December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 1
ISSUE 2.12 | DECEMBER 2011 | FREE
Inside: Stepping away from the manger Pages 4-6 Create your own holiday traditions Page 7 Betty Frank tells her story Page 15
the Solstice issue
PAGE 2 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
Looking for some alternative holiday literature? Try The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore.
Enjoy these holiday film alternatives
On the Cover: What does the Solstice look like? How about an untraditional Christmas? Yeah, we’re not sure either. We’re all pretty familiar with the traditional holiday images — the Christmas tree, presents wrapped in colourful paper and bows, Santa in his big, red suit — but trying to figure out iconic but non-traditional images, that’s a little trickier. We ended up choosing not so much a holiday scene, but a winter scene, courtesy of our stock photography provider, which we think captures the season nicely, without attaching itself to any particular tradition.
For most of us, there are certain Christmas traditions that you just don’t mess with. The Christmas tree, stuffed with presents underneath; dinner and drinks, sometimes too many of each, with family; Christmas lights draped along the edge of the roof and lining the windows; the annual Christmas office party, where you inevitably drunkenly hook-up with someone your probably shouldn’t have, and then spend the rest of the holidays wondering how awkward the new year is going to be. And then, yes, there’s the tradition of the holiday film. Films like It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and How The Grinch Stole Christmas (the original, animated version, of course, and not the Jim Carrey-starring abomination). Some are tried-and-true classics, others are more recent additions to the cultural landscape, but one thing is for certain: In the weeks before Christmas, there’s no escaping these films on cable television. And by now you’re probably tired of watching the damn things. Which is why we want to suggest some new traditional films. Something with which you can spice up the
quite like Michelle Pfeiffer in a skin-tight leather catsuit. And while that image may be a timeless classic, it`s fair to say that the rest of the film may not hold up quite as well as you might remember it. Still, even the worst Batman is still Batman, and Batman Returns does include some awesome work by Christopher Walken. At the very least, this should help tide you over until Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises hits cinemas next year.
holidays. Some films with, perhaps, a bit more action and maybe a little bit less moralizing. Because sometimes, before you can get to the peace and goodwill part, you have to blow up a whole lot of terrorists. Die Hard: Speaking of terrorists, this is where you’ll find them. Die Hard might be the best example of the Non-Christmas Christmas Movie we know of, because the holidays
actually play a pretty big part in the film, except that most of the film is actually about killing those aforementioned terrorists. Also, the message of sacrificing ones self in order to save a bunch of strangers seems appropriate for the holdays. Changing your festive Christmas greeting to, “Yipeeki-yay, motherfucker!” might be taking it a bit too far though. Batman Returns: Nothing says holidays
Gremlins: Don’t expose them to sunlight, don’t get them wet, and definitely don’t feed them after midnight. Also, as cute and cuddly as they look on first glance, you probably shouldn’t give them out as Christmas presents. It’s only a matter of time before they turn into something mischievous and ugly that you have to kill in a blender. Did you know that this film, along with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom helped inspire the creation of the PG-13 film rating? It’s gory, but still family-friendly! Silent Night Deadly Night: It was one of the most controversial films of the 1980s, inspiring the PTA to fight to have
it removed from theatres. And, let’s face it, it wasn’t terribly good either. Nonetheless, it’s got a cult following, and it’s appropriate viewing for the witching hour on Christmas Eve. Just make sure all the kiddies are in bed first. The Nightmare Before Christmas: What happens when the citizens of Halloween Town discover the awesomeness that is Christmas? Santa Claus gets kidnapped, and then there’s mostly a lot of singing. This one is probably the safest if there are some younger family members around (though not too young -- Santa does come pretty close to meeting his maker). Eyes Wide Shut: Stanley Kubrick’s final film sees married psychologists Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman attempting to sort out some pretty heavy emotional baggage during the Christmas holiday. It may not have been as kinky as everyone had been expecting, but more and more critics have warmed up to this flick in the last few years. Maybe you will too. And if not, well, at least you can use the holiday as an excuse to check out Kidman’s naked ass.
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December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 3
Nutrition Facts Serving Size: 24 pgs Servings Per Container 1
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Amount Per Serving
Calories 0 % Daily Value* Christmas Spirit 100% Traditional 50% Non-traditional 50% Wild Women Both Betty Frank and Laura Kelsey’s wild mountain women should provide your daily intake. Cholesterol We’re trying to lower ours, actually
Stepping away from the manger Pages 4-6
Ingredients (or things that helped us get through the last month): Getting in the holiday spirit a month early because that’s when our deadline is; making plans for Christmas presents; trying to figure out how to eat Christmas goodies and lower cholesterol at the same time; getting the family’s Christmas present a whole month before Christmas, because, why not?; re-arranging the living room so our new family Christmas present would fit; watching everyone take a turn playing on the family’s Christmas present; watching some people play better than others, but still not judging; no, we’re not going to tell you what it is, but if you want to guess, you can email us at letters@thestew.ca; discovering that baby really, really likes to try and eat parts of the new Christmas present; bottling a new batch of wine and trying out something new; knowing there will be a fresh batch of beer ready in time for Christmas; enjoying a few of Dead Frog Brewery’s seasonal Mandarin Orange beer while waiting for the fresh batch to finish; getting excited for baby’s first Christmas; knowing that baby’s first Christmas will probably, actually, be baby’s first extremely spoiled Christmas, and not caring; looking forward to spending time with friends and family; realizing that this is the last month that Juli will be in her 30s; a new pink hair-do, because this is Juli’s last month in her 30s; Cheerios; mandarin oranges; hot baths.
Creating new traditions Page 7
Betty Frank tells her story only Page 15
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PAGE 4 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
What are your personal holiday traditions? Email us at letters@thestew.ca to tell us!
STEPPING AWAY FROM THE MANGER BY JULI HARLAND THE STEW MAGAZINE
We all know the traditional Christmas story: The Wise Men, the guiding star, the baby in the manger, peace on Earth and goodwill to all men; it is timeless and celebrated by people all across this globe. But it’s not celebrated by everyone, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The winter holiday season is actually pretty rich in history and a myriad of interwoven traditions and beliefs. Now we’re not against the baby in the manger, far from it, but we here at The Stew HQ like to look at things from all sides. And there are a lot of sides to this whole Christmas holiday season. These days, especially, the holidays take on an even larger myriad of personalized customs and traditions, as the modern family is a blend of cultures, religions, and familial customs and practices. Some traditions are carried on from days of old, and some of them are as unique as the families who have created them.
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If you ask us, “a hedonistic orgy, full of wild revelry and liquor,” actually sounds like a pretty good time.
When we asked some of our readers about their own holiday celebrations, people responded with a variety of answers. Some of them were based on community and giving: “We do an orphan dinner in our house; Anyone who doesn’t have family here is welcome,” says Williams Lake home-business owner and mother of two, Sunny Dyck. “Plus we do a ‘Festivus’, a non denominational grouping of people to cheers to, and play video games with, that may or may not include goody bags at the end of the night!” Some were more traditional and family-oriented: “On Christmas Eve we listen to The Good Shepherd on CBC radio, about an airplane pilot whose flying instruments go wonky while over the English Channel and how he is saved on Christmas Eve, while driving around looking at Christmas lights,” says Williams Lake Studio Theatre president and mom of two, Sheryl-Lynn Lewis. “Then we go to my brother’s place for snackies. Then home to put reindeer-attracting sprinkles on the roof. The kids get to open one present, almost always new PJs,
and it’s off to bed.” And some traditions are based on fun and frivolity: “We like to have a box full of odd hats. When you arrive for dinner you pick a number out of ... wait for it... a hat and then you HAVE to wear the hat that corresponds with your number. No trading whatsoever,” remarks Station House Gallery manager, Diane Toop. Even some of our most enduring symbols of Christmas have mysterious origins — take Santa Claus, for example. The jury is still out on exactly where the fat man had his roots, though the popular belief is that he is really the result of many traditions rolled into one great big, red suit, with furry trim. And it certainly seems like that may be the case. Many cultures have staked a claim on Santa, with inspirations including the Germanic pagan god Odin, the Dutch Sinterklaas, the British Father Christmas, and Saint Nicholas, who was renowned for his generosity to the poor and is rumoured to have presented three young peasant girls with dowries so that they would not have to
turn to a life of prostitution. Santa seems to be an amalgamation of more than a few fables. Whether you love Santa or hate the commercialism that he has come to represent these days, you can’t hear about Christmas without conjuring images of a jolly, fat guy in a red suit, promising gifts of goodness to children all over the world. Just like Santa Claus, many of the other commonly celebrated holiday traditions have a complex and mysterious history. In fact, it seems that, really, the many winter celebrations and the traditions that go along with them are not really all that separate. December 25 is fairly universally accepted as the official day of Christmas celebrations, but did you know that theologians are fairly uncertain as to the exact date of Jesus’ birth? It seems that the date was set by the Emperor Constantine in the fourth century and may have been chosen to coincide with the Roman celebration of Saturnalia and the Pagan rites of Solstice, to help to bridge the divide between the church and state. “December 25 offered a date
with a good theological basis that also would counter several pagan holidays,” says Joseph Kelly, chair of the Department of Religious Studies at John Carroll University in Cleveland. “Although we don’t know the final steps, in 336 the church at Rome officially observed the ‘birth day of Christ’ Dec. 25.” It may have all started with the old Roman celebration of Saturnalia, which had been around since well before Christ, as an event intended to raise Roman morale. It began as a one-day festival and quickly grew to a weeklong party. It has been described as both a family event, full of feasting, gift-giving, and visiting friends and families, while also being called a hedonistic orgy, full of wild revelry and liquor. It all depends on who you ask. What is known about the festivities is that schools were closed during the season, no criminals were prosecuted, homes were decorated with candles and boughs of holly and evergreen, and people would wear masks to parade in the streets and visit friends and family. Here in Canada, thousands of
years later, the East Coast custom of mummers visiting friends in costume is descended from the Saturnalia festival. The giving of gifts is thought, by some, to also be a left-over from the Saturnalia festivities. The ancient tome Martial Epigrams Book 14 (circa AD 84 or 85) is a series of poems, each based on likely Saturnalia gifts, ranging from the quite costly to the rather cheap. The writing describes the gifts of trinkets and treasures, such as writing tablets, dice, knuckle bones, moneyboxes, combs, toothpicks, lamps, balls, perfumes, pipes, cups, clothes, statues, masks, books, and pets. Not too far off the sort of things we give today: iPads, video games, board games, cash, trips to the salon, perfume, pipes, cups, clothes, books, pets … some things never change. The ancient celebration of the Solstice, or Yule, is still very much celebrated today by wiccans, pagans, neo-druids, and new-age practitioners all over the globe, just to name a few. And it’s a celebration from which many current Christmas customs may have been plucked.
Here’s John and Jane. Jane and the kids are sipping hot chocolate and decorating their Christmas tree while John is outside creating a winter wonderland with lights and outdoor decorations, all in time for Santa’s arrival. Stockings are hung by the fireplace, presents are carefully chosen, made, wrapped, and ready to go. And they did it all in one stop. Now there’s nothing to do but drink egg nog and sing carols. Canadian Tire for all your needs. Chris^tmas
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PAGE 6 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
Popular modern Christmas tradition: Falling down and then getting trampled at a Black Friday sale event.
This celebration of the longest night of the year and the re-birth of the unconquered sun is rich with tradition. Holy, mistletoe and ivory are commonly used to decorate the home (inside and out), to welcome Nature Spirits to join the party. Yule logs are adorned in greenery and candles to pay homage to the light of the sun. Rituals are carried out to mark the end of the cycle of life and the new beginnings that it brings. “I decorate my alter in seasonal greens and make apple cider and bless it for the new year,” says local student Jaclyn Whyte of her Wiccan traditions. “My family [Baptist] has always made Christmas pudding, and made a wish while stirring. This was originally a Yule spell.” Christmas even manages to glean a custom or two from the Jewish community — Jesus was Jewish, after all. Decorating the home with greenery and eating quality food was a commandment for celebration in the Old Testament: “On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice
Wherever the traditions, customs, and celebrations originate, it is easy to see that the holiday season is more than it may seem on the surface.
before the Lord your God for seven days ,” (Leviticus 23:40). Good food and decorations? You’ve got to appreciate a god who commands you to party in style. Even the simple Christmas tree has a complex background. The modern-day Christmas tree may have had origins as far back as the Egyptian era, when evergreens were worshiped as a symbol of life’s victory over death.
The ancient Druids used the evergreen during winter solstice rituals to ward off evil spirits because of their propensity to thrive even in the darkest of times. Later, Germans and Scandinavians brought Evergreens into their homes and on their porches in the winter to symbolize hope in the coming Spring. It is a common legend that Martin Luther began the tradition
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of bringing the tree indoors and decorating it with lights to honor the birth of the baby Jesus, and as a symbol to his children of the holy day. Though even with its rich past it wasn’t until the early 1900’s that the Christmas tree was a common occurrence in North American homes. It is argued that the vast majority of current Christmas traditions are, in fact, based on a
wide range of druidic and pagan celebrations, along with some ancient Jewish traditions, all blended together to form what we see, today, as the holiday season. And after looking into the origins, it is easy to see why. Does that mean that Christmas, itself, is actually a pagan ritual? Some would say so. Many would not. I think that with its diverse background and mish-mash of traditions, it is a celebration for whomever cares to be a part of it. Wherever the traditions, customs, and celebrations originate, it is easy to see that the holiday season is more than it may seem on the surface. Yes, Christmas is a Christian celebration of the baby born in the manger, but the season also is about the passing of the old and the celebration of the new, a celebration of light, a time for rejoicing and connecting with family and friends, a time for reconnecting to the earth and her cycles, and a time to revel in the merriment of giving and displays of peace on earth and goodwill to all men. Happy Holidays, however you choose to celebrate them. juli@thestew.ca
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December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 7
We believe that it is important to develop your own holiday traditions that you can celebrate with your family, and which can be passed on for generations.
Create your own traditions this Christmas BY DAWN WALL WOMEN’S CONTACT SOCIETY Each year the Christmas season gets more and more hectic. We run about, getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of buying the eats and the treats, making sure that each person on our list has the gift that is just right for them, and somewhere in all of this running around we can lose sight of what is important about Christmas. Whether Christmas for you is the warmth and love of your family (a celebration of home), or the love for other people (“Peace on earth, Good will to men”), or the celebration of the birth of Jesus, we all can take the time to rekindle the spirit of Christmas in our hearts, our homes and our children. If you are just starting your life as a family, now is the time to start some family traditions. These can be simple things like the routine on Christmas Eve.
When I was a child my father read me the story The Night before Christmas every Christmas Eve. When I had my first child, my father gave me the book and we read that story to my son. We have gone through different editions of the same story as they each fell apart from being read. Even now that they are
adults, when we get together on Christmas Eve, we still read that story and remember all the wonderful Christmases it heralded. Some families light a candle on the evenings leading up to Christmas as a symbol of light in the heart of winter. The family of a friend of mine eats a meal around the Christmas tree after it is decorated. They turn off all the lights except for those on the tree and admire its beauty. Her children enjoy the tree lights and they seem to have a calming effect on them. Children enjoy being part of all the preparations that go along with getting ready for Christmas — from decorating the Christmas tree to baking some of the Christmas goodies. Baking is a wonderful activity to do with your children as they wait for December 25. This is also a great way to teach math skills (measuring, counting), language (talking about what you are doing together), and
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learning to follow directions (the incentive for this is the great result that will come from following these directions). They also learn that they are capable, that they can do things that adults can do. These may not be the most beautiful and elegant cookies ever but the most wonderful thing that comes from this activity is the relationship and memories that develop between you and your child. My children still have their personal favourite recipes that they have to make with me every Christmas. Children can also make the most wonderful gifts for the people that they love in their life. This is a lot more fun than dragging them through the mall. Some examples would be: Putting together a recipe book made up of his or her most favourite recipes that the child can write and decorate; making some homemade ornaments — sparkled, glittery pine cones look beautiful on anyone’s tree;
making some candles (search the Internet for “make your own candles” for lots of ideas); draw, paint, colour a picture and put it in a beautiful frame — what grandma wouldn’t love to hang something like that on her wall. And then there is always the coupon book where the child thinks of some things that he is able to give or do for the other person (give them a hug, tell them a joke, etc.). I still love to get these from my children and many of their coupons are still the same as they were when they were preschoolers. The ingredient that you do need to make these types of activities part of your Christmas celebration is time. Start early (like now) and avoid that panic and frustration of time pressures. Simplify your celebrations. Remember the best gift you can give yourself and your child is your time. Enjoy your children and have a wonderful and merry Christmas.
Give the gift of story this year.
‘Nuff said.
Betty Frank, as told by Sage Birchwater — a kaleidescopic journey through life with the Cariboo’s Alpine Queen
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PAGE 8 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
Merry whatever it is you celebrate this year BY TODD SULLIVAN THE STEW MAGAZINE
I remember when I was a kid, probably in the fourth or fifth grade, there were a couple of kids in our class who, when it came time for any discussion of Christmas were asked to get up and leave the room until the Christmas discussion was at an end. I didn’t understand this at all. I wondered why anyone would not want to be involved with the Christmas festivities. I mean, Christmas was awesome, wasn’t it? It was likely explained to us that these children were absent because they
didn’t believe in Christmas, and while I understand that the teachers were probably trying to help us by telling us this, it just made things even more confusing. What do you mean they don’t believe in Christmas, I wondered to myself. It happens every year! Though I obviously didn’t know it at the time, this was my first brush with the realization that not everyone always believes the same things. Even when it comes to something as common and seemingly benign as Christmas, there are just about as many different ideas, attitudes, and traditions
as there are cultures to express them. And there’s nothing wrong with having all of those ideas, attitudes and traditions. That’s part of what makes Canada the amazing melting-pot that it is. Here at The Stew HQ we found ourselves talking about some of these cultural differences, and we began to realize that maybe we didn’t know as much about them as we should. Sure, we knew about the traditions associated with Christmas, but that’s because we were raised in the midst of those traditions. What about other beliefs? What about other traditions?
Wanting to answer those questions is what led us to the feature story in this month’s magazine, a sort-of alternative look at the Christmas holiday. And while putting it together, we actually learned quite a bit, about not only alternative traditions, but about the surprising histories of many of the traditions we already know — or thought we knew — quite well. Of course, there’s one holiday tradition that shouldn’t be ignored; I think it’s the most important of them all, and also the one through which all the others live. It’s the tradition of family.
Because, when you break it down, what else is Christmas about, really? For us here at The Stew Magazine, Christmas 2011 is a pretty exciting time. Not only did we just finish our first anniversary in print, we’re also celebrating our first Christmas with a brand new family member, who is sure to make this holiday — and each holiday still to come — even more special than the last. From our hearts, we wish you and yours those very same joys this season. We’ll see you all next year. todd@thestew.ca
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Celebrating non-traditional traditions BY JULI HARLAND THE STEW MAGAZINE
The holidays have a different meaning for everyone: Family, friends, drunken relatives, babies, Santa, presents, volunteering, church, decorations, shopping, crafting, or just some time off work and a chance to sit quietly and enjoy some silence. Whatever meaning you prefer, it is hard to live in Canada and not be affected by the season to some degree or another, even if is just the barrage of ‘buy this now’ commercials on television and displays of Santa everywhere you
go. But even though every family, person, religion, or culture may have their own traditions and celebrations, the one thing that everyone can agree on is that the season is a perfect time to come in out of the cold, invite in some old friends, maybe even some new ones, and share in some love and well-being. Because the one thing that we all have in common is the need for community, for caring, and for friendship. And when it is chilly outside and stress is piling up, the holiday season is the perfect time to gather and spread some cheer,
whatever your style. We, here at The Stew HQ, are still developing our own holiday traditions. For example, I am rather impatient and love watching the family open presents. My older kids have long ago learned how to exploit that and so it has been a pretty long-standing tradition to stretch the opening of presents out over a number of days before Christmas. My own justification for this is that it leaves the actual day of Christmas for family and togetherness and not a big focus on getting ‘stuff ’. Whatever I need to tell myself, I suppose, but it works well for us.
Especially the kids, who get to dig into presents early. We’ve also had an ongoing tradition of non-traditional dinners. Our first year it was KFC (hey, it was poultry, right?), then there was the year we stuffed a boiled egg into a ham, stuffed into a turkey wrapped in bacon, and then served with cheese sauce — turkey cordon blue, of sorts — and some of our friends will never let us live down the infamous Tofurkey dinner. The crazy list goes on. The wonderful part of it all is that these traditions, as silly as they may be, are unique to
our household. The kids will remember them as part of growing up, and we are able to express our own brand of love and giving. I encourage everyone to enter into the holiday season in their own spirit of goodwill, however that may look to you, and remember that the season is so many things to so many people that however you decide to approach it is perfect. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Solstice, Merry Yule, and Namaste to everyone. Enjoy each other this season, see you next year. juli@thestew.ca
December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 9
Question of the Month
Friend of The Stew Magazine Laura Kelsey can often be found at The Hootenanny Cafe
E
AZIN G A M
LAURA KELSEY PHOTO
WOODSMAN AND WORDSMITH Poet Lorne Dufour performs at The Hootenanny Cafe earlier this year.
Do you think our political systems have failed us? Send your answers to letters@thestew.ca
Todd Sullivan todd@thestew.ca publisher / editor-in-chief “Not to get into details, but we have a fairly new tradition that allows to stretch our for three or four days what would normally be reserved for Christmas day, which I think is pretty awesome. More Christmas is always better, right?”
Juli Harland juli@thestew.ca sales manager / executive editor “I love watching Todd and the kids open their presents. That could have something to do with our other family tradition...”
Angela Shephard angela@thestew.ca fine frugality (crafters beat)
Jamie Horsley tonesoup@thestew.ca tone soup (music beat) “A great big turkey dinner with lots of family.”
Carol Davidson stir@thestew.ca stir (health beat) “My favourite holiday tradition...baking sugar cookies. Its the only time of year I make them.”
Torrey Owen torrey@thestew.ca In My Shoes (city beat)
Hootenanny Cafe a good time in Forest Grove Editor: About a year ago a group of friends, sitting about with some single malt scotch, came to the not-so-sudden realization that the music, dance and spoken-word scene was pretty well non-existent in their area. Not that there was nothing, there are the usual high school plays, maybe a tribute band or a play by the local performance group, but there wasn’t an accessible venue for certain folks who wanted to share their art. So action was taken and the concept of The Hootenanny Cafe was born. The basic concept of The Hootenanny Cafe was to provide an accessible venue for local dancers, spoken word artists, and musicians, and in turn provide the audience with some awesome entertainment! So far the concept has proven itself and become somewhat of a modern vaudeville show. An evening at the Hootenanny Cafe could start off with some very high-energy belly
dance with the lovely Esmerelda and friends, then The Hobo might get up and share with everyone his spin on life. Other well known wordsmiths such as Lorne Dufour, Sage Birchwater, Marianne Van Osch and Mrs. Whitehead have elicited laughter, cheers, and a few tears with their stories and poems. Musical entertainment on any given evening can be quite varied, you never know what you may experience. Musical acts such as Blueline may pull some electronica or funky jazz out of their case of tricks, or Alex Zamorano may serenade us all with some Latin-influenced classical guitar. Some of the favourites include Tom and John with their original modfolk songs, Trail Mix is always great with their repertoire of classic rock and blues played real tight, and the band Tax Free Liquor always packs the dance floor with their own brand of funky punky heavy covers. There is always something new
every show — musicians, dancers and story tellers — and a person never knows what’s next in the lineup. Of course you can’t have people without some food, so there is always some great snacks and beverages, real food, not junk, of course. The Hootenanny Cafe is accessible to all, children are welcome, and new performers encouraged! The admission price is kept low at $7.00, just to cover costs, and the performers all give their time freely for the enjoyment of everyone. The Hootenanny Cafe happens every six weeks or so at the Forest Grove Community Hall in down town Forest Grove. The next event is scheduled for December 10, 2011, and the big anniversary show on January 21, one year, this show will be a must see!! For more info or to perform call 250-397-4103 or look up ‘Hootenanny Cafe’ on Face book. — Astrid Hensey
Natasha Peeman hairdooz@telus.net beautydooz (health & beauty beat)
Michelle Daymond candoitconsulting150@gmail.com Eating Local (food beat) “Getting the ‘perfect’ Christmas tree! Tromping out into the bush, watching my parents cut down an entire tree, just to cut off the top because it looked perfect from the ground, then proceed to drill holes and stick branches in to fill it out. Always lots of hot chocolate, liqueurs, laughter and arguments.”
Michael Jones jjonesmii@yahoo.com One Seoul Searching (overseas beat)
THE STEW Magazine is an independently owned and operated monthly arts and lifestyle magazine published in the Cariboo Chilcotin. All information contained in this magazine is correct, to our best knowledge, as of press time. Opinions expressed by correspondents and contributors are not necessarily those of THE STEW or its employees. We reserve the right to edit letters to the editor for grammar, punctuation, content, or length. All letters must be signed by the author. THE STEW Magazine accepts no responsibility for correctness beyond the amount paid for that portion of advertising space occupied by the incorrect item. We reserve the right to refuse any advertising or editorials submission which we believe to be inconsistent with the philosophy of this publication. The contents of this publication are copyright The Stew Magazine 2011.
PAGE 10 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
Starting this month we’ll be featuring selections of poetry in The Stew Magazine. Let us know your thoughts on this new feature at letters@thestew.ca
Ode to Glory Winter
Grasping for the dwindling threads of day that remain in the dusk, the trees shiver off their last leaves and shed all memory of warmth. Even the moon anticipates this moment, enthralled enough to cease.
BY LAURA KELSEY
Now, finally releasing its held lunar breath, the moon exhales: Autumn has eclipsed into Winter.
December, soothe the river’s restless waves. Never has the barren land seemed so alive. The moon fills the icy horizon; a fiery passion burns and awaits beneath the snow. A quickened pulse penetrated with chill, caressed by the cold here, in the frozen arms of Winter. Midnight now encores a glorious day.
Dear Santa: Great holiday gift ideas for the soul
We’ve been good pets this year. We have protected, cuddled, purred, fetched, played, hunted, and been at the beck and call of our human moms and dads. This year we’d like a new winter coat, a travel water bottle for our trips out, a new bed (ours is getting pretty grungy), a new collar, a chew toy, some more of that natural dog and cat food, and a new car seat cover for you so when we go out this winter we don’t muck up the car.
You can get it all at Buddies.
Cool Clear Water
Himalayan Salt Lamps Hemp Bags & Purses Clothing • Jewellery Vitamins • Books & DVDs Gardening & Greenhouse Supplies Hydroponic Equipment & Supplies Smoking Accessories Organic Loose Teas & Accessories New product line coming to our tea room
Home of
298 Mackenzie Ave S., Williams Lake, BC • V2G 1C6 (250) 398-2665 www.coolclearwater.ca
250-398-2899 1-888-498-2899 107 Falcon Drive, Hwy 97, WL Check us out on Facebook and Twitter!
December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 11 TODD SULLIVAN PHOTO
SPIRITUAL SEASON A live-action nativity was one of the features of November’s Winter Lights celebration in Downtown Williams Lake, an event that signified the start of the 2011 Christmas season.
Play Your guide to where to go and what to do for the month of December
PAGE 12 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
The Stew Magazine welcomes and congratulates the new and returning mayors and council in the Cariboo Chilcotin. Job well done!
December 1-9, Williams Lake and 100 Mile House: The 5th Annual RE/MAX Community Christmas Toy Train is pulling into the station. Bring in a New Unwrapped toy and RE/MAX will donate $5.00 for each toy brought in. Deadline is December 9th to put a smile on a child’s face. December 1-24, 100 Mile House: The Parkside Gallery invites you to come and check out the local art and crafts at their Annual Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair! December 1-31, Williams Lake: The Station House Gallery is your one-stop-shop for locally crafted Christmas decorations and gifts. Come and see what is available at the Annual Christmas Market.
December 6, 6:009:00pm, Williams Lake: The Cariboo Memorial Complex presents the Banff Mountain Festival. The film event will be held in the Gibraltar Room. Advance tickets $15.00 or at the door is $17.00. For more info call 250-3987665. December 6, 6:00pm, Williams Lake: The Williams Lake council invites the public to the inaugural meeting of the returning mayor and council and the new incumbents. December 6-23, Quesnel: it’s the Quesnel Art Gallery Members’ Annual Christmas Sale. “Unique Local Artwork for Gift Giving and Self Indulgence”. This year’s sponsors are: Chudiak Schmit & Co., Chan Fouucher Lefebvre LLP. For more
$60 for a
75 Minute Massage Your Choice: • Deep tissue massage • Zen shiatsu therapy • Holistic energy therapy • Relaxation massage
Cameron Self, RST Registered Shiatsu Therapist 2-150B Oliver Street, Williams Lake
(Above Woodland Jewellers) Tues. to Sat. by appointment only.
(250) 392-0045
camself@hotmail.com
TODD SULLIVAN PHOTO
HOLIDAY SINGALONG Michael Butterfield led the gathered revelers in a number of classic Christmas carols during the Winter Lights event in Williams Lake last month.
Gift Certificates Available!
information please call 250-991-4014 December 6, 10:00am3:00pm, Williams Lake: The British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association will host a Beef Producer Seminar December 6 at the Pioneer Complex. This seminar will cover a wide range of topics and speakers brought together by a common goal of improving your ranching operation. Topics will include noxious weed programs, developments in irrigation technology, and much more. For information please contact 250-3711425
December 8, 7:00pm, Quesnel: The Quesnel Friends of the Library present: Jeff Dinsdale, Local dog musher illustrated talk investigates how Jack London’s presentation of sled dogs relates to the truth of sled dogs in the days of the Klondike Gold Rush and to the sled dogs of today. event to be held at the library meeting room. Admission is free.
Prosperity Mine save Teztan Biny (Fish Lake)? Come with questions.
December 8, 7:009:00pm, Williams Lake: The Central Cariboo Arts Center will be hosting an informational evening in conjunction with the Tsilqot’in National Government: ‘Does ‘New’
December 8, 9:004:00pm, Quesnel: Share the warmth! Donate Mittens, Gloves, And Toques at the Quesnel Visitor’s Center today for a good cause. All donations will be given to the All Seasons
This holiday season give the sweet gift of class A Wilton Cake Decorating Class, that is!
Give a decorating kit and a gift certificate towards an introductory Wilton Decorating Basics course, all in one easy package!
83A 2nd Ave South • 250-398-5121
December 9, 100 Mile House: The 20th Annual Memory Tree Celebration at the 100 Mile Hospital Cafeteria Fischer Place entrance Refreshments to follow. Choose a bulb, celebrate your memories and keep your MEMORY glowing brightly during this hoilday season. Bulbs available at Donex November 25th until December 9th. Bulbs are by Donation. Proceeds to go to Hospice Palliative Care in our community. For more information please contact: Hospice Palliative Care Society at 250-395-7680
T he best holiday accessory is a great head of hair Gecko Tree
Café & Catering
Happy Holidays from the Gecko Tree Family to Yours!
Real food for real people.
Your Christmas store this season!
December 8 & 9, 7:00pm, and December 10, 1:00pm, Williams Lake: Maranatha School Players presents FLAPPER at the Maranatha theatre starting at 7:00pm. Tickets available at Wise Owl Toys. Cost is Adults $10.00 Seniors/Children $8.00
Shelter of Down town Quesnel.
Tues-Fri 7:30-4:00 Sat 9:00-4:00
250-398-8983 54 N Mackenzie Ave Williams Lake
Come share the season with us! We will be closed Dec. 25 – Jan. 2
And we can help you with that! Come check out our holiday specials for updos and colours 12B N. Broadway Avenue Williams Lake
(250) 392-1994
December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 13
This will be your last chance to check out most of the local crafters until spring. If you haven’t peeked at what they have, go now. Right now. We’ll wait.
Everyone Welcome. December 11, 10:30am - 3:30pm, Williams Lake: The WL Seventh-day Adventist church on 782 9th Ave N - come and decorate your own gingerbread house 3 times 10:30am 12:15pm and 2pm call Helena 392-6761 or Michelle 392-5479 to reserve. The cost is only $7.00 and includes house,candy and icing.
TODD SULLIVAN PHOTO
READING THE STARS Last month’s Medieval Market in Williams Lake had plenty to see and do, including astrological readings by Martin Comtois of Mountain Mystics. December 10, Quesnel: Kurt Browning is coming to Quesnel! World Champion figure skater Kurt Browning comes to Quesnel. Don’t miss out on this exciting event!For more information please contact the arena at 250-992-7125. December 10, 5:00pm, Watch Lake: It’s the Watch Lake/ Green Lake Community Christmas party at the Watch Lake Community Hall! Doors open at 5pm Dinner at 6pm A surprise visitor will come at 7:30pm. Please call Judy Thatcher at 250-456-603 or Janet Boyd at 250-
456-7651 to register your children’s name, age, or if boy or girl. Also how many adults will be attending and what food item you will bring for the pot luck dinner. Registration cut off date is December 3rd with no exceptions. Children not registared by this date will not recieve goodies.
Church, and a variety of other activities will also take place during this timeless celebration of a Barkerville Christmas. For information on this and other Barkerville events and offerings, please contact 1-888994-3332 or check out the website at www. barkerville.ca
December 10-12, Barkerville: A Very Victorian Christmas. Decorated displays and delicious home baking in the Wendle House; the Goldfield Bakery and other businesses and displays will be open; Carol singing at St. Saviour’s
December 10, 10:00am-3:00pm, 100 Mile House: United Church 4th Annual Treats and Treasures Fundraiser at the 100 Mile House United Church at 43 Dogwood Ave. Tables are $20.00 for non Co-op members,
Have yourself a merry little Christmas
$15.00 for members. Please call Rob 250395-4042 or Damian 250-791-6442 for more information December 10, 10:00am-3:00pm, Quesnel: It’s the Annual Christmas Farmer’s Market at the Quesnel and District Arts and Recreation Center. December 10, 7:00pm-12:00am, Forest Grove: Hootenany Cafe! For $7 at the door, come and enjoy Tax Free Liquor, Lorne Dufour, Blue Line, trail Mix, The Hobo, Down With the System, and More!
HOBBIT
Great gift ideas for the extraordinary people on your list!
closed dec. 25-28
• Books • Crystals • Tinctures • Aromatherapy • CDs • Giftware • Jewellery • Singing Bowls • Local Made Products • and so much more...
250.398.8268 | 275 Oliver St, Williams Lake, BC
For the hands-on approach, come and visit both old and new practitioners in the areas of Reiki, Reflexology, Astrology, Healing Touch, All Types of Massage, and More.
71 S 1st Avenue
Leanne Kunka Owner
December 14, 7:3010:00pm, Williams Lake: TubaJohn’s sixth annual Christmas Concert with friends is happening at St Andrew’s United Church starting at 7:30pm - proceeds going to the Salvation Army Christmas Cheer Fund.
Reserve your local organic Christmas Turkey now! And don’t forget we also have all the trimmings to make your local holiday dinner complete!
HOUSE
Open late fridays to 9pm until christmas
Lavender Lingerie
December 11, 10:00am-4:00pm, 108 Mile House: 108 Christmas Market at the 108 Mile Ranch Community Hall. Join n time for Christmas. Showcase your crafts and products for those last minute shoppers! Reserve your table now by calling Ingrid at 250-791-5663.
December 11, 10:00am-2:00pm, Parkland: Parkland Community Christmas Brunch at the Parkland Elementary School. Games, sing along, door prizes! Santa and Mr. Claus arrive @ 10:45 !!! Bring a non-perishable food item or unwrapped toy for the Good Cheer Box, and enter the draw for a Christmas Gift Basket, Everyone Welcome! Cost is $10 per person 13yrs+ and $5 for seniors and children.
392-7599
124B N. Second Avenue Williams Lake
250-392-4633
PAGE 14 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
Get festive with an Egg Nog Latte
Happy Holidays, from The Stew Crew to you.
and all the same Homemade Soups, Paninis, Personal Pizzas, baked goods, all made with Love.
Bean Counter
MONIKA PATERSON PHOTO
WILD MOUNTAIN WOMEN HunCity Productions gallantly filmed the production of Laura Kelsey’s song ‘Wild Mountain Woman’ on a freezing November day. Thirty Wild Mountain Women attended the event, which included choreography, friendship and chili. A few mountain men controlled traffic, tended the fire, held coats and poured wine.
Bistro & Coffee Bar 3rd Ave. N., Williams Lake Next to the Williams Lake Library
(250) 305-2326
Happy Holidays from Check out our Gluten-free baking products! Unit 2-11 2nd Ave. S, Williams Lake • 250-392-1920
J&E Gifts & Treasures ~ Quality at affordable prices ~ Canadian Linens • 100% Soy Candles Dawg Shoes, Belgian Chocolates Pook Toques • Ezze Wear
At J&E It’s Christmas all year ‘round! December 17, Quesnel: Think garage sales don’t happen in the
281 Oliver Street, Williams Lake | 250-398-9887
BY POPULAR DEMAND
Maritimer Tuesday is here to stay! Maritimer Donairs
Beef, Lamb, or Chicken
only
6
$
Every Tuesday!
95
Come see what everyone is talking about! 398-2006 86 3rd Avenue North, Williams Lake (Old Cowboy Coffee location) and at the TRU Cafeteria in Williams Lake Now open from 9am to 7pm from Mon. to Fri. and 11am to 7pm Sat.
DAY SPA CHAMPAGNE Relaxing, Restorative, Soothing, Revitalizing. Receive a FREE 15 minute chair massage with every one hour treatment purchased until Dec 25. Can be used later or given as a gift Treat yourself AND others this season!
Come on in for gifts & organic products Jewellery made in Williams Lake
WE WELCOME DROP-INS!
124A North 2nd Avenue, Williams Lake Ph: (250) 305-1249 • Cell: (250) 303-1606 • dayspachampagne@gmail.com
winter? Think again! The Quesnel Lions will be holding a garage sale at the Maple Park Mall today from 9:00am to 2:00pm.
Skate at the Cariboo Memorial Complex.
December 21, 1:00-4:00pm, Quesnel. Salvation Army’s Free Skate at the Quesnel Twin Ice Arena.
December 31, 7:30pm, Quesnel: It’s the Elks Lodge New Year’s Eve Dance. Join us New Year’s Eve for a great evening of dancing to Twin Rivers, Silent Auction to support the Elks Charities, and light lunch to help bring in the New Year!Tickets are $20/person. For more information please contact Tim or Sheila at 250-992-5082.
December 29, 1:002:30pm, Williams Lake: Surplus Herby’s Free
December 31, 8:00pm, Quesnel. New Years at the Legion!
December 18, 1:00-2:30pm, Williams Lake: Tim Hortons FREE Skate starting at 1:00pm at the Cariboo Memorial Complex.
Dance to Newcountry Touch!, Bring in the New Year with fine friends and great music! Dancing! Music! Food! Snacks! Party favours! Tickets are $15 and are available in Advance in lounge Branch #94 Royal Canadian Legion. December 31, 7:00pm-12:00am, Nimpo Lake: Nimpo Lake Annual New Year’s Ice Party, - fireworks, ice bar, snacks and BBQ, skating, curling music, bonfires, torches and fun - for more info contact Richard and Leah at 250-742-3333
NOW OPEN LONGER!
www.mmmeatshops.com 635B Oliver St., Williams Lake
305-6861 Cheese Ball
Oriental Party Pack
‘Tis the season to be celebrating Chocolate Hazlenut Cream Puffs
Chocolate Truffle Dream Cake
December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 15
We want to be as sexy as Betty Frank when we’re 80 years old.
StewSpots Looking to get your copy on the latest edition of THE STEW Magazine? We’re available for pickup in a variety of places around the Cariboo Chilcotin. Please remember that this list is always evolving, and we’re always looking for new places that our magazine can call home, so if you know of someplace that you think should be a drop-off point for THE STEW, or if you own a business and you’d like to have a few copies of our magazine on your shelves, plus let us know.You can reach us by email at either todd@thestew. ca or juli@thestew.ca. Locations listed in alphabetical order 100 MILE HOUSE 99 Mile Supermarket A&W Chartreuse Moose Chevron Dairy Queen Donex Higher Ground Natural Foods KFC Lone Butte General Store Marcel’s Boulevard Cafe Nuthatch Book Store Parkside Art Gallery Pharmasave Safeway Save-On Foods Subway Tim Hortons Visitor Centre IN LAC LA HACHE Fast Trac Gas and Convenience Store IN WILLIAMS LAKE 7-Eleven A&W Alley Katz Bean Counter Canwest Propane Cariboo Growers Cariboo Spring CRD Library (Magazine & News Section) Central Cariboo Arts & Culture Center Cool Clear Water Dairy Queen Dandelion Living Denny’s Restaurant Dollar Dollar Elaine’s Natural Foods The Gecko Tree Halls Organics Hobbit House Karamia’s LD’s Cafe M&M Meat Shop McDonald’s Mohawk Movies on the Go New World Cafe The Open Book The Overlander Hotel Quiznos Red Shred’s Safeway Sandman Inn Save On Foods Shell Shopper’s Drug Mart Starbucks Station House Gallery Subway (Downtown) Subway (on the Highway) Tim Horton’s Tourism Info Centre TRU WLCBIA Women’s Contact Society Zellers Restaurant IN HORSEFLY Clarke’s General Store Cornerhouse Cafe The Post Office RaceTrac Gas
The legendary Betty Frank tells her tale BY JULI HARLAND THE STEW MAGAZINE
Local writer Sage Birchwater is hard at work promoting his latest project: a team-up with local legend, Betty Frank, to tell the tale of her long and colourful career as a guide outfitter, trapper, dog musher, shake splitter, and entrepreneur. The book, The Legendary Betty Frank: The Cariboo’s Alpine Queen, is the story of a woman who loved to live free, break gender stereotypes, and suck the marrow out of life throughout her fifty-year career, and continues to do so in her daily living. And the stories are fantastic. Naked sunbathing, Hollywood wolves, lovers’ trysts, near-death experiences, and rock and roll are all part of Betty’s life in the Cariboo. There’s no bored housewife syndrome happening in her story! And, apparently, the titillating tales are just the tip of the Alpine queen’s iceberg, “This is the ‘official’ memoir,” says Birchwater. “There are many, many more stories that were left out for one reason or another. Honour was at stake after all.” Enough tales made it in, however, to make the book a hell of a ride. Anyone who thinks nothing ever happens in the Cariboo needs to hear all about Betty Frank. Even those who have heard the stories about her
TODD SULLIVAN PHOTO
MEETING THE LEGEND Sage Birchwater and Betty Frank shared photos and stories from the new book The Legendary Betty Frank:The Cariboo`s Alpine Queen at an event held at the Cariboo Regional District Library in Williams Lake last month.
There are many, many more stories that were left out for one reason or another. Honour was at stake after all.
– SAGE BIRCHWATER
may learn a thing or two. “You knew about Betty,” says Birchwater, “but finally getting to meet her and work with her for a year was a fascinating experience.” The biography isn’t all recollections of young lovers and hunting trips. There are real moments of pain and struggle, after all, it is a true tale — sometimes hard, sometimes joyful — but the splendour of Betty Frank is
her tenacity. Giving up just isn’t in her vocabulary. “I didn’t like it,” Frank said about reliving the past during the book-writing process. “It brought back memories I didn’t want to have, but I dealt with it.” And that’s the backbone of her history: being a wild woman of the Cariboo, and beyond just dealing with it, making her mark and becoming a legend.
IN MCLEESE LAKE Cariboo Wood Shop McLeese Lake General Store IN QUESNEL 7-Eleven (on the Highway) 7-Eleven (in West Quesnel) A&W Aroma Foods Billy Barker Hotel & Casino Bliss Burger Palace Carry All Books Granville’s Coffee Green Tree Health & Wellness Karin’s Deli Museum & Tourist Centre Quiznos Riverside Bistro (West Park Mall) Safeway Save On Foods Shopper’s Drug Mart Steeped Subway Tim Horton’s (on the Highway) Tim Horton’s (Downtown) IN HANCEVILLE Lee’s Corner IN TATLA LAKE Graham’s Inn IN BELLA COOLA Valley Inn Coast Mountain Lodge Valley Restaurant Eagle Lodge
WE ARE NOW OPEN!
Gazebo The
Flowers & Gifts Home to all your gift ideas and floral creations for Christmas and beyond
48 3rd Ave South, Williams Lake 1-888-882-8815 • 250-392-3682 250-392-3828 Gift Certificates Available!
Give her the gift of Rejuvenation this Christmas Full Esthetic Services Manicures • Pedicures • Facials • Waxing Jane Iredale Mineral Makeup • And More!
Clothing • Hats • Tack • Australian Saddles • Saddle Bags • Merino Slippers
RED DOG’S HORSE & RIDER OUTFITTERS 160 Oliver Street, Williams Lake (In the old Walt’s Mens Shop) 250-392-6808 • www.outbacksaddles.ca
Coba Cobaltt Spas 383 Oliver Street, Williams Lake • (250) 305-2380 Days of Enjoyment: Tues. to Sat.
PAGE 16 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
Also, you probably shouldn’t eat anything that science doesn’t recognize as food.
Get to know your food before you eat it “Much of our food system depends on our not knowing much about it, beyond the price disclosed by the checkout scanner; cheapness and ignorance are mutually reinforcing. And it’s a short way from not knowing who’s at the other end of your food chain to not caring — to the carelessness of both producers and consumers that characterizes our economy today. Of course, the global economy couldn’t very well function without this wall of ignorance and the indifference it breeds…The more knowledge people have about the way their food is produced, the more likely it is that their values —and not just “value” — will inform their purchasing decisions.” – Michael Pollan, The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, changed my life years ago. I was living ‘the life’ in Calgary, Alberta. My partner was an engineer, I was a teacher. I’ve always been interested in cooking, but never paid any attention to where my food came
Eating Local
Don’t eat anything your great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.
– MICHAEL POLLAN
By Michelle Daymond from; price was usually the determining factor in my grocery shopping. Through friends I got ahold of Pollan’s book and began reading, and, with every chapter, knew I could not go back to the way I had been eating. I started my shift by making changes to the amount of meat we ate. I am a meat-eater, and believe that it is a very important part of the Cariboo diet (living where we do it makes it difficult to grow the other proteins we could use to replace meat, but we can save this debate for another time!), but I realized that while in Calgary, we were eating way too much. When you go to the grocery store and see how cheap meat is,
Catherine Roland Art Exhibition & Sale Oil Paintings and Pastels www.catherineroland.com
By appointment
250.392.0045 At the massage clinic of Cameron Self. 2-150B Oliver Street, Williams Lake (Above Woodland Jewellers)
it makes it easy to eat large quantities three times a day. The next step was shopping at the local farmer’s market and meeting the farmers and ranchers. As an ignorant consumer, I was intimidated at first to go up and talk to a farmer, scared to ask them questions about how they raised their animals. I look back at that time in my life and smile; now I am surrounded by farmers and ranchers. And guess what? They’re just regular people who love sharing what they are passionate about! I have yet to meet a farmer or rancher of humanely raised animals who will not talk about what they do, and most will even invite you to visit. And let me say that the one big thing I’ve learned since coming to the Cariboo is that if you take someone up on their offer to visit, you must stay for coffee! You can’t just show up to do what you came to do then leave right away — country hospitality is at it’s best here! Humanely and naturally raised animals taste
better than their industrial counterparts as well; “When chickens get to live like chickens, they’ll taste like chickens, too,” says Michael Pollan in The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals. The Cariboo has no shortage of excellent meat producers, people who truly care about giving their animals a good life by letting pigs be pigs and turkeys be turkeys, and also about protecting the health of the land the animals live on; Meat production should not be at the expense of the local environment. Ignorance can be bliss; it is relatively easy to turn a blind eye to where meat in our grocery stores comes from — I mean, it hardly even looks like an animal anymore! All wrapped in plastic and styrofoam, bones and skin removed, it can be easy to not think about the life that animal lived (and I’ve purposefully chosen not to go into those details in this article — there are numerous documentaries out there to fill you in if you like, such as Food Inc.). My recommendations for the month of December are: read The Omnivore’s
Don’t wait for the new year to start getting in the best shape of your life • Largest Workout Facility • Ladies Only • Aerobics • Personal Training • Squash Over 25 fitness classes every week Check our Facebook page for schedules! Watch for information about our coming Fitness Challenge, starting in February!
Monday to Friday 5:30 am - 10:00 pm Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm 312 North Broadway Ave., Williams Lak
250-392-7400
Dilemma (put it on your Christmas wish list, borrow from a friend), visit Cariboo Growers in Williams Lake and try some meat from our local producers. If you’re new to buying this type of meat, I suggest starting with the ground cuts (ground beef, pork, lamb, goat, etc); an easy and inexpensive way to start the transition to a more sustainable, healthy and happy diet and planet! PS: Watch for more information regarding our Second Local Food Forum, to be held in January, and everyone is invited to participate — a partnership between the Williams Lake Food Policy Council, the City of Williams Lake, Thompson Rivers University and the Oliver Street Market. And Congratulations to Williams Lake Mayor Kerry Cook and all City Council members for being elected or re-elected! The Williams Lake Food Policy Council looks forward to continuing to build towards a strong, local food system in our community. TOURTIERE A Christmas-time family
tradition in my house is to always have the freezer full of Tourtiere for cold winter nights. Our family recipe is made with beef and pork, but you can really use any types of ground meat — I made one last night with elk and moose. Enjoy! Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef 1 lb ground pork 1 onion, minced garlic clove, crushed 1/4 cup water or vegetable stock salt and pepper 1/8 tsp. ground cloves 1/4 tsp. allspice 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp. savory Pastry crust for 2 pie shells, top and bottom Directions: 1. Cook all ingredients in large frying pan or pot till meat is no longer pink, but still moist. 2. Adjust spices as necessary 3. Roll out pastry dough and line bottom of 2 pie plates 4. Fill plates with meat filling 5. Top with crust and bake at 400 for 30 mins (or until top of pie is lightly browned) 6. Serve with Green Tomato Chutney, Beets, HP sauce, etc. candoitconsulting150@ gmail.com
December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 17
Cheating yourself is the only kind of cheating that is acceptable. Because even if you get really, really mad about it, when you stop and think about it, you don’t really have anyone but yourself to blame.
When you cheat in fitness, you only cheat yourself “I would prefer even to fail with honor than to win by cheating” – Sophocles A few weeks ago the Ironman World Championships were held in Kona, Hawaii. For any avid Ironman triathlete this is the pinnacle achievement of the Ironman calendar. In the 25 Ironman events held around the world, triathletes have qualified for a coveted spot (amateurs and pros alike), or they have been lucky enough to win a spot via the Ironman lottery. One would think that each and every triathlete who goes to Kona will treat the race, their fellow athletes and themselves with the utmost respect. Except for The Cheater. On the Slowtwitch.com forum it came to light that a known, but un-named amateur athlete managed to “lose” his timing chip and also somehow skip ahead several hundred places by the time he crossed the finish line. He promptly collected his medal and Finishers t-shirt and went back to his hotel to bask in the glory of being a finisher at Kona. His dishonesty was quickly discovered by some astute folks who immediately reported him to the organisers. His only “punishment” was to not have an official time. He wasn’t even required to give his medal or t-shirt back. Many Kona participants
Stir By Carol Davidson were deeply insulted by this moron’s behaviour. Why would anyone want to cheat, anyway? Most people who participate in sports like running or triathlon are in the race to compete against themselves, and have nothing to gain in terms of pro status or prize money. There’s no point in cheating so you can tell yourself that you ran the fastest race of your life, because you will know yourself that you cheated. Every time that particular achievement is mentioned, you will know you didn’t play fair. Anyone with a conscience just can’t play like that. Cheaters are in the race only for themselves. They detract from the spirit of any activity by insulting everyone around them by engaging in such selfish behaviour. There is more satisfaction to be gained from knowing you did your very best in any endeavour, than in figuring out a way to get to the front of the pack by screwing over the people who are around
you. It’s a good thing the cheater in Kona wasn’t publicly named (at least not the last time I checked the slowtwitch.com forum) – I think a mob may have assembled on his front lawn to demand the return of his Kona medal, and drum him out of the sport for good. Thankfully in my Ironman experience last August I saw many examples of athletes participating honourably by playing by the rules, and by helping each other out, even in small ways. People would share precious water with someone who was going to suffer terribly until the next aid station. I saw a guy who had crashed being attended to by fellow racers who undoubtedly stayed with him until the ambulance arrived, even though that meant their own day would be slower than planned. And I loved watching how perfect strangers would talk to each other and encourage each other, when both parties were hurting in a
THE WILLIAMS LAKE FILM CLUB PRESENTS:
Cariboo-Chilcotin Night Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7 pm at the Gibraltar Room Back doors open at 6:30 Admission $9 Regular, Members $8, Seniors / Elders $6 PART 1 - CBC Cariboo Country Series - Under The Blanket With Chief Dan George, filmed around Anahim Lake Written by Paul St. Pierre and produced in the 1960s
big way. People who were in tough shape could be buoyed along by the kind words of a stranger who would race with them for a couple of kilometres, just to help get their mind off the pain and to let them know that someone understands what they are going through. Not one of these people would ever consider cheating. There is just too much honour in knowing you gutted it out the entire day with everyone else. In training, everyone jokes about “cheating” a little on their workouts. They only might have done 5 of the 6 drills, or shortened the 45-minute run to a 40-minute run. That will only affect your own performance and doesn’t harm anyone else. And you need to decide if you can live with a training “cheat”
or not. I have definitely shaved a couple of minutes off of my workouts here and there, but the next time I head out I am reminded that in the end I’m only cheating myself, and that I’d better add a couple of minutes on to my next run to ensure I’m giving my training (and myself) the respect it deserves. In the month of December you’ll probably find it a bit of a challenge to stick with your training
Commercial-zoned house for sale Home of long-running successful local business for sale
For details, please contact: Darlene at 392-3682 or drop in at 48 Third Avenue, Williams Lake, BC
Welcome back
Hannah Chorney Hannah invites new and existing clients to drop by and see her five days a week from Monday to Friday
PART 2 - The Bears and I 1974, with Patrick Wayne (sone of John) and Chief Dan George Filmed on Chilko Lake and in Nemiah Valley When war veteran Bob Leslie ventures into the White Bird Wilderness to locate the father ofa deceased Army buddy, he is overwhelmed by the beauty of the untouched forest and crystal clear lakes. He decides to camp near an Indian settlement where he is fascinated by the local wildlife, especially three lovable bears he adopts. While raising the three cubs, Bob supports the local Indians in a battle for their land.
SPONSORED BY THE STEW MAGAZINE AND THE WILLIAMS LAKE TRIBUNE
or dietary plans, but don’t punish yourself by saying you are cheating! Everyone is perfectly entitled to a bit of over-indulgence at this time of year, and so you shouldn’t give in to negative self-talk and guilt. The only way you’ll cheat yourself is if you don’t get back on track in your fitness goals in the new year and continue to enjoy the active and healthy lifestyle you’ve already been enjoying. stir@thestew.ca
• 5 fully licensed hair stylists • 2 fully licensed color techs • Early and late appointments by request 383 Oliver Street, Williams Lake • (250) 392-5323
PAGE 18 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
Lulu might be a musical disappointment, but we think that’s a winner of an album cover
Lulu collaboration ‘biggest disappointment’
Metallica / Lou Reed Lulu Here we have it folks. The biggest disappointment in rock history. Lou Reed had begun working on an album based on German expressionist Frank Wedekind’s “Lulu” plays: Earth Spirit and Pandora’s Box. Having wanted to collaborate
with Metallica since playing with them at the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame concert, Lou Reed approached Metallica and asked if they would like to help with the album. All parties involved felt that it would be a natural fit and agreed. I would agree too.
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This could have been an amazing collaboration. But as they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And this album has a special place in hell. I believe that place is on the loud speakers, torturing the souls of the damned. Most of Lou Reed’s vocals are spoken word while Metallica chunks away in the background. James Hetfield’s backing vocals actually make this mess even worse. The album is monotonous, uninteresting. If you can sit through a listening of the whole thing without getting bored and tuning it out, there are brief moments when the what-could-have-been almost tries to poke its head out but never quite gets there. Metacritic tallies up a remarkable 41/100 for Lulu based on 28 reviews and has a whopping user score of 1.8/10. The surprisingly high score of 41 stems from the fact that there are a very small number of critics who say the album is artful. To me it’s as much art as a swirl of green and brown paint on a canvas trying to be pawned off as abstract art when really it just looks like someone spilled some paint and only reminds you of a puddle of vomit. But then, someone bought that painting too.
Steel Panther Balls Out 80s hair parody band Steel Panther is absolutely at the top of their game on their new album, Balls Out. Their sexist and sex-heavy explicit lyrics will have anyone with a sense of humour laughing and singing along while offending absolutely everyone else. This is not an album for easily offended women, and you probably shouldn’t listen to it around your kids unless your goal is to raise a bunch of chauvinist assholes. But for those who can differentiate between fiction and reality, this album is absolutely hilarious, while kicking some serious hair metal ass. Balls Out is full of songs like the fast-paced ‘Supersonic Sex Machine,’ the very Motley Crue-esque ‘17 Girls In A Row,’ the uber-chauvinistic ‘That’s What Girls Are For,’ which includes such lyrical gems as “Taking directions, giving me erections / Do my laundry - pay my bills / Crush my Oxycontin pills / Clean the sheets where my manjuice spills.” Balls Out is a perfect Christmas gift for any guy that grew up with G’n’R, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and the likes.
The great COME FEELgift you can give yourself THE HEAT.is your health. (Though, a sexy tan and a hot new outfit doesn’t hurt either...)
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Florence And The Machine Ceremonials In 2009 Florence gave credit to her lungs by titling her first album after them — an album that showcased her amazing vocal capabilities against a variety of song styles and tempos. This year she has taken the most popular aspects of her last album and stretched it out to twelve tracks of virtual sameness. This is not to say that every song on Ceremonials isn’t full of powerful, haunting vocals and spectacular music to match. It’s simply lacking the variety of her first album. On first listen it gave me chills nearly from start to finish. On the second listen I was thinking, “wasn’t there more different stuff on the last one? What happened?” Any fan of Florence and the Machine will likely still love this album. If it wasn’t for the lack of variety that I know she’s capable of, I’d give this album a much higher score than 7.
Megadeath Th1rt3en Dave Mustaine has been perfecting his art for over 30 years. The last 28 of those have been as the frontman of heavy metal powerhouse Megadeth. Aptly titled, Th1rt3en is their thirteenth album and it’s probably no matter of luck that this album kicks some serious ass. Throughout the 80s Megadeth helped set the bar of standards for heavy metal. Since the evolution and expansion of a genre as large and as fractured as ‘heavy metal’ is these days, they’re not really setting bars anymore. But they’re not slipping either. Where Metallica (whom Mustaine was guitarist for at their inception) has been slipping ever more constantly out of touch with their fans, Megadeth marches on and rarely, if ever, disappoints. On Th1rt3en, Megadeth continues that tradition of pristinely produced, brutally heavy, classic style metal anthems like ‘Public Enemy No. 1’ and ‘Guns, Drugs & Money.’ Megadeth fans and metal fans alike won’t want to miss out on this album.
December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 19
We wonder if David Lynch’s Crazy Clown Time could function as an unofficial soundtrack to any of his films, like that whole Dark Side of the Moon with The Wizard of Oz thing.
THE STEW MAGAZINE’S
Monthly
David Lynch Crazy Clown Time Filmmaker David Lynch has successfully managed to transpose his own Lynchian surrealism from the world of film into the world of music. Fans of Lynch’s movies are familiar with the dark tone and often hard to follow story lines that are so prominent in his works. Crazy Clown Time is no different. The whole album stumbles dreamily across jazzy and ambient soundscapes. At times the album sounds like a soundtrack to one of his movies — this is most noticeable on ‘The Night Bell With Lightning.’ Other times the album is completely off the wall. ‘Strange And Unproductive Thinking’ is a seven and a half minute rant through a vocoder and is as strange and unproductive as its title suggests. Crazy Clown Time was quite an interesting and entrancing first listen. If you fell asleep listening to it, you’d probably have some pretty strange dreams. Any fan of his movies should definitely have a good listen to this album. Others probably won’t find it nearly as appealing.
Noel Gallagher High Flying Birds In the months before the breakup of Oasis, Noel Gallagher had said that he would like to see each member of the band go and do their own solo projects saying, “It would be interesting to see what comes out. See how the four parts make up the whole.” Then one day, just minutes before they were about to go onstage, the Gallagher brothers got into a fight and Noel left the band. The show was cancelled. Noel’s idea went unfulfilled, as the rest of the members of the band went on to form Beady Eye, a band that unsurprisingly sounds exactly like Oasis. Noel, however went on to start his own project called Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, which sounds much less like Oasis than the Beady Eye album does. This album is fresh and light, a little melancholy and, at times, hopeful. I thoroughly enjoyed this album. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds was released in Canada and the US on November 8 but had already been available in the UK since October 16. On November 11 the album was certified platinum by the British Recorded Music Industry.
Mary J Bilge My Life II... The Journey Continues (Act 1) In 1994 Mary J. Blige released her second album. Having co-written most of the material on it and basing it on her own life and experiences, she titled it My Life. 17 years and eight albums later she felt it was time to do a sequel to what was not her best selling, nor her best charting, but her most personal album. The introductory track on the album is a recording of a conversation with P. Diddy, who co-produced the My Life album, in which she says, “It’s not a competitor, it’s a sequel and an extension of how far we come.” Overall My Life II is a great album from an amazingly talented woman. Some have called it the best R&B album of the year and I wouldn’t disagree. After listening to the album, my favourite is still the first single, ‘25/8,’ but that’s just because it’s more upbeat and catchy than most of the rest of the album. ‘Mr. Wrong (featuring Drake)’ makes a close second. R&B and MJB fans should definitely not miss this this album. And you can look forward to Act 2 in May 2012.
Puppies and kittens are on every child’s Christmas Wish List But remember to ask yourself: Am I financially ready for a new pet? Am I ready for the responsibility of daily care? Do I have the time and energy for daily walks and training? Have I given proper time and consideration to my decision? Am I ready to care for this animal for the next 10 to 15 years? If the answer is yes, consider adoption as an alternative to advertised animals.
Helping those who can’t help themselves. Bond Lake Road, Williams Lake, BC • (250) 392-2179
Rihanna Talk That Talk In 2005 and 2006, Rihanna was sweet and innocent with hits like ‘Pon Da Replay’ and ‘SOS.’ Since then, she changed her image to Good Girl Gone Bad and her rebellious side started to show on an album full of lyrical drama like ‘Breakin’ Dishes’ and ‘Hate That I Love You’ which spilled over into her next album, Rated R. Last year’s Loud was a big step up from previous albums as it contained less filler and more songs that can stand on their own. Her brand new release Talk That Talk could be her best yet, incorporating all the best elements of past albums, much less drama, just enough attitude, and a little more love. The first single, ‘You Da One,’ harkens back to her original sound that was more prominent on her first couple of albums. There’s a lot of good bass-heavy club beats and some nice passionate love songs. Overall Talk That Talk is easily as good as Loud, if not better. It’s fresh and hopeful.
MIX
These are the songs that rocked our world during the last 30 days
Todd Sullivan: ‘Rainbows and Unicorns’ - Kim Boekbinder ‘Christmas Time This Year’ - Ry Cooder ‘No Light, No Light’ - Florence and the Machine Juli Harland: ‘Ave Maria’ - Mirusia Louwerse ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps’ - Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison and Prince (2004 Hall of Fame) ‘Love is a Losing Game’ - Amy Winehouse and Prince Jamie Horsley: ‘Supersonic Sex Machine’ - Steel Panther ‘Pretty Piece of Flesh’ - One Inch Punch ‘Psychosexy’ - Sinisstar Carol Davidson: ‘Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer’ - The Irish Rovers ‘Six White Boomers’ - Rolf Harris Silent Night - Any version Michelle Daymond: ‘My Country’ - Rachelle van Zanten ‘Land Rights’ - Xavier Rudd ‘Water Song’ - Drum and Bell Tower
PAGE 20 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
A Charlie Brown Christmas is a holiday classic. Silent Night Deadly Night is not.
New stuff for the season at the CRD Library Rosemary Clooney, an all-Irving Berlin song score, classy direction by Hollywood vet Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood). Christmas would be unthinkable without White Christmas.
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Call number: DVD IRV This semi-remake of Holiday Inn (the first movie in which Irving Berlin’s perennial, Oscarwinning holiday anthem was featured) doesn’t have much of a story, but what it does have is choice: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye,
Shaun the Sheep: We Wish Ewe a Merry Christmas Call number: DVD E SHA ‘Tis the season to be woolly, with Shaun the Sheep and his farmyard friends. Frolic with the flock as they decorate the farmhouse for The Farmer, watch Bitzer and Pidsley battle for a spot by the fire, join a massive snowball fight, and much more in these seven hi-
larious episodes from the creators of Wallace and Gromit.
Curious George: A Very Monkey Christmas Call number: DVD E REY Christmas-time is an exciting time of year, especially when you’re a little monkey named Curious George. In fact, George is so excited about Christmas that he’s been waking up the Man in the Yellow Hat at five in the morning ever since Thanksgiving! What could be better than a holiday story about everyone’s favorite monkey and the joy of giving? A Christmas Story Call number: DVD Santa Claus: Come on up on Santa’s lap, here’s a wet one. And what’s your name little boy? And what do you want for Christmas, Billy? A toy truck? Get him off my lap and get my a towel. [Billy is pushed down the slide] Santa Claus: Oh, I hate the smell of tapioca.
Order your local holiday turkeys and ham early!
• Local meats • Dairy • Oven-ready pies • Baked Goods • Bulk orders • Fruit Pies • Smoked Sausages
M A R G E T T S
M E A T M A R K E T Located next to Chuck’s Auto
841B South Mackenzie Ave Williams Lake, BC V2G 3X8
PH: 250-392-2363 Fax: 250-392-2333
tion in 1980. Whether he is performing in the intimacy of his Nashville home or on a large soundstage, the elements of his success are here in abundance.
A Charlie Brown Christmas Call number: DVD J CHA Charlie Brown: I just don’t understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I’m still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed. Linus Van Pelt: Charlie Brown, you’re the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy’s right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you’re the Charlie Browniest. The Johnny Cash Christmas special Call number: DVD 791.4561334 JOH These late-1970s Christmas specials capture Johnny Cash at a high point in the runup to his Country Music Hall of Fame elec-
The Christmas Truce Call number: DVD 940.4144 CHR World War One began in August 1914, and by December all thoughts of quick victory had faded. Fighting was most fierce in a thin strip of land called the Western Front. A system of trenches separated Allies from Germans, with the area in between known as No Man’s Land. On Christmas Eve, an astonishing event began — up and down the Western Front, Allied and German soldiers met peacefully in No Man’s Land. Actor Ioan Gruffud narrates a feature-length look at the fabled Christmas truce, filled with eyewitness accounts.
tweet the
movies
We watched some movies and this is what we thought of them, in 140 characters or less
Thor: Norse god gets kicked out of Asgard, sent to earth to learn humility, and also to fall in love with Natalie Portman, because who wouldn’t?
Captain America: Feels like a 2+ hour prequel to The Avengers, but still a decent comic book action flick.And worth seeing before The Avengers next year. Got something you think we should TwitteReview? Send your picks to us at letters@ thestew.ca
Together we stand... This Month at the Women’s Contact Society: • Glendale Playgroup – each Monday • Songs, Rhymes, and Story Time – each Tuesday • Deadline for Good Food Box Purchase – Wednesday December 14 by 2:00 pm • Women’s Only Fitness Class – in partnership with Salvation Army on Wednesdays 6:30 to 7:30 pm • The Society will be closed December 24 to January 2. We will reopen on January 3. Please phone for registration and times. Pre-registration is required.
#301 19 N First Ave, Williams Lake, BC 250-392-4118 • Fax: 250-392-4145
December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 21
tweet
Remember, it’s not how much it cost; it’s how big the pile under the tree looks.
the
movies Stock the stockings, but don’t break the bank We watched some movies and this is what we thought of them, in 140 characters or less
The Tree of Life: A beautiful film, but hard to penetrate. Best to let it wash over you, like a wave, and then try to sort it all out later.
Super 8: Steven Spielberg for the 21st century by way of JJ Abrams and his magical lens flares. Which means a pretty solid family sci-fi adventure. Got something you think we should TwitteReview? Send your picks to us at letters@ thestew.ca
BY KIRSTEN STARK CARIBOO CHILCOTIN PARTNERS FOR LITERACY
For many, the cost of Christmas can spiral out of control and it’s all too easy to take on extra debt. So here are some simple steps you can take to try and make it through the festive season financially unscathed, or at least no worse than you were before. PLAN: It doesn’t have to be a complicated plan, it’s having one that’s important. What are you doing over the festive season? Are you traveling to visit family, taking a vacation or staying at home entertaining family and friends? It doesn’t matter what you are doing, you’ll have some extra costs. Maybe you only have to buy a few presents or maybe you have to buy a lot. For the party animal, consider the costs of a night out with friends. Save money on hotels or taxi fares by taking turns to be the designated driver. The costs of drinking and driving are more than any of us can afford! BUDGET: Know your spending limit and prepare a simple budget. Make a list of all your expected costs. Where does your money come from? Are you spending money that you have saved already or do you plan to use a credit card or store credit? You may need to set a spending cap or a borrowing cap, or a combination of
the two. If you are planning to fund Christmas with credit and store cards, make sure you know exactly when the bills will be due, how much you expect them to be and how much you will be able to pay. STICK to your budget: I know, this is the really hard part. To make it easier, always take a shopping list with you. Start with all the things you really need before buying the things you want. If you’re a parent, then you are probably used to having your budget challenged by your children. Involve them in the Christmas budget process and encourage them to have their own. Have a family contest to see who can spend the least this year. REVISE your budget: What if something unexpected comes up? What if the car breaks down or just as you are planning how to roast your 40 lb turkey, the oven stops working? Take time to add in these extra costs and work out if you can still do or buy everything you wanted, or if you need to change your plans a little or a lot. Perhaps the family will have to wait a while for the new ‘whatever’, but it’s better than finding yourself in a post-Christmas financial hole. Watch out for ‘Buy now, pay later’ deals. They can be a good option, but you need to be sure that you can pay them in full when they are due. Bank charges can
Dandelion Living
’Tis the Season
to give the gift of sustainability Give gifts this year that won’t fall apart days later, presents that not only make your giftee happy, but you can feel good about where you’ve supported local business and artists. Earth-friendly clothing, baby-goods, jewellery, bedding, soaps...the list goes on. Don’t know what to give her? We can help with gift certificates and gift registry. Because that’s just what makes our bells ring.
MARY FORBES 271 Oliver Street (in the old Delainey’s Building)
mount up fast so try not to go over your free transaction limit. Only take cash out from your bank, to avoid unwelcome ATM fees. Finally, it’s never a good idea to use credit, if your plan is to only make the minimum payments. Set fixed amounts and pay off
your debt as quickly as possible. That’s all there is to it, off you go and enjoy a stress free — and hopefully debt free — Christmas. If you are a budgeting genius and actually manage to save money, don’t forget to put it in your Tax Free Savings Account
Shogun Martial Arts Newly renovated space includes separate entrance, waiting room, viewing area, change rooms, showers, and playroom
Karate • Kickboxing Kickbo • Jiu-Jitsu Fitness Classes Core Balance & Circuit Training Personal Training 83E South Second Avenue, Williams Lake (In Hodgson Place Mall)
250-392-2280
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and you’ll be ahead of the game for next year. Please join the Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CaribooChilcotinPartnersforLiteracy where you can share your Christmas budgeting stories and tips.
PAGE 22 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
What are your favourite out-of-town destinations? Let us know at letters@thestew.ca!
The Art We Are is a hot spot in the ‘Loops TOREY OWEN PHOTO
FRIENDLY FACES Owner Christina Grona, Christina Wellbeloved, and Lindsay Larson from The Art We Are in Kamloops.
I would like to tell you about my absolute favorite spot in Kamloops, and encourage you to visit it if by chance you find yourself in this wonderful little
city. Downtown on Victoria Street, in the heart of the city, is a beautiful business in a centuryold building, appropriately named The Art We
Are. It’s a gorgeous art gallery, tea and coffee shop, and eatery, offering home made wraps, soups, salads and delectable baked goods. Seriously, the food is
Bring the holidays to life #24C S. 2nd Ave Williams Lake 392-4747
Next Month: How much is too much? It’s the new year, and everyone wants to be in better shape, but what happens when self-improvement goes to far?
In My Shoes By Torrey Owen than that! The Art We Are is also a hub and meeting place, hosting community strengthening events such as open mic poetry reading nights every second Wednesday. For real, the poetry nights are amazing. There are some wonderfully talented poets and writers in the area, and The Art We Are offers them a chance to exhibit and share their work. The Gallery also
Month-long Christmas Market! December 1–31 Gift ideas from Cariboo Chilcotin artists!
Spectacular jewellery and gifts for the holidays, and every day.
Excelsior Jewellers
fantastic. But the establishment is far more than just somewhere to grab a meal. When you walk through the door you find yourself in a truly beautiful building. High ceilings with walls decorated in works by dozens of mostly local artists. And the pieces are pretty much all for sale, so if you see a piece that would look particularly good over your mantle, you can bring it home. The art certainly doesn’t end at paintings and drawings. There’s hand-knitted woolen winter wear, pottery, ceramics, carvings, jewelery, and much, much more. The gallery is a venue for local artists to display and sell their work. But it’s still more
Upper Level, Boitanio Mall 392-7794
Station House Gallery 250-392-6113
#1 Mackenzie Avenue North Williams Lake At the foot of Oliver Street
Open Monday to Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm
hosts many musicians each month. Independent performers and bands regularly come through, pleasuring patrons with melodic voices and instrumental abilities. You can take a seat at a table, or cozy up on a couch or big comfy chair, your choice. But where ever you chose to sit, I assure you, you’ll feel right at home in The Art We Are. So now you’re in the loop on the best spot in The Loops. Next time you find yourself around these parts, take some time to find your way down to Victoria Street, and wander over to The Art We Are. Come in, say, “Hi!” to the amazing staff, and treat yourself to a hot cup of tea and some wonderful atmosphere. If you spot me sitting at my laptop, please do come over and say hello. I’d love to visit. torrey@thestew.ca
December 2011 | THE STEW Magazine | PAGE 23
We’re smart. And sexy. Happy Holidays from all of us at The Stew Magazine.
MAGAZINE
PAGE 24 | THE STEW Magazine | December 2011
Cariboo winters are unpredictable
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