Red Deer Advocate, December 20, 2012

SCENES FROM THE BACK ROADS

COMIC RELIEF

You never know what wildlife you’ll see once you get off the highway B1

Paul Rudd enjoying return to comedies after dramatic Broadway role C7

CENTRAL ALBERTA’S DAILY NEWSPAPER

BREAKING NEWS ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

THURSDAY, DEC. 20, 2012

Sounding alarm on drunk driving

BY CAROLYN MARTINDALE ADVOCATE CITY EDITOR

ADVOCATE SPECIAL FEATURE

Impaired driving causes an alarming number of deaths and injuries across the province and the country.

In Alberta in 2010 alone, there were 96 deaths and 1,384 injuries in alcohol-related collisions. The toll hit closer to home this year when drivers were charged with impaired driving in the deaths of eight people in a sevenmonth period in Central Alberta.

This spurred the Red Deer Advocate newsroom to take on a special project to explore the impact of impaired driving. The result is a special series of

stories, photos and videos called Deadly Choices that will run over the next few weeks. The series starts today.

In this series, families of victims share their grief and outrage at the loss of loved ones. Emergency responders tell of horrific images seared into their memory from collision scenes and emergency rooms.

Lawyers and judges tell of the heartrending victim impact statements that they hear at sentencing hearings, again and again.

The perpetrators — those who chose to drive after drinking — share their remorse about deaths and injuries that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. Others admit they were lucky

‘We need to stop these people from murdering because of

a choice they make.’

File photo by LAURA TESTER/Advocate staff

Sandra Green, mother of Krista Howe, has been lobbying for tougher impaired driving laws.

they didn’t kill anyone after they drove after drinking.

Many of those interviewed offer their thoughts on ways to stop drunk drivers, including tougher laws, stiffer sentences, and ways to change behaviours that create a zero tolerance for alcohol in drivers.

We hope that these stories may make drivers choose not to drive, before they choose to drink.

Deadly Choices will run in on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays over the next few weeks.

In Part 1 today, local mothers who have lost loved ones share their stories. cmartindale@reddeeradvocate.com

PUNISHMENT FOR IMPAIRED DRIVERS IN CANADA (1) Every one who commits an offence under section 253 or 254 is guilty of an indictable offence or an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable, (a) whether the offence is prosecuted by indictment or punishable on summary conviction, to the following minimum punishment, namely, (i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000, (ii) for a second offence, to imprisonment for not less than 30 days, and (iii) for each subsequent offence, to imprisonment for not less than 120 days; (b) where the offence is prosecuted by indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; and (c) if the offence is punishable on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term of not more than 18 months.

Justice must be ‘swift and severe’

BY LAURA TESTER ADVOCATE STAFF Punishment for impaired drivers who kill should be swift, certain and severe, says a mother who lost her daughter in a collision nearly three years ago.

Sandra Green has been lobbying for tougher impaired driving laws since her daughter and son-in-law, Krista and Brad Howe, were killed in an early-morning crash on Red Deer’s south side on Feb. 7, 2010.

Green has partnered with Families for Justice in British Columbia and another group formed after three young men were killed in Beaumont on Nov. 26, 2011, to press the federal government to strengthen jail sentences.

She’d like to see zero tolerance legislation for all drivers so that anyone who is found with a blood alcohol limit of more than zero would be penalized.

This summer, Alberta introduced penalties for those found having a blood alcohol limit of .05, not just .08, as in the past.

“I believe that our laws have to reflect three main criteria — swift, certain and severe,” said Green.

She has discovered that individuals charged with impaired driving are often in the court system for more than a year before they are even dealt with and during that time, life goes on fairly normal for them.

“I believe that the sentencing and the court case should happen immediately after the crash,” said Green.

She believes that if drivers who are

Coming Friday Chad Olsen will never forget the tragedy he caused, and the heart ache it left for the Howe family. charged with impaired driving causing death or bodily harm had to remain behind bars until their case was heard, then the courts would find a way to expedite the process.

The penalty should be the same for everyone who is identified as an impaired driver, no matter their occupation or economic status, Green added.

Please see IMPAIRED on Page A2

Krista and Brad Howe were killed in an early-morning crash on Red Deer’s south side on Feb. 7, 2010.

Idle No More movement marches on Red Deer

BY MURRAY CRAWFORD ADVOCATE STAFF About 50 protestors marched through downtown Red Deer on Wednesday to vent their frustration with the political will of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the federal government.

The march was one of dozens across the country organized by Aboriginal Peoples in protest of the federal omnibus bill, C-45, which they say gives the

PLEASE RECYCLE

minister of Indian Affairs the power to surrender land reserved, allowing oil, nuclear and gas companies to tear up the land for profit.

Bonnie Badger organized the local protest, saying that when she found out what the contents of the omnibus bill were, she felt helpless and frustrated.

“When I found out I seriously wanted to cry,” said Badger. “We are so generous, our people they are nurturers. The kind of people aboriginals are, we’re here for the land.

WEATHER

INDEX

Sun and Cloud. High -5. Low -19.

Four sections Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C3,C4 Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6,A7 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D1-D4 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C6 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C7 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B6-B8

FORECAST ON A2

“The fact they’re trying to pollute the air, it’s not just only aboriginals they’re affecting. They’re affecting all of Canada, with pollution in the air, water and on the land.”

This rally is one of many that are a part of the Idle No More movement, which was started by four aboriginal women — Nina Wilson, Sheelah Mclean, Sylvia McAdam and Jessica Gordon — who believed something must be done about “the colonial, unilateral and paternalistic” legislation

being pushed through the Canadian legislature.

“I went handing out posters of the ‘One million aboriginal strong unite’ to get the word out across Red Deer,” said Badger.

“I noticed people were unaware of what was going on. I was informing people of what the Harper government was doing.”

Please see PROTEST on Page A3

CANADA

WORLD

COURT DENIES $28B PENSION REPAYMENT

OBAMA DEMANDS ACTION ON GUNS

The Supreme Court of Canada says several major public unions are not entitled to a $28-billion pension surplus that the government hived off to help pay down the deficit. A6

President Barack Obama demanded ‘concrete proposals’ on curbing gun violence that he could send to Congress no later that January.

D5

A2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Woman compelled to action after son’s death ‘Then one officer said, ‘We shall need you to come down and identify the body.’

I was consumed with rage and said,

‘What body? What are you talking about?’’

BY LAURA TESTER ADVOCATE STAFF Losing a son to a drunk driver propelled a Red Deer mother to create MADD’s first chapter west of Ontario in 1993.

Mary Williams never thought she would end up becoming a victims’ advocate on behalf of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, but her new purpose would come after a summer night on July 3, 1986.

Mary and her husband Raymond were expecting that Andy, the youngest of their four sons, would come home promptly from a bike ride as he had done so many times before. But when dusk fell, Mary knew something was wrong.

The parents searched a big hill that their son liked to cycle on in Dundas, Ont. When they returned home, they saw the police car. The officers were already inside, knocking on the couple’s door.

Raymond told his wife to remain in the car while he went upstairs.

Two officers then came down and asked her to go with them. No one said a word. When she entered the apartment, her husband stood there looking awful. In her own written words, Williams described what happened next.

“Then one officer said, ‘We shall need you to come down and identify the body.’ I was consumed with rage and said, ‘What body? What are you talking about?’ ” A drunk driver, who was almost three times more than the legal limit, had struck Andy at the top of the hill a few hours earlier, at about 8 p.m.

The couple faced the grim reality of identifying their 16-year-old’s body in the hospital morgue. The shock would later turn to rage at the court’s leniency in dealing with their son’s killer. The Crown allowed the 33-year-old driver to only plead guilty to impaired driving. The .08 charge and the impaired driving causing death charge were withdrawn. The part-time Crown prosecutor had called their son’s death an “unfortunate fatality.”

The driver received 30 months in jail, but it’s likely he only served nine months, said Williams, now 76.

It wasn’t the first impaired driving conviction for the driver.

Williams has heard other stories of impaired drivers who kill and yet received short jail sentences. It’s a painful reality for many families.

“I think mine was the worst case scenario,” she said. “You tell me — how could (the driver) get away with just the one charge?”

The couple moved to Red Deer, along with another son, in 1990. Williams would go on to join the RCMP Victim Services Unit and with the encouragement and help from the RCMP and fellow victim services advisors, Williams created the first MADD chapter for Red Deer and district.

The Red Deer district MADD’s inaugural meeting

FROM PAGE A1

IMPAIRED: Trying to meet with prime minister An impaired driver, even if they don’t kill or injure someone, should have jail time, she said.

Those who return to court with a second impaired driving charge should face an automatic lifetime driving suspension, she said.

Those who ignore this suspension and drive anyway should be thrown back in jail, Green said.

And mandatory minimum jail sentences should be handed out for those who do hurt or kill on the road, Green said.

“For some reason we have set extremely low sen-

LOTTERIES

WEDNESDAY Lotto 649: 1, 13, 16, 30, 33, 48, Bonus 49

Photo by LAURA TESTER/Advocate staff

Mary Williams, founder of the Red Deer chapter of MADD, attends a candlelight vigil on Saturday with local MADD president Aleta Neville in memory of their sons and others killed by drunk drivers. was on Sept. 22, 1993, and, shortly after, members jumped right into Project Red Ribbon — a public awareness campaign focused on the Christmas holiday season.

“There was no paperwork to go with the ribbons, so we designed special little information tags to attach to each ribbon, and the ribbons came in a great big spools, about 24 inches in diameter,” said Williams, whose husband died in 2009. “Raymond spent hours and hours cutting those ribbons for us, talk about unsung heroes!”

Williams started with no financial help. There were no grants to apply for like today. She sought dollars for the first road banner and she designed the chapter’s first pamphlets.

Today, Williams is still a member of MADD, but is no longer actively involved. Her passion for starting the group is well recognized by those who slug it out for MADD today.

“It wasn’t something I wanted to do at all,” said Williams. “It was something I felt I had to do.”

Aleta Neville, president of the Red Deer area chapter, and husband Rick said that many people wouldn’t know that Red Deer had the first MADD chapter in Western Canada and that it was due to Williams’ efforts.

The Nevilles joined MADD after losing their middle child to a drunk driver on March 17, 2006.

Brent Neville, a 21-year-old Red Deer College student, was a passenger in a vehicle driven by friend Robert Alan Cook, who was impaired. The vehicle struck a pole in Calgary and Brent was killed at 2:50 a.m.

Red Deer Mounties Scott Barber and George Stephenson, Brent’s godfather, knocked on the door at 10:30 a.m.

Cook was sentenced to 27 months in jail, with a five-year driving prohibition, after pleading guilty to impaired driving causing death. The young man served one-third of his sentence, said the Nevilles.

They created a website in memory of Brent and they thought it would be a great idea to link it with the national MADD website. They attended an annual MADD vigil conference in Vancouver and shortly after, they joined the Red Deer and District chapter.

Aleta has been president for the past two-and-a-half years.

Rick does all the death notification training in Western Canada for MADD. He teaches fire, police, military and victim services personnel what to say to

someone who has lost a loved one.

The former Mountie said that such training is fairly scant in a lot of emergency services training. He’s a security advisor with energy giant Encana Corp., which sponsors the training.

“We desperately need volunteers,” said Aleta, who serves as the victim services volunteer. “Most have been veterans for 10-plus years.”

More volunteers are critical as the chapter conducts fundraising events. The money which stays in the region. Volunteers don’t have to be victims of drunk driving.

“The victims have big passion, but the non-victims often show more energy and they can bring a lot of ideas,” said Aleta. The Nevilles say that Alberta’s tougher impaired driving legislation, introduced last summer, will help. This includes introducing penalties for drivers who have blood alcohol levels of .05 to .08. Police now have the ability to issue an immediate three-day licence suspension and three-day vehicle seizure.

With a blood alcohol concentration of .05, an individual has 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

“We’ve been hearing from the public how it will change people’s attitudes about drinking and driving,” said Rick.

They were pleased to hear recent statistics from the B.C. government, which said that the tougher drunk driving laws brought in there two years ago helped reduced the number of impaired driving deaths by 46 per cent.

“My biggest fear on the horizon is the use of drugs and driving,” said Rick. “There’s a push for decriminalizing marijuana in B.C. If they start doing that, people will be able to smoke dope and drive, with minimal consequences.”

Meanwhile, Edmonton lawyer Fred Kozak, representing four clients, filed the first constitutional challenge to Alberta’s new impaired driving legislation. An immediate suspension unfairly punishes a person before there’s any determination they’ve done anything wrong, Kozak said.

In some cases, it forces innocent people to plead guilty, he said.

“I view drinking and driving as a serious social issue and I think that it warrants serious penalties for those who are convicted of an offence, but tough measures should be fair,” Kozak said. ltester@reddeeradvocate.com

tences as a precedent. ... I can’t figure out how that happened or why it happened.”

Severe jail sentences would be a deterrent for people, particularly if they knew that killing someone on the road would result in a life sentence, Green said.

Canadian laws have no minimum sentences for offences of impaired driving causing death and impaired driving causing bodily harm. The offences carry a maximum of life and 10 years imprisonment respectively.

“I think the .05-.08 legislation will have some impact, as it did in B.C.,” said Green, regarding Alberta’s new legislation. “But it is not enough. We need to stop these people from murdering because of a choice they make.”

Green has tried to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. She has not given up on that possibility. She’s written to all of Canada’s provincial justice ministers, federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson and federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews. She

will continue to appeal to them.

As the family approaches the third anniversary of Brad and Krista Howe’s deaths, the impact remains monumental. It is still raw for Green.

She thinks of them first thing in the morning and last thing at night, every day. The children of the Howes are doing well in spite of the huge upset and rerouting of their lives. Maggie is in Grade 2, Molly is in Grade 4, Ashley is in Grade 6, Cory is in Grade 8 and MacKenzie is in Grade 12. Aunt Karla Green was caring for all the children until recently when Ashley went to live with her biological father and Cory is living with Green’s youngest daughter, Janelle, and her husband.

“We celebrate Brad and Krista and honour their memory but we are forging ahead and celebrating new things in their absence and life is not all gloom and doom for us,” said Green.

Green expects the entire family will spend the rest of their lives trying to recover from the loss. ltester@reddeeradvocate.com

Western 649: 7, 18, 34, 43, 45, 47, Bonus 35 Extra: 6183311

Pick 3: 220 Numbers are unofficial.

ATON AT PIKE WHE

WEATHER LOCAL TODAY

TONIGHT

FRIDAY

TH ONLY! TH TO DEC 30 17 C E D M O IT’S BACK! FR

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

BOXING DAYS HIGH -5

LOW -19

HIGH -16

HIGH -18

HIGH -17

A mix of sun and cloud.

40% chance of flurries.

40% chance of flurries.

A mix of sun and cloud. Low -21.

Periods of snow.

Low -21.

Calgary: today, mainly cloudy. High 0.

Low -17.

Olds, Sundre: today, increasing cloudiness.

High -3. Low -22.

Rocky, Nordegg: today, mainly cloudy.

High -10. Low -19.

Banff: today, mainly cloudy. High -4. Low -16.

TONIGHT’S HIGHS/LOWS

Lethbridge: today, sun and cloud. High 3.

Low -7.

FORT MCMURRAY

Edmonton: today, chance of flurries.

High -14. Low -15.

Grande Prairie: today, snow. High -20.

Low -22.

Fort McMurray: today, chance of flurries.

High -15. Low -20.

-15/-20 GRANDE PRAIRIE

DO YOUR PART FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BY UPGRADING YOUR OLD VEHICLE TO A NEW PICKUP.

-20/-22 JASPER

-11/-19

RED DEER

-5/-19

UP TO

$

†

3,000

Recycle your 2006 model year or older vehicle and receive up to $3,000 (HD amount shown) towards the cash purchase, financing or leasing of an eligible 2012 or 2013 Chevrolet Silverado

BANFF

-4/-16 Windchill/frostbite risk: Low to moderate Low: Low risk Moderate: 30 minutes exposure High -5 to 10 minutes: High risk in 5 to 10 minutes High -2 to 5 minutes: High risk in 2 to 5 minutes Extreme: High risk in 2 minutes Sunset tonight: 4:24 p.m.

Sunrise Friday: 8:43 a.m.

EDMONTON

-14/-15

Jasper: today, cloudy.

High -11. Low -19.

WINDCHILL/SUNLIGHT

YOU PAY WHAT GM EMPLOYEES PAY

CALGARY

0/-17

LETHBRIDGE

3/-7

40034L17-22

REGIONAL OUTLOOK

3110 GAETZ AVE., RED DEER LOCAL 403-347-3301 TOLL FREE 1800-661-0995

www.pikewheaton.com *See dealer for details.

A3

ALBERTA

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Falling oil prices squeezing budget

FROM PAGE A1

PROTEST: Raise awareness This led to Badger telling people she was organizing a walk because there was nothing going on in Red Deer.

She said she was glad so many people showed up for the rally.

Protestors gathered near the intersection of Ross Street and 51st Avenue. An aboriginal elder gave a prayer and blessing prior to the start of the march. As well, two members of the Red Deer aboriginal community drummed and sang as the protestors began their walk.

The protest started at the Buffalo Apartments on Ross Street, went around City Hall and ended at the Native Friendship Society.

— DOUG HORNER FINANCE MINISTER

Put simply, said Horner, Alberta is caught in a price vise.

Oilsands bitumen was selling for $US47 a barrel Wednesday, about US$40 a barrel less than the Northern American benchmark West Texas Intermediate.

The reason is demand is falling from Canada’s main customer, the United States due in part to that country’s struggling economy and a boom in light oil in North Dakota. As a result, said Horner, Alberta is being forced to sell at a comparative discount just to stay competitive.

Alberta desperately needs access to new customers in the roaring economies of China, Mexico and Brazil, Horner suggested.

“All of those jurisdictions are going to have fairly significant growth.”

The province has been lobbying to get extended pipeline access to the Gulf Coast in the United States and to get a line built to B.C. ports to ship oil to China.

The economy has become a thorny political problem for Redford. She won a majority government in the April election on a promise to balance the budget and begin running surpluses.

Opponents called it the “Alison in Wonderland” budget based on unattainable oil revenue forecasts.

“It was a fudge-it budget to begin with,” said Liberal Leader Raj Sherman.

“They can’t balance the books or deliver the services they promised because the finance minister overesti-

“If people were aware of what the Harper government is doing,” said Badger, adding that the lack of communication with aboriginal groups in regards to the omnibus bill was frustrating.

“He never let any of the chiefs know — I think there was a written letter to one chief and that’s it. He never let any of the other chiefs know, he never let the aboriginal people know what he was planning on doing.

There was no meeting about it. I just think that’s unfair.”

Colin Connon, a spokesman from Red Deer MP Earl Dreeshen’s office, said the two changes to the Indian Act included in Bill C-45 were designed to expedite decisions in regards to designated land. Decisions on designated land previously took a majority-of-a-majority for a change to occur, requiring 50 per cent of the First Nation involved to vote and then a majority of those to approve the decision, after which a

mated revenues and lacks the necessary financial control.”

Last month, Horner began stepping back from the balanced budget promise. He announced the government would begin taking on debt to pay for roads, schools and hospitals, but said the operating budget would be balanced.

“We will not deficit finance the operations of this government,” Horner told the house on Nov. 26.

The Tories likened it to the family budget: debt is OK for big-ticket items such as a mortgage as long as you have a plan to pay it off and you aren’t borrowing to pay for necessities.

So much for the grocery budget, said Wildrose finance critic Rob Anderson.

“At the very least you would think they would not borrow to pay for groceries, and it looks like they’re going to have to,” said Anderson.

“It’s right back out of the (high deficit) 1980s of (former premier) Don Getty,” he said. “It’s eerie.”

The cuts have already begun.

second vote would take place, if a majority did not vote, requiring a simple majority. The new law bypasses the need for a majority of people to vote.

As well, the responsibility for approving designations shifts from the Governor in Council to the minister of Indian Affairs. There are no changes to surrendered land in the omnibus bill.

Badger has family members in Edmonton who are also involved in a demonstration taking place on Friday in that city. mcrawford@reddeeradvocate.com

IRER T EN NTE RY WI NTO E INV

With heartfelt thanks and best wishes at this time of year from all of us at the In lieu of sending Christmas cards to our many friends and valued customers, we are making a donation to the The Lending Cupboard

4 DAYS ONLY UP TO

Thurs Fri Sat Sun 9:30-7 9:30-6 9:30-6 12-5

85

%

OFF MSR

22187L20

EDMONTON — The price squeeze on heavy oil is gutting Alberta’s bottom line and Finance Minister Doug Horner says it’s now all hands on deck to cut spending and shelve projects.

“I’m very, very concerned about where those (oilsands) numbers are headed,” Horner said outside his legislature office Wednesday.

“This is a situation that is actually affecting the Canadian GDP. It’s that much of an impact on the Canadian economy.”

Horner said everything except higher taxes or new taxes is being explored. Key projects such as Premier Alison Redford’s proposed 140 new family-care clinics are still a priority but could also be up for review.

“Yesterday at cabinet I made the comment to all of our cabinet colleagues that they’re going to have to make some very tough choices,” said Horner. “They’re going to have to ensure that we are being very aggressive in reining in and restraining our spending for us to meet our targets.”

But even with emergency austerity measures, the budget may not only end up in the red on the capital spending side, as previously announced, but also on the operating side.

“My role is to do everything in my control to make sure that we meet the targets (of a balanced budget) that we have for next year,” said Horner.

“Are you still confident you can meet that target?” he was asked.

“Today, I’m very concerned,” he replied.

The province runs a $40-billion budget with a quarter of its revenue from non-renewable resources.

Alberta is on track this year to run up a $3-billion deficit, which will be covered by the rapidly depleting Sustainability Fund.

On Monday, Alberta Health Services said it was reducing the time allotted to seniors for home care.

On Tuesday, Education Minister Jeff Johnson told school boards the government may not be able to deliver on its promise for new education grant funding of one per cent next year and two per cent in the second and third years.

Anderson said that’s typical of a government that spends billions of dollars on “corporate welfare” carbon capture and storage projects and this summer flew cabinet ministers to London for the Olympics on a tab that included $114,000 for unused hotel rooms.

“Look at the waste,” said Anderson.

“The premier has tripled the size of her communications staff. That alone right there is enough to fund the cut for seniors.”

NDP Leader Brian Mason pointed to six-figure payouts to former health executives.

“It seems that some people do get looked after by this government, but it’s not the people who depend on home care and it’s not special needs kids in schools,” said Mason.

The Tories have only themselves to blame, he said.

“Because of the cuts that they’ve made to taxes for wealthy Albertans and to corporations, and because we have some of the lowest royalties in the world, we don’t have the revenue stream to support our program expenditures,” Mason said.

‘I’M VERY, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHERE THOSE (OILSANDS) NUMBERS ARE HEADED. THIS IS A SITUATION THAT IS ACTUALLY AFFECTING THE CANADIAN GDP. IT’S THAT MUCH OF AN IMPACT ON THE CANADIAN ECONOMY.’

OVER 1,000 GARMENTS BELOW $

10

4952-50 St. Ph: 403-346-5504

ONE DAY SALES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21

Save $410

11999

$

Save

30%

Regular $530

Designer watches

Save $450

11999

$

Includes Manufacturers’ Specials and clearance.

Excludes only Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Burberry, Michele, Tissot, Swarovski and TW Steel.

Regular $570

Shop thebay.com

dzǡǭdzǯǮǩǴǥ dzǴǡDzǢǯǡDzǤ SLHFH VRIW VLGH VHW

Available in black, red and silver.

Shop thebay.com

dzǡǭdzǯǮǩǴǥ ǶǥǮǵǥ SLHFH KDUG VLGH VHW

Available in black, red and silver.

Shop thebay.com

Plus, save up to 70% RQ VRǟ VLGH DQG KDUG VLGH OXJJDJH

by SAMSONITE, DELSEY, RICARDO BEVERLY HILLS, HEYS, SWISSGEAR, TRAVELPRO, ANTLER, IT, HARTMANN, LONDON FOG and ATLANTIC Excludes items with 99¢ price endings.

Sign up at thebay.com for email updates

twitter.com/thehudsonsbayco

facebook.com/hudsonsbaycompany

Shazam our one day radio ads

Christmas Store Hours:

Mon. - Wed. 8:00 am - 10:00 pm Thur. - Sat. 8:00 am - 11:00 pm Sunday 9:00 am - 10:00 pm

No rain checks and no price adjustments. No pre-orders or telephone orders. Offer available while quantities last. Cannot be combined with other offers. Selection may vary by store. Savings are off our regular prices unless otherwise specified. See in store for details.

30499L20

Be the first to know about our One Day Sale offers

30401L20,22

BY DEAN BENNETT THE CANADIAN PRESS

A4

COMMENT

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Plenty of guilt to go around MISSING WOMEN INQUIRY It’s hard to read the reports relating to the inquiry into the murders that Robert Pickton committed on his farm in Port Coquitlam, B.C., over the course of many years, without feeling some measure of guilt.

Twenty poor and vulnerable women — prostitutes working Vancouver’s GREG seamy Downtown East Side NEIMAN — went missing over a period of more than a decade. For all anyone but serial killer Pickton knows, that grisly toll could be even larger.

But, as the victims’ families claimed and commissioner Wally Oppal con-

INSIGHT

firmed, police consistently refused to take the disappearances seriously, and when they did investigate, their work was fraught with errors, bungled nearly from beginning to end.

“There was an institutional systemic bias against the women,” Oppal told reporters after his report was released.

“They were poor, they were aboriginal, they were drug addicted and they were not taken seriously.”

But if the police work was uniformly shoddy, what’s my measure of guilt in that?

Those of us who work or volunteer with agencies that serve the poor, the homeless, the addicted and the mentally ill term where these women existed as a “high-risk lifestyle.”

(Full disclosure: my wife works for the Canadian Mental Health Association region in Red Deer; our daughters have worked summer jobs in the community CMHA serves in volunteer management, housing first services and with the local AIDS association.

I’m a CMHA volunteer and fundraiser.)

We all know what “high-risk” means.

There is generally no retirement age

for sex trade workers, especially workers who have addiction problems. The vast majority either get out of the trade as quickly as they can or they die in it.

So these women had already put themselves on a path to a severely shortened lifespan. What’s my measure of guilt in that?

As I see it, Oppal’s commission of inquiry, the police investigation which eventually grew massive, the hugely ornate and costly trial of Robert Pickton (taxpayers built him his own private high-security courtroom), the years of pleading by family members for some form of justice, these all came too late.

There is guilt enough to cover all corners here.

But the part that concerns me is that these women came to the point where drug addiction and prostitution looked better to them than their lives did before they went onto the street.

Red Deer is lucky to receive the insights of people like Advocate columnist Chris Salomons.

Because of his articles, nobody should be able to claim they never knew how frequently broken family

trust, neglect, abuse — and sometimes plainly stupid choices — lead people to take on high-risk lifestyles on the street.

What’s my measure of guilt in that?

It’s that I know this evil situation exists.

It’s that many, many people know this situation exists and that we’re a bit too comfortable allowing it to continue. Until it touches us personally.

Commissioner Wally Oppal challenged all his readers to “imagine how you would feel, put yourself in the shoes of the missing and murdered women and think how you would feel if you were dismissed, considered unworthy of attention by the majority of the people in your city.”

The burden is that we can’t pretend the mentally ill, the poor, the homeless, or the addicted are invisible. Or that many of the forces that put them there can be identified and help for them can be found. Once you know, you cannot refuse to act, or else that burden turns to your share of guilt.

Greg Neiman is a retired Advocate editor.

Sutherland’s gender concern shows lack of progress

inevitable? That’s real progress, eh!

Such attitudes, in my view, allow no room for “different” or “other-gendered” persons; and actually encourage bullying behaviour. They can also create frustrations when unable to be the “dominant male” society is perceived to admire and encourage. When that morphs into impotent rage, we get the appalling reaction such as the slaughter of the innocents in the quiet town in Connecticut. That is not a solitary event, in today’s society.

Is this what we are to accept as a byproduct of generations of rule by the dominant male? Men I know (a biker who efficiently cleans house, a construction boss who is a dab hand with his own pressure-cooker, a sixfoot-three-inch lover of big old cars who does the family laundry) are all very comfortable with their male-ness.

More importantly, they are very comfortable being caring parents, equal partners with their wives, and confident and respected men. They are true role-models for any young person, male or female.

Perhaps Mr. S. is merely in the throes of a mid-life crisis of some sort?

Lighten up, Jim! Our species will survive, maybe even improve, once we overcome our history of regarding “being dominant” as an inevitable part of simply being human.

Bonnie J. Murray Red Deer

of my income. Now as a senior, I pay about $200 per month on an old age pension of $540. You do the math.

At this rate, I will also be homeless soon.

My street doesn’t even get plowed once a year. Snow removal is a joke but we spend millions on restricting automobile traffic on major roads and have traffic lights that are not synchronized.

I travel the same route every day and each day, I stop at different ones.

They have spent millions on downtown parking (biggest joke is the old Arlington Hotel site) and then remove a bunch of meters.

They want to build a new rec centre.

The ones we have are not paying their own way and we subsidize them each year for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Hello, we don’t need any more.

They spend millions on bidding for the Canada Games. We don’t have the facilities so this seems like a back-door method of getting them.

Major expenditures should go to the people.

I won’t mention the Taj Mahal that I’m sure the people of Red Deer would have vetoed.

Bob Brown Red Deer

LETTERS TO EDITOR

Don’t trivialize tragedy It was with disgust that I opened my paper on Monday, Dec. 17, and saw, on the front page, an article on getting ready for the end of the world.

When so many are touched and saddened by the events in Connecticut, I would think that your journalists could have come up with a more suitable front page story.

Many of us have no connection to the victims of this horrific event, but, certainly, should it not take precedence over stupidity?

Shelley Rodney Blackfalds

Ward system will simplify choices for city voters I must commend Councillors Frank Wong, Buck Buchanan, and Chris Stephan for their plan to introduce a motion at the Jan. 21 city council meeting asking for a plebiscite on the electoral ward issue.

A plebiscite allows the public to be part of the decision making process, and offers some distance to the sense of councilors having a conflict of interest and being self-serving.

The public may vote against a ward system, and they have every democratic right to do so, but it would be their decision.

A successful vote would mean the ward system would still be years away, and that would appease those that believe a ward system is inevitable but for the future.

To vote against a plebiscite (perceiving to keep the advantage incumbents have in future elections) would be an attack on the democratic principles that our elected politicians are elected to uphold.

Would city councillors feel this plebiscite would be abatement on their power? Do they believe that the voters incapable of making an intelligent decision?

They just need to be reminded that the people in Red Deer need to feel represented and the current system does not appear to be working.

The upcoming election in October will be an example of the need for the ward system, and perhaps the school boards will take note. There will be by my estimation eight people running for mayor (no incumbent), 24 people running for city council (five incumbents) and 14 to 16 people running for each of the two school boards. The incumbents will have a huge advantage because no one will be able to understand all the platforms of approximately 50 candidates and the incumbents will be the fall back votes.

Under the ward system, you may have eight choices for mayor but you would only have three to six candidates for city council and possibly the same for the school boards in your ward. Picking five out of 15 is much better than trying to pick 16 out of 50.

The plebiscite is an easy option for city council, they can allow the voters to participate in an electoral exercise and still keep their name-recognition advantage for one more election, and prepare for the ward system several years away.

How can they say no?

Garfield Marks Red Deer

CENTRAL ALBERTA’S DAILY NEWSPAPER Published at 2950 Bremner Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 1M9

by The Red Deer Advocate Ltd. Canadian Publications Agreement #336602 Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Fred Gorman Publisher John Stewart Managing editor Richard Smalley Advertising director

Jim Sutherland’s recent Advocate column on “neutral” toys and preordained gender identity provoked mixed reactions from this old gal who once owned 22 dolls — but also happily climbed trees and played cowboy shoot-outs with boys, using my very own parent-purchased capgun.

Funny thing, I’m still comfortably female — my husband agrees.

My knowledge of creature behaviour has shown me that it is the female of the species who chooses her mates for optimal procreation. “Dominant” males usually are right out of the picture after that activity, randying around butting heads or flaunting feathers, while the females do most of the hunting, gathering, rearing the young, and leading their communities.

Indeed, in many species, the “dominant” male will kill the young if not kept at bay by the vigilant mother.

As to “gender-neutral” toys, Mr. S. comes to awareness of that several decades late. This idea was around when my own kids were pre-school, around 40 years ago. Hence, “Ken” came along with “Barbie,” toolsets came in pink, etc. It did not do as much damage to children as the current trend to make little girls into mini-sexpots, or little boys (and big ones too) into macho wannabe superheroes, slaying videogame enemies over and over — or cheering the latest concussion-producing fight in TV “sports.”

Progressive civilization, at best, treats all peoples equally in every way, while respecting individual personalities. Unfortunately, a look around our world shows clearly that “maledominated” societies not only demean women and girls, they are prone to violence as part of “natural genderdriven” behaviour (Mr. Sutherland’s quote) for generations. Are we therefore to simply shrug and accept this as

Scott Williamson Pre-press supervisor Mechelle Stewart Business manager Main switchboard 403-343-2400 Delivery/Circulation 403-314-4300 News News tips 403-314-4333 Sports line 403-343-2244 News fax 403-341-6560 E-mail: editorial@reddeeradvocate.com John Stewart, managing editor 403-314-4328 Carolyn Martindale, City editor 403-314-4326 Greg Meachem, Sports editor 403-314-4363 Harley Richards, Business editor

City council clueless Duke Hanson hit the proverbial nail on the head. Our city counsel does not have a clue how to run a business.

They never operate within a budget and have grandiose ideas.

We are concerned about homelessness but they keep raising taxes to the point of unbearable.

When I bought my house 12 years ago, I was working and paid about $100 a month, which was about five per cent

403-314-4337 Website: www.reddeeradvocate.com Advertising Main number: 403-314-4343 Fax: 403-342-4051 E-mail: advertising@reddeeradvocate.com Classified ads: 403-309-3300 Classified e-mail: classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com Alberta Press Council member The Red Deer Advocate is a sponsoring member of the Alberta Press Council, an independent body that promotes and protects the established freedoms of the press and advocates freedom of information. The Alberta Press Council upholds

Thanks for book review I’d like to thank Peggy Freeman for taking the time to review my kids adventure book Transported — the adventures of Thomas and Claire in last Friday’s Advocate.

In case people don’t know, the book is available through Chapters, Scotts Parable and Amazon.

I am also happy to drop off a signed copy to your readers in the Red Deer area.

They can contact me through my website paulsbooks.ca.

Paul Hankins Penhold

the public’s right to full, fair and accurate news reporting by considering complaints, within 60 days of publication, regarding the publication of news and the accuracy of facts used to support opinion. The council is comprised of public members and representatives of member newspapers. The Alberta Press Council’s address: PO Box 2576, Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 8G8.

Phone 403-580-4104.

Email: abpress@telus.net.

Website: www.albertapresscouncil.ca.

Publisher’s notice The Publisher reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising copy; to omit or discontinue any advertisement. The advertiser agrees that the Publisher shall not be

liable for damages arising out of error in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by that portion of the advertisement in which the error occurs.

Circulation Circulation 403-314-4300 Single copy prices (Monday to Thursday, and Saturday): $1.05 (GST included).

Single copy (Friday): $1.31 (GST included).

Home delivery (one month auto renew): $14.50 (GST included).

Six months: $88 (GST included).

One year: $165 (GST included).

Prices outside of Red Deer may vary.

For further information, please call 403314-4300.

A5

LETTERS

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Anglin defends his stands; questions minister’s figures Recently a letter to the editor referred to me as a one-trick pony for defending property rights, and then the minister of Energy wrote to the Red Deer Advocate and attacked my credibility and accused me of flip flopping on the use of HVDC technology. To my single-issue critics, these are two issues.

In 2005, this government approved the construction of a 500KV AC transmission line between Edmonton and Calgary on the presumption that there would be no new generation development in Southern Alberta. Critics rejected this presumption, and now in 2012 with the development of significant new generation in southern Alberta, the critics have been proven correct.

I have been consistent in my opposition to the unnecessary expensive construction of a transmission line between Edmonton and Calgary — regardless of the technology. I opposed the line on the basis that all the evidence confirms the lines are not needed, and on the grounds that the proposal is nothing more than a government (public) subsidy to export electricity to the United States. I am not opposed to exporting electricity per se; I just don’t think the public should be forced to pay for it without receiving a payback.

I agree with the use of HVDC technology when it is applicable; I have never wavered or changed my position on this issue. I oppose the misuse of HVDC technology, particularly when the transmission line is not needed or in the public interest. To imply my opposition to the misuse of HVDC technology is flip-flopping or suggestive of supporting another technology — is a misrepresentation.

The PC government is currently proposing to build two HVDC transmission lines between Edmonton and Calgary at an additional cost of $2 Billion dollars over and above what it would normally cost to build a comparable HVAC transmission line. The sad fact is the benefits normally derived from the application of HVDC technology are not being proposed or realized.

In fact, the proposed use of HVDC technology is actually raising the total amount of line loss, increasing the total EMF distance, and costing the public more. If the technology was being applied correctly there should be a savings in these categories.

On the issue of credibility, the minister of Energy alleges my math is wrong, and the transmission lines are only going to cost $5.2 billion. (The government also maintains it will only increase electric bills by $3.40 a month). The facts tell another story.

The condensed version of the AESO 2009 Ten-Year-Plan (pages 12-14) lists the total cost of the proposed transmission lines at $16.588 ($16.6) billion.

This is an 800 per cent increase over

and above Alberta’s existing transmission infrastructure. The minister continually misrepresents these costs by only referring to the cost of a particular line(s), rather than the entire plan. Complicating matters, the first two projects of the plan have nearly tripled in cost, and there are no cost control measures in place. Constructions of the two HVDC lines have not begun.

In June 2012, a former senior AESO engineer and co-author of the AESO 2009 Ten-Year-Plan stated under oath that these transmission lines are not needed, and they are not in the public interest. On November 20, 2012 the AESO released information projecting that the transmission line costs on every Albertan’s electric bill are expected to rise 400 per cent in the next two years, just about the time when only four of the 12 proposed projects in the $16.6 billion plan are completed.

The Energy minister, Ken Hughes, claims these transmission lines are needed. He criticizes opponents, but he can’t point to any qualitative or quantitative analysis as evidence of proof the lines are needed. In fact he, and the rest of the PC caucus, just voted against an amendment that would require evidence of proof.

Albertans need to look at their electricity bills and multiply the transmission charge(s) on their electric bills by four (the expected 400 per cent increase AESO is projecting) and ask a very simple question, “Does Minister Ken Hugh’s claim of $3.40 equal the AESO’s projected 400 per cent increase in transmission costs?”

Credibility can be found in the math!

Joe Anglin, MLA Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre

Every day, teachers do heroic things for society Since I have been I education for over 40 years, the tragedy in the elementary school in Newtown, Conn., where the most ordinary educators became the most extraordinary heroes, tugged at my heartstrings and brought tears to my eyes.

It illustrates that “heroes” can be found in many unexpected places. In this latest coverage, the media seemed to be surprised that heroes could be found in a school. But to anyone who has spent time in schools, they would not be surprised that to learn that “heroes” lived and worked in that school.

As the story in Newtown, Conn., is still unfolding, we are learning about the teachers, support staff and administrators in that place of learning who performed various acts of quick-thinking, bravery and outright sacrifice to either save young students or to die trying. They are being lauded as “heroes” — and rightly so, tragic as it may be.

The media has discovered a story

of heroism and self-sacrifice and is reporting it to the best of their ability.

But I think back about the teachers, support staff and administrators that I have known over the years, and ask myself: “How many of them were ‘hidden heroes’ — educators who would have put their lives on the line for their students?”

I will never know, but my gut feeling, even today, tells me there would have been many that would have done that, had the situation required it.

They often did lesser things for their charges — giving the ultimate sacrifice would have been at the highest level, but not impossible. They chose to go into the “helping professions” — choosing the possibility of a life without corporate profits or high wages.

And help, many of them did.

Because I work in education, I only know best of fellow educators — no disrespect to the other “helpers.” I wondered then, how many school staff were hidden heroes of a lesser nature — those who quietly did something so that their students could have fewer fears, a happier day, a bit of lunch, a more secure situation? I realized that many of my colleagues were “miniheroes” — without wanting recognition, they just did what they thought the situation demanded, without worrying about themselves. The public rarely finds out about them and that’s the way they often want it. The public rarely finds out about other instances, as well.

I know of teachers, support staff and administrators, who by law, had to report to social service agencies a home where students were physically abused, sexually molested or just plain neglected — trying not to think of the consequences: that were the adults in the home to find out who reported the abuse, they could be subject to physical harm themselves from the very same adults.

I know of school staff who brought their honest concerns to a parent or other adult in the home, who received verbal abuse and threats in return for their desire to help the child have a better life.

I know of a teacher almost strangled with the lanyard around her neck by an angry high school student in her class.

I know of a teacher who was beaten up when he tried to get the uninvited intruders at a high school dance to leave.

On a lighter note, I also know of many teachers and administrators who give up their lunch time, their weekends, their in-school or after-school preparation time, to help or coach their students, expecting nothing in return but the satisfaction gained in the thought they have made a life a little easier, added some confidence to someone’s self image or just erased a nagging personal problem. It is the inherent nature of the profession.

Not life-saving activities, you might say, in the comparison to the Newtown educators; but still examples of sacrifice directed to those individuals for whom they care, often admire or sometimes even love like their own kids.

So, the next time you wonder if someone in the “helping professions” earn their wages, perhaps think of the example of the many individuals set apart by their acts as “hidden heroes” and be assured that most do. When you next encounter an educator, health or social worker in your life, give them a kind word and a pat of encouragement to recognize them as one of the “hidden heroes.” As exemplified by the events in Newtown, Conn., who knows when any of us may be called upon to be a “hero?”

William “Bill” Taylor Red Deer

I am blessed because others reach out to help me With Christmas being just around the corner, I can’t help but stop and think of the many blessings I have in my life.

As a Canadian, I have so much to be thankful for. I live in one of the best countries in the world.

I have also been blessed with a loving family and many good friends. Being a mom to a young adult with disabilities, I can’t help but be thankful in many other ways. As a citizen of Red Deer I am also fortunate to have access to the many agencies in the city that help to improve the lives of our special people within the community.

I personally would like to say a big thank you to the following: ● Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) for providing funding to help those with disabilities be as independent as possible and be able to access community activities (volunteer, employment, recreational activities). ● The Action Group for its support in group homes and for all the work it does in keeping them staffed and running. Its role is important as it allows young adults to be as independent as possible, yet have the support they need to help them succeed and learn the skills they need to live in a semiindependent environment. ● COSMOS and all the great staff who keep all the programs running that allow our special people to be out in the community, gain some independence, while at the same time have a support network to help them out. Its work is invaluable.

These organizations (to name a few) have been a blessing to our family and they help to make Red Deer a great place to live. May we all take a moment to reflect and be thankful as the Christmas season approaches. Merry Christmas and God bless everyone.

Denise Bedford Red Deer

We would also like you to know that we are now carrying the UNITE product line and Amanda is doing Knotty Boy dread locks. If you any questions about these please call us at 403-347-4244 or stop by and see us at 3817 40th Ave.

h o l i d a y s ! ! !

Centennial First Night December 31, 2012 Bower Ponds 6:00 - 9:00 pm

Our suits might be blue, and we don’t know who’s been naughty, but

we give.

It’s one of the best-kept ept anada. Our secrets in Western Canada. n safety, reliability, employees believe—in integrity and most of allll in people. eason, Quinn Over the Christmas season, es to charitable Contracting Ltd. donates organizations on behalflf of our people within the communitiess that we live in. e that our folks Not to mention the time spend volunteering to help others.

We might drive trucks instead of st something sleighs, but there is just mployees. special about Quinn employees.

• Skating • Music from the decades • Interactive Performers • Free cake and hot drink • Musical Fireworks - A Remarkable Red Deer First • Free Glow Sticks and temporary tattoos for everyone

Would you like to volunteer for this event?

Contact Theresa at info@reddeer2013.ca or call 403-340-2013 Check out the website to stay informed all year long of upcoming events & celebrations.

www.reddeer2013.ca quinncontracting.ca | 1.855.885.6233

Proud Community Supporter

71415L6-20

H a p p y

42807L20

April, Amanda,Celia, Marcy and Michela at Addictions Hair Studio would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Come and join us for our 1st Annual Customer Appreciation for snacks and Christmas cheer. We hope to see you all!!

A6

CANADA

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Court denies $28-billion pension repayment HIGH COURT RULES THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT OBLIGED TO RETURN FUNDS TO THE PUBLIC SECTOR UNIONS

Tories axe gun show laws THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA, Ont. — The Conservative government has repealed gun show regulations, on the advice of the same controversial advisory committee the prime minister recently distanced himself from.

Meanwhile, Ontario’s chief firearms officer says he fears the decision will eventually bring American-style gun-show problems to Canada.

The changes kill a set of rules that were introduced by the Liberals in 1998, but never brought into force after years of consultations and deferrals.

The regulations would have required the sponsor of a gun show to notify local police and the chief firearms officer of the province before an event, and to ensure the security and safety of the location and the firearms.

The government says it consulted Public Safety Minister Vic Toews’ Canadian Firearms Advisory Committee, which felt that gun owners already abided by a set of existing rules.

The decision was published Wednesday in the Canada Gazette, but did not appear on Public Safety Canada’s website.

It notes that MPs and senators were given 30 days to request changes to the repeal, but neither House did.

“Canada has a strong gun control system and we will not weaken these protections,” said Julie Carmichael, a spokeswoman for Public Safety Minister Vic Toews.

“The purchase, transport and storage of firearms continues to be strictly controlled in Canada and these strict rules apply to gun shows.

Our government has taken concrete action to strengthen our laws and to stop violent crime and illegal firearms.”

But earlier this month, Prime Minister Stephen Harper candidly rejected some of the committee’s recommendations to loosen other gun laws.

The Coalition for Gun Control has criticized the advisory committee for being stacked with gun enthusiasts including firearms dealers and representatives of the Canadian Sport Shooting Association.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has been unable to get on the committee.

Committee member Greg Farrant, of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, says under the Liberals the same group was stacked in the other direction — with gun opponents.

He says that two police officers among the current group provide balance and valuable front-line viewpoints.

“There’s not always unanimity on the committee,” Farrant notes.

ON NOW AT YOUR ALBERTA CHEVROLET DEALERS. AlbertaChevrolet.com OR Chevrolet.ca 1-800-GM-DRIVE. Chevrolet is a brand of General Motors of Canada. ‡/††/*Offers apply to the purchase of a 2013 Silverado EXT 4X4 (CK10753 – 1SF/G80/KO5), 2012 Cruze LS Air & Auto (R7D), 2013 Equinox LS (1LF26-1SA/K05) equipped as described. Freight included ($1,500/$1,495/$1,500). License, insurance, registration, PPSA, administration fees and taxes not included. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Offer available to retail customers in Canada. See Dealer for details. Limited time offers which may not be combined with other offers, and are subject to change without notice. Offers apply to qualified retail customers in Alberta Chevrolet Dealer Marketing Association area only. Dealer order or trade may be required. GMCL, Ally Credit, TD Auto Financing Services or Scotiabank may modify, extend or terminate this offer in whole or in part at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See Chevrolet dealer for details. W Based on GM Testing in accordance with approved Transport Canada test methods. Your actual fuel consumption may vary ^^Offer available to retail customers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Territories between December 17th, 2012 and December 30th, 2012. Applies to new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and Cruze and 2013 GM vehicles excluding 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, Volt, Spark, Orlando, Express, Traverse, and Trax, GMC Savana and Acadia, Buick Enclave and Encore, and Cadillac ATS and XTS at participating dealers in Canada. Employee price includes freight and PDI but excludes license, insurance, registration, fees associated with filing at movable property registry/PPSA fees, duties, marketing fees and taxes. Dealer may sell for less. Limited quantities of 2012 models available. Dealer order or trade may be required. Offer may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives.

GMCL may modify, extend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. See dealer for details.† To qualify for GMCL’s Cash For Clunkers incentive, you must: (1) turn in a 2006 or older MY vehicle that is in running condition and has been registered and properly insured in your name for the last 3 months (2) turn in a 2006 or older MY vehicle that is in running condition and has been registered and properly insured under a small business name for the last 3 months. GMCL will provide eligible consumers with a manufacturer to consumer incentive (tax inclusive) to be used towards the purchase/finance/lease of a new eligible 2012 or 2013 MY Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, or Chevrolet Avalanche delivered between October 2, 2012 and January 2, 2013. Incentive ranges from $1500 to $3,000, depending on model purchased. Incentive may not be combined with certain other offers. By participating in the Cash For Clunkers program you will not be eligible for any trade-in value for your vehicle. See your participating GM dealer for additional program conditions and details. GMCL may modify, extend or terminate program in whole or in part at any time without notice. + ©The Best Buy Seal is a registered trademark of Consumers Digest Communications, LLC, used under license. ¥ Based on latest competitive data available. ‡‡ 2012 Chevrolet Silverado, equipped with available Vortec™ 5.3L V8 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission and competitive fuel consumption ratings based on Natural Resources Canada’s 2012 Fuel Consumption Guide and WardsAuto.com 2012 Large Pickup segment. Your actual fuel consumption may vary. Excludes hybrids and other GM models. ~ OnStar services require vehicle electrical system (including battery) wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly. OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Subscription Service Agreement required. Call 1-888-4ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or visit onstar.ca for OnStar’s Terms and Conditions, Privacy Policy and details and system limitations. Additional information can be found in the OnStar Owner’s Guide ** 2012 Cruze Eco equipped with 6-speed manual transmission. Based on Natural Resources Canada’s 2012 Fuel Consumption Guide for the Midsize Car class. Excludes hybrid and diesel models. Your actual fuel consumption may vary.

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada says several major public unions are not entitled to a $28-billion pension surplus that the government hived off to help pay down the deficit.

The unanimous high court ruled 9-0 that the government is not obliged to return funds to the public sector unions.

“The government was not under a fiduciary obligation to the plan members, nor was it unjustly enriched by the amortization and removal of the pension surpluses,” Justice Marshall Rothstein writes for the court.

The complex 73-page ruling ends a long legal battle that dates back to the 1990s in which unions representing public servants, the RCMP and the military wanted the surplus money re-

turned.

The unions and professional associations were attempting to overturn an Ontario Court of Appeal ruling that said they weren’t entitled to the money.

The unions argued that the government improperly took their money, from the mandatory, defined benefit plans.

The plans are among some of the most handsome pensions in the country.

Meanwhile, many private sector companies are struggling with underfunded pensions.

“The plan members’ interests are limited to their interest in the defined benefits to which they are entitled under the plans,” writes Rothstein.

The ruling comes as the government is attempting to slay the deficit and control public spending.

If the unions had won their appeal, it could have forced a massive federal expenditure that could have affected its long-term economic planning.

The ruling essentially affirmed the actions taken by the former Conservative and Liberal governments in the 1990s to take surplus funds from what had become lucrative public pension funds and apply them to country’s deficit.

The total surpluses of plans for the three groups of federal employees — public servants, the Canadian Forces and the RCMP — had grown to $30.9 billion by 1999, the ruling states.

The ruling says the government began in 1990-91 to “amortize” the actuarial surpluses in its Superannuation Accounts.

“The effect of this ’amortization’ was twofold: it reduced the government’s annual budget deficit (or increased

the annual budget surplus) by reducing annual pension expenditures, and it brought the government’s net debt down by reducing the net pension liabilities to an amount closer to the actuarial estimates of the government’s future pension obligations.”

In 2000, the Liberal government passed a new law that changed how the pension funds were collected, managed and distributed.

Under the new law, the government debited $28-billion directly, “thereby reducing the actuarial surplus in those accounts.”

The unions failed in their bid to get that money back.

The Supreme Court ruled “they did not suffer any detriment as a result of the government’s accounting treatment” and that the government “did not expropriate any property of the plan members.”

TH !

0 3 C E D L I T N U Y L N O !

K C A B IT’S

^^

^^

YOU PAY WHAT GM EMPLOYEES PAY DO YOUR PART FOR THE ENVIRONMENT BY UPGRADING YOUR OLD VEHICLE TO A NEW PICKUP.

UP TO

†

$

3,000

Recycle your 2006 model year or older vehicle and receive up to $ 3,000 † (HD amount shown) towards the cash purchase, fi nancing or leasing of an eligible 2012 or 2013 Chevrolet Silverado.

2013 SILVERADO CHEYENNE EXT 4X4 MSRP

39,385

$

GM EMPLOYEE PRICE ^^

$

29,355

*

- 60,000km Longer Powertrain Warranty than Ford F-150 and RAM ¥ - Available Best-In-Class 4X4 V8 Fuel Efficiency‡‡

25 MPG HIGHWAY 11.2 L/100 KM HWY | 15.9 L/100 KM CITYW

1LT MODEL SHOWN

+

20133 EQUINOX LS MSRP

28,635

$

GM EMPLOYEE PRICE^^

25,928

$

*

- Awarded the Consumer’s Digest Best Buy Four Years Running+ - Standard Bluetooth and OnStar® with RemoteLink Mobile App~

46 MPG HIGHWAY 6.1L/100 KM HWY | 9.2 L/100 KM CITYW

LTZ MODEL SHOWN

+

2012 CRUZE LS AIR & AUTO MSRP

20,660

$

GM EMPLOYEE PRICE ^^

17,247

$

*

- 2012 Consumer’s Digest Best Buy Award+ - Best-In-Class Highway Fuel Efficiency**

50 MPG HIGHWAY 5.6 L/100 KM HWY | 9.2 L/100 KM CITYW

LTZ MODEL SHOWN 30654L19-20

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

Employee Pricing Ends December 30th, HURRY INTO YOUR CHEVROLET DEALER TODAY VEHICLE PRICING IS NOW EASIER TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE ALL OUR PRICES INCLUDE FREIGHT, PDI AND MANDATORY GOVERNMENT LEVIES

$/%(57$&+(952/(7 &20

SCAN HERE TO FIND YOURS

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 A7

Drop-in centre ramps up services following report

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

Fake video of eagle stealing baby fools world THE CANADIAN PRESS MONTREAL — Relax, world — your baby won’t get snatched by an eagle if you visit Montreal.

An online video of the massive bird plucking an infant off the ground was acknowledged by its creators as a fake Wednesday.

The admission came as the video was viewed millions of times on YouTube in the span of several hours and was the subject of news reports by dozens of media around the globe.

It was actually produced by students as a class project at a new-media training institute in Montreal.

Their assignment: create a viral video and a hoax.

They needn’t worry about their mark now. They were promised a 100 per cent score if they received

Kate Gibson needs a lot of advice.

After spending years helping to run a widelyrespected drop-in service for sex-trade workers on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside on the thinnest of shoestrings, the executive director of WISH has been told the centre will get an extra $750,000 per year from the provincial government.

The money was announced earlier this week by Justice Minister Shirley Bond, about an hour after the commissioner of an inquiry into Vancouver’s missing women made funding for an around-theclock drop-in centre a key recommendation.

“There will be more meals at whatever time of day that we’re open,” said Gibson, listing off some of the changes.

“Obviously overnight there will be meals and snacks. So it will mean a substantial increase in our food budget. Obviously we don’t have staff, so there will be a large ramping up of staff to cover those shifts overnight, and the facility will have to be manTHE CANADIAN PRESS aged in a new way because it will have a lot more use.”

The drop-in centre opened in 1987 with a base in TORONTO — A a Downtown Eastside church and moved in 2009 to 4 0 - y e a r - o l d T o r o n t o its own facility. The centre began helping just a few area man charged last women a night, but that has grown to between 150 to month with pretending 200 women every night.

In May, commissioner Wally Oppal told the in- to practise witchcraft is quiry a 24-hour centre for sex-trade workers was a now facing additional charges. “no brainer.”

Toronto police say Dave Dickson, who was a well-known beat cop in the Downtown Eastside and later served as a sex- Gustavo Valencia Gomez work liaison officer for the Vancouver police, told of Mississauga was arthe inquiry that WISH had a proven track record and rested again this week after other alleged vicshould be the model for such a service.

WISH provides hot meals, showers, nursing care, tims came forward.

Police allege the referrals to other programs and safety notices, such as bad dates. Several of serial killer Robert Pickton’s new victims are an elderly Montreal couple victims used WISH’s services.

Pickton was convicted of killing six women, but defrauded of $13,000 on the remains or DNA of 33 women was found on his Nov. 28, and a HamilPort Coquitlam, B.C., pig farm. He trolled the Down- ton couple defrauded of town Eastside for his victims. $7,800 between June and But the centre only had the funding to operate October. from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. every night of the week on a Investigators say a budget of about $320,000 a year. Less than half of it man used rituals to concame from government sources. vince his victims that WISH received about $80,000 a year from the City they were cursed and of Vancouver and another $60,000 from the provin- then offered to remove cial government. the curse for a sum of The rest of the dropin centre’s budget came WALMART CORRECTION NOTICE from other community groups, religious orgaOur Àyer distributed on Dec. 19 - 21 and effective Dec. 21 - 24: nizations and individual P.7: Sirius Stratus 6 Satellite Radio, Vehicle Kit & Boom Box donors.

Combo (#30100748) at $29.67. The description is incorrect.

The windfall Monday The correct description is as follows: Sirius Stratus 6 Satellite more than doubles the Radio & Vehicle Kit (#30100748) at $29.67. P.8: Boys’ or Girls’ centre’s previous fundCharacter Tees (#30529161/167/30490728/1700) at $7. Due ing. to unforeseen circumstances, delivery of the Boys’ Ninjago and “It’s not the complete Super Mario Bros. Tees have been delayed to some stores. answer, obviously, it’s We are sorry for any inconvenience this might have not,” Oppal said in an interview Wednesday. caused.

100,000 page views — and within a few hours, sometime after lunch Wednesday, they had smashed that target 50 times over.

“We had no idea what was coming,” said a giddy Normand Archambault, who created the video along with fellow students Loic Mireault and Felix MarquisPoulin.

“We were all speechless.”

The video was picked up by newspapers in the U.K., was tweeted by at least one member of the White House press corps in Washington, and it moved on the international news wires through Agence France Presse as well as in numerous international publications.

A Mexican news anchor tweeted it. Russian television aired it, much to Archambault’s astonishment.

“Wow, I didn’t know that,” he

said when he was informed by a reporter during one of a slew of interviews.

Claude Arsenault, a spokesman for the Centre NAD where the trio studies, said the video was done as part of a project in 3D animation and digital design.

Both the eagle and the toddler were created in 3D animation and integrated into the film afterward, he said.

The idea of an eagle snatching a baby came up after a brainstorming session.

The group had surveyed YouTube to see what people were watching.

“Babies and animals are very popular,” Archambault, 22, said in an interview. So students combined the two.

“The group thought “if that works, everyone is going to want to watch it.”

Toronto witchcraft investigation spreads money.

Gomez faces charges that include pretending to practise

witchcraft, fraud over $5,000, and possession of the proceeds of crime.

Police say Gomez advertises his services as a healer in Toronto, Mississauga, London, Ont.,

ANNOUNCEMENT

Michael Galye(L) and Lane Janke(R)

Michael Galye is delighted to welcome Lane Janke, the newest addition to his qualified team. Lane owned and operated Access Denture, at #301, 4820 Gaetz Ave. Red Deer until recently joining Michael at the Denture & Implant Centre. Lane brings a kind, gentle nature with him and his style and personality will compliment the warm and friendly atmosphere.

The Denture and Implant Centre looks forward to welcoming Lane’s existing and new patients and providing the utmost quality care. Please join us in welcoming Lane and thank you for your continued support.

THE DENTURE & IMPLANT CENTRE INC.

Great

GIFT IDEAS

$

FREEGift

50

CarNdELL

BUSH F ANY HASE O GEFINDER C R U P WITH PS OR RAN G

All Men’s Golf Sweaters

50

SPECIAL BUY

298 SAVE $51

98 Orig. $349.99*

%

Tour V2 Rangefinder, Orange

OFF

SPECIAL BUY

98 268 SAVE $131

Orig. $399.99*

OptiShot Golf Simulator

39999

$

FREGEift

50

Card

U OT SIM OPTISH SE OF 12 URCHA PIRES 12/31/ P H IT W EX

LATOR

SGX GPS Rangefinder s Wireless connectivity

RED HOT DEAL

99 169 SAVE $80

Orig. $249.99*

Approach S1 GPS Watch s Available in black or white

SPECIAL BUY

98 44 SAVE $9

Orig. $53.99*

Pro V1 or Pro V1x, 12pk

Extended Holiday Hours | For local store hours and locations, visit golftown.com/storelocator While quantities last. Products may not be exactly as shown. Selection (styles, colours, sizes and models) and availability may vary by store. If any advertising errors or omissions are discovered, Golf Town will make the appropriate corrections and notify customers as soon as possible. Prices are in effect until Dec. 24, 2012. *All Original prices shown were Golf Town’s Spring 2012 regular prices.

40520L20

CHECK THIS NEWSPAPER ON DEC 24 FOR OUR BEST EVER BOXING WEEK OFFERS!

44327L20

#100, 4918 - 46 Street, Red Deer

Formerly Located In Bower Mall & Village Mall, Red Deer PHONE 403-343-7266 WWW.DENTUREANDIMPLANTCENTRE.CA

A8 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

®

EARN UP TO

This Friday, Dec. 21 to Thursday, Dec. 27

300 With coupon and a minimum VALID DEC. 21 TO DEC. 27, 2012 $100 Safeway grocery Limit one Bonus Offer per transaction. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Purchase must be made in a single transaction. purchase earn 100 BONUS AIR MILES® coupons cannot be combined with any other discount offer reward miles or AIR MILES® coupon offer including Customer Appreciation Day &

®

With coupon and a minimum VALID DEC. 21 TO DEC. 27, 2012 $200 Safeway grocery Limit one Bonus Offer per transaction. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase. Purchase must be made in a single transaction. purchase earn 300 BONUS AIR MILES® coupons cannot be combined with any other discount offer reward miles or AIR MILES® coupon offer including Customer Appreciation Day & Limit one Bonus Offer per transaction.

Purchase must be made in a single transaction.

99

Senior’s Day. Not valid at Safeway Liquor Stores. Coupon excludes prescriptions, diabetes merchandise, insulin pumps, insulin pump supplies, blood pressure monitors, tobacco, transit passes, gift cards, enviro levies, bottle deposits and sales tax. Other exclusions apply.

Please see Customer Service for complete list of exclusions. Cashiers: Scan the coupon only once to activate the Bonus Offer. Do not scan more than once.

® ®TM

¢ lb.

300 BONUS AIR MILES reward miles

®

Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc.

Senior’s Day. Not valid at Safeway Liquor Stores. Coupon excludes prescriptions, diabetes merchandise, insulin pumps, insulin pump supplies, blood pressure monitors, tobacco, transit passes, gift cards, enviro levies, bottle deposits and sales tax. Other exclusions apply.

Please see Customer Service for complete list of exclusions. Cashiers: Scan the coupon only once to activate the Bonus Offer. Do not scan more than once.

®

®

®TM

AIR MILES reward miles SPEND $200, EARN

®

100 BONUS AIR MILES reward miles Limit one Bonus Offer per transaction.

Purchase must be made in a single transaction.

®

Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc.

SPEND $100, EARN

®

GRADE A

TURKEYS Grade A Turkey

Under 7 kg. Frozen.

HOUSEHOLD LIMIT ONE Dec. 14 thru Dec. 27.

While supplies last.

99

¢ /lb 2.18/kg

Club Price

DALYE

3

22 23

21

SA

SUNDAY

SATURDAY

FRIDAY

DECEMBER

R

DECEMBE

DECEMBER

gs n i v a S y a d i l o H

Coca-Cola or Pepsi Soft Drinks Assorted varieties. 2 Litre.

Plus deposit and or enviro levy where applicable. LIMIT TEN - Combined varieties.

10

$

for

10

NLY! 3 DAYSICEO

Fresh Blueberries Product of Chile.

No. 1 Grade.

170 g.

HOUSEHOLD LIMIT TWO.

CLUB PR

2

$

for

Assorted varieties.

Made fresh instore.

Package of 6.

$

2for

5

NLY! 3 DAYSICEO CLUB PR

Bakery Counter Two Bite Caramel Pecan Brownie Tray Or assorted varieties.

16 Pieces.

500 g.

LIMIT FOUR.

NLY! 3 DAYSICEO

$

5

NLY! 3 DAYSICEO CLUB PR

2

ea.

NLY! 3 DAPYRSICEO

CLUB PR

e Deli From th

Bakery Counter Donuts

5

99

Pantry Essentials Sliced Side Bacon

CLUB

!

Deli Counter Black Forest Ham Service Case Only.

49

1

/100 g

NLY! 3 DAYS EO

Dove Hair Care

355 mL. Or Styling Products. Select varieties and sizes. LIMIT SIX Combined varieties.

2for

5

NLY! 3 DAYSICEO CLUB PR

IC

CLUB PR

Prices effective at all Alberta Safeway stores Friday, December 21 thru Sunday, December 23, 2012. We reserve the right to limit sales to retail quantities. Some items may not be available at all stores. All items while stocks last. Actual items may vary slightly from illustrations. Some illustrations are serving suggestions only. Advertised prices do not include GST. ®™ Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Canada Safeway Limited. Extreme Specials are prices that are so low they are limited to a one time purchase to Safeway Club Card Members within a household. Each household can purchase the limited items one time during the effective dates. A household is defined by all Safeway Club Cards that are linked by the same address and phone number. Each household can purchase the EXTREME SPECIALS during the specified advertisement dates. For purchases over the household limits, regular pricing applies to overlimit purchases. On BUY ONE GET ONE FREE items, both items must be purchased. Lowest priced item is then free. Online and in-store prices, discounts, and offers may differ.

$

DECEMBER 21 22 23 FRI

SAT

SUN

Prices in this ad good until December 23rd.

3063520

2 Litre!

B1

OUTDOORS

»

SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

HEALTH ◆ B3 HAPPENINGS ◆ B4,B5 SPORTS ◆ B6-B8 Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Fax 403-341-6560 editorial@reddeeradvocate.com

Photos by MYRNA PEARMAN/Freelance

Right: One can easily stop along a quiet country road to savour and photograph wonderful sunrises and sunsets.

Above: Rambles along country roads are most interesting when the unexpected happens. This Swainson’s hawk landed on a fencepost along a quiet country road south of Byemore, expecting to quietly watch for its next meal. A male Brewer’s blackbird, defending its nearby nest, didn’t like that idea at all. It mobbed the hawk so ferociously that the hawk gave up and flew off.

Above: Vehicles often make excellent photography blinds.

This fox was busily hunting for mice in the ditch beside a road near Alsask, Sask. It seemed aware of my presence, but was unfazed as it circled the vehicle a couple of times and then continued on its merry way.

Left: Evening drives in the summer are often rewarded with views of wild creatures out and about in their environment. I came upon this beautiful little mountain cottontail dining on fresh summer grass along a road near the Estuary Ferry, on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border.

Scenes from the back roads In our urr usual al hast h te tto dash h ffrom I could ld use a GP GPS S, butt I prefe ferr Point A to Po oint B, we invariably to pull over sporadically to study y c h oo o se s e the s hortest, easiest or the maps and change my route on n quickestt route e possible. the slightest whim.

T e said route usuTh Most gravel roadss a lly l entails taking a are well maintained,, major highway y. and many of Alberta’ss Of co ourse, highway secondary roads are e travelliing ma akes perpaved. fe sen fe fect nse — highways I have found thatt are fastt and comfortar drivers are more cour-able, an nd they y enable teous on these back k us to crram ev ve more ven roads, and a friendly y i nto ou u r already frewave to the locals is al-netic sch heduless. ways returned, usually y But highwa a ys are with a smile. the routes of the hurIt takes me aboutt ried and d the ha ar arried. six or seven hours to o MYRNA Thess e dayss , highramble to and from m PEARMAN way trafffic is alsso overvisiting my sister and d r eprese e nted b y mad her family in Saskatch-speederrs and distractewan, a trip that takess ed texte ers. the highway travellerss For those wh ho try to espouse less than five hours. the man nt ntra, the journey is the desOn these back roads, I have sa-tination n, busy highways provide voured amazing scenery, watched d few oppo p rtunitie es to really relish the seasons unfold, witnessed d the scen nery, apprreciate a sunrise remarkable cloud formations,, or sunse et, or see e wildlife other storms, sunrises and sunsets, and d than rav vens and d the occasional have encountered a remarkable e hawk. diversity of wild creatures.

Severrra al years ago, fellow natuI always return home from one e ralist an nd back roads traveller of these back road rambles feel-Judy Boy yd introdu uced me to the ing a little wiser, a little calmerr Alberta Back Road d Atlas. and a little more connected to the e With all Alberr ta range and earth and her gifts. township p roads no ow signposted, Myrna Pearman is the biologistt this back k road atlass makes it easy and site services manager at Elliss to plan interesting g and rand dom Bird Farm. She can be reached att z ig-zag r o utes alon n g roads less mp m earman@ellisbi b rdfarm.ca. t av tr avel elle led. d.. d

OUTDOORS

This badger was seen a few weeks back, bounding through a snowfilled ditch along a road east of Red Deer. I was able to stop just in time to park safely and grab my camera. Fortunately, it popped down into a culvert only to appear a few seconds later. It quickly looked around before lumbering off across a field.

B2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

If you like gardening, some travel suggestions The following suggestions are for people that live and breaths gardening and like to travel.

There are plenty of garden tours available from a couple of days to a couple of weeks. http://www. gardenvisit.com/garden_tours lists garden tours that cover five land masses.

Information on garden tours is also available through local travel agents.

Like all travel tours, garden tours vary in length and time of year and location.

Choose one that suits your interests and wallet.

Dawna Dawson who lived in St. Albert started www. icangarden.com has been organizing and leading tours for LINDA 14 years.

Her offerings for 2013 inTOMLINSON clude Ecuador, Paris and the Chelsea Flower Show, Tuscany Italy and fall in Argentina.

Prices for theses tours are for land only.

Participants must arrange their own transportation to and from the destination.

Leaving on January 11, 2013 returning January 20, 2013 is a trip to Ecuador.

The cost is roughly $3000 per person US funds and does not include airfare.

Due to its climate, Ecuador is one of the major flower producers in the world.

In January when we are freezing, they are a comfortable temperature.

The tour includes the three main ecosystems in Ecuador which means three different types of landscapes.

You will get to visit where the majority of the worlds roses are grown as well as see orchids in their natural environment.

The third ecosystem is totally tropical. See house plants, outside at their best as well as taste fruit as it should be, off the vine as opposed to picked, packed, stored and shipped.

A tour of Paris and the Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 15th to the 24th.

The tour is early enough in the year to avoid the huge crowds but late enough to enjoy reasonable weather. Cost of this tour is 2375 British Pounds double occupancy.

The days in Paris will include famous and private gardens, major tourist attractions as well as time to explore what interests you.

Once across the channel into Great Britain many different styles of garden await. Like in France, the gardens are influenced by the weather as well as the culture.

A day at the Chelsea flower Show will amaze every gardener as the plant material and displays are always exquisite.

June 3rd to the 13th is a great time to tour Tuscany Italy.

The weather will be hot but not unbearable. The gardens will be at their prime and the tourist areas will not be a busy as they will be later in the season.

The cost for this tour is 3185 Euros per person double occupancy.

People who sign up for fall in Argentina, October 5th to the 13th, visit gardens in three different ecosystems in the country: rain forest, desert and mountains.

The last few days will be spent close to the Andes where the wine industry flourishes. Visit the vineyards and watch the grapes being harvested and processed.

For more information on these tours go to http:// www.gardeningtours.com Before booking a tour look to see what costs are covered and what is not. A major cost is airfare to the destination.

Airfare included can be a bonus as tours might provide a better deal but it will not allow foe extra days before and after the tour.

What meals are included? Meals while they can appear insignificant will add up over a number of days.

Fees to gardens and museums are often but not always included.

Are all tips included or are you expected to tip the guides, bus driver and hotels. Some countries expect tips, others do not.

Are visas needed to visit the country? If so what is the cost and how long does it take to get them processed.

If you are planning on arriving early or staying late do you need a different visa?

Check to see how long the tour company has been operating and what others say about it.

The internet that can provide information about all the tour companies will also provide information if they are reputable or not. Read other people’s comments.

Check to see if free time is included.

Tours can be a stress free way to travel.

GARDENING

Linda Tomlinson is a horticulturalist that lives near Rocky Mountain House. She can be reached at www.igardencanada.com or your_garden@hotmail.com

Photo by BOB SCAMMELL/freelance

Lundbreck Falls — but the water flows below.

Seasonal tidings with thanks to those who help make this column PERHAPS THE GEEZERS WILL INHERIT THE EARTH; THE SURVIVORS OF THEM HAVE HAD GOOD YEARS For the last column of 2012, Paul Morck, the best CEO I’ll enjoy the seasonal glad tid- the Alberta Fish and Game Asings of readers and visitors, and sociation ever had, reports in on remember many people who help yet another productive hunting make this column, some for many season for him and his sons and years. grandsons, but believes the long Sometimes I think it road trips fishing to the is the geezers who will coast with spouse, Ann, inherit the earth; the are over. survivors of them have Too many beloved had good years. good old guys did not Don Hayden, at sevsurvive: Elmer Kure, enty-umpteen, has had Cec Head, Claybyn one of the best years of Hood, Ninian Lockerby his life, hunting, fish…. I think of them and ing, and otherwise. their families at this John Horn stopped time of year. by with gifts from Young gents have the Manitous, and we been by for a visit: traded truths, includKelsey Kure friend, ing the fib about him erstwhile hunting giving up moose huntbuddy, and grandson BOB ing and the mutual of Elmer, and also Iain SCAMMELL friend who says that if Johnston, who I first he’d only known he’d fished with when he live so long, he’d have was three, along with taken better care of himself. his dad, my longest time survivGilles Patenaude, in Victoria, ing hunting and fishing buddy, fungaphile and garlic grower, Mac Johnston. didn’t make it to Stump Ranch There are ladies and gents of a Country to hunt this fall because certain age, even a dog or three, he was “tripped out” from too who see that I still get in some much world traveling; not bad for hunting and fishing: Dwayne and a gent who is exactly a year and a Marcie Schafers, Garry and Conday older than I am. nie Pierce, Ken and Denise Short, The two Reg’s, Wickens and Mike Shaffner and his Brittany, Morley, did well hunting the west Mijo, with whom Herself’s and my country.

Beau is much taken, Todd Irwin, Reg Wickens has seen my Neil Waugh and his red fox lab, “Horseshoes” a time or three, Penny. over the years, but claims he saw Robert Short stopped by for the best mule deer buck of his life my birthday with an Irish elixir this season, just across the street called “Writer’s Block,” one afflicfrom his house in Rocky Mountain tion I have never suffered.

House.

But a small dose of the medReg Morley, 87 in January, is icine reminded me that Neil announcing his retirement from Waugh is also an outdoors writhunting. er and brings to mind other colWe’ll see…. leagues who provide tips, hints The Old Curmudgeon, aka Don and help and are driving forces Cahoon, of Calgary, still hunts in the Outdoor Writers of Canaat least weekly all year, but only da: Duane and Adrienne Radford, with a camera, and is currently Don Meredith, and T.J. Schwanky. sharing his superb snowy shots of Also to Jim and Lynda McLennan, “critters” south and west of Cal- octogenarian Lefty Kreh, who has gary. Don, may you survive anoth- a new book out and John Gierach, er year of those fabulous break- who doesn’t…. fasts at “the Chuck” in Turner Another Neil … Downey Valley. dropped in with a copy of The

OUTDOORS

Marsh Keepers Journey, the new 75 year history of Ducks Unlimited Canada.

Neil and his distinguished DUC presidency reminded me of other people and conservation organizations that really put money and manpower “on the ground: the Alberta Fish and Game Association, which will hold its annual conference in Red Deer in February, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, and Rick Martin and others in and of Partners in Habitat Development.

Back to geezers again: there are several survivors of Alberta’s venerated but now defunct Fish and Wildlife Division, Gordon Kerr, Carl Hunt, Lorne Fitch and Buck Cunningham, who remain “activists” against what the Alberta and federal governments have recently done to destroy environmental protection in Alberta and Canada by weakening good legislation, particularly the Navigable Waters protection Act and the Fisheries Act. Venerated institutions? To all who love the Patricia Hotel as I do, and to Joe and staff….To Vic Bergman and all at Crowsnest Angler at Bellevue and to all the readers who have been telling me they feel cabin fever coming on, and are going to do some Crowsnest fishing … down in the gorge below Lundbreck Falls, to stay out of the wind.

I’ll stay out of the wind with our whole thundering herd that will be with Herself and me for Christmas; the column will take next week off to fully enjoy them.

And, above all, to Herself….

So many good people…. No way to name everyone, except to mention all who despise magpies and those who don’t, which this past year, seemed to cover everyone … ….To everyone: glad tidings of great joy, compliments of the season: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Bob Scammell is an award-winning columnist who lives in Red Deer. He can be reached at bscam@ telusplanet.net.

Central Alberta’s Home of the

$

10,000!

Cash Giveaway WITH ANOTHER

GUARANTEED

WINNER IN DECEMBER!!!

PLUS

UP TO AN

EXTRA E XT $1000

IN HO-HO-HOLIDAY CASH!!!

Regardless of profit or loss EVERYONE has a chance to win!

PURCHASE & FINANCE

30621L20

(with Southside) a New or Preowned Vehicle or RV and your name will be entered into a draw for a chance to win $10,000 Cash. Draw will be made Dec. 31, 2012

RED DEER’S

On Now at The Brick!

For more details go instore or online @thebrick.com.

1-800-662-7176

2804 Gaetz Ave., Red Deer | www.southsidereddeer.com

CERTIFIED DEALER

ON SITE FINANCING AVAILABLE* BE PREPARED FOR IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

53573L6-29

PRICES & PAYMENTS IN THE WINDOWS TO MAKE SHOPPING EASIER & LESS STRESSFUL!

B3

HEALTH

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Cutting yourself a break Could cutting yourself a little slack improve your diet, help you stick with a workout routine and let you meet your health goals, from lowering blood sugar, LDL (lousy) cholesterol or blood pressure, to living with chronic pain?

Positively.

Some examples: Self-kindness makes you 23 percent more likely to take your high blood pressure medications as directed, helps you improve blood sugar numbers if you have diabetes, and makes it 64 percent easier to stick with a low-sodium diet.

What is self-kindness?

Well, it isn’t about repeating goofy affirmations like that Saturday Night Live character Stuart Smalley, whose mantra was “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!”

It’s about reminding yourself that everybody messes up, not kicking yourself when you’re down, looking at the big picture and identifying areas where you’re doing well.

Turning off your harsh inner critic and turning on a bit of self-kindness boosts your confidence in your ability to make healthy changes in your everyday habits, and it makes your RealAge younger in a number of additional ways, too!

Here’s how harnessing the “BFF Factor” produces life-changing, age-reducing results: It makes weight control easier: When diet slip-ups lead to overeating, self-kindness may work better than willpower to help you make a U-turn.

Women who indulged by munching doughnuts and then were asked to taste-test candies ate fewer of those sweets when they were told: “I hope you won’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone eats this stuff.”

This led one Harvard psychotherapist to note, “Self-compassion is the missing ingredient in every diet and weight-loss plan.”

It lets you cope with chronic pain better: Another report has shown that people with chronic pain who judged themselves less harshly when pain interfered with activities felt less depressed, less stressed and less isolated than those who adopted a tough-it-out attitude.

We’re not saying they felt less pain, but they were more likely to have a positive state of mind and found more ways to work around the pain (like asking for help and finding ways to make activities easier). They also found it easier to follow their doctor’s directions, since ridding yourself of negative thoughts makes it easier to believe that you can take control.

It provides you with an extra stop-smoking tool: In the first three weeks of a stop-tobacco program,

9/11 cancer study won’t settle debate over possible risks

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MIKE ROIZEN & MEHMET OZ

DRS. OZ AND ROIZEN smokers who learned to give themselves positive, gentle pep talks when they felt the urge to light up (“You can do it; just hold out for one more minute!”) found it easier to say no to cigarettes much sooner than quitters who didn’t give themselves positive reinforcement.

It produces a stronger motivation to exercise: Turns out people who practice self-kindness gravitate to workouts that bring deep-down enjoyment — often something like walking with a friend, biking with a club or dancing around the house to your favorite tunes! And that makes it easier to stick with your exercise routine week in and week out.

Being motivated by the desire to look better or be sexier just doesn’t sustain your commitment as well.

How does a little self-love do such positive, powerful stuff?

It seems that an I-can-do-it attitude translates to less shame, blame and anger about chronic health issues, and more respect for what you have done.

And that’s a sure-fire way to start believing you deserve a long, healthy, happy life — and making sure you get it! Want a shortcut to self-kindness? Pick a problem that’s bothering you, then write a short letter to yourself from the point of view of a friend who cares about you.

Doing this for just a few minutes a day for one week can reduce anxiety and depression for two to six months.

So, can you be a little kinder to YOU? Yes, you can!

Mehmet Oz, M.D. is host of “The Dr. Oz Show,” and Mike Roizen, M.D. is Chief Medical Officer at the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute. For more information go to www.RealAge.com.

Medical marijuana has a long history

CHICAGO — The most comprehensive study of potential World Trade Center-related cancers raises more questions than it answers and won’t end a debate over whether the attacks were really a cause.

The study suggests possible links with prostate, thyroid and a type of blood cancer among rescue and recovery workers exposed to toxic debris from the terrorist attacks.

But there were few total cancers and even the study leaders say the results “should be interpreted with caution.”

The study involved nearly 56,000 people enrolled in a registry set up to monitor health effects from those exposed to the aftermath of the trade centre attacks. Most participants volunteered for enrolment, which could skew the results if people who already had symptoms were more likely to enrol than healthier people.

Cancers diagnosed through 2008 were included in the study, but that’s just seven years after the 2001 attacks, and cancer often takes longer to develop.

People diagnosed with cancer before the attacks were excluded from the study.

Cancer rates were compared with those in the general New York state population.

But the researchers had no data on whether people in the study had risk factors for getting cancer, including a strong family history, or if they had existing cancer that wasn’t detected until after the disaster. Participants are being monitored for health issues and may have gotten more cancer screening than other people, which also could skew the results.

The increased risks were seen only in rescue and recovery workers, who likely had more direct, sustained contact with potential cancer-causing substances in the dust, smoke and debris from the attacks. But cancers weren’t more common in workers who had the most exposure — a finding that would seem to contradict the theory that contact was the cause.

The study comes just a few months after the federal government added dozens of types of cancer to a list of illnesses related to the trade centre attacks that will be covered by a program to pay for health coverage.

The study results “won’t settle the question because it’s still too early,” said Dr. Thomas Farley, New York City’s health commissioner.

“People are very, very interested in this topic and we thought it was important to get the data out that we have even though it is early.”

Marijo Russell O’Grady, dean of students at Pace University’s New York City campus, was at her office near the trade centre during the attacks. She also lives nearby, and said she worries about how exposure to choking dust, ash and an “overwhelming burnt plastic smell” might affect her family, including her then 1 ½ year-old son. They are all enrolled in the health registry.

Cancer is her greatest concern and it’s “always present in the back of my mind,” she said.

Researchers from the city’s health department led the study, which was partly paid for by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. NIOSH spokesman Fred Blosser said the agency welcomes the results and that longer follow-up is needed to examine risks for cancers with that take a long time to develop.

The study appeared in Wednesday’s Journal of the American Medical Association.

Earlier research from the same registry linked the attacks with respiratory problems including asthma and symptoms of post-traumatic stress.

The new study involved a broader array of people, including firefighters and other emergency workers, along with residents and employees of workplaces near ground zero, Farley said.

In the new study, possible links were mainly seen with cancers diagnosed in 2007 and 2008 in rescue and recovery workers. These included 67 cases of prostate cancer, 13 thyroid cancer cases, and seven cases of multiple myeloma — all at rates higher than in the New York state population.

Donald Berry, a biostatistics professor at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said the study has too many limitations to draw any definitive conclusions.

“There’s no evidence that 9-11 caused any of these cancers,” Berry said.

He pointed out that no increased risks were found for lung cancer — a cancer that might seem plausible after breathing lots of toxic dust and smoke.

Online: JAMA: http://www.jama.com World Trade Center health effects: http://www.cdc. gov/niosh/topics/wtc/

In 2000 BC, Chinese dians have “access to medicinal benefits. way. Growers of medicidoctors mixed resin dis- marihuana for medical 4. There are three nal marijuana produced tilled from the marijuana use when suffering from main pharmaceutical plants for their mediciplant with wine to numb grave and debilitating drugs available in Can- nal benefits and not the their patients before sur- illnesses.” It is neces- ada with synthetic THC high. In other words, gery. During that time, sary to have a doctor’s (THC made in a labora- the plants are not fertila Chinese doctor would prescription to have ac- tory, not a plant). One ized with THC, as illegal also prescribe cess medical of these preparations growers do. The governvarious prepmarijuana. is a mouth spray called ment issued marijuana arations of 3. Unique Sativex used to relieve is considered extremely marijuana to marijuana pain and muscle spasms poor quality. The pharfor malaria, are a class in Multiple Sclerosis. maceutical drugs with constipation of chemicals However, many who synthetic THC are not as and those called can- use the drug feel it is not effective as whole plant ever present n a b i n o i d s . as effective for pain con- preparations. female disorThese chemi- trol as using the whole 7. Many prefer mariders. cals made by plant. Some suggest it is juana over opiates such In India, the plant de- because the drug only as oxycontin and morthe ancients sensitize pain contains THC. phine, for the simple consider marreceptors in 5. Many think smok- reason it does not cause ijuana the dithe central ing is the most effective constipation, loss of apvine nectar of nervous sys- form of taking marijuana petite and is over all less the gods. The tem. medicinally. This is not addictive.

ABRAH classical meOne o f necessarily true. Smok8. I do not use or offer ARNESON dicinal system these chemi- ing it is very harmful to my clients marijuana in of India called HERBS FOR LIFE cal is THC. the lungs and will cause my herbal practice. It is Ayurvedic THC has been the “high” experience. illegal for me to do this.

Medicine, prescribed it the most researched can- To receive the medici- If you wish more inforfor conditions ranging nabinoid. In illegal grow- nal benefits without the mation on this topic, go from dandruff to mania ops, marijuana plants soaring high one can eat to Health Canada’s webto anorexia. are fertilized with THC. marijuana in the form site www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhpIt is comical to imagThis enhances the eu- of cookies or make a tea mps/marihuana/indexine taking marijuana for phoric feelings when the with it. It can be made eng.php dandruff. It is bizarre to plant is smoked. Recent- into a salve to apply topiHerbs for Life is writthink of using it to calm ly researchers have been cally to nerve pain and ten by Abrah Arneson, a any condition called ma- interested in the interac- inflamed joints. local clinical herbalist. It nia. tions between the can6. The government is intended for informaParticularly consid- nabinoids and another provides licenses to tion purposes only. Readering the reputation is set of chemicals found in grow medical marijuana ers with a specific medical has in western culture the plant. It is suggested for up to two people who problem should consult a for creating anti-social that these newly discov- have doctor’s prescrip- doctor. For more informadeviant behaviour, as is ered chemicals dampen tion for the drug. Many tion, visit www.abraherbportrayed in films like the euphoric effects of people, who use marijua- alist.ca. Arneson can be Reefer Madness. Howev- the cannabinoids while na to relieve pain, prefer reached at abrah@shaw. er, anyone who has tried enhancing the plant’s to get their medicine this ca. marijuana is aware of its ability to stimulate the appetite. This attribute is commonly referred to as the munchies.

I do not know if marijuana is affective against a fungal infection like dandruff. But let’s conCARPET THREE sider some of its other THE BEST STOCK BEDROOMS C/W 8.0 medicinal uses, tradiTHE VINYL PLANK K SELECTION OF LB UNDERLAY AND tional and otherwise.

LAMINATE IN CHRISTMAS SALE S E Fact STANDARD INSTALLATION CENTRAL ALBERTA 1. There are two priThe look of Woodplank odplank k 12 mm Laminate starting mary varieties of the rting at out in Vinyl starting marijuana plant. In Latin their names are Can(Max 36 sq. yds.) sq. ft. at nabis sativa and Cannasq. sq q. ft. and yes have it installed and yes have it installed bis indica. before Christmas. before Christmas.

Cannabis indica in herbal medicine is classed as a relaxant. It is useful for relieving anxiety, insomnia, musBEST SELLING SAVE MONEY Y FOR THE EXTRA YARD cle spasms and tremors.

ACACIA CHRISTMAS AND ND DO It eases nausea and stimCHRISTMAS ELF IT YOURSELF ENGINEERED ulates the appetite.

Plush Kanga Back ck with Cannabis sativa one SALE: HARDWOOD the other hand is a stimched underlay attached Purchase 4 sq. yds. ulant. It excites the nervous system. It is thereonly sq. ft.

Lino get 5th yd. Free RM fore more useful in liftand yes have it installed Min. 16 sq. yds. t.

108 sq. ft. ing depression while before Christmas. easing pain. Like sativa it lessens nausea while increasing appetite. It • HARDWOOD OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK is used to provide relief M-F: 8-7, Sat. 9-5, Sun. Closed • LAMINATE • TILE from migraine headWest Side of Gasoline Alley • CARPETS • VINYL (next to Gary Moe VW) aches. ̀We e Have It All”” 2. In the words of 403-343-6511 Health Canada, Cana-

It’s Not Too Late

To give your home a fresh look for the Holiday Season.

1.59

$

3.99

$

1.99

00 249.00

52369L3-28

999.00

$

»

B4

SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Fax 403-341-6560 editorial@reddeeradvocate.com

WRAPPING UP CHRISTMAS

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Betty Neuert of Common Cents Consulting along with five of her staff were helping out at the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter gift wrapping booth at Bower Place Shopping Centre this week. A minimum donation of $5 for three gifts or less and $10 for four gifts or more is being collected. All proceeds will be donated to the emergency shelter, which provides refuge for women and children who face domestic violence. For more information or to volunteer, contact Tina at 403-318-2321. The gift wrapping service will be available until closing on Dec. 24.

Give your children the gift of gratitude

BY ADVOCATE NEWS SERVICES Children are born entitled. They are surrounded by adults who cater to their every need.

That’s fine when those things really are necessities: food, clothing, diapers and a place to get some sleep. Children grow up, though, and as they age, many come to define “needs” as an iPhone or a pair of expensive shoes. So how can parents teach their American Girl-crazed daughter to be more grateful and truly appreciate things?

Christine Carter, author of the blog Raising Happiness and the book of the same name (Ballantine Books, $24), says gratitude is an art and it must be taught. That takes time and commitment.

But some say families are so busy that teaching children gratitude gets lost in the daily crunch of commitments to school, work and activities.

“One thing that hinders people is that we have so many distractions these days, and just the busyness of life,” said Jeffrey Froh, an associate professor of psychology at Hofstra University in New York. “You have to slow down and be more mindful and appreciate what is around you.”

Still, it almost sounds too easy. How could finding time to write little notes to yourself or walking in the woods reform a child with a hard-core case of the gimmes?

Froh and Carter both say it can be that simple, but you have to work at making it a habit. Like any other skill, it takes a lot of practice.

“It comes down to making this a priority,” said Froh, who has done extensive research on children and gratitude. “If we want our kids to do well in

school, or soccer, we would make sure we practice with them, and study, because those things are valued and important. If we actually valued becoming grateful, it would happen.”

Here are some ways that parents can help their children this holiday season and throughout the year to feel more gratitude and less entitlement.

Take a fresh approach to the gratitude journal A gratitude journal — a daily written account of what you appreciate in life — is great, but not everyone wants to sit down every day to pen an ode to their blessings.

Carter suggests turning what interests your child into a gratitude project. Keep a jar of Legos, and every time your child expresses gratitude for something, have her add a Lego to a project and enjoy watching it grow. During the holidays, drape ribbon from doorways and keep a basket with note paper and clothespins nearby. When people visit, have them write something they’re grateful for on a sheet of paper and pin it to the “garland.” Or have your child make pictures or notes about things he is grateful for, and display them on the refrigerator.

Give them a service project Having your child volunteer at a shelter or food pantry or other charitable organization is a good way to expose him to the idea of scarcity without actually depriving him, Carter said.

Sharon Vermont, a pediatrician and mother of two girls in St. Louis, embarked on a gratitude project two years ago after one of her daughters threw a tantrum in an ice cream store.

She told her girls that they would not eat in any restaurants or eat take-out food until they had given a bag of nonperishable food to 30 strangers and heard their life stories. The project took several months, she said, and the girls spoke with firefighters, a single parent with no health insurance whose child had been diagnosed with cancer and survivors of the war in Bosnia, among others.

“It’s so easy to tell your kids there are starving kids in China, but they don’t know what that means,” Vermont said. “We actually met people who had been starving, from Bosnia and Ethiopia, who explained what it’s like to be starving. [My daughters] definitely ask for less than they did before this, because I know that they realize now that they have so much.”

Let them struggle As parents, we want to protect our children from challenges and suffering, but Carter says by always fixing problems or shielding them from difficult subjects, we teach them that they are entitled to things.

“Let them learn that they can cope on their own,” Carter said. “Let them know that it’s not that bad to struggle, that you’re not entitled to a life free of struggle.”

Please see GRATITUDE on Page B5

CALENDAR

REGISTRATIONS

THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS

LOCAL EVENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Friday ● Volunteers are needed for the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter gift wrap booth in Bower Place Shopping Centre until Dec. 24. Shifts are Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 12:45 to 5 p.m. and 4:45 to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 2:15 to 6 p.m.

To sign up, contact Tina at 403-318-2321 or tina.trowsse@cawes.com. ● Widowed Support Network meeting is held the third Friday of each month from 7 to 9 p.m. at New Life Fellowship Church and provides a safe place for men and women who have lost their spouse through death to interact and support each other. Next on Dec. 21. Email to widowedsupportnetwork@gmail. com.

Saturday ● Family Snow Day at Kerry Wood Nature Centre will be on Dec. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy pre-Christmas fun for the whole family with snowshoeing, bonfire, crafts, activities, and refreshments. Admission by suggested donation of $3 per person or $10 family. Call 403-346-2010. ● Family Literacy Storytime — Snow White, Snow Bright — invites families with pre-school children and babies to enjoy stories, rhymes, and crafts on Dec. 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Dawe Branch of Red

Deer Public Library. Call 403-341-2822. ● Russian Children’s New Year Party will be held on Dec. 22 starting at noon in the Snell Auditorium at Red Deer Public Library Downtown Branch. Join in the interactive New Year play about a quest to save the Grandfather Frost presents for children.

Phone 403-346-4688. ● Senior Citizens Downtown House musical jam session and dance for all musicians and music lovers are held the last Saturday of each month from 7 to 10 p.m.

Next session Dec. 22. Admission $3, includes refreshments. Call 403-346-4043, or contact Henry at 403-747-2534. ● Family Snow Day at Kerry Wood Nature Centre will be held Dec. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Pre-Christmas fun for the whole family including snowshoeing, bonfire, crafts, activities, and refreshments. Admission by suggested donation of $3 per person or $10 per family. Call 403-346-2010. ● The Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery will be closed over the holiday season starting Dec. 22 and will re-open Jan. 2. With the focus shifting to the installation of the new history exhibition, the galleries will be closed to the public until the end of March. MAGnigicent Saturdays will not be affected by the closure, but the last program for this year is Dec. 15, with the new series beginning Jan. 5. For more information visit www.reddeermuseum. com or call 403-309-8405.

Please see CALENDAR on Page B5

● Central Alberta Dancers New Years Dinner and Dance will be held Dec. 31 at Valley Centre Hall. Music by Five Plus One. Cocktails at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m., and dance to follow. Advance tickets only. Tickets are $35 per person. No refunds. Call Earl at 403-348-5015 or Irv at 403-986-7170. ● Kvitka Red Deer Ukrainian Dance Club MALANKA New Year’s Eve Supper and Dance will take place Jan. 19 at Festival Hall. Cocktails are at 6 p.m., supper is at 6:45 p.m. and show and dance to follow. Music by Northern Kings. Door prizes. Tickets are $45 each until Jan. 14, or $50 after. Fore more information or to get your tickets call Catherine at 403-343-2850 or Irene at 403-346-5712. ● Tree House Youth Theatre announces Young Actor’s Studio — Tall Tales and Beyond at the Scott Block for youth aged nine to eleven years. Young performers are introduced to character study, voice, movement and performances as they explore folk and fairy tales from around the world, with a public presentation in early May. Registrations can be made through Paypal at www. treehouseyouththeatre.ca or by contacting Tree House Youth Theatre at 403-986-0631 or treehousetheatre@gmail.com. ● Kerry Wood Nature Centre Upcoming Events: Random Snowshoeing — Dec. 31 from 1 to 4 p.m. Drop in to try snowshoeing, weather and snow levels permitting. No high heel boots please. Admission by suggested donation of $3 per person or $10 per family;

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Jan. 10 and 11. Tickets are $20 plus GST for one night or $36 plus GST for both nights, and are on sale at Kerry Wood Nature Centre, Valhalla Pure Outfitters and Purearth Organics.

Phone 403-346-2010 for more information. ● Happy New Year 2013 sponsored by Kraze 101.3 in support of Women’s Outreach will be celebrated at iHotel on 67 St. on Dec. 31. Semiformal attire. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Appetizers served at 9:30 p.m. Each guest will be served at glass of champagne, and enjoy party favours at their table. Other highlights include silent auction and 50/50 draws, music and dance. Tickets cost $60 each, or table of eight for $400 (limited offer). For more information, see www.KRAZE105.com or www.womensoutreach.com, or purchase tickets from Kraze at 403-358-3100. ● Centennial First Night will take place at Bower Ponds Dec. 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy skating, music from the decades, interactive performers, free cake and hot drink, musical fireworks and free glow sticks and temporary tattoos. For more information visit www.reddeer2013.ca or facebook.com/rd2013 or call 403-340-2013. ● New Year’s Eve Party at the Elnora Drop In Centre on Dec. 31. Supper is at 6 p.m. with the dance starting at 8. Advance tickets are $12 or $15 at the door. For tickets call June at 403-749-2161. Everyone welcome.

Listings open to cultural/non-profit groups. Fax: 341-6560; phone: 314-4325; e-mail: editorial@reddeeradvocate.com by noon Thursday for insertion following Thursday.

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 B5

Don’t take a holiday from sensible drinking

BY ADVOCATE NEWS SERVICES ‘Tis definitely the season to eat, drink and be merry. Some of us, however, take those festive guidelines a wee bit too seriously — particularly with eggnog, mulled wine, champagne and other alcoholic beverages. Why do people drink too much during the holidays?

“A lot of traditions at this time of year involve alcohol,” says Virginia clinical psychologist Diane Hoekstra. “You’re with friends and family who you may not see all the time, and you really want to have a good time, and so you celebrate with a few drinks, which isn’t harmful as long as you’re aware of your limits.” Unfortunately, that can be more difficult when you’re not used to drinking a lot, as well as when you’re guzzling seasonal cocktails that you’re not particularly accustomed to.

“Most of us don’t drink champagne or cognac or eggnog on a regular basis,” explains Daniel Z. Lieberman, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral

STORIES FROM PAGE B4

GRATITUDE: De-emphasize the gifts Don’t put your children in danger or deprive them of their basic needs, but don’t always parachute in when they have a problem with their homework or forget their gym uniform.

Let them figure it out, or go without. They will learn that everyone has bumps in the road, and that they have to work to overcome obstacles.

Let them figure it out, or go without. They will learn that everyone has bumps in the road, and that they have to work to overcome obstacles.

De-emphasize the gifts Wendy Philleo, executive director of the Center for a New American Dream, says she limits her two children, ages 8 and 6, to one gift each from Santa and one from Mom and Dad. She suggests asking your children what they love about the holidays that has nothing to with getting things.

“Tell them that’s not what this is about,” said Philleo, who lives in Charlottesville, Va. “We often find that, more than anything else, what kids want is time with their families. It’s great to brainstorm early on about what experiences you want to have as a family. Make sure they’re part of that conversation.”

Philleo said she has always given her children two gifts at Christmas. It might be hard to start limiting children who are used to receiving a lot of presents, but you can try to pare down a little each year and have the relatives cut back as well.

Said Froh, “You can have your laundry list of ideas, but it doesn’t mean Santa is going to bring everything and it doesn’t mean Santa should bring everything.”

If you emphasize the traditions and togetherness of the holidays, and don’t make a big deal about the gifts, Carter said, that will help your child focus on what’s important. She points out that when your child grows up, she’s not going to remember what toys she did or didn’t get (even if she threw a tantrum

sciences at George Washington University. “I may know that three to four beers is my limit, but I have no idea what it is with brandy or eggnog, so it’s possible to lose track much more easily.”

The strife and strain that often build during the holidays can also play a role in overdrinking. “Sometimes you’re at parties or getting together with extended family that maybe people don’t necessarily feel totally comfortable with, and drinking is a way to grease those wheels a little bit,” says Lieberman.

“There is so much pressure to be happy during the holidays, so much pressure to be with loved ones, that if you’re going through a difficult time, like with a divorce or a loss or you don’t have someone in your life at this period of time, it’s really magnified.”

Hoekstra agrees, adding that mental health concerns, stress and distress all go up during the holidays because of family conflicts, financial concerns and any number of other issues, especially for those with pre-existing depression.

“Unfortunately, many people medicate their pain or depression with alcohol, or use it as a potential

stress release,” she says.

While it may seem as though the only consequence of too much eggnog is the occasional pounding hangover at work or at the holiday pageant at your kid’s school, boozing can have serious ramifications, starting with the documented uptick in drunk driving accidents and fatalities in the Christmas/New Year’s period.

Beyond that, Lieberman notes that frequent drinking on the holiday party circuit can run your body down and hamper immunity during cold and flu season, not to mention damage your liver in the long term.

Hoekstra adds that another major concern is getting so blitzed at an office holiday celebration that you say or do something you regret.

“Your judgment is seriously impaired when drinking, which I think we all know can lead someone to engage in appalling, embarrassing, inappropriate behaviors that have potentially dangerous repercussions on the job, especially with [the rise of] Facebook and other social media,” she says.

about it in the moment). She will, however, remember the traditions and family activities.

24 at 7 p.m. at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. This contemporary community Christmas presentation includes drams, music and story telling that will really bring the Christmas story to life. Doors open at 6:30 with the evening starting at 7 p.m.

Admission is free and refreshments will be served. For more information call 403-318-6271. ● Canadian Blood Services needs 3,000 Canadians to donate blood by the end of the holiday season. Local blood donor clinics are Dec. 24, 28, 29 and 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Dec. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Red Deer. There will be a mobile clinic in Sylvan Lake on Dec. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sylvan Lake Community Centre. No clinics Dec. 25 and 26 and Jan. 1 and 2. See www.blood.ca, or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

Start early, and model what you want them to value As with everything with children, the earlier you start something, the more likely it is to become a habit.

Very young children can learn to say thank you and count their blessings, but to really understand and feel gratitude, Froh said, they have to be old enough to step outside themselves and grasp the intent of a gift, the cost to the other person, and how it made them feel to receive it. This goes for gifts of time and help in addition to presents.

For example, Froh said, if your child is struggling with math, and her friend misses soccer practice to help her study for a big test, and your child then gets a good grade, it can be a valuable gratitude lesson.

She will see that her friend cared enough about her to give up something she really loved, and she in turn benefited from the gift of her friend’s time.

Froh also said that if you show your children that you value nature or relationships with people or traditions more than a new phone or jewelry, instead of just telling them what they should be grateful for, they will get the message.

“It’s something parents have to pay attention to and cultivate on a daily basis, not just keep a gratitude journal for a week,” Froh said. “But it’s well worth the effort.”

CALENDAR Monday ● Living Faith Lutheran Church Christmas Eve Communion Service will start at 7 p.m. in the open area near the entrance at Bethany CollegeSide. All are welcome. Phone 403-347-98523. ● Senior Citizen Downtown House will be closed Dec. 24 to Jan. 1 and will re-open Jan. 2. ● Coming Home — A community Christmas production by a group of Lacombe Churches, will take place Dec.

Tuesday ● Parkland Youth Homes Society Walk in Counselling Clinic will be closed Dec. 25 and then open Dec. 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. and Dec. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.; closed Jan. 1, open Jan. 3 from 1 to 8 p.m., and Jan. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m.

Regular hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 to 8 p.m. and Fridays from 1 to 3 p.m. No appointments are necessary and the service is free of charge and open to individuals, couples, children and families on a first come, first served basis. Phone 403-340-8995.

Thursday ● World Record for Change — a group of four Christian high school students from Rocky Mountain House, are having a fundraiser to improve living conditions and economic development in Central Africa. They are planning to break the Longest Video Games Marathon Playing a Role-Playing Game (RPG) record, currently set at forty-three hours and twentyone minutes. They are planning to achieve forty-eight hours on Dec. 27 to 29, with a live stream at http://wrldrcrd4chng. wix.com/worldrecordforchange ● Bentley and District Historical Society invite everyone to join in the celebration on Dec. 27 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Blindman Valley Ag Centre to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee and the book launch of Bentley’s new history book. Displays, activities, sleigh rides and refreshments. ● Innisfail Public Library is open for movies and games during regular hours on Dec. 27, 28, and 29. Thursday hours are noon to 8 p.m.; Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop in and play a board game or watch a family movie. See www.ipl.prl.ab.ca, or phone 403-227-4407.

Get DOUBLE the minutes and data with our NEW Canada-wide promo plans!

Get Canadaw talk, text and ide d a t a!

uble

Up to 150 30 0

Do Anytime Minu s tes minute !

Up to 250 50 ta 0 MB of Data 1 and da Unlimited Me ssaging (Text and Picture) 2 Unlimited 5p m Evenings & Weekends 3 Unlimited Inc oming Calls Plus more!

For just

45

$

/month

(1) Roaming rates apply outside of Canada. Data overage rate of 2¢/MB applies. (2) Availability of service will vary by country and is subject to change without notice. Excludes premium messages and subscriptionbased messages. Picture messaging includes international picture messages sent and received within Canada. Additional data charges apply depending on picture size when roaming in the U.S. and internationally.

Picture messaging is supported by a BlackBerry smartphone with SIM card only. (3) Unlimited calling from 5pm to 8am, Monday through Thursday, and from 5pm Friday to 8am Monday.

TVB121100T2_44_RedDrAdv.RED.indd 1 Process CyanProcess MagentaProcess YellowProcess Black

30300K24-L20

Hurry! Offer ends December 31, 2012.

Calgary Chinook Centre CrossIron Mills Market Mall Marlborough Mall Southcentre Mall Sunridge Mall Westbrook Mall

Edmonton Bonnie Doon Shopping Centre Edmonton City Centre Kingsway Mall Londonderry Mall Millwoods Town Centre Northgate Centre Sherwood Park Mall Southgate Centre St. Albert Centre West Edmonton Mall

Red Deer Bower Place

12-11-22 10:03 AM

TIME

OUT

B6

SPORTS

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Greg Meachem, Sports Editor, 403-314-4363 Sports line 403-343-2244 Fax 403-341-6560 sports@reddeeradvocate.com

Raptors stay hot with win

JC SHERRITT

ESKIMOS SIGN THEIR MAN The Edmonton Eskimos will head into next season with the cornerstone of their defence locked up. The Eskimos have signed reigning CFL defensive player of the year JC Sherritt to a contract extension through the 2015 season. Sherritt made a record-setting 130 defensive tackles in 2012. He also recorded three sacks, three special teams tackles, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two knockdowns and five interceptions for 56 yards. He earned 49 of the 57 votes cast by CFL coaches and members of the Football Reporters of Canada to win the defensive player of the year award.

“He is an extremely talented player who has character beyond reproach,” Eskimos head coach Kavis Reed said in a statement.

WINNING STREAK IMPROVES TO FOUR GAMES

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

Today

● Senior high basketball: Rocky Mountain House at Lindsay Thurber, Stettler at Innisfail, Notre Dame at Sylvan Lake, Hunting Hills at Wetaskiwin; girls at 6 p.m., boys to follow.

Friday

● Midget AA hockey: Sylvan Lake at Red Deer Elks, 7:45 p.m., Arena; Okotoks at Lacombe, 8:30 p.m. ● Heritage junior B hockey: Red Deer at Stettler, 8 p.m.

Saturday

● Minor midget AAA hockey: Calgary Bruins at Red Deer IROC, 11:30 a.m., Arena. ● Major bantam hockey: Spruce Grove at Red Deer White, 2 p.m., Arena; Leduc at Red Deer Black, 4:45 p.m., Arena. ● Peewee AA hockey: Cranbrook at Red Deer Parkland, 12:45 p.m., Collicutt Centre; Badlands at Sylvan Lake, 3 p.m.; Lacombe at Innisfail, 3:40 p.m. ● Bantam AA hockey: Red Deer Steel Kings at Innisfail, 5:50 p.m.; Lacombe at Sylvan Lake, 8:15 p.m. ● Heritage junior B hockey: Blackfalds at Red Deer, 8 p.m., Arena.

GIVE US A CALL The Advocate invites its readers to help cover the sporting news in Central Alberta. We would like to hear from you if you see something worthy of coverage. And we would appreciate hearing from you if you see something inaccurate in our pages.

We strive for complete, accurate coverage of Central Alberta and are happy to correct any errors we may commit.

Call 403-343-2244 with information and results, or email to sports@ reddeeradvocate.com.

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Toronto Raptors forward Mickael Pietrus drives to the hoop past Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey during NBA action in Toronto on Wednesday. The Raptors won the game 97-91.

Raptors 97 Pistons 91 TORONTO — The doom and gloom that surrounded the Toronto Raptors just a week ago feels like a distant memory.

DeMar DeRozan scored 23 points and Jose Calderon added 17 assists as the Raptors won their fourth straight for the first time in over two years with a 9791 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday.

The surprising win streak comes on the heels of a six-game slide that included a dispiriting road trip, injuries, a suspension and general manager Bryan Colangelo calling the team’s play “unacceptable.”

Since then the Raptors (8-19) have beaten Dallas, Houston and Cleveland, to go along with Wednesday’s victory, for the club’s first four-game surge since Nov. 17-24, 2010.

“Right now we’re finding ways to win and that’s the most important thing for our group,” said Raptors head coach Dwane Casey. “Now we’re believing we can win, we’re trusting each other, and we’re pulling for each other.”

Emerging swingman Alan Anderson has been instrumental in the win streak, scoring 58 points over his last three games after returning from a foot injury. The veteran had 16 points Wednesday and had fans at Air Canada Centre roaring when he connected from downtown twice midway through the quarter to stretch the lead to 88-77. “(Alan) brings a lot because he’s got experience,” said DeRozan. “Even if it’s not in the NBA. Playing in Europe, you got to be tough minded, tough as nails, and that’s one thing about him. His mentality is: go get it done.”

Calderon has also been exceptional over the streak, raising uncomfortable questions about who should be the starting point guard when Kyle Lowry (torn triceps) returns from injury sometime before Christmas.

Please see RAPTORS on Page B7

Seahawks not talking playoffs yet NFL

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS RENTON, Wash. — It’s not hard to get Pete Carroll talking.

Getting him to speak about the post-season is another matter.

All the Seattle coach wants to focus on is the importance of beating San Francisco on Sunday night. The byproduct of getting a victory over the 49ers would be the Seahawks getting to 10 wins for the first time since 2007, earning at least a wild-card berth in the NFC playoffs, and keeping alive the slim hopes of winning the NFC West.

There is a lot of good that could come Seattle’s way with a victory. But you won’t find Carroll or his players speaking much about what lies ahead.

“You don’t bring up the playoffs until the playoffs get here,”

Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman said. “You’re still in the regular season and we’re playing trying to win the rest of these games and see where the chips fall.”

If Seattle (9-5) can get a victory over the 49ers on Sunday or in the season finale against St. Louis, it would be its second playoff appearance in Carroll’s three seasons. Yet this one would be far more deserved.

When the Seahawks won the NFC West in 2010, they became the first division champion with a losing record at 7-9. It took a victory over St. Louis in the finale that season for the Seahawks to win the division on a tiebreaker, but Seattle at least justified its spot in the playoffs by upsetting then-Super Bowl champion New Orleans in the wild-card round.

But that playoff trips was at the infancy of Seattle’s roster remodel that Carroll and general manager John Schneider have been constructing. It was

a mix of new faces and what the duo inherited that won the division in 2010.

This group that’s pushing for a playoff spot has all been moulded under the watch of Seattle’s decision-making duo.

“I think we’re playing so much better in so many areas. We’re taking care of the ball the way we want to, and we’re getting after the football well now that we’re in the latter part of the season,” Carroll said. “We’re running the football with consistency and we’re keeping the scores down defensively, and the kicking game is solid. These are all of the elements that make us team with not many holes right now.”

While that 2010 team made the post-season, they were still flawed.

The offence still had Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback, but his long-term future with the team was in doubt. The defence still relied on experienced veterans that were not getting any

younger.

Seattle had yet to find its unique, long cornerbacks in Sherman and Brandon Browner that make the rest of its defence work.

They hadn’t given fifth-round pick Kam Chancellor an opportunity to be a starting safety.

Golden Tate was inconsistent at wide receiver and the Seahawks had not found a plan that worked to best use running back Marshawn Lynch.

Those problems are now solved as is the biggest question, the quarterback. Russell Wilson has been the best quarterback by passer rating in the NFL since Seattle’s Week 7 loss at San Francisco.

Lynch is second in the NFL in yards rushing behind only Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson and the Seahawks have the second-best scoring defence in the league.

Please see HAWKS on Page B7

What once was, is no more for Blue Jays It seems like just last week that Alex public accusations by Omar Vizquel that Anthopoulos was twisting uncomfortably in the clubhouse was in disarray, thoughts the wind. echoed by Sportsnet analyst Greg Zaun, Actually, it was a bit longer who described the atmosphere ago than that. Late October, to around the ball club as “conbe precise. But a few episodes in sequence free” and seemed to the disastrous 2012 season had question Anthopoulos’ credenraised a lot of questions about tials. who was in charge at Camp Blue At this point, nobody was sayJays, and whether smart and ing Anthopoulos was in trouble, courageous decisions were being exactly, but questions were made. starting to be asked that hadn’t First, there was the Yunel been asked.

Escobar public relations disasThen came the Farrell-toter. It wasn’t just that Escobar Boston debacle, which was perplayed with homophobic slurs on ceived as little Toronto getting his eye black. It’s that somebody pushed around by big-money DAMIEN should have noticed, or even that Boston. It wasn’t that the Jays COX somebody MUST have noticed were losing a Hall of Fame manbut let him proceed anyway. The ager. It was the way it was hapsense that nobody was really pening, particularly when it minding the store, or that John became clear that Beeston was Farrell and/or Anthopoulos weren’t, or that doing the negotiating with the Red Sox over the team lacked leadership and direction Farrell, not Anthopoulos. When the Jays refrom veteran players, was pervasive. ceived only infielder Mike Aviles in return Poisonous stuff, really. Stuff that tends as Farrell went to his “dream job,” there to linger. Just ask the fried chicken folks in were suddenly a lot of folks saying a lot of Boston. unkind things. Many of them had to do with It was made worse when the decision whether Rogers Communications was willwas made by Anthopoulos, or probably Paul ing to spend money to compete.

Beeston, not just to send Escobar home, but Now, just as suddenly, there aren’t unto give him a few days off as “punishment.” kind things being said.

A festering sore began to stink.

Escobar is barely a memory. With FarSo there was that, and then there were rell, the joke is whether he might now try to

NHL

tell the Bosox his dream job would be to go back and manage the Jays starting rotation.

People would laugh if you said the Rogers people won’t spend.

Anthopoulos, given cash to spend on the spectacular deal with Florida, the signing of Melky Cabrera and the stunning acquisition of Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, is getting kudos all around for his off-season maneuverings.

Just like that, the storm clouds receded on the youthful Jays GM. if Brian Burke and Bryan Colangelo could only be so fortunate.

Now the pressure shifts into a different type of expectations for Anthopoulos and the Jays. It’s clearly playoffs or bust. Anything less will be seen as a disappointment.

All those prospects given up for experienced players over the past few months are unlikely to prove terribly costly on their own. But cumulatively, the Jays have surrendered a lot, and if the result is the Jays don’t get to where they want to get to and some of those kids blossom into quality major leaguers, then the warmth with which Anthopoulos is now being heralded will change.

But such a disaster is at least two years away. At least two years before Travis d’Arnaud or Travis Snider or Noah Syndergaard or Jake Marisnick come back to bite the Jays in the butt.

Please see COX on Page B7

SCOREBOARD

B7

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Hockey

Basketball

WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE East Division GP W LOTLSOL GF Prince Albert 36 22 11 0 3 126 Saskatoon 35 19 15 0 1 119 Swift Current 38 16 17 3 2 110 Moose Jaw 36 12 17 3 4 89 Brandon 36 13 19 2 2 102 Regina 37 13 20 2 2 91

GA 103 116 101 114 145 139

Pt 47 39 37 31 30 30

Central Division GP W LOTLSOL Edmonton 35 23 7 2 3 Calgary 35 23 8 1 3 Red Deer 37 21 13 2 1 Lethbridge 38 17 16 1 4 Medicine Hat 35 15 18 2 0 Kootenay 34 10 23 1 0

GF 124 112 103 123 117 80

GA 86 93 103 115 127 125

Pt 51 50 45 39 32 21

WESTERN CONFERENCE B.C. Division GP W LOTLSOL GF Kamloops 38 25 9 2 2 133 Kelowna 35 23 10 1 1 143 Victoria 33 17 14 0 2 97 Prince George 34 12 18 1 3 87 Vancouver 34 9 25 0 0 86

GA 98 87 109 116 134

Pt 54 48 36 28 18

U.S. Division GP W LOTLSOL GF GA Pt Portland 35 29 5 1 0 159 76 59 Spokane 34 23 10 1 0 140 101 47 Tri-City 35 20 12 1 2 105 96 43 Seattle 35 16 17 1 1 116 136 34 Everett 37 13 22 0 2 92 134 28 Note: Two points for a team winning in overtime or shootout; the team losing in overtime or shootout receives one which is registered in the OTL or SOL columns.

Tuesday’s results Edmonton 4 Calgary 1 Portland 4 Spokane 3 Red Deer 5 Kootenay 1 Regina 3 Lethbridge 2 Swift Current 3 Saskatoon 1 Tri-City 4 Seattle 1 December 19-26 Holiday Break No Games Scheduled.

Thursday, Dec. 27 Red Deer at Edmonton, 7 p.m.

Kamloops at Kelowna, 8:05 p.m.

Moose Jaw at Regina, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 28 Moose Jaw at Brandon, 6:30 p.m.

Lethbridge at Calgary, 7 p.m.

Spokane at Kootenay, 7 p.m.

Saskatoon at Prince Albert, 7 p.m.

Edmonton at Red Deer, 7:30 p.m.

Everett at Seattle, 8:35 p.m.

Medicine Hat at Swift Current, 7 p.m.

Portland at Tri-City, 8:05 p.m.

Kelowna at Vancouver, 8:30 p.m.

Prince George at Victoria, 8:05 p.m.

Red Deer Rebels Scoring GP G A Pts Elson 30 10 15 25 Ness 37 10 13 23 Bellerive 34 8 13 21 Hamilton 37 3 18 21 Dumba 34 7 10 17 Dieno 14 7 8 15 Bleackley 37 7 8 15 Millette 31 7 7 14 Maxwell 37 2 10 12 Gaudet 34 3 8 11 Fleury 37 2 9 11 Johnson 21 7 2 9 Stockl 30 2 5 7 Underwood 34 2 5 7 Fafard 33 1 4 5 Doetzel 15 0 3 3 Pochuk 18 2 0 2 Thiel 23 2 0 2 Miller 24 0 2 2 Feser 2 0 1 1 Pouliot 12 0 1 1 Boomgaarden 10 0 1 1 Tremblay 1 0 0 0 Bartosak 28 0 0 0

PIM 41 17 29 21 43 4 12 15 12 29 13 13 15 54 51 2 4 16 13 0 2 28 0 6

Goaltenders MP GA SO GAA 1554 61 2 2.35 635 33 0 3.12 60 5 0 6.00

Bartosak Pouliot Tremblay

AHL EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W LOTLSOL GF Portland 28 16 10 1 1 85 Providence 25 14 9 0 2 61 Worcester 26 13 10 1 2 72 Manchester 27 12 11 2 2 75 St. John’s 29 13 15 0 1 68

+/8 2 -2 2 -3 8 -2 -5 -3 8 4 5 0 4 12 4 0 -5 -5 0 — -6 — — Sv% .931 .905 .824

GA 85 69 78 70 80

Pt 34 30 29 28 27

GF 89 83 58 74 64

GA 61 90 65 88 77

Pt 35 29 24 24 23

East Division W LOTLSOL 17 6 1 2 15 6 1 1 13 11 1 1 14 12 1 1 11 13 1 0

GF 95 74 72 77 69

GA 70 56 72 75 78

Pt 37 32 28 30 23

WESTERN CONFERENCE North Division GP W LOTLSOL GF Abbotsford 27 15 6 3 3 66 Toronto 26 15 9 1 1 88 Lake Erie 28 13 13 1 1 86 Rochester 25 12 10 2 1 84 Hamilton 25 10 12 1 2 58

GA 53 72 91 80 80

Pt 36 32 28 27 23

GP 26 23 26 28 25

GF 78 66 91 67 74

GA 72 71 87 86 82

Pt 30 29 30 28 27

South Division GP W LOTLSOL GF GA Pt Charlotte 28 17 9 0 2 90 74 36 Houston 26 14 8 1 3 82 73 32 Texas 26 14 8 2 2 64 65 32 Oklahoma City 26 13 9 1 3 86 78 30 San Antonio 29 10 16 0 3 71 89 23 Note: A team winning in overtime or shootout is credited with two points and a victory in the W column; the team losing in overtime or shootout receives one which is registered in the OTL or SOL columns.

Wednesday’s results Chicago 1 Abbotsford 0 Adirondack 3 St. John’s 2 Bridgeport 4 Albany 3 Grand Rapids 4 Rochester 2 Hershey 4 Norfolk 0 Lake Erie 4 Toronto 3 (OT) Portland 3 Springfield 2 Binghamton 4 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 3 Rockford 3 Milwaukee 1 Texas 2 San Antonio 0 Thursday’s games Peoria at Charlotte, 5 p.m.

Houston at Lake Erie, 5 p.m.

Northeast Division GP W LOTLSOL Springfield 26 15 6 2 3 Bridgeport 27 13 11 1 2 Albany 24 9 9 0 6 Connecticut 26 11 13 2 0 Adirondack 26 11 14 1 0

Syracuse Binghamton W-B/Scranton Hershey Norfolk

Midwest Division GP W LOTLSOL Grand Rapids 25 14 9 1 1 Chicago 25 13 9 2 1 Rockford 28 14 12 1 1 Peoria 27 12 11 2 2 Milwaukee 27 12 12 2 1

Friday’s games Peoria at Charlotte, 5 p.m.

Abbotsford at Grand Rapids, 5 p.m.

Connecticut at Manchester, 5 p.m.

San Antonio at Toronto, 5 p.m.

Worcester at Providence, 5:05 p.m.

Binghamton at Rochester, 5:05 p.m.

St. John’s at Hamilton, 5:30 p.m.

Albany at Norfolk, 5:30 p.m.

Adirondack at Syracuse, 5:30 p.m.

Rockford at Milwaukee, 6 p.m.

Texas at Oklahoma City, 6 p.m.

Saturday’s games St. John’s at Toronto, 1 p.m.

Adirondack at Bridgeport, 5 p.m.

Providence at Connecticut, 5 p.m.

Chicago at Grand Rapids, 5 p.m.

San Antonio at Hamilton, 5 p.m.

Springfield at Hershey, 5 p.m.

Portland at Manchester, 5 p.m.

Rochester at Binghamton, 5:05 p.m.

Albany at Norfolk, 5:15 p.m.

Houston at Lake Erie, 5:30 p.m.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton at Syracuse, 5:30 p.m.

Texas at Oklahoma City, 6 p.m.

Abbotsford at Rockford, 6:05 p.m.

December 23-25 Holiday Break No Games Scheduled.

Football Central Alberta High School Football League Awards MVP: Scott Pearson, Hunting Hills.

Offensive MVP: Kieran Pruden, Notre Dame.

Defensive MVP: Ty Page, Stettler.

Top lineman: Bryce Johnson, Hunting Hills.

Special Team Player: Joel Bishop, Wetaskiwin.

Rookie of Year: Zach Hazen, West Central.

Founders Award: Mike Roach, Stettler.

Sportsmanship: Hunting Hills.

All-stars Hunting Hills: Devin Altheim, Ashton Hall, Scott Pearson, Andrew Atley, Kelton Jempson, Branden Petersen, Austin Belan, Bryce Johnson, Matt Russell, Riley Gasser, Josh Larratt, Logan Sinclair.

Notre Dame: Myles Corsiatto, Steven LaGrange, Brandon Lee, Kieran Pruden, Darrian Banack, Joseph McQuay, Jordan Briault, Logan Smith, Dustin Schaber, Luc Laplante.

Stettler: Parker Cassidy, Stephen Zuk, Tyler Stewart, Theren Churchill, Bryce Fisher, Riley Anderson, Jordan McCallum, Nicholas Baharally, Braden Nelson.

H.J. Cody, Sylvan Lake: Tyler Ledwos, Tyson Maton, Graham Swanson, Morgan Drews, TJ Sloboda, Austin Lutz, Chase Hoffman, Josh Barrie.

West Central, Rocky: Wayde Hodgen, Morgan Pearse, Brayden Friesen, Jordan Hannah, Thomas Soodsma, Cooper Wood, Devin Chateny.

Wetaskiwin: Josh Saddleback, Jordan Tribiger, Joel Bishop, Paul Fuller, Josh Jorstad, Josh Cunningham.

Lacombe: Dakota Haarstad, Austin Ericson, Adam Goode, Dylan Olsen, Dustin Bomback.

Camrose: Michael Ioanidis, Zach Matiushyk, Dilshant Garcha, Corson Clarkson.

Lindsay Thurber: Spencer Yeats, Riley Collin, Todd Tulman.

Ponoka: Josh Simons, Jordan Pritchard, Ruger Dye. National Football League AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF y-New England 10 4 0 .714 506 N.Y. Jets 6 8 0 .429 255 Miami 6 8 0 .429 264 Buffalo 5 9 0 .357 306

y-Houston Indianapolis Tennessee

W 12 9 5

South L T 2 0 5 0 9 0

PA 315 320 279 402

Pct PF PA .857 394 280 .643 309 358 .357 285 396

Jacksonville

2

12

0 .143 219 383

x-Baltimore Cincinnati Pittsburgh Cleveland

W 9 8 7 5

North L T 5 0 6 0 7 0 9 0

Pct .643 .571 .500 .357

PF 348 355 302 280

PA 307 293 291 310

y-Denver San Diego Oakland Kansas City

W 11 5 4 2

West L 3 9 10 12

Pct .786 .357 .286 .143

PF 409 299 263 195

PA 274 312 402 367

NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct PF Washington 8 6 0 .571 381 Dallas 8 6 0 .571 327 N.Y. Giants 8 6 0 .571 373 Philadelphia 4 10 0 .286 253

PA 350 338 304 375

T 0 0 0 0

y-Atlanta New Orleans Tampa Bay Carolina

W 12 6 6 5

South L T 2 0 8 0 8 0 9 0

Pct .857 .429 .429 .357

PF 371 389 354 296

PA 259 379 349 319

y-Green Bay Minnesota Chicago Detroit

W 10 8 8 4

North L T 4 0 6 0 6 0 10 0

Pct .714 .571 .571 .286

PF 344 319 321 330

PA 292 308 240 380

West L 3 5 7 9

Pct .750 .643 .464 .357

PF 357 350 258 224

PA 218 219 315 302

W x-San Francisco 10 Seattle 9 St. Louis 6 Arizona 5 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

T 1 0 1 0

Week 16 Saturday, Dec. 22 Atlanta at Detroit, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 23 Tennessee at Green Bay, 11 a.m.

Indianapolis at Kansas City, 11 a.m.

New Orleans at Dallas, 11 a.m.

Minnesota at Houston, 11 a.m.

STORIES FROM B6

RAPTORS: Realize Calderon came into the game averaging a team-high 16.3 points and 9.5 assists over the last four games, and had 10 assists in the first quarter alone against Detroit.

“When you are playing with more confidence you know where your teammates are,” he said. “We realize how to play to be successful. If you’re in that (losing) situation and you don’t turn around, you’re just going to keep losing like we were doing.”

Greg Monroe had career-high 35 points and 10 rebounds for Detroit (7-21), which has dropped six in a row and is a paltry 2-13 on the road this season.

“We are trying to find what we need to do to get back on track,” said Monroe.

“I don’t think we’ve fallen totally off of track, the way we’ve been losing hasn’t been horrible games. We are right there, a little bit more we have to do to finish games and attention to detail coming down the stretch.”

The Raptors came into the fourth quarter leading 73-71, but opened up a sevenpoint lead on a clutch three by Anderson and an Amir Johnson hook shot.

Detroit clawed back to make it a fourpoint game with under three minutes left, but Calderon hit a three of his own to get the lead back up to seven. Toronto ran down the clock with long possessions and timely rebounds to seal the win and put the Raptors over .500 at home this season.

Calderon kept the offence moving in the third, finding DeRozan and Ed Davis, who combined on 12 points, to give Toronto a 63-60 lead midway through the quarter. DeRozan returned the favour and dished to the Spaniard for an open three, pushing the Raptors’ lead to six with four minutes left.

Toronto opened the second with a 2723 edge but eased off defensively around the post as Detroit made a 6-0 run with three straight layups to pull ahead 35-34 five minutes in.

The Raptors gave up 22 offensive re-

Oakland at Carolina, 11 a.m.

Buffalo at Miami, 11 a.m.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m.

New England at Jacksonville, 11 a.m.

Washington at Philadelphia, 11 a.m.

St. Louis at Tampa Bay, 11 a.m.

San Diego at N.Y. Jets, 11 a.m.

Cleveland at Denver, 2:05 p.m.

Chicago at Arizona, 2:25 p.m.

N.Y. Giants at Baltimore, 2:25 p.m.

San Francisco at Seattle, 6:20 p.m.

Week 17 Sunday Dec. 30 Jacksonville at Tennessee, 11 a.m.

Green Bay at Minnesota, 11 a.m.

Carolina at New Orleans, 11 a.m.

N.Y. Jets at Buffalo, 11 a.m.

Miami at New England, 11 a.m.

Baltimore at Cincinnati, 11 a.m.

Cleveland at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m.

Houston at Indianapolis, 11 a.m.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 11 a.m.

Dallas at Washington, 11 a.m.

Chicago at Detroit, 11 a.m.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta, 11 a.m.

Oakland at San Diego, 2:25 p.m.

Arizona at San Francisco, 2:25 p.m.

St. Louis at Seattle, 2:25 p.m.

Kansas City at Denver, 2:25 p.m.

NFL Odds (Favourites in capital letters; odds supplied by Western Canada Lottery) Spread O/U Saturday ATLANTA at Detroit 4.5 51.5 Sunday San Diego at NY JETS 1.5 39.5 Minnesota at HOUSTON 8.5 44.5 St. Louis at TAMPA BAY 3.5 43.5 New Orleans at DALLAS 2.5 51.5 WASHINGTON at Philadelphia 4.5 44.5 INDIANAPOLIS at Kansas City 6.5 41.5 NEW ENGLAND at Jacksonville 14.5 48.5 Cincinnati at PITTSBURGH 3.5 42.5 Buffalo at MIAMI 4.5 41.5 Oakland at CAROLINA 8.5 46.5 Tennessee at GREEN BAY 12.5 46.5 Cleveland at DENVER 13.5 44.5 NY GIANTS at Baltimore 1.5 47.5 CHICAGO at Arizona 5.5 36.5 SAN FRANCISCO at Seattle 1.5 39.5

bounds in the game.

“That really sticks out and we have to do something about that,” said Casey.

“That’s the only area where I was disappointed.”

But the Raptors bench responded in the second, with guard Terrence Ross connecting from downtown and two midrange jumpers before John Lucas III drained a jump shot to make it 43-41 with just over four minutes to play.

Pistons rookie Kyle Singler tipped in a rebound in the final seconds to tie the game 49-49 as DeRozan ended the half with a game-high 12 points on 5-of-8 shooting.

Jonas Valanciunas had a strong opening quarter with a dunk and a bank shot before stealing the ball from Monroe to set up DeRozan’s triple to make it 19-18 Toronto at 3:53. Valanciunas threw down another dunk a minute later and made both free throws in the final seconds to finish the quarter with eight points and two rebounds. The rookie centre finished the night with 12 points and five boards.

The Raptors shot 64.7 per cent in the opening frame, with Calderon serving up nine assists.

“He’s our Peyton Manning. He’s our quarterback. He sees everything,” Casey said of Calderon. “Knocking down those threes don’t hurt either.”

HAWKS: High level “It all begins with the quarterback.

Russell is playing an extremely high level right now and it’s just the maturity and growth that we’ve all come to grow with him in this offence as a whole and rally behind the things that he does well,” Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin said. “At the beginning of the season we were kind of searching for that and now that we’re putting it together you’ve been able to see it the past two games with us putting up 50 points.”

Carroll said the way Seattle is now playing is what he hoped would happen when he arrived in the winter of 2010.

The growth Seattle has shown over the last two seasons is similar to how he saw USC improve between his first season

National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB New York 19 6 .760 — Brooklyn 13 12 .520 6 Boston 13 12 .520 6 Philadelphia 12 14 .462 7 Toronto 8 19 .296 12

Miami Atlanta Orlando Charlotte Washington

Chicago Milwaukee Indiana Detroit Cleveland

Southeast Division W L Pct GB 16 6 .727 — 15 8 .652 1 12 13 .480 5 7 18 .280 10 3 20 .130 13 Central Division W L Pct 14 10 .583 13 10 .565 14 12 .538 7 21 .250 5 22 .185

GB — 1/2 1 9 10

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct GB Memphis 16 6 .727 1/2 San Antonio 19 8 .704 — Houston 13 12 .520 5 Dallas 12 13 .480 6 New Orleans 5 19 .208 12 Northwest Division W L Pct GB Oklahoma City 21 4 .840 — Denver 14 12 .538 7 Minnesota 12 11 .522 8 Utah 14 13 .519 8 Portland 11 12 .478 9

L.A. Clippers

Pacific Division W L Pct 18 6 .750

Golden State L.A. Lakers Phoenix Sacramento

1/2

1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2

1/2

1/2

1/2

GB —

17 12 11 7

8 14 15 17

.680 .462 .423 .292

1 7 8 11

1/2

Tuesday’s Games Toronto 113, Cleveland 99 Atlanta 100, Washington 95, OT Utah 92, Brooklyn 90 Miami 103, Minnesota 92 Chicago 100, Boston 89 Milwaukee 98, Indiana 93 Dallas 107, Philadelphia 100 Denver 112, San Antonio 106 Golden State 103, New Orleans 96 L.A. Lakers 101, Charlotte 100 Wednesday’s Games New York 100, Brooklyn 86 Toronto 97, Detroit 91 Indiana 104, Utah 84 Orlando 90, Washington 83 Boston 103, Cleveland 91 Oklahoma City 100, Atlanta 92 Houston 125, Philadelphia 103 Phoenix 121, Charlotte 104 Milwaukee at Memphis, Late Golden State at Sacramento, Late New Orleans at L.A. Clippers, Late Thursday’s Games Oklahoma City at Minnesota, 5 p.m.

Miami at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Denver at Portland, 8 p.m.

Friday’s Games Atlanta at Philadelphia, 5 p.m.

Orlando at Toronto, 5 p.m.

Milwaukee at Boston, 5:30 p.m.

Chicago at New York, 5:30 p.m.

Indiana at Cleveland, 5:30 p.m.

Washington at Detroit, 5:30 p.m.

Dallas at Memphis, 7 p.m.

New Orleans at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Golden State, 8:30 p.m.

Sacramento at L.A. Clippers, 8:30 p.m.

Transactions Wednesday’s Sports Transactions BASEBALL COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE—Suspended free agent minor league RHP Kyle Pelchy 50 games for refusing to take an off-season drug test.

American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES—Agreed to terms with 1B Travis Ishikawa, LHP Daniel Schlereth and LHP Zach Braddock on minor league contracts.

BOSTON RED SOX—Agreed to terms with RHP Ryan Dempster on a two-year contract. Designated RHP Pedro Beato for assignment.

CLEVELAND INDIANS—Designated OF Russ Canzler for assignment. Agreed to terms with RHP Joe Martinez and C Brian Jeroloman on minor league contracts.

DETROIT TIGERS—Released LHP Adam Wilk.

Assigned LHP Matt Hoffman outright to Toledo (EL).

HOUSTON ASTROS—Named Meg Vaillancourt vice-president of community relations and executive director of the Astros In Action Foundation. Traded LHP Rob Rasmussen to the L.A. Dodgers for RHP John Ely. NEW YORK YANKEES—Agreed to terms with OF Ichiro Suzuki on a two-year contract. Designated RHP Jim Miller for assignment.

SEATTLE MARINERS—Traded LHP Jason Vargas to the L.A. Angels for 1B/DH Kendrys Morales.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS—Agreed to terms with 2B Lance Zawadzki on a minor league contract.

Claimed RHP Mickey Storey off waivers from Houston.

National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS—Named Steve Sax first base coach and Turner Ward assistant hitting coach. Named Greg Gross hitting coach of Reno (PCL); Andy Green manager and Jacob Cruz hitting coach of Mobile (SL); Bill Plummer manager and Gil Heredia pitching coach of Visalia (Cal); Jason Camilli hitting coach of South Bend (MWL); Robby Hammock manager, Doug Bochtler pitching coach and Wilson Valera hitting coach of Missoula (Pioneer); and Luis Urueta manager of the Arizona League Diamondbacks.

COLORADO ROCKIES—Agreed to terms with LHP Jeff Francis on a one-year contract.

MILWAUKEE BREWERS—Agreed to terms with RHP Alfredo Figaro on a minor league contract.

Frontier League LAKE ERIE CRUSHERS—Named Jeff Isom manager.

RIVER CITY RASCALS—Signed 1B Mike Bando and 3B Jason Taylor to contract extensions.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS MINERS—Sent LHP Nick Cicio and LHP Darrin Tew to Rockford to complete an earlier trade.

TRAVERSE CITY BEACH BUMS—Signed 2B Ryan Still to a contract extension. Released LHP Bennett Whitmore. Exercised the 2013 contract options on LHP Nick Capito, RHP Jason Mattila, RHP Scott Dunn, RHP Brooks Belter, RHP Michael Devine, RHP Jacob Clem, RHP Scott Mueller, RHP Jake Sabol, C Travis Higgs, C Marcus Nififfer, INF Jose Vargas, INF Kyle Eveland, INF Chase Burch, INF Jeff Flagg, INF Sean Gusrang, OF Kyle Colligan, OF Matt Howard, OF Brian Heere, RHP Reid Kelly and RHP Kurt Wunderlich.

FOOTBALL National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS—Released TE Steve Skelton from the practice squad.

BALTIMORE RAVENS—Released LB D.J. Bryant from the practice squad. Signed RB Lonyae Miller to the practice squad.

BUFFALO BILLS—Signed WR Kevin Elliott and LB Brian Smith to the practice squad.

with the Trojans and the second year that ended with a victory in the Orange Bowl and proved to be the foundation for their major success.

“I think in most of the critical areas we’re just cleaning things up, and you can see that our young guys are growing,” Carroll said. “They’re understanding what’s expected, and I think the most important thing is to see consistency. Those are really good indicators that we are going in the right direction.”

COX: Good guy And maybe they never will.

Also, at least two years before the feelgood hiring of John Gibbons to come back and manage, one universally applauded by the media in a show of solidarity with a manager seen to be a “good guy,” might prove to have been incorrect.

What the Jays get, and Jays fans get, is at least two years of being perceived as playing with the best franchises, of having a folksy manager who wants to be here, of being in the conversation when it comes to the more competitive teams in the sport, of having arguably the best starting rotation in the American League, of a team that isn’t all about Jose Bautista anymore.

Its not yet a return to the golden days.

But in a hockey town with no hockey team to cheer for or at least worry about as the owners and players hurt their business without seeming to care a great deal, this feels like a return to a time when the Jays ruled in these parts because they gave people a reason to cheer and feel pride.

When people start making pre-season prognostications in just a few weeks, many will pick the Jays for the playoffs, some might even imagine a World Series berth.

Incredibly, it was less than two months ago that the Farrell controversy threatened to make the Jays look like a secondtier franchise, a feeder club for the big boys.

It has all healed and being covered over with remarkable speed through a series of remarkable Anthopoulos moves.

Remarkable, really.

CAROLINA PANTHERS—Placed C Zack Williams on injured reserve. Signed G Hayworth Hicks from the practice squad.

CHICAGO BEARS—Signed G Reggie Stephens to the practice squad.

CLEVELAND BROWNS—Signed TE George Bryan to the practice squad.

DALLAS COWBOYS—Released DE Robert Rose from the practice squad.

DETROIT LIONS—Placed CB Jacob Lacey on injured reserve. Signed CB Rob Bartell. Signed DB Ross Weaver to the practice squad. Placed DT Nick Fairley on injured reserve. Signed DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo.

GREEN BAY PACKERS—Signed CB Otis Merrill to the practice squad.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS—Released G Robert Griffin from the practice squad. Signed T Lee Ziemba to the practice squad.

MIAMI DOLPHINS—Placed RB Daniel Thomas on injured reserve. Signed DB Julian Posey from the practice squad.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS—Placed CB Corey White on injured reserve. Signed WR Saalim Hakim from the practice squad.

NEW YORK JETS—Placed WR Stephen Hill on injured reserve. Signed DB Donnie Fletcher from the practice squad.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES—Placed TE Clay Harbor on injured reserve.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS—Reinstated RB Rashard Mendenhall from the suspended list.

Placed G Willie Colon and CB DeMarcus Van Dyke on injured reserve. Signed DB Justin King.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS—Signed LB Kyle Knox and DE Monte Taylor to the practice squad.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS—Signed TE Drake Dunsmore and LB Joe Holland to the practice squad.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS—Released LB Kourtnei Brown from the practice squad.

Canadian Football League TORONTO ARGONAUTS—Released S Etienne Boulay. Re-signed DL Donte Paige-Moss. Signed LB Shane Horton.

HOCKEY American Hockey League ALBANY DEVILS—Loaned C Phil DeSimone to Trenton (ECHL).

BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS—Signed F Scott Campbell to a professional tryout contract.

LACROSSE National Lacrosse League WASHINGTON STEALTH—Released D Eric Martin and D Kyle Ross.

SOCCER Major League Soccer CHICAGO FIRE—Announced the resignation of president Julian Posada.

D.C. UNITED—Re-signed D Robbie Russell.

FC DALLAS—Signed F Bradlee Baladez to a homegrown contract.

National Women’s Soccer League PORTLAND THORNS FC—Named Cindy Parlow coach.

COLLEGE OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN—Named Neil Hilton women’s assistant soccer coach.

ST. CATHERINE—Promoted women’s interim basketball coach Sean Pinkerton to head coach.

STANFORD—Agreed to terms with football coach David Shaw on a long-term contract extension.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL The Notre Dame Cougars coasted to an 80-31 victory over the Stettler Wildcats in Central Alberta Senior Boys’ Basketball League play Tuesday.

Tony Bornyi had 17 points and Ahmet Deng 13 for the Cougars.

Yankees sign Ichiro to a 2-year deal THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK — The Yankees and Ichiro Suzuki finalized a $13 million, two-year contract Wednesday that keeps the 10-time All-Star in the Bronx.

The 39-year-old, who will make $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons, was obtained in a trade with Seattle on July 23, revived his career and quickly became a fan favourite.

His batting average jumped from .261 with the Mariners to .322 with the Yankees, with five homers, 27 RBIs and 14 steals.

“The Yankees are the kind of team that I always envisioned being a part of,” Suzuki said in a statement released by the team. “Everyone in the world of competition has a strong desire to win, but the Yankees also have an atmosphere where losing is not an option.”

B8 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

RGIII practicing, says he’s ready

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ASHBURN, Va. — Robert Griffin III had a full practice and looked pretty good. Kirk Cousins had a full haircut that looked so bad he had to apologize for it.

The Washington Redskins quarterbacks were back to their regular pecking order Wednesday. Griffin went through a regular full practice with firstteam receivers for the first time since spraining his right knee, while Cousins was an affable undercard whose hilariously hairy moment was more interesting than anything he had to say about football.

Griffin said he ran plays at full-speed, hoping to persuade doctors to clear him for this week’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He has made known his unhappiness over sitting out Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns, and he’s clearly frustrated that the final say is out of his control.

“I’m ready to play whenever they want me to play,” Griffin said. “So if it’s this week, next week, next couple of weeks. Whatever they say goes, so I’ll be ready.”

Coach Mike Shanahan said doctors will see how Griffin’s knee responds to the practice, particularly as to whether there’s any swelling when the rookie shows up at work Thursday.

“Hopefully they’ll look at it tomorrow and tell us it is full-go,” Shanahan said.

Still, the signs are much more positive for Griffin than last week, when the Redskins sent out mixed

signals in an effort to the keep Browns guessing.

Griffin moved relatively well during the portions of practice open to reporters throughout the week, but then Cousins would take the first-team snaps once the session was closed.

Wednesday didn’t have the same smoke-screen feel. After playing decoy for a week, Griffin talked about throwing passes to receiver Pierre Garcon with an arm that was “a little bit more juiced up and ready to go.”

Griffin said his relationship with Shanahan hasn’t been strained by having to sit out a game — and that it was important not to let personal emotions bring down the team.

“You don’t take those things to the field and try to become a cancer or a distraction to the team,” Griffin said. “You support the team. ... You can be unhappy about something, but you’ve still got to learn, and that’s what I did. I was upset, but I never let that show on the field and just watched and was able to see it from a different perspective.”

Griffin, the No. 2 overall draft pick and No. 2 in the league in passer rating, was hurt late in the fourth quarter of the win over the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 9. Fellow rookie Cousins led the Redskins to victory in relief, then threw for 329 yards in the 38-21 victory over the Browns. The win (8-6) put the Redskins in control of their playoff fate. Their five-game winning streak has them tied with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants atop the NFC East, and Washington holds the tiebreaker over both clubs.

The victory also gave Cousins a chance to bask in

the glow of being a winning starting NFL quarterback. His run of fame continued Wednesday when he showed up for a session with reporters with his mop of hair gone, replaced by a close-cut ’do that — from the eyebrows up — made him look 45 years old.

“I have to apologize to my family and friends back home,” he said. “I think I’m embarrassing them. I try to represent them well, and my haircut’s not doing it.”

He then explained that when he went to get a haircut on Monday, he had a “communication breakdown” with a female barber whose English wasn’t the best. She also took off his glasses, so he couldn’t see what she was doing.

“She wheels me back around,” Cousins said. “I look at the mirror and I realized I had a Mohawk.

So I tell her, ‘Just shave it off. I don’t know what to tell you.’ So she just buzzed it off, and I have to live with this for the next couple of weeks until it grows back. ... The tough thing was that I didn’t realize until that moment that I do have a receding hairline.

That was tough to take. My dad is more-or-less completely bald, and I was hoping I wasn’t going to get his genes.”

Cousins’ remarks were televised live on national television, and soon he was trending on Twitter.

Griffin called the haircut “bad.” Shortly afterward, Eagles quarterback Nick Foles was looking at a photo of the haircut on the Internet and discussing it on the phone with Redskins writers.

“Wow,” Foles said. “I’m going to have to do that to mine — cut it all off.”

Colts hoping Fehr says NHLPA waiting second time for league to resume talks is the charm

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

LOOKING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SECOND CHANCE AT CLINCHING A PLAYOFF SPOT

INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis allowed one post-season-clinching chance to slip away at Houston.

It doesn’t intend to let the same thing happen again at Kansas City.

“It’s the playoffs. This is the playoffs,” interim coach Bruce Arians said before Wednesday’s practice began.

For the Colts (9-5), this is a rare second chance in a league where players and teams risk being left behind any time they miss an opportunity.

Just ask the Chicago Bears, 7-1 at midseason and now fighting just to make the playoffs. Or the Baltimore Ravens, who were in contention to earn the AFC’s top seed three weeks ago. Or quarterback Alex Smith, who led San Francisco to last year’s NFC championship game and a 6-21 record this season before losing his starting job to Colin Kaepernick.

The Colts are not looking back after making a historic turnaround.

They didn’t complain when team owner Jim Irsay and new general manager Ryan Grigson started over in March by cutting team captains Peyton Manning and Gary Brackett, letting Jeff Saturday and Pierre Garcon walk away in free agency and opting to rebuild through the draft and with a handful of players who needed another chance to prove they belonged in the NFL. They ignored the critics who pegged them as the league’s worst team in training camp and projected three wins at best. They didn’t despair after returning from a bye week and were told coach Chuck Pagano was taking an indefinite leave after being diagnosed with leukemia.

So they’re sure not going to let the 29-17 loss at Houston linger.

Instead, they’re focused on their next task — beating the reeling Chiefs (2-12), who have barely averaged 10 points per game and were shut out in Oakland last weekend.

“There’s a playoff spot at stake, so it’s win or go home,” outside linebacker Robert Mathis said.

“We can’t go out and lay an egg like we did last week.”

It’s a simple scenario for the Colts.

Indy makes it in with a win over the Chiefs or in the season-finale against Houston (12-2) or if the Steelers (7-7) lose one of their two remaining games — Sunday at Cincinnati (8-6) or the final week against Cleveland (5-9).

But the Colts are chas-

ing more than just a playoff spot.

A win would help them regain some momentum heading into January, allow Arians to tie the NFL record for victories after a midseason coaching change, make the Colts one of only four teams in league history to go from two or fewer wins one season to 10 or more the next, and, of course, take the pressure off Pagano if he returns to the locker room Monday as players, coaches and team officials are hoping.

Almost from the moment Pagano began chemotherapy treatments in late September, Arians and Indy’s upper management targeted the Dec. 30 game as Pagano’s return. With that game fast approaching, Arians has said twice this week that nothing is certain yet.

Arians said he is eager to go back to working just one job, offensive coordinator.

“Hopefully we can get this victory and secure our playoff spot and turn it back over to Chuck,” he said.

Players can’t wait, either.

“It would be great, I’m sure it would be emotional for a lot of people if it comes (next week),” rookie quarterback Andrew Luck said. “Hopefully, it will be soon. It will be great to have him back.”

Pagano may not be the only one making a return in the next few days.

Starting safety Tom Zbikowski has missed the last three games with a knee injury.

hope he’s right. That’s the players’ goal, that’s what we want to try and do.

“Hopefully, we’ll get back together and negotiate out the remaining issues as soon as possible.”

The NHL has insisted on getting in at least a 48-game schedule — the same number it had after the 94-95 lockout — which means an agreement will need to be reached by the middle of January. More than 500 regular-season games through Dec. 30 have already been wiped off the schedule and further cancellations are expected to be made by the end of the week.

Fehr expressed concern about the damage being caused by hockey’s fourth work stoppage in 20 years.

“Any time you are preventing the fans from watching the sport they dearly love, which provides the business that we’re all involved in, that’s not a good thing,” said Fehr. “And it needs to be ended as soon as possible.

We certainly hope we can do that.

We certainly want to tell the fans we’re doing everything we can to do it. ...

“Hopefully it’ll be over soon.

That’s what we’re trying to do.”

NHLers raise $100K in charity game

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS TORONTO — For one night, Steven Stamkos and 38 other locked-out NHL players were back where they belonged.

The passes might not have been as crisp, the shifts weren’t nearly as intense and the atmosphere wasn’t quite up to par with a typical NHL arena, but the joy of being back on the ice was undeniable for the participants in Wednesday’s charity game at the former Maple Leaf Gardens.

And reminders of the NHL — last seen on ice in June, when the L.A. Kings lifted the Stanley Cup — were everywhere to be found. The most interesting sight was in the stands, where a good portion of the 2,600 fans in the crowd dusted off sweaters that have been collecting dust during the lockout.

Among the teams represented? The Habs, Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Bruins, Devils, Penguins, Flames and, naturally, a few Lightning jerseys emblazoned with “No. 91” and “Stamkos.”

“That was outstanding,” said Stamkos. “Obviously, the fans are hurting through this process. I’ve had

an opportunity to play in two charity games (during the lockout) — the Hurricane Sandy relief one in Atlantic City (last month) and that was an unbelievable turnout. It was a big venue and we sold that out.

“This one was a little smaller one, but still the great support from the fans — that’s why we have the best fans in all of sports in my opinion and it was great to play in front of them.”

For the record, the Stamkos side came out on top of P.K. Subban’s team 14-10, but the only number anyone was concerned about afterwards was the $100,000 raised for the NHLPA’s Goals & Dreams Fund and RBC’s Play Hockey initiative.

It was clear from the get-go that this evening was about the people who paid $25 to watch a game of shinny. Some players threw sticks into the crowd during the warmup while others launched NHLPA hats and shirts over the glass during stoppages.

The game was played at the newly minted Mattamy Athletic Centre, where Ryerson University’s hockey teams now play. The building opened earlier this year after sitting dormant for more than a decade after the Maple Leafs last called it home in February 1999.

BEST DEALS ON NOW! TIRES

TOYS

CHRISTMAS TREES

53576L20,21

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

TORONTO — Donald Fehr says the NHL Players’ Association is ready to get back to the bargaining table at any moment.

He’s just waiting for the NHL to feel the same way. “(We aren’t talking) because the owners have not indicated a desire to resume,” the NHLPA’s executive director said Wednesday night before a charity game.

“We’ve indicated any number of times that we’re willing to resume when they are (and) we’re willing to resume without preconditions. ...

“So we’re waiting to hear back from them.”

The sides haven’t negotiated with one another since Dec. 6 in New York, when talks broke down. They also met with a U.S. federal mediator for two days in New Jersey last week and reported no progress.

From the NHL’s perspective, negotiations should only resume once there is something new to say.

“I don’t think either party is refusing a meeting,” deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email.

“But unless there is an indication

one side or the other is prepared to move or has a new idea to move the process forward — and so far neither side has indicated — I am not sure what we would do at the meeting.

“What is the agenda? Who is directing the conversation? We don’t have anything new to say right now.”

Fehr indicated that he liked the idea put forward by Winnipeg Jets defenceman Ron Hainsey that the same parties who met two weeks ago return to the bargaining table, plus himself and commissioner Gary Bettman. Progress was made during a session that included four new owners and a number of players, including Sidney Crosby.

“That seems like it might work if the owners are interested in it,” said Fehr.

However, Daly indicated that it didn’t hold much appeal.

The deputy commissioner created a stir earlier in the day when he made an appearance on CBC’s HNIC Radio and was asked to give a simple yes or no answer on whether there would be an agreement in time to save the season.

He responded “yes.”

“That’s good news,” said Fehr.

“I’m glad to hear that. I certainly

Canadian Tire #329 2510 Gaetz Ave. Red Deer, AB 403-342-2222

Canadian Tire #645 300, 6380 - 50 Ave. Red Deer, AB 403-346-1497

Canadian Tire #655 #200 62 Industrial Trail, Sylvan Lake, AB 403-887-0581

HOME FRONT

C1

LOCAL

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM BUSINESS ◆ C3,C4

COMICS ◆ C6 ENTERTAIN ◆ C7 Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Carolyn Martindale, City Editor, 403-314-4326 Fax 403-341-6560 E-mail editorial@reddeeradvocate.com

STARS gets new gear FIRST OF TWO NEW $16-MILLION HELICOPTERS ARRIVES

PLENTY OF BLOOD NEEDED Canadian Blood Services Red Deer is struggling to fill appointments in the coming weeks. They need 385 people to donate between Monday and Jan. 5 to meet hospital demand.

While many potential donors are out of town or busy, Canadian Blood Services reminds people that there are many others who need life-saving blood transfusions during the holiday season.

There are a number of opportunities to give blood before New Year’s: Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Dec. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Dec. 28, 29 and 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The clinic is located at No. 5 5020 68th St. in Red Deer.

There will also be a mobile clinic in Sylvan Lake at the community centre from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 29.

BY MURRAY CRAWFORD ADVOCATE STAFF Getting helicopters to patients and patients to treatment just got easier for STARS Air Ambulance as they roll out the first of two new aircraft.

Mike Lamacchia, STARS vice-president of Alberta operations, said the flight, using the old aircraft, from Calgary to Red Deer takes about 30 to 35 minutes, then the same amount of time going back to a Calgary hospital.

The new aircraft will reduce the flight time by five to 10 minutes, and cost about $16 million per unit.

It was good foresight when the Red Deer Regional Hospital heli-pad was built because it is able to accommodate this

larger type of aircraft, said Lamacchia.

The new AW139s choppers are 16.67 metres from front to back, while the old BK117s are 13 metres long.

The first of two new, longer range helicopters arrived late last week.

An AW139 arrived in Edmonton on Dec. 14, with the next one scheduled to arrive in 2013.

With the new helicopter there will also be new training for their flight crews.

Lamacchia said STARS has been working on a fleet replacement strategy for 10 years. “The AW139 is the one we chose to take us to a new level of technology,” said Lamacchia. “It’s a completely different type of aircraft.”

The new aircraft travel at

278 km/h while the old helicopters only fly at 225 km/h, which translates to a 25 per cent increase in speed.

Also, the range is a third more than the previous model.

“We can reach further so we’re in remote areas, where you don’t have a fixed wing (airplane) or ground ambulance capability,” said Lamacchia.

“We can reach further on a single tank of gas, which is important for rural and remote.”

There is also de-icing capabilities on the rotor blades of the aircraft, which Lamacchia said means STARS can make more trips into inclement weather.

“There is a percentage of missions we had to turn down because of known icing or inclement weather. Some of these

STREET TREE ART

PATIENT STORY

STARS tells stories of success

INNISFAIL PARTY RAISES CHARITY FUNDS Staff and guests at the Town of Innisfail Christmas party raised more than $3,100 for two local charities. A silent auction at the Dec. 7 event brought in $1,530 which was donated to the Innisfail and Area Food Bank. Wreaths made by town departments in a corporate challenge were also auctioned off. Aquatic Centre staff had the highest grossing wreath and chose Innisfail Big Brothers and Big Sisters to receive the $1,618 raised.

HEALTHY LIVING EXPO Looking to stick to that New Year’s resolution?

The Healthy Living Expo will be held at Westerner Park on Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The expo features exhibitors and interactive demonstrations to educate on various health topics and help Albertans live healthy, sustainable lives.

Visitors are encouraged to pre-register for grand prizes at www.theexpo. ca. The prizes will be drawn during the event.

Tickets are available at the door, $5 for general admission, $3 for children under 12. For more information, call 403-348-8222 or email info@theexpo.ca.

GIVE US A CALL The Advocate invites its readers to help cover news in Central Alberta.

We would like to hear from you if you see something worthy of coverage. And we would appreciate hearing from you if you see something inaccurate in our pages.

We strive for complete, accurate coverage of Central Alberta and are happy to correct any errors we may commit.

Call 403-314-4333.

we’ll be able to do,” said Lamacchia.

Another improvement is the expanded space for two patients. While the BK117 helicopters could carry two patients simultaneously, the new AW139s have more space.

“This aircraft can carry two patients quite easily and you can manage them much more effectively with two patient loads,” said Lamacchia.

While Edmonton’s new helicopter was unveiled late last week, it won’t be operational until the new year. Calgary’s new helicopter is expected to arrive by mid-2013.

The aircraft are made by AgustaWestland of Philadelphia, Pa. mcrawford@reddeeradvocate. com

BY MURRAY CRAWFORD ADVOCATE STAFF

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Students at St. Thomas Aquinas Middle School on 39th Street make their way back to the school Tuesday. A colourful art project has taken shape in the area where staff and friends of staff of the City of Red Deer Cultural Services Dept. next to the school have created knitting projects over the past few months and decorated several trees and a bike rack outside their offices. Yarn Bombing as they call it is a form of street art that is gaining popularity around the world said Culture Superintendent Kristina O’Berg also known as knitter #8.

Les’ Trailer Court getting new water well EXISITING DRINKING WATER SAFE, SAYS ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT

BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Les’ Trailer Court will be drilling a new water well for its residents.

On Nov. 22, Les’ Trailer Court was ordered under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and the Water Act to cease unauthorized groundwater withdraws at the mobile home park on Burnt Lake Trail.

Under the order, Brero Holdings Ltd. and owner Robert Bresciani of Les’ Trailer Court had three options — drill a new well, construct a new water treatment system, or reclaim the

primary well.

On Dec. 14, Bresciani chose to drill a new well and the deadline to complete the work was extended to Feb. 28.

Until the new well is drilled, water will continue to be supplied by the existing well.

“The drinking water is safe,” said Carrie Sancartier, spokesperson with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, on Wednesday.

“What we’re doing to ensure it continues to be safe is we’ve added additional sampling and monitoring.” szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

The last thing Don Jackson remembers before being whisked away to an Edmonton hospital by STARS Air Ambulance was what the doctor said before his journey to recovery began.

“You’re going to feel a hell of a lot worse before you feel better,” he told Jackson.

“He was right,” the 61-year-old grandfather says now.

Jackson went to the hospital on Aug. 28, 2012, because he wasn’t feeling so good.

“I went into the emergency room and it turned out I had Wagner’s disease,” said Jackson.

“They didn’t know what it was and weren’t too sure about it so the young fellow who was working in the Red Deer hospital was bound and determined that I wasn’t going to fail on him.”

He said the doctor did the best he could, called STARS and Jackson was taken to Edmonton by helicopter, although he doesn’t remember much of it.

“My family and my grandchildren were quite upset and crying so one of the nurses from the chopper got a hold of them, calmed them down and said, ‘Look, when you’re poppa is feeling better you get him and you come and you see us and we’ll give you a tour of the STARS facility and let you look in the chopper,’” said Jackson. “They were super, they were a really good crew.”

So when Jackson recovered and got out of the hospital, they went back and visited the STARS facility in Edmonton.

There he was approached by STARS staff who asked if they could use Jackson’s story for the 2013 calendar.

“I said ‘That’s up to you guys, I just appreciate your efforts,’ ” said Jackson.

“They were super, the people were really good to my family in the hospital.”

Please see STARS on Page C2

Donation will help families at emergency shelter $40,000 FROM BUILD A KID FOUNDATION GOPING TOWARDS PROGRAMS, THERAPY

BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF A $40,000 donation from Build a Kid to Cure and Golf a Kid to Cure will help families, especially children, at Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter.

About $12,000 will go towards the shelter’s summer programs for children and $10,000 will be used to complete a therapeutic water feature in the shelter’s healing centre for children.

“Sensory stimulus for kids who have been traumatized helps to slow their breathing, slow their respiration and destresses them and then they benefit much more from the programs and activities,” said Ian Wheeliker, CAWES executive di-

rector, on Wednesday at the cheque presentation.

The rest of the money will go towards renovating five bedrooms at the shelter to make families feel comfortable and safe.

Wheeliker said the public probably doesn’t realize that about half the people using the shelter are children. Currently, 28 people are staying at the shelter.

“If we don’t help the children as they are growing, help them heal from the trauma, and help them understand that violence is never acceptable, then what happens is, the boys especially, are very likely to grow up and become the next generation of abusers.

“If we are ever going to stop domestic violence, we have to work with the kids,” Wheeliker said.

This year, Build a Kid To Cure and Golf a

Kid to Cure raised a total of $180,000, about $20,000 more than last year.

In addition to helping out CAWES, $90,000 from the activities went to Kids Cancer Care Foundation of Alberta.

“Everything we’ve done is for kids. That’s where our focus has always been and will remain,” said Dave Wild, chairperson of Red Deer’s Build and Golf a Kid to Cure fundraising organization.

“In 10 years, we’ve raised approximately $1.4 million.”

The sixth annual Build a Kid to Cure house was built by Laebon Homes in four and a half days in Timberstone in July.

The 10th annual Golf a Kid to Cure attracted 144 golfers on Aug. 24 at Alberta Springs Golf Resort. szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

C2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

LOCAL

BRIEFS Bail hearing in February Bail will be heard in early February for a Red Deer man accused of murder and of committing and indignity to human remains.

The body of Talia Meguinis, 29, was found in a recycling bin in Red Deer on Feb. 22.

Nathan Desharnais, 29, was arrested and charged

by Red Deer City RCMP on Sept. 13.

He has made numerous court appearances since then, represented by duty counsel while awaiting services of his lawyer, Arnold Piragoff, who had been off work for medical reasons.

Piragoff told court on Wednesday that he has discussed the charges with the Crown and would like some time to review the information before proceeding to a bail hearing and plea.

He and Desharnais are to return to Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench for a bail hearing on Feb. 8.

Transit, recreation hours to change The holiday season will bring temporary changes to operating hours of City of Red Deer transit service and recreation facilities.

The Collicutt Centre is open Dec. 24 from 5:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Christmas Day and open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Boxing Day. The G.H. Dawe Community Centre is open Dec. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., closed Christmas Day and open Boxing Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Recreation Centre and Michener Aquatic Centre will be closed Dec. 24 and Christmas and Boxing Days. The River Bend clubhouse is closed Christmas Day, but open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Boxing Day. Red Deer Transit’s schedule changes include on Dec. 24, the last departure from City Centre terminal is at 6:15 p.m. Last departure from Bower Mall for Route 12A is 5 p.m. Customer service and phone lines will be closed. On Christmas Day, there will be no transit service, no county Action Bus service and only limited pre-booked Action Bus service.

Boxing Day service will be on the Sunday/holiday schedule with the first City Centre Terminal departure at 8:45 a.m. and last at 6:45 p.m. There will be no Route 12/12A service, no county Action Bus service and only limited pre-booked Action Bus service.

On Dec. 31, regular weekday hours are in effect with the last City Centre Terminal departure at 11:15 p.m. There is no New Year’s Day service and regular weekday hours of operation resume on Jan. 2.

The disease was most recently eradicated in China, which brings the total of MNT-free countries to 161. However, UNICEF states that 31 nations still have not eliminated the disease. The World Health Organization estimates that 58,000 newborns die of it each year.

The local Kiwanis branch is planning fundraising to reach the goal. Organizer Keith Acheson said that right now the focus is on getting the message out to raise support. In particular, they are reaching out to city youth.

“We’re trying to get schools involved,” Gowans said. “We don’t want to end up doing it alone, we want to get the community as a whole involved.”

For more information, contact Keith Acheson at 403-346-6655 or by email at keith_acheson@shaw.ca.

Trash collection schedules changed The Christmas and New Year’s Day holidays will be throwing a wrench into some Red Deer garbage collection schedules.

Garbage will not be picked up on either of the two holidays, which this year happen to fall on Tuesdays.

Neighbourhoods with usual Tuesday garbage and recycling pickups will have to put our their bags and blue boxes on different days for the weeks of Dec. 24 to 28 and Dec. 31 to Jan. 4.

Wednesday pickups will be arranged for residents of Johnstone Park, Johnstone Crossing, Kentwood, and annexed areas north of Hwy 11A. Thursday pickups will be arranged for residents of the Pines, Clearview Ridge, Garden Heights, Timberlands, Timberstone, and annexed areas east of 30th Avenue. Friday pickups will be arranged for residents of Normandeau and Glendale.

Residents with usual Tuesday pickups who think they’ve been missed on those weeks are asked to keep their garbage bags and blue boxes out until Friday. If they haven’t been collected by the end of the week, they should call the city at 403-340-BLUE (2583).

“We thanks residents for their patience as our collection contractors endeavour to complete five days of work in just four,” said Dave Amendt, the City of Red Deer’s waste management inspector.

Other reminders are to put all refuse out before 7 a.m. for pickup. And please do not put Christmas wrap or Styrofoam into blue boxes as the city’s recycling program is unable to process these materials.

STORY FROM PAGE C1

STARS: Yearly calendar Since his diagnosis and treatment, Jackson said he has been coming along, although he still has to take medication and take his time with the recovery.

“You know you look good, you feel pretty good, but you just don’t have the energy and stamina you used to have,” said Jackson. “Doctors keep telling me it’s a curve, you don’t just go from the bottom to the top again.”

Jackson’s flight from the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre was one of 638 missions STARS has undertaken so far in 2012.

Every year STARS puts out a calendar with stories of patients who have needed the service. Jackson’s story is one featured on the 2013 calendar.

STARS 2013 calendars will be sold until February and can be purchased by contacting STARS at calendar@stars.ca or by phone at 1-877-778-8288. They cost $30 each and people will also receive a complimentary box of 20 STARS bandages. mcrawford@reddeeradvocate.com

Teacher accused of inappropriate relationship

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS CALGARY — A Calgary teacher has been charged with sexual assault for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old male student.

Police say the woman, in her 40s, was arrested Tuesday. She has been released on a promise to appear on charges of sexual interference with a child and sexual assault.

Officers began investigating after receiving information from a third party in early November.

The name of the accused and the school she taught at are not being released.

The woman is to appear in court Jan. 28.

Kiwanis battling tetanus

52371K28

The Kiwanis Club of Red Deer is aiming to raise $37,000 by 2015 to help combat maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) around the world. Kiwanis International hopes to raise $110 million from all local branches.

Kiwanis clubs across Canada have committed to raising $4.6 million. They have partnered with UNICEF, which provides the “feet on the ground” to administer vaccinations, said Paul Gowans, president of the Kiwanis Club of Red Deer.

The disease infects newborns and mothers in developing countries, usually because of birth in unsanitary conditions. UNICEF estimates the mortality rate for MNT is as high 60 per cent, even with hospital care, and up to 100 per cent without.

Season’s Greetings

To our valued customers & readers, we sincerely wish you and your families a Joyful Holiday Season.

May the New Year bring you peace, health and happiness.

The Production Staff 40849L20

Thank you for your patronage.

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

TAKE STOCK

S&P/ TSX TSX:V

▲

12,403.63 +69.29

▲

1,176.52 + 0.52 3,044.36 - 10.17

NASDAQ

▼

Dow Jones

▼ 13,251.97 - 98.99

ENERGY NYMEX Crude $ 89.98 US ▲ + $1.58 NYMEX Ngas $ 3.333 US ▲ +0.013

FINANCIAL Canadian dollar C 101.20 US ▼ ▼ - 0.25 Prime rate 3.00

C3

BUSINESS

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Harley Richards, Business Editor, 403-314-4337 E-mail editorial@reddeeradvocate.com

‘Very mediocre’ growth forecast 2013 FORECAST FOR CANADIAN ECONOMIC ONLY 1.7 PER CENT

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS CIBC is predicting “very mediocre” growth for Canada next year, citing a weak world economy and an absence of key economic drivers at home.

The bank (TSX:CM) said Wednesday it now expects economic growth of only 1.7 per cent in 2013 — down from its previous forecast of two per cent.

“Having earlier tapped fiscal stimulus and a housing boom to shelter the economy from sluggishness abroad, the country’s ability to set its own course is now much more limited,” Avery Shenfeld, the bank’s chief economist, said in a report.

“Escaping economic mediocrity will depend on the kindness of strangers, with exports and related capital spending critical

to Canada’s fate in 2013-14.”

CIBC bases its somewhat bleak assessment on significant headwinds that continue to buffet the global economy.

“It’s too early to get the full benefits of policy stimulus in Asia, Europe is too stubborn to soften its fiscal drag enough and amplify ECB bond purchases and Washington is too wedded to getting going on fiscal tightening stateside, if not the full fiscal cliff,” Shenfeld said.

While Chinese GDP could show improvement towards an eight per cent pace as early as the end of this year, it is not likely to have much of an impact on other economies as Chinese imports are currently showing no growth at all on a year-over-year basis, he added.

As a result, Shenfeld expects a delay before crude oil and other resources rebound

in price. “The absence of a helping hand from abroad will leave Canada exposed,” he said.

“Blaming temporary disruptions in energy production in Q3 for recent disappointments misses the point: GDP excluding resource extraction has also been decelerating (and) the loss of home building momentum will offset greater oil output.”

Meanwhile, he says high household debt and moderate growth in real incomes will limit domestic consumption while governments are being hit by leaner than expected coffers due to downward revisions to nominal GDP. Governments, he noted, will be introducing further spending restraints or tax hikes for fiscal 2013.

Please see GROWTH on Page C4

Bank of Canada rate 1.00 Gold $1,665.90US - 5.00 Silver $30.98US - 0.66

HOUSING

National index falls

▼ ▼

Donations preferred instead of gifts A new study suggests almost two-thirds of Canadian adults would rather see a donation to charity on their behalf rather than receive a gift this holiday season.

The poll for BMO Harris Private Banking also found that 78 per cent of respondents would consider making that charitable donation rather than giving a traditional gift.

The survey also found that nearly half of Canadians (45 per cent) volunteered their time in 2012. The bank does caution that people need to beware of fraudulent charities, notably solicitations made over the phone.

It advises you ask for the charity’s registered name, address and telephone number and double check with the Canada Revenue Agency to make sure it’s a legitimate outfit — and always ask for a tax receipt

Camaro work moving to U.S. General Motors is moving production of the next version of its Camaro sports car from its Oshawa operation in Ontario to a plant in Michigan, a move the union says will cost 1,000 jobs at the massive factory east of Toronto. The Canadian Auto Workers estimated the move, which could also affect parts companies, could cost as many as 9,000 jobs in the region after all the spinoff affects are included.

The decision, which will affect workers in late 2015 or early 2016, caught union president Ken Lewenza completely by surprise and left him feeling angry and betrayed.

“We are outraged by this decision,” he said. “This is about thousands of jobs in our community.”

Lewenza called on the company to replace the roughly 100,000 vehicles a year worth of production in an effort to protect the jobs at the plant once the Camaro moves.

— The Canadian Press

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

One-To-1 Fitness trainer Joshua Neufeld helps fellow trainer Devin Desrosiers with some dumbbell presses at the Red Deer gym on Wednesday. Personal trainers often receive gifts from their clients during the holiday season, while in the restaurant industry the appreciative gesture is usually monetary.

Tipping can be done in many ways during Christmas season

BY HARLEY RICHARDS ADVOCATE BUSINESS EDITOR Not all Christmas giving takes place under a tree. Some occurs in restaurants, hotels, gyms and taxis, and takes the form of fat tips or gifts to service providers.

“They do see some increase in (gratuities) in the holiday season,” said Red Deer Lodge general manager Kevin Ritchie of his staff.

Such displays of financial generosity are more likely to come from regular guests who have developed a relationship with the hotel employees serving them, he added.

Gil Vallee, general manager at the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel, has observed the same thing.

He said guests also offer gifts like chocolates to hotel staff.

Christmas giving at the Sheraton peaks on Dec. 25, when people seem particularly appreciative of those serving them, said Vallee.

“A lot of folks realize that they (staff) are giving up time with their families to come and serve them and their families.”

Restaurant workers also benefit from the Christmas cheer, said Dwayne Gauthier, an owner of the Cities Gastro Pubs in Red Deer and Sylvan Lake.

“People have a little extra money in their pocket,” he said, adding that they’re willing to share it with waiters and waitresses.

But, qualified Gauthier, even Christmas won’t save a sluggish server from the financial consequences of his or her inaction.

“I don’t think it matters what time of year it is, people are not going to feel justified in leaving a good tip.”

Gauthier said some regular customers choose Christmas as the time to reward a year of good service.

“A fellow will come in and leave a hundred dollar bill to give to all the girls that are work-

BMO Financial Group has compiled the following guide to holiday tipping, based on a survey of tipping guideline websites: ● Restaurant server — 20 to 25 per cent. ● Bartender — $1 per drink or 15 to 20 per cent of your bar bill before tax. ● Food Delivery — 15 to 20 per cent (for 10 or more people add five per cent). ● Hotel bellhop — $1 to $5 per bag. ● Hotel concierge — $5 for basic service and up to $25 for special or difficult requests. ● Hotel housekeeper — $1 to $5 per night, given at the end of your stay. ● Hotel room service — 20 per cent. ● Taxi and limo drivers — 20 per cent. ● Hairdresser/stylist — Cost of one haircut or a small gift. ● Aesthetician — Double your usual tip or a gift up to the value of one visit. ● Fitness instructors/personal trainer — A gift up to the value of one session. ● Regular babysitter — One evening’s pay and a small gift from your children. i ” David D id Murphy, M h owner off Albert’s Alb t’ Family F il ing.”

Restaurant & Lounge and managing partner of the Red Deer Tony Roma’s, agreed that regular customers often select Christmas as the time to show their gratitude.

That display may take the form of a small gift or a thank-you note.

“It’s not always money.”

Please see TIPS on Page C4

Canadian housing prices fell in November compared with October, according to the Teranet-National Bank index — only the fourth time in 13 years that there has been a decline between the two months.

The composite index covering 11 major urban centres stood at 154.02 last month, down 0.4 per cent from October, as 10 of 11 local markets tracked by the Teranet land registry system dropped.

The only market showing a higher reading last month was Calgary.

Although the index was up 3.4 per cent from November 2011, the rate of year-to-year increases has slowed in recent months.

It was the second month-tomonth decrease in a row for Toronto and Halifax, the third consecutive for Montreal and Ottawa, and the fourth for Quebec and Victoria.

The Canadian residential realestate has slowed in recent months, a move many observers have attributed to a change in mortgage rules that among other things have made it more difficult for first-time buyers.

Other factors that have played a role include high levels of personal debt, uncertainty about the strength of the Canadian economy, and the rapid increase in housing prices over the past few years in many cities.

The index uses prices in June 2005 as a base of 100, so that November’s national reading of 154 indicates prices are 54 per cent higher since then.

“In Montreal, 12-month inflation has decelerated in 11 of the last 12 months, in Toronto in each of the last seven months, in Winnipeg in each of the last two months, in Ottawa-Gatineau in eight of the last 10 months,” the Teranet-National Bank analysis says.

Five cities saw index rise more than the national composite compared with a year ago: Halifax (140.92, up 7.3 per cent from November 2011), Hamilton (139.75, 7.2 per cent), Toronto (147.33, 6.3 per cent), Calgary (162.61, 5.7 per cent) and Winnipeg (188.6, 5.2 per cent).

Only two cities showed declines compared with a year ago: Victoria (138.2, down 1.7 per cent) and Vancouver (167.51, down 1.4 per cent).

Four cities showed year-overyear price increases below the national mark: Montreal (148.45, up 2.8 per cent), Quebec (170.14, up 2.7 per cent), Ottawa (140.75, up 2.2 per cent), and Edmonton (166.28, up 1.6 per cent).

111-unit residential plan for Vanier Woods to break ground Work on the first phase of a 111-unit residential project in Vanier Woods is expected to begin early in the new year.

On Wednesday, Red Deer’s municipal planning commission approved the subdivision of an undeveloped parcel of land at 151 Vanier Dr. into three lots.

That sets the stage for Vanier Woods Development Corp. to begin work on six of the 12 townhouse units proposed for the western-most of the new lots.

A 39-unit, four-storey apartment building to the east will be next, followed by a 60-unit apartment building that will be

split between three and four floors, said Larry Horsman, who’s a partner in the project and its manager. The final six townhouses would then be completed.

Horsman expects work on the first townhouses to begin within the next few months. Construction of the apartment buildings will commence once 60 to 65 per cent of the units in each have been pre-sold, he added.

“If the demand is good and we sell the units, we’ll just keep building.”

The apartments will take about one year to build, said Horsman, with the townhouses

requiring approximately six months.

He expects the entire project to be completed in two to three years.

Abbey Master Builder, which is a partner in the project, will be responsible for construction, said Horsman.

Langara Properties Corp. is the asset manager.

The townhouses will each be two storeys and have a garage.

The apartments will feature underground parking.

“We think the townhouses will be sold to families, and we think the apartments will be sold to anybody but families,”

said Horsman.

He believes the Red Deer housing market is strong and Vanier Woods is a desirable neighbourhood.

“We’re very happy with the area. We think the sales will go pretty well there.”

The municipal planning commission issued development approval for the project a year ago. But the developer subsequently decided to subdivide the land to better allow for phased construction.

The commission also authorized front yard setback relaxations for two of the buildings on Wednesday.

C4 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Obama, Boehner trade barbs but leave room for more talks

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — Fiscal cliff talks at a partisan standoff, President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner swapped barbed political charges on Wednesday yet carefully left room for further negotiations on an elusive deal to head off year-end tax increases and spending cuts that threaten the national economy.

Republicans should “peel off the war paint” and take the deal he’s offering, Obama said sharply at the White House.

He buttressed his case by noting he had won re-election with a call for higher taxes on the wealthy, then added pointedly that the nation aches for conciliation, not a contest of ideologies, after last week’s mass murder at a Connecticut elementary school.

But he drew a quick retort from Boehner when the White House threatened to veto a fallback bill drafted by House Republicans that would prevent tax increases for all but milliondollar earners. The president will bear responsibility for “the largest tax increase in history” if he makes good on that threat, the Ohio Republican declared.

In fact, it’s unlikely the legislation will get that far as divided government careens into the final few days of a struggle that affects the pocketbooks of millions and blends lasting policy differences with deep political mistrust.

Boehner expressed confidence the Republicans’ narrow so-called Plan B bill would clear the House on Thursday despite opposition from some conservative, anti-tax dissidents, but a cold reception awaits in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

As for a broader agreement, officials said there had been little if any progress toward closing the gap between the two sides in the past two days, even though aides to the president and Boehner have remained in contact.

On paper, the two sides are relatively close to an agreement on major issues, each having offered concessions in an intensive round of talks that began late last week.

But political considerations are substantial, particularly for Republicans.

After two decades of resolutely op-

STORIES FROM PAGE C1

TIPS: Business picks up at Christmas Carla Gilchrist, a partner in and general manager of State & Main restaurant in Red Deer, also thinks customers are more giving during the holiday season. But staff also earn more in tips because business picks up, she said.

Murphy thinks the socializing that takes place at Christmastime contributes to this spike in business, with many newcomers showing up at his restaurants.

“You’re getting a different crowd than you get throughout the year.”

Gauthier added that business celebrations bring more people out to restaurants. When the employer picks up the tab, a larger tip often results.

Many of the people marking the Christmas season in hotels and restaurants need transportation home. And that generates business for companies like Associated Cab. Melissa Young, Associated’s office manager, said her drivers see a lot of people during the Christmas season that don’t normally take taxis. Those caught up in the Christmas spirit — and liquid spirits — often reward their drivers with a generous tip.

Passengers will also tip heavily when their ride was paid for by their employer, said Young.

“If they throw in $10, it’s kind of what they would have had to pay for the cab ride anyway.”

In the fitness industry, Christmas giving tends more toward presents than cash said Cabel McElderry and Jack Wheeler, owners of One-To-1 Fitness and 360 Fitness respectively.

They attribute this to the fact the relationship between trainer and client is very personal.

“What’s kind of ironic is what we most often receive are gifts of Christ-

MARKETS COMPANIES

FISCAL CLIFF posing any tax increases, Boehner is seeking votes from fellow Republicans for legislation that tacitly lets rates rise on million-dollar income tax filers.

The measure would raise revenue by slightly more than $300 billion over a decade than if all of the Bush-era tax cuts remained in effect.

But Boehner’s office trumpeted another figure — an estimate that claimed it would amount to a tax cut of nearly $4 trillion compared with what would happen if all those tax cuts were to expire as scheduled with the turn of the year.

Similarly, despite vehement protests that the looming across-the-board spending cuts would seriously affect the Pentagon, the leadership’s fallback bill does nothing to blunt or eliminate the reductions scheduled to begin on Jan. 1 Boehner won a letter of cramped support from anti-tax activist Grover Norquist during the day. Norquist’s organization, Americans For Tax Reform, issued a statement saying it will not consider a vote for the bill a violation of a no-tax-increase pledge that many Republicans have signed.

But another conservative group came to an opposing conclusion. “Allowing a tax increase to hit a certain segment of Americans and small businesses is not a solution; it is a political ploy,” said the Heritage Foundation said in a statement.

As for the scheduled defence cuts, Rep. C.W. (Bill) Young of Florida, who heads the House panel with jurisdiction over the Pentagon’s budget, said he is undecided how to vote on the legislation.

“This is not a game. This is real because so much of the sequester (spending cuts) would be defence — half of it,” he said. “I just don’t think it’s workable.”

Rep. Tom Rooney of Florida, a member of the Armed Services Committee, said he will vote for the legislation even if it leaves the defence cuts in place. He said if he didn’t vote for a bill that prevents a tax increase for 99 per cent of people “I’m not doing my job.” mas goodies,” said McElderry.

But, he added, that’s OK because the tradition promotes emotional and spiritual health, which are also important.

Wheeler said trainers also receive healthy treats — like fruit trays — as well as flowers, gift cards and wrapped presents.

“We really appreciate it,” he said.

“It’s a good industry to be in around Christmas, I guess.” hrichards@reddeeradvocate.com

GROWTH: Upswing forecast for 2014 However, Shenfeld does expect things to pick up in 2014, with economic growth in Canada hitting 2.5 per cent, led by recovery south of the border and a strengthening Chinese economy.

“With its household sector healing, the U.S. should be positioned to lead the way towards a better year come 2014 if, as we expect, new fiscal tightening measures do not hit as deeply that year.”

Shenfeld said that as U.S. housing recovery gathers steam it will drive related consumer spending in addition to actual home-building jobs.

He also expects that by 2014, China will be feeling the full benefit of its own policy easing and the improvement in U.S.-bound exports.

“Even Europe, if it finally recognizes the need for both a softer hand in fiscal tightening and a more aggressive central bank, might at least register positive growth at that point,” he said.

On a related issue, Shenfeld believes interest rates will hold steady in Canada through 2013 but that Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney’s successor will nudge rates up 50 to 75 basis points in 2014. Carney is leaving Canada’s central bank to become the next governor of the Bank of England in July.

OF LOCAL INTEREST Wednesday’s stock prices supplied by RBC Dominion Securities of Red Deer. For information call 341-8883.

Diversified and Industrials Agrium Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 98.47 ATCO Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . 79.97 BCE Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.75 Bombardier . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.57 Brookfield . . . . . . . . . . . . 36.21 Cdn. National Railway . . 90.42 Cdn. Pacific Railway. . . . 99.75 Cdn. Satellite . . . . . . . . . . 6.00 Cdn. Utilities . . . . . . . . . . 70.84 Capital Power Corp . . . . 22.51 Cervus Equipment Corp 18.15 Dow Chemical . . . . . . . . 32.43 Enbridge Inc. . . . . . . . . . 42.55 Finning Intl. Inc. . . . . . . . 24.50 Fortis Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.16 General Motors Co. . . . . 27.18 Parkland Fuel Corp. . . . . 18.60 Research in Motion. . . . . 13.49 SNC Lavalin Group. . . . . 40.26 Stantec Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 39.35 Telus Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . 65.40 Transalta Corp.. . . . . . . . 14.79 Transcanada. . . . . . . . . . 46.79 Consumer Brick . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.34 Canadian Tire . . . . . . . . . 69.06 Gamehost . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.60 Loblaw Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . 40.77 Maple Leaf Foods. . . . . . 11.87 Rona Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10.72

Shoppers . . . . . . . . . . . . 42.45 Tim Hortons . . . . . . . . . . 48.58 Wal-Mart . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68.52 WestJet Airlines . . . . . . . 20.11 Mining Barrick Gold . . . . . . . . . . 33.45 Cameco Corp. . . . . . . . . 20.51 First Quantum Minerals . 21.55 Goldcorp Inc. . . . . . . . . . 35.94 Hudbay Minerals. . . . . . . 10.15 Inmet Corp.. . . . . . . . . . . 73.59 Kinross Gold Corp. . . . . . . 9.35 Potash Corp.. . . . . . . . . . 40.05 Sherritt Intl. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.75 Teck Resources . . . . . . . 35.99 Energy Arc Energy . . . . . . . . . . . 23.70 Badger Daylighting Ltd. . 30.65 Baker Hughes. . . . . . . . . 41.12 Bonavista . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.37 Bonterra Energy . . . . . . . 44.49 Cdn. Nat. Res. . . . . . . . . 28.42 Cdn. Oil Sands Ltd. . . . . 20.10 Canyon Services Group. 10.94 Cenovous Energy Inc. . . 33.35 CWC Well Services . . . . 0.680 Encana Corp. . . . . . . . . . 20.02 Essential Energy. . . . . . . . 2.15 Exxon Mobil . . . . . . . . . . 88.44 Halliburton Co. . . . . . . . . 34.61 High Arctic . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.15

Husky Energy . . . . . . . . . 29.13 Imperial Oil . . . . . . . . . . . 42.89 IROC Services . . . . . . . . . 2.29 Nexen Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . 26.39 Pengrowth Energy . . . . . . 5.06 Penn West Energy . . . . . 11.54 Pinecrest Energy Inc. . . . . 1.53 Precision Drilling Corp . . . 8.36 Suncor Energy . . . . . . . . 32.69 Talisman Energy . . . . . . . 11.25 Trican Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . 12.95 Trinidad Energy . . . . . . . . 7.27 Vermilion Energy . . . . . . 51.71

Shares of Uranium One (TSX:UUU) gained seven per cent, or 15 cents per share, to close at $2.26.

Activity in the uranium industry was in focus as Cameco Corp.

(TSX:CCO) completed a US$430million deal to buy one of Australia’s largest undeveloped uranium deposits from BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE:BHP).

Cameco shares rose 51 cents to $20.51.

General Motors will spend $5.5 billion to buy back 200 million shares of its stock from the U.S. Treasury by the end of this year.

The Treasury plans to sell its remaining stake in GM over the next 15 months, allowing the automaker to shed the stigma of being partly owned by the American government.

Shares of GM were up eight per cent to $27.62 in New York.

GM also announced it is moving production of the next version of its Camaro sports car from its Oshawa operation in Ontario to a plant in Michigan to save costs.

cent Euro — US$1.3239, up 0.18 of a cent Oil futures: US$89.98 per barrel, up $1.58 (February contract) Gold futures: US$1,667.70 per oz., down $3 (February contract) Canadian Fine Silver Handy and Harman: $32.196 oz., down 29.4 cents $1,035.10 kg, down $9.45

Financials Bank of Montreal . . . . . . 60.93 Bank of N.S. . . . . . . . . . . 57.97 CIBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82.26 Cdn. Western . . . . . . . . . 28.46 Carefusion . . . . . . . . . . . 28.48 Great West Life. . . . . . . . 24.27 IGM Financial . . . . . . . . . 42.01 Intact Financial Corp. . . . 64.60 Manulife Corp. . . . . . . . . 13.60 National Bank . . . . . . . . . 77.85 Rifco Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.15 Royal Bank . . . . . . . . . . . 60.53 Sun Life Fin. Inc.. . . . . . . 26.53 TD Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83.10

D I L B E R T

MARKETS CLOSE TORONTO — The Toronto stock market moved higher on Wednesday driven by strength in the mining and metals sector, while Wall Street lost ground after plans to avert the “fiscal cliff” hit a snag in Washington.

The S&P/TSX composite index rose 69.29 points to 12,403.63, as key commodities prices were mixed.

The TSX Venture Exchange gained 0.52 of a point to 1,176.52.

The Canadian dollar was down 0.25 of a cent to 101.20 cents US. The TSX metals and mining sector gained 2.8 per cent, with Sherritt International (TSX:S) rising 6.5 per cent to $5.75 and Teck Resources (TSX:TCK.B) lifting 49 cents to $35.99.

Energy stocks rose 0.4 per cent as the February crude contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange rose $1.58 to US$89.98 a barrel. The January contract expired at the end of the session.

March copper declined 4.8 cents to US$3.61 a pound while February gold bullion moved back $3 to US$1,667.70 an ounce.

Traders south of the border showed they’re losing patience with budget negotiations between President Barack Obama and Republican leaders that appear to be making little headway.

The White House threatened to veto House Speaker John Boehner’s backup plan to avoid automatic tax increases and government spending cuts that are set to take effect Jan. 1 if no deal is reached on cutting the government’s budget deficit.

Boehner had proposed a “Plan B,” separate from negotiations with the White House, that would extend decade-old tax cuts for everyone making less than $1 million a year.

The Dow Jones industrials lost 98.99 points to 13,251.97, giving back most of the gains made in the previous session. The Nasdaq fell 10.17 points to 3,044.36 while the S&P 500 index was off 10.98 points at 1,435.81.

The U.S. Commerce Department said that builders broke ground on fewer houses in November, likely in part due to superstorm Sandy in the U.S. Northeast. he report says builders began construction of homes at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 861,000.

That’s three per cent lower than October’s annual rate of 888,000, which was the fastest since July 2008.

Meanwhile, the Teranet-National Bank Canadian housing price index fell in November from a month earlier. The composite index covering 11 major urban centres stood at 154.02 last month, down 0.4 per cent from October.

And Canadian bank CIBC is forecasting “very mediocre” domestic growth next year, blaming weakness in the world economy and an absence of key economic drivers at home.

CIBC says it now expects economic growth of only 1.7 per cent in 2013, down from its previous estimate of two per cent.

MARKET HIGHLIGHTS Highlights at close Wednesday: Stocks: S&P/TSX Composite Index — 12,403.63 up 69.29 points TSX Venture Exchange — 1,176.52 up 0.52 of a point TSX 60 — 712.14 up 4.62 points Dow — 13,251.97 down 98.99 points S&P 500 — 1,435.81 down 10.98 points Nasdaq — 3,044.36 down 10.17 points Currencies at close: Cdn — 101.20 cents US, down 0.25 of a cent Pound — C$1.6055, up 0.39 of a cent Euro — C$1.3081, up 0.49 of a

TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE TORONTO — The TSX Venture Exchange closed on Wednesday at 1,176.52 up 0.52 of a point. The volume at 4:20 p.m. ET was 193.3 million shares.

ICE FUTURES CANADA WINNIPEG — Closing prices: Canola: Jan ’13 $6.70 lower $578.80; March ’13 $7.00 lower $575.30; May ’13 $8.10 lower $572.10; July ’13 $8.10 lower $569.10; Nov. ’13 $7.60 lower $522.30; Jan. ’14 $7.60 lower $524.80; March ’14 $7.60 lower $525.10; May ’14 $7.60 lower $523.00; July ’14 $7.60 lower $520.10; Nov. ’14 $7.60 lower $522.10; Jan ’15 $7.60 lower $522.10.

Barley (Western): March ’13 unchanged $248.00; May ’13 unchanged $249.00; July ’13 unchanged $249.50; Oct. ’13 unchanged $249.50; Dec ’13 unchanged $249.50; March ’14 unchanged $249.50; May ’14 unchanged $249.50; July ’14 unchanged $249.50; Oct. ’14 unchanged $249.50; Dec. ’14 unchanged $249.50;March ’15 unchanged $249.50.

Wednesday’s estimated volume of trade: 286,060 tonnes of canola; 0 tonnes of barley (Western Barley) Total: 286,060.

NEW NEW NEW SAVE ON PAYDAY LOAN

Each $100 borrowed will cost only 10 dollars

BORROW UP TO $1500

For $300 dollar loan for 14 days total cost of borrowing is $30 dollars. Annual percentage rate is (APR)=260.71%.

Limited time offer.

Downtown Co-op Plaza, Red Deer 403-342-6700

MONEYMAX 42169L11

Newspapers in Education

Low rates needed until late 2013: IMF

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — The International Monetary Fund is telling the Bank of Canada to hold off on interest rate hikes until the economy improves, and not to discount the need for cutting should a shock occur.

The IMF’s latest report on Canada, issued Wednesday, paints a picture of an economy that is doing reasonably well in the face of global headwinds,

but also one that is vulnerable to external shocks.

It notes the recovery’s cruising speed has slowed this year and will likely underperform next year to slightly below two per cent.

The report’s good news is that it expects the pace to pick up to slightly above potential in the second half of 2013 and to continue in 2014 with an advance of about 2.25 per cent.

SAVE-ON-FOODS NORTH is proud to support the Advocate “Newspapers in Education” program by providing newspapers for classroom use at NORMANDEAU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Are You in Need of Professional Property Management?

41167L20

(403) 346-6970 www.thepropertyshop.ca

Helping students gain skills for tomorrow.

53960L4-28

Condominium, Commercial and Residential Management Solutions.

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 C5

Some dog-gone great holiday treats ALMOST ANY HEALTHY HUMAN DINNER WILL MAKE A HEALTHY DOG DINNER, ESPECIALLY DURING HOLIDAYS

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

New York pet columnist for the magazine Everyday with Rachael Ray, Sarah Zorn and her dog Rowdy, pose for photos with her gingerbread holiday dog biscuits, in her home in Brooklyn, N.Y. The holidays might be the easiest time of the year to cook for dogs because human menus can be so easily adapted to their needs, said Zorn.

That doesn’t mean you can’t put anything in the dog’s meal. “There are actually a lot of herbs that are good for dogs. Parsley is good for them — it’s a natural breath freshener. Ginger is good for digestion and turmeric is good.

It’s hard to make biscuits without flour, Zorn said. “But try to use whole wheat, barley, rice, flax or amaranth because they should really have a lowgluten diet.�

For side dishes, make the green beans with chicken stock or sauteed mushroom soup. Before you candy the sweet potatoes, take one out for the dog and steam it with a little cinnamon and ginger.

White potatoes are OK, too, although not as healthy as sweet potatoes. A little cranberry sauce is good for a dog.

Instead of gravy, use turkey juice or stock, Zorn said.

For dessert, Zorn recommends gingerbread biscuits. Dogs also love peanut butter cookies with yogurt frosting, she said.

Zorn tries out many of her creations on her own dog Rowdy, a hound mix. “He is the first rung of the testing process. He’s my child to be sure — obsessed with food. If this dog doesn’t eat it, the recipe needs to be scrapped,� she said.

All of the dog’s food can go in one bowl, Zorn said. Every other day of the year, Rowdy gets 1 ½ cups of food twice a day, so he’ll get the same on Christmas Day. “We are talking about making this special, but he’s not going to gain 10 pounds.â€?

CADILLAC SHIELD OWNER BENEFITS

4-YEARS/80,000 KM NO-CHARGE SCHEDULED MAINTENANCEâ€

t ZFBST LN 1PXFSUSBJO 8BSSBOUZ+ BOE 3PBETJEF "TTJTUBODF t ZFBS 0O4UBSÂŽ %JSFDUJPOT $POOFDUJPOT 1MBO~

^^

(. &.1-0:&& 13*$*/(

ON SELECT 2013 MODELS

2013 SRX

2013 CTS SEDAN

$

ONLY UNTIL DEC 30TH

S R X LU X U R Y C O L L E C T I O N S H O W N

C T S S P O R T S E D A N LU X U R Y M O D E L S H O W N

MSRP

Zorn drew up a quick nice-naughty dog food list.

Bad: Chocolate, coffee, alcohol, raisins and grapes, onions and garlic, milk, avocado, macadamia nuts and yeast. Cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can cause gas but are OK in small doses.

Tomatoes, eggplant and peppers aren’t dangerous but add nothing positive to a dog’s diet.

Good: Lean meats, fish, tuna, olive oil, eggs, egg shells, yogurt, carrots, green beans, peas, sweet potatoes and pumpkin. Finally, Zorn said Santa’s reindeer would probably turn up their noses at Santa’s cookies and milk.

But they would welcome a bowl of berries, acorns, a carrot, a little hay or alfalfa pellets, along with a bowl of water.

G M E M P LO Y E E P R I C E

^^

46,825 $ 39,323 O F F E R I N C LU D E S F R E I G H T & P D I

MSRP

$

G M E M P LO Y E E P R I C E ^^

42,320 $ 37,667 O F F E R I N C LU D E S F R E I G H T & P D I

ALBERTACADILLAC.COM

30655L20

LOS ANGELES — The most prized holiday guests are those that eat with gusto, express their appreciation and lick their plates clean.

So what if some of them eat off the floor, get a little sloppy and never help with the dishes?

At Nancy Guberti’s house, Flower, a 6-year-old black-and-white shih tzu, will eat the same organic turkey and spinach as Guberti’s own sons. “She’s part of the family and she’s such a good dog,� Guberti said. “We treat her with the utmost respect, like you’d want to be treated.�

Guberti, a certified nutritionist in New York City, makes a special dinner for the whole family to share five times a year — Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, Thanksgiving and Flower’s June 10 birthday.

Plenty of people cook for their dogs year-round, but the holidays might be the easiest time because human menus can be so easily adapted to their needs, said Sarah Zorn, a New York pet columnist for the magazine Everyday with Rachael Ray. She also creates and tests most of the pet recipes the magazine runs. “Do unto your dog as you are doing to yourself,� she said. Ingredients that are good for humans are very often good for dogs too, she said.

Dogs have millions of taste buds, said Dr. Katy Nelson. But the veterinarian said those taste buds are not really well defined — and neither is the dog’s sense of smell. “My dog thinks the garbage can smells good, so it’s all subjective,�

Zorn said.

Nelson, who hosts The Pet Show on Saturdays on News Channel 8 in Washington, D.C., had guests who made turkey cakes she plans to make for Papi, her 70-pound Labradoodle, on Christmas morning.

They look like crabcakes, with brown rice, vegetables and shredded turkey. You mix that with an egg, make patties and sear them in a pan,“ she said.

How would you fix a traditional holiday dinner of appetizers, turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, biscuits and dessert to serve dogs and humans? No matter how spicy the human food is, the dog’s has to be bland and low-fat. “Before dinner, they can graze like everybody else, have a couple of carrot sticks and cheese cubes,� Zorn said.

When it comes to preparing the turkey, go saltless, she said. Eliminate onions and garlic, white flour, refined sugars and processed foods.

NOW AT YOUR ALBERTA CADILLAC DEALERS. AlbertaCadillac.com 1-888-446-2000. Cadillac is a brand of General Motors of Canada. */††Offer applies to new or demonstrator 2013 MY Cadillac vehicles at participating dealers in Canada. Dealer order or trade may be required.

Offer available to retail customers only. Freight included ($1,595). This offer may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives available on GM vehicles. GMCL may modify, extend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. Conditions and limitations apply. See your GM dealer for details. †Warranty based on 4-yearsor 80,000km, whichever comes ďŹ rst. See dealer for conditions and details. ~OnStarÂŽ services require vehicle electrical system (including battery); wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly. OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Subscription Service Agreement required. Call 1-888-4ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or visit onstar.ca for OnStar’s Terms and Conditions, Privacy Statement and details and system limitations. Additional information can be found in the OnStar Owner’s Guide. +Whichever comes ďŹ rst, excludes medium-duty truck. See Dealer for limited warranty details. ^^ Offer available to retail customers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Territories between December 17th, 2012 and December 30th, 2012. Applies to new 2012 Chevrolet Sonic and Cruze and 2013 GM vehicles excluding 2013 Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, Volt, Spark, Orlando, Express, Traverse, and Trax, GMC Savana and Acadia, Buick Enclave and Encore, and Cadillac ATS and XTS at participating dealers in Canada. Employee price includes freight and PDI but excludes license, insurance, registration, fees associated with ďŹ ling at movable property registry/PPSA fees, duties, marketing fees and taxes. Dealer may sell for less. Limited quantities of 2012 models available. Dealer order or trade may be required. Offer may not be combined with certain other consumer incentives. GMCL may modify, extend or terminate this offer, in whole or in part, at any time without notice. See dealer for details.

Call Kipp Scott Buick GMC Cadillac at 403-343-6633, or visit us at 6841 50 Avenue, Red Deer.

C6 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE

HI & LOIS

PEANUTS

BLONDIE

HAGAR

BETTY

PICKLES

GARFIELD

LUANN

1991 — the NHL governors grant permanent membership to the new Ottawa Senators and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The original Senators went out of business in 1932, due to the Depression.

1982 — Wayne Gretzky wins Canada’s Male Athlete of the Year Award to become first person to win three consecutive awards.

1974 — Parliament increases the number of seats in the House of Commons from 264 to 282. The change takes effect in the next federal election.

1972 — Ottawa bans whaling on the Canadian East Coast, because of declining numbers.

1886 — An all-Canadian telegraph system opens for regular traffic. The first official message was sent from New Westminster, B.C., to Canso, N.S., in three minutes, and then relayed to England by submarine cable.

ARGYLE SWEATER

RUBES

TODAY IN HISTORY Dec. 20

TUNDRA

SUDOKU Complete the grid so that every row, every column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 through 9.

SHERMAN‛S LAGOON

Solution

»

C7

SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Fax 403-341-6560 editorial@reddeeradvocate.com

Rudd pulls in next Anchor ‘THIS IS 40’ STAR PAUL RUDD NEEDS DOSE OF COMEDY AFTER DRAMATIC BROADWAY ROLE

BY SANDY COHEN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LOS ANGELES — Paul Rudd has been killing himself every night.

The actor best known for comedies such as Knocked Up and Forgetting Sarah Marshall has been performing a decidedly darker role on Broadway recently, as a devout man whose loss of faith makes him suicidal in Grace.

“The guy just plunges off the deep end in a really kind of emotionally raw and draining way,” Rudd says during a turnaround trip to Los Angeles to promote his latest film, Judd Apatow’s This Is 40.

The actor was back onstage in New York the night after the interview.

He plays against his loveable-goodguy type in both projects.

In Grace, he starts out confident, then unravels.

In This Is 40, he’s having a full-on mid-life crisis, dreaming of living a different life while his business struggles and his marriage falters.

Rudd stars with Apatow’s real-life wife, Leslie Mann, and the couple’s two daughters, Maude and Iris, in the comedy in theatres Friday.

Next up is Anchorman 2, and Rudd says, “I could not be more excited about it.”

He’s ready for a dose of goofy comedy after taking on such a dark stage role, because every character he plays gets under his skin a little.

“It just affects my mood, it affects my outlook in ways that I might not even be aware of,” he said.

He recalled his role as an unflappable optimist in 2011’s Our Idiot Brother.

“The character was this guy who just saw the good in everybody and in everything, and I was just in a great mood making that movie,” Rudd said.

“I just loved playing that part because I kept thinking, I wish I was kind of like this in real life.

“And it’s not like when I finished shooting that day and I go back home I was acting like the character or thinking like the character, but there was something that just kind of seeped in.”

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Paul Rudd, a cast member in the film ‘This is 40,’ poses for a portrait at The Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

In ‘This Is 40’, Rudd’s character is having a full-on mid-life crisis, dreaming of living a different life while his business struggles and his marriage falters. Rudd stars with Apatow’s real-life wife, Leslie Mann, and the couple’s two daughters, Maude and Iris, in the comedy in theaters Friday.

Rudd finds he even dresses like his characters when he’s not playing them.

“I got kind of hippy-dippy after that movie for a little while,” he said.

“Or I wore a lot of gingham shirts and V-neck sweaters after I Love You Man ... and I wasn’t ready to shave

my moustache after Anchorman right away.”

The 43-year-old is eager to get into the Anchorman sequel, with writer-star Will Ferrell’s conceited newsman Ron Burgundy, after the Broadway run of “Grace” ends next month.

“I’d be excited about it anyway”

Rudd said.

“But it’s going to be a nice change of pace from blowing my brains out in this play every night.”

Online: http://www.thisis40movie.com/ http://www.graceonbroadway.com/

Drummer takes to radio waves How did you propose... ...or how were you proposed to?

THE BLACK KEYS DRUMMER PATRICK CARNEY TO HOST SHOW; DUO TO START NEW RECORD NEXT MONTH

File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Drummer Patrick Carney of The Black Keys will host “Serious Boredom,” a new monthly radio show on the SiriusXMU channel starting today. radio show. Maybe that will be my next venture.”

Before he expands his

SSaailo Sailor ilor il or JJerry errry er y SSp Spiced pic iced ed R Rum um m 11.14 ..114 L

36 36

$

99 99

Bombay Gin 1.14L

34

$

99

Deadline for submissions is Monday, January 7 The lucky winner will receive a special prize package as well as a gift basket and two tickets to the “With This Ring Bridal Show” on Sunday, February 3.

The Advocate thanks everyone for participating Please send or drop off submissions to: Bridal Proposals Red Deer Advocate Attention: Special Section 2950 Bremner Avenue Red Deer, AB T4N 5G3 Email:specialsections@reddeeradvocate.com

Bacardi White Rum 1.14L

2999

$

(Bonus 50 ml.)

Royal Reserve Rye 1.14L

2999

$

Polar Ice Vodka 1.14L

2999

$

(Bonus 50 ml.)

(Bonus 50 ml.)

(Bonus 50 ml.)

Ménage a Trois Red Wine 750 ml.

1299

$

* Limit of 2 sale items per customer.

Please enjoy responsibly.

Must be 18+

Northeast Corner of 32nd St. and Taylor Drive | Open until 1:00 am Friday & Saturday 403-347-8877

53672L20,24

NASHVILLE — Have you ever wanted to sit down and have a long conversation about music with The Black Keys?

Well, that’s probably not going to happen. But SiriusXM is offering a glimpse into the duo’s world as Patrick Carney debuts a new radio show.

The drummer of the Grammy Award winners will host “Serious Boredom,” a new free-form monthly show on the satellite radio provider’s SiriusXMU channel.

“They asked me if I was interested in doing the show,” Carney said in a phone interview.

“It never really crossed my mind, but I decided I wanted to do it, to give it a shot. I don’t have any format. I can play whatever I want. Being able to play stuff that’s interesting to Dan (Auerbach) and I and stuff I’m into at the moment. I think it’s a cool opportunity.”

Carney kicks off the show at 6 p.m. today with music he was into in high school, a mix of standard indie rock leavened with Captain Beefheart.

Carney hopes to have a theme for each show, airing at 8 on the first Thursday of each month beginning in January, that revolves around a label or a city.

The 32-year-old Nashville resident wants to emulate the adventurousness of the college radio format without the long-windedness of its DJs. “I just try to talk as little as possible. That’s all.

That’s the bottom line,” Carney said. “... I was just always so annoyed by the fact they could have played something cool. So, yeah, I try not to talk. If they want to hear that maybe they’d just listen to like Rush Limbaugh or something.

Maybe there needs to be a Rush Limbaughconservative indie rock

41272L10

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Advocate would like to publish your story in our 2013 Wedding Guide. Please keep your story to a maximum of 500 words. If you have any photos of that special moment, we encourage you to include them with your story.

radio duties, though, the Keys have plenty to do in the coming months. Carney and singer-guitarist Auerbach will go into the studio next month to continue work on their next album. Carney says they’ll be joined toward the end of their recording sessions by producer Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton, who has teamed with the duo on their biggest hits.

And they plan to attend the Grammy Awards on Feb. 10. The group is up for five Grammys, including album of the year for El Camino. Auerbach also is up for producer of the year.

“We got a couple of nominations in 2010 and that was a big shock to be recognized by them and this year was even more surreal,” Carney said.

C8

LIFESTYLE

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Family concerned over 50-year-old ‘mentoring’ 20-year-old cousin Dear Annie: My 50-something male you and behave as Buster did. Please cousin has brought a 20-something fe- take a little time to mourn the original male cousin to live with him. He calls Buster before you make any decisions it “mentoring.” The poor girl is learn- about a new dog. ing disabled.

Dear Annie: You printed a lot of reThey are the only two people living sponses to “Looking for a Relationship, in the house, and the arrangement has Too,” who asked where to meet men. caused concern for his parents and What a waste of time to read all of children. Is this normal? those suggestions.

What’s your take on the If you are serious about situation? — Just Wonderfinding someone, the Internet ing is the best place to look. Just Dear Just: We don’t find a reliable dating service know what kind of learnonline. ing disability would reBe sure to have a pleasant quire that a 20-year-old picture of yourself, and if you live with her older cousin can’t figure out how to get on-- or anyone. line, ask any 6th grader to do If you mean that the it for you. girl is mentally disabled, Don’t be too picky about then someone needs to your preferences, and then go check on the situation out and have fun meeting all MITCHELL and intervene should the sorts of people. & SUGAR older cousin be taking adBrief first-time meetings vantage of her. for coffee in a public place Because the girl is over are best, so neither has to 18, it may require legal instay long or incur expensive tervention. meals.

If, however, the 20-year-old is perQuit wasting your valuable time fectly capable of managing her own looking in all the wrong places. — Conlife and chooses to live with this cous- tent in California on Match.com in, there’s not much you can do. We Dear Content: The Internet is one hope her family is keeping an eye on way to meet people, but it isn’t the only things. way (or necessarily the best way), and Dear Annie: We recently lost our it is only a preliminary step. Here’s andear pet dog, “Buster,” and are consid- other take on the subject: ering getting another dog.

Dear Annie: The various suggesI want to find one who is the same tions for where to go to meet someone breed and color, call him “Buster” and all sound extremely dangerous to me. go on as if his predecessor had not Whatever happened to single people died, but rather had a stroke and need- letting their married friends know they ed to be retrained. would like to meet someone?

My wife thinks I’m crazy. What do I would never take seriously a poyou think? — RH tential date who didn’t come “preDear RH: We don’t think you’re cra- screened” for suitability and safety. zy, but you do seem to be in denial.

As a single woman, I cannot imagine You should properly grieve for getting into the car of a man I had met Buster. Pretending another dog is still on a hike, in a class or even at church. the same one after a stroke doesn’t do I’ve been at the same church for justice to your feelings. more than 30 years, and I know plenty It also doesn’t allow you to love your of single men and women there. new dog for his own sake.

Believe me, I wouldn’t introduce Even with “retraining,” you will any one of them to a friend as a potencontinue to expect him to respond to tial mate. — Cautious in Los Angeles

WINTER WATCHER

ANNIE ANNIE

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please email your questions to anniesmailbox@

comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

your plans and deal with the current events.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): You are feeling more rebellious than usual. You want to unleash your inner daredevil. Disruptions in your love relationships are possible today. Things seem to be on and off again, yet, sparks will fly high.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): If you find yourself feeling a bit estranged from your own home or cut off from your family ties, it is completely habitual on this kind of day. You are seeking to find more personal freedom or more air to breath within your own space.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You sur-

prise yourself and others with your original and clever ideas. You want to be seen as different and at the same time you want to connect with others on your viewpoints. Luckily, you manage to succeed in both situations.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): You know you will feel much better being financially independent, or simply, releasing from a codependent situation which doesn’t appeal to you at all at this point. You want to renew your belongings.

Astro Doyna — Internationally Syndicated Astrologer/Columnist.

SUN SIGNS

th

40

You deserve to smile!

Call us today

403-343-7266 THE DENTURE & IMPLANT CENTRE INC. #100, 4918 - 46 Street, Red Deer

Formerly Located In Bower Mall & Village Mall, Red Deer WWW.THEDENTURECENTRE.CA

Congratulations to all our

Christmas celebration Carol Music Box ALS O ADD SAVE A $ ITIONA N L ON YEA A ONE R OF C SUPPL Y ON LEN TACT SES

40.0

WINNERS

Shirley Renzel – Eyewear Liquidators Crystal Blood – Cosmos Bottle Depot Linda Wolfe – Sisson Furs Jamie Lee Hughes – Cash Casino Elaine Wade – Dots Ladies Wear

*See in store for details on all promotions

Parkland Mall 403-346-5568

1-800-813-0702

Main Street, Stettler

403-742-4504

Hearing Aids • Eyewear • Contact Lenses

Victorianna Bullecer – Beltone The Hearing Centre Ryder Sebastien – Dairy Queen Kristine Anholt – Shopper’s Home Health Care Sandra Brak – Consumer’s Optical Dianna Sourveny – Lomsnes Veterinary Hospital

AND THANK YOU TO ALL PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

41287L20

0

53462L4-28

50% off Frame Sale

From the

Denture & Implant Centre

53382L28

ers is comforting. Avoid financial risks.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Interesting, eye-opening experiences will occur today in relation to a collective or a circle of acquainThursday, December 20 tances. You seem to be sharing ideas and CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DATE: thoughts that are in tune with your own perJoanna “JoJo” Levesque, 22; Jonah Hill, 29; sonal goals. Go for it!

Peter Criss, 67 CANCER (June 21-July 22): THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Your status will experience an The Moon in Aries makes us unpredictable journey. It is posmore brave and warrior-like. sible that you will either get a We will have to exercise caution higher position or you will get the when dealing with others as we recognition you did not foresee. will be prone to emotional outYou will be caught off guard with breaks and impulsive reactions. what you will go through today Luckily, the Moon makes a comand that is a certainty. forting aspect to Venus, smoothLEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You ing out any differences we might will start asking yourself quesencounter and to cooperate diptions in terms of your direction lomatically with whatever conflict in life. You will be challenged to we might face. think deeply about your purpose HAPPY BIRTHDAY: If today ASTRO in life and your own meaning in is your birthday, expect a comDOYNA this existence. This experience pletely new beginning in your life will bring out the philosophical which will mark the year ahead. side in you.

A new cycle will start for you and VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): it will bring you both excitement Today will be a great day to make agreeand new emotional experiences. If you are a ments involving shared finances. You are in woman, it may bring a baby on the way, or, if tune with what is being offered to you and you are a man, it could bring an unexpected what you had initially wanted. Actually, some new romance or some creative outburst. Selfpleasantly unforeseen surprises are likely to expression and a new start will surprise you occur as well. excitingly with events in ways you have not LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Seize the day anticipated. and advance as much as you can today.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Sudden outVarious opportunities offer you more than you bursts will take over your mood. You might had hoped for and you are welcoming them react in ways that yourself will be surprised. with arms wide open. Relationships with your Certain realization and out-of-the-blue situaspouse or your business partner will prove tions are likely today. New emotional experirewarding and exciting. ences will keep you on your toes.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Work rouTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Knowing you tine will go through some unanticipated cirare on top of your game will help you advance cumstances. Something will come out of the and prosper today. You are not encountering blue or a last-minute disclosure will change any conflict or opposition today thus enabling the pace of your day. You will have to change you to grow decidedly. Cooperation with oth-

HOROSCOPE

Photo by D Murray Mackay

The snowy owls are back but hopefully they will hang around and not move further south. With all the field work done, there is little straw for rodents to use which means the owls will have to look extra hard for a meal.

TO PLACE AN AD

403-309-3300 classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com Office/Phone Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Mon - Fri Fax: 403-341-4772

D1

CLASSIFIEDS Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

wegotads.ca

2950 Bremner Ave. Red Deer, AB T4R 1M9

wegotjobs

wegotservices

wegotstuff

CLASSIFICATIONS 700-920

CLASSIFICATIONS 1000-1430

CLASSIFICATIONS 1500-1940

Circulation 403-314-4300

wegotrentals

wegothomes

wegotwheels

CLASSIFICATIONS 3000-3390

CLASSIFICATIONS 4000-4310

CLASSIFICATIONS 5000-5240

announcements Obituaries

Obituaries

In Memoriam LUCILLE FALARDEAU Mom/Mother-in-law/Granny

SYROID Bill On December 17, 2012, Mr. Bill Syroid of Spedden passed away at the age of 55 years. Mr. Syroid spent 21 years at Schlumberger as a wireline engineer. He is survived by his father, Steve Syroid of St. Paul; four sisters, Mary Jane (Dave) Tkachyk of St. Paul, Judy Ann Syroid of St. Albert, Georgina (Kelly) Charlton of Bonnyville and Val (Rick) Katerenchuk of St. Albert; nieces and nephews, Ashly, Shanisse and Kelsy Charlton, and Wyatt, Jessie and Alyson Katerenchuk; grandmother, Anne Chimko of St. Paul. He was predeceased by his mother, Olga.

A Memorial Service will be held on January 4, 2013 at 11 : 0 0 a . m . a t A l l S a i n t s Ukrainian Cultural Centre, St. Paul. If desired, donations may be made to APEGA Education Foundation c/o 5626-51 St. St. Paul, AB. T0A 3A1.

To send condolences online, please visit: www.gracegardensfuneralchapel.com

Grace Gardens Funeral Chapel 5626-51 St., St. Paul, AB T0A 3A1 780-645-2677

WADDY Annie Josephine It is with great sadness that the family of Annie Josephine Waddy announce her passing on Monday December 17,2012 at the age of 91.

A memorial service for Annie w i l l b e h e l d a t t h e Te e s Community Hall on Saturday December 22, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Camp Little Red, Box 334 Bowden, Alberta T0M 0K0.

Condolences may be made through www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca WILSON’S FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM serving Central Alberta with locations in Lacombe and Rimbey in charge of arrangements.

Phone 403.782.3366 or 403.843.3388 “A Caring Family, Caring for Families”

Its been 10 years now.

Wish heaven had a phone so we could call and hear your voice again.

We thought of you today but that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday and days before that too.

We think of you in silence, we often speak your name but all we have are memories and a picture in a frame.

Your memory is a keepsake from which we will never part.

God has you in his arms, we have you in our hearts.

WOOD Brian 1963 - 2012 ~Love you forever, It is with deep sorrow and Darcy, Linda and Jay heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of Brian Wood of R e d D e e r, A l b e r t a o n Tu e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 1 8 , 2012 at the age of 49 years. Births Brian will be lovingly remembered by his parents Bruce and Doreen of Red Deer, partner Teresa Malainey and her children of Red Deer, son Scott of Lethbridge, daughter Jamie (Braedon) Van-Mill of Medicine Hat, grandson Silas, and two brothers; Kevin (Jean) and Clark (Tracey), both of Penhold.

Also left to cherish many wonderful memories of Brian are his nieces Sasha, Sheri and Kelly-Ann and nephew Kyle. Brian’s family wishes to send a special “thank you” “oh baby ... to Nad and Andrea Dar and we’re on parade!”...

Alisha and Jeremy for their love and support. In honour “oh goody, when?” of Brian, a celebration of his life will take place on Friday, WEDNESDAY December 21, 2012 at 11:00 JANUARY 30, 2013 a.m. at Parkland Funeral “Babies On Parade” Home, 6287 - 67A Street In the Red Deer Advocate (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, If you would like your baby Alberta. Memorial contributions featured in this very special made directly to Red Deer section, a great keepsake, and District S.P.C.A. would look for forms in the be appreciated. Condolences Red Deer Advocate & may be sent or viewed at Life Papers, or call www.parklandfuneralhome.com 403-309-3300 Arrangements in care of for more info Joelle Valliere, Funeral Director at PARKLAND FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer.

Card Of Thanks 403.340.4040

Over 2,000,000 hours St. John Ambulance volunteers provide Canadians with more than 2 million hours of community service each year.

Classifieds 309-3300

NORTH RED DEER CARRIERS A heartfelt thanks to all my carriers who deliver early morning Advocates, Sunday Life, Express and flyers.

You are awesome!!

Merry Christmas and best wishes to you and your families in the New Year “ 2013 “ Joanne, District Manager

EAST 40TH PUB

WHAT’S HAPPENING

CLASSIFICATIONS 50-70

Class Registrations

51

ZEN KARATE & KICK BOXING

Cheney Karate Studios, Red Deer’s most trusted name in Martial Arts is now accepting registration for all adult & children’s programs starting January 2013.

Enrollment is limited.

(403)347-9020 www.cheneykarate.com

52

Coming Events

54

Lost

...comforts the sole’s Boots, boots and more boots SALE Plus, instore surprises Dec. 13- Dec. 21 ...comforts the sole 4812 50th Ave Downtown Red Deer 403 342 7653

FREE FLU SHOTS

Highland Green Value Drug Mart 6315 Horn St.

60

Personals

Is someone’s drinking causing you problems?

AL-ANON 403-346-0320 Something for Everyone Everyday in Classifieds

Looking for Ron Stone who lived in Innisfail in the LOST men’s wallet Dec. 1980’s. Please call or text 14 in Pines area. If found 403-472-5652. call Jody at 403-343-7663 or work 403-314-4383

56

Found

14K YELLOW GOLD WEDDING RING WITH BEADED EDGES was found in the snowy slushie parking lot near Bulk Barn store in Red Deer on Dec 11th. (near the Lammle’s store at the South end of Red Deer) Please contact me if you believe that it is yours...... you can identify it by telling me the inscription on the inside of the band. **OWNER FOUND**

60

Personals

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 403-347-8650

52

Coming Events

COATES, LUCILLE In honor of Lucille’s 90th Birthday her family invites you to tea on Dec. 22, from 3-5 pm. at the Michener Extendicare Auditorium.

No gifts please

Remember their special celebrations

First steps, first words, first birthday.

CELEBRATIONS everyday

in the Classifieds 309-3300 Email classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com

Dental

RED DEER BINGO Centre 4946-53 Ave. (West of Superstore). Precall 12:00 & 6:00. Check TV Today!!!!

wegot

jobs

Janitorial

700-920

Caregivers/ Aides

710

GROUP home in Lacombe needs full & part time workers, starting Jan. 1. 2 yr. diploma in rehab/ nursing care.

403-782-7156 357-7465 P/T F. caregiver wanted for F quad. Must have own vehicle. 403-348-5456 or 505-7846

Clerical

720

770

CCCSI is hiring sanitation workers for the afternoon and evening shifts. Get paid weekly, $14.22/hr.

Call 403-348-8440 or fax 403-348-8463

Medical

CLASSIFICATIONS

740

DAY DENTAL requires a P/T (with potential for F/T) RDA. Innisfail’s brand new dental clinic, located just off highway 2 in the CO-OP Mall. Please email resumes to admin@daydental.ca

64

Bingos

REWARD

Ring, wide band, silver with blue/purple large pearl in a round setting. Lost in the upper bathroom of the Courthouse.

FOUND.

790

F/T / P/T Pharmacy Technicians. Apply w/ resume to: Highland Green Value Drug Mart, Red Deer MEDICAL Office Assistant with Health Unit Coordinator Instructor required.

Must have 3 years industry experience as either a LPN or Unit Clerk and related diploma. This is a part time position for 3 hours per day Monday to Friday.

Submit resumes to resumes@ academyoflearning.ab.ca P/T EXP’D MEDICAL office Receptionist req’d. for Jan/2013.

Reference req’d.

Fax 403-346-4207

F/T Physiotherapy Assistant

CLASSIFIEDS’ CHRISTMAS Hours & Deadlines

Needing young, energetic, motivated individual to join our team. Drop off resume at: Weber Physiotherapy Clinic 5420 45 Street.

(South of Carnival Cinema)

Registered Nurse & Licensed Practical Nurse

The Rocky PCN requires the services of a 1.0 FTE Registered Nurse and a Licensed Practical Nurse in a 0.4 FTE to support the Chronic Disease The Red Deer Advocate Management Program. is accepting applications See our website at for a P/T Customer rockymedical.com/pcn Service Representative. for full listing We thank all those who T h i s i s a n e n t r y l e v e l apply, however only those position reporting to the who will be offered an Customer Service Super- interview will be contacted. v i s o r. T h i s p o s i t i o n i s responsible for assisting circulation customers by phone or in person with Oilfield customer service issues and compiling reports and Busy Oilfield Company other office duties. looking for an experienced Candidate should possess winch truck class 1 driver a good telephone manner, to operate a newer Peterexcellent communication bilt truck and new trailer to s k i l l s a n d h a v e b a s i c haul equipment between computer knowledge. the Fox Creek/Edson area Attention to detail and the and Innisfail, Alberta. ability to function in a fast Offering very competitive paced environment with a wages and bonus structure. positive attitude are Please email resume: required for this position. orion@orionrentals.ca Preference will be given to candidates with customer You can sell your guitar service experience. for a song...

Knowledge of the news- or put it in CLASSIFIEDS paper or distribution and we’ll sell it for you! business is s definite DRIVER WANTED asset.

Delivery of parts and shipping. Must be 25 Approx. 15-20 hrs. per week including weekend yrs.Fax resume & drivers abstract to 403-309-4466 shifts.

Please submit your Fluid Experts Ltd. r e s u m e b y J a n u a r y 2 , Fluid Experts of Red Deer 2013 to: is seeking experienced

P/T CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

RED DEER ADVOCATE Office & Phone Lines Closed NO PAPER PUBLISHED

TUES. DEC. 25 & TUES. JAN. 1 Office & Phone Lines Closed WED. DEC. 26 - Boxing Day

800

PUBLICATION DATES & DEADLINES RED DEER ADVOCATE

SAT. DEC. 22,& MON. DEC. 24 Deadline is FRIDAY, DEC. 21 @ 5 P.M.

RED DEER LIFE SUNDAY SUN. DEC. 23 Deadline is Friday Dec. 21 @ 2 p.m.

SUN. DEC. 30 Deadline is Friday Dec. 28 @ 2 p.m.

WED. JAN. 2 Deadline is Mon. Dec. 31 @ 5 p.m.

CENTRAL AB LIFE - December 24 Deadline is Thur. Dec. 20 @ 10 a.m.

THURS. JAN. 3 Deadline is Fri. Dec. 28 @ 2 p.m.

For Rimbey, Ponoka, Eckville, Sylvan, Stettler, Bashaw, Castor & Weekender See individual publications HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES! Red Deer Advocate Classifieds 403-309-3300

Class 1 Operators

HUMAN RESOURCES Red Deer Advocate 2950 Bremner Ave. Red Deer, T4R 1M9 Fax: 403-341-4772 Email: careers@ reddeeradvocate.com with CSR in subject line

to haul clean fluids for the Oil & Gas Industry. Home every night, company benefits with exceptional pay structure. Must be able to work on their own with minimal supervision.

Compensation based on experience. Fax resume w/all tickets and current drivers abstract to: 403-346-3112 or email to: roger@fluidexperts.com

Celebrations

A baby’s Smile can warm your heart...

Love, Mom & Dad

NOW PLAYING VLT’S AT

RED DEER ADVOCATE WED. DEC. 26 Deadline is MON. DEC. 24 @ 11 A.M.

Announcements Daily

Happy 1st Birthday!

Gracie

52

Coming Events

TO LIST YOUR WEBSITE CALL 403-309-3300 ASSOCIATIONS

www.centralalbertahomebuilders.com Central AB Home Builders 403-346-5321 www.reddeer.cmha.ab.ca Canadian Mental Health Assoc. www.realcamping.ca LOVE camping and outdoors? www.diabetes.ca Canadian Diabetes Assoc. www.mycommunityinformation.com /cawos/index.html www.reddeerchamber.com Chamber of Commerce 403-347-4491

BALLOON RIDES www.air-ristocrat.com Gary 403-302-7167

BUILDERS

www.antlerhillelkranch.com Peak Performance VA 227-2449 www.liveyourlifebetter.com Lose weight naturally with Z-Trim www.dontforgetyourvitamins.net The greatest vitamins in the world

www.greathealth.org Cancer Diabetes DIET 350-9168

JOB OPPORTUNITIES www.workopolis.com Red Deer Advocate - Job Search www.reddeerspca.com Many Pets to Choose From

www.laebon.com Laebon Homes 403-346-7273 www.albertanewhomes.com Stevenson Homes. Experience the Dream.

www.lonsdalegreen.com Lonsdale Green Apartments

CLUBS & GROUPS www.writers-ink.net Club for writers - meets weekly

Candidates must have H2S, First Aid training, and the ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening. A valid class five driver’s licence with a clean driver’s abstract is an asset.

PET ADOPTION

www.homesreddeer.com Help-U-Sell Real Estate5483

www.ultralife.bulidingonabudjet.com MLM’ers attract new leads for FREE!

We are one of the largest testing companies in North America.

We pay top wages, have an excellent benefits package, and an RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) program.

www.matchingbonus123.usana.com the best...just got better!!

www.fantahomes.com 403-343-1083 or 403-588-9788 www.masonmartinhomes.com Mason Martin Homes 403-342-4544 www.truelinehomes.com True Line Homes 403-341-5933 www.jaradcharles.com BUILDER M.L.S

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

GREYWOLF ENERGY SERVICES LTD. is now hiring experienced Well Testing Operators, Night Supervisors, and Day Supervisors.

HEALTH & FITNESS

REAL ESTATE

Southern Alberta residents, submit resumes to: Email: jliesemer@ greywolfsystems.ca Fax: 1-866-211-0338

RENTALS www.homefinders.ca Phone 403-340-3333

SHOPPING www.fhtmca.com/derekwiens Online Mega Mall 403-597-1854

VACATIONS www.radkeoutfitting.com AB Horseback Vacations 403-340-3971

COMPUTER REPAIR

WEB DESIGN

www.albertacomputerhygiene.com

affordablewebsitesolution.ca

AB, Computer Hygiene Ltd. 896-7523

Design/hosting/email $65/mo.

19166TFD28

DEADLINE IS 5 P.M. FOR NEXT DAY’S PAPER

Northern Alberta residents, submit resumes to: Email: mstoddard@ greywolfsystems.ca Fax: 780-539-0946 LOCAL SERVICE CO. REQ’S EXP. VACUUM TRUCK OPERATOR Must have Class 3 licence w/air & all oilfield tickets.

Fax resume w/drivers abstract to 403-886-4475

D2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

800

HIRING!

Expanding Integrated North American Service Company is currently accepting resumes for the following positions: Experienced Horizontal Completion Systems Field Te c h n i c i a n s , S h o p Technicians, Operations Manager(s). We offer Comprehensive Benefits, Competitive Salary’s and Field (day) Bonuses.

All applicants are welcome, but only those considered will be contacted. Please forward resume to: completions.jobs@ gmail.com

Oilfield

800

RATTRAY Reclamation is currently looking for exp’d Class 1 drivers, laborers and backhoe operators with a valid Class 1 license for the Lacombe and Central Alberta areas.

Preferences will be given to those who hold current safety tickets such as H2S Alive, First Aid and Ground Disturbance Level II certification as well as a clean drivers abstract. Drug and Alcohol policy in affect. We offer competitive wages, benefits and a safety bonus program. Work consists of oilfield reclamation and lease construction as well as many other tasks. Please fax resume to 403-934-5235 or email to drattray@rattrayrec.com No phone calls please.

Landcore Technologies Inc. located in Ponoka is currently seeking energetic, motivated team players for the following positions:

Drillers and Driller Assistants with a Class 1 driver’s license.

Apprentice or Journeyman Mechanics Pile Drive Operators Pile Drive Assistants Field Supervisor All candidates must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test.

Safety tickets are an asset but we are willing to train the right candidate.

We offer exceptional pay, excellent benefit package and a positive work environment.

Please email resumes to info@landcore.ca or fax 403-783-2011.

The right candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Please no phone calls.

PRODUCTION TESTING PERSONNEL REQ’D

TANKMASTER RENTALS requires CLASS 1 BED TRUCK Operators for Central Alberta. Competitive wages and benefits. m.morton@tankmaster.ca or fax 403-340-8818 TEAM Snubbing now hiring operators and helpers. Email: janderson@ teamsnubbing.com

TR3 ENERGY is at the forefront of reclamation and remediation in the oil & gas industry.

We are currently recruiting for:

*Equipment Operators & Labourers

QUALIFIED DAY AND NIGHT SUPERVISORS

(Must be able to Provide own work truck)

FIELD OPERATORS Valid 1st Aid, H2S, Drivers License required!!

Service Co-Ordinator

Planning, organizing and coordinating.

Create customers quotes and invoices Liaison with 3rd party funding Computer literate Service technician experience Time management skills Verbal and written communication skills.

Understands the importance of delivering legendary customer service.

Send resumes by fax to 403-342-4516 Attn: Robert or email: Rhogan@ Shoppershomehealthcare.ca

Restaurant/ Hotel

jrempel@ cathedralenergyservices.com website: www. cathedralenergyservices. com Your application will be kept strictly confidential.

820

BOULEVARD Restaurant & Lounge Gasoline Alley Red Deer County Food & Beverage Server

WE are looking for Rig Managers, Drillers, Derrick and Floor hands for the Red Deer area.

Please contact Steve Tiffin at stiffin@galleonrigs.com or (403) 358-3350 fax (403) 358-3326

820

Is seeking FRONT DESK CLERK * Answer phone calls * Take reservations * Check in/out Guests Balance cash out & Attend to guest needs $14.00/hr.

HOUSEKEEPING ROOM ATTENDANT * Clean and vacuum rooms, public areas, pool etc.

Replenish amenities, linens & towels * Adhere to Holiday Inn safety stardands $14.00/hr.

All positions are Shift work & weekends Fax Resume to: 780-702-5051

HOLIDAY INN Red Deer South, Gasoline Alley Is Seeking

The Tap House Pub & Grill req’s full and part time cooks. Apply with resume at 1927 Gaetz Avenue between 2-5 pm.

Looking for a place to live?

Take a tour through the CLASSIFIEDS

$12.25/hr.

To provide Food & Beverage service, handle cashiering, arrange and setup the outlet. maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

Cook

$14.00/HR. To prepare and cook all food up to standard, clean kitchen and maintain hygiene follow recipes, assist in receiving and storing URS FLINT TUBULAR MANAGEMENT SERVICES requires Tubing Inspection operator, manual lathe operator, loader operator and Shop & Yard Laborers. Exp. an asset but will train to suit.

Competitive wages and benefits. Apply w/resume to: 4115 Henry St. (Blindman Industrial Park)

Restaurant/ Hotel

FRONT DESK CLERK * Answer phone calls CANADA’S largest home * Take reservations health care supplier * Check in/out Guests has an exciting * Balance cash out opportunity for a & Attend to guest needs $ 14.00/hr SERVICE HOUSEKEEPING ROOM TECHNICIAN ATTENDANT Diagnose and quote * Clean and vacuum rooms repairs to manual and public areas pool etc. power equipment.

Install and repair elevating * Replenish amenities, linens & towels equipment. * Adhere to Holiday Inn Valid drivers license. safety standards Mechanical and electrical $ 14.00/hr aptitude.

All positions are Verbal and written Shift Work & weekends communication skills.

Fax resume Understands the 780 - 702-5051 importance of delivering legendary customer service.

Send resumes by fax to 403-342-4516 Attn: Robert or email: Rhogan@ Shoppershomehealthcare.ca

Please email or fax your resume to: hr@tr3energy.com Fax: 403-294-9323 www.tr3energy.com

mmcgeachy@ cathedralenergyservices.com

Oilfield

CANADA’S largest home health care supplier has an exciting opportunity for a

Kitchen Helper

$11/hr To clean kitchen following safety and hygiene standards. Clean utensils, cutlery, crockery and glassware items.

Clean floors.

Assist in prep.

All positions are Shift Work & Weekends.

Fax resume 780-702-5051 TOO MUCH STUFF? Let Classifieds help you sell it.

Classifieds Your place to SELL Your place to BUY

Please contact Murray McGeachy or Jamie Rempel by Fax: (403) 340-0886 or email

810

Sales & Distributors

830

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS RED DEER

REQUIREMENTS: *Valid driver’s license * H2S Alive * Standard First Aid *WHMIS and/or CSTS or PST * Pre-Access A& D Testing

RETIREMENT & SAVINGS PLAN BENEFITS

Join Our Fast Growing Team!!

Professionals

HIRING * Gas station Manager * $25/hr, full time 1 person * The day to day operations of filling station and convenience store, managi n g s t a ff , w o r k i n g w i t h vendors and monitoring sales. * Completion of University ( Economics). Over 1 yr business experience.

Leeoh Holdings Inc. o/a Rimbey Gas & Splash.

Box 659 4630 50 Ave. Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0 cookplus@naver.com Phone 403-843-2360

800

Sales & Distributors

830

Outside Sales Representative

Promotes the sale of equipment and service.

Develop relationships with health care professionals.

Achieve goals and results.

Good verbal and written communication skills.

Understands the importance of delivering legendary customer service.

Send resumes by fax to 403-342-4516 Attn: Robert or email: Rhogan@ Shoppershomehealthcare.ca VALACEY TRADING INC o/a: RC-PRO, Hiring Sales Clerks Bower Place, Red Deer, AB Demonstrate sales ability.

Good English Perm, Full time, Shifts, Weekends Wage: $14.60/hr E-mail: ValaceyTrading@gmail.com Start your career!

See Help Wanted

Trades

Come Join our Team

Crop Production Services Canada is a division of Agrium (www.Agrium.com), and one of the largest farm market retailers in North America. Our mission is to be the trusted and recognized leader in the agricultural industry, the first choice for every customer and producer.

Make the move to join our more than 7000 employees across North and South America and begin growing your career now.

Due to our continuous growth we are currently recruiting for:

Crop Production Advisor Penhold, AB

To l e a r n m o r e a b o u t dynamic employment opportunities log on to www.cpsagu.com/Careers Start making a difference today, and become part of our team!

Central Alberta’s Largest Car Lot in Classifieds

SHOPPERS HOME HEALTH CARE Canada’s largest home health care supplier has an exciting Opportunity for a

Customer Service Representative

Customer service oriented.

Able to control cash and use POS system.

Answer customer inquiries.

Retail exp. an asset.

Good verbal and written communication skills.

Understands the importance of delivering legendary customer service.

Send resumes by fax to 403-342-4516 Attn: Teresa or email mshhc8304@

Trades

850

AUTOMOTIVE Damage Appraiser We seek an auto damage appraiser for our central AB office. Mitchell and ADP are the programs we use. Company car and benefits. Send resume in confidence to bryter@canclaims.com Att. George CONCRETE FINISHER REQUIRED Must have drivers license.

Fax resume 403-782-2439 Buying or Selling your home?

Check out Homes for Sale in Classifieds

COOPER ROOFING & EXTERIORS requires a SIDER/SLOPED ROOFER Valid Driver’s License REQUIRED. Fax (403)346-7556 or email resume to general@ cooperroofing.ca NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE!

850

Johnson Controls Requires an

Equipment Operator

at the Red Deer College. required for GM Qualifications: dealership in Drumheller Experience with the Medical benefits, good operation of skid steer working conditions. loader, snow plow truck, Must have clean driving sander and landscape record. Please fax equipment mowers. or email resume to Mechanically inclined service manager. capable to service and do Email: minor repairs to the above bob.thomas@ equipment a definite westerngmdrumheller.com asset Fax: 403-823-7237 * Must be avail. to work EXPERIENCED Kitchen some extreme overtime cabinet and vanity installhours during the winter ers needed f o r snow removal season and Woodmaster Cabinets Ltd. participate in on call rotation $19.50 -22.00 hourly - 40 * Some heavy labor is hrs. per week. req’d, at times must be Send resumes 5105 76A physically capable of St. Close, Suite 5 Red performing these duties Deer, Alberta T4P 3M2; Team player able to work Apply by alone with minimal woodmaster.jobs@ supervision canadaemail.net * Clean drivers abstract or by fax to and background check will (403) 341-6343 be req’d.

First Choice Collision * Candidate must be able to adhere to company safeSeeking Journeyman or ty regulations and policies 2nd /3rd year apprentices.

Positions for body, prep This is a f/t position with and refinishing technicians full benefits. All uniforms, needed for our car and safety equipment and tools light truck division. Top will be supplied. We also wages, bonus programs offer annual safety and benefit package. Fax footwear contribution. resumes to Candidates must apply on (403) 343-2160; e-mail line with resume on the JCI choice2@telusplanet.net website WWW. or drop off in person @ #5, johnsoncontrols.com 7493, 49th Avenue careers Crescent, Red Deer. position number 089373.

GOODMEN Only successful candidates will be contacted.

ROOFING LTD. Requires Celebrate your life with a Classified SLOPED ROOFERS ANNOUNCEMENT LABOURERS & FLAT ROOFERS NEEDED immed. Journeyman electrician for the AG Valid Driver’s Licence industry. Competitive preferred. Fax or email wages and benefits. info@goodmenroofing.ca Please forward resume to or (403)341-6722 info@prolineinc.ca NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE! Tired of Standing?

Find something to sit on in Classifieds

RISLEY MACHINING LTD. (Grande Prairie, AB) has the following position available for immediate employment: Knowledge of ASME code ALUMINUM BOAT bolt up, basic instrumenta- FABRICATOR/WELDER tion and a commitment to M u s t h a v e p r e v i o u s excellence are prerequisites. experience.

Risley Machining offers a Competitive wages with good benefits program and benefit packages available. wages to commensurate Interested candidates with experience. please send resume to Please reply with resume admin@westcanfab.ca to: Jay Stojan Of fax to 403-775-4014 9620-109 St Grande Prairie, AB QUALIFIED T8V 4E4 ELECTRICIANS Phone: (780) 538-8256 NEEDED Fax: (780) 539-5447 Email: True Power Electric jay.stojan@gorisley.com Requires CELEBRATIONS Residential exp. only HAPPEN EVERY DAY Competitive wages IN CLASSIFIEDS & benefits.

Fax resume to: 403-314-5599 SERVICEMAN POSITION MECH TECH HEAVY Mechanically inclined or EQUIPMENT REPAIR LTD. heavy duty equipment mechtech.her@hotmail.com apprentice Journeyman Heavy Year round employment Equipment Field Clean driver’s abstract Technician needed. Class Fax resume to 5 licence. onroad/offroad (403) 885 5137 equipment exp. an asset.

Email resume to Position in Ft.McMurray. office@ccal.com Call Justin 780-713-9049 Required Exp’d Fabricator For a Ponoka Manufacturing Shop.

Trades

850

Truckers/ Drivers

860

BUSY CENTRAL AB company req’s exp’d. Class 1 drivers to pull decks.

Assigned truck, exc. wages and benefits pkg. Paid extras. Family orientated.

Resume and abstract fax to 403-784-2330 or call 1-877-787-2501 Mon,. - Fri,. 8 a m to 6 pm Classifieds...costs so little Saves you so much!

CLASS 3 WATER HAULER needed. Only those with Drilling Rig Water Hauling experience need apply.

Need H2S & First Aid tickets.TOP WAGES PAID Fax clean drivers abstract and resume between the hours of 9 am to 6 pm to: 403-746-3523 or call 403-304-7179 You can sell your guitar for a song... or put it in CLASSIFIEDS and we’ll sell it for you!

Misc.

Help

880

ADULT or YOUTH CARRIERS NEEDED For delivery of Flyers, Express and Sunday Life in DEER PARK Dempsey St. area $45.00/mo.

ALSO Dempsey St. Dumas Crsc. & Duffy Close area $88.00/mo.

ALSO Duston St. Donnelly Crsc., area Densmore Crs. Dale Close $270.00/mo.

ALSO Doran Crsc.

Dunn Close $50.00 /mo.

ALSO Doran Crsc., Doan Ave. area $53.00/mo.

LANCASTER Lenon Close, Lacey Close, Landry Bend area $76/mo.

ALSO Logan Close Lee St. & Lawrence Crsc. area $158/mo.

MICHENER West of 40th Ave. North of Ross St. area $245.00/mo.

Good for adult w/a small car ALSO East of 40th North of Ross St. Michener Green Cresc. area. $268/mo.

Good for adult with small car.

ONLY 4 DAYS A WEEK

Call Jamie 403-314-4306 for more info Classifieds Your place to SELL Your place to BUY

Bilton Welding and Manufacturing Ltd. designs, engineers and manufactures custom oilfield equipment for international clients.

We operate seven manufacturing facilities in Innisfail, Alberta and employ over 175 people.

With your long-term interests in mind, we provide you with ample opportunities to achieve your career goals.

If you would like to be a part of our growing and dynamic team of professionals in your field, we are currently seeking -

B PRESSURE WELDERS AN UP TO DATE ALBERTA “B” PRESSURE CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED. PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE WITH VESSEL EXPERIENCE

277601L22

This is a full-time permanent shop position with competitive starting Wages and benefits packages including Health, RRSP and Tool Allowance programs.

Please Fax resume to 403-227-7796, or Email to hr@bilton.ca

t Floorhands

Trades

850

Bilton Welding and Manufacturing Ltd. designs, engineers and manufactures custom oilfield equipment for international clients.

EAGLE OPPORTUNITIES:

850

EXPERIENCED Technician or Apprentice

shoppershomehealthcare.ca

CANADA’S largest home health care supplier has an exciting opportunity for a

Trades

We operate seven manufacturing facilities in Innisfail, Alberta and employ over 175 people.

With your long-term interests in mind, we provide you with ample opportunities to achieve your career goals.

If you would like to be a part of our growing and dynamic team of professionals in your field, we are currently seeking -

HEAVY DUTY MECHANIC JOURNEYMAN Extensive experience with the maintenance and repair of mobile equipment such as forklift, genie lift, overhead cranes etc. a definite asset.

This is a full-time permanent shop position with competitive starting Wages and benefits packages including Health, RRSP and Tool Allowance programs.

Please Fax resume to 403-227-7796, or Email to hr@bilton.ca

277593L22

Oilfield

ADULT & Youth Carrier Needed For Delivery of Flyers, Express & Sunday Life in KENTWOOD Kilburn & Krause Crsc NORMANDEAU Nash St. & Norris Close RIVERSIDE MEADOWS 57, 58 & 58A ST & 58 AVE. Please call Joanne at 403-314-4308

t Derrickhands ADULT & YOUTH CARRIERS NEEDED for delivery of Flyers Red Deer Express & Red Deer Life Sunday in

t Drillers t Rig Managers Invites applicants for:

277893L19-

Email resumes to eaglejobs@iroccorp.com

810

We are a growing construction company that requires a

Driver Compliance Manager

Candidates will be required to have: - High School Diploma - Valid Alberta Class 4 Drivers license - Journeyman Electrical certification - Fire Alarm certification - WHMIS - First Aid training is preferred

Candidates will be required to have: - High School Diploma - Valid Alberta Class 4 Drivers License - Journeyman Plumbing Certification - Journeyman Gas Ticket over 1 million BTU’s - Backflow Prevention Certification - WHMIS - First Aid training is preferred

Qualifications/Experience - 5 years experience in a commercial setting as a Journeyman Electrician - Knowledge of occupational and safety precautions of the position - Building Management Systems/HVAC - Knowledge of heating and ventilation systems - Security, Paging, Card Access and Data Systems - Variable Frequency Drives and Emergency Generators

Comprehensive benefit package offered upon hiring. 3 weeks vacation after the first year of employment.

for our offices in Rocky Mountain House and Blackfalds

For more information about the Red Deer Public School District, visit our website at:

The successful candidate will be proficient in Alberta Transportation legislation, rules and regulations. As well as log books and Microsoft programs. Must be able to work in a fast paced environment.

277604L22

Pidherney’s offers competitive wages and benefits.

Please e-mail resumes to:

JOURNEYMAN PLUMBER This position will perform plumbing maintenance work at various Red Deer Public School locations.

This position is open to all qualified applicants, although preference will be given to those with a positive attitude and the ability to build strong and effective work relations.

Sound written and verbal communication is a must as you will be required to interact with staff, students, parents and contractors. Candidate must be available for after hour callouts and an on call coverage rotation. Good physical stamina is required.

DRIVEN TO EXCEL FROM START TO FINISH

hr@pidherneys.com

JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN This position will perform electrical maintenance work at various Red Deer Public School locations.

www.rdpsd.ab.ca

Call Karen for more info 403-314-4317 Looking for a new pet?

Check out Classifieds to find the purrfect pet.

Qualifications/Experience - 5 years experience in a commercial setting as a Journeyman Plumber - Knowledge of occupational and safety precautions of the position - Building Management Systems/HVAC - Knowledge of heating and ventilation systems This position is open to all qualified applicants, although preference will be given to those with a positive attitude and the ability to build strong and effective work relations.

Sound written and verbal communication is a must as you will be required to interact with staff, students, parents and contractors. Candidate must be available for after hour callouts and an on call coverage rotation. Good physical stamina is required.

Comprehensive benefit package offered upon hiring. 3 weeks vacation after the first year of employment.

For more information about the Red Deer Public School District, visit our website at:

humanresources@rdpsd.ab.ca

humanresources@rdpsd.ab.ca A current criminal record check and child intervention check will be required of all new employees.

We thank all applicants for their interest but advise only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

ADULT CARRIERS NEEDED for early morning delivery of Red Deer Advocate 6 days per week in EASTVIEW 100 ADVOCATE $525/MO. $6300/YR 2 HRS./DAY GRANDVIEW 75 Advocate $393/month $4725/yr.

1-1/2 hrs. per day

Applications should be directed to

A current criminal record check and child intervention check will be required of all new employees.

We thank all applicants for their interest but advise only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

MOUNTVIEW WEST LAKE WEST PARK

www.rdpsd.ab.ca

Applications should be directed to:

276818L20

Professionals

Invites applicants for:

276817L20

Learn more at www.eaglerigjobs.com

Call Karen for more info 403-314-4317

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 D3

880

Misc.

Help

880

ADULT CARRIERS NEEDED

CARRIERS NEEDED

For delivery of Red Deer Advocate by 6:30 a.m.

Mon. through Fri. & 8:00. .am. on Saturday in

FOR FLYERS, RED DEER SUNDAY LIFE AND EXPRESS ROUTES IN:

LANCASTER AREA 77 papers $412/mo.

Adams Close/ Adair Ave.

ROSEDALE AREA 72 papers $386/mo.

DEER PARK Dempsey St. area 79 papers $423/mo.

ALSO Davison Dr. area 101 papers $541/mo.

ALSO Clearview Ridge Timberlands area 59 papers $376/mo.

Call Jamie 403-314-4306 for more info Tired of Standing?

Find something to sit on in Classifieds

ANDERS AREA

Misc.

Help

DISPATCHER req’d.

Knowledge of Red Deer and area is essential.

Good communication, skills both verbal and written. Must have effective time management skills and able to multi task in a fast paced environment.

Experience preferred, but will train suitable applicant.

Send resume by fax to 403-346-0295

Baile Cl. /Boyce St. Beatty Crs./Barrett Dr. Brown Cl./Baird St Barrett Dr./Baird St

Isbister Close Issard Close LANCASTER AREA

Clean drivers abstract Class 5 license Installing and set-up of equipment in client’s homes.

Mechanical and electrical aptitude an asset.

Verbal and written communication skills.

Understands the importance of delivering legendary customer service.

Send resumes by fax to 403-342-4516 Attn: Robert or email: Rhogan@ Shoppershomehealthcare.ca

Scott St./Somerset Close.

Sunnyside Crsc.

Looking for a place to live?

Take a tour through the CLASSIFIEDS

CARRIERS REQUIRED to deliver the Central AB. Life in the towns of Blackfalds Lacombe Ponoka Stettler Call Rick at 403-314-4303

NEWSPAPER CARRIERS REQUIRED for Afternoon delivery in Bowden & Innisfail Please contact QUITCY

at 403-314-4316 or email qmacaulay@ reddeeradvocate.com CELEBRATIONS HAPPEN EVERY DAY IN CLASSIFIEDS

Auctions

EquipmentHeavy

Please contact QUITCY

Call Prodie @ 403- 314-4301 for more info

WAREHOUSE Coordinator: Shipping/ Receiving exp. req’d, 12 volt wiring or automotive a/v knowledge a plus. Looking for selfmotivated individual with reliable transportation.

Duties include inventory and accurate order fulfillment. Please email resume to: office.cdn@ zonedefensetruck.com or fax to: 403-340-0900

CIRCULATION Employment Training

900

SAFETY

Do You: - Want extra income - Possess a clean, valid drivers license - Have a friendly attitude - Enjoy customer service - Want part-time work (12 to 22 hours per week)

TRAINING CENTRE OILFIELD TICKETS

403.341.4544 24 Hours Toll Free 1.888.533.4544

Are you between the Ages of 16-30 years Unemployed Not attending school Facing employment barriers that interfere with achieving your potential and personal independence R e a d y, w i l l i n g a n d committed to making positive life changes Looking to improve your Life/employability skills A Canadian citizen Have NOT received Employment Insurance Benefits in the last 3 years.

• • •

•

WHOLESALE FIREPLACE Installer req’d for fireplace • installations. Call John 780-993-2040

CONSIDERING A CAREER CHANGE? Find the right fit.

Daily the Advocate publishes advertisements from companies, corporations and associations from across Canada seeking personnel for long term placements.

Farmers' Market

• •

If any of the above apply please contact us for more info at: The Red Deer Youth & Volunteer Centre Email: info@yvc.ca (403) 342-7521 This is a 6 month project providing youth / young adults with an opportunity to enhance personal growth, learn life skills and employability skills through classroom activity and work experience.

Eligible participants will receive minimum wage while attending, some childcare costs and transportation may also be available.

The Program Start Date January 02nd, 2013 This project is funded by The Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy.

1650

BROWN EGGS AND LAMB now has free range pork : gourmet hams and sausage. Great selection of warm woolies.

Phone 403-782-4095 FREE range naturally raised turkey, gov’t. inspected, skinless, boneless turkey breast $5.99/lb, turkey breast steaks $5.99/lb, ground turkey $5.99/lb, drumsticks avail. $10/pkg.

Germane Market Gardens, Gail 403-843-6864

Firewood

1660

AFFORDABLE

Homestead Firewood

Spruce, Pine, Birch Spilt, Dry. 7 days/wk. 403-304-6472 BIRCH or Pine 347-7211 bluegrassnursery.com

FIREWOOD. Pine, Spruce, Poplar. Can deliver 1-4 cords. 403-844-0227 Now Offering Hotter, Cleaner BC Birch. All Types. P.U. / del. Lyle 403-783-2275

Health & ARE YOU LOOKING Beauty FOR WORK? JOIN THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM

1630

TRAILERS for sale or rent Job site, office, well site or storage. Skidded or wheeled. Call 347-7721.

Industries #1 Choice!

“Low Cost” Quality Training

As part of our customer service team, you will be R H2S Alive (ENFORM) dispatched in response to R First Aid/CPR service concerns to deliv- R Confined Space ery newspapers and flyers to customers or carriers. A R WHMIS & TDG delivery vehicle is pro- R Ground Disturbance vided.

R (ENFORM) B.O.P. Hours of shifts are Monday #204, 7819 - 50 Ave. through Friday 5 a.m. to (across from Totem) 9 a.m. or longer, and/or afternoon shifts Monday to Looking for a new pet?

Friday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.. Check out Classifieds to Saturday and Sunday, 7 find the purrfect pet. a.m.-11 a.m. or longer

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only selected candidates will be contacted.

1530

Bud Haynes & Co. Auctioneers

at 403-314-4316 or email qmacaulay@ reddeeradvocate.com

Submit resume, indicating “Service Runner Position”, along with your drivers abstract immediately to: careers@ reddeeradvocate.com or mail to: Human Resources 2950 Bremner Avenue Red Deer, AB. T4N 5G3 or fax to: 403-341-4772

1700

*NEW!* Asian Relaxation Massage Downtown RD 587-377-1298 Open Mon.Fri. daily 11am - 6 pm.

Household Appliances

1710

APPLS. reconditioned lrg. selection, $150 + up, 6 mo. warr. Riverside Appliances 403-342-1042 FRIDGE, brand new 18 cu. ft. Frigidaire, white, 1 mos. old. Full warr. Paid $700.

Asking $350. 403-307-4223

Household Furnishings

1720

MAPLE single bed mattress $100; single pedestal white desk $45 403-342-4543 MIRRORED pictures, Johnny Walker Scotch, Beefeater Dry Gin, Colt 45, matching bar tray $50/ea. or buy 3 and get tray free 587-272-2837

CENTRAL ALBERTA’S DAILY NEWSPAPER

CLASSIFICATIONS

60 gal. tank with

WANTED: all types of horses. Processing locally in Lacombe weekly.

403-651-5912

CLASSIFICATIONS FOR RENT • 3000-3200 WANTED • 3250-3390

3020

Houses/ Duplexes

BLACKFALDS

3060

Suites

1 & 2 BDRM. APTS.

Clean, quiet bldg.

Call 318-0901.

GLENDALE 2 bdrm. $825, D.D. $825, 1 BDRM., $740, N/S, no pets, no partiers, avail immed..

1-403-200-8175 LARGE, 1, 2 & 3 BDRM. SUITES. 25+, adults only n/s, no pets 403-346-7111 Something for Everyone Everyday in Classifieds

1840

3030

AVAIL. Jan. 1, 3 bdrm. townhouse, 4 appl., hardwood, 2 parking stalls, AUSTRALIAN Shepherd, c l o s e t o s h o p p i n g & miniature pups, 6 mos. 1M, schools. $1075 + util. + d.d 1F, shots and dewormed. 403-506-0054 $250/ea. 780-372-2387

BORDER COLLIE, P.B. registerable, 7 wks. old.

Ready to go for Christmas. $200. 403-429-0519 FREE Husky X puppies 2M, 3 F 403-396-7771 HUSKY WOLF PUPS!!

1st shots, yr. gaurantee.

403-506-3395, 749-2924 LABRA DOODLE PUPS F 1 $700; F1 B $900 2 YR health Guaranteed. awesome bloodlines, ready now until Christmas Hold with deposit.

Ph. 403-919-1370 306-792-2113 www.furfettishfarm.ca POCKET PITBULLS, 2 F. rescued out of California, 1 yrs. old, both spayed.

In desperate need for forever homes. If able to foster or home, please call Barb at 403-896-3259

1900

Travel Packages

TRAVEL ALBERTA Alberta offers SOMETHING for everyone.

Make your travel plans now.

Manufactured Homes

KITSON CLOSE

newer exec. 3 bdrm. bi-level townhouse 1447 sq. ft. 5 appls, 1 1/2 bath, blinds, lg. balcony, fenced in rear, front/rear parking, no dogs, rent $1395 SD $1000. n/s Avail. immed. & 2 for Jan. 2 403-304-7576 / 347-7545

3090

Rooms For Rent

LACOMBE new park, animal friendly. Your mobile or ours. 2 or 3 bdrm.

Excellent 1st time home buyers. 403-588-8820 MOBILE HOME PAD, in Red Deer Close to Gaetz, 2 car park, Shaw cable incl.

Sharon 403-550-8777

New Executive

3 bdrm. 2 bath HOME in Red Deer. Immediate possession 10 yr warranty.

Own it for $1345/mo. OAC 403-346-3100, 347-5566

4160

Lots For Sale

wegot

wheels CLASSIFICATIONS 5000-5300

5030

Cars

2 0 11 C H E V C A M A R O 2SS/RS, LS3, 6 speed, 2104 kms $36,888 348-8788 Sport & Import

wegot

homes CLASSIFICATIONS

Lovely 3 level exec.

3 bdrm. townhouse 5 appls, 1 1/2 bath, concrete patio, blinds, front/rear parking, no dogs, n/s, rent $1395 SD $1000 Avail. Jan. 2 403-304-7576 or 347-7545

4000-4190

2008 TOYOTA YARIS FWD, 62709 kms, $10888 348-8788 Sport & Import

4020

Houses For Sale

FREE Weekly list of properties for sale w/details, prices, address, owner’s 2008 HYUNDAI ELANTRA phone #, etc. 342-7355 SE FWD, $10888, 7620-50 Help-U-Sell of Red Deer Ave, Sport & Import www.homesreddeer.com

Manufactured Homes

Riverfront Estates

3040

Renter’s Special

Deluxe 3 bdrm. 1 1/2 bath, bi-level townhouse, 5 appls, blinds, large balcony, no pets, n/s, $1195 or $1220 along the river.

SD $1000. avail.

Jan. 2 403-304-7576 347-7545

FREE Cable 2 & 3 bedroom

3040

modular/mobile homes

Newly Renovated Mobile Home

in pet friendly park

with Laminate Flooring, new carpet, newly painted

A MUST SEE!

Only

MUST SELL

By Owner $7,000.

Sharon 403-550-8777

3190

Lot

Kyte/Kelloway Cres.

SOUTHWOOD PARK 3110-47TH Avenue, 2 & 3 bdrm. townhouses, generously sized, 1 1/2 baths, fenced yards, full bsmts. 403-347-7473, Sorry no pets. www.greatapartments.ca

4090

Manufactured Homes

ONE bdrm. apt. West Park, close to college $725/mo., avail Jan.1 403-877-3323.

3140

Townhouses

7 ACRES, all utilities, road, quonset, greenhounse antique home $353,000.

Near Red Deer, great for horses, 403-227-5132

FULLY SERVICED res & duplex lots in Lacombe.

Builders terms or owner ONE bdrm. apt. across will J.V. with investors or from hospital, West Park, subtrades who wish to become home builders. Great $750/ mo., avail. Jan.1 returns. Call 403-588-8820 403-877-3323.

1830

20,000with Intro

$

400/month lot Rent incl. Cable

/month

Sharon (403) 340-0225

Sharon (403) 340-0225 www.lansdowne.ca

Starting at

849

$

$

www.lansdowne.ca

274500L1-31

wegotservices CLASSIFICATIONS 1000-1430

Antiques, furniture and estates. 342-2514

To Advertise Your Business or Service Here

1760

ELECTRIC panel w/dbl. D forward & reverse control, breaker and reset box, $200 403-728-3375

Call Classifieds 403-309-3300 classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com Accounting

1010

INDIVIDUAL & BUSINESS Accounting, 30 yrs. of exp. with oilfield service companies, other small businesses and individuals RW Smith, 346-9351

880

Cleaning

1070

JOYEUX NOEL All washed up Cleaning Services. 1 Call Cleans it All 587-272-1999, 403-596-5007

HOW can you make your phone ring & make some quick cash? Place your ad here. . .

is expanding its facility to double production.

Contractors

We are currently seeking the following to join our team in Blackfalds for all shifts:

1100

BRIAN’S DRYWALL Framing, drywall, taping, textured & t-bar ceilings, 36 yrs exp. Ref’s. 392-1980

- Concrete Finishers - Carpenters/Woodworkers 272825K19-L30

Top Wages paid based on experience. Full Benefits and Uniform Package included.

Visit our website for more detailed job descriptions at www. eaglebuilders.ca. Applicants are able to apply online or fax resumes to Human Resources 403-885-5516 or e-mail: k.kooiker@eaglebuilders.ca.

3050

4 Plexes/ 6 Plexes

3 BDRM. 4 appls. no pets. $900/mo. + d.d.

403-343-6609 Classifieds...costs so little Saves you so much!

WANTED

Misc. for Sale

2140

Horses

FREE Shaw Cable + more $899/month Sharon 403-550-8777

Avail now, 2 bdrm, 1 bath house, 2 appl, large yard, $1,100 + util, $1,050 SD, N/S, small dog ok fee, PM ROOM $600. Blackfalds.

Cats 562 ~ 5207 Wilson St ~ All incld’d, furn. 588-2564 Sim Mgmt & Realty FREE F cat to good home, 403-340-0065 ext 412 ~ Warehouse www.simproperties.ca spayed, indoor, likes to go Space for walks outside SYLVAN, avail .immed. 2 403-304-0879 bdrm. + hide-a-bed, incl., BRAND new 9900 sq. ft.

HOUSE cat to give away, cable, dishes, bedding, all ready for lease fall 2012 on utils. $1000 /mo. declawed front paws, call Golden West Ave 358-3500 403- 880-0210 403-728-3151 Start your career!

Mobile See Help Wanted Condos/

Dogs

4050

Acreages

Central Alberta’s Largest Car Lot in Classifieds

2000-2290

rentals

AQUARIUM

BED ALL NEW,

Queen Orthopedic, dble. pillow top, set, 15 yr. warr.

Cost $1300. Sacrifice $325.

302-0582 Free Delivery BED: #1 King. extra thick orthopedic pillowtop, brand new, never used. 15 yr. warr. Cost $1995, sacrifice @ $545. 403-302-0582.

AGRICULTURAL

wegot

2 M A N F I S H I N G H U T, $150. (403)782-3278

Misc.

Help

1810

Supplies

3040

Newly Reno’d Mobile

Cutter/Sleigh - 2 Seater with shaves Absolutely pristine SWISS 8” ice auger $35; condition!

403-728-3375 $2250.00 Contact warren at 403-350-8050 Pets &

WASH stand $200 587-272-2837

Viscount Dr./ Voisin Crsc

Service Runner (Part Time)

1520

CURVED glass curio cabinet 60”h $200 587-272-2837

1 day per wk.

No collecting!!

Manufactured Homes

JUST in time for Christmas entertaining , blue Willow dinnerware set, 12 place setting, w/5 pieces for each setting, versatile, freezer, dishwasher, microwave safe, have not been used, ( pictured in Sears wish book) $199.99.

Phone 403-746-2456

1580

SUNNYBROOK AREA

TO ORDER HOME DELIVERY OF THE ADVOCATE CALL OUR CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 314-4300

40’ FREE Standing Tower, never been erected. $200.

403-728-3375

black storage cabinet.

The Town of Olds Certified Appraisers 1966 Complete with: No collecting!

Estates, Antiques, Cichlids, all accessories, Firearms. decorations and food.

Packages come Bay 5, 7429-49 Ave. New Fluval 405 filter, ready for delivery!

347-5855 canopy with lights, Also & heater all replaced for the afternoon in Children's within the last year.

Great Christmas Present!!

Town of Penhold! Items $500. FIRM Also 403-346-7778 afternoon delivery in LIKE new all wood chil- or 403-506-7117 Red Deer dren’s pull sled, round Town of back, $20 SOLD Springbrook

Lancaster Drive Lindsay Ave. Lagrange Crsc

**********************

FREE

for all Albertans

Antiques & Art

217865

Delivery Driver/Set Up Technician

foot & Cree, 18” diameter, $40 each, Calgary Stampede posters, brand new still in tube, 36x23” one 1998 5 left 1999 , 4 tuibes, yr 2000, $25 each, 403-347-7405

1500-1990

In Town of Trochu Morning Delivery 1 hour per day 6 days per week No collection No Sundays

INGLEWOOD AREA

Build A Resume That Works!

APPLY ONLINE www.lokken.com/rdw.html Call: 403-348-8561 Email inford@lokken.com Career Programs are

CLASSIFICATIONS

NEWSPAPER CARRIERS REQUIRED for

1760

Misc. for Sale

RED DEER WORKS 2 NATIVE SHIELDS Black-

stuff

TOO MUCH STUFF? Let Classifieds help you sell it.

BOWER AREA

920

Career Planning

wegot

Celebrate your life with a Classified ANNOUNCEMENT

VANIER AREA CANADA’S largest home health care supplier has an exciting opportunity for a

880

274499L1-31

Misc.

Help

DALE’S Home Reno’s Free estimates for all your reno needs. 403-506-4301 SIDING, Soffit, Fascia Prefering non- combustible fibre cement, canexel & smart board, Call Dean @ 302-9210.

Escorts

1165

Massage Therapy

1280

Misc.

Services

1290

LINDA’S CHINESE MASEDEN 587-877-7399 10am-midnight SAGE Grand Opening #3 4820-47 Ave. 403-986-1550 EROTICAS PLAYMATES MASSAGE ABOVE ALL Girls of all ages 598-3049 IRONMAN Scrap Metal WALK-INS WELCOME www.eroticasplaymates.net Recovery is picking up 4709 Gaetz Ave. 346-1161 LEXI, Blonde, Babe, No scrap again! Farm machinAgency Fees 403-396-8884 TRADITIONAL CHINESE ery, vehicles and industrial.

MASSAGE, new girls, Serving central Alberta.

LEXUS 392-0891 *BUSTY* 4606 48 Ave. Open 7 403-318-4346 INDEPENDENT w/own car a.m.- 9 p.m. 7 days a wk.

Phone 403-986-1691

Handyman Services

1200

BUSY B’S HANDYMAN SERVICES LTD. Res/Comm.Reno’s, repair and more. Give us a buzz @ 403-598-3857 Free quotes. WCB, insured.

F & J Renovations. We do it all. Good rates and references available so call John at 403-307-3001 jbringleson@shaw.ca

Massage Therapy

1280

* NEW * Executive Touch.

Relaxation massage for men. 5003A - Ross St. Mon-Fri 11am-6pm 348-5650 Gentle Touch Massage 4919 50 St. New rear entry, lots of parking 403-341-4445

VII MASSAGE

Feeling overwhelmed?

Hard work day? Come in and let us pamper you.

Pampering at its best. #7 7464 Gaetz Ave.(rear entrance if necessary) www.viimassage.biz In/Out Calls to Hotels 403-986-6686

Misc.

Services

1290

5* JUNK REMOVAL

Property clean up 340-8666 CENTRAL PEST CONTROL LTD. Comm/res. Locally owned.

403-373-6182 cpest@shaw.ca FREE removal of all kinds of unwanted scrap metal.

No household appliances 403-396-8629

Seniors’ Services

1372

ATT’N: SENIORS Are you looking for help on small reno’s or jobs, such as, new bathroom sink, toilets or safety bars in bath tubs. Call James 403- 341-0617 HELPING HANDS For Seniors. Cleaning, cooking, companionship in home or in facility.

Call 403-346-7777 Better For Cheaper with a Low Price Guarantee. helpinghandshomesupport.com

Snow Removal

1380

SNOW SHOVELLED 403-505-0832

D4 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 Cars

5030

2006 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2.0T FWD, 4 cyl. turbo, $10,888 348-8788 Sport & Import

5040

SUV's

2007 CADILLAC Escalade AWD, lthr.,rear air, sunroof, $27888, 348-8788 Sport & Import

2006 FORD EXPLORER 2005 CHRYSLER Cross- Eddie Bauer htd. lthr., fire LTD, 6 speed, htd. sunroof, DVD, $16,888 lthr., $10,888 348-8788 348-8788 Sport & Import Sport & Import

2003 HYUNDAI TIBURON FWD,106300 kms, $6888 2005 CHRYSLER 300 lthr, 348-8788 Sport & Import 64,690 kms, $11,888 348-8788 Sport & Import

2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GLS diesel, $9888 348-8788 Sport & Import

2000 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 196,000 kms., $9300. obo 403-597-5972

5050

Trucks

VIEW ALL OUR PRODUCTS At

www.garymoe.com

2010 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT Power Wagon 4X4, hemi, winch, $25,888 3488788 Sport & Import

has relocated to

2007 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLE 4X4, $18,888 762050 AVE, Sport & Import 216751

SUV's

2007 F350 55,000 km, 4x4, ext.. cab, L/B $16,500 ,403-340-1475

5040 2004 DODGE Dakota S p o r t 4 X 4 , V- 8 , $ 8 8 8 8 348- 8788 Sport & Import

2008 SUZUKI SX4 FWD, 89106 kms, $7888 3488788 Sport & Import

2001 DODGE Ram 1500.

Q/cab. loaded 403-596-6995

2008 NISSAN PATHFINDER S $16888 348-8788 Sport & Import

5070

Vans Buses

2003 AEROSTAR Ford, $1500. obo. 403-343-8594 2000 GMC 1/2 ton V6 trades work van, bins, divider, roof racks, exc. cond $3000 obo 403-343-2867

Snowmobiles

5170

2008 JEEP Grand Cherok e e 4 X 4 t u r b o d i e s e l , 2004 ROADSPORT sled 3 0 8 0 4 k m s , $ 3 1 8 8 8 trailer. 22’x96”. 2 - 3500 lb 348-8788 Sport & Import axles w/brakes, new decking. $2700 obo. 403-350-6470

Vehicles Wanted To Buy

5200

REMOVAL of unwanted cars, may pay cash for complete cars. 304-7585 2008 HONDA RIDGELINE RT 4X4, $19888 348-8788 Sport & Import

WANTED FREE REMOVAL of unwanted cars and trucks, also wanted to buy lead batteries, call 403-396-8629

y

TRY Central Alberta LIFE 2007 JEEP Grand Cherokee AWD $15888 348-8788 Sport & Import

SERVING CENTRAL ALBERTA RURAL REGION

CALL 309-3300 2007 JEEP Grand Cherokee AWD $15888 348-8788 Sport & Import

Tenders

PUBLIC NOTICES

6020

JUDICIAL SALE OF MORTGAGED LANDS The following property is offered by sale by tender subject to the restrictions in the existing certificate of title, namely: MERIDIAN 5 RANGE 5 TOWNSHIP 37 SECTION 19 QUARTER NORTH EAST CONTAINING 64.7 HECTARES (160 ACRES) MORE OR LESS EXCEPTING THEREOUT: HECTARES ACRES MORE OR LESS A) PLAN 5511JY ROAD 0.417 1.03 B) PLAN 0524611 DESCRIPTIVE 2.017 4.98 EXCEPTING THEREOUT ALL MINES AND MINERALS The property is an improved agricultural property.

For further details, interested parties may refer to the affidavit of value and valuator’s report filed in these proceedings.

Tenders in sealed envelopes referencing the Court file number 1110-01226, accompanied by your address for notification and a certified cheque, money order or cash for 10% of the amount of the tender must be in the hands of the Clerk of the Court 4909 – 48th Avenue Red Deer, Alberta by 12:00 noon on January 18, 2013.

The balance of the purchase price shall be paid into Court within 30 days, if your tender is accepted. You will be notified of the date and time when the Court will consider your tender. If your tender is accepted and you do not complete the purchase within the 30 days then your deposit will be forfeited.

The successful tenderer shall take the mortgaged lands as is. No warranties of any kind are made with respect to the mortgaged lands. The highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. The deposits of unsuccessful tenderers will be returned to them.

277264L20

Russia close to passing law banning Americans from adopting their children

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS MOSCOW — Russia’s parliament on Wednesday gave overwhelming preliminary approval to a measure banning Americans from adopting Russian children, a harsh retaliatory move against U.S. human rights legislation.

But the proposal appears to be too extreme for some senior Russian officials. The foreign minister and the education minister spoke out flatly against an adoption ban, and the speaker of the upper house of parliament, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, suggested the lower house members were letting emotions overtake rationality.

Putin himself, who has the authority to veto legislation, has made no public comment on the adoption provision.

But his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, indicated Wednesday the Russian leader regards it as excessive.

Peskov told the Interfax news agency that, although Putin understands the emotions that prompted the move, “the executive powers are taking a more restrained line.”

Before becoming law, the measure has to pass a third reading in the State Duma, which is set for Friday, after which it would go to the upper house, the Federation Council, and then require Putin’s signature.

The legislation further steps up animosity with Washington by calling for closure of political organizations in Russia that receive American funding.

Both strictures were included as amendments in the second reading in the State Duma of a bill prompted by last week’s signing by President Barack Obama of a U.S. law that allows sanctions against Russians deemed to be human rights violators.

The U.S. law reopened a vein of deep resentment among many Russians over the United States’ alleged meddling in Russian domestic affairs and Washington’s perceived penchant for treating Moscow with condescension.

Putin has accused the U.S. of funding the wave of protests that rose against him over the past year and strongly criticized the new U.S. law.

Many Russians have long bristled at the adoption of Russian children by Americans, sensitive to the implication that Russians are hard-hearted or economically unable to take care of their own. The resentment is fanned by cases of abuse or deaths of Russian children adopted by Americans.

The anger hit the boiling point in 2010 when an American woman sent back a 7-year-old Russian boy she had adopted, saying he had behavioural problems and she didn’t want him anymore.

In the wake of that scandal, and after long delay, Russia in July ratified an agreement with the U.S. on regulating adoptions. If the measure approved on Wednesday becomes law, Russia would abrogate that agreement.

Backers of the measure complain that the agreement is enforced poorly

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Police officers detain a protester near the State Duma, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday. People picketed parliament’s lower chamber, which is set to debate an amendment that would ban Americans from adopting Russian children. and that American courts are too lenient.

“Cases of the death of our children in the United States continue, and cases of not-guilty verdicts; we decided to take this tough decision to deprive Americans of the right to adopt Russian children,” said Alexei Pushkov, chairman of the Duma’s foreign relations committee.

Despite the cases of adopted-children abuse in the U.S., opponents of the Russian measure say blocking adoptions ultimately punishes innocent kids.

The lawmakers “with impotent spite want to take revenge, but can’t take revenge on Americans so try to recoup with children,” Lyudmila Alexeyeva, one of Russia’s most prominent human-rights activists, was quoted as saying by Interfaxe. “Instead of going to a country where they will try to be treated or at least be with families, they will stay to suffer here, in children’s homes.”

There are about 740,000 children without parental custody in Russia, according to UNICEF. Russians historically have been less inclined to adopt children than in many other cultures.

“Our deputies in the State Duma act absolutely like terrorists,” said Oleg Orlov, head of the rights group Memorial. “They are fighting their external enemy — U.S. congressmen and senators, but .... take peaceful people as hostages: ourselves, the citizens of their own country, members of the civic movement, and children.”

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland declined to specu-

late on what the final Russian legislation would look like, but stressed that the American government is committed to upholding its agreements with Russia on adoptions.

The U.S. “continues to work closely with Russian authorities on intercountry adoption issues,” Nuland said.

Civic organizations are likely to suffer in the provision on blocking U.S.funded political organizations. A law passed this summer already requires non-governmental organizations that both receive funding from abroad and engage in political activity to register as “foreign agents;” as with the proposed new measure, a vague definition of what constitutes “political activity” could be used to crack down broadly.

The entire Russian retaliatory measure is being called the Dima Yakovlev bill, honouring a Russian-born toddler who died in the U.S. after his adoptive father left him in an automobile in the broiling heat for several hours. The father later was found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

The U.S. law, called the Magnitsky Act, stems from the case of Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who was arrested after accusing officials of a $230 million tax fraud. He was repeatedly denied medical treatment and died in jail in 2009. Russian rights groups claimed he was severely beaten and accused the Kremlin of failing to prosecute those responsible.

The amended bill passed by the Duma on Wednesday also says any country that passes legislation similar to the Magnitsky Act also will be subject to an adoption ban.

UN suspends polio vaccinations in Pakistan after gunmen kill eight people in two days

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PESHAWAR, Pakistan — The United Nations suspended its polio vaccination drive in Pakistan on Wednesday after eight people involved in the effort were shot dead in the past two days, a U.N. official said.

The suspension was a grave blow to the drive to bring an end to the scourge of polio in Pakistan, one of only three countries where the crippling disease still survives.

On Wednesday, gunmen shot at a woman working on the campaign in northwest Pakistan, killing her and her driver, one of five attacks during the day on polio workers. A male polio immunization worker was critically wounded in one of the shootings.

This week six other people have been killed who were working on the immunization program, which has been jointly conducted with the Pakistani government.

No one has claimed responsibility, but some Islamic extremists charge that the program is a cover for espionage.

At the U.N., SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon condemned the killing as “cruel, senseless and inexcusable.” He said the eight workers were among thousands across Pakistan “working selflessly to achieve the historic goal of polio eradication.”

Sarah Crowe, spokeswoman for UNICEF, said the vaccination program has been suspended everywhere in Pakistan until an investigation by the Pakistani government is completed.

“This is undoubtedly a tragic setback, but the campaign to eradicate polio will and must continue,” she said.

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Pakistani girl shows finger marked after being immunized in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday. Gunmen shot dead a woman working on U.N.-backed polio vaccination efforts and her driver in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, officials said, raising the number of people killed in the last 48 hours who were part of the immunization drive.

Some provincial governments in Pakistan continued to immunize children, independent of the U.N. drive.

Prevention efforts have managed to reduce the number of cases in Pakistan by around 70 per cent this year compared to 2011, but the recent violence threatens to reverse that progress.

Suspicion for the attacks has fallen on the Pakistani Taliban because of their virulent opposition to the polio campaign, but the group’s spokesman, Ahsanullah Ahsan, denied responsibility in a telephone call to The Associated Press. Police say they have killed two militant suspects and arrested a dozen others in connection to the attacks but did not say whether they were Taliban.

Militants accuse health workers of acting as spies for the U.S. and claim the vaccine makes children sterile. Taliban commanders in the troubled north-

west tribal region have also said vaccinations can’t go forward until the U.S. stops drone strikes in the country.

Insurgent opposition to the campaign grew last year after it was revealed that a Pakistani doctor ran a fake vaccination program to help the CIA track down and kill al-Qaida founder Osama bin Laden, who was hiding in the town of Abbottabad in the country’s northwest.

The number of attacks this week on polio workers is unprecedented. They came as the government started a three-day vaccination drive Monday targeting high risk areas of the country, part of an effort to immunize millions of children under the age of five.

The deadliest of Wednesday’s attacks occurred in the northwestern town of Charsadda, where the female polio worker and her driver were gunned down, said senior government of-

ficial Syed Zafar Ali Shah.

Gunmen attacked two other polio immunization teams in Charsadda and one in the town of Nowshera, but no one was hurt in those attacks, he said.

Earlier in the day, gunmen shot a polio worker in the head in the city of Peshawar, wounding him critically, said Janbaz Afridi, a senior health official in surrounding Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

On Tuesday, gunmen killed five female polio workers — three of them teenagers — in a series of attacks in Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province, and a village outside Peshawar. Two men who were working alongside the women were critically wounded in those attacks. A male polio worker was also shot to death in Karachi on Monday.

Police conducted two operations in Karachi in the wake of the shootings in which they arrested a dozen suspects and killed two suspected militants, said senior police official Shahid Hayat.

Several dozen polio immunization workers and human rights activists protested against the killings in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Wednesday and demanded security for the field staff.

The Pakistani government also condemned the attacks, saying they deprive Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations — specifically children — of basic lifesaving health interventions.

The U.N. said it was increasing security for its polio workers, but did not provide any details.

Polio usually infects children living in unsanitary conditions, attacks the nerves and can kill or paralyze. A total of 56 polio cases have been reported in Pakistan during 2012, down from 190 the previous year.

D5

WORLD

» SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

General manager Steve Alcairo holds a Winchester 1200 shotgun while being interviewed at High Bridge Arms Inc. in San Francisco, Wednesday. Anxious parents reeling in the wake the Connecticut school shooting are fueling sales of armored backpacks for children emblazoned with Disney and Avengers logos, as firearms enthusiasts stock up on assault rifles nationwide amid fears of imminent gun control measures. At Amendment II, sales of children’s backpacks and armored inserts are up 300 per cent.

Obama demands action on gun control

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Wednesday demanded “concrete proposals” on curbing gun violence that he could send to Congress no later than January — an urgent effort to build on the growing political consensus over gun restrictions following last week’s massacre of children at a Connecticut school.

It was a tough new tone for the president, whose first four years were largely quiet on the issue amid widespread political reluctance to tackle a powerful gun-rights lobby. But emotions have been high after the gunman in Friday’s shooting used a semi-automatic rifle to kill 20 young children and six adults at the school, shooting many several times and at close range, after killing his mother at home. He then killed himself.

“This time, the words need to lead to action,” Obama said. He said he will push legislation “without delay” and urged Congress to hold votes on the bill next year.

“The fact that this problem is complex can no longer be an excuse for doing nothing,” Obama said.

“The fact that we can’t prevent every act of violence doesn’t mean we can’t steadily reduce the violence.”

The president listed eight people across the country who had been killed by gun violence since Friday’s shooting.

As part of his call for “real progress, right now,” Obama pressed Congress to reinstate an assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004. He also called

for stricter background checks for people who seek to purchase weapons and limited high-capacity clips.

Vice-President Joe Biden, a longtime gun control advocate with decades of experience in the Senate, will lead a team that will include members of Obama’s administration and outside groups.

The administration will have to make its gun control push in the middle of tense negotiations with Congress to avoid the “fiscal cliff” of billions of dollars in tax increases and deep spending cuts that will kick in at the end of the year without a deal.

Notably, the first question asked of Obama during a press conference after his gun announcement was about the fiscal talks.

In the days since the shooting, Obama has vowed to use “whatever power this office holds” to safeguard the nation’s children after Friday’s shooting.

Funerals for the victims continued Wednesday, along with the wake for the school’s beloved principal.

The shooting has prompted several congressional gun-rights supporters to consider new legislation to control firearms, and there are concerns in the administration and elsewhere that their willingness to engage could fade as the shock and sorrow over the shooting eases.

The most powerful supporter of gun owners and the gun industry, the National Rifle Association, broke its silence Tuesday, four days after the shooting. In a statement, it pledged “to help to make sure this never happens again” and has scheduled a news conference for Friday.

Obama challenged the NRA to join the broader

effort to reduce gun violence, saying, “Hopefully they’ll do some self-reflection.”

With the NRA promising “meaningful contributions” and Obama vowing “meaningful action,” the challenge in Washington is to turn words into action.

Ideas so far have ranged from banning people from buying more than one gun a month to arming teachers.

The challenge will be striking the right balance with protecting the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms. Firearms are in a third or more of U.S. households, and suspicion runs deep of an overbearing government whenever it proposes expanding federal authority.

Many pro-gun lawmakers also have called for a greater focus on mental health issues and the impact of violent entertainment like video games. Obama also prefers a holistic approach, with aides saying stricter gun laws alone are not the answer.

Obama said Wednesday that the U.S. needs to make access to mental health care as easy as access to a gun.

Still, much of the immediate focus is on gun control, an issue that has been dormant in Washington for years despite several mass shootings.

The policy process Obama was announcing Wednesday was expected to include input from the departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services. The heads of those agencies met with Obama at the White House on Monday. The Department of Homeland Security is also expected to play a key role.

Top officials resign in wake of security report

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LIBYA

WASHINGTON — Three State Department officials resigned under pressure Wednesday, less than a day after a damning report blamed management failures for a lack of security at the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, where militants killed the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans on Sept. 11.

The resignations came as lawmakers expressed anger and frustration over the findings of an independent review panel, and the State Department struggled to find a balance between protecting its diplomats while allowing them to do their jobs connecting with people in high-risk posts.

An Obama administration official said Eric Boswell, the assistant secretary of state for diplomatic security, Charlene Lamb, the deputy assistant secretary responsible for embassy security, and Raymond Maxwell, the deputy assistant secretary of state who oversees the Maghreb nations of Libya, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to discuss personnel matters publicly.

The issue of security at the mission and the deaths of the Americans became a political hot potato with Republicans accusing the Obama administration,

and especially U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice of playing down the possibility it was a terrorist attack.

Eventually Rice was forced to withdraw her name from consideration to replace Hillary Rodham Clinton as secretary of state during President Barack Obama’s second term.

Rice had appeared on numerous TV talk shows the Sunday after the attack and linked it to an antiIslamic U.S. film. Those comments came after evidence already pointed to a distinct militant attack.

The department declined immediate comment on the resignation of the officials whose decisions had been criticized in the unclassified version of the Accountability Review Board’s report that was released late Tuesday.

The board’s co-chairman, retired Adm. Mike Mullen, told reporters that the board had not determined that any officials had “engaged in wilful misconduct or knowingly ignored his or her responsibilities,” But Mullen, a former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, added, “We did conclude that certain State Department bureau level senior officials in critical levels of authority and responsibility in Washington demonstrated a lack of leadership and management ability appropriate for senior ranks in their

responses to security concerns posed by the special mission.”

Mullen said the mission’s security fell through bureaucratic cracks caused in part because buildings were categorized as temporary. The report said that budget constraints had caused some officials to be more concerned with saving scarce money than in security.

Co-chairman Thomas Pickering, a retired ambassador, said the personnel on the ground in Benghazi had reacted to the attack with bravery and professionalism. But, he said, the security precautions were “grossly inadequate” and the contingent was overwhelmed by the heavily armed militants.

“They did the best they possibly could with what they had but what they had wasn’t enough,” Pickering said.

Powered by

Central Alberta’s career site of choice.

Israeli settlements condemned by all but U.S. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and all members of the UN Security Council except the United States criticized Israel on Wednesday, demanding an immediate halt to new settlement construction.

Representatives of the 14 council members stepped to the microphone outside the council chamber after its monthly Mideast briefing to denounce the Israeli settlement plans, which they warned is threatening a two-state settlement with the Palestinians. The council president, Morocco’s UN Ambassador Mohammed Loulichki, said they did so because efforts to get the council to agree on a resolution or statement had failed.

Separately, Ban told reporters that Israel’s heightened settlement activity “gravely threatens efforts to establish a viable Palestinian state.”

“I call on Israel to refrain from continuing on this dangerous path,” he said.

“The Middle East peace process is in a deep freeze,” he said. “The two sides seem more polarized than ever, and a two-state solution is farther away

than at any time since the Oslo process began” in the 1990s.

Peace talks that resulted from the Oslo process have been frozen for four years, in large part because of the settlement issue. The Palestinians refuse to negotiate while Israel expands its settlements, which are now home to more than 500,000 Israelis.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to build thousands of homes in settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, the Palestinians’ hoped-for capital, in response to the UN General Assembly’s decision last month to upgrade the Palestinians’ status to a nonmember observer state. Israel opposed UN recognition of a Palestinian state, saying it bypassed peace negotiations.

The United States, Israel’s closest Mideast ally, voted against the Palestinian statehood resolution and vetoed a Security Council resolution backed by the 14 other members in February 2011 that would have urged a halt to all settlement building. But the Obama administration is growing increasingly frustrated with recent Israeli announcements on new settlement activity and other issues clearly aimed at punishing the Palestinians for the UN vote.

Personal Lines Advisor Do you want to work for an organization that puts FUN Àrst? As one of Alberta’s Top 55 employers we are looking for a FUN, DRIVEN, and ENTHUSIASTIC Personal Lines Advisor to join our team!

The successful applicant will enjoy meeting new people, be able to multi-task in a fast paced environment and be a strong team player. Computer skills are a must. All candidates with 1+ years of insurance experience and a Level 1 General Insurance License will be considered.

Please forward your resume to:

ion@rogersinsurance.ca MOONEY INSURANCE AGENCY LTD. 4910 – 45 Street Red Deer, AB T4N 1K6

42779L20-29

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

D6 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

U.S. Army seeks death penalty for soldier

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

AFGHANISTAN MASSACRE

SEATTLE — The U.S. Army said Wednesday it will seek the death penalty against the soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan villagers in a predawn rampage in March, a decision his lawyer called “totally irresponsible.”

The announcement followed a pretrial hearing last month for Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, 39, who faces premeditated murder and other charges in the attack on two villages in southern Afghanistan.

The slayings drew such angry protests that the U.S. temporarily halted combat operations in Afghanistan, and it was three weeks before American investigators could reach the crime scenes.

Prosecutors said Bales left his remote southern Afghanistan base early on March 11, attacked one village and returned to the base, then slipped away

again to attack another nearby compound. Of the 16 people killed, nine were children.

No date has been set for Bales’ court martial, which will be held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord south of Seattle.

His civilian lawyer, John Henry Browne, told The Associated Press he met with Army officials last week to argue his client shouldn’t face the possibility of the death penalty, given that Bales was serving his fourth deployment in a war zone when the killings occurred.

“The Army is not taking responsibility for Sgt. Bales and other soldiers that the Army knowingly sends into combat situations with diagnosed (posttraumatic stress disorder), concussive head injuries Secretary General of the Election Committee Zaghloul el-Balshi attributed his resignation to “a sudden health crisis,” according to a copy of a letter he sent to the committee that was published by several Egyptian dailies including the privately owned el-Watan.

The official confirmed the authenticity of the letter. Relatives told local Egyptian media that elBalshi has undergone eye surgery.

“The effort I put in over the past period has caused a sudden health crisis,” the letter of resignation read. “As you know, it is impossible to carry out my mission with this health condition,” it added.

WORLD

BRIEFS

Top Egyptian elections official resigns ahead of 2nd round of vote CAIRO, Egypt — One of the top officials in charge of overseeing Egypt’s vote on a contentious Islamistbacked draft constitution resigned Wednesday, citing health problems, a judicial official said, in what critics saw as another blow to the legitimacy of the process.

The resignation comes amid allegations of vote irregularities and follows boycotts of the referendum judges and others leaving the voting process with a severe shortage of monitors to oversee it.

Northern Ireland politicians receive bullets in the mail in flag flap DUBLIN, Ireland — Five Northern Ireland politicians received letters containing bullets Wednesday as an extremist Protestant campaign of death threats

and other injuries,” Browne said. “The Army is trying to take the focus off the failure of its decisions, and the failure of the war itself, and making Sgt. Bales out to be a rogue soldier.”

Bales’ wife, Kari Bales, said in a statement Wednesday that she and their children have been enjoying their weekend visits with Bales at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and she hopes he receives an impartial trial.

“I no longer know if a fair trial for Bob is possible, but it very much is my hope, and I will have faith,” she said.

Bales’ defence team has said the government’s case is incomplete, and outside experts have said a key issue going forward will be to determine if Bales suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Bales grew up in the Cincinnati suburb of Norwood, Ohio, and served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. and illegal street protests escalated over Belfast City Council’s decision to stop flying the British flag yearround.

Hours later, an off-duty police officer narrowly avoided being shot when confronted by a gunman outside his home in the mainly Protestant town of Bangor. No group claimed responsibility. The Police Service of Northern Ireland said the officer was targeted by gunshots but did not return fire during the failed ambush.

About 40 police have been injured during the past three weeks’ street clashes with Protestant extremists, who have issued threats against both police and politicians. Typically, however, gun attacks on British security forces are committed by Irish Republican Army splinter groups from the Irish Catholic side of the community. Last month, an IRA faction ambushed and killed a prison guard as he drove to work.

The five letters containing live bullets were intercepted by security screening staff at Stormont Parliamentary Building in east Belfast.

Really?

When?

Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Let’s tell our friends ... how do they get to join us?

It’s EASY...

Mail or email their color baby photo, dad and mom’s names, their name (as they want it to appear in the paper) and $37.80 Twins are $56.70 (includes GST) to: classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com OR “Babies on Parade”, 2950 Bremner Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4R 1M9 OR go to wegotads.ca - place ad - Announcements - Babies On Parade.

ON PARADE PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY Baby’s Last Name: ____________________________________ Baby’s Name as you want it to appear in the paper:

See us on Facebook!

Mmmmm BROCCOLI OR CARROTS? Favourite foods

CONFIDENT GENERATION Today’s toddlers change

B4

way we look at

Plus for just $5

CENTRAL

BREAKING NEWS

the

life

B1

Circle One: DAILY NEW SPAP

_________ Year

Son

Daughter

ER

WOW! Look who 's here! .REDDEERADVO

CATE.COM

TUESDAY, DEC.

11, 2012

Parent’s Names: Father___________________________

JORDAN SMITH, SON MARY SMITH. BORN OF JOHN AND OCTOBER 12, 2012

Mother __________________________

BY BILL WHITE ADVOCATE STAFF

TINY TRAVELLE RS

Car Safety with Kids in Tow HELPFUL TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH

YOUNG KIDS

BY TOM SMITH ADVOCATE STAFF

Last Name to be Used_____________________________ Hundreds of Photo by JIM people, young BOW/Advocate staff and old, lined Train roll into the tracks in the city. Lit with Lacombe on Monda the country, thousands of y to see the CP the CP LED Holiday as it makes daily Rail Holiday Train is helping lights and bringing Christm as cheer as it stops. The train to collect donati crosses makes a stop will be back ons for commu in Red Deer at again in Centra nity food banks the CP yards performing on l Alberta on at 6867 Edgar the Wednesday when Industrial Drive. $6.4 million and stage at each stop. Since it This year Doc 1999, the Holida about 1.8 million Walker is y Train progra kilograms of m has raised food for North close to American food video at reddee banks. See related radvocate.com .

Photo: Pick Up or Mail To:_________________________

Ensuring children the safety of their priority foris of the utmost parents. One leading caus of the children invoes of injuries to lve motor vehi crashes. cle The National LOTS OF AIM FOR PEAC SNACKS A2 Center EFUL BEDTIMES for

BY SAM SCOTT Analysis says Statistics nearly 250,and children are ADVOCATE STAFF 000 inju red every year Muc in car acci h of a youn dents. Man injuries can y of these revolves g child’s life be attribute arou improper new situatio nd adapting to certain things a pare d to rest raint syst to mak nt can do ns. Eve used on chil dren. In orde ems routine is establis n when a smoothle the process go mor safeguard hed, things y for e r to can * Get talk all involved. must be passengers, drivers must change and new skill ing. Befo be aware of properly secu how to from bottlearned. From movings the bed, start talk re buying re young chil le ing in the car. dren a pacifier, to cup, to giving up with your child. Talk about it to no long the n Not about how The type diap er using sam ever ers or train of vehicle depends on e feelings y child has the restraint young ing pants, abou chil seve t a “big boy dren or girl” bed ral factors, lot of including . Som transitions.must tackle a abou weight and the child’s age, One such t the prospecte are excited while othe feel a vehicles haveheight. Although the swit transition is mak ing certainbit frightened. There rs ch from slee safety feat unique to are things a pare ures crib to ping nt can do vehicle, the each individual can be sleeping in a bed. A in a to make the proc crib smoothl ess go mor can ride is safest place a child for a a safe, comforting plac y e for all child. But involved e * Get talk backseat ofin the center of the crib may over ing. Before . no longer be time, the the bed, should not the car. Children place buying start talking the righ for the chil about it seat becauseride in the front this can d to rest andt with your child. Talk an air bag designed is not number ofmanifest itself in a the n Not every chilabout how for the ways. For sam height and a chil weight of a instance, or e feelings about d has the a “big boy girl” bed. serious injuchild and can cause over d may attempt to clim Som the railing In terms of ry if deployed. edge. Whe b about the prospecte are excited such behavio car seats, here n while othe a general guid rs parents cons r persists, most feel a bit frightened. eline to use. is Again, cons toddler bed ider switching to a certain things a pareThere are , or a twin-size to make the nt can do manual of ult the owners’ with safe proc d the vehicle bed smoothl ty ess go mor car seat inst and the y for all invo Not every railings. e child has ensure prop ruction booklet to feelings abou the same * Get talking. Befolved. er placeme the bed, re buying t a “big boy nt of girl” star t talk bed. Some or Please see SNACK are excited it with your child. ing about S on Page A2 about the pros Talk about feel a bit frighpect while others how the n tened. The re are

Help your child transition from a crib to a bed

WEATHER

30% Chance of

PLEASE RECYCLE

and get this ...

ALBERTA’S

ONLINE AT WWW

__________ Day

flurries. High -5.

FORECAST ON A2

INDEX Four sections Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C3,C4 Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A5,A6 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D1-D4 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D5 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C5 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4-B6

Please see BEDS

on Page A2

ALBERTA

FAVOURITE TOY S FOR FAVOURIT E KIDS

A mnmf kijf fkfsk fkjfkfn jdfkjf kgijfijekgjknkjg ifjkf kfkjsf kfkj nkfk kksfkfnfsjijo gjkgs jijkgn jgkjs ojoen glgjlg gllglmkkjl kfkjkfj kjfksjglj ikuoejjk ioeo sjtkjo. A3

SAMPLE

CANADA

MOST POP FOR 2012 ULAR NAMES Dvxkh

Address: _________________________ City:____________Postal Code: _______ Phone number:__________________________ Additional “Front Page Print?”

YES

NO

kjjfksjfniuo kjkfg hbmnvx jhfkfhk ihihihg gkghkjkg khskgjk koj kjk kk kfksjksfi ojogsjog kjkkjk jhuu kfsjkjf kjkjf kfjfsojfojnkg kjgkj kjojo juiieoe kjo jhkgsn oojojn kjkjf mnxkg kjjg jljlg kjkjk ljl. A5

Two babies might be the lucky winners of a $300 gift card from Bower Place Shopping Centre. One for a Girl & One for a Boy. Deadline Tuesday, January 22, 2013 Call 403-309-3300 for more information

If “YES” please add $5.25 to payment VISA / MC

______ ______ ______ ______

Expiry: ___________________________

27029L20-22

more - Get your own Advocate “Front Page” with a picture of your baby.

This full color 11x17 print is a great keepsake to celebrate your “headliner” arrival.

Birthdate: ___________ Month

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 D7

Mraz headlines groundbreaking concert in Myanmar FIRST WORLD-CLASS PERFORMER IN DECADES TO PERFORM IN COUNTRY, AND FIRST TO HAVE AN OPEN-AIR MASS PUBLIC CONCERT

YANGON, Myanmar — American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz mixed entertainment with education to become the first world-class entertainer in decades to perform in Myanmar, with a concert to raise awareness of human trafficking.

Mraz’s 2008 hit “I’m Yours” was the finale for Sunday night’s concert before a crowd of about 50,000 people at the base of the famous hilltop Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the country’s biggest city.

Local artists, including a hip-hop singer, also played at the event organized by the anti-trafficking media group MTV EXIT — for “End Exploitation and Trafficking” —in co-operation with U.S. and Australian government aid agencies and the anti-slavery organization Walk Free.

Myanmar is emerging from decades of isolation under a reformist elected government that took office last year after almost five decades of military rule. It has been one of the region’s poorest countries, and its bad human rights record made it the target of political and economic sanctions by Western nations.

But democratic reforms initiated by President Thein Sein have led to the lifting of most sanctions, and the country is hopeful of a political and economic revival. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, the pro-democracy opposition leader, was released from house arrest in late 2010 and won a seat in parliament last April.

Mraz called his topbilled appearance at the concert a “tremendous honour.”

“I think the country is, at this time, downloading lots of new information from all around the world,” he said. “I’ve always wanted my music to be here, (for) hope and celebration, peace, love and happiness. And so I’m delighted that my music can be a part of this big download that Myanmar is experiencing right now.”

Organizers said Mraz was the first international artist to perform at an open-air, mass public concert in Myanmar. Jazz artists Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Charlie Byrd visited the country under U.S. government sponsorship in the 1970s, when it was still called Burma, but played at much smaller venues.

Many in the crowd queued for two hours before being admitted to the concert site. Yangon native Sann Oo, 31, wearing a white T-shirt with a sketch of Mraz, said he was pleased that Mraz had come and that there would be a broadcast of the event.

“His visit can promote the image of Myanmar, because people outside have been seeing the country as an insecure place, and poor,” he said.

“Now they can see how we look like from the concert. It also opens the potential for more concerts by foreign artists.”

Mraz has a history of involvement with human rights and other social causes. But there was some criticism of his visit by campaigners for Myanmar’s Muslim Rohingya community, which has been the target of ethnic-based violence this year that has forced tens of thousands of people from their homes into makeshift refugee camps. They feel Myanmar’s government has been complicit in the discrimination, and that Mraz’s visit provides it cover with the image of being a defender of human rights.

Mraz said he was aware of the issue, but that if he didn’t come to do the concert because someone else had asked him to protest another problem, then that would not help tackle the exploitation and human trafficking issue.

“I understand that there is a lot of wrongdoing in this world,” he said. “Today I’m here for this.”

Walk Free used the occasion of Sunday’s concert to launch a campaign calling on the world’s major corporations “to work together to end modern slavery by identifying, eradicating and preventing forced labour in their operations and supply chains.”

They are seeking to have the companies make a “zero tolerance for slavery pledge” by the end of March next year.

“While many think of slavery as a relic of history, experts estimate that there are currently 20.9 million people living under threat of violence, abuse and harsh penalties,” the Australia-based group said in a statement. “Within this massive number, the majority of people - more than 14.2 million - are in a forced labour situation, used to source raw materials, and create products in sectors such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and domestic work.”

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

American singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, centre, performs at the base of the famous hilltop Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. Mraz mixed entertainment with education to become the first world-class entertainer in decades to perform in Myanmar, with a concert to raise awareness of human trafficking.

’Tis the season to be saving. iPhone 4S for $0

$

0

iPhone 4S 16 GB On a 3 year term with a $50 monthly spend before tax.*

$649 no term

Talk all you want this holiday season.

Unlimited talk & text†

Unlimited Talk &.

Family Share plans

Share data with friends and family on the same account‡ Caller ID and Voice Mail

Hurry, get yours before December 31.

Learn more at telusmobility.com/iPhoneoffer

30388L18

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

For more details, visit your TELUS store, authorized dealer or retailer, or call 1-866-264-2966.

TELUS STORES & AUTHORIZED DEALERS Red Deer Parkland Mall Bower Place

5125 76A St 5301 43 St

6838 50 Ave 7434 50 Ave

*iPhone 4S 16 GB. Regular 3 year term pricing is $79. Pricing and availability may vary. †Premium and subscription messages are not included. Visit telusmobility.com/text for details. ‡Only smartphones on an Unlimited Talk & Family Share plan may share data. TELUS, the TELUS logo, the future is friendly and telusmobility.com are trademarks of TELUS Corporation, used under licence. TM and © 2012 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2012 TELUS.

D8 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012

TM

Happy Holidays view weekly specials at: realcanadianliquorstore.ca

large 1L

8

98

10

98

1L

750 mL

10

98 750 mL

16

98 750 mL

16

98 750 mL

Banrock Station Shiraz or Chardonnay

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay

Wyndham Estate Bin 555 or 222

Zenato Ripassa Valpolicella

Layer Cake Barossa Shiraz or Malbec

526910/ 881893

147383/ 672386

289889/ 149729

167064

687038/ 844183

BONUS 50 mL

BONUS 50 mL

BONUS 50 mL

BONUS 50 mL

BONUS 50 mL

with purchase while quantities last

with purchase while quantities last

with purchase while quantities last

with purchase while quantities last

with purchase while quantities last

33

98 750 mL

31

98 1.14 L

28

98 1.14 L

27

98 1.14 L

21

98

Grey Goose vodka

Captain Morgan spiced rum

Baileys Irish cream

Smirnoff vodka

Crown Royal rye

183475

168127

714084

171062

167853

750 mL

10.99 each, works out to 1.37 per can

17

98

750 mL

65

98 750 mL

38

98

Caymus Conundrum white

Caymus Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Corona Extra beer

197763

294855

878815

/24 bottles

32

97 /24 cans

Kokanee beer 24 x 330 mL

520352

16

98 /12 bottles

Character beer winter pack 8 x 355 mL

553085

12 x 330 mL

PRICES DO NOT INCLUDE G.S.T. OR DEPOSIT

Prices effective Thursday, December 20 to Monday, December 24, 2012 at #5 Clearview Market Way, Red Deer.

MasterCard

Please drink responsibly and designate a driver. Don’t drink and drive!

We accept MasterCard or Visa

30383L20

We reserve the right to limit quantities. While stock lasts. Prices subject to change. No rainchecks, no substitutions.