Edmontonians Jun10

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T H E P E R S O N A L I T Y O F B U S I N E S S I N T H E C A P I T A L R E G I O N

2 EDMONTONIANS JUNE 2010


reetings and salutations...Just returned from NovaScotia where my mother’s70th birthday party was

held. A fine time was had by all,thank you. As I write this month’scolumn, snow is falling. Great to beback in AB—nothing says ‘welcomehome’ like a late May snow fall. Hopethe white stuff is good for thefarmers. I’m sure my lilacs will lovethe moisture.

New Tractor… Dropped by TheNorwood Studio the other day. SawJason Kodie, who was working away

on a new CaptainTractorrecord.AlbumproducerJamesMurdochsays thealbum willbe in theCaptainTractortradition,still funbutpolished musically. Jamesalso said it will be very organicsounding, with a roots feel. Jasoninvited me over to work on a trackthat should be a dandy hockey song.Expect a fall release.

Speaking of tractors… The 7thAnnual Springtime in Alberta concertwas held last month out on UweWojdak’s farm. He calls his placeHayloft Acres and the bands thatplayed this year included MarvMachura and Celtic Fusion Illusion.It was a spectacular day. It was also ahistoric day because it was theunveiling of the new concert bowl.Over the past eight years, Uwe and

with Mark & Marty

losing a school is a lotlike breaking up a longtimelove affair: It’s hard to do.School closure is a process

that fills everyone involved with asense of failure and loss, and the paindoesn’t go away quickly.

Some inner-city Edmontoncommunities are losing their schools,and residents and the EdmontonPublic School Board are feeling thepain. Residents know that the loss ofthese schools diminishes the intrinsicsocial value of their community andthe market value of their homes. Forboard members, closing schools is theexact opposite of what they want to bedoing—growing public education.

Yet, school closures are also theinevitable result of changingdemographics, past and current urbanplanning policies, school boardpolicies, and community disengage-ment from public education. Mostfolks without kids in the school don’tgive a hoot until the padlock looms.Then the community isolation fromthe school ends, but it’s much too late.The school board presents the publicwith the provincial and local policies,and the low enrollment numbers andfuture projections justifying theclosures. The board grits its teeth andcloses the school.

Are school closures the inevitablemanifestations of our evolving societyand shrinking government budgets?What can we do to strengthen theviability of community schools andpublic education?

Schools are vitally important to everyone of us, both socially and economi-cally. There are three provincial andschool board actions that can—andshould—be taken to strengthen localschools in terms of community supportand financial sustainability.

Schools built, maintained andstaffed by public money shouldrespond to local needs. They are notthe exclusive property of trustees,school administrators, teachers,students or parents. School facilitiesshould be accessible for, andsupportive of, community initiativespertaining to adult education andfamily assistance. Entire communitiesneed to be involved in the design andprogram planning of new schools andretrofits of existing schools.

Secondly, school transportation ascurrently configured in Albertaconsumes many millions of dollars.The existing overlap in busing androuting due to the dual systemsoperated over the same landscape atthe same time by the public andCatholic systems drives a significantportion of this cost. A provincialschool transportation authority thatwould coordinate, design and operateschool bus services would eliminateexpensive duplication.

This change would require policyrecognition that school buses are non-sectarian, just like the rest of publictransportation in Alberta. It wouldalso require co-ordination of schoolbus school schedules within schoolsystems, which would answer thefervent prayers of Alberta parentsover decades.

Thirdly, we need a public discussionon the allocation of the mostimportant asset in public education:time. The amount of time a childspends in the education process is themost valuable commodity in publiceducation. The endless pressures onour schools to teach more and theever-increasing costs involved inpublic education make every in-school minute a priceless asset. Thenwhy in the name of sanity are so many

school buses disgorging homeward-bound students in mid-day?

In many cases, it allows for theprofessional development of teachers.Surely, we can find more efficientways to deliver “professionaldevelopment” than by a process thatwastes transportation, maintenancedollars and instructional time. Onearly dismissal days, some ruralAlberta students spend more time ontheir school bus than they do in theirclassroom.

Will these kinds of changes saveevery school from closure? There willalways be school closures that arepainful for communities, trustees andthe students forced to relocate. That’sjust an unpleasant fact. What isunacceptable is the continuation of thestatus quo.

What will change the status quo?Change will happen when ratepayersdemand that their trustees andprovincial politicians take actions thatprotect community schools and publiceducation. Until then, we willcontinue to pump millions of dollarsinto outdated or misguided policiesand programs.

Public education is important to ouryouth, our communities, our economyand our society… yet we only payattention when it fails.The closure of thoseEdmonton schools is apainful reminder that,when it comes to publiceducation issues,ignorance is not bliss. √

Les Brost is the head of Southern StarCommunications, a member of theUniversity Senate, and one ofEdmontonians Transformers. He is akeen observer of the world around [email protected]

CC

ot a n i n n o c e n tBYSTANDERN

By Les Brost GG

James Murdock

EDMONTONIANS JUNE 2010 3


friends dug out the side of a hill on hisland to complete a natural bowl. In thecentre, he built a beautiful stage madeof thick timbers and massive poles. Hecalls the stage the Prairie Rose. Keepyour eyes open for more shows in thecoming months.

Music pick of the month… Sad, sadnews that U2 postponed its Edmontonconcert. Lots to see in Edmonton inJune, from Jazz Fest to Bon Jovi. ButI have to say, considering my age, BozScaggs at the Jubilee Auditorium onJune 22nd—the day after SummerSolstice—should be well worth thetrip. Killer band, for sure.

Gentlemen, start your belt sanders…A first was had. Trent Worthingtonand Roland Majeau invited me toplay in the world premiere of thePower Tool Concerto at the Winspear.I played nail gun and chain saw. Otherinstruments in the concerto included acircular saw, hammers, a router, andvarious pneumatic tools and a chainsaw. That was the special percussionsection. Also featured were the Davisconcert organ, amale chorus andthe most originalhandmadeelectric celloI’ve ever seen.Trent conductedand MartinKloppersplayed hiscello, which hedesigned andconstructed.No one washurt… allsafety measures were inplace… and the chain saw/Davisconcert organ duet was a first.

Music, more music… The 3rdAnnual Evening of Wine & Wordswas held May 27th in the EmpireBallroom at the Fairmont HotelMacdonald. Theevent is very special:It raises money forthe Centre for FamilyLiteracy in Edmontonand features a silentauction, plenty o’wine, and an intimateperformance from twogreat Canadian artists.This year, the showfeatured Jim Cuddyand KathleenEdwards. Both wereauctioned off to sit at

tables to enjoy supper or dessert withguests. That item alone brought in morethan $12,000. The event is kept small andintimate. The vibe in the room is elegant,relaxed and soulful. Tickets are limited,so keep an eye out for next year’s event.

Ahhh, Nova Scotia… Can’t come backfrom a trip home without gushing a bit.As I mentioned, it was my mom’s 70thbirthday. She came in from PortugalCove, NL for the occasion, and I

surprised her at the airport. Forgot I wassporting a beard at the time and my momlooked right through me. Once shefigured it out, she was very excited to see

me. Made our way around theprovince and especially enjoyed aSouth Shore run—Peggy’s Cove,Hubbards, Chester, Chester Basin,Mahone Bay, Blue Rocks,Lunenburg, LaHave River CableFerry, Vogler’s Cove, Liverpool, andEast Sable River—down the ol’

Number 3. Ifyou’re readingthis and havenever been toNova Scotia,may Irecommend forone of manypossibleadventures,grabbing a carand headingdown the southshore. If for noother reasonthan to get thebest bowl ofseafood

chowder you may ever, ever eatin your life, offered at theSeafood Shanty in ChesterBasin. Ahhh, yeah…

R.I.P… Gary Coleman andDennis Hopper… √

Mark Scholz, owner of MESCommunications Inc. offers a variety ofservices including production, creativeand entertainment. For more informationor to suggest a story idea, [email protected]

kay. It’s time for me toweigh in on the Edmonton“entertainment complex”issue.

To be clear: I’m on the very positiveside of the “I-really-want-one-of-these”debate, but not at any cost… andcertainly not under the cloudy skies oftransparency that I see right now.

Like most others in our city, I’m a tadconfused on the Katz Group approach,so far, to building this great newcomplex.

So let’s review. We want to develop anarea that includes great shopping, severaltop-notch retail outlets, hotel(s), movietheaters, restaurants and bars. It has tohave lots of parking spots… witheverything centred around a hockey rink.

Correct? Bingo.What’s the concern? Oh, wait…We

already have one. It’s called WestEdmonton Mall.

Sure, they’d have to charge for parkingat WEM and add a few seats to the arenato make it work (I jest!), and they’d haveto hope that people forget that the Mall isthe reason our downtown core gotdecimated a generation ago.

But seriously, with no disrespect to thegreat job that Jim Taylor and theDowntown Business Association havedone over the past several years, there isno doubt that the downtown needs to befurther revitalized and that an on-goingplan of improvement should be unveiledfor the former City of Champions. But,I’m terribly concerned about the waythis whole thing has been broughtforward to the citizens of our city todate.

First off, the timing is horrible.We have an election coming this fall

and our mayor and several councilorshave to protect the non-sporting fans’interests (rightfully so). Candidatesprobably don’t want to wear the referee’suniform on the arena issue by making itthe main point of interest in a city that isgoing through massive growing painsand has several other must-needconcerns to deal with before we buildthis new edifice.

But the biggest baffling point to me isthat the man whose vision we are askingto embrace has not been seen anywherein public except on YouTube.

To this point, only Katz Group orEdmonton Oilers’ officials havepresented drawings and conceptspublicly.

Other than the zoning meeting, the bigplayers—Katz… City of Edmonton…Northlands—have not been in the sameroom at the same time getting theconcerns of each in a face-to-faceprogressive discussion.

Rich people are a different sort fromyou and me. But, one thing I know isthat they got rich off the money from thesame people who are asking the relevantquestions: Who is going to pay for this?And what’s the benefit in my backyard?

Next, I think we need a few moremajor corporate names to publicly statethat they have indeed bought in: nameslike The Westin, Marriott, Best Buy,Sears, Canadian Tire and others… or,better stated, the companies that will bemaking considerable profits off peoplewho are attending the games andsupporting businesses in this newcomplex.

Next, I think the people of Edmontonwould like to see a little more respect forNorthlands, which is seemingly beingleft out in the cold to this point.

Northlands’ economic impact on ourcity has been huge. It has operated verysuccessfully in the entertainment field inEdmonton for more than a century. It hasthe expertise, the contacts and the depthto handle that side of the equation whilethe hockey team focuses on getting outof the bottom of the league during thethree-year timeframe needed to build thearena complex.

This should be a partnership, not acompetition between buildings.

On another point, Edmonton OilersPresident Patrick LaForge hadpromised me an explanation on theOilers Community Foundation storyabout the exceedingly high expense rateit operates under in order to help buildCity High downtown. Unfortunately,deadlines didn’t align and I didn’treceive the document.

I know the foundation’s intention isgood; and the project very worthwhile,but running a highly expensive lottery upagainst the United Way; CaritasFoundation and the Royal AlexandraHospital Foundation simply doesn’tmake sense. Time to rethink that, andfocus on what you do best while thefundraisers focus on what they do best.

Finally, this is no time for smoke andmirrors.

I like the renderings of the downtownthat I saw at the Art Gallery of Albertaon the Katz Group demo day. And I’mpleased at the hiring of highly respectedmedia guy Steve Hogle as VP ofcommunications and public affairs forsports and entertainment, as thatsignifies new blood in the organization.But please, Mr. Katz get off the Internetand get your brass in front of the mediaand the people of Edmonton so that wecan get the big questions answered bythe guy who ultimately has the final say.

Book Rexall Place. Put the media inthe front rows; then fill the rest of theseats with concerned citizens. Open themic up, answer the tough questions—allof them—and get us on-side of theproposal.

Bring Kevin Lowe, too—he’s the linkfrom the very successful past to the ‘who-knows-what’ future of this hockey team.

Put all the positives on the table.It’s time!Or, quite simply, I think you’ll be

risking a plebiscite and, from past history,that probably won’t play in your favour.

Edmonton needs to know: Who paysfor what? Who benefits from this? Whenwill the Northlands scenario beannounced? When will we win theStanley Cup? Are we going to paycontroversial seat ownership fees?

Edmonton is long known as a city thatdoesn’t think big—sorry guys, had to sayit—and this is a very, very big deal withgreat benefits for Edmonton.

Not being totally visible and trans-parent is not the way to go. Being a little“Trump-ish” wouldn’t hurt a bit at thistime. √

Marty Forbes is the recently retired VPand general manager of The Bear,EZRock and The TEAM 1260 SportsRadio. [email protected]

OO

Seasie Shanty’s seafoodand lobster chowder

Gary Coleman

Martin’s Cello

KathleenEdwards

Dennis Hopper



FOUNDERDICK MacLEAN

JUNE 2010Vol. XXI

SHARON MacLEANPublisher and Advertising Director

Telephone: 780.482.7000Fax: 780.488.9317

e-mail: [email protected]

SIZZLING 20 UNDER THIRTYKrista Boultan

[email protected]

INSIDENOT AN INNOCENT BYSTANDERSchool Closures/Brost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

VOX POPMark Scholz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Marty Forbes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3POLL STATIONNeighbourhoods/Banister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

SIZZLING IN EDMONTONGrimm of LUX/Rayner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

CIVIC BUZZ$10-million Chairs/Norwood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

IMAGINE EDMONTONRiver of dreams/Powell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-9

COVER STORYPlay Ball!/Hogle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10-11

MEDIA MINUTECourt TV/Hogle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

SOCIAL MEDIATop 10 Answers/Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

VISIONARIESBriefs/Croucher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

LIVELY LIFESTYLESMenuMagic/Berry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Absolute Bodo/Bodo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

BARB DETERSEditor

[email protected]

COLUMNISTSLinda Banister

John BerryLinda BodoLes Brost

Marty ForbesDean HolmesBruce Hogle

David NorwoodErin RaynerMark Scholz

Nizar J. Somji

FEATURE WRITERSCheryl Croucher

Barb DetersZac HogleTed Powell

PHOTOGRAPHERSTerry BourqueBruce Clarke

Cheryl CroucherAndy Devlin

Trisha JohnsonTracy Kolenchuk

GRAPHIC PRODUCTIONRage Studios Inc.

THIS MONTH’S COVER

Daryl KatzPhoto courtesy of Katz Group

Telus Field photo by Andy Devlin

No. 6

2121YEARS

HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD?

To begin the survey, we asked respondents how long they had lived intheir current neighbourhood. Two percent had been living in theirneighbourhood for less than one year, while 22 percent reported one tofive years, 29 percent said six to 10 years, 23 percent indicated 11 to 20years, and approximately one quarter mentioned having lived in theirneighbourhood for more than 20 years. The average length of timerespondents had been living in their current neighbourhood was 15years.

ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD?WHY? OR WHY NOT?Next, we asked respondents to rate their satisfaction with theneighbourhood they are currently living in. The vast majority—83percent—were satisfied with their neighbourhood, followed by 13percent who were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and four percentwho were dissatisfied with their neighbourhood.

Respondents who were dissatisfied with their currentneighbourhoods commented that it has a high crime rate, that it lacksparks and playgrounds, that it isn’t welcoming, that it is poorlymaintained, or that it is in a rough part of town.

Respondents who were satisfied with the neighbourhood theycurrently live in most frequently provided the reason that theirneighbours are friendly (31 percent), that their neighbourhood is quietor peaceful (23 percent), that it is in a good location or close toamenities (22 percent), and that it is in a safe area (15 percent).

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOURS BY NAME?Respondents were then asked to indicate how many of their neighboursthey knew by name. Six percent admitted they knew none, while 18percent knew one to three, 31 percent knew four to six, 22 percentknew seven to 10, and 22 percent knew 11 or more of their neighboursby name. When asked whether they would like to know more peoplein their neighbourhood by name, approximately half of respondents(46 percent) agreed, followed by one-third (35 percent) that neitheragreed nor disagreed, and 19 percent that disagreed.

DO NEIGHBOURS HELP EACH OTHER?We then asked respondents to rate their level of agreement with a seriesof statements about their neighbourhood. Sixty-one percent agreed thatthe people in their neighbourhood were willing to help each other,while 28 percent provided a neutral response, and eight percentdisagreed. When asked if there were someone in their neighbourhoodthey could count on in an emergency, three-quarters (74 percent)agreed, while 13 percent provided a neutral response, and 12 percentdisagreed. More than half (57 percent) reported that they would notmove out of their neighbourhood even if they had the opportunity,while 15 percent neither agreed nor disagreed, and one-quarter (26percent) disagreed.

WHAT IS BEST ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD?Next, respondents were given the opportunity to comment on whatthey felt was the best thing about their neighbourhood. Slightly lessthan one-third (30 percent) mentioned their location and convenienceto amenities, while one-quarter commented on the friendly neighboursand atmosphere; 18 percent reported that the neighbourhood is quiet,11 percent that it is safe, and 10 percent that it has nice parks, trails or isclose to the river valley.

Respondents were then asked what they would change if there wereone thing they could change about their neighbourhood. While 21percent indicated there was nothing they would change, 11 percentwould like to improve safety, 10 percent would like to improvesummer road maintenance, five percent would like their neighbours tokeep their properties cleaner, four percent would like fewer businessesor stores in their area, and four percent commented that their sidewalksneed repairs.

Lastly, we asked respondents if there was anything unique abouttheir neighbourhood they would like other people to know about. Sixtypercent reported there was not, however, five percent wanted people toknow their neighbourhood has great community spirit and that theyhelp each other out; four percent each mentioned mature trees andgreat landscaping, being close to the river valley for walking or biking,and having parks close by. √

Monthly Poll Station Online QuestionVisit www.edmontonians.com to register your opinion

Want a question included in the Edmontonians Poll?Contact Linda at 780.451.4444 or e-mail

[email protected].

Linda Banister is a certified management consultant and the owner ofBanister Research and Consulting Inc., a full service provider ofmarket research and program evaluation services.Visit www.banister.ab.ca.

STATIONe wanted to find out about the great neighbourhoods that together makeEdmonton the City it is. For this Poll Station we decided to ask Edmontoniansto tell us what was special about the neighbourhoods they were living in.

With Linda Banister

PollPoll

Perc

ent

WW

C E L E B R AT I N G

2%22%

29%23% 25%

Have been livingin their current

neighbourhood forless than 1 year

Have been livingin their currentneighbourhood

1-5 years


6-10 years


11-20 years

Have been livingin their current

neighbourhood formore than 20 years

Published by 399620 Alberta Ltd. on the first day of eachmonth at 1703-9835-113 Street, Edmonton, AB T5K 1N4.©All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereprinted or reproduced in any form without writtenpermission from the publisher.

Manuscripts: must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Edmontonians is not responsible forunsolicited manuscripts.

All stories Copyright ©Edmontonians

Publications Mail Agreement No. 40023292Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to:Circulation Department1703-9835-113 StreetEdmonton, AB T5K 1N4Email: [email protected]

finally caught up with new momand Lux Beauty Boutique ownerJennifer Grimm to find out whatwas new in the beauty business.

What I discovered was a woman with somuch in her proverbial make up kit thatit was a colour wheel of personal andprofessional smudge pots. Jennifer and Ilast spoke in the fall of 2007 when Iwrote about the “Block to Shop”collaborative approach to marketing thatthe retailers on 124th Street haddeveloped.

What piqued my curiosity was that Ihad noticed a number of changes alongthe popular street. First, Capriceconsignment left the area for the westend. I’d seen the Lux Beauty Boutiquesign move from its small boutique to ashared space at clothing store Ginger, afew doors away. Then, sadly, I watchedGinger and 3Xs a Lady close theirdoors. I was relieved to learn that Luxhad moved around the corner, into anew, larger space on High Street.

What I found out was that the businesschanges I’d seen from the outside werejust the foundation of an incrediblychallenging period of time.

A year-and-a-half ago, Jennifer, 34,and her husband Mike found out theywere expecting their first child. After adifficult pregnancy, she gave birth todaughter Avery, in September 2009.

“I am the first to admit I wascompletely naive about what it was tohave a baby,” laments Jennifer. “I don’tknow anything about children… and allmy friends decided to get pregnant at thesame time. I really enjoy beingproductive and I thought, ‘Yeah, youhave a kid… it’s a lot of work. I’ve hada business for 10 years—I’m used to alot of work’”. Needless to say, it hasbeen a more amazing and challengingtime than she imagined.

It was just before her baby was bornthat the boutique found itself without ahome. So, while Jennifer reeled from thefirst few weeks of motherhood, friendsand family pitched in and moved themerchandise into temporary sharedspace with friend and neighbour KristiSainchuk at Ginger. With the spaceissue addressed, Jennifer began focusingon adjusting to being a mom and abusiness owner.

“I love my business… I love workingon it and being productive. A great dayfor me is having a (long) list and

checking everything off.Suddenly (after the

baby was born), ifI got one thing

on that listcheck-marked,I was 10 stepsahead and itwas a bigcelebration,”she admits.

But, whenit came to

managing ababy and a

business,the prioritiesthat hadbeen so

clear and organized for the past 10 yearswere in turmoil. Although I don’t havekids, I’ve often wondered howentrepreneurs without children cancontinue to be entrepreneurs after theirbabies are born. As business owners,these women don’t have the samematernity leave experience… mostlybecause business owners aren’t entitled

to the same a maternity leave—financially or mentally—as theiremployees. I can only imagine how itwould feel to step away from a businessthat, for years, has been the culminationof goals and dreams—and might even beconsidered “the first baby”—to care fora real, live, needs-to-eat-every-two-hours baby. I don’t know how business-owning mothers manage it.

I asked Jennifer about how she copedwith what must have been a major shiftin mentality. “Sometimes, I feel thishuge amount of guilt because I’mthinking ‘Oh please, baby, hurry up andgo to sleep’ so that I can go work on thisthing or send this person that e-mail.Then while I am working, I’m thinking‘Why am I working on this thing when Iwant to be with my baby?’. That went

on for a little bit of time, and then Idecided, this is not happening. That’swhen I realized: It was all a mentalgame. I realized that when I was wishingfor something to hurry up and be over,that’s when everything else wentdownhill. Living in the moment savedme.” I admire her for learning thatlesson. I often forget the importance ofliving in the moment more than Iremember it, much less live it.

In terms of the beauty industry inEdmonton, it too has gone through anumber of changes in the last few years:Large international chains have movedinto the market and other small specialtyretailers have seen the potential. Withunderstandable disruption in herpersonal life, not to mention recenteconomic shifts, I wondered if the healthof her business also faced uncertainty.

“First of all, I think any competitionmakes you a better contender andmaybe, when people visit othershopping environments, they don’t takethe boutique experience for grantedanymore.” She went on to describe howchanges in the market players alsobrought out positive comments fromconcerned customers who wanted tomake sure their local source for unique,specialty beauty products wasn’t goingto disappear.

It was obvious that as strong andspirited as Jennifer is, she isn’t able todo everything—to be a mother, businessowner, real estate investor, renovatorand wife. I wanted to know—from onestubborn, independent, big idea womanto another—how it felt to ask for andreceive so much help and support fromfriends, family, employees and thecommunity. Jennifer was at a loss forwords. Little Avery tapped her tiny,pudgy baby hands on the table atStarbucks. Almost on cue, her husbandMike Strong walked in to drop offAvery’s diaper bag. I posed my questionagain to the Strong/Grimm family.

Jennifer and Mike agreed that, whileall that is happening in their lives isgood, even good things can beoverwhelming when they happen all atonce. Learning to ask for help was achallenge, but once they asked andallowed those around them to help, theirworlds were slightly less full of to-dosand more full of moments to live in andsavour. √

Erin Rayner is president of ED Marketingand Communications Inc. [email protected]

II

With Erin Rayner

www.sizzlinginedmonton.comwww.sizzlinginedmonton.com



Family Grimm…and Strong, too

Jenniferand Avery

...even goodthings can be

overwhelmingwhen they happen

all at once.

Photos by Trisha Johnson



dmonton is often regardedas a “blue-collar” town, andthere is no doubt that the regionhas a substantial manufacturing

and industrial base (and not just energyrelated). The perceived lack of head officesalso contributes to that image, and whilethere is nothing wrong with being labelled ablue-collar city, it isn’t altogether true. Anarea often overlooked when painting ageneralized picture of Edmonton is itssignificant post-secondary educational-research clout.

University of Alberta President IndiraSamarasekera has made no secret of theambitious vision of that institution: “Weaspire to be one of the top 20 universities inthe world by the year 2020. This goal is boldand ambitious and we are continuouslyworking to securethe resources toprovide the besteducation for ourstudents, tosupport world-class research andcreative activityand itsdissemination....”

Despitebudgetary setbacks,the U of A ismoving closer andcloser to achievingthat aspiration. The recentannouncement that it has beenawarded four of 19 CanadaExcellence Research Chairs (CERC)is literally unprecedented. In 2008, thefederal government created a program toestablish well-funded prestigious researchchairs in universities across Canada. Theprogram’s purpose was to attract the world’s“most accomplished” researchers in avariety of fields the government deemedhigh priority: environmental sciences andtechnologies, natural resources and energy,health and related life sciences andtechnologies, and information andcommunication technologies.

Each chair comes with an extraordinary$10 million grant over seven years, andmany chairs have received additionalfunding from provincial and fund-raisingsources. According to the Universityof Alberta website, 41 Canadianuniversities initially applied toestablish CERC at their institutions. Inearly 2009, the government narrowedthe list to 40 proposals from 17universities, five of which were fromthe U of A. The final announcementwas almost astounding: four of the 19Chairs were awarded to the Universityof Alberta, twice as many as the nextuniversities. (For the record, theUniversities of Laval, Waterloo andToronto received two Chairs each; theUniversities of Prince Edward Island,

Dalhousie, Ottawa, McMaster,Manitoba, Saskatchewan, BritishColumbia, Western Ontario andSherbrooke received one each.)

In reporting the awarding of theChairs, The Globe and Mail notedthat the recruitment of these topresearchers ti Canada is “setting

off alarm bells over apotential brain drain inother countries.” The 19individuals recruitedcome from the UnitedStates, the UnitedKingdom, Germany,France and Brazil.

The scientists comingto the U of A include Dr.Michael Houghton, aworld-renowned virologist

who was part of the team that discoveredand cloned the Hepatitis C virus. As theCERC in Virology, he will join theprestigious, recently formed Li Ka ShingInstitute of Virology, established in Aprilwith a $28 million gift from the Li KaShing (Canada) Foundation and a $52.2million investment by the Government ofAlberta. Previously, Dr. Houghton waschief scientific officer at EpiphanyBiosciences in California.

Dr. D. Graham Pearson, CERC inArctic Resources, is one of the world’sleading scientists in diamond studies andunderstanding the formation of diamond-

forming rootsbeneathcontinents. Heis at theforefront ofdevelopingnewtechniques for

geochemicalanalysis.Before hisarrival at the Uof A, Dr.Pearson wasprofessor ofgeochemistryat DurhamUniversity,United Kingdom.

Assuming the CERC in Diabetes is Dr.Patrik Rorsman, who was professor ofdiabetic medicine at the Oxford Centre forDiabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolismat the University of Oxford. He will jointhe Alberta Diabetes Institute, where theworld-renowned Edmonton protocol wasdeveloped. He is a world leader inexperimental diabetes research. Dr. Rorsmanhas made significant breakthroughs inmapping out the biology and function ofpancreatic islets—research that has led to agreater understanding of how insulin isproduced andsecreted.

Dr. ThomasThundat, CERCin Oil SandsMolecularEngineering, willlead a teamdeveloping newdetection andextraction

technologies to improve the overallefficiency of how Canada’s oilsands areprocessed. He was a research professor atthe University of Tennessee, Knoxville, anda visiting professor at the University ofBurgundy, France. He also served ascorporate fellow and leader of the NanoscaleScience & Devices Group at the Oak RidgeNational Laboratory, Tennessee. Dr.Thundat has more than 30 patents to hisname.

The fact that four researchers with suchoutstanding resumés were attracted to theUniversity of Alberta—bringing otherresearch associates, post-doctoral fellows,and students with them—says volumesabout the quality and excellence of theresearch and teaching being undertakenhere, and about the external recognition ofthat quality and excellence. And the U of Ahas many more prestigious, world-renownedscholars working in many disciplines. As thenews of these appointments gets around,more and more potential and existingresearchers and students will look at it withserious interest. Excellence attractsexcellence. Already ranking in the top 100universities in the world according to theFinancial Times, the U of A is making itsmark nationally and internationally.

We should celebrate the achievements andaspirations of the University of Alberta,along with the contributions of other post-secondary schools in Edmonton, includingGrant MacEwan University, NAIT,Concordia University College, King’sUniversity College, Norquest College,Athabasca University and others. Theycontribute significantly to our economy, our

culture, our role in society, and ouroverall fabric. As muchas any other sector, theyhelp define whatEdmonton is, and it issomething to be proudof. √

David Norwood is a freelance writerand [email protected]

EE

ivic Buzzwith David NorwoodC

Excellence attracts excellence

Dr. Thomas ThundatDr. Thomas Thundat

Dr. Patrik Rorsman

Dr. D. Graham PearsonDr. D. Graham Pearson

Dr. MichaelHoughtonDr. MichaelHoughton

Indira Samarasekera



IMAGINEEdmonton

I n n o v a t i v e i d e a s f o r u r b a n p l a n n i n g , d e s i g n a n d a r c h i t e c t u r e .

Continued on page 8

hy some early childhood memories stay lodged in our brains is notquite certain. ‘Trauma’ is one possibility—I suspect it at least accountsfor my recollection of the final streetcar ride across the High LevelBridge in the late summer of 1951.

My paternal grandmother, doting figure that she was, had purchasedtickets on that “last ride across the bridge” for two: me and her. I don’t remember any ofthe preamble, of course… nor do I remember exiting the vehicle after the memorableevent. I do remember her cooing “Oh look, Teddy (she always called me Teddy), look atthe river way down there.” I did look. And, although the streetcar was obviously settledon the tracks crossing the upper deck of the bridge, there was no evidence of thesupporting structure from my vantage point.

I could see only river and river valley way, way down below. I was well ensconced inmy fourth year of life and this memory hangs on to the present day—high on the trauma-meter.

I think I may be one of a few who has crossed the High Level in most of its potentialmodes of travel. I have walked across the pedestrian way. I have driven it when it wastwo-way and when it was one-way southbound. I have ridden as a passenger on a citybus. I have had the traumatic streetcar ride. (Today’s version down the centre of thebridge doesn’t hold a candle to the thrill afforded when the streetcar tracks were on theouter edges of the bridge deck). I crossed the span as a passenger on a CPR train pulledby a steam locomotive. Okay, I haven’t crossed by team and buggy and there might beone or two alive who have had that experience.

And, more recent kindreds may have skateboarded, roller bladed, or roller skatedacross the bridge. Some foolhardies may have bicycled from end to end. The point is,though, that I know this bridge well.

The High Level Bridge is a treasure. It is an Edmonton icon. It belongs here as muchas the Eiffel Tower does in Paris. But that doesn’t excuse its shortcomings. It wasdesigned and built by the railroad as a means of extending a rail line from Strathcona toEdmonton in the days when those two communities existed as separate entities. As aconveyance for general vehicular traffic, it is at best an afterthought—a constriction and abifurcation of purpose. Edmonton deserves better.

That’s why I presented my visions last month for a new passage adjacent to thehistorical one. I proposed that we repurpose the present traffic deck of the High Level to

some other enthralling use… perhaps a centre for handcrafted arts, or exotic boutiquesfor the tourist trade, or upscale river view eateries—some or all of these.

I want a new adjacent span to be so much more: a “living bridge” with residential,working and entertainment space on its decks. It could have retail, and hospitality, andeducation functions. It could make 109th Street whole again connecting the soul of OldStrathcona and Garneau with that of downtown Edmonton making both north and southsides of the river valley stronger in the process. It could be a visual wonder clad inplanting levels and waterfalls, enhancing the natural beauty of the river valley with somepseudo-natural embellishment.

This month, I wanted to explore the possibility of creating a high-speed, all-electric,year-round River Taxi system. I have identified 16 potential dock-sites along the banks ofthe North Saskatchewan, between Devon and Fort Saskatchewan. The river-tine vehiclescould seat 70 people in armchair-like comfort, whisking them along at speeds up to 180km/ph—on unobstructed, open water. We can examine the potential route-stops and howthey might be structured. We can determine how this system might interface with LRTand the Edmonton Transit System in general and how its presence might add to theenhancement of the river valley parks network. What a great project for consideration bythe River Valley Alliance.

I also want to look at the period streetcar reincarnation that currently is a fair-weatherexperience connecting Grandin to Old Strathcona. What technology exists to make thisvenerable conveyance a day-in, day-out, regularly scheduled occurrence? Does thepossibility exist, borrowing a little CPR right-of-way, to extend the line through the MillCreek Ravine to the Muttart Conservatory, thereby connecting Grandin LRT station tothe newly proposed LRT station at the glass pyramids? By development of this line, OldStrathcona would then be connected, deservedly, to the rest of Edmonton by an enviable,thematic, public transit extension of Light Rail.

And, we can elucidate the means by which the Strathcona-to-Grandin portion of thesame ‘track’ could see double use as a high-speed maglev (magnetic levitation)conveyance connecting downtown Edmonton to the International Airport. Theimplementation of this model would help showcase the benefits of similar connectionsbetween Edmonton and Calgary, including Red Deer at the half-way point, Edmontonand the Municipality of Wood Buffalo, and even Edmonton and Jasper National Park.Edmonton would fortify its status as a “gateway city”!

WWBy Ted Powell

River of dreamsRiver of dreamsPhoto of first train across the High LevelBridge, probably taken in June 1913 byErnest Brown. The top deck had threetracks: the centre for the train, and theoutside ones for electric streetcars.

~ Provincial Archives



IMAGINEEdmonton

Then there is the “other” downtown bridge—theWalterdale Bridge, more colloquially called the 5th StreetBridge. Is this another “living bridge” possibility? Themakings are certainly there. From a vehicular trafficstandpoint, a smoother downtown connection via GatewayBoulevard coming into the city and 104th Street headingsouth is achievable. But this bridge needs to multi-task. Itneeds to also bind together the proposed new river-sideLegislature Grounds park, the repurposing of EPCOR’sdecommissioned Rossdale power plant, the Kinsmen SportsComplex and the resurgent residential reclamations ofRossdale and Riverdale.

The existing structure couldbe repurposed as a pedestrianconnection between Walterdaleand Rossdale. The bridgestructure features threerepetitive modules that couldhouse three riverviewrestaurants, one per module.Sections of glass floor overlaidon the open-cell steel grid deckwould enable eatery patrons tolook down and see the river

rushing by beneath their feet.Redeveloping the High Level and the Walterdale bridges

makes the Walterdale road—that oft-icy wintertime descentto the river valley—redundant. We can look at how theerasing of the road opens up the potential for more park areain the downtown… a landscaped arboretum that could serveas a covering for an extended Kinsmen complex.

Imagine a terraced and stepped building that adds to thecachet of Kinsmen: new facilities for indoor games likebilliards, curling, and various racquet sports. The roof of theterraced structure would be completely landscaped with floraspecimens of northern boreal and alpine forests, interspersedwith bogs, ponds, rivulets and waterfalls. Where better, I ask,to bury a new NHL-scaled arena into the hillside—roofplanted over, naturally. Highlight an expansive and creativeentry feature and then hide the rest of the building under aforest of—yes—trees.

Now, on to Old Strathcona. The rejuvenation and historicalresuscitation of this enclave of early 20th Century memorieswas a pet project of mine in the 1970s. Today, it needsnurturing as much as it ever has. It has fallen prey totortuously high rents that threaten the unique ‘mom and pop’character that was so instrumental in its revival—thoseentrepreneurships occluded by the influx of bland nationaland international chains. Old Strathcona, for all its charm,needs a road map to its future.

The aforementioned permanent emplacement of the period-style streetcar would help. Indeed, this could provide thespark for a melange of Scona area period conveyances thatmight include horse-drawn buggy rides, maybe London-styleHansom cabs, and a linear line along Whyte Avenue withspurs into commercial side streets featuring rebuilt tram cars.

Purposeful occasions—weddings, graduation ceremonies,

Wing-in-Ground (WIG) effect all-weather, all-electric hovercraft concept vehicle employed as a70-passenger river taxi along the North Saskatchewan River. The craft would be capable ofcruising at 85 knots up to two metres above the river surface over water, snow and ice.

Interior view of River Taxi Cabin

Close-up view into the cabin of the River Taxi; the lower “wing” of the bi-planeassemblage would double as a walkway accessing the passenger cabin.

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Continued from page 7

Walterdale Bridge

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birthdays, anniversaries—might be celebrated by anostentatious parade in re-built, period, touring automobilesby the celebrants. The means to permanently etch OldStrathcona into the Edmonton experience is limited only byimagination.

What of downtown Edmonton? It has a nicely formedCivic Centre and MacEwan University and the University ofAlberta have both done their parts to enhance street life. Butdowntown retail has never quite recovered from the blowafforded by the rash of mall openings… before and after thebirth of West Edmonton Mall. There is almost theinfrastructure in place for several retail/entertainmentenclaves. The Warehouse District—most notably 104thStreet north of Jasper Avenue—is begging for recognition asa pedestrian way. The success of the outdoor farmers’ marketattests to viability of a permanent change. Theimplementation of a few special features would assure itscoronation as a novel promenade and innovative shopping,eating, drinking and escapading destination.

But there is still a need for balance on the other side of theCivic Centre: the Boyle Street district. By creating a vibrantarea here, Jasper Avenue could become the connectingspine that threads disparate areas of the downtown together.Boyle Street is the hub of multicultural fingers. It supports aseemingly ever-nascent Chinese and Asian community. Itabuts an historic Italian community. It just seems toexperience some trouble putting a ‘there’ there. Farmersmarkets were tried and failed… and there has been lots ofspeculation over the years about locating a ‘this’ or a ‘that’to rejuvenate the area. One of the problems is that its closeproximity to downtown causes realty speculation to keepland prices unnaturally high, automatically discouragingsmaller-scaled uses.

Edmonton has a number of other street- and avenue-based communities that ache for redevelopment—redevelopment that enhances their existing character,propagates uniqueness, and underscores vitality.

The biggest problem in most of these communitiesstems from an effective way to deal with passenger cars,both through traffic and parking availability. AlbertaAvenue—the community in which I grew up, attendingboth Delton and Eastwood schools—is one such area. Aslong as I can remember, it has been an immigrant-friendlyneighborhood that holds a great deal of cultural diversity.What keys exist to unlocking the doors of potentiality forthese kinds of communities?

And, then, there are the grand scheme events. Edmontonhas hosted the Commonwealth Games, Universiade andthe World Athletic Championships—the latter two madepossible by the legacy of venues developed for the first.The city is now vying for the 2017 World’s Fair. Thecurrent thrust is to develop a main site for such an event onthe University Farm, an area that would reuse most of theinfrastructure for a second UofA campus to ease the

burden as the main campusfaces a dearth of developableland. A secondary site wouldtake in the repurposedRossdale power plant adjacentto the Walterdale Bridge. Oneidea related to the fairinvolves the creation of an

aerial tram that would connect the main site to bothFort Edmonton Park and the Valley Zoo. Whatpossibilities exist for this conveyance? How couldthe secondary site tie into a new 105th StreetBridge? Is there justification for building a CityCentre iconic structure at this node? If so, whatfunctions might it have and how might it connect toother aspects of the city? All questions worthexploring.

People like to be entertained… some passively,some actively. All ages like to laugh, expresswonderment, be challenged, and find cause for livinglife to the fullest. Edmonton is a city bursting withpotentiality. It is a winter city: something that needs tobe explored more, opened up for grander possibilities,nurtured into our consciousness. It is also a spring,

summer and fall city. Each turning of the seasons shouldopen up new horizons, new explorations, new directions.

Imagine Edmonton is meant to stimulate that awareness,to open discussion threads, to engage imaginations, and toultimately effect plans to enhance the city—itssustainability… its entertainment quality… its aspects ofinterest… in short, its livability.

The future is very exciting. √

Ted Powell is an architect and a futurist. He lives withhis wife Laura in Arroyo Grande (Big Ditch),California. He has studied technology as it applies tothe construction industry and his company, Design tothe Nines, represents a number of nascent high-techventures. Ted has lived in many cities across Canada,the U.S. and Europe, but his roots, nonetheless,remain firmly attached to Edmonton — a city that isdear to his heart. He follows with intense interest allnew and proposed developments for the city andboldly adds his own ideas into the mix.

Rendered Riverside view of fabric-covered 9,000-seat amphitheatre proposed for theParkland Promontory west of Edmonton across the river from the town of Devon. The Photo-Voltaic Solar-Cell fabric roof would enable acoustic music concerts year round.A two-tier Funicular (shown extreme lower left in rendering) would ferry passengers fromthe valley rim to the valley floor. Patrons could take the River Taxi from Fort Saskatchewanand Edmonton to the venue.

4.

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zhe long, winter months are finally coming toan end, though some days you have to wonder.The snow has melted into the grass—again—and splashes of colourful blooms are springing

up around the city. Most of us have packed away theshovels and chippers, and the only hockey equipment outnow is for summer leagues. All this points to one inevitableconclusion: It’s baseball season. Once again, we can hearthe crack of the bats at Telus Field.

A story broke in late May that some people were musingabout bringing the Pacific Coast League back toEdmonton. While a nice thought, it was quickly put torest, especially by PCL President Branch Rickey whoreminded us that the Trappers left Edmonton because ofthe difficulties encountered when running a league onboth sides of the border. In short, the PCL won’t bereturning to Edmonton, or anywhere north ofthe 49th, anytime soon.

Instead, we’ll have to be content toremain in the Golden Baseball Leaguewhich, oddly, doesn’t seem phased bythree-country, cross-border travel. The10-team professional, independentminor league includes a southdivision comprised of the NaKoa Ikaika Maui (Hawaii),Tucscon Toros (Arizona),Yuma Scorpions (Arizona),Orange County Flyers(California), and the TijuanaCimarrones (Mexico). In the northdivision, the teams are the CalgaryVipers, Edmonton Capitals, VictoriaSeals, St. George Roadrunners(Utah), and Chico Outlaws(Mexico).

But that story did get usthinking about baseball again. Andthat’s a good thing because it seemslike such a long time ago that theCracker Cats came into Telus

Field, replacing the

beloved Trappers, and promptlyalienated fans and employees alike. It

marked an era in Edmonton’s baseball historythat would be better left forgotten. Infightingwith the local junior club, the Prospects, ledto the ballpark sitting unused except for Cats’games. Baseball became irrelevant in the city.

It wasn’t the performance of the team. I can stillremember driving by Telus Field while a billboard satoutside begging fans to attend games because the team

was in first place. But still nobodywent—fans were turned off by theteam’s name and themanagement’s attitude. Marketingstunts didn’t work either; evenlegendary Canadian baseballerStubby Clapp’s appeal couldn’t putbums in the bleachers. For a citywith such a rich, century-long

baseball history, theCracker Cats couldnot—would not—become part of thefabric of the city.

It was only last yearthat the park seemed tosparkle to life again. In the off-season of2008, Daryl Katz stepped up to the plate,so to speak, and purchased the justifiablymaligned Cracker Cats and promptly setto market the team the way it should be.Players from the team, like startingpitcher Lou Pote from Sherwood Park,

made the rounds in the community,personally promoting the club and the season.

This is what had been missing from the Cats:There was no face to that franchise—only a slightly

awkward cat mascot. But, with Katz and Oilers’President Patrick LaForge at the helm, the cat mascot and

moniker went the way of the Dodo bird…and the club was reborn as the Edmonton

Capitals.Last season’s opening game brought a carnival

atmosphere to Telus Field. It was great to see MayorStephen Mandel on the pitcher’s mound. You knewattending games would be fun again… no longer wouldyou sit among diehard baseball fans—not to be confusedwith Cats fans—in a near empty stadium. Now, we wereall united as Capitals fans. There was entertainment forkids and adults alike throughout the park. It was a good dayto be a baseball fan in Edmonton.

One of the best experiences for most of the people whoremember the Trappers had to be the magic of just steppingback through Telus Field’s gates again. Many people neverbothered with Cracker Cats games, and this would be thefirst time in years they had been to a game in the city. I can

tell you that there are few betterexperiences than sitting in stands on asunny summer day and enjoying agame. Hotdogs just taste better here.Even for those who aren’t baseballfans, the park offers a serene view ofthe river valley, in a family-friendlyatmosphere.

For those who are looking to bringfamilies to the game, the Capitals arean affordable option—season ticketsstart at under $10 a seat. In the truespirit of the origin of baseball, thisgame is accessible to anyone whocares to come. That’s part of the magicof baseball; you can just come. Youdon’t need to be a number crunchingstatistician or diehard fan to enjoy aday at the park. If you just need arelaxed evening out, why not spend itat the ballpark?

The game isn’t the only draw. Whynot take in one of the other activities?During the week the Capitals run their$2 Tuesdays, Wiener Wednesdays and

4 for $44 promotions. The 4 for $44 promotion gets youfour tickets, four hot dogs and four pops at the game. Buteven those promotions give way to the big sellers on theweekends. Friday nights are Safeway Fireworks Fridays,

TTBy Zac Hogle

Photos by Andy Devlin/Edmonton Capitals Baseball Club

Mayor Stephen Mandellthrows the first pitch ofthe 2009 home-opener

First Base Coach Gerlach:pre-game meeting

Former major leaguerand World Series Champ

Lou Pote was the ’09Most Valuable Pitcher

First basemanJose Morban

Young fans line-up for Home

Run Hooky matineeYoung fans line-up for Home

Run Hooky matinee

where the organization puts on a dazzlingdisplay at the end of the game. If you happen to miss thefireworks night, there’s always Saturday Night Movies inthe park. After the game,fans pour out of thestands and onto thefield to take in amovie—usuallybaseball-oriented—on a massiveinflatable screen. Fansare also invited to bringdown something to siton. I personally haveseen at least one full-size sofa brought in.

This is the life that hadbeen missing from TelusField for so long. Baseballis not just about baseball inEdmonton. It’s about community, and theCapitals have picked up where the Trappershad left off. Telus Field is not only a sportsfacility, as it was under the Cracker Cats rule. Itis a viable venue for music and festivals. Lastyear’s concerts included Bryan Adams, as wellas the country music block-buster, featuring Big& Rich and other popular artists, which raised$55,000 for the Donna Moore Trust Fund.Thankfully, Telus Field is an active part of thecommunity again, something that was sorelymissed.

But, now that summers are back the waythey should be at Telus Field, the Katz SportsGroup has not stopped there. There are plansafoot, albeit in the early stages, to place an

outdoor hockey rink on the infield for the wintermonths. This rink may end up having an

artificial ice surface, making it aviable option for skating clubs andhockey teams regardless of theweather. It looks like, while theCapitals have picked up the ballwhere the Trappers dropped it, theyare now running further with it thanwe’ve ever seen before. Telus Fieldopen and active year-round is

something that we should all hopeto see.

With that said, maybe weshould focus on what’sdirectly ahead of us first: fourmonths of baseball, hopefullymost of it in the sun. Our prayers to the baseball

gods were answered for thehometown opener on June 1st

when the sun came out. Hadit been held just three daysearlier, the Caps and the NaKoa Ikaika Maui wouldhave been playing ball in ablizzard. Now that wouldhave been a shocker forthe Hawaiians… butlocals would haveconsidered it an

unexpected tribute toHockey Hall of Famer Rod

Phillips, retiring voice of the Oilers,who threw this year’s ceremonialfirst pitch.

I’ll see you at the park! Close to 4,000 fans—including

owner Daryl Katz—were treated to aclose one: The Caps beat the Maui“Warriors” 5 - 4. √

Zac Hogle is a producer/editor inEdmonton. You can follow him attwitter.com/cactushogle



Edmonton Capitals and fansstand for the national anthem

DIAMOND PARK - 1908• 4500-seat stadium• Home to the Edmonton Eskimos baseball team

RENFREW PARK - 1935• 6500-seat stadium• Home to numerous teams• Renamed John Ducey Park

TELUS FIELD - 1995• 10,000 seat capacity, including ground level

luxury boxes• Home to the Trappers of the PCL, The Cracker

Cats of the GBL, and now the Edmonton Capitalsof the GBL, owned by the Edmonton Oilers/KatzSports Group since 2009 Season.

Singer Johnny ReidSalutes the crowd atthe Big & Rich concert

Field Manager Brent Bowerssignals base runners

Fan favourite Jose Lima celebratesa strike out. The 37-year old pitcherpassed away during the off-season.A moment of silence in his memorypreceded the 2010 home-opener.

of baseball in the River ValleyCenturyCentury

Razzle funning

with the fansRazzle funning

with the fans

MORE THAN A

Note: Photos taken during 2009 Playoffs againstthe Calgary Vipers unless other wise stated.



here are a few questionsI am asked many times: Howdo we do this? I hear thingslike: “I can’t get anyone to

register for my event”… or “I can’tseem to get people interested in ourevents”. I get it and, hopefully, this willhelp you to generate buzz, awarenessand registrations for your events.

FIRST PHASE:PRE-EVENT PLANInfluencers typically talk about a fewsubjects passionately. They have built avery tight community that wants to hearabout the topics they speak on. Peoplelisten to these influencers as experts, andwhat they say is taken as credible mostof the time, because they have builtthemselves up as trusted sources.

1. Finding the InfluencersFind the influencers who talk about yourkeywords, products or services as wellas competitors. If you don’t know yourkeywords, enter your brand orcompetitors’ names into Google’sKeyword Tool. Or check on Listorious:Type in the keyword and see who comesup as a prominent person who discussesthis topic.

2. Connecting with the InfluencersLook at the communities whereinfluencers most likely haveconversations, such as LinkedIn Groups,Twitter and Facebook Like Pages.Connect with them in thesecommunities.

3. Motivating the InfluencersOnce the influencer has some idea ofwho you are, consider sending theinfluencer a trial or a product with noexpectation of getting anything inreturn.

4. Building Buzz and InterestTake advantage of the content that you,your company, or the speakers havewritten to generate buzz and allow theaudience to understand more as theydecide whether they should spend theirmoney with your event or someoneelse’s.

NEXT PHASE:DURING THE EVENTDuring the event, there are great ways todrive traffic to your site, Hashtags andbuild awareness.

5. Kodak momentsSetup photo slots with some of thespeakers. Many attendees are too shy tojust go up and ask, so create the

environment that makes it easy for them.Post pictures to Flickr, Facebook,Twitter and PhotoBucket.

6. Flip Camera CrazyI will assume you have prepared somequestions for the speakers and attendeesprior to the event, so you are ready whenthe time comes. Videos are a great wayto drive content that your audience likes.Interview the speakers for some insightsabout the event, what they like and theirexcitement about the event.

7. Tweet and be TweetedSend the attendees a guide prior to theevent that shares the Hashtags you willbe using, the place where you will postupdates, and a place where they canshare their comments or opinions aboutthe event.

THIRD PHASE:POST EVENTIn order to maximize the entire budgetthat you spent to have the event, youwant to get the most bang for your buck.Keep the buzz going by engaging theaudience to share their ideas with peoplewho wanted to attend but couldn’t.

8. E-mails—yeah, they still workBe sure to send follow up e-mails to allattendees with a wrap-up collection ofpresentations. Have the speakers send e-mails with post-event follow uphomework, if appropriate, to keep thelearning experience alive.

9. Survey Says…Encourage the attendees to take part infeedback surveys wherever possible, incase you missed anyone with the flipcamera.

10. Measure and RefineIf you actually did all the recommendedsteps, you should have an incredibleamount of information to use for yournext event. Listen to the audience’sfeedback. Create an ROI to show theboss, that includes metrics like reTweetsby influencers… unsolicited mentions ofthe brand or event… and re-posts byinfluencers, speakers or attendees x theirRSS subscribers or traffic. √

Keynote speaker, radio show guest andwebcast host Dean Holmes is a thoughtleader who has contemplated new mediawith business luminaries. His focus is onhelping companies develop online as wellas offline marketing strategies for businessgrowth. Contact Dean [email protected] www.deanholmes.me

TTwas in Hawaii earlier this yearand saw live TV coverage of 23-yearold Matthew Higa being convictedof throwing 23-month old toddlerCyrus Belt to his death from a

Honolulu freeway overpass into the path ofoncoming traffic. Hawaii allows livecoverage of court cases—something thatAlberta and Canadian courts do not… muchto my chagrin.

I know all of the arguments about why weshouldn’t allow cameras into Canadiancourts because many are identical to theones I heard in 1973. That’s when Iapproached then Alberta Premier PeterLougheed about allowing live coverage ofthe Alberta Legislature by CFRN TV (nowCTV Edmonton), the station I was associatedwith at the time as manager of news, publicaffairs and sports.

Because live TV coverage of anygovernment proceedings (federal, provincialor civic) was unheard of at that time, eitherin Canada or within the Commonwealth,there was considerable skepticism andcriticism from all MLAs.

They claimed CFRN TV live coveragewould attempt to make MLAs look bad,showing them dozing or using obscenegestures. Critics also felt live TV coveragewould hamper strong debates and result inridicule for MLAs if they stumbled overwords, didn’t have an answer or stutteredwhen addressing the Speaker.

We overcame all those objections and,after a successful three-month trial period,Premier Lougheed agreed in 1973 to allowCFRN TV to set an historical precedent withlive coverage of the Alberta Legislature. Ittook MPs—being much more dubious—another five years before they allowed liveTV coverage of the House of Commons.Live television coverage of governmentproceedings is now accepted the world over,though some dictators still control what willand will not be seen by their people.

Is it now time for Alberta courts to onceagain examine controlled live televisioncoverage to promote transparency andenable society to better understand how thejudicial system operates?

TV cameras document proceedings inupper courts such as the Supreme Court ofCanada and the Federal Court of Appeal.And British Columbia’s Supreme Courtjudges decided in 2001 to allow camerasinto courts if it was approved by all partiesinvolved in a trial. That decision was theresult of an experiment in 2000 whichbroadcast limited portions of the trial of nineKoreans accused of smuggling Chinesemigrants into Canada.

In 2007, Manitoba’s then Chief ProvincialCourt Judge Ray Wyant was going to openup courtrooms for live broadcasts of judicialdecisions. Why? Because Judge Wyantbelieved that broadcasting judicial decisionswas the key to addressing what he called a“crisis in confidence in the justice system.”

If Judge Wyant had his way, a live audiofeed would have been provided in adangerous driving case involving ex-Winnipeg cop Derek Harvey-Zink.Cameras were not going to be present butthe judge was considering them for futuredecisions. Unfortunately, other members ofthe Manitoba provincial court systemopposed such a move, and expressed seriousconcerns with the judge’s decision and theimpact on the courts.

Well, let me in turn, express “seriousconcerns” about those Manitoba provincialcourt judges who, by their decision, deniedthe public a golden opportunity to hear andsee how the court system works. I assumethey feel Manitobans can better learn howthe court system works by watching Lawand Order or Judge Judy.

The national meeting of the RadioTelevision News Directors Association(RTNDA) meets in Edmonton this month.As a former president of this group, Iappreciate its ongoing presentations to lobbyjudicial officials to open the courts to livecoverage on radio, television and theInternet.

I’d like to see the RTNDA address thisissue once again by working with theAlberta government to have an in-depthstudy of this vital issue, researched andwritten by recently retired Alberta Court ofQueen’s Bench Chief Justice AllanWachowich.

After 36 years on the bench, Chief JusticeWachowich is a man held in the highest ofesteem by his colleagues here and acrossCanada. As well, members of the mediawho know him hold him in similar respectand honour. He fully understands both sidesof this important and vital issue.

It was 1973 when visionary andcourageous Alberta Premier Lougheedallowed live television coverage of theAlberta Legislature—a decision which hasimpacted this global village of ours.

I would hope, before the end of 2010, thatPremier Ed Stelmach would deem itimportant enough to have Allan Wachowichexamine and make recommendationspertaining to live media coverage of Albertacourt proceedings.

I believe that the retired Alberta Court ofQueen’s Bench Chief Justice would be morethan willing to take on this assignment. Nowthe Alberta government must have thecourage and vision to askhim… knowing the precedentthat could be set for both theAlberta and Canadian judicialsystems, as well as the peopleof this great province andland. √

Bruce Hogle is the former news director atCFRN TV and retired head of the AlbertaPress Council. [email protected]

II

edia Minutewith Bruce HogleM

with Dean Holmes

Allowing live coverageof court proceedings

requires vision and courage

Allowing live coverage

requires vision and courage to drive people to your eventusing Social Media

TOP 10 WAYS



he future for woodland caribou in Alberta isgrim.

Indeed, according to Dr. Rick Schneider, aresearch associate with the Integrated

Landscape Management Program at the University ofAlberta, extirpation from this province is just around thecorner.

Schneider told researchers and industry partners at theannual general meeting of the ILM group, “If things don’tchange, we know that almost all the herds in the provincewill be down to less than 10 animals within three decades.There’s a couple of exceptions, but by and large, we’relooking at the effective loss of most herds in 30, 40 years.”

ILM research over the last few years indicates the directcause of this loss is increased predation by wolves. Butwolves and caribou have been on the landscape together formillenia. So what has tipped the balance?

According to Schneider, “The leading hypothesis is that itis our human change of the landscape that has led to theseincreases in wolf density and increased encounters withcaribou. In particular, the increased number of roads andseismic lines and cutblocks that produce more foragepossibilities, more access points for deer to get into systemswhere caribou really had it all to themselves in the past.And, now with these other prey species, we’ve got wolfdensities going up and caribou end up taking the brunt of theproblem.”

He says saving woodland caribou in Alberta depends onthree factors. These include curtailing industrial activity,reclaiming seismic lines and roads, and culling wolves. Butthe costs are high. So he has developed a computer modelthat weighs societal values and economic trade-offs whichcan be used as a decision-making tool

Schneider has also developed what he calls a “triageapproach” to help people decide which herds to save. As heexplains, “There are some that are doing not so bad, somethat are almost on the edge of extinction right now. Soranking herds on a variety of factors, beyond just wheretheir trends are and how big their populations are, there are anumber of other factors to take into account. And then thereare costs. Some are very expensive—the ones that sit rightatop the oil sands are literally tens of billions of dollars ofopportunity costs lost there—whereas other entire rangesreally have not much oil or gas value at all, and could beprotected for next to no cost to the Crown. So by weighingall these factors, you can provide a ranking of the herds.Which one would be the first herd you’d pick if you couldonly do one?

Without following triage approach, Schneider believeswe’ll lose all our caribou herds. √

www.biology.ualberta.ca/faculty/stan_boutin/ilm2/

he Alberta Heritage Foundation forMedical Research was established 30years ago. A hefty endowment fund fromthe provincial government attracted top

notch scientists who helped build Alberta’s capacityin health research.

One of those people who came to Alberta fromeastern Canada was Dr. Jacques Magnan. In 1994,the researcher in pharmacology joined AHFMR tolook after the administration of scientific awards.

Now Magnan takes up his appointment as CEO ofthe new organization that replaces AHFMR. It’scalled Alberta Innovates Health Solutions.

He explains, “The mandate has been definedslightly differently. The roles have been targeted alittle bit more toward the innovation side of things.So we need to assess properly how the programsand activities of AHFMR are contributing to thoseroles… and whether there needs to be somechanges. What it does, is it does free up some of theresources that the Foundation has at its disposal andit does provide us with an opportunity then toreinvest those resources into more direct researchsupport.”

Magnan says the Alberta Innovates HealthSolutions will uphold AHFMR’s commitment to thePolaris prize until it runs out in 2018, as well ascurrent support for investigators over the next six orseven years. √

www.albertainnovates.ca

he new president and CEO of AlbertaInnovates Technology Futures brings withhim a strong background in both science andbusiness.

Trained as a physicist, Dr. Gary Albach ran a successfulspin-off company focused on semiconductors and advancedmaterials.

Now Albach will have a staff of 700 at TechnologyFutures. This new corporation amalgamates the AlbertaResearch Council, Alberta Ingenuity, iCORE andnanoAlberta.

He says, “Our job is to deliver prosperity in the provincethrough the commercialization of Alberta technologies. Thatmeans supporting businesses in the province through thevariety of tools that we have from funding through productdevelopment in our facilities.”

Albach sees Alberta’s technology strategy focused onthree pillars: energy and environment, health, and biosolutions. “Now, in addition to those, there are platformtechnologies that are evolving, evolving quickly in theprovince. And the first of those are nanotechnology,information and communication technologies, ICT, andgenomics.” √

www.albertainnovates.ca

Cheryl Croucher hosts Innovation Anthology which isbroadcast on CKUA Radio at 7:58 am and 4:58 pmTuesdays and Thursday. Or download the podcasts atwww.innovationanthologyy.com

June 1ABCtech SocietyMachine Learning Forumwith Dr. Jonathan SchaefferOff-loading Intelligence:When Machines DecideTelus Centre, University of Alberta4:30 to 8:30 pm Registration at [email protected]

June 16BioAlberta and McCarthyTetrault Going Global: Key Considerations in Cross Border Licenses andCollaborationsARC Building:250 Karl Clark Road11:45 am to 1:30 pmRSVP by June 10www.bioalberta.com

June to SeptemberTelus World of ScienceSultans of ScienceInventions That Transformed the Worldwww.telusworldofscience.com/edmonton

November 25 and 26InnoWest 2010 - Calgarywww.thecis.ca

On theHORIZONJUNE

TT TT TT

Dr. Gary AlbachDr. Jacques MagnanDr. Rick Schneider

Health research fund getsnew name & new CEO

is goal of business-savvy

scientist

LAST STANDfor woodland

CARIBOUDeliveringprosperity

By Cheryl Croucher



here’s something about cooking outdoors.Food always seems to taste better.

Most campers/RVers today use portableBBQs like the one my colleague Linda has.

Her portable Coleman grill is so versatile and easy touse, it’s a must for beginners or pros who don’t want alot of fuss and muss.

But nothing beats going back to the days of ourforefathers, when everything was cooked over an openfire. You just can’t duplicate the flavour—that slighttaste of smoke as you slow grill over a bed of coals.Besides, it’s not outdoor cooking unless you get a faceand lung full of smoke.

I thought I’d share some of the basics of cookingover an open fire, so you can give it a try this summer.Some of the techniques also apply for grilling on acharcoal barbecue.

Bob Chapman, the GM of Wholesale Sports, saysthat it’s unfortunate the good old days of cooking overan open fire may have gone the way of the little redcaboose. He estimates that 10 percent or less of today’scampers actually cook over a bed of hot coals in a firepit. It’s a dying art.

WHAT YOU’LL NEEDOutfitting your campfire kitchen can be a simple task.There are a number of stores that outfit campers andhikers in Edmonton. Wholesale Sports, on St.Albert Trail just off the Yellowhead Trail, hasone of most extensive cooking sections I’veever seen.

For basic cooking utensils, you’ll want a castiron frying pan, Dutch oven and sauce pan, aswell as a coffee pot, a few wooden and slottedspoons, and spatulas. The modern campfirekitchen includes a grill basket to cook meat, fishor vegetables over the coals. You can buy asandwich maker, or kebob skewers that are threefeet long, enabling you to safely hold them overthe open fire as you cook. There’s even a popcornmaker and—are you ready?—a special grill tomake pizza over an open fire.

You’ll find the Dutch oven perhaps one of yourfavourite and most versatile tools.Make sure you get one with atight fitting lid and three smallfeet on the bottom. This pot canbe used on a tripod or grill, oryou can bury it in coals and placea few coals on the lid. This iswhere it gets its name—the heat ontop and bottom act like an oven.It’s incredible for roasts, stews,casseroles and soups. I’ve even seencakes and breads done in them. It’syour best all round tool.

Back in the early days of cookingover an open fire, a wooden tripodwas used with grills suspended atvarious heights over the fire. Now, tripods are made of

metal and can easily be adjusted for height. Onaverage, they run around $27 and are easy to use andtransport. They make cooking and keeping food warm asnap—your stove top/warmer all in one.

Don’t forget to bring along some heavy duty ovenmitts; the professional type is best. Or make yourself asturdy hook device to lift your Dutch oven off thecoals. Be careful and keep in mind, it is cast iron andred hot! I’ve seen many a stew and pot roast end up inthe coals because someone tried to lift the Dutch ovenoff with a tea towel.

NOW, GET STARTED When campfire cooking, we have to think safety first.Where possible, you should dig a fire pit… at least afoot deep and two to three feet round. Save the dirt toone side to fill in the pit when you’redone. Ideally, surround the pit with rocksto contain the fire and provide a base fora grate.

Campfire cooking is not hard onceyou get your timing and heat controldown. The key is your heat. Light yourfire 20 to 30 minutes before you needyour coals. Hardwoods like oak, cedaror wild Alberta willow are best.

Cherry, apple or plum give off a nice flavourful smoke.If you attempt to cook over open flame, any greasedripping off the food will cause the flames to flair upand burn your food. So make sure you have a good bedof coals. I like to heap them toward the center so youcan move your cooked food to the edges of your grateto keep warm.

A few things to remember: Have a shovel for movingthe coals as you need to adjust your heat, to overturnyour coals as you pour water over them to extinguishyour fire, and to fill in the hole when you’re done. Apail of water should be kept next to your wood pile incase your campfire gets out of hand. And, as anyoutdoorsman/woman knows: Make sure your campfireis out—cold to the touch. And check for fire bans in theparks or wilderness areas you plan to visit.

Happy cooking!

GRILLEDPERCH FILLETS1 perch fillet per person—2 ifthey are small1/4 cup of butter1 tsp. Fresh dill-diced fine1/4 purple onion diced fine2 cloves of diced garlicWedge of lemon per personSalt & pepper to tasteVegetable spray or Pam

• Make sure your coals are arrangedproperly with the hottest in thecentre and fewer and fewer coals tothe outside to ensure a medium and

low heat.• Take a baking rack or small grill and spraywell with oil.• Lay fish on top of small grill and sprinklewith salt and pepper.• In a sauce pan, combine butter, dill, onionand garlic and cook until onion is translucent.• Set to side of grill over fire pit. (Low or noheat)• Place rack containing fish on top of your

regular grill over fire over mediumheat. Baste constantly with dillsauce. Fish should be cooked 3-4minutes per side if thin. Thickerpieces should grill 5-6 minutes perside. • Serve with a wedge of lemon withrice, and vegetables like grilled cornon the cob. Yum.• Serves four. √

Contact Chef John Berry [email protected] to Edmontonians.com and visitthe Lively Lifestyles Blog.

TTwith Chef John Berry

Magic

MEN

U

Why it works?The wrap detoxifies the body.The body can get overloaded with toxins because it cannot keepup with the filtration process. The more toxins in the body, themore lymphatic fluid increases to protect cells.

You force out toxins. Once the toxins are gone, the lymphaticfluid decreases and you lose inches. It is not water loss—rather, anexchange of minerals for toxins.

www.suddenlyslimmerdayspa.com

Slimming Secret!Lose 4 to 20 inches in an hour!

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The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.The next best time is now.

~ anonymous



It can be modified to almost any degree; coaxedinto a magnificent manor or a leaf so thin we canwrap a package in it. Organic and renewable,this substance harvested from the stems of trees

boasts an impressive portfolio of accomplishments…including the ability to generate fuel to take the chill offa blustery winter’s day or toast a S’more to perfection.

I have been known to drool over a mid-century chaircoaxed from a single piece of teak or weep at the sightof a monumental grain elevator gracing our prairielandscape. But, I also appreciate the diverse propertiesof wood in the raw—that hard fibrous lignifiedsubstance veneered in bark, logs, branches or twigs.Although these leftovers often meet their fate in a pileof firewood or in a chipper, they can be morphed intoobjects d’art for the home and garden with a littleimagination.

Here are a few favourite raw wood projects from mybooks, columns and to-do folders. I use a pair of sharppruners to cut smaller branches and a jig or table sawfor larger units. When working with natural timber, besure to dry it for several days to prevent finished piecesfrom warping or shrinking after completion. Alternately,soak branches or twigs in water overnight to keeptimber pliable for shaping if you will be addingdecorative elements to your finished project. Useexterior wood glue for adhesion if the finished productwill be subjected to the elements; otherwise high-strength hot glue is perfect for wood-on-wood bonding.Finally, seal surfaces with beeswax or furniture wax toadd a subtle sheen and offer protection.

So, before you put another log on the fire, considerthe possibilities. √

IIwith Linda Bodo


~ anonymous


~ anonymous

You donʼt have to sap your pocketbook to createthese groovy garden gadgets. Thin branches orwillow reeds can be transformed into obelisksfor climbing vines or veggies… or al frescoprivacy screens.

Stop barking up the wrong tree. Organic furnituredoes not have to cost a branch and a trunk.Fashion these stylinʼ stools from leftover logs orbranches. Cheap and chic.

Leaf traditionalhardware behind

and constructnatural hangers,hooks and rods

from unprocessedmaterials harvested

from your ownbackyard.

Yew will love these candle holders, simple tomake and easy on the pocketbook.

Linda Bodo is the author of Enjoy Life Outside andThe Art of Upcycle. Go to www.absolutebodo.comfor upcoming appearances and projectdemonstrations, and to make bookings, view otherDIY projects, or order her books. Contact: [email protected]? Check out the Lively Lifestyles blog.

If your thumb happens to beevergreen, youʼll loveassembling these crude tablesfrom sticks and stems.

Spruce up existing furniture or accessories withtwigs or branch discs. Awesome for a cabin orlakeside retreat.

Dramatic lighting is the root of all good decor. Whittle up achandelier, pendant or table lamp by dressing up a lamp kit withbranches or driftwood.

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