Edmontonians May 08

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ut of Africa: Susan Green is back

from her latest mission to help people and communities through the efforts Edzimkulu.

She chairs this volunteer organization, based in Edmonton, which has been doing good works in Ndawana, South Africa, for four years with funding from Glaxo Smith Kline. Susan says, “The Susan Green highlight of my trip this year was the arrival of two dental teams consisting of 34 dentists, dental assistants and hygienists. They treated 1007 patients, did 2088 extractions, 484 fillings and 487 cleanings over 14 days.

The set up was quite ingenious—school desks duct taped together to make surgical beds… bricks under the top end to raise it to a height to allow dentists to work on the patients… flashlights and head lamps were used for lights.

“For the last two years I have been working with Amil Shapka, founder of Kindness in Action (KIA) and Dr. Bill Sharun, my dentist… On March 31st we started the training for a UN program called the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses. We will be the first pilot in the whole of the province of Kwa Zulu Natal (KWN). It is our intention to also incorporate dental hygiene, thanks to the generosity of the Stollery Foundation.”

Edzimkulu is working on many fronts: It has 175 children in preschool education, and 250 people tending permaculture gardens. Susan recalls that “In March 2006, prior to our first AIDS Awareness Day, maybe 50 people had been tested for HIV/AIDS—now more than 2000 have been tested… Our initial team of six has expanded to more than 30 as we train community health workers to test and counsel village residents for HIV, take sputum samples for TB, and follow up with all the positive patients to ensure they are under proper care and taking their meds. Our short term death rate has dropped from 5 to 8 each week to one a month. Now that’s progress!” Way to go Susan.

If you want more information, visit www.edzimkulu.org and get involved.

On our Friday night dates, Dr. Ollie and I like to frequent familiar places. Recently, we accidentally ended up at Cosmos Greek Taverna. I’m glad we did. The food was very good, I liked the potatoes and meatballs. Dr. Ollie loved everything on her combo plate. Just a few words of caution: This is not the place for a quiet discussion on the

meaning of life because you’ll be talking to yourself. With the music, the rattle of dishes, people laughing, it’s noisy to say the least. It gets even louder when the belly dancers come on. The young lady got my attention right away, and I was afraid Dr. Ollie was going to sprain her back trying to get a clear view of the guy dancer.

The last time we saw belly dancers was in Marrakesh, Morocco a few months ago. The difference was that the two young ladies were with an older person who handled the money—no touching the dancers. The weird thing was her hat was covered with flaming candles.

I chatted with Viraj, the male dancer. A very interesting guy: His degree is in bio-science from the U of A. He’s been a professional dancer for nine years… full time in the Edmonton area for the past five.

Well… some big and exciting changes with the Edmonton Grand Prix which is no longer. Now it’s the Edmonton Indy, slated for Thursday, July 24th through Saturday the 26th, no racing on Sundays. It should be a great success. I would go just to see Danica Patrick the stars of Indy.

How about that Danica Patrick?

She’s become the darling of the talkshow circuit… everyone wants to hear about her amazing win at the Indy Japan 300 at Twin Ring in Motegi. She’s as gorgeous as any runway model, and jokes that the car doesn’t know she’s a girl. What a fan draw she would be.

So would 19-year old Graham Rahal who did the victory lap at St. Petersburg, Florida, earlier in April. I figure once his Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing team finds the key to going fast on the ovals, Graham will become a true star. The IRL has a great opportunity to really hype drivers like Danica, Graham, Marco Andretti and Helio Castroneves. It would be huge to see all these drivers on our tarmack. And, congrats to Northlands for partnering with the organizers of the Edmonton Indy.

Meals on Wheels is sponsoring its first ever, annual Homemade Soup Recipe Contest for high cchool students. I don’t think too many kids read my column so pass the words on to your kids and grandkids between the ages of 15 and 19 who are registered at an Edmonton high school. Judging is in June. The prizes are a $125 gift card for first place, $75 for second and $25 for third. Better yet, all three winners get a certificate for pizza and wings every

month for a year from Pizza 73. Recipes can be submitted to emow@mealsonwheelsedmonton.com, or faxed to 780.424.5561, or mailed to or dropped off to Edmonton Meals on Wheels, I LOVE Home Made Soup Recipe Contest, 11111-103 Avenue, Edmonton AB T5K 2P1 You can call for contest rules.

Some local businesses are enjoying great success and growth. A few of them are my insurance clients—yeah, I’m still with MBS. One is Sine Chadi of Imperial Equities. He’s done very well in the property end of the business over the years, and recently sold two of his buildings. About 18 months ago, Sine diversified into the drug business, not direct to the public but distributing to retail. Sales have gone from $50,000 to $7,000,000. Not too bad for a fur trader from Lac La Biche.

Another client who is doing very well is Ted Power of TraceApplication Inc. He’s rebounded from a bad experience about four years ago when he was involved with a company called Compusoft that failed for various reasons. TraceApplications is one of the companies that has developed software that tracks metals through manufacturing and sales. Ted has a new product called MetalTrace that keeps track of the composition of metals, and could be used for tracking cattle from farm to slaughter house. It tracks all kinds of materials for customers such as Westlund, CCTF, C.E. Franklin, Van Leeuwen, Midfield Supply, Crane.

M&Z. AGS and Unified Alloys.

I also met Roy Reynolds, the senior VP and a real asset to Trace. He has a lot of international connections—handy to have around in today’s global market. Besides, he’s a nice guy.

In the midst of our booming economy, a couple of really remarkable gals have decided to move on. Laurie Greenwood is leaving her Volume II retail bookstore in High Street to focus on handling collector books over the Internet. She’ll still do speaking engagement, and will continue her CBC and Global spots. That makes me happy because my radio dial is welded to the CBC. But, I don’t know what I’m going to do without Laurie’s help selecting the best, most interesting books for my grandkids at Christmas.

Don’t have a lot of details, but Del Dilke has decided to close her store—Del’s on 9th Fashion Finds—at the end of September. She’s been an icon and role model for years and truly deserves to retire. Things just won’t be the same without her cheerful personality. √ Call Muggsy Forbes at 780.482.4545 or e-mail mforbes@edmontonians.com

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96 morning-man Rob and Diane Christie are veterans of this event. Ed Plazier and former CFRN morning co-host Cynthia Charles also graced the evening.

This past month we lost two of the good guys

I

certainly never have had a problem

with writer’s block when I stay busy during our extended winters in Edmonton. This past month, I covered the city like a blanket and touched base with many Edmontonians.

For instance, our Astral radio stations host a series called “Lunch and Learn” where we bring in guest experts to discuss their areas of expertise. I borrowed the idea from the ex top guy at the Royal Bank, Bill Bannister. He and I worked together a few years ago on the United Way of Northern Alberta campaign.

Over the past two years, guests in our series have included Jim Taylor from the Downtown Business Association, Martin Salloum from the Edmonton Chamber, Stephen Boyd from the Royal Alexander Hospital Foundation, Rick Carter from Northlands, and several other notables.

In April, two days after the release of the downtown arena report, Lyle Best spoke to our group and outlined the many benefits of a new multi-use complex. No doubt the pros and cons of such a facility will be debated for a good period of time but, when you hear Lyle point out all the pluses, I’m sure you’ll understand the many positive elements of the issue.

I also ran into Lyle a few days later at the Natalie Cole benefit. This man doesn’t sit still for a minute and should be saluted for all that he does for our city.

As well, I attended the Sorrentino’s Garlic Festival with my wife Kim. We ran into several old pals, including 630 CHED’s legendary Bryan Hall and his wife Lillian. Mix

in the broadcasting business with the passing of Gary McGowan (ex K-97), and Gord Robson (ex-Corus). Both contributed much to our industry.

Many of Edmonton’s behind-the-mic people were on hand at the tributes held for Gary and Gord. Among others were long time Corus/CHED/Cool people Bob Layton, Chuck Chandler, Keith James Jr., Jim Johnson, and Boyd Leader, former Power 92 morning show staff like the multi talented Randy Broadhead, Rogers Susan Reade, and my Astral Media co-workers Bryn Griffiths, Marc Stevenson, Len Theusen, and Rob Vavrek.

Both gents will be greatly missed.

The Edmonton Oilers may be out of the ‘second season’ of hockey, but I want to thank both GM Kevin Lowe and Coach Craig McTavish for the excitement of this past season. There’s no question that the young guns on the team—Sam Gagner, Andrew Cogliano, Dustin Penner and Tom Gilbert to name just a few—certainly took up the mantle of responsibility when so many of our usual team leaders were side-lined. To think that the Oilers lost more than 325 man-games to injuries during the season yet missed the playoffs by only three points is surely an amazing achievement. The race to the finish was as fine a brand of hockey as we’ve seen here in many years.

I had lunch with Oilers/Oil Kings bigwig Stew McDonald during the month and was very proud to be part of Year One of the very successful Junior Edmonton Oil Kings, too.

Despite the vagaries of April weather, I’m confident spring will arrive—though it may not be until summer is due. Nonetheless, we’ll go into high gear for the

I was pleased to be a part of the

many fund-raising events that are the hallmark of this generous city. It’s hard supporting them all, as the price gets a little prohibitive, but often a donation to a cause is the simplest way to get involved.

A couple of my favourites are on the horizon: the 630 CHED Gary Draeger Memorial Golf Tournament goes Friday, May 23rd at the Links in Spruce Grove, and the Edmonton Motorcycle Ride for Dad goes Friday, June 13th from the River Cree Resort & Casino.

Finally, I had a great catch-up lunch with Alberta Motion Picture Industry Association big guy Allan Brooks. He and I used to bump into each other when he ran the television newsroom at CTV, then CFRN. By the time you read this, the annual AMPIA awards gala will have taken place. These awards CTVV to CT nkss to My thank My tha recognize some of yd Lloyd VP GM Llo & GM VP & our finest television pic thiss pic Le for thi and film work. Allan wiss for Lewi at vetttt at Love of tells me that this Lylee Lo of Lyl ar pear the nspe Wins province’s industry the Wi fun iserr draise is one of the lowest fundra S— funded in Canada. for ARS— STAR for ST . ow sh . at As a result, it’s ow gre great sh really a labour of love for most Alberta film producers. My cousin Doug Forbes has worked his entire career in movies and television, and he certainly is witness to that.

I firmly believe Alberta can attract more big projects with the proper level of funding. We certainly have the talent to support a healthy industry that creates world class productions. Allan and his industry colleagues would appreciate it if you reminded your MLA of this potential. √ Marty Forbes is VP and general manager of The Bear, EZRock and The TEAM 1260 Sports Radio. Contact marty@edmontonians.com

I was at the Grand

inaugural An Evening of Wine & Okanagan’s grand ballroom Words at the Mayfair Golf and Country in Kelowna last month to host Club. The event was held to aid the the TELUS Ambassadors 3rd Centre for Family Literacy... more Annual Awards dinner. Since specifically, to help the organization 2000, these Telus retirees and acquire a new bus for their Classroom current team members have on Wheels (C.O.W) program. If volunteered over 1.7 million anybody has or has a line on a good bus hours toward sick children, that can bring literacy to the masses libraries, schools and seniors. and wants to donate it, please feel free The ballroom was filled with Bonnie with colleagues from TELUS Human to contact the Centre. people from across Canada Resources Josh Blair, executive viceack from Mexico… I see that my street Sommelier Cory Levy, who is the and our city was well president, and Judy Shuttleworth, vice-chair. has not been paved. Oh well, I guess a new Maitre d’ Hotel/Sommelier at the represented. Bonnie set of rims won’t be that expensive. That 30 Wildflower Grill, presented the wines Frederick, who is the cm of snow was a bit of a shock. So… no which were donated by Tinhorn Creek Vineyards. The Community Ambassador Edmonton president, received an paving, no plowing. Wonder what it takes to get the 2006 Pinot Gris was up first, followed by a 2006 award for her hard work. side streets scraped? When I grew up in Halifax, the Chardonnay, then the 2005 Cabernet/Merlot and 2004 city crews had that town cleaned up lickity split.

Oldfield Collection Merlot with the main course. The The 51st and 52nd laureates will be inducted Different priorities, I suppose. Seriously, though, what I 2006 Kerner Ice Wine was served with the desert. into the Junior Achievement Alberta Business Hall of would like to see is less dough for the streets and more The major highlight of the evening was the keynote Fame on May 14th at the Shaw Conference Centre. for creating the best rail/mass transit system in North speech by Jim Cuddy, who discussed his song lyrics Congratulations to Larry Pollock, president and CEO of America here in Edmonton. I think we have to move and his passion for literacy. He’s participated in two of Canadian Western Bank & Trust, and Dennis O’Rourke, away from a car-based city to a transit-based and more the CBC Canada Reads panels. Jim just won a couple owner and president of Sureway Construction Group of bicycle friendly one. We can dream, can’t we? Did you of Junos in Calgary with Blue Rodeo for Group of the Companies. They are being recognized for outstanding hear that? I just got off my soapbox.

Year and Adult Alternative Album of the Year with their achievement in free enterprise and community service. JA album Small Miracles. He played a few tunes including President and CEO, Jay Ball told me, “Both these Back when I was hosting the Big Breakfast Try and Pull Me Through. gentlemen represent the kind of leadership we want the show on A-Channel, there were only two people that On the fundraising front—over and above the live next generation to aspire to and it’s important to take would sit in my interview chair and not on the couch. and silent auctions—Bob Bowhay with CoSyn these leadership lessons and turn them into dreams and One was some wrestling dude who was eight feet tall Technology paid $2000 for Jim to sit at his table for goals for their future.” Tickets for the gala are available and looked like he ate railway ties for breakfast. The dinner. The folks from Miller Thompson, led by by calling 780.486.0285 or go to www.janorthalberta.org other was then Mayor Bill Smith. Why did Jordan Bill sit in the chair? Hard to say—I Slator. got I really dig the vibe of this up-coming event. y, ureen Sanders, Jim Cudd guess he just liked it. So we would in on the act The 5th annual Heart of the City Festival will take place on Rob Campbell, Mark, Ma y Boissonnault rearrange the cameras to and paid Saturday, June 7th. It brings together downtown musicians Donna Lemieux and Rand accommodate His Worship. $1000 to and artists to Giovanni Caboto Park (95th Street & 109th I ran into Bill at the Spirit of have Jim Avenue) for a free day of art, music and community in the Spring Fashion Show & Luncheon join them for heart of Little Italy. To pump new blood into the festival, event on a snowy April 20th. We coffee… as Kris Hodgson tells us there is a fundraiser at the ARTery at were models. Bill relayed a great did Scot 9535 Jasper Avenue. The night will feature three musical story from last year’s event when he Robinson acts and a silent auction. Musician Martin Kerr, winner of and Mayor Stephen Mandel were with CICB Toronto’s Exclusive Magazine Best Canadian Pop Album strutting their stuff. They were getting Wood 2007, will hit the stage first, followed by Pre/Post, a selfchanged and Stephen needed shoes so Gundy. So, described pop rock band with an urban vibe. ‘The he asked Bill what size his were. Bill if an Revtones’ will take it home. Advance tickets are available at told him and Stephen said they were intimate Blackbyrd Myoozik, 10442 82 Avenue and Earth’s too big. Bill says he told Stephen that evening of General Store 10832 - 82 Avenue. For more information he always knew he “couldn’t fill my good wine, www.hotcmf.com , www.myspace.com/heartofcity or shoes”. Ahh, Bill’s still got it. great music phone 965-6129 or 758-9856. √ Another note, Edmonton Eskimo Ron and an “Goldie” McClendon got the ladies ‘whoo hooing’ outstanding cause sounds good to you, attending next Mark Scholz, owner of MES Communications Inc. offers a when he ripped his shirt open at the end of the runway. year is a must. Contact Donna Lemieux, fund variety of services including production, creative and Over 600 people showed up on a sloppy, stormy day development manager at the Centre for Family entertainment. For more information or to suggest a story to support McDougall House, a home of hope and Literacy, to get on board. And don’t forget: They need idea, email mscholz@edmontonians.com healing for women recovering from addictions. a new bus.

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CELEBRATING

Poll

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STATION H

YEARS

With Linda Banister

FOUNDER DICK MacLEAN

MAY 2008

Vol. XIX

ollywood has been around for decades, but the popularity and interest in movie stars and their craft have exploded in today’s society. From the bustling cinema to the couch at home, movies continue to be a popular form of entertainment for many Edmontonians. This month’s Poll Station asked Edmontonians about their movie viewing habits, the best movies of all time and North America’s greatest screen legends.

No. 5

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

Arabia, respectively. When respondents were asked if they had seen these movies, Gone with the Wind had been watched by the greatest number (75 percent), followed by The Godfather (71 percent) and Casablanca (68 percent). Lawrence of Arabia had been viewed by a smaller percentage of respondents (54 percent), as had Citizen Kane (52 percent).

When asked if there were other movies that should be on the list of the greatest movies of all time, the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Ben Hur and Titanic were each mentioned by three percent of participants.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE TO WATCH MOVIES?

VOX POP Muggsy Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Marty Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Mark Scholz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 GREEN FEATURES The New Urbanism?/McHugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Hole-hearted/Michaelides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Healthy buildings/McHugh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Green College/Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Percentage

INSIDE

8% Said they mostly watched movies on network television

Editor

editor@edmontonians.com COLUMNISTS Linda Banister John Berry Linda Bodo Janet Edmondson Marty Forbes Muggsy Forbes Bruce Hogle David Norwood Erin Rayner Mark Scholz Nizar J. Somji FEATURE WRITERS Barb Deters Don Hill Rick Lauber Peter Drake McHugh Marina Michaelides Marg. Pullishy PHOTOGRAPHERS Terry Bourque Akemi Matsubuchi SPECIAL PROJECTS Edmontonians Transformers Tom Bradshaw Les Brost Steffany Hanlen Larry Ohlhauser

WHO IS THE GREATEST ACTOR OF ALL TIME?

Said they mostly rented movies from a video store

Said they mostly watched movies at the movie theatre

1%

Said they mostly Said they mostly watched movies on Pay- watched movies from per-view television the internet

To begin, survey respondents were asked to indicate the format in which they most often watched movies. Watching movies on network television was most frequently noted (42 percent), followed by renting a movie from a video store (36 percent), and visiting a theatre (13 percent). Smaller percentages indicated they watched movies on Pay PerView (eight percent), and from the Internet (one percent).

Lastly, respondents were asked about female screen legends. Of Jodie Foster, Judy Garland, Katherine Hepburn and Meryl Streep, 42 percent believed that Hepburn was the greatest actress of all time, while 35 percent chose Streep, and 12 percent deemed Foster to be best. Seven percent thought Garland was the greatest actress of all time. When asked if there were other female screen legends that respondents considered to be the greatest of all time, Julia Roberts (seven percent), Elizabeth Taylor (six percent) and Audrey Hepburn (six percent) were most frequently named. √

32% 27%

24% 7%

Said their favourite movie genre is action adventure

Said their favourite Said their favourite Said their favourite movie genre is movie genre is movie genre is drama comedy mystery

Respondents were asked which actor they considered to be the greatest screen legend: Humphrey Bogart, Russell Crowe, Robert DeNiro, Clint Eastwood or James Stewart,. Thirty-nine percent put De Niro on top of the list, while 26 percent considered Eastwood as the greatest, and 19 percent felt Stewart deserved the top honours. Smaller proportions of respondents thought Bogart (10 percent) and Crowe (three percent) were the greatest. When asked if there was another actor they considered to be the greatest of all time, Al Pacino and George Clooney were each mentioned by four percent of respondents.

WHO IS THE GREATEST ACTRESS OF ALL TIME?

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE GENRE?

Percentage

BARB DETERS

36% 13%

Civic Buzz/Norwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 Media Minute/Hogle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 LIVELY LIFESTYLES Menu Magic/Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Absolute Bodo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

42%

5%

1%

Said their favourite Said their favourite movie genre is movie genre is romance horror

When asked their favourite movie genre, respondents most frequently mentioned action adventure (32 percent), drama (27 percent), and comedy (24 percent). Less popular were mystery movies (seven percent), romance (five percent), and horror (one percent).

HAVE YOU SEEN ANY OF THE TOP FIVE MOVIES? The American Film Institute (AFI) recently developed a list of the 100 greatest movies of all time, the top five being Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Godfather, Gone With the Wind and Lawrence of

The Poll Station surveyed 100 City of Edmonton residents on the topic and, while the results of the research are not statistically reliable, they do provide a qualitative indication of what Edmontonians are thinking.

Want a question included in the Edmontonians Poll?

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

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.

GRAPHIC PRODUCTION Rage Studios Inc.

THIS MONTH’S COVER

Jim Hole and his brother Bill are proponents of Earthship design innovations Photo of Jim Hole by Akemi 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.

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Stantec’s green roof

T

he world is changing. The magic word is “green”—the impetus is rising costs paired with feared energy shortages and global warming. Surprisingly, while some governments pay lip service to the concept, business is rapidly becoming the poster boy for big change in the way we live our lives and design our cities. It may not all be painless.

In Edmonton, the Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Green Building Council is gearing up for its 11th Annual Sustainable Buildings Symposium, on May 14 and 15. Its purpose is to increase awareness of sustainable design principles and to involve building owners, operators and the design community in Alberta. It is much more interesting than the media releases make out. Organizers say it will profile success stories and program solutions that assist owners and designers to implement green building practices. It promises to both cost and pay but, whatever the consequences, it will save and usher in the next generation of sustainable buildings.

Conference supporters believe emerging technology has many of the solutions to other technology that enabled us to fall headlong into a climate change mess.

A SYSTEM BUILT OF CLAY? The problem that nobody likes to talk about is… well… it’s us. Massive houses and sprawling suburbs that force reliance on fume spewing automobiles. Heavy input and

government support of massive fossil fuels and their related carbon emissions.

Cleaner technologies will take us part way to a solution but, increasingly, the experts say we have to change our habitat. There are huge environmental benefits but lifestyle, happiness and good health are on the chopping block unless we are open to change. This isn’t some environmental hippie talking, this is business around the world saying we need change. The way we are headed is a disaster for the environment and for human beings. We are fat, out of shape, choking on our own wastes with less quality time than any generation ever because we spend so much time commuting from McMansions that bring earned derision from worldwide audiences. Where is the promise of suburbia? Where are the open spaces and the quality events that make life worthwhile? Where do we go to fill our social needs and where are the active communities we used to be part of? In short, where is the New Urbanism?

For better or for worse, designers and architects are beginning to look for ways to dismantle suburbia simply because it no longer works and is becoming too expensive. The post-war concept of suburbia is all some North Americans know. Its passing may be mourned by some but the damage the suburbs do to cities and health may be unsustainable. Briefly put, we are running out of time, clean air and parking spaces. Not necessarily in that order. As though these are not enough of a problem, the future looks to be a divided one.

Advocates of Canada’s Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) certification think of it as a green rating system. Oddly, proponents dislike the word ‘green’ because it tends to mean whatever you wish it to mean. What you need to know is that LEED employs a point system based on such things as energy-efficient insulation, solar panels and any number of innovations in building design that result in enormous, long-term savings.

However, critics point out

ffice Stantec Head O

that if a LEED certified building is not near public transport, it creates more smog and greenhouse gases and leads to increasing dependency on the automobile, a particular problem for sprawling Edmonton car commuters.

No matter how green you make a building, they say if you must drive to and from it many times a day, you have missed the point. LEED advocates say they have heard the piper and are looking at incorporating the sociological aspects of good building design. Viewed from this perspective, the LEED system tends to look less like a movement and more like a jig-saw puzzle. But, though the canary is still whistling quietly in the coal mine, political ramifications may not be far away.

It seems western Canadians are as confused as the experts.

WHO YOU GONNA CALL? The Canada West Foundation reports that almost 80 percent of western Canadians believe that climate change is a serious problem for the country, and 75 percent rate environmental protection as a high or very high priority.

That’s a rise of 10 percent over 2003. Western Canadians are more likely to rate reducing greenhouse gas emissions as a very high or high priority than policy areas such as tax cuts, post-secondary education and transportation infrastructure. However, they are less willing to do something if it will hurt the economy.

Festival Estates in the Centre in the Park, a pedestrian friendly Christensen Development in Sherwood Park

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EDMONTONIANS MAY 2008

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chair of the symposium.

“We’re trying to get more building owners, operators and the design community in Alberta to step forward.

Cities and towns need to know because there are substantial savings to be made. Developers and builders need to know what’s going on out there because this is the next generation.

We have the tools in the LEED Canada rating system for new construction and major renovations and the accreditation process.”

Rodenburg points out that

Todd Litman Robbins Health Learning Centre at Grant MacEwan College Photo by Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning Ltd.

Here’s where it gets confusing. Almost four in 10 western most people don’t Canadians feel that significant greenhouse gas reduction know that 30 to 40 per efforts should be made, even if doing so hurts the economy. cent of greenhouse A larger number—six in 10—favour protecting the gases come from home economy over reducing greenhouse gas emissions. heating and cooling.

However, we are not without either a conscience or a brave But, there is good sense of social responsibility at the personal level. The news: “Businesses are report says we are willing to take a number of voluntary beginning to recognize steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions: such as that, while a LEED increasing home energy efficiency, carpooling, taking building may cost more transit, walking or biking more, or buying hybrid or energy to construct, the paybacks in energy savings and efficient vehicles—and many have already done so. Indeed, maintenance make up the cost many times over its over four in 10 of us are willing to pay more for gasoline estimated 50-year life and, in fact, increase the re-sale and home heating in order value.” He admits the technology is still developing but to reduce greenhouse gas estimates that even current innovations can result in a emissions. Figuring out 50-percent saving. what all of this He assiduously avoids the word ‘green’ conflicting information evidently because the rush to make all means may be more of a things green in the consumer market has job for politicians than rendered the word suspect—too trendy and for social scientists. commercialized perhaps. Rodenburg says Commercial and Europe is well ahead of North America in institutional buildings cleaning up its act, but acknowledges that earn LEED big, bad oil-producing Alberta is nestled certification at four comfortably in third place after Ontario and levels based on total BC as Canadian leaders. He thinks there are points including several reasons for our good showing. “This is materials, innovation consumer led… and climate change is the Klass Rodenburg and design, energy bully on the , and atmosphere, and of buildings engi design coordinator block. Oil people neering with St water efficiency. with building antec Homes will follow. administration It’s projected there will be a million of them and maintenance across Canada by 2015. Why build a LEED-certified are all looking for home? It’s likely that there will be tax breaks, and other sustainability because it is incentives that are already being seen in the U.S. There are good business.” also health and environmental benefits. Put simply, such So who’s left to impress? homes will be able to demand a premium at re-sale.

He reckons government types at all levels, builders, younger WHO’S THE BULLY ON THE BLOCK? professionals, real estate Meanwhile, back at the very urban ranch of Klaas developers and marketing Rodenburg, design coordinator of buildings engineering gurus can all make a strong with Stantec, the organizing continues. “What we’re trying business case for going (for to do is increase awareness of sustainable design,” says the lack of a better word) green.

Change is already driving many companies, including Rodenburg’s own. The Stantec headquarters on 112th Street north of Jasper Avenue boasts a prairie grass roof that battles Edmonton’s heat island effect that makes it many degrees warmer than the airport. It also collects rainwater for landscaping. And the changes are not all exterior. Within many companies, the compartmentalization that in the past has led to infighting is now giving way to a more integrated approach with no one department having a patent on good ideas.

Rodenburg has heard the criticism. “This is not a fad,” he warns, “this is about the future and it is about to be tipped into the mainstream and everybody had better learn to swim.”

He’s careful not to say the LEEDS system is the ‘be all, end all’ answer to problems of the environment. And that’s good because the symposium’s guest speaker says it’s not.

DID POGO GET IT RIGHT? Dr. Todd Litman lives in that easy commute city of Victoria and he points out that “about twice as much energy is consumed in commuting to a typical office building than is used for heating, cooling and lighting that building.” Uh oh.

“I support sustainable building, but I believe our current focus is misguided.”

Litman is founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute and an expert on the range of impacts and options we are running out of for evaluating mobility management. “We have,” he says, “too many cars and we rely too heavily on them.

“New energy savvy building technologies are less important than accessible location and efficient parking and transportation management which reduce per capita vehicle ownership and use. For example, a truly sustainable building should be located in an area with good travel options such as walking, cycling, public transit and taxis.

We should have minimum parking… parking spaces should be unbundled from rental spaces… Businesses should have trip reduction programs to encourage employees and customers to use alternative methods because this reduces congestion and costs, resulting in consumer savings and improved mobility to pedestrians. It is also healthier because we walk and we breathe cleaner air. In other words, true sustainability is much more than just reducing energy consumption, it requires balancing a variety of economic, social and environmental objectives.”

The debate promises to be challenging. Is it the hardware of engineering that is the challenge or is it the software of being human? Or is it the need to make ever higher mountains of money at any cost? It may be that it is a bit of all these complicating factors. Because, as Pogo said in a 1971 Walt Kelly cartoon that was subsequently adapted as an Earth Day poster: “We have met the enemy and he is us.” √

LEED Certified Projects in Northern Alberta • AUMA Buildings, Edmonton • Edmonton Police Services – Southeast Division • PCL’s Centennial Learning Centre, Edmonton • St. Johns Ambulance, Edmonton • Stantec Centre Atrium Tower, Edmonton • Spruce Grove City Hall, Spruce Grove • Yellowhead County Administration Building, Edson

Other projects awaiting certification include: • • • • •

Edmonton Clinic, Edmonton Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, Edmonton Robbins Health Learning Centre, Edmonton Sherwood Park Community Hospital, Sherwood Park

For more information on LEED certification and the Sustainable Buildings Symposium, visit the Alberta Chapter Canada Green Building Council website: www.abcabc.org If you want to see what differences living in a northern climate make, visit www.usgbc.org for the American LEED standards.

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Hole-hearted sustainability Jim Hole with Bill and Valerie Hole at the new greenhouse site Photos by Akemi Matsubuchi

vations Earthship inno www.earthship.net Photo courtesy of

By Marina Michaelides

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hey’re the closest to a royal family Edmonton has and the younger Holes are about to build a legacy worthy of their higher-minded and heartful parents, Lois and Ted. If all goes to plan the Capital Region could end up with one of the biggest sustainable buildings of its kind in the world.

Preliminary sketches have been drawn, the seeds sown. In the works is a 200,000 square-foot lifestyle-destination centre. Hole’s Greenhouses is getting an environmentally friendly makeover, a re-branding from hothouse to haven where you can “reflect, relax and reconnect”. Not only will you be able to buy daisies and potting soil, you could come to practice Tai Chi, stop for lunch at the organic café— eventually stocked with veggies grown on the premises— and unwind with a massage at the spa.

The new four-hectare/10-acre location is an undulating roll of land at 137th Avenue and Ray Gibbon Drive. It’s a next-door hug away from the Lois Hole Provincial Park and Big Lake in St. Albert, all in full view from the new building, positioned to maximize absorption of the sun’s rays. The land won’t be flattened; construction will fit around it instead… environmentally sensitive from its very foundation.

The new buildings will look like nothing this province has ever seen: a fusion of walls made of earth rammed inside tires, decorated with re-cycled bottles, insulated with straw-bales and moss-covered roofs. The greenhouses will

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be irrigated with grey water from laundry and kitchen sinks, siphoned from nearby future housing developments.

“My father built his first house with straw bale and rammed earth tires, so this is history repeating itself.” Bill Hole smiles warmly after he’s opened up shop on a blizzard-ridden Saturday in April. His frugal farmer father re-cycled whatever he could and Lois loved the land and people. In many ways, Bill is a chip off the old blocks, “The philosophies and ideas for this project are from Mum and Dad,” he acknowledges. “They’d be thrilled.”

“If humanity hopes to grow and learn and thrive,” Lois urged, “we must all take responsibility for our impact on the earth. How we treat the earth is a reflection of our national character.” Whether her sons and the rest of the province live up to this remains to be seen.

But her boys, Bill and brother Jim, are trying. Avidly researching, planning and budgeting. The new greenhouses they’ve got their eyes on are a hybrid of old and new: They

will recycle as many materials as they can from the existing Hole’s site and fuse them with stateof-art high-tech Dutch engineering. Designs are incubating for plants to be fed rain and meltwater collected in specialized cisterns… for heat to be generated from passive solar and geothermal Photo courtes energy… for wind power to be harnessed off Big Lake. Traditional greenhouses lose massive amounts of heat at night, so computerized curtains will close and wrap the building like a blanket to keep heat in.

The inspiration for the retail and administrative areas of the building comes from Earthships—off-the-grid, zeroimpact housing born to hippie parents in New Mexico decades ago. But, New Mexico’s warmth is one thing.

Executing an Earthship this far north is quite another. And,

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Changing “Direction” Making a the House IN MOVIE WATCHING...

THIRD IN A SERIES BY RICK LAUBER

Paul Schaeffer of ONPA and Bill Hole at staff show & tell

a roof that big? Made of earth covered in lowmaintenance, low-waterconsumption local moss?

It’s never been done before on such a large scale.

The challenge is in ie to hip the hands of lead ... from hipp designer Ernst Von Meijenfeldt and his team at ONPA, Edmonton. An award winning architect from the Netherlands, he moved here five years ago, but his sensibilities are confronted daily by much of the local architecture, something Hole agrees with wholeheartedly.

“Retail design in Edmonton? South Common is raping the earth, don’t get me started!” laments Von Meijenfeldt, a distinguished giant of a man with brains and : suave to match. sy of Rural Studio By contrast, Earthshipstyle design creates “living buildings, where plants clean the air and ventilation is natural. It’s organic, soft and feminine coupled with the science of energyefficiency as the masculine principle,” explains the architect.

The inside area connecting the greenhouses will resemble a European street where visitors wander through stores of artisans at work, Hole’s retail, and places to sit, meet and eat. Cafés are de rigeur at garden centres in Europe. So when Mei-Chi Chan from the UK visited Hole’s last year and found nowhere to go for a ‘cuppa’ after a tiring afternoon choosing bulbs and lawn-feed, her consternation led her to Bill. They discovered a shared passion for organic living and Chan is now in charge of setting up the restaurant.

“There are so many possibilities, it’s a great thing to wake up for,” enthuses Hole. He’s excited about a local glass blower re-locating his studio here, not only will it attract visitors but the heat can be re-directed into the greenhouses. A small micro-brewery to keep the guys happy while the ladies are at the spa has the added benefit of producing hop mush for composting. The principle is called ‘cascading’—the waste of one process is used by the next. For Hole, “It’s all about re-connecting and we’re open to every idea.” For Von Meijenfeldt, it’s all about connecting with “the spirit of a wonderful family. To work with people who think outside the box is marvelous.”

The respect is mutual. “Ernst is an artist,” says Continued on page 10

Keith Takaoka President, Connect Home Innovations Inc.

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he movie has just reached the pinnacle point … the hero and heroine are about to proclaim their undying love for each other, the horrifying murder mystery is about to be solved or the evil villain is about to be vanquished. At that precise moment, the theatre patron beside you stands up and heads for the concession, disrupting the moment and ruining the entire film for you.

This happens far too often. While taking in a movie can make for a popular outing, there are no guarantees that you will enjoy the entire show and you may waste your admission price. Why not watch the show at home, where you can relax uninterrupted?

Doing so, on a home theatre system, is becoming increasingly popular, explains Scott Fenrich, Director of Operations for Connect Home Innovations Inc. (Connect Home). “I would say that 90% of our large customer homes would have a media room of some sort, if not two.” While such rooms do cost … “for a fully-functioning custom system—with a front projection and speakers, we are finding anywhere from $10 to $25,000,” the justification lies in the multitude of uses and the equipment’s superb performance.

“The entertainment value of a home theatre system and what you can do with a home theatre system is outstanding. Movies are one thing, but there is also gaming—the kids love their X-boxes and Sony Playstations with a Wii.” And how about sporting events on the big screen? “You know the guys, they want to bring their friends over to watch hockey or the big pay-per-view fight.

Guess where everyone’s going to be? It is a gathering area and an entertainment area.” And, when it comes to picture and sound quality, you may be surprised. “Mostly this is better!” smiles Fenrich. In a smaller room, it is easier to create better sound.

When installing such systems, Connect Home prefers to work with homes being manufactured. “Generally, what we do is we pre-wire homes,” explains Fenrich. “We will run the wires inside of the walls while the home is still under construction. This way it eliminates the need for having wires running all over the place—carpet snakes, as we call them. What happens is we have a much cleaner look and install.”

Current homeowners can also be accommodated; however, there are restrictions. Connect Home’s professional installers must look at the “ratios of the width of the room, to the length, to the height. By using the proper ratios, you can create a room that is acoustically superior. What affects the ratio is the ceiling height … that is one thing you cannot change.” Square and round rooms are also not ideal. As with all their work, such installations are under warranty.

The home movie screen stacks up well with the theatre version. “The ones we primarily use are micro-perforated, which have little holes in them.” The holes, which can’t be easily seen by the human eye, allow for sound to project from speakers often placed behind the screen. Screens can come in various sizes and are a snap to maintain. “Your screen will acquire dust, so just use a damp rag to clean it,” advises Fenrich. Projectors have “little filters built into them” also require some attention. “Every couple hundred hours, you should pull out the filter, dust if off or suck it out with a vacuum and then reinstall it.”

Projector bulbs “generally run for 2500 hours” and will need to be replaced periodically.

Why not write your own screenplay, as it were, by visiting the showroom at Connect Home, located at 17317 – 107th Avenue, to gather floor plan ideas?

They’ve got the popcorn ready. With a home theatre system in-place, the next time someone sitting next to you decides to stand up and disrupt the show, all you have to do is press “pause” and “rewind” on the remote control and you won’t miss a moment of your favourite flick. Lights, camera, action!

Connect Home Innovations 780.484.8300 17313-107 Avenue, Edmonton, AB EDMONTONIANS MAY 2008

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Jim Hole with architect Ernst Von Meijenfeldt

The whole Hole family moves blocks on the site plan.

Continued from page 9 Hole with admiration. “He waits for inspiration and I’m happy not to rush. We can stay on the existing site and have the luxury of time.” Fall 2008 looks like the date for breaking ground.

What Hole is impatient about, however, is a lack of forward thinking in this province. “We are 10 years behind the Europeans who have already embraced a more holistic approach to construction and we can too.” Clearly, for both men, this isn’t just a building—it’s a spiritual enterprise constructing a higher purpose.

“The Alberta juggernaut economy gives us such a limited perspective,” Hole muses, “All around, there are buildings designed to encourage us to consume, built as quick and cheap as possible, but giving nothing back.” Von Meijenfeldt believes the Hole’s project could inspire change in people’s attitudes. “We could change the mindset in Edmonton. There are discussions underway for the new St. Albert Library and Athabasca University to take up residence on the land just south of the new site and, they too, could be built in a sustainable way.”

With such important neighbours, the Hole’s project could end up fertilizing a whole village. “We’ll all share resources… like parking lots, which will look more like a tree-lined park than an asphalt slab… restaurants, water, whatever we can. That’s the next level of sustainability.”

Hole also hopes they’ll share a pedestrian walkway over the Anthony Henday to link Lois Hole Provincial Park to the greenhouse and community cycling paths.

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windshields Creative use of recycled

The City of St. Albert is firmly behind all this, according to Deputy Mayor Carol Watamaniuk. “It’s very exciting from the environmental perspective and fits with our master plan for sustainable design, just like our new fire hall. The Hole’s greenhouse will be an incredible draw for business

and visitors to the area.”

The project grows daily by harnessing local ingenuity and attracting innovators hungry to do things differently.

Plans are afoot to commercialize an emerging technology for growing vegetables and flowers: Aquaponics was developed and is being taught at Lethbridge College. First Hole’s will grow fish in tanks in the greenhouses, treat the poop with bacteria and end up with a super-nutritious organic fertilizer for the flower beds. The fish will be on the menu in the restaurant. Everything interconnected and symbiotic.

Joint projects with the University of Alberta are another form of synergy. The School of Industrial Design will collaborate on plans for the outdoor garden oasis where plants are sold in spring and summer: The Holes get brainpower for less, the students get commercial experience on their résumès. Jim Hole, the junior son, is working with the School of Energy and an Edmonton consulting firm, Carbon Busters, on applicable ways to reduce carbon emissions. The goal is to slash current energy consumption by at least half in the new building.

“There are easier ways of making money than building according to green principles,” accepts Bill, the businessman, “But this isn’t about money.

“This is about lifestyle and a long term committed relationship to where we live. It’s about digging our hands into the soil that feeds us. It’s about re-discovering our instincts, as natural gardeners”. √

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Holistic Hospitals Start with a healing garden, window technology and bike racks

By Drake McHugh

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new generation of health facilities is sprouting up throughout the Edmonton region… but these are not the buildings of your father.

Health care has gone green and, while it will cost a little more, it also gives back a great deal. However, making a hospital green is no job for the weak.

First of all, let it be said that the provincial government—which has less than a sterling reputation worldwide in dealing with the environment—has mandated that all new government buildings be built to the LEED silver standard, the second highest of the five certification levels. It is being felt first in the health area simply because, after some years of torpor, health care is back in the priority lane. For the Capital Health Region alone, there are a number of construction projects underway: the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, the Edmonton Clinic, and community hospitals in Sherwood Park and Fort Saskatchewan, to name a few. The diamond in this cornucopia of gems is without a doubt the Mazankowski Heart Institute. Just getting it built on time in a red hot labour market would seem challenge enough but, now, to meet standards that have not previously existed is even more onerous.

Equal to the task is Captial Health’s new vice-president of facilities, planning and construction. “It’s an exciting time at Capital Health,” he says, shoe-horning an interview into his 12-hour day. “Delivering these buildings within reasonable budgets and timeframes requires us to think out of the box but, by partnering with the right design professionals and contractors, we’ll make it happen.”

Nick Zouravlioff comes to Edmonton from Toronto, where he was chief capital projects officer at the University of Toronto. He’s also held positions with Sprint Canada, Nexacor Realty Management Inc. and Bell Canada. He has extensive experience in facilities planning and construction of large, complex projects. This is a good thing to have in Edmonton in 2008.

What do we need to know about a green hospital?

“Where to start?” ponders the gregarious Zouravlioff.

The Mazankowski Institute will give you one answer, an engineer “There are a lot of things you think would make another, but what is certain is that this is sense until you realize it is a health facility and the way the world is going. How can you some of the rules just don’t apply. For instance, put a value on wellness, on well-being… we would get LEED points for wood but how do you calculate that from a dollar stainless steel is easier to clean… we can’t turn point of view? the thermostat down and ask everyone to wear “If anything, you could say that in sweaters… we have to expel more air, faster to medicine you can treat a patient the outside because otherwise it becomes a health holistically and in these buildings you do risk. Payback for this system is five to seven Nick Zouravlioff that, too. You look at the entire facility years. Other things will take longer. and ask, what is the best way to build this? In the past, we “So, where does that put us? Well we rely on a have built buildings for 35 or 50 years. The feeling is now heat wheel which essentially expels air but keeps the heat that—if you get it right—there is no reason a building in the building. It is not new technology but it works, so can’t last 100 years. It happens in Europe all the time.” we go with that. And we have a roof garden and can A leader in health care? Yes, but soon the rest of us may collect some water but carefully, because grey water can be a risk in a health care facility. We are a 24-hour facility, we be asked to put that out-of-the-hospital thinking to work.

Indeed, this year’s Sustainable Buildings Symposium in can’t save money by turning the heat down on weekends. mid-May has placed greater emphasis on the health aspects And, we need to carefully consider disposing of hospital of green design than at any of its previous conferences. Not waste. only are there sessions on the implications for health “What we can do, and do do, is recycle old materials facilities, but also on the types of urban design that can and cardboard packaging. promote health and influence factors that contribute to “We have a healing garden, a place within the hospital disease and injury. that is set aside from the hospital because it’s important to As well, the province has begun drafting plans to put the needs of the patient foremost… and it’s important, regulate energy use in homes and businesses in an effort to too, for staff to not feel as though they are locked in an drive down power consumption. Environment Minister institution. You want daylight and healthful sunlight. We Rob Renner says the development of energy efficiency have much more daylight in new facilities. Window legislation is in its infancy. He expects several options will technology allows us to do that and we have—and you be considered including changing the building code to may not have thought of this—bicycle racks and showers mandate so-called green construction, such as highbecause keeping your staff healthy and happy is critical to good health care. In the healing garden, we have plants that efficiency furnaces or requiring municipalities to make conservation the centrepiece of planning. hold moisture and create oxygen… [It} gives families a Indications are that the province will also introduce place to spend time. We have a roof garden because it incentives for consumers, with rebates to target energycools the building in the summer and helps keep heat in in efficient appliances, furnaces, washers, lighting, solar the winter. It saves energy and, we hope, dollars. Does it panels and vehicles. When the legislations arrives, it is cost more? Yes. Are the paybacks good? Yes.” very likely you will already have seen the future in a Zouravlioff hedges when asked how long it will take to Capital Health building coming soon to a neighbourhood pay back the added expense of a modern building. near you. √ “Depends on who you talk to,” he says. “An accountant

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A gale force drives environmental education Mike Wehrwein, left, and John Vermeer are leading the way in wind-turbine technology.

Lethbridge College is a certified North American leader in wind energy technology.

Photos courtesy of Lethbridge College

By Peter Scott

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t’s no coincidence the colour scheme for Lethbridge College’s new logo includes green: When you consider the institution’s location, concern for the environment should be second nature.

After 50 years in water-poor, wind-heavy southern Alberta, and backed against the famous coulees formed by the Oldman River, Lethbridge College understands the need to embrace ecology on several levels: education, public participation, and as a corporate entity in itself.

This ingrained belief has led it to embark on many environmentally friendly projects in recent years, leading North America in the training of wind-turbine technicians, partnering on a project to create a green home, imbedding ecological messaging into its curriculum and cutting back on its own energy consumption.

The steps taken to date to reduce power and water use, part of its latest business plan, have placed Lethbridge College firmly on target to meeting the reductions set by the Kyoto Accord by 2010, a full two years ahead of schedule.

They may seem obvious now but, as each baby step was taken, college administration embraced the need for change. According to Irwin Olfert, former director of physical facilities, several waste reduction projects contributed to the school’s green status.

Pruned tree branches are mulched and reused in landscaping; paper towels in campus washrooms have been replaced with cloth and electric hand dryers; sensors have been installed to turn off lights when rooms are vacant.

Even the salt used on icy roads is environmentally friendly.

The maintenance department is also replacing any remaining incandescent bulbs with more efficient fluorescents, saving energy and improving light quality.

Lethbridge College is being used by the provincial government as an example of how construction and renovation can be done with minimal impact on the environment. Prior to the major Cousins Building renovation, old chillers and walk-in freezers that ran on water were updated with equipment that runs on air, greatly reducing water consumption. When the college replaced its chalk boards with white boards, the old aluminum edges were salvaged and recycled, preventing the metal from ending up in a landfill, and netting $1,500.

Discounting irrigation, Lethbridge College used about half as much water in June 2007 as it did in the same month of 2005, a change due in large part to the Cousins renovation. And still administration looks for greater cuts: It’s considering upgrading its irrigation system and collecting rainwater. Preliminary calculations show rain from roofs alone would save up to $100,000 annually and help the environment by reducing water consumption.

As well, the college is the Western Canadian leader in aquaculture technology, operating a closed facility that sees water from fish tanks pumped through a greenhouse where plants draw nutrients from it, cleaning most of it before it returns to the fish. Vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers and various herbs are grown.

Lethbridge College is committed to ensuring future construction meets the highest environmental standards, and strategically focused on becoming a centre of knowledge for an industry striving to be conscious of its environmental impact. To that end, it entered into a partnership with the City of Lethbridge and local builder Cedar Ridge Homes to create The Living Home, a project that will involve students in several disciplines in researching and designing an environmentally friendly home, details of which are being shared with the community as it takes shape.

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In the future, the growing demand for wind power may be reflected in existing Lethbridge College programs. Environmental sciences students might learn how to determine the environmental impact of wind farms, and ways to mitigate that impact, while geomatics students could learn how to choose the most efficient locations for wind farms.

Of course Lethbridge College also enjoys a geographical advantage: being located in the heart of alternative-energy country puts it in proximity to large wind farms, allowing it to easily fulfill the internships BZEE requires.

The booming international wind power industry holds much promise for future graduates; Montana plans to add another 200 turbines to its power generation grid this year.

“The geographic regions of the world with the most turbines in operation will have the most opportunities for employing graduates and developing a centre of excellence in wind energy,” says Vermeer.

COUSINS CAMPUS COMES OF AGE The aforementioned Cousins Building renovation was another key step in the march to Kyoto. Students in the School of Environmental Sciences need the proper tools to learn their craft to the highest standards. They got a science facility that will not only be at the top of its game, but will remain so past the next new wave of “must-haves.”

Rather than tear down the moribund, 40-year-old HARNESSING THE WIND… structure, the college renovated it: a $10-million project AND CORNERING THE MARKET fitted with research-grade equipment that make the ON TRAINING TURBINE TECHS facility the most advanced of its kind in Western Canada.

With southern Alberta sprouting wind turbines in almost And yes, you almost do have to be a rocket scientist to every north forty, it seemed only proper Lethbridge College understand just what the lab includes: mass spectrometer, become a training centre for the technicians needed to service this fast-growing industry. But those who began the atomic absorption spectro-photometer, infared autoanalyzer, photo-ionization devices and other multiprogram three years ago likely never imagined the syllabic items, all of which will be housed in enough institution would one day own nine of its own turbines (for space to allow for optimum training purposes only) and be the only efficiency. college in Canada to In all, 13 labs are here, eight of deliver training to a which are multi-functional and certified world-wide flexible, with drop-down readouts. standard. That The air-handling system uses 33 standard was created fume hoods, creating negative by the German BZEE pressure within the labs for (Bildungszentrum für increased safety. The hoods are Erneuerbare Energien digitally activated when needed, e.V.), an organization another energy-saving initiative in created by that a college known for its country’s wind-turbine dedication to the environment. manufacturers. The The environmental sciences internationally program will use the centre for recognized organization all its biology and chemistry trains instructors to teach study. A state-of-the-art to German specifications. necropsy lab, soils room, two With the hardware in botany labs with diurnal growth place and program chambers, and the Hubbard approval by BZEE, the Collection of taxidermy College is developing mounts unknown elsewhere in training it expects to Western Canada, all combine eventually market to provide students with a worldwide. John Vermeer, learning experience second to chair of the electrical none. h apprenticeship program, tal students wit t, en nm ro In all, it took slightly more vi En and Mike Wehrwein, an eve Macrae, righ ts St or ct than $11 million to bring ru st in instructor in the engineering en tation assessm ge ve t back the four-storey uc nd co design and drafting trip. campus—and city— technology program, went to during a field landmark to where it is once again a Germany in April and May cornerstone of education in southern Alberta. The 2007, completing a crash building was named for the College’s first dean, James course in what future students will learn. Upon graduating Cousins. with BZEE-certification, Lethbridge College students will It remains home to the School of Environmental be able to work almost anywhere in the world.

Sciences, of course, but also brings under one roof all the But that does not mean graduates can’t stay close to labs previously scattered around campus, orientated to home. Most major turbine producers are associated with the college’s unique and diverse science needs.

BZEE and, when companies want to set up wind farms in The fourth floor houses a microbiology suite, with two Canada, they will look for technicians with BZEE labs and accompanying facilities. Its locale allows certification. This creates an opportunity for Lethbridge students to work safely by keeping pathogenic materials College to play a lead role in that process. BZEE recently isolated to one area, a vital improvement. inspected the program on campus and signed a The building also includes two plant labs, two zoology memorandum of understanding with Lethbridge College. labs, two biology labs, a trio of chemistry labs, a “We have become the lead in North America for anyone soils/geology lab and a physics lab. who wants to work in the wind turbine industry,” says Another major teaching tool is the Alfred Hubbard and Vermeer. “Because we have this now internationally Family Alberta Wildlife Collection, one of the largest recognized certification that we can provide, we can taxidermy collections in Canada featuring first-rate become the place (for wind turbine education).” examples of almost every species of fauna native to the Applicants will be screened and selected to participate province. It forms the building’s main-floor centrepiece, a based on prerequisites, courses and their ability to work at place of awe for anyone with an ounce of interest in extreme heights before being interviewed. They will then wildlife. undergo six months of training in industry-related courses, “It is Lethbridge College’s institutional mandate to be followed by a six-week internship and final exams. green, global and socially responsible,” says college Wind power companies that hire Canadians generally President Tracy Edwards. Awesome. √ seek people with electrical and mechanical knowledge and provide them with basic turbine training. BZEE training Peter Scott works in the Lethbridge College Advancement eliminates this need for corporate training, making Office and teaches part time in the college’s Lethbridge College graduates much more attractive to Communication Arts programs. employers, says Vermeer.

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seek opinions about what to do with YXD: close it, maintain the status quo or expand its use. I should point out that, for the most part, I solicited views on why the airport should be closed and redeveloped, which is my personal bias. As a columnist, my views do not always coincide with the editorial policy or direction of Edmontonians. The views expressed here are mine and those of my C2E colleagues, and not those of Edmontonians as a publication.

C2E debate was lively… much of it focused on whether or not, in a growing city, an airport is the best use of the land it occupies. One contributor, echoing the views of others, wrote, “Closing/reducing service at the City Centre will be more of a benefit to the city as a whole (potential land use, height restrictions lifted, etc). Opening it up again to full commercial air traffic will probably undo all the progress the International Airport has made in the last 13 years.... The energy/passion used on the pro-City Centre Airport side should instead be used on encouraging the mayors/reeves of Greater Edmonton to work together to

improve access to the International Airport (free-flow traffic to/from downtown, LRT, commuter/high-speed rail...).”

Of those on C2E in favour of keeping YXD open, not one argued for the reintroduction of scheduled service; instead, most argued, quite vociferously, that as a general aviation (GA) facility, YXD fills a role that no other airport in the region does.

GA is defined as private business aviation, flight training, and casual or recreational flying. There was considerable discussion about the role of Villeneuve Airport, operated as well by the Edmonton Regional Airports Authority, and its potential as a general aviation facility.

One contributor, who is in a position to know about such things, said that Villeneuve was indeed constructed to replace YXD in the years just after the International Airport opened. Others made the point that no other significant GA facilities have been developed because they already exist at YXD, suggesting that once the decision is made to close it, GA infrastructure could and would be developed at either Villeneuve or the International. As one C2E member wrote, “There are already other airfields that can accommodate general aviation. It’s not like they’d have to buy up a few farms and build a new airport.”

Overall, the consensus was that the City Centre Airport should be closed, through phasing out, in favour of more intensive mixed development consistent with the City’s desire to limit urban sprawl and bring higher density to the city’s core, especially with the North LRT moving that way. Many people argued in favour of using the site for the proposed 2017 World’s Fair, presuming that, like False Creek in Vancouver after Expo ‘86, such a fair would be a catalyst for major redevelopment of the site. Others said it would be a logical location for NAIT’s expansion, perhaps to the point that the proposed southwest “Klein Campus” would not have to be built. As well, many felt that, even if the airport were to be closed, the Aviation Museum should stay, and the area could remain a base for rotary aircraft, including STARS. But the majority of those wanting to close YXD emphasized the negative effect the airport’s proximity to the core has had on the development of downtown, seeing it as a long-time impediment to high-density, tall towers and the retention of some corporate head offices. Another contributor to the forum, known as The Cat, wrote the following: “Since the sixties [when the first taller buildings were proposed], the development of Edmonton’s downtown has been dictated

by NAV Canada. Edmonton’s development of downtown towers has been limited by the height restrictions to allow for air service to

continue at the City Centre Airport. The tallest buildings... are about 35 storeys, or about 450 feet tall. Other locations of downtown have much lower allowable height limits because of the proximity to the airport, or flight path. Developments are limited because of these restrictions.”

There is little doubt that taller buildings would have been, and would be, constructed downtown and in surrounding areas (Oliver, Jasper East) with the overlay restrictions removed. This in turn would expand the City’s tax base and perhaps act as an incentive to attract some signature corporate developments. These are not necessarily an end unto themselves but, unlike the status quo, such future projects would at least be possible if the airport were gone.

Even those who argued consistently and cogently about retaining YXD as a general aviation airport concede that it may be time to close it down, but only through careful planning. “Don’t just ‘hope for the best,’” wrote a frequent contributor to the debate, on the side of retaining YXD. “Let’s plan a closure to be an improvement to all users, including General Aviation. If that sounds too complicated or too expensive, it means that closure isn’t economically worth it. If we will get enough money from selling the land and redeveloping, then bring it on, but don’t leave GA to chance.” Many agreed with him.

One important point to consider: The only body with the authority to close the City Centre Airport is City Council.

Edmonton Airports operates YXD under a long-term lease from the City and cannot decide to close it on its own. Neither can the provincial government, much as it might like to think it can (or keep it open).

Council has asked for a report on possible future uses of the airport land (including maintaining the status quo) which is supposed to be ready by June.

To be sure, the debate has gone on and on... and on. It is well summarized by one of C2E’s administrators and frequent contributors, RichardS: “This is 50+ years of a multitude of issues and failed compromises that have exhausted most everybody, including hardcore GA advocates like me. It has unfortunately become this argument—to finally and completely remove this discussion, one must remove the source of it... and it makes me sad.” √

to seek public empathy for a third jury trial, to determine whether he was “right or wrong” in ignoring available institutional care for his 12-year old daughter Tracy, and sneakily choosing to end her life. As radio commentator Paul Harvey would say: “And now for the rest of the story.”

Tracy’s problems occurred when her oxygen supply was cut off at birth, causing cerebral palsy and necessitating future surgery. When her mother was pregnant with her fourth child in 1993, the Latimers decided that Tracy should live in a North Battleford group home.

For whatever reason, they brought Tracy back from the group home after only four months, despite Laura Latimer having a two month old infant and two other children under 10 to care for. Rather than sending Tracy back to the group home when it became apparent there was too much stress in the household, Robert Latimer took the law into his own hands.

On Sunday, October 24, 1993, while his wife and three other children were at church, and just days after Tracy had returned from the group home, Latimer

carried her out to his pickup truck, and gassed her to death. He then hid the equipment used and carried Tracy back to bed. The mother found Tracy dead when she returned from church. Police were called and Latimer told them Tracy died in her sleep. Further: he wanted her cremated.

Fortunately, the RCMP rejected that request and the subsequent autopsy found Tracy’s blood saturated with carbon monoxide. Mrs. Latimer first learned Tracy had not died of natural causes on November 4, 1993—the day her husband was charged with murder… and 11 days after the murder had taken place.

After seven years of trials, convictions and appeals, the Supreme Court of Canada in a 7-0 decision written by the entire court, said a minimum sentence for 10 years is not “grossly disproportionate for (Latimer) killing his disabled daughter” and “the taking of another life represents the most serious crime in our criminal law.”

Ironically, Supreme Court Justice Michel Bastarache removed himself from the Latimer appeal as he and his

wife, Yolande, suffered through the deaths of their only children—a 17-year old daughter and four-year old son from a crippling nerve disease which required 24-hour home care.

In her journal, Mrs. Latimer described her daughter as happy, alert and cheerful. “I just wanted her to live a life as normal as possible,” she said. The North Battleford Group Home could have provided that but Robert Latimer ignored this option. As judge and jury, he alone determined Tracy’s fate.

There’s really no need for a third jury to determine whether Latimer was “right” or “wrong” in what he did.

Canadians already know. As the Calgary Herald headline on Naomi Lakritz’s excellent column so eloquently puts it: “Tracy Latimer never made the choice to end her life.”

Her father did. √

ivic Buzz with David Norwood

YXD:

to be or not to be?

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ike many larger cities, Edmonton faces a number of unresolved issues that have a significant bearing on its future direction. LRT expansion, far too long delayed, is finally receiving the attention it deserves. Urban infill in neighbourhoods such as Glenora, Strathearn and McDougall is about to become a reality. One issue, however, remains unresolved and its outcome will affect the future of the City in a profound way. And once again it is current, thanks to some city councillors, some business interests (not all of them necessarily in Edmonton) and provincial politicians. I’m talking about the City Centre Airport.—aka YXD. There are calls from various corners to re-open the airport to commercial, scheduled service. At present, very limited scheduled use is allowed, and only from select northern communities.

I decided to use the resources of Connect2Edmonton (C2E)—the increasingly popular independent website, our “virtual public forum on all issues”—to

M

edia Minute with Bruce Hogle

When CTV Edmonton was reviewing the 50th anniversary of its network last month, I was reminded of the editorial I did on the Grande Prairie Development Centre, while I was associated with CTV. The Centre Director, Gillian Oliver, and her staff used every means possible to make life better for the children they treated, including Greg who was in a coma after a terrible crash when he was five years old.

When all other forms of therapy failed, music succeeded. I still have incredible footage showing the wonderful smile and grin on Greg’s face, whenever records played during the five years he spent at the centre before he died. The Centre provided phenomenal care for Greg and other disabled children which is also evident with the Elves Centre here and the Robin Hood School in Sherwood Park.

What brought this to mind again was the latest gimmick by Robert Latimer

To read the entire debate, please go to http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/sh owthread.php?t=6275 David Norwood is a freelance writer/editor.

Contact dnorwood@edmontonians.com

Bruce Hogle is the former news director at CFRN TV and recently retired head of the Alberta Press Council.

Contact bhogle@edmontonians.com

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lifestyles LIVELY

MENU

Magic with Chef John Berry

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oo often, when you mention the colour green in a kitchen, it’s associated with mold growing in your refrigeration or behind the stove.

Nowadays, however, people everywhere are abuzz with the “greening” of this or that. And it’s a good thing.

They’re referring, of course, to environmentally friendly processes and practices.

Take the wine industry, for example. Check the shelves to see how many organic wines are available at your neighbourhood store. You’ll be surprised and impressed, I hope.

What started out as “trendy” wines are becoming more mainstream. The move to green wines started Farm animals about 10 years ago. in harmony Fetzer Vineyards in rds California was one of the with vineya first to start growing organic vines under strict natural controls. No pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, grown naturally.

Bio-dynamic wines are made by established vintners like Fetzer, Bonterra Vineyards and Paul Dolan Wines. Their products were among the 300 different labels that were available to the recent California Wine Fair, a fund-raiser for the Citadel Theatre. I did my share of sipping at the industry tasting which was a prelude to the Fair. I like the idea of knowing I’m enjoying something that was grown and processed in a sustainable way. Especially, since I found the flavour enhanced, rather than sacrificed.

According to the California Wine Institute, a voluntary code for sustainable wine growing practices is now in

place to help reduce water and energy use, minimize pesticide use, build healthy soil, protect air and water quality, recycle natural resources, maintain surrounding wildlife habitat, provide employee

GREEN DINING Many of the patrons of restaurants, lounges and pubs in Edmonton are looking for the same thing. The recently opened Vintage—where Mangiano’s was—on 124th Street and 101st Avenue, uses as many organic products as possible. Chefs Pat Zadorsky and Peter Chong have developed a tapas menu that is as diverse as it is good tasting. Pat uses Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese influences in his creations that shout “fresh, fresh, fresh” regional fare.

Tapas are very in for green weddings. Can’t you imagine serving your guests a dish like Pat’s Mango Chicken

ner Jeff Koltek Suede Lounge ow ing tast at the industry education, and communicate with neighbours Vintage tapas Chefs Pat & Peter about vineyard and winery operations. It involves everything from solar panels for Skewer finished with a sweet mango cream? The energy to recycled papers, inkless labels and presentation is spectacular and the flavour incredible. The screw caps. concept of tapas works well because diners taste a variety The Institute represents more than 1,000 of different foods, all the while leisurely chatting with table California wineries and affiliated organizations mates. responsible for 85 percent of the nation’s wine production.

I must admit I was a bit surprised when, on my kitchen How big is that? Well, California boasts 522,000 total tour of Vintage, I discovered no deep fryers, no convection winegrape acres and a total annual wine production of 273 ovens, no modern appliances. Everything is handmade and million cases. Given such volume, Robert Koch, president over-roasted or pan seared. It doesn’t get much healthier and CEO of the Institute, points out, “Sustainable than this… and the flavours rock. In this day of high-tech winegrowing not only improves wine quality, but helps us modern appliances that make a chef’s life easier, Pat and compete in the global market place where consumers are Peter have stepped back in time, doing it the old fashioned increasingly interested in knowing that the foods and way, and it shows in their plates, and on your taste buds. √ wines they enjoy are produced in an environmentally friendly manner.”

Contact Chef John Berry at jberry@edmontonians.com

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www.suddenlyslimmerdayspa.com 14

EDMONTONIANS MAY 2008

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Something old... Something new... Something borrowed...

Something green?

PLEASE JOIN US Use recycled papers to create your wedding invitations or craft your own with handmade plantable seed paper. Look for tree-free papers made from hemp, banana stalks, bamboo or organic cotton. Avoid difficult to recycle materials that are metallic or plastic coated.

Better yet, create a wedding website and e-mail your guests the site info and invitations. If your great aunts aren’t computer savvy, print out only as many hard copies as you need for mailing—or take one along on your next visit.

HERE COMES THE BRIDE

with Linda Bodo

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here is a new bride in town—one that plans to tread lightly on the environment during her walk down the aisle, leaving eco-friendly footprints in her wake.

Clever organization can wed traditional “I dos” with the three Rs of sustainability: reduce, recycle and reuse. White weddings are making way for shades of green.

WITH THIS RING Take a collection of old gold from both families and design original symbols of unison from a combination of ancestral treasures. You can also purchase vintage rings from antique shops, estate sales or re-sale jewellery shops. If tradition prevails, acquire diamonds mined in Canada or Australia, or gems that are certified “conflict free” under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). The certification assures the diamonds are not “blood diamonds“ which may finance war or condone human rights abuse.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Plan a ceremony in the great outdoors, or look to settings that are heritage based. Historic sites provide the perfect venue and rental fees support and maintain these precious buildings. Support locally owned and operated businesses or not-for-profit organizations such as your community league.

Choose a location that is convenient to most guests to minimize travel impacts and try to hold the ceremony and reception at the same venue.

Provide eco-friendly transport: hybrid cars, car pooling or public transport.

A vintage wedding dress from mom or grandma’s closet has sentimental value and is a cost-saving gesture. Re-sale and thrift shops are a source of gently and sometimes-never worn dresses for the bridal party. If your mind is set on something new, seek attire made from naturally dyed, ecofriendly fabrics such as hemp, bamboo cloth, or organic cotton or silk. Soy silk, made from the fibres left over from producing tofu, is also available. Look for organic or nonbleached products as the bleaching process is toxic to the environment.

And try to select outfits that the bride and bridesmaids can wear after the main event or donate to a charity shop.

Most men rent their tuxes for the big day. Find out if the rental company is using non-toxic and environmentally friendly cleaning solvents. You can find green Canadian dry cleaners on the Canadian Centre for Pollution Prevention’s directory website.

ON THIS DAY Source seasonal flowers from an organic grower or choose local wildflowers that you can personally harvest. Then donate floral arrangements to a hospital or rest home.

Berries, twigs, autumn leaves or any natural found objects will infuse your décor with an earth friendly tone. Use glass bowls filled with fresh fruit or veggies on each table as edible center pieces.

Most confetti is not biodegradable and rice can play havoc with birds or wildlife. Choose birdseed, biodegradable rice paper petals, or lavender buds.

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MERRY Going green is about supporting locally sustainable businesses. Track down a caterer who specializes in organic food and wine. Work with a 100-Mile Menu, by using regional foods

grown within that radius. Showcase local wine, beer and spirits when possible. Choose natural hemp or linen tablecloths and use washable cutlery and tableware. Pick a venue with recycling facilities and donate leftover food to a local shelter or food-bank.

Plan a daytime wedding to minimize electricity use. And, go easy on the power grid with the entertainment. DJs with computerized equipment will consume less power than a live band, but nothing beats an acoustic band that burns up no power at all. Let guests trip the light fantastic with ambient lighting from soy based or beeswax candles.

Whether you prefer film or digital photographs, look for a photographer who will do digital proofs to save paper and chemicals. Avoid single-use cameras, but ask friends with digi-cams to share their photos so you can post them on your wedding website.

‘TIS BETTER TO GIVE Offer individual favours such as seed packages, bulbs or tree saplings. Even better, make a small donation in each guest’s name to a favourite environmental group and proclaim it on a simple note at every place setting. Let your guests take home any candles you’ve used for lighting or offer homemade chocolates or soaps parceled in hemp baggies.

For the gift registry, if you aren’t in need of household items or elaborately wrapped gifts that may seldom get used, suggest contributions to World Vision Canada or sponsor a child in a developing country.

Websites help newlyweds set up donations to charities that benefit the environment.

Ask for gardening accoutrements or a composter to green up your new environment, or a set of bikes for short-haul trips.

HAPPILY EVER AFTER Air travel accounts for approximately two percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, so think about hideaways close to home. All our provinces offer a host of backpacking and camping adventures, or romantic B & Bs in our beautiful natural areas—and think about taking a romantic train ride to get you there. Or honeymoon on a business trip you had to take anyway. Forego all the travel, plant yourself at home and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity to put your DIY skills to the test.

If overseas travel is part of your dream, why not make the trip meaningful? Check organizations that place volunteers around the world: www.volunteerinternational.org, www.volunteerabroad.com or www.globalvolunteers.org.

Celebrate your special day with family, friends and Mother Earth with a commitment to each other and our planet. √ Contact Linda Bodo at lbodo@edmontonians.com or visit www.absolutebodo.com

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ACQUISITIONS, DIVESTITURES & CORPORATE FINANCE

with Stephen W. Kent, CA (780) 441-6793

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Supplier dependency leveraging your relationships There is a maxim that says if you only have one buyer, then he has you; you don’t have him. This also rings true if you are extremely dependent on a single supplier. We have assisted many clients who own profitable distribution companies. Typically these companies have a long, successful track record and a solid market with steadily growing profits.

When owners decide to sell they need to discuss the sale with their supplier as most exclusive supply/distribution agreements have a clause that gives the supplier the right to approve or refuse the transfer of the contract to a new buyer.

The supplier needs to have some comfort that the new owner has the necessary experience and financing to continue distribution of their products at the same or a greater level as the current owner.

This situation becomes problematic if the proposed buyer needs to leverage the assets of the company in order to raise the necessary financing to buy it.

Suppliers prefer their distributors to have strong balance sheets and conservative amounts of debt. This is particularly important if the supplier is in effect financing the distributor’s inventory by providing it to him on what amounts to interest free terms. Suppliers do not want to have their inventory used as security for a third party debt. The purchaser runs the risk that the supplier will significantly reduce the amount of inventory under these circumstances. Lower inventory levels usually result in lower revenue, lower cash flow and a greater inability to service the debt that was incurred to purchase the company. It is a downward spiral that is hard to stop.

If a supplier decides that he won’t allow the supply contract to be transferred to a purchaser it reduces the value of the

business to virtually nothing. Without the product there is no revenue and there is no business. On the surface it may appear that they are hurting themselves as they will lose all the revenue that the original distributor historically made for them. However, if a supplier has a lack of trust and/or confidence in the purchaser and if the balance sheet is highly leveraged there is a risk that the business will not survive and their inventory is at risk. In this way, the supplier can control the amount of risk he’s willing to take, if any.

If you are interested in buying or selling a company that is dependant on a key supplier, please email stephen.w.kent@ca.pwc.com or (780) 441-6793 and let us help you find a solution that meets the needs of all the stakeholders.

EDMONTONIANS MAY 2008

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