Oh Canada! by Neighbourhood Express

Human Interest

Behind the Scenes

BY Roberta wells

It was all about Silky

ay 28 was a perfect spring evening with the sun shining and a light wind. I was looking forward to spending time taking pictures of Scott Thoen and his horse Silky in the country down near Valley Road. When we arrived I was properly introduced to Silky and her pasture mate by Scott’s friend Tracy. The horses, delighted with the first small clumps of green grass in the pasture, were happy to have friendly people around with treats and activity. After treats and a visit, I posed Scott with Silky on a hilltop with the wind blowing through their hair. It turned out to be a beautifully posed picture, properly composed and organized. Silky behaved perfectly. She stood still, held her head up high and pricked her ears forward on command. Everything was going well so we decided to shoot action pictures with Scott and Silky running together. This was all too much fun for Silky and I quickly lost control of the shoot. Hair and mane blowing, Silky played with Scott until, overwhelmed with joy and affection, she pushed her head into Scott’s chest almost knocking him off his feet. Photography by Roberta Wells, photography instructor Centre for Continuing and Distance Education, Certificate of Art and Design, U of S

Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

Human Interest

by Robert White

Bringing rural values home

ity and country, urban and rural often seem like two different worlds, even in Saskatchewan, one of the most rural provinces. Saskatoon, in particular, has become more urban and sophisticated as its population and economy have boomed. Its economy is no longer as greatly dependent on the farming sector as it once was. A larger percentage of the population, especially youth and young adults have grown up with no immediate connection to farming or rural life. Ironically, in the last two years there has been a dramatic growth in acreages and estates outside Saskatoon and large upscale suburban-style houses can be seen sprouting in fields along every highway leading into the city for about a 35 kilometre radius. I recently took a trip through rural southwest Saskatchewan and reflected on this question of rural and urban. With the exception of time at the Moose Jaw spa using up some gift cards, we stayed at country bed and breakfasts and with farmer friends. It was replenishing emotionally and spiritually. There is a universal human need to

seek out quiet, natural areas. Indeed, “recreation” comes from “re-creation,” a return to Eden in symbolic terms. Recreation is traditionally associated with resorts, parks, green, lakeside environments, or increasingly, vacation farms. The road trip was a great way to rediscover the pleasures of rural life, a more relaxed pace, less pretence, less social stratification. People are more dependent on each other and those interconnections are an everyday reality. Thus, bumping down back roads and trails with Garth and Shelley, my organic farmer friends near Fox Valley, looking at how the crops were doing turned into several roadside chats, helping a neighbour load a water tank, and tracking down a special hitch item to borrow. I didn’t even notice that our jaunt had taken over three hours, and on returning to the farmstead, I felt as if I already knew many of the interrelations that sustain that local farming community. They were direct, personal, and comprehensible. There was also a sharing in the sense of place. A palpable sense of place has been lost in many cities. Social mobility, urban sprawl, zoning regulations, and architectural standards that foster homogeneity have tended to ignore this qualitative value. Yet it is this very concept that is being tapped successfully to attract tourists and residents to rural Saskatchewan and to smaller centres. It is also part of the reason for the rising demand for acreages and lakeside property and the increasing interest in living in or near the city’s core. In terms of creating a sense of place and identity in an urban setting, Moose Jaw offers a prime example. It has capitalized on its history and natural and cultural features to attract 300,000 visitors a year. The many brick and stone buildings, the 46 murals, the infamous tunnels, and many artistic and cultural endeavours and facilities plus the spa

have made the rate of tourism growth the highest in Canada. Moose Jaw’s experience offers lessons about unity of vision, creating an identity rooted in place, and dynamic integration across sectors. Other smaller centres like Eastend, Mortlach, and Gravelbourg are successfully attracting an influx of people who want less hustle and bustle and a strong community. What has this got to do with Saskatoon? It seems that a great part of Saskatoon’s success has been the fact that most of its older residents have rural roots. The cooperative mindset that is characteristic of Saskatchewan’s rural history has undoubtedly contributed to the reputation of Saskatoon for volunteerism, community-mindedness, egalitarianism, and even a strong involvement in development issues around the world. Now that Saskatoon is booming, it faces the challenge of not losing its soul. With great economic growth there is a tendency to more social stratification and separation – suburban encloves and rural estates with big SUVs rushing to and from them. The revitalization of older neighbourhoods that is creating so many positives for areas like Riversdale can result in social problems migrating elsewhere. Traffic counts and police statistics indicate that there has also been a dramatic increase in traffic volumes, vehicle collisions, and a corresponding deterioration in driver behaviour. If Saskatoon is to keep its cherished short commute times, relaxed pace, and co-operative spirit it would be a good time for Saskatoon residents to openly examine, in cultural, political, administrative and religious venues, what development means. How can material growth be balanced with maintaining and enhancing less tangible and spiritual qualities – a sense of place, a spirit of unity and the virtues of friendliness, tolerance, and patience that result from it?

Featuring Scott Thoen & Silky Photography by Roberta Wells

On the Cover Inside this issue Section A

Human Interest ��2-7,9 Sports & Travel ��8, 10-14 Home Accents �� 16 Home & Garden ��15, 18-20 Green Lane �� 17 Business & Technology ��21-23 Section B

Image & Self-Development ��1, 2, 7, 10-11 Genealogy �� 3 Journey of Faith �� 3 Healthy Lifestyles �� 4, 6 Activities & Events �� 5, 14 Heart Warming Animal “Tails” �� 8 Pets & Families �� 9 Fashion on Location ��12-13 Community Affairs �� 15 Of Community Interest �� 17 Experience Saskatoon �� 19 On The Edge ��20-23 The Neighbourhood Express 1026 8th Street, Saskatoon SK

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Watch for our next issue Aug. 23 Advertising deadline Aug.10-14

Welcome readers

“I

t’s fun to be Canadian,” a family member who recently returned from living abroad remarked. Although other countries may make more of a show of patriotism, Canadians have gradually grown into appreciation of their country and how to celebrate it in an easy-going Canadian way. We felt that it was fun and easy putting together this issue with reflections on being Canadian, travel, the outdoors, and summertime activities. In terms of appreciation of Canada, check out the Editor’s Choice story by Ishmael N Daro as he recounts the reasons he loves his adopted country. If you have forgotten why we have reasons to celebrate, his fresh perspective will invigorate you. The cover features a comfortably Canadian and prairie scene, with Scott Thoen and his horse, Silky, enjoying a warm summer day. Further on, in our “Pets and Families” section, we also pay tribute to horses. They are the unsung heroes that played so many roles in building Canada. Although we always have fun on our fashion photo shoots, this month in particular was a blast. What could be greater than a day at an iconic place like Prince Albert National Park for inspiring glamour personified.

Speaking of icons, the King George hotel — a landmark in our city, has recently been revitalized. A photo description of the new look captures the imagination. Take advantage of the gorgeous summer days to travel throughout the province. We have a beautiful province with so many things to experience. You don’t need to go far to find adventure around every corner. Our next issue will be on the stands August 23. Have a great summer! Bev Dawson, Editor

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• July 2009 • Section A

Human Interest

Purchasing a new computer? Here’s what you should know By Rory MacLean

t’s been getting harder and harder to ignore the problems with the computer I’ve had for nearly a decade. It sits atop my desk, wheezing and periodically erupting in strange mechanical clicking sounds. Perhaps it’s trying to speak to me? Well, I’ve finally deciphered the meaning of these noises. It means it’s time for a new computer. For someone who has been out of the market so long, buying a computer initially seemed daunting. But, armed with an arsenal of questions, I hit the streets to find out everything I needed to know before making the upcoming purchase. Here’s what I found. Keep it simple The first question anyone purchasing a new computer should ask is, “What am I going to use it for?” Avoid getting all the bells and whistles if you do not have to. If you’re not intending to use your computer for gaming, music recording, photo or video editing, you probably will not need a system with lots of power. A more basic system will also run quieter and won’t heat up as much as a computer with lots of horsepower, so for those simply

looking for something to surf the Internet and send e-mails with, don’t pay the extra money just for a few more gigabytes of RAM. Typically, it’s easier to just start simple and purchase upgrades as you need them, particularly with PCs, which leads to the next topic. PC versus Mac In terms of space and raw power, PC and Mac are pretty similar, though Macs are usually a little pricier. The biggest difference is in the operating systems: Windows or Mac OS. Many people find Mac OS to have a sleeker, cooler look to it and I have heard many former PC users swear that once you get adjusted, the layout of Mac OS is simpler to navigate. Another difference is in the number of programs. There are innumerable different programs available to PC users for any particular application. PCs are an open market for software developers, whereas Apple maintains a strict licensing arrangement that keeps the array of software minimal, most of it created by and for Apple computers. For gamers this is a curse, as few games are compatible with Macs. For sharing files however, having fewer, standardized programs can be a blessing. This could explain why

Macs are industry standard in many areas of the media. As mentioned above, PCs are far easier to upgrade. With Macs, often the only upgrade that can be made is to the amount of memory. To increase the size of the hard drive would require a lot of effort taking apart the delicate casing; not a fun job. The hard drive on a PC is readily replaced. In terms of upgradability, having a desktop or laptop can also make all the difference. Laptop or desktop? Replacing the graphics card on a laptop can be a chore, and with Macs you can really only upgrade the RAM. If you want a high performance laptop, say something for playing games or recording music, bear in mind it will run much hotter. This may make it uncomfortable to actually rest it on your lap. Obviously, the advantage to the laptop is convenience; you can’t bring a desktop with you on an airplane or to the coffee shop. However, that convenience has a price. You will always pay more for similar performance with a laptop because they are fitting all that stuff into a smaller space. Know your budget, but… Do not feel like you have to spend it all

Quick tip: What is RAM? All the data on your computer is stored on the hard drive, but random access memory, or RAM, provides an easily accessible space for that data when it’s actually in use by the computer, like moving a textbook from the shelf onto the desk in front of you. When people refer to a computer’s memory, they mean RAM. Having lots of memory will help a computer run faster. The space on your hard drive is called ROM, or read only memory. to get a computer that will suit your needs. Remember to ask yourself honestly what you will be using the computer for and let that determine how much you spend. If you suddenly get into video editing and need a better video card, more memory, and a bigger hard drive, then you can worry about beefing up your system. Of course, with a Mac the inverse is true. Since they are more difficult to upgrade, it is a bit more important to get the kind of system you will need right off the bat. And don’t forget to shop around, compare prices, and ask a lot of questions.

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Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

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Your guide to summer festivals and entertainment in Saskatoon

Shearwater River Cruises / May 22 to Aug. 28 The Saskatoon Princess and the Meewasin Queen cruise through downtown Saskatoon daily. Enjoy a side of the city you may have never seen before. Tickets are $10 to $17. The cruise line also offers special musical shows on select dates. Phone 549-2454 or 1-888-747-7572 or info@shearwatertours.com. The Saskatchewan Jazz Festival / June 26 to July 5 Saskatoon is hopping with music for 10 days during the annual Jazz Fest. Call 1-877-975-8398 or visit www.saskjazz.com. Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan / July 1 to Aug 16 Even if you haven’t been to Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, you’ve probably noticed the big tents near the Mendel Art Gallery. This season’s plays are A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antony and Cleopatra. This year is extra special with the company celebrating their 25th anniversary. Tickets range from $8.50 to $29. Phone 653-2300 or shakespeareonthesaskatchewan.com. Canada Day celebrations / July 1 No Canada Day would be complete without fireworks. The Optimist Club of Saskatoon hosts the annual Canada Day celebrations at Diefenbaker Park. It’s a fun day of free and cheap entertainment. Experience Downtown Sidewalk Sale / July 9 to 11 Downtown Saskatoon’s original sidewalk sale closes the streets for a couple of days and brings the stores outside. There are loads of great bargains to be had and lots of live entertainment. See downtown in a different light. Pion-Era 2009 / July 11 and 12 The Western Development Museum hosts Pion-Era once again. Tap your toes to old-time fiddlers, join in the sing-a-long in the church and admire the square and round dancers as they perform. Participate in activities from a pioneer home: ice-cream making, butter churning, spool knitting, rug hooking and more. Phone 9311910 or visit www.wdm.ca. Pets in the Park / July 12 Pets in the Park is fun for the whole family – pets included! Bring your leashed pets for a day at Kiwanis Memorial Park. The Saskatoon SPCA will host their annual Walkathon, and there will be lots of fun activities, music, food, silent auctions, and trade booths. See www.petsinthepark.ca. Taste of Saskatchewan / July 14 to 19 Saskatoon’s favourite festival comes back to the riverbank at Kiwanis Memorial Park. Get a sample of all the flavours Saskatchewan holds when local restaurants serve up their finest fare, then sit back and relax with some great entertainment. Phone 975-3175 or visit www.tasteofsaskatchewan.ca. Ness Creek Music Festival / July 16 to 19 While this event does not take place in Saskatoon, many residents flock to the Ness Creek Music Festival for good times with friends and a healthy dose of folk music. Situated 20 kilometres north of Big River, this festival is a short trip for a great getaway. Tickets are $70 advance and $80 at the gate. Phone 652-2485 or visit www.nesscreek.com. Dragon Boat Festival / July 24 and 25 The Rotary Club of Saskatoon Nutana Dragon Boat Festival roars into town every year. The races can be viewed from Rotary Park and River Landing. There will be youth activities, food vendors, and daily entertainment. Phone 227-7622 or visit www.rotarynutana.org.

Use it or lose it

Fiddle fest created for love of music BY Jennilee cardinal-schultz and Ashleigh Mattern

Smoke on the Water BBQ Competition / July 25 to 26 The Saskatoon Barbeque Association is bringing Saskatoon its newest event: an annual barbecue competition. The cook-off will take place at the Farmers’ Market on July 25 from 5 to 11pm and on July 26 from 9am to 6pm. Sample some of the finest BBQ around and get some tips from the pros. See www.saskbbq.ca. The Fringe / July 30 to Aug 9 The Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival features independent live theatre from around the world and our own backyard. It’s not all about people-watching when the city closes the streets. Be brave and check out one of the many various shows. All tickets are $12 or less. Phone 664-2239 or visit www.25thstreettheatre.org. The Ex / Aug 4 to 9 Enjoy the midway, grandstand, free entertainment, kidsville, chuckwagon races, trade show, and much more. Phone 931-7149 or visit www.saskatoonex.com. Folkfest 2009 / Aug 13 to 15 The annual three-day cultural festival returns, showcasing incredible entertainment, delicious cuisine and wonderful displays, exhibits and demonstrations. Venues can be found across the city. See Saskatoon’s heritage come to life. Phone 931-0100 or visit www.saskatoonfolkfest.ca. Canada Remembers International Airshow Aug 15 and 16 Make plans to attend the final Canada Remembers International Airshow. Due to changes to the Saskatoon airport and the property in the area, 2009 will mark the end of the airshow. See the Snowbirds, Skyhawks Parachute Team, jet demos, civilian acts, parade of veterans and more. Phone 975-3155 or visit canadaremembersairshow.com. Cruise Weekend / Aug 21 to 23 Rock 102’s Show and Shine takes place Sunday in downtown Saskatoon featuring hundreds of classic cars. Keep an eye out over the weekend as all the oldies get shined up and cruise the city. Phone 934-2222 or visit www. rock102rocks.com. Ukraine Day in the Park / Aug 22 Saskatchewan is known for its sizable Ukrainian heritage population. Celebrate this part of Saskatchewan with Ukraine Day in the Park. The admission is free to this annual downtown public outdoor festival featuring Ukrainian dancing, music, food, beer garden, cultural displays and children’s activities. Phone 374-7675 or visit www.ucc.sk.ca/udip. Saskatoon Fireworks Festival / Sept 4 and 5 Closing off a summer of great festivals is one of Saskatoon’s newest: the Saskatoon Fireworks Festival. See the cultural showcase of various ethic performing groups culminating with a spectacular display of fireworks all choreographed to music. Phone 242-1206 or visit www.saskatoonfireworksfestival.ca.

Photo supplied

ummer is the best time of year in Saskatoon and not just because of the warm weather. The city is the place to be with festivals and other summertime events happening all summer long. Let’s take a look at some of summer’s biggest fests and hottest events.

Human Interest

“S

askatchewan has countless talented young fiddle players,” said John Arcand, namesake of the festival and master Métis fiddler. “There are more fiddle players now than when fiddle playing was in its heyday.” His wife and co-creator of the festival, Vicki Arcand, agreed, noting the importance of keeping the fiddling tradition alive. “We started Fiddle Fest to help preserve fiddle music,” she said. While the festival has been running since 1997, it became a nonprofit organization in 2001. It’s 99 per cent volunteer-run, with the equivalent of one full-time staff member. All the money made goes right back into the festival. The festival can’t get much more grassroots than it is right now: the Arcands hold it in their own backyard, on their acreage. And it sounds like they don’t plan on changing. “It works really good to have the festival on the acreage,” said Vicki. “If we had it in the city, [festival-goers] wouldn’t be able to camp just anywhere.” Programming includes workshops in fiddle, jigging, guitar, and piano; talent showcases, including a show from John Arcand himself; two old-time dances (with live bands!), the Canadian Traditional Red River jigging competition, a fiddle contest, and a Children’s Activity Area. And you get all this for $40 for the whole weekend, or $20 per day, camping included. It may just be one of the cheapest music festivals around. The festival has drawn national attention, with attendees coming from all over Canada. In fact, Vicki said they are just starting to notice an increase in local traffic. “I had at least six people come up to me last year and say, ‘I can’t believe we’re from Saskatoon and have never heard about the fiddle fest before’, ” she said. With a growing fan base and top-quality talent, it looks like the John Arcand Fiddle Fest is here to stay. Vicki says the talent is one of the strongest aspects of the festival. “We hire the top fiddle players in Western Canada to teach our workshops,” she said. “On Thursday night, they all play together, which is huge.” John started playing the fiddle when he was six years old, growing up in the Debden-Big River area. Both his father and grandfather played, so he says it was a natural progression for him to pick up the instrument as well. “Way back when, all the people had fiddles,” he said. “We were poor and that was what we used for entertainment. No TV, no power, no nothing. I’ve always wanted to be a fiddle player. Just because you’re given a gift, if you don’t do anything with it, it’s going to disappear on you.” The 12th Annual John Arcand Fiddle Fest runs Aug 6 to 9, at the Arcand’s acreage, just 7 kms from Saskatoon off Highway 60. See www.johnarcandfiddlefest.com.

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• July 2009 • Section A

Human Interest

My home& native land BY Ishmael N Daro

ome people fall in love immediately. For others, it’s a gradual progress until one day they wake up and realize they are head-over-heals. My love affair with Canada was the latter. I was born in Afghanistan and my family moved to Canada when I was eight years old. At the time, I had no idea about the country I was moving to and I could barely speak English. The only thing I knew was that my adopted country was somehow going to be a better place for me to grow up in, and when we sang “O Canada” in school, it was merely a song to me. It wasn’t until years later when I became more aware of the benefits of being Canadian that the anthem started to have meaning for me. Now I do consider Canada my “home and native land” in more ways than simple geography. My first shock was how easily I was adapting to life in Canada. I made friends when I entered school and no other children seemed to judge me for being from a different place. Far from it, many were actu-

ally excited to meet people with different backgrounds. We often hear about Canada being a multi-cultural place but I have experienced it firsthand and I would not be the same person I am today if not for Canada’s openness as a society. It is a sign of strength that a country as big and diverse as Canada manages to go on. At the root of that is a willingness to listen to one another, share ideas and respect our differences. As I look at the many problems my birth country is dealing with, I realize now more than ever that only mutual respect can lead to peace and prosperity. When I took my oath of citizenship in 2000, I was part of a couple hundred recent immigrants gathered in a theatre together. Two Mounties were present handing out little Canadian flag pins. Today I still wear such a pin on my jacket. We sang “O Canada” and spoke the words of the citizenship oath together, vowing to observe the laws of the land and fulfill our duties as citizens.

CHOICE

Everyone interprets their duties as citizens differently. For me, it goes beyond paying taxes and voting. We are also responsible for looking after one another and making sure that justice and equality are available to all. We may disagree with each other but that doesn’t mean we can’t work through differences. As a nation, we are almost unique in our ability to bridge differences and live in harmony. It took me many years to realize just how privileged we are as Canadians. But when I think of all the different places of the world, I know Canada is the only country for me. It’s not just because the prairie skies are beautiful (which they are) or that our health care is the best (which it is). In the end, Canada’s greatness comes from Canadians themselves. It takes constant work to make a country great and the work never stops, but we can handle any challenge life throws our way when we stand together and proudly sing that most magical of anthems: “O Canada.”

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Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

Commuter Challenge results Saskatoon residents reduce motor vehicle trips by more than 19,000 Kms

he 2009 Commuter Challenge took place during Canadian Environment Week from May 31 to June 6 and the official results are in. This year’s Commuter Challenge saw participation from over 44,000 Canadians who avoided driving nearly 3.1 million kilometres and saved a grand total of 643,841 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Saskatoon, the Commuter Challenge was organized and hosted by Road Map 2020. This national program, which takes place annually, aims to increase awareness of the benefits of sustainable transportation by encouraging Canadians to walk, cycle, take transit, carpool, or telework instead of driving to work alone. A total of 277 residents participated in the challenge, reducing their single-occupant motor vehicle trips by 19,272 kilometres. Instead of burning fuel, participants burned nearly 245,000 calories and reduced GHG emissions by 3,569 kilograms. “The Commuter Challenge brings awareness to the alternative modes of transportation that are available in Saskatoon,” said Dave Palibroda, chair of Road Map 2020. “We are very excited about the results and the level of involvement from the business community. Road Map 2020 will continue to encourage workplaces to support their employees’ sustainable commuting choices throughout the year and of course we hope to make the 2010 Commuter Challenge even more successful.”

With more than 9,000 participants, Calgary took top honours in the national Commuter Challenge competition. Saskatoon placed fourth out of 17 communities in the population category of 100,000 to 249,999 residents. Road Map 2020 organized a local competition between Saskatoon workplaces competing for the highest percentage participation rate. The Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council, Globe Printers, AECOM Saskatoon, and Cameco each won their respective competition categories which were based on total number of employees at the workplace. About Road Map 2020 Road Map 2020 was founded in 2004 by the Meewasin Valley Authority, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, and the City of Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee. As a nonprofit organization, Road Map 2020 is dedicated to fostering sustainability in Saskatoon by building community awareness of the environmental, social and economic benefits of sustainable practices. To learn more about the Commuter Challenge visit commuterchallenge.ca. For more information about Road Map 2020 visit roadmap2020.ca.

Human Interest

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Tears of gratitude

stood in front of an unmarked grave in Chubut province, Patagonia, Argentina, with tears in my eyes. The gratitude and sadness that I felt took me by surprise. Here were the remains of my great grandfather, Captain William Emberson Richards, a man who wanted a better life for his family. In the late 1800s, a life at sea was a difficult one that afforded no land or future for his children, so he left his beloved Wales for the chance of freedom and progressed halfway around the world. As his children grew up in Patagonia, my grandfather, Michael, acquired some unusual skills. Half gaucho, half farmer, Michael Richards learned to hunt on horseback with bolas and lasso. They say he could ride anything with hair on it. These skills would help him find a job on a ranch in a new country called Canada. As the political situation in Argentina grew more restricting and available land became scarce, he and two of his brothers were among two hundred settlers who accepted the offer of land in Canada. He never saw his family again, and I suspect that when he said goodbye to his mom and dad that day in 1902, he knew it was probably for the last time. The Welsh Patagonians thrived in Canada. They spoke Welsh, Spanish, and English, they survived the depression, they raised children who had opportunities never realized in Argentina. The following generations had access to land, education, health care, good food, good water, and the right to vote in a democracy. In 2002, I attended the Welsh Colony Centennial in Bangor, Sask. It had been 100 years since the arrival of the Welsh Argentines. I went to the little cemetery and stood by my grandfather’s grave. Tears of gratitude and sadness once again welled up in my eyes.

This time I wasn’t surprised, because I had seen where he came from and my deep appreciation for his sacrifice and courage couldn’t manifest any other way. I wished more than anything that I had known this man. There were so many things that I would have liked to ask him, but he died before I was born so I try to know him through my father and his stories about him. Earlier that day my cousin Mirta gave a little speech. Although she now lives in the US, her family still resides in Patagonia. She told us how lucky we are that these settlers chose to leave Argentina. She said we were better off than the ones left behind. What does all this mean? It means that because of my grandfather’s choices, I live a privileged life. It means that there is nowhere else that I would rather be than in the country my grandfather chose for me. It means that I am grateful for all the freedoms that being here afford me. It means that I’m exceedingly proud to be a Canadian. I looked around the Bangor cemetery at the final resting places of courageous men and women who had a dream of a better life. Their dreams were realized in a country called Canada. The freedom they longed for was waiting for them here. It was theirs for the taking through hard work, courage, endurance, and sacrifice. As I touched the headstone of my grandfather’s grave, my tears fell to the ground that covers him and I whispered, “Thank you for my life, Michael Richards; thank you for giving me Canada.” After 22 years of living in Saskatoon, Sherry Richards abandoned her familiar surroundings and moved North to live in Saskatchewan’s boreal forest. She can be contacted by e-mailing tillee@xplornet.com.

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• July 2009 • Section A

Sports & Trav el

Cardinals arrive for summer

Riders visit Saskatoon

BY Jim Germain

Team members of the Bantam Cardinals Double A #2: Nolan Kachur, Jared Bayliss, Alexander Unruh, Sam Wilkinson (in no particular order).

On your side. Working for you.

he batter was careful not to dig in against the surly pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Bob Gibson. As he stood, determined to concentrate on the spin of the ball which revealed whether it was a curve, sinker or fastball, Hank Aaron’s warning stayed in the back of his mind: “Gibson will knock you down. He’d knock down his own grandmother if she dared to challenge him. Don’t stare at him; don’t smile at him; don’t talk to him. He doesn’t like it. If you happen to hit a home run, don’t run too slow, don’t run too fast. If you happen to want to celebrate, get in the tunnel first. And if he hits you, don’t charge the mound, because he’s a Golden Gloves boxer.” It was the 1968 World Series, and Gibson was flawless. Known as the dominator for his brush-back pitches, he struck out 17 batters in the first game, and pitched another three complete games setting a World Series record with 35 strikeouts. It was one of the most dominating performances I have ever seen, powerful, suspenseful, and athletic, and the beginning of an appreciation of one of the oldest franchises in baseball, the St Louis Cardinals. Gibson went on to be named the most outstanding pitcher in St Louis Cardinal history. His versatile athleticism also enabled him to play a year for the Harlem Globetrotters (he left because he couldn’t stand the clowning around), and have success as a Golden Gloves boxer. Gibson’s performance made an impression on me as a young athlete decades ago, and happened to put a shine on the Cardinals’

Photo supplied

jersey, which coincidentally, during Gibson’s reign, was our baseball zone in the city. Even further, I was catching for my older brother who was practicing his control and accuracy while pitching for the Redbirds, and introduced me to the curve, the drop, and the fastball. When it was my turn on the mound, donning the striking Cardinals jersey, I tried to pitch like Bob Gibson. I tried. My fondness for the Cardinals uniform lay dormant for many years until my son began to play minor baseball against the Cardinal zone. Even though we played to beat them, the respect for the tradition of the major team, and the appreciation for the striking jersey from memories years ago, was rekindled. The Cardinals, besides the Yankees, the Red Sox, and the Chicago teams, are the heart and tradition of baseball. The Cardinals have had legendary players such as Rogers Hornsby, whose baseball card is un-priced in value, Cy Young (one of the first dominating pitchers and for whom the award given to the best pitcher in each national and American leagues is named), Dizzy Dean, Lou Brock, and the Cardinals were the original team of future Chicago White Sox owner Charles Comiskey. The twin Redbirds also emblazoned the jersey of Mark McGwire, when he broke Roger Maris’s home-run record. Amazingly, the Cardinals have been a team in baseball since 1882 (known then as the St Louis Brown Stockings.) They joined the National League in 1892 and have been known as the Cardinals since 1900. They have won a National League record 10 World Series championships, second only to the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball who have won 26. They are the oldest current professional sports franchise west of the Mississippi. And across North America, Cardinals, emblazoned on a crest, are a sure sign of summer. Now that’s tradition.

housands of people arrived to meet the Riders during an autograph session before a two-hour practice at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon on June 13. Many riders such as Weston Dressler (pictured below), graciously signed autographs for over an hour surrounded by fans who came from all over Northern Saskatchewan. There was even a guest appearance from Gainer, who, as fans know, can do anything, even sign autographs.

Quarterback Darian Durant

Weston Dressler with Jayden Hahn

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Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

• Insolvency advice & counselling • Consumer & commercial proposals • Personal & business bankruptcy • Debt Settlements # 212 Eastwood Centre Trustee in Bankruptcy & 3521 8th Street East Member of Saskatoon, SK S7H 0W5 Canadian Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Professionals 653-1064 (Fax) (CAIRP)

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Human Interest

Saskatoon makes strides in affordable housing

off

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experiences or through those of family and friends. “People are aware of the challenge and they’re supportive of the steps the city is taking to address it.” Article printed courtesy of Gail Meyer, manager, member, and administrative services of Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association. JULY 24 to 25 Rotary Club of Saskatoon Nutana Dragon Boat Festival at Rotary Park and River Landing JULY 24 Round 5 Racing at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway Street Legal Racing at SIR JULY 25 Points Race 6 at SIR JULY 26 Points Race 7 at SIR JULY 29 NASCAR Canadian Tire Series at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway JULY 31 to AUGUST 1 Thoroughbred Racing at Marquis Downs JULY 31 Round 6 Racing at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway AUGUST 7 Legends Cars of Alberta Test Drive at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway Street Legal Racing at SIR AUGUST 8 Hockey 2009 National Junior Red and White Game at Credit Union Centre Legends Cars of Alberta at Auto Clearing Motor Speedway Test and Tune and Fastest Street Car Challenge at SIR AUGUST 9 Hockey 2009 National Junior Red and White Game at Credit Union Centre Points Race 8 at Saskatchewan International Raceway

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complement the other pieces available in the community. Saskatoon’s Affordable Housing Business Plan has also received support from the community at large. “We’ve been receiving very positive feedback,” said Sexsmith. He says that most residents are aware of the difficulty in finding affordable housing either through their own

052005

he City of Saskatoon has seen housWhile some of the solutions have been used ing costs rise dramatically over the in other cities, Sexsmith says many are unique past three years. As a result, the aver- to Saskatoon. “Certainly the housing trust age price of a Saskatoon home has doubled model and the mortgage-flexibility model, and rental rates have skyrocketed making those are fairly unique. We’re seeing those as affordable housing scarce. really made-in-Saskatoon solutions that are “I think everything in the city is really really different from what other municipalidependent on housing,” said Daryl Sexsmith, ties have done,” he said. housing analyst for the City of Saskatoon. While excited about the award for excel“If the city is going to grow and thrive, then lence, Sexsmith noted that “the big lesson people need places to live and if they are not that we’ve learned is that housing takes time,” able to find adequate housing, everything else he said. “Certainly, [we’ve learned] to begin suffers.” planning early and keep a longer term perSexsmith says that in 2007, city council spective when dealing with housing.” embarked on a mission He also says the city has to address this problem had to change the way it “As the city grows and views housing, from the planthrough the development of an Affordable Housing ners to the builders to the the edge of the city Business Plan. Saskatoon city’s current and prospective has since introduced near- gets further and further residents. ly 400 new housing units “Saskatoon has always out there, the city has [had] mostly single family and is on track to reach its annual target of 500 homes with fairly large lots to look at increased homes in 2009. compared to other cities. It’s The city was recent- density to make hous- been a challenge for people to ly honoured with a realize that as the city grows Municipal Service ing more affordable.” and the edge of the city gets Excellence award at the further and further out there, 2009 Saskatchewan Municipal Awards cer- the city has to look at increased density to emony. The Saskatchewan Municipal Awards make housing more affordable and that often Program recognizes the commitment of means attached housing and condominiums Saskatchewan’s municipal governments to and smaller lots.” innovation, community leadership, environThe business plan has received strong mental stewardship, regional partnerships, support from both city council and the and economic development. administration. Other community groups According to Sexsmith, the rapid increase and non-profit organizations have also got in housing prices was somewhat unexpected on board the project. Sexsmith says many as, historically, prices had increased at a much of these groups already had a mandate to slower rate. At the time that council met provide housing but surprisingly there are to address the issue, as many as 5,700 new now a number of new organizations getting affordable housing units were needed to meet involved. He says many groups are finding the growing demand. that they may be able to offer one component The city set a goal of creating 500 afford- of the solution, such as land or volunteers, to able homes per year and asked the administration to begin researching methods to achieve this. The administration reported back with a variety of ideas that could address the problem and the council then selected the ones that would best work for Saskatoon. The resulting Affordable Housing Business Plan features five core strategies aimed at increasing and preserving the supply of affordable housing in the city: policy improvements, Let us financial incentives, partnerships, research, help you and education. Each of the core strategies is comprised drive your interest of different business components designed to stimulate the construction of new homes. rates The components are diverse and include such down! things as pre-designating land for affordable housing, establishing a permanent affordable housing trust model that allows tenants to build equity, permitting the construction of Dale Bridges garage and garden suites, offering five-year 229-4812 tax abatements, and establishing a mortgage Al Funk flexibilities assistance program. Each of the 221-2223 initiatives and programs are evaluated on a yearly basis.

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• July 2009 • Section A

Sports & Trav el

Adventure in all directions

BY Robert white

With summer here, people are taking advantage of sunny skies to get out and have fun. Short excursions, such as day trips or weekend getaways are enticing adventures for people of all ages. Children can take along a friend, you can find special spots to accommodate a picnic or barbecue, or simply enjoy the scenery along the way. Whatever direction you want to head off in this summer, Saskatchewan offers many places to get off the beaten track.

North

While Northern Saskatchewan may be known for its lakes and cabin getaways, it’s also home to a thriving art community. Many communities offer driving tours of artists workshops and local attractions. This year there are three such trails in the parkland area north of Saskatoon. 12-40 and Beyond in the Blaine Lake area runs July 25 and 26. Bright red elevators will mark the “Adventure in Rural Life” trail which begins near the junction of Highways 12 and 40 at Blaine Lake. All 13 venues are within a 30-minute drive and are easy to locate. See www.12-40andbeyond.com. The Northern Horizons 6th Annual Journey of Creativity takes place near Glaslyn and Medstead from Aug 1 to 2. The lake and country area around Glaslyn and Medstead, northeast of North Battleford, also has an abundance of artists. Horizon Signs will mark the trail. See www.northernhorizons.ca. The Thickwood Hills Studio Trail in the Shell Lake area takes place Aug 8 and 9. Winner of the Saskatchewan Tourism Award of Excellence, this is the first studio trail in Saskatchewan. It is set in the picturesque Thickwood Hills area around Shell Lake, one and a half hours north of Saskatoon. Blue moon signs will mark the trail to follow through the back roads to the artists’ studios. See www.studiotrail.com. For all of the tours, the trail can be picked up at any point and followed to all or just some venues. If you want to save some money by packing a lunch, picnic tables and washroom facilities are available at each site. Alternately, you could stop by a restaurant for some local flavor.

South

Heading down south can make for some great nature experiences. Last Mountain Lake, south of Watrous, was officially recognized as a special place for wildlife even before Saskatchewan was a province. It’s good habitats and strategic location in the heart of the central flyway of North America are the two main factors that contribute to attracting such a wealth of bird life in the area. Gardiner Dam, Canada’s largest earth-filled dam, located at the north end of Lake Diefenbaker officially opened in 1967. The three Provincial Parks on the lake include Danielson Provincial Park with large sandy beaches, and Douglas Provincial Park, a prairie oasis featuring access to kilometres of natural sand beaches, massive inland sand dunes, access to the TransCanada Trail, native prairie, and secluded campsites hidden in a lush aspen forest. The Coteau Hills on the west side of the lake offer some breathtaking natural landscapes. Near Beechy are castle-like spires and deeply etched banks. The nearby Lucky Lake Heritage Marsh has public access and observation points offering excellent wildlife viewing. There is a hiking trail along the northeast corner of the marsh, which allows you to discover some of the marsh on foot. On the east side, Elbow is popular as a resort area and marina. A local “sod shack” is a symbol of the past, giving visitors a glimpse of how thousands of settlers lived when they homesteaded in the early 1900s. Outlook is becoming known for its Sky Trail Bridge, Canada’s longest pedestrian bridge stretching 3,000 feet and standing 156 feet over the South Saskatchewan River. It is now part of the TransCanada Trail. Visit: www.lakediefenbakertourism.com

East

Head east for some spectacular bird watching and one of Saskatchewan’s original getaways at Little Manitou Lake. Quill Lakes is an important place for birding. This is one of the best birding areas in Western Canada, boasting more than 200,000 migratory shore birds of 34 different species, as well as 25 per cent of the nesting population of the endangered Piping Plover. Numerous other natural areas, such as Foam Lake Heritage Marsh, Ponass Lake, and Valeport Marsh offer even more chances to watch wildlife. Because of its large size and limited access, visitors to the Quill Lakes International Bird Area are advised to stop first at the area’s three visitor centres located in Wadena, Foam Lake, and Wynyard. The centres are open from spring to fall, and admission is free. See www.quilllakes-bird-area.com. Little Manitou Lake is mineral rich and has buoyancy three times that of the Dead Sea, which makes it impossible for anyone to sink. With a reputation for therapeutic waters, Manitou Springs Resort on the lake’s beachfront has developed into a major mineral spa. Manitou has a four-season spa and the Danceland dance hall. Manitou Springs Mineral Spa uses water channelled from Little Manitou Lake that is filtered, cleaned and then pumped into three pools heated to 94 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Danceland, built in 1928, has the original maple hardwood on top of horsehair, which gives the floor a flexibility, making it easy to dance on. You actually feel the movement of the floor as couples dance. Dances are held on Friday and Saturday nights year round in addition to summer concerts, events, and gospel shows. See watrousmanitou.com.

West

Heading west from Saskatoon can give you a little taste of history. The Ancient Echoes Interpretive Centre at Herschel is set in a picturesque valley where the Coal Mine Ravine joins the Eagle Creek Valley. Because of the hilly terrain, the land was never farmed. As a result, much of the native prairie has been preserved and there has been minimal disturbance to the many archaeological sites and ancient fossils. The centre is located in a former school and is designed to orient visitors to the First Nations rock carvings called petroglyphs, Aboriginal heritage, and the rich fossil finds, as well as the abundant plant and animal life of the area. Guided tours of the valley and petroglyphs are also available. The largest petroglyph is a triangular-shaped rock facing east. Deep lines are carved along the east face, along with what appears to be two hooves. See ancientechoes.ca. Another attraction to catch while you’re in the area is the Addison Sod House. This house is a Saskatchewan homestead site made of grass or sod which is over a hundred years old and has been designated as a Canadian national historic site. This particular sod house has several unique features which has helped it to survive. Addison departed from using sod for the roof: he made a wooden hip roof with wood shingles eliminating water damage from spring rains, and winter snow melting. Addison also protected his sod walls from the elements, first by growing vines, then by covering the exterior with cedar shingles. With the advent of new technologies in home construction, the cedar shingles were replaced with asphalt, then with vinyl siding. The Addison Sod House has the claim to fame as the oldest continuously occupied sod building in Saskatchewan – someone was living there as recently as 2006.

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Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

JulyBruno, 25Saskatchewan - 26, 2009

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Email: brunocherryfest@gmail.com 306-682-5936 or 231-6955 Cheese Cake Cafe - featuring Anthony Bidulka, July 24 CJVR Cherry Idol - Country Music Educational Seminars, Demonstrations & Tours Market Place & Garden Market Cherry Products for Sale Mainstage & Roaming Entertainers Antique Car, Motorcycle Show & Shine Literary Readings

DANCELAND SCHEDULE FOR 2009

All Seasons... All fun! Warm water with a shallow entry up to 1/4 mile

July 3, 4, 5 Watrous and Manitou Beach Centennial Celebrations July 3 Ralph’s Rhythm Kings - 4 pc band July 4 Stone Frigate Big Band - 15 pc band July 5 The Korte Gospel Singers - 2:30 July 10 To be announced July 11 Private event July 17, 18 Rhythm Tones - Medicine Hat, Alta July 24 Len Gadica July 25 Rick Zona R & B Band July 30/Aug 2 The Softones - Brooks, Alta Aug 7 Ladyhawke S’toon country, new & old, old rock,polkas etc Aug 8 Black Diamond Country - Wishart, Wadena

Aug 14, 15 The Emeralds - Edmonton, Alta Aug 21 Neon Blue - Davidson, Sk. Aug 22 Country Sunshine (with Johnny Bear) Aug 28 Herky Cutler - Twin Butte, Alta Aug 29 Private Wedding Sept 4, 5 Rock n Roll Weekend - Fri. - Harry Startup; Sat. -“England” Sept 11 - 13 Fall Polkafest - Frank Ball, Ralph’s Rhythm Kings Sept 18 Three for the Show Sept 19 Saskatoon Rhythmaires Sept 25 To be Announced Sept 26 Private event Oct 2, 3 Scottish Dancers (private) Oct 10 Ralph’s Rhythm Kings - 4 pc Oct 17 Saskatoon Rhythmaires Oct 24 The Decades Nov. 6, 7 Walter Ostanek

These are the events we have booked to date. The rest of the weekends will be filled in as we book more bands. If you require more information please call us at 1-800-267-5037 or email danceland@sasktel.net

GREAT FOR KIDS! Good Spirit Lake Resort is the ideal place for a family vacation, with chalets that provide accommodations for up to eight family members, play areas, beaches, lots of things to do in the nearby provincial park in summer, golf in summer and snowmobiling or cross-country skiing in winter... activities for the whole family! Good Spirit Lake Provincial Park, with its shallow shoreline and large white sand beaches is an ideal spot for young and older alike, and the park itself provides a variety of activities, including organized programs during the summer holiday months.

At Good Spirit Lake Golf and Family Resort, there are play areas for the kids including a spray pool, golf, a hot tub, outdoor barbecue facilities, a recreation centre and restaurant. A shopping trip to Yorkton or Canora is only half an hour away.

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• July 2009 • Section A

Sports & Trav el

The pristine wilderness beckons

askesiu is loved for its spectacular scenery, the fresh smell of the pines, and the serenity it offers. It is a place that nourishes the soul and provides a peace that is all encompassing. Built on the shores of Waskesiu Lake, it is the heart of Prince Albert National Park. It may be small but it has first class facilities that offer everything needed for a pleasant holiday. The Nature Centre introduces visitors to the wildlife in the park and the Administrative Centre provides services and information. Friends of the Park Bookstore and Gift Shop preserves Grey Owl memorabilia and has replicated Grey Owl’s cabin.

ics milton Photograph Photography by Ha

Prince Albert National Park B Y d o r e e n k e r by

Wildlife abounds. The common sightings are elk and deer, tame enough to wander through the town as if they owned the place. A summer never goes by without seeing bears, foxes, moose, beavers, woodchucks, pine martins, and otters. Less common are wolves, badgers, and lynx. This is also home to 230 species of birds. More kinds of nesting songbirds can be found here than anywhere else in North America. Of special significance, Lavallee Lake is the second largest white pelican breeding colony in Canada and the only one fully protected in a national park. It is the nesting ground for 15,000 pelicans, 3,500 double-crested cormorants and countless ring-billed gulls.

Prince Albert National Park and area summer events Paspiwin 4th Annual Traditional Pow Wow / July 15 to 16

Enjoy a First Nations Traditional Pow Wow. Share in the culture, heritage, traditions, customs, and values that have been passed down through generations. Call Jim at (306)6526377.

Parks Day and Waskesiu Children’s Festival / July 18

Start the day with a pancake breakfast from 8:30am to 11:30am, then spend the day enjoying the live entertainment.

7th Annual Narrows Canoe Challenge and Music Festival / July 25

Come to the Narrows Marina for this family event celebrating paddling, nature, and local musicians. There will be a canoe and kayak product demonstration, barbecue, tour boat rides, and paddling instruction. Call Morris at (306)663-1999.

The 3rd Annual Rock and Roll Revival Dance / Aug 1

For the young at heart, dance to the tunes of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s at the Terrace Gardens from 9pm to 1:45am. Call Barry at (306)663-5695.

The Grey Owl Howl / Aug 2

Everyone is invited to the Waskesiu Seasonal Residents Association’s 24th annual family dance. There will be games, food, beverages, dancing, and prizes. patmcavoy@shaw.ca.

The Heritage Museum relives the early days in Waskesiu with artifacts and a shack tent to capture life as it was back in the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s. Endless choices for activities include swimming, fishing, boating, tennis, lawn bowling, golf, and 150 kilometres of hiking trails. Prince Albert National Park covers close to a million acres of wilderness with seven rivers and 1,500 lakes (one quarter of the Park is water). The largest and best-loved are Waskesiu, Crean, Kingsmere, Sandy, and the Hanging Heart Lakes. The glacial retreat that shaped this landscape 10,000 years ago represents the transition from aspen parkland to northern boreal forest. Right Honorable Mackenzie King officially opened it in 1928. The Park had only been in existence a few years when the Great Depression hit. Relief camps were established from 1930 until 1936, providing work for hundreds of men. Roads were built; the golf course was cleared, and substantial log buildings were constructed, now landmarks of Waskesiu − the Community Hall, the Nature Centre, and the Golf Club House.

A trip to Grey Owl’s cabin is a lasting memory. There are three arduous ways to get to the north end of Kingsmere: by foot, by canoe, or by boat. From there, a pleasant, three-kilometre trail leads to Ajawaan. I doubt there is a more beautiful lake anywhere. I was only five when our family visited Grey Owl, Anahareo, and their daughter, Shirley Dawn. We watched the beavers Jelly Roll and Rawhide come when they were called: they loved apples, which they devoured in a matter of seconds. The little cabin seems so empty now. The beavers used to come into the cabin from the lake, leaving a watery trail behind them. It was here Grey Owl wrote Pilgrims of the Wild, Sajo and the Beaver People, and Tales of an Empty Cabin. His enduring legacy is his love of nature. The gravesites of Grey Owl, Anahareo, and Shirley Dawn are located near the cabin. Waskesiu people are proud Canadians and the Canada Day celebrations are a big draw. Every one comes to enjoy a pancake breakfast and watch the big red and white parade. For many people and many reasons, Prince Albert National Park captures the heart and never lets it go.

Heritage Day / Aug 8

Stop by the Waskesiu Heritage Museum from 10am to 4pm for an old fashioned picnic and games. Call Paulette at (306)663-5468.

Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Tyme Music Camp / Aug 10 to 14

Learn to play an instrument or improve your vocals. Located 20 km northeast of Big River on the west side of the park, there are camps for all skill levels and all ages. E-mail info@northernlightsbluegrass.ca.

River City Statuary

Fountains are our speciality:

Requires:

Experienced newspaper advertising salesperson. Base salary plus commission. Call 244-5050 or email your resumé to neighbourhoodexpress@sasktel.net

Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

•Residential •Commercial •Custom designed OPEN MONDAY TO SATURDAY

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The Station Arts Centre Rosthern presents

Homecoming

Tours and groups welcome year round!! Book now!!

By Leeann Minogue Director Stephen Heatley

The Regional Interpretive Centre invites you to experience life from days gone by - from the every day struggles of the Pioneers, to the devastating impact that the near extinction of the buffalo had on the First Nations, and to the harsh aftermath of the North West Resistance for the Métis.

July 2 - August 2, 2009 A heart-warming and humorous story about family values and relationships as Jerry faces retirement from his small family farm at Stony Valley, SK in 2005 - a true comedy!

Pre-show Dinners

Gallery Exhibit

For more information and reservations call

(306) 232-5332

"Mother of All"

The untold story of Mary, Mother of Jesus. Beginning with The immaculate conception and ending with the birth of Jesus Christ, "Mother of All" follows Mary through her trials and tribulations.

"Jesus Lives"

An original re-telling of the story of Jesus, from his birth to the resurrection.

July 25, 26, 27, 30, 31st and August 1, 2, and 3rd. More info at 306-423-5340 missionhillproductions.com

“Best nine you'll find ..." •Ladies and Men's Leagues •CPGA lessons with fully stocked proshop •Licensed beverage room •Tournaments welcome Purchase Membership at Warman Golf Club in 2009 to reserve a membership spot at the Legends in 2010

The Legends Golf Course to open in 2010, Saskatoon's newest 18 holes!

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Event Activities

Mondays- Seniors day (55 & over) 18 Holes-$30/Carts $12 Tuesdays & Thursdays - 2 for 1 green fees 18 Holes Twilight -$27 • 18 Holes

JULY 23-26

Special Invitation to all Aboriginal People & Family & Friends

Summer Weekday Specials

Green Fees

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Mr. & Mrs Batoche, Teen Pageant, Square Dancing Jr. & Sr., Jigging, Fiddling, Children’s Activities, Horseshoes, Bannock Baking, Michif Instruction, Beach Volleyball, Co-Ed Slo Pitch

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Elders, Veterans, Dignataries Appreciation, Rodeo, Chuckwagon & Chariot Races, “Metis Idol” Contest .

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FREE CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES Pro-Shop: 232-5272 Camping: 232-5600 Office: 232-5000 www.valleyregionalpark.com

For More Information, Please Contact Darlene at:

306-763-5356 or e-mail at darlenemckay@sasktel.net w w w . t h eneighbourhoodexpress.com

• July 2009 • Section A

BY Robert white

o say you have really seen the prairies, a trip through the back country of southwest Saskatchewan is a must. I had spent two summers working the back roads between Moose Jaw and Swift Current nearly 40 years ago but had never been on the Red Coat Trail from Assiniboia to Eastend, spent time in the extensive ranching country in the extreme southwest, or visited Grasslands National Park. Touring all of the above after early June snows and rain brought a flush of spring flowers and green was magical. It was, as the old song goes, home on the range with hundreds of deer and antelope encounters, and bison roaming, too. However, there was no shortage of arts and culture either, with some exciting surprises like the Shurniak Art Gallery in the relatively small town (population 2,400) of Assiniboia, and the thriving arts scene in Eastend and area. As for amazing history, there is everything from the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum to petroglyphs to T. rex going back 65 million years. In between, some enjoyable bed and breakfasts in beautiful country settings and gourmet indigenous dining, and 10 days seemed way too short. Cities, towns, and districts in the region have reinvented themselves in creative ways to attract both tourists and residents. Moose Jaw has been a leader in capitalizing on its history and natural and cultural resources. Highlights for me were the “Passage to Fortune” tour that provides a glimpse into the lives led by early Chinese immigrants, the Susan Rankin exhibit at the art gallery, and the Yvette Moore Gallery in the magnificent 1910 Land Titles Building which she restored. With its high ceilings and many copper features, the classic building provides the perfect setting for her renowned paintings which capture, in so much intricate detail, simple prairie moments and moods, past and present. The café in the gallery features Moore’s family recipes, signature dressings, and wholesome, locally produced food and complements like gourmet mustards made in Gravelbourg. It is delightful to find buffalo barley soup, saskatoon iced tea, or bread pudding on a menu. Speaking of food, Nit’s Thai Food on Main Street is also outstanding. Mortlach moments A friend in Moose Jaw showed me some books he had bought in Mortlach, a village 25 minutes west of Moose Jaw. They were unlikely finds in a village of 340. Mortlach is one of those little surprises, an influx of people began two years ago, mainly from Alberta. Now you have Country Garden Tea House and Café opened by a delightful Welsh couple,

a rock shop, art studios, a restaurant offering live entertainment, and an annual saskatoon berry festival. Community spirit is high and a candy store, a fruit and veggie store, and a gourmet natural foods store added to the charm of this village. Sailing home The Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum, just south of Moose Jaw, is a relaxing place to spend a couple of hours. An entire village has been reconstructed with all the associated shops. In addition there is a fully furnished pioneer house and farmstead, several homesteader shacks, the Diefenbaker homestead, a surfeit of restored tractors and implements, and of course, the famed ship of an eccentric homesteader. Tom Sukanen, a Finnish-born seaman who homesteaded near MacRorie, designed and built a ship to take him home following the Saskatchewan River to the sea. Unfortunately, his plan never came to fruition and the seafaring boat, Sontiainen, still sits in the middle of the prairies. Art past and present My friends in Moose Jaw had mentioned the Shurniak Gallery in Assiniboia many times but seeing is believing. Here, in a farming town in the heart of the prairies, is one of Canada’s great museums and fine art galleries with original Group of Seven works and much more. The 500 orignal paintings and sculptures and a new gallery to house them were given to the town by Bill Shurniak when he recently moved back to the area after a successful international banking career. The gallery, dedicated to his parents and all pioneer homesteaders, also hosts creative original shows and touring shows. The great desserts and lunch menu plus the warm and hospitable atmosphere created by the staff make it a great place to stop for tea or lunch. Nearby are traces of the artistic expression of earlier inhabitants. The 300 rock carvings of St.Victor’s Petroglyphs Provincial Park are about a half-hour drive south and well worth the trip. Grasslands National Park One could spend days hiking Canada’s only preserve of virgin prairie but even a few hours down the one road through the West Block allows a taste of the beauty and solitude of this large remnant area of short grass prairie. As the only place in Canada home to prairie dogs, the road passes through two of their colonies and provides ample opportunity for observing these fascinating and very social creatures. A bison herd was released in the park just last year. Continued on next page...

Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

Photos supplied

Rediscovering the southwest

Photos Supplied

Sports & Trav el

Home & Garden

Rediscovering the southwest

...continued from previous page

BY Robert white

Cross country adventures An adventure I would not have attempted without some detailed maps was a shortcut north and west of Eastend, from Ravenscrag to Highway 13 and on to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. A few days earlier, the area had been blanketed with snow and my sedan was hitting bottom straddling the ruts left on the steep incline out of the Frenchman River valley. My doubts about the wisdom of my decision soon gave way to exhilaration as we were rewarded with spectacular

Garden Basics

t’s been one of those lessons I’ve learned in life. If you get the basics right, life is so much easier. This is so true in the garden. If your basics, like plant choices, soil conditions, and gardening practices are right, you’ll have fewer problems and more fun gardening.

One very important gardening basis is fertilizing. Sometimes, we’ll have a “leave ‘em and forget ‘em” attitude when it comes to outdoor plants and expect the plants to thrive with the nutrients they can glean from the soil and air around them. But, the nutrients your plant needs may not be present in your garden or the nutrients may not be in a form that the plant can use. Your soil may be missing important trace elements like iron. Regular fertilizing will result in healthier and more vigorous plants. All fertilizer containers have a three-number combination on the label that lets you know what nutrients are in the mix. The first number is Nitrogen. Nitrogen is important for healthy leaf growth. It is responsible for the “green” or chlorophyll. The next number is P for phosphorous. Phosphorous is important for root and stem development as well as flowering and fruiting. The last number is K for potassium. Potassium helps with the plants ability to manufacture food as well as gives improved general health. The most important thing with all fertilizers is to read the label on the container carefully. Mix and apply according to the manufacturer’s directions. Plant fertilizer is found in several forms, granular, water soluble, and time release. Granular fertilizer looks like small beads. It

views from the plateaus surrounding Fairwell Creek. With the Cypress Hills rising to the west and back country ranches hidden in lush coulees, the area was a delight to discover. Bed and breakfasting Country bed and breakfasts are surely one of the best ways to experience rural life in all its variety. What a pleasure to arrive at McMaster Manor set along the Wood River, forever memorialized by Connie Kaldor in her song of the same name. Ron and Judy Reiman were our gracious hosts and loving custodians of the elegant home built for Judy’s grandparents in 1918. Sitting on the wide southern-style verandas watching the sunset, the only thing missing was Connie herself. Another bed and breakfast near Eastend, was on a working farm with no pretenses at all. Cattle were being branded near the house, a sheep dog guarded the new lambs from coyotes, and several generations of machinery served as the main windbreak. It provided a charming naturalness and exposure to the reality of farm life. Driving a school bus and offering energy balancing treatments have helped this family survive the ups and downs of farming. Great is the word There are many other places of course: Gravelbourg, Fort Walsh, the Cypress Hills, the Great Sand Hills, the Dean Francis Gallery, just to name a few. I have been romanced by the “great southwest.”

Photos supplied

Eastend The area around Eastend is appropriately referred to as the Valley of Hidden Secrets. Secrets include Chimney Coulee Heritage Site and nearby Pine Cree Regional Park, both sheltered tree-lined coulees that are strikingly beautiful and historic. The T. rex Discovery Centre carefully built into the hillside overlooking the town provides glimpses into the world of dinosaurs and the landscape they roamed some 65 million years ago. The museum is gradually chipping the fossilized bones of “Scotty” from its encasing rock. Found nearby, it is one of the largest and most complete of only 14 T. rex skeletons yet found in the world. Remarkably, Eastend residents raised half of the $4 million required to build the museum, one reflection of the strong community spirit in this town of 600.

By Leslie Vanduyvendyk

can either be incorporated into the soil, or broadcast on top of the soil. Water soluble comes in a powder form. The powder is mixed in water. If you have just a few plants to feed, you can use a watering can, but if you have a large area to fertilize, I recommend investing in a hose-end fertilizer applicator. You add the powder to the reservoir according to the manufacturer’s directions. Attach the applicator to the end of your hose and feed and water your plants at the same time. Time release fertilizers look like granular fertilizers, but have a special coating that allows the fertilizer to

after the middle of August. Fertilizing stimulates grown. You want your plants to prepare for winter by slowing down their rate of growth in late summer and fall. Keep annuals in containers well fed. Every time you water a container, the fertilizer is leeched out of the soil. Over time, the soil has very few nutrients. Your plants will become pale and stop flowering. I fertilize my annual

containers once a week all summer long. So, it’s all about basics... If you keep your plants well fed, they will be healthier, grow stronger, and give you more flowers and fruit all season long. Leslie vanDuyvendyk can be contacted at Dutch Growers Garden Centre. Visit www. dutchgrowers.ca.

If you over-fertilize tomatoes or use a formula that is too high in nitrogen, you will have lots of green leaves, but very few tomatoes. be released over time instead of all at once. Gardeners can also opt for organic fertilizers like bone meal. When fertilizing, it is important to apply the fertilizer correctly and to apply at the correct time. Different plants have different needs, so it is best to check with your greenhouse or garden centre for specifics. For example, if you over-fertilize tomatoes or use a formula that is too high in nitrogen, you will have lots of green leaves, but very few tomatoes. However, there are a few general principles that apply to most plants: Don’t fertilize trees, shrubs, or evergreens w w w . t h eneighbourhoodexpress.com

• July 2009 • Section A

Home Accents

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he Residences at King George offer luxurious George V medallion. Each unit has custom kitchen condo living in a historic landmark building. cabinets from Superior Millwork, granite countertops, Their prestigious downtown address is just designer vessel ceramic sinks, premium designer faucets steps away from Saskatoon’s 2nd Avenue boutiques, and lighting fixtures, hardwood flooring, and a package restaurants and cafés, and within walking distance of a of premium stainless steel appliances including a wine variety of entertainment and cultural events. captain. Built nearly a century ago at the corner of 2nd Avenue All residents will be able to enjoy a scenic 2,000North and 23rd Street, the structure began as the posh square-foot rooftop terrace, featuring a fireplace and a and prestigious King George Hotel. With its ornate fully-equipped outdoor gourmet kitchen. The renovaearly Gothic architecture, the building was a stately tions also included the construction of a secure, heated landmark in downtown Saskatoon. Unfortunately, underground parking facility. much of the initial grandeur was lost in an attempt to In creating The Residences at King George, the modernize the building in the midbuilding underwent a thorough struc1960s and again in 1990. The struc- The structure began as tural renovation. Everything in the ture was in a state of decline when it building was gutted and rebuilt from was purchased in 2007 by Meridian the posh and prestigious the basement up. The new structure Development, owned by Karl Miller that emerged from the old is built and Colleen Wilson in association King George Hotel. With to much higher standards. The conwith Ken Achs. its ornate early Gothic crete floors are 16 inches thick which Meridian Development is a commake the units soundproof. All the pany that has been honoured with architecture, the building mechanical systems were torn out and heritage awards for its restoration of replaced. Meridian Development has a number of historic properties in was a stately landmark constructed The Residences at King the city, including Villagio and The George for maximum energy efficienHideaway. The vision was to restore in downtown Saskatoon. cy and to meet Eco 3000 standards the building “to create an old-world which include such features as Energy European feel” so the grandeur of the original King Star appliances and windows, high-efficiency furnaces George Hotel would live on in a luxury condominium as well as low-flow toilets and faucets. development. During the construction phases, every effort was Today, the building stands as the stately landmark it made to minimize construction waste by separating out once was. The new façade and foyer have the ambiance various materials such as metals, brick, clay tile, and of turn-of-the-century Paris, with locally hand-carved concrete for recycling. A recycling centre for residents limestone and granite features and reproductions of the is located inside the building. building’s original lion-head façades. The show suites, The Residences at King George consist of 21 luxury designed by Colleen Wilson, are pure elegance. From one-bedroom and two-bedroom condominiums, rangthe handcarved marble fireplace to the ornamental ing in size from 750 to 1,450 square feet. There are mouldings and friezes that replicate the original ones, seven unique and spacious floor plans, each offering each detail works with another to create a masterpiece different features. Purchasers pay no property taxes of design and transport the viewer to a different time for the first five years of ownership, due to the City and place. of Saskatoon’s downtown property tax abatement Each unit features spectacular floor-to-ceiling win- program. dows, 15 feet in width. French doors open to French The Residences at King George are going to be an balconies with wrought iron railings. The intricate outstanding addition to the city of Saskatoon. For more railing design was replicated from an antique King information visit www.kinggeorgesaskatoon.com.

Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

Home & Garden power generation capacity additions last year. Small-scale projects, such as solar roof panels and micro turbines, are attracting increasing interest, says the report, partly from growing opportunities in developing countries. The report attributes the growth to global concerns over climate change and increasing energy demands and energy security, in addition to a persistently high oil price, growing consumer awareness of energy efficiency and government incentives. Wind attracted the highest new investment ($51.8 billion), although solar made the largest gains ($33.5 billion, 49% growth over 2007) while biofuels dropped somewhat ($16.9 billion, 9% decrease). Solar’s growth reflects the easing of the silicon bottleneck and falling costs, which are expected to decline 43% in 2009. Solar project financing underwent the most dramatic growth in 2008, rising 71% to $22.1 billion.

by Robert White

Green energy investment Global investment rises Some $155 billion was invested in 2008 in clean energy companies and projects worldwide, not including large hydro, a brand new United Nations report says. Of the $155 billion, $105 billion was spent directly developing 40 GW of power-generating capacity from wind, solar, smallhydro, biomass, and geothermal sources. The Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment 2009 report states that the 2008 investment is more than a four-fold increase since 2004. Although difficult financial market conditions prevailed during 2008, investment in clean energy topped 2007’s record investments by 5% in large part as a result of China, Brazil, and other emerging economies. The scale of investment is also significant - just two per cent of the world’s energy comes from renewable sources, yet renewables have captured 18 % of the world’s investment in energy generation. Renewables currently account for the majority of investment and over 40% of actual

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Canada too Another recent study, Energy [R]evolution: A Sustainable Canada Energy Outlook, done by the German Aerospace Centre for Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council shows that many renewable power sources like wind, hydro, and biomass are cost competitive with current alternatives even in Canada. The latter study concludes that the cost of “firming up” variable renewable power resources like wind and solar using storage and other options so that they can provide base load power is still expected to be less costly than coal plants using carbon capture and storage or new nuclear capacity. Wind, solar, hydro and biomass power projects already installed around the world have excellent track records and all renewable power technologies aside from wave or tidal are well on the way down the economies of scale cost curve. Traditional generating technologies have complex fixed designs whose costs are rising rapidly while renewable technologies are still experiencing significant advancements in terms of energy conversion efficiency and cost reductions. Renewable power technologies offer other advantages. Renewable energy technologies like wind and solar are modular and can be installed rapidly. Germany installed 20,000 MW of wind in 10 years, and 1000 MW of solar in one year. Deployment rates are limited only by the capacity to manufacture and install them, materials availability, and policies to support them.

Cost Comparison World averages of current costs (including cost overruns) Conventional Wind = 6-9 cents Conventional Nuclear = 10-13 cents/kWh Conventional Coal = 4-7 cents /kWh Estimated Future costs Base load wind with storage = 8-12 cents/kWh Solar thermal base load = 12-20 cents New next generation nuclear = 12-22 cents/kWh rising with scarce uranium Coal + carbon capture = ~ 7-12 cents /kWh rising with increased fuel costs

Boreal Forest Ecotour

July 31st - August 2nd, Ness Creek site The Saskatchewan Outdoor Education Association and the Boreal Forest Learning Centre at Ness Creek are offering a northern adventure program including local culture, music, storytelling, history, wildlife viewing and ecology. All ages welcome. For a registration form, please email: soeea.sk@gmail.com or see www.soeea.sk.ca

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• July 2009 • Section A

Home & Garden d Photos supplie

Trends in outdoor furniture BY Jennifer lucky

here are some interesting trends emerging on the wish list of outdoor resin furniture. The most noticeable is a shift from the traditional dining table and chairs to conversation-height tables and “comfort” chairs. The conversation table is four to five inches lower and has a less formal feel than a dining table. The lower profile table lends itself to having a few drinks and snacks while entertaining friends.

For a more compact outdoor space, people are choosing four comfort chairs with a coffee and/or end tables. Chairs (and ottomans) are all about personal comfort; chairs are movable to make conversation easier or more private. Usually when couples get together, men and women tend to polarize into separate conversation areas once the meal is over and chairs make that transition easy. Outdoor sectional sofas have also seen a real spike in sales. These sectionals are being pur-

chased by people who entertain friends in groups and prefer to have everyone remain in close contact. Sectionals are also desisrable for stretching out on a hot Sunday afternoon and reading a book. There seems to be an even divide for preference between traditional and contemporary outdoor resin furniture. Traditional is more comfortable and contemporary is a definite “look.” Both have dozens of fabric choices in

every colour and pattern imaginable. Two of our most popular designs have been the Palm Harbor in the contemporary line and Lewisburg in the traditional line. There are so many accessory pieces to each group that any outdoor space can be outfitted. Winter storage isn’t a problem as resin can withstand our cold weather. Covering the set with a tarp or plastic is recommended to extend the life of the furniture although most resin sets make fine basement furniture in the off-season.

Another trend is with buyers themselves; many people check out websites and then spend time putting together a game plan which may consist of diagrams or pictures of their decks and colour samples. To determine which is the best outdoor grouping for your needs, you may want to ask yourself questions like: – How do I use my space? Will it be for entertaining, barbeques, or tanning? Alone or in groups? – How often do I use my space? – Do I (or would I like to) eat a lot of meals at an outdoor dining table? A meal only takes about 15 to 30 minutes to eat. – Then what do I usually do? If the answer is: Sit around for a couple of hours, have a drink, and relax, then a conversation height table might be the best choice. It can still be used to serve a meal on but the elbow-height table is so much more useful for the largest chunk of time after the meal is over.

Quality outdoor furnishings have become nearly as expensive as indoor furnishings. However, there has never been a better time to buy quality furnishings. Suppliers of resin furniture have made commitments with their factories last year for a certain amount of product, not knowing the United States was going to be hard hit with a recession. Retail stores south of the border aren’t ordering as much furniture as expected so Canadian retailers have been offered special sale prices for the very first time from some of the suppliers. Passing the savings on to the public has amounted to savings of hundreds of dollars in some cases. Each month sees a different promotion. Jennifer Lucky is in charge of marketing and promotions at Charter House Interiors at 331 - 1st Ave. North. She can be contacted at 6534634 or visit www.charterhouseinteriors.com.

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Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

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Home & Garden

Berries:

A Canadian favourite

from the Neighbourhood Kitchen Grill up the burgers, toss the salad, and finish off the meal with a berry good dessert.

Saskatoon Berry Muffins

Saskatoon Berry Pie

Don’t stop at pie when cooking with this seasonal fruit; there are plenty of recipes to be enjoyed.

This recipe for saskatoon berry pie is tasty and has that great local flavour Saskatoon is known for. Your family and guests will be begging for a second slice.

Muffins ingredients: 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen saskatoon berries 1/2 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup orange juice 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup oil 1 beaten egg

Ingredients: 4 cups fresh or frozen saskatoon berries 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons lemon juice 3/4 cup sugar 3 tablespoons all purpose flour 1 recipe pastry for a 9-inch double crust pie 1 tablespoon butter Directions: • Preheat oven to 425oF. • In a large saucepan, simmer the berries in 1/4 cup water for 10 minutes. Stir lemon juice into the berries. Combine sugar and flour together in a medium bowl, then stir into berry mixture. • Pour mixture into a pastry-lined, 9-inch pie pan. Dot with butter. • Place second crust on top of pie; seal and flute edges. • Bake in a preheated oven for 15 minutes. Then reduce heat to 350oF and bake for an additional 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown.

A quick stroll around the Saskatoon Farmers’ Market will reveal even more berry creations to savour. We liked the jams made from a mix of local berries at K-5 Market Farm Products, the saskatoon berry vinegrette from Crocus Grove Farms, and the delicious sour cherry topping from Prairie Sun Orchard. There are many other vendors selling prairie berries at the market, and don’t forget to stop by The Berry Barn this summer for even more delicious treats.

Topping ingredients: 2 tablespoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon Directions: • Preheat oven to 375oF. • Soak rolled oats in orange juice and set aside. • Mix dry ingredients together. • Combine oil and egg. Add rolled oats mixture and saskatoon berries, and stir. • Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients. Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredients. • Fold together, being careful not to over-mix. Spoon muffin mix into 12 large muffin cups. • Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon topping. Bake at 375oF for 25 to 30 minutes.

Recipes cooked by Deb Sander Food Styling and Photography by The Neighbourhood Express

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• Sales • Service • Parts • Accessories w w w . t h eneighbourhoodexpress.com

• July 2009 • Section A

Home & Garden

Care of culinary herbs Keep and enjoy them longer BY fran eldridge

ow you care for your herb immedi- fussy herbs. One of the best ways ately after it has been harvested will to store them is in a Styrofoam make or break quality. container inside your Obviously, a fresh herb tastes best when cooler or in your it is harvested and used immediately. This crisper in the refrigis because its oils are at their very best. erator if the crisper is However, not everyone can go out into their not too cold. Basil will backyard, cut some herbs, and drop them in blacken if it gets cold. It is the cooking pot. So how do we get the best still edible, but it will not last of a fresh herb? long in this state. Actually, basil How you package your herbs can greatly can be kept like tomatoes outside the affect their quality, refrigerator and on the Storing your herbs in a freshness, and shelf life. kitchen counter, but Packaging that allows do keep in mind those some air in the bag Styrofoam container or keeping hot summer days. and loose stacking is your herbs them reasonably loose in a bag in Storing necessary to prevent a Styrofoam concrushing which causes in your crisper should ensure tainer or keeping them a breakdown of cells. reasonably loose in a that you have a supply of The herb should be bag in your crisper allowed to “breathe” should ensure that you which is absolutely beautiful herbs for at least one have a supply of beauvital to maintaining its tiful herbs for at least and a half to two weeks. quality and freshness as one and a half to two long as possible. Take care to keep your bag weeks. Other herbs can also be stored in open and ensure you don’t pile anything on your crisper and many of these herbs, such as top of it. thyme and rosemary, will stay fresh for even The method used to keep the herb cool will longer periods of time. help in the quality and freshness. However, The freshness and quality of your herb is, some herbs must not be kept too cold. of course, dependent upon when it was actuBasil and cilantro, for example, are two ally harvested. Many of the herbs sold in

groceries stores are days old by the time they reach the consumer and much of the shelf life has already been used up. Regardless, the herb life can still be prolonged by the correct packaging and storage. The cooling of herbs to prevent wilting is essential, especially when they are to be used as a garnish. Not every herb makes a great garnish unless it uses the food to help maintain itself. Let me explain. Rosemary or thyme on chicken, for example, maintains themselves quite well. Why? Because they can tolerate the heat. Mint leaves or lemon balm, on the other hand, do not tolerate the warmth and they wilt under the heat of the food.

Mint leaves of any sort or lemon balm do very well on cool desserts and they look wonderful! Try some leaves on your lemon pies, puddings, and cakes. Most herbs freeze very nicely, so if you find that you are unable to use all the herb, simply insert in a plastic storage bag and place the rest in your freezer. In this way you can take out as much of the frozen herb as you like for your specific dish that day. You will find that basil will turn black once it has been taken out of the freezer, but take heart; this does not affect the taste of the herb at all. Once the basil has been removed from your freezer, ensure you put it directly into your cooking in order to maintain its oils. Dried herbs are easy to maintain and the best way of preserving and prolonging the flavour is to keep them in your freezer. If you don’t use a freezer, then make sure you keep your dried herbs in a cool, dark place. Regardless of where you keep them, I would recommend that any dried herb be removed after a year as the flavour will fade over time. With the correct way of packaging and storing your herbs, you should be able to keep them and enjoy them much longer. Fran Eldridge is the owner and operator of Fran’s House of Herbs where she produces fresh and dried culinary herbs. She can be contacted at 373-9014 or at frans.herbs@sasktel.net.

Peonies give a magnificent show

ne of my favourite perennials is the peony. I don’t know if it is the scent or the large boisterous blooms that attracts me. The peony is the first to bloom in the spring and is the backbone to an English flower garden. It is classically grown with iris, because they bloom at the same time and they look so good together. The spike and the ball are opposite textures and when not in bloom, act as a deep green shrub at the back of the border. We are used to the old fashioned large peonies that your grandmother had in the garden; you know, the ones that flop over under the weight of the blooms. Sara Bernhardt and Festiva Maxima are found in every garden. Now they have bred many different kinds and the newest ones do not need a peony ring. The colours are fabulous and there is continuous bloom for weeks, if you pick the right ones. As one is going out, another bunch is coming into bloom. The newest peonies are called Itoh poenies, in honour of the Japanese breeder, and are a cross between our old faves, the herbaceous peony and the “not so hardy” tree peony. The Itoh peony is hardy from Zones 4 to 8, which is the same rating

Do Your Chairs or Tables

as our old varieties. If you think about it, usually peonies are grown against the house, where they are protected and warmed by the basement and covered with lots of snow. The Itohs are disease resistant, and have a domed, dark green foliage. The lacy plant grows about two to three feet high and the stems of the flowers are sturdy. What is so attractive about these new peonies is that they have the most beautiful flowers and every one has as many as 50 to 80 blooms. The colour range is corals, yellows, and yellows with a red centre. The yellow is not a colour usually found in a peony. The Itoh peony Bartzella is one of the most wanted plants in the peony collector list. It has an eye-catching semi-double bloom with a citrus scent, and has won many top awards. Coral Sunset is a coral flower deepening to orange red in the centre. What a change from the pastels of spring. First Arrival is a semi-double pink, and Lafayette Escadrille is a burgundy red. The peony is easy to take care of, and some have been known to last 100 years in the garden. That’s a long-lived perennial! Plant this peony in well-drained soil at the back of a border or the centre of a bed for a focal point show piece. The plant has “eyes” that become sprouts, and they should be planted about an inch below ground. If you plant a peony too deep, it will grow, but not bloom. It will need lots of water to get started, but don’t add manure. Bonemeal is the fertilizer of choice. If you are looking for a spectacular garden, order one or two, since they are not cheap, and baby them for a couple of years for a magnificent show. Think Need Repair? about matching iris, tulips, alliums, and grape hyacinths.

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Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

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I have found a Canadian supplier – Ken Clare’s Peony Superstore, see peony@peonygarden.com – but there are many other Canadian growers. Janet Wanner is co-owner of Gentle Earth Design Studios. She can be contacted at 343-8594.

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Business & Technology

The merits of brevity:

are considered meaningful. Twitter.com says even s y am ision if you are simply eate r d v D nde e ing soup, “research t ex ng i shows” that moms s r r du hou accomplish this mission; we want to know. But e tim that really is the only need a computer. day question: what is Twitter, an online social mesmeaningful? saging utility for brief connecYou can “follow” people, tion, has been creating a lot of buzz including celebrities (they’re people, in recent months. Twitter is about too) on Twitter. But there is some backlash hyper-connection, recommending that you stay connected to your friends and against the service. In a satirical spoof, Conan O’Brien and family by letting them know what you are doing at any time of the day, perhaps many cohorts recently speculated that YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook may soon merge to times a day, in 140 characters or less. The benefit, I suppose, is you can plug in form YouTwitFace. Various Canadian media and out quickly and often. In this format, have reported the results of a new Neilsen known as micro-blogging, even brief updates online research study that found, in spite of much exposure from Oprah and other celebrities, 60 per cent of Twitter users do not return to the service a month after signing up. So, if you don’t like being limited by 140 characters, try six words. In Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure, editors Rachel Fershleiser and Larry Smith present the unexpected results of their invitation to people to describe their life in six words.

Twitter and six word-memoirs BY Hilary Klassen

he birds are back and creating a nice backdrop of sound for us. A few weeks ago, a flock of ducks, numbering in the thousands, laid claim to John Avant pond in Erindale. Their presence was signalled a walking block away by a cacophony of quacking. Now, after the departure of those transient guests, we hear the tiny twitter of newborn ducks – a family settled in for the summer. But, you may have noticed that birds no longer own the exclusive rights to twitter. Humans are encroaching on their territory. We don’t need trees or skies, flight or nest to

A look at the law with PLEA: Neighbours!

With summer here, many people are looking forward to spending more time outdoors – maybe in their own backyard.

ood relations with neighbours are important at any time of the year but as summer approaches and people spend more time outdoors, conflict with neighbours can quickly turn summer fun into summer frustration. The potential for disputes with neighbours appears to be pretty much universal, whether people live in cities, small towns, or rural areas. You can find whole websites devoted to neighbour horror stories and almost everyone you talk to has one. Every situation is as unique as the people involved but there are certain “hot spots” that seem to have the potential for pitting neighbours against each other. Any activity that interferes with someone’s ability to enjoy their time spent at home or in their yard can lead to hard feelings. After this things can escalate to the point where what may have started as an accidental interference leads to a cycle of revenge and deliberately harmful activities. As is the case in many situations, it is much easier to avoid neighbour trouble in the first place than it is to resolve a conflict once it has begun. Good neighbour relations start by recognizing how and when your activities can impact your neighbour. Things you do in your own yard or house do not stop at the property line. Noise travels, branches from trees reach over property lines, smoke and other substances, like pesticides, can be carried on the wind and even bright lights can impact your neighbours. Noise, garbage, fire pits, overhanging tree branches, and the use of pesticides are common sources of irritation between neighbours. Often these things are regulated by the municipality where you live, although there may be provincial or other general rules that apply. For example, there has been some controversy in Saskatoon regarding fire pits and the potentially harmful smoke that they produce. Fire pits are allowed in Saskatoon but there are limits on what can be burned (only seasoned wood or charcoal), where it can be burned (only in a cement, brick or metal box, covered with a heavy-gauge metal screen), and when it can be burned (only under responsible supervision and not if it unreasonably interferes with the use and enjoyment of another person’s property). Noise is another thing that is often dealt with by municipal bylaws. Generally, noise bylaws prohibit or limit loud and unneces-

sary noise. Many bylaws specifically prohibit excessive noise, such as noise from a stereo, television or musical instrument, from inside a private dwelling at any time when it can easily be heard by someone outside or in another dwelling. Many bylaws also designate certain “quiet hours” when the operation of some things, such as lawn mowers, snowblowers, chain saws, and engine-powered model airplanes, are prohibited. Things like lawn pesticides, on the other hand, are covered by federal laws that apply across Canada, provincial laws that apply province wide, and often municipal laws as well. A number of municipalities in Canada have banned the cosmetic use of pesticides. If pesticides are used it is wise to take precautions to reduce the impact on neighbours. Such precautions include not applying the pesticides under windy or rainy conditions, not applying them within one metre of the property line and posting warning of the application. If neighbours are doing things that interfere with your enjoyment of your home and yard a good first step is to talk to them. Sometimes people are not even aware that they are creating problems for others with their activities. If the problem continues, you may want to talk to your municipality about any regulations they may have that apply to the situation. Sometimes making neighbours aware of the law that covers the situation can be helpful. There are other steps that can be taken, such as going to court, but this is usually time-consuming and expensive. As one neighbour dispute advisor says “going to court means you have lost the battle.” The Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA) is a non-profit, non-government organization that provides the people of Saskatchewan with understandable, useful information and education on our laws and legal system. This article is intended to be general information only. People who need specific advice should see a lawyer or other professional. For general legal information on other areas of the law, contact Public Legal Education Association, 300 – 201 21st Street East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 0B8, Phone: (306) 653-1868, E-mail: plea@plea.org or visit our web site at www. plea.org.

d, ounnd. f o pr rou a ng thi t sat o N jus I

ed. abl s i . d led ist, bel a Art l is gm d. n i l ble e a e t F ns itio b Am

“

Here are some of them: I still make coffee for two.

Sperm too potent. Now have triplets.

”

Born in California. Then nothing happened. Nobody cared. Then they did. Why?

Fight, work, persevere. Gain slight notoriety.

Reviewers say the brilliance is in the brevity, that this is compulsive and addictive reading, and “irresistibly clever.” While this may be well suited to the current American attention span, it can also produce prolonged brainstorming sessions. Smith and Fershleiser have followed up with another collection, Six-Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak: by Writers Famous and Obscure. The new reality with us today, as expressed by the Drew Barrymore character in the movie He’s Just Not That Into You, is that your boyfriend or girlfriend can break up with you via a choice of seven different technologies, without ever speaking to you. Such brief messages delivering heartbreak lend themselves nicely, however, to six word memoirs. So there it is, micro-blogging and nanomemoirs, take your pick. The meaning really lies in whatever you find in it, or give to it. And when you consider the vastness of language and vocabulary, brevity becomes a fine and meritorious challenge.

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• July 2009 • Section A

Business & Technology

5 financial goal questions When it comes to achieving your financial goals, it’s important to take a strategic and analytical approach. Joseph Dawson You need to understand what is important to you Making Sense of Investing and your family so you can identify and reach your goals. Although there are many ways to work toward your goals, the key is answering these five important questions. Where am I today? Before you can plan for the future, you must assess where things stand right now.

There is a lot of information to review in addressing this question, including a list of monthly expenses; your tax return; retirement plan statements; and brokerage, bank, or other financial statements. All of this will help provide a comprehensive, accurate overview of your current situation. Where would I like to be? After determining where you are today, you next need to set specific goals that can be related to: • Saving for retirement • Living a comfortable retirement • Funding a child’s education • Helping support other family members

• Funding a vacation or second home • Having appropriate insurance to protect your financial goals Can I get there? Based on your current situation, future income requirements, and comfort level with risk, you’ll need to create and implement appropriate strategies that can help you achieve your goals. How do I get there? This is all about having an appropriate investment philosophy you can stick with. In particular, it involves building a diversified portfolio of quality investments and holding them for the long term. Diversification cannot guarantee profit or protect against loss, but it is a strategy that has proven to be successful for many investors.

How can I stay on track? Meeting with your financial advisor to review the plan at least once a year is essential. If any of your goals or circumstances have changed, you can then make appropriate adjustments that address your evolving needs. Remember, take a strategic approach to your financial strategy and make sure you have professional advice. Doing so could be the difference between achieving your financial goals and having to change them. Edward Jones, Member CIPF. Insurance and annuities are offered by Edward Jones Insurance Agency (except in Quebec). In Quebec, insurance and annuities are offered by Edward Jones Insurance Agency (Quebec) Inc.

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am sure we are getting tired of hearing about the Reflecting on the differing concepts of self-esteem, contheory epoused in the book The Secret and how every- sider a different approach to visioning for excellence. We thing will just show up on our doorstep if all we do is may be imagining and dreaming about a big house, a fancy think the right things. sports car, travelling the world, or the big executive job. The repetitive comment I am hearing is, “I am doing While there is nothing wrong with any of those dreams, all these things but still nothing!” I too am still patiently they are all products and material items. waiting for my Santa to come down the chimney. What if we were to start visioning from a different startI recently stumbled onto an interesting concept that ing point instead of the end product we desire? Start with I would like to share with you that could translate into you. Who do you want to be? Start at this point and then personal or professional development. continue by answering the questions, “What do you want Defining self-esteem in its simplest form translates to do?” and “What do you want to have?” into being happy and comfortable with who we are. We often think about the things that we want to do Nothing more, nothing less. If we and the material possessions that are not happy or comfortable, our we want to have. It is important self-esteem is low. Our self-esteem to remember that whatever possesOur culture uses grades, is built on how we stack up to sions and comforts we have we are others. numbers, and marks to put custodians to in this life only. Who Our culture uses grades, numyou become is forever. bers, and marks to put all of us on The key to visioning your way to all of us on some scale in some scale in comparison to others. excellence is to focus on who you comparison to others. This in turn creates the identifier want to be and lay the foundation. of average, poor, or superior. Our Improving the person that you are self-esteem does become tainted by and becoming the person that you these qualifiers that our culture thrives on. We use exter- want to be will in turn build your self-esteem. This aligns nal markers to gauge our self-esteem. with the ancient Greek concepts of being the best person The Greek culture viewed this concept much differ- you can be. When considering who you want to be, think ently. The Greek word arete was the term used to define about the physical, intellectual, and spiritual you. Then goodness, excellence, and virtue in the most basic sense of consider what you want to do and have. an individual. A person achieved arete when they became We cannot keep doing the same things and being the all that they could be. Ultimately, when a person reached same person and expect different results. Something has to fulfilment of purpose and was able to live to hir or her change in order for you to get the different results that you full potential, the person was able to find a balance in life. aspire to have. You can do this by taking your visioning This is the highest value in ancient Greek culture. back to the foundation of you as a person. Answering the How would we rate our self-esteem if we were being question, “Who do you want to be?” may hold the key. the best we could be? Imagine a world that did not mea- Remember – we are human “beings.” sure individuals against each other but measured them Theresa (Therri) Papp, BA, CDP, MDE is a career develagainst their effectiveness based on their own abilities. opment practitioner, transition consultant and educator. We are constantly comparing and competing. This Contact her at 249-4937 or see www.yourextremeself.com. can have a devastating effect on our self-esteem and our productivity in the workplace or on how we function in everyday life. There will always be someone greater or lesser than ourselves and when we use these comparisons it leads to arrogance or resentment.

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Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

In addition to the official languages of English and French, Canada recognizes the regional languages of Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, Cree, Dene Suline, Gwich’in, Inuvialuktun, Slavey, and Dogrib language.

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Business & Technology

Try this when it seems like no one is listening

is what this process is all about. Try to finish the statement, “What I (we) see myself (ourselves) doing is…” Check to make sure it is indeed a good start at solving your specific problem. Now write down as many positive things about the solution as you can think of. Why is it the best? Why will your boss love it? You know it’s great, so write all the points down.

o, you’ve come up with a great idea to solve a pressing problem and you want to tell the world about it. However, you know that as soon as you tell your boss, he or she will have “helpful suggestions” that will ultimately destroy your great idea. It happens in companies all the time – you find a way to make a process easier, quicker, or more efficient, or to make the business run better, and you trundle off to talk to your supervisor. The usual result is you are back at your desk a few minutes later having had your idea carved up with comments such as “We have tried that before and it didn’t work,” or “It’s not in the budget,” or simply the knowing look that suggest you are definitely out of your mind. Most of the time this happens in companies that are desperately trying to do something differently but the supervisors are either too busy or too uncertain to give the idea a hearing. Managers like to have ideas that are fully baked so that they don’t have to think to see if it works. Here is a technique that will help you get your idea accepted. Begin by writing, as clearly as possible, a description of the problem your idea addresses. Try to be succinct and focused. This will help your boss understand what exactly you

steps

to solve unbeatable problems Brooks BY Bill

Look at the problem and solution from as many perspectives as you can. are trying to solve. More good ideas have been scrapped because they are perceived to be addressing the wrong problem. Next, write your idea for solving the problem in a single sentence. Don’t worry that you haven’t sorted out all the details – that

Now become your own worst critic. Chop the idea up. Why is it the worst idea there is? Don’t go easy on the idea. You know that no one else will, and anyway, if you can find the holes before others do then you will be prepared for them. Don’t worry about filling the holes yet – just identify them and write them down. Sit back for a moment. What else? What other ramifications and connections can you make? Look at the problem and solution from as many perspectives as you can. Write them down. Now, go back and look at the positives. How can you make them even better? How can you get positive people on board? Write it down.

the last three, and circle the five or so statements you feel advance your solution the most. Rewrite your solution in a paragraph or two starting with the phrase, “What I see myself doing now is…” Make sure that it answers the original problem and includes the five points you’ve circled. Now you’re ready to present. You should receive a better hearing. If you get turned down, listen to the comments to see what you might have missed. Are the comments justified or are you dealing with inflexibility and indifference? Don’t give up too soon. Give yourself at least five attempts to pose solutions to different problems before considering warming up your resume. There are lots of groups out there calling for creative and innovative people with great ideas; they just have a hard time identifying the good ones. Using these eight steps, you will be seen as creative, insightful, and valuable. Sounds like a good start to me. Bill Brooks is a creative and productive thinking strategist with eclecthink international in Saskatoon (www.eclecthink.com) and a consulting partner with thinkx intellectual capital of Toronto (www.thinkxic.com).

The second last step is to look at the negatives you have listed. How can you remedy them? How can you turn the negatives to positives (or at least neutrals)? How can you make them butcher-proof? Look through all of the lists, but especially

w w w . t h eneighbourhoodexpress.com

• July 2009 • Section A

YouCit!y Limits

s n a i r B ’ O

he I Live Within T Cash I Have $2000 vers License ri D 5 ss la C d li I Have a Va rrent Paystubs u C le b a x a T 2 I Have per Month I Make $1800 Account I Have a Bank

You Are d n A t s i l k c ove Che b A e h T CASH!!! h t 0 i 0 W 0 5 y f $ i l u a o u Y Q ill Pay If Yo u W e W . . . d Not Approve

Section A • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

Photography by Hamilton Photographics

Express Life is the lifestyles section of The Neighbourhood Express with information about family, health, self-development, and entertainment, including “Heartwarming Animal Tails,” “Journey of Faith,” “Experience Saskatoon,” “Of Community Interest,” and “On The Edge.”

Colleen Wilson, longtime associated with all things related to style, has redefined “luxury lifestyle” and brought modern glamour to homes all over Saskatoon.

By IconGlobalMedia.com

hrough her creative eye she has inspired a new take on interior design, which is changing the look of our city as we knew it. She is the designer behind a considerable number of luxury homes and cuttingedge residential and commercial buildings including The Hideaway, Villagio, Luxe, and The Residences at King George to name just a few.

We donned our best heels to catch up with the most glamorous design diva on the block at the elegant Residences at the King George. We asked Colleen Wilson the questions... What inspired you to transform the KG? CW: I have always been a bit of a romantic and loved the grand story behind this great building. It was a dismal sight to see it sitting

at one of the best addresses in the city in the state it had fallen into. It was big commitment to do it properly. My husband [Ken Achs] and business partner Karl [Miller] do not do things halfway. There will be nothing to duplicate The King George and I believe we are leaving a one-of-a-kind building for people to enjoy for years to come. So that is what grabbed my attention, but behind it all

I am inspired to do these things by my husband. He is a visionary and a perfectionist, so seeing shabby buildings with potential is like waving a red flag at a bull. He is the genuine article; if he says he will build something, he does. There are no excuses with him and no ‘smoke and mirrors’ talk. Continued on next page...

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• July 2009 • Section B

Image & Self-development

Interior

Design

Diva

...continued from previous page.

ence me, the places I have travelled to and things I have seen there have had a profound impact on me. It is more than just buildings; it can be a mood that is created by a place. Music also influences me as it creates a mood. Movies with a sense of style always influence me. People with style from all generations influence me.

Our objective was to keep some of the original classic European design which had been destroyed, but add modern refinements so the design would allow the placement of huge windows flooding interior spaces with natural light. What does it mean to you to bring The King George back to life? CW: It has meant a whole lot of hard work! But seriously, it means restoring a legacy to the city. It is rewarding when so many people have already told us how they are really moved by the transformation.

references in a modern context. Individual pieces that epitomize modern glamour might be, for example, a crystal chandelier in a modern string or sleek cloth shade which is what is offered at The King George. You can mix those hybrid pieces with a very modern sofa and traditional moldings.

How did you come up with your amazing design concept for The King George? CW: For me that influence came from a night with my husband in Paris in July 2003, when we were sitting at La Gardienne, a restaurant on a fabulous roof terrace of an elegant old hotel, having a glass of champagne and me saying, “Why can’t we do something like this in Saskatoon?” Our objective was to keep some of the original classic European design which had been destroyed, but add modern refinements so the design would allow the placement of huge windows flooding interior spaces with natural light.

What is your pet peeve about what you see in design today? CW: Today we see so many very sleek spaces. At first they looked cool. Now they are all cookie cutters of one another and it has become boring. Modern glamour is not so easy to duplicate from space to space and it will never be boring. Neither do I like seeing exterior designs that are repeated over and over again in homes or commercial buildings. For me they are without character and individuality.

What important elements should people consider when they want to incorporate this modern glamour theme into their home? CW: It helps to have the right look on the exterior to create the mood, so The King George was perfect for this. Modern glamour is classic, but with clean lines. Sophisticated bling is essential in this look. For me it has to have 1930s Hollywood style or high fashion

What is your favourite design element in the room of the first show home at The King George? CW: There are so many things that make this space special, but if I can refer to a structural element as opposed to something placed in the space, it is the windows. They are simply fabulous. Everyone who walks in sort of gasps and falls in love with them. At The King George no expense was spared.

Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

Give us one of your design secrets! We would love to know! CW: The old adage that “fashion comes and goes but style is forever,” applies to your home. Never blindly follow trends or the latest home fashions. Be sure they really reflect your taste and not just the “in” thing before you put it in your home, especially if it is expensive to change. For inspiration, start with a mood or an item you love and work from there. How would you describe your personal style? CW: I have always loved classic glamour in all areas of style, clothes and design, but I also appreciate many contemporary aesthetics. So for me the trick is to blend them well. If I had to pick a defined decorating style that has fascinated me since childhood, it is art deco. Did you always have an interest in design? CW: Well, I have always been creative. While some of my teachers no doubt saw my constant drawing as not the best study habit, other teachers and my mom saw it as a gift. I used to draw constantly and make cut-outs of very glamorous clothes for paper dolls. I drew houses, and strangely, I think for a child, I used to draw floor plans of houses I hoped to one day build. I always had a good imagination and I guess I was designing everything relating to style from an early age. In general, what influences you in design? CW: It can be the smallest thing that just inspires you and becomes the catalyst, but if I had to name more general things that influ-

On that note, what people, buildings, places, or inspiration of any kind stand out in your mind as influencing you in design? CW: She will laugh, but I grew up with a glamorous mom who was a big influence on my personal style without realizing it. She loves the movies and when I watched them with her as a child, I was influenced by those fabulous sets, houses and glamorous clothes. As a child, I did not even know what art deco was, but I knew I loved the look I saw in the sets of the old movies. My parents also influenced me, in the style of our family home which they built as a custom mid-century modern home that is architecturally significant and unique. I loved it, and I still do. You have always been associated with fashion. Does that play a role in interior design? CW: Absolutely. You will see common trends in fashion and design at any given time. I am always influenced in all areas of design by my favourite fashion designers. No one who really knows fashion would fail to recognize a fashionable home or building and vice versa. In both what I like in design for homes and buildings, and in what I wear, I am influenced by the same things: anything I am personally drawn to. What current trends are you most excited about and what styles do you think will be the next big thing in interior design? CW: Being “green,” but in a way that does not have that same old green aesthetic. That is one of the many things I love about The King George; classic looking, but very green. Travel themes are also becoming big as they allow us to find a sure way to personalize a space. Someone’s home should be a true reflection of their life, the road they have travelled, their interests and what inspires them. You should know more about someone’s personality just by seeing their home. The trick is to have that character blended in a stylish way. See www.KingGeorgeSaskatoon.com for more information.

Journey of Faith

by J o d i K o z a n

O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, The True North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada, We stand on guard for thee. God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

hen was the last time you sang the Canadian anthem with the depths of conviction for which it was written? Like many idealistic songs, poetry, and vows – and oaths for that matter – we can merely give them lip service without truly backing up our minds and hearts to their message. Are your hearts “glowing” by seeing Canada as a nation that is glorious and free? Coming from a girl with American roots, I am pleased to say my Canadian patriotism is now surpassing that of the good old Red, White, and Blue that is so much a part of my DNA. Not only because I have now lived here half of my life and truly love where my heart now calls home, I am also seeing others take more patriotic pride and joy inwardly

and outwardly, sporting our flag on poles in the yard, on temporary tattoos and bumper stickers, but more so in the Christian community where I live out my faith. I am hearing more excitement with each passing year of seeing Canada being positioned and walking in its original intent more and more as a nation. A nation that was built on the premise that we are created to be free according to the guiding principles of truth and grace. Sure, Canada is far from perfect. We often see democracy compromised, laws ignored, weak leadership, and apathetic citizens. Twenty years ago, my heart would cry out, “Oh, Canada, why so quiet?” Americans are often criticized for their brash and bold “in your face” egotistic ways, and that persona turns many away. They do life big. They win big, lose bad, expand wide, and fail deep. Yet most of the world will have to agree, Americans are incredibly patriotic and have wonderful qualities as a nation overall dispite their obvious weaknesses. When I married and moved to Canada in 1990, for years my spirit would cry “Oh, Canada, why so disengaged? Why so quiet in your convictions? Why so apathetic towards your patriotism? Where’s your confidence?” Yet over the years, I came to appreciate the strengths of Canada in its beautiful quiet witness and gentle ways of life. By comparison, though, countries hold a personality that brings a unique presence into the world. With its strengths we shine, with our weaknesses we fall, yet when we draw close to the heart of God for the purpose of this nation we see His plan unfold in our midst. Bringing our strengths and weaknesses to the cross of Jesus Christ we find where true power lies: “For when I am weak, I am strong,” as referred to in the book of second Corinthians, Chapter 12, Verse 10. If you find yourself to be a quiet observer kind of a Canadian, one without a lot of patri-

Genealogy

Basic Canadian records BY Tammy Vallee

s we begin to search out our ancestors, a common mistake happens. Many genealogists jump across the ocean before they have finished exploring what Canada has to offer. Canada has many different types of records for genealogists to investigate. Records will vary province by province but the basic types and most commonly searched records remain the same. Census has been used for hundreds of years to keep track of the number of people in Canada. As time progressed, the information that was recorded became more helpful for genealogists. Census can be accessed online at www.ancestry.ca, www.automatedgenealogy. com, or through the Library and Archives of Canada. The last census released is the 1916 Canadian census for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Birth, marriage, and death records will vary by province in start dates and the information recorded at the time. Before official registration occurred, a minister may have been close at hand to take records. Recording the baptisms, marriages, and burials, and sending copies of this information to the head church was common practice long before government registration was in place. Land ownership left maybe one of the largest paper trails in Canada’s history. Maps were drawn over and over again to show the lay of land and who owned it. Wars were fought and treaties were signed to gain control of the land. Then records of settlement began. Homestead records on the prairies

are a great resource of information and can sometimes hold more information than one might expect. Since Canada was built by the immigration of people from around the world, another set of records was created. Passenger records and immigration records are held by the Library and Archives of Canada and provide genealogists with an arrival date of their ancestors. It may also give more insight into what some endured to make Canada their home. These are just basic records but they can all lead to new information waiting to be discovered. As basic as these may be, it is sometimes overlooked when genealogists hurry back through their family trees. These links are available to lead genealogists to the basics and beyond: • Canada GenWeb: www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~canwgw • Library and Archives of Canada: www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/index-e.html • Can Genealogy: www.cangenealogy.com • Cyndi’s List (Canada): www.cyndislist.com/canada.htm The documents we gather along the way are the proof we need to show who our ancestors were and how they lived. Take your research one step at a time to ensure you don’t miss anything along the way. Tammy Vallee is a genealogical speaker and educator and a certified Saskatchewan and Aboriginal researcher. She can be reached at tamw25@shaw.ca.

otic passion, perhaps you need to ask yourself, us from the evil one. Amen!” what are we to “stand on guard” for? *All scripture taken from the New Living Stand on guard for truth, healing, prosper- Translation. ity, unity, freedom, forgiveness, and opportunities. Stand on guard for God’s will to be Jodi Kozan is the founder and director of done as it says in the familiar Lord’s Prayer. Women’s Journey of Faith. She is married to For us to truly stand on guard, we need to Tim and has four daughters. engage. We need to get over our Canadian “niceness” and be wise as serpents and harmWJOF is hosting its 10th annual conference less as doves, and be confident as a lion and “Flawless” Nov 7 at TCU Place in Saskatoon as gentle as a lamb. To stand on guard for and is expanding to Calgary with a secondary Canada, we need to realize that God placed conference Nov 14 at the Telus Centre. Tickets us on this Earth to bring Him glory. For us for both events go on sale with Ticketmaster to set in motion His heart for the nations by starting June 26. For more information, go to being His hands, feet, mind, mouthpiece, and their website at www.wjof.com. arms of love. One way to stand on guard is to take the suggested prayer that Jesus himself gave us and personalize it as a prayer over Canada. (Emphasis in parenthesis is added to the scripture found Fire Fighter Training in Melville in Mathew 6:9-14.) “Our Father in heaven, may your In partnership with fire etc. Lakeland College name be kept holy. NFPA 1001 Professional Fire Fighter (In this wonderful Qualifications Level II nation you’ve given us: Canada.) May NFPA 472 Dangerous Goods Your Kingdom come First Responder Awareness soon. May your will be done on Earth. Give NFPA 1051 Wildfire Fire Fighter us (Canadians) today Professional Qualifications Level the food we need and forgive us our sins as NEXT INTAKE August 24 2009 we have forgiven those Includes 2 weeks practical in Vermilion, Alberta who sin against us (right here in Canada Contact 1-866-783-6766 and as we interact with the world). And and Apply Today! don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue

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• July 2009 • Section B

Healthy Lifestyles

Gratitude and thankfulness

o often we go through our life focusing on our limitations instead of our freedoms. When was the last time you took time to be grateful for all the wonderful things in your life? Gratitude is one of the secrets for a great life. By acknowledging and focusing on the gifts we receive every day, our lives seem to miraculously improve. Sometimes we need a little help to get us started with our new, more positive focus on gratitude as opposed to lack. Celebrating Canada, I am reminded of some of the great freedoms we experience as Canadians: freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief, expression, the press and other communication media, peaceful assembly, and association. These freedoms are quoted from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I can also add a few more to that list: freedom of choice and speech, and freedom from war and oppression. When was the last time you thought about where you live? Canada is blessed with one of the last mostly pristine environments in the world. Not only should we express gratitude for this fact, but we should also take positive, aggressive steps to preserve this environment for our children and ourselves. The simple act of choosing a product with less packaging, or to taking an extra step to recycle, or to plant a tree, or to

plant vegetables in our planters along with your flowers can go a long way to reducing our carbon footprint. For the most part, most Canadians are employed, well fed, reasonably healthy, and have supportive friends and family. Just for this, there should be an amazing outpouring of gratitude. I am not suggesting there

by dr. michele kralkay

aren’t any negative situations. I am just encouraging the focus on the positive. While it is important to be grateful for these things, it is essential to be thankful as well for all the little things that steer you on your path. You woke up this morning; you were able to read this article; you flipped a switch

When was the last time you took time to be grateful for all the wonderful things in your life?

which turned on the lights to your room or power to your computer; you dressed in clean clothes you purchased; you took your dog for a walk; you ate a healthy breakfast; you filled your water bottle; you got in your vehicle or other mode of transportation; and you went to your job. Now I may have been a little optimistic on a couple of those points, but I think you get the message. There are many tools available to help you express more gratitude in your life. A recent favourite of mine is the “Pool of Possibilities.” I encourage you to take the time to look at this journal forum at www.courtneymilne. com. This gives you an easy and beautiful daily reminder that you can use to form a routine for you to open yourself to more gratitude. Today I am grateful that I have received education to allow me to learn firsthand the benefits of looking at life from a perspective of gratitude and thankfulness. I am also thankful I am in a position to relate this information to so many people through this article. And I am grateful the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms have made the publishing of these articles possible. I am even grateful for the feedback I receive from the readers of these articles, whether they are constructive or critical. Have a wonder-filled summer.

Michele Kralkay, DNM, RHN, is a health consultant, lecturer, and author of A Cookbook for Naturally Good Health. She is also certified in many healing modalities. Contact her through www.buildhealthnaturally.com or call 477-4480.

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We protect our skin with sunscreen, but what about our eyes? To avoid sun damage, take measures to protect yourself: Wear sunglasses that reduce glare and block both UV-A and UV-B rays. Sunglasses with dark lenses don’t necessarily guarantee you are getting the required protection. Your optometrist can help you select the best sunglasses for your eyes. Hint: Select frames that shield light and UV rays from all angles ... wrap-around sunglasses are the best choice. Also, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and avoiding prolonged sun exposure, especially during peak hours when the rays are strongest, are other ways to protect yourself. Take note, clouds are not effective filters of the harmful UV rays, so be sure to wear your sunglasses on bright, cloudy days, too! WHEN YOU SHOP FOR SUNGLASSES LOOK FOR THE TWO PRIMARY COMPONENTS: THE TINT THAT REDUCES GLARE AND THE UV COATING THAT PROTECTS YOUR EYES FROM HARMFUL UV RAYS.

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Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

THE CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF OPTOMETRISTS RECOMMENDS THE FOLLOWING COMPREHENSIVE EYE HEALTH AND VISION EXAMINATION GUIDELINES: INFANTS AND TODDLERS (BIRTH TO 24 MONTHS) - BY AGE 6 MONTHS PRESCHOOL (2-5 YEARS) - IMMEDIATELY, IF PARENTS SENSE A PROBLEM, OTHERWISE BY THE AGE OF 3 AND AGAIN PRIOR TO ENTERING SCHOOL SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN (6-19 YEARS) - ANNUALLY OR EVERY 2 YEARS OVER 19 YEARS OF AGE - EVERY 2 YEARS OR SOONER IF RECOMMENDED BY YOUR OPTOMETRIST

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Dining with a view

Outdoor drinking and dining in Saskatoon BY Anne-Marie Hickey

list of a music aficionado on staff. If you don’t mind arriving early, check out their foodspecial nights on Monday (burger and a beer night) or Tuesday (wing night), but if you hate crowds, you’re best off visiting during the afternoon. The evenings can get chilly so remember to bring a sweater. The servers also have to trek down a narrow flight of stairs, so you may have to wait a bit to obtain your drinks.

s summer heats up, everyone is looking for some type of outdoor dining. Having a drink on a deck is a cool way to spend your weekend around the city, admiring the view and having a pint of lemonade to cool off in the hot sun. While there seems to be an ever-increasing number of decks opening around the city, we set out to rate some of Saskatoon’s most popular summer decks to help you choose your favourite watering hole. If you’ve already discovered your favourite local bar or restaurant, it can always be exciting to try someplace new. The Yard and Flagon The Yard is always bustling with activity and you are certain to run into familiar faces if you check out their deck. Sometimes, you can hear street performers playing on Broadway, and they always have great music playing on their speakers – certainly the play

Lydia’s Pub If you’re into people-watching, you’ll enjoy Lydia’s deck: it’s close to the sidewalk so you can see the people milling about on the street. Sometimes there is a band on Lydia’s stage, so you can hear the music coming from inside the bar while providing a quiet enough space for pleasant conversation. You should expect to pay cover even if you are sitting on the deck. O’Shea’s Irish Pub Often touted as one of the best rooftop decks in Saskatoon, O’Shea’s has great heaters, so you are certain to stay warm on cool evenings. They may be the only bar in Saskatoon that has a bar on the roof to serve you, cutting down on the service time to get your food and drink. They do get busy, so it is good to go early, but be wary of the weather because they close their deck as soon as the weather is less than perfect. Las Palapas The Las Palapas patio is rather small, but it is one of the nicest places to hang out on sunny afternoons. The benches are com-

Activities & Events fortable, and they have umbrellas made of palm leaves, offering welcome shade. Their Mexican menu offers several kinds of delicious salsas to go with their nachos, and their Mojitos and rum punch are second to none. If you are spending the day with friends, it is always fun to order a bucket of beer which comes with assorted Mexican beverages. The deck is usually not too busy, so it is a great destination for hot days. Earls The Earls’ patio offers plenty of shade, the deck is large and would probably make a good destination for a date. Romantic grape leaves and Virginia creeper line the patio light-adorned walls, and they offer some privacy from the busy street where the deck is situated. The century-old Mediterraneanstyle building really is charming. There are heating lamps on the beams above you, and wood fireplaces that help to create a romantic atmosphere. Béily’s Much like Earls, the Béily’s deck on 8th Street is located on a busy street. The table and chairs are comfortable, and the restaurant has some tasty appetizers on their menu. Béily’s is the perfect spot to be during cruise weekend when the classic cars drive up and down the street. Nino’s If you like the feeling of being in the middle of a crowd, you may like hanging out on Nino’s deck. It sits on Broadway Avenue, and is only separated from the street by a hipheight brick wall. It’s a great spot to go for cheap beer. The best time to frequent Nino’s deck is during summer festivals such as The Fringe or the Broadway Street Fair because you feel in the centre of the action.

Amigos Cantina Amigos Cantina is a favourite destination for music lovers in the city, but they have more to offer than live music. The simple Mexican food is fantastic, with their veggie burgers and black bean burritos being particular hits. The door toward the Amigos deck is tucked away in the corner of the bar, and the deck offers privacy as it faces the alley, rather than a busy street. The deck has tables in full sunlight or draped with shade. Unlike many decks in the city, Amigos has large, circular tables that can seat larger groups – a definite perk when many other restaurants only offer tables with two or four-place settings. Louis’ Pub While a hot destination on Tuesday dollar beer nights during the school year, Louis’ Pub definitely slows down in the summer. Their summer hours are extremely restricted, to the horror of summer students on campus: they are only open from 11am to 7pm during weekdays and they are closed Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. However, the Memorial Union Building where Louis’ is situated is beautiful, and the deck offers a view of the serene University of Saskatchewan campus. The Freehouse Located on Spadina across the street from the scenic Bessborough Hotel, the Freehouse has a great patio for visiting in the summer. You can usually watch people in the park across the street playing Frisbee or biking past, and it’s quiet enough to have a good conversation with the people you are with. They have a great drink menu with my personal favourite, The Godfather. This restaurant is great if you just want to have a few drinks, graze on an order of sweet potato fries, or even order one of their wood-fired, thin-crust pizzas.

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• July 2009 • Section B

Healthy Lifestyles

Using the

[

healing power of plants

Q A

: What are phytonutrients and phytochemicals?

: Phytonutrients are from plants (phyto means “from plants” in Greek) and are neither vitamins nor minerals. Phytochemical simply means “plant chemicals.” Researchers estimate there are 30,000 to 50,000 of these, 1,000 of which have been isolated, and a mere 100 analyzed and tested.

Recent

research suggests phyto-

Nature has designed plants with successful defence mechanisms. For example, the sulphur in onions and garlic repels bugs, and deeporange-coloured foods like carrots, apricots, and squash contain beta-carotene to protect them from strong sunlight. This amazing natural system benefits us as well. Some of the more well known phytonutrients are indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane, found in cruciferous veggies like cabbage, broccoli, and kale, recognized for the role they play in protection against cancer, and in particular, breast cancer.

BY Paulette Millis

Beans and other legumes: isoflavones, protease inhibitors, saponins n Whole grains like brown rice, oats, wheat, rye: lignans, phenolic acids, inositols n Nuts and seeds: lignans n Citrus fruit: limonene n Tomatoes and red grapefruit: lycopene. n Cocoa, tea, and most fruits and veggies: phenols n

Now, we have lots of reasons to make multiple trips to the salad bar, and to embrace the many new raw food creations that are popping

nutrients may be what defend and protect our trillions of cells from disease.

The number of phytonutrients in a single, unprocessed plant food is remarkable. When we eat these plants, the phytonutrients protect the bloodstream, cells, tissues, membranes, mitochondria, skin, organs, and immune system functions from the onslaught of synthetic chemicals, toxins, automobile or factory emissions, bacteria, pesticides, viruses, fungi, yeast, microbes, mutagens, food additives, free radicals, and carcinogens.

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Turmeric may prove to be a powerful carcinogenic inhibitor, with its natural occurring curcumin. Resveratrol, found in the skin and pulp of dark grapes, has been researched extensively by the University of Chicago, and is said to contain powerful cancer-inhibiting qualities as well. Lycopene, one of the thousands of phytonutrients in tomatoes, may prove to be a cancer-preventing antioxidant, due to its ability to interfere with the production of nitrosamines, implicated in the development of stomach cancer. Allyl sulfides in garlic and onions have been shown in the lab to inhibit tumour production. The following is a list of some foods and their phytonutrients: n Onions, garlic, leeks, chives: allium and organosulfur compounds n Broccoli, cauliflower, kale: indoles, and isothiocyanates such as sulforaphane n Blueberries, plums, dark beans: anthocyanins n Carrots, yam, cantaloupe, winter squash: carotenoids n Citrus fruits, tomatoes: coumarins n Anise and licorice: glyceritinic acid

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Tomato Daikon Salad Ingredients: 3 medium size tomatoes 1/2 small onion 1 cup shredded white diakon radish Hemp or cold-pressed olive oil to taste Celtic sea salt to taste Balsamic vinegar to taste Directions: Cut up the vegetables and place in a bowl. Add olive or hemp oil, balsamic vinegar, and Celtic sea salt to taste. Combine, adjust seasonings, and serve. (Thanks to Diana Shewchuk for the original idea. From Eat Away Illness.)

www.kenderdine-dental.ca 6

Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

References: High Performance Nutrition, Susan Kleiner, PhD, RD.; Sam Graci, Alive, 2002, author of The Food Connection; Powerfoods, Stephanie Beling, MD. The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace any instruction from medical or health professionals.

Paulette Millis is a speaker and author of Eat Away Illness and other publications. She can be contacted at eatingforhealth@sasktel.net or by visiting www.healingwithnutrition.ca.

Guacamole Great dip for corn chips Ingredients: 1 large avocado 1 medium tomato 1 small green onion, chopped 1 tbsp lemon juice (use less for less tang) 1 tsp Celtic sea salt 1 clove garlic, or more to taste 1/8 tsp crushed red peppers or dash of Tabasco 1 tsp tamari soy sauce (use wheat-free tamari for gluten-free) 1 tbsp cold-pressed olive oil 1 tbsp parsley, optional Directions: Chop vegetables. Place all ingredients in a blender. Purée at low speed. (From Eat Away Illness by Paulette Millis)

Buckwheat Salad

Marinated Greens Ingredients: 1 large bunch of kale 1 tsp Celtic sea salt 2 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes 1 yellow pepper, chopped 1 carrot, grated Optional additions: Sprouted mung beans Sprouted lentils Hemp seeds Sunflower sprouts Dressing: 1 avocado 1 stalk celery 2 tbsp hemp oil 1/2 tbsp Braggs All Purpose Seasoning, liquid 1 clove garlic Dash of cayenne

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up. Why not try the recipes below for a boost to your health?

Directions: Remove stem from kale and slice very thin. Add salt, massaging with your hands until soft. Add lemon juice, massaging again. Add remaining veggies and combine. Blend dressing ingredients, pour over kale, and mix thoroughly. Let stand for 20 minutes or refrigerate until serving time. (Adapted from www.simplyraw.ca.)

Ingredients: 4 cups vegetable broth 2 cups buckwheat groats 1 cup chopped cucumber 1 cup minced fresh parsley 2 tbsp red wine vinegar 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp tamari soy sauce (use wheatfree tamari for gluten-free) 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds Chopped tomatoes (optional) Cooked shrimp Directions: Place the broth in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the washed buckwheat and cook, covered, over medium heat until tender, approximately 15 minutes. Set aside to cool. Combine the cucumber, parsley, shrimp, almonds, and cooled buckwheat in a bowl. Whisk together the vinegar, oil, and tamari. Drizzle over the salad and toss gently to coat. Let stand 1 hour in the fridge before serving. Decorate with almonds, tomato wedges, and shrimp if desired. (From Eat Away Illness by Paulette Millis)

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Image & Self-development

Here comes the sun: Protect yourself

BY Leondra King

Although we’ve waited a long time for the warm weather and sunshine, overexposure to the sun is a major cause of skin damage including wrinkling and skin cancer.

any of the skin changes attributed to aging are signs of sun-induced skin damage. The cumulative effect from ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure may take years to show on your skin. UVR can be divided into four categories determined by wavelength. These wavelengths measured in nanometers (nm), range from 200 to 400. Understanding the following will be helpful. 400 to 760 nm is visible light and insignificant in terms of photo damage. 320 to 400 nm is UVA. These are the tanning rays, and still age the skin. UVA is 1,000 times weaker than UVB but 100 times greater in quantity. 290 to 320 nm is UVB. These are burning rays, and the most potent and damaging. 200 to 290 nm is UVC. These are absorbed by the Earth’s atmosphere, so never reach us. We commonly think of photo damage as

School gets new outdoor classroom B y L o r i W e i l e r - T h i e s s e n w i t h M a tt h i a s a n d N a t a l i a T h i e s s e n

a risk for individuals lounging by the pool it has been sitting around for a couple of years or on the beach during the summer months, or smells bad or seems too runny, it probably but 80 per cent of sun damage is unplanned. needs to be replaced. It is important to apply Walking to the car, the mailbox, and between sunscreen thoroughly and frequently; a half stores all adds up. hour before going out in the sun, every hour Staying indoors may be the best defense after that, and immediately after swimming. against the sun’s harmful rays but certainly Sunblocks are different from sunscreens in not a practical solution. Broad spectrum that they are opaque substances that reflect sunscreens with an SPF (sun protection fac- and scatter most UV rays. When applied tor) of at least 15 will provide some level of thickly, they prevent the skin from tanning protection against UVA and UVB rays. These and burning. In addition to the use of sunwork by reflecting, absorbing, or scattering screens and sunblocks you can avoid being in the sun’s ultraviolet rays. the sun between 10am and 2pm, and wear a The following is an explanation of what wide-brimmed hat to help reduce head and those SPF numbers mean. neck exposure. SPF of 2 will block 50 per cent of UVB, so You don’t have to hide inside this summer. a person can stay in the sun twice as long as Go out and enjoy the great outdoors but they normally would without burning. exercise caution and protect yourself from the SPF of 8 will block almost 90 per cent of harmful rays of the sun. UVB rays. Leondra King is a certified esthetician, IPL SPF of 15 will block 93 per cent of UVB laser therapist and owner of Isis Laser and and some UVA rays. Wellness Centre. Leondra can be contacted at SPF of 30 will block 96 per cent of UVB 955-1860. and some UVA. New and Remanufactured Even if there has not Laser and Inkjet Cartridges been a burn, the sun’s rays can still damage Market Mall • Confederation Mall the skin. The deeper the tan, the more damage has occurred. Any tan indicates damaged skin. Those with fair skin are STUDENTS PAY NO TAX ON REFILLS especially vulnerable INK JET & TONER CARTRIDGES AT THE LOWEST PRICES YOU’VE EVER SEEN! to the sun’s rays but CHECK YOUR PRICES @ dark-skinned people www.prairielaser.com are at risk, too. The shelf life of sunscreen is limited. If

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reystone Heights School has a new outdoor classroom. Its purpose is to facilitate environmental and ecological learning, as well as to provide a peaceful outdoor setting. Students can step from the school onto the recycled tire surface and stroll over to a bench. They can sit and look at the colourful flowers blooming in raised beds, beds built of landscaping ties made from recycled cars and glass. Students can enjoy the calmly flowing fountain powered by a solar panel, or watch the birdbath. They can study plants by starting them from seeds in their classrooms, then transplanting them into the beds. Entire classes can be conducted on the benches, or students can read or eat lunch.

This former courtyard was transformed through the collaboration of many groups. Greystone Heights Parent Council provided leadership for the project. Council members designed the space, co-ordinated fundraising, and were labourers. The School Division approved the project, removed the existing trees and provided an emergency exit door. Students participated in fundraising and donated the proceeds of several years of recycling beverage containers. Community members and businesses contributed labour or funds. The project was completed on May 22. Two students, one in kindergarten and one in Grade 8, cut the red ribbon and the outdoor classroom was officially open.

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• July 2009 • Section B

Pets & Families

Heart Warming Pull up a chair and grab a cup or two. These face-licking, tail-wagging, true stories from animal lovers in Saskatoon and area are sure to make you chuckle, recall fond memories of a special pet or just go home and hug your own pets a little tighter tonight.

Animal “Tails”

How I got into the horse world

’m one of those people that was born to love horses. There are people who (inexplicably) have no use for horses, some who are mildly interested but can take them or leave them, others who have a passing involvement for some period of their life, then move on to other interests, and then there are lifers like me and many of my friends of the horse tribe. It took quite a while for my inner horse person to emerge, a process I like to refer to as “coming out of the box stall.” My other passion in life is visual art, and as an art student at university in the late ’60s, I had to suppress my horse inclinations or be thought inexpressibly uncool. Sad to say, I bought into this way of thinking for quite a few years, and my childhood desire to learn to ride and be a horse owner

went unacknowledged and indeed unrecognized by me, busy as I was with a young family and all that went with that lifestyle. That started to change when my older daughter announced at age 12 that she wanted to learn to ride. Since I would have given anything to have riding lessons when I was her age, I was quick to campaign on behalf of riding lessons for her, and a whole new life was launched for me, although at the time I didn’t realize it. I spent a lot of time waiting at the boarding stable while she had her lessons, watching and learning, and generally taking in the horsey atmosphere. We were paying half-board for a horse that she was riding three days a week, and when she became ill and couldn’t ride for a while, I had the fatal thought: “If I knew how to ride, I could be riding that horse!” That was pretty well the beginning of the end, or the end of the beginning, depending how you choose to look at it. Likely my husband thinks of it the first way: I view it in the second way. So at age 35 I was a beginner rider at a public boarding stable, which means I usually had a pretty good audience around any time I was riding. It also meant that most of the little kids who had been riding for a while could (literally) ride circles around me. Being an adult beginner rider is an exercise in humility and a test of one’s determination to follow through. No matter. I was riding

Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

and living a dream I’d had for a long time. One thing leads to another, and I worked my own way through half-boarding a horse, leasing a horse, and ultimately to horse ownership. Since I never seem to do anything part-way, of course I don’t ride just every now and then. I realized only recently, after

It took quite a while for my inner horse person to emerge, a process I like to refer to as “coming out of the box stall.” more than two decades of riding, that I treat riding like a part-time job. I spend most of the afternoons at the barn, and I ride five or six days a week. It’s just part of my life and my lifestyle, and I like to think that my horse and I are each other’s exercise program. I keep my horse at a facility with a nice indoor riding ring, so we can keep going year-round. I’m not so devoted to keeping myself fit that I would ever drag myself out to a gym at 40 below in a blizzard, but by gosh I’ll be at the barn every day to exercise my horse. The side benefit of this is that horses have also provided me with my art muse, now expressed in my photographs. It’s the perfect

by Judy Wood

combination of art and subject matter. I have the pleasure of getting out in the field (usually an actual field) to get my raw material, then I have the fun and challenge of working and reworking the images with my photo manipulation program, work that I find uniquely satisfying. Art and horses. Doesn’t get much better than that. Judy Wood is a career artist, based in the Canadian prairies. In past years she has worked in a variety of media, from batik to stained glass and glass mosaic, but photography remained a constant in the background of her artistic endeavours. With the artistic freedom and image control allowed by the age of digital SLR photography and computer image processing, Judy’s art life has now been taken over by image capture and manipulation. Her current work is photo based, and ranges from art photography of various subject matter through to one-of-a-kind mixed-media works with photo elements. Another ongoing love that has found a new expression is Judy’s writing. With the creation of her photo blog in 2008, she discovered a satisfying way to combine her photo images with text about her experiences as an art photographer, focusing on her prairie lifestyle and her everyday experiences with horses, nature, and art photography. Judy’s blog is at judywoodartphotography. blogspot.com and her website is www.judywoodartphotography.com.

ong, flowing manes and tails, copious amounts of feather, and strongly muscled bodies. Who are these Gypsy Cobs, seemingly so much a part of history, yet relatively unknown in North America today? Our journey with this amazing breed started out in fall 2007 shortly after we decided to purchase a ranch just outside Saskatoon. We were sitting around the table talking about things we could do together as a family when the subject of horses came up. Our eldest son mentioned the horses with the “super long manes and big hairy feet” we had seen in a magazine a few years before. After some research and a visit to a ranch about six hours away, our love story with these beautiful horses began. In researching the breed, we found out that most of their history had been passed down through the spoken word of the nomadic Romani people. Some historians trace the horses back to as far as 200 AD when the Roma travelled the country with their families. The Romani (also known as Romany, or a Rom, meaning “man” or “people”) are an ethnic group mainly located in Europe and the term “Gypsy” was initially used to refer to their nomadic lifestyle. As travellers, they carefully chose characteristics such as strength, endurance, and an even-tempered personality to selectively breed horses specially suited to pulling their living wagons (called vardos) to each village.

Gypsy Cob horses are now in high demand for many performance disciplines and also suit less competitive owners for pleasure riding. It is estimated there are only 100 Gypsy Cobs in Canada, breeders having “discovered” them only as recently as 1997. The traditional colours are black and white, but they also have been known to branch out

100 Gypsy Cobs in Canada, breeders having “discovered” them only as recently as 1997. into many other beautiful colours. Powerful and yet quiet in nature, these hardy smallstatured horses are seen in trekking centres and riding schools all over Ireland and Britain, who have long been famous for their quality horses. Many of the mares and stallions that are now recognized by the Romani people as the great producers were of Irish origin. The highest quality stock we found of this wonderful breed came from England. We started to realize how new the breed was to North America. We travelled to England and handpicked all our mares, each having legendary bloodlines behind them. We’ve since added two stallions and two more mares. One friend of ours has said it well: “Once you start, it’s hard to stop!” The Gypsy Cob’s shorter stature, (anywhere from under 14 hands to 15.3 hands high), powerful bodies, smaller, refined head, and large hooves, paired with the beautiful flowing mane, tail, and feather (often starting at their knees) make them irresistible. However, we find their nature the most treasured part of the Gypsy Cob breed. They

Photo supplied

by linda gubbe

horse, we intend on promoting Gypsy Cobs across North America and showing the world the beauty, quick-mindedness, and versatility of the legends we love. Cheryl and Dale Nygaard own the North Fork Equestrian Centre and are the proud owners of Gypsy Cobs. See www.northforkhorses.ca.

It is estimated there are only

There are pets in the park!

ummer is here. And if we all think positively, or as I like to say, “be pawsitive,” then the weather will catch up to our pawsitive thoughts. Summer is for family. We take time to relax with our family doing fun things like barbecues, camping, and going to a lot of great summer events throughout the city. Most events, however, are only for the human members of the family and the family pet is, unfortunately, left at home. Never fear, Pets in the Park is here! Pets in the Park started four years ago. Its prime function is to raise funds which are then passed along to local animal welfare agencies who use these funds to provide medical care for pets in need. But the extra bonus is that it’s a fun time when family pets get to spend a relaxing day in the park with their human families. Their human families then have lots of opportunities to donate to this compassionate cause and raise much-needed funds. So really, it’s pets helping pets! How cool is that?

have a winning combination of strength and gentleness and are often referred to as the “golden retriever of horses.” Often after dinner, we will stroll out and visit with our herd, as each has his or her own personality that calms the spirit and soothes the soul. As owners and breeders of this amazing

by Cheryl Nygaard

Thousands of pet lovers show off their favourite claw or paw companions to other pet lovers who share their passion for animals. Cats, guinea pigs, snakes, birds, rabbits, and of course, lots and lots of dogs, get fresh air, sunshine, and lots of attention, while their humans enjoy the day’s festivities along a picturesque riverbank setting. Pets in the Park not only gives you a fun day to spend with your pet, it also gives you a feel-good day when you can help pets in need. It’s a great day to “be pawsitive.” Pets in the Park takes place at the Kiwanis Memorial Park on July 12 from 9am to 4pm. See www.petsinthepark.ca for more information. Pets in the Park is put on by Saskatoon Pets in the Park Inc. Funds are donated to New Hope Dog Rescue, the Saskatoon SPCA, and SCAT Street Cat Rescue Program. Please note that all pets must be on a leash or caged at all times.

Photo by Judy Wood

Photo by Clononeen Farm, UK

The Legend of the Gypsy Cob

Pets & Families

Summer is for pets, too! BY d r . v i v i e n n e j o n e s

ummer is a fun time for both you and your pets. To ensure happy and safe holidays here are some things to keep in mind: Heat stroke Dogs and cats can’t sweat to cool themselves and they are prone to heat stroke. Avoid exercising pets when the sun’s heat is most intense and always have lots of cold water handy. Never leave your dog unattended in direct sunlight or in a vehicle. Life-threatening heat stroke can occur even if car windows are left partially down. Heatstroke symptoms are panting, drooling, rapid pulse, and fever. If you notice any signs of heat stroke, apply cold water to afflicted pets, place them near fans, and call the vet immediately. Sunburn Short-haired dogs and ones with pink skin can be sunburned. Apply non-toxic sunblock to their ears and nose prior to going outdoors. At the beach Dogs should be watched carefully in shallow water until you are sure they can swim. Leash and harness your dog or put on a doggie life jacket so that you can safely introduce him/her to swimming. Avoid strong currents in rivers that may sweep your pet away. Do not over exert your pet on sandy beaches especially if they are unfit and overweight. Tendons and ligaments can be pulled or ruptured easily. Worms and bugs Pets can pick up ticks, fleas, and lice from other animals; intestinal worms can be picked up from contact with feces; and mosquitoes can transmit heartworm. Check for ticks, fleas, and lice and have your pet tested for heartworm and intestinal worms regularly. Skunks and porcupines Porcupine quills are very painful. If your dog is unfortunate enough to get a nose or mouthful, go to your vet to have the quills removed. We’re all aware of the wonderful aroma that skunks like to share, but did you know they’re also the most common carrier of rabies in Saskatchewan? Rabies is a serious and fatal disease for you and your pet. All dogs require annual vaccinations for rabies, but if your dog is bitten or in close contact with a skunk (or any other wild animal) contact your veterinarian.

Try this remedy to remove the skunk smell. Mix 250 mililitres of hydrogen peroxide, one teaspoon liquid soap and two tsp. baking power. Rub into your dog’s coat, soak for five to 10 minutes, then rinse and shampoo with regular pet shampoo. Poisonous plants, pesticides & garbage Keep your pets out of vegetable gardens, flower gardens, garbage, and compost. If you treat your lawn with chemicals, follow label directions carefully and keep your pets away from them. Also keep them away from all pesticides and mouse and rat poisons. Contact your veterinarian for information on fruits and vegetables toxic to animals. Travelling Keep animals secure in vehicles at all times by using pet carriers or special seat belts. Provide a source of water for longer trips. Many pets enjoy ice cubes and this keeps the mess to a minimum. You may want to ask your veterinarian about sedatives to lessen the stress of travel. If you’re travelling outside the province, be sure to find out if your pet will require any special vaccinations or medications. Vivienne Jones, DVM, can be contacted at Erindale Animal Hospital (phone: 384-2287) located at #14 410 Ludlow Street, Saskatoon.

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• July 2009 • Section B

Image & Self-development

Short hair is sexy A cool approach to beat the heat BY Roxy

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THE EAR STORE

hort hair is making a strong comeback, and the bolder the better. As always, celebrities are a strong influence on this trend. Hollywood has been sporting shorter cuts that are chic and comfortable. Halle Berry, Michelle Williams, Katie Homes, Rhianna, and Victoria Beckam have all chopped their locks. As summer takes hold, cropped hair is refreshing on those hot and humid days in the sun. Short hair is a definite attention grabber. It makes a statement and exudes confidence. In short, short hair is carefree, fun, and sexy. You may have decided to go short, but you’re wondering what cut is the right one for you. Contrary to popular belief, almost anyone can wear short hair and have it look good on them. If you think your face shape is not well suited to short hair, think again. The most important thing is to find a hairdresser you trust who will be able to give you honest advice, and will analyze your face shape, hair texture, and lifestyle before advising you on any cut. Once you find a great hairdresser that knows their stuff and is worthy of your trust, they can absolutely give you a cut that will look hot and stylish, too. A great way to get to know a hair dresser is to first book an appointment for a trim or a blow dry and style. This way you can see if you like their style, find out how knowledgeable they are, and if you generally click with them. Another way to get to know a stylist is to book a consultation. Meet the stylist, ask their advice, inquire about their experience and education, and get a general feeling for the person. Trust your instincts; it is usually pretty easy to feel if someone is being genuine or not. It is never a good idea to cut your hair on an impulse or to just randomly pick a salon stylist. Do your homework. Take the time to think about changing your style, look at pictures, research salons, and book a consultation. Once you have found a stylist and are sure you want to go short, it is time to decide which hair cut is the right one for you. Determining the right cut is part technique and part art. Having an idea of what you want will help you to better communicate with your stylist. Be sure to reference different pictures from magazines and the Internet. Clip out the ones you like and bring them to your appointment. The stylist can look at a picture and tell whether it will work with your face shape and hair density and texture. Try to be realistic

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Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

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about your hair and what your hair stylist can reasonably achieve with it. If a stylist disagrees with your request, they likely have good reason. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of changing to one of the new short hairstyles. Advantages • It’s a time saver with faster blow drying and styling time. • It’s flexible enough to suit any lifestyle. • Thick, thin, ethnic, or frizzy: all hair types can be worn short. • Different and unique, you will stand out in a crowd. • It allows you a variety in styling as your hair grows. Disadvantages • Requires a salon visit every three to four weeks. • It can be difficult to find a hairdresser you trust that “knows their stuff.” • If you have never had short hair, it can take some time to get used to that exposed feeling. • You may have to use more styling products than when your hair was longer. Short hair styles are easy to care for and really make a statement. You do not need to hide behind your long hair anymore. The long hair and hair extension trend is phasing out. Going lighter and shorter is the new trend and if you have been caring for long hair for the last few years, isn’t it time for a change?

Roxy is an internationally trained stylist. She has completed training at the Matrix Academy London and colour training at the Wella World Studio London. Roxy has styled hair at London Fashion Week, for Vogue, GQ and ID magazines, and worked with Fergie and The Pussy Cat Dolls. She can be contacted at Magnolia Salon at 373-8099.

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SK Style Profile By Jennilee Cardinal-Schultz

Image & Self Development

SK Style Profile Shelby Gaudet Age: 26

Shelby grew up in Saskatoon and will probably live here for the rest of her life – although she does enjoy exploring the rest of the world. She expresses her creativity through her work as a hairstylist and plays in a band in her spare time. She’ll be making the most of the hot summer days by riding her bike, playing soccer, or enjoying a cold beverage on a patio. Personal style: My boyfriend once described my style as a drunk country singer. I guess because I love things that are very girly but still very messy or unkempt. I like to wear things that other people don’t have, which is hard in Saskatoon, but that’s what I try to go for. About being a hairstylist: I’ve been doing hair for three years. It’s a great creative outlet. I love participating in hairstyling competitions. It’s pretty nerve-racking but I like the excitement and it’s great to do something you wouldn’t necessarily do in the salon on an everyday basis. I love everything about my job!

About being a musician: I’ve played in bands since I was in highschool so with touring I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some amazing people, see a lot of Canada, and play with some great musicians. The band I’m in right now is called The Peacoats. I play bass and sing backups. We’re currently working on new songs and soon we’ll be recording. Most prized accessory: I have a ring that I ordered off the Internet. It’s mediaeval looking, fake gold; it’s amazing. I think I’d cry if I lost it, even though it isn’t worth much and has no sentimental value. Listening to: A lot of Fleetwood Mac, ELO, Blitzen Trapper, Black Lips, the Kills, and Dungen. Favourite hangout in Saskatoon: Amigos is the best for live music and great company. If I want to sing and dance like an idiot, the Colonial is fun. On weekdays after work I like the Yard and Flagon and O’Shea’s: they have nice patios in the summer. Favourite website to waste time on: www.asos. com. It’s a great clothing store, which is dangerous. Also, I like to look up a lot of things that are going on in the hair industry so that keeps me inspired for work. I like to go to my favourite bands’ MySpace page and check out their top bands; it’s a good way to find new music. Summer fashion tip: Guys, keep your shirt on. Girls, if you can find a good jumpsuit, buy it!

A wedding dance with artistic flair Hot trend makes for memorable first dance By Crystal anderson

icture this: The stunning bride is wearing a beautiful white gown. The wonderful scent of flowers surrounds and there is the glow of soft candlelight while a handsome groom leads her onto the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. The music slowly starts; this is the moment she has been dreaming of since she was a little girl. “Born to Be Wild” begins and the bride and groom go into a perfectly choreographed routine complete with head banging and air guitar. Well, maybe this is the modern little girl’s dream. “Couples are choosing to express themselves in different ways,” explained Crystal Anderson of RSVP Event Design in Saskatoon. “What better way to achieve that then through a unique and memorable first dance?”

Anderson believes that couples are shying away from the traditional when it comes to the modern day fairy tale wedding. She reports that couples want to do something unique, something that all of their friends haven’t done before. “It is becoming increasingly important for couples to wow their guests with something fun and different,” said Anderson. “They are no longer settling for the ordinary when it comes to all aspects of their wedding, and the first dance is no exception.” Anderson’s extensive background as a professional dance instructor gives her the “know how” and experience to choreograph the perfect first dance. She also runs a fullservice wedding planning business and is a certified wedding

planner with The Wedding Planning Institute of Canada. Crystal Anderson runs RSVP Event Design and can be contacted at 244-1988.

New technology in the gaming industry By Matthew Stefanson

he E3 gaming conference is like New York fashion week for the video game industry and all of its loyal devotees. The video game expo operates as a showcase for the major companies to show off their new and upcoming products and was created in 1995 so that developers could gain more of a spotlight for their products. Since then, the event has become a pageant of sorts where the big developers — Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo — and the multitude of smaller game developers, spend gigantic amounts of money to present their new releases and upcoming projects. The conference ran June 1 to 4, unveiling the best and brightest of new technology in the gaming industry. Pyrotechnics, celebrity appearances, and gigantic installations are a common sight for attendees, and this year was no exception. To promote the upcoming release of The Beatles: Rock Band, Microsoft marched the two remaining members of the historic quartet on stage. On opening day, pulling Ringo Starr and Sir Paul McCartney out of your pocket is an astonishing feat, and it’s an appropriate way to promote the game, which is set to be

released in September and will mark the first installment of the wildly popular series to focus specifically on a single band. Directors James Cameron and Steven Spielberg each appeared to promote pet projects including the joint production of a movie and video game called Avatar which Cameron is writing and directing. Avatar’s video game component is being made by the French game developer Ubisoft and is set to release in December 2009, around the same time as the movie. Cameron said that he has been working on the film for 14 years but that it could not be made due to technological limitations and the poor quality of computer graphics at the time. Cameron praised Ubisoft for working to elevate the game above the traditional movie adaptations which, he confessed, have been awful. He highlighted the level of cooperation between the filmmakers and the game developers, who have shared design teams and CG companies, and influenced each other’s projects with their own innovations. Due to the film’s high level of CG content, Cameron says that it makes an ideal movie-to-game conversion since the aesthetic

of the two will be similar. Other stars to make an appearance included professional skateboarder and longtime video game subject Tony Hawk, rappers Jay-Z and Eminem, who were performing to promote the Guitar/Band/DJ Hero game series, and international soccer star Pel. Throughout the history of the conference, E3 has been used to fan the flames of competition between the big three console companies. In the last decade, the power and dominant market share has shifted between Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo multiple times, and in recent years the short straw has fallen to Sony. Their newest system, the PS3, has fallen behind the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Wii in every major market except Japan, where it comes in second behind the Wii. But at their press conference, Jack Tretton, Sony Computer Entertainment America’s President and CEO, stressed the success of the Sony brand and outlined some of its major successes. He cited the success of the Sony PSP and officially announced the launch of the PSP Go, popularly known as the worst-kept secret

in the video game world. The new version of the device, which boasts a smaller size, higher functionality and improved storage space as well as Wi-Fi connectivity, will be released on Oct 1 in North America. However, it was Microsoft who stole the show with the announcement of a brand new motion-capture technology called Project Natal that could revolutionize the gaming industry the way that the Wii was supposed to. During the Microsoft press conference, they announced that their internet gaming hub, Xbox Live, will undergo several major changes. Some of the new features include upgraded movie download capabilities (including a 1080p HD category), Facebook and Twitter integration into the Xbox software, and full game downloads available from the online store. Coupled with the announcement that Microsoft will have exclusive right to the console releases of several highly anticipated titles, including Left4Dead 2 and the next installment of the popular Halo series, Microsoft won the spotlight at this year’s conference.

w w w . t heneighbourhoodexpress.com

• July 2009 • Section B

Fashion on Location

hat a gorgeous day this past June nineth. There was the hint of rain and a slight mist in the air. While there are certainly many picture-perfect locations around Saskatoon, The Neighbourhood Express felt it was time to hit the highway and extend our vision for our fashion photo shoots. After loading up our vehicles, we were on our way north to our destination, Elk Ridge Resort. We stopped in Waskesiu to pick out the fashions at local stores, The Sandbox and Jammeez, and had a enjoyable lunch with a superb cup of coffee at Evergreen, a local eatery. On our drive to the lodge, the scenery was spectacular. Once there, the hairstylist and the make-up artist worked their magic on the models while the rest of us explored the lodge and grounds looking for the best shots for the photo session. We enjoyed the excellent hospitality at the lodge and topped the day off with a meal in the relaxed elegance of the dining room before heading back home. All in a day’s work! Bev Dawson, Editor

e d i s e k r a u o L m a l G flo green tank with IT jean shorts, white caracol earrings and clear flower necklace

suki capris/ ob desire blue jects of flower top with cpack twist earrin gs

Stay cool and effortlessly stylish in this pretty, basic dress, left.

A first-class resort Shoot co-ordinated by Alycia Evans Photography by Hamilton Photographics Models Kayla and Megan Hair Styling by Roxy, Magnolia Hair Salon Make-up by Jennilee Cardinal-Schultz Fashions by The Sandbox and Jammeez, Waskesiu, SK Shot on location at Elk Ridge Lodge

Elk Ridge Resort opened in 1993, and has been gaining a reputation as the upscale choice for vacationing in Saskatchewan. Situated near Waskesiu, the four-star resort is home to a 27-hole golf course, delicious lunches at the clubhouse Pub and Grill, decadent dinners at the luxurious Copper Ridge Dining Room, and the deluxe Salacia Spa which features rejuvenating services with high-quality organic products. The beautiful parcel of land where Elk Ridge is located leaves one speechless. Emerald green and beautifully manicured lawns and fairways stretch as far as the eye can see. Tall pine trees, white spruce, poplars, and birch frame the welcoming course.

Keep it fresh with bright summer colours and add edge when paired over demin. Add a splash of colour to your wardrobe with this fresh floral print mini-dress, below.

purple kenzie girl dress with caracol necklace

Upscale fashions for summer fun

Breeze thro ugh those h ot summer in a medley days of cool blu es.

While Prince Albert National Park has long been known as the place to go to escape, it’s also fast becoming a marker for luxury. A trendy clothing store, The Sandbox, is popular with Waskesiu visitors, and recently opened up a second store, Sandbox in the City, in Saskatoon. After spending a busy, fun-filled day on vacation, at the end of the day it’s time to relax and curl up in comfy and cute Pjs. Jammeez is a Saskatoon-based store with girly pyjamas and bags. Lucky for the folks in the Waskesiu area, Jammeez recently opened a second store next door to The Sandbox.

sleeve white long ss, re d ed hood black black tank, ts n pa

shorts and blue/green be tank with ro

What’s hot this season The Sandbox says big prints and bright colours are the trend this summer. Even buying one or two quality pieces can spice up a summer wardrobe and help you hold your own with the resort crowd. When planning a summer getaway or shopping for those perfect pieces, keep an eye on quality and splurge a little.

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hang ou fice style to

purple flower baby phat dress with purple caracol earrings

Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

www.theneighbourhoodexpress.com

• July 2009 • Section B

Activities & Events We really do love hockey: There are more Canadian hockey players in the NHL than all other countries combined. In 2004, there were 1.65 million active hockey players in Canada, making it Canada’s most popular sport.

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384-0790 14

Bridge Bridge bites from The ACBL

By Brian Gunnell

Fishing for clues

As the play of the hand develops, declarer is constantly on the look-out for the clues which will point to the right line of play. But these clues don’t always come gift-wrapped; sometimes declarer must go fishing. ♠5 ♥ QJ63 ♦ AJ7432 ♣ A8 ♠ 76 ♠ A98432 North ♥ 84 ♥ 92 West East ♦ Q85 ♦ Declarer ♣ T9754 ♣ KQJ632 ♠ KQJT ♥ AKT75 ♦ KT96 ♣ Against six of hearts, West tries a heart lead and declarer draws trumps in two rounds. It’s a fine slam, but not quite iron-clad. There’s

a spade to be lost, and the key to success is to avoid losing a diamond. How would you play the hand, looking only at the N-S cards? E-W Vulnerable South West North East 1♥ Pass 2♦ Pass 3♦ Pass 4♥ Pass 6♥ Pass Pass Pass

playing on diamonds, declarer goes fishing. He concedes a trick to the spade ace, and let’s say that West returns a club. Declarer ruffs that, then cashes spades, and reels in a whopper of a clue when East shows out on the third round. Ha! Now declarer knows that East started with four cards in the majors, and West with eight. The odds have changed dramatically. If one of the defenders has three diamonds it’s If diamonds are 2-1 then declarer is home surely East. So declarer plays dummy’s ace free, but suppose that the suit is 3-0. Now, of spades on the first round, and says a silent declarer has a guess. If he thinks that West is “Yippee!” when West shows out. Twelve tricks more likely to hold three diamonds then he’ll if declarer delays the diamond play and first play his king of diamonds on the first round, looks for clues in the other suits. later finessing against West’s queen if East does The Saskatoon Bridge Club is located at 3041 indeed show out. Conversely, he’ll play dum- Louise Street. Call 373-3077 for more informamy’s ace of diamonds first if he suspects that tion about games, lessons and parties. Everyone is East might have the three diamonds. Which do welcome! Check out www.saskatoonbridgeclub.ca or you choose? visit www.acbl.org to learn more about the fasciAt this point it’s a complete guess, so before nating game of bridge.

Warm-up bridge tips: Part 2 This is Part 2 in a two-part series of warm-up bridge tips. Check out Part 1 online at www. theneighbourhoodexpress.com, under previous publications. (1) If you can see the winning defence, take charge. Don’t put any additional pressure on your partner if you don’t have to. (2) Keep your partner’s skill level in mind. Lead a poor player by the hand. (3) Watch your partner’s spot card signals. The stronger your partner, the more meaningful they are. (4) Keep your singletons and doubletons in the middle of your hand. Some players watch where your cards come from. (5) Try not to guard against non-existent dangers; guard only against those that are consistent with the bidding and play. (6) As declarer, being able to take a trick with one of two equal cards, take the trick with the higher equal. The exception is at no trump when you have an AK stopper. If you plan to take the trick, take it with the king. Taking the first trick with the ace is very suspicious. If that were your only stopper, why didn’t you hold up?

(7) As declarer when leading a suit that has equal honours, lead the higher or the highest if you want it covered, lead the second highest if you don’t want it covered. It works like a charm. (8) As declarer, play cards you are known to hold if it cannot cost you a trick. For example, if a queen is led, dummy has small cards, you have KJ doubleton and the ace is played on your right, play the king. Not the jack. Third hand knows you have the king from the lead of the queen and the opening leader knows you have the king from partner’s play of the ace. Since the king and jack are equals and since they both know you have the king, play it! (9) Defend passively if side suit tricks cannot get away; defend aggressively if they can. (10) Be on the lookout to double artificial bids (Stayman, Jacoby Transfers, cuebids, Blackwood responses) to help your partner out on opening lead. However, low level doubles of artificial bids require both length and strength (typically five or six card length with 3+ honour cards in the suit). The higher the level of the artificial bid, the shorter your length must be – but you still must have honour strength in the suit (KQx, for example).

by Eddie Kantar

(11) As declarer, concealing cards lower than the one that has been led or lower than the one played by your RHO confuses the count and the meaning of their signals. (12) The bidding is the key to defensive strategy and to a great extent influences the play of the hand. Treat the bidding as you would a best friend. (13) If you and your partner lead ace from ace-king, be forewarned that it is a trick one strategy only. After trick one the king is led from ace-king combinations. Also, the king is led from the ace-king in any supported suit or in any suit partner has bid, supported or not. It is also led when defending contracts at the five level or high. The reason is that the ace is often led without the king at such a high level. (14) When signalling encouragement with equal spot cards, signal with the higher equal. With A987, signal with the nine. If you signal with the eight, you deny the nine. (15) Take your time before playing third hand to the first trick. It is often times the most important play you will make in the entire hand.

Travel the globe with summer reading BY Anne-marie hickey

lthough you may be staying in the city for the summer, unable to take that dream vacation for lack of funds, time off work, or other reasons, you can still exercise your sense of adventure with the right book. As Mary Schmich, columnist for the Chicago Tribune said, “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.” On the Road by Jack Kerouac, published in 1957, is the ultimate road trip novel. Although the novel is a fiction, much of the story is based on the life experiences of beatnik writer and poet Kerouac. The story is about two friends: the eccentric Dean Moriarty and the narrator Sal Paradise, who travel the US and Mexico by car. The two are basically searching for revelation – at times achieving it, and at times getting into too much trouble through their substance abuse and disregard for the rules. Life of Pi by Saskatoon author Yann Martel, published in 2001, is a story about a boy who has been shipwrecked. Piscine “Pi” Molitor Patel, an Indian boy from Pondicherry, is the son of a zookeeper, and as a result has learned a great deal about animals. He has also developed a beautiful spirituality that adds depth to the novel. Pi survives 227 days stranded on a boat in the Pacific Ocean after his ship is destroyed. He is stranded with several animals, most importantly Richard Parker, a Royal Bengal Tiger. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, published in 1884, is a classic American novel about a boy “Huck” Finn and his escape from the civilized life. Huck escapes from an oppressive father

Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

and acquires a raft to take down the Mississippi River. On the way, Jim, a previous acquaintance of Huck and a runaway slave, joins Huck as he attempts to escape to a state free of slavery. The novel explores themes of freedom and racism while giving you a desire to go rafting. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, was first published in Rolling Stone magazine in 1971, and as a novel in 1972. This book is not for everyone − the story is rife with drug use and follows a very loose plot − but it is wonderfully surreal and ultimately hilarious. Basically, the story follows journalist Raoul Duke and his attorney Dr. Gonzo in the 1970s as they travel to, and spend time in, Las Vegas. What follows is gonzo journalism, a bizarre adventure, and much destruction − all the while commenting on the decline of America. Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne, published in 1864, is the story of a German professor, his nephew Axel, and his guide Hans as they travel to the centre of the Earth through tubular volcanic pathways the professor has discovered. The three come across natural disasters and ancient animals that reflect the geological time as they go deeper into the Earth. This is one of the best science fiction novels ever written, and contains a very different plot than the recent movie released of the same name.

Community Affairs City Council

from the Queen Elizabeth Power Station on the east side of the river. The new facility will serve as the City’s primary raw water source once construction is complete and will have a capacity of 545 million litres per day, sufficient to serve the population of Saskatoon for many years to come. The next phase of work, which began in June, on the new intake and pump station will be construction of the coffer dam, an earthen enclosure into the river that will be pumped dry for work on the pump station to take place. The coffer dam will be removed after the pump station is completed in late 2010. The entire project is expected to be completed by mid-2011. The public is reminded to please obey all site access restrictions and watch for work crews in the area. Garbage Containers City Council approved a report from Administration that all future neighbourhoods converted to individual roll-out garbage containers have the containers picked up in the back alley, and that neighbourhoods in the process of being converted to individual containers, have their collection in the back alley too. Neighbourhoods that converted after September 2008 will also be reviewed. Individual garbage containers help reduce vandalism and illegal dumping in back alleys, as well as help reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill, as homeowners can manage their own garbage. Some of the neighbourhoods recently converted have unique challenges including narrow lots, narrow streets, and no driveways, making it difficult for front street collection. This has been quite an issue for many citizens of Saskatoon but I am happy to say that we at City Council and City Hall have listened to your concerns and thus the change in the plan. I might add that this is still a work in progress and I will update you again in my next article.

Notes Bev Dubois is City Councillor for Ward 10. She can be contacted at 652-2576, by fax at 477-4168, by cell at 260-2360, or through e-mail at bev.dubois@saskatoon.ca. You can also visit www.saskatoon.ca or www.bevdubois.com.

hank you to everyone who came out to the 35th annual civic pancake breakfast on Thursday June 18. It was a great event-filled morning with celebrity servers, entertainment and best of all, an opportunity for the community to get together and connect after a long winter! Waste going to the Saskatoon Landfill from serving 1624 breakfasts was only one half bag. By using a “go green” philosophy, all cardboard boxes, coffee cream cartons, foil serving trays, plastic jugs and pails, and whipped cream containers were recycled. All the dishes, paper table covers, and natural latex balloons were able to be composted. The City thanks everyone in attendance for their support of this annual event, and encourages all event organizers to reduce waste at their events. New water intake The City of Saskatoon has begun site preparation work and access road construction for a new river intake and pump station to be located southwest of Saskatoon across

LAY!

PRESCHOOL PLAY ZONE

Coming Soon in Food Court

Evergreen City Council approved in principle the Evergreen Neighbourhood Concept Plan. Evergreen is proposed to have 265 hectares of land which includes residential and commercial development, institutional uses, a variety of park spaces, elementary school sites, drainage areas, and roadways. When fully developed, the neighbourhood is estimated to have 12,600 residents. Evergreen will be located north of Willowgrove and the University Heights Suburban Centre areas. Evergreen is designated as a sustainable neighbourhood, with such features as an integrated linear park trail system within the neighbourhood; a “green” bridge linking the two sides of the neighbourhood over an arterial road; a village centre and a village square; and having 60% of its single-family lots with the perfect orientation for solar energy systems. This is very exciting for the City of Saskatoon and we look forward to the roll out of this new neighbourhood! Electricity harmonization City Council approved that the electrical rates in the City of Saskatoon electrical distribution area be revised so that customers will pay the same as SaskPower customers. SaskPower, which served all areas outside the 1958 boundaries of Saskatoon, increased its rates June 1, 2009. The average impact on residential customers will be 9.8% or approximately $8.00 per month. The various commercial customers will see impacts ranging from 5% to 15%. The rate adjustment is necessary so that all customers in the city pay equal rates. River Safety Saskatoon Fire & Protective Services (SFPS) reminds the public not to play or swim in the South Saskatchewan River as it is extremely dangerous. Strong river currents, a shifting

riverbed, and steep, slippery banks make the river a dangerous place to play. For this reason, swimming in the South Saskatchewan River is prohibited within City limits. On hot days the river looks very inviting but it is NOT safe for swimming at any time. If you see someone swimming in the river within City limits, or on a sandbar, please contact SFPS at 975-2828. When boating on the South Saskatchewan River, ensure the boat is in good condition, practice what to do in an emergency, wear an approved personal flotation device, watch the weather, leave a travel plan, and learn and obey all local laws and regulations. By the time you read this, June 21, the first day of summer will have come and gone! I hope you have a safe and fun summer. See you next month. Please keep in mind, I will be in the city all summer so if you have any questions, concerns, or comments, don’t hesitate to contact me at any time!

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• July 2009 • Section B

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Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

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Call for choreographers

Community Mendel Art Gallery summer events

July 5 from 2 to 4pm is the Mendel Summer Kickoff with a performance by Free Flow Dance, and art activities for all ages. July 17 at 7pm, and Aug 15 at 2pm, there are free tours for members. Aug 9 from 2 to 4pm is the Plein Air painting workshop with artist Terry Fenton.

Summer fun at the library

The Saskatoon Public Library’s summer book camp for kids takes place every week at every branch. Registration is one week before each program. Book camp is for kids ages five to seven who are ready to read or have just begun reading. Other programs are available for ages 13 and up. Call your local library, pick up a copy of Library News.

Marr Residence summer programs

This 1884 is the oldest house in Saskatoon still on its original site at 326-11th Street East. The Dominion Day Celebration is July 1, 1 to 4:30pm. The 1885 Soldiers’ Farewell is July 5, 1 to 4:30pm. The Marr Open House is July 12 and 26, 1 to 4:30pm. The Vintage Fashion Display is July 19, 1 to 4:30pm Drop by the Marr Residence and learn about clothing fashions from the 1880s through the first decades of the 20th century. Call 652-1201.

Agriculture scholarship available

The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) announced funding for five undergraduate scholarships for first year students enrolled at the University of Saskatchewan in a program that is associated with the pulse industry or agriculture. The one-time scholarships, valued at $5,000 each, are available to applicants who are, or whose parents are, a registered Saskatchewan pulse producer. For info. contact Raelene Regier at 6681053 or by e-mail at rregier@saskpulse.com or visit www.saskpulse.com.

Children’s Discovery Museum

As of May 13, a permanent home for the Children’s Discovery Museum opened in Market Mall on Preston Ave in Saskatoon. On July 18, the Discovery Dash will be held in Rotary Park. A 5 km walk or run for the family, 50 and 100 metre dashes for the children. The first 200 entries will be given a race package and receive a medal at the finish line. For info. or to register, see www.museumforkids.sk.ca. The museum is open to the public and available for birthday parties, etc.

Have you laughed today?

Join Helen at the Laffing Out Loud Lafter Yoga Club. Generally the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month from 7:30pm to about 8:30pm. The club has moved outside to the park for the summer at Albert Milne Park on Ling Street and MacDonald Crescent in the Greystone Heights area. Summer clubs are on July 14, and Aug 11 and 25. Call Helen at 222-0563 or e-mail laffingoutloud@shaw.ca. $5 donation appreciated.

Check out this list of famous Canadians: Peter Jennings, William Shatner, Hayden Christiansen, Keanu Reeves, Rachel McAdams, Michael Cera, Ellen Page, Pamela Anderson, Dan Aykroyd, Jim Carrey, Tommy Chong, and Elisha Cuthbert, among many others.

The WIP (Works In Progress) Series in Saskatoon is looking for professional and emerging choreographers to present original and innovative works in progress in Saskatoon. The next showing of work will take place on Sept 26. The Gala event is to be held on Dec 5. WIP is now accepting applications on a first come, first served basis. For info. contact Jackie Latendresse at freeflowdance@hotmail.com or call 665-5998.

Free U of S tours

The Diefenbaker Canada Centre offers free historical tours of the University of Saskatchewan campus every Wednesday and Sunday throughout the summer. Join one of the trained student interpreters for a leisurely stroll and explore over 100 years of development and growth in Saskatoon. Complementary refreshments will be provided beginning at 1pm. Tours leave the Diefenbaker Centre at 1:30pm and finish at 3pm back at the Centre. Come early to enjoy our galleries beforehand, including the first Maple Leaf flag raised over the Peace Tower in 1965.

In the footsteps of the Buddha

The Saskatoon Insight Meditation Community is sponsoring a three-day retreat at Queen’s House of Retreats from July 17 to 19, led by Howard Cohn, a founding teacher of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in the San Francisco Bay area. The retreat will take place 7pm to 9pm July 17, 9am to 5pm July 18, and 9am to 2pm July 19. Cost is $110 for registration by July 3; $135 after that. Contact Doris Larson 242-5004, e-mail dwlarson@sasktel.net, or see www.saskatooninsight.com.

Summer afternoon board games

The Rusty McDonald Library is still accepting registration for Summer Afternoons of Board Games. Games take place from 2pm to 5pm on July 17 and August 14 in the meeting room. Games are provided. Space is limited; register in person or phone 975-7600.

Q art group

During July and August, the Q art group will be showcasing their work at the Gallery on the Bridges in City Hospital. The watercolours on display are by Marlene Hamel, Lorraine Greenwood, Joan Van Impe, and Patricia Clarke.

New to Saskatoon?

Are you or someone you know new to the community? Are you expecting or did you have a baby within the past year? Receive free information and gifts from local businesses and civic organizations simply by registering at www.welcomewagon.ca.

Free music at the Jazz Festival

The Saskatchewan Jazz Festival is taking over the city from June 26 to July 5. In addition to great live shows, there are many free stages. Go downtown and discover a new favourite band. See www.saskjazz.com for showtimes and stages.

On July 12, starting at 10am, pets and their humans are invited to have fun in Kiwanis Memorial Park while raising funds for homeless animals. See www. petsinthepark.ca. Please make sure all pets are leashed.

Texas scramble

The Nutana Legion is hosting a Texas scramble at the Wildwood Golf Course on July 11 with tee-off at 10:30am. The course is 18 holes and you must pay to be entered. Adults are $42 and seniors $37. Cart rental is $30 and supper is $15. Deadline to enter and pay is July 4, and there will be no refunds after the entry deadline. Book your supper by July 7. Call 374-3292.

Equine-assisted retreat

The Ravenheart Farms Equine-Assisted Learning Centre and Retreat presents “Horses, Spirit, and Play” on July 25, Aug 29, and Sept 26. Activities include active engagement with the horses through a variety of equine-assisted learning and experiential group and individual exercises. Small group limited to maximum eight people. No horse experience necessary and no riding involved. Cost is $120 per person, which includes materials, and healthy, organic, local, whole food meals. Takes place from 10am to 7pm; stay for a fire circle and drumming afterwards. E-mail ravenheart@yourlink.ca, or see www.ravenheartfarms.com.

U of S business & leadership programs

The Leadership Development program takes place Sept 29 to Nov 17 at the Holiday Inn Express on Tuesdays with two full days and six evening sessions. Cost is $2,291, including tuition, GST, materials, and lunch. The “Destination Coach” program takes place Sept 28 to Oct 2 at Queen’s House. Cost is $3,945, including GST, materials, and meals. The Supply Chain Management Module, Strategic Supply Management Leadership Program (SIPMAC), takes place Sept 17 - Dec 10 To register, call 966-5539, or visit http://www.learntolead.usask.ca or www.learntolead.usask.ca.

Legends of the Shield Wilderness Canoe Trip

The two billion-year-old Canadian Shield forms the scenic stage for the Legends tour, starting where the shield’s rocky outcrops begin in northern Saskatchewan – the picturesque, island-studded north end of vast Lac La Ronge. Host the CanoeSki Discovery Company follows a historic path from Aug 26 to Aug 30, starting at La Ronge to the famous Churchill River, travelled by trappers, fur traders, and indigenous people for ages. En route, you’ll encounter legends of Aboriginal rock art and hear campfire tales of voyageur exploits on the rivers of the shield. The trip ends with a visit to Stanley Mission’s stately Holy Trinity Anglican Church – a provincial and national historic site. Cost is $925. Call 653-5693 or visit www.canoeski.com.

We Care Campaign

StarPhoenix Family Day at the Zoo

Join the StarPhoenix for this annual fundraiser featuring hands-on activities, animal presentations, entertainment and much more. Event takes place July 5 at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo from 11am to 4pm. See www.saskatoonzoosociety.ca.

Pion-Era 2009

Head down to the Western Development Museum and tap your toes to old-time fiddlers, join in the singa-long in the church, and admire the square and round dancers as they perform. Participate in activities from a pioneer home: ice-cream making, butter churning, spool knitting, rug hooking and more. Event takes place July 11 to 12, 9am to 5pm. See www.wdm.ca.

Summer art tours

Pets In The Park

The province is full of self-guided summer art tours. The Spirit of Manitou Studio Trail Manitou Beach takes place July 11 and 12. See www.spiritofmanitou.ca. See The Neighbourhood Express travel Saskatchewan section for more ideas on cheap getaways.

The Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan’s (FACS) annual We Care Campaign got under way on May 24. Between April 27 and July 23, FACS, which collectively represents the poultry and livestock industries in Saskatchewan with respect to animal care, will share its “We Care” message with residents and visitors at 30 billboard locations in or near six urban centres. For more info. contact Adele Buettner, Executive Director FACS at 249-3227.

The interjection “Eh,” is widely known as a part of Canadian speech. While used in languages all over the world, such as Armenian, Japanese, and Dutch, Canadian English is the only language where it essentially means, “I’m checking to see you’re listening so I can continue.”

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• July 2009 • Section B

JULY 17 Jon Bailey at Prairie Ink Restaurant Breach of Trust at the Odeon Events Centre Feederchain, Slab Drab, and Field Boss at Amigos Cantina

JULY 2 Delirium at Amigos Cantina Sonny Rollins at TCU Place Carlo Petrovitch at The Refinery The Heavy with The Gaff at Lydia’s Pub Always Let Me Go, Simon Frisk Trio, Mykal Gambull Band at the Jazz Fest Kiwanis Park South Klassen, Drouin, and Back to Dixie at the Jazz Fest Barney Kutz Pocket Park Gabe Penna and the Rising at the 2nd Ave Grill JULY 3 Blue King Brown with Percussion Syndicate at Amigos Cantina Kenny Warner Quintet with Mark DeJong and The Outerbridge Ensemble at the Broadway Theatre Marc Atkinson Trio at The Refinery Moses Mayes with DJ Charly Hustle at Lydia’s Pub Stone Mountain Music at McNally Robinson Wide Glide at The Roxy on Broadway

Mobadass with Moses Mayes and Blue King Brown at the Bessborough Gardens Full Moon Blues, SJS Big Band, Wilma, and David Gogo at the Jazz Fest Kiwanis Park South The Semi-Dynamic Duo and Dana Wylie Band at the Jazz Fest Barney Kutz Pocket Park Tim Vaughn at the Spadina Freehouse JULY 4 BC Read Big Band at Amigos Cantina TD Canada Trust Jazz Intensive at the Broadway Theatre

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JULY 1 Dr. J at Lydia’s Pub Nikki Yanofsky with Don Griffith Quartet at the Broadway Theatre Robin Nolan Trio at The Refinery The Heavy with The Gaff at Lydia’s Pub Brodie Cuff Collective, Riverside Concert Band, JazzBarrie Jam Showband, Dana Wylie Band, and Paul Reddick at the Jazz Fest Kiwanis Park South

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Houndstooth Trio at Lydia’s Pub Monique Dube at Prairie Ink Restaurant Wide Glide at The Roxy on Broadway Elise Epp Quartet, Regina Riot, 3M2C, Absofunkinlutely, and Jack Semple at the Jazz Fest Kiwanis Park South Absofunkinlutely at the Spadina Freehouse Dana Wylie Band, Ian Martens, and The Flu at the Jazz Fest Broadway Free Stage JULY 5 Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne at Amigos Cantina Johny Winter with Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne, BC Read Big Band, and Jack Semple at the Bessborough Gardens Ellington Inspiration with the Metro Jazz Ensemble and Rob Young at the Broadway Theatre Donna Hay Jazz Ensemble, Whiteboy Slim, Paul Benjamin, and Houndstooth Trio at the Jazz Fest Kiwanis Park South Suzanne Paschall and Tom Dahl at the 2nd Ave Grill JULY 7

ARTS June 5 to July 25 Soup du Jour at the Off Broadway Dinner Theatre June 19 to September 13 Land Marks by Dorothy Knowles; Don’t Tell Me Your Dreams by Patrick Traer;and Point/ Counter-Point: Selections from the Permanent Collection at the Mendel Art Gallery

Nazareth at Dakota Dunes Casino JULY 22 Dr. J at Lydia’s Pub JULY 24 One Bad Son at Amigos Cantina Ian Martens at McNally Robinson JULY 27 John Arcand at McNally Robinson JULY 30 Marty Stuart at Dakota Dunes Casino JULY 31 The Pack AD with guests at Amigos Cantina Funk Eskimo at McNally Robinson AUGUST 1

JUNE 25 to JULY 24 Imagination Station: The Prequel at the Off Broadway Dinner Theatre JULY 1 to AUGUST 16 Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival on the riverbank by Mendel Art Gallery JULY 6 Soon to Be Classics of Canadian Literature Book Club discuss Fishing for Bacon by Michael Davie at McNally Robinson JULY 7 Harry Potter versus Twilight Debate at McNally Robison JULY 8 Reading and signing of This Way Out by Carmine Starnino at McNally Robinson JULY 9 Reading and signing of Across the Void by Laurie Bonello at McNally Robinson JULY 10 Littlest Showboat in American with Paschall and Dahl at Shearwater Boat Cruise dock behind the Mendel Art Gallery

Green Day with The Bravery at Credit Union Centre Armchair Cynics with Run the Red Light and The Februarys at Amigos Cantina JULY 8 Dr. J at Lydia’s Pub Xavier Rudd with Andy Shauf at TCU Place Fred Eaglesmith with The Ginn Sisters at Amigos Cantina

Blink 182 with Fall Out Boy and All American Rejects at the Credit Union Centre The PPF House with Tanika Charles at Amigos Cantina AUGUST 2 Clutch at the Odeon Events Centre

JULY 10 Rah Rah with Jeanette Stewart and the Brodeo at Amigos Cantina The Blessing and The Malediction at Prairie Ink Restaurant Our House Electronic Dance Party at the Odeon Events Centre The Re-mains at Lydia’s Pub

JULY 14 Bison b.c. with Lazarus A.D. and Barn Burner at Amigos Cantina JULY 15 Dr. J at Lydia’s Pub JULY 16 to 19 Ness Creek Music Festival at Big River

JULY 11 Signing of I Am A River Otter: Let Me Tell You About Myself by Olga Majola at McNally Robinson JULY 13 Festival of Words Preview featuring David Carpenter and Terry Jordan at McNally Robinson July 15 Reading and signing of Open Arms and Good to a Fault by Marina Endicott at McNally Robinson

JULY 9 Hey! Rosetta with Said the Whale and The Zolas at Amigos Cantina

JULY 11 Megan Lane with guests at Amigos Cantina The Re-mains at Lydia’s Pub

Hinder at Ryly’s Kurt Elling with Brett Balon Quartet at the Broadway Theatre Kool and The Gang with Moses Mayes at the Bessborough Gardens Marc Atkinson Trio at The Refinery

JULY 18 Stephen Maguire at Prairie Ink Restaurant Nestor Wynrush with soso and Maybe Smith at Amigos Cantina

AUGUST 22 Reggae Festival at the Odeon Events Centre

JULY 16 Reading and signing of 14 Tractors by Gerald Hill at McNally Robinson

AUGUST 4 The Tragically Hip at Prairieland Park AUGUST 7 Jon-Rae Fletcher with guests at Amigos Cantina Shelb Shock at the Odeon Events Centre AUGUST 6 to 9 John Arcand Fiddle Fest 7 km southwest of Saskatoon on Highway 60 AUGUST 8 The Sheepdogs with guests at Amigos Cantina AUGUST 15 Violent Kin with guests at Amigos Cantina

JULY 21 Discussion and signing of Life of the Trail 3: The Historic Route from Old Bow Fort to Jasper and Life of the Trail 4: Historic Hikes in Eastern Jasper National Park by Emerson Sanford and Janice Sanford-Beck at McNally Robinson JULY 22 Ghost Story Night at McNallyRobinson JULY 30 to AUGUST 9 Saskatoon Fringe Theatre Festival at various locations on Broadway JULY 31 Littlest Showboat in American with Paschall and Dahl at Shearwater Boat Cruise dock behind the Mendel Art Gallery

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• July 2009 • Section B

Activities & Events

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“Star Wars spoon-feeds up its morality. Even the characters know who the good and bad guys are,” he said. He also quoted Star Wars creator George Lucas as saying, “Science fiction has nothing to do with the world.” Sawyer explained that the Star Wars series neglected to educate its audience, and the readers and viewers of the science fiction genre should not be taking the literature at face value. Historically, the genre is filled with important social commentary. “There are no social issues that science fiction shouldn’t address,” Sawyer said. “People like nothing better than to read a book that affirms what they believe… what a disservice.” Sawyer is the author of 20 science fiction novels, which have been published in 15 languages. Currently, his hit novel Flash Forward is being developed as a TV series for ABC. Recently, he was in China to accept the country’s top science-fiction award, the Galaxy award, in the category “Most Popular Foreign Author of the Year.” Sawyer is the only Canadian to win all three of the world’s top science fiction awards, including the Hugo Award for his novel Hominids, the Nebula Award for The Terminal Experiment, and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Mindscan.

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him as “Sir.” This was at the same time as the civil rights movement, said Sawyer, and it meant a great deal to many people. Sawyer also spoke about the popular science fiction phenomenon Star Wars, and how the series neglected to bring up important issues of the day.

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ccording to Canadian author Robert J Sawyer, “Science fiction gets you past the easy labels… We’re told to steer clear of prickly topics, but as science fiction authors, we throw ourselves into them.” Sawyer is visiting Saskatoon as writer-in-residence at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron from June 1 to July 31. While at the synchrotron, he will mentor local writers, participate in community activities, work on his upcoming novel, and to help the city get past the aforementioned easy labels. At a recent talk at the Frances Morrison library, “Science Fiction as a Mirror for Reality,” Sawyer spoke about the importance of the genre for usurping oppressive regimes, and as an important tool for social commentary. “In science fiction, you don’t even realize you are reading hot topics until you are too invested to drop [the book].” Science fiction is a genre popularized in the 1920s, with pulp fiction magazines growing the number of fans of the style. The genre has several sub-categories, and touches on themes such as lost civilizations, visits to or from other planets, time travel, space, and worlds where our society has greatly evolved into an entirely different one. At the talk, Sawyer suggested we reflect on the freedoms we enjoy in our liberal nation. He said that science fiction has pushed the boundaries, and has helped to eliminate social prejudices. He cited the original TV series Star Trek, and spoke about how forward-thinking it was of the producers to cast people of colour in powerful positions. Sawyer cited a 1967 episode of Star Trek where an AfricanAmerican man played the superior on the ship, and William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy referred to

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Publisher’s Rights:All rights reserved. No part of thispublication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievalsystem, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means,electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Thepublisher does not accept responsibility for the ideasand opinions expressed in this publication. Those whocontribute articles to this publication are responsible forensuring their facts are accurate.

On the Edge

Pushing dance

to the limits

Rock band features dance choreography BY Jennilee Cardinal-Schultz

we could push the limits.” Because of his SYTYCD fame, Nico is the most wellknown member of Pinup Saints, however, every member in the ensemble is equally talented in their own right, making them a super-group. Joining him on stage are dancers Anne-Rose Cupion, Amy Gardner, Laurin Padolina, and Joey Matt. “We have very good dancers and choreography,” says Nico. “We go from hip hop to contemporary to very technical dancing to hard-hitting and rock type of choreography. It’s not burlesque and it can’t be compared to anything else out there right now. We’re nothing like the Pussycat Dolls. You have to be a Pinup Saint, you don’t just become one. There’s this whole unique vibe and attitude. “It’s very edgy and very new. Most people aren’t used to that. You have to be able to go on stage and basically throw it in everybody’s face and not expect everybody to like it right away. At the start of a show we’ve had people watching and not sure what to think of us. By the end of the first

song, they will be like, ‘Oh yeah!’ As a performer, you have to forget about what people might think, have the guts just to get on stage, put your foot there and throw it out.” In the beginning, the group was using other people’s music but weren’t satisfied with that so their music director, Raul Jr, not only started writing original material for the group but also stepped up to the mike. Joining him on vocals is Wynn Holmes, who you could say fell into the singing position.

plied Photo sup

ast year, viewers across the country tuned in every week to the So You Think You Can Dance Canada television series to watch competitors dance their hearts out. With his gorgeous looks, sweet personality and wicked precise dance moves, the champion, Nico Archambault, was a crowd favourite right from the start. So what is the talented Montreal native up to these days? He is focusing on another project which he is very passionate about, his band Pinup Saints. No, Nico hasn’t traded in his dancing shoes for a guitar. Pinup Saints is a rock-electronica band that features Nico and other talented dancers. “We’re a full-on live band with two singers but it’s also a dance show so both the dancing and music are really equal,” explained Nico, while in Saskatoon with the Pinup Saints last month. Pinup Saints was founded in 2005 by the group’s producer, Mabel Palomino, one of the most sought after dancers and choreographers in Quebec. “She came up with this idea to create an event where dancers could go on stage and actually perform for real because as a dancer you really don’t get the chance to explore what you have. Dancers are a moving background for the singer most of the time unless you’re doing company work where you’re doing someone else’s choreography. We wanted to create something that is still entertaining but that

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“I was working in New York as a dancer and choreographer three years ago when I was hired by the Pinup Saints to do some choreography,” says Wynn. “In February 2008, I started dancing with the group and ended up singing one song in the show. Mabel and Raul asked if I wanted join Raul on lead vocals. This is the first time I’ve ever sung.” Wynn picking up the microphone was definitely not a mistake. Between her sultry voice and Raul’s “slap you in the face then get stuck in your head” lyrics, the Pinup Saints’ sound was an immediate hit with audiences. Fans at the shows were constantly asking where they could find the music which led to the recent release of their 11-track album, Golden. Pinup Saints are currently on a Canadian tour. Performing for the first time in Saskatoon in May, 2009, the group had the audience begging for more which led to a second show the next night. Although no future shows are currently planned for the Pinup Saints in Saskatoon, the next time they do come through, get your tickets earlier to avoid disappointment. To find out more about the Pinup Saints go to www. pinupsaints.com.

avier Rudd is a singer-songwriter hailing from Torquay, Victoria, Australia. He has five studio albums and plays multiple instruments. Rudd will be making a stop in Saskatoon on his upcoming tour on July 8 at TCU place.

On his first musical experience: “I grew up with music being in my bones. Whatever instrument was around since I was a child I picked it up and played it and created my own sound.” Rudd always had an underlying feeling he’d choose music as a career and remembers seeing a Paul Simon concert at the age of 10 in Australia and thinking, “Hey, maybe I could actually do this as a job.” He has always felt subconsciously connected to his surroundings.

Photography by James Looker

On the Edge “As I got older and travelled, and connected with more and more powerful people and Aboriginal elders, I’ve began to understand it a bit better in my mind.”

Favourite song off Dark Shades of Blue: “All my songs are special in their own way. All of them over time have a special different story. I would say the song ‘Shiver.’ It resembles a shift in my life, a time of moving forward through some clouds.”

“Canadians are wicked”

Xavier Rudd spills his though ts

On how the writing process begins:

“I find when I write music the songs that usually stay with me come from a strong sense, a strong emotion, a strong feeling, what I understand as a spirit passing through me a lot of the time. Basically it all just flows from there, it creates itself, it’s not hard, it’s easy, it just flows... it’s emotionally draining and very powerful. It just falls into place. Sometimes its lyrics, a story that comes through with the emotion, and I just pull it out. Then lyrics sort of follow, I don’t really have a formula though. It just comes when it comes. It’s always emotion based, a strong sense that comes through me when I least expect it.” Although he plays many instruments and feels connected to all them, he feels most attached to the slide guitar. Another instrument he plays is the yidaki, which comes from Northern Australia. “It as a very sacred spiritual tool in Aboriginal culture. It’s basically a tree that’s been hollowed out by termites.

BY Alycia evans

A lot of people find it hard to play, because you have to use circular breathing.” If he could collaborate with anyone it would be Jimi Hendrix. “I’d love to sit in a room with Hendrix and play. It’d be amazing. I wouldn’t play any songs, just jam.”

The best thing about touring:

“The energy exchange at shows I’m a lucky artist, I have a lot of really cool people that come to my shows – good people giving a lot of good energy. It fills me up and it comes through me and I channel it and give it back through music. It’s a very powerful celebration. It’s killer. It blows my mind every day when I’m on the other side of the world and there’s people appreciating what I do; it’s very powerful.” Thoughts on Canada: “Aesthetically, I’m

pretty impressed by the West, and spiritually I have a pretty strong tie in Saskatoon, one of the most powerful people I’ve ever met lives there. He’s an Indian chief, he sang with me last time we came through. Canada is a very powerful place and Canadians are lucky people to live on such sacred land. That sacred spirit of Canada exists in everyone that lives there and keeps people grounded and humble and I just like to go there. Canadians are wicked.” “It’s a fun tour. I’m coming through with a new band. It’s going to be groovy, it’s going to be funky. I’m excited to come through Canada.” Although he has many musical accomplishments, Rudd says his greatest accomplishment yet is his two sons.

w w w . t heneighbourhoodexpress.com

• July 2009 • Section B

Pocket Full of

On the Edge

... continued from previous page. See Taylor Swift, Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, and George Strait. Save up your silver dollars if you’re planning this Alberta roadtrip. Freddie Pelletier Guitar and Music Camp (8 km east of Birch Hills, Sask) July to August Forevermore a true staple of Canada and Saskatchewan’s old-time music, Freddie’s down-to-earth, homegrown music camp, now in its seventh year of operation, has been attracting musicians of all ages. The first thing one realizes is that between instructors and students/campers, there’s lots of fun to be had. Lessons and workshops are available (in addition to the guitar) for fiddle, piano, and percussion/drums.

Most importantly, they emphasize playing styles of all sorts, at all skill levels (from never having picked up an instrument to experienced players) for bluegrass fingerpicking to blues playing. This year features fingerstyle North American champion Bob Evans, and blues master Dorian Michael, not to mention the immensely talented Pelletier family. Sounds like the perfect environment for a few guitar lessons. Hopefully any or a few of the aforementioned festivals will “pick” your, your friends’, or your family’s interest! See you at the festivals, and make sure to adhere to Bridged’s summer festival rule No. 1: Bring and drink lots and lots of potable water.

From the

I, Lion

lions mouth

n May, we reviewed Golden Smoke’s Resurrection City, ending with a comment to the effect that the original run of 50 handmade physical copies has probably long since gone the way of the dodo bird. Fortunately for you, the boys have seen fit to make amends for their figurative disappearance with free digital copies for everyone. Nab it up here quickly, in case the Internet decides to break up suddenly too: www. archive.org/details/goldensmoke_resurrectioncity2009

Expat Saskatoon hip-hoppers, currently residing in Toronto, LE037 (Leo Shia), and Sunclef (Matt Hedlin) are priming to release their first joint album, Applause, sometime in July of this year. It promises to be heavy on funky breaks and nimble of tongue. Hopefully they’ll have it on hand for the cross-Canada tour planned for the same time, through September. The stop in Saskatoon is scheduled for July 19. Keep your eyes peeled on the art/music collective PPF House website for a complete list of dates and locations. See www.ppfhouse.com

Holes review by alycia evans & ashleigh mattern

pbeat and charismatic, Pocket Full of Holes is the newest release from the Brandon Paris Band. Their MySpace page says the album “captures the personal struggles and innertorment of their 2006 debut On My Own, contemplates and reorganizes its impact, resulting in a formidable blast of emotion, energy and vitality.” The band takes the classic sounds of pop, rock, and punk, and throws in some reggae, creating a mix that can’t be beat. The single “Say Goodbye” has a decidedly upbeat sound with fun, singalong lyrics. Their newly-released MuchMusic video for the single has the same playful theme. Just for fun, check out the original $4-budget video for “Say Goodbye.” Somehow, the obviously cheaper video still manages to capture the essence of the song. Both versions are available on their MySpace page. Compared to the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rob Thomas, Hedley, Philosopher Kings, Barenaked Ladies, and Daughtry, the Vancouver, BC, band is on the

rise. They formed in 2002, but lead singer Brandon Paris says he feels as though they were “newly formed” in 2007 when bassist Brian Sanheim and guitarist Bryan Jasper joined the team. The improvement in the sound between their 2006 album and Pocket Full of Holes is noticeable. For the Brandon Paris Band, it looks like things will keep getting better. Go to www.myspace.com/brandonparis band where the single “Say Goodbye” and many more tracks are available.

Bionic Commando xbox360 & ps3

have never seen a game where so many a lot of games, but that really is another cheap people had such vastly different opinions. death in my opinion. I wanted to hit him with Every time I hear someone talk about my bio arm, but apparently that’s really hard to Bionic Commando, new and old included, opinions seem to vary do when you are stuck in a corner getting zapped greatly. I liked the old one, so I decided to see if the new one to death. could match or beat the skills and frustrations of the previous There are a few weapons in the game, none late-’80s release. of which are impressive except for your arm. It Frustrating is an operative word in the new one as well. I is awesome. It can help zip line you around the have always said that in most games, I lack skill. This is why city and also enable you to use it, along with your I play some games on easy. But even easy mode in this jerk apparent super strength, to hurl boxes and cars and of a game is frustrating. It isn’t until much later in the game enemies into other enemies. that you feel like you have any control. I mean this on all The AI is unimpressive. Nothing new here, just fronts. the fact that they can ditch around corners faster than It takes a good amount of time, at absolute minimum Michael Jackson at a birthday party. Every time you half an hour, to even get a grip on the controls and how hit an enemy, no matter the weapon, they get knocked the robotic-armed good guy handles. After the learning down and get back up. Even if it’s an “I’m sure I killed curve was over, I still didn’t feel all too empowered with that guy!” shot. my “monkey-man” abilities. A life bar pops up above the enemy’s head every time The graphics are okay. For looking like a freshly you hit one. Apparently if you are farther away, your nuked city, it does. Coincidentally, it has tons of bullets do 1/10th the damage a closer shot with the same opportunities for someone in your robotically-gifted handgun. In real life, I was under the impression that a position to swing off various pieces of rubble and brobullet is a bullet and both should be equally painful, even ken buildings. if fired from 10 feet farther away. I found that I died a ton of cheap deaths in this The rest of the weapons are dull and uninspired. There game. Keep in mind that I played Ninja Gaiden and is a handgun which is your main weapon. It might as well enjoyed it, and if any game has cheap deaths, that be a pea shooter. It gradually becomes easier to aim, but in would be the winner. But in Bionic they were altothe beginning it is like shooting directly at a wall and having gether frustrating. to hope you will hit it. Then there is the typical shotgunFalling and not being able to grab onto anything esque and explosive-round weaponry. is my most hated death. But when facing an enemy, There are a few people who are going to really enjoy this if you happen to take the fight to their front door, game, in fact, a lot of you. And that’s cool. I’m down with and by front door I mean standing right in their that. It’s just that I tried so hard this entire time not to mengrill close enough to breathe on them and fog up tion every Spider-man game that has come out within the last their visor, apparently they can stun and kill you 10 years or so. But to be deathly honest, every single one of in about four seconds. On easy! those games did first what this game tried to call innovative. I know that I previously mentioned I suck at Plus, the Spider-man games are all better than this.

Rating: 2 Zombies out of 5 Curtis Chant is co-owner of Next Level Game Exchange located at #9-202 Primrose Drive. He can be contacted at 384-7222. gamer tag : NuBeens w w w . t heneighbourhoodexpress.com

• July 2009 • Section B

DEF3

& Factor

= Drumbo

by I, lion

et another Sasky super pairing, Def3 Feeling deranged / (Danny Fernandez of Regina), and D r a i n e d / A t Saskatoon’s ever-rising star producer home I want to go Factor (Graham Murawsky) combine to offer out / When I’m out, up a juicy platter of audiophile worthy sonics, I wanna go home.” structural density, and vocal intensity. Don’t feel too sorry for Drumbo contains some of the more play- him, though, his swagful productions Factor has offered in recent ger and bravado return memory, where daytime television keyboard with each fresh pencil, flip trills reside peaceably beside accidental guitar of the page, or new track. feedback, and kick / snare patterns thump He sounds equally comand slap against the eerie tranquility of fortable when he explores haunting marshland soundscapes. There’s the more casual, tongue-invirtually no limit to the series of interestcheek tone contained on tracks ing sounds to be found sewn throughout like the obviously-titled party jam the recording; bottles clink and clatter, “CHUG”, and the introspective but encouragcrescendos of strings and horns build, ing “Losing You.” backbones of plinking piano and echoing Useful as a soundtrack to midnight skateguitar stand erect. boarding, head bobbing with the gang, or The samples feel strangely out of conpumping out the house party. text, but completely at home. The bevy of instrumentation, some unrecognizable but perfectly assembled, complements the varying styles of the wide host of guests, which includes Moka Only, Sunspot Jonz, Joe Dub, and two of the most sweepingly fantastic choruses provided by fellow Sasky-folk Thomas Roussin and Val Halla. Upon deeper scrutiny, a lot of Def3 lyrics, unlike the majority of those found in the hip-hop genre, are introverted, self-deprecating, laced with self-doubt, maybe undecided, but mostly hopeful. Fernandez possesses an underestimated, but razor-sharp wit, and he does not spare himself from his criticisms. On “So Alone” he raps, “I’m a night owl / I’m talking a master of day sleep /

Bridged

no.2 s d n e r T Touring by lÉvi soulodre

The WarBrides Lions by I, lion

he newest group to feature those unstoppable brothers Ross, The Warbrides feature the youngest of the family, guitarist and vocalist Kaelen, and drummer Tyler, with low-end provided by fellow friend Warren Karst of

Moose Jaw. Though hailing from smaller centres, there’s a decidedly urban edge to the recording. Guitars buzz-saw across verses with fuzz, biting and gritty like worn cement, but slice smoothly over the drum and bass groove, like spinning wheels on freshly paved blacktop asphalt. The guitar riffing is non-stop, rarely content to settle into melancholic strumming. It lends itself in comparison to moments of Queens of the Stone Age, strutting with the swagger of a foreman at a construction site who shouts orders, hollering demands. “Wrong Road Home” and title track “Lions” are pretty succinct rock tracks that might have lived previous lives as club hits. The steady cadence of the pounding percussion ensures imminent movement in the hip-swaying and booty-shaking department. Buzz-saw takes a backseat, but only for a moment on “Automatic Love,” while psychedelic shimmers flutter to the surface like that last breath of underwater oxygen burbling upwards. Final track “Under My Skin” is an open-throttle return to form, all biting bravado, forsaking finesse for oldfashioned, bash-you-over-the-noggin clout. A lot of the structure is dense and claustrophobic, like a train passing through thick woods, to suddenly emerge into the sun and pasture of the chorus with vocals that tend to swoop in unexpectedly, like wind under wings, lifting, ascending, soaring. Both vocal and instrumental melody blend seamlessly, either highlighting or understating each other as needed, a testament to the song-writing ability in the trio. Freshly released with the help of promotion / management team, ViveMusic, this is an album served perfectly with hoarse, cigarette-soaked shouts, a keg stand in the backyard barbecue, or blasting over the boom box at the ballpark.

Smell the summer festival sea son all across the land Have you ever visited or dreamed of ticle series

’s summer touring ar

Part 2 of 3 of Bridged

Photo supplied

ast issue, Bridged explored a few of Canada’s red-hot spring and summer festivals that have drawn our fantastic local artists and bands to promote their craft and perk ears all over Canada. Given the immensity of Canada’s nearly 10 million square kilometre land mass, a bountiful number of music and art festivals are staged across Canada while the weather permits such summer outdoor enjoyment. One of Canada’s leading music print authorities, Exclaim!, has available on their browser a concise schedule of the majority of Canada’s summer festivals. You can peruse the festival index at www.exclaim. ca/festivals. I would like to offer some note-worthy selections, so that anyone of any age of any interest can get out under the sun, enjoy some live music and performances, and return to what makes Canada so amazing, aside from its people: the beautiful, geographic diversity. Osheaga Music Festival (Montreal, Quebec) Aug 1 to Aug 2

Montreal? It’s a fantastic city with a ton of vibe and a strong cultural swagger. Many friends have been visiting the Montreal scene as of late, and it’s about time Bridged returned there, too; a two-day stay in the artistically-rich neighbourhood of Mile End simply did not satiate. Osheaga offers a fine reason to visit. Situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence river at the beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeau, Osheaga will entertain with an eclectic lineup from some of the world’s biggest bands (Coldplay, The Beastie Boys) to some of Canada’s more underground yet coming-up talent with Montreal’s Beast, and Toronto’s insane stage partiers Crystal Castles.

Folk Festivals (everywhere in Canada) July to August Whether you find yourself in or are looking to travel to Vancouver, Peterborough, or the acclaimed Stan Rogers Folk Festival in Canso, NS, folk festivals abound throughout Canada, and each and every one is committed to providing great environment and music, because they are organized by honest music lovers.

Notably, our own Regina Folk Festival (Aug 7 to Aug 9) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and arguably has staged the greatest lineup the festival has yet seen. This year features Bob Marley’s band, The Wailers; the incomparable Iron and Wine, one of Canada’s best kept musical treasures; Corb Lund; Bedouin Soundclash; Saskatoon’s own The Deep Dark Woods; and my own music entity, Volcanoless in Canada. What an honour to be sharing the stage with so many world-acclaimed artists. Fun for the whole family.

Fully secure, basic-needs coverage are also provided to assure a safe, carefree experience for everyone. Now that sounds like the ultimate dance party.

Shambhala (Salmon River Ranch, BC) Aug 5 to Aug 10 With thousands in attendance every year, and while I have yet to attend what many friends have hailed the “best festival experience ever,” this electronica / dancethemed music festival is certain to keep its festival-goers grooving and moving all night and through to the next day with non-stop music in varying lush and fantastically designed and lit forest locales.

Calgary Stampede (Calgary, Alta) July 3 to July 12 Beer, barbecue, and the world’s biggest country bands; need I say more? Featuring the massively popular Johnny Reid and Terri Clark, with the Saddledome Concerts event boasting an amazing four consecutive nights.

Saskatchewan Jazz Festival (Saskatoon) June 26 to July 5 At time of this issue’s pressing, the always amazing Saskatchewan Jazz Festival will be in full swing. Go! This year features the immeasurably lauded legends Buddy Guy (sure to be donning his purple polka dot dress shirt yet again), Sonny Rollins, and Johnny Winter.

Continued on next page...

On The Edge, highlighting entertainment around Saskatoon, focuses on art, music, video games, and alternative sports. We promote local people who are taking the ordinary to the extraordinary and living their passion. 22

Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m

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Section B • July 2009 • w w w . t h e n e i g h b o u r h o o d e x p r e s s . c o m