a lt e r n at i v e +
local + independent
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thejasperlocal.com
// B3
// B5
saturday, june 1, 2019 // issue 146
ice man cometh// Laurent Bolduc makes his way up to mount cromwell with the Stutfield Glacier dominating the background// Jo Nadeau
One month for Pyramid Bench to reopen Jasper visitors and residents can get back on the Pyramid Bench by July 1.
Parks Canada is asking members of the public to be patient and respectful of the ongoing closure while Canfor and Parks Canada’s trail crew work to rehabilitate access roads and trails. “We will reopen sections of the area by July 1, and sooner if conditions and work progress allows,” reads an update.
Five hundred hectares of the Pyramid Bench was logged as part of an unprecedented fuel reduction project this winter. Beetle-ravaged pine trees were harvested to reduce the wildfire hazard around the Jasper townsite. The logging wrapped up in March but brushing and trail rehabbing will continue throughout the summer. Trail 3 including the Ganges Wildland trail is the first area planned to open to the public.
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page A2 // the jasper local // issue 146 // june 1, 2019
editorial //
Local Vocal Jasper has a new business partner, whether most of us wanted it or not.
The worst-kept secret in town was made official last week when Pursuit (formerly Brewster Travel Canada) announced its partnership with Mountain Park Lodges. Under the new agreement, Pursuit has added seven hotels to its Banff Jasper Collection. What does this mean for Jasper? According to the company, of course, all good things. More community investment, better experiences for guests and a thriving tourism industry. And on first blush, most of those things seem plausible. The new Wilderness Kitchen at Maligne Canyon is a big improvement over the former tea house and the renovations at Maligne Lake, according to at least one third party observer, have brought the facilities up to a much higher standard. So kudos to Pursuit, for so far putting their best foot forward. Where things will get interesting is when we see how much power the company holds with Parks Canada. Jasperites’ memories are still fairly fresh when it comes to recalling how the federal agency seemingly bent over backwards to allow the installation of the Glacier Discovery Walk near the Columbia Icefields, despite adamant opposition from the Canadian public in 2011. Then there were the secret memos that led to the proposal of a paved bike trail right smack through grizzly bear habitat (which has since been abandoned). Then there’s the 40 person staff accommodation at Maligne Lake which was quietly built by Brewster (Pursuit) last year. None of these proposals were against the law, of course, but to many they represent an inherent acquiescence to commercial activity, a gradual tonal shift of national park values, ensuring Parks Canada and big business are playing in harmony. Where the rubber will meet the road will be in Parks Canada’s management plans, the newest incarnations of which are currently under review. The Canadian National Parks Act states that Parks Canada’s first priority must be given to the protection of nature, but there’s been a trend toward ensuring an enhanced visitor experience that often comes at the expense of things like monitoring wildlife populations and ecosystems. The resulting lack of data makes it almost impossible to make well-informed management decisions. Companies operating in Jasper National Park shouldn’t be rebuked for making decisions that affect their bottom line; that’s their prerogative. But Parks Canada is legally bound to ensure those decisions don’t affect the ecological integrity of the national park. That’s the only bottom line they should be in pursuit of. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
Boomerang Bags On the tiny NZ island of
own bag, this would cut down
Stewart locals donate their
on using plastic bags and
extra recycleable bags to
make me a happier camper!!
the grocery store for anyone
If the grocery stores are
to use. They are called boomerang bags because they keep coming back!
interested all they need is a box to put the donated bags in and let people know they are
I’d be happy to drop off the
available.
extra bags I’ve accumulated
- Sally Baydala, New Zealand
for folks who’ve forgotten their 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
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// local environment
saturday, june 1, 2019 // issue 146 // the jasper local// page A3
The Crank it Up club, the youth mountain bike ride sponsored by Source for Sports, were in full force on May 24. // bob Covey
Jasper cannabis outlet receives its papers legalization date set by the federal government. She transformed her wellness studio to accommodate a separate retail outlet, building the space to meet strict security codes and going through the AGLC’s rigorous application process. The whole ordeal left her financially For months, Fleur vulnerable, she said. Cannabis Boutique has been waiting patiently “They make you take for the Alberta Gaming certain risks in order to comply,” she said. and Liquor Commission to lift its embargo on new While her business spent marijuana retailers—a move tens of thousands of dollars the province made when on the licensing process, McGrath said her costs it was determined there were small in comparison wasn’t enough product to to many would-be retailers go around. So when owner who have been renovating Jenna McGrath received and leasing much larger the news this morning spaces all over Alberta. In (May 30) that her store November, after months would be one of the first of battling bureaucracy, five stores across Alberta to another Jasper ganjabe issued licenses, she was preneur decided to sell her thrilled. budding business to Spirit Leaf, out of Calgary. “It’s been an exciting day,” “With even more hurdles McGrath said. ahead … we made the And it’s been a long time decision to sell,” said coming. McGrath had her Leanne Stanko, who had a application in as early as vision of opening Harvest last June, preparing her Moon on Patricia Street. store with the hope of Over on Connaught Drive, opening on October 18, the Fleur had plenty of outside
Alberta has lifted its moratorium on accepting new cannabis retail applications and a Jasper cannabis store is now licensed and ready to roll.
offers, too. However, those pressures to sell the business only gave McGrath more motivation to take the long view. “We thought it was going to be worth it in the end.” Now that she’s licensed, McGrath is confident that the wait will be worth it. Her business model will build on her profession as a healthcare worker (she is a registered massage therapist, yoga instructor and doula) and view cannabis use through a holistic lens, she said. “Our herbal guides will be able to offer really intimate advice and guidance through selecting products that are right for people,” she said. McGrath expects that Fleur will be able to start ordering product by next week; she hopes to open by the middle of June. Updates will be available via Fleur’s social media. Should the stability of inventory take a drastic downturn, the AGLC has said it will evaluate reinstating the moratorium. b covey//bob@thejasperlocal.com
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.
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.
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 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, Monday to Friday, 9:00am 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. Download the Alberta Emergency Alert app on your phone and set your location to Jasper. 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.
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 www.jasper-alberta.com for more information and resources, or get a copy of the Municipality of Jasper Evacuation Guide at municipal facilities.
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saturday, June 1, 2019 // issue 146 // the jasper local// page B2
Local arts //
Rock-inspired piano player receives top honours at YRAF Back in March, the registration date for the acclaimed Yellowhead Regional Arts Festival in Hinton was fast approaching and Sophia Mastrianni, a 14-year-old musician from Jasper, hadn’t yet submit ted her application. Applicants were to select a piece to be performed for an adjudicator and, depending on how that performance went, they might be selected to perform at YRAF’s Grand Concert. Mastrianni, who was planning to play the piano and sing, had to pick a song, and quick. She didn’t go with a Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez or Ariana Grande song—something you might expect a Grade 8 student to have in her earbuds. And she didn’t go with Schumann, Beethoven or Bach. Rather, Mastrianni wanted to go with something that she regularly listened to. She wanted to go with something in her repertoire. She wanted to go with…Pink Floyd. Really? Like…Dark Side of the Moon, 1970s rock band Pink Floyd? “Oh I’m a big fan,” she said. “I like artists who take liberties.” Some of her other musical tastes include Led Zeppelin, David Bowie and The Ramones. Not exactly run-of-the-mill stuff for a middle schooler in 2019. But Mastrianni isn’t exactly a run-of-the-mill kid. You can pin some of her influences on her dad, Tony, who Jasperites might know from his own ivory tickling around town over the years. But although rock and roll may have always had a place in the Mastrianni household, the youngster is definitely on her own musical
Sophia Mastrianni was recognized for her piano playing at the recent Yellowhead Regional Arts Festival, but lately she’s rocking an axe. // bc
journey, as evidenced by the discovery of her singing voice—something that came about after she realized she enjoyed playing more contemporary songs on the piano. “I was getting to the point where piano wasn’t that fun anymore, but then I started to learn songs I liked to listen to,” she said. Sophia credits that discovery to her music teacher, Grace Kohn, who instilled in her the idea that music doesn’t have to be bythe-book. “Grace’s style is to do what you want as long as it’s contributing to your music progression,” Sophia said. Soon, her lessons were helping inspire her confidence, which in turn helped her find the emotion in the music she was playing. When she performed in front of the adjudicator at
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YRAF, he took notice of not only the interesting song choice, but Sophia’s connection to it. “I wanted to show that rock music has just as much of a place in performance in musical theatre as classical music,” she said. Apparently, she was successful. She was selected to perform her rendition of Pink Floyd’s Mother at the Grand Concert on May 2. “It was cool,” she said. And her music journey is pretty cool, too. Recently, she picked up the electric guitar. As you might expect, she’s figured out the basic chord patterns and is currently working on her Jimmy Page solos. “There’s a lot of inspiration from that era,” she says. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
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page b3+B4 // the jasper local // issue 146 // june 1, 2019
FEATURE // story by bob covey
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Clint Malarchuk is in his barn south of Reno, Nevada. Birds are chirping and the smell of fresh hay is pungent in the morning air.
Malarchuk himself had been bouncing back and forth from the NHL to the AHL, but in 1988, while he was playing for the Washington Capitals, his second NHL club, he learned that Tretiak was hosting a goalie school in Montreal. Malarchuk attended and his netminding took another leap forward, in part, because Tretiak taught him pre-game meditation exercises which he used to keep his anxiety at bay.
Sunlight filters through the open door and as he thinks ahead to the day’s chores, Malarchuk is transported half a century and 2,500 km to a ranch near Grande Prairie, Alberta. There, on the southern portion of Peace River Country, is where he cultivated his singular, solitary dream. Malarchuck, more than anything in the world, wanted to be a goalie in the National Hockey League.
“My thinking was the more the fear will set
Thirty years ago, the briefing after stressfu was no counselling o Traumatic Stress Dis
“That wasn’t even a s then,” Malarchuk said
The hockey fans in B
“I had one goal, being an NHL hockey player,” he said. “That was all I thought about.” As such, when he wasn’t on the ice practicing, the young Malarchuk incorporated workouts into his farmwork. Whether it was carrying milk buckets to the pigs, fixing fences, hauling manure or baling hay, Malarchuk was constantly figuring out ways to improve his fitness and flexibility. “I obsessed about hockey,” he said. In fact, he obsessed about a lot of things. He described himself as an anxious, insecure kid. Later in life he’d be diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder but at the time there was no such prognosis. He was a bundle of nerves. He hardly slept. But it gave him laser focus. Soon he was rising above the crop of young goalies coming out of Alberta and eventually, he got picked up by the Fort Saskatchewan Traders of the AJHL, then by the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks. In 1981, he signed with the Quebec Nordiques. “I looked up to Bernie Parent in those Broad Street Bullies years, and during the Summit Series, Vladislav Tretiak really got my attention,” Malarchuk said.
“I had one goal, being an NHL hockey player, that was all I thought about.” It was not long after one of those visualization routines, in Buffalo, where he was playing for his third and final NHL team, that Malarchuk’s life was changed forever. On March 22, 1989, while playing against the visiting St. Louis Blues, two players crashed hard into the goal crease. As they collided, Tuttle’s skate came up towards Malarchuk’s neck. The razor-sharp blade severed Malarchuk’s carotid artery. It was a horror show. “A stream of blood gushed out with every beat of my heart,” he said. He lost 1.5 litres of blood. Doctors put 300 stitches in his neck to close the sixinch wound. Somehow, Malarchuk lived. Even more remarkable, was that he insisted on getting back on the ice as soon as possible. Ten days later, he was gearing up.
back-on-the-horse me the incident deep wit on the ice actually im were winning.
But Malarchuk was s
“No one knew,” he re in the NHL you’re su mentally toughest, th
The following season was struggling even
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e longer you wait the t in,” he said.
The Crazy game: former nhl star and mental health advocate to share his story in Jasper
ere was no deul incidents. There offered. And Post sorder?
symptoms were off the chart (“I’d be cleaning the house at 3 a.m.”) and his panic attacks made his heart race. He couldn’t sleep at all, and when he did nod off, it wouldn’t be long before he’d bolt straight up in bed, stricken by nightmares, reliving his accident.
set of words back id.
“I’d see it so clear, the skate coming up right at my neck,” he said.
Buffalo embraced his
His hockey career started to decline. Soon, Malarchuk decided to leave the NHL. He continued to coach lowertier hockey but his mental health was deteriorating. To bury his demons,
entality. He buried thin him. His play mproved. The Sabres
suffering alone.
called. “As a goalie upposed to be the he strongest.”
n Malarchuk more. His OCD
“That’s when my life really changed,” he said. What followed was Malarchuk telling his story. Piece by piece, then more completely in his book, A Matter of Inches—How I Survived In The Crease And Beyond. Writing his story was cathartic for him, but more importantly, it helped Malarchuk realize he wasn’t alone. “I had no idea how many Clint Malarchuks were out there,” he said. “I had no idea how many people struggled with PTSD.” Readers reached out to Malarchuck and Malarchuk reached right back. He heard from military veterans, emergency responders, athletes and artists. He heard from men and women. He heard from people of all ages. Making those connections helped him get into public speaking. And they also helped him hone his message: if you’re struggling, you aren’t weak. You aren’t flawed. And you’re not alone.
Malarchuk took to alcohol. He’d drink dozens of beer each night trying to ward off the night terrors. But the booze only made things worse. “I was suffering in silence,” he said. Then, in 2008, coincidentally again in Buffalo, Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednick suffered an injury similar to Malarchcuk’s. Zednick’s neck was cut, causing immediate massive blood loss. The media, naturally, wanted Malarchuk’s take. While Malarchuk made himself accessible, the incident triggered a deep depression, the culmination of which was a suicide attempt. On October 7, 2008, Malarchuk shot himself with a .22 calibre rifle. Somehow, again, he lived. The difference this time was that he admitted he had a lot of healing to do. Six months later, he checked out of a rehab centre.
“If you’re not alone and you don’t feel like it’s a weakness, you can start helping others,” he said. Now, helping others is where Malarchuk spends his energy. Helping others is what he obsesses over. “Life is tough,” he said. “But we push through, never talk about it and think we’re the only ones. “But we’re not alone. It’s important for people to hear that.”
Clint Malarchuk is speaking in Jasper on Saturday, June 8 at 5 p.m. at The Jasper Legion (400 Geikie Street). Tickets are $30 (Group Pricing: $300 for 15 tickets) and are available at The Jasper Brewing Co or by contacting Jasper Victims Services, jaspervsu@telus.net or 780 852 2275. Invitation extended to guests 15 years and older. Bob Covey// bob@thejasperlocal.com
622 Connaught Dr. Upper level PO Box 2079 Jasper, Alberta T0E 1E0
Phone: 780 852-2242 Fax: 780 865-1022
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page B5 // the jasper local //issue 146 // saturday, June 1, 2019
local recreation //
Biking brothers place second in Salmon Arm
Mini trail and then gets them back to town via the Sawridge Switchbacks. Riding that loop helped the boys meet their goals at the Salmon Arm race: they aimed to beat their total number of laps completed and to each shave off a minute or two from each lap. On the strength of 14-yearold Henri’s pack-leading 10 minute laps, and with Thomas holding his own by coming in with sub-12 minute laps, the duo finished in second place, only seven seconds behind the winners—pretty darn good considering most of the other teams were running with two 14-year-olds. fast freres //Brothers Henri and Thomas Leclerc are regular riding partners. In May, “We could always see them they came in second place in a salmon Arm, B.c. race. // Bob Covey just ahead,” 12-year-old Henri and Thomas Leclerc have And sometimes, across the finish line. Thomas said. Such was the case at the Salty Dog Six Hour, a lot of things in common. What’s ahead for the sports-obsessed a U15 race based in Salmon Arm, B.C. The Leclercs is…well, even more sports. The two Parents, for one. And a love Leclerc boys had participated in the two-perhave enrolled in a sports-focused school in for sports, for another. son team race before. However, this year they Quebec City for the 2019/2020 academic They spend a lot of time together. On skis. were a bit bigger and a bit stronger. year. Henri has chosen to focus on climbing At the climbing wall. And on bikes. They ride And a bit more experienced. The Leclerc while Thomas will concentrate on freestyle their mountain bikes together a lot. family has a fairly regular route they ride in skiing. The boys are excited to be closer to “There’s not a lot of people our age who Jasper. It starts on the town trail at the Cabin family and also to make sports an even bigbike,” Henri says. “We usually go with each Lake trailhead, climbs up behind the co-ops, ger part of their lives. other.” descends to the Catholic church, climbs to “But we are still going to miss the mounWhich is to say they push each other. ChalPyramid Lake, takes the stiff climb up to the tains,” Henri said. lenge each other. Up rooty climbs. Down lookout, occasionally loops in the Ho Chi rocky descents. bob covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com
Recycling Round Up Responsibly dispose of unwanted electronics and household hazardous waste
Saturday, June 15, 2019
10 am – 2 pm Parking lot on the corner of Geikie & Hazel (near St. Mary & St. George Anglican Church)
ELECTRONICS • • • • •
Computers & accessories Printers Televisions Scanners Cellphones
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE • • • •
Paint & paint cans Aerosol cans Sealers, glazes & varnishes Other toxic, corrosive or flammable waste
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local wildlife //
saturday, June 1, 2019 // issue 146 // the jasper local// page B6
cuteness quotient//Baby bears have been spotted by The Jasper Local’s resident wildlife photographer, Simone Heinrich. These cuddly critters were captured with a long lens, make no mistake. Parks Canada asks motorists to obey speed limits and to keep a safe distance when observing wildlife. Always stay in your vehicle. Check out Simone’s work on instagram at simoneheinrichphotography.