The Jasper Local May15, 2018 by The Jasper Local

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tthejasperlocal.com h e ja s p e r l o ca l .c o m

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may 15, 2015 issue121 49 tuesday, friday, may 15, 2018 // // ISSUE

TRANSLUCID ADVENTURES STAFFER AMANDA LAPSHINOFF TOOK HER BOARD OUT FOR A SPIN ON LAKE EDITH MAY 11. TRANSLUCID IS OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR PADDLEBOARD RENTING, A SURE SIGN THAT SUMMER IS HERE. // BC

Jasper man charged with assaulting an officer JASPER RCMP HAVE LAID ASSAULT CHARGES ON A LOCAL MAN.

On May 8 at approximately 2:30 a.m. Jasper officers were dispatched to the scene of a fight in progress in the 500 block of Patricia Street, in front of a local night club. Once on scene, police found a male suspect. “The male who had been involved in

the fight was still highly agitated and disruptive of the public peace,” Cst. Patrick Vallee said in a press release. RCMP members attempted to arrest the suspect but he resisted, according to police. Eventually he was arrested and taken to the Jasper RCMP detachment. While being taken into the cell at the detachment, the 28-yearold Jasper resident continued to

resist officers’ efforts. RCMP say he assaulted two officers at that time. As a result of this investigation, Sean Desmond Fordyce has been charged under the Criminal Code of Canada with three counts of resisting arrest, two counts of assault on a police officer and one count of disturbing the peace. Fordyce is scheduled to appear in Jasper Provincial Court on June 28. Local Staff // info@thejasperlocal.com

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page A2 // the jasper local // issue 121 // tuesday, may 15, 2018

editorial //

Local Vocal FIVE YEARS ISN’T SUCH A LONG TIME if you’re a white bark pine tree or a

Conservative voter in Yellowhead, but for a family run newspaper in 2018, five years feels like a significant milestone. May 15, 2018 marks a half decade for The Jasper Local and we aren’t ashamed to admit it’s a point of pride for us to have made it this far. With an evolving landscape in terms of how people consume their media, we’ve seen many an eyebrow raised when we tell folks we’re still forging ahead in the print news industry. After all, local papers certainly aren’t immune to the trends that have carved out newsrooms all across Canada, and there’s plenty of evidence to suggest the cutbacks aren’t done yet as legacy media companies attempt to come up with the right formula to fund journalism in a digital age. The difference is that the people working in community newsrooms are bringing you something you can’t always get by cruising social media: stories about the people in your community. Not only that, but we think that the market for the hyper-local will only improve as large, traditional media companies continue to crumble. It’s important that it’s not just journalists who are buying into this idea, however; communities themselves must understand the critical role of local news gathering and support the organizations engaging in it. Of course it’s a reciprocal relationship: journalists must be prepared to work harder, go deeper and accept more readily the criticism which comes their way in the course of pursuing their craft. This is a good thing, because it helps build that most important part of the relationship between newspaper and reader: trust. As trust in many parts of the media has plummeted, it is more necessary than ever for local publications to open up to the communities they serve, to invite them into their processes. To that end, this edition of The Jasper Local includes a reader survey to help guide our work, and to help us understand what you could use more of (and less of) when it comes to story telling. Please take a few moments to help us be more accountable by telling us what type of content is most important to you. Five years ago The Jasper Local hit newsstands with an aim to take stock of the issues, reflect the passions and profile the people which call this community home. With your help, we can make it another five. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

A distinct skunkiness to the air Dear Editor, Just a note on the open smoking of pot in Jasper. My wife and I were having a nice dinner the other night on one of the local outside patios. The food was great, the view was great. Then the smell of a skunk dominated the moment as a young fellow walked by puffing on a joint. It soured the moment in a blink. The stink arrived before the fellow and lasted for what seemed like a long time after he passed (maybe only 10 to 15 seconds) but I was surprised at the intensity. What is it going to be like when this stuff is legalized? The Rocky Mountain air will be intruded

on by people who have not thought about those of us who like the fresh clean air. Unfortunately my right to breathe clean, fresh air as has been taken away by the government. A sad day in the history of Canada. Could it not be handled like alcohol and be restricted to non public places? I would rather have a person sip a beer in public over pot. Having said this, I support both (beer and pot) in the privacy of a person’s home and not public areas. I’m supporting the municipality to do what is best. Just my thoughts. Thanks, Rob Scott, Jasper

The Jasper Local //

Jasper’s independent alternative newspaper 780.852.9474 • thejasperlocal.com • po box 2046, jasper ab, t0e 1e0

Published on the 1st and 15th of each month Editor / Publisher

Bob Covey.................................................................................... bob@thejasperlocal.com Art Director

Nicole covey......................................................................... nicole@thejasperlocal.com Advertising + sales

Email us today...........................................................................ads@thejasperlocal.com cartoonist

Deke.................................................................................................deke@thejasperlocal.com

facebook.com/thejasperlocal

@thejasperlocal

// Local government

tuesday, may 15, 2018 // issue 121 // the jasper local// page A3

RUFFLED// THE ANNUAL J-9 SPARKLE RUN GAVE JASPERITES AN EXCUSE TO GET GLITTERY IN THE NAME OF MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MAY 9.// EDDIE WONG // EXPLOREJASPER.COM

Municipal council highlights Jasper Municipal council is expected to name the exchange lands today (May 15)

After a few rounds of narrowing down their top choices, municipal councillors had whittled the possible names to Commemoration Park and Constelation Park. A final vote will be held at 1:30 p.m. today. Final report on staff and seniors housing to be endorsed

On May 15, ParioPlan Inc will present to council their report on addressing the shortage of staff and seniors housing in Jasper. The report includes recommendations on three different potential housing sites: Connaught Drive; Bear Hill; and the current RCMP detachment site. The report, which is available on the MOJ website, suggests the Connaught Site is well suited for staff housing. “The site could potentially yield a total of 81 units,” it reads. ParioPlan recommends the site be transferred to the Municipality of Jasper and for the Jasper Community Housing Corporation establish a governance model for the development. At the Bear Hill Site, where somewhat awkward access points and overhead

power lines restrict the buildable area, one design concept envisions between 54 and 60 micro units (one to three bedroom suites) built in bungalows, stacked row houses and apartment buildings. “The Bear Hill Site is suited for young professionals, families and active seniors,” the report reads. The current RCMP site is contingent on the RCMP detachment’s relocation. If and when that site can be taken over, ParioPlan suggests that 40 units in row houses or apartment buildings can be built there. “It is suited for seniors’ housing in singlelevel units (bungalows), row houses, stacked row houses and apartment buildings.” The recommendation there is to consider a mixed-housing model for seniors and families. The report is expected to be endorsed by council at today’s meeting. Council to make decision on cannabis survey

If approved, a cannabis survey will be launched this week. The survey is designed to get a read on Jasperites’ opinions on cannabis retail in Jasper. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

page B1 // the jasper local // issue 121 // tuesday, May 15, 2018

KNOW THE RISKS. MAKE A PLAN. GET A KIT.

WILDFIRE SEASON IS HERE.

EVACUATION ALERTS AND ORDERS

Are you and your family ready? KNOW THE RISKS In recent years, mountain pine beetles have killed thousands of trees around Jasper, increasing the wildfire risk to our community.

In the event of a large wildfire, first responders will be busy fighting the fire. You should be ready to get out of Jasper and look after yourself and your family for at least 72 hours.

MAKE A PLAN Get together with your family, make an emergency plan and make sure everyone understands what would happen and what to do in the event of a major emergency. A basic emergency plan should include: • Safe exits from your home and neighbourhood; • A designated meeting location outside Jasper in case you get separated; • A designated person to pick up children at school or daycare if you’re not available; • An out-of-town contact person to act as a point of contact for your family – remember that cell phone and the internet access may be limited during an emergency; • Health insurance information; and • An evacuation plan for pets and large animals like horses. If you need help to get out of your home, work with family, friends or Community Outreach Services to make a plan. Call 780-852-2100 or drop by 627 Patricia Street, M-F, 9 to 4:30pm.

Know where to get accurate information Go to www.jasper-alberta.com and sign up to receive emergency alerts by text or email.

The Municipality of Jasper will issue two kinds of notices. Know the difference! EVACUATION ALERT An Evacuation Alert tells people to prepare for an evacuation. If you are ready to go and can evacuate early, please do so. EVACUATION ORDER An Evacuation Order tells people to evacuate immediately. This may happen in circumstances where there is little or no time to notify, or following an Evacuation Alert. If a wildfire is in progress but no evacuation is required, information updates will be provided.

GET A KIT Put together an emergency kit and keep it somewhere easy to get if you have to evacuate. GAS

Keep a full tank of gas in your vehicle at all times.

Items to take with you if you have to evacuate: Wallet: identification, credit cards and cash Cell phone and charger Glasses and contacts Medications A three-day supply of water and food per person Copy of your emergency plan, including emergency contact numbers Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, insurance and bank records) Pet food and water

Visit getprepared.ca and

Download the Alberta Emergency Alert app www.jasper-alberta.com on your phone and set your location to Jasper. for more information and Check the Municipality of Jasper and Jasper National Park websites and social media feeds. If you don’t use the internet, turn on the radio or call 780-852-3311.

resources, or get a copy of the Municipality of Jasper Evacuation Guide at municipal facilities.

local news //

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the 2018 golf season opened at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club May 14. This group from Edson were the first golfers to card. // Bob Covey

Grizzly killed by train in Jasper National Park For the first time in two decades, a train has killed a grizzly bear within the Jasper National Park boundaries. Parks Canada confirmed to The Jasper Local that a male grizzly bear was struck and killed by a CN train near the Brule tunnel on the weekend of May 4. A Parks Canada employee who did not wish to be named said the bear was eating grain along the tracks when the accident occurred. “While the loss of any grizzly bear is regrettable, Jasper National Park has a strong and healthy grizzly bear population,” Parks Canada spokesperson Steve Young said via email. “The Jasper landscape is different than other mountain parks, as there are wider valleys and the rail line is lower in elevation, making rail-related grizzly bear mortalities very rare.” The last documented grizzly bear mortality involving a train in Jasper National Park occurred in 1998. Aside from railway related grizzly bear deaths, four grizzly bears have been killed along the highway dating back to 1980 (1980, 1983, 2000, 2013), according to Parks Canada’s animal mortality records. “It’s always sad news when we hear of a grizzly bear death,” says Jill Seaton, chair of the Jasper Environmental Association. “For the most part though, the bears seem to have kept out of trouble over the last two decades, which is good.” Grizzly bears are always on the move to meet their needs for food, territory, shelter and mates, according to Parks, with the animals travelling huge distances during their lives, occasionally across roads and railways. While Parks did not provide specific numbers, Young said data taken from collared grizzlies suggests the bears spend very little time on or near the tracks. Most commonly, bears are attracted to the railway in foraging efforts, as the plants grizzly bears enjoy are often plentiful along the tracks. The bears look for easy food, too. Being omnivores, other animals killed on the rail line can present easy opportunities for bears looking to bulk up, especially in the spring when natural food sources are concentrated in valley bottoms, and bears are emerging from their dens, according to Parks Canada. In addition to food, officials says bears are not dissimilar to humans in that they typically take

and implement solutions to reduce the risk to grizzly bears on the railway. For example, Parks Canada works with CN to ensure that bear attractants are addressed and removed as soon possible, Young said. “Parks Canada is working with the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary to better understand the underlying causes of rail-related grizzly bear mortality,” said Young. “We know the risk that people and transportation corridors pose to grizzly bears will never be fully eliminated, but with drive like their lives depend on it // besides railway-related deaths, since 1980, four grizzlies have been killed on roadways the help of this research we in Jasper National Park. // Simone Heinrich are finding ways to reduce the shortest and easiest route when they can. By this risk.” traveling along the railway the animals conCN declined comment on this story, so too did serve energy. the Alberta Wildlife Association (AWA) and the Track design, landscape, food, and sightlines Foothills Research Institute (fRI). can all affect a bear’s ability to notice and Evan Matthews // evan@thejasperlocal.com escape trains, Young said in his email, while a bear’s physiology, gender, and personality may also influence how they respond to oncoming trains. About three years Mature Pine trees are susceptible ago, in Banff National to colonization by Mountain Pine Beetle (MPB). Placing a Park, Parks Canada Verbenone pouch on the tree began using electric tricks the MPB into thinking shock mats as part the tree is already colonized so of a study, to deter adults looking for a host tree move on. bears from crossing

VERBENONE POUCH PROGRAM

Do you have a mature Pine on your property?

the rail lines. However, Parks Canada has discontinued use of electrified mats due to issues with reliability. “We will monitor the continued development of this technology,” said Young. In his email, Young said that Parks Canada and CN are committed to working together to develop

Although MPB has killed many Pines in the Jasper area, a Verbenone pouch offers some protection to isolated mature Pines on leaseholds in the townsite, depending on their location. If you are interested in having a pouch placed on a Pine on your property contact: Janet Cooper, Environmental Stewardship Coordinator, at 780-852-1563 or email jcooper@town.jasper.ab.ca. Pouches should be on the tree by mid-June in advance of the beetle flight period.

page B3 // the jasper local // issue 121 // tuesday, May 15, 2018

local community //

End of an era: Freewheel bids farewell

Gunner Ireland was an orignal shareholder and from time to time got behind the service desk, as shown here sometime in the 1980s. // supplied

Chris peel (left) and Wendy hall (at till) were the faces of Freewheel since the mid-2000s. They introduced many residents and visitors to biking in Jasper National Park. // Bob Covey

“My heart is filled with gratitude for the countless friends I have made through Freewheel over the The community bike shop was a mainstay in Jas- decades,” Greg Deagle posted online. per for 35 years but recently the financial realities “I fell in love with biking because of Freewheel,” Nancy Fitzgerald said. of keeping the lights on in a hardscrabble busiFacebook was flooded with accounts from former ness took their toll. employees, like this one, from Jojo Miller: “We miss the trails we don’t see enough of, we “Freewheel Cycle miss the peaks we haven’t stood on truly made me top of for far too long. The amount the person I am of stress the last little while has been today.” And this, enormous and is negatively affecting “Freewheel was a from Josh Blomour lives,” owner Chris Peel said. “It’s movement, a founder of field: “Thank mountain culture, a giant time to move on.” you Freewheel family celebrating the joy In the wake of the sad news, a tsunaof playing in the outdoors. “ for taking me in mi of support has washed in for Peel and making me and his wife Wendy Hall, who togethpart of a beautiful er have been the faces of Freewheel community.” since they bought into the business. Freewheel always Condolences, well wishes and stories had a community-first mantra. From the of how the shop helped changed patrons’ lives famous Kraft Dinner wall that was donated poured into the social media feeds where Peel to help out-of-work lifties during a lean snow made the announcement that after a long ride, year, to the generous Bike Town program Freewheel was pulling over.

ON MAY 1, FREEWHEEL CYCLE CLOSED ITS DOORS.

memory lane // Dave MacDowell and Loni Klettl exchange a laugh while donning retro riding gear from local races past. // bob Covey

that hooked up locals with town bikes if they could show how their receiving a new cruiser would benefit the community. From the sponsorship of local athletes to the creation of FreeSkool, the non-competitive bike club for kids, Freewheel cultivated talent by cultivating “good times,” as Hall liked to put it. Con’t on Page B4 As such, it was the good times that were be-

The first freewheel, next to the current Earls in the Rockies building, in the alley. // supplied

local community //

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Set free: shop owners to focus on family

Freewheel’s second location, next to the old Husky on patricia street. // supplied

an early incarnation of the famous freewheel biathlon, with shop co-founder steve stanko in the middle (blue shorts). // supplied

Con’t from Page B3

ing fondly remembered during a Freewheel tribute group ride on Wednesday, May 9. More than 60 mountain bikers showed up in their shop jerseys—some of them decades old—to salute the legacy that Freewheel has created. “Freewheel was so much more than a bike shop,” Lisa Riddell suggested. “Jasper is a better place because of all the energy and love you both poured into it.” Freewheel co-founder Dave MacDowell was sharing hugs and high fives with locals for whom the long-standing shop was a social hub and a place to revel in Jasper’s bike culture. Thirty-five years ago MacDowell and three friends hung a Bike Rentals sign in a Patricia Street back alley. On Wednesday, not far from the original shop’s location, he was hopeful that the torch would continue to be carried. “Freewheel was and always will be more than just another bike shop,”

he wrote. “It was a movement, a founder of mountain culture, a giant family celebrating the joy of playing in the outdoors and an example of what was truly important in life.” In the end, for Peel and Hall, the most important thing for them—and what they finally based their decision to close on— was their family’s health and happiness. Those basic objectives were becoming harder and harder to focus on as long as profit margins at the shop were so slim, Hall said. Freewheel’s challenges to make a sustainable financial future were well-documented: last spring they downsized their shop significantly in a bid to stop the bleeding. Unfortunately, it was too late. A red ink-stained hangover from the unfortunately-timed opening of a second shop during the 2007 recession was bogging them down and the slow creep of online shopping

Freewheel biathlon athletes getting ready for the mass start. The popular October event always had an incredible local showing. // bc

was affecting their bottom line with each passing financial quarter. For those reasons, friends and supporters were looking for the silver lining in the dark cloud. “Sad to have to close, but congrats on getting a life and a family back,” a well-wisher from Banff, Dave Williams, said. “Business is so all consuming and

you’ve done so much with your efforts. Now it sounds like a perfect time to switch gears,” Wanda Bogdane suggested. Scrolling through the hundreds of heart-felt messages, it’s clear: Freewheel made Jasper a bike town. That’s a legacy which will last a lifetime. Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

THANK YOU

Freewheel Cycle For the many years of fun and community support!

page B5 // the jasper local // issue 121 // tuesday, May 15, 2018

local wildlife //

Meandering Muse:

For more than a week, Jasper photographer Simone Heinrich regularly visited this healthy, playful grizzly bear

as he fed, scratched and stretched after his long winter’s nap.

She first saw him near Jonas Creek, near Sunwapta Falls Warden Station on the Icefields Parkway and

as she drove out to photograph him, noticed he was getting closer and closer to Jasper with each successive evening. “He travelled more than 80 kilometres in one week,” she said. Heinrich started to see a bit of personality in the grizz, thought to be about Continued on Page b7

local wildlife//

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Grizzly on the move

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six years old. He would huff and puff when his feet sank through the melting snow, she said. “He was not keen on walking in the snow, whenever he sank through he seemed annoyed.” He was on a mission to bulk up, after all. Heinrich said it was exciting to watch him dig for roots to eat.

“You could see the dirt flying right and left,” she laughed. At the end of her week of grizzly watching, the bear ended up near Athabasca Falls, but he had been all the way to Whistlers Campground, where he was promptly met by Parks Canada staff who were wary of the bear getting

too close to human-kind. Heinrich commended the job performed by resource conservation officials to “haze” the bear back into the forest, where he’d be less likely to have a conflict. “They did a good job protecting the campsite,” she said. Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com

page b7+B8 // the jasper local // issue 121 // tuesday, May 15, 2018

LOCAL FEATURE // ANNUAL BACK PAT

Survey Says...

HELP US IMPROVE! WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK TO BE BETTER

It’s 2018 and we’re still pumping out newspapers. Are we behind the times? After five years, it’s time to take a moment to reflect.

there is still a place for local news and story telling.

The newspaper industry has changed tremendously in the age of social media

journalism in the future.

but here at The Jasper Local, we’ve got no plans to stop putting out the print edition. Despite the beating that subscriptions at national chains have been taking for the last decade or longer, the folks behind this newspaper believe

We're Five Ye Old T ars oday !

But those are broad categories. We know we can always hone our efforts so we’re more relevant, more interesting and more representative. But to make those improvements, we need a little help from you. Please take a few moments and fill out the following survey. Your answers and comments will help guide the way we practice our

____________________________________________ Thank you for helping us get better and thank you for your support. It means a lot to us.

Please read each question and circle the number that matches how strongly you agree or disagree with the following statements. Circling 4 means you neither agree nor disagree. 1. The Jasper Local is an important part of my connection to the community of Jasper DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 2. The Jasper Local is an important part of my connection to Jasper National Park DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 3. The Jasper Local helps me learn about people I would otherwise not meet or learn about DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 4. The Jasper Local helps me learn about issues and stories I otherwise would not know about in Jasper

10. I find more local content (stories, photos and interesting community information) in The Jasper Local compared to online social media sites such as Facebook DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 11. I tend to find more relevant local content (stories, photos and interesting community information) in other local media (newspapers, radio) DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 12. I tend to find more relevant local content (stories, photos and interesting community information) on online social media such (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE

DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE

13. It is important for The Jasper Local to cover local news (ex. nearby events, local government and schools)

5. The Jasper Local inspires me to try new activities

DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE

14. It is important for The Jasper Local to cover local business news (ex. openings and closings, layoffs)

6. I look forward to each new issue of The Jasper Local DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 7. I read each page, article and advertisement in The Jasper Local thoroughly, regardless of the content DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 8. I tend to skim when I read The Jasper Local, looking for items that interest me but generally breeze through the paper DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE

DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 15. It is important for The Jasper Local to cover local high school and minor sports (ex. minor soccer, minor hockey, ski racing, senior high basketball) DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 16. It is important for The Jasper Local to cover local arts (ex. music acts, art expos, book launches) DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE

9. I’m actually more of a check-out-the-photos-and-move-on type, TBH

17. It is important for The Jasper Local to cover local outdoor recreation (ex. backcountry skiing, fishing, hiking, mountain biking)

DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE

feature //

Meet The Jasper Local full timers

bob covey // Our fishy editor + publisher

nicole covey // our wild creative director

cora covey // our adorably exploited promotions guru

deke // our ace-in-the-hole cartoonist

Please send a photo of the completed survey to thejasperlocal@gmail.com or cut it out and return it in the mail to: The Jasper Local, PO Box 2046, Jasper AB, T0E 1E0 18. It is important for The Jasper Local to profile local personalities

25. My favourite thing about The Jasper Local is:

DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 19. It is important for The Jasper Local to have a section of the paper dedicated to comment/opinion (ex. editorial)

26. My least favourite thing about The Jasper Local is:

DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 20. It is important for The Jasper Local to cover health and lifestyle (ex. nutrition) DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE

27. The thing I’d like to see more of in The Jasper Local is:

21. It is important that The Jasper Local remain a free publication DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 22. I would be willing to contribute my own hard earned money to The Jasper Local via a crowdfunding or membership platform if it meant getting exclusive experiences or content

28. The thing I’d like to see less of in The Jasper Local is:

DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 23. I would be willing to contribute my own hard earned money to The Jasper Local via a crowdfunding or membership platform as a way of ensuring the publication’s sustainability DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE 24. I would be interested in getting The Jasper Local delivered to my home for a nominal fee DISAGREE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AGREE

29. What wasn’t touched on this survey and which I’d like to say now is:

30: As much as you’re comfortable, tell us about yourself (gender, age, hometown, education and work background, hobbies, etc.):

page B9 // the jasper local // issue 121 // tuesday, May 15, 2018

local arts //

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PEI poets kick off road trip in Jasper

When PEI songstresses Catherine McLellan and Tonya Davies kicked off their latest tour in Jasper, they were a long way from home.

They would end up not wanting to leave. When they arrived at the Jasper Library and Cultural Centre— where the normally florescent council chambers had been

“Hardly any of the people closest to him— fellow musicians and songwriters alike—knew he was suffering.” turned into a wine clinking, low-lit affair—a crowd was tingling. It was a magnetic sort of energy which had pulled McLellan and Davies out west, in fact.

With mental health awareness week kicking off in Alberta, and a Sparkle Cannon full of momentum for “getting loud” about mental health in this community, in the fall a handful of Jasperites came together to invite McLellan here to perform. McLellan has become well known for her advocacy of mental health awareness. Her father, the Canadian songwriter Gene McLellan, died by suicide in 1995, and Musical musings // Songstresses Tanya Davies and Catherine McLellan let the as Catherine learned light in on May 9. // Bob Covey photos it after his death, kept his darkness a “The Sads are a loving fammental health awareness while secret. connecting over poetry and ily that adopted me,” it began. “Hardly any of the people closmusic. The evening was intro“They are so welcoming.” est to him— fellow musicians duced as a collaborative effort and songwriters alike—knew he Davies’ cathartic couplets raising money for Community was suffering,” she said. released something; instantly Both McLellan and Davies the audience felt lighter. McLel- Outreach Service’s Mental Health Crisis Fund. opened up about their own strug- lan said she’s been lifted up by “We deliberately opened the gles with depressive thoughts Davies’ “heat in the freezing” on evening with a reception, rather to the Jasper audience, Davies many occasions. beginning her set with a percusthan launching directly into “She would nudge me to say hi sive poem she calls The Sads. the show,” said Jasper’s Comto people,” McLellan told munity and Family Services the crowd, recalling the best Director, Kathleen Waxer. “It friends’ time in grade school creat[es] an opportunity for all together. “She helped me of you to connect, to achieve a meet my friend-crushes.” greater awareness of the impact When McLellan took the stage, the audience swelled of mental health in our homes, workplaces and our commuup with a pretty big collective friend-crush of its own. nity.” The Mental Health Crisis Fund Her Juno-winning sound from The Raven’s Sun was can be accessed through any of on full display; she sang her the outreach workers at COS. It father’s tunes as well as her is set up to help individuals and own, and even obliged an families in Jasper overcome encore. barriers to optimal mental The night was put together health and wellness. by a collective of Jasperites Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com interested in promoting

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local recreation //

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all folks! // The ski season came to an end for resort riders in Jasper on May 6 and As per local custom, guests grabbed their goofiest gear to celebrate the passing of another winter. The season was by all accounts fantastic, with Marmot Basin being blessed with big storms right off the hop. With newly opened terrain and a handful of marquee events, it was a banner year for skiing in JNP. See you in November! .// bob covey

local lifestyle//

tuesday, may 15, 2018 // issue 121 // the jasper local// page B12

SIGNS OF SUMMER

Summer time and the livinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy // The new multi use park on the exchange lands hosted its first soccer games on the weekend; the annual totem spring run off had stunning weather and a great turnout; it was shorts weather at buffalo prairie for Jasper dog walkers; and the paddleboard season has officially started at lake Edith. // Bob Covey photos

Yogis teaching ancient asana

page B13 // the jasper local // issue 121 // tuesday, May 15, 2018

local wellness/

COUPLE BRINGS ASHTANGA TO JASPER

(per semester) during ashtanga yoga classes. morning and it leaves you drained, so you Jasper Wellness is the town’s ashtanga shala can’t do your job or the other things in life you love to do, what’s the point?” says La(home, in Sanskrit). vaggi. The Jasper-based in“It’s about fueling yourself structors teach “Mysore” It’s about fueling yourself just enough, so you can go out style ashtanga, which is just enough, so you can go into the world and show up for slightly different from out into the world and show people, and show up for your the usual, modern way up for people, and show up The owner of Rocky Bear Gifts and More, community… It’s about selfin which yoga is taught. for your community… It’s Petoom has been a devout practitioner of sustenance,” she says. A Mysore class is not about self-sustenance.” Mysore ashtanga yoga for the last 10 months. “led” as a whole, but While ashtanga mornings may “I got into it to benefit my running. I was — Franceska Lavaggi, seem early to some, Lavaggi rather the class’ instrucashtanga yoga instructor says (sacred) morning rituals doing a lot of marathons, training for a lot of tion is one-on-one. Stumarathons… I thought ashtanga could help provide the opportunity to be dents practice at their my running,” says Petoom, adding he first mindful, and can set the tone own pace, building and began dabbling in the practice years ago in working on their own portion of an Ashtanga for a person’s day. Halifax. Aside from the physical health benefits, Lasequence. “It started to help with my flexibility and vaggi says mindfulness helps toward positive “The way ashtanga yoga was originally strength, but there is a philosophical side, mental health. If a person isn’t physically flextaught was one student per one teacher, one there are morals and ethics to it, and the ible, or they don’t like mornings, etc., none of posture at a time, going through a set sebreathing — the pranayama.” quence,” says Lavaggi. “Everyone starts at the that matters, as yoga is for everyone, she says. As he has since learned, ashtanga is a combi- beginning, and goes through (and builds on) Petoom agrees. nation of physical and psychological practic- the sequence.” “10 months ago, I started from scratch… at the es, with the two meeting in the middle with Lavaggi and Griffiths recently returned from very beginning of primary series,” he says, each breath. their annual pilgrimage to Mysore, India, the making note of joint pain from his years of Upon moving to Jasper, Petoom found there location from which the ancient teachings marathons. “Since I’ve committed to my pracwas no ashtanga yoga whatsoever.. As such, originate. Lavaggi says while in India, they’re tice… No pain.” he continued to focus on trail running. But Lavaggi emphasized the fact people of any able to focus on their practice as students in the back of his mind, Petoom says he was age or physical ability, even those with injuversus being the teachers, and then the duo always waiting for someone to come to town, brings the lessons back to Canada. ries, can participate in the ashtanga lineage, and start an ashtanga yoga program. even recalling her own car accident. “There is a lot you can learn without direct Enter Franceska Lavaggi and Clinton “I was physically traumatized, and (ashtanga) conversation. In the west, we learn a lot from Griffiths. The pair teach Mysore ashtanga conversation and dialogue… Input, let’s call it,” helped,” she says. yoga in town, and are authorized by the Shri Anyone can learn one posture at a time at says Lavaggi. K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KP- “In the east, or in India, it’s less about input, their own pace, she says, and the practice can JAYI), in India. be used as a tool to support the rest of a perand more about the process. It’s a slower Only a handful of ashtanga studios in Canson’s day. More than anything, Lavaggi says learning curve… It’s about being present, ada have two KPJAYI authorized teachers, leaving stuff from home at home, so you can if someone is looking to make a change in making Jasper’s yoga community a fortunate be focused at the shala,” she says. their life, ashtanga can aid in the change. one. While in India, Lavaggi says she and Griffiths Though the current ashtanga semester be“There are not many schools or institutions learn new postures to bring home, while har- gan on Monday, Apr. 30, Lavaggi is encourin Canada that offer this type of program on aging those interested in the next semester nessing energy — tapping into their mental a daily basis,” says Petoom. to contact Ashtanga Yoga School of Jasper. and physical potential — in a holistic way. Lavaggi and Griffiths lead roughly 20 people “If you’re practicing for three hours in the Evan Matthews // evan@thejasperlocal.com

AT 4:30 A.M., JUST AS SOME SEASONAL WORKERS IN JASPER ARE JUST HITTING THE HAY AFTER A NIGHT OUT, 61-YEAROLD KARL PETOOM’S IS RISING TO THE SHINE OF ANCIENT YOGA TEACHINGS.

local health //

tuesday, may 15, 2018 // issue 121 // the jasper local// page B14

What Is Mindful Eating? Mindfulness has been trending HUGE Create time for your meals; get up 10 minutes earlier in lately. Mindfulness: the quality or the morning to enjoy a slower conscious state of being aware of breakfast, schedule friend/ something. How can we implement family dinners weekly, have your lunch outside or away from mindfulness into our food routines? your desk. Create an eating How does it have an effect on our experience by decorating the relationship with food, the way we table or having a theme nights metabolize food and our digestive like Mexican night or Indian, power? I have answers! Mindfulness trying new recipes and flavors around food can be extremely helpful will cause you to slow down and experience your food. when it comes to health, I’d say its once of my top priorities when CHOOSE it comes to helping clients move QUALITY: towards healthier life choices.

DE-STRESS: Being in a stressed state around food or during a meal can trigger a few problematic behaviours. One, it can disrupt our ability to digest and absorb food and nutrients properly and can cause many digestive upsets such as gas, bloating, heart burn etc. To bring mindfulness in at each meal means to eat without distraction or stress. Two, being stressed around food can also lead to making decisions about food we wouldn’t normally make. Stress eating is not a lack of self-discipline, our bodies are programmed to crave energy when we are stressed, tired or over worked and food = energy. We tend to reach for sugary snacks when we are stressed, our brain knows what will deliver fast energy and that, is refined sugar. In today’s world a lot of us are strapped for time and don’t have the energy to sit and meditate for 20 minutes before a meal. The good news is that it takes less than a minute to de stress the body, which is four or five deep breaths before taking your first bite of food.

SLOWING DOWN Have you ever had a meal maybe at your desk or in the car and 20 minutes later it’s like you haven’t even eaten? You are starving and cannot understand why. This is because you ate so fast and with so many distractions your bodyand brain did not register that you had fed yourself. When we become hungry our bodies and brains also crave the experience of eating. The experience of eating is missed when you eat your lunch between phone calls and emails or while your driving to work.

You know that feeling when you get a new pair of high-end skis or a brand new bike with that 1 x 12 drive train and dropper seat post? How it makes riding so much easier and fun! Well, same goes for your food. Quality is everything. High quality foods are going to nourish us more, keep us fuller for longer and taste better. Most of us are still hungry after a meal because our nutrient demands are not being met. Good quality food can be local food, food grown in your garden, organic produce, wild fish, wild meats or olive oil from Greece. Yes this type of food is more expensive, but you will need less of it to meet your nutrient demands and to feel full.

AWARENESS: Being mindful around food doesn’t necessarily mean eating only healthy foods and restricting yourself from eating unhealthy foods. It means you are aware of what foods make your body and mind feel good and what foods do not. For example, raw kale is deemed a ‘health’ food by most scientists, nutritionist, doctors or whoever your health guru may be, but, I know when I eat it, it does not feel good in my body therefore I don’t. You look at nature’s creatures, bears for example, are not seeking out help to decide what to eat, they just instinctually know and they go for it. This is possible for humans as well, we too are creatures of nature. We need to re learn this innate wisdom because the ultimate food freedom is knowing exactly what you need, without looking at science or consulting a nutritionist or reading a diet book, you know what nourishes you and what doesn’t. If that food happens to be homemade baked goods from a grandmother or

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mother then so be it, if it’s a gluten free diet then so be it, as long as you feel it is serving you mind, body and soul. ___________________________________ Jenna completed a 3-year program of Holistic Nutrition at Pacific Rim College. There she developed a strong understanding of Diet Therapy, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and some Western Herbal Medicine. She works with clients to find a permanent and sustainable fix to their health concerns using natural approaches that take into consideration each person’s bio-individuality. Find her at alpenglownutrition.ca