffy towels. These items are all ‘lipstick’ – they are pretty finishing touches but beyond that there isn’t much else to them. When you actually move into a property you decorate with these items but they are there as a complement to things that truly reflect who you are.

I think the items that really tell our stories are pieces of art.

Sometimes people see the word“art” and equate it with things of great expense but I disagree, strongly. Art is defined as “the expression or application of human creative skill.” Without realizing it, you may have surrounded yourself with art and not even know it.

Photos are a great example of an art form that many of us have. While I have the greatest respect for such photographers as Peter Lik and Ansel Adams, I think it’s still important to also appreciate a goofy self-portrait from a recent vacation or an inspiring photo from a local artist who isn’t as world-renowned.

Sculpture is another art form that you many not realize you have … but take a look around. That funky jar you bought at a market or the handcrafted bowl passed down through family generations are real pieces of art.

The written word is also another art form. Perhaps you have a collection of books from your favourite author or a book of poetry on your coffee table – it’s all art.

As art can come in many different forms, it can also come at many different price points.

Building an art collection isn’t about a one-day shopping trip, but rather about a lifetime of collecting.

Sometimes when decorating we get caught up in colour schemes; however, I’ve learned that your art does not have to match your decor. At first I couldn’t understand how that could work but it does. Art is about authentically expressing who you are, where you’ve been and what’s important to you.

It’s a visual way of telling your story, and you don’t have to match your throw pillows to do that.

So once you buy a house and move in, take time to build up and layer pieces that turn it into your home. life – Michelle Carre is a Realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in Airdrie

Got a room that needs a boost? We want to help!

Get Creative @ Home

Simply send us a photo of the room in your home you most want to jazz up with some colour and tell us why it needs creative help.

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life at home | column

lifestyles

Windows, all dressed up!

WITH TINA McMILLAN, C.I.D.

Since the early creation of window coverings, they’ve come a long way, from a means of protection and privacy to an expression of style and beauty.

While the options available today can be overwhelming and run the gamut in price, have no fear – I will give you the ABCs you will need to make an informed decision on which type of window treatment will best fulfil your viewing needs. It’s time to remove those temporary blinds and take the plunge into the world of wonderful window coverings!

Cellular/honeycomb shades

Wood blinds and shutters HARD WINDOW COVERINGS

s "LINDS AND SHUTTERS ALWAYS PROVIDE A STREAMLINED LOOK AND COME in wood, aluminum and composite. s 4HIS CHOICE IS PERFECT FOR THOSE WITH ALLERGIES AS BLINDS AND

shutters are easily cleaned. s "OTH OFFER MANY LIGHT CONTROL OPTIONS AND CAN BE MOUNTED INSIDE or outside.

s #ELLULAR HONEYCOMB SHADES WHICH CAN BE MOUNTED INSIDE OR outside, add an extra layer of insulation to windows, lowering energy consumption. s 4HESE SHADES BEHAVE LIKE PLEATED SHADES AND CAN BE MADE TO open from the top and/or bottom. s 4HEY ARE FOUND IN MANY COLOURS TEXTURES AND SHAPES

s -INI BLINDS ARE USED TO CREATE THAT INDUSTRIAL LOOK AND ARE mounted inside or outside.

s "RONZE AND STAINLESS STEEL lNISHES ARE VERY ON TREND RIGHT NOW s 6ENETIANS CAN BE FOUND IN A WIDE RANGE OF COLOURS TO COMPLEMENT any palette.

s 2OMAN SHADES ALWAYS LOOK SOPHISTICATED WITH CLEAN LINES AND many patterned options. s "ECAUSE OF THE mAT CONSTRUCTION LESS FABRIC IS NEEDED COMPARED to drapes. s 4HEY ARE A CONTEMPORARY ADDITION TO ANY WINDOW AND CAN BE mounted inside or outside.

Mini-blinds (a.k.a. venetians)

Roller shades

s 4HESE TYPES OF SHADES ARE AVAILABLE IN WOVEN NATURAL materials – such as grasses, raffia, bamboo and jute – as well as room-darkening fabrics. s 4HEY ARE BEST FOR WINDOWS THAT HAVE A SHALLOW WINDOW CASING

and can be mounted inside or outside. s 2OLLER SHADES CAN BE AN INEXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE TO OTHER window coverings.

Pleated shades

s 0LEATED SHADES ARE LIKE FOLDED FABRIC @ACCORDION STYLE BLINDS

mounted inside or outside. s 4HEY ARE FOUND IN MANY COLOURS TEXTURES AND SHAPES s 4HEY BEHAVE LIKE ROLLER SHADES AND CAN BE MADE TO OPEN FROM the top and/or the bottom for versatility.

Roman shades

Drapes

SOFT WINDOW COVERINGS

s $RAPES ARE MADE FROM HEAVIER LINED FABRICS AND ARE MOUNTED inside or outside. s 4HEY ARE BEST USED TO ACHIEVE A DRAMATIC MOOD OR HEIGHT AND simplicity is the key trend right now. s 4HEY CAN BE PAIRED WITH BOTH HARD WINDOW COVERINGS AND decorative hardware.

Curtains

s #URTAINS ARE MADE FROM LIGHTER SHEER MATERIALS AND CAN BE mounted inside or outside. s 4HEY ARE BEST USED BEHIND DRAPES FOR THE LAYERED TEXTURED LOOK that adds depth. s 4HEY CAN BE FOUND IN WHIMSICAL PATTERNS IRIDESCENT COLOURS AND dark tones.

– Tina McMillan (a.k.a. the Decorating Diva) is a local interior designer, mother of two and wife of one

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life at home | new communities

Welcoming Williamstown

A

irdrie has a lot in common with the cities that surround Vancouver – quality living, lots of amenities and convenient access to a big city.

That’s one reason Langley-based Vesta Properties Ltd. began developing communities and homes in Airdrie beginning in 2000.

Vesta started out in Luxstone and Willowbrook and today you’ll find the name in Williamstown and Waterscape at Cooper’s Crossing.

“Airdrie is one of the fastest-growing communities in Alberta … and we wanted to be a big part of that exciting growth,” says Curt Woodhall, Vesta vice-president of marketing. “The lifestyle for Airdrie’s residents is truly first-class and [it’s] one of the best places to raise a family in the greater Calgary area.”

In that way, Airdrie shares similarities with such communities as Langley and Surrey, says Clayton Duguid, general manager of the Airdrie office.

“We’ve been able to work really hard with Realtors and the community, building good quality homes at a good price,” says Duguid, who

moved here in 2000. “We build a lot of spec homes … we really concentrate on interior design and what people want.”

Vesta usually develops its own land – Williamstown was built on a quarter section purchased from a farmer – and focuses on masterplanned communities, says construction manager Jim Phillips, who moved to Airdrie earlier this year.

“What we build is not just a house; it’s the surrounding neighbourhood, as well,” Phillips says.

For example, Williamstown’s layout incorporates a wetland, pathways connecting to the rest of Airdrie and an on-leash park.

Williamstown is up to Phase 6, and recent phases have added a variety of housing to the area, including three types of townhomes, high-end move-up homes and row homes. About half of the 900plus homes in Williamstown have been developed so far. Waterscape, meanwhile, is a 38 executive townhome enclave set to open later this year.

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Vesta’s Clayton Duguid (right) and Jim Phillips build more than just houses – they create homes.

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It isn’t just about building, though. Vesta has taken its place in Airdrie’s business community seriously, as a sponsor of both the Airdrie Festival of Lights and Airdrie Pro Rodeo, says Duguid.

“Our plan is to stay in Airdrie for the next 15-20 years,” he says. “We’re even building a new office building in King’s Heights.”

Vesta currently employs between 200 and 250 people, including trades.

“That’s how we keep the trades in Airdrie,” Duguid says. “We’ve had a lot of trades build homes and stay with us and a lot of our employees buy their homes from us.” life fall 2013 |

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life at home | in the neighbourhood

The Nielsen family – (clockwise from back left) Mark, Cody, Kelsey and Brenda – have called Thorburm home for 15 years.

Thorburn continues to meet family’s needs STORY BY ALEX FRAZER-HARRISON PHOTO BY CARL PATZEL

L

ocated in a quiet corner of eastside Airdrie, the neighbourhood of Thorburn, which was first developed in the 1980s, has been spared much of the bustling traffic and fast growth seen in other parts of town.

And the Nielsen family wouldn’t have it any other way.

Mark and Brenda Nielsen moved into Thorburn in 1998 and have lived there ever since, raising two children, Cody and Kelsey. When they had a chance to move to a new house six years ago, they took it … but their new home was only a few blocks away.

“We moved to a new house on East Lake … the area used to be a bird sanctuary, and they opened it up to build new homes,” says Brenda, adding that her family was able to move while still maintaining the friendships they’d established in Thorburn.

Home is where the heart is

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Adds Mark: “We also prefer the east side of Airdrie; it’s quieter over here. And it’s got Genesis Place and all the schools we need, tennis courts, all the pathways.�

Both Cody and Kelsey attended schools near Thorburn – Kelsey is currently in Grade 10 at Bert Church High School where she’s active in such sports as basketball and volleyball, while Cody, now in his early 20s, works for a local RV dealership and is building his own Airdrie home in Windsong when he’s not taking business courses.

The Nielsens have a long history with airdrielife magazine, appearing in the very first 2004 issue and also the fifth anniversary issue. A lot has changed over the last decade – and that includes to Airdrie itself. “We love the people out here and the slower pace and the friendly atmosphere ‌ in a sense, Airdrie is almost too big now,â€? says Mark, who still commutes into Calgary where he works for Pengrowth.

Brenda used to commute but now works in management at Eaton in Airdrie, and she enjoys being only three minutes away from work.

Mark says that Thorburn, being on the edge of the city but close to all amenities, is a great place to raise a family.

Ten years ago, the Nielsens often had to go into Calgary for what they needed.

But Brenda, who recalls how she initially came “kicking and screaming� when she moved from the big city to Airdrie, says today’s Airdrie has everything the family needs. “I can’t remember the last time we shopped in Calgary,� she says. life

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Airdrie Showhome Map and Guide Check out more than 30 showhomes in Airdrie. Use this handy reference map to help you find the showhome parades featured in this issue. For a complete list of all developments and builders in Airdrie go to airdrielife.com/homes Single-Family Homes N

REFLECTIONS AT WILLIAMSTOWN

REUNION

W

GREENWAY AT WILLIAMSTOWN VETERANS BV NW

McKee Homes and Sabal

Bayside featuring Genesis Builders and McKee Homes

S

Canals Landing – featuring Genesis

VETERANS BV NE

BRIDGES AT WILLIAMSTOWN WOODSIDE GOLF COURSE

WOODSIDE GOLF COURSE

Heron Pointe at Reunion featuring E

Builders and McKee Homes

Windsong by Mattamy

TOWN AND COUNTRY CENTRE

Cooper’s Crossing featuring Harder Homes and McKee Homes

1 AVE NW

CITY HALL

ST

AS

E

LA KE

BV

CREEKSIDE VILLAGE

EA

BETHANY CARE CENTRE

T LA K E R D NE

Estates at Cooper’s Crossing

THE EDGE

CANALS LANDING

featuring Harder Homes, and Crystal Creek Homes

GENESIS PLACE

Hillcrest featuring Shane Homes Greenway at Williamstown featuring Vesta Homes

S

RE N ST MAI

ET

King’s Heights featuring McKee

BAYSIDE ID YS BA

Homes, ReidBuilt Homes and Shane Homes

E

DR

Reflections at Wiliamstown

SW

featuring Vesta Homes

YANKEE VALLEY BV SE

RAVENSWOOD

WATERSCAPE

KINGS

CHINOOK CROSSING COOPER’S CROSSING

WINDSONG

S DR IGHT HE

GARDENWALK

ESTATES AT COOPER’S CROSSING

KINGS HEIG HT

BAYSIDE

YANKEE VALLEY BV SW

Ravenswood featuring Broadview Homes, McKee Homes, NuVista Homes and Pacesetter Homes

R SD

KING’S HEIGHTS

Multi-Family Projects Bridges at Williamstown

SOVEREIGN COURT

Creekside Village Bayside featuring Genesis Builders Chinook Crossing Waterscape by Vesta

HILLCREST Gardenwalk in King’s Heights

Shane Homes

Sovereign Court featuring Emerald

TWP RD 264 SW

Single-Family Homes

Gardenwalk featuring Creations by

Townhomes

airdrielife.com/homes

Condos

New Homes

The Edge

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life at home | showhomes

Heron Pointe

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Naturally distinctive Hopewell Residential Communities is thrilled to announce the newest enclave of Reunion in Airdrie: Heron Pointe, offering homebuyers a tranquil, unhurried lifestyle and a contemporary take on traditional architecture and design.

Colourful streetscapes will boast stylish move-up homes designed with family living in mind. Heron Pointe, the final phase in Reunion’s development, offers a collection of 40 well-planned, distinctive front-attached garage homes set amidst natural surroundings with lots that back onto Heron Pond, green space and walking paths or a future school site.

Builders Excel Homes, McKee Homes and Sabal Homes bring a high level of quality and craftsmanship along with functional floor plans ranging from 2,000 to 2,500 square feet.

“The appeal really is that small-town feeling. Everybody knows everybody and it is definitely a slower, gentler lifestyle,” says Scott Hamilton, senior manager, marketing and community relations, for Hopewell Residential Communities.

With prices starting in the $400,000s, and lots now available, Heron Pointe puts nature in your backyard, with schools, shopping and playgrounds just down the block.

Reunion Park, the community’s central outdoor gathering place, is complete with benches, barbecues and play areas. An open-air pavilion acts as a special setting for important family and neighbourhood moments. This year will see ongoing updates of Reunion’s many park spaces and walking paths, all in the name of making the community as welcoming and attractive as possible for existing and future residents.

Heron Point’s official grand opening takes place Saturday, Sept. 14.

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work life at 110 Creative Hires airdrielife_fall2013.indd 101

104 Smart Start 112 Good Business

2013-08-13 3:20 PM

life at work | column

Congratulations to

airdrielife for 10 years in the community!

businesslife

WITH KENT RUPERT

I

’d like to share with you how the magazine began. In 2004, Airdrie Economic Development partnered with Sherry ShawFroggatt to produce a publication that would showcase Airdrie to new residents and prospective companies. The publication was to promote local business and showcase City services and recreational activities and amenities. We were very proud of the first issue and the partnership that was created.

Through the years the magazine has grown and evolved.

When we first started, the magazine had separate sections for airdrielife (for and about residents) and Airdrie Works (focused on businesses). We soon realized it was difficult to separate community from businesses, as they are very much interwoven in our community fabric. The second version had Airdrie Works reversed on the back of the airdrielife magazine – residents thought they had their first glimpse of a bilingual magazine! Today, the magazine handsomely intertwines business and community.

From what started out as a simple publication promoting our city, airdrielife has evolved into something larger than I think any of us could have imagined. Our partnership has also evolved; today, Frog Media Inc. is responsible for all aspects of editorial content and publishing the magazine.

It has been amazing to watch publisher Sherry Shaw-Froggatt develop airdrielife into what has become such a community pride piece. Many other communities have tried to replicate such a magazine. I have yet to see one produced for a community of our size that comes close to matching the quality and content of airdrielife.

This magazine has given our city the opportunity to highlight athletes, artists, local businesses, volunteers and families. It has focused on what really makes Airdrie a special place: the people.

Over the past decade, readers have been able to meet the likes of Dana Tyrell (hockey player), Tim Harriman (philanthropist), Earle Connor (Paralympic athlete), Carla Ducoz (chef ), Mike Dingle (fireman) and Wendy McClelland (vet), just to mention a few. Inside the cover many more ‘everyday heroes’ – Airdrie residents and businesses – have been profiled to tell their story and demonstrate their unique talents and gifts to our city.

I believe airdrielife has become a part of our community. It comes to our homes and reminds us what Airdrie is really about.

It’s not just about the roads and infrastructure or the buildings and pathways – it is more than that. It’s our neighbours and friends; it’s the businesses that serve us every day to ensure we have the things to make our lives easier. airdrielife is about PEOPLE – people who are willing to tell their story and let us get to know them better. These people fill us with laughter, wonder, encouragement and amazement. As you walk down the street or go into the grocery store, look at the people around you and realize they all bring something special to our community.

On behalf of the City of Airdrie, I extend congratulations to Sherry Shaw-Froggatt for sharing these stories. Congratulations also go to the exceptional writers who bring the stories to life and the award-winning photographers for capturing the beauty of our residents and community.

As airdrielife celebrates this milestone, we should take the time to celebrate the success of not only this fantastic publication (which has exceeded even our wildest dreams of 10 years ago!) but of the amazing community that has grown with it.

Here’s to the next 10 years! life – Kent Rupert is team leader with Airdrie Economic Development

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life at work | giving back

Sid Van der Meer

STORY BY ALEX FRAZER-HARRISON PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

O

Business collaboration is off to SMARTstart

Mentors offer experience, expertise

nce you come up with that million-dollar business idea, the hard part is over, right?

Don’t you believe it.

From business licensing to budgeting, from keeping up with rents and salaries to maintaining relationships with suppliers, running a business requires a lot of onthe-fly learning.

That’s why it can be valuable to have access to someone who can offer experience and advice.

The Airdrie Business Resource Partnership (ABRP) – a collaboration between the City of Airdrie, Airdrie Chamber of Commerce, Community Futures Centre West and Think Airdrie – is launching the SMARTstart Program this fall in hopes of giving Airdrie’s vibrant small business community an important resource in keeping young businesses going.

With 30 per cent of new small businesses destined to fail within their first five years (or so say Industry Canada statistics), owners need all the support they can get.

SMARTstart combines online training and group sessions with a mentorship program.

“Community Futures Centre West ran a similar [program] in Canmore and it was well-received, but one aspect that was glaringly missing was the mentorship piece,” says Jodie Eckert, community economic development co-ordinator with the organization. “People enjoyed the online training, but said, ‘Man, would I love to talk to someone who’s been there, done that.’”

ABRP spent part of last summer recruiting local businesspeople to act as mentors for small business owners. The mentors attracted so far range in experience from four to 33 years in business.

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One of these mentors is Sid Van der Meer, president of Northwest Equipment Ltd., a company that provides compressed air solutions for the manufacturing sector and for oil and gas, both at home and internationally. An Airdrionian since 1978, Van der Meer started with Northwest in 1979 and moved up the ranks; he became the owner of the company in 1986 and relocated it to Airdrie in 2004, in part to take advantage of Airdrie’s strong business-oriented industrial base and in part because land was more affordable in Airdrie than it was in Calgary.

“I think having a mentor was important because it gave me insight from another perspective, in terms of doing certain things within the marketplace and development of customers and employees,” says Van der Meer For the local businessman, mentorship came from his two brothers – one of whom has expertise in sales, and one who owned a ship-building yard and yacht-building company in Holland, eventually expanding to 14 shipyards and growing it into an internationallevel company.

Van der Meer says that he tries to live by two philosophies. “One is you always start out doing what you do best and end up doing what you do worst.

You start an automotive shop and it becomes a business – but you don’t know how to manage employees or deal with finances and banks,” he says. “The other is, spend 10 per cent of every day thinking of what you’ll be doing three years from now: Where are you going? What is your intent?”

According to the City of Airdrie, there are currently 1,027 home-based businesses, 759 storefront businesses and 52 professional operations that would be considered small business.

“There [are] a lot of training programs for entrepreneurs, especially in the online world. What [SMARTstart] does is it gives you the local perspective,” says Leona Esau, economic development officer with Airdrie Economic Development. “The key to this is the link between each individual

[business] applicant and a mentor who is a seasoned business owner and leader in the community.”

Bruce Kerr, owner of Five Star Communications, brings 17 years of Airdrie business experience to the table as a potential mentor.

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life at work | giving back

Bruce Kerr

“I’ve seen some people come and go and I’ve been here quite a while,” Kerr says. “I might have a little bit of maybe not what to do, but maybe what not to do in the Airdrie marketplace.

“Airdrie has been good to me, and I feel I should give back to the next up-andcoming entrepreneur group,” he adds.

As the owner of a Telus Mobility dealership that offers various products and services, such as mobile devices, Optik TV and accessories, Kerr might be able to advise a business owner on, for example, how to work with an important supplier or distribution partner.

Kerr, who also owned Summerhill Florist between 2006 and 2010, says that he likely had access to a business mentor when he was starting out, but did not choose to pursue that resource.

So, if given the chance again, would he take it?

“Absolutely,” he says.“I think if you’re in retail and small business, your strength is probably selling and not in the financial end or anything else to make your business grow and prosper. A mentor would give you questions on the moves you might make.”

His own advice includes planning “15 times with a pen and pencil” before going ahead with a good idea.

“I’ve talked to so many businesses in Airdrie that are home-based and want to go out into the street as a storefront or add more staff,” he says. “[It’s good if ] you have someone who has been around a little while and may have a little extra time who can show you what can be done and what should be done.”

While ABRP continues to recruit business mentors, applications from business owners who wish to take part in the training and mentorship opportunities offered by SMARTstart are going to be accepted after the program officially launches Oct. 22 during Small Business Week.

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“We’re hoping to attract 20 businesses and hopefully have 20 mentors to match up,” Eckert says. “If you’ve been thinking about a [business] idea, and maybe want to go into business for yourself, you’re eligible for the program.

If you’ve been running a business for a couple of years and looking to help your business [you’re also eligible].”

SMARTstart includes an eightmonth entrepreneur training program, as well as the mentorship, but much of it will be offered online, Eckert says.

“Sometimes, entrepreneurs say their only free time is between 2 [a.m.] and 4 a.m., so you can log on then and do your course, if you want,” she says.

“We’re making it as accessible as possible, and we’re looking for local mentors so you don’t have to go into Calgary.”

According to Eckert, ABRP is looking at establishing a mentorship advisory committee to help guide how the mentorship program develops. “We want to put together a good program for the mentors,” she says. “We don’t expect them to give all their time [for nothing]; we want to give back in terms of professional development.”

To keep SMARTstart going past the first year, Eckert says, ABRP plans to establish a sponsorship program and has applied for funding under the Alberta Community Initiatives Program grant, in hopes of keeping it as affordable as possible for small business owners (initially, applicants will be charged a nominal $100 commitment fee, she says).

As a mentor, Van der Meer recommends that small businesses consider applying.

“I think it’s important for people who move into business to draw on the experience of others – to help guide them, and to give them input and direction,” he says. life FOR MORE INFORMATION about the program, visit the ABRP website at abrponline.com fall 2013 |

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life at work | for the children Cheryl Webster loves seeing her students express themselves.

“IT PUTS A SMILE ON MY FACE EVERY TIME I WALK IN,” SAYS CHERYL WEBSTER, OWNER, CURATOR AND RESIDENT ARTIST AT AIRDRIE’S 4CATS ARTS STUDIO. “IT’S BRIGHT AND SUNNY AND IT’S ALL JUST FUN.” Webster creates mainly for herself and her inspiration often comes from family. “They get me going,” she says, “but the piece is usually inspired by nature. Everything around you can be art. It’s a way of looking at the world.”

Webster, who grew up sketching and painting thanks to the creative influence of her mother, moved to Airdrie six years ago. She has a degree in interior design and worked in the field for 10 years, but after her son’s arrival, she knew the demands of her job would interfere with raising her child.

“I loved it but I knew that it wasn’t a right fit with a baby at home,” she says.

She first learned about 4Cats from a cousin in B.C. whose children attended the studio in Richmond.“I knew nothing about it but I investigated and fell in love with the concept,” she says.

The original 4Cats Arts Studio was founded in 2005 in Victoria, B.C. by CEO Joey Simon, who began offering classes out of the basement of a friend’s home after being approached by mothers who saw her son’s artwork and asked her to teach their children, too. The name, 4Cats, originates from a café in Barcelona, Spain, where Picasso and his friends once met to discuss the arts. The studios, now numbering more than 60 in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico (and soon Australia), have always been child-inspired and focused. The company’s philosophy is to let children express their creativity; to teach technique and what the materials are (what a canvas is, what the different paint brushes do); but at the end of the day to allow the budding artists to create what they want.

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STORY BY ELLEN KELLY | PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

“THE BEST, MOST FUN ART STUDIO

EVER

”

With Airdrie’s young population, Webster saw a need for something new and different – something involving the arts. “As I started getting more involved with the arts in Airdrie, I saw that there wasn’t a lot for kids and a 4Cats made sense,” she says,“but the inspiration really came from my son. I did it so I could be home and be more flexible.”

The studio, which opened in November 2011, caters to young artists aged two to 15 and offers classes, workshops, field trips, birthday parties and summer camps. Webster has one assistant, Kristin Hall, who brings a wealth of personal experience and love of children to the studio.“Hall is very artistic, naturally gifted – a perfect fit,” Webster says.

A bit of everything is offered – Artist Focus classes present interesting, child-friendly facts about artists that influence the projects, while Mixed Media classes are more open to interpretation. Workshops are one-night creative activity events, and everyone enjoys the spatter room.

Visitors are welcome to check out the studio any time, but drop-in classes are not available.

Webster herself loves watching the children.

“They always start out saying,‘I can’t do this, I’m not going to be good enough,’” she says,“and in the end they’re so proud of what they’ve done.

Seeing the transition and their excitement keeps me going.”

A member of Creative Airdrie and its ARTember board, Webster organizes the arts tent for ARTember, which will include a mural project under the direction of 4Cats, as well as approximately 15 free activities for youngsters sponsored by different community members.“My hope,” she says, “is to become more involved with all the festivals and community activities throughout the year.”

For the artist and business woman, Airdrie is a great place to live and to run a business.“I love the small-town atmosphere and the business community is 100 per cent supportive,” she says.“It’s been a great experience.” life

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life at work | hiring the right stuff For Woodside Golf Course executive director Chris McNichol, hiring new employee is all fun and games.

ordinary need not Apply STORY BY JEFF MACKINNON | PHOTO BY SERGEI BELSKI

hiring practices at Woodside golf Course take on a new twist An employment application came across Chris Mcnichol’s desk at the start of the 2013 golf season that included a photo of a job seeker whooping it up at a houseboat party.

Most prospective employers would be uncomfortable at the sight, but the executive director at Woodside Golf Course loved it. He immediately placed the application on the ‘to interview’ pile, hoping the person who would walk into his office resembled the person loving life with his friends.

“We’re always looking for fun people,” says McNichol.

No, McNichol doesn’t want boring people working at his 18-hole public course. In fact, Woodside’s website makes it clear that ‘ordinary’ people need not apply and that those with boring resumés keep them to themselves.

Instead, Woodside has put the call out for people “without inhibitions who are crazy, ridiculously creative and willing to do just about anything to ensure that everyone they encounter has the best day ever!”

Some of the applications have indeed been creative and unique, such as prospective chefs and servers who have laid out their resumé in the form of a menu. There have been videos, PowerPoint presentations and an interactive map of photos showing a person making the most of his leisure pursuits (that would be the houseboat person).

As part of the new direction, the golf course has created incentive programs specific to each employee, so that individuals have something to work toward other than just a paycheque. For example, someone who wants a long weekend off to blow off steam at a summer houseboat party can be specific during the interview process that that is an actual goal.

“We’ve created a game out of it,” McNichol says. “You design your game however you want it to be and instead of me having to oversee all the little things every day, my job as a manager becomes way easier. All I have to do is make sure that you’re winning your game.

“You win your game every day,” he adds. “I don’t have to worry about you being late or any of that.”

So thanks to Woodside’s creative hiring practices, it may be ‘work,’ but it’s also fun and games. life

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life at work | involved

e v i t a e r C e e f f Co

STORY BY ELLEN KELLY | PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

Good Earth plays host to art in many forms, from music (above) to AIRdirondack chairs (left).

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e

Local franchise owners keep the coffee and the art brewing once the dust settled after opening airdrie’s Good earth Coffeehouse in July 2011, owners Becky and Jason diebolt looked for a way to support the local community and decided what better way than to support local artists.

“I knew there’s a big group of local talent in Airdrie,” says Becky, “so I put it out there. I got some feedback so we put up some art.”

Now artwork is changed every couple of months. Artists can approach the coffee shop directly; others come through the Airdrie Regional Arts Society or Creative Airdrie. Artwork exhibited is for sale and interested parties are asked to contact the artist directly.

The venue is also a place for local artists to gather. Cheryl Todd Shergold hosts artists’ “Show and Tell” once a month and has also held an Artists’ Way workshop at the coffee shop.

“They set a table aside for us, which is wonderful,” says Shergold,“Becky makes us feel right at home there.”

Artists also share their creativity at work.

Last August, visiting artist Beverly Kelley could be found painting on the patio.

It’s not just the visual arts that benefit from the business’s support – a Ravelry knitting group meets weekly and local musicians perform on a regular basis. Becky contacts musicians through SLAM and supports the group by selling guitar picks as a fundraiser for the new Bert Church Theatre addition. The coffee shop is also open to hosting book clubs, readings and launches.

Good Earth’s list of community involvement projects is impressive. The business has hosted the unveiling and art display for the Airdirondack Art Project and displayed Char Vanderhorst’s chair throughout the summer. It has been a venue for Awesome Airdrie – ideas from local residents that make a difference. It takes part in ARTember, last year collecting donations for cup cozies knitted by the Ravelry group, with contributions going to Creative Airdrie. Good Earth has donated soup

to Empty Bowls and coffee to the Terry Fox Run and Spaghetti Western Relay.

Becky and Jason have also helped out at the Zombie Cup. For the Diebolts, Good Earth is much more than a business. It’s a way to celebrate and give back to their community.

“I like art because it’s original,” says Becky.

“Every piece of artwork is organic and different and that’s how Good Earth is. Artwork fits the ambiance of the coffee shop and the Good Earth philosophy.”

Events are posted on the bulletin board and Good Earth can be found on Twitter @GoodEarthAirdre and on Facebook at facebook.com/goodearthcafes life

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QA

life at work | retail therapy

Creative & With Cre8ive Ways

STORY BY ALEX FRAZER-HARRISON | PHOTO BY SERGEI BELSKI

Since opening last March, Cre8ive Ways has made its mark on Airdrie’s retail scene, offering a mix of unique décor items and antiques, plus works by local artists, and even art and jewelry-making classes. airdrielife spoke to owner Alicia Laurin about her growing business.

Where did the idea for Cre8ive Ways come from?

I’ve always loved art … I’ve been [making] jewelry for 13 years now and I always wanted my own retail store. I recently wrapped up my corporate career … I needed to follow my passion and do something I know I’m going to love and my kids can get involved in – a real family business.

You sell everything from items made by local artisans to antique sleds – there’s even a 123-year-old wooden wheelchair.

I sell vintage pieces I collect within five hours of here, and a lot of stuff by local artists. A majority of the stuff here is handmade by Airdrie artists, like Cindy Pierce who makes slouchy hats … Lora Peterson makes these beautiful handmade platters for cheese and they’re incredible pieces of art. We also carry photos from a 16-year-old photographer [ Jaeger Gustafson]. His work is beautiful.

The old wheelchair is from 1890. [I go to] auctions and garage sales. We’ve been bidding against the [Canadian Pickers] guys … we were bidding against them on the wheelchair. We love to upcycle – my husband took an old palette and upgraded it into a great patio table. And I love to use old vintage hardcase suitcases for displays … turning them into side tables or pet beds.

What classes do you offer?

I do a lot of four-week kids’ art classes, lots of classes for adults as well, and starting in September we’ll be doing classes for home-schooling families. We do jewelry, painting. My favourite class is intuitive painting – you do meditation with candles and then paint on a large canvas. It’s painting from the heart, with no blocks, no expectations.

Why open in Airdrie?

Cre8ive Ways owner Alicia Laurin has followed her passion to create her unique business.

This is a family community, and many businesses are driven by families. I have a playroom [in the store] because I have three children of my own [aged 6, 10 and 14, with the older children working in the store] and I wanted a place where parents could come and take a class and could bring their children, too. life

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life in the community | write on

T

he pen is mightier than the sword, or in this case the inkjet printer.

Almost lost to technological advances, the spirit of written word through the ancient art of calligraphy is kept alive by Airdrie’s BerylAnne Hodgins.

From the earliest days of communicating on paper, people have expressed through penmanship thoughts, passions and history – everything from a gothic type-laden Gutenberg Bible to the simplest of invitations.

“In elementary school we had penmanship practice and it was then that I found out that I loved to form letters and was quite good at it,” says Hodgins, who was encouraged by her mother who purchased her first calligraphy set. “I was aware of how the written word could move people through poetry … and became interested in expressing myself in this way. My love of calligraphy was a perfect fit to do just that.”

Utilizing her mantra from an anonymous quote – “All the possibilities of a human being can flow from the point of a pen” – for nearly four decades the local businesswoman has been using specialized pigment inks and unique, flat, chisel-edged nib pens to produce ornate italic lettering for a multitude of purposes.

Calligrapher BerylAnne Hodgins’s spirit shines through in her art.

A lost art STORY AND PHOTOS BY CARL PATZEL

“Tools and technique are very important with calligraphy in forming consistent letters.

It takes practice and patience,” says the owner of Where Memories Are Made about this rare and much sought-after skill.

Hodgins’ calligraphy patron list is ever-expanding, as she receives requests from Airdrie, Calgary, Fort McMurray and even Ontario.

Wedding invitations and name cards top her customer list, but she has been asked to pen personalized poems, home decor signs, memory boxes and even a guitar.

Unique, one-of-a kind objects, such as heirloom bibles and certificates, necessitate a steady hand and specialized technique for perfect lettering.

“You only get one shot and can’t mess it up,” Hodgins says with a smile. “Once the ink hits the paper, there’s no going back, so it can be a little stressful.”

Although similar results can be produced on computer and printer, Hodgins and her many clients say the digital product lacks personality and soul that can only be found in a handmade creation.

“A computer can’t apply the subtle strokes of the pen that create the thick and thin lines of the letterforms,” Hodgins says. “It’s the human interaction of the pen against the paper.

“I’ve said before that my hand is connected to my heart,” she adds, “and that’s the place I write from.” life

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life

Inked

life at work| skin deep

Local tattoo artist runs successful shop STORY AND PHOTO BY CARL PATZEL

Brandi Lee’s body is her canvas.

airdrielife_fall2013.indd 117

Nothing is permanent, but tattoos come pretty close.

On the surface, putting ink and needle to skin may seem like a pressure-filled occupation. Short of laser removal or a good coverup, that carefully sketched piece of skin art will usually last a lifetime.

But for tattoo artist Brandi Lee, there is little anxiety.

“I always tell my artists, if you can draw it on paper you can put it on skin,” says the owner of the Human Kanvas. “If we’re confident with our design, putting it on skin is nothing – that part is not stressful, contrary to what most of us think. It’s just another tool.”

Displaying an artistic flair since high school, Brandi Lee fell in love with the creative needle artwork after getting her first tattoo. She’s been a collector (a person with multiple tattoos) ever since and quickly gravitated toward the fluid, flowing Japanese-influenced designs after travelling to Asia.

“I feel more comfortable and know more about that artwork and the meaning … everything in Asia has a meaning,” Brandi Lee says. “In the tattoo side of Japanese art it’s really simple. There’s not a lot of line work and it’s really big, solid colours and solid blacks.”

Along with heading up a stable of artists crafting their art at the Airdrie tattoo parlour, Brandi Lee has been asked to produce unique styles and designs for her clients. Many of these replicate Asian art covering whole sleeves – from wrist to shoulder – and even enveloping entire backs.

Colourful phoenixes, dragons, flowers and butterflies decorate her clients. The latest trends include dream catchers, dragon sleeves and infinity notes.

Brandi Lee uses her decade of tattoo expertise to collaborate with her patrons and give advice on designs.

“Every art, when you’re painting or taking a photograph, you have to think of your composition. Same with tattoo – when you get the bigger pieces [you] have to think of flow and body shape and which direction it’s going to face,” says Brandi Lee, who supports several charities through her studio, including a Friday the 13th promotion offering free tattoos for a charitable donation.

Whether inking the first-timer or seasoned tattoo collector, Brandi Lee says that the only constant is the resolve of the skin art devotee.

“We always have that little voice in the back of our head telling us this person is going to come back to me and ask me to add onto this,” she says. life

human canvas

fall 2013 |

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life | last look THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

Discover what makes Airdrie great Complete community profiles

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

Fall in love with one of Airdrie’s great communities

Life in Airdrie is blooming!

The Airdrie Festival of Lights wants you!

Updated Community Profiles

Inside this issue: show home highlights, city living information, detailed city map and much more

f a l l / w i n t e r 2 0 0 6 • v o l u m e 3 • n u m b e r 1 • w w w. a i r d r i e l i f e . c o m

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

Airdrie’s got community spirit!

We're building a great city!

Inside this issue: meet the "first lady" of Airdrie, mark your calendar with events, learn the new transit routes, read about city services and much more

Inside this issue: meet some great Airdronians, discover some exciting new communities, learn timely City information and get down to business with our special feature section "AirdrieWORKS".

summer

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www.airdrielife.com

AirdrieLIFE THE OFFICIAL GUIDE TO LIFE IN THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

Airdrie is a great place to grow a family!

INSIDE: The EXCLUSIVE story of the Prairie Pond Posse

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Inside this issue: detailed city map, city living information, show home highlights and much more

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Inside this issue: AirdrieWORKS special section, updated community profiles, on the edge with gymnastics and much more!

ISSN 1916-355X

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On your mark, get set, The 1st Annual Arts Issue Airdrie's got talent!

New expanded sections: Community | Homes | City and our biggest AirdrieWorks ever

go!

OUR 1st ANNUAL

Active Living & Wellness Issue Community | Homes | City | AirdrieWorks

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years! | spring 2013

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years! | summer 2013

10 airdrielife.com years!

airdrielife.com

Sheri

10 years!

Reed

is alive and kicking!

THE MAN ISSUE

designs with reclaimed resources

Former Olympian

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THE TOUGHEST WOMEN IN TOWN meet up at the roller rink

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THE $3,000 MAKEOVER You won’t believe your eyes!

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Diving, kayaking, hunting: businesses that THRIVE right here in Airdrie

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REMEMBER WHEN? Ten years of covers make for a good last look, we think.

Our special thanks go to the photographers who made us look so good: Bev Cardinal, Kristy Reimer, Sergei Belski, Carl Patzel and Kurtis Kristianson. Watch for the limited edition coffee table book Ten Years of Life, available for purchase online at airdrielife.com with proceeds going to local community groups.

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Sal info (40

ww

2013-08-13 3:22 PM

5 MINUTES TO CROSSIRON MILLS MALL 10 MINUTES TO CALGARY

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2013-08-06 1:30 PM 2013-08-13 3:22 PM