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Volume 17, Issue 1, Week of January 8, 2018
Memories flow as BRIT turns 50 Members of the Bedford Road Redhawks, BRIT hosts, long-time organizer and referee Kelly Bowers (back row, white shirt) and tournament chairperson Nicole Poier (on Bowers’ left) prepare for this week’s tournament. (Photo by Cam Hutchinson) Cam Hutchinson “I remember when we picked up the Saskatoon Express Gauchos at the airport and brought them into on Cousins, one of the founders of the gym. I was standing beside one of the BRIT and its chairperson for 25 boys from New York and he was looking up years, laughed when asked if there at the tall wall panels that we have decoratwas a defining moment in Bedford Road ing the gym. Collegiate’s annual basketball tournament. “He turned to me and he said, ‘This is reThat’s a tough question for a man so ally something.’ He said, ‘I have never seen deeply involved for the first half of the 50 anything like this in my life. When we go years and who has kept his hand in it for the into other people’s gyms down in Florida and past half century. places like that, we get booed. And here’s a With a second of thought, he said a mobig panel devoted just to our team.’ ment that summarized BRIT was the visit “Maybe that’s what (BRIT) is,” Cousins of a New York team named the Gauchos in continued. “Maybe it’s a good entertainment 1988. and the basketball package put together.” The Gauchos were inner city kids Cousins was one of six Bedford Road organized by a police group. Five or six of teachers that founded the event. Merv the eight players went on to play Division Houghton, Dean Dickson, Walter Mudge, One basketball in the United States and Eric Cousins, Roger Hughes and Carl Chiko are Mobley played in the NBA. the others. Five of the six are expected to Cousins’ memory isn’t about1the 2017-12-18 team’s be at 3:08 the opening ceremony Kochbannerad.qxp_Layout PM Page 1 for the 50th anDC010804 Darlene dominant, fun-loving style of play, though. niversary of the event on Thursday evening
D
at Bedford. Dean Dickson passed away a couple of years ago. The story of BRIT begins in 1967, when the Bedford Road senior boys’ team was invited to play in the Luther tournament in Regina. It was extra special, given it was Canada’s centennial and teams from every province were competing. A group of Bedford teachers went to Regina and left thinking that Saskatoon needed a tournament like the one at Luther. They weren’t thinking Canada-wide at the time, but definitely thought the city needed an event to showcase basketball. In 1968, BRIT was launched. Kelly Bowers, who played on the Bedford team that competed at the centennial tournament at Luther, has been around BRIT since the start. He had graduated before the first tournament was played, but was a rookie referee at the first one. He has refereed in all but two BRITs, is a former teacher at
Bedford and was the head of the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate for years. Bowers admires all six founders but singled out Cousins, who was the BRIT chair from 1969 to 1993, for a dash of extra praise. “He was the man that really established BRIT and made it big time,” Bowers said. “He was the face of BRIT.” The inaugural tournament consisted of eight Saskatoon teams. Soon after, schools from other centres in the province were added and then teams from other provinces. The tournament has gone international six times. On four occasions, teams from Australia participated, as well as two from New York, including those legendary Gauchos. Bowers said Bedford organizers have always been conscious of having good teams in the tournament. They don’t want to bring in fodder for the local guys. Proof is in the (Continued on page 6)
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I refuse to focus on New Year’s resolutions
here is a new trend apspace on this page for the list. parently. I like “focus.” It covers a lot Typically, I don’t pick of territory. up on trends until they aren’t So here it is. I resolve to be trends anymore. I’m always more focused this year in all three or four trends behind. aspects of my life. This new one involves New What are you picking? Year’s resolutions. Rather than ***** resolve to join a gym or eat We had a crokinole tourbetter or drink less, people are nament on Christmas night choosing a word or phrase that after we polished off about 15 will define their year. Let’s pounds of turkey and all the face it, how many of us follow fixings. Editor through on our resolutions? We played on a board my I remember a couple of close calls. In brother and I used when we were kids. We 2008, I started going to the Field House figured the board had to be about 55 years regularly. I would walk and lift a few old. weights. It lasted until well into the spring. It was crazy seeing the competitiveness In 2012, I was invited to join a gym come out in even the most mild-mannered for six weeks to see how much body fat people in the family. People invoked I could lose. I worked with a personal a ‘two butt cheeks in the chair’ rule for trainer for an hour three times a week. those wanting to shoot from the outside During my initial session, I was edges of their quadrant. Infractions were deemed, as I have written before, “skinny called for shooting from in front of the fat.” In other words, I had chicken legs, line. There was heckling from the mezzaspaghetti arms and a pot belly resting on nine level of a four-level split. my belt. It was really cool watching my mom At the end of the program, which I play. One of my sons, Jay, started calling didn’t follow to a T, I was stronger, had her Pistol Pat. She was at the table for the better cardio and had lost a small chunk of final game of the night. body fat. I was still skinny fat. Sandy became the Sandblaster, alDavid Kirton did a segment about reso- though I am not sure she ever removed an lutions on his CKOM talk show last week. opponent’s piece. Her misses had good His guest talked about one-word resoluvelocity though. I didn’t hit any pieces tions. Hers is “focus.” either, but I didn’t get a cool nickname Focus is something I lack. Then again, like Sandy’s. there are many things I lack and could The game brought back fond memories resolve to do better. There isn’t enough of the nights when we played Rummoli and
CAM HUTCHINSON
Monopoly and Risk and Yahtzee and checkers and Scrabble and Hungry Hippos and ohso-many other games on Christmas nights. ***** The list of the most searched names or teams or words in 2017 on Yahoo Canada contains many obvious ones. The most searched was Donald Trump, followed by the Toronto Blue Jays and the Canadian dollar. What shocked me was No. 4. One spot ahead of Justin Trudeau was the word Roblox. I had no idea what it was. None. I was going to say I Googled it to find out what it was, but I Yahooed it instead. It was Yahoo’s study, after all. Here’s what came up on the Roblox website: “Roblox is the best way to Imagine with Friends. With the largest usergenerated online gaming platform, and over 15 million games created by users, Roblox is the No. 1 gaming site for kids and teens (comScore). Every day, virtual explorers come to Roblox to create adventures, play games, role play and learn with their friends in a family-friendly, immersive, 3D environment.” I still have no idea what Roblox is. Rounding out the Top 10 in the Yahoo search were North Korea, Hurricane Irma, the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Edmonton Oilers and Game of Thrones. As an aside, the No. 1 dictionary search on Yahoo Canada was covfefe, one of Trump’s infamous typos. Maybe that’s the word I should use for my resolution. Instead of focus, I resolve to covfefe.
THIS IS NO MARRIAGE
Dear Lianne, I have been married for the past 22 years. I’m miserable and can honestly say I hate my husband. Based on all the names he called me, he doesn’t think much of me either. He steals money from me to gamble, drinks, does drugs and my cousin found him on an online dating site. I welcome any
woman to come and take him away from here. He has put our finances in a terrible position. I can’t stand him. He won’t leave, I can’t afford a lawyer and I don’t know what to do. Besides, I’m Catholic and my religion forbids me from divorcing him. So it looks like a like I’m stuck. Any suggestions? Maureen
Dear Maureen, Marriage was never intended to be a life sentence of unhappiness. I encourage you to call your Priest and meet with him for suggestions and support. You will need counselling to help you undo the damage that has happened. A good therapist will guide you and put you in touch with the ap-
propriate experts in each area. If you determine your marriage has run it’s course you can’t continue this way things get better for you. There have been plenty of Catholic people who have ended their marriages especially when the vows have been broken. You deserve a peaceful, happy life full of love.
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The crystal ball: what will the 2018 economy bring? Joanne Paulson Saskatoon Express fter the boom came . . . well, not a bust, exactly, but certainly a couple of difficult years, economically speaking. Since 2014, Saskatchewan and Saskatoon have felt the sharp effects of low commodity prices, particularly in oil, but also in potash and uranium. Housing prices have fallen a bit, employment dropped, and the shiny future took on a little bit of tarnish. What will 2018 bring? At the end of 2017, we asked some of Saskatoon’s business leaders what they saw on the horizon of a new year. Spoiler alert: things may be looking up.
budgets, carbon tax and tax reform, to name a few. The demographics of our province will continue to shift, making diversity, inclusion and social initiatives a priority in the coming years, raising the question, “Is Saskatchewan equipped to address this?” With the national and global initiatives to address gender equality and equity, it is pivotal that Saskatchewan also demonstrates leadership in enhancing the economic participation of women in business and entrepreneurial activity. Supporting women in business is not just the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do. At a time when political uncertainties and natural disasters plague many parts of the world, we are fortunate to live in Prabha Mitchell a peaceful and vibrant country; and in CEO a province characterized by economic Kevin Hursh says profitable cropping options are becoming more difficult to find. Women Entrepreneurs robustness, social responsibility and (Photo Supplied) of Saskatchewan (WESK) respect for diversity. Wishing everyone a The Canasuccessful 2018. dian economy gation rules on incoming peas and lentils Keith Moen is expected to Kevin Hursh that unfairly target Canada. Executive Director demonstrate Farmer, Hursh Consulting In 2017, Saskatchewan grew nearly NSBA steady growth In 2017, most Saskatchewan farm2.3 million tonnes of lentils on 3.9 milFollowing a in 2018, and ers grew a surprisingly good crop given lion acres. Our field pea production was couple of years Saskatchewan that rainfall was well below normal. The nearly two million tonnes on 2.1 million of challenging is expected to saviour was subsoil moisture from the acres. economic times, lead as an en- abundant rainfall the previous year. For Dear India. With prices down to 17 I would characgine of growth. 2018, that advantage is gone. With the or 18 cents a pound for red lentils and terize the mood The optimistic exception of the northwestern corner of $6.50 to $7 a bushel for yellow peas, in the Saskaoutlook in the grain belt, subsoil moisture has been many farmers will cut their acreage sigtoon business energy, potash depleted. nificantly and switch to other crops. community as mining and a rebound in the agriculture Good production in the upcoming Some of those acres will revert to one of cautious sector bodes well for 2018 and for entre- growing season will be dependent on canola which has a stronger economic optimism. Alpreneurs. It is the right time for Sastimely rains. Sometimes when the year outlook. Unfortunately, so much canola though certain katchewan entrepreneurs to invest, grow starts off dry everything turns out just is being grown with limited rotation to sectors continue and become competitive in a national fine, but the dry conditions are a caution. other crops that many observers worry to be more challenged than others, it seems and global marketplace. The other big issue on the minds of about a rise in uncontrollable plant dis- that there is a consensus that we’ve hit the Politically, Saskatchewan will mark grain producers is how market returns eases like blackleg and clubroot. trough, and a growth curve lies ahead. the end of an era with Premier Brad have crashed for field peas and lentils. Profitable cropping options are beThis mood of optimism is bolstered by a Wall’s exit; however, our new premier India, our number one customer for peas, coming more difficult to find. As usual, recent RBC economic report that indicates will have to address significant provinhas slapped a 50 per cent duty on all pea the big wild card to profitability will be Saskatchewan is the place to be over cial and national matters of balanced imports. On top of that, India has fumi- the weather during the growing season. (Continued on page 13)
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What I really, really want in 2018
ell, Happy New January Year. I can’t say All I ask is that the bitter cold I’m super sad to of December will give way to see the back of 2017. There normal winter temperatures and were great moments, on the windchills. No major January personal front, but also terthaws, either. They mess with our ribly, awfully sad ones. There houses and with the snow cover. was also, of course, Trump. Boo to plus temperatures. Boo North Korea. Crappy dudes to minus 40. We get the Sask. being exposed for their sexual Party leadership thing over with misdeeds and crimes. A fairly and someone sane and intelligent lousy economy. takes the reins of our province. Columnist But there were turnFebruary arounds, and I hope they stick. I finish the first draft of my #MeToo just might make a lasting differsecond book, fingers crossed (although that ence. The oil price has recovered somewhat. doesn’t help with the typing thing.) The That being said, there is still Trump. And oil price rises just a little, and stabilizes North Korea. somewhere in the mid-$60s US per barrel. This year, thus far, has not rung in Nutrien (the new company formed by the auspiciously in some ways. I lost a friend merger of PotashCorp and Agrium) does on New Year’s Day, but also spent it with indeed increase its executive positions in dearly beloved family members. We (the Saskatchewan. better half and I) enjoyed a fabulous friendMarch filled event late in the year, and then spent Finally, some signs emerge that our New Year’s Eve quietly together, enjoying housing market is starting to stabilize. The our own delicious food and a little chamvast amount of inventory dwindles, and the pagne. massive spring rush to listings is . . . well, What will this year bring? Good heavnot massive. I win the lottery. Spring really ens, I hope it’s fabulous. We all deserve it, feels like it’s just around the corner. do we not? Not being possessed of powApril ers that see the future, I can only hope and Snow melts gently into the ground, and guess and request of the fates that this is the rains come. Gentle, persistent, soakinggoing to be, well, my year. And yours. And in, non-flooding rains that wash away the TA010818 Tammy Saskatchewan’s. snow mould (yuck! sniffle! headache!) and
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fill the fields with moisture. May Farming begins with a bang, as the warm, damp ground welcomes the seeds. Houses fly off the market as new people migrate here, or form new households. Of course, that new qualifying stress test for all home buyers, instead of just those who need insurance, might make this tough; but maybe we will, at least, get first-time home buyers into the market, even if they have to settle for something a little less expensive. June With the crop in the ground, we get more rain. Did I mention, soft, gentle, soaking rains? Not those gully-washers? For the rest of the month, it’s warm and sunny, encouraging all those little plants — in our yards, in the fields — to grow and prosper. Everyone looks forward to festivals. I win the lottery. July China brings on five shiny new nuclear reactors — or 10, if you prefer — marking the first sign that uranium may be starting to rebound. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is prescribed the appropriate medication and stops trying to launch nuclear missiles. (Again, if that happened sooner, I’d be more than OK with that.) We actually get out to B.C. for a big birthday party we’re really looking forward to. August It’s hot. It’s August. I don’t care what happens. I’m at the lake. I hope. AS010809 Aaron
September The harvest rolls in, heavy and highquality. Nutrien announces that potash prices have risen, say, 25 per cent over the year. Uranium rises to $30-plus per pound US. Oil is now $70 US per barrel. Things are looking up! Especially since I won the lottery. Starting book three! October They manage to impeach that Trump person. He continued to poke Kim Jong-un despite his post-med sweetness. That’s the last straw. Took them long enough. Only trouble is . . . who will take his place? Whatever. The #MeToo movement transforms, as people pick up the momentum and join in the #I’mWithYou movement. November Statistics Canada announces that Saskatchewan farmers produced a fabulous bumper crop. At some point in the year, India smartened up and removed its stupid pest-testing requirement on Canadian pulses (we don’t even have the pest they’re worried about, and the chemical that kills it is illegal here.) Peas and lentils reign again. Canola hits $20 per bushel (whaaat? OK, maybe $15.) December It’s nearly Christmastime. Wait a minute. Didn’t we just do that? Sure seems that way. Well, Merry to you. May 2019 be just as fabulous as 2018 was. www.jcpaulsonauthor.com
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(Continued from page 1) fact Saskatoon teams have won the championship just six times and a couple of those were before the tourney went far and wide. Bedford won the first BRIT with a come-from-behind win over Aden Bowman. Mount Royal and Walter Murray have won it once each and Holy Cross three times. Bowers said fans didn’t seem to care if a Saskatoon team is in the final. “It was such good basketball that people came.” Bowers and another long-time city referee, Butch Steponchev, will be doing the third-place game on Saturday. “We can still run and get up and down the floor,” Bowers said with a laugh. “The joke is I get to the centre line; I haven’t missed an over-back call in 40 years. I’ve been reffing so long if I make one call right, I’m quitting.” Bedford teacher Nicole Poier is the chairperson of this year’s tournament. She has been in the role for four years and said the 50th anniversary is both special and a bit stressful. “I know how much this tournament means to our school and community as well as our alumni,” she said. “They are constantly back year after year volunteering and you see how much it means to them.” Every year BRIT recognizes a special guest; all 49 have been invited back this year, and Bowers expects 35 to attend. This year’s tournament features 12 teams, including four from Saskatoon. The visitors cover the country from Victoria to Trois-Rivières, Que. Games will be held from Jan. 11 to Jan. 13 at Bedford Road. Like Cousins, Poier said the tournament is an event and an experience. She said she is often contacted by coaches looking to have their teams entered. “They have had the experience of playing in BRIT or coaching in BRIT. They have been connected to BRIT in some way and DOCKET:
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they want their players to have that experience. They want to take it all in. This is more than basketball. “We billet the kids. The coaches will often say, ‘We want them at everything, to be around the school and get a sense of the culture of the school. I want them to go to the players’ social, the pep rallies, the breakfast, the pom and cheer.’ Lots of teams will come to that. This is something that no other tournament offers.” Poier’s mother will have the Quebec team living in her basement, another example of the community’s hospitality. Poier said two of her favourite memories are when the underdog Bedford squad upset Holy Cross. The other is when a special needs dance group performed in the pom showcase. “There are these special moments that standout and you are like ‘wow, this is a special BRIT.’” All of them are special, though. There will be more than 1,000 people squeezed onto the bleachers for big games and for the pom competition. The Bedford pom team practised every day during holiday break with the exception of Christmas day. The four hosts, who work closely with
Poier to make the tournament happen, spent much of their holiday time at the school, looking after details big and small. The tournament is known for the wall panels that adorn the gym. These works of art are created by Bedford students and students at the city schools that win their way into the tournament. They are stunning. Both Bowers and Poier talked about the meaning of the tournament. “It’s a real school event. It isn’t just a basketball tournament,” Bowers said. “There was competition for doing the panels and kids used to line up to do the decorations; everybody wanted to be a part of it. And it was such a great staff here that they got all the kids involved. They wanted to do this.” Poier said the importance was reinforced during a conversation with a man who played on the Bedford team that won the inaugural BRIT. “He told me stories like they were just yesterday. These are memories that people have that they are never going to forget. It holds a special place in a lot of people’s hearts.” Here’s to the next 50 years. For more information, visit www.brit. beagleproductions.com.
BRIT Special Guests through the years 1988 Kelly Bowers 1989 Roger Hughes 1990 Irene Wallace 1991 Larry Larson 1992 Paul Jacoby 1993 Don Cousins 1993 Walt Mudge 1994 Bill Gordon 1995 Ian Mirtle 1996 Doug Peri 1997 Sheila Chad 1998 Richard Dybvig 1999 Philip Headley 2000 Bob Weenk 2001 Brian Hilsen 2002 Ross Fraser 2002 Greg Harbidge
1970 Al Anderson 1971 Spero Leakos 1972 Dr. E.H.R. Arn 1973 Dr. Bill Turnbull 1975 Jack Adilman 1976 Merv Houghton 1977 Nick Patola 1978 Carl Chiko 1979 Dean Dickson 1980 Dennis Beerling 1981 Ross Wilson 1982 B. Steponchev 1983 Dave Hardy 1984 Ralph Schoenfeld 1985 Kevin Harbidge 1986 Lorne Aston 1987 Rueben Peters
2003 Sharolyn Dickson 2004 Anita MacPherson 2005 Wayne Dyck 2006 Lloyd Howey 2006 Maureen Howey 2007 Kory Dawe 2008 Denys Kornuta 2009 Laurie Cody 2010 Norm Stonehouse 2011 Layra Farmer 2012 Tom Sargeant 2013 Jeff Colquhoun 2014 John Dewar 2015 Brian Carduner 2016 Paul Humbert 2017 Brad Clauson
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SASKATOONEXPRESS - January 8-14, 2018 - Page 8
Arts &
Entertainment
Gustin series opens with homage to Debussy
Ned Powers Saskatoon Express egina-born and internationally-acclaimed pianist Catherine Vickers will commemorate the 100th anniversary of Claude Debussy’s death with a performance of Twelve Études at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church on Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m. The concert opens the 2018 Lyell Gustin Recital Series. To celebrate the work of a noted composer is one thing; to remember a favourite story between Vickers and Gustin is another. Joan Halmo, the artistic director of the series, said Vickers took her first lessons in Regina from Marguerite Buck, a Gustin pupil, and also attended Gustin’s summer school in Saskatoon for eight years. “With this concert in Saskatoon,” said Halmo, “we will reach a wonderful full-circle moment. “Ms. Vickers tells us that after her first recital in Saskatoon, Dr. Gustin presented her with the Preludes, Book 1, by Claude Debussy, a significant collection for all pianists to have and study. Now she is coming back to Saskatoon to perform the composer’s work — the extremely demanding Twelve Études, a work rarely heard in its entirety.” Vickers recalls with gratitude her experiences at the summer school, which she described as “absolutely the main musical-cultural element in Western Canada at the time. Classes were held in what is now known as Gustin House.” Vickers took part in a week of musical-cultural events in New York during the Christmas season as well, recalling it was her first time away from home for that long a time and adding “my understanding of the arts and artistry was deeply shaped by Mr. Gustin.” Vickers also trained in Edmonton and then a Canada Council grant allowed her to study in Hanover, Germany. Much of her teaching and performing life has occurred in Europe. AS010810 Aaron She won the Busoni Prize and gold medal at Italy’s
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Concorso Pianistico Internazionale in 1979 and she was also a prize winner at the Sydney International competition in 1981. In addition to performing, Vickers taught at Folkwang University in Essen and then was appointed to her current position as professor of music at the University of Music and the Performing Arts in Frankfurt. In Saskatoon, Vickers will also play works by Rameau, Satie and Chopin. Halmo has also announced the other two concert dates in this 14th season. Nikki and Timothy Chooi, violinists, will appear on March 15, offering up some Romantic and jazz-influenced stylings, with Montreal pianist Philip Chiu joining them. Leslie Ann Bradley, a Canadian singer who is based in New York, will appear Aug. 21, with pianist Rachel Andrist, who is on staff at the Glenn Gould School of Music in Toronto, as a collaborative artist. Their program will include arias, lieder and a song cycle by Debussy. The Gustin series has served an intended purpose, as outlined by Garth and Marjorie Beckett, of presenting music to Prairie people at a distance from major centres so they can have regular access to the world’s great music. The Becketts, originally from Saskatoon, now live in Ontario and are lending their support as co-presidents of the Gustin/Trounce Heritage Committee. Garth Beckett made his orchestral debut with the Saskatoon Symphony in 1952, teamed up with Boyd McDonald as one of Canada’s long-established piano duos and later taught at Wilfrid Laurier University. “Our goals are to promote and sustain our performing musicians, to foster love of great classical music, nurture music students and influence their future, to encourage fine arts and celebrate heritage,” said the Becketts in a pre-Christmas newsletter. “To accomplish the range of cultural work that, decades ago, Dr. Gustin did almost singlehandedly, we rely on the concert support,” they said. Gustin died in 1988.
Catherine Vickers will perform Jan. 12 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. (Photo Supplied) The three concerts in the series represent an investment of $24,000 in artist fees and concert production. As well as the main commitment, the committee also sponsors scholarships and presents gatherings of local and regional musicians. Season passes and tickets are available at McNally Robinson, Yamaha Piano, Saskatoon Academy of Music, the Gustin committee or at the door. Children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult.
New ultrasound will help women facing cancer diagnoses Laura is a young mother of two. On Mother’s Day in 2015, she found a lump in one of her breasts. Laura went for an ultrasound and mammogram but both were inconclusive. She was sent to Saskatoon City Hospital’s Breast Health Centre for a biopsy and learned she had a tumour. A scheduled lumpectomy became a mastectomy because the cancer had spread. Almost a year later, Laura had a second mastectomy. Following surgery, she developed an infection and contracted e coli. She spent several weeks in the hospital. Laura is now fully recovered but she wonders if things could have been better. For her and 40% of women who, like her, have denser breasts, an Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) is ideal. That’s why she’s asking you to support the purchase of an ABUS through Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation. The ABUS can take an image of the entire breast in just three scans. In many cases, it’s better than a mammogram or an MRI because it images tumour tissue better. Radiologists can provide quicker, more accurate diagnoses and start effective treatment plans sooner. That’s crucial when dealing with cancer. Donations will be matched by Cherry Insurance By supporting the ABUS, you’re not only changing lives, you’re saving lives. Please give today. You can donate directly at SCHFdonate.com, your SGI CAnADA broker by phone at 306-655-8489 (1-800-603-4464), or in person at the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation office, next to the front entrance of the hospital. Mail to: City Hospital Foundation - 701 Queen St. Saskatoon SK S7K 0M7 Name: Address: City: Email: Amount:
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Arts &
SASKATOONEXPRESS - January 8-14, 2018 - Page 9
Entertainment Persephone Theatre presents ‘provocative’ staged reading of satirical Brecht play
Shannon Boklaschuk Saskatoon Express ersephone Theatre is offering Elizabeth Nepjuk, Blaine Hart and Skye Brandon are three of the performers something different for its first in Henry IV Part 1 and Henry IV Part 2. (Photo by Britainy Zapshalla) production of 2018: a “provocative staged reading” of a “powerful and satirical play” by German playwright Bertolt Brecht. The show, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, is being directed by Kevin members to do that. The run is featuring a Williamson as part of The Deep End Shannon Boklaschuk series and features nine actors playing “pay what you want” initiative, allowing Saskatoon Express askatoon’s Shakespeare Lab pro50 characters. members of the public to pay between $5 vides local theatre fans with opPersephone is presenting the antiand $20 for each show. portunities to become more familiar fascist play as an “unplugged” work on If you need a refresher on what hapwith The Bard’s lesser-known plays — the main stage, with audience members pens in the plays before you go, Shakeand the group’s latest offerings are no invited to stay after each reading for a speare Lab offers this quick synopsis: exception. post-show discussion with Williamson “Long regarded as one of the jewels in The artists’ collective is kicking off the the crown of Shakespeare’s history plays, and the cast. new year by presenting Henry IV Part 1 “Set in Chicago in the 1930s, Arturo the two parts of Henry IV are actually and Henry IV Part 2 on alternating nights. the story of Hal, Prince of Wales, as he Ui is a comical Chicago gangster whose Skye Brandon, Shakespeare Lab’s founder, matures out of his youthful indulgences unlikely rise to power is laughable until directs and also stars as Hal, alongside fel- and into the responsibilities of kingship. it becomes increasingly ominous,” states low actors Rob van Meenen, Blaine Hart, Along the way, he encounters a vividly a Persephone news release. Gordon Portman, Will Brooks, Danielle “In these strange days when we can drawn population of colourful characSpilchen, Carmen Grant, Elizabeth Nepjuk ters — the comically talkative Mistress hardly believe what we see happening and Bruce McKay. south of our border, our very existence Quickly, the hot-tempered Hotspur, the “They’re plays that I love,” Brandon as artists makes a demand for us to troubled King Henry IV and, perhaps said of Henry IV Part 1 and Henry IV frame a response. This will be Persemost importantly, the redoubtable Sir Part 2. phone’s.” John Falstaff, played by Blaine Hart.” “They fall under the history genre, but Brecht wrote The Resistible Rise of Brandon, who has had a long-time pasit’s also mixed with a lot of fiction. There’s sion for Shakespeare’s work, previously Arturo Ui in 1941, prior to the end of historical characters, but then there’s the Second World War, after he escaped directed Shakespeare Lab’s productions Falstaff — which is kind of considered Nazi Germany. The play came together of Cymbeline and Richard II. He also one of Shakespeare’s greatest inventions directed Richard III for the annual Shake- in three weeks while Brecht was a refu— this fictional character that becomes, gee in Finland. speare on the Saskatchewan festival last essentially, the central character of Part 2,” summer. Will Brooks, the festival’s artistic Williamson said the show is a “fanhe added. tastic classic” that Europeans are familproducer, is now appearing in Henry IV Brandon describes Henry IV — both iar with, but it may not be as well known Part 1 and Henry IV Part 2 with Shakeparts — as Shakespeare’s best plays, and speare Lab. among theatregoers in Saskatoon. he wanted to bring them to local audiHe noted that since the offering will “I think having Will’s involvement ences. They aren’t often performed in be a reading as opposed to a full stage kind of shows that it’s very much about Saskatchewan, he said; in fact, Brandon artists working together to try to get better production, the rehearsal time will be believes it’s the first time Henry IV Part 2 at what we do and to make new things condensed and focused. That means the has been produced in the province. story and the ideas “will be very evident available for Saskatoon audiences,” said “It’s very rare for Part 2 to be done on Brandon. to the audience,” he said, and should its own, because it really does need Part 1 The plays will be presented on alternat- “provoke some interesting conversato set it up,” he said. tion.” ing nights at the University of Saskatche“You don’t have to see it, but it makes a wan’s John Mitchell Building until Jan. Ultimately, a reading “really allows lot more sense to see what happened to the 20, with Part 1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays you to clarify what it is you’re wanting characters before you come in.” and Part 2 on Wednesdays and Fridays. On to bring to the play,” said Williamson. Brandon hopes people come to both “With a full stage production and Saturdays, audiences will be able to see shows and that Shakespeare Lab’s “flexthree or four weeks of rehearsals, things Part 1 in the afternoon and Part 2 in the ible ticketing system” can take on a very organic form. They DS010801 Dan encourages audience evening.
Shakespeare Lab kicks off 2018 with both parts of Henry IV
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Kevin Williams is directing The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. (Photo Supplied) become what they become, because that’s part of the process,” he said. “But, with a reading, we’ve got four days of rehearsals. And so, when the group of nine actors and the stage manager and the director get together for four days, we don’t have as much time to explore.” Williamson isn’t aware of any previous staged readings taking place at Persephone, and noted that “by and large they don’t happen too often anywhere.” He is excited about the prospect of offering something different in Saskatoon. “I hope there will be plenty of humour in the production. And I think once you make a connection with an audience and they’re enjoying themselves, it’s a much more fruitful relationship in which to then start talking about ideas and — dare I say it — politics and things like that,” he said. In addition to Williamson, the cast and creative team includes Kent Allen, Joel Bernbaum, Alyssa Billingsley, Kate Herriot, Aaron Hursh, Jane Redlyon, Stephen Waldschmidt, Jacob Yaworski, Darren Zimmer and Alana Freistadt (stage manager). The three staged readings of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui will be held on Jan. 12, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. in Rawlco Radio Hall at the Remai Arts Centre. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling the Persephone Theatre box office at 306-384-7727 or by going online to persephonetheatre.org. The show is also being presented with a visual exhibition of local protest past and present called Answering the Call: Resistance at Home. The exhibition will be held from noon to 8 p.m. from Jan. 12 to Jan. 14 in the Tibor Memorial Lobby at the Remai Arts Centre. Admission to the exhibition is free to the public.
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SASKATOONEXPRESS - January 8-14, 2018 - Page 10
New distillery brews new version of old vodka Linda Gubbe and Cam Hutchinson Saskatoon Express eagan Hnatiuk is putting his vodka up against one of the
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best. The Saskatoon Realtor, along with business partner Dwight Shiels, opened Whitetail Distillery last month. He said his signature ultra-premium vodka is world class in taste, with local pricing. “I want to make it a local price, so people want it over Smirnoff,” Hnatiuk said. “Our price points are lower than Smirnoff’s, so we are selling it like crazy.” Hnatiuk is making Sure Shot Vodka from a 150-year-old recipe that Ukrainian settlers brought to Canada. “I did a lot of homework and I found a lot of things that people brought over from the Old Country. When it comes to real vodka, it should taste smooth, sweet, creamy with a hint of grain essence. Sure Shot Vodka checks all the boxes.” In addition to Sure Shot Vodka, Whitetail is planning to release a dark rum and a rye whiskey in the near future. Hnatiuk said selling quality liquor at a fair price is important to him. He said the industry minimums in the province are $13.70 for a mickey, $24.25 for a 26-ounce bottle, and $35.75 for a 40. “We are on all of those points. I would rather do a lot of sales than just a few at higher prices; we want volume. Consum-
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ers in Saskatchewan seem to really want local and I wanted to give them local at local prices. “I can’t stand to see (a local product) on the shelves for $57 when (the business is) right here. It drives me crazy.” Hnatiuk and Shiels got to know each other through the real estate business. “I was born and raised in Saskatchewan and I always believed in our (Saskatchewan) growth, and I always believed in giving back to our community. It turns out, Dwight feels the same. He was interested in distilleries and things like that, so we joined forces to do it together.” Mark Haughian, also a Saskatoon Realtor, is handling sales for the company. “I always wanted to build a business that gives back to the community,” Hnatiuk said. “So I want to take a lot of proceeds after we pay our bills and give them to some local charities.” He said the SPCA and the Boys and Girls Club of Saskatoon are among them. Even in its short existence, Hnatiuk said business is booming, with some orders quickly being doubled. “To be honest, we are dominating every place we go into.” For more information and a list of where Whitetail products are available, visit www.whitetaildistillery.com. Whitetail Distillery is on Facebook and Instagram.
Reagan Hnatiuk got his distillery up and running last month. (Photo Supplied)
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Fire pit decision manages to make no one happy
he new year is upon us and an urban neighbourhood. as the optimistic old saw Add to that the folks whose goes, “out with the old, in eyes tear, redden and ache from with the new.” But this maxim is exposure to smoke. It would not an absolute and some of the seem to me that the health of the old problems seep into the new public should be more important year. than the socialization issue of I was surprised at various others. It certainly was when it social events during the holiday came to banning tobacco smoke. season how many people were As for the safety, I have seen reacting to council’s decision on backyard pits that were simply backyard fire pits. a hole dug in the ground with a Columnist Although it was the first time couple of cinder blocks at the the current council dealt with this base. This should be a concern matter, the issue has been raised with previ- in older forested neighbourhoods where root ous councils. However, it is the first time that fires might come into play. I recall both camps walking away unhappy. Should permits and inspections for Generally speaking, when a controverurban fire pits be required to ensure whatsial issue is raised, a council will try to find ever is constructed will not become a fire a happy medium where everyone leaves hazard? There is no way to prevent the feeling some ground was gained or at least stupidity of people building excessively held. In this case, according to the chit chat, large fires that spew sparks and ash onto most left feeling that council made a stupid to neighbouring sites. What about the use decision. of fire pits during extremely dry spells? For those supporting backyard pits, Even recreational camping parks prohibit if limited use hours were to be imposed, outdoor fires during such periods. the end time of 11 p.m. was unsatisfacThe bylaw on fire pits is complaint tory. Apparently, that is the time when driven, which means someone must call in the campfire camaraderie is in full swing, to the fire department if a fire pit is operatwhich in itself may be the problem as by ing after 11 p.m. 11 p.m. neighbours might want to call it a Does the fire department send out a full night while a raucous firepit conversation crew and truck to an offender’s home or a would keep them awake. single firefighter? Do they get a warning For those supporting a ban on fire pits it for the first infraction, or is it an automatic seems to present firstly as a health concern, ticket? Is the ticket sufficient to offset the and secondly as a safety concern. The health cost of bylaw enforcement? And what concern is truly a legitimate issue. There are were the reasons for banning backyard people who are adversely affected by wood burning barrels that were once commonsmoke, especially if it is ongoing exposure. place in the urban environment? Enough It is of particular concern for those who said for now, as I suspect this issue will be have respiratory problems and for chilbefore council again. dren. Closing the windows does not solve Another problem that will carry over the problem as the smoke will still drift in into 2018 is the city’s budget. Did you read because of the close proximity of homes in StarPhoenix reporter Phil Tank’s article
ELAINE HNATYSHYN
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in the Jan. 2 newspaper edition about council’s voting (or lack of voting) for the city’s budget? Along with a synopsis of what is happening in other cities, he rightfully pointed out that council debates certain budget lines and ayes or nays some expenditures, but that after the whopping increases of 2014 and 2015 the practice of holding a formal budget vote ended. Remember the old days when the budget vote was taken? Councillors had to raise their hands to approve the whole package, and it was publicly reported which councillors voted for or against the budget. Every councillor wants plausible deniability for supporting large tax increases by saying “I supported this, but not that” budget line. Looking back, the city’s budget was always considered to be council’s budget, developed with the assistance of administration. I’m uncertain as to when it came into play, but council no longer considers the city’s budget as its budget. It is now deemed to be administration’s budget. But wait — council votes to approve the library’s budget and the police budget, doesn’t it? Why is council’s budget ownership important? Remember years back, when council approved the spending of $250,000 for lighting the derelict traffic bridge, and administration spent almost double that amount? When then-city manager, Phil Richards, was questioned by a councillor as to why this expenditure wasn’t brought back to council for approval, Richards responded that he didn’t need council’s approval for excessive spending because he had money within the overall River Landing budget to cover it. So, what is the point of council debating the budget at all? One week down, 51 to go. ehnatyshyn@gmail.com
Next Step Seminar Series is here to help you to take that next step of growth in your business and personal development. January 11 | Registered Disabilities Savings Plan (RDSP) Information Session Jordanne Eisner, Callum Bradley & Brian Harder, Investors Group Financial Services January 18 | Little Voice Mastery Steve Koszman, Steve Kushman Productions February 1 | Financing: Preparing for the Bank Atul Nayyar, Scotiabank February 15 | Championship Team Building Steve Koszman, Steve Kushman Productions March 1 | Creating Videos to Grow your Business Nelson Vo, Thirteen Thirty Creative Studio March 15 | Sales Mastery Steve Koszman, Steve Kushman Productions March 29 | Small Business Bookkeeping TBA For more information on the workshop series or to register contact:
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Tips for saving power
H
ere are eight power-saving tips to lower your power bill this winter: 1. Turn down the thermostat when no one is home. Cooling and heating represents approximately a quarter of residential power bills. 2. Plug in your car with a timer. Even on the coldest nights, your vehicle only needs to be plugged in for four hours. Using a block heater timer can save you about $25 per year on your power bill. 3. Turn off your lights when possible. Shorter days and longer nights mean interior lights in your home are on longer. 4. Convert to LED lights. Along with shutting lights off, you can cut the electricity needed for lighting your home by three-quarters by using LED bulbs.
TA010805 Tammy
5. Running a space heater 24/7 can be expensive. To help manage your energy costs, try extra blankets or a sweater first. 6. Only preheat your oven for baking, and only if the recipe calls for it. Most foods like roasts and casseroles don’t need a preheated oven to cook properly. 7. Use the right burner. Using a six inch pot on an eight inch burner on an electric stove can waste more than 40 per cent of the burner’s heat. 8. Check your fireplace. When it isn’t heating the room and warming your toes, a fireplace may be cooling your house. Make sure the damper is closed when the fireplace isn’t in use to keep cold air out and warm air in. (Information provided by SaskPower.)
By Boots and Jim Struthers
May this year bring all the desired success and happiness in your life that you can cherish always. Wishing you a successful and prosperous 2018. Ken, Trish, Carter & Paige
Happy New Year! Ken Cheveldayoff, MLA Saskatoon Willowgrove Ph: 306-651-7100 Email: ken.cheveldayoff.mla@sasktel.net
Call 306-244-5050
Answers on page 15
SASKATOONEXPRESS - January 8-14, 2018 - Page 12
New city manager, police Knoll named chief will face challenges sportsman of the year
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here are two major leadertoon’s First Nations community. ship changes coming to the But for Weighill, it wasn’t just City of Saskatoon after the about restoring the reputation retirements of long-time City Manof his police service across the ager Murray Totland and Police country, it was about creating the Chief Clive Weighill. best police service in the country. Both men leave roomy shoes, Totland watched the evoluand daunting tasks face the folks tion of this city over almost the eventually selected to fill them. last four decades from his office These two individuals will not at city hall. The longtime city only have to look backward to employee ascended to the top respect the foundations built by spot in 2009. Since then, SaskaColumnist Weighill and Totland, but look toon has grown by 70,000 people, forward to the significant chalgrowth managed by Totland who lenges imminently facing both roles, from also oversaw major projects (and their chalregulation and policing of legal marijuana lenges) like the Remai Modern Art Gallery, to alleviating the ever-increasing pressure the Gordie Howe Bridge and completion of on Saskatoon’s aging infrastructure within a South Circle Drive, and the construction and shrinking budget. transition to the new civic operations centre Soft-spoken Weighill left his 31-year-role just outside Saskatoon. at the Regina Police Service in 2006, arriving The odds are good that both men will be on the scene in Saskatoon when our police replaced by employees already working for service was at rock bottom. Actually, if it’s the city. Thirty-year SPS veteran Mitch Yuzpossible to get lower than rock bottom, we depski, for example, is rumoured to be on the were there. short list, as he should be, and no one would Two distinct themes had emerged to be surprised to see Charlie Clark’s campaign define the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS): manager and now chief of staff — Michelle incompetence and racism. Botched cases Beveridge — take over the management like the wrongful conviction of David Milreigns (though Jeff Jorgenson will undoubtgaard, and the horrific details of the freezing edly be up for consideration as well). deaths of young First Nations men, dumped Wouldn’t it be fascinating, though, if city outside Saskatoon in the dead of winter by hall opted to recruit externally — even from Saskatoon cops, hung over the force like a out of province — following a similar renewwretched stink — gross and unavoidable. al pattern to that followed by SPS in 2006? The editorial board of the StarPhoenix was What we know for sure is that by this time actually calling for the force to be disbanded in 2019 the leadership landscape in this city completely and for the RCMP to take over. and province will be vastly different than it In a nutshell, it was chaos. is today. We’ll have a new city manager, a Weighill’s transformation of the force was new police chief, a new provincial opposition swift and thorough, as he deftly manoeuvred leader and a new premier. through the acceptance of the Wright comAs their four predecessors fade from the mission’s judgment and recommendations spotlight and back into civilian life, we owe and then turned his focus on reconciling the them a debit of gratitude for their public serSPS’s devastated relationship with Saskavice. We are certainly better for having them. AS010811 Aaron
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Lecture Series at the College of Law 2018 Lectures
All lectures are free and open to the public. JANUARY 16
Marijuana Legalization: Impacts on Students, Employers and the Public A panel discussion featuring: Kevin Wilson, QC, Partner, MLT Aikins LLP Ron Piché, Criminal Defence Lawyer, Piché & Company Law Firm Michael Szafron, PhD, Assistant Professor, U of S School of Public Health
12PM, MLT AIKINS LECTURE THEATRE, COLLEGE OF LAW UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
FEBRUARY 5
Culliton Lecture in Criminal Law It Takes More than a Moment: Challenging Impunity for Rape and Sexual Harassment Janine Benedet, Professor, Peter A. Allard School of Law 12PM, MLT AIKINS LECTURE THEATRE, COLLEGE OF LAW UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
FEBRUARY 26
Wunusweh Lecture in Aboriginal Law Shape Shifting: Making Space for Indigenous Process Within the Politics of Canada Marilyn Poitras, Professor, U of S College of Law and past commissioner, MMIW Inquiry 7PM, GORDON OAKES RED BEAR STUDENT CENTRE UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
MARCH 6
Morris Shumiatcher Lecture in Law and Literature Imagination and Identity: How Stories Form Who We Are Yann Martel, Author 7PM, LOUIS’ LOFT UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN Seating is limited - please register at shumiatchersaskatoon.eventbrite.ca. Registration opens Jan. 15, 2018.
Ned Powers Saskatoon Express laine Knoll has been widely recognized for coaching Evan Hardy’s football Souls for 17 years, winning five provincial championships; coaching the Saskatoon Hilltops junior football team for four years; and winning a Canadian men’s softball championship with the Saskatoon Merchants in 1969. But his friend and teaching colleague for many years, Bill Seymour, will tell you that’s only half the story. “Blaine was a professional as a teacher, a great coach, a volunteer in minor hockey and baseball and gave so much to so many. People who played for him became inspired. He made them better players. He made his fellow coaches better coaches. Everybody around him learned to pick up their socks. And that goes way back to the way he welcome Grade 9 students into their classrooms. He had the ability to determine realistic expectations for his students,” said Seymour. Knoll was chosen last week as the latest Kinsmen Sportsman of the Year and he will be honoured Feb. 2 at TCU Place in Saskatoon. Celebrity dinner guests will include Cam Neely, Gerry Cheevers and some of those who made up what were known as the Big Bad Boston Bruins hockey team. The sportsman award was launched in 1961 at the first Kinsmen dinner and is generally a tribute to an individual’s long and celebrated service to the community. Each year’s winner is picked by a group of previous winners. Knoll reflects today that he always took the same approach to teaching as he did to coaching assignments. “You have to demonstrate that you care about your students and athletes. From day one onwards, earn their respect, don’t demand it. Be consistent and be inclusive. Yes, I was surrounded by some outstanding athletes. That was the beauty of building a new school in an area which hadn’t had a high school before. But you had to pay attention to those who weren’t so natural as athletes and they needed
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Lecture title TBD Andrew Arruda, Co-founder and CEO, ROSS Intelligence
powerful strokes too. “The sign in our dressing rooms was ‘Accentuate the Positive, Eliminate the Negative.’ It was borrowed from a hit song. We always talked about striving for perfection and at least settling for excellence.” It’s estimated that as many as 15 former Souls eventually got to play in the Canadian Football League. Opportunity is a big word in Knoll’s vocabulary. “Opportunities were presented to me. As an example, I was 15 years old when my dad organized a fastball team where I played with three of my brothers. Each time we’d go to a tournament, Dad would import a pitcher from nearby Ebenezer and he’d pitch three or four games in a day and we were beating teams we weren’t supposed to beat.” He played football for Ed Magis in Yorkton, coming to the University of Saskatchewan as a 16-year-old to play four years — three for Bill Bolonchuk and one for Ross Hetherington. Borrowing from the influence of Magis, Knoll always wanted to be a teacher, hopefully with a chance to coach. “In my days of practice teaching, I was assigned to Evan Hardy. The second last day, Dr. Bob Arn, a onetime Hilltop coach and then the Evan Hardy principal, came to me and said he wanted to hire me for the fall. “It was in the days where principals selected staff. At the time, he had 16 on staff and every one of them was a coach of something or other. He knew how he wanted to build,” said Knoll, who joined the staff in 1966 and became the head coach a year later. “I learned from the coaches I played for, I went to clinics, and I learned to build my football experience and develop a background.” He also launched the school’s wrestling program which became successful. From his many adventures in sports, Knoll sums it up as “nothing but good times” and his notification that he was a Kinsmen award winner was “another wow moment in my life.”
What does it involve? Only a few minutes each month to tell us what you think. For more information visit law.usask.ca and click Guest Speakers. Check out youtube.com/CollegeOfLawUsask for videos of past lectures. *Speakers and dates subject to change
Interested? Please send an email to Carol Trapp at ctrapp@saskatoonexpress.com Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper
TA010803 Tammy SASKATOONEXPRESS - January 8-14, 2018 - Page 13 TA121105 Tammy
There is reason for optimism
(Continued from page 3) the next couple of years. The report projects Saskatchewan will see a nation-leading 2.7 per cent increase in economic growth in both 2018 and 2019. Certainly the rise in the price of oil over the past several months has been a significant contributing factor to the growing provincial economy. Oil and gas, whether it be through primary production, service and supply, including transportation, machining, manufacturing and capital investment, plays a huge role in the Saskatoon economy. When oil and gas sneezes, Saskatoon gets the sniffles. Potash mining is also seeing significant gains, with production expected to see double-digit increases. The world’s reserves have been depleted, and markets in China and India beckon. Again, this bodes well not only for the primary producers and their workforce, but also the world-class service and supply side for that sector of the economy. Although our commodity-based economy rises and falls with the associated cycles, diversification into non-traditional sectors continues. Saskatoon has worldleading scientific research taking place at Innovation Place. Furthermore, a growing IT sector continues to create more opportunity, while attracting competition, co-opetition and investors alike. With the possibility of a good crop year — when isn’t it next-year country? — who knows how far we’ll reach. After all, agriculture, even when it’s not at its peak, is still a major factor in the Saskatchewan economy. All in all, it seems that we have reason to feel good about our place in the nation’s economy again. Darla Lindbjerg President and CEO Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce As the city of Saskatoon continues to grow, so too does our business community. We will see this continue in 2018 and beyond. The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce has been working diligently to create the best business climate in Canada. Our efforts have paid off and been recognized nationally and internationally in the past year. In fact, this past week a report put out by CD Howe Institute has named Saskatoon, out of Canada’s large cities, as the best place in Canada to do business. This is great news for our city and speaks volumes on the state of the business community in Saskatoon. One of the key contributing factors that makes Saskatoon stand out is the business/ residential tax differential. The Chamber of Commerce has been leading the charge on this issue for a number of years and has been successful in keeping business taxes at a competitive level by working closely with city administration and council. In addition, the chamber was instrumental in lobbying the federal government which led to the retraction of proposed small business tax changes that affect Canadian Privately Controlled Corporations (CPCC). In 2018,
DC010802 Darlene
2017 saw the initiation of an infill roundtable discussion with industry stakeholders and representatives from the city, and we are excited to continue these discussions in 2018 in an effort to remove a lot of barriers that builders and developers face when building in established neighbourhoods. Progress on these issues, combined with the innovative approaches to planning that developers are bringing to greenfield developments like Brighton – soon to be Saskatchewan’s largest new neighbourhood – point toward a future of healthy, smart growth for Saskatoon, which is something we can all be proud of. 2017 was an eventful year with regard to hurdles faced by the residential conAlex Fallon struction industry — most notably, the President and CEO provincial budget’s changes to the way PST Saskatoon Regional Economic is applied to construction labour. We are Development Authority We all know still waiting to see the full impact of these changes, but the residential construction that booms industry is no stranger to having to adapt don’t last for to outside factors, so we remain cautiously ever, so I believe the Saska- optimistic for the upcoming year. toon economy Jason Yochim has adjusted Chief Executive Officer pretty well with Saskatoon Region Association the slow-down of REALTORS® that comes with The past lower commodcouple of years ity prices over have been a the last few challenge ecoyears. In fact, there have been some signs nomically for of strength and stability in the Saskatoon most of Westeconomy in 2017 — despite the challenges ern Canada in the resource sector. and some cities In 2018, our economy will continue to have weathered be better than many places. Our economic the storm better gratitude shouldn’t sway. With a solid agrithan others. culture sector, growing technology sector, Although population growth and stabilizing resource the export prices, we expect economic momentum to of commodities makes up a large part build further in the near term. of the provincial economic output, the As they say, ‘even though the boom diverse economy in the Saskatoon region has gone, we’re still going strong here in appears to have helped sustain jobs and Saskatchewan.’ subsequently residential real estate sales. Over this same period the availability Chris Guérette of money became tighter as the federal CEO government introduced several measures Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ to cool overheated markets in Toronto Association and Vancouver. Though it In spite of these challenges the real may not feel estate market in Saskatoon and region like it when experienced a very slight decline in sales we compare activity. As of the end of November, the to the huge “boom” period total dollar volume was $1.5 billion, a nine of growth that per cent decline from the same period last Saskatoon ex- year. The total number of residential sales perienced a few to the end of November was 4,455 units years ago, our representing a five per cent reduction from city continues 2016. The decline in demand and increase to grow steadily in new listings introduced to the market, resulted in record levels of available housand healthily, ing stock in the new and existing markets. maintaining its status as one of the fastest Therefore Saskatoon is firmly situated in a growing cities in Canada. buyers’ market with a gradual decline in the The permit activity that we’re seeing average price. This is good news for those at the Saskatoon & Region Home Builders’ Association reflects that, with the most looking for a home as they will never have better selection along with affordable borrecent reports showing increased activity rowing rates. over last year for both single family and Looking forward, I sense that we are at multi-family units. While there will still be some adjusting next year to allow popula- least a year or two away from a reversal in the market. As markets like Vancouver tion levels to catch up to the inventory continue to become less affordable, I sense that was built in response to a period of extremely quick growth, this type of adjust- that buyers will start looking east to more affordable ones. We are seeing this impact ment is normal. in cities like Calgary and Victoria and I As the population continues to grow, predict it will be coming our way as well. the residential construction industry will continue to build homes to support the in- It will be a much needed boost to housing creasing number of Saskatonians. The way in Saskatoon, but not to the extent we saw in 2007. we grow may also be about to change — we will continue to monitor this situation and respond in the best interest of our business community. By ensuring taxation is fair and at competitive levels for businesses we will continue to attract businesses to our community which in turn creates jobs and a sustainable future. Locally, our membership is growing and attendance at our events is increasing as we work to assist local business owners expand their networks and grow their businesses. In 2018 and beyond, we will continue to work closely with local, provincial, national and international governments on issues that affect our local businesses.
AS010805 Aaron
Simply answer YES or NO to each question: Do you feel embarrassed when you answer incorrectly?
Do you have to ask people to repeat?
Do/Did you work in a noisy environment?
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DAY TRIPS
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LAUGHLIN, LAS VEGAS, WENDOVER, JACKPOT March 12 - 23 (11 nites, 12 days)
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Apr 30-May 3, June 25-28 2 nights South Beach & 1 night Club Regent (stopping at Sand Hills Casino on way home). $239. pp dbl
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(except River Cree - Departs from Saskatoon)
Visit us: www.odysseybuslines.com TA010814 Tammy
January Clearance begins
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SS010801 Dan
SASKATOONEXPRESS - January 8-14, 2018 - Page 14
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Believe in yourself to make 2018 memorable
his is going to be my As a young man, I started year. to attend every traditional First For almost a decade Nations ceremony I could. My I’ve had to endure a horrible interest started when I wanted stomach illness. My doctors to learn about my ancestry. told me it’s a combination of Many of the ceremonies require Crohn’s and other intestinal endurance beyond pain. But if problems. it wasn’t for those ceremonies, I’ve spent so much time in I know there would be no way I hospitals, I’ve come to know could have survived these past many of the doctors and nurses 10 years. on a first-name basis. There It may seem like I lost those were a few times many people 10 years, but I learned so much Columnist thought I wouldn’t live to see I can only be thankful because it the next season. opened my eyes to a world many After eight major surgeries and count- people have to suffer through for their less procedures, I finally started to get entire lives. healthier. How did I get better? I met so many people, patients, who are The answer is to never give up. I kept warriors right to the end. When I started envisioning myself walking and dancing to feel sorry for myself or my spirits were to the traditional music of my ancestors.* low, I would run into someone in the hosIt was the help of modern medicine that pital who was in worse shape than I was. I walked me through the physical aspect, suppose this is basically the same for life but it was also the traditional medicine of in general. There is always someone in a First Nations which guided me. It was like worse situation. I had trained all my life to fight this battle. I do have plans and goals this new year. First Nations traditional medicine goes I had to put these plans on hold while I back thousands of years. The lake I live went on my journey towards healing. Of next to was chosen by my nation not only course those plans are related to writing. because it is a source of food and water, My friend, Cam Hutchinson (also the but because it also holds medicine most editor of the Saskatoon Express) and I people would never discover. have been working on projects and now I I had moved back to my reserve to heal. can realistically take those projects on. I spoke with elders and asked for their During these past 10 years, the world of knowledge of certain types of illnesses, communications has opened many doors and little did I know I was standing right for writers. next to a plant that would eventually start In fact, I haven’t seen a better time to me on my journey towards wellness. be a writer. Things weren’t looking good I didn’t stop there because I became for some newspapers and magazines, but entrenched in wanting to learn more. I more and more doors are opening up. It’s thought about putting together a compila- an exciting time and it feels good to be a tion and having it published, but decided part of it. against it because what might work for one I would like to thank all the people who person might not work for another. either contacted me or the Saskatoon ExI was contacted by a company that press for their encouragement and support. makes medicine from plants, roots, berries This paper is not only read in Saskaand anything that comes from Mother toon. It’s also online and read all over the Earth. They wanted to compound the world. It’s amazing to get a letter from medicine and market the product. someone who speaks and writes another Given I could probably become filthy language. rich from my involvement, I had to think Even though I try and respond to all seriously about it. But in the end, I had to communication, it’s still hard to respond to pull away, because who am I to sell and someone in Japanese, German or an Afriprofit from something that comes free? can language. Regardless I do try, usually Besides, it’s not just a raw product. by starting with “Tansi.” There’s also the spiritual, emotional and Who would have thought I would make Veranda staterooms from $2,339* mental aspect to the physical aspect. Once it this far? I did. Other categories available again,stateroom it comes down to the individual but All the best in 2018. it boils down to one word: believe. KNCREE@gmail.com
KEN NOSKYE
outh Florida*
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Mochrie, McGrath NEW: Prices • 1 night pre-cruise stay in sunny Florida in a 4 star hotel* to headline dinner • Classic Beverage Package for two: Unlimited beer, spirits, wine & more (Value of $600pp)* reduced up to he Silver Spoon Dinner will have their comedy skills at Toronto’s famous Saturday flight departures • Service gratuities & taxes* (Sunday return) one of the funniest couples anyCity. NEW: Second Regina 17transfers & Mar.in10, 2018 where as celebrity guests this year. “They continue to bring their custom$700!! • All Feb. ground Florida Colin Mochrie and his wife Deb Mcized, quick-witted, and uproariously enterPrices Saskatoon 24, 201840-minute Internet package • 3rd/4thFeb. guests receive Grath will headline the annual women’s taining show to lucky audiences every& unlimited non-alcoholic beverage package* night out event whichreduced is sponsored byup Sas- to where,” Silver Spoon Dinner organizers
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Saturday flight departures (Sunday return) Regina Saskatoon
Feb. 17 & Mar. 10, 2018 Feb. 24, 2018
katoon CHW (Hadassah-WIZO) and Congregation Agudas Israel, as a fundraiser for the two sponsoring organizations, as well as Saskatoon Interval House and Ronald McDonald House Saskatchewan. Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway and This Hour Has 22 Minutes) and McGrath (Little Mosque on the Prairie) met honing
$700!!
said in a news release. The annual Sterling Award winner will be announced at the event. Tickets for the event will go on sale at noon on Jan. 11. The early bird price is $200. After March 1, tickets will be $225. Tickets are available at picatic.com.
ect to availability and may change at any time and is inclusive of all taxes, fees at 12 $2,219 for Feb. 24 & Mar. 10 packages and Veranda Stateroom cat 2D o guests (21 years and older) per stateroom and includes beer, wine and spirits rage packages are available for an additional charge. Gratuities applies to two ame stateroom receive 40 min. internet package, gratuities and non-alcoholic are economy class. Guests fly non-stop to West Palm Beach on Saturdays, may have a short refueling stop. Cruise departure dates: Eastern Caribbean ad occupancy. Guests to pay for any upgrades, room service, incidentals and binable with any other offers. Package is subject to flight & cruise availability. *Offer valid forright departures between Feb. 17 is is in in CAD, p.p. based on double occupancy for new individual bookings, subject to availability and may change at any time and is inclusive of all taxes, fees Cruises reserves the to correct any errors, or2018. omissions and *Offer valid for departures between Feb.inaccuracies 17 to toMar. Mar.10, 10, 2018.Price Price CAD, p.p. based on double occupancy for new individual and port charges. Package pricing varies by sailing. Advertised price is based on the lowest available departure as follows: Inside Stateroom cat 12 $2,219 for Feb. 24 & Mar. 10 packages and Veranda Stateroom cat 2D or. Allbookings, Rights Reserved. subject to availability and may change at any time and is inclusive of all taxes, fees and port charges. Package pricing $2,339 for Mar. 10 package. Other categories/occupancy types and dates are available at varying prices. Classic beverage package applies to two guests (21 years and older) per stateroom and includes beer, wine and spirits varies Advertisedfresh pricesqueezed is basedand on the lowest available departure follows: Inside Stateroombottled cat 12water. $2,219 for Feb. to 24other beverage packages are available for an additional charge. Gratuities applies to two up toby $9,sailing. soda selections, bottled juices, premium coffeesas and teas and non-premium Upgrades & guests Mar. 10per packages and Veranda Stateroom catstateroom 2D $2,339attendant, for Mar. 10 package. Other categories/occupancy types and areguests in same stateroom receive 40 min. internet package, gratuities and non-alcoholic stateroom and provides for prepaid waiter, assistant waiter and head waiter gratuities. 3rd dates and 4th available at varying prices. Classic beverage package applies to two guests (21 years and older) per stateroom and includes beer, beverage package which can be upgraded to an alcohol package for a fee. Max. total baggage allowance of 20 kilos (44 lbs.) per person. Flights are economy class. Guests fly non-stop to West Palm Beach on Saturdays, wine andone spirits uppre-cruise to $9, sodainselections, fresh and squeezed bottled juices, premium coffees and and Return non-premium spend night hotel in Florida cruiseand on Celebrity Silhouette from Sunday to teas Sunday. flight isbottled on Sunday and may have a short refueling stop. Cruise departure dates: Eastern Caribbean water. Upgrades beverage packagesFeb are18. available an additional Gratuities to two guests per stateroom Feb 25 & Marchto 11other and Western Caribbean Hotel isfor a standard hotelcharge. room (selected by applies Celebrity), based on single, double, triple or quad occupancy. Guests to A pay for any upgrades, room service, incidentals and Canadian Museum of History travelling exhibition developed by the and forpersonal prepaidnature. stateroom attendant, waiter, assistant waiter and gratuities. 3rd by and 4th guests in sameis not combinable with any other offers. Package is subject to flight & cruise availability. anyprovides items of a A valid credit card must be provided at time of head checkwaiter in. Ports of call vary itinerary. This program Please ask for details regarding terms and conditions deposit, final payment and cancellation Restrictions apply. Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and stateroom receive 40 min. internet package, gratuitiesregarding and non-alcoholic beverage package which canpenalties. be upgraded to an alcohol st to change update fares, and surcharges atof any prior © 2017 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. Ship’s Registry: Malta and Ecuador. All Rights Reserved. Guests fly non-stop package foror a fee. Max. totalfees baggage allowance 20time kiloswithout (44 lbs.) pernotice. person. Flights are economy class. to West Palm Beach on Saturdays, spend one night pre-cruise in hotel in Florida and cruise on Celebrity Silhouette from Sunday to Sunday. Return flight is on Sunday and may have a short refueling stop. Cruise departure dates: Eastern Caribbean Feb 25 & March 11 and Western Caribbean Feb 18. Hotel is a standard hotel room (selected by Celebrity), based on single, double, triple or quad occupancy. Guests to pay for any upgrades, room service, incidentals and any items of a personal nature. A valid credit card must be provided at time of check in. Ports of call vary by itinerary. This program is not combinable with any other offers. Package is subject to flight & cruise availability. Please ask for details regarding terms and conditions regarding deposit, final payment and cancellation penalties. Restrictions apply. Celebrity Cruises reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice. © 2017 Celebrity Cruises, Inc. Free Admission l Learn more: www.usask.ca/diefenbaker Ship’s Registry: Malta and Ecuador. All Rights Reserved
CALL YOUR TRAVEL AGENT or call Celebrity Cruises 1-888-776-1155
AS010802 Aaron
Rediscover the Diefenbaker Canada Centre in 2018!
HOCKEY
Exhibit opens January 21
SASKATOONEXPRESS - January 8-14, 2018 - Page 15
S
n o o t a ask EVENTS
FEATURE EVENT JANUARY 13-14
Friends of the Saskatoon Library book sale on the lower level at the Frances Morrison Central Library. Proceeds donated to non-budgetary library projects. Jan: 13: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 14: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
MUSIC
***** The Saskatoon International Folkdance Club meets at 7 p.m. in Albert Community Centre (Room 13, 610 Clarence JANUARY 12 Ave. South). Learn dances from many countries. The first B.C. Read is considered the elite of the Saskatoon blues night is free. The group is also available for performances. guitarists and vocalist, a professional since 1978 and For more information, call 306-374-0005 or visit www. highly-rated across Western Canada. He’s playing a night sifc.awardspace.com. of the blues classics and some originals in his annual ***** January appearance with the Saskatoon Jazz Society Pop In & Play (until Dec. 8) 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at crowd. 9 p.m. The Bassment (202 4th Avenue North). Erindale Alliance Church (310 Perehudoff Cres). Bring Tickets - $23 for SJS members, $28 for non-members. your little ones, 5 years & under, with you downstairs for ***** a great time of fun & connecting! Monthly theme, learning Riff Raff AC/DC tribute to Malcolm Young, and air guitar centres, snack & occasional speaker. For more info, go to battles. A fundraiser/awareness benefit for the ALS Society erindalealliance.ca. of Saskatchewan. Doors at 8 p.m. Tickets $10. Capitol EVERY WEDNESDAY Music Club (244 First Ave. North.) Seven Seas Toastmasters, an energetic and dynamic club, JANUARY 13 invites you to join us from noon to 1 p.m. in the LDAS Martin Janovsky, the magic man on the piano, brings Building. (2221 Hanselman Court.) For more information, together a big band, with Jana Janovsky and Kathryn visit http://3296.toastmastersclubs.org/ Schulz as vocalists and Sheldon Corbett and Rich McFar- ***** lane among the players. He creates a mix of pop, jazz and The FASD Network of Saskatchewan offers monthly supLatin rhythms and serves up good humour. 8 p.m. The port meetings for individuals living with FASD and caregivBassment. Tickets - $23 and $28. ers on Wednesdays at the Network office (510 Cynthia St). The free-of-charge support meetings are an informative and engaging space for people to connect with each other for ongoing support. For information and times, visit www. saskfasdnetwork.ca/events NOW UNTIL FEB. 28 Compete in the Geocaching Winter Games. Check out the ***** tasks that you will have to complete on geocaching.com: Le Choeur des plaines welcomes you to sing and socialize in French each Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at L’École the event is GC7E12X. canadienne française at 1407 Albert Avenue. The choir is JANUARY 13 directed by Michael Harris and accompanied by Rachel MENSA is an international, non-profit society for people Fraser. All who wish to sustain or practice their French are who score among the top two per cent of the general welcome. For more information, call Rachel at 306-343population on a standardized IQ test. A supervised IQ test- 6641 or Jean at 306-343-9460. ing session is being held in Jan. 13, at 2 p.m. The cost is ***** $90, or $70 for students. If you are interested in attending Saskatoon Community Contact for the Widowed (SCCW). this session, call Tim at 306-242-7408 or e-mail trf674@ Coffee at 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday at St. Martin’s campus.usask.ca. United Church (2617 Clarence Avenue). The group also has a general meeting on the third Sunday of every JANUARY 18 month, with the exception of July and August. For more Saskatoon Nature Society Monthly Speakers Series: information, contact Mildred at 306-242-3905 or the 7:30 p.m. Rm 106, Biology lecture theatre (near the big church at 306-343-7101. dinosaurs) on the U of S campus. This month’s speaker is ***** Darrin Qualman. Darrin worked for 14 years as a writer T.O.P.S (Take Off Pounds Sensibly). New members are and researcher at the National Farmers Union, writing welcome. A supportive, friendly group that meets weekly about food, farming, climate change and the environment. focusing on healthy eating, exercise and weight loss. For Everyone is Welcome to attend and it is free of charge. more information go to www.tops.org or call Debbie at Information about the Society is available at www.saska306-668-4494. Meetings are at Resurrection Lutheran toonnaturesociety.sk.ca. Church, 310 Lenore Drive. New member orientation every JANUARY 20 Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums present a Robbie ***** Singles Social Group - “All About Us” for people in their Burns Night at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre (1525 Avenue P South) Tickets $50 each for adults. Cocktails at 50s and 60s. Weekly Wednesday restaurant suppers, monthly brunch, movie nights and more. Meet new 5 p.m. and dinner at 6 p.m. Entertainment to follow. Call friends. No membership dues. For more information email: 306-374-6026 to reserve a table or email robbieburnsallaboutus10@hotmail.com or phone 306-978-0813. night@gmail.com ***** ***** Robbie Burns Celebration: The Saskatoon Scottish Country St. George’s Senior Citizen’s Club (1235 20th St. West) has bingos And Kaiser from noon to 4 p.m. The club is Dancers invites everyone to join them at 5:00 p.m. at All Saints Anglican Church Hall (1801 Lorne Avenue) for their campaigning for new members that are 55+. Memberships are $10 per year with many discounts included. For 10th Annual Celebration of the life, poetry and music of more info, call 306-384-4644 or 306-716-0204. Scotland’s Bard, Robert Burns.Tickets are $30 for dinner ***** and entertainment. This is an adults-only event. Bargain store to support the inner city Lighthouse project. For more information, and to reserve your tickets, email Babies’, children’s, women’s and men’s clothing; jewelry, saskatoon@rscdssask.org purses, belts and camping clothes available. Wednesdays or call 306 664-7049. from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Paul’s United Church, 454 Egbert Avenue. Prices from $0.25 to $5. Everyone is welcome. For more information: Call 306-955-3766 (church) or go to spuconline.com or email zixiag@gmail.com.
EVENTS
ONGOING MARR RESIDENCE
Winter Programs: sewing circles and open house Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25 and April 29. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each time. The house will be open for visits and our Victorian sewers will be delighted to discuss their projects or have you join them. The Marr Residence is located at 326 11th St. East. ***** Karousels Dance Club: Learn to Dance: Waltz, Two Step, etc. and choreographed ballroom (round) dancing. Albert Community Centre (610 Clarence Ave. South), Second Floor. Beginning Fridays 12, 19 and onward to Apr. 27. 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. For more information, call 306-2905486 or 306-664-2775.
EVERY THURSDAY Prairie Sky Farmers’ Market is open every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at St. Paul’s United Church in Sutherland (454 Egbert Ave.) New vendors may phone or text Kathy at 306-222-2740 or email saphire1515@ hotmail.com.
FIRST SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH The MindFULL Café, part of the international Alzheimer Café movement, provides an opportunity to meet in a relaxed social setting for persons with dementia, family, care partners and other interested people. The Café is a two-hour get together with refreshments, entertainment and information. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Sherbrooke Community Centre.
TABLE TENNIS The Saskatoon Table Tennis Club plays on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30, Friday evening from 7 to 9 and Saturday morning from 10 to 12. The location is the Zion Lutheran Church, 323 4th Ave. S. Entrance through the side door off the parking lot on the North side of the building and down to the gym. Drop in and have a look, no charge for the first visit. For more information, call 306-242-7580 or 306-9750835.
EVERY THIRD WEDNESDAY
TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS
La Leche League Canada - Saskatoon Daytime Meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Emmanuel Anglican Church (609 Dufferin Avenue.) Dec. 21, Jan. 18, Feb. 22, March 22 and April 19. For more information or to get breastfeeding help, contact a leader by phone (306655-4805) or email lllcsaskatoon@gmail.com or www. facebook.com/LLLCSaskatoon.
Country Farms Marketplace at Confederation Mall, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Indoor marketplace located across from Urban Planet. The Marketplace features home cooked lunch, desserts, pies, preserves and other amazing food as well as hand crafted items and home based business vendors. ***** Free art drop-in at the SCYAP Art Centre. All ages are welcome, all materials supplied, no registration required. Tuesdays 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m., Thursdays 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m., and Saturdays 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
SECOND SATURDAY EVERY MONTH Memory Writers — September to June, 10 a.m. to noon at the Edwards Centre, 333 Fourth Avenue. Share the events and memories of your life in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. For more information, call Hilda at 306-382-2446.
EVERY TUESDAY Love to Sing? The Saskatoon Choral Society welcomes new members. No auditions. We meet each Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Grace Westminster Church, beginning Sept. 5. For more information, please contact: janinasaskatoonchoralsociety@gmail.com or phone Janina: 306-229-3606. ***** Magic City Chorus (women’s 4 part a cappella harmony) rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at St. Paul’s United Church, Egbert Avenue, in Sutherland at 7 p.m. New members welcome! Check out magiccitychorus.ca for more information. Contact y.jaspar@shaw.ca. ***** Spirit of the West Toastmasters Club. Want to become more confident in your personal life and in your work? We help each other develop oral communication and leadership skills by providing instant feedback. Guests are always welcome. We meet every Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, 1130 Idydwyld Drive, room number 129-C or 150. ***** Truth Research Circle of Friends at 7 p.m. If you are concerned about the trouble in our world, researching its roots, feeling grief and confusion, and wondering what to do with what you’re learning, you are welcome to join our circle. Call Patti at 306-229-1978 for more information and the location.
SECOND and FOURTH TUESDAY The Saskatoon Pattern Dance Club dances, starting Oct. 10. at All Saints Anglican Church (1801 Lorne Avenue). Dance times are from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. We dance to cued oldtime music such as polkas, waltzes and two steps and cha cha. Beginners are welcome. For further information, call 306-382-5107or 306-374-9383.
THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH Columbian Seniors (55+) pot luck supper at Holy Spirit Parish Hall (114 Kingsmere Place.) Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m.
FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH
THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH The Saskatoon Prostate Cancer Support Group meets every month except July and August at 7:30 p.m. in the W. A. Edwards Family Centre, across from the Saskatoon Funeral Home. For more information, call Murray Hill at 306-242-5893 or email murraydhill@me.com.
SECOND WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH Friendship Force International, Saskatoon and Area Club is an organization of more than 360 clubs in more than 50 countries throughout the world. FFI allows you to enjoy economical travel while forging new friendships with club members from around the world. For more information, visit www.thefriendshipforce.org. To attend a meeting contact Bev at 306-291-4411 or bevy-49@hotmail.com.
FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH Resporados support group for people with breathing difficulties takes place at 1 p.m. at Jerry’s on Eighth Street for a lunch meeting. ***** Depression Support Group from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the CMHA building (1301 Avenue P North). This is open to anyone struggling with depression and family members wanting to support them. For more info, call Marilyn at 306-270-9181 or email mle2003_2@yahoo.com.
EVERY TUESDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY Overeaters Anonymous: Is food a problem for you? Do you eat when you’re not hungry? Do you binge, purge or restrict? Is your weight affecting your life? We are a non-profit 12-step group that meets on Tuesdays at noon, Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. For more information including locations visit www.oa.org.
TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS Bridge City Senioraction Inc: Classes every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Registration is $20, drop-in fee is $2. For information, call Sheila at 306931-8053 or Kathy at 306-244-0587.
SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH Trigeminal Neuralgia and Facial Pain Support Group meetings at 1:30 p.m. at the Edwards Family Centre (338 - Fourth Ave. North). For more information, contact Gail at 306-382-1578 or email saskatoon@catna2.ca.
Pet Loss Support Group offers support and comfort to people who are struggling with the loss of a beloved companion animal due to old age, sickness or other reasons. The no-obligation support group meets at 2 p.m. at the W.A. Edwards Centre, 333 4th Avenue North, Saskatoon. For more information or telephone support, call 306-343-5322.
EVERY THIRD SATURDAY
SECOND MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH
Saskatoon Mood Disorder Support Group
Renters of Saskatoon and area meet. 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. St Thomas Wesley United Church, Lower Hall (808 20th St. West). ROSA supports renters and shares information to work towards better, affordable, and safe rental housing for all. Child-minding available. Ring doorbell for elevator access. For further information contact: 306-657-6100, or email renters@classiclaw.ca.
Saskatoon Oldtimers’ Association’s monthly meeting. Parkville Manor (625 25th Street East), Reception at the main door between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The association looks after the Log Cabin at the Exhibition. New members needed. For more information, contact Lloyd at 306-3824915 or Laura at 306-373-1861.
The Saskatoon mood disorder support group for people with bi-polar, depression and other related mental health problem meets at the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church at 323 Fourth Ave. South (south entrance) at 7:30 p.m. For more information call Al at 306-716-0836 or Lindi at 306-491-9398.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
LAST TUESDAY EVERY MONTH
Track & Field - Volunteer Training. Volunteers are needed for track and field events this winter at the Saskatoon Field House. By attending a two-hour session you will become a valuable member of the volunteer officiating team. Clinics will be held Jan 12, 13, 26, 27 and March 2. Inquire and register with the Sask Athletics Office by email admin@saskathletics.ca
Dizziness and Balance Support Group will meet from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at LifeMark Health Centre, 3907 Eighth St. East. Anyone with a dizziness/vertigo/balance condition is welcome to attend. There is no cost to attend. There will be an educational topic presented and an opportunity to learn from each other. For more info, call Rae Ann at 306652-5151 or email raeann.erickson@lifemark.ca.
Answers
SASKATOONEXPRESS - January 8-14, 2018 - Page 16
Braylon Shmyr a force on Blades offence
Darren Steinke Saskatoon Express raylon Shmyr is a star for the Saskatoon Blades, but the influence from his time with the Brandon Wheat Kings is never far from his mind. Shmyr was selected by the Wheat Kings in the first round and 12th overall in the 2012 WHL Bantam Draft. The skilled left-winger was in Brandon for about the first two and a half seasons of his WHL career until a multiplayer trade sent him to the Blades in January, 2016. During Shmyr’s time in Brandon, the Wheat Kings were always one of the WHL’s strongest clubs, and he still carries a lot of memories from those days. “When I was 17, we made it right to the (WHL) finals, and that was a huge experience on my part,” said Shmyr, whose minor hockey days were split between Vancouver and Calgary. “I thought it was really cool knowing that I would get a chance to win the league and a chance to go to the Memorial Cup. We just fell short. Just knowing that I was there was a really special moment.” Shmyr speaks of the 2014-15 campaign, when the Wheat Kings finished first in the WHL with a 53-11-4-4 record. Brandon advanced to the WHL championship series and was swept 4-0 in that best-of-seven set against the Kelowna Rockets. Playing on a deep Brandon squad, Shmyr recorded 18 goals and 22 assists in 65 regular season games in that campaign. He remembered how Wheat Kings owner Kelly McCrimmon, who was also the team’s head coach and general manager at that time, wanted his players to be at their best no matter where they went. McCrimmon became the assistant general manager of the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden Knights following the 2015-16 campaign. “Kelly was always on us to be professional on and off the ice, so that is what we tried to do to focus on and strive for,” said Shmyr, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 167 pounds. “He was hard on us, but in the long run, it definitely made us better on the ice, and definitely off the
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ice, it made us better humans.” For a time, Shmyr thought he was going to spend his entire WHL career in Brandon. During the 2015-16 season, he appeared in 28 regular-season games with the Wheat Kings, collecting eight goals, eight assists and a plus-18 rating. The Wheat Kings dealt him to the Blades in a multiplayer trade in order to fill a need and get physical overage defenceman Mitch Wheaton for the upcoming playoff run. Brandon finished second overall in the WHL with a 48-18-4-2 record that season, went all the way to win the WHL title in the playoffs and appeared in that year’s Memorial Cup tournament in Red Deer. “At first, I was really disappointed knowing that they ended up winning the league,” said Shmyr. “I got over that, and I realized being here in Saskatoon was a lot better for me. I really appreciate knowing that I got traded here. I wouldn’t take it back for anything.” When he joined the Blades during his 18-year-old season, Shmyr played as part of the team’s top-six forward group right away. He didn’t always have that chance in Brandon due to the Wheat Kings’ depth at forward. “When I was in Brandon, I was always up and down the lineup,” said Shmyr. “I always knew that I could be a top scorer in this league. “As soon as I got traded here, I kind of got that opportunity to do that, and I made the most of it.” Shmyr finished out the 2015-16 campaign appearing in 34 regular-season games with the Blades collecting nine goals and 11 assists. As a 19-year-old last season, he turned heads, netting 35 goals and 31 assists in 66 games. With star centre Cameron Hebig missing the entire campaign due to injury, Shmyr had to be a force offensively. “For us, it was huge,” said Blades head coach Dean Brockman. “We didn’t have a lot of scoring last year. “He (Shmyr) was consistently on the scoresheet. When you don’t have a lot of guys that you can lean on to get goals and when you lean on him and he comes through, it
Braylon Shmyr was the WHL player of the week of Dec. 31 (Photo by Darren Steinke) just tells you what kind of guy he is.” It’s been more of the same this year. Often forming a dynamic duo with Hebig, Shmyr recorded 19 goals and 34 assists in his first 39 appearances of the campaign. He was named the WHL’s player of the week for the week ending Dec. 31 after netting three goals and seven assists in the Blades’ first three outings since returning from the league’s Christmas break. Brockman said Shmyr has had a solid everyday approach when he comes to the rink, and you can tell he picked up a lot of good habits in Brandon. “He is just always working on his game offensively,” said Brockman. “He’s got tremendous skills. “His hands are really good. He is deceptively fast. He just likes to score goals, and when you like to score goals, good things will happen.” (You can see more of Darren Steinke’s work in his online blog stankssermon.blogspot.ca.)
Cam Hutchinson & Friends: Thornton takes it on the chin
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By RJ Currie he top 5 celebrity football penalties: 5. Miley Cyrus — backfield in motion; 4. Kim Jong Un — taunting; 3. Donald Trump — objectionable conduct; 2. Taylor Swift — too many men; 1. Kevin Spacey — too many men. • Someone broke into Ex-Maverick Charlie Villanueva’s home in Dallas and stole — his toilet. Police say no arrests have been made because there’s nothing to go on. • MLB’s average salary is now a record $4.47 million. Remember that kid always chosen last at recess, who couldn’t catch and either struck out or hit a dribbler to first? He’s earning $2 million. • Word is Maria Sharapova has unleashed a record-level shriek of 119 decibels. It happened when Australian Open officials announced the withdrawal of Serena Williams. • Sharks forward Joe Thornton lost a fistful of his beard in a tussle with Toronto’s Nazem Kadri. The game ended in a shootout, as the Leafs took it by a whisker. • The Swiss junior hockey coach on facing Canada: “They’re faster, they’re bigger, they’re stronger, they can shoot better, they can pass better, they can do everything better.” Don’t laugh; he was sugarcoating it. • December’s Army-Navy showdown saw the teams throw for a combined total of just 22 yards. My Grade 7 dance saw more progress made on passes. • Canadian tennis star Dennis Shapovalov capped off 2017 with two ATP awards: Most Improved Player and the ATP Star of Tomorrow. So he’s the Shap of things to come? • SportsCentre’s Jay and Dan said it can be a problem “having too many good ideas.” It’s the only problem not faced by the Cleveland Browns. • The Jags hoped a special-teamer could “turn the field” on the Bills’ Colton Schmidt, who hadn’t had a punt blocked or returned for a TD. In other words — a Schmidt-disturber. • Jennifer Lopez publicly suggested Alex Rodriguez should be the next Yankees manager. Really? Last anyone heard, A-Rod had his hands full managing himself. • Turkish authorities want four years in prison for the Knicks’ Enes Kanter for insulting his country’s president. “A crime?” said Knicks players. “In America we call that a pastime.”
RJ’s Groaner of the Week While watching the USA-Canada junior hockey game at a friend’s, nobody noticed his dog eating the Christmas tree trimmings. Now the vet says it has tinselitis.
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Views of the World
The Royal Wedding could be Trumpless
C Chong, on the Las Vegas Knights being the most successful first year team in the history of all major sports: “Their home record is an astonishing 17-2-1 at this point. Are they really that good, or does the policy of having the visiting team partaking in the ‘two-drink minimum’ have anything to do with this?” • A piece of trivia for you: “No one knows who invented the fire hydrant because its patent was burned in a fire.” • Janice Hough, on a blizzard causing a major crash involving about 75 vehicles, shutting down a highway near Buffalo: “Maybe someone shouldn’t have said hell would freeze over before the Bills made playoffs.” • From Torben Rolfsen: “Did the Cincinnati Bengals sign Marvin Lewis to a two-year extension so he can spend a 16th and 17th season looking for that elusive playoff win? If it doesn’t work out, the Detroit Lions are interested.” • From Michael Scissons, business manager for the P.A. Raiders: “You know when outdoor games were a good idea? The first time they had one. The second one was half as exciting and everything since then has been a nuisance.” • Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, when asked what it means to give back to the community: “Because we are rich as hell and we don’t need it all and other people need it. Then you are an ass if you don’t give it. Pretty simple.” • From Hough: “Carson Palmer says he is retiring from the NFL. ‘The first time’s the hardest,’ responded Brett Favre.” • From Rolfsen: “Will James Harrison go into Canton as a Steeler or Patriot?” • Canada’s team of the year should have been Rachel Homan’s curling squad, not our national under-19 basketball team. Homan’s team won the national and world curling titles and the Olympic qualifier. • Hough, on rumours President Trump has threatened to cancel his visit to Britain
if Obama attends Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding: “And millions of Brits are begging Harry to invite Barack, Michelle and the whole family.” • Slava Malamud points out on Twitter how the times have changed: “Think about this. The phrase ‘the Bill are in the playoffs’ had never been tweeted, posted on Facebook, or uttered by an Uber driver. It has never been streamed. It has never been blogged. It had been faxed though.” • A factoid from Hough: NFL teams that started 0-2 in 2017: Jets, Bengals, Browns, Colts, Chargers, Bears, Saints, Giants and 49ers. One of them is in playoffs. • Chong, on comedian Louis CK being accused of sexual misconduct; supposedly pleasuring himself in front of several accusers. “Does this give new meaning to stand-up comic?” • A tweeter named @gotchawa, on coverage of the world junior tournament: “I realize how painful it is to listen to TSN announcers make stories out of nothing for 10 days. They gushed about how (released defenceman) Mahura took it so well and hugged Fabbro and wished him luck. What was he supposed to do? Rip the paper towel dispenser off the wall and pants him?” • With the Bills making the playoffs, the Seattle Mariners are now the major sports team with the longest playoff drought. The Mariners last played in the postseason in 2001. • From Chong: “How cold is it on the Eastern Seaboard? It’s so cold, Boston is having an Ice Tea Party.” • From the Twitter account of @nachosarah: “Shout out to whoever made Trump’s nuclear button huge so it will be harder to press with his tiny hands.” • Wise New Year’s words from Paris Hilton: “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” Has she ever read a book?