Merge magazine September Issue

Alberta Foundation for the Arts Minister Lindsay Blackett speaks about the arts

Are Books Dead?

Want Fries with that Degree?

The importance of supporting local artists

Following the rise of eBooks

Fashion on Fire One hot fashion show for charity

Souljah Fyah FREE

Volume 1 | Issue 6 | September 2010

Lead singer Janaya Ellis takes the stage

This month...

Want Fries With That Degree? p. 21 The importance of supporting local artists

InterVivos p. 24

The Art Gallery of Alberta

Stimulating dialogue to encourage growth

p. 4 An essential part of our city

Alberta Foundation for the Arts p. 26

Are Books Dead?

Minister Blackett speaks about the many things going on with our artists

p. 6 Following the rise of eBooks

Kaleido Family Arts Festival

Souljah Fyah

p. 30 The arts community comes out of the woodwork to entertain along Alberta Avenue

p. 8 Lead singer Janaya Ellis takes the stage

Women Working for Working Women

Fashion on Fire

p. 34 Young Business and Professional Women’s Club launch Edmonton Chapter

p. 10 One hot fashion show for charity

Edmonton International Film Festival

The Edmonton Memorial Society

p. 36

p. 12

Downtown Centre is taken over by independent films

Rob Cavell’s job creates a paradox

The Consistently Surprising Colleen Brown

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

p. 40

p. 15

Local talent is ever impressive

Edmonton men step it up for YWCA of Edmonton

Merge Events Calendar

The Mustard Seed

p. 42

p. 16

Dates and details for business, social and fundraising events around Edmonton.

Sowing seeds of faith hope and help for those in need

Front Cover: Janaya Ellis

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Sept

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From The Editor...

T

he much anticipated Arts issue of Merge Magazine has arrived, and what an issue it is! Just as essential as sports and physical activity

are for the human race, so is the freedom to express one’s self beyond words.

Edmonton possesses a strong arts community that continues to mature, expand, and captivate. Edmonton’s passion for the arts is apparent in the way many individuals and organizations continually work to promote its artists.

Organizations such as the Alberta Foundation for the Arts provide programs and grant assistance geared to set a new precedent for the arts community. The countless number of festivals and events around Edmonton offer invaluable opportunities for artists to not only promote themselves and showcase their work, but also to inspire audiences, promote culture and encourage ideas.

The role of the arts within society reaches far beyond, as its layers preserve history, its collections revive ideas, and its language possesses endless ways to communicate.

The need to express and the desire to be creative is in every blood cell. It moves within every artery and it resonates in every heartbeat.

Thank you for reading Merge Magazine!

Sincerely,

Sherree Elm Managing Editor

Sherree Elm

As an Individual, a Business or a Community Organization, visit mergemag.ca to: View the calendar of busines/social/community events Submit business PR Submit a personal Story Submit a social or fundraising event Submit a business networking event or workshop

3

the community | Article title goes here

The Art Gallery of Alberta An essential part of our city Story by Megan Sarrazin dmonton is unique for many reasons: it is home to one of the

This gallery is a world-class mecca, housing all things visual to

largest malls in the world, it hosts some of the highest-caliber

mesmerize and dazzle the senses of Edmontonians, Albertans and

E

festivals across the country, and it is home to a diverse range of

citizens from all across the globe.

After opening its doors to the public earlier this year, the new

individuals and interests.

Something else that sets Edmonton apart from the crowd happens to be the highly anticipated, highly criticized and highly alluring building that happens to be located right downtown in the heart of it all – it is the enchanting Art Gallery of Alberta.

gallery has seen thousands of faces walk through its doors, and dozens of exhibitions showcasing the worlds’ finest talents – and they only hope to get better.

After the major construction was unveiled last January, the gallery has seen increased success in areas of membership, programming and community involvement.

“Edmontonians, and Albertans, and Canadians, and people from beyond, have seemed to be very positive about the building,” said Gilles Hebert, AGA executive director.

The building originally faced criticism as a result of the $88-million price tag, but has since been adopted into the culture of Edmonton and currently stands as one of the most interesting additions to the cities landscape. Whether just passing by on your daily commute, or stopping off at the AGA, you are sure to pause and stare at the magnificent sight.

Although the gallery stands out from the downtown architecture, it has also been able to mesh with its surroundings and has naturally become a fixture in the downtown community and makes efforts to work with the Stanley A. Milner Library and City Hall, among others.

“We believe that we have a role to play, not only with the visual

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the community | The Art Gallery of Alberta “This show gives a deeper look at one of the world’s most recognized artists…(it) will appeal to a wide audience; anyone interested in surrealism comics, graphic arts and architecture, as well as anyone who is somewhat familiar with Escher’s work,” said Bulloch.

Running until Nov. 7 is another must-see exhibit, called Piranesi’s Prisons: Architecture of Mystery and Imagination, a showcase of Giovanni Battista Piranesi’s creations.

“This exhibition features … haunting architectural fantasies from the print series Carceri d’invenzione of the 1700s. Though the prints arts, but in the cultural precinct here around Churchill Square,” said Hebert.

“Because of the new facility, we’re able to bring in exhibitions and make loans of art that we weren’t able to in the past. We take it quite seriously that we want to be an art museum of national significance, and in order to do that, we need to sustain a program profile that will allow us to do that,” he added.

The AGA is home to a plethora of art exhibitions each year and over the next few months, it will showcase exhibits ranging from the iconic cartoons created by Warner Bros. to the fascinating creations of world famous artist M. C. Escher.

Who didn’t love waking up on a Saturday morning to a television screen with Daffy Duck, Porky the Pig, Tweety Bird and Bugs Bunny, among others, filling the screen?

Until Oct. 11, the AGA will be showcasing the nostalgic cartoons of Warner Bros. Inc. The exhibition is called The Art of Warner Bros.

Cartoons and will display some of the most popular cartoon characters ever created.

Over 165 illustrations of the timeless characters will be on display, showcasing how the creations of Warner Bros. have the ability to transcend generations and helped to shape the culture in North America. “(The exhibition) allows older generations to reminisce, while younger audiences can enter the ground-breaking and entertaining Warner Bros. world for the first time,” said Alison Bulloch, communications coordinator.

In conjunction with this exhibit, there will be a film night being held on Friday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Ledcor Theatre at the AGA. Tickets are free, but they must be reserved online at www.youraga. ca. This event will be hosted by Gene Walz, who is a University of Manitoba professor of Film Studies.

M. C. Escher: The Mathemagician is an exhibit also being held until Oct. 11, but features 54 pieces, each selected by the National Gallery of Canada. The pieces on display date back as far as 1922 and follow the brilliant life of Maurits Cornelis Escher, until 1961. This must-see exhibit is sure to captivate any art lover.

depict Piranesi’s interpretations of prisons, the images are fascinating depictions of architectural space,” said Bulloch.

Earlier this year, the AGA held another exhibition devoted to his work, called Carceri d’invenzione.

The final exhibition is Reframing a Nation, which will be on display at the gallery until the new year. This exhibit will showcase ways in which landscape has shaped the identity of this vast country from the rolling hills of the prairies to the Rocky Mountains.

“This exhibition consists of early 20th century landscape painting by well-known Canadian artists, and explores the role that the landscape has played in our ideas of a shared Canadian identity,” said Bulloch.

Various artists are featured in this exhibit, running until Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, and much of the works displayed come from the Ernest E. Poole Foundation.

The AGA also hosts a free event on the third Thursday of every month during the regular lunch hour and will act as a gathering spot for the art enthusiast. Between 12:10 and 12:50 p.m., a guest speaker will engage with guests in a casual conversation to do with anything art.

Each month, the gallery releases a new and exciting lineup of exhibits with even more events being added each month. For more information about the services offered at the gallery, visit their website at www.youraga.ca.

These exhibitions and programs are something that Hebert is extremely proud of, saying that the programming offered at the gallery is “absolutely amazing” and says this is reflected in the extremely positive feedback that the AGA is getting from the public across the country.

Not only do these exhibitions provide visual stimulation as well as thought-provoking ideas, but according to Hebert, the programming offered at the gallery plays a part in something much larger in the lives of Edmontonians.

“We have a role to play in terms of the quality of life for Edmontonians. That quality of life will allow for economic development and will also provide people with the quality cultural offerings that one would expect in a major city in this country … we take that role very seriously,” he added.

The dedication to the art community and the people of Edmonton has helped direct the gallery towards a future filled with breathtaking and compelling art, wonderful and memorable experiences, and if nothing else, will remain an extraordinary addition to the downtown architecture for years to come in the City of Champions.

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the community | Are Books Dead?

Are Books Dead?

following the rise of eBooks Story by Krista D. Ball

I

n July, Amazon sent shockwaves throughout the publishing world when they announced Kindle eBooks were outselling hardcover

books by nearly 50 per cent. While that number does not include paperback novels and was only for the three-month period before the announcement, the news nevertheless got the publishing world talking.

EBooks are digital versions of your favourite novel. They can be read on computers, IPads and IPhones, Smartphones and Blackberries. There are also specialized readers, such as Sony's Reader or Amazon's Kindle, that use "E Ink" technology, whose reading screens closely resemble the experience of reading from paper.

And eBooks are rising in popularity. Three years ago, digital books represented less than one percent of book sales. Today the sales are 5-7 per cent, and the number is rising fast.

But how does this affect Canadian authors and small publishing houses? Will our favourite, dusty paperback novels disappear off the

6

shelves? Will we all stop buying books because they aren’t digi-

accept all length ranges of stories, from “flash fiction” to full-length

tal? Or, do we prefer not to read off of screens and purchase fancy

novels.

devices?

Lea Schizas, senior editor and owner of MuseItUp Publishing — a new Canadian epublisher — doesn’t thinks so. She feels that the lower cost and "impulse purchase nature" of eBooks will continue to

This benefits readers greatly. Storm says, “There’s more tolerance for diverse types of stories—fiction that doesn’t quite fit the mould.”

Schizas points out that eBooks are on virtual shelves longer than print. In all reality, many publishers remove print books if they are not

drive their popularity.

Even before Amazon's sales announcement, it seemed like ev-

Three years ago, digital books represented less than one percent of book sales. Today the sales are 5-7 per cent, and the number is rising

eryone's been talking about eBooks. For those who have purchased an eReader, regardless of the brand, eBook availability is becoming a deciding factor as to whether or not to buy a book. Tina Moreau, a former managing editor of Absolute XPress Publishing, a small Albertan press, believes that for a book to "succeed in any market place, it needs to be as available as possible, and it will do no good to not have it be available as an eBook."

The financials of the publishing world have been dim the last three years. The big American publishing houses cut their mid-list (well-selling, but not best-selling). Some of the publishers even

producing high enough sales. Ebooks don’t have the same cost level

called eBooks a fad. Now, most offer digital formats of their new

as print books for publishers, so they do not need as high of sales to

releases. As Edmonton author, Bronwyn Storm, says, "The reason is

stay visible on a publisher’s online bookstore.

simple: they realized they were missing out on profit and opportunity.

Moreau points out price and immediacy as two large benefits for

With the technology at our disposal, why not offer readers digital

readers. With most eBooks ranging from $2.99-$9.99, readers are

books? They carry easier and are private—the person sitting next to

spending less money for the same number of books that they were

you on the train, can’t tell what you’re reading."

buying in stores.

Privacy is an important issue for many readers of romance or self

Schizas agrees. She also points out the technology side of things.

help, so it's no surprise that those genres were amongst the first to

An eReader can carry hundreds of books at once (“great for vaca-

embrace digital books. Many women are not comfortable reading

tions”), and the ability to increase font size helps those with poor

romance novels with their distinct covers while on public transpor-

vision.

tation or during their lunch break at work. Some readers will not

Moreau believes eBooks are here to stay. “Think about letters,

purchase certain books from a bookstore. However, they will buy a

email, CDs, MP3s, cable streaming TV, movie theatres, movies on

digital copy online. When reading on an eReader, there is no cover, so

demand. EBooks were the next logical step for books. Our world is

privacy over what you are reading is guaranteed.

moving to a more immediate model; everything is available when you

As an author, Storm doesn't believe eBooks are necessary for her

want it.”

success, but they certainly give her career a boost. "Print books will

Even Schizas, a self-proclaim “print gal” converted to eBooks

always be around, but as the technology expands, why not expand

when she purchased her Sony Reader. “I have since, not only saved

your market with it?"

money buying eBooks, but now carry a slew of books with me any-

For Canadian publishers, there are many benefits to offering eBooks as well. Moreau points to cost. There is significantly lower overhead with digital publishing, allowing publishers to take chances

where I go without the heavy weight of print books.”

But are books going to disappear off our shelves?

“Absolutely not,” says Moreau. “There are still people out there

on experimental books instead of being focused on the next "block-

who buy CDs because they want to have them, or the DVD of a

buster."

movie.”

Storm never intended to be epublished. She says she "stumbled and fell into it." Her novel, Ethan’s Chase, was different than most of

Brown agrees. “Books will never disappear from the horizon.”

Schizas predicts bookstores will look differently in the near

the romantic comedy out there, in that she tried to keep the ending

future, where eBooks will be purchasable at the stores for in-store or

as real to life as possible. This made the novel challenging to sell to

at-home download.

the traditional romance print markets. Ethan’s Chase found a home at Wild Rose Press, where it is available in digital format.

One bonus for everyone is that length isn’t all that important. The magazine market for short fiction does not pay well and is dwindling

In the end, digital reading does not reduce our access to books.

As Moreau says, “eBooks and digital reading is definitely not the end of books. In fact, I’d say eBooks are giving us all an opportunity to read more, and that can only be a good thing.”

daily. Due to the high cost of printing books, publishers need books to fall between particular word counts. However, epublishers often

7

the individual | Souljah Fyah - Janaya Ellis

Lead singer Janaya Ellis takes the stage

Story by Trent Wilkie

A

fter talking to Janaya Ellis, lead singer of Edmonton based reggae band Souljah Fyah, anything seems possible. It could be the fact

that she emanates exuberance and excitement with each sentence, or it’s that every answer she gives is well thought out and inspiring.

There is a certain consideration and positivity that seems infectious, that is for sure. In fact, after our conversation, I nearly decided to quit my writing career and follow my passion of one day becoming an astronaut. If it wasn’t for the physical aptitude, understanding of stellar cartography and sheer impossibility of the idea, I might have done so.

“I have these stars in my eyes, and I never visualised that what is happening could,” Ellis said of Souljah Fyah’s success. “What I’ve learned along the way is that it is all about right now...the moment.

It has been an awesome surprise with what is going on right now, as opposed to with what is going to happen in that ‘great big goal’ mind frame. I’m right where I want to be, and I’m still looking forward.”

Souljah Fyah is a hit, and not just in Edmonton either. The recent Juno nominees have been carving a pretty nice niche for themselves in the reggae world. Labelled the “top reggae band” by the 2009 Canadian Reggae Music awards, Souljah Fyah seem to be piling up more and more accolades as the months go on. Ellis is taking it all in stride of course; her background in theatre arts and a very musical childhood seem to have moulded her for just this type of thing.

“There was enough variety in what I was exposed to as a kid that allowed for me to have a comfort level when performing,” explained Ellis. “I was exposed to music enough to know what a song was about. And of course coming from a background that has some West Indian roots and being raised in Alberta, there is a lot of ingredients that go into the batch. With that said, being in the band is wonderful but I would have enjoyed being a concert pianist just as much. It

8

could have been everything and anything that incorporates allowing me to be a medium.”

This sound that Souljah Fyah has is not going unnoticed. There is a special club that Canadian musicians would all like to be a part of, and that is the Junos. For Ellis, the nomination for Reggae Recording of the Year was an eye opening experience; not only to a larger stage, but to how the Junos are actually like a club.

“I didn’t know most of the Junos were given prior to the larger event,” Ellis recalled. “The night before the Junos we were invited to a dinner. It’s a banquet setting and everyone is eating and there are huge players in the room; it was very exciting. Then an announcer asked all the first time nominees to stand and everyone applauded. It was very interesting because we were now one of them, and I never realized it until then, but a lot of stars had the same concern as us newbies; be it the granting process or the funding that is propelling the arts. It was nice to share the same worries as them. We can be comforted by the fact that we share in the same quest with everyone.”

With leaps in success come new opportunities. People who you might not have known before want to work with you. You get access to certain things that make what you do a lot more interesting. For Ellis, she is still keeping things on the level. Although her head may be in the clouds at times, she still has her feet firmly on the ground. This was obvious when I asked her questions about who she would like to work with and which song did she wish she wrote.

“It seems like everyone that I want to work with keeps dying,” says Ellis. “It sounds very strange, but it keeps going that way. I connect with people who are doing things with their own two feet, if that makes sense. I would be absolutely tickled to open for Damian

Marley. And I wish I wrote Pachelbel’s Canon because I love to play it, it takes me somewhere. I love the feeling of being out there and playing and I absolutely adore that song. There is a something to it that is very wonderful and hard to explain. But in reality our aspirations are grounded. We want to go national and then international. It doesn’t have to be a quantum leap; it just has to be a logical upward motion.”

Being in a band means a lot of driving and with that, comes stories of the road. When I asked Ellis what type of quirky tales she could tell me, I expected some raging parties; a Led Zeppelin meets AC/DC like explosion of booze, buffoonery and bail payments. But in true fashion, Ellis is more about the beauty than the bunkum. “... in Carstairs at the Mountain View Music Festival, there was this two-yearold girl rolling around in the ground in front of the stage,” Ellis recalls. “She was rubbing dirt on herself and just having a blast. We were trying to sing and she was throwing dirt into other kid’s eyes and yelling; it was somewhat distracting. So, we asked her mom if she could come up on stage with us for a laugh.

Well she let her, and the image of this two-yearold, almost completely naked covered in dirt, was hilarious. She grabbed and extra mic and a shaker and started to sing along with the songs.

It was amazing. It was one of those moments where you couldn’t believe what was going on.”

It will be neat to see, in say 20 years or so, if that little girl starts her own reggae band and if she tells that same story. Like I said earlier, after talking to Janaya Ellis, anything seems possible.

Janaya Ellis, Souljah Fyah

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the community | Article title goes here

One Hot Fashion Show For Charity Story by Megan Sarrazin Above Photo by Sherree Elm

A

group of men and women that usually fight fires will be lighting

Station 8. Bruce will be taking to the stage to show off his moves

up the stage at the end of the month in an event that captivated

with about 30 other firefighters eager to dance their hearts out to

audiences at its debut last year. The Fashion On Fire event will show-

raise money. They have been working tirelessly over the last five to

case the latest and greatest to hit the runway with breathtaking fash-

six months, where they have been training multiple times each week

ion shows, including a show wrapping up Western Canada Fashion

with their choreographers to guarantee audiences are entertained.

Week, as well as a delicious three-course meal, the great opportunity

“We’re not professional dancers, obviously. We’re not even good

to help three local causes near and dear to the hearts of Edmonton

dancers,” laughed Bruce. “However, we are working extremely hard

Service personal and of course, the opportunity to see local firefight-

so that we can put on the best show possible. Raising funds for the

ers hit the stage with their choreographed dances.

charities is our goal, but we also hope that at the end of the Fashion

“It’s a very unique charity gala, and it aims to entertain as well

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On Fire, the guests will walk away feeling entertained and satisfied,”

as raise awareness and funds for charities that are run by Edmonton

he added. Fashion On Fire is an event that is 100 per cent volunteer-

Fire Rescue Services personal. This years’ events are going to have

run, with well over 100 volunteers helping out with the planning,

as many as seven choreographed dance routines and three fashion

fundraising and choreography for the firefighters. The event was

shows,” said James Bruce, firefighter with Edmonton’s Hagmann

brought to Edmonton after a local firefighter did an exchange in

the community | Article title goes here Australia where a similar event was held. He liked the idea so much that he proposed it to a group of his peers and the event took off. “It seemed like a fun event so we jumped on board, and after the success of last years’ event, we formed a committee and put together this years’ (event),” said Bruce. Last year, approximately $15,000 was raised for the Firefighter Memorial Society, the Firefighter Burn Treatment Society and Muscular Dystrophy Canada, all of which are run by Edmonton Fire Services personal. “We plan on doing it bigger and better every year,” said Bruce. He also said that their ultimate goal would be to raise $100,000 for their charities of choice at the Fashion On Fire event. The event is well on its way to reaching that goal after having such a hugely successful debut last year.

Many tickets were purchased for the 2010 Fashion On Fire event shortly after last years’ event, so it’s recommended that you purchase your tickets before they sell out. Tickets are $150 each, or you can purchase a 10-person table for $1,500. They are expecting to see more faces this year, with accommodations available for up to 1,100 people. The event will delight audiences starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Shaw Conference Centre.

Merge Magazine and Overtime have teamed up to host the Merge After Party following the event, with transportation available to and from Fashion On Fire.

The after party is open to the public at Overtime Broiler and Taproom’s new downtown location at 10335 111th St. Also following the Fashion On Fire event will be a Sponsor wrap-up party at Hundred Bar and Grill for the sponsors who participated in supporting the event.

If you would like to purchase tickets, you can visit www.fashiononfire.com or call 780-909-0935 and speak with Cristian Munoz. Bruce encourages Edmontonians to attend the event and to open their hearts to the charities so dear to Edmonton Fire Rescue Services.

“This is a unique, charity fundraiser, and its intention is to leave its audience feeling entertained,” Bruce said. “If you want to make a difference in the community, and have fun doing it, this is the way.”

Photos by Carol Chan and Studio E

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the community | The Edmonton Firefighter Memorial Society

The

Edmonton Firefighter Memorial Society Rob Cavell’s Job Creates a Paradox

Story by Paul Owen

A

s the chairman of the Edmonton Firefighters Memorial Society, Rob Cavell is

charged with the upkeep and maintenance of the Edmonton Firefighters Memorial Plaza located next to the Walterdale Playhouse on 83 Ave. between 103rd and 104th St. This means adding the names of his fallen brethren when one passes on, a task that he loathes to do.

“When I teach the recruits, I tell them that; ‘I don’t want to put any of your names on this memorial,’ ” says the 20-year veteran firefighter.

“I’m done. I’m fine with never putting another name on it.”

The Memorial Society was begun in 1996 as a way to remember and honour the 20 or so members of the Edmonton Fire Service who have fallen in the line of duty.

Within three years they had raised $350,000 through sponsorships and government grants for the erection

12

of the statue and the building of the Firefighters Memorial Plaza.

With the plaza in place, the society has slid into the background, hosting only a pair of events each year: a ladies’ golf tournament that

When I teach the recruits, I tell them that; ‘I don’t want to put any of your names on this memorial... I’m done. I’m fine with never putting another name on it.’

doubles as a fundraiser, and the 9-11 memorial held annually on September 11.

“With the exception of years when September 11 falls on a Saturday (as it does this year), because the Strathcona Farmers’ Market is on a Saturday, and being right next door and trying to block off the whole area … it’s not a good situation,” Cavell explains with a laugh.

Along with refurbishing the benches and sandblasting displays, they also sponsor firefighter’s families to travel to Colorado Springs if there are in-the-line-of-duty deaths to be honoured at the International Association of Firefighters Memorial Service in September.

The low profile of the Memorial Society creates a second conundrum for Cavell. As the chairman of a charitable organization, part of his job consists of fundraising and increasing the profile of his charity. However, Cavell is comfortable as “the third stepsister” amongst the charities supported by Edmonton firefighters, taking a backseat to Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the Burn Treatment Society.

“If you’re going to be providing a serious concrete service like burn treatment or muscular dystrophy, I get it,” he says. “What we’re doing is providing a place of comfort to sit and reflect.

actively campaign; because to us, it seems sort of crass to (do so) for a memorial.”

It helps that the Society is able to operate on a minimum budget, generally ranging from $2,500 to $6,500 per year. According to Cavell, the September 11 Memorial costs about $2,000 and the golf tournament costs about $16,000 but raises roughly $19,000.

They also get private donations, usually from family members of the deceased, and last year Fashion On Fire donated $3,000 as well. The rest of the budget varies depending on how much upkeep the plaza needs and how many family members are sent to Colorado Springs in a given year.

The society also has about $50,000 left from their original fundraising efforts, but Cavell noted that that goes down about $3,000 to $5,000 every year as maintenance costs accrue on the plaza.

“Unfortunately there’s people in the area that figure that it’s alright to vandalize, and … it’s just nickel and dimeing us to death,” he admits.

And of course, there’s

It doesn’t seem like a (cause) you really want to go and

the added cost of adding

actively campaign for dollars to be donated.

those new honourees to

“We don’t want people to forget about us, but at

the statue, a task that gets

the same time, I’d really rather not be right out front. …

harder every time Cavell

I really don’t mind; I like taking a back seat and letting

puts a plaque up. While

(Muscular Dystrophy Canada and the Burn Treatment

there hasn’t been a fire-re-

Society) be out in front. We don’t want to go out and

lated catastrophe resulting in the death of a firefighter in Edmonton since Ralph Hobb and Murray Clark were caught in a flash-over on August 15, 1976, the statue also honours those firefighters who succumb to job-related cancers and illnesses. Two more names were added in 2009.

“They’re recognized as line-of-duty deaths because they were generally healthy guys, except for these cancers which they know are more prevalent in firefighters,” Cavell explains.

“In Edmonton, there’s not a huge number of names. Unfortunately, because I’ve been on the job for 20-years, now it’s becoming friends of mine that I’m putting on there, and I really don’t want to do that.”

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the community | Article title goes here

14

the community | Walk a Mile In Her Shoes

Walk a Mile

In Her Shoes Edmonton men step it up for the YWCA Story by Sarah Kmiech

W

hat if you were told there was a fundraising event where

tance is in the form of crisis intervention counseling, or for violence

participants gained pledges by walking in high-heeled shoes?

preventative programs, YWCA is dedicated to the advocacy and sup-

If you happen to be a woman, that sounds like an easy enough accomplishment. But what if you are a man? Not quite the easy task it once was, was it?

port for women.

“All the money raised goes towards proactive approaches to ending violence through violence prevention programs,” Niemeier said.

But this is exactly what will be happening at Edmonton’s First Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraising event. Men will be sliding into heels and strutting their stuff in support of YWCA Edmonton.

Some programs which will be benefiting from this event will be GirlSpace, and Lakeside Haven.

The GirlSpace program helps teach young girls certain life skills in

The intention of this event is to create awareness and funding for various YWCA programs, and give men a chance to show their solidarity towards women who are coping with domestic violence, said YWCA communications and marketing manager Amber Niemeier.

“The purpose is just to have the men stand up and know they are part of the solution,” Niemeier said.

order to realize their capabilities, and inspire them to gain independence and self-appreciation.

Lakeside Haven is a weekend away for women and their children who have had to live through family violence. Families get to spend time together in a safe environment and enjoy outdoor activities, all while healing in the process.

For over 100 years, YWCA EdmonEdmon

The fundraising event takes place downtown in front of city hall

ton has been supporting women

at Sir Winston Churchill Square on Tuesday, Sept. 14 and kicks off at

and their families when they are in need of assistance and guidance during pivotal moments in their lives.

Whether the assis-

11 a.m. and goes until 1:30 p.m. The distance of the walk is not quite a mile; it’s a lap around Churchill Square. In case some men are a little unstable in their stilettos, there will be “Lean On Me” volunteers to help out the more wobbly participants.

And fellas, there’s no need to worry about having to go into a shoe store and trying on a pair of their largest sized slingback pumps, as all heels will be provided.

Everyone is welcome to come down and cheer on the guys while they support this great cause.

For more information, or to register for this event, visit www. ywcaofedmonton.org, or call Amber Niemeier at 780-423-9922 extension 281.

15

the community | The Mustard Seed

The Mustard Faith, Hope and Help

Story by Paula E. Kirman

T

he Mustard Seed is an inner city organization helping Edmon-

“The Mustard Seed is a non-profit organization that works to

tonians facing homelessness and poverty with both faith and

change the face of poverty in Edmonton. As one of its programs, The

practical assistance. Located on 106 Avenue and 96 Street (also

Mustard Seed holds a Sunday worship. Everyone is welcome and it is

known as the McCauley neighbourhood’s famous Church Street), The

a non-denominational meeting,” Benoit says.

Mustard Seed provides a variety of programs with meals, recreational

The Mustard Seed’s list of programs and activities include:

and personal programs, and even just a place to relax and hang out for a while.

“Since 1988, the mandate of The Mustard Seed has been to pro-

• Advocacy: Assisting marginalized individuals to engage with existing support systems. If necessary, the advocate speaks

vide support services for marginalized individuals,” says Coby Benoit,

on behalf of clients with their consent. The advocate works in

director of development. “The Mustard Seed is a Christian humanitar-

partnership with clients, supporting them as they make deci-

ian organization that seeks to address poverty in greater Edmonton

sions about their lives, encouraging and supporting relation-

through the building of healthy community. We accomplish this

ships with local support systems.

by partnering with the wider community to serve the needs and develop gifts of the people affected by poverty. The Mustard Seed is

• Community Correctional Chaplaincy: The Mustard

a place of safety, trust, belonging, growth and community. Our goal

Seed provides support for male and female prisoners, ex-prison-

is to build relationships with our community members (clients), to

ers reintegrating into the community, as well as victims, families

cultivate stability and personal growth. We view each individual as a

and communities who have been impacted by crime. By apply-

whole person and seek to work alongside people to strengthen their

ing the principles and values of Restorative Justice, and through

personal assets that can lead to a healthy, dignified life.”

the involvement of volunteers and the local faith community,

Benoit, who has been with The Mustard Seed for two years, is part of a dedicated staff of 42, which includes 23 full-time and 19 parttime workers.

16

they seek to build safe and healthy communities.

Seed: • Community Development: Offering opportunities for

• Personal Assistance Centre: Provides clean clothing,

friendships to grow and for people to explore and develop their

hygiene items, blankets, housewares, safety boots, and other

gifts and talents. The Mustard Seed aims to work in a holistic

day-to-day necessities.

manner seeking to enhance individuals’ physical, emotional, spiritual, and social lives. Weekly or semi-weekly groups meet

• Public Education: Creates opportunities for people to

to participate in community-building activities, work projects,

explore and gain an understanding of the issues surrounding

and educational opportunities (community kitchen, community

poverty and social justice, and how to respond. It offers student

garden, baseball team, exercise, go-getters, one-on-one literacy

placements in partnership with the University of Alberta, Grant

tutoring, art group, and helping hands).

MacEwan University and University of Calgary. As well, there are weekend retreats, educational seminars, neighbourhood walks,

• Drop-in: A safe place where people can build relationships

school programs, and Summer Urban Placement - a four to five

among community, staff, and volunteers.

day immersion experience in the inner city.

• Evening Meals: A warm, nutritious supper is served to as

• Recreational activities: An opportunity to develop cre-

many as 375 people, six evenings per week. In 2009, The Mus-

ativity, spend time with others and restore a sense of risk-free

tard Seed served 93,918 meals.

fun (Karaoke, art night, movie night, games night, Hockey Night in Canada).

• Food Depot of the Edmonton Food Bank: An emergency resource that provides monthly food hampers to augment

• Special Events: The Mustard Seed Edmonton hosts numer-

personal or family resources. In a busy month, up to 850 people,

ous events throughout the year, such as the kids’ Christmas

including about 180 children under the age of 16, are seen. Also

party, petting zoo, ladies’ and mens’ special event days, family

provided are simple recipes related to hamper contents.

17

the community | The Mustard Seed gift centre, harvest celebration, Christmas lights tour, and a New

tunities for Edmontonians to become engaged in this important work,

Year’s Eve party.

and we could not operate so successfully without their contributions and passion.”

• Spiritual Community: Faith companions, Bible studies,

Upcoming events at The Mustard Seed which require volunteers

and a chapel service on Sundays, all offering places of refuge

include T-shirt for Turkeys starting on Monday, Sept. 27 and running

and community for individuals.

until Friday, Oct. 1. There is a Radiothon on Thursday, Oct. 7, and the Running Room Run on Sunday, Oct. 17. As well, The Mustard Seed is

• Housing Plus: Earlier this year, The Mustard Seed was approved for a grant through the provincial government to

always seeking financial donations to keep its programs going.

“People in Edmonton are living in poverty. That means that there

build housing for the homeless. The “Plus” is the wrap-around

are people in our community who do not have enough money to pay

support that will be in place to enable people to remain housed

their rent, utility bills, as well as buy groceries and clothing for them-

once they are off the streets. This is an exciting new area for The

selves or their families,” Benoit explains. “The Mustard Seed provides

Mustard Seed!

evening meals, clothing, food hampers, and a community to count on.

Your donation makes it possible for people to have a safe place to

Like many non-profit organizations, The Mustard Seed relies upon volunteers. “We value what our volunteers bring to every aspect of

And the need is high. Approximately 350 people per day use the

our operations,” says Benoit. “We have around 30 regular community

Evening Meal program, while the daily Drop-In sees close to 120 peo-

volunteers, 200 regular weekly volunteers, and hundreds of group

ple. If you would like get involved as a volunteer with The Mustard

volunteers (such as meal groups and sorting groups). Volunteers host

Seed, contact Laura Bollinger, Manager of Volunteer Development at

weekly or semi-weekly community development groups; assist with

780-442-3568 or laura@mustard.ab.ca, or visit www.mustard.ab.ca.

Food Depot and Personal Assistance Center programs; provide one-

The website also has information about donating.

on-one literacy tutoring; mentoring to former prisoners reintegrating into community; and, provide leadership to various events and services. In 2009, our volunteers contributed 38,000 hours of their time; the full-time equivalent of 18 positions. There are many oppor-

18

come to when they have needs they are unable to meet themselves.”

I was able to talk with her and pray with her. When she left, she

Stories of Success While The Mustard Seed sees many people in heartbreaking circumstances every day, the people who work there also have some happy stories to share.

“At The Mustard Seed, we find often success in the moment,” Benoit says. “For example, the man who came regularly for three years and never once smiled. Then one day, he smiled. We celebrate his smile. Or the man who came but never really joined in any conversations. Then one day, he felt comfortable enough to speak up and be a part of what was going on around him. We celebrate his confidence.

“And then there’s the man who signed up for a voicemail account and within weeks told us that he didn’t need it any longer because he had found a place to live and had a phone of his own. We celebrate his stability.”

Here are just a couple of success stories from staff members:

From Hilary, Goods Reception Coordinator A lady came in to use the food depot. When I saw her, it was very clear she was upset. She had come near the end of the line and thus she would have to wait for quite a while to receive a food hamper.

She told me that her son had just been taken away from her and one of her only chances to see him was today and she would miss him if she had to wait too long for food. She started crying again and told

had her food, was on time to see her son, an authority knew about the gun and was going to take it away, and she was extremely hopeful.

She came to see me about two weeks later. She looked so much better and things were looking up for her in her life.

From Evelyn, Community Pastor As I was leaving work one Friday evening, I passed a woman I’ll call Jane and her two daughters who were sitting with all their suitcases on the side of a street. I stopped and talked with her only to find out she had left an abusive relationship in Toronto and had no place to stay – she knew no one in Edmonton and was without money. But she had arrived on a Friday afternoon and no agencies were open. Jane and her two daughters were terrified and felt hopeless. After a few calls I was able to get them a bed in a shelter outside of Edmonton. I prayed with her and gave her my card and told her to call me.

A few months later I received a phone call from her and they had been transferred to a transitional apartment in the city. She was in need of some food and a few items which we were able to give her. I lost track of them and a year later she called out of the blue to say thank you for all the help and listening ears and support we had given her. She now was living in subsidized housing, attending school and counselling. The girls were doing well in school. God answered our prayers, and her and the girls are settled.

me how much pain she was in…and she had a gun at home that she wanted to use.

Buy Your Tickets Today!

September 25, 2010

780.909.0935

www.fashiononfire.com 19

the community | Article title goes here

20

the individual | Want Fries With That Degree?

Story by Krista D. Ball

I

f you have a fine arts degree, you’ve heard this joke. A lot. Our

feelings, hopes, experiences, and fears, all without him saying a word.

society doesn’t value the arts the way that they were once revered

Art is a language of its own. It is a language we need to preserve.

in history. Instead, today people ask why their tax money should go

Humans are creative creatures. We paint flames on our trucks and

towards a new art gallery as opposed to speeding up the Anthony

we photograph sunsets. It is how we express ourselves and our per-

Henday overpasses. Artists are lazy and should get “real jobs.” Art

sonal views. Each one of us sees a different world, and art allows us

programs should be cut from schools; they aren’t real subjects.

to bring those perceptions into reality. If we focus solely on teaching

Or, my personal favourite, “a fine arts degree is a waste of good money.”

Some sectors of society have convinced temselves and others that art isn’t important. Somewhere along the way, some have decided that creativity and self-expression are bad things that suck up

nothing but math and letters are the best ways to make money, we rob ourselves and future generations of their own creative expression. We will be creating little more than robots, not even aware of their internal strengths and abilities.

Without exposure to arts programs in childhood, many talented

public funds and do no good for society. Somehow, pushing paper in

people may never even discover that they possess such skills;

an office building has become more important. The pursuit of money

especially children from poor families who cannot afford expensive

has taken over our society — Edmonton is no exception — and with

summer programs. If schools and field trips merely only focus on the

it, the creative world is tossed into the gutter.

basics, students might never discover their talent for woodworking,

Yet, art is essential to the human existence. It comes in so many forms, including: photography, drawing, dancing, singing, instrumen-

creative fiction, or metalwork.

We need artists. Putting the “starving artist” and the fast food job

tal, writing, and acting. It is the universal language of our species.

jokes aside, artists are the ones who bring colour and splash to our

Whether it is landscape paintings, giant wire sculptures, science fic-

daily lives. Our favourite novels are written by artists. Daily newspa-

tion novels, or photography, it is a language that transcends culture,

pers and our favourite magazines are written and designed by artists.

economic level, religion, and race. It speaks to us across time and

Graphic artists make your video games, your business cards, and your

across the expansive gulf of poverty.

marketing posters.

I worked with Edmonton’s homeless for three years. I witnessed

Edmonton is full of amazingly talented artists in all forms and in

gang members, addicts, and schizophrenics all sitting together at a

all walks of life. Instead of insulting them and their talents, we should

table painting, drawing, and making crafts for their tents. The pride

embrace the different perspectives and beauties that they bring to

that comes from expressing that side of a person’s humanity is price-

our city. Instead of mocking their talents, we should support their en-

less, and should never have a dollar sign attached to it.

trepreneurial spirit and small businesses. After all, if we’re concerned

It can even heal a child.

about giving tax money to artists, the best way to prevent it is to

Several months ago, I met a young boy who spent his toddler

financially support their products and their services.

years witnessing unspeakable horrors of genocide. He lived in multiple refugee camps throughout Africa before immigrating to Canada.

Try as councillors may, he would not speak about what he saw. But

Without artists, our world would be little more than a cracked concrete shell with no colour and no life.

Art isn’t just nice. Art is a necessity.

give him a crayon, and he would draw it. The art itself spoke of his

21

mergemag.ca | Event Calendar

22

the community | Article title goes here

Simplify your home while helping someone in need Story by Paula E. Kirman

E

dmonton is often a generous city, full of organizations helping those in need. But not only are larger

charities and non-profits in the business of distributing clothing and household items – smaller community groups are stepping up to fill the many needs of those less fortunate.

Capilano Christian Assembly, located at 9333 50th St., is one such group. On Saturday, Oct. 2, the CCA is hosting the Wear & Wares Share event. It is a family clothing and small item exchange.

Jeanie Buzzacott is one of the event’s volunteer coordinators. “We want to be a help in the community,” she says. “Good clothing and small household items may not find their way to people who could make use of them. This event provides an opportunity for us to share with others.”

Wear & Wares Share can’t happen without donations. “Items donated must be in clean and good useable condition. Donations may include clothes, accessories, small household items, linens, toys, and children’s books,” Buzzacott lists. Large household items, appliances, baby car-seats, cribs, high chairs, strollers, and the like will not be accepted.

People can drop off their donations at Capilano Christian Assembly on Friday, Oct. 1 from 3 to 8 p.m.

The donations will then be sorted and organized.

“Doors will be opened for people in the community to come and take items on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.,” says Buzzacott.

Anyone who would like to help out in ways other than donations can contact the church office Wednesday through Friday at (780) 469-7801.

Donate:

October 1 • 3:00 - 8:00 st

PM

PM

Shop:

October 2 • 10:30 - 12:30 nd

AM

PM

Capilano Christian Assembly, located at 9333 50 St

23

the business | InterVivos: Stimulating Dialogue to Encourage Growth

InterVivos:

Stimulating Dialogue to Encourage Growth Story by Megan Sarrazin

E

dmonton has a thriving community of young professionals and

help connect “seasoned leaders” with “young leaders and emerg-

students. But one thing that was missing for this demographic

ing leaders.”

was a way for them to connect and network with one another.

This dilemma has been solved with the introduction of a relatively new organization, called interVivos, which hosts several events throughout the year focused on bringing these people together. interVivos is translated from latin to mean “from one person to another” and exists in our city to “focus on dialogue and discussion, but really up the area in terms of mentorship in Edmonton – be a

their relationships with leaders.”

This is exactly why the mentorship program was introduced.

The program was launched at the beginning of the year, with 10 protégés being matched up with 10 appropriate mentors.

“We have people interested in starting a business, … a non-

mentorship group for young professionals and students because we

profit, we have people who are interested in running a health

really found there to be a gap from what was being offered in Edmon-

organization when they ‘grow up’,” said Saher, joking about hav-

ton,” said interVivos president, Zohreh Saher.

ing to “grow up.”

The organization is volunteer-run and hosts numerous events focusing on people in the 18 to 40-year-old range. These events are designed to enable members to interact with others and possibly foster a relationship on which to begin or improve business. interVivos typically hosts an event every six to eight weeks, according to Saher, with the next event taking place in October.

They will be hosting the event as an “afterwork dialogue over drinks and appies in a downtown hotspot,” according to Saher.

Although a location has not been finalized, the discussion will be focused around the downtown Edmonton arena plan, with a panel of experts such as “a planner, a tax man and a representative from the Katz group.”

In the past, speaking engagements have included speakers such as Danielle Smith, leader of Alberta’s Wildrose Alliance; Edmonton city councilor Don Iveson; and Alberta’s premier, Ed Stelmach.

They are always experimenting with different ways to engage their target demographic, including a recent event that Saher explained by saying, “it was kind of like speed dating.” This event consisted of having numerous “experts” who went around to small groups to have a quick discussion.

As well as speaking engagements, one of the new initiatives for interVivos has been their mentorship programs, which will

24

According to Saher, “There’s a lot of networking opportunities in the city … but there’s nothing that lets young people sustain

The program takes a year to complete, but it is already looking promising for the protégés.

In order to take part in the mentorship program, a $100 fee is collected from applicants to ensure that they will remain committed to the program. Intake for next years’ program will likely happen at the end of September.

Formally introduced as interVivos back in November of 2006, it prior existed under the name “Canada Unity Council Young Leaders’ Committee,” which was formed in 2003.

Upon entrance of the Conservative Government led by Stephen Harper, their main source of funding was retracted, and they were left to pick up the pieces. Despite facing this hurdle, they were able to overcome it due to the teams commitment to the cause.

“All of us involved wanted to continue what we were doing, which was that we were really focused on adding dialogue and discussion for young professionals and students in Edmonton,” said Saher. interVivos is currently looking for more volunteers that are committed to fostering dialogue and discussion among young leaders in our city. If you would like to join them, check out their website at www.intervivos.ca. Saher also recommends signing up for the mailing list, which will notify members of upcoming events.

If you would like to know more, visit their website or contact Saher at zohreh@intervivos.ca.

Saher has been president of the organization for over a year and a half and was vice-president for a year and a half prior to that. She has been involved in the organization for about five years.

25

the community | Alberta Foundation for the Arts

Alberta Foundation for the Arts Minister Lindsay Blackett speaks about the many things going on with our artists Story by Trent Wilkie

M

inister of Culture and Community Spirit Lindsay Blackett has

and economy, where we are the heart of arts and culture. We have an

a tough job. Not only does he rarely get a day off, but he

influence in the Canadian discussion and we are moving forward. We

represents a group of people that are, arguably, the best at telling you when they think you are doing something wrong. Artists can

One such example of this show of caring is the creation of Alberta

be somewhat temperamental at times (I know, I’m one of them). Of

Arts Days. From Friday, Sept. 17 to Sunday, Sept. 19, Albertans are

course when asked what it is like to be the focal point of a bevy of

encouraged to show just how artistic they are. Be it through dance,

opinionated media savvy individuals, the good Minister was diplo-

visual arts, music or just being an audience member to a creative

matic.

happening, Minister Blackett sees it as a way to bring the focus on

“It’s a good challenge and you have to have a pretty thick skin,”

arts, and at the same time bring communities together. When you

laughed the Minister. “Be very mindful, people are very passionate

strengthen your community, both rural and urban, you strengthen the

about the arts and it’s my job to show them that we are too. I go out

individuals that make up that community, and in Alberta they are ever

and show people we care. I attend a lot of events and share the pas-

growing.

sion they have. Alberta is at a point in its history, with respect to arts

26

are stepping in the right direction.”

Minister of Culture and Community Spirit, Lindsay Blackett

“We are looking to form a bond between schools and libraries and post secondary institutions to celebrate arts and culture,” Minis-

a project. What would that project be? Interpretive dance? Throat singing? Beef sculptures?

ter Blackett explained. “We are increasing access to arts and culture

“I would put on a show that would be a Premier’s tribute to the

to every corner of the province. We want to increase the capacity in

arts,” the Minister said after a few moments of thought. “Like the Ken-

our communities to house literary arts as well as bringing film and TV

nedy’s Centers Honours without the honours so much. Top 10 artists

to the forefront. People will see there will be the creation of plenty

and acts ... a tribute to them, best of the best. We could do one year

of work for those people in the industry. We are also looking into

Calgary, the next year Edmonton. And not just showcasing them to

online teaching and distance learning as well as online access to

Alberta, but to the whole country. There are so many good things go-

museums and interpretive centers, benefitting smaller communities

ing on with our artists right now.”

by allowing access to these facilities. We are looking for more col-

If there is one thing artists like, it is to be shown the limelight.

laboration in the non-profit sector as well as reshaping our depart-

The Minister seems to have learned quite a bit about the mind of the

ment to improve services to immigrants and Aboriginal communities.

artist in his tenure as Minister of Culture and Community Spirit. Well

All of this starts with the arts and making it more readily available to

played Minister, well played.

people strengthens our culture.”

On the subject of technology, Minister Blackett let his nerd-light shine as he became very excited about the possibilities and actualities of what Alberta can accomplish. Education, electronic arts, video games; these are the areas where Alberta will blaze trails.

“I came from the electronics industry, so I’m a huge believer in it,” continued the Minister. “I see a Super Net connection from corner to corner in the province. This will create a huge growth of accessibility in rural Alberta. Cable-on-demand, online commerce, video-ondemand, publishing, proliferation in video games online; you will see that here in Alberta first. We hope to create the new creative economy with Alberta at the forefront of it. I see it as being a billion-dollar entity in the next five to ten years. Alberta will be recognized as one of the most vibrant, if not the best, cultural centers in our country.”

Turning his eyes from the future to the present, Minister Blackett sees the Alberta Foundation for the Arts as a major player in all of this. The foundation, started in 1991, has funded Alberta artists in many different aspects. From grants for projects, to supporting education and travel, the AFA is the building block for arts and artists in Alberta. You can’t build anything from the top down; it is the support of those who may not have access to funds that will generate the next wave of new ideas both creative and functional. With that being said, the AFA is not a bottomless well of money. While working with the AFA, Minister Blackett realizes that you can’t make everyone happy, and sometimes feet get walked on.

“We are in the top four per capita in Canada for provincial funding for the arts, and with that there is a strong sense of entitlement,” Minister Blackett said. “Things have been the way they are for a long time, so I thought how do we change ourselves to be better without having people jeopardizing what they already have? Work ethic; you don’t get what you get out of life just because you are there. You have to work for it. So many hard working people in the ballet, opera, the philharmonic ... we stacked up well in the Cultural Olympiad in the Olympics so we obviously have the talent. It’s just that sometimes there is this mentality where some people think that since they always got grants and support that they should always be getting it. It is always going to be hard work.”

I then thought I would turn the tables on the Minister a bit. What if, through some magical series of events, he was to write a grant for

27

the community | Article title goes here

29

the community | Kaleido Family Arts Festival

The arts community comes out of the woodwork to entertain along Alberta Avenue Story by Sarah Kmiech

I

t’s a well known fact throughout Edmonton that we are a city full of festivals. We do Edmonton up right by celebrating it during our

short summer months, and continuing to do so over the course of our long winter ones. With almost too many events and festivals to keep track of, it can be easy to miss a few along the way. But this one festival is slowly making its way out of the woodworks – literally – and working its way into the hearts of Edmontonians.

From the streets, to rooftops and back alleys, even crawling down the walls of buildings; every usable area is being transformed into a stage for the Kaleido Family Arts Festival. Every performance surface imaginable (and unimaginable) is being taken advantage of for artists to share their brilliant crafts. The festival sets up shop all along 118th Avenue between 92nd and 94th Street, and showcases a variety of diverse artistic expressions.

Kaleido is put on by Arts on the Ave, a non-profit society set up with the purpose of turning 118th Avenue into a community honouring the arts. With this being the festival’s fifth year in action, its goal is to truly ignite the arts within Edmonton, said society President Christy Morin.

“We really firmly believe that we want to see the mixing of all art disciplines all colliding together,” Morin exclaimed.

And what a mix there’s going to be. This three-day festival really does a great job at exposing different art methods to Edmonton. Music, dancing, singing, photography, theatre, sculpting, and puppetry are only a few of the many artworks that will be featured.

Over the course of the festival, there will also be live blues performances, various cultural dances, yo-yo and hula hooping workshops, and numerous theatre shows to attend.

Though no art experience will be wasted, there are a few productions that will be interesting to check out.

Bird Soul is not your typical dance group; they come with a bit of a twist. This group of two takes their craft to the walls, performing vertically while dangling from ropes. Project Whooping Crane is a

30

theatre experience that shares the story of this beautiful and endangered species through the use of puppets and masks. Don’s Grande Piano Alley takes the attendee behind the Old Cycle Building and has them surrounded by the rawness of the venue, and the beauty of the piano.

“There’s a grand piano set up in a back alley with musicians coming in to play,” Morin explained; “You get in this dirty, gritty back alley with beautiful piano music playing.”

With so many things going on, it’s easy to see how Kaleido is becoming more popular with not only attendees, but performers as well.

“In the beginning it was by word of mouth, now artists are sending in their resumes,” Morin said; “People are hunting us out.”

Food vendors will be scattered around the festival site. You’ll be able to pick up a Fat Franks hotdog, Asian cuisine, or typical festival style foods such as mini donuts.

The idea for this unique festival was first conjured up when Morin and the rest of the Arts on the Ave board members realized there were a lot of artists moving into the area. They wanted to be able to gather them all together and see what would happen.

“There were different visual artists, potters … we wanted to celebrate where we live and put together a festival,” Morin said.

Almost all of the ideas that Arts on the Ave come up with are described by Morin as organically grown thoughts, recognized by talking with each other at The Carrot, a community arts coffeehouse located at 9351 118th Ave. When a good idea is brought up, they all throw their passion into it, making it the best experience that they can.

“Most of these ideas are incubated at The Carrot,” Morin said.

“We’re not afraid of just trying it. Our whole mantra is: Yes, let’s!”

Admission to Kaleido is free, but donations are appreciated.

There will be Edmonton Food Bank boxes located around the festival site for donations of non-perishable food items.

Taking place from Friday, Sept. 10 until Sunday, Sept. 12, Kaleido Family Arts Festival will give all Edmontonians a colourful environment for exploring all different kinds of art. For more information about Arts on the Ave or a complete lineup of Kaleido events, visit www.artsontheave.org.

31

the community | Article title goes here

33

the business | Women Working for Working Women

WomenWorking for

WorkingWomen Young Business and Professional Women’s Club Launch Edmonton Chapter Story by Sarah Kmiech

W

hen looking for an organizational group to join, it can be hard to find the one that fits you just right. You need to recognize what it is that you’re looking for,

and what you’re hoping to get out of it. What drew Sally Arkell-Boles to the Business and Professional Women’s Club, was the effort they make to support women in both the aspects of business and in self-development.

“The part that I like about BPW is the balance between keeping it professional, but yet at the same time having that voice that’s going to help others that are women,” said Arkell-Boles, 50, president of the Edmonton chapter.

She moved to Edmonton last August from British Columbia, where she was a part of the BPW there. She wanted to join a networking group, and knew that this particular group was one she wanted to stick with. After finding out that there was no active BPW club in Edmonton, she took it upon herself to get it up and started.

With the assistance of two other BPW members, they found there was a great market and huge opportunity for a group like this in Edmonton.

“The three of us put our heads together, and we launched in the spring,” Arkell-Boles said.

Another active member of the group is 26-year-old Katy Plesuk, a financial advisor at Sun Life Financial. She is the chair of the Young Business and Professional Women’s Club. This is for members between the ages of 18 and 35. It is still a part of BPW, but caters more to the needs of women who are just starting out in their careers. After initially hearing what BPW had to offer, Plesuk jumped on board.

“For me, really why I wanted to join BPW was because I’m selfemployed, and I’m building a business,” Plesuk explained; “So as a financial professional, it’s really important for me to get out there and find people that need my help.”

But it’s not only the networking potentials that Plesuk is getting out of it; it is the advocacy as well.

“That’s really important to me; to be a contributing member to society,” Plesuk said.

BPW has an active seat in the UN and is able to take issues to a worldwide level. Some areas of concern that are being worked at resolving are growth and retention of women in skilled trades, and providing services for victims of human trafficking. These issues are going to be discussed with MPs, and hopefully resolved within the next two years.

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Sally Arkell-Boles

“We really strive to be able to advocate for women and women’s issues,” expressed Arkell-Boles; “not only politically, but also just through the environment that women are living in and making sure we’re standing up for the rights of women … It really allows us to not only have an impact on our local community, but to be able to take that politically up to the higher levels within our government to actively effect change.”

Since the Edmonton chapter is new, there will be a free event on Tuesday, Sept. 14 for all women who are interested in learning more about this group and to celebrate the club being recognized as a chartered club. The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Edmonton Charter Celebration event starts at 6 p.m., and will take place at the Lexus of Edmonton dealership at 11204 170th St. There will be light food and drinks, and guest speakers; including BPW Canada Vice-President Connie Friesen and President Doris Hall.

“I congratulate the women in Edmonton on the charter of the club, and look forward to meeting the members at the charter night in September,” Hall said.

Once joining the group, members can look forward to a monthly meeting held on the second Tuesday of each month. Arkell-Boles and Plesuk look at bringing in excellent women speakers who will be able to bring insight and information to the table.

“It’s knowing that (members) are going to have not only a quality speaker, but maybe be able to find something that is a cause that they can get behind, as well as a group to be able to support and hopefully make changes for women in the world and the marketplace,” Arkell-Boles acknowledged.

BPW is an international club with involvement from over 80 countries. BPW Canada first started up in 1930, and with the assistance of Sally Arkell-Boles and Katy Plesuk, the Edmonton chapter is only just beginning.

“It’s about education, and the world, and the globe, and things that we can do to impact the lives of others,” ArkellBoles noted.

“And elevating the status of women in the world,” added Plesuk.

Follow BPW Edmonton on Twitter, @BPWEDM, or on their Facebook page: Business and Professional Women’s Club of Edmonton. You can also visit their national website at www.bpwcanada.com. For monthly meeting information, feel free to email Sally at sally.arkell-boles@sunlife.com, or call her at 780424-8171 extension 2222.

Katy Plesuk

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the community | Edmonton International Film Festival

Edmonton International Film Festival Story by Trent Wilkie

Y

"

ou try to make a film festival accessible to as many people as you

room so nobody can get at them. Our stars are the filmmakers and

can,” says Edmonton International Film Festival Programmer Guy

that is who we are about.”

Lavallee. “The mopey foreign film about someone who is suicidal in the fjords somewhere, we try to stay away from that.”

I like my guns like I like my international film festival programmers: straight shootin’.

“I think a lot of people shy away from film festivals because they think it’s going to be all navel gazing art films,” she says. “Now there

Originally the Local Heroes Film Festival, the EIFF has grown into

are a few of those in there, but it is not all that.”

something a little more wonderful. What once was a bunch of friends

As for the opening night, this incarnation of the film festival it is

watching films that each other made, has turned into an international

anything but navel gazing. As Lavallee describes, “I’m going to have

hotspot for burgeoning filmmakers who are looking for a place to

to set myself on fire in order to top that opening weekend.” Refer to

premier their work. Running from Friday, Sept. 24 to Saturday, Oct.

my comment above about festival programmers.

2 at the Empire Theatres in Edmonton City Centre Mall, the festival

If you’ve ever been to the Fringe Theatre Festival, you know the

is extremely accessible to even the busiest film buff. Along with the

power of the musical. People love them. So how about a musical

fact that they moved the festival from the dead of winter to the more

about hockey? Prepare for your mind to be exploded.

comfy confines of mid-September, makes it all the more appealing.

“Score is as Canadian as it gets,” describes Lavallee. “It’s about a

And according to festival general manager Kerrie Long, there is also a

homeschooled kid. His family doesn’t believe in team sports, but he

bit more to the secret of getting filmmakers to bring their work here.

sneaks out and plays shinny anyway. Noah Reid plays the lead role.

“Our ability to attract filmmakers to submit to us comes from

He’s a little bit of an unknown right now, but he won’t be for long.

treating every filmmaker, be it short or feature film, the same,” Long

Basically, it’s Glee with hockey sticks. Score is hilarious and going to

says. “Usually feature-filmmakers get treated like gold, while non-

set a great tone for the whole week.”

feature and the like fall through the cracks. They are all our guests.

The other opening night feature is equally as Canadian, maybe

We really enjoy nurturing our short-filmmakers because I’m sure they

even more so. Fubar 2, yes the sequel to the hoser classic will be

will eventually want to make a feature film. Also, we work very hard

shown at the festival for its Alberta premier. Considering how many

to build relationships with Canadian distributers so that Edmonto-

people from the Edmonton arts community that were involved in the

nians see some of the films first. Personally I consider it an honour to

project, it’s a sure thing to garner attention. With that in mind, this

help discover future gems.

year the festival harkens back to its roots by showing a large quantity

“The ability for audiences up close and personal makes us unique,” continues Long. “Some festivals take their stars and put them in a

Above: The Pharmacist Corey Loranger, left, is a narcoleptic pharmacist counselling a patient (played

by Chris Craddock, right) in the Edmonton-made film The Pharmacist.

36

Echoing Lavallee, Long agrees that there is a stereotype when it comes to certain festivals.

Right: Let Me In Chloe Moretz is a girl with a dark secret, in the highly-anticipated remake of the 2008 hit Let The Right One In, which was also an EIFF Premiere.

of locally made films.

“We are showing a record number of made in Alberta films both short and feature lengths,” Lavallee says. “In a typical year we might

Score: A Hockey Musical Farley, a teenaged hockey phenom played by actor Noah Reid, is hoisted by teammates in this scene from EIFF’s opening night film Score: A Hockey Musical. Photo by Ken Woroner.

Steam of Life Documentary filmmakers Joonas Berghäll and Mike Hotakainen capture profound discussions taking place in steam baths across Finland in Steam of Life.

have one or two made in Alberta features. This year we have one

Don’t get me wrong, a couple of Edge of Night (horror film night at

from Calgary, one from Drayton Valley, and five made in Edmonton

EIFF) titles push the envelope. In Alberta there is more tolerance for

feature films. To be able to have the quality and variety is so good.

violence than there is for sex.”

Horror, action, comedy, drama, thriller...all Alberta made.”

And for a bit of international flare, the EIFF has an American/

So, with Canadiana, horror, comedy and drama covered the only thing left is the “international stuff”.

British remake of one of the most wonderfully chilling horror movies

“People love the international stuff,” Lavallee says. “Almost 50

made in the past decade. Let Me In is a remake of the Swedish won-

per cent of the films we are showing this year are international. South

der piece Let The Right One In. Directed by Cloverfield’s Matt Reeves

Africa, Australia, Finland, Thailand, Mexico, Norway, China ... so many

and starring Kick-Ass’s hit girl, Chloë Moretz, Let Me In is a child

good films from all over.”

vampire story told with a gritty romantic style that should please all

But if you aren’t a film aficionado and are still looking for some-

festival goers … well except for those who don’t like seeing a lot of

thing to do, I recommend striking up a conversation with Film Festival

fake blood.

Programmer Guy Lavallee. He’s got more one liners than a Rodney

“We do get some submissions that are too extreme,” admits

Dangerfield triple bill. Oh, and he’s a really nice guy too.

Lavallee. “I saw a couple of films at the South by Southwest Film Festival that if I showed here, I would get arrested or fired or both.

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the community | Article title goes here

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the community | Article title goes here

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the individual | The Consistently Surprising Colleen Brown

The Consistently Surprising

Colleen Brown Story by Sarah Kmiech y path to discovering singer-songwriter Colleen Brown all

M

happened by chance. I was first surprised by her back in June

was always transferring her creativity into art.

when I was checking out the lineup for the Edmonton Folk Music Fes-

“I was always the artist in my class. I was always looking for

tival. I came across the name of this local gal and decided to give her

projects and making up things: stories, painting, drawing and doing

music a listen to online. What I heard, I liked. It was a nice surprise.

leatherwork,” Brown explained.

The second surprise discovery of hers’ I had was when I once

When she was around 11 years old, she thought she would take

again just happened to stumble across her. My friends Phil and

on writing lyrics for songs. And just how did this come about at such

Marcia were moving and decided to have a going away get-together

a young age?

on Tuesday, Aug. 3 at the Empress Ale House on Whyte Avenue. In

“I just decided it would be a fun project,” she said.

I walked, and noticed posters around the bar notifying me that Col-

It’s not your typical idea of what you would consider fun for an

leen Brown would be playing. Once again, it turned into a pleasant

11-year-old, but for Brown, it suited her perfectly. “I just always had

surprise.

to put my creative energy somewhere; it was sort of a natural thing,”

As the evening started, we were all doing the usual bar talking over a couple of pints, but we were soon tuning into the talent that

she said.

Another natural thing for Brown is her incredible musical talent.

was taking place on the small Empress stage. As I looked around, I

She first started playing piano at the age of six and took classical

noticed that nearly the entire bar had their chairs turned and their

voice when she was 15. She has also added guitar and bass to her

attention directed towards the small singer with the soft, yet strong

musical resume.

voice.

As for her lyrics, they come from a very honest place. For her to

Phil leaned over to Marcia and said, “We need to pick up her CD before we move.”

be able to write a song, she feels that she needs to have endured certain life experiences in order to be able to write about them.

I was able to enjoy Brown’s music again when I attended the

“I don’t like writing about things that I don’t feel I know about.

Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Between her numerous performances

When I’m writing a lyric or a phrase, and I come across a word I’m not

and workshops alongside some mentionable musicians like Jakob

100 per cent sure that it’s the right word that I’m meaning to use, I’ll

Dylan, Brandi Carlile, and Patrick Watson, she was gracious enough to

look it up in the dictionary or I’ll sit there and think about it for a long

sit down and talk with me during her busy schedule.

time before I figure out what it is I’m actually trying to say.

Before moving to Edmonton in 2000 to take the vocal performance program at Grant MacEwan University, she explained to me

“ 40

that as a kid in Lloydminster, she was the artistic one in class who

“I’m very particular,” Brown expressed; “I want to be clear about what I’m trying to convey … There’s not a song that I’ve written that

I’m very particular... I want to be clear about what I’m trying to convey … There’s not a song that I’ve written that doesn’t have some sort of real emotional connection for me, and I think that’s really important

”

doesn’t have some sort of real emotional connection for me, and I think that’s really important. As a performer, for me I want to always feel connected to what I’m singing.”

Love and relationships, friends and family; Brown shares her feelings with everyone.

Next up for Brown is the Kaleido Family Arts Festival on Saturday,

“I know I’m always going to be playing music, and I know that I’m always going to be writing music,” Brown stated.

And as long as she continues down her musical path, I’m sure I will continue to be surprised by Colleen Brown.

Visit her website, www.colleenbrownmusic.com for a listen of some of her songs from her second album, Foot In Heart, which was

Sept. 11 on the Avenue Centre Stage located at 9210 118th Ave. Her

just rereleased back in March of this year. This album, along with her

performance starts at 6:15 p.m. She will also be performing with the

first album titled A Peculiar Thing, is available on ITunes and at local

Crash Test Dummies in October when they tour around Canada.

music store Blackbyrd Myoozik, located at 10442 82nd Ave.

Though these are only her plans for the near future, her long term plans contain one thing: music.

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mergemag.ca | Event Calendar

Events Calendar September

We’re always on the lookout for upcoming social, fundraising and business-related events in and around Edmonton.

• Arts & Cultural Events • Fundraising for Charity or Community Groups • Business Seminars and Workshops

Social Events Sept

3

Symphony Under the Sky Runs September 3 - 6 Hawrelak Park Ampitheatre

Symphony Under the Sky returns for its 16th annual outdoor music festival at Hawrelak Park. Conductor Bob Bernhardt returns to lead the orchestra for his fifth consecutive year. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.edmontonsymphony.com/symphonyunder-the-sky/2010-11-symphony-under-the-sky/

Sept

3

Movies on the Square Runs September 3 & 4 Pre-Movie Activities at 7:00PM, Movie at 8:30PM Churchill Square

This summer, bring your friends and family out for Movies on the Square. Come early to grab a seat and some snacks, and enjoy premovie entertainment including a fabulous balloon artist, dancing, prizes and much more! Then stick around for the block buster hit that will be playing on a 3-storey high inflatable screen. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/cytke0

Sept

4

Sonic Boom Festival Gates open at 11:00AM Edmonton Northlands grounds Tickets: $69.50 plus fees (General admission is all ages) and $129.50 plus fees (limited VIP tickets are 18 years and older)

For the complete lineup, info, or to purchase tickets, check out http:// www.sonicboomfestival.com/

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Sept

8

Canadian Country Music Week & Awards Runs September 8 - 12 Various Venues

Come out and celebrate Canadian country music! Various venues throughout Edmonton will be hosting an array of talented performers.

For more information, visit http://www.countrymusicedmonton.com/ The grand finale of this event is the Canadian Country Music Awards Show (CCMA) on Sunday, September 12 at Rexall Place, show starts at 5 p.m. Tickets available through Ticketmaster http://www.ticketmaster.ca/ Canadian-Country-Music-Awards-tickets/artist/1444550

Sept June

10

Kaleido Family Arts Festival Runs September 10 - 12 Between 92nd & 94th St. on 118th Avenue

Kaleido Family Arts Festival celebrates artists and entertains the audience through music, dance, film, theatre, and visual and literary arts on Alberta Avenue. This festival is put on by Arts on the Ave Edmonton Society, who believe in sharing art and celebrating community through participatory events and traditions that promote Alberta Avenue’s neighbourhoods between NAIT and Northlands. For more information and a lineup of festival events , visit http://artsontheave.org/festivals/kaleidofestival-2010/.

Sept

15

Visualeyez Runs September 15 - 21 Downtown Edmonton

Visualeyez was developed by Latitude 53 to create opportunities for artists and audiences to experiment and interact with an variety of performance artists. Each year, the festival has a curatorial theme that critically investigates relevant aspects or issues of contemporary culture.

This 11th annual festival focues on the curatorial theme of Food. Visit http://www.latitude53.org/visualeyez

Sept June

17

Alberta Arts Days Runs September 17 -19 Various Venues

In celebration of Alberta Arts Days, numerous events and venues will be recognizing Alberta culture. To mention just a few: The Royal Alberta Museum is offering several special events and programs for Arts Days 2010. Interact with local artists as they create works of art, “On the Wild Side!” is a lively, entertaining collection of songs, poems and scenes highlighting the fun and zany nature of our animal kingdom. These activities, and more, are included with general admission. For more information, visit http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/ events/intro.htm

June Sept

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Edmonton International Film Festival Runs September 24 - October 2 Various Venues

For nine days in autumn, Edmontonians feast on all things cinematic. It’s a buffet of fantastic, independent films from around the globe. Whatever the genre, EIFF programmers search the world over for entertaining films that exhibit great storytelling qualities. The schedule includes 55 feature-length slots and 110 short films programmed into feature-length packages. All films screened at EIFF must be Edmonton premieres. This festival strives to uncover cinematic gems and celebrate unique voices in moviemaking such as directors, writers and producers. EIFF is about films and the people who make them. For more information visit http:// www.edmontonfilmfest.com/index.html

June Sept

26

2010 Photo Fair 10:00AM - 3:00PM Sawridge Inn – Edmonton South, 4235 Gateway Blvd Admission: $3

The Edmonton Photographic Historical Society is proud to present its annual photographic swap meet. There will be equipment dealers and camera enthusiasts from Western Canada and USA. This would be a perfect opportunity to acquire that elusive piece you have always wanted, or to get rid of pieces you no longer need. There will be free camera evaluations, great deals, and lots of fun! All profit from this event will be used to fund their non-profit society. For full or half table rentals or more info about this event, email edm_photographic_hist_society_2@yahoo.ca or call Al at 780-922-3768.

Fundraising Events Sept

7

Easter Seals Drop Zone Sutton Place Hotel, 10235 101st St.

Be a superhero for a day! Repel down the Sutton Place Hotel, all for a good cause. Participation in this adventure requires that all rapellers must raise a minimum of $1,500 in pledges. Funds raised will support children and adults with disabilities in Alberta through equipment and camp programs of Easter Seals Alberta. All participants must also attend a mandatory 3 hour training session prior to the event. Training dates TBA. Training will take place at Vertically Inclined Rock Gym. For more information on this event, visit http://bit.ly/bghGDd

Sept

9

YESS Golf Tournament 9:00AM - Registration, Breakfast, Silent Auction Begins 10:00AM - Texas Scramble Shotgun Start 4:00AM - Dinner, Live & Silent Auction, Awards The Links Golf Course, Spruce Grove, AB.

This is the 10th year for the Youth Emergency Shelter Society’s Annual Charity Golf Classic. This event gathers together various businesses, community members, and sponsors to raise awareness about YESS and its valued programs. Volunteers are always appreciated at events. If you are interested, contact Michelle Norenberg at 780-468-7070, or email michelle.norenberg@yess.org. To register, or for more information, visit http://www.yess.org/#events_3

Sept

12

Open Minds Walk & Run Registration and breakfast: 8:30AM, 10 km Run start time: 10:00AM, others to follow Hawrelak Park, 9330 Groat Rd.

The Open Minds Walk & Run is a province-wide annual fundraiser for the Schizophrenia Society of Alberta. Participants can register either themselves or a team for various locations across the province. The SSA is a registered charity established in 1980 and is the only non-profit in Alberta dedicated to individuals with schizophrenia and their loved ones.

For more information on the event, or to register, visit http:// schizophrenia.r-esourcecenter.com/event/index.asp?Page_ID=454

Sept

12

Winners Walk of Hope Registration and coffee: 9:00AM, Walk start time: 10:00AM Sir Wilfred Laurier Park, 13221 Buena Vista Rd.

Join Ovarian Cancer Canada’s 9th annual Winners Walk of Hope. Participants have the choice of the 2.5 km or 5 km walk. The Winners Walk of Hope is the single largest fundraiser in Canada that supports ovarian cancer awareness, education and research. Last year 11,000 participants raised more than $2.3 million. For more informaion, or to register, visit http://ovariancanada.org/Walk-of-Hope/Walk-Locations

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mergemag.ca | Event Calendar Sept

12

Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life Registration: 10:00AM, Walk start time: 1:00PM Sir Winston Churchill Square

The Walk for Life is a coast-to-coast fundraiser held every year by AIDS service organizations across Canada and the United States to raise funds and awareness for HIV and AIDS. The Walk for Life is a fun way to show encouragement, support and health promotion. The funds from the Walk for Life go straight to your local AIDS Service Organization. HIV Edmonton uses the funds for client services, harm reduction, and education programs. For more information, contact Joyce LaBriola at joyce.l@ hivedmonton.com. To register, visit http://www.hivedmonton.com/edmontonaidswalk/team_info.html

Sept

14

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Event Registration & Shoe Fitting: 11:00AM Event Starts at 11:30AM and ends at 2:00PM Sir Winston Churchill Square

Walk A Mile in Her Shoes fundraising event combines big hearts with big feet, and brings the whole community together for a great cause. The event premise is simple; men walk a few blocks in women’s shoes, raising eyebrows and funds in support of YWCA Edmonton’s turning point programs for women. YWCA Edmonton has been serving women and their families in our community for more than 100 Years. Funds raised by participating in this event will help provide the turning point that can improve lives forever. For more information on this event, or to register, visit http://payment.csfm.com/events/ywca_edmonton_pages/index.php

Sept

15

Ride for Diabetes Research Edmonton City Hall / Sir Winston Churchill Square

This fast paced and energetic event brings corporate Canada together in a friendly competition to see who can clock the most kilometers, show the most spirit, and raise the most money. Teams consist of five riders, and on event day, each team member will alternate riding a stationary bike for 8 minutes each over the course of 40 minutes.

Teams ride in one hour intervals, so it fits into any schedule. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/a627Dq. Or contact Karen Zabinski at 780428-0343, or email her at kzabinski@jdrf.ca

Sept

19

Terry Fox Run Hawrelak Park

This year marks the 30th anniversary since Terry’s iconic Marathon of Hope. To date, close to $500 million has been raised worldwide for cancer research in Terry’s name through the annual Terry Fox Run, held across Canada and around the world. For more information on the Terry Fox Run, visit http://www.terryfoxedmonton.com/ or email info@terryfoxedmonton.com.

Sept

23

The Grape Escape: Uncorking California 7:00PM Edmonton BMW, 7450 Roper Rd. Tickets: $60

Guests enjoy a wine tasting straight from the valleys of Napa! There will also be a silent auction to raise money for Edmonton Meals on Wheels.

For tickets or more information, call 780-429-2020.

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Sept

24

Harvest of Hope 6:00PM to 10:30PM Royal Glenora Club, 11160 River Valley Road Tickets: $100.00 each or a table of ten for $900.00

The Hope Foundation of Alberta is driven by two passions - to understand the role of hope and to apply that knowledge to help those whose hope is challenged. We have helped thousands of people, both with our counselling and our Hope Kids™ programs. Because we subsidize these services so that no one is turned away for financial reasons, we are holding our Fifth Annual Harvest of Hope fundraiser. For more information or if you can donate an item for our silent/live auction, please call us at 780-492-1222. Call Joan or Bev at 780-492-1222.

Sept

25

Light the Night Walk Check-in: 5:00PM, Walk: 7:00PM 208 - 10240 124th St., Victoria Park

Each year, in communities all across Canada, families, friends, neighbours and teams from local businesses and national companies come together for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS’s) Light The Night Walk events to bring help and hope to people battling blood cancers. For more information, or to register, vist http://www.lightthenight.ca/ab/

Sept

25

Fashion on Fire Doors open at 6:00PM, dinner at 7:00PM, fashion show starts at 8:00PM Shaw Conference Centre, Hall D, 9797 Jasper Ave. Tickets: $150 each, or a Table (which seats 10) for $1500

This event highlights all of the charities run by Edmonton Fire Rescue Services personnel –Firefighter Memorial Society, Firefighter Burn Treatment Society and Muscular Dystrophy Canada – and is an excellent way for these groups to raise needed funds. Fashion On Fire 2010 will feature fashion shows by a select group of Edmonton’s top designers and retailers. Edmonton’s bravest Firefighters will also take to the stage to perform choreographed group dance routines. The evening will include a silent auction, live auction, dinner, fashion shows, choreographed dance performances, and much more. For tickets, call 780-909-0935, or email sales@fashiononfire.com. For more information, visit http://www. fashiononfire.com

Business Events Sept

7

The Future of Business 7:30AM - 8:30AM World Trade Centre, 9990 Jasper Ave., 6th floor Tickets: $5 for members, $10 for non-members

This presentation will cover four main topics providing insight about the rapid changes and advancement of E-Business technologies that are happening right now. Business owners spend so much of their time executing day to day activities, that it is hard stay up to date on where business systems are headed. The risk of complacency is that they can end up maintaining obsolete technologies; and as a result, their business can become less competitive. In a marketplace that is becoming smaller due to globalization and the internet; the key is to be flexible and to evolve.

This is a non technical presentation designed for business owners.

Speaker: Neil Jubinville with Orbital Software Solutions Inc. To register, visit http://www.edmontonchamber.com/connections4business.aspx

Sept

8

Experience Think Tank Summit

Sept

21

8:00AM - 11:00AM #1-9750 51 Ave

Imagine the powerful results of participating in a dynamic group of like-minded business leaders to hash out challenges, discover solutions and be held accountable for their implementation, all facilitated by two professional coaches. At this introductory session, you will see for yourself just how powerful group dynamics can be in a facilitated coaching environment. Visit their website at http://thinktanksummit.com/invitation.htm for more information. To reserve your seat, contact Paula at 780-701-2990, or email paula@creatingpeoplepower.ca

Sept

14

Public Speaking for Professionals 9:00AM - 4:00PM #1, 9750 51 Ave. (Creating People Power) Registration: $247 per person

Develop key public speaking and communication skills in this one day workshop. Learn techniques to help you overcome nervousness and appear confident in all speaking situations. Discover the importance of audience analysis and how to leave your audiences wanting more.

Become a more confident, prepared and polished speaker with your new found knowledge. Seating is limited to a small group, early registration is advised. For more information, visit www.seriouslyspeaking.ca/news or call Michelle at 780-918-6972.

Sept

14

Business & Professional Women’s Club Charter Ceremony

7:30AM - 8:30AM World Trade Centre, 9990 Jasper Ave., 6th floor Tickets: $5 for members, $10 for non-members

This session will examine operating a professional development website for a global audience. Topics include: structure and content of the website, knowing your potential clients, marketing and promotion, selecting appropriate learning activities, what works and what does not, and using data for enhancements and improvements. As well, there will be a discussion of the challenges, issues and opportunities raised by this initiative. Speaker: Russell Sawchuk with Steppingstones Partnership Inc. To register, visit http://www.edmontonchamber.com/connections4business.aspx

Sept

23

Sept

18

CAPS September Meeting Registration: 8:00AM, Meeting: 9:00AM - 1:00PM Royal Mayfair Golf and Country Club, 9450 Groat Rd. Tickets: $25 advance, $40 non-member, $40 at the door for both members and non members

AWE Roadmap for Success 5:30PM - 8:30PM 100, 10237 104th St. Cost: $45, includes workbook

Why does the idea of writing a business plan seem daunting and confusing? Why do you need one - especially if your business is going to start small and grow later? This workshop for start-up entrepreneurs, put on by Alberta Women Entrepreneurs, answers these questions and provides an introduction on how to develop a business plan. Visit http:// bit.ly/cnY0n9

Sept

23

Awareness Workshop & Train the Trainer Workshop Awareness Workshop - 8:30AM to 12:00PM Train the Trainer Workshop - 1:00PM to 4:30PM Cost: $399 per person for the full day, or $297 per person for the morning Awareness Workshop.

6:00PM - 9:00PM Lexus of Edmonton, 11204 170th Street

The Business and Professional Women’s Club of Edmonton are holding an event in celebration of the chartering of the club. Find out more about this club at this free event while listening to speakers or visit http://www. bpwcanada.com/

Designing & Delivering Online Professional Development to a Global Audience

Awareness Workshop Audience: Any and every employee in an organization Train the Trainer Audience: HR Managers, OH &S Managers, Trainers Prerequisite: Awareness Workshop You will walk away from this program with a Certificate for the Train the Trainer and a facilitator guide for delivering this program. Contact Paula at 780-701-2990 or paula@creatingpeoplepower.ca

Seminar: Your Quantum Marketing & Sales Journey CAPS Keynote Speaker: Peri Shawn Ever wonder what one sales action generates the greatest revenues? Or which marketing activity can give you the greatest visibility to your decision makers? Come to this casual behind-the-scenes dialogue to learn: * the one single activity that has lead to more than 80% of Peri’s business * the one change in sales activity that has more than tripled some clients’ sales * the new product format to stabilize your business * the technology to give you more control of how you are seen on the web and more ....

Visit www.capsedmonton.com to register.

Sept

28

CLC Leadership & PublicSpeaking Course Course runs one evening a week (either Tuesday or Thursday) for a total of 10 weeks.

Dormition Hall, 15608 104th Ave & Columbus Hall, 2947 66th St. Registration: $315

The Christopher Leadership Course, Edmonton will provide you with opportunities to realize your full potential in both business and social spheres by developing your skills in: public speaking, communication and leadership. The CLC Level 1 course is a 10 week course based on adult learning principles. Each week, instructors present a different area of focus. The learned skills are then practiced in a positive and supportive workshop setting. To register, call 780-468-6498, or visit http://clcedmonton.com/index.php?page=525

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