St. Albert Leader Dec 5, 2013 by St. Albert Leader

Photo: glenn cook, St. Albert leader

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Wildrose leader all ears

Lead the

GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

INDEX

Biting winds and blowing snow couldn’t keep Wildrose leader Danielle Smith from hearing what folks had to say in St. Albert this week. As the snow fell outside, the provincial opposition leader and more than 40 people were inside the Kinsmen Banquet Centre on Riel Drive on Monday night as Smith wanted to hear about the issues that mattered to voters in the city. “As we’re looking forward to the 2016 election — which is part of the reason why we’re here — we’re reaching out to you,” Smith said. “We want to hear your concerns, we want to hear your ideas. ... We know that, in the next election, if we want to win, we have to put forward a positive vision for the future and a strong platform.” The Wildrose party has held similar meet-and-greet events throughout the Capital Region over the past few months, mainly because they didn’t perform as well as they expected to in ridings in and around Edmonton in the last provincial election in April 2012. “We did do some soul-searching after the last election, and we identified some of the policies that gave us some trouble in the last

News . . . . . . . . . 3 Council Notes . . . . . 6 Opinion . . . . . . . . 8 Interactive . . . . . . 9 Photo Booth . . . . . . 12 Entertainment . . . . . 18 Finance Feature . . . .19 BAM! . . . . . . . . 24 Health . . . . . . . 26 Fun & Games . . . . . 28 Business . . . . . . 30

COVER

Members of the St. Albert Community Band go over their notes during their regular rehearsal Tuesday evening at Paul Kane High School as they prepare for the band’s annual Christmas concert, which takes place on Wednesday at the Arden Theatre. See story, page 18.

BY THE NUMBERS

207 ft That’s how long the world’s largest Christmas cracker was, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It also measured 13 feet in diameter, and was made by parents at Ley Hill School and Pre-School in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England, on Dec. 20, 2001. The cracker contained balloons, toys, a giant hat and a joke.

election campaign,” Smith said. “We had about 300 separate policy points in our policy document, and there were seven or eight policies that were real clangers with the public. But we listened to what members told us about certain policies that were there that seemed to be out of step with the times, and our members chose to delete them. ... I think that combination of policy changes has really demonstrated that we’re a political party that’s going to listen to what Albertans tell us.” The leader did, however, take the opportunity to point out what she felt were the key differences between her party and the ruling Progressive Conservatives. “We are the party of balanced, and the PCs have become the party of debt and deficits,” she said. “They’re now in the sixth consecutive year of budget deficits, and they are looking at potentially having a $3 billion to $4 billion shortfall this year. And there’s no end in sight.” Smith also pointed out her “firm belief” in local decision-making — whether in municipal government, health care or education matters — and called for more accountability from the PCs and Premier Alison Redford. The questions posed to Smith

ON OIL PIPELINES: “Even if you do more upgrading and more refining (in Alberta), you still have to get your product to market.”

dealt with a wide range of topics, from taxes and infrastructure to seniors’ issues and the environment. One topic that Smith spoke very passionately about was the floods in southern Alberta over the summer, as her hometown of High River was hit particularly hard. But she said she was touched by the extraordinary courage and compassion shown by the volunteers who helped those affected get back on their feet. “That’s what we are as Albertans. We have a very high level of community engagement, we care about our families, friends and our community. That’s just what we do,” she said. “And I wouldn’t change that for the world.”

ON GOV’T SPENDING:

ON LABOUR RELATIONS:

“This year, we’ll have the highest levels of revenue ever, and we also have $8 billion to $9 billion of resource revenues. ... I’m very hard-pressed to think that we have a revenue problem.”

“We believe you can get a lot further by being respectful in your relationship with your front-line workers, being honest with them. ... I don’t think the government campaigned on this, and they’re losing credibility every day with every broken promise.”

ON FLOOD MITIGATION: “You could actually protect hundreds of millions — if not billions — of dollars worth of property with a relatively small investment.”

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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

Communities about assets, not deficits GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

Photo: GLENN COOK, St. Albert Leader

Northwestern University professor Dr. John McKnight speaks at a luncheon celebrating the City of St. Albert FCSS department’s 45th anniversary on Monday afternoon at the St. Albert Alliance Church.

Building communities is about the half-full part of the glass, not the half-empty part, a noted expert on the subject told a crowd in St. Albert this week. The City of St. Albert’s family and community support services (FCSS) department held a special luncheon on Monday at St. Albert Alliance Church to mark a pair of milestones: the adoption of the City’s social master plan and the department 45th anniversary. But the main attraction for many was a keynote address by Dr. John McKnight, a professor of education and social policy at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., and author of Building Communities From the Inside Out. McKnight told the crowd that, after collecting stories and experiences from more than 3,000 cities and towns, he’s found that whenever something successful happens in a community, it’s usually because people have focused on their assets rather than

their deficiencies. “Community development starts not with identifying a need, because you cant do anything with a need,” he said. “... Nobody in a community needs your deficit. The need is your asset.” But he added it’s not enough to simply identify those assets — it’s also about connecting them to one another. “People are waiting to be asked to contribute. ... The whole new community building process is for us to rediscover the talents, the gifts, the capacities of citizens, and understanding that we’re going to have to get working on connecting them together at a local level,” McKnight said. FCSS director Scott Rodda said that, for the most part, he feels St. Albert is doing a good job of identifying assets and making the right connections. “But like anything, there’s always room for improvement,” he said. “I think we need to find other ways and be more creative and more diligent and pursue (opportunities).”

Mayor Nolan Crouse agreed with Rodda’s positive assessment, saying he felt there were many examples of connecting assets in the city. “When we’re as small as we are, we can continue to maintain that connectivity,” he said. Crouse added that having a department like FCSS is a great asset to the city that provides strong social programs, and it’s interesting to see how it has evolved over its history. “At the beginning, it was always dealing with crisis, whereas today, it’s focused on prevention,” he said. Rodda said that the milestones celebrated on Monday are big ones for the department. “Not so much the 45 years, but the release of the social master plan is excellent,” he said. “And it’s not about us. It’s about the community.” Still, having McKnight come in and speak was a big thrill. “For us in the FCSS world, it’s huge. Anyone who’s ever worked in community probably knows of John McKnight, has probably read his books,” Rodda said.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow Photos: GRANT CREE, St. Albert Leader / Leader staff

Downtown St. Albert was hopping on Friday night as the St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Snowflake Festival to kick off the Christmas season in the Perron District. Left: Volunteers from the BAM (Building Assets and Memories) youth group, including Alex Gonek (pictured), lent a hand to the St. Albert Leader to help make more than 600 s’mores for the crowds and raise money for the Stop Abuse in Families (SAIF) Society. Above: Ashley King of the St. Albert Public Library reads a Christmas story to children inside St. Albert Place.

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COUNCIL NOTES

M O N D A Y ,

D E C E M B E R

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ISSUES

Retail Market Analysis Report

Safe Journeys to Schools

Withdrawal from Public Art Reserve

Council Attendance at Activities Record

WHY IT MATTERS

Council received a report Monday on a retail market analysis designed to attract non-residential development, primarily retail, to St. Albert to meet future retail shopping demand, and voted to receive it as information.

After a six-year-old boy was struck and killed by a school bus in September, the City wants to ensure measures are in place so all students can walk or bike to school safely.

Council voted Monday on a motion to draw $20,235 from the City’s public art reserve to restore the bench entitled Blooms by Karen Ho Fatt that is normally located near La Crema Caffé on St. Thomas Street.

On Monday, council voted on a motion to have their attendance at committee meetings or other activities mandated by bylaw recorded on the City’s website every three months.

THE VOTE

CROUSE . . . . . . . . . . ✔ BRODHEAD . . . . . . . ✔ HERON . . . . . . . . . . . ✔ HUGHES . . . . . . . . . . ✔ PREFONTAINE . . . . . ✔ OSBORNE . . . . . . . . . ✔ MacKAY . . . . . . . . . . ✔

CROUSE . . . . . . . . . . ✔ BRODHEAD . . . . . . . ✔ HERON . . . . . . . . . . . ✔ HUGHES . . . . . . . . . . ✘ PREFONTAINE . . . . . ✔ OSBORNE . . . . . . . . . ✔ MacKAY . . . . . . . . . . ✔

CROUSE . . . . . . . . . . ✔ PARKER . . . . . . . . . . ✔ HERON . . . . . . . . . . . ✔ BRODHEAD . . . . . . . ✔ LEMIEUX . . . . . . . . . . ✔ BRACKO . . . . . . . . . . ✔ MacKAY . . . . . . . . . . ✔

“If you do what you’ve always done, you get what you’ve always got. ... Going in with a business card just doesn’t cut it anymore.” – Guy Boston, executive director, economic development

“We’re talking about not getting a report back until September, so what are we doing between now and then to ensure that safety is addressed and if there are any major issues right now?” — Tim Osborne

“This past year, it was noted that the base of the public art bench — which is a concrete base — began to crack. Additional deterioration was noted, including pitting and rusting.” – Kelly Jerrott, director of cultural services

“Whether it happens now, or five years from now or 10 years from now, we have to be in a position to demonstrate to our constituents the work that we do, and let them determine if it’s a point in time where we become fulltime.” – Wes Brodhead

The report will be distributed to key players such as land developers, commercial listing agents, property management groups, retail groups and used as a tool during one-onone presentations.

Administration will prepare a Terms of Reference for the Joint Public Steering Committee for council consideration by Jan. 31.

NOTABLE QUOTES

WHAT’S NEXT FEEDBACK

More on this story on page 7

“What I don’t want to see is us becoming a community that embraces disposable art.” – Tim Osborne The restoration will go ahead based on a plan drawn up by an outside art conservator who was consulted as part of this process.

“The more you can educate people, that’s way more durable than just doing simple engineering things.” – David Hales, GM, planning and engineering

NE X T M EETIN G: M O N DAY, DECEM B ER 16 , 2013 at 3 p. m . DETAILED AGEN DA AVAIL ABLE AT W W W. STALBERT.CA BY 5 P. M . O N TH E FRIDAY PRIO R TO TH E M EETING

“I can’t see how this can be a full-time job.” – Cam MacKay

It is not known exactly when the first such attendance report will be posted to the City’s website.

Let us know what you think about council issues! Tweet us at

@stalbertleader

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

Retail market analysis presented to council

GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

The City of St. Albert now has another weapon in its arsenal as it looks to attract non-residential development. On Monday, St. Albert city council received a presentation from Guy Boston, executive director of the City’s economic development department, on a new retail market analysis study that has been completed and should help the department be more aggressive and proactive in trying to attract retail businesses to town. “We can do what we’ve always done and get what we’ve always got,” Boston told council. “This is just a different approach. We’re getting very proactive and aggressive. And I find it much easier to get aggressive in going after non-residential development if I’ve got something to be aggressive with.” The analysis, which was completed by Colliers

International Consulting, showed areas where St. Albert was losing business to the rest of the Capital Region, as well as a few areas where the city brings in customers from outside its boundaries. Areas where there was the most “leakage” of retail dollars included motor vehicles and parts dealers, clothing stores and furniture stores. The areas where St. Albert brought in a “surplus” of retail dollars included general merchandise, food and beverage, and building equipment and garden supplies. As part of the analysis, the City also took to the Community of St. Albert Facebook page to ask what kinds of stores residents would like to see set up shop in St. Albert. Most people who responded said they wanted big box stores, like the Costco that recently opened, as well as clothing stores like Old Navy or the Gap, furniture stores like Ikea, and a wider variety of restaurants.

Kinettes kickoff Photo: GRANT CREE, St. Albert Leader

The Kinettes Christmas Hamper Campaign launched on Saturday in St. Albert Centre where volunteers managed a red donation box for those interested in donating non-perishable food items and unwrapped toys for the less fortunate. Kinette volunteers (left to right) Cheryl Sansome, Natasha Lefebvre and Kathy Van Vulpen also shared cake with shoppers who were strolling by. Now in its 47th year, the annual campaign will have donation boxes at various locations across the city.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

OPINION

WHERE IS THIS?

Another arrow in the quiver

Here’s a photo of a building or landmark around St. Albert. Can you figure out where it is?

ou can never have too many arrows in your quiver. But what really matters is if those arrows find their targets when you shoot them. On Monday, St. Albert city council received a report from economic development executive director Guy Boston on the by Glenn Cook retail market analysis that his department had commissioned, which outlined how St. Albertans shop, where they shop and how much they have to spend. As Boston made his presentation Monday, talking about the need to be aggressive in going out and making retailers aware of the opportunities that exist in St. Albert, he himself seemed a little aggressive. It’s almost as though he could see the questions from council coming, and they did come: Why do we need a study like this? Is this a good bang for our buck? They’re the same sorts of questions that cropped up during the recent municipal election campaign. Several candidates targeted the economic development department in their platforms, wondering what they were doing and calling for more accountability. In its current form, the economic development department has only been in existence for just over two years, but really only functioning since Boston took over as executive director in July 2012. In many ways, as much as they are out there trying to attract business, they’re still getting all their ducks in a row. No one would be able to set up the department, snap their fingers and magically make big box stores appear. These things take time. It’s like expecting an expansion NHL franchise to win the Stanley Cup the first year they hit the ice. By the same token, though, one would expect said expansion franchise to at least be competitive a few years in. And it’s the same for Boston and his department. If the City of St. Albert finds itself in the same position another 18 months or two years from now, still gathering tools to attract retailers but seeing few discernable results, then it’ll be time for the tough questions to be asked. Until then, though, let’s put our pitchforks away.

EDITORIAL

Answer next week!

Perron District a unique, special place

hat an amazing time of year! We are in the midst of a wonderful St. Albert winter, with snow on the ground and Christmas lights twinkling throughout the downtown Perron District. This year’s Snowflake Festival was held on Friday, and saw 8,000 to 10,000 people fill the Perron District to watch the official lighting of the Christmas tree and to see Santa arrive and greet the children at the Community Hall. Almost all of the boutique shops in the Perron District stayed open late to greet the excited families. While the Community Hall was filled with colouring and crafts and the children waiting to see Santa, the streets were filled with activities, and St. Albert Place was alive with many activities and story-telling. The horse-and-

Lynda

MOFFAT Chamber president/CEO My City wagon rides are always the most favourite activity of the Snowflake Festival, and they didn’t disappoint this year! Unfortunately, we have experienced some losses in our beautiful downtown recently, with the Vineyard Wine Shop and Auvigne & Jones Shoes closing their stores. It is such a beautiful, eclectic downtown that we have in St. Albert that it should be a special treasure to all of our community. Unless we focus on taking advantage of the Perron District experience, and all it has to offer, we will lose it. Where else can you go

Publisher: Rob LeLacheur rob@stalbertleader.com

Editor: Glenn Cook

glenn@stalbertleader.com

Client Services: Michelle Barstad michelle@stalbertleader.com

to see outstanding public art, galleries, boutique shops, exceptional dining experiences, the finest worldclass events, an incredible museum, the largest outdoor farmers’ market in Western Canada (and indoor Christmas Market), a great variety of professional services, heritage sites, the library, and so much more? If you look at other medium-size cities, even within the Capital Region, you will quickly recognize that what we have in our downtown Perron District is indeed unique and special. With your commitment to the many small businesses that are there to serve you, these business owners will continue to grow their shops and provide that vibrant and fun (and sometimes exclusive)

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 without the express written consent of the publisher.

experience you’re looking for. We are excited and strongly supportive of the City of St. Albert’s plans to start rolling out the Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan. This revitalization will see new investment in our Perron District, as the area opens up to new opportunities for retail and office space. Just like any other urban municipality, we must carefully guard against the inner-city decay that can easily take place once a community grows outward. We are very focused on our downtown Perron District, and making every effort to ensure that the heart of our city is healthy and vibrant and alive. Please do your part and give them your loyalty and support as well. You are sure to love the experience. Owned and operated by

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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

INTERACTIVE » Your tweets and photos from Twitter and Facebook comments on StAlbertLeader.com • Tag tweets #stalbert to be included «

WEB POLL Which charities/ campaigns will you be donating to this Christmas season?

re: “SOMeTHING TO LIVe FOr” (NOV. 28, 2013)

re: “HASTMAN eNTerS rACe FOr LOCAL CONSerVATIVe NOMINATION” (NOV. 28, 2013)

Robb Nash has a gift for inspiring people, especially young people. God bless him in his important work.

So what is his background? What work experience and community experience? Will his young children allow time for constituents? Strathcona and St Albert are vastly different in make up and history, why would he make a good representative?

— Jo-Anne Berube

— Nancy Joan Opalinsky

roads in St. Albert aren’t good but at least the grass is plowed for the photo radar vans @StAlbertProblem #priorities — @Macron123

Kinettes/Fill-A-Bus ................7% Salvation Army .....................29% Food Bank ..............................7% SAIF Society ...........................7% Santas Anonymous .................7% Christmas Bureau ...................7% Other .................................... 14% None of the above ................ 21% Vote in this week’s poll at StAlbertLeader.com

#payitforwardFriday “@bobjones49ers: St. Albert fire department delivering Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.” — @gologoca

#smoreleader #stalbert perron district SnowFlake Festival

Congrats to the Senior Girls Volleyball Team from #stalbert High School #SACHS who finished 2nd in the provincial Championships Saturday

— @RJLolly

— @JamesDeanPT

Noticed that our brake light was out. Called OK Tire in #stalbert and they helped us out within 15 mins. Always great service from them!

Funny, if they hadn’t cut health care premiums and had put away a little more money when they were pulling in multi-billion dollar surpluses a few years ago, the richest province in Canada probably wouldn’t be in this financial mess it is now. Not fair to simply blame the floods.

put up the Christmas decorations today. Not sure if the dog appreciated being decorated. #stalbert

— @mm53bar

— Bradley James McDonald

— @tim_osborne

re: “$1b prOVINCIAL SurpLuS COuLd STILL ‘GO SOuTH’” (NOV. 28, 2013)

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Rogers gets arena naming rights

DAVE LAZZARINO Sun Media News Services

Photo: Sun Media News Services

John Boynton, chief marketing officer for Rogers Communications, holds up an Oilers jersey.

Edmonton’s arena may not have a construction start date or even all the money it needs to be finished. But at least now it’s got a name. An announcement was made Tuesday that the downtown arena complex, expected to be built by 2016, will be called Rogers Place, joining Rogers Centre stadium in Toronto and Rogers Arena in Vancouver in the list of venues under the telecom giant’s brand. The agreement extends the 13-year telecommunications sponsorship deal already in place to cover advertising and signage, as well as concourse, rink, in-ice, inbowl and in-game applications. “This conversation started in the early summer of 2012,” explained Oilers president Patrick LaForge,

when asked how the naming deal came about. In October, Rogers made a $700 million commitment over the next four years that included expanding their network coverage in Edmonton as well as building its sports presence in the city. Neither LaForge nor Rogers executive vice president John Boynton offered any details about how much that $700 million went into the naming rights except to say it was “not in the ballpark” of the $1 million recently paid for the naming rights of the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary. “We don’t actually break all of that up for competitive reasons,” said Boynton, adding the partnership with Rogers promises to incorporate the most innovative telecommunications

technology into the new venue. The Katz Group, as per the contract with the city, gets all revenue from the naming rights. When asked if he would have agreed to the arena deal knowing that the Oilers would be the ones getting $700 million in sponsorship money, Mayor Don Iveson said the deal was signed understanding that any operating profits would be going to the team. “You can ask what if, but at this point we’re happy that there’s a deal and that the

City Centre Airport officially grounded KEVIN MAIMANN Sun Media News Services

The Edmonton City Centre Airport bade a cold goodbye Saturday. The lights on the slick Blatchford runway went out at 4:49 p.m., shortly after dark, to signal the airport’s official closure. Crews began marking Xs on the runway and putting up barricades shortly after. “It really is the end of an era,” said Heather Hamilton, director of communications for Edmonton Airports. “It’s definitely a piece of my childhood. I remember coming out here to watch planes go by with my parents. So I’m definitely a little bit nostalgic, like I’m sure most Edmontonians are feeling today. It’s a little bit of a sad day, but also a lot of good memories.”

A scheduled touch-and-go landing from a CF-18 jet, to acknowledge the airfield’s rich history with the Royal Canadian Air Force, was cancelled due to the icy conditions. Blatchford Field — named after former Edmonton mayor, councillor and MLA Kenneth Blatchford — was Canada’s first licenced airfield when it opened in 1927. During the Second World War, 30,000 people were trained in the hangar, and the United States Army Air Force housed aircraft there before they went overseas. David Ridley, executive director with the Edmonton Heritage Council, said the airport has been home to many pioneering aviators. The Edmonton International Airport opened south of the city in 1960 and grew rapidly, becoming the region’s major hub for passenger and cargo flights, while use of the

City Centre airport waned. Former Mayor Stephen Mandel led a move to turn the land into a residential and commercial development that could house 30,000 people. The decision to close the airport passed, but was a topic of heated debate in the 2010 civic election. Much of the Alberta Aviation Museum, which has long preserved the airport’s history, will stay on the grounds, according to Hamilton. A new piece will open at the Villeneuve Airport, 35 kilometres northwest of Edmonton. Hamilton is optimistic about the future land use. “You always have to see some endings in order to see some new beginnings, and we’re looking forward to seeing what that means to the City of Edmonton,” she said.

building has a name. And if it contributes to the sustainability and success of the hockey team and the city, then that’s good news,” said Iveson. “We expect to have information in the new year and if it comes in within the budget, then nothing changes, we just carry on to construction and we’ll be able to do a formal groundbreaking in that time.” Should the cost prove to be over the $480 million budget for the building, a process to work through those cost overruns is in place, he said.

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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

MLA pay frozen

MATT DYKSTRA Sun Media News Services

Training the trainer Photo: GRANT CREE, St. Albert Leader

Tyler Caddey (left) and Tonya Sonbach (right) practice sparring with focus mitts on Saturday at Movimento Fitness in Riel Park during a “Train Your Trainer” auction that raised $600 for Santas Anonymous. Owner Juan Medrano (centre) said the fundraising event included about 30 participants who were inspired to give dozens of children’s toys that were also donated to Santa’s Anonymous.

The Alberta government voted Friday to freeze MLA pay as the province’s largest union continues to rally against a legislatively imposed wage freeze for over 21,000 public-sector workers. The decision passed on Friday will see MLA salaries frozen until March 31, 2017, at the current rate of $156,311 for both government and opposition members, $234,467 for cabinet ministers, and $240,061 for Premier Alison Redford. “I’m very pleased that this motion was approved by the committee, as it’s vitally important that MLAs lead by example as we continue to live within our means, and challenge every dollar we spend,” Redford said in a statement. “This multi-year pay freeze for MLAs follows similar agreements with doctors and teachers that included three years of pay freezes, while ensuring they remain among the highest paid professionals in the country.”

Last week, the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees began rallying at the legislature to fight Bill 46, unexpected legislation that ends the third-party arbitration process for a new labour contract with AUPE. If an agreement isn’t reached by Jan. 31, 2014, the legislation will automatically introduce a settlement of a wage freeze for the next two years and one per cent increase for the two years after, with an $875 lump-sum payment to eligible members in year two. “This is what we know we have to do,” deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk. Said. “I firmly believe negotiated deals — even though they may not be ideal because they mean compromise — are always better than an imposed deal, so I would strongly encourage them to sit down at the table.” AUPE president Guy Smith called the decision a “smokescreen” for the government to avoid hypocrisy. Smith said they’ve seen MLA base pay skyrocket from $78,138 to $134,000 in recent years.

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Photo: PERRY MAH, Sun Media News Services

Post-doctorate student Nederic Palot (right) and Ph.D student Yannick Bussweller (rear) watch as a laser cuts a diamond in the Arctic Resources Geochemistry Laboratory, a new lab devoted to developing technologies at the University of Alberta.

New diamond lab shines at U of A

of the diamond deposit. The work the researchers do requires an impeccably clean environment to prevent A new lab at the University of Alberta is sample contamination. shining bright like a diamond. Anyone entering the lab must put on Last week,, researcher Graham Pearson booties, a hairnet and a clean jumpsuit. officially opened the Arctic Resources Rooms are also free of metal finishes or Geochemistry Laboratory — one of the furniture, and feature fibreglass doors and largest and best-equipped labs in the world walls and anti-static floors. to help further the development of dating A sophisticated air-handling system diamonds. flushes out the “dirty Edmonton air” to Doing so, he says, avoid contamination, will help scientists Pearson said. better analyze diamond The lab received $10 deposits far below the million from the Canada earth’s surface and help Excellence Research determine which deposits Chairs program, a federal are worth digging up. government program Graham Pearson “Diamonds are very created in 2010 to “attract U of A researcher scarce, even when and retain world-leading you’re sitting on top of researchers.” a diamond pipe. So we look at, and date, Pearson, a professor of geochemistry, indicator minerals, which are far more came to the U of A from Durham abundant than the diamonds themselves. University in the United Kingdom, to head We can analyze the minerals and figure out the lab project. how old the (diamonds) are,” he said. He’s credited with pioneering the first “It’s a very important thing to be able to technique for dating individual diamonds. push forward and develop new frontiers of “In addition to the lab, one of the reasons finding new resources.” I came here was there was already a There are two buildings within the lab world-class group of geoscientists here, in that together span 3,500 square feet and particular people who were doing research house equipment used to measure those into diamonds,” he said. indicator minerals and create a footprint “And now we have a world-class facility that can determine the age, grade and value to do that kind of research.”

ALLISON SALZ Sun Media News Services

“Now we have a world-class facility to do ... research.”

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

Rare dinosaur toddler found near Brooks BILL KAUFMANN Sun Media News Services

Seventy million years after it drowned in a southeastern Alberta river, researchers have found the rare, well-preserved remains of a toddler dinosaur. At 1.5 metres in length and estimated to have died at the age of three, it’s the smallest intact skeleton of its type ever unearthed. The discovery of the young triceratops-like reptile was made by a team led by University of Alberta paleontologist Dr. Philip Currie in the Dinosaur Provincial Park badlands near Brooks, Alta., 200 kilometres southeast of Calgary. Currie spotted what he thought was a turtle shell protruding from an eroded hillside. That shape proved to be the horned frill on the back of the head of a chasmosaurus, a plant-eating dinosaur commonly found in Alberta. To find such a tiny creature is a rarity, Currie told Everythingdinosaur.co.uk “The big ones ... don’t get eaten,” he said. He said the skeleton was trapped in sediment linked to rivers, suggesting it drowned. “I think it might have got trapped out of its league in terms of water current,” said Currie. The sediment preserved the remains to a degree that some of its skin texture is still visible in surrounding rock. It’s an animal that would have matured at age 20 with skulls reaching two metres long and a weight of up to four tonnes. Most of the skeleton was found intact, though its limbs were detached and plunged below into the earth.

Photo: Sun Media News Services

This undated photo shows the remains of a baby horned dinosaur called a Chasmosaurine discovered recently by Professor Phil Currie of the University of Alberta. The remains of the dinosaur were found in Dinosaur Provincial Park near Brooks.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Photo: GLENN COOK, St. Albert Leader

Members of the St. Albert Community Band rehearse at Paul Kane High School on Tuesday in preparation for their annual Christmas concert, which takes place Wednesday at the Arden Theatre.

Community Band heads across the pond

GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

The St. Albert Community Band is getting ready for a jolly good time at their annual Christmas concert. The band’s annual Christmas show takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Arden Theatre, and this year, the concert band is taking the audience on a trip to England with their theme of “Christmas Across the Pond.” “It’s quite an array of music we have. There’s something for everybody,” said band president Colleen Dec, who plays trumpet in the band. Concert band conductor Dr. Angela Schroeder came up with the idea for the theme, and said it wasn’t a challenge to find pieces that fit. “A lot of our best composers were writing for British military bands back at the turn of the century, so there’s a lot of great choices,” she said. “I actually had difficulty paring it down.” When it came to the difficulty of the pieces, Schroeder didn’t have too many problems, either.

noting that they always get good support “They are ready to tackle just about any from city councillors and other elected challenge, which is kind of exciting,” she officials. said. “It’s kind of a mix; you don’t want to The band’s membership is going strong, give them all challenges. So we tried to find a with 80 people in the concert band. few things that are mid-level, and then push “We always say you’re welcome to come them on a few other things.” out and give us a shot, see if we’re a fit for Meanwhile, the SACB’s jazz band, you,” Dec said. “We always have room in the Saint City Big Band, is focusing on some of our sections. Christmas tunes by big Our flute section, clarinet band legends like Stan section, trumpet section, Kenton, Count Basie and we’re big sections, but I Duke Ellington. wouldn’t say we’re full.” “We’ve got a couple While she has been on pieces that Count Basie the band’s board for 15 did in this concert, and Dr. Angela Schroeder years as secretary, this is one from Stan Kenton,” Community Band conductor Dec’s first year at the helm said conductor Tom after longtime president Smyth. “We were actually Gerry Buccini retired after 43 years. going to do another Stan Kenton, but it was “I’ve been working closely with Gerry for just beyond us. Some of his music is just so the past 15 years. He’s been a great mentor difficult.” and teacher, and he’s still available to answer The SACB concert has become quite the any crazy questions I may come up with,” tradition for local music lovers, with many Dec said. familiar faces in the audience each year to Aside from all the music, Wednesday’s kick off the holiday season. concert will also feature a silent auction to “It’s a lot of our fans, as we like to raise funds for the concert band’s planned call them, who keep coming back and trip to Schladming, Austria, in 2015, supporting the community band,” she said,

“They are ready to tackle just about any challenge.”

to participate in the Mid Europe Music Festival. The anticipation is building among the band members, Dec said, and there will be plenty of other fundraising activities between now and the time they leave so that the whole band can make the trip. “To have this opportunity to go over to Europe with the community band and represent the city, the province — even the country — at an international festival, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Dec said. Schroeder — now in her fourth season with the SACB — said she hopes the band members can immerse themselves in the musical culture that exists in Europe. “It’s a chance for the band to stand out on an international level with like-minded people. There’s a lot of community band focus in Europe, and in my travels there and in communication with friends there, I’m learning that’s more and more the normal scene for them,” she said. Tickets for the St. Albert Community Band’s annual Christmas concert are $12 each for adults, $8 for students and seniors, and are available through the Arden Theatre box office or from band members.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

Local author buzzing for book launch GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

Photo: GLENN COOK, St. Albert Leader

Local author Bronwen Strembiski sits in her favourite writing spot — the Starbucks at the Chapters location on St. Albert Trail.

It turns out that a local coffee shop gave Bronwen Strembiski the jolt she needed to finish her first book. Strembiski, a St. Albert resident, is getting ready to launch Thresholds, a young adult fantasy adventure novel, on Friday at the local Chapters location — which is fitting, since it was at the Starbucks in that very Chapters location where she wrote most of the book. “I even mention the Starbucks in the acknowledgements to the book,” Strembiski said with a laugh. “It’s a great spot to people watch,” she added, “and, as a writer, peoplewatching is huge, because you pick up different traits and different ideas from that aspect of socializing. And i also didn’t have to deal with phone calls and laundry and all the stuff I don’t deal with anyway but feel like I should when I’m home.” Thresholds follows the main character, Andreas, an ordinary boy in one of the most respected magical families in his kingdom who connects with a group of misfit thieves. He and two friends must then act quickly to save their kingdom when a darkness

overtakes it. “I was helping my son, who was then 11, write a story for his school assignment. And I kind of took over and it became my novel,” Strembiski said. But, even through the whole writing process, Strembiski — who says she’s been writing “ever since I could hold a crayon” — kept her son very involved, and he also gets a mention in the acknowledgements.

“I kind of took over and it became my novel.” Bronwen Strembiski Author “If I came to a point where I didn’t know what should happen, or if I needed action or something to keep the story coming, I would talk to him and bounce ideas off him,” she said. “For the first year, he was really excited. But then he got older and became a teenager, and just kind of grunted.” Strembiski also took a rough draft of the book into a Grade 6 class to get their feedback, which she said was

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Tales of Christmas presented by the St. Albert Youth Musical Association Singing teddy bears, dancing zoo animals, snowmen that want to go to Hawaii and a Cinderella that speaks up for herself! What do these things have to do with Christmas? Come to the Arden Theatre on Dec 6 at 7:00 to find out. TIX are $12 (gen. admission) www.sayma.ca

Sounds of Christmas presented by the St. Albert Singers Guild These concerts feature four familiar selections from Messiah plus "more": everything from jazz, gospel, traditional carols and contemporary Christmas music. Enhanced by a variety of instruments, the choirs celebrate Christmas in song. Dec 7 at 7:30 and Dec 8 at 3:00 at the St Albert United Church. TIX are $15 (gen. admission) www.stalbertsingers.org Call 780-418-4184 for tickets and information for both events!

“wonderful.” With so many choices in the young adult fantasy genre competing for shelf space right now, Strembiski said she felt hers could definitely stand out. “A lot of the fantasy novels out there right now are based in the future or in the big adventure plots,” she said, “whereas mine is based in the past and is based very loosely on — I did a lot of research on Celtic mythology and Greek mythology. I focused a lot on that, and I also did a lot on the character development. As you’re going through the adventure, you see that you’re going through it with the characters.” While the launch of the first book is imminent, Strembiski is back at the Starbucks location working on the sequel to Thresholds, along with another trilogy she has had in her head for some time. “I have about the first three chapters or so written of the sequel, but I’m not a linear writer, so I’ve also started some of the other chapters in the book,” she said, adding that she could see the Thresholds series expanding out to four books. Strembiski’s book launch gets going at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at the St. Albert Chapters (#30, 445 St. Albert Tr.).

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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013 Photo: GLENN COOK, St. Albert Leader

Angela Trudel (left) and Leona Clawson are two of the artists whose works will be on display at the AGSA until Feb. 1.

AGSA weaves shows together

GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

The Art Gallery of St. Albert is weaving two exhibitions together into one space over the next couple of months. In one part of the gallery, the work of St. Albert fibre hook artist Rachelle LeBlanc is being showcased in an exhibit entitled Beyond Traditions. In another part is Fruits Off the Looms, an exhibit showing off the work done by clients of the Nina Haggerty Centre in Edmonton. The Nina Haggerty Centre supports people with developmental disabilities in the community, and artistic director Paul Freeman said that the art classes they offer there help their clients attain a measure of independence they normally wouldn’t have, and he hopes that shows in the works on display. “Regardless of the product, the experience of making art and really being encouraged to become a self-starter and your own author, that’s an experience that a lot of people (with developmental disabilities) don’t get,” Freeman said. “You can imagine what it’s like toget up and be told what you’re wearing, what you’re eating, how to brush — it can be a very directed life. So we work hard to create an atmosphere that’s not like that at all. You come to our centre, and you tell us what you want to do. ... It’s really helped them reconfigure the story they would tell about who they are.” Leona Clawson and Angela Trudel are clients at the Nina Haggerty Centre whose work will be on display at the AGSA. Both are excited to have their work on display. “This is something new for me, and I’m really enjoying it so far,” Trudel said. This is the first time the fibre arts program — which includes weaving, quilting and embroidery classes — has been featured in an exhibition. The program is a nice change of pace for many of the clients of the centre, who spend much of their time with mediums like painting or pottery.

“I was looking for something to do (that was) different,” Clawson said. “I had done painting and everything for so long, I was looking for something different.” Susan Seright runs the fibre program at the Nina Haggerty Centre. She said that art — particularly fibre art — is very important in improving the lives of those with disabilities. “The thing about fibre art is that it’s communal. There’s ... lots of chit-chat that goes back and forth, even though there’s just as much work being done, whereas in a painting studio, it’s very individual and very concentrated,” she said. “It’s learning and taking that into elements.” Seright added that, when people see the show, she hopes they come away with a sense of just how important art is to her clients. “I think they’ll be so impressed with the art, the different pieces, the different forms,” she said. “I’m hoping people will think, ‘Hey, that’s different,’ and like it that way,” added Trudel. Meanwhile, LeBlanc — who works out of a studio in St. Albert — is bringing several works to the AGSA from a series that she started in 2009. But LeBlanc said she creates a specific piece for each new venue, and the one for the AGSA show highlights St. Albert’s Métis heritage by incorporating a real Métis sash. “I had an artist from Manitoba hand-weave some Métis sashes, so some of the pieces, in behind, instead of a rug binding, they’re finished with this Métis sash,” she said. LeBlanc first got into fibre hooking in 2003 after seeing an exhibit at a museum in Vermont, and thought it would be a relief from the stress of her job as a fashion designer in Montreal. “If anything, rug hooking stops you,” said the New Brunswick native. “It takes three or four weeks to make a piece; it’s a very slow process. But it’s also addicting. Once you start, you don’t want to stop.” Both Beyond Traditions and Fruits Off the Looms are on display at the AGSA (19 Perron St.) until Feb. 1.

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RCA Band comes home for Christmas GLENN COOK St. Albert Leader

Like so many other travellers, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band is heading home for Christmas. After several years of holding their annual Christmas concert — entitled A Christmas Wish — at the Myer Horowitz Theatre at the University of Alberta, this year, the band is heading back to the familiar territory of the Winspear Centre in downtown Edmonton on Friday, Dec. 13. “It’s one of the best (concert halls) in the country, so it’s a pleasure for us to perform there,” said RCA Band commanding officer and director of music Capt. Patrice Arsenault, a St. Albert resident. While the concert may kickstart the holiday spirit for some, for Sgt. Janine Brémault Bamford, the band’s vocalist who also lives in St. Albert, the concert is a great way to keep it going. “Getting ready for the Christmas concert doesn’t start around the Christmas season. It can start in June, if you’re lucky,” she said. “It’s Christmas all year long. … Right alongside trimming the tree and making gingerbread comes

Photo: GLENN COOK, St. Albert Leader

Capt. Patrice Arsenault (left) leads members of the Royal Canadian Artillery Band through a rehearsal of Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas at CFB Edmonton’s Lecture Training Facility on Tuesday morning. preparing for the Christmas concert.” Brémault Bamford began with the RCA Band in August 2011 when she and her husband were transferred from Winnipeg to CFB Edmonton. So far, it has been a great

experience. “We have the shared experiences that all soldiers in the military have, but being able to express my craft and be an artist while serving my country, that’s a wonderful gift,” she said. This year’s concert will feature

some of the RCA Band’s smaller ensembles during the first half, including the pipes and drums, a Celtic group and a jazz band. The second half will feature the entire band, joined by the Richard Eaton Singers. “We’re making things a bit

bigger, if you will,” Arsenault said. “But it’s the same formula: old Christmas favourites and new takes on some Christmas music.” “Hopefully some of the things we’re doing, you’re not hearing on the radio,” Brémault Bamford added. “We’re getting some really lovely, unique melodies out of the band, and wonderful arrangements.” One of the old standards that is returning is a vocal performance of Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, which Arsenault said has become something of a tradition for the band. “It’s definitely a crowd-pleaser,” he said. “And that’s definitely what we’re trying to do — it’s a fun evening. It’s an evening for everyone to enjoy themselves. There are a few quiet moments, emotional moments, but mainly we want to have a good time. And The Grinch is the perfect piece for that.” A Christmas Wish takes place at the Winspear Centre (4 Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton) on Friday, Dec. 13. Admission is free. Doors to the theatre open at 6:15 p.m., seating starts at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.

Singing Christmas Tree returns to the Jube KEVIN MAIMANN Sun Media News Services

Photo: CODIE McLACHLAN, Sun Media News Services

Conductor Emmanuel Fonte leads the choir during a Singing Christmas Tree rehearsal on Sunday.

The nonstop Christmas music in shopping malls and coffee shops can get overwhelming this time of year, but don’t complain to Emmanuel Fonte. The conductor, executive producer and artistic director of the Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree has been listening to holiday songs incessantly since spring. The Singing Christmas Tree will return to the Jubilee Auditorium Dec. 19-22, bringing fresh takes on Christmas classics played by world-class musicians. “We start listening to Christmas music in April, and by the end of summer all of the musical choices are made,” Fonte said. Once the songs are picked, Fonte and other musicians orchestrate the songs. Then, work begins with the dance director, lighting director and volunteer choir. “From April until technical rehearsal, we are working on this daily.”

The annual charitable production features a 10.5-metre-high, floor-toceiling tree made up of 120 volunteer carol singers, plus a backup orchestra and more singers and dancers of all ages. Past productions have brought notable singers like Ruben Studdard to Edmonton, and this year’s guest stars will be Toronto singer Mark Masri and Calgary-via-Australia violinist Sophie Serafino. Fonte admits it takes a lot of creativity to keep the show fresh each year, with only so many songs in the Christmas canon. The executive directors pick a mix of traditional favourites and original holiday songs by contemporary artists. “We either do a different groove or a different orchestration, or different instrumentation, to give them a fresh sound,” he said. “We do everything we can creatively to spin it differently and give it some fresh life.” The backing singers are all local volunteers, many with little singing

experience, which presents a rewarding challenge to Fonte, board chair Donovan Robinson and fellow executive producer and pianist John Cameron. “It’s a challenge, but it’s actually part of the reason why this works. Because they’re not hired guns, so they’re doing it from an intrinsic motivation. They come from a place that you could call spiritual — they want to make a change in the community,” Fonte said. “After a while, they end up sounding really, really good, with a spirit that goes beyond just making notes.” The concerts will benefit the Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree Foundation, which brings music enrichment experiences to underprivileged children and works with established local charities like Edmonton’s Food Bank and Santas Anonymous. The foundation has donated $392,000 in the past four years. Tickets are available at www. edmontonsingingchristmastree.com

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

HEALTH The sky’s the limit for climber with diabetes KEVIN CONNOR Sun Media News Services

Photo: IAN KUCERAK, Sun Media News Services

Technician Cheryl Santos checks breast cancer samples in a vat at the Cross Cancer Institute on Monday. Researchers developed a computer algorithm that can detect estrogen signals to cancer cells better using machine learning.

Artificial intelligence helps researchers target cancer

predict important properties of that patient’s breast cancer. Sun Media News Services The algorithm created by Griener’s team proved Artificial intelligence is helping researchers to be 93 per cent accurate in predicting the estrogen determine if estrogen is encouraging tumour growth receptor status of tumours. in breast cancer patients. Mackey says the tool could replace receptor testing Researchers out of the University of Alberta and done in a typical clinical lab, and could prove very Alberta Health Services have created a computer valuable to clinicians. algorithm that is able to predict whether a tumour is Although determining if the new technique “hormone sensitive.” will replace traditional lab tests, Mackey said that By determining which tumours are receiving the possibility might not far. hormone, doctors can prescribe As the expense of genetic tests anti-estrogen drug therapies. drops, the new system will be “It helps us make the than the current lab tests, “This will be a very cheaper determination of whether the he said. important tool.” tumour is run by estrogen, or if it “People can’t possibly sort doesn’t even know that it’s in the through all of this information John Mackey body. This gives us information and find the important patterns,” Cross Cancer Institute as to what kinds of drugs we can said Griener. use to test that breast cancer,” said “We can find combinations study co-author John Mackey, of biomarkers that can predict director of Cross Cancer Institute Clinical Trials important properties of specific breast cancers.” Unit, with Alberta Health Services. Researchers say they are unsure when the “So this will be a very important tool.” technology could become part of standard testing, Each cell in the body contains 23,000 genes, but Mackey suspected that he would see it sometime say researchers, so identifying specific genes that in his career. contribute to cancer growth is a daunting task. The data was gathered from 176 frozen tumour The study’s senior author, Russ Greiner, a professor samples stored at the Canadian Breast Cancer in the department of computing science, developed Foundation Tumour Bank at the Cross Cancer a program that would be able to detect markers that Institute in Edmonton.

ALLISON SALZ

Michael Riddell set out to show dreams can come true and proved it by climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in spite of his Type 1 diabetes. Riddell, 46, joined the international expedition World Diabetes Tour in September 2013 and climbed 5,895 metres to the roof of Africa in Tanzania to demonstrate the sky is the limit even with a potentially deadly disease. “We wanted to show that, with proper diabetes management, you can still dare to dream,” said Riddell, a professor at York University’s School of Kinesiology and Health Science. “When you have T1D, you have to follow a strict regimen of controlling your blood glucose,” he explained. “Imagine how rigorous we had to be as we scaled Kilimanjaro — burning so many calories, breathing thinner air, being exposed to elevated (ultra violet rays) and the risk of altitude sickness.” A Kilimanjaro climbing organization said up to 1,000 people are evacuated every year from the mountain and an average of 10 people die annually on treks, with the main cause being altitude sickness. Three-quarters of climbers will experience

some form of acute mountain sickness and the main four factors include high altitude, a fast rate of descent, exertion and dehydration. “Every breath you take can be exhausting,” said Riddell. “The biggest challenge for us was controlling our blood sugar. Low blood sugar is what we live in fear of.” During the climb, many experienced confusion, dizziness, nausea and diarrhea while battling frigid temperatures. “Altitude sickness can be similar to low blood pressure so it was like a doublewhammy. It can play havoc on your system,” said Riddell, who spent two-and-a-half months strengthening his legs so he could carry a 30-kg backpack on the seven-day journey. “My legs were so tired and my knees were killing me. I thought it was worse coming down,” said Riddell, adding in hindsight he could have put in more time at the gym. It was all worth it once the expedition reached the summit. “The fondest memory I have was to meet 12 other people with this disease and to accomplish what we did. The people I climbed with were so motivated,’ said Riddell. “To test your abilities and do it with others with this disease was just spectacular.”

Photo: Sun Media News Services

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

Scientists pioneer drug for muscle regeneration DOUG HEMPSTEAD Sun Media News Services

A group of Ottawa scientists may have figured out a way to develop a muscle regeneration drug. Dr. Michael Rudnicki and his colleagues at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and the University of Ottawa, have modified a natural protein that promotes muscle regeneration, making it much easier to manufacture and give to people affected by diseases like muscular dystrophy. The results, published in the prestigious

journal Nature Communications, paves the way for human clinical trials. “There has been worldwide interest in using this family of proteins to enhance organ and tissue regeneration, but we’ve been stuck at the laboratory stage because these proteins are difficult to manufacture and difficult to deliver to tissues within the body,” Rudnicki said. “Now we’ve found that a small part of the protein has just as much regenerative power as the whole thing, but it is much easier to manufacture and it can spread throughout tissues much more easily. This

is a real breakthrough that could lead to the development of new therapies for devastating diseases that affect the muscles, and possibly other organs. The protein, called Wnt7a, is part of a large protein family that plays a key role in stimulating stem cells and promoting tissue regeneration. A biopharmaceutical company cofounded by Rudnicki aims to initiate human clinical trials within a few years. In addition to muscular dystrophy, the breakthrough could lead to treatments for muscle weakness associated with cancer.

S T. A L B E R T R E A L E S T A T E M A R K E T R E P O R T AKINSDALE

HERITAGE LAKES

$559,000

Active Listings: 5

Sold Listings: 11

Active Listings: 7

Sold Listings: 15

Average list price:

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Average sale price:

Low $299,900 / High $395,000

Low $287,000 / High $405,000 Avg. days on market: 42

Low $379,900 / High $689,000

Low $358,000 / High $490,000 Avg. days on market: 44

$343,120

$349,425

$463,585

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$425,553

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OAKMONT

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Low $297,900 / High $665,000

Low $282,000/ High $535,000 Avg. days on market: 47

Low $478,800 / High $2,499,000

Low $484,000 / High $690,000 Avg. days on market: 114

Low $389,000 / High $1,395,000

Low $385,000 / High $870,000 Avg. days on market: 40

$407,740

$352,081

$989,317

Active Listings: 11

$556,333

LACOMBE PARK

DEER RIDGE

$763,954

$548,562

PINEVIEW

Active Listings: 10

Sold Listings: 20

Active Listings: 20

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Average sale price:

Average list price:

Average sale price:

Low $327,500/ High $489,900

Low $313,649 / High $450,000 Avg. days on market: 39

Low $358,800 / High $1,198,800

Low $260,000 / High $775,000 Avg. days on market: 40

Low $437,500 / High $649,900

Low $340,000 / High $573,000 Avg. days on market: 40

$411,430

$379,927

$669,995

$411,166

Active Listings: 28

Sold Listings: 30

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Average sale price:

Low $389,900/ High $929,900

Low $390,000/ High $770,000 Avg. days on market: 50

Low $324,900 / High $389,900

Low $260,000 / High $368,500 Avg. days on market: 18

$606,649

$528,096

$363,675

Sold Listings: 9 $337,988

NORTH RIDGE

FOREST LAWN *150 Days Back

Sold Listings: 6

Active Listings: 18

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Average sale price:

Low $399,000 / High $399,000

Low $342,000 / High $435,000 Avg. days on market: 34

Low $409,900 / High $1,095,000

Low $345,000 / High $743,000 Avg. days on market: 52

$377,566

GRANDIN Active Listings: 10

Sold Listings: 15

Average list price:

Average sale price:

Low $339,000 / High $459,000

Low $310,000 / High $493,000 Avg. days on market: 37

$401,650

$368,266

$577,322

$508,750

Sold Listings: 9

Average list price:

Average sale price:

Low $669,000 / High $669,000

Low $307,500 / High $432,000 Avg. days on market: 23

$669,000

Active Listings: 7

ST. ALBERT ��

2200 sq.ft. 2 Storey, 3 Beds, 4 Baths.

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WOODLANDS

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70 NEWGATE WAY - NEW LISTING!

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ERIN RIDGE

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Low $359,900 / High $468,900

Low $361,000 / High $586,500 Avg. days on market: 52

$419,371

$425,500

*The above area market averages represent the trailing 3-month averages, except where otherwise indicated, of single-family homes only as of the Friday prior to publication week. Data is provided by CRAIG PILGRIM of RE/MAX Real Estate (St. Albert), member of the Real Estate Association of Edmonton. Data does not include condos, townhomes or apartments, and does not differentiate between styles of homes. All efforts are made to ensure data is accurate for information purposes, but please consult a licensed real estate agent for additional market information.*Did you know source: City of St. Albert website, St. Albert 2012 Census

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

FUN & GAMES

DID YOU KNOW?

30 35

Five U.S. Navy Avenger torpedobombers from a base in Florida disappear, cementing the legend of the Bermuda Triangle.

DEC. 6, 1969

The Altamont music festival — which was marred by violence involving members of the Hells Angels hired as security — takes place east of San Francisco.

44 48

49 52

This week in history and celebrity birthdays

DEC. 5, 1945

23 26

Milestones

by Margie E. Burke

59 63

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 19 21 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 36 38 43

Klondike hopeful Peace pipe Cameo shape Kitten's cry Bikini top Deciding factor Mountain spine Apt anagram of vile Evergreen tree Barely beat Night crawlers, e.g. Lots of laughs Slim dagger Band hand Conflict, as colors Blood line Wandering one Media mogul Ted Chocolate bean Take by force Bright and bouncy Celeb's entrance at the Oscars Military no-show Millionaire maker

47 Ocean motion 48 Red or Dead 49 Give up, as rights 51 Icy coating 52 Ardor 53 Eat too much

54 Crockpot creation 55 Like most pets 56 Multi-user OS 57 Chipper 59 Roulette bet 60 Street sign abbr.

An earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hits Armenia — then a part of the Soviet Union — killing at least 60,000 people.

DEC. 8, 1993

The North American Free Trade Agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico is signed into law by U.S. President Bill Clinton.

DEC. 9, 1983

The movie Scarface, starring Al Pacino as a Cuban refugee who becomes a Miami crime boss, opens in theatres. Answer to Last Week's Crossword S O D A

O V E N

S E A T

O R T H O P E D I C

E S T R A N G E

A S T I L O H R A P E M E R L R S T E O I T L O D N A T E R I O P E N O R T I M D C A A O T E S U B D S P L A T T E R S U P A R O M A G O N E R E L A T E N A M E N D

C A P D I O T N O L E M E T R E G A E R N T

H U R T

A R E A

F A S T

E L S E

W I N D O W S H O P

A F O O T

Y E N T A

R E E L

B E A U

A R T S

G O S H

The first rover to land on Mars only transmitted 15 seconds of data before a storm blew it over. (discovery.com)

DEC. 10, 1901

On the fifth anniversary of the death of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, the first Nobel Prizes are awarded in the fields of physics, chemistry, literature, medicine and peace in Stockholm.

DEC. 11, 1946

In the aftermath of the Second World War, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is established.

Edited by Margie E. Burke

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HOW TO SOLVE:        Answer to Last Week's Sudoku

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DEC. 7, 1988

58 62



Difficulty : Easy

• Spot the Difference? •

DOWN 1 Runner's sore spot 2 Roe v. ____ 3 Sunburn soother

There are five differences between these two photos. Can you spot them all?

ACROSS 1 Pirate's plunder 5 Barbershop item 9 Fancy flapjack 14 Angelic topper 15 State with conviction 16 Fit to be tied 17 "White Wedding" rocker 18 Like good citizens 20 Stephen King's "_____ Things" 22 "Life of Pi" director 23 Fall bloomer 24 Haggling point 26 Incisor neighbor 30 Recipe measure 33 Crazy-sounding bird 34 Sushi staple 35 Backspace over 37 Pistol-packing 39 Purge 40 Happen again 41 Fixed gaze 42 Catch in the act 44 Chocolate variety 45 Owned once 46 3D imaging 49 Eccentric 50 Afternoon social 51 Consider 54 New business 58 Unable to read 61 Glazier's sheet 62 Pale purple 63 At any time 64 Arab prince 65 Keyboard key 66 Like grass at dawn 67 Contact, nowadays

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Photo: IAN KUCERAK, Sun Media News Services

Blaize Beaudry and Jared Cleave check out game worn helmets during the Edmonton Eskimos locker room sale on Saturday.

��

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ANSWERS: 1. Logo removed from sleeve; 2. Number ‘1’ removed from jersey; 3. Stripe on helmet changed to pink; 4. Logo removed from helmet in background; 5. Helmet removed from shelf.

The Weekly Crossword

Cultural Services

��

29 Answers online at stalbertleader.com

Compiled by Leader staff

PROF. DONKEY’S DICTIONARY

IN THE STANDS WHAT IF?

Kids Krossword BEDTIME

THE BOO BIRDS

HOYLE & GUS

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

DOWN

ACROSS

2) Between double and king 5) Stuffed animal 8) Rest your head 11) Added for warmth 14) Sleepwear 18) Bad dream

1) Sleeping ____ 3) Keep sunlight out 4) Afternoon snooze 6) Often requires a cover 7) Storied sleeper Van Winkle 9) Forty ____ 10) Cozy footwear 12) Furniture at bed’s end 13) Pocket coil or memory foam 15) Wake-up sound 16) Sawing logs 17) Fitted or flat

Weight Loss Programs �� and more...

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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

BUSINESS DOLLAR

Flying colours Down 0.88

93.96 US S&P/TSX Photo: STUART DRYDEN, Sun Media News Services

WestJet employees stand in front of the newly unveiled Boeing 737-800 that has been called #MagicPlane on social media. The custom-painted plane made its inaugural flight to Orlando, Fla. — home of Walt Disney World Resort — on Tuesday. The announcement and unveiling took place at WestJet head offices in Calgary on Monday.

EIA to open outlet mall LEADER STAFF – The Edmonton International Airport is hoping that retail sales will take off thanks to a new project. EIA announced on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with shopping mall developer Ivanhoe Cambridge to lease 45 acres of land to build The Outlet Collection at EIA as part of the airport’s highway commercial project. The mall will be located along the Queen Elizabeth II Highway, just south of Airport Road, and will feature 350,000 square feet of retail space from 85 renowned brands all under one roof. “This is great news. It means more shopping, entertainment and hospitality options, not only for passengers, but for Greater Edmonton,”said Myron Keehn, EIA’s vicepresident of commercial development. “Ultimately, this will support more flights to more places.” Full project details are expected to be announced in the first half of 2014, with an eye to opening in 2016.

Canada facing engineer shortage

JOANNE RICHARD Sun Media News Services

According to Dew, leading engineering schools have seen their undergraduate student numbers swell, but few of those students are continuing on to do postgraduate studies. “This limits students’ career opportunities and forces Canadian universities and industry to look abroad for talent,” he says. “In Alberta, in particular, there is such demand for engineers driven by energy projects that we can only graduate onethird of the new engineers required by industry in the province.” The availability of so many jobs at the bachelor’s degree level means Canadian engineers don’t perceive the need to continue into post-graduate programs in order to specialize and develop more sophisticated skills, reports Dew, a professor in the department of electrical and computer engineering. “The short-term opportunity to earn a significant income trumps the long-term benefits of further study in the minds of our graduating bachelor’s engineers, even though the additional education

Engineer a future with abundant career prospects. With our increasingly complex technical, social and environmental challenges, Canada is facing a critical shortage of engineers, particularly those who go beyond the undergraduate designation. Canada will fall behind without engineering leaders commanding the charge: “Canada lacks the highly trained talent to drive innovation and sustain competitiveness,” says Dr. Steven Dew, associate dean of the faculty of engineering at the University of Alberta. And our ability to compete globally in a technological world will depend on how sophisticated and innovative our engineers are, stresses Dew. Master’s and PhD studies are required to build the culture of innovation, yet we are falling short in producing this expert pool of leadership talent, says Dew, who is part of a new group to tackle this growing and serious problem. The Canadian Graduate Engineering Consortium is hosting a series of on-campus forums at top engineering schools to draw attention to the need to develop specialized skills required to fill technical leadership positions. The initial membership includes the LORENE LECAVALIER University of Alberta, University of Direct British Columbia, McGill University, www.realtyexecutivesmasters.ca 780-990-6266 780-460-8558 University of Toronto and University Expect More of Waterloo.

SERVICE YOU CAN TRUST

will provide substantial financial and job satisfaction returns over the course of their careers.” Canada’s competitiveness in a knowledge-based economy is at risk, stresses Dew. “We are already at the bottom of OECD countries in terms of number of PhD holders per capita. Canadian companies will not have the high-end thinkers and the R&D producers they need to keep them on top in a global marketplace.” Presently we’re slipping in various industries, including telecommunications and the manufacturing sector. “We have known for decades that we need to increase flexibility and automation to avoid having jobs and business go to low-cost countries, yet we are losing that battle.” Foreign companies are also displacing Canadian ones in our own mining and petroleum sectors, he adds. “Canada needs to stop relying on off-the-shelf technology and start to put technology on the shelf for others to buy,” adds Dew.

Down 29.90

13,319.87 NASDAQ

Up 19.45

4,037.20 DOW

Down 158.18

15,914.62 GOLD

Down 17.50

$1,224.10 US OIL

Up 3.37

$96.83 US Figures as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, compared to one week prior. For information purposes only.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013

Timing your pension DOUG RIDING Sun Media News Services

Did you know that you can defer taking your Old Age Security pension? For many years we have had the option to defer taking our CPP as late as age 70 and, consequently, receive a higher amount at that age, but as of July 2013, you can also defer taking your OAS pension for up to five years. There have been a number of changes to our Canadian retirement pension system and it is important to know how they might affect you so you can plan your retirement income well in advance. One of the most frustrating things for retired Canadians is the potential of losing their Old Age Security (OAS) benefits due to a clawback. Many who face this reduction, if not elimination of the OAS, feel they are being penalized for good saving habits and good planning to put themselves into the position of having a higher income in retirement. As it stands now, if you earn more than $70,954 in 2013, your Old Age Security benefits will start to be clawed back. This means you will have to repay 15 per cent for every dollar you made over this threshold. It is completely gone if you make as much as $114,793. There are many people who would consider earning that high level of income in retirement a good problem to have, but what about those people who are unable to retire at age 65 and are still facing a clawback of this income? More and more frequently, we are finding the situation where people are working well into their late 60s and early 70s because they have not saved enough for retirement, don’t have a pension and still have some debt to clear. In these situations, every dollar is important and if they are earning more than $114,793 after the age of 65, the OAS pension is completely lost to them if they elected to take it when it became available. The current maximum OAS pension is

Photo: Sun Media News Services

Reasons why people buy trump what they’re buying psychology, ethnography, and cognitive theory. The firm’s goal is to have a clear understanding of the There’s an arms race in the deep motivations of the customer. sportswear world. A recent article In a recent study, ReD sent a team in the Economist magazine of its researchers to spend illustrated the ongoing 24 hours side-by-side with market share conf lict customers. They ate meals between sportswear together, jogged and did titans Nike, Adidas, and yoga, all in the quest to find Puma. Their respective out what made the customer special forces (design) exercise. Alongside this teams continue to pump study, one of the researchers out products with new mailed out several dozen features, largely in the disposable cameras to Kurian belief that consumers buy customers, and asked them Tharakan their products based on to snap photos of what Consultant technical specifications. motivated them to work As an example, one of Nike’s latest out. Of the 30 cameras that were footwear introductions offers “Ultra- returned, 25 contained a picture of a light FlyWire connected to the laces little black dress. ReD had gone into gives you total control of the midthe study assuming that the fitness foot fit …” training was to help the customer To debunk this myth, Danish get better at their sport, when in innovation and strategy consultancy fact “fitness itself was their sport!” ReD points out that of the 72 While Adidas may not be Greek for features a typical mobile phone little black dress, for this segment of offers, only 22 are truly desired or women, Adidas products does mean even used. The other 50 features little black dress. are just not very important in As I often say in my workshops the purchase decision. The same and seminars, most businesses can principle would hold true in the tell me what they are selling, but sportswear world. few can accurately tell me why their ReD has a long standing customers are buying. Without a relationship with Adidas, and the deep understanding of the “why,” sportswear maker has benefited you will have a difficult time as a result. Adidas share prices creating a winning strategy. and market share have grown as a What’s your why? general result of the new thinking that ReD has brought the firm. Kurian Tharakan is a Sales and ReD’s methods are based in the Marketing Consultant, Speaker and social sciences, and their consultants Facilitator, and a senior member have backgrounds in such fields of the business strategy firm Acton as cultural anthropology, applied Consulting.

KURIAN THARAKAN Special to the Leader

$6,611.88 per year and the full amount is available to those who have lived in Canada for 40 years after the age of 18. For every year the pension is deferred, the annual pension is increased by 7.2 per cent. In 2023, our OAS eligibility will gradually shift from age 65 to 67 by 2029, at which time you will be able to defer taking your OAS from age 67 to age 72. Those who currently qualify for the full OAS and find themselves still working at age 65 might be better off applying for the pension if they are earning less than the clawback threshold. If they are earning more than $70,954 though, it may make sense to hold off until stop working. Determining whether or not you should defer taking your OAS pension will involve knowing what income you can expect to receive in retirement, planning a taxefficient income stream, and doing the math well in advance so you can maximize the benefits available. Doug Riding is an investment adviser with IPC Securities Corp.

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