Red Deer Advocate, December 17, 2015 by Black Press Media Group

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Red Deer Advocate THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

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Nightmare before Christmas THIEVES LOOT HOME WHILE MOTHER AND TWO CHILDREN SLEEP

Contributed photo

A series of photos of a suspect.

As a young Red Deer mother and her two children slept, an unknown number of thieves crept into her home sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning. The culprits were so brazen after entering through the garage and going into the main floor living room, they actually opened wrapped Christmas presents under the tree, took the ones they wanted MARY-ANN and left behind BARR the ones they didn’t want. BARRSIDE And when they left, they stole the mother’s 2103 grey Toyota Corolla, complete with a child’s car seat in it. The thieves would have been quite stupid not to know there was a child in the house but it didn’t matter to them, obviously. The car was a graduation gift that the woman’s parents had given her when she competed nursing school two years ago.

The thieves also took other items including an iPad and things from the garage. And keys too. On Wednesday, Red Deer RCMP put out a short press release to the media that included photos of a woman suspect using a stolen debit card following the break-in. The victim told me the details of the break-in that weren’t in the press release. Brigitta (I am not using her last name for obvious reasons) was awakened at 7 a.m. Saturday morning by her cell phone buzzing. She and her children had all been in bed sleeping upstairs. The recently single mother of two children — a 12-year-old and one-yearold — said at first she was still half asleep. Each time her debit card is used she gets a text message, alerting her to the transaction and how much is being spent. She had three text messages in rapid succession, and she’s thinking: “What the heck is going on? Who is using my card? I thought maybe I had lost it or something. I couldn’t figure it out.”

Please see THEFT on Page A2

Business association looks to Festival of expand revitalization zone Trees pulls FUNDRAISING

BY CRYSTAL RHYNO ADVOCATE STAFF

WEATHER Sunny. High -15. Low -22.

FORECAST ON A2

in $1.06M BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Amanda Gould, executive director of the Downtown Red Deer Business Association, at her office in the old train station building. to retain the existing businesses and bring new businesses into the core. Once businesses are part of the BRZ they will be subject to a levy depending on the size of the business. Earlier in December, council endorsed the DBA’s $632,595 budget for 2016. The BRZ levy will bring in $375,845, about 59 per cent of the DBA’s budget

INDEX Four sections Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Business . . . . . . . D7-D8 Canada . . . . . . . . A5, C2 Classified . . . . . . D1-D2 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . D4 Entertainment . . . . . . C3 Sports . . . . . . . . . B1-B5

in 2016. The rest of the budget is generated through the city environmental contract to keep the downtown looking beautiful, event sponsorship, office space subletting and advertising.

Please see DOWNTOWN on Page A2

Reducing expenses, condensing some activity space and eliminating three events helped Festival of Trees raise $1.06 million for Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. Not bad during a struggling economy. In 2014, the annual event pulled in $1.07 million. “Not only were we able to raise the same amount of money, but we did it with less events,” said Alaine Martin, project officer with Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, on Wednesday. Money raised by the 22nd annual festival, that ran Nov. 25 to 29 at Stockmen’s Pavilion and Prairie Pavilion at Westerner Park, will go to medical specialty clinics at the hospital for Central Albertans living with the following chronic conditions — multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, heart failure, anticoagulation therapies, specialized geriatric services, stroke prevention and complex medical conditions. Martin said Central Albertans consistently support the festival because the money raised goes towards local health care.

Please see FESTIVAL on Page A2

‘Tremendous concern’ for jailed pastor Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed ‘tremendous concern’ at the sentence handed to a pastor in North Korea.

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Story on PAGE C2

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A designated downtown area where businesses pay a levy to further their common interests may be expanding in 2016. The DBA is considering broadening the Business Revitalization Zone to include the businesses within the Greater Downtown including Riverlands and Railyards. Amanda Gould, DBA executive director, said the downtown has grown significantly over the last few years but the DBA only reflects a small part of the growth when looking at the downtown’s footprint. “The DBA is almost like the hole in the middle of a donut,” said Gould. “Are we actually reflecting the needs of the entire downtown … when we advocate and talk about the the things that a downtown needs? … That is the big question.” A total of 497 businesses currently fall within the BRZ. Gould said they do not know how many businesses are within the potential expanded borders. The DBA held a number of open houses to connect with the different businesses this past year. But Gould said they haven’t had too much feedback. Gould said by expanding its borders, the DBA would ensure it was fully representing all the businesses in the downtown. It would allow the DBA

A2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015

GIFT OF WARMTH

LOCAL

BRIEFS

Case stemming from high-speed chase going to trial A man accused of ramming police cars and driving through school fields in Sylvan Lake has pleaded not guilty and will stand trial. Dakota Cornelssen, 18, of no fixed address, faces several charges stemming from his Oct. 30 arrest by Sylvan Lake RCMP. A trial has been scheduled for June 16, 2016 in Red Deer provincial court. Cornelssen is charged with assault with a weapon, possession of stolen property over $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, flight from police, dangerous driving, impaired driving, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, mischief over $5,000, possession of mischief under $5,000 and possession of crystal meth. Police said their investigation started after a Sylvan Lake Municipal Enforcement Services officer attempted to stop a speeding vehicle. The vehicle instead fled away from the officer. A short time later, police found the vehicle near the Fox Run school and attempted to stop the vehicle. Instead the driver drove into the field behind the school and attempted to flee. In the process it smashed into a police vehicle, damaging the car. Police engaged in a pursuit and followed the vehicle as it entered another field, this time at C.P. Blakely Elementary School and then crashed into a fence to avoid apprehension. The pursuit was re-engaged near the Boston Pizza, where the vehicle attempted to flee again, but got stuck in the wooded area behind Bayshore Link. The driver was arrested.

STORIES FROM PAGE A1

THEFT: Horrible feeling strangers in her home She immediately called the number on the card to let them know she didn’t recognize the purchases. They asked for her bank card number. “So I groggily get out of bed and grab my daughter, she’s just a year … go downstairs to get my bank card, and notice a few things off right away in my house that didn’t seem quite right.” She can’t find her purse so she goes to the garage as she thought maybe she left her purse in her car. “And I opened the garage door, and the overhead door is open and my car is gone.” Brigitta, 32, called police. And then the shock starts to set in, that horrible feeling that strangers have been in her home, robbing her as she and her kids slept. She tries to describe how she felt. “Honestly it just … sorry …” She can’t talk for a minute. “I was so shaken up and you know, I was terrified. It’s just such an invasion of your privacy and your life. My (children) are okay … but you never know, right.” She is trying to hold herself together but she is sobbing. Police told her they believe that the person or persons who entered her home drive around randomly with a universal remote for garage doors. Eventually they find a garage overhead door that opens. Apparently this is a common practice of these people. To add insult to injury, Brigitta had called her alarm company for repairs two days earlier because the sensor on her garage door had broken. They had not repaired it yet when the break-in occurred. She has been busy cancelling cards, getting new identification, trying to find receipts for gift cards that were in her purse. Her debit card was the kind that you tap to make payment without using a PIN. She has since disabled that feature. Video footage was captured at the Petro Canada station in Gasoline Alley of her car and a woman suspect. The suspect was able to use the debit card and make three purchases in a row in the gas station, each under $100. A later attempt by someone using her credit card for an online purchase failed because Brigitta had already cancelled it. “2015 has been a horrible year for me,” she said, but she does not want to appeal for any help from any of the current Christmas charity drives under-

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Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Giving the gift of warmth, Mae Hallett and Tom Flemming of Redwoods Retirement Residence along with other residents and staff from the Red Deer facility were in the downtown area in Red Deer Wednesday to make a donation to anyone in need of a warm hat or scarf. Residents made about 100 knitted items that were left on the Ghost sculptures in downtown Red Deer. Each item had a tag attached with the message, ‘I was handmade with love by the residents of Redwoods. I am not lost, if you are cold please put me on. Merry Christmas.’ way. Much of what she lost is covered to some degree by insurance. “I’m not really comfortable because I work with a vulnerable population and I see much worse. And I don’t ever think of myself as having to use those resources,” she’s telling me, trying incredibly hard to keep her composure. “There’s people worse off than me and I don’t want to take advantage of these programs when there’s people that need it more than me. “I do have a house. I do have a family. I do have a job.” Still the trauma is there. The vulnerability Brigitta feels is there. Her oldest child has been terrified since the incident, afraid to sleep alone, turns all the lights on in the house now, afraid to even go out and deliver papers. But through it all, there’s a sign the young mother is going to get through it. She starts to laugh because even though she has a rented vehicle now, her driving glasses were in her Toyota. “It was just funny. We went down to the rental car and I’m ready to jump in and I look over at my dad, and I’m like I can’t even drive because I can’t see where I’m going. And I don’t have an extra set.” She’s ordered a new pair of glasses. They’re coming soon. Despite her being fully prepared to get through the losses, a family friend who wants to help, Darlene Ketchum, contacted me. She’s arranged for a donation box for Brigitte and her children, at the Save On Foods store on 22nd Street. The store wants to help too. Ketchum can be reached at 403-872-8646. Meanwhile, police have released photos of the woman suspect seen at Petro-Canada in Gasoline Alley. The woman was a passenger in the stolen Toyota and entered the gas station while an unknown driver waited in the car. The woman suspect is described as Caucasian, slim build, long brown hair with blond ends, ponytail, wearing a white shirt underneath a dark slim-fitting hoodie, a long chain necklace and blue jeans. If you can help identify her, please call Red Deer RCMP at 403-343-5575. You can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or report any information online at www.tipsubmit.com. barr@reddeeradvocate.com

DOWNTOWN: Must rival other locations Gould said it is vital the DBA is positioned to implement a well thought out business attraction and retention program so it can stand alongside ‘location

Western 649: 6, 35, 36, 37, 38, 46, Bonus 18 Extra: 5144009

competitors’ and offer a downtown solution that is strong enough to rival any other location. “2016 is the year we prepare ourselves to take a role in economic development for 2017,” she said. “The 2016 budget will position us to hit the ground running over the following years.” In January the DBA board of directors will meet to determine whether this is the next step for the DBA. Following this step, the board would have to submit a request to the city before any changes are approved. In 1984 businesses in the downtown area established a Business Revitalization Zone to guide the progress of Red Deer’s central business district. crhyno@reddeeradvocate.com

FESTIVAL: Planning underway for 2016 “It’s the cause. Health care is the No. 1 charity that people typically look for because each and everyone of us needs it at some point in our life. And to be able to keep the donor dollars in our community, that can’t be said for every charity out there. Every dollar raised stays right here in our hospital.” Over the years the festival has raised a total of $12.8 million for Red Deer hospital. This year Candy Cane Lane, with all its children’s activities, games and crafts, was moved back into the Stockmen’s Pavilion which was one of the ways costs were reduced. She said parents with children performing on stage actually appreciated having Candy Cane Lane back in the same room as the entertainment stage. Shifting Santa’s Gift Shop and Santa’s Secret Shoppe within the room also made it feel new again. More than 23,000 visitors took in the festival and events so an increase in general attendance made up for less events, she said. Fewer people tend to come out to the festival during harsh winter weather which is what happened in 2014. “We got a little bit of snow at the beginning of the week, but otherwise mother nature was very kind to us this year.” The 2015 festival had over 1,500 volunteer entertainers, the support of 500 donors, and 2,600 festival volunteers who really make the festival a reality each year, she said. “Our volunteers worked so hard. The sacrifices they make. The time they give.” Martin said planning has already started for the 2016 festival that will run Nov. 23 to 27.

Pick 3: 648 Numbers are unofficial.

Weather TONIGHT

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

HIGH -15

LOW -22

HIGH -14

HIGH -10

HIGH -8

Sunny.

Increasing cloudiness.

Cloudy.

Sunny. Low -25.

Sunny. Low -13.

REGIONAL OUTLOOK Calgary: today, sunny. High -8. Low -14. Olds, Sundre: today, sunny. High -9. Low -20. Rocky, Nordegg: today, mainly sunny. High -13. Low -20. Banff: today, clearing. High -10. Low -15. Jasper: today, mainly cloudy. High -11. Low -17.

TONIGHT’S HIGHS/LOWS

Lethbridge: today, sun and cloud. High -6. Low -15. FORT MCMURRAY

Edmonton: today, mainly sunny. High -14. Low -24. Grande Prairie: today, sun and cloud. High -15. Low -16. Fort McMurray: today, periods of light snow. High -14. Low -19.

WINDCHILL/SUNLIGHT

-14/-19 GRANDE PRAIRIE

-15/-16

EDMONTON

-14/-24 JASPER

-11/-17

RED DEER

-15/-22 BANFF

-10/-15 Windchill/frostbite risk: Low to Moderate Low: Low risk Moderate: 30 minutes exposure High -5 to 10 minutes: High risk in 5 to 10 minutes High -2 to 5 minutes: High risk in 2 to 5 minutes Extreme: High risk in 2 minutes Sunset tonight: 4:23 p.m. Sunrise Friday: 8:41 a.m.

7352994L14-

LOCAL TODAY

CALGARY

-8/-14

LETHBRIDGE

-6/-15

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ALBERTA

THURSDAY, DEC. 17., 2015

Company fights order An Alberta energy company is fighting an order to truck water to a family farm the company admits it has tainted with chemicals from its gas plant. Bonavista Energy (TSX:BNP) acknowledges it is the source of the solvent that has contaminated groundwater on the dairy farm near Edson, Alta. But the company is taking on the powerful Alberta Energy Regulator in the Alberta Court of Appeal over a ruling forcing it to truck usable water to the farm. “The (regulator) erred by issuing an order that is not objectively justifiable based on the evidence,” say court documents filed by the company. In late October, the regulator ordered Bonavista to truck water to the dairy farm owned by Ron and Lonni Saken. Those shipments began immediately and still continue. The order came after Bonavista’s own experts had found high levels of sulfolane — a solvent used in processing sour gas — in the farm’s well water. The chemical was traced to a gas plant the company had purchased from Suncor. The company drilled new wells. But that water was highly alkaline and had high levels of both methane and flouride.

Milk production cratered. Pregnant cows spontaneously aborted their calves. The Sakens argued the contamination has destroyed their farm’s value. Plans to bring their son into the operation and expand the farm — which has been in the family since 1929 — have been canceled. But Bonavista argues it has done enough by drilling the two wells, which are free of sulfolane. “While there have been issues related to bacteria, fluoride, and pH levels in relation to the two new

‘THE (REGULATOR) ERRED BY ISSUING AN ORDER THAT IS NOT OBJECTIVELY JUSTIFIABLE BASED ON THE EVIDENCE.’ wells, those issues are naturally occurring,” says Bonavista’s argument. “Bonavista submits that the fact that there is no presence of sulfolane in the two new wells demonstrates that the (regulator’s) order was not required for the purpose of protecting the landowners or the environment.” The company also argues the regulator has unfairly made any long-term solution subject to approval by the Sakens.

Suspect in Sylvan Lake condo parkade theft arrested BY ADVOCATE STAFF’ Sylvan Lake RCMP have arrested one man in connection with a break and enter into a condominium parkade and are trying to identify a second suspect in the case. RCMP were called to the Fairway Estates Condominium Building in Sylvan for a break and enter on Sunday. Two suspects had allegedly broken into the parkade in the early morning hours and rummaged through unlocked vehicles and stealing items. They also broke into storage lockers. They were there for over an hour. The suspects and their vehicle were caught on video and police were able to identify the vehicle. That led them to identifying, arresting and charging one of the suspects. The second suspect is yet to be identified and police are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying him. RCMP have released a photo of the second suspect in hopes that someone will recognize him

and call police. He is described as likely being in his 50s, average height and build, a greying beard, wearing blue jeans and a medium dark jacket. He may have ties to the Calgary area as well. The first suspect arrested is identified as Chance Tosh Muranaka, 42, of Sylvan Lake. He has been charged with break and enter and theft, mischief, theft under $5,000 and three breaches of previous release conditions. He appeared in Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday and will appear again on Jan. 6. Police are asking anyone who may have information regarding this crime or the identity of the second suspect to contact Sylvan Lake RCMP at 403858-7200. If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or online at www.tipsubmit.com. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), you may be eligible for a cash reward.

“Granting to the landowners what amounts to a veto power is a denial of Bonavista’s legitimate expectation of procedural fairness and a denial of Bonavista’s right to natural justice,” says the appeal. Lonni Saken said Bonavista’s move came days before a scheduled meeting with the company. “I am absolutely shocked that Bonavista would bring a court case against the regulator,” she said. Ron Saken said milk production is up and the abortions have stopped since water was trucked in. “It’s quite exciting to milk again — they want to get milked. It’s good to see. “If I had to go back to that old water, there’s no way I would do it. I would quit farming.” Keith Wilson, the Sakens’ lawyer, called the appeal an attack on the regulator. “This is a company behaving extremely aggressively not only with this family farm, but also with the regulator,” he said. “These steps seek to limit the ability of the regulator to enforce Alberta’s environmental laws.” Wilson has filed a request of his own with the regulator that seeks to have the Saken farm declared a contaminated site. That would broaden the regulator’s enforcement powers and allow it to go after previous owners of the leaky gas plant, which include Suncor and Shell.

LOCAL

BRIEFS

Hearing slated in robbery case A man accused of a string of convenience store armed robberies will get his chance to hear the Crown’s case against him. Geoffrey Allen Godden, 23, of Red Deer is charged in several robberies that occurred on Nov. 16. In Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday, his counsel Michael Scrase elected for trial by a Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench judge alone with a preliminary hearing. The hearings are held to test the strength of the Crown’s case to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. The trial will be about a half day in length. Godden is charged with four counts of robbery as well as using an imitation weapon, failing to comply with a probation order and driving while disqualified. Police said three convenience stores were robbed started at 2 a.m. on Nov. 16. They say the 7-Eleven on 40th Avenue, the Mac’s on 22nd Street and the Mac’s on Allan Street were all targeted early that morning. The preliminary hearing will be set for Red Deer provincial court.

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BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

COMMENT

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

Election reform question needs settling first Of the hundred-odd campaign prom- that one, it would have to include a ises made by the Liberals to get elect- reason why election reform became ed in October, one of the most difficult such a winner on the campaign trail. The previous government to deliver will be electoral she served under was no reform. Even more perilous paragon of pure democracy for our new federal governand lost its mandate in part ment: failure will be painfor that reason. fully obvious. Yes, the Liberals did During the campaign, win a mandate to change Liberal Leader Justin our electoral system (polls Trudeau pledged (again and tell us a majority of Canaagain) that this would be the dians are not satisfied that last election held under our their collective will is refirst-past-the-post voting sysflected in Parliament). And tem. Trudeau also pledged yes, Canadians have the the Liberals would bring right to choose between rereforms into law within 18 GREG form options. months of becoming governNEIMAN But we also have a right ment. to be fully informed of our Last week, Opposition OPINION options, and we need time Leader Rona Ambrose to thrash out the strengths of the Conservative Party pressed the government to commit and weaknesses of each option before to a referendum early in the process. choosing one. Getting that done in 18 months will She also warned the government to be careful in assuming its election win be a challenge. It’s a big enough chalwas a mandate to make significant lenge that Trudeau split the problem of Canada’s so-called “democratic changes. She’s right on both points but not in deficit” into two parts, and two cabinet the way she likely wants us to believe. members. Democratic Institutions Minister She also said: “Does the prime minister only listen to Canadians who voted Maryam Monsef is responsible for for Liberals, or will he govern for all electoral reform and Senate reform. Government House Leader Dominic Canadians and hold a referendum?” If she really wanted an answer to Leblanc is expected to make Parlia-

ment itself a more democratic place. Both parts are easy enough to talk about. But they are fraught with all kinds of difficulty when putting changes into practice. The Broadbent Institute recently hired Abacus Data to poll Canadians about how Parliament is elected and to study voting data to determine outcomes of our last election if it were held under various voting systems. The poll determined five top points broadly held by Canadians about what our democracy requires: a simple ballot; a strong, stable government that is able to act; direct election of our own MPs; government must have support in every region; the seat count should match the diversity of voter opinion in the country. Fully 83 per cent of those polled said they favour changing the current system. About half of those people support a major overhaul, while half feel tweaking the system is all that’s needed. When the options were presented, 44 per cent favoured a form of proportional representation in composing Parliament; 43 per cent wanted our system to stay more or less the same as it is now. Only 14 per cent favoured a preferential ballot, where people’s second choices would be counted if first choices failed to deliver a 50-percent-plus-one majority.

In our last election (as with many majority elections in the past) the Liberals won a large majority of seats with less than half of the popular vote. Under a preferential ballot, the Broadbent Institute report says the Liberals would have another 33 seats — mostly at the expense of the Conservatives. Under proportional representation, the Liberals would still be the largest party in Parliament, but they would not have a majority. The NDP gain most under this system, but both Greens and Conservatives gain some. Trudeau has said he prefers a preferential ballot. We can assume why Ambrose wants an early referendum. Some options would have improved Tory outcomes last time around. This is too important a topic for party politics — which would be a good reason to leave the parties out of this discussion, if we could. Suffice that we should take a year or so for an independent commission to consult with us further, present the options and see which of them best satisfies our five basic agreed principles. Then, when we know what the question really should be, we could ask it of all Canadians. Follow Greg Neiman’s blog at Readersadvocate.blogspot.ca

Advocate letters policy The Advocate welcomes letters on public issues from readers. Letters must be signed with the writer’s first and last name, plus address and phone number. Pen names may not be used. Letters will be published with the writer’s name. Addresses and phone numbers won’t be published. Letters should be brief and deal with a single topic; try to keep them under 300 words. The Advocate will not interfere with the free expression of opinion on public issues submitted by readers, but reserves the right to refuse publication and to edit all letters for public interest, length, clarity, legality, personal abuse or good taste. The Advocate will not publish statements that indicate unlawful discrimination or intent to discriminate against a person or class of persons, or are likely to expose people to hatred or contempt because of race, colour, religious beliefs, physical disability, mental disability, age, ancestry, place of origin, source of income, marital status, family status or sexual orientation. Due to the volume of letters we receive, some submissions may not be published. Mail submissions or drop them off to Letters to the Editor, Red Deer Advocate, 2950 Bremner Ave., T4R 1M9; or e-mail to editorial@reddeeradvocate.com.

Time to act rationally as a province to build a better future I joined Facebook a while ago to touch base with ‘friends,’ network within my hobby/business community, and to set a foundation for a book idea I have. I have enjoyed a number of photos people have posted — along with some bumper-sticker philosophy. Lately, the stuff crossing my Facebook page can only be termed as disturbing. It kind of makes me wonder whose ‘friend’ request I should have turned down. I suspect that a lot of the people who voted for a ‘change’ in our provincial and federal elections did so because they were fed up with our “we say so” style of democracy. With solid majority governments elected at both levels, we will see little hope for democracy in the coming years. And … surprise! The socialists do have an agenda. Those calling for the heads of Rachael Notley and Justin Trudeau need to look at the bigger picture. First off: please remember the event that has precipitated the collapse of our oil-based prosperity was entirely beyond the control of our governments. Blame the Saudis for tanking the price of oil. Ask yourself if there is anyone in this province who pre-

CENTRAL ALBERTA’S DAILY NEWSPAPER Published at 2950 Bremner Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 1M9 by The Red Deer Advocate Ltd. Canadian Publications Agreement #336602 Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Mary Kemmis Publisher mkemmis@reddeeradvocate.com Josh Aldrich jaldrich@reddeeradvocate.com Managing editor

fers our boom and bust economy. If Alberta is to be an energy producing province rather than just an oil and gas producer, we need to change our focus. It doesn’t mean that wind or solar farms will blanket the province. Remember the phone in a bag or brick sized cell phone? It wasn’t that long ago. If the south face of my home’s roof was covered with solar panels, I could sell power back to ‘the grid.’ A solar array built along my farm’s south fenceline could produce electricity and provide shade for the cattle at the same time. Albertans are innovators. We need to work with the cards we have been dealt and profit from it. Like Bill 6, our government needs to rethink its goals and how to reach them. We aren’t idiots. A carbon tax on fuel is one thing — especially if it is put towards an economic shift that will truly diversify our economy instead of just going to government revenue. As well, for the vast majority of Albertans, consumption of carbon-based fuels is a necessity of life. A sweater will not keep our pipes from freezing. And, at this time, let’s call B.S. for your carbon pricing plan for energy (oil) producers. They are in favour of this policy because it costs them nothing. The costs will simply be passed down until it reaches the end user. You and I. Pricing CO 2 will produce zero

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reduction in carbon emmisions. They have had this policy in California for years. All it did was raise the cost of living. Government is all about appearances. So far we have seen that our government doesn’t care about what we feel or think. So, is our government intent on destroying our provincial economy to appease the climate change mob, or are we ‘re-branding’? One test of their principles would lie in whether or not the government would veto a multi-billion dollar coal sale to China or India. It truly is a time to re-think what we want and where we want to go. Do we need or want our society to run 24/7/365 to satisfy some economic machine that has little regard for our humanity? Economic growth seems to be the religion of our society. Is this something we want, or is it time to jump off the crazy train? We do know as a fact that the world as we know it is not sustainable and we need to be taking steps to be ahead of the game when that time comes. So, let’s have those meetings and chart the course for Alberta’s future before laws are passed. Jeff M. Hanson Delburne

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RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 A5

Trudeau to raise residential schools with Pope

BRIEF Feds defend request for right-to-die time extension OTTAWA — The Liberal government is telling the Supreme Court of Canada that those pushing for speedy implementation of right-to-die policies are strikingly naive about the legislative process. In a submission to bolster its request for a six-month extension, the government says giving effect to a landmark decision on physician-assisted dying will require full parliamentary consideration as well as provincial legislation. Last February, the Supreme Court struck down the prohibition on doctor-assisted death. The court gave the federal government a year to come up with a new law recognizing the right of clearly consenting adults with intolerable physical or mental suffering to seek medical help in ending their lives. The new Liberal government recently asked the court to extend that deadline to early August to ensure “a thoughtful, sensitive and well-informed response.” Several parties have filed arguments on the federal request, and the Supreme Court is likely to issue a ruling soon. In their submission to the court, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and individuals who spearheaded the groundbreaking case say an extension would be a setback for Canadians “who need relief from unbearable suffering immediately.”

Trudeau says vow to balance budget in four years is ‘very’ cast in stone OTTAWA — Even as the economic hurdles pile up, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau insists his pledge to balance the federal books in four years is “very” cast in stone. On top of the balanced budget, Trudeau told The Canadian Press on Wednesday that the Liberal government will also live up to its other fiscal “anchor” to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio every year until the end of its mandate. Trudeau’s remarks follow several revelations that his new government is standing on significantly shakier

fiscal footing than it had predicted. For example, the Liberals have recently shied away from another election commitment: to keep annual deficits over the next two years under $10 billion. Trudeau was asked Wednesday how cast in stone his pledge was to balance the budget in four years. “Very,” he said during a year-end roundtable interview with Canadian Press journalists in Ottawa. “I think one of the things that Canadians expect is a level of fiscal responsibility that we’ve been able to demonstrate in the past and we’re certainly going to demonstrate it in the future.”

“As mayor, I’m proud that Vancouver is known throughout the world for our steadfast commitment to diversity, equality and freedom from discrimination and hatred,” he wrote. “In contrast, Donald Trump’s hateful positions and commentary remind us all of much darker times in our world’s past — and it is incumbent on all of us to forcefully challenge hatred in all of the ways it confronts us.” Trump has made a number of anti-immigrant statements since announcing his intention to seek the Republican nomination. But his recent call to ban all Muslims from entering the United States has sparked widespread condemnation.

Bob McLeod wins second term as N.W.T premier YELLOWKNIFE — The Northwest Territories has its first two-term premier. Incumbent Bob McLeod will return to the job after winning a majority vote in the territorial legislature Wednesday under the rules of the territory’s consensus government. “It makes me feel really good,” said McLeod, 63, settling back into the chair in his legislature office. “It took a lot of soul-searching, because I recognized that none of the premiers before had even bothered to seek a second term.” Premiers in the Northwest Territories are chosen after general elections by members of the legislature. Most of the 19 legislature members who won seats Nov. 23 are rookies, which had led to some speculation that there might be a mood for a change in premier. But McLeod — a longtime veteran of northern government — was successful over challenger Glen Abernethy.

Vancouver mayor asks developer to dump Donald Trump’s name from city tower Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson is urging a developer to drop Donald Trump’s name from a downtown tower project, saying the U.S. presidential hopeful’s “hateful positions” have no place in the city. Robertson has sent a passionate letter to the Holborn Group, which is building the 63-storey Trump International Hotel and Tower on West Georgia Street.

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national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said Wednesday’s meeting served as a chance to praise Trudeau and his cabinet for opening a new inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women, including the government’s move to involve the families at the front end of setting the inquiry’s terms of reference. The government also won plaudits for its acceptance of the TRC recommendations. “‘Reconcili-Action’ is the new word that everybody’s talking about,” said Bellegarde. And he said the AFN while continue to push for atonement from the head of the Roman Catholic Church. “Because really, the Catholic Church is the only church that has not formally apologized to the survivors,” of residential schools, said Bellegarde. He also took aim at the church’s 1493 Papal Bull, with its “doctrine of discovery” which gave Christian explorers the right to claim any lands they found that weren’t inhabited by Christians. It’s long past time to formally revoke it, says Bellegarde. “It’s being viewed now internationally as an illegal and racist doctrine,” he said.

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OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confesses he can’t compel an apology from the Pope for the role of the Catholic Church in Canada’s residential school system. But Trudeau, unlike his predecessor in office, says he looks forward to raising the matter with the pontiff. Trudeau met for more than two hours Wednesday morning with leaders from five indigenous organizations, capping a week that saw the Truth and Reconciliation Commission deliver its final report on the legacy of residential schools. The commission made 94 “calls to action” towards reconciliation in a preliminary report last June — including an apology from the Pope — and the Liberals pledged to implement the entire report. That’s a sharp U-turn from the Conservative government of Stephen Harper, which declined to respond to last June’s preliminary findings while it awaited the unabridged version. The Conservatives never got the chance, losing office in October’s general election. But Harper did pass on an opportunity, just a week after the June release, to

broach the subject with Pope Francis during a 10-minute audience at the Vatican in Rome. Trudeau didn’t express any reservations when asked about the papal apology Wednesday. But he did lower expectations. “I’m not going to pretend that it is my job to order other governments or other organizations to do anything,” he said in the House of Commons foyer, flanked by the five indigenous leaders. “But I certainly look forward to a constructive engagement where we can address this issue because, quite frankly, there are multiple levels of different organizations that have a role to recognize in this terrible part of Canada’s past. I look forward to having a conversation with His Holiness about this.” About 60 per cent of Canada’s residential schools were run by the Catholic Church between the 1840s and 1996, when the last school closed. The six-year TRC inquiry found that the government-funded, church-run schools were the key to a policy of cultural genocide designed to “kill the Indian in the child” — something for which the head of the Catholic Church has not formally apologized. Perry Bellegarde, the

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SPORTS

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

Capitals shut down Senators BRADEN HOLTBY MAKES 26 SAVES, CAPITALS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Capitals 2 Senators 1 WASHINGTON — Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals patiently turned away the Ottawa Senators. Holtby made 26 saves in Washington’s 2-1 victory Wednesday night, lowering his NHL-best goalsagainst average to 1.83 and improving to 20-4-1. “He’s an eraser,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. “Good goaltending erases a lot of mistakes. I think his mental toughness is off the charts. I think everybody would agree in our room that he’s the most valuable player for us so far this year.” Holtby has allowed three goals in his last three games, making 35 saves in a 2-1 victory at Tampa Bay on Saturday night and 44 in a 4-1 victory over Pittsburgh on Monday night. He credited his team’s steady defence for making his job easier. The Capitals stayed away from turnovers in their zone or mistakes that gave Ottawa chances off scoring rushes. “They are a pretty good offensive team, and we did a good job,” Holtby said. “Those guys have some pretty good shooters over there, so if you turn it over at the wrong times, they’re going to make you pay.” Holtby has helped the Capitals earn points in the standings in his last 13 games. That’s the longest in the NHL this season. The Capitals improved to 22-6-2 (46 points). That’s the franchise’s best start ever in terms of wins and points. Eastern Conference-leading Washington has won three consecutive games and four of its last five. Ottawa has dropped three of its last four games. Holtby battled Ottawa goalie Andrew Hammond, who made 23 saves in his first game since Nov. 12 and did not look rusty. Hammond gave up a first-period goal to Michael Latta and John Carlson’s second-period score but nothing else. “I felt like I settled into it pretty quick,” Hammond said. “It was one of those games where it was pretty easy to get into it early on.” Latta opened the scoring in the first period and

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby (70) uses his body to shove Ottawa Senators center Kyle Turris (7) out of the way during the second period of an NHL game Wednesday, in Washington. helped set up John Carlson’s second-period goal. Washington’s Tom Wilson was hit with a late match penalty, and Bobby Ryan scored for Ottawa on the power play with 4:14 left. Holtby made some key stops during that stretch. The Capitals pressured Ottawa throughout the first period, taking the lead when Latta broke in alone on Hammond and flipped a high shot past him with 5:54 left. Dmitry Orlov sprung Latta with a pass from near

centre ice. Carlson scored at 5:43 of the second off Justin Williams’ cross-ice feed. Latta started the play in the neutral zone. That shaky first period cost Ottawa as it never caught up after Washington took the early lead. “A bit of a slow start,” Ottawa coach Dave Cameron said. “We were much better in the second and third period but not good enough. Pretty good hockey club over there and they took it to us (early).”

Penguins can’t get puck past Rask, Bruins BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Bruins 3 Penguins 0 BOSTON — New coach or old, it didn’t matter for Pittsburgh Penguins the way Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask is playing. Rask stopped 34 shots for his fourth shutout, Jimmy Hayes ended a 15-game goal-scoring drought and the Bruins beat Pittsburgh 3-0 Wednesday night, keeping new Penguins coach Mike Sullivan winless after his first two games. “He’s been feeling it for a little while, maybe the last month,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said of Rask. “He’s been the goaltender we all know he can be. That’s how we felt about him at the beginning (of the season) when he struggled.” Rask got his 30th career shutout. He’s 7-0-2 with a 1.36 goals against and three shutouts in his last nine starts, but credited a lot of it to how the team is playing in front of him. “When we play our system it’s very helpful for a goalie,” he said. “Today they had a lot of shots again, but they kept them to the outside. When we do that, it’s helpful to a win.” Max Talbot and Ryan Spooner also scored to help the Bruins improve to 5-0-1 in their last six meetings with the Penguins. Boston is also 9-1-3 in its last 13 games overall. Pittsburgh backup goalie Jeff Zatkoff had 26 saves as the Penguins lost for the seventh time in nine games (2-43). Top goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who

started 25 of the first 29, is expected to miss 1-to-2 weeks with a concussion. Sullivan replaced fired coach Mike Johnston on Saturday, and Pittsburgh lost 4-1 to Washington in his debut Monday. “Well, I think we are getting some chances, we are generating some chances,” Sullivan said. “For me, what I see is we have to do a better job playing smarter. I think we are playing hard. I think our energy is there. I think our effort is there.” Penguins star centre Sidney Crosby said the team had chances, but didn’t have luck — kind of like his season, too. “I mean, yeah, we hit a couple crossbars, but teams hit crossbars and they score different ways, too,” he said. “That’s totally on us to find ways to score goals and it might have to be ugly ones until we start to get bounces.” Struggling through a season that had them in 11th in the Eastern Conference coming in, the Penguins were looking for a spark after they fired Johnston on Saturday. The lack of goal scoring that’s plagued them for most of this season continued. Crosby has just six goals in the team’s 30 games. The Bruins grabbed a 1-0 lead when Talbot slipped a wrister by Zatkoff’s glove and inside the right post midway into the opening period. Boston made it 2-0 on Hayes’ score 4 minutes into the second. Hayes was charging hard to the net with Penguins defenceman Ian Cole. Spooner’s pass toward the net hit Cole’s skate, popped

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pittsburgh Penguins’ David Perron has the puck knocked off his stick by Boston Bruins defenseman Colin Miller during the third period of the Boston Bruins 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in an NHL game in Boston Wednesday. into the air and deflected into the net. Sullivan challenged that there was goaltender interference. Spooner added an empty-net, power-play goal with 2:43 to play. Penguins winger Chris Kunitz hit a post late in the second when they outshot Boston 18-4 in the period — after

getting outshot 10-6 in the first. “We have to find a way to kind of change our fate in games and get an ugly one or not allow those posts or bad bounces to hurt us,” Crosby said. Pittsburgh entered the game averaging just 2.31 goals per game, which was 27th in the league.

This Stamkos circus was about three rings short Life is about finding happiness, and thorized sponsor. Which they are, in hope. In Toronto, hockey has failed this case, despite 1050 broadcasting to deliver the first very often, but it’s half the team’s games and being owned been persistently stubborn about look- by a part owner. ing for the second. And in a dismal (The real reason, of course, is likeseason that everyone is just getting ly that it could have been considered through because it needs to be done, tampering if the signs had been let inSteven Stamkos coming to to the building. It’s a funny town was billed as a circus. town.) Sure, why not. There are all Otherwise, well, there kinds of circuses. was . . . a homemade sign Stamkos, of course, may or two, and a lonely guy become an unrestrictwho yelled “We Want Stamed free agent, and Toronkos” in the first period, and to would like to sign him. nobody joined him. When Lots of teams would probathe Markham-born Stambly like to sign him, for that kos touched the puck, the matter, but in this town we reaction was a resounding do tend to blot out the rest nothing, over and over. He’s of the world. the prize free agent-to-be, “This is Toronto,” said maybe, but for all the love BRUCE Tampa Bay coach Jon Coohe was shown by the homeARTHUR per, after a 5-4 overtime town crowd, Steven StamLightning win. “This is the kos may as well have been OTHER SIDE hockey Mecca, and people from Toledo. This is a cirwant to know. It’s a story. cus? You’d get more exciteAnd he’s probably one of the most tal- ment in an Eastern European circus ented players to become a UFA in his full of unshaven clowns and depressed mid-20s. That doesn’t happen, espe- bears in little hats that smoke cigacially in this era. So of course it’s going rettes. to be a story. I understand that.” “It doesn’t feel that weird,” said This being Toronto, of course, we Stamkos. “Did it feel weird for you can get a little silly. The radio station guys? I don’t think there was any difTSN1050, owned by Leafs co-owner ference once the puck dropped. I alBell, printed up signs that read SIGN ways like coming to see friends and STAMKOS, but security would not let family. It’s exciting that way. But to those signs into the building, on the be honest, it really felt like any other stated grounds that they are an unau- game.”

Greg Meachem, Sports Editor, 403-314-4363 E-mail gmeachem@reddeeradvocate.com

Which is fine. If the Leafs get a chance to recruit Stamkos — assuming he makes it to free agency, which isn’t a certainty until it is — they can’t do it with the atmosphere in this building this season, where fans are essentially cheering for laundry and scaffolding. No, the Leafs will need Brendan Shanahan and Mike Babcock to sell the vision, the dream, the aspiration, and a leading role in future glory. Of course, Toronto has a long history of local-boy superstars who were supposed to come here. Wayne Gretzky, late in his career and afterwards. There were daydreams of John Tavares if he tired of the Islanders, of P.K. Subban if the marriage with the Habs broke apart, of Rick Nash. Sadly, the Leafs weren’t on his trade list. Stamkos goes to the grocery store when he’s home in the summer and poses for endless pictures. He has to know it would be a burden to come here, a responsibility. As Erik Erlendsson, the excellent Lightning beat writer for the Tampa Tribune, puts it, it’s a little like Vinny Lecavalier. “Vinny won a cup in Tampa, and everybody talked about how he wanted to go home and play in Montreal, be that native son, be that local kid who comes back and leads the Canadiens to glory, and all he was going to do was fail,” said Erlendsson. “Because he was expected to deliver a Cup to Montreal, and anything else would have

>>>>

fallen short of expectations. “It’s different with Stamkos because he hasn’t been part of a Cup-winning team. So would he want to leave what he’s known for eight years, a team he’s helped grow to where it’s at, for an uncertain future? Is it better to dance with the devil you know, or the devil you don’t?” The only person who knows what Steven Stamkos wants is Steven Stamkos, and even he may not know. Not yet, anyway. He said he thinks about it when people ask him about it. It’s probably more, but he wouldn’t say. Look, maybe he’s a declining asset whose production has dropped since he broke his leg, but maybe for other reasons, too. Maybe he really is a winger waiting to happen. Maybe he wants no part of coming home. Maybe Stamkos is yet another blue-and-white dream, in a lifetime full of them. But if the door opens Toronto will try for it, and besides, it’s a long, quiet winter around here. You have to have something to talk about, when you’re huddled around the embers of what might one day become a fire. Bruce Arthur is a sports columnist for the Toronto Star. He was named the 2012 sportswriter of the year by Sports Media Canada, and he has been named to Sports Illustrated’s list of the top 100 people to follow on Twitter four times. Arthur is also a regular on TSN’s The Reporters with Dave Hodge.

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B2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015

CFL puts moratorium on coaches moves IN RESPONSE TO REPORT THORPE BOUND FOR EDMONTON BY THE CANADIAN PRESS MONTREAL — The Canadian Football League placed a moratorium on the movement of coaches between teams on Wednesday after reports that Montreal Alouettes defensive co-ordinator Noel Thorpe agreed to join the Edmonton Eskimos. First-year commissioner Jeffrey Orridge sent a memo to CFL team presidents and general managers saying any movement of a coach already under contract will need the league’s approval. “Effective immediately, there will be a moratorium on any coaches’ movement from one club to another club, unless such transaction is expressly approved in writing by the commissioner or his delegate, prior to the movement taking place. This only applies to coaches who are currently under contract with a CFL club,” the

memo read. The move came with the league in apparent chaos after a flurry of movement, accusations of tampering and demands for compensation as coaches bolted one club for another. It included Grey Cup champion head coach Chris Jones leaving the Eskimos to join the Saskatchewan Roughriders, taking all but one of his staff with him. Eskimos GM Ed Hervey was fined by the league for bringing the league into “disrepute” for saying that tampering with other team’s personnel is commonplace in the CFL. On Wednesday, there were reports that Thorpe had resigned as Montreal’s defensive co-ordinator and associate head coach even though he has two years left on his contract. He was expected to join Edmonton. Alouettes GM and head coach Jim Popp had not responded to a request for comment.

Thorpe is believed to covet a head coaching job one day and likely wanted out when it was announced Popp would return as coach next season. The Alouettes are also thought to be grooming former star quarterback Anthony Calvillo for the job. Alouettes defensive end John Bowman, the club’s all-time sacks leader, was disappointed that Thorpe would leave while still under contract. “Football players can’t resign and go to another team,” said Bowman. “You’ve got to man up. “If you don’t like the situation you’re in, you’ve got to play through it. That’s the route he chose to take. Me, I feel like if you sign a contract, I expect to live out the contract. Some people don’t see it that way and he chose a different route. Good luck to him and his family.” Losing Thorpe would be a blow to the 5-13 Alouettes, who struggled on offence this season but kept most games

close because of a solid defence. But Bowman suggested it was less about the co-ordinator than it was the talent on the field. “I’ve had five or six defensive co-ordinators I’ve been an all-star seven years,” the 10-year veteran said. “A defensive co-ordinator shouldn’t make you or break you. “He’s just here to implement his scheme and hopefully you’ve got players who can run his scheme.” He said that if coaches are allowed to break contracts, top players may insist on one-year contracts because they want to know who their coaches and co-ordinators will be from one season to the next. Bowman, a free agent, has yet to hear from Popp about a contract for next season. He had planned to retire after the 2015 campaign, but hopes to return after an excellent season in which he led the league with 19 sacks.

Redblacks extend contracts of GM and head coach BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

Ottawa Redblacks head coach Rick Campbell looks on during a team practice in Winnipeg, Man., Nov. 25. The Redblacks signed general manager Marcel Desjardins and head coach Campbell to multi-year contract extensions on Wednesday.

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks signed general manager Marcel Desjardins and head coach Rick Campbell to multi-year contract extensions on Wednesday. Desjardins has served as architect of the CFL team since its inaugural season in 2014 while Campbell guided the club to an East Division title last season. The Redblacks had a 126 record in the regular season and reached the Grey Cup game before falling to the Edmonton Eskimos. “Both Marcel and Rick are top-quality football men who have established a culture of excellence within our football organization,” said Jeff Hunt, sports president of the Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group. “The results speak for themselves. We know that we’ll succeed with Marcel and Rick, which is great news for our organization and for our fans.” Desjardins, a Day 1 employee, made several key acquisitions early in 2015, including offensive lineman SirVincent Rogers and receivers Greg El-

lingson, Brad Sinopoli, Ernest Jackson Chris Williams and Maurice Price. They meshed well with a core group that included quarterback Henry Burris, who won the league’s most outstanding player award. “Continuity is important for a football team,” Desjardins said in a release. “It helps us build on our past successes while establishing a winning tradition in Ottawa. I’m thankful to the Redblacks ownership group for giving me the opportunity to be part of that process. “To be able to work with a quality group of people on both the football and business sides of OSEG is what makes my job so fulfilling.” Campbell, who joined the Redblacks in December 2013, was named CFL coach of the year last month. “We have a solid group of coaches and players here in Ottawa and we’re all committed to the long-term success of the franchise,” he said. “This is a great football city, our players love playing here and other players and coaches around the CFL have taken notice of that.”

Passion to play still strong for Sharks’ Thornton NEARING TWILIGHT OF NHL CAREER, JUMBO JOE STILL HAS DEEP LOVE FOR HOCKEY BY THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO — Joe Thornton no longer wears the “C” on his chest and can’t pile up the points like he used. That hasn’t stopped him from loving hockey. Thornton is 36, and his contract expires after the 2016-17 season. Even if he hasn’t spent too much time reflecting on his career and insists he’s not looking beyond next season, the San Jose Sharks veteran centre hasn’t lost sight of why he plays the game. “I just really, really enjoy coming to the rink every day,” Thornton said Wednesday. “I have a smile on my face. I’ve got the best job in the world.” It’s a job that will land Thornton in the Hockey Hall of Fame after he decides to hang up his skates. That decision is for another time, he said, with the focus on tomorrow and the next day and the next game. When he suits up Thursday night at the Toronto Maple Leafs, it’ll be the 1,316th game of Thornton’s NHL career. His 1,276 points are second among active players to 43-year-old Jaromir Jagr, who made his debut when Thornton was 11 years old. “Jumbo is amazing,” Sharks teammate Tomas Hertl said. “He’ll be for sure in the Hall of Fame. I think, ‘Thank You Joe,’ because I started with him and he helped me with everything because first season I played with him and I scored very many goals and he helped for sure my career and I appreciate it.” Thornton has helped a lot of players’ careers, from Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski in San Jose back to the likes of Glen Murray with the Boston Bruins. He won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 2006, the same season the Bruins traded him to the Sharks for Brad Stuart, Marco Sturm and Wayne Primeau in one of the most lopsided deals in NHL history.

Even 10 years later, after Thornton led the Sharks to the Western Conference final twice and was part of nine playoff appearances, he’s a valuable piece of San Jose’s core. “He consistently shows up at the rink, leads, works, plays away from the puck,” first-year Sharks coach Peter DeBoer said. “He’s a Hall of Fame player because he makes other people better every time he’s on the ice. He always sees the ice, his vision. But the consistency in his game, there’s never a day where I’ve questioned his commitment or his willingness to work.” That’s because there’s no shortage of willingness to work. Thornton only has four goals and 13 assists this season, but he’s not discouraged at all by those numbers. “I feel good,” Thornton said. “I find as long as you’re working hard, the chances will be there and good stuff will happen.” DeBoer sees good things in Thornton’s all-around game. Thornton helped create a goal by Dainius Zubrus on Tuesday night in Montreal and eventually was given the secondary assist he deserved. But at this point of his career, Thornton doesn’t have to measure his performance on points alone. And he hasn’t changed his game in recent years as much as he has kept on the same path. “I think I’ve always been defensively conscious and things like that, but just for whatever reason the goals haven’t been going in,” Thornton said. Thornton is so caught up in his day-to-day job with the Sharks that he hasn’t had time to reflect back on what he has accomplished. If at this point he’s a bit under-appreciated, DeBoer isn’t worried about it. “I think guys like that get their recognition maybe a little bit later, but he’ll get his,” DeBoer said. “There’s no doubt.”

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING The Red Deer nordic cross-country ski team will hold an information meeting tonight from 7-8 p.m. in room 2225 of Hunting Hills High School. Les Parsons will share a short talk on the sport and his experiences as a coach over the past 30 years, including being involved in five Winter Olympics. The meeting is open to the general public, including any aspiring competitive skiers. Red Deer has produced a number of high-profile cross-country skiers over the years, including Drew Goldsack, who competed in the Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, in 2006 and in Vancouver in 2010. Zina Kocher competed in the biathlon (cross-country skiing and rifle shooting) in the same two Olympic Games plus the 2014 Olympics in Russia, and Kit Richmond won gold at the NCAA national championships as a scholarship student at the University of Colorado. More recently, 16-year-old Bailey Johnson was the fourth-fastest juvenile girl in last year’s Canadian nationals at Thunder Bay, Ont., as a member of the Alberta team, and Anna Zimmerman, 18, competed for Team Alberta at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George. B.C. Both Johnson and Zimmerman are dedicated to training five to six days a week throughout the year in pursuit of their Olympic dreams.

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

San Jose Sharks’ Joe Thornton (19) is chased by Edmonton Oilers’ Darnell Nurse (25) during NHL action, in Edmonton, on Dec. 9. Even if he hasn’t spent too much time reflecting on his career the San Jose Sharks veteran centre hasn’t lost sight of why he plays the game.

New Roughriders GM/coach Chris Jones rounds out his coaching staff BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

CFL

REGINA — Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager and head coach Chris Jones rounded out his coaching staff Wednesday. Stephen McAdoo was named offensive co-ordinator and assistant head coach, Craig Dickenson will serve as special teams co-ordinator and Jarious Jackson was named quarterbacks coach, the CFL team said in a release. Other additions included Mike Scheper (offensive line coach), Phillip Lolley (linebackers coach), Jason Shivers (defensive backs coach), Ed Philion (defensive line coach) and Craig Davoren (running backs coach and special teams assistant). All eight coaches worked with Jones this past season in Edmonton. The Eskimos defeated the Ottawa

Redblacks in the Grey Cup last month in Winnipeg. The moves came a day after the Roughriders cut 19 players, including longtime players Tyron Brackenridge, Anthony Allen, Macho Harris and Terrell Maze. Saskatchewan finished with a 3-15 record last season. The team also made a couple of front-office moves Tuesday. John Murphy was named assistant vice-president of football operations and player personnel and former interim GM Jeremy O’Day was given the assistant vice-president of football operations and administration title. Jones, who also serves as the Riders’ vice-president of football operations, joined the team earlier this month.

MINOR HOCKEY Angus Macleod scored twice and Tristen Walz contributed a goal and two assists as the Red Deer Strata Energy Chiefs battled the host Calgary Stampeders to a 6-6 tie in an Alberta Minor Midget AAA Hockey League game Tuesday. Elijah Johanson, Ryan McBeath and affiliate player Kyle Gerritts accounted for the other Red Deer goals, while Steven Arthur made 25 saves. The Stamps held a 31-27 advantage in shots and the clubs split 10 minor penalties.

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 B3

An emotional return home ONCE DISDAINED BY CUBA, BASEBALL DEFECTORS RETURN HOME TO TEACH YOUTH ON MAJOR LEAGUE TRIP BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photos by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ABOVE; White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu gives a baseball clinic to children in Havana, Cuba, Wednesday. A group of Cuban-born baseball stars once disdained by the island’s government for defecting to the United States taught their craft to some of the island’s youngest players as part of a triumphant return to Cuba. RIGHT; St. Louis Cardinals player Brayan Pena embraces a former colleague before giving a baseball clinic to children in Havana, Cuba. League Baseball chief baseball officer Joe Torre. When they weren’t getting tips or training, the boys asked their idols to sign baseball, or have their photograph taken together. Pena, dressed in his St. Louis team jersey, said he was happy “to come back to see my family, to share with them.” The player said he also enjoyed meeting with his young fans in Havana. Another clinic was planned Thursday in Matanzas, east of the capital. Traditionally, Cuban state television has avoided airing games featuring defectors but fans watch their idols’ performances on pirated recordings distributed on computer USB drives. Most sports experts agree that the future does not look bright without a solution to the problem of baseball talent fleeing the country. But fans who gathered to see the Cuban baseball stars said their return to the island filled them with optimism. U.S. teams played spring training games in Cuba before Castro’s revo-

Vancouver to host two NCAA Division I basketball tournaments BY THE CANADIAN PRESS VANCOUVER — It’s a phone call Brooks Downing remembers well. David Munro, a former official with the NBA’s Vancouver Grizzlies, was on the line with an interesting question — would he help bring a U.S. college basketball tournament to the city? “My in-laws had made trips up here, they’d told us all about it and I was pretty intrigued because of the Olympics in 2010 and the Women’s World Cup (this summer),” said Downing, the president and CEO of U.S-based event management firm bd Global. “Nobody’s ever played a college basketball tournament in Canada. Why not us?” Downing and Munro were on hand Wednesday with local officials to announce that Vancouver will host two annual regular-season NCAA Division I basketball tournaments beginning in 2017. “I picked up the phone and here

we are,” said Munro. “It was basically: ‘Where can I sign up?”’ The Vancouver Showcase will see eight men’s and eight women’s teams from the U.S. college ranks travel north for back-to-back tournaments each November. The games are scheduled to be played at the city’s picturesque convention centre overlooking Vancouver harbour in exhibition space that can be transformed into a 3,000-plus seat venue. Munro, who will serve as tournament co-director with former Canadian national team member Howard Kelsey, said he knew a tournament of this size could work after helping to organize a men’s NCAA game between Gonzaga and Hawaii in 2011 that attracted more than 9,500 fans to Rogers Arena. “We’ve been talking about this for a long time and it’s just fantastic to see it come to fruition,” said Munro. “It’s going to be a nice next two years as we get ready for the inaugural event.”

WORLD CUP OF HOCKEY

Ottawa to host Canada’s camp TORONTO — While Toronto will be the host of the World Cup of Hockey, plenty of other cities will get a chance to be part of the lead-up to the tournament. Canada will hold its training camp in Ottawa and play exhibition games there, as well as Columbus and Pittsburgh. Hockey Canada chief operating officer Scott Smith called the nation’s capital a “natural fit.” “When we looked at the tight time frames and the demands from a schedule point of view and respecting the players and the coaches and the preparation process, we thought that Ottawa was the best location for us because of its proximity to other exhibition games that we would play and also proximity to where the full tourna-

ment will be played in Toronto,” Smith said in a phone interview Wednesday. Team North America, made up of players age 23-and-under from Canada and the United States, will hold camp in Montreal and Quebec City along with Team Europe. Smith said the NHL and NHL Players’ Association were in charge of picking those sites. Quebec City is the only North American city involved in the World Cup that doesn’t have an NHL team, though it could get one in the near future as part of the league’s expansion process. Team North America will play Team Europe, made up of all-stars from countries not represented by their own teams, at the brand-new Videotron Centre in Quebec City on Sept. 8. Canada will open exhibition play against the United States at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Sept. 9 .

lution but none appeared here from March 1959 until the Baltimore Orioles faced Cuba’s national team in Havana in March 1999. MLB has not returned since. Under Castro, a passionate baseball fan who saw sports as an expression of national glory, defectors were banished from official memory, never mentioned on Cuban television even as they made headlines on U.S. sports pages. Castro’s brother and successor, President Raul Castro, has eased the treatment of players who leave as part of a broader relaxing of social controls. That included the 2013 removal of a required exit permit for all Cubans, except those considered essen-

tial to the country. Some major league players have since been allowed back on low-key trips to see family. A few others, like star infielder Yoan Moncada, have received permission from Cuban authorities to depart legally to start careers in the United States. Moncada agreed to a $31.5 million signing bonus with the Boston Red Sox in March. Cuba also has been allowing some stars to legally play in countries such as Japan and Mexico during the off-season. Similar policies for the major leagues would be far more difficult due to the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba and Cuban fears that broad legalization of departures to the U.S. would make the talent drain even worse.

Canada’s Yurkiw fastest in downhill training for World Cup in Val d’Isere

downhill and slalom — and the downhill race Saturday. Yurkiw is the lone Canadian woman racing in Val d’Isere. The 27-year-old finished 14th and seventh in the season-opening World Cup downhills in Lake Louise, Alta., earlier this month. Yurkiw also placed 12th in super-G there. She earned her first career World Cup medal last January taking silver in a downhill in Cortina, Italy. Vonn swept all three races in Lake Louise. She also won a giant slalom last weekend in Are, Sweden, to extend her record to 71 career World Cup victories. The 31-year-old is chasing a fifth overall World Cup title and first since 2012.

VAL D’ISERE, France — Larisa Yurkiw of Owen Sound, Ont., was the quickest in training Wednesday for a World Cup downhill race in Val d’Isere, France. Yurkiw posted a time of one minute, 47.79 seconds, with Nicole Schmidhofer of Austria. 10 behind and Lindsey Vonn of the U.S. trailing by .21. Another downhill training is scheduled for Thursday followed by a super-combined race on Friday — a

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HAVANA — More than 100 Cuban boys wearing the uniforms of local baseball teams stood in rows, smiling nervously Wednesday as they got tips and training from some of their major league idols — men who were born on the island and were once disdained by the Communist government for defecting to the United States. Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Brayan Pena and Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu were among those who ran 10- and 11-year-old Cuban players through a three-hour skills camp on the second day of a threeday mission meant to warm relations between Major League Baseball and Cuba. Joined by pitcher Pedro Luis Lazo and other Cuban baseball stars who have stayed on the island, the major league stars divided the youths into five groups and ran them through calisthenics and batting, pitching and catching drills. And they offered their advice. “We’re going to give our best on this visit and we appreciate the opportunity we’ve been given,” said Yasiel Puig, who left Cuba illegally in 2012. “Everything else we leave to God and destiny.” Eleven-year-old Yassel Veranes grinned widely as he waited for the clinic to begin. “It’s my dream to be here to see them,” said the boy, who was brought to Havana’s Latinoamericano Stadium by his father, Elio Veranes, who watched the proceedings with pride. The official return on Tuesday of baseball defectors earning millions in the major leagues was a landmark in the new relationship between Cuba and the United States and a dramatic manifestation of Cuba’s shifting attitude toward the hundreds of players who have abandoned the country that trained them. One year ago this week, Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced that their countries were restoring diplomatic ties, opening the door for better baseball relations between the countries. Cuba and the United States always have shared a love of baseball, despite deep political and ideological differences over the years. From the Negro Leagues to the current crop of Cuban stars, the communist island and the U.S. are linked by century-old baseball ties. During their current trip, Major League Baseball Players Association executives planned to talk business with their Cuban counterparts, saying they were optimistic about sealing a deal by early next year for the Tampa Bay Rays to play two spring training games in Cuba. They also hope to make progress toward creating a legal route for Cuban players to make their way to the major leagues. “There’s some hurdles to negotiate, there’s no question, and hopefully this trip of goodwill will make the conversations work better,” said Major

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SCOREBOARD Hockey Pt 43 39 37 34 25 24

CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L OTLSOL GF 33 22 11 0 0 139 33 22 11 0 0 121 35 21 12 1 1 116 34 13 18 3 0 93 32 11 18 2 1 101 34 6 26 2 0 64

GA 103 94 108 113 127 144

Pt 44 44 44 29 25 14

WESTERN CONFERENCE B.C. DIVISION GP W L OTLSOL GF GA Pt Kelowna 33 25 7 1 0 129 93 51 Prince George 32 20 10 1 1 110 91 42 Victoria 33 20 11 1 1 113 77 42 Kamloops 30 15 11 3 1 112 100 34 Vancouver 34 11 19 2 2 98 123 26

Everett Seattle Spokane Portland Tri-City

Wednesday’s results Brandon 5 Kamloops 3 Kelowna 1 Moose Jaw 0 Lethbridge 7 Saskatoon 4 Vancouver 4 Victoria 3 Everett 7 Spokane 4 Tuesday’s results Kamloops 4 Regina 3 Kelowna 6 Swift Current 3 Lethbridge 5 Prince Albert 4 Medicine Hat 2 Edmonton 1 Red Deer 4 Kootenay 2 Prince George 6 Seattle 2 Tri-City 6 Portland 4 Friday’s games Kamloops at Moose Jaw, 6 p.m. Kelowna at Prince Albert, 6 p.m. Saskatoon at Regina, 6 p.m. Brandon at Swift Current, 6 p.m. Lethbridge at Edmonton, 7 p.m. Calgary at Medicine Hat, 7:30 p.m. Kootenay at Red Deer, 8 p.m. Victoria at Prince George, 8 p.m. Portland at Spokane, 8:05 p.m. Everett at Vancouver, 8:30 p.m. Tri-City at Seattle, 8:35 p.m. Saturday’s games Kamloops at Swift Current, 6 p.m. Brandon at Prince Albert, 6 p.m. Moose Jaw at Regina, 6 p.m. Kelowna at Saskatoon, 6:05 p.m. Medicine Hat at Calgary, 7 p.m. Kootenay at Edmonton, 7 p.m. Lethbridge at Red Deer, 7 p.m. Victoria at Prince George, 8 p.m. Vancouver at Everett, 8:05 p.m. Portland at Spokane, 8:05 p.m.

Chicago Nashville Colorado Winnipeg

Seattle at Tri-City, 8:05 p.m. Christmas break GA 93 99 102 111 131 102

U.S. DIVISION GP W L OTLSOL GF 30 18 10 0 2 85 31 18 11 2 0 105 32 16 13 2 1 108 31 15 16 0 0 107 32 13 18 1 0 99

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

Local Sports

WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE EAST DIVISION GP W L OTLSOL GF Brandon 33 20 10 1 2 125 Prince Albert 32 18 11 2 1 100 Moose Jaw 32 16 11 4 1 112 Regina 33 15 14 2 2 100 Saskatoon 31 11 17 3 0 91 Swift Current 32 10 18 3 1 77

Lethbridge Red Deer Calgary Edmonton Medicine Hat Kootenay

GA 66 93 111 102 122

Pt 38 38 35 30 27

WHL Scoring Leaders Tyson Baillie, Kel Brayden Burke, Let Dryden Hunt, MJ Reid Gardiner, P.A. Adam Brooks, Reg Devante Stephens, Spo Brayden Point, MJ Egor Babenko, Let Mathew Barzal, Sea Ivan Nikolishin, RD Radel Fazleev, CAL Alex Forsberg, Vic Parker Bowles, TC Nolan Patrick, Bra Jonathon Martin, SC Collin Shirley, Kam Tyler Wong, Let Justin Gutierrez, Let Keegan Kolesar, Sea Giorgio Estephan, Let Jesse Gabrielle, PG Matthew Phillips, Vic Cameron Hebig, Sas Ethan Bear, Sea

G 21 9 20 20 16 12 18 18 9 18 14 11 18 10 23 21 22 17 16 13 19 18 15 11

A 34 41 25 24 28 32 25 25 34 24 28 31 23 30 16 18 16 20 21 23 16 17 20 24

Pts 55 50 45 44 44 44 43 43 43 42 42 42 41 40 39 39 38 37 37 36 35 35 35 35

32 31 32 31

17 15 15 14

11 10 16 15

4 6 1 2

Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts Los Angeles 30 19 9 2 40 San Jose 30 15 14 1 31 Arizona 30 14 14 2 30 Calgary 30 14 14 2 30 Edmonton 32 14 16 2 30 Vancouver 32 11 13 8 30 Anaheim 29 11 13 5 27 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for loss.

85 81 88 85

78 81 88 95

GF GA 78 66 78 79 81 95 80 104 87 96 81 92 56 73 overtime

Wednesday’s Games Washington 2, Ottawa 1 Boston 3, Pittsburgh 0

National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts Montreal 32 20 9 3 43 Boston 30 17 9 4 38 Detroit 31 16 9 6 38 Ottawa 32 16 11 5 37 Tampa Bay 32 16 13 3 35 Florida 31 15 12 4 34 Buffalo 32 13 16 3 29 Toronto 29 10 13 6 26

GF GA 101 73 96 80 79 79 98 95 78 73 81 75 74 86 68 81

Friday’s Games Boston at Pittsburgh, 5 p.m. Tampa Bay at Washington, 5 p.m. Florida at Carolina, 5 p.m. San Jose at Ottawa, 5:30 p.m. Vancouver at Detroit, 5:30 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Winnipeg, 6 p.m.

Metropolitan Division GP W L OT Pts 30 22 6 2 46 32 19 9 4 42 32 18 9 5 41 31 16 11 4 36 30 15 12 3 33 31 13 12 6 32 31 12 14 5 29 33 11 19 3 25

GF GA 91 64 94 74 90 77 76 75 68 74 66 86 77 96 76 100

WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts Dallas 31 23 6 2 48 St. Louis 32 18 10 4 40 Minnesota 29 16 7 6 38

GF GA 107 80 82 78 79 68

NHL Scoring Leaders G 19 17 20 15 14 7 19 12 11 9 5 17 11 10 9 9 9 9

A 27 25 21 20 20 27 13 20 20 22 26 13 18 19 20 20 20 20

Pts 46 42 41 35 34 34 32 32 31 31 31 30 29 29 29 29 29 29

Rex Ryan accepts blame for Bills’ inconsistencies BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The laughter coach Rex Ryan drew in proudly displaying what he called the ugliest Bills-themed Christmas sweater vest he could find had barely subsided when the conversation switched to what’s been more of a season-long clash of styles: The state of his under-achieving team. Ryan accepted the blame Wednesday by referring to the Bills’ inconsistencies — particularly on defence — as being “ugly,” too. “That falls directly on me, so I get that,” said Ryan, one of numerous team officials and players wearing similar holiday-styled sweaters. “It doesn’t need to be pointed anywhere else. It needs to be pointed at me. I’m a big guy. I’ve got broad shoulders. I can take it.” The Bills (6-7), who play at Washington (6-7) on Sunday, have been all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention for a 16th straight season. It’s already the NFL’s longest active drought and would tie the 1936-‘51 Detroit Lions for the eighth-longest streak in league history. It’s a place few envisioned Buffalo to be a mere 11 months ago when the former New York Jets coach was hired and immediately proceeded to raise expectations with a series of bold vows. He called it his objective to build a bully. Instead, the Bills were manhandled in a 23-20 loss to Philadelphia last week. And a lack of discipline has been a season-long issue for a team that leads the league with 1,086 yards in penalties. He predicted the defence would be the NFL’s best. Instead, the Bills rank in the bottom half of the league in most categories, including 20th in yards allowed, a year after finishing fourth. Most important, Ryan said fans should prepare for Buffalo to make the playoffs. Instead,

WHL ROUNDUP

Babenko, Gutierrez with three points each as Hurricanes down Blades BY THE CANADIAN PRESS SASKATOON — Egor Babenko and Justin Gutierrez each had a goal and two assists as the Lethrbidge Hurricanes downed the host Saskatoon Blades 7-4 on Wednesday in Western Hockey League play. Andrew Nielsen, Cory Millette, Ryley Lindgren, Brayden Burke and Carter Folk all had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes (22-11-0). Cameron Hebig and Connor Gay each scored once and set up two more for the Blades (11-173), who also got goals from Josh Paterson and Bryton Sayers. Lethbridge’s Jayden Sittler made 21 saves for the win. Brock Hamm started in net for Saskatoon and allowed three goals on 15 shots before giving way to Evan Smith, who turned away 19-of-22 shots in 44:01 of relief. The Hurricanes went 1 for 2 on the power play while the Blades scored twice on five chances with the man advantage. WHEAT KINGS 5 BLAZERS 3 BRANDON — Reid Duke scored twice and set up one more as Brandon toppled Kamloops. Ty Lewis, Nolan Patrick and Braylon Schmyr also scored for the Wheat Kings (2010-3), who got a 19-save outing from Jordan Papirny.

• Senior high basketball: Rocky Mountain House at Camrose; girls at 6 p.m,, boys to follow. • Men’s basketball: Vikings vs. Bulldog Scrap Metal, Washed up Warriors vs. Wells Furniture, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m., Lindsay Thurber.

Friday

Saturday

Thursday’s Games Anaheim at Buffalo, 5 p.m. Florida at New Jersey, 5 p.m. Vancouver at Philadelphia, 5 p.m. San Jose at Toronto, 5:30 p.m. Los Angeles at Montreal, 5:30 p.m. Nashville at St. Louis, 6 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Minnesota, 6 p.m. Edmonton at Chicago, 6:30 p.m. Calgary at Dallas, 6:30 p.m. N.Y. Islanders at Colorado, 7 p.m. Columbus at Arizona, 7 p.m.

Patrick Kane, Chi Tyler Seguin, Dal Jamie Benn, Dal Taylor Hall, Edm Daniel Sedin, Vcr Erik Karlsson, Ott Vladimir Tarasenko, StL Johnny Gaudreau, Cgy Michael Cammalleri, NJ Henrik Sedin, Vcr John Klingberg, Dal Mike Hoffman, Ott Alex Steen, StL Blake Wheeler, Wpg Bobby Ryan, Ott David Krejci, Bos Patrice Bergeron, Bos Artemi Panarin, Chi

Today

• Peewee AA hockey: Airdrie at Red Deer TBS, 6 p.m., Collicutt Centre; West Central at Red Deer Parkland, 7:15 p.m., Kinsmen B. • AJHL: Lloydminster at Olds, 7 p.m. Heritage junior B hockey: Mountainview at Stettler, 7:30 p.m. • WHL: Kootenay at Red Deer, 8 p.m., Centrium. • Midget AAA hockey: Lethbridge at Red Deer, 8 p.m., Arena.

Tuesday’s Games New Jersey 2, Buffalo 0 Florida 5, N.Y. Islanders 1 N.Y. Rangers 4, Edmonton 2 Philadelphia 4, Carolina 3, OT Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 4, OT San Jose 3, Montreal 1 Calgary 2, Nashville 1, OT Minnesota 6, Vancouver 2 St. Louis 4, Winnipeg 3 Colorado 3, Chicago 0 Dallas 5, Columbus 1

2015-16 Canadian Hockey League Top Ten Poll (last week’s rankings in parentheses): 1. (1) Erie Otters (OHL, 27-3-1-0) 2. (2) Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL, 26-3-3-1) 3. (3) Kitchener Rangers (OHL, 23-3-4-0) 4. (4) Kelowna Rockets (WHL, 24-7-1-0) 5. (5) London Knights (OHL, 23-5-1-1) 6. (6) Val-d’Or Foreurs (QMJHL, 24-7-2-1) 7. (7) Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL, 21-10-1-1) 8. (8) Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL, 21-9-3-0) 9. (10) Lethbridge Hurricanes (WHL, 21-11-0-0) 10. (NR) Calgary Hitmen (WHL, 21-12-1-1) Honourable Mentions Red Deer Rebels (WHL, 22-11-0-0) Kingston Frontenacs (OHL, 20-9-2-1) Prince George Cougars (WHL, 20-10-1-1).

Washington N.Y. Rangers N.Y. Islanders New Jersey Pittsburgh Philadelphia Carolina Columbus

38 36 31 30

the Bills no longer control their destiny, and will be eliminated with any loss in their three remaining games. Whatever honeymoon period Ryan enjoyed has faded, replaced by the all-too-familiar criticisms and questions directed at many of his predecessors. This is also not what new owners Terry and Kim Pegula were expecting. Ryan was hired from a pool of 12 candidates because the Pegulas wanted someone with previous head-coaching experience to lead a team they felt had the veteran talent to make an immediate playoff run. Ryan isn’t going anywhere after just one season, but he has failed to build on his final four years in New York, where the Jets went a combined 26-38 and missed the playoffs each time. “Maybe I set the expectations so high, but I always set them high,” Ryan said. “I think I’m an above-average coach, maybe, but for whatever reason we haven’t had the results that we were looking for.” Ryan is most disappointed by the performance of his high-priced defence, which has struggled in adapting to the complex system the new coach introduced this off-season. Only now, when it’s nearly too late, does Ryan see his defence starting to click. Buffalo’s 19 sacks are the third-fewest in the league after the team topped 50 in each of the past two seasons. The Bills have allowed 30 or more points four times this year, compared with just once last season. And they were burned for a franchise-worst 466 yards passing by Tom Brady in a 40-32 loss to New England in Week 2. “It’s ugly. We don’t expect to play or get numbers like that,” Ryan said. “We just haven’t been the dominant unit that any of us anticipated.” Guard Richie Incognito said the players deserve their fair share of blame. Gage Quinney, Erik Miller and Nick Chyzowski found the back of the net for the Blazers (15-11-4), who had their three-game win streak halted. Dylan Ferguson stopped 37 shots in defeat. ROCKETS 1 WARRIORS 0 MOOSE JAW, Sask. — Jackson Whistle stopped all 27 shots his way as Kelowna blanked the Warriors. Dillon Dube scored the only goal that was needed for the Rockets (25-7-1) in the second period. Zach Sawchenko kicked out 22-of-23 shots for Moose Jaw (16-10-5). GIANTS 4 ROYALS 3 VANCOUVER — Brennan Menell tied the game and then assisted on Chase Lang’s winner at 18:13 of the third period as the Giants shocked Victoria. Owen Hardy and Carter Popoff also scored for Vancouver (11-19-4), which got a 26-save performance form Ryan Kubic. Ralph Jarratt, Jordan Wharrie and Regan Nagy supplied the offence for the Royals (2011-2). Coleman Vollrath kicked out 23 shots in a losing effort. SILVERTIPS 7 CHIEFS 4 SPOKANE, Wash. — Remi Laurencelle put his fourth goal of the game into an empty net and set up one more as Everett got past the Chiefs for its third win in a row. Dawson Leedhal had a goal and two helpers for the Silvertips (18-10-2) while Cole MacDonald and Carson Stadnyk each added a goal and an assist. Carter Hart made 27 saves for the victory. Kailer Yamamoto had a pair of goals for Spokane (16-13-3). Riley Whittingham and Hudson Elyniuk also scored as Tyson Verhelst stopped 26 shots in defeat.

• Minor midget AAA hockey: Calgary Blazers at Red Deer Strata Energy, 11:30 a.m., Arena. • Peewee AA hockey: Foothills at Red Deer TBS, 12:30 p.m., Kinsmen A; Okotoks Green at Olds, 1 p.m.; Okotoks Black at West Central, 7:30 p.m., Rimbey. • Major bantam hockey: Calgary Flames at Red Deer, 2 p.m., Arena. • Major bantam girls hockey: Calgary Rangers at Red Deer, 2:15 p.m., Collicutt Centre. • Bantam AA hockey: Red Deer Steel Kings at Red Deer Ramada, 2:30 p.m., Kinex; West Central at Olds, 3:30 p.m. • Junior women’s hockey: Thorsby at

Central Alberta, 4:15 p.m., Penhold Regional Multiplex. • WHL: Lethbridge at Red Deer, 7 p.m., Centrium. • Chinook senior AAA hockey: Stony Plain at Bentley, 7 p.m. • AJHL: Drumheller at Olds, 7 p.m. • Heritage junior B hockey: Three Hills at Stettler, 7:30 p.m.; Blackfalds at Red Deer, 8 p.m., Arena; Airdrie at Ponoka, 8 p.m. • Midget AA hockey: Olds at Red Deer Indy Graphics, 4:45 p.m., Arena; Bow Valley at West Central, 8 p.m., Sylvan Lake.

Sunday • Minor midget AAA hockey: Calgary Canucks at Red Deer North Star, noon, Arena. • Peewee AA hockey: Red Deer Parkland at Olds, 12:15 p.m.; Foothills at Central Alberta, 2 p.m., Lacombe. • Major bantam girls hockey: Calgary Outlaws at Red Deer, 2:15 p.m., Collicutt Centre. • Bantam AA hockey: Red Deer Steel Kings at Olds, 2:45 p.m. • Heritage junior B hockey: Cochrane at Blackfalds, 3:30 p.m. • Men’s basketball: Grandview vs. Monstars, Chillibongs vs. Washed up Warriors, Johns Manville vs. Rusty Chuckers, 4:15 p.m.; NWS vs. Carstar, Lacombe All Sports Cresting vs. Henry’s Eavestroughing, Triple A Batteries vs. Alken Basin, 5:30 p.m.; all games at Lindsay Thurber. • Midget AA hockey: Red Deer Indy Graphics at Olds, 5:30 p.m.

Football National Football League AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct y-New England 11 2 0 .846 N.Y. Jets 8 5 0 .615 Buffalo 6 7 0 .462 Miami 5 8 0 .385 South W L T Pct Indianapolis 6 7 0 .462 Houston 6 7 0 .462 Jacksonville 5 8 0 .385 Tennessee 3 10 0 .231 North W L T Pct Cincinnati 10 3 0 .769 Pittsburgh 8 5 0 .615 Baltimore 4 9 0 .308 Cleveland 3 10 0 .231 West W L T Pct Denver 10 3 0 .769 Kansas City 8 5 0 .615 Oakland 6 7 0 .462 San Diego 3 10 0 .231 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct Washington 6 7 0 .462 Philadelphia 6 7 0 .462 N.Y. Giants 6 7 0 .462 Dallas 4 9 0 .308 South W L T Pct y-Carolina 13 0 0 1.000 Tampa Bay 6 7 0 .462 Atlanta 6 7 0 .462

New Orleans PF 402 325 316 264

PA 253 256 301 331

PF 275 259 326 253

PA 356 291 357 326

PF 354 344 278 240

PA 229 260 326 357

PF 281 331 299 250

PA 225 243 326 334

PF 281 301 338 230

PA 307 322 320 305

PF 411 288 279

PA 243 322 295

5 8 North W L Green Bay 9 4 Minnesota 8 5 Chicago 5 8 Detroit 4 9 West W L x-Arizona 11 2 Seattle 8 5 St. Louis 5 8 San Francisco 4 9 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

.385

323

397

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .692 .615 .385 .308

PF 317 258 272 267

PA 245 255 314 336

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .846 .615 .385 .308

PF 405 340 210 188

PA 252 235 271 315

Thursday, Dec. 17 Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 6:25 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 N.Y. Jets at Dallas, 6:25 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 Chicago at Minnesota, 11 a.m. Atlanta at Jacksonville, 11 a.m. Houston at Indianapolis, 11 a.m. Carolina at N.Y. Giants, 11 a.m. Tennessee at New England, 11 a.m. Buffalo at Washington, 11 a.m. Kansas City at Baltimore, 11 a.m. Cleveland at Seattle, 2:05 p.m. Green Bay at Oakland, 2:05 p.m. Miami at San Diego, 2:25 p.m. Cincinnati at San Francisco, 2:25 p.m. Denver at Pittsburgh, 2:25 p.m. Arizona at Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21 Detroit at New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.

Basketball National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Toronto 16 10 .615 — Boston 14 12 .538 2 New York 12 14 .462 4 Brooklyn 7 18 .280 8 1/2 Philadelphia 1 26 .037 15 1/2

Miami Charlotte Orlando Atlanta Washington

Cleveland Chicago Indiana Detroit Milwaukee

Southeast Division W L Pct 15 9 .625 14 10 .583 14 11 .560 15 12 .556 10 14 .417

GB — 1 1 1/2 1 1/2 5

Central Division W L Pct 16 7 .696 15 8 .652 15 9 .625 15 12 .556 10 17 .370

GB — 1 1 1/2 3 8

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB San Antonio 22 5 .815 — Dallas 14 12 .538 7 1/2 Memphis 14 13 .519 8 Houston 12 14 .462 9 1/2 New Orleans 7 18 .280 14

Oklahoma City Denver Utah Portland Minnesota

Northwest Division W L Pct 17 8 .680 11 14 .440 10 14 .417 11 16 .407 9 16 .360 Pacific Division W L Pct

GB — 6 6 1/2 7 8

Golden State L.A. Clippers Phoenix Sacramento L.A. Lakers

25 16 11 10 4

1 10 16 15 21

.962 .615 .407 .400 .160

— 9 14 1/2 14 1/2 20 1/2

Tuesday’s Games Cleveland 89, Boston 77 Denver 112, Minnesota 100 Sacramento 107, Houston 97 L.A. Lakers 113, Milwaukee 95 Wednesday’s Games Indiana 107, Dallas 81 Orlando 113, Charlotte 98 Miami 104, Brooklyn 98 Detroit 119, Boston 116 New York 107, Minnesota 102 Chicago 98, Memphis 85 Oklahoma City 106, Portland 90 Atlanta 127, Philadelphia 106 San Antonio 114, Washington 95 New Orleans 104, Utah 94 Golden State 128, Phoenix 103 L.A. Clippers 103, Milwaukee 90 Thursday’s Games Toronto at Charlotte, 5 p.m. Oklahoma City at Cleveland, 6 p.m. Houston at L.A. Lakers, 8:30 p.m. Friday’s Games Brooklyn at Indiana, 5 p.m. New York at Philadelphia, 5 p.m. Portland at Orlando, 5 p.m. Atlanta at Boston, 5:30 p.m. Detroit at Chicago, 6 p.m. Sacramento at Minnesota, 6 p.m. L.A. Clippers at San Antonio, 6 p.m. Toronto at Miami, 6 p.m. Memphis at Dallas, 6:30 p.m. Denver at Utah, 7 p.m. Milwaukee at Golden State, 8:30 p.m. New Orleans at Phoenix, 8:30 p.m.

Transactions Wednesday’s Sports Transactions HOCKEY National Hockey League BUFFALO SABRES — Assigned F Colin Jacobs from Rochester (AHL) to Elmira (ECHL). NEW JERSEY DEVILS — Reassigned F Joseph Blandisi on loan to Albany (AHL). PHILADELPHIA FLYERS — Assigned D Jesper Pettersson from Lehigh Valley (AHL) to Reading (ECHL). TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING — Recalled F Brian Hart from Greenville (ECHL) to Syracuse (AHL). American Hockey League MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS — Returned F Zach Budish to Cincinnati (ECHL). WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS — Recalled G Brian Foster and Fs Sahir Gill and Ty Loney from Wheeling (ECHL). ECHL ELMIRA JACKALS — Claimed F Tyler Maxwell off waivers from Alaska. EVANSVILLE ICEMEN — Signed F Mike Duco. MANCHESTER MONARCHS — Signed D Anthony Pisano. BASEBALL American League DETROIT TIGERS — Agreed to terms with C Albert Cordero on a minor league contract. LOS ANGELES ANGELS — Agreed to terms with OF Daniel Nava on a one-year contract. National League ATLANTA BRAVES — Assigned OF Dian Toscano outright to Gwinnett (IL). Agreed to terms with C Tyler Flowers on a two-year contract. Named Ricky Alcantara trainer of Gwinnett (IL), Luis Salazar manager and Kyle Damschroder trainer of Mississippi (SL), Ralph Wheeler manager and Nick Flynn trainer of Carolina (Carolina), Dan Meyer pitching coach and Joe Luat trainer of Rome (SAL), Robinson Cancel manager and Gabe Luckert pitching coach of Danville (Appalachian) and Nestor Perez manager, Mike Alvarez pitching coach and Nick Jensen trainer

of the GCL Braves. CINCINNATI REDS — Sent 3B Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox, who sent 2B Micah Johnson, RHP Frankie Montas and OF Trayce Thompson to the L.A. Dodgers. The Dodgers sent INFs Brandon Dixon and Jose Peraza and OF Scott Schebler to the Reds. COLORADO ROCKIES — Agreed to terms with INF Mark Reynolds on a one-year contract. MILWAUKEE BREWERS — Agreed to terms with 3B Will Middlebrooks on a minor league contract. NEW YORK METS — Named Dick Scott bench coach. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS — Named Adam Olsen trainer. FOOTBALL National Football League BALTIMORE RAVENS — Signed OT Marcel Jones to the practice squad. BUFFALO BILLS — Placed CB Stephon Gilmore on injured reserve. Signed DE Max Valles from Oakland’s practice squad. CINCINNATI BENGALS — Signed QB Keith Wenning from the practice squad and WR Michael Bennett to the practice squad. CLEVELAND BROWNS — Waived WR Darius Jennings. Claimed RB Raheem Mostert off waivers from Baltimore. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Claimed S Akeem Davis off waivers from Seattle. Released LB Edwin Jackson from the practice squad. Signed RB LaDarius Perkins and LB Amarlo Herrera to the practice squad. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS — Waived WR Rashad Lawrence. Signed RB Jonas Gray from Miami’s practice squad. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Waived OL Jeff Linkenbach. Signed QB Logan Thomas from the practice squad. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS — Placed RB LeGarrette Blount on injured reserve. Released WR Damaris Johnson. Signed DL Ishmaa’ily Kitchen. Released RB Trey Williams from the practice squad.

MEN’S BASKEGTBALL Matt Thomson’s 17 points helped Sheraton Red Deer record a 64-44 win over The D Leaguers in Central Alberta Senior Men’s Basketball Association play Tuesday. Cody Rehm netted 10 points in a losing cause, while teammate Ben Crips scored seven.

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 B5

McGregor has eye on another title UFC BY THE CANADIAN PRESS LAS VEGAS — After headlining his first UFC show in July 2014 with a win over Diego Brandao, (The Notorious) Conor McGregor delighted his hometown fans in Dublin by saying: “We’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over.” On Saturday night, the 27-year-old Irishman successfully completed his hostile takeover of Jose Aldo’s UFC featherweight title. With his golden tongue and slick fighting skills, McGregor was already a bona fide MMA star with flashy cars and stylish suits. Now he is an undisputed champion, with an eye to collecting more titles. McGregor dethroned Aldo at UFC 194 in sensational fashion, toppling the sport’s pound-for-pound king in just 13 seconds. Aldo had not lost in 10 years and was riding an 18-fight win streak. Barring a comeback, the Brazilian’s career may now be summed up in a Vine. Aldo (25-2) missed with a right and McGregor floored him with a left, adding a pair of hammer-fists before referee John McCarthy stepped in before a crowd of 16,516 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. McGregor (19-2) even called the winning shot during fight week. “I said he’d overload on his right hand,” he recalled. “I’d said I’d slip and bang the left hook. That’s what happened.” McGregor, who had spent months talking smack about Aldo, admitted to feeling for the longtime 145-pound champion in the wake of the stunning win. “You don’t want to see the only (featherweight) champion in the company’s history going out like this,” McGregor said. “So I had a little moment when I felt sorry for Jose.” “I respect Jose,” he added. “I wish him well, but now we’re to the next chapter.” McGregor, who has only gone the distance once in 21 fights, offers a combination of power and precision. His movement is silky smooth. It was the fastest finish in UFC championship history. The previous record in a UFC world title fight was Ronda Rousey’s 14-second submission of Cat Zingano in February. McGregor’s fastest win came in 2011, when he dispatched Paddy Doherty in just four seconds. “With these small gloves and the correct amount of force and the correct amount of timing, the human chin can’t take it,” McGregor said. The UFC laid out two possible scenarios for McGregor. He can stay at featherweight and make his first title defence against Frankie (The Answer) Edgar. Or he can vacate the 145-pound championship and move up to lightweight to fight for the 155-pound crown. “I enjoy options,” said McGregor, who held both titles in England’s Cage Warriors promotion prior to joining the UFC. But while acknowledging making 145 pounds was tough, he rejected the idea of giving up one belt to fight for another. UFC lightweights say McGregor will get hurt if he moves into their neighbourhood. McGregor says the division needs him more than he needs them. “I’m confident going forward that nobody can take what I bring,” he warned. And McGregor says whatever he does, it will sell tickets and pay-per-views. “I’m bringing these big numbers and the sky’s the limit.” Saturday’s gate was US$10.1 million with UFC officials predicting one of the promotion’s biggest, if not the biggest, pay-per-view audience. For the UFC, McGregor is manna from heaven at a time when Rousey is licking her wounds after losing her bantamweight title and former light-heavyweight champion Jon (Bones) Jones is on the comeback trail after being derailed by legal issues. On Saturday, after newly crowned middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and other winners had met the media, McGregor came out to hold his own news conference. UFC president Dana White did not attend the post-fight event. But he didn’t need to, with McGregor comfortably holding court alone. The new champion was once an apprentice plumber. But fighting became his passion and he was summoned to Las Vegas after White kept hearing about him. McGregor was training and collecting unemployment at the time. But his charisma made an instant fan out of White, who brought him on board. He opened his UFC account with a 67-second win over Marcus Brimmage in April 2013. McGregor, who trains at SBG Ireland (which stands for Straight Blast Gym) under longtime coach John Kavanagh, initially got into martial arts for self-defence. “I was always the short guy, the little handsome guy, the little good-looking guy that everyone wanted to beat up for some reason,” he explained in a 2013 interview. He was 16 or 17 when he met Tom (The Tank)

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Conor McGregor reacts after defeating Jose Aldo during a featherweight championship mixed martial arts bout at UFC 194, Saturday, in Las Vegas. McGregor dethroned Aldo at UFC 194 in sensational fashion and now the UFC laid out two possible scenarios for McGregor. He can stay at featherweight and make his first title defence against Frankie (The Answer) Edgar. Or he can vacate the 145-pound championship and move up to lightweight to fight for the 155-pound crown.

UFC lightweight champ, contender warn Conor McGregor: You’re going to get hurt if you move up LOS ANGELES — UFC featherweight champion Conor McGregor has vowed to move up in weight soon to fight for the lightweight title. The two men he could face for that belt are both warning him to pick on somebody his own size. UFC lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos faces Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone on Saturday night in a title fight in Orlando. UFC President Dana White says the winner’s next bout will be against McGregor if the popular Irish champion decides to move up from 145 to 155 pounds. Dos Anjos and Cerrone dislike each other, but they agree McGregor’s fists wouldn’t pack quite so much punch in the larger weight class. “He gets a lot of hype, and he’s a good fighter,” Dos Anjos said. “But if he comes to the lightweight division, he’s going to get hurt.” McGregor ended featherweight champion Jose Aldo’s 10-year, 18-fight winning streak last Saturday with a stunning knockout just 13 seconds into their title fight at UFC 194 in Las Vegas. Afterward, McGregor repeated his intention to become a simultaneous two-belt champion, although he isn’t sure when he will try it. “He’s too small to come to 155,” Cerrone said. “His jaw is powerful. He’s got good talk. But he won’t fare (well) with the top (lightweight fighters). He might do good with the lower-ranked guys if they do the same thing they did with the (featherweights) and pick and choose his guys, but if they throw him in the (lightweight) top 10, no way.” McGregor’s celebrity has grown past every UFC fighter except Ronda Rousey, largely because he has recorded devastating stoppage victories in five straight fights and six of his seven UFC bouts. His vicious striking power has backed up his bold public pronouncements about taking over both divisions. Egan, who was training in jiu-jitsu, and the two saw the UFC on TV. The two started training together in a shed at Egan’s home. Then they found out about SBG and started training there. “And that was it. I said ‘Man, I’m taking this. This is mine now, I’m going to take this over,”’ McGregor recalled. Kavanagh helped school him and even pulled McGregor back to the straight and narrow — at the request of McGregor’s mother — when he began to stray. McGregor admits he was getting in trouble, ow-

Olympic bronze medalist Jan Hudec out for ski season with knee injury “After a minor injury just days before the World Cup in Lake Louise, I had CALGARY — Jan Huto re-evaluate my commitdec’s ski racing season is ment to ski racing and my over before it began. future as a competitor. The Olympic bronze “After several meetmedallist in super-G in ings with ACA staff, train2014 needs to treat and reers and the medical team, habilitate his problematic I have decided to sit this right knee. season out. It will give me Hudec had surgery in a chance to get my knee reJanuary on a torn menispaired.” cus that sidelined him last When he tied with Jan Hudec season. He returned to the American Bode Miller for Canada’s alpine ski team super-G bronze at the 2014 for this season, but the 34-year-old Cal- Winter Games, Hudec was the first Cagarian had a setback while training in nadian in 20 years to win an alpine ski Alberta in November. medal. Hudec also won silver in men’s Hudec withdrew from the sea- downhill at the 2007 world championson-opening downhill World Cup in ship. Lake Louise, Alta. He pushed out of Hudec is the second high-profile the start hut in the super-G there, but skier the men’s alpine team has lost to didn’t finish the race. a knee injury this season. Hudec expects to undergo knee surOttawa’s Dustin Cook, who won sugery again next month, which will be per-G silver at this year’s world chameighth on his right knee. He intends to pionship, tore ligaments in his right return for the 2016-17 season. knee while training in October. He al“After coming back from surgery so underwent season-ending knee surin late January 2015, I felt great lead- gery. ing up to the first races of the 2015-16 The men’s team is currently in Val season,” Hudec said Wednesday in a Gardena, Italy, preparing for Friday’s statement from Alpine Canada. super-G and Saturday’s downhill. BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

“I’m looking to replicate what I’ve achieved in a previous (promotion): a two-weight world champion held consecutively,” McGregor said moments after beating Aldo. “I said I would do it, and I will do it.” Cerrone understands why McGregor is entertaining the prospect of a lightweight title run. McGregor acknowledges that his weight cut to 145 pounds is grueling, and his coach would prefer that McGregor no longer attempt such dramatic weight loss in the days before his fights. “It’s like me going to 170 (pounds),” Cerrone said of the higher welterweight division. “I could do it, sure, but those guys are coming down from 200, 210 pounds. That’s why they make weight divisions, man.” Cerrone just doesn’t think McGregor’s power will work as well on bigger opponents, even if his gift of gab stays strong. “I don’t have a personal problem with Conor,” Cerrone said. “He’s playing the game. He’s a salesman. But if he wants to sell the fight, I don’t have a problem with that. If he wants to pump up the fight, I’ll slap him around and call him a little schoolgirl.” Although Cerrone thinks it’s a bad idea for McGregor, he would welcome the payday that will come to the opponent lucky enough to be matched with McGregor’s pay-per-view drawing power. Cerrone even volunteered to travel to Dublin for the bout. “I’d go to Ireland. Why not?” Cerrone asked. “I’d stay over there for two weeks, too. Teach them Irish boys how to drink.” Dos Anjos also would love the matchup, and he is suppressing any hard feelings about McGregor’s meteoric rise after just seven UFC fights. The Brazilian laboured in the UFC for 18 bouts before finally getting a title shot in March, and he capitalized by beating Anthony Pettis to claim the 155-pound title. “I don’t do short cuts,” Dos Anjos said. “Everything I did, I did the hard way. It took so many fights for me to get my title shot, but if the UFC thinks I should fight him, I’m going to do it.” ing money to “the wrong kind of people.” Kavanagh convinced McGregor to return to the gym. “I don’t know what I would be doing if I didn’t find martial arts and martial arts didn’t find me,” McGregor said in 2013. McGregor was in the stands in January 2009 when the UFC made its first visit to Ireland for UFC 93. “That event in Dublin spurred me on and showed me that ‘This is for me. I can do this. I can take over this,”’ said McGregor. On Saturday, he did.

UFC CANADIANS Canadians Shane (Shaolin) Campbell and Sarah (Cheesecake) Moras have been added to the UFC’s televised Fight Night card Feb. 21 in Pittsburgh. Campbell takes on lightweight James Krause while Moras faces Lauren Murphy, ranked 15th among bantamweight contenders. The two Canadians are teammates at Toshido MMA in Kelowna, B.C. Campbell (12-3-0) is coming off a decision win over Elias Silverio. He lost his UFC debut to Montreal’s John (the Bull) Makdessi. Moras (4-3-0) lost a decision to Jessi-

ca Andrade last time out. She opened her UFC account with a win over Alexis Dufresne after appearing on Season 18 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Next up for Canada in the UFC is Randa (Quiet Storm) Markos of Windsor, Ont. Ranked seventh among strawweight contenders, Markos (5-3-0) takes on Poland’s Karolina Kowalkiewicz (7-0-0) on Saturday’s Fight Night card in Orlando, Fla. Edmonton welterweight Sheldon Westcott (9-3-1) fights Mexico’s Edgar Garcia (14-4-0) on the UFC 195 undercard Jan. 2 in Las Vegas. Veteran Montreal welterweight Patrick (The Predator) Cote (23-9-0) faces Ben (Killa B) Saunders (19-6-2) on a Jan. 17 Fight Night card in Boston.

Christmas Cash Giveaway! in Parkland Mall Enter to win $2000 Gift Cards Drop off original entry form at Parkland Mall guest services between Nov. 18 – Dec. 16 for your chance to win.

Name............................................................................................................................................................. Address ...................................................................................................................................................... Phone Number..................................................................................................................................... Draw date December 18/2015 Visit www.parklandmall.ca for rules & regulations.

B6 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015

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THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

Spreading the Christmas spirit MOORE HOPING A MOUNTVIEW CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS CAN RAISE DONATIONS FOR CHARITIES BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Charlie the spruce tree is getting ready for its debut as the lonely, little Christmas tree in an outdoor Charlie Brown Christmas display at Mountview Elementary School. The tree, removed this fall from Red Deer College to make way for the Gary W. Harris Centre of Health, Wellness & Sport, is being cared for by students until construction is complete and it can be returned to the college. Shawn Moore, of Trimmed-Line Tree Services who moved the tree, said the small spruce was discovered after a cluster of bigger trees were removed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What was left was a tiny, tiny tree. It just screamed Charlie Brown Christmas tree to me,â&#x20AC;? said Moore who is also a Mountview school parent. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the first tree heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rescued and replanted at the Mountview playground. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My plan was to take a little, tiny Christmas tree and see if we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t super grow him as much as we can while the wellness centre is being built, and see how big we can get him before we give him back.â&#x20AC;? But first the tree will have a leading role in the Peanuts display that will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 4331 34th St.

Carollers will be singing on site Friday afternoon before the classes end for the holiday at 2 p.m. People are encouraged to bring donations of toys or money for the Red Deer Christmas Bureau, and food or money for the Red Deer Food Bank. Moore supplied Snoopyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dog house, Lucyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s psychiatric stand, Schroederâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s piano, and some wooden Peanuts characters for the display. The entire display will be put up for sale through a silent auction. Money raised will go to charity. About 100 students from the school have been busy painting the props this week. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The last coat of red is drying on the dog house. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just doing some black outlines on Snoopy. Just a little bit of candy cane touch up, and the scene should be done. Schroederâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s piano is done. We should be in great shape,â&#x20AC;? Moore said on Wednesday. Moore will be dressed up as Charlie Brown and intends to remain on site overnight on Friday for those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have time to drop by during the day. He issued a challenge to people like emergency services workers to fill their vehicles with toys and food for the Christmas bureau and food bank. Charlie Brown Christmas is presented on behalf of Mountview School, Red Deer College and Trimmed-Line Tree Services. szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Shaun Moore of Trimmed Line Tree Services has been busy this week with students at Ă&#x2030;cole Mountview Elementary in Red Deer with a project that will recreate the Charlie Brown Christmas. Here he works with students Fatuma Hassan and Madison Campbell-McKay as they make preparations for the display.

No tax hikes for Innisfail SMALL INCREASES IN WATER AND WASTEWATER, BUT HELPED BY RESERVE FUND BY PAUL COWLEY ADVOCATE STAFF Innisfail taxpayers are getting a break in 2016. After lengthy debate on Monday, Innisfail council opted in a 4-3 vote not to raise the tax rate next year. Some councillors had argued for a one per cent increase. In Innisfail, a home assessed at just under $359,000 paid $2,407 on the municipal portion of their taxes this year. Assuming, the homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s value did not increase that number stays the same for next year. The townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operating budget will be $21.3 million operating and $5.9 million will be spent on various capital projects, including the first phase of an expansion project for the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s administration building. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 2016 budget represents a responsible approach to maintaining quality services while ensuring the town is adequately prepared for future growth,â&#x20AC;? says Mayor Brian Spiller, in a statement. Residents will see small increases in water and

LOCAL

BRIEFS

Do your best to stuff a cruiser How much food can one police cruiser hold? The Red Deer RCMP Traffic Unit is putting one of its police cruisers to just such a ultimate test. RCMP and staff at the north detachment are inviting the public to help them stuff the vehicle for the Red Deer Food Bank. Donations of non-perishable food items can be taken to the detachment weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. up until Dec. 23. Please bring your donations to the front counter at the north detachment at 6592 58 Avenue, Red Deer. If you happen to have food bank donations in your car and you encounter one of the revolving RCMP checkstops Friday or Saturday night, you can donate your non-perishable items then, too. RCMP will not accept cash donations at the checkstops. On Dec. 23, RCMP Traffic members from the north detachment will stuff the cruiser with the donations collected before taking them to the food bank.

Warrant issued for Beaverbones A warrant has been issued for a Red Deer man accused of riding around the city in a vehicle, pointing an imitation firearm at people. Terence Beaverbones, 26, faces three charges stemming from the Sept.

BUDGET

â&#x20AC;&#x153;THE 2016 BUDGET REPRESENTS A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO MAINTAINING QUALITY SERVICES WHILE ENSURING THE TOWN IS ADEQUATELY PREPARED FOR FUTURE GROWTH.â&#x20AC;? MAYOR BRIAN SPILLER wastewater rates, but garbage and recycling rates will stay the same. The town spared residents a spike in wastewater costs by preparing a plan to phase in the cost of joining the regional sewage line completed earlier this year. To ease the financial burden, the town is subsidizing sewage rates by nearly $785,000. The money is coming from a reserve stabilization fund established for this purpose. Projects planned for 2016 include more trail building, new LED lights and upgraded showers at the arena, and concept and design work for a new skate park along with a review of best locations. pcowley@reddeeradvocate.com

21 incident. Defence counsel Jason Snider was appointed by the Alberta Legal Aid Society to act as Beaverbonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lawyer. However, Snider told judge Jim Mitchell on Wednesday in Red Deer provincial court that he had not had contact with Beaverbones since his appointment as counsel. Snider asked to get off the record as counsel for Beaverbones, which was granted by Mitchell. Mitchell then issued a warrant for Beaverbonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arrest.

Preliminary hearing set in murder trial New preliminary hearing dates have been set for a woman charged with second degree murder, after she disappeared ahead of her original hearing date. Charmaine Cheralee Louis-Crier, 36, of Maskwacis, is charged with stabbing another female at a residence on the Maskwacis town site. A 19-year-old female was transported to Wetaskiwin Hospital, but died shortly thereafter succumbing to her injuries. Louis-Crier was scheduled for a week-long preliminary hearing from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2 in Wetaskiwin provincial court. However, she skipped the appearance and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Louis Crier was re-arrested on Nov. 9. A new preliminary hearing, used to test the strength of the Crownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s case before heading to trial, is set for April 8, 2016 in Wetaskiwin provincial court

RCMP looking for robber Police are looking for a suspect who robbed a southeast Fas Gas in Red Deer on Tuesday night.

Fax 403-341-6560 E-mail editorial@reddeeradvocate.com

Penhold rates holding steady BY ADVOCATE STAFF What Penhold residents saw on their municipal tax bill this year is what they will pay in 2016. Council approved a zero per cent tax rate increase â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as they have for the better part of a decade â&#x20AC;&#x201D; on Monday. But the news gets even better. A zero per cent tax rate increase rarely means bills donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t climb because they are based on property values that usually rise steadily. Mayor Dennis Cooper said this year the town plans to adjust the tax rate when assessments are known so that peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2016 bills will mirror 2015â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Cooper said the move is being made in recognition of the slowing Alberta economy. Also, residential taxes are higher in Penhold than some jurisdictions because it has a small commercial and industrial base. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of our biggest assets are our residences,â&#x20AC;? he said. The townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s combined operating and capital budgets â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t break them out separately â&#x20AC;&#x201D; amount to $11.6 million. Some of the highlights include a new ladder truck for the fire department, and more street and walking path work.

RCMP said about 9 p.m. a suspect approached the till at a Fas Gas at 3020 22nd St. and demanded money. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash and headed northwest behind the building. The suspect did not show a weapon and no one was injured. He is described as Caucasian and about five-foot-six (1.68 m) to fivefoot-eight (1.73 m). He was wearing sunglasses, a tuque, a dark coat with the hood up and heavy gloves. Anyone with information can call police at 403-343-5575 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.tipsubmit.com

Resolution in works for man facing 30 charges A man facing 16 drug trafficking charges is closing in on a resolution on the 30 charges against him. Gary Raymond Auvigne, 40, of Penhold was unable to arrange a ride in for his court appearance on Wednesday in Red Deer. His counsel, Brad Mulder, said he was closing in on an agreement on the charges with federal Crown Prosecutor Victoria Foster. However, in order to not clog up court time Mulder pleaded not guilty and a trial date will be set for a future date. The idea being they could work out the plea arrangement and bring it forward rather than have monthly court appearances. Auvigne is charged with 16 counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking as well as possession of stolen property and failing to comply with conditions of a release. He was arrested by Sylvan Lake RCMP, who said he had 16 different type of prescription pills leading to the different trafficking charges.

Christmas Bird Count set for Sunday The annual Christmas bird count takes place on Sunday in Central Alberta. People who want to participate are asked to call Judy at 403-358-1098 to confirm they will be counting and where in order to avoid duplication. There will be a potluck supper at 6 p.m. Kerry Wood Nature Centre for the counters, who are asked to bring their own plates, cups and utensils, and a hot or cold dish. Coffee and juice will be provided. For more details on the bird count, go to online to rdrn.ca/newsletters and click on December 2015 Newsletter.

Man pleads not guilty to stabbing A man accused of stabbing an old school acquaintance has pleaded not guilty. William Desjarlais, 33, of Sylvan Lake entered the plea through his defence counsel Arnold Piragoff on Wednesday in Red Deer provincial court before judge Jim Mitchell. Desjarlais is charged with aggravated assault, stemming from the Aug. 16 stabbing of Andrew Gibbon at a residence in Lacombe. Gibbon suffered wounds to his shoulder, near his left ear and his stomach. Crown Prosecutor Blair Brandon estimated two days for trial, saying the Crown intends to call five witnesses and there is anticipated expert evidence. Piragoff said there will be several trial issues and agreed with the lengthier time frame. Desjarlais will stand trial in Red Deer provincial court.

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C2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015

Refugee arrivals set to ramp up

UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

CANADA

BRIEFS

Isolated reserve to finally get its ‘Freedom Road’ WINNIPEG — A reserve under one of the country’s longest boil-water advisories is expected to get formal word Thursday that it will get a lifeline to the outside world after decades of living in virtual isolation. All three levels of government are to officially announce their commitment to build an all-weather road to connect the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation to the mainland. The reserve on the Manitoba-Ontario boundary was cut off a century ago during construction of an aqueduct which carries fresh water to Winnipeg. Surveyors said at the time that the land was largely uninhabited “with the exception of a few Indians.” While water continues to flow to the Manitoba capital, the reserve of several hundred people has been under a boil-water advisory for 18 years. Chief Erwin Redsky said most residents are expected to gather at the Manitoba legislature — along with Canada’s new indigenous affairs minister, the Manitoba premier and a Winnipeg official — to witness what he called a historic day. “We’re very excited,” Redsky said. “It will be just an amazing feeling when that day comes, when we actually can drive 365 days a year right to our doorway. “It’s just the first step to the road of reconciliation.” Residents say the “Freedom Road” is both a symbolic and concrete beginning to right the wrong done a century ago. Redsky said it will also save lives. People who live on the reserve use a treacherous ice road in the winter and people have died falling through the ice. In the summer, the First Nation depends on an aging ferry to get to the mainland, but the vessel failed government inspection this year.

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau poses with Derin Emre, Ammar Kandil, Matt Dajer and Thomas Brag as he leaves a town hall meeting in Ottawa, Wednesday. The four, dressed in Christmas sweaters, drove from Montreal to make a video of their meeting with the prime minister.

‘Tremendous concern’ for pastor jailed for life in North Korea BY THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed “tremendous concern” at the life sentence handed to a Canadian pastor in North Korea on Wednesday, saying consular officials would work to stand up for his rights. Hyeon Soo Lim, who pastors the Light Korean Presbyterian Church west of Toronto, was sentenced to life in prison with hard labour by North Korea’s Supreme Court for what it called crimes against the state. Trudeau noted that Canadian consular officials have not been allowed to see Lim since his detention began early this year apart from during the 90-minute trial that ended with his sentencing. “We have tremendous concern about it,” he said. “The issues of North Korea’s governance and judicial system are well known. We certainly hope to be able to engage with this individual and stand up for his rights.” Trudeau said consular officials would be pressing North Korean authorities for access to Lim. “We need to be able to meet with and ensure that Canadians are being properly treated everywhere around the world, including in North Korea,” he said. A spokeswoman with the federal department of Global Affairs said earlier that Canada was “dismayed” at what it called “the unduly harsh sentence” given to Lim, particularly given his age and fragile health. Lim, who is in his 60s, had been in detention since February. He entered and left the North Korean court in handcuffs on Wednesday, flanked by two public security officers in uniform. He kept his head bowed

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Hyeon Soo Lim, center, who pastors the Light Korean Presbyterian Church in Toronto, is escorted to his sentencing in Pyongyang, North Korea, Wednesday. North Korea’s Supreme Court sentenced a Canadian pastor to life in prison with hard labor on Wednesday for what it called crimes against the state. most of the time and answered questions in a subdued tone. The crimes Lim was charged with included harming the dignity of the supreme leadership, trying to use religion to destroy the North Korean system, disseminating negative propaganda about the North to overseas Koreans and helping U.S. and the South Korean authorities lure and abduct North Korean citizens, along with aiding their programs to assist defectors from the North. State prosecutors sought the death penalty. Lim’s lawyer asked the court to take

into account the fact that Lim is a fellow Korean and that he had frankly confessed to everything the prosecution had brought up. Lim pleaded to be given a chance, and said if the court gave him one, he would not do anything bad again. In July, Lim had appeared at a news conference organized by North Korean authorities in Pyongyang and admitted to plotting to overthrow the North Korean state, but other foreigners detained in North Korea and then released have said they were coerced into making similar statements and confessing guilt during their detention.

Shaw Communications buying Wind Mobile BY THE CANADIAN PRESS Shaw Communications (TSX:SJR.B) is making its long-anticipated foray into the wireless business by picking up Wind Mobile for $1.6 billion. The Calgary-based telecommunications company says it will acquire the country’s fourth-largest mobile operator by subscribers pending a number of regulatory approvals, including the Competition Bureau and the Ministry of Innovation, Science & Economic Development. Shaw expects the transaction to close in the third quarter of 2016. The purchase puts Shaw in line with competitors BCE (TSX:BCE), Rogers and Telus in offering the entire slate of popular bundled services — wireless, television, home phone, and Internet. “We believe that our customers want us to be their network and experience company, and in order to do that we needed to make a wireless play,” said Shaw chief operating officer Jay Mehr. Shaw scrapped its previous plans to introduce a mobile network in 2011, and two years later signed a deal to sell the spectrum — which would’ve been the foundation of that network — to Rogers (TSX:RCI.B). “The aspirations were always there in 2011 — the economics certainly weren’t,” Mehr said. Wind Mobile, which is based in Toronto, has 940,000 subscribers across Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. Since 2011, the federal government and the CRTC have made several changes to the rules for wireless competition which lowered roaming fees for carriers and customers. Mehr said Shaw re-examined its wireless strategy at the beginning of this year and found that it made sense to buy an established player. He said

Shaw has no plans to shift from Wind Mobile’s low-cost packages or hike prices. “This is a winning strategy that’s been created, and our plan is to continue on that winning strategy,” he said. The company plans to compete hard against the larger carriers, Mehr said, and Shaw’s resources will give Wind Mobile the ability to build out its network. Wind Mobile CEO Alek Krstajic and his executive team plan to stay with the company.

Wind Mobile was formed exactly six years ago on Wednesday as part of group of new entrants in Canada’s wireless industry, a move encouraged by the federal Conservative government to stoke competition. The company ran into financial problems and has had difficulty raising money for its capital investments, but a change in its ownership structure last year cleared the way for it to raise funds.

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OTTAWA — Multiple government flights of Syrian refugees will land daily in the final weeks of this month as the pace of the Liberals’ resettlement program intensifies with a goal of bringing 10,000 people here by year end. The next flight, a chartered plane from Beirut expected to be carrying mostly government-assisted refugees, is set to arrive Friday in Toronto. A detailed schedule of the next set of flights is to be released early next week, officials said Wednesday. An average of two flights a day is expected, though some days could see none or potentially as many as four. Most are expected to be private charters, though military planes remain on standby. “In some sense, it is a challenge to have so many people arriving in the Christmas season, when a lot of people are wanting to have a holiday,” Immigration Minister John McCallum said. “But on the other hand … it is the Christmas season, so in a way it’s a good thing — here we are at Christmas time welcoming planeloads after planeloads of Syrian refugees.” So far, just over 1,100 Syrians have landed of the 10,000 the Liberals promised to bring over by Dec. 31 a total of 25,000 are to be here by the end of February. What started out as a program capable of only handling a few hundred applications a week is now processing upwards of 800 files a day, with nearly 13,000 people referred for interviews to determine whether they are admissible. Some people have been turned away, but officials could not provide a number. Bugs in the system, such as a lack of capacity to handle required medical exams at the processing centres being run by Canada in Beirut, Amman and Ankara, as well as a shortage in the number of biometric machines available for security screening have now been ironed out. And on the other end of the program, there have been changes, too. The first three government flights that arrived in recent days taught officials several lessons. Among them — the need to get yoga mats for the airport floors so exhausted parents have somewhere to lay their equally spent children while they await the final few steps of processing. McCallum said what the government can control is all in good shape, but it can’t control everything. “If you’re a Syrian family, and you are told let us say on Dec. 28 that you’re processing has been complete and you’re welcome to come to Canada, you may not want to go on the 29th or the 30th or the 31st. You may want to say goodbye to your families and friends, you may have some assets that you wish to sell,” he said. “We in the government of Canada don’t control that human element — we cannot say to an individual you have to come by the end of the year. That is wrong and we would never say such a thing.”

ENTERTAINMENT

C3 Colouring books, Harper Canada Lee among hottest trends Reads reveals long list BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — From adult colouring books to a new novel by Harper Lee, it was a year for unexpected hits and hits that sold well in paper editions. As e-book sales remain stalled at some 25 per cent of the market, hardcovers and paperbacks held steady at a time digital has upended the music, film and television industries. According to Nielsen BookScan, which tracks around 85 per cent of the print market, sales of paper editions increased modestly in 2015. As of early December, 571 million units had sold, compared to 559 million in 2014. Colouring books for grown-ups, a concept once as out of left field as, say, a second of work of fiction from Lee, were the hottest trend. Led by Johanna Basford’s Lost Ocean and Enchanted Forest, the phenomenon understandably caught on almost exclusively in the print format, and Basford has no desire to change that. Numerous apps have been designed for adult colouring, but Basford wants her work “experienced only on paper,” according to Penguin Books publisher-senior vice-president Patrick Nolan. Simon & Schuster CEO Carolyn Reidy noted the rise of colouring books and of books by YouTube stars, another genre that did especially well in print. “Neither of these categories was a factor before this year,” she said. Paper all along has been especially popular for nonfiction and children’s books, a tradition upheld for such top 2015 releases as David McCullough’s The Wright Brothers and Bill O’Reilly’s Killing Reagan. For Jeff Kinney’s million-selling, illustrated Diary of Wimpy Kid: Old School, 95 per cent of sales were for print, according to the Abrams imprint Amulet Books. “I’m not surprised that physical book sales of Diary of a Wimpy Kid outstrip e-books by such a wide margin,” Kinney wrote in a recent email. “So much of the way kids experience the world these days is through a screen, but we instinctively know that the best way to get kids reading is by placing a book in their hands. E-books have been most successful in adult fiction, with sales for Anthony Doerr’s Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See divided equally between print and digital even though there was little difference on Amazon. com between the cost for the hardcover ($15.29) and for the Kindle edition ($13.99). The price gap on Amazon also was small for the hardcover and e-editions for Lee’s Go Set a Watchman, and might have hurt digital sales. Lee’s first work since To Kill a Mockingbird not only defied the repulsion of critics by staying on bestseller lists for months, but sold in hardcover by a ratio of 4-to-1 over

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

BOOKS OF 2015

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A display of adult colouring books and markers in New York. Colouring books for grown-ups were the hottest trend this year. the e-book. Jonathan Burnham, publisher and senior vice-president of HarperCollins Publishing, has a theory. “Possible the historic nature of the publication made people want to own a physical copy,” he said. Paper even managed surprisingly well for romance novels, which have thrived as e-books. According to Harlequin’s executive vice-president for North American marketing, Brent Lewis, the majority of their sales are from paper editions before the ratio had been 50-50. Amanda Bergeron, the head of the digital Avon Impulse imprint, also sees improvement for print books. “A lot of people a few years ago got new devices, so like anything that’s new and exciting you lean toward that for a period of time,” Lewis said. “And

that shine has worn off a little bit. Some people have reverted back a bit to paper.” Romance author Jennifer Ryan has seen that change herself. She was first published in 2013 through Avon Impulse and by the end of the year her Saved by the Rancher series had attracted a substantial following. This year, with her Montana Men novels, her work was finally published in paper editions. “When I got into the paperback market and was in bookstores I thought my e-books would outsell my paperbacks because people knew me just through e-books,” she said. “But over the last year or so the digital sales have gone down a little and my paperback sales have gone up. I have talked to other author-friends, and they have seen the same thing.”

TORONTO — Books by revered novelists including Lawrence Hill, Michael Crummey and Kate Pullinger are among those on the long list for CBC’s 2016 “Canada Reads” competition. Hill is on the list with The Illegal (HarperCollins), Crummey is there with Sweetland (Anchor Canada) and Pullinger made the cut with Landing Gear (Anchor Canada). CBC personality and author Wab Kinew is returning for a second year as host of the annual literature debate. This year’s theme is “starting over” and will feature books “about transformation and second chances, stories of migrants, immigrants and others who are choosing — or forced — to make major changes in their lives,” says a release. A total of 15 books are on the long list for the 15th edition of the program, in which high-profile personalities defend a book until a winner is chosen. This year’s panel and the final five books will be announced on Jan. 20. The debates will take place March 21-24 and will be broadcast on CBC Radio One, CBC-TV and online at CBCbooks.ca. The other longlisted books are: ● All the Broken Things by Kathryn Kuitenbrouwer (Vintage Canada) ● The Amazing Absorbing Boy by Rabindranath Maharaj (Vintage Canada) ● Birdie by Tracey Lindberg (HarperCollins) ● Bone and Bread by Saleema Nawaz (House of Anansi Press) ● Buying on Time by Antanas Sileika (The Porcupine’s Quill) ● The Hero’s Walk by Anita Rau Badami (Vintage Canada) ● Minister Without Portfolio by Michael Winter (Penguin Canada) ● The Outside Circle by Patti LaBoucane-Benson, illustrated by Kelly Mellings (House of Anansi Press) ● Niko by Dimitri Nasrallah (Esplanade Books/Vehicule Press) ● Sitting Practice by Caroline Adderson (Dundurn Press/Thomas Allen Publishers) ● Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (HarperCollins) ● Swamp Angel by Ethel Wilson (McClelland & Stewart/New Canadian Library)

Avoid Star Wars spoilers in just three clicks Now that the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is done, we’re hitting peak spoiler danger: there are enough people out there who have seen the movie now who could potentially ruin it all for the rest of us before opening night. Luckily, there are some tools out there for those who want to avoid an onslaught of spoilers. There are at least two extensions for Google’s Chrome browser that will help you stay away from spoilers, by blocking out any webpage that mentions the movie’s title. Here’s a look at one of them, Force Block (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/force-block-the-star-wars/ bplpphlobgcnjhoglonpnkooaaenlmol),

dealing handily with the section of Reddit devoted to “Star Wars Leaks” admittedly not a place you would go if you were trying to avoid spoilers: Force Block also gives the option to whitelist certain sites, meaning that you can stop it from automatically block any page that happens to mention Star Wars in any capacity. You know, just in case you wanted to read any part of the Internet between now and whenever you get yourself to the movie theater. If you’d prefer things to be a little less opaque, you could also try the Star Wars Spoiler Blocker (https://chrome. google.com/webstore/detail/star-warsspoiler-blocker/eleaenmahchceopnpofcookkbbfclokj), another Chrome extension that lets you see a little bit of what you’re missing, but not too much: Both can be a little overzealous, presumably under the reasoning that

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it’s better to be safe than sorry. (As far as I can tell, there are currently no Star Wars spoilers on The Washington Post’s homepage.) To install either of these tools in your Chrome browser, head to the Chrome Web Store (or just click on the links in this article.) Once you’ve found your extension, click “Add to Chrome,” confirm the installation and enjoy the peace of mind you feel. Of course, these aren’t perfect tools. Both load their warnings a split-second after you arrive on the page, so you could get a subliminal-type flash of spoiler, if there’s one on the page. And there’s no promise that people won’t ruin things for you on social media. The only real way to guarantee that you won’t be spoiled is to cut off all communication from now until you get to the theater — but where’s the fun in that?

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OUTDOOR

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 C5

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

Dogsledding becoming a popular Giving flowers as winter adventure for tourists a gift can brighten up the holidays BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

Extra time to hunt ruffed grouse The list of feasible, seasonal out- a crash, Dave collected dead grouse doors activities has been shortened and found their adrenal glands to be somewhat by the official warnings that substantially enlarged, a result of over the ice is not yet thick enough to sup- production of adrenalin, a response to port the mental illness of ice fishing. great stress. Even ice fishing’s most known and A frequent ruffed grouse managededicated Alberta victim, Neil Waugh, ment suggestion is that if you can preEdmonton Sun outdoors colvent the population from umnist, has not strayed onto peaking, mainly through the ice yet, at least so far as hunting, you can avoid the he is admitting. inevitable crash. Not that What Neil and many Alan experiment is going on bertans have been doing here, but it will be interlately is something new in esting to see what effect this province: legally hunta few of the new long seaing ruffed grouse after the sons might have on levtraditional November 30th elling out the cycle … if season closing date. Without Alberta hunters diligently comment in the 2015 Alberdo their part, that is … ta Guide to Hunting RegulaAlberta has two cattions, the season on ruffed egories of ruffed grouse BOB grouse in most of the provhunters. The most abunSCAMMELL ince was extended by six dant cruise cut lines and OUTDOORS weeks, to Jan. 15th next year oilfield roads looking in an apparent effort to profor grouse on the ground vide additional recreational grazing on their beloved opportunities. clover. When they spot one, they pot That means for most of my old it, usually out their rig’s window with ruffed grouse coverts both east and a scoped .22 rim fire rifle. Their crewest of Red Deer, that the current do? “If God didn’t want them shot, season is four and a half months long. He wouldn’t have made them taste so Some hunters are expressing concern good.” that such a long season could be diThe other category of nimrod tries sastrous for one of our native upland to turn hunting our ruffian ruffies into game species. But for as long as I can a semblance of the sport of hunting remember, the top North American “the king of gamebirds,” the genteel ruffed grouse experts have been vir- ruffed grouse of the east, with fine tually unanimous that hunting has no pointing dogs. effect on the population of the species. These hunters walk those same Obviously Alberta’s game bird manag- trails and cut lines, generally carrying ers have bought into that concept, no a shotgun and running a dog of some doubt influenced by our one upland kind, most often a flusher, because bird biologist who is a grouse special- our ruffed grouse do not hold well for ist. points, having evolved knowing that The ruffed grouse is truly a boom the way to foil coyotes and foxes is to and bust Alberta creature, and there jump up into a tree. is always considerable curiosity about This second category hunter tries to what causes the approximate 10 - year shoot only flushed ruffed grouse slapopulation cycle from virtual extinc- lom - flying through the forest, always tion to very high, scary, ruffed grouse a tough challenge, especially for folks numbers. who also relish eating these birds. The late David Neave, founding Snow, such as we now have in this director of Wildlife Habitat Canada, new late season, changes everything taught me a great deal about ruffed and adds to the difficulty. The clover grouse back in the sixties when he is covered up, so the grouse change to was a provincial wildlife biologist sta- their winter diet of aspen buds from tioned in Red Deer. various age classes of the trees. They Neave’s MSc thesis at the University are difficult to scent from up there, of New Brunswick was that the ruffed and some experienced dogs even learn grouse population suddenly crashes to run around peering up into likely at its height from the birds dying of trees. the stress of overcrowding, of encounWhen a grouse is spotted in a tree, tering more and more of themselves the shotgun hunters hold an ethical every way they turned. At the time of debate: what steps do you take and

Photos by BOB SCAMMELL

ABOVE: Male ruffed grouse displaying in September, six months early … or late. RIGHT; Ruffed grouse enjoying a dessert of high bush cranberries. how long do you take them to make the grouse fly, and do you pot it off the limb if it doesn’t? The full - speed flush of a ruffed grouse from high in an aspen may be the most difficult shot in wing shooting: it is unnatural, you are mounting the shotgun up, but the bird is swooping and curving down; I recall making it only once. The final solution? I wasn’t there, but one day my mercifully anonymous grouse hunting buddy, usually a fine shot, was missing everything. Finally

he got one, and his young son who had been staying out of the way turned up to ask: “Did you shoot that one in the tree?” “So what?” dad roared. “I thought you would.” Bob Scammell is an award-winning columnist who lives in Red Deer. He can be reached at bscam@telusplanet.net.

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ALLARDVILLE, N.B. — For Gilles Vaillant of Vincennes, France, the chance to go dog sledding in northern New Brunswick was “a dream come true.” “After the dogs were hitched, we left for this magnificent adventure bathed in silence, wind and barking with great sensations,” he said, describing the adventure he took with his wife, Christine, during a visit to Canada in 2014. Christine — who is usually uncomfortable around dogs — described the sled dogs as endearing and beautiful, and her experience as “a magical ride.” “It was very impressive for me to see as soon as they were hitched, that I had to press hard on the brake as they had one desire to take off,” she said. “They were barking very hard to go.” The first known use of putting dogs to work to pull sleds dates back some 4,000 years, but more recently dog sledding has become an enjoyable winter activity that is drawing tourists to Canada for the experience. For Diane LeClerc, dog sledding is a chance to bond with her dogs and to educate the public on the sport and her Acadian culture in northern New Brunswick. “It’s the nature, the silence, the peace, the liberty that you get from that,” she said. “You can’t imagine until you try it.” LeClerc was born in northern New Brunswick but spent much of her life in Quebec — working at the Granby Zoo for 24 years. “I always wanted to come back to New Brunswick to do dog sledding,” she said. “I came back, bought a house and 33 acres with my dogs.” In 2014, LeClerc opened Sled Dog Adventures in Allardville, N.B., and in her first season drew tourists from such places as Germany, Madagascar, Turkey, Japan, China and France. She said people come for the experience. “It’s the dogs, it’s the outdoors, and it’s more than that. You get a relationship with the dogs and you can’t imag-

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

Diane LeClerc pets her pups after a training run as they wait for snow in Allardville, N.B. on Dec. 12, 2015. LeClerc, owner of Sled Dog Adventures, offers a unique outddor experience with mushing treks, ice fishing and other activities and features authentic Acadian cuisine. ine how the dogs are strong, how they listen and how loving they are.” Add to that the scenery as the dogs take riders along snow-covered trails through forest and fields. “It’s for all ages. You don’t have to be athletic to do dog sledding.” So far, LeClerc has nine adult dogs and 15 pups. She has seven sleds of various heights to match the people who use them. She uses three or four dogs per sled, depending on the weight of the riders. Participants also have a chance to sample the Acadian culture of the area through the food. LeClerc said she serves such fare as chicken fricot, a traditional stew, and cake made with wild blueberries. Gilles Vaillant said he and his wife enjoyed the Acadian meal and the interesting conversation. “The next morning after a good breakfast, like all good things come to an end, we left the place with the desire to return as soon as possible,” he said. LeClerc is also doing an educational program with schools and with the Girl Guides of Canada.

Sled Dog Adventures offers a variety of packages ranging from a two-kilometre ride that takes 20 minutes to a five-day trek that covers 80 kilometres and can include snowmobiling, ice fishing, hockey and more. Another company, Northwoods Survival, also offers half- and full-day mushing adventures and dog driver instruction from its location in Knowlesville in western New Brunswick. Jason Hoyt, a spokesman for New Brunswick’s Department of Tourism, said the development of dog sledding operations in the province is helping to broaden the experiences that can be offered to potential visitors during the winter months. “With the most snow in the Maritimes, we are perfectly positioned to draw Maritimers and Quebecers here for snowmobiling, skiing and dog sledding,” he said. If You Go… The cost of dog sledding packages varies greatly depending on the duration, and if accommodation or other features are included. Check websites for prices. Registration in advance is recommended.

Not sure what to give some- flowers. one for Christmas? Cut flowAt this time of year Poinseters or a flowering plant are vi- tias are the most visible potsually pleasing gifts. Arrange- ted flowering. They are bright ments are purchased through and colorful but finicky. If the a florist as a no fuss place on environment does not agree the table item. with a Poinsettia Fresh cut flowers plant it drops botare available at a tom leaves. They florist, or grocery need to be placed stores but they in an area that reneed to be placed ceives bright filin a vase and artered sunlight but ranged. Flower is out of all drafts. bundles come in Water the plants a sleeve and are when the soil is on priced according the dry side but not to the flower vatoo dry to cause the riety and size of plant to wilt and bundle. lose leaves. LINDA Always examCyclaman tend TOMLINSON ine flowers before to grow where other making a purplants do not. They GARDENING chase. The freshprefer a cool area er the flower the and do great in a longer the flowers drafty east window. will last. When choosing ros- Given a cool area, flowers can es, look for stems where the last up to two months. Flowroses buds are in an upright ers are available in white, position. The buds should pink, red and purple tones. be showing color but not ful- They are held high above the ly opened. The green calyx large attractive heart shaped that hold the petals upright foliage. Warm temperatures should be in an upright po- cause the flowers to breaksition. Calyx and pettals curl down quickly shortening the downwards as the flowers age. bloom time. Flower buds should also be Christmas Cacti set buds if firm to the touch. Avoid ros- it receives 16 hours of unines that are fully opened as terrupted darkness. The plant the petals will start to fall off will continue to bloom for a when they moved or bumped. month or two if it is given a Rose heads that have start- warm bright location. This ed to turn downward will not plant will survive in a south open and should never be of- window in the winter but fered for sale. needs diffused light or an east Foliage is a telltale sign of window during the summer the condition of the flower. If months. Too bright of light the foliage is green and fresh, burns the foliage red. then the flower is likely in Water Christmas Cacreasonable condition. Dried ti when the soil is dry to the or wilting foliage shows that touch. These plants will tolerthe stems have been out of ate some drought but tend to water for a period of time, or look shrunken and wrinkled if not recut when placed back in they do not receive the correct water. Stems with dry foliage amount of water. will be short lived. Given the correct growing If purchasing flowers on a conditions, Christmas cacti regular basis, ask when the will become a large plant with new shipments arrive and woody base and last for many buy accordingly. Often floral years. bunches are handled by the Giving the gift of cut flowgeneral public which means ers or a flowering plant add that they could have been left color in an understated way. out of the water for a period Linda Tomlinson is a hortiof time. Flowers that are sold culturalist that lives near Rocky by the bunch method are less Mountain House. She can be expensive but not necessary reached at your_garden@hotpoorer quality than arranged mail.com

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WHAT’S HAPPENING

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

Fax 403-341-6560 editorial@reddeeradvocate.com

THE NUTCRACKER

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

The Christmas classic ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ takes to the main stage at the Red Deer College Arts Centre once again this weekend. The ballet is on Friday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 19, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 20, 1:30 p.m. For tickets, visit www.bktickets.ca or call 403-755-6626.

CALENDAR THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS

FRIDAY, DEC. 18 ● Spur West Event Centre located just north of Hwy. 11 at the Alhambra Corner has two food bank fundraiser events. Cowboy Up and Stock the Trailer for the Lord’s Food Bank invites patrons to donate cash and non-perishable food at Spur West until Dec. 18. Family Night Christmas Wrap Up and Load ‘em Up on Dec. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. offers horse demonstrations, sleigh rides, pony rides, a visit from Santa, Christmas karaoke, and more. Admission by food or cash donation. See www.spurwest.com, or phone 403-357-9010. ● Light Haven Wellness Retreat Society fundraiser will be held on Dec. 18 at Sylvan Lake Lions Hall with money raised to go to opening a community-based cancer wellness centre. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. and costs $50 per person which includes roast beef dinner, all the trimmings, and music by Flash Back Freddie. Contact Debbie at 403-598-3252 for tickets. The Society is also seeking volunteers. Email to info@lighthaven. ca. ● Red Deer Legion presents Laugh Shop Dinner shows on Dec. 18 and 19. Tickets cost $45 each. Phone 403-342-0035. ● Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter Gift Wrap and Coat Check Booth will be available at Bower Place until Dec. 24. Volunteers needed to fill shifts. Patrons invited to have coats checked and gifts wrapped. Contact Kira at 403-318-5330, kira.obrien@ cawes.com. ● Gingerbread cookie campaign in support of Habitat for Humanity will be offered at Good Earth Coffeehouse and Bakery in Collicutt Centre until Dec. 31. Purchase a gingerbread cookie family for $6.75 with $1 going to Habitat in Red Deer. ● Red Deer RCMP Stuff a Cruiser in support of Red Deer Food Bank Society is now on until Dec. 23. Donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted at the front counter from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the north detachment. ● Charlie Brown Christmas Fundraiser will be featured at Ecole Mountview School on Dec. 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in support of Red Deer Food Bank Society and Red Deer Christmas Bureau. A Charlie Brown Christmas tree was transplanted from Red Deer College to Mountview School by Trimmed-Line Tree Services. Come visit Snoopy’s dog house complete with Christmas lights, Lucy’s psychiatric stand, Schroeder’s famous piano, meet the characters, donate to the charities, and bid on the silent auction for the Charlie Brown Christmas tree set. Contact Shawn at 403-350-9871, or school principal Kerry Cunningham at 403-346-5765.

SATURDAY, DEC. 19 ● Alberta Motor Association Fill Our Fleet campaign continues to Dec. 19. AMA will collect cash and teddy bear

donations at locations, or at FillOurFleet.ca in support of local food banks. Food banks can make each dollar stretch to three meals. For every bear donated AMA will donate $10. Contact Vicki at 403-309-8141 or see www. ama.ab.ca ● Rhyme the Old Year Away at Dawe Branch of Red Deer Public Library on Dec. 19 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for ages 18 and up. Meet special guest Darya Banranova aka Belka Brown, a paleontologist, wife of a scientist, mother, vagabond, cat lover, and poet who won a Silver Bullet literature prize this year. Darya will give a poetry reading. This program will be of interest to Russian speakers. Light refreshments provided. ● Russian Children’s New Year’s Party will be celebrated on Dec. 19 from 3 to 4 p.m. at Dawe Centre Gym. Watch an interactive play about a quest to save Grandfather Frost’s presents for children. Hosted by Red Deer Public Library. ● MAGnificent Saturdays offer free art making with a professional artist from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery in downtown Red Deer. The Dec. 19 session is called A Merry Little Christmas. All materials supplied. Families welcome. Phone 403-309-8405. Free with admission. ● Central Alberta Singles Club is sponsoring a dance on Dec. 19 at Royal Canadian Legion Innisfail Hall. Music by Randy Hillman. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Music starts at 8 p.m. Non-singles and everyone welcome. For information, call Elaine at 403-341-7653 or Bob at 403-304-7440. ● Earth Play Saturday at Kerry Wood Nature Centre takes place on Dec. 19 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Tots aged five and under and their caregivers are invited to learn about nature through hands-on explorations and interactive activities in this family-friendly program. Drop in. Admission by suggested donation of $5 per couple or $10 per family. Older sibling welcome. Phone 403-346-2010.

SUNDAY, DEC. 20 ● Lacombe Legion Breakfast is offered on the third Sunday of each month, next Dec. 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a cost of $12 each and $3 for children 12 years and under. Coffee hour is held every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Phone 403-782-6441. ● Backyard Bird Feeding: An Alberta Guide written by Myrna Pearman, biologist and site services manager at Ellis Bird Farm is now available at Alberta Peavey stores, Kerry Wood Nature Centre in Red Deer, and Ellis Bird Farm. Book proceeds support education, conservation, and research programs at Ellis Bird Farm. See www.ellisbirdfarm. ca. Author Myrna Pearman will be signing books on Dec. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Red Deer Peavey Mart, and from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Kerry Wood Nature Centre. ● Family Snow Day pre-Christmas fun for the whole family will be offered at Kerry Wood Nature Centre on Dec. 20 from 1 to

4 p.m. Enjoy snowshoeing, bonfire, crafts, activities, planetarium, and refreshments. Admission by suggested donation of $3 per person or $10 per family. Phone 403-346-2010. ● Gospel concerts at Ponoka Drop-In Centre are held the third Sunday of each month at 7 p.m., next Dec. 20 with Strings ‘n’ Things. Admission is $5 at the door. Contact Trudy at 403-783-42465. ● Word or Life Church presents Winter Wonderland — The Christmas Experience — on Dec. 20, 9:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 1 p.m. Enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides, quad sleigh rides, skating, snow games, craft zone, photos with Santa, and candy bags for the kids. Following each Family Service where guests will meet their favourite Christmas characters, take in complimentary activities for the whole family. A hot chili lunch will be available for a minimum donation of $5 with proceeds to I Heart Red Deer Lunch Program. Contact info@wordoflife.ca, 403-3436570. ● Seniors Church meets at 11 a.m. on Sundays at Bower Kin Place for hymns and gospel preaching. Phone 403-347-6706.

MONDAY, DEC. 21 ● Pioneer Christmas at Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery will be featured on Dec. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. Drop-in and learn about activities that made a pioneer Christmas special, see the galleries decked with artifacts and the Christmas tree adorned with

ornaments from the past, make your own ornament, and watch a movie in the Capitol Theatre. Cost is $5 per person. See reddeermuseum.com, or contact 403-309-8405, museum@reddeer.ca.

TUESDAY, DEC. 22 ● Winter Celebrations Around the World will highlight the many international winter celebrations around the world on Dec. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Highlights include crafts, playing games and celebrating. Cost is $5 per person. See reddeermuseum.com, or contact 403-309-8405, museum@reddeer.ca.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 23 ● Red Deer Legion Old-Time Dance with Black Velvet is on Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. Cost is $7, or $13.95 with buffet starting at 5 p.m. Phone 403-342-0035. ● Bring your ginch before Christmas campaign goes until Dec. 23 at Comforts the Sole, Great Strides, Classic Tattoo, Hot Pot Studio, Rob Rae Clothiers, La Petitie Jaune Fleur, Luksus, and The Bra Lounge. Bins are available to collect new unused long and short underwear, gloves, socks and hats for clients at Safe Harbour Society. ● Red Deer Legion Branch #35 offers karaoke at Molly B’s Pub on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. Karaoke and wing night is usually held on Thursdays. Phone 403-3420035.

REGISTRATIONS LOCAL EVENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS ● Salvation Army Red Deer Adopt-A-Family program is in need of more sponsor families. Anyone able to assist with sponsoring a family is asked to call 403-3462251 or contact Larry_Bridger@can.salvationarmy.org. Christmas Kettle Campaign needs volunteers to man Christmas kettles at various venues until Dec. 22. Contact 403346-2251 or kettles9@telus.net. ● Double Tree Village Museum is decorated and the Belgium teams are ready to take individuals, families, or groups for sleigh rides over the Christmas season. Located 45 minutes from Red Deer, in the Spruce View area. VIsit doubletreevillage.com, or for information or reservations phone 403-728-3875. ● Canadian Blood Services has appointments available to donate blood Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with holiday hours on Dec. 24 and 26, and 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit www.blood.ca or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to make an appointment. ● Day Camps and Stay Camps for ages 10 to 18 will be offered by Red Deer College throughout the upcoming summer. Registration open for Christmas gift giving. Overnight camps include filmmaking, video game design and visual arts and music. Visit rdc. ab.ca/summercamps or call 403-356-4900. ● Team Dancing is a great way to have fun, stay fit and meet people. Join a team

dancing group on Mondays and Wednesdays starting on Jan. 11 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Clearview Community Centre, running 10 weeks for a cost of $120. First lesson free. Contact Connie at 403-396-1523. ● City of Lacombe Affordable Housing Steering Committee volunteers are needed. Volunteers are expected to commit to a tw0year term. To find out more and sign up, contact 403-782-1287, mail@lacombe.ca. ● Canadian Cancer Society is seeking a volunteer Daffodil Campaign Assistant for Red Deer and surrounding area. The volunteer must be available immediately until the end of April for six to eight hours per week, and must be skilled in office procedures and systems. Bursary may be available for a post-secondary student. To apply or find out more, contact Melissa Chan at 403-5415395, melissa.chan@cancer.ab.ca. ● Central Alberta Refugee Effort needs volunteers to support new Red Deerians arriving from Syria. C.A.R.E. will be coordinating volunteers to assist the Catholic Social Services Refugee Program. Volunteers may be needed to help with translation, interpretation, and more. Register for an orientation session at 4o3-346-8818, ext. 248, or volunteer@care2centre.ca. See immigrant-centre. ca

Continued on Page C7

Listings open to cultural/non-profit groups. Fax: 341-6560; phone: 314-4325; e-mail: editorial@reddeeradvocate.com by noon Tuesday for insertion following Thursday.

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 C7

Mistrial in first Freddie Gray case BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BALTIMORE — The first effort to convict an officer in Freddie Gray’s death from a broken neck in a Baltimore Police van ended Wednesday with a hung jury and a mistrial. Officials appealed for calm as small crowds protested along streets lined with police officers. The situation was quiet at North and Pennsylvania, the intersection where the worst rioting happened in April as parts of West Baltimore were set on fire. William Porter’s mistrial is a setback for prosecutors trying to respond to a citizenry frustrated by violent crime and allegations of police misconduct. Homicides have soared and the pressure on city officials has been unrelenting since Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby charged six officers in Gray’s death. About 30 protesters chanting “send those killer cops to jail” outside the courthouse switched gears after the mistrial was announced, chanting “No justice, no peace!” and “Black Lives Matter.” The case hinged not on what Porter did, but what prosecutors said he didn’t do. He was accused of failing to get medical help for a critically wounded Gray and was charged with manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment, carrying maximum sentences totalling 25 years. The judge planned to discuss a possible retrial with both sides in his chambers on Thursday.

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Demonstrators protest outside of the courthouse in response to a hung jury and mistrial for Officer William Porter, one of six Baltimore city police officers charged in connection to the death of Freddie Gray, Wednesday. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake and the new police commissioner she installed after last April’s riots warned people against more violence. “We will not, we cannot be defined by the unrest of the spring,” the mayor

Obama to meet with shooting victims BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — Continuing a grim ritual of his time in office, President Barack Obama plans to meet with families of victims of the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, the White House said Wednesday. The meeting in Southern California is set for Friday. It was added to Obama’s long-scheduled trip to Hawaii for Christmas vacation. “While he is en route to Honolulu, the president will stop in San Bernardino, California, to visit privately with the families of the victims of the terror attack in San Bernardino that occurred earlier this month,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest said. Fourteen people were killed and 21 others were injured at a workplace holiday party in San Bernardino on Dec. 2 by a gun-wielding husband-andwife team. Federal authorities say the pair had become self-radicalized in the years before Syed Rizwan Farook, 28, and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, 29, opened fire on Farook’s co-workers. The couple was killed during a subsequent shootout with police. During a televised address in the anxious days after the shootings, Obama said authorities had found no evidence that the American-born Farook and his Pakistani wife had carried out instructions from an overseas-based terrorist organization or that they were part of a broader conspiracy based in the U.S. “But it is clear that the two of them had gone down the dark path of radicalization, embracing a perverted interpretation of Islam that calls for war against America and the West,” Obama

said from the Oval Office. “So this was an act of terrorism, designed to kill innocent people.” The shootings closely followed the Nov. 13 attack on Paris that left 130 people dead and for which the Islamic State group has claimed responsibility. Both attacks have heightened public fears about future attacks on U.S. soil, concerns that Obama has tried to allay with the rare Oval Office address on administration efforts to counter the threat from the Islamic State group, as well as a series of public appearances by the president this week. Obama met with his national security team at the Pentagon on Monday, instead of their usual location in the White House Situation Room. He followed the meeting with a public update on the effort to counter IS, saying the U.S. and its partners were going after the group “harder than ever.” Obama also plans to visit to the National Counterterrorism Center in suburban Virginia on Thursday for an annual, pre-holiday briefing that in past years has been held at the White House. The pair of attacks has also led to calls for tighter visa screenings for people entering the U.S. and for the immigrant brides-to-be of American citizens. Malik came to the U.S. in 2014 on a K-1, or fiancee visa. Obama has also called on Congress to pass legislation to block firearm sales to people whose names are on the federal no-fly list for air travel. Obama has vowed to call for new gun-control measures after every mass shooting. The White House is considering acting to expand gun background checks without congressional approval.

Police probe leader’s angry tweets of IS photos BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PARIS — France’s interior minister asked judicial police on Wednesday to look into tweets by far-right leader Marine Le Pen of gruesome photos of executions by the Islamic State group — her response to a broadcast journalist broadly comparing her party to the organization. Le Pen tweeted the photos after Jean-Jacques Bourdin, known for his brash style, said on BFM TV that her National Front party and IS both focus on identity, so share a “community of spirit.” “Daesh is THIS!” Le Pen said in angry tweets showing executions, using the Arabic acronym for the group. But her effort to make a distinction between her anti-immigration party and the Islamic State group appears to have backfired. The incident comes three days after Le Pen’s National Front suffered a stinging defeat in critical regional elections on Sunday, failing to take any regions, a personal humiliation for Le Pen who ran in the north. However, she came out victorious in a legal battle Tuesday when a Lyon court acquitted her of inciting hatred for denouncing prayers in the streets by Muslims. Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve, asked about the tweets in parliament, told lawmakers he has taken the case to a section of the judicial police that deals with illicit content on the Internet so it can look into the matter “as it does each time these photos are diffused.”

said. “Protesters who are lawfully assembled have a friend in the Baltimore Police Department,” Commissioner Kevin Davis said. “Folks who choose to commit crimes and break things and

hurt people are no longer protesters.” Mosby wouldn’t comment: “Gag order,” she said, smiling and shaking her head inside the courthouse. Attorney Billy Murphy, who obtained a $6.4 million settlement for Gray’s family from the city before Porter’s trial, called the mistrial “a temporary bump on the road to justice.” The racially diverse jury of seven men and five women deliberated for about 16 hours over three days. They indicated they were deadlocked on Tuesday, but Circuit Judge Barry Williams told them to keep at it, even as he denied their requests for help. “It is clear you will not come to a unanimous agreement on any of the four charges,” the judge said Wednesday. “You have clearly been diligent.” The Baltimore NAACP asked people to control their “frustration and anger” and respect “the rights of all people respected, on all sides.” At least two activists were arrested, including Kwame Rose, a young black man who called the mistrial an “injustice.” “We are going to fight for justice until it becomes a reality in our lives. A mistrial means that the prosecution did not do their jobs good enough,” he said. Erika Alston, a West Baltimore community leader who founded Kids Safe Zone after the April riots, said she felt there was reasonable doubt that Porter committed manslaughter, but “it’s early. It’s one of six.” “I’m not expecting our community to repeat April, but it is a bit of a kick in the chest,” she said.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE C6 ● Heart and Stroke Foundation volunteers will be canvassing neighbourhoods in February for Heart Month. Please sign up as a volunteer. Phone 587-951-7104. ● Burman University in Lacombe presents Sundays at Seven — a professional concert series on various Sundays, starting at 7 p.m. On Jan. 24, enjoy Phil Hansen and Konstantin Bozhinov — Cello and Lute. On Feb. 21, enjoy Luis Mario Ochoa Cuban Quintet. On March 13, enjoy Joachim Segger — Piano and Organ. Single tickets or discounted series of tickets available. See burmanu.ca/music/sundayatseven, phone 403-782-3381. ● Behaviour Intervention Training for Parents (Testing Limits and Talking Back) workshop will be offered by Aspire Special Needs Resource Centre for parents of children ages six to 12 years. Sessions will be held Jan. 6 to Feb. 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a cost of $120 at Aspire Special Needs building. A second parent is encouraged to attend at no charge. See aspirespecialneeds. ca, or call 403-340-2606. ● Multiple Sclerosis Society Whisky Festival will be featured Jan. 12, 7 to 10 p.m. at Red Deer Golf and Country Club. General admission is $95, or $120 for VIP admission which includes Master Class with Andrew Ferguson. Purchase tickets at www.reddeerwhiskyfestival.ca. Enjoy an evening of whisky appreciation and exploration, mouth watering cuisine and local musical talent and more, in support of the MS Society. ● Philippine Canadian Association of Red Deer and District New Year’s Ball will take place on Dec. 31 at Sheraton Hotel Red Deer. Cocktails at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. followed by dance. Semi formal attire. Admission is $60 for adults, $20 for children ages six to 12 years, and free for children under six. Tickets available from Tess at 403877-6334, or Jess at 403-350-8179, and also include party favours and Filipino midnight snacks. ● Academy of Professional Hair Design free haircut promotion for those in need will be offered at Loaves and Fishes on Dec. 23 with appointments from 8 a.m. to noon. Snacks will be provided by Cafe Millennium. Call 403-347-2018 to book an appointment. ● Lacombe and District Historical Society present the book Lacombe: County, City, Community, written by Howard Fredeen, now available for $50 each from Flatiron Museum.

Contact Marie at 403-782-3933, mhma3@ blogspot.com. ● Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton is hosting the Annual Autism Conference which will be offered through Telehealth at Red Deer Regional Hospital, Jan. 20 to 22. Temple Grandin will be opening keynote speaker, as well as other speakers including Dr. Barry Prizant, and Michael “Pinball” Clemons and others. See www.childrensautism.ca, or phone 780-495-9235. ● Learning Disabilities Association of Alberta Red Deer is seeking volunteer tutors in reading, writing and math, working oneon-one with a student twice per week for a minimum time commitment of two and a half hours per week. A criminal record check is required. The Association also needs fundraising and program volunteers. To apply, contact programs@ldreddeer.ca, 403-340-3885. ● Royal Canadian Legion Lacombe is hosting a tour for adults to see Canadian battlefields in Holland, Belgium, and France from March 25 to April 3, including Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Vimy Ridge, Juno Beach Centre, Normandy beaches, Home of Anne Frank, Ypres, Passchendaele, Flanders Field, and more. For a detailed itinerary and costs contact Corvin at 403-357-0377, cuhrbach@ gmail.com. ● Parkinson Alberta Education and Support Groups are available for persons with Parkinson Disease, family members, and caregivers in Red Deer, Lacombe, Innisfail, Three Hills, Olds and Castor. See www.parkinsonalberta.ca, or phone 403-346-4463. ● Affirm — a group that provides safe and confidential support to people of all sexual orientation and their families and friends, from people that have walked this road before as sexual minorities, parents, siblings and friends. They meet once a month in Lacombe. For more information, call Ross at 403-782-3671 or Marg at 403-782-1887. ● Christmas Safe Walk will be offered on Dec. 22 to 24 to escort workers to their vehicles from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., free of charge in city of Red Deer and Gasoline Alley. Individuals will be able to contact the walk sponsor — Tri-West Security — by phoning 403896-5768, or on Facebook. Any donations received will be presented to local charities or a needy family in Jan. Tri-West will be submitting nightly reports to City of Red Deer RCMP for any incidents and report any suspicious activity.

Tiffany’s STEAK HOUSE S OUS & LOUNGE OU NG OUN G

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File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Far Right National Front party leader Marine Le Pen leaves after the results of the second round of the regional elections in Henin-Beaumont, northern France. “They are propaganda photos of Daesh,” Cazeneuve said. He called them “abject, an abomination and a veritable insult to all victims of terrorism.” Bourdin occasionally stirs national controversy on his morning show on RMC radio and BFM TV. On Wednesday, discussing extremism with a noted Middle East expert, he referred to “links … not direct links between the National Front and Daesh, but this isolation in identity that in the end is a community of spirit.” In response, Le Pen fired off the tweets.

For Reservations: 403.341.3366 • 3515 Gaetz Avenue, Red Deer, AB

Wise customers read the fine print: *, 9, †, *, ◆, §, 5 The Be Your Own Santa Sales Event offers are limited time offers which apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused models purchased from participating dealers on or after December 1, 2015. Offers subject to change and may be extended without notice. All pricing includes freight ($1,745) and excludes licence, insurance, registration, any dealer administration fees, other dealer charges and other applicable fees and taxes. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. *Consumer Cash Discounts are offered on select 2016 vehicles and are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. 9Holiday Bonus Cash of up to $1,000 is available until December 31, 2015, on most new 2016 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and FIAT models excluding the following: 2016 Chrysler 200, Dodge Grand Caravan CVP, Journey CVP/SE Plus, Durango, Charger SRT Hellcat, Challenger SRT Hellcat, Viper and Jeep Grand Cherokee models. Bonus Cash will be deducted from the negotiated price after taxes. See your dealer for complete details. †0% purchase financing available on select new 2016 models to qualified customers on approved credit through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Example: 2016 Jeep Cherokee Sport with a Purchase Price of $26,298 with a $0 down payment, financed at 0% for 60 months equals 130 bi-weekly payments of $202 with a cost of borrowing of $0 and a total obligation of $26,298. *3.99% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on the new 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package/2016 Chrysler 200 LX (28A)/2016 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package models through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Examples: 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package/2016 Chrysler 200 LX (28A)/2016 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package with a Purchase Price of $21,998/$22,998/$19,998 (including applicable Consumer Cash Discounts) financed at 3.99% over 96 months with $0 down payment equals 208 bi-weekly payments of $124/$129/$112 with a cost of borrowing of $3,714/$3,883/$3,376 and a total obligation of $25,712/$26,881/$23,374. ◆3.49% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on select new 2016 models to qualified customers on approved credit through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Example: 2016 Jeep Cherokee Sport with a Purchase Price of $26,298 with a $0 down payment, financed at 3.49% for 96 months equals 208 bi-weekly payments of $145 with a cost of borrowing of $3,859 and a total obligation of $30,157. §Starting from prices for vehicles shown include Consumer Cash Discounts and do not include upgrades (e.g. paint). Upgrades available for additional cost. 5Sub-prime financing available on approved credit. Finance example: 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package with a purchase price of $21,998 financed at 6.99% over 60 months, equals 130 bi-weekly payments of $201 for a total obligation of $26,095. Some conditions apply. Down payment is required. See your dealer for complete details. TMThe SiriusXM logo is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc. ®Jeep is a registered trademark of FCA US LLC used under licence by FCA Canada Inc.

C8 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015

0 %

ON SELECT MODELS

FINANCING †

26,298

145

112

BI-WEEKLY≥

BI-WEEKLY◆

19,998

FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN

UP TO

7,100 IN TOTAL * AND DISCOUNTS

BI-WEEKLY≥

500

21,998

124 @

BI-WEEKLY≥

22,998

129

ON MOST MODELS

HOLIDAY BONUS CASH◊

2016 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CANADA VALUE PACKAGE PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $7,100 CONSUMER CASH* AND FREIGHT.

FINANCE FOR

3.99

FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN

Starting from price for 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT Plus shown: $30,940.§

2016 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT

PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $500 HOLIDAY BONUS CASH◊ AND FREIGHT.

FINANCE FOR

3.49

FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN

Starting from price for 2016 Jeep Cherokee Limited shown: $34,540.§

2016 CHRYSLER 200 LX

PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $2,500 CONSUMER CASH* AND FREIGHT.

FINANCE FOR

3.99

FOR 96 MONTHS WITH $0 DOWN

Starting from price for 2016 Chrysler 200 C shown: $30,140.§

2016 DODGE JOURNEY CANADA VALUE PACKAGE

PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $2,000 CONSUMER CASH* AND FREIGHT.

FINANCE FOR

3.99

Starting from price for 2016 Dodge Journey Crossroad shown: $32,140.§

chryslercanada.ca/offers

REBUILDING YOUR CREDIT? SUB-PRIME RATES FROM ONLY 6.99% OAC≈

403-309-3300 classiﬁeds@reddeeradvocate.com Ofﬁce/Phone Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mon - Fri Fax: 403-341-4772

CLASSIFIEDS

2950 Bremner Ave. Red Deer, AB T4R 1M9 Circulation 403-314-4300 DEADLINE IS 5 P.M. FOR NEXT DAY’S PAPER

wegotads.ca

wegotjobs

wegotservices

wegotstuff

CLASSIFICATIONS 700-920

CLASSIFICATIONS 1000-1430

CLASSIFICATIONS 1500-1940

wegotrentals

wegothomes

wegotwheels

CLASSIFICATIONS 3000-3390

CLASSIFICATIONS 4000-4310

Obituaries

jobs

In Memoriam

WHAT’S HAPPENING 50-70

Coming Events

CRAFT MARKET & SALES

HOPKINS David On December 13, 2015 we lost to cancer, a great man, David Thomas Edward Hopkins who died at home NORM SMITH surrounded by family love. Apr. 3, 1927 - Dec. 17, 2014 He is survived by his three You left us beautiful memories Your love is still our guide sons: Tim (Gail), Ben (Lori), and Rob (Nancy); nine and though we cannot see you you’re always at our side. grandchildren; ten greatgrandchildren; his sister Iris One year has passed and we miss you dearly, but you (Ian); and his love, Jean have left us with beautiful Thyer-Stevens. Dave’s death memories we cherish daily. was preceded by his wife of Forever loved, over 50 years, Dorothy Your wife Evelyn, daughters (Lowe) Hopkins; his loving Deb and Ev, and families. companion Edith Kinzel; brother Trevor; sisters Betty and Leona; along with his parents Margaret and Ivor Funeral Directors Hopkins. A celebration of his life will be held at St. & Services Andrew’s United Church in Lacombe at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 18, 2015. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Hospice of your choice. To express condolences to David’s family, please visit www.womboldfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements Entrusted To PONOKA FUNERAL HOME ~ A Wombold Family Funeral Home ~ KUSK Kusk Maxwell (Max) age 68 of Sylvan Lake died peacefully on December 8, 2015 surrounded by family after a brief and courageous battle with cancer. Max is survived by his loving wife Bunny, of 47 years; their three children, Dayn (Cindy), Leah, Nicole (Kris), seven grandchildren, brother Ken (Sheryl), sister Janet, many Births extended family members, and numerous good friends. As per Max’s wishes there will be no service held. If desired, memorial donations may be made in Max’s honor, to the Red Deer Hospice Society. ARE YOU EXPECTING A BABY SOON? NELSON Michael (Mike) John Michael (Mike) John Nelson passed away peacefully in his sleep December 9, 2015 at the age of 44 years. He was born October 26, 1971 in Red Deer, Ab and lived the majority of his life in Trochu, Ab. He is survived by his loving finance Jill Easton, his mother Anita Nelson (Gerald Yanulik), his brother Frank (Angie), sister Loranda (Jason Hermary) and niece Madison. He is also survived by his cherished furry friends Rosie and Moira, as well as numerous distant relatives. He is also survived by his father Frank (Cheryl) Nelson. Services will be held at the Baptist Fellowship Centre in Trochu, Ab on December 19, 2015 at 1pm. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association in his name.

CLASSIFICATIONS 5000-5240

wegot CLASSIFICATIONS

AIMÉ (B0XER) Marjorie Irene July 7, 1917 - Dec. 9, 2015 It is with heavy hearts the family of Marjorie Aimé announce her peaceful passing at Bethany Collegeside on December 9, 2015 at the age of 98 years with her family at her side. Left to cherish Marjorie’s memory is her loving husband of 35 years Harry; daughter-in-law, Jean Boxer of Red Deer; grandchildren, Donny (Lonnie) Boxer of Penhold and their children Shawn, Shyla and Mason; and Sherri (Ky) Ngo of Red Deer; and several nieces and nephews. Marjorie is also survived by stepdaughter, Janet Aimé of Ladysmith, BC; step grandchildren, Michelle, Aja, Marlon, Mackenzie, Harry Jr. and Chase; and 5 stepgreatgrandchildren. Marjorie was predeceased by her first husband, Albert Boxer; sons, Donald and Edward “Ted” Boxer; sister, Evelyn Morris; brother-in-law, Jack Morris; brother, Douglas Perrin; and stepson, Michael Aimé. Her journey started at age 23 when she ventured to Aklavik, NT to work in the residential school. Marjorie met and married Bert Boxer, lived in a cabin on their trapline and had her 2 boys. In 1953 they moved to Yellowknife until 1975 where Bert’s retirement took them to Edmonton. Sadly Bert passed away in 1978. She reconnected with Harry who she had gone to school with and they got married in Oct. ‘80. Harry and Marj lived in Ft. McMurray until moving to Red Deer in 2005 and they were able to travel to many places which brought her much joy and happiness. Marjorie was always involved with various clubs and organizations until her later years. She loved to dance from a young age. Scottish dancing in McMurray was Marj and Harry’s weekly social entertainment. She sang in the church choir, belonged to bridge clubs and always had a knitting project to complete. And to the staff on B2 at Bethany, a big thank you for the wonderful and dedicated care you gave Marjorie for 6 years. Her big smile showed that she was happy there. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 19, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Red Deer Funeral Home, 6150 67 Street. For those who wish to pay their last respects, a viewing will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. on December 19. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to to Bethany Collegeside, 99 College Circle, Red Deer, AB T4R 0M3. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.reddeerfuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to RED DEER FUNERAL HOME 6150 - 67 Street, Red Deer. Phone (403) 347-3319.

Red Deer Advocate

announcements Obituaries

Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015

CLASSIFICATIONS 700-920

Clerical

720

Farm Work

F/T PEN CHECKER

for general feedlot duties for large expanding feedlot in Sundre. Experience necessary. Fax resume to 403-638-3908, or call 403-638-4165, or email dthengs@hotmail.com

NOTICE

Over 45 tables crafts, jewelry, food & Christmas decor. 10 - 4 every Saturday until Christmas Parkland Garden Centre 3 minutes East of 30th Avenue on Hwy 11

Notice to JOHN THOMPSON who worked for IPSCO INC and/or EVRAZ NA from July 2004 to February 2010. Please contact Helen Brock @ 403 346-7717 or at Box 593 Red Deer, AB. T4N 5G6 before January 15, 2016.

MEN’S Bifocal prescription What you will do: accounting sunglasses in case. Found • Record journals on all aspects near St. Elizabeth Seton of vehicle sales School. Owner can claim • Look after Finance by identifying case. Contracts in conjunction Message at 403-392-5842 with the Finance Managers PRESCRIPTION glasses • Communication with found near downtown TD agencies such as General Bank 403-343-3495 Motors and Banks

780

Legal

ACCOUNTING CLERK

What we Need: • A quick learner who will take ownership of all the job entails • Attention to detail and taking pride in striving towards perfection • Being self-motivated and working with little supervision after training Found • Highly organized an d efficient • Punctual and multiCELL PHONE found on tasker Michener Centre Grounds. • Good communication Call to identify. skills OWNER FOUND

755

Restaurant/ Hotel

820

CALKINS CONSULTING o/a Tim Hortons req’s. FOOD SERVICE SUPERVISORS 1-2 yrs. exp. an asset. $13.75/hr., 40 hrs./week, 4 positions, F/T and P/T. Permanent shift, weekend, day, night, and evening. Education not req’d. Start ASAP. Benefits. Apply at 6620 Orr Drive. Red Deer or call Kerry at 403-848-2356 for complete job description

Experience: • 3 years or more work experience in the accounting field ALCOHOLICS EAST 40TH PUB ANONYMOUS 403-347-8650 • Accounting Diploma or REQ’S F/T or P/T Degree GRILL COOK COCAINE ANONYMOUS • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word Apply in person with resume 403-396-8298 • Preference given to 3811 40th Ave. experience in Car OVEREATERS Anonymous software such Dealership Contact Phyl @ 347-4188 as: CDK Global, Reynold Trades & Reynold Red Deer

Personals

ADVOCATE CLASSIFIEDS 403-309-3300 Coming Events

Welcome Wagon

has a special package just for you & your little one! For more information, Call Lori, 403-348-5556

850

E-mail cover letter, resume and references to: danderson@ pikewheatonchev.ca

GOODMEN ROOFING LTD. Requires

SLOPED ROOFERS LABOURERS & FLAT ROOFERS Valid Driver’s Licence preferred. Fax or email info@goodmenroofing.ca or (403)341-6722 NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE!

Office & Phones CLOSED Friday, December 25, 2015 Friday, January 1, 2016 Office Hours Thursday, December 24, 2015 8:30 - 2 pm Monday, December 28, 2015 8:30 - 2 pm

Over 2,000,000 hours St. John Ambulance volunteers provide Canadians with more than 2 million hours of community service each year.

RED DEER ADVOCATE Publication Dates: Saturday, December 26, 2015 Monday, December 28 , 2015 Deadline is: Thursday Dec. 24, 2015 @ 12 noon Publication Date: Tuesday, December 29, 2014 Deadline is: Monday, December 28, 2015 @ 12 noon Publication Dates: Saturday, January 2, 2016 Monday, January 4, 2016 Deadline is: Thursday, Dec. 31, 2015 @ 12 noon

Wonderful Things

CENTRAL ALBERTA LIFE

Come in Small

Publication Date: Thursday December 24, 2015 Deadline is: Friday, December 18 @ 5 pm Publication Date: Thursday December 31, 2015 Deadline is: Thursday, December 24, 2015 12 noon

Packages

A Birth Announcement lets all your friends know he’s arrived...

309-3300

CALL CLASSIFIEDS 403-309-3300 classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com

For delivery of Flyers, Wednesday and Friday ONLY 2 DAYS A WEEK CLEARVIEW RIDGE CLEARVIEW TIMBERSTONE LANCASTER VANIER WOODLEA/ WASKASOO DEER PARK GRANDVIEW EASTVIEW MICHENER MOUNTVIEW ROSEDALE GARDEN HEIGHTS MORRISROE Call Prodie at 403-314-4301

ADULT or YOUTH CARRIERS NEEDED

Call Sandra at 403-314-4306

880

ACADEMIC Express ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Would you like to take the GED in your community? • • • • • • • • •

ADULT or YOUTH CARRIERS NEEDED

GED Preparation

Misc. Help

Thursday, December 31, 2015 8:30 - 2 pm

TO ORDER HOME DELIVERY OF THE ADVOCATE CALL OUR CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 403-314-4300

JANUARY START

870

FURNACE duct cleaning business. Selling due to family illness. Includes 2003 1 ton van and vacuum compressor, etc. Paid $25,000 2 yrs. ago, asking $10,000. Equipment in great shape. Great opportunity. 403-350-8977

Tuesday & Wednesday December 29 & 30 Regular Office Hours, 8:30 - 5

880

For delivery of Flyers, Wednesday and Friday ONLY 2 DAYS A WEEK ANDERS BOWER HIGHLAND GREEN INGLEWOOD JOHNSTONE KENTWOOD RIVERSIDE MEADOWS PINES SUNNYBROOK SOUTHBROOKE WEST LAKE WEST PARK

Business Opportunities CLASSIFIEDS Christmas & New Years Hours & Deadlines

Misc. Help

Red Deer Rocky Mtn. House Rimbey Caroline Sylvan Lake Innisfail Stettler Ponoka Lacombe Gov’t of Alberta Funding may be available. 403-340-1930 www.academicexpress.ca

Blue Grass Sod Farms Ltd. Box 11, site 2, RR1 Red Deer, AB Req’s Farm labourers for 2016 season (April-Nov) In Red Deer. Duties include sod farming and tree nursery. Tree Nursery will involve pruning, planting and digging trees. Will train/exp an asset. Wage $11.20 hr 48 hrs weekly. Email resume to s/Richardson@bg-rd.com ELLIS Bird Farm is accepting applications for a Cafe (Tea House) Operator/Contractor for the 2016 season (May - early September). Favorable terms and high profit potential. For information package contact info@ellisbirdfarm.ca You can sell your guitar for a song... or put it in CLASSIFIEDS and we’ll sell it for you!

ADULT CARRIERS NEEDED For early morning delivery by 6:30 am Mon. - Sat. VANIER CLEARVIEW Call Joanne at 403- 314-4308

CARRIERS NEEDED For CENTRAL ALBERTA LIFE 1 day a week INNISFAIL PENHOLD LACOMBE SYLVAN LAKE OLDS BLACKFALDS PONOKA Call Rick at 403- 314-4303

7119052tfn

TO PLACE AN AD

Earn Extra Money

¯ ROUTES AVAILABLE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

Red Deer Ponoka

Sylvan Lake Lacombe

call: 403-314-4394 or email:

carriers@reddeeradvocate.com

7119078TFN

For that new computer, a dream vacation or a new car

D2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 Employment Training

900

SAFETY

AFFORDABLE

Homestead Firewood

TRAINING CENTRE OILFIELD TICKETS

Industries #1 Choice!

“Low Cost” Quality Training

403.341.4544

R H2S Alive (ENFORM) R First Aid/CPR R Confined Space R WHMIS & TDG R Ground Disturbance R (ENFORM) D&C B.O.P. R D&C (LEL) #204, 7819 - 50 Ave. (across from Totem) (across from Rona North)

278950A5

24 Hours Toll Free 1.888.533.4544

Spruce, Pine, Aspen - Split. Avail. 7 days/wk. 403-304-6472 B.C. Birch, Aspen, Spruce/Pine. Delivery avail. PH. Lyle 403-783-2275 FIREWOOD. Pine, Spruce, Can deliver 1-4 cords. 403-844-0227 FIREWOOD: Spruce & Pine - Split. 403-346-7178 LOGS Semi loads of pine, spruce, tamarack, poplar, birch. Price depends on location of delivery. Lil Mule Logging 403-318-4346

Household Furnishings

wegot

stuff CLASSIFICATIONS 1500-1990

1720

BUNK BED, with desk & dresser built in. New cond. Pd $1300. Asking $5000. o.b.o. 780-916-0221

BATTLESTAR Galactica cyclone raider vehicle. 1978 $25. 403-314-9603 MADMAE ALEXANDER DOLLS, Marc Anthony & Cleopatra, 1970’s mint cond., 2 for $75. 403-314-9603

JOSEPH Ribkoff faux leather top/dress jacket. Ladies’ Size 8. Zipperedfront, buttery soft black faux leather with black and white overstitching. Mint condition, only worn twice. $30 (Àrm). Call 403-342-7908. LADIES London Fog, reg. 10 size, cranberry pea coat Length $50. 403-227-2976 LADIES size 4 1/2 Italian chocolate leather knee high boots, soft Àts like a glove, $200 403-227-2976 Vintage (circa 1950’s) ladies’ muskrat fur coat in MINT condition. Rich brown color. Waist length, slightly Áared, size Medium. $75 (Àrm). Call (403) 342-7908. WINTER COAT, 3/4 length, with detachable hood, brand new. Size 16.5 plus. Asking $75. 403-347-5648 WINTER COAT, full length, size M, zipper & buttons, New! Aksing $80. 403-347-5648

1760

100 VHS movies, $75. For All 403-885-5020 2 NEW folding alum. saw horses $20/ea, new in box 30 pc. wall mounted storage bins $35, new elec. rotisserie and BBQ oven $35, Stringer wet/dry vacumn cleaner $20, Skil 3/8 variable speed drill $12, B & D jig saw $12 403-358-5568 MAKEUP, from New York, red hot crocodile bag, 12 eye shadows, 2 blush, 1 nail polish, 1 lip gloss. NEW!! Valued at $195. Asking $50. 403-227-2976 PICTURE framing supplies. 587-447-3641 for info POLAR bar fridge $50, 2 Canadian Club (Texas Mickey) 133 1/3 oz. whiskey bottles w/pumps, $50 ea. 403-358-5568 PROPANE heater for inside travel home, works good $150 obo 403-314-0804 PS4 Playstation BRAND NEW. 403-728-3336 403-350-0959 VINTAGE Royal Doulton Beswick horse, Welsh rearing cob, $175; Merrell Ortholite shoes, air cushioned, size 6 1/2, like new $22. 403-352-8811 WATER cooler $50. 403-885-5020

1900

Travel Packages

TRAVEL ALBERTA Alberta offers SOMETHING for everyone. Make your travel plans now.

1930

Wanted To Buy

2 OR MORE BAR STOOLS w/backs wanted 403-343-1576

WANTED

Misc. for Sale

1870

Collectors' Items

wegot

Antiques, furniture and estates. 342-2514

1590

Clothing

1660

Firewood

rentals CLASSIFICATIONS

3020

1630

TRAILERS for sale or rent Job site, ofÀce, well site or storage. Skidded or wheeled. Call 347-7721.

1640

Tools

Sporting Goods

1860

PROFORM 400S treadmill, never been out of box $800 587-447-3641

Collectors' Items

1870

ARCHIE Digest Comics, SKILL SAW, Craftsman 1988, 5 in total. $10. for all. 7.25, $50. 403-314-0804 403-314-9603

Buy it. Classiﬁed. It’s the easy-to-access, information-packed marketplace visited regularly — by all kinds of consumers.

Sell it. Classiﬁed. It’s the resource you can count on to sell a myriad of merchandise items because our columns compel qualiﬁed buyers to call.

Find it. Classiﬁed. It’s the solution you’re searching for — whether you’re seeking a home, an apartment, a new occupation or even a stray pet.

CALL 309-3300

1 & 2 bdrm. adult building, N/S. No pets. 403-596-2444

Cottage/ Seasonal

3070

PALM SPRINGS Rental

2 bdrm, 2 bath condo, all new appls, inclds. king & queen beds, tv, recliner couch, pool/hot tub close by, tennis courts, no stairs, avail. immed. to Jan. 26/16, wiÀ, phone, tv pkg. incld., $2000. ref’s req’d. 403-340-3370 pics avail.

Rooms For Rent

3090

FULLY furn. bdrm. for rent, $500/mth - $250 DD. Call 403-396-2468 RENO’D room, clean, bright, quiet, male preferred, n/s, share kitchen/bath/laundry, parking, $500/mo. inclds. utils. 403-318-7980

3150

$250/mo.,

20x26, Jan. 1 403-845-0203

COUNTRY Mobile Home on own lot in country, near Bentley. $950/mo. + utils. Mobile + d.d. 403-748-2678. Lot GRANDVIEW 4 bdrm.,, PADS $450/mo. 3 bath 5 appls. , fenced, Brand new park in Lacombe. N/S, $1250./mo. + util. Spec Mobiles. 3 Bdrm., 403-350-4230 2 bath. As Low as $75,000. SYLVAN Lake, fully Down payment $4000. Call furn. rental, inclds. all utils, at anytime. 403-588-8820 $1200 Details 403-880-0210

3190

Condos/ Townhouses

3030

New Blackfalds Condo. 2 Bdrm/2 Bath. Main Áoor & 2nd Áoor options avail. 2 powered parking stalls. Rent $1,400. Pets negotiable. Ask about rent incentives. 403-396-1688.

wegot

homes CLASSIFICATIONS 4000-4190

SEIBEL PROPERTY Realtors

1800

EquipmentHeavy

THE NORDIC

FOR RENT • 3000-3200 WANTED • 3250-3390 Garage Space Houses/ HEATED garage, Duplexes West Park, avail.

6 locations in Red Deer, well-maintained townhouses, lrg, 3 bdrm, 11/2 bath, 4 + 5 appls. Westpark, Kentwood, Highland Green, Riverside Electronics Meadows. Rent starting at $1100. For more info, PS2 with O.J. Hero & 5 phone 403-304-7576 or games, $60; 403-782-3847 403-347-7545 PSP WITH 12 games, SOUTHWOOD PARK $130. 403-782-3847 3110-47TH Avenue, Office 2 & 3 bdrm. townhouses, X-BOX, with 14 games, generously sized, 1 1/2 Supplies $60; baths, fenced yards, DREAM CAST with 3 full bsmts. 403-347-7473, games, $50. 403-782-3847 2 DRAWER metal Àling Sorry no pets. cabinet $10 403-885-5020 www.greatapartments.ca

1605

3060

Suites

4 Plexes/ 6 Plexes

3050

3 BDRM., no pets, $1000 mo. 403-343-6609 ACROSS from park, 2 bdrm. 4-plex, 1 1/2 bath, 4 appls. Rent $925/mo. d.d. $650. Avail. now or Jan. 1. 403-304-5337

& Services

4010

HERE TO HELP & HERE TO SERVE Call GORD ING at RE/MAX real estate central alberta 403-341-9995 gord.ing@remax.net

Houses For Sale

4020

LIMITED TIME OFFER:

RISER HOMES One free year of Telus CHRISTMAS SPECIAL internet & cable AND 50% 1 ONLY! This is a three off Àrst month’s rent! 1 & 2 Bedroom suites available. bdrm. two bath modiÀed bi level walk out, backing Renovated suites in central onto green area and alley, location. Cat friendly. great for trailer. Many upleasing@rentmidwest.com grades. $417,000 includes 1(888) 784-9274 GST, legal fee, front sod. Tree. LLOYD FIDDLER 403-391-9294 Suites www.riserhoes.com

3060

SERGE’S HOMES

1 BDRM., 3 appls., 50+, “OPENING” no pets, $840 rent, $600 SD. Dec. 17 & 18, 2 - 5 pm 403-318-0751 Dec. 19 & 20, 1 - 5 pm ADULT 2 BDRM. spacious 6325 61 Ave. Red Deer suites 3 appls., heat/water Call Bob Pelletier incld., ADULT ONLY 403-505-8050 BLDG, no pets, Oriole Park. 403-986-6889 Condos/ AVAIL. IMMED. large 2 bdrm. in clean quiet adult Townhouses building, near downtown Need to Downsize? Brand Co-Op, no pets, New Valley Crossing Con403-348-7445 dos in Blackfalds. Main CITY VIEW APTS. Áoor is 1,119 SQ FT 2 Clean, quiet, newly reno’d Bdrm/2Bath. Imm. Poss. adult building. Rent $925 Start at $219,900. Call S.D. $800. Avail. immed. 403-396-1688. and Jan. 1. Near hospital. No pets.403-318-3679 Lots For LARGE, 1 & 2 BDRM. SUITES. 25+, adults only Sale n/s, no pets 403-346-7111

4040

4160

MORRISROE MANOR

SERGE’S HOMES

Lots Available in Lacombe, Blackfalds, Springbrook Custom build your dream home on your lot or ours. For more info. call OfÀce - 403-343-6360 Bob - 403-505-8050

1 & 2 bdrm., Adult bldg. only, N/S, No pets. 403-596-2444 NEW Glendale reno’d 1 & 2 bdrm. apartments, 1st month free, no pets, 100 Gilchrist Crescent, avail. immed, rent starting It’s simple to run a Garage @ $775. 403-596-6000 Sale Ad in the Red Deer Advocate and make quick cash. Phone Classifieds 309-3300.

SIMPLE!

wegot

services

wheels

CLASSIFICATIONS 1000-1430

CLASSIFICATIONS 5000-5300

To Advertise Your Business or Service Here

Call Classiﬁeds 403-309-3300

Cars

5030

classiﬁeds@reddeeradvocate.com

1010

Accounting

INDIVIDUAL & BUSINESS Accounting, 30 yrs. of exp. with oilÀeld service companies, other small businesses and individuals RW Smith, 346-9351

Contractors

1100

BRIDGER CONST. LTD. We do it all! 403-302-8550 COUNTERTOP replacement. Kitchen reno’s. Wes 403-302-1648 DALE’S Home Reno’s Free estimates for all your reno needs. 403-506-4301

1160

Entertainment

DANCE DJ SERVICES 587-679-8606

Handyman Services

1200

BOOK NOW! For help on your home projects such as bathroom, main Áoor, and bsmt. renovations. Also painting and Áooring. Call James 403-341-0617 Classifieds...costs so little Saves you so much!

MULTI-SKILLED HANDYMAN For Hire Call Derek 403-848-3266

Massage Therapy

1280

FANTASY SPA

Elite Retreat, Finest in VIP Treatment.

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U.S., Cuba close to restoring commercial flights BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS HAVANA — The United States and Cuba are close to a deal on restoring regularly scheduled commercial flights, Cuban and American officials said Wednesday on the eve of the anniversary of detente between the Cold War foes. The diplomatic advance would help open the way for U.S. airlines to begin flying to Cuba within months in what would likely be the biggest step toward tighter economic ties since the two countries began normalizing relations last year. Officials on both sides said they had reached an understanding on key points and hoped to reach a formal deal within hours or days. Teams who have been meeting since Monday in Washington “have made important advances in negotiating a memorandum of understanding on establishing regular flights between Cuba and the United States, and shortly they will be ready to announce a preliminary agreement on this issue,” said Josefina Vidal, head of North American affairs for Cuba’s foreign ministry. State Department spokeswoman Kerry Humphrey said late Wednesday that the countries “are making progress but still negotiating.”

Right now, American and Cuban travellers must fly on charter flights that are expensive and difficult to book, forcing travellers to buy paper tickets in Cuba or email documents and payment information back and forth with an agent in the U.S. Those flying often must arrive at the airport four hours in advance and pay high prices for baggage in excess of strict weight limits. U.S. officials and aviation executives have speculated that Cuba could allow more than a dozen flights to and from the U.S. a day. It’s unclear if those flights would completely replace charters, but they appear certain to create a surge in travel that would place heavy strain on Cuba’s already overstrained tourist infrastructure. Hotels and private hostals are booked for months. Authorized American travel to the island is up 50 per cent this year, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, who heads the U.S. Embassy in Havana, said Tuesday. While the majority of U.S. travellers are Cuban-Americans, there has been a sharp rise in Americans travelling for specially authorized purposes, particularly on educational tours known as people-to-people travel. Among Obama’s regulatory changes this year was one permitting such travel to Cuba without specific Treasury Department permission.

Russian airstrikes restore Syrian military balance of power BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BEIRUT — Weeks of Russian airstrikes in Syria appear to have restored enough momentum to the government side to convince President Bashar Assad’s foes and the world community that even if he doesn’t win the war he cannot quickly be removed by force. That realization, combined with the growing sense that the world’s No. 1 priority is the destruction of the Islamic State group, has led many to acknowledge that however unpalatable his conduct of the war, Assad will have to be tolerated for at least some time further. The most dramatic sign of that came Tuesday with the statement by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that Assad’s future will be determined by the Syrian people, suggesting in the clearest way yet that he can stay on for now and be part of a transition. That statement — less a reversal than the culmination of a rethink that had been underway for months — was doubly piquant coming in Moscow, where Kerry was discussing the Syria question with Russian officials. “The Russians with their military intervention have basically said you can refuse to talk to Bashar Assad, but that means that you won’t get a political solution, said Yezid Sayigh, a senior associate at the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut. “If you do want that then you have to deal with this man.” Still, significant gaps remain between the U.S. and Russian positions on Assad’s future, as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power noted Wednesday. “There is

going to have to be a political transition, and Assad will have to go,” Power said ahead of a conference on Syria in New York on Friday. Russia, a key backer of Assad, began a campaign of airstrikes in Syria on Sept. 30 at a critical juncture in the civil war, when Assad’s forces were fast losing ground to the rebels around areas considered key to the government’s survival. While Moscow says its airstrikes target the Islamic State group and other “terrorists” in Syria, much of the Russian air campaign has focused on more moderate forces fighting Assad in the country’s central and northern region where IS has little or no presence. The results have been slow in coming. Despite nearly 11 weeks of vigorous and crushing Russian airstrikes, government troops aided by Lebanese Hezbollah and Iranian allied forces have failed to reverse losses in the northern province of Idlib and in Palmyra, the ancient desert town in central Syria that fell to the Islamic State group over the summer. The Russian airstrikes, however, have helped Assad slow or halt rebel advances on several fronts — and he has captured dozens of villages in northern and western Syria. The government’s biggest victory so far was last month’s lifting of a three-year siege on the military air base of Kweiras by extremist groups in the northern province of Aleppo. That was followed Monday by Syrian troops’ capture of a sprawling military air base near Damascus that had been held by rebels for the past three years, bolstering the government’s presence in an area overwhelmingly controlled by opposition forces.

Devastation of civil war continues 2 years after peace treaty in Sudan BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LEER, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudan’s civil war took away everything that had been precious to Mary Nyak Chot. “All my children were killed. The youngest two were burned in their home. The other four were bombed by artillery. My husband also died,” she said while clutching a food ration card. She was attending the first food distribution — organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross — since July in Leer, an area facing famine. It’s been two years since the civil war began in South Sudan, a nation which is itself only four years old. The violence continues, despite a peace deal signed more than three months ago. “The situation still remains the same,” said Daud Gideon, member of the Remembrance Project which is collecting names of those lost in the war. “A lot of killing still is happening in different parts of the country, and lives are being lost on a daily basis.” The war started on December 15, 2013 after a skirmish between soldiers in a barracks in Juba, the capital. Soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir, an ethnic Dinka, perpetrated organized ethnic killings of Nuer, the tribe of Kiir’s political rival Riek Machar, according to an African Union commission report.

The Juba Massacre prompted an uprising of Nuer in the country’s northeast led by Machar, a Kiir’s former vice-president. The insurgents committed revenge massacres which rivaled the Juba killings in their horror, spurring a cycle of violence. The United Nations says tens of thousands have been killed while other estimates range up to 100,000. The brutality of the fighting has shred South Sudan’s social fabric, exposing buried ethnic faultlines and creating new ones which have made attempts at reconciliation unsuccessful. “Trust is not there. People are identifying now by their tribes,” says the Rev. James Ninrew, a peace activist in Juba. “Even in one community, you will find Nuer are divided, or the Dinka are divided.” Over 2 million people have fled their homes, including hundreds of thousands seeking refuge in neighbouring countries. About 180,000 people shelter in squalid United Nations bases rife with disease and violence. Others hide in remote swamps and forests, too afraid to go home. “I’m running away every day,” says Nyalen Top, who ventured out of the hinterlands of Leer, the birthplace of Machar and one of the country’s most devastated parts of the country, to seek medical help for her two sick children. “It is better to hide yourself in the bush, because if the men get you they can rape or kill you.”

FOOD

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

Grocery shopping for one WITH FORETHOUGHT AND ORGANIZATION, YOU CAN SAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR A MEAL OUT AND A COUPLE GLASSES OF WINE BY GABI MOSKOWITZ ADVOCATE NEWS SERVICES A few months ago, my friend Lev asked me for a basic grocery list he could refer to when he made his weekly or biweekly trip to his neighbourhood store. “How can I shop and cook for one, healthfully, cheaply and well?” he wanted to know. As Lev had discovered, grocery shopping for one person is not as easy as shopping for, say, a family of four. You buy too much or your plans to cook change, and you end up with a lot of wasted food. According to the National Resources Defense Council, the average American throws away between $28 and $43 worth of uneaten food each month. That’s a lot of money — enough for a meal out and a couple of glasses of wine. The solution? A little forethought, organization and smart shopping. This list below is the one I refer to before my supermarket trips. I take inventory of my refrigerator and pantry, note what I need and make sure I hit each section of the list. When I get to the grocery store, I start my shopping on the perimeter aisles (typically produce, dairy/eggs, meat/fish). These fresh ingredients are the staples of healthy home cooking, and are the things I tend to run out of each week. The inside aisles (oils, pastas, breads, beans, grains, packaged goods) are the shelf-stable pantry goods I typically need to replenish less frequently. Speaking of shelf-stable non-perishables, I buy them in the bulk section whenever I can. The extra 20 seconds spent looking for the product code and writing it on a twist-tie is well worth the money I save since I’m not paying for packaging. Flours, grains, pastas, coffee, tea, snack mix, even some cookies and candies can all be purchased in the bulk section. Not only is the bulk section good for when you want a lot of something (such as beans or grains), it’s also great for when you only want a little of something (such as those dangerously delicious raspberry-fig bars at my local Whole Foods). OK, grab your reusable bags and let’s get shopping.

PRODUCE

Greens you can eat cooked or raw baby spinach or kale (go for dark green lacinato/dinosaur kale as opposed to the lighter green curly variety) are my picks. Use to make salads or saute in a bit of olive oil. Baby carrots, mini Persian cucumbers, mini bell peppers, or any other crunchy, easy to eat raw vegetable For healthy snacking, but can also be used in cooking. 1 or 2 medium onions I usually buy yellow (which I find have the most flavor), but white or red are OK too. Look for what’s on sale. 1 head of garlic You’ll use it in just about everything. The prepeeled kind is okay, if you know you’ll be using it quickly (otherwise it oxidizes and becomes rancid). Do not buy the chopped, jarred variety; it doesn’t taste as good, and it’s more expensive than fresh. Fresh herbs Using fresh herbs is the quickest way to take your cooking from average to great with very little effort. My weekly buys are cilantro for Asian/Latin dishes and flat-leaf parsley for Italian/Mediterranean. Mint and basil are semi-regulars. Buy the full bunch as opposed to those small plastic containers with single servings of herbs — it’s cheaper and there’s less waste. 1 or 2 lemons Good for flavouring water and squeezing over cooked vegetables or salads. Apples, oranges, bananas, or another in-season, easy to eat fruit If it’s easy to eat and requires little to no prep beyond washing, you are more likely to eat it. Which is the idea. 1 or 2 avocados If you think you’ll eat two in a week, buy one that is ripe and one that is still a little hard (it’ll be ripe by the time you’re ready to use it). Grapes Rinse and put them in the freezer so you have a healthy dessert option around when late-night cravings for sweets hit.

EGGS AND DAIRY

1 dozen eggs Great for breakfast on a toasted English muffin, but also just an excellent source of high-quality protein. You can do so much with one carton of eggs. Hard or soft boil a few and keep them around as a nutritious snack, or chop them up and put them over salad greens. Half-and-half Half-and-half is for more than just coffee. You can use it to thicken creamy soups, sauces and curries, but it also can be diluted with water — use equal parts half-and-half and water — to make milk. (I know it seems weird, but it totally works.) I don’t drink straight milk, so I keep half-and-half around for when I need it for cereal or a recipe calling for milk. Cheese Choose something with mild flavour that can be used for a variety of things, including snacking on. Low-moisture mozzarella, mild or medium cheddar, or jack are all good options. Use it in sandwiches, shredded over scrambled eggs, cubed in salad or stirred into pasta. Butter My favorite kind is Kerrygold. Good for spreading on toast and cooking, and the foil wrapper keeps it tasting fresh for a long time.

MEAT/FISH/TOFU

I alternate between sausages (which are usually cheapest if you get them at the deli counter as opposed to pre-packaged; simply pan-fry or grill for a quick dinner), chicken thighs, tilapia (sustainable and easy to cook) and sprouted extra-firm tofu.

NON-PERISHABLES

Pantry basics These are shelf-stable and last a long time. You’ll need to replenish them less frequently than the rest

Photo by ADVOCATE news services

Grocery shopping for one person is not as easy as shopping for, say, a family of four. You buy too much or your plans to cook change, and you end up with a lot of wasted food. of the things on this list: extra-virgin olive oil (for salads and sauteing), at least one vinegar (apple cider, balsamic and rice vinegars are my staples), salt (either sea salt in a grinder or kosher salt) and pepper (either whole peppercorns you put in a grinder, or a disposable grinder with peppercorns in it already). Coffee or tea If you drink coffee, buy beans in bulk and, if you don’t have a grinder at home, use the in-store grinder to grind them yourself. That’s much cheaper than buying pre-ground coffee in bags. Consider getting a reusable filter; I like this one. If you prefer tea, look for basics like Earl Grey or English Breakfast in bulk (either bagged or loose-leaf). If you like mint tea, try brewing it with fresh mint leaves instead. Pasta I like to buy strand pasta that can be used in Italian or Asian dishes, depending on my mood. Fettuccine, linguine, and spaghetti are all good picks. Canned tomatoes (chopped or crushed) Buy the fire-roasted variety from Muir Glen: The

tomatoes are slightly sweet, a little bit smoky and so delicious. Make the best quick tomato sauce ever by sauteing half a can of tomatoes with a couple of cloves of garlic and a tablespoon or two of extra virgin olive oil. Canned beans Pinto, black, or cannellini (Italian white) beans. Rinse them before using. Use pinto and black beans in tacos, quesadillas, and burritos. Toss the white beans with cooked pasta, olive oil, garlic and parsley. They’re a great source of protein and fiber. Nut butter Eat it with apples or spread it on an English muffin. Mix it with soy sauce, honey, and chopped garlic to make a quick sauce to toss noodles in. Moskowitz, editor of BrokeAssGourmet.com, is the author of The BrokeAss Gourmet Cookbook and Pizza Dough: 100 Delicious, Unexpected Recipes. She is also a producer of the ABC Family show Young & Hungry.

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December 17 1990 — Canada’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) receives Royal Assent and becomes law. 1969 — Bank of Canada to print new bank notes featuring portraits of former Prime Ministers to replace the Queen. Wilfrid Laurier on the $5, John A. Macdonald on the $10, Mackenzie King on the $50, Robert Borden on the $100.

1966 — Elaine Tanner, age 15, is awarded the Bobbie Rosenfeld award as Canada’s female athlete of the year, the youngest ever. She also wins the Lou Marsh Trophy as Athlete of the Year, and the Velma Springstead Trophy as best female athlete in Canada. 1917 — Robert Borden leads his Unionist government, formed on October 13, to a majority victory in the general election. The party wins 153 seats (114 Conservatives and 39 Liberals) to 82 for Wilfrid Laurier’s Liberals; wins only 2 seats in Western Canada and three seats in Québec due to opposition to conscription.

ARGYLE SWEATER

RUBES

TODAY IN HISTORY

TUNDRA

SUDOKU Complete the grid so that every row, every column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 through 9. SHERMAN‛S LAGOON

Solution

HEALTH

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

A grown-up talk about vaccines Whooping cough. Mumps. Measles. one recent Centers for Disease ConChickenpox. They’re not just for kids trol and Prevention study, half of older anymore — and neither are the vac- adults skipped tetanus shots that procines that protect against them. While tect against rare but deadly lockjaw, there’s some push back against child- and 76 percent skipped the shingles hood vaccines thanks to misinforma- vaccine. Meanwhile, it’s estimated that tion from certain presimore than one in six indential candidates and ternational travelers don’t B-list celebrities, recent have all the vaccines they reports show that grownneed. That boosts the risk ups are the real slackers. for exposure to hepatitis A That’s dangerous. Vacvia tainted food and water, cine-preventable diseasand for exposure to the es kill tens of thousands measles. Half of all U.S. of North American adults measles outbreaks can each year and land plenbe traced to the illness ty more in the hospital. picked up outside our borWe’re talking about pneuders. mococcal pneumonia and So here’s what you need DR. MICHAEL ROIZEN related diseases, which to know. AND DR. MEHMET OZ kill more than 45,000 Myth: “I got all the vacYOU DOCS adults; shingles, triggered cines I need as a kid.” by the chickenpox virus, Fact: You probably which affects 1 million annually and need some new ones — and a couple often leaves behind excruciating nerve of boosters. If your doc doesn’t bring pain. Measles and mumps can cause it up, ask about which shots you really brain damage in adults (if you were need. In general, all adults need an born after 1956, you’re probably not annual flu shot; a tetanus, diphtheria immune). Getting infected can spread and pertussis (Tdap) shot or booster diseases like whooping cough to un- every 10 years; and older adults also vaccinated babies. need vaccines against shingles. There Yet tens of millions of grown-ups (is are two pneumonia vaccines; ask your this you?) are behind on their shots. In doc if you need one or both. Younger

women and men should get the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine and, if you didn’t get them as a kid, you likely also need vaccines against chickenpox, hepatitis (A and B) and mumps, measles and rubella (MMR). Ask about the meningococcal vaccine, too. Myth: Only doctors give vaccines. Fact: Pharmacies do too. Don’t want to spend the time or money on a doctor’s visit for vaccines? Get your shots where you shop. Pharmacies and quick-care clinics in all 50 states are authorized to provide many adult vaccines. Call ahead to find out which ones are available in your local drugstore and whether or not you need a prescription. Myth: The side effects are scary. Fact: Side effects are rare. If you have a weakened immune system or have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine, there are some you should skip — and others where certain formulations may be a better choice for you. But it’s important to know that the risk for a serious reaction is very small, especially compared with the protection vaccines provide. For instance, the pneumococcal vaccine cuts your risk for infection by as much as 70 percent. And the shingles shot cuts risk for a blistery outbreak in half and reduces

your odds for nerve pain by 67 percent. Overall, the chance of gaining benefits from a vaccination is 40,000 times greater than the chance of incurring a serious side effect. Myth: Vaccines are expensive. Fact: Most are covered by insurance plans and provincial health care — especially if you get them at the recommended age. Note; All immunizations included in Alberta’s Routine Childhood Immunization Schedule are offered to children who live, work or go to school in Alberta, free of charge. Provinces and territories have differences in how vaccines are provided and which vaccines are paid for (publicly funded). Myth: It’s gonna hurt! Fact: Maybe not. Studies prove that distracting yourself (bring your headphones and listen to music) or breathing deeply and relaxing your muscles just before the jab reduces pain significantly. Drugstore numbing creams containing lidocaine applied beforehand (follow package directions) also can help. The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz, host of The Dr. Oz Show and Mike Roizen of Cleveland Clinic, are authors of YOU: Losing Weight. For more information, go to www.RealAge.com.

Nourish yourself back to feeling whole again Can’t seem to keep up with your What happens when the adrenals days? Running from task to task… ob- are stimulated is the release of the ligation-to-obligation, with no room hormone cortisol into the body. This is for nourishment? Or had something fine for time to time, but what happens recently traumatic happen for some is the elevated corin your life that’s affecting tisol levels in the body can the way you function? start to interfere with your When we are stressed, immune system, digestion, we don’t have a lot of time sleep, the ability to produce to eat, let alone even an other hormones. Feelings of appetite for something irritability can arise, shakinourishing. Heart palpiness, light-headedness and tations, constant caffeine anxiety sets in. Adrenal fastimulation, and on the go tigue can leave you feeling eating becomes a norm… helplessly not in control of until utter exhaustion sets your body. in and your body literally The first step to breakstarts giving out. ing this behavior and getKRISTIN It’s happened to me ting your body on track is FRASER several times so I am well to STOP. Right now. In this aware of the internal diamoment, close your eyes and SOMETHING TO logue that occurs, mainly, visualize yourself in a cozy CHEW ON “I just don’t have time”. environment. You have to reBut the internal damage connect. Visualize your body that can occur is worth the know-how feeling good. Alive, energized, nourto break this addiction to “busy”-ness ished, balanced… calm. Dedicate the and reconnect with some serious self- next thirty days to the following: care. 1. Get a high quality Omega 3 Essen-

tial Fatty Acid Supplement. EPAs have been shown in psychiatry research at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran to reduce cortisol levels in the body. Consume organic salmon and/or flaxseeds as well as an avocado daily for extra dosage and to stabilize the blood sugars being out of balance. 2. Supplement with a probiotic daily starting NOW. With excess cortisol in the system, a loss of appetite, and impaired digestion can occur, particularly in the upper gastrointestinal tract, which can leave food to putrefy and cause further problems such as candida overgrowth. Maintaining a healthy ecosystem in the gut is imperative during times of stress while working towards minimizing the stress in your life. 3. Drink greens. I like Moringa powder to put in my water as it has protein as well as lots of chlorophyll rich goodness and doesn’t take any time. It’s effective at remediating anxiety because of its high levels of tryptophan. Drink a Tablespoon in a liter

of water one to several times a day. You’ll notice in just a few days how much it helps. 4. Evening spa rituals. You don’t need to pay for expensive massages. Simply lighting some candles in the eve, having a cup of herbal tea and taking the time to breathe and reflect is also a critical step in minimizing the effects of adrenal fatigue. Give yourself that space each day to yourself. To reflect, to breathe, to be patient with yourself and come back to revitalization. Adrenal fatigue can also go synergistically with posttraumatic stress disorder. Be sure to make your wellbeing a priority and get the support you need to feel better. You don’t need to live with feelings of ongoing anxiety. Nourish yourself back to feeling whole again. Kristin Fraser, BSc, is a holistic nutritionist and local freelance writer. Her column appears every second Thursday. She can be reached at kristin@somethingtochewon.ca.

Antidepressants during pregnancy raise autism risk STUDY BY THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO — Taking antidepressants during pregnancy — especially the class that includes Prozac, Zoloft and Celexa — appears to raise the risk of autism spectrum disorder in children, a study suggests. The study by the University of Montreal found that taking antidepressants of any kind while pregnant somewhat boosts the risk that a child will be diagnosed with ASD by age seven. But the risk doubles with drugs known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, when they are taken during the second and third trimesters — the critical period for fetal brain development, the researchers say. “It is biologically plausible that antidepressants (could be) causing autism if used at the time of brain development in the womb, as serotonin is involved in numerous pre- and postnatal developmental processes, including … the creation of links between brain cells,” said Anick Berard, a pharmacy professor at the university and principal investigator of the study. “Some classes of antidepressants work by inhibiting serotonin, which will have a negative impact on the ability of the brain to fully develop and adapt in-utero.” Autism spectrum disorder, which includes a number of separate diagnoses like autism and Asperger’s syndrome, impairs a child’s ability to communicate and interact with others. It may include repetitive behaviours as well as an intense focus on a narrow range of interests and activities. SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, with an estimated six to 10 per cent of pregnant women being treated for depression with the drugs. Berard said the findings do not prove the drugs are among the causes of the neurodevelopmental disorder in children — although some previous studies also pointed to the drugs as a possible culprit. “We don’t know all the causes of autism,” she said. “Certainly there could be a very strong genetic predisposition and probably something environmental, meaning medications and lifestyle and so forth.” Some doctors argue that leaving depression untreated can be more dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies, and say the benefits of antidepressants may outweigh their

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

Anick Bedard of the University of Montreal is pictured in this undated handout photo. A new study from the university suggests that taking antidepressants during pregnancy may raise the risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring. The University of Montreal study found that taking certain antidepressants appears to double the risk that a child will be diagnosed with autism by age seven. potential harms. But Berard said that, as with the general population, most pregnant women have mild to moderate depression, which can be alleviated by other means. Exercise, psychotherapy and light therapy can all have benefits, she said. “When it comes to depression in pregnancy, I’m not saying don’t treat, but think of other options,” she advised doctors. “And obviously follow them carefully during their pregnancy, as you would for hypertension or diabetes.” The study, published Monday in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, analyzed the health records of almost 145,500 Quebec children, of whom 1,054 were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, between 1998 and 2009. Among 2,532 infants born to mothers who took antidepressants in the last two trimesters of pregnancy, 31 children were diagnosed with ASD 22 of the babies’ mothers had been taking an SSRI.

In absolute terms, SSRI use appears to be associated with a doubling in the incidence of ASD, from one per cent of children to about two per cent, said Berard. Put another way, seven in 1,000 children without antidepressant exposure were diagnosed with ASD, compared to about 12 in 1,000 with mid- to late-pregnancy antidepressant exposure, said Barbara Mintzes, a pharmacology expert at the University of Sydney who was not involved in the study. The researchers found no increased ASD risks with first-trimester use. The study adds to an existing body of research suggesting a link between antidepressant use and a higher risk of autism, said Mintzes, formerly of the University of British Columbia. “There are a number of reasons to be cautious about SSRI use in pregnancy, including increased risks of miscarriage and pre-term births, and, with late pregnancy exposures, increased rates of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, and of a newborn withdrawal syndrome that sometimes leads to the need for neonatal intensive care,” she said by email. “There is also no reliable evidence showing that antidepressant use in pregnancy leads to better health for the baby. If a woman is pregnant and wants to stop taking her antidepres-

sant, however, it’s important that she comes off by gradually lowering the dose, and that she gets help from a health professional in working out a schedule to taper down the dose.” In an editorial accompanying the study, Dr. Bryan King of the department of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at the University of Washington said other studies have shown that taking SSRIs during pregnancy reduced the risk of late pre-term birth, very early pre-term birth and C-sections, compared to pregnant women not taking the drugs. Untreated depression may also increase prenatal stress, which was linked in one study to potentially lifelong effects on brain plasticity and cognition in children, he added. “It makes no more sense to suggest that (antidepressants) should always be avoided than to say they should never be stopped,” writes King. However, Berard said pregnant women taking a medication to treat depression, or women who plan to become pregnant, should discuss both the risks and benefits of antidepressants with their doctors. “This study is not there to scare them,” she said, adding that researchers want women to know the risks before they decide whether to continue taking the drugs.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from

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“Best of the season to all of our past, present and future customers!”

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(in the Towne Centre Mall) just east of Royal Bank on Ross Street

LIFESTYLE

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

Ex-husband using divorce to fuel hate Dear Annie: My husband has been stalling our di- everything. His need to hurt me is only hurting the vorce for two years, trying to keep me broke. children. We have two children, the oldest in college. Their There are no rules at Dad’s house, because he father and his parents badmouth me to them and wants the kids to be able to do things with him that tell them inappropriate reasons about why I left the they can’t do with me. He uses money to gain favor, marriage, none of which are true. Forand I believe he thinks they will live with tunately, my children know this. him if he wipes me out. But I never thought that my husHow do I get him to put his children ahead band would involve his children in of his hate and greed? — Fighting for My Kids this manner. I never speak ill of him to Dear Fighting: It is truly sad that so many the kids. parents are willing to hurt the children in I was truly hoping that we would order to punish the spouses. come out of this on good terms and be You cannot force your husband to be more able to co-parent like adults. But my grown up, so protect yourself. Document evhusband blames me for everything. He ery instance of manipulation or parental was raised in a home where he was inalienation by him or his parents, and give a dulged and never had to take responsicopy to your lawyer. It may also help to get bility for his actions. counseling for your children (and for you) to He has not been honest with his weather the storm. MITCHELL parents, which might explain why they Dear Annie: I would like to add to your re& SUGAR are upset with me. But they have also sponse to “Wiser Now” and “Foolish Daughtreated the children poorly since the ter,” whose parents left estates to children ANNIE separation. who were less involved in caring for them. My husband brings in nearly five The hurt feelings caused when parents times my salary, but he pays a minimal show favoritism not only affect the child who amount of child support. Much of our money is being has been slighted, but also the relationship the child spent on lawyers because he insists on fighting over has with the sibling who was favored — not to men-

FIRST TO ARRIVE

HOROSCOPE

Photo by JIM WICKES/Freelance

It didn’t take long for a large pilated woodpecker to inspect a newly erected feeding log and heated watering bowl during a mid-November afternoon in a Red Deer backyard. Pileated woodpeckers drill distinctive, rectangular-shaped holes in rotten wood to get at carpenter ants and other insects. The nest holes these birds make offer crucial shelter to many bird and mammal species.

For a thoughtful gift, think outside the box MEGAN BUERGER ADVOCATE NEWS SERVICES Gift wrappers tend to fall into one of two categories: Either they buy standard paper and ribbon from a local pharmacy and a bag of those trusty peel-and-stick bows, or they go full Martha Stewart, slaving over a home gift-wrap station stocked with rotary cutters, handmade tags and reindeer stencils. But for those who want their gifts to look elegant and thoughtful without investing weeks of effort, here are a few practical tricks from the experts: “To me, the presentation of your gift is as important as the gift itself,” said Courtney Cox, who co-owns the design firm and retail store Ivy Lane in Alexandria, Va. “I had an aunt who always hit it out of the park. She dabbled in antiques and would tie ornaments or glass knickknacks to the ribbon, and write directly on the wrapping paper. Each gift, no matter what was inside, felt special.” Cox keeps the accessories simple she collects berries, twigs and sprigs of holly while on afternoon walks with her children, ages 3 and 6 - but gets creative with paper. “This year, I’m using leftover wallpaper,” she says. As a designer, she often winds up with extra rolls, but notes that “you don’t have to be a decorator to buy cheap wallpaper anymore. And if you like that homespun theme, use curtain trim instead of ribbon.” Adele McDonald, an interior designer with Kelley Interior Design in Bethesda, Md., rejects the idea that gift-wrapping has to be complicated and expensive to make an impression. “It just has to be polished and personal,” she says. McDonald takes style cues from her mother, an interior designer in Mobile, Ala., who has been known to tie feathers, magnolia leaves, candy canes or pine sprigs from the back of her tree onto bows. “They’re like toppings for your presents,” she says. “People always notice.” Of course, it’s best to settle on a theme before hitting the craft store; that way you’ll make selections that work well together. And that’s why Paper Source, a national craft store famous for its holiday gift wrap, organizes its festive offerings into themes: Glitter and Gold, Winter Woodlands,

tion residual feelings toward the parent. My parents have been dead for years, but I am still acutely aware that my sister was Mom’s favorite. And while I have a relationship with my sister, it is always in the back of my mind that my mother’s treatment of her was different than her treatment of the rest of us. This is especially painful because my sister eventually abused my mother, and yet she still received what amounted to an equal portion of her estate because Mom forgave a large outstanding loan. — Still Bitter Dear Bitter: We have stated before that the bequests in a will are often perceived by children as a reflection on how much they were loved by the parent, especially when the bequests are unequal between siblings. Parents may think they are doing the right thing, but the results can poison the relationship between siblings forever. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@ creators.com, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. You can also find Annie on Facebook at Facebook.com/ AskAnnies.

Classic Red and Green, and even Fa la la Llamas, a selection of colorful papers and tissues covered in llamas. “We try to compartmentalize looks so you don’t get overwhelmed,” says Rebecca Burick, P a p e r Source’s head of marketing. In the decade that she’s worked for the company, she’s opened more than 50 stores and managed the brand’s workshops, including the popular gift-wrapping classes that cover everything from tying bows to adding sparkle. Wrapping, she says, makes your gift memorable: “You can buy gifts with one click now, so thoughtful gift wrap is a way to show someone that you put time and thought into their gift.” Recently, Burick says, the company has seen renewed interest in plaid, marble and glitter paper. In fact, solid glitter paper sold so well last year that this year they added glitter to many of the prints, too. It might help to think about gift-wrapping the same way you’d think about decorating a room: After you’ve picked a color or print to work around, you’ll want to vary texture and shine. This year, McDonald is using a rustic paper that looks like wood grain with white and red trappings. When she needs a little glitz, she’ll use a shiny, foil-like gold wrap on small boxes. Most important, gift wrap should reflect your taste. If you’re a minimalist, skip the paper altogether and just buy white or brown boxes (Michaels has more than 20 options from $1 to $5). Then glue a single strip of trim or ribbon right onto the box. Greek key trim is a simple departure from the usual slate of Rudolphs and snowballs, or try a traditional red-and-black plaid ribbon. If you prefer a natural look, burlap and recycled paper are having a moment.

Photo by ADVOCATE NEWS SERVICES

Paper Source organizes its festive gift-wrap offerings into themes: Glitter and Gold, Winter Woodlands, Classic Red and Green, and even colorful papers covered in llamas.

Thursday, Dec. 17 CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DATE: Pope Francis, 78; Milla Jovovich, 39; Eugene Levy, 68 THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Today’s stars favour creativity and compassion, as you help those in need. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Dependable and ambitious, you have much JOANNE MADELINE to offer — but you can get stuck in MOORE a rut. 2016 is the year to complete projects with renewed confidence, SUN SIGNS even if the going gets tough. ARIES (March 21-April 19): It’s a good day to focus on improving romantic relations with your partner, or tackle a creative project together. For some single Rams — love is likely with a work colleague or client. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The Venus/Pluto link increases your desire to connect with loved ones on a deeper level. Single Bulls — if you meet someone special, avoid superficialities. Itís time to get up-close-and-personal. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Saturn encourages you to work hard on close partnerships, and fulfill relationship responsibilities with a smile. Single Twins — look for lasting love with someone who is emotionally mature. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Expect a creativity surge Crabs, as Venus and Pluto stimulate your fertile imagination. When it comes to a close relationship, use your intuition to work out what’s really going on. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): The more creative you are at home, the better. Single Lions — a burgeoning relationship could suddenly deepen, as you finally open up and tell the person how you really feel. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): All types of research are favoured, as Venus visits your Virgo study zone. You’ll also shun superficial encounters, preferring deep and meaningful conversations with family and friends. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Your ruling planet Venus links up with Pluto today, so aim to be super passionate with your partner. Single Librans — look for love with an amorous Aries or an avant-garde Aquarius. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): There’s no escaping romance at the moment, as the planets stimulate your love life. Some sentimental — and brave — Scorpios may feel compelled to go back and revisit an old romance. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The more energy and focus you put into financial and business affairs, the more successful you’ll be. But you must also do your homework, and check minor details carefully. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Friendships are very important today Capricorn, as you deepen your connection to a special friend or have a decidedly deja-vu moment when you meet someone for the “first time.” AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The more creative you are at work, the better the day will be. And the more you reach out and help those around you, the more useful youíll feel. Close friendships are also favoured. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The Moon joins up with Neptune which highlights your romantic, creative and spiritual side. But it also emphasizes your tendency to blend fact and fantasy, so try to keep your feet on the ground. Joanne Madeline Moore is an internationally syndicated astrologer and columnist. Her column appears daily in the Advocate.

BUSINESS

THURSDAY, DEC. 17, 2015

COOL war likely averted CANADA KEEPS THREAT OF RETALIATION ON THE TABLE BY THE CANADIAN PRESS A looming trade war between Canada and the U.S. over meat labelling moved closer to resolution Wednesday, but Ottawa is keeping the threat of retaliation on the table until there’s a full surrender south of the border. Two Liberal cabinet ministers refused to withdraw the threat of retaliation following the tabling of legislation in the U.S. Congress that would repeal the controversial meat-labelling law known as COOL. The World Trade Organization granted Canada

and Mexico the right to retaliate by imposing $1 billion in punitive tariffs on various U.S. products after finding that COOL violated international trade rules. International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said she had good talks with her Mexican counterparts Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya, where they are attending a WTO ministerial meeting. Both sides are moving ahead with the next step — pursuing full and final WTO authorization to retaliate, in a meeting that could come as early as Friday. “We have agreed to work very closely together on this issue, including when it comes to retaliation,” said Freeland. “I want to strongly encourage the

Senate to get the job done — repeal COOL.” Freeland and Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay told journalists during a conference call that they’re encouraged by the tabling of the legislation in Congress, and will be watching closely to make sure it wends its way through both the lower House of Representatives and the upper Senate chamber. MacAulay said Canada won’t back down until COOL is formally repealed by U.S. lawmakers. “That is the bottom line before anything changes on this end,” he said.

Please see COOL on Page D8

THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT

NORFOLK SOUTHERN

CP Rail sweetens the pot BY THE CANADIAN PRESS CALGARY — Canadian Pacific Railway’s chief executive says he’s not averse to a bare-knuckle takeover brawl as the company enhanced its bid for Virginia-based Norfolk Southern with a variable payment that could add an addition $3.4 billion in payouts. “If this is going to be a street fight then so be it,” Hunter Harrison said Wednesday. “The clock is ticking and it’s ticking down. And it’s time for some of us to take some action here if we’re going to see this transaction through.” The revised deal would give Norfolk shareholders a security with a maximum payout of $25. The value of the security would depend on the value of the combined company’s stock on Oct. 25, 2017, with no payment if the combined share price is above $175 at that time. Activist investor and CP Rail board member Bill Ackman said shareholders should think of the security as an insurance policy that can be sold like an option. “It’s a way to put your money where your mouth is and give shareholders an insurance policy, and give shareholders something of value they can sell immediately,” Ackman said on an investor conference call Wednesday. He said the securities, which would trade on the New York Stock Exchange, add the equivalent of a US$9.50 increase in the bid price for Norfolk Southern and represents a 61 to 78 per cent premium. But he said CP Rail believes that the combined company would be valued at more than $175 per share, and so no payout will be required. Meanwhile, the core terms of the offer remain the same as last week’s revised proposal, with CP Rail (TSX:CP) offering to pay Norfolk shareholders US$32.86 in cash and 0.451 shares in the new company. Norfolk Southern issued a statement in response to the latest offer saying the company’s board will “carefully consider” CP’s revised proposal while noting that the terms of the deal are largely unchanged. The board unanimously rejected CP Rail’s previous enhanced offer as “grossly inadequate.” Norfolk said last week’s offer values its shares at US$91.62 based on CP’s closing price on Dec. 7 which translates to a roughly US$27 billion valuation. CP Rail has said the total of the stock and cash offer to Norfolk Southern shareholders, excluding the extra security, will be worth US$125 to US$140 in May if the deal is approved, resulting in a US$37 billion to US$42 billion valuation. Norfolk’s board also noted that the proposal did not address the “substantial regulatory risks and uncertainties” of the proposed merger, which it believes regulators will not approve.

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

House Rules Committee member Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Texas, examines a printout of the $1.1-trillion spending bill to fund the United States government for the 2016 budget year and extend $680 billion in tax cuts for businesses and individuals, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the legislation.

U.S. Federal Reserve hikes interest rates BY THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO — The struggling Canadian dollar is expected to face more tough slogging ahead following Wednesday’s decision by the Federal Reserve to begin raising interest rates south of the border, analysts say. The U.S. central bank announced it was lifting its key rate by a quarter-point to a range of 0.25 per cent to 0.5 per cent, ending a seven-year period of near-zero borrowing rates. Scott Guitard, a portfolio manager at Fiduciary Trust Canada, predicts Canada’s central bank will keep its key lending rate unchanged after having cut it twice earlier this year in an attempt to stimulate the country’s struggling economy. Ian Nakamoto, director of research at 3Macs, said the different paths of the two central banks have pushed the value of Canada’s dollar lower because investors look at the direction of interest rate policies when they’re choosing where to put their money. Canada’s commodity-linked currency is also a

less attractive option as oil prices continue to suffer while America’s recovery continues to gain strength. “Not only will you get the kicker of a rising U.S. dollar because of their economy, but the money that you have invested there will be earning a higher interest rate when interest rates go up more over the next year,” he said. Because commodities are priced in U.S. dollars, a rise in the American currency tends to depress prices because it makes them more expensive for those holding other currencies and reduces demand. In the case of oil, the price for benchmark oil slid below US$36 a barrel Wednesday from highs above US$108 little more than a year ago. “It’s no different than going to the grocery store and buying five lemons instead of six because the price has risen,” Nakamoto said. In a research note, Scotiabank analysts Shaun Osborne and Eric Theoret said the spread between the Canadian and American interest rates should remain wide throughout 2016, especially if Canadian economic data continues to disappoint.

American sunbelt feeling chill from low loonie, weakened economy BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

Beach goers took advantage of the summer like weather at Jacksonville Beach in Jacksonville, Fla. The American sunbelt is expected to feel a chill this winter from Canada’s weakened economy and a loonie that’s lost more than a quarter of its value in the past couple of years.

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MONTREAL — The American sunbelt is expected to feel a chill this winter from Canada’s weakened economy and a loonie that’s lost more than a quarter of its value in the past couple of years. Overnight cross-border travel was down about nine per cent in the first nine months of the year over the same period last year, but more Canadians are likely thinking twice about forays to top destinations in Florida, Arizona, California and Texas this winter given the Canadian dollar is expected to drop even further. “Clearly there’s going to be some hurt in some of the traditional snowbird markets,” Derek Burlton, TD Bank’s deputy chief economist, said in an interview. The bank is predicting the Canadian dollar will fall to about 71 cents US before recovering somewhat to 80 cents in the next couple of years. Burlton said some Canadians — especially those in hard-hit Alberta who tend to visit Arizona and California — may stay closer to home this winter. But those who crave the retirement lifestyle may offset the higher cost of travel by cutting back on restau-

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rant meals, shopping or even reducing the length of their vacations. “The trips will happen, (but) I think there may be some efforts to mitigate some of the impact on costs from a weaker Canadian dollar,” he said. Douglas Gray, author of The Canadian Snowbird Guide and operator of the website snowbird.ca, said travelling south is too important to the snowbirds’ quality of life for them to abandon it. “They may cut back a few weeks if they feel they need to because they have an incredibly tight budget, but generally speaking, people will make adjustments accordingly to try to stay there because that’s where their friends are,” he said from Vancouver. Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida, said fewer Canadian visitors this year could hurt a slew of tourism-related businesses and generate lower state sales tax revenues. “When you’re talking about 25 per cent or so loss in the value of the loonie — that’s a pretty significant hike in prices in stores or on menus in restaurants for Canadian visitors,” he said. Florida is among the top U.S. destinations for international travellers, including one in five Canadians who cross the border.

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D8 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015

MARKETS

WOLF IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING

COMPANIES OF LOCAL INTEREST Wednesday’s stock prices supplied by RBC Dominion Securities of Red Deer. For information call 341-8883.

MARKETS CLOSE TORONTO — The TSX shot up by more than 200 points for the second straight day Wednesday as investors in search of a deal jumped back into the market after last week’s slump and the U.S. Federal Reserve said it would raise interest rates for the first time since the financial crisis. The S&P/TSX composite index soared 246.51 points to end the day at 13,166.08, after gaining 224 points on Tuesday. Scott Guitard, portfolio manager at Fiduciary Trust Canada, said the Fed’s decision gave investors the certainty to buy back into the Toronto market, which lost more than 550 points last week as the price of oil traded below US$36 a barrel. “The market as a whole is happy to get this first rate hike out of the way and potentially focus on other things, like the state of the economy,” he said. In New York, markets posted solid gains after the Fed said the American economy was doing well enough to digest a quarter-point hike in its key rate, ending a seven-year period of near-zero borrowing rates. Federal Reserve chairwoman Janet Yellen said the U.S. central bank will look to make further increases in the year ahead as the American economy get stronger. The Dow Jones average closed up 224.18 points at 17,749.09, the S&P 500 index added 29.66 points to 2,073.07 and the Nasdaq gained 75.77 points to 5,071.13. Guitard said the widely predicted move is a positive signal for investors because it means the central bank believes the American recovery has made its economy strong enough to ab-

Mining Barrick Gold . . . . . . . . . . 10.53 Cameco Corp. . . . . . . . . 16.55 First Quantum Minerals . . 4.03 Goldcorp Inc. . . . . . . . . . 16.34 Hudbay Minerals. . . . . . . . 4.89 Kinross Gold Corp. . . . . . . 2.67 Labrador. . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.10 Potash Corp.. . . . . . . . . . 24.60 Sherritt Intl. . . . . . . . . . . . 0.660 Teck Resources . . . . . . . . 4.64 Energy Arc Resources . . . . . . . . 16.12 Badger Daylighting Ltd. . 24.86 Baker Hughes. . . . . . . . . 44.76 Bonavista . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.73 Bonterra Energy . . . . . . . 17.28 Cdn. Nat. Res. . . . . . . . . 28.99 Cdn. Oil Sands Ltd. . . . . . 8.13 Canyon Services Group. . 3.85 Cenovous Energy Inc. . . 17.58 CWC Well Services . . . 0.1000 Encana Corp. . . . . . . . . . . 7.31 Essential Energy. . . . . . . 0.520 sorb a higher interest rate. “The market reaction was pretty muted after the announcement, and that basically confirmed that investors were expecting this move,” he said. On the commodity markets, the February gold contract added $15.20 to settle at US$1,076.80 an ounce and the January contract for natural gas fell 3.2 cents to US$1.79 per mmBtu. The January crude oil contract dropped $1.83 to US$35.52 a barrel after data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed American oil inventories had grown to levels not seen at this time of year since the 1930s. The loonie see-sawed in afternoon trading after the Fed’s announcement, ending the trading day down 0.25 of a U.S. cent at 72.54 cents US. Guitard said the falling price of oil was a key factor in the exchange rate, as the market had already priced in the rate hike. He said investors expect the Bank of Canada to keep rates low as the struggling oilpatch drags on growth. “The Canadian dollar has been trading very closely with crude oil prices, and that affects the interest rate expectations for Canada,” he said. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Highlights at the close Wednesday at world financial market trading. Stocks: S&P/TSX Composite Index — 13,166.08, up 246.51 points Dow — 17,749.09, up 224.18 points S&P 500 — 2,073.07, up 29.66 points Nasdaq — 5,071.13, up 75.77 points

FROM PAGE D7

COOL: Too soon to celebrate victory The bill would repeal mandatory country-of-origin labelling on beef and pork, which would end a years-long dispute just before it escalated with a series of tariffs looming on U.S. products. Canada and Mexico have been set to impose more than $1 billion in punitive measures on a wide range of U.S. goods including meat, wine, chocolate and frozen orange juice. They would pull back from retaliation if American lawmakers repeal country-of-origin labelling — they say it harmed their meat exports and the WTO sided with them. U.S. legislators are expected to begin debate Wednesday on a monster omnibus bill — a 2,009-page pile of legislation that makes a brief two-page reference to the meat labels. The legislative package was negotiated between Republican and Democratic leaders and its most hotly debated provision is unlikely to be meat labels — but the loosening of a 40-year, near-total ban on U.S. oil exports. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Gary Doer, welcomed the news but said he wouldn’t be celebrating until the bill passes both chambers of Congress and gets signed by the president. “This is the result of a full-court press,” he said, referring to the government and business lobbying efforts over the years.

Exxon Mobil . . . . . . . . . . 79.15 Halliburton Co. . . . . . . . . 35.86 High Arctic . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.13 Husky Energy . . . . . . . . . 14.80 Imperial Oil . . . . . . . . . . . 42.25 Pengrowth Energy . . . . . . 1.02 Penn West Energy . . . . . 1.340 Precision Drilling Corp . . . 5.19 Suncor Energy . . . . . . . . 35.24 Trican Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . 0.640 Trinidad Energy . . . . . . . . 1.89 Vermilion Energy . . . . . . 36.11 Virginia . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.1200 Financials Bank of Montreal . . . . . . 79.41 Bank of N.S. . . . . . . . . . . 57.17 CIBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97.17 Cdn. Western . . . . . . . . . 22.86 Great West Life. . . . . . . . 34.91 IGM Financial . . . . . . . . . 35.89 Intact Financial Corp. . . . 88.92 Manulife Corp. . . . . . . . . 21.03 National Bank . . . . . . . . . 41.01 Rifco Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.55 Royal Bank . . . . . . . . . . . 75.05 Sun Life Fin. Inc.. . . . . . . 43.90 TD Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.99 Currencies: Cdn — 72.54 cents US, down 0.25 of a cent Pound — C$2.0686, up 0.29 of a cent Euro — C$1.5044, up 0.40 of a cent Euro — US$1.0913, down 0.09 of a cent Oil futures: US$35.52 per barrel, down $1.83 (January contract) Gold futures: US$1,076.80 per oz., up $15.20 (February contract) Canadian Fine Silver Handy and Harman: $20.329 oz., up 73.7 cents $653.58 kg., up $23.70 ICE FUTURES CANADA WINNIPEG — ICE Futures Canada closing prices: Canola: Jan. ‘16 $2.20 lower $473.00 March ‘16 $2.80 lower $482.10 May ‘16 $3.10 lower $488.60 July ‘16 $3.50 lower $493.30 Nov. ‘16 $4.60 lower $487.30 Jan. ‘17 $4.60 lower $490.80 March ‘17 $4.60 lower $490.80 May ‘17 $4.60 lower $490.80 July ‘17 $4.60 lower $490.80 Nov. ‘17 $4.60 lower $490.80 Jan. ‘18 $4.60 lower $490.80. Barley (Western): March ‘16 unchanged $184.00 May ‘16 unchanged $190.00 July ‘16 unchanged $192.00 Oct. ‘16 unchanged $192.00 Dec. ‘16 unchanged $192.00 March ‘17 unchanged $192.00 May ‘17 unchanged $192.00 July ‘17 unchanged $192.00 Oct. ‘17 unchanged $192.00 Dec. ‘17 unchanged $192.00 March ‘18 unchanged $192.00. Wednesday’s estimated volume of trade: 517,960 tonnes of canola 0 tonnes of barley (Western Barley). Total: 517,960.

“(But) we won’t have a beer to celebrate — a Canadian beer to celebrate — until the president signs the bill.” Votes could happen later this week, or early next week. Supporters of country-of-origin labelling say consumers deserve to know where their meat comes from. Opponents say it doesn’t do anything for safety — for which there are already inspections. Those critics call it a thinly disguised protectionist measure, designed to complicate the importing process for non-American livestock and make it more expensive. They say Canadian meat exports plummeted as a result of decade-old country-of-origin labelling rules. John Masswohl of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association pointed to the example of Tyson Foods. He said Canada used to send beef to four of its U.S. facilities, and now exports to only two — and only on one day a week, so workers there can sort out which livestock comes from Canada. “We think this is going to have a huge impact,” Masswohl said of the bill Wednesday. “And it could have a pretty immediate impact in terms of the prices we receive.” The bill lifts beef and pork from the list of products subject to country-of-origin labelling requirements, but exempts chicken, for which country-of-origin labels will still apply. Conservative trade critic Gerry Ritz urged the government to keep the threat of retaliation live “in case things derail” in Congress in the coming days.

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A shepherd whistles after breaking through riot police lines during a protest in Bucharest, Romania, Tuesday. More than 1,000 angry shepherds broke through fences into the grounds of Romania’s Parliament, scuffled with riot police who fired tear gas, to protest a law that regulates the number of sheepdogs they can use and bans them from grazing sheep during the winter.

Valeant insists its on the road to recovery after rocky 2015 BY THE CANADIAN PRESS Valeant Pharmaceuticals says it’s on the road to recovery after taking big financial and PR hits from its association with a controversial U.S. mail-order pharmacy. The Quebec-based company expects its revenues and adjusted earnings will increase by double digits in 2016 and its battered share price will once again reflect the fundamentals of its business. “We have been through a lot,” CEO Michael Pearson told investors during a four-hour webcast. Pearson said he was “pissed” at the “false” allegations about the company from a short seller that drove its share price collapse and prompted some calls for him to be replaced. “If the board wants to fire me they are welcome to fire me but until they do we’re going to get through this thing.” Valeant said the October split from specialty pharmaceutical partner Philidor Rx Services caused a big shortterm disruption to its business that will reduce its expectations for the fourth quarter and 2015 as a whole. However, Pearson said a new distribution deal with a prominent U.S. drugstore chain, Walgreens, is a better arrangement than the one with Philidor, a low-profile company that distributed specialty drugs for Valeant. Despite cutting prices, Valeant expects it will make more money by gaining access to the 8,000-store network of the largest American pharmacy re-

BUSINESS

BRIEFS

Thriller sets sales record with 30M albums sold in U.S. LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s Thriller is still scaring up sales and giving the King of Pop’s legacy a new milestone. The album has sold 30 million copies in the United States, making Jackson the first artist to attain 30-time multiplatinum status, the Recording Industry Association of America and Jackson’s estate announced Wednesday. The album has proved even more popular overseas, with a total of 100 million copies sold worldwide since its 1982 release. It includes some of Jackson’s most recognizable hits, including Beat It, Billie Jean, Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ and the title track, which

tailer. “The opportunity for volume growth is huge,” he told analysts. Pearson said Walgreens was “courageous” for partnering with Valeant given the negative attention heaped on the company in the last few months. “(But) we both fundamentally believe that this is going to change the industry, it’s going to create enormous value for both our shareholders.” Valeant conceded the company, which has been accused of price-gouging for some of its products, has altered its strategy to pursue volume growth by lowering prices and reducing costs. The deal with Walgreens is forecast to deliver up to US$600 million in annual savings to the U.S. health-care system starting next year after Valeant agreed to cut the prices of several of its drugs as part of the distribution agreement. Alex Arfaei of BMO Capital Markets said the 2016 revenue guidance of US$12.5 billion to US$12.7 billion is in line with forecasts, but targeted earnings are weaker than predicted. That “indicates to us that the increase in expected volume from the Walgreens agreement is not enough to offset the loss of more profitable products from the specialty pharmacy business at higher prices, at least in the near term,” he wrote in a report. The Montreal-area company’s previously obscure relationship with Philidor and its pricing policies, which are under investigation by U.S. authorities, have contributed to a major decline in the company’s stock. inspired one of the most famous music videos of all time. “Thriller continues to be the yardstick against which all other albums are measured,” said John Branca, co-executor of Jackson’s estate. “What an exceptional achievement and testament to Thriller’s enduring spot in our hearts and musical history,” RIAA chairman and CEO Cary Sherman wrote in a statement. The group monitors music sales and bestows gold status on albums that have sold 500,000 copies and platinum status if they reach 1 million sales. Branca noted that Jackson wrote the album to appeal to a broad audience, which helped fuel its popularity abroad. “He didn’t want to sell records to blacks or whites or Americans,” Branca said. “He wanted to sell records to everyone, Africa, Asia, everywhere. It’s just continued to sell and sell and sell.” Branca was cautious about declaring that Jackson and “Thriller” had set an unbreakable record. “You can’t say never,” he said.

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Maple Leaf Foods. . . . . . 22.84 Rona Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.72 Wal-Mart . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60.30 WestJet Airlines . . . . . . . 20.88

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Diversified and Industrials Agrium Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 130.28 ATCO Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . 35.60 BCE Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54.86 BlackBerry . . . . . . . . . . . 11.29 Bombardier . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.19 Brookfield . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.61 Cdn. National Railway . . 76.78 Cdn. Pacific Railway. . . 177.08 Cdn. Utilities . . . . . . . . . . 31.83 Capital Power Corp . . . . 16.56 Cervus Equipment Corp 13.68 Dow Chemical . . . . . . . . 50.72 Enbridge Inc. . . . . . . . . . 44.01 Finning Intl. Inc. . . . . . . . 18.16 Fortis Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37.96 General Motors Co. . . . . 35.14 Parkland Fuel Corp. . . . . 22.68 Sirius XM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.99 SNC Lavalin Group. . . . . 42.77 Stantec Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 34.79 Telus Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . 40.62 Transalta Corp.. . . . . . . . . 4.63 Transcanada. . . . . . . . . . 48.17