T8N May/June 2020

MAY/JUNE 2020 I t8nmagazine.com

2020

Pages 17–24

FASHION UNDER GLASS

A viral solution from

Who Cares Wear

INTERIOR IDEAS Renovation solutions

by Simone & Ivy

LB’S PUB

A 30-year milestone

STYLISH STATEMENTS Bold designs from Msichana

HIP EATS

Smoothies, cakes and more!

“We shape our buildings, thereafter, they shape us” – Winston Churchill

Live Life in Balance in this Mixed-use Community Building on the success of Botanica, the number one real estate project in Alberta, Boudreau Communities’ proposed mixed-use development is Riverbank Landing.

Live, Work and Play, in the right balance, creates a much sought-after healthy-living lifestyle. This balance is the vision for Riverbank Landing, made up of residences, boutique retail and professional spaces, restaurants,

entertainment areas and at its heart, a village square.

Situated on the banks of the sturgeon river in St. Albert, expanding on Botanica and the Shops at Boudreau, the proposal includes two 18–26-storey residential high-rises, nine-storey seniors building, mirco-loft suites, new restaurants, and two boutique retail/professional buildings.

A dining experience equal to the natural beauty enveloping the 100-seat, haute cuisine restaurant is sure to enhance life in St. Albert, one of the best cities to live in.

A 10-acre private estate becomes public river front access.

Forty-six percent of the site will be public walking trails, landscaped areas, and a strategically designed nature preserve, protecting the river valley and ensuring wild life movement corridors.

Did you know?

Mixed-use is one of the ten principals of smart growth, a planning strategy that seeks to foster community design and development that serves the economy, community, public health, and the environment.

T8N May/June 2020  1

Owner-operator pride and a commitment to the customer brings back the personalized shopping experience only unique boutique shops can deliver.

2 T8Nmagazine.com

With space for everyone, Riverbank Landing offers a range of millennial-friendly micro-loft units to three-bedroom suites with yards for families. A mix that will provide vibrancy and activity to the street life and neighborhood.

And at its heart…the village square offers lush landscaping, patios, a play centre, activity areas and opens onto the river valley and its trail system. Forty-six percent of the site becomes an outdoor, public entertainment oasis, inviting all of St. Albert to connect with friends and family, relax, unwind and enjoy a healthy living space to breathe.

Riverbank Landing will provide: • 175 Construction jobs per year • 95 Service industry jobs per year • 55 Medical and professional jobs per year • $249,000,000 to the local GDP • $2,680,954 in new property tax revenue per year Boudreau Communities pays for all site servicing costs

Please let City Council know you would enjoy the many benefits that Riverbank Landing will bring to our city of St. Albert.

Email: hearings@stalbert.ca, to let your voice be heard while we seek approval for this dynamic mixed use development.

Contact Boudreau Communities for more information Communities Ltd.

780 218 3828 I info@riverbanklanding.ca riverbanklanding.ca

This sponsored content was produced in partnership between Boudreau Communities & T8N magazine.T8N May/June 2020 3

LOOKING FOR FLOORING FOR YOUR HOME? VISIT

SEARCH FROM HOME WITH

OUR ROOM VISUALIZER In today’s day and age, time is precious.

Start your search from home with the Roomvo (room visualizer) located at titanflooring.com.

Once you feel you have a look in mind, come into our store and let us show you the product, feel it for texture, take it home, lighting plays an important part.

FLOORING TYPES Every type of floor covering has a unique role for everyone’s unique lifestyle, let us help you determine the best one for you.

HARDWOOD

Casual living TILE

Wet areas

VINYL SHEET

LUXURY VINYL PLANK

Ease of maintenance with realistic imaging LAMINATE

High traffic areas prone to scratching CORK

SHAW FLOORS IS A KEY PARTNER OF TITAN Small spaces in wet areas

Noise reduction in loud areas

13 Inglewood Dr, St. Albert I 780 460 8979 4 T8Nmagazine.com

16512 111 Ave, Edmonton I 780 489 8929

www.titanflooring.com

2020

FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

ST. ALBERT’S #1 CHOICE FOR FINANCIAL ADVICE Suite 40A, 10 Carleton Drive | St. Albert, AB | 780 418 6900 claritywealthcounsel.ca

Contents

T8N MAGAZINE

VOLUME 7 ISSUE 3 May/June 2020 PUBLISHER

EDITOR

Rob Lightfoot

Gene Kosowan

ART DIRECTION

Brenda Lakeman, Correna Saunders DESIGN & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

Correna Saunders PHOTOGRAPHY

Brenda Lakeman CONTRIBUTORS

Rudy Howell, Paula E. Kirman, Markwell Lyon, Shima Zonneveld OFFICE MANAGER

Janice Lightfoot ISSN 2368-707X (PRINT) 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

Arts & Culture 10

Pane Portraits

A viral challenge creates this unique fashion photo essay opportunity.

Living 25

FOOD & GATHERINGS Tasty Trends

Dishes redefining what’s cool in the culinary world.

32

40

THE 8s

True Blue Hue

THEN & NOW

Raising the bar

Three decades of LB’s Pub from belly dancers to bands.

T8N magazine is published 6 times a year by T8N Publishing Inc. Copyright ©2020 T8N Publishing Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited.

Spotlight

Content marked by the Sponsored Content icon was produced in partnership between content producers and T8N magazine.

42

PRINTED IN CANADA

44

Empowering Designs

Fashion firm Msichana weaves a cross-cultural tapestry.

T8N PUBLISHING INC

Down Time

Rob Lightfoot: rob@t8nmagazine.com

For those staying at home, here’s a word search to remind you about spring.

PUBLISHER & PRESIDENT

Mail: T8N Publishing Box 215, 3–11 Bellerose Drive, St.Albert, AB T8N 5C9

Pantone’s latest shade revisits a colourful classic.

City 36

MEET YOU THERE A Wholly Wow Factor

Simone & Ivy offers a colossal approach to interior design.

6 T8Nmagazine.com

2020

PAGE 17

CONNECT WITH US

/t8nmagazine

2020

Breakfast & Brunch

WE DID IT AGAIN!

11 Bellerose Drive St. Albert 780-328-4500 @toastbl

Thank you St. Albert for voting us Best Breakfast and Best Brunch

168-270 Baseline Road Sherwood Park 780-467-8825

Toast Breakfast & Lunch

@toastbreakfastandlunch

I FROM THE PUBLISHER I OUR HEARTS AND thoughts go out to those

affected by the Covid-19 outbreak sweeping the world and while this region thus far has been more fortunate than most, many of us have had our share of heartbreak when it comes to loved ones who’ve succumbed to the pandemic.

By far, this is the most sobering message this publication has ever had to deliver, but considering the circumstance, it’s more prudent to address this health scare than use this space otherwise dedicated to talking up the contents of a Rob Lightfoot new edition hitting the stands. That said, we still want to provide material that we believe is entertaining, profound and adds some value to the lives of our audience.

And the most valuable thing we can say right now is to stay safe. Follow the guidelines set by Alberta’s chief medical officer of health. Wash your hands regularly. Stay at home. And if you do have to leave home for essentials, maintain the two-metre physical distancing protocol that’s helped mitigate the scare, which we’re told will be with us for months to come.

Meanwhile, stay tuned to developments once the crisis starts to subside and practice whatever recommendations surface with those changes. If you can, support your local businesses who will badly need that backing to remain operating after the economic hardships brought on by the outbreak.

While we hope the content in this issue makes your time on the couch or patio more enjoyable, please take care of yourself, your families and other loved ones. Despite the irony of isolation from each other, we’re really all in this together.

2020

DAY CARE

On the Cover Thanks to a health advisory in effect, window shopping has taken on another meaning, as demonstrated by model Chloe Haughian who sports the latest in seasonal apparel from Who Cares Wear.

Photographer Brenda Lakeman was the brains behind this unique photo shoot that starts on page 10.

Proceeds going to local charity

THANK YOU

to all the hardworking dedicated staff of SIGIS. We are proud to be voted St. Albert’s Best Day Care!

We are so thankful for the amazing support from our families and the community! We have always put the well-being of the children first and that will continue as we begin to reopen our locations. Creating a safe and healthy environment for our children, families and educators will always remain a top priority. We are committed to remaining at our best!

Order your merchandise today

sigischildcare.ca

t8ntogether.com

8 T8Nmagazine.com

t-shirts, coffee mugs, tote bags, window decals and possibly more!

Great Golf, we can enjoy the outdoors!

Book Your Tee Time! Call (780) 973-3033 I egmgolf.com

T8N May/June 2020  9

I ARTS & CULTURE I

PANE Portraits

A viral challenge creates this unique fashion photo essay opportunity

BY GENE KOSOWAN; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN; MODEL CHLOE HAUGHIAN

CRAZY TIMES CALL for crazy solutions.

A nd with the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year playing havoc with social lives, photographers are coming up with creative ways to capture live images, while practising the required physical distance of two metres to curtail the epidemic.

After seeing a news story of a photographer taking portraits of subjects through their windows, our equally creative Brenda Lakeman wanted to use that method for a photo shoot.

She found the ideal storefront at Who Cares Wear in St. Albert and went right to work.

The result is this stunning photo essay.

10 T8Nmagazine.com

Mackage “Mai” Coat $790 David Lerner “Lola” Safari Maxi Shirt Dress $335 Rebecca Minkoff “Edie Flap” Shoulder Bag $400 Jocelyn Kennedy Hoop Fringe Earrings $55

T8N May/June 2020 11

Mackage “Laila” Coat $775 360 Cashmere “Jolene” Sweater $350 AG “Rhett” Denim Jeans $360 Jocelyn Kennedy Crystal Necklace $295

12 T8Nmagazine.com

Smythe “Pouf Sleeve” Blazer $695 Senso “Quillan” Boots $330 GRLFRD “Karolina” Denim Jeans $350 Jocelyn Kennedy Chain Earring $195

T8N May/June 2020 13

Smythe “Not a Double Breasted Blazer” $795 David Learner “Eva” Cami $170 AG “Farrah” Denim Jeans $315 Michael Kors “Irving” Shoes $190 Jocelyn Kennedy Lucite Earrings $45 Shakti “Chakra Tread” Necklace $175

14 T8Nmagazine.com

T8N May/June 2020  15

DRIVE THRU OPEN 11-5 Monday-Saturday (weather permitting)

Order at www.boardgames.ca for curbside pick up

Rest in pieces

We have over 1200 puzzles!

560 St Albert Trail, St. Albert I 780 459 1055 I boardgames.ca

16 T8Nmagazine.com

BEST OF T8N 2020 WINNERS 2020 CITY BEST LOCAL ARTS EVENT

Artwalk St. Albert artwalkstalbert.com BEST LOCAL FAMILY EVENT

International Children’s Festival of the Arts stalbert.ca/exp/childfest BEST PUBLIC SPACE

Lions Park 1 Sir Winston Churchill Avenue BEST PLACE FOR OUTDOOR SKATING

Lacombe Lake Park 151 McKenney Avenue BEST HIDDEN GEM

Find the full list of winners and runners up on bestoft8n.com BEST PLACE OF WORSHIP

BEST AUTO SERVICE

BEST LAWYER

Holy Family Parish holyfamilyparish.ca 75 Poirier Avenue

St. Albert Tune-Up and Brake stalberttuneup.ca 452 St. Albert Trail

Laura Maloney – Weary & Company wearyco.com 400, 30 Green Grove Drive

BEST AUTOBODY REPAIR SERVICE

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

BUSINESS BEST NEW BUSINESS

Simone & Ivy Interiors 20, 580 St. Albert Trail simoneandivy.ca BEST LOCAL EMPLOYER

Blonde & Co Hair Salon blondeandco.ca 506 St. Albert Trail BEST BUSINESS DECOR

Simone & Ivy Interiors 20, 580 St. Albert Trail simoneandivy.ca

The UPS Store 3-11 Bellerose Drive theupsstore.ca/65

BEST BUSINESS WEBSITE

BEST POLITICIAN

TIE --------------------------------

Cathy Heron BEST NON PROFIT

Lo-Se-Ca Foundation loseca.ca 215 Carnegie Drive BEST PRESCHOOL

Treehouse Preschool treehouseplayschool.com 100 Sir Winston Churchill BEST DAY CARE

SIGIS Child Care Society sigischildcare.ca Multiple locations BEST TUTORING BUSINESS

Success 2000 Study Centres success2000studycentres.ca 208, 25 St. Michael Street

Blonde & Co Hair Salon blondeandco.ca 506 St. Albert Trail Simone & Ivy Interiors 20, 580 St. Albert Trail simoneandivy.ca TIE --------------------------------

Sturgeon Autobody sturgeonautobody.com 36 Rayborn Crescent BEST AUTOMOTIVE TIRE SHOP

Fountain Tire fountaintire.com 234 St. Albert Trail Cranky’s Bike Shop crankys.ca 24 Perron Streeet

Sport Chek sportchek.ca 160 375 St. Albert Trail

BEST FLORIST

BEST ANIMAL HOSPITAL / VETERINARIAN

Funky Petals funkypetals.com 50, 200 St. Albert Trail BEST CLEANING SERVICE

Tudor Glen Veterinary Hospital tudorglenvethospital.ca 1005 Tudor Glen

Hot Mess Cleaning hotmesscleaning.com

BEST PET CARE PROVIDER

BEST BUSINESS SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE

BEST GIFT/ GIFTWARE STORE

St. Albert Honda stalberthonda.ca 875 St. Albert Trail

St. Albert Centre stalbertcentre.com 375 St. Albert Trail BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE

BEST GARDENING STORE

BEST NEW AUTO DEALER

BEST SHOPPING / RETAIL COMPLEX

BEST BIKE SHOP

St. Albert Summit Family Dental 303, 200 Boudreau Road stalbertdental.ca

Sweet Boutique sweet-boutique.ca 80, 200 St. Albert Trail

Jim Whitesell jimwhitesell.com 18116 102 Avenue Edmonton

Hole’s Greenhouses holesonline.com 101 Riel Drive

Seasons Gift Shop seasonsgiftshop.ca 8665 McKenney Avenue BEST HARDWARE STORE

Home Depot homedepot.ca 750 St. Albert Trail

The Ranch Pet Care theranchpetcare.com 54302 Range Road 261 BEST PET PRODUCT STORE

Mr.Pet’s mrpets.ca 580 St. Albert Trail BEST LOCAL/CLOSE BY GOLF COURSE

Sturgeon Valley Golf and Country Club sturgeonvalleygolfclub.com

T8N May/June 2020 17

BEST MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO

Hayabusa Training Centre hayabusamixedmartialarts.com

110, 145 Carleton Dr BEST ARTS STUDIO

4 Cats 4cats.com 23 Akins Drive BEST DANCE STUDIO

Danceco Ltd. danceco.net 9030 McKenney Avenue BEST YOGA STUDIO

Lahari Yoga lahariyoga.ca 200, 86 McKenney Avenue BEST MUSIC SCHOOL

Visionary School of Performing Arts visionaryperformingarts.ca 30, 580 St. Albert Trail BEST GYM OR WORKOUT CENTRE

Servus Credit Union Place stalbert.ca/rec/facilities/servus

400 Campbell Road HOME & LIVING BEST COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, IN DEVELOPMENT

2020

NON-PROFIT

Erin Ridge North Best Commercial Development, completed To the St. Albert Community, The LoSeCa Foundation would like to thank everyone who voted us T8N Magazine’s “Best Non-profit”, for the third year in a row. We are so happy to have so much support and recognition for what we do from the members of our community. We have been supporting adults with developmental disabilities for 28 years now, and we will continue to focus on improving the quality of life for everyone who comes into our care for years to come. We consider ourselves lucky to have such an amazing team of staff and volunteers who are the keys to our success.

Thank you!

1-215 Carnegie Drive, St. Albert Located right above our I’m Unique Thrift Store.

Come check out our shop—all proceeds go to support the individuals we serve.

18 T8Nmagazine.com

BEST COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT, COMPLETED

The Shops at Boudreau BEST RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, IN DEVELOPMENT

Jensen Lakes liveinjensenlakes.ca BEST FURNITURE STORE

Simone & Ivy Interiors 20, 580 St. Albert Trail simoneandivy.ca BEST HOME ACCESSORY STORE

Homesense homesense.ca 915 St. Albert Trail

BEST FINANCIAL CONSULTANT

Aron Egay-Samu, Clarity Wealth Council claritywealthcounsel.ca/our-team

40A, 10 Carleton Drive BEST INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE BROKER

Tara Borle taraborle.com BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT

Ryan Sellers ryansellers.com BEST LOCAL HOME BUILDERS

Sarasota Homes sarasotahomes.ca 10, 25 Carleton Drive BEST LOCAL CONTRACTOR

Caruana Interiors & Contracting caruanainteriors.ca 9, 8 Riel Drive BEST PAINT STORE

Benjamin Moore / Days Paint and Wallpaper benjaminmoore.com 382 St. Albert Trail BEST LANDSCAPING COMPANY

HML Landscaping & Construction hmlconstruction.ca 54314 Range Road 255 TIE --------------------------------

Modern Earth Landscaping modernearthlandscaping.com BEST FLOORING STORE

Titan Flooring & Interior Design titanflooring.com 13 Inglewood Drive FASHION & STYLE BEST EYEWEAR STORE

MDO Optical mdoopticians.com 255, 140 St. Albert Road BEST HAIR SALON

The Hair Lounge t8nhairlounge.com 10, 512 St. Albert Trail

BEST BARBERSHOP

BEST OPTOMETRISTS

Tommy Gun’s Original Barbershop tommyguns.com 250, 140 St. Albert Trail

Dr. Angela Morley sturgeonvisioncentre.com 1, 530 St. Albert Trail BEST MEDICAL CLINIC

BEST MEN’S WEAR STORE

The Bay thebay.com 375 St. Albert Trail BEST WOMEN’S WEAR STORE

Bella Maas bellamaas.com 370. 5 Giroux Road BEST FASHION ACCESSORY STORE

Independent Mortgage Broker

Thank You!

Grandin Clinic grandinclinic.com 1 St. Anne Street

Thanks St. Albert for your support!

BEST SPA

“Best Independent Mortgage Broker”

Off the Hook Laser and Spa offthehooklaserandspa.com 102, 30 Green Grove Drive

5

BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST

Sweet Boutique sweet-boutique.ca 80, 200 St. Albert Trail

Michelle Markle, RSM Massage rsmmassage.ca 70B, 161 Liberton Drive

BEST JEWELRY STORE

BEST NAIL SPA

People’s Jewellers peoplesjewellers.com 375 St. Albert Trail

2020

Off the Hook Laser and Spa offthehooklaserandspa.com 102, 30 Green Grove Drive

Years in a row!

tara@taraborle.com

BORLE

780.237.7653

BEST THRIFT STORE

Value Village stores.savers.com 18 Inglewood Drive HEALTH & WELLNESS BEST ACUPUNTURIST

Dr. Randy Vollrath coreclinic.ca 101, 30 Green Grove Drive BEST CHIROPRACTOR

Dr. Randy Vollrath coreclinic.ca 101, 30 Green Grove Drive BEST PHYSIOTHERAPIST

Anita Cassidy leadingedgephysio.com 130, 145 Carleton Drive BEST DENTIST

Dr. Hardy, Generations Family Dentist generationsfamilydental.ca 20, 19 Bellerose Drive BEST DENTAL CLINIC

Cadence Dental cadencedental.ca 101, 51 Inglewood Drive

FOOD & BEVERAGE BEST BREAKFAST

Toast Breakfast and Lunch toastbl.ca 6B, 11 Bellerose Drive 11 Bellerose Drive BEST BRUNCH

Toast Breakfast and Lunch toastbl.ca 6B, 11 Bellerose Drive

THANK YOU ST. ALBERT

Your support and business is appreciated!

Voted Best Real Estate Agent 5 years in a row!!

2016–2020

REAL ESTATE AGENT

What is your home worth today?

Have Questions? We can help.

780-994-4663

We remain at your service!

BEST COFFEE SHOP

Good Earth Coffeehouse goodearthcoffeehouse.com 130 Bellerose Drive BEST BAKERY (BREAD, BUNS, ETC)

Grandin Bakery grandinbakery.ca 12, 11 Bellerose Drive BEST BAKERY (SWEETS, COOKIES, CUPCAKES, ETC)

Mercato mercatofoods.com 120 Bellerose Drive

Shananne Foran

Director of Marketing & Communications

Ryan Sellers Team Leader REALTOR ®

Jaime Gordon Associate REALTOR ®

Kelly Higo Associate REALTOR ®

RyanSellers.com Real Estate Group T8N May/June 2020 19

STURGEON VISION CENTRE

2020

OPTOMETRISTS

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

AFFORDABLE, QUALITY EYECARE and PERSONAL ATTENTION are our focus at Sturgeon Vision Centre

NEW PATIENTS WELCOME 1 – 5 3 0 S t . A l b e r t Tr a i l 20 T8Nmagazine.com

7 8 0 5 6 9 5 2 51

sturgeonvisioncentre.com

BEST STEAKS

BEST TAKEOUT

BEST ITALIAN

Nineteen stalbert.dinenineteen.com 04, 150 Bellerose Drive

Edo Japan edojapan.com Multiple locations

Nello’s Cucina Italiana nellosrestaurant.ca 512 St. Albert Trail

BEST SUSHI

Sushi Park 9 St. Anne Street BEST TAPAS

Bodega Tapas & Wine Bar by SABOR bodegayeg.ca 1 Hebert Road BEST SANDWICHES

Press’d Sandwich Shop pressdsandwiches.ca 3509 Tudor Glen BEST BURGERS

Jack’s Burger Shack jacksburgershack.ca 130, 15 Perron Street BEST FRIES

McDonalds mcdonalds.com Multiple locations

TIE --------------------------------

Asian Connection asianconnectionrestaurant.net

32, 11 Bellerose Drive BEST DINING EXPERIENCE (+$20/ENTRÉE)

Nineteen stalbert.dinenineteen.com 104, 150 Bellerose Drive BEST DINING EXPERIENCE (-$20/ENTRÉE)

Buco Pizzeria & Vino Bar bucopizzeria.com/st-albert 105, 130 Bellerose Drive BEST CHINESE

Jade Village jadevillage.ca 140 St. Albert Trail BEST JAPANESE

Sushi Park 9 St. Anne Street BEST THAI / VIETNAMESE

Songhran Thai 20 St. Anne Street

BEST PUB

Central Social Hall centralsocialhall.com 525 St. Albert Trail TIE --------------------------------

Crown and Tower thecrownandtower.com 11 Bellerose Drive BEST NEW RESTAURANT

Bodega Tapas & Wine Bar by SABOR bodegayeg.ca 1 Hebert Road MOST INNOVATIVE MENU

Nineteen stalbert.dinenineteen.com 104, 150 Bellerose Drive TIE --------------------------------

Bodega Tapas & Wine Bar by SABOR bodegayeg.ca 1 Hebert Road

BEST PIZZA

Nitza’a Pizza nitzaspizzastalbert.com 101, 80 McKenney Avenue BEST PASTA

Nello’s Cucina Italiana nellosrestaurant.ca 512 St. Albert Trail BEST VEGETARIAN

Kb & Co kbandcompany.com 210, 840 St. Albert Trail BEST CHICKEN WINGS

Central Social Hall centralsocialhall.com 280, 525 St. Albert Trail BEST RESTAURANT DESSERTS

The Cajun House cajunhouse.net 7 St. Anne Street BEST ICE CREAM SHOP

Marble Slab Creamery marbleslab.ca 140 St. Albert Trail T8N May/June 2020 21

At this time we are all thinking about our health.

Did you know your DENTAL HEALTH can affect your overall HEALTH

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Heart Disease

Dental Decay & Tooth Loss

Respiratory Conditions

Diabetes

Gum Disease

Strokes Rheumatoid Arthritis

Here at Generations, we believe dental care is self care

780 .4 6 0 . 8 7 0 7

i nfo @ gen e rat io nsfam il yd e ntal.ca I N G L E WO O D TOW N E S Q UA R E #20, 19 Bellerose D rive, St . A l b e r t, A l b e r ta

Direct billing Follow the Alberta fee guide

Thank you St. Albert for your confidence in us

Dr. Dana Hardy & ASSOCIATES

BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT

2020

PUB

Nineteen stalbert.dinenineteen.com 104, 150 Bellerose Drive BEST WINE LIST (BY GLASS)

Nineteen stalbert.dinenineteen.com 104, 150 Bellerose Drive

Your Neighbourhood Pub Celebrating 30 Years in St. Albert

11 Bellerose Drive, St. Albert 780.459.3393 thecrownandtower.com

55307 Range Road 251 I Morinville, AB I (780) 939-6666 I cardiffgolfclub.ca

BEST WINE LIST (BY BOTTLE)

Nineteen stalbert.dinenineteen.com 104, 150 Bellerose Drive BEST BEER LIST (TAP)

BEST PATIO

Canadian Brewhouse thecanadianbrewhouse.com Multiple locations BEST INTERIOR DESIGN

Nineteen stalbert.dinenineteen.com 104, 150 Bellerose Drive BEST MENU DESIGN

Central Social Hall centralsocialhall.com 525 St. Albert Trail BEST ATMOSPHERE

Central Social Hall centralsocialhall.com 525 St. Albert Trail

Bodega Tapas & Wine Bar by SABOR bodegayeg.ca 1 Hebert Road

BEST BEER LIST (BY BOTTLE)

BEST KID FRIENDLY

Canadian Brewhouse thecanadianbrewhouse.com Multiple locations

Boston Pizza bostonpizza.com Multiple locations

BEST SPORTS BAR

BEST WINE STORE

Canadian Brewhouse thecanadianbrewhouse.com Multiple locations

Wine & Beyond wineandbeyond.ca 200, 760 St. Albert Trail

BEST LATE NIGHT

BEST BEER STORE

Canadian Brewhouse thecanadianbrewhouse.com Multiple locations

Wine & Beyond wineandbeyond.ca 200, 760 St. Albert Trail

BEST SERVICE

BEST CATERER

Luisa’s Ristorante luisaristo.ca 104, 8 Perron Street

Socrates socratesrestaurant.com 208 St. Albert Trail

TIE --------------------------------

TIE --------------------------------

San Remo Italian Bistro sanremobistro.ca 10A Perron Street

Sarah’s Kitchen sarahs-kitchen.com 105, 140 Bellerose Drive

2020 NAIL SPA & SPA

Kids 17 and under FREE with paid adult green fee FRIDAY DATE NIGHT 9 holes with cart Starting at 3pm, two 9 hole $35 plus tax or 18 holes green fees, power cart and with cart $45 plus tax $25 food and beverage voucher for $99 plus tax TUESDAY LADIES DAY

FOOD & BEVERAGE All adult paid 18 hole green fees receive a $10 food and beverage voucher

SHARE PROMOTION ON NOW email cardiffgolf@xplornet.com 24 T8Nmagazine.com

Thank you St. Albert, for voting us BEST SPA & BEST NAIL SPA

102-30 Green Grove Drive St. Albert Call 780 418 2003

offthehooklaserandspa.com

I FOOD & GATHERINGS I

Tasty

TRENDS

Dishes redefining what’s cool in the culinary world RECIPES & STYLING BY SHIMA ZONNEVELD; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN

JUST LIKE FASHION, foodie culture has trends

too! This year, watch for more variety in non-dairy products. For instance, oat beverages are having a moment! Alternative flours and sugars, interesting nut and seed butters–along with both sweet and savoury pancakes–are on trend this upcoming year. Here are a handful of recipes that incorporate some of these up-and-coming ingredients.

T8N May/June 2020 25

Carrot-Zucchini Cakes These veggie packed pancakes are delicious served with chopped fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream. Amp up the protein by adding a medium over easy egg on top!

2 zucchini, grated 1 c. carrot, grated 2 eggs 1 tsp. kosher salt ½ tsp. black pepper

½ - 1 tsp. Sambal Oelek (chili paste) ½ c. Gluten-Free rice bread crumbs 2 tbsp. chopped cilantro sour cream

In a large bowl, mix together the grated zucchini, grated carrot, eggs, Sambal Oelek, salt and pepper. Set aside.

In a non-stick large frying pan, brush with grapeseed or avocado oil.

Heat the pan to medium heat. When the oil starts shimmering, using a muffin scoop, drop about three separate scoops in the pan and flatten with a spatula.

Cook the pancakes until golden brown on each side, roughly two to four minutes. Continue this process until all the batter is used up. These pancakes can be kept warm in the oven or they can be served right out of the pan.

Chopped fresh cilantro, sour cream and a jammy egg are the finishing touches to this savoury pancake!

26 T8Nmagazine.com

Swap out the seed mixture in these crackers and add in some chopped nuts or a sahrp cheese for some interesting flavour variations.

Roasted Cauliflower and Red Pepper Hummus This recipe is a great dip for tortilla chips, crackers and veggies. The tahini gives it a creamy texture and the pinch of sumac brightens up the flavours of both the cauliflower and pepper. ½ head of cauliflower, roughly cut into large florets

½ tsp. kosher salt (possibly a bit more at the end for taste!)

1 red pepper, cut into quarters

½ tsp. black pepper

¼ c. olive oil, divided

pinch of sumac

¼ c. tahini

1 tbsp. chopped cilantro

Preheat oven to 425º. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss the cauliflower florets and the quartered pepper with an eighth of a cup of olive oil. Roast the vegetables until they are tender and developing a nice brown exterior.

Before the ingredients are tossed into a food processor, pop the roasted peppers into a bowl and cover with a silicone lid or a piece of plastic wrap. Wait about five minutes and then peel the skins off.

In a food processor, combine the cauliflower, the pepper pieces, the tahini, the salt, the pepper, the sumac. Pulse a few times to combine and then slowly drizzle in the other an eighth of a cup of the olive oil. Process until the mixture resembles hummus. Taste the salt at this point and decide if a little bit more would add to the flavour.

Pop the hummus into a bowl and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, a sprinkle of sumac and a small drizzle of olive oil. Serve with something crunchy and enjoy!

Homemade Crackers Need something to go with that hummus? This is a quick and tasty recipe for making crackers in your own kitchen! Makes about 60 crackers.

1 c. flour (you can use Gluten-free flour, the crackers will be denser but still tasty) 1 tsp. honey ¾ tsp. kosher salt

⅓ c. water + 1-2 tbsp. (depending on how the dough is coming together) 1 ½ tbsp. ancient grain + seed mixture (sunflower, chia, millet, etc.)

A finishing salt like Maldon

1 ½ tbsp. olive oil plus 2 tbsp. for brushing the crackers

Preheat the oven to 425º. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment on, add in the flour, honey, salt, olive oil, seed mixture and water (start with a one-third cup). Does the dough form a sticky dough ball or is it still loose with flour at the bottom? If still loose, add water by a half of a tablespoon at a time until it forms a ball.

Sprinkle the work surface lightly with flour. Shape the dough into a rectangle and using a rolling pin roll out the dough to about an eighth of an inch thick. Using either a pastry cutter or a pizza cutter (A knife works too!), cut the sheet of dough into as many evenly sized crackers as possible (one-by-two inches works nice). There might be some scraps at the end, feel free to re-roll them out and do the same.

Place the cracker shapes onto the lined baking sheets and brush each one with olive oil and then sprinkle with the Maldon salt.

Bake the crackers for nine to 12 minutes until golden brown on the top. Let cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container for a week.

T8N T8NMay/June May/June 2020 27

Salted Caramel Cookie Bars Cookie bars are a great way to make cookies in one pan!

1 ¾ gluten free flour 1 c. best brown sugar ¾ c. salted caramel peanut butter ½ c. room temperature butter 2 eggs 1 ½ tsp. vanilla extract ¾ tsp. baking soda ¼ c. chopped roasted peanuts (salted or unsalted) ¼ c. cacao nibs 150 g or half of a bag of mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375º. Line a nine-by-13-inch baking dish with parchment, leaving an overhang so the bars are easy to remove.

On the two sides not covered with parchment, lightly coat with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, cream together the brown sugar and the butter.

Add in the peanut butter, egg and vanilla. On top of the wet mixture, add the flour and the baking soda. Slowly mix in until just combined. With a spoon, stir in the peanuts, cacao nibs and the chocolate chips.

Scoop the batter into the prepared pan. With wet fingertips, press the batter into the pan filling all four corners and smooth out the top.

Bake for 20-22 minutes, until lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean!

Cool for 30 minutes in the pan and then lift the cookie bars onto a cooling rack and cool completely before slicing.

Amp up that peanut butter flavour by using salted caramel peanut butter and give these cookie bars some crunch with both roasted peanuts and cacao nibs.

28 T8Nmagazine.com

Wake-up Smoothie This rich and delicious smoothie is just the ticket to get you out the door first thing in the morning.

2 frozen bananas 3 tbsp. any nut or seed butter 1 tbsp. honey 2 c. oat beverage 1 tbsp. cocoa

Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

This recipe makes four servings. Top it with toasted oats, a few mini-chocolate chips or sliced banana.

T8N May/June 2020  29

2020

PAINT STORE

Thank you very much St. Albert for voting us BEST PAINT STORE

More than just paint! We also have an amazing selection of

Indoor/Outdoor Stains and Blinds

Welcome back to our team, Angie.

Talk with Angie about all your paint needs.

DAYS PAINTING SUPPLY 382 St. Albert Rd I St. Albert, AB Phone: (780) 460-7708 www.dayspaint.com 30 T8Nmagazine.com

Chai Spiced Overnight Oats Overnight oats are a great summer substitute for your wintery, warm oatmeal. It packs the same nutritious punch and can be made ahead to eat throughout the week.

1 c. quick oats

Toppings

1 ¼ c. oat beverage

fresh berries

2 tsp. coconut sugar

chopped apple

1 tsp. chai spice

toasted coconut

½ c. sliced almonds (any type of nut will work)

turbinado sugar toasted almonds

¼ c. coconut

In a large bowl, combine the oats, oat beverage, coconut sugar, chai spice, sliced almonds and coconut. Stir until all the ingredients are evenly distributed. This mixture can be left in the bowl overnight or it can be divided into individual servings using small mason jars or glasses.

In the morning, remove overnight oats from the fridge and add your favourite fruit and crunchy toppings! t8n

2020

HIDDEN GEM

The UPS Store St. Albert would like to thank you for your continued support and your vote as the “Best Hidden Gem”

Did you know we are your one-stop shop for all your business and personal needs?

Come check us out if you are needing help with: • mailbox rentals • shredding • faxing • laminating • shipping • business cards • commissioner of oaths • moving supplies

• business/personal cheques • black and white /colour printing • graphic design (free if you print with us) • promotional items • postcards • flyers

• banners • manuals • presentations • door hangers • annual reports • brochures • stationery • calendars

• posters • business/safety forms • documents • menus • tickets • unaddressed admail • postage stamps

3–11 Bellerose Drive, St. Albert I (780) 460-3666 I www.theupsstore.ca/65/

From our families to yours

The way we deliver education has changed in ways we would never have imagined a few months ago. What hasn’t changed, however, is our commitment to providing the best possible education to the students of St. Albert and area. We are so thankful for the support our communities have provided as we all work together to make it through this difficult journey.

We miss seeing and interacting with our students in person and we cannot wait for their return to our schools!

Until then, stay well.

De notre part, pour votre famille

ON S’ENNUIE DE VOUS Nous n’aurions jamais pu imaginer, il y a quelques mois, que notre façon de prodiguer l’enseignement et l’éducation allait autant changer. Toutefois, ce qui n’a pas changé, c’est notre engagement à fournir la meilleure éducation possible aux élèves de Saint-Albert et des environs. Nous sommes très reconnaissants du soutien obtenu de la part de nos communautés et de leur collaboration pour traverser cette période difficile.

LET'S GET

SOCIAL Follow us for great content and prizes!

Cela nous manque de pouvoir interagir en personne avec nos élèves et nous avons très hâte qu’ils puissent revenir dans nos écoles! D’ici là, prenez bien soin de vous!

T8N May/June 2020 31

I THE EIGHTS I

“Xenia” Statement Necklace, $65 with “Double Blue Agate Beads” Earrings $45 from BUNO Design

COLOUR OF THE YEAR 2020

PANTONE® 19-4052

HOKA ONE ONE “Speedgoat 4” Women’s Trail Running Shoes, $189.95 with goodr “Falkor’s Fever Dream” Sunglasses $34.95, from Track ’N Trail

TRUE BLUE

ue

Pantone’s latest shade revisits a colourful classic

BY GENE KOSOWAN; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN

WITH ALL THE craziness dominating current

events, most folks responsible for shaping modern culture are clamoring for more calm.

That’s probably why the Pantone Color Institute decided on this year’s shade labeled 19-4052, better known as Classic Blue. It’s a peaceful and tranquil shade, claim the style gurus, a useful hue reliable enough to blend in with other colours. Classic Blue is also versatile enough to be used on any materials from fabric to metal and really makes a harmonic statement in the items shown here. t8n 32 T8Nmagazine.com

Kuwallatee “Piece” Hoodie, $80 with Denim Jogger, $110 Adidas Ultraboost Shoes $250 from Legit Kicks

7 Downie Street “Luxor” Blazer, $350 with BLU Royal Dress Shirt, $116, Eros Bow Ties and Puff Set, $53, J.Grill Pant, $98 and Bench Craft Diamond Buckle Belt, $71 from Knighton Mens Wear

Danesco Mini Spatula, Turner and Whisk, $1.99 each, Switchit 2-in-1 Mini Spoon, $9.49 with Homespun Dishcloths, $9.99 and “Home Sweet Home” Diner Mug, $8.99 from Freson Bros.

Fresh Market

“Destined” Acrylic and Resin on Cradled Wood Panel, $135 from Laura Edwards Studio

Pixie Mood Bag-in-Bag “Alicia” Tote, $75 with 42 ‘Pops Pocket’ Cardigan $74 from Saltwater Bay Boutique

L’Arianna “Velvet Blue” Pump, $280 from Tiramisu Italian Shoes and Accessories T8N May/June 2020 33

Jacob, Stu, Nadine, Eli and Evan

Ted, Sue

Sobeys St. Albert A Family Nurturing Families T

hree months ago, the team at Sobeys St. Albert would have never guessed that they would soon become frontline workers amid a global pandemic.

But in March, when nationwide lockdowns were announced by the federal government in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19, grocery workers across the country became more vital than ever.

“It was a lot for people to take and some had a hard time adjusting to it. But after three weeks, the whole team settled into the new normal,” says Sobeys St. Albert franchise owner Stuart Trenchard.

Meet the Family

Now in his 34th year in the grocery business, Trenchard and his family operate the only locally owned grocery store in St. Albert. When we say family, we aren’t exaggerating. Amoung those 34 T8Nmagazine.com

employed at the store are his father, mother, sister, wife, three sons, two nieces, and one nephew.

At age 14, Trenchard began his career as a bag boy at Morinville IGA before completing his practicum at St. Albert Garden Market IGA (now Sobeys). He then worked his way up the corporate ladder, becoming the Director of Retail Projects for Sobeys. Eventually longing to get back to being closer to customers and the sales floor, he purchased the Morinville Sobeys in 2010 which he operated for four years. In 2014, he sold the Morinville store and purchased the St. Albert location.

“I’d always loved the store and there was a great franchise operator in there before. I thought I could emulate what he did and turn the store into a great success.”

Adapting to and Preventing the Spread of COVID-19

With decades of proven experience and close ties to the community, there are few grocery stores in St. Albert run with such care for their customers and teams. So, when COVID-19 first entered Alberta in March, Trenchard knew he had to act fast to ensure the health and safety of anyone who came into or out of the store.

The team needed to be educated on what COVID-19 was and how it could be transmitted. Corporate measures were put in place to ensure social distancing and establish a sanitizing protocol.

Sobeys implemented a reduced customer limit. Monitored by lobby attendants and based on how many checkout tills are open, this preventative measure allows the store to make sure customers are moving through the store as quickly and safely as possible.

Lineups both inside and outside the store are separated by floor markers which help facilitate a two-metre distance between customers. For extra caution, queues are also observed by line attendants to ensure appropriate social distancing is being followed.

DID YOU KNOW? In light of COVID-19, Sobeys is now offering an online home delivery service. The idea was inspired by seniors returning home from wintering in the United States who were required to self-isolate for 14 days.

Sam, Zac, Cathy and Megan

“It took a while for customers to adjust to the changes, but now I think it feels soothing to see that there are a lot less people in the store, making it easier to get in and move around.”

various local businesses in order to keep its shelves well-stocked.

Early on, The Cotton Candy Shoppe in Fort Saskatchewan reached out to Sobeys for help selling its product during the pandemic. Immediately, customers Inside the store, customers will notice looking for something bright during this that floor merchandise has been removed dark time began to gravitate towards the in order to increase customer flow and that colourful treat. aisles are now subject to one-way traffic.

In addition, full-service cases are closed, DaVinci Gelato Originale is a local but self-serve product is available. ice cream shop which recently began Every shopping cart and contact surface is routinely sanitized before and after use and there is even a “sanitation specialist” in place to help clean the store during peak hours.

Perhaps most importantly, all team members have been provided with gloves, masks and face shields. Also, plexiglass cashier shields have been installed at the front and back of each till.

producing hand sanitizer out of its facility.

In April, DaVinci sent its first batch to Sobeys, which has remained one of the few stores in St. Albert with sanitizer readily in stock.

Another item that has been flying off the shelf is flour. Unable to obtain its usual products, Sobeys has begun sourcing flour from an organic producer in Manitoba called Prairie Flour Mills Ltd.

“We can manoeuvre very fast and respond to our customers really well With demand for certain products at an because we have a great relationship all-time high, Sobeys has partnered with with the companies that serve our store.”

Sobeys St. Albert is a loving family carefully watching over the store to ensure shoppers get everything they need, safely and affordably.

“Whether it’s my family or the rest of our team members we treat everybody like family, and I think that resonates when you walk in our store.”

Delivery orders can be placed by emailing the store at sby5067stalbert@sobeys.com

Locally Sourced Products

392 Mission Hill Plaza • 780-459-5909

This sponsored content was produced in partnership between Sobeys St. Albert & T8N magazine.

T8N May/June 2020 35

I MEET YOU THERE I

A Wholly Wow Factor Simone & Ivy offers a colossal approach to interior design

BY MARKWELL LYON

36 T8Nmagazine.com

IT’S ONE OF many things Leanne Mohagen

loves about her job. “When you put that piece in a room, or you put a whole room together,” says the owner of Simone and Ivy, a home furnishings store that offers interior design consultation, workshops and studio space, helping clients redecorate and transform their homes. It’s vicarious work, to be sure, but that doesn’t make it less thrilling.

“Being able to feel that gratification of place, where they spend all of their time and where they’ve invested all of their money…” she muses.

“It feels good, and I think that’s the exciting part.”

A Whole-Home Concept Opening on St. Albert Trail in June 2019, Simone and Ivy features a bright, wide-open space, filled with the usual array of furnishings and home accents one typically finds in high-end shops.

But a few differences stand out. Like the section of wall stocked with reed diffusers, artisanal soaps and other chic gift ideas, or the workers at the back busily receiving a large shipment of flowers.

“I just had a different concept of how shopping for your home could be,” Mohagen explains. “We sell sofas, but we also have a full-time florist. For me it’s everything in the home that makes it feel beautiful.”

The variety at the store is itself somewhat conceptual, as Mohagen aims to provide one-stop shopping as a kind of service. In some ways, it’s the convenience of a big box store meeting the curated feel of an independent shop.

The store also tries to support charitable organizations in town, like the hospital foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“At the end of the day, everything that we have in this store, you can find somewhere else or online,” she says. “I think that what sets us apart, and what’s making us successful, is that we are a brick-and-mortar store here in St. Albert that’s giving back and offers all these services under one roof.”

Going Home, in a Big Way Simone and Ivy grew out of Mohagen’s love of retail. After running a successful window coverings franchise in Regina for many years, she settled in St. Albert a few years ago, but found she missed owning her own business. Feeling that the retail side of home furnishings was perhaps untapped in this area, she sensed an opportunity.

“I wanted a place where people could come and feel welcome to decorate their home and have that professional expertise,” she says. She admits she might have gone a little overboard. “My husband always laughs because he’s like, ‘You wanted a small window coverings store and here you are with 4,500 square feet of everything that you could put T8N May/June 2020 37

into your home.’ I guess that’s a bit of my personality. Go big or go home.”

It’s a concept that treats interior decorating—and even the home itself—as a fun and meaningful hands-on experience. The store offers in-house workshops that cover various topics, from holiday-themed decorations to floral arrangements and terrariums to DIY weddings. “In this economy, we're not going to be successful selling sofas.

We're going to be successful providing an experience service that they're not getting anywhere else.”

Fittingly, a lot of her clientele isn’t necessarily looking to add or replace furnishings or to totally renovate. Many simply need a consultant to help organize and refresh what they already have.

Mohagen says she doesn’t like to use the word “minimalism,” but recognizes that there is a huge trend toward decluttering

and simplification these days. “They want it to be bright and airy and open,” she explains. “Those are the words we continue to hear.”

For Those about to Decorate Mohagen recommends trying to see the whole picture when redecorating, regardless of your budget. It’s all about doing things according to a plan, something a professional can help formulate.

A common mistake people make is that they tackle a huge redecorating project in a piecemeal fashion, because that’s all their current budget allows them to do.

A better approach, she says, would be to first come up with a comprehensive plan, and then chip away at it in pieces.

reveals where the work is completed while the client is at work. But for those with the time and enthusiasm, there’s enough room at Simone and Ivy to get involved, something Mohagen is more than happy to see.

“We just want people to be part of the experience of their own home,” Mohagen says. “It should be fun, and it should be an experience, and it shouldn’t be stressful.” t8n

She also encourages customers to be as hands-on as they want to be. Some admittedly have the talent, but not the time—leading to some fun, HGTV-style

Simone & Ivy at a Glance Location: #20, 580 St. Albert Trail, (587) 805-2414 Founder: Leanne Mohagen Opened: June 2019 Specialty: Service-oriented one-stop shopping, studio space and workshops Fun Fact: The store is named after the owner’s mother and grandmother.

38 T8Nmagazine.com

SAVE UP TO 30% OFF RETAIL PRICE! DEALS

UP TO

30% OFF DINNER

$50 Gift Card for only$35

30% OFF

Comics & Graphic Novels

30% OFF Family Pass

30% OFF

A Day at the Spa

Alberta Prairie Steam Train

30% OFF

Select Family Excursion

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 May/June 2020  39

I THEN & NOW I

Raising the

BAR

After more than 30 years, LB’s Pub remains a popular hangout

BY PAULA E. KIRMAN

40 T8Nmagazine.com 40 T8Nmagazine.com

MOST CITIES HAVE a bar or pub

where, as the song goes, everybody knows your name. In St. Albert, that would be LB’s Pub. Located 23 Akins Drive, LB’s is St. Albert’s longest-standing live music and watering hole a nd a peren nial customer favourite. Here is a look at its history.

Linda and Pat tried to sell LB’s Pub in 2017, but could not find a buyer. That year, LB’s received the Outstanding Customer Service Award of Distinction from Audi Edmonton North, adding to the numerous accolades the pub has received through local media readers’ choice surveys.

Jade still cooks on Tuesdays and offers Italian recipes from his past experience as well as many of Linda’s home recipes not offered on the regular menu. Other evenings have specials: Monday is steak night; Wednesdays is wing night; Thursdays is chef’s choice; and Fridays is fish and chips night. Saturdays also feature the chef’s special.

Late 1980s In 1987, Linda Beier took over the Greek restaurant Saucy’s Pub and Zorba’s, located in a small strip mall in Akinsdale.

Linda, in her late 30s, had many years of experience as a waitress and bartender.

Her mother had a restaurant for a while when Linda was younger, and she helped her run this business.

Son Jade Beier was a 16-year-old bus boy who soon to learned to be a waiter.

Other son Dion was a bus boy at the age of 10, who cleaned and reset tables on Sundays on the restaurant side of the business. Back then, provincial liquor laws dictated that if there was a pub, there also had to be a restaurant.

Later that year, Linda kept the menu Greek and renamed the restaurant Athens on Akins. She hired belly dancers for the evenings in the dining room while it still had the Greek theme. However, in 1988 the dining room name changed to LB’s Country Kitchen, eventually being shortened to LB’s.

1990s At the start of the decade, Linda did a large renovation, removing the restaurant walls, putting the bar in the centre of the room, adding two more pool tables (making it three in total), and adding a stage. She hired bands with four players or more, seven nights a week, but eventually shortened the entertainment evenings to Thursday through Saturday.

Linda’s husband Pat joined her in 1996 to help run LB’s. In 1996, LB’s started the Monday night open stage with musician Randy Martin as the host.

In 2019, Linda again listed the business for sale and found a buyer. This changeover took place on July 15, 2019 with the present owner Satish Sharma, who has left things pretty much the same. After all, why mess with a winner? t8n

2000-2010 Linda did another renovation by moving the bar to the far right rear of the room, putting a railing around the dance floor, adding five 50-inch televisions around the room, and adding the 109-inch projection TV to the large wall from the stage area so the games could still be enjoyed when the entertainment was on.

A wooden floor was put down to give the place a warmer, homey feeling.

TWIN WILLOWS GOLF Public • 18 holes • Regulation length • Par 72

The range of live music also broadened, from strictly country to including classic rock and blues. Open stages happened on different evenings with a variety of different hosts including Kenny Skoreyko, Fred Larose, Mark Ammar, Rob Kaup, Darrell Barr, and Rocko Vaugeois from country-rock act One Horse Blue.

In 2010, Linda did a small renovation once again by moving the lobby from the middle of the room to the one side so larger parties could be accommodated, as well as adding new decor and updating the washrooms.

TEE TIMES

2010s-Today Darrell Barr became the host of the open stage in 2015, and continues to this day.

780-447-2934 14110 156 Street Edmonton twinwillowsgolf.com T8N May/June 2020 41

I SPOTLIGHT I

Empowering

DESIGNS

Fashion firm Msichana weaves a cross-cultural tapestry

BY RUDY HOWELL

CENTURIES AGO, VARIOUS European and Arabic

traders explored the Indian Ocean engaging with the many diverse cultures of East Africa. These cross-cultural interactions resulted in the birth of the Swahili language in the 18th century. Derived from Arabic, Persian, Hindustani, Portuguese and Malay, Swahili is the inspiration for Lorna Mutegyeki’s fashion line, Msichana.

“I wanted a name in Swahili because the language essentially reflects that cultural fusion that we are trying to achieve with Msichana. You embrace differences and come up with something beautiful that belongs,” Mutegyeki explains.

Msichana, which translates to “young woman” in English, is an online fashion-based social enterprise which aims to promote global female empowerment.

The brand uses its culturally diverse products as a way to personally connect people from around the world through clothing that reflects both the spirit of its wearer and the clarity of its origin.

42 T8Nmagazine.com

Born in Uganda, Mutegyeki grew up in a household that greatly valued what would become her two passions in life: fashion and female empowerment. Her mother was a fashion designer and three of her four siblings were sisters.

“We were always very aware of our power as women and yet we grew up in a society where we looked around and the message just didn’t align with our own experience of who we were, how we understood ourselves, and our view of women.”

From a young age, she knew she wanted to do something to address this disparity.

But understandably, she didn’t yet know how.

At age 18, Mutegyeki emigrated to Canada to study molecular genetics at the University of Alberta. While in school, she found a job working in finance, eventually leading her to a career as a business analyst instead.

But even comfortable with a successful career, she still felt a burning desire to make a difference.

One day, she came across a United Nations report on women in the workforce. It highlighted how the global fashion industry hires a large percentage of women in comparison to most other lines on work.

“The lightbulb went off. It hit me that this industry that was so familiar and natural to me was a very big industry for the area that I was most passionate about.”

In 2016, she decided to leverage her corporate skills and experience for the cause she was most passionate about.

Thus, Msichana was born. Over the next year, Mutegyeki built a following in the Edmonton area through social media, pop-up shops, and in-home consultations.

The brand celebrated its formal launch in December 2017 with a fashion show hosted by NAIT debuting its first full collection. In 2018, Msichana set up a temporary brick and mortar location in St. Albert through the start-up business lease program offered by The Collective.

This was a great opportunity for Mutegyeki to share her vision with customers as well as analyze how they interacted with her products in a permanent physical

space. She’s also hoping to set up a similar popup in Spruce Grove.

You might be wondering how a piece of clothing can be “empowering.” One look at the bold patterns, unique designs, and carefully curated fabrics of Msichana bestsellers such as the “MightyHi Dress” will surely give you an answer.

“It’s about women being unique, confident, and standing out instead of trying to blend into a crowd.”

Handcrafted by talented female artisans in Canada, Kenya, Morocco, and Uganda using a variety of African fabrics, Msichana products are as much one-of-a-kind pieces of art as they are pieces of clothing.

“I wanted it to be a way for people to experience another culture and for women to be able to connect with people on the other side of the world.”

Early this year, Mutegyeki was left speechless when Msichana was selected to showcase its latest collection, “Accents

by Msichana,” at London Fashion Week in February. To be handpicked for one of the Big Four fashion weeks along with Paris, Milan, and New York reassured Mutegyeki that she had indeed captured something special with Msichana.

“To see the beauty recognized internationally was very much a piece of pride for the work we are doing and the artisans as well.”

Unfortunately, Mutegyeki herself was unable to make it to London due to a medical emergency. She couldn’t believe she was going to miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime until supporters of the brand who wanted to see it succeed offered to go as representation in her place.

“They did such an amazing job. I feel like we’re very much a community and that’s why we’ve had the success we’ve had.”

For Msichana’s next collection, Mutegyeki says she is planning a “Canadian line using all Canadian materials and reflective of Canadian culture.”

Website: msichana.com Phone: 587-557-7929 Specialty: dusters, zero-waste jewelry Fun Fact: Msichana provides its artisans workplace, financial and literacy training t8n

T8N May/June 2020 43

I DOWN TIME I

Spring Gleaning e

Barbeque Beach Bike Bloom Cottage Deck Flowers 44 T8Nmagazine.com

Garagesale Grass Ice Lawnmower Patio Skateboard Streethockey

Swim Walk Baseball Beer Bikini Blossom Cream

A CURRENT HEALTH advisory is preventing us from taking full

advantage of spring, but being cooped up inside isn’t the greatest way to enjoy the season. So while indoors, take some time to complete this word search designed to help pass the time.

At least until we can all go outside to have fun for real! Post your completed puzzle our Twitter or Facebook (tagging T8N), to qualify for great random prizes.

Farmersmarkets Freshfruit Garden Green Lakes Lemonade Plants

Rain Soccer Streetparty Swimming Warmth Basketball Bees

Birds Canoe Cycle Flowers Games Golf Hike

Landscape Paddleboard Playground Rivers Sprinkler Stroll Trampoline

SUMMER IN THE CITY

Your guide to everything possible to do throughout the summer! *Get your copy quickly, they won’t last long

Amazing prize giveaways, all summer long!

PLUS: SUMMERCITY.CA is your online guide for the summer!

Sign up for our E-newsletter & follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram T8N May/June 2020 45