St. Albert Leader - Nov. 24, 2011 by St. Albert Leader

Photo: glenn cook, St. Albert leader

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

Downtown gears up Council asks Lead for Snowflake Fest for report on INDEX the

News . . . . . . . . . 3 Opinion . . . . . . . . 8 Entertainment . . . . . 14 Health . . . . . . . 16 stalbertjobs.com . . . . 19

COVER

Carmen Bokenfohr of Concept Jewelry Design on Perron Street trims her Christmas tree just in time for the Snowflake Festival, taking place in downtown St. Albert on Friday night. See story, page 3.

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THIS DAY IN HISTORY NOV. 24, 1905

William Mackenzie and Donald Mann complete the Canadian Northern Railway to Edmonton, as Lt.-Gov. G.H.V. Bulyea drives home a silver spike.

GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

Like its namesake, it seems that no two Snowflake Festivals are exactly the same. Now in its third year since being taken over by the St. Albert Chamber of Commerce, the downtown St. Albert Christmas kickoff festival is back Friday evening with a few new twists for the holiday season. Some of the new activities this year include a handbell concert at St. Albert Place, a fire juggler and Christmas films every halfhour at Grandin Theatres. Of course, some of the old standards are back once again, like horse-and-wagon rides, live reindeer, crafts, Christmas carolling and — the undisputed star of the show — a visit from Santa Claus himself. But none of those is what Chamber of Commerce events manager Debbie Grant is most excited about. “What am I most excited about? The good weather,” she said with a laugh, “for families to come out and enjoy the festival.” While all the festivities are going on, several shops in the downtown Perron District will also be open extended hours to give festivalgoers a chance to get a head start on Christmas shopping. But Carmen Bokenfohr, owner of Concept Jewelry Design, said that, for her, it’s less about bringing customers through the doors and more about showing what

downtown St. Albert has to offer. “To me, it’s about celebrating St. Albert, and the heart of the city is the place to do it,” Bokenfohr said. “If you’re taking a look at any festival that goes on, it’s typically in the heart of the city, the downtown. I’m honestly not looking for any kind of return from it.” That call to the heart of St. Albert is something that Bokenfohr said she has seen more and more people answering over the past few years, even though she’s often manning her shop and passing out popcorn during the festival. “To me, it’s gotten busier, and I think it’s become more organized with the Chamber [taking over],” she said. “It actually has a name and there’s more advertising being done, more branding being done.” “We’re getting more sponsors, we’re getting more volunteers from the community, and the community actually wants to participate in the event itself,” Grant added. And it helps everyone — merchants and participants alike — get into the Christmas spirit. “Other than all the Christmas music playing on the radio right now,” Bokenfohr laughed, “to me, it’s the beginning of Christmas for the downtown, for sure.” To make room for the festival, which starts at 6:30 p.m., Perron Street and St. Thomas Street will be closed at 5 p.m. Friday. For more information on the Snowflake Festival and a map of all the activities, visit www.stalbertleader.com.

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drug shops

GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

St. Albert city council fired the latest salvo in their fight against stores selling drug paraphernalia in the city on Monday. At their regular meeting, councillors unanimously passed a motion put forward by Mayor Nolan Crouse for City of St. Albert staff to report back with a list of policy and bylaw amendments that could be made to curb “the selling of materials and products by local businesses that is often connected to the illegal drug industry.” Crouse pointed to conditions placed on such shops by the City of Vancouver in their business licensing bylaw as an example St. Albert could follow. “What I’m trying to do with this is make sure we’re out in front of this. ... We should at least be out in front of this instead of reacting,” he said. He also produced a thick stack of nearly 200 letters that he has received on the matter recently, mostly to do with the planned opening of a store in an Akinsdale strip mall that was eventually quashed. “It’s an indication of how much emotion there is and how much tension there is around this issue,” he said. The rest of city council was on board with the report, with some even suggesting that changes to the City’s land use bylaw be considered so that, even if such shops could not be banned, they could only be located in certain areas. “It’s up to us as community leaders to address this issue, to ensure that our youth and our residents are well served and do not fall victim to some of these items that are sold,” Coun. Cam MacKay said. The report from City staff is due back to council by Dec. 19.

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

$6.8 million announced for Big Lake Pointe GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

Christmas has come early for officials at the St. Albert Housing Society. The society’s Big Lake Pointe project was one of nine included in a three-year, $121-million affordable housing funding announcement from both the federal and provincial governments Friday morning. In total, the project will receive $6,787,554 this year. St. Albert Housing Society executive director Doris Vandersteen said she was over the moon with news of the announcement. “To be able to bring 78 affordable housing homes to St. Albert is just absolutely amazing,” she said. The funding announced Friday will be enough to see the project straight through from groundbreaking to completion. The plans for Big Lake Pointe call for a four-storey apartment development to be built with the help of a private developer on 3.2 acres of land in the North Ridge subdivision. Rents will be a mixture of affordable and market rates, with 78 units designated as affordable. There will be one-, two- and three-bedroom units, with 28 barrier-free units set aside for people with

Photo: LYLE ASPINALL, Sun Media News Services

Diane Ablonczy (right) and Doug Griffiths sign an agreement between the provincial and federal governments on a $121-million investment in affordable housing in Calgary on Friday. disabilities. “It has been a long time coming,” Vandersteen said. “We first began working on Big Lake Pointe in late 2009. ... The project has evolved a little bit and been fleshed out during that time, and it’s ready to go. And we’re delighted to have the

funding to make it a reality.” Meanwhile, Mayor Nolan Crouse was also excited, especially given that affordable housing has been one of St. Albert city council’s biggest priorities. “We had been hearing that it would be coming any day for, I don’t even know —

weeks, it seemed like,” he said. “But the good news is the announcement has come.” Over the past five years, the City of St. Albert has taken big strides in affordable housing, including the introduction of a basement suite program and the support of the Habitat for Humanity project in Akinsdale. “We’ve put a lot of time and effort into it, and each time you put in some effort, you get some results, and this is another example,” Crouse said. The funding announcement was made in Calgary, where Diane Albonczy, Conservative MP for Calgary-Nose Hill and federal minister of state of foreign affairs, and provincial Municipal Affairs Minister Doug Griffiths were joined by many housing partner organizations from across the province. “Housing is one of the most important investments that any family makes,” Griffiths said. “It’s one of the most important ways to make sure our economy is strong. If people don’t have housing, it’s very hard for them to hold donw jobs and raise their children.” “All Canadians need a stable, safe and affordable place to call home. That is fundamental to good quality of life,” added Ablonczy.

business plan and budget 2012-2014

On October 31, 2011, City of St. Albert Administration presented to Council the proposed Business Plan and Budget for 2012-2014. City Council will deliberate the proposed budget through November, with Council approval of the 2012-2014 Municipal/Utility budget on December 19, 2011.

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Residents have numerous opportunities throughout the budget deliberations to review the plans and budget projections, and to provide input throughout the process. UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES: November 24 and 29, December 1 (if required) You are invited to provide input to the budget at 3:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, St. Albert Place, 5 St. Anne Street. For the business plan, budget, and schedule listing all public input opportunities, please visit the Budget 2012 page on www.stalbert.ca.

facebook.com/cityofstalbert twitter.com/cityofstalbert

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

O Lever as 70 ed %

Photo: GLENN COOK, St. Albert Leader

Canadian Western Bank president and CEO Larry Pollock speaks to the crowd at the St. Albert Housing Society’s third annual HomeStyle Breakfast Tuesday at the St. Albert Inn and Suites.

Society gets crackin’ GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

With new federal and provincial funding under its belt, the St. Albert Housing Society got cracking on its newest fundraising initiative at a breakfast this week. The society held their third annual HomeStyle Breakfast Tuesday morning at the St. Albert Inn and Suites, where they launched the HomeTown fundraising campaign, which aims to raise $1.5 million to go toward affordable housing initiatives in St. Albert. “There’s always lots of competition ... there are so many areas that need help,” said executive director Doris Vandersteen. “I think it’ll take the community to really get behind us and work toward this. But I think the community really wants to bring affordable housing to St. Albert.” The campaign is starting strong, with $255,000 in donations and contributions already committed. It was announced on Friday that the

society was successful in obtaining $6.8 million in federal and provincial affordable housing funding for their Big Lake Pointe project in North Ridge, which will consist of 118 units, 78 of which are slated to be set at affordable rental rates, and should be open by 2013. The money raised through the HomeTown campaign will give the society the opportunity to implement support programs and services at Big Lake Pointe, as well as make more units affordable. The breakfast itself was a great success, with the tables nearly packed and thousands of dollars raised through a live auction, with Mayor Nolan Crouse as the auctioneer. “I’m absolutely thrilled. There was a good energy. I think everyone was absolutely in the spirit of celebration and looking forward,” Vandersteen said. The guest speaker for the breakfast was Larry Pollock, president and CEO of Canadian Western Bank, who spoke about the economic situation in Canada and around the world.

Ken Allred, MLA & Staff, Wish to celebrate the

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

Students, minister bust a move against bullying GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

It was snowy and cold outside, but some local students and dignitaries heated things up in Edmonton’s Kingsway Garden Mall during the lunch hour on Thursday, Nov. 17. Approximately 130 students from five Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools were joined by GSACRD superintendent David Keohane, trustee Jacquie Hansen, Alberta Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk and CTV meteorologist Josh Classen, entertaining the lunchtime crowd at the mall’s food court with a spontaneous dance number that also served to get the word out about National Bullying Awareness Week. “I was about 10 seconds behind on every move, and about two beats off,” Lukaszuk said with a laugh after the flash mob wrapped up. “But it’s quite a bit of exercise for a lunch hour, right after I had a taco.” Even though his dance steps weren’t quite up to par, Lukaszuk said it was still important for him to come out and lend his support to the anti-bullying message. “You have to lead by example,” he said. “If I’m saying that eradicating bullying is important to me, then I have to show that it truly is.” The awareness week coincides with the launch of a new anti-bullying campaign from the provincial government, which Lukaszuk said would be different from others that have run in the past by being much more prevalent. “It will be much more vocal. It’s an in-your-face campaign,” he said. “We’re waging a war on bullying and we’re making Albertans aware that bullying happens everywhere. It leads to suicides; it’s a very serious matter. It’s not only something that happens in schools.” There will also be anti-bullying measures in the new Education Act, which is expected to be tabled in the Alberta Legislature in the spring. Students participating in the flash mobs were from Morinville Community High School, St. Albert Catholic High School, École Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d’Youville, Richard S. Fowler Junior

Cool critter Photo: glenn cook, St. Albert leader

West Edmonton Mall animal trainer Chelsea Roberts holds Dayo, a three-year-old male African penguin, during a presentation prior to a screening of Happy Feet Two Saturday at Grandin Theatres.

Council hikes license fees

GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader Photo: glenn cook, St. Albert leader

Education Minister Thomas Lukaszuk smiles as the flash mob dance routine he was part of at Kingsway Garden Mall on Thursday, Nov. 17, finishes up. High and Vincent J. Maloney Junior High. Hansen, who also serves as the president of the Alberta School Boards Association, said that teachers and education leaders have a big role to play in making sure anti-bullying messages get through. “At the end of the day, we have to help our kids understand from inside that hurting somebody else is [devastating],” she said. “They have to learn the empathy — what’s it like to walk in another person’s shoes?” That extends to cyberbullying, she added, which can be forgotten since it’s harder to detect and doesn’t happen on school grounds. “If we don’t actually teach our kids not to bully, it will continue to be something that’s unseen,” Hansen said. “But if we can actually give them a conscience to say, ‘We’re not going to do this,’ then we’ll see a decline in [bullying]. It really is about empowering the kids to stand up to bullying.”

Doing business in St. Albert will get a little more expensive next year for businesses not registered in the city. St. Albert city council gave three readings Monday afternoon to their business license bylaw for 2012, raising non-residential rates from $425 to $600 if issued before Sept. 1 and from $250 to $350 if issued after Sept. 1 for licenses that expire on Dec. 31 of the same calendar year. “This does convey a strong message to our existing businesses that we want businesses coming from outside the community that don’t pay taxes [here] to at least pay something for doing business in the community,” Coun. Malcolm Parker said. Much of the debate on this issue actually occurred at a committee

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of the whole meeting during budget deliberations on Thursday, Nov. 10. At that time, some councillors were worried about some businesses not bothering to get St. Albert business licenses due to the hike but still doing business in the city, or others deciding not to work in the city at all. Others, however, felt that St. Albert’s non-residential rates were already too low compared to other municipalities in Alberta, and that the hike wouldn’t be enough to dissuade too many businesses. “What’s fair is fair,” Mayor Nolan Crouse said at that meeting. The increase could mean an extra $140,000 for the City of St. Albert in 2012, but if not all non-residential businesses get a license, staff estimated Monday a more realistic figure would be $80,000.

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

Kinettes kick off hamper campaign Saturday GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

After their busiest year ever in 2010, the St. Albert Kinettes are gearing up for another hectic holiday season with their annual Christmas hamper campaign. The campaign kicks off Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Albert Centre. Kinettes public relations coordinator Erica Samis said that, in 2010, 229 hampers were handed

out, and the club is expecting just as much demand this year. “We’re expecting anywhere between 200 and 220 this year,” she said. “With the times everyone is having these days, maybe there is more need in the community,” she added. While the kickoff event is more about making people aware the campaign is going on, the most donations every year come from the Fill-A-Bus event out on by St.

Albert Transit drivers. After the Fill-A-Bus event, the donations are trucked back to the Kinsmen Banquet Centre in Riel Park, sorted and sent out with volunteer delivery drivers. As well, Apex Casino has donated turkeys, and Edmonton Potato Growers Ltd. has donated 2,300 pounds of potatoes. Samis said she volunteered for last year’s campaign and liked what the Kinettes did so much that she decided to join.

SCAN TO READ

“Seeing the amount of everything that was donated — from toys to food — was just great,” she said. “And to see the number of people come out to stuff the hampers and deliver the hampers — there were just constantly people coming down and offering to lend a hand,” she added. “It was awesome.” Anyone wishing to volunteer is asked to call campaign chair Karen Mehok at 780-418-3930.

‘Council to look at false alarm penalties’ at

stalbertleader.com

THIS WEEK

www.stalbertsportscity.com

IT’S TIME WE GOT ACQUAINTED Welcome to the first of a number of regular paid features depicting St. Albert Sports City that will appear in the new St. Albert Leader. The purpose of the features is to acquaint St. Albert citizens with this innovative and remarkable development and its progress. John Sutherland

Edmonton Prospects Baseball Club Head Coach & Director of Sales/Ticketing Tel: (587) 985-0516 Email: pjsutherland13@hotmail.com #207, 125 Carleton Drive St. Albert, Alberta, Canada T8N 3S6

St. Albert Sports City is being developed by SAS Sports & Entertainment Group, which is comprised of St. Albert and area business people and local sports enthusiasts. The group became linked through a strong common interest in the betterment of the community and the need to add more sports facilities to a growing St. Albert. They are committed to excellence and integrity in sports, business and community service. Our vision is to integrate residential living with major sports facilities and development programs, ample public spaces, restaurants and shops: truly a unique and signature community. This 240-acre new community located in the northwest quadrant of St. Albert combines many of the amenities that are necessary to create a more enriching and vibrant lifestyle. The core of the community, its major sports facilities, development programs, highly specialized trainers and sports academies, will appeal to all levels of elite, aspiring and recreational athletes from St. Albert, throughout Northern Alberta and beyond. The model is being tested at Athletes Nation, which is located at 125 Carleton Drive in Campbell Park. We’re pleased to report St. Albert Sports City, having had City Council approval, is progressing through its next stage of development, an Area Structure Plan, one of a number of steps required by the City and the Government of Alberta.

SAS Sports Bus Tours 50-passenger luxury bus available for charters. Call Tracy at 780-975-3539 or info@atheletesnation.com #207, 125 Carleton Drive, St. Albert, Alberta T8N 3S6 Services Offered: Therapeutic Massage Sport Massage Relaxation Massage Hot Stone Massage Laser Therapy Dr. Vodder’s Lymph Drainage Postural Enhancement Post Surgical Massage

To learn more of the development of this unique and signature community, please visit us at: www.stalbertsportscity.com

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

OPINION

iStAlbert

Protests have lost the plot

Here’s what people are saying about #StAlbert on Twitter:

@kristaosborne

merican anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” But, while the Occupy movement — and especially Occupy Edmonton — by Glenn Cook started out as one of those groups of thoughtful, committed citizens with noble goals of changing the world, their recent actions have only served to prove that they have completely forgotten the point of their protests. On Tuesday, the Occupy Edmonton protesters, who have taken up residence for the past two months at a privately owned park on Jasper Avenue and 102 Street, held a press conference to set out their demands to leave the park peacefully. Never mind the fact that protesters are on private property and have only stayed in that place by the grace of the park’s owners, Melcor Developments; the fact that there have already been numerous health and safety concerns; or the fact that a harsh Alberta winter has already begun to set in — their demands range from merely implausible to borderline ridiculous. Civic budget cuts to the tune of $10 million? Free post-secondary education? An end to corporate influence in the democratic process? They’re all wonderful ideals, but it seems that there has been precious little thought given to exactly how they will be achieved, and some seem like problems that have to be tackled on a much larger stage than Edmonton can provide. It’s time for Occupy protesters to pack up their tents and save face while they still can. Leaving their makeshift camp is not an admission of defeat. Their work can be continued — more effectively, in all likelihood — from places other than a tent city. The longer they stay in downtown Edmonton, the more they become a parody of themselves and undermine the ideals they claim to be fighting for. Indeed, a small group of people can change the world. But only if that world they are trying to change can take them seriously.

Out in #stalbert with more #abparty for @tim_osborne info. Trying to create change by using my feet not my mouth.

@CityofStAlbert

EDITORIAL

Parking ticket? Pay with toys and help those less fortunate. #stalbert Toys for Tickets. Info: http://ow.ly/7pgBW

@hansenjacquie Excellent Flashmobbing @ Kingsway mall! 130 St Albert Catholic stds take part in Nat Bully Prevention week. Stand up to bullying! #asba

Compiled by Swift Media Group swiftmedia.ca • @Swift_Media

Botanical Arts City brand work will pay off

t should be noted that, over the summer of 2011, there were many notable things that occurred in our community to further solidify St. Albert’s brand as the Botanical Arts City. There were 36 businesses who took advantage of the beautification program offered, joining dozens of other businesses whose frontage maintained a very well-groomed appearance. Additionally, there were 16 residents along St. Albert Trail who took advantage of a hops/clematis program. The community will soon see additional climbing vines along the noise barrier walls that exist along the Trail, joining those residents whose hops are now visible and who were leaders in these plantings several years ago.

Nolan

CROUSE St. Albert Mayor My City We have approximately 252 households and 342 people involved in the “Partners in the Parks” program. These are our neighbours who volunteer to help beautify the parks, flower beds and shrubs near their homes. The Spruce Up St. Albert program, now nine years old, has yielded remarkable results, and in May, 350 keen participants worked their way along the river, either cleaning garbage or planting more trees and shrubs along the river edge. Schools continued to contribute with river studies, planting and harvesting

Publisher: Rob LeLacheur rob@stalbertleader.com

Editor: Glenn Cook

glenn@stalbertleader.com

Sales Manager: Blake Bradburn blake@stalbertleader.com

school gardens, and river valley cleanup. There was work put toward new entrance signs and we will see signage improvements to the City’s entrances in 2012, each having a Botanical Arts element to their appearance. The rebuilding of the median on St. Albert Trail was begun and will see some beautiful foliage planted in 2012. The entire St. Albert Trail corridor is in need of improvements including its botanical state. Years of the harsh conditions of traffic, salting, sanding and snow removal have taken their toll. Dead tree removal and replacement continues as a key priority for the City’s Public Works staff as some of the boulevards and medians

Delivery concerns? Email us at delivery@stalbertleader.com All claims of errors in advertisements must be received in writing by the publisher within 5 days after the first publication. Liability for errors or failure to publish is limited to the amount paid for the space occupied. The opinions expressed within publication are not necessarily those of the St. Albert Leader or RJ Lolly Media. Material published may not be copied or reproduced with the express written consent of the publisher.

— such as those along Giroux Road and Boudreau Road — have required a significant amount of restoration. The Botanical Arts brand ultimately will pay its dividends as new businesses come to our community to cultivate their dreams of success. New businesses, tourism and various forms of economic development will be the result of the branding efforts. All these efforts are a result of the combination of several segments within our community: the notfor-profit organizations, volunteers, residents, schools, the business community and the city staff. Together, we will further earn the reputation as Canada’s Botanical Arts City. Owned and operated by

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

�� Friday, Nov.25th

6:30 - 9:00pm

Light Up St. Albert in the Downtown Perron District Park n Ride from Village Transit Station to Downtown Perron District

COMMUNITY HALL - SANTA’S NORTH POLE Christmas Tree Light Up @ 6:30 PM Visit Santa - 6:45-9:00 PM Colouring Contest Entry - St. Albert Leader Cookie decorating – Save On Foods Santa’s gift – Sturgeon Valley Athletic Club Snowflake ice sculpture

ST. ALBERT PLACE Fire and Ice - Reign of Fire performances @ 7:00, 7:45 and 8:30 PM - Sponsored by Margaret Geall - TMG The Mortgage Group Alberta Ltd. United in Bronze Hand bells – St. Albert United Church Food vendors: Pizza 73, Fat Franks hot dogs, and KGW Enterprises’ kettle corn popcorn Storytelling around Christmas tree - St. Albert Public Library @ 6:30, 7:00, 7:30 and 8:00 PM 3D glitter snowflake craft - City of St. Albert Christmas movie showing @ 6:45, 7:15, 7:45, 8:15 and 8:45 PM - Grandin Theatres Opening of Take Your Best Shot, a youth photo exhibition @ 7:00pm - Musée Héritage Museum Hot chocolate and cookies – Servus Credit Union Free gift – Special Olympics Canada Winter Games St. Albert

PERRON STREET Participating businesses in the Perron District will be open to the public during the festival Fill-A-Bus – St. Albert Transit Hot chocolate and coffee - St. Albert Breakfast Lion’s Club Art exhibit: Afghanistan Through My Lens - Art Gallery of St. Albert Christmas craft - Satellite studio, Art Galley of St. Albert Face painting – Perron Courtyard, The Red Door Home Design Hot chocolate - Salvation Army Fire Truck Live reindeer – Sam Elias RE/MAX Pick up shinny hockey game – Servus Place Christmas Carols by St. Albert Singer’s Guild Eva Sweet Waffles

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Advertising Feature

fresh sense of energy is in the air at the “new St. Albert Dodge” these days. From the sales department, through partsandservice,thedealershipisalive with new faces and a whole new way of making sure their customers feel special and important. It all starts with the new look. “We have the archway,andhavebrandedthedealershipproperly. We’re just waiting now for the new signage to go up,” says general manager Keith Guilbault. Inside, the resurgence in great customer relations is due in part to the new faces that have joined the staff. “Our parts manager Stacy Davis is more knowledgeable that any parts manager I’ve seen. She knows this business and these products inside and out.” In the service department, as well, the staff are thoroughly committed to the customercomes-first philosophy. It’s a clean, wellorganized shop where people take pride in the jobs they do. “Our service manager Randy Cozicar has almost 40 years of experience, and in fact, people from Chrysler sometimes call him with questions. When you combine our great staff with the new group of technicians and front-end advisors, he brought with him makes for a really

St. Albert Dodge dynamic team. They are all doing a great job. They’re so good with customers,” said Keith. “I have never had more positive responses from people calling to tell me how happy they are, how well they were looked after.” Honesty and fairness are solid business practices at St. Albert Dodge. “We don’t believe in gouging our customers,” Keith said. “We have lots of work, so we don’t have to manufacture business. If it doesn’t need doing, we’re not going to tell you it does. If we can see that something is wearing, or will need replacing soon, we will show it to you so you can make an informed decision about your vehicle. It’s a fair and responsible way of working in this business.”

In the sales department too, people from a variety of backgrounds are on hand to serve you. They are men and women from different age groups, some at the start of a second career, so they don’t fit into the old stereotypical mold of the “used car salesman,” Keith said. Customers looking for on-site financing will get all the help they need from Donna’s team in non-prime financing, Keith says. “If they can’t get you approved for financing at the lowest rates, then nobody can.” The new vehicles from Dodge are adding to the air of excitement at the dealership. St. Albert Dodge was chosen by Chrysler

Canada to receive some of the first 2012 SRT-8 vehicles in Edmonton. See the 300 SRT-8 and the Charger SRT-8 in the showroom now, and watch for the Grand Cherokee SRT-8 coming soon. “We look after all of our customers, and want them to feel good about their vehicle purchase,” Keith added. “We are taking special care of our neighbours in St. Albert. We want to WOW them. Everybody on our staff is dedicated to that. We have seen sales more than double in the past 18 months, so we know we’re on the right track.” Keith knows what he’s talking about when it comes to the automotive business and the vital importance of customer service. He has 33 years of experience overall, including parts, service and sales. “We are a customer-oriented dealership, and we all know that the only way we can maintain the reputation we are building is by having qualified, fully trained personnel. “Above all, we want every one of our customers to say these words after their purchase or service transaction with us: professional, knowledgeable, courteous, respectful of my time, helpful, thorough, sincere, fun, great experience, thoughtful, etc.” Log onto www.stalbertdodge.com for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

Jenkins family earns philanthropy award something that his parents instilled in him at a young age. “Even taking public transportation, it was Chad Jenkins doesn’t often find himself at a instilled in me — you have your [youth], you loss for words, but a honour given to him and have your health, you have your strength his family last week left him speechless. with you, so if you get on a bus and someone The City of St. Albert announced on Friday needs your seat, you stand up because that that the Jenkins family — owners of seven seat could be used by someone else that might Edmonton-area Tim Hortons franchises, need it more than you,” he said. “We’ve grown including four in St. Albert — were the up with that belief that, if there’s a need, you winners of the 2011 St. Albert Philanthropy respond.” Award, which recognizes local citizens for And being able to give back in St. Albert — a their contributions, monetary or otherwise, to community where sometimes the perception is the community. that help isn’t needed — is “It kind of caught me special and important for without words and that’s him. rare for me,” said Chad, “There are some things son of Joan and Art. “To be that just wouldn’t happen honest, we were caught a if those of us in business little by surprise. But we’re didn’t get involved to the Chad Jenkins the kind of people who extent that we do,” Chad Award recipient don’t do it for the exposure; said. “In some ways, it takes we just do it because there’s the pressure off and makes a need.” other things happen. We’re just trying to do Chad is partner in the franchises with our share.” Stephen Crumb, who is married to his sister Of course, as the Jenkins family owns a Justine. couple of franchises outside St. Albert proper, “They keep doing things day in and day their generosity also extends beyond the city’s out and when people come back and you get limits. In the past, they have supported the this kind of reward, you feel very proud,” Art Edmonton Humane Society, the Edmonton added. Police Service’s Ride for Cancer and the “We don’t do it for the recognition, but it Shinerama fundraiser for cystic fibrosis at the sure is nice when it happens.” University of Alberta. The list of local charities and events to which “The Jenkins family is extremely generous in the Jenkins family has lent its support is quite giving back to the community in every aspect lengthy, ranging from the annual Spruce of ‘giving,’” St. Albert Mayor Nolan Crouse Up the Sturgeon river cleanup to the Super said in a press release. “They provide financial Cities Walk for MS Society. They also sponsor support to many causes, they allow groups to several sporting events, like the annual St. post their information in their location, they Albert Ringette Turkey Ring Tournament supply their product to events, they volunteer and the John Reid Memorial bantam AAA ... and on and on. This is a well deserved tournament, and major St. Albert events like recognition for the family and we’re very the International Children’s Festival, Rock’n proud and fortunate to have such a fine family August and the Terry Fox Run. in St. Albert.” Chad said that giving back to the Past winners of the Philanthropy Award community and looking out for others was include Dan Roy (2009) and Ash Khan (2010).

GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

“We just do it because there’s a need.”

Perfect fit

Photo: glenn cook, St. Albert leader

Clare Holdsworth (right), 2, tries on a bracelet with the help of grandma Maureen Slater at the Country Craft Fair, held on Saturday at St. Albert Place.

Animal bylaw gets review in ’12 GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

The City of St. Albert could have a real catfight on their hands next year. At a regular meeting of city council Monday afternoon, Coun. Cathy Heron put forward a motion to have staff review the City’s animal control bylaw by September 2012, with the added possibility of licensing cats. City administration said a review of the bylaw was long overdue, but also warned that it could be a contentious issue among residents. “This will be somewhat of a polarizing bylaw, so this isn’t something that administration will be sitting in a secluded room

talking about,” said general manager of community and protective services Chris Jardine. “We will need to do some public consultation on this. We will need to do some survey work on this. It will take us some time to do this and do it well.” Heron added that she informally posed the question of licensing cats on Facebook recently, and the reaction, though passionate, was mixed. “Most people were OK with licensing. It was about 50-50 on whether we should leash them,” she said. “It’s going to take a lot of public consultation other than just council changing one word in a bylaw and causing a whole lot of problems for administration.” Other councillors wanted

to make sure other animal issues were also considered in the review, like raising chickens in residential backyards. The bylaw review will likely be spearheaded by the City’s municipal enforcement service, as they are on the frontlines of dealing with animal-related complaints. “[Municipal enforcement] has some ideas on what are typically causing some citizens issues in regard to animal control bylaw matters. They have a laundry list of things that are causing them problems from an enforcement perspective,” Jardine said. The City’s current animal control bylaw was first adopted in 1978 and consolidated in 2000.

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

Allred ready to support fixed elections GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

It’s not quite what he had hoped for back in 2008, but St. Albert Progressive Conservative MLA Ken Allred says he is prepared to support fixed election legislation slated for the fall sitting of the Alberta Legislature. “You can’t win ’em all, I guess,” Allred said with a laugh. “But I agree with the principle of fixed election dates.” Allred proposed fixed provincial election

dates in a private member’s bill tabled in April 2008. In that bill, he set his sights on the third Monday in October. The bill would have also extended municipal elected officials’ terms to four years, meaning Albertans would head to the polls on the same day every two years. The new legislation coming forward this fall, which fulfills one of Premier Alison Redford’s promises from the PC leadership campaign earlier this year, calls for a fixed election period, meaning Albertans would go to the polls every four years at some

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point between March 1 and May 31. when she wants to call it. There might Allred said he’s not a fan of winter be some inkling, but nobody knows for elections due to the weather, and spring sure,” he said. “It would certainly help the votes could be problematic as well. enumerators and the returning officers, “Particularly because of the snowbirds; because they would know exactly when it’s so many of them are away at that going to be.” time,” he said. “If you have it in Federally, the Conservative the fall, usually they haven’t gone Party of Canada enacted fixed away by then. And if they know election legislation in 2007, but it’s going to be the third Monday Prime Minister Stephen Harper [in October], they’ll probably stay asked the governor general to a few extra days to vote if they’re dissolve Parliament and call an interested.” election before the first proposed But he added, if spring is the fixed date of Oct. 19, 2009. way the premier is going, a election Ken Allred said there are measures period “makes sense” given that built into the new legislation that Allred St. Albert MLA holidays like Easter can fluctuate would allow for elections in case a and that municipalities may be minority government is defeated dealing with floods at that time of year. or other circumstances, but there will be “You need a little bit of flexibility there,” other provisions to get back on track as he said. well. Allred is still a big proponent of fixed “There will be a way to either extend the period to four and a half years or shorten it elections, though, because of the certainty to three and a half — something to get back it gives to both voters and candidates. into synch,” he said. “I know there were “[Currently,] really, the only person some difficulties in the wording of getting who knows when the election is going that right, but that’s going to be addressed.” to be is the premier, and she will call it

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St. Albert Trail could be looking a whole lot spiffier if Mayor Nolan Crouse has his way. At the regular meeting of St. Albert city council Monday afternoon, Crouse had a motion approved to form a committee that would develop the terms of reference for a plan to improve the looks and functionality of St. Albert Trail. “We’re doing piecemeal stuff already, and I want to bring it together,” he said. One of the ideas that will be floated at the committee is the creation of a business revitalization zone, wherein commercial tenants along the trail would pay a small levy to contribute to the beautification efforts.

“It might be an idea to help pay for this, because the biggest beneficiaries of this would be the businesses along the trail,” he said. Crouse pointed to several successful examples of BRZs in Edmonton, including 124 Street, 97 Street and 118 Avenue. Councillors were on board with the plan, passing the motion to strike the committee unanimously. “A closer look at St. Albert Trail will do wonders for our brand. That’s the biggest comment I get, that the Botanical Arts City brand, if you leave St. Albert Trail, you can recognize, but if you’re on St. Albert Trail, you can’t recognize it,” said Coun. Cathy Heron, who even volunteered to be council’s representative on the

committee. “It’s the lifeline through the city, and I believe this will bring great value,” added Coun. Wes Brodhead. The only minor concerns brought up centred around the possible creation of a set of engineering standards for St. Albert Trail that would be different from those for the rest of the city. “That would be a bit of a concern for me,” said Coun. Malcolm Parker. Parker also wondered aloud if the terms of reference would be reviewed by stakeholder groups like the St. Albert Economic Development Advisory Committee once drafted. The terms of reference should be ready for council’s review sometime in the first quarter of 2012.

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

ENTERTAINMENT

Peter Pan a family affair GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

For the Aisenstats, the St. Albert Children’s Theatre production of Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure is truly a family affair. Siblings Max, 14, Laura, 12, and Jillian, 8, all have roles in the play, which opens tonight (Thursday) at the Arden Theatre. Max plays John Darling, one of Wendy’s siblings who makes the trek to Neverland, while Laura and Jillian both play members of the Lost Boys gang. Being in the production together has given them all a big boost, a chance to bond and shoulders to lean on during preparations. “I feel like I can look out for my sisters while I’m in rehearsal, and I always have two other friends with me at rehearsal,” Max said. Their mother, Tracy, doesn’t mind, either, considering she can drop them all off at one place for their extracurricular activities. In fact, in the time the trio have

been involved with SACT, she has been privy to some command performances. “When they were rehearsing for Alexander, I was driving them home from rehearsals one day and they launched into one of the songs,” she said, noting the same hasn’t happened for Peter Pan because the kids want to keep it a surprise. “Max was Alexander, so he was doing the lead role bit, and [Laura and Jillian] were doing the chorus part, and I was like ‘Oh my God!’ Not many parents get to experience that on the drive home.” But, even more amazing is the confidence and self-esteem she has seen them develop. “I definitely see leadership skills, learning how to work closely with different personalities,” she said. “Being a group of three, they have to learn how to deal with each other’s personalities, but this is on an even larger scale.” Dad Kelly added that SACT

also offers a support network and opportunities to see both sides of a mentoring relationship. “The kids are so nice and so supportive,” he said. “It’s sometimes different than the experiences at school. It’s a pretty tight group, a good network.” Being the eldest, Max was the first to venture into SACT, auditioning for Narnia in 2006 when he was in Grade 4. “I thought it would be a very fun thing to pursue,” Max said. “It was a new thing to try, and I thought it would be quite fun. And it was.” Laura and Jillian soon followed suit — although, unlike her siblings, Laura had to audition three times before landing her first role. “I wanted to know what they did when we dropped them off at rehearsal,” Jillian said. “I didn’t really want to be in theatre,” Laura added, “but once I saw Max on stage, it kind of convinced me that I should try

Photo: GLENN COOK, St. Albert Leader

Siblings (L-R) Laura, Max and Jillian Aisenstat all take the stage together in St. Albert Children Theatre’s production of Peter Pan: A Musical Journey. this.” As opening night drew closer, none of the three Aisenstat kids said they were too nervous — not even Jillian, who is only in her second SACT production. “I feel like the show’s really coming together,” Max said. “I didn’t think we’d be done by opening night,” added Laura. “It was taking a lot of time to develop, but it’s really coming together.

That lack of nerves goes for Max, who will be one of the cast members hoisted above the stage in a flying harness for some scenes. “I’ve never done it before, and I never thought I’d get to,” he said. “Now, it’s just like, ‘Wow!’” Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure runs at the Arden Theatre until Dec. 4. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or the Arden box office.

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

Segel carves his own path with Muppets LIZ BRAUN Sun Media News Services

There’s something inherently Muppetlike about Jason Segel, and we mean that in the nicest way. Funny, positive and apparently capable of child-like wonder in adult life, the same guy you saw naked in Forgetting Sarah Marshall has engineered a comeback for his fabric friends in The Muppets, a hugely entertaining film that opened Wednesday. Segel, who claims The Muppets were his first real comic influence, co-wrote and stars in the film; his human co-stars include Amy Adams and Chris Cooper, and there are many cameo appearances in the film from Muppet-loving celebrities. Segel, 31, is currently at the top of his game. Writing and starring in Forgetting Sarah Marshall three years ago made him a very big deal in Hollywood, and between his success on TV’s How I Met Your Mother and in such films as I Love You, Man, Despicable Me and Bad Teacher, Segel is among the most successful grads of the Judd Apatow school of laughs. Hard to believe he was more or less out of work for a few years. Segel wrote his way back into the game after early TV success on Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared led nowhere. So, at 20, he just picked up a pen? “Well, it was a case of necessity truly is the mother of invention,” he says. “I wasn’t

Photo: Sun Media News Services

Cast members Mickey Rooney (left) and Jason Segel (second from left) talk to the Muppets at the world premiere of the new Muppets movie in Hollywood on Saturday, Nov. 12. getting the roles I wanted. Judd Apatow took me aside and said, ‘You’re not a typical leading man.’ I think what he actually said was, ‘You’re a very weird dude.’ He told me, ‘The only way you’re going to make it is if you start writing your own material, because then they can’t take it away from you.’” Segel grew up in Los Angeles and showed an interest in acting while he was still in school. At 6’4”, he also found a niche in basketball in high school and has two state championships to show for it.

“I come from a family of intellectuals,” he says, adding his parents were OK with him becoming a full-time actor at age 18. “I think because of the way they raised me, I’ve always had the belief that I could accomplish anything. And I don’t think my parents had any interest in shattering that quality in me by telling me I wasn’t going to make it as an actor.” His willingness to keep trying, says Segel, is what has made him successful. “I kind of grew up with this picture of the world that what most people are held back

Kunis keeps her promise to Marine SUN MEDIA NEWS SERVICES — Mila Kunis made a Marine’s YouTube wish come true, when the actress kept her promise to be his date at the Marine Corps Ball in Greenville, N.C. Kunis attended the event at the Greenville Convention Center on Friday night with Sgt. Scott Moore, according to Access Hollywood. The event was closed to media. Moore invited Kunis to the soiree in a YouTube video posted in July, from a base in Afghanistan. “Hey, Mila. It’s Sgt. Moore, but you can call me Scott,” he said in the video. “I just wanted to take a moment out of my day to invite you to the Marine Corps Ball on Nov. 18 in Greenville, N.C., with yours truly. So take a second, think about it and get back to me.” A message left with Kunis’s publicist in New York was not returned Sunday. Their date took place less than a week after Kunis’s Friends with Benefits co-star, Justin Timberlake, escorted a Marine Corps combat instructor to a ball in Richmond, Va. Timberlake, who publicly encouraged Kunis to accept Moore’s invitation, received a similar proposal soon afterward from Cpl. Kelsey De Santis. On his website, the singer-turned actor called the Nov. 12 Marine Corps Ball he attended with De Santis “one of the most moving evenings” of his life.

Photo: Sun Media News Services

Actress Mila Kunis made a U.S. Marine’s YouTube wish come true when she accompanied him to a military ball on Friday in Greenville, N.C

by is fear,” he says. “It’s like kids in math class, and how at a certain point some of them make the mental decision that they’re not good at math, and that’s it. I’ve learned to add ‘right now’ to the end of any feeling I get of not being able to do something. Like, ‘I can’t play piano — right now.’ Or, ‘I don’t know how to write a script — right now.’ Then it becomes perfectly changeable. And all you have to do is learn how to do it. So, and I’m not being modest, it can’t be that I’m gifted at acting, and gifted at writing and gifted at playing the piano. It’s just that I’m not afraid. I’m willing to make it through that, ‘I’m not good at it yet’ part.” Segel is a gifted writer, musician and actor, no matter how hard he tries to downplay his own talent. He and his frequent co-writer/collaborator Nicholas Stoller — who directed Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Get Him to the Greek — actually have a secret weapon in what they do, and Segel will tell you what that is: “We both like women. That’s one of the things that differentiates us from other maledriven comedy teams.” Indeed it does. “We really, really like writing movies about the ins and outs and eccentricities of relationships,” he continues. “Nick is married and has an unbelievably healthy and good relationship with his wife and I really like the company of women and get along well with women. We write our women with a lot of love.”

Gibb on TV with troops declined to answer questions SUN MEDIA NEWS SERVICES about his health during an — Ailing star Robin Gibb proved his devotion to Britain’s interview with Titchmarsh. Discussing the track, Gibb armed forces on Monday by told the host, “It’s performing with an emotional appeal soldiers on U.K. TV. because when your The Bee Gees legend back is against the was hospitalized in wall, human beings Oxford, England, tend to think about earlier this month those things that after suffering are most important acute abdominal — home, kids and pains, caused by life in general, and inflammation of the Robin girlfriends ... colon. Gibb “That’s why it was He was discharged Bee Gees legend so important for me last week and to do everything possible to the singer honoured his support this record.” commitments by turning up The 61-year-old star then for an appearance on The Alan performed the tune with Titchmarsh Show to promote singing trio The Soldiers, “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to a British band comprised You,” the single he recorded to of Cpl. Ryan Idzi, Sgt. Maj. raise money for troops. Gary Chilton and Sgt. Richie Gibb stunned viewers with Maddocks. his gaunt appearance, but

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

HEALTH

With child, without sleep MARILYN LINTON Sun Media News Services

Tanya Sheerin is looking forward to sleeping once her baby is born. During the latter stages of her pregnancy, she figures she’s averaging only about five hours of sleep a night. “I guess it trains you for when the baby comes home — or that’s my theory,” chuckles the Toronto mom and TV producer. In these, the last few weeks of her pregnancy, she finds herself waking up at 3 a.m. and not falling back to sleep. “Sleeping is not comfortable,” she says, adding in the last few months she’s also experienced restless leg syndrome a couple of hours before bed. “It drives me nuts,” she complains of the compulsive need to stretch her

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limbs. Plus, she began to snore — sometimes so loud she wakes herself up, forcing her husband to go to another floor for a bit of shut-eye. Sheerin is the kind of mom-tobe Dr. Robyn Stremler is looking for. The assistant professor in the faculty of nursing at the University of Toronto is conducting one of the first studies to take a comprehensive look at the effects of sleep disturbance on women during and post-pregnancy. “I have always worked with pregnant and post-partum women in various maternal-newborn settings and I have always been struck by how the effects of lack of sleep accumulate in those stages,” says Stremler whose Sleep TYME study is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. “When I started to look for advice that I could give to the women with whom I work, I found there wasn’t much out there. Hence, the research project.” Sleep TYME stands for Sleep Throughout Your Motherhood Experience and the study, explains Stremler, will help sleep specialists learn how common sleep problems are and what factors make them more likely to occur in pregnancy. “In pregnancy, there are a lot of physical changes going on and those tend to interfere with sleep,” she says. “In the beginning, it may be due to having to get up to go to the bathroom that disrupts sleep. Then, as pregnancy progresses and you get more unwieldy, it’s difficult to find a comfortable position. “Also pregnancy is an exciting

time, but it’s also a life changer,” Stremler says. “Some women report they wake up more frequently and have trouble getting back to sleep. They end up reading, or making lists, and there may be increased anxiety as labour approaches — particularly a first labour.”

“There are a lot of physical changes going on.” Dr. Robyn Stremler Researcher Stremler adds there is also a hormonal side that affects sleep: “Progesterone goes way up in pregnancy and makes you feel sleepy which is why many women feel sleepier during the day.” Some women develop sleep apnea during late pregnancy and snoring is not uncommon. “Some women have trouble breathing, partly because of added weight which you need, plus the extra blood volume that’s created means that your circulation just has to work harder to get that extra fluid out of the way,” she says. “Some women even get nasal congestion, which also interferes with sleep.” Getting a good night’s sleep may be difficult before and after the baby comes, but sleep is critically important not only for women but for their families. Sleep, or lack of it, affects everything from how you parent to how you relate to your partner. This study will provide needed insight into the impact of sleep

Photo: Sun Media News Services

Sleepless nights don’t start when the baby arrives. Many pregnant women find themselves tossing and turning. disturbance on women, both during and following pregnancy; its purpose is to develop ways to find, prevent and treat sleep problems in order to improve the health of moms and babies. The Sleep TYME study is recruiting 600 women. To be in the study you have to be having your first baby, and be less than five months pregnant. Participation in

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the study involves four telephone interviews, and participants receive a $25 gift card for their involvement. More importantly, they get to contribute to important research on how sleep influences childbearing and overall health for Canadian families. For more information, visit www. stremlerresearch.com.

Sleep tips and facts • Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, is a neurological condition in which symptoms include unpleasant feelings in the legs, sometimes described as creepy, tingly or achy. Common in pregnancy, RLS is thought to be related to the amount of iron in the blood, which tends to decrease because of the baby’s additional needs.

• Everything from extra pillows to drinking warm milk is worth a try to bring on a good night’s sleep. Also worth looking into: Relaxation techniques, deep breathing, yoga, massage and stretching. If you can’t sleep, no need to lie there to toss and turn, says sleep researcher Dr. Robyn Stremler: “Better to get up and do a bit of a reset.”

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

KID’S Colouring Contest Bring your completed Colouring page to the St. Albert Snowﬂake Festival Friday, November 25th 6:30 - 9:00pm at Santa’s North Pole located inside the St. Albert Community Hall

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Winners will be randomly drawn and published in the Dec.1st, 2011 issue of the St. Albert Leader

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

Breaking bread, building bonds

surviving. The dinner table is a great place to grow relationships. Problem is, according to Meals heal. Dr. Charlotte Reznick, a child educational Dinnertime doesn’t simply fuel bodies — psychologist, families are on overdrive with it nourishes hearts and emotional health. dual careers and highly scheduled children Studies show that sitting down to family — the mealtime connection is dissolved, dinner several nights a week not only replaced by junk food on the go. boosts grades, confidence and motivation, But it’s crucial to family health to come but teens are also less likely to drink up with a workable solution, even if it’s one alcohol, smoke or do drugs. Frequent night set aside for family connection. family meals also reduce stress and the “No matter how crazy busy your lives incidence of childhood obesity, as well as are, find a mealtime ritual that works for depression and suicidal behaviour. your family,” says Reznick, author of The According to psychotherapist Mary Power of Your Child’s Imagination: How Jo Rapini, one of the to Transform Stress and leading causes of teens Anxiety into Joy and committing suicide Success. is feeling lonely, and There’s nothing like a disengaged. laughter-filled table to “A family that sits release the stress of the down and enjoys the day with people whom Mary Jo Rapini community of one you love and who love Psychotherapist another at dinnertime you, says Reznick. bridges that sense of “It’s a great time to loneliness and assures the child they are hear about everyone’s experience — highs, part of a greater ‘family community’ that lows, funny moments, silly seconds,” loves and accepts them,” Rapini says. Reznick says. “Plus, the understanding A strong family bond may be an antidote that comes from knowing someone really to teen suicide. Dr. Wendy Walsh, a listens to you, that a family member is on human behaviour expert for CNN, says your team, is exhilarating, cathartic and family support, not peer support, provides healing.” protection against teen suicidal behaviour. Food symbolizes love. “When our family “A new study out of the University of honours meal time enough to join together Washington shows that a strong family — eating and sharing the day’s events — it bond reduces depression and suicidal is an expression of love and caring. Your thoughts in teens who had at least one child feels it, and knows they are loved,” suicide attempt in the past,” Walsh says. adds Rapini, of www.maryjorapini.com. Non-judgmental attitudes of family often Meanwhile, when it comes to technology provide the much-needed psychological at the table, practise what you preach. support for teens who suffer from This is the time parents really have to depression. “Teen peers, on the other hand, pay attention to what their behaviour is use judgments and teasing to create group teaching their kids, says Reznick, of www. conformity,” Walsh says. imageryforkids.com. “Strong bonds can reduce depression in “If you don’t want your kids on their spouses, kids and teens — relationships cellphones or playing video games on their heal,” says Walsh, of www.wendywalsh. iPad, if it’s important to keep that family com. time sacred, then it’s an easy answer,” Adolescence is a tumultuous time and Reznick says. “Zero technology at the table. communication is essential to thriving and No excuses, rare exceptions.”

JOANNE RICHARD Sun Media News Services

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You! Deliver the St. Albert Leader

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Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

STALBERTJOBS.COM

Working from home? Maybe not STEFANIA MORETTI Sun Media News Services

Photo: Sun Media News Services

Working from home may be filled with distractions, says a new survey.

A new survey has found nearly one-third of all remote workers spend one hour or less on the job when working from home. Results from a new CareerBuilder.ca survey released Thursday show that just 13 per cent of telecommuters spend eight hours or more working, and 45 per cent work between four and seven hours. Overall, just one in five Canadians have the flexibility to work from home, the job site found. Of them, roughly 25 per cent tend to work in pajamas.

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to grow your career in a place where people care? Our employees take pride in providing more than 60,000 residents with high-quality programs and services. A wide array of opportunities are available to suit your passion and experience. You can cultivate your career in a place where staff not only care about the work they do but also the people they work alongside.

We have the following employment opportunities available: • Chief Administrative Officer

A separate Randstad study released Tuesday found more Canadians want flexible work arrangements. Cloud-based services and smartphones mean telecommuters can be plugged into their offices like never before, said Rosemary Haefner, vice-president of human resources at CareerBuilder. As a result, more companies are embracing the work-from-home option, and more workers are putting in full-time hours while at home. “However, to avoid situations where telecommuters aren’t putting in the necessary time, managers need to be clear about expectations

and establish daily objectives. The autonomy of working from home can be very rewarding so long as it doesn’t diminish productivity,” she said. Ask telecommuters, and 37 per cent of them will say they are more productive at the office. Twentysix per cent believe they are more productive at home, while another 37 per cent don’t see a difference. According to telecommuters, the biggest distractions at home include household chores (31 per cent), TV (22 per cent), errands (20 per cent), children (18 per cent), Internet (18 per cent) and pets (9 per cent). Past surveys show some 88 per cent of Canadian businesses now

The St. Albert Walmart Supercentre is growing! We’re looking for enthusiastic, dedicated people to make us great and we are hiring for:

Cashiers Overnight Associates Sales Associates Please apply online at: www.yourwalmartcareer.ca

offer some type of flexible option, including part-time hours and work-from-home arrangements to save money and attract talent. “Work arrangement flexibility increases an employee’s ability to attain a realistic work-life balance,” said Stacy Parker, vice-president of marketing for Randstad Canada. “Achieving a healthy work-life balance leads to a decrease in stress levels and work-life conflict, improved loyalty and morale from employees, a boost in productivity and drops in absenteeism,” she said. Harris Interactive polled 425 at least part-time telecommuters between May 19 and June 8 for the results of the CareerBuilder survey.

HEAVY DUTY TECHNICIAN The City of St. Albert is seeking a Heavy Duty Technician in our Transit Garage to perform maintenance on transit buses in a proper and safe manner. We offer a fully equipped, modern garage and use the latest diagnostic equipment. Our benefit package is above average and includes a tool allowance and a defined benefit pension plan. The shop hours are day shifts from Monday to Friday, so your evenings and weekends are free . . . and no ‘out of town’ travel is required. Enjoy the benefits of living and working in the Capital Region!

WHAT MAKES WORKING AT WALMART SO GREAT? • Annual incentive bonus • Comprehensive training program • Opportunities for advancement

QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate will be a 4 year Journeyman Heavy Duty Technician, preferably with considerable experience performing maintenance and repair on transit buses. Other experience will be considered. A valid Class 5 Alberta Drivers license is required and air brake endorsement is desirable. Class 2 will need to be obtained and we offer training. Current first aid certification is ultimately required.

Your spark makes us

SALARY RANGE $34.76 per hour. In addition the City of St. Albert offers a comprehensive flexible benefit package including a pension plan.

• General Manager, Economic Development

APPLICATION DEADLINE 11/30/2011

• Heavy Duty Technicians

For futher information on this opportunity and to apply, please visit our website www.stalbert.ca/employment

• Fitness Instructors • Nightshift Caretakers • Senior Long Range Planner • Senior Project Manager • Utility Engineer For information on these and other current opportunities available at the City of St. Albert please visit our website at www.stalbert.ca/employment or drop by our Human Resources department. Human Resources The City of St. Albert 216, 7 St. Anne Street St. Albert, Alberta T8N 2X4 Fax: (780) 459-1729 Online applications: www.stalbert.ca/employment We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for this position but only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

We are looking for some great people to join our team and work in our 22,000 sq.ft. premier Health Club with a strong family focus and warm, welcoming atmosphere.

CURRENT OPENINGS

Marketing Assistant, Sales Consultant, Massage Therapist (RMT) Housekeeping Attendant (Male) See www.sva-club.com for full details

Group We require motivated professionals to join our expanding team Requires TECHNICIANS for all facets of our business including fire & flood restoration, mould abatement, carpet cleaning. Full benefits provided. Driver’s abstract required.

For an interview please call Mike at 780-459-4539

Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011

We asked our members and guests to tell us “How Servus Place gets them moving.” Over the next few weeks, we will profile the stories we received from people just like you.

Ian Rudland When Ian Rudland retired three and a half years ago, he knew he wanted to stay active. Taking out a membership at Servus Place, he started going to the drop in classes most mornings of the week but he also uses the pool, the ice surfaces and the gymnasium. “I like the variety of classes at Servus Place,” says Ian. “Doing something different each day keeps me motivated.” Fast-forward three years and there is hardly a drop in class Ian hasn’t tried. “I like to keep it fresh,” laughs Ian. “I’m looking forward to Thursday morning when I take ‘Chiseled’, a new program that focuses on weight lifting.”

Ian can practically recite the drop-in program guide and the results are clear: “I’m 64 years old and I don’t feel it,” he says. “I’m close to being in the best shape of my life.” In addition to the fitness benefits Ian gets from working out at Servus Place, there is also a great social side. He has developed friendships with the other regulars and the trainers at Servus Place. “You get to know the other people in the classes,” he points out. “There’s a real camaraderie amongst the regulars.” Working out four or five times a week has become routine for Ian: “For me, it’s not a matter of going or not going,” explains Ian. “It’s a matter of choosing what class to go to.”

servusplace.ca