Quirk Jan 2013 Issue

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Volume 2 • Issue 1 • January - February 2013 www.readquirk.com

HORSING AROUND IN TOBAGO A trip to remember

NUTZ ABOUT DRAMA Improv at it’s Best

CANINE CO-WORKERS Dog Day Afternoon

ISSN 1929-2112

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126 MAYOR MAGRATH DR. N. LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA

A local group wings it with entertaining improv

“Reign of the Empress” is a recent non-fiction work by Peter J. Scott that showcases the fascinating history of the Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod

Who Turned Off the Lights?

Danny Ponomar shares his photo journal while shooting for the stars

38 Bits & Pieces

14

26

The Button Box

30

Working Dogs

32

Local businesses go to the dogs

20 Health Matters

14

Recipe

Simple treasures from days gone by

17 Business & The Web

31 Animals We Love

24

Cheese & Herb Pull-Apart Garlic Bread Comfort food for a cold Winter day!

Nasrin’s Corner

16 Photographer’s Eye

10

Places & Spaces

Fay Braden takes us to Tobago where she found her smile

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8

Drama Nutz

Book Review

DEPARTMENTS

Features

7

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From The Publisher First of all, we’d like you wish you & yours a very happy new year! As Quirk begins its’ second year of publication, we’d like to thank our readers for their continued support and input, as well as the advertisers who make it possible for us to bring the magazine to you.

Lethbridge has very many talented artists, entrepreneurs, and a very interesting history that makes us unique. Our continued goal is to share with you , the reader, stories from this area about our past, our future, people making a difference, new types of businesses and ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

This issue, we review the book “Rein of the Empress, 1912-2012” written by Peter J. Scott. Peter was approached by the Empress Theatre’s Centennial Committee to research and write what became a marvelous collection of anecdotes, vivid photography and great stories.

Volume 2 • Issue 1 • January - February 2013

www.readquirk.com Published bi-monthly in Lethbridge by

SHABELLA PUBLISHING

1010 - 10th Ave. N., Lethbridge, T1H 1J8 403.382.7240 Printed by Warwick Printing, Lethbridge, AB.

Fay Braden takes us to Tobago in this installment of “Places & Spaces” where she shares her experience of riding a thoroughbred horse into the crashing waves of the ocean. Quite a ride for a prairie girl!

Publisher Jean Van Kleek jean@readquirk.com

We visit “Drama Nutz” a local theatre group whose services provide murder mysteries, conventional theatre and improv, just to mention a few. They are available for corporate events and fundraisers. We caught up with them during a 30 hour improv they performed for the Oldman Watershed Council.

Design & Layout Pixelated Cupcake pixelatedcupcake@shaw.ca

This year, we are continuing to bring you articles written by local experts in their field. Priscilla Peltier, Fergus Raphael, Sharry Yaeck, Chris Yauck, Danny Ponomar, Nasrin Ebadypour, Kate Lupton and Michelle Zandstra all contribute interesting, practical information on subjects ranging from health, wellness and pet care to photography.

Speaking of photography, we had so many great entries to our photo contest last year that we created a “Year at a Glance” Calendar showcasing some of the top entries from our readers. These free calendars are available at Thriftway Pharmacy and McBain Camera.

ENJOY!

Photographers Jen Alston, Imagen Photography Danny Ponomar Chris Yauck Photography Cover Photo Jen Alston, Imagen Photography Contributing Writers Ginger Lee Malacko Priscilla Peltier Sharry Yaeck David Gabert Julie Anhorn Chris Hibbard Judi Frizzle-Stowell Danny Ponomar Joyce Hayko Fay Braden Kate Lupton Jean Van Kleek Michelle Zandstra Chris Yauck Fergus Raphael General Inquiries info@readquirk.com Advertising Inquiries jean@readquirk.com 403.382.7240

Jean Van Kleek Photographer: Imajen Photography

LEGAL INFORMATION

Letter to The Editor I’m very impressed by Quirk Magazine. Great photos, interesting articles and very professionally produced and printed! I may try one of the recipes...

Bill Bridger, Lethbridge

Thank You

to our advertisers who are instrumental in bringing Quirk to you.

Without them, we wouldn't be here.

Let them know know you saw their ad in Quirk Magazine.

Quirk - 4

All information provided in this magazine is accurate and correct to the best of the knowledge of Quirk Magazine and Shabella Publishing, and current at the time of publishing. Quirk Magazine and Shabella Publishing are not responsible and will not be liable for damages whatsoever arising out of or in connection with the use of the information contained herein, or through any unauthorized use or reproduction of such information, even if the publication has been advertised of the possibility of these damages. The information in this magazine applies to Canada oinly and may not be appropriate or correct outside of Canada.

The magazine is not responsible in any way for the content provided by contributing writers and/or advertisers or other third parties who advertise or provide content for this magazine. Unless indicated otherwise, all opinions, advice, information and resources offered or made available in this magazine are solely those of third parties who advertise or provide content for this magazine. This magazine and its content do not necessarily reflect the views of Shabella Publishing or its employees. No endorsement or approval of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services, including those available or offered through this magazine or any websites, is expressed or implied by Shabella Publishing or any related company or its officers and directors. Links to websites of third parties are meant for convenience only. The publisher does not review, endorse, approve or control and is not responsible for any such websites.

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The Recipe For Successful Life Change: IF LIKE MANY OF US YOU HAVE FAILED TO KEEP YOUR PAST NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, KEEP READING. Resolutions are hard to keep because in most cases, we get really excited as we start thinking or writing out what we want to change “Yaa...I want to do this, I want to exercise, this year I am going to get to my ideal weight,…”

This joy continues for the first few days and even weeks, however, because of the unrealistic and faulty thinking and planning, we lose interest and often lose faith in our ability. Often after the initial excitement, most people return to the old thought patterns, habits and behaviours. These can be self- sabotaging thoughts and behaviour such as, blaming ourselves for lack of discipline, complaining, focusing on what doesn’t work, and worrying. They are barriers that will keep us in a worry and problem state and will dis-empower us to achieve more of what we desire.

RESOLUTION = RE-SOLUTION To make successful changes, you have to let go of the old, and look and do things in new ways (finding new solutions).

Nasrin’s

Corner

By Nasrin Ebadypour

Know the steps for achieving this goal: Be realistic (if you haven’t exercised in five years, start by one or two hours per week instead of five or ten.

• Tool: List possible action steps you may take. Also be open to other action possibilities and resources such as the paper, and the internet. Write down the long, mid and short term plan and what you need to get you there.

Plan a support strategy: Be sure to include the support of your partner and other special people in your process of change. If you fall, their support will give you strength and time to get up and continue slowly toward your goal.

• Tool: With your partner, explain all of the benefits you want to enjoy and explain what he or she can expect from these changes and how they can support you in challenging times.

Every day is special, enjoy every aspect of your daily achievements.

Here are some tips and tools to help you shift gear and start re-thinking and taking realistic steps to make long lasting changes in your life:

Tool: Observe each steps and celebrate with loved ones

Know what you want: Decide what behavior you want to change or goal you want to achieve.

Intend to deliberately make lifelong changes by practicing new thinking and creating new habits. Remember happiness is an inside job, only you can make it happen!

• Tool: Ask what do I really want to change? Write it down.

• Bonus Tool: List what you like about it. Now, list how it will benefit you. List the challenges you may face (losing weight is not all fun)

Finally, I am so grateful for being part of your success process, and I look forward to sharing an awesome 2013 with you.

Love and respect

Do you have a question about your life that you’d like Nasrin to answer?

Email it to info@readquirk.com

Nasrin Ebadypour is a registered clinical counsellor specializing in relationships, depression & anxiety.

Nasrin

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1421 3rd avenue S 403-329-4445 www.thestovepipecompany.com Quirk - 6

TUNED IN

Written by Ginger Malacko

In this age of the mega store, it’s sometimes hard to remember what it’s like to step into a small specialty shop. I’m talking about the kind of place where the owner sits behind the counter, the door along the back wall leads to a cluttered storeroom instead of a warehouse, and they don’t have to call a manager if you happen to ask a simple question. The shop I describe hasn’t gone extinct, although it might sometimes feel that way. It still exists in downtown side streets and narrow converted buildings where there are no flashy signs, automated doors, or rattly-wheeled shopping carts. Instead, you’re likely to find fascinating people who love the very things that you love.

When Mike Christou and Tom Anderson met six years ago, their friendship and fate were sealed by a mutual love of music, and particularly the fine craftsmanship of a well-made instrument. A year later, Lucky Star Guitars was born into the most delightfully charming and narrow of downtown shops. The building itself is brimming with history and the guitars that hang nonchalantly from floor to ceiling give the wandering window shopper the idea that they’ve always been there. But there’s nothing dusty or archaic about Lucky Star. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been in a cooler shop.

Everything is pristine, and yet it’s exactly the kind of place where you’re encouraged to take a seat and strum a few chords.

quality, and this is no small feat. These are gentlemen who follow in the grand tradition of luthiers, crafters of handmade stringed instruments, knowing the history and intricate details of every item in their shop. In fact Tom himself builds guitars; a process that takes two to three years and requires absolute precision. The merest fraction of a millimeter can mean the difference between moving on to the next step and starting over. It’s this kind of personal investment that allows Tom and Mike to stock their shop with beautiful instruments, whether handcrafted or factory-made, each with their own individual quality of sound. If they don’t love the instrument, you won’t see it at Lucky Star. It’s this standard of excellence that has prompted Tom and Mike to resist the clarion call of internet sales. According to Mike, they really don’t want to lose that face to face time with their customers, nor do they wish to deprive them of the chance to handle the instruments in person and find the perfect fit.

You could call these guys experts, but that seems such a hollow term considering the fact that they both beam like stagelights when talking about guitars. For Tom and Mike, this is a full-blown passion that must be shared.

For instance, they welcomed long-time friend, Fred Greene, into the partnership a year ago after he caught their vision for the shop, and they didn’t hesitate to educate me on guitar making, nor did they hold back when I asked about some of the interesting items on their shelves, such as vintage amps, mics, and instruments that were strange to my un-schooled eye. And although Lucky Star is obviously the result of a shared dream and a lot of hard work, the guys have great plans for future endeavors, their fondest idea being a scholarship fund for young musicians who wish to study at the university. To me, it wasn’t a matter of local businessmen giving back to the community so much as two musicians hoping to spread the music. I for one left Lucky Star determined to go home and become reacquainted with my own guitar.

The shop carries new, used and vintage guitars with one thing in common: they’ve all managed to impress Tom and Mike with their construction and

Mike Christou (Left) and Tom Anderson (Right)

Photography Courtesy of Chris Yauck Photography

Lucky Star Guitar Shop 1108 6th Ave. S. Lethbridge • 403-394-7744

Quirk - 7

DRAMA

Nutz

WRITTEN BY DAVID GABERT

Relying on teamwork and quick thinking, Drama Nutz performers have little more than an outline of what is to come when they head into the performance venue. As the lights come up and the show starts, they know the names and rules of the games and skits to come but nothing more.

The rest is determined by the audience through suggestions for scenes and laughter. This leads to a rewarding and unique show determined by the audiences mood and desires. This style of unscripted theatre is better known as improv, and can be seen at many different comedy clubs and venues around the world. Here in Lethbridge, Drama Nutz Productions brings a different kind of entertainment to the city. Having just wrapped a thirty-hour long improv marathon to raise money for the Oldman Watershed Council, the troupe is now looking to the future. Already their line up for the New Year is filling up with new shows and sessions around the city.

Right off the start is a familiar charity event with a new twist. Drama Nutz has been working with the Canadian Cancer Society on the Jail n Bail, to bring together the cast of the courtroom including lazy judges, inept defense attorneys and overzealous prosecutors. Each of these characters Quirk - 8

will make the event into a show as the jail birds seek to raise their bail money. Drama Nutz has been working to incorporate the charges against them so that each jail bird will have an opportunity during the event to be put on trial for their crimes and ultimately given a sentence by the judge, all adding to the spectacle of the event.

Photography Courtesy of Jen Alston, Imajen Photography Then, starting Friday, February 1st, Drama Nutz will be offering a new monthly series: Bring a Chair Improv, taking place at the N.A.A.G. Studio on the north side, just a block north of Centre Village Mall. These small intimate improv shows will be for an adult only crowd as Drama Nutz lets loose through a mix of songs and games that are sure to entertain. As the name implies, audience members are encouraged to bring whatever they want to sit on to watch the show so that it feels like watching a live show in the comfort of their own home, although there will be seats provided for those that forget. Later this year, they hope to expand and offer improvised soap operas and interactive murder mysteries to Lethbridge on a regular basis as well.

To cast its shows Drama Nutz has a core group of performers, fourteen in total, from various walks of life.

Every September auditions are held for the troupe, and each year more hopefuls come out. Those that make the cut meet weekly to practice their art and hone their skill as improvisers and performers and develop new shows and skits. For those who are interested in joining up, or working on their improv skills, with Drama Nutz and can’t wait until fall auditions, they should consider going

to Nutz About Improv. These are drop-in improv sessions that take place on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Bowman Arts Centre. They give a chance for anyone over the age of fourteen to come and play games with the troupe and practice improv for only $2 a night.

So where can those interested find Drama Nutz?

Online is the best place to start. They can be easily found on facebook or twitter, or on their website at www.dramanutz.com. Failing that, they can be reached either by e-mail (info@dramanutz.com) or phone (403.892.8719) for show information, performer bios or even to hire them for private shows, murder mysteries, workshops or anything you can come up with.

In the world of improv:

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE Quirk - 9

Reign of the

EMPRESS

Hidden in plain sight on Main Street in Fort Macleod lies one of our province's oldest, still-operating heritage sights: The Empress Theatre.

This building, elegant and unique, is the subject of a recent book, coinciding with the theatre's 100th birthday. While the sheer age of the building is unusual in and of itself, the fact that it is still open for business today in its original location, playing host to live theatre, comedy, music and film; makes it truly one of a kind.

Reign of the Empress, 1912 – 2012, is a recent work of nonfiction written by Peter J. Scott, writer and educator. Scott was approached by the Empress Theatre Society's Centennial Committee to research and write the book in the fall of 2010.

Once he began working on the project, the romantic and historical nature of the topic swiftly inspired his passion.

The finished product is a colourful collection of anecdotes, stories, antique imagery and vivid photography all contained in an attractive 'coffee-table book' format. "The Centennial Committee and its affiliated 'book project' sub-committee, really are the ones that made this all possible. Whether it was providing me with the names of contacts to interview, or the images and photography that got included, they were truly the ones that lit the fire; that had the vision that this book be created. They're the ones that should truly get the credit for the book being made at all" Scott said.

"Once I got into the history, I quickly realized that there were a lot of stories to tell surrounding it."

Photography Courtesy of Jaime Vedres

Scott's research uncovered the earliest beginnings of the Empress, tracing its roots back to a lawyer, builder, and architect, who together took on the ambitious project of constructing a fine new opera house in the centre of what was then a bustling prairie town. The trio never could have guessed at the time, (very early in the 20th century) that the theatre they built would be responsible for bringing people together and creating vivid memories for nearly six generations of Albertans over the next 100 years.

By Chris Hibbard

musical events and first run movies brought in by entrepreneurs.

Thousands of patrons would flock to the theatre over the years, coming from far and wide - making special trips to the theatre from locations as far as Saskatchewan and Montana.

"Because it is a dramatic and musical theatre, it's an interesting story by its very nature. It's exciting and vibrant, and I was quite anxious to take it on" Scott said. "Once I got into the history, I quickly realized that there were a lot of stories to tell surrounding it."

From operas to vaudevillian comedy, from King Kong to Star Wars, the theatre truly captures both an era gone by, and the greater emergence of arts on the prairie landscape. So much so, that signatures of performers from days past can still be seen on the walls of Empress dressing rooms or embedded in classic posters, handbills, photos and programmes - many of which can be viewed in this book's pages. As the years would flow past, 18 different owners would operate the theatre: one of whom is even reputed to haunt its halls to this day.

Scott's book truly explores the colourful history of the Empress, Alberta's oldest operating theatre and opera house in vivid detail. He relates how, with the occasional assistance of the Town of Fort Macleod and the generous nature of local citizens, the Empress has survived the Great Depression, two world wars and a rapidly changing national landscape.

Scott details how The Empress was the first home to international classical music events, various film festivals plus the renowned Great West Theatre production company. Not to be forgotten, the theatre also remains home to some of Alberta's finest buttered popcorn.

As the decades have slipped by, Fort Macleod's status has seen both rise and fall, and this historic Provincial Heritage Site on Main Street has seen the same. One can look back at the history of The Empress and almost discern the history of the town of Fort Macleod itself.

"In a way, the book is more so a tribute and a credit to the people of Fort Macleod," Scott said. "The fact that The Empress is still standing and open for business to this day is a credit to those townspeople over the years that were very ambitious in not just the theatre, but an entire section of the town's Main Street. It all could have quite easily fallen into deterioration and a state of disrepair had they not intervened when they did."

"I found it to be a truly fascinating microcosm in a way, and a very interesting reflection on the history of southern Alberta," Scott said. "Since the town itself is only slightly older than the theatre, Fort Macleod's entire development is tied to this one building. When the town fell on hard times financially, so did the theatre - and when the town was bustling and the people were doing well, so was the theatre."

Reign of the Empress: 1912-2012 truly captures the history of southern Alberta, and should appeal to any fans of local lore or the theatre business itself. An engaging read, the book contains more than just the stories of a building and the town that maintains it. It portrays exciting chapters of our own collective memory while staying focused on this iconic structure: the structural embodiment of human creativity and imagination.

The building itself was an inspired choice of design that incorporates different elements from French, Italian and rococo styles of architecture. This is incredibly hard to find in our modern age of steel, aluminum and glass, as most other buildings from the same period have been either intensely overhauled or completely demolished over the years.

Reign of the Empress: 1912-2012 is available for $34.95, and can be purchased at several outlets in southern Alberta, including the Empress Theatre itself, the Fort Macleod and Galt Museums, and Save-On Foods West in Lethbridge. It can also be found at the Club Cigar Store, Stubbs Pharmacy, and the Chinook Country Travel & Tourism office. All proceeds from book sales go to The Empress Theatre Society, a not-for-profit preservation organization.

During its heyday, the period between 1920 and 1980, the Empress was home to local and touring acts, political and

The Heat Is On!

with Ethanol… the clean burning eco-friendly alternative

Since ancient times, fire has provided a source of heat, protection and a means of cooking food. In our modern society, we are still comforted by the warmth and ambiance a fireplace brings. It’s part of what makes a house a home on a cold wintery night, entertaining more inviting & welcoming, and is a natural stress reliever. For many years, the only option we had as consumers was a wood-burning fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces are wonderful, but there are many things to consider before installing.

Things like: ventilation, planning a room around it, flue cleaning, wood storage & supply, etc. A gas fireplace entails less maintenance, but still requires a ventilating system, gas line, regular inspection and room planning.

Eco-friendly, alternative fuel fireplaces have become a welcome option in today’s market. One of the newest alternative’s is the ethanol burning fireplace.

Ethanol provides all the heat and beauty of a flame without the negative environmental effects given from standard wood burning, electric or gas fuelled fireplaces. Without venting or flues, ethanol fireplaces can actually go almost anywhere in your home, condo or yard.

In 2007, the developers of Bio Flame changed the world of home heating and indoor and outdoor fireplaces with the introduction of The Bio Flame line of bio ethanol burning fireplaces into the world market. Creating a design that required no venting, gas lines, plug-ins or outlets, more heat production,

less waste and no environmental impact, The Bio Flame was immediately desired by home builders, resorts, hotels, personal homes and large scale developments around the world. Providing 4X more heat than electric fireplaces and requiring no set up or additional costs, it lit the path for an innovative new way to heat homes with a modern appeal never seen before.

Bio Flame designers and engineers have continued to set the highest standards of bio ethanol burning fireplaces in the industry with custom designs and record breaking innovations.

adver torial One of the nicest features of Bio Flame fireplaces besides being eco-friendly, clean and convenient, is mobility. Not only can you change walls and locations of the fireplace within your home, you can also take them with you when you move. This makes Bio Flame an excellent option for renters, or those on the move.

The Bio Flame has an innovative and exceptional line of product, and also provides expert customization to make your new fireplace unique to you.

What people are enjoying about Bio Flame is the flexibility of having a free standing ethanol fireplace.

With a typical fireplace, you have to design your room around the fireplace because it cannot be moved.

With a free standing ethanol fireplace, you can move it around the room as you would with any other piece of furniture. This means as you redesign your home, your options are never limited.

Another popular route people are going is placing the wall mounted fireplace in areas that they typically have never seen a fireplace before. There are ethanol fireplace models that suit kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, basements or anywhere else your imagination takes you in your home.

The Bio Flame is now available in Lethbridge exclusively at Dube’s Painting Design & Reno’s.

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www.lethbridgerenos.com Quirk - 11

A

Time PASSAGES

s we settle into the new year, thoughts often come to mind about things we will do differently, making a fresh start and begin a time of renewal and change. As I was thinking thoughts much like these, another thought randomly came to me. Who decided what a year would be made of? Minutes, days, hours, seconds, months, years are all measurements that constitute “time”.

I realized that time is something we made up. We fabricated it in order to track our existence relative to events and create chronological order. In this century more than any other, we would be lost without clocks and measurement to tell us when to go to work, attend meetings and organize our lives by increments indicated on a clock and calendar.

Even though time is a man- made concept, we objectify it in so many ways. Think of the phrases we use regarding time. “Time well spent”… as though it were cash in our pockets. We “invest time and bank time” as though it were a commodity in our control. We learn to “tell time”… what do we tell it? “Time out”… does time stop then? “Time heals”… time doesn’t do anything, people heal when and if they do. “When time stands still”… time doesn’t stand, and it is never still. All of the means we use to measure time are constantly in motion. We “take time”… where do we take it? Do we bring it back? “Time will tell”… does time talk, who will it tell?

After we created time, we decided to play with it. We divided the world into time zones. Imagine that…zones of time corralled geographically and not to be let out until we say it is so. What if Quirk - 12

By Jean Van Kleek

we had just made it simple? Time could be the same all over the world. Why not have a universal clock?

Another way we play with time is daylight saving time. The day is the same, we are not saving anything. Saskatchewan never subscribed to this concept and I believe they have as much light as they always did.

Another interesting thing about time is the measurement of years being broken down into B.C. and A.D. What did the people living B.C. call their years? They wouldn’t have known they existed “before Christ”.

I decided to do some research on how our current standards of measuring time came to be. The findings are actually quite interesting.

Historians don’t know exactly when the first calendar was invented, but notched bones used to record moon phases have been found in Africa and Europe dating back to about 20,500 BC.

It appears that every calendar since, has been based on moon phases, orbits of the earth and planetary movement.

Calendars have been used to mark time from ancient times. The most advanced primitive way of marking time was the sundial, which counts off time from the sun's movements and position.

The Old Testament mentions the "Dial of Ahaz" both in Isaiah 38 and II Kings 20. This is the earliest known mention of the sundial and would have been written around 700 BC. It was likely an

Egyptian design. The ancient Greeks began using sundials and then the Roman Empire adopted the Greek versions. Romans divided days meticulously and kept accurate records. Using the sun to create the first calendars had begun.

The Mayan calendar, ancient Egyptian calendar, Aztec calendar and the Julian calendar all led us to our current calendar that was refined

by Pope Gregory X111 in 1582.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII, with his desire to root the Catholic Church in all aspects of culture, issued an edict to create a new calendar. Since his direction in the autumn of 1580, the Gregorian calendar has been used daily for almost 5 centuries.

Pope Gregory wanted a calendar that kept the Christmas and Easter celebrations unified seasonally each year. The monthly names remained from the Julian calendar as each month's name represents a Roman god, goddess or important personage in the Roman Empire.

All calendars are based upon lunar movements that indicate timing of days and seasons. The Catholic Church has kept lunar tabulations for centuries so that Easter Sunday could always be predicted and observed. By the time Pope Gregory ordered the new 1582 calendar, information had been recorded over time. With the help of Jesuit priest and astronomer Christopher Clavius, the calendar months were set up with the leap-day addition every 4 years. The day was placed in the shortest month of February where it replaces the quarter day lost every 4 years.

The calculations were so precise that the 1582 Gregorian calendar still works in the most complicated computer programs of today.

The Gregorian calendar was not met with elation by everyone. The populace bitterly opposed it. They feared this was a ploy by landlords to cheat them out of rent payments. Although the finished calendar worked, a century was needed for Western European approval. The American colonies began using it with British acceptance. Eastern Europe was slower to let go of the former Julian calendar. Russia held out until 1917, and Greece was the last stronghold when they finally used it in 1923.

Happy New Year!

We are now all on the same page in 2013‌

and can say Happy New Year on January 1st! Time is actually something we are given, no matter how we choose to organize it. Enjoy it and remember that every moment in your life counts, however you choose to measure it.

Who Turned Off The

By Danny Ponomar Quirk - 14

What started as a short drive just outside the grasp of the city lights, quickly turned into an extended journey. When we couldn't find a spot worthy of our expectations, we kept driving.

We figured we'd eventually see something that caught our eyes.

I

t was late in March when I got a text from my friend and fellow photographer, Jaime Vedres (www.jaimevedres.com). Jaime had just noticed that the sky was particularly clear, and wanted to go out to shoot some star photos. I was getting ready for bed, but I didn't work the next day, so I hastily jumped into my four layers of winter clothes, and grabbed my gear.

overwhelming. Jaime and I were both fixated on the same question – what would the Prince of Wales Hotel look like surrounded by aurora borealis?

When I finally arrived in Waterton, the only light to be seen was the gentle glow of the rising sun.

Defeat.

We threw our bags into the car, and raced towards the dock. We figured it would be the most favourable location to get the hotel and the northern lights in the same frame.

Now, in a similar situation, I tried to ignore these unpleasant thoughts, but they continued to grab hold of me as we approached the gates.

What started as a short drive just outside the grasp of the city lights, quickly turned into an extended journey. When we couldn't find a spot worthy of our expectations, we kept driving. We figured we'd eventually see something that caught our eyes.

As excited as I was, the daunting remnants of an ancient memory resurfaced, and kept pulling at my collar.

About an hour later, we were still searching. By this point, we had just passed Mountain View and were running out of steam. Suddenly, Waterton seemed like the only logical destination. It was right around this time that a faint, but familiar green glow revealed its mighty presence to the Northern sky. We pulled over on the vacant highway to confirm our suspicions. It didn't take long for our eyes to adjust. Much to our approval, the northern lights were indeed accompanying us. We tried to snap a few photos before continuing on our trek, but the excitement was too

A few years ago, I embarked on a midnight journey into the depths of Southern Alberta.

The northern lights were putting on the best display I had ever seen until that point. I drove almost two hours outside of town. I found the perfect place on an old gravel road. I set up my tripod and my camera, only to find out that I had left all three of my batteries at home charging. Furious with myself, I sped home to grab my batteries. The lights were still dancing and flickering all over the sky. I was too worked up to sleep, and so eager to photograph them that I departed on an early morning drive to Waterton. I also had one idea in mind – to shoot the northern lights over the Prince of Wales hotel.

By the time Jaime and I arrived at our destination, the fire in the sky was starting to fizzle.

“Déjà vu” I thought, cynically.

We were both aware of the capricious nature of the northern lights. It was time for action. We flung open the doors of the vehicle as it rolled to a stop. There was no time to think, as we sprinted towards the dark lake, gear in hand.

As the green glowing sky rapidly faded along with our excitement, we managed to capture a couple of quick frames before being completely disappointed.

When the show was over and the scene lost its appeal, we decided to continue on with our original plan: we shot some stars.

Quirk - 15

•The

PHOTOGRAPHY Tips & Tricks

P tograp ho

How to Use Backlighting to Enhance Your Photos

Backlight is an often overlooked aspect of photography as it is considered a photography faux-pas. It can easily lead to overexposure, lens flare, or other potential challenges.

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With a little practice though, you can use backlighting give your images more depth and interest.

WHAT IS BACKLIGHTING? Backlighting refers to light from a source behind your subject.

In photography, you can achieve various moods by using different types of lighting and when backlighting you can decide how sun-drenched you want your photos to be. Let that dictate your choice of location, sun position and direction of shooting. Wide fields are going to give you more bright golden sunlight behind your subjects, whereas trees and buildings will give you some nice open shade to utilize while still having the sun in the background.

by Chris yauck Chris Yauck Photography

How you position yourself and the subject while taking the photo will change the way your photograph is lit. You don’t have to have the sun directly behind your subject, so don’t be worried about moving yourself around: You should have the sun exactly where you want it. Alternatively you can have the sun directly behind your subject for a more dramatic effect.

Be sure you understand how to read your camera's built-in light meter. If the meter shows a very high reading (usually to the right, or around +2 on the meter), your picture is probably overexposed.

Using a faster shutter speed will limit light on your camera's sensor, correcting any over exposure problems.

Most cameras also have an exposure compensation function that let you increase or decrease exposure.

Usually this feature is designated by a +/- symbol. Depending on your camera model, exposure compensation may work by altering the aperture, shutter speed, or both.

BACKLIGHTING BENEFITS Once you've learned to control exposure and flare, you'll see the real benefits of backlighting.

Thin or translucent subjects, like fall leaves, flower petals, and the like, literally glow with backlighting.

This brings out their true colors and adds real impact to your images. Backlighting also reveals extra details, like the veins in a leaf or the strands in a spider's web.

CONTROLLING EXPOSURE

Camera: Auto No Flash Shutter Speed: 1/100 F-Stop: 3.2 ISO: 125

Camera: Manual with Flash Shutter Speed: 1/250 F-Stop: 5.0 ISO: 125

When metering for backlit photos, you should use spot metering and meter off of your subject for correct exposure. Shooting towards a light source, especially a bright one means you have to be careful not to overexpose your image. An overexposed image will have very bright areas that overwhelm your subject and possibly ruin the picture. If you are able to, use a reflector (a sheet of white cardstock from the local dollar store can go a long way!) to bounce a little light back onto your subject. You can eliminate sun flare by placing your subject in front of something that softens the strong light, or you can embrace the sun flare and use it to add a different element to your photos.

Camera: Auto with Flash Shutter Speed: 1/100 F-Stop: 2.0 ISO: 125

Camera: Manual No Flash Shutter Speed: 1/40 F-Stop: 1.8 ISO: 125

The best time for shooting backlit photos is either early in the morning as the sun rises or later in the evening as the sun sets.

Quirk - 16

The Right Tool For The Job

FINDING THE RIGHT SOFTWARE CAN BE EXPENSIVE ONCE, BUT USING THE WRONG SOFTWARE IS EXPENSIVE EVERY DAY.

by Fergus Raphael

Hand someone pliers when they ask for a wrench and they might look at you funny. Most of us understand the importance of having the right tool for the job.

SO WHY DO WE PUT UP WITH WITH CLUNKY SOFTWARE AT WORK? Companies will often subtly adapt their operations to fit a computer program without thinking much about it. These compromises might be the source of some frustrations for users in the workplace. If the program you have doesn't do what it should, how it should, it’s a given you’ll be frustrated. Unruly software

is more than just an irritant, it can be a liability.

If you’re stuck in a software rut, search for some web based alternatives. For every cardboard box on the shelf, there might be twenty webbased alternatives. Whether accounting, human resource, payroll, inventory, or otherwise, you might be surprised by the breadth and quality of options. Just as Netflix wiped out late fees on the entertainment front, weird and whimsically named web-applications are carving out huge market share helping people work smarter.

Like Netflix, business web software is usually offered under a subscription model, usually with a free trial. There’s no risk to dipping your toe in, and it can be an interesting exercise in understanding your business. Costs add up over time, but the barrier to entry is very low.

Custom software is the other way to go. It might be pricey to develop a custom application for your company, but the type of business intelligence gained, and the number of efficiencies realized could prove invaluable in the long run. Imagine management and staff

clicking a tablet or laptop and having tailormade screens, forms, drop down menus, and charts organized just for their role. There’s no substitute for the right information at your fingertips.

If your business is bottlenecked by computer frustrations, perhaps you're just in search of the right tool for the job.

Fergus is the owner of Tangle Media and is an expert in multimedia and web-based marketing

BUSINESS & THE WEB Win a Canon Vixia HFM400

CAMCORDER

COURTESY OF THRIFTWAY PHARMACY HOW TO ENTER: Submit your best photo of Lethbridge or the surrounding area in .jpeg format, 300 dpi resolution in black & white or full color. A winning photo will be chosen and published in Quirk Magazine. After six issues (one year), a final winner will be chosen to receive a Canon Vixia HFM400 Camcorder from Thriftway Pharmacy. Photos must be original, caption and contact information of photographer provided. No altered photographs will be accepted, digital or otherwise. Quirk Magazine and Shabella Publishing retain the right to use winning photographs for promotional purposes.

Centre Peak and Pond Taken north of Lundbreck - Fall of 2012 Tracy Glen

Entry Deadline January 28, 2013

Winner of January’s contest

702 - 13 St. N. LETHBRIDGE 403-327-0340 THRIFTWAY PHARMACY • Free delivery • Free pill packs • Extensive camera department Quirk - 17

Where You Can Meet The Hand That Feeds You. Working with Prairie Meats Ltd., Creative Cleaver also provides Wild Game Processing. They do everything from skinning and cutting to your specifications, to making sausage, jerky and pepperoni.

All you need to do is keep it clean and keep it cold, they can do the rest.

Man’s best friend shouldn’t miss out either!

They carry gluten free, smoked and raw dog treats and raw dog food to keep your furry friends happy.

Creative Cleaver, formerly PM Meat & Cheese by Prairie Meats Ltd., re-opened in March of 2011, bringing you the first store of its kind. One where local producers can sell their product to the public at a fair price and the public can buy from a variety of different vendors, at one store, all year round.

UNIQUE FOOD ITEMS MADE LOCALLY Made from scratch Cabbage Rolls, Hungarian Bread, Meat Pies, Lasagna, and Perogies. That’s what you will find amongst some of the amazing treats when you visit Creative Cleaver! Made and grown locally, you can’t beat the fresh taste and quality these products offer every time you buy.

The owners of Creative Cleaver are back with fresh ideas to support the sustainability of our local Canadian Farmers and Producers while teasing your taste buds with great tasting food and fresh produce.

Creative Cleaver is one of those special kinds of stores that makes you feel welcome as soon as you walk in the door.

Many of their customers are regulars who are met with a big smile and greeted by name.

Creative Cleaver Market...

Where You Can Meet The Hand That Feeds You.

KNOW WHERE YOUR FOOD IS COMING FROM

Because their focus is local, by shopping at Creative Cleaver you are supporting local farmers and their families, as well as natural sustainable farming practices. They feel it is important for you as a consumer to know where your food is coming from.

GUITTO FARMS

Creative Cleaver stocks a wide variety of organic fruits, vegetables, meats, and great dairy products including nonhomogenized dairy. With seasonal products being sourced locally whenever possible, they are the best place to find fresh, healthy products for your family.

Creative Cleaver is your solution to natural, pasture raised, artisan and organic foods.

With the convenience of a store and the advantages of a farmers market, all products are held to the highest standards; by you, Creative Cleaver, and local, provincial and federal governing bodies.

Celebrating 15 Years of Organic Farming Organically raised, produced & certified

by Global Organic Alliance Inc.

Box 697 Claresholm, AB info@guittonfarms.com

403-625-4732 www.guittonfarms.com

Find our beef In Lethbridge at Urban Grocer, 1016 9th Ave. South, Creative Cleaver, 1010 Mayor Magrath Drive South.

• Custom Meat Processing • Equipment Sales • Supplies Box 1498 Coaldale, AB

Shelley Hughes 403-894-1474

Lethbridge, AB

thesoupcompany@gmail.com

Dried Packaged Soup Mixes

Quirk - 18

The Soup Company

403.345.2190 Fax: 403.345.3390

Where you can meet the hand that feeds you.

1010 Mayor Magrath Drive South Lethbridge, Alberta

403-329-3354

creativecleaver@shaw.ca www.creativecleaver.com

This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of

Sensual Self-Confidence

Book a boudoir session!

Our private studio is filled with outfits and props for an empowering boudoir experience.

Redefine Sexy

TM

www.bebeautifulphoto.com

admin@bebeautifulphoto.com 403.892.4627 ~ GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE ~

www.readquirk.com

1218 2nd Ave. S., Lethbridge #203 (upstairs) 403.331.1618 Wed-Sat 11am - 5pm

J2 DIGITAL CAMERA with 10-30mm LENS 10.1 MEGAPIXEL CMOS SENSOR FULL HD (1080p) MOVIE MODE COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT CAMERA ACCEPTS INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES 2 Year Extended Warranty Only $45 -- INCLUDES BATTERY, CHARGER, SOFTWARE CD, $10 PHOTOFINISHING COUPON

COOLPIX P7700 DIGITAL CAMERA COMPLETE CREATIVE CONTROL WITH THE PROGRAM, SHUTTER PRIORITY, APERTURE PRIORITY OR FULL MANUAL MODES 12.2 MEGAPIXEL SENSOR, 7.1x OPTICAL ZOOM 2 Year Extended Warranty Only $45 -- INCLUDES BATTERY, CHARGER, SOFTWARE CD, $10 PHOTOFINISHING COUPON

Lethbridge’s BEST selection of photographic equipment at GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES

1010 Mayor Magrath Dr. South Ph. 403-329-3755 www.mcbaincamera.com

Quirk - 19

Your New Year’s Resolution:

HEALTH MATTERS

REBOOT YOUR BODY

Sometimes, I attempt to write something that I hope will make you feel good.

What you’re about to read is beyond making you just feel good. I ask people: “What is the most important thing a person can do at this time of year for their health & body?” They always have a wonderful range of answers: drink water, start an exercise program, re-evaluate your diet, etc. My response invariably disappoints them. “Cleansing?” You can’t be serious! How could cleansing possibly be so important?”

First of all, it is a perfect time of year for you to take time for yourself without any interference such as Christmas celebrations or summer barbecuing.

While the above answers are all correct, this is actually the perfect opportunity to take some time to cleanse. Just as your housework might be backed up and you feel the need to shut off your phone, lock your door, and get to some of the tasks you’ve been neglecting; your body has the same need to cleanse from dayto-day living.

The Flor Essence cleansing program will put you on the road to a healthier digestive system, regular elimination and a healthier YOU!

Flor Essence is gentle on your body while ridding your system of unwanted toxins and waste materials. This return to health program is designed to give you some new ideas on using whole foods while you are cleansing (and beyond) and support you in identifying “non-foods” on grocery store shelves.

It is important to undergo periodic cleansing. A cleansing product needs to support the body and nourish it at the same time. Flor Essence does precisely this!

Einstein once defined insanity as the tendency to do the same things repeatedly, with the expectation of achieving a different result. If you’ve made the same health resolutions year after year, you know how this feels. But what if this year, you could tweak a few things? What if you had a few extra tools in your bag of tricks?

Those tools could be an easy way to start cleansing very gently and so gently, you’ll have forgotten you were actually doing a total body cleanse.

Healthy eating is important when undergoing detoxification. It is easy to incorporate a product that will rid the body of toxins; it won’t do any good to remove toxins if you are (at the same time) putting more in by way of junk food and/or processed foods. We absorb nutrients easily from real food; the liver and the digestive tract recognize whole, unrefined foods and know exactly how to recognize them. There exists certain synergy in whole foods which allows the body to absorb numerous nutrients at once.

Did you know? The average can of soda contains the equivalent of 12 teaspoons of sugar.

Flor Essence, as shown on the following page, is a liquid herbal tea, so anyone can adjust the dosage to suit his/her individual needs. An average dose of

Why should the holidays leave you feeling heavy, sluggish, fatigued, or moody?

The typical overindulgence of the holiday season, along with shorter days and grey skies puts many people in this state. Our bodies have become overwhelmed.

What we need to do is take the burden off the body to help it heal.

Herbal cleansing may help decrease the risks of developing certain health problems. Many people who are affected by various health conditions have found that cleansing and nutritional supplementation can help their body rejuvenate itself naturally.

Think of me like a toothbrush

Think of this, do you brush your teeth because you have cavities.... or because you want to prevent cavities?

My mission is to help people by educating them about the potential causes of declining health.

Quirk - 20

A cleanse can be as simple as doing a clean, organic diet for a few weeks and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and other known toxins, thereby giving your body a chance to get to those tasks. Many people however need additional support with herbs and antioxidants; just as you might call your friend to help lift that heavy couch.

one ounce twice a day will last about 25 days.

Some objectives to this program are to 1) increase consumption of raw foods, 2) increase consumption of clean water, and 3) be aware of the importance of chewing foods.

By the fourth week, you are probably feeling lighter, more energetic and rejuvenated.

What might you see after the program? Some visible signs may be clear with softer skin, more energy, less swelling or inflammation, weight loss, better overall mood, better sleep patterns and fewer cravings for junk food. Some invisible signs can be a healthier liver, hormone balance, kidneys that are functioning optimally, and even effective use of sugar/insulin.

Make Health a Habit!!!

Priscilla Peltier is a natural health care practitioner at Nutter’s who writes on health and nutrition

Priscilla Peltier, C.H., C.N.C., C. Irid., R.BIE Herbalist, Nutrition Consultant, Iridoligist, and Registered BioEnergetics Practitioner priscilla.eyes@shaw.ca www.eyecuhealthy.net 403.329.3100 (Office) 403.942.5064 (Fax)

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GMO NON-GMO NON GMO

Project VERIFIED

nongmoproject.org

GMO ORGANIC ((( ((((

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102 - 920 2nd Ave “A” North Lethbridge, Alberta

VEGAN NON-GMO

(403) 329-3100 ORGANIC

VEGAN

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VIBRATION TRAINING AND

MUSCLE BALANCE

(Over 160 Senior Lodges Trust Us)

Have you noticed that your balance seems to be deteriorating as the years go by? Many would say this is just a natural part of getting older, but there’s a lot more to it than that.

Mike Ross, author of “The Balance Manual”, tells us, “If you don’t regularly put your body in situations where it needs balance, your sense of balance will get worse. Your body will adapt to your lifestyle. The brain does not see any reason to keep your sense of balance in good shape if it’s not being used very much.”

The good news is that you can retrain your balance. Vibration Training on the VibraFit Trainer exactly approximates walking or, more specifically, running. But without any stress to the joints! On an oscillating type of platform, your body is rocked back and forth shifting your weight from one foot to the other. When this happens, a sensor in your Achilles tendon in the back of your heel, signals the brain that you are losing your balance. The brain then activates all the muscle on the opposite side of the body to enable you to do whatever it is you have to do to regain your balance. When you rock to the other foot, the muscle on the other side of the body is activated. Over a period of time, this neurological messaging going back and forth to the brain creates new neural pathways in the brain and the brain relearns how to balance your body.

Along with this relearning process, your muscles are all being strengthened as the brain causes them to flex. The most important muscles to your sense of balance are the muscles in the lower part of your leg and foot because these are the muscles that support your ankle.

After a certain age many people start to move less and less, usually after retirement, slowly replacing movement activities with those that involve a lot of sitting. Those “younger” activities were keeping your body strong and your balance in good shape. Losing that sense of balance was a gradual process over a decade or two but it really adds up!

Falling is the leading cause of death among people 65 or older. The usual exercise programs available for the elderly utilize equipment which may help improve muscle mass and strength but, according to Paul Chek, HHp, NMT of the C.H.E.K. Institute, “these offer inadequate loading of the spine and long bones and do almost nothing to improve balance or functional strength on your own feet. To be successful in any balance-improving training program, people must perform movements that closely approximate their everyday activities and those movements that commonly result in falls.”

Speaking about general body balance also necessitates a discussion of muscle balance within the body. Muscle balance within the body is a vital component to injury prevention. The main muscle groups work in pairs and those muscle pairs need to be balanced in terms of strength and flexibility. For example, when you bend your elbow you use the biceps muscle. Its pair is the triceps muscle. The triceps muscle must be willing to stretch for the biceps muscle to contract and bend the elbow fully. So if you do a biceps curl, for example, you also need to do a triceps extension in order to work both muscles and keep them balanced. When you maintain balanced muscles, you have better body symmetry and better posture.

Our daily routines can cause muscle imbalance. We use more chest muscles than we do upper back muscle when lifting items. We have more range of motion in front of us because we do more things where we can easily see what we are doing.

We use more muscle in the front of the leg than the back because we walk forward and upstairs not backwards. As a result, we need to work the other half of the pair to maintain muscle balance.

Daily activities often times cause pain due to muscle imbalances even though we are not aware of what the problem is. One example is a pain that develops in one of the shoulder blades from using a computer mouse that is on a desk that is at a level too high. Or neck pain could be caused by turning the head to one side to watch TV or work while the rest of the body is facing forward. When the muscles develop on only one side of the upper back, the muscle imbalance eventually results in pain.

When these imbalances result, you need to stretch the muscle that is too strong and too short and strengthen the muscle that is too weak. In some cases this may involve more than one set of muscle pairs.

Low back pain is a classic example of muscle pair imbalance. The abdominal muscles hold the pelvis up in front and usually become too weak while the erector spinae, which holds the pelvis up in back, usually become too strong or vice versa.

The muscle in the front of the leg becomes too strong, while the partner, the gluteal which holds the pelvis down in back, becomes too weak. The result is a curvature of the lower back placing too much pressure on the spine in that area causing pain.

You may want to work with a personal trainer to help analyze and treat these problems. In addition, the VibraFit Trainer, used on low speed and with the feet not too far apart, will act as a massage for the low back to help alleviate the pain.

Go to www.HotHealth.ca for further articles on the benefits of Vibration Training! Or call 403-393-6114 Quirk - 22

Quantum

By Julie Anhorn, BT

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF BIOFEEDBACK?

HOW CAN THE SCIO HELP US TO BE HEALTHIER?

We have all commonly used biofeedback in many facets of our lives.

For example, any time we have stepped on a scale to measure our weight or any time we have used a thermometer to measure our temperature we’ve used biofeedback. Biofeedback has been for a very long time. In hospitals we use EEG, ECG, EKG, Ultrasound (which is both treatment and diagnostic) as well as MRI’s and CT scans. So, what is biofeedback? Simply put, biofeedback is broken down to bio, which means “life” and feedback, therefore, lifefeedback. Biofeedback is a tool that can measure different parameters of health, stress and ultimately, life. The SCIO is the most advanced form of biofeedback available. Using the SCIO we can measure reactivity to over 11,000 different voltametric signatures, which may indicate specific stressors that can affect our health and wellbeing.

If we can better understand what is actually happening inside the body and why we are feeling the symptoms that we have, then we can address the needs of the body in multiple ways and truly take responsibility for our health. Health is a choice! The SCIO can also support you on your journey by delivering the most effective stress reduction training available.

WHAT IS STRESS & HOW DOES IT AFFECT OUR HEALTH? Stress is anything that causes the body to not be able to function at its optimal peak health. The American Medical Association recognizes that 80% of all disease is caused by stress. When the body is burdened by nutritional deficiency and toxicity from fungus, parasites, bacteria, physical toxins (ie. Industrial toxins, environmental toxins, heavy metals etc.) as well as unmanaged mental/emotional stress the body is weakened. These “stressors” are the root cause of our health issues. Stress requires the body to distribute vital energy to regulate and manage symptoms. When the stress of these issues accumulates the body becomes overwhelmed, sick and diseased.

THE SCIO BIOFEEDBACK SYSTEM The SCIO (Scientific Consciousness Interface Operating) is a universal electrophysiological biofeedback system that can safely measure over the skin (transcutaneous) electro-potential oscillations down to the micro-volt range. What makes the SCIO unique is that its technology contains approximately 250 wellness modalities and the practitioner now has the opportunity to energetically balance out any unusual frequencies before they become a symptom.

CAN THE SCIO HEAL MY BODY THROUGH IT’S TRAINING? The SCIO does not heal the body! The only thing that heals the body is the body! This statement is true in all aspects of medicine, even Western Medicine. However, when it comes to helping the body heal, many of us have found medicine to be very limited. To this task we look to Chinese medicine and other modalities of natural healing for the solution to our healing needs. The SCIO biofeedback system has over 90 different types of electrical/energetic training programs that can support the body in reducing stress. Stress reduction can help the body to do what it is naturally designed to do, which is to heal itself! When you cut yourself do you always need stitches to heal the wound? Of course not! The body can heal that on its own. If you break a bone does the cast heal your body? No, the cast just supports your bone to heal properly.

IF THE BODY CAN HEAL ITSELF, WHY DO WE GET SICK? The answer is simple. The body needs energy to heal. If all of the energy resources of the body are continually depleted from managing the “stress” of the body due to all the different kinds of “stress” we accumulate, then the body often does not have the energy needed to heal. The SCIO biofeedback system can support stress reduction & better enable to body’s innate ability to heal by design.

The SCIO is designed for stress detection and stress reduction. The device does not diagnose any issue other than stress. Always consult with a licensed healthcare practitioner. No claims other than stress detection and stress reduction may be made.

Are You Stressed?

• The ultimate in Stress Detection & Stress Reduction!

• A health technology that reduces the stressors in the body & trains the body to relax

Biofeedback Julie Anhorn, BT

Call

with Julie

403-329-3290 to schedule your session today.

Like us on

Being with

By Fay Braden I wake up excited about the day. Not only are my husband and I on vacation on the incredible island of Tobago (in the West Indies off the coast of Venezuela), but today I get to go horseback riding. Horses are amazing creatures and I have loved them since I was a child. I like their presence, I like riding them, I even like the way they smell.

I discovered Being With Horses while doing my pre-trip research on Trip Advisor. It was a recommended activity that instantly got my attention.

According to the website, we would be taking a gentle ride and a swim with our horses. Seriously - a swim in the ocean on a horse. I'm in.

Lennon, one of the owners, picked up myself and 3 other riders for this event at 9:00am from our resort. It's a short drive to their property. Their location in the small village of Buccoo (about 100 residents) is ideal. It’s a pretty town with some really cute little homes. Veronika, Lennon’s wife, greets us and shows us some of their photos and the tack room. Then she Quirk - 24

carefully describes their 5 horses; their ages, their personalities, how they met them. They are all thoroughbreds. I chose Princess Julie.

Princess Julie (Princess for short) is the youngest of all; a chestnut mare, with a youthful spirit. She appears to me to be athletic, tall & lean. I'm told she is 4 years old, inquisitive, independent and she likes to swim. Sounds good.

We are given instructions on how to properly meet and greet the animals, followed by some of Veronika and Lennon's philosophies surrounding their handling of horses. These animals are not stabled per se, unless they need protection from a storm or an event is planned, they are pastured. Lennon puts a bitless bridle on each horse and a bare back pad strapped around their belly, instead of a saddle.

The horses are selected by the riders and handed off.

We walk together to the mounting block and mount up. Lennon encourages us to find our centre as we begin our slow 'family ride' through town. In their gentle way they endeavor to empower you; calm, confident riders is what they want.

Veronika is riding along with us, Lennon is walking along assisting, guiding, teaching. People are friendly and chatting to us and our hosts along the way. One gent has a fire in his front yard and in a big cast iron pot was making channa - a chickpea dish. Clearly this couple is well-liked by town folk. We pass the stadium where the goat races are held and the bandstand where the steel pan band plays for Sunday School (a weekly community party) and then we stop for a few minutes in a field by a school. Some sheep are grazing here and we let the horses graze for a minute as well.

Next, our walk takes us through the Mangroves near the sea. The ground is sandy and in some places there are pools of brackish water, left behind, trapped, after large waves brought it inland. It's a cool ride through here and we are encouraged to find our own path, to practice guiding our mounts. We emerge from the Mangroves to begin riding through the surf; this is the things dreams are made of. Princess seems to enjoy this and Lennon encourages her/us to canter along.

Weeeee.

Ahead I see Veronika breaking into the sea, taking her horse headlong into the waves. Huh. Admittedly, I feel little anxious. Now that I'm here, I have no choice but to go with the flow. Princess is not intimidated by the surf in the least; she enters the sea with gusto. If she

This has been a good morning. It is very likely that this is a one-off event for me, something I won’t have an opportunity to repeat.

It was worth every penny. I’m feeling energized and empowered. Wiping the stupid smile off my face is going to take a while. senses my tenseness or trepidation, she's not letting on.

I'm pulled along by her energy. We are asked to keep the horses turned slighted so they can watch the surges in the water. Before you know it we are swimming parallel to the shore. Or at least the horses are. With only their heads out of the water they purr merrily along, the waves washing over their backs. I hold on to a small strap on the pad we sit on with my right hand, endeavor to help Princess keep an eye on the sea using my left hand while clamping my thighs around her, hoping the waves that are hitting me waist-high don't wash or pull me off the horse. Well this is a challenge for sure; a test of one’s upper body strength - of which I clearly have none. Princess has a good eye or sense for the waves; I on the other hand - not so much. A wave takes me out and now I too am in the water up to my neck. Imagine how unique this is. A prairie girl taken out by a wave while swimming in the ocean with a horse. OK, now try to cowboy up in the water. Remember of course, that the waves don't stop hitting you, nor does Princess stop moving forward. Thank goodness Lennon was close by to assist. At first he offered his knee for me to step on. Well even on dry land that is going to be a stretch; compound all of this with the fact that I'm physically

tired and my legs are Jell-O. He then gives me a hand and helps me back up with a lift. I'm exhausted.

We carry on for a bit, but I clearly need a moment on dry land to catch my breath and slow down the heartbeat. Now the rest of the riders have entered an area where the waves are much calmer and I'm anxious, ready to go again. I need to get back in the water. This is fun, exhilarating; it’s a gentle span of water where staying on is much easier. Eventually, we find our way out of the sea.

Back on land now, we walk slowly through Buccoo, enjoying the quiet of this village. At the yard Veronika washes all of us, horses and riders with a hose of fresh water. She washes their faces, their eyes, and bodies. She says besides feeling good, washing the salt off will keep the bugs from biting them - and us. A short walk to the pasture and we dismount, sliding slowly to the ground. My legs are reluctant to work. There is still a lot of adrenalin in my system. We say good bye to the horses and walk back to the yard to gather our things.

Lennon is still hosting, he takes a scenic route back to our resort, telling us about the neighborhoods and history along the way.

This has been a good morning. It is very likely that this is a one-off event for me, something I won’t have an opportunity to repeat. It was worth every penny. I’m feeling energized and empowered. Wiping the stupid smile off my face is going to take a while.

Thanks to Daniel from Being with Horses for taking pictures for me. He put my SD card into his camera and followed along the ride, helping, encouraging and acting as my photographer.

http://www.being-with-horses.com/

CHEESE & HERB

PULL-APART

garlic bread

By Judi Frizzle Stowell

Warm your winter kitchen and your tummy with layers of soft yeasty homemade bread touting fragrant herbs, brazen amounts of melty cheese and oodles of sultry garlic.

Brrrrr!!! Baby it's COLD outside!! Bone chilling, frost bitten, shaking-in-your-fur-lined-boots cold. Brrrrrr!

Given ol' man winter's frigid blast, I had no option. I'm sorry. Really sorry. For side-tracking you when you're seriously on-target with your January goals. I apologize for tempting you. For pushing you to the very edge of all reason, where you know there's no option but to succumb to warm-from-the-oven, yeasty soft, cheese and herb riddled garlic bread.

And…this loaf goes a step further. This is not your mama's garlic bread.

Not the kind where you have to pull open the drawer, find the bread knife and slice off a piece. Nope, not that kind. This is a ridiculously fragrant loaf that the moment it comes out of the oven, insists your fingers pull off a piece right here and now. Effortless.

Seems there was a good dent in our loaf before we even dished out the turkey soup. Might I add, this bread is great with soup. Whether munched on the side or dipped in the barley, veggie and turkey laden, golden rich, heady broth.

Not only that, but it was pretty darn easy, and fun, to make. I started the dough in the breadmaker, then rolled it out, slathered it with garlic-

jalapeno butter, sprinkled herbs here and there, sliced the dough, stacked the dough, sliced again, shimmied the stacks into a loaf pan, baked, and voila. The staff of life.

I used cheddar cheese with chopped fresh cilantro and chives. But whether you fancy Monterey Jack, Parmesan, provolone, Havarti, Gouda...basil, thyme, rosemary, sage, oregano, or, or, or ...any combination will work. We love 'heat', so I added some really finely chopped fresh jalapenos which gave a perfect zing. And, of course, lots of fresh, minced garlic.

So, don't say I didn't warn you about this not being your New Year’s resolution type recipe. Besides that, I just know you've earned a warm-the-tummy-and-thesoul comfort food treat.

And tomorrow is a new day. Redemption is just one sleep away. Tomorrow, salad.

With warmed up cheese & herb garlic bread!

Follow Judi’s blog at

www.thelast wonton.typepad.com

"A loaf of bread, a jug of wine and thou." ~ Omar Khayyam

RECIPES

CHEESE & HERB PULL-APART GARLIC BREAD - Makes 1 loaf Bread 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup milk 3 tablespoons butter 2 1/2 teaspoons yeast, or 1 package active dry yeast 3 tablespoons sugar 3 generous cups flour 1 teaspoon Kosher or sea salt 1 egg, lightly beaten

Filling 4-5 plump garlic cloves, minced 1-2 fresh jalapenos, very finely chopped (optional, for you non-heat seekers) 6 tablespoons butter, softened 1/2 cup fresh chopped herbs (cilantro, chives, basil, oregano, rosemary, sage, dill, tarragon, parsley) 2 cups grated cheese (I used 'old' cheddar, but any cheese will work) Freshly ground black pepper

Combine water and milk in a 2 cup measure. Microwave until just steaming. Add 3 tablespoons butter and stir. Let sit until butter melts and mixture cools to lukewarm.

If using a breadmaker: add yeast, sugar, flour, salt and beaten egg, then lukewarm liquids. Hit the dough cycle button.

For the dough, without breadmaker: Pour heated water-milk-butter mixture into bowl of standing mixer. Stir in sugar and yeast and let rest for 57 minutes until foamy. Stir in beaten egg. Add flour and salt and mix with a dough hook about 8 minutes. The dough should be silky-ish, not sticky, to the touch. Butter or oil a bowl, transfer dough to bowl, cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours until doubled in bulk.

While dough is rising combine softened butter with minced garlic and chopped jalapeno. Set aside.

Punch down the dough and turn onto lightly floured surface. Allow to rest for 5 minutes. Roll the dough out into a 12 x 20 inch rectangle. Slather evenly with garlic, jalapeno butter. (oh my!) Sprinkle evenly with chopped herbs and grated cheese. Grind some black pepper over top to taste.

Cut the dough, vertically, into 6 equal sized strips with a sharp knife or pizza cutter.

Stack the strips on top of one another.

Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan. (I lined my loaf pan, partially, with overhanging parchment, which worked like a charm. Once the loaf was baked, it lifted right out of the pan.) Turn the pan on it's end, or however it's easiest for you, and stack and shimmy the stacks into the pan.

Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place about 45 minutes or until almost double in bulk.

Preheat oven to 350F. Bake the bread for 40-50 minutes, or until the top is golden-brown and the inside is cooked through. If the top browns too quickly, cover the loaf loosely with foil. I baked my loaf just over 45 minutes and did cover with foil for about the last 15 minutes.

Slice the stack into six equal slices once again. You'll have six stacks of six squares.

Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10-20 minutes. Run a knife around the edges, and invert onto serving platter. (or if you used parchment paper, just pull that beauty out using the overhang as handles).

Soul warming comfor t, layer on layer.

Pull, pop. Repeat.

Quirk - 27

The Finest Pizza, Pasta & Salads In Lethbridge for over 40 Years

First Place

Best of the BestPizza restaurant 2003,04,05,07,10,12

Gluten Free Pizza Crust available

1101 - 4th Avenue South

403-327-1952 Monday - Thursday 11 am - Midnight Friday & Saturday 11 am - 1 am Sunday & Holidays 4 pm - 11 pm

www.top-pizza.com

Dine-In, Pick-Up & Delivery Quirk - 28

403-327-1133

Guitars • Amps • Repairs • Lessons • Drums • Accessories • PA • Buy Sell Trade

#102, 1122 - 3 Avenue South Lethbridge

318A 13 Street North

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Quirk - 29

The Button Box

By Joyce Hayko

When I was growing up in the 1940's our home owned a sewing repair kit called the Button Box. Almost any tiny item found its way into the button box. There could be tiny screwdrivers for the sewing machine, marbles, razorblades for ripping old garments to make some new item, safety pins, etc.

When my Mom was doing some mending we were often told to "Go, get the button box."

It was as important as the Doctor Book that my parents kept up on a high shelf to keep curious children from checking out the explicit pictures and getting an early education.

When Mom was selling her home and my sisters were sorting through her belongings I asked if I could have Mom's button boxes.By then there was more than one collected over the years.

I recalled a strange fascination with searching for the right colour and style as those buttons tumbled through eager little fingers.We could find clips off overalls, rubber buttons from girdles and garter belts,even military style buttons.

In this era of tossing out instead of fixing, it reminds us that years ago there was a greater emphasis on repair than replacing.

Quirk - 30

Why this fascination and appeal about a simple button box? It spoke of worn-out garments with buttons retrieved for a possible second use.

It depicts repairing, the feeling of home, and clothing that's seen its day. It reminds us of quiet evenings when chores were done and Mom sat down to get some mending done.

In this era of tossing out instead of fixing, it reminds us that years ago there was a greater emphasis on repair than replacing.

Today I own 7 or 8 button boxes and when our grandkids come over they often ask if they can check out the boxes from my sewing cupboards.

Just like years ago, they too, love searching for 'treasures' in the button box and it provides hours of entertainment and imagination.

There is simple, inexpensive joy in the button box.

Feline OUR PETS

Hyperthyroidism

Written by

Dr. Kate Lupton One of the most common endocrine disorders affecting cats today is hyperthyroidism – meaning that the thyroid gland is producing too much thyroid hormone. It's a condition which most commonly affects older cats – usually around 12 years old and it's treatment is typically very effective. A physical examination and history can go a long way to diagnosing hyperthyroidism. Usually it's noted that a cat slowly loses weight despite having a ravenous appetite – some cats will start to scavenge from the counters. One cat I knew dragged half a pizza under the couch! These guys tend to also have a poor hair coat – a bit greasy and unkempt. With a voracious appetite they inhale their meals and this can lead to vomiting and diarrhea – usually voluminous amounts.

During a physical exam, usually I can find what we call a “thyroid slip”.

The thyroid gland will enlarge with hyperthyroidism and so sometimes this can be palpated in the throat area. Another finding which can suggest a problem is the development of a heart murmur and a very fast heart rate. Excess thyroid hormone acts directly on the cat’s heart causing the muscle to thicken and become less flexible. Luckily, treatment often reverses this change.

Hyperthyroidism is also one of the leading causes of hypertension in cats and this can create a heart murmur. Hypertension can be a devastating condition in cats – destroying kidneys, damaging the heart, rupturing blood vessels in the eye and causing blindness – this may be permanent if the retina completely detaches.

This is why checking your kitty's blood pressure and examining the retina (inside the eye at the back) is very important. Medication may be started right away if the blood pressure is very high to avoid further organ damage. Oddly enough, some cats will develop elevated blood pressure after we treat them for their hyperthyroidism. Cats don't read the book and that is part of why I love them so!

These elderly patients are often anxious and frail. It is so important that they be treated tenderly and with as little stress as possible. My nurse and I take extra care in knowing the best techniques to collect blood and urine samples from these cats, making it a great experience for all involved.

A blood test that we do in our clinic evaluates the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood. If this is elevated then it provides a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Another important aspect of caring for these senior cats is looking for concurrent illnesses. Some degree of kidney dysfunction is very

common in older cats. Hyperthyroidism has a way of hiding this kidney dysfunction by speeding up the cat's metabolism. When we bring their thyroid levels back to normal, this can allow kidney toxins to build up in their body. That is why it is important to check their kidney function from onset of treatment to the point of normalized thyroid levels. It is also important to check for urinary tract infections. They can be prone to this as their urine is often more dilute.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism starts with the administration of oral medication twice daily which stops the production of thyroid hormone. The medication is sugar coated to help with administration and it can be hidden in some canned food, however we must be cautious that it doesn't cause a food aversion. This is the very best way to control the condition and I insist that most clients attempt at giving this oral medication to start. Unfortunately, twice daily pills can be impossible in some cats and for them there is a second option. The medication can be compounded into a gel which is applied to the inside of the ear. This may sound like such a great option, but the gel can be very ineffective due to absorption barriers. It is not a first line of therapy.

On another note, there is a new prescription cat food which has been shown to treat hyperthyroidism. It has very low levels of iodine and must be a cat's sole source of nutrition. It comes in both canned and dry form, and if your feline will eat the food it may be an excellent choice for easy treatment.

After being treated with medication, if a cat does well and doesn't develop kidney disease, then they are a candidate for a curative treatment. A single injection of radioactive iodine targets the enlarged portion of the thyroid and destroys it. Drawbacks of this treatment are that it isn't readily available and requires you to take a trip to Calgary or Saskatoon. It also means that your kitty needs to stay in the hospital for a week of quarantine. There is of course a higher upfront cost but is often worth it in the long run.

Currently there is no good understanding as to why so many older cats suffer from this condition although much speculation exists and luckily the research continues. If you think your beloved companion may suffer from this condition please see your family veterinarian. After so many years as a faithful companion they deserve the treatment they need.

2303 - 6th Avenue South

403.320.5200

www.familypethospital.com Quirk - 31

By Jean Van Kleek Photos by Jen Alston, Imagen Photography

One of the great things about my work is experiencing the opportunity to meet a variety of fascinating people in the Lethbridge area. Something I noticed in my travels meeting with local business owners, is that they often take their pets to work. Sometimes their pet even becomes a part of their marketing as was the case with GI Jen’s Army Surplus when their dog “Trooper” and then “Radar” were in all of their ads and became very well known in the community as the mascot for the store.

This prompted me to think about publishing an article on “working dogs”.

Not the kind who guide, or are trained for specific work, but the dogs who go with their owners to work and happily greet customers through the day. To me, this really brings about a sense of family, and one more reason to shop local. It’s just more personal.

Bringing pets to work has become somewhat of a trend within large corporations in big cities. Major companies such as Google, Amazon and TLC network have implemented “bring your pet to work” incentives after studies have shown the benefits of reduced stress, an increased productive environment, and a means of retaining talented employees.

I don’t believe businesses in Lethbridge have taken part in all of these kinds of studies and trends, they simply bring their pet to work because they enjoy it. That’s what I appreciate about a city this size and local business.

The following are just a few of the businesses who bring their dogs to work.

Hope you enjoy meeting them as much as we did.

Gentlemen Three Miss Micah, the de facto Queen of Gentlemen Three, is a wonderful addition to our store. More than just a friendly greeter, she's developed a bond with quite a few of our customers, especially those who carry “Daddy approved” treats. Our store is our home and a house is not truly a home without a wonderful Boston Terrier like Micah, in our eyes anyway.

The Sous Chef How much is the doggie in the window? is a question we are often asked as Bobbin sits in the window as The Sous Chef Guard Dog! She loves to come to work and can often be found curled up in her cozy bed under the desk! Bobbin always looks forward to her favourite customers that are sure to give her a little pet!!

Kenedgo Salon Spa This Is Tristan, getting beautiful, he definately represents the salon well.

He is our Public Relations face. When you come into our space you are instantly greeted with these big brown eyes, he will sit next to you, making sure you are comfortable and gives free hugs too! But only if you invite him to sit with you! Such a gentleman!

(He is also hypoallergenic) Whenever I am not at work, our guests always ask where he is, I think he is more popular than me! They love their one on one bonding. He will fall asleep in their lap for an entire service, he is so cuddly! The best perk to Kenegdo:) Quirk - 32

Grower Direct "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Can't wait to get there. I love to spend the day at the flower shop. I get lots of pets from all the ladies that work there and my master takes me for walks in the alley - where there are lots of things for me to smell - that's the highlight of my day.

I am especially happy when my new friend Teaka gets to come with me to the shop. She whines a lot, but we play so much it's worth it. We usually have mid-day naps, so we have lots of energy when we get home to go for walks and play some more."

Energysmart Canada The workplace is a second home for Dusti. She enjoys exploring the new showroom, getting along with the staff and greeting customers as they come in. She loves getting all the attention.

Dubeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Painting Design & Renoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Skyler enjoys coming to my showroom with me. He has a big space to chase his tennis ball and rope around. (lol) It's great having him keep me company on those long paper work days.

Colors Hair Salon Clipper can hardly wait to get to work each day! He loves it! He's worked at Colors for almost 6 years now :) He gets really spoiled, the girls treat him royally, and so do our guests! He has his 'girlfriends' people who are extra special to him, he even recognizes their vehicles when they pull up on the parking lot and will come running from anywhere when he hears the girlfriend word. He can be found in his bed, on the floor right by my station, or in the lunchroom sharing food with the girls, or on somebody's lap getting some attention. He especially enjoys going for Timmy's runs, and of course he always gets a little donut from the servers there. He loves my staff, and can get pretty upset when they leave after the day is done too...barks when they are going out the door.

Nicholai Home Fashion I like owning my own business as then I CAN bring my dogs to work with me!! Tika and Katie and I also work at Classique Dancewear and the children that come to this shop LOVE the dogs!! They snuggle and hug and kiss the dogs. The dogs have their own backroom to hang out in and the children are able to see them and touch them only if they want to.

The Goldworks Four year old Bubbles enjoys coming to the store everyday and is very popular with our customers. "Why does her tongue stick out?" is something we are asked on a daily basis!

Imajen Photography Lucy is my Chinese Crested Powder Puff. She is 5 months old and is an adorable addition to our family as well as my business. She is with me as often as possible for my family/children's sessions. She gives great "hello's" and the kids are excited to say hi to her at the end of our sessions. Pets are an important part of the family, and I encourage pets to be in the family sessions whenever possible.

Quirk Magazine My dogs love hanging out with me whether I am working at my desk or on the road visiting clients. Any excuse for a car ride! Every time I get out of the vehicle, Bella takes over the driver's seat and has often been mistaken for a curly dark haired woman (with an especially large nose!).

Quirk - 34

LESSONS I’VE LEARNED FROM MY DOGS By Jean Van Kleek My dogs are the source of many lessons for me. One lesson being, already understanding the serenity prayer that is common with most any 12 step program. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference”.

Why do dogs know this already & we need to be taught?

My dogs inherently seem to adapt and make do with any situation they are confronted with. When the weather is especially bad, they will play inside and have no problem making up their own games. For instance, hiding on each other and then jumping out to surprise, or “dropped it, caught it” with the ball. Bella & Shani will play “ring around the table” and look like a living merry go round with a slow, even, methodical trot as they circle the table. If it has been raining, they will watch the worms on the sidewalk and follow them. If it’s windy they will chase the leaves or whatever else has become airborne (which could be a cow, with our gusts of wind!). Which reminds me of a time at the lake when it was so windy we humans just sat in the trailer all grumpy and wind whipped, looking out the window at what was supposed to be a nice day. Suddenly from around the corner came Bella flying through the air with a whole roll of toilet paper she had discovered, waving her long stream of “kite” in the wind. She was beside herself with excitement as she galloped with glee. Our grumpiness instantly turned into laughter as we watched her joy.

Life is too short to wish any day would be different. Each day is what it is, and it’s up to us to see the positive in it, however difficult that may be at times.

None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow.

Enjoy what you have today... whatever the weather may be.

Liver n’ YamFOR CookiesDOGS My dogs and their friends love these. You can use beef, chicken, lamb or wild game liver. Works best if the liver is pureed raw.

RECIPE

It’s all about

the dogs at

Doggie Day Care!

Pet Grooming Pick-up and drop-off service available!

Supervised playtime Report cards & dog of the month awards Pet City has a state of the art dog wash, making cleaning easy! Do it yourself or have Pet City Canada take care of it for you.

We also offer pet sitting (for pets of any variety) as well as dog-walking services.

We treat your dog the way YOU do -

113 - 13 Street N 403-380-4922 www.petcitycanada.com Quirk - 36

1 lb chicken liver 5 eggs beaten 3 T olive oil 2 T honey 4 T cinnamon 1 C all bran 1/2 C ground flaxseed 2 C cooked mashed yams 8 C quick oats Mix together well and place on cookie sheet. Use parchment paper. Press to about one inch thick and score to desired size.

Bake @325 F for one hour. Cool and store in fridge or freezer. *Michelle's recipes include well researched ingredients to help make your dog happy & healthy.

Courtesy of Michelle Zandstra

Grooming is not just a hair cut, it should be an experience.

We provide full grooming services for large and small dogs as well as cats.

403.380.4959

1243 2 A Avenue North, Lethbridge www.pawfectionsalon.ca

THE

PET PHOTO CONTEST JAX

This is my dog Jax. I took this photo about a month after I adopted him while on a hike in the mountains. He has been the happiest dog since he became a part of my life.

2nd Place by Cassandra Pollock

Everyone loves photos of

OUR FURRY FRIENDS! MICKEY

Sits like this every morning while I'm getting ready for work

Enter your best photo of your favorite pet in jpeg format, 300 dpi resolution, black & white or full color. A winning photo will be chosen each issue and be published in Quirk Magazine. Entries will also be posted on readquirk.com.

Bi-monthly first and second place winners receive great prizes from

1st place by Tracy Glen Photos must be original, caption and contact information of photographer provided. No altered photographs will be accepted, digital or otherwise.

Quirk Magazine, Shabella Publishing and sponsors retain the right to use winning photographs for promotional purposes.

email your photos to: info@readquirk.com

Entry Deadline January 28, 2013 Quirk - 37

BITS & PIECES If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint”, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.

Vincent Van Gogh

Sometimes when we have trouble unlocking the door…

r ache e t st, r i rd f a h st is a e te e h c t n rie r ds . ves e i a g p w x e r E e se sh on aft u a c ss be n he le t now k n n e U th

It’s best to try the window.

Quirk - 38

- Jean Van Kleek

1241 2 A Avenue North

403-380-4958 www.just4pets.ca

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