T8n magazine May 2015

May 2015 t8nmagazine.com

Let’s Talk about Sex

EDUCATION Distilling the Facts about

SCOTCH

Hooray for FIRST HAIRCUTS!

Rhubarb

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May 2015

Contents CONVERSATIONS 6 Let’s Talk About Sex Education Who’s responsible for The Talk and how?

CITY 12 MEET YOU THERE 16

A Cut Above Welcome to Beaners COMMUNITY CALENDAR

LIVING 17 FOOD & GATHERINGS

Hitting the Rhubarb Pucker up to delicious

22 TRULY DEEPLY MADLY

May We Suggest…

How to Pair Olive Oils

23 On Our Bookshelves

Diggin’ It: Books for gardeners

ABOUT THE COVER Special thanks to the Hurlburt family for letting us share in a special first haircut.

IMAGE BY BRENDA LAKEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

ARTS & CULTURE 24 THE 8S

Spring Bloomers We’ve got a crush on springtime

26 THEN & NOW

City Hall Then & Now

TRENDING 29 Albertans Decide

St. Albert and area candidates want your vote May 5th

30 Lemon Aid Tips for buying your first used car 32 Single-malt (adj.)

Distilling the facts about scotch

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From the Editor FIRSTS. They have a way of making an impression.

That part-nauseating, part-exhilarating feeling that comes with first-time experiences—the intersection where knowledge and wonder meet. First tries, first tastes, first steps, first stumbles, new days, new seasons—new beginnings. Some of those firsts are exactly what we’re exploring in this month’s T8N. As a new publication, we’ve certainly had no shortage of our own firsts this year. And though all have been carefully CARMEN D. HRYNCHUK steered by experience, a few have admittedly scared the pants EDITOR-IN-CHIEF off us. And that (minus the visual) is a good thing. As the saying goes, a comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there. It’s those moments of growth and change that this month’s articles explore.

From first haircuts and harvests to sex education and buying cars, we’re taking a look at moments and choices that shape our sense of self and place.

T8N MAGAZINE VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 May 2015 PUBLISHER

Rob Lightfoot EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Carmen D. Hrynchuk ART DIRECTION

Carmen D. Hrynchuk, Brenda Lakeman DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Bruce Timothy Keith PHOTOGRAPHY

Brenda Lakeman

As always, we hope you’ll enjoy our take on it.

FOOD STYLING

First page to last.

Little Fire Creative PROOFREADING

Contributors

Amy Lightfoot CONTRIBUTORS

TIFFANY REGAUDIE

Tiffany has been telling stories as a way to earn a living for more than eight years. She studied communications at MacEwan University in Edmonton, where she also spent some time in the book publishing industry. She is now a writer, editor, and content expert with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. She lives in Vancouver.

Tracey L. Anderson, Lucy Drapala, Tiffany Regaudie, Dawn Valentine Image page 2 © Tim UR / Dollar Photo Club Image page 22 © mtzsv / Dollar Photo Club Image page 2, 24 © betweenthelines / Dollar Photo Club Image page 24 © wizdata_apple / Dollar Photo Club Image page 32 © F.A.Y. / Dollar Photo Club

ISSN 2368-707X (PRINT)

DAWN VALENTINE

Dawn Valentine spent the magical years of her childhood in St. Albert, exploring the woods and playgrounds of Grandin. She loves old buildings and points out every one to her husband and four children. She enjoys sharing history on her Vintage St. Albert Facebook page and is excited to be a contributor to T8N magazine.

LUCY DRAPALA

Lucy has been a freelance writer for about 25 years and a St. Albert resident for over 10. She regularly writes news, general features, business, style, health and entertainment articles for magazines and newspapers in the region and is a steady contributor—reporter/photographer for Metro News Edmonton.

ISSN 2368-7088 (ONLINE)

For editorial inquiries or information, contact T8N magazine at info@t8nmagazine.com. Have something to say? Letters, suggestions or ideas can be sent to letters@t8nmagazine.com.

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Rob Lightfoot rob@t8nmagazine.com 780 940 6212 or visit t8nmagazine.com T8N magazine is published 12 times a year by T8N Publishing Inc. Copyright ©2015 T8N Publishing Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.

Content marked by the Sponsored Content

SC icon was produced in partnership TRACEY L. ANDERSON

Tracey is a freelance writer from Edmonton who writes magazine articles, newspaper articles and poetry. When she’s not working with words as a writer or in her editing day job, she enjoys movies, fine dining and time with her husband and her dog. Tracey loves to travel the world in books and on airplanes.

between content producers and T8N magazine.

PRINTED IN CANADA

T8N PUBLISHING INC PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT

Rob Lightfoot rob@t8nmagazine.com Box 74 St. Albert, Alberta T8N 1N2

4

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Conversations Your Letters

Grand Opening May 21st

Have something to say? Join the conversation! Send your comments or ideas to letters@t8nmagazine.com. Here’s what others are saying…

I just wanted to say that I thoroughly enjoyed your magazine. I especially liked the article by Dawn Valentine, Grandin Then & Now. It brought back fond memories. My husband sent me the magazine in my care parcel. I’ve been working in Kabul Afghanistan for the past 5 months and am looking forward to coming home in a few months. I am lucky to call St. Albert home. I’ll definitely sign up for the newsletter to keep up on the news and articles. Thanks.

–Catherine L.

What They’re Saying on Twitter

and Facebook…

Children’sWishAB/NWT @ChildrensWishAB: We snagged a copy of @t8nmagazine & can’t wait to try the Ricotta Pancakes recipe! Great source for #StAlbert awesomeness. #yeg #local Facebook April, 5, 2015: I liked the article on tipping. I was happy to see that some of the etiquette I practice is the norm.

–Jamie N.

780-569-1779

Corrections In last month’s Anything but Routine workout wear article, we incorrectly named one of the fabulous shops that we featured clothing from.

The name of the store is Sweet Boutique, not SweetLegs (which they are only a distributor for). Our apologies for any confusion.

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T8N May 2015 5

Conversations

Let’s Talk about

SEX

EDUCATION

The way we talk about sex with our kids is shifting across the country. But who’s responsible for The Talk and how?

BY TIFFANY REGAUDIE

I

N MARCH 2015, the government

of Alberta unveiled a historic piece of legislation: gay-straight alliances would be mandatory in every school where a student has requested one. Catholic schools are not exempt from the law, and parents will no longer be permitted to remove their children from classes that discuss sexual orientation. Within a province where PCs have held 12 consecutive majority governments, MLAs voted almost unanimously in favour of the bill.

The change is indicative of shifting attitudes in Alberta and across the country on sexual orientation, gender identity and the role of schools in educating our children about sex and relationships. Alberta’s recent leap in education policy is a small step compared to Ontario’s new sex education curriculum, which touches on “sexting,” consent, cyberbullying and masturbation, in addition to sexual orientation and gender identity.

As some Ontario residents continue to protest the new curriculum, parents and educators across Canada are asking some thoughtful 6

T8Nmagazine.ca

questions about rights and responsibilities in preparing children for a world that is increasingly transparent, interconnected and diverse.

As our society continues to navigate such complex issues as online harassment, sexual expression and violence against LGBT youth, parents, educators and government all have a stake in shaping today’s children into the thriving adults of tomorrow.

BEING A TEEN IN 2015 Ten years ago, our world was markedly different. Social media remained in its infancy, as Facebook had not yet expanded its reach outside universities. Snapchat, the popular messaging app that allows users to send photos and videos that “expire” after ten seconds, was six years away from prototype—and nine years away from a hack that caused the online release of thousands of the app’s “impermanent” photos. In 2005, 46 percent of eleventh-grade students owned a cellphone; that number leapt to 85 percent in 2014. The average teen sends an estimated 3,000+ texts per month.

Ten years ago, provincial legislation in Alberta outlawed same-sex marriage (it would become legal only under the federal Civil Marriage Act on July 20, 2005). The modern transgender rights movement, which has just recently

begun to gain visibility in mainstream culture, was barely being discussed outside activist groups. The term “gender identity” would not be added to the Canadian Human Rights Act and Criminal Code until 2012—before the addition, trans people did not have an explicit basis for equal rights in the areas of health care, housing and employment. Now, in Alberta, legislation is being drafted so that trans people over the age of 18 will no longer be required to have undergone sexual reassignment surgery to change their listed sex on their birth certificates.

In 2008, a survey conducted by the University of Toronto revealed that half of the young people surveyed had experienced cyberbullying, the practice of bullying someone with the use of technology—usually with social media, photos and online threats. Further, 75 percent of those who admitted to cyberbullying had never bullied a person in real life. Unlike in-person bullying, cyberbullying can happen anytime of the day, often when a child is alone. Cyberbullying is now arguably more frightening than in-person bullying (with the exception of physical violence) because it often happens anonymously and behind closed doors.

Ten years ago, the term “revenge porn”—the nonconsensual sharing of sexually explic-

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CALM is mandatory curriculum for all Alberta students, but parents have a right to exempt their child from instruction on religion and human sexuality. More information may be found here: http://education.alberta.ca/media/792790/ ParentalNotificationGuidetoEducation.pdf Note that under new legislation announced in March 2015, parents will soon no longer be able to remove their children from classes that discuss sexual orientation. It is currently not clear when the amendment will come into effect. it material online—had not yet been uttered by lawmakers, much less parents and educators talking to teens about safe sex practices.

Revenge porn is now so problematic that the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting cyber harassment, established the “End Revenge Porn” campaign, which advocates on behalf of people whose intimate photos have been disseminated online without their consent.

Cyberbullying and revenge porn hit close to home in 2012 as the Amanda Todd case in British Columbia sparked national headlines.

Todd committed suicide after Aydin Coban, a 35-year-old Dutch citizen, harassed the teen for years online. After convincing Todd to expose her breasts via webcam, Coban used images obtained from the exchange to threaten and humiliate Todd by sending them to family members, teachers and friends at several schools. In October 2012, Todd committed suicide after years of public humiliation, depression and self-harm. The case triggered a national discussion on cyberbullying, consent and the erasure of physical barriers to life-threatening harassment in a sexual context.

Non-binary gender identity, sexual orientation, cyberbullying and the consequences of

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receding privacy online are all realities that confront the majority of North American teens, whether directly or indirectly through peers. While sexual and gender minorities are historical constants that have undergone many years of social evolution, other contemporary issues in sexuality are new byproducts of rapidly advancing technology. Most parents, both young and old, have little to no first-hand experience with modern elements of teen sexuality, some of which are still evolving within legal, political and social spheres.

As parents wade into the foreign waters of today’s “sex talk,” some may be wondering if they are adequately equipped for the discussion’s new complexity. Gone are the days of sitting kids down for one chat about the birds and the bees—but who should be talking about what, and when?

SEX EDUCATION IN ONTARIO & ALBERTA Before Ontario’s sex education curriculum update, schools in the province had been teaching a sex education syllabus from 1999—making it the oldest sex education curriculum in Canada. In 2010, a vocal minority of parents and social conservatives in the province blocked a similar update written by then education minister and now premier Kathleen Wynne. Some of the most contentious elements of the 2015 update are the age-appropriateness of sensitive topics such as masturbation, anal and oral sex, and sexual orientation.

Portions of Alberta’s sex education curriculum—part of what is called Career and Life Management (CALM)—are currently under review, and parents, educators and school boards are encouraged to share their perspec-

R E K A M N RAI USIC M VAL I T S E F 22

tives on possible changes. The following are some highlights from Ontario’s new curriculum as compared to Alberta’s current sex education program:

Names of body parts Alberta: Students are taught the proper names for genitalia in kindergarten, to equip them with the terminology necessary to communicate situations of abuse.

Ontario: In addition to proper names for genitalia, students in Grade 1 are taught how to recognize body language and tone of voice as part of healthy communication skills.

Consent Alberta: Students in Alberta are expected to understand consent in Grade 8, but the explicit mention of consent as part of a healthy relationship is not included in the current sex

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education curriculum; however, Edmonton’s public school trustees recently voted unanimously to lobby for the inclusion of consent in the official curriculum.

Ontario: The concept of “no means no” is introduced to students in Grade 2, along with definitions of verbal and physical violence.

Consent arises again more explicitly in Grade 6 within the context of building healthy relationships, and then in high school as part of the promotion of healthy sexuality.

“Sexting” & online safety Alberta: In Alberta’s current sex education curriculum, it is unclear when “sexting” and online safety are discussed, if at all.

Ontario: Safe Internet use will be discussed in grades 1 through 3, but students in grades 4 through 6 will learn about “sexting,” protect-

ing their online privacy and the legal, social and psychological consequences of disseminating sexually explicit images online.

tion and gender identity continues in Grade 9, and resources for support are offered at this time.

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Sexual orientation & gender identity Alberta: The terms “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are omitted from sex education in Alberta, although students in Grade 7 are taught to “identify the effects of social influences on sexuality and gender roles and equity.”

Ontario: Beginning in Grade 3, students will learn about same-sex relationships and that families with two mothers or two fathers are acceptable and normal. In Grade 6, students will start to learn about “gender expression” and how it may differ from biological sex.

More extensive discussion on sexual orienta-

According to the Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services at the University of Alberta, eight percent of high-school students are non-heterosexual or questioning their sexual orientation. The average age of “coming out” as non-heterosexual is now 15 or 16 years old.

Recent research shows that 30 percent of lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens have attempted suicide, and one study from Calgary reported that young gay males are 14 times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual male youth. In Alberta, 53 percent of LGBT students feel unsafe at school—compared to only 3 percent of heterosexual students.

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While sexual minorities make up a relatively small percentage of elementary and highschool populations, LGBT youth still face a disproportionate level of stigma at school. As many as 93 percent of students hear derogatory words about sexual orientation at least on occasion, which can serve to normalize the denigration of sexual minorities on a daily basis. Bullying can begin as early as elementary school, but it usually intensifies in middle school and high school as children begin puberty. Today, young people have much wider access to diverse representations of the LGBT community through television, social media and online videos.

Given that a child’s online access to information is often unpredictable and difficult to control, it’s important to equip younger children with basic, accurate information on the lives and rights of LGBT people, so that kids can begin to question any negative stereotypes they encounter online or offline. In Ontario, sexual orientation and bullying are so intertwined that new curriculum on sexual orientation is enshrined as part of a 2012 anti-bullying bill. Parents are not permitted to exempt their children from classes that discuss sexual orientation because it is considered a human rights issue.

In Alberta, parents will soon no longer be able to exempt their children from classes that discuss sexual orientation—but sexual orientation is not explicitly mentioned in the province’s current sex education curriculum.

RIGHTS & RELIGION In Ontario, parents are still permitted to exempt their children from classes that cover material that may contradict religious beliefs and values fostered at home (except when that content is deemed a human rights issue, as mentioned above). Catholic schools, how-

READ ALBERTA’S CALM CURRICULUM Alberta’s Career and Life Management (CALM) curriculum may be reviewed in its entirety online. Content that may be sensitive in nature (i.e. sex education) is bolded and italicized throughout the document for easy identification.

Read the full document here: https://education.alberta.ca/ media/313385/calm.pdf

ever, are not exempt from teaching the province’s new sex education curriculum, although teaching will reflect Catholic values.

Under the Alberta Human Rights Act of 2010, all school boards are required to “provide parents with notice where courses of study, educational programs or instructional materials, or instruction or exercises…include subject matter that deals primarily and explicitly with religion, human sexuality or sexual orientation.” Once notification is given, a parent has the option to request that their child either be removed from class or remain in class without participation. Once Bill 10 is enacted on June 1, 2015, Alberta schools will not be required to notify parents or get consent for a student to participate in a gay-straight alliance.

As a parent in St. Albert, you have the choice to send your child to public, Catholic or Protestant school. While Alberta’s CALM curriculum is mandatory across all school boards, schools and teachers may vary in their approaches to sex education. Inform yourself by reading the full curriculum (link below) and contacting your child’s school principal for more information on how you can work together to incorporate healthy conversations about sex and relationships into your child’s life. t8n

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Meet You There

CUT Welcome to Beaners

A

ABO E

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN 12

T8Nmagazine.ca

“CAN YOU FIX what’s left? ” It’s a question that Celia

and Brian Siewert get asked pretty much on a weekly basis. And it’s a request they’re more than happy to accommodate. In fact, accommodating kids is their business and has been since they first took over Beaners nearly nine years ago. Over those years, they’ve seen (and fixed) a lot of “pretend haircuts” gone wrong.

They’ve also seen a lot of smiles—and many on the occasion of a first haircut. As we happily witnessed the day we visited, first haircuts take team effort—starting with a great stylist. Add to that a carousel chair and a family-friendly environment and, well, you have Beaners. Take a look.

T8N May 2015 13

Beaners

at a Glance LOCATION

50, 585 St. Albert Trail, St. Albert OWNED BY Celia & Brian Siewert THEIR SPECIALTY

Giving kids great haircuts and families great memories BELLS & WHISTLES

Chairs that look like carousel rides, a flat screen TV at each styling station, a ball pit, bubbles—even a room for birthday parties INTERESTING FACTS

Adults can get their hair cut there too (and you don’t have to sit in the ducky chair!). Beaners also hosts birthday parties where kids can play dress-up and have their hair done.

14 14 T8Nmagazine.ca T8Nmagazine.ca

“I was looking through the paper one day and saw that the store was for sale. So I said half-kidding to Brian, ‘We have three girls and would have tons of help. Maybe that’s a business we should try.’ That was almost nine years ago. Turns out our girls don’t help an awful lot in here (laughing), but they’re all trained to work the till and handle customers, and they do a great job when they are around.”

–Celia, owner “Other salons will actually say to their clients, ‘If you want your kids’ hair cut, take them to Beaners.

That’s their specialty.’ Besides having stylists who love kids, we also guarantee our haircuts. If you have to come back because something wasn’t quite right, we fix it. And we squeeze in those fix-ups right away.”

–Brian, owner

“We hear a lot of funny things from the kids. One day I was telling a little girl how beautiful I thought her curls were, and she replied, ‘Thanks! I got them from the milkman.’ That was pretty funny.”

–Misty, stylist

“First haircuts are pretty special things, and most of them go really smoothly. Lots of grammas and grandpas come along. Tons of pictures are taken. And at the end of it, they’ve made a great memory and go home with a certificate to remember it. A lollipop never hurts, either.” t8n

A great big thanks to the entire Hurlburt family for sharing a first haircut with us.

T8N May 2015 15

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Things to do, watch, hear and see this May.

EXHIBIT

Talking Creatures Storytelling through the ages has enlisted anthropomorphic animals to deliver cautionary tales to adults and children alike, instilling morals and ideals through folk and fairytales. Talking Creatures features the work of four artists who have adopted this narrative device to communicate the intricacies of human nature and behavior, as well as ethics and shared narratives. In most cases their artworks further seek to highlight the human/animal connection, the cross species bond and demonstrate the value that animals can bring to human well-being.

Exhibit view from High Energy 19

Create Music, by Laura Kirouac

EXHIBIT

High Energy 20: reVISION

Date: March 5 to May 2

Celebrate the 20th St. Albert high-school student exhibition at AGSA. Talented young artists from Bellerose Composite, École Secondaire Paul Kane, St. Albert Catholic, École Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d’Youville and Outreach high schools showcase their artworks and present new collaborative works that repurpose everyday discarded objects to create new works of art. This fan-favourite exhibit blends students’ coursework pieces with fresh artworks produced principally for the show.

Location: Art Gallery of St. Albert, 19 Perron

Artists: St. Albert high-school art students

Artists: Patrick Bulas, Megan Gnanasihamany,

Gerri Harden & Trish Shwart

Street For more info: phone 780-460-4310 or visit

www.ArtGalleryofStAlbert.ca

Date: May 7 to 23 Location: Art Gallery of St. Albert, 19 Perron Street For more info: phone 780-460-4310 or visit www.ArtGalleryofStAlbert.ca

EXHIBIT

Francophones in Alberta: Courage and Determination This bilingual exhibition, which tells the story of the French in Alberta, is based on the Francophone Archives Project, a collective venture between the Provincial Archives of Alberta and the Francophone Secretariat of Alberta. The Musée Héritage objects from local families to help illustrate the greater experience of Francophone immigrants across the province.

Date: April 21 to June 21 Location: Musée Héritage Museum, St. Albert Place, 5 St. Anne Street

Have an upcoming event you’d like to see here? Send us a note and media release to info@ t8nmagazine.com or visit t8nmagazine.com and fill out our handy form.

For more info: phone 780-459-1528 or visit www.MuseeHeritage.ca

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Food & Gatherings

Hitting the

Rhubarb Pucker up to delicious

ONE OF THE best first offerings of

spring is a crimson armful of freshly picked rhubarb. Tart, tender and loaded with vitamin K, rhubarb is the perfect ingredient to add some zing to almost any batter or bevvy. Here are a few of our favourites.

T8N May 2015 17

Lemon Rhubarb Bundt When cardamom, vanilla and lemon get together, delicious things happen. Give this bundt cake a try.

1 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 eggs 2 tsp vanilla Zest of 2 lemons 3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp ground cardamom 1 cup plain yogourt 2 cups cubed rhubarb

Preheat oven to 350ËšF In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Add the eggs, vanilla and lemon zest, and mix until smooth.

In a second bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, soda, salt and cardamom. To the creamed butter mixture, alternately add the dry ingredients and yogurt, starting and ending with the dry.

Pour half the batter into a buttered and floured bundt pan. Top with the rhubarb, and cover with the remaining batter. Place in the oven, and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Let cake cool in pan 10 minutes before inverting cake onto a cooling rack.

Rhubarb Sticky Buns Delicious to a fault? Let’s just say our photo shoot stopped when these came out of the oven.

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tbsp white sugar 2 1/4 tsp quick-rise yeast 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup milk, heated just to remove the chill 2 large eggs 2 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened For the filling: 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup apricot jam 1 tbsp cinnamon 2 cups diced rhubarb

In a large mixing bowl, mix 3 cups of the flour with the white sugar, yeast and salt. Add the milk, eggs and vanilla, and mix with a spatula until the dough comes together. Add the softened butter, and mix until moderately combined (and squishy). Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface, and add the remaining 1/2 cup of flour (a bit at a time) as you knead.

Continue to knead dough for 6 to 7 minutes, then place it in a lightly greased mixing bowl, cover and let rise 1 to 2 hours.

For the filling, beat the butter, brown sugar, jam and cinnamon together in a bowl until smooth, and then spread half of it in the bottom of a greased 9-by-13-inch baking pan.

Roll out the risen dough into an 18-by-10-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Evenly spread the remaining filling over the dough, and sprinkle with rhubarb. Starting at a long side, roll up the dough like a jelly roll. Cut into 12 even pieces, and place them in the prepared pan. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350ËšF, and bake the risen buns for 45 minutes. Allow buns to cool in pan for 10 minutes, and then invert onto a platter. Pull apart and devour!

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T8N May 2015 19

Rhuberry Meringue Cookies

Rhubarb Sour

Rhubarb Hibiscus Iced Tea

How do you get great colour and fruit flavour in a meringue cookie? Jell-O powder! The flavour combos are endless.

Make no mistake. This cocktail’s got kick!

Flirty, refreshing and perfect for ushering in summer.

If you’re a tea drinker, skip straight to double batches. Sublime on its own over ice. Picture-perfect with strawberry slices.

4 egg whites 3/4 cup icing sugar 1 tbsp berry-flavoured Jell-O powder A pinch of cream of tarter Nutella

Preheat oven to 170˚F, and line a 9-by-13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine the icing sugar, Jell-O powder and cream of tarter in a small bowl, and set it aside.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whip the egg whites on high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Slowly add the icing sugar mixture while continuing to whip. When the mixture is stiff and glossy, spoon it into a medium-sized Ziplock bag, cut off one of the bottom corners and pipe the mixture into rosettes on the parchment-lined baking sheet.

Place in the oven, and bake for 2 hours. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues inside to cool.

When cool, create cookie sandwiches by joining 2 rosettes with a layer of Nutella.

2 oz gin 1/2 oz lemon juice 1/2 oz lime juice 1 1/2 oz rhubarb syrup 2 dashes rhubarb bitters Lime slices and strawberries (to garnish) A splash of tonic water or sparkling wine (optional)

To make the rhubarb syrup, place 2 cups of chopped rhubarb in a small pot with 1/2 a cup of water and 1/2 a cup white sugar. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and let simmer 20 minutes. Strain well, and store the syrup in the refrigerator.

4 cups cubed rhubarb 8 cups water 2 bags hibiscus tea 1/3 cup sugar or honey, to taste Strawberries and mint (to garnish)

Add the rhubarb and water to a large pot, and bring it to a boil. Let simmer 1 hour, and then strain the liquid into a pitcher.

Add the tea bags, and let them steep 7 to 8 minutes. Remove tea bags, stir in the sugar and place in the refrigerator to chill. Serve in a glass with a few sliced strawberries and a garnish of mint. t8n

To a cocktail shaker, add the gin, lemon juice, lime juice, rhubarb syrup and bitters. Fill the shaker with ice, and shake until the shaker becomes frosty. Strain into a glass with ice, and garnish with lime and strawberries. For a sour with a little less kick, add a splash of tonic water or sparkling wine.

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Truly, Deeply. Madly

May We

SUGGEST…

HOW TO PAIR

OLIVE OILS

Italian Wisdom “Olio nuovo, vino vecchio” is an old Italian proverb that means “New oil, old wine.” Unlike wine, olive oil does not improve with age, so serve it within three months after opening.

Navigating the tasting bar IN ANCIENT EGYP T, Greece a nd

Rome, olive oil was a luxury so prized for its cosmetic and medicinal uses that the people made “liquid gold” offerings to the gods. Nowadays, olive oil is a go-to ingredient in preparing and enjoying food, and tasting bars have become popular places where non-experts can “taste around” and discover their preferences for the perfect pairing. Here are some tips to help you along.

Categorically Speaking Olive oil has numerous quality categories.

Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is the oil from the first pressing of the fruit. Ultra premium (UP) is a new category that distinguishes the world’s highest quality EVOO from those of lesser quality.

Extra-virgin olive oils range in colour from gold to amber to emerald, but colour doesn’t affect quality. The acidity of EVOO is less than 0.8%. Lower categories, such as virgin, pure, olive and olive pomace oil, have higher acidity and many are blends.

Making the Grade There are thought to be over 1000 olive oil flavours around the world. To help consumers make their selections, olive oils are 22

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graded according to their intensity. Some have a mild, delicate taste; others are strong and robust with many variations in between.

Typical notes include bitter or buttery, grassy or fruity.

Tips to Create Your Own Pairings

Base Oils & Flavourings

Decide whether you want the flavours of the food and the oil to be complementary or contrasting, and choose your pairing from there.

Olive oils with added flavourings (such as herbs, spices or fruits) have become trendy items for chefs and amateurs. The taste of the base oil influences what flavourings are added. The base oil is usually mild and is selected to complement (rather than overpower) the additions.

Ask for recommendations from friends or family or from your olive oil vendor, such as Evoolution at the Enjoy Centre here in St. Albert.

Start with an oil infused with elements you know and like; get more adventurous later if you want.

Perfect Pairings Any flavoured olive oil is an ideal condiment for dipping warm, crusty bread or for mixing with balsamic vinegar for a tasty salad dressing. Here are some other no-fail pairings: Garlic olive oil—delightful drizzled over pasta, mashed potatoes or sautéed vegetables.

Lemon olive oil—complements light dishes such as seafood, chicken or fresh salads.

Jalapeno or chipotle oil—pairs well with soups or stews and makes a zingy meat marinade.

Herbed olive oil—delicious dribbled over a cheese or meat platter or mixed into a vegetable dip.

Keeping it Fresh To keep olive oil fresh, store it in a cool, dark place in a tinted glass, ceramic, porcelain or stainless steel container. Make sure the container seals tightly to keep out air.

On Our Bookshelves

Diggin’ It IT’S FINALLY GARDENING season.

And what better way to get inspired than with a book. Our stack includes recipes, memoirs— even botanical prints. Have a favourite of your own?

Share it with us on Facebook or Twitter. Happy reading.

Flora: An Illustrated History of the Garden Flower,

by Brent Elliott, Firefly Books Lois Hole’s Favorite Trees & Shrubs, by Lois Hole, Lone Pine Publishing I’ll Never Marry a Farmer, by Lois Hole, Hole’s Jekka’s Herb Cookbook, by Jekka McVicar, Ebury Press The Edible Balcony: Growing Fresh Produce in the Heart of the City, by Alex Mitchell, Kyle Cathie Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts & Pieces of the Natural World, by Julia Rothman, Storey Publishing t8n

T8N May 2015 23

The 8s

SPRING BLOOMERS We’ve got a crush on springtime

SPRING CERTAINLY TAKES its sweet time getting here.

But—wow! —it sure knows how to make an entrance.

Fluttering pink branches framed by blue skies, yellow forsythia as golden as sunshine, velvety catkins silver in the moonlight…yup, we’ve got a crush on springtime. Plant some of these favourites, and so could you. t8n

1

2

3

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4

1 Bleeding Heart: This hardy perennial is low on maintenance and high on wow factor. Loves the shade. Grows 80 cm high & wide.

5 Tulips: Plant these bulbs in the fall for spring blooms. Choose a spot that enjoys at least half a day of sunshine.

2 Forsythia: This bush is happiest in a sunny spot but will tolerate a little shade. Grows 2 to 3 m high & wide.

6 Allium: This hardy bulb is a relative of the onion family! Plant in the fall for spring blooms. Grows 70 cm tall.

3 Ranunculus: Buy these bulbs as transplants to enjoy as annuals, or plant the bulbs in the fall for spring blooms. Likes full sun.

7 Double Flowering Plum: Plant this shrub in a sunny location with a little protection from the wind. Grows 2.5 m tall & 2 m wide.

Bears no fruit.

4 Pansy: Transplant these annuals outdoors in early spring. Prefers a little shade.

5

6

8 Pussy Willow: This tree is happiest growing in a low, sunny, wet spot. Can reach 9 m tall.

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T8N May 2015 25

Then & Now

CITY HALL THEN & NOW

BY DAWN VALENTINE OF VINTAGE ST. ALBERT

IN LESS THAN 10 yea rs a fter its

founding, St. Albert was home to over 1,000 residents. From a settlement to a village to a town with a mayor, we flourished. As our city took shape, so too did our municipal government, the evidence of which is on the street signs that honour those who have guided us. Here’s a look back at our city hall and mayoral history.

1900s Cheri Hebert, a successful businessman, served as the first mayor of St. Albert from 1904–1907. Hebert Road is named in his honour.

In 1905, the town office was set up in Lucien Boudreau’s “sample room,” presumably in his Astoria Hotel.

Fleuri Perron, the owner of several St. Albert businesses, served as our second mayor from 1907–1908. Perron Street was renamed after him.

Lucien Boudreau, our mayor in 1909, was the only member of the provincial Parliament to vote against the Alberta Equal Suffrage Act in 1916, arguing that “The place of women was in the home.” Boudreau Road is named for him.

Between 1908 and 1910, the town office moved into the 1888 police barracks, a two-story log building on St. Anne Street.

When this building was taken down in 1939, the logs were used to build a home on Taché Street. Remarkably, this cabin is still standing, having been moved just east of St. Albert 26

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Trail near the river. It has been used in recent years as the Summer Nature Centre.

1910s

decreased teacher salaries. He was our mayor for a record-holding 24 years and died in office. Hogan Road was named after him.

Herbert B. Dawson (Mayor 1910) opened a store in the Dawson Block, which he constructed in 1906. Dawson Road was named after him.

1940s

Leon Levasseur (Mayor 1911–1912) was chairman of the school board in 1909 and owned Levasseur Royal Livery. Levasseur Road was named for him.

John E. LeClair (Mayor 1945–1946) was known for his philanthropy. LeClair Way was named in his honour.

Dr. J. Arthur Giroux (Mayor 1913–1918) was St. Albert’s first medical officer and practiced medicine out of his home for more than 30 years. Juneau House, named for its first owner, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Dr. Giroux. Giroux Road is named in his honour.

Alex Perron (Mayor 1918–1919) was a son of Fleuri Perron.

Michael Hogan (Mayor 1919–1943) took office at a time when the finances were struggling. In efforts to improve the situation, he unloaded the one policeman and

Did You Know? The Perron Street Clock Tower was intended to be a leaning tower! This did not sit well with City Council, as they felt the citizens of St. Albert would not approve. After things were straightened out, four ornamental gargoyles were donated by Hole’s Greenhouses & Gardens. Now the main concern is that all four clocks tell the same time.

Dr. Richard Poirier (Mayor 1943–1945) was St. Albert’s health officer. Poirier Avenue is named for him.

Eugene Maheux (Mayor 1946–1947) was a long-time resident who also ran one of the garages in town.

Neil M. Ross (Mayor 1947–1951) owned Ross Truck Service and donated the statue of the Virgin Mary that stands in the Grotto at St. Albert Parish. Both Neil Ross Road and Neil M. Ross Catholic School were named after him.

1950S William Veness (Mayor 1951–1957) saw St. Albert’s population grow to 10,000 people during his tenure. Veness Road was named after him.

In 1957, St. Albert was part of the Provincial Government’s New Town Act, where financial assistance was provided to towns coping with the strains of growth. There was no mayor during this time; the town was run by a board of administrators.

1960s In 1961, the New Town Hall opened on Grandin Road and McKenney Avenue (now Sir Winston Churchill Avenue). Designed by architects Hemingway and Laubenthal, the

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In 1962, the New Town of St. Albert reverted back to a regular town.

William Veness served a second term as mayor from 1962–1965.

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John de Bruijn (Mayor 1965) was an alderman under both Mayor Veness and Mayor Gibbon.

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Dick Fowler (Mayor 1965–1968) went on to earn two degrees at the University of Alberta after his first term as mayor. He also served more than 10 years as a provincial court judge. Richard S. Fowler Catholic Junior High School, Fowler Athletic Park and Fowler Way were all named for him.

Ray Gibbon (Mayor 1968–1974) lost his bid for town council in 1964 but successfully challenged the result in court, alleging problems at the polling stations. The mayor and councillors who were voted in were ruled ineligible, and a new election was held the next year. Ray Gibbon Drive was named for him.

1970s Richard Plain (Mayor 1974–1977) banned smoking in all places of business and initiated plans for a multi-purpose leisure centre that 30 years later became Servus Place.

On January 1, 1977, St. Albert (Alberta’s largest town) became the province’s eleventh city.

Ronald Harvey (Mayor 1977–1980) became the namesake of Ronald H. Harvey Elementary School.

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1980s Dick Fowler served a second term as mayor from 1980–1989.

In 1984, the newly completed St. Albert Place became home to City Hall, the Public Library, Musée Héritage Museum and the Arden Theatre. Designed by Canadian architect Douglas Cardinal, the building’s curves flow alongside the Sturgeon River.

Ray Gibbon served a second term as mayor in 1989.

Anita Ratchinsky (Mayor 1989–1998) was the founding chair of the Capital Region Waste Minimization Advisory Committee. She also approved the building of the Perron Street Clock Tower, one of St. Albert’s most recognizable landmarks.

1990s Paul Chalifoux (Mayor 1998–2001) was elected when the main issue was the alignment of the West Regional Road, which eventually

First Town Council (back row) Nazaire Asselin, Fleuri Perron, Henry Cunningham, Lucien Boudreau (front row) David Chevigny, Cheri Hebert (mayor), Joseph Leonard.

became Ray Gibbon Drive. He also increased St. Albert’s size by 35 percent with a major land annexation.

2000s Richard Plain served a second term as mayor from 2001–2004.

Paul Chalifoux served his second mayoral term from 2004–2007.

Nolan Crouse (Mayor 2007–present) has a background in the Forest Products Industry. He has long been involved in hockey with the Alberta Junior Hockey League, as well as aiding the Winter Games and the United Way. In 2014, the east boardroom at St. Albert Place was renamed the Douglas Cardinal Boardroom, after the building’s architect.

NOW The sixth largest city in Alberta, St. Albert has grown to include over 63,000 residents. It has been ranked one of the top places to live and raise a family in Canada. Thanks to its meandering river, ravines, trails and a plethora of public art, it is now known as The Botanical Arts City. The iconic St. Albert Place is symbolic of a city keeping up with the times while remembering its roots t8n PHOTO CREDIT THE CITY OF ST. ALBERT.

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ALBERTANS DECIDE 2015 MUCH SOONER THAN expected, Albertans are heading

to the polls in the province’s 29th provincial election.

Early polls are showing near-even support for the PCs, Wildrose and N DP, but they and representatives from other parties (Liberal, Green, Communist, Alberta Party and Social Credit) are now working to get their message out to you.

We asked candidates in St. Albert and Spruce Grove-St. Albert ridings to tell us one reason—not on the party platform or promotional materials—as to why we should vote for them. Here are their answers.

St. Albert and area candidates want your vote May 5th

In 2008, only 40.6 % of eligible voters cast a ballot—the lowest in Alberta history. In the 2012 election, voter turnout jumped to 57%, or nearly 1.3 million votes across the province. This time around, St. Albert has 33,340 potential voters, while Spruce Grove-St. Albert has 37,363.

BRENDON GREENE, GRN, Spruce Grove-St. Albert • “I grew up in my riding of Spruce Grove, and I am passionate about citizen engagement. I resonate with the six principles of the Green Party: ecological wisdom, non-violence, participatory democracy, respect for diversity, social justice, sustainability. […] I want to get young voters out to the polls, and being 28 years old, I feel I am able to reach out to a younger generation to spread the message that there is an alternative available […].”

GARY HANNA, AP, Spruce GroveSt. Albert • “I am an average Albertan who has become increasingly frustrated with the present state of our province. We need a change in how Alberta is managed.

I want to represent the people of my riding, not the wants of a party or corporations.”

TREVOR HORNE, NDP, Spruce Grove-St. Albert • “People can trust Rachel Notley and the NDP to stop the Prentice PCs and put families first for a change.

We will strengthen our community by creating jobs and investing in the services families depend on. It’s time for Jim Prentice and the PCs to ‘look in the mirror.’”

RUS MATICHUK, PC, Spruce GroveSt. Albert • “I have first-hand knowledge of the educational needs of children that range from being very gifted to those with special needs. Although I have worked in corporate finance for most of my adult life, I have a Bachelor of Education with Distinction, and I remain passionate about the needs in this area. [...] I believe that advancing innovation and education and the integration of these key areas is critical to the continued success of this province.”

JAYE WALTER, WR, Spruce GroveSt. Albert • “I have been a Wildrose organizer and volunteer for over the last five years. As President of two constituency associations, I truly represent and believe in grassroots democracy. If elected, I will use free votes to effectively represent all of my constituents. I’m here to work for you.”

SHELLEY BIERMANSKI, WR, St. Albert • “I am passionate about insuring our positive futures.

No one can work harder for your future than I will. I am excited about being part of a strong and solid opposition.”

STEPHEN KHAN, PC, St. Albert • “Having grown up in the community and now raising my family in St. Albert, I know our city is growing. In the past few years as MLA, I am proud of the strides we have made. I hope to continue to serve as a constructive advocate and the strong voice at the table that St. Albert deserves.”

TREVOR LOVE, AP, St. Albert • “As an Alberta Party MLA I will be free to vote to my conscious and to the wishes of my constituents (with the exception of budget votes). I am not required to “tow the party line” as they say. So if you want someone who will truly be a voice for St. Albert, you should vote for me.”

MARIE RENAUD, NDP, St. Albert • “As Executive Director of the LoSeCa Foundation, I have 14 years of experience advocating for the priorities of Albertans, which I will continue to do as the next MLA for St. Albert. I want to restore accountability and integrity to public office while protecting and improving healthcare, education and services.”

Please note that as of our April 16th deadline, these are the candidates we heard from. Missing are Bill Alton (LIB, St. Albert) and Reg Lukasik (LIB, Spruce Grove-St. Albert). t8n

Where to Vote Polls will be open May 5, from 9 am to 8 pm.

St. Albert constituency voting happens at Servus Credit Union Place, 400 Campbell Rd. Voters in the Spruce Grove-St. Albert riding mark their ballot at the Kinsmen Club, 47 Riel Drive.

Mobile polls run at several sites on voting day, and advance polls are running April 29 to May 2. For details go to elections.ab.ca or call 780-422-8683.

T8N May 2015 29

LEMON Aid

Tips for driving a hard (used) bargain

provides eyes and ears to weed out activity that doesn’t comply with the province’s Fair Trading Act and ensures that all vehicles come with a mechanical fitness assessment.

D

O YOU REMEMBER buying

your first used car? There was probably a whole lot of excitement and at least a little fear dealing with the unknown—Is this a good deal? Am I buying a lemon or a vehicle with a hidden flaw that will cost me down the road? Back in the day, market research was limited, and you were likely left to trust a friend of a friend or chase an ad in the classifieds. Today, there are some great safeguards in place and access to a lot more information that can make buying that first used car a much less stressful experience.

Do Your Research Like years ago, private car sales remain popular via Auto Trader and newspaper classifieds. Even more popular though are online sales through sites like Kijiji. The Internet, however, is a double-edged sword, as it’s also a playground for unscrupulous sellers to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers—stories of odometer rollbacks and passing off vehicle write-offs are enough to scare anyone off the private sale route.

Thankfully, consumers today have an ally in the Alberta Motor Vehicle Industry Council (AMVIC), a non-profit group that aims to provide a fair marketplace for consumers and businesses. With 10,000 licensed businesses (car dealerships and repair shops) and 7,000 sales people under its watch, AMVIC

A Little Now Could Save Thousands Later “Unfortunately, there are no regulations governing private vehicle sales—it’s strictly buyer beware,” says Laura Lowe, AMVIC Communications and Education manager. “And there are curbers—unlicensed sales people posing as private sellers that can confuse the buying situation even more. For peace of mind, we recommend people buy a used car through an AMVIC-licensed establishment.”

While Lowe says who and where to buy from is part of the equation, consumers still need to be good shoppers, researching a product and price range, investigating the best financing options and getting an independent vehicle inspection before buying. “It’s worth spending a little extra now, rather than potentially thousands down the road,

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or having a vehicle disappear from your driveway because it had a lien against it,” she says. “Buyers can access a vehicle’s entire history—it takes the guessing and wondering out of the used car purchase.”

There Will Always Be Another Car Bob McCormick, a veteran car seller of 40 years, much of that with Ron Hodgson Chevrolet Buick GMC in St. Albert, says buying a used car is stressful for many, but it doesn’t have to be. He offers a few tips to ensure a positive car buying experience, starting with deciding what type of vehicle best suits a buyer’s needs and lifestyle—a car, truck, SUV—and what the budget will allow.

“Most people finance a vehicle, so compare your own bank’s rate with the dealership’s, and don’t spend more than 20 percent of your monthly net income on it,” he says.

“Trust your gut—if you’re not comfortable with a negotiation or a salesperson, walk away. There will always be another car.”

Did You Know? If you buy a vehicle from an AMVIC licensed business and it goes out of business, there’s a Consumer Compensation Fund that may be able to help. Consumers can make a claim for up to $25,000 from the fund, now at $4 million. See amvic.org for more program details.

Armed with knowledge about the car and your own needs, you won’t need to lose sleep over that first used car purchase. t8n

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“Buyers like to be protected, so they should make a one-to-two-hour appointment with a salesperson to allow time to check a car’s service record, test drive on city and highway roads and feel comfortable and confident with negotiations,” he says. “Money is an important element, but the condition of the vehicle is paramount.”

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.

SIN GLE-MALT (adj.)

Distilling the facts about scotch

C

H A N C E S A R E YO U k now

s o m e o ne who ’s r e c e n t ly channelled their inner scotch aficionado. With trendy new scotch ba rs opening up in ma ny cities, scotch tastings are becoming popular evenings out. Experts consider single-malt scotch the premium variety, but what exactly is it? To help you get up to scratch on this superior scotch, here’s what you need to know about the whisky’s distillation processes, its characteristics and flavours, as well as tips for serving and enjoying it.

The Single and the Malt Scotch refers to any whisky produced entirely in Scotland, and many varieties are available, such as blended grain, blended malt, blended, single grain and single malt.

The “single” in single-malt refers to two things: a single distillery and a single grain— malted barley. The malting and distilling processes consist of several steps. Germinate the barley until the starch becomes malt sugar.

Dry and grind the malt. Extract the sugar by adding hot water and then leave the liquid to ferment. Distill the fermented liquid twice in copper stills and then mature it in wooden casks for at least three years.

The Cask and the Conversation Single-malt casks are made from mature European or Spanish oak (Quercus robur) or American oak (Quercus alba). Often the cask has been previously used in bourbon or sherry production, which lends unique tastes to the liquor. The interaction between the spirit and the wood during maturation is often called “the conversation.”

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The Craft Although making single-malt scotch seems simple, it’s an art form. The flavours of the finished product depend on the knowledge and skill of the distiller and how that person uses those tools to balance the other factors that influence taste. Those factors include the shape of the still, the quality of the water, the characteristics of the barley, the fermentation and maturation times, and the subtleties of the distillation process.

By Numbers 40%: the minimum alcohol by volume required for all varieties of scotch 60%: the amount of the flavour of a scotch that comes from the characteristics of the cask 100%: the amount of grain in a singlemalt scotch that must be malted barley

The Flavours The final flavours of a single-malt scotch are classified on two scales: light to rich and delicate to smoky. Single-malts have whispers of fresh fruit and citrus on the light end and have notes of vanilla and chocolate on the other. On the delicate side, fresh floral or grassy notes are evident; on the smoky side (which comes from peat if it was burned during malting), hints of light toast or scented smoke are typical.

The Enjoyment Like any scotch, a single-malt is served neat—from the bottle without chilling or mixing—or with water, with ice or with a mix. Water changes the scotch’s composition and releases its subtle nuances. The best water is soft tap water without added chemicals. Add a little at a time until you find the best balance for your palate. Ice dilutes the scotch and may reduce its aromas and flavours. Mixes, too, can mask the tastes, so many experts suggest that a blended scotch is more suitable for mixing.

To get the most out of your dram (3.7 mL) of single-malt scotch, experts also suggest that you sip from a clear, undecorated glass that narrows near the top. This will direct the aromas to your nose and keep the flavours from escaping so that you can enjoy them as the distiller intended. t8n

THROUGH THE YEARS 3 years + 1 day: the minimum time a single-malt must mature in the cask 100 years: the age of the mature oak typically used for a cask 500 years: how long scotch has been produced in Scotland

THE LITTLE THINGS GO A LONG WAY

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