Rural communities are playing a key role in the growth and diversification of Alberta’s economy. Page 2
City council progressing with new combative sports bylaw
Rocky View Schools merge strategic plan and budget priorities
The provincial government is working to build economic development capacity, innovation, and growth in communities with the economic development in rural Alberta plan.
“Rural communities are playing a key role in the growth and diversification of Alberta’s economy,” a government of Alberta press release said. The provincial government is now investing $2.1 million in capacity grants, that will advance regional and targeted initiatives leading to sustainable, rural economic development and diversification.
“Alberta’s government is doing what it takes to ensure rural communities remain a driving force in our economy. Grant recipients will deliver initiatives that strengthen economic development capacity and promote sustainable growth and diversification in our rural communities,” Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Nate Horner said.
The economic development in rural Alberta plan is focusing on rural economic capacity building, with grant recipients supporting businesses and municipalities with resources to enhance economic development opportunities.
Organizations that have received one-time funding to build capacity within their communities include Alberta Municipalities with $150,000 to support their members in accessing grant programs for municipalities, and the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies with $50,000 for the rural development cluster coaching series that focuses on developing agri-tourism, creating rural partnerships and using regional approaches.
Economic Developers Alberta received $130,000 for education and skills training, mentoring and creating networks that share best practices, and Alberta Women Entrepreneurs received $195,000 to expand the NextStep to Success program, offering Indigenous women entrepreneurs with mentorship, business training and guidance on developing small business supports.
“We are grateful to the Government of Alberta for this support of entrepreneurship growth. This funding will expand our NextStep to Success program, offering increased access to capital, connections, and capacity to Indigenous women who are building businesses. Working together as a community, we can build a thriving, inclusive space for entrepreneurs in our province,” Alberta Women Entrepreneurs CEO Marcela Mandeville
said.
Rural Municipalities of Alberta received $150,000 for a rural-focused economic development officer course and a micro-grant program to support members in determining economic development opportunities within a municipality, and Young Agrarians received $100,000 for an on-farm apprenticeship program to develop hands-on skills and knowledge to run a rural farm business.
The provincial government has also committed $125,000 to nine Regional Economic Development Alliances to support long-term economic prosperity in their regions, the release said.
“The Regional Economic Development Alliances (REDAs) understand the economic challenges their regions face, as well as the opportunities that are possible. The grants will allow them to continue building and developing regional initiatives that spur economic growth and diversity,” Minister of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development Brian Jean said.
Another $200,000 was also allocated to a one-time grant assisting public library boards in rural areas to strengthen their services and programs to support communities in becoming resilient and sustainable, the Public Library Grant for Skill Development in Rural Alberta.
“Public libraries serve as vital community hubs in small towns and midsized cities across Alberta. Libraries are about more than books, they’re places for Albertans young and old to connect to the internet and the world, to build new skills and touch up their resumes, and for newcomers to discover the culture and benefits that our province has to offer. These investments are also a part of our rural development strategy,” Minister of Municipal Affairs Rebecca Schulz said.
The economic development in rural Alberta plan will span five years and focus on strategic directions including identifying and improving economic development-enabling infrastructure to support investment and growth in rural Alberta, advancing entrepreneurship capacity and a culture of innovation across rural Alberta, and enabling skills development in rural communities to enhance workforce capacity for the future.
The plan will also focus on enhancing rural Alberta’s reputation and capacity as a diverse tourism destination and enhancing rural economic development through regional and targeted capacity building.
“Rural communities are playing a key role in the growth and diversification of Alberta’s economy.”
Chestermere City Council is moving forward with passing a new combative sports bylaw, after passing the second reading.
At the Feb. 7 council meeting, Alex Halat brought forward a combative sports bylaw.
After working with youth in the community and seeing more youth wanting to get involved in boxing, Halat was inspired to bring forward the bylaw, which would allow Chestermere’s Olympus Boxing Club to host large-scale events.
“The demographic of the sport is a little bit different, it’s not typical affluent families. It’s kids that need help. Kids go to Silver Gloves and Nationals and are getting to the point where they have the ability to go professional,” Halat said. “We have a couple of kids who have the means to travel to compete in pro, but about 90 per cent of them can’t.”
Halat explained to city councillors that the other professional boxing commission in the province is in Cold Lake, and within the last year, Cold Lake council and the Chestermere Olympus Boxing Club’s legal team helped craft the proposed bylaw.
“Locally, we don’t see a lot of professional fights. It’s getting youth onto the next level, and it’s something other than going to Calgary,” Halat said.
Under he bylaw, the event promoter would be reasonable for security, and insurance, with no legal liability for the city.
“I’m trying to get something local for our youth to stay local, and become local professionals,” Halat said.
The events could be held anywhere in the community, with the first event scheduled for June.
“We want to get three or four locals on that card and springboard them into their professional careers,” Halat said.
Hosting professional boxing events would not only benefit local boxers but also the community by attracting visitors to the city.
“We have a lot of people in our community who work with youth. The group I have behind me took the initiative to take this project on about a year and a half ago. It was something we thought about and worked with council to come up with a lot of unique ideas for this town and springboard us to this point,” Halat said.
He added that other communities start boxing clubs, but it quickly fizzles out, however, Chestermere’s club has continued to grow to about 150 members, from the original 15.
“We’ve had some volunteers in our community who spend a lot of time with these youth, in terms of keeping them on the straight and narrow, and keeping their marks up, which got us to this point,” Halat said.
The bylaw is still subject to change following further review.
“Chestermere is an active place, and it’s nice to have different activities, and different varieties within the city,” Mayor Jeff Colvin said.
By Emily Rogers
The Chestermere Regional Community Association’s annual Go Girl event is promoting sport, recreation, wellness and mental health for girls.
The twelfth annual Go Girl is inspiring young girls ages, nine to 15, to get involved in sports and physical activity, and to live a healthy lifestyle on Jan. 26. Throughout the day girls will participate in activities that are offered in the community including curling and dance.
The Chestermere Regional Community Association’s (CRCA) annual Go Girl event is promoting sport, recreation, wellness and mental health for girls.
The day will start at 8:30 a.m., at the Chestermere recreation centre on March 17, and will consist of a variety of activities such as dance, selfdefence, rugby, gym ringette, curling, yoga, and more recreational and positive mental health activities.
“Go Girl is a program that encourages girls to get involved in lifelong physical activity. We aim to bring together girls and service providers who can support this mandate,” CRCA General Manager Jody Nouwen said. “Physical activity is an important part of adolescent health and can contribute to a happier and healthier lifestyle.”
This year, Nouwen is hopeful to fill the Go Girl registration limit of 200 participants.
Chestermere businesses interested in sponsoring Go Girl, or being part of the resource fair are asked to contact Kim Soderberg McRae from Macaroni Kid at kimmcrae@macaronikid.com.
Girls between nine and 15 years of age can register online at www. chestermerecrca.com.
Lunch is also included in the $20 registration fee. Following the event, participants will receive information on how to join their favourite activity if they choose to pursue it.
Anyone with questions about the event is encouraged to call the recreation centre at 403-272-7170.
is demanding that the City of Chestermere remove misleading 2021 financial audit information from the city’s website.
KPMG issued a letter, dated for Feb. 21, explaining that auditors became aware of council agenda package information which indicates KPMG audited the city’s financial statements for 2021.
“That is not the case,” the letter said.
KPMG sent a letter to the city’s audit committee resigning from the city’s audit in December 2022, for the previous year.
“As a result of our resignation, we did not complete an audit of the city’s 2021 financial statements, and accordingly, have not issued an audit report expressing an opinion on these 2021 financial statements,” the letter said. The letter went on to explain that the council meeting information package dated for Dec. 7, 2022, six days after KPMG’s resignation.
“The package incorrectly states on two occasions that KPMG audited the city’s 2021 financial statements, first in the cover letter and second in the management report, both signed by Kim Wallace,” the letter said.
The information package also contains an unsigned independent auditors’ report.
“Which is misleading when read in the context of a package of information that refers to the 2021 financial statements as having been audited by KPMG,” the letter said.
The information package also includes a management representation letter to KPMG dated for Nov. 29, 2022, and a management representation letter to KPMG dated for Nov. 30, 2022. Both letters also have a signature page.
“KPMG was provided with one signed management representation letter, the one dated for Nov. 29, 2022,” the letter said. “KPMG was specifically advised, at the time, that management was unable to sign the version of the management representation letter dated for Nov. 30, 2022, and KPMG did not receive a signed version of that letter.”
Going forward, KPMG is requesting that city administration remove the information package from the city’s website, and issue a statement posted to the city’s website expressing that the city’s financial statements for 2021 have not been audited by KPMG.
Lastly, KPMG is requesting the city provide written confirmation from city council that no parties were directly advised by the city that KPMG had audited the city’s financial statements for 2021.
If any parties were advised, KPMG is requesting a written confirmation from the city that those parties have been contacted, and instructed to return any copies of the city’s financial statements that contain an unsigned independent auditor’s report.
The City of Chestermere was unavailable for comment.
KPMG declined to comment.
Calgary artists are showcasing their performances in a special winter Calgary Fringe event.
By Emily RogersGraduate artist students are testing their skills in being their own producers during a special winter edition of Calgary Fringe, the Fringe U(niversity) showcase weekend in March.
From March 9 until March 12, graduate artist students from the 2022 fall session of the Fringe U Artist Self-Producing Workshop Intensive are presenting their shows at The Grand in Calgary.
“Since graduating last fall, the artists have been practicing what they’ve learned about being their own artist producers and diligently writing n’ work-shopping their shows for this event,” a Calgary Fringe press release said.
Event attendees can choose how they watch the artist’s performances, between in-person, or live-streaming viewing options.
In addition to the performances, on March 11, each artist will connect with audience members following their performance in an open
20-minute Q&A session.
The goal of the Q&A session is to provide critical feedback and advice to assist the artists in further workshopping and development of their work, the Calgary Fringe website said.
The sessions will be led by Executive Director and Producer of Calgary Fringe Michele Gallant, and feature panellists Trevor Rueger of Alberta Playwrights Network, Jenna Klein-Waller of The Grand, and Christine Brubaker of the University of Calgary’s Schools of Creative and Performing Arts.
For more information visit the Calgary Fringe website at, https://tickets.calgaryfringe.ca/.
“In true fringe style, the Calgary Fringe has no artistic control over the work presented on stage, with 100 per cent of the ticket price, excluding ticketing surcharges, going directly back to the artist,” the release said.
Published since 2000, The Chestermere Anchor News Magazine is a hyper-local digital publication that provides readers local news coverage, community and social events, information on local shopping, and contemporary coverage of arts and entertainment.
The Anchor reaches more than 30,000 active, educated and affluent readers, who look to the Anchor to guide their lifestyle, shopping and entertainment choices. Readers rely on the Anchor’s coverage of local social issues, politics, arts and culture to keep themselves apprised of what is happening in their community.
The residents of Chestermere, Langdon, Conrich, Lyalta, and area are nothing like you’ve seen elsewhere in the region. Literate, Highly articulate, Politically aware, and Socially conscious. They are a group with a mind all their own.
To reach out to our eclectic group of readers, you need an eclectic publication. The Chestermere Anchor’s magazine style reaches that group of people.
Hyper-Local news has always occupied a specific niche in the media marketplace. We are a vehicle for highly localized communications, linked to community interests and issues.
The views, opinions and positions expressed by all columnists and contributors are the author’s alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of The Chestermere Anchor News Magazineor Anchor Media Inc.
We hear through groups like pathwaysalliance.ca how they are working on carbon capture technology, and that is good to hear. However, I recently read news feed on local TV station, and I paraphrase, that they may not make their goals for emission capture and the cost incurred in trying could be cost prohibitive to continue. A little hard to absorb when history making profits are being reported. So I sent a message to Pathways alliance asking for some clarification on that report, still waiting for a reply. Did you know that carbon (CO2) is pumped into oil wells to enhance oil recovery? Sounds good right? However, that capture is also being used to increase oil production, therefore the benefits in doing the capture process are not as great as they might seem. Like in any business it’s not hard to understand that unless there is some sort of pay back, why invest? Well, how about your family’s future on the planet that is showing signs of climate related issues, could be a good start. Only five years ago we we’re talking about achieving only a 1.5 degree change now it’s 2. That may not sound like much but were not there yet and all you have to do is watch the current reports on how the increases to the severity of weather change events are costing us all. That said, I think we can appreciate Canadian oil company’s stating they are doing their very best in creating cleaner energy of Canada’s current emissions. But let’s also understand that the 4,596,725 barrels of oil per day production in Canada reported in 2022 is one thing, burning the majority of that production for energy use and therefore CO2 output is exponentially something else. One barrel of oil being 91.6 % carbon produces 468 kg of CO2 when burned. It is estimated that the world uses 76,137,732 million barrels per day, now multiply that by 365 days and you’ll start to see why the atmosphere that we require to
live is changing the planet in more of an accelerated way. A quick way to recall what effect we have on the earth’s atmosphere is to simply look at the satellite images over the worlds industrial areas ( China, India, North America etc..) when the covid travel air and ground lock downs occurred, and the effect it had on clearing our atmosphere. It was a remarkable change in such a short time period, which also proves it’s possible. Oil products will always be around for manufacture of textiles, plastics, fertilizers, roads and medicines, we have just got to stop burning it. A report from NASA on global climate change states that in 1960 when the personal vehicle and industry was really starting to take off our global output of Carbon was about 6 billion tons per year, in 2014 it was 35 billion tons, or 6 times increase, and that was 9 years ago. In the last 10 years we have seen the hottest years recorded 6 times already. While inflation is now starting to be reduced in all sectors, why not food? Do you think no reduction is because of the lack of production in the US? We all saw the reports in the past 2 years of what is happening to the water reservoir depletions that feed the vegetable basket of North America. That’s right good old supply and demand. We are in climate change, which is natural, what is not natural is the rate of change due to our own output of CO2 and therefore adapting has to be accelerated. How? To name a few Solar power, Biofuels, wind power, ocean wave power, tidal power, geothermal energy, small nuclear, fusion power, hydrogen power, rethinking oil uses. Want more info, I recommend The Future is Now (solving the climate crisis with today’s technologies) and written for the common person to understand by CBC scientific host Bob McDonald and team of world scientist. Get it for your kids as it’s their future and leadership we’re talking about.
~ Dennis Bigras Wheatland countyChestermere has been the subject of multiple and increasingly severe issues over the past 16 months. It is evident that the expected governance is not being delivered as promised from our elected officials, especially our Mayor, Jeff Colvin. The loss of valuable personnel, senior administration facing assault charges, intentional misrepresentation of financial matters, conflict with the city’s auditor, and the leakage of private resident information due to the mayor’s actions are all concerning issues. As citizens, we deserve better, and it is time to speak up.
Therefore, I have drafted a template that I will be forwarding to Premier Danielle Smith and the Minister of Municipal Affairs Rebecca Schulz. I strongly encourage all Chestermere residents who share these concerns to take similar action. You can change this template to add in your own message, but it is important to ensure that our voices are heard.
Below is a link to a google drive where you can access the letter in a word document for easier forwarding.
https://drive.google.com/.../17XvFG...
Please send it to the following addresses
To: Premier Danielle Smith - premier@gov.ab.ca
CC: Minister of Municipal Affairs Rebecca Schulz - Minister. MunicipalAffairs@gov.ab.ca
Subject: Letter of concern – City of Chestermere
I am writing to express my serious concern regarding the current state of affairs in the City of Chestermere. It is apparent that our municipal government is failing to act in the best interests of our community, despite the intervention of a Municipal Affairs official administrator.
Over the past 16 months, we have witnessed a disturbing escalation of conflict amongst our council.
Instances of intentional misinformation directed towards our residents has become the norm, causing considerable harm to our community.
Chestermere City Council’s dispute with KPMG has further jeopardized our future by delaying access to funding necessary for future infrastructure projects. Additionally, the unauthorized release of residents’ private information, due to the mayor's personal vendetta against other members of council, is alarming and unacceptable.
Moreover, the recent assault charges laid against a senior administrator and significant ongoing loss of valuable talent at city hall have significantly undermined our confidence in the ability of our city to function effectively.
Considering these issues, it is my sincere belief that the current supervision of an official administrator is insufficient to ensure the well-being of our community. I, therefore, respectfully request that immediate action be taken to remove our municipal council to set us onto what will be a challenging path toward recovery.
It’s also troubling that residents in Chestermere are being denied the opportunity to ask questions or share their opinions or concerns at council meetings or on the City’s website. This undemocratic practice limits the ability of residents to engage with decision-making processes.
The City of Chestermere deserves better. It is time for the restoration of dignity, accountability, and good governance in our community. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
The Rocky View School (RVS) Board of Trustees approved the outlined priorities and goals for the 2022/2026 strategic plan as the 2023/2024 budget priorities.
“The RVS annual budget is driven by RVS’ vision of being a world-class learning organization where all students achieve their absolute best,” Superintendent of Schools Greg Luterbach said during the Feb. 9 school board meeting.
In support of the RVS four-year plan to foster innovators, and the operational needs of the school division, advancing student success through school-level supports, enhancing innovative programming and learning spaces for students, improving literacy and numeracy skill development at all levels, and boosting mental health and wellness for students and staff were identified as key priorities to guide the development of the budget.
RVS administration supported the alignment of the strategic plan priorities with the budget priorities after trustees approved the strategic plan in December.
“The strategic plan reflects the community voice and sets the stage for success in advancing the division’s vision and purpose. Without financial support, the achievement of the strategic plan priorities and goals are unlikely to come to fruition,” Luterbach said. “There needs to be a connection and coherence between what we say is important, and how we are going to fund our organization.”
He added, “The priorities are the priorities, and the reality is to move priorities forward there needs to be financial support behind them.” Utilizing the priorities in the strategic plan as the budget priorities are expected to reinforce the importance of the strategic plan and maintain a set of priorities for the organization.
The priorities and goals of the strategic plan include improving students’ learning, strengthening the RVS workforce, bolstering infrastructure, and connecting with the community.
To improve students’ learning RVS is working to deliver instruction with a focus on numeracy and literacy, to strengthen the workforce, RVS is continuing to develop and implement strategies to retain a skilled and diverse workforce, ensure a collaborative and inclusive team environment, support learning opportunities that build expertise, and enhance leadership development, and foster a supportive workplace.
To bolster infrastructure, RVS is planning for more spaces to learn and work, operate schools where students and staffers can thrive, and ensure
technology is meeting the needs of students and staff.
Lastly, RVS is connecting with the community by working to foster new partnerships and strengthen existing relationships while engaging and communicating actively to build relationships.
“I see opportunities for all students in these priorities. This is a really good direction for us to head in,” RVS Ward 1 Trustee Shali Baziuk said. “I’m excited about this direction, and these priorities are absolutely in line with what we want to deliver to our students.”
RVS Ward 3 Trustee Melyssa Bowmen
explained that although she appreciates the desire to align budget priorities with strategic priorities, she doesn’t see alignment with exact duplication. She added that trustees have the opportunity when developing budget priorities to set priorities with a specific financial focus, and using the strategic plan as budget priorities feels too broad. “For myself, being more specific instead of being so broad would be helpful. I’d much rather have an opportunity to set direction with a focus. I’m seeing some of my concern become reality, and that we’ve pulled ourselves further back out of this important process,” Bowmen said. “I hope we can reflect, look deeper, and set more specific priorities that absolutely would align with our strategic priorities and the goals within them.”
Luterbach explained that it’s important there is a link between the budget and the priorities, as the strategic plan priorities determine the budget.
Ward 5 RVS Trustee Judi Hunter said aligning the priorities will ensure the school board has all the pieces of the puzzle to ensure students and staff are successful.
“Process is always messy. Everything is always in flux, but to me, keep the big vision forward, to say this is what we want for our kids, and here are all the pieces we need to make it happen,” Hunter said. “That can shift, but at least we have a vision of what that looks like for our kids.”
Ward 4 RVS Trustee and board chair Norma Lang said aligning the strategic plan and budget priorities is an opportunity to create priorities and goals inside the strategic plan, that can double as budget priorities.
“The ‘Ah-Ha’ moment, when the idea that the budget priorities could equal the strategic plan priorities happened after we developed priorities for the strategic plan,” Lang said. “We can look at this year after year, and in my view, this is an experimental year to see if this works.”
Q: What is an Internet radio station?
A: An Internet radio station is a radio station that broadcasts over the internet, allowing listeners to tune in from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
While we can and do reach the whole world, as our slogan says, our target listening area is “from the bow to the badlands”. In real terms, we have regular listeners in: Calgary, Conrich, Chestermere, Langdon, Indus, Lyalta, Cheadle, Carseland, Mossleigh, Arrowwood, Siksika Nation, Gleichen, Strathmore, Irricana, Biesiker, Acme, Linden, Rosebud, and Drumheller.
Q: Do I need special equipment to listen to your station?
A: No, you don’t need any special equipment to listen to our station. You can listen to us on any device that can connect to the internet, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, Alexa, Google Home, and desktop computers.
Q: How do I listen to your station?
A: You can listen to our station by visiting our website and clicking on the “Listen Live” button.
• Play Store – Search for and install CFTR the Rogue
• App Store – Search for and Install CFTR Radio
• Alexa – Say “Alexa enable CFTR the Rogue” to enable the skill, then simply say “Alexa play CFTR the Rogue” Every time after that.
• Google Home: Say “Hey Google, Talk to CFTR the Rogue.
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Elaine Cassidy
It is true Elaine and I enjoy and appreciate birds of all sorts. We chat about individual birds we’ve seen and revel in their behavior and beauty. As we walk along the Bow River, Fish Creek, on Cold Lake Provincial Park, the Red Deer River, Telford Lake or Ellis Bird Farm pathways, our eyes also seek out nature’s other creatures – such as the whitetail deer, a porcupine, the coyote and a mink that make an unexpected appearance. We now share a few yarns and the accompanying images with you. Both whitetail and mule deer have adapted well to urban life, blending into the city parks, no doubt knowing they are quite safe. A most memorable experience involved the “courtship” of a whitetail buck and a collection of does in Carburn Park, Calgary last November. We were
within 15 feet of this magnificent buck, who was engrossed in his amorous pursuit and not our presence.
A lone porcupine attracted massive interest over the period of a few weeks last winter. Napping in a distinctive looking hollow within a tree, many Calgarians and park visitors stopped to appreciate this rarely seen herbivore.
Out along the Bow River, south of Strathmore, at Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park, as well as on the trails within, most creatures remain wary of human encounters, except for a curious coyote. While looking for nuthatches and woodpeckers, we noticed a coyote lingering in the low shrubs, watching us. When we stopped it moved into cover, only to return
to within a distance of 30 feet, looking at us, eye to eye. Not missing a chance for a great photograph, our shutter buttons clicked. Elaine then asked if I had any methods of self-defence. A quick jog came to mind. Walking along the Bow River, one afternoon we spotted a mink preparing to climb up onto the river ice. Our shutters in motion, the mink took note of our presence. Its curiosity engaged, it steadily moved through the large rocks to get a closer look at us. Disappearing momentarily, it appeared further down the river bank with a substantial burbot between its jaws
and headed to the river ice, vanishing from sight. We could only surmise the mink didn’t want us stealing his impending meal but it did pose enough to be enjoyed.
Wildlife appear often as those pleasant surprises while outdoors. Fur as well feathers appeal to those who love nature. The chance to see and appreciate a “flock of deer” while looking for a “herd of waxwings” is that gift one can truly anticipate anytime in Alberta’s outdoors.
Welcome to Rainbow Falls Dental!
Family Dentist Chestermere
Rainbow Falls Dental is excited to introduce their brand new state of the art Dental practice to the town of Chestermere and surrounding area. Our dynamic team will strive to ensure you are comfortable and confident with the complete oral health care you are receiving and will continue to receive.
You’ll always leave a lasting impression with a bright and confident smile. At Rainbow Falls Dental, we want to help you claim and maintain a strong healthy smile to enjoy for your entire life.
Rainbow Falls Dental is a full-service clinic providing everything from routine check-ups & cleanings for your children, to the complex cosmetic and restorative dentistry sometimes needed.
Our team understands that there is often a sense of uneasiness and anxiety associated with dental visits. We strive to put these emotions at ease by creating a positive and relaxing experience. It is very important to establish a great foundation of trust with each and every patient and take the time to accommodate to the specific needs of the individual. Our entire team is dedicate to providing you with a comfortable, pleasant, and friendly experience.
We offer dental services for families and individuals of all ages. We are Unit 214 100 Rainbow Road, Chestermere, AB. We are right beside the No Frills.
Call Rainbow Falls Dental to set up an appointment!
The Alberta Dental Association Fee Guide
Hello Chestermere-Strathmore readers.
Iwanted to share a personal story with you this week. As with all families, we go through our ups and downs, and I find myself in that intersection where many of us are helping our parents. As we become caregivers, we require exceptional amounts of the grace, love, and compassion. My mom is a rockstar and has been a caregiver for over 22 years. My mom has done so much to keep her family healthy, from my grandma to my sister, who passed away on December 22. This last week my parents endured a bad bout of COVID, my father fell badly, and he is also potentially losing a toe due to his diabetes. Even with all of that, the smiles and resilience of these two are remarkable, and the doctors, nurses, specialists, and all involved are quite frankly amazing. We are so lucky to have our healthcare system; the much-needed improvements will improve our system if we are willing to do that work together. I wanted to highlight The Limb Preservation Centre at the Peter Lougheed hospital, which opened to patients in October 2016 and now provides care to approximately 8,000 patients annually. This clinic is funded through Alberta Health Care and incredibly generous donations. A portion of funds raised purchased state-of-the-art technology that helps with the early detection and assessment of vascular issues, a major risk factor in limb loss. My father has benefited from this technology and has had minor amputations versus losing his foot because of these talented doctors. On their website, “The Centre continues to be active in multiple research initiatives to improve care further. After a career in Podiatric Surgery in Alberta, Dr. Mark Zivot left the practice several years ago. However, he has maintained close contact with his Podiatric colleagues, watching the program grow to meet patient needs.”
“Philanthropy has played an important part in my life, and I wanted to provide a substantial donation with direct purpose and passion. Not just a gift of dollars, but a gift of my knowledge, experience, and time,” Dr. Zivot explains. “The naming of the Zivot Limb Preservation
Center is a great honour, and I am most gracious for the opportunity to give back to health care.” This Centre is now regarded as a centre of excellence showing that lower extremity amputation rate in the Calgary Zone has been reduced by 45 percent. There has been a 30 percent reduction in hospitalizations and a reduced length of stay for diabetes related foot complication. The savings to Alberta Health are currently $19M per year.
As a daughter who has watched my dad go through this, I want to thank Mr Zivot, Dr. Manji, Dr. Harton and the nurses, specialists and staff of the Zivot Limb Preservation Centre, my dad’s family doctor, and the emergency doctor-Dr. Bhardwaj, and Nurse Lauren who stitched him up after he fell. I wanted to share this with all of you because advocacy from family and community are key in our healthcare outcomes, mental health outcomes, and honestly investigates our institutions as to where we are successful as much as where we are failing. I write this not as a politician, but as a family member, a member of the community, and hopefully as a friend to many of you, so that we can talk about these things and find solutions. The doctors that do limb preservation are some of the best people I have met, and their value cannot be underestimated. Please take good care of yourself.
As always, we love to hear from you.
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Like a home away from home, Mary Jane Manor is the perfect setting for your romantic get away, private event, health and wellness retreats, conferences, educational courses and more. www.maryjanemanor.ca
Kerry Jolene Funk will appear in provincial Count in April.
By Emily Rogers
The Southern Alberta District General Investigation Section has pursued charges against a Calgary resident in an officer-involved shooting in Wheatland County.
Kerry Jolene Funk, 37, has been charged with assaulting a peace officer with a weapon, flight from a peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and uttering threats.
Funk was released on conditions and will appear in Airdrie Provincial Count in April.
On Feb. 12, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the Airdrie Rural RCMP received a call from Calgary Police to assist in locating a vehicle that was driving erratically.
The vehicle fled from an attempted traffic stop, and later, an RCMP officer successfully deployed a tire deflation device, stopping the vehicle near the Highway 564 and Range Road 245 intersection in Wheatland County.
The officer attempted to arrest the driver, but an altercation occurred resulting in the officer discharging their firearm.
Funk was taken by STARS to a Calgary hospital with gunshot injuries. No officers were physically injured.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) took over the investigation, while the RCMP began an independent internal review, where training, policy, police response, and the duty status of members involved were subject to review.
Thank you for joining us for Winter Session 1 Programs. We are currently taking a break on all programs this week.
HEY YOU! YA, YOU!
Do you like yoga? Making Crafts? Do your kids like Lego, Chess or Science Experiments? We have those things and more, at the library. Check out our full program guide on our website. www.chestermerepubliclibrary.com
Winter Programs 2023
Session 2 registration begins on February 21st. Programs begin on February 27th.
School’s Out For… …February Break!
Keep the kiddos busy and entertained at the library. Come on down and play in our kids’ section while picking out some books, movies, or video games to keep the kids busy while on school break.
Novel Book Club
Join us March 16th at 6:00PM in the library to discuss Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour. No registration is required, and copies are available at the library for borrowing.
Graphic Novel and Manga Club
This month our teen and adult Graphic Novel and Manga Club are discussing books about friendship on our Discord. Any friend duo or group in comics are welcome to be discussed this month. Join our discord on our website.
Share Your Library Experience
Have you taken part in any of our library services? We are looking for feedback on the library and our programs. Let us know what you think and how we can improve. Your feedback directly impacts our services and programming so we can continue to make the library better for everyone. Email your feedback to info@ chestermerepubliclibrary.com or drop it off in our feedback box.
Support Your Local Library
Are you aware that the library is a Registered CHARITY? This means that we depend on donations from the public to support us. We are looking for corporate or personal sponsors for our Winter Program Session! Any donations help and allow us to improve all our programming. Contact info@ chestermerepubliclibrary.com if you would like to donate.
Monthly Newsletter
Are you wondering what’s happening at the library? Would you like to know? Sign up for our monthly newsletter for updates on programming, Reading Programs, Featured Displays, Community Outreach, Featured Artists, and more. Sign up by visiting our website at chestermerepubliclibrary.com
Library Hours:
Monday through Thursday – 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday and Saturday – 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday – 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
For more information about what is happening at the Library, check our website. Don’t forget to follow and like us on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages.
The quest for “diversity” has become the universal rallying cry for every institution, including universities, government departments, corporations, and even law societies. “Diversity” has been defined as including skin colour, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. However, the one kind of diversity not included on this list – and the one that is desperately needed today – is diversity of viewpoint. That most important kind of diversity is not welcomed at all. It is too often actively shunned or outright cancelled.
We saw this play out during the truckers’ “Freedom Convoy” last winter. The protesters in Ottawa represented a significant portion of the Canadian population who were fed up with vaccine mandates and other measures they saw as government overreach undertaken in the name of “keeping Canadians safe” from a respiratory virus that listens to no government. They also asked to be heard by a government that is expected to belong to all Canadians.
Instead, they were called names by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and told that they held “unacceptable views.” Draconian punishment, including the seizure of bank accounts, then followed. Clearly, a government committed to “diversity” did not include a diversity of viewpoints on its list. But this failure to include a diversity of viewpoints on the diversity list in all of Canada’s institutions. Universities that have made the quest for “diversity” almost a religious calling routinely shout down or outright cancel those with viewpoints they disapprove of. Mainstream newspapers simply refuse to allow writers with a different perspective on issues such as residential schools, climate change, or COVID vaccination to air their views. No diversity there.
But in the recent Twitter revelations, we are beginning to see how damaging the failure to allow a diversity of viewpoints to flourish can be. Twitter certainly encouraged diversity in almost everything except for diversity of viewpoints. Twitter staff are of different colours, genders, and sexual orientations. But, until Elon Musk came along, Twitter didn’t have the diversity that really mattered – diversity of viewpoint. Although some Twitter employees were actively partisan, most saw things through a progressive lens. There were virtually no conservative thinkers on the Twitter payroll. As a result, their multi-coloured, multi-gendered, and diverse sexually oriented staff all thought the same way. They were all living within the same liberal/progressive thought bubble.
There is nothing wrong with their views; probably half the population holds similar liberal/progressive views. The problem is that everyone
within the organization approached every censorship decision from exactly that viewpoint. There were no conservative thinkers to offer balance. The Twitter staff looked different but thought the same.
And that is essentially what has happened within mainstream media generally. There is nothing wrong with the viewpoint of an urban, middleclass, university-educated journalist, but when every journalist comes from that same background, there is a problem. The journalist sees every story through their progressive lens. In the days when many “newspapermen” were blue-collar conservatives, a balance existed in mainstream newspapers. But that is largely gone now.
As a result, many alternative conservative media outlets have sprung up. And this is leading to a world where half the population lives within one liberal/progressive thought bubble while the other half lives within a traditionalist/conservative thought bubble. And never the twain shall meet.
And those living within the one bubble deny access to, or “cancel,” those living within the other bubble.
There is no obvious solution to this problem. On an individual basis, we can choose to leave our comfortable bubble once in a while and see what those in the other bubble are watching and reading. A Fox fan can turn on CNN and vice versa. Or, in Canada, a CBC or CTV fan can tune in to True North or Rebel News. A Globe and Mail reader can choose to read the Western Standard occasionally. And vice versa.
However, until our major institutions take note of how much damage is being done by coercing everyone to accept the view of the liberal/ progressives, and marginalizing Canadians who think differently, the problem will only get worse.
The fact is, the civil rights battles over skin colour, gender, and sexual orientation rights were largely won years ago. That kind of “diversity” is already well accepted and is here to stay. But the battle over the failure to accept a diversity of viewpoints is raging and shows no sign of letting up any time soon.
And we must find a solution because that intolerance undermines the free speech essential for democracy to survive.
Diversity of viewpoint is the most important diversity of all. Canada needs it.
Brian Giesbrecht is a retired judge and a senior fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
© Troy Media
January 2022
Concerns of Chestermere’s governance expressed to municipal affairs
Former and current city staff, former and current city councillors, and citizens expressed their concerns of Chestermere’s governance to municipal affairs.
The previous Minister of Municipal Affairs, Ric McIver, received letters, phone calls, and emails, sharing concerns until March 2022.
February 2022
City employees begin the unionization process
Chestermere city employees began the process of applying to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), to protect their rights.
Communications Representative of CUPE Lou Arab confirmed to Anchor Media that the unionization application was submitted on Jan 26, 2022.
“They signed all their cards within two weeks of the application. Our union drive was conducted entirely in the month of January 2022,” Arab said.
Chestermere employees began the process of joining CUPE for better treatment from their employers, and respect for the services they provide.
The union would add a layer of protection between city staff and the employer and outline how things must be done within the employment contract, such as laying staff off and negotiating pay and other benefits.
Every staff member that fell within the scope of the union was asked to send in a ballot, and with 50 per cent or more of votes in favour to join the union, negotiations proceeded.
City employees apply to join Alberta Labour Relations Board
CUPE began a membership drive among Chestermere city employees.
Cheryl Oates, a Communications Representative of CUPE confirmed to Anchor Media that the petition was completed with enough signatures to apply to the Alberta Labour Relations Board for certification.
The voting ballots were submitted to the board, sealed, and waited for the result of objections from the employer and the union.
The hearing was scheduled for May 25 until May 27, 2022.
The city received a letter from McIver informing them that department officials would review the municipality to have a better understanding of issues and determine if further intervention was necessary, and if further action was required.
Municipal affairs ordered a formal inspection of Chestermere’s municipal governance, after completing a preliminary review.
An independent contractor was appointed to carry out the inspection to determine whether any legislative contraventions or improper conduct had occurred, Municipal Affairs Press Secretary Scott Johnston said.
The inspection report addressed issues such as members of council acting alone and outside of a council resolution, members of council performing administrative functions and duties, code of conduct infractions, improper council meeting procedures and conduct, and the sale of municipal property not in accordance with the Municipal Government Act (MGA).
“The inspection process is designed to ensure objectivity and procedural fairness, while also ensuring that all allegations are given appropriate consideration,” Johnston said.
The process typically takes between six to 18 months to complete.
The City of Chestermere welcomed the municipal affairs inspection and agreed to begin the inspection in the last week of May.
Council was hopeful that the inspection would be completed quickly, and would help in any way necessary, and later share the inspection findings with residents.
City representatives said they had refuting information on when the first city employee application to unionize was submitted.
They indicated the first application was submitted before the last municipal election, not in January 2022. However, appropriate documents could not be submitted, due to confidentially concerns.
Arab explained that the evidence must be signed within 90 days of the union application, and 50 per cent or more of the votes had to be in favour of the union to proceed with negotiations.
City workers unionize
City of Chestermere employees voted to join CUPE.
CUPE Alberta President Rory Gill welcomed Chestermere city employees into CUPE after the majority voted in favour of certification.
City employees move forward with CUPE
CUPE began work with Chestermere city employees to negotiate a union agreement.
After city employees were approved to join CUPE, the Alberta Labour Relations Board conducted a vote of all eligible employees.
If over 50 per cent of eligible employees voted to unionize, the board would become the official bargaining agent for all employees.
Representatives organized by the union then serve on the bargaining committee, ask members about their concerns, and prepare proposals for a first collective agreement.
CUPE expected the city to also prepare proposals.
Bargaining a first contract can be a slow process, taking over a year to finalize.
When both sides have completed negotiations and come to a full agreement, the union will present the deal to members for vote.
Throughout the process, city employees have a codified condition of employment, work rules, and can file any grievances that are backed up by union representatives if they feel the city is not following the set conditions or rules.
September 2022
Municipal affairs reviews Chestermere’s governance inspection report
The inspection report into Chestermere’s governance was submitted to municipal affairs for review.
Municipal affairs was set to give Chestermere council an embargoed copy of the inspection report for review and comment.
Based on the report and councils’ response, the minister would then determine the next steps.
November 2022
City reviews municipal inspection report
Municipal affairs shared an embargoed copy of the inspection report with city council for review and comment.
City council had until Dec. 9, to provide any feedback to the newly appointed Minister of Municipal Affairs, Rebecca Schulz.
Based on the responses from city council regarding the report, Schulz will determine the next steps.
After considering input from council, municipal affairs will share the report with Chestermere residents through a public meeting.
Until the public meeting, municipal affairs couldn’t comment on the contents of the inspection report.
An inspection report is used to identify significant concerns with the governance, management and administration of a municipality, and to take corrective actions if necessary.
Although an inspection report does not result in the dismissal of members of council, or a municipal Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), under specific conditions of the MGA the Minister of Municipal Affairs could take action to dismiss council members or a CAO.
December 2022
The City of Chestermere rejected the embargoed copy of the municipal affairs inspection report, due to a “Lack of evidence and a flawed process.”
Council called a special meeting where Mayor Jeff Colvin and city councillors Mel Foat, Stephen Hanley, and Blaine Funk passed a resolution rejecting and opposing the draft report.
City Councillors Shannon Dean and Sandy Johal-Watt opposed the motion but were defeated by a majority vote.
Councillor Ritesh Narayan was not present for the entire meeting and did not vote.
The city-run website Chestermere Today suggested municipal affairs rescind or redo the report, and that the draft report was biased against the city.
The city declined to respond to the draft report based on “Breaches to the principles of Natural Justice and Procedural Fairness.”
Municipal affairs was made aware of the inspection report rejection, and continues to uphold the process under the MGA, and will review the city’s feedback.
The ministry has yet to release the findings of the draft report publicly.
Chestermere residents can expect to receive an update from municipal affairs in early 2023.
City rejects municipal affairs draft inspection report, again City council disallowed the Dec. 9, special meeting rejecting the municipal affairs draft inspection report, due to a time stamp issue.
Kim Wallace, the City Director of Corporate Services presented the city’s official response to the draft inspection report.
She explained the city’s refusal of the report was due to breaches of the Public Inquiries Act, breaches to Natural Justice and Procedural Fairness, and a lack of evidence.
The city’s response indicated sections of the Public Inquiries Act were not followed, including evidence, attendance of witnesses, admissibility of evidence, the right to call witnesses, and notice of an allegation of misconduct.
A motion was carried authorizing Colvin to write a letter to Schulz requesting to meet, with Colvin, the deputy mayor, and chosen councillors.
Chestermere’s city director of corporate services was arrested and charged with assault.
The Chestermere RCMP were made aware of an assault at city hall. Following an investigation into allegation, RCMP arrested and charged Kim Wallace with assault.
Wallace was released on conditions and will appear in provincial court in March.
KPMG issued a letter to the City of Chestermere requesting misleading information be removed from the city website.
The letter, dated for Feb. 21, explained that the city’s website indicates KPMG completed the 2021 audit.
However, KPMG resigned from the city’s audit committee.
“As a result of our resignation, we did not complete an audit of the city’s 2021 financial statements,” the letter said.
KPMG requested that the city remove the information indicating they completed the 2021 audit from the city’s website and issue a statement expressing that the city’s financial statements for 2021 have not been audited by KPMG.
KPMG also requested the city provide a written confirmation from city council that no parties were directly advised by the city that KPMG had completed the 2021 audit.
The City of Chestermere was unavailable for comment. KPMG declined to comment.
Hello and welcome to a Minute with Michelle, here is the Real Estate Market update for Chestermere, Langdon and Strathmore for February 4th to the 11th, 2023
In Chestermere there are presently 74 Active Listings
1 apartment style behind the salfey way in Chestermere station listed for 234,900
1 new build town home with no condo fees in waterford for 420,000 for duplexes there are 6 5 new builds and 1 resale starting at 444,900 For detached homes are there 66 ranging from 536192 for house under construction in dawson to lakefront for 1.79 million
There are more new builds than re-sale homes for sale in Chestermere at this time.
For pending sales there are 14 from a townhouse in Stonemere Place up to a lakefront on west chestermere drive for 1.9 million
In the last 7 days there were 6 - one new build duplex in dawson for 454000 rest were all detached resales ranging in price from 615000 to 920000
For langdon there are presently 18 active listings all detached homes starting at 550 and going up to 984000 for a lrage walk out bungalow on the golf course
8 of the listings are new builds
For pending sales there are is one a new build in boulder creek
For sales in the last 7 days there were 2 both 2 storey detached homes one of the northwest side and one new build on Hanson Drive.
In Strathmore there are 33 active listings including and apartment starting at 120,000 all the way up to 1.5million for an increditble hillcrest estates bungalow.
Strathmore continues to show its affordability as we move through another sellers market so far this spring.
For pending sales there are 6 from an apartment listed for 159900 to a lovely 2 storey in Edgefield
and for sales in the last 7 days in strathmore there were 2 both detached 2 storeys in the wildrose neighbourhood
and that was the Real Estate Market Update for Chestermere, Langdon and Strathmore for February 4th to the 11th, 2023
Listen to Michelle’s daily up[dates on https://cftrtherogue.com
This may come as a surprise to some Canadians, but our country doesn’t really have a real discount grocery chain. With higher food prices and a growing number of consumers seeking refuge from record-setting food inflation at the grocery store, real discount grocery stores would really come in handy. But the option is simply not there.
Rebates have grown scarce in recent years as No Frills and other value grocers such as Empire’s FreshCo and Metro’s Food Basics took a noticeable step back from their ongoing fight with Walmart. Quebec is in even worse shape: shoppers can find Metro’s Super C or Maxi, owned and operated by Loblaw. Sobeys doesn’t even operate a discount chain in Quebec. All banners and stores are connected to just a handful of grocers controlling the Canadian market.
Now Walmart is doing its own thing with price locks, and Loblaw just ended its 14-week price freeze, which failed to show beyond a reasonable doubt that consumers were indeed saving money. While consumers likely saved some money in January, after a few months of double-digit food inflation, it was not clear to many.
Rebates are just not as overly aggressive as what you would see in European-based discount stores. Every now and then, some impending threat will shake our industry’s giants, and they try to fight for market share. But as soon as the danger passes, some sort of truce overwhelms the market. This is what happened when Target came and quickly went in 2015, and with Amazon Fresh a few years ago when rumours were swirling that they would attempt to enter the Canadian market.
For years, reports have suggested that both Lidl and Aldi would enter the Canadian market. We’re still waiting. But Lidl, a German international discount retailer chain, opened its first store in the United States in 2017 and now operates almost 200 stores. Aldi, another German company, now has over 2,300 stores in the United States. Both have similar business models, centring all of their efforts on discounts, plain and simple. With both, what you see is what you get, although Aldi does own Trader Joe’s in the U.S.
Unlike traditional grocery stores, both Lidl and Aldi operate on a restricted selection strategy,
offering only a curated selection of privatelabel products and a smaller range of national brands. Lidl may have more branded products, depending on location. This leads to lower overhead costs and allows stores to sell products at lower prices when compared to competitors. Moreover, these discount grocers implement cost-saving measures such as a bring-yourown-bag policy, an incredibly minimalistic store design, and an efficient checkout process. In fact, in Europe, where Aldi and Lidl originate, clerks typically sit down while working at these discount grocery stores as most of the bagging work is done by customers themselves.
Lidl and Aldi’s strategies benefit the consumer with lower prices and contribute to a more sustainable and efficient retail environment. Some no-frills stores, such as No Frills, do some of that but not nearly at the same level. Lidl and Aldi are also known for their emphasis on quality: their products must meet strict quality standards while still being affordable.
In recent years, non-traditional grocers like Costco, Dollarama, Giant Tiger and Walmart have
slowly shifted and tried to fill the discounting void we have in Canada. Costco stands out. Only 15 years ago, Costco was a mediocre food retailer, at best. Today, it processes many of its fresh products onsite, while the quality and freshness rarely disappoint. Deals are impressive, but shoppers need both a car and the space at home.
The bottom line is this. Canada needs a disruptor, a new player that will redefine competition in the grocery industry. Loblaw just converted more than a dozen stores into discount Maxi stores in Quebec simply because the company sees the writing on the proverbial wall. Grocers, coupled with the complacency of our regulators, have gotten comfortable Perhaps too comfortable.
One can only hope that either Aldi, Lidl or another non-Canadian discount grocer reads this column. Canadians are calling you.
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University. © Troy Media
This week on Unpacked we are chatting with guest Rebecca Hagedorn, Owner and Entrepreneur of Everline + Co. We chat with Rebecca about her personal health journey with ADHD, Postpartum Depression, Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). Rebecca shared the story of trusting her gut and following her instincts that helped her to continue to advocate for answers and unlock the missing pieces in her own physical and mental health journey. Rebecca is a talented jewelry designer and honest mama who creates pieces to remind other women of their worth. Rebecca shares her life story of becoming a mom, entrepreneur and mental health advocate. She takes us through some of her life lessons and how she has chosen to share on social media her personal health journey in hopes of helping people trust their gut and not give up.
Unpacked is a podcast exploring life as messy people. It’s conversations with counsellors, leaders, storytellers discussing the experiences of being human. We talk about the strength that comes from big messy failures and vulnerable moments so we can learn to live more authentically. Subscribe and leave us a review!
Links: https://unpackedpod.buzzsprout.com/
with Hana Shaw
The modern era of music that is present in today’s society explains the synthesis of styles, techniques, and modes of music that were developed throughout the prominent eras of musical development such as the Baroque Era, Classical Era, and Romantic Era. Ultimately, this evolution of ideas resulted in the various genres of music present in western society and around the world. The evolution of music has proven to be an intricate, foundational basis for artistic and musical expression today.
“Modern classical” is a term that is used to describe music that has been composed in the contemporary era, but reflects the styles of musical composition that were popular during the centuries of the Baroque, Classical, and Romantic Eras. At first glance, “modern” and “classical” may present a juxtaposition by the significance of the words themselves, “classical” referring to the past and “modern” referring to the present day. The eminent sophistication of these time periods has since made a comeback through contemporary compositions.
A great portion of this modern day music reflects the prominent stylistic choices of composers during the Romantic Era, as the flamboyance of the Baroque Era met its medium ground during this time period, combining both elements of simplicity and embellishments to satisfy the requirements of a piece that is interesting to listen to, but still pleasing to the ear. Although attending performances of classical music is still relevant in today’s society, classical music has taken on a new audience of listeners and thus, modern classical composers have adhered to a new preferences of classical music adopted by the population. Classical music is now enjoyed primarily for purposes of meditation, relaxation, and studying.
As a student myself, I can personally agree to the fact that classical music is a stimulant to creativity and ingenuity, and thus it is beneficial to listen to when doing any sort of intellectual or creative work.
Throughout the centuries that classical music was flourishing, the music industry was also branching out into several different genres and styles. Many came to enjoy music that contained lyrics while others preferred the simplistic nature of instrumental music.
All things considered, a great deal can be said about the importance of classical music in the shaping of today’s compositions. Industrialization, while proving to have profound development in the creation of music, has also presented a rather bleak outcome as musical creation is becoming treated more and more as a commodity rather than unique, original works of art. In other words, the remarkable complexity of human creativity represented through music has since been reduced to adhere to quantitative and societal demands rather than expressing the rare, remarkable thoughts inherent in human creativity.
As this article brings the month of February to a close, I will be introducing a new topic next week of which all my articles in March will go into further depth of. Although I am still considering a variety of possible themes, I have recently been reading a great amount of literature from around the world, from that of Frydor Dostoevsky to Sun Tzu. A great amount of philosophical ideas are presented through texts such as these, and it has inspired me to learn more about philosophy.
As always, please feel free to reach out to me through the email I have linked below. If you have any suggestions, feedback, or writing opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact me at hana.chestermere@gmail. com.
link.
In some circles, or at conferences, I am sometimes introduced as a community builder. It seems to be an appropriate way to describe what I do and what I am passionate about. As a neighbourhood pastor I love seeing communities grow and deepen. I am overjoyed to hear about people who come together, care for each other, and find ways to share their lives in ways that bless and build up others. Yet in so many ways we are not ‘building’ a community - rarely is it as structured and organized as this. Often it looks much less - and so much more. For all the work we do to create events, programs, or project, the truth is that most people come together in unexpected or unplanned ways. Community is not something we build in a predictable and measured way, quite often it is a byproduct (or in spite of) of our best efforts. Community is what comes out of the environment we create. It is what we find in the wake of a block party or a hockey game, or after great loss or hardship. Community is not something we can force, manipulate, impose, or legislate. Community that is born out of compulsion does not lead to what we hope for, or at least not a healthy kind of community. Getting someone’s attention does not mean that we have created a community. True community only happens through a genuine, authentic, honest, and trustworthy environment that allows people to come together over time. In fact, true community is slow, uncharted, and full of unexpected turns. It welcomes without restricting, it invites commitment without compulsion, it brings purpose and a deep kind of joy that cosmetic connections just cannot match.
So if communities are not something we can fabricate or build, then what are we
doing? Author Patrick Henry wrote that “true community is a gift, not something you construct.” True community can never be bought, built, or forced. It can only be given and received. Community is, at its heart, a gift.
Every person has the ability to give and receive the gift of community. Every time we sit with a friend who is hurting, or have coffee with a neighbour, or ask for help with a project, or serve snacks to the neighbour kids, we are participating in the gift of community.
One of the most beautiful postures we can take towards our neighbours and our city is one of generosity. It is a posture of giving and receiving this gift of community. Think of it like this, every time you give to, or receive
from, your neighbours you weave the fabric of your community. Every exchange is a thread. If our gifts are given with care, attentiveness, hope, and kindness we create a culture where community emerges as a tapestry - a gift for everyone.
Growing Chestermere requires that we take the long way around. Demanding community will rarely create what we hope for, while settling in to give and receive with care and attentiveness over time - that’s the stuff of great hope for our city. May we discover that our city is not designed or coerced, it is grown, one gift and giver at a time.
Listen Monday’s at 1:00 PM
https://chestermereradio.ca
Mondays 1:00 pm - 2:oopm MST
The Rogue is pleased to have Michelle Eldjarnson from Chestermere’s own Re/Max Key to our regularly scheduled programming.
Listen Monday’s at one to hear about things going on around town and to hear Michelle’s eclectic picks of music
Michelle has loved music all her life and was exposed at an early age to every type of music from Jazz to Hillbilly, old fashioned country, with stops in between at classical rock and classical piano, in a variety of languages including English, French and Spanish.
Michelle’s Weekly topics will cover
The people in your neighborhood
Local sports teams
All about our schools
The walking paths
The parks
The ponds
The lake
The wildlife
Walkability
By Marilyn King
If you’re like me, and a good number of other people in Southern Alberta, the appearance of a chinook arch can mean two things…warmer weather that will get rid of some of the snow and a major headache!
Chinook winds, or simply Chinooks, are two types of prevailing warm, generally westerly winds in western North America: Coastal Chinooks and interior Chinooks. The coastal Chinooks are persistent seasonal, wet, southwesterly winds blowing in from the ocean. The interior Chinooks are occasional warm, dry föhn winds blowing down the eastern sides of interior mountain ranges.
This week, I learned that there is another kind of Chinook……a breed of dog. In 1965, the Guinness Book of World Records listed the Chinook as the world’s rarest dog breed. And by 1981, there were only 28 Chinooks remaining, and many were senior dogs or had been neutered. To save the breed, three breeders divided between them the 11 dogs still suitable for breeding. Through their efforts, and the establishment of a careful breeding program, the number of Chinooks has been steadily on the rise. When the breed was fully recognized as a member of the American Kennel Club’s Working Group in 2013, there were 813 dogs registered. The very first Chinook was bred by polar explorer Arthur Treadwell Walden in the early 1900s. Walden (May 10, 1871 – March 26, 1947) was a Klondike Gold Rush adventurer, dog driver and participant in the first Byrd Antarctic Expedition. He is also known as an author and developer of the Chinook sled dog breed. He wanted to create a breed that would combine the speed of sled dogs with the power and stamina of the working freight breeds
The Chinook is relaxed at home but energetic outside and has a sweet, easygoing temperament.
It definitely would not make a good guard dog unless you wanted an intruder to be licked to death and become a best friend!
Walden and his wife operated a 1300-acre farm and inn in Wonalancet, New Hampshire where they began training and breeding sled dogs. On January 17, 1917, a litter of three dogs was born that Walden had bred from a female Greenland Dog and a male Mastiff/St. Bernard mix farm dog.
Their coats were tawny colour, in fact the only colour that is allowed for the breed and ranges from pale honey to a deep reddish-gold. (American Kennel Club standards). The thick, double coat is made up of a short, dense, and downy undercoat for insulation and a straight, coarse outer coat. This plush coat is easy to care for and only requires occasional brushing, but does shed.
One of the first puppies in Walden’s foundation litter was named “Chinook,” after a sled dog Walden worked with in the Yukon when freighting gold mining supplies. Chinook led Walden’s sled dog team, and this team is attributed with introducing the sport of sled dog racing to New England.
All Chinooks are descendants of that first dog named Chinook, and the breed was named in his honor. The versatile Chinook is a natural athlete, and his intelligence and enthusiastic personality make him a great companion for a range of dog sports, including agility, obedience trials, or outdoor activities such as hiking or camping. And don’t forget about the Chinook’s innate love of pulling. This helps him excel at sports that let him pull, such as sledding or skijoring. The breed would eventually be named the state dog of New Hampshire. In 1922, Walden convinced a local newspaper to sponsor the first 123-mile Eastern International Dog Derby, bringing the sport of dog sled racing to New England. Walden founded the New England Sled Dog Club in 1924.
In 1928 Walden published his memoir, “A DogPuncher in the Yukon”. In the 1960s, the breed was near extinction and to this day, still remains relatively rare.
An eclectic mix of bands is returning to Calgary for The Electric Highway Festival this March.
The festival was one of the first large-scale events to be shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, and after many months of health and travel restrictions, bands are returning to Dickens for a music-packed three-days, from March 23 until March 25.
“Dickens has been a cornerstone in the Calgary live entertainment scene for the past 16 years,” an Electric Highway Festival press release said. “With great food, a terrific atmosphere, friendly staff, and one of the best stages in the city, The Electric Highway is excited to be working with Dickens to make this event a great experience for bands, exposition vendors, and most of all festival attendees.”
The release described the festival as a fully immersive experience that offers more than just music, but also art, and vendor exposition.
“Three days of killer bands, rad artists, and fuzzy vibes at Dickens in downtown Calgary,” the release said. “The 2023 edition of the festival focuses on desert rock and metal, doom, sludge, and heavy psych and has expanded to include some punk and hardcore bands as well.”
The 2023 lineup includes bands previously booked for the 2020 event, with California headliners Sasquatch with support from Vancouver’s La Chinga.
“Sasquatch is one of the festival’s past favourites, laying down their brand of fuzzy, desert rock and heavy psych,”the release said.
Black Mastiff is back, with support from Calgary’s Gone Cosmic, while HypnoPilot is back with support from Citizen Rage.
Additional bands include Space Queen, Tebby & the Heavy, The Basement Paintings, Owls & Eagles, Set & Stoned, Molten Lava, No More
HypnoPilot is back at The Electric Highway Festival with support from Citizen Rage.
Photo/Asher Media
Moments, Father Moon, Musing, and The Astral Prophets.
“These are just a few of the wicked bands that will be playing at The Electric Highway,” the release said.
Without the support of a festival restart grant from Factor Canada, the festival wouldn’t have made a comeback this year.
“After the pandemic cancellation and financial losses, the boost has really allowed the festival to continue and move forward,” the release said.
Advance festival passes are on sale until March 22, and regular passes will be available at the door if quantities are available.
All ticket and pass holders from the cancelled 2020 festival can redeem their tickets for the 2023 festival or hold onto them for a future event. All tickets and pass holders will receive instructions by email on how to transfer their 2020 tickets for 2023 ones.
Ticket and pass holders must transfer their passes before attending the 2023 festival.
After Feb. 28, all tickets and passes will be sold on a first-come, firstserve basis.
Three-day festival pass holders can pick up their wristbands at Dickens at any time during the event.
Pre-order merch sales will also be available for pickup throughout the weekend.
Visit www.TheElectricHighway.ca to purchase tickets, merch, and for more festival information.
“The Electric Highway looks forward to bringing this year’s festival to you, and can’t wait to see everyone in March,” the release said.
Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras. Shrove Tuesday. Pancake Day. Known by many names, a scaled-back version of the Mardi Gras parade returned to New Orleans this year after being cancelled in 2021 due to the pandemic.
I have a dim and bleary memory of a collegeage trip to New Orleans in the squandered days of my callow youth, back when mullets roamed the earth. Much of it is a liquor-soaked blur, interspersed with brief licentious displays in exchange for gaudy plastic beads.
The liquor-related connections to an indulgent holiday such as Mardi Gras should be immediately obvious, but let’s talk a bit about the origins of the celebration that spawned a million regrettable photo tags on the Tik Toks. This can get confusing. We’re talking about the day before Ash Wednesday (ie the first day of Lent), which occurs 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter. Since Easter is a different date each year, Ash Wednesday will fall somewhere between February 4 and March 10. Ash Wednesday is the first day of the season of Lent, which runs all the way until Easter. For the non-devout in the audience, Lent is observed by some of the more uptight Christian religions, and is a period of ritual fasting, abstaining from sin and excess, and generally not being a lot of fun. The day before Ash Wednesday, however, is entirely another matter. The French call it Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday for you Anglos). Those with British ancestry may refer to it as Shrove Tuesday
Jeffrey(shrove = absolution from sin).
The more nerdly in the audience may even refer the event as the Red Hour, from the classic Star Trek Return of the Archons episode of 1967 when Kirk and a few redshirts beamed down to the Mardi Gras planet, smooched some alien ladies, then warped off to their next adventure. Another common term is Pancake Day, as pancakes are made to use up all the rich and fatty milk/eggs/sugar in the house before Lent, when only non-pleasurable non-fatty noninteresting food is to be consumed for 40 days and 40 nights. Does it sound like fun yet? However, it’s generally not pancakes that occupy people’s minds on Fat Tuesday, but all other manner of indulgences. That’s right, gentle reader, Mardi Gras is the one day to let loose and commit all sorts of sinful excess before six weeks of penitence leading up to Easter. Originally, what we now call Mardi Gras was a depraved and lascivious pagan festival celebrating the end of winter, but it was co-opted by the Catholic church (similar to Christmas and Easter) and given a more morally upright spin.
Much to the chagrin of the church, not quite all of the depravity has been whitewashed out of the celebration, particularly in spots like New Orleans or Rio de Janeiro, where indulgences in the so-called pleasures of the flesh are ubiquitous. Remember folks, you can’t spell Carnaval without carnal!
Getting back on topic, let’s talk about the liquors of Mardi Gras. While I was content to swill cheap draft beer on my Mardi Gras pilgrimage to New Orleans in my college days, the more refined attendee is well advised to choose one of the mixed drinks that Mardi Gras is most known for.
While this cocktail had to keep a low profile for a few years after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, people in New Orleans are once again ordering Hurricanes with wild abandon during Mardi Gras. Each bar seems to have its own signature recipe, but you will usually find at least two types of rum, some lemon/lime, and a tropical juice like pineapple or passion fruit.
While uncommon this far north, the Mint Julep is also from Louisiana. Start with a generous splash of Bourbon, then add a bit of simple syrup (ie sugar water), slightly bruised mint, and plenty of crushed ice.
The ladies in the audience may be more familiar with the Mojito, a rum-based drink with added mint leaves made famous by Samantha in Sex and the City. Despite its rather silly name, you can think of the Mint Julep as a slightly harsher drink than a Mojito, thanks to the Bourbon base.
The extent of my participation this year was watching the Mardi Gras parade online while mixing up my secret family Hurricane recipe, and I can promise that no beads were exchanged for debaucherous reasons. Perhaps next year will be different!
to participate in. On behalf of the Food Bank, No Frills will be hosting a “Fill the Firetruck” event in March. Watch for more details about this and future fundraising events. The need for assistance from the Food Bank continues to rise and the Food Bank extend their thanks and appreciation to their partners, volunteers and donors.
Chestermere Public Library is running a Basic Computers course – it’s free – and is a 10 week course. You do need to bring your own laptop, but it covers many beginner topics like using email, internet searching and much more. You can register by calling Rocky View Adult Learning at 403-4637669. Also, the Library has announced that they are no longer charging late fees!! The Library is also hosting the Community Support Resource Fair. It’s an opportunity to learn about a variety of free community supports available to you. On March 30, April 27 and May 25 from 10am – noon, there will various organizations to share their programs with you. For more information, you can call the Chestermere Support Services at 403-207-7079 or the Library at (403) 272-9025.
February 28, 2023, Edition
Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere (OACC)
As I sit writing this article, we are in a deep freeze that we’ve been pretty fortunate to avoid for most of the winter. All the more reason to enjoy my coffee, indoors, with the fireplace on where it is warm! I suppose we must remember that we do live in Canada and Alberta is very much renowned for having four seasons in a single day. This too shall pass, as they say. Be sure to listen in for the OACC segment on Chestermere’s only radio station – CFTR The Rogue at https://cftrtherogue.com/ around 11am Monday to Friday. As we get better at this radio thing, we’ll be looking for guests to chat with about all things Older Adult, so stay tuned!
OACC News & Events
Some updates from around the community and our not-for-profit organizations….. Whitecappers is getting ready for their AGM. Be sure to check out their monthly calendar on their website at http://whitecappers. ca/ or stop by and pick one up at the south end of the Rec Centre at 201B Chestermere Dr W. There is always something going on. They are also focusing on increasing their membership which is only $35 for one year. They are available for purchase from 12:30pm to 3:00pm at their office on Mondays only.
The Chestermere Women’s Crisis Society (CWCS) has been busy helping clients and they are seeing an increase in Older Adults in crisis. This is everything from basic needs to domestic abuse. If you or a loved one need help, please know that CWCS is available to provide support and can be reached at 403-775-2927. Are you interested in volunteering? Contact CWCS.
Chestermere Food Bank is happy to report that the Christmas Hamper and Sponsor an Older Adult partnership with OACC was very successful. The family was overwhelmed at the kindness and generosity they were shown. There are some events coming up that residents are encouraged
As mentioned last month, OACC will be hosting a table at the Spring Energizer Night on Wednesday, March 29th at the Rec Centre in the MPP room. Lots of great organizations will be present, so please pop in and come have a chat with us (and pick up a Chestermere Older Adults Resource Handbook 2023 Edition).
With the success of the Older Adults’ Holiday Luncheon in December 2022, the group of not-for-profit groups and organizations expressed an interest to make this an annual event. OACC will be looking for grant opportunities for this amazing community event to be funded.
The launch of Conversation Café took place on the afternoon of February 27th at Lakeshore Manor. Hopefully you had an opportunity to attend. This event is intended to support caregivers and family members of those working with Dementia or memory loss. Many thanks to Don Montpetit for bringing this well needed support to our city. Regardless of where you or your family member is in the dementia journey, it is a casual conversation setting offering peer support. Family members and dementia patients are welcome to join in. Thanks to Don’s initiative and the support of Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (CRPCN), Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere (OACC), Lakeshore Manor and the Chestermere Whitecappers Association, the first Chestermere Chapter – Conversation Café launched. Future meetings will be held on the 4th Monday of every month from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at Lakeshore Manor (200 Marina Drive, Chestermere). You can contact Don at 403-473-1564 or check out the link for more information: https://dementianetworkcalgary.ca/event/newchestermere-conversation-cafe-in-person/
Just a reminder to be sure to apply for the Alberta government’s Affordability Payment Program that opened in January. It’s for “… eligible seniors and parents can apply for $600 in affordability payments over six months to help offset inflationary pressures. Eligible households can apply for affordability payments for each child under 18 and each senior 65 and up which will help to keep Alberta affordable.” It also stated that anyone who cannot easily go online can apply in person through any registry agent or Alberta Supports to receive support in 50 locations and over 100 languages during regular business hours. Here is the link for full details:
https://www.alberta.ca/release. cfm?xID=863948C59A4EF-CC453DFE-F942A72ABCBB7E40
News & Views on Health & Community
March is Nutrition Month! And the start of Spring
Please see the link for the Nutrition Calendar from AHS on Nutrition focussed ideas for healthy eating: http://bit.ly/nutritionmonth2023
As we round the flu season corner, please keep vaccinations in mind and up to date. Our new Clinic in Kinniburgh is up and running, Monday through Saturday as Chestermere Family Medical Clinic, and accepting new patients. They can be contacted at 403-984-0354. CRPCN’s Team is happy to support this new clinic in Chestermere and their patients.
And finally CRPCN will also be attending the Spring Energizer evening on March 29th from 6-8:pm at the Rec Centre with information on CRPCN and all our programs available on https://CRPCN.ca. Feel free to contact Leslie Racz, Community Development Coordinator for CRPCN @ Leslie.racz@crpcn.ca.
Join the Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere
Are you an older adult? Do you live or work in Chestermere or the immediate surrounding area? Do you want to engage and/or volunteer in the community with similar residents? Do you have family that fits this demographic that you care for or have living in Chestermere? Did you know that as a business or organization that has an interest in providing services or programs for our older adults you are more than welcome to be a member of OACC? We welcome
adult children of older adults, caregivers, educators, agencies, service organizations, funders, community partners and the community at large. The common goal is to work for the betterment of older adults in our community.
Please join us at our next monthly meeting! We meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
OACC – Next Meeting : Wednesday, March 15, 1:30PM – 3:30PM Lakeshore Manor (200 Marina Drive, Chestermere). While walk-ins are welcome to our meetings, kindly RSVP. Please email Joanne jumpmaster2@shaw.ca or Betty illingw8@telus.net or Shannon shannon.fetterly@lakeshoremanor.ca.
The OACC welcomes community businesses, organizations, and service providers to join our meetings as a guest speaker. If you are interested, please reach out to Joanne, Betty, or Shannon.
The Chestermere Older Adults’ Resource Handbooks (2023) are available at the Older Adults’ Coalition of Chestermere meetings. They are also available at the Chestermere Library, Whitecappers Association, Lakeshore Manor, and Synergy as well as medical offices and pharmacies throughout the City. Please pick yours up or take one for a neighbour. You can also access these Handbooks by contacting the City of Chestermere at 403-207- 7079 or online at https://www.chestermere.ca/ DocumentCenter/View/20176/
Chestermere-Older-AdultsResource-Handbook-2023
Lakeshore Manor also provides a wide variety of resources and information for Older Adults within our community. They can
be contacted at 587-349-7444 or online at https://lakeshoremanor.ca
Chestermere Community Services
The City of Chestermere website also has some great resources for older adults and seniors programming, events, and information! https://www. chestermere.ca/658/Programs-forSeniors
Community Support Services
........................ 403-207-7079 Text option. 403-826-2611
CSS offers programs and services to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in Chestermere. They provide free and confidential services related to social support, information, and referrals to local resources. Email: crcinfo@ chestermere.ca
100 Women Who Care (or 100 Men/People/Kids
100 Women Who Care
Who Care) groups are making a difference in their communities around the world by strengthening and growing the giving circle movement.
100 Women Who Care Chestermere launched in mid-October 2021, and the first giving circle meeting was held on February 3, 2022. At that meeting, $3,100 was donated to the Community Therapy Dogs Society.
100 Women Who Care Chestermere is a group of local women who care about the Chestermere community and want to make a big impact within the community, but don’t necessarily have the time to commit to helping make that impact. Members commit to four one-hour meetings a year and donate $100 to a local charity or not for profit organization voted on by the members at each meeting. The next meeting is Thursday, November 3, 2022. If you would like to join and help make a huge impact in the community, please visit our website chestermere100.ca.
Older Adults
When: TBA
Coalition of Chestermere Meeting
Time: Wednesday, February 15, 1:30pm – 3:30pm
When: Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Time: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Where: Lakeshore Manor, 200 Marina Drive, Chestermere RSVP: jumpmaster2@shaw.ca or illingw8@telus.net
Walk-ins welcome, RSVP appreciated
Chestermere Christian Fellowship Services: Sunday 10:00 am
Pastor Vince VanderVeen 403-204-2079
1.6 km north of Hwy 1 on Conrich Road
Chestermere Lions Club
Meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00pm Meetings are currently by zoom. Checkout our facebook page for more information,
The Chestermere Fine Art Guild
The Chestermere Fine Art Guild meets every Thursday at 1pm, at the Recreation Centre North side, upstairs in room 2. Come and explore your artistic potential. Welcoming new members beginner to advanced. Like us on Facebook and email chestermereartguild@gmail.com
Lakeside Quilters’ Guild Meeting each month at the Chestermere Recreation Centre on the first Wednesday of each month. Sew days are on the third Wednesday of each month and a sew Saturday each month, including summer. Quilting experience not required, new members welcome. For more information please contact Joyce at 403-383-1940.
St. Gabriel's the Archangel Parish
Catholics in Chestermere: Weekend masses are now open for public celebration without seating restrictions at St. Gabriel’s Catholic School (197 Invermere Dr.). There is no longer advanced registration required to attend mass (Saturday 5 pm, Sunday 9 am, and 10:30 am), but please stay home if you feel sick that day. For more information please call 403-455-0196
Camp Chestermere Camp
Chestermere is OPEN for Day Care, Rentals, and Community Events! We’ve even opened up registration for Summer 2021 Day and Overnight Camps! We are constantly reviewing and updating our policies to fall in line with current COVID protocols. Contact us today to find out how we can serve you and your needs.
The Rotary Club Of Chestermere
Holds virtual meetings via Zoom on the 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the Month at 5:00pm and hosts in-person “Socials” at local venues on the last Wednesday of the month.
Guests are warmly welcomed to “Zoom in” to our virtual meeting or join us for some social time when they can!
Please email us for more information at: rotarychestermere@gmail.com
Check out our website at: www.rotarychestermere.org
Kari Zalik Publicist, Bad Parade kari@badparade.com
With one of the most distinctly recognizable lead voices in Canadian music, Alternative-Rock band Crash Test Dummies are a three-time Grammy Award nominated and JUNO Awardwinning group, who soared to the top of the worldwide charts in the early 90’s with hits “Mmm, Mmm, Mmm, Mmm” and “Superman’s Song”. Their cover of “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead” was selected as the soundtrack to the blockbuster comedy film, “Dumb and Dumber”, reaching the Top 5 on both Canada’s Top Singles and Adult Contemporary charts. Their subsequent releases kept the same Folkhued, Alternative spirit of their early sound, featuring the distinct baritone vocals of frontman Brad Roberts and Ellen Reid’s Folk-Rock fusion. Following their successful 25th anniversary tour across North America for “God Shuffled His Feet”, their 3x Grammy Award nominated album that reached #4 on the US Top 100 Charts, the band has continued to perform across the world and are currently on tour in the US. With original members Brad Roberts, Ellen Reid, Dan Roberts and Mitch Dorge, their current lineup also includes celebrated Canadian artists Stuart Cameron and Leith Fleming-Smith. The band has a whopping 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone, and are gearing up to release a brand new, awe-inspiring, philosophy filled ballad that exudes the classic Crash Test Dummies sound, “Sacred Alphabet’’, on Friday, March 10 2023.
Produced and mixed by industry veteran Scott Harding (De La Soul, Antibalas), the recording of “Sacred Alphabet” marks the first time the Crash Test Dummies recorded a song remotely, having each band member record their part separately from Toronto, Winnipeg, Halifax, and New York. About “Sacred Alphabet”:
A song about the beginning of time, “Sacred Alphabet” gently muses about what wasn’t. With the intentionally sparing use of instruments, the song highlights the unmistakable voice of Brad Roberts and choral harmonies of Ellen Reid. Backed by a simple piano melody where Roberts both delicately and hauntingly describes an untainted world before existence, “Sacred Alphabet” slowly grows to feature a stirring yet sparse drum beat, longing cello performance, and affecting atmospheric sounds that blend together to colour the song into an awe-inspiring ballad. Drawing inspiration from the idea of why there is something and not nothing, Roberts’ turned to a passage from 18th century writer
Alexander Pope, whose line “’Tis not enough no harshness gives offense, the sound must seem an echo to the sense” inspired the lyric, “No subject, object, verb or tense; sound had not been enslaved to sense.” Gripping, dramatic, and unique, “Sacred Alphabet” honours the classic Crash Test Dummies sound their fans know and love, and will be sure to delight their loyal followers and new fans alike!
The single cover and video artwork was designed by someone who Roberts half-jokingly describes as his dream collaborator, his wife, Michele Varian.
From Crash Test Dummies: “Making “Sacred Alphabet” was a great experience - integrating the counterpoint style I’ve been studying into the classic Crash Test Dummies sound gave us something that felt both familiar and fresh.” - Brad Roberts Biography: In 2018, 25 years after the release of their multi-Grammy nominated hit album “God Shuffled His Feet”, The Crash Test Dummies hit
the road for the first time in 20 years with an Anniversary Tour that spanned North America. The overwhelming reception led to a 30th Anniversary Tour in 2022 for their debut release “The Ghosts That Haunt Me” that touched down in the US, UK, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Canada. And the band is showing no signs of slowing down… “Touring again was not something we’d planned on, but surprisingly – at least to me – there are lots of people who, many years later, still want to come and hear us. The folks that are coming out to see these shows tell us their stories, some of them very funny, some very dark and all very personal. It’s very humbling, being in the confidence of so many people” says lead singersongwriter Brad Roberts, “and it has inspired us to continue to tour and make music.”
Early 2023 will see the release of a new, original Crash Test Dummies single “Sacred Alphabet“ as they again hit the road in North America and Europe.
COIN SHOW and SALE – Canada’s largest. 11 & 12 March 2023, 10 am – 4:30 pm. Lions Centre 11113 – 113 Street, Edmonton. Free market evaluations. Dealers from across Canada, auctions, displays, coin striking. Family friendly. www.edmontoncoinclub.com.
JO MICHALUK (Foesier) who resides in Penhold, is turning 80 years old. Everyone is invited to her birthday party on March 11th at Crammond Hall – 12:30 to 6:00 p.m. RSVP is not required. Bring your favorite dish, dress as you wish, and BYOB.Catherine@ catherinebrownlee.com.
BLANKET THE PROVINCE with a classified ad. Only $269/wk (based on 25 words or less). Reach almost 90 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-2826903 Ext 225; www.awna.com.
FREIGHTLAND CARRIERS INC. is looking for owner/operators to deliver tri-flat deck freight in Alberta, Saskatchewan or BC. Monday to Friday work. Steady year-round work with substantial increases in rates. Contact Freightland by email at dispatch@ freightland.ca or telephone toll free 1-800-917-9021.
CAMPGROUND HOST/ONSITE
Caretaker Vauxhall Lions ParkVauxhall, Alberta. 2023 Camping
Season May 1 - Oct. 15. 30 site campground on Highway 36 - 1/2 mile north of Vauxhall. Duties: taking bookings, registrations, collecting fees, facility cleaning, grounds maintenance. E-mail bschnarr@xplornet.ca or send resume to Vauxhall Lions, P.O. Box 729, Vauxhall, Alberta T0K 2K0.
ALBERTA FEED GRAIN: Buying Oats, Barley, Wheat, Canola, Peas, Screenings, Mixed Grains. Dry, Wet, Heated, or Spring Thresh.
Prompt Payment. In House Trucks, In House Excreta Cleaning. Vac Rental. 1-888-483-8789.
WE BUY DAMAGED GRAINHeated, Mixed, Tough, Light, Bugs, Spring Thrashed....Barley,
Wheat, Oats, Peas, Flax, Canola. “On Farm Pickup”. Westcan Feed & Grain 1-877-250-5252.
HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING?
The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844453-5372.
GET YOUR MESSAGE SEEN
ACROSS Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads reach over 600,000 Alberta readers weekly. Two options starting at $269 or $995 to get your message out! Business changes, hiring, items for sale, cancellations, tenders, etc. People are increasingly staying home and rely on their local newspapers for information. KEEP people in the loop with our 90 Weekly Community Newspapers. Call THIS NEWSPAPER now or email classifieds@awna.com for details. 1-800-282-6903, 780-434-8746 X225. www.awna.com.
CRIMINAL RECORD? Why suffer employment/licensing loss?
Travel/business opportunities?
Be embarrassed? Think: Criminal Pardon. US entry waiver. Record purge. File destruction. Free consultation. 1-800-347-2540. www.accesslegalmjf.com.
GET BACK ON TRACK! Bad credit?
Bills? Unemployed? Need Money?
We Lend! If you own your own home - you qualify. Pioneer Acceptance Corp. Member BBB. 1-877-987-1420. www. pioneerwest.com.
PRIVATE MORTGAGE
LENDER. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228 www. firstandsecondmortgages.ca.
The Rocky View Chestermere Agricultural Society will be starting the Chestermere 4-H Multi Club (to begin October 1, 2023) and we are in need of adult volunteers. There are three categories of adult volunteers: Trained Screened Leaders, Screened Volunteers and Supporters. To read more, or to register your interest, visit our website at www.rvcagsociety. ca/4-h
I don’t know the first thing about 4-H, I can’t be a leader!!
That’s ok! And, you also don’t have to be an expert in a particular project topic either (for example, you don’t need to be a photographer to lead a 4-H photography project). By following the provided project resources, learning along with your members and involving others, there is no limit to the variety of 4-H clubs or projects you can run!
What are the responsibilities of 4-H leaders?
• Develop a caring relationship with members.
• Create a safe environment for 4-H members.
• Provide opportunities for youth to build skills
• Create opportunities for youth to value and practice service to others.
• Allow youth to make decisions and lead.
• Create an inclusive environment.
• Keep up-to-date and trained.
What qualifications/skills do 4-H leaders need?
• Sincere interest in the safety and well-being of youth.
• Desire to facilitate and motivate youth while nurturing self-esteem, decision-making skills, responsibility, and leadership.
• Successfully pass the volunteer training process.
• Ability to organize information and materials and delegate responsibility.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively both verbally and written.
• Desire to motivate parents and other volunteers
• Interest in working in partnership with youth, other volunteers and professional staff in an educational setting.
• Willingness to adopt the philosophy, policies, and procedures of your 4-H organization
4-H focuses on youth-led projects for children ages 9 - 20. 4-H projects are in-depth learning experiences for 4-H members. At the beginning of each club year, each member chooses one or more projects to work on throughout the year. A few examples of projects are training pets, keeping bees, taking photos, building remote control airplanes, archery, and urban biking. 4-H may even be used towards school credits (please talk to your principal or counsellor first).
Members are required to:
Complete project records and have them signed by the club or project leader.
Attend a minimum of 70% of club activities.
Complete a communication activity that is: prepared by the member, presented by the member in front of a group and at least three minutes in length
Be involved in a club activity that is a benefit to your community. Participate in the club’s achievement event. If the member’s project is unavailable (for example, a calf dies), the member is still expected to have some part in the achievement event.
Interested in learning more about 4-H? Join our group and follow along as we try and answer some common questions and keep you up-to-date on the club’s progression. https://www.facebook.com/ groups/1419930731874413
We are hiring! Temporary Full-Time Summer Reading Program Coordinator
Term: June 5 to August 18 (Summer 2023)
37.5 hours/wk @ 19.00 per hour
Position Description: The Summer Reading Program Coordinator facilitates efficient, innovative, and effective library service in a rapidly shifting environment, managing the multiple priorities for the creation, implementation, promotion, and evaluation of the library’s summer reading program.
Mandatory Qualifications:
• Preference given to those in the academic fields of education, library science, and community development
• Some experience working with children, especially an ability to create curriculum and activities for younger age children
• Some experience in customer service
• Competence and confidence with computer technology
• Loves reading and learning
• Creative, enjoying crafting, art, or performing arts
• Organized and positive, possessing a ‘can-do’ attitude
• Multilingual ability will be considered an asset
• Experience with marginalized communities and/or work that supports diversity, equity and inclusion will be considered an asset
This position is partially funded through the Young Canada Works program which additionally requires the following:
• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada
o Note: Non-Canadian students or graduates holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment
• Must have completed Grade 12 and be enrolled in post secondary studies in the fall
• Intend to return to studies during or after the YCW work assignment
• Be willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment
• Not have another full-time job during the YCW work assignment
Please submit a resume and cover letter to:
Miranda Johnson, Director
Chestermere Public Library
miranda.johnson@chestermerepubliclibrary.com
Closing Date: March 1, 2023
The Chestermere Public Library is an inclusive work environment driven by a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy and Action Plan. Additionally, please let us know if you require any accommodations during the application and interview process.
Only those candidates chosen for an interview will be contacted. Thank you for your time and effort in submitting a resume and cover letter. Please check our website for ongoing position opportunities with Chestermere Public Library.
