THE 8s

Photo Credit: FUBAR 2 (Cardinal Film Inc.)

HOME MOVIES (Sort of)

If you’re still cooped up at home, check out some major flicks shot in the Capital Region

BY GENE KOSOWAN

THE CURRENT PANDEMIC had folks in the Capital Region hunkered down in droves resulting in the area coming off relatively unscathed compared to several regions in Canada. That included more family time in front of the screen to the point where folks ran out of flicks to watch. But if you’re still cautious about venturing outside as the economy begins to open up, try a few of these offerings shot in Edmonton and surrounding area to see if you can identify a few sites.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford Brad Pitt plays outlaw James who meets his maker at the hands of a fellow gun-slinging gang member in this 2007 biopic that included scenes shot in Fort Edmonton Park. Although the flick was up for two Oscars, locals will better remember the celebrity sightings of Pitt and now ex-wife Angelina Jolie at West Edmonton Mall and a Safeway in Spruce Grove. (Shaw On Demand) Cowboys Don’t Cry Former Edmonton filmmaker Anne Wheeler racked up accolades over this heartbreaking story that includes several scenes shot in St. Albert. In this 1988 drama, a former rodeo champion comes to terms with the death of his wife, killed when he was drunk behind the wheel. (Google Play, primevideo.com)

Fast Company Canadian director David Cronenberg is known for suspenseful outings from Scanners to The Fly, but his first featurelength movie released in 1979 had nothing to do with horror. Instead, he focused on the life of a young racer revving his way through the drag circuit. Nostalgia buffs might want to see what Old Strathcona looked like before its artistic renaissance as well as lingering shots of the late, lamented Edmonton International Speedway. (primevideo.com)

FUBAR 2 Bob and Doug MacKenzie might have started the hoser craze, but the Canadian stereotype hilariously remains intact with this FUBAR followup. This 2010 comedy follows two young slackers hitting the road looking for work as well as band gigs involving one of the duo. (CBC Gem)

Intern Academy A Canuck triple-threat of comedic veterans Dan Ayckroyd (Saturday Night Live), Dave Foley (The Kids In the Hall) and Dave Thomas (SCTV) headline this medical comedy with more hijinx than an actual plot. Previously called Whitecoats, the 2004 comedy was filmed in the abandoned Charles Camsell Hospital, which was called St. Albert’s hospital, presumably to amuse the locals north of Edmonton. (YouTube Movies)

Small Sacrifices Hollywood star Farrah Fawcett and her beau Ryan O’Neal headed to Edmonton to shoot this 1989 made-for-TV drama about a woman on trial for murder and attempted murder of her three children. A couple scenes were also filmed at the Camsell, although much of it was shot inside what used to be Allarcom Studios right beside the Global Edmonton TV station. A free feed of the show was recently spotted online. (YouTube)

Snow Day Edmonton was chosen for exterior shots of Syracuse, New Jersey, the setting for this 2000 comedy. Chevy Chase plays a TV reporter who joins other residents contending with a heavy snowfall hitting the city. Although Edmonton snowfall was already knee-deep for the film crew, that wasn’t enough, so director Chris Koch ordered 4,500 dump trucks to cart more of the white stuff to the shoot (YouTube Movies, Google Play)

#Roxy This 2017 production is a modern high-school twist on the romantic classic surrounding matchmaker Cyrano de Bergerac, this time portrayed by a hacker named Cyrus. The real draw here is watching Danny Trejo, a villain in such outings as Desperado and Sons of Anarchy, play a principal in scenes at St. Albert’s Bellerose Composite High School. (primevideo.com, YouTube Movies) t8n

Mushroom MANIA

For those who want to have fun with fungi in the kitchen, these recipes are a good place to start

RECIPES & STYLING BY SHIMA ZONNEVELD; PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRENDA LAKEMAN

EARTHY FLAVOURS AND hearty textures make mushrooms a versatile

kitchen ingredient. Mushrooms on toast is a simple way to showcase their flavour. They also work well combined with peanuts and ginger tucked into a crisp lettuce leaf. Whichever way you go, have fun exploring the world of mushrooms.

This recipe is easily adapted for a serving of one, two or a double batch. This dish is at its best served immediately! Mushroom and Miso Ramen

Ramen is an easy lunch time meal and can be changed to suit many eating habits and to accommodate for a love of specific veggies, in this case mushrooms!

4 portions of rice ramen noodles 4 cups of broth (cook’s choice-bone, veggie, chicken) 1½ tsp. sriracha 1½ -2 tbsp. light miso paste 1 tbsp. Chinese cooking wine 1 tbsp. sesame oil 1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger 1 green onion 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds 1 tbsp. grated carrot 1 c. mushrooms

In a pot, bring the broth to a boil and add in the sriracha, miso paste, cooking wine, sesame oil and grated ginger. Whisk the ingredients together until combined. Add in the ramen noodles and cook for two minutes and then add in the mushrooms. Remove the pot from the heat, cover and let sit for five minutes to steam the mushrooms.

While the noodles are cooking, grate carrot and thinly slice the green onion. In four serving bowls, evenly divide the carrot and the green onions. Pour the ramen into each bowl and top with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

*This recipe is easily adapted for a serving of one, two or a double batch. This dish is at its best served immediately!

Mushroom Larb

Turn a traditional meat dish into a vegetarian one by swapping out pork or beef for mushrooms. Serve in a lettuce cup for a warm, light and flavourful meal where mushrooms are the star!

¼ c. coarsely chopped peanuts 4 tbsp. avocado oil 12 oz. large white mushrooms, stemmed and cut into quarters 3 green onions, thinly sliced on the diagonal 1½ tbsp. grated fresh ginger a generous pinch of Kosher salt 1 shallot, sliced very thin

a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes ½ c. fresh mint, sliced chiffonade style 1 head of butter lettuce or ½ head of iceberg lettuce (either will work, the iceberg is simply crispier)

In a large non-stick skillet, heat three tbsp. of avocado oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until brown and crispish, eight-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in the green onion, ginger and the last tablespoon of oil. Stir until the mixture is fragrant. Remove from heat and season with a pinch of kosher salt. Taste and add more if necessary.

To serve: Fill the lettuce cup with the mushroom larb and top with peanuts and fresh mint.

Mushroom Toasts

(pictured left)

Roasting the mushrooms is another great way to cook mushrooms either for a pasta topping or simply to put on top of crisp, salty toasts for an appetizer or a light lunch.

2 lbs. of any type of mushrooms, coarsely chopped ¼ olive oil

2 tsp. kosher salt toasting bread of your choice, ciabatta, baguette etc. ⅛ c. toasted, chopped hazelnuts 1 tbsp. chopped parsley parmesan cheese, shaved pieces (number depends on slices of toast)

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper. On the baking sheet, toss the mushrooms with olive oil and one teaspoon of the salt. Spread the mushrooms out evenly and bake for 25-30 minutes.

While the mushrooms are roasting, cut thin or thick slices of ciabatta and drizzle with olive oil and a sprinkle of the salt. Pop the slices either into the toaster or broil on high in the oven after the mushrooms are done roasting.

Top each slice of bread with mushrooms, chopped hazelnuts, fresh parsley and a peel or two of parmesan.

Brown Butter & Truffle Oil Popcorn

Popcorn to impress or just looking to shake movie night up, adding browned butter and truffle oil might be the ticket to elevating your popcorn experience!

1 tbsp. avocado oil 1 tbsp. truffle oil ½ c. popcorn kernels 1½ tsp. butter Kosher salt

Coat the bottom of a Dutch oven with the two types of oil. Put a few popcorn kernels in the oil and heat over medium-high heat. Once the few popcorn kernels have popped, it is time to put in the remainder of the kernels. Give the pot a few shakes while the popcorn is popping. Once the popping slows down, remove the pot from the heat.

In a small saucepan, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Browning this quantity of butter will not take long, so stay by the pan. Once the butter is flecked with dark brown bits and smells nutty, remove from the heat.

In a large bowl, pour the popcorn, drizzle the browned butter and sprinkle with a few big pinches of kosher salt. Toss to combine.

Mushroom, Spinach, Flatbread Pizza

If all the ingredients are on hand, this is a simple, fast and healthy dinner to enjoy at the end of a long day or to grab and go in between activities.

2 flatbread (Naan and pita both work equally well) ¼ c. baby spinach, cut into thin strips 1 c. mixed mushrooms, stem removed and thinly sliced 2 tbsp. crumbled feta 3 tbsp. olive oil a pinch of kosher salt a pinch of black pepper ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes (2 tbsp. olive oil per ¼ tsp of red pepper flakes)

In a non-stick skillet, heat oil over medium heat and add in the red pepper flakes. Stir until the mixture is fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Preheat the oven to 350°. On a large rimmed baking sheet, place the flatbreads and brush with the cooled red pepper infused oil. Distribute the spinach, mushrooms, and feta cheese evenly between the two flatbreads.

Top each flatbread pizza with a pinch of salt and ground black pepper and bake for eight-10 minutes.

Serve immediately.

Mushroom Fried Rice

This tasty fried rice hits all the right notes with a crunch from the snap peas, an earthy flavour from the mushrooms and a hit of protein from the egg. Perfect for a vegetarian meal or a quick after-workout throw-together.

5½ tbsp. toasted sesame oil, divided 8 oz. mixed mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced (white, cremini, shitake work well)

1 tsp. kosher salt ½ tsp. freshly ground pepper 4 green onions, thinly sliced and separated into white and green parts 2 tsp. fresh ginger, grated 3 c. cold cooked white rice

2c. sugar snap peas, thinly sliced on the diagonal ½ c. frozen green peas 2 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tbsp. rice vinegar 4 large eggs

In a large non-stick skillet, heat two tbsp. of sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add in the mushrooms and cook until browned, eight-10 minutes. Sprinkle with half of the salt and half of the pepper and set the mushrooms aside.

Without cleaning out the skillet, add in another two tbsp. of the sesame oil. Heat the oil on a medium-high heat. Add the ginger and the white parts of the green onion to the skillet. Stirring frequently, cook for one to two minutes and then add in the cooked rice. Cook the rice until crispy, eight-10 minutes, occasionally stirring this mixture. Add in the snap peas, green peas, soy sauce, rice vinegar and cooked mushrooms. Warm the entire mixture through.

Remove from the heat and transfer the rice to a large serving bowl.

With a paper towel, wipe out the skillet and add in the remainder of the sesame oil. Heat the oil over medium heat. Once heated, crack in the four eggs and cook until the whites are cooked and the edges are crispy. Sprinkle the rest of the salt and pepper over the eggs and place them on top of the rice mixture.

Divide and enjoy! t8n

Tranquility BASE

Heritage Lakes still maintains a natural charm after 40 years

BY CORBIN STEWART

AS ONE OF ST. ALBERT’S relatively

newer neighbourhoods, Heritage Lakes boasts a peaceful and blissful environment, thanks to the parks and the two bodies of water that take responsibility for the area’s name. These water features were originally developed to function as stormwater management facilities to help collect effluence and reduce street flooding, although they double as wetlands for local wildlife. Dry streams, which help with that runoff, wind along the walking trails in Hodgson and Heritage parks. While those elements add to the lush greenery and tranquil vibe of Heritage Lakes, what makes the area truly special is the caring nature among its residents.

Pre-1980s According to St. Albert planning technician Craig Holland, before its development in the 1980s the neighbourhood of what is now Heritage Lakes was predominately used as agricultural fields.

1980s In the 1980s the municipal government responded to feedback among St. Albert families and looked at areas ideal for locals to settle down in, accompanied by lots of walking trails and water features where residents could enjoy the outdoors. The city built the neighborhood with working families in mind, as the location of Heritage Lakes is at the southernmost point of St. Albert, allowing a short commute to Edmonton.

1990s In January 1992, the Heritage Lakes Community Association (HLCA) was founded by residents who wanted to build a more inclusive community. With the help of Carma Developers, the community association became a legal non-profit society.

Since its development, the HLCA has hosted many children and adult-orientated events such as family swim events, bowling nights, and Fun Money casino nights. Today, the HLCA remains the only official community association in St. Albert.

2000s In 2003, École La Mission moved from its original home in the Protestant school board building to Heritage Lakes, where it became a francophone school teaching children from kindergarten to Grade Nine.

In 2006, under the direction of Claude Viel, the school had 160 students occupying classrooms from kindergarten to Grade Nine. Three years later, junior high school students relocated to the newly-opened Alexandre Taché school, returning École La Mission to elementary school status. École La Mission is one of two francophone schools operating in St. Albert today.

2010s Because the HLCA is the only community association in St. Albert, the city has involved them with the majority of upgrades and redevelopment plans in the neighbourhood. Ranging from parks and the outdoor rink to initiatives like the Neighbourhood Watch program, the HLCA’s involvement is a testament to the power of community, which is appreciated by its residents.

“It’s a real family-orientated community; there’s a lot of playgrounds and parks for kids to play in.

Heritage Lakes and Grandin looking north, 1997 Musée Héritage Museum

There are also some good paths for walking and biking that are great for everyone,” says resident Jaime Bain, whose family has lived in the area for 22 years.

In 1993, real estate developer Daytona Homes broke ground in Heritage Lakes, one of its first two subdivisions. The company celebrated its 25th anniversary in September 2019, emphasizing how Heritage Lakes helped lay a foundation for Daytona’s growing success.

2020 In March, just weeks after the World Health Organization declared the Covid-19 outbreak a pandemic situation, the HLCA Facebook page announced that an anonymous family from Heritage Lakes had come down with cold-like symptoms and were undergoing a self-imposed quarantine.

In response, members of the HLCA donated a variety of food and supplies, including meals, toiletries and medicine to the family. The current pandemic has been stressful for everyone, but the residents of Heritage Lakes have shown how support and sincerity can help build a stronger community. t8n