The Newsy Neighbour January Issue 87

Newsy Neighbour

A Complimentary Magazine The Since 2008

If your feet can’t be there, bring them here!

January 2015 Issue 87

2015, Here We Come!

Downtown Strathmore Travel & Music

403 273-LAKE (5253) ǁǁǁ͘ƚŚĞůĂŬĞƐŚŽƌĞƐƉĂ͘ĐŽŵ WĞĚŝĐƵƌĞƐ͕ ^ƉƌĂLJ dĂŶƐ͕ >ĂƐŚͬ ƌŽǁ dŝŶƟŶŐ͕ 'Ğů EĂŝů WŽůŝƐŚ ĂŶĚ ŵƵĐŚ ŵŽƌĞ͙Ăƚ dŚĞ >ĂŬĞƐŚŽƌĞ͘ Online booking available.

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2015 - The Year Of Sport

New Year! New You!

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HONEST RELIABLE

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E R O e

om M h H ll

T oc A R et

a

STa plac

A Master Planned Residential Community in Strathmore, Alberta

City Conveniences and Real Country Values More freedom, space, and features are yours at Wildflower Ranch. Incredible lot value, village center and acres of parkland right outside your door.

All Country Close to Calgary Exclusive Wildflower Builders

Affordable Phase 2 Homes Now Available Visit www.wildflowerranch.ca 2 •

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A MATCH MADE IN CHESTERMERE.

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HOLMES APPROVED EXECUTIVE HOMES. At Lifestyle Homes, we believe homes should be handed down from one generation to the next.

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Come see the all new

2015 GMC Canyon & Chevy Colorado 2015 Chevrolet Colorado

wins rare

Autoweek picks

unanimous GMC Canyon the 2015

Truck of the year!

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“For all the ladies who love trucks!”

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Blender Chocolate Mousse 1/2 cup milk 1 cup heavy cream, divided 2 tsp butter 1/2 tsp instant coffee 2 eggs 6 oz mint chocolate chips Vanilla extract 1 tsp powdered sugar 2 tbsp rum, cognac or Brandy, Grand Marnier or any orange flavoured cognac or pretty much your favourite Liqueur! I think I put in like 2 tbsp Brandy and 2 tbsp cognac. I’m thinking Peppermint Schnapps would also be quite good! Use your imagination; you could really make this with so many different liqueurs. (If you are making this for your children, you may want to consider rum or peppermint extract instead, haha!) Merry Christmas!

Heat 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup cream until it bubbles. Do not boil or scorch. Remove from heat. In blender, mix butter, eggs, coffee, mint chocolate chips, and liquor until creamy. On low speed drizzle in the very hot milk. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute. Put in serving dishes and refrigerate. Beat remaining heavy cream with the powdered sugar. Serve on top of the mousse, along with chocolate shavings, if desired. Serves 4.

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At Coldwell we are real people serving real people.

I will give up chocolates totally.

100%. Completely. Honestly…

I will stop sending e-mail, SMS, Instant Messages and be on the phone at the same time with the same person.

I will spend less than one hour a day on the Internet. This, of course, will be hard to estimate since I’m not a clock watcher.

I will not tell the same story at every get together.

Coldwell Agencies is unique in that it offers big city convenience with a small town atmosphere and friendly service. At Coldwell Agencies we enjoy working with and value our customers very much. We strive to offer the highest standard of personalized professional service available and pride ourselves on all the wonderful long standing relationships we have built throughout the years.

I will spend less than $1825 on coffee at Starbucks this year.

I will claim all my pets as dependents on my taxes.

I will watch more cute and cuddly kitten videos on YouTube.

At Coldwell Agencies we specialize in a wide variety of niches including home, condominium, tenants, automobile, commercial, and farm insurance. We shop the insurance companies on your behalf so you can sit back relax and possibly save some money but most of all have the peace of mind you deserve.

I will switch my username to “password” and my password to “username” to make each a lot harder for hackers to figure out.

I will stop buying worthless junk on Ebay, because Etsy has better specials.

At Coldwell Agencies we earn your business.

COLDWELL INSURANCE 133-2nd Ave Strathmore, AB Phone: Fax:

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Representing and accessing over 30 of the worlds leading insurers

I will open a new credit card with a higher limit to pay off my old credit cards once and for all... and finally start going to the mall again.

New Year Resolutions you should REALLY do

I will stop ignoring the auto-correct.

Put more faith in the GPS lady.

I will try hard not to consider tequila my best friend.

Do not say “I can skip the gym today, I played Wii Bowling.”

Not talk on my cell phone while in the bathroom, doing...

Try driving at or under the speed limit... at least when I’m not hungry, tired or late.

Do not say, “It was the dog,” when I fart.

Watch more television - it is the “window into the world”, right?

Stop pretending it isn’t time to take the garbage out yet, by pushing it down farther and farther into the garbage can ‘til it’s back to being only half full.

Stop procrastinating... maybe.

Enjoy the sweeter side of life - M&Ms, Hershey kisses, candy corns, and cheesecake

Stop drinking water instead of pop just so I can eat a sweet snack after dinner. Seriously, just drink the Pepsi and get the sugar craving over with.

Be more decisive ... I’ll absolutely try to attempt to think about resolving to be more decisive, if I possibly can.

Stop setting three alarms on my phone, just so I can turn the volume off after the first one.

I will avoid taking a bath whenever possible and conserve more water. thenewsyneighbour.com

My New Year’s resolution is to write 2015 instead of 2014.

Less T, way more G and L.

Email less. Cancel at least a few of the 9 or 10 e-mail accounts I currently have.

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I will put more embarrassing items in random peoples carts while shopping at Wal-Mart. After all, who doesn’t need a family size bottle of lube?!

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TAKE OUT MENUS NEXT ISSUE: February Issue 88

How fantastic would it be to have all of the take-out menus nicely kept in one place, easy for you look through when you are trying to decide what you feel like eating and where you feel like ordering from?

We were going to print all of these menus in the February issue of the magazine, but now, to open this up to more readers and restaurant owners we are just going to have them all available for download off our website for 1 full year.

You can download them by visiting:

http://www.thenewsyneighbour.com/#!restaurant-menus/c1dwx Save this link. You will want to visit this page often

Attention Restaurant Owners: Placing any regular ad in our February issue will get your menu on our website free for one full year.

Contact Denise Geremia for more information!

Phone: 403-608-0686 Email: denise@thenewsyneighbour.com www.thenewsyneighbour.com

Mark Your Calenders for 2015...

March Issue 89 - HEALTH ISSUE April Issue 90 - WEDDING ISSUE May Issue 91 - WOMEN’S ISSUE June Issue 92 - MEN’s ISSUE & DT Festival July Issue 93 - DIRECTORY ISSUE

August Issue 94 - KIDS & BABY ISSUE September Issue 95 - FAMILY ISSUE October Issue 96 - HOME & REAL ESTATE November Issue 97 - SENIOR’s ISSUE December Issue 98 - CHRISTMAS ISSUE

And wait until you see what we have in store for Issue 100 next February 2016 facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

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Winner of 2013 Business of the Year - Small Enterprise

Since 2008 Where can you get a copy of The Newsy Neighbour?

We deliver door to door and through the mail to Strathmore, Chestermere, Langdon, Carseland, Delacour, Shepard, Lyalta, Dalemead, Standard, Conrich, Rockyford, Cheadle, Nightingale, Namaka, Speargrass, Cluny, Hussar & Rosebud. We go to more locations than any local publication.

The Business Awards provide recognition for Strathmore and Area businesses that demonstrate a continued passion for excellence and promote the advancement of business leadership within our community.

Get In Touch With Us!

If you don’t get a copy of the magazine to your home or are out of our distribution area, there are many places to pick one up. You can also subscribe to our hard copy for $39 a year or subscribe to our digital copy for free.

Pick Up Locations: Strathmore & Chestermere: Gas Stations Medical Offices Hotels and other lodging Grocery Stores Strathmore: Value Drug Mart More Than Ice Cream Booster Juice Studio 86 Tanning Chamber Of Commerce The Road House Pranava Yoga Chestermere: Chestermere Library Town Of Chestermere Recreation Centre M & M Foods Catalyst Supplements Chestermere Optometry Trend Fashions Caribbean Sun Tanning Sak’s Music The Lakeshore Esthetics Sunnyz Vietnamese Sub Langdon: Kimmer Market Botsford Deli Prairie Pharmacy IDA

Rockyford: Dee’s Cold Beer & Liquor Standard: Co-Op Tom’s General Pet’s Bakery UFA Petro Cluny: Cluny Liquor Store Country Farmhouse Gleichen: Family Foods Medical Center Arrowwod Co-Op Rosebud Museum Emmes Esso Bassano: Rosies Road Side Bassano Empty Bottle IDA Pharmacy Mossleigh: Out Post Mossleigh Hotel Inn Aspen Crossing Carseland: Food Mart Reds Family Cook House

www.thenewsyneighbour.com Please Recycle This Magazine!

The Newsy Neighbour is published 12 times a year, printed by Central Web and distributed by Strathmore Standard, Sun Media, Canada Post and The Newsy Neighbour delivery team.

A Note To Our Readers:

Subscribe:

www.thenewsyneighbour.ca/pages/subscription

The opinions expressed in the advertisements of this publication are those of the advertisers and not of The Newsy Neighbour directly.

The information in this paper is believed to be accurate but not warranted to be so. Before taking action based on the information in this magazine, study the information independently. The mention of any brand in article or photos does not imply endorsement.

Images are supplied by readers, advertisers and from shutterstock. com.

Our database is confidential we will not share our information with third parties. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of The Newsy Neighbour Inc.

Subscriptions Voucher YES! I would like to subscribe to The Newsy Neighbour Magazine NAME____________________________________ ADDRESS________________________________________ CITY_________________________POSTAL CODE______________ PHONE #____________________________________(optional) Visa or Master Card #_____________________________________ Expiry_________________________________ Signature__________________________________ The magazine will be mailed every month from our head office through Canada Post.

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We accept Cheque, Visa and M/C PLEASE DO NOT MAIL CASH! Please make cheques payable to “The Newsy Neighbour Inc.” Total subscription cost for one full year is $39.95 including G.S.T. Please return this voucher to: 126 Westwood Street Strathmore, AB T1P 1A9 Questions please call 403-478-9114 aleesha@thenewsyneighbour.com

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Our Team

Publishers Letter:

Owner/Editor, Content Development & Articles

Kathryn Hartwell Phone: 403-561-0888

kathryn@thenewsyneighbour.com

Owner/Publisher, Layout, Design, Accounts Payable/ Receivable & Website.

Aleesha Gosling Phone: 403-478-9114

aleesha@thenewsyneighbour.com

Advertising; Regional Sales Manager

Denise Geremia Phone: 403-608-0686

denise@thenewsyneighbour.com

Our Contributors JockTalk

Life Lines

Jock Wilson

Jody Brown

Shaken & Stirred

Natural Choices

Marcy Field

Cynthia Barnesky

Interior Design

Holdin’ Holden

Emily Hogan

Jenny Schoberl

A Mindful Minute

Stories Musings

Rebecca Stone Guiding you OVER the steps ..... of Real Estate.

The REPs

Suzanne Shaver Lomenda Energy

Carla Lomenda

2015 is going to be a big year for many, a positive year where everything changes including “The Newsy Neighbour”. We have added a new Travel section and other surprises coming up in each and every Issue. If you think we are diversified now, just wait to see what is in our future. In this 1st Issue of 2015 you will discover the Magic of Music, letter’s from our readers, Life is a Miracle, “2015 is The Year of Sports in Canada”, Politics, Improving your health, the Facebook dilemma, Breakfast (The most important meal of the Day), Change comes from within – pretty much anything and everything for everyone!!

January is the 1st month for “New Year – New You” and the same goes for the magazine, in 2015 we will have a distinctive, remarkable and outstanding theme for each and every month.

For February and Valentines we will sharing everything Canadian and have the biggest news ever!! We have been given permission from RANDOM HOUSE CANADA to publish a story from one of Canada’s most famous writers. Carol Shields, she has so many awards I do not have room to mention them all in this note. Her, “The Stone Diaries” was published in Canada and the United Kingdom in 1993. It won Canada’s Governor General Award for fiction that year. The book was published in the United States in 1994 and won US National Book Critics Award that year. Also in 1994, the book won the McNally Robinson Award for Manitoba Book of the Year, and the Canadian Booksellers Association Prize. In 1995, The Stone Diaries won the Pulitzer Prize. The story we have been honored to publish comes from her “The Collected Stories” National Bestseller, a book I recently read and which evoked emotions of sheer happiness and great sadness, a book as none other. We are delighted to share this honor with you our devoted readers and followers. And that’s just February, we have the whole rest of the year filled with stupendous new themes and surprises.

2015 is going to be the Best Year of all Time!!

We look forward to spending another year with our devoted readers and advertisers. Wishing you all the very best in 2015. Life is a Miracle.

Kathryn, Aleesha and Denise

Natural Options

Amalias Oils

Derek Henry

Amalia Zarokostas

Additional contribution provided by:

Langdon Chiropractic, PJ’s Appliances, Victoria Mairs, Langdon Dental

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and take steps to forgive yourself for not being perfect. Make a point of accentuating the positive and give yourself permission to have wrinkles, to have imperfect teeth, to have that limp from an injury, that scar across your belly or that thinning hair.

If this seems like too daunting a task, another option for a change on the typical New Years resolution is to try to learn to accept other people more in the New Year. Perhaps you can select one person that rubs you the wrong way or that you have had conflict with in the past. You can set the goal to find some positive characteristic in them – everyone has something you can identify like a sense of humour, a nice smile, a gift with creativity, being able to chat, being a good storyteller, being realistic, having good posture, being good at manipulation…no matter how far you have to reach. In identifying and changing your focus to being more positive regarding this person, you will undoubtedly find your interactions with them to be more positive and rewarding. Keep track of your interactions and see how your involvement with this particular person evolves.

Make it a game that entertains you and aids in eliminating the stress and tension that sometimes surfaces when engaging with particular people.

Life gets much easier when we simplify and reduce the amount of stress we continually cope with. At this time of year there’s a significant amount of stress created when trying to improve ourselves – sometimes we tend to bring ourselves down by focusing on the negative in our lives. We all have to deal with tension and stress and it serves us better as human beings to be able to develop the skills to be adaptable, flexible and more accepting.

Happy New Year!!

Lifelines

Life Lines This monthly column by Joanne (Jody) Brown, MSW, RSW, is designed to help you make better connections, and live happier lives. Sometimes we just need to ask the question. You can learn more about her practice at www. Authenticbeing.ca or contact her at 403-983-2230 or NLP4you@ shaw. ca to book a free 30 minute consultation today.

Dear Lifelines; I am stressed about New Year’s and how many resolutions I’m going to break this year, so I wonder if I should even make any.

Signed, New Year’s Party Crasher Dear Party Crasher, Making commitments to change yourself can be a challenge, so why not switch it up a bit this year? Maybe find one thing about yourself that you can learn to accept. Reflect on this one thing about yourself – maybe a behaviour or physical trait – that has been bothersome in some way to you in the past. Set your goals for this New Year to learn to embrace this trait and move towards acceptance. Just like any other goal – there doesn’t have to be an immediate change. Try and imagine if it was your child or loved one with this trait and how you would want others to respond. Attempt to mimic this desired behaviour when thinking about your own situation. Try and lighten up your attitude

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“Change the changeable, accept the unchangeable, and remove yourself from the unacceptable.” Denis Waitley

This New Year, I resolve to be less awesome since that is really the only thing I do in excess.

FARM SUCCESSION Farm succession is a process not a single event. With planning you will save taxes and provide all of your children with an equal share value of the farm, thus creating a legacy of harmony and goodwill for your family.

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE CONSULTATION ON HOW PLANNING CAN BENEFIT YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FARM. Monika (Independent Financial Advisor) or Ken (Certified Financial Planner) 403-512-5227

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We2ddings at

Did you get a ring for Christmas?

Let us help you plan your fairy-tale wedding!

Inclusive Package for Facility Includes the Following: * White Padded Chairs for Ceremony * White Arbour for Ceremony * Lemonade and Iced Tea Service Before and After Ceremony * Elegant White Wedding Tent with Chandeliers and Lit Trees * Round Tables and White Chairs for Reception * Head Table with High Backed White Leather Chairs * White Linens with Choice of Table Centrepieces * China, Cutlery and Upscale Stemware * 2 Bartenders; 1 On-Site Manager * Executive Portable Washrooms with Flush Toilets and Sinks * Deluxe Cabin Rentals for Weekend Most couples spend a great deal of time planning their wedding and then it is all over in one day. We want the whole weekend to be a celebration of your love so our package also includes the cabins on the property.

Please call us to view the property or for more information.

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Toll Free: 1.866.746.5075 Website:

Photo credits to Marnie Burkhart

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Follow us on facebook

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LETTERS

From Our Readers A little while back, I received this letter in the mail and was quite taken back. The letter upset me. We really got it wrong on this one! I know we are a little monthly magazine and not a big newspaper, but we also have a responsibility to second guess every comment and article we choose to publish. It hurts my heart when I think we may print something to cause someone emotional grief and never have we, at any level, thought we were the kind of people to do such a thing.

It really goes to show how easy it is to hurt someone’s feeling with a remark. We want to apologize and take personal responsibility for our actions. I truly appreciate “Anonymous” sending this letter to me and we promise we will take a very serious look at everything we print, as to not hurt anyone’s feelings, make you angry or cause any pain or grief. Our main goal in publishing “The Newsy Neighbour” is to make you all happy, share great articles and just make your day a little better.

“Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past” -Tryon Edwards Dear Kathryn Hartwell,

I met the most beautiful person in the world and made her my wife. She kept me rehabilitated, and we raised a beautiful family. We decided that the only way around my criminal past was to open our own business. I graduated SAIT in 1981, and with the support of our children, we operated successfully for over two decades.

Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. My sadness at her early death caused me to close down, feeling hopeless and lost. Since rejoining the workforce again, I am reminded of who, or what, I am: a criminal, an ex-con, with less chance of landing a job than an immigrant with a clean record, even if he can’t speak our language. I have been forced to falsify my job applications, just to gain an interview!

I love life, I love my children and grandchildren, I love my friends and neighbours and I believe they love me. I love Canada, my province and I love my country, but most of all, I love being out of that 8x10 cell and being free to make my own choices.

I did see the humour intended in the joke (Work vs. Prison), but NOTHING is funny about prison.

Please don’t take prison lightly and don’t ever think it’s easy. TV shows are made to sell things, but “jailed” is a fantasy.

Anonymous

Thank You!

I am writing to express my disappointment of an article in your wonderful paper. You have so many inspiring and enjoyable tidbits that lift my heart and spirits, but I was saddened by “Work vs. Prison”, Pg.l3, October 2014 issue.

I was incarcerated ( jailed, imprisoned, whatever!) in the 1960’s when young offenders and juvenile laws were virtually unheard of. I was sixteen years old and my passion for life caused me to make some very wrong choices. After earning all of my ‘good behaviour days’ and all of the amnesty days that the Queen granted on her visits here, I was released from prison shortly after my 21st birthday.

Hello, Kathryn!

Just wanted to say a quick THANKS for including your article on prepping for pandemics in the newest Newsy Neighbour.

It’s VERY nice to see you put that out there, as it’s a topic that can bring out plenty of sensitive emotions and even more criticism and ridicule. People often used terms like ‘kook’ or ‘tin-foil-hat-wearer’. But I’m not anything of the sorts. I’m just someone who’s put his family first, taking steps that are akin to what our grandparents used to do back in the day, making sure their families were always looked after in any conditions.

Too bad some see it as paranoia, and not something we need to bother with today. The good news is that there are more and more people who are taking personal control over their lives and enhancing their personal resilience. Even Mayor Naheed Nenshi has worked to bring this to light, including making sure HE has all his tools ready in his house following the floods last year.

I had no idea back then that I had a life sentence! I lost so any good years when all of my friends were playing sports and dating, graduating, getting jobs, and starting families.

Prince Albert Penitentiary is a hellhole, especially for a sixteen year old. I was moved to a safer haven, too far from home for family and friends to visit much, but every long weekend, my mom and dad came. Many outside concerned citizens from the local community came to my aid, and completely turned my life around! There actually is rehabilitation for those who seek it!

Well done, Kathryn!!

Mike This note was left on Denise’s windshield when she was in Invermere

The problem is, you see, not the 8x10 cell; it’s the loss of freedom for the remainder of your life! The humiliation and shame, the knot in your stomach, the lump in your throat when you apply for a job, knowing full well that a “criminal records” check is inevitable, and the “positions” available seemed to be labouring on a rock pile where they really don’t care to check. I’m now over sixty and still paying for my youthful exuberance.

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LANGDON, AB Save $80 on a Lifestyle 1 members hip

The Good Luck Town

$5 Breakfast Served All Day!

Coffee, Toast, Eggs, & Bacon, Sausage or Ham??

Come In & Sit Down or Take With You! Open Daily at 6am

tel: 403-936-3611

Check out our new website:

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We Sell Snowblowers!

Your Neighbourhood Dentist

Langdon dental Your complete stop for cosmetic and family dentistry & proud sponsors of the Langdon Community Phone:

Just returned from a pottery tour in Northern California with lots of good information and ideas!

403-936-8432 www.langdondental.com

Formerly Prairie Pharmacy IDA NEW LOCATION NOW OPEN!!

Unit 201, 97 Centre Street SW Langdon, Alberta

Tires

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Langdon Chiropractic & Wellness Centre #117, 355 Center Street 403-936-2450

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Stories, Musings, A Little Adventure And Humour

Suzanne is a native Calgarian that lived in Langdon for 15 years before transplanting to Chestermere in 2013. By day she is an accountant with a frustrated creative side that occasionally escapes in form of written musings, which is far more interesting than adding stuff up for people.

Somehow, while I wasn’t looking, 2014 disappeared.

I t didn’t start off that way. 2014 started off feeling like

we were trapped in the winter that would never end, doomed to be crawling over icy snow humps to get to our cars for all of eternity. The sight of dry pavement seemed like a distant memory as we all grew weary of dressing in so many layers, the Michelin Man looked svelte by comparison.

Slowly, however, the calendar dragged away from everlasting winter to the spring that wasn’t, until suddenly, presto! Summer… ish. And somewhere in there, time started rolling at light speed until here we are – 2015. Now I find myself sounding like my mother, grumbling about how time flies and every year seems shorter and shorter. Did I mention I had to walk 5 miles to school, uphill, in blizzards?

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2015, Here We Come!!!

But in the spirit of embracing the New Year it seems appropriate to plan some New Year’s Resolutions. I have no idea why; just because it’s that time of year when none of us can write the proper date on anything, it also seems like a good time for massive lifestyle change? But who wants to mess with tradition?

I spent some time with The Google looking for self-improvement suggestions and came to the conclusion there are some lofty ambitions out there. Like really lofty. Whatever happened to “eat less, exercise more”? Apparently 2015 is the year we all need to change the world or something. I don’t think I’m up for the challenge, quite frankly, so I decided to stay a bit closer to home with my Resolutions. And so began my quest for a resolution that wouldn’t be broken before the hangover subsided.

I gave some serious consideration to starting with “Quit Procrastinating” but I don’t know… that seems tough.

I gave some serious consideration to starting with “Quit Procrastinating” but I don’t know… that seems tough. I mean really, I have a “To Do” list that is borderline novel length… where do I start not procrastinating? It’s not that I want to put stuff off and get nothing done, but my list runneth over; figuring out

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what gets priority is going to take a while.

Maybe I’ll work on that later and start with something less daunting.

How about “Exercise More”? I really have let the exercise program fall by the wayside in 2014; I should probably work on that. I have a basement full of exercise stuff gathering dust but I have to say going down there by myself isn’t the most motivating. Honestly, if I didn’t have to venture into the dungeon to do laundry every now and again, I would be reasonably happy pretending the basement didn’t exist. The alternative is a gym membership but those cost money and I’m not sure the budget wants that extra expansion… maybe finances are a better resolution.

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New plan - “Work on Finances”. I did start of 2014 with the spreadsheet of spreadsheets to track every nickel that left my bank account and for a while was doing really well staying on top of it. Actually it was easy when hibernating through the winter of our discontent; who wants to go out and spend stuff when it’s minus a million and there’s snow up to our wazoo? But then summer-ish finally came, life picked up again and, well… there goes the financial tracking exercise.

I considered resolving to keep my house cleaner (“Clean House” Resolution) but then I’m back to the finance thing – not sure I can justify paying for a house cleaner. Which may defeat the “self-improvement” part of the resolution process anyhow and could be considered by some to be cheating. Next!!

Honestly this whole New Year’s thing would be easier if I had something simple to denounce, like smoking or something.

How hard could that be? Just stop buying them, you’ve quit, resolution done, easy peasy!!* It would almost be worth starting just to feel good about quitting - way less work than actually starting a new, “better me” habit.

After at least minutes of thought and reflection it came to me – the New Year’s Resolution that cannot be broken. For 2015 I officially resolve to “Carry on With the Status Quo”. After all, it’s worked this far, why mess with things?

After at least minutes of thought and reflection it came to me – the New Year’s Resolution that cannot be broken...

Done… now bring on spring. *author’s note – just kidding, all you smokers!! I’d start exercising, eating less, getting my finances in order, clean my house myself AND change the world over quitting smoking if I were a smoker…

There have been many times in 2014 when I annoyed you, disturbed you and irritated you... today, I just want to tell you I plan to continue all of that in 2015!

Do you have room in your heart and home for a child in need?

McMan Calgary & Area is currently looking for singles, couples and families who are willing to support a child through our Foster Care Program.

You provide a child or youth with a loving, nurturing and stable environment and McMan Calgary & Area provides you with training, support, respite and financial remuneration. Together, we provide a child with the opportunity to thrive.

Become a Foster Parent today.

Contact Rayna Fudge at 403.508.7665 or visit www.McManCalgary.ca

Making a Difference in Our Community.

Suzanne Shaver facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

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Luscious Joys

Hot Chocolate

B

rrrrr! January has got to be the coldest month of the year, or at least it feels like it to me! Well, then again, February can be pretty nasty, too! So for when it’s cold outside, let’s make it a little hot inside with some very luscious special hot chocolate concoctions! I love hot chocolate! What’s not to love?!

Peppermint Patty from Life’s Ambrosia

Recipe by Deseree Kazda 2 cups milk 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix 1/4 cup peppermint schnapps, add more as needed Whipped cream Sprinkles In a saucepan, heat 2 cups of milk over medium heat, just until steamy (about 5 minutes). Once milk starts to steam, whisk in hot chocolate mix. Continue cooking 2-3 minutes or until hot chocolate is at desired temperature. Do not boil. Remove from heat and whisk in 1/4 cup of peppermint schnapps. Ladle mixture into glasses, top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Hot Cocoa (dairy-free, soy-free)

Adapted from a recipe by Sally Fallon Coconut milk tonic: 1 can full-fat coconut milk 2 1/2 cups water 2 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp vanilla Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan, and stir thoroughly (you can warm the mixture if your coconut milk has a lot of solids that won’t disperse — but heating it is not necessary).

Pour all but 1 cup of the tonic into a quart-sized glass jar. You will make your cocoa directly in the pan, starting with the cup of tonic.

For the cocoa: 3 tbsp cocoa powder 3 tbsp sugar Heavy pinch salt 1/2 tsp vanilla 2 more cups coconut tonic To the 1 cup coconut milk in your saucepan, add the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Stir over medium heat until almost simmering, until the cocoa and sugar are dissolved. Stir in the remaining 2 cups coconut tonic. Heat until desired temperature, then remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Ladle into mugs and enjoy immediately.

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But there’s no shame in going instant, especially if you jazz it up with different flavours.

Just follow the package instructions for making the hot chocolate, and then try one of these different ideas - topped off with marshmallows or whipped cream, of course.

• Caramel: A tablespoon of caramel sauce can do wonders for hot chocolate. Spoon in your favourite brand and give it a good stir right before you take your first sip.

• Ice cream: It may sound weird to put something cold in your hot cocoa, but a scoop of ice cream makes it really creamy and thick. Make sure your hot chocolate is as hot as you can get it without allowing it to boil, and pop in a scoop of your favourite ice cream.

• Orange Zest: Carve three 2-inch long strips of orange rind (the skin) and let them steep in your drink for a while before tasting. That citrus flavour is a delight.

• Espresso or Coffee: You can either add a tablespoon of fresh brewed coffee or espresso, or you can use the instant stuff.

• Peppermint Stick: Drop a peppermint stick or peppermint candy. It adds great flavour, and a great smell.

• Peanut Butter: If you’re crazy for peanut butter, take a tablespoon or two and mix it into your cocoa. Just be sure to mix really well until it melts.

• A Shot of Hot Sauce: Got a hankering for something hot and spicy? A dash of your favourite hot sauce kicks a hot chocolate into high gear.

• Hot Cherries: Nearly everyone has that jar of maraschino cherries sitting in the fridge, so drop two or three teaspoons of the juice into your drink, along with a cherry. Tastes like drinking a chocolate cordial.

• Coconut Milk: Put a tropical spin on your hot chocolate by substituting some of the milk required with a 1/4 cup of coconut milk.

• Maple Syrup: A squirt of the unique taste of maple syrup livens up ordinary old hot chocolate.

There are all sorts of liqueurs, spices or syrups you can add to your very own concoction for hot chocolate – just use your imagination!! Don’t worry about the calories; winter is only like 8 months if you live in Alberta – that gives you 4 months to work off all that enjoyment!

Kathryn Hartwell References: startcooking.com and blogher.com

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The Newsy Neighbor ADD.pdf

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2014-11-18

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MY B A K E R Y S H O P C

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custom cakes cupcakes mini cupcakes

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cakepops

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frozen yogurt

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Shop

Cupcake Frozen Yogurt

whole wheat bread homemade jams OPEN Monday to Saturday 10 to 7 #111- 355 Centre Street N Langdon, AB 403 880 9875 facebook.com/mybakeryshop of its nutrients. Just like all the things that are good for you, it has a short nutritional life. When you use the flour right after grinding it, there is no need to add preservatives.

The bran, which is the outside of the wheat, and, like other nutritional things, the skin is the part that is best for us. It contains vitamins, minerals, and proteins, and is a great source of fibre.

It acts like a sponge absorbing and removing toxins from the body as it “scrubs” the digestive tract.

Let’s get back to the basics

M y mom used to say we need to eat more fresh ground whole wheat flour and I thought she was crazy! We know way more than our parents, right? Then she let me taste the bread she made with fresh ground whole wheat flour. It was amazing and bread in general makes you crave more, but the natural sweetness of fresh ground whole wheat flour makes you want more. For years, she has been making desserts and breads from fresh ground flour. I think I am so used to it that I forget how really blessed I am. I decided to do some research and I was shocked. A single grain of wheat contains, B1, B2, B3, E, folic acid, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, iron, and fibre along with several other nutritional oils and vitamins. All of that is lost when it is processed because it will make the flour go rancid. It is added back but not to the level as if it were never removed. Preservatives are then added to give it a longer shelf life.

So you can have that second piece knowing you are adding nutrition to your body, making it a healthy choice. Let’s get back to the basics.

Submitted by My Bakery Shop Written by Victoria Mairs

Wheat, once ground and exposed to oxygen, starts to lose all facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

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REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN Revitalize DowntownSTRATHMORE Strathmore Ripperz

2015 Project

Rippin' with skateboards, longboards & supplies.

On June 20th, the Newsy Neighbour is throwing a huge festival downtown.

Bench.

Come in and check us out!

Why?

129 - 2nd Ave. Strathmore, AB • Ph: 403-934-2420

Complimentary Market Evaluations 403-934-5533 Locally owned & operated, AND Proudly Independent serving Strathmore and area since 1993

Helping You Find Your Dream Home!

#106, 304 - 3rd Ave. Strathmore, AB T1P 1Z1

Fax: 403-934-6278

But what does downtown have?

WWW.AZTECREALESTATE.CA

Downtown Strathmore has one of the best clothing stores in Strathmore with high quality men’s, women’s, and kid’s clothing and shoes – and you can shop here in town instead of driving to the city, paying for gas, paying for parking, and spending time looking for a parking spot.

Downtown Strathmore has a great drug store with some of the nicest staff members and some of the coolest items from hilarious birthday cards, to 3D cake pans, to beautiful jewellery – the list really does go on and on! Need good insurance?

Check out downtown and get treated like you matter and are not just a number. On a budget but your kids need clothes? Why buy something new that will shrink and rip for twice the price when you can buy a pre-loved outfit for a fraction of the cost but is still in great shape!

Lil Hoots Children's and Maternity Consignment Boutique

Come check out our new location!

Visit us on

We’ve Moved!

403-934-9979 /lilhootsconsignment 239 - 3 Avenue, Strathmore

(old Music Centre Canada building)

Visit all of our listings & virtual tours at

www.nancystairs.com

Proud A+ Members of The Better Business Bureau RE/MAX REALTY HORIZON, P.O. Box 2116. Strathmore, AB

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P P U S O L

Well, in short: it’s not The Ranch. There’s no ‘big names’… no Wal-Mart, no Dollarama, no Rona, no Starbucks. Need some milk? It’s easier to run to Sobey’s than Co-Op. Want a coffee? Starbucks and Tim Horton’s has a drive-thru. Want take-out? Where are all of the fast food restaurants? Not downtown.

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Behind every small business, there's a story worth knowing. All the corner shops in our towns and cities, the restaurants, cleaners, gyms, hair salons, hardware stores - these didn't come out of nowhere. - Paul Ryan This is why we are having the festival.

People say, “I didn’t even know we had a kid’s consignment store.” “I didn’t know we had a computer repair shop.”

“I didn’t know we had a place to buy skateboards.” “I didn’t know we had a bakery.” “I didn’t know we had an antique store.” “I didn’t know we had an East Indian restaurant.”

T R O P L A C O

Fully Licensed

We Cater For All Occasions • MON - FRI 11AM - 10PM • SAT 12PM - 10PM • SUN 12PM - 9PM

403-983-1114

134 - 2ND STREET, STRATHMORE, AB

We do. We have that and much, much more. (BTW, I tried Masala Hub on Friday night and my husband and I are still talking about how delicious the garlic naan bread and butter chicken were!)

So we are throwing a downtown festival. We are shutting down 6 blocks for 1 day on January 20. There will be kiosks, open doors, happy people, balloons, buskers, entertainment, paintings, excitement, fun… everything.

Do you want to help out? Do you want to showcase your talent? Do you want to have your Strathmore business seen?

Ask us more! You can contact me at denise@thenewsyneighbour.com. We are helping the Town of Strathmore with their Downtown Revitalisation project because we love this Town and we want to see it, and the businesses within it, succeed!

Denise Geremia - 403-608-0686

Ph:

403.230.0837 • 115 2 Ave. Strathmore, AB Under New Ownership • Your Local Denture Experts

Come visit us today for your Free Consultation Immediate Dentures - Equilibrated Dentures - Dentures over Implants - Removable Partials - Relines & Soft Liners - Repairs

Warmest wishes for a HAPPY, HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS

New Year!

www.valuedrugmart.com

E: strathmore@valuedrug.ca

132-2nd Ave Strathmore AB T1P 1K3

403-934-3122 ph 403-934-6474 fax

Strathmore Dental Centre EĞǁ WĂƟĞŶƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŵĞƌŐĞŶĐŝĞƐ tĞůĐŽŵĞ͊ Dr. Terry Lee Alston Dr. Hugh Kennedy ƌ͘ ŚƌŝƐƟŶĞ >ŝůŐĞ ƌ͘ ZŽďĞƌƚ <ŝŶŶŝďƵƌŐŚ 115-2nd Ave. Strathmore, Alberta

;KƌƚŚŽĚŽŶƟƐƚͿ

Ph: 403-934-5620

www.strathmoredental.ca facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

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EVITALIZE DOWNTOWN Revitalize DowntownSTRATHMORE Strathmore 2015 Project

Hair Salon & Barbershop We Specialize in Baby Boomers!

Ear Piercing, Waxing, Nails and More!

Marlene Hill: 403-934-3442

107A-2nd Ave Strathmore, AB

At Coldwell we are real people serving real people.

COLDWELL INSURANCE 133-2nd Ave Strathmore, AB Phone: Fax:

403-934-3221

403-934-5163

At Coldwell Agencies we earn your business.

This is just a simple sketch. To see it larger visit the “Highlights” page on our website: www.thenewsyneighbour.com

THE

BANANA BREAD HOUSE

Strathmore, Alberta Downtown

& Market

E

S

Wheatland Trail

/TheBananaBreadHouse 232 3rd Ave. Strathmore, AB Jill: 403-464-6140 Wayne: 403-669-1012

Downtown Strathmore

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Stylz Salon & Spa All your family hair care and spa needs!

Trans-Canada Hwy

Phone: 403-934-3940

119 - 2 Avenue. Strathmore, AB

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Baked Fresh DAILY!

S

P P U S O L

This picture above is one of MANY ideas of what our downtown could look like!

Representing and accessing over 30 of the worlds leading insurers

thenewsyneighbour.com

www.strathmore.ca

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DOWNTOWN STRATHMORE

T R O P L A C O

For part of the Revitalize Downtown Strathmore project, we are launching a shopping challenge.

This shopping challenge will now start the first week of February 2015.

This challenge is open to all shoppers, but is specific to the businesses in downtown Strathmore.

Visit www.thenewsyneighbour.com for more information as we update the list of participating businesses.

Details of the challenge: 1) Each business that is participating will have cards and brochures for shoppers to pick up.

2) People participating in the challenge must spend $25 at 80% of the stores on the card.

3) When $25 has been spent, that store owner/employee will initial the card and then take note of the shopper’s name.

4) Once the card is 80% full, the shopper can mail the card to us, or they can bring it to our booth at the fair. These cards are put into a basket for a draw to win on June 20th at the downtown festival.

5) Participating shoppers will have a chance to win some HUGE and wonderful prizes.

I'm a big fan of small business ownership.

I think it's the backbone of Canadian innovation. But to be successful, you first have to have the courage to go for it.

- Unknown As you probably know, half of the people who work in this country work for small businesses.

And it's more than that, because two out of three net new jobs come from small business. So we mean it when we talk about small business being the engine for the economy. - Karen Mills

Quality Consignment

104 3rd ave Unit #9, Strathmore, Alberta Phone: 403-983-8414

ǁǁǁ͘ŬĂƚLJƐďŽƵƟƋƵĞ͘ĐĂ Tracy’s All Breed Dog Grooming

Happy New Y ear! $5 OFF

107b - 2nd Ave., Strathmore, AB

Tracy: 403-901-5162 www.facebook.com/groups/ tracysallbreeddoggrooming

& Gma's Strathmore

Hours: Monday - Saturday 12-8pm Closed Sundays & Holidays

123 2 Ave, Strathmore, AB ' (403) 934-4200

www.chads420.com

facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

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How to REALLY Have a Happy and NEW Year Holdin’ Holden Jenny Schoberl is a 30 year old professional musician turned stay-at-home. In order to keep some semblance of her adult-brain working, she began writing the popular Mommy Blog “Holdin’ Holden” in 2008, which receives over 1,000 unique hits per day. Jenny also enjoys entertaining her ever-growing Facebook Fan Page with over 51,000 fans who have dubbed her the “Howard Stern of Mommy Blogging”. Contact Jenny at http:// holdinholden.com or email her at: holdinholden@yahoo.com

I ’ll admit it; in the past, I’ve been known to laugh at

people who make New Year’s resolutions. It’s not that I’m overly cynical about people’s hopes and dreams and goals, it’s that I always thought it was silly to make what might be an unattainable goal just because one year is ending and another is beginning. Why do you need a new year to make something happen?

What’s so special about the changing of ONE number on a calendar that would suddenly make you change your entire life’s routine? No one is forcing you to do this but you, and let’s face it – motivation to keep a resolution, no matter how fabulous it is, is hard to come by at times.

The past few years have been a mixed bag for me. As many wonderful things that have happened, before the countdown began to ring in 2014, there were a lot of horrible things that had happened that made me doubt myself and the path I was on. I’d made a lot of mistakes; I’d done stupid and immature things, I’d hurt people that didn’t deserve to be hurt, and I’d

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gone against things that I swore I never would. For a long time, I beat myself up over it, but I also learned from those ugly experiences. I now know that I am merely human, and we all make mistakes (of course I’ve known this for a long time, but have had trouble applying it to myself when I mess up) but it’s tough to watch yourself falter, fail, and flounder. The 3 F’s of doom. Even if the majority of your year was amazing, it’s always the few negative things that take hold of your brain and cast a dark cloud over your head and by New Year’s Eve, you’re yelling “GOOD RIDDANCE!” at the top of your lungs.

What’s so special about the changing of ONE number on a calendar that would suddenly make you change your entire life’s routine?

January 1st may have just been another day, but for some reason it felt different. It felt like I was closing the door on one part of our life, and opening a new door to the next. All the frustration, resentment, annoyance, sadness, mistakes, and failures build to a peak and when the ball drops on December 31st and the clock changes to 12:00, we finally feel like we can let all of it go, and the door to that year slams shut. It’s symbolic, and can be very powerful – but I think it sets us up for a bit of disappointment and possible disaster. That door might have been closed, but it wasn’t locked, and the negativity can come pouring under the cracks like little kid fingers under a bathThe Newsy Neighbour Magazine

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January 24 - Adult Community Dance (for details see our website)

Ongoing Events: Free public skating (see website for details)

Banquet Hall Rentals & Catering Services

Indus is located approximately 15km East of Calgary on Hwy 22x

www.indusrec.ca 403-936-5474

room door when you’re just trying to poop in peace.

If we just think the changing of year alone is going to suddenly stop all the things we disliked about the previous, we’ve got another thing coming.

I know, I’m rambling, so let me just get to the point here: if we don’t face the crap that caused us to be THRILLED that the year is ending, those things will only come back to haunt us. A date is nothing more than a date, and at the risk of being horribly cheesy – change comes from within.

Last year, I started a new tradition. It’s not a resolution… I’m actually not sure WHAT to call it – and it’s less fun than those who swear in the New Year they’ll go to the gym every day, but it needed to be done, and it changed my life. I swore that 2014 would be a NEW year, and it’s because I finally looked my mistakes right in their eyes… and lit those suckers on fire. Literally!

There’s a saying I’ve heard that really applies: “I don’t believe in burning bridges, but sometimes you have to in order to keep the crazies from following you!”

Obviously, that usually refers to people, but it still works!

Last year, I decided to write down the mistakes I made, the things making me glad that it was coming to an end, no matter how embarrassing or hard to admit and I put them all in a bowl and then burned them. I have to tell you – it was incredibly liberating to watch all the negativity that had built up over that past year get reduced to ashes.

I know that at the end of the day, burning some pieces of paper didn’t actually stop me from making mistakes again (I AM human, after all) but I always remembered the experience of watching them burn away. Gone. I remembered that and thought, I CAN’T do that again. It’s in the past. I learned from it, I burned it, and it’s over. That’s pretty awesome if you ask me!

A teenage boy had just passed his driving test and to celebrate, the whole family climbed into the car for his inaugural drive. Dad sat in the back, directly behind the driver.

The boy said: ‘I’ll bet you’re back there to get a change of scenery after all those months of sitting in the front passenger seat teaching me how to drive.’

“No!” replied Dad. “I’m going to sit back here and kick the back of your seat while you drive, just like you’ve been doing to me for seventeen years.”

What’s the problem with jogging on New Year’s Eve? You will probably spill your drink!

Unique Gifts!

Give it a shot! What have you got to lose other than a few scraps of paper and some negativity? Make the New Year a NEW year – even if the ball has already dropped and the streamers have been cleaned up.

Say goodbye to this year, and hello to a truly new one; one that you KNOW is going to be better than the last –because if NOTHING else, you learned from it. THAT is a truly new year. facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

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My Favourite Fabulous Fantastic and Fun Stuff

Life Is A Miracle “This life is what you make it. No matter what, you’re going to mess up sometimes; it’s a universal truth. But the good part is, you get to decide how you’re going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they’ll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they’re your true best friends. Don’t let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they’ll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can’t give up because if you give up, you’ll never find your soul mate. You’ll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn’t mean you’re gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don’t, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life’s a beautiful thing and there’s so much to smile about.”

- Marilyn Monroe 26 •

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I sn’t “The New Year” just the best time ever? You get

to start a new book of possibilities, opportunities and new dreams, it is a time to consider life changes and this becomes more important as you age. My own parents, aged 85 and 90, are going through major health issues and I’m feeling I may lose them both in 2015, but they have had long and marvelous lives.

My husband’s mother has advanced Alzheimer’s disease and it is heart breaking, but this article is not meant to be sad – it is to be fabulous and fantastic and that is what we should all try to achieve in our New Year of 2015, nothing short of miraculous!! Go for it baby, because you just don’t know what may happen tomorrow. In every moment, we are living in a miracle.

Just our being here right now is proof of that miracle.

“If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.”

-Thich Nhat Hanh We often get caught up in the drama of life, in the stories of our lives that we don’t stop and realize how much of a miracle life really is. Every day of our life is a miracle, every moment is a miracle. We can take life for granted, we can focus on all our shortcomings, all our pain and trials, but even still, it is a miracle that these things even exist. Experience is the greatest miracle of all. When we realize this, even if we experience something bad, or something didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, we can still see that life is a miracle, because of the very experience of life itself.

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When you live as if everything is a miracle, something strange happens. You realize that there is no difference between the good and the bad. Sure, some situations are more desirable than others, and it doesn’t mean you try to end your life. When you realize the miracle of everything in life, you transcend and you see that there are differences, there is bad and good, but you no longer judge them as wrong or right. You see them equally as miracles.

Now, I know it is hard sometimes to see every little thing that happens in your life as a miracle, but the idea here is just try be happier with your life and here is a little secret to help direct you down that path: start writing a gratitude journal. Yep, that’s it!

And before you think it might be a silly idea, just give it a try for a week or so and see what happens – you might be fabulously surprised.

All you need to start is to always look at things with a grateful heart. Whatever you have in your life, be grateful and thankful for it.

Having an attitude of gratitude attracts more of the good things that you will be thankful about.

Every day, make a list of 10-20 things to be grateful about.

Doing this gratitude journal daily helps a lot in turning your attitude from pessimism to optimism. Learn to love writing things to be thankful about every day; it will give you reasons to feel good about your life.

Grab a pen and notebook and start writing what you’re grateful for; it takes 5 minutes! Feel the feelings of gratitude while writing each item that you are thankful for. I assure you it will make you feel good. Don’t do this exercise like a chore. Don’t do it if you don’t feel like doing it. This daily activity is something you do with your heart into it.

For your “New Year; New You,” give it a shot – try something new and it could quite possibly change your life. I’m going to do it, why not? Quite frankly I cannot think of any reason why I should not do this little gift for myself! It just might bring a miracle into my life!

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Find Answers on http://www.thenewsyneighbour.com/#!highlights/c1srt

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Call Me: 403-478-9114 email: aleeshagosling@gmail.com

www.aleeshagosling.com OnSite Dry Cleaning Same www.aleeshagosling.com Day Available Open • Laundry Drop Off (Wash & Fold) Everyday

• 10% Senior Discount • Shirt Service • Horse Blankets • Leather Club Jackets • Wedding Gowns (Preservation Boxes) 316A 2nd Ave, Strathmore, AB Phone: 403-934-1807

Peter, at a New Year’s party, turns to his friend, Ken, and asks for a cigarette.

‘I thought you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking,’ Ken responds.

‘I’m in the process of quitting,’ replies Peter with a grin.

‘Right now, I am in the middle of phase one.’

‘Phase one?’ wonders Ken. ‘Yeah,’ laughs Peter. ‘I’ve quit buying.’

Shur-Lock Self Storage 13 Bayside Place. Strathmore AB, T1P 1C8

Storage Solution Centre Commercial or Residential

• Bookkeeping • Full cycle accounting • Tax services

Serving both individuals and corporations at an AFFORDABLE PRICE! Servicing Chestermere and area.

Gillian Parmar Ph: 403 399-9588

Gillian.parmar@synscape.ca

Big or small you can store'm all unit sizes 10x20'- 8x20'-5x8'

Keith: 403-333-8411 shurlock@outlook.com Wayde: 403-333-8155 Ph: 403-934-3502

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Travel

Algarve Portugal T he Algarve, meaning “The West”, is the southernmost

region of mainland Portugal. The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, and one of the most popular in Europe. Its population triples in the peak holiday season thanks to a high influx of visitors, and receives an average of 7 million foreign tourists each year. Coastal Algarve receives much exposure for its breathtaking cliffs, golden beaches, scalloped bays and sandy islands.

Algarviana walking track crosses its breadth. Algarve, Portugal, is without a doubt the perfect holiday destination for families, couples, independent travelers and backpackers, mixed groups and retired people...in fact, anyone who wants to enjoy a lovely chilled break!

Aleesha and her husband went to Algarve Portugal for their honeymoon, and the photos on this page are of their trip.

Kathryn Hartwell

The letter ‘S’ (for sun, surf and sand) is only one letter in the Algarvian alphabet: activities, beach bars (and discos), castles, diving, entertainment, fun... the list goes on!

References: Wikipedia.com, algarveuncovered.com and lonelyplanet.com

Let’s be frank: Portugal’s premier holiday destination sold its soul to tourism in the sixties and never really looked back.

Behind sections of the south coast’s beachscape, looms massive conglomerations of bland holiday villas and brash resorts.

However the west coast is another story – it’s more about nature and less about development. And yet coastal Algarve is a ‘drop in the ocean’ for any visitor. The enchanting inner Algarve boasts pretty castle towns and historic villages, cork tree – and flower-covered hillsides, and birdlife. And the wonderful Via

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We Will Meet Or Beat Competitors Pricing!

Full Service Travel Agency Specializing in: Destination Weddings Cruises Disney Vacations Adventure Travel Europe All-inclusive Vacations Country Lane Mall 510 Hwy 1 Bay G. Strathmore, AB

Algarve, Portugal

www.kaleidoscopetravel.ca

Have you ever wanted to go to a beautiful place in the middle of nowhere?

T his is the place for you - built right in the middle of

the southwestern desert of Peru, this little village is an oasis in the middle of nowhere. Huacachina is a tiny town in southern Peru, an hour away from the Pacific coast. The town is basically a collection of resorts and restaurants around a blue-green Laguna, surrounded by huge sand dunes. An antique image of the town is featured on Peru´s 50 soles bill. Its interest to tourists is three-fold: the novelty and beauty of a dry desert with huge sand dunes, plus the opportunity to sand board and to ride in four-wheel-drive dune buggies that cruise up and down the dunes at break-neck speeds. The town depends entirely on tourism; as most visitors are foreigner tourists. The town is extremely

info@kaleidoscopetravel.ca 403-934-9447 • 1-888-Y-CRUISE

small, and visitors can walk from one end to another within a few minutes. Watch the sunset from the rim of the dunes with amazing colours and views. You can walk up for the sunrise, but be careful as there are no marked paths.

You can enjoy an extraordinary adventure tour called the dune buggy and sandboarding tour. This tour is both thrilling and jaw-dropping, transporting you deep into the desert to see the huge sand dunes on the coast. These ancient mountains of sand are beautiful and surreal. And adventurous travelers are welcome to try sandboarding down the dunes! There is much more to do here, including winery tours, flights over the world-famous Nazca Lines, and boat tours to see Humboldt penguins and sea lions.

Do something different for a change – sounds fun to me!

Kathryn Hartwell

References: huacachina.com, wikitravel.org and earthporm.com

Huacachina, Peru

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Facts about

Snow

KIDS

Did you know that each winter ,one septillion (1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) of snow crystals drop from the sky and that it takes about a million little droplets to make one snowflake?

The Guinness Book of World Records states that a giant snowflake was found at Fort Keogh, Montana on January 28, 1887. It was 15 inches wide and 8 inches thick.

If you ever wondered where the most snow fell in one year, here is the answer: Mount Baker in the North Cascades of Washington State, holds this amazing world record, a reported 1,140 inches accumulated during the 1998-99 snowfall season.

Snow is not white: Snow is actually clear and colourless. The complex structure of snow crystals results in countless tiny surfaces from which visible light is efficiently reflected. What little sunlight is absorbed by snow is absorbed uniformly over the wavelengths of visible light, thus giving snow its white appearance.

Earth’s fresh water is frozen: 80% of all the freshwater on earth is frozen as ice or snow. This accounts for 12% of the earth’s surface.

A single snowstorm can drop 39 million tonnes of snow, carrying the energy equivalent to 120 atomic bombs!

Sources: http://www.almanac.com/ http://snowbrains.com/10-interesting-facts-about-snow/ http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-fascinating-facts-about-snow.php

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Want To Learn More?

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5 things you didn’t know about Lego

1.There are 62 Lego pieces for every human on earth!

2. They’re the largest tire manufacturer in the world. In fact, they turn out more per year than Goodyear and Bridgestone… combined. How many does it take to be at the top? 381 million mini tires.

3. Over 4 billion minifigs have been produced to date.

4. Master Builders are paid to build sets. Yes, there are professional LEGO builders, though applicants must build in front of an audience and judges to prove their prowess.

5. There are solid 14K gold Lego bricks floating around. From 1979 through 1981, they gave these out to long-serving employees as a token of appreciation, which today are worth around $15,000.

LAUG H LE ARN PLAY SHARE

Hope Community Preschool 245 Brent Blvd.

Phone: 403-934-8586

New Programs Beginning in 2015!!

KinderKombo Jump Hop Skip (3yr old Hip Hop) Tot Trot (parent assisted class for 1-2yrs old)

Adult Dance Fit Aerial Hand Balancing

www.expressionsthedancegallery.com 126 Canal Garden. Strathmore, AB Ph: 403-901-6392

LAUG H LE ARN

Hope TODAY!!

Community REGISTER

PLAY SHARE

Email: hopecommunitypreschool@yahoo.ca

Registration for still 2014-2015 is Feb.in 6th Spaces are available from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Preschool. the 3 year old program!

Check out the website for additional Registration night for our information!

2015/2016 programs is Feb. 4, www.hope-community.ca/preschool 2015 from 6-7:30 pm

Children be 3old Children mustmust be 3 years old 31st, as of2014 as ofyears December Dec. 31, 2015

Weareare partners with We partners with I’m For I’m Team For Kids Team for Kids for screening for screening for our our speech /language and speech/language fine motor skills and fine motorprogram skills developmental developmental program funded by Alberta Education. funded by . Alberta Education.

www.hope-community.ca/preschool Classes Available: Mon/Wed am (9:00-11:30) 3 or 4 y.o.

Mon/Wed pm (12:30-3:00) 3 or 4 y.o.

Preschool 245 Brent Blvd.

Phone: 403-934-8586

Email: hopecommunitypreschool@yahoo.ca

Join The Winter Session Of Fit Kids Chestermere Preschool Gymnastics!

Registration for 2014-2015 is Feb. 6t from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Preschoo Check out the website for additiona information!

www.hope-community.ca/preschoo

Program is available for children ages 2must be 3 years ol Children as of December 31st, 2014 to 6 years. Offering parented and unparented

classes Monday evenings and Tuesday daytime.

We are partners with I’m Fo

Team for screening for Registrations open January 1stKidsfor our speech /language and all new members!!! fine motor skills

All classes start Feb 23rd and 24th and runs developmental until program Education June 8th and 9th (13 weeks) funded by Alberta .

Contact Barb Howes: 403-607-8647 fitkidschestermere@shaw.ca

www.fitkidschestermere.ca Classes Available:

Tues/Thurs am (9:00-11:30) 3 or 4 y.o.

Tues/Thurs pm (12:30-3:00) 3 or 4 y.o.

Mon/Wed am (9:00-11:30) 3 or 4 y.o.

Mon/Wed pm (12:30-3:00) 3 or 4 y.o.

Tues/Thurs am (9:00-11:30) 3 or 4 Tues/Thurs pm (12:30-3:00) 3 or

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Session runs Jan 28th – Mar 25th (No class Feb 18th)

Chestermere Regional Recreation Centre CRCA 2015 Winter Recreation Programs www.chestermerecrca.com CRCA MUNCHKIN FLOOR HOCKEY Sundays @ the Rec Centre Main Hall Cost: $80.00 for 8 wks 3 – 4 yrs as of start of program: 4:00 - 4:45 pm 4 – 5 yrs as of start of program: 4:45 - 5:30 pm Jan 18th – Mar 29th No Class Feb 18th & 22nd and Mar 15th

2 0 1 5

FLOOR HOCKEY SCRIMMAGE Ages 6 -11 years Sundays: 5:30 - 6:30 pm@ the Rec Centre Main Hall Cost: $80.00 for 8 wks Jan 18th – Mar 29th No Class Feb 18th & 22nd and Mar 15th CRCA MUNCHKIN SOCCER Sundays @ the Rec Centre MPP Rm Cost: $80.00 for 8 weeks 4 yrs as of start of program: 4:00 - 5:00 pm 5 yrs as of start of program: 5:00 - 6:00 pm Jan 25th – Mar 29th No class Feb 18th and 22nd.

CRCA LEARN TO SKATE PROGRAMS with certified coach Alex Sergeev For Ages 3 - 6 yrs Tues & Thurs Blue Arena Cost: $120.00 (12 classes) Pre Snowflake 1 is for beginners who have never skated before.

9:30 - 10:00 am or 1:00 - 1:30 pm Snowflake 1 is for beginners who can walk on skates by themselves.

10:00 - 10:30 am or 1:30 - 2:00 pm Snowflake 2 is for skaters who have completed Snowflake 1 10:30—11:00 am or 2:00 - 2:30 pm Snowflake 3 - is for skaters who have completed Snowflake 2 11:00 - 11:30 am or 2:30 - 3:00 pm Session #1 Runs Jan 13th – Feb 26th No class Feb 17th & 19th Session #2 Runs Mar 10th – Apr 23rd No class April 7th & 9th

W I N T E R

CRCA SPORTBALL with certified Sportball Instructors Thurs MPP Rm Cost: $100.00 for each 6 week session Parent & Tot 2 - 3 yrs: 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm MultiSport for ages 3-4 yrs: 1:00 – 2:00 pm or ages: 5 – 6 yrs 2:00 – 3:00 pm MultiSport for 6 – 10 yrs: 4:00 – 5:00 pm Session # 1 Jan 15, 22, 29, Feb 5, 12 & 26. No class Feb 19 Session # 2 Mar 5, Mar 12, Mar 19, Apr 2, 16 & 23 No class on April 9th CRCA/YOGART with Chantalle Stott Wed Meeting Room #1 Cost: $90.00 for 6 wks 3 – 5 yrs / 1:30 - 2:30 /6 – 9 yrs / 6:30 - 7:30 / 10 – 14 yrs 7:30 - 8:30 Session #1 Runs Jan 14th – Feb 25th No class Feb 18th Session #2 Runs Mar 4th – Apr 22nd No class Mar 18th or April 8th

P R O G R A M S

*NEW*: CRCA “INSPIRED TOASTMASTERS” PROGRAM FOR YOUTH This program will build confidence, speaking and leadership skills.

Saturdays at the Chestermere Rec Centre Out of School Care Office Ages 6 – 12 yrs 10:30 – Noon Ages 13 – 17 yrs 9:00 – 10:30 Cost: $20.00 for 8 weeks Jan 24th – Mar 28th (No class Feb 14th and 21st) SKIPKIDS with Instructor Carla Jennings A skill progression-based learning system for Rope Skipping in Canada Free Demo & Participation Night – Fri Jan 16th at Prairie Waters School 6:30 – 7:30 Fridays at Prairie Waters Elementary School Recreational: Ages 6 – 9 Fri 6– 7 Cost: $65 10 wks – includes skip rope PreCompetitive: Ages 8 – 15 Fri, 6:30 – 8 $90.00 10 wks – includes skip rope !Session runs Jan 23rd – April 24th (No class Feb 13th & 20th and Apr 3rd & 10th) (Jan 30th class will be at the Rec Centre Main Hall) CRCA/STARS YOUTH VOLLEYBALL with Instructor Bob Baker Grades 1 - 4 & Grades 5 – 10 Cost: $120.00 for each 6 week session Wed: 6:00 - 7:30 pm Chestermere Lake Middle School Gym Session 1 Jan 14th – Feb 25th (No class Feb 18th) Session 2 runs Apr 15th - May 20th CRCA YOUTH RECREATIONAL BASKETBALL with Laura Costello Mondays @ the Chestermere Lake Middle School Gym Cost: $80.00 for 8 weeks Grades 2 - 5 6:00 - 7:00 pm & Grades 6 - 9 7:00 - 8:00 pm Session runs Mar 23rd—May 25th (No class Apr 6 & May 18) CRCA YOUTH BADMINTON PROGRAMS with Yuriko Boyce Wed at Prairie Waters School Cost: $120.00 for 12 week session Gr 2-5 6:30-7:30 Gr 6-9 7:30 - 8:30 Gr 10 – 12 8:30 - 9:30 Session runs Jan 14th – Apr 22nd (No class Feb 18th and Apr 8th) CRCA/MAD SCIENCE – THE MAD LAB Che-MYSTERY/Current Events/Fun-damental Forces/Science of Magic/Fantastic Fliers/Super Structures/Under Pressure/Wacky Water Wednesdays @ the Rec Centre Meeting Room #2 Cost: $135.00 for 8 weeks Ages 6 – 10 4:45 – 5:45

201 West Chestermere Dr. Chestermere AB T1X 1B2 403-272-7170

FRIDAY AFTERNOON SKI/SNOWBOARD TRIPS TO COP for ages 9 – 17 A Supervised CRCA Rec Program Bus leaves at 3:20-returns at 9:30 Session 1: Dec 5th, Dec 12th, Jan 9 and Jan 16th Session 2: Feb 6th, Feb 13th, Feb 27th and Mar 6th Cost per Session: Lift & Bus: $200.00 Bus Only: $60.00 Rentals and lessons available at COP. Please check their website for details.

MUSICAL THEATRE: BROADWAY KIDS Ages 4 – 18 with Artistic Director Steve McMullen & Instructors Melanie Porter and Jody Sikora For more info please email broadwaykids@shaw.ca.

Welcome meeting Jan 11! 4 – 5 pm Meet the instructors and learn about the program!

Sundays @ the Chestermere Rec Centre Meeting Rooms 1 & 2 4 – 6 yrs 3:30 – 5:00 pm Cost $250.00 (max 16) 7 – 9 yrs 3:30 – 5:00 pm Cost $250.00 (max 24) 10 – 12 yrs 5:00 – 6:30 pm Cost $250.00 (max 24) 13 – 18 yrs 6:00 – 7:30 Cost $250.00 (max 20) Program runs Jan 18th – Apr 26th No program on Feb 15 & 22 and Apr 5 & 12 All participants must be available for dress rehearsal on Apr 24 th and/or 25th & the final performance on Sun Apr 26th @ 7:00 pm ADULT COMMUNITY PICKLEBALL (18+) Thursdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Rec Centre Hall Runs Jan 8th – Apr 30th (app 15 wks) Cost: $60.00 (Drop In $5.00 – Community Membership required) 50+ COMMUNITY PICKLEBALL Tues & Thurs11:45 am - 2 pm Drop-in $2.00 - Community Membership required (There may be some cancellations due to Hall bookings-call 272-7170 to check) ADULT COMMUNITY BADMINTON (18+) Wed 7– 9 pm Chestermere High School (Highway 791) Cost: $60.00 (Drop In $8.00) Runs Jan 7th – April 29th (app 20 wks) ADULT COMMUNITY VOLLEYBALL (18+) Chestermere Lake Middle School Runs Jan 6th – April 29th REC: Tues 7:30 – 9:30 pm COMPETITIVE: Wed 7:30 – 9:30 pm COMBO: Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm Cost /$60.00 for one night or $100.00 for both nights (app 12 wks) (Drop In $8.00) ADULT LEARN TO SKATE (18+) with certified coach Alex Sergeev Tues and Thurs Noon – 12:45 Blue Arena /½ hour practice time 12:45 – 1:15 Cost: $125.00 for each 6 week session Session #1 Runs Jan 13th – Feb 26th No class Feb 17th & 19th Session #2 Runs Mar 10th – Apr 23rd No class April 7th & 9th ANNETTE’S STRENGTH AND CORE FITNESS with AFLCA Instructor Annette Gillon Resistance training and core work through circuit training.

Wed 7:30 - 8:30 pm @ the Rec Centre Main Hall Cost: $96.00 (8 weeks) Session 1 runs Jan 14th – Mar 11th (8 wks) (No class Feb 18th) Session 2 runs Mar 18th – May 13th (8 wks) No class Apr 8th) DANCE SAMPLER FOR ADULTS (18+) with Instructor Jody Sikora Wed 7—8:30 Chestermere Lake Middle School (No class Feb 18th) Cost $90.00 Try a variety of styles like jazz, hip hop, salsa & more! No partner needed!

MINI ENERGIZER Wed, Jan 7th 6 – 8 pm Rec Centre Hall Get info on upcoming programs and services available in the Chestermere area! For more info or to book a table (no charge) WINTER CARNIVAL FAMILY DANCE Friday Jan 23rd 7—9:30 pm Chestermere Rec Centre Main Hall $5/person or $10/family

CHESTERMERE GO GIRL For girls ages 10 – 15 An activity day to promote physical activity to girls.

Saturday, January 17th 8:45 am – 5 pm Register online at www.chestermerecrca.com

FAMILY DAY UNPLUGGED FEB 16TH 1:00—4:00 PM CHESTERMERE REC CENTRE Disconnect from Technology and Connect with Family and Friends!

Family Fun, Board Games and Much, Much More!

Register for CRCA Programs online at www.chestermerecrca.com .

For help with registrations call 403-272-7170 ext 221 or email admin@chestermerecrca.com.

Need more info about any CRCA Programs or Special Events? Please call 403-272-7170 or email recreation@chestermerecrca.com.

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The Remarkable Joy Of Music I used to love playing my piano and not a day goes by that I wish I still had my beautiful piano.

I took lessons for many years and completed level two of The Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Degree and, following in my footsteps, both my daughter’s Aleesha and Tifannie took piano lessons. Aleesha still has the piano her Auntie Sherry bought for her many years ago, and I’m pretty sure she probably sits down every once in a while to fill her heart with the joy of remembering a few of her favourite tunes.

Every time I walk by a piano, I can still hear those special songs playing in my heart and the feel of those beautiful ivory keys.

L

eonard Bernstein, the great pianist and conductor, wrote a book back in 1959 titled “The Joy of Music.” You cannot read this without getting excited about music and that excitement will last for years once you have been bitten by the piano bug.

And I am just one of millions who feel that joy, as I remembering playing my piano or listen to another musician play a haunting phrase.

Music brings not only joy, but sanity and peace in a busy and tumultuous world. Is it time for music to sound forth and restore your sanity? I am a Facebook person and I have seen many pianos on local garage sale and bidding wars sites and have even seen

Music

advertisements with people who are actually “giving” pianos away. The truth is, they are hard to move (every heavy), you need the perfect place in your home for them and don’t (unfortunately) buy them to make money. Buy them for your children to enjoy experience, love and perhaps change their lives.

But it is not just the piano that can change a child’s life, for a child to learn to play any instrument, be it guitar, flute, trumpet, violin, the list goes on and on; will help them build self-esteem and give them an extreme sense of accomplishment.

Music brings not only joy, but sanity and peace in a busy and tumultuous world.

The joy of music has been with me my entire lifetime. I still have the flute I played in high school – which was 39 years ago!! Every once in a while I pull it out and blow gently across the mouth piece to make the haughtingly melody of my magical flute. Music is truly magical.

Can you imagine living your life without music? It would be very hard to do, as music has been hard-wired into our very existence as human beings. While everyone enjoys listening to good music, not many of us are what the world calls ‘musicians’- the ones with the ability to play a musical instrument. However, music is facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

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Can you imagine living your life without music?

It would be very hard to do, as music has been hard-wired into our very existence as human beings.

2. Playing a musical instrument makes you smarter.

People who have received a music education are generally smarter than their non-musical counterparts are. Extensive research done in this area has proved that children who learn to play a musical instrument do better in academics. Shaw, Rauscher, Levine, Wright, Dennis and Newcomb, in their research paper titled Music Training Causes Long-Term Enhancement Of Preschool Children’s Spatial-Temporal Reasoning, speak about, “a research team exploring the link between music and intelligence reported that music training is far superior to computer instruction in dramatically enhancing children’s abstract reasoning skills, the skills necessary for learning math and science.”

something that is never too late to learn.

Here are 10 good reasons as to why everyone should learn to play a musical instrument.

1. Playing a musical instrument relieves stress.

Researchers studying the benefits of music have reported that playing a musical instrument on a regular basis can help bring down stress. Studies show that playing an instrument helps in lowering the heart rate and blood pressure, which in turn lowers the stress hormone cortisol, thus making us feel relaxed. While just listening to music also helps, learning to play an instrument brings with it a comforting routine of daily practice that helps in keeping the stress hormones away. Michael Jolkovski, a psychologist who specializes in musicians, feels that music also helps in bringing down stress by helping people connect with others. “It (music) can satisfy the need to unwind from the worries of life, but unlike the other things people often use for this purpose, such as excessive eating, drinking, or TV or aimless web browsing, it makes people more alive and connected with one another.”

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3. Playing a musical instrument improves your social life.

Music helps you connect. Learning an instrument enlarges your social circle since you get to meet more people than you usually would. In children, music can help develop social skills. Maestro Eduardo Marturet, a conductor, composer and musical director for the Miami Symphony Orchestra, who also oversees the MISO Young Artist program in South Florida, has observed the effect that music has on a child’s social skills. “Socially, children who become involved in a musical group or ensemble learn important life skills, such as how to relate to others, how to work as a team and appreciate the rewards that come from working together, and the development of leadership skills and discipline.”

4. Playing a musical instrument helps build confidence.

Choosing to take music lessons can help build confidence. Once you are aware that you are able to do something well, like play

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Altogether Different

the flute for instance, you naturally become more confident of your skills. Learning to play an instrument can help both children and adults who face confidence issues. Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen, a music teacher and performer, has found that music has helped many of students develop confidence. “They find that once they can develop a skill by themselves that they can get better and better.”

5. Playing a musical instrument teaches patience.

Music teachers feel that music can help teach patience. In a world of instant gratification, learning to play an instrument is not something that can happen overnight. It is the daily efforts of everyday practice that can help a musician learn how to play without mistakes. This in turn develops patience. Most musicians go through years of regular practice that includes daily musical exercises and the tackling of progressively difficult musical pieces, which in turn helps them conquer the virtue of patience.

Pianissimo Piano Studio

6. Playing a musical instrument fosters creativity.

Specializing in reading music scores and being able to play any genres of piano music

Stuck in everyday routine lives, many of us lose touch with our creative side. Learning to play a musical instrument, especially when you reach advanced levels, can foster that lost creativity.

Since music education plays on your mental, emotional and cognitive abilities, the brain is stimulated to think out of the ordinary, which results in improved creativity.

7. Playing a musical instrument improves memory.

Music and memory go hand in hand. Learning to play a musical instrument makes you use both parts of your brain and this in turn boosts memory power. Maestro Eduardo Marturet, reiterates this point when he says, “Further research has shown that participation in music at an early age can help improve a child’s learning ability and memory by stimulating different patterns of brain development.” Music education is also linked to higher IQ levels and the physical development of certain parts of the brain.

8. Playing a musical instrument develops discipline.

Music requires dedication and regular practice. Allotting a specific amount of time to practice music daily develops discipline in the learner. This can prove to be extremely advantageous in children. Mira Stulberg-Halpert, of 3D Learner Inc., who works with children who have ADHD, has seen music discipline children when everything else fails. She has this to say on the effect of music on kids: “Exposing kids to musical instruments is the key.

They are naturally curious and excited about them-and the discipline that parents and kids learn by sticking with it is a lesson in itself.”

9. Playing a musical instrument gives you a sense of achievement.

Learning to play a musical instrument gives you an immense sense of achievement. Pianist Emily Singers, in her article titled, 12 Reasons You Should Learn to Play the Piano, writes that piano playing can bring true satisfaction. “It’s truly one of the most satisfying things you can do,” she says. “There’s no feeling like playing a difficult song and playing it flawlessly. (It is) quite an ego-boost.” This feeling of satisfaction leads to a tremendous sense of self-achievement that can help you accomplish more in other areas of your life.

10. Playing a musical instrument is fun.

Lastly, learning to play a musical instrument is fun. “The art of

Piano Lessons with Rachel Neil

Grade 10 royal conservatory of piano graduate

Accepting all ages - Adults welcome 2 recitals a year included Phone: 403-480-1060 Email: Peru1@shaw.ca

www.pianissimopianostudio.com music is so deep and profound that it has to be approached with a bit of intensity laced with great affectionate joy”, says noted singer, musician and Bollywood film music composer Shankar Mahadevan. Playing a musical instrument can bring back the fun factor into your life. Music has the special quality to bring joy; peace and fulfillment that helps lift the spirit and make life enjoyable for everyone involved.

It is never too late to learn and take the challenge in this New Year to help your child learn to play music. You will never regret it!

Kathryn Hartwell References: shankarmahadevanacademy.com, thejoyofmusic.org

SAK’S MUSIC CHESTERMERE HOURS: Mon. - Thurs. 12-9, Fri. 12-6, Sat 12-5, Sun - Closed

LESSONS - INSTRUMENTS - BOOKS

Tel: 403.204.9988

#111 - 300 Merganser Dr. W.

www.sakschestermere.com facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

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Family Pages

Family

Breakfast Is The Most Important Meal Of The Day We have all heard it a million times, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” But how many of us really take it seriously?

We all run out the door in such a hurry, that sometimes we neglect to make sure our children have had a proper healthy breakfast.

While adults need to eat breakfast each day to perform their best, kids need it even more.

Their growing bodies and developing brains need regular refueling, often from food. When kids skip breakfast, they don't get what they need to be at their best.

Breakfast provides the body and brain with fuel after an overnight fast - that's where its name originates, breaking the fast! Without breakfast you are effectively running on empty, like trying to start the car with no petrol! Nutritionists advise that breakfast should be eaten within two hours of waking and a healthy breakfast should provide calories in the range of 20-35% of your guideline daily allowance (GDA).

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Apart from providing us with energy, breakfast foods are good sources of important nutrients such as calcium, iron and B vitamins as well as protein and fibre. The body needs these essential nutrients and research shows that if these are missed at breakfast, they are less likely to be compensated for later in the day. Fruit and vegetables are good sources of vitamins and minerals so try to include a portion of your daily five at breakfast, whether that is a banana or glass of fruit juice.

Breakfast also restores glucose levels, an essential carbohydrate that is needed for the brain to function.

Many studies have shown how eating breakfast can improve memory and concentration levels and it can also make us happier as it can improve mood and lower stress levels. In studies amongst children, breakfast can improve attainment, behaviour and has been linked to improved grades. Just like any other organ in the body, the brain needs energy to work at its best!

Breakfast is an excellent occasion to eat together as a family when possible. Establishing good breakfast habits in childhood and maintaining them throughout adolescence may be an important factor in reducing the prevalence of breakfast skipping and developing good eating habits that last a lifetime.

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Interestingly, studies show that kids who skip breakfast are tardy and absent from school more often than children who eat breakfast on a regular basis. Preparing a good breakfast can be as quick and easy as splashing some milk over cereal, or making oatmeal or a healthy smoothie.

You could also consider packing a breakfast brown bag or smoothie the night before that they can eat on their way to school.

"Eating breakfast has long term health benefits. It can reduce obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes."

So, breakfast really is the most important meal of the day!

I know all this information is truly important but trust me, I know what it can be like to get your children ready in the morning and still make sure they have time to eat a good breakfast! I remember when I had three children to get washed, dressed and fed before we were all rushing out the door to school and work – it was hard and stressful!

So here are a few ideas for making breakfast the night before.

Each recipe is well-balanced and filling and can be made in batches before the busy week starts.

Peanut Butter-Banana Muffins

1 cup flour ¾ cup quick-cooking oats ½ cup sugar 1 tbsp Baking Powder ½ tsp salt ½ cup Creamy Peanut Butter 1 cup milk ½ cup mashed fully ripe bananas (about 1 large) 1 egg 2 tbsp oil 1 tsp vanilla Heat oven to 375°F. Combine first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Whisk peanut butter and milk in medium bowl until blended; stir in bananas, egg, oil and vanilla. Add banana mixture to dry ingredients; stir just until moistened.

Spoon into 12 muffin cups sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake 18 to 20 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool slightly.

Egg Muffins

A tasty & eggcellent way to start the day 1 tablespoon olive oil 6 eggs 4 scallions (chopped) 1 red bell pepper (diced) 1/4 cup ham (chopped) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix together all of

the ingredients and stir until well combined. Pour into a lightly oiled muffin tin, and bake for 10-12 minutes, until "muffins" have cooked and set. Pop out and serve, or refrigerate and reheat to serve.

Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats

What I love about this recipe is that you pretty much throw all of the ingredients in a pot, flip the switch, go to bed, and in the morning everything is ready to go! All you need to do is throw some toppings on and you’ve got a beautiful breakfast.

2 cups steel cut oatmeal 1 can full fat coconut milk 8 cups water 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar (optional) Place all ingredients in a crock pot. Turn to low and let sit over night for about 8 hours or until creamy. Serve with: nut butter, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, raisins, dried fruit, chia seeds, etc. 8 cups may seem/look like a lot of water, but it sure does soak it all up! 1 cup of uncooked steel cut oatmeal will serve 4, so this recipe serves 8.

Throw leftovers in a Tupperware container and put it in the fridge to eat for the rest of the week.

Slow Cooker Breakfast Casserole

1 bag frozen hash brown potatoes (32 oz.)

1 lb. bacon 1 small onion diced 8 oz. shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1/2 red bell pepper diced 1/2 green bell pepper diced 12 eggs 1 cup milk Cut bacon in to small pieces, cook and drain. Add half bag of hash browns to bottom of slow cooker. Add half your bacon. Add half your onions. Add half your green and red peppers.

Add half your cheese. Add remaining hash browns. Add remaining bacon. Add remaining onions. Add remaining green and red peppers. Add remaining cheese. In a medium sized bowl beat eggs and milk together. Pour egg mixture over your casserole. Add salt and pepper on top.

Cook on Low for 4 hours or warm for 8 hours.

Remember “New Year – New You!” Start 2015 by making sure you and your children start the morning off with eating a proper breakfast, the “most important meal of the day”.

Kathryn Hartwell References: webmd.com, shakeupyourwakeup.com, fitfoodfinds.com today.com

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Sports

Jocktalk

2015 is the year of Sport!

countries invading Ontario in July, let’s not forget it’s going to be a very exiting sporting year for Calgary and the surrounding area. Here are some of the local highlights in order of dates.

“It will be a memorable year for Canadians!”

The Canada Winter Games (Prince George), The Pan American Games (Toronto/Greater Golden Horseshoe), the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships (Toronto/Montreal), the Men’s World Curling Championships (Halifax) and the FIFA Women’s World Cup of Soccer (multiple locations), our country truly will be a sporting hot spot in 2015.

“It will be a memorable year for Canadians,” says Governor General David Johnston as he officially proclaimed 2015 as the year of Sport in Canada. During the year, sport events and other celebratory activities will highlight how sport benefits Canadians.

The Year of Sport will promote Canada’s position as a leading sport nation and highlight the power of sport to enhance the lives of all Canadians.

While the Pan American Games will likely be the pinnacle from Canadian perspective with more than 10,000 athletes from 41

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Tim Horton’s Brier (February 28th - March 8th): The Calgary Flames will be kicked out of the Scotiabank Saddledome and the rocks will fly as top curlers in this country compete for a chance to represent Canada at the Men’s Worlds in Halifax.

Calgary last hosted in 2009 as Kevin Martin beat Jeff Stoughton in the final.

World Allround Speed Skating Championships

(March 7 - 8): It’s going to be a busy weekend in Calgary as they crown a Brier champion and two world champions in Speed Skating. The Olympic Oval is still a world class venue and this will be their major international event in 2015. Winsport’s Canada Olympic Park will also host the World in Bobsleigh and Luge and Lake Louise will once again host the Winterstart Men’s and Women’s World Cup speed events.

Canadian Volleyball Championships (May 13th - May 19th): The 2015 Calgary Open is hoping to attract close to 800 teams from across the country. This championship will feature close to 10,000 participants, 50 courts (BMO Center and Olympic Oval) and over 20,000 spectators. This event is expected to inject a lot of money into the local economy with over 18,000 The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

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room nights booked for Calgary hotels. The estimated economic impact is 23.2 million for the province of Alberta.

are very close to making it happen with the blessing of the McMahon family.

ATB Financial Classic (July 27 to August 2nd): Yes golf

The Calgary Flames will announce plans for a funding model for a brand new arena. However, construction of the new arena will not start for a couple of more years.

fans, the PGA tour Canada returns but with a brand new venue at Glen Eagles in Cochrane. Glen Eagles hosted the nationwide tour in 2003. This year’s event takes place over the August long weekend and the week before the Shaw Charity Classic at Glen Meadows. We are not sure if Brock McKenzie will be back to defend his title as he is looking to move on the Web.com tour.

Shaw Charity Classic (August 5 - 9): It was tough to top the inaugural Shaw Charity Classic, but organizers did raising over 2.4 million dollars for local charities. The tournament has been so successful in two seasons, the event was given a new prime spot on the Champions Tour schedule and no longer goes on the September long weekend. Who isn’t excited to see Fred Couples back in town to defend his title he won last year in a playoff?

UANA Pan American Synchronized Swimming Championships (August 16 - 22): The very first edition of

this event was held at Lindsay Park in Calgary, in 2008, and now that it has gone around the Americas’ continents, it is returning to its original location for the 8th edition.

UFC (Date TBA): Yes UFC 149 in Calgary was a complete disas-

ter as President Dana White called it “embarrassing.” However White didn’t refund any of the UFC record gate to the ticket buying public. He did promise Calgary a do over. Former CFL commissioner Tom Wright is the managing director of UFC in Canada and he admits “we owe it” to Calgary. Expect a summer date at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Yes 2015 is going to be a very exciting year for sports fans in Southern Alberta and I will leave you with a couple of fearless predictions for the next 12 months.

Speaking of the Stampeders, they will not be getting a new home in 2015 but I will not be surprised if their home gets a new name. The Calgary Flames organization is actively seeking a new title sponsor for McMahon Stadium. Rumour has it they

The Edmonton Oilers will fire general manager Craig MacTavish in the off season and a new five year re-build will begin.

Happy New Year everyone (unless you are an Oilers fan)!

About Jock Wilson: Jock has been involved in the Calgary sport media scene for over 30 years.

He hosts the Calgary Stampeder football broadcasts on News Talk 770 and is the co-host of Sportstalk with Mark Stephen from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.

Jock@am770chqr.com

On Twitter: @talkwithjock

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The Calgary Stampeders will repeat as Grey Cup Champions on the frozen turf in Winnipeg in the 103rd Grey Cup Championship. The will be the first team to win back to back championships since Montreal in 2009 and 2010.

It will be close, but the Flames will fall just short in their bid for a playoff spot in 2015. However the future is bright as two Flames will be nominated for major awards, Captain Mark Giordano and Johnny Gaudreau.

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• 39

Most times when you wake up, it is often another day of more of the same.

Some folks like this while others like to mix things up.

The truth is, life is changing.

You may not choose to believe so; however, the cacophony of media assaulting us daily provides affirmation.

A brief summary of the happenings of December 16, 2014 provides an apt example.

Did You See This Coming?

Politics

o Sydney, Australia hostage siege at Lindt café: gunmen & two hostages dead – Actions of a lone wolf religious extremist o Peshawar, Pakistan – Seven suicidal Taliban attack an army run school - 141 dead – primarily children and staff o Oil plunge takes prices below $55, putting the world into turmoil (look into what is happening in Russia) o Announcement by President Obama & President Castro to resume full diplomatic relations. Deal brokered by Canada and encouraged by Pope Francis. o Nine (9) Wildrose Party MLAs, including leader, Danielle Smith announce their intentions to cross the floor and sit as members of the PC caucus.

Simplified, these events occur primarily due to political and/or religious ideologies; plus the desire for control.

Democracy is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder; and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike. - Plato

Harry Tucker states, “Political floor crossers are often opportunists serving their own needs and not the needs of the people who elected them.” thenewsyneighbour.com

Nationally, Alberta has been referred to as hillbillies, but are the actions of these few a true reflection of all Albertans? Will we choose to accept the spin politicians are dispersing or will we demand our right to a voice in the decisions being made on our behalf? This is up to us.

On December 9, 2014 Premier Jim Prentice delivered a State of the Province Speech to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce summarized that “relying on oil prices is a significant risk but we won’t consider alternatives.” How strategic is this when predictions are that prices could drop below $40 barrel?

The latest actions by members of the Wildrose Party contribute to the disorder and illusion of democracy in Alberta. Yet Danielle Smith, in November 2014, stated that once you cross the floor “You lose your voice for your constituents and you lose your voice to advocate…” True democracy requires a healthy opposition, who are placed in office by the electorate. Obviously this is not democracy as experienced by Albertans over the last several decades. Instead, we continue to see back room dealings and negotiations occurring so the PCs retain their power. The desire of a large portion of the electorate continues to be ignored, leaving many feeling disillusioned and helpless.

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It is impossible to know what is in the hearts and minds of those WRP MLAs as they remained silent; however, their actions are being judged as lacking a true commitment to ideals that their party espouses and a lack of tenacity/perseverance when the going gets tough. Although political polling numbers are down during the last few months according to threehundredeight.com, the WRP, as many other opposition parties, was down but not out. (See their blog post “The Polls in Alberta as Wildrose Implodes”).

The ability to silence your critics may be considered a win; however, at this time, I fail to see the actions of either Smith or Prentice inspiring confidence in Alberta’s leadership to build a strong democratic future for the province.

Shaken & Stirred

Marcy enjoys helping others experience the joy in life. She started Mountain Lion Leadership, in 2003. As a leadership & community advocate, she is actively involved with organizations & businesses working to aid growth and development. This is combined with a passion to see women grow both personally & professionally whatever their stage of life. Contact Marcy: marcy@mlleadership.com. Follow Marcy on Twitter @MarcyLField to my profile.

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Crazy Volunteer Project of the Month The Fat Study that Requires Volunteers to Eat Four Cupcakes per Day Would you like to be involved in a study that only requires you to eat cupcakes? Students at the Swedish Uppsala University certainly did when asked by PhD students conducting an experiment on fat. The only catch was that they have to eat four cupcakes a day for six weeks.

The 40 volunteers were participating in a study on how fat affects the human body. They would be prepared by Fredrik Rosqvist, a PhD student specializing in fatty acids and metabolism who is the lead researcher/baker for this study. “The idea is that different kinds of fat have different effects on the human body,” Rosqvist told Sveriges Radio.

Those participating were all between the ages of 20 and 35 and had a normal, healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) between 20 and 27. The volunteers were expected to live and eat as they normally would and simply add the four cupcakes to their daily diets.

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A man was driving on the highway when his mobile phone rang. It was his wife, saying that she had just heard a news report about a car that was driving the wrong way.

“I know” said the old man. “But it’s not just one car, it’s hundreds of them!”

A car mechanic received a repair order that read: “Check for clunking sound when going around corners”. So he took it out on a test drive and, sure enough, whenever he went around a corner, he heard a clunk.

However he quickly located the problem and returned the repair order to the service manager with the notation: ‘Removed bowling ball from trunk.’

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Chestermere Whitecappers’ News & Happenings

2015

CARPET BOWLING - Mondays and Wednesdays – 1:00pm.

QUILTING - Thursdays 9:30am, everyone is welcome. Come share in making “Comfort Quilts.” The quilts are given to the RCMP & Victims Services At the same time as the quilting… knitting and crocheting!

FITNESS FOR SENIORS – Fridays, 11:00am, the focus is strength and balance. This is a drop-in class so come when you can.

Please contact Nancy Brazier, Fit2Age, 403-569-6612.

FRIDAY EVENING GAMES - 6:30pm - There will be euchre and many other games available. Contact Marilyn Conrad 403-2481998 for further details.

SATURDAY MORNING COFFEE - 10:00 – 11:30am - Come enjoy a visit, share a joke and have some laughs.

The Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) is a non-profit charitable organization, located approximately 20 minutes northwest of Airdrie.

AIWC is in its 22nd year of rescuing and caring for injured and orphaned native Alberta wildlife, with the goal of releasing these animals back into the wild. Nearly 2,000 animals are brought to the trauma centre each year.

As a charitable organization with no government funding, AIWC relies almost completely on donations and fundraising to keep the centre operating.

This year, AIWC is selling 2015 calendars, with the goal of raising $4,000. Two sizes are available - standard for $14.00 and small for $10.00. The calendars focus on the positive aspects of patient rehabilitation, and each month features an actual AIWC patient. To purchase calendars please call Deb at 403-946-2361.

Small calendars can also be purchased at Sevick Veterinary clinic in Strathmore.

This advertising space is sponsored by The Newsy Neighbour.

Oxymorons An ‘oxymoron’ is best described as a linking of opposites.

Words or phrases that, on examining, don’t really belong together. Sometimes they can indicate a meaning (sounds of silence) or can be closer to a paradox where they appear to be opposite but have a deeper meaning; “All animals are equal but some are more equal than others” (G. Orwell – Animal Farm).

PLEASE NOTE:---BUS WILL NOW BE GOING ONLY ONCE A MONTH ON THE SECOND TUESDAY. Chinook Mall Marlborough Mall Market Mall Northland Mall Cross Iron Mills Mall Sunridge Mall

The Fee Will Be$ 25.00 Return. This service is for the County of Wheatland. To reserve a ride call before 9.00P.M. Thursday For Strathmore: Carol (403) 934-4106 Ruth (403) 934-3106 For Standard: Marie (403) 644-2147 Joan (403) 644-3860 For Rockyford & Drumheller: Frances (403) 677-2278 Irene (403) 677-2235, These numbers are not long distance for Drumheller.

Here are a modern bountiful few…

Almost never Fairly accurate Living dead Act naturally Expert journalist Jumbo shrimp (oxymoron or paradox???)

Modern history Found missing thenewsyneighbour.com

Wheatland Seniors Transportation Society Bus Trips 2015 Seniors + Caregivers

Tues, Jan. 13/15

Tues. Feb. 10/15 Tues. March 10/15 Tues. Aprill 14/15 Tues. May 12/15 Tues. June 9/15

Do you have any oxymorons or paradoxes you’d like to see printed? Send them to us! aleesha@thenewsyneighbour.com

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ATTENTION: If there are members who are interested in playing pool, Thursdays, at 2:00pm, please contact Graham Cox at 403-226-0900.

OPEN STUDIO PAINTING TIME will be Wednesdays 9am-1pm.

Drop-in fee to non-members. Everyone is welcome!

EVENTS: Thursday, January 22 - Deerfoot Casino Trip - Meet at the Deerfoot Casino for 11:00am for lunch and some casino time. Lunch is $9 per person. Minimum of 20 people required.

No transportation provided but suggest car pooling.

• Tuesday, January 27 - POTLUCK SUPPER – 5:00pm Bring a favorite main dish, salad or dessert. Enjoy an evening of fun n laughter. Wine & beer available for purchase.

PICKLE-BALL – Held in the Rec. Centre Main Hall NEW!! Tuesdays + Thursdays, 12:00pm to 2:00pm - Pay only for the times you attend. . Wednesdays 8:30am to 10:30am - Whitecapper membership is required or by special invitation. Contact Vicki recreation@chestermerecrca.com Whitecappers’ office hours: every Tuesday, 12:30-3:00pm NOTE: reopening after holiday closure - January 6, 2015 Address: 201B West Chestermere Drive (South end of the Rec. Centre) Office phone # 403-235-2117

This advertising space is sponsored by The Newsy Neighbour.

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Uniquely Deadly Animals in the World Hippopotamus

Wishing everyone a Prosperous New Year!

Clean up all winter long.

While the hippopotamus are usually peaceful creatures, these 9,000 pound animals are also very territorial. They kill more humans on average each year than all African animals combined.

This is a massive statistic when you think about it.

This animal has the potential to kill at any time, and people should take massive notice. The tour guides in the area know the signs of a hippo that is miffed at them. They will give clues.

However, novices won’t pick up on them, and those are the people that die.

They are territorial animals that simply want to be left alone and given their space. If you do neither, you will pay with your life.

Hippos cannot swim, which is one interesting fact about them.

But when they chase you, they will basically run underwater, and they can move around 5 mph. This can be faster than you think. They also don’t tire easy, so you better have good cardio to outswim one. When they get you, you will die. There is not even a doubt. It’s rare when the hippo stops early. They make sure you’re dead so you don’t come back. This is why they are naturally deadly.

The best thing to do is watch the hippo from a safe distance. In doing so, the hippo won’t see you as an issue. The closer you get, the closer you are to death.

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Jemima was taking an afternoon nap on New Year’s Eve before the festivities. After she woke up, she confided to Max, her husband, ‘I just dreamed that you gave me a diamond ring for a New Year’s present. What do you think it all means?’

‘Aha, you’ll know tonight,’ answered Max smiling broadly.

At midnight, as the New Year was chiming, Max approached Jemima and handed her small package. Delighted and excited she opened it quickly. There in her hand rested a book entitled: ‘The meaning of dreams’.

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• 43

What’s Your DREAM VACATION? Here’s the chance to make your vacation wish come true!

Raffle tickets available now for a chance to win a $5,000 trip ANYWHERE you choose!

Proceeds support the Strathmore 2015 Alberta 55 Plus Summer Games

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To Buy Tickets Visit The Games Office: 233 3 Ave Strathmore Call: (403) 934-1580

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44 •

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Social Media

The Facebook Dilemma Now if the dialogue went like this? “Wow how beautiful”, NOTICE here the saboteur enters, “aren’t they lucky”, now NIP IT and CREATE. Get imaginative with childlike curiosity. What is it that you like about this photo? Is it because they are travelling with their family or maybe they’re venturing alone? Do you just love scenery and being one with the earth? Ask and allow your answers to come quickly to these questions and quickly CREATE your vision. Make a mini vision board or vision video in your mind. When you do close Facebook down, ask yourself what dreams and desires were unearthed today? You can take this a step further and grab a pen and paper and write your vision as if it has already happened for you. Here is where you get to play in it and see yourself it and feel yourself in it. Be free. Freedom is probably what you were looking for anyway.

Lomenda Energy

Carla is a wife, a mother and an agent for happiness. As a Senior Life Strategist and Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, Carla helps people get amazing results while having fun and deepening their relationships. Carla founded Lomenda Energy Inc. in 2010 to create community, life balance and wellness for professionals and organizations. Connect with Carla by phone 403-861-4810, by email carla@lomendaenergy.com and on twitter @LomendaEnergy

W hen you’re not ready to disconnect from your devices but you know it leaves you feeling empty, what should you do?

You know you spend too much time on your smartphone or computer and sometimes don’t even notice your surroundings, you’ve tuned out, you feel connected in some way but very disconnected at the same time.

Use this same strategy while you work toward your 2015 goals.

Quickly notice it. Nip it. Get curious and create. Remember childlike curiosity just means no judgement allowed.

You have the power in you to create and live your dreams. You were born this way so simply unlearn a few things and remember who you are. You are that curious little dreamer. You are that giggle that makes everyone around you giggle. You are full of childlike curiosity. You are full of life. Let your life live outside and pour out of you. Don’t suppress it. Encourage it and all around you to let it out. 2015 is your year. Dare to be simple.

Dare to be free.

Dare to act from love.

What has Facebook done for you lately? Why do we love Facebook and other social media so much? Facebook is full of happy faces. This is very much the opposite of what you see on the news, read in the newspaper or hear on the radio. We see happy faces in happy places. We secretly escape from our own reality without even realizing at times. We live vicariously through our friends and our friend’s friends. We scroll down the page and see even more happy faces. This can be so much different than the regular routine of our day.

So how do you go from wanting to be ‘connected’ but really feeling disconnected? Don’t make Facebook just a pastime that leaves you feeling empty. If you’re going to be on social media, put it to use in your life.

We all have a voice we hear now and then, usually talking to us in a way we would never let anyone else talk. This is called your Saboteur. Notice your saboteur. For example, say you’re looking at a friend’s vacation to Cabo San Lucas. The dialogue in your head quickly goes from, “wow, how beautiful”, to, “aren’t they lucky and hmmm they get to travel every year, that’ll never happen for me”. Just noticing a dialogue like this can change life quickly for you and leave you feeling empty or even depressed.

46 •

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New Year... same you.

Health

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She was raised with the knowledge and benefits of natural alternatives and her passion in this area continues to grow as she strives to provide her own family with the same values. As she experiences the health and overall well-being essential oils has to offer her family, her desire to share this information with the world continues to grow.

Contact Amalia @ amzarok@gmail.com

N ow, I realize that this title is the complete opposite

of what January usually is, and it certainly isn’t meant to be depressing. In fact, my hope is that it is the complete opposite.

Don’t get me wrong, I think it is very important to always strive to be the best version of ourselves that we can, even if it means each year we make a valiant effort to try something new or improved. However, if I was a betting woman, my guess would be that very few of us actually keep up with all of our “makeover” promises and efforts. Sometimes, it seems it is easy to get caught up in losing weight, making more money, spending more time with friends, spending more time with family, changing our hair, clothes, house, etcetera, etcetera. What if, instead we took the time to just love who we are; right now in this very moment? What if we just for once forgave ourselves for letting the kids watch too much TV, or not walking the dog for 2 weeks, or the fact that we fed our kids (and ourselves) Kraft Dinner for supper more than twice in one week?? Life is busy, life can be hard, yet we continuously put ourselves in situations that are headed straight for disappointment and failure. Then the guilt sets in... oh, the guilt. I don’t know about you, but I experience guilt on a daily basis, and I hate feeling guilty. But the reality is, I am going to be the exact same person at 12:01am on January 1, 2015 as I was at 11:59pm on December 31, 2014. So what if, instead of changing something drastic and then allowing that “resolution” to dominate our thoughts and affect our emotions on a daily basis, we just stop and forgive ourselves? It can be easy to forgive others of their trespasses, but why is it so hard to forgive ourselves of our trespasses? So, my challenge to all of you this year is to take a minute to stop and allow yourself forgiveness every time you are tempted to feel guilty about something.

I relate it to running. When I go out to run, if I am focused on how far or how fast or how long I “need” to run, I am automatically not enjoying myself and the run feels hard and my thoughts immediately start to fill with negative emotions of failure. But, if I just go out and crank my favourite music and get lost in the beat and focus on the fact that I am out and the weather is beautiful, something magical happens. I enjoy the run, and I begin to run to the beat of the music and, in turn, I generally end up running faster

and further without knowing it. AND, if I get out and it’s just not working for me, I forgive myself and embrace the fact that I tried and maybe next time will be better. My point is, perhaps if we let ourselves just be happy and accept exactly who we are in this very moment, maybe a “better” more “happier” version of ourselves will begin to take shape and it will feel effortless instead of burdensome.

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• 47

Benefits Of Chiropractic Care

M ost people know that chiropractic care can help with back and neck pain, headaches and sciatica. But what many people don’t know is that it can help with so much more! Chiropractic care is not just about “cracking” a bone “back into place,” but rather it is about stimulating the nervous system to work more efficiently. Since your nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) is the MASTER CONTROLLER of your body, everything else in your body works more efficiently when it is working optimally.

The benefits of chiropractic care are virtually endless.

Here is a small list of conditions that chiropractic care has been known to help: Acid reflux/heartburn Depression Chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia Constipation/Irritable Bowel Syndrome Plantar fasciitis Arthritis Infantile colic Childhood ear infections Sports injuries … and many more!

thenewsyneighbour.com

Does stinky breath have you avoiding social gatherings?

A

re you always armed with breath mints and mouthwash, regardless of whether you’ve had a garlicky supper? Sounds like you’ve got bad breath worries and you may be trying to mask the offending aroma instead of tackling it head-on.

Why does bad breath happen?

It’s normal to experience random moments of bad breath, thanks to a particularly spicy dish, or due to a lingering head cold that can really dry out the mouth and leave not only a bad taste in the mouth, but a stinky smell as well.

Halitosis, known as bad breath to most people, could be caused by many reasons. The good news is that most common causes of bad breath are preventable and easily treated, however certain medical conditions may also cause bad breath. Chronic halitosis may indicate an underlying medical concern that should be addressed by your dentist or medical doctor.

Besides helping the above conditions, chiropractic care has been proven to improve your immune system, lower blood pressure and reduce pain. Getting your spine and nervous system checked is essential to leading a healthy life, no matter what age you are.

Dr. Nicole Stordy Langdon Chiropractor See their ad on page 15 48 •

Why Does Bad Breath Happen?

So what can you do to help ward off the bugs that contribute to bad breath?

Well it won’t come as a surprise to read that the best armour against offensive oral smells starts with good oral hygiene. But you’re probably thinking, ‘I brush like a crazy person and floss every opportunity I get, so why does my breath still smell?’ which can be a common problem for The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

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some people due to certain medications, lifestyle choices, and illnesses like diabetes or acid reflux. There’s also a piece missing from the puzzle – and that’s remembering to scrape your tongue as part of your daily oral hygiene routine. The mouth contains millions of bacteria – a lot of which reside on your tongue – and cause the mouth to have a stale, pungent smell. Cleaning the tongue is a step often overlooked by people trying to head out the door to work, or trying to get to bed as quick as possible – but it really may be contributing to your bad breath, so don’t forget to clean this bacteria loaded muscle. Handy tongue scrapers make quick and light work of keeping your mouth clean.

Other tips for eliminating bad breath include: • Stay hydrated – drinking lots of water not only keeps your mouth moist but helps rinse away pesky food particles.

• See your dentist if you’ve had a persistent bad taste in your mouth accompanied by bad breath – dental decay and/or infection can cause bad breath.

• Eat fruits and vegetables that help clean your teeth – like biting in to a crunchy apple or carrot.

• Try to stay away from breath mints that contain sugar – as these can often exacerbate the situation.

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• 49

Natural Options

these foods alter the pH balance in the intestine which helps prevent the overgrowth of friendly bacteria, molds, and candida. A healthy intestinal tract is a primary consideration to achieving good health.

A popular fermented product is sauerkraut, which is an excellent source of numerous vitamins, minerals, enzymes, probiotics, fibre, and antioxidants. You can easily make this nutritional gift, and the cost to benefit ratio is very difficult to beat.

Derek Henry, B.Kin, is a highly revered holistic health coach and world renowned natural health blogger from Kelowna, BC who created Healing the Body to help people understand the fundamental principles and intimate details to exceptional health. His popular wellness guides, coaching programs, and educational courses gives people step by step solutions to achieve a healthier body and mind, while empowering them to maintain that lifestyle on their own accord. If you would like to learn more about what he can do holistically to improve your health, check out his website, www.healingthebody.ca

Earthing

5 Easy Ways To Improve Your Health On A Tight Budget T here’s no question that putting premium fuel into

your body will cost more than making a meal plan around Ramen noodles. However, higher quality nutritional and lifestyle choices over time will create a higher quality of life, so the investment is certainly worth the return.

Unfortunately, adjusting the family budget to include healthier foods and lifestyle choices can be a show-stopper. We are simply not used to prioritizing funds for proper food, and in the current economic climate, some funds are so tight that there is really very little room to negotiate.

Here are 5 great ways you can start to improve your health on a tight budget.

Fermented Vegetables

One of the first things you definitely need to consider is fermented vegetables. A healthy body is always rooted in a diet that includes a copious amount of vegetables.

Fermenting them unlocks even more power (largely due to assimilation) and is also a preservation method so your fresh vegetables can last an extended period of time.

Consuming fermented vegetables keeps bad bacteria and yeast in check as the lactic acid producing lactobacilli in 50 •

thenewsyneighbour.com

Earthing is another low cost health technique that can reap incredible rewards. Having a connection to the earth’s electrical energy promotes well-being, not only because it resonates with our own electrical field, but also because it helps discharge the negative health consequences of EMFs. Earthing can improve a number of health conditions, most notably around inflammation, sleep, mood, energy, and the immune system.

The most effective way to get grounded is to get your bare skin (feet and hands are most popular) in the grass, soil, sand, or other earth material for 20-30 minutes a day. The longer, the better. If the season or other factor prevents you from doing this, consider doing a long-term investment in earthing technology, which can ground you by proxy for pennies a day.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is crucial due to its miracle-class ability to halt cancer (77% of ALL cancers are prevented by vitamin D alone), to ease depression, boost bone health, improve brain function, enhance heart health, and much more.

To maximize the absorption and storage of vitamin D, (it can be stored for up to 3 months) get in the sun and allow it to penetrate the skin of at least the arms and legs for 15 to 30 minutes in peak hours of the day.

When the sun goes away, consider supplementing with a liquid Vitamin D3/K2 formula, which is very inexpensive to obtain.

Pure Water

With approximately 70% of our physiology being made The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

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up of water, the purity and nutrients contained in it is of quantum importance. Drinking water from a source that is clean and provides trace minerals is one of the most health promoting activities you can undertake. However, people are still drinking inferior sources, such as tap, bottled, or poorly filtered water.

The absolutely best source of water is from a spring that has been proven to be clean of environmental contaminants. It is highly oxygenated, mineralized, and easy to absorb. In fact, it is what all water filters try to mimic, as it is the premiere source.

Failing that, get a good water filter that removes unfriendly contaminants, which will be a low cost and profitable investment over the course of their lifetime.

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Meditation

For thousands of years meditation has been practiced as the path to enlightenment and a greater understanding of the universe. Regardless of your interest in either of those things, meditation is a healing exercise that has definite benefits for the body and mind.

Some of these benefits include better immune system response, reduced stress, and greater cognitive ability.

Simply taking a few minutes each day to sit comfortably in silence or with meditation music will go a long way to improving your health, and it’s free!

In addition to these recommendations, make sure to avoid or severely minimize all sugar, processed foods, gluten, refined grains, and alcohol.

The first step to better health for most people is to balance the gut flora (kill Candida). Check out Healing Benefits of Sauerkraut on The Newsy Neighbour website (see link below) for your homemade probiotic recipe, and check out the second source below for more on Vitamin D. Sauerkraut - www.thenewsyneighbour.com/#!highlights/c1srt Vitamin D - http://truthwiki.org/Vitamin_D

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.

So that’s my wish for you and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make new mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.” ~Neil Gaiman

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• 51

It’s all about MINDSET Mind & Thinking

How to Get Things Done in 2015 A Mindful Minute

By Rebecca Stone – Becky is a yoga instructor and the owner of Pranava Yoga in Strathmore, AB. Pranava yoga is a community minded studio, fostering the growth of the yoga community in Strathmore (and the world) by promoting the values of personal practice, creativity, abundance and community spirit.

Make sure to check out her website at www.pranavayoga.ca, call her at (587) 365-3651 or email her at: info@pranavayoga.ca

It’s that time of year, isn’t it? Like a blank sheet of paper, or a layer of fresh snow without a track to mar its perfection – the whole brand spanking New Year laid out before us, just waiting to be planned to perfection.

T he New Year inevitably, and with great hope and

optimism, inspires us to set our resolutions. We so want this year to be the best one yet, where we set our goals like a marksman at target practice, ready to knock them off the fence one by one. If only we accomplish this, we will be happy with our self, our body, our work, our life...

Not surprisingly (considering) what I have learned from yoga has translated a lot into seeing success in goal setting. It has also been a major contributing factor into how I feel about myself and my abilities - whether or not I actually see the goals to fruition.

52 •

thenewsyneighbour.com

It’s all about MINDSET. Here are a few thoughts to guide your goal setting mind and the work that you do towards those goals, as we begin the New Year together.

Set goals, strive toward them, but let the journey unfold.

Letting go of expectations of what will be accomplished at the end will allow the journey to be truly experienced. Isn’t that what makes life so great? Not where we end up, but what happens along the way.

Learn to recognize your ego. Practise letting it go. There is no ideal to live up to, there is only the experience, the journey, the moment.

Be gentle on yourself. Forgive yourself for your failures. Don’t let yesterday’s mistakes turn to regret.

Learn from them today.

Challenge yourself sometimes. Rest at other times. Learn to listen to your body, mind, heart, to their needs. Don’t ignore the cues that they are giving you.

Trust your intuition, meditate upon things.

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Ask for help or guidance if you need it.

Be organized – don’t just hope you will find time to work towards your goal, plan it in. Look forward in your week and prioritize your time.

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Be flexible. Just like rigidity in our muscles will set us up for pain, so will the inability to adjust to life’s challenges.

Breathe. Be mindful in all things throughout your day, as much as you can. Practise this.

Be grateful. Grateful for your Body and all it does for you each day, for your Mind and the remarkable abilities and creativity that it has, and for your Spirit’s ability for love unconditional. See the beauty that you bestow upon the world.

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HEALING TOUCH

I wish you luck, if you have set a resolution or goal for the year. It is a worthy thing, to strive and work towards something.

Joanne Watson HTCP Dip P.T.

It is even worthier to be present moment to moment along the way. But most important in all this, is to understand that YOU ARE WORTHY. Right now, without a resolution set or accomplished, you are so very worthy. I wish you the very best in this brand New Year.

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• 53

Smudging, Clearing and Protecting Your Space Saturday, January 17th, 2015 8:45 am—5:00 pm Chestermere Town Hall 105 Marina Road 14 workshops for women aged 18 –108 to choose from:          

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Edible Gardens Tracing Your Family History Yin and Yang Yoga Speak Up! Share Your Wisdom Living a Passionate Life Relieve Stress Now Preparing for a Successful Retirement Living with Chronic Food Restrictions The Story of Me Who Am I? The Importance of Social Media Branding One Day Wonders with Travel Alberta Infant CPR Anytime Introduction to Calligraphy Vision Boards with No Limits

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“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier’...” - Alfred Tennyson “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book.

Write a good one.” - Brad Paisley

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First de-clutter your office or home. Getting rid of clothes, items, papers, and things you are not using will produce a feeling of lightness. Shred old paperwork, then sort items into piles - throw away, donate, sell and store. The process releases the lower energies allowing for higher (positive) energies to move freely around your home, office or even around you.

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Independent business 209 - 175 Chestermere Station Way. Chestermere, AB Servicing Chestermere And Area Since 2007 54 •

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T he New Year is a time to embrace the new and

let go of the old. Many of us are thinking about how to lose weight, ways to quit smoking or drinking, the right lifestyle choices to make to get back into shape, or trying to make more time for yourself. The best start for a new goal or resolution comes through cleaning, clearing, smudging and angelically letting go of lower (negative) energies that are weighing you, your space and your life down.

It is then a good idea to smudge, clear or angelically release lower (negative) energies at least every third The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

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month; unless you have experienced certain events such as illness or death, an argument, you have moved into a new space or office (after a divorce or break-up), if a roommate or companion moves out, after you have bought in an old/new item in your home or office, or even before you start a new project.

Here are my three favourite ways you can achieve smudging, clearing and last but not least angelical protection: - Smudging is a very old ritual of clearing your space, yourself, or others from lower (negative) energies. You can use sweet grass, white sage, cedar, lavender, sandalwood, rosemary, frankincense and incense for smudging. As the smoke rises, you can direct it with a feather in a counter clock wise direction into each corner of your chosen area; closet, inside cabinets, laundry room, basement and even in the garage. Use your intention to bring in the Divine’s Love, Light and Informational Healing Energy. Ask for the space, yourself, an item, or a Loved One to have the energies, spirits, lower emotions, and attachments to be released, cleared, restored and healed on all levels of your life - mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, financial, conscious and subconscious. Then say, “Thank you!”

- Singing bowls bring in a higher powerful positive vibrational energy to the room. They may cost a pretty penny, but are well worth it! Hit the edge of the bowl with the wooden stick and trance the edge with the stick counter clockwise; you will start to hear the vibrational energy which is removing lower energies. Walk around the rooms in a counter clockwise pattern while you continue to trance the edge with the stick. If for some reason the sounds stops, hit it again and begin to trace the edge again until you have finished the space or item you are wishing to clear. If you want a healing on yourself or someone else, hit the edge of bowl with the stick and trance the edge clockwise and this brings in healing, loving and renewing energy to you. Remember to say “Thank you!” when you have finished.

- You can place crystals to release, clear, balance and renew the energies in your home, office or even on you.

Here are my favourite crystals that I use in my home.

Putting Rose Quartz or Amethyst in the windows helps to bring in Love, Peace and Harmony; while placing Smoky Quartz, Obsidian, Hematite, or Tourmaline in the higher places (the top of the counters, selves or you can hang them from a higher point) to collect the lower energies or emotions of everyday life and releasing higher energies. Remember to clean, cleanse and renew the energies of each of these crystals about once a month except for Hematite as it will crack when it cannot absorb any more lower energies. When this happens make a hole in the soil and cover it up! Crystals are very powerful and easy to work with, but one should learn more about the properties of each crystal first.

- For just a quick touch up cleanse, use your intention to

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bring in the Divine’s Love, Light and Informational Healing Energy and ask for the space, yourself, item, or a Loved One to have the energies, spirits, lower emotions, and attachments to be released, cleared, restored and healed on all levels of your life; mental, physical, spiritual, emotional, financial, conscious and subconscious and remember to say “Thank you!”

- If you are around and about, or after a releasing, clearing or cleanse session and you feel you need protection, hug yourself and say this phrase, “Dear Archangel Michael, come to me now and stay with me the whole day and night wrapping me with your wings, surrounding me with Divine’s White Light of Love, Green Light of Healing and Silver, Gold and Blue Platinum Light of Protection only allowing the energy’s and spirits that benefit my higher-self and my higher purpose. Can you protect my family (you can name names at this time), property, and friends near and far. I thank you, Archangel Michael!”

Now you are cleared and protected. May the Angels, Spirit and The Divine be with you always, sending you White Light of Love, Healing and Protection! facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

• 55

Home & Real Estate

2015 Real Estate Market have been attributed to good employment in the energy sector driving migration to the city.

The REPs... Guiding you over the STEPS... Of Real Estate.

We are... 3 REMAX horizon Real Estate Professionals ...

DEDICATED to work together and licensed in Residential, Rural, Commercial, Condo. We are here to help our clients reach ALL their real estate goals. Contact us: reps.remax@ gmail.com. Web: www.the-reps.ca M ost Most regions posted modest gains in average residential sale price, despite increased inventory in many of Canada’s housing markets. Residential property markets in Toronto, Vancouver and their surrounding areas, as well as Calgary and Edmonton continued to see prices and sales rise.

The economic outlook for Canada in 2015 is stable. The Bank of Canada has projected GDP to grow by approximately 2.5 per cent, a rate that is roughly on par with 2014’s growth. Small increases in employment rates and wages are anticipated as well.

Canada expects to welcome between 260,000 and 285,000 new permanent residents in 2015, which should positively impact the residential real estate market.

2015 Real Estate Market

The price adjustment in the energy industry should likely have an impact on the 2015 Calgary housing market. While it is still expected to see a slight increase in price, it is anticipated to be less active as potential buyers wait to see if lower oil prices result in more favourable house prices. However, RE/MAX expects 2015 to be a balanced market, creating a more level playing field for buyers and sellers.

A combination of oil prices and dollar value should have the greatest impact on Calgary’s housing market in 2015. One advantage is that most oil industry corporations are being paid in the American dollar, thereby lessening the current effect of the low Canadian dollar.

Calgary’s housing market had another year of healthy price appreciation as the average residential sale price has grown and is expected to finish off 2014 with an approximate six per cent gain to $483,000 from $456,000 in 2013. House price increases

56 •

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A city-wide Civic Census showed that in April 2014, Calgary saw the migration of approximately 28,000 people to the area in the past 12 months, an increase of about 1,800 compared to the previous year. Migration has significantly impacted the real estate market, fueling Calgary’s consistent strong performance over the past few years. However, in the fall of 2014, the housing market started to show a shift from a seller’s market to a more balanced market, likely due to a decrease in oil prices.

Calgary is projected to see a four per cent increase in unit sales and a more modest three per cent increase in average residential sale price increasing to $497,500.

Buyers who are looking to move up are likely to drive demand

The Newsy Neighbour Magazine

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(403) 934-8442 in Calgary’s real estate market in 2015. Also, the low vacancy rate for rentals has made potential tenants look at purchasing sooner than they anticipated.

Condominiums and townhouses are expected to represent a growing share of the active marketplace, as long as they are priced competitively. With increasing house prices, condominiums and townhouses are an affordable way to purchase real estate in the city.

The city’s growth is prompting optimism for its housing market in 2015. Today, the population is close to 1,195,000, and growing. There is a mild concern as to how the city will keep up with such growth, as new infrastructure will be required. Despite this need, it is anticipated that Calgary’s real estate market should continue to flourish throughout 2015.

Strathmore’s single family total number of sales increased about

DnD would like to thank Fred J. Pears (Master Sheet Metal Mechanic from 1952-1999) for always reminding us there is no substitute for quality.

Strathmore, Alberta 57% in 2014 over 2013. We still have not hit the numbers we saw in 2007, the height of the boom. The average sales price increased about 47% in 2014 over 2013 from $311,973 in 2013 to $346,170 in 2014. The time it took for single family home to sell also improved to only 54 days. Condominium sales increased about 60% in 2014 over 2013, with the average sales price going from $188,686 in 2013 to $223,575 in 2014. The population in Strathmore has seen growth as well. The commercial sector has seen growth in 2014 with the addition of the new Co-op currently being built. New subdivisions came on board in 2014 with starts happening in Edgefield in spring 2015.

2015 is going to be much the same as 2014 with no major increases. The oil & gas sector slowdown will impact the 2015 real estate market in Strathmore; however, it shouldn’t be drastic as Strathmore remains a very affordable option. Mortgage interest rates are expected to increase but only slightly and not until late in 2015. Strathmore has become a strong independent community that is a great place to live and raise a family.

For more information contact The REPs 587-316-2000 www.the-reps. ca Data Source: Historical data is sourced from CREA or Local Real Estate Boards.

Estimates and forecasts are based on the opinion of independent RE/MAX broker/owners facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

• 57

www.newspaceconstruction.com Renovations, Roofing Residential Contracting, Interior & Exterior Brett Presley 403-888-9931

Dark Skies

eas and allows us deeper, uninterrupted sleep is essential to our physical and mental health. Life will become a little easier as our significant other benefits as well.

The earth takes roughly 24 hours to rotate once on its axis. For many countries, this works out to an averaging type of daylight. We are not one of those countries. This time of the year brings cold and dark. Even on a sunny day, night comes early. This means our bodies think we should be in ‘sleep’ mode – what did our cave dwelling ancestors do on long dark nights? What if our bodies think we should be sleeping and we aren’t getting a good restful sleep? Stiff and sore when you wake up? Has your significant other taken to hiding in the morning? Not returning your calls until after lunch?

N ot only is it tough to exercise and do healthy

activities in January, many of us cut our sleep time, (work, computer, TV), even though we know the importance of quality sleep. If we have to reduce sleep time we need to make sure the sleep we are getting is the best. Sleep is a health critical rejuvenating and rebuilding process.

A mattress that supports us evenly, reduces pressure ar58 •

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CONSTRUCTION Ltd.

How do we check out a mattress?

First – take your partner along – both of you will be sleeping on it. Either one can check out some mattresses but both should be in on the final selection.

Take a few minutes to lie down on the mattress in your usual sleep position. A good position is the one you’re in when you wake up in the morning.

Ask the sales person about the mattress and its features.

A very important question is, ‘What makes this a suitable mattress for you?’

Ask about the mattress construction and any environmental issues.

Ask about the manufacturer – do they stand behind their product? Is it Canadian made?

Note that price is not always an indicator of ‘the right mattress’ but you still get what you pay for.

Mattress size is important as well. The most common couples’ mattress size is a Queen (60” X 80” or 152 cm X 203 cm). A King is next most popular (76” X 80” or 193 cm X 203 cm) but does take up a lot of space in a bedroom. Very important: mattress means mattress and foundation.

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Restwell Queen Mattress Sets

Power Lift & Recline

starting from $479.00

(Heat & Massage available)

starting from

$799.00

We Provide In Home or In Shop Service!

APPLIANCE & MATTRESS GALLERY s ‘ PJ 403-934-6919 · 18 Spruce Park Drive, Strathmore, AB

Talk to your local independent mattress retailer. They know the product they have chosen to carry and will be able to advise you on what will be best for you. You spend about 1/3 of your life sleeping; you don’t need marketing hype – you need a good supported sleep.

Be a savvy consumer – remember, there are four sides to every story: one side, the other side, the political/media side and the truth. It’s January; check out www.scientificamericanmind.com, read a good book, (almost anything

by Christopher Anvil or Gordon R. Dickson).

Provided by PJs Appliances

Truck mounted carpet and furniture cleaning We do furnace and duct cleaning!

Phone: 403.991.6192 Serving Strathmore, Langdon & Chestermere Areas.

TO CLEAN & PROTECT

Because a Great Experience Begins with a Great Agent. TM

As your real estate agent, I am committed to providing you with the best possible real estate experience. I will offer you an exceptional level of service and knowledge, whatever your real estate needs.

www.carolwarawa.ca E: cwarawa@cirrealty.ca

Carol Warawa, C.C.S, SRES REALTOR R

Kelly Camden

Formerly of Strathmore Carpet Cleaning

C: 403-585-5270 B: 403-291-4440 F: 403-366-6708 facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

• 59

New You New Space!

Emily Hogan is an interior designer from new and local design company Blyss Interiors. Her strong experience in the window covering industry has inspired her to offer those services to Strathmore and area as well as her savvy & stylish design style. If you have any questions for her call her at 403-901-4467 or email to info@ blyssinteriors.ca. She would be happy to hear from you!

T he New Year is the perfect time to throw out the old

and bring in the new. Just like our New Year’s resolutions, it is always about improving and making adjustments to our life to feel more healthy and happy and I do strongly believe that your surroundings is a large contributor to this. With some of these tips and tricks, it will put you on the path to wellbeing and happiness in your home.

De-clutter: Over the holidays, we seem to accumulate that many more items in our homes, nothing seems to have a place and now we have all these new additional items we need to find room for. It is hard to let go of “well, I may need this” but chances are you won’t, so the key is to be decisive. Look at all of your items objectively; if it is something that you have not used within the last year or something that doesn’t have any personal hold to you, then it’s time to let it go. Create space and edit your items – this will allow additional storage for your Christmas presents and allow you to see your space with fresh eyes. De-clutter the space – de-clutter your brain.

When it comes to clothing items, I am the worst. Whether I have worn something a million times and it’s held together with bits of thread, or that impulse buy that just looks to good hanging in my closet, I have a really hard time letting go. One trick that I use consistently is rotating my clothes every 6 months; I hang my clothes inside out on their hangers (you can also do this by positioning all your hangers the same way). Any items of clothing that are either still inside out or facing the same way after 6 months are to be donated.

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Take a walk through your space and make a list of the décor items room by room. Then do another walk through your space and see where things can be re-arranged, switched out or refinished to give a fresh feel to your home. Normally, we are all on a tight budget this time of year due to the holidays and this is a way to re-invent your space without spending any money. That lamp you are bored of could be sprayed a punchy bold colour and a perfect accent for your daughter’s room, an area rug that has been in storage can be brought to life in your dining room or your artwork that has been in the same place for years could use a change of scenery and create a whole new look of a room.

The New Year is a time of excitement and new beginnings, not only for yourself but the space you live in and that surrounds you. I believe a home with personal character, organization and balance is important for everyone; your home is your sanctuary, safe place and somewhere you can express your true self. In order to stick to all of our New Year’s resolutions (a little bit more successfully than last year), I feel it becomes a little easier when you are at ease with the space around you.

Blyss Int eriors Emily Hogan Custom window coverings & Interior styling Free in home window covering consults!

403 901 4467

●

info@blyssinteriors.ca ● www.blyssinteriors.ca

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F.B.BOERSEMA ACREAGE DEVELOPERS From Start to Finish ! we'll work with you to build !

"Your Dream Home" ¥ Septic Þelds - CertiÞed Designers!

Site Evaluations for Subdivisions" New - Repairs - Replacements • Excavating for - Foundations!

Wells - Stock Waterers • Driveways Constructed

• Trees Planted - Moved !

in association with"

F.B.Boersema & Partners Ltd. • Consulting - Design - Working Drawings!

RESIDENTIAL COMMERCIAL" we'll work with YOU to put " "your" thoughts on paper" with special emphases on energy efÞciency" "cost and energy efÞcient homes come" not by chance but by good design!"

• I.C.F. (insulated concrete forms)!

Basement or Whole house" "one of the most energy efÞcient" construction models available today"

• Fire Resistant Homes!

Metal roofs" • Lawns prepped - Seeded I.C.F. exterior walls clad with cementitious materials" • Horse paddocks cleaned and Harrowed Concrete ßoor slabs c/w in-slab heat" "sprinklers systems are now cost effective " • Pastures and Rough areas maintained for residential construction" Serving the Foothills Since 1978 Tree Spades to 50" Tree Augers to 44"

(403) www.fbboersema.com Phone934-1888 (403) 934-1888 (403) 651-4637 E-mail fbbp@efirehose.net fbbp@eÞrehose.net facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

• 61

The Accountable$

“We make your dollars make sense”

Corporate Taxes Bookkeeping Business Plans

Self-Employed Payroll Services CRA Appeals Contact:

Personal Taxes GST, WCB Filings CRA Audits

Bud Duncan for a FREE Consultation

Ph: 587-717-7621 Email: theaccountables@yahoo.ca Visit us on the web at www.theaccountables.ca

Let us help!

Accountable for keeping your books straight!

Over 12 years mortgage lending experience Access to over 50 lenders, including the chartered banks 24/7 Availability Evening and Weekend Calls Welcome Unlimited Accessibility A more relaxed qualifying criteria

We work on your behalf to ensure that you receive the best interest rate possible!

We do the shopping, not only saving you time but also finding the mortgage product that is right for you.

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Residential First, Second and Third Mortgages ~ Pre-Approved Mortgages ~ Mortgage Renewals ~ Financing of Revenue/ Investment and Vacation Properties ~ New Construction ~ Refinances ~ Debt Consolidations ~ Equity Lending

Self Employed Applicants ~ Client Applications With Less Than Perfect Credit

Jason Eldridge Mortgage Specialist

62 •

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Cell:

403.630.1718

Fax: 866-708-5807 Apply Online: http://jason.axiommortgage.ca Email: jason@axiommortgage.ca

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30 Years

Of Award Winning Service!

Development R elo ca tio n~ Es tat es ~C on do mi niu Sell your home ms

FASTER and for

TOP DOLLAR!

DEBBIE MITZNER (403) 934-5555 1-800-661-6262 debmitzner@gmail.com

OPENING DOORS Call DEBBIE MITZNER Now For a FREE MARKET EVALUATION of your property

(403) 934-5555 1-800-661-6262

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This is not intended to solicit properties already for sale.

Complimentary Market Evaluations ~ Retirement ~ Empty Nesters ~ Adult Living facebook.com/TheNewsyNeighbour

â&#x20AC;˘ 63

Carey Rose Debbie Enslen Hayley Poirier

The KEEN NEGOTIATING SKILLS of the Real Estate REPs helped

Save our BUYERS approximately Did you know, $322,900 off the listing prices!

in 2014…

Our Listings, SOLD on average

in 59 days and for 96% of List Price!

We love helping and giving back to our community and believe in being involved in a variety of ways...

Over 200 man hrs. Volunteered in the community this year and we were happy to donate to these fine organizations and causes:

We believe in serving our community and staying current with Real Estate knowledge:

Free Admission for 200 avid Spidey fans for

Actively Volunteer with:

the Amazing Spider Man 2 movie at the Joyland Theatre

Children’s Miracle Network: We Raised $1,150

The Lions Club Of Strathmore

Celebration of Lights: We donated 500 Bags of Cotton Candy and we raised $150 cash donations.

Wheatland Food Bank: 35 lbs.of food and

Strathmore Sub-Division and Development Appeal Board

$225.00 cash donations

The Boob Tour – Fighting Cancer with Laughter:

We donated a Cutco Knife Set ($250.00 Value)

Call The REPs today

Strathmore Triathalon:

for all your Real Estate Needs 587-316-2000 or reps.remax@gmail.com 64 •

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2 Triathalons & approx. 30 man hours helping with these 2 events and cheering on the courageous athletes!

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