June 2019 t8nmagazine.com
Hire Straits
The ups and downs of the youth job market
Delectable Locals Meal prepping with Farmers’ Market finds
St. Albert Artwalk A cultural cornerstone takes to the streets
Ride On Tips to get into pedal-pushing mode
T8N June 2019 1
2 T8Nmagazine.com
2 LOCATIONS SERVING AWARD WINNING FOOD
ITALIAN
WWW.NELLOSRESTAURANT.CA 512 ST. ALBERT TRIAL, ST. ALBERT I 780-460-8505 11520–100 AVENUE, EDMONTON I 780-250-8505
Contents
T8N MAGAZINE
VOLUME 6 ISSUE 5 June 2019 PUBLISHER
EDITOR
Rob Lightfoot
Gene Kosowan
ART DIRECTION
Brenda Lakeman, Correna Saunders DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Correna Saunders PHOTOGRAPHY
Brenda Lakeman CONTRIBUTORS
Rudy Howell, Markwell Lyon, Robert Michon, Lisa Szabo, Shima Zonneveld OFFICE MANAGER
Janice Lightfoot CONTRIBUTING AGENCIES Image page 6 © Alfmaler/Adobe Stock Image page 9 © Andrii Symonenko/Adobe Stock Image page 20 © Qualit Design /Adobe Stock Image page 30 © hakinmhan /Adobe Stock Image page 32 © ONYXprj/Adobe Stock
ISSN 2368-707X (PRINT) ISSN 2368-7088 (ONLINE)
Conversations 6
Fazed and Disused
Why it's getting harder for youth to get a foot wedged in the employment door.
Arts & Culture 10 20
18 27
Living FOOD & GATHERINGS From Market to Meals How ingredients from local farmers' markets can liven up your dinner table. 2 T8Nmagazine.com
Getting the Word Out MEET YOU THERE Sailfish Swim Club
The venerable aquatic squad still making a splash after more than half a century.
The city unveils its latest visual street stroll for art's sake.
THE 8s Family Cycling
THEN & NOW
From print to the web, a look at how this city received its news.
The St. Albert Artwalk
Tips and advice on how to make the most of your two-wheel journeys.
22
City
Spotlight 30 32
An Evening for the Adults
We pick 10 awesome getaway adventures worthy of some down time.
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 10-12 times a year by T8N Publishing Inc. Copyright ©2019 T8N Publishing Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Content marked by the Sponsored Content icon was produced in partnership between content producers and T8N magazine. PRINTED IN CANADA
T8N PUBLISHING INC PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT
Rob Lightfoot: rob@t8nmagazine.com
The Crosswalk
For the wordsmithing thrillseeker, this month’s crossword puzzle captures all that's adventuresome.
CONNECT WITH US
/t8nmagazine
T8N June 2019  3
From the Publisher SYNCHRONIZE YOUR WATCHES, everyone, and
keep your eye on the clock on June 21 at precisely 9:54 a.m. That’s when we welcome the arrival of not only the longest day of the year, but the official launch of summer. In turn, we have provided some excellent ideas for you to make the season more enjoyable. Beginning on page 10, we share our exploration of the St. Albert Artwalk, taking place on the first Thursday of each month in the summer. An ideal way to get to this Rob Lightfoot unique visual arts event is by bike. And if you’re opting for two-wheel mobility, flip to page 20 for our roundup of some biking rules and tips. While pedalling around, a great stop is the Farmers’ Market, where you can find some amazing consumables. We checked out a few vendors selling some choice ingredients and melded a few of them for some unique seasonal meals that are delicious, nutritious and very deserving of some profile on page 22.
On the Cover
T8N is a family-oriented magazine, although we realize parents occasionally need a little down time for themselves. If you have easy access to a babysitter, we provide some fun ideas for outings on page 30. Meanwhile, kids too old to babysit are looking for more regular entry-level work this summer. As you’ll find out on page 6, that search for elusive employment is a challenge in itself.
Cool drinks are the norm for summer and so is biking. Pedal on over to page 20 for some sound advice on taking your summer cycling to the max. Cover models: Zoe and Colleen; bike courtesy Cranky’s Bike Shop.
Finally, enjoy the read and the beginning of summer.
office hours services • NEW in-office 3D Scanner
• Sedation/ Nitrous Oxide
• Orthodontics • In-office Whitening
• Sleep Apnea / Snoring Appliance
• Implant Restorations
• Hygiene Services
• Direct Billing
Services provided by a general dentist
4 T8Nmagazine.com
Mon & Tues • 10am - 6pm Wed • 10am - 7pm Thurs & Fri • 8am - 4pm Select Saturdays • 9am - 2pm
our office 780.460.8707 #20, 19 Bellerose Drive St. Albert, Alberta Inglewood Towne Square info@generationsfamilydental.ca www.generationsfamilydental.ca
Dr. Dana Hardy
28
Home Games throughout the MAY–AUGUST 2019 Season
z Featuring awesome pre- and post-game activities z Player autograph signings on Sundays z Special theme nights z Affordable tickets and concessions RE/MAX FIELD, 10233-96 AVENUE NW
VISIT PROSPECTSBASEBALLCLUB.COM TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS
IO EN T P PA O W O N
COME SAY HI TO PAOLO AND ENJOY A CAPPUCCINO OR A GELATO.
Eat, Drink and Enjoy. The Shops at Boudreau I 120 Bellerose Dr I St. Albert, AB Market 9AM–9PM I Illy Café 9AM–9PM
ciao@mercatofoods.com | 780.569.4488 mercatofoods.com
T8N June 2019 5
Conversations
Fazed and Disused Today’s high school students are less employed than their parents’ generation, but not for lack of trying BY LISA SZABO
AT 15, AIDEN Groff is itching to
get a foot in the entry-level door of the working world. He ponders his options, while his resume sits on the coffee table with his dad’s suggestions scrawled in the margins. After six months of seeing his son drop in at grocery stores, craft stores and fast food restaurants with applications in hand and dwindling optimism, 6 T8Nmagazine.com
Aiden’s dad Ron thought he could use a little help. He’s hoping the new draft will finally get his son a callback. Besides helping with Aiden’s resume, Ron also accompanies his son pounding the pavement for opportunities. “We try to recommend some places that [Aiden] could apply. As we stop in at stores or talk to people, I’ll ask if they’re hiring and what the criteria are so I’ll know if he can apply.”
So far, there hasn’t been much luck. Aiden is just one of today’s youth straddling the unstable landscape of teen employment. Statistics Canada reports that over the last several decades, employment rates for youths aged 15–19 in Canada have dropped by nearly 10 per cent. In Alberta, the plunge is closer to 20. Economic recession, the introductions of a carbon tax and a rising minimum wage has carved a massive fissure in what was solid ground only a generation ago. As a result, today’s high school students have steeper mountains to climb than their parents did as teens looking for work.
More Money, More Problems In the past ten years, minimum wage in Alberta has nearly doubled—the most recent hike from $13.60 to $15 was implemented last October. Fry that up with a handful of carbon tax and reduced restrictions on holiday pay, and you’ve got a significant cost increase for business owners. Bruce Wilde, owner of the Swiss Chalet franchise in St. Albert, is one of many business owners feeling the effects of rising minimum wage. “It’s impacted hiring anyone,” he says. “There are people that can’t justify paying a 14-year old $15, when they can hire someone who can work full time, and isn’t restricted by hours.” To restaurateurs like Wilde, flexibility is imperative, and not always on the menu for young applicants. Alberta labour laws limit the types of jobs employees under the age of 16 can work, and the hours they can work them. Youths under the age of 15 can’t work past 9 p.m., which is a problem from businesses like Swiss Chalet that stay open until 10 p.m. or later. And with the increased cost of employment hitting businesses hard, employers have to choose their hires more carefully. Then there are those other after-hour elements in a teen’s life that come into play, from soccer practice to music lessons to simply hanging out with peers. While those activities are undoubtedly important in a youth’s development, they’re also obstacles to employment.
SO HOW DO I GET A JOB? Access resources set up for youth Tap into your parents’ experiences, or seek out help from a high school guidance counsellor or local youth program. They can help you determine what to include in your resume and cover letter, and pass on their years of job-hunting wisdom. Do your research Use that iPhone to find out which companies have values around youth employment or first-time employees. Find out the labour laws that apply to your age, and look for jobs that fit. For example, save the car wash application until you’re over 15 — youths under the age of 14 aren’t permitted to work near moving vehicles. “When someone’s 15, their priorities are their friends and having fun,” Wilde says. Adults, on the other hand, have landlords banging down their doors for rent checks and vehicle payments accruing interest by the day. The nagging necessity to make a paycheck translates into an employee more likely to show up on time for every shift and stick around for the long haul. “It’s completely different when someone needs to work,” adds Wilde. This employer logic is all too familiar to Aiden. “I’ve tried looking at a lot of places but usually they don’t hire teenagers,” he says, adding most employers tell him
Take initiative Whether you’re applying for your first part-time job as a hostess, or are moving up the ladder in a corporate career, business owners want to see that you want the job. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there; if you don’t hear from them in a couple of weeks, call them back! Think about trades Many high schools offer students the chance to get involved in trades through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Through RAP, youths choose from approximately 50 trades in Alberta and learn the ropes from a skilled tradesperson. Students earn high school credits, a paycheque and begin moving towards a journeyman certificate. It’s a high school job with a profitable end game. they hire workers around 17 or 18 years old. His top choice, McDonald’s, has turned him down twice because of his age. Twenty-five years ago when Aiden’s dad looked for his first job, he doesn’t recall meeting the same resistance. But back then, Alberta had a tiered minimum wage system, allowing businesses to employ youth at a lower rate. “I don’t remember getting turned away from applying a lot of places,” says Ron. “Being 14 years old, I actually was paid below the normal minimum wage, which was $5 at the time. But if you were under 16, they were allowed to pay you $4.50 an hour.” T8N June 2019 7
Wilde thinks bringing back a youth wage could help temper rising teen unemployment by cutting down on labour costs. Teens, in turn, would reap the rewards of entry level experience with a paycheck to boot.
Same Story—Different Decade Bill Turnham, the Off-Campus, Dual Credit, and Continuing Education Coordinator at Bellerose High School, has noticed students have become hungrier for employment—especially compared to his own teen years. In his time at the school. “If I think back to my youth, there wasn’t necessarily a need or a demand to work,” says Turnham, who’s been organizing the school’s Registered
8 T8Nmagazine.com
Apprenticeship Program (RAP) and youth work experience for 16 years. “Historically, a lot of work experience was a volunteer experience that you would do for the remuneration of credit and building the work ethic. Now, it seems there’s a shift and those things are perhaps a little bit secondary.” The reason? Life is more expensive for teens today. Factor in the demand for teen essentials like cell phones, laptops and video games, and add them to the same list their parents once had: clothes, car insurance and impending tuition fees. And those are more expensive as well. “The desire to obtain a paycheck is stronger now than it was before,” says
Turnham. “[Working during high school] provides both some experience for your resume, but also life experience.” Working students spend their leisure time developing long-term soft skills, like communication and dealing with difficult people, with the added responsibilities of managing their finances and being accountable for setting their own schedules. They can also quit asking mom and dad for money every time they want a Slurpee. “At this point in time I don’t really care where I work,” says Aiden. “I just want a job because then I can actually have money to spend on things.”
AGE DISCRIMINATION: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW The Alberta Human Rights Act protects prospective employees from being discriminated against based on their age, with one catch: you have to be 18 for that section of the Act to apply. Minors protected from discrimination in every other area laid out in the Act—like race, religion, gender and disability —can still be turned away from a job in favour of an older employee. And because there are specific labour laws that apply to youth under 12, youths aged 13–14 and youths aged 15–17, employers are entitled to ask candidates their age if it’s relevant to the job.
Help from The Cloud
The Future is Friendly
Considering today’s teen demographic, also dubbed iGen, is the most wired generation of our time, it stands to reason that additional help is available on the very digital network that defines them. Obligingly, many big box stores have made the switch to online applications, offering teens the chance to apply for jobs without their age being the first thing an employer sees. Winners is one business making use of this method.
With today’s youth facing a different set of challenges entering the workforce than their parents did, they can use all the help they can get.
“It used to be that they had to come into the store and drop off their applications in-person,” says Natalia Padayas, a Winners store manager. “And we would see the applicant. Now it’s all online.” With online applications, candidates aren’t seen in person until the interview, at which stage, they’ve already proven they have something the business needs. For Padayas and many other retail managers, that’s availability.
Resources like high school youth work experience programs help set kids up for success in the workplace by placing them with partnering businesses willing to invest in their training and skilldevelopment. With the work experience program at Bellerose, Turnham helps students with applications and resume development. The program also acts as a broker between students and employees, offering support to both parties throughout the experience. Turnham encourages employers to think about youth as potential long-term assets. “When you hire a student, you’re giving somebody who’s brand new to the word of work an opportunity to learn,” he says.
It’s Turnham’s belief that businesses with the ability to train and mentor youth have an opportunity to help a teen hone the skills that particular business needs most. And in his experience, high school students are more than willing to become an asset to a business and buy passionately into the work culture. But first they need the chance. “There’s always a risk because students are still learning; they’re likely to make a few more mistakes than someone whose had more experience,” he says. “But we were all there once, too. And someone had to give us our first shot.” Aiden’s desire to work may not be driven by an impending utilities bill, but he isn’t giving up on the hunt anytime soon. The teen plans to type up a revised draft of his resume and apply at McDonald’s again when he turns 16. Maybe someone will take a chance on him then. t8n
Retail stores like Winners have their peak times during evenings and weekends, and need more staff to cover those shifts than on weekdays. Since those are the time slots high school students are looking to fill—and since most retailers aren’t open past 9:00 p.m.—the partnership is a natural one. The fit not only means that most of Padayas’ staff consist of iGen youths, it also distinguishes the retail industry as one of the primary source of youth employment in Alberta. T8N June 2019 9
Arts & Culture
The St. Albert
ARTWALK St. Albert event aims to bring art to the people BY MARKWELL LYON PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY
W H E N IT CO M ES to v isua l c u ltu re i n
St. Albert, Pam Gendron is a huge supporter. “St. Albert is a very artistic community,” says Gendron, rental and sales associate at the Art Gallery of St Albert. “There are so many talented artists and artisans here. It’s a wonderful cornerstone of the community.” ArtWalk St. Albert has been adding to that cornerstone for the past decade and a half. The local event, which this year takes place on the first Thursday evening of each month between May and September, lets St. Albertans explore and experience art at various venues downtown. With the next ArtWalk coming up June 6, T8N is providing a behind-the-scenes look at the unique creation, installation, and experience that ArtWalk St. Albert provides.
10 T8Nmagazine.com
T8N June 2019  11
Five Thursdays, One Summer “It was packed and people were just loving it,” Gendron says of the AGSA’s High Energy 24 exhibition, part of ArtWalk’s May program. The exhibition showcased art by St. Albert high school students and ran throughout the month. It was just one part of a full slate of artsy activities offered on May 2. Although outdoor activities had to be cancelled due to winter’s lingering grasp, a number of venues downtown displayed and sold art in various forms. Visitors even had an opportunity to create their own works of art, collaboratively painting clay pots donated by Canadian Tire. The pots were to be planted (soil and plants also courtesy of CTC) and placed outside venues throughout the summer, a colourful example of art brightening a community.
12 T8Nmagazine.com
From Humble Beginnings Oddly enough, while ArtWalk has graced downtown St. Albert for several years now, its early history is “a bit blurry,” Gendron admits. It’s generally agreed the event is at least 15 years old, and early on, was mostly focused on the corner of Perron and St. Anne. “Up until a few years ago, record-keeping was not a big thing for ArtWalk,” Gendron says with a laugh. “We’re trying to fix that and have a history going forward.” That history has witnessed a great deal of growth in those 15-plus years. These days, ArtWalk St. Albert is run by a committee comprised of representatives from the various venues and participants. As the AGSA rep, this is Gendron’s third summer with ArtWalk. In that time, she’s seen the event continue to evolve and spread. One change is that the last couple of seasons have seen more volunteer participation. This, in turn, has taken some of the work off the shoulders of the organizers, allowing them to concentrate more on planning programs and activities. T8N June 2019 13
Coming this Summer “One goal is to see each ArtWalk as busy as the last one,” Gendron says of this year’s vision. As with other events spread over multiple dates, public interest can either surge or wane. “We just want to keep that level of engagement up all season.” The new ArtWalking tours should help with this. These tours of up to eight cost $5 per person and take people on a guided tour of different venues. They also jibe with ArtWalk’s focus on walking. While new venues continue to be added, the focus is on keeping everything within walking distance downtown. “We don’t want people to have to get in their car and go across town to another place,” Gendron says. “This is as big as our footprint is going to get.”
14 T8Nmagazine.com
The June Program While ArtWalk may be limited in physical size, there’s a lot that can be done in that space. The June 6 program will see a new venue at La Crema, and visitors will be able to take part in “yarn bombing,” a recent street-art trend that sees yarn—crocheted, knitted, braided, and so on—used to cover and decorate objects in public spaces. Visitors will be able to form impromptu knitting circles, with instruction provided, and their work will be collected and installed in different parts of the city. Moreover, materials will be provided so that people can continue to add to these “yarn sculptures” over the coming months. It’s one example of how ArtWalk St. Albert wants to make art accessible, a tool to connect people and beautify a community. “Art is a reflection of the world around us,” Gendron says. “It changes the way your space works. You can talk about it, you can create different dialogues.” With that in mind, expect plenty of chatter regarding the changes ArtWalk St. Albert is promising this summer. t8n T8N June 2019 15
The most comprehensive
online tool
for planning your
Summer!
Sign up for our
Newsletter
SUMMERCITY.CA is your online guide for the summer! 16 T8Nmagazine.com
SUMMERCITY.CA follow us on social media for the chance to WIN tons of great prizes!
Great prizes, including
1 free wee k on a
houseboat, tickets to Summer Festivals,
Dinners Out & More!
TAKE YOUR ONLINE GUIDE
ON THE GO!
Parks, Pools & Activities Sign up for our E-newsletter, receive great new information weekly T8N June 2019  17
Then & Now
DID YOU KNOW? The University of Alberta maintains a vast archive of digitized newspapers. The archive, called Peel’s Prairie Provinces, contains old issues of the Gazette and the Star/Étoile that members of the public can access for free.
Getting the Word Out Exploring St. Albert's colourful media history, from print to electronic BY ROBERT MICHON
IN THE AGE of the Internet and social media, it
1900s-1910s
can be easy to forget how essential traditional media was to the development of the Canadian west. Newspapers and radio stations in the early days of Alberta weren’t just reporting news, they were helping to build communities by creating platforms for conversation. The cultural development of St. Albert has benefited tremendously from the various media outlets that have been operating for the last 110 years.
St. Albert’s first locally-published piece of media was a francophone newspaper called Le Progrès, which first ran in 1909. It was founded by an MLA hopeful named Wilfrid Gariépy. He started printing the newspaper to promote his legislative bid, but was defeated by Lucien Boudreau in the election. While Gariépy didn’t stick around in St. Albert, his newspaper did, as he sold it to Omer Saint-Germain, who continued to publish news that would be of interest to Franco-Albertans around the province.
18 T8Nmagazine.com
L’ Etoile de St. Albert, Juin 4, 1913 Image Credit: Musée Héritage Museum
The St. Albert Star, June 4, 1913 Image Credit: Musée Héritage Museum
A more locally-focused paper arose in 1912, which reported news specifically to a St. Albert audience. This bilingual paper was called the St. Albert Star, or Étoile de St. Albert. While the paper ran in both French and English, the two versions were not literal translations of each other. Each version of the paper carried unique stories that were catered to their respective linguistic communities.
company. This version of the St. Albert Gazette was actually run and printed in St. Albert, in a small office on Perron Street.
Sadly, these early attempts at news reporting couldn’t be sustained. In 1914, Saint-Germain sold Le Progrès, and the Star/Étoile stopped its presses. Le Progrès survived the sale, rebranding as Le Progrès Albertain and moving its offices to Edmonton.
FUN FACT
1940s-1950s St. Albert was without a local paper until 1949, when a paper called the St. Albert Gazette began publication. This version of the Gazette was not the same entity that exists today. It was printed out of Edmonton and reported news stories from around Sturgeon County. The paper lasted until 1953, when it was merged with the Morinville Journal.
1960s In 1961, in conjunction with St. Albert’s 100th anniversary, a new newspaper began publication, also calling itself the St. Albert Gazette. While sharing a name with St. Albert’s previous local newspaper, it was owned by a different
In 1966, the paper was sold to Ernie and Shirley Jamison, and rebranded as simply The Gazette. While the newspaper would undergo many more name changes over the decades, this version of the newspaper is the one that survives today.
In 1912, Le Progrès printed about 2,000 copies per issue, which were to be distributed throughout the province. These days, The Gazette prints more than 26,800 copies per issue, for St. Albert and Sturgeon County alone.
1970s In 1970, The Gazette changed its name once again, becoming the St. Albert and Sturgeon Gazette to indicate its countywide scope. However, this name only lasted four years, after which it became The Gazette once again. In 1978, St. Albert got its own radio station. Broadcasting on frequency 1070 AM, CKST Radio hit the airwaves in November, playing oldies for all of the city to enjoy.
1980s In 1988, after 10 years on the air, CKST Radio changed frequencies to 1200 AM, and changed its name to CFMG. The Gazette would go through one more rebranding in 1989, finally settling on The St. Albert Gazette, which remains as its name to this day.
1990s In 1995, CFMG made the jump to an FM frequency, and rebranded itself as EZ Rock. The station transitioned away from the oldies and began to play adult contemporary music. As the name of the station suggested, this music was easy-going and inoffensive, and was designed to be appropriate for play in waiting rooms and office spaces. EZ Rock would later leave St. Albert entirely, moving its offices to Edmonton and becoming Virgin Radio.
2010-Today In 2011, a new newspaper, the St. Albert Leader, began printing. This weekly paper briefly offered a competing voice to the long-running Gazette, but shut down in 2015. In 2014, T8N Magazine joined St. Albert’s media family, providing monthly issues of long form conversations about the city and the topics that interest it. t8n
T8N June 2019 19
The 8s
Family Cycling Dust off your saddle and gear up for an active summer with the kids BY LISA SZABO
DROP THE KIDS off at soccer; sit in the bleachers during hockey practice—there are
few activities that allow kids and parents to get outdoors and get active together. Biking is one activity that the whole family can participate in, whether getting active is as much a part of the regular routine as brushing your teeth, or a relatively new endeavour. With the help of Andrew Phelps of Cranky’s Bike Shop, we’ve put together eight tips to get your family’s summer of cycling on the right track and make a season of family adventure as easy as riding a bike.
20 T8Nmagazine.com 20 T8Nmagazine.com
1. Get a tune-up A lot can happen in the five months your bike hibernates in the shed or garage. So get in the habit of taking your bikes in at the beginning of the season for a basic tune-up. A bike mechanic will give each one a good once-over, checking for any issues with the brakes, gears and frame, as well as tire pressure, which Phelps notes is probably the most important part. Deflated tires have almost no grip and can easily roll off the rim, turning a leisurely ride into a trip to the ER.
2. Check your head gear In St. Albert, it’s required that all cyclists wear helmets, however, a safe noggin isn’t guaranteed by simply buckling up. Before you hit the trails this season, check your helmets for signs of wear and tear—like cracks in the shell or worn out Styrofoam—and replace them accordingly. Elements like sun and rain also have an impact on your helmet’s lifespan. Phelps recommends casual riders replace their helmets every five years, even if there are no signs of wear and tear, while frequent riders should replace them every three.
3. Get the right fit When it comes to buying bikes for growing kids, the bigger the size, the longer it will last. But how big can you safely go? Phelps recommends keeping an eye on both the height of the bike and your child’s reach. Children should be able to touch the ground while seated, and
comfortably straddle the frame when they hop off the seat. And keep in mind that as bikes get taller, they get longer too. So make sure your youngster can easily steer without having to reach too much.
4. Go tandem Tandem bike attachments are increasingly popular with avid cyclists who want to include kids on longer rides. A tandem bike attachment, like those made by Trail-A-Bike, transforms a traditional mountain bike into a bicycle built for two, allowing little ones to ease up on pedaling without getting left behind. Most tandem bike attachments are sized for kids between 4–7, but regardless of age, children riding must be able to touch the pedals and comfortably hold on for the duration of the ride, even if they decide to give their legs a break.
5. Plan your route While kicking off and seeing where the wind blows you can be fun for older riders, having a destination in mind will help keep young kids willing to pedal—particularly if that destination promises a frozen treat. You can map out your route using the city’s website, which outlines the 95 km of paved trails that connect parks, neighbourhoods and the river valley. Or, for families looking to take their cycling off the beaten path, trailforks.com catalogues mountain bike trails across North America based on factors like difficulty and distance.
6. Stay hydrated Cycling is hard work—especially for little ones just getting used to pedaling beyond the front sidewalk. Fuel up on water and healthy, energizing snacks throughout the ride to keep energy levels and spirits high. Equip all bikes with a bottle cage so kids have access to water as needed, and take frequent breaks to let everyone rehydrate.
7. Adapt Cyclists of all ages are welcome to share the sidewalk with pedestrians, while mature riders can choose the streets if they want. However, all must abide by the laws and etiquette of the space they choose to ride on. Riders pedaling on the road must obey all street signs and rules—think red lights, stop signs, and using hand signals when you turn— while cyclists who take to the sidewalks must dismount at crosswalks, and should be equipped with a bell to warn pedestrians as they approach.
8. Join a club Local bike shops like Cranky’s offer a variety of clubs for adult cyclists and older kids dedicated to weekly rides. Aside from providing a friendly wheel to follow, clubs can be a wealth of information, with members sharing favourite routes, mechanical tips and techniques. Kid-centered clubs like Sprockids and Pedalheads are great resources for young riders to learn about safety, cycling etiquette and riding skills in an interactive group setting. t8n
T8N June June 2019 2019 21 21 T8N
Food & Gatherings
From Market TO MEALS How buying local can open up a new world of tasty options
BY MARKWELL LYON AND GENE KOSOWAN; RECIPES & STYLING BY SHIMA ZONNEVELD; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN
BUYING LOCALLY IS ideal for not
only the economy, but your family as well. This summer, take advantage of what ’s ava ilable f rom t he following featured mercha nts who’ll be showcasing their edible wares at select farmers’ markets in the Capital Region. But don’t stop there. Try some of the recipes listed below using those items to taste what a difference local produce and other foods brings to the table.
22 T8Nmagazine.com
Salad Rolls
Sweet & Spicy Dip
Try a new take on a popular Vietnamese treat.
A little something to tempt all of your tastebuds.
Rice paper wrappers
1 pepper, julienned
¼ c. rice vinegar
2 tsp. brown sugar
1 cucumber, julienned
2 tbsp. soy sauce
Splash of lime juice
Chopped cashews or peanuts (optional)
2 tbsp. warm water
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
Rice stick (vermicelli) noodles Fresh cilantro
1-2 carrots, peeled and julienned or matchstick pieces 1 mango, peeled and julienned
Soak noodles in hot water for approximately 10 minutes, drain and rinse with cold water, set aside.
Whisk ingredients together until combined, garnish with julienned green onions.
Rice paper wrappers soak in warm water until soft and rollable.
Almond Dipping Sauce
Set up on a cutting board an assembly line like array of all your ingredients.
Now here’s a delicious way to get some fibre in you!
Place your soaked wrapper on a dry dish towel or a few paper towels, pat dry the top. In the middle of the wrapper put some noodles, a few of each of the chosen vegetables/fruit, a sprinkle of nuts and some fresh cilantro. Fold the bottom and the top in and roll up as if it was a burrito. Serve as a whole roll or cut in half. While finishing up the remainder of the rolls, keep the made ones soft by covering with a damp paper towel.
4 tbsp. almond butter
splash of lime juice
1 ½ tbsp. soy sauce 1 ½ tbsp. brown sugar
shake of red pepper flakes
2 ½ tbsp. warm water
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
Whisk all ingredients together until combined. T8N June 2019 23
Pair homemade falafel patties from INFUSION with pita bread from HAPPY CAMEL. Serve with fresh slaw made with veggies from PEAS ON EARTH and KUHLMAN’S and a homemade yogurt dip.
Veggie Slaw
Yogurt Dip
A colourful appetizer to get that patio party going.
This creamy dip is cool and refreshing on a hot summer day.
kohlrabi
peppers
3 mini cucumbers,
¾ c. greek yogurt
red cabbage
carrots
shredded and drained
1 tsp. salt
cilantro
Matchstick all the vegetables, mix together and add to a bowl. Put a dollop of yogurt dip (see recipe to the right) in the corner, add the falafel patties and garnish with cilantro and pita wedges.
Craft beer & Saskatoon Berry Fizz A delicious prairie rendition of moonshine is Berry good indeed! ½ c. craft beer 175 ml Saskatoon berry cider 2 shots of Saskatoon
Mix together, serve over ice in a cocktail glass!
24 T8Nmagazine.com 24 T8Nmagazine.com
1 tsp. fresh dill (more if dill is a favourite flavour)
1 tsp. pepper
Combine all ingredients together in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Pair a jar of RED HOUSE SALSA with freshly chopped avocado and serve with EL GRINGO homemade tortilla chips.
Put together a charcuterie platter from many delicious treats from the Farmers’ Market. Include treats like: a variety of olives from OLIVE ME, a hard cheese from GRAPEVINE DELI paired with fresh honeycomb also from GRAPEVINE DELI, spicy pumpkin seeds from GOING NUTS, fresh bread sticks from BREADLOVE, delicious sausage and Biltong from TWIGGY STICKS BILTONG, grainy mustard and dried fruit. Another delicious addition to any charcuterie tray would be apple and pear slices.
T8N June 2019 25
Have fun with your snack ideas, including colourful popcorn from ORIGINAL CANADIAN KETTLE and savoury/sweet temptations from GOING NUTS. 26 T8Nmagazine.com
Meet You There
SAILFISH Swim Club St. Albert’s aquatic family BY RUDY HOWELL
WITH SUMMER JUST around the corner,
one local club is currently hard at work in hopes of making a big splash at the Kinsmen Sports Centre in August. Since May 1st, St. Albert Sailfish Swim Club has been swimming five nights a week at Fountain Park Pool in preparation for this season’s set of competitions. While the club likes to win, it puts just as much emphasis on building a sense of family between its members throughout the season as it does with competition. T8N T8NJune June 2019 2019 27 27
Sailfish is a not-for-profit summer swim club managed by its club president Chris Waples and the organization’s secretary Marcie Gray. The roughly 90 members, ranging in age from five to 17, annually take to the pool from the beginning of May through to mid-August. Training mostly takes place at Fountain Park Pool, except for June at Grosvenor Pool. Last summer, the club celebrated its 50th anniversary, paying tribute to a period going as far back as 1968, when Sailfish trained outdoors at Grosvenor Pool. Remarkably, little has changed aside from the club’s growth to the point where it had to relocate to Fountain Park Pool due to greater lane availability. The club still sticks to a mission statement that stresses all members strive for the best, both in and away from the pool. “You have the opportunity to compete against yourself because you’re always trying for a personal best,” says Gray, a mother of two swimmers herself. “It’s a wonderful transition into other areas of your life.” Sailfish prides itself in being a welcoming and inclusive club, but with a capacity of 90 swimmers per season, the club fills up quickly. Families wanting their children to join are usually put on a waiting list before each season as long as their children meet swimming requirements. For openers, a child needs to be at least five years old by May 1st that season and must be able to swim at least one length of the pool unassisted. Once members are finalized, head coach Glenn Wilson evaluates each participant to determine which of the five competition groups is the best match for each swimmer. As a member of the Alberta Summer Swimming Association, the Sailfish attend a swim meet competition every Saturday at one of the pools in their designated territory of Region B. That’s where the club takes to the pool against 28 T8Nmagazine.com
their competition in a wide range of communities that include Devon, Drayton Valley, Edmonton, Hinton, Jasper, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Stony Plain, Westlock, and Whitecourt. Because of the number of classes and communities involved, these meets which start at 6 a.m. and go on for
12 hours. More intense regionals start in August, followed by provincials to determine the top swimmers in Alberta. While the meets sound gruelling and despite the long days, most families treat the events like a recreational excursion. “It’s like a big camping experience every Saturday because you pack the lawn
chairs, food for the day, and the kids are going to be playing outside and goofing around with their friends,” says Grey. Family is key to the Sailfish. Without that component, the club could not exist in more ways than one. Its not-for-profit status, requires a great deal of dependence on family members to volunteer for such events as casino fundraisers and bottle drives. Each season, a core group of roughly 100 volunteers respond to the club’s needs, many of whom return year after year because of the sense of community they get out of it.
Despite frequent discussions with City Council about at least adding more lanes to Fountain Park Pool, so far no definitive steps have been taken. Besides pool expansion, the city is also looking at other initiates such as a new library, more ice rinks, and more gymnastics space. t8n
“I’m really thankful for how all the families step up to volunteer,” adds Grey, “it makes all the difference and we couldn’t run this club without them.” The success of the swimmers also depends on each other, much like siblings in a family. Since the Sailfish are made up of such a diverse age group, the younger newcomers tend to eye the older, more experienced swimmers as role models. “The older kids know that they have these little kids looking up to them, so you have this ongoing mentorship,” explains Gray. Frequently, as swimmers get older and progress through the club, they become volunteer coaches, assistant coaches, and even teaching and lifeguarding at the pool. “You’re getting people who are committed to the pool and building a support system for the swimming community,” says Gray. All that growth is prompting the Sailfish to continue lobbying for a new pool in St. Albert, according to Grey. “It would be wonderful to be able to have the pool space to say yes to all those little kids on our wait list,” she says. “That’s when you want to grab them because that’s when they’re excited and pulling on your pant leg saying, ‘I want to swim’.”
St. Albert Sailfish Swim Club at a Glance: Location: Fountain Park Recreation Centre, 4 Cunningham Road, St. Albert Specialty: Learning life skills and competitive swimming with an emphasis on swimming fundamentals Fun Fact: The club celebrated its 50th anniversary last summer T8N June 2019 29
Spotlight
An Evening for
THE ADULTS Happening hot spots offer a lot of culture with a side of spirits BY LISA SZABO
GET AWAY FROM the kids—or the parents—for a few hours with one of these
adult-oriented activities. Travel back in time with a retro-themed festival, play with knives, or grab a drink with a few friends. While not all of these events are strictly for adults, we think they’re best appreciated by mature audiences.
1. Taste-test at the Edmonton Craft Beer Festival May 31 & June 1 Edmonton The city’s premier beer, spirit, and food festival will tickle your taste buds and introduce you to some of Edmonton’s finest brewers, distillers, and artisan chefs. This sampling event is for adults only.
2. Admire the classics at Rock‘n August August 6–10 St. Albert, AB Rock’n August remembers the good ol’ days with St. Albert’s own classic car show. With pancake breakfasts, a street dance, and nearly 1000 cars on display, this all-ages event is a blast from the past for nostalgists and Baby Boomers alike. Proceeds from Rock’n August go to the Canadian Diabetes foundation.
30 T8Nmagazine.com
3. Get Cajun eats at DaDeO 10548 a Whyte Avenue Edmonton DaDeO is Edmonton’s New Orleans style diner and bar—for adults only. Smack dab in the heart of Whyte Ave, this retro, 50’s style diner offers the best po’boys around. Slide into a vinyl booth and order up your favourite creole dish, take in the lively ambiance, and experience a little slice of the Pelican State.
4. Take pictures at the Neon Sign Museum 104 Street, south of 104 Avenue Edmonton Edmonton’s history in neon signs can be seen lighting up the night every evening on 104 Street. Snap some photos at this free outdoor spectacle before heading over to a nearby eatery, bar, or Roger’s Place for some appies and drinks.
5. Watch a Movie at Princess Theatre 10337 82 Avenue Edmonton Whyte Ave’s arthouse cinema plays current blockbusters and indie films—so you’re unlikely to encounter many children. Stop by any summer evening and enjoy a film and popcorn from the balcony of this 1915 gem.
6. Partake in Pub Trivia Various locations around Edmonton There are several pubs and bars around the city that host trivia nights. Some, like The Buckingham offer weekly trivia events, while others host special trivia events more sporadically often revolving around a pop culture theme.
7. Check out Improvaganza June 19–29 Edmonton Get ready to laugh—a lot. Improvaganza is an international improv and sketch comedy festival unleashing some of the world’s funniest people onto our city for ten days in June. While not an “adult only” event, much of the comedy is geared toward young adult audiences.
Edmonton, restaurants from around the city offer visitors small portions of their best menu items for a few bucks each. While this is an all-ages event, adults can escape to the kid-free beer gardens before tasting their way through the Capital City.
10. Explore the nightlife on Whyte Ave Edmonton Whyte Avenue is a bustling centre for nightlife. Whether you’re looking to grab a couple of pints at a pub, or dance the night away, there are plenty of bars, clubs and eateries open late in to the night on this lively Ave. t8n
Find more top 10 lists and summer activities on
SUMMERCITY.CA TWIN WILLOWS GOLF Public • 18 holes • Regulation length • Par 72
8. Throw axes at the Rec Room 1725 99 Street Edmonton A lively way to spend the evening with friends or a date, axe throwing is step 1 in your zombie survival training. Sharpen your throwing skills with help from the Rec Room’s coaches, and battle it out with your friends over the title of axe champion. This is an 18+ event.
9. Have dinner and drinks at A Taste of Edmonton July 18–28 Edmonton There’s no better way to find a new favourite restaurant than at Edmonton’s largest food festival. At A Taste of
TEE TIMES
780-447-2934 14110 156 Street Edmonton twinwillowsgolf.com T8N June 2019 31
The Crosswalk
Adventuresome JUMP INTO THIS month’s adventure themed crossword puzzle
and find out how much of a thrill seeker you really are. For answers, visit t8nmagazine.com
Across
Down
3 Swing through the trees like a monkey on one of these
1 Do not try this sport if you’re afraid of heights
5 Downhill skateboarding
2 This activity takes a bucket load of patience
6 Whatever you do, just hang on (2 words) 8 Spectate some talented local athletes at this manmade park (2 words) 9 This extreme sport is significantly more dangerous than skydiving (2 words) 15 Film’s most famous adventurer (2 words) 18 You’ll be better off trying this in Mexico than Alberta 19 Popular summertime activity in Jasper
4 A term that encompasses mountain related activities
7 Australia, California, and Hawaii all have this in common 9 Take cycling to the next level with this sport 10 This local spot is an ideal place for a family BBQ (2 words)
20 People often do this to “find themselves”
11 You can try these at the World Waterpark in West Edmonton Mall
21 Local spot that’s great for cycling and bird watching (2 words)
12 Popular Alberta hiking location 13 Chevy Chase went on one of these in 1983 (2 words)
14 This endurance race puts competitors to the ultimate test 16 Local spot to play hockey, basketball, and soccer all under one roof (2 words)
17 Local trail system that’s great for exploratory hikes 32 T8Nmagazine.com
SAVE UP TO 30% OFF RETAIL PRICE!
DEALS
30% OFF
30% OFF
Festival Passes
A Day at the Spa
Alberta Prairie Steam Train
30% OFF
Select Family Excursion
30% OFF
Comics & Graphic Novels
30% OFF Family Pass
UP TO 30% OFF DINNER Deals may be subject to change without notice.
Order your gift cards online on our T8N website: t8nmagazine.com/t8n-deals/
Check often for exciting NEW DEALS!
T8N June 2019  33
34 T8Nmagazine.com