Edmontonians May10

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an innocent N otBYSTANDER

By Les Brost

S

tep right up, ladies and

gentlemen, and come on in!

Welcome to Alberta’s Political Three Ring Circus! You’ll laugh and you’ll cry watching the logic-defying actions of the players in the Alberta Political Circus. It’s a thrill a minute, so grab a seat. The show is about to begin.

In the centre ring is the Grand Poobah of Hocus-Pocus, Fast Eddie Stelmach and his wild and crazy henchmen! See fast Eddie appoint Rockin’ Ronnie Liepert minister of health! Watch Rockin’ Ronnie dismantle the Alberta health governance system. You’ll be thrilled as he imports the Amazing Aussie, L’il Stevie Duckett, who puts the boots to the folks running the system. Watch as regional health boards and the mental health board and a whole bunch of others get pink-slipped. You’ll burst your britches with pride when former CEOs of health regions get mega-bucks in contract buyouts.

But wait. Fast Eddie isn’t done yet.

Heck, he’s just warming up. He’s punted Rockin’ Ronnie out of his portfolio and Ed Stelmach brought in Gentle Gene Zwozdesky to calm the waters and make nice with all the folks who got their knickers in a twist over L’il Stevie’s capers.

Brian Mason Central ambulance dispatch? Gag orders on doctors’ comments on the medical system?

Drug costs for wellheeled senior Albertans? Gentle Gene makes sure they are gone like Greyhound. Why, before you know it, Gentle Gene will have paid out L’il Stevie and

the Superboard folks and re-appointed Regional Health Authorities to ensure local control of the health care system. That’s our Fast Eddie—the master of political illusion… the man who can make all the course corrections your money can buy.

In the second ring, there’s Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition, the Three Amigos of Alberta politics. You’ll be spellbound as Alberta’s Liberal Party, led by Doughty David Swann, bravely rides its Liberalbrand unicycle over the political high wire as the Pit of Political Oblivion awaits below. But wait! Isn’t that Liberal MLA Dave Taylor jumping overboard to drive his own unicycle? What’s next for these wild and crazy Liberals? Will MLA Hugh MacDonald bail out to start the Sexy Mustache Party? You’ll never know if you don’t watch the show.

The mysterious Wild Rose Alliance Gang will puzzle you. Are they a bunch of social conservatives dressed up as fiscal conservatives?

Or an aggregation of fiscal hawks who are really social liberals? Why are the Big Oil Boys from Calgary supporting the WRAP? And what will happen to the WRAPers when the panic-stricken Tories finally dump Fast Eddie and replace him with Terminator Ted Morton, the biggest social conservative north of Oklahoma?

You’ll be enthralled as Alberta’s zany New Democrats try to drive their political bus on the uphill road to victory with tired Brian Mason at the wheel.

David Swann

Meanwhile, Rachel Notley, a politician with the skills and pedigree to take the NDs to the next level, sits quietly at the back of their bus.

In our tiny third ring, there’s the Awesome Twosome of grassroots politics, the Alberta Party and Reboot Alberta. You’ll be astounded as the Alberta Party, led by Edwin Erickson, zooms around trying to find room between the other performers.

Meanwhile, you’ll be mystified and intrigued by the Reboot Alberta gang.

Are they really a discussion group for Alberta progressives, or are they a Trojan horse established by those clever Tories to keep the progressives twittering amongst themselves? If not, why is Tory cabinet minister David Hancock, the “Roll over Rover” of Alberta’s progressives, sniffing around the Rebooters? It’s a mystery.

Best of all, ladies and gentlemen, this show is free. It won’t cost you a nickel, and you won’t have to lift a finger in order to watch the show.

Do you, sir, in the back row, have a question? You want to know how it can be a free show? It’s a fair question deserving an honest answer. It’s free because it’s not much of a show. After all, when you’ve sat on your backside and watched the same clown troupe for 20 years, things get very, very stale.

If you want to see a better show, pay your dues for living in a democratic society by getting involved in the political process. I’ll guarantee you only one thing, folks: You’re getting the political show you’ve earned. Now step right up… √ Les Brost is the head of Southern Star Communications, a member of the University of Alberta Senate, and Edmontonians Transformer, and a keen observer of the world around us. lbrost@edmontonians.com

with Mark & Marty

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reetings… April Fools’

Day was dandy—not because I managed to play a good fool’s joke on anyone. Yet, I’m sure Teri Farkas had it in the back of her mind that I was going to pull off a fool’s one-two on her and her family. Why? Well, it goes back a good while. Well over two years ago, Teri won the Hicks on Six/Edmonton Sun Christmas Charity Auction bid to have dinner with me at Culina Mill Creek. We made many, many attempts to coordinate the night but with no success. rkas Joe and Teri Fa

Culina cuisine

It finally came together on April 1st of all days. I had the pleasure of meeting Teri and members of her family for a fine time at a great Edmonton restaurant. The feast was fantastic. We tried the seared black cod with a truffle Dijon vinaigrette… the pork tenderloin steaks with spicy Argentine chimmichurri sauce and couscous… plus the Alberta beef with blue cheese and chocolate sauce on dirty mashed potatoes. But, the one dish that really stood out for me was the rabbit. Who knew the Thursday special on April 1st would be rabbit loin/tenderloin roulade, racks of rib and chorizo sausages on caramelized butternut squash and apple

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as other vendors. If interested, call Uwe at 780.922.3968.

The performers are all Alberta musicians and performances will begin at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 15th. The site is easy to find. Follow directions on the poster to 52130, Range Road 224, south-east of Sherwood Park.

Cheers, Lynn Sounds like a great time and wonderful place. Bands include Joe Public, John Spearn, The Low Flying Planes and the Celtic Fusion Illusion. Check it out.

The Spirit of Spring Fashion Show and Luncheon last month was a huge success. It’s a major fundraising event for McDougall House, a residential facility that offers counseling support programs to women in recovery from addictions. Among the models were Edmontonians Poll Station columnist Linda Banister and her daughter, Marina. For more information on the programs, visit mcdougallhouse.com or call 780.426.1109.

Finally… I am so glad the City of There’s a big night being put on by people who like to run, bike and swim a very long way. The Ironteam– Cops for Cancer is having a fundraiser on Saturday, May 8th. Join MC Nicola Crosbie from Global Edmonton and entertainer Wayne Lee for a night of good times. The event is being held at the River Cree Marriott Resort. Just go to www.ironcopsforcancer.ca. I have had the pleasure of being at one of this group’s events, and can promise you will have a great time with great folks.

TOGA TOGA TOGA. The 42nd

Edmonton has put up 40km/h signs in my part of town. What a great idea.

Bravo. I hope it spreads to the entire city. Small point: Could you pave the streets as well? You have to drive 40km/h anyway so you don’t wreck your rims. Other than that… thanks. √ 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

annual Edmonton Rugbyfest kicks off at Ellerslie Rugby Park on Friday, May 21st.

It’s hosted by Edmonton’s local rugby community which promotes the sport and its unique culture. It’s a brilliant spring tradition—a real sh*t-shaker deluxe. Teams come from all over the planet to compete. Games are free to watch. There are some ticketed events but they are worth every penny.

Check out www.rugbyfest.ca.

Contact Kristina Scade of the Rugbyfest Committee at 780.975.9433 or kristina@scadephotography.com for details and tickets.

Lynn Wells, a dear friend, sent me a note the other day: Hey Mark, I hope you can make it to this event. SpringtimeinAlberta… will wake up your Spring senses and bring a new dimension to 2010. It is the first outdoor event in the newly completed concert bowl at HAYLoft Acres. The land owner Uwe (oova) has been building the site for the past six years and is ready to present this grand opening festival.

The landscape has been groomed to create a concert bowl complete with a new stage and a pond. To commemorate this event, he has put together at program of entertainment which is sure to impress. There will be a beer garden and a pig roast as well

Marina and Linda Banister

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he started: Christmas Bureau, Adopt-aTeen, The Sun Charity Auctions, plus the years of him writing about me— United Way, Catholic Social Services, and that I get to turn the tables on Stollery Children’s Hospital. His Adopt-aGraham Hicks.

Teen at Christmas is unique and focused on If you haven’t already heard, Graham a very specific need. hangs up his word processor at the Graham thanks his media and corporate Edmonton Sun at the end of this year.

An Ottawa native, he came to our fair city pals in town for backing him on these big initiatives. When he calls, the media in 1978; originally working in the listens—and reacts. His “dinners with pals” entertainment department of the Edmonton program is supported by virtually every top Journal. When the upstart Sun came to town in 1981, Graham was one of the first it restaurant in town.

Another fun little thing he started a few attracted across the river. years ago with Rob Christie has grown to After legendary Donna Marie Artuso be part of the cultural aspect of Edmonton. went on to other things in 1992, Graham It’s the remarkably successful get-together moved to Page Six—probably the most called The Art of Conversation. “It just took read portion of the daily paper. Since that off. It’s one of my joys time, he has covered this city each month where I get like a blanket and to mingle with a crowd made major of good people who contributions to put their Blackberrys charities in our city. and iPhones away for Graham figures just an hour or two to that he has written talk about life. around 7,000 columns “This was born out and enjoys being the of Rob returning and “town crier” in realizing we were Edmonton. He now the senior suggests there are members of the “very few that call a media… it was time spade a spade in to honour the journalism.” traditions of the I had the opportunity great old guys but to ask him a few they were all questions: alcoholics, so this What’s the best part es was our solution.” of the gig? “If you’re Marty Forb am Hicks and ah Gr The next phase suited for it, it’s one of of Graham’s life is to start his the best jobs in the world. own small company.

When he turned 50, he No end to social contact. You’re paid to be a made a promise to himself that he wanted to conscience… to be objective. Who else has do something different when he was 60. He that? I’m paid to speak the truth and not the spin. Nobody cares where you are as long as wants to continue to learn… to grow and experience life, cutting down from 60 to 40 you deliver. There’s great freedom in the hours a week, but to still give back to the job. It’s a natural art form for me”.

And the obvious: What’s the worst part community. He has lots of ideas about what he could do, admitting only that it will be of the gig? “Absolutely, the all“in communications”. No surprise there. encompassing nature of the job. I’m very I gave Graham the last word: curious to find out who Graham Hicks “It’s been a wonderful career in a great really is outside of the battle of the last 30 city – and I can’t wait for the next 10 years.” years. The gig is 24/7/365 if you let it.”

I want to thank you personally for being a The balance in his life comes from his great contributor to Edmonton, Graham, huge family focus. “My wife Maria raised three beautiful and talented daughters (Liza, and for the friendship we’ve enjoyed all these years. I know we’ll all be bumping 21, Salina, 19 and Cynthia, 16) while I into you over the next few months – so worked. Maria kept it all together. She’s in enjoy the accolades you so deserve. charge of domestic affairs, I’m in charge of Is it time to reveal the “Deep Six” in external.”

In a role as all encompassing as the scribe media who used to give you all the ratings info and gossip? Nah… let’s keep that our of Hicks on Six, Graham has met some of little secret. √ the most interesting people in town as well as several celebrities. What’s the most interesting interview you’ve done?

Marty Forbes is the recently retired VP and “It all seems like a giant blur right now: general manager of The Bear, EZRock and There are so many highlights. I guess interviewing Bob Marley through a haze of The TEAM 1260 Sports Radio. Contact marijuana smoke stands out… the Strippers marty@edmontonians.com picketing me at The Sun for not writing about their Santas Anonymous fund raising event. I’ve never lost a lawsuit but I’ve had to apologize several times in my career.”

The charity connection in Edmonton is simply huge and Graham explains: “I’ve been blessed in life… it isn’t a problem paying it forward. To whom much is given much should be expected. It’s a responsibility of this job.”

The list is too long to print but suffice to say Graham thinks he’s raised in the neighborhood of $4 million over the years. The biggest ones to benefit are the recipients of the annual Christmas drive

t’s an honour—after almost 30

urque Photo by Terry Bo

with a pan jus. I wasn’t a fan of rabbit but that has all changed. The good folks at Culina Mill Creek brought in 10 rabbits from Paddle River, prepared them beautifully—oh so close to Easter. Poor bunnies… “bock bock.”

Thanks to the Farkas family… to Graham Hicks for his unwaivering support of our community… and to Culina co-founder Ed Donszelmann for his hospitality. A wonderful night was had by all involved.

PS: Next door to Culina Mill Creek is one of the coolest rooms in town, the BiBO wine bar. Oh my—what a great spot. You can learn more about the Culina family of establishments by going to the blog www.backofthehouse.com PPS: My fellow VoxPopper Marty Forbes kind of forced the “official” announcement that Graham Hicks is retiring at the end of the year. Marty’s cover story is the first of the accolades. In the days and months to come, there will be much to say about Graham and his contributions to the fabric of our city. But for now, I will enjoy every column he brings us till his final scribble. Good luck, Graham.

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Poll

CELEBRATING

21

STATION S

YEARS

With Linda Banister

ince the release of the record breaking, blockbuster film, Avatar, the popularity of 3 Dimensional viewing technology has increased considerably. Now, some major television manufacturers are beginning to release technology that will bring the 3D viewing experience into the homes of people around the world. For this Poll Station, we asked Edmontonians what they thought of the 3D revolution and whether they were eager to become a part of the movement.

FOUNDER DICK MacLEAN

MAY 2010

Vol. XXI

No. 5

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

ARE YOU AWARE OF 3D TECHNOLOGY, AND HAVE YOU SEEN A 3D MOVIE RECENTLY?

SIZZLING 20 UNDER THIRTY Krista Boultan kristavoulton@shaw.ca 780.242.0411

Percent

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Lynne Jones lynneajones@shaw.ca 780.239.6271

52%

48%

INSIDE NOT AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER Circus/Brost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 VOX POP Mark Scholz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Marty Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Responded that they had not gone to a 3D movie recently

Responded that they had gone to a 3D movie recently

SOCIAL MEDIA Attitude/Hogle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

To begin the survey we asked respondents if they were aware of 3D technology. The majority of respondents (79 percent) reported they were, while 19 percent were not, and two percent were unsure.

Next, we asked respondents if they had seen any recently released movies, such as Avatar or Alice in Wonderland, that use 3 Dimensional technologies. Slightly less than half (48 percent) of all respondents reported that they had not taken in a 3D movie, while more than half (52 percent) had. Of those who had seen a 3D movie, approximately two-thirds (65 percent) were satisfied with their viewing experience, while one-quarter (25 percent) were moderately satisfied, and 10 percent were dissatisfied. Respondents who were dissatisfied most frequently mentioned that 3D technology does not add any value to the movie or that they didn’t notice any difference (40 percent), followed by 3D movies making them feel ill (20 percent) and 3D technology not being effective because of blindness in one eye (20 percent).

LIVELY LIFESTYLES MenuMagic/Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Absolute Bodo/Bodo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

WOULD YOU BUY A 3D TV? WHY OR WHY NOT?

POLL STATION 3DTV/Banister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 SIZZLING IN EDMONTON TED/Rayner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 CIVIC BUZZ An-225/Norwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 IMAGINE EDMONTON Living Bridge/Powell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-9 FEATURES Reimagine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Glenora Rotary/Pullishy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 PHOTO FEATURE Glenrose 500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 MEDIA MINUTE Sales generation/Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

BARB DETERS Editor

editor@edmontonians.com

FEATURE WRITERS Cheryl Croucher Barb Deters Ted Powell Marg. Pullishy PHOTOGRAPHERS Terry Bourque Bruce Clarke Cheryl Croucher Tracy Kolenchuk Rocco Macri

WILL 3D TELEVISION REPLACE CURRENT TECHNOLOGY? HOW SOON? When asked if they thought 3D television would one day replace our current 2 Dimensional technology, more than half of all respondents (57 percent) believe it would, while 31 percent disagreed, and 12 percent were unsure. Those who did not think 2D technology would be replaced suggested that 3D programs are too costly to produce (32 percent), wearing glasses to watch TV is a drawback (19 percent), not everyone enjoys the 3D experience (19 percent), and 3D is unnecessary (16 percent).

Of those that agreed 3D technology would take over the market, 39 percent believed the change would occur in one to five years, followed closely by 37 percent who said six to 10 years. Eleven percent thought it would take 11 to 15 years, nine percent believed it would be 16 to 20 years, and four percent felt it would be 21 years or more before the change occurred. √

65%

Percent

COLUMNISTS Linda Banister John Berry Linda Bodo Les Brost Marty Forbes Dean Holmes Bruce Hogle David Norwood Erin Rayner Mark Scholz Nizar J. Somji

television should they have the opportunity. Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) said they would not make the purchase and six percent were unsure.

Respondents who said they would not purchase a 3D television were asked to provide a reason for their response. The most frequent reply was that they cost too much or that they are waiting for the prices to go down (23 percent). Other responses included disliking or not watching television (22 percent), being happy with their current television (22 percent), wanting to wait for the technology to improve (12 percent), a lack of interest in 3D television (11 percent), and doubting whether the technology is a good idea in general (nine percent).

Respondents who reported they would purchase a 3D TV were asked what types of programs they would look forward to viewing in 3D picture. Approximately half of respondents (48 percent) indicated they would like to view movies in general, followed by nature programs (24 percent), action or adventure movies (21 percent), sports (21 percent), educational films (10 percent), children’s movies (seven percent), and news (seven percent).

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

29%

Want a question included in the Edmontonians Poll?

6% Responded they would purchase a 3D TV

Were unsure if they would purchase a 3D TV

Responded they would not purchase a 3D TV

We then asked respondents if they were aware that major television manufacturers are beginning to sell televisions that use 3D technology.

Two-thirds indicated they were aware while one-third were not.

Twenty-nine percent reported they would purchase a 3 Dimensional

Contact Linda at 780.451.4444 or e-mail 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

Graham Hicks Photo by Terry Bourque 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

EDMONTONIANS MAY 2010

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www.sizzlinginedmonton.com With Erin Rayner

Do you know TED? Photos by 3TEN photo

M

onths ago, I started hearing rumblings about something called TED. First, my brother asked if I’d heard of it. I hadn’t.

Then, at the AGA Late Night Refinery Party, a handfull of people asked, “Have you registered for your invitation to TEDx?” Again, I hadn’t. I wondered, “Who or what is TED anyway?”

If you don’t know TED, check out www.ted.com. What you’ll find is an audiovisual buffet of inspirational, interesting, funny, and even disturbing presentations by people with ideas to share. In true, websharing fashion, they’re free and, for the most part, they don’t go over 18 minutes.

Adora Svitek, a 12 year old prodigy, offers her thoughts on why the world needs bold ideas and what adults can learn from children. Susan Savage-Rumbaugh imparts her wisdom, learned from years of research on bonobo chimpanzees, and her theory that what a species is capable of isn’t predetermined by biology. And Eric Whitacre’s virtual choir of 185 voices from around the globe singing Lux Auruque into their web cams and microphones is dazzling. These are just a few examples of the 600+ talks on ted.com TED is actually a non-profit organization that began in 1984 as a conference bringing people together from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment and Design.

TED still hosts an annual conference in Long Beach, California but has grown into so much more with online TED Talks, TED Global (a conference hosted in Oxford.

England), and a new community initiative, TEDx. TEDx events are locally organized to bring together like-minded TED enthusiasts at a grassroots level. TEDx Edmonton was the buzz at the Refinery Party. artScene Edmonton is a group of young creative professionals, co-chaired by entrepreneur and owner of Seek Your Own

Proof, Ken Bautista. In mid-March, it hosted Edmonton’s first TEDx event at the TransAlta Arts Barns. I sat with Ken and Cindy Fulton of Cindy Fulton Events to

54 speaker applications. As part of the license agreement with TED, they could only invite 100 people to the first event and, because it was only one day, they chose nine speakers to present their “ideas worth sharing”.

Cindy Fulton and Ken Bautista According to Ken, “We wanted to make sure that all the speakers had some sort of connection to Edmonton, whether they worked here, did business here or lived here or something… We wanted to show that Edmonton has been quietly outputting world class people for a long time now and that’s a great Andrew Hessel thing.”

The participant selection committee reviewed applicants based on ask about this sold-out community involvement, event. Why bring TED to creativity, entrepreneurship Edmonton? “We found this and the likelihood of being opportunity to do the TEDx an engaged participant, not program and it was a great just a bum in a seat. Ken opportunity to take a brand had the view that there are that everybody “a lot of conference-type knows and bring it events in town, and we to the city. It was a Cameron Herold wanted to make this one great way to get different—the complete, full people excited experience”. about a worldFrom my experience at the class event like event, I’d say artScene was this,” Ken said. successful at getting a room of But, I wondered, creative, inspired, interested did people really people of all ages and stages know TED… or together. The energy was electric were they like me with and the room almost vibrated with absolutely no idea? Cindy said, “Yeah, it was interesting to ask people who you think excitement. The speaker line up included may not know, and they would say, ‘Yeah, I genomic scientist and advocate for open source biology Andrew Hessel, and watch those.’”

Shawna Pandya, an Edmonton exporter And they do. artScene had 300 and co-founder of CiviGuard, a Silicon applications to participate. (Guests have to Valley start-up based at NASA-Ames apply to participate by completing a short looking at the use of smart phones for online form and submitting it for review by disaster response. Then there was Cameron an anonymous committee in order to be x invited to a TED event.) They also received Herold, the former COO of 1-800 Got Junk

The artScene TEDx team: Paige Weir, Paul Steier, Michael McDougall, Cindy Fulton, 2008 Sizzler Stephani Carter, Alana Williams, 2008 Sizzler Michael Brechtel, Marcus Coldeway, Cam Linke, Galen Scorer and Sam Jenkins… with Ken Bautista, front and centre.

I featured in my January column. This time, he filled 18 minutes with his ideas on how to raise and encourage entrepreneurial kids.

His talk received a shout out on Twitter from TED curator Chris Anderson and Twitter fanatic Ashton Kutcher. And these are just a few of the speakers who inspired the audience that day.

I would have liked a chance to have a facilitated discussion around the topics and ideas presented during the day. We were given plenty of “break” time between talks, and the discussion at the various tables I visited was usually lively. But, it would have brought the TED concept of “ideas worth sharing” full circle to have the people in the room direct their energy toward some of Edmonton’s issues or situations.

With that as my main beef, I may actually get to see if Ken, Cindy and the ArtScene TEDx committee will put my feedback to good use. The team is hosting TEDx Canadian Rockies in Banff on May 21st with partner, the Banff Centre for the Arts.

This event will focus purely on the 18 to 40 demographic with all speakers and participants fitting within that age range.

The presenters have yet to be announced, but registrations are well underway.

Now that I know what TED is, I’ve become a bit addicted. I am not quite at the stage others are: I recently spoke with a woman who takes TED to bed. She has all but given up reading before bed, and now settles in with her laptop and spends some quality time expanding her horizons with TED before going to sleep.

Take a look at the videos posted from TEDx Edmonton at tedxedmonton.com.

Watch for the call for applications for the next TEDx Edmonton event. √ Erin Rayner is president of ED Marketing and Communications Inc. Contact erayner@edmontonians.com

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C ivic Buzz with David Norwood

EIA choice for HEAVY CARGO TRAFFIC

T

Canadian Helicopters is the largest helicopter transportation services company Edmonton International operating in Canada, and one of the largest Airport of the Antonov Anin the world. The company’s largest base is 225 was not the first by this massive cargo plane—and it likely won’t be in Edmonton; the city is also home to the company’s executive offices and its major its last.

The Antonov An-225 is the world’s largest maintenance facility. With 600 employees, aircraft, bigger than either the double-decker 80 of whom are in Edmonton, it has 120 aircraft operating from 35 base locations passenger Airbus A-380 or the new, across Canada, and extended Boeing 747-8. provides helicopter Described officially services to a broad as a “strategic range of sectors, airlifter,” the An-225 including emergency was here after being medical services, chartered by utilities, oil and gas, Edmonton-based mining, forestry, Canadian construction and Helicopters to ferry ily eas 5 -22 AN nov Anato infrastructure three helicopters, as of cargo nes ton 50 on k too maintenance. well as support Canadian Helicopters is equipment and in the first of four option years under supplies, for transportation support in Afghanistan. In total, more than 50 tonnes of contract to the U.S. military in Afghanistan, where it will transport personnel and cargo was transported, all in one load. equipment. The company has a longThe An-225 is truly one of a kind.

Originally designed for the Soviet military to standing working relationship with both the ferry its equivalent of the space shuttle, only U.S. and Canadian militaries. Its helicopter training facility in Penticton, BC provides one was built, and it was placed into specialized advanced operational and commercial cargo service in 2001. The 50mountain training to Canadian and other tonne payload the An-225 flew from military services around the world. Its Edmonton was by no means the heaviest experience and expertise gives it a strong cargo the aircraft has moved: In August advantage navigating Afghanistan’s 2009, it transported a consignment—a mountainous terrain. generator for a gas power plant in It should be pointed out that not every Armenia—with a loading frame weigh-in of airport can handle an aircraft the size of the a record 189.09 tonnes/416,900 lbs.

An-225. The largest airport by area in The sight of a full semi-trailer unit Canada, as well as its 24-hour unrestricted disappearing into the cargo hold, as well as access, infrastructure and strategic location three helicopters being loaded into this have made Edmonton International the massive aircraft was more than impressive; airport of choice for heavy cargo traffic. As the sheer size of the An-225 defies part of Expansion 2012, EIA has increased description. Unfortunately for potential its apron size by the equivalent of 50 football viewers, the aircraft took off late that fields (250,000 square metres), giving it, in evening. One can only hope we will see the the words of Glen Vanstone, EIA’s director An-225 here again in the near future.

he March 31st visit to

of cargo and corporate innovation, “an outstanding capacity to develop Port Alberta and Edmonton as a transportation centre of excellence.”

the Oliver district, just west of the downtown core. Situated on Jasper Avenue at 120th Street, the tower will include 174 suites, with main floor retail and an underground parkade. Regency Developments is also responsible for another condominium Speaking of the airport, North project in downtown, the nearly-complete Cariboo Air, a carrier catering mainly to Quest, on 104th Avenue and 105th Street. corporate charters, has expanded into its The Pearl is another development in an own space at the Edmonton International area of Oliver that has seen significant new Airport. Reflecting what it calls a strong condominium construction over the past Alberta market, the Fort St. John, BC-based three years. It is directly west of Illuminada I company has seen its business grow substantially in Alberta in recent years. With and Illuminada II, two upscale 12-storey condos. Further east is the newly completed bases in Fort St. John, Calgary, Edmonton Serenity, another 12-floor condominium. and Fort Laird in the Northwest Territories, North Cariboo operates a fleet of 28 aircraft, South and east of Serenity is Uptown, a 15storey condo completed in 2009. The including a new 50-passenger Dash Oliver area is rich in 8-Q300.

The Pearl restaurants, small The move to its own space (North specialty retailers and Cariboo previously shared space services, making Jasper with the Executive Flight Centre) Avenue west an even more has allowed the carrier to have its desirable area in which to own dedicated passenger lounge, live and visit. and to provide better service, says Construction has also Edmonton manager Paulette begun on the south tower Buckley. North Cariboo does of Procura’s business mainly with the oil and redevelopment of the gas industry, and having its own Mayfair Hotel site. The first facilities, such as this new base, 15-storey tower, on 109th allows its clients to move in and Street, will contain 237 out quickly, without long line-ups rental units, with main floor for security. The range of aircraft retail. A demolition permit in North Cariboo’s fleet also allows it to fly has also been issued for the old hotel, which in and out of remote facilities, including will be part of the site of the second 15those with underdeveloped air strips. storey tower, containing 471 North Cariboo has been in business for rental units. I can’t wait for more than 50 years, and has seen economic this redevelopment to come to cycles ebb and flow. With its diverse fleet and the ability to provide charter services on fruition, finally giving us a short notice, the company should continue to gateway to the downtown core we can be proud of. √ thrive for a long time to come.

Excavation has commenced for the Pearl, a 35-storey condominium tower that promises to dramatically alter the skyline of

David Norwood is a freelance writer/editor.

Contact dnorwood@edmontonians.com

EDMONTONIANS MAY 2010

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IMAGINE

I n n o v a t i v e i d e a s f o r u r b a n p l a n n i n g, d e s i g n a n d a r c h i t e c t u r e.

Edmonton

CREATE A LIVING

By Ted Powell

R

etail is in for a world of hurt. The tsunami of change that is approaching the shores of this economic sector is going to wreak havoc and leave many dead, empty shells in its wake. The recipients of most of the pain are going to be the so-called ‘big-box’ outlets but, that noted, there will be few that are completely immune to the onslaught. The reason for the radical change is quite simple and the underlying cause is once again technology.

The Internet has already created a public buying platform that enables directto-customer shipping and price-points that are greatly reduced over what can be seen in most brick-and-mortar stores. As new devices and software are brought to bear—devices like the recent iPhone app that enables a shopper to scan the bar code of a product and then be presented with the least expensive source of that item anywhere on Earth—retailers will be forced to compete not only with other retailers but also the ‘e-tail’ version of themselves on the Internet. There will be less and less incentive to make the heavy investment in real property and all of the accouterments and personnel needed to stock and staff the end result.

Why are big boxes least adaptive to this change? Their whole raison d’etre to date has been selection and price point. And now they are clearly running second in that race for customers. It is why Google and Amazon are worth billions—and why Circuit City no longer exists.

The small retailer who does stand a chance to weather the storm will have to look to several key operational changes in order to survive and, even then, will have to maintain a creative and constantly updated Internet presence.

The store of the future will have to offer unique products. Art galleries are on safe ground, as are gift and souvenir shops. The trend toward one-of-a-kind items will be supported by another arm of technology that enables the ‘home garage entrepreneur’ to develop some sales muscle. Inexpensive CNC (computer numeric controlled) machines attached to saws, drills, lathes, routers, plasma cutters, water jets and welders allow solitary individuals to create the most fantastic shapes and assemble them into all kinds of devices—an assembly line of one, you might say. Equally dominant computer-driven 3-D modelers are now available in the under $10,000-range, extending the scope of creativity to include composition. It will be a marriage of these ideating individuals with retailers that will allow for the uniqueness of future retail experiences.

A second factor that will support sustainable retail is the whole concept of instore entertainment. No, I don’t mean a Frank Sinatra impersonator crooning I Did It My Way. There are amazing 3-D projection devices that enable ever-

BRIDGE

changing store-front window scenes to distract and entice pedestrians to come in to shop. Some of these exceed the category of awe-inspiring and go all the way to jaw-dropping. A recently coined term, telepresence, describes an event whereby an individual or group or animated cartoon characters can be filmed in one location and “teleported” electronically to another. I predict that telepresence endorsements will soon be commonplace at book stores or fashion boutiques, drawing crowds to see Anne Rice or Vera Wang or Madonna or Daffy Duck promoting some article of retail.

A third element that will help sustain the store of the near future can best be described as social convening. This factor goes hand-in-hand with entertainment. It entails the creation of a social environment where the like-minded can gather to enjoy the company of their own kind. The more successful retailers will become masters at creating this environment. Designers and architects who are expert in this endeavor will be in high demand.

The retailer who employs the effects of all three of these doomsday armours will prevail; others will not.

REPURPOSING THE HIGH LEVEL I have offered this preamble so the focus of this article bears a little more credulity in the examination of its components.

A replacement of the High Level Bridge and the repurposing of that venerable structure to a new function is my subject of choice.

There is a quiet little node of extreme importance that thousands of Edmontonians go by every day without giving so much as a nod of acknowledgment. It is the discreet intersection of the tunnel that connects the Grandin LRT station to the government building due east on 109th Street, interposed with the remnants of the north-south running CPR line that parallels 109th Street a few metres to the west of that prominent artery. This node is significant—not so much at the present time—because in the foreseeable future it will become the site of an au courant transportation centre that connects LRT to the rebirth of the venerable, early 20th Century street car and a high-speed rail connection that joins downtown Edmonton to the International Airport (I predict that this will happen first and soon), and to other more distant locales such as Red Deer and Calgary. Both the high-speed conveyance and the rebuilt street-car line will share the upper deck of the High Level Bridge. The Grandin station extension will connect both of these transportation entities to the rest of Edmonton via LRT and buses.

Continued on page 8

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Edmonton IMAGINE

So the High Level’s future is secure from at least three perspectives: It is a capable transportation structure. It is an historical presence of great importance. It is an Edmonton icon—one of only a few that remains.

The auto deck below is another matter altogether. The approaches are nightmarish in their construct.

From a pedestrian and shop-going perspective, 109th Street peters out heading south from Jasper Avenue toward the river valley. Equally, the Garneau district centered on 109th Street on the south side of the river lacks any kind of demanding presence. Both of these areas can, in substantial measure, blame the positioning of the High Level Bridge and its constricted routing of traffic for this anemic existence.

So, let’s build a new bridge.

The new river crossing would align with 109th Street on both sides, thereby leaving the existing bridge to remain un-bothered and stately eminent in its new uses.

The upper deck would become significantly busier as a rail- or maglev-way. The lower deck would be rebuilt in the mode of neo-modern retail. Each of the north and south approaches, or rather the land entailed therein, would become

High Level Adjustment Aerial rendered view of proposed development over former CPR right-of-way north of High-Level Bridge along 109th Street showing 5-star Hotel (extreme left) and condominiums (centre and right of rendering) atop a retail base.

building sites for elegant new river-view hotels, anchoring both ends of the iconic, historic, black bridge.

These hotel structures, straddling the rails, would be encouraged to provide internal stations and stops for the re-born streetcar line and, further, to develop conveyances of their own devises to ferry their patrons to Old Strathcona and downtown Edmonton. Edmonton is going to need new five-star hotels at the time when it is awarded the 2017 World’s Fair and beyond that date.

The rebuilt auto deck of the High Level could maintain its outward appearance by constructing the retail elements within entirely out of glass. The walls and roof so-built would be largely sheltered by the steel elements of the bridge, thereby minimizing solar heat gain. In-deck electric heating coils would warm the space on cold days. Cross-flow ventilation—none better than on the High Level, if you have ever walked across the span—would provide ample air changes with sensitively metered devices. Plumbing runs could be concealed below the deck and kept near the landabutting edges of the span.

Retail on the bridge deck should be highminded in its construct. We should be looking for small-scale pubs and eateries that enable incredible views… calling for unique fashion boutiques and shoe stores… enticing hand-craft artisans, jewelers and artists. Pedestrian shoppers should have the choice of traversing a connected indoor path or an outdoor esplanade. The retail construct should

have exceptional appeal to the Edmonton tourist. The repurposed High Level Bridge would support high-level retail and two enviable hotels. We don’t lose a bridge, we gain a revived icon.

The new bridge, constructed to the east of the High Level, would also be high-minded. Following the historical precedence of the old, now-defunct London Bridge and the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, it should be a ‘living bridge’, something more than a single-purpose traffic conveyance. Broadly, its elements, apart from a vehicle traffic deck, should include retail, hospitality, offices, residences, parking decks, entertainment venues, plazas, pedestrian ways, view outlooks, and parks and green belts. Viewed from afar the bridge would be shrouded in planting elements and waterfalls, blending with the river valley rather than affronting it. In this age of dangerous extremists, the bridge should be structurally redundant, supported by deep space frames and by cable-stay structures, both.

The traffic deck should support two lanes of automobiles in both directions with a separate and distinct lane for buses on either side of the car pathways.

The autos should be able to access and egress parking stations that, by automated shuttles, connect to two or three below-deck parking tiers.

The east side of the bridge deck, adjacent to the Legislature Building and grounds, should have a seamless connection to that park area and, by that extended route, to the river’s edge and the new park planned to take advantage of that prospect. The adjacent west side should connect to the new north-end hotel and, by extension, to the upper High Level deck ‘rail’ conveyances.

The support piers, located on land at river’s edge, could be developed into significant towers of multifloor, mixed-use occupancies—condos, apartments and offices with as many as 30 floors each, 15 below the valley rim; 15 above.

Between these piers, on the surface of the

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bridge, would be a neo-retail experience with shops and eateries that follow the guiding principles laid out in the preamble to this article. In and around these shops would be landscaped plazas where licensed buskers entertain with music, magic and myriad performance art pieces. Awe-inspiring outlooks would cascade down the edges of the bridge, buffered with landscaped outcroppings and multi-stepped waterfalls.

The south end of the bridge would have two fairways, one on either side of the traffic lanes. The one on the west side could be a more old-time carnival emplacement with a few permanent rides in and on the bridge deck. In my mind’s eye, I can see a giant ferriswheel that gives riders a magical view of the skyline and river valley... a roller coaster and a merry-go-round that have over-the-edge elements could complete the trio of rides. Between and among the rides, a carnival fairway replete with barkers, games of chance, and snack-food stands would round out the memorable experience.

On the east side of the span adjacent to the ‘old-time’ fair-way, a neo-modern counterpart would employ space-age rides. In lieu of a ferris-wheel, there would be an LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor) propelled elevator loop, similar in height, similar in depth below the bridge deck, but much faster in its ride-course. Too, an LSM driven coaster, speed enhanced by progressing through a vacuum tube, would be unconfined by bridge deck parameters, shooting off the edge here and dropping below deck there. Instead of a merry-go-round, a number of virtual reality rides could take patrons through dreamscapes, fantastical worlds, and heartpounding pseudo-danger dioramas. An IMax theatre could be located here along with outdoor concert venues.

At the ends of the bridge, on both the north and south sides, the deck‘s span would blend seamlessly into a revamped Garneau street scene and an enhanced Grandin retail/entertainment area.

Pedestrian bridges would

crisscross 109th Street offering fair balance to both sides of the intervening road.

In all, vehicular traffic would be greatly improved, alternative conveyances would thrive, river valley integrity would be protected, views of the Legislature Building and grounds would be highlighted, as would views of the river valley in general. Edmonton’s skyline would be featured. A destination tourist spot would be created where there is barely one now.

Prohibitive cost? Not necessarily. With development rights over the river assured, the new bridge could be developed at no cost to the City or any of the other levels of government. A long term land, air-rights lease, say 99 years, would make the development viable. The developers would rationalize that there are no up-front land costs… that they would be building a three-tiered parking garage not a roadway… that the (primarily) horizontal development would have far more building economies than a series of high-rises (shorter erection time and easier construction site management). The High Level Bridge is already there; it simply requires ‘interior’ improvements. The hotel sites would be among the most prominent on the globe, overlooking the river valley with conveyances leading to and from major destinations like Old Strathcona, the River Valley park system, the University of Alberta, downtown Edmonton, the Legislature Building and government centre.

I’ve got a spade; let’s do a ceremonial sod-turning. √

Ted Powell is an architect and a futurist. He lives with his wife Laura in Arroyo Grande (Big Ditch), California. He has studied technology as it applies to the construction industry and his company, Design to the Nines, represents a number of nascent high-tech ventures. Ted has lived in many cities across Canada, the U.S. and Europe, but his roots, nonetheless, remain firmly attached to Edmonton — a city that is dear to his heart. He follows with intense interest all new and proposed developments for the city and boldly adds his own ideas into the mix.

High Level Adjustment Aerial rendered view looking east showing centre bridge span and four condominium towers (extreme right) doubling as bridge piers; centre depicts a 5-star hotel (north end of existing High-Level Bridge) and condominiums atop a retail base (extreme left of rendering).

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9

The retrofit of the Dell call centre into the headquarters for Servus Credit Union was a cost saving initiative that has created a better work environment.

Recladding resulted in the building going from R10-R12 to R30, while the reglazed windows went from R1 to R8.

Energy consumption has been reduced more than 35 percent and water use is down over 50 percent.

Manasc Isaac added in a light well through the centre of the building to bring sunlight into the area.

ReE

skins would make the city a more vibrant and attractive dmonton and Calgary are both among the top 18 cities in North America, in terms of the number of place.

And finally, the interior environment: A new skin offers highrise buildings we have, according to better comfort for those working in the buildings. Wellskyscraperpage.com. Alberta has the opportunity insulated exterior walls enable people to sit closer to the to become the leader in North America in the upgrading of windows, and operable windows improve people’s control these highrises, to create greener and more beautiful cities. of their workplace environment.

After four decades, a major modernization of the building The former Dell Call Centre building, in Edmonton’s envelopes as well as the building systems is imminent. Out Research Park, is now a new corporate centre for the Servus of necessity, the idea of reimagine was born.

In Chicago, the Willis Tower, formerly the Sears Tower, is Credit Union. Manasc Isaac recently completed its reimaging. The majority of the original building envelope, being reimagined. This iconic tower—the tallest in the which also serves as the exterior structure, was comprised Western Hemisphere—had 800,000 square feet of vacant of durable and proven building materials such as brick, space... the landmark was becoming unpopular, inefficient concrete and steel. The detailing of these materials, and uncomfortable. Owners as well as people working in however, resulted in significant building envelope the tower were determined to improve the performance of deficiencies, evident from the frost build-up on interior steel the building, improve daylight, add green building features, beams, and suggesting extensive heat-leaking gaps between and fill the building. insulation materials. A refurbished building envelope— As part of the “reimagine summit series” in April, Sara including new high-performance windows, Beardsley spoke in Edmonton and Sara Beardsley of Chicago sunshades on the south face, and a new Calgary about the innovations in reinsulation and cladding layer on the walls— skinning that tower, and the benefits to creates a revitalized structure. Servus the City of Chicago. She is a senior Corporate Centre is an ecologically architect with Adrian Smith + Gordon responsible, flexible showpiece facility that Gill Architects and member of the team acts as a welcoming and exemplary work that designed the modernization and environment, a place for members, and a greening of the Willis Tower. learning environment. The building The reimagine initiative was created promotes Servus Credit Union’s service in response to aging and failing exterior driven philosophy and core values and, as building envelope systems across such, is recognized as a training facility, as Alberta and around North America. It well as an office building. A LEED Silver draws attention to the opportunity to certification is in progress for this building. renew this province’s existing building “The operable windows are the best thing stock, protect and enhance the we did for our staff,” says investments and assets of building owners, reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance the working environment for occupants.

Recently referred to as “one of the hottest environmental architectural specialists in the country”, Manasc Isaac is a leader in developing Canadian expertise in the reimagining, with a special focus on towers built in the 1970s and 1980s.

Somewhat like the benefits of a facelift, a building of a “certain age” can be made to look youthful and energetic, with a little cosmetic surgery. This kind of surgery is far quarters more than cosmetic, though. First, reducing energy use is an ion Head redit Un C s economic and environmental opportunity. Existing u rv e S buildings account for more than 30 percent of Canada’s energy use, and by re-skinning these buildings, savings of over 50 percent can be realized. Realpac , the Real Property Eric Dillon, COO of Servus.

Association of Canada, recently challenged its members to Currently, Edmonton’s achieve “20 by 15”—having all commercial buildings use Associated Engineering Plaza is only 20 ekWh*/square foot by 2015. Upgrading or being reimagined. Located at the replacing of the building envelope can help to achieve this prominent intersection of 109th goal. With increasing environmental awareness among Street and Jasper Avenue, this tenants, the reduction in energy use in buildings of this 1970s building was recently vintage appeals to many. acquired by Procura, with a view Then there’s the urban environment: Many 1970s to enhancing its effectiveness, buildings are unattractive, especially at street level. These buildings, with their Brutalist precast concrete cladding and appearance and performance.

The Manasc Isaac team is dark glass, present an unfriendly face to the street. New working closely with the new owners to develop an attractive * ekWh is a term meaning “equivalent kilowatt hour” that is used to give comparative values and sustainable replacement skin,

d

and an upgraded mechanical and electrical system, to reduce energy consumption by over 50 percent.

Architects, using an integrated approach to design and construction, can help enhance appearance, performance and the quality of the work environment in these tired buildings. Edmonton and Calgary are well-positioned to be the leading cities in the world, showcasing the best ways to reimagine existing buildings. Future summits are planned to provide information sessions and inspirational case studies of similar initiatives around the world. √

Architect Vivian Manasc discusses the new Servus headquarters with Paul Evans of Calgary at the reimagine summit.

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The 500

M

ary O’Neil called Edmontonians last November in a panic over the Glenrose long-standing Chocolate Affair in February. Someone else had booked the same date for its premium fund raising event of the year. Anyone raising charitable funds knows it’s difficult in Edmonton to host two majors that call on many of the same people. Glenrose needed to make wholesale changes and take a risk.

They needn’t have worried. The 500 held in April was a hit with over 600 in attendance. People love the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital and the courage of its patients as well as members of its leadership team. Auction free, fabulous entertainment led by Alfie Zappacosta, and Spring Creek Beef on the menu.

Bravo, Glenrose. Congratulations courageous people, everywhere.

A sultry pose, indeed. Janet Folks friends turned up: Fred and Nevis Priefer of Taiga Helicopters; Michelle and Norm Simard, A&W: Dorothy and Bob Sadowski, Protech Tractor and Truck; Darcy and Tammy McPhee, Elite Construction.

Jane and Mike Sobel of Magic 99 and Global Television

Glenrose Chair Dr. Ted Purcell, his dynamic daughter Heather who volunteers at the Glenrose, and Mayor Stephen Mandel

Incoming Glenrose Hospital Foundation Chair John Chomiak who sometimes toils with Hemisphere Engineering

Chona Delacruz with partner, Martyn Piper of the Regional Council of Carpenters and Allied Workers. Carpenters, boilermakers, plumbers and pipefitters joined The Building Trades Charitable Foundation to pledge a whopping $1.5 million to build a world-class facility.

Ian Young’s business card reads “Brainiac”. The brain injury advocate received the Glenrose Award of Courage 2007.

The Honourable Norman Kwan and the Admirable Sine Chadi. Alberta’s outgoing Lieutenant Governor can draw a laugh from any crowd but his recent surgery for stomach cancer slowed him down—slightly.

Edmonton has a longtime reputation for being a treatment centre for soldiers.

Dennis Erker, Honorary Colonel, Loyal Edmonton Regiment is about to announce a 12-unit centre in North Edmonton for families of soldiers in need of hospital care

Glenrose Foundation President Mary O’Neil welcomed guests to the new event. Here’s community strategist extraordinaire Katie Soles with her holistic husband, Ian. Mary taught Katie math in high school in Calgary.

Sandy Litman, Director of Paediatric Rehabilitation with Dinah Gray and Joyce Burnett, Duncan and Craig

Moving over for the action with the Katz Dream Team is Steve Hogle who makes his point with Italian Centre Queen Teresa Spinelli.

Myron Esak of Synergy with his power house business wife, Lynette, of Esak Consulting: “Today, I’m just a wife,” says she.

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11

M edia Minute with Bruce Hogle

Our

“embrace all”

attitude

A

n incredible euphoria still lingers across this phenomenal nation following our magnificent hosting of the 2010 Olympics. British Columbians proved these games to be among the best ever Winter Olympics despite inevitable glitches that have befallen every previous Olympic Games—winter or summer.

The resurgence of patriotism was never more prevalent than when our national anthem was officially played 14 times during our record gold medal haul, as well as thousands of times, unofficially and spontaneously, at various events, in the streets and in the bars.

It reminded me of my first visit to Honolulu with other journalists and their wives during the height of the Vietnamese War. One of the highlights was when the late Don Ho, accompanied by his 25 piece orchestra, sang O Canada in its entirety “in a tribute to a nation I admire.”

The makeup of the Canada Olympic team added to the warm feeling we all had because no language barriers prevailed. Athletes and fans in attendance, plus three billion viewers worldwide, including 26.5 million Canadians on occasion— 80 percent of our population—relished in both the glories as well as some sorrows, such as the deaths of bobsledder Nodar Kumaritashvili and the mother of Quebec figure skater Joannie Rochette, who performed in her honour and won a bronze medal.

The Canadian “embrace all nationalities and languages” attitude prevailed throughout the Olympics. That was particularly evident with our women’s 3,000-metre relay speed skating team.

Team members Kayna Roberge, Marianne St. Gelais and Tanis Vicent are all Francophones from Quebec. The fourth member of that team, Jessica Gregg of Edmonton (whose father Randy and mother Kathy both competed in two previous Olympics), was the sole Anglophone.

Jessica openly admitted, “It was hard and kind of put me apart. I’m still working on my French.” Despite the obstacles, Jessica says all four girls are close and respect each other.

There’s no question that closeness, plus their

ability, of course, assisted in their silver medal triumph.

I’ve written before about language barriers involving former Montreal Canadiens’ Coach Guy Carbonneau. When his teenage daughter was refused admission to an English school in Quebec because she was a Francophone, Guy took his family to Dallas. He worked with that city’s NHL team until his daughter acquired the English speaking and writing skills she sought.

Afterward, Carbonneau rejoined the Canadiens, but daughters Anne-Marie and Kristina stayed in Dallas.

Such nonsense may explain why former Parti Quebecois leader and sovereignty advocate Lucien Bouchard has now done a complete about-face on separatism for that province, calling it a lost cause.

We are both a bilingual and multicultural society. Maybe those still advocating separatism could take a lesson from Alberta, where we’ve been successful blending our heritage without the need of language police.

Alberta now has five fully Francophone school jurisdictions serving 5,438 students across the province entirely in French. An additional 180,000 students are taking French immersion or French as a second language.

Then, too, we have 15,000 students taking First Nations, Metis and Inuit languages.

Another 34,000 are taking international languages, such as Spanish (16,000), German, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Italian and Ukrainian.

In other words, Alberta and Albertans are proud of the fact they not only welcome all citizens regardless of race, creed or colour, but also regardless of what language they speak. √

Bruce Hogle is the former news director at CFRN TV and retired head of the Alberta Press Council. Contact bhogle@edmontonians.com

with Dean Holmes

Lead sales generation

using social networks

S

o your organization has tasked you with driving leads to generate sales. I know. Same old story: no leads from marketing… no leads from your VP of sales… the sales training was a bunch of brochures, a website that lacks anything with Lead Magnets (that’s eBooks, buyers’ guides, research-based PDFs)… and a few conversations with the folks who have been doing this for a long time.

“Good luck, go get ’em” is the phrase you keep hearing and the clock starts ticking. Now, you have three months to make something happen before you start getting the evil eye from your sales manager.

Here are a few tips to help you, if you find yourself in this situation: 1. Build an easy, fast brand monitoring tool Use NetVibes (http://netvibes.com). First have your keywords around your brand, products or services, and competitors. Next setup your tabs in NetVibes with their simple, already done for you Dashboard so you do not miss any news in and around your industry. This will allow you to find new content, to share ideas for new content, and keep a close eye on your competitors offerings and news.

2. Join LinkedIn If you aren’t already a member of LinkedIn, you must be, if you are in sales. Download my LinkedIn Profile Setup Document first, then go do that. LinkedIn’s search features are very strong, allowing you to listen to conversations going on within Groups, and understand what may be trending with your customers, industry and competition. Be sure to look at LinkedIn’s Training area to understand more about how you can drive leads and referrals using LinkedIn. (More to come on how to use LinkedIn in future columns.)

3. Join Twitter Yes, I know you have heard everyone is one Twitter talking about this and that, but that’s not the point here. The point is that you should use the search function in Twitter to see if there is anything of value here that you can use, within your products keywords (you know what you sell), your brand’s name and your competitors’ mentions as well.

4. Join the Top 10 Social Networks Go to http://www.verticalmeasures.com/ social-media/be-proactive-with-your-reputation-management/ and join these networks to drive additional traffic to your Blog, website or other Social Networks. Social Search, as apparent with Google’s recent move to open up search to include Twitter and other mentions within Google search, shows that this is here to stay. Be found. √ Keynote speaker, radio show guest and webcast host Dean Holmes is a thought leader who has contemplated new media with business luminaries.

His focus is on helping companies develop online as well as offline marketing strategies for business growth. Contact Dean at dean@deanholmes.me Visit www.deanholmes.me

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www.suddenlyslimmerdayspa.com EDMONTONIANS MAY 2010

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Glenora Rotary

Celebrates

By Marg. Pullishy

it’s unique beginnings—20 years ago

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Later in the month, on Saturday, May 29th, Glenora how he found the experience, he said, “I had the distinct s the decade of the 1980s was nearing its end and honour and somewhat daunting privilege of being asked to Rotary will hold its major fundraiser, Sock Hop with a more cracks were appearing in the proverbial Heart, at the Sutton Place ballroom. This fun event, in become the first male member. The Club had been glass ceiling, an offhand remark by long-time support of literacy and educational programs for women established by some very accomplished individuals and I Rotarian Bob Kavanaugh set a bold milestone and children in need, is open to the public—anyone recall, when asked what my thoughts were about that, I in the making. The member in good standing of the willing to don their bobby sox and jive the night away to commented that I was quite certain I had raised the Edmonton Mayfield chapter casually suggested to Vi the beat of the ’60s. Tickets, available at average weight of the club but even more certain I had Becker, a colleague at Stantec, that she should start a penny.omell@cibc.ca, are $125 each or $1,000 for a table lowered the average IQ.” women’s Rotary Club. She hasn’t forgotten the day that, of eight.

Cruickshank was a member in good over lunch, she mentioned the idea to Wendy Andrews, And what of the chapter’s future as it heads into its next standing for 15 years, before other who said, “Okay. What’s Rotary?” decade; is the Glenora group experiencing the same community commitments drew him Not a surprising question, all things membership challenges faced by other service clubs in the away. “Over the years, I served as considered. Although the first Edmonton Sergeant of Arms, a role I characterize community? According to Becker, the club maintains its Rotary was chartered in 1916, it was membership at about 80 people, and would not want to go as court jester and tax collector, and strictly a male domain. Today, there are 15 much higher than 90. Both she and Cruickshank are as a member of various fundraising Edmonton chapters with a membership of optimistic, and get the last words. committees, all in aid of worthwhile more than 650 men and women, nine more “Our young folks that we’ve brought into the club will projects the club undertook, both in in the region plus four Rotaract/Interact be our legacy,” Becker says. “We have about 10 to 15 Edmonton and internationally.” chapters. While their overall numbers may Kathy Knowles of K.G. Knowles young leaders who are now fully engaged in the club, and not constitute a small army in terms of it’s through our mentorship and their enthusiasm to carry and Associates Ltd. is presidentmuscle, there’s little doubt they have considerable clout and have significantly t impacted on the lives of many, locally and far c t-ele Bob Kavanaugh and Vi Becker toast the charter in January 1990 Presiden wles beyond the province’s boundaries. One o Kathy Kn chapter, the Glenora Rotary, is unique by virtue of the fact that it was the first women’s club on the lea side of the Atlantic, and only the second in the world.

Becker, now vice president of marketing resources and communications at Stantec, recalls the process. “October 1989 was the official month that Rotary International allowed women into Rotary. We had our first chapter meeting as a Charter Club in sident January 1990. The club was First pre r chartered by 25 women and was the First ma Vi Becke le first in North America and the Rick Cru member ickshan second, only to one in the Phillipines, k in the world,” she explains. The “we” she refers to are founding members, a diverse group of women including but not limited to Bev Wittmack, then president of Humford Developments; Margaret Kool, owner of MKM; Dr. on the legacy of our club that the evolution of the future elect of the Glenora chapter and chair Barbara Romanowski, well known for will unfold.” of the anniversary celebrations her work in the field of sexually Cruickshank adds, “The future is extremely bright. It committee. The milestone will be transmitted diseases; Diane Allen, continues to attract bright, energetic women and men who marked with a longer-than-usual EPCOR; Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour, recognize the ability of a group such as the Rotarians to breakfast at the Royal Glenora Club, on Thursday, Associate Dean, Diversity, Faculty of leverage its diverse knowledge, contacts, skills and dedicated May 6th. Members have been gathering old photos and Science, University of Alberta; Wendy time to provide committed resources where they might best compiling a video that will definitely entertain past and Andrews of Marketing International Inc., and Kathleen be used.” √ current members.

Laverty of Laverty Art Gallery.

Becker, the first president of the Glenora Rotary, and the individual assigned the task of meeting charter requirements, is still a member in good standing as the club prepares to celebrate two decades of service that have had far reaching impact.

During its 20-year history, the Glenora chapter has taken on some formidable projects with great success. To wit: a scholarship and mentoring program offered to young women attending Grant MacEwan University, financial assistance to young women interested in pursuing careers in the sciences at the University of Alberta, and inspirational initiatives targeted at women in Africa, to name but a few.

Are you seeing a pattern here? Like all Rotarian chapters, the Glenora group, by virtue of being Rotarians, is committed to provide humanitarian service as well as to encourage high ethical standards in employment, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Initially, and to a great extent today, the chapter is committed to advancing the futures of women not just in Edmonton, but in Canada and indeed other parts of the world.

And, as any wise group of women will be the first to admit that while furthering women’s causes is important, advancing the well being of all human beings is of greater priority. So, within a couple of years, the group decided to expand its membership horizons and actively recruit individuals with diverse talent, experience and skills to further complement existing members.

Enter Rick Cruickshank, QC, LLB, BA, and his great sense of humour. The partner with Fraser, Milner and Casgrain law firm remembers being recruited as the first male member, and the almost other-worldly experience of attending his first meeting. When asked by a journalist EDMONTONIANS MAY 2010

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Beef brisker like no other

Southern BBQ MENU

Magic with Chef John Berry

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eeee’s back! Smokey Joe Goldfedder, the master of southern BBQ has returned to his roots. After several years of retirement Joe decided to help new owner Jenny Morris resurrect his namesake diner on the corner of Stony Plain Road and 152nd Street to its original glory. Several previous owners tinkered with the recipes and it just didn’t work, according to Joe.

John helped Joe and Jenny re-launch Smokey Joe’s There is nothing quite as unique as the flavour of Oklahoma Pit BBQ. Since the 1980s, Joe and his family served up the best BBQ for lunch or dinner I have ever tasted. Bear in mind, the style and cooking that we call BBQ/barbecue/barbeque is not the American way. Our version involves grilling our meats, poultry and fish over charcoal briquettes or natural gas/propane burners and closing the lid on the cooker. Oklahoma Pit BBQ involves low temperatures and plenty of hickory smoke for a long period of time. You can use whatever type of wood you’d like for smoking but, to my palate, hickory is the best.

Joe brines some of his meats before smoking and, let me tell you, the meat just falls off the bone. Smokey Joe’s, which has had several previous locations—the most notable at Meadowlark Mall—uses a huge commercial smoker, especially designed by Joe. Hundreds of pounds of beef, pork, chicken, turkey and ham can be smoked at one time.

For blocks around, the sweet aroma of hickory smoked meats wafts through the neighbourhood.

The house speciality has to be Joe’s very popular beef ribs. Best have a good appetite, because these are not wimpy beef bones.

Billed as “brontosaurus” bones, they pack plenty of meat. Or, if your preference is for pork ribs, you can’t go wrong with these St. Louis-style succulents.

Joe also serves up an excellent BBQ beef brisket that’s very tender and flavourful.

Then there’s the chipped beef on a bun: essentially the ends and leftover chunks of the brisket, chopped fine in a food processor and served on a sesame bun. Top it with Joe’s homemade BBQ sauce (mild or hot)

John and Joe

and you have an irresistible sandwich, which just screams “bring on the baked beans, fries and coleslaw.”

If it’s chicken you’re after, Joe’s smoked wings simply can’t be beat. And when the menu says “mild or hot”, ask for a sample—here, “hot” means southern USA hot, not the kind that’s slathered on the wings at the neighbourhood pub.

And, the smoked turkey, pork ribs, links and ham are equally delicious.

Can’t decide? Consider the “Big Oh” meal that gives you plenty of everything, including sides. Just make sure you bring three friends to help you devour the 10-pound platter.

The other thing that is unique to Smokey Joe’s is Joe himself. He’s indeed a piece of work. Always ready to greet new customers and old alike with a smile, he quickly follows with a barrage of redneck heckling. He makes any redneck comedian on TV today look like a nursery school teacher. Yet, after decades of this abuse, people keep coming back not only for the food but to be insulted. It just wouldn’t be the Smokey Joe experience without the octogenarian making the timid run for cover.

The decor is still back-road diner… the tables are still covered with trademark brown butcher paper… and crayons are still provided for the little and big kids. And usually the good artwork finds its way to the walls.

There’s a whole new generation of Edmontonians Seanna Collins of EZ Rock & Global, who have yet to discover what real BBQ tastes like.

Tara Lopez of CJCA The Light, But, after their first bite, the look on their faces is one with Edmontonians publisher of discovery and delight.

Sharon MacLean and As Joe would say, “What’s stopping ya? Git on in the legendary Joe. here and try some.” It gets busy mid-week and on weekends… “So y’all best be callin’ ahead.”— 780.413.3379. √ Contact Chef John Berry at jberry@edmontonians.com Go to Edmontonians.com and visit the Lively Lifestyles Blog.

Maria and Graham Hicks of the Edmonton Sun with owner Jenny Morris The Smokey Joe's team for Media Night: Lucy Noble, owner Jenny Morris, Chef Claudio Ergui, Smokey Joe, Chef/MC John Berry, and Emy Almeria

EDMONTONIANS MAY 2010

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With a little help from our friends… with Linda Bodo

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n oxygen machine pumps a line of air through a slender tube. He rests on a sheepskincovered chair with a heating pad on his legs and an afghan on his shoulders. He is perpetually cold yet craves icy cold popsicles. An IV hangs above him, filling his veins with hope. Med bottles line the counter and a box of disposable gloves is nestled in a reserve of needles. I look into his shiny blue eyes and see him a year ago, when we worked on DIY projects together, shared secrets and clinked our way through happy hour. I remember how he loved to slowcook dishes and the fab meals we prepared together.

Now, he has lost his taste for food. I give him a hug but my heart is filled with guilt. Why has it taken me so long to reconnect with my dear friend?

We can have a bad hair day, spill our guts over a breakup, forget a special occasion, or embarrass ourselves routinely; yet true friends remain loyal and compassionate. They make us laugh when we feel like crying, hug us when need sympathy and make setbacks temporary. Much like pets who offer unconditional love, these dermis-clad two-legged relationships are often regarded as the thread in life’s fabric; an extraordinary gift to be respected. Companions, buddies, pals, soul mates… no matter how you phrase it, there is nothing as comforting as the company of a friend.

Friends lower our stress levels. They enliven our days with humour, answer us honestly and keep embarrassing secrets to themselves. They celebrate with us, encourage us, support us; but can enjoy a silence that means more than words.

Friendships get better with age and good friends

companionship? The reasons for giving vary as much as the people who do it. Compassion, duty, love, guilt, all motivate us to share time, money, and energy. But what they get in return as the giver reaps the biggest payback.

“A friend is someone who is there for you when he’d rather be anywhere else.”

-Len Wein Time zones, hectic schedules or pressures from the daily grind should not take their toll on our relationships. The friends we hang on to—the ones we visit even if it requires a prop plane or a four-wheel-drive vehicle… the ones we call first when something goes slightly or tragically wrong—are absolutely priceless.

Make the time to call, text, e-mail or visit a close friend soon. Friendship. Where would we be without it?

Surprise a chum with these über-cool gifts on Friendship Day, the first Sunday in August.

Digital Photo Frames are the perfect gadget to reminiscence with friends. A picture frame wrapped around an LCD screen displays multiple photos in a slideshow format to recapture shared memories.

Available at electronic or photo suppliers.

“A friend is one who knows all about you and likes you anyway.”

-Christi Mary Warner go that extra mile—even when wearing heels.

Unfortunately, the same daily demands that make friends necessary, also infringe on our time to spend with them. When our lives include a partner and a job, young children and aging parents, a house and a yard, a car, pets, and the need for a little solitude, friendship seldom gets the ranking it deserves. So why do they do it? Why do they stick with us and continue to offer

Share this new generation of greeting cards with a fellow green-thumber. These magic beans sprout in two weeks with special messages for that unique friend. Simply add water. Available at www.wrapables.com √

Linda Bodo is author of Enjoy Life Outside and The Art of Upcycle.

Visit www.absolutebodo.com for upcoming appearances and project demonstrations; view other DIY projects; or order her book.

Contact: lbodo@edmontonians.com Go to edmontonians.com and visit the Lively Lifestyles blog.

Moët & Chandon’s ‘Bucket of Bubbles’ set includes four mini champagne flutes (simply place on opened bottle for sipping) accompanied by four mini bottles with a carrying case that doubles as an ice bucket. Perfect for celebratory get-togethers. Available at www.luxist.com

EDMONTONIANS MAY 2010

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