Edmontonians Mar09

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ALBERTA’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT PAGING COMPANY

with Mark & Marty

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lad to see March make its way

to us. The best days in the month are the 17th when we drink green beer, and the 20th when we can officially say good-bye to winter.

First things first: My face is red because of the oops in my last column. After going on about the Glenn Anderson retirement ceremony I hosted last month, I mentioned that I hung with some of my alltime favourite Oilers: Glenn, Kevin Lowe, Dave Semenko and Jari Kurri. Jari is not the error, but spelling it Yari was. My thanks to those who emailed about the mistake, especially David Hopkins and a guy named Jeff.

A happy birthday wish goes out to Karl

But, I had never hiked the Maligne Canyon until the Valentine weekend. It is spectactular. I went for a walk in the frozen canyon bed, and hope to do some ice climbing another time. If you have had this experience, you know how beautiful it is. If you are new to Alberta, I recommend you add one of the sics The Clas most breath-taking gorges in the Canadian Rockies to your things-to-do list. I squeezed into a cave and got a soaker. I would like to thank Frank and Lloyd for leading the hike and letting me win at darts at the Dead Dog.

Maligne Canyon

Kuss. I was invited to the bash at the Kingsway Legion. Karl turned 60 and his family put on a great party.

Some sad news came out of that day. I chatted with one of the Legion members about a proposed LRT route that may have to run right through the land the 60+-year old building sits on. Will Branch #175— aka ‘the home of hospitality’—fall victim to progress? If so, I hope that the city puts it right so the over 1200 members find a great new home.

By the way… Did you know there are three Friday the 13ths in 2009? Yeah. February, March and November. How often does that happen?

You may want to check a world premiere at the Citadel Theatre. Extinction Song runs from the 28th of this month until April 29th. Local director and playwright Ron Jenkins is behind the show… which promises to be a “funny, tender, and heartbreaking account of a child’s way of coping with the troubled world around him.” You can catch the show at the Rice Theatre. Break a leg, Ron.

I have lived in Edmonton for over 10 years, and I’ve gone to Jasper on a number of occasions.

More good news… The Classics are going to be playing the first Friday of every month, commencing March 6th at the Sawmill Banquet & Catering Centre at 3840 76 Avenue. This awesome eight-piece horn band plays all of the classic tunes that most Boomers want to hear.

They take the stage at 8:00 pm and play until midnight. $20 at the door or call 780.468.4115 for reservations. Visit www.theclassics.ca

Expect people from all faiths and

The Alzheimer Benefit Dinner of Nations is getting set to roll on Friday, March 13th. This year, the event has a tropical theme, and features live and silent auctions, comedy entertainment, and a line-up of celebrity waiters who will work for your tips. It’s a major fundraiser for the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories. Kudos to The Medicine Shoppe for its continued support. Tables are going fast, so contact Sylvie at 780.488.2266 or email skeane@alzheimer.ab.ca

week at Electric Rodeo in Spruce Grove on the Friday and Saturday. Check www.thedivorcees.com for more dates. Gotta get there!

Gig of the month… Oh, I could easily say that you have to see Nickleback, Joan Baez or the Doodlebops but I won’t. No sir, I won’t. The place to be is the Black Dog on Whyte Ave. for New Brunswick country rockers, The Divorcees. They are going to knock the tar off the roof (although I think there is a deck up there, but you get the idea). The group won the 2008 East Coast Music Award for country recording of the year for their CD, You Ain’t Getting My Country. The last time I saw them was at the Stan Rogers Folk Festival last summer—over 5,000 folks danced the night away to their style of outlaw country. The Divorcees play the Dog on Wednesday, March 18th. They head up to BJ’s Cue Club in Grande Prairie the next day. They’ll wrap up the

walks of life to attend a gala fundraiser being hosted by Beth Shalom Synagogue. It’s a dinner tribute to lawyer Sol Rolingher who has dedicated himself to fostering strong community relationships that transcend religious beliefs. In addition to chairing the Phoenix Multi-Faith The Divo Society for Harmony, he has Photo b rcees y Chris S served on countless boards focused mith on education, the law, healthcare, the arts and humanities, and parks development. Sol initiated the Duncan & Craig Laurel Awards which annually recognize innovation and creativity among non-profit organizations.

The gala will be held at the Fantasyland Hotel on Sunday, March 29th. Call 780.488.6333 for tickets. Sol considers Beth Shalom one of the city’s “icon buildings.” He joked about the idea of “rejuvenating a 55-year old building using a 65-year old person” as the catalyst to raise funds for renovations to the Jasper Avenue synagogue. √ Mark Scholz, owner of MES Communications Inc. offers a variety of services including production, creative and entertainment. For more information or to suggest a story idea, email mscholz@edmontonians.com

EDMONTONIANS MARCH 2009

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ne of Edmonton’s best stick handlers doesn’t perform his skills on the ice… but he is never far from the action. Edmonton Oilers President and CEO Patrick LaForge is one busy guy: He runs one of the best franchises in the NHL, and the new Edmonton Oil Kings junior franchise. He’s a governor in both the NHL and WHL. He integrated the Oilers’ ownership changeover from the Edmonton Investors Group to the Katz Group this past year. On top of all that, he served as 2008 president of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

I grabbed a few minutes of Mr. LaForge’s busy time and fired these questions at him: You’re already a ‘very busy guy’ – how did you juggle the job of running the Edmonton Oilers Hockey club along with your Chamber role?

Great question. The human is a very adaptable thing when pushed to extremes. Firstly, I grossly underestimated how busy I was going to be with my Oilers’ duties. At the time I committed to being chair of the Chamber, the sale of the Oilers to Daryl Katz was not even being mentioned, so that was my biggest miscalculation. Then, of course, the Chamber commitments became more fun and more engaging than anticipated, so the hours dedicated to the Chamber did add up. But the solution to my sanity came three ways: • I had less time for personal dalliances, like golf and family things which I had to cut back.

• I was extremely well organized by my associate, Connie Hadden.

• Lastly, I just added incremental time commitments to my already heavy schedule. What else could I do? My normal 60-hour weeks became 80-hour weeks quite often.

What insight into our city did the Chamber chair role bring to you this past year?

Firstly, I became much more aware that the Chamber performs a critically important duty in its role as advocate on behalf of business… From taxes to infrastructure to immigration issue for labourers and more, I learned the issues that exist by living with the problems. I also learned more about how government (at all levels) thinks and acts and works to solve issues for the highest priority stakeholders. And, by traveling and meeting on behalf of the Edmonton Chamber to Yellowknife, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and other locations, I learned that western/northern businesses in general share many common challenges. Edmonton business isn’t unique in the west/north, despite what others might say.

What’s the biggest challenge our city faces in the next few years?

To a large group of us local business leaders in the Greater Edmonton Region, the biggest challenge for our community is to adopt a common vision for our region— something that describes a future that we and others can be motivated to buy into. Clearly, there are many plans for many of the 23 municipal communities in the GER and…for the hundreds of stakeholders who live and work here. But, to this point, there is no single vision for the GER that exists. This void has created frustration and confusion for many business leaders and, no doubt in my mind, it has caused businesses to leave Edmonton for other places that have tangible plans. And, for those businesses shopping for a place to invest, our vision void has made us an undesirable place to build a new business. This to me is our biggest challenge hands down.

Edmonton is known as one of the best kept secrets as a great city. How do we let the rest of the world know?

The most important thing we can do is to insure the people who live here and travel here become our best sales people… We need a vision, as I said, that will lead us to a long term commitment of completing a few—five to six— key priorities for our community. These big priorities, when

All aboard! to the next castle complete or improved, should bring community pride and strength.

Together, one million happy citizens will be the most powerful marketing initiative we could ever hope for. For example, I would like to see Edmonton become proudly known to Edmontonians as the greatest northern city in the world: the best northern city to work in and to live in… the one northern city that embraces being in the north and uses it to our unique advantage.

You’re more than half way through the first year under Daryl Katz ownership. What’s the feeling in the hallways at this point?

I am sure people around here are feeling pretty darned good about Daryl. Our employees, fans and customers tell us they feel Daryl Katz is sincerely committed to Edmonton and the Edmonton Oilers. They believe he brings confidence to our community and support for our challenges beyond their expectations. And…they all feel his spirit for winning future championships and doing the right things for Edmonton is making us a better hockey organization.

Are we getting any closer in the planning for the new hockey arena/entertainment complex?

The more time I travel to other cities, the more I am convinced that Edmonton needs a new world class entertainment facility for downtown. (It) would lift our city to another plateau. Last spring we heard Daryl Katz make a commitment to help Edmonton build such a place after he

acquired the Oilers. Over the past months, he has been leading a development initiative with a number of experts that is still in planning mode. I am a proud participant but details are still private.

It’s nice to see how the Outdoor Classic has grown over the past few years in the NHL. You should be extremely proud of starting this initative a few years back, Patrick.

Will we ever be fortunate enough to see another one in Edmonton?

All hockey fans in Oil Country are proud of having hosted the first NHL outdoor game and the largest NHL Alumni game ever at Commonwealth Stadium on November 22, 2003. It now appears what was created here has become a hockey icon for the NHL and other great hockey organizations.

Yes, as the father of the original idea, I am quite pleased of what we did and how big the outdoor game idea has become. It is something unique for hockey fans to attend and hockey people to participate in, no doubt. And, have you seen those TV audiences for the Classic games? Those record breaking audiences are great for business as well.

What more could we ask for?

What’s your biggest challenge with the Edmonton Oilers Hockey club in the next five years or so?

I think we have two big challenges facing us. First, we have to successfully make our way to the other side of this monstrous economic chasm facing our customers and sponsors in 2009 and likely 2010 without losing their business. We have constructed a rather healthy business model for the Edmonton Oilers and hockey fans in Northern Alberta/Canada and we don’t want to see it dismantled.

Personally, what’s your second favourite place on earth?

When I can afford the time and my budget permits, I love to head over to the UK for a few weeks. Wandering through the train stations, castles, country pubs and ancient courtyards with my wife is time added to my life I am sure.

I fell in love with the place in the 90s when working for Molson and I just can’t get enough of it. My second most favourite hobby is fishing for lake trout in any freshwater lake in the Arctic, in the summer. Fishing is a passion and the NWT is the best place on earth to fish, bar none.

Patrick LaForge’s drive, determination and work ethic help contribute to the well being of our community, both on and off the ice. Next time you see him strolling along the concourse at Rexall Place, I suggest you wander over, hold out your hand and let him know that we all appreciate everything he does for all Edmontonians.

Footnote: Soon after I had concluded this interview, Patrick was back in the news: this time, announcing the acquisition by the Katz Baseball Corporation, part of the Rexall Sports Corp. which is one of the Katz Group of companies. Don’t know what Patrick’s role will be but he promises to rejuvenate the team and, thankfully, change its name, and make better use of the Telus Field facility. What is clear is that he is the senior spokesperson for media-shy Daryl Katz. √ Marty Forbes is the recently retired VP and general manager of The Bear, EZRock and The TEAM 1260 Sports Radio. Contact marty@edmontonians.com

EDMONTONIANS MARCH 2009

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Poll

CELEBRATING

20

STATION

YEARS

With Linda Banister

FOUNDER DICK MacLEAN

Vol. XX

MARCH 2009

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xercise: essential to good health. Summer temperatures and sunshine make it easy to get out and work toward fitness goals, but what about the winter months when temperatures hover around -30˚ C? The tendency may be to hibernate and find excuses for not participating in physical exercise. Fortunately, there are a variety of indoor and outdoor winter activities available that can make exercising enjoyable… and winter more bearable. This month we asked Edmontonians what they do to keep fit during the winter season.

No. 3

SHARON MacLEAN Publisher and Advertising Director Telephone: 780.482.7000 Fax: 780.488.9317 e-mail: info@edmontonians.com edmontonians.com

INSIDE

WHAT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN DURING WINTER? HOW OFTEN?

POLL STATION Winter Activities/Banister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 MY E-SPACE LeaLea/Rayner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 THE BUSINESS OF LOVE Destination Wedding/Jespersen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Percent

VOX POP Mark Scholz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Marty Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Walk or hiked during the winter

TRANSFORMERS Contest Winner/Hanlen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 BARB DETERS Editor

editor@edmontonians.com COLUMNISTS Linda Banister John Berry Linda Bodo Cheryl Croucher Marty Forbes Muggsy Forbes Bruce Hogle Ryan Jespersen David Norwood Erin Rayner Mark Scholz Walter Schwabe Nizar J. Somji FEATURE WRITERS Barb Deters Greg Gazin Peter Drake McHugh Marg. Pullishy

Skate during the winter

Cross-country Walk the ski during dog during the winter the winter

GRAPHIC PRODUCTION Rage Studios Inc.

THIS MONTH’S COVER

Toboggan during the winter

DO YOU BELONG TO A FITNESS CENTRE?

10% Run or jog during the winter

WHAT INDOOR ACTIVITIES DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN DURING WINTER? HOW OFTEN?

When asked if they owned a membership to a fitness centre, 31 percent reported they did, while 69 percent did not. Of those with a membership, 26 percent belonged to Clubfit, 16 percent to YMCA and 13 percent to World Health Club. Ten percent of respondents each belonged to Spa Lady, a private club such as the Royal Glenora, or a City of Edmonton leisure facility.

Respondents with a membership were most likely to indicate they go to the gym three to four times per week (45 percent), followed by one to two times per week (36 percent). Thirteen percent go to the gym five times per week or more, while seven percent go once per month or less.

DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN ANY OTHER ACTIVITIES TO KEEP FIT? Finally, respondents were asked if there were any other activities they participated in to keep active during the winter months.

Twenty-one percent reported exercising and working out, seven percent reported walking, six percent stated their work was physically demanding, and five percent mentioned swimming.

Twenty-eight percent indicated they do not participate in any other activities. √

Monthly Poll Station Online Question Visit www.edmontonians.com to register your opinion

24%

20%

PHOTOGRAPHERS Terry Bourque Barb Deters Akemi Matsubuchi Dan Power SPECIAL PROJECTS Edmontonians Transformers Tom Bradshaw Les Brost Steffany Hanlen Larry Ohlhauser

15% 13%

To begin the survey, respondents were asked what physical activities they participate in outdoors over the winter months.

Respondents most frequently mentioned walking or hiking (46 percent), followed by ice skating (27 percent), downhill skiing (18 percent) and cross-country skiing (18 percent). A slightly smaller percentage reported walking their dogs, on or off leash (15 percent), tobogganing (13 percent) and jogging or running (10 percent). Eighteen percent reported they do not participate in any outdoor activities over the winter months. When those who do participate in outdoor activities were asked how often they participate in these winter activities, 28 percent indicated three to four times per week, 27 percent reported one to two times per week, and 20 percent participated two to three times per month.

Percent

VISIONARIES Bodnarchuk/Gazin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Glenrose/Croucher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Briefs/Croucher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Social Media/Schwabe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

27% 18%

CIVIC BUZZ Flights/Norwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 MEDIA MINUTE Choices/Hogle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

LIVELY LIFESTYLES Absolute Bodo/Bodo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 MenuMagic/Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

46%

Next, respondents were asked if they play any indoor sports during the winter. One-quarter indicated they did, while the remaining 75 percent did not. Those who indicated they participate in indoor sports were most likely to play racquet sports such as squash and badminton (24 percent), and soccer (24 percent), followed by volleyball (20 percent), floor hockey (12 percent), martial arts (eight percent), and curling (eight percent).

The majority of these respondents (60 percent) participated in their sport one to two times per week, followed by 12 percent that participated two to three times per month.

Want a question included in the Edmontonians Poll?

12% Said they play racket sports

Said they play volleyball

Said they play floor hockey

Contact Linda at 780.451.4444 or e-mail lbanister@edmontonians.com.

8%

8%

Said they participate in martial arts

Said they participate in curling

Linda Banister is a certified management consultant and the owner of Banister Research and Consulting Inc., a full service provider of market research and program evaluation services.

Visit www.banister.ab.ca.

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Why it works?

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The body can get overloaded with toxins because it cannot keep up with the filtration process.

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Transformer Contest Winner Heather Friesen with Steffany Hanlen Photo by Terry Bourque DIY author Linda Bodo Photo by Akerni Matsubuchi Published by 399620 Alberta Ltd. on the first day of each month at C-100 Park Side Tower, 8920-100th Street Edmonton AB CA T6E 4Y8. ©All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Manuscripts: must be accompanied by a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. Edmontonians is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts.

All stories Copyright ©Edmontonians Publications Mail Agreement No. 40023292 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Circulation Department C-100 Park Side Tower, 8920-100th Street Edmonton AB CA T6E 4Y8 Email: info@edmontonians.com

You force out toxins. Once the toxins are gone, the lymphatic fluid decreases and you lose inches. It is not water loss—rather, an exchange of minerals for toxins.

That’s a Wrap!

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www.suddenlyslimmerdayspa.com EDMONTONIANS MARCH 2009

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my

space

For Young Entreprenuers

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ne of my favorite things about writing this column is that I always learn something from my subjects, and this month was no exception. Interviewing 26-year-old Lea Alcantara, owner of Lealea Design (www.lealea.net), was like trying to take a sip from a tech-savvy fire hose. Lealea specializes in website and print design. What intrigued me about her firm was her online marketing strategy.

Lea is a self-professed techno-geek. She taught herself web development as a 13-year old, and built her first website: a Sailor Moon fan site. In 2003, she graduated from Grant MacEwan’s visual communication design program and entered the work-world to learn the ins and outs of the design industry.

“Working in an office felt like being punished for efficiency… Like being in school and you’re done your work at 3 but you’re forced to stay in detention until 5,” Lea quips. Three and a half years later, she still appreciates the freedom of being her own boss.

One thing immediately evident about Lea is her fluency in online relationship building. Until a few months ago, 80 percent of her clients were from other parts of Canada and the United States. She uses blogging, Twitter and more recently Facebook to network with other business owners. “Deciding to have a blog on my site was the best business decision I’ve ever made,” admits Lea. In 2005, she wrote an article on her blog about self-branding. It has led to new clients and speaking engagements, and is used in marketing programs at several universities. “Even four years later, it still provides business leads.”

Blogs are an online discussion forum that, from a marketing perspective, are a great way to keep website content fresh and interactive. A frequently used, well-subscribed blog can build credibility

The Businessof

By Erin Rayner

and a trusting relationship online with a client regardless of geography. “Part of the point of blogging is collaboration: It’s a conversation to ask a question, make a statement or tutorial… and people (readers) add more points, comments to strengthen a reputation or credibility,” adds Lea. Her tips for getting the best out of your blog apply across the board to any marketing initiative: 1. Know your audience—Who is your reader? 2.

Know your target—Who do you want to reach and inspire to act? 3. Intend reputation—Be clear about how you are using your blog [or any marketing initiative] to achieve a specific business goal.

Lea was also quick to mention that anything you post on the web—be it personal on your Facebook profile, or professional on your company blog—is not private. Once it is on the web, it is likely to stay there a long time.

Her favourite mistake? “Not being prepared for a rush of interest and not thinking about the strategy of the next step.” In the words of this technodynamo “Don’t just plan for mediocrity, plan for success.” √ Erin Rayner is president of ED Marketing and Communications Inc. You can submit marketing materials for review; suggest young entrepreneurs to be profiled; nominate a Top Three; or ask a business developement question. Contact erayner@edmontonians.com

Love

Long distance planning With Ryan Jespersen

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hether it’s life imitating art or the other way around, there’s no denying former Edmonton resident Larissa Banting’s real-life love story could warrant a feature film.

Once a marketing rep for Edmonton’s Downtown Business Association, the Alberta Ballet and the Arden Theatre, Larissa took on a film project being shot in Costa Rica in 2001. 100 Days in the Jungle told the true story of the seven pipeline workers from Edmonton, kidnapped by Columbian guerrillas in Ecuador on September 11, 1999. During filming, Larissa fell in love with Edmontonian La Banting, founde rissa Roberto Leiva, a Costa Weddings Costa r of Rican actor playing one of Rica the guerrillas. A year later, the two were married on the beach in Puerto Viejo where they first met.

“Everyone thought I was nuts as I had no money, no job… I didn’t speak Spanish and didn’t know anyone in the country other than Roberto,” says the founder of Weddings Costa Rica and veteran planner of more than 300 weddings. “After running into so many problems planning my own wedding, I couldn’t imagine how people from outside the country could do it.”

Eight years later, my fiancée, Capital FM’s Kari Skelton, and I wondered the exact same thing. We

even chose our hotel. Kari and I eventually chose Bahia Del Sol Beachfront Hotel for our March 22nd nuptials.

“We do not offer packages,” Larissa told us.

“There’s no ‘McWeddings’ here. I know there are a lot of people out there who dream about their wedding all their lives and do not want to settle for ‘Package A with the red flowers’.”

Thus far unaffected by a stumbling economy and weakened tourism sector, Larissa will share Weddings Costa Rica’s success story this month on Martha Stewart Radio and with the editors of Bride’s, Modern Bride, Elegant Bride and The Knot. Her blog (www.lazybride.com) will soon be released as a book. And there’s a homeward-bound element to her story: She’s opening an Edmonton office where she’ll operate during Costa Rica’s rainy season. Fitting, really, considering this is where Larissa believes her own script got started a decade ago.

“I think my years of theatre and work in film (in Edmonton) have a big influence on the work I do now,” says Feast and fire are part of Larissa’s Larissa. “I love designing and creating wedding repertoire in Costa Rica unique experiences.” √

knew we wanted a destination wedding. Costa Rica was our first choice. But steering clear of popular spots like Mexico and Hawaii meant the “road less traveled” concept would also apply to our planning process. We feared the dream could become a nightmare if the more relaxed Central American attitude led to miscommunication with flight schedules, hotel transfers, wedding details or even food allergies.

Photos by Dan Power Photography

Then we heard about Larissa and Weddings Costa Rica. Her team had stared down melting wedding cakes, earthquakes and beaches wiped out by high tides—and won. Not only that, her unique designs had won critical acclaim. We hired her before we

Ryan Jespersen hosts Breakfast Television weekday mornings from 6-10 am on Citytv. E-mail Ryan at rjespersen@edmontonians.com

EDMONTONIANS MARCH 2009

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C ivic Buzz with David Norwood

Our Pent-Up Demand FOR BETTER AIR SERVICE

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espite the global economic

slowdown, Edmonton International Airport (EIA) seems to be holding its own these days. EIA was the only one of the top 10 Canadian airports to record passenger growth in every month of 2008 (Ottawa and Victoria recorded decreases in only one month). Overall, Edmonton recorded a growth of 6.15 percent passenger traffic; Ottawa was a very close second at 6.13 percent. This is an impressive achievement considering the worldwide state of the airline industry, when losses are calculated in the billions of dollars.

Of course, 2009 could be a very different year from 2008, and Edmonton will be affected. US Airways, which serves both Las Vegas and Phoenix from EIA, has announced that it will drop its Edmonton-Las Vegas flight in May; it is also discontinuing the same route from Calgary. Those who fly the US Airways flight report that it is at or near capacity most days, but the airline’s decision to drop the flight is apparently a move to strengthen its hub centres in Phoenix (as well as Charlotte, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh), and downsize its Las Vegas hub. It will continue to service Phoenix from Edmonton.

At the same time, WestJet offers two daily non-stops to Las Vegas (which will drop to a single daily flight for the summer season), and Air Canada recently increased its year-round Edmonton-Las Vegas service from two to four flights per week. The Vegas market continues to attract Edmontonians, so we may see another carrier step in for US Airways to increase frequencies. WestJet is also converting its seasonal non-stop Edmonton-Los Angeles service to a year-round daily

M

edia Minute with Bruce Hogle

Admiratration or scorn?

YOUR CHOICE Choices. That’s a word which impacts all of us every day.

Within the media, decisions are made constantly on what stories, features and pictures will be shown, printed or heard as journalists seek to provide balance.

Companies and corporations, especially in current economic times, must make choices whether to declare bankruptcy, close outlets, terminate employees… or provide payout packages.

Parents and their offspring must also make choices about public, private or religious schools… and whether college or university is within their dreams and budget.

Other choices involve where you want to live and with whom you want to raise a family. Family and friends will help

That the $1 billion terminal/apron/ administration expansion is going ahead is proof plenty that Edmonton Airports sees a bright future for passenger (and cargo) service and for its role as an increasingly important northern hub.

flight starting in May, offering direct competition to Air Canada Jazz’s flight on that route.

WestJet will also be returning to spring-through-fall non-stop service to Montreal, Halifax and Ottawa, with onestop service to Moncton and Charlottetown. The year-round one-stop service to and from Quebec City also continues—Edmonton is the only western Canadian city with a direct flight serving that city. As well, in May, WestJet will introduce a daily Edmonton-Yellowknife flight, an important step since EIA is the only airport WestJet will use to connect Yellowknife to the rest of its extensive network.

Air Canada has also announced that its non-stops to London-Heathrow, decreased to four times weekly for the winter season, will return to daily service on March 25th, and will increase to nine flights a week in May (two daily on Tuesdays and Sundays).

Unfortunately, Air Transat has decided to service only London-Gatwick from Edmonton this summer, dropping its popular Frankfurt flight, for reasons unknown. Frankfurt is a destination a great many Edmontonians want, preferably on a scheduled basis, and market numbers (and demand) indicate that it would be a popular route, augmenting rather than competing with the London Heathrow service.

The coming year will be interesting for Edmonton Airports but, at this point, people are optimistic that the global turmoil will not affect Edmonton and its air service too drastically. The airport’s past record of growth is indicative of the pent-up demand for better air service and, while it may slow, it almost certainly won’t stop.

recently passed another membership milestone. Connect2Edmonton (C2E), started in 2006 as a discussion forum on all things Edmonton, inviting ideas, information, debate, rebuttal, and constructive criticism on a wide variety of subjects to anyone who cared to join.

(A disclaimer here: I am involved with and a contributor to C2E.) Although supported by Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, C2E was, and is, entirely free of any official oversight (with the exception of its volunteer administrators and moderators who try to keep matters on track).

Almost three years later, C2E has more than 5,000 members, and covers topics as diverse as entertainment, politics (all levels), buildings and architecture, air and rail services, sports, the river valley, technology, volunteerism, and Edmonton’s image.

Need a question answered? There’s an “Ask Ed” section. Want to rant or rave?

There are threads for those too. Spam is prohibited, as is any kind of commercial self-promotion.

As far as I know, no other city in Canada has been able to assemble a forum such as C2E and operate it as successfully. C2E is used by people from all walks of life, from politicians (in February Mayor Stephen Mandel answered at length a series of questions posted by C2E members, reflecting the growing importance of the site), to people in communications, construction,

determine your priorities and the permanent characteristics for which you’ll become known: friendly, hard working, philanthropic, honest, dependable, caring and courageous if need be… or, on the other side of the ledger, lazy, irresponsible, shady, evil with a couldn’t care less attitude. Then there are those people who can easily be led astray—much to their chagrin in retrospect.

Thus the choices and priorities you select for your lifetime—including friends—will ultimately result in either admiration or scorn.

Mention Norman Kwong, the late Lois Hole, Allan Wachowich, Don Mazankowski, Eric Newell, Anne McClellan, Gary McPherson, Tommy Banks, Linda Hughes, Sharon MacLean, Peter Lougheed, Randy Gregg, Iris Saunders, Allen Benson, John Chomiak and countless others, and you know who I’m talking about when it comes to stalwart citizens.

Less desirable individuals include Penny Boudreau of Bridgewater, N.S. who murdered her 12 year old daughter Karissa by strangulation as the child begged, “Mummy, don’t.”

Also begging for their lives were Marc and Debra Richardson and their eight-year-old son, of Medicine Hat, who were butchered to death two years ago by a family member and her boyfriend… the gory details of which you’re fully aware The same “please don’t kill me” appeal came from 13-year old Nina Courtepatte of Edmonton, lured from a mall by five punks who later raped, beat and then killed her. Michael Williams, 17, was one of three people convicted of her murder (a fourth awaits a new trial).

Dennis Cheeseman and Shawn Hennessey, married and the father of two small girls, are two individuals I would put in the category of those easily led astray. In their case, surprisingly, it was by convicted sexual predator James Roszko who truly personified evil.

Appreciating that Penny Boudreau, Hennessey and Cheeseman were all caught by RCMP sting operations, Hennessey attempted to garner support when he and his wife Christine (Cheeseman’s sister) appeared last month on CBC’s Fifth Estate. That production aired after Hennessey and Cheeseman received stiff jail terms.

A website unique to Edmonton

information technology, post-secondary education, and so on. Membership isn’t confined to Edmonton: People as far away as Europe, Hong Kong and Australia have joined.

Of course, a forum such as this invites all kinds of participants, good and bad— and there have been some bad ones—but for the most part discussion is civil and polite. C2E offers the chance to participate at an everyday level, from the banal to the enlightened and everything in between. It’s worth checking out and easy to join: www.connect2edmonton.ca.

ProCura Real Estate’s proposed development for the Mayfair Hotel site, on Jasper Avenue between 108th and 109th Streets, promises to both revitalize and redefine the western entrance to the core of the city. As a rental property targeted at the mid-range market, the 708-unit, 15-floor, two-tower project will transform an almost derelict section of the downtown into a welcoming gateway. It will also complement ProCura’s dramatic transformation of the former Professional Building across Jasper Avenue, resulting in a very different look for that portion of downtown.

ProCura is to be congratulated for moving forward with this much-needed development even in the face of a global slowdown.

It says much about the developer’s positive attitude toward Edmonton and its future. More about this project in the coming months. √ David Norwood is a freelance writer/editor. Contact dnorwood@edmontonians.com

They had voluntarily pled guilty to four counts of manslaughter for their part in Roszko’s callous slaying March 3, 2005 of RCMP Constables Brock Myrol, Peter Schiemann, Leo Johnston and Anthony Gordon.

Let’s forget excuses and alibis.

Regardless of what Roszko said, or didn’t say, the night Hennessey and Cheeseman drove him to the death scene, they could easily have warned RCMP about this armed psychopath and avoided the worst RCMP tragedy in the past 100 years.

But they chose not to. Thus, these two brothers-in-law, their families and friends—as well as the families and friends of those four murdered constables—will have to live for the rest of their lives with the most abysmal choice Shawn Hennessey and Dennis Cheeseman ever made. √ Bruce Hogle is the former news director at CFRN TV and recently retired head of the Alberta Press Council. Contact bhogle@edmontonians.com EDMONTONIANS MARCH 2009

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Tom, Heather, Larry, Steffany and Les at Sublime Body Studio Photos by Terry Bourque

We have a winner!

Choosing the 2009 winner of the Edmontonians Transformers contest was a difficult task. The applicants were all inspirational, interesting, open, willing and, most of all, committed to growth.

If time and resources allowed, we would offer all of the candidates the chance to go through the transformation process with us. What the people had in common, despite their success, was that they know there is more… they know they can improve, personally and professionally.

Thank you to all who took the time to write and apply. Each letter was considered carefully and no one was rejected out-of-hand. I smile as I write this because I realize not being chosen can be disappointing and can feel like failure. Not making the cut is a big part of sport and is deeply ingrained in the fabric of who I am. But, I have learned more from trying and failing than I care to admit. I smile because as cliché as that is, it is true. Champions have to be tested; they have to rebound after failure and keep moving forward. To all of you who applied: Keep growing.

The winner, Heather Friesen, more than met all of the transformation criteria. Her life story is one of resilience, determination and courage. It touched on the reasons why the four Transformers are inspired to work with people who shun the status quo… who know intuitively that what is good can always get better. Being selected for a transformation comes at a price: Heather’s story— her strengths and her weaknesses—will be analyzed, dissected and shared with Edmontonians readers. To some, this would be terrifying. ~ Steffany Hanlen

WATCH FOR PART II: JULY 2009

survivalovershadowsbasics “When I was 15, my dad put me into Pilates, instead of letting doctors put a rod through my spine to straighten my radically curved back caused by adolescent scoliosis.

The tremendous results I obtained as a result of doing Pilates inspired me to become an instructor.”

By Steffany Hanlen

~ Heather Friesen’s application

A

t just 25 years of age, revenue, pay bills, make a Heather Friesen is owner name, build a client base of Sublime Body on the and all that entails becomes southside. She has been a vicious cycle. This on a personal journey of development survival technique overher whole life. Her father is a well shadows the basic business known healer, her step-mom is a practices that lead to true successful business owner in the success. Without a vision fitness industry, and her mom is an or a plan, Sublime Body— unconditional support person who, and Heather herself— most recently, could be heading for a helped Heather crash. A very expensive completely one. renovate her So what happens when Pilates and all of the start-up work massage studio. and renovations that kept her As much as this Heather so busy are Steffany & Heat all sounds finished? Well, that is peachy, family exactly where we caught her. I say ‘caught’ dramas and day-to-day because she is in the ‘Holy crap, now what?’ business challenges can stage of her business. I say caught, because with be intensified when all of her potential, it will be her lack of vision, someone as free spirited her pattern of avoiding conflict, her history of as Heather attempts to health issues and her ‘little girl’ voice and spread her wings in her persona that could be her downfall. home town.

We Transformers have our work cut out for Quite often, when us. Can we help Heather take the next steps of people think they are in her life and business with clarity, a healthy ‘business’, what they are balance and a grown up plan? I believe we can. actually in is busy-ness.

We’ll let you know the results in the July Striving to generate issue of Edmontonians. √.

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7

lifestyles LIVELY

Perfect Timing

projects in the home and garden. Under the tutelage of my editor, Barb Deters, I honed my skills at writing and decided to catalogue my favourite projects in a how-to book dedicated to the ‘Art of Living’.

Two years ago, I had enough material and courage to show my concept to a publisher. I met with Bill Hole and his team at Holes Publishing to share my passion. Again, my timing was perfect. With Holes relocation plan to their new Enjoy Centre, a destination dedicated to living and lifestyle, they agreed to take me on if I tailored my projects for gardening enthusiasts looking for

with Linda Bodo

M

y timing was perfect. The weather in Spring 2004 was ideal for a tag sale and we dragged our wares to the lot behind the PROPabilities warehouse. Eight-foot tall crayons, titanic high-heeled shoes, life-sized palm trees and a 20-foot western townscape displayed among crates of Christmas lights and bolts of cloud-covered vinyl. Business had been brisk and, as the last of the mannequins was hauled away, Edmontonians publisher Sharon MacLean dropped by. We dragged a couple of lawn chairs outside and soaked in the sun among boxes of silk flowers and flocked woodland trees. As I tallied the days’ bounty stuffed in my apron, Sharon casually asked if I would consider writing a monthly lifestyle-inspired column for the magazine. The prospect of sharing my DIY ideas with an audience was exciting. I immediately went to work gathering information for submissions and my first Absolute Bodo column appeared that July.

I had had the time of my life “imagineering” dreams into reality for shopping malls, convention centres, and trade shows at PROPabilities, but the time was perfect to move on. I sold the company and headed to my home workshop to experiment with adapting unusual materials for DIY

unique approaches to personalize their outdoor living spaces. We tested some of the proposed projects in Enjoy Gardening magazine and the results were favourable.

I was given the official go-ahead from publishing manager, Bruce Timothy Keith to commence work on my dream in the spring of 2007. I was giddy with exhilaration as I headed to my secret stash: a bulging, worn manila folder crammed with clippings, napkin doodles, hastily scrawled notes, and paint chips. I put my ideas into some semblance of order and forwarded them to the team for approval. Christina McDonald, the assistant manager of publishing, choreographed the material into a wide-ranging repertoire of garden accessories; then sent me off to the workshop to do my thing. I spent the next few weeks researching materials, appending my arsenal of power tools, and sourcing local suppliers and restores; then buried myself in my studio for 12 months, designing and fabricating.

I learned a lot. For instance, safety doesn’t happen by accident: Loose clothing can easily be eaten by whirling power tools… proper footwear will, in fact, deflect a falling hammer painlessly.

Reading instructions and warning labels before starting a project saves time and tempers. A cup of coffee on a work surface is an accident looking to happen. Cured concrete is pretty much impossible to remove from bracelets and bangles.

Supplied by Holes

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EDMONTONIANS MARCH 2009

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Contact Linda Bodo at lbodo@edmontonians.com or visit www.absolutebodo.com.

Learn to

enjoy life outside Make your timing perfect. The Eiffel Tower Obelisk, shown here, but not in my book, is one of the projects I’ll be assembling on-stage—come and see how it’s done: • The Red Deer Home and Garden Show, from Friday to Sunday, March 6th to 8th at the Westerner Park. I will be sharing my ideas and passions at the Enjoy Life Outside booth and presenting some of my favourite projects on-stage throughout the week-end. Please visit www.reddeerhomeshow.ca for details.

• The Edmonton Home and Garden Show, from Thursday through Sunday, March 19th to 22nd at the Northlands Agricom. The Enjoy Life Outside booth is located in Hall E, booth 6715, adjacent to the Garden Stage where I will be presenting all four days. Check www.edmontonhomeandgardenshow.com for more info.

s r o o d t u o t i e k Ta Magic

MENU

g

Once the material shots and step-by-step photos were completed, photographer Akemi Matsubuchi and I reunited to coordinate our schedules with The Weather Network, and scouted sites in our pursuit of ideal natural lighting conditions.

Occasionally, a sudden downpour or swarm of mosquitoes would send us running for shelter where we took refuge with steaming cups of green tea or shots of insect repellent.

My last mission was the daunting task of conveying project directives from head to paper in a clear and concise manner for both DIY virgins and aficionados. Through Christina’s methodical editing, we were able to usher out a user-friendly, easily understandable chronicle that was ready for print. Or, at least that was what I thought. It would be months before we were ready for the presses. Layouts needed to be fine- tuned, graphics and illustrations finalized, colour palettes tweaked and modified, and proofs edited and re-edited. Finally, a printer was selected and a cover shot selected. The files were sent to McCallum Printing Group and I was invited to tag along when Bruce went down to check the first run.

As I stood among the enormous Heidelberg XL105, six-colour printing presses, I saw the first pages of my book materialize before me, hot off the press.

Floating on cloud nine, my thoughts drifted over the roar of machinery that surrounded me. With one book under my tool belt, why not a sequel?

Maybe two or three... heck, why not a series dedicated to DIY and the Art of Living.

This month, Enjoy Life Outside hits the stands, a compilation of 15 inspiring DIY projects geared toward al fresco living. The 144-page volume is crammed with comprehensive step-by-step directives, straight-forward photography and illustrations, and helpful construction tips.

Once again, my timing seems perfect. Several of the projects embrace a repurpose, recycle and reuse strategy, which is easy on the pocketbook and ideal in our tough economy. Fostering your creative outlets will reinvent your outdoor space while pinching pennies in the process and reducing waste destined for our landfills. Enjoy Life Outside; Inspired Projects is now available through www.holesonline.com or at www.absolutebodo.com √

I

with Chef John Berry

admit it: I am a BBQ fanatic. No… I’m obsessed. We use our natural gas grill all year-round. I’m sure some of my friends and neighbours question my sanity as I stand beside my Barbie at 40˚C. But nothing—nothing—beats the taste of a grilled or barbecued steak.

Remember that in Edmonton, what we call barbecue is really grilling. Authentic BBQ is low and slow cooking with a massive infusion of smoke, be it hickory wood chips, apple, cherry, or wild willow which is plentiful in Alberta. A dear Aboriginal friend introduced me to wild willow, the stuff that grows in wet damp areas, ditches, low-lying lands. It’s the best kept secret in western Canada, giving off a very sweet almost cherry-like flavour. Most farmers just doze it over to make more grazing or crop land.

When I ask if I can have a few twigs, they’re more than happy to get rid of what is often referred to as a weed wood.

But I digress. Our gas BBQ is actually much more than a fantastic grill. Sure, most people just use it for grilling steaks, burgers, fish and kabobs, or for roasting on the rotisserie. But I love to use it as an oven—especially in the summer when my wife banishes me from using the convection oven because it turns the kitchen into a sauna.

So I fire-up one side of the Broil-King and, using the indirect method of cooking, I’m able to cook casserole dishes on the opposite side. Voila!... my BBQ becomes an oven.

You can buy a cast iron smoker box, which is about the size of a pencil case with holes in it. Pre-soak your wood chips—hickory, apple wood or wild willow—and place them in the box over your heat source. You now have a grill that turns into a smoker.

My friend Cam Mitchell, owner of Barbecue Country on 75th Street and 56th Avenue, says one of the hottest items on the spring/summer menu is barbecued pizza. The concept isn’t new: The original Tuscan grill has been around since the 18th Century. But now you can get a special grill that is placed over rocks with a hardwood fire underneath. It measures 16.5 inches by 18.5 inches and facilitates everything from flat breads to pizzas to whatever your imagination allows you to throw on the grill.

Cam is also pretty excited about a new, ceramic… er BBQ… er fornio oven—actually, it’s called the Green Egg. This wild outdoor cooker is constructed of 1.5-inch

The Green Egg thick ceramic tiles.

Hardwood or charcoal are its heat source, much like a fornio oven used by restaurants like Sorrentino’s for thin crust pizzas.

According to Maryanne Petrash, the Green Egg expert, cooking time may be a little longer than a gas grill, but you can increase the heat. However, if you go the low and slow route, you use less fuel and the flavour is incredible—don’t those ribs in the photo look fantastic?

I can’t resist the idea of a party with green eggs and ham. I’d start it off with these Cajun shrimp.

John’s Rosemary Cajun Shrimp and Tomato Skewers: This makes a great appetizer… or even an entrée for those who are diet conscious and may want to add a few grilled vegetables and a bit of brown rice for a complete meal.

6 long sprigs of fresh rosemary Cajun spice Oil for the grill 18 tiger prawns (31/40s) 12 cherry or grape tomatoes Smoker box and wet wood chips • Fire up the barbecue to medium-high heat.

• Remove the rosemary leaves from the bottom of the sprig, three-quarters of the way up, leaving a nice top of leaves on the sprig.

• Your bare sprig now becomes a skewer on which you place a shrimp, then a tomato, so that you end up with three shrimp and two cherry tomatoes one each rosemary skewer.

• Sprinkle a little Cajun spice on the shrimp.

• Wipe the grill with a rag, or mop with olive oil so the tomatoes won’t stick.

• Place the smoker box on the heat source. When you see smoke, place skewers on the grill.

• Cook, turning once, until the tomatoes become grill marked and the shrimp have turned pink. Don’t overcook. Brush with olive oil and serve.

Serves two: √ Contact Chef John Berry at jberry@edmontonians.com

Enter to win!

Win an autographed copy of Enjoy Life Outside and a day in the absolutebodo workshop to create a one-of-a-kind project for your outdoor living space.

In 100 to 150 words tell us why you want to don your DIY hard hat and open your tool box to personalize your digs.

Deadline: April 15, 2009 E-m ail: bdeters@edmontonians.com Mail: Barb Deters, Editor Edmontonians C-100 Park Side Tower, 8920-100 Avenue Edmonton AB T6E 4Y8 Drop off: Enjoy Life Outside booth

Winner will be announced in the May issue.

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courage&determination

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By Les Brost

eather Friesen is a very impressive businesswoman.

She’s smart, articulate and brave, with a youthful and dynamic personality.

She’s a dream candidate for transformation in conflict management.

There are always two sides to conflict management: the conflicts themselves and our existing skill sets. Heather has ongoing conflicts in her life that are getting in the way of personal and business growth. Her challenge will be to learn the concepts and to develop the skills necessary to make conflict a positive force in her business and personal lives.

Transformation happens when enhanced skills meet courage and commitment. Heather’s existing skill sets and character give her a huge advantage in moving forward.

What are these skill sets and attributes?

Heather, by the very nature of her

profession, is very aware of what’s going on in her body. When I asked her how she first recognizes the presence of conflict, she was quick to share the information that her posture slumps and she retains water. That’s a body awareness that few of us can match.

Why is this so important in managing stress and discord? It’s because of the First Rule of Conflict Management: The only factor we can truly manage in a conflict situation is ourselves. That means we must be able to recognize and manage our own conflict symptoms.

Transformation requires the courage to see ourselves as we really are, and the determination to do the hard work necessary for change.

Heather has already proven that she possesses two vital character attributes: courage and determination. The onset of adolescent scoliosis left her with a radically curved spine. Her father had grave reservations about the doctor’s plan

to straighten her back by inserting a steel rod into her spine. Instead, he enrolled Heather into a Pilates class. The erect, graceful young woman that we met was a testament to the wisdom of his choice, the efficacy of Pilates as a therapeutic treatment, and Heather’s courage and determination—even as a teenager.

The Pilates classes were arduous and painful… yet she persevered to create her physical transformation. Heather showed the same kind of courage in her answers to our questions. I was particularly impressed with her willingness to target an ongoing conflict that is impacting her business and personal life.

Who are the players in that conflict and what are its dimensions? How can she learn to make that conflict work as a positive element in her life? That’s what Heather and I are exploring. Given the past adversities that have defined her character, I’m confident about the prospects for her future. √

voicebeliesmaturity

H

ave you ever answered the phone and had the person on the other end ask to speak to your mommy? Do you feel a lack of respect in business situations because your voice sounds young?

Many women have grown up but retained a youthful voice that does not serve them well professionally or physically. Heather Friesen’s voice is very friendly, warm and unassuming, great when dealing with children—but not in business.

Now ask yourself this question: Who taught you to speak? We learn to read and write and those communication skills are refined through years of education. Training the speaking voice becomes a process of trial and error where we experiment by mimicking those around us. What is successful becomes a blueprint for our speaking style and sound. However, that award-winning essay you wrote in Grade 5 may not be that impressive 20 years later and the same goes for that little girl voice. Is this the best voice for Heather? Is this her true voice? No. Professionally, while the voice says young and energetic, it can also express a naiveté that will raise confidence issues. Verbalized pauses such as ums, and ers will get the

client wondering if they have made a mistake.

Physically, Heather is forcing the voice up into a vocal range that could cause damage. As we grow, the vocal folds thicken and lengthen. This causes vocal tone to deepen and mature. To access that little girl sound, the voice is pushed into the nasal passages giving Heather’s voice a nasal quality.

Nasality is a major issue in the Edmonton dialect and you may be a sufferer. Take your thumb and forefinger, place them lightly on the bridge of your nose, and say, “Mary sang seventeen songs and swooned.” You should feel vibration on the m, n and ng sounds. If you feel vibrations through the entire sentence, you have some degree of nasality.

As a Pilate’s instructor, Heather is well aware of her breathing and has great control. What she has not yet achieved is connecting that breathing system to the speaking voice. Getting the breath working will help draw the voice out of the nasal passages and help Heather find her true voice. It will also help alleviate vocal fatigue that can range from the voice feeling tired to actual discomfort and pain. Long-

By Tom Bradshaw term abuse can lead to nodules forming on the vocal folds.

The prescription is often three to six months of complete vocal rest. Without your voice, how successful would your business be?

Achieving business success with these kinds of vocal issues is like trying to run up a hill backwards. You might eventually get there, but at what cost?

Helping Heather find her real voice will eliminate those verbal confidence issues and reflect Heather as the mature, accomplished professional she is. √

worklifebalance

By Dr. Larry Ohlhauser

I

greeted Heather Friesen for our first interview with the Transformers and, as the health and wellness guy, I was thinking, I have no work cut out for me with here. Heather is a petite, very healthy looking young woman, and so she should be, as the principal of Sublime Body, a Pilates training and therapeutic massage business. Of course, my perceptions changed as we get into the interview.

Heather wants her priorities in life to be health first…family and friends second… and then her business. However, in her current reality she admits she really only has time for her business. No time for family and friends, and health just happens to be a by-

product of her profession, not something she can personally spend time at. For her, worklife balance is a myth.

Heather is not surprised that the marks on her self-assessment of physical health reveal very low scores for sleep patterns, stress levels and capacity for leisure. With her focus on the business, she is stressed to the max all day, fusses all night. She’s not getting enough healthy sleep, and has no time for leisure.

In a recent survey of Canadians, 34 percent stated that stress was a significant factor in their lives, and 24 percent of those individuals turned to food and alcohol to deal with their stress—not a “solution” for Heather. She knows she needs help and is prepared to take responsibility to make changes.

The first step for Heather was to define a goal to reduce and manage her stress. She correctly believes that her action plan to attain her goal needs to include specific activities to improve her capacity for leisure and improve her sleep patterns.

To make her goal a reality, she created milestones to measure her progress and asked me to hold her accountable to her action plan. Any barriers to her progress will require her to review her action plan and achieving milestones will be celebrated.

Heather’s passion to success in her business and her willingness to take responsibility for her actions and be held accountable stand her in good stead to not only achieve the work-life balance she desires, but she deserves. √ EDMONTONIANS MARCH 2009

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By Greg Gazin

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e dine and dance, bid and buy, walk and run for causes. We don sunscreen, rain gear and mittens to take in outdoor festivals and community activities. We attend workshops, seminars, conferences, meetings and parties on any given day. We host neighbourhood, national and international events.

Success hinges on organization… whether you’re appealing to patrons for a major fundraising drive or notifying colleagues of a business meeting.

Administering and managing events, coordinating suppliers and volunteers can be mind-boggling, timeconsuming and nerve-wracking. Even professional event planners need tools to streamline the process.

Trust the organized mind-set of a chartered accountant with an appreciation for the capacity of customized software to provide user-friendly packages to ease the burden.

Meet Dave Bodnarchuk, a BComm. grad from the University of Alberta who received his CA designation in 1993. He acquired years of technology experience with industry leaders like Apple and Oracle, and with KPMG as a computer audit specialist.

He recalls, “I was always the guy from KPMG that was called in to help out the not-for-profit boards [to track pledges] because they were doing a fun-run.”

Bodnarchuk adds that when KPMG worked with organizations like Edmonton Crime-Stoppers, he would be put to task to implement computerized fund-raising systems to manage those aspects of its telethons.

As the dot-com era emerged, Bodnarchuk saw an opportunity to bring a reasonably priced, easy to use product for not-for-profits to issue invitations, track RSVPs and do on-line registrations. But, while most events required some administering, not every event needed or could afford a heavy-hitter like Bodnarchuk.

He readily admits most organizations “…don’t need a guy like me or tech guru to get things up and running.”

A community-oriented person, he has always had a soft spot for not for profits, having served on many boards including the 12x12 Runners Challenge, Edmonton Grads Association, Crime Stoppers Association, Alberta Foundation for Diabetes Research Fun Run, GO Community Centre. He currently sits on the Caritas Hospitals Foundation Board.

Bodnarchuk knew that using technology would save time, reduce manpower and increase accuracy. “It also allows for more time to promote the event… making it easier for people to sign up rather than getting bogged down on the admin.”

Thus, eventIQinc was born. Bodnarchuk is the founder, president and CEO—Chief Event Officer. The firm

Photo by Terry Bourque

What’s your event iQ?

develops and provides software solutions for notification, signup, payment, printing and other services for events of any size and for the people that organize them.

However, from the outset, the real challenge was to sustain a viable long-term business model, given the limited resources of not-for-profits. Entrepreneur Bodnarchuk quickly realized the real untapped market was office admin professionals: They might have to manage events, but didn’t want or have to become event planners. Moreover, not even event planners would need to be too tech savvy.

“Our vision had morphed. We wanted to develop an easy to use content-centric system, taking the best of event content, technology, and forms design and put them into a single wrapper or box.”

Bodnarchuk enhanced the product and the user experience by listening to users and a number of professional event planners and rolled the feedback into the product that provided content or generic features they could share.

The re-branding exercise resulted in InviteRight, the company’s flagship product. The comprehensive web application that works with e-mail, at 30 percent of the cost of the competition, while offering more flexibility by not forcing the user to conform to rigid forms.

Continued on page 14

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Courage Centre is tech hub

By Cheryl Croucher

F

“

Isabel Henderson and Dr. Ted Purcell

BRIEFS

or most people technology makes things easier but, for those with a disability, technology makes things possible.”

It’s a quote that Isabel Henderson uses often. It’s the philosophy that underlies the effort to build the new Courage Centre at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton.

And for Henderson and Dr. Ted Purcell, it’s a dream that will soon become a reality. Henderson is the senior operating officer at the Glenrose and Purcell is chair of the Board of Trustees for the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation.

Over the past two years, they and their colleagues have worked on the concept, the design and the fundraising for the new Courage Centre, a $4 million initiative.

“We see the Courage Centre as a hub for technology development and rehabilitation,” says Henderson. “We will be reconfiguring a space here in the hospital now, upgrading it, and bringing it into the new generation and reality of cuttingedge technology.”

The space itself will be open and the floor raised so all the wiring and infrastructure can be housed underneath, eliminating

the need to run cords and plugs where patients can trip over them.

The two-storey space will be adjacent to several of the patient rehabilitation units as well as the physio and occupational therapy areas, so the Courage Centre will be well integrated with everything at the Glenrose.

“There will be three sectors,” explains Henderson.

“In the centre will be a pod for virtual reality equipment and a mini theatre. There will also be a classroom space for teaching patients, families and students about the newer technology. There will be activity centres within the space where new technology can be trialed. And, as you enter into the space, there will be audio-visual components so people can get a glimpse at how this technology will impact patient care in the rehab world.”

Not all the high tech equipment will fit in one space, adds Dr. Purcell, but it will fit somewhere. “We will be taking some of the technologies and moving them throughout the hospital, but still have them connected. I view the Courage Centre as the hub—the brain—and everything will be connected as a network to the Courage Centre.”

When Henderson and Purcell talk about bringing innovative technology into the rehabilitation program, they classify these into four different areas: robotics, virtual reality, telehealth and cognitive learning.

Henderson describes robotics applications, “They could be orthotics with robotic components. They could be robotics that assist children in play, perhaps seniors to interact with their environment. Even robotic caregivers are kind of out there at this time.”

Purcell likes the aspects of fun and excitement that

W

orking at the molecular or nano scale, scientists at the National Institute for Nanotechnology in Edmonton hope to change the way we produce energy.

According to Dr. Nils Petersen, director general of NINT, his researchers will build on Alberta’s expertise in petroleum technology. But they will also provide innovation in new forms of energy. One team working on solar cells is developing nano materials to improve the capture of sunlight and its Dr. Nils Petersen conversion into electricity.

Another nano scientist is investigating hydrogen storage to improve fuel cell technology.

Says Dr. Petersen, “We have a young materials scientist, Dr. David Mitland, who understands material properties really well and is looking to modify the materials so they can absorb hydrogen— store the hydrogen as a battery, if you will—and then release it fairly effectively.”

The technology poses a number of challenges but, as Dr. Petersen emphasizes, ”It is another example of a niche area of energy that we believe will be important, particularly for Canada, because hydrogen is coupled with fuel cells… Canada has a strong effort in general in fuel cells and already has some companies in this area.” ~ Cheryl Croucher www.nint.ca

NINT

researches

New Energy

Bitumen trapped in Carbonate Formations

Dr. Ernie Perkins

N

ot all bitumen comes from oil sands. About one quarter of Alberta’s bitumen is actually trapped in rocks called carbonate formations.

These were formed from reefs and fossils in prehistoric times. In fact, much of our conventional oil is contained in the carbonate formations that cover most of the province.

According to Dr. Ernie Perkins, a senior scientist with the Carbon and Energy Management Group at the Alberta Research Council, a significant deposit of bitumen is located in northern Alberta in what’s called the Grosmont Formation.

Dr. Perkins says, “It is certainly the biggest single reservoir of bitumen or heavy oil in carbonate rocks. It is literally a factor of 10 to a factor of 50 bigger to the next biggest reservoir in the world. So it’s a very large reservoir. It spans quite a big distance, situated more or less in the Peace River area with Fort McMurray sort of in the middle. It’s really one about which we have not developed the knowledge yet because there hasn’t been the drive or the push to work on such a difficult reservoir.”

While there is no current technology to extract bitumen from carbonate, the ARC and a consortium of oil companies hope to change that situation soon with the establishment of the Carbonate Research Group. ~ Cheryl Croucher www.arc.ab.ca EDMONTONIANS MARCH 2009

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virtual reality technology or gaming brings to rehabilitation.

It’s an element that hits close to home, since his twin boys are patients at the Glenrose.

“One of the initial pieces we have here is the Nintendo Wii which is widely available to the public. Physiotherapy in its own right can be at times tedious and mundane. By adding an element of fun as the Wii is played, it tends to add interest. And in the long term, it will enhance patient outcome.”

Purcell likes the idea of shooting hockey pucks or spiking a volleyball over a net, virtually, of course, to keep patients motivated while improving their motion and motor skills.

Telehealth systems take advantage of telecommunications technology to provide rehabilitation on an outpatient basis in their own homes.

As Henderson explains, “Our patients stay here for maybe six weeks, whereas 10, 15, 20 years ago, they might have been here six months. Our time with them is very short. Many of them we follow on an outpatient basis, but it’s important to connect into their home environments.

Telehealth technology makes that much more possible.”

And she points out that boomers haven’t been forgotten.

“The fourth area for the Courage Centre is the cognitive learning piece. That is focusing on some of the new software and hardware that helps with memory issues and such. With an aging population, that’s something we see as a big opportunity.”

FRONTLINE INVOLVEMENT So what is on the technology wish list for the new Courage Centre at the Glenrose?

Henderson, with her own background as a speech and language pathologist, recognizes the importance of soliciting the input of the therapists who will actually have to use the equipment with their patients. “We created sort of an Eaton’s catalogue of various pieces of technology and devices and we had the staff vote on what they felt would be most useful to them in their therapy.”

One example is a simulated driver assessment console.

Similar to an airplane simulator for pilots in training, this

would take the place of an actual car that the Glenrose currently uses to determine whether patients can get in and out of a car, or to what extent they are able to drive.

Henderson also expects to upgrade an independent living suite with sensors. This is an apartment where patients ready for discharge can see whether they can cope with living independently.

Glenrose patient Megan In a smart house, says Henderson, “Motion sensors will enable us to determine to what extend patients are moving around when they are on their own. Are they cooking for themselves? Are they able to use the washroom? Or are they just sitting and watching television? New technologies enable us to determine, for example, what food has been removed from the refrigerator and whether the patient is eating appropriately.”

Both Henderson and Purcell are strong on developing research collaborations for the Courage Centre with institutions such as the University of Alberta and NAIT. To that end, the Glenrose is participating in a provincewide trial of a device invented by Dr. Arthur Prochazka from the U of A’s department of physiology rehabilitative medicine. Called the ReJoyce System, it is a workstation connected to a broadband Internet connection that allows a clinician to work with patients in therapy or perform hand

function assessments at home.

According to Henderson, “It is like a toolkit with many different components that somebody with a stroke or perhaps even a spinal cord injury could use. For example, how do you open a door? How do you use a spoon? How do you use a can opener?” The therapist can track the progress of patients as they relearn how to do these everyday tasks.

Both Henderson and Purcell believe that the Courage Centre will build on the strong reputation of the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital to encourage collaboration on technology development.

“I think it is an opportunity for the Glenrose and for Alberta to really stake our claim in this new arena of rehab technology and to really show to the world what we can do,” says Henderson.

With single pieces of equipment running in the $300,000 to $400,000 range, that’s a lot to pack into a $4-million dollar package.

Dr. Purcell is does not shy away from the challenge.

“There’s a lot of work ahead of us. We’re currently in what we call our lead gift phase where we’re going to the community for contributions of $100,000 to a million.”

Given the Glenrose serves over 20,000 patients with a current roster of 120 programs, this investment in new technology could fulfill the hopes of Isabel Henderson.

For those with a disability, technology makes things possible. √ www.glenrosefoundation.com To hear Cheryl’s conversation with Dr. Nils Petersen, visit www.innovationanthology.com Cheryl Croucher hosts Innovation Anthology which is broadcast on CKUA Radio at 7:58 am and 4:58 pm Tuesdays and Thursday. Or download the podcasts at www.innovationanthologyy.com

Dr. Murray Gray

Understanding

complex

Oil Sands

CHEMISTRY

T

he Alberta oil sands produce over a million barrels a day. But scientists still do not have a complete understanding of the basic chemistry of bitumen.

That’s why Dr. Murray Gray and his colleagues at the Imperial Oil-Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Oil Sands Innovation are developing synthetic bitumen molecules. They are hoping comparative computer analysis will help them understand these complex oil sands molecules. Dr. Gray is a professor of chemical engineering at the University of Alberta, and a director of the Centre.

He explains, “These molecules have been through a complex geological process, starting with organic material from a marine environment. It’s been baked and processed through geological time. And then it has migrated and been biodegraded in the case of Athabasca oil sands… the resulting chemical mixture is much more complex than the original biological starting point. So understanding in some ways the human genome is easy when comparing some of the details of this extraordinarily complex geological material.”

Oil sands scientists are still divided over the chemical structure of the bitumen molecules. Dr. Gray believes the development of synthetic ones will help settle this and lead to completely different technologies for extracting oil from the oil sands. √ ~ Cheryl Croucher www.engineering.ualberta.ca/COSI.cfm

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On the

HORIZON

MARCH March 1-3 Prion Research Conference: Navigating the Risks Westin Edmonton Hotel www.prionmeeting.ca

I

was invited to participate in a global charity event called “Twestival” on February 12th at the Vintage Lounge on 124th Street. It’s a great example of meaningful, worldwide, on-line engagement within the context of social media. Edmonton was one of 180 cities trying to raise $1 million dollars from the global Twitter community. Kudos to Mack Male and Sharon Yeo for bringing together about 40 local twitter members to support charitywater.org—we raised $1,000. So far, overall funding has reached $250,000 with donations still coming in.

This is yet more evidence that communications and marketing tactics truly have shifted. Many large organizations such as Bank of America and Starbucks, supporters of Twestival, have long realized that social media is peering over the edge of a “tipping-point.”

This month I went looking for answers from the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to interrupt Ron Gilbertson’s very busy day to get the answers. I asked EEDC’s CEO if they were using social media today. Gilbertson replied, “I wasn’t even aware of Facebook two years ago, but I know that we use Facebook as an internal communications tool for staff.”

When asked in general about the focus for 2009, Gilbertson said, “We’re working on dealing with diversified economy issues that counter the cyclical nature of our economy which is currently based on the price of oil.”

Certainly, if you were to fault Alberta’s economy in anyway, lack of noticeable diversification tops the list. I give you seven out of eight upgrader projects in the region on hold or cancelled as evidence of that.

Gilbertson went on to say that, “Edmonton’s focus is towards industries that can sustain higher wages while requiring less workers.” One would assume

March 3 WISEST Innovation Contest for Women Information Session Sponsored by TEC Edmonton www.wisest.ualberta.ca

Social media

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media with Walter Schwabe

that advanced technology will clearly play a key role—and it is. EEDC has recently appointed Candice Brinsmead as VP of advanced technology to get things heading in the right direction. Having said that, ahead of technology as an industry comes healthcare, Gilbertson said proudly, “We’re becoming known as the ‘Mayo Clinic of the North.’” As the discussion continued, I wondered whether social media might then be a central part of the EEDC’s economyof-the-future plans. By Gilbertson’s definition, the “economy of the future includes the attraction of industries to the region that can sustain a high paid economy, or jobs that require a high knowledge base.” In my mind, social media certainly qualifies in that case—and, of course, I’m a biased industry insider.

We didn’t talk about this but I know Gilbertson will find it interesting that someone at City Hall has fired up a Twitter account called @CityofEdmonton which so far seems to have been well received.

I enjoyed talking with Mr. Gilbertson but,

for my comfort level, the question of Edmonton’s reputation-building in a social media context remains unanswered.

Leading the conversations online with the outside world, one thing is for certain: This is a multi-faceted issue that requires a multifaceted solution. For example, the recently re-designed Edmonton.com acts as a necessary central resource of general information; connect2edmonton.ca (C2E) is popular locally with conversation focused on topics from pot holes to politics.

However, I would argue that to engage the rest of the world, social media should be playing a more prominent role.

Hopefully, EEDC has a plan in place that sees our region get in the game and become a major online conversationalist in the near future. √ Walter Schwabe is the Chief Evolution Officer of fusedlogic inc., a social media strategy firm and Alberta company since 2000. You can learn more at www.fusedlogic.com

Continued from page 11 Users can look at a sample event or template and add their own details. A simple click makes it easy to change text, and fields can be relocated with a simple drag-and-drop. Users can add specific questions like, “Are you bringing a guest?” The system also offers prompts like asking about dietary needs.

In addition to sending invitations and tracking RSVPs, it’s easy to schedule meetings, recruit speakers, volunteers and exhibitors and even accept payment by credit card.

The results look professional and make the planners look good. It keeps them organized, helps them reach more people with less work—at not much more than the cost of postage per invitee.

“They can get up and running very easily, flexible and they feel like they’re pretty smart. An office event planner wants to get it up and running and ‘get out of Dodge’, while the planning professional can still do what they want to do themselves.”

Mike House is assistant dean of development at the University of Alberta School of Business and president-elect of the Edmonton chapter of the Association for Fundraising Professionals. He chaired Philanthropy Day in Edmonton which utilized eventIQ’s products. “It allows nonprofits to maximize what they are good at, and leave the technology and registration to the software.”

House adds that it also made his wife Kathy’s job easy in her role as treasurer for the Homes for the Holidays, a fundraiser for the Junior League of Edmonton.

The buzz Bodnarchuk has created now goes beyond the not-for profits.

Some of his clients include ATB Financial, Workers’ Compensation Board, Alberta Research Council and the University of Alberta, as well as national organizations.

Bodnarchuk’s offerings do not stop there. In addition to InviteRight, other core professional products have been developed: PlanRight for planning and organizing events; contactCentral for maintaining a database, managing membership and sending out newsletters; and eventXtras for creating anything ancillary to the event such as name tags, lanyards and print material.

Together, these components are packaged as eventIQXpert.

For smaller, personal get-togethers, eventIQ offers a lighter version called skOOchie. It’s free if users agree to have a sponsor’s ad accompany their invitation. A nominal charge applies if no sponsor is selected.

Bodnarchuk chuckles when he talks about the name “skOOchie”. He felt it was a cute word that could stand for “schedule and organize events”.

However, subsequently, the same word appeared in an urban slang dictionary as a less than flattering synonym for a

particular woman of ill repute.

Bodnarchuk admits he learns from all his experiences including his mistakes.

He’s successful, with nine employees and seven consecutive profitable quarters. He’s come a long way since his first tech experience in the real world which launched him to where he is today.

It was a summer job in the 1980s at Coronet Trust as a mortgage administration clerk. Growing weary quickly by the repetitive tasks of typing forms and letters, he brought his own Macintosh to work to automate the process. Despite the company’s policy against using personal computers, Bodnarchuk was able to demonstrate its value. He successfully negotiated with the CFO to rewrite one system on an IBM PC in return for a part time job that fall—and got permission to wear Topsider brand shoes without socks to work. Certainly a foreshadowing of a free spirit in a profession dominated by checks and balances.

The Topsiders are long gone, but Bodnarchuk has that first Macintosh proudly displayed in his office at LeMarchand Mansion. √ Greg Gazin, “The Gadget Guy”, is a serial entrepreneur, freelance technology columnist, small business speaker, an avid Podcaster and producer of Toastcaster.com. Greg can be reached at 780.424.1881 or greg@gadgetguy.ca

March 4 Canadian Business Leadership Award Dinner 2009 Recipient Hal Kvisle, Transcanada Corporation Shaw Conference Centre Reception at 5:15pm Dinner at 6:30 pm Contact Traci Wilson 780.248.1101 Email: external.business@ualberta.ca March 4 Business Link: Small Business Seminar Promotional Strategies: Create Buzz for Your Business Presenter: Greg Gazin, Parallel 2000/The Gadget Guy 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm 100, 10237- 104 Street, Edmonton 1-800-272-9675 (toll-free) 1:00 pm- 4:00 pm (via Videoconference) 250-639 5 Ave. SW, Calgary 403-221-7800 www.canadabusiness.ca/alberta/events March 18 UofA School of Business Technology Commercialization Centre Translating Biomedical /Biotech/ Health Research Presenter Myron Pyzyk of Marenon Health www.business.ualberta.ca/tcc/events.htm March 25 UofA School of Business Technology Commercialization Centre Social Capital and Brokering Science and Technology Presenter Darryl Lesiuk, Edmonton Chamber of Technologies www.business.ualberta.ca/tcc/events.htm March 31 – April 1 Conference Board of Canada Alternative Energy Finance Forum Metropolitan Conference Centre in Calgary www.conferenceboard.ca

APRIL April 1-3 AWE Conference: Innovative Approaches to Success Speakers Debbie Travis, Eveline Charles, Ben Barry and Dr. Valerie Young Marriott River Cree Resort www.awebusiness.com April 23 Business Link: Small Business Seminar Promotional Strategies: Create Buzz for Your Business Presenter: Greg Gazin, Parallel 2000/The Gadget Guy 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm 100, 10237- 104 Street, Edmonton 1-800-272-9675 (toll-free) 6:00 pm- 9:00 pm (via Videoconference) 250-639 5 Ave. SW, Calgary 403-221-7800 www.canadabusiness.ca/alberta/events April 17 – 19 Witec Connections 2009 Connecting Wireless to Business Solutions Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel www.witecconnections.ca EDMONTONIANS MARCH 2009

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THAT WAS THE MARCH THAT WAS The Yardbird Suite “policy of one nonsmoking, one smoking evening is remarkably civilized in our conventional no-leeway era.” ~ John Charles Arts Beat 1996

1992 “During the war when lumber was scarce, [Stan} Alldritt bought the shipping crates used for American war plane parts, engines, etc. at the old Blatchford Field. He then used the stuff to build apartment buildings that still stand on 124th Street.” ~Dick MacLean Time Out 1990 “A restaurant called Cabbages and Condoms, owned by the Planned Parenthood Ass’n of Thailand, is very good with an extensive menu.” ~ Steve Erlanger Travel/Bangkok 1991 “… name a terrible job and I can name one worse. You say, ‘The guy who does autopsies in the morning and empties septic tanks in the afternoon.’ and I say, ‘His assistant.’” ~ Dale Dauten, The Corporate Curmudgeon 1993

“…Quickcard’s questionable quick wit Lyle Best asked, ‘What are your thoughts on the future of the monarchy and the impact that tabloids had on it?’

The Iron Lady [Margaret Thatcher] planted an iron gaze on Best and responded, ‘My dear boy, would you rather see some wrinkled old boy as head of state?’ Mr. Best quickly sat down. ~ Barb Deters Hot Flashes 1997 on Thatcher’s visit here for Junior Achievement “…Irv and Diane [Kipnes] have put their beautiful Glenora residence on the market. The empty-nesters will become condo dwellers on Saskatchewan Drive. Irv is trying to get his head around life without a basement.” ~ Barb Deters Hot Flashes 1998 “Never wrestle with a pig. You get dirty; only the pig enjoys it.” ~ Mark MacCormack Success Secrets 1999

“We may try to get some corporate sponsorship down the road. We don’t want to rely on government grants like so many other theatres in this city do. I feel there are more important things the government should be spending money on.” ~ James Toupin of ShoeString Theatre 1994

“…a portable mp3 player that has a tiny hard drive, capable of storing 100 CDs of music, has just hit the market. Imagine your entire CD collection in the palm of your hand, available anytime, anywhere.” ~ David Boroditsky, e-commerce 2000

“For this event [1996 World Figure Skating Championships], tickets will be as hard to come by as a virgin and three wise men in Saskatchewan.” ~ Jay Stewart Sports 1995

“March 17: St. Patrick’s Day. Watch the heathens with their snouts in their green beer. A tru Hibernian knows the day should only be toasted with Bushmills.” ~ Eva Marie Clark Calendar Cogitations 2001

“Sine Chadi and his wife Sehan were two of a handful of Canadians invited to President George Bush’s prayer breakfast in Washington.

During the main event, they sat with Donald Rumsfeld, secretary of defense.” ~ Muggsy Forbes, Funny, Pompous and Unfair 2002 “Sixty-three percent of respondents… agreed that marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use.” ~ Linda Banister Poll Station 2003 “You’re lucky if you haven’t had to use the Glenrose; you’re lucky if you have.” ~ Shannon May, Chocolate Affair 2004 “Two sold-out charter flights of Japanese tourists flew into 2005 Edmonton enroute to Fort McMurray to experience the aurora borealis. The 640 passengers on two 747s… boarded 16 buses… to see the northern lights and the oilsands.” ~ Jessica Wegman-Sanchez International Business 2006 “Congrats to… former Edmonton Sun editorin-chief Paul Stanway on his appointment as director of communication for Premier Ed Stelmach… he’ll be assisted by exCalgary Herald columnist Tom Olsen as director of media relations. Their skin is thick enough to withstand any barbs from former colleagues in the Legislative Press Gallery.” ~ Bruce Hogle, Media Minute 2007 “The Calgary skyline has more cranes than an origami convention.” ~ Janet Edmondson, Edmontonian in exile 2008

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