Quirk July August 2016 by Quirk Magazine

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Volume 6 â&#x20AC;¢ Issue 4 July - August 2016

CONNECTING

LETHBRIDGE

CHARMED PLAYHOUSES Get some TLC

LITTLE FRINGE ON THE PRAIRIE Second annual Fringe Festival

EXPLORING SOUTHERN ALBERTA

P. 10 HELEN SCHULER NATURE CENTRE Exhibiting new experiences

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TH S SSUE 10

Exploring Southern Alberta

Random Thoughts at Random Times

24 28 30

Quirk - 4

Thomas Porter explores the beautiful Crowsnest Pass in this installment of places to get back to nature in Southern Alberta

Mark Campbell meets up with Josh Davies, renowned trumpet player who returned to

his roots here in Lethbridge

Charmed Playhouses

Sherri Gallant interviews a couple who started out by building a playhouse and now ships them worldwide and have a series on TLC

Helen Schuler Nature Centre

This centre keeps growing with exhibits and programs. We take a look at what they have to offer this summer

Little Fringe on the Prairie

The second annual Fringe Festival is coming soon to Lethbridge. It promises to be an exciting event. Christina Scott spoke to the organizer to find out what is in store

34 10

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From The Publisher It’s a wonderful time of year as we settle into the summer season where our motto is to “take it outside!” Whether you are vacationing, playing in your yard, going to festivals or visiting the many outdoor sites we have right here in the city, Jean Van Kleek it’s a great time to be outside exploring. And Photography: Jen Alston explore we did this issue! Thomas Porter takes us on an adventure camping in the Crowsnest Pass and shares with us of the beauty that is just outside our backdoor. Getting back to nature is a wonderful thing, and thanks to Greg Knopp and his team at Eldorado RV, Thomas was able to enjoy the trip in comfort and style.

Published bi-monthly in Lethbridge by

We also visit the Helen Schuler Nature Centre where summer programs abound, and the new building and displays are a must see if you haven’t already had a chance to enjoy the experience. We should be very proud of all this new centre offers with its interactive displays, nature walks, roof garden and much more.

Publisher Jean Van Kleek jean@readquirk.com

Looking forward to the second annual Fringe Festival that will be held this fall (September 15-18). This is a very unique event that is new to Lethbridge, but actually began in post-war Scotland, landed in Canada in Edmonton in 1982, and then Calgary by 2006. The Fringe Festival expanded to Lethbridge last year and promises to be a great event. Christina Scott caught up with Michele Gallant, who is the organizer of this new festival, to talk about some of the highlights. Tyson and Audrey Leavitt were a normal southern Alberta family; Tyson ran three landscaping companies and Audrey was a stay at home mom. That was until they decided to build a playhouse for their Home & Garden display. Little more than a year later, they are running an international business and the subject of a TLC series about their playhouses. The whole family works together now, along with many staff trying to keep up with demand. Sherri Gallant shares the story of their rise to success and how their roots are still very much here in Southern Alberta. Have a great summer, whatever you choose to do… and once again, hope you enjoy reading Quirk as much as we enjoy bringing to you!

Volume 6 • Issue 4 • July - August 2016

www.readquirk.com

SHABELLA PUBLISHING

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

Design & Layout UniVerse Graphics Photographers Chris Yauck Thomas Porter Jaime Vedres Cover Photo Chinook Lake Thomas Porter Writers Thomas Porter Christina Scott Ginger Malacko Priscilla Peltier Sherri Gallant Heather Gunn Curtis Goodman Michelle Zandstra Jean Van Kleek General Inquiries info@readquirk.com Advertising Inquiries jean@readquirk.com 403.382.7240 LEGAL INFORMATION

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Quirk -- 66 Quirk

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.

EACH

SSUE 8

One Spirit

Health Matters

Restaurant Guide

23 36 37

The Style of Being

Pet Photo Contest Lessons From My Dogs Dog Recipe

Quirk Quirk -- 7 7

One Spirit

by Heather Gunn

To Heal… a Modest Word for Infinite Possibilities

Your emotions, thoughts, feelings and beliefs all affect your health in profound ways. They either assist you to remain in a healthy state or they stand in the way of health. Every negative thought and every negative relationship is poison to the body. Every positive, optimistic thought is medicine. Your body is the outward expression of what is going on in your life. In 1991, research found that the heart muscle has over 40,000 sensory neurites - brain-like cells that remember, feel, and sense on their own. This research played an important role in explaining the basic processes that connect the heart and brain and, ultimately, the mind and body. When you harmonize the heart and the brain, you create greater resilience to change in your life and as a result, better health.

You have 50 trillion genes in your body and your genes are incredibly wise. Think of yourself as having “inner technology”. Contrary to what we have been taught, we are not the victim of our genes – we are not “genetic robots”, so to speak. Studies have shown that adopted children oftentimes develop the same disease as the adoptive family by buying into their belief systems. We all have bought into so many myths about who we are, how we should live, what makes us healthy and so on. Dr. Caroline Myss tells us that we buy into so much misinformation that it makes us sick. The Institute of Noetic Sciences undertook the Spontaneous Remission Project which gave us proof that if we shift our belief systems, we heal. We need to honour the Self. We are raised with “no” and “stop”, and “don’t do that” and many other limitations. We are raised to be something that is

Quirk - 8

not authentic to our Self. We are raised to adhere to the rules. You must listen to your Self. Listen to your heart. Listen to nature. Listen to what feels right. Don’t listen to what you are expected to listen to.

Heather Gunn RN, BSN, MSN

In the West, we are so deeply embedded in our QHHT Hypnosis minds, whereas indigenous peoples worldwide Practitioner connect with their hearts. According to Eckhart Reiki Master Teacher Tolle, one of the worst addictions is our tendency to think too much. Focusing on those things that destroy our sense of stability, happiness and connection are harmful. Focus on health and a positive forward motion and you will maintain a healthy body, mind and Spirit. Focus on illness and that is what you will receive.

Be aware of your inner technology and know that your every thought, statement and belief will impact you. Your body hears every word you say. Be aware of how you speak. Be aware of what you say, how you say it and why you say it. The choice is up to you. Your health depends on it. Change your thoughts, feelings and beliefs and your health improves.

Can it be any simpler than that?

Heather Gunn is an RN, a non-denominational minister and regression hypnotherapist, specializing in a holistic approach to health. Contact Heather for an appointment to discover how you can heal yourself.

onespiritall@gmail.com www.onespirit.ca 403.894.2622

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

Relaxing with the family at Lundbreck Falls

HOMECOMING: Returning to our roots in the backcountry of

Southern Alberta

It had been a long time since I walked among the great spruce trees of the Rocky Mountains. Career obligations had taken me away from the hallowed halls of poplar and pine, away from the melodic sounds of streams and songbirds. I feared I had been away too long and that the good old days might be gone for good.

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My friends were suffering in much the same way. What had once been almost weekly occurrence for us had turned into little more than a memory. We were losing touch with the wilderness that we had held so dear in our youth.

Story by Thomas Porter Photos by Thomas Porter & Nadine Duckworth

I romanticized about camping out again but the thought of leaky tents, flaccid air mattresses, and frigid moonlit pee breaks put me off almost entirely. The notion of an extended trip to the mountains was no longer appealing at all. “Besides,” I’d tell myself. “I don’t have time anymore.” I was turning into a day-tripper at best- heading out early, back by nightfall - and all within about a hundred kilometre range. It was a little sad really, I wanted to be that fearless young guy again. The guy who could hike out into the middle of nowhere, sleep on a rock and eat trail mix for a week.

Exploring Southern Alberta

The Shooting Star

Mount Tecumseh reflected in a perfect mirror image on Chinook Lake

“Geographically we have an ideal mix of forest and mountain, prairie and pine. Whether you like swimming in a lake or casting your rod in the river, there are countless camping, hiking and sightseeing opportunities right here in our own back yard. For even the most seasoned explorers there is always something new to see for those willing to venture out.”

“What happened to him?” I thought. “Would I ever be able to do that again?”

As many of you can probably appreciate, the whole thing left me really conflicted. I grew up in nature, it’s a part of who I am. My best and fondest memories were hatched in the backcountry. I wanted the same experience for my family, but roughing it at this point in my life could mean huge headaches, backaches or heartaches.

When I was presented with the opportunity to take a travel trailer out on assignment this month, I jumped at the offer. I wanted to get out

there and relive some of the experiences I had had in the past, just without the hassle of sleeping on the cold ground at the mercy of the elements. I wanted it to be relaxing and know that I would have a good time no matter what Mother Nature threw at me.

Greg and the folks at Eldorado RV Ranch set me up with a unit I could tow behind my truck, something modest enough to feel comfortable with yet well-equipped enough to get the full experience. I was to head out to my old stomping grounds along the front range of the Rocky Mountains. Quirk - 11

Lundbreck Falls Located just off Highway 3, Lundbreck Falls boasts a breathtaking 36 foot drop to the riverbed below - and you can’t just come here once thinking that will do, it’s different every time you visit

Thomas Porter, Nicola Spencer, left, Rob Taylor and Ryan Bell, right, by the campfire at their campsite near Dutch Creek

I would wake up with the dawn, watch shooting stars by firelight and drink deep all the wonders of our natural world. It would be the real thing, no more virtual reality or paid programming. It would be raw, unadulterated awesomeness.

I decided I would first go out with friends for a few days, then with my family for a few more. I’d visit the headwaters of the Oldman River then head south to some of my old fishing haunts around the Crowsnest Pass.

Some of these places I hadn’t been to in a decade or more. Would it be everything I remembered? I wondered if the years had been as hard on Mother Nature as they had been on me. The thought of familiar places, familiar smells – it transported me back to time Quirk - 12

“The thought of familiar places, familiar smells – it transported me back to time when I hadn’t a care in the world, back to a simpler time when all I had to worry about was having a good time.” when I hadn’t a care in the world, back to a simpler time when all I had to worry about was having a good time.

Well, suffice it to say, it was a homecoming of epic proportion. As I watched the Rockies rising up in the west I could feel the excitement building in my chest. I was as wired up as any eightyear-old on Christmas morning.

Having a well-equipped and well-stocked camper trailing behind me, I knew this trip would be one for the books. There was no longer the worry about inclement weather and a good night’s sleep was pretty much a guarantee. All I had to worry about was taking in the sights, eating good food and having a few laughs.

Exploring Southern Alberta

“I would wake up with the dawn, watch shooting stars by firelight and drink deep all the wonders of our natural world. It would be the real thing, no more virtual reality or paid programming. It would be raw, unadulterated awesomeness.” It was less than half an hour after arriving at Dutch Creek that our little home away from home was set up and we could relax. The fire was lit, the awning extended and our lawn chairs stood at attention waiting to reward us with an unparalleled view on nature’s big screen. That first night was outstanding. I actually felt the moment when the stress of life left my body. It was with a deep exhale that the muscles in my shoulders settled down and relaxed. It was that carefree peace I remembered. I felt like I was 20 again.

The next few days would be filled with hiking, fishing, photography and food. Laughter and silliness helped round out our evenings as the cares of modern urban life were lifted away with the wood smoke. Out here in nature I felt alive. My

cell phone didn’t ring for days and I all I had to worry about was where I wanted to go, what I want to see and what I would eat along the way. It was ME time, would ya look at that! “What a concept!” I thought. “Why didn’t I do this sooner?!”

The colours, smells, sights and sounds were just as I remembered. It was comforting, relaxing, and familiar. Sure there were a few more people than I remembered, but hey - more people learning to appreciate this amazing country of ours. I made a few new friends along the way and even caught up with a few old ones (Hi Will!)

As we get busier and life starts to get in the way, it’s often our piece of mind that suffers for it. We sacrifice our health and our hearts for our jobs. We work so hard Quirk - 13

Campfire cooking – Rob Taylor won the culinary arts championship with his amazing fire-roasted pulled pork tacos cooked in a ‘dutch oven’ (appropriately) at Dutch Creek.

“The colours, smells, sights and sounds were just as I remembered. It was comforting, relaxing, and familiar.”

trying to keep other people happy – our bosses, bankers and brokers.

I mean, what’s the point of the rat race if we don’t get the cheese once in a while, right? Is it healthy for a person to be trapped in a cubicle all week? To be stuck in the concrete jungle all day and vegetate in front of the TV all night? I think we all know the answers to these questions.

But you know who really suffers when we opt out of exploring the wilderness? Our kids do. If we don’t help foster an appreciation for nature, we are pretty much doomed. Nature is what feeds us, clothes us. Our natural resources provide for all of our needs and we need to help illustrate that connection for our children, tomorrow’s decision makers. We’ve got to get them outdoors, by whatever means necessary.

The family takes some time to read a story under the awning Quirk - 14

Our provincial recreation areas and campgrounds provide amazing opportunities for all Albertans to get out there and foster that appreciation with their families. Smack dab in one of the most beautiful places on earth, our southern Alberta recreation areas have it all.

Exploring Southern Alberta

“My best and fondest memories were hatched in the backcountry. I wanted the same experience for my family, but roughing it at this point in my life could mean huge headaches, backaches or heartaches.”

Geographically we have an ideal mix of forest and mountain, prairie and pine. Whether you like swimming in a lake or casting your rod in the river, there are countless camping, hiking and sightseeing opportunities right here in our own back yard. For even the most seasoned explorers there is always something new to see for those willing to venture out. And our provincial campgrounds are loaded with amenities too. After so many years of tenting in the backcountry, I’ll tell you something – a picnic table and a firepit are well worth the $23 a night, especially when you have a comfortable restroom nearby. Safe, quiet and a nice lady brings you firewood every evening for just a couple bucks. We have to quit making excuses. All of us need to get out there and explore our national heritage. I’m sure glad I did this month. We live in a four-season playground that others in this

The family takes some time to learn about some of the local wildlife including this fascinating Polyphemus Moth.

world can only dream about. We only live once and our children will only be children for a short time before they too get caught up in the business of making a living.

Get out there and have fun! Let us know where you’ve been!

Quirk - 15

Exploring Southern Alberta

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A Southwest Service & Tourism Award offers an opportunity to give back to those who left a lasting impression. For those who receive a nomination or possibly win an award, it is a great accolade, as well as a noteworthy addition to their resume. Customer service is an art. The awards inspire staff and businesses to be acutely aware of the importance of welcoming guests to southwest Alberta - to grow the tourism industry and to make our destination the destination of choice.

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Mark Boogieman

Mark Campbell

This Guy Can play. I’m Not “Josh-in” O.K., sorry for the cheesy title for this piece. I’ll bet Josh Davies has never heard that one. It was a pre-coffee moment and I couldn’t come up with a better one. So let’s move on.

Josh Davies is an exceptional trumpet player who is a professor at the U of L teaching studio trumpet, jazz history and is the director of the U of L Jazz Ensemble. He has performed all over North America and Europe and as a session musician he can be heard on over 20 CDs. He also has two Grammy nominations. Later this year he is taking his trumpet ensemble to the prestigious International Trumpet Guild in Los Angeles, one of only two Canadian groups to be accepted there. Lethbridge is lucky to have Josh in our city and he was gracious enough to answer a few questions about his remarkable career (so far.)

The first thing that pops into my mind when I read your bio is, “What the hell are you doing in Lethbridge?” Wanna explain that? Haha. Thanks, for the compliment about my bio. I’ve been fortunate to play in many places around the world with some phenomenal musicians and groups. There was a point where I started to look at the future a bit more and realized that I was starting to seek stability in my daily life. It was getting hard to live month-to-month, even though they were fun months! I started applying for college jobs and decided to give Lethbridge a shot. It’s been great!

Where did you grow up and what kind of a musical household was it? I grew up mostly in Charlotte, North Carolina in a very supportive environment. My parents were both musically inclined and music was always around my sister and I. While I was regularly a part of various music ensembles, including choirs and bands, perhaps the biggest impacts were the various music I was exposed to from my parents that was “different” than that of my peers. Frank Zappa/ Emerson, Lake and Palmer/ Chicago/ Blood, Sweat and Tears are some bands that come to mind.

Quirk - 18

When did you first realize that the trumpet was going to be your baby? Going into my fifth grade year we got to pick our favorite instruments for band. I picked the Trumpet, Percussion and Saxophone in that order. Luckily they needed trumpet players! Somehow it worked quite easily and I have never really looked back!

while playing some of the best symphonic repertoire on a weekly basis. Wouldn’t trade that for the world!

You’ve performed in some amazing performing arts venues. What stands out for you? I would say there are two that really stand out for me personally. One is the main performance hall in Valencia, Spain. Phenomenal acoustics, and stunningly gorgeous. The other would have to be Carnegie Hall. There is really nothing that can compare to sitting on a stage that has seen that kind of talent.

Your trumpet ensemble at the U of L got accepted to perform at the International Trumpet Guild conference in Los Angeles. Talk about that conference and how special it is to be a part of. I couldn’t be more proud of them! The studio has worked so hard over the past semester to get this piece ready, and they sounded great on the audition video. We are only one of two groups from Canada that were accepted (McGill), so it is also an honor to represent the country on an international stage! Talk about the talent of your kids taking part. Since I’ve moved here, the trumpet studio has become more and more strong, to the point that I feel we are making some great music. The work ethic has consistently gotten stronger, which makes it seem like “talent”. I’ve always believed that work will beat talent any day…. What’s the biggest advice you like to give your students? Never give up. Realize that music is one of the best art forms in the world and what we do is truly special. Don’t take it for granted and explore as much of the art as you can.

Any big projects coming up? I have been contemplating recording my own solo CD. I also want to create a unique ensemble where I can compose and arrange interesting music and possibly tour more.

You’ve been twice nominated for a Grammy. Tell us about those nominations and what they mean to you. I was very fortunate to work with a legendary Tejano band in Austin, Texas called “Tortilla Factory” and this work brought us to a recording session. There was nothing overly special about the session, but a few months later we all found out that the album was nominated for two Grammy’s! It’s pretty amazing and humbling to be a part of such an elite crowd… (next time I hope we win!)

You were co-principal trumpet for Orquesta Sinfónica de la UANL (Monterrey Symphony Orchestra) in Monterrey, Mexico for the 2009-2010 season. What was that experience like? This was an amazing life experience! Talk about culture shock, when you win your first major performing job in a country where you can’t speak the language…. I had to learn quickly! Rehearsals didn’t wait for me and I had to survive. There were so many amazing people in Monterrey that helped with that transition. The orchestra gave me the opportunity to polish my skills and meet people from around the world,

I think this year will be devoted to those two mainly, although projects always creep up!

At this stage of your career, what’s more satisfying for you, playing a cool gig at an amazing venue or imparting wisdom to a student then watching that person flourish as a musician? It would have to be an astonishing “gig” or performance to take away that kind of special sharing. There is almost nothing better than seeing something “click” and the lights go on with a student… then seeing it start momentum that never stops. I have to admit though, coming home from performing at Carnegie Hall for the second time is hard to beat as well...

For more on Josh: http://www.joshdavies.com/Home.html

Follow Mark’s blog at:

https://greetergrammer1.wordpress.com

HEALTH MATTERS

“With a bit of information, you can spot the differences between poor and good quality nutritional supplements.”

Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know

Time and time again, it is brought to my attention that consumers are in need of supplement purchasing information. I cannot stress enough how much research I put into this. Rarely can an article print all the information unearthed by its writers; notebooks and voice recorders are crammed with facts, quotes and opinions destined to go somewhere. My goal with Quirk, however, is focused on providing some of this information to the best of my ability. And for the purpose of this article, I will focus on multivitamins.

While attending a health convention recently, I made it my top priority to visit and tour a vitamin manufacturing plant. I am grateful to acknowledge that this was an opportunity of a lifetime. This advanced facility of a skilled team of specialists was apparent enough to demonstrate its high-quality protocols for testing all raw materials before it goes into pills or capsules, producing high-quality products with state-of-the-art equipment.

Not all vitamins are created equal:

There is a pretty big range in both price and quality of multivitamins. You can be all but certain that if the price is dirt cheap, the quality is likely to be as well. Take many of the multivitamins available from groceries, pharmacies and big box stores for example. The vast majority (if not all) are overly processed and contain poor quality ingredients, binders, unnecessary additives, food coloring, and preservatives.

The biggest difference between big box store brands and higher quality supplements like those you may get from a holistic health professional are in how the nutrients are derived and how the pills are constructed. Some manufacturers compress the tablets so hard that they have the inability to break down. Mass-market vitamins are chemically derived and sometimes even made from coal tar or other industrial by-products, while natural vitamins are derived from plants or other organic sources. Believe it or not, your body can tell the difference. Fortunately, with a bit of information, you can spot the differences between poor and good quality nutritional supplements:

Binders:

Binders are added ingredients that act as “glue”, holding the vitamin together. In fact, these often work so well that many vitamins made with these chemicals don’t even break apart in your gastro-intestinal tract and are excreted intact (without breaking apart). Common binders include Croscarmellose and Shellac.

Additives:

Additives are used to fill space or enhance the appearance of the vitamins. Oftentimes, these are food ingredients that are also common allergens such as sugar, aspartame, corn, soy and lactose.

Food coloring:

Food coloring is only included to make the vitamin (or any pill for that matter) look pretty, which is ridiculous because you aren’t Quirk - 20

buying supplements for their appearance. They are neurotoxins and should be avoided in any product. And unfortunately, artificial coloring can damage our DNA & organs, and are often implicated in behavioural problems. In my clinic, this would be when I start testing if someone has sensitivities to food coloring.

Preservatives:

Preservatives are things you don’t need. Worse yet, they can actually be harmful to your health. For example, particularly hydrogenated palm oil and sodium benzoate, can be trans fatty or even have toxic effects. Another preservative used is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHA & BHT) which are human carcinogens and can cause inflammation in the body. So it is no wonder that people complain of ongoing health issues while they are trying to be healthy. Not one of the above additives to your multivitamin will enhance your health whatsoever, and may in fact take away from your health.

Quality:

Quality is the main aspect of a product, in that more often than not the product sold elsewhere is synthetic. Synthetic is manmade, not made by nature and the body has a hard time digesting, absorbing and utilizing synthetic ingredients. Many synthetic supplements often cause more harm and create havoc with your health.

Naturally sourced vitamins typically are made without sugar, chemicals, preservatives or fillers. This ensures maximum absorption and purity. These are absorbed in the intestinal tract with ease just like food and are far superior for a number of reasons.

The educated shopper:

The educated shopper will realize the advantage and importance of shopping at their local health food store, where qualified advice is available. Swallowing natural products instead of toxic chemicals is the royal road to feeling your best. Your health is our concern and I recommend quality supplements from companies who have invested in the research that validate their product. Remember the old adage: “you get what you pay for”. 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 & 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)

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VibraFit Exercise Training!!

VibraFit uses the principal of “Acceleration Training” to stimulate waves of energy throughout the body, activating muscle contractions at 30 to 50 times per second. This allows you, even if you have injuries which limit your ability to move, to achieve a cardiovascular workout similar to a 6– 9 mile run in only 10 minutes!

In conventional training you only use 30 to 40 percent of your muscle (your voluntary muscle) whereas VibraFit Training stimulates 95 to 100 percent of your muscle fibre. This makes time spent on your VibraFit Trainer much more efficient because you are toning muscles that you can’t in a gym! Waste substances that cause pain are more easily removed due to increased oxygen making the lymphatic drainage system more efficient. Vibration Exercise technology is supported by decades of scientific research since it was first embraced by scientists in the 1960’s investigating cures for osteoporosis. Not only does vibration training build muscle strength but it also helps to develop “explosive

muscle power” that’s essential for sports like hockey and basketball. IT ALSO increases range of motion, balance, flexibility and coordination used in sports such as golf and tennis.

The net result is more stamina and energy; more speed; increased flexibility, mobility and coordination; rapid recovery of muscles and tissue; improved collagen production and fat reduction. Soon you will begin to notice an improvement in posture and the ability to stand taller and longer. Whole Body Vibration builds muscle mass 1 ½ to 2 times faster than conventional weight workouts by producing the effects of 80 different exercises through minor adjustments in posture and body positioning.

For Rehabilitation It also increases the production of all hormones including Human Growth Hormone (HGH) -- the key to repair and regeneration of soft tissue -- and natural chemicals to suppress pain. Improved circulation also helps to drain fluid build-up from injured tissue. It really is the “miracle therapy”.

University of Calgary Schulich School of Bio-Engineering “Mechanical vibrations appear to alter cell behavior in a way that point to the potential for the regeneration of cells and tissues in the spine. Our results were both surprising and encouraging, given the socio-economic costs of back pain.” Christopher Hunter, Biomedical engineer, Schulich School of Engineering and the McCaig Institute for Bone Hand Joint Health. July, 2010

Introducing the newest member of our family!

The Compact & Portable Vibrafit Trainer

Enjoy all of the benefits of a VibraFit exercise training system that can be as on the move as you are!

HOT HEALTH

SYSTEMS LTD. www.hothealth.ca Call us for a risk-free in-home trial

403-393-6114 Owned & operated by your neighbours, Jack & Sharry Yaeck

by Ginger Malacko

the Paper Purist

“For me, this is accomplished in part through the written word which is precisely why I am naturally inclined toward the brain-healthy paper. “

I was once asked by a fellow novelist whether I preferred reading from a screen or from paper. The conviction of my answer surprised me. Apparently I need to feel the pages between my fingers. I need to smell the ink. I need to clutch the book to my chest at every twist and snap it shut when a character disappoints. I don’t know why the manner of publication should hold as much romance as the story itself, but somehow it does, and the notion runs deep. Perhaps I’m just a purist, clinging to the traditions of my art. Or maybe I’m just strange. But it has been my experience that even the most peculiar elements of our personalities are rooted in reason.

So I did a little e-search into my paper fixation and the results were illuminating. As it turns out our brains don’t just register words on a page, they build elaborate maps to contain every idea, fact, and fantasy. This is why we remember that particular passage being at the front of the book, at the end of the chapter, and on the top right hand side of the page. Our minds construct a library to match the physical dimensions of the books we read! Scientists can’t explain why, they only know that the brain cannot construct

a library from a screen. Our comprehension, memory retention, and emotional response are simply stronger with paper and ink.

Ha! Vindication! My preference for a real book is not sentimental, it’s scientific! And I knew it instinctively. I believe that holds true for many of our nonsensical emotional stirrings. We don’t always have a conscious explanation for what we enjoy but things touch our hearts and speak to our souls for real and legitimate reasons, whether google knows it or not. We are drawn inexplicably to the very things we need more of: music, nature, sport, politics, religion, technology, gastronomy. The thrill of cycling across the province is more than recreation. A yearning to paint the front door yellow is more than a whim. These are uniquely individual ways of nurturing our uniquely individual selves; a subconscious answer to a human need. For me, this is accomplished in part through the written word which is precisely why I am naturally inclined toward the brain-healthy paper. If our goal is to be happier people, and I suspect that it is, we ought to pay closer attention to what we feel attached to for no apparent reason other than our own joy. Because there is something within us that just knows.

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Rapunzel

“From castles to quaint lodges, our team is invested in creating quality luxury dwellings for the most imaginative children and their parents.” – The Charmed Mission

Charmed, I’m Sure!

“We believe that every child deserves a place to play and let their imagination run wild. From slaying dragons to hosting lavish tea parties, every child needs a space to have some fun.” – the Charmed Philosophy

The meteoric success of Charmed Playhouses is about as fantastic as the company’s playhouses themselves; which began in 2014 in Lethbridge with an off-the-wall idea to build a fantasy playhouse and see how people would respond.

By Sherri Gallant • Photos by Jaime Vedres Photography

“So I decided to build one for the Home and Garden Show in Lethbridge to get a little attention, and it really resonated with a lot of people. I got some sales from it. The next year, in 2015, I decided to build kind of a 2.0 model of the first one. I had a client who I was building a playhouse for say that it would be cool if I could build one with a Rapunzel theme, so I came up with the design and showed it to her. She said ‘yeah that’s cool, but I’m already buying one playhouse, so I’m not going to guarantee I’ll buy another one.’

Little more than a year later, Tyson and Audrey (known as Audy) Leavitt are running an international business, have hired a growing team of designers, builders and architects, expanded their shop space three times and have their own network TV show, scheduled to premiere later this year.

The rapid growth, media attention and travel has been an enormous shift for the Leavitts and their three kids. Before Charmed took off, Tyson ran three landscaping companies and Audy was a stay-at-home Mom to the couple’s three kids, two boys 7 and 5 and a girl, age 4.

“When I was landscaping, I could see that there weren’t really any fun places for kids to go to,” explains Tyson, 32. Quirk - 24

The Leavitt Family

“We are committed to creating quality products that meet the highest standards. When it comes to your children, safety is our top priority.” – The Charmed Promise.

“But I wanted to built it anyway, so I built it for the Home and Garden show. When she saw it she said, ‘how can I not buy it?’ – and she bought both of the playhouses.” At 27 feet tall, the Rapunzel house created a buzz in Lethbridge, with its storybook design and detailed, cozy interior. Kids were, well, charmed and their parents astonished. Many people went to the annual outdoor trade show that year specifically to see it. And, as photos of the creation started to be shared widely on social media sites, mainstream media calls started coming in. “TLC saw a picture of those playhouses, and contacted us and the rest is history; it just took off from there,” Tyson recalls. “I was just trying to get our products on a show, so people could see them, but the network had other ideas – they wanted us to have our own show. They called us and interviewed us. Then a few days later they Skyped us, and then a few days after that they told us they were going go ahead and do a proof of concept – which is basically a 10-minute episode.

“Last June, in 2015, they flew a crew up here and filmed us as we made a playhouse for a family out in Raymond, south of Lethbridge. Then a month later it went through all the testing within their company and they told us they were going to go ahead and invest in doing a pilot with us. We did another couple of playhouses for a family south of town and they tested that with test audiences and it got really good reviews.” TLC committed to shooting eight episodes of Project Playhouse. They filmed a pilot in October, began shooting segments in March, and are expected to wrap up filming in mid-July.

Tyson Leavitt

By that time, Charmed will have installed nearly 40 out-of-the-ballpark creations – at home in Lethbridge and as far away as Beijing (not all of their projects will be featured on the show).

“The way the show works,” Tyson says, “Is that families come forward who want projects done, and they go through a rigorous screening process with the network and those selected are filmed. “All of the projects are built in our shop here in Lethbridge. A lot of them are too big to ship as a single unit, so we break them down into multiple pieces. When they arrive on site we reassemble them quickly. We usually only have half a day to reassemble our playhouses, and then we do the reveal with the family.

Pirate Ship

“Up until early May we did all shooting in Lethbridge,” says Tyson, “but then we travelled to Virginia and New York for two different episodes. Soon we’re travelling to California, and then we’ll be in B.C. and all over the place. Our kids give us ideas for our projects and my wife decorates.” Quirk - 25

Audy, a 30-year-old former registered nurse and fitness instructor, had been at home with the kids for years when suddenly her flair for design was being called upon to create whimsical interiors for the playhouses. While the starting point for a Charmed house is about $7,500, some projects have surpassed six figures and include dream-come-true play spaces like castles, forts, ships and even old-fashioned diners.

“From castles to quaint lodges, our team is invested in creating quality luxury dwellings for the most imaginative children and their parents.” – The Charmed Mission.

“It’s been wonderful working with my husband for the first time, and working full time after being at home with the kids is an exciting adventure,” Audy says. “We are finding our stride and I think we’ll probably continue to find our stride as we go, We’re improvers, so we’ll continue to get better as we go. But Tys and I are basically polar opposites – he’s very good at looking at the full picture and I’m very detail oriented. So – it works on a grand scheme but on a daily basis it can be a challenge to communicate.

“We have a good budget for the interior and we make that an important part of the playhouse. I feel like I can really go all out. An extreme playhouse on the outside needs to be just as extreme on the inside and it’s so fun to make them spectacular. We just did a ballerina princess castle - and for sure, if I go back to what I would have loved as a child, that was my dream playhouse and I would have lost my mind over it.” “Then we have some other ones where I have to dig a little bit deeper. Maybe it wouldn’t have been my first choice as a child, so I work hard to put myself in the mindset of these other kids who are so excited Quirk - 26

about it, and I dig a little deeper, and have to be a little bit more creative to make it extra special.”

The details are amazing. Many are wired with exterior and interior lighting, and some even have little fireplaces in their well-furnished kid-sized living rooms. There are turrets and porticos, verandahs and winding staircases to second levels. They have real windows and fancy doors, brick and rock work, curtains and child-sized furniture.

Charmed builds fancy dog houses, too, and they do tree houses designed to make your offspring the envy of the neighbourhood. Playground equipment is sometimes incorporated into the design as well. The Leavitt’s children test all of the playhouses and give Mom and Dad and the design team ideas.

“They don’t go to the reveal but they’re really involved,” Tyson says. “There are a number of businesses in town who’ve seen our family come in and film in their business. Then we’ve got my uncle Derral working with us and also my brother in law Jeremy – they’re all part of what we do here. It’s very much a family endeavour.”

Wayne Visbeen, the company’s lead architect and designer, is the visionary power behind the playhouses. Each one is customized to reflect what the client desires, whether it’s a princess cottage, an enchanted castle or a soldier’s fort, a plane, trains or a mushroom house, or even a pumpkin carriage.

TLC committed to shooting eight episodes of Project Playhouse. They filmed a pilot in October, began shooting segments in March, and are expected to wrap up filming in mid-July. Uncle Derral, as everyone calls him (Derral Zaugg), is an international craftsman of cabinetry and design for nearly 30 years.

Jeremy Gook, lead assistant, owned and ran construction firms for 15 years before joining the Charmed team. He built his first crooked playhouse as a young boy and feels the same kind of excitement with every project now. Shaina Berry is an interior designer who handles sales and marketing.

“I’d like to say it’s a well-oiled machine,” Tyson laughs. “It is a very difficult and gruelling schedule. We have timelines that cannot be pushed. We have lots of long days, long hours to get our products out on time and they’re constantly pushing us to achieve better and better things with our products. Every project is a new challenge and there have been challenges with each one.”

They started out building in a 2,500-square-foot shop, then moved to a bigger one and recently into a 10,000-square-foot space. “We are committed to creating quality products that meet the highest standards. When it comes to your children, safety is our top priority.” – The Charmed Promise.

“Even if we continue to grow and if the show gets a second season,” Audy says, “our plan is to continue to work out of Lethbridge. We love living here. Our family is here.” What does a six-figure playhouse do for one’s property value? All Charmed Playhouses are classified as temporary structures because they can all be moved, Tyson says, which technically doesn’t have an effect on property value. Still, one of these babies in the backyard would be a pretty powerful drawing card for house-hunting families.

www.charmedplayhouses.ca www.facebook.com/charmedplayhouses Quirk - 27

Build your own bat activity

Improved lobby space features River Valley exhibit

Althea Rudolph assists vistors meet Sophie the Bullsnake

Popular destination features new experiences for visitors Coreen Putman, Manager of HSNC

Nestled below the High Level Bridge in Lethbridge’s river valley you will find a premiere regional attraction where you can connect with the area’s local natural heritage. The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is dedicated to celebrating and sharing a passion for stewardship and appreciation for our local environment. Recently the Nature Centre has launched a new exhibit that explores the features of our river valley ecosystem.

Imagine travelling down the Oldman River, cascading past the headwaters and flowing out onto the prairies. Visitors can explore the river environment in unexpected aquatic scenes. Stunning landscape photography is wrapped on 3-dimensional objects, bringing the prairie topography of our local coulees to life in an exciting and visually stunning way. The river valley forest features a multi-sensory bird watching station which takes the visitor through the seasons. The exhibit also explores a Blackfoot approach to ecology, and a way of life that is part of the local landscape, through a state-of-the-art, multimedia presentation.

The exciting new exhibit exists thanks to the support and collective work of nearly 50 community and environmental organizations, individuals and local businesses. These long-term displays create a strong foundation for all of the Nature Centre’s programs Curtis Goodman and exhibits. Indoor and outdoor displays focus on the river valley itself, how it was formed and what makes it unique. The displays explore how people have connected with this place and takes the visitor’s experience at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre to a whole new level.

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“The River Valley Exhibits are a truly immersive experience. The landscape imagery is absolutely stunning. Visitors will be once again be amazed with the transformation of the spaces and the educational experience at the Nature Centre,” says Coreen Putman, Manager of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre

By Curtis Goodman • Photos by Chris Yauck

The River Valley exhibit is the result of five years of fundraising and development of content that took place during the Nature Centre’s major facility renovation. The new exhibit is a welcome complement to the new space. In 2015 the Nature Centre achieved LEED-Gold certification, an internationally recognized standard in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and was recognized with an international award from the Green Roofs for Healthy Cities for the amazing living roof.

Since the river valley exhibit was unveiled in January over 14,000 visitors have experienced the new displays. “Visitors have provided positive feedback and are enthusiastic about how the exhibit has changed their experience at the Nature Centre,” says Jessica Deacon-Rogers, Nature Interpretation Technician at the Centre.

Programs at the Nature Centre explore questions such as: who lives in this community? What does it mean to be part of this place and to experience it? What is unique about here? What can we learn from here? The team of staff and volunteers at the Nature Centre understands that when you know a place well, you feel a part of it. A greater appreciation and stronger connection with the land is key to achieving long term stewardship and conservation goals.

Life on our planet is dependent on cooperative relationships and nothing exists in isolation. The new exhibits highlight this so much more. The unique aspect of Lethbridge’s location perched near the headwaters of the water basin is illustrated in the large bio-map on the Community Room floor. As you walk the basin you learn more about our relationship with water and begin to understand our collective responsibility to those downstream, including wildlife. Educating visitors about the importance of the river valley is one part of the Nature Centre’s commitment

to fostering a community of environmentally aware and responsible citizens. The Nature Centre also organizes three major conservation projects in the river valley from May through September and provides opportunities for residents to make a difference.

The 9th annual city-wide Coulee Clean-Up took place in April and May with over 900 volunteers helping to remove over 350 bags of garbage from the river valley. Shoreline Clean-Ups are organized along the banks of the Oldman River to remove trash as well as collect information for a national database on the types of garbage found along shorelines. Weed Pulls are organized on the third Thursday of the month in an effort to remove prohibited noxious weeds from locations in the river valley. With a volunteer team of over 750 individuals, the Nature Centre aims to keep the river valley a special and unique place that supports a vibrant ecosystem. You can take part and make a difference in the river valley – either through a conservation project or by joining a team of volunteer naturalists who share their knowledge and appreciation for nature with visitors both inside and on the trails. The Nature Centre is always interested in discussing volunteer opportunities and encourages individuals to visit to find out more.

Summer at the Nature Centre has something on offer for everyone! Families with young children can take advantage of the weekly Big Bird Little Bird programs in July and August featuring activities, crafts, and games. Children aged 6 to 10 can attend Trail Blazers in July and August exploring nature themes through fun, games, and discovery. Teens can enjoy the monthly Extreme by Nature program that provides hands-on, low-impact adventures that connect participants to nature. Families can enjoy the weekly Ask a Naturalist program on Sunday afternoons along the trails of the Nature Reserve Park or they can take part in the yearround Sunday Nature Walks on the second Sunday of every month.

The current exhibit at the Nature Centre highlights “Bumble Bees” and the 22 native species to Southern Alberta. The interactive displays include a live bumble bee hive that provides an inside look at a working bee colony. Visitors are encouraged to learn how to plant for pollinators and to better understand their interdependence on species like bumble bees. “Bees are responsible for the vast majority of the fruits and vegetables we find at the grocery store – without bees, our diet would be very different,” says Jessica Deacon-Rogers. This fact is reinforced in the current art gallery exhibit “A World without Bees” that provides dramatic photos of the extent to which we rely on bees. A visit to the Nature Centre is a great way to enjoy a summer day in Lethbridge. During the summer months the facility is open 7 days a week, from 10am to 6pm. Admission is by donation, making this an affordable experience for the whole family! Be sure to bring your questions – the team of staff and volunteers are always happy to provide ID assistance, to recommend a great hike, or to help residents and visitors to ‘Discover it Here!’

• Coulee Clean-Up is made possible by Pratt & Whitney Canada and Pattison Broadcast Group

• Extreme by Nature is made possible by Alberta Conservation Association

For more information: www.Lethbridge.ca/HSNC @DiscoverItHere Facebook.com/HelenSchulerNatureCentre 403-320-3064

“Visitors have provided positive feedback and are enthusiastic about how the exhibit has changed their experience at the Nature Centre.”

Fringe: FINDING THE

Festival fuels fun and freedom of expression

by Christina Scott

“MS SUGARCOAT”

“From Sept. 15 to 18, Lethbridge will host the second annual “Little Fringe On the Prairie”, welcoming uncensored theatre with open arms and an open mind. “

As Lethbridge’s population creeps toward 100,000, the city is growing in both size and diversity. Lethbridge continues to expand as a home to people from varying cultures, circumstances and backgrounds. The face of our community is ever-changing.

These changes bring fresh insights into the population’s needs and desires, as residents work to consistently re-examine what it means to be an inclusive, modern community. While Lethbridge has always enjoyed a rich history in entertainment and the arts, we continue to grow there, too. From Sept. 15 to 18, Lethbridge will host the second annual “Little Fringe On the Prairie”, welcoming uncensored theatre with open arms and an open mind.

The Fringe Festival has deep roots, dating back to post-war Scotland. According to the Edinburgh Fringe website, eight performers turned up uninvited to perform at the Edinburgh International Festival, an initiative created to celebrate and enrich European cultural life in the wake of the Second World War. Not being part of the official program of the International Festival didn’t stop these performers – they staged their shows on the ‘Fringe of the Festival’ anyway, coining the phrase and the name (Edinburgh) Festival Fringe. Fringe came to Canada in 1982 when Chinook Theatre's artistic director Brian Paisley received $50,000 from Edmonton's Summerfest to put together "A Fringe Theatre Event" in Edmonton’s Old Strathcona District. In its

first year, the Edmonton Fringe offered 200 live performances in five theatre venues.

By 2014, the event had over 210 shows and 1,600 performances, with an estimated outdoor site attendance of more than 665,000. Michele Gallant has been involved with Fringe Festivals for the past decade; she is the producer of both Fringes in Calgary and Lethbridge. She says she and her husband Blair got the idea to bring Fringe to Calgary in 2006 after seeing celebrations in Edmonton.

Although the couple resides in Calgary, Blair is a fourth-generation Lethbridge resident.

“His goal was always to bring [Fringe] to his home town,” says Gallant. She says Blair received feedback from people in the city who said they desired more selection and choice when it came to theatre entertainment. “So we thought, OK, this is a good time to introduce it,” she says. “Let’s test the waters and see what happens.”

To host a Fringe, cities must be a member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals (CAFF). By becoming a member, cities receive mentorship support from existing CAFF members.

Membership also ensures that festivals in each city will become part of a touring circuit that features a variety of national and international artists from different theatre companies. CAFF currently has 26 members, including six in the United States. Canada enjoys more Fringe Festivals than any other country in the world.

“Co-Workers” All Fringe Festivals must abide by four guiding principles: • Participants are selected on a non-juried basis, through a first-come, first-served process, a lottery, or other method approved by the Association. • The audience must have the option to pay a ticket price, 100 per cent of which goes directly to the artists • Festival producers have no control over the artistic content of each performance. The artistic freedom of the participants is unrestrained. • Festivals must provide an easily accessible opportunity for all audiences and all artists to participate in Fringe Festivals. “I call it ‘anything-goes’ theatre,” says Gallant. “Artists can put whatever they want on stage. My only rules are that artists provide full disclosure, and that they don’t break the law.”

Gallant says she wasn’t sure how such theatre would be received in Lethbridge, but says the response to last year’s “Little Fringe On the Prairie” was overwhelmingly positive. Nearly 1,100 patrons purchased tickets over the four-day event. “Patrons told us that they had been waiting for something like this to come which pushes the envelope a little bit,” says Gallant. “They loved that there was this opportunity to go and see some pretty cool and amazing different things.”

Anyone can apply to be a Fringe performer. Each Fringe city is allotted a certain number of spots which are awarded to artists. Lethbridge has seven slots available which are awarded through a lottery system. Last year, Lethbridge’s Fringe featured three performers from within the city, three from Calgary and one from Medicine Hat.

Performances were split between three different venues, and included The Vagina Monologues, Banger Bingo, and Ms. Sugarcoat, a comedic performance from teacher and puppeteer Alice Nelson.

“[Fringe Festivals] exist to support artists through marketing and box office support, so I see it as a leg up,” says Gallant. “If they’re serious about their art and want to take it to a professional level, it gives them breathing room to be able to do that.”

Lethbridge Fringe operates through grants, sponsorships and fundraising. Along with being awarded Lethbridge’s Heart of the City grant to host the festival, funds are raised through the sale of Fringe buttons. For $5, patrons can purchase the button, which makes them members of Lethbridge Fringe and allows them access to all shows during the festival. This money raised goes towards the rental of venues and technical costs.

Planning is well underway for this year’s Fringe. Performances will take place at CASA, Theatre Outre and The Gate Christian Centre. Performers have been chosen, with a schedule to be posted on Fringe’s website soon.

CASA will be the main box office for tickets and Fringe buttons; tickets can also be purchased at the door during the run of the festival. For early birds, tickets will be available for purchase online as of Aug. 1. “I’m very excited for the line-up,” says Gallant. “From an artistic point, I’m continually blown away by the inventiveness and variety of the shows I’ve seen over the years. I hope more and more patrons come and see the show.”

For more information on this year’s Fringe, including how to volunteer, visit www.lethbridgefringe.ca

“She came out and did a parody of audience participation where the audience was like her elementary school pupils,” says Gallant. “She had a little beaver puppet that swore. I was amazed how inventive she was.” Gallant adds non-censorship is crucial to the success of Fringe.

“We don’t want to restrict the artist’s viewpoint,” she says. “If there’s something that’s important that they want to say in a performance piece, we want to give them [a chance] to put on stage whatever it is they’ve always wanted to put on stage.”

Tickets to shows in Lethbridge are $10; costs are kept low to encourage community attendance and engagement with the artists. Last year in Lethbridge, ticket sales amounted to just under $8,600, all of which was returned directly to artists.

“Banger Bingo!” Quirk - 31

Qu rk Restaurant Gu de i

Enjoy Great Food & Relax on our Outdoor Patio Garden! • Burgers • Wraps • AAA Steak • Daily Quiche • Sunday Brunch Exciting Desserts made fresh by “Bill the Baker” 317 8th Street South 403-328-8085 Sunday 11am-8pm Monday-Thursday 11am-9pm Friday & Saturday 11am-10pm

www.streatsideeatery.com

Eat-In & Take-Out Lunch Combos Gluten Free Ramen Noodles Tapas Sushi & More

511- 4th Ave. S. Lethbridge

403-942-7955

Hours: Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm Dinner 4:30 pm - 8:30 pm Bread & Pizza Dough Hand Made Fresh Daily Gluten-Free Crust Available Caesar & House Salad Dressing Created In House Lunch Specials

www.top-pizza.com Dine-In, Pick-Up & Delivery 1101 - 4th Avenue South

403-327-1952 Quirk - 32

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

Quirk - 7

advertorial

Now offering veterinary chiropractic care

Ranch Docs Veterinary Services is growing and excited to offer clients exceptional care to all types of animals, large and small. We are happy to welcome Dr. Euan Morrison to our practice. He is a small animal veterinarian from Chicago that brings over a decade of experience to this aspect of our practice. Dr. Morrison is happy to be in Lethbridge with his wife and four children and they are enjoying the down to earth people of southern Alberta. Ranch Docs is also now offering veterinary chiropractic services. Chiropractic has been around for over 100 years and is now being used as an alternative therapy to treat our animal patients. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions regarding veterinary chiropractic. How does chiropractic work? The science behind chiropractic is that misalignment of joints (subluxation), particularly those housing the spinal cord, adversely affects nerve impulses leaving and returning to the spinal column. This results in decreased function of the muscles, organs and tissues controlled by those nerves. This altered function can lead to pain, fatigue, weakness, incoordination and immune suppression. By re-establishing normal vertebral alignment these symptoms go away, full range of motion is restored and our pets can function optimally.

What types of conditions do you treat most often with chiropractic? Dr. Mohr has successfully managed animals with everything from back pain, disk disease and poor limb coordination to fatigue and generalized illness with chiropractic. Dr. Mohr also treats many athletic animals. These animals have improved performance and will be able to maintain a high level of performance later in life with routine chiropractic care. All these benefit are achieved without the use of medication.

How does someone become a certified veterinary chiropractor? The road to becoming a certified veterinary chiropractor is not an easy one. The certification exam involves a combination of practical skill assessment and a written exam. In order to qualify to write the exam you have to have completed a training course at one of the 6 veterinary chiropractic schools in North America. Dr. Mohr attended Animal Chiropractic Education Source in Dallas Texas. These courses are a combination of 120 hours of practical training and another 120 hours of on line material. An average of 80% has to be achieved in the course and on the certifying exam. To attend one of these 6 schools the applicants have to be either a veterinarian (doctor of veterinary medicine) or a human chiropractor (doctor of chiropractic). Once certified by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) a licence is maintained by attending conferences specific to veterinary chiropractic.

active animals usually develop subluxations through trauma such as jumping, stopping and starting, catching balls etc. All animals are also subject to stress and toxins in the environment. Circulating cortisol due to stress has a negative effect on the supporting musculature and tone of our spinal column. Toxins from food or the environment can have a similar effect.

Does my pet need a chiropractic adjustment, and if so how often? Yes. All animals have subluxations to some degree and will benefit from chiropractic care. Early on some subluxations can exist without signs however, if left unattended they will eventually become symptomatic. Routine care usually involves a visit once every month or two. Competitive animals and those that are suffering from other disease require more frequent chiropractic adjustment.

Dr. Mohr, Dr. Morrison, and all the vets and staff at Ranch Docs are excited about meeting you and your pets. With a diverse staff, new facility and plenty of enthusiasm we can take care of all your veterinary needs. Ranch Docs also offers 24 hr emergency service and is located 1 mile south of Lethbridge on highway 4.

The owners and staff of Ranch Docs have been providing veterinary services to Southern Alberta for years. We know how much your animals mean to you - whether they are bovine, equine, canine or feline - we will care for your pets and herds as if they were our own!

Why is so much training required to become certified? Chiropractic is a science, art and philosophy. Without a proper understanding of anatomy, neurology and physiology and without a background in medicine it would be impossible to understand, correctly diagnose and appropriately treat patients. Being a veterinarian also allows Dr. Mohr to approach cases with a broad perspective and determine the modality that your pet will benefit from most.

How does the spine become subluxated? That depends on your companionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifestyle. Athletic,

ranchdocs.com â&#x20AC;˘ 403-327-4658 â&#x20AC;˘ 82038 RR 21-0 Lethbridge, AB Quirk - 33

The Lethbridge & District Humane Society has been a no-kill haven since its inception in early 1970. It is their goal to take care of strays and abandoned pets until a home can be found for them to thrive and have a new start in life. Some animals stay for years before finding a family to love them.

With the support of Park Pet Hospital & Northside Veterinary Clinic, Quirk would like to introduce a few of the residents who have been waiting for quite some time. Rescued pets are exceptionally loving,

and very grateful for a chance to be with you. If you have room in your home and your heart, please give the Humane Society a call to give one of these furry friends a chance to belong, and be loved.

They are a gift!

Call: (403) 320-8991 Website: lethbridgehumanesociety.com

Luke Black & White Male

Luke is a handsome black and white boy with lovely expressive eyes. He was born June 2013 and came to the Humane Society in December of 2013. Luke is playful and fun but also enjoys relaxing! He likes to be out and about bossing his roommates around. Luke likes people and is available for all the attention you can spare!!

Toulouse

Orange Tabby Male

Toulouse is an active, out-going, mischievous youngster who loves to play! He loves toys like the Cat's Meow, tunnels and laser lights. Toulouse likes to play with his roommates too, but is a typical boy and sometimes plays a little rough! He also likes people, when he's not racing around! He's about 9 months old and came to the Humane Society early this year. He's looking for his Forever Home, and for a family looking for a bundle of orange energy

Ramsey Orange & White Male

Ramsey is a good looking orange and white kitten, about 6 months old. He loves to play with his toys, and with his siblings. He's got a great purr, which he uses as soon as you pick him up! He's energetic and fun, very entertaining to watch. He's presently residing at the Lethbridge Humane Society, but is looking for his very own Forever Home!

Ramsey is a good looking orange and white kitten, about 6 months old. He loves to play wi his toys, and with his siblings. He's got a great purr, which he uses as soon as you pick hi up! He's energetic and fun, very entertaining to watch. He'sCats presently residing at th • Medical & Surgical Care for & Dogs Lethbridge Humane Society, but is looking for his very own Forever Home!

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: • Wellness Consultations • Dentistry • Endoscopy, Digital X-Ray & Ultrasound • Laser Surgery • Nutritional Counseling • 24 Hour Emergency Service Available

ith im he

Tracey Female Medium Hair Soft Calico

Tracey is a beautiful affectionate soft calico. She is a young adult and came to the Humane Society in November 2015. Tracey is a quiet, gentle purr machine who loves to snuggle! When she doesn't have people to snuggle, she snuggles down under her blankets! She's inquisitive and likes to explore, looking for places to snuggle into. Tracey will make a wonderful companion - perhaps suited to adults, but we aren't yet sure!

Park Pet Hospital 142 Columbia Blvd. West Phone: 403-328-0028

www.parkpethospital.ca

Northside Veterinary Clinic 210F-12A Street North Phone: 403-327-3352

www.northsidevet.ca Visit our website and Facebook page

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

THE

• Experienced • Knowledgeable • Caring • Trustworthy

PET PHOTO

CONTEST

Winning Photo Jaz

Submitted by: Kaylee

Winner will receive a gift certificate from

Photos submitted via email must be at least 1MB. Please provide caption and name of photographer. Quirk Magazine, Shabella Publishing and sponsors retain the right to use winning photographs for promotional purposes.

email your photos to: info@readquirk.com Quirk - 36

Entry Deadline July 29, 2016

LESSONS I’VE LEARNED FROM MY DOGS By Jean Van Kleek

“Next time you set a goal, be open to other possibilities and enjoy every moment of excitement, creativity, fun and lessons along the way.”

I’m always amazed at the lessons our dogs (and other animals) teach us, if we only take time to listen. They instinctively know all the things we have learned through life to forget.

Dogs enjoy the journey. When they go for a car ride, they stick their head out the window, smell the air and feel the wind against their fur. They don’t care where they’re going. They care that they are with you, that the journey is together, and enjoy the ride. Although goals are great to set, we often forget that it’s the journey that matters most. When we get too attached to the outcome, we set ourselves up for frustration, depression or even anger if our

exact expectations are not met. Next time you set a goal, be open to other possibilities and enjoy every moment of excitement, creativity, fun and lessons along the way. Dogs don’t care if you end up somewhere different than planned, they will just smile and say “here we are, and isn’t it special!” None of the rest matters to them except being comfortable and “home” with those they love, wherever that may be in the end. We stress far too much about direction and doing. We often forget that what we have is what we need, and that the only real moment is “now”. And any dog will tell you, love is the answer, the rest is a secondary part of the journey.

RECIPE

Chicken and

BERRY BARS For Dogs

Kiwi

Zoe

4 large eggs ( I use free range) 1 tablespoon coconut or olive oil 1 tablespoon molasses 1 tablespoon liquid honey 1 teaspoon cinnamon 4 cups quick oats 3 cups cooked minced chicken 1 cup raspberries Blueberries are classified as super 1 cup blueberries foods for humans and dogs 1 cup finely chopped strawberries containing antioxidants and fibre. Strawberries are known Drizzle cinnamon and honey before baking to contain an enzyme to whiten dogs teeth. Bake at 350 F and check after 45 to 50 minutes.

This recipe is fresh and super easy to make. When you can, always good to use berries from your yard. For this I used frozen blueberries and raspberries but fresh strawberries. When using frozen, mash and drain. Mince the strawberries and cooked chicken. I poached boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chopped finely.

Mix all ingredients in order. Use gloves and wear a black apron or a dark shirt as these berries are very staining!!

Cool then flip on oven rack. Refrigerate up to 4 days or bag and freeze.

Share with us how your puppy enjoys this recipe!

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

Quirk - 37

Expert Hearing Professionals Locally Owned & Operated Full Service Hearing Clinic Personalized Programming Affordable Digital Bluetooth Hearing Aids

FREE HEARING TEST

Summer Specials 403-328-0795

Lesa Butler - BC-HIS

Registered Hearing Aid Practitioner

www.elbeeshearing.com 615 4 Ave South, Lethbridge

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Discover it here!

Quirk - 38

403.320.3064

lethbridge.ca hsnc@lethbridge.ca

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403-380-3779

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NEW SALES LOCATION Highway 3 across from Coalhurst Turn west at the Coalhurst intersection SERVICE and PARTS 711 2 A Ave N. Lethbridge

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