Images Edmonton, AB Canada: 2008-09 by Journal Communications

2008-09 | IMAGESEDMONTON.COM | VIDEO VIGNETTES TM

OF EDMONTON, ALBERTA

LIFE AT ANY SPEED From cool to country, this place has it all

THEY SHOOT, THEY SCORE University of Alberta wins 13th hockey title

Opportunity Keeps Knocking Downtown thrives with business, retail and arts

SPONSORED BY THE EDMONTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

2008-09 EDITION | VOLUME 3 TM

OF EDMONTON, ALBERTA CO NTE NT S F E AT U R E S 14 OPPORTUNITY KEEPS KNOCKING Downtown is the place to go to fully experience Edmonton’s culture.

18 A CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE The University of Alberta marks its 100th anniversary in 2008.

22 E-TOWN BECOMES ELECTRIC Millions ﬂock to Edmonton’s over-the-top music, culture and sports festivals.

24 SHOPPING ON A BIG SCALE You could actually shop ’til you drop at the West Edmonton Mall.

26 TRY THE BISON MEATLOAF Restaurants here offer fresh takes on regional cuisine.

30 A RIBBON OF GREEN Edmonton is a promised land for the 10 million sports enthusiasts who visit each year.

32 LIFE AT ANY SPEED Edmonton holds out housing possibilities geared to match your life – at any speed.

51 THEY SHOOT, THEY SCORE The Golden Bears keep bringing in the hockey championships.

ON THE COVER Photo by Jeff Adkins The view of Edmonton’s downtown skyline from the top of the Muttart Conservatory.

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OF EDMONTON, ALBERTA

EDMONTON BUSINESS 42 Aiming High Companies here work at being as diverse as the community at large is.

44 Biz Briefs 47 Economic Profile

44 D E PA R TM E NT S 10 Almanac: a colorful sampling of Edmonton’s culture

36 Portfolio: people, places and events that deﬁne Edmonton

49 Health & Wellness 50 Arts & Culture 51 Sports & Recreation 52 Education 53 Community Proﬁle: facts, stats and important numbers to know

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OF EDMONTON SENIOR EDITOR ANITA WADHWANI COPY EDITOR JOYCE CARUTHERS ASSOCIATE EDITORS LISA BATTLES, SARAH B. GILLIAM STAFF WRITERS CAROL COWAN, KEVIN LITWIN EDITORIAL ASSISTANT JESSY YANCEY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SHEILA BURKE, PAMELA COYLE, HOLLIE DEESE, BETSY WILLIAMS DATABASE PROJECT MANAGER YANCEY TURTURICE DATA MANAGER RANETTA SMITH SALES SUPPORT MANAGER SARA SARTIN SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN M CCORD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS JEFF ADKINS, TODD BENNETT, ANTONY BOSHIER, IAN CURCIO, KYLE KEENER, JESSE KNISH PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT ANNE WHITLOW CREATIVE DIRECTOR KEITH HARRIS PRODUCTION DIRECTOR NATASHA LORENS ASST. PRODUCTION DIRECTOR CHRISTINA CARDEN PRE-PRESS COORDINATOR HAZEL RISNER PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS MELISSA HOOVER, KATIE MIDDENDORF, JILL WYATT

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SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS LAURA GALLAGHER, KRIS SEXTON, VIKKI WILLIAMS LEAD DESIGNER ALISON HUNTER GRAPHIC DESIGN JESSICA BRAGONIER, ERICA HINES, JANINE MARYLAND, AMY NELSON, MARCUS SNYDER, CANDICE SWEET WEB PROJECT MANAGERS ANDY HARTLEY, YAMEL RUIZ WEB DESIGN RYAN DUNLAP, CARL SCHULZ COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN TWILA ALLEN AD TRAFFIC MARCIA BANASIK, SARAH MILLER, PATRICIA MOISAN, RAVEN PETTY

CHAIRMAN GREG THURMAN PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER BOB SCHWARTZMAN EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT RAY LANGEN SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENT JEFF HEEFNER SR. V.P./SALES CARLA H. THURMAN SR. V.P./OPERATIONS CASEY E. HESTER V.P./SALES HERB HARPER V.P./SALES TODD POTTER V.P./VISUAL CONTENT MARK FORESTER V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHING SYBIL STEWART

VIDEO TOUR INSIDE LOOK Join us on a virtual tour of Edmonton through the lenses of our award-winning photographers at imagesedmonton.com.

EVEN MORE Read full-length versions of the magazine’s articles; ﬁnd related stories; or read new content exclusive to the Web. Look for the See More Online reference in this issue.

V.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR TEREE CARUTHERS MANAGING EDITORS/BUSINESS MAURICE FLIESS, BILL McMEEKIN MANAGING EDITOR/COMMUNITY KIM MADLOM MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL SUSAN CHAPPELL PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR JEFFREY S. OTTO CONTROLLER CHRIS DUDLEY ACCOUNTING MORIAH DOMBY, RICHIE FITZPATRICK, DIANA GUZMAN, MARIA McFARLAND, LISA OWENS RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTOR SUZY WALDRIP COMMUNITY PROMOTION DIRECTOR CINDY COMPERRY DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR GARY SMITH IT SYSTEMS DIRECTOR MATT LOCKE IT SERVICE TECHNICIAN RYAN SWEENEY HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER PEGGY BLAKE SALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR RACHEL MATHEIS SALES COORDINATOR JENNIFER ALEXANDER EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORT KRISTY DUNCAN

SHORT AND SWEET

OFFICE MANAGER SHELLY GRISSOM RECEPTIONIST LINDA BISHOP

With plenty of pleasant, sunny days and four distinct seasons, Edmonton is a great place for gardeners to put down roots. Find out more at imagesedmonton.com.

AN ECLECTIC MIX Edmonton is home to people of many nationalities, and the cuisine you’ll ﬁnd here reﬂects an eclectic mix of tastes. Find out more at imagesedmonton.com.

A B O U T T H I S M AG A Z I N E Images of Edmonton is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is sponsored by the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. In print and online, Images gives readers a taste of what makes Edmonton tick – from business and education to sports, health care and the arts.

“Find the good – and praise it.” – Alex Haley (1921-1992), Journal Communications co-founder

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CU S TO M M AG A Z INE M ED I A

Images of Edmonton is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Edmonton Economic Development Corporation 9990 Jasper Ave., 4th Floor Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 1P7 Phone: (780) 424-9191 • E-mail: info@edmonton.com www.edmonton.com VISIT IMAGES OF EDMONTON ONLINE AT IMAGESEDMONTON.COM ©Copyright 2008 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member

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Almanac

More Than Hockey Rexall Place is home to the Edmonton Oilers NHL hockey team, and so much more. The 17,000-seat arena is ranked as the third-busiest in Canada and 12th in the world for concerts and family events. It is also home to the Edmonton Rush NLL lacrosse team, WHL Oil Kings, and hosts the annual Canadian Finals Rodeo. The 2008-09 entertainment lineup at Rexall Place includes shows like Cirque du Soleil, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Kanye West, Oasis, James Taylor and Nine Inch Nails. Also appearing are Coldplay, Santana, Elton John, Neil Diamond, Rush and Celine Dion.

Grains of Liquid Gold There’s oil in those sands. Edmonton is the closest major city to the Alberta Oil Sands, the second largest oil reserves in the world – second only to Saudi Arabia. Time magazine says the oil sands in Alberta could satisfy the world’s demand for petroleum for the next century. Oil Sands are deposits of bitumen, a naturally occurring viscous (like molasses) mixture of hydrocarbons. Bitumen must be upgraded into crude oil before it can be used by refineries to produce gasoline and diesel fuels. In northeastern Alberta, the deposits span an area the size of Florida. Only about two percent of the oil sands resource has been produced for petroleum to date, according to Alberta Energy.

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Move Over, Hollywood It’s all a big act in Edmonton for the TV and film industry. Nearly 150 television series and films have been produced in Edmonton studios over the years, and 2007 was another busy one. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, starring Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck, and Good Luck Chuck, starring Jessica Alba, were both filmed in Edmonton in 2007. Meanwhile, Fear Itself, a new horror-anthology series from Lions Gate Entertainment and Industry Entertainment Partners, is airing during the summer of 2008 on NBC. The entire series is filmed in Edmonton.

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Lentils and Lungwort Food for thought: More than 100 vendors sell their produce and products at the Old Strathcona Farmers Market. Everything featured at the popular marketplace on 83rd Avenue is from western Canada, including fresh fruit and vegetables such as sweet carrots, crispy lettuce, colourful bell peppers and fresh herbs. The market also features fresh meat, eggs, seafood, cheese, bagels, buns, pies, cakes and cookies. Treats such as pierogi and kimchi are for sale, and handmade crafts are also available. The market is open year round on Saturdays from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

To the Max Now thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big screen. The IMAX Theatre at the TELUS World of Science in Edmonton was the first site in western Canada ever to feature IMAX innovation. Fellow Canadian company IMAX Corp. of Mississauga, Ontario invented the technology. The gigantic screen at TELUS measures 13 metres by 19 metres, has six channels and features a multi-speaker sound system. Today, IMAX innovation is found in 150 theatres in 22 different countries throughout the world.

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Walk, Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Run Art enthusiasts, rejoice. More than 60 art galleries and public art exhibits in the Edmonton area are scheduled to open in 2009. They include the 124th Street Gallery Walk, which was formed in 1981 to promote work by Canadian artists. The 12-block Gallery Walk area is just west of the downtown core around 124th Street, which is a vibrant business community in Edmonton. Besides art venues, the area has several restaurants, gift and clothing shops, bookstores and live theatre venues.

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Almanac

Fast Facts On the Level

Q More than 50 ethnic groups are represented in Greater Edmonton, with nearly 500 places of worship.

It costs $2,000 an hour to operate the waterfall on High Level Bridge. That’s why it only runs during summer weekends, in celebration of holiday events. In 1980, the “Great Divide Waterfall” was sculpted and engineered by artist Peter Lewis, and added to the bridge. The actual waterfall drops 45 metres from the top of the bridge into the North Saskatchewan River below. The sculpture opened to the public in May 1980.

Q Residents of Edmonton are known as Edmontonians. Q The city of Edmonton covers 684 square kilometres – larger than Chicago, Philadelphia or Toronto – and boasts one of the lowest population densities among major North American cities.

SEE MORE ONLINE | For more Fast Facts about Edmonton, visit imagesedmonton.com.

Edmonton At A Glance

SEE VIDEO ONLINE | Take a virtual tour of Edmonton at imagesedmonton.com, courtesy of our awardwinning photographers.

Legal

Redwater

Bon Accord

Ri ve r

Gibbons

BEGINNINGS In 1795, Fort Edmonton was established as a major trading post for the Hudson’s Bay Co. Edmonton, named after a town in England, was incorporated as a city in 1904 and became Alberta’s capital in 1905.

St. Albert

Fort Saskatchewan 21

Big Lake

ST R AT H CO N A COUNTY 16

Isle Lake 16

Wabamum

Sherwood Park Stony Plain

Wabamun Lake

Spruce Grove

216

City of Edmonton

60 759

PAR K L A N D COU N T Y

Cooking Lake

14 2

Devon 770

Beaumont

Thorsby Warburg

Northw thw west es stt Northwest Territ Territories

Leduc

Calmar

New Sarepta

FOR MORE INFORMATION Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) 4th Floor, World Trade Centre Yukon Yuk kon n 9990 Jasper Ave. Territory Terr ory y Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 1P7 British Columbia Phone: (780) 424-9191 or (800) 661-6965 Fax: (780) 426-0535 www.edmonton.com

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Morinville

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ST U R G E O N COU N T Y

LOCATION Edmonton is in central Alberta, with British Columbia and the Rocky Mountains to the west, Saskatchewan to the east and the U.S. state of Montana to the south.

ive

POPULATION (2006 ESTIMATES) Edmonton: 752,412, Greater Edmonton: 1,034,945

LEDUC COU N T Y

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Alberta

Edmonton

Quebec

Manitoba

Prince Edward Island a Saskatchewan

Ontario

Nova Scotia New Brunswick

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Opportunity

Keeps

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Knocking DOWNTOWN EDMONTON IS A THRIVING ARTS, RETAIL, BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT HUB

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

o fully experience Edmonton’s multi-faceted, one-of-a-kind culture, there’s only one place you need to go – downtown. With more than 500 places to shop, 200-plus restaurants and several popular clubs, pubs and hotels, Edmonton’s downtown core is a thriving arts, retail, business and government centre that just keeps getting better. “It’s a fairly small downtown – only eight by 14 blocks,” says Jim Taylor, executive director of the Downtown Business Association. “But we’ve had about 20 high-density residential developments locate there recently, and the office vacancy rate is only three percent. Seven or eight years ago, we didn’t have a Starbucks downtown. Now we have seven.” Downtown Edmonton has clearly come a long way since it hit rock bottom in the mid-’90s. “In ’94 and ’95, it was a very depressed area. Downtown businesses were doing poorly,” Taylor recalls. “But around ’96, things started turning around, and in the last 10 years, there’s been phenomenal change. It’s been a very exciting revitalization.” Today, people are drawn downtown for a variety of reasons – shopping and dining, of course, but also working, going to school at the University of Alberta’s downtown campus and visiting the Arts District. Nestled in the centre of downtown, the Arts District is a fourblock area that’s home to key cultural institutions such as the Francis Winspear Centre for Music, the Art Gallery of Alberta and the Shaw Conference Centre,

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Freshly made crème brulée and sandwiches are on display at the new Sobeys gourmet grocery store located in the heart of downtown Edmonton.

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which hosts some of the city’s biggest concerts and events. “The arts is one of the main things that draws people to live and work here and draws tourists here,” says Marcus Miller, assistant curator at the Art Gallery of Alberta. “We’re in the Arts District next to symphony, theater and the library, and the fact that we’re all clustered together next to City Hall is important. It shows the world that Edmonton supports the arts.” The Art Gallery of Alberta is currently housed in Enterprise Square in the old Hudson Bay building while its new home is under construction on Sir Winston Churchill Square. Slated for completion in 2010, the 82,000-square-foot building will give the gallery more than 10 times the amount of climate-controlled space than its previous building. “We’ll be able to handle any kind of historical artwork and bring the best art

to Edmonton,” Miller says. The gallery’s choice to build its new facility downtown was very deliberate. “With our strong exhibition record in contemporary art, it’s very important for us to be downtown, because artists tend to live downtown and entertain themselves downtown,” Miller says. “And we hope to get street traffic because of our urban location.” These days, street traffic is something downtown Edmonton certainly isn’t lacking. “There’s a big chunk of residents living downtown – more than we’ve ever had – and that residential magnet brings friends and relatives downtown,” Taylor says. “Even people who live in the suburbs are coming downtown more because we have boutiques and high-end stores that weren’t here before.” Allison Byrne lives in a downtown apartment and works in Commerce Place

as an industry development officer for the provincial government. “I choose to live downtown because it’s close to work and has so many amenities,” Byrne says. “There are new clubs and pubs, new housing and cultural elements – it’s really coming alive. I spend most of my time downtown and tend not to even leave the radius because I don’t need to.” Taylor also lives downtown in a high-rise condominium. He appreciates Edmonton’s downtown core for all its amenities, but also for the way it has helped shape the city’s magnetic culture. “The Citadel Theatre and the Winspear Centre are both world-class, and they’re both right in the heart of downtown,” he says. “There’s also a huge library downtown, and Churchill Square is a great big plaza downtown where we have all our festivals from May through September. It’s a very vibrant core.”

Downtown Edmonton offers a hip, urban scene with plenty of window shopping – there are more than 500 places to shop – popular restaurants and public spaces to sit down, grab a bite to eat and take in free, outdoor performances.

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Centuryof

Excellence UNIVERSITY OF ALBERTA MARKS MILESTONE

STORY BY HOLLIE DEESE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

tarting college can be nerve wracking. But it helps when the university you choose to attend has a background in excellence, a variety of programs and a community of students who love being there. As the University of Alberta celebrates its 100th year, all of the school’s best attributes are being celebrated, but students have long known how well the school lives up to its reputation. “It has an amazing atmosphere,” says Michael Gaultois, 21, a senior majoring in chemistry. “There are great opportunities for student involvement, amazing research opportunities, and incredible professors from what I’ve experienced. There are just so many chances to get involved, whether it’s in research, volunteering or special interests.” With about nine other schools to choose from in the area, U of A needs to stand out to the more than 150,000 students who flock to Edmonton every year seeking education. “University of Alberta offers students an enormous range of program options in an environment that fosters learning

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With a University of Alberta education just behind them, students gather inside the Jubilee Auditorium for commencement ceremonies. Left: A cyclist pedals across the serene and green historic campus of the University of Alberta.

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and research excellence,” says Indira Samarasekera, president of the U of A. Programs unique to the school include polar research: It is home to the Canadian Circumpolar Institute and the Canadian International Polar Year secretariat. U of A also has established an interdisciplinary School for Energy and the Environment, is the first school of public health in Canada and has the only teaching facility devoted to rehabilitation medicine in Canada. And when it came to student affairs, U of A stood out to Gaultois, influencing his decision to go to school there. “I considered going to UBC and McGill,” he says. “But after I visited U of A, my mind was set on attending. Their campus tour was great, and the administration had plenty of people you could talk to.” It’s these distinctions and more that

bring students to the school and make them proud to be graduates of U of A. “I feel the university has a proud history, with generations of proud U of A alumni,” says Ian Bushfield, 22, an engineering physics major. “The students make the university, and we have an incredible population of students at this school. I’m always proud to be a representative of the U of A.” So what can future students expect from U of A over the next 100 years? “We are in the midst of unparalleled expansion with more than $1 billion dollars currently invested in new amenities and facilities over the next five years,” Samarasekera says. “We are attracting professors with international reputations and connections. We have created important partnerships and leveraged our expertise to deliver education and research that matters.”

The sprawling University of Alberta campus is an integral part of Edmonton city life. Left: The university’s new engineering facility provides a top-notch environment for a program that is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nation.

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E-Town

Becomes

Electric

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STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN

MORE THAN 30 ANNUAL FETES EARN EDMONTON THE NICKNAME ‘FESTIVAL CITY’

dmonton sure knows how to throw a big party. In fact, it hosts 30 of them every year. An estimated 2 million to 3 million people annually attend the major festivals that have allowed Edmonton to proclaim itself as The Festival City. These celebrations run throughout the year and focus on a wide array of disciplines, including dance, film, music, theatre and the visual arts as well as sports and recreation “We are a very multi-cultural city and have a lot of pride in that, and each year our festivals celebrate approximately 60 cultural backgrounds,” says Jenifer Christenson, managing director of marketing services for EEDC. “People really get a sense of the city when they attend one of our events. Many visitors come to realize that Edmonton residents are really friendly, have a lot of energy and are enthusiastic about this region.” There are festivals every month of the year, even in the coldest of months. For example, Ice on Whyte takes place in January with chainsaw and chisel wielders turning blocks of ice into works of art. In February, the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival has become the country’s premier cross-country ski event. Then in springtime, The International Children’s Festival is an annual extravaganza that celebrates performing, literary and visual arts for young people. Meanwhile, the autumn months feature the Edmonton International Film Festival and the Edmonton International Literary Fest. “Like most places, summertime is prime time for many festivals, and Edmonton is no different,” Christenson says. “Up to 17 hours of daylight allow organizers to take advantage of lush outdoor settings and late-evening sunsets, with several events devoted to the arts.” One of those events is The Works Arts & Design Festival, a cutting-edge experience bringing North America the best in contemporary and traditional visual art and design. Other summertime traditions are the Edmonton International Street Performers Festival, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival and the 10-day Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival. “The success of the Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival – where more than 100 acting troupes provide 1,000 live performances in 10 days – has spawned the Fringe fanatic,” Christenson says. “While the average Fringe aficionado might take in up to 10 plays, true fanatics set their goal of at least 25 to 30. You can spot the Fringe fanatic by their heavily annotated Fringe programs, backpacks and running shoes.” Other major gatherings throughout the year include the Edmonton International Jazz Festival, Capital Ex, the Servus Heritage Festival and the Rexall Edmonton Indy car race. Christenson says that to smoothly plan and pull off the 30 annual major festivals, a community of 12,000 volunteers has been vital to their success throughout the years.

Thousands of music fans enjoy Edmonton’s open air Folk Festival.

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Shopping on a

Scale BIG

MALL IS ALBERTA’S BIGGEST TOURISM DESTINATION

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STORY BY KEVIN LITWIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

t is quite possible that you could actually shop ’til you drop at the West Edmonton Mall. The retail and entertainment showplace covers 48 city blocks, which makes it the size of a small city. The average yearly visitation to the mall is 22 million people, making WEM the No. 1 tourist attraction in all of Alberta – and most of western Canada. It is home to more than 800 stores and services, nine entertainment attractions, a spacious hotel and 100 dining venues. West Edmonton Mall is zoned as a shopping centre and is also accredited as a zoo. The mall opened in September 1981 with Phase I consisting of 1.1 million square feet with 220 stores. Nobody then could have imagined what a Phase II might look like. It was just as impressive, opening in 1983 and increasing the overall size by another 1.1 million square feet. Phase III opened in 1985 with attractions such as World Waterpark, Deep Sea Adventure and Sea Life Caverns, and 1986 saw the addition of a 12-story Fantasyland Hotel. During the 1990s, WEM worked at raising fun factor to the max, and in order to accommodate the ever-increasing number of tourists, a second hotel was added across the street in 1999. “I enjoy the IMAX movie theatre at the mall as well as watching the sea lion shows on the weekends when I’m there,” says Kara Reed, an employment outreach consultant with the City of Edmonton. “My husband and I also like to take in a live show every once in awhile at Jubilations Dinner Theatre.”

Reed says her favourite stores at West Edmonton Mall are H&M, lululemon athletica and Old Navy, and her favourite restaurant is Old Spaghetti Factory. “I’m lucky that the mall is close to where I live, and I shop there on a weekly basis,” she says. “It’s nice that I’m able to make one stop to get everything I need, instead of driving from store to store somewhere else.” Today, the mall that bills itself as The Greatest Indoor Show on Earth is home to the world’s largest indoor amusement park, the world’s largest indoor lake complete with a replica of Christopher Columbus’ Santa Maria, and the world’s largest indoor wave pool. It also features a casino and themed streets such as Europa Boulevard, Chinatown and Bourbon Street. Meanwhile, outdoors is the world’s largest parking lot with room for 20,000 vehicles. “West Edmonton Mall is great for me because it has many specialty boutiques and mainstream stores that are unique to Edmonton,” says Amal Jamal, who is also an employment outreach consultant with the City of Edmonton. Jamal says she doesn’t live close to WEM, but makes a point of visiting it at least once a month. “My fiancé and I can’t leave West Edmonton Mall without visiting stores such as Bebe, Sephora, BCBG Max Azria, Nine West and Femme de Carriere,” she says. “We also visit Bourbon Street for some good food at Moxies between all the shopping madness. It’s an all-in-one mall that works for me. It is amazing.”

A sea lion climbs out of the water to greet Nathan Noble, 4, during a show at the mall’s Sea Lion’s Rock. Above: Shoppers stroll through one wing of the vast mall, which covers 48 city blocks – the size of 115 football fields.

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Bison

Try the

Meatloaf STANDOUT RESTAURANTS OFFER THE BEST OF CANADIAN CUISINES

STORY BY HOLLIE DEESE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

hoosing from among the hundreds of restaurants in Edmonton can be a daunting task. There are bistros, cafés, delis, vegetarian, seafood – whatever you want, you can get. But when it comes to white tablecloths and impeccable fine dining, three restaurants stand out in the city of about 1 million. Characters, Hardware Grill and Jack’s Grill are known among local foodies for their use of local game and produce, serving Canadian cuisine with flair. “All three restaurants are high-end,

The pan-seared jumbo sea scallops and slowbraised bacon with marinated apples at Jack’s Grill Left: Guests enjoy dining at the Hardware Grill.

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The hardware grill is a popular dining spot in Edmonton’s Arts District. Right: A rare bottle of 1937 Glenfiddich single malt scotch is proudly displayed at Characters restaurant. A one-ounce shot will set you back $1,500.

well-appointed, suitable for business and celebratory dinners as well as romance,” says Mary Bailey, editor of City Palate magazine. Located in a historic building, hardware grill sets the scene in Edmonton’s Arts District with diners surrounding the open kitchen. “This is contemporary Canadian rustic cooking with exceptional service,” Bailey says. Chef Larry Stewart, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Melinda, takes local ingredients and turns them into dishes like mocha crusted venison with chocolate-balsamic syrup, paired with bison meatloaf and a barbecue glaze, all with russet potato gnocchi and sundried cherries. Characters seats 110 in their main dining room, with four private dining rooms. Reservations are a must. “Characters serves contemporary, sophisticated meat and potatoes,” says Bailey. Chef Shonn Oborowsky is known for dishes like grilled red snapper with pinot gris braised root vegetables and squash or a juicy Alberta Black Angus beef tenderloin and short rib with morel sauce and buttered carrots. The atmosphere at Jack’s Grill may appear a little more casual, but the cuisine is not. Sure, the white tablecloths are there, but so is white butcher-block paper that covers them. The length of one wall of the restaurant was replaced with a window 28

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showing off a lush courtyard, where fresh herbs for the kitchen are grown. “We serve homemade smoked duck sausage,” says Peter Jackson, chef and restaurant owner. “We make all our own ice creams, cure our own bacon and make our own pancetta. Everything is lovingly prepared.” And that can include a smoked lamb carpaccio, crusted in rosemary with arugula and apple salad with a Dijon aioli or Quebec fois gras torchon on a Yukon gold blini with plum compote and pomegranate syrup. “We are a place to go for good food, good wine and good service,” says Jackson. “If you want a waiter to fawn all over you and give you the white glove

treatment, you aren’t going to get that here.” What you will get at all three spots is impeccable cuisine that utilizes all the best Canada has to offer, knowledgeable wine service and an ideal location to make some romantic memories, if only to be seduced by the menu.

Beef tartar with sweet onions is a favorite at Characters restaurant.

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Some Like It Hot NUMEROUS ETHNIC RESTAURANTS CALL EDMONTON HOME In a city as diverse as Edmonton, you expect to find every cuisine under the sun. And from spicy Indian to authentic Thai, you can truly have it all. “Edmonton has some really great ethnic restaurants and casual owner-operated bistros,” says Mary Bailey, editor of City Palate magazine. “That’s what we do best.” Residents must think so, too. New Asian Village, one of the first Indian restaurants in the area, opened in 1973 with a small, 28-seat restaurant. Now there are four outposts around the city, room enough for hundreds of diners. “It is very traditional cuisine influenced by my mother,” says owner Harmeep Kapur. “It is very flavorful. Indian food is a food where spicy does not mean hot.” Of course, you can ask for plenty of heat if you like it that way. And the restaurants are now offering a healing food menu, based on ayurvedic practices. “We will use a few drops olive oil and lots of spices,” says Kapur. “Spices and

garlic calm you down.” If you’re feeling like Chinese food instead, head over to the popular Lingnan, which specializes in Cantonese and Szechuen cuisine. Open since 1947, the traditional food is available for dine-in or carryout. Favorites like Singapore noodles, a curried dish with veggies, share the spotlight with the more exotic peaches and cream shrimp and lobster tail Canton with minced pork, garlic and black bean sauce. The decadent décor is all red satin and gilded edges, with an equally opulent banquet room. And for those craving a heaping plate of pad thai, The King and I is the place to go. Consistently winning “best of” awards in the area, those new to Thai food will appreciate the flavorful – but not too spicy hot – cuisine. From curries and peanut-based noodle dishes to a flavorful Phuket seafood soup, the King and I always comes out on top. – Hollie Deese

Ethnic Restaurants NEW ASIAN VILLAGE www.newasianvillage.com NEW ASIAN VILLAGE CENTRAL 10143 Saskatchewan Dr. (780) 433-3804 NEW ASIAN VILLAGE WEST 17507-100 Ave. (780) 483-6666 NEW ASIAN VILLAGE SOUTH 9308-34 Ave. (780) 463-9997 NEW ASIAN VILLAGE NORTH 320 Manning Crossing (780) 473-7777 THE LINGNAN www.thelingnan.com 10582-104 St. NW (780) 426-3975 (708) 426-3976 (780) 426-3977 KING AND I 8208 107 St. NW (780) 433-2222

Indian artwork adds ambience and color to the dining experience at New Asian Village, which serves traditional Indian food inspired by the owner’s mother’s home cooking.

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Ribbon of

Green EDMONTON’S VAST PARK SYSTEM DRAWS MILLIONS OF VISITORS

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STORY BY BETSY WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

t could be called Canada’s own Emerald City. Instead of a yellow brick road, however, the city of Edmonton features a ribbon of green: the vast system of parks, walking trails and ravines along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. “We have a very large, deep river valley, with large terraces, and then coming back from the river system is a ravine system, which feeds our parks,” says Rob Marchak, director of parks planning with the city’s Department of Asset Management and Public Works. Edmonton’s park system is described by Marchak as “quite massive,” and the numbers back that up: 22 major parks along the 48-kilometre river stretch that runs through the city; 896 city district and neighborhood parks; 150 kilometres of paved walking trails; 338 playgrounds; three municipal and numerous private golf courses, plus 92 tennis courts; and more than 309,000 ornamental trees in the parks and along the city’s boulevards. Fort Edmonton Park, Valley Zoo and Muttart Conservatory are top attractions

located just minutes from the River Valley. “We’ve been very fortunate,” says Marchak, who notes that despite a very healthy oil-based economy and city growth, “the river valley has not had a huge amount of industrial development, so it is very intact. We have an amazing jewel here.” All that green, with 17 hours of summer daylight to enjoy it, makes Edmonton a promised land for the 10 million sports enthusiasts who visit each year. Just ask Tiffany Jackson, a personal trainer who has run boot camps in the river valley. “We have runs through the river valley that go along these amazing ‘stairs’ that are naturally built into the river banks,” says Jackson, a seven-year city resident. “It’s nature’s gem, that’s for sure.” Maintaining this expanse of parkland doesn’t come cheaply. “We have 431 fulltime employees, augmented by 470 summer workers who are responsible only for the maintenance of the parks and boulevards,” says Marchak. “The overall annual budget for the parks system is $45 million for operations and

$60 million for capital improvements.” As opportunities arise, the city is using that money to acquire river valley terraces, including a recent acquisition of 70 hectares of property, and work is under way on a new pedestrian bridge over the river, as well as better access to the river. Edmonton’s parks system is complemented by the River Valley Alliance, which is using $50 million in donations to link the city’s trails with others in the region. “When we fully expand the whole region, it will become a major destination park,” says Marchak. The City of Edmonton has named five parks within its system in honor of each of the Famous 5, a group of women who fought in the early part of the 20th century for women to have the same rights and privileges afforded to men. They also were responsible for the original planting of elm trees, says Marchak. That set the stage for today’s requirements, where a developer must give 10 percent of any new development to the city for a park. “This gives us an incredible resource,” says Marchak.

A pedestrian walks past an Asian gazebo in downtown’s Louise McKinney Park. Right: A cyclist rides across High Level Bridge heading to bike-friendly downtown Edmonton. Left: A couple takes in the view of the Edmonton skyline.

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Life at Any

Speed

FROM COOL TO COUNTRY, EDMONTON OFFERS MANY HOUSING OPTIONS

STORY BY CAROL COWAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

Dénes and Priscilla Németh moved to suburban St. Albert and call it “the prototypical great place to raise a family.”

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hether you’re seeking the urban, contemporary vibe of downtown, the casual, family-friendly flow of the suburbs, or the green expanses and laid-back pace of the country, Edmonton holds out housing possibilities geared to match your life – at any speed. “We have entry-level housing all the way through exclusive executive neighborhoods,” says Mark Perras, president of the Realtors Association of Edmonton. Loft apartments, high-rise condominiums, historic 100-yearold homes, single-family dwellings and rural acreages represent the wide range of residential real estate available in the city proper and throughout the 25 municipalities that make up Greater Edmonton. Furthermore, housing is amazingly affordable here. “Edmonton is not as expensive as Toronto or Vancouver or even Calgary,” Perras explains. “Vis-à-vis the rest of the country, we’re right where we should be.” So are Miranda and Ian Wemyss. Their home in the heart of the city suits the couple’s lifestyle perfectly. Miranda Wemyss says she and her husband couldn’t be happier with the condo they purchased near the company where both work in downtown Edmonton. “I love that I walk to work,” Wemyss says. “We’re only eight E D M O NTO N

Kari Zral moved to an apartment in the heart of downtown Edmonton, where urban living means she can walk to restaurants, shops, pubs and clubs – without ever getting in her car.

or nine blocks from my work. I love that we’re only eight blocks from the [Edmonton] City Centre mall. I love, love, love that I can run down 109th to River Valley [Parks System] and run up and down the stairs there.” Wemyss also notes that she and her husband live close to the grocery store where she buys fresh food each day and the beautiful, bustling Legislature Grounds where the young couple enjoys walking together among the pools and fountains. They snatched up their condo as soon as it went on sale. “We never considered anything else,” Wemyss says. “We knew this was where we wanted to live.” A different set of considerations led Dénes and Priscilla Németh to buy their home in the suburbs. Following the birth of their first daughter, the young professional couple chose to settle in St. Albert near their extended family. “It’s the prototypical great place to raise a family,” says Dénes Németh, referring to the St. Albert municipality of 55,000, which is located in Sturgeon County north of Edmonton. “It’s a very educated, professional community. Where we live is a pretty well-to-do area, but St. Albert is not an ‘upscale’ E D M O NTO N

city. It’s very down to earth. “In this area, there is more space, and the houses are farther apart than they are in the city. It’s got good schools and an excellent healthcare system. It has the largest farmers market in western Canada. And there’s a good selection of restaurants and everything you need, but it’s close enough to Edmonton to go shopping and out for entertainment. ” And to go to and from work. Németh works in downtown Edmonton, but the region’s excellent thoroughfares make for an easy 30-minute commute. Strathcona County lies east of Edmonton and has housing options in both urban and rural settings. More than two-thirds of Strathcona County’s population resides in Sherwood Park. The urban community – where housing includes single-family homes in contemporary neighborhoods, condominiums and estates – boasts excellent economic opportunities and top-notch schools and public services, as well as prime shopping and entertainment destinations. Real estate in the Strathcona County’s scenic rural areas features acreages, farms and lakeside cabins. I M AG E S E D M O N T O N . C O M

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Portfolio

Round the Clock Golf 17 HOURS OF SUMMER SUNLIGHT MEANS THERE’S ALWAYS TIME TO TEE OFF

JEFFREY S. OTTO

ou never have to look far to play a round of golf in Edmonton. There are about 90 golf courses in and around the city that offer tee times for enthusiasts at every level. “I would say in general that Edmontonians are extremely keen golfers,” says Mandy Foster, acting president of the Edmonton Golf Association. “There are so many people who love golf in the greater Edmonton region, and that’s really highlighted by the number of golf courses that we have.” The picturesque Saskatchewan River Valley has highly rated public courses. If you’re in the heart of downtown, the Victoria Golf Course is a stone’s throw from the city centre. Riverside Golf Course can boast one of the best municipal courses in the world. Venture minutes away from downtown, and you’ll find Jägare Ridge Golf Club. Located along the banks of the Whitemud Creek Valley, the course has a feel of being inside a secluded countryside. And the Blackhawk Golf Club, which opened in 2003, is quickly gaining the reputation of being one of the best golf facilities in the country. The city has a long history of welcoming golf tournaments at every level. That includes the LPGA’s CN Canadian Women’s Open, which was held in 2007 at the Royal Mayfair Golf Club. The TELUS Edmonton Open is another tournament that attracts some of the best golfers in the world. The long summer daylight hours of Edmonton provide for plenty of time to get a round of golf in, even after the busiest of workdays. “You can quit work at 5 o’clock and still play 18 holes of golf because it doesn’t get dark until 11 o’clock at night,” Foster says of summertime play. “So, we have hours and hours of golf here in Edmonton.”

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Just minutes from downtown offices, a golfer practices his swing at Victoria Driving Range in the River Valley.

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Portfolio

The Big Leagues of Communities

n Edmonton, neighbors not only know one another, they band together in community leagues that allow people to make friends and strengthen neighborhoods. Edmonton has 150 community leagues – neighborhood groups that work to improve the quality of life in their communities. “It’s all about strengthening neighborhoods and developing friendships,” says Allan Bolstad, Executive Director of the Edmonton Federation of

Community Leagues. Typically, the community leagues are involved in sports and activities for children. Soccer teams are a staple, with some leagues responsible for overseeing as many as 20 teams. Most of the leagues have their own halls that offer exercise classes, host parties and hold special events and meetings. A lot of them have playgrounds, outdoor rinks, basketball courts, tennis courts and child care centers.

The leagues also draw the civicminded who are concerned about traffic, redevelopment or new trends that might affect their neighborhood. The leagues, in turn, act as a collective voice for a community. For newcomers to Edmonton, joining a community league is a sure way to meet people and get to know your community. The typical family fee for joining a league is about $25 to $30 a year, Bolstad says. The community leagues in Edmonton are somewhat of a novelty in Canada. Only Calgary has a similar program, says Bolstad, who spends a lot of time talking to people outside Edmonton interested in learning how their cities can set up similar programs. Edmonton’s first community league began in 1917. The Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues, which is a nonprofit umbrella organization over all the leagues, was later formed in 1921. Today, there are about 100,000 people in the leagues. The success is a reflection of the spirit of the early settlers of Edmonton, which began as an agricultural society where people pitched in to help each other. That spirit is very much alive today, Bolstad says.

Edmonton’s unique community leagues provide opportunities for recreation, children’s activities and political involvement.

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Airport Has Much To Declare

dmonton International Airport has been the fastest growing major airport in Canada for the last two years in a row. EIA flew more than 6 million passengers to 53 non-stop destinations in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Mexico in 2007. The dramatic increase in traffic – double-digit passenger growth for the last three years – is impressive by world airport standards, EIA officials say. Driving much of the increase are the international flights out of Edmonton, which rose 85 percent from 2006 to 2007. The rise in international flight traffic is due in large part to the success of Air Canada’s daily non-stop service between Edmonton and LondonHeathrow Airport. Additional non-stop destinations added last year, including expansion of winter service to sunspots in the Caribbean and Mexico, are also driving up airport demand. To keep up with the boom, EIA is spending $1.1 billion on an airport expansion project that will accommodate 9 million passengers by 2012. The expansion project will add new gates, build a new passenger concourse and expand parking. It will add new technology to help passengers move through the airport as smoothly as possible. Common-use, self-serve, check-in kiosks will allow customers to access their boarding passes at multiple points throughout the terminal. Passengers will also be able to self-tag baggage and check baggage at any location in the terminal. A new office-control tower complex will replace a current one built in the 1960s and provide more office space, restaurants and services, and also allow for easier baggage check-in. The expansion project, underpinned by the philosophy of “we’ll move you,” will have additional new technology to make the airport experience easier and more convenient for passengers. Apart from the expansion program, construction is set to begin on a 200-plusroom Courtyard by Marriott hotel that will be connected by a walkway to the north terminal. E D M O NTO N

More than six million passengers a year come through Edmonton’s airport.

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The Rocky Mountains are a magnet for visitors during all seasons.

High There, Outdoor Fans

hether you are looking for a relaxing weekend getaway, an adventure filled with snowmobiling or rafting or a chance to view some of the rarest wildlife in North America, the Canadian Rockies offers it all. Alberta’s majestic Rocky Mountains are a three-hour drive west of Edmonton. For those searching for a more rustic and adventurous vacationing experience, Jasper National Park may be your best bet. Snowmobiling, dog sledding and cross-country skiing are popular in the wintertime. Or explore the mountains while riding winding trails on all-terrain vehicles. Visitors in the summer enjoy hiking and camping in the magnificent Alberta wilderness, go white-water rafting, horseback riding and fishing. Nestled inside the park is the little town of Jasper, where towering snowcapped mountains crown the horizon and pristine alpine lakes and lush evergreen forests wow visitors every year. The park – the largest national park in the Rockies – is known internationally for its wildlife viewing. Mountain sheep, bears, elk and mountain goats are protected here, and visitors can spot them by simply driving down the road. There are great restaurants in Jasper as well as accommodations for every budget. Vacationers can take guided fishing trips, go camping, skiing and then relax in a nice hotel afterward. “They can be rugged and rustic all day and then go back to a nice spa,” says Gloria Keyes-Brady, tourism specialist for Parks Canada. Jasper National Park is especially good for families with younger children, she says. For more, visit www.pc.gc.ca or www. canadianrockies.com. 40

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Green With Envy About Recycling E

dmonton ranks as a world leader in recycling, and residents pride themselves on keeping the city both green and clean. Eighty percent of Edmontonians recycle their trash, thanks to the curbside blue bag recycling initiative introduced in the city in 1999. Under the program, residents put all their recyclables in a blue bag and leave it out on the curb next to the trash for pickup. “It’s been well received by the residents,” says Connie Boyce, director of community relations for the city of Edmonton’s Waste Management Branch. The blue bag makes it easy, because there’s no sorting. Apartment dwellers put their recyclables in blue bins and there are recycling depots in about 20 shopping centers throughout the city. Last year the city collected close to 50,000 tons of recyclables, and that doesn’t include beverage containers that are recycled through a separate program for all of Alberta. Additionally, about 40 percent of residents participate in the grass-recycling program and 32 percent do backyard composting, Boyce says. Edmonton also has one of the highest waste diversion rates in all of North America. Currently, about 60

percent of all residential waste is diverted from the landfill through recycling and composting. But with new technology being introduced, 90 percent of the waste will be diverted from the landfill by 2012. Edmontonians also work hard to make sure none of that waste winds up on the streets. The city launched the Capital City Clean Up program in 2005 to reduce litter and graffiti. Under the program, volunteers adopt a block to pick up

litter and sweep sidewalks in their neighborhoods. Close to 800 people pick up litter and report graffiti. Additionally, the annual river valley clean up usually attracts about 1,500, Boyce says. When it comes to keeping the city beautiful, there’s never a shortage of volunteers, Boyce says. “There are a lot of people in the city who are very dedicated to keeping it clean.” – Stories by Sheila Burke

Edmonton is a world leader in recycling programs.

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Business

Aiming

High

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Edmonton is attracting a diverse population of newcomers from around the world. Malida Majumdar, right, was attracted to her job at Associated Engineering because of the company’s commitment to its employees.

EDMONTON COMPANIES STAND OUT FOR PROMOTING WORKPLACE DIVERSITY STORY BY SHEILA BURKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKINS

dmonton is fast emerging as an international city. The city is attracting a diverse population of newcomers from all corners of the globe. Many of the businesses here welcome these new citizens with open arms and want their companies to be a reflection of the diversity in the community at large. Two of the firms leading the way are Associated Engineering Group Ltd., and KPMG of Canada. Associated Engineering, an employeeowned consulting engineering firm with services in water supply and treatment, waste management and urban development, recently made the list of Top 20 Best Employers for New Canadians. Mediacorp Canada Inc. compiled the prestigious ranking. The company was recognized for its aggressive recruitment of engineers from other countries and its programs, including language training, that help these new Canadians adjust to life here. The company also helps internationally educated engineers obtain a provincial

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engineering license and encourages new Canadian employees to enroll in special business communication programs provided by a local college. And when it comes to adjusting to life in Edmonton, the company goes all out to help its new recruits, from greeting them at the airport, making sure they have accommodations or simply buying groceries for them, Liana Mah of Associated Engineering says. That philosophy was what attracted Milada Majumdar to the company from a job in Ottawa. “I was hoping that it would be a great company to work for and it really is,” says Majumdar, who is an electrical engineer of Indian origin. “Their culture is to retain the employees and to develop leaders, so they really put so much into all their employees.” Over at KPMG, a firm that provides auditing, tax and financial services, the commitment to diversity is a top priority. KPMG is ranked as one of Canada’s 25 Best Diversity Employers, according to a 2008 ranking also

compiled by Mediacorp. It even has a full-time staffer devoted to promoting diversity. The man who filled that position says having a diverse workforce that respects employees without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation or age is vital to the company. “I would say that it’s close to the top of our list of priorities with people,” says Michael Bach, director of diversity, inclusion and equality. Edmonton itself, he says, is a reflection of a culturally mixed city that has grown dramatically in the last 10 years. The company’s commitment to diversity was a big draw for Esther Weltert, a senior accountant who came to the Edmonton office of KPMG in January of 2008. Originally from Switzerland, Weltert was drawn to the company because of its reputation and its client base, as well as its workforce. “I think it’s an advantage,” she says of the diverse group of employees at KPMG. People from different backgrounds, she says, bring many different perspectives. I M AG E S E D M O N T O N . C O M

JEFF ADKINS

Business | Biz Briefs

Matrix Hotel Edmonton is among the latest boutique hotels to open in the city.

INCITE-ING MARKETING The Daytona Group is a big player in Edmonton’s residential construction boom, but it had a problem marketing itself. The company’s small marketing staff was overwhelmed, salespeople were creating their own ads and branding was inconsistent. Then, Daytona brought on board Incite Solutions, a marketing management firm in 2005. Incite created new print ads for 11 residential developments in Alberta, streamlined marketing materials and standardized the company’s logos, designs, letterhead, signs, information packets and other business-branding materials. The overhaul got some attention. In 2006, Daytona Group raked in the industry’s SAM (Sales & Marketing) Awards. The company won the Grand SAM (Builder of the Year) and seven other honors, including best magazine ad. Incite’s approach to marketing attracts a wide range of clients. Among them are Pivotal Research, which works with government agencies, nonprofits and corporations; Machine O Matic Ltd., which competes against dozens of other machine shops in Edmonton; and 44

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XSensor Technology Corp., a big maker of pressure mapping systems. Lexus of Edmonton, another client, just won the top Lexus dealer in Canada for the second year running in 2008. And Alberta Venture named Incite winners of the “The Fast 50 – Alberta’s Growth Champions 2008.” Check out Incite’s approach at www.surfincite.com. A MODERN SPIN ON AN OLD INN A $20 million renovation of an old inn has given downtown Edmonton its newest gem in a string of boutique hotels that have become destinations of their own. Matrix Hotel Edmonton has 185 stylish rooms and 8,500 square feet of meeting space. The regular guest rooms have granite working desks, walnut furnishings and chrome accents. Onebedroom suites each have a wet bar, fireplace and separate living room. Not plush enough? Book the Onyx Suite. At 857 square feet, it has more space than most Manhattan apartments plus a terrace, fireplace, barbeque and seating area. Developers wanted to create some-

thing striking, sleek and stylish, says Delores March, director of marketing at Matrix. They succeeded. Matrix combines fire, water and stone, creating sophisticated rooms with warm earth tones. The earth elements also coordinate with soaring modernist public spaces accented with bold, graphic carpets and contemporary art. Matrix Hotel Edmonton joins the Varscona and Mettera, two other boutique hotels. All three were projects of the same developer, Westcorp Properties. BANK ON IT A bank is a bank is a bank, unless it is Canadian Western Bank. It’s the largest Schedule I bank with a focus on Western Canada. Report on Business in 2008 named it one of the best 50 employers in the country. Canadian Western has about 1,200 employees at more than 30 branches and provides trust and insurance services in addition to banking. It also specializes in small to medium business clients. Something else sets Canadian Western apart. The bank has no exposure to U.S. loans and has been unaffected by the E D M O NTO N

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U.S. housing and credit crises. In fact, in mid-2008, Canadian Western was running ahead of its 15 percent profit growth target at a time when many other Canadian banks had given up on their earnings targets. The bank’s focus on Western Canada also gives it an edge and closer ties to the community it serves. PCL BUILDS BIG PCL Construction is a big company that builds big. Ongoing projects include a $100 million upgrade at the Anchorage airport, a 32-story mixed-use building in downtown Orlando and Puget Sound’s elevated light transit system. The company is the largest general contracting organization in Canada and the 8th largest in the U.S., with 28 offices that include branches in Hawaii and the Caribbean. As a place to work, PCL’s reputation is notable, too. Report on Business named PCL one of Canada’s 50 best employers in 2008; MediaCorp put it third on its list of 100 top Canadian employers this year. Headquartered in Edmonton, PCL also is a Platinum Member of Canada’s Best Managed program. PCL does buildings, infrastructure and heavy industrial. It has more than 3,000 full-time staff members plus more than 5,000 hourly trades people. Ownership also sets PCL apart: The company is 100 percent owned by the majority of PCL salaried employees. Prospective PCL workers have a wealth of information available at the company’s Web site, with detailed job descriptions at each of the company’s main offices at www.pcl.com.

A shot from “Mass Effect,” BioWare’s latest electronic game

In 2008, BioWare was named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for the fourth year in a row. The competition, organized by Mediacorp Canada Inc. and published in the Financial Post, also named BioWare one of the country’s 10 Best Companies to Work For for its

forward thinking. The company started in 1995 with three people and now employs about 370 in Edmonton and 100 in a second office in Austin, Texas, according to Derek Sidebottom, director of human resources. – Pamela Coyle

BIOWARE’S GOT GAME BioWare, a division of Electronic Arts, develops games for computers, hand-held devices, consoles and online. The Edmonton-based company has created some of the world’s best-selling titles: Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights series, as well as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, the 2003 Game of the Year. The New York Times named Mass Effect its 2007 Game of the Year, citing “its focus on character development, personal growth and moral tension.” E D M O NTO N

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Business | Economic Profile

EDMONTON BUSINESS CLIMATE Greater Edmonton is an economic powerhouse where businesses Pro Body and careers thrive. Its sizzling growth is fed by the lowest cost of doing business and one of the hottest investment climates in Canada.

DISTANCE TO OTHER CITIES Calgary

FACTS/STATISTICS Edmonton was ranked as the best Canadian city to do business by Canadian Business magazine in September 2006. Edmonton was the only Canadian city in the Top 10 “Cities of the Future” ranking by Foreign Direct Investment magazine in April 2007. The Edmonton service area has the second-largest oil reserves in the world – second only to those of Saudi Arabia. Edmonton is debt free, enabling the city to allocate more spending on infrastructure – 2.5 times per capita more than the average of other provinces. Edmonton has the lowest-cost class-A office space among major Canadian cities. And it offers an ideal corporate tax structure, with no provincial sales tax, capital tax or payroll tax.

TRANSPORTATION Air Edmonton International Airport, (780) 890-8382 www.edmontonairports.com

Jasper

362 kilometres (226 miles)

Banff

404 kilometres (252 miles)

Vancouver

1,159 kilometres (720 miles)

Seattle

1,263 kilometres (785 miles)

Salt Lake City

1,727 kilometres (1,073 miles)

Denver

2,057 kilometres (1,278 miles)

Minneapolis-St. Paul

2,037 kilometres (1,266 miles)

Local Streets City maps are available from www.edmonton.ca and the Edmonton Transit System. Pedway System An extensive system of pedways (above- and belowground) connects most major downtown buildings to the underground transit. Taxis Taxi fare from the airport to the city centre is approximately $50.

WORKING IN EDMONTON

Development Canada at www.sdc.gc.ca.

GOVERNMENT City of Edmonton (780) 496-8200 www.edmonton.ca Province of Alberta (780) 310-0000 (toll-free within Canada) www.gov.ab.ca Canada 800 O-CANADA (780) 622-6232 www.canada.gc.ca

FOR MORE INFORMATION Edmonton offers some of the best employment prospects in Canada in a variety of industry sectors because of its booming, sustainable economy.

Drive Shortest daily commute time of Canada’s largest cities.

To search for opportunities in Edmonton, visit www. movetoedmonton.com and check out the job banks.

Public Transportation System Edmonton Transit System (780) 496-1611 www.takeETS.com

One of the requirements to work in Canada is a Social Insurance Number (SIN). Apply for a card at Social

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294 kilometres (184 miles)

Edmonton Economic Development Corp. 3rd Floor World Trade Centre 9990 Jasper Ave. Edmonton, AB Canada T5J 1P7 Phone: (780) 424-9191 Toll-free: (800) 661-6965 www.edmonton.com www.movetoedmonton.com

Sources: www.edmonton.com

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Health & Wellness

Leading the Way in Women’s Health LOIS HOLE HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN WILL OFFER CUTTING-EDGE CARE

omen in Edmonton will soon have a state-of-the-art hospital all their own. The Lois Hole Hospital for Women is scheduled to open its doors in 2009. It will be unlike any other healthcare facility in the province of Alberta. “Think healing that encompasses body, mind and spirit: spa-like colors, beautiful art, soft lighting, a roof-top healing garden, a serene chapel and a resource center,” says hospital spokeswoman Sharlene Rutherford. “It’s our goal that when women walk through the doors of the Lois Hole Hospital for Women they will recognize immediately that this hospital was designed with their needs in mind,” Women’s health needs are unique and go far beyond pregnancy and childbirth, Rutherford says. In partnership with the University of Alberta, the hospital aims to lead the way in research on women’s health issues and bring the latest technology and

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treatments to Edmonton. Specialized clinics at the hospital will offer a holistic approach to the physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing of women with a myriad of health concerns. Consider the pre-teen struggling with irregular or painful menstrual cycles, Rutherford says. Or a 25-year-old just given a diagnosis of cervical cancer who faces the possibility of a radical hysterectomy. Or a woman who is told the ovarian cancer she fought successfully six years ago has returned. These women will all have a place at the new hospital. A mature woman’s clinic will address healthy aging. A multiple miscarriage clinic will help patients and their partners through difficult emotions while physicians research the root of the problem. The hospital was named after former Alberta Lt. Governor Lois Hole, an icon and example of strong women’s leadership in the region. She passed away in 2005. – Sheila Burke

Health Care, Canadian-Style PUBLIC HEALTH, PRIVATELY OFFERED

Canada has a publicly funded national health-care system known as Medicare. Under the system, Canada’s provinces and territories are responsible for running their own health-care plans and must provide residents with all medically necessary hospital and doctors’ services. Unlike other nations with universal health-care, Canada’s health-care system is not socialized medicine. Health-care providers operate independently and are not employees of the government. The system doesn’t pay for everything. “Generally, drugs aren’t covered,” says Dr. Philip Jacobs, a professor of medicine at the University of Alberta. Many people seek private drug coverage insurance, Jacobs says. Newcomers, Jacobs says, need to start in the system by ﬁnding a general practitioner.

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Arts & Culture

Pedestrian Eye Candy CITY ARTS PROGRAM ADDS SCULPTURE TO DOWNTOWN’S CITYSCAPE

JEFF ADKINS

stroll through downtown Edmonton reveals more than just skyscrapers and restaurants. There are also brightly colored murals in unexpected places, bronze sculptures of historic residents and towering geometric installations made of steel and concrete in the midst of busy city blocks. “The Places” is a public arts project designed to revitalize downtown Edmonton through a series of sometimes quirky, sometimes majestic, and always-eye-catching public works of art. “The Places projects raise the profile and livability of the area, and thereby increase the attractiveness of downtown,” says Linda Wedman, executive director. The Places launched in 1999. Today there are 30 permanent public works of art in the area, including mosaics, flag displays, sculptures and murals, such as the unexpected It’s About Time, by artist Sandra Bromley, a laminated glass and photographic mural incorporating 100 images of Albertans documented over the course of Alberta’s history Every year, The Places introduces a minimum of three new art and design projects, increasing the lure of the downtown area for local businesses, tourists and residents. The best way to experience the artwork is through a self-guided walking tour. “Public artwork is an essential community development tool,” Wedman says. “It reflects and enhances the culture of the community into which it is placed, invites the community to interact directly with their neighborhood, and animates the urban environment thus improving the safety of the area.” Projects are chosen after artists or designers are awarded commissions following local, provincial or national competitions. The Edmonton Arts Council takes the lead in the review and selection of the competition entries through a two-stage community jury process. The Works Society provides Project Management and contracts the successful artist or designer to complete the commissions. Currently, The Places has commissioned its 33rd project – a life-sized bronze sculpture titled The Lois Hole Memorial Library Statue. The sculpture, created by Edmonton artist Danek Mozdzenski, will depict the late lieutenant governor of Alberta. The Places is also working with The City of Edmonton to ensure art and design elements are a feature of the Louise McKinney Riverfront Park Development Legacy Project. – Hollie Deese

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The Epcor Water Feature, titled Light Venturi, by Terry Frost, operates during the spring and summer months at Churchill Square in downtown Edmonton.

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Sports & Recreation

The Golden Bears take a moment to celebrate at the 2008 Canadian Interuniversity Sport championship game.

They Shoot, They Score ALBERTA GOLDEN BEARS CONTINUE TO WIN HOCKEY TITLES

o disrespect intended toward the Edmonton Oilers, but men’s head hockey coach Eric Thurston of the Alberta Golden Bears wants the university team to play like the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. “My philosophy is just like the Red Wings’ philosophy, which is to be a very skilled, puck-possession team that attacks teams with our speed,” Thurston says. “Meanwhile, our defence moves the puck from tape to tape and doesn’t just dump it into the other team’s zone. We want to aggressively carry the play to the opposition whenever possible. And finally, of course, great goaltending makes all coaches look good.” Thurston has put together a goodlooking resume during his three years as head coach of the Golden Bears. The team has won two Canadian Interuniversity Sport hockey championships in that time, including the recent 2007-2008 crown when they

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defeated defending national champion University of New Brunswick, 3-2, in the title game in Moncton, New Brunswick. “In its long history, Alberta has won 13 CIS hockey championships, more than any other university in Canada,” Thurston says. “It just so happened that the school’s 100th anniversary is in 2008, so it was obviously a real honor for our hockey team to win the Canadian championship during U of A’s 100th birthday.” The 13 CIS titles in hockey are the most by any school across Canada. The Golden Bears also won the CIS championship the year before Thurston arrived in 2006, so the school is on a nice run of winning three of the past four titles. The Golden Bears posted an overall record of 33-9-2 in 2007-2008, and several players had strong seasons. They included goaltender Aaron Sorochan, team captain Harlan Anderson, centre Ian McDonald, second-year player Dylan Stanley and newcomers Jason Fransoo, Eric Hunter

and Derek Ryan. “First-year players Fransoo, Hunter and Ryan gave us four great lines and some added solid defence in 2007-2008,” Thurston says. “These three guys have now provided the Golden Bears with a solid foundation for years to come.” Thurston says he believes the success of the team can be attributed to every player buying into what is best for U of A hockey. “Before I arrived here, the great Clare Drake coached here for 28 years, and his philosophy was, ‘It’s amazing what can be accomplished when nobody cares who gets the credit,’” Thurston says. “That’s what happened to us in ’07-’08. We had 25 individuals who left their egos at the door and accepted their team roles. If that kind of thinking continues in 2008-2009, who knows? We just might win our third CIS title in a row, and fourth in the last five tries.” – Kevin Litwin I M AG E S E D M O N T O N . C O M

Education

Not Your Average School EDMONTON PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT CHAMPIONS CHOICE FOR PARENTS

Muslim and Christian schools to specialty schools that teach the Alberta curriculum by incorporating the arts, international language studies and pedagogical programs. “We have quite a number of families who choose alternative programs, though we never want to lose sight of the importance of the community school program as well,” Schmidt says. “About half of parents in our community choose their own neighborhood school.” Through its international language programs, the schools offer students, teachers and the general public the opportunity to receive international certification for their second language proficiency in French, Mandarin, German, Japanese and Spanish. “Our Mandarin program has been recognized internationally, which has been quite an honor because the Chinese government provides funding to support improving the knowledge of Chinese culture and language,” Schmidt says. In collaboration with the Shandong Education Commission and the Communication University of China,

the new Confucius Institute opened at Edmonton’s Alberta School for the Deaf in May 2008. The Confucius Institute will support Chinese language programming in Edmonton Public Schools and offer increased professional development opportunities for teachers and resources for instruction of Chinese language and culture. Examples of other Edmonton specialty schools include the Victoria School of Performing and Visual Arts; Mee-YahNoh School, which focuses on literacy and reading comprehension; Talmud Torah School, which offers a program of Judaic and secular studies in a Hebrew bilingual setting; and Edmonton Christian School. Schmidt says giving parents a choice benefits students in the end. “When you have parental choice linked with teachers who are passionate about teaching a particular way, students benefit from their parents and teachers walking together,” he says. “Giving that option to parents creates opportunities for students to find their niche.” – Jessica Mozo

JEFF ADKINS

ack in the mid-1970s, Edmonton Public Schools implemented a revolutionary idea: Parents could choose to send their children to any school in the district, regardless of where they lived. Schools were also tailored to meet the needs of particular student populations and interests. More than three decades later, the district still champions choice for parents, and that philosophy has been the trademark of its success. “The notion that parents could choose any school began with the belief that there are different ways of educating children,” says Edgar Schmidt, superintendent of Edmonton Public Schools. “Even though the government says a student should be able to do certain things by the end of a school year, we believe there are different ways to get there. The one-size-fits-all model of education and the idea that there’s only one way to cross the finish line doesn’t fit our diverse society.” The district reflects that diversity and includes everything from Ukrainian,

A teacher walks past the entrance to the Edmonton Islamic School, a fully funded public school.

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Community Profile

EDMONTON SNAPSHOT Greater Pro Body Edmonton’s 25 municipalities provide a diversity of living options, from loft to acreage, all within a short commute. For a map of the region with links to each municipality, go to www.edmonton.com/region.

LIFESTYLE MoneySense magazine in 2006 ranked Edmonton as Canada’s second-most livable major city. The average price of a singlefamily residence in Edmonton as of July 2008 was $335,100, about 50% less than in Vancouver and 30% less than in Toronto and Calgary. Residents of Greater Edmonton enjoy low personal taxes, no provincial sales tax and high disposable incomes. Numerous governmentregulated child-care options are available to Albertans. These include day-care centres, drop-in centres, nursery schools and out-of-school care. Contact Edmonton and Area Child and Family Services at (780) 427-2250 or visit www.ed montonandareacfsa.gov.ab.ca. Edmonton has independent, volunteer-based community

leagues providing a number of social and recreational activities for all ages. Contact Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues at (780) 437-2913 or visit www.efcl.org.

seasons. Winter generally occurs from November to February. Summers are between mid-May and August, with up to 17 hours of daylight per day in June.

There are numerous municipally operated parks, recreational facilities and programs offering a range of recreational opportunities year-round. Contact City of Edmonton Community Services at (780) 496-4999 or visit www.edmonton.ca.

Temperatures Average January high -7.3 C, 18.9 F

The North Saskatchewan River Valley, the longest stretch of urban parkland in North America, has more than 150 kilometres of trails designated for biking, hiking, jogging and cross country skiing.

Precipitation Annual rainfall 365.7 mm, 14.40 inches

Edmonton is the gateway to Jasper National Park, the largest of Alberta’s worldfamous mountain parks.

CLIMATE Edmonton is one of the sunniest cities in Canada and experiences four distinct

Average January low -16 C, 3.2 F Average July high 22.8 C, 73 F Average July low 12.1 C, 53.8 F

Annual snowfall 123.5 mm, 48.62 inches

MUNICIPALITIES Town of Beaumont Beaumont, located on a “beautiful hill,” maintains strong ties to its French heritage. One of the Top 20 Fastest Growing Communities in Canada, Beaumont promotes healthy and active lifestyles and offers many

Can you imagine … a world without children?

We Can’t. Call 1-800-996-4100 to help. www.stjude.org

The area code for Edmonton is 780.

Head Office 8835 – 60th Ave. Edmonton, AB T6E 6L9 (780) 496-9300 Toll-free: (888) 496-9300

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Community Profile recreational opportunities. www.town.beaumont.ab.ca Town of Bon Accord The translation of Bon Accord, “Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again,” reminds visitors and residents of the town’s Scottish roots. The town is set among a lush landscape that includes a wetlands conservation area. www.town.bonaccord.ab.ca Town of Bruderheim Bruderheim was first settled in 1894 by a colony of German Moravians. They organized the first congregation of the Moravian Church in western Canada, naming it Bruderheim – home of the brethen. www.bruderheim.ca Town of Calmar Calmar is built around Highway 39. The Main Street atmosphere is enhanced by antique lighting, flared curbs with park benches and trees, and quiet recreation areas. www.town.calmar.ab.ca Town of Devon Devon lies adjacent to the North Saskatchewan River and provides residents and visitors with ample parkland and numerous recreation/tourism opportunities. www.devon.ca City of Edmonton Edmonton, the capital city of Alberta, is the largest city in central and northern Alberta. With more than 35 festivals a year, access to the best health care in the country and superb education, Edmonton offers a diverse and satisfying quality of life. www.edmonton.com City of Fort Saskatchewan Its 16,000+ residents enjoy safe, clean and friendly neighbourhoods on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River. The city has spacious and well-maintained parks, with a 30-km trail system and excellent recreational/cultural facilities, including the Dow Centennial Centre. www.fortsask.ca

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Town of Gibbons Gibbons offers a beautiful natural setting along the Sturgeon River, with a selection of homes and amenities of a large city only minutes away. Its numerous community organizations provide activities for all age groups. www.gibbons.ca Town of Lamont Nestled in the heart of vast, rural landscapes, Lamont lives up to its motto of “city living, country style.” The town serves as the central trading center for some 17,000 people in the surrounding rural countryside. www.lamont.ca Lamont County Lamont County has a cherised past and an excellent quality of life – all in a beautiful, rural setting. With abundant opportunities for residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial growth, we are truly a municipality of the future. www.lamontcounty.ca. City of Leduc Leduc is a safe, vibrant and active community with an eclectic mix of residential housing from heritage to modern day design. Local developments and neighbourhoods are complemented by playgrounds in attractive lakeside settings. Known for its welcoming atmosphere – the City of Leduc is an ideal place to live, work and play. Experience Leduc today at www.leduc.ca. Leduc County Leduc County, home to Edmonton International Airport, is a dynamic municipality. It provides the opportunity for acreage living in many of its subdivisions or a farm lifestyle. www.leduc-county.com Town of Legal Legal offers fully serviced lots, which is a great incentive for young families wanting to own

their own home and have peace of mind knowing they are raising their families in a safe, quiet, friendly community. www.town.legal.ab.ca Town of Morinville Morinville is a vibrant suburban community, which has been carefully developed on the foundations of English, French and German heritage. With all the contemporary conveniences of a much larger town, it retains the spirit of a smaller community. www.town.morinville.ab.ca Village of New Sarepta New Sarepta is moments away from Joseph Lake, Centennial Park and Miquelon Lake Provincial Park. The community offers the peaceful setting of a park and picnic area. www.newsarepta.com Parkland County Parkland County is a diverse and dynamic municipality, with amenities suited to every lifestyle. Numerous natural areas combined with exceptional recreation facilities make it a community of choice. www.parklandcounty.com Town of Redwater Redwater is the center of one of Canada’s largest oil fields and the home of the tallest oil derrick in North America. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the discovery of oil in the area. Redwater is a full-service, family-oriented community and is located in close proximity to the Industrial Heartland upgrader projects. www.town.redwater.ab.ca City of Spruce Grove Friendly, affordable and full of green spaces that invite you outdoors, Spruce Grove is a fresh-air city only 11kms west of Edmonton on the scenic Yellowhead Trans Canada Highway. The city offers an array of outstanding sports and recreation facilities, a vibrant cultural scene, an

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Community Profile extensive menu of commercial shops and services from big retail to independent businesses, and a diverse economic and industrial base. www.sprucegrove.org City of St. Albert This community of 60,000 is located adjacent to northwest Edmonton and provides easy access and a full transit service. St. Albert has an urban forest providing a full-range of cultural and recreational amenities for the whole family. The city offers a variety of business services ranging from big-box retailers to unique shops, with opportunities for industrial and commercial growth. www.stalbert.ca Town of Stony Plain Residents of Stony Plain enjoy modern recreational facilities, three school jurisdictions, an extensive trail system, arts and cultural amenities, and a vibrant, historic downtown core featuring 27 outdoor murals. www.stonyplain.com Strathcona County Strathcona County is a specialized municipality with both urban and rural lifestyles. Along with its the excellent quality of life and amazing recreational opportunities, Strathcona County has more than $15 billion worth of projected construction projects over the next five to seven years. www.strathconacounty.com Sturgeon County Family values here are pleasingly integrated with agriculture, commerce and industry. Sturgeon County, a vibrant community of nearly 19,000 residents, offers the lowest tax rates in the Alberta Capital Region. www.sturgeoncounty.ab.ca Village of Thorsby A large farming community surrounds Thorsby. Residents enjoy diverse recreational activities at the village’s

The area code for Edmonton is 780.

extensive recreation complex. Rodeos, livestock shows and other events are held at the Haymaker Centre. www.village.thorsby.ab.ca Village of Wabamun Wabamun, which translates to “looking glass” from Cree, is also the name of the local lake known for the recreational activities it offers, such as fishing, boating, water skiing, wind surfing and swimming. www.wabamun.ca Village of Warburg Warburg is a progressive community with a strong desire to grow with the times yet still retain its small-town atmosphere. Residents maintain communication with the German community of Warburg on the Rhine River. www.villageofwarburg.ab.ca

EDUCATION Edmonton is a North American leader in boundary-less school zoning, with a publicly funded kindergarten to grade 12 school system that allows students to choose their schools based on specialization. Public & Private Alberta Education (780) 427-7219 www.education.alberta.ca Alberta Learning (780) 427-7219 www.learning.gov.ab.ca Edmonton Catholic Schools (780) 441-6000 www.ecsd.net Edmonton Public Schools (780) 429-8000 www.epsb.ca Higher Education The University of Alberta is the top-ranked university in the province. The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology is Alberta’s largest technical school. Grant MacEwan College is Alberta’s largest college. Athabasca University

(780) 421-8700 (800) 788-9041 www.athabascau.ca Concordia University College of Alberta (780) 479-8481 (866) 479-5200 www.concordia.ab.ca King’s University College (780) 465-3500 (800) 661-8582 www.kingsu.ca Lakeland College (780) 416-8844 (800) 661-6490 www.lakelandc.ab.ca Grant MacEwan College (780) 497-5040 (888) 497-4622 www.gmcc.ab.ca NorQuest College (780) 644-6000 (866) 534-7218 www.norquest.ca Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (780) 471-7400, (800) 661-4077 www.nait.ca Taylor University College and Seminary (780) 431-5200 www.taylor-edu.ca University of Alberta (780) 492-3111 www.ualberta.ca University of Lethbridge (780) 424-0425 www.uleth.ca

FOR MORE INFORMATION Edmonton Economic Development Corp. 3rd Floor World Trade Centre 9990 Jasper Ave. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5J 1P7 Phone: (780) 424-9191 Toll-free: (800) 661-6965 www.edmonton.com www.movetoedmonton.com

Sources: www.edmonton.com

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Visit Our Advertisers

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A.L.L. Stars Realty Ltd. www.allstarsrealty.ca

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Matrix Hotel www.matrixedmonton.com

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NorQuest College www.norquest.ca

Edmonton Airports www.edmontonairports.com

Q Bridge Inc. www.qbridge.ca

Edmonton Economic Development Corporation www.edmonton.com/eedc

Royal LePage Noralta Real Estate www.royallepage.ca

Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club www.edmontonoilers.com

TEC Edmonton www.tecedmonton.com

Electric Motor Service Ltd. www.emsl.ca

The Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University College www.kingsu.ca

Enbridge Pipelines Inc. www.enbridge.com

Union Bank Inn www.unionbankinn.com

Grant MacEwan College www.macewan.ca

University of Alberta www.ualberta.ca

Greater Edmonton Growth Team www.edmonton.com

West Edmonton Mall www.westedmontonmall.com

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Save Money. Smell the Flowers.

Looking for ways to save money on gas and help the environment? The EPA wants to share some smart driving tips that could give you more miles per gallon of gas and reduce air pollution. Tips like making sure your tires are properly inflated and replacing your air filter regularly. And where possible, accelerate and brake slowly. Be aware of your speed ... did you know that for every 5 miles you go over 65 mph, you’re spending about 20 cents more per gallon of gas? If you’re shopping for a new car, choose the cleanest, most efficient vehicle that meets your needs. If we each adopt just one of these tips, we’d get more miles for our money and it would be a little easier to smell the flowers. For more tips and to compare cleaner, more efficient vehicles, visit

www.epa.gov/greenvehicles.

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