Quirk January February 2016 by Quirk Magazine

nside MAGAZINE

Volume 1 • Issue 7 January - February 2016

CONNECTING

LETHBRIDGE

DOUG VOGT Incredible Journey of a Photo-Journalist

TERRACYCLE Collecting Waste Has it’s Rewards

ADORABLE ADOPTABLES Finding Forever Homes for Felines

BREAKING THE ICE IN ANTARCTICA

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10 18 24 28 34

Quirk - 4

Book Review

Lethbridge raised Randy LePard shares his poems and thoughts in his recently published

“A Part of Me”

Polar Express: Breaking the Ice in Antarctica

World traveller, Dennis Shigematsu, takes us on his breathtaking journey to the Antarctica

Rigatoni Pie

A tantalizing twist to a classic dish

TerraCycle

Helping to turn trash into cash

Random Thoughts at Random Times

Mark Campbell interviews Doug Vogt, celebrated photo-journalist who early in his career worked at what is now Global TV

Homes Alive Pets

A success story about a local business that keeps it “all in the family”

18 34 28

Quirk - 5

From The Publisher Something always feels very special about bringing in the new year. With it comes reflections on the past, new goals, ideas, and a refreshing sense of renewal. It also often comes with a few extra pounds and a little postChristmas celebration fatigue, which is all good, as long as you enjoyed the holidays!

Volume 1 • Issue 7 • January - February 2016

www.readquirk.com Jean Van Kleek Photography: Jen Alston

We at Quirk are excited as we head into our fifth year of publication. We look forward to growing new ideas and expanding ways to bring you stories about our area. Mark Campbell, has recently produced videos similar to the concept Seinfeld created with his “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee”. Mark’s production is entitled “Cool Cars…Interesting People”. In his videos, Mark picks up his “interesting person” in a vehicle from local car dealers and takes them for a coffee. The interview that follows is always in Mark Campbell’s own unique style and well worth the watch. These videos are posted on the Quirk website www.readquirk.com. Have a look and enjoy! This chilly time of year is a good time to get you in the mood to read about Dennis Shigematsu’s adventure in the Antarctic. It’s a fascinating story with breathtaking photos taken on his trip to this mysterious continent. This installment of Random Thoughts at Random Times, Mark Campbell interviews Doug Vogt, a photo-journalist who early on in his career worked at what is now Global Lethbridge. Doug spent years covering conflict zones around the world, but it was when he and ABC anchorman, Bob Woodruff were severely injured in Iraq he decided to put an end to that chapter of his career. He now resides in Los Angeles and works closer to home. We have these stories and more, as well as our regular features. We look forward to a new year of celebrating Southern Alberta and sharing it’s diverse culture with you, our readers.

We hope 2016 brings you all that you wish for!

Published bi-monthly in Lethbridge by

SHABELLA PUBLISHING

1010 - 10th Ave. N., Lethbridge, T1H 1J8 403.382.7240 Printed by Warwick Printing, Lethbridge, AB. Publisher Jean Van Kleek jean@readquirk.com Design & Layout UniVerse Graphics Photographers Chris Yauck Denis Shigematsu Cover Photo Dennis Shigematsu Writers Christina Scott Ginger Malacko Heather Gunn Chris Yauck Priscilla Peltier Judi Frizzle-Stowell Sharry Yaeck Jean Van Kleek Vanessa Farquharson Michelle Zandstra General Inquiries info@readquirk.com Advertising Inquiries jean@readquirk.com 403.382.7240 LEGAL INFORMATION 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.

Quirk -- 66 Quirk

EACH

SSUE 8

Photography Tips & Tricks Lethbridge & Area Photo Contest

The Style of Being

Restaurant Guide

20 33 38

Connecting Body, Mind and Spirit

Health Matters

Pet Photo Contest Lessons From My Dogs Dog Recipe

New to The Community? Expecting a Baby? Getting Married? New Business or New Manager?

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For Your Free Gifts and Information

1-844-299-2466 www.welcomewagon.ca Quirk Quirk -- 7 7

Connecting Body, Mind & Spirit

by Heather Gunn

Are you feeling disjointed, scattered, distracted or confused?

Perhaps you're struggling with short term memory loss, unexpected emotional outbursts, super highs followed by energy-sapping lows, unexplained aches or pains, ringing in the ears or some other unexplainable symptom? Often times the mind, body and Spirit are struggling to unite in an effort to offer healing, peace and harmony to you.

Western medicine has traditionally viewed mind, body and spirit as separate in the healing process. Thankfully, these views are changing as more doctors come to the realization that mind, body and spirit work together in creating wellness. According to Dr. Deepak Chopra, your immune system is constantly responding to the pictures, sounds, feelings, smells, tastes, and thoughts that you hold in your mind. Everything is monitored, overheard, and viewed by your immune system. It is important to understand that negative emotions and stress affect you on a cellular level, and are not conducive to good health. Neurophysicist Dr. Paul Goodwin implies that trapped emotions create a favorable environment for the development of disease. Medical studies have demonstrated that these emotions get stuck in the body. Anxiety, anger, shame, sadness and self-sabotaging or addictive behavior drain your energy, suppress your immune system and keep you stuck in old, destructive patterns. In her video “Why People Don’t Heal”, Dr. Caroline Myss explains beautifully that people don't heal because they hold onto the past.

Dolores Cannon's Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique (QHHT) involves using regression hypnosis to induce the individual to the somnambulistic state through visualization - a state which is naturally experienced twice daily: the moment just before you become consciously awake and the moment just before you drift off to sleep. Imagine that! We experience hypnosis every day!

I just woke up one day and decided I didnt want to feel like that anymore, or ever again.

Every human being is unique and has the innate ability to heal.

Working with her clients, Dolores discovered a Heather Gunn knowledgeable and powerful aspect of each RN, MSN individual with which the individual can communicate. She learned that this part of us exists just below the surface of our conscious mind, so she chose to label it the "Subconscious”. Over a very successful 45-year career, her hypnosis technique proved to be effective for thousands of people the world over, regardless of their age, gender, personality, symptoms, religious beliefs or cultural background. Through regressive hypnosis, body, mind and Spirit connect…perfectly.

Every human being is unique and has the innate ability to heal. QHHT leads the way to your health through a hypnosis session unlike any other physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. As a QHHT regression hypnosis practitioner, I have witnessed lasting solutions to disease that have typically offered a poor prognosis. I have worked with clients across Canada who are struggling with depression, anxiety, fear, gender identity concerns, ADD, back pain, arthritis, insomnia, migraines, addictions, fibromyalgia, MS, high blood pressure, heart disease and cancer as well as many other physical, emotional or spiritual concerns. I am beyond thrilled with the positive results of my practice. To see what others have experienced from their QHHT sessions please read the testimonials so considerately offered by my clients at www.onespirit.ca. As a Registered Nurse, Reiki Master Teacher and non-denominational Minister, my sincere hope is to help you to understand your past problems in order to improve your present state of health.

Heather Gunn can be contacted at 403.894.2622 E-mail: onespiritall@gmail.com Or visit her website:www.onespirit.ca

Do not go where the path may lead…

So I changed. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. Ralph Waldo Emerson Quirk - 8

A PART OF ME

REFLECTIONS, RECOLLECTIONS, REVERIES & REVELATIONS Author: Randy Le Pard

By Jean Van Kleek

Randy Le Pard was born in Lethbridge at the Galt Hospital in 1947. He grew up here and later moved to other locations, eventually settling in Calgary with his wife Mary. While he is an architectural technologist by trade, and still works at BCW Architects in Calgary, he has spent the past sixteen years writing short prose and poetry. To date, he has close to 500 pieces of writing, the majority of which follow a Shakespearean sonnet format, although he has experimented with other variations and combinations of both prose and poetry. He recently compiled some of his works into a book called “A Part of Me … Reflections, Recollections, Reveries & Revelations”.

The book contains many memories of his childhood growing up in Lethbridge as well as stories and reflections on some of the local landmarks. One example being, “Steel Cathedral”, a poem he wrote about our renowned train trestle bridge. He also wrote a piece about Waterton Lakes called “Jewel of the South”; another called “Once Around the Lake”, a poem about walks around Henderson lake and the fifties. The book includes some photos taken by Randy, as well as some from the Galt Museum. What makes Randy Le Pard’s work unique is the way he intertwines local history with personal experiences and thoughts through the years. Not all of his work is about his life in Lethbridge, the title of the book says it succinctly with “reflections, recollections reveries and revelations”. This is a book that explores the thoughts, feeling and memories of the man as he experienced the world around him. “A Part of Me” is available at Chapters ($21.95+GST) as well as the Lethbridge Public Library.

Randy joined the Board of Directors of the Galt #8 Mine Historic Site Society and subsequently published a book titled “Galt No. 8 Coal Mine”. He wrote it to help promote the Galt #8 Mine Historic Site Society in their efforts to purchase the mine site and turn it into an interpretive centre. He says, ”I felt that it should be as comprehensive as possible regarding the mining history of Lethbridge and region and provides additional maps and pictures”.

It includes information that illustrates the struggle over the years that many others have encountered in their efforts to bring this about. It has a full complement of pictures that show all the existing mine buildings. He added his views on possible development for the site and included some poems and stories to enhance the presentation and produced a rendering that suggests a possible development.

The main purpose of this book is to inform the general population at large, and encourage their support. This is an ongoing project and the Mine Society will be initiating a fundraising program in the near future. Galt No. 8 Coal Mine is available at the Lethbridge Public Library for on site viewing. A hardcover copy is available for viewing and purchase for $25.00+GST at Minuteman Lethbridge.

Randy Le Pard

Steel Cathedral

I sit beneath an eastern arch, And gaze upon its entire length; Into the distance girders march, A silent display of its strength.

With its towering majesty, Elevated above it all; It rises over the valley, Like a great black steel cathedral.

The river, a ribbon of blue, Winds its way through a field of green; The bridge’s grey, shadows subdue. And soften this pastoral scene.

Birds fly through the air to and fro, Alighting from nesting places; Through the framework their cries echo, As they soar through vaulted spaces.

Just myself, the bridge and Nature, A spiritual trinity; Sunlight streaming through the structure, Vanishing to infinity. Quirk - 9

Polar Express:

Breaking the Ice in Antarctica by Christina Scott Photos by Dennis Shigematsu

On a wintry November evening, the theatre gallery of the Lethbridge Public Library is alive with sound as dozens of people swarm inside, chattering excitedly. Many rush to find seating, and they’re right to be swift. Within a few short minutes, the space will be filled to capacity with standing room only.

At the centre of the frenzy is a magically mysterious place the majority of us only get to see on David Attenborough nature specials. It’s a world away from southern Alberta, and perhaps that is what contributes to its enormous draw. It has been a subject of fascination for centuries, capturing the imaginations of early explorers who dared to venture into one of Mother Nature’s harshest and most unforgiving climates: the Antarctic.

While trips to the continent are sparse, they are not impossible. A Lethbridge man experienced the incredible journey, and on this night, people will be enthralled with the images and stories he reveals about the ever-elusive land of ice and snow. Quirk - 10

“I love sharing with other people and explaining, not only about the wildlife but about other cultures and people so that we develop a respect for different ways of life.”

Dennis Shigematsu was born and raised in southern Alberta, growing up in the small community of Raymond. He says he was very fortunate to be hired by the County of Lethbridge, beginning his career in 1986 in their finance department and working his way up to manager in 2007. Dennis retired in 2013 and says he loved working for the County.”

“It was always challenging and I was never bored due to the wonderful co-workers, diverse work tasks and serving County citizens,” he says. “[Lethbridge County] is a hard-working, generous community and I have nothing but respect for the farmers and the citizens who live within the borders of the county.” He adds he’s always been a small-town guy, preferring its intimacy to bigger cities.

“I took my schooling in Calgary and I couldn’t wait to get back home,” he says. “Big city life is not for me.”

Despite this, Dennis loves to travel. He has visited all seven continents and nearly 50 countries. He credits his parents as his biggest influence, instilling in him an

appreciation for nature, learning, education and a healthy respect for diversity.

“My father was a carpenter and at any opportunity we would go to the mountains with fishing rods in hand and much curiosity regarding flora and fauna,” he says. “He was a great naturalist and . . . took me to museums in Toronto and the bigger centres which further aroused the curiosity in my mind.”

Dennis and his dad would bond by looking at National Geographic together, which stimulated his mind further, increasing the desire for him to see and experience the world with his own two eyes. “That’s the greatest source of inspiration and why I do it to this day,” he says.

Included in his impressive travel list is Timbuktu, Chile, Cambodia, the Andes, Asia, Ethiopia, Indonesia and four trips to India.

“I love Third-World countries, I love trekking and I want to explore as much as I can while I have my health,” he says. “I love far-off places.” Quirk - 11

“I have been to a lot of places in the world, but I have never seen anything like the huge immensity of the land of ice. It’s so unique. I wanted to go forward and I wanted to explore and get closer.”

Dennis also developed a passion for photography, allowing him to take his appreciation for nature and different cultures to another level by sharing his photos in public presentations.

“I love sharing with other people and explaining, not only about the wildlife but about other cultures and people so that we develop a respect for different ways of life.”

Dennis’s latest presentation detailing his trip to the Antarctic from Dec. 18, 2012 to Jan. 4, 2013 was extremely popular. He gave the same presentation on two different nights, sharing his stories, photos and insights with a total of 300 people.

“I am always humbled by the turnout,” he says. “I only expect a small crowd of my faithful fans, but when we had a full capacity audience on both nights . . . I am highly appreciative of the people who take the time and effort to attend. It is always my hope that they leave with some new knowledge.”

It’s easy to understand why his presentation was so popular: he shared stunning photos of the Antarctic that seem too grand to be real: from the towering majestic icebergs to the sheer diversity of nature, which included several species of penguin, seals, birds and whales. These images were matched with funny and heartwarming stories of his travel experiences and interactions with wildlife.

“I love telling funny stories along the way because it can be quite gruelling and difficult, but if my pictures, stories and explanations enhance others, then I feel very gratified,” he says.

Dennis explains his fascination with the Antarctic began long before he ever set foot on the continent. He read about early polar explorers such as Robert Scott, Roald Amundsen and Ernest Shackleton. He wanted to see what they saw. While solo journeys to the Antarctic are too difficult to do, people who wish to see the ice continent can go with special tour companies that take people from South America on special ships that carry qualified tour guides who are experts on the polar region.

Between 30,000 and 40,000 people see the Antarctic each year, but the journey is pricey. Dennis says he saved and budgeted in order to be able to take the 4,200-mile, 17-day ocean journey. Quirk - 12

“I left with a feeling of gratitude that I’d had the ability to see it,” he says. It solved a lot of my curiosity, but I am still totally fascinated by it.” The group travelled to the region in mid-summer. While temperatures can reach as high as 5 C, the strong Antarctic wind chill can make it feel as cold as -25.

How do you prepare for a journey to the coldest, driest, windiest, most mountainous place on earth? He explains he stayed physically fit hiking and playing sports. The company he was travelling with provided him with a triple-lined parka and rubber boots. They also sent him a checklist of what to bring. This included toques, two pairs of waterproof mitts, several layers of shirts and sweaters, as well as waterproof pants. The ship left from Ushuaia, Argentina and travelled north 500 miles to the Falkland Islands, which is home to Magellanic, gentoo and rockhopper penguins, as well as albatrosses and a species of flightless duck.

Whenever the ship reached a stopping point, the ship would set anchor in a bay near the area, because the terrain of the original landing point prevented the ship from docking. To reach these destinations, people would have to get into 10 10-person Zodiacs (rafts

with outboard motors) to travel there. The groups were accompanied by guides who would provide knowledge on the area, and the group was never more than 15 minutes away from the ship. The tour, carrying 110 people from all over the world, spent two days on the island before making the two-day 900-mile journey to South Georgia Island. On at-sea days, Dennis had the opportunity to listen to talks given by various professionals on board, explaining what the passengers would see at each stop. “They had whale specialists, seal specialists, ornithologists, glaciologists and historians,” he says. “While we were sailing, there would be a lecture given on each topic. It was wonderful.” Dennis Shigematsu

Once they arrived in South Georgia Island, they were able to spend three days once again taking in diverse and abundant wildlife.

“The wildlife there is so dense, diverse and spectacular,” says Dennis. He explains the ship was fortunate to be able to land; sometimes bad weather and storms can make it impossible. When they did land, he says he was shocked and pleased to see a colony of 300,000 penguins. Quirk - 13

How do you prepare for a journey to the coldest, driest, windiest, most mountainous place on earth?

“At one point, I felt like crying because it’s so emotional when you see 300,000 penguins in one place and it makes you realize you are only one little creature on this planet,” he says “When you sit down on a rock amongst a colony and they all swarm and come around you, look at you, peck at your knees, and they’re curious of you and you’re curious of them, it’s such a great, wonderful connection that I can’t explain. Approaching wildlife of that density and immensity is extremely rare. It’s once in a lifetime.”

Dennis also got close to elephant seals 19 feet long. He says that while the pups are harmless, an adult male can weigh up to 9,000 pounds and be very aggressive. He explained Antarctic seals and leopard seals can also be dangerous due to their large teeth. Leopard seals are carnivorous and feed on other seals and penguins.

He says he was never afraid because the experts on board always scouted each location to make sure each landing was safe. Quirk - 14

When the ship reached the tip of Antarctica, Dennis says he was amazed by the landscape.

“The highlight of the Antarctic is the ice, the mountains,” he says. “I have been to a lot of places in the world, but I have never seen anything like the huge immensity of the land of ice. It’s so unique. I wanted to go forward and I wanted to explore and get closer.” He says an up close and personal encounter with whales was a thrill.

“Whales coming up close to the Zodiac were a huge adrenaline rush,” says Dennis. “The whales would swim under the Zodiac, creating eddies and we would swirl in circles because of the current. I didn’t feel any fear. I just felt like the whales are curious of us and coming to see us.” He said he enjoyed his trip and would visit the Antarctic again in a heartbeat.

“I left with a feeling of gratitude that I’d had the ability to see it,” he says. It solved a lot of my curiosity, but I am still totally fascinated by it.”

Dennis says he has a “huge list” of places he would still like to see. These include seeing the polar bears in Churchill, Man., and monarch butterfly wintering grounds in Mexico. “I have to prioritize what I want to do, but the list is long and eternal.”

“At one point, I felt like crying because it’s so emotional when you see 300,000 penguins in one place and it makes you realize you are only one little creature on this planet,” Quirk - 15

All images shot on Canon EOS 5D Mark II Lens:EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM, Focal Length 70.0 mm, Exposure: 1/160 sec; f/20; ISO 100

Lens: EF70-200mm f/2.8L USM, Focal Length 200.0 mm, Exposure: 1/100 sec; f/5.6; ISO 2000

This technique is called panning, which helps suggest the fast motion of the race cars. For this image I used a shutter speed of 1/100 of a second and used a higher ISO in order to shoot at that speed. While following the cars in the view finder take a few frames and see that the cars are still while the background is blurry.

These two images were taken using two different f-stops to give two distinct looks. Which one do you prefer? Try taking one photo on automatic to see what exposure the camera will give you. Set the camera on manual at that same exposure and then try using different apertures to obtain what you want. Lens: EF24-70mm f/2.8L USM, Focal Length 70.0 mm, Exposure: 1/160 sec; f/5.6; ISO 100

I am interested in hearing about a topic that may interest you. Please send your request to info@chrisyauckphotography.com

Incoming Storm at Park Lake

Photo by Mike Lenaour Winner: January Photo Contest

HOW TO ENTER: Submit your Lethbridge or surrounding area photo in a jpeg format, 300 dpi resolution in black & white or colour. The winning photo will be published in the following issue of Quirk Magazine. We have modified the rules this year to include enhanced photos. This is because most photos are enhanced to a degree. The integrity of the photo must be maintained to qualify with no added elements besides what the picture originally contained. Quirk Magazine retains the right to use all photos for promotional purposes.

Entry Deadline January 30, 2016 Quirk - 16

Email your photos to: info@readquirk.com

Choose Your

by Ginger Malacko

Perhaps I’m a little bit biased, being a writer and all, but I believe that words can have enormous power. The right words from the right person can have you soaring several feet aboveground, while the wrong words can turn the world into a muddy swamp that sucks at your ankles. Words can inspire and defeat. They can burn bridges and tear the strongest bonds apart. They can encourage change for the better. They can even heal. But in my experience, the great power of words lies not in the intent of the person who utters them. Because let’s be honest, the harshest words are usually spoken with the least amount of thought. Words are really just sounds that echo in these complicated and tender brains of ours, to be used and interpreted at will. No, the power of a word, for good or ill, rests upon the receiver. The listener. The open heart.

“I would also suggest that we choose the words that bring personal meaning with equal care; the ones from people who love us and also those who clearly do not. “

After all, a word is only meaningful when it connects with what we feel. Hurtful words only hurt because we secretly believe

them to be true. Inspiring words only inspire because we’re subconsciously preparing to act. We take exactly what we need from all the words we hear and we use them like bricks to build our thoughts, our fears, and our hopes. Like the wise little pig from the fable, we can choose how strong or how weak our sanctuary is by the effort we make in the construction of it. Think for a moment about the words that echo in your head like a musical track on repeat. What are you building now? Will it lift you up or hold you back? Of course it’s important to choose the words we speak with care. We never know how they will be received by someone who is already hurting. But I would also suggest that we choose the words that bring personal meaning with equal care; the ones from people who love us and also those who clearly do not. Criticism doesn’t have to shame, it can be a catalyst for improvement. Advice can remind us that our decisions are important. Questions can make us pause and reflect. Choose the words that make an impact and how. Because what we believe, what we learn, and what we feel is up to us. And some words deserve to be saved and remembered. And others should be left to scatter on the prairie wind.

Quirk - 17

By Judi Frizzle-Stowell

Geniusly simple tomato sauce, a creamy layer of peppery Cheddar sauce, an ooey, gooey crown of tangy, Italian Asiago and of course, stand up and cheer rigatoni. This dish just envelops all that's fun about tootling around in the kitchen. It's all Comfort, with a capital 'C', it whispers sweet nothings to our constant craving for Italian deliciousness, it puts childlike abandon into the making of it and it's company worthy.

Follow Judiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blog at thelastwonton.typepad.com

This time around, for my rigatoni pie, I opted for a meatless version, kicking up the tomato-y, cheesey quotient. I don't think you can go wrong, with or without meat, but quality ingredients are a must. Don't skimp. Use ingredients that would make that special Italian Auntie, we all wish we had, smile. Used some imported Italian Pasta Jesce rigatoni, canned San Marzano tomatoes, Parmigiano Reggiano and wonderful, nutty, sweet, tangy soft Italian asiago. I wanted to make my pie ahead of time to bake later that evening, so first thing in the morning I whipped up My Marcella's Tomato Sauce and a batch of black pepper and Worcestershire riddled Cheddar sauce, so that they could cool down to room temperature before I put the pie together. Then I cooked the rigatoni, just under al dente - the package suggested 13 minutes, I cooked mine 11 minutes and immediately rinsed with cold water until the pasta was completely cooled.

Quirk - 18

Pasta is tossed with a bit of olive oil and Parmesan, then stacked, upright in a buttered springform. Too fun!

A crown of fresh tomato slices and grated Asiago.

Next, top the rigatoni with tomato sauce, making sure the sauce goes into the noodles to fill the centres.

Next, layer on the cheese sauce.

MANGI CON PASSIONE! EAT WITH PASSION!

RIGATONI PIE - 8 servings 1 recipe My Marcella's Tomato Sauce

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until slightly underdone (I cooked mine for 11 minutes when the package indicated 13 minutes). When done, rinse well in cold water and drain again. Toss pasta with 2 Tablespoons olive oil to coat, then add grated Parmesan and gently toss to evenly distribute.

(http://www.thelastwonton.typepad.com/the-last-wonton/my-marcellas-tomato-sauce.html)

Or your choice of tomato sauce 4 tablespoons butter 3 tablespoons flour 1 1/2 cups milk 2 cups shredded 'old' Cheddar cheese 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce Sprinkling of sea or Kosher salt Lots of freshly ground black pepper 1 pound rigatoni 2 tablespoons good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated Butter for pan 1 plump, just ripe, fresh tomato, sliced 2 cups creamy Asiago cheese, grated Make cheese sauce: Melt 4 tablespoons butter in pot, over medium high heat. Let start to just brown a bit. Whisk flour into butter until smooth. Reduce heat and add milk to butter mixture, whisking to combine. Cook and stir until mixture thickens. Add Cheddar cheese, whisking until smooth. Add Worcestershire, salt and pepper. Sauce should be thick, but if it is too thick, just add a bit of milk. Whisk to combine and remove from heat.

Generously butter 9-inch springform pan. Tightly pack pasta into pan, standing each piece on end. Spread tomato sauce on top of pasta. Push the tomato sauce into the pasta holes filling each one up. Told you this was fun to make! Now top tomato-y noodles, with the cheese sauce and smooth into an even layer. Lay fresh tomato slices on top of cheese sauce and top with grated Asiago. Cover with foil Place springform pan on a pizza pan or cookie sheet, in case a bit of the tomato sauce wants to leak out. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes, uncover, and bake another 15-20 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden. Remove from oven and let stand for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen, then unmold. Ta da! Cut into wedges and serve. We had our pie with chewy, toasty ciabatta garlic bread, all crusty from the oven and wedge salad with Spicy Thousand Island dressing.

Quirk - 19

HEALTH MATTERS

Building your own

Health Prescription?

I am so grateful to everyone who takes the time to read my articles and it astounds me when I receive feedback from them, often paying me a visit with article in hand. Thank you for the feedback and I look forward to another wonderful year with Quirk.

I would like to share with you a guide to learning between “healthy” and “unhealthy”. Often times when we look to make changes, we do so because we want to rid ourselves from a physical symptom that is causing us discomfort (such as pain, headaches, blood sugar imbalances, food intolerances, etc.)

The natural medicine of today is far different than it was a generation ago. In a society hungry for alternatives to conventional medical practices, ‘natural medicine’ has come to include any method that avoids the use of pharmacotherapy. With everything that is available today, it can be easy to lose sight of what makes natural medicine so effective. It’s not unusual for people to come in to their appointment with their entire arsenal of supplements hoping for some clarity as to what they need to be taking. When asked why they take them, I often hear “I think I read it somewhere in a magazine” or “it was advertised on the internet”.

As natural health care practitioners, the education we offer to our clients is providing the framework and then deciding on an appropriate course of action. This framework, regardless of how your health care practitioner formulates their assessment or the modality used, ultimately works on a ‘systems based’ approach in that our symptoms are the result of an ‘upstream’ issue. Support the weakened system and the ‘downstream’ issues get resolved. It’s this kind of direction necessary to focus on the remedies needed and hold off on others even though they might be “good for you”.

Health prescription analogy:

For the moment let’s assume someone is experiencing migraine headaches almost daily for the last eight months and by now this person is desperate for pain relief. If the underlying issue causing these headaches is never addressed, it would not matter how much Tylenol or medicinal herbal extracts or prescription medication is taken, the problem is never really fixed. At the very best, a temporary relief might be experienced. This is why it is very important for health care practitioners to know as much as possible regarding lifestyle, diet, symptoms and health history, etc... In other words, viewing the whole picture will help us help you. It is very possible that you experience symptoms today because of something that was not addressed years ago. This same person may eventually become depressed as a result of chronic headaches that never seem to go away. By now, he or she is taking an additional product for depression which might be an antidepressant prescription or a natural supplement. But the list of supplements and chain of events can go on forever while at the same time never getting good results.

Evaluating health information on the internet:

The growing popularity of the internet has also made it easy for people to order supplements online however you should carefully discuss that information with your health care provider. Some of these products purchased online may not have any of the ingredients listed on the label; others contain mostly fillers. Clients often no longer remember the reason they were taking them because they’ve been taking them for a long period of time. The product often is not helping them and Quirk - 20

Probiotics are more than just gut support. They offer so much more health benefits than could have been ever imagined as per on-going research.

it becomes time-consuming for me to source out these ingredients. One problem is that the efficacy of these online products is unknown to us. My heart breaks for these people trying to do the right thing by buying inexpensive supplements or for reasons of convenience. Granted some of these online supplements can be legitimate, many are not. Some are counterfeit and probably dangerous. Some are useless expired products that have been repackaged as new. Others may have been stolen on the black market without any quality control. Supplements sold from multi-level marketing companies are often another issue. Are these products third-party tested? Is the seller asking all the right questions in terms of health issues and is this person qualified? A good health care practitioner doesn’t have a one-size fits all solution for what ails the patient and a good practitioner doesn’t make a recommendation before knowing the client inside & out.

Probiotics as a ‘foundational’ supplement:

The first point to mention here is that probiotics are a natural supplement and not a medicine. Probiotics can be taken without the advice of anyone and I just cannot say enough good things about them.

When it comes to choosing a supplement, without question, probiotics should not be seen as a once in a while supplement, especially given today’s environment and poor dietary habits. Leading authorities have gone on record stating that probiotics should be thought of as daily foundational supplements. It is one supplement I never question.... take it! You can’t go wrong....

Probiotics are more than just gut support. They offer so much more health benefits than could have been ever imagined as per on-going research. These “good bacteria” are live microorganisms keep pathogens (harmful bacteria) in check, aid digestion & nutrient absorption, and contribute to immune health among countless other reasons. MAKE HEALTH A HABIT! Priscilla Peltier is a natural health care practitioner at Nutter’s who writes on health & nutrition and has a passion for the latest research in natural health and diet.

Priscilla Peltier, C.H., C.N.C., C. Irid., R. BIE Herbalist, Nutrition Consultant, Iridologist, and Registered BIE Practitioner priscilla.eyes@shaw.ca www.eyecuhealthy.com 403.329.3100 (Office)

January February 2016_January February 2016 2015-12-22 11:38 AM Page 20

HEALTH MATTERS

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Health prescription analogy:

Evaluating health information on the internet:

Beneficial bacteria for better health

Probiotics are more than just gut support. They offer so much more health benefits than could have been ever imagined as per on-going research.

Probiotics as a ‘foundational’ supplement:

Priscilla Peltier, C.H., C.N.C., C. Irid., R. BIE Herbalist, Nutrition Consultant, Iridologist, and Registered BIE Practitioner priscilla.eyes@shaw.ca www.eyecuhealthy.com 403.329.3100 (Office)

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POST-HOLIDAY SEASON Detoxification Are you feeling bloated, constipated and just run down? Did you know that 1 – 5 lbs of your current weight could be toxic fecal matter stuck to the intestinal wall and colon causing numerous health conditions? And a further 10 lbs could be held in your muscle tissue and joints.

Your liver is responsible for eliminating excess cholesterol and fat from your blood but can only do this when it is not toxic. Kidney problems are becoming more common every year, mostly due to the consumption of overly processed foods. The kidneys filter our blood of toxins by producing urine.

People are dying with conditions that can be eradicated simply by cleaning the colon and thereby reducing the workload on the liver and kidneys. The American Medical Association journal stated there are over 15,000,000 IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) cases in the U.S. which they say they have no answer for. Probably every North American has issues with the sewer system of our most important organ, the colon. “Through my 25 years of medical practice and health care…I have come to believe that the cleansing/detoxification process is the missing link in Western nutrition and one of the keys to real healing. I have seen hundreds of patients over the years transform regular or persistent illness into health and greatly improved vitality.” – Elson M. Haas, M.D. founder and medical director of the Preventive Medical Center of Marin and author of several popular health books.

The colon is the end portion of the human digestive tract and its major functions are to eliminate waste and to conserve water. Waste is the accumulated garbage of impacted feces, dead cells, mucous, parasites, worms, flukes, etc. which pose an eventual problem to health. The material is very toxic and one can experience part of the toxicity in the form of acid reflux, for example. This is simply waste trying to get out the wrong end because the proper area of elimination is blocked. This blockage also means that the body cannot properly use nutrients. Impacted intestines and colon also lowers the metabolism rates and causes unhealthy weight gain.

These poisons enter and circulate in the blood stream, making us feel ill, tired and weak. Common signs include: headaches, backaches, constipation, fatigue, bad breath, body odor, irritability, confusion, skin problems, gas, bloating, diarrhea, sciatic pain, and many other problems which are simply

parasites feeding on bacteria. Remove the bacteria and you will remove the food chain.

When the colon can no longer eliminate these toxins properly, they lodge in fat tissue, joints, arteries, muscles, liver and all other organs. Since the lungs, skin and kidneys also serve to eliminate toxins, if the health of the colon is optimum, the whole body can work together as the well-tuned, balanced work of art it was supposed to be. The human body is able to naturally expel unwanted material on its own, but due to industrialized living the body is exposed to chemicals and toxins that it is unable to flush. Other culprits are: processed foods such as pasteurized milk, processed flour and sugar and food preservatives. “In the 50 years I’ve spent helping people to overcome illness, disability and disease, it has become crystal clear that poor bowel management lies at the root of most people’s health problems. In treating over 300,000 patients, it is the bowel that invariably has to be cared for first before any effective haling can take place.” – Dr. Bernard Jensen, D.C., Ph.D., world renowned nutrition expert and author of many popular health books.

There are many excellent products developed specifically to aid in the detoxification of the organs and are available in good Health Stores.

Vibration Training on the VibraFit Trainer is an excellent means of speeding the detoxification process by stimulating the lymphatic system which contains the fluids which bathe every cell in the body to remove toxins and send them to the organs of elimination. Since the lymphatic system has no natural pump like the blood circulatory system, it can only be stimulated by exercise because it is the peristaltic action of the muscles which forces the lymphatic fluids upwards in the body. Spending 10 minutes at a time on the VibraFit Trainer is the muscular equivalent of running for an hour so you are doing the lymphatic system a world of good. Drink lots of water to assist the liver and kidneys in their elimination process and you will feel a whole new World of Wellness!

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Quirk - 23

Turning Non-Recyclable Trash By Vanessa Farquharson

Picnic table made from recycled TerraCycle waste/ floor of pebbles made from used flip flops

Schools in Lethbridge may want to pay closer attention to their garbage — it could be worth hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars. A Canadian recycling firm that specializes in finding creative solutions to “non-recyclable” waste such as cookie wrappers and drink pouches, is hoping to get more schools in Alberta on board with its free programs, which divert waste from local landfills while rewarding schools, charities and other community groups with monetary donations. TerraCycle, in essence, helps concerned citizens turn trash into cash. Its founder doesn’t believe in garbage and feels Canadians should stop believing in it, too.

St. Anthony's Catholic School students/Kincardine, ON with their Tassimo waste collection Quirk - 24

Some background: Tom Szaky, who grew up in Toronto, has been obsessed with the concept of waste since 2001, when he dropped out of Princeton University in his freshman year and started playing with worm poop. He saw how all of the food waste on campus was being thrown into landfills, when instead it could be fed to worms, which could turn it into natural fertilizer, which could be sold at nearby

garden centres — so instead of paying to landfill their food waste, the university actually started making money by selling their cafeteria scraps to a dropout with a bunch of worms, who made a further profit selling the fertilizer to local gardeners. If leftover hotdogs and rotten cabbage could be a valuable resource, he thought, why couldn’t all sorts of trash? This is how TerraCycle gradually came to be devoted not just to worm poop fertilizer (which was packaged in reused pop bottles, for extra green points) but all kinds of waste streams that would normally be tossed in the garbage. The vast majority of what the company collects and recycles today is packaging — stuff like used drink pouches, cookie and cracker wrappers, Swiffer wipes packs, pet food bags, and generally a lot of flexible plastic. But TerraCycle also recycles some more unusual items such as cigarette butts, chewing gum, medical waste, construction debris, and those highly controversial K-Cups.

TerraCycle CEO: Tom Szaky

TerraCycle, in essence, helps concerned citizens turn trash into cash. Its founder doesn’t believe in garbage and feels Canadians should stop believing in it, too.

If you were to meet Tom in person, he would most likely set about convincing you that every single thing on the planet is recyclable. And he wouldn’t be wrong. There are processors operating today, here in Canada as well as abroad, which are capable of recycling nearly every manmade material under the sun. The problem is that it costs more money to recycle these items than the finished material is ultimately worth on the resale market, so the collecting and recycling process is usually a money-losing venture. For this reason, not many cities will accept finicky stuff like K-Cups in curbside pickup programs. The ones that do are usually big cities such as Toronto, which have greater access to processing facilities and are able to Sheridan Elementary collect high enough volumes of a students in Oakville, ON particular material that it does become with their used Lunchmate lucrative. containers So how does TerraCycle, a for-profit enterprise, make money recycling this “non-recyclable” waste? For the most part, it’s with funding from brand partners. When executives at Schneider’s Lunchmate, for instance, see how used lunch kit trays can be upcycled into seed starters or even used to make funky looking desk lamps, they see the marketing value of taking a product with a reputation for generating excess waste and flipping it around to become a product known for being eco-conscious. TerraCycle allows brands to claim that a specific type of packaging is nationally recyclable, even when it can’t go into the Blue Bin.

This, in itself, is hugely significant. But most of the brands TerraCycle works with go one step further and reward every shipment of waste with points that can be redeemed for a donation to local charities, non-profits or schools. So in the case of TerraCycle’s Lunchmate Brigade, if a school signs up and begins to collect and ship the students’ used lunch kits, it will receive two cents for every kit. This may not sound like much, but it’s not uncommon for schools to raise hundreds, even thousands, of dollars through these Brigade programs — all of which gets put back into the school for new programs, new computers or even tree plantings.

By collecting and sending in these waste streams, the kids (and teachers, and parents) learn about the importance of sorting when it comes to waste reduction, as well as the inherent value in items most people throw away. They see tangible rewards come from taking the time and effort to “TerraCycle” their waste. It truly is a win-win-win situation, with clear benefits to the environment, to the brands and to the charities and schools participating. The only problem with this model is that it doesn’t account for all of the waste streams TerraCycle can’t find brand partners to support — it’s highly unlikely, for instance, that a manufacturer of bubble wrap will step up to fund the collection and recycling of all bubble wrap in Canada. To address this, TerraCycle Quirk - 25

St. Anthony's Catholic School in Kincardine, ON with their cookie and cracker wrappers

TerraCycle allows brands to claim that a specific type of packaging is nationally recyclable, even when it can’t go into the Blue Bin. last year rolled out a new product called the Zero Waste Box, which is a specially designed collection box that anyone can purchase online; it comes with a prepaid UPS shipping label, and allows Canadians to recycle all kinds of funky stuff from broken children’s toys to hair nets to drywall remnants. The cost of collection/recycling falls on the consumer in this case, which might be an eco-conscious stay-at-home mom or the head of an office “green team.”

The vast majority of TerraCycle collectors, whether Brigade members or Zero Waste Box users, are in Ontario and British Columbia, with a few dozen in Alberta, including the Edmonton Zoo and a number of schools and church groups in Calgary. Unfortunately, there are only two active collectors in Lethbridge, which very much disappoints our Zero Waste Box Manager, as he was born here!

Most likely, the lack of Lethbridge residents saving up their cookie wrappers and drink pouches has only to do with a lack of awareness about TerraCycle’s programs. Western Canada has proven time and again that it’s bursting with concerned citizens who want to live responsibly and leave a minimal waste footprint; but with no advertising budget, TerraCycle occasionally struggles to reach this demographic.

All it takes, however, is a handful of people to step up, sign up, and start spreading the word about the opportunities that exist to recycle “nonrecyclable” waste. Creating an account at TerraCycle.ca can be done in fewer than five minutes, there are no costs whatsoever for any of the Brigades, and in most cases you can earn money for every piece of trash you ship, which can be donated to any school or charity you like — even local community groups or faith-based organizations. Quirk - 26

TerraCycle’s founder would be the first to admit that his company is by no means the solution to our global waste crisis — the real solution is buying less, reusing more, and diminishing the demand for new stuff in the first place. But until the day when civilization no longer has the need to throw stuff away, we need other options. We also need to educate the next generation of young, eco-conscious individuals, to help them think about waste differently.

Education is the ultimate tool of empowerment, and all 121 employees at TerraCycle hope, at the very least, that our Brigade programs and Zero Waste Boxes can empower people from all walks of life into changing their attitudes and behaviours. A paradigm shift needs to happen right now, and it can start anywhere — at the headquarters of a major consumer brand, or in the classroom at an elementary school in Lethbridge.

For more information on how to get involved with our programs, please go to our website:

www.terracycle.ca

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The Incredible Journey of Doug Vogt

A number of years ago I was doing a feature on Hank Vogt on my Scene & Heard segment on Global TV. If memory serves me right it was a down-home kind of story about a charming man who refurbished musical instruments. As we were about to leave Hank proudly said, “By the way, I’ve got a son who’s a cameraman in the news business. He travels all over the place covering wars. And he used to work at your TV station. His name is Doug.” Since I was doing a newspaper column at the time I thought it would be interesting to contact Doug to get his perspective on what it’s like to be a front-line photo-journalist in a conflict zone. He wrote back and gave a great insight into his recent assignment in Iraq working for ABC News. It wasn’t long after that when the news broke that ABC anchorman Bob Woodruff and his cameraman were severely injured in an attack in Iraq. That cameraman was Doug Vogt. Doug had been covering war zones since the mid-80s knowing that there was always danger. While he recovered, Doug decided it was time to put an end to the perilous side of his photojournalism career and is now living with his family in Los Angeles finding stories where you don’t have to worry about an IED going off while you drive down a secluded roadway. (At least I hope not.) Again, I reached out to Doug to hear his story and he graciously answered these questions: What are some of your favorite memories of growing up in Lethbridge? Well I love the coulees, the lighting there, hiking them, the big blue skies and the clear winter stars. I love the Old Man River.

You worked at what is now Global TV. What did you do? Did it have an impact on your development as an internationally acclaimed photo journalist? I started my first photojournalist work at CFAC, with three other photo newcomers. We shot and developed 35mm stills for cheap commercials, filmed news stories and local commercials. We used some of the first portable video cameras on the market. We also shot 16mm film. We had a great photo chief, Wayne Dwornik. He ushered us into the technical and artistic demands of being a photographer and a photojournalist. All budgets were small and the news stories local. But we tried to illustrate them as best we could and report with the confidence that we would report the facts properly. I think that working at local stations is very important. First it breaks one into the news media at a pace where technical mistakes can be made,

Quirk - 28

often in the pursuit of learning the craft. And secondly in a small local market your colleagues are often just starting their careers and there is a great shared sense of adventure. The atmosphere is close and a rookie can easily talk to the veterans, pick their brain and get inspiration.

I now work at a major American Network and many of our newcomers have not worked in a local market but jumped straight into a major network from college. I think that they miss the teething problems of starting locally.

You’ve worked extensively in conflict zones in Afghanistan, Iraq, Croatia, Bosnia and Somalia. How did you decide that’s what you wanted to do? As a child we never had the money to travel far, only family car holidays. Seeing the world attracted me so in 1983 I backpacked across Europe, Africa and Asia for one year. I had the travel bug mixed with a journalist’s sense of adventure. I moved to London England to freelance. I got lucky and a great journalist Raymond Saint Pierre from CBC French hired me. The international adventure began and so did the world travel. As I got more experienced and recognized I would be asked by the network anchors to work for them. This was a great honour but it often took me to dangerous war zones. I never loved covering wars. It’s Fallujah, Iraq 2005

too nerve wracking. But as a photojournalist I needed to tell the stories of the people who suffer when a country breaks out in conflict, and front line war coverage offered that. Teaming up with good journalists and producers who also feel this way produces stories full of impact. Stories that can change people’s attitudes. Once you’ve decided, what determines what gets you the gig? With the network assignments the request usually comes from the anchor’s team, sometimes from the correspondents or the producer. The anchors and top correspondents work closely with a small team and they know who are the good camera people, who are dependable, journalistic, creative and who are good team players. All of these elements are very

“I’ve been covering conflict zones since 1985, with CBC in Angola. But coming close to death in 2006 made me feel that it was time to close that chapter of the book.” important. Once they trust you, you become part of that small team. They are very loyal to keeping that team together and flying that team around the world to cover all big stories.

What are some of the absolute no-nos you have to learn when you’re in a dangerous area? Know who you are working with. I made this mistake when the war in Sarajevo started in 1991. What ‘motivates’ some journalists in areas of danger may not be safe and if you don’t know your own team, well some options put forward to you can be lethal. These mistakes were made and a top producer on our team got killed by a sniper after only being in Sarajevo for half an hour. If you know the team well you wouldn’t agree with suggested dangerous suggestions. They won’t get suggested. No ‘on camera’ is worth getting hurt or killed for.

Describe what a typical day would be for you when covering a story in a war zone. First have a strong coffee and find out what interests your team and, well what New York is interested in. Then prep your gear. Know your route and what is happening around the scene. Always follow up on the events, as they are happening, every hour. Talk to the locals who are working with you. They are often way more clued in than you. Have a very good driver and be prepared for the worst. Often the most dangerous stories are the ones that come up immediately and there is less time to prepare. Before Iraq in 2003 we always worked without bodyguards. Talk to all of your team, especially the ones that travel outside the office or work space, the ones that ‘cross the wire’ so to speak. Talk to all the locals you hire. They will often give you the true feeling of the story that they may not express to the bureau chief. This is important, but must be taken with a grain of salt. Some local hires can be ‘yes men’, not wanting to sound negative to the bureau chief. But they often will not express their true feelings. A bureau chief has to be close to the local hire, so that they get a proper assessment of the local atmosphere.

North Waziristan, Pakistan 2003

What are your hotels or living conditions like? War zone hotels or living conditions vary, but they are not five star. We’ve rented houses in Kabul and Baghdad and then stayed at five star hotels just beside the front lines in Angola. It could also be a fox hole with the US Marines. Don’t sleep too close to tanks…dangerous when they move!

What sort of things are you looking for when you’re out getting your shots for your story? Do you have certain things in mind or will situations just happen for you? I often think like a still photographer, looking for one image that captures the feeling of a scene. But in addition, for television we need other important shots, establishing shots that bring the viewer to the scene. I also look into the faces of people, trying to capture their emotion.

Islamist Party Rally in Quetta, Pakistan 2001

What is it that motivated you to want to go back to some of the most volatile areas of the world? Well, there is the stimulation of being front row and center at historic world events. Knowing that a strong, intent audience would think about our stories made it worthwhile. Also knowing that Peter Jennings, Diane Sawyer or Ted Koppel asked for you makes you feel appreciated for your talent. Anchors work with who they think is the best, and during those years of the 80’s-2000’s TV Network news had the budget and interest to bring in their best teams. Quality of work stood out and was recognized. It was part of the network brand.

You must have had talks with your wife and family about how your job would regularly put your life in jeopardy. (And I’m not talking Alex Trebek Jeopardy) What were those talks like? Well before I got hurt in 2006 my three children were quite young, the oldest only being 13. I would tell them about where I was going, that we were there to help out the people who were suffering. I would not tell them about IED bombs, snipers or kidnapping. My wife was an international news producer so she knew what was at stake. We were always up front with each other.

Doug & His Family The White House, 2006

Quirk - 29

Quetta, Pakistan 2001

Was the roadside bomb where you were severely injured in Iraq your most terrifying experience or were there others where you weren’t injured but there was concern for your life? The bomb was I guess the incident that threatened me the most– brain surgery and the long recovery. But I knew I would be okay, without any long term effects. But there were other times in Sarajevo, for example when David Kaplan, our senior ABC Producer got killed while with us. That shook me to the bone with fear. Other moments like driving down Mount Igman with Serb AAA (Anti Aircraft Artillery) machine guns firing at our convoy made me think about my life. And on the streets of Mogadishu with US Marine Cobra helicopters unloading their machine guns into the heart of the city, trying to kill Somali warlord leader Aidid. Putting on your chemical suit while filming SCUDS from a Tel Aviv balcony in 1991 reminded you that this was a big war. This keeps your eyes open and your head down. Most days in post 2003 Iraq were days where your nerves were on the edge.

You’ve worked extensively with Peter Jennings, Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters and Ted Koppel. Can you give a word or two to describe them? And did you have a favorite? A quick description would be impossible to describe my relations with these outstanding journalists. They are all strong but different. I would now call them old fashioned in style, in a flattering way. They believed that good journalists covered a story, and that the journalists were not the center of the story. They had a long experience of being based overseas, something that is quickly disappearing these days with network news.

“I never loved covering wars. It’s too nerve wracking. But as a photojournalist I needed to tell the stories of the people who suffer when a country breaks out in conflict, and front line war coverage offered that.” Are you able to leave your personal political feelings behind when tracking down a story? Yeah, I tried to keep my political feelings aside, but as a person you cannot help but know what is right and wrong. I’m not sure if that is a political feeling but it is a moral one. Banda Aceh, Indonesia 2006

You’ve won a number of awards including six Emmys. What do they mean to you? I must admit they do mean a lot to me. They were for individual efforts, and judged by my peers.

The awards that I am most proud of are the ones that were awarded to me and not so much the team efforts. For example an Emmy Award for the coverage of the Oil Fires in Kuwait means more to me than a group award for the 2000 Millennium for example. Why? Because I filmed the entire video for the Oil Fires.

What do you remember about that horrible day when you and Bob Woodruff were hit with a roadside bomb sending you to intensive care?

Doug (right) With Peter Jennings (middle). Balad, Iraq 2005

Did you being a Canadian have any influence on how you were treated? No I don’t think it made a difference with the locals, it wasn’t any safer.

But I hope that as a Canadian I came to stories with a little less baggage on my shoulders. I also believe that listening to the CBC and other quality Canadian news media has a very positive effect. Quirk - 30

Well, Bob and I were riding atop an Iraqi armored car, exposed through the hatch. An Iraqi soldier told us we should sit down as this part of the road was always dangerous. A good idea as all we were filming then were cover shots of the roadside as we rolled along. But then the bomb, IED went off. Bob fell down into the tank, and was helped by those inside. I however was knocked down and was lying exposed on the top of the tank. The attack was more than an IED, it was an assault with Insurgent attackers positioned beside us, shooting at anything they could see. I was only unconscious for about 10 seconds, I awoke, could see the blue sky and hear the gunfire, explosions and shouting….but I couldn’t move a muscle. I was trapped, exposed on the top of the tank while the attack continued. After about 5 minutes I managed to move my feet over the open hatch, where my ABC colleagues inside saw that

My scar from the brain surgery four months after the 2006 IED attack GMA Fire,California 2013

Doug Mosul, Iraq 2005

I was still there. They pulled me in. The attack was put down by the Iraqi and US soldiers. Bob was still bleeding and screaming with pain. But there were US soldiers trying to take care of his wounds. I thought I was fine, a sore, bleeding head and a ringing in my ears. We got out of the tank and waited for the evacuation team to arrive, to take out Bob. A helicopter could not land as the landing zone was still ‘hot’ so we had to wait 10-15 minutes for a Bradley to take out Bob.

I collected my cameras, one that was attached to the outside of the tank. I got them all together. We bandaged my bleeding head, and I had a smoke. When the US evacuation team arrived they got Bob and then ordered me to be evacuated as well. I had no idea that my skull had been hit and that I had penetration into my brain. So off I was in a Blackhawk, injected with Morphine. The rest becomes blurry. Did that put an end to any desire to go back to a similar situation or do you still get the itch? I’ve been covering conflict zones since 1985, with CBC in Angola. But coming close to death in 2006 made me feel that it was time to close that chapter of the book. I always knew it was dangerous, very dangerous... but kept rolling the dice. It’s nice now not to have to think about the ‘worst case’ scenarios when starting a day. But I still get the travel itch.

Talk about what your life is like now and the kind of headspace you’re in. I stopped covering war zones after being injured in 2006. Then we moved to Los Angeles about 6 years ago. News coverage has changed over those 10 years but what hasn’t changed is the art of storytelling and journalistic excellence. I no longer work running around the four corners of the world but I do find it in my back yard, in my local Los Angeles stories. There are great stories everywhere, right under your feet. This is one thing we cannot forget. Every person or place has a story to tell and that’s what I love about being a photo-journalist. Finally, who’s going to win the Stanley Cup? Montreal of course! We need a Dynasty back!

Quetta, Pakistan 2001 ABC News with Canadian Hillary Brown on the left

Looking back at your career do you have any philosophical revelations you like to impart? Well it sounds cliche but do what you love. Do your best, with every aspect of your craft. TV news is changing but always try to make your best effort to make every aspect of it good. Don’t take the easy or cheap way out. If you are working with a team, in dangerous places, choose your team well and don’t get pushed around by someone else’s decisions, everyone gets a say.

Follow Mark’s blog at:

https://greetergrammer1.wordpress.com Quirk - 31

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Doggie Daycare Pet Sitting (for any type of pet) Dog Walking Dog Wash Pet Transportation

113 - 13 Street North 403-380-4922 www.petcitycanada.com

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• Experienced • Knowledgeable • Caring • Trustworthy

PET PHOTO

CONTEST

Winning Photo

“Stick... I'll get it!”

Photo by: Stacey Morcom

Winner will receive a a gift certificate from Photos must be original, caption and contact information of photographer provided. 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 30, 2016 Quirk - 33

Homes Alive and All in the Family: the Business of Pets By Amy Dyck

For many, pets are family. But few take the phrase further than the Ropp family. The Ropp’s, founders of Homes Alive Pets, have been all about pets for over 40 years. Their business has spanned 3 generations, seen 4 name changes, 6 different locations, and has traveled from the village of Duchess, Alberta back in 1974, to Lethbridge in 2006, and all the way up to Alberta’s capital this past spring. Both pets and family have been important to the business from day one, and it’s this dual focus that makes Homes Alive Pets unique and innovative among pet stores.

Humble Beginnings

Homes Alive Pets started in Duchess, Alberta, a village 15 km north of Brooks. The idea was born out of a love for pets. The first “store” was in the garage of family patriarch, Eldon Ropp, who along with his wife, Doreen, and four children, began selling and caring for the canaries and rough collies they bred. It moved to a nearby mall in Brooks in 1985, under the name “Ropp’s Pet and Hobby”.

Evan and Leon

The early store had that small town charm. It was that quirky kind of rural shop where you could browse an inspirational book and pick up food for your hamster at the same time; or simply stop in to see a friendly face or complain about the weather. Folks still fondly remember the resident parrot, “Willie”, who never let anyone

leave without sharing a word or two. Many children will never forget that early experience that helped shape and foster a lifelong love of pets. The Ropp’s store was a favourite among children who visited the mall.

In 1996, after several strokes left him unable to run the store, Eldon passed on ownership to his son, Joe and his wife, Ranene. Soon after, the store moved to its own location in a strip mall across the street. With the move came a new name change: “Ropp’s Pet Paradise”. The new store was more expansive and grew in reputation for pet expertise and exceptional customer service. A wonderful rapport was built with locals, who were treated as part of the family. The community felt an ownership and connection with the store, the kind of connection the Ropps still maintain in their stores to this day. It wasn’t just the customers who were family. The employees, too, shared this bond. The store’s longest-running employee and friend of the family, Sheila Duxbury, worked in the store a total of 26 years, and knew son Joe Ropp since he was a baby. In later years, Joe’s kids could often be seen running around the store as toddlers, full of life, with arms full of kittens. Joe’s teenage nephew, Evan Ropp, worked after school there. While other local stores experienced high turnover rates, employees always came back to the Ropps.

“To the core, my dad and I believe business serves a larger purpose. Not just dollars and cents. Obviously, you have to be profitable, but enriching the lives of pets, customers, employees, the team members around us, and our community is a very real and important part of our business.”

“Their business has spanned 3 generations, seen 4 name changes, 6 different locations.” Ropp’s Pet and Hobby in the Mall

A New Vision

Older brother Leon partnered with Joe in 2008, and the idea for Homes Alive Pets was born. The next year, the store changed names to reflect the new found vision. The year after that, Homes Alive Pets opened its doors in Lethbridge. While Joe moved on to his own new beginning as an organic farmer and the old store in Brooks was sold, Leon and his son, Evan, carried the family pet store to new heights.

Leon brought years of business experience and dedication to his new role with the store. Evan, then a recent business graduate, brought a focus on marketing and a trendy, youthful perspective to the partnership – another spark in the Homes Alive flame. This new pet store would combine the comfort and familiarity of small business with the clean direction, product selection, and value of big business.

Homes Alive Pets in Edmonton

makes them stand out. Developing close bonds through partnerships with animal rescues, youth and humanitarian organizations, and even an orphanage in Bolivia, Homes Alive Pets supports the communities they are a part of on a personal level. With Leon’s recent move to Edmonton and the store expansion there, that same community support is now growing to a national and even global level.

Evan says, “To the core, my dad and I believe business serves a larger purpose. Not just dollars and cents. Obviously, you have to be profitable, but enriching the lives of pets, customers, employees, the team members around us, and our community is a very real and important part of our business.” And Homes Alive Pets stays true to that greater purpose, as attested by their customer loyalty and response wherever they go.

It’s Just Good Business

It’s not just the heart of Homes Alive Pets that gives them success today. While Homes Alive Pets was built on values and community, the store is grounded in the solid business practices Lethbridge welcomed Homes Alive that Leon and Evan bring to the table. Homes Pets and the Ropp family with open Three Generations: Eldon Ropp, Leon Ropp, Evan Ropp Alive Pets not only focuses on a customer’s arms and great enthusiasm. With Leon and Evan at the helm, their small town feel paired with business needs for their pets, but what a customer wants and what would make sophistication has brought Homes Alive Pets to an unprecedented place their life better. Evan likes to call it “a new breed of pet store”… large enough to carry a variety of product at a reasonable price, yet not so in the pet industry in Canada today. large that personal customer care and quality are lost. While the heart of the Ropp family pet store has always been the store itself, in 2012, Homes Alive Pets took their business plan to the web, It’s all in the Family to replicate the friendly, family store online. And the new challenge Homes Alive Pets is a breath of fresh air, combining old values – was to communicate the same family service to a clientele that was honesty, integrity, compassion – and a humanness that some predominantly unseen. To create community within social media corporations have discarded in favour of a polished façade. The Homes outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, and to bring Homes Alive Pets Alive Pets motto is “Enriching lives”, and that is what they strive to right into the homes of pet lovers throughout Canada. do. Enriching the lives of pets, employees, and customers with a back-

Community Ties That Bind

Homes Alive Pets has come a long way from humble beginnings, but it’s not just what they’ve done differently within their business that Ropp’s Pet Paradise

to-basics approach that focuses on what really matters. They realize the reason we have pets in the first place is simply to love and be loved in return. And that is what family is all about. Joseph at Ropp’s Pet and Hobby

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Lethbridge Animal Services 2405 41 St N Phone:403-320-4099 Email: lethbridgeanimalshelter@gmail.com facebook.com/lethbridgeanimalservices twitter.com/cityACO1

Thing 2

Neutered Male - Approx. 3 months old

Photos by: Chris Yauck

Thing 2 was brought to the shelter November 14 after being found with his sister â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thing 1â&#x20AC;?, who has recently been adopted. Both were quite shy to begin with, but came around very quickly! Thing 2 can be quite playful, but has an overall calm disposition. He is approximately 3 months old, and would make a great addition to any family.

Pita Crouton

Neutered Male - Approx. 5 months old Neutered Male - Approx. 5 months old

Pita and Crouton have been with us since early October. They were found living under a deck with their mother and 3 other siblings, who have since been adopted. All of the kittens were extremely shy and unsocialized upon their arrival, but thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers they have made a complete turnaround. They are now approximately 5 months old, have been neutered, and are patiently awaiting their forever homes.

Ash

Neutered Male - Young Adult

Ash was brought to us in October, and was suffering from an abscess on his chin. After receiving some antibiotics and TLC he is now all healed up and ready for his new home. He is a calm and affectionate young adult.

Benedict

Neutered Male - Young Adult

Benedict was found hanging out at the Peenaquim dog park last month. He is a playful and affectionate young guy, who loves to be pet. Benedict has recently been neutered and is now ready to find his forever home!

Hemingway

Neutered Male - Young Adult

Hemingway was brought to the shelter last month after hanging out in someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back yard for several weeks. He is a young neutered male, who loves attention. He is a good balance between playful and relaxed, and would make an excellent addition to any home.

TOP 10

Reasons Dogs Don't Make New Year’s Resolutions

Bella

Photo: Chris Yauck

Shani

1. They don’t plan ahead and worry about the future 2. They live each day the best way they know how 3. They don’t try to be anything but themselves 4. It takes very little to make them enormously happy 5. They make the best of what they already have 6. They live in the moment 7. Their main goal is to love and be loved 8. They keep it simple 9. If it doesn’t bring them joy in the end, they don’t do it of resolution: a firm decision to do or not to 10. Definition do something;

RECIPE

By Jean Van Kleek

dogs are resolute in one thing… “to be”.

Photo: Chris Yauck

Kiwi

Salmon and Green Bean

Cookies for Dogs Salmon has omega-3 fatty acids which contain wonderful health benefits including: brain health for developing puppies and aging seniors; heart disease prevention; cancer fighting; regulating the immune system; and reducing inflammation in dogs with allergies, arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Green beans are a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre which improves digestion and absorption. Green beans are low in calories making them a great treat for overweight dogs. Use fresh or frozen green beans, steamed lightly, or canned green beans with no added salt.

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Zoe

These are healthy, soft and meaty cookies that are easy to make.

5 eggs 3 cans salmon, in spring water only 2 T oil, coconut or olive 3/4 cup All Bran or buds 2 cups green beans, minced 1 apple, minced (seeds and core removed) 1 small can (398 ml) pure pumpkin (not pie filling) 5 cups oatmeal, uncooked quick

Beat eggs in large bowl. Add salmon with liquid and mash. I like to use the food processor to chop the beans and apple. Add remaining ingredients. Mix together well by hand. I wear disposable gloves for this. Drop on large cookie sheet 13 X 18 using parchment paper. Squish down and score with a paring knife to desired size. Bake for one hour at 350 F. Cookies will be moist on the bottom. It is best to flip to bottom side up and cool. Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze.

*Michelle's recipes include well researched ingredients to help make your dog happy & healthy. Michelle Zandstra

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