Photos By Joan Bateman
New York Fashion Awards September 12th During the WYP Fashion New York Fashion Week Show Stage48, 605W 48th Street
“and the winners are...” CHANEL JOAN ELKAYAM, UK International Designer of the Year VANNY TOUSIGNANT Couture Designer of the Year DANIEL HERNANDEZ Designer of the Year
SEIRA KIYONO, THAILAND International Model of the Year YVONNE CHUNG Female Model of the Year GIO DELAVICCI Male Model of the Year
Special thanks to Jorgen Jorgensen for presenting the awards.
Spotlight has been named "Fashion Magazine of the Year!!!” Our publication rose to the top in a field of heavy contenders. Some would ask, how did a Medicine Hat Magazine win in a New York City international competition? We strive to introduce models and designers in a market that is relatively untouched by the fashion industry. Canada offers great opportunities to all designers to enhance their bottom line in an upwardly mobile buying climate, rivaling the USA market. It is true we are much smaller in population, but a large percentage of Canada has the economic muscle to purchase high end merchandise. The industry is beginning to visualize the chance of expanding their brand in an area their competition has ignored and profits are unlimited. Spotlight works hard to extend proper photo credit to models, and tag them on social
media, which enhances their ability to get noticed, and find additional modeling work. We try to use "not just the best pictures we have shot," but the images that best portray the designer, their creations, and the models on the runway. A delicate balance between professional publishing, and recognition for the people we interview and serve. This award is exciting for Spotlight staff, and we humbly accept this award and thank the New York Fashion Awards, for the recognition and credibility it carries in the publishing community. Spotlight applauds Joan Bateman of Gainsboro Studio for the incredible work she has produced over the last four years. Without her tireless efforts we would not have achieved this latest step in our evolution of becoming the most talked about magazine in Canada. Joan's work is
2016
STORY FALU Makeup Artist of the Year MURIELLE KABILE Hair Stylist of the Year
HANK PEGERON Fashion Photographer of the Year SPOTLIGHT MAGAZINE Fashion Magazine of the Year
seen in other publications, and has appeared on the big screens in Times Square New York. She travels to get those breath taking shots across Canada and the USA. Whether she is shooting one of the numerous celebrities who have graced our cover, Miami Swim Week, the cast of a Broadway play, or the Fashion Files, each month the images are epic. This award to be honest, caught me by surprise. Just to be nominated in a field so “high profile,” was heart stopping. Everyone desires acknowledgment and to be credited by their peers, Spotlight is no exception. This means we will now have to double down in every area. Seeking to be ever worthy of this most prestigious accolade bestowed upon us, thank-you.
THIS ISSUES
CONTENTS
5 Politics Donald Trump is President: Here’s Why We Were Wrong Columnist Brent Dunstan 6 EDITORIAL SpotLight Focuses on Jeff Seymour Scott Cowan 8 MLA Treating your Dollar with Respect Columnist Drew Barnes
10 EDITORIAL Crescent Heights High School Hosts the Lion King Jr. Premier Scott Cowan 15 FINANCE Dealing with Employment Transitions BMO Consultant - Dan Hein
16 Golf Golf Simplified Down Hill Shots Columnist Donald Crawley
EDITOR
SCOTT COWAN (403) 504-7092 ART DIRECTOR
JOAN BATEMAN joan@gainsboro.ca GRAPHICS DIRECTOR
HEATHER COONS PHOTOGRAPHY
GAINSBORO STUDIO PHONE (403) 526-3054
scott-cowan@live.com ADDRESS
377 - 4 Street SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0K4 For a complimentary subscription to Spotlight, forward your email to:
info@spotlightmagazine.ca
Published and Printed by Spotlight Magazine
18 Law Aren’t You Supposed to Be on My Side?
19
Columnist Scott Stenbeck
The Fashion Files Gainsboro Spotlight
Disclaimer: No responsibility can be taken by Spotlight Magazine for any errors or omissions contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of Spotlight Magazine. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Spotlight Magazine. Comments are welcome.
3
Mainliner Pub 505 North Railway SE, Medicine Hat Check us out Thursday, Friday & Saturday ay’s
sd Wedne
50.00
$ DRAW CASH O WIN T G SIN E BAR! K O A R KA
VLT’S • LIVE BANDS • KARAOKE • (403) 529-1995
Chocolate Shop Family Restaurant Famous Breakfasts • Gluten Free Food
for our special guests 55 plus
value features delicious meals made just for you
Crystal Metz Ins Agcy Ltd Crystal Metz Ins Agcy Ltd Crystal Metz, Crystal MetzAgent Ins Agcy Ltd Crystal Metz, Agent 2-1335 Trans Canada WayTrans SECanada Way SE Crystal Metz, Agent2-1335 Medicine Hat, AB T1B 1J1 Medicine T1B 1J1 2-1335 Hat, TransAB Canada SE Bus: Way 403-526-1345 Bus: 403-526-1345 Medicine Hat, AB T1B 1J1 State Farm, Aurora, ON Bus: 403-526-1345 1211999CN State Farm, Aurora, ON 1211999CN State Farm, Aurora, ON 1211999CN
4
Dinner salad or cup
2301 Trans Canada Way Southeast of soup just $2.49 ith
té
Donald Trump is President: Here's Why We Were Wrong Editor’s note: Spotlight Magazine in fact predicted a Trump victory as per our Jan. 2016 cover featuring Mr. Trump. Republican. How epically did the Democrats fumble the ball? The candidate whose message resonated with the "Average Joe" voter was a New York City Billionaire, who spent the campaign flying around the country on his private jet; a $100 Million, literally gold plated Boeing 757 jetliner. It takes a special kind of miscalculation to have that be your opponent, and lose the blue collar, rural, and lower income/educated vote. Which brings to mind ....
Brent Dunstan Columnist
President Donald J. Trump. There it is in blackand-white. Like most, I watched the election results accumulate, scarcely believing what was transpiring. It was not long into the evening when my social media circles began to erupt, including a reminder of my article in the April issue of this magazine entitled, "Donald Trump Won't Be President: Here's Why". Like most journalists, pundits, and armchair politicos, my instincts told me that the clock would eventually strike twelve on the Trump Presidential Campaign. Now that someone, somewhere is writing an inaugural address for Donald Trump in the faint hope it will be delivered as written, we can delve into why so many people, including myself, were so wrong. There are some interesting reasons why an almost 180 degree result from what I had foreseen occurred, some of which have been hardly mentioned thus far. For example ....
A deeply divided America. The media has been generating a great deal of material on how America is divided along a number of lines; racial/ethnic, economic, gender, and given the overall vote, political. However, if one examines the numbers, none of those were the division that propelled Donald Trump to victory as much as the rural and urban divide. If one looks at the maps of each State showing the regional breakdown of the vote, with few exceptions, a distinct pattern emerges. Urban areas are blue islands in a sea of red. In Ohio, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Toledo, all went Democrat, but the State went Republican. Michigan? Detroit and Lansing; blue. State; red. Florida? Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Tallahassee; Democrat. State; Republican. Even in solidly Republican states like Kentucky, both Louisville and Lexington are very isolated blue spots on an otherwise red map. Ditto Texas. Dallas, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio,
blue. Missouri. Kansas City and St. Louis; blue. Nebraska. Lincoln and Omaha were blue; the rest of the State, very red. Kansas, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Georgia, Tennessee, even Utah; all Republic States whose urban centres voted Democratic. This wasn't limited to States Trump won. Clinton's margin of victory was huge in Illinois, but outside of the greater Chicago area, the vote was Republican. This pattern held true in other States Clinton won like Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Minnesota, and even New York. You likely couldn't hand pick a more citified candidate than Donald Trump, yet he was basically rejected by urban America, and driven to victory by the rural voter. This was due in in large part because of..... The large block of anti-establishment voters wanting change - come what may. This is a phenomenon that has truly taken hold of the political climate worldwide, but was underestimated in this U.S. Election, particularly in the Presidential race. However, as this most bizarre of campaigns careened toward it's conclusion, it became quite clear that, again, voters were not voting so much for one choice on the ballot as against the other. Polls kept confirming dissatisfaction with both options, and Trump's now infamous call to "drain the swamp" of Washington politics obviously grew legs. 2016 further proved voter dissatisfaction with business as usual politics, aided by a ..... Continued On Page 17
There was a complete role reversal for the two major party candidates. For as long as I can remember, Republicans have always been considered the party of big business and finance, and Democrats were considered the party of the blue-collar worker and the agents of change. The election results now in, it is quite clear that the Clinton Campaign conceded some traditional Democratic strongholds, both ideologically and perception-wise. Consider this; Wall Street companies donated over $64 Million to the Clinton Campaign and pro-Clinton Super-PACs. The Trump Campaign and PACs received less than $2 Million. In the past, donations from these sources would typically be favouring the
5
SpotLight Focuses on Jeff Seymour
Every once and a while an interview with a celebrity turns into a long standing friendship. Jeff Seymour was just that kind of wonderful surprise. Spotlight contacted him to audit his acting class being held in Calgary. Fourteen actors paid for his two day intensive to learn his unique acting method. As a novice who acted in two college plays, I can tell you his seminar was positively illuminating. I heard nothing but praise from the attendees. I spent lunch, and breaks, with those paying good money to be there. Everyone found the material as beneficial as myself.
Calgary Intensive Class 2016
Lennox Beganovic, Serena Bateman, Aidan Fink, Bernadette Janssen, Dorin McIntosh, Duffy Tyler, Wendy Froberg, Kristen Welker, Melanee Murray-Hunt, Natasha Yorgason, Preston Wolfe, Tammy Dalrymple-White, Sasha Barry, Tania McMahon
Photos - Joan Bateman
However, many would discount my opinion due to my inexperience as a thespian. So I asked Medicine Hat’s own Serena Bateman to attend with Spotlight. She has movie and musical theatre credits on her resume. Last year she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre at the New School in Manhattan, after graduating from (AMDA) American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. I surmised a new budding actress, professionally trained at one of the most prestigious schools, could offer some great insights. She was very impressed, and inquired about taking private lessons with Jeff in Toronto. Continued On Page 15
6
Jeff had forwarded scene studies to the participants prior to their arrival. Then the actors met not unlike they would have on an set, and performed. Jeff was not just a coach, or teacher, he quickly became a mentor. I immediately sensed the atmosphere of encouragement and non-judgment. Each person felt better about themselves, and their craft. Jeff has the unique ability to draw out the best in a person in an incredibly short amount of time. Jeff’s published book, “The Real Life Actor,” is packed with meat and substance. Each person received a copy as part of the tuition. Aside from the coaching, his critiques were a wealth of how to perform in an audition situation. If I walked away with anything, it was the realization that acting can be easy and fun. He pointed out and repeated in numerous scenes, “no one would say or do that in real life.” Jeff reduces what others spend years teaching by saying, “If it is not real, don’t do it that way.” In a sentence, acting is nothing more than doing in front the camera exactly what you would do in any situation, if you were not acting.
I have been in the room when an acting professor would talk about “finding your character,” they put you through numerous exercises... You see none of that in Jeff’s methods. One of the scenes assigned was of a couple ending their relationship. Jeff’s thoughts were simple. He would say, If you were really breaking up with your spouse, how long would it take when that person walked into the room, for you to be, “in character.” In other words, how long would it take to go from working on the computer, to be ready to talk... or argue... or fight? Maybe a second, whereas the traditional acting instructor would tell you to “feel the moment, breath, anaylze, yadda, yadda.” Jeff points out, when that real person enters the room you don’t have to over think it, you just react. That is the real life acting method. crunched to the lowest common denominator. I was amazed at the incredible transformation and relatable qualities of the actors under Jeff’s tutelage. Soon scripted lines became indiscernible from real conversations. There were some novice and accomplished people in the class, and everyone improved, dramatically ...in my opinion.
You may know Jeff from the numerous shows and movies he has been cast in, Being Erica, Jeff Ltd., and Show Me yours, just to name a few. Lately you have seen him on Break Out Kings, Homeland, Star Gate SG1, and Smallville. Later, when we were enjoying dinner, he was gracious when fans approached our table to ask for autographs and selfies. Lots of actors forget... that without all the people who watch the weekly series, and pay to see movies, professionals would not make a living. Jeff treated the people very kindly, and made them feel appreciated. Now that I have made a point of viewing his work, I am impressed with the diversity of his acting. He plays a great psychopath, and portrays a nice guy with believability. All to say he is not just an acting coach, but a fabulous performer in his own right. Most important, he makes you feel good about acting. His seminar was a safe place to screw up and improve. Before long, the entire group was excited about the next scene. We waited to see what we could learn from each other. Competing was non-existent, and replaced by a genuine attitude of support for each other. This atmosphere does not happen by chance, it takes proper leadership. Photos - Joan Bateman
7
Treating your Dollar with Respect - Drew Barnes And, therefore, we have to acknowledge the trade-off. A dollar sent to a centralized government is a dollar moved away from the family or individual or community. Every dollar used by the government is one that cannot be used on other productive pursuits. That dollar can no longer be reinvested in a construction company in Medicine Hat, or used to pay a farm worker in Cypress County, or spent on a child’s skating lessons. No discussion of taxation can be complete without looking at both sides: what a government needs to preserve well-functioning society, but also the economic freedom Albertans need to prosper.
DREW MLA BARNES Cypress - Medicine Hat cypress.medicinehat@assembly.ab.ca 403-528-2191
If you needed any more proof that taxation is a hot topic these days, you can tell by the number of constituents interested in discussing it with me. Of course, many are upset with the incoming carbon tax and concerned with the impact that it will have on southeastern Alberta in particular, being so tied to energy and agriculture. However, in all fairness, there are a few who support increased taxation. I have heard, in the words of American jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes, that “taxes are what we pay for civilized society.” Now, I think it’s important to keep those words in perspective. When those words were spoken in 1927, far fewer taxes were collected to pay for a far smaller government. In any case, rather than getting bogged down in specifics, the essence of the quote is worth discussing because Holmes makes a good point: taxes do play an important part supporting the core functions needed for a stable, prosperous society. On the flip side, we cannot forget that a healthy, strong society is supported in more ways than just government involvement. Healthy communities need local empowerment and strong families require opportunity to direct their own dollars to their own priorities. A robust economy ought to be given the space to grow and provide wealth for all.
8
More and more, our government’s inclination to grow itself has created an increased appetite for Albertans’ dollars. Keep in mind that increased borrowing will also have to be repaid at some point; debt is not free money, but merely a “future tax”. Are taxes the price we pay for a civilized society, or are they becoming the price we
pay for a government incapable and unwilling to show restraint? While everybody is willing to pay for the former, I don’t believe anyone is too enthused about the latter: paying more out of our pockets to cover inefficiencies and waste. Instead of looking outward for how to acquire more, government ought to be focused inwards, constantly re-examining itself and holding itself accountable to targets. It should be introspective, asking whether goals for a particular program are properly defined, and challenging itself to achieve value for that hard-earned money it has been entrusted with. Good government should measure itself against what that dollar could do if left alone in the hands of the people and show proper impulse control that follows. The rightful role of government is to show respect for each dollar extracted from the economy. If we want money to be there to pay for what really matters, that dollar – your dollar – must be treated with respect.
9
Crescent Heights High School
Scott Cowan Editorial
Medicine Hat is totally unique in one respect. I believe the per capita number of people involved in the arts, surpasses any other city in Canada. From community theatre groups, to the Rotary Music Festival, and the most surprising cultural gem being, " Crescent Heights High School." Drama teacher Jennifer Davies has nurtured the most amazing program words can describe. Over the years she has brought forward numerous productions that defy belief... considering the casts have been elementary, and high school students. The sets and costumes are many times similar, if not identical in respect to their Broadway counter parts. The ones I've paid hundreds of dollars to enjoy. The shows offered here are the full length Broadway versions. Such as, Putnam County Spelling Bee, How to Succeed in Business Without really Trying, Guy's and Doll's, Young Frankenstein, and The Adams Family. These were supported by a full orchestra made of students and community musicians. Last month, The Lion King Jr. was presented by grades 7/8/9. Patrons were amazed, you can't believe the quality of these productions unless seen. That is if you're lucky enough to secure tickets amidst the sell out performances. The first Jen Davies production I attended was, "High School Musical." I entered the theatre with low expectations. I figured it was just going to be a "high school play." Something I was going to have to pretend to enjoy. First up was the discovery of a beautiful venue, with a large stage, generating a
10
professional all around atmosphere. They offer comfortable theatre style seating for just over three hundred. As the house lights went down, I was in for an even bigger surprise. Never was a ticket price so well spent. Every show you want to see a second time to contrast and enjoy the double cast. Most shows feature two leads for each major role, making sure the production goes on in case of illness. Also, there are so many talented students participating in drama who audition for the parts. I saw "How to Succeed," on Broadway twice. I can tell you without exaggeration I enjoyed the Jen Davies production more than New York. Granted, the vocals and dancing was not as professional. But they were definitely comparable. Some of the choreography was better. Lots of big name actors are hired on Broadway to sell tickets, but are pitiful dancers. The second time I saw, How to Succeed... the dancing was really dummied down for the lead. He was a great singer, but poor on his feet. The acting and comedy at Crescent Heights was in fact far superior to New York. The sets are strikingly similar to their Broadway counter parts. Jen cultivates kids starting from grade seven, mentoring and encouraging until they are seniors. The strength of this program is the students who invest their souls for their art. They recognize the incredible opportunity to be in produc-
Photos - Joan Bateman
Hosts the Lion King Jr. Premier
Photos - Joan Bateman
11
tions of this caliber. Long graduated students regularly attend shows working behind scenes in production, choreography, and lights. Some come back to offer vocal training and rehearse musically. Where else does this happen, not once, but over and over? You'll see parents helping on sound, set construction, and working backstage, who had kids in school years ago. Jen Davies instills the kind of loyalty that doesn't stop after your child moves on in life. Parents appreciate what drama has done for their children. Moreover, they enjoy watching the growth of actors as they progress through the years. We smile inwardly as voices, and timing improve, while watching students mature. I've marveled as troubled ones find their way, shy ones blossom, and status
Photos - Joan Bateman
12
quo kids stay grounded while surrounded by a world of temptation. This class room is truly a safe place, where friendships grow whether you're in grade nine, or a senior. It's about 70+ young people working together toward a goal of perfecting a musical for our community. I see the cast members faces during the standing ovations. They may not articulate the resulting truth the way I would as an adult. The value and life lessons students experience while listening to their audiences thunderous appreciation, is the realization that hard work, practice, and learned skills, earns honest sincere applause. This recognition comes from legitimate accomplishment. When students become addicted to the praise derived from such positive traits, they develop rock solid character. When winning a sports championship, it means another team was defeated. In this case everyone wins. The actors, the dancers, the musicians, and the audience. All benefit and are lifted by the achievement of doing something so well... adults are awestruck. These masterpieces of performance art are gifted only to a few hundred ticket holders and parents, then... is lost forever. Many of Jen's students have gone on to earn degrees in the arts and have numerous credits in film, dance, musical theatre, and stage production. Life time careers
have evolved from this dedicated teacher. A trooper, who I've witnessed spending more time working after school, than her provincial day job demands. She has earned the dollars to maintain the program through sold out ticket sales. This buys the costumes, elaborate sets, sound and lighting, rivaling any outside theatre company. In fact no other public high school program in North America generates more tickets sales, or pays more Broadway licensing fees than Crescent Heights High School. On top of all this, Jen has taken her students on trips to New York, Los Angeles, London, and China. They are not vacations. The students are tutored by some of the world's most esteemed theatre and entertainment professionals. Students have interacted with and questioned professionals the likes of Stephen Sondheim. Medicine Hat students have performed on the Great Wall of China, Disney Stages, and other prestigious venues. The Lion King Jr. was performed in November by grades seven through nine... and was incredible. The sound was perfect being on disk, supplied with the junior version. Some drums and percussion instruments were added by the school band to augment set changes. As you can see on these pages the costumes were magnificent. Shot by none other than Spotlight's own photographer, Joan Bateman of Gainsboro Studio. Some
of the leads in the show are Provincial vocal winners. So you got way more singing then one would expect from such young people. This was the first major title performed by the junior classes. My bet... it won't be the last. Next up is the smash hit, "Bonnie and Clyde," opening in February 2017. Tickets can be purchased by calling the school. I would pick up the phone early. This could be the best production yet. What makes these kids and the program so successful, is not the money, costumes, or the standing ovations, of which there are many. It is the genuine love cast members feel for each other, and "Miss D," as she is affectionately addressed by students. It's like a rite of passage, after graduation they start calling her Jen. My daughter, entered the drama program and found a place she could belong, excel, and be the person she actually was, and wanted to become. Jen Davies saw that in her, and created the atmosphere for her growth. She continues to mentor and develop students to this day. My daughter went on to earn a degree in musical theatre, and has performed on New York stages. She is soon moving to London England to work there in the theatre community. I tell my daughters story, but it is replicated every year one after the other. Why? Because one teacher I know ... genuinely cares more for her students, than about her pay cheque. Medicine Hat reaps the benefit.
Photos - Joan Bateman
13
APEXLUXE Luxury Logistics, providing WORLDWIDE Jet Charter Services, Elite Concierge and Executive ground transportation. New York, Los Angeles, Miami
Our dedicated services will make your request a reality!!!
APEXLUXE Luxury
Logistics
Brad@apexluxe.com
+1-305-308-8770 (Brad)
Dealing with Employment Transitions Even Positive Career Transitions can be Tough You’ve just been offered an early retirement package. While you’ve always thought it would be great to retire early, you’ve never been certain you could actually afford it. Even now, with the company offering you a sweetened package, you are still not sure what you should do. Or perhaps you’ve lost your job due to corporate restructuring. Even if it wasn’t a complete surprise, it’s a difficult time. While you are trying to adjust to all of the personal ramifications, you are also being asked to make some important financial decisions that will affect your future security. Your company has given you an outline of your options – maybe you’ve even attended a seminar – but you’ve still got more questions than answers. The problem is that even though you’ve been told your choices, you aren’t sure which one is right for you. Whether you’ve lost your job or been offered an early retirement package, you need someone who can show you how the termination options integrate with your other financial resources, and how they impact your future. Once you have the complete picture, you can decide whether you’ll need to find another job or have the resources to go back to school, launch a second career, start your own small business or begin a leisurely retirement. The BIG Picture is the REAL POINT Whatever your situation, when you are at a career transition point, good advice can make all the difference. The right Investment Advisor will understand that you are facing many decisions which are difficult to make unless you can see the big picture. They will also understand that not all of the decisions are about money. However, once your financial situation is clear, you can begin to resolve the other issues. A severance or early retirement package usually includes several elements – everything from your sick pay credits and company savings programs to retiring allowances and complicated choices about what to do with your pension plan. Each element will impact you on many dimensions: income tax, current cash flow, future cash flow, and perhaps retirement plans, your net worth and the value of your estate may also be affected. By working with your Investment Advisor to completely update your net worth and cash flow statements, you will gain a greater insight into the implications of making various choices. Your Investment Advisor will also show you the difference between your various pension plan payment options, purchasing a life annuity, or rolling the commuted value of
your pension into a Locked-in Retirement Account (LIRA), Life Income Fund (LIF), Locked-in Retirement Income Fund (LRIF) or prescribed RRIF. This will help clarify your options and allow you to make an informed decision about which alternative would be best for you. Invest Wisely to Protect your Future Once you’ve determined how much money you will be receiving from all sources and whether the various segments will have to remain tax sheltered or not, your next major decision will be how to invest the funds you receive. If you’ve been laid off and have some concerns about paying the bills or are unsure what your future plans may be, you’ll want to maintain investment flexibility until you see how things sort themselves out. Your Investment Advisor can provide you with advice on secure, liquid investments that offer better rates of return. If your path is more certain, this is the ideal time to completely review your investment strategy. You may want to review your longer term goals and then integrate your new financial situation into your investment program to ensure that your goals will be met. If you are unsure whether your present investment strategy is appropriate, your Investment Advisor will review your portfolio in light of your current circumstances. An important step in reviewing your investment program is to determine how you should allocate your investments among the various asset classes: cash, bonds and equities. Asset allocation takes into account the current economic environment and the outlook for the economy and investment markets, then overlays your objectives and investment temperament. If early retirement is a possibility, you will want to incorporate all of your current and future sources of retirement income into your overall investment plan. Your Investment Advisor can help you integrate your government and company pension plans, RRSPs, TFSAs and other investments, tax rates and inflation into your analysis. You need to be sure that there will not be a shortfall between your lifestyle expectations and your financial ability to support them.
One Chance to Make the Right Decision Whether you are taking an early retirement or have been displaced by corporate restructuring, you have a lot of important decisions to make. Talking to your Advisor should help remove the guesswork from your transition. Together, you can determine a plan that is right for you.
For more information, contact:
Dan Hein, BRE
Associate Investment Advisor BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. Medicine Hat, AB Tel.: 403-528-6771 Dan.Hein@nbpcd.com www.bmo.com/nesbittburns
The comments included in this article are not intended to be a definitive analysis of tax applicability or trust and estate law. The comments contained herein are general in nature and professional advice regarding an individual’s particular tax position should be obtained in respect of any person’s specific circumstances. . All insurance products and advice are offered through BMO Nesbitt Burns Financial Services Inc. by licensed life insurance agents, and, in Quebec, by financial security advisors. ® “BMO (M-bar roundel symbol)” is a registered trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence. ® “Nesbitt Burns” is a registered trade-mark of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. Opinions are those of the author and may not reflect those of BMO Nesbitt Burns. The information and opinions contained herein have been compiled from sources believed reliable but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to their accuracy or completeness.
Member-Canadian Investor Protection Fund
15
Golf Simplified Downhill shots You will benefit from following this simple yet practical flow of advice for all downhill shots. If you are tackling them a different way and having consistent success- stay with your plan. But the majority of golfers will find my simplified system much easier to follow and achieve success. Easy as one, two, three. One: Understand that because of the nature of the lie, you are on a downhill, the ball will fly low and run. Therefore club up. That means take more loft. I you want to go 8 iron distance take a 9. The ball will fly lower and run more. Second principle, set your body parallel to the slope. Knee’s, hips, shoulders (whenever possible) parallel to the slope you are standing on. Another way of describing this ,is to position your spine perpendicular to the round. More weight will be on your downhill foot, just like skiing. Three: Swing the club along the slope. Resist the temptation to try and lift the ball up in the air. Swing the club up the slope going back and DOWN the slope, coming through to ensure the bottom of your club strikes the bottom of the ball. Follow my cause and effect article that was recently published in the national GOLF Magazine in the United States. http://www.bouldersclub.com/files/Donald%20Crawley%20-%20Golf%20Magazine.pdf
Donald Crawley Golf Columnist TOP 100 Teacher Director of Instruction Boulders Golf Academy 480 488 9028 Donald.crawley@theboulders.com www.theboulders.com www.golfsimplified.com
Donald Trump Is President: Here's Why We Were Wrong Continued From Page 5
A strong dislike/distrust of Hillary Clinton. If you disagree, try this little exercise. Think of 5 things you dislike about President-Elect Trump. Now consider that well over 60 million people chose to overlook these glaringly obvious things and vote for him anyway. To dismiss that many voters as ill-informed, bigoted, xenophobes is entirely too simplistic. Data also tells us that it was not so much a case of Trump winning over Democrats, or mobilizing the Republican vote, as it was Democrats staying home in key swing states. There have even been reports, particularly in Pennsylvania, of a large number of ballots that otherwise indicated Democratic support, being left blank in the Presidential portion. So then, how did Mrs. Clinton generate enough dislike to fail to overcome a standard set so astonishingly low by her opponent? To start with, in an environment of dissatisfaction with the political establishment and the status quo, she was seen by many as the ultimate embodiment of the very thing voters have proven to be most willing to reject. Her Democratic primary victory was delivered on the strength of her support from Washington Democratic insiders, at a time when being an “outsider” was seen as an advantage by large portions of the electorate. Her campaign was heavily funded by Wall Street, was supported by social, political, and economic “elites” and practically propelled by the mainstream media. The campaign strategy highlighting her status as qualified vs. unqualified in relation to Mr. Trump did nothing other than reinforce the perception of her being part of the problem, not the solution. What was an unprecedented résumé was probably more harmful than helpful. Couple this perception with what came off as unseemly and unbridled ambition to be President, to the point of a sense of entitlement, and it proved to be a toxic combination. But what of the myriad of words and deeds on the part of Mr. Trump, that one would struggle to charitably describe as missteps, and should otherwise have derailed his victory? That Mr. Trump received significant Latino support at all seems surprising; that his Latino support grew in relation to what Mitt Romney received running against President Obama in 2012 is an indication that Hillary Clinton was far from an ideal choice in the minds of many Hispanic Americans. Also, the female vote was severely misjudged leading into Election Day. With all the talk of breaking the glass ceiling, to claim, as many have, that the Trump victory represents a
misogynistic America unwilling to elect a woman President, is again terribly simplistic. America, where race relation issues are far more problematic than gender issues, still managed to elect a black President not once, but twice. To dismiss Hillary Clinton’s defeat as due to her being a woman would be doing a disservice to women. A woman could and will be elected President of the United States. Hillary Clinton just wasn’t that woman, even in the eyes of more female voters than expected. And what of the (understatements in quotations) “inappropriate” behaviour Mr. Trump was accused of, and “vulgar” references and language he used? Two observations can be made. One, it takes serious misgivings on the part of voters toward a candidate running against such a person to lose, and evidently those misgivings about Mrs. Clinton were indeed serious enough. Two, if that kind of behaviour and/or language disqualified Presidents, history would view Presidents Kennedy, Johnson (perhaps exhibit “A”), Nixon, Clinton (ironically), and Bush Jr., to name but a few, in a far different light. This is not excusing such language, attitudes, or behaviour whatsoever, as there is no excuse to be made. However, the election result does underscore that America might be less naïve than one might imagine; fully aware of the darkest side of the political beast, and fully aware that the eventual winner was not the only candidate with those rough edges.
The defender of the Electoral College would argue that no one region where one candidate wins by an inordinately wide margin, California in this case, should single-handedly determine the outcome of an election, more so than its Electoral College votes (California having the most at 55) already might. Going further, taking into account the States containing the three largest metropolitan areas, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, Hillary Clinton's margin of victory balloons to almost 6 million in just those 3 States. Removing that margin, the popular vote would be dramatically different, yet this reveals only part of the story. An even more startling statistic is this; Hillary Clinton didn't just win the 3 largest metropolitan areas, she won the top 40 largest metropolitan areas, and 88 of the top 100. This illustrates how the Electoral College functioned just as it's founders intended. It also demonstrates just how large a deficit Trump overcame with the rural vote to win enough states to be elected President. Put another way, outside of urban centres, Hillary Clinton had very little support. This paints a picture of two Americas; a Democratic Urban America, and a Republican Rural America - a Rural America content to elect a seemingly crass, certainly inexperienced, New York City Billionaire President of the United States. If you saw that coming, you should play the horses, and bet on the long shots. Brent
All to get to the elephant in the room (pardon the pun), being the fact that Hillary Clinton won the popular vote. As my April article pointed out, a Presidential Election has a plethora of idiosyncracies, and good, bad, or otherwise, popular vote is not the measure by which victory in a Presidential election is determined. The Electoral College with all its oddities, is the route to the Oval Office. The principal reason for the system, when it was established, was to protect the interests of the rural voter, and prevent regions with larger concentrations of voters, cities in particular, from having an inordinate influence over the outcome of Presidential elections. And the Election of 2016 is ample evidence that it served that very purpose. Consider this; at the time of writing, Hillary Clinton had a more than 2+ million popular vote margin over Donald Trump, yet lost the Electoral College by a significant amount. However, Clinton’s margin of victory was more than 3.5 million in California alone. Remove just one state from the equation, and the overall picture changes substantially.
17
Aren’t You Supposed to Be on My Side? examination. I can remember the days long ago when I would walk smugly into Court thinking that there was no way I could lose because I had the best caselaw and had prepped my witnesses well. 17 years after finishing law school, 18 years after my first trial, I can tell you that while I still go in ready and confident, it is with a lot more awareness of the risks and possibilities. I feel I have a duty to my clients to convey those kinds of inherent trial risks to them.
Scott Stenbeck
1(866)783 6232 Law Columnist
Aren’t You Supposed to Be on My Side? Probably very early in my representation of a client on a contested matter, I ask something like this: “Would you like me to sugar-coat this, or do you want my honest professional opinion?” From my humble perspective, the worst kind of lawyer is the one that blindly sees only their own client’s side of an issue, and then forges ahead without any regard for what other perspectives or arguments are out there. This can feel good from a client’s perspective. “Wow, my lawyer is really on my side.” “Wow, my lawyer really understands me.” And it feels good right up until a judge gives a decision contrary to the client’s position that the client isn’t ready for and didn’t know was possible. That kind of lawyering to me is about as responsible as a chain-smoking overweight diabetic liking their doctor because the doctor doesn’t tell them to stop smoking and lose weight. It feels good to have someone tell us what we want to hear and agree with us, but that isn’t why we hire professional advice. I have yet to see the case that is 100% one-sided. Even in cases where almost all the facts and the law are on one side, our system is a human one, and the Judge that decides is a human being. You never know exactly what will come out of a witness’s mouth in Court no matter how much you prep them. You never know exactly what will resonate with a judge. You never know exactly how an opposing witness will respond to cross
18
I have always seen one of my roles as counsel as playing “devil’s advocate” for my clients. To the other lawyer, the opposing party, and in Court, you would never see that I could even imagine why my side of a case isn’t the right one. But in the solicitor-client privileged confidentiality of my office, I have a responsibility to let my client know all the risks and all the other views a judge could take. This isn’t always appreciated, unfortunately. Often when I try to lay out for a client the counter arguments that are out there, they want to debate me, as if I need to be convinced. I don’t need to be convinced why the side I’m representing is right, I need to convey the opposing arguments that could come up. Sometimes this goes so far as a client questioning my loyalty to them and their cause. Again, this is like someone hating their doctor because they tell them to lose weight and stop smoking. The doctor is still going to do his best and treat the patient as best he can, but he has a professional responsibility to convey the risks with certain behaviour. Likewise, sometimes a client will say to me “what do you think I should do in this situation”, and that situation may be to do with consenting to access time changes, or releasing personal property, or whatever. The client will usually have in mind what they want to do. Sometimes my recommendation will be different than that, but that doesn’t mean I won’t still do my very best for the client if they don’t take that advice. I once heard a judge in an informal out of court conversation say that a good lawyer should be able to understand the other side’s argument so well that the lawyer could argue it against himself if he had to. I tend to agree with that for two reasons. Firstly, most cases do settle. There can sometimes be a difference between what I think the other side wants, and what they actually want. The more I understand what is really important to them, the better I can advise my client in terms of what points we can maybe give a little on in order to get things back that are
important to my client. Secondly, when a case doesn’t settle, understanding the other side’s argument is no different than a boxer reviewing tapes of an opponent’s previous fights. If the other guy has a mean left hook, that would be something I would want to know in advance. That doesn’t mean I want to get hit with the left hook. That doesn’t mean I think he is a better fighter. It just means I want to be well prepared. Similarly, when I know that the other side is going to reference specific case law or make a certain argument, and I try to explain that to a client, that doesn’t mean I think they will or should win. It just means I want to know in advance and be ready. Sometimes there is a difference in professional services between what makes us feel good in the short term, versus what is actually in our best interests. Doctors, Dentists, Lawyers, all have a fiduciary obligation to their clients and patients. That means that we have to look out for their interests, which expands beyond just making a client or patient happy in that single moment in your office. Any time a doctor has told me to lose weight (which happens on every visit) it has made me unhappy. However, his professional obligation to me is to give me that advice. Sometimes the things I tell my clients makes them unhappy, sometimes even angry. I have a professional obligation to do that regardless, if I apprehend a bigger risk or danger down the road if I don’t give appropriate advice. When your lawyer tells you something you didn’t like hearing, know that the lawyer is doing it because they are on your side. They don’t want you to make an uninformed decision or takes risks that you don’t have full knowledge of. Be far more wary of the yes-man, the advocate that never contradicts a client. If all people needed out of a lawyer was for someone that always agrees with them, clients could save a lot of money just talking to a friend, or a family member, or a mirror for that matter.
Chanel Joan Elkayam is the youngest fashion designer in fashion history to showcase a collection at New York Fashion Week. The Women’s wear Fashion Designer turned 19 a few days prior to the NYFW. She already broke the record as the youngest fashion designer to showcase a couture collection at Paris Fashion Week. She was only 18 years of age. Chanel is currently a BA women’s wear student at Central Saint Martin’s University in London, the world leading university for fashion design. The woman’s wear collection designed by Chanel combines both sophistication and glamour. The simple and
Photos - Joan Bateman
timeless look of her collection appeals to all tastes with its slender silhouettes, alluring cuts, and sensual fabrics. The collections are embroidered and hand embellished with Swarovski crystals and glass beads. Chanel takes the view that even the smallest detail is important to complete a perfect complimentary garment. This has led to the creation of a chic and refined collection by Chanel Joan Elkayam. Articles about her designs were published by the global press and media, across the UK, EU, USA, China, India and the Middle East. 2014 - When she was only 16 years old, Chanel had her first
collection showcased in a fashion show that she organized and produced. 2015 - When she was 17 years old, Chanel was invited to show her collection at the Manchester Fashion Week. She received a standing ovation from the entire audience.
2016 – Presented a couture collection in London. Awards 2013 - Awarded ‘Textiles Student Of The Year’ 2014 – Chanel was awarded ‘The John Carters Award’ for her outstanding achievement in Fashion & Textile Design.
2015 - Chanel’s designs were also shown at the International Quilt Show alongside the fashion designer Zandra Rhodes.
2015 - Chanel was selected and was awarded The Young Designer of the year UK 2015.
2016 - Chanel was invited to show a collection at Paris Fashion Week March FW16. Chanel is the youngest designers to showcase at Paris Fashion Week at the age of 18 years old.
2016 – Chanel Joan Elkayam is nominated and proclaimed the winner for “international fashion designer of the year” award – New York Fashion
Award nominations
Week September 2016.
Photos - Joan Bateman
Photos - Joan Bateman
23
See Inside “ Chanel Joan Elkayam ”