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6 Tech Trends modern RANCH families
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• Airdrie • Brooks • Camrose • Cochrane • Drayton Valley • Drumheller • Esterhazy (opening summer 2012) • Hanna • High River • Humboldt • Lac La Biche • Melfort • Moosomin • Olds • Oyen • Pincher Creek • Ponoka • Provost • Rimbey • Rocky Mountain House • Shaunavon (opening mid 2012) • Stettler • St. Paul • Tisdale • Wainwright • Westlock • Weyburn
The Watercolours of:
Brent R. Laycock Splashing Around Exhibition and Sale March 3 - April 14, 2012
Reception with artist: March 10th 2-4pm 2
LEIGHTON ART CENTRE routesmagazine.ca
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Features 8 Modern Ranch Family
contents MARCH
APRIL 2012
Two families in the changing beef industry
12 Zoe and Bailey, The Screenplay Short film artists
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18 2012 Tech Trends
Consumer Electronics Show Sneak Peak
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24 Baja Versus the Black Pearl
An insider view to racing the Mexican 1000
30 Fashion
Passport to Spring and Travel Fashion
Departments 20 Arts & Entertainment
A variety of family events, lots of live music, business tradeshows and a little rodeo too.
21 Spotlight on Talent
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Book: Walks and Easy Hikes in the Canadian Rockies CD: Oh My Darling
23 Dining Guide 34 Routes Salutes
Rowan House Emergency Shelter
38 Detours
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Extreme sailing
Columns
30
16 Stargazing
Venus and Mars Together
28 Financial Insights
Clearly for You: Life Insurance
36 Family
Motherload: A Day’s Grace CULTURE
LIFESTYLE
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EXTREME sailing
6 Tech Trends
RACING the BAJA
fashion Passport to Spring modern RANCH families PM 41979554
Cover photo at Wales Theatre, High River. By Neville Palmer
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Editor’s Editor’sNote Note 4
Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.” Doug Larson
Publisher Routes Media Inc.
B
y the time you have this issue of Routes in hand, winter should be almost over, and spring around the corner, waiting to give your spirits a lift. I can hardly wait for it myself; for tulips, mountain hikes and garden fresh vegetables... but as usual, I’m one step ahead of myself. In this issue we have a wonderful assortment of stories, adventures and events for you to delve into. Read about how Alberta’s ranching tradition is alive and well, and in some ways being reinvented as families work to preserve a way of life they are anchored in. Get ready for a wild off-road excursion when you jump onboard the ‘Black Pearl’, an Alberta piloted ’78 Chevy truck on a three-day off-road race in Mexico’s Baja Peninsula with writer Veronica Kloiber. And speaking of crazy adventures, check out our Detours page to find out how my husband spent his January. He sailed for 30 consecutive days in a yacht race from Gold Coast, Australia to Singapore. For our fans of the arts, Peter Worden’s screenplay mimics the art of his story subjects, Alberta-born up-and-comers Zoe Slusar and Bailey Kerluke of ‘Untitled Productions’. For our stargazing fans, check out details of a chance encounter of Jupiter and Venus and plan to join contributing astronomer, James Durbano, for an up close look at this rare celestial coupling on March 12. If you are like a lot people taking off on a tropical holiday to escape the winter cold our spring fashion shoot may inspire you to shop locally for clothing for your next vacation or just to brighten up a winter wardrobe. See? So much to sample and experience before spring arrives. Enjoy every minute and … don’t forget your Routes!
Sandra Wiebe Publisher/Executive Editor
routesmagazine.ca
March - April 2012 Issue #15
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Executive Editor Sandra Wiebe Copy Editor Pat Fream Art Director Sharon Syverson Photographer Neville Palmer Sales and Marketing Manager Jacqueline Overmars Sales Rae Jamieson
From Our Readers
Sales & Ad Design Melissa Driver
Thank you so much for spotlighting us – our first cover and I am so proud for it to be your magazine. My mom is getting many phone calls about the magazine and everyone thinks it is great.
Contributors Zac Bolan, James Durbano, Pat Fream, Veronica Kloiber, David and Heather Meszaros, Peter Worden
- Jodi Willoughby, Crave Cookies and Cupcakes
Thank you all for the wonderful experience you helped provide for Leandra. Meeting Amber (CBC’s Heartland, Amy) was a dream come true for our daughter, and Amber was absolutely gracious and wonderful and so nice, Leandra still can't believe it happened. - Pia and Leandra, Sylvan Lake
I wanted to give you a HUGE thank you for putting together everything for the Routes bus. You have no idea how great it is to have the support from my own hometown behind me, it makes me want to take it all that much further and strive confidently towards my dreams. From what I hear people had a blast on the bus and agree that it was good idea. Thank you for your time, creativity and passion and love in this whole process. - Calum Graham
sales@routesmedia.ca Routes Media Inc. 19 – 3 Ave. SE High River, AB T1V 1G3 Ph: 403.403.652.1100 ext 102 info@routesmedia.ca
Subscriptions: 1 year: $18.90 (GST incl.) 2 years: $29.40 (GST incl.) Routes magazine is published six times per year. We print 13,000 full colour, glossy copies. They are distributed throughout southern Alberta via Canada Post admail, local retailers and by subscription. We want to hear from you. Please post comments on stories at www.routesmagazine.ca Printing by McAra Printing For permission to reprint articles, excerpts or photographs, please email info@routesmedia.ca Copyright 2012 All rights reserved. Non-deliverables, please return to: Routes Media Inc. 4, 19 – 3 ave SE, High River, AB T1V 1G3 Canada Post Publications #41979554
Contributors
“Sp “Seriously!.. The coffee is better at The Stop.” -Veronica
el it’s l che c im po k... ten t -Pa !” t
“Do n’t in te whil e I’m rrupt m e you Ig !” -Nev noring ille
e bag crib e of m a . “G ?”.. eter one -P any
Small Team... Big Vision .. le, ed!”. op pe ganiz eline s cu or acqu “Fo get -J ’s let
, ay “Y , y . Ya !”.. a y Ya eliss -M
“Who hired these crazy people?!” -Sandra
r ea...o ve id is... “I ha th t u abo t!” what e tha a I lik ron ya, y -Sha
ed stay ave uld h ance o h S “ ur e ins in th ss.” -Rae e busin
Thank you to our “Mini-Mes”(left to right):
Marshall, Monroe, Katie, Caleb, Ruby, Grace, Rian, Sydney, Jeffrey. Representing (left to right): Neville Palmer, Veronica Kloiber, Pat Fream, Peter Worden, Jacqueline Overmars, Sandra Wiebe, Melissa Driver, Sharon Syverson, Rae Jamieson. Photo by Neville Palmer at Lorac Executive Business Centre
Peter Worden currently lives in Calgary, attending an illustrious, one-off writerin-residence program at Crown Army Surplus. Last summer he was admitted to their prestigious Yard of Military Detritus in his 1969 Airstream. He also writes a “semi-occasional” miniature newspaper in Nanton. His only feature film to-date is cooking lessons for the trailer-dwelling individual, which can be viewed on Youtube. Veronica Kloiber captured the heart of the Mexican 1000 in words and in photos by joining the owners of the Black Pearl in the off-road race that runs almost the full length of the Baja Peninsula. Veronica lives in with her family in Black Diamond.
Jacqueline Overmars is the most recent addition to the Routes team. She will be heading up the sales team, and providing valuable marketing support. Jacqueline’s background in office management and organization will be a true asset to Routes Media. Pat Fream recently took a treacherous hike into the clammy chambers of a McDonald’s jungle gym. The experience made her queasy but more importantly, it made her teenagers’ cars seem remarkably airy and sanitary. When she’s not out on 'happy' dates with spunky little playmates, Pat is at home reading, writing, and walking up and down her hill with her Tucker (the wonder dog). Pat has a communications degree and two decades of writing experience.
Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” -Steve Jobs
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Routes Events Editor’s Note
The staff at Routes magazine had a blast organizing Routes’ first ever Road Trip! We brought the magazine to life on February 4, as we gathered 35 fans to ride a bus to Mount Royal University in Calgary to cheer on finalist Calum Graham as he competed in AMP Radio’s annual Rock Star Competition. Even though Calum placed 4th, we were all very impressed with his rock star potential!
Well done Calum. Routes and High River are proud of you!
A sincere thank you to the following businesses that joined us in making the first Road Trip a huge success:
viabar viafoods.com www.routesmagazine.ca
Next Routes Event: Come see the two brightest planets in the sky side-by-side! Join the Routes staff and contributor/teacher/astronomer James Durbano, and other members of the Big Sky Astronomical Society as they set up telescopes next to Emerson Lake to view the Venus - Jupiter Conjunction. This planet pairing is a celestial treat you don’t want to miss! 6
Monday March 12, 8 – 10 pm. No charge, FREE hot chocolate!
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HR V Hormone and Antibiotic Free Beef Large Packages and Individual Cuts Available
GROWING BUSINESS… SERIOUSLY
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Office Spaces
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ROUTES presents a FREE screening of unique short films Untitled Productions A Year Through the lens
www.highwoodvalleyranch.com info@highwoodvalleyranch.com 403-601-3891
FROM KNEE DEEP IN SNOW TO ARM DEEP INSIDE A COW, NOTHING IS TOO MUCH TO HANDLE. UFA’s handy calving checklist and calving record books are now available. Visit your local UFA Farm and Ranch Supply store or see UFA.com/beef to receive these valuable tools.
Wales Theatre Mar 29, 5:30 pm
FOOTHILLS FILM Special viewing of independent and international films
Mar 29: Carnage Feb 23: The Way
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Wales Theatre, High River $10 @ the door 7:30 pm
www.walestheatre.com
UFA.com
© 2012 UFA Co-operative Limited. All rights reserved.
UFA 0191 Calving Routes Magazine ad.indd 1
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Feature
y l i m a f h c n modern R a iber By Veronica Klo
Through teamwork and family ties the future of the Canadian beef industry is in the hearts and hands of those who are making this proud way of life work in this modern age.
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le Palmer Photos by Nevil
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Ranching is a great life, where else on earth can you work as a family?” - Luke Ball
Luke Ball and his girls chase cattle on a winter’s day (above). Left, at their kitchen table, is Luke and Laura Ball. Under the table are their children Bethany 3, Samuel 5, and Leah 2.
L
uke Ball, a fourth generation cattleman, sits at his kitchen table drinking coffee, his wife Laura at his side. The talk ranges from cattle and ranching, to life and family. Under the table their three kids play at what they know – cows, tractors and life on the farm. “Ranching is all about long-term planning,” said Ball. He and his family have come through all that the past decade has thrown at the cattle industry. He feels the 2003 mad cow disease and the subsequent fall-out has changed the industry for the better. “It has made us more efficient overall,” he said. From feed bans to the mandatory use of radio-frequency identification tags and age verification of all calves, the preventative steps taken by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have done much to improve the cattle industry. “It’s different today, you need 200 head of cattle to make a living on commercial cows,” said Ball. “It has to make dollars and cents now.” The Ball family ranches northwest of Millarville. Luke’s great-grandfather homesteaded out there and the wagon that brought them to the toe of the Rockies still sits in the yard – a silent reminder of the days when ranching provided for
the family and people could take to this seemingly simple way of life with little more than what they carried on their backs. It is not so today. On the banks of the Highwood River sprawls another homestead. It is here where Wade and Jaimie Nelson of Highwood Valley Ranch are getting their feet wet in the churning, changing waters of the cattle industry. The Nelsons operate as a direct retailer of farm-raised beef at local farmers’ markets. They buy cattle on the hoof from Wade’s parents and slaughter the animals for consumers looking for smaller quantities. “It was not feasible for us to buy into it,” said Wade Nelson. “We do what we do based on family deals.” The concept of selling directly to consumers has been a tradition in the Nelson family for some time. Wade’s mother started selling beef alongside her homemade jams and jellies at the Millarville Market when Wade was a boy. “Mom would just open a Safeway flyer and say we’ll be a little higher than Safeway,” said Nelson of the family’s initial marketing strategy. Each weekend in the summer added a few extra coins to the family coffers and peace of mind to a farmer’s wife. routesmagazine.ca
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Out of necessity, the Nelsons have come up with a new angle on ranching and farming. Taking their cue from another family-run High River farm that makes a good living off of a smaller land base (Highwood Crossing Farms), they hit the farmers’ market with a mind to make it work. “We needed to make more money of the same amount of cattle and land,” explained Nelson. At Highwood Valley, the ranching practices of yesteryear still hold value today. Calves are born and finished under the watchful care of Wade’s parents. The Nelson family has grazing leases to the west but instead of trailing cows on horseback as they did when Wade was
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young, they now use a cattle liner to move the herd out to pasture each summer. “The theory is we can get to a point where we run not all but a vast majority of our cattle through the beef company,” said Nelson of their plans for how their business will evolve. Back in Millarville at the Ball’s UXL Ranch, the way the cattle are managed is much the same as it has always has been, until it comes time to sell. The Balls sell their animals through auction at VJV Foothills out of Stavely, but technology has touched that aspect of the industry as well. Auction marts conjure images of Marlboro men, with slickers and huge hats, prodding lowing animals while the
People want to know who their producer is. It’s nice to know who’s feeding you.” - Wade Nelson
Wade and Jaimie Nelson at Highwood Valley Ranch
lilting singsong of the auctioneer calls out bids. A part of that song still plays today. An auctioneer mans the floor but the sounds of the livestock are digitized. A video of the animals for sale plays above where they used to run through the pens. There is still a live audience in the ring but a substantial amount of the sales is done online with sometimes upwards of 250 bidders logging on for the Canadian Satellite Auction. “Lots of people on vacation have watched from Hawaii, as their cattle sell,” said Rob Bergevin, co-owner of VJV Foothills Livestock Auction. “The benefit to the producer is the cattle don’t leave the ranch until they’re sold,” explained Bergevin. This modern way of selling cattle minimizes the stress on both animal and rancher. In Luke’s parents’ day, before satellite auction, one or two bidders would come to their ranch. The Balls would make the sale, set the delivery date and organize the hauling and transport of the animals. With a satellite sale there is no need for a social call. All aspects of the sale are taken care of by the auction mart - the selling, the shipping and the delivery. “The auction mart supplies liners that come directly to our place and load them up,” explained Luke Ball. “This allows us to have maximum exposure on selling our calves with the best price possible.” Time, its management and its passing, means everything in ranching. The UXL Ranch has years of positive wordof-mouth working in its favour. Luke Ball’s parents built a reputation that has stood the test of time. Buyers of their cattle range from grain farmers and feedlot owners to processors like Cargill and XL Foods (Lakeside Packers). “We have a herd reputation for selling good calves - our name means a lot,” said Luke Ball. Highwood Valley Ranch is building its reputation on a different set of standards. It is sought out by consumers who want to ensure their cattle aren’t finished at a feedlot. “People want to know who their producer is,” said Nelson. “It’s nice to know who’s feeding you.” Not that the Nelsons are out to knock the system. All they want for themselves
is to carve out a little niche, a beefy little portion of a way of life that is changing with the times. “The consumer wants cheap protein; they want a $1.49 cheeseburger. That’s why guys have to feedlot their cattle,” explained Nelson. “Not that it’s bad,” he added, “that’s just the way they have to do it.” On the road the Nelsons travel, the signpost at the crossroads reads ‘sustainable and organic’. For them, the organic route is not the path to follow – too much red tape. Sustainability on the other hand, raising cattle with no hormones, all homegrown or local feed, and butchering more often so the cuts can be sold fresh, are all tenets of the Nelsons’ business. Being a smaller producer has its own share of problems. The Nelsons have discovered there is no middle ground in this business. At Cargill Meats, north of High River, an average of 4,500 head of cattle are processed daily. At Foothills Meats, where the Nelsons take their animals, they can get through 15 in a week. “We have a really weird industry,” explained Nelson. “There’s small and huge and nothing in between.” Even with all the troubles ranchers face, there are still those who choose to make a career in cattle. “We’re seeing more and more people thinking a living can be made at this,” said Nelson. With the number of cattle on the hoof dwindling as older ranchers hang their hats and slow down for retirement, the future holds promise for the up and comers who choose to follow the herds. “Ranching and raising a family is a part of everyday life with us,” said Laura Ball. “On a family farm the kids go with grandma, granddad, dad and mommy. It’s our life, the farm, and they’re part of it.” Having chosen this life, both the Nelsons and the Balls are tied to the land as strongly as they are tied to those who came before them. “Ranching is a great life,” stated Luke Ball. “Where else on earth can you work as a family?”
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Feature
Z+B the Screenplay By Peter Worden (adapted to screenplay also by Peter Worden) Photos by Neville Palmer
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Setting: A short-film set, at night, in the treasure-like – and so tiny one might overlook it – Town of Black Diamond. The scene opens at a place called The Stop, a cultural hotspot bustling with what appears to be every man, woman and child from town streaming through the door; a full house. [Camera: eye-level; pans the crowd entering the quaint venue, now filled with 100 or so. A beer bottle jangles on the floor. A child cries. There’s the hiss of a steaming latté. The chatter fades to shushes and then silence as the room grows dark. The first film begins.]
Narrator (in baritone voiceover): Amateur – word that can be complimentary and demoralizing. The word, from the Latin amator or ‘lover,’ conjures the noble idea of one pursuing his or her practice unpaid. But what does it mean to be an amateur filmmaker in this age, in this part of the country? [Camera: fades to black. Opens again in the same room, now mostly empty minus a few friends, family and stragglers. There’s the clanging of cleanup. Zoe and Bailey, the stars, move tables, projection equipment and unsold DVDs to the car. A local reporter catches up with the two.] Interviewer: Good show, you guys. If it’s alright, I’d like to video record an interview; a poetic change of pace from a regular interview. Bailey: We can do that – my camera is in the car. Zoe: Should we do the interview here? My place? The bar next door? Narrator: Sometimes it’s movie magic; other times just the luring possibility of Thursday night drink specials. Whatever it was that fateful night, Zoe, 23, and Bailey, 25, friends and co-filmmakers since Oilfields High School, choose the cinematic Black Diamond Hotel bar. [Camera: tabletop-level; frames the two in front of piping fire, sitting side-byside in big, cozy chairs. Bailey adjusts tripod. Zoe instinctively holds up the interviewer’s notepad to check white-balance.] Zoe: We rolling? Bailey: We’re rolling. Interviewer: OK. Take one: Untitled Productions’ Zoe Slusar and Bailey Kerluke after “A Year Through The Lens” – their sixth annual free screening of film shorts. Black Diamond Hotel, December 29. Action. Interviewer: This must be a tremendous amount of work you two do every year. Bailey: I don’t think you can count the number of hours that go into it. I’d like to. But I’d be frightened how much time I put into making a puppet move or to get a shot just right. Interviewer: Zoe, last night in Calgary, your mom went to get chocolate bars to hand out to guests and apologized for the late start (although, nobody seemed too bothered). And Bailey, I understand your mom made the puppet featured in the film ‘Extended Play.’ [Camera: cuts to shot of burlap sack baby puppet.] Are both your parents in the picture – so to speak?
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Feature
It’s pretty cool that it’s of just the two us and we’re winning.”
ction.
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sign. ume de t s o c r em in fo bring th selves, too. e W . g for actin little bit them ne. them in g in ce Day O ps r like it a in b s y e e o h b W t : m e co sho Zoe Mayb mentar y ded work I Bailey:
ple . tten een a com lm. While she a design at SAIT b e v a h y d e fi n il a a to n dB iley productio and. : Zoe an irect; Ba Nar rator red to act and d died new-media combine and exp tu r y s . You Zoe prefe in Dublin, he e to cinematicall efinitely ve ic d u tt , n s A ti g e n o in th c h ha at we do t T he two e don’t
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how ut w pros to big studio,” b unity. People e m o s e m a r , it’s not there a etitions eat com I think mitations of, “ d we have gr back at comp ight : y e il a B li g an eived e k at the except for us just us. Lookin and rec l that it’s it can loo e s ’s n a it o le g p w to no kin coo anyone because they k 80 people wor y.” It’s pretty e has t us nd Bail winning. suppor will play that “Zoe a t e s ’r ju e ie w ’s v e ther a mo s and u n e f and h o t o d n tw do this u o y grants a just the o d ? Why piration rs, directors? s in lk a n we t – acto ate, 500 wer: Ca emulate rden St e done Intervie who do you a G e k ovies li l but ar ovie – m dependent fee simple ideas m a f o ir in the feel ake ave an ters, the r me it’s or Juno, that h h the charac ke films that m an o F : e o Z er, was ; ma ct wit f Summ really conne t I want to do and say “that Days o n a a h m c e le. You tions. That’s w rld around th t inspires me. big-sca a observa t the wo at’s wh o list and life gh, think abou ell-spent.” Th going t at w u la lf ’m I a le . h s p e a o m dgre pe ostly na eautiful shot, hour-an m is e our se –b Min nd of c nofsky nswer. A o a r . e d A e o : L o g ag ike ssin movie : That’s orribly depre but great – Sp lly his oldest y e il a it on B t ia ,h le. Um reat – differen nd, but espec He had to film eir p u o c a e . g th budget e’s a leg hear se n. Also directio pher Nolan. H extremely low e the actors re once. It’s t Christo ecause it was day and mad fford to shoo get. a b a g e a bud s ly r v n in a u o h o w h ’t ld n o u o w Follo id t c ays for because they o when they d Saturd d s e ld im u t o c 0 8 ive for. they t a scenes h t we s t r a w h g w in ’s w t lo T ha mind-b
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Filmmakers, Zoe and Bailey, who also like to act in their own productions, pose for the Routes’ photographer at the back of the Wales Theatre, High River.
Narrator: It seems [pausing for effect] there’s a funny thing about independent film: the more a filmmaker does with less, the less viewers expect more. [Camera: Cuts to clip of event at The Stop, with ‘Black Coffee’– a 2010 first-place winner for CBC’s Calgary Short Films. In it, Bailey and Zoe are standing before a percolating coffee machine. Zoe: “Black coffee is such a metaphor for our society.” Bailey (with black nail polish): “Its darkness represents the bitterness of the world. But people try to cover it up. With cream and sugar.” Zoe: “Cream and sugar: man’s escape.” The two produce notepads, jotting something. The scene fades out and back in again. Zoe: “What did this inspire for you?” Bailey: “A poem; a quatrain.” Zoe: “I drew a self-portrait of me drowning in the darkness.” The audience laughs. The film ends. Hearty applause. Another begins.] Interviewer: This year you screened ‘1,100 kms and Back’ – 25 minutes and 25 seconds of clips from your road trip discussions from Black Diamond to Victoria and back. [Camera: Cuts to Bailey and Zoe in a car, Bailey at the wheel.] Zoe: “What do you think of when you think of pears?” Bailey: “Pears.” And my personal favourite in that film is you, Zoe, returning at long last to Black Diamond. [Cut to clip in car. Zoe, stretching: “Ah. A four-way stop. All you need.”] Zoe: If people watching say, “wow, they did the same level of professionalism with just the two of them,” I think that sets us ahead. We know our limitations but we don’t think limited. You learn by doing, which is what’s great about independent film. It’s why we’re getting to a point of bigger and bigger success and international festivals; we’re taking what we learned from our past films and striving to make it more professional like it’s a funded rather than independent movie. Bailey: Worst comes to worse, we’ll just be doing these screenings in 40 years. Zoe: A cult following is acceptable. Interviewer: Here’s to that and here’s to 2012 – another long year of short films. [The actors raise their glasses and cheers.] I think that’s a wrap. [Camera: Slowly pans the bar and then out onto main street. Outside is a quiet, black night. The sound of passing traffic is heard as the scene grows darker and fades to black. Fin.]
Starring : Bailey Kerluke (as himself) 15
Zoe Slusar (as herself) Peter Worden (as the interviewer and voiceover/narrator)
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Stargazing
Two Planets Passing in the Night By James Durbano
B
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Photo By Stellarium
right lights in the sky are often mentioned in UFO reports, but if you happen to see some bright lights in the sky in the coming weeks, don’t worry, chances are you are looking at the two brightest planets. Jupiter has been visible in the evening sky since last August and Venus has been there since December, and for the past few months they’ve been getting closer together. On the night of March 12, they will come together in a beautiful and relatively rare celestial event called a conjunction. Although Venus and Jupiter will appear to be close together on that night, they will actually be about 719 million kilometers apart. The close proximity of these planets is actually just an illusion caused by our orbiting planet; a line-ofsight effect due to our vantage point here on Earth. It is quite interesting though, because you don’t often look in one direction and see both an inner planet (Venus) and an outer planet (Jupiter) at the same time. If you would like to watch these two planets pass in the night, go outside each evening between March 5 and March 19
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and look in the western sky. The best time to look is at about 7:30 p.m., although this will change to 8:30 p.m. after we “spring ahead” on March 11 for Daylight Saving Time. As for which planet is which, Venus is the brighter one; it is also the closer one. On March 12, Venus will be approximately 122 million kilometres from Earth, while Jupiter will be about 841 million kilometres away. For those of you who become fascinated with the motions of these planets, you may also want to take a look in this part of the sky on the nights of March 25 and 26. On those nights, at about 9:00 p.m. the waxing crescent moon will pass by Jupiter and Venus respectively. One week later, you can watch Venus pass the beautiful star cluster known as the Pleiades, which is also known as the “Seven Sisters”. This star cluster is easy to spot and is quite spectacular when viewed through binoculars. Venus will approach and pass this star cluster between April 2 and April 4. The best time to view Venus and the Pleiades will be between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
In the next issue of Routes, I will let you know about the celestial event of the year – the Transit of Venus - an event so rare you will not want to miss it. Until then, keep an eye on the sky!and pass this star cluster between April 2 and April 4. The best time to view Venus and the Pleiades will be between 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. In the next issue of Routes, I will let you know about the celestial event of the year – the Transit of Venus - an event so rare you will not want to miss it. Until then, keep an eye on the sky!
James Durbano is an astronomer who specializes in education and public outreach activities. He has been keeping an eye on the sky for more than 25 years and enjoys sharing the wonders of the universe with others. He is the founder of the Big Sky Astronomical Society and operates a small business called Astronomer 4 Hire. Meet James and learn more about Venus, Jupiter and the night sky on March 12. Watch Routes’ Facebook and website for details.
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK
11 am 5 pm Wednesday Monday CLOSED TUESDAYS at the NW corner of the 4 way stop in Black Diamond
403 933 5047
www.bluerockgallery.ca
Your 100 Mile Art Diet
Shop the gallery online!
CREATIVE ACCENTS
w e k e e p it
our music lives here, e beer ri g h t n e x t to th
123 3rd Ave 403-652-2166
Ask about our in store parties www.creativeaccents.ca for your online shopping experience.
Great Food • Great People • Great Music
112 - 4th Ave. W., High River 403.652.4995 www.gitterspub.com
PROGRESSIVE FAMILY DENTISTRY
Invisalign Zoom Whitening
New Patients Welcome Evening And Saturday Appointments Available
Digital X-Rays Crowns/Bridges White Fillings Bonding & Veneers Implants Root Canals
Homes • Cottages • Additions
Conscious Sedation
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RODNEY GREEN
403-601-9439
403-603-3364
201 - 103 3 Avenue SW, High River
www.signaturesmilesdentistry.ca
Dr. Vicki McMullen
WWW.WILLOWCREEKTIMBERFRAME.COM rodney@willowcreektimberframe.com
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Feature
6
Consumer Tech Trends to Watch for in 2012 Photos and story by Zac Bolan
Using natural interaction technology, this dancer controls her video avatar at the OpenNI Arena.
This innovated iPhone stand developed by CTX Virtual Technologies projects a working keyboard onto any table surface.
Rohan Marley, introducing House of Marley audio products at CES.
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routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Routes’ Writer Zac Bolan gets the scoop on the latest tech trends at CES in Vegas. Global technology manufacturers, buyers, sellers and press converged at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to salivate over two million square feet of the very latest gear and gadgets. Held annually in Las Vegas, CES has become the preeminent trendsetting event for consumer technology. This year the designers of appliances, home entertainment systems, cars, smartphones, tablets and even personal biometric devices are fixated on web connectivity and mobile access.
Intelligent TV – Every major television manufacturer is offering “smart” TV products this year in an attempt to finally bring online content delivery to the living room. Notably Samsung and Panasonic Smart TV sets provide a seamless user experience that delivers streaming content from YouTube and other online sources. While 3D TV technology is increasingly prevalent in this year’s high-end sets, the lack of 3D content is still proving to be a barrier to widespread acceptance. Take Two Tablets – Once again the burgeoning tablet market scrambled to compete with the iPad, and once again no viable contender emerged from the pack. Obscure tablet manufacturers from Asia showcased their products along side major players such as Samsung and Sony, all trying to emulate the iPad user experience and Apple’s App Store ecosystem with little success.
Samsung showing the App-controlled washer and dryer.
Home Automation – CES 2012 highlighted a growing emphasis on the home with a barrage of appliances enabling smart technology in the laundry room, kitchen and household power management. Samsung and Haier launched interactive appliances designed to communicate with smartphones and tablets while accessory manufacturers Belkin and Monster introduced a variety of power management products designed to reduce household electrical consumption. Health and Wellness – Numerous iOS and Android enabled biometric monitors introduced at CES 2012 enable users to accurately monitor exercise, food intake and sleep. When combined with application-based or online tools, users can track progress towards achieving health goals. Smart Cars – Ford, Kia and Mercedes all showed interactive car technologies at CES. The MyFord Touch™ system stood out as an elegant combination of steering wheel controls with a mid-console touch screen interface enabling everything from hands-free communication and navigation to web browsing. It Don’t Mean A Thing (If it ain’t got that bling) – Fashion has become the latest battlefield for accessory makers in a bid to stand out in a crowded marketplace with many flaunting premium celebrity endorsed product lines such as Monster’s Gratitude headphones inspired by Earth, Wind and Fire. Meanwhile Swarovskiencrusted iPhone cases add glitz while being more expensive than the devices they protect. Overall CES 2012 had an interesting living-inthe-shadow-of-Apple vibe. Though the consumer electronics giant had no official presence at the show, the Apple effect was felt in many of the product categories. For example, nearly a quarter of CES floor space was consumed by accessories or products directly associated with the iPhone, iPod or iPad. Meanwhile, the TV market scrambles to compete with the rumoured Apple iTV – a product that doesn’t even exist yet.
Using Leonar3do 3D rendering technology an artist creates a virtual 3D sculpture.
The VGo Remote Telepresence Robot wanders the halls at CES, controlled by a user sitting in Ottawa.
Justin Bieber at the Tosy Robotics product launch.
High fashion meets the iPhone with these crystal-studded cases. Ryan Seacrest and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer discuss the latest Microsoft products at the CES Keynote presentation.
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It’s going to be an interesting year for gadget geeks! The Fitness Tech zone featured an extensive array of smartphone savvy health and wellness devices.
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Arts & Entertainment
April Rye and Fairytales April 6 Gitter’s Pub Fiddle and Mandolin. www.gitterspub.com [HR]
Foothills Films Presents: Carnage March 29, 7:30 pm ($10) Wales Theatre View a movie selection from Toronto International Film Festival circuit on the last Thursday of every month. www.walestheatre.com [HR]
First Saturdays April 7 Olde Towne Okotoks A free monthly festival of arts and culture in downtown Okotoks. www.okotoksartscouncil.ca [OK]
80 Plus Years of Thoughtful Making March 23, 7 - 9 pm, (free) Okotoks Art Gallery This retrospective exhibition reflects the art and fine crafts created by both Bob and Connie Pike during their combined 80 years as professional artists. www.okotoksculture.ca [OK] Petunia March 23 Gitter’s Pub www.gitterspub.com [HR]
March
2nd Annual Winterfest March 2, 6:30 – 9 pm Okotoks Agricultural Society E: info@okotoksag.com [OK] Watercolours of Brent R. Laycock March 3 – April 14 Leighton Art Centre This visual artist exhibition will demonstrate Laycock’s personal approach to watercolour painting over the past three decades. His artwork is strongly influenced by the Alberta Landscape, music and abstraction. Reception with the artist: March 10, 2-4 pm www.leightoncentre.org [MV] The Painted Pines March 9 Gitter’s Pub Roots/Folk. www.gitterspub.com [HR] Lorna MacLachlan March 10, 8 pm ($20) Carlsons On Macleod www.carlsonsonmacleod.com [HR] STARGAZING EVENT with ROUTES March 12, 8 - 10 pm Emerson Lake Description: Join James Durbano, Routes’ Resident astronomer, and other members of the Big Sky Astronomical Society as they set up telescopes next to Emerson Lake to view the Venus - Jupiter Conjunction. Come see the two brightest planets in the sky sideby-side. This planet pairing will surely catch your eye. Don’t miss this celestial treat! [HR]
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Larry Vannatta March 24, 8 pm ($15) Carlsons On Macleod www.carlsonsonmacleod.com [HR]
The Burns Sisters in concert March 23, 7:30 ($25) Southwood United Church Marie, Jeannie and Annie Burns sing powerful songs together, gorgeous sibling harmony, a distinctive blend of folk, country, and rock styles. Also appearing will be Andrew Hardin on guitar and The Brian Ashley Jones Duo. www.fishcreekconcerts.com [CY] Jane Hawley with Joanne Myrol March 24, 8 pm ($20) The Stop Coffee House [BD] Carlos del Junco & The Blues Mongrels March 24, 8 pm ($27) Bragg Creek Centre To say he plays the harmonica is like saying "Jimi Hendrix plays guitar". Simultaneously sophisticated and raw, his playing blurs the boundaries between blues and jazz. www. braggcreekperformingarts.com [BC] Russell Braun March 25, 3 pm ($40) High River United Church High River Gift of Music Society brings you the lush lyrics and baritone voice of this Canadian opera sensation. Pre-concert chat at 2:15 pm. www.highrivergiftofmusic.com [HR]
Tanya Ryan & the Roosters March 16 Gitter’s Pub www.gitterspub.com [HR]
Oh My Darling March 29, 9 pm (free) The Auditorium These country-bluegrass ladies from Manitoba are debuting tunes from their new CD, Sweet Nostalgia in a medley of harmonic vocals, claw-hammer banjo, fiddle and bass in their hip-swinging signature style. www.ohmydarling.ca [NT]
Hoodoo Sons March 16, 8 pm ($15) Carlsons On Macleod www.carlsonsonmacleod.com [HR]
Oh My Darling March 30 Gitter’s Pub www.gitterspub.com [HR]
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Tim Williams April 7, 8 pm ($20) Carlsons On Macleod www.carlsonsonmacleod.com [HR] Amy Thiessen April 13 Gitter’s Pub www.gitterspub.com [HR] retreat.com [TV] Senior Pro Rodeo April 13 - 15 High River Rodeo Grounds www.hragsociety.ca [HR] High River Trade & Lifestyle Show April 13 -14 Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex www.hrchamber.ca [HR] Kite Day Festival April 15 Riverside Park Join the fun, make a kite and see how it flies! www.okotoks.ca [OK] Connie Kaldor in Concert April 6, 7:30 ($25) Southwood United Church Music pundits have tried to define the essence of this prairie-born acoustic performer for over two decades, but even the most eloquent have fallen short of perfection. www.fishcreekconcerts.com [CY] Windmill Theatre Players presents Sugar April 20 – 22, 21- 26 Highwood Memorial Centre Based on the movie Some Like it Hot, Sugar is a fast-paced comedic musical with lots of twists and turns, good laughs and jazzy music. 403.652.7913 [HR] Andrew Scott April 20 Gitter’s Pub www.gitterspub.com [HR] YoUthopia April 20, 7 pm, ($15) Bragg Creek Centre An evening showcasing professional, independent, under 21, Alberta-based singers and songwriters. www.youthtopia.ca [BC] Okotoks & District Trade & Lifestyle Show April 20 - 21 Okotoks Recreation Centre www.okotokschamber.ca [OK]
Arts & Entertainment
All Alberta Artists Day April 21, 3 pm, 8 pm ($12) Bragg Creek Centre Matinee featuring folk-pop artist Joal Kamps & 100 Mile House. Evening Performance featuring 100 Mile House, a band with a timeless, sincere sound, and award winning singer/songwriter, pianist, Jenn Beupré who is praised for her vocal talent. As well as a roots-reggae sound from Juno nominated Souljah Fyah. www.braggcreekperformingarts.com [BC]
Spotlight Walks & Easy Hikes in the Canadian Rockies By Graeme Pole
Foothills Film Presents: The Way April 23, 7:30 pm ($10) Wales Theatre View a movie selection from Toronto International Film Festival circuit on the last Thursday of every month. www.walestheatre.com [HR]
Check out this great new publication – a musthave guide for outdoor enthusiasts who love to pay homage to the Canadian peaks. Walks & Easy Hikes in the Canadian Rockies features 151 walking and hiking trails perfectly suited to the “casual walker and hiker.” This popular third edition publication, written by avid trekker and historian Graeme Pole, includes maps and detailed descriptions of trails in the areas of Banff and Jasper, Yoho and Waterton, the Kootenay Plains, Mt. Robson, Akamina-Kishinena and Kananaskis Country. The guide also boasts stunning photography and detailed information of Western Canadian history, geology, wildlife and wildflowers.
Jay Aymar April 27 Gitter’s Pub www.gitterspub.com [HR] Dewdney Players Dinner Theatre and Barn dance, Rodeo & Julie-Ed April 27-28, 7:30 pm Jojo’s Café Interactive dinner theatre and barn. “Rodeo & Julie-Ed” is an irreverent mélange of “Romeo and Juliet” and the infamous saga of the feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families in the Appalachians in the late 19th century. Feel free to dress for the occasion. www.dewneyplayers.com [OK] Songwriters Workshop, Concert April 28-29 Songwriters in the Round Concert April 29, 2-4 pm ($20) Diamond Willow Artisan Retreat One of a kind weekend opportunity to work with songwriters and recording artists Rob Heath, Jake Mathews, and Carolyn Harley. www.diamondwillowartisanretreat.com [TV] Turner Valley Triathlon Training July 1 Turner Valley Commit and get ready now for the annual triathlon. www.turnervalleytriathlon.ca [DV] Rowan House Hope & Healing Gala May 5 ($200) Highwood Memorial Centre Do your part to help women and children rise above domestic violence. Attend this gala and enjoy dinner, live auction and entertainment while raising funds for the much needed and nearly complete new Rowan House. www.rowanhouse.ca [HR]
[OK] Okotoks [HR] High River [MS] Mossleigh [LV] Longview [NT] Nanton [VC] Vulcan
[FM] Fort MacLeod [PS] Priddis [BC] Bragg Creek [DV] Diamond Valley [MV] Millarville [CY] Calgary
For event submissions email: entertainment@routesmedia.ca
onTalent
Book
Graeme Pole lives in the Kispiox, British Columbia with his wife and three children. In addition to being a writer, he is also a paramedic with the Hazelton ambulance service. Pole has published 11 books over the past two decades, many of which have become mainstays for both visitors to the Rockies as well as residents.
Oh My Darling
Music
Vanessa Kuzina (vocals, guitar, fiddlesticks), Rosalyn Dennett (vocals, fiddle), Allison de Groot (clawhammer banjo), and MarieJosée Dandeneau (acoustic bass) make up the members of Oh My Darling, and each is a musical prodigy in her own right. Sweet Nostalgia is the second full-length release by Winnipeg country/roots quartet, Oh My Darling and was inspired by Classic Country, Appalachian Old Time, and Francophone Traditional music. In only three short years, the band has toured ceaselessly, headlining sold out shows across Europe and Canada, becoming crowd favourites at country and folk festivals, and winning the hearts of all who come to experience their energetic live show. It's this love for live performance that Oh My Darling strove to capture while recording Sweet Nostalgia. All 10 tracks were recorded live with the Juno Award winning producer Steve Dawson, resulting in a raw and honest sound that has the exuberance of a live show, and shines a spotlight on each of these girls as musicians and songwriters.
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Oh My Darling will be playing at the Nanton Auditorium, March 29 and at Gitter’s Pub, High River on March 30. Both shows start at 9 pm.
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
food
E AT T H I S ! Let’s face it, we all love fast food, but for the most part, fast food is bad news! Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best and avoid the worst on the fast food menu.
CHICKEN SANDWHICHES:
BURGERS:
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES: Choose McDonald’s Bacon and Egg McMuffin (320 cals, 15 g fat) over the Bacon and Egg biscuit sandwich (460 cals, 27 g fat). At Tim Horton’s choose the Breakfast bagel BELT with ham (430 cals, 12 g fat) over the Home-style Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich with sausage (550 cals, 25 g fat) At A&W choose the Bacon Egger (430 cals, 33 g fat) over the Classic Bacon and Egg Sandwich (590 cals, 39 g fat).
We're Expanding... Supplements Body Care
At McDonald’s choose the Big Mac (540 cals, 29 g fat) over the Angus Bacon and Cheese Burger (780 cals, 44 g fat). At Wendy’s choose the ¼ pound single bacon cheese burger (550 cals, 28 g fat) over the single Baconator® (660 cals, 40 g fat) or worse the double Baconator® (970 cals, 63 g fat). At Dairy Queen choose the ¼ pound Grillburger with cheese (530 cals, 28 g fat) over the ½ pound grilled flamethrower burger (990 cals, 66 g fat) At A&W choose the Mama Burger with cheese (450 cals, 39 g fat) over the Papa Burger with cheese (630 cals, 39 g fat).
Choose grilled! Opt for Wendy’s ultimate chicken grill (360 cals, 7 g fat) over Wendy’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich (530 cals, 28 g fat). At McDonalds pick the Grilled Chicken Classic (390 cals, 11 g fat) over the Crispy Chicken Sandwich (480 cals, 18 g fat).
THE SKINNY ON FRIES KFC medium Potato Wedges (260 cals, 13 g fat), Dairy Queen medium fries (290 cals, 12 g fat), McDonalds medium fries (360 cals, 17 g fat), Wendy’s medium fries (410 cals, 60 g fat) A&W medium fries (410 cals, 60 g fat) Burger King medium fries (480 cals, 23 g fat), Arby’s medium Curly Fries (500 cals, 29 g fat). These quick info-bytes taken from the respective websites under – nutritional information.
Capture A Moment
Organic Produce Specialty Groceries & Much More!!!
You Decide What Your Moment Will Be
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403.652.7771 101-416 Centre St. SE High River routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
www.highwoodgolf.com 403-652-3644
Dining Guide
Alta Vita Ristorante 134 Macleod Tr SW [HR] 403.652.3793
2 for 1 Pizza #3, 120 Centre St SE [HR] 403.652.2100
Bistro Provence 52 N Railway St [OK] 403.938.2224
Blackstone Rotisserie & Grill
Divine 42 McRae St [OK] 403.938.0000 Heartland Café 46 McRae St [OK] 403.995.4623 Little New York Bistro 108 Morrison Rd [LV] 403.558.0000 Longview Steakhouse 102 Morrison Rd [LV] 403.558.2000 The Crossing Restaurant and Lounge 601- 1 St W [HR] 403.652.7992
ETHNIC Aditya Fine Indian Cuisine 27A McRae St [OK] 403.982.4646 Golden National 112 Centre St SE [HR] 403.652.4364 Graduate Foods 1145 Centre Ave [BD] 403-933-3320 Ken’s Restaurant 17200-020 Ave [NT] 403.646.2922 P&H Family Restaurant 327 Macleod Tr SW [HR] 403.601.3802 Saigon Moon Vietnamese 130 Government Rd [DV] 403.933.5751 Saigon Sun Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine Suite 245, 200 Southridge Dr [OK] 403.995.8181 Spices East Indian Dining #445, 200 Southridge Dr [OK] 403-995-3320 Yokozuna Sushi Bar and Grill 249, 200 Southridge Dr [OK] 403.995.8141
97 Elizabeth St [OK] 403.982.9891 Granny’s Pizza 110 Main St [TV] 403.933.4000 Grillo’s Pizzeria 102 Center Ave W [BD] 403.933.2333 Mama’s Pizza & Pasta 100 Stockton Ave [OK] 403.938.3333 My Pizza #1, 104 - 3 Ave SE [HR] 403.652.2262
CAFES / DINERS / PUBS Black Diamond Bakery 119 Centre Ave [BD] 403.933.4503 Black Diamond Bar & Hotel 105 Center Ave W [BD] 403.933.4656 Carlson’s on Macleod 129 - 3 Ave. SW Macleod Tr [HR] 403.601.8774 Chef Thomas Family Restaurant 120 Service Rd [VC] 403.485.2222 Chris’s on Fifth 133 - 5 Ave [HR] 403.603.3280 Chuckwagon Café 105 Sunset Blvd [TV] 403.933.0003 Coyote Moon Cantina 202 Main St [TV] 403.933.3363 Diamond Valley Restaurant 202 Centre Ave W [BD] 403.933.3122 Evelyn’s Memory Lane Café 118 - 4 Ave SW [HR] 403.652.1887 Foxes Den, Highwood Golf and Country Club 400 - 7 St NW [HR] 403.652.3644
403-938-2224
Gourmet on the Go 22 Elizabeth St [OK] 403.938.0058
52 North Railway St. bistro-provence.ca
Grand Central Bar & Grill 8 – 49 Elizabeth St [OK] 403.938.0929 Haywire Café 118 Morrison Rd [LV] 403.852.7952 Ian Tyson’s Navajo Mug 140 Morrison Rd [LV] 403.558.2272 Mainstreet Café 2122-20 St [NT] 403.646.1155
Casual French Dining in Olde Towne Okotoks
Dine In | Take Out | Catering
Marv’s Classic Soda Shop 121 Centre Ave W [BD] 403.933.7001
sw High Rive 1st r 640
New Club Café 129 Centre St [VC] 403.485.2418 Rylie’s Cattle Barn 263, 200 Southridge Dr [OK] 403.995.7779 Royal Café 129 Centre St [VC] 403.485.2418
“A charming vintage rail car with excellent food and service!”
www.whistlestopcafe.ca
South Fork 110 - 1 St W [HR] 403.652.3787
Awarded the Best Place to Eat Lunch in the Foothills! Fresh homemade meals Gluten-free options
Sweet Queen 2125 - 19 St [NT] 403.646.2289 The George Traditional House 101 - 31 Southridge Dr [OK] 403.938.5000
www.okotoksgourmet.ca Photo by Rachel Miller
PIZZARIAS / GRILLS
403-652-70 26
FINE DINING
The Stop 123 Government Road [BD] 403.933.3002 Tribal Connection Market 41 McRae St [OK] 403.995.1898
403.938.0058
Dine in
2B-22 Elizabeth St. Okotoks
Take Out
Catering
Trish’s tasty Treats 118 Centre St [VC] 403485.2657 Whistle Stop Café 406 - 1 St SW [HR] 403.652.7026 Wild Thyme Café 2018 - 20 Ave [NT] 403.646.2173 [OK] Okotoks [HR] High River [LV] Longview [NT] Nanton [VC] Vulcan [DV] Diamond Valley
www.altavitaristorante.com 134 B Macleod Trail High River 403.652.3793
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Relax. Dine. Celebrate.
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Adventure
THE
v sTHE BAJA
BLACK PEARL
The Mexican 1000 isn’t all about the win. It’s about dust, speed and trophies but more than that it’s about camaraderie. Racers always stop to help another team in a bind. Lady Luck seldom visits this far off the beaten path and it could easily be your ass sunk in the sands.
Day 1
10:03 a.m. We wait in the shimmering heat on the side of Federal Highway 5. Squinting for a sign of her, our eyes are trained on a dirt track leading out of the Baja sands. This is the first checkpoint on the first day of the Mexican 1000, a three-day off-road race that jogs southward down Mexico’s Baja Peninsula. Our entry is still out there, somewhere. We call her the Black Pearl - a ’78 Chevy step-side. She’s running hot and burning oil as she barrels out of the desert and onto the blacktop. Just miles from that morning’s start line in Mexicali, and days away from the finish in La Paz, our Pearl, stinking and shrouded in blue smoke, is looking more like any old beater than the cherry ride you’d want to take on this dusty road to glory. 10:51 a.m. Driver Jayson Walmsley bounces out of the cab in a puff of smoke and expletives. Riding shotgun is Clint Melnechenko. Both men look more like excited boys as they jump around jabbering about how their girl did out there, to anyone who’ll make eye-contact.
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Team mechanic Tyler Smith gets in close to the feverish heap of metal. The heat radiating off the asphalt is nothing compared to the fire coming off the Pearl. Her new three-speed Turbo 400 transmission is only running in second. As Smith pours in a litre of oil, she burps and asks for more. Three litres later her engine is satisfied, but burning oil at that rate is no way to beat the Baja.
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Story and Photos by Veronica Kloiber Graphic Illustration by Sharon Syverson
Back in the chase truck, we follow the Pearl down the highway. Our second chase vehicle, along with the cargo trailer the Pearl rode to Mexico in, has taken the smoother and much longer road to the west. They are six hours away by now, navigating some of the most harrowing coastal roads south of the border. No one wants to say it but it looks like the Pearl will be back in that trailer heading for home before the next checkpoint. We don’t see or hear from her again until later that afternoon. Her 383 cubic inch, 500 horsepower engine is too loud to make the CB radio useful while driving, and the Peninsular Ranges that separate the Pearl from our chase truck make for sketchy communication at best. 1:51 p.m. At San Felipe a miracle occurs. The Pearl makes it. Now knowing she burns three litres of oil an hour, her cab is stocked with the juice to get her to the next checkpoint. She’ll burn more oil than fuel for the rest of the race but at least she’s still a contender. We take to the Baja sands in our sturdy Dodge chase truck and gingerly follow the racers. It’s tame compared to what the Pearl can do but the scenery is what makes our snail’s pace worth it. Baja is both a void and filled with life; faces emerge from the rock formations all around us as cacti and tumbleweeds soften the dunes. We make it to a favourite spot among Baja travellers. Literally in the middle of nowhere, Coco’s Corner is part concession, part museum and all Baja. Coco lives alone and off the grid but has rigged up a solar system to keep the necessities cold. Empty beer cans decorate the compound. Truck shells provide lodging for weary backroaders and an aged semi truck is the honeymoon suite. Look up at the rafters at Coco’s Corner and you’ll see his mementos. Ladies’ undergarments hang from above, numbering in the hundreds. They say once you’ve been to Baja it’ll always call you back, and if you left your skivvies you’ll surely want to return sometime to claim them.
They say once you’ve been to Baja it’ll always call you back, and if you left your skivvies you’ll surely want to return sometime to claim them.” routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
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Day 2
7:36 a.m. The second day of the race dawns as the sun rises over Bahia de los Angeles. We arrived after dark and missed it, but the view from our roadside motel is straight out of a travel magazine. A quick glimpse and we are back to why we are here. The Pearl turns over and the guys take that as a sign from above. It doesn’t look as daunting on paper, but the Mexican 1000 has more miles to it than driving the length of our home province of Alberta - one thousand miles to be exact. Day two passes long and uncomfortable. We pass fishing villages and shanty towns with the blue waters of the Sea of Cortez to the east. Following the race course inland, the highway is littered with garbage and debris. This is the Mexico you don’t want to see; mile after mile of mirages and trash. Signposts reading peligroso (danger) seem as useless as guardrails on the steep slopes of the Sierras. 11:37 p.m. The Pearl rolls into Loreto late on day two. She has no brakes as Mike Geier steers her down the mountain, near misses piling up behind him. With one light pointing up, the other growing dimmer by the second we hear her roar into the parking lot. Over a supper of popcorn and beer, the day’s events are tallied and retold. Earlier that day the Pearl’s radiator blew, but thanks to a bottle of JB Weld shared by a passing team, what could have turned into a rescue mission, was only a few delayed hours. Getting stuck in the desert for the night may not be a death sentence but it would certainly be unpleasant.
Day 3
8:32 a.m. In line at the start of day three, Tyler Smith lies under the Pearl. In five minutes he outfits her with new brake lines. While the team agonizes about the lack of brakes, the job is done. The brakes work and it’s a good thing because minutes into the race, the terrain goes up and then straight down into a dry riverbed.
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5:36 p.m. There are only two seats in the truck but the guys have picked up a hitcher who now sits on co-pilot Jack Krusche’s lap. The third man is none other than race promoter and president of the National Off Road Racing Association, Mike Pearlman. All three are grinning through the blue smog still billowing off the Pearl as she rolls into La Paz. She crosses the finish line, groaning. The Pearl made it, 35th place, smack in the middle of the pack.
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
March 2011
Back in Black Diamond Baja bested the old Chevy in her inaugural race in 2010 and by the looks of her; she narrowly made it out. But racing is not over for the Pearl. Once that dust gets in you, it’s there to stay and will call you back again and again. Back home in southern Alberta the Pearl is being overhauled and improved with designs on a trophy in the 2012 Mexican 1000.
The Black Pearl’s crew, (from left to right)
Jack Krusche, Mike Geier, Tyler Smith, Clint Melnechenko, Byron Neu, Jayson Walmsley, Kerry Riess and Tracy Torunski All from Millarville, Black Diamond, Turner Valley and Okotoks.
“Last year we raced to finish, this year we race to place,” declares Melnechenko. Writer Veronica Kloiber met the owners of the Black Pearl and joined them as they headed south to race in the second annual Mexican 1000, an off-road race that runs almost the full length of the Baja Peninsula. Invited by brother-in-law team mechanic, Tyler Smith, the adventure took Veronica and the team from Black Diamond, Alberta to the Mexican border, some 2,500 kilometers.
6 Tips Dr. Peter McGuigan
Dr. Tannis Shakya
Optometrists
103 3rd Avenue Emerson Lane Mall High River
403-652-2474 spectrumeyecare.ca
for Vacation Planning
1. Book nonstop flights
You may have saved $250 by going to Paradise via Duluth and Jacksonville but that’s of little solace if you miss your connecting flight in Duluth and wind up spending March break staring at the shores of Lake Superior instead of strolling the beaches of Jamaica.
2. Pick the right resort
Doug Wallace
Owner/Stylist
suite D 134 MacLeod Tr SW • High River, AB
In your single 20s, you had a terrific time at the old Casa Tequila Resort. In your mid 30s with two kids and your wife in tow, the 24-hour all you can slurp may not be the environment you're looking to expose your kids to. CLUB MED for example has some great family-oriented resorts including America's only all-inclusive resort in Florida.
3. Discover Disney in Hawaii
Contrary to rumour, Disney has not opened a theme park in Hawaii, however its new Aulani Resort, 17 miles from Honolulu Airport, delivers the high standards and magic of Disney to the comfortable surroundings of Hawaii. The US Dollar at par is an added bonus.
4. Pick your season
There’s a reason prices to Caribbean hotspots are at their best during the summer. It’s hurricane season throughout the Caribbean and in many parts of Mexico starting June 15 and, despite that lure of a $499 getaway, lashed to a tree, bracing against a 100 mile per hour wind makes for an unforgettable vacation on so many levels.
5. Stick with a pre-determined budget. Plan your vacation based on
a realistic budget, not something a friend of a friend remembers seeing somewhere on Craigslist.
6. Do a little research
Online research is a great way to get an idea of fair market values for your getaway, but it's unlikely you'll do any better than by dealing with a reputable travel agent who will take your budget and work within its confines to deliver a product that will leave you with positive memories.
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Submitted by Dave Heron, Pace Setter Travel & Tours, Okotoks. www.pacesettertravel.ca
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Financial Insights
Clearly For You:
28
Seven Common
Life Insurance Mistakes
EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE We are committed to providing our communities with the information needed to properly make decisions at the time of ones passing.
By David and Heather Meszaros
M
any people find that purchasing life insurance can be stressful and confusing. It’s important to have an advisor you trust to help you navigate through the maze and avoid the following mistakes: The Wrong Amount: Buying too much insurance is as bad as buying too little. The right amount of life insurance should cover the following basic areas: Funeral costs, elimination of debt, funds for children’s post-secondary education, replacement of lost income or value of care provided, and taxation at death. The Wrong Type: Today there are many types of insurance policies, designed to suit different situations in a changing world. Speak to your advisor to find those that best fit your situation and your pocket book. The Wrong Reason: Have you even bought a policy to get a salesman off your back? Or to help out a friend in the insurance business? Do you know why you bought each of your policies? Ask yourself if your reasons for existing policies are still valid. Not reviewing your present policies: Term life insurance policy rates have decreased over the past few years. If you are still healthy, you can apply for a new policy at reduced rates and/or increased coverage. Or you may be able to do an insurance consolidation. (Roll all insurance policies from all companies into one policy, one cost.) Ignoring Other Assets: Life insurance provides cash at death. The more cash that is available from other assets, the less life insurance is needed. For example, if business interests are converted to cash at death by means of properly funded buy-sell agreements, this reduces the amount of personal life insurance a business owner may require.
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Forgetting Employment Benefits: Do you have life insurance through work? Are you aware of what your CPP death benefit will be? These are all factors to consider. One must also remember that when you leave your employment, that insurance is gone. No Overall Plan: Many of us buy a policy here and a policy there until we have an insurance hodge-podge that is confusing and expensive. Your goal should be to keep it simple and consolidate policies where possible to ensure a seamless transition of assets at death.
Visit our Blog site to stay informed, ask questions & take part in our surveys.
lylereevesfunerals.blogspot.com
Craig Snodgrass
Owner / Funeral Director
115 8th Ave. SE High River, AB.
Lyle Reeves Funerals supports KidSport in each community we serve. www.lylereeves.com PH: 403.652.4242
Husband and wife team David and Heather Meszaros are licensed with Sun Life Financial and Sun Life Financial Investment Services (Canada) Inc. David, a Certified Financial Planner, has been with Sun Life for 19 years. Heather, a Certified Health Insurance Specialist, has been with Sun Life for six years. They will give you a clear understanding of your financial options, by educating you and keeping it simple. For more info. call 403-652-3233. David and Heather have been invited to present other timely financial insights at the High River Centennial Library every third Wednesday evening of each month. For more details contact the library.
www.routesmedia.ca
GET NOTICED
Reliable Service, Experience that Counts! Lorraine Boulton Realtor
(403) 601-6671 (direct line) lboulton@southernrealty.ca RE/MAX Southern Realty (403) 652-4020 4, 28 - 12 Ave SE High River, Alberta
“Serving The Foothills Since 1989”
Mike Meadus lonesld66@gmail.com 403.801.0746
Lonestar Land Design
& io ga Stud n! o Y ss pe ne O Fit ow N
“Making your vision a reallity�
Landscapes, Excavation and Trenching (Commercial and Residential)
Karen Snodgrass Inspirational Yoga Teacher Claire MacEachen Hatha Yoga and Meditation Teacher Brianne Allen Boot Camp, TRX, Personal Training See website for class details, times and pricing
#201, 124-4 ave, High River 403.6526639
inspirityoga.biz
Bring this ad for one free class
Homes that think ahead.
Box 5173 High River, AB T1V 1M4
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403.603.0121 farrellyhomes.com
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Fashion 30
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Turquoise embroidered tunic, $145 (Ginger Laurier) Raincoat by Mustard GIL. $120 (Ginger Laurier) Blue and green wool hat, $24 (Winners) Leather driving gloves, stylists own Blue leggings, stylists own Shoes by Aldo, stylists own
31 Left: Floral cardigan by Geranium, $95 (Ginger Laurier) Bone silk cardigan skirt by Josh, $125 (Ginger Laurier)Laurier) Floral by Geranium, $95 (Ginger Shoes bysilk Nine West, $25 (Vespucci) Bone skirt by Josh, $125 (Ginger Laurier) Right: Turquoise Lovely Girl, $48 (Vespucci) Shoes by Nine sundress West, $25by (Vespucci) Turquoise sundress by Lovely Girl, $48 (Vespucci) Orange handbag, $5 (Vespucci) Orange handbag, $5 (Vespucci) Brown ankle strap pumps, $20 (Vespucci) Brown ankle strap pumps, $20 (Vespucci) Jewelry (Vespucci) Jewelry (Vespucci)
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Fashion Dress by French Connection, $48 (Vespucci) Silver ankle boots by Bandolino, $25 (Vespucci) Lime green bag by Valentino, $160 (Winners) Gold necklace, $15 (Vespucci) Lime green dress by Evan-Picone, $45 (Coco Rouge) Purple leggings, stylists own Grey Mary-Jane shoes, $40 (Coco Rouge) Purple gloves, $15 (Vespucci) Royal blue by by Steve Madden, $50 (Winners) Necklace, $15
Mustard dress by Coco & Tashi, $70 (Coco Rouge) Lock and key handbag, $100 (Ginger Laurier) Black shoes by No 704b, $50 (Vespucci) Leather and wool Gloves, stylists own Sunglasses by Nine West Sunglasses, $10 (Vespucci) Jewelry (Vespucci)
Shot on the upper floor of Vespucci, High River
Photography
Clothing and Jewelry Provided by: Coco Rouge, Okotoks Ginger Laurier, Okotoks
Photography assistant - Brandy Mudryk
Vespucci, High River
Styling - Jaime Quinlan
Winners, Okotoks
www.jaimequinlan.com
Makeup - Paulette Marck Hair - Doug Wallace, Studio D Hair assistant - Richelle Hillier Talent - Britney M. and Madison C. Numa Models
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
33
APRIL 2012
Routes Salutes
Rowan House
Emergency Shelter By Pat Fream
Did You Know? • Alberta leads the provinces in domestic assault, homicide-suicide and stalking. • Each year around 12,000 women and children take refuge in Alberta shelters. • Last year more than 14,000 women and children sought shelter but could not be accommodated.
R
owan House is an emergency shelter and currently the only facility serving the foothills region. Operating in a two-bedroom basement suite in Black Diamond, the facility is fully utilized and sorely inadequate. Last year it housed 21 women and 10 children. During the same period twice as many women and three times as many children were turned away due to space restrictions. Rowan House depends on donations for a large portion of its funding.
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www.onlineaccountantpro.ca routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Through hard work, dedication, and the generosity of many, $1.2 million has been raised so far to build a new Rowan House in High River. The new facility is well underway, and will house four times as many women and children, and allow the program to expand services into the community. The project needs another $300,000 to reach its targeted completion this summer, and over $500,000 yearly to cover basic operating costs.
You Can Help Attend the 2012 Rowan House Hope & Healing Gala on Saturday, May 5, 2012 at the Highwood Memorial Centre in High River. Tickets are $200 per person or a table of eight for $1,400. The gala includes a dinner, live and silent auctions, and entertainment. More importantly, it is your ticket to making a difference in your community by helping create a safe and nurturing space for women and children in crisis. For more information and to purchase tickets call 403.938.6785 or www.rowanhouse.ca.
.ca
...remember to decorate your life...
Countryside
Alison A. Laycraft
B.Ed CID Interior Designer
Landscapes & Garden Centre
403.818.3184 www.decordiva.ca
In Dewinton
403.938.1835
www.csgcl.com for more varieties and details
Come and see us
March 22nd, 2012
Bridal Fair
@ Centennial Center in Okotoks, 5:30pm
ottonwood ridal ormals
403.652.4993 110 3rd Ave SW, High River
www.cottonwoodbridal.com
16th Annual
SPRING TREE
PRE-ORDER
Now until April 15th Great Prices. Great Trees!
$39.99 ea
3-4’ Lilac starting at
4-5’ Spruce starting at
$69.99 ea 14-16’ Multistem Trembling Aspen starting at
$249.99 ea 35
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Hoppin into spring at Small Things!
Family
The Motherload:
Grace
A Day’s
N
36
ow that my kids are well past cute and cuddly, I sometimes miss the good old days – racing Hot Wheels, building Lego towers and going to heart-warming kiddie flicks. A few months back, my nineteen-yearold daughter Sydney and I decided we needed a kid-fix, so we borrowed fouryear-old Gracie, a child prodigy belonging to Routes photographer Neville and his wife Melissa. It was a Sunday, like any other, only there were hurricane winds, power outages and everyone else had barricaded themselves indoors. But not us, we had a girls’ date. We drove to High River to collect our wee playmate, ignoring the grain bin crumpled in the ditch, shingles dancing in the streets and the trampoline rolling across a deserted intersection. “Mmmm, windy today,” I mused. Grace was eagerly awaiting her girl pals. We installed her car seat, held her hands so she wouldn’t blow away (not a good way to start girls’ day out!), waved to her mom, and headed to Okotoks for Happy Meals and the movie Happy Feet. At McDonalds I ordered food while Sydney and Grace bolted for the kids’ zone. By the time I arrived Grace was kicking off her boots, bound for the jungle gym. “Won’t it be funner if you eat first?” I asked earnestly. “Funner is not a word Pat,” said brilliant Grace, “you have to say ‘better fun’.” “Right! You go girl!” I said, pulling off her coat. Sydney and I munched French fries, while minutes that felt like years passed. “Grace? You coming down soon?” I bellowed up the slide. “Pat. I’m stuck! Can you come up?” said a tiny voice, two hundred miles up. Flushed with hot panic, I looked over at Sydney, six inches taller than me and all legs. “I guess I’m going in for the rescue,” I exclaimed.
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Small Things
By Pat Fream Photo by Neville Palmer
On my way up the hellish miniature tomb I tried my best not to trample any small children. “S’cuse me, watch out, coming through!” One boy scowled at me, “No way, you’re too big!” I brushed him aside and kept climbing. It took two days to reach the jungle gym pinnacle, where I found the frightened but adorable Grace. “Oh hi Pat,” she said meekly. “Thanks for coming.” Suctioned to my neck, Grace squeezed her eyes shut, as I ooched us down the compartments, bravely defying claustrophobia and rampant kid germs. At the bottom Grace puffed up her chest and boldly turned her back on the monster tunnel. “Happy Feet, here we come!” She squealed. At the movie we ate popcorn and rooted for dancing penguins. Grace corrected me when I mistook a puffin for a parrot, informed Sydney that the sea critters were krill not shrimp, and properly labelled the elephant seal before either of us ventured an unfortunate guess. Then she led our entire row in the chorus, “You’ve got to move it - move it!” On the way home Grace called up her special powers to make the wind go away. Arms waving, eyes flickering trancelike, she summoned divine intervention while Sydney and I studied the atmosphere for visible Grace forces. After an intense effort, she shrugged heartily and exclaimed, “My special powers are no match for this wind!” Right to her door, Grace dazzled us with song, wit and wisdom far too great for her tiny frame. “Wow, what a day!” said Sydney, when it was all over. Happy food, happy tales, and a grand adventure with the amazing Grace. Comments? Email pat@routesmedia.ca
Bibs, Blankets, Booties & more! 123 4th ave sw 403-652-2270
Let us take you away to countries around the world!
Fair trade, handcrafted clothing, accessories and housewares from around the world 403.995.1898 | 41 McRae St. Okotoks
Journeyman Landscape Gardener
Elise Van Ee
403.852.1227 • lisa@gscape.ca
Design and Project Management
10% off design work ordered before April 1, 2012
“Satisfaction every step of the way!” Jim Cave of Nanton with Gerard Mercier. Jim has 2 Dental Implants securing a lower denture.
403-652-1111 #103, 520 Macleod Trail SW High River, AB (across from Memorial Centre)
Claresholm Satellite Office: 127 - 49 Avenue W
1-403-625-1700
Gerard Mercier DD.F.C.A.D. Evan Perkins DD
highriverdenture.com
HigH RiveR Agency
Providing Denture and Dental Implant solutions for 25 years.
#5, 28 – 12th Avenue SE High River, Alberta Ph: 403-652-1426
PETER NIEMANS
WATER WELL DRILLING & PUMPS
Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 3:30 pm Pump Systems, Filters, Cisterns
40 Years of Family Service! 403-652-7211
High River, AB
www.mikesite.biz
HIGH RIVER • Self Storage Bays Ranging from 5’ x 10’ to 10’ x 30’ • Secure Outdoor RV Parking / On Site Management
37
403-601-0541
info@goldenviewstorage.com www.goldenviewstorage.com
TURNER VALLEY - OKOTOKS - BLACK DIAMOND - HIGH RIVER
p.403.842.1125 c.403.807.9741 mkingston@rlfoothills.com routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
Detours
One year 13 countries 40,000 miles 10 ocean racing yachts 15 races One circumnavigation One champion team By Pat Fream Photos by OnEdition
Brian Vogelaar
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is the longest and most gruelling ocean race in the world. Those who have participated say it’s a life-changer; a character multiplier; a physical, mental, emotional supercharger.
T
38
his past December, High River's Kevin Wiebe (husband of Routes publisher, Sandra Wiebe), along with his high school friend and colleague, Brian Vogelaar from Airdrie, entered the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The pair, along with 10 other thrill-seekers from around the world, sailed for 30 consecutive days on Clipper’s New York New York, racing from Gold Coast, Australia to Qingdoa, China. What inspires a person to do this? Was the obvious question friends and strangers asked the two landlocked Albertans. Vogelaar summed it up as an exercise in building autonomy. “We are not self sufficient in our everyday lives, we are safe – well protected. When you leave your cocoon, leave your safety net behind, you become strong – you are self sufficient.” Wiebe concurred, adding, “If you are never uncomfortable, how do you know what comfort is? I think you have to get outside your comfort zone to grow.” I spoke to Wiebe upon his return in January and learned that though the experience was difficult at times, he’s glad he did it. “The variety of conditions we sailed in was great!” He explained. “My sailing skills are vastly improved.”
routesmagazine.ca
MARCH
APRIL 2012
If you are never uncomfortable, how do you know what comfort is? I think you have to get outside your comfort zone to grow.” - Kevin Wiebe
Challenges were pretty much as expected: bad food, limited bathing, hard physical labour, unpredictable seas, and being cooped up with 10 others in a stifling hot confined space for multiple days – plenty of discomfort, but according to Wiebe, “part of the growing.” Wiebe also alluded to the fact that he could have done without the race component. “Several times we ended up stuck in a wind hole (no wind) in perfect view of a totally awesome secluded beach – but we couldn’t go there!” he said, adding, “If I do another long sailing trip, I would do it cruising where you can stop and check out the local culture and geography.” To qualify for a Clipper Yacht Race you need a strong will, sound mind, some basic physical capabilities, time away for training and racing, and the financial wherewithal to cover race fees, mandatory insurance, and travel. “In total it cost about $18,000 for this one leg of the race,” said Wiebe.
Kevin Wiebe
Clipper boats are equipped with satellite phones, internet (sketchy and costly), and GPS navigation, though the helmsmen mainly use tools like sextons, and moment-by-moment compass. Below deck there is a U-shaped couch that holds eight to 10, a cramped cooking area, one or two basic toilets (no door just a curtain), and 18 berths. Each boat has a crew of 12 to 18 including a skipper, and in some cases a member of the media (i.e. National Geographic photographer). Crews are divided in two and take turns manning the boat and sleeping in four or six hour shifts. Members also rotate through the ‘motherwatch’ role, which entails cooking, doing dishes and cleaning toilets for a day. A race like this, no doubt calls for a hearty appetite for risk, although both Wiebe and Vogelaar downplayed this aspect of the adventure. “Driving on the Deerfoot is risky. Flying in an airplane is risky. Life is risky,” said Wiebe. “This type of risk barely gets on my radar.” To read more and to follow the remainder of the 2011/2012 Clipper Yacht Races go to www.clipperroundtheworld.com
HIGH RIVER
The Treasures of Montrose The simple joy of building memories Discover life in Montrose. A meandering linear pond and lush parks just a short walk from home make this an ideal move. Whether you’re looking to move into your first home, something a little higher end or a beautiful spot to retire, Montrose has something for you at every stage of your life.
Lifestyle • Westview • Evolution by Greenboro 403.649.8891
403.652.3699
403.245.3515
240s
Homes from the
$
403.880.9108
escapethecity.ca
11283 Dundee Montrose Routes HP.indd 1
23/12/11 9:23 AM
www.highriver.ca
s and culture t r a h t i w e v i l A 39
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APRIL 2012
McIVOR A 53 lot residential development in the heart of an established neighbourhood in West Chestermere
403-629-1997 for more information