airdrielife summer 2013 by airdrielife magazine

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

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 airdrielife.com years! Diving, kayaking, hunting: businesses that thriVE right here in airdrie

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4 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

YANKEE VALLEY BLVD. 8TH ST. SW

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Contributors summer 2013

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years!

GROUP PUBLISHER

Our airdrielife photographers have once again provided stellar visuals to accompany our fabulous stories. this issue, we asked them what picture sticks in their mind from their assignments.

EDITOR COPY EDITOR DESIGN MANAGER CONTRIBUTORS

CarL PatZeL The Running Dead, page 58 Having been ﬂooded with images of the walking

ADVERTISING SALES

dead through popular television and movies, I wasn’t sure what to expect when makeup artist Shawnee Hoffman said she was bringing a couple of zombies to our photo shoot. It may sound

PRINTING

Sherry Shaw-Froggatt Anne Beaty Vanessa Peterelli Kim Williams Sergei Belski, Matt Carre, Michelle Carre, Leslie Davies, Sarah Deveau, James Froese, Alex Frazer-Harrison, Ellen Kelly, Kurtis Kristianson, Tina McMillan, Carl Patzel, Kristy Reimer, Kent Rupert, Kyla Werschke Sherry Shaw-Fraggatt Print West

Editorial anne@frogmediainc.ca Advertising sherry@frogmediainc.ca joy@frogmediainc.ca

weird, but I was more elated at the superb, realistic artwork than scared … although a dark alley probably would have changed my thinking.

SerGei BeLSKi That’s Amore, page 24 I love cooking and making homemade pizzas, so one visual that stayed with me from my

WhErE to FinD us

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

assignments this issue was a nice wood-fired oven from Il Forno restaurant. I would for sure love to have one of these in my backyard to have some pizza parties – you can’t beat the taste and it’s fun to cook in it!

KUrtiS KriStianSon Speed Demon, page 54 The visual that comes to mind is the animated expression on Eric’s face when he describes racing. He really digs what he does, and this is why I love my job.

VOLUME 10, NUMBER 2

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

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.

8 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 9

editor’s note As I began going through the stories and seeing the illustrations that make up the summer 2013 issue of airdrielife, one word came to mind again and again: passion.

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The people in our stories share that quality – they have passion for what they do, be it work, hobby or volunteer commitment. And their passion stimulates others. All I had to do was read a few paragraphs and I was ready to try a new pursuit. Airdrie favourites Sal and Anna Maria Monna (page 24) love to share their passion for fine Italian food – which always sends me back into the kitchen, eager to try out great new recipes. Rob Dawson’s passion for guitar and songwriting (page 22) rings out loud and clear – and his love of music has encouraged me to bring out my old collections and once again listen to the music that shaped my life so many years ago. Nolin Veillard’s passion takes the shape of a kayak (page 84) – which has got me thinking seriously of taking up this new-to-me way to see the world and planning places to visit via water. Eric Goulden’s passion for motorsport (page 54) is evident in the huge smile on his face when he speaks of his pastime – which brings back fond memories of summers spent at Race City with camera in hand, capturing on film (yes, I do remember film) the thrill of the race. Jamie Moorhouse and his fellow carpenters (page 56) have taken their passion for helping others halfway around the globe – and their dedication has reinforced in me the wish to make a difference, even if in a small way. I could detail each and every one of our subjects in this issue and talk about the effect these people have had – and that’s just on me and that’s just in print! I can only imagine how much fun they must be in person.

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10 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

And as always, passion is also shown by the wonderful people who write and shoot for airdrielife. Their words and pictures bring our subjects to life for the community. Thank you all for making Airdrie such an intriguing place to call home.

Anne Beaty, EDITOR

We build Backyard Barbecues. For 25 years, we’ve built the best into every detail of every McKee Home. Because we know what life’s dreams and memories are made of.

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life.

On the Cover

Airdrie track coach and all-around good guy Ricardo Greenidge

exploring the good life in Airdrie for 10 years!

PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

Columns and regular features

12 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

events

Petlife with James Froese

Parentlife with Sarah Deveau

Citylife

Lifestyles with tina McMillan

Lifemoves with Michelle Carre

Businesslife with Kent rupert

Last Look

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Urban Townhome, The Windwater, Windsong Showhome.

What you’ll find instead of Condo Fees is a very nice variety of styles and designs in 2 and 3 storey Townhomes with attached 1 or 2-car garages. There are 2 types to chose from in Windsong. Village Homes and Urban Townhomes, so we’re confident you’ll find a home just right for your family. We also have 2 Showhomes for you to tour. Our Village and Urban Showhomes will provide you with a peak at all the latest interior decor colours and furnishings. You won’t find Townhomes like these anywhere else in Airdrie. Just visit our Sales Centre and find your perfect new home. Windsong Sales Centre: 907 Windsong Drive, Airdrie Sales Centre Hours: Monday to Thursday 1pm-8pm; Friday 1pm-6pm; Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 11am-6pm. visit us on facebook facebook.com/mattamyhomesyyc All illustrations are artist’s concept. All dimensions are approximate. Prices, specifications, terms and conditions subject to change without notice. E.&O.E.

88 life in the moment

3-D Creativity – artist brushes off compliments

Sitting on air – annual art fundraiser evolves

awesome acoustics – Musician creates unique sound

Molto Delizioso – traditional dishes delight

Out and about – a guy’s gastronomic trip

Make Me Over – Deserving mom gets pampered

Pardon Me? – Publisher is all ears

healthy Lifestyle – Fitness challenge teams get started

life in the community 52

Sports-Minded – Coach encourages young athletes

vroom vroom – airdrie man takes the wheel

From the Ground up – Carpenters share and care

i’m not Dead Yet – Zombies take to the field

Fall tradition – event celebrates agriculture and more

life at home

Boy Zone – Mural makes bedroom envy of all

Chef’s Secret – Knives make the kitchen

Fond Memories – woodside home is where family’s heart is

Stylish Option – Condo location is second to none

Showing Off – homes go with the ﬂow

life at work 14 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

invaluable initiative – Businesses share experience

now, voyager – versatile kayaks go everywhere

Deep Blue Sea – Diver turns pastime to profit

into the wild – ‘two Guys’ share love of hunting

Fit for a King – Friends bring success back home

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moment life in the 26 Chow Down

20 Chairitable 22 Guitar man

life in the moment | artist

The Nye's T Airbrush artist

18 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

photo submittED

ou won’t find Paul Nye’s creations hanging in an art gallery. But if you’re quick enough you may get a flash of skulls and flames rolling down the street, or spot a job site littered with fancy hard hats. Working strictly on three-dimensional objects, Nye has left his airbrush signature on everything from welding masks to car hoods and motorcycle fenders. “I used to draw a lot when I was in high school but it got put to the wayside for many years; [now] it’s come back around again,” says the 37-year-old Nye. Several years ago, he was introduced to the airbrush world by a friend and the rest is history. “I got the bug from that,” Nye says. “The last six months I’ve been fairly busy with it. It seems to be picking up and actually turning into something that I may be able to turn into a real business.” The former oil patch worker now divides his time between a machine shop and his garage workshop, where he produces intricate, glossy, colourful art for his Nye’s Touch Sign & Airbrush business. Unlike with a flat canvas, three-dimensional art can throw a few curves, but the experienced airbrush artist goes with the flow, whether it’s the moulded plastic bends of a hard hat or the shapely arc of an electric guitar. “Getting the perspective on something with a tight curve is kind of tricky sometimes. You couldn’t use a projector and shine the image on and try and trace it out from there. It’s more freehand,” says Nye, who sees plenty of bikes, helmets and guitars.

leaves his mark

paul nye’s artistry comes to life in 3-D.

For the artist, guitars became a natural progression, because he plays the instrument. “I tend to spend a lot of time on the detail on those,” he says. “I want to make sure it’s still a very playable instrument when I’m done with it.” His portfolio includes a green-glowing flame creation on a Schecter guitar produced for a SLAM fundraising music event. Other electric six-string designs depict a Hollywood terminator, a galaxy of stars and planets, and an elaborate set of black wings on a white-faced Ibanez. Whether it’s a haunting, ghostly female face decorating a motorcycle fender or menacing skull engulfed in flames adorning a classic Z28 Camaro hood, Nye blends his own vision with the design likes of the client. “It’s different from client to client. Some people come in and have a very specific image that they want transferred over, and some come in asking for something neat,” he says. “Sometimes I can get full nuts and get creative and sometimes I stick to exactly what they’re after. “I’ll talk to them for a little bit and get a feel for what the person is about and see if I can incorporate any of that into the artwork,” he adds. Nye has found a niche in the hard hat market. His designs include oil rigs silhouetted against a full moon and night sky, bonelike green money symbols, and skulls against a black background framing the owner’s name. “That seems to be one of the No. 1 sellers. You get a lot of guys coming in looking for skulls and flames,” Nye says. Other rigger helmets are highlighted by flaming grizzly bears; lightning bolts surrounding griffins; logos of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Minnesota Vikings and Edmonton Oilers; and an ace-high spade straight flush. Nye has taken on projects as small as a golf club, and left his mark on snowmobiles, dune buggies, Harley Davidson gas tanks and truck tailgates. “A hood mural is probably the biggest I’ve done,” he says. And in the future? “I haven’t gotten to mural a whole vehicle yet, but I’m hoping,” he says. life

photo submittED

Touch story anD photos by Carl patZEl

summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 19

life in the community | arts fundraising

story by shErry shaW-FroGGatt | photo by Kristy rEimEr

the 2013 Airdirondack Art project

if you want to sit on it ... you’d better bid on it

he Ravenswood AIRdirondack Art Project is evolving. That’s the word from the chair, ahem, Chair Sheri Reed. From how the chairs are assembled to how the artists become attached to the project, all signal the maturity of this annual fundraiser now in its fourth year. This is the first year the artists have been selected in a jury process. “As this event grows both in stature and calibre, we want to provide the guests, and ultimately the bidders and future owners of these works of art, the opportunity to chose from the best of the best,” says Reed.“The AIRdirondack Art Project is becoming recognized across the province and the gala itself is the only black-tie event in Airdrie. It’s only appropriate that we keep the calibre of work created at the highest level of creative and artistic value.” The project organizers were not let down. More than 20 submissions were narrowed down to nine – Anita Singh, Becky Kundert, Char Vanderhorst, Cheryl Todd Shergold, Kathryn Zondag, Michelle Wiebe, Paul

artist becky Kundert and her 2013 airdirondack creation

20 airdrielife life.com | summer 2013

Nye, Robyn Cooper and Zach Abbott – and in a unique twist one chair will be auctioned off blank and the successful bidder will get to work with artist Shawnee Hoffman to create a custom-painted chair. Industrial arts students at Bert Church High School designed and built the solid wood chairs, with supplies donated by Fulton’s Home Hardware. When the organizers discovered Bert Church High School had actually built 11 chairs, they had the opportunity to extend an invitation to a prominent Calgary artist, Amy Dryer, whose work is exhibited nationally. The hope is that the addition of the Dryer chair will draw attention from the Calgary art community, so the event and Airdrie artists themselves can gain more exposure. The chairs go on display around Airdrie right after the Empty Bowls Festival June 22. “Empty Bowls is a great place to ‘unveil’ the chairs because it’s a large crowd very receptive to arts and culture,” says Reed. After the Empty Bowls event, chairs may be seen until Sept. 21 at the following locations: the showhomes at Ravenswood (the title sponsor); Fulton’s Home Hardware; City Hall; Airdrie Public Library; Genesis Place; McArthur Fine Furniture and Cam Clark Ford. The chosen artists are working with a totally new chair design this year, as well. Becky Kundert, who only began showing her artwork in the past year, was one of the first to complete her chair in early April. The artist found the process stimulating. “When I found out that I had been selected, I could hardly wait to have the chair in my possession and get started,” Kundert says. “The day Sheri dropped the chair off, it was hard to go on with my day and not load it into my truck and head straight to my studio to get started.” Kundert makes her living finishing furniture and cabinetry, but found that turning this chair into a piece of original art presented some unexpected challenges. “This was the first time I’ve created art when I’ve had to be mindful of not just the front and sides of the piece, but also the back, bottom, sides and all the spaces in between” she says. The chairs will be auctioned off in style at the AIRdirondack Gala Sept. 21 at McArthur Fine Furniture. “We turn the entire second floor of this great location into a fabulous party atmosphere. Enough of the high-end furnishings are left out to create several lounge areas; the food stations offer gourmet bites; and of course we are very excited about our entertainment, Johnny Summers and his Little Big Band. The jazz will be swinging and everyone will be having a good time,” Reed promises. Tickets for the gala are $100 and include a wine- and craft beer-tasting bar. life

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airdrielife.com 21

life in the moment | musician

Guitar Man Rob Dawson has the world on six strings story by Ellen Kelly | photo by Kristy Reimer

“I love my day job, don’t get me wrong,” says Rob Dawson, “but if I didn’t have to do my job and I could write songs every day, I’d be totally happy with that.” Raised in Airdrie, Dawson took his EMT training after graduating from Bert Church High School. He has been a firefighter with the City of Airdrie since 2004 and is a part-time paramedic with Calgary EMS. But in his other life, he’s a gifted musician whose unique sound is enhanced by his passion for playing the guitar and writing songs. “I started really young,” he says. “I always loved music and my parents got me into it early.” Dawson got his first guitar from a relative and he played it constantly. When he was 12, his parents realized he was serious and got him a brand new acoustic Takamine. “I’ve had it ever since,” he says. “Every song I’ve ever written, I’ve written on that guitar. I played it at two of my best friends’ weddings. I’ve played it for thousands of hours. I take it everywhere.” This experienced musician’s skills extend beyond acoustic guitar: he sometimes plays an electric Telecaster guitar and a harmonica when he performs, and still plays the saxophone for enjoyment, as well as drums and piano. The songs Dawson writes are strongly influenced by the music his parents listened to – old songs and some country music. However, his biggest influence is British musician David Gray. “Someone gave me his breakout CD when I was 18 or 19, when I first started to write and perform my own songs,” says Dawson. “When I started listening to him, that’s when I started developing the singer/ songwriter side [of my music]. I listened to that CD for about two years solid and I’ve bought every piece of music he’s ever done. One of my goals is to see him perform.”

22 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

“

My music is a huge part of my life. I play my guitar every single day. It’s my No. 1 de-stressor.

”

Other artists, such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Stevie Wonder and most recently Ray LaMontagne and Amos Lee, have contributed to Dawson’s original sound. “Gray and LaMontagne do contemporary pop/soul music, but in an old style – lots of guitars and piano. They blend genres. That’s the sound I like,” he says. Although his music demonstrates many different influences, Dawson says that “acoustic rock” describes it best. “I write rock songs and strip them down and play them acoustically,” he says. “I like the sound of the acoustic rhythm guitar with a backing, not super distorted but the really clean sound of an electric guitar. “My music is a huge part of my life,” he adds.“I play my guitar every single day. It’s my No. 1 de-stressor.” When it comes to the writing side, there is no singular message in Dawson’s music. “I take things from other people’s lives or things that I’ve seen and create stories around them. Some of them are true, some aren’t,” he says, adding that his goal is simply to write really good songs. “I have no aspirations of performing as a career, but if I could get a song recorded by someone established and have it played on the radio, I would be over the moon with that.” Here at home, Dawson is impressed with the promotion of the arts in Airdrie. He feels the arts – including music, dance and theatre as well as visual art – create community and an identity for the city. “It’s cool to see,” he says. Along with fellow firefighter and talented lead guitarist Cale Fetunew, Dawson was a finalist in the 2012 SLAM on AIR songwriting/performance competition sponsored by Air 106.1 FM. By being involved in SLAM (Supporting Local Area Musicians) both as a member of the organization and in the competition, says Dawson, he’s really started ramping up his performing and recording. Dawson is currently working on a CD, to be released this summer. life summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 23

life in the moment | food

That’s Amore!

Authentic Napoli pizza is a true taste treasure

story by alEx FraZEr-harrison | photos by sErGEi bElsKi

Fresh napoli pizza from il Forno. below, sal monna has great respect for tradition.

for sal and Anna maria monna, there is more to pizza than randomly slapping cheese and sauce together with some meat. “Pizza is an art, and not everyone can make it,” says Sal. Last December, Sal and Anna Maria opened Il Forno Pizzeria, the couple’s latest Airdrie venture after more than 30 years here. The word “forno” means “oven” in Italian, and the centrepiece of the new restaurant in Kingsview is a massive, wood-fired clay oven Sal uses to make pizza the traditional Napoli way. “This type of pizza we’re making … was born in Napoli,” he says.“Pizza made in [regular] pizza ovens, the heat comes from the bottom and rises up. But with our oven, the heat goes up and comes down because it’s domed, so it cooks the pizza everywhere; it penetrates it. So it’s easier to digest – it’s not heavy, because the bread is cooked.” The oven can reach up to 800 F; hot enough to properly cook a pizza in three minutes, Sal says. All the ingredients, from the bread to the sauce, are freshly made, he adds, and Il Forno offers veggie and chicken pizzas along with the Americano style (pepperoni). Such ingredients as olive oil and fresh bocconcini cheese – a form of mozzarella – coupled with the method of cooking give Il Forno’s pizzas a flavour far different from what can be found with store-bought or fast-food pizzas. But one word of advice: don’t ask for your pizza to be cut before it’s delivered to your table. Sal says that he has too much respect for this traditional meal to do that. “Our pizzas are uncut,” he says. “If you order a steak, would you want me to cut it for you, too? You cut your pizza at your table.”

24 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

The Monnas have been in the Calgary-area restaurant business for 32 years, the last 10 of them in Airdrie. Most recently they operated Ristorante Napoli, and chef Anna Maria can still be found in the kitchen at Il Forno, showcasing her 35 years of experience in using traditional ingredients. “When I came here, Airdrie’s population was 15,000-20,000 people, and that’s what I wanted; I didn’t want a big, huge community,” says Sal.“Airdrie has changed, it got bigger, and a lot of fast food, but there’s only one Italian restaurant, and it’s me. We opened over here [in December] and the clientele followed us.” In fact the clientele that followed demanded more than the new pizza, so the Monnas have made everyone happy by still continuing to provide their delectable pastas and antipasto on the main level. They also created a second floor oasis which is used for special events, more formal dining experiences and authentic full-course Italian meals. Grazie, Monnas, for bringing Italy to Airdrie. life

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airdrielife.com 25

life in the moment | mmmmmmmm

Hungry Man Story by Matt Carre | photo by Kristy Reimer

A manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide to the good stuff in Airdrie 26 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

Matt Carre fills up on three different pulled pork dishes at Rico’s in his quest to find the best guy food in Airdrie

7 – Yum Yum Barbecue Korean Cuisine: Hot Chicken The cool thing about this dish is the spice does not come from a sauce. The meat itself is spicy. How they do that I have no idea but I don’t really care. What I do know is I order a half chicken and fries. I’m not sure how big the bird was but I don’t need the fries (and I only order the small) because there is plenty of food without them. And sorry ladies, we do not want to share an order … we can handle it.

6 – Casa Mia Pizzaria: Fries I love French fries and there are a lot of places in town that do them really well. Well head on over to the Italian/pizza place to find the best in town. They simply are that. And in case you were wondering, men will pick a restaurant just for the fries.

5 – Original Joe’s: The Double Dog Come on, it’s two hot dogs, with bacon AND jalapenos AND grilled onions AND pretty much whatever else you want on it. Did I say it’s two hot dogs and not small ones? No one else in town does a dish like it and in my opinion no one else should try.

4 – Paul’s Pizza & Steak House: Pizza I am not going to recommend toppings because pizza is personal. You like what you like, and I like a lot of stuff on it. Doesn’t matter where I order from I will either make up my own or modify one of the specialties. So at Paul’s I usually order the Paul’s special but I take the shrimp off and add jalapenos. Regardless, they put lots of toppings on all their pizzas and the small is more than enough ... that’s why I order the medium.

3 – Five Guys Burgers and Fries: The Burger My first experience with Five Guys was in South Carolina back in 2010 on my way to The Masters (sorry, had to throw that in). When I found out they were bringing one to Airdrie I knew my BMI (Body Mass Index) was in BIG trouble. It is almost impossible to describe how good these burgers are. They are cooked when ordered and you get to pick exactly what you want on them. How they do their fries is ridiculous; you have to love a grease-soaked bag at the end of a meal.

2 – The Woods (Woodside Golf Course): Back Ribs

How does a man eat? Let me count the ways. Well, at least the seven best ways in Airdrie as far as I am concerned. That said, I have written this piece with two thoughts in mind. First, I am hoping to help men find really good food – quality and of course quantity – and second, I am hoping to shed some light for some women on why we men go where we go and order what we order. So here we go.

I am a rib snob and I know what a good rib is. If you have to use any amount of pressure to get it off the bone … it is not “fall off the bone.” Well, no pressure needed here. Their ribs are simply some of the best I have ever had. My only complaint is they only have one kind of barbecue sauce so I can’t eat them every day without getting a bit bored.

1 – Rico’s in the Village: Pulled Pork OMG. Alright, not a guy thing to say, but this has earned it. It is simply the best item in Airdrie. I really don’t know how to describe it. Let’s just say I usually start my meal with it and when my wife is ordering her dessert I end my meal with it, too. It’s true ... ask her. But I have a problem, guys. Rico has taken this item off the everyday menu for lack of demand. He thinks it’s because every restaurant does pulled pork but believe me, no one does it like him. He does bring it back as his“Rico’s Craving” from time to time but I need your support ... order more pork! Well that’s my list. You may agree, you may not. I know there are a lot of other great dishes out there but my wife would only let me gain so much weight for this piece. And let’s face it, boys, we can talk a big game but in the end “happy wife, happy life.” Thanks for reading. life summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 27

life in the moment | events

Summer to-do list: have fun!

SLAM on AIR

June to September 2013 AIRDIRONDACK ART PROJECT Tour around Airdrie and you will discover 10 original works of art that just happen to be Adirondack chairs (or, as the Creative Airdrie Society calls them, AIRdirondacks). The chairs are auctioned off at a formal gala Sept. 21 in support of the arts, where guests enjoy gourmet foods, live music and more. creativeairdrie.ca June to October AIRDRIE FARMERS MARKET Plainsmen Arena Enjoy a great selection of products at the summer market, open every Wednesday, 3:30-7 p.m., June through Thanksgiving. airdriefarmersmarket.com June 21 Airdrie Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival Airdrie Town and Country Centre Taste new beers, wines and spirits and learn new things about your favourites at this event featuring a variety of liquor and food vendors with sample-sized offerings. Enjoy music and entertainment along with a silent auction in support of the Alberta 2014 Summer Games. airdrieevents.ca

28 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

June 22 7TH ANNUAL EMPTY BOWLS ARTS FESTIVAL Nose Creek Park Hosted by Airdrie Food Bank, this event brings the community together while showcasing local artistic talent and drawing attention to hunger issues in Airdrie. Bring the family and enjoy local musicians; a silent auction on bowls made by local artists and VIPs; and children’s events, as well as a free soup lunch. Donations to Airdrie Food Bank are welcome. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. airdriefoodbank.com June 27 to July 1 ANNUAL AIRDRIE PRO RODEO Airdrie Rodeo Grounds With exciting highlights such as bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding, Airdrie Pro Rodeo always draws a crowd. Enjoy evening beer gardens, as well as daytime activities for children. Only a short drive away, the Rodeo Ranch is located west of Airdrie on Highway 567. June 27-30: junior rodeo at 6 p.m., grand entry at 6:45 p.m., pro rodeo at 7 p.m. July 1: junior rodeo at 2 p.m., grand entry at 2:45 p.m., pro rodeo at 3 p.m. Fireworks 10:30-11 p.m. Live entertainment will start each day after the last bull has been ridden, with Chris Leblanc for all five nights and Mark Lorenz on July 1. This year, the rodeo is teaming up with Airdrie Food Bank; donations of non-perishable food items accepted at the event. Rodeo admission and scheduling information available online. airdrieprorodeo.net

What a full calendar we have this summer! Rodeos, the Airdrie Regional Air Show, and two new festivals – the Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival and the KARE Festival, Airdrie’s first kite extravaganza – something for everyone. July to September SLAM on AIR For any musician or band, the thought of getting studio and air time is heady stuff. For local musicians, that opportunity is right around the corner, as SLAM (Supporting Local Airdrie Musicians) is once again holding its SLAM on AIR contest. The contest for SLAM members – singers/ songwriters and performers – is just another way the organization is able to provide opportunities for local musicians and promote Airdrie talent. “We had over 30 submissions last year,” says Jay Stoudt, a contest organizer and one of the founding members of SLAM. The band Run Romeo Run may have been the ultimate winner, but the quality of all the performers was impressive. “Any one of them could have been a winner,” Stoudt says. Musicians will be competing for a prize package that includes a full day at Public Lunch Studios in Calgary. SLAM on AIR culminates in a live performance at Bert Church Theatre with the five finalists, one of whom is the fan favourite, voted upon online by fans. The judges include Christina Waldner, of Air 106.1 FM/Discover Airdrie, and Patrick Palardy, owner of Public Lunch Studio. Being able to perform in front of Airdrie at a professional theatre is a great opportunity, says Stoudt, who is a member of the band Steady the Wheel. “The experience [is] very valuable,” he says. The contest, which is free to enter, opens July 1 and entries will be accepted until Aug. 17 (drop off or mail in a CD). From Aug 23 to Sept 1, entries will be put on the Air 106.1 blog site so fans can vote. The five finalists will be announced Sept. 8 and the live performance is set for Sept. 14 during the opening weekend of ARTember. While the contest is a great way to promote the organization’s mission and mandate, SLAM has also evolved and matured since its inception. “The momentum is growing,” Stoudt says. “It’s still quite a bit of work, but I have a good team behind me. We’ve accomplished a lot.” For more information, visit slaminairdrie.com

AIRDRIE OILMENS ASSOCIATION 3RD ANNUAL

BIKES

&BULLS CHARITY EVENT

Friday & Saturday August 23 & 24, 2013 Airdrie Rodeo Grounds

BIKE RALLY 3PM FRIDAY August 23

AEROSMITH Tribute Band Aerosmith Rocks Friday August 23

BON JOVI

Tribute Band Blaze of Glory Saturday, August 24

Free Camping (self contained only)

Tickets available at AOALBERTA.COM summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 29

life in the moment | events

Airdrie Regional Air Show

Airdrie Summer Classic Charity Car Show

July to October AUTHOR VISITS Airdrie Public Library Don’t miss the chance to meet a selection of great Alberta writers firsthand. Children’s authors: July 19 - Hazel Hutchins; September (date TBA) - Georgia Graham. Adult authors: Oct. 18 - Wendy Bryden; Nov. 22 - Chris Turner airdriepubliclibrary.ca July 1 CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS Airdrie offers a variety of ways to celebrate the country’s birthday in style. Begin your day with the Canada Day Parade starting at 10 a.m., hosted by the Airdrie Parade Society. Take in Airdrie Pro Rodeo, as events are still in full swing into the night. Enjoy a nice lunch at many of the local restaurants or stop by the Airdrie Public Library Canada Day barbecue. Head to Nose Creek Park for Dog Day Afternoon, hosted by the Wild Rose Humane Society, featuring an adopt-a-thon, barbecue, pet photography, obedience demos, safety talks and more, from noon to 4 p.m. As the day draws to a close, be sure not to miss the grand finale and gather with the rest of Airdrie at East Lake Park around dusk (approximately 10 p.m.) to enjoy the fireworks. airdrie.ca July 13-14 AIRDRIE REGIONAL AIR SHOW Airdrie Air Park Don’t miss this popular show featuring some of the best aerial and ground displays North America has to offer. Spectacular fun for all ages. Grounds open to the public from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Flying starts at 11 a.m. and ends at approximately 5 p.m. Helicopter rides open around 9 a.m. and are subject to an additional fee. Schedules and ticket information available online. airdrieairshow.com

30 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

July 20 KARE FESTIVAL Airdrie Rodeo Grounds Don’t miss Airdrie’s first-ever kite festival, presented by The Kite Guys and Aurora Creative Solutions Ltd. Bring the whole family and enjoy a fun-filled day of activities, including a charity auction of artists’ kite creations! Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. karefestival.com July 20 Zombie Cup Genesis Place Watch the “undead” come to life right in a game of flag football, thanks to the artistry of makeup specialists. This charity event makes for great entertainment, and spectators are encouraged to join in with their own zombie costumes. Celebrity players in this second-annual event include MLA Rob Anderson, Mayor Peter Brown, Chris Mulders from Airdrie 360 and Rob Jamieson from Air 106.1 FM. Also enjoy vendors, food, entertainment, raffle and 50/50 draw plus a Lil’ Zombies Zone to keep the little ones entertained. All proceeds go to Airdrie Food Bank. airdriezombiecup.weebly.com July 27 AIRDRIE AG SOCIETY RANCH RODEO Airdrie Rodeo Grounds This is an amateur event hosted by the Airdrie and District Agricultural Society, held at the rodeo grounds on Highway 567, about 6 miles west of Airdrie. Come and see how traditional ranching skills used by local area ranchers and farmers are turned into fun events. Watch the branding, sorting, penning, doctoring and loading classes, as well as the kids’ calf scramble. Events begin at 1 p.m. There will be a mobile food service for the afternoon, a bar and a barbecue supper (tickets available at the event). Free entrance to spectators with donations to Airdrie Food Bank. airdrieagsociety.com

Aug. 9-11 8th ANNUAL MOUNTAIN VIEW MUSIC FEST Memorial Park (Carstairs) Located 16 minutes north of Airdrie, the small farming community of Carstairs – population 3,700 – comes alive for this annual, family-friendly celebration of the arts. This artist- and volunteer-run event draws between 5,000 and 6,000 spectators each year, featuring great Canadian artists, many of them Albertans. 2013 performers include: Canadian ukulele guru James Hill, guitarist Jack Semple, The Polyjesters, “Queen of the Swamp Blues” Kat Danser, The Schultz Sisters, and The Heebee-jeebees, plus many more. Also enjoy artisan markets, a food fair, flea market, and the largest-ever kids’ zone, which will incorporate the local splash park. Tenting and RV parking available on site. Entrance is by donation but a $40 pass ensures front-row seating for Friday and Saturday, access to a VIP garden to mingle with the artists and, for the first 500 purchasers, guaranteed access to a run-for-cover spot in case of inclement weather. Check out carstairs.fm for a live online broadcast of the festival. mvmf.ca Aug. 9-11 44th ANNUAL SHOW AND REUNION Pioneer Acres (Irricana) Located 20 minutes east of Airdrie, the museum will have virtually every piece of equipment running. Many outside exhibitors will also bring displays, equipment, crafts and much more. The 2013 feature is “odd and unusual” equipment. Contact the museum for details, including admission rates. pioneeracres.ab.ca Aug. 10 13th ANNUAL AIRDRIE SUMMER CLASSIC CHARITY CAR SHOW Nose Creek Park Bring the family and enjoy tons of cars, trucks and motorcycles on display in a pristine park setting, plus live music with Ronnie and the Fixations, great food thanks to local restaurants and food vendors, and silent auctions and 50/50 draws. Fun events this year include an engine build-off challenge, a highest horsepower competition (bring your earplugs!) and for the kids, Papa Tony’s Slot Car Track and the Kite Guy with his amazing kites. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost to enter a vehicle is $10, with registration from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Please note: in case of bad weather, the rain-out date is Aug. 24. Last year’s show and shine raised $13,000 for community charities. 403-912-0007; timetravellers@hotmail.ca

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

auG. 17 CalGary poliCE roDEo airdrie rodeo Grounds The only police rodeo in Canada, this amateur competition features contestants from all over the police community throughout Canada and the United States. Bring the family and enjoy watching a full slate of events including bareback, saddlebronc, steer wrestling, bull riding, team roping, breakaway roping, chute dogging, steer scramble, ladies barrel racing, wild horse race, wild cow milking, boys steer riding and mutton busting. Free on-site camping and children’s carnival. Evening barn dance for adults with live country music performances by Mark Lorenz and Drew Gregory. More details online. calgarypolicerodeo.com

3, 125 Main Street

403.912.9099

auG. 17-18 50th annual Fall Fair – hortiCulturE & bEnCh shoW Genesis place The Airdrie and District Agricultural Society is pleased to host this event featuring several classes in each age group designed to celebrate this year’s “Golden” celebration theme as well as all the various competitions and judging in categories that span all ages, including vegetable growing, children’s crafts, baking, fine art and photographs, and more. Exhibits can be dropped off Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Judging begins the same day at 2 p.m. and exhibits are open next day to the public starting at 10 a.m. Don’t miss the local celebrity cake-decorating competition and auction, 1:45-2:30 p.m., with all proceeds going to Airdrie Food Bank. There are no fees to enter the fair, but participants and spectators are asked to bring an item to support Airdrie Food Bank. More details online. airdrieagsociety.com auG. 24 biKEs & bulls Charity EVEnt airdrie rodeo Grounds The Airdrie Oilmen’s Association is pleased to host this third annual community fundraiser benefiting local Airdrie charities. The event features beer gardens, DJ and live bands. Friday night features Aerosmith tribute band Aerosmith Rocks. Saturday night rock out to Blaze of Glory, a Bon Jovi tribute band. Saturday will also showcase a full pro bull riding event, mechanical bull, bike rodeo and showand-shine, plus beer gardens and free camping (with setup available as early as Thursday). In 2013, this charity event will support Airdrie Community Links, Airdrie Food Bank and Airdrie Victims Assistance. aoaalberta.com

DR. DENSON DR. MORADIAN and associates ALWAYS WELCOMING NEW PATIENTS 1 - 804 Main Street SE Airdrie 403.912.7557 airdriespecsoptometry.ca summer 2013 | airdrielife.com 31

life in the moment|column

petlife

with JaMeS FrOeSe

Pet food is pet food Isn’t what I’m feeding Fido good enough? It’s not unusual to hear people say that they are feeding their dog/cat “X” food/treats from a department store, and that their pet likes it and seems to be doing just fine on it. Or, “My dog/ cat just loves ‘X’ and really doesn’t want to eat anything else.” The pets may ‘like’ it, but is it negatively affecting their health and quality of life, and therefore increasing the potential for larger and more frequent vet bills? It is not uncommon for manufacturers of these generally cheaper dog and cat food brands to use flavour enhancers. This allows them to use lower-quality ingredients (i.e. lower-cost products) to produce the food, as the artificial flavour enhancers will mask poor quality and increase the palatability of the food. Just because your pets really like the food doesn’t mean that it is actually good for them. Your pets need foods that not only have taste appeal, but also give them nutritional value, so that they have less chance of developing health problems (such as food intolerance/allergies) in the future. Do you remember the big pet food recall in 2007 that resulted from the death of a few thousand pets? It was revealed that some of these recalled foods had low-quality ingredients that contained aminopterin (a chemical used as rat poison), melamine (a kind of plastic also used as a fertilizer) and cyanuric acid

32 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

(often used to stabilize chlorine in swimming pools). By themselves, small isolated doses of melamine and cyanuric acid do not necessarily kill pets. However, when these two chemicals are combined, they produce an insoluble crystal that can quickly block the kidneys and result in renal failure. It is true that all pet foods sold in North America must meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) requirements. AAFCO establishes the nutritional standards for “complete and balanced” pet foods. This includes setting the standards that pets need for protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, and establishing definitions of ingredient terms. AAFCO does not, however, regulate, test, approve or certify pet foods in any way. The organization’s standards are set as minimums and maximums, not optimums. Also, the standards do not even begin to address the whole concept of what should be bioavailable, or able to be utilized by the animal’s body. To establish this point, a few years ago the TV show Marketplace created a ‘pet food’ made with an old leather boot (protein), motor oil (fat), shavings (fibre) and a vitamin/mineral supplement. With these ‘ingredients,’ a ‘food’ was created that met AAFCO standards for a“nutritionally balanced” food! AAFCO standards do not establish quality standards, and do not say where the proteins or fats have to come from. Therefore, although manufacturers are obligated to formulate a pet food that meets AAFCO standards, that doesn’t mean that the food has quality, bioavailable ingredients. Finally, there is the whole issue of some manufacturers using dead, dying and diseased animals, including cancerous organs, euthanized pets and zoo animals. There are no quality, healthy proteins coming from these sources. Some of you may find this information somewhat alarming and wonder how you can be assured that you are providing the best food for your furry friend. Talk to your local pet store about your concerns, and let these experts help you navigate the behind-the-scenes world of the pet food industry – James Froese is owner of Global Pet Foods in Airdrie

It’s going to be a perfect

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*All procedures are performed by a general dentist.

34 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

life in the moment | makeover story by lEsliE DaViEs | photos by Kristy rEimEr

Change of pace Choosing a winner for the airdrielife makeover contest is always challenging – so, what do we look for? a woman who’s given to everyone around her – her children, her spouse, her job and her community – and who could beneﬁt from a little boost of self-care. Hmmmm, what woman doesn’t sound worthy of receiving this? it’s truly a difﬁcult decision. This time we chose a married airdrie mom of four who commutes to work daily in calgary. Her children range in age from early teens to early 20s – she’s put herself behind everyone else for more than 20 years.

Time to change that! Local Airdrie businesses Cream Body & Bath, Blunston Dental, Mezzanine Hair Studio & Spa, Pharmasave and myself all came together to gift Lisa with the ultimate in makeover experiences. With every makeover winner and client, I always begin with an in-depth consultation. This process helps me learn more about my client`s lifestyle, how she wants to feel when she gets dressed, and what styles and colours are most flattering on her. Next up … a personalized bra fitting from Lynn at Cream Body & Bath. Knowing that most women are wearing the wrong-sized bra, Lisa was super excited for this appointment! She’d never experienced a professional bra fitting before and was curious to discover her best fit. Lynn hand-selected a number of beautiful bras for Lisa to try on and expertly evaluated each one. They finally settled on two lovely lace bras with matching panties, compliments of Cream Body & Bath.

summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 35

WHERE TO FIND IT

If you haven’t been into Cream Body & Bath, GO – really. Not only does Lynn stock absolutely gorgeous bras from sizes Clothing: Airdrie Pharmasave/The Store Upstairs, A to L, she also carries bra-sized swimwear, beach coverups 209 Centre Ave. N and specialty and everyday lingerie. The service at Cream Teeth Whitening: Blunston Dental, 620, 1 Ave. NW Lingerie: Cream Body & Bath, 206, 304 Main St. S is welcoming, comfortable and very classy. I didn’t walk Hair: Mezzanine Hair, 403, 191 Edwards Way SW away empty-handed either – I personally couldn’t resist Makeup: Mezzanine Spa, 101, 191 Edwards Way SW a fabulous knit V-neck dress with fringe bottom. It’s a showstopper! Being a self-confessed jeans-and-T-shirt girl, Lisa wanted her style to feel relaxed, subtly sexy, fun and youthful. Armed with her style recipe, we made a date to meet at Pharmasave to select some outfits which captured her essence and featured the latest in spring fashion trends. Lucky us … Pharmasave is the perfect destination for brand-name jeans AND fashions inspired by the latest wearable runway trends. In fact, there were so many amazing outfits, we couldn’t decide!

Here are the outfits and trends that made it to the photo shoot: We topped a silk print dress by Pools with a cropped denim jacket. The soft silk of the dress brings a little ‘subtly sexy’ to Lisa’s look and the rough-and-tumble jacket relaxes the look to a place where Lisa’s at ease. Just look at those wedge heels! Sooo comfortable and they’ll look great with jeans, too! The pendant necklace compliments the outfit perfectly. Bold colour is everywhere this spring and summer – and we couldn’t resist having Lisa try a juicy-hued shirtdress paired with tropical print peep-toe wedge heels. Gold is the metal du jour and pairs beautifully with the bold coral. This dress could also be layered over a turtleneck and leggings, then boldly belted and worn with boots in the fall. This is no one-trick pony of a dress!

36 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

Tip: spring/summer 2013 is the season to confidently wear unmatched colors together. Try coral, purple and green as we did here for a fresh and youthful vibe. Sleek and simple ruffles are back – but this season as an understated embellishment. This grey satin one-shoulder dress and chrome-toe-capped nude pumps make Lisa feel beautiful! This lady has gorgeous gams, so why not showcase them a bit? Next, we moved on from dresses and got Lisa trying on some jeans – her wardrobe go-to. Bright jeans are all the rage – and with so many different colours to choose from at Pharmasave we almost couldn’t decide! We ended up with a summery turquoise skinny jean paired with another of the season’s hottest trends – the sheer top. I chose a nude tank to wear underneath, so that it didn’t detract from the pretty colours or patterns of the top, and then finished her look off with silver jewelry and the same chrome-toe-capped nude pumps worn with the grey ruffle dress. This is the grownup girl’s way to looking elegant in bright jeans. Last up … a little more casual, with some attitude. Lisa had commented that her husband has said he’d love to see her wearing a hat sometime. That “sometime” is now. For this outfit I chose a dark-wash skinny jean by IT. All the ladies in the store raved about how comfy they are – and Lisa confirmed it. Then I chose a refined-looking metallic sleeved T-shirt and finished off the look by layering a couple of long, multi-metal fringe necklaces. And of course the little cap. What fun! Pharmasave provided Lisa with more than $300 worth of fashions of her choice. No makeover is totally complete without a SMILE MAKEOVER! Blunston Dental generously donated a teeth-whitening package for Lisa to brighten her smile and increase her “wow” factor. To begin with, custom-fit dental trays were created for Lisa to insert while sleeping. Within 10 days, she had lightened and brightened her teeth by two complete levels. This is a process easily and conveniently completed to help remove the effects of daily eating, drinking and smoking. Next came what I call the “Ta-Dah!” This is when our makeover winner goes to have her hair, makeup and photo shoot done – the day where it all comes together and we all get to see makeover magic take place. THAT couldn’t happen without our hair and makeup experts at Mezzanine Hair Studio & Spa. Hairstylist Niki Pattison used neutral-toned foils to enhance Lisa’s natural blonde hair colour, adding multi-tonal highlights and low lights. The result? Sexy, modern multi-dimensional colour helped to make Lisa’s hair look and feel healthy. Then came the cut. Lisa didn’t have too many ‘off-limits’ rules for Niki – and gave her pretty much free rein to decide on the cut and style that would be most flattering. Niki shaped up Lisa’s cut by tapering it in

the back, and gave her a sultry fringe to showcase her pretty eyes. Don’t you just LOVE it?! Great choice, Niki! As the “Ta-Dah” got closer, Mezzanine makeup artist Paula Cheema took over. Paula worked her magic – and, to Lisa’s amazement, used some brow powder to define her brows. Being naturally blonde, Lisa needs a little help to get those brows to show up – and they frame her eyes perfectly. Paula continued with soft pink and brown shadows on her eyes, plus liner and, of course, mascara. A warm pink blush and a touch of highlighter on her cheekbones showcased Lisa’s gorgeous angular bone structure. Finally, her full pucker was glossed up with a juicy shade of pink. Then it was off to Kristy Reimer’s photo studio for a few hours of fun and dress-up glam time, where Lisa was a true natural in front of the lens. You’d think this lady had modelled before. But no, it was the beautiful woman finally FEELING beautiful. Mission accomplished. life

Want to be chosen for our next makeover? E-mail sherry@frogmediainc.ca before June 30, 2013.

summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 37

life in the moment | column

parentlife

with Sarah Deveau

Thinking about preschool yet? You should be!

ummer hasn’t even officially arrived yet, and many Airdrie parents are already making their choices when it comes to preschool registration for this fall. With a wide variety of preschools available in the city, how do you choose which one is right for your child? “I encourage parents to look into the different options and ask questions about the teaching style, then select the one that they think will be the best match for their child and their family’s philosophies,” explains Melissa Hackett, director of Edleun preschool. Founded in 2010 in Calgary, Edleun has one location in Airdrie. “What makes us unique is that we’re also a child-care centre,” says Hackett, “so when parents aren’t able to transport their children to and from preschool, those children still reap the benefits of a structured preschool program.” The Airdrie Edleun location has fully integrated the use of technology into its classrooms through touch-screen computers and educational programming to teach arithmetic, vocabulary and literacy (although screen time is limited). At French immersion preschool École Des Petits Amis, director Jackie Astrom offers a more traditional preschool schedule, with programs designed for three- and four-year-olds, running for two-anda-half hours three days per week or two days per week. “We believe young children learn best when learning through play, at their own pace and in their own way,” says Astrom. “Our staff strive to bring a fun, safe and engaging program that will help your child acquire a love of learning and foundation of French language skills. Children will learn through stories, songs, games, crafts and other activities.” Don’t speak French? Not a problem. “A lot of parents [who] do not speak French have concerns about how to help their children, but French immersion is really designed for the child who has no French background,” Astrom says. “My preschool will offer parent classes twice a year to give parents a basic foundation in French and to show them simple ways that they can help their child. “I think the benefits of a second language are numerous,” adds Astrom, “and I have seen time and time again how easily young children can pick up a second language and how excited they are to learn in French!” If the preschool you’ve selected doesn’t offer transportation (few do) or before-and-after childcare, you might consider Airdrie Kids Commuter Ltd. Created in 2010 by Melanie Archibald to meet the need of working parents, Airdrie Kids Commuter offers private transportation to school, home, daycare and extracurricular activities for all groups. “We’re perfect for preschool dropoff and/or pickup,” explains Archibald. “But we do also offer occasional service, as well. “Children are under the constant care of an Airdrie Kids Commuter driver until handed off to an approved destination host, caregiver, school teacher or parent,” she adds, “and parents receive notification when the children have been dropped off at their destination.” life

38 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

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. Opening September 2013 Sensory learning, neuromuscular activities, and spatial awareness, otherwise referred to as,

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Did you know you can advertise your child-focused business here for as little as $18 a week? Contact Joy@frogmediainc.ca today! summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 39

life in the moment | healthy life ED. NOTE: Welcome to healthy life –

a new feature where we take a look at our wellness and the local experts who help us stay healthy.

Now hear this Mom! You’re not listening to me!

story by shErry shaW-FroGGatt | photos by Kristy rEimEr

Huh, wha? Is my hearing going? Or am I turning the tables and providing selective hearing to a teenager? I thought this was the case. And then I started to notice I leaned into conversations more when at social functions; I would ask people to repeat things, especially when in a crowd. And if I was sitting in the front seat of the car and you were talking to me from the back, well good luck with getting an answer. But why if this has bothered me for a good six or seven years have I put off getting answers about my hearing? Was I afraid of the confirmation: yes, I am getting old? Ceara Rolseth, owner of Superior Hearing in Airdrie, chuckles when I ask and she confirms the sad truth. Yes, vanity is the No. 1 reason adults put off having a hearing test. Apparently we think it’s OK to get glasses to see the band better, but we don’t want the world to know we can’t hear the music quite as well anymore. Most people run in the other direction when someone suggests a hearing aid, thinking of the clumsy, artificial appendage-like flesh-coloured glob of plastic that would hang out of the ear like a clumsy communication device from a 1950s space movie. Today the reality is more high-tech than Star Trek; in fact, today’s hearing aids can also be programmed to be your Bluetooth – how cool is that? Hearing aids are so small and so discreet the average person would

have to be standing very close to you and lifting your hair to notice. (And if they are doing that they had better be saying something nice, too.) The device itself has been improved drastically, especially in the past five years – original hearing aids would amplify all sounds; now each one is finely tuned to each ear’s sensitivity and needs. Hearing loss is affected by many things – family history, illness (high fevers can cause hearing loss) and medications, trauma to the head and, of course, noise exposure. Yes, children, listening to your iPod at deafening levels (if I can hear it and you are the one wearing the earphones IT’S TOO LOUD) will most likely cause damage down the road, so remember that, if you want to attend Justin Bieber’s I’m Still Alive concert tour (with special guest, the last surviving member of One Direction) in 2050. So, ready to face the music (or aim to hear it better), I sit down with Ceara. She starts with a list of questions about my medical and family history, looking to flag any issues. “Did you ever fly fighter jets without protective headphones?” OK, that was not a question but when she asked if I had ever experienced any trauma to the head I realized that I had a serious car crash 20 years ago that left me with a massive goose egg on the left side of my head and intense jaw pain … but no recollection of any temporary hearing loss. Next Ceara uses a magnifying camera to look into each ear. The image pops right up on the screen in front of me. Ceara points out that this quick

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visual can detect perforations, growths, polyps and even excessive ear wax – all issues that could hamper your hearing. Thankfully I am the proud owner of two very clean and clear ear canals. Into the lab we go and Ceara inserts small earphones in each ear and hands me my own gameshow button to press every time I hear a sound. Inside the little sound room, the door shut, the earphones in place, my breathing sounds too loud and I am afraid I will miss the subtle sounds she wants me to detect. I close my eyes to concentra … wait, was that a … yes it was … and that, yes … and so it goes until I start to imagine I am hearing sounds that aren’t there and almost lose my focus. (See, I hate any kind of test!) Ceara is measuring my ability to hear the softest sounds at both high and low frequencies. Turns out that at 49 my hearing may be less than perfect compared to my younger years but I still fall within the normal range. I could still pick out the lower-frequency sounds (think vowels and a man’s voice) and even the higher frequencies (women’s and children’s voices and most consonants). These are typically the first sounds we start to ‘lose,’ hence the reason a conversation can sound mumbled. Think of saying “Get a coat, it’s cold out” without the hard consonants and it could sound like“Et a oat, it’s old ou.” Huh is right. My issue lies more with the fact that everyone processes sound differently. In fact there is no ‘normal’ setting based on age – some 80-yearolds have better hearing than me – but it’s a good idea to get a hearing test as an adult so you have a baseline for judgment over the years, just as you would get your eyes checked. Ceara suggests I come back in two years. The $30 cost of a basic exam is a really low price to pay for an earful of good advice. life

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airdrielife.com 41

life in the moment| fitness

Total team weight lo ss as of May 10 story by Joan Bell photos by Kristy Reimer

Sporting their Challenge T-shirts, the teams also drop into a fitness or yoga class once or twice a week at Airdrie Yoga & Fitness. The fitness classes – including Butts & Guts, Zumba and Lean Cuts – offer great workouts and the yoga classes give team members a chance to stretch out and tone.

Meet the teams

25.5lbs Candace Banack (left) and Cheryl Todd Shergold

Wow!

What a great response to our call for teams for the ultimate airdrielifestyle Challenge. We received applications from 18 teams eager to participate in this year’s contest. Three worthy teams were selected to take part in our challenge focused on developing healthy lifestyles through proper nutrition, exercise and increased self-esteem. Over the course of 12 weeks, from April 7 to June 29, the three teams of two members each will be put through their paces in a contest to see which team can lose the greatest percentage of weight. Each team is working with a nutritionist from Simply For Life on a custom-designed nutrition program based on making healthy food choices. Armed with their newfound nutrition knowledge, great-tasting recipes, and shopping lists, team members are preparing tasty meals for themselves and their families. Once a week, each team is participating in a group fitness class with Liz Wiggins of Day One Fitness. According to one participant,“Liz provides a tough workout, but makes a great effort to offer modifications so a person can succeed.” Personal trainers from Body By Nic are meeting with the three teams each week to develop personalized fitness plans. Nic and her staff work the teams hard, but focus on meeting the fitness goals of each individual.

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Candace Banack and Cheryl Todd Shergold met through work a few years back at Collicutt Siding Golf Course in Crossfield. They have both struggled with their weight over the years and decided to support each other in this challenge. At 29, Candace already realizes that she needs to start making better healthy choices to avoid future problems, such as heart disease and diabetes. A mother of four, 45-year-old Cheryl is very focused on winning the challenge and invites airdrielife to check back with her in a year, as she plans to make changes for life. You can follow Cheryl’s transformation on her blog at aneworganiclife.blogspot.ca ‘Team Reflections’ consists of supportive friends Cheryl Prince and Heather Ryder. Although separated by 20 years, these two have developed a great friendship. Cheryl sees herself as a mentor for Heather and they view themselves as mirror images of each other. Cheryl has been married for 35 years and, with four children and nine grandchildren, feels that she leads a busy and rewarding life. After years of putting her family first, she is now choosing to focus on her health. According to Cheryl, she is “committed to creating permanent, healthy life choices.” With five children from toddler to high schooler, Heather is always on the go. To keep even busier, Heather home schools two of her children and has recently started up a home business. “I don’t recall the last time I consciously did something for myself,” she says. Both Cheryl and Heather recognize a need for change in their lives and have stated a goal for this challenge of becoming better examples of a healthy lifestyle. Ken South and Tim Striblehill claim they were forced into the challenge by their wives! No, the women did not sign up their husbands; the

Cheryl prince (left) and heather ryder

guys just felt they had to do something if they wanted to keep up with their gorgeous wives. Ken and Tim, who met through work, are both 35 with young families. The two have jokingly named their team the ‘Beerbelly Busters.’ Ken is motivated to shed a few pounds and build core strength so he can avoid sports injuries. He reflects the sentiments of other participants when he says, “I’m really looking forward to working with a nutritionist so I can really understand what I should be eating, so I don’t fall into the trap of snacking and grazing.” Tim was very active in sports in high school and college and has found that now that he is more sedentary the pounds are packing on. He is anxious to gain nutrition knowledge to help him improve his fitness level and become a positive role model for his children.

16.5lbs Ken south (left) and tim striblehill

Our three amazing teams are competing for a bucketload of prizes. The winning team will be determined based on the greatest percentage of weight loss, with the challenge coming to a close June 29. Each member of the winning team will receive: • three-month consult with Simply For Life; • three-month workout pass from Airdrie Yoga & Fitness; • $100 gift certiﬁcate from Pharmasave; • $50 gift certiﬁcate from Cream Body & Bath; and • $100 haircut and product package from The Hair Lounge. The total prize package has a value of $3,400 for the winning team! Be sure to cheer on our teams. Follow them on Facebook with airdrielife and Airdrie Yoga & Fitness and stop by Simply For Life or Airdrie Yoga & Fitness to see their weekly progress. life

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airdrielife.com 43

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community life in the 54 What a Drag

46 bigger is better 56 From the heart

citylife | building boom

Building a better Airdrie!

Construction Zone by alEx FraZEr-harrison

photo by sErGEi bElsKi

WITH TWO MAJOR FACILITY EXPANSION PROJECTS SET TO WRAP UP, and commercial and industrial construction picking up else-

where, airdrie’s in for a busy building season. Likely the highest-profile project in the city right now is the approximately $23 million expansion of genesis Place, which is set to open by september and the start of the next hockey season (possibly with some areas already in operation earlier than that). covering 107,000 square feet, the expansion will add two nHL-sized hockey rinks, as well as several other amenities. “We will have upper viewing areas, 250 [people] per side, looking down onto the ice, rather than right on the ground,” says Brian Welch, the city of airdrie’s operations team leader for genesis Place and arenas. “We’ve got new dressing rooms for each side and a swing room for mixed teams. There’ll also be a pro shop and five multipurpose rooms – two are big rooms that can be divided into two smaller rooms, and we’ll have one premier meeting room at the front.” nine years after the facility was commissioned in 2004, the Phase iii expansion will mark the full build-out for genesis Place, topping it out at more than 350,000 sq. ft. Welch says that future plans include upgrading some of the track-andfield areas outside the facility for hosting javelin, shot put and hammerthrow events at the 2014 alberta summer games, as well as adding a press box to the grandstand. next door to genesis Place, work is also almost finished on an expansion to The Bert church Theatre. “The city, under agreement with rocky View schools, is building its own support space for the theatre auditorium,” theatre manager dennis Tinkler says of the approximately $3.3 million project. “apart from a few amenity upgrades, there won’t be major changes to the auditorium

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itself. This construction is consisting of the support space, a new lobby, a new administration office, multipurpose room, green room and coat check – all the standard amenities you’d find in professional performing arts spaces.” The renovations will free up some space in Bert church High school, which the city will turn back to rocky View schools. “so there are benefits to both parties,” Tinkler says. The work is scheduled to be done by sept. 1, just in time for the new school year and future performing arts bookings. “over the past few seasons, we’ve seen some of the top industry acts in the world come through here,” says Tinkler. “We attract regular clients from our own community, but i think the current standing record for attendance by someone from a distance was [when] we had someone come to one of our shows from Los angeles.” city economic development team leader Kent rupert says that the 2013 spring/summer construction season is likely to be similar to last year. “We have a number of larger projects we hope will come in for development permits,” rupert says. “i think it’s interesting to see the commercial [construction] coming back from 2008-09 – that’s always positive – but we’re still seeing a fair amount of industrial coming in, even with the market the way it is.” Highlights include a long-awaited commercial development backing onto the south end of The canals at eighth street and Yankee Valley Boulevard, which was set to break ground in the spring, along with mixeduse developments in such locations as copperstone, and continued commercial development in sierra springs and around King’s Heights. “We’re seeing a lot of traction in the creekside area by the sobeys … we’re hoping to see an office building on that side in the next year or so,” says rupert. citylife

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life in the community|cover story

Fast Track On the

Former Olympian goes the distance for Airdrie’s young athletes story by Sarah Deveau | photos by Kristy Reimer

ost Albertans are familiar with the film Cool Runnings, which was inspired by the 1988 Winter Olympics Jamaican bobsled team. In the film, a Jamaican sprinter switches his sport to bobsled in order to qualify for the Olympics. Local Airdrie Aces sprint coach Ricardo Greenidge has heard more than a few jokes comparing his athletic roots to the Jamaican bobsled team in the film. He grew up in the Caribbean playing soccer and cricket before moving to Ottawa when he was just 10. In Canada he was introduced to baseball, basketball and football. “As I got older and determined which sport I was best at, track took the forefront,” says Greenidge. After high school, he earned a spot on the national sprint team, training and competing with Donovan Bailey, Bruny Surin, Glenroy Gilbert and Robert Esmie, to name a few. “I did track from high school until I was about 30,” says Greenidge. “I got to travel, [and] represented Canada at meets throughout the world.”

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In 1992 and 1996 he tried out for the Olympic team, but missed the qualifiers each time. Greenidge competed at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, where he made the semifinals in the 200 metres and was a spare on the 4 x 100 relay team. “It wasn’t happening for me in track, and a friend suggested I try bobsledding,” recalls Greenidge, who moved to Calgary on the friend’s suggestion.“I was a big guy with speed, so I tried it out in 1996 and made the national team. The next year I made the Olympic team. Track was always my first love, so in the summer I would focus on track and that would keep me in shape for bobsledding in the winter.” Greenidge competed in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, as a member of Pierre Lueders’ four-man Canada 1 bobsleigh team. Canada 1 finished ninth in Nagano, but Greenidge took home gold with Lueders in both two-man and four-man World Cup races. Returning home from Japan, Greenidge decided it was time to give up his amateur sports career and focus on the next stage of his life –

Airdrie’s fickle weather is no deterrent for track coach Ricardo Greenidge and son Jalen, 11.

starting a family. He married school teacher Cheryl and was soon father to now 11-year-old son Jalen. For Greenidge, it was important that sport be a part of his son’s life. Jalen’s initial interest was soccer, so his father volunteered as a coach, despite not knowing a lot about the sport. “Then a few years ago I saw a call for anyone who loved track to sign up for the Airdrie Hershey’s. Jalen wanted to try out, and the next thing you know, he was going to provincials,” Greenidge says.“I had to curb my enthusiasm, of course – he was nine! I had to remind myself to take it easy and not get too excited.” Shortly after, Greenidge joined the Airdrie Aces Athletics Club as one of five assistant coaches working under the direction of head coach Jan Lips. “Obviously, given his background, Ricardo comes to us with a great knowledge of track-and-field,” says club president and assistant coach Jodie MatsubaSzucs. “He’s a great asset to us on the field, and off the field, too.” Matsuba-Szucs notes that when the athletes attend meets, having Greenidge by their side is a little like travelling with a celebrity. “At the Edmonton international track classic last June,” she says, “some of our provincial athletes were able to meet and get photos and autographs with Donovan Bailey and Bruny Surin, as Ricardo had raced and trained with these celebrities in the 1990s. The kids were blown away.” “Donovan showed up, and Bruny, and of course I know him from running with him back in the day. The kids were so wide-eyed when I introduced them. They were all very excited,” says Greenidge. As for the place he now calls home, Greenidge recognizes how important sports and athletics are to Airdrie families. “We’re in close proximity to Calgary but we’ve grown so much we have our own great facilities,” he says. “It’s important and it brings the community together. “Going outside is not the same as when I was a boy growing up, so if we can get [children] away from the screens and get out in the fresh air to have fun and do something they love with new friends, they can lose themselves in it the way I used to,” Greenidge adds. “[For] me, I stepped on the track and the rest of the world disappeared. I was at peace when I came to the track. I want to help kids find that experience.” life summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 53

life in the community| extreme sports

“

At first when I was younger I was just addicted to it, I just enjoyed the noise and the power. Now it’s more of a thing where I want to win all the time. I like the feeling of winning.

54 airdrie airdrielife. life.com com || summer summer 2013 2013 54

Eric Goulden shows off his ride, a Big Chief Beef Jerky-sponsored ‘99 Jerry Fritz-built rear-engine dragster.

Speed Demon story and photo by Kurtis Kristianson

Life is a drag for racer Eric Goulden

The interesting aspect of people being passionate for any particular sport, pastime or lifestyle is that they usually make it their own. Like a personality, our passions are very unique and take their form from the sum of experiences and interests that are stamped into our lives as we grow and move through the world. For some it’s a dance class or sport their parents put them into; for others it may be something at which they were a spectator and thought they’d give a try. For 12-year-old Eric Goulden, it was a friend’s 1969 Woody Gilmore front-engine dragster (like the Hot Wheels one we all had as a kid). From time to time, Goulden got to work on the car and eventually he became crew chief. Six years ago, he made the transition from crew chief to driver when he bought his own car, a super-comp rearengine dragster capable of reaching 164 miles per hour and doing the quarter-mile in eight seconds. Today, Goulden works for the City of Airdrie and keeps his passion as a dragster driver separate from his career as a systems administrator. When asked why a lifestyle that he was so passionate about didn’t become his day job, he says it just wasn’t for him. “I think you can have way more passion for it when you enjoy doing it,” Goulden says.“I like the separation; it’s way more fun.” Now dragsters are ultra cool, but what is it that really motivates someone to climb into a 1,600-pound steel rocket that can go from zero to 60 in 1.1 seconds and subject your body to upwards of 4 g? “At first when I was younger I was just addicted to it, I just enjoyed the noise and the power,” Goulden says. “Now it’s more of a thing where I want to win all the time. I like the feeling of winning.” While the systems-administrator-by-day enjoys the adrenaline rush of the actual blast down the track, he especially loves the competition and the community. Listening to him talk about being at a race, it is easy to hear the excitement in his voice, punctuated by the spontaneous laughter. Winning is certainly a primary motivator, but Goulden hasn’t forgotten where his story started. “I really enjoy seeing the kids,” he says. “They’ll come to these cars and they’ve got this great big smile on their face, and I remember myself there and think,‘Wow, this is awesome!’” Goulden is also passionate about the other drivers and their teams.

The racing community as a whole is very supportive and sportsmanlike.“They want to help you if you’re down,” he says,“and if something is broken they will be over in a heartbeat to help you out any time they can.” There is also the question of fear, as it is hard to imagine not having some kind of anxiety driving expensive equipment that travels so fast within such a small envelope of space. Goulden understands this, and with a healthy respect for what it is he is doing he still keeps it all in perspective. “In the event something does happen, obviously I want to make sure [that] not only [I] go home safely but I want to make sure a competitor or friend goes home safe, as well,” he says. “When you’re pulling those kinds of speed, things are going to happen sometimes, but hopefully it doesn’t hurt anyone.” Even though his career as a driver has been relatively short, Goulden managed to make it to Memphis, Tenn., to compete in the IHRA Summit Racing Equipment World Finals last fall by winning Division 6 in Western Canada and the U.S. – a very good claim, considering that racers in Canada only get about five months of actual racing time compared to the 10 months that southern racers enjoy. This year, the local speed demon is again looking to stay consistent enough to make it back down to Memphis and compete with professional racers from all over North America. “Pretty much every year is about looking for the advantage or more consistency from the cars – if it’s parts, I’ll buy the parts; if it’s mental, then I’ll have to be more focused,” he says. As important as focus and training is to Goulden, he still understands that there is more to the preparation before the race. Something that most professionals in any sport who have developed their winning edge know is that when the time and the training have been put in, the rest is about fun. In other words, when properly prepared, being able to then relax or reduce internal stress right before the race is key. “Sometimes [if you’re] a little too focused you become more stressed and if you become too stressed you tend to make more mistakes,” he says.“I try to relax but stay focused.” Goulden’s passion for sport isn’t necessarily unique among motorsports fans, but the fact that he is behind the wheel and has created a lifestyle that revolves around experiencing it from the driver’s seat is certainly his own. life summer 2013 2013 || summer

airdrielife. life.com com 55 55 airdrie

life in the community | volunteers

If I had a hammer I’d hammer in the morning I’d hammer in the evening All over this land I’d hammer out danger I’d hammer out a warning I’d hammer out love between my brothers and my sisters All over this land

Caring story by Ellen Kelly

Photo courtesy of C4C

– words and music by Lee Hays and Pete Seeger

C4C volunteers celebrate a great partnership with their Cambodian counterparts during an April 2013 trip.

How can three guys from Airdrie change the world? A tin roof, an orphanage renovation, a school building in a remote area, camaraderie between cultures – it’s just a start, but for some impoverished communities, Carpenters 4 Cambodia (C4C) has changed their world dramatically. In 2006, C4C founding director Todd Enquist returned from a trip to Cambodia but the people never left him. In 2008, after extensive paperwork and the support of two interested partners, Jamie Moorhouse and Mike Higgins, C4C became a registered charity. While Higgins was replaced as director in 2011 by Bruce Peters, the focus remains on Cambodia because of the need but also, says Enquist,

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“[Because] in a country like Cambodia, you can move mountains with very little monetary input.” Moorhouse, an original signing director, became an active participant when he saw pictures from Enquist’s 2008 trip and thought that if he was going to have his name on C4C, he should be more involved. Then Peters was introduced to C4C by Moorhouse.“The purpose of my first trip was to do something different, help out and go on a bit of an adventure. It was very rewarding,” says Peters, who continues to act as the third director. C4C, which also works with such other humanitarian organizations as For the Love of Children and Sustainable Cambodia, has changed over time. At first Enquist went alone and fixed roofs on individual homes. On the trips that followed, homes, schools and orphanages were renovated. In 2011, six volunteers joined the group. “When we showed

Sergei Belski photo

Carpenters (Left to right) Todd Enquist, Bruce Peters and Jamie Moorhouse have many fond memories of their time in Cambodia.

Most Memorable Experiences Enquist says his most memorable experience is definitely playing sports with the children. “Every time we go we end up in either a soccer game or a volleyball game. Wherever we go we end up playing sports with the kids and it’s a lot of fun.” On one trip, the Canadian group took hockey sticks, goalie pads and masks. “Hockey Night in Cambodia was a blast,” he says. For Moorhouse, a city boy, his responsibility for the “chicken project” stands out as the most memorable, if not the most pleasant, adventure. Although he had no experience with live chickens, it became his job to purchase and deliver them to families. “I’d never touched a chicken in my life, so I was a little freaked out,” he says. Peters recalls taking pictures of the children and how thrilled they were to see themselves captured on the camera. He also remembers a very tiny woman C4C nicknamed Smiley, whose enthusiasm and hard work was overwhelming as she expertly multitasked on a school building project. She is now the teacher at the school she helped to build.

up, there was just dirt and when we left 10 days later, there was a school there,” says Moorhouse. Another time, the group heard about a community living in a ditch between the road and the rice fields.“They all wanted tin for their roofs, because they all had straw roofs and it rains for six months of the year,” Moorhouse says. As a result, C4C bought enough tin so everyone in the community could have a tin roof. On site, the local community and C4C share skills to complete projects.“It usually ends up being a hybrid,” says Enquist.“We learn from them, they learn from us, and at the end of the day we all have a beer and it’s a good life.” Following C4C’s mission statement – to improve the lives of orphans and children of poor families, through the building and repair of schools, orphanages and housing – the organization has restored buildings, donated

computers, distributed school supplies and sporting equipment, built schools and more. At home C4C members have spoken to students about Cambodian culture and child poverty around the world. “If you can improve the education level of the next generation, they will be one step further along and the hope is that it will improve with each generation,” says Peters. Most difficult, says Moorhouse, is finding a project that meets the requirements of the Canada Revenue Agency Charities Directorate, which is responsible for registering Canadian charities. The directorate lays out the rules as to what is and is not considered charitable, he adds, and also ensures funds are being used for charitable purposes. For C4C, the purpose of the most recent trip in April 2013 was to connect with groups in Cambodia and determine future endeavours. There is also a language barrier but with the help of the same tuk tuk (local transportation) driver – who not only quickly and efficiently transports them from place to place, but also watches over their business transactions – C4C avoids misunderstandings. (C4C currently sponsors his English lessons.) Future plans include two remote schools and eventually a community centre that would support a classroom, a medical centre and a learning centre to teach the community about solar panels and water filtration and encourage self-sufficiency. C4C’s annual major fundraiser, Comedy 4 Cambodia, is held each November. A silent auction proved so popular the first time around, with strong support from local businesses, that Moorhouse and his colleagues plan to include another silent auction this year. “This time we brought tablecloths, scarves, bracelets … home so we actually have some Cambodian stuff,” Moorhouse says. “[Organizing the event] is a lot of work for three guys who have jobs,” he adds,“but without it we don’t have any money.” And the group is more than grateful for the support that has allowed C4C to evolve and continue to make a difference in the lives of others. “We feel very fortunate that Airdrie has supported us so we could move from one guy fixing roofs to building a whole school,” Moorhouse says. “Without Airdrie coming out to support us we just wouldn’t be able to do that.” life summer 2013 |

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life in the community | fundraising

The Running For some, football is a sport to die for, especially for the reanimated. This summer, many are dying to get into the action, as uniformed undead are planning to provide 110 yards of terror during the Airdrie Zombie Cup – a unique event with all proceeds going to Airdrie Food Bank. Shambling into the second annual game, organizer Shawnee Hoffman is taking a bite out of the popular walking-dead genre while combining rotten flesh with Canada’s favourite three-down sport. “Everybody loves football – let’s just zombie up the players!” says Hoffman, who is co-ordinating the July 20 event at Genesis Place. “I didn’t realize how popular the zombie community was, and how many people really like it.” Although the decaying flesh is simulated, the action isn’t. Hoffman – who sponsors the event through her Artsy Fartsy Faces Body Art & More business – is corralling a not-so-fresh group of 14 to 20 players to don jerseys for this lifeless flag football game. Decomposing the game from the ground up, deadhead players will face off against each other as the Rough Biters and Stump Eaters. “Our biggest rivalries are the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the (Calgary) Stampeders. We just changed the name, but used the biggest rivalry to get people to come and play,” says Hoffman. Apart from referees keeping a close watch for severed limbs and biting, the regulations are the same as any flag football game, with play stoppage only for scores and the odd bone separation. Hoffman is looking to attract around 30 co-ed players, aged 18 and over, and is expecting a few live media personalities and politicians to take the field including Mayor Peter Brown and MLA Rob Anderson. After the non-traditional, game-starting zombie head flip (replacing a coin flip) players may shuffle to and from the bench, but when on the gridiron, the dead chase the ball as if it’s a fresh plate of brains. “When on the bench they sit there and pretend to be all groggy and zombielike, but when they get on the field they actually have to play the game,” Hoffman says. Although the players may not be feeling any pain, some of the less athletic could be close to dead-tired by the end of the contest. “Oh yeah, they’re huffing and puffing and out of breath,” adds Hoffman.“It is a zombie twist on a football game, so we’re not meant to be too serious. But the players are playing for a loot bag this year (from local businesses).” Makeup specialist Hoffman, who has been involved in several zombie walks and other dead-end events, says that several artists will be on hand to make the

58 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

Dead

Zombie football gives the game more ... life story anD photo by Carl patZEl

walking dead look realistic, complete with pale, bruised and latex-textured skin, sunken eyes and plenty of dark red blood. “We make them look like they’re really falling apart and really dead. Some even add a bone sticking out or some major lacerations,” says Hoffman, who also encourages players, fans and kids to join the horde with their own zombie makeup. Ironically, the lumbering infected have brought more life to Airdrie’s event community with recent The Walking Dead parties and a zombie-themed haunted house. The Zombie Cup – complete with a Little Zombie Zone for children, plus vendors, raffle prizes and a Bloody Mary who can paint splatter those wishing to join the brain-craving fun – may just promote more after-life gatherings. “The community is really into the zombies right now. I’ve even had parents say, ‘What do you have for the kids?’” Hoffman says.“People in Airdrie don’t always have to go to Calgary; we have almost everything we need here. Why not have a few more of these fun events?” Let the apocalypse begin. life summer 2013 |

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life in the community | heritage

All’s Fair …

in love and horticulture

Story by Alex Frazer-Harrison | photo by Sergei Belski

irdrie enjoys the best of both worlds – urban and rural – and nowhere is this more evident than during the annual Fall Fair – Horticulture & Bench Show. Marking its 50th anniversary this year, the event celebrates the tradition of people showcasing their skills in handicrafts, baking, flower and vegetable cultivation, fine arts and other disciplines. “The fair was started in 1963 by the Nose Creek Community Club in Balzac, and it was initially held in Balzac,” says Brenda Moon, president of the Airdrie & District Agricultural Society, which now hosts the event.“I’m told those early fall fairs were huge, because in addition to the kinds of things we profile now, they also judged hay and grain, and they needed lots of room.” By 1976, the fair had relocated to the Plainsmen Arena in Airdrie, recalls board member Ken Reid.“The Ag Society built the arena and in those days if you got government funding for something like that, you had to put on four agricultural events a year,” Reid says.“And there used to be more farm stuff like hay and grain, but that sort of died off. It’s more of a crafts and that kind of show now.” One longtime supporter of the fair is Bernice Price of Crossfield, who has a large collection of ribbons – including first-place and Grand Aggregate prizes – that

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she won between the 1960s and 1989, when she retired from entering. Price became a judge in 1990 instead and has continued to participate that way. “It’s the friendships and the challenges, I guess,” she says when asked what has held her interest all this time. Price took part in several competitions: “Baking, handicrafts, and I even put half a bale of hay in there once to show the men I could do it,” she says.“I also crocheted a lot and did embroidery.” One year, she even found herself competing against her daughter for the overall (Grand Aggregate) award. “I beat her by one point … but I walked through the fair that day to see if I could find that extra point [for her, because] I really wanted to see her win,” says Price. The fair has remained a steady part of Airdrie life for half a century.“It holds its own – and I hope it keeps going past the 50th,” Reid says.“I think there’s a core group that comes every year … and there are always a few new people joining in every year. But you see people that you only see once a year [at the fair]; you don’t see them an where else.” Moon hopes for as many as 600 entries in 2013 (last year, there were 89 exhibitors and 575 exhibits).“We really want to get the word out a bit more, and we really want to up our entries this year for our 50th anniversary,” she says.

“It’s the friendships and the challenges, I guess ... baking, handicrafts … and I even put half a bale of hay in there once to show the men I could do it.” A 50-year supporter of the Fall Fair, Bernice Price has a lot to show for her work, from baking to handicrafts.

Highlights for 2013 include gold-themed classes such as baking; a new gluten-free baking section; a spray art section; and a celebrity cakedecorating contest. “We’ve invited a number of celebrities [for the contest], including the mayor and MLA Rob Anderson,” Moon says. “They’ll decorate a cake for an hour and then we’ll auction it off at the end, and all the funds will

go to Airdrie Food Bank.” Other donations for the food bank will also be accepted and all entrants are being asked to donate, as well. Judging takes place Aug. 17, with the fair open to the public Aug. 18 at Genesis Place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with prizes awarded at 3 p.m. life For more information, visit airdrieagsociety.com/events/fall-fair

summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 61

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home life at 66 Staying Sharp

72 neighbourly 74 Well-Designed

life at home|rooms

story and photos by Carl Patzel

ost mothers would reprimand their sons for spray-painting graffiti across a bedroom wall. Breaking that mould, Michelle Kruger not only encouraged the street-art scribbling, but went to great lengths to find a talented artist who could transform a tween’s dreams into a room-encompassing mural. “I talked initially to my brother who works for the city police in Calgary. They arrest a whole bunch of kids like that, but he’s like, ‘We can’t really give out names,’” chuckles Kruger. “That was probably not a good idea.” Eventually the gift-giving mom used other means to find a local artist able to produce a birthday present fresco for her 12-year-old son, Alex Tyssen. Kruger was seeking an authentic representation of her son’s likes, the type of art depicted in the street-art graffiti style most of us see illustrated on sides of buildings or passing train cars. “I started searching graffiti [artwork], thinking I’d try and do it myself. But [I soon] forgot about that,” laughs Kruger. “The whole point of doing the room was to entice kids to come over here. You want to keep an eye on them and make them feel comfortable.”

Aero

64 airdrielife.com | summer 2013

d e r

C t e

e r t S r a l o s

i m o o dr

b s n r u tt

e t a m ti to ul

ne o z s boy’

alex Kruger has the ultracool room of his dreams, thanks to the imagination of artist Zach abbott (below left).

Reaching out to local skateboard and bike shops, Kruger came across the name of local graffiti street artist zach Abbott. A few consultations later, the duo came up with a design depicting BMX bikes, riders and skulls all connected by a woven bike chain. “zach wanted to get a feel for what Alexander liked. I just threw stuff out there: he likes skulls, skate park, BMX,” says Kruger, who left the rest up to the artist. “[It] sounds like he actually did some research and went to the bike shop to pick their brains.” For Abbott, the hefty challenge wasn’t as grand as some previous projects. The 23-year-old aerosol artist co-produced the large and colourful Miller Mural which adorns First Avenue, as well as another large effort at the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie. “With the scale of that one I just got an appetite for the larger stuff. So I welcomed this three-wall piece with open arms,” says Abbott, who takes a different approach to large-scale art. “You can’t really draw it out that large. There’s no sketch book that size,” he says. “You have to extrapolate from the pages of the notebook to the wall. There’s a bit of a gap there and that’s some of the challenge.” Dabbling with other mediums, including metal fabrication and sculpture, Abbott works mainly in the aerosol genre, which provided a few extra ventilation and covering challenges for this indoor canvas. “Bringing the aerosol into the basement was a bit tricky. I’m glad that’s how [Michelle] wanted to do it, go all cans,” Abbott says. “I like the canvas and really like cans and the way aerosol works with acrylic. That’s really my niche, that mixed medium.” Kruger was impressed with Abbott during the converted bedroom project and with the final result. She’s already planning another indoor painting project for her daughter’s room. “I was really blown away. [zach] is genuine and passionate about his art,” says Kruger. “I think Alex was just blown away. It was more than what he thought it would ever be.” Surrounded by foosball table, couch, tables, fireplace and larger-than-life name plastered across the wall above his bed, Alex was ready with the ultimate praise for his mini man cave. “I was really surprised. I wasn’t expecting that. My friends have seen it and they said it was pretty cool,” says Alex, who doesn’t mind being sent to his room now. life

“I think Alex was just blown away. It was more than what he thought it would ever be.” summer 2013 |

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life at home | gadgets LET ME GET RIGHT TO THE POINT: chefs are only as sharp as their knives. Of course, cooking skill plays an incredibly important role in what makes it to the dinner table successfully, but as with a long scenic drive, getting there is half the fun. Tools are essential to the preparation process, and it all starts with the cook’s knife set. There are a variety of sharp instruments for every application, from vegetables to proteins, from breads to cheeses. The country loaf knife – along with its larger eight- to 12-inch cousins, the sharpened spatula, serrated bread knife and granton slicing tool (with hollowed-out grooves) – works on pastries, cakes and breads. These giants also take the cake when spreading icing on that specialoccasion dessert, or if you choose to take on a tough assignment like flipping a pancake. (Quick tip: Practising while alone in the kitchen is recommended before tossing batter in front of the Sunday family breakfast clan.) Other blades, such as the long, slender fillet knife, are perfect for fish and meats, while the cleaver or Chinese chopper is useful in splitting ribs and whole chickens, bones or frozen foods. If you can master this big monster it could scoop up much of your kitchen labour. Specialty daggers, such as the fork-tipped tomato variety, are also available for cheese, decorating, vegetables and general peeling and paring. If your wrist can handle the much thicker, heavier chef ’s knife, this versatile and popular tool can replace many of the aforementioned models. A workhorse in the cooking world, the chef ’s knife can be used both for chopping and slicing and is wide enough to scoop up the remains. Combine this with the slim, fine three- or four-inch paring knife – a must for all fruits and vegetables – and you have a recipe for success. Pricewise, knife sets can vary from the low double digits to upwards of $200 to $300 for a specialized chef-and-paring-knife combination. Many, like the set for cutting up produce in my kitchen, are adorned with Japanese symbols and resemble a multi-folded Samurai sword. Admittedly the Santoku and smaller paring blades add a touch of flare to my knifewielding skills and imaginary persona of last Samurai chef. Along with a wood or bamboo cutting board and proper cutting technique – curling the non-knife hand in a claw grip and not extending your digits, essential when cutting close to the fingernails – a great knife set can add spice to any cooking routine, as well as saving time and bandages. life

Staying Sharp story anD photos by Carl patZEl

The knife is king of the kitchen

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life at home | column

Everything

lifestyles

with tina McMiLLan, MiLLan, C.i.D.

ummer brings with it images of bold, brilliant and confident colour found in nature as well as in fashion. For this reason, summer is the easiest season to work with in terms of finding home decor inspiration, since the main focus is to bring the outdoors in. Our biggest challenge is how to make the most out of the few months we are given due to our diverse Alberta climate. With emerald green being the colour of the year, we can expect other intrepid hues emerging that are equally daring and appropriate for summer home decorating. Consider orange, purple, raspberry, fuchsia, royal blue and yellow. Here are some tips I have found for brightening up your home effortlessly and inexpensively.

Recycled meets vintage

DENIM – This classic, comfortable and durable fabric adds softness and a welcome feeling to any room. Sew together old pairs of jeans to make placemats, table runners, pillow covers or even a cover for your pet’s bed. Use fabric paint to add whimsical flowers, polka dots or chevrons. LINEN – Light and airy, linen is synonymous with hot weather. Dig out those old tablecloths that you haven’t used since you can’t remember when, and turn them into slipcovers to dress up those patio chairs.

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‘bold’

is new again

Darwin-inspired botanical prints Create your own artwork by framing pictures of your favourite botanical prints from magazines, fabric swatches and even wallpaper. You can spray paint the frames with many types of metallic finishes, or incorporate emerald green, which will complement the natural theme. Don’t feel limited to just hanging these indoors!

Speaking of art deco…. With the earlier release of the movie The Great Gatsby, the influence of the 1920s-era organic style is still apparent and easy to imitate. Simply add touches of white and gold to your table settings, toss cushions and bedding to create that glamorous sensation. Think luxury, opulence and texture to appeal to each of the five senses. Ultimately, your home should be an expression of you and not the latest trend. Who can afford that? Remember that colour is your friend, if used wisely. – Tina McMillan (aka the Decorating Diva) is a local interior designer, mother of two and wife of one

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life at home | column

It’s not just garages and man caves BoYS BUYinG

lifemoves

with MiCheLLe Carre

I know that when I show houses to you guys, the first place you want to see is the garage. You want to see if your truck is going to fit or if you have room for all of your toys or a workbench. That’s fair, but I also want you to consider what the house has to offer in terms of resale. It can’t be all about the garage and man caves. The kitchen is important because it’s the heart of the home. Some of you guys are amazing chefs, too (like my hubby Matt and our bestie Clark), so

you also appreciate a great kitchen. While you may be checking out the stove, access to the barbecue and its fuel source, you also want to check out the storage and counter space. Ladies, if you and your man are both on the house hunt you have to understand that you will have different priorities. Chat about what is important to each of you beforehand and then you can help each other find something you both want.

BoYS SeLLinG

ERING

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If you are in a relationship and your partner is going around your home cleaning like the Tasmanian devil, please understand it’s because she wants your home to look its best when buyers are coming through. You can help by doing your best to keep things tidy and put away. If you are single you may want to call in the lady troops to help you with the special touches. After you get your place spotless you need to add finishing touches to bring it all together. Your bedspread askew and one floppy pillow just won’t do. You may hate them, but a couple of decorative pillows can go a long way. Instead of one towel haphazardly thrown over the towel bar, try a few fluffy towels rolled up in a basket or folded nicely on the towel bar. Ask the girls to be honest about the scent, too. Let’s face it, boy houses smell different from girl houses and the scent of a home can really affect buyers. Open some windows to let the fresh air through, put fresh flowers on the table or light a candle. Don’t overdo it but do make things fresh. (Did I mention fresh?) When you are buying or selling your biggest investment, it’s always nice to have advice or input from someone you trust. Your Realtor should be one of those people and the ladies in your life can be the others. Sometimes a female perspective is all you need. life – Michelle Carre is a Realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in Airdrie

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On your doorstep August 29 2013

The ARTS Issue Everything you wanted to know (and didn’t realize) Airdrie has going on. Apparently we are becoming quite cultured!

first time homebuyers: KNOW BETTER THAN TO SPEND $6 ON COFFEE? GET ON OVER TO ON THE DOUBLE DOUBLE Very close to Tim’s, Genesis Centre, CrossIron Mills. Condos in Airdrie from the $160,000s. Big kitchens, high ceilings, and heated underground parking. Show suite now open at 604 East Lake Blvd NE. The Edge. Big life. Great value.

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life at home|neighbourhood

Wander through Woodside story by Sarah Deveau | photo by Carl Patzel

Ryan Vastenhout shares a moment with children Amellia, 3, and Zane, 5.

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ne of Airdrie’s more serene neighbourhoods also happens to be one of its oldest. Woodside, in the city’s central west area, predominately features larger, older homes set back from the street on spacious lots, and is popular with longtime Airdrie residents and those wanting to live in an established area. Bordered by Eighth Street on the east and Veterans Boulevard on the north, it’s flanked by the neighbourhoods of Fairways and the Canals. It’s also home to two schools, a senior’s complex with street level retail and several services close by. Many Airdronians are familiar with the neighbourhood because it’s home to Woodside Golf Course, a beautiful 18-hole course built in 1989. Even if you haven’t hit the links here, you’ve probably dined at The Woods for a quick lunch, enjoyed a nice evening meal or attended one of the dozens of events hosted annually at this venue. Although not a serious golfer, Ryan Vastenhout appreciates the fact that he can pop over to the course in under a minute to hit a bucket of balls after work. “I’m only just picking it up again now that it’s so close,” he laughs. Vastenhout moved to Woodside with his parents and brother Aaron in the middle of high school, moving out after college graduation to work in Red Deer. When he returned to Airdrie he initially bought a home in a different neighbourhood. When he decided to move again, going back to Woodside was a no-brainer. “My parents are moving to British Columbia and turning their vacation home into their permanent residence, so Aaron and I decided to purchase their house,” he explains. Vastenhout credits his positive memories of the neighbourhood – including lively block parties and the open, friendly residents – as key reasons for making the move back to Woodside. “I really like the community – people know each other, they wave and say hi and chat in their driveways,” he says. “I love the park on the east side of Woodside – I take my kids there often and they love it.” The park, empty more often than not a few years ago, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity as more families with small children move into the community. “It’s just a great community to raise kids in,” says Vastenhout. life

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life at home | housing options

Carolina Homes’ D’Arcy Paladeau takes pride in his company’s unique and stylish homes.

Chinook Crossing story by Sarah Deveau Photo by Sergei Belski

Condo living is a breeze

igger isn’t always better – at least, that’s what the many happy residents of condo complexes throughout Airdrie are saying. While many people see owning a large, detached home as a symbol of their success, others are perfectly happy with the smaller, hassle-free homes available through condominium living. A condominium is a form of property ownership in which buyers purchase their specific units, as well as becoming joint owners on the common property with the other unit owners. Condos come in all shapes and sizes, from apartment-style to townhouse or duplex. One of Airdrie’s newest additions to the condo market is located in Prairie Springs, within easy walking distance of the popular Chinook Winds Regional Park. Chinook Crossing by Carolina Homes is situated on six acres of land with 14 individual free-standing home sites, incorporating 160 total individual homes. “A great deal of care and attention went into creating a complex that’s unique from how condos have been traditionally built,” explains D’Arcy Paladeau, Carolina Homes area sales and marketing manager. “We’ve carefully considered even small details like roof lines and sight lines within the development to help make Chinook Crossing unique, and not just another row upon row of cookie-cutter buildings, and we’ve placed the

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buildings in such a way that you aren’t going to be looking out your window into your neighbour’s home.” Paladeau points out that over a period of two years Carolina Homes worked on Chinook Crossing in partnership with the company’s architects to create stylish interior and exterior designs. “Our four individually distinct building styles and many different colour schemes are testament to what sets us apart from any other condominium developer,” he says. “Our southwest location is second to none, boasting unparalleled views of Airdrie’s premier Chinook Winds Regional Park featuring water and skateboard parks, pathways and tobogganing hill and other multiuse facilities as well as one of Airdrie’s largest water ponds.” Each condo has an individual, private outside entrance, which Paladeau says eliminates the need for costly maintenance of communal spaces such as hallways and entryways. Parking spaces are titled and assigned, and the exterior of the building was constructed using maintenance-free materials and design principles. Maintenance-free living at a great price in a well-designed neighbourhood? Chinook Crossing is a welcome addition to Airdrie’s multifamily living choices. life

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summer 2013 |

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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

WILLIAMSTOWN

REUNION

Heron Pointe at Reunion featuring W

McKee Homes and Sabal

BRIDGES AT WILLIAMSTOWN

VETERANS BV NW

Bayside featuring Genesis Builders and McKee Homes

VETERANS BV NE

WOODSIDE GOLF COURSE

Williamstown featuring Vesta Homes

Canals Landing – featuring Genesis

TOWN AND COUNTRY CENTRE

Builders and McKee Homes

1 AVE NW

Windsong by Mattamy

BETHANY CARE CENTRE

LA KE

CREEKSIDE VILLAGE

CITY HALL

T LA K E RD NE

Cooper’s Crossing featuring Harder Homes and McKee Homes

THE EDGE

CANALS LANDING

GENESIS PLACE

Estates at Cooper’s Crossing featuring Harder Homes

Hillcrest featuring Shane Homes

S N ST MAI

BAYSIDE

RE E

ID YS BA

King’s Heights featuring McKee Homes, ReidBuilt Homes and Shane Homes

E DR

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

YANKEE VALLEY BV SE YANKEE VALLEY BV SW

RAVENSWOOD

WATERSCAPE

KINGS

CHINOOK CROSSING

COOPER’S CROSSING

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BAYSIDE

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ESTATES AT COOPER’S WINDSONG CROSSING

R SD

KING’S HEIGHTS

Multi-Family Projects Bridges at Williamstown Creekside Village

SOVEREIGN COURT

Bayside featuring Genesis Builders and Sovereign Homes Chinook Crossing Waterscape by Vesta

HILLCREST

Gardenwalk featuring Creations by Gardenwalk in King’s Heights

TWP RD 264 SW

Single-Family Homes

Sovereign Court featuring Emerald

Townhomes

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Shane Homes

Condos

New Homes

The Edge

life at home | showhomes

Tranquil living by the waterfront

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in Bayside

McKee Homes

Genesis Builders

Masterfully crafted by Genesis Land Development Corp., Bayside flows alongside six kilometres of canals, with numerous parks, walking and bike paths and a five-acre lake.

A fabulous lineup of homes designed around a maritime theme borrows elements from such styles as arts-and-crafts, so Baysideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s homes reflect the look and feel of a seaside resort.

The canals are an attractive amenity where people can canoe or kayak in the summer and skate in the winter.

This beautiful, laid-back community with a small-town feel appeals to a wide range of buyers, from young families to retirees to those looking for luxury.

Coco Homes summer 2013 |

airdrielife.com 79

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airdrielife.com 81

life at work | column

Chamber celebrates milestone

businesslife

WITH KENT RUPERT

irdrie Economic Development was pleased to celebrate with the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce in May as it marks 40 years in Airdrie. Forty years is a significant milestone for any organization and the Chamber should be very proud of its long and strong history. I know the City of Airdrie is proud of its long-term and ongoing partnership with the Chamber’s board, staff and members. In 1973, when the Chamber was born, Airdrie’s population was about 1,200. In that time, we’ve grown from a town to a city of 45,711. Our business community has grown from those providing basic essential services on a small main street to an array of businesses in every quadrant of our 33 square kilometres, offering everything from holistic healers to head offices. It’s very impressive that there are still business leaders in Airdrie today who were original or early members (and leaders) of the Chamber – Hugh Hamilton of Airdrie Registry and Dick Buchanan of Air-Alta Insurance, to name just two. These gentlemen are still active in the Airdrie business community. The organization has also earned provincial recognition, winning the Chamber of the Year in 2005 and Executive Director of the Year (Lorna Hunt) in 2007. One of its past presidents, Tim Bolton, also sat as chairman of the Alberta Chamber of Commerce in 2011-12. Growing alongside the Chamber in the past four decades are the many other associations, programs and partnerships that make the Airdrie business community a vibrant place to be. Over the years I’ve watched many new groups of businesspeople come together. Airdrie Women in Business Association, Downtown Business Association, numerous networking groups and Airdrie Business Resource Partnership are just a few. What’s common among all these groups is a sense of camaraderie, community pride and commitment to make their own businesses – and others’ businesses – successful. What’s also common is the vision and strong leadership that emerges from the business community to make these organizations and initiatives happen. Our Business Satisfaction Survey found that 89 per cent of Airdrie businesses say this is a good, very good or excellent place to do business. There’s no doubt in my mind that a large contributor to this satisfaction is the support businesses receive from peers, partners and colleagues here. For businesses not involved in the Chamber or any other local groups, I encourage you to take a look at what’s available – visit our website at airdrienow.ca for a list. There is a strong entrepreneurial spirit in Airdrie – there are more than 900 home-based businesses here – and support is around every corner. Even though Airdrie has grown to a mid-size city with approximately 1,800 businesses, a common thing we hear from enterprises large and small is that they appreciate the ‘close-knit feel’ of the local business community. And I believe that is what has made Airdrie such a great place to do business. Congratulations to the Airdrie Chamber of Commerce on its 40th year and to all of the other individuals and companies involved in organizations that help make Airdrie great. – Kent Rupert is team leader with Airdrie Economic Development

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life at work | mentorship

If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now by JoDiE ECKErt, on behalf of the airdrie Entrepreneurship program

Do you know a thing or two about running a business? If so, we need you!

itting on the back deck, reminiscing with friends about challenges we’ve met in life, can trigger an if-only-I-knew-thenwhat-I-know-now conversation. While the experiences gained are invaluable, sometimes we admit it would have been nice to avoid learning

the hard way. The same applies to business owners. Maybe they wouldn’t have relocated so quickly if they had known parking would be an issue. Perhaps an expansion would have been delayed until all the costs were identified. Many seasoned entrepreneurs agree that discussing trials and tribulations with someone who’s gone down the business path before them has been key to their ongoing success. It’s also true that successful business owners are happy to give back to the entrepreneurial community by sharing their expertise – yet many start-up operations don’t always know where to turn for help. That’s about to change here in Airdrie. A new training opportunity is under development and mentors will be needed. If you run your own business and know a thing or two about how to avoid falling in the ditch, your services are in demand! What is a mentor? Sometimes it is easier to talk about what a mentor is not. A mentor is not there to tell someone what to do, rescue a floundering business or dictate steps to take. A good mentor will listen, ask questions to clarify the situation and help guide the new business owner to come up with a possible solution or alternatives. Mentoring is really not that different from other volunteer opportunities. It comes from a desire to contribute to the community, as well as sharing and developing personal strengths. According to the City of Airdrie 2013 Business Satisfaction Survey, 25 per cent of home-based businesses in our city want to grow and relocate out of their homes. As well, 70 per cent of our storefront (commercial/industrial) businesses expect the demand for their products and services to grow over the next year. Kicking it up a business notch brings ample opportunities for success and, unfortunately, failure. By offering a mentor to help guide them through goal-setting and planning, we can help set these growing businesses up for success. Watch for more information about this initiative – aimed at using the amazing talents of our business community – to keep Airdrie the best place to live and work. And in the meantime, do some reminiscing of your own. What words of advice were most helpful to you when you first started up? life

Share your experience. Share your knowledge. Become a business mentor. New Airdrie business training program coming 2014

For more information www.abrponline.com summer 2013 |

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life at work | manufacturing fun

Airdrie entrepreneur paddles to success story by sarah DEVEau photo by sErGEi bElsKi

Up the Creek avid kayaker nolin Veillard has taken his product to such exotic places as lake titicaca in bolivia.

n accountant from landlocked Airdrie is the last person you might expect to be running a performance kayak business. But in the Sierra Springs business park, an unassuming industrial bay is home to TRAK Kayaks, where CEO Nolin Veillard is conquering the kayaking world one foldable kayak at a time. And no, that’s not a typo. These high-performance kayaks, praised by adventure magazines across North America, fold up small enough to fit into a rolling hockey bag and set up in just 10 minutes or less. They’re ideal for anyone short on space or interested in taking their own kayak with them when travelling. “The idea of a folding, high-performance kayak was actually conceived in the 1990s in Northern Saskatchewan,” says Veillard. “In 2005

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we moved the startup venture to Calgary, and the first products hit the market in 2007. “I became involved in 2004, during the concept stage, because it was a business and product I was passionate about, and I felt there was a great deal of potential for this venture,” he adds.“I live in Airdrie and preferred to run the business locally, so I moved the TRAK facility from Calgary to Airdrie in 2010.” Veillard’s company produces the TRAK T-1600, touted as being the most versatile kayak on the planet. “It’s a touring kayak that can be paddled on the ocean, flat water or rivers because of its Tri-active Performance System,” explains Veillard. “There are three self-contained hydraulic jacks that drive pressure from the frame into the skin, giv-

“

When you are actively fulfilling your dreams, that’s life unleashed ... We hope our kayaks can be part of people’s ‘life unleashed’ moments.

ing it the rigidity necessary for performance. It also allows the kayaker to change the shape of the hull to adapt to different conditions or paddling preferences.” While TRAK kayaks were highly praised from the beginning, it wasn’t until Veillard re-engineered the entire business model that the business really took off. “The product used to come in around a $5,000 price point,” he says, “but we knew that to be competitive and to get the volume moving that we needed to get the retail price down under $3,500.” To that end, Veillard reverse-engineered the pricing process and cost structure and ended up moving production to the Philippines, where the parts are made in the same factory as some of Mountain Equipment Co-op’s products. Veillard is also a savvy marketer, and his work in social media and with diehard enthusiasts has paid off. The company’s Facebook page features videos from kayakers around the world using the TRAK T-1600, and TRAK’s YouTube channel videos have amassed tens of thousands of views. Because of this, and positive press and customer reviews, orders pour in from dealers as far away as Australia and Great Britain.

”

“My wife and I have been avid hikers and backpackers for many years,” says local Realtor Keith Braun. “After a two-week paddle in the Queen Charlottes in 2005, we were sold on sea kayaking.” The couple researched folding kayaks extensively before purchasing two TRAK kayaks. “Our criteria included exceptional performance, quick assembly, compatibility, durability and comfort,” Braun says.“It didn’t take long to choose TRAK, and since then we’ve paddled countless west coast trips, local lakes and rivers, and travelled with them internationally. “People are really amazed when we assemble a fully functioning 16foot performance kayak in five to seven minutes and paddle off for another adventure!” he adds.“We call it getting ‘unplugged’ from the rat race we live in.” Veillard is thrilled when he hears the stories from happy customers about the adventures they have taken with their TRAK kayaks. “We talk a lot about the concept of ‘life unleashed’ and what that means,” he says. “When you are actively fulfilling your dreams, that’s life unleashed … it is most simply the experience of being fully alive. We hope our kayaks can be part of people’s‘life unleashed’ moments.” life

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life at work | retail therapy

Rolling story by alEx FraZEr-harrison photos by sErGEi bElsKi

in the

orget Police Chief Brody, Capt. Quint or the nerdy guy with the glasses – as far as young Darrin Barker was concerned, the real hero of the classic film Jaws was the shark. So much so, that good old “Brucie” inspired a lifelong passion. “I was definitely on the shark’s side. I literally cried when the shark died,” says Barker in the showroom of LeisureDive Canada Inc., a business he started in Airdrie to provide equipment and educational opportunities for those who love to strap on a tank, sink beneath the waves and explore. “I started diving back in the late ’70s,” says Calgary-born Barker.“I saw Jaws and I told my mom I wanted to be a scuba diver, to actually save the sharks. I came from a very poor family, so she saved up all her money and I came home one day and she said, ‘All the equipment is in the living room – you start lessons tonight!’ And I’ve been doing it ever since.” Barker has gone on to become one of Canada’s most-accredited diving instructors, and opened LeisureDive in Airdrie after running another store in Calgary that he left in order to help his family through medical issues involving his daughter. Landlocked Airdrie isn’t the first place you’d think of for locating a store that sells and repairs scuba equipment. “My wife and I wanted to live in a community close to Calgary, but [without] the hustle and bustle,” Barker says.“When I first mentioned Airdrie, she didn’t like the idea, but now she wouldn’t leave here if her life depended on it!”

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Deep

The majority of Barker’s business comes from outlying areas and local customers, and he can often be found in the pool at Genesis Place, giving lessons. “A lot of the training is self-study, because people are very busy nowadays,” he says.“So we developed a system where they do the home-study portion of the course and then they come in, we verify they’ve gone through the information and we take them into the pool. The day and age of sitting in a classroom for 20 hours is done and gone.” Barker says that while he can work with children as young as 10 if they’re strong enough, 12 to 14 is the ideal age for youngsters to start learning how to dive (he was 14 when he started). “I do get a lot of people who want to take scuba diving to get over the fear of water – but it’s not something I’d recommend to take to get over your fear! There’s a lot of different rules and safety aspects – physics and physiology – involved,” he says. “But those [who] really love it – the passion just goes and goes. “There is a definite difference between your one-time vacation diver and your all-the-time diver,” he adds. “I can tell within the first half-hour or 45 minutes of having someone in the water if they have the passion, or if they’re just doing it for the sake of doing it. But I love teaching people how to dive.” Barker also services equipment and specializes in a lot of the older gear.“If it’s meant to go underwater, I can fix it,” he says.“It’s not just about teaching; it’s about maintaining the life-support equipment, too.”

Dive shop gets into deep water … for fun and profit That extends to Barker using his skills to help keep the Calgary Fire Department’s water rescue equipment in top condition. He says that the equipment used by today’s divers would have looked like science fiction back in the Jaws era. “The biggest thing for me would be the safety aspect of dive computers now,” he says. “Back when I started diving … we were using dive tables and planning dives that way. Now it’s a world of computers – depth, time, time remaining; it’s all done digitally. It’s so developed from where it was even five years ago. Basically, there’s an app for that now. “And scuba diving is relatively new,” he adds. “It’s only been around since about 1943.”

So where does Barker like to dive? “My favourite place is the west coast of Vancouver Island, as well as the (inland) caves in Florida,” he says. “You can take the same dive 10 times, 20 times, and it’s always different, because nothing remains the same – there are different animals, different fish, different visibility, different temperatures. No dive you do is the same every time.” For Barker, going beneath the waves is literally an escape into another world. “I call it my Zen,” he says. “There’s no talking, there’s no horns honking, no tick-tick-tick of a clock. Time stands still, yet it flies by when you’re down there. The only sound you hear is the bubbles and, before you know it, an hour’s gone by.” life

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life at work | dream jobs

Chuck macpherson (shown) and barry Voltner, owners of airdrie’s two Guys hunting Warehouse, have hunted together almost all their lives.

Right

story by alEx FraZEr-harrison photo by Kurtis Kristianson

on Target A

ll it took was two guys and a love of hunting to create another Alberta business success story. Originally established by partners Chuck MacPherson and Barry Voltner four years ago on an acreage near Onoway, west of Edmonton, Two Guys Hunting Warehouse opened its Airdrie shop in May 2012. That suited MacPherson just fine, since he lives here. “Barry and I are both friends and we hunted together lots – we have been hunting all our lives,” says MacPherson. “There were some product lines we were interested in purchasing as retailers, so we approached manufacturers about bringing them into Canada.” After hooking up with companies such as hunting and archery apparel and accessories provider Sitka Gear, the partners found there was demand for high-quality clothing and tools for those craving the hunting and wilderness experience. “With Sitka, for example, their focus is you’re not just buying a pair of pants and a jacket, you’re buying gear that will work for you,” says MacPherson.

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Hunters work a hunch and make Airdrie home Over the last four years, Two Guys has expanded its product lines to include ice-fishing gear, skinning knives, spotting scopes, range finders, tree stands – and even trail cameras. Trail cameras are designed to be set up in the bush to help scout animal locations, MacPherson explains, but he adds that the gadgets don’t always track game.“A big part of our business is security, so companies are buying these cameras and using them for security,” he says. Two Guys also began sponsoring hunting- and fishing-related TV programs, such as The Hunting Chronicles and Outdoor Obsession, both of which air on the Wild TV cable network. “[Hunting’s popularity] tapered off for a little while, but in the last few years it’s been on the incline,” says MacPherson, citing the popularity of Wild TV. “We’re seeing young people getting into hunting where they weren’t so much three-four years ago. “And it’s not just about going out and harvesting game, but getting involved in shooting bows, target shooting, safety training, getting together with other people,” he adds. “There are a lot of disciplines involved … [and] you don’t need a lot of equipment, it’s fairly inexpensive and you can join non-profit organizations like the Airdrie Hunting & Fishing As-

sociation. There are certain times of year where you can come out and try shooting a bow or a gun and see if it is something you’re interested in or not.” MacPherson says that while he chose Airdrie for the second Two Guys storefront because this is home, being in the vicinity of other large hunting and outdoors equipment retailers has been an added benefit. “We were mostly doing distribution out of here, but so many people wanted to shop directly, so we opened up the front end a little bit,” he says. “We get the same kind of clientele that frequents the [bigger] stores, but we carry some of the product lines they may not carry, and a lot of our clientele prefer to shop with an independent.” Running a business doesn’t always leave a lot of time for getting into the great outdoors, with Voltner still operating the original store at Onoway, MacPherson in Airdrie and both travelling frequently to trade shows and taking care of the online side, the biggest part of the business. But when he does get a chance to go out, MacPherson loves every minute. “There are years where I don’t harvest any animals, but I just enjoy getting outdoors, spending a lot of time in the woods, seeing lots of animals – it’s quiet and peaceful,” he says. life

Are you new to the neighbourhood? Having a baby? A new business? Employment Opportunity Available: Business Program Representative Contact Welcome Wagon Today! Call: (403) 829.1773 Website: www.welcomewagon.ca Welcome Wagon has been a Canadian Tradition for over 80 years.

All the visits are free free gifts and information. No obligation. Compliments of local businesses Founded in 1930, Welcome Wagon is a Canadian-owned, FREE greeting service for families experiencing a lifestyle change. We greet people who are undergoing lifestyle changes with a friendly visit

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life at work | partners

Gord anderson (left) and scott stewart have teamed up for success.

Fit for Business longtime friends find the right time to start a franchise

story by EllEn KElly | photo by Kristy rEimEr

riends for 18 years, Anytime Fitness (AF) owners Gord Anderson and Scott Stewart often talked about starting a business together, but went different routes after graduating from Bert Church High School – Gord into IT and corporate finance and Scott into IT. When the two met for lunch four-and-a-half years ago, they decided it was time to pursue their business goal. Now, having opened the first Anytime Fitness in Airdrie, the two share their journey back to their hometown.

What inspired you to open a fitness facility? GORD: Settling on a health-fitness facility was an easy decision. As a result of some childhood trauma, I ended up in a dark place, which led me to many unhealthy coping mechanisms. Health and fitness helped me move through this and allowed me to enjoy the wonderful aspects that life has to offer. I believe it’s important to let people know that there is hope and support. I truly believe that being open and acting as a community, we can all get healthier and enjoy life to the fullest! SCOTT: When I was 21, I was overweight. I realized what I was doing wasn’t good so I made a lifestyle change, lost over 100 pounds and made a commitment to fitness/wellness. I have been passionate about it ever since. Why did you choose aF? SCOTT: We explored our options and chose a franchise because it offered some support and security.

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GORD: AF was perfect because it allowed us to control our destiny while giving support. It fit our values. Personal attention and a focus on engagement is part of the culture at AF. We pride ourselves on our high retention rate and attribute it to the support given to our clients. Our first Calgary facility has been successful since opening three-and-ahalf years ago and we’ve recently opened another AF in Calgary as well as the one here in Airdrie.

What brought you back to airdrie? GORD: Airdrie is the fastest-growing community in Canada – it’s a good place to start a business. We still have friends and family here, there’s a market for us and there is pride in starting up a business in your hometown. SCOTT: It’s fun to be a part of local activities that we remember from growing up here. For example, instead of watching the Canada Day Parade we can give back to the community and participate as a business. It’s good to reconnect and appreciate both old and new opportunities. Where do you see yourselves in the future? GORD: I see myself continuing down the path with AF and remaining involved with technology development. SCOTT: AF feeds my entrepreneurial spirit. We hope to continue to grow, possibly into B.C. in the future.

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life | last look

Green with Envy airdrielife photographer Kristy Reimer caught this lush scene a few summers ago … it’s worth one last look. “Driving down Summerfield Boulevard at the end of a very rainy June in 2010, I was awed by the sun which finally popped out of a seemingly endless, rainy sky. This particular evening, the clouds parted just enough to create a directional beam of light to illuminate the pond’s aeration fountain from behind. Within seconds, the sun went over the horizon and this scene, as you see it, was gone.” – Kristy Reimer, kristyreimerphotography.com

Share your photograph with airdrielife and you may see it come to life here in a future issue. E-mail a jpeg to sherry@frogmediainc.ca

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