Red Deer Advocate, December 18, 2014

ROCKETS IN TOWN s ‘Awful’ Rebel show no drive in 6-3 loss

SPORTS — PAGE B1

THE NEWSROOM ENDS WITH NOTHING BUT PLATITUDES PAGE D8

Red Deer Advocate THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

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PREMIER WELCOMES NINE DISGRUNTLED TORIES BACK INTO THE FOLD, GUTTING THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION

BY DEAN BENNETT THE CANADIAN PRESS EDMONTON — The leader of Alberta’s Official Opposition shattered her caucus Wednesday by leading lead an en masse floor crossing, saying she no longer had the fire in the belly to oppose Premier Jim Pr Prentice.

“If you’re going to be the offficial Opposition leader, you h have to really want to take d down the government and rea ally want to take down the prem mier,” Danielle Smith, standing b beside Prentice, told reporters a a news conference at Governat m ment House.

“I don’t want to take down th premier. this “I want this premier to succe ceed, and I want to be part and pa parcel of helping him succeed.”

Earlier Wednesday, Smith and eight of her Wildrose party col colleagues were accepted into Pre Prentice’s Progressive Conservative caucus, leaving behind a fivemem member rump while elevating the Tory majority to an overwhelming se 72 seats in the 87-seat legislature.

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

Alberta Premier Jim Prentice and Danielle Smith speak to media in Edmonton on Wednesday.

Quotes from Danielle Smith Sept. 6: “(Prentice) has a tremendous road ahead of him in order to rebuild trust with Albertans and get a grip on a government that has spiralled out of control.” — after congratulating Jim Prentice on winning the Progressive Conservative leadership race

Wildrose Party executive vows to continue fight

Oct. 27: “I look forward to each of our candidates taking another shot at this in the general (election).”

— after Wildrose loses four byelections

BY MARY-ANN BARR ADVOCATE STAFF

Nov. 26: “We were friends, and I say that in the past tense . . . She’s a member of the party across the aisle.” — speaking about Kerry Towle, one of two Wildrose caucus members to defect to the Conservatives

While the Wildrose Party suffered a major blow on Wednesday, there remains a sentiment to fight on.

The Progressive Conservatives accepted nine Wildrose MLAs — including leader Danielle Smith — into their party on Wednesday. Included into the PC fold also are two now-former Central Alberta Wildrose MLAs — Rod Fox (Lacombe-Ponoka) and Bruce Rowe (Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills). Rick Strankman (Drumheller-Stettler) is one of the five remaining Wildrose MLAs in Alberta.

With the defections, the Tories went from 63 to 72 seats.

Alex Pratt, Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills constituency association president, has been with the Wildrose from Day One.

Nov. 26: “We’ve been an incredibly effective Opposition. I’m now on my fourth premier. And we believe that there’s still a lot of work to do to hold them to account.” — on her remaining caucus after the defections Nov. 26: “There will be no more floor-crossings.”

— the same speech

Please see CROSSING on Page A2

The Didsbury resident was involved in the very beginning, in 2003, with the Alberta Alliance Party that would eventually merge in 2008 with the fledgling Wildrose (the party’s registered name is actually Wildrose Alliance Party).

“We have a strong support for the Wildrose in this area. The volunteers on the board, I’ve talked to several of them, and they’re dumbfounded with what’s going on ... nobody seen this coming.

“It was all orchestrated behind the scenes,” said Pratt.

Speaking to the Advocate on Wednesday morning before it was known how many or which Wildrose MLAs would cross over to the PCs, Pratt said he believed things started to move after Wildrose MLAs Kerry Towle (Sylvan Lake-Innisfail) and Ian Donovan (Little Bow) crossed the floor three weeks ago, leaving Wildrose with 14 seats.

Please see WILDROSE on Page A2

Festival of Trees raised more than $1M for maternity care

BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Red Deer’s Festival of Trees 2014 raised $1.07 million to improve maternity care at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre.

Festival organizers said record cold temperatures resulted in lower attendance this year but the annual holiday fundraising event held Nov. 26 to 30 at Westerner Park still attracted 22,000 visitors.

“We’re thrilled, of course, to get over $1 million in a year when it was so cold out. It was very noticeable that our numbers would be down for attendance on our public days. Our events were very well attended

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so the support was still there for them,” said Alaine Martin, project officer with Red Deer Regional Health Foundation, on Wednesday.

Extreme cold always affect attendance, she said.

Last year, the festival raised a record-breaking $1.28 million and hit an all-time attendance high with 24,300 visitors.

This year, the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation is contributing just over $1 million of the money raised to fully equip two dedicated operating rooms to be built adjacent to the Maternity Unit for scheduled caesarean sections and emergency obstetrical procedures.

Alberta Health Services is contributing $9.7 million to the project.

Construction is expected to get underway early next year.

To date, Festival of Trees has raised over $11.8 million over the past 21 years.

Last month’s festival was put on with the help of 2,600 volunteers.

Martin said Red Deer is a pretty incredible community.

“Every year it’s just very humbling to have the kind of support we get from however people choose or are able to contribute. If it’s through money, through attendance, through time, through items — everyone gives in the way that they can or that gives them pleasure.” szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

There’s more than meets the eye Outdoors columnist Myrna Pearman has been spending time this winter reading out birds and their amazing eyelids.

Story on PAGE C3

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A2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014

Task Force calls for end to cap on longterm care beds

SCUBA SANTA

BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Sixteen advocacy, health care and seniors groups are calling on the Prentice government to eliminate its cap on the number of long-term care beds and increase funding for care and medically trained staff at seniors’ facilities.

On Tuesday, Public Interest Alberta’s Seniors’ Task Force, whose members represent Central Alberta Council on Aging, United Nurses of Alberta, Friend of Medicare, and many others, released a Long-Term Care position paper saying Alberta is short 6,000 long-term care beds.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) studies show that in its 34 member countries, an average of four per cent of the population over the age of 65 require long-term care.

By that standard, the task force says Alberta needs about 20,000 long-term care beds and currently only has 14,370.

Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Public Interest Alberta executive director, said the number of beds was capped at under 14,500 in 2008.

“Obviously our population is growing and aging and we need to be looking ahead,” Moore-Kilgannon said on Wednesday.

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Children watch as diver Mark Lane, dressed as Scuba Santa Claus, descends into the 212,000 gallon Philippine Coral Reef tank at the California Academy of Sciences Wednesday in San Francisco. Scuba Santa was making his first dive of the holiday season as part of an exhibit called, ‘Tis the Season for Science.

Please see BEDS on Page A3

STORIES FROM PAGE A1

WILDROSE: ‘Not very fond of Danielle at the moment’ Smith’s departure for the Tories is a surprise, he said, because only a month ago at the Wildrose annual meeting she was very committed.

“I think there’ll be a lot of ‘What the hell’s going on? We just had our AGM.’ ” Pratt said he thinks Towle’s departure “kicked Danielle pretty hard. I think she felt betrayed in a way.” The two women were close friends.

As well, the fact Wildrose did not win any of four recent byelections was difficult, he said.

“They were going up against the PC Machine hard at work. I think that was kind of demoralizing.”

“I am not very fond of Danielle at the moment. I think she has dropped her whole ideals, as the opposition of holding the government to account, and now she’s joined forces with them.”

Pratt said he had a call earlier this week from Rowe and they had a heartfelt conversation without animosity.

“He was asking for some advice and he said he had to do a bit soul-searching.

“I told him he has to make his own decision.

“He’s going to be the one that has to look at himself in the mirror and has to answer to his constituents as to why he’s crossed the floor.

“The PC party to me it’s the same old regime ... they tried to put a real good makeup face on it by having Jim Prentice as leader ... he’s the one that’s orchestrated (the defections).

“I think there’s been a big carrot out there. The carrot is that they will go across the floor and there’ll be positions in the caucus for them and supposedly ... (Prentice)... will sign their nominations in their constituency as a PC candidate.

“Now I don’t know how PC constituencies will feel about that because I know if it was coming the other way, and I had a candidate in the wing and somebody turns around and says, ‘No no you can’t have that candidate because this is the candidate for you.’ ... I think that’s what’s stalling the news (Wednesday) of what’s going to go on.

“Nothing is going to change as far as the constituency association in Olds-Didsbury.

“If (Rowe’s) choice is to cross the floor, all we’re going to have to do is regroup and find another candidate.

“That’s basically everybody I’ve talked to in the Wildrose family. ... Yeah, we’ll take a little bit of a sting but we were down to where Paul Hinman lost his seat and had nobody in the legislature and came

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back.

“We’re going to have those five individuals who adamantly said they’re not going to cross the floor and that’s more than what we started with at the first, and we’ll just have to rebuild with those individuals.”

David Baugh, head of the Political Science Department at Red Deer College, said late Wednesday that there was always something a bit artificial about one conservative party being the official Opposition for another conservative party.

“This could create an opening where we have a real discussion of views, not just two conservative parties but a left-right political discussion.

“I hope we’ll see more of a regular party system here, not just one big party but some real discussion of alternative viewpoints. Reunification on the right will lead to instead of a right-right debate, a rightleft debate, I think,” Baugh said.

Far more important matters are ahead for this province, he said, pointing to Alberta’s huge reliance on resource revenue as oil prices have tanked.

Alberta has a premier who hasn’t faced the electorate and far more important going forward is the next provincial election, Baugh said.

About a month ago, Wildrose had 17 seats. Joe Anglin, MLA for Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre, quit caucus and began sitting as an independent in early November.

Interviewed when Towle and Donovan left Wildrose, Anglin said then that he knew of four other Wildrose MLAs who were thinking of leaving the party.

The Tories began a caucus meeting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday to discuss accepting the Wildrose MLAs, and it was over six hours later that Prentice made the official announcement that the nine were joining the PCs. The Advocate was unable to reach Fox, Rowe or Strankman before deadline on Wednesday. barr@reddeeradvocate.com

CROSSING: Unprecedented betrayal NDP and Liberal leaders accused Smith of an unprecedented betrayal of Wildrose supporters and voters along with those Albertans who rely on a strong opposition to keep a government in check.

But Smith said there was no longer any need to oppose a premier who, unlike his predecessors, agreed with what the Wildrose believed on issues such as land rights and fiscal conservatism.

“We won,” said Smith.

“We clearly managed to move away from two administrations that were not moving Alberta forward, that were not serving Albertans well, and we have

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a premier that shares the same conservative values that we do.”

Smith said she has asked the party and caucus to consider folding up shop to join the PCs in a provincial unification of the centre-right.

“I’m asking Wildrose members to come with us,” she said.

The Wildrose executive has already denounced the floor-crossings and in an email said it plans to fight on to contest the next election, slated for 2016.

“We have begun the process to select the next leader of our party and the next premier of Alberta,” said the email. “We remain fully committed to Albertans and to our membership.”

Smith said there had been informal talks between intermediaries for months on joining forces with Prentice, adding that interest in a union accelerated in recent weeks.

Prentice said the decision by his caucus to accept the Wildrosers was not unanimous but said “the support was overwhelming.”

He said it was a good day for those working to make Alberta better, and said there are no immediate plans to shake up his cabinet to make room for Smith or her MLAs. Prentice saluted Smith.

“Danielle, you’ve shown considerable personal courage and determination in making this decision,” he said. “This is the same courage and determination that has served you and your team so well during your five years as leader of Wildrose.”

Joining Smith in the defection was her key lieutenant, government house leader Rob Anderson.

Anderson was elected as a Tory in 2008 but crossed the floor to the Wildrose in 2010. He was elected as a Wildroser in 2012 before crossing back to the Tories on Wednesday.

In an open letter, Anderson said it was better to now work inside the tent than engage in histrionic attacks from the outside.

“Why do we elect MLAs? To put on a partisan jersey and fight partisan battles for some kind of entertainment? I sure don’t think so,” wrote Anderson.

The other seven joining the PCs are: Gary Bikman, Jeff Wilson, Blake Pedersen, Bruce McAllister, Jason Hale, Rod Fox and Bruce Rowe.

They join former caucus mates Ian Donovan and Kerry Towle, who quit the Wildrose last month, saying they were impressed with Prentice and his team.

The opposition now consists of five leaderless Wildrosers, five Liberals, four NDPers and Independent Joe Anglin.

Anglin quit the Wildrose in November.

Liberal Leader Raj Sherman said he will ask the Speaker to install the Liberals as the new official opposition.

“The PCs and the Wildrose are one and the same,” said Sherman.

“The Liberals are the only sensible, centrist alternative right now in Alberta.”

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Province urged to do more to protect water; government releases plan EDMONTON — Albertans say they want the province to do much more to protect and conserve fresh water.

Some concerns outlined in a government report call for better management of the health of lakes and restricting the use of fresh water and chemicals in hydraulic fracturing.

People also told the province to more aggressively protect the headwaters of rivers, curb the use of fresh water by the oilsands and ensure that people, not industry, are the first priority when it comes to water.

There are also calls for more dams and reservoirs to store water, especially in the south, but such proj-

care beds per se, and of course we need more supportive-living beds and more home care services,” Buick said.

He said in the fall the province announced 460 new continuing care beds within 12 months in addition to all previously announced commitments.

About 80 long-term care beds and 80 supportive living beds have already opened.

“So far this fiscal year, AHS has across the province has opened about 700 continuing care beds.”

He said the minister is concerned about the roughly 750 continuing care patients waiting in acute care beds in hospital.

“In April 2010, four years ago, we had 700 patients waiting in hospital and it’s a bigger system now so relatively we’re making a little bit of progress. But the minister is clear we have to do a lot more than we’re doing. We can’t go on having 700 or 800 people in hospital who ought to be in continuing care instead.”

Buick said work on continuing care is un-

STORY FROM PAGE A2

BEDS: Province spending less than national average on seniors care

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 A3 “Perhaps the strongest message received from participants was the need to reduce the use of fresh water by hydraulic fracturing operations and consider alternative water sources,” the report says.

Hydraulic fracturing involves pumping water, nitrogen, sand and chemicals at high pressure underground to fracture rock and allow natural gas or oil to flow through wells to the surface The government is currently being sued by a woman who claims fracking near her land northeast of Calgary released hazardous amounts of chemicals such as methane into her well and that her concerns were not properly investigated.

Water use from the Athabasca River by the oilsands industry in northern Alberta has been closely watched by First Nations and environmental groups.

A draft government report last year estimated industrial water demand on the Athabasca is expected to increase by nearly 500 per cent by 2020.

The province said it will also work with communities to improve municipal water systems.

Jason Penner, an Alberta Environment spokesman, said as the province continues to grow, the demand for water will only increase, and obviously there is a limited supply. derway and the biggest exercise going on right now is the comprehensive Rural Health Services Review and the minister is expecting the report on the first phase of the review this week.

“He will be looking at it over Christmas and in the New Year he’ll be making that public along with some initial responses and actions on it.”

To view the PIA position paper visit www.pialberta.org. szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

Meanwhile, Alberta is spending 19 per cent less per capita than the national average on seniors care and that leads to very serious issues for seniors and their families, he said.

Steve Buick, Alberta Health spokesperson, said per capita figures don’t provide the whole story.

“Our population is much younger than the national average so the simple per capita figures are going to be slightly skewed by our population. You would expect our spending on seniors care would be somewhat lower than average because our population is young,” Buick said.

“We do have a lower percentage of seniors, but it’s not 19 per cent less,” Moore-Kilgannon said.

He said Alberta has focused on investing several millions to build the private, for-profit seniors assisted living system which provides less care and downloads costs onto seniors and their families.

The PIA paper says unregulated charges for serValid on gift card purchases from Nov. 3- Dec. 28, 2014. vices in assisted living facilities, like assistance with bathing, escorting to and from the dining room, night checks, incontinence management, and administering medication, would all be covered in long-term care facilities.

“Many people in assisted living facilities, as their care needs increase, move from $2,000 a month for basic costs up to $5,000, $6,000 a month very, very rapidly.

That’s why companies are more interested in building assisted living facilities as opposed to building long-term care,” Moore-Kilgannon said.

Task force member Sam Denhaan, of Red * Deer, said the province is creating more acute care problems by not having enough long-term care and providing home care that’s not adequate or effective.

“We’re building all sorts of seniors’ accommodations. I know that.

But it’s not the right kind,” Denhaan said.

And more funding is needed to improve care UP TO UP TO UP TO UP TO standards as identified years ago in the 2005 Auditor General’s report, he said.

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The concerns are what the government heard at meetings and from surveys and messages from more than 2,000 people.

Alberta Environment has responded with a 20-point conservation action plan, but most measures won’t kick in until next year or beyond.

“Albertans want to ensure that water quality and quantities remain strong for the future,” Environment Minister Kyle Fawcett said Wednesday in a release.

The measures includes plans to reduce the amount of water that oilsands producers can use from the Athabasca River and to better manage oilsands tailings ponds. Details of these plans are expected to be released by next spring.

The government said it plans to bring in standards for baseline water-well testing near hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, operations in order to protect groundwater, especially in rural areas.

It also is developing a water conservation policy for fracking operations to minimize the energy industry’s use of fresh water. The guideline is to be rolled out next year by the Alberta Energy Regulator.

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COMMENT

A4

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

The roots of voter cynicism CANADIANS LOSE IN THE GAME OF POLITICAL MUSICAL CHAIRS In 2011, 22,684 voters in Sudbury — fully half of those who cast a ballot — chose a New Democrat named Glenn Thibeault.

They didn’t cast a ballot for a provincial Liberal, but that’s what they now have.

In 2012, more than 442,000 Albertans — more than one in three — decided they wanted to be representTIM ed by Alberta’s HARPER Wildrose party led by Danielle Smith.

They didn’t vote for a gang that within three years would fold up their tent in adversity and realize they were really Progressive Conservatives after all, but that’s where they’re headed.

So, here’s congratulations to Thibeault, the new byelection candidate for Premier Kathleen Wynne in Sudbury, Ont., and Smith, pushing for a merger, surrender, mass floor-crossing, call it what you will, to the government of Jim Prentice.

Power is seductive.

Too bad about the people who voted for you.

INSIGHT

Pursuit of power may not be the overriding motive for Ottawa defectors, but is it becoming too much to ask politicians at any level to try to tough it out and stay loyal to those that brought you to the dance?

There are many factors driving voter cynicism, but certainly elected MPs or provincial representatives turning their backs on voters and making selfinterested moves must be near the top of the list.

Political musical chairs is not a new phenomenon but it is becoming depressingly common.

If principle propels you, go ahead and make your case.

But more often than not it is a matter of the politician deciding things will be better in another caucus, or sitting as a powerless independent, or taking their ball home because of a personal grievance, real or imagined.

Quebec NDP MP Lise St-Denis jumped to the Liberals in 2012, with her infamous summary that “Voters voted for Jack Layton. Jack Layton is dead.”

Bruce Hyer, a Thunder Bay-Superior North MP left the NDP, eventually joining the Green Party, saying, “I joined the Jack Layton party. It’s not the Jack Layton party anymore.’’

We get it — you don’t like Tom Mulcair and you didn’t back him for leader. But in 2011, almost 50 per cent of the riding voted for a New Democrat

and 1,115 voted for the Green candidate. They now have a Green MP. Another former New Democrat, Jean-François Larose, elected under the NDP banner in Repentigny, Que., in 2011, joined former Bloc Québécois MP Jean-François Fortin to announce the creation of Forces et Démocratie, known generically in Ottawa as the JF2 party.

So voters in two Quebec ridings are now represented by MPs under a banner that didn’t even exist in 2011.

One can discern principle in Claude Patry’s move from the NDP to become one of a pair of Bloc MPs because he disagreed with his party’s stand on the Clarity Act, and Quebec’s Maria Mourani, who was bounced by the Bloc for criticizing the Parti Québécois’ so-called Charter of Values, sat as an independent, and now has signed an NDP membership card and will run for the party in the next election (the NDP has a policy against floor crossers, forcing them to face the electorate before crossing).

On the government side, Edmonton MP Brent Rathgeber left the Conservative caucus on principle and can still be a thorn in its side with an occasional question in the Commons and a lively blog.

But it’s getting tougher to identify the players in the Commons without a program.

In Alberta, Smith has taken this to

its logical conclusion, waving the white flag and pushing to take her entire remaining caucus of 14 to the PC tent.

Otherwise, apparently political death looms at the polls, so better to get a taste of power this way.

Forget the role of an Opposition leader holding a government to account.

Whatever the outcome of talks within Wildrose and a government PC caucus meeting Wednesday, a woman who at one point appeared poised to become Alberta premier has euthanized her party and brought Alberta back to the status quo.

In all cases, voters have different representation than what they voted for. Yes, Smith has political problems, and clearly so does Mulcair. The NDP leader has lost six MPs to defections since the 2011 election.

But those bent on saving their own skin have decided their careers are more important than the voters who entrusted them with their vote.

They are actually in the House of Commons or the Alberta legislature to serve the voters, not themselves.

Of course, voters could punish Thibeault in the byelection and refuse to vote for the Wildrose defectors in the next Alberta election.

But I wouldn’t bet on it.

Tim Harper is a syndicated Toronto Star national affairs writer. He can be reached at tharper@thestar.ca.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Clarifying the Christmas Bureau’s role: a non-profit, independent group I am a volunteer at The Red Deer Christmas Bureau, also on the executive. We are a 100 per cent volunteer based non-profit organization.

Our executive operates year round so that in November when the application process begins, we are ready to go.

We have approximately 150 seasonal volunteers who donate their time for approximately two months, Monday to Friday, stocking shelves, sorting toys into appropriate age groups and helping the families “shop.”

Toys are collected and the families come in to our toy depot and “shop” for their children. The toys are not wrapped so they get to choose what they think their children would like from what we have on our shelves.

We are asking if you have money donations for us, to make sure that your cheque is made out to the Christmas Bureau. If you don’t get a receipt and a thank you from us, we did not get your donation.

Also, any new toys donated to the Christmas Bureau at this time of year should be dropped off at the toy depot or designated to be picked up by us.

We also take used trees, decorations, children toys, knick-knacks, children’s books, games, toques, mitts, scarfs, etc. We have given away over 200 trees this year. These items are all free to our clients.

We provide our families with a food hamper worth approximately $100.Your donations help us purchase the food in bulk from a business that has bid on the opportunity to provide us with quality-controlled food. Low-income single clients also qualify for these hampers. We expect to give out 850 hampers this year.

We are not affiliated with the Red Deer Food Bank.

The Christmas Bureau is its own entity, 100 per cent volunteer based. Please be sure your donations are going where you want them to.

If your organization wishes to do any type of fundraiser, please contact us before to recognize your business so that your donors know where their donations are going.

Volunteer/Secretary Bev Kokotailo Red Deer

We don’t need health and happiness, just more plows and dump trucks I’d like to say how disappointed I am in the city’s job of plowing, again.

I pay my taxes, do you really expect us to drive on snow?

I know I live in Alberta, Canada, not far from tundra, but come on, my snow tires weren’t meant to drive on snow! Yes, I have four-wheel-drive, but how am I supposed to text and not spill my double double when I’m hitting all these bumps?

I pay my taxes!

I can’t see the white road lines, so I make my own lanes and it’s the city’s fault.

I know I could just go slower on residential streets, but the sign says 50, and it’s my right as a taxpayer to drive that.

I could leave 10 minutes earlier but my SUV has only been running for 20 minutes, and it’s not a sauna in there yet (company gas card, I’m exempt from

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

environmental concerns).

Do you expect us to wear gloves and a toque?

This city doesn’t need stupid bike lanes or programs that make people happy and healthy, they need more plows and dump trucks!

How hard is it to get an army of Bobcats to patrol the streets from October to April?

I pay my taxes! I want my windrows to be 50.5-cm high, perfectly squared, and not one inch in front of my driveway.

It snowed the other night, and 20 minutes later I didn’t hear plows yet. What are those plow drivers doing? More important things? Taking a break?

It’s pathetic. Look at other cities. They do things differently!

As a taxpayer I will not: drive slowly and cautiously, have patience with a growing city, or rest until 95 per cent of the city’s budget is devoted to snow removal. The other five per cent is for rose petals to be thrown at my feet as I walk.

You’ll hear from me again in the spring when I demand that the city dump poison on yellow flowers because they’re not planted in gardens by human hands.

Seth Van Havere Red Deer

Alberta seniors call on province to fix long-term care crisis Public Interest Alberta’s Seniors’ Task Force released a long-term care position paper this week that calls on the Prentice government to fix the growing crisis in seniors care.

Sixteen organizations are deeply concerned that the Government will not change the government policy that caps the number of long-term care beds and continues to fund seniors care 19 per cent below the national average.

“The crisis in seniors care can be largely addressed if the government is willing to invest in building enough long-term care places to meet the current and future needs and to employ more medically trained staff to increase the number of care

Scott Williamson Pre-press supervisor

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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

hours from 3.6 to 4.5 hours/day,” said Noel Somerville, the chair of Public Interest Alberta’s Seniors’ Task Force. “The Prentice government needs to revise its six-year-old Continuing Care Strategy that caps the number of LTC beds at 14,500, and stop putting public funds into building more corporately run supportive living and assisted living facilities that charge families huge amounts of money for extra care and supports.”

Studies done by the OECD indicate that the 34 member countries have on average enough long-term care capacity for four per cent of their population over the age of 65. By that count, Alberta should have about 20,000, a shortfall of nearly 6000 beds.

“How is it possible that a senior official with AHS can get away with telling the government’s Public Accounts Committee last week that there are too many long-term care beds in Alberta when my husband Clarence has been at the University of Alberta hospital since Aug. 8 awaiting placement?” asks Bernie Travis, representative of the group Early Onset Dementia Alberta. “This government needs to build a quality seniors care system so that families are not suffering without the support they need for their loved ones and the care givers.”

“For too long our long-term care system has faced constant underfunding and privatization,” said Heather Smith, President of United Nurses of Alberta. “Increasing the number of public long-term care beds with appropriate staffing levels will ensure residents receive the safest and most cost-effective care possible.”

The release of this position paper comes as Alberta Health Services concludes the continuing care system review that they have been quietly conducting for the past six months. The task force is calling for the report and recommendations of the Continuing Care Resolution Team to be publicly released as soon as possible.

An investigation by the Office of Protection for People in Care was released at the media conference describing how one Edmonton senior died due to neglect in a private, for-profit care facility.

Sam Denhaan Red Deer, Member of the Public Interest Alberta Seniors’ Task Force

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.

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Website: www.albertapresscouncil.ca.

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2014-12-12 6:40 PM

CANADA

A6

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

Gunman found guilty of murder

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

EATON CENTRE SHOOTING

TORONTO — A man accused in a shooting at Toronto’s Eaton Centre was found guilty Wednesday of second-degree murder in the deaths of two men who were killed at the popular downtown mall two years ago.

Christopher Husbands was also found guilty of five counts of aggravated assault and one count of criminal negligence causing bodily harm. The second-degree murder convictions carry a sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 10 to 25 years.

His lawyer Dirk Derstine said his client is disappointed with the verdict but took solace the jury didn’t convict him on the original charges of firstdegree murder.

“He was sad. He was hoping for better but certainly the jury at least found that he was not guilty of a planned and deliberate murder.”

Derstine said Husbands will appeal.

Husbands had admitted to fatally shooting Nixon Nirmalendran and Ahmed Hassan and wounding five others in June 2012, but had pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

His defence lawyers had argued that the 25-yearold should be found not criminally responsible by reason of a mental disorder.

They had said the post-traumatic stress disorder Husbands developed after a vicious beating and stabbing months before the mall shooting triggered an intense emotional reaction when he saw two of his assailants in the Eaton Centre food court.

Husbands went into a “robotic” state as he fired off 14 shots, they argued, and saw only dark shadows and heard only “pins dropping” as pandemonium erupted around him.

The Crown, meanwhile, had argued that Husbands opened fire at the mall because he was determined to get revenge on the men who had attacked him months earlier.

Husbands’s PTSD was “far from disabling,” they had countered, and he was in full control of his mental faculties during the shooting, as was demonstrated by video surveillance footage played at the trial.

The judge presiding over the case had instructed jurors to weigh all the evidence before them, including Husbands’s testimony, the opinions of psychiatrists called by the defence and the Crown, and the video footage from the mall, which he called “the best witness” in the case.

Husbands — who was also found guilty of discharge of firearm — stood in the prisoner’s box with his hands clasped and was seen shaking his head

after the 12-member jury delivered their unanimous verdict.

A critical issue at the trial was Husbands’s state of mind at the time of the mall shooting, but his defence lawyers’ argument that Husbands was not criminally responsible for the incident was one which caught the Crown off-guard mid-trial.

When it became clear that Husbands’s lawyers were going down that route following a psychiatrist’s evaluation of Husbands, Crown prosecutors had to rush to find their own psychiatrist to assess Husbands in a very short period of time - a scramble that took place unbeknownst to the jurors.

Mental health experts on both the defence and Crown sides testified that Husbands had PTSD, but the extent to which it rendered him incapable of appreciating his actions at the mall was in dispute.

The trial head that Husbands, who immigrated to Canada at age 11 after being born in Guyana, fell into drug dealing in a rough Toronto neighbourhood and was in and out of school.

Jurors heard that a turning point in his life was the February 2012 attack on him, in which Nirmalendran, a childhood friend, was one of the assailants.

Husbands told his trial he was going to deliver some drugs to Nirmalendran but was set upon as soon as he entered an apartment. He testified he was punched, his legs were taped, a gun was held to his head and he was severely beaten and stabbed.

The trial heard that Husbands managed to eventually make it out of that apartment and collapsed in a pool of blood on a street, where he was found by a passerby.

That attack left him paranoid and fearful, led to flashbacks and a fear of crowds, Husbands testified, and he believed his assailants were out to kill him.

On the day he went to the Eaton Centre in June 2012, the trial heard that Husbands was walking around with a fully loaded gun - given to him by a friend a day earlier to look after, he said. He testified the firearm made him feel safer because he knew the men who had attacked him carried guns.

Central to the trial was what happened in the minutes before the shooting at the mall.

Husbands testified that as he was standing in the mall’s food court when he heard Nirmalendran say “shoot him” and saw another man reach for his pocket.

He said he did not remember exactly what happened next as he panicked at the sight of his assailants.

IN

BRIEF Fatal seniors’ blaze: employee didn’t know evacuation drill RIVIERE-DU-LOUP, Que. — A co-owner of the Quebec seniors’ home that caught fire last January, killing 32 people, testified Wednesday the only employee working that night didn’t know the evacuation drill.

Roch Bernier told a coroner’s inquest into the tragedy he had not trained either of his two night employees on the residence’s emergency evacuation plan.

The staffer working the night of the blaze, Bruno Belanger, decided to wake up the other co-owner, Irene Plante, instead of immediately helping to usher seniors outside to safety, he told coroner Cyrille Delage.

Bernier said “one employee cannot do everything” but added that his choice to staff just a single night guard is legal.

Testimony heard in November revealed that the main doors to the residence were locked and people died trapped in the burning Residence du Havre in L’Isle-Verte as would-be rescuers looked on helplessly.

Bernier justified Belanger’s decision to awaken Plante instead of helping the seniors by claiming the evacuation would have been more efficient with two people instead of one.

The residence housed 52 elderly people, including many who couldn’t move around without the use of a walker or wheelchair.

Man who rescued toddler from burning home haunted by baby he couldn’t save WINNIPEG — A man who crawled through a window to rescue a toddler from a burning home on a remote Manitoba First Nation says he’s still haunted by the baby he wasn’t able to save.

Timothy Mason was testifying Wednesday at an inquest into the deaths of three children and an adult in house fires on two of the province’s northern reserves. He was a band constable, working across the street from the home, when fire broke out at St. Theresa Point in January 2011.

Mason said he ran toward the house and kicked in the front door, only to be driven back by billowing black smoke, intense heat and flames. On the front lawn, a woman was hysterical and screaming: “There are kids in there,” he recalled.

Mason found a window and managed to open it enough to crawl in. He held his breath, blinded by black smoke, and started feeling his way along the floor. On a bed, he found a toddler and grabbed her.

“I knew I was running out of breath,” Mason told the inquest. “My throat was starting to hurt. I just put the baby out the window until I felt someone grab her from my hands.”

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wrong at the time.

The judge had told the jurors in his instructions they should start their work by focusing on the not criminally responsible issue.

CANADA

BRIEFS

Dalhousie University students face restorative justice for Facebook posts HALIFAX — Dalhousie University says it is proceeding with a restorative justice process to resolve complaints about sexually violent comments posted on a Facebook group page about female students at its dentistry school.

The university says many of the women who were the subject of the comments and members of the Facebook group have come forward.

University president Richard Florizone says the women have agreed to go ahead with the restorative justice process, which he says is an informal resolution procedure that includes the parties involved.

Florizone says the process is confidential and intended to explore the impacts of the comments and address accountability, though he adds that its outcome may be made public if those who are involved want it to.

Magnotta judge tells jurors personality disorder is a disease of the mind MONTREAL — The jury at Luka Rocco Magnotta’s murder trial appeared to focus on the mental disorder defence Wednesday as it asked a pointed question before ending a second day of deliberations without a verdict.

“Is a personality disorder a disease of the mind as a matter of law?” the jurors asked the judge as they emerged from their deliberations for the first time.

Quebec Superior Court Justice Guy Cournoyer answered “yes” and told them no more before sending them back to deliberate further on Magnotta’s fate.

They remained holed up and left without asking anything else. They will resume deliberating Thursday.

The accused has admitted to killing and dismembering Jun Lin in May 2012 but his lawyer argues he should be found not criminally responsible because he is schizophrenic and couldn’t tell right from

Father pleased reporting restrictions eased on Rehtaeh Parsons’ name HALIFAX — When a judge placed a publication ban on Rehtaeh Parsons’ identity, Glen Canning began wearing a T-shirt to court bearing his daughter’s name in a campaign that ended Wednesday as reporting restrictions in the child pornography case were eased.

For Canning, a directive from Nova Scotia’s attorney general allowing Parsons’ name to be reported was a relief.

“It almost feels like I got her name back,” Canning said in an interview. “We can attach her name again to this conversation and that’s just fantastic.”

Attorney General Lena Metlege Diab says breaches of the ban by the media or in other forums will not be prosecuted, unless the girl’s name is used in a derogatory way.

A judge put the mandatory ban on Parsons’ identity in May in the case of two young men who were charged with child pornography offences, even though he said his decision “serves no purpose” because both of the girls’ parents wanted her identity public and her case had been widely reported.

Last month, the Halifax Chronicle-Herald identified Parsons as the victim in the case when one of the young men pleaded guilty in youth court. Others published her name on social media sites.

He will be sentenced in January for distributing a sexually graphic image of the teenaged girl, who died last year following a suicide attempt.

The other young man was given a conditional discharge for making child pornography. Neither of them can be identified because they were youths at the time of the offence.

Harper, Privy Council Office approved long hiring process for social security tribunal OTTAWA — The Privy Council Office, the bureaucracy that serves the prime minister and cabinet, played a key role in designing a lengthy 15-month

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 A7 hiring process for members of the government’s badly backlogged social security tribunal, an internal memo shows.

The document, obtained by The Canadian Press, says the process was approved by Prime Minister Stephen Harper just six months before the tribunal launched.

Employment Minister Jason Kenney has pointed the finger at the “rigorous pre-screening process” for new tribunal members as one of the reasons why thousands of terminally ill or injured Canadians are waiting years for appeals after being denied Canada Pension Plan disability benefits.

In an effort to deal with the 11,000-case backlog for social security appeals, mostly involving CPP disability benefits, Kenney has since shortened the 15-month hiring process.

Critics question why PCO would have designed such a lengthy screening process to begin with, and why Harper agreed to it. Former adjudicators under the old system say they were brought on board in a much shorter period of time.

“Approving a 15-month hiring process for an organization that would open in six months shows the government had little concern about the fact that it would leave thousands of vulnerable Canadians in an appalling and completely unnecessary situation,” Liberal MP Rodger Cuzner said Wednesday.

“But these are the kinds of decisions that get made when Priority 1 is saving money to pay for an income-splitting benefit for the wealthy.”

Man breaks into home, helps himself to food, falls asleep: RCMP VANCOUVER — Mounties say they arrested a man who decided to take a nap after breaking into a North Vancouver apartment.

RCMP say the 24-year-old Surrey man broke into the home and helped himself to food and personal items.

Police say the man put some items in a backpack and fell asleep on the couch.

Cpl. Richard De Jong says the homeowner arrived to find a strange man snoozing away and wearing his T-shirt.

He says the man was “certainly surprised” to wake up and see police.

The man accused of break and enter will remain in custody until he makes a court appearance.

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SPORTS

B1

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

Rebels get blown up by Rockets HEAD INTO CHRISTMAS BREAK WITH LOSS TO TOP TEAM IN WHL

BY GREG MEACHEM ADVOCATE SPORTS EDITOR Rockets 6 Rebels 3 Brent Sutter was convinced his players had their dates mixed up Wednesday.

“We started the (Christmas) break yesterday. We were awful tonight,” the Red Deer Rebels GM/head coach grumbled following a 6-3 Western Hockey League loss to the Kelowna Rockets before a recorded audience of 4,426 at the Enmax Centrium.

“We played the last 10 minutes of the second period and the first 10 of the third. Not just because we scored goals, but we were battling and competing and had emotion and intensity in our game. That’s how way we have to play, but for the first 30 minutes and the last 10 minutes tonight we just played with no push and no drive.”

The Rebels, to their credit, rallied from a 3-0 deficit and pulled even on Conner Bleackley’s second goal of the night — a power-play tally — and 14th of the season 2:26 into the third period. But the visitors stormed back with a pair of goals in the next two minutes and change and closed out the evening with an empty-net marker from Tyson Baillie at 18:49 to cap their league-best 28th win of the season.

The Rockets’ Justin Kirkland scored the only goal of the first period, his power-play wrist shot from the point finding its way past a screened Rebels netminder Rylan Toth. Kelowna upped the count to 2-0 when Tyrell Goulbourne worked his way in front and stuffed a shot through Toth’s pads at 6:47 of the middle frame, and teammate Rod Southam crashed the net and jammed in a loose puck a mere 73 seconds later.

“Obviously it’s a lack of focus,” said Sutter, in reference to his club’s defensive woes while spotting the visitors a three-goal cushion.

Bleackley ignited the Red Deer comeback when he hauled in a lengthy pass from Brett Cote, busted through the neutral zone, cut around a Kelowna defender and whipped a high shot past netminder

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Red Deer Rebel Preston Kopeck jumps over Kelowna Rockets goaltender Jackson Whistle during second period action at the Centrium Wednesday. The Rebels lost the game 6-3.

Jackson Whistle at 14:50 of the second period. Defenceman Kayle Doetzel’s point shot eluded Whistle just 37 seconds later and the Rebels took a large dose of momentum into the intermission.

The hosts took advantage of their traction when Bleackley, in the low slot, took a nifty feed from Presten Kopeck and brought the fans to their feet with a heavy wrist shot early in the third, but Rockets’ rookie Dillon Dube buried a rebound for the eventual winner and Kirkland beat Toth with a sharp-angle slapshot.

Game, set and match.

“If you get six goals scored against you in a game you don’t deserve to win,” said Sutter.

“We have to keep our goals against down, right from our goalie on out. Tother needs to be better, we have to be better with our puck decisions and our battles.

“We just had a lot of turnovers in the first 30 minutes tonight. Then we got moving, had one really good forechecking shift and got going right after that and played pretty well for the next 20 minutes. But

Fucale focused on world juniors, not trade talk

Please see REBELS on Page B2

Hartley gets vote of confidence FLAMES INK BENCH BOSS TO MULTI-YEAR EXTENSION

CANADIAN JUNIOR CAMP

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Zach Fucale’s teammates on Canada’s world junior team can tell when he’s comfortable between the pipes. They can hear it.

“He’s always yapping, he’s always talking to guys,” Connor McDavid said. “He never shuts up on the ice.”

Fucale has the kind of relaxed personality that makes him well-suited for a goaltending competition with Eric Comrie ahead of the world junior championships. But it’s also a good attitude to have after reports surfaced that the 19-year-old will be traded from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Halifax Mooseheads to the Quebec Remparts once the tournament is over.

“I can’t control those things, what’s happening back there,” the Rosemere, Que., native said Wednesday. “I’m right here, right now with Team Canada and I’m with a great group of guys, great staff here. I’m not worried about that and I’m just focused on helping this team.”

Fucale and Comrie were the only goaltenders Hockey Canada brought to its world junior selection camp this week, and coach Benoit Groulx has called it an open competition between them. Somehow that hasn’t bothered Fucale, even though he was the No. 1 goalie on last year’s team.

“Me and Coms, we have the same goal in mind and that’s to win,” Fucale said. “Whoever’s in there, we’re going to help the team win as much as we can, and that’s all we can do. I feel comfortable in the net and so does Coms.”

Groulx, who coaches the Gatineau Olympiques of the QMJHL, said he likes Fucale’s competitiveness.

Groulx noted Fucale played 58 games as a 16-yearold and then helped Halifax win the 2013 Memorial Cup. “He’s been through many big games in his career,” Groulx said. “I think that he carries that confidence with him. He competes hard.”

Fucale will start in goal for Canada on Friday night in its first international game, an exhibition against Russia at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

That’s a nod to his past success and his status as the front-runner in the goalie competition.

In 24 QMJHL games this season, Fucale is 13-11 with a 3.20 goals-against average and .890 save percentage. But those numbers are due in part to the Mooseheads’ rebuilding group.

“There’s a lot of things that influence stats and a lot of things happen. I’m not worried about it,” Fucale said. “I know, my teammates know and my goalie coach and I have been working hard. I feel I’m doing very good things on and off the ice. Those things will pay off.”

Groulx pointed to Halifax’s bad start and a bar-

when you’re playing good teams in this league you better be able to match that. I like to think we’re a good team. When we do it right and pay attention to things and we’re dialed in, we’re a really good team.

When we don’t we get soft and make soft plays, and we don’t get what we need from everybody.

“Outside of a couple or three guys tonight, we never had much.”

Bleackley, who has found his scoring touch as of late, was arguably the best forward on the ice Wednesday but didn’t take much solace in his twogoal performance.

“It doesn’t do much when it’s in a losing cause,” said the Rebels captain. “Obviously we’re pretty disappointed in the dressing room.

“Against any team in this league it takes a full 60 (minutes). It was a disappointing effort that we put forth because you could see what we can do during that 20-minute stretch. But you can’t win a hockey game when you only play 20 minutes.”

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

Team Canada goaltender Zachary Fucale keeps an eye on the action at the World Junior Hockey Championship team selection camp in St. Catharines, Ont. on Monday. Fucale will start in goal for Canada’s first world junior exhibition game Friday.

Even though he hasn’t been anointed the No. 1 goaltender, he’s laser focused on his job even amid reports he has been traded in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. rage of injuries as reasons for Fucale’s numbers dropping off. He also knows another season in the same junior league can take a toll.

“When it’s your fourth year in the league and you’ve been playing with three solid teams and then you’ve to come back for a fourth one, sometimes it’s tough to start the engine,” Groulx said. “But I thought he got better in November. He had an outstanding game against Russia at the Subway Series. I think he feels good about himself now. He’s mentally ready. That’s what he’s showing us on the ice.”

Fucale brushed off talk about being traded, reports that came out of Quebec on Wednesday. He can’t officially be sent to the Remparts, who are loading up for a Memorial Cup run, until January when the world junior tournament is over.

That allows him to put trade talk aside for now.

“I’m not focused on that,” Fucale said. “I can’t control what goes on over there. I’m just concentrating on helping this team win.”

Groulx wants Fucale to be himself in net, especially if that means chirping to stay on his game. One thing he’s not worried about is the trade distracting Fucale.

“With the experience he’s got, I don’t think he’ll look further ahead,” Groulx said. “If that part is true, he’s going to the Memorial Cup again. It’s not a bad thing for him. I really feel that right now I don’t see anyone here having his focus anywhere else than with this team.”

Greg Meachem, Sports Editor, 403-314-4363 E-mail gmeachem@reddeeradvocate.com

>>>>

Calgary Flames coach Bob Hartley’s contract extension signals that he and new general manager Brad Treliving have decided they can work together.

The multi-year extension announced in Hartley’s third season in Calgary could make him one of the longest-serving head coaches in Flames history. Bob Johnson was behind Calgary’s bench for five seasons from 1982-83 to 1986-87.

Hartley was not Treliving’s hire, but that of former general manager Jay Feaster who was fired Dec. 12, 2012.

Calgary’s president of hockey operations Brian Burke served as interim GM until appointing Treliving his replacement in April.

“I look at it at bit like a marriage,” Treliving told reporters Wednesday at Scotiabank Saddledome.

“You go through a dating period and you’re just trying to find out about one another and how things are done and sort of the DNA of the person and how they work and operate.

“I’ve been nothing but impressed with Bob, his work ethic, his energy level, the time he puts in to get this team to the place we all want to get it to. There’s a consistency to him that I admire.”

Calgary hasn’t made the playoffs in five seasons.

Hartley guided the NHL club to a 17-14-2 start this season and a 71-79-13 record since he was named the team’s coach May 31, 2012.

His first season as Calgary’s coach was abbreviated because of the NHL lockout in 2012-13.

The Flames flirted with the Pacific Division lead in November, but their current six-game losing streak knocked them down the Western Conference standings to sit tied for eighth at 36 points.

“I firmly believe in the bigger picture,” Treliving said. “Anybody can swim in the lake when the water is calm. It takes leadership, it takes perseverance when the water gets choppy to see who can steer the boat here. I know we’ve got the right guy steering the boat.

“This should send a clear message to our dressing room that Bob is not only the coach for today, but moving forward.”

Calgary’s announcement comes two days after their northern rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, fired head coach Dallas Eakins.

Hartley also wasn’t Burke’s choice as Hartley’s arrival also pre-dated Burke’s on Sept. 5, 2013 So the 54-year-old from Hawksbury, Ont., won over two important men in the organization.

“Brian, Brad, those guys were unbelievable to me because they showed me support from the first minute,” Hartley said. “I said a couple of years ago I felt this was the biggest challenge of my career and I still believe it.

Please see FLAMES on Page B2

SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

B2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014

Cougars loaded with athleticism

BY JOSH ALDRICH ADVOCATE STAFF The Notre Dame Cougars senior boys basketball team is loaded for a deep run this season.

Though they are returning only six players from last year’s team they have been boosted by an influx of talent from their junior varsity zone championship team.

To pick this year’s squad, head coach Ed Major had more than 70 kids out for tryouts.

“We had a lot of guys, we’re lucky,” said Major. “I’ve been telling people it’s an embarrassment of riches we have, but it definitely makes it hard to pick two teams out of that to pick the juniors and seniors.”

They have two big strengths: depth and athleticism.

Major says are in the rare situation where they don’t lose much between their starters and their bench, they can basically make an entire line change and not miss a beat, sitting 11 deep. This also allows them to play a high-energy, high-pressure game.

They are led by two third year guards — Tony Bornyi and Nico Lachica. “(Bornyi) had some leg injuries to start the season, but is getting better and I think he is going to be one of our key contributors both offensively and defensively,” said Major.

Down low they have potentially one of the more dominant players in the region in Jackson Haddow while Grade 11 wing Cody White adds some skill and a consistent midrange jumper to keep opposing defences honest.

To help the cause, Grade 12 wing Daniel Gurdian transferred in from Medicine Hat, increasing their physicality and intensity.

“He brings things that we don’t usually see around here, especially with the toughness,” said Major. “Down south the refs seem to let a lot more of the inside stuff go ... and you have to be tough to get through that. He brings that energy and toughness to the team.”

The biggest challenge may be the short window for full development.

“We have good athletes, but they’re still not basketball players yet,” said Major. “We have multi-sport athletes and we’re just trying to get them

into basketball mode.”

With their lineup, their goal is take over top spot in Red Deer from Hunting Hills.

“We’re off to a pretty good start in league play, my expectation is to get to the zone final and see what happens from there,” said Major.

Girls loaded with potential The Notre Dame Cougars senior girls basketball team is all about potential this year.

With a young group of players last season, they were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Hunting Hills Lightning. Now it’s time to see how much they have learned and grown from that experience.

“We have enough returners that they’re familiar with the systems, they’re familiar with the way I coach,” said Cougars head coach Erika Pottage.

“Right now we’ve just got to learn to read each other and play with each other a little bit more. We don’t know each other as players on the court yet ... it’s getting the players to know each other strengths, to realize those strengths and to use those strengths.”

The window for a provincial run with this team is open for more than just one season with a large part of their roster made up of Grade 11 players and an excellent Grade 10. However, they are already showing they could see that potential come to fruition this year.

They are one of the biggest teams in Central Alberta with three Grade 11 posts hovering around six-feet tall — Kirsten Pinkney, Hayley Hollings and Gemma Davis — and a fourth, Chelsea Antonio, who is fivefoot-eight, in Grade 12 and can more than handle herself below the hoop.

“They have all been very consistent and they all have different strengths, they don’t all do the same thing,” said Pottage.

The newest member of the starting five is Grade 10 wing Glennikka Kubaron, who provides them a reliable outside shot, giving their big bodies room to work in the paint. In Tuesday’s 60-31 win over the Wetaskiwin Sabres, the fivefoot-10 rookie scored a gamehigh 16 points and grabbed

STORIES FROM PAGE B1

REBELS: Impressed While Sutter didn’t see much he admired in the majority of his players, he was impressed with newcomers Nelson Nogier, a defenceman, and forward Austin Adamson, who made their Rebels debut after being acquired from the Saskatoon Blades last Sunday.

“I liked them both,” said the Rebels boss.

“Nogier is going to be a steady guy, a really responsible guy who moves the puck well, and Adamson was very engaged tonight. That’s why he got moved up to one of our top lines — he was better than the guys who were playing ahead of him when the game started.

“You can tell he’s a character kid, and ‘Noge’ is too. Those two kids are going to fit in here nicely for us, but we have to get back at it after Christmas and get back to how we can play and we’ll be fine. But we can’t have games like this. It’s unacceptable.” ● The Rebels are now idle until Dec. 27 when they face the Oil Kings in Edmonton. The two clubs meet the following day — at 5 p.m. — at the Centrium . . .

Whistle was the busier of the two goaltenders while turning aside 25 shots. Toth made 18 saves . . . Earlier in the day, Rebels second-year forward Adam Musil was one of 12 WHL players selected to compete in the BMO CHL/NHL Top Prospects game Jan. 22 in St. Catharines, Ont. The game is a showcase of the CHL’s top 40 players eligible for the 2015 NHL entry draft. Musil sat out Wednesday’s game with a lowerbody injury. gmeachem@reddeeradvocate.com

Photo by JOSH ALDRICH/Advocate staff

Notre Dame Cougars Cody White drives past Wetaskiwin Sabres’ Isaiah Feldberg during Central Alberta High School boys basketball action at Notre Dame on Tuesday. eight rebounds.

“She’s fundamentally strong, it’s just getting her used to all the systems,” said Pottage. “She’s got a pretty nice shot, she’s pretty consistent and she’s strong, she’s a big girl. To have that kind of a body on the wing is always an advantage for us.”

The Cougars are also set at point guard with Grade 12 Autumn Letkeman forming a speedy and formidable back

court with Cierra Jean Stephens, allowing them to play an up-tempo game.

“We like to push the ball with a lot of pressure,” said Pottage. “The girls really thrive off that intensity of the press and then they play a little bit better.”

Notre Dame is already showing well this season, but Pottage knows the real test will come after Christmas with a challenging slate of tourna-

Our job is to try to fast-forward our progression as quickly as possible so we can be a playoff team, we can win rounds and have a shot at the Stanley Cup.” Treliving said Hartley’s extension was finalized Wednesday and the GM wouldn’t reveal the length of the contract.

Hartley coached the Colorado Avalanche to a Stanley Cup in 2001. He said he had Francois Giguere, who worked in Avs management at that time, serve as his agent and negotiate a new deal with the Flames.

“Because it was during the season, I didn’t want this to be a distraction,” Hartley explained. “I’m a person who believes in doing business the right way.

“I thought it would be good for me because I wouldn’t be part of the negotiations. I could focus on winning hockey games and that’s my job, preparing my team, getting behind the bench, getting on the ice for practice, meeting you guys, I can’t forget this, it’s all part of my daily business.”

The Flames were an exciting team to watch the first two months of the season. Five times they trailed after two periods and pulled out the win.

ments and showdowns against their city rivals.

“The goal is to make a run at getting to provincials,” said Pottage. “But it’s hard to say that, because both other high schools in Red Deer are strong teams and well coached. It’s really going to come down to who peaks at the right time.” jaldrich@reddeeradvocate. com

Defence partners Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie generate offensive pressure from the back end, complemented by rookie forward Johnny Gaudreau’s speed and gifted hands.

Calgary didn’t give up back-to-back losses until their current skid.

“When you look at the micro-picture it’s six losses in a row and six regulation losses. You’re not getting any points,” Treliving acknowledged. “The macro level is there are good things that are being done still.

“These are great learning experiences. You hate like heck to go through them and you stay awake when you’re going through these times, but you need to push through on the other side, you look back and say ‘this is when we were able to take a step.’

“We’re learning how to win in this league and we’re learning it’s very, very difficult to win in this league. It’s a needed and important time we’re going through.”

Calgary hosts the Dallas Stars on Friday before travelling to Vancouver for Saturday’s game against the Canucks.

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RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 B3

Raptors get playoff payback against Nets

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS

Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS

Toronto Raptors guard Terrence Ross drives to the hoop in front of Brooklyn Nets guard Alan Anderson during first half NBA action in Toronto, Wednesday. The Raptors won the game 105-89.

Nets in the final few minutes.

Joe Johnson went to the freethrow line on the Nets’ next possession and went 0-for-3, as chants of “Brooklyn sucks!� rolled around the arena. And by the time Vasquez scored on a three with a minute to play, it gave the Raptors an 18-point lead.

Much to the fans’ delight, rookie Bruno Caboclo made an appearance for the final

few seconds, prompting chants of “Let’s go Bru-no!�

The memory of how Toronto was ousted in heartbreaking fashion by the Nets last season - they lost Game 7 of the series 104-103 at the ACC - still lingers with the Raptors. Asked if that memory was added motivation for his players Wednesday, coach Dwane Casey said “I would say they remember. “Whether it motivates them,

you’d have to ask them. I hope so. It should motivate you.

But there’s a big difference in what’s at stake from then to now. This is one of 82. It’s a division game, so it puts a bit more weight onto it. But it doesn’t have the same monumental feel as Game 7 of last year.�

Casey said it took him a couple of months to get over that loss.

McDavid to play for Orr at CHL prospects game

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — Connor McDavid gets a handful of text messages each month from agent Bobby Orr. The legendary defenceman’s advice is pretty straightforward. “He tells me to sleep more,�

McDavid said. “That’s probably the main thing. He tells me probably two, three times a month to make sure I’m sleeping more.�

McDavid first met Orr as a 12- or 13-year-old and has gotten used to him being his agent. Next month, he’ll have Orr as his coach at the CHL/

NHL Top Prospects game. The 17-year-old Erie Otters star will be part of Team Orr in the game against Team Cherry, coached by popular television personality Don Cherry. “It’s going to be pretty funny,� McDavid said of Orr coaching him. “He’s obviously been very good to me and to have him behind the bench is going to be pretty special.�

McDavid is the biggest name of the 40 2015 draft-eligible players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League and Western Hockey League who will take part in the game Jan. 22 at Meridian Centre in St. Catharines, home of the Niag-

ara IceDogs. But he’s already the projected No. 1 pick.

For many of the other players, it’s a chance to impress scouts and improve draft stock. “Obviously as a hockey player you want to get drafted as high as you can,� said Lawson Crouse, who along with McDavid is at Meridian Centre for Canada’s world junior camp. “But you’re going to do whatever it takes, and if you don’t go as high as you want it’s not the end of the world.

You’ve just got to keep working.�

Joining McDavid and Crouse on Team Orr is Pavel

Just What You Want!

Zacha of the Sarnia Sting, the top pick in the CHL Import Draft. One of McDavid’s Erie teammates, Dylan Strome, is on Team Cherry. “Players in this game are pretty special,� McDavid said. “Everyone got here because of the way they play in their league games.�

Niagara’s Marty Williamson will coach with Orr and get a break from game-planning against McDavid. “It’s no fun in Erie when we’ve got to see him six times,�

Williamson said. “For anyone that gets to play with a Connor McDavid in these kind of games, what a treat that is.�

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Henderson leads Cougars to win over Leduc Kamryn Henderson pumped in 16 points Wednesday to lead the Notre Dame Cougars to a 49-45 JV girls basketball win over Leduc Composite.

Shae Best added 10 points for the winners. Heather Daniel was selected as the Cougars player of the game.

Meanwhile, the Notre Dame boys bombed the Ponoka Broncs 76-28 as Zach Best scored 12 points and Griffin Moline and Beko Wande each had 10. Iggy Cattleman netted seven points for the Broncs.

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Raptors 105 Nets 89 TORONTO — Kyle Lowry had 20 points and 12 assists as the Raptors beat the Brooklyn Nets 105-89 on Wednesday night a bit of payback against the team that ousted Toronto from last season’s playoffs.

Jonas Valanciunas added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors (20-6), who won their fourth straight game.

Amir Johnson, Patrick Patterson and Greivis Vasquez finished with 13 points apiece.

Mason Plumlee had 23 points to top the Nets (10-14), while Joe Johnson added 17.

The game marked the first meeting between the two teams since the Nets dispatched the Raptors in seven games in the opening round of the playoffs - a spirited series that saw Raptors GM Masai Ujiri drop an F-bomb, and drew thousands of fans to Maple Leaf Square each game.

The Raptors entered the night with a half-game lead over idle Washington atop the Eastern Conference, and a full eight games ahead of the Nets in the race for the Atlantic Division title.

But the two teams paced each other for most of the night in a game that saw 11 lead changes through the first three quarters. The Raptors took a 76-73 advantage into the fourth.

But the Raptors have become known for their strong fourth quarters, especially at the Air Canada Centre, and Wednesday was no different.

When Patterson drained a three-pointer with 4:35 to play, it put the Raptors up by 14 and brought the fans out of their seats.

The Raptors owned the

“Going over each play, what we could have done different - the whole series, the playoff approach. “When you’re that intense for that period of time, it takes a while to shut it down.�

The game also marked the second annual “Drake Night.�

All 19,800 fans were given keepsake T-shirts, and the Canadian rapper, who’s also the team’s global ambassador, did the pre-game player introductions.

Drake said he chose the Nets for his night because of the obvious rivalry. “If there’s anybody that I want to beat, it’s the Nets,�

Drake said. “Obviously, I’ve got much love for New York and Brooklyn but in this particular arena at this particular moment, the one thing I want to do is knock out Brooklyn.�

The Raptors allowed the Nets to shoot 59 per cent in the first quarter, and trailed by 11 points after a three-pointer by Mirza Teletovic with 1:38 left in the frame. The Nets took a 30-22 advantage into the second.

Johnson led the way with seven points and five boards in a second quarter that saw the Raptors outscore the Nets 31-22.

Lowry banked a jumper off the glass to send them into the halftime break up 53-52.

Valanciunas poured in 10 points in the third, and the Raptors took a six-point lead on a dunk from Landry Fields.

They led by three with one quarter left.

The Raptors are in Detroit on Friday, then return home to host the New York Knicks on Sunday. They head west for a gruelling six-game road trip while the world junior hockey championships are in Toronto.

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SCOREBOARD Hockey GA 116 98 112 114 124 161

Pt 52 42 38 33 33 17

CENTRAL DIVISION GP W L OTLSOL Medicine Hat 34 24 8 1 1 Calgary 34 19 12 1 2 Red Deer 35 18 13 3 1 Edmonton 35 16 14 3 2 Kootenay 35 18 17 0 0 Lethbridge 33 8 20 3 2

GF 133 134 124 106 109 83

GA 86 101 117 102 129 133

Pt 50 41 40 37 36 21

WESTERN CONFERENCE B.C. DIVISION GP W L OTLSOL GF Kelowna 36 28 5 3 0 157 Victoria 36 17 17 2 0 115 Prince George 35 17 18 0 0 107 Vancouver 34 16 18 0 0 105 Kamloops 38 13 20 3 2 114

GA 86 124 141 110 143

Pt 59 36 34 32 31

GP 32 36 33 33 33

U.S. DIVISION W L OTLSOL 19 9 3 1 19 14 0 3 18 12 3 0 17 15 0 1 14 15 2 2

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

Local Sports

WHL EASTERN CONFERENCE EAST DIVISION GP W L OTLSOL GF Brandon 35 24 7 3 1 160 Regina 33 20 11 2 0 124 Swift Current 35 17 14 0 4 110 Prince Albert 35 16 18 1 0 105 Moose Jaw 35 15 17 2 1 105 Saskatoon 35 7 25 2 1 91

Everett Portland Spokane Tri-City Seattle

B4

GF GA Pt 105 88 42 122 124 41 93 91 39 93 89 35 86 92 32

Tuesday’s results Lethbridge 6 Moose Jaw 4 Regina 6 Brandon 5 (OT) Kelowna 4 Edmonton 1 Kootenay 5 Kamloops 2 Spokane 5 Prince George 4 Vancouver 2 Everett 1 Seattle 5 Victoria 4 Wednesday’s results Lethbridge 5 Regina 4 (OT) Prince Albert 5 Moose Jaw 1 Swift Current 5 Saskatoon 2 Kamloops 3, Medicine Hat 7 Kelowna 6 Red Deer 3 Edmonton 3 Calgary 1 Spokane 5 Prince George 0 Victoria at Everett, late Christmas break Wednesday’s summary Rockets 6, Rebels 3 First Period 1. Kelowna, Kirkland 11 (Martin, Merkley) 13:07 (pp).

Penalties - Doetzel RD (hooking) 12:42.

Second Period 2. Kelowna, Goulbourne 14 (Johansen, Soustal) 6:47.

3. Kelowna, Southam 6 (Linaker, Kirkland) 8:00.

4. Red Deer, Bleackley 13 (Cote, Toth) 14:50.

5. Red Deer, Doetzel 1 (Cote, Maxwell) 15:27.

Penalties - Bleackley RD (checking from behind) 12:26.

Third Period 6. Red Deer, Bleackley 14 (Kopeck, Sandhu) 2:26 (pp).

7. Kelowna, Dube 6 (Merkley) 3:58.

8. Kelowna, Kirkland 12 (Southam, Stephens) 5:06.

9. Kelowna, Baillie 23 (unassisted) 18:49 (-EN).

Penalties - Merkley Kel (interference) 2:12.

Shots on goal Kelowna 9 7 8 - 24 Red Deer 9 12 7 - 28 Goal - Kelowna: Whistle (W, 22-5-3); Red Deer: Toth (L, 17-10-3).

Power plays (goal-chances) - Kelowna: 1-2; Red Deer: 1-1.

National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE GP W L OT Pts Pittsburgh 30 20 6 4 44 Tampa Bay 33 20 10 3 43 N.Y. Islanders 31 21 10 0 42 Montreal 32 20 10 2 42 Detroit 32 17 7 8 42 N.Y. Rangers 29 15 10 4 34 Toronto 31 19 9 3 41 Boston 32 16 13 3 35 Florida 29 13 8 8 34 Washington 30 14 10 6 34 Ottawa 31 13 12 6 32 Columbus 30 13 15 2 28 Buffalo 32 13 17 2 28 New Jersey 33 11 16 6 28 Philadelphia 30 11 14 5 27 Carolina 30 8 19 3 19

GF GA 98 71 110 87 99 89 87 80 92 80 89 79 109 87 81 83 66 75 86 81 82 86 72 95 62 100 74 96 80 90 62 87

WESTERN CONFERENCE GP W L OT Pts GF GA Anaheim 33 21 7 5 47 97 89 Chicago 32 22 9 1 45 100 64 St. Louis 31 21 8 2 44 94 72 Vancouver 31 18 11 2 38 89 88 Nashville 30 20 8 2 42 81 59 San Jose 32 17 11 4 38 90 82 Winnipeg 32 16 10 6 38 78 75 Los Angeles 32 15 11 6 36 84 78 Calgary 33 17 14 2 36 97 90 Minnesota 30 16 12 2 34 86 78 Dallas 30 12 13 5 29 87 103 Colorado 30 10 13 7 27 78 98 Arizona 31 11 16 4 26 72 100 Edmonton 32 7 19 6 20 66 106 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Tuesday’s Games Columbus 1, Detroit 0, SO Florida 2, Washington 1, SO Nashville 3, Boston 2, SO Tampa Bay 3, Philadelphia 1 Toronto 6, Anaheim 2 Montreal 4, Carolina 1 St. Louis 5, Los Angeles 2 Winnipeg 5, Buffalo 1 Chicago 5, Minnesota 3 N.Y. Rangers 5, Calgary 2 Arizona 2, Edmonton 1, OT

Anaheim at Ottawa, 5:30 p.m.

N.Y. Islanders at Detroit, 5:30 p.m.

Boston at Winnipeg, 6 p.m.

Dallas at Calgary, 7 p.m.

Wednesday’s summaries Stars 2, Canucks 0 First Period No Scoring.

Penalties - McKenzie Dal (boarding) 10:10, McKenzie Dal (fighting) 10:10, Richardson Vcr (fighting) 10:10, Demers Dal (roughing) 14:30, Dorsett Vcr (goaltender interference) 14:30, Dorsett Vcr (roughing) 14:30, Daley Dal (roughing) 16:59, Spezza Dal (tripping) 19:36.

Second Period 1. Dallas, Sceviour 2 (Horcoff, Fiddler) 2:53.

Penalties - None.

Third Period 2. Dallas, Roussel 7 (unassisted) 19:34 (en).

Penalties - Richardson Vcr (holding) 1:20, Klingberg Dal (tripping) 8:26.

Shots on goal Dallas 5 17 7 - 29 Vancouver 11 4 12 - 27 Goal - Dallas: Lehtonen (W, 12-7-5); Vancouver: Lack (L, 2-4-2).

Power plays (goal-chances) - Dallas: 0-2; Vancouver: 0-4.

Bruins 3, Wild 2 (OT) First Period 1. Boston, Soderberg 6 (Eriksson, Kelly) 5:06.

2. Minnesota, Brodziak 4 (Sutter, Haula) 5:33.

3. Boston, Bergeron 6 (Marchand, Trotman) 17:55.

Penalties - Campbell Bos (fighting) 17:24, Falk Minn (fighting) 17:24.

Second Period No Scoring.

Penalties - Bergeron Bos (hooking) 7:36, Miller Bos (tripping) 8:24.

Third Period 4. Minnesota, Pominville 7 (Suter) 11:39.

Penalties - Parise Minn (tripping) 6:09, Sutter Minn (interference) 17:32.

Overtime 5. Boston, Eriksson 6 (Soderberg, Chara) 1:30.

Penalties - None.

Shots on goal Boston 9 5 7 4 - 25 Minnesota 8 20 9 0 - 37 Goal - Boston: Svedberg (W, 4-4-0); Minnesota: Backstrom (LO, 5-3-2).

Power plays (goal-chances) - Boston: 0-2; Minnesota: 0-2.

Senators 2, Devils 0 First Period 1. Ottawa, Turris 5 (Karlsson, Stone) 2:47 (pp).

Penalties - Merrill NJ (delay of game) 2:24, Ryan Ott (slashing) 13:30, Ryan Ott (tripping) 18:37.

Second Period No Scoring.

Penalties - Gryba Ott (hooking) 0:19, Chiasson Ott (unsportsmanlike conduct) 13:03, Turris Ott (stick holding) 18:39.

Third Period 2. Ottawa, Turris 6 (MacArthur, Borowiecki) 19:59 (en).

Penalties - Jagr NJ (interference) 4:57.

Shots on goal Ottawa 4 4 8 - 16 New Jersey 10 16 8 - 34 Goal - Ottawa: Anderson (W, 7-8-4); New Jersey: Schneider (L, 11-15-3).

Power plays (goal-chances) - Ottawa: 1-2; New Jersey: 0-5.

Wednesday’s Games Ottawa 2, New Jersey 0 Boston 3, Minnesota 2, OT Dallas 2, Vancouver 0 Thursday’s Games Florida at Philadelphia, 5 p.m.

Colorado at Pittsburgh, 5 p.m.

Toronto at Carolina, 5 p.m.

Washington at Columbus, 5 p.m.

Anaheim at Montreal, 5:30 p.m.

St. Louis at Los Angeles, 8:30 p.m.

Edmonton at San Jose, 8:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games Tampa Bay at New Jersey, 5 p.m.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE East W L T Pct Dallas 10 4 0 .714 Philadelphia 9 5 0 .643 N.Y. Giants 5 9 0 .357 Washington 3 11 0 .214 South W L T Pct New Orleans 6 8 0 .429 Carolina 5 8 1 .393 Atlanta 5 9 0 .357 Tampa Bay 2 12 0 .143 North

● Men’s basketball: Silver Spurs vs.

Kingsmen, Bulldog Scrap Metal vs.

Alken Basin, 7:15 and 8:30 p.m., Lindsay Thurber.

Friday

● Peewee AA hockey: Medicine Hat Black at Lacombe, 6 p.m. ● Mixed martial arts: Havoc Fighting Championship 7, first bout at 7:30 p.m., Sheraton Red Deer. ● AJHL: Fort McMurray at Olds, 7 p.m. ● Minor midget AAA hockey: Calgary Canucks at Red Deer Northstar, 8 p.m., Arena. ● Heritage junior B hockey: Stettler at Three Hills, 8 p.m., Trochu. ● Chinook senior hockey: Fort Saskatchewan at Innisfail, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

● Major bantam hockey: Spruce Grove at Red Deer White, 11:30 a.m., Arena. ● Peewee AA hockey: Okotoks at Red Deer TBS, 12:30 p.m., Collicutt Centre; Bow Valley at Olds, 1 p.m.; Okotoks Black at Lacombe, 1:45 p.m. ● Bantam AA hockey: Red Deer Ramada at Olds, 3:30 p.m. ● Junior women’s hockey: Calgary Warriors at Central Alberta, 4:15 p.m., Penhold Regional Multiplex. ● Major bantam girls hockey: Southeast at Red Deer, 4:30 p.m., Kinsmen B. ● Minor midget AAA hockey: Lethbridge

PF 442 302 327 230

PA 280 254 301 360

PF 424 324 231 211

PA 317 277 390 376

PF 311 389 376 276

PA 289 339 267 300

PF 407 322 303 213

PA 303 254 294 381

PF 381 416 317 257

PA 328 347 339 370

PF 364 288 348 254

PA 374 358 369 367

Detroit Green Bay Minnesota Chicago

W 10 10 6 5

W x-Arizona 11 Seattle 10 San Francisco 7 St. Louis 6 x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division

L 4 4 8 9 West L 3 4 7 8

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .714 .714 .429 .357

PF 281 436 277 296

PA 238 325 297 409

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .786 .714 .500 .429

PF 287 339 251 291

PA 244 242 285 297

Thursday, Dec. 18 Tennessee at Jacksonville, 6:25 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 20 Philadelphia at Washington, 2:30 p.m.

San Diego at San Francisco, 6:25 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 21 Baltimore at Houston, 11 a.m.

Detroit at Chicago, 11 a.m.

Atlanta at New Orleans, 11 a.m.

Minnesota at Miami, 11 a.m.

Cleveland at Carolina, 11 a.m.

Green Bay at Tampa Bay, 11 a.m.

Kansas City at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m.

New England at N.Y. Jets, 11 a.m.

N.Y. Giants at St. Louis, 2:05 p.m.

Buffalo at Oakland, 2:25 p.m.

Indianapolis at Dallas, 2:25 p.m.

Seattle at Arizona, 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 22 Denver at Cincinnati, 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 28 Indianapolis at Tennessee, 11 a.m.

Detroit at Green Bay, 11 a.m.

Jacksonville at Houston, 11 a.m.

San Diego at Kansas City, 11 a.m.

Chicago at Minnesota, 11 a.m.

Carolina at Atlanta, 11 a.m.

Cleveland at Baltimore, 11 a.m.

Dallas at Washington, 11 a.m.

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

Buffalo at New England, 11 a.m.

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

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh, 11 a.m.

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 11 a.m.

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

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

Oakland at Denver, 2:25 p.m.

NFL Odds (Odds provided by Western Canada Lottery; favourites in capital letters) Spread O/U Thursday Tennessee at JACKSONVILLE 2.5 40.5 Saturday PHILADELPHIA at Washington 9.5 51.5 San Diego at SAN FRANCISCO 2.5 41.5 Sunday Kansas City at PITTSBURGH 3.5 46.5 Minnesota at MIAMI 6.5 42.5 NEW ENGLAND at NY Jets 10.5 47.5 GREEN BAY at Tampa Bay 10.5 48.5 Atlanta at NEW ORLEANS 5.5 56.5 DETROIT at Chicago 7.5 46.5 NY Giants at ST. LOUIS 4.5 43.5 BUFFALO at Oakland 6.5 39.5 Indianapolis at DALLAS 3.5 55.5 SEATTLE at Arizona 8.5 36.5 Cleveland at Carolina Off Off BALTIMORE at Houston 4.5 41.5 Monday DENVER at Cincinnati 3.5 47.5

Canadiens face choices at centre as Galcheyuk and Desharnais shine

BY THE CANADIAN PRESS BROSSARD, Que. - A line shuffle that moved Alex Galchenyuk to centre and dropped David Desharnais to the third unit looks to be working for the Montreal Canadiens.

But it remains to be seen what will happen now that Lars Eller, whose upper body injury prompted the moves, is close to returning to the lineup.

Eller skated without a “no contact” jersey for the first time on Wednesday since he suffered a suspected shoulder injury nearly two weeks ago.

He is not expected to dress when they play host to Anaheim on Thursday night, a game that will be marked by a tribute to former Canadiens captain Saku Koivu, who ended his career with the Ducks.

But Eller is close to a return.

“I will let you know when Lars comes back,” was all coach Michel Therrien would offer.

The 20-year-old Galchenyuk was a centre when he was drafted third overall by Montreal in 2012 but has played mostly on left wing in the NHL. He got a look at centre in the pre-season, but was quickly put back on the wing.

In three games since the Eller injury, he has been eyecatching while centring the first line with Max Pacioretty and Brandan Gallagher, playing with speed and intelligence and setting up several scoring chances.

He broke out with a hattrick Tuesday night against Carolina, with Pacioretty assisting on all three goals.

“With Larry (Eller) being

out, there’s an opening and someone needs to step up and he’s done a very good job of that,” Gallagher said of Galchenyuk. “I know that me and Patch (Pacioretty) find him easy to play with because he’s going to find you and make plays.

“We can be a really good line, but it’s a matter of doing it night in and night out.”

Since the change, the line has combined for five goals while the team has gone 3-0-0.

Pacioretty said it is key that Galchenyuk is developing into a strong two-way centre who can be a scoring threat without being a defensive liability.

“He’s open minded and that’s the most important thing; his willingness to learn,” said Pacioretty, who leads the team with 13 goals and 25 points in 32 games. “Nobody in this league is perfect and we want him be a certain type of player.

“He’s the future of this team. The way he builds up his game over time is important.”

Meanwhile, Desharnais looks to be flourishing on the third line with P.A. Parenteau and Brandon Prust. He has a goal and two assists since the moves, including a clever pass against the grain to set up Prust’s goal against the Hurricanes.

“He’s great to play with,” Pacioretty said of Desharnais, who has been his centre for most of the last few seasons.

“Davy has a way of making people around him better.

“And Prusty’s a great guy for that line because he brings a lot of energy and he’s a straight-line player who crashes and bangs. They’ve been unbelievable these three games.”

Being on the third line may help the diminutive Desharnais because he is not going against the opponents top checking unit and first defence pair every shift.

He has taken some heat from fans and the media, who say he’s too small. He’s had that since he joined the team as an undrafted try-out in 2008.

But when he’s on his game, Desharnais is a clever passer who doesn’t shy away from the opponent’s crease.

“Since the beginning of the year I thought I wasn’t playing that bad,” said Desharnais.

“Now I’m in a different role and I’m feeling good out there.

“Of course, you don’t want anybody to criticize you, but that’s how it goes. You’ve got some haters and some people that love what you do. Of course I care, but I’ve got to do my job and focus on what I have to do.”

Eller is at his best as a centre, but something will have to give when he returns. Tomas Plekanec has the second line centre job, while Manny Malhotra is a key pivot on the fourth unit.

Someone will have to move to the wing. Galchenyuk would be the prime candidate, but he looks to be making that choice more difficult with each strong outing.

A week after the emotional funeral of Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau, another who spent 10 years as captain will be celebrated when Koivu takes part in a pre-game tribute.

The Finnish centre was a much-loved figure in 13 seasons with the Canadiens from 1995 to 2009. The 40-year-old played his last five seasons in Anaheim before retiring.

at Red Deer Northstar, 4:45 p.m., Arena. ● Midget AA hockey: Foothills at Sylvan Lake, 4:45 p.m., Innisfail. ● Major midget girls hockey: St. Albert at Red Deer, 5 p.m., Collicutt Centre. ● AJHL: Fort McMurray at Olds, 7 p.m. ● Heritage junior B hockey: Blackfalds at Red Deer, 8 p.m., Arena. ● Chinook senior hockey: Okotoks at Innisfail, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday

● Peewee AA hockey: Medicine Hat Black at Red Deer Parkland, 11:30 a.m., Kinsmen A; Okotoks Green at Olds, 12:15 p.m.; Okotoks Black at Sylvan Lake, 2:30 p.m., Innisfail. ● Major midget girls hockey: Rocky Mountain at Red Deer, 12:45 p.m., Collicutt Centre. ● Junior women’s hockey: Calgary Titans at Central Alberta, 1:30 p.m., Penhold Regional Multiplex. ● Chinook senior hockey: Okotoks at Bentley, 2 p,m. ● Bantam AA hockey: Olds at Red Deer Steel Kings, 2 p.m., Kinsmen A; Airdrie at Sylvan Lake, 4:45 p.m., Innisfail. ● Minor midget AAA hockey: Lethbridge at Red Deer Aero Equipment, 2:45 p.m., Arena. ● Major bantam hockey: Lethbridge at Red Deer White, 2:45 p.m, site TBA. ● Heritage junior B hockey: Ponoka at Blackfalds, 3:30 p.m. ● Midget AA hockey: Bow Valley at Red Deer Indy Graphics, 5:30 p.m., Arena.

Basketball National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct GB Toronto 20 6 .769 Brooklyn 10 14 .417 9 Boston 9 14 .391 9 1/2 New York 5 22 .185 15 1/2 Philadelphia 2 22 .083 17 Southeast Division W L Pct 18 6 .750 18 7 .720 12 14 .462 10 18 .357 6 19 .240

GB 1/2 7 10 12 1/2

Central Division W L Pct 15 9 .625 14 10 .583 13 12 .520 8 17 .320 5 21 .192

GB 1 2 1/2 7 1/2 11

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct Memphis 21 4 .840 Houston 18 5 .783 Dallas 19 8 .704 San Antonio 17 9 .654 New Orleans 12 12 .500

GB 2 3 4 1/2 8 1/2

Northwest Division W L Pct 19 6 .760 12 13 .480 10 14 .417 7 19 .269 5 19 .208

GB 7 8 1/2 12 1/2 13 1/2

Washington Atlanta Miami Orlando Charlotte

Chicago Cleveland Milwaukee Indiana Detroit

Football National Football League AMERICAN CONFERENCE East W L T Pct y-New England 11 3 0 .786 Buffalo 8 6 0 .571 Miami 7 7 0 .500 N.Y. Jets 3 11 0 .214 South W L T Pct y-Indianapolis 10 4 0 .714 Houston 7 7 0 .500 Tennessee 2 12 0 .143 Jacksonville 2 12 0 .143 North W L T Pct Cincinnati 9 4 1 .679 Pittsburgh 9 5 0 .643 Baltimore 9 5 0 .643 Cleveland 7 7 0 .500 West W L T Pct y-Denver 11 3 0 .786 Kansas City 8 6 0 .571 San Diego 8 6 0 .571 Oakland 2 12 0 .143

Today

Portland Oklahoma City Denver Utah Minnesota

Pacific Division

Golden State L.A. Clippers Phoenix Sacramento L.A. Lakers

W 21 17 13 11 8

L 3 7 14 14 17

Pct .875 .708 .481 .440 .320

GB 4 9 1/2 10 1/2 13 1/2

Tuesday’s Games Washington 109, Minnesota 95 Miami 95, Brooklyn 91 New Orleans 119, Utah 111 Memphis 105, Golden State 98 Dallas 107, New York 87 Oklahoma City 104, Sacramento 92 Wednesday’s Games Phoenix 111, Charlotte 106 Atlanta 127, Cleveland 98 Utah 105, Miami 87 Dallas 117, Detroit 106 Boston 109, Orlando 92 Toronto 105, Brooklyn 89 Memphis 117, San Antonio 116,3OT Milwaukee at Portland, late Indiana at L.A. Clippers, late Houston at Denver, late Thursday’s Games New York at Chicago, 6 p.m.

New Orleans at Houston, 6:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at Sacramento, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Golden State, 8:30 p.m.

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

Utah at Orlando, 5 p.m.

Washington at Miami, 5:30 p.m.

Toronto at Detroit, 5:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Boston, 5:30 p.m.

Brooklyn at Cleveland, 5:30 p.m.

Chicago at Memphis, 6 p.m.

Portland at San Antonio, 6 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Denver, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at L.A. Lakers, 8:30 p.m.

Transactions Wednesday’s Sports Transactions BASEBALL American League BOSTON RED SOX - Acquired RHP Anthony Varvaro from Atlanta Braves for RHP Aaron Kurcz and cash considerations.

SEATTLE MARINERS - Acquired OF Justin Ruggiano from the Chicago Cubs for RHP Matt Brazis.

Designated RHP Logan Bawcom for assignment.

TORONTO BLUE JAYS - Agreed to terms with OF Ryan Kalish on a minor league contract.

National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS - Agreed to terms with RHP David Hernandez on a one-year contract.

CHICAGO CUBS - Named Dave Keller minor league Latin America field co-ordinator; Tom Beyers minor league assistant hitting co-ordinator; Rey Fuentes Latin co-ordinator-mental skills program; Darnell McDonald mental skills program co-ordinator; Mike Cather pitching coach and Leo Perez assistant hitting coach for Iowa (PCL); Guillermo Martinez assistant hitting coach for Tennessee (SL); Mark Johnson manager, David Rosario pitching coach and Chris Gutierrez assistant hitting coach for Myrtle Beach (Carolina); Jimmy Gonzalez manager, Brian Lawrence pitching coach, Jesus Feliciano hitting coach and Osmin Melendez assistant hitting coach for South Bend (MWL); Anderson Tavares pitching coach, Ricardo Medina hitting coach, Terrmel Sledge assistant hitting coach and Mike McNulty trainer for Eugene (NWL); Carmelo Martinez manager, Ron Villone pitching coach, Oscar Bernard hitting coach, Ty Wright assistant hitting coach and Toby Williams trainer for Mesa (Arizona); Armando Gabino pitching coach and Claudio Almonte hitting coach for the Dominican Rookie team; and Eduardo Villacis pitching coach for the Venezuelan rookie team.

MIAMI MARLINS - Agreed to terms INF/OF Michael Morse on a two-year contract.

SAN DIEGO PADRES - Agreed to terms with RHP Brandon Morrow on a one-year contract. Designated LHP Juan Oramas for assignment.

American Association AMARILLO THUNDERHEADS - Traded RHP Kellen Moen to Camden in exchange for INF Zack MacPhee.

LINCOLN SALTDOGS - Released RHP Nick Green and INF Brandon Pinckney.

SIOUX FALLS CANARIES - Released C Matt Hitt.

FOOTBALL National Football League CHICAGO BEARS - Signed C/G Taylor Boggs to

the practice squad.

DENVER BRONCOS - Signed S Josh Bush from the practice squad. Signed G Jon Halapio to the practice squad.

GREEN BAY PACKERS - Signed S Jean Fanor to the practice squad.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS - Signed S Ahmad Dixon.

Signed G Jordan McCray to the practice squad.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - Signed TE Steve Maneri. Placed DL Dominique Easley on injured reserve. Signed QB Garrett Gilbert to the practice squad.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS - Released CB Crezdon Butler. Signed DL Lawrence Sidbury. Signed DB Varmah Sonie to the practice squad.

Canadian Football League WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS - Re-signed DB Matt Bucknor. Fired defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry.

HOCKEY National Hockey League NHL - Fined Nashville F James Neal $2,000 for violating the league’s revised rule against diving and embellishing.

BUFFALO SABRES - Sent C Mikhail Grigorenko to Rochester (AHL).

CALGARY FLAMES - Signed coach Bob Hartley to a multiyear contract extension.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS - Reassigned G Scott Darling to Rockford (AHL).

FLORIDA PANTHERS - Reassigned D Shane O’Brien to San Antonio (AHL).

MONTREAL CANADIENS - Assigned F Sven Andrighetto to Hamilton (AHL).

NEW JERSEY DEVILS - Activated F Patrik Elias from injured reserve.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS - Placed RW Michael Grabner on injured reserve to Dec. 13. Returned D Griffin Reinhart to Bridgeport (AHL).

American Hockey League AHL - Announced the league’s Board of Governors unanimously approved the transfer of ownership of the Texas Stars franchise to Northland Properties Corporation.

MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS - Signed D Ian White to a professional tryout contract.

ECHL ELMIRA JACKALS - Announced F Brodie Reid was returned by Adirondack (AHL). Activated F Lucas Bloodoff from the 21-day injured reserve list.

LACROSSE National Lacrosse League MINNESOTA SWARM - Placed F Logan Schuss on the holdout list.

OLDS GRIZZLYS CALGARY — Chase McMurphy fired four goals, including one short-handed, and assisted on another as the Calgary Canucks buried the Olds Grizzlys 7-3 in Wednesday’s lone Alberta Junior Hockey League game.

Trent Geiger, Connor McCallum and Michael Clarke accounted for the other Canucks markers in front of 193 fans at the Max Bell Centre. The Grizzlys, who trailed 3-1 after one period and 7-2 heading into the final frame, got goals from Kyle Moore, Chris Gerrie and Landon Kletke.

Colin Cooper made 27 saves as the winning netminder. Olds goaltenders Jesse Gordichuk and Billy Gorn combined to stop 42 shots.

The Grizzlys close out the pre-Christmas portion of their schedule with home games Friday and Saturday against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons and Lloydminster Bobcats.

MEN’S BASKETBALL Amin Ahmed and Bryce Kraushar each dropped in 22 points to lead All Sports Cresting Lacombe to a 92-43 thrashing of the Vikings in Central Alberta Senior Men’s Basketball Association play Tuesday.

Mark Vos scored 19 points and Mike Gilham added 10 in a losing cause.

In another game, Matt Thomson netted 14 points and Bowman Rockarts contributed 13 as Sheraton Red Deer routed the Rusty Chuckers 75-31. Kevin Buwalda netted 13 points for the Chuckers.

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 B5

For Major League Baseball, changes in Cuba will take time to sort out

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK - Fred Claire can see the day when Major League Baseball teams open academies for prospects in Cuba.

“It’s absolutely a natural, just as the Dominican was and Venezuela. You go to where the talent is,” the former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager said Wednesday. “The high talent level for Cuban players is still there.”

That talent has faced obstacles getting to the U.S. since 1961, when the United States terminated diplomatic relations with Cuba. President Barack Obama said Wednesday that the two nations were re-establishing relations.

The path to the major leagues for Cuban players has often involved smugglers who bring them out of the island nation for a price. It’s hard to foresee exactly how that will change in the short-term, or whether MLB teams will be allowed to invest resources in the communist country.

“While there are not sufficient details to make a realistic evaluation, we will continue to track this significant issue, and we will keep our clubs informed if this different direction may impact the manner in which they conduct business on issues related to Cuba,” MLB said in a statement.

Twenty-five Cuban-born players appeared in the major leagues this year, a group that includes outfielders Yasiel Puig and Yoenis Cespedes, and hard-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman. There have been 59 since 1995, according to STATS. Many have received large contracts,

topped by a $72.5 million, seven-year agreement in August between outfielder Rusney Castillo and the Boston Red Sox. Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu was voted AL Rookie of the Year this season after agreeing to a $68 million, six-year deal with the Chicago White Sox. Yasmany Tomas, an outfielder who may be shifted to third base, signed $68.5 million, six-year contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks this month.

Because of the American trade embargo, a player who defects from Cuba has to obtain a license from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to “unblock” him before he can sign with a major league organization. It would take congressional action to lift the embargo.

“We remain hopeful that today’s announcement will lead to further positive developments,” the Major League Baseball Players Association said in a statement.

The Cuban government has approved a policy allowing athletes to sign in foreign leagues and pay tax on their earnings, but the U.S. embargo prevents American teams from employing Cuban residents. Well regarded outfielder Alfredo Despaigne agreed this year to a contract with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Pacific League.

Defecting players have established residency outside the U.S. in order to become free agents and not be subject to MLB’s amateur draft. But free-agent riches could come to an end in 2017, when MLB teams hope to start an international draft.

Under MLB’s collective bargaining

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

In this Sept. 2, 2014 photo, Boston Red Sox’s Yoenis Cespedes watches an RBI double off New York Yankees starting pitcher Shane Greene in a baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York. Twenty-five Cuban-born players appeared in the major leagues this year, a group that includes outfielders Yasiel Puig and Cespedes, and hard-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman. Fred Claire can see the day when Major League Baseball teams open academies for prospects in Cuba.

“It’s absolutely a natural, just as the Dominican was and Venezuela. You go to where the talent is,” the former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager said Wednesday. “The high talent level for Cuban players is still there.” agreement with the players’ association that runs until December 2016, Cubans and others who reside outside the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico are included in each MLB team’s international signing pool unless they are 23 or older and have played as a professional in a professional league for at least five seasons.

Teams are penalized for exceeding their signing bonus pools. The New York Yankees, Boston and Tampa Bay have forfeited their rights to give any international player a bonus over $300,000 in the next two signing years, which start each July 2.

MLB and the union instituted simi-

lar signing pools in 2012 for players covered by the amateur draft each June. But Cuban defectors remain exempt from those limits for now.

“Frankly, American players, many of them have a lesser standard than what’s offered international players,” said agent Scott Boras, who has criticized restraints on contracts for players in American high schools and colleges.

“We’ve really got to review what we’re doing with our draft and our international players to really say what we do with the Cubans. Maybe it will prompt a broader discussion to revamp the entirety of the system.”

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NE123G614 53089L18

WHAT’S HAPPENING

B6

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

Fax 403-341-6560 editorial@reddeeradvocate.com

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT

CALENDAR THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS

Friday ● Cronquist Tea House will be open until Dec. 19 from Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch and tea. See ww.rdhs.com, or contact 403-346-0055, rdchs@telus.net.

Saturday ● MAGnificent Saturdays offer free art making with a professional artist from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery in downtown Red Deer. The Dec. 20 session is called Good Tidings to You! All materials supplied. Families welcome. Phone 403-3098405. Free with admission. ● Russian Children’s New Year Party will be held on Dec. 20 at 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the Snell Auditorium at the Red Deer Public Library downtown. Join the interactive New Year play about a quest to save the Grandfather Frost’s presents for children. Phone 403-346-4688. ● Musical Saturday Morning will be offered at Kerry Wood Nature Centre on Dec. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Tots five and under and their caregivers are invited to learn about nature through songs, hands-on exploration, and interactive walks in this fun family-friendly program. Drop in. Admission by donation of $5 per couple, or $10 per family of five.

Sunday ● Living Faith Lutheran Church invites everyone to Sunday Advent Worship at Bethany CollegeSide at 10 a.m. Holy Communion at every service. Christmas Eve Service at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. Contact Ralph at 403-3479852. Coffee and fellowship follow service.

Living Faith is a North American Lutheran Church Congregation. ● Red Deer River Naturalist Central Alberta Annual Christmas Bird Count will be held Sunday, Dec. 21. Participants must register so that count areas do not overlap. The day will end with a potluck supper at 6 p.m.

Please bring your own plate, cutlery, mug and a main course, or dessert for the meal. Call Judy to sign up or if you have further questions at 403-342-4150 or register at Kerry Wood Nature Centre. Tally sheets available at the Nature Centre or online at www.rdrn. fanweb.ca ● 100 Things to Do with Books is offered at Red Deer Public Library Downtown Branch. Upcycle used books into clever crafts at this free program from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Snell Auditorium. On Dec. 21, craft with paper mache. Please register by phoning 403-3462100. ● Seniors Church meets at 11 a.m. on Sundays at Bower Kin Place for hymns and gospel preaching. Phone 403-347-6706. ● Family Snow Day at Kerry Wood Nature Centre will be offered on Dec. 21, 1 to 4 p.m. Pre-Christmas fun for the whole family includes snowshoeing, bonfire, crafts, activities, planetarium, and refreshments. Admission by suggested donation of $3 per person or $10 per family. Phone 403-340-2010. ● Gospel concerts at Ponoka Drop-In Centre are held the third Sunday of each month, next Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door. Contact Doreen at 403-7833805.

Wednesday ● Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter Poinsettia and Gift Wrap Booth will be available at Bower Place from Dec. 1 to 24. Volunteers needed to fill shifts. Contact Heather at 403-550-7355, heather.lauder@ cawes.com. ● Lacombe Legion Coffee Hour is held every Wednesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Phone 403-782-6441. ● 2014 Lacombe Community Christmas will be offered on Dec. 24 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Lacombe Memorial Centre. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Wolf Creek Community Church is organizing a contemporary community Christmas presentation, this year on the theme of gifts, and will include drama, music and storytelling. Free admission and refreshments. See www.wolfcreekchurch.ca, or contact drjohndolman@gmail.com, 587877-3375.

Thursday Merry Christmas!

WORLD

BRIEFS

Kurdish Iraqi forces launch operation to retake town BAGHDAD — Kurdish Iraqi forces launched a major operation Wednesday to retake the militant-held town of Sinjar in northern Iraq, part of a push to secure the road that leads directly to the Syrian border.

Peshmerga forces, backed by U.S.led coalition airstrikes, moved into the town, which has been under the control of the Islamic State group since August, a statement from the Kurdish Regional Security Council said. Pesh-

File photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

A northern flicker, most likely the red-shafted flicker variety, perches on a willow tree in Eastview. Mark Dec. 21 on your calendar and join the Christmas Bird Count. Red Deer River Naturalists need help to survey areas in Central Alberta to count as many birds as possible. You don’t have to be experts at identifying birds. Novice bird watchers can be matched with an experienced bird counter. There is no minimum time limit for counting.

People can watch their feeders or count birds on foot, by vehicle or use other modes of transportation. All counters must record hours and kilometres covered during their count. It is also important to record low and high temperatures, snow and sky conditions. People must call Judy Boyd at 403-342-4150 to confirm their participation prior to the count and to find a partner if required. A potluck supper will be held at 6 p.m. at Kerry Wood Nature Centre for participants. People should bring their own plates, cups and utensils and hot or cold food to share. Coffee and juice will be provided.

REGISTRATIONS LOCAL EVENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS ● Medicine River Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre welcomes donations to its wildlife hospital and education programs. Purchase Otis the Owl three-book children’s series, and 2015 calendars, and support the wildlife centre. See www.mrwc.ca, or contact 403-7283467, info@mrwc.ca. ● Freedom to Read Week Poster Contest invites Red Deer citizens and students to enter posters by Jan. 31, 2015 to celebrate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms right to intellectual property. Draws will be made Feb. 23, and prizes will be awarded at a special presentation on Feb. 28. There will also be prizes for reading books that have been challenged in Canada. See www.rdpl.org, or ask for information at any branch. ● Central Alberta Brain Injury Society Caregiver of Survivors of Brain Injury and Stroke sessions will be offered in 2015.

Dates and times as follows: Jan. 5 — Psychological Aspects of Brain Injury and Stroke; Jan. 12 — Functional and Mobility Issues after brain injury/stroke; Jan. 19 — Brain Injury — the invisible injury; Jan. 26 — Stress and coping following traumatic change and chronic disability; Feb. 2 — Community Resources for caregivers and individuals with brain injury and stroke. See cabis.info, or contact 403341-3463, cabis@telus.net. ● Philippine Canadian Association of Red Deer and District New Year’s Eve Dance, Dec. 31 at Sheraton Red Deer Hotel.

Cocktails at 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m. Dance at 9 p.m. Semi-formal attire. Tickets cost $45 for non-member adults and $40 for member adults. Children ages six to 12 years $20, and free for children ages five and under. See www.filipinoreddeer.org. Contact Jane at 403343-0621, Janice at 403-392-8990, or Jess at 403-350-8179. Tickets also available at Pinoy Store counter. ● Yoga Alliance of Red Deer (YARD) offers Yoga 101: The Basics on Jan. 3 at 10 a.m. Try out this gentle class and find out the basics. Bring your mat and questions. Cost is $20. Makes a perfect gift for newbies. Visit www.reddeeryoga.ca, phone 403-550-9240. ● The Alberta Dahlia and Gladiolus Society meeting will be held on Jan. 25, 2 p.m. at Eastview Estates Community Centre.

A slide show of the top 50 dahlias, information on soil preparation and spring planting, and information on ordering dahlia tubers and glad corms will be featured. Contact Larry at 403-346-8401, or larryquintilio@gmail.com. ● Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre offers Beginner Tai Chi running Thursdays, Jan. 8 to March 26, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. for a cost of $30 for members and $55 for non-members, and Intermediate Tai Chi running Mondays, Jan. 5 to March 23 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a cost of $40 for members and $65 for non-members. Call 403-343-6074. ● Join hands for building a future for Somali Children Gala will be held on Jan.

30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Festival Hall. Enjoy international cuisine supper, entertainment, keynote speakers Lorinda Stewart and Azalea Lehndorff, photo booth, silent auction, door prizes and more for $35 per person.

Tickets available from Little Star Restaurant, The Hub on Ross, Central Alberta Refugee Effort, and Central Alberta Immigrant Women’s Association. All money will go towards building, furnishing, and staffing a school for Somalian children. Donations may be made to TD Bank, Education for Somalian Girls and Boys, account 221-5234043. Contact Zainab. mohamoud@gmail.com, 403-550-4067. ● New Year’s Eve Dance at Ponoka Moose Lodge will be offered Dec. 31 featuring ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s music of Jukebox Rock, 8 to 12:30 a.m. Late supper served at 10 p.m.

Cost is $40 in advance only. Tickets may be picked at Walrus and Carpenter in Ponoka.

See www.AlbertaDanceNews.com, or call Jean or Fred at 403-783-8587 for more information. ● Double Tree Village Museum is offering sleigh rides over Christmas and winter months. There is a wiener roast area and Wagon Wheel Hotel to warm up. Double Tree Village is located six miles west of Spruce View on Hwy 54 to RR 41 then north three quarters of a mile. For information or reservations contact 403-728-3875, www.doubletreevillage.com, dbltreem@telus.com.

merga fighters were able to retake at least eight small villages around Sinjar, driving “large numbers” of militants to flee to Mosul and other areas under their contro.

The U.S.-led Combined Joint Task Force — Operation Inherent Resolve said Wednesday it conducted two airstrikes near Sinjar, destroying two militant vehicles, guard towers and a number of IS containers. It also said it conducted eight airstrikes near Mosul and two airstrikes in the nearby town of Tal Afar.

Peshmerga fighters have worked for months to push back the militant group, which has declared a self-styled Islamic state ruled by its brutal religious views in territory it seized across much of Iraq and Syria. Peshmerga forces said in September that they would focus on Sinjar after liberating the nearby towns of Rabia, Mahmoudiya and Zumar.

Israel suffers sharp rebuffs in Europe

affected by the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. It called for “all serious violations” to be investigated and those responsible for breaches to be brought to justice.

“This is a signal and we can hope that words count,” said Swiss ambassador Paul Fivat, who chaired the oneday meeting. The U.S. and Israel did not take part.

Israel’s UN Mission blasted the gathering, saying: “It confers legitimacy on terrorist organizations and dictatorial regimes wherever they are, while condemning a democratic country fighting terrorism in accordance with international law.”

In Luxembourg, meanwhile, a European Union court ordered the Palestinian group Hamas removed from the EU terrorist list for procedural reasons but said the 28-nation bloc can maintain asset freezes against Hamas members for now.

BRUSSELS — Israel suffered backto-back diplomatic setbacks in Europe on Wednesday as Palestinians headed to the United Nations to try to set a two-year deadline for an Israeli withdrawal.

In Geneva, the international community delivered a stinging rebuke to Israel’s settlement construction in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, saying the practice violates Israel’s responsibilities as an occupying power.

The declaration adopted by the conference of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which governs the rules of war and military occupation, emphasized a prohibition on colonizing occupied land and insisted that international humanitarian law be obeyed in areas

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. 18, 2014 B7

U.S. to normalize relations with Cuba

BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama announced the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba on Wednesday and declared an end to America’s “outdated approach” to the communist island in a historic shift aimed at ending a half-century of Cold War enmity.

“These 50 years have shown that isolation has not worked,” Obama said in remarks from the White House. “It’s time for a new approach.”

As Obama spoke to Americans, Cuban President Raul Castro addressed his own nation from Havana, saying that while the two countries still have profound differences in areas such as human rights and foreign policy, they must learn to live together “in a civilized manner.”

Wednesday’s announcements followed more than a year of secret talks between the U.S. and Cuba, including clandestine meetings in Canada and the Vatican and personal involvement from Pope Francis.

The re-establishment of diplomatic ties was accompanied by Cuba’s release of American Alan Gross, who had been imprisoned for five years, and the swap of a Cuban who had spied for the U.S. for three Cubans jailed in Florida. Gross spoke with Obama from the plane carrying him back to the U.S. Obama’s plans are sweeping: He aims to expand economic ties with Cuba, open an embassy in Havana, send high-ranking U.S. officials to visit and review Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism. The U.S. also is easing restrictions on travel to Cuba, including for family visits, official U.S. government business and educational activities. But tourist travel remains banned.

Obama’s action marked an abrupt use of U.S. executive authority. However, he cannot unilaterally end the longstanding U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, which was passed by Congress and would require action from lawmakers to overturn.

In a statement, the Vatican said Pope Francis “wishes to express his warm congratulations” for the efforts taken by Cuba and the U.S. “with the aim of overcoming, in the interest of the citizens of both countries, the difficulties which have marked their recent history.”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the news “very positive” and thanked the U.S. and Cuban presidents “for taking this very important step.”

Obama said Gross’ imprisonment had been a major obstacle in normalizing relations. Gross arrived

Pakistan mourns victims of terror attack

Photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alan Gross, accompanied by his wife, Judy, speaks during a news conference at his lawyer’s office in Washington on Wednesday. Gross was released from Cuba after five years in a Cuban prison. at an American military base just outside Washington Wednesday morning, accompanied by his wife and a handful of U.S. lawmakers. He went immediately into a meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry, who said he looked forward to becoming the first U.S. secretary of state in 60 years to visit Cuba.

Licensed American travellers to Cuba will now be able to return to the U.S. with $400 in Cuban goods, including tobacco and alcohol products worth less than $100 combined. This means the long-standing ban on importing Cuban cigars is over, although there are still limits.

The U.S. is also increasing the amount of money Americans can send to Cubans from $500 to $2,000 every three months. Early in his presidency, Obama allowed unlimited family visits by Cuban-Americans and removed a $1,200 annual cap on remittances.

Kerry is also launching a review of Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terror.

Obama said he continued to have serious concerns about Cuba’s human rights record but did not believe the current American policy toward the island was advancing efforts to change the government’s behaviour.

“I do not believe we can keep doing the same thing for over five decades and expect a different result,” he said.

Some on Capitol Hill disagreed with his move.

Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said the new U.S. policy would do nothing to address the issues of Cuba’s po“But it potentially goes a long way in providing the economic lift that the Castro regime needs to become permanent fixtures in Cuba for generations to come,” Rubio said.

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan — As they buried their children Wednesday, the families spoke of their dreams. One boy had just gotten high marks on his midterm and hoped to become a pilot. A 13-year-old wanted to become a doctor. Another kid just loved playing video games with his cousins.

At cemeteries across the Pakistani city of Peshawar, families lowered the rough wooden coffins of young boys and their teachers into the cold ground and gathered under funeral tents or at home, trying to comprehend the militant attack a day earlier on a school that killed 148 people, almost all of them young students.

The Pakistani government and military vowed a stepped up campaign aimed at rooting out militant strongholds in the country’s tribal regions along the border with Afghanistan. In a sign of how deeply the attack shook Pakistan, the head of the military flew to Kabul and sought help from the Afghan government - which with Islamabad has long had a tense relationship - against militant commanders behind the attack, a Pakistani military official told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press..

In downtown Peshawar, the family of Shyer Khan, a 14-year-old student killed on Tuesday, gathered to comfort his father, who was too overwhelmed by grief to talk.

Shyer’s older brother, Muneeb, was in the auditorium when gunmen burst through the doors Tuesday morning, took the stage and began shooting randomly. He fell to the floor and pretended to be dead.

“There was so much bloodshed,” Muneeb said softly. “I closed my eyes and lay on the floor for an hour.”

When the militants moved on to other parts of the school, he escaped through a door. His younger brother, however, was in a nearby classroom and was killed when the militants burst in and opened fire. At the gathering in the Khans’ home, his family spoke of how Shyer was a fan of video games like Call of Duty and teasing his sisters.

In Tuesday’s attack on the military-run school, the militants first set fire to a car in a nearby neighbourhood, likely as a diversion, residents said. Seven gunmen then scaled the school’s brick fence. They headed into the building and up the stairs to the auditorium, where many students were gathered.

They broke open the doors, took to the stage and started indiscriminately firing, said military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa.

The military took media on a tour of the site on Wednesday.

Blood splattered the stairs outside the auditorium. Inside, the scene was even worse.

Large pools of blood smeared the floors. A ninth-grader’s notebook lay torn on the stage, next to a psychology textbook and some broken glasses.

A large sign outside listing membership in various school committees appeared untouched while another wall was riddled by bullets.

Bajwa said the military recovered about 100 bodies from the auditorium.

In the administration building, where Bajwa said the final gunbattle between security forces and the militants took place, the walls were covered with bullet and shrapnel marks.

Streaks of blood and soot marked where some of the attackers blew themselves up.

LIFESTYLE

B8

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

Declining health has family questioning replacing elderly mother’s pacemaker batteries Dear Annie: My mother is 95 years three sons from mine. The problem is old and in OK shape. She has been how much we spend on them at Christdiagnosed with dementia, and her phy- mas. I say we spend an equal amount sician recommended a full-time care- on all of the kids. giver because Mom is confused most She thinks we should spend twice of the time. She still lives in her home, as much on her two children because refusing to leave, and my I have four. I want to be fair two siblings and I take care and equitable about this, but of her the best we can. cannot seem to convince her When we were growing that her logic could backfire. up, Mom was mentally abuThese children are all adults sive to us and physically in their 20s, and two of them abusive to my father. She are married. was not a good mother.

If I am wrong, I will conWhen we go to her home cede. If I am correct, please to clean and cook, she help me get this across to yells and screams about her. — Lost in Love the same things over and Dear Lost: If you and your over to the point where I wife have separate incomes, often have to leave. She she can spend what she likes MITCHELL is not a happy person, alon her kids, and you can & SUGAR ways focusing on the negaspend what you choose on tive things in her life. Mom yours. refuses to go to a nursing However, assuming you home, and we cannot force are pooling your money and her. Our lives are in a conbuying gifts together, we say stant state of turmoil and severe stress that you should spend the same on all with no end in sight. of the children. This isn’t a competiHere’s the real problem: Mom’s tion between your kids and hers. They pacemaker is due for replacement. If are all your children now and should we don’t act relatively soon, the bat- be treated equally. teries may die and the pacemaker Dear Annie: In your response to will cease to function. Obviously, that “Actively Confused,” the husband of means Mom could die from heart fail- the cancer patient, I wish you had emure. My two siblings don’t want to have phasized that the wife might have dethe maintenance done. They say her pression. mind is deteriorating so quickly, it I was treated for breast cancer 13 would be pointless. They are willing to years ago. A year after the surgery and throw caution to the wind. But, Annie, radiation, I suffered from major deI don’t think I can live with myself if pression, partly caused by the stress we don’t replace the batteries. I need of having a serious illness and the your help. — Outvoted hormonal chemotherapy involved. AlDear Outvoted: Please don’t have though I was at higher risk because of regrets when your mother dies. These a previous episode of depression, it is choices can haunt you forever. also something that can happen to anyAsk to speak to Mom’s doctor about one with a life-threatening illness. the pacemaker and her dementia.

Irritability and anger are often overEven outpatient surgery may be too looked as symptoms of depression. If much for her to handle. Let the doc- the woman’s oncologist is not helptor advise you. Then look into pooling ful, perhaps the patient’s primary care your resources and getting a caregiver, physician or a mental health profesat least part time, in order to give the sional would be. — Doing Well rest of you a break. The Alzheimer’s Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Association (alz.org) can also provide Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime ediresources and support. tors of the Ann Landers column. Please Dear Annie: My second wife and I email your questions to anniesmailbox@ have been married for four years. She comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, has two sons from her previous mar- c/o Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, riage, and I have one daughter and Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

ANNIE ANNIE

Thursday, Dec. 18 be a sense that you will have to stand up for CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DATE: yourself today — so do just that.

Brad Pitt, 51; Christina Aguilera, 34; Steven VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): As deeper isSpielberg, 68 sues within your life are revealed today (this THOUGHT OF THE DAY: So, today there can be anything from romance, children, crewill be a desire to be around those you care ative projects, talents), you will become more for. With that being said, I do see irritable. Let the truth come out. that there could be some stressAlso, share your wisdom now. es created by those you don’t By understanding your weaknecessarily know and you will nesses, you are more able to be want to seek out comfort. Face strong. the music today. You will have LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): to deal with all issues that are Today could offer you some brought to the surface. This will needless irritability with children. help you uncover all the issues Perhaps you just want some that you do not want to face. peace and quiet and then you’re HAPPY BIRTHDAY: If today thrown into an unmanageable is your birthday, this year will be situation. Nonetheless, you will your year to let go of old worn out want to be around loved ones habits and behavioural patterns now. You’ll be enlightened by LARISA MAIRA that have plagued you for some them, as they share old memotime. As the year progresses forries.

OZOLINS ward you will feel empowered by SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): your ability to put the past behind Watch out for those within your you. You will improve your finanlocal environment trying to start cial situation, if you write your some needless fight with you. plan and stick to it. My advice to you would Now, if it is just meaningless banter, then join be to listen to others more. in. It will reveal some truth that perhaps you ARIES (March 21-April 19): Do not be are not privy to at the moment. Good day to hasty today. You will need to relax and take communicate with siblings and friends. your time to get things done properly. You SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I will want your dreams to work, so do take the ad- tell you to listen to others more today but that vice from others and try not to let their critique might not be what you will do. You will be hell bother you. Anything right now will set you off. bent on getting your way or you will simply Channel that into work. walk away from a situation that troubles you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): There could Listen to your dreams, great insight into your be some clashes with those in the public to- finances can be obtained. day. Most likely, work related issues will pile CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You will up today and will leave you irritated. Soon, definitely receive others providing you with you will see the changes and a new perspec- a boost to your ego or finances. Right away, tive will take the place of the old outworn one. this day will be positive for you. Watch out for Work with others as best as you can. needless disputes with friends or with group GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Okay, so to- members. If you owe them money and you day there will be some clashes with others. have it, give it up.

You will not see eye to eye with your signifiAQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You might cant other. seem argumentative today. There could be There is a tendency to overact when you a good cause that you are passionate about want to get your point across. Hold back a and you will not back down from anyone. little. They will tell you exactly what their truth You will find greater personal value and conis, whether you like it or not. fidence through these interactions, but that CANCER (June 21-July 22): Something alone doesn’t make them right. Be patient is brewing for those significant relationships in now. your life. You can feel it but they perhaps are PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Do not beat not aware of it or they are keeping it secret yourself up for anything and everything that from you. Try to relax and just let them reveal goes wrong today. You will want to be around their truth in their own time. Today is a good those you care about today and will find solday to be with them. ace and comfort through those interactions.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): There could be Your aspirations will be highlighted. As well, some arguments created today with regards the truth will come out now! to you putting your foot down. This could inLarisa Maira Ozolins is an internationally volve daily activities — from health regime to syndicated astrologer and columnist. Her coldiet or simply work related issues. There will umn appears daily in the Advocate.

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Ask The Dentist! by Dr. Michael Dolynchuk, DDS

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Dear Dr. D:

We're heading to Mexico for 2 weeks at Christmas.

Someone at work said I might want to consider my dental work before flying south. How can this be any different than any other time of the year?

A: The holidays are indeed just another couple of weeks at the end of December, so you're right about that. However, there are a couple of monkey wrenches to toss into the mix. Some foods are good for your teeth, like broccoli and carrots with Vitamin A for strengthening tooth enamel. Calcium rich foods like cheese (also balances out the PH in your mouth) and nuts with nutrients will also strengthen the enamel on your teeth. There is a likelihood that festive wine may be abundant, and that also has an acidic effect on tooth enamel. Other foods are bad, such as cookies, cake, potato chips, fizzy drinks, and other processed foods which cause an increase in dental decay. Top that off with the likelihood that in Canada – many dental offices are shut down for more days than normal to give our hard working staff time with their families. I know offices that close for 2 weeks. I often wonder what happens to their patients' emergencies at that time. Certainly our practice does see some of those folks because of our extended hours. Appointment times are certainly more scarce than at other times, regardless of your dental provider. In your case, heading for the sunshine does have other challenges, and dentistry and general medicine are certainly two of them. You do not know anything about your off shore provider. The fact that 'they were trained in the USA' means nothing. I cannot tell you how many patients with disastrous resort dental work tell me they didn't think twice about it because that doctor was 'trained stateside'. Even if that is the truth, you don't have the comfort level of the Canadian dental schools behind you. There can be poor providers everywhere, but you compound the problem when you have surgery done in third world countries. It is not just a matter of money.

Personally, if you believe the money savings is that important I understand that. My problem is when I see a patient's mouth with permanent irreparable damage landing back in my chair wanting me to 'fix it'. Ask 'Holmes on Homes' on TV – he'll tell you it is easier to start building something new than to repair something someone else has messed up.

Teeth are the same.

One of the dental insurance companies informed me that December tops any other month for dental emergencies. Teeth get knocked out. If this happens, try to get into a dentist within an hour to give your tooth the best chance of survival. Handle the top of the tooth, not the root. Rinse it to remove dirt, but do not scrub it. It’s best to keep it moist with milk, or the saline solution for contact lenses.

I might suggest a quick checkup with your dentist before you head south.

Some issues may be self-evident to your dentist, and I wouldn't want you to spoil your vacation!

We can help. Call us for a free consultation. Also, remember to call our 1-800 'Ask the Dentist Hotline' at 1-800-970-9212 with any questions you would like us to address in future columns.

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LOCAL

C1

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Red Deer SPCA executive director Tara Hellewell has a little cuddle with a four-month-old kitten named Derpy. The booming local cat population remains a problem.

Raining cats and dogs RED DEER SPCA IS BULGING AT THE SEAMS DEALING WITH SURRENDERED AND STRAY PETS

BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Millie peeked out the front of her roomy kennel at Red Deer and District SPCA, but quickly scampered back to hide.

The small mixed breed dog had been at the shelter for about two weeks and was slowly coming out of her shell.

“Millie is a good example of a puppy mill dog. She is very shy with people because she’s really only interacted with dogs. No socialization with people. No walks. No play. Just life in a cage, making babies,” said SPCA executive director Tara Hellewell.

So far, Millie had only relaxed in the company of other dogs.

Millie, whose age was estimated to be seven or eight years old, was brought in by a group that has a connection to a certain puppy mill in Central Alberta.

“When the dogs are finished and not useful anymore, they might get in touch with us through that contact. We don’t deal directly with them. There is a trust now that we’ve gained.”

Since Millie is not aggressive, staff will continue to work with her and hopefully she will lose her fear of humans.

“People still believe puppy mills are illegal and they’re not. But they should be because that’s the result of it,” Hellewell said, pointing at Millie.

“I have a discussion almost every day with people about puppy mills because we experience a lot of fallout from the puppy mill industry. There is a lot of unwanted animals that are being sold to people who really don’t understand what’s involved in owning a dog if they’ve never owned one before.

Perhaps it’s the wrong type. We see a lot of that coming in.”

And the puppy mills dogs lucky enough to make it to the SPCA often require a lot of medical treatment.

The local SPCA takes in about 1,000 animals per year and make about 650 adoptions annually.

The no-kill shelter accepts surrendered and stray animals, but only has enough space for 30 dogs and 200 cats at the facility.

Dogs generally have individual kennels, while cats stay in kennels or one of three free-roam cat rooms.

Hellewell said people failing to spay or neuter their cats continues to be a huge problem, along with owners who allow their cats to run at large despite Red Deer’s bylaw.

“If they aren’t spayed or neutered, they’ll find each other. They breed so prolifically. So that is a challenge for us. We’re struggling to keep up with the demand.”

To do its part, the SPCA spays and neuters all animals they take in, but the facility is still filled to the brim

with pets in need of forever homes even though staff are kept busy helping people through the process of adopting a pet.

“It’s busy on a Saturday. Some days we have 20 people waiting to meet with our adoption counsellors to meet dogs and cats.”

The SPCA also squeezes in room for onsite programs like children’s birthday parties and summer camps, managing hundreds of onsite volunteers, operating a retail store with pet products, assisting those surrendering pets or requiring pet cremation, and boarding pets for agencies like Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter with clients who need to board their animals.

“People don’t realize that we are a full-service social agency.”

The new SPCA building opened in 2010 and is over four times larger than its previous home.

It didn’t take long for the SPCA to grow into its new space, with some tweaking and reconfiguration required.

Over the years, cat kennels have been added to the foyer to give felines more exposure.

The volunteers’ room was recently transformed with glass enclosures as a quiet, calm environment for rabbits.

Volunteers now have a table in a hallway.

Over 400 Central Albertans can’t resist volunteering for the SPCA, making it the second largest volunteer organization in Red Deer.

“Most of those volunteers are doing our daily operation work with us.

Walking dogs, helping to give the dogs and cats a better lifestyle while they are here. Giving them snuggles and cuddles and love and affection and helping to keep them calm.”

There are plans to downsize the grooming room in order to expand a too-small laundry room and add another washer and dryer. Mounds of towels and sheets to comfort animals are currently stacked on racks in a hallway.

An empty hallway was turned into a room for cats in kennels to stretch their legs, play with volunteers or interact with potential owners.

The education room has become a multi-functional space for everything from meetings to birthday parties to animal behaviour training to help dogs get adopted.

“Right now, we’re all jostling for this one space,” Hellewell said.

Public programs have been well received. Offering dog obedience training for the public would be the next step, but there’s just no room, she said.

The SPCA has $900,000 left to pay off on its $4.2-million animal shelter.

The non-profit runs an annual budget of over $1 million. About 50 per cent of revenue comes from donations

“

Over 400 Central Albertans can’t resist volunteering for the SPCA, making it the second largest volunteer organization in Red Deer.

‘Most of those volunteers are doing our daily operation work with us. Walking dogs, helping to give the dogs and cats a better lifestyle while they are here. Giving them snuggles and cuddles and love and affection and helping to keep them calm.’

— SPCA executive director Tara Hellewell and special events, 30 per cent from fees for service (retail, adoptions, surrenders, cremation), and 20 per cent from local and corporate grants. The City of Red Deer provides $100,000.

Christmas is when the SPCA receives the majority of its donations.

“That’s when people are most giving and most generous. That’s when we see large gifts and people coming in with smaller amounts for us, so it adds up quite significantly.”

Last year, December donations increased to $100,000 from $60,000.

This month, the goal is to raise $125,000, she said.

“If we don’t it will tough for us in the remainder of the year to try to operate within our current budget. Christmas is key.

“If you’re in the giving spirit this December, think of us. We have this great range of programs. We’re supporting animals. Helping to educate children in the community. And now reaching out to seniors.”

Hellewell said operational and maintenance costs have grown with the new building, but funding has not kept pace.

“We are quite large, yet the funding we’re receiving is still small-organization funding. So we’ve been making a conscious effort to professionalize our services, show diversification in our services to the community so we can get the attention of some major donors

Carolyn Martindale, City Editor, 403-314-4326 Fax 403-341-6560 E-mail editorial@reddeeradvocate.com

out there.”

The newest service is the K9 Community Outreach Pet Visitation Program. Forty dog/owner teams are qualified to visit with seniors at continuing care facilities and other health-care centres.

The interaction is known to positively impact health, doing things like lowering blood pressure, easing agitation and anxiety, and encouraging interaction.

“My dogs are a huge part of my life.

I can’t imagine what it will be like the day I can’t live in my own home anymore and I can’t have my pets around me. I think for a lot of people they feel that way, so imagine being in the long-term care centre and having a dog come visit and how much it will brighten their day,” said Hellewell who lives with Bandit, a Jack Russell terrier, and Harley, a goberian (golden retriever crossed with a Siberian husky).

The SPCA’s next step is to train visitation dogs to work with children.

“We’re going to be moving forward with that program in the near future to reach out to places like Ronald McDonald House. We want to work with autistic children, children with mental illness, children with reading and learning difficulties.”

For more information on the SPCA, visit www.reddeerspca.com or call 403342-7722. The shelter is at 4505 77th St. szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com

WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

C2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014

Drug dependency lands man 7-year sentence

LOCAL

BRIEFS Ross Street/Taylor Drive traffic lights fine-tuned The City of Red Deer has fine-tuned traffic lights at the realigned Ross Street and Taylor Drive intersection to lower wait times for motorists and reduce traffic backups.

Among the latest changes is the installation of vehicle detection cameras at the intersection to determine the length of the signal lights and turn arrows. Previously, the lights were set to a fixed, regular schedule, regardless of traffic volumes. This sometimes caused a long line of vehicles in the south turn lane.

Traffic lights at Taylor Drive and Ross Street have also been synchronized with those at Taylor and Kerry Wood Drive, at 45th Street and Taylor and 43rd Street and Taylor to allow for a better traffic flow.

“These adjustments make the traffic lights at Taylor Drive and Ross Street more responsive to real time traffic volume and flow and we have seen a reduction in wait times,” said traffic engineer Shyam Kansal.

The realigned intersection allows pedestrians to cross Taylor Drive at enhanced crosswalks operated by a push button.

This allows better connections to transit stops, and access to downtown Red Deer, Riverlands, and the Red Deer River.

City workers will continue to monitor and evaluate the new Taylor Drive and Ross Street intersection that was re-opened to the public in October after several months of construction.

More adjustments will be made as needed.

The shop was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, says Red Deer County Fire Services.

Three county fire stations and the technical rescue station responded, as well as pumpers from Delburne and Elnora fire departments.

No one was in the building at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

It took several hours to bring the fire under control.

High winds blew smoke from the fire across Hwy 42, leading police to issue a caution for drivers using Hwy 42.

Ponoka council approves tax increase of three per cent Ponoka council has approved a three per cent tax rate increase for next year.

Council approved $15.1-million operating and $10.1-million capital budgets on Tuesday.

The tax increase will work out to an extra $21 on municipal tax bills per $100,000 worth of assessment, says a budget report from director of corporate services Betty Quinlan.

The total tax bill will not be known until the province finalizes its school requisition next spring.

Council went through the budget line by line during two days of recent budget meetings.

“Over two days, it became clear that we are playing a lot of catch-up as we approved funding required for necessary repairs and upgrades to town assets that have been left for far too long,” says Mayor Rick Bonnett in a statement.

Farm shop destroyed

by Tuesday evening blaze

his borrowed Jaguar was clocked at 236 mph as it passed a commercial vehicle weigh scale on Hwy 43.

Buxton was tracked down and arrested after getting the Jag stuck on a mud road heading toward the Alexis First Nation.

This time, he had in his possession a stolen handgun and three cell phones as well as 434 gms of cocaine, 639 gms of methamphetamine and about 28 gms of heroin.

Buxton had previously been a productive worker with “little if any” criminal history, said Wolch.

However, he developed a drug dependency and his life spiralled downward from there, he said.

Judge Jim Hunter accepted the join sentencing submission proposed by Inglis and Wolch, including a recommendation that Buxton serve his time in B.C. Buxton was ordered to provide a sample of his DNA to the national database and is also prohibited from driving for two years after his release from prison.

He cannot possess weapons of any sort for a period of 10 years and is prohibited for life from owning restricted or prohibited weapons. bkossowan@reddeeradvocate.com

“Council agreed that the town must move forward with a routine process for continual inspections, repairs and maintenance, upgrades and improvements so that we never fall behind like this again.”

On the capital side, the biggest project is replacement of the community’s North Bridge at a cost of $3.5 million.

Upgrades to storm water sewers on 47th Avenue will cost $450,000, pavement at $400,000 and water main rehabilitation at $310,000 round out the top four projects in terms of dollar value.

board and Dr. Shauna Bruno has been appointed.

In response, Alberta Education said that the four bands should work with the school board to establish a special appointment or some form of relationship.

Board chair Trudy Bratland said the board is trying to make inroads with their neighbours to the north.

“We are very concerned about success for their students.”

Alberta Education encouraged the Maskwacis Cree to work with the district to revise the education service agreement.

“The School Act allows for the appointment of individuals who live outside of the school boundary given there is an agreement in place between the respective parties,” reads the letter from Alberta Education to the Maskwacis Cree chiefs.

Maskwacis must negotiate role on school board If the Maskwacis Cree group of four First Nations want to have a say at the Wolf Creek School Division board, they’ll have to negotiate such a partnership, says Alberta Education.

Chiefs Kurt Buffalo of Samson Cree Nation, Randy Ermineskin of the Ermineskin Cree Nation, Russell Threefingers of the Louis Bull Tribe and Darrell Strongman of the Montana First Nation sent a request to the ministry in September seeking support for a Maskwacis representative on the Wolf Creek board.

In that letter, the four chiefs cited the large number of their students attending schools in the Wolf Creek area.

The majority of Maskwacis students attend schools in the Wetaskiwin Regional Public Schools district.

There has already been an agreement with the Wetaskiwin school

A story in Tuesday’s Advocate about Christmas light displays in Red Deer had some incorrect information.

There are no Christmas light displays on 421635th St. or 35th Street in Mountview this year.

If you see a Christmas display in Central Alberta that impresses you, please email the address and community to editorial@reddeeradvocate.com so we can share this information with our readers.

Photos may also be emailed to that address in jpg format.

Happy Holidays

21ST ANNUAL DECADENT DESSERT NIGHT

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Thanks to the following business for their donations and to all who purchased tickets for their support.

• Eastside Mario’s • Earls • Scratch Cakes and Sweets • Tony Roma’s • The Keg • Mohave Grill

Christmas lights correction

Tony Roma’s wishes you and your family

• Denny’s • Brown’s Socialhouse • One Eleven Grill • Cafe Millenium • Black Knight Inn

Thanks to Telus for supporting the Community Corner and the Rebels for their continued support of our agency.

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A large farm shop was destroyed in a Tuesday night blaze east of Penhold.

Red Deer County firefighters were called to a farm about 8:30 p.m. near Hwy 42 and Range Road 263, about 15 km east of Penhold.

Wolch said the global sentence of seven years had been negotiated over a period of a year and a half with Crown prosecutor David Inglis.

Additional charges were withdrawn, including drug and weapons offences laid in connection with an arrest in Red Deer on Oct. 23, 2013, when he and another suspect were busted during a traffic stop in the southeast area of Red Deer.

Outlining the charges for which Buxton has been admitted guilt, Inglis said he was first arrested for impaired care and control as well as possessing drugs for trafficking and illegal possession of bear spray in Red Deer on Sept.

19, 2012.

Released on bail, he was arrested again on June 6, 2013 by police investigating an illegally parked vehicle at the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame along the east side of Hwy 2 at Red Deer.

Again, police found a man asleep at the wheel of a running vehicle, said Inglis. He had a significant quantity of drugs with him, including about 28 gms each of methamphetamine and crack cocaine as well as 13 gms of powder cocaine.

Buxton was arrested again by Whitecourt RCMP on Aug. 19, 2013, after leading police on a pursuit in which

54742K12-28

The sentence pronounced on Wednesday for a Red Deer oilfield worker who became drug dependent should serve as a stark warning to others who would follow his path, says his lawyer.

Brian Randall Buxton, 33, was sentenced to seven years minus 1,060 days already served after pleading guilty in Red Deer provincial court to a variety of drug charges as well possessing illegal weapons, possessing stolen property, flight from police and having care and control of a motor vehicle while impaired.

Buxton has been in and out of remand over a number of months over the past two years, arrested initially for impaired care and control in the fall of 2012 after he was found passed out at the wheel of a car that was running and in gear, with a package of street drugs on the floor by his feet.

Released on bail, Buxton got into trouble again and found himself back in pre-trial custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre.

It was just days after one of his arrests that Buxton fell victim to a jail-

house rumour, Calgary-based defence counsel Hersh Wolch said while speaking to Buxton’s sentence before Judge Jim Hunter in Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday.

Buxton had been in jail for about five days when his wife died of an overdose, Wolch told the court.

Despite the fact that Buxton was already behind bars when she died, a rumour started to circulate that he had killed her, said Wolch.

Watching proceedings by closedcircuit TV from the Red Deer Remand Centre, Buxton broke into tears as Wolch described the terrible beating he suffered from fellow inmates, including kicks to the head that have left him with blurred vision, impaired speech and possible brain damage.

The entire beating was caught on video camera, said Wolch. He did not give the date of the beating or state whether any of those responsible had been charged, but said corrections officers have identified those who took part.

Buxton continues to live in fear as a result of the beating, said Wolch, who requested that his client serve his sentence in a B.C. penitentiary and that he be protected from the inmates who attacked him.

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C3 There’s more than meets the eye

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

Photo by MYRNA PEARMAN/freelance

Birds of prey usually engage their nictitating membrane while flying or attacking their prey. This juvenile redtailed hawk was likely using the membrane to wipe dust from its eyes.

I have been spending some is covered with brush-tipped time this winter reading about cells which lubricate the eye birds. How humbling and awe- with tears. Some birds, espeinspiring it is to learn about cially falcons, have a special their varied and remarkable gland that produces an extra physical and behavioural ad- thick tear-based lubricant. aptations. Even Birds engage this birds’ eyelids are thin but important amazing! membrane while When a bird going about such blinks, its upper lid daily activities as closes down. When swimming, divit sleeps, the lower ing, preening, flylid closes up. Being, eating, fighthind these upper ing, catching prey and lower eyelids and feeding young. is a third eyelid Reptiles and some that is attached at mammals (includthe inner corner of ing beavers, polar the eye and — unbears, dogs and MYRNA like the other two cats) also have this PEARMAN vertical eyelids — utilitarian eye covsweeps horizontally ering. across the eyeball.

To think such This transpara miniscule mement/translucent membrane, brane plays a major role in called the nictitating mem- the survival of our wild neighbrane, serves the very impor- bours is, quite literally, an tant function of allowing sight eye-opener! while still offering protection and an efficient way to clean Myrna Pearman is the bioloand wipe moisture across gist/site services manager at Ellis the corneal surface. The in- Bird Farm. She can be reached ner surface of the membrane at mpearman@ellisbirdfarm.ca.

OUTDOORS

Photos by MYRNA PEARMAN/freelance

ABOVE RIGHT: The nictitating membrane in owls is almost transparent, allowing light through even when it completely covers the eyeball.

ABOVE LEFT: Woodpeckers have nictitating membranes which shutter their eyes a millisecond before the bird pecks against a hard surface. Not only do these membranes protect their eyes from flying wood chips, they act as seat belts to keep the eyeballs from literally popping out of their skulls.

BELOW: Even eating can be risky enough to warrant extra eye protection. This raven uses its “goggles” on both eyes as it races against other ravens to snatch a hand-out.

C4 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014

Can we end Cowboy Welfare?

It has been a year of intrigue for public land issues.

First, some background: On Nov. 18, 2011, I was honoured to deliver the Martha Kostuch Lecture to the annual general meeting of the Alberta Wilderness Association.

I told the AWA it was my last public speech and, as they had requested, promised it would include everything I had to say on the sad and sorry story of the waste and abuse of Alberta’s Public Land. Much of the speech dealt with “Cowboy Welfare” — the rock-bottom grazing fees for Alberta public land grazing leases, the practice of letting the leaseholder keep the oil and gas surface disturbance payments to the lease land, rather than requiring them to be paid to the owner (the people of Alberta) as is BOB the usual cases with leases, SCAMMELL and also permitting leaseholders to sell the lease for big bucks when they are through with it, rather than the lease and the big bucks reverting to the owner.

In the end, I challenged all present to help Albertans find out how much Cowboy Welfare has cost them since it got started, whenever that was. The speech was well covered, and frequently televised, but nothing happened.

Then, early this year, an anonymous insider informed me that then current and former Environment-Sustainable Resource Development ministers, Robin Campbell and Diana McQueen, were “very concerned” about Cowboy Welfare and its cost to the public.

That inspired me finally to request Alberta’s auditor general to use his considerable powers to find out just how much money Cowboy Welfare costs Alberta.

Then, in mid-summer, CBC advised me that they are working on a documentary on the whole mess and were concerned that people were being intimidated into not going public with what they know.

Fast forward to this past Hallowe’en and Ted Morton, former Alberta Energy minister, ESRD minister, and Finance minister, hunter and straight shooter, is delivering the Kostuch Lecture at the AWA offices in Calgary. He first established that no press were present, and then launched into an unprecedented and amazing “tricking and treating” masterpiece, including interaction with his audience.

Morton could not have known that the walls of the historic old AWA building had ears and that at least half the ears in an audience of 50 or so had provided this “press” with many scoops, tips, hints and help over the years.

For decades, AWA founders Dick and Vivian Pharis have encouraged this column to keep going whenever it got frustrated at the stupidity, secrecy and skullduggery that stick to public land in this province like public land, itself, sticks to an ATV. Vivian reports and interviews in amazed detail. “The part of his talk you would have found most interesting was of a new policy on surface disturbances to grazing leases, which he expects to be released before Christmas. He did not seem aware that this was an old issue for AWA (and Alberta Fish and Game Association)) and he thought we would be thrilled

OUTDOORS

Photos by BOB SCAMMELL/freelance

Robin Campbell, E-SRD minister, “worried” early in 2014. to know that the government has proposed to take surface disturbance funds away from the Welfare Cowboys and put them into a conservation trust for land stewardship work.”

“He quite excitedly talked of there being at least $40 million that could be diverted from the elite cowboys into this fund, with more if there could be a full diversion of compensation from disturbances caused by compressor stations and pipelines. I said to him that, back in the early ’80s we (probably you) calcu-

lated that Cowboy Welfare amounted to over $100 million, and he did not blink at that figure.”

“I asked him why, after all these years, the government is looking at going in this direction.

He replied that if we looked at an electoral district map, we would see that the public land grazing lease country subject to the surface disturbance grabs and giveaways is all Wildrose.

Please see WELFARE on Page C5

Season’s Greetings To our valued customers & readers, we sincerely wish you and your o r families a Jo f l Holida Joyful Holiday Season Season.

May the New Year bring you peace, health and happiness.

Thank you for your patronage.

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The Pressroom Staff

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 C5 how much the wealthy leaseholders received annually in surface disturbance payments, I suspect, also, that Morton worried that if Wildrose converts to Progressive Conservative, there will be no Christmas announcement, and a policy that has sugar plums dancing in the heads of the few Albertans who know about it would just quietly fade away and we’ll carry on stuffing big bucks instead of lumps of coal into the welfare cowboys’ Christmas socks.

Just as I ended my Kostuch Lecture with a plea three year ago, Morton seems to be asking for public help to keep a policy alive that partially rights wrongs that have gone on far too long.

Keeping WELFARE: Right this wrong your real Christmas tree fresh STORY FROM PAGE C4

He said there have been folks in government who have long tried to right this wrong and gain funds for a conservation trust, but rural conservatives would not hear of it.”

Deep inside stuff from a man of deep convictions who is not quite as inside as Morton once was. Not being in government, why would Morton make this Halloween announcement?

I suspect that, in scrabbling and scraping to find the money to buy out the OH Ranch grazing leases for the Calgary Ring Road, Morton found out exactly

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Artificial Christmas trees can be set up at and left indefinitely. Real trees that bring the outdoor smell into the house have a life expectancy of a few weeks.

The longer they are left, the more needles fall.

As soon as the tree is brought home, re-cut the trunk and place it in water.

Trees, like all plants, will attempt to seal the bottom of a cut stem to stop the loss of sap.

This action also stops the upward flow of water.

Making a new cut will allow the tree to take up more liquid.

Keeping the reservoir full on the tree stand encourages the tree to continue water uptake.

If the cut it allowed to become dry, the plant will start sealing the cut to minimize LINDA moisture loss, stopping the inTOMLINSON take of water once the reservoir is refilled.

A properly cared for fresh tree will last the holiday season with minor needle loss.

One has the choice of purchasing a permit and driving to designated areas and cutting down a tree, cutting a tree at a tree farm or purchasing one.

With the exception of tree farms, trees that are cut down locally are native white spruce, black spruce and lodgepole pine.

Permits are available through Alberta Sustainable Resources and convenience stores in western Alberta.

A $5 permit allows the holder to go out west to crown land and cut three trees from specific areas: ditches, right-of-ways or under powerlines.

A white spruce tree is easily recognized by their short stiff needles.

Black spruce looks similar to white spruce when they are young.

As they mature, the black spruce stretches upwards without many side branches. Branches that appear are not very long, giving the tree a small, sparse, skinny look. Black spruce trees grow in wet, swampy areas.

Lodgepole pines have long needles and branches that always point upwards. They differ from the scotch pine available in stores as they have not been manicured to form a stiff cone.

For those who find it easier to purchase a tree, most Christmas tree outlets have been in operation since the beginning of December. The trees on these lots come from growing fields in British Columbia, Eastern Canada and the United States.

Balsam fir tends to be the most sought-after tree.

It has dark green foliage and holds its fragrance for most of the season.

Growers like them as they require little if any pruning.

Douglas fir are also popular with growers and consumers.

Their needles are similar to those of the balsam fir — short, flat and soft.

Many people will not differentiate between the two types of fir trees.

Scotch pine and eastern pine both have very long needles. These trees are pruned into a solid cone shape. Decorations sit on the outer edge of this tree.

The cost of the trees reflect the work that went into growing and maintaining them, as well as the cost of transportation.

The trees are planted, watered, sprayed, weeded, pruned and fertilized to insure that they are the correct shape and make it to the market as soon as possible.

When choosing a tree, shape and size is a major consideration.

The condition of the tree is also very important.

Before buying a tree on a lot, unwrap it, pulling branches down to find the tree’s shape.

It is hard to discover missing branches and flat sides if all the branches are wrapped upwards.

Check to see if the tree is dry. Are the needles dry and falling off?

If in doubt, drop the tree on its stump and look for lost green needles.

Check to see if the branches are flexible. Branches are brittle if it is bitterly cold outside or if the tree is dry.

Trees dry out quickly once they are in a heated area.

Starting with one that is already dry means that more needles will be gone by the time the Christmas season is over.

Linda Tomlinson is a horticulturalist who lives by Rocky Mountain House. She can be reached at your_garden@hotmail.com

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

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C6 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014

Welcome to the driver’s seat

Tahoe is up to the big towing tasks The all-new 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe is part of a full suite of large trucks from General Motors. These range from the Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, the GMC Yukon and Denali and the Cadillac Escalade. Something of interest is the preference Canadians have for the GMC brand over the Chevrolet trucks, More Canadians which are the most popular in the go for GMC and the United States. More Canadians go for GMC and the US loves Chevrolet, US loves Chevrolet, the complete the complete reverse. Regardless, all of these GM trucks represent the reverse. majority of full-size truck sales in Canada. GM kind of has a lock on big Zach Spencer vehicles able to move a large family, tow a trailer and now do it with much greater efficiency. These are all based on the award winning full-size Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks that arrived in 2014. GM has taken much of what made those some of the most comfortable vehicles to drive and baked it into the Tahoe and others.

Looks In the Chevrolet family the Tahoe is the short wheelbase version and the Suburban is the longer wheelbase model, with much more cargo space behind the third row of seats. Some might find the new design direction from GM to be a bit too slab-sided, with squarer edges and boxy shapes but I prefer the modern take on the classic design.

The Tahoe sits very high off the ground so the power side step is a wonderful addition along with a power tailgate and backup camera.

How did we ever live without these amenities before? The biggest change is the front lighting package GM has used on this Chevrolet.

LED daytime running lights make a statement and the monster grille with the big Chevrolet bowtie looks rough and ready.

Inside One of the biggest changes in the full-size pickup trucks is the level of refinement and ride quality and this has migrated into this Tahoe, the cabin is quiet and refined. This is done through a number of advancements; one of the biggest is the way the doors wrap into the roof to help shut out road and wind noise. The next big advantage is the attention to detail in the front cabin. There is a big screen, front and centre, with easy to use and access rotary dials and switches.

There are USB plugs along with regular power outlets just under the radio and more USB plugs inside the glove box and yet another behind the radio screen that slides up and away to reveal a hidden compartment. The back seats have an available flip and fold feature

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’’

that automatically lowers or raises the second and third row of seats.

What is surprising is the lack of cargo space behind the third row when it is in use, the bigger Suburban might be the way to go for really large families.

Drive The two-wheel drive Tahoe is the value leader in the GM line of full-size trucks, starting at $51,900-- the GMC comes with a $2000 premium over the Chevy. Yes, this is an expensive vehicle but keep in mind that towing is a big reason why people purchase such big trucks. With a towing capacity of 3856kg (8500 lbs.) in two-wheel drive trim and 3765 (8300 lbs.) with four wheel drive, the Tahoe is up to the task of towing most pleasure boats and family campers with ease. The Tahoe uses the same 355hp 5.3L V8 engine found in the full-size pickup trucks. It uses direct injection technology and has the ability to switch off half of the cylinders to help save fuel.

There is a small indicator light on the instrument cluster that tells the driver when the engine is running on just 4-cylinders.

This helps the driver feather the throttle to keep the engine in this fuel saving mode as long as possible. When more power is needed, the engine automatically reverts to all eight cylinders for maximum power.

These tricks help improve city fuel economy by seven percent and highway consumption by ten percent.

Verdict The Tahoe tested was the top LTZ trim with the magnetic ride control, the same system used in the Corvette Stingray.

This system monitors the road condition up to 1000 times per second and adjusts the shock absorbers up to 100 times per second to improve ride and handling. This along with the smooth engine and quiet ride makes the Tahoe feel like a big, luxury sedan. It is no wonder that people who have these big trucks love them. One thing to

consider when choosing which truck to buy is the available engine.

The GMC Denali and Cadillac Escalade trucks have a larger 6.2L V8, which is much quicker and more capable. This Tahoe is just part of the full-line of trucks from GM that dominate the market, and for good reason. These are well-designed, well-made and supremely comfortable vehicles for a large family. zack.spencer@drivewaybc.ca The Lowdown Power: 5.3L V8 with 355hp Fill-up: 14.9L/10.1L/100km (city/highway) Sticker price: $51,900-$71,150

At home on the Serengeti and in the city The recent Mercedes G-Class increased the aggressiveness of its physique.

And, as a result, the G550 I tested can now navigate around the rhinos in the African Serengeti as well navigate the busy streets of downtown Vancouver without I do not think people looking out of place! – Many would think you’re crazy to take a are going out to buy Mercedes off-road, but this vehicle this luxury vehicle to has been exploring Africa and Asia drive some rough back for decades. roads but it would be Looks: It has a European look at the front comforting to know it end, with two marker lights on can. top of the fenders and LED light strips just below the headlights. A Ian Harwood large Mercedes emblem is proudly displayed in the centre of the grille.

The large wheel well openings and fender flares contribute to the aggressive look but serve a practical purpose in allowing for full travel of the suspension without letting the tires rub.

In The Cab: Good vision on all sides. The cabin is extremely well laid out. Controls are easily reached and I like the carbon fibre look over the wood burl.

Three rocker switches on the dash control the centrifugal lock on the transfer case, the rear differential lock, and the front differential lock.

When you engage these locks, an audible sound appears along with a light on the dash.

The navigation screen is just above the centre stack on the dash. It looks a little out of place, almost if it were an iPad placed there. I would have liked to have seen more of integration into the dash.

The seats are very comfortable and controlled from the door panel. The steering wheel has a piano black lacquer on the smooth surfaces and the upholstery is ‘designo’ leather giving this space a luxurious feel to it.

Safety first: Driver and front passenger air bag, side and rear head airbag. 4 wheel ABS, traction control, electronic stability control, and brake assist. In the event of an accident the engine is automatically turned off, hazard lights are turned on, and doors are automatically unlocked. Now that is thinking!

Roadworthy: I had the opportunity to test this vehicle on the back roads. I have to

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’’

admit I was a little sceptical of taking this vehicle through the mud and steep washouts without damaging it. To my surprise, the vehicle performed just fine. I had driven on a steep side slope without and problem although my passenger was a little worried we were going to roll. I took it through a series of well-placed ditches to test the articulation and managed to raise the passenger front tire easily three feet in the air while I teetered back and forth. A section of deep mud was no problem with the rear differential lock on. There was no chance of this being stuck. Besides there was no way I was calling Mercedes for a tow!

Verdict: I do not think people are going out to buy this luxury vehicle to drive some rough back roads but it would be comforting to know it can.

Power:

The G550 is equipped with a 5.5 Litre V8, which has an output of 382 hp and 391 ft lb of torque. The transmission is a 7G-TRONIC plus, that has been around since 1960, although updated to handle today’s requirements.

Pump frequency: 18.1 /13.6 L/100 km (city/highway) Warranty support: Basic warranty 4 years 50,000 km Drivetrain 4 years 50,000 km Corrosion 4 years 50,000 km Roadside assistance Unlimited Sticker price: Starting at $121,600 Ian.harwood@drivewaybc.ca

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Vehicle(s) may be shown with optional equipment. Dealer may sell or lease for less. Limited time offers. Offers only valid at participating dealers. Retail offers may be cancelled or changed at any time without notice. See your Ford Dealer for complete details or call the Ford Customer Relationship Centre at 1-800-565-3673. For factory orders, a customer may either take advantage of eligible Ford retail customer promotional incentives/offers available at the time of vehicle factory order or time of vehicle delivery, but not both or combinations thereof. Retail offers not combinable with any CPA/GPC or Daily Rental incentives, the Commercial Upfit Program or the Commercial Fleet Incentive Program (CFIP). † Until January 2, 2015, receive $500/ $750/ $1,000/ $2,000/ $2,500/ $3,500/ $4,000/ $4,250/ $4,500/ $4,750/ $5,000/ $5,500/ $6,000/ $6,250/ $6,500/ $7,000/ $7,250/ $7,500/ $8,500/ $10,500 in Year End Clearout Cash (Delivery Allowances) with the purchase or lease of a new 2015 Fusion/ 2014 Focus (excluding S Manual) and 2015 Explorer, F-150 Regular Cab XL 4x2 (Value Leader)/ 2014 C-MAX and 2015 Taurus (excluding SE), Expedition, Transit Connect, E-Series Cutaway, Transit/ 2014 F-150 Regular Cab XL 4x2 (Value Leader) and 2015 F-350 to F-550 Chassis Cabs/ 2014 Focus S Manual, Edge and 2015 Fiesta S/ 2015 F-150 Regular Cab (excluding XL 4x2)/ 2014 Fiesta, F-350 to F-550 Chassis Cabs/ 2014 Mustang V6 Coupe, Taurus SE, Escape, Explorer/ 2015 F-150 SuperCab and SuperCrew/ 2014 Fusion/ 2014 Transit Connect (excluding electric)/ 2014 E-Series, F-150 Regular Cab (excluding XL 4x2), F-150 SuperCrew 4x4 XLT 300A/ 2014 Flex, F-150 SuperCrew 4x2 5.0L and 4x4/ 2014 Taurus (excluding SE)/ 2014 Mustang V6 Premium, F-150 SuperCab/ 2015 F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Gas engine/ 2014 Expedition/ 2014 Mustang GT/ 2014 F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Gas engine and 2015 F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Diesel engine/ 2014 F-250 to F-450 (excluding Chassis Cabs) Diesel Engine -- all stripped chassis, cutaway body, F-150 Raptor, Medium Truck, and Mustang GT500 models excluded. Year-End Cash is not combinable with CPA, GPC, CFIP, Daily Rental Allowance and A/X/Z/D/F-Plan programs. Delivery allowances are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives.††Until January 2, 2015, lease a new 2015 Escape S FWD with 2.5L engine/2014 Focus S 4Dr Manual for up to 36/48 months and get 0% APR on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest APR payment. Lease a model with a value of $30,000 at 0% APR for up to 36/48 months with an optional buyout of $13,200/$10,800 and $0 down or equivalent trade in, monthly payment is $466.67/$400.00, total lease obligation is $16,800.12/$19.200.00, interest cost of leasing is $0 or 0%APR. Additional payments required for PPSA, registration, security deposit, NSF fees (where applicable), excess wear and tear, and late fees. Some conditions and mileage restrictions apply. Excess kilometrage charges are 12¢per km for Fiesta, Focus, C-Max, Fusion and Escape; 16¢per km for E-Series, Mustang, Taurus, Taurus-X, Edge, Flex, Explorer, F-Series, MKS, MKX, MKZ, MKT and Transit Connect; 20¢per km for Expedition and Navigator, plus applicable taxes. Excess kilometrage charges subject to change, see your local dealer for details. ***Until January 2, 2015, receive 0% APR purchase financing on new 2015 Escape for up to 36 months, 2014 Ford Edge models for up to 60 months, and 2014 Focus, C-MAX, F-150 (excluding Regular Cab XL 4x2 value leader and Raptor) and 2015 Fiesta and Fusion models for up to 72 months to qualified retail customers, on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest interest rate. Example: $25,000 purchase financed at 0% APR for 36/60/72 months, monthly payment is $694.44/ $416.66/ $347.22, cost of borrowing is $0 or APR of 0% and total to be repaid is $25,000. Down payment on purchase financing offers may be required based on approved credit from Ford Credit. *Purchase a new 2015 Fiesta S 4 Dr Manual/2015 Fiesta Titanium/2014 Focus ST/2014 Fusion SE/2014 Fusion Titanium/2015 Escape S FWD with 2.5L engine /2014 Escape Titanium for $13,739/$21,514/$31,664/$19,999/$35,699/$24,849/$37,449 after Year-End Cash of $2,500/$0/$750/$4,750/$4,750/$0/$0 is deducted. Taxes payable on full amount of purchase price after total Year-End Cash has been deducted. Offers include freight and air tax but exclude variable charges of license, fuel fill charge, insurance, dealer PDI (if applicable), registration, PPSA, administration fees and charges, any environmental charges or fees, and all applicable taxes. Manufacturer Rebates are not combinable with any fleet consumer incentives. **Until January 2, 2015, receive 0.99%/5.89%/2.99% annual percentage rate (APR) purchase financing on a new 2015 Fiesta S 4Dr Manual/ 2014 Fusion SE /2015 Escape S FWD with 2.5L engine for a up to 84/ 72/84 months to qualified retail customers, on approved credit (OAC) from Ford Credit. Not all buyers will qualify for the lowest interest rate. Example: 2015 Fiesta S 4 Dr Manual /2014 Fusion SE/2015 Escape S FWD with 2.5L engine for $13,739/$19,999/$24,849(after $0/$0/$0 down payment or equivalent trade-in, and $2,500/$4,750/$0 Year-End Cash deducted) purchase financed at 0.99%/5.89%/2.99% APR for 84/72/84.months, monthly payment is $169/$330/$328 (the sum of twelve (12) monthly payments divided by 26 periods gives payee a bi-weekly payment of $78/$152/151), interest cost of borrowing is $487.22/$3,790.07/$2,721.93 or APR of 0.99%/5.89%/2.99% and total to be repaid is $14,226.22/$23,789.07/$27,570.93. Down payment may be required based on approved credit from Ford Credit. All purchase finance offers include freight and air tax but exclude variable charges of license, fuel fill charge, insurance, dealer PDI (if applicable), registration, PPSA, administration fees and charges, any environmental charges or fees, and all applicable taxes. ▲Offer only valid from December 2, 2014 – January 2, 2015 (the “Offer Period”) to resident Canadians with an eligible Costco membership on or before November 30, 2014. Receive $750 towards the purchase or lease of a new 2014/2015 Ford Fiesta (excluding S), Focus (excluding S and BEV), C-MAX, and $1,000 towards all other Ford models (excluding GT500, GT350, 50th Anniversary Edition Mustang, Raptor, and Medium Truck) (each an “Eligible Vehicle”). Limit one (1) offer per each Eligible Vehicle purchase or lease, up to a maximum of two (2) separate Eligible Vehicle sales per Costco Membership Number. Offer is transferable to persons domiciled with an eligible Costco member. Applicable taxes calculated before CAD$1,000 offer is deducted. ® Registered trademark of Price Costco International, Inc. used under license. ††† Offer only valid from December 11, 2014 to January 2, 2015 (the “Program Period”) to Canadian resident customers. Receive $500 towards 2014/2015 Focus, Fiesta, or C-MAX, and $750 towards 2014 Mustang (excluding Shelby GT500) and F-150 (excluding Raptor), and 2014/2015 Fusion, Taurus, Edge, Flex, Explorer, Escape, Expedition, Transit Connect, E-Series, F250 – F-550 (excluding Chassis Cabs), and F-350 to F-550 Chassis Cab models - all stripped chassis, cutaway body, and Medium Truck models excluded (each an “Eligible Model”) with the purchase, lease, or factory order (during the Program Period) of an Eligible Model. Limit one (1) incentive redemption per Eligible Model sale.^^Based on 2007 - 2013 and YTD August 2014 R. L. Polk vehicle registrations data for Canada in the Large Premium Utility, Large Traditional Utility, Large Utility, Medium Premium Utility, Medium Utility, Small Premium Utility, and Small Utility segments.‡‡Claim based on analysis by Ford of Polk global new registration for CY2012 for a single nameplate which excludes rebadged vehicles, platform derivatives or other vehicle nameplate versions.©2014 Sirius Canada Inc. “SiriusXM”, the SiriusXM logo, channel names and logos are trademarks of SiriusXM Radio Inc. and are used under licence. ©2014 Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. All rights reserved.

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 C7

albertaford.ca

Available in most new Ford vehicles with 6-month pre-paid subscription

Wise customers read the fine print: *, •, ★, ≥, >, †, § The Be Your Own Santa Holiday Sales Event offers are limited time offers which apply to retail deliveries of selected new and unused models purchased from participating dealers on or after December 2, 2014. Offers subject to change and may be extended without notice. All pricing includes freight ($1,695) and excludes licence, insurance, registration, any dealer administration fees, other dealer charges and other applicable fees and taxes. Dealer order/trade may be necessary. Dealer may sell for less. *Consumer Cash Discounts are offered on select 2014/2015

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for 36 months equals 78 bi-weekly payments of $218; cost of borrowing of $0 and a total obligation of $16,998. §Starting from prices for vehicles shown include Consumer Cash Discounts and do not include upgrades (e.g. paint). Upgrades available for additional cost. **Based on 2014 Ward’s upper small sedan costing under $25,000. ^Based on IHS Automotive: Polk Canadian Vehicles in Operation data available as of July, 2014 for Crossover Segments as defined by Chrysler Canada Inc. TMThe SiriusXM logo is a registered trademark of SiriusXM Satellite Radio Inc. ®Jeep is a registered trademark of Chrysler Group LLC.

purchase financing for up to 96 months available on the new 2014 Dodge Dart SE (25A) model through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Example: 2014 Dodge Dart SE (25A) with a Purchase Price of $16,998 financed at 2.79% over 96 months with $0 down payment, equals 208 bi-weekly payments of $91 with a cost of borrowing of $1,977 and a total obligation of $18,975. †0.0% purchase financing for 36 months available on the 2014 Dodge Dart models through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Example: 2014 Dodge Dart SE (25A) with a Purchase Price of $16,998 with a $0 down payment, financed at 0.0%

for complete details. ≥3.99% purchase financing for up to 96 months available on the new 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan/2015 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package models through RBC, Scotiabank and TD Auto Finance. Examples: 2015 Dodge Grand Caravan/2015 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package with a Purchase Price of $20,998/$19,998 (including applicable Consumer Cash and Ultimate Bonus Cash Discounts) financed at 3.99% over 96 months with $0 down payment equals 208 bi-weekly payments of $118/$112 with a cost of borrowing of $3,545/$3,376 and a total obligation of $24,543/$23,374. >2.79%

Dodge, Ram or FIAT vehicle (except 2014 Dodge Avenger SE and 2014/2015 Dodge Viper) at a special fixed rate on approved credit through Royal Bank of Canada, TD Auto Finance or Scotiabank. Offer does not apply to Scotiabank special rate financing contracts longer than 90 months. Monthly/bi-weekly/weekly payments will be deferred for 60 days and contracts will be extended accordingly. Interest charges will not accrue during the first 60 days of the contract. Customers will be responsible for any required down payment, license, registration and insurance costs at time of contract. Some conditions apply. See your dealer

vehicles and are deducted from the negotiated price before taxes. •$500 Holiday Bonus Cash is available on select new 2015 Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Fiat or Ram models at participating dealers from December 2-31, 2014 only. Excludes 2015 Jeep Patriot/2015 Dodge Grand Caravan Canada Value Package/2015 Dodge Journey Canada Value Package. Bonus Cash will be deducted from the negotiated purchase/lease price after taxes. See dealer for complete details and exclusions. ★The Make No Payments for 90 Days is a limited time offer which applies to retail customers who finance a new 2014/2015 Chrysler, Jeep,

C8 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014

H O L I D AY S A L E S E V E N T

PAYMENTS

DAYS ★

CANADA’S #1-SELLING MINIVAN FOR OVER 31 YEARS

2015 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN CANADA VALUE PACKAGE

PURCHASE PRICE INCLUDES $8,100 CONSUMER CASH* AND FREIGHT.

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2015 DODGE JOURNEY CANADA VALUE PACKAGE

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%

3.99

Starting from price for 2015 Dodge Journey R/T shown: $34,790.§

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THE MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED VEHICLE IN ITS CLASS**

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Starting from price for 2014 Dodge Dart GT shown: $23,690.§

dodgeoffers.ca

12/3/14 5:02 PM

TO PLACE AN AD

403-309-3300 classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com 2950 Bremner Ave. Red Deer, AB T4R 1M9

CLASSIFIEDS

D1

Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014

Red Deer Advocate

wegotads.ca

announcements

Obituaries

BUIST It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thys (Tom) Buist. Tom went to be with his Lord surrounded by his close family on Dec 14, 2014 at the age of 82. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Henny Buist and his kids Tim (Darlene) Buist, Ken (Cynthia) Buist, Benita (William) Weenink, and Eric Buist. He will be missed by his thirteen grandchildren and his close community of friends and extended family. Tom was born in Middelstum Holland in 1932, into a family of nine children. He is survived by his brother Bob (Jean) Buist and sister Alice Scholing, as well as five siblings in Holland. In 1955 he immigrated to Canada to work with his brother Bob Buist, near Calgary. He met his wife Henny who is also from Holland, in Calgary in 1956 and they married the same year. In 1964 they made the courageous move to a homestead in Bluffton with two young children to begin dairy farming. He and Henny struggled through the first winter, which was one of the worst on record, surviving without power or running water, and milking 10 cows by hand to ship cream for a living. They carved a living out of the land, had two more children and developed a successful mixed dairy and beef farm. They moved to Rimbey in 1992 to the Chester Rimbey place, where they continued to farm until 2011. Tom was a founding member of the Christian Reformed Church in Rimbey and he was passionate about serving the Church and congregation.

One of his great pleasures was volunteering at the Rimbey thrift store where he will be sorely missed. In his later years, Tom became an avid cyclist and one of his favorite pastimes was cruising the roads around Rimbey and visiting his family and friends on his bicycle. To the end, Tom maintained a great sense of humor, a quick wit and a love for life. He will be greatly missed by his loving family, his friends and his community. Funeral services were held from the Christian Reformed Church in Rimbey, Alberta on Friday December 19 at 1:30 PM with Pastor Bill Nieuwenhuis officiating.

Interment will take place in the West Haven Cemetery.

If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to World Renew 3475 Mainway STN LCD 1 Burlington, ON L7R 3Y8 or to The Salvation Army 4837 54 Street Red Deer, AB. T4N 2G5. Expressions of sympathy may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.wilsonsfuneralchapel.ca WILSON’S FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM serving Central Alberta with locations in Rimbey and Lacombe in charge of the arrangements. Phone: (403) 843-3388 or (403) 782-3366.

“A Caring Family, Caring For Families”

Over 2,000,000 hours St. John Ambulance volunteers provide Canadians with more than 2 million hours of community service each year.

Obituaries HOVEN Theodore John Ted Hoven passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 12, 2014, in the Geriatric ward at the centennial Center in Ponoka at the age of 67 years. He was born on July 4, 1947 in Eckville to Adie and Dorothy Hoven. Ted is survived by three brothers: Brian and Karen of Surrey, BC and their children, Dawn (Colin) Rahn, Michael (Michaelyn) and Christopher (Janeen Grant), Cecil and Carol on the farm at Eckville and their children, Peter (Keri), Tim (Lori), Matthew (Crystal) and Kathy (and her friend Brian Gallagher); Roy and Eileen of Spruce View and their family Heather (Lorand) Szojka, Wendy, Karen (Randy) Schmidt and Janie (Kelly) Warawa, sister- in-law Selma of Edmonton and her children Gary (Joanne), David, and Susan. He was predeceased by his parents Adie and Dorothy, his brother Allen, several cousins and all of his aunts and uncles except for Margaret Collier of Penhold. Prayers will be held at the Jesuit Martyrs Church on Friday, December 19, 2014 at 7 P.M. , Mass of the Christian Burial for Ted will be held at the Jesuit Martyrs Church at Evergreen on Saturday December 20, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. Celebrant Father Christian Nwaigwe.

Interment will be in the Evergreen Union Cemetery.

Memorial donations in Ted’s name may be made to the Jesuit Martyrs Memorial Fund or charity of the donors choice. Condolences may be forwarded to: www.sylvanlakefuneral home.ca SYLVAN LAKE AND ROCKY FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORIUM, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.

403-887-2151.

Obituaries

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Obituaries

CAMPBELL Warren 1947 - 2014 Mr. Warren Lee Campbell of Red Deer, Alberta passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at the age of 47 years. He was born on July 19, 1967 in Lacombe, Alberta and graduated from Wm. E. Hay Composite High School in 1986. Warren spent the next few years working in many sales positions, including the Co-op Grocery Stores, Schwan’s and various hotels. He was involved with the Lions Clubs and enjoyed actively volunteering with them, as well as the Red Deer Hospital Volunteer Association. He found love later in life with Rose and spent the last three years happily married to her.

Warren will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Rose, his sisters, Tammy (Trevor) Gerlach, Cynthia Campbell, his nieces, Kassidee and Verity (Justin) and nephews, Patrick and Courtney and step grandson, Kaden, his father Clinton (Marie), as well as other family and friends. Warren was predeceased by his mother, Jean and a brother, Robin, as well as other family members. In lieu of flowers, the family would gratefully accept donations to help with funeral expenses. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com Arrangements in care of Ashley Paton, Funeral Director at PARKLAND FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer.

403.340.4040.

CLASSIFICATIONS 50-70

LEADBEATER Rev. Thomas Loudon 1915-2014 In loving memory of our dear father, grandfather and great grandfather who died December 13 in Nelson, BC. Thomas was born August 16, 1915 in South Shields, England. He came to Canada at 18 years of age to fulfill his dream of becoming an Anglican minister. He attended and later taught at St. Chad’s College in Regina, where he met and married our mother, Betsy Reierson in 1944. They later moved to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania where he worked on a Master’s of Education at the University of Pittsburg as well as assisting at the Church of Ascension. In 1945 they returned to Canada, where Thomas was an assistant at Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, BC. He was called to St. Saviour’s Pro-Cathedral in Nelson, BC in 1948. In 1956, he became the rector at St. Barnabas Church in Calgary. In 1959, he accepted a calling to Holy Trinity Church in Edmonton, where he was rector for 22 years. Wherever his parish, Thomas worked tirelessly on pastoral responsibilities, visiting the sick, taking services, counselling, expanding church programs and building projects. Education and teaching remained a lifelong passion as did his love for reading and choral music. Thomas was known for an ecumenical outlook and, wherever he lived, he became involved with community activities. He continually advocated for the disadvantaged and opened doors at all hours to help with food and shelter when needed. He retired in 1981 but still kept commitments as a chaplain in the Veteran’s home. In 2005, Betsy and Thomas moved to Red Deer to be near Graeme. Dad celebrated his 70 years of ordination in the Pine Lake Anglican Church where he occasionally took services. Dad never truly retired. For years he continued to perform countless baptisms, weddings, funerals and cared for the spiritual well-being of family, friends and acquaintances. In June 2012, Thomas and Betsy returned to Nelson where they were residents of Mountain Lakes Senior’s Community. Thomas is survived by his three children: Betsy Anne DeClercq, David and Graeme, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. His funeral service will be held at St. Saviour’s Anglican Church Nelson, BC at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 20, with burial to follow at the Nelson Memorial Park Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all those who have provided care for our father in his last years. In lieu of flowers a donation may be sent to St. Saviour’s Pro-Cathedral Anglican Church Together in Mission Fund, 701 Ward Street, Nelson, BC V1L 1T3. Dad’s spirit, faithfulness and intellect has touched us all. He will always be cherished and remembered. Arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service. Online condolences may be expressed at www.thompsonfs.ca.

FREE FLU SHOTS Highland Green Value Drug Mart 6315 Horn St. NOW PLAYING VLT’S AT

EAST 40TH PUB

54

Lost

DOG MISSING from BLUFFTON since December 6. My dog Max, 11 years old, Terrier/schnauzer mix, silver/grey. Very friendly, 20-25 lbs. Very much missed!!! Please help me bring him home!! Please call Cindy at 7806171204!

56

Found

EYEGLASSES, 2 pair, in black case, found in lane behind McCullough Crescent. 403-346-4064

60

Personals

COCAINE ANONYMOUS 403-396-8298

wegot

jobs CLASSIFICATIONS 700-920

Dental

740

LOOKING for dedicated RDA with receptionist skills for family dental practice.

Fax resume to 403-343-3465.

Farm Work

755

F/T PEN CHECKER

In Memoriam

STENVIG Fay June Stenvig passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 14, 2014 at the age of 73. Fay was born on June 5th, 1941 in Medicine Hat, Alberta and grew up in the Eckville area on the family farm. She met the love of her life, Edward and started a family in Red Deer. She was a very passionate and loving mother, grandmother, sister and wife. She supported her sons in all their activities and endeavours. Fay never lost her love of the farm, and was an avid gardener. Even though she lived in Town, she always kept her yard flourishing with flowers and vegetables. She was dedicated to her Celiac Support Group in Red Deer and volunteered at the Red Deer Hospital flower shop on a regular basis.

Fay’s kindness and loving heart touched everyone who knew her. She was very thoughtful and always put the needs of others above her own. Fay was an amazing cook and her whole family loved to gather together in her kitchen for various celebrations and occasions.

Every birthday was remembered -- and even if she couldn’t be with you on your birthday, she made sure that the next time you were over, there was a cake for you. She knew everyone’s favorite meal, and would make all family members feel special when she prepared it. If you happened to stop by without invitation, you would get offered a cup of tea or coffee and Fay always had fresh cookies or muffins on the table. She had a gift of making people feel comfortable. Fay will be dearly missed by her loving husband, Edward; sons Sheldon, Wendell and Kim;

52

Coming Events

PAUL James Gibson Paul (“Jim”) Dec 1st, 1934 - Dec 11th, 2014 Late of Big Valley, Alberta.

Jim passed away with family by his side at the hospice in Red Deer after a lengthy illness. Jim was predeceased by his wife Yvonne Paul (Simpson), his parents James & Jessie Paul, and his brother Bob. He is survived by his children Jim Paul Jr. (Arlene Oswald), and TammieLynn Paul and her husband (Andy Holden), his Grandchildren, great Grandchildren, Sister Pat Brandon (Ray), many nieces and nephews, and numerous dear and beautiful friends. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of Jim’s life at Pheasantback cc in Stettler, AB on May 30th, 2015. A day to pay tribute and share “Old Jim” stories, play some cards and/or golf. Please RSVP

by May 15, 2015 to: tammie.p@outlook.com Memorial Donations if desired pay directly to: Red Deer Hospice Society, 99 Arnot Ave., Red Deer, AB T4R 3S6

Announcements

Daily

Classifieds 309-3300

CORBETT Ronald 1942 - 2014 Mr. Ronald David Corbett of Red Deer, Alberta passed away at his home on Monday, December 15, 2014 at the age of 72 years. Ronald will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Sharon; his children, Kim Dedels-Guerin, Bonnie (Tim) Gardiner, Brent, Rhonda, Neil and Curtis Corbett; eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He will also be sadly missed by his brother, Don Corbett. A Celebration of Ronald’s Life will be held at the Centre for Spiritual Living, 6315 Horn Street, Red Deer, Alberta on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com Arrangements in care of Gary W. Anderson, Funeral Director at PARKLAND FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer.

403.340.4040.

for general feedlot duties for large expanding feedlot in Sundre. Experience necessary. Fax resume to 403-638-3908, or call 403-638-4165, or email dthengs@hotmail.com

Medical

ALLAN ELMER PODJAN Oct. 13, 1930 - Dec. 18, 2010 It’s been four years since you’ve been gone, and you’re still dearly missed by your family.

790

BUSY established multi physician medical practice in Red Deer, seeking an experienced Business Manager on a permanent basis to start immediately.

Submit resume and salary expectations to officerecruitment@ albertadoctors.org before December 31, 2014.

F/T & P/T Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician positions req’d.

Apply w/resume to: Highland Green Value Drug Mart, Red Deer

Oilfield

800

BEARSPAW is a moderately sized oil and gas company operating primarily in the Stettler and Drumheller areas. We are currently accepting applications for a

JUNIOR OIL AND GAS OPERATOR

Births

ARE YOU EXPECTING A BABY SOON?

In loving memory of Patricia Marie Hort (Hunt) Jan. 30, 1963 - Dec. 18, 2008 Those we love don’t go away, They walk beside us everyday, unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.

Forever in our hearts, Your loving family.

Welcome Wagon

has a special package just for you & your little one!

For more information, Call Lori, 403-348-5556

Funeral Directors & Services

in our Stettler Field.

Applicants need to be mechanically inclined, motivated to work hard and learn quickly.

Associated industry experience eg. instrumentation or facilities construction experience would be an asset but is not necessarily required.

This position offers a diverse and challenging work environment with competitive pay, attractive benefits and the ability to grow within the organization. Applicants must live or be willing to relocate to within a 20 minute commute of the work place location (Stettler).

Please Submit Resume’s Attention Human Resources Email: payroll@ bearspawpet.com Fax: (403) 258-3197 Mail: Suite 5309, 333 96th Ave NE Calgary, Alberta T3R 1H1 LOCAL SERVICE CO. in Red Deer 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

Card Of Thanks

daughters-in-law Tanya, Andrea

Just had a baby boy?

Tell Everyone with a Classified Announcement

309-3300

and Carla, along with eight grandchildren, sisters-in-law and their families, friends and co-workers. Fay was predeceased by her parents Beatrice and Elvin Russell and her brother Keith.

Anyone who knew her will already be missing her. No funeral will be held as per Fay’s request. In memory of Fay, Memorial tributes may be made to the Calgary Celiac Association, c/o Research, 231-37 Ave. NE. Calgary, AB T2E 8J2.

NORTH END CARRIERS A heartfelt Thank You to all my Red Deer Advocate carriers & Flyer & Express carriers for your dedication on your routes this past year.

Merry Christmas & Best Wishes in the New Year to you and your families.

Thank you - Joanne

NOW HIRING Well Testing Personnel Experienced Supervisors & Operators Must have valid applicable tickets. Email: lstouffer@ testalta.com Prowler Energy Services is currently looking for a full time N2 Operator in the Red Deer area. Class 1 Drivers License for more information please contact Rocky at 403-239-7596 or by email at Rocky@ prowlertubing.com

D2 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014

810

JACKIE’S Travel Getaways, Rocky Mtn. House, AB is looking for a Has Opening for all F.T Travel Consultant positions! Immediately.

All applicants must have * Exc. knowledge of Apollo/ Gallileo a must. current H2S, Class 5 with Q Endorsement,and First * Exc. public relations/ phone skills Aid. We offer competitive wages & excellent benefits. * Minimum 1 yrs. exp.

Email resume to Please include 2 work jtravel@shaw.ca reference names and numbers.

Please fax resume to: Restaurant/ 403-264-6725 Hotel Or email to: tannis@treelinewell.com No phone calls please. www.treelinewell.com

TREELINE WELL SERVICES

820

Buying or Selling your home?

Check out Homes for Sale in Classifieds Classifieds Your place to SELL Your place to BUY

You can sell your guitar for a song... or put it in CLASSIFIEDS and we’ll sell it for you!

HIRING SERVER AND CHEFS Apply in person at Shiso Japanese Restaurant, 3731 Gaetz Avenue No Phone Calls Please!

Looking for a new pet?

Check out Classifieds to find the purrfect pet.

52

Coming Events

CLASSIFIEDS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY Hours & Deadlines OFFICE & PHONES CLOSED AT NOON WED. DEC. 24 CLOSED CHRISTMAS DAY CLOSED BOXING DAY RED DEER ADVOCATE Publication dates: FRIDAY DEC. 26 SATURDAY DEC. 27 MONDAY DEC. 29 Deadline is: Wed. Dec. 24 at 11:00 a.m.

CENTRAL AB LIFE Publication date: THURSDAY DEC. 25 Deadline is: Fri. Dec. 19 @ 5 p.m.

Publication Date: THURSDAY JAN. 1 Deadline is: Wed. Dec. 24 @ 11:00 a.m.

PONOKA Publication date: WEDNESDAY DEC. 24 Deadline is: Wed. Dec. 17 @ 5 p.m.

Publication date: WEDNESDAY DEC. 31 Deadline is: Mon. Dec. 22 @ 5 p.m.

RIMBEY Publication date; TUESDAY DEC. 23 Wed. Dec. 17 @5 p.m.

Publication date: TUESDAY DEC. 30 Deadline is: Mon. Dec. 22 @ 5 p.m.

STETTLER & WEEKENDER

Publication date: WED. DEC. 24 FRI. DEC. 26 Deadline is: Wed. Dec. 17 @ 5 p.m.

Publication date: WED. DEC. 31 FRI. JAN. 2 Deadline is: Fri. Dec. 19 @ 5 p.m.

SYLVAN LAKE NEWS & ECKVILLE ECHO Publication date: THURSDAY DEC. 25 Deadline is: Tues. Dec. 16 @ 4 p.m.

Publication date: THURSDAY JAN. 1 Deadline is: Mon. Dec. 22 @ 5 p.m.

Bashaw Publication date: WED. DEC. 24 Deadline is: Thur. Dec. 18 @ Noon NO PAPER ON DEC. 31

Restaurant/ Hotel

820

Restaurant/ Hotel

820

JJAM Management (1987) BOULEVARD Ltd., o/a Tim Horton’s Restaurant & Lounge Requires to work at these Gasoline Alley, 37471 Hwy 2S,

Red Deer County is seeking

Cook ~ $14.00/hr.

To prepare & cook all food up to standard, clean kitchen & maintain hygiene, follow recipes, assist in receiving & storing

Kitchen Helper ~ $11.00/hr.

To clean kitchen following safety & hygiene standards.

Clean utensils, cutlery, crockery & glassware items, floors, assist in prep.

All positions are permanent Full-time/Part-time, shift work & weekends.

Education: Above Secondary Work Experience not essential, training provided.

Fax resume to 780-702-5051

EAST 40TH PUB REQ’S P/T / F/T COOK Apply in person with resume 3811 40th Ave. F/T Food Service Supervisor and Store Manager. $13-$19.50/hr. Must be able to work nights/days and weekends. Call Little Ceasars Red Deer at 403-346-1671 or email to allan_barker25@yahoo.ca HAMPTON INN & SUITES Red Deer is now accepting resumes for a housekeeping supervisor. Must be able to work weekends.

Apply within 128 Leva Ave. Red Deer County. Fax 403-341-9996 or email: info@hamptoninnrd.com

850

HOUSEKEEPING HELPER REQ’D. ROOM ATTENDANT DRYWALL Exp. an asset. Must have ~14.00/hr. own transportation.

Clean & vacuum rooms, 403-341-7619 public areas, pool etc.

• Replenish amenities, Ellis Fabrications Inc. is a linens & towels. growing business that • Adhere to Holiday Inn designs and manufactures safety standards. construction equipment All positions are permanent attachments. We are Full-time/Part-time, shift looking for Full Time work & weekends.

Welders to join our team.

Education: Above Secondary Email resumes to jobs@ Work Experience not efiattachments.com or fax essential, training provided. to: 403-227-0055.

Fax resume to 780-702-5051 Ellis Fabrications Inc. is looking for a Full Time HOLIDAY INN Machinist to join our team.

Red Deer South, This positions offers work Gasoline Alley, with Conventional and 37471 Hwy 2S, Computer Numerical Red Deer County Control (CNC) machines. is seeking Email resume to jobs@ FRONT DESK CLERK efiattachments.com or fax to: 403-227-0055. ~ $14.00/hr.

• Answer phone calls, Field Service Mechanic take reservations.

Needed Gas Pro • Check in/out guests.

• Balance cash out & Compression Corp, located in Three Hills, AB, is a attend to guest needs. manufacturing & fabricaHOUSEKEEPING tion shop, which produces ROOM ATTENDANT & services single well gas compressors ranging from ~ $14.00/hr.

• Clean & Vacuum rooms, 10 to 80HP. Currently we are looking to fill a position public areas, pool, etc.

• Replenish amenities, for Field Service Mechanic.

Successful candidate must linens & towels.

• Adhere to Holiday Inn possess strong work ethics. Experience with natural safety standards All positions are permanent gas compression is an asset but not essential. Trade Full-time/Part-time, shift Certification is required work & weekends. and preference will be Education: Above Secondary given to those having Work Experience not experience. Please fax essential, training provided.

Fax resume to 780-702-5051 resumes to 403-443-5288, apply in person at 227, CELEBRATIONS 17th Ave N, Three Hills HAPPEN EVERY DAY AB, or email to Peter.

IN CLASSIFIEDS Pattison@gaspro.ca.

Restaurant/ Hotel

820

Castor Publication Date: THUR. DEC. 25 Deadline: Wed. Dec. 17 @ 5 p.m.

NO PAPER JAN. 1 Have a safe & happy holiday CLASSIFIEDS 403-309-3300

Now Hiring

wegot

GASOLINE ALLEY LOCATION

To Advertise Your Business or Service Here

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

Contractors

1100

BRIDGER CONST. LTD. We do it all! 403-302-8550 DALE’S Home Reno’s Free estimates for all your reno needs. 403-506-4301 RMD RENOVATIONS Bsmt’s, flooring, decks, etc.

Call Roger 403-348-1060

Massage Therapy

1280

CHINESE massage therapy. Direct bill. Gift card.

403-986-1691 4606-48 Ave

FANTASY SPA

International ladies Elite Retreat, finest in VIP treatment. 10-2am Private back entry.

403-341-4445 ********** MASSAGE ABOVE ALL WALK-INS WELCOME 4709 Gaetz Ave. 346-1161

Massage Therapy

1280

VII MASSAGE #7,7464 Gaetz Ave. Pampering at its BEST! 403-986-6686 2nd. location in Calgary coming Dec. 1. www.viimassage.com

Misc.

Services

1290

FULL TIME and PART TIME SHIFTS AVAILABLE • Very Competitive Wages • Advancement Opportunities With medical Benefits • Paid training • Paid Breaks

Apply in person or send resume to: Email:kfcjobsrd@yahoo.ca or Fax: (403) 341-3820 Trades

478579K27-L11

CLASSIFICATIONS 1000-1430

NOW HIRING for following Positions Tile setters $28.25/hr Floor Covering Installer $ 28.25 / hr Full time and Permanent 40hrs/week Min 3 year experience Labourer $20/hr 40hrs/week No experience required Full time and permanent position Valid Driver’s Licence preferred email resume at: cat1employment @gmail.com or drop off resume at Central Alberta Tile One 7619 50 Ave Suite 9 Red Deer

SHUNDA CONSTRUCTION to implement, manage & enhance our existing safety program. Fax resume and references to 403-343-1248 or email admin@shunda.ca.

Truckers/ Drivers

JG PAINTING, 25 yrs. exp.

Free Est. 403-872-8888

Seniors’ Services

1372

HELPING HANDS Home Supports for Seniors.

Est 1999. Cooking, cleaning, companionship. At home or facility. Call 403-346-7777 for information.

Adult Newspaper Carriers Needed For Early Morning Delivery of the RED DEER ADVOCATE

With only 64 papers, approximately: $350.00/mo.

For More Information, Please call Prodie 403-314-4301

CARRIERS REQUIRED To deliver the

CENTRAL AB LIFE & LACOMBE EXPRESS LACOMBE BLACKFALDS Please call Rick for details 403-314-4303

Owner Operators & Contract Drivers in AB. Home the odd night.

Weekends off. Late model tractor pref. 403-586-4558 DRIVERS for furniture moving company, class 5 required (5 tons), local & long distance. Competitive wages. Apply in person.

6630 71 St. Bay 7 Red Deer. 403-347-8841 F/T Permanent Truck Driver Required for Rocky Fast Express (1790810 AB Ltd.) in Red Deer, AB Straight truck: 4600kg+w/2 axles and van Need class 5 DL + 2 yrs exp. $25 per hr/ with OPEN availability Duties: pick up/deliver freight, pre-trip truck inspection, communication with customers. Physically demanding position. Time management skills required. Apply at: 8004 Edgar Industrial Green, Red Deer, T4P3S2 Call: 403.845.2230 Fax: 587.997.7719

HALLCON is seeking qualified drivers to transport rail crews throughout Red Deer area.

Drivers are ideally based out of RED DEER. No overnight stays required.

This position is an on call position. Employees are responsible for taking trips during the period they have designated themselves available to do so. Transportation is done in Hallcon company vehicles. Vehicles are extensively & consistently maintained ensuring optimal safety for drivers and clients. Drivers must possess valid Class 1, 2, or 4 license, with clean driver abstract. Assisted licensing upgrade to achieve a class 4 is available. Pay is based at a rate of $16.00. Earning potential is based on your availability, as our operation runs on a 24/7 on call basis. Both full time and part time employees are welcome. Semiretired, retired, full time, part time employees are welcome. Forward resumes & current driver abstract: Shane Flack asmabnorth@gmail.com.

850

INNISFAIL Penhold Olds Sylvan Lake Please call Debbie for details 403-314-4307

Please send your resume to Dean@haulinacid.com or call 403-391-8004

WINTER START GED Preparation Would you like to take the GED in your community?

• • • • • • • • • •

Red Deer Rocky Mtn. House Rimbey Caroline Castor Sylvan Lake Innisfail Stettler Ponoka Lacombe Gov’t of Alberta Funding may be available.

403-340-1930 www.academicexpress.ca

Blue Grass Sod Farms Ltd. Box 11, site 2, RR1 Red Deer, AB Reqs Farm labourers for 2015 season (April -November) in Red Deer.

Duties include: sod farming and tree nursery.

Tree nursery will involve planting, pruning and digging trees. Will train/exp. An asset.

Wage $10.20/hour, 60 hrs weekly.

Email resume to steve.richardson@ bg-rd.com or by telephone at 403-347-7211 PAINTER - Experienced new home painter required. Experience in spraying to start immed.

Call Drew @ 403-596-1829.

Employment Training

900

SAFETY

TRAINING CENTRE OILFIELD TICKETS

R H2S Alive (ENFORM) R First Aid/CPR R Confined Space R WHMIS & TDG R Ground Disturbance R (ENFORM) D&C B.O.P. R D&C (LEL) #204, 7819 - 50 Ave. (across from Totem) (across from Rona North)

wegot

stuff CLASSIFICATIONS 1500-1990

ADULT Newspaper Carriers Needed For Early Morning Delivery of the

RED DEER ADVOCATE Monday through Saturday.

Delivery to be done before 6:30 am.

Reliable vehicle needed.

DOWNTOWN AREA $638./mo PARKVALE AREA $586./mo.

DEERPARK AREA Dixon Cres, Donnelly Cres, Duston St. area $482.00/mo.

Deschner Close, Dubois Cres., Doherty Close, Duston St. and area. $327.00/mo.

Dempsey St., Dodge Ave, Donlevy Ave area $327.00/mo.

Dowler St., Daniel Cres. Dawe Cl., Dunham Close and area $412.00/mo.

For More information, please call Jamie 403-314-4306 CARRIERS NEEDED FOR FLYERS, FRIDAY FORWARD & EXPRESS

3 days per week, no weekends ROUTES IN:

ANDERS AREA Ahlstrom Close Andrew Close Asstlee / Ansett Cres.

Allsop Ave. / Allsop Cres.

Anderson Close Anquetel Close BOWER AREA Bell St. INGLEWOOD AREA Iverson Close Isbister Close MORRISROE AREA

LANCASTER AREA Lampard Cres Lancaster Drive Long Close Lord Close Landry Bend / Landry Close Ladwig Close

Our Fleet: • Kenworth, Freightliner, Peterbilt and GMC • Wabash & Advance trailers Your duties are: • Maintaining fleet vehicles (not tanks or plumbing) • Perform A & B services • Tracking shop inventory (fluids, filters etc) • Recording repair information on work orders We offer: • Very competitive wages, flexible hours, extensive health & dental plan

ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

403.341.4544

SUNNYBROOK AREA Scott St. / Somerset Close

Journeyman Heavy Duty Mechanic

ACADEMIC Express

24 Hours Toll Free 1.888.533.4544

McKenzie St. / Marion Cres.

Requires a Red Seal

1699960AbLtd is looking for 2 F/T permanent shift supervisors for days, evenings, wknds. 120 - 47 Clearview Market Red Deer, AB. must have exc. customer service, cash handling, and supervisory related. wage $13.75 w/at least 1 year exp. email: restuarantbusiness@ hotmail.ca

Industries #1 Choice!

To deliver the CENTRAL AB LIFE 1 day a week in:

CENTRAL AB based trucking company requires

880

Misc.

Help

“Low Cost” Quality Training

CARRIERS REQUIRED

GARAGE DOOR SERVICE. Save 50%. All yard & bobcat services, junk/tree/snow removal. 403-358-1614

1310

880

860

Property clean up 340-8666

Painters/ Decorators

Misc.

Help

1 day a week in:

requires a

Safety Coordinator

5* JUNK REMOVAL

SNOW blowing, junk/metal p/u, odd jobs 403-885-5333

880

GOODMEN ROOFING LTD.

F/T TRUCK drivers req’d.

Minimum Class 5 with air and clean abstract. Exp. preferred. In person to Key Towing 4083-78 St. Cres.

Red Deer.

classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com wegotads.ca

services

Misc.

Help

1693338 Alberta LTD o/a Custom T’s Hire Sales Supervisor - retail Requires Red Deer, AB locations: Location at Parkland Mall, 5111 22 St. 4747 67th St, Red Deer, SLOPED ROOFERS 37444 HWY 2 S AB T4N 6 LABOURERS 37543 HWY 2N F/Time, Perm, Shifts, & FLAT ROOFERS 700 3020 22 St. Weekends FOOD ATTENDANT Salary - $22.00 hourly Valid Driver’s Licence Req’d permanent shift Experience min. 2 years, preferred. Fax or email weekend day and evening good English. info@goodmenroofing.ca both full and part time.

Education: Some high school. or (403)341-6722 16 Vacancies, $10.25/hr. + NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE! Main duties: benefits. Start ASAP. Greet customers.

Job description Supervise and co-ordinate LICENSED MECHANIC & www.timhortons.com sales staff, AUTO BODY TECH. Education and experience Hire and train of new sales Reasonable rate. $$$ EARN $$$ not req’d. staff, A.J. Auto Repair & Body $$ EXTRA MONEY $$ Apply in person or fax Resolve customer 11, 7836 49 Ave. Seeking mature individuals resume to: 403-314-1303 complaints, Call 403-506-6258 with car or small truck to Control sales report and deliver the new YP/Telus MILLARD TRUCKING LTD. order merchandise, phonebooks into Red is looking for a 2 Licenced Authorize payments and Deer.

This is door to door Journeyman Heavy the return of merchandise, delivery, no selling Duty Mechanics. involved, can start immed. Keep with Malls’ laws and The successful applicant regulations.

All payments made by must be able to work well Company’s business address: cheque. Completion bonus.

THE RUSTY PELICAN is in a high paced environ45 Boyce Street, Red Deer 1-800-661-1910 now accepting resumes for ment. We offer a great AB T4R 1P2 a well experienced working environment, very DAIRY equipment supplier Please apply by E-mail: F/T HOSTESS competitive wages and Reachiesales@gmail.com looking for & SERVERS performance bonuses.

GENERAL LABORERS Must have Ref’s & Exp. Looking for a place All interested person are & WELDERS to live?

Apply within: 2079-50 invited to apply to: Competitive wages and Take a tour through the Ave. 2-4 pm. Mon.-Fri. Millard Trucking Ltd. benefits package. E-mail Fax 403-347-1161 Phone CLASSIFIEDS Box 960, Sundre, AB resume: info@prolineinc.ca calls WILL NOT be accepted.

T0M1X0 Fax: 403-638-4987 Advocate email: mbrodie@enerchem.com Opportunities Start your career!

See Help Wanted MORRISROE AREA:

THE RUSTY PELICAN is now accepting resumes for F/T Exp’d LINE COOKS at all stations.

MUST HAVE: • 2-3 yrs. post secondary HOLIDAY INN education.

• 2-3 yrs. on-the-job exp.

EXPRESS • Provide references RED DEER The hourly rate will be 2803-50 Avenue, $13.25 - $15. per hour Red Deer dependant on experience. is seeking Mail to: 2079 50 AVE. FRONT DESK CLERK Red Deer, AB T4R 1Z4 or Call 403-347-1414 ~ $14.00/hr.

• Answer phone calls, or Fax to: 403-347-1161 take reservations.

• Check in/out guests.

• Balance cash out & Trades attend to guest needs

•

850

Trades

278950A5

Professionals

VANIER AREA Vickers Close Victor Close Viscount Drive Call Prodie @ 403- 314-4301 for more info **********************

489269L25

800

Oilfield

TO ORDER HOME DELIVERY OF THE ADVOCATE CALL OUR CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 403-314-4300

Children's Items

1580

ALL wood chidlrens pull sled, round back, exc. cond, $30403-346-5423 CHANGE Table, custom made, off white. $65.

403-347-5648

Electronics

1605

2 GAME Boys w/games $40/ea., DS w/13 games $140 obo 403-782-3847 PLAY STATION 2 with 10 games, $70, Xbox w/10 games $70 403-782-3847

EquipmentHeavy

1630

TRAILERS for sale or rent Job site, office, well site or storage. Skidded or wheeled. Call 347-7721.

Firewood

1660

AFFORDABLE

Homestead Firewood Spruce & Pine -Split. Firepits avail. 7 days/wk. 403-304-6472 Start your career!

See Help Wanted FIREWOOD, Spruce & Pine. North of Costco 403-346-7178, 392-7754

LOGS Semi loads of pine, spruce, tamarack, poplar.

Price depends on location.

Lil Mule Logging 403-318-4346 Now Offering Hotter, Cleaner BC Birch. All Types. P.U. / Delivery. Lyle 403-783-2275

Health & Beauty

1700

NEW LIZ AREN NY, 1 red croc. make-up bag. c/w 12 eyeshadows, 2 blush, 1 nail polish, 1 lip gloss. $195 value, asking $50.

Would make a great Christmas gift.

403-227-2976

Household Furnishings

1720

2 DUSTY ROSE upholstered arm chairs, 1 rocker, 1 recliner, $60/ea. or both for $90.

Will deliver in town; ROASTER, electric, large aluminum, $20; Super GT snow racer, foot brakes & steering wheel, exc. cond., 6 wooden toboggan, both for $75.

403-348-6449 LARGE DESK, 2’ x 6’ with matching chair. $40.

403-346-0674

WANTED Antiques, furniture and estates. 342-2514

Stereos TV's, VCRs

1730

PIONEER stereo 3 disc w/6 speakers $140 obo 403-782-3847

RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 D3

Jewellery

1750

EARRINGS , stirling silver, pierced earings, never worn. 1 1/2” drop, Jeweller appraised $135.

Asking $100. obo 403-227-2976

Misc. for Sale

1760

8 PLACE Christmas dish set $40; love seat, good cond, $60 403-343-6218 BLACK metal office desk, 45” x 30”, 2 drawer, $40; Diplomat bar fridge, $40.

403-343-6554 CHRISTMAS Tree, Blue Spruce, 4’. LIVE in ground.

Not yet cut, Perfect tree for small space. $40 on SALE $25. obo 403-227-2976 FREE Pallets for firewood 4617 63 ST. Red Deer LAGOSTINA pressure cooker, stainless steel, 7L, easy locking system $80; chrome plated wine rack, holds 12 bottles $10; 2 stacking metal frame chairs, wooden seat & back 2/$15; 5 sets of metal book ends or file holders beige or tan, 9”H x 6” across $6/set; 3 round clocks battery operated quartz 9 1/2” diameter, blk, gold, silver $3/ea; 2 lamps 11” H, 1 green, 1 burgandy w/shades $6/ea.

403-314-2026 MOVING, selling Bissell carpet cleaner, player piano, pressure canner, older typewriter, and giving away a freezer. 403-347-1510 RHINSTONE necklace and earrings to match from the 1950’s, A1 cond. $75; large fruit bowl grape design $10. approx. 30 peacock feathers $1/ea. 403-346-2231

Misc. for Sale

1760

wegot

WESTERN books: 70 paperbacks, $50; 7 new hardcover, $5 each; 7 new paperbacks $3 each.

403-309-1737

Cats

1830

rentals

2 Bdrm. 4-plex, 4 appls., $1125. incl. sewer, water & garbage. D.D. $650, Avail. Jan. 1 403-304-5337

FOR RENT • 3000-3200 WANTED • 3250-3390

Suites

RENO’D near downtown core, $1600./mo. no pets, kids or smoking, no exceptions. Great yard.

639-471-1600

LARGE, 1 & 2 BDRM. SUITES. 25+, adults only n/s, no pets 403-346-7111

1840

1860

3030

www.seibelprperty.com Ph: 403-304-7576 or 403-347-7545 6 locations in Red Deer ~ Halman Heights ~ Riverfront Estates

For sale or trade 1918 Luger must have prohibit license $900 or trade for Colt 45 Gold Cup or equivilant. Call Fred 403-887-4631

1900

TRAVEL ALBERTA Alberta offers SOMETHING for everyone.

Make your travel plans now.

Out Of Red Deer

Something for Everyone Everyday in Classifieds

4310

A Star Makes Your Ad A Winner!

CALL:

309-3300 To Place Your Ad In The Red Deer Advocate Now!

Houses For Sale

4020

FULLY Furn. BDRM. $500 rent/sd 403-342-4604

DRIVE A LITTLE, SAVE A LOT.

wegot

New 1452 sq.ft. home in the Palisades-Penhold.

3 bdrms/2 baths $394,599.

Call Jocelyn 403.302.9612

homes

FREE Weekly list of properties for sale w/details, prices, address, owner’s phone #, etc. 342-7355 Help-U-Sell of Red Deer www.homesreddeer.com

CLASSIFICATIONS 4000-4190

Realtors & Services

4010

wegot

wheels CLASSIFICATIONS 5000-5300

Cars

5030

MOVE IN TODAY 1550 sq. ft. bi-level w/dbl. att. garage $499,900 403-588-2550 RISER HOMES 2005 MERCEDES C230 136,000 kms. exc. cond.

Spec Homes Ready. loaded. $8900.

Move In Now! 403-886-5696 1st 3 mortgage payments are paid by Riser Homes 2001 Chev Malibu, 4 dr.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 134,000 kms. 403-352-6995 Call LLOYD FIDLER 1999 BUICK Regal, 4 dr., 403-391-9294 grey leather. 403-352-6995

Holiday Special

THE TIMBERS

Call GORD ING at RE/MAX real estate central alberta 403-341-9995 gord.ing@remax.net

★

13 MELODY MEADOWS 1985 vacant, immed. poss., $35,000. View 1 hr. only. Dec. 18, 4:30-5:30 pm. Dec. 19, 5 pm. - 6 pm, Dec. 20, 6 pm.-7 pm. Hyw. 11 west to Burnt Lake Trail, turn south Rng. Rd. 283, I’ll be on the right. Tim McRae Maxwell Real Estate Solutions LTD 403-350-1562

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

3090

HERE TO HELP & HERE TO SERVE

Tour These Fine Homes

~ Kitson Close ~ Kyte & Kelloway Cres. ~ Holmes St. S.D. $1000 Rent $1245 to $1445 3 bdrm. townhouses, 1.5 bath, 4 & 5 appls., blinds, lrg. balconies, no dogs.

N/S, no utils. incl.

Avail. immed. & Jan. 1 References required.

Rooms For Rent

1 bdrm. adult building, N/S. No pets.

403-596-2444

Directory

~ Westpark

CLEVELAND TA2 Irons, 3 PW & SW, steel shafts, new grips. $150.

403-346-0093

THE NORDIC

Open House

SEIBEL PROPERTY

Christmas Special

SMALL Suite Available Suitable for retired person.

N/S. 403-391-4181

ADULT 2 BDRM. spacious suites 3 appls., heat/water incld., Oriole Park.

Mike 403-350-1620 403-986-6889

SYLVAN LAKE: fully furnished, inclds dishes, bedding, 50” tv, utils.

Avail. Now! $1200.

403-880-0210.

Condos/ Townhouses

Celebrate your life with a Classified ANNOUNCEMENT

3060

Suites

3060

GLENDALE reno’d 2 bdrm. apartments, avail. immed, rent $875 403-596-6000

3 bdrm., 1-1/2 bath, $1175. rent, s.d. $650, incl water sewer and garbage. Avail.

Jan 1st. 403-304-5337

3020

Houses/ Duplexes

PB Shih Tzu 10 wks. old, serious inquiries only, 403-347-7472

Travel Packages

GLENDALE

CLASSIFICATIONS

1 YR. puppy Border Collie X Lab, obedience/house trained, to go good farm home 587-272-1198

Sporting Goods

3050

ORIOLE PARK

2 BALINESE KITTENS 1 SNOWSHOE SIAMESE 3 BURMAN $25/ea. 403-887-3649

Dogs

4 Plexes/ 6 Plexes

Houses For Sale

4020

2 BDRM. house in Stettler, on 6000 sq. ft. R2 lot, totally renovated.

Immediate Possession.

403-340-2727

AMAZING VALUE in Penhold-Palisades Brand new. 2135 sq.ft.

Laebon Home. 3 bdrms/2.5 bath, stunning 2 storey home is sure to please. $431,599.

Call Jocelyn 403.302.9612 Something for Everyone Everyday in Classifieds

Red Deer’s most exclusive new community.

3 bdrms / 2 bath home, 1426 sq.ft. Attached double garage, $499,900 call Samantha 403.392.6261

Condos/ Townhouses

5070

4040

OPEN HOUSE SAT. & SUN. 1-5 639 OAK ST. Springbrook 403-588-2550

Lots For Sale

Vans Buses

4160

BUILDERS. Duplex and single family lots for sale.

Terms available 10% down and start to build. Located in Lacombe. Buy direct from developer 403-396-1094

2010 DODGE Grand Caravan, stow n go seats, exc. con. 34,000 kms, $13,000. 403-896-8183

Auto Wreckers

5190

RED’S AUTO. Free Scrap Vehicle & Metal Removal.

AMVIC APPROVED. We travel. May pay cash for vehicle. 403-396-7519

Really?

When?

Thursday, January 29,2015 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 to: classifieds@reddeeradvocate.com OR “Babies on Parade”, 2950 Bremner Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4R 1M9 OR go to wegotads.ca, then Announcements, then Babies On Parade to place your ad.

Mmmmm BROCCOLI OR CARROTS? Favourite

CONFIDENT GENERATION Today’s toddlers change

foods B4

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for just $5.25 more - Get your own Advocate mock “Front Page” with a picture of your baby.

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JORDAN SMITH, SON OF JOHN AND MARY SMITH. BORN OCTOBER 12, 2012

BY BILL WHITE ADVOCATE STAFF

TINY TRAVELLERS

Car Safety with Kids in Tow

Photo by JIM BOW/Advocate

Hundreds of people, young and old, lined the tracks in Lacombe on Monday to see Train roll into the city. Lit the CP Holiday with thousands of LED lights and bringing Christmas cheer the country, the CP Rail Holiday as it crosses Train is helping to collect donations for community as it makes daily stops. The food banks train will be back again in Central Alberta on Wednesday makes a stop in Red Deer at the CP yards at 6867 Edgar when it Industrial Drive. This year performing on the stage at Doc Walker is each stop. Since 1999, the Holiday $6.4 million and about 1.8 Train program has raised million kilograms of food close to for North American food banks. See related video at reddeeradvocate.com.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR TRAVELLING WITH YOUNG KIDS

BY TOM SMITH ADVOCATE

STAFF

staff

Help your child transition from a crib to a bed

Ensuring the safety children is of the of their priority for parents. Oneutmost of the leading causes of injurie s to children involve motor vehicle crashes.

AIM FOR PEACEFUL BEDTIME LOTS OF The National S SNACKS A2

BY SAM SCOTT Center for Statistics and Analysis says nearly ADVOCATE STAFF 250,000 children are injured every year Much of a young child’s in car accidents. Many life There are certain things of these revolves around adaptin a injuries can be attribu g ted to new situations. Even when to parent can do to make the improper restraint a process go more smooth systems routine is established, ly for used on children.

In order can change and new things all involved. to safeguard passengers, must be learned. From skills * Get talking. Before buying drivers must be aware moving the bed, start from bottle to cup, to giving talking about it to properly secure of how a up with your child. pacifier, to no longer young children in the car. using the n Not everyTalk about how diapers or trainin child has the The type of vehicle young children must g pants, same feelings about a “big boy tackle a or girl” bed. depends on several restraint lot Some are excited including the child’sfactors, Oneof transitions. about the prospe such age, transiti ct while on is making others weight and height. feel the vehicles have safety Although crib switch from sleeping in a There are a bit frightened. certain things a features to sleeping in a bed. A unique to each individ crib ual can be a safe, comforting place parent can do to make the vehicle, the safest place process go for can ride is in the centera child criba child. But over time, the all involved.more smoothly for may of the no longer be the right * Get talking backseat of the car. place should not ride in Children this for the child to rest and the bed, start . Before buying can manifest itself talking about it seat because an air the front numbe in bag is not r of ways. For instanc a with your child. Talk about how designed for the height e, the n Not every child and a child may attempt to has the weight of a child and can cause over the railing edge. climb same feelings about a “big boy serious injury if deploye such behavior persist When or girl” bed. Some are excited d.

In terms of car seats, s, most about the parents prospect while consider switchi a general guideline tohere is toddler bed, or a twin-siz ng to a others feel a bit frightened. use.

Again, consult the owners ed bed There are with safety railings. certain things a ’ manual of the vehicle parent can Not every child has and the the same process go do to make the car seat instruction booklet feelings about a “big more smoothly for to ensure proper placem girl” bed. Some are boy or all involved. ent of excited * Get talking about the prospe . Before buying the Please see SNACKS on Page ct while bed, start talking A2 others feel a bit frighten about it with ed. your Please seechild.

BEDS onTalk Page A2 about how the n WEATHER

30% Chance of flurries. High -5.

PLEASE RECYCLE

and get this ...

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FORECAST ON A2

INDEX

Four sections Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C3,C4 Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A5,A6 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D1-D4 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D5 Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C5 Sports. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4-B6

ALBERTA

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A mnmf kijf fkfsk fkjfkfn ifjkf kfkjsf kfkj jdfkjf kgijfijekgjknkjg kksfkfnfsjijo nkfk kkjl gjkgs jijkgn jgkjs ojoen glgjlg gllglm ioeo kfkjkfj kjfksjglj ikuoejjksjtkjo. A3

CANADA

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SAMPLE

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 Monday, January 19, 2015

ON PARADE

CLASSIFIEDS 2950 Bremner Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4R 1M9 Make sure to print clearly.

Baby’s Last Name: ________________________________ Baby’s Name as you want it to appear in the paper: First______________ Middle___________ Last____________ Birthdate: Month__________ Day__________ Year___________ Circle One: Son

Daughter

Parent’s Names: Father____________ Mother ____________ Last Name to be Used__________________________________ Photo to be: Picked Up or Mailed To:_________________________ Daytime phone number to call in case of questions:_______________ Circle one - Advocate Print YES NO If “YES” please add $5.25 to your payment.

VISA / MC _______ _______ _______ _______ Expiry: ___________ See us on Facebook!

53051L6-21

Call 403-309-3300 for more information

D4 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014 FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE

HI & LOIS

PEANUTS

BLONDIE

HAGAR

BETTY

PICKLES

GARFIELD

LUANN Dec. 18 1950 — The 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, lands at Pusan, Korea. They are the first Canadian troops to enter the Korean War. 1946 — Four German prisoners of war hanged at the Lethbridge Provincial Jail for the murder of fellow prisoner Cpl. Karl Lehmann at the Medicine Hat POW camp in

September 1944.

1901 — William Richard Motherwell founds the Territorial (later Saskatchewan) Grain Growers’ Association at a meeting in the Indian Head Planing Mill. Today it is a coop of 75,000 farmers known as United Grain Growers.

1865 — Slavery is abolished in the United States. The 13th Amendment is formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution, ensuring that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude … shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

ARGYLE SWEATER

RUBES

TODAY IN HISTORY

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

BUSINESS

D5

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

IN

BRIEF 2014 was a record year for realty

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Traffic along Little Gaetz Avenue in downtown Red Deer was halted on Wednesday, as a city public works crew installed a new waterline into a building.

Downtown businessman frustrated with waterline work

BY HARLEY RICHARDS ADVOCATE BUSINESS EDITOR A downtown Red Deer businessman is furious about city waterline work that’s disrupted his operations and deterred shoppers a week before Christmas.

Terry Balgobin, who owns Artistry in Gold on the corner of Ross Street and Gaetz Avenue, said he noticed that Gaetz Avenue was blocked off when he arrived at his store Wednesday morning. He left to attend a meeting at City Hall, and returned to discover that the avenue was being excavated.

“As we speak, they’re jackhammering the street,” said Balgobin in the afternoon. “My building is vibrating and I can’t do any work in here.”

He explained the vibrations were affecting the sensitive milling machine that he uses for precision work on jewelry, and preventing him from completing projects for Christmas. Meanwhile, sales were being hurt by the disruption of vehicle and pedestrian traffic in front of his shop.

“I do 25 per cent of my business in December,” said Balgobin, adding that half of this volume occurs in the week leading up to Christmas.

“This is make it or break it for me.”

Balgobin was even worried his cen-

tury-old building could be damaged by the jackhammering through concrete and frozen ground.

Ron Wardner, Red Deer’s environmental construction and maintenance superintendent, said the work was being done to expand the waterline into the building across the street at 4915 Gaetz Ave. Previously the premises of Loonie Lane dollar store, it’s being converted into commercial and residential space by Paul Harris and Terry Warke. The two men own Sunworks Home & Garden, with Harris also a city councillor.

“The owner has paid to have that work done and wants to have it done,” said Wardner, adding that the new waterline has to be in place before the building’s plumbing can be completed.

“I picked today so that we wouldn’t be working next week.”

Wardner said notices were provided to businesses in the area, but Balgobin insists he didn’t receive one. Wardner said a member of his staff told him Artistry in Gold was notified.

“We understand that it’s a busy time of year for everybody, and we don’t want to be any more of an inconvenience than we have to be,” he said, adding that the work was expected to be completed late Wednesday.

Wardner said only one other business expressed concerns about the

waterline work, and that related to worries that water service in the area could be temporarily disrupted.

Balgobin, who discussed that matter with Mayor Tara Veer and city manager Craig Curtis, said the project should have been postponed to a less-sensitive period.

“There’s no emergency to get this done. It’s not like this building is going to be open next week.”

Rolland Forsland, who operates DOSE Coffee Company in the same building as Artistry in Gold, said the waterline work was impacting his business, but not significantly. He confirmed that he was notified about the project, but said he hadn’t anticipated that it would be as extensive as it turned out to be.

Further down the street at Comforts the Sole, owner Lorna Watkinson-Zimmer said she wasn’t concerned about the Gaetz Avenue closure. City crews have to work when the weather permits, she said, and the renovated building should enhance the area.

“It’s all progress for downtown Red Deer, so it doesn’t bother me.”

Balgobin still feels city officials aren’t being responsive to the needs of small businesses.

“It’s frustrating.” hrichards@reddeeradvocate.com

Educational music material provider to receive federal grant

Dec. 31 is still a couple of weeks away, but the Central Alberta Realtors Association is already declaring 2014 a record year.

With Multiple Listing Service home sales in the region as of the end of November totalling 5,247 — 11.6 per cent ahead of the pace to the same point in 2013, and topping 5,000 for the 11-month period for the first time ever — the year is expected to be one for the books.

The count increased by 361 in November. That figure was more than 10 per cent higher than for the same period in 2013, and marked the second busiest November for the region ever — trailing 2006 by seven deals.

The average price for the month was $308,353, while the average for the year to date was $313,631.

New residential MLS listings in November numbered 407, which was 9.2 per cent lower than a year earlier. Active residential listings totalled 2,007 to the end of November, 11.7 per cent lower than at the same date last year.

The association calculated that the inventory of listings was sufficient to supply the market for 5.6 months, as compared with 6.9 months a year ago.

Across Alberta, MLS homes sales in November were up three per cent from the same month last year.

Enbridge reports spill at Regina pump station; says spill contained on site CALGARY — Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB) says there has been a spill of an estimated 1,350 barrels of oil from its Line 4 pipeline at the Regina Terminal in Saskatchewan.

Enbridge says the pipeline and pumping station were safely shut down after the spill, which occurred Tuesday night.

It says the release occurred entirely within the pumping station and was contained on-site in designated catchment areas.

“There are no impacts to the public, wildlife or waterways,” the pipeline company said in a release issued Wednesday.

“Nearby residents and businesses may detect a faint odour,” it said, but added that air monitoring has shown “levels are well within safety limits.”

Enbridge said a cleanup of the oil was expected to be completed Thursday, but there was no estimate for when Line 4 would be restarted.

The company said initial estimates put the volume of the release at approximately 1,350 barrels, although that was subject to change.

Meanwhile, all regulatory, municipal and provincial officials have been informed and an investigation is underway.

POINTS WEST

THEMES & VARIATIONS APPROVED FOR ALMOST $95K CANADA BOOK FUND “It’s going to allow us to do more of the really big educational trade shows,” she said.

For instance, Themes & Variations A Red Deer business that supplies is now expected to display at an upmusic materials to students across coming teachers trade show in Texas, where new music North America are expectand beyond is get‘IT’S GOING TO ALLOW textbooks ed to be adopted next ting some help in US TO DO MORE OF THE year. Gagne hopes to tooting its horn. the same at other Themes & BIG EDUCATION TRADE do American educationVariations has SHOWS.’ al conferences, and been approved perhaps even overfor $94,864 under — DENSE GAGNE seas. the federal govTHEMES & VARIATIONS PRESIDENT Whereas it once ernment’s Canada shipped its material Book Fund. Adonly in printed form, ministered by the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Themes & Variations has now confund is intended to promote Canadian verted its products into digital form.

“Because so much of the teaching history.

Themes & Variations is one of the now is done by projectors and Smartlargest publishers of Canadian-au- boards, this seems to be the way to thored teaching materials for elemen- go,” said Gagne.

It also makes her company’s prodtary students.

Its products are sold across Canada ucts more accessible to international and the United States, as well as over- teachers, she added.

Canadian Heritage provides finanseas.

Denise Gagne, who is president of cial support to approximately 300 CaThemes & Variations, said the Canada nadian book publishers and related Book Fund money will help her com- organizations each year. hrichards@reddeeradvocate.com pany expand its marketing reach.

BY HARLEY RICHARDS ADVOCATE BUSINESS EDITOR

S&P / TSX 14,213.39 +351.87

▲

TSX:V 659.00 +16.70

▲

NASDAQ $4,644.31 +96.48

▲

Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff

Work continues of the new Points West Living Red Deer five-storey assisted living facility at 6791 65th Ave. The 139-suite building will contain beds for residents with dementia and others who need high levels of care, as well as independent living units. The $30-million project is expected to begin accepting residents early in 2016.

DOW JONES $17,356.87 +288.00

▲

Harley Richards, Business Editor, 403-314-4337 E-mail hrichards@reddeeradvocate.com

NYMEX CRUDE $56.47US +0.57

▲

>>>>

NYMEX NGAS $3.70US +0.08

▲

CANADIAN DOLLAR ¢85.92US -0.02

▼

SEE MORE ONLINE AT WWW.REDDEERADVOCATE.COM

D6 RED DEER ADVOCATE Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014

MARKETS

D I L B E R T

COMPANIES

OF LOCAL INTEREST

Canadian oilsands exporters narrowly survive vote in European Parliament

Wednesday’s stock prices supplied by RBC Dominion Securities of Red Deer. For information call 341-8883.

Diversified and Industrials Agrium Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 109.93 ATCO Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . 44.25 BCE Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52.61 BlackBerry . . . . . . . . . . . 11.65 Bombardier . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.01 Brookfield . . . . . . . . . . . . 56.25 Cdn. National Railway . . 78.16 Cdn. Pacific Railway. . . 221.53 Cdn. Utilities . . . . . . . . . . 38.70 Capital Power Corp . . . . 25.08 Cervus Equipment Corp 18.96 Dow Chemical . . . . . . . . 44.55 Enbridge Inc. . . . . . . . . . 55.27 Finning Intl. Inc. . . . . . . . 24.20 Fortis Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 38.25 General Motors Co. . . . . 31.15 Parkland Fuel Corp. . . . . 21.54 Sirius XM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.96 SNC Lavalin Group. . . . . 42.41 Stantec Inc. . . . . . . . . . . 31.29 Telus Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . 42.64 Transalta Corp.. . . . . . . . 10.22 Transcanada. . . . . . . . . . 54.33 Consumer Canadian Tire . . . . . . . . . 12.43 Gamehost . . . . . . . . . . . . 14.00 Leon’s Furniture . . . . . . . 16.41 Loblaw Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . 60.08 MARKETS CLOSE TORONTO - The Toronto stock market soared more than 300 points Wednesday with sentiment helped along by reassurance on interest rates from the U.S. Federal Reserve. The S&P/ TSX composite index jumped 351.87 points to 14,213.39.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Highlights at the close of Wednesday at world financial market trading.

Stocks: S&P/TSX Composite Index 14,213.39, up 351.87 points Dow - 17,356.87, up 288 points S&P 500 - 2,012.89, up 40.15 points Nasdaq - 4,644.31, up 96.48 points Currencies: Cdn - 85.92 cents US, down 0.02 of a cent

Maple Leaf Foods. . . . . . 18.27 Rona Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 13.44 Wal-Mart . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84.23 WestJet Airlines . . . . . . . 32.32 Mining Barrick Gold . . . . . . . . . . 12.58 Cameco Corp. . . . . . . . . 17.95 First Quantum Minerals . 16.61 Goldcorp Inc. . . . . . . . . . 20.90 Hudbay Minerals. . . . . . . . 9.39 Kinross Gold Corp. . . . . . . 3.13 Labrador. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18.15 Potash Corp.. . . . . . . . . . 41.02 Sherritt Intl. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.87 Teck Resources . . . . . . . 14.41 Energy Arc Resources . . . . . . . . 26.82 Badger Daylighting Ltd. . 28.99 Baker Hughes. . . . . . . . . 56.35 Bonavista . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.62 Bonterra Energy . . . . . . . 39.52 Cdn. Nat. Res. . . . . . . . . 34.53 Cdn. Oil Sands Ltd. . . . . . 9.74 Canyon Services Group. . 8.58 Cenovous Energy Inc. . . 21.87 CWC Well Services . . . 0.4300 Encana Corp. . . . . . . . . . 15.21 Essential Energy. . . . . . . . 1.40 Pound - C$1.8125, down 1.88 cents Euro - C$1.4363, down 2.02 cents Euro - US$1.2340, down 1.77 cents Oil futures: US$56.47 per barrel, up 54 cents (January contract) Gold futures: US$1,194.50 per oz., up 20 cents (February contract) Canadian Fine Silver Handy and Harman: $19.292 oz., up 10.2 cents $620.24 kg., up $3.28 ICE FUTURES CANADA WINNIPEG — ICE Futures Canada closing prices: Canola: Jan ‘15 $2.30 higher $443.40; March ‘15 $1.70 higher $437.70; May ‘15 $1.80 higher

Exxon Mobil . . . . . . . . . . 89.02 Halliburton Co. . . . . . . . . 39.44 High Arctic . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.43 Husky Energy . . . . . . . . . 25.84 Imperial Oil . . . . . . . . . . . 49.86 Pengrowth Energy . . . . . . 3.70 Penn West Energy . . . . . . 2.54 Pinecrest Energy Inc. . . . 0.015 Precision Drilling Corp . . . 7.25 Suncor Energy . . . . . . . . 35.71 Talisman Energy . . . . . . . . 8.90 Trican Ltd.. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.93 Trinidad Energy . . . . . . . . 5.48 Vermilion Energy . . . . . . 52.66 Financials Bank of Montreal . . . . . . 80.26 Bank of N.S. . . . . . . . . . . 65.03 CIBC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99.02 Cdn. Western . . . . . . . . . 31.10 Carfinco . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.17 Great West Life. . . . . . . . 32.41 IGM Financial . . . . . . . . . 44.42 Intact Financial Corp. . . . 81.73 Manulife Corp. . . . . . . . . 21.72 National Bank . . . . . . . . . 47.21 Rifco Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.94 Royal Bank . . . . . . . . . . . 79.63 Sun Life Fin. Inc.. . . . . . . 41.19 TD Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53.10 $437.00; July ‘15 $1.60 higher $438.10; Nov ‘15 $1.10 higher $434.30; Jan. ‘16 $0.90 higher $438.90; March ‘16 unchanged $445.00; May ‘16 unchanged $446.60; July ‘16 unchanged $446.60; Nov. ‘16 unchanged $446.60.

Barley (Western): March ‘15 unchanged $177.00; May ‘15 unchanged $179.00; July ‘15 unchanged $181.00; Oct. ‘15 unchanged $181.00; Dec. ‘15 unchanged $181.00; March ‘16 unchanged $181.00; May ‘16 unchanged $181.00; July ‘16 unchanged $181.00; Oct. ‘16 unchanged $181.00; March ‘17 unchanged $181.00.

Wednesday’s estimated volume of trade: 475,460 tonnes of canola; 0 tonnes of barley (Western Barley) Total: 475,460.

THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — Canadian oilsands exporters narrowly survived a vote in the European Parliament on Wednesday that could have once again penalized Alberta bitumen as dirty oil.

A proposed fuel quality directive for European Union refineries has been the subject of a well-funded Canadian lobbying campaign for more than two years.

Canadian negotiators thought the matter was settled this fall when the European Commission backed off and decided all European feedstock crude would be assigned common carbon intensity values, without singling out higher intensity sources such as Canadian bitumen.

However, the European Parliament’s environment committee flatly rejected the proposal earlier this month, forcing Wednesday’s vote.

More elected parliamentarians actually voted to reject the new fuel quality directive than accept it - 337-325 - but with 48 abstentions, their numbers fell short of the 376 votes required for an absolute majority to overturn the proposed deal.

The fuel quality directive, or FQD, will go to a ratification vote early in 2015. “We have the new, watered-down version of the implementing measure that will now go forward,� David Livingston, an associate in the energy and climate program at the Washingtonbased Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said in an interview. “That’s a victory for Canada.�

For information purposes, Canada’s bitumen remains a high-carbon source in the FQD, but the directive will have no practical effect. Canada successfully argued that current measures of GHG emissions are discriminatory, not taking into consideration things like venting and flaring practices by some producers, for instance. “Any measure that unfairly targets the Canadian oilsands, when oil with the same or higher GHG emissions from other countries gets a free pass, is discriminatory,� Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford said in a release after the vote. “Our government will continue advocating for Canadian interests and Canadian jobs. We are encouraged the European Parliament relied on science and the facts in making this decision.�

Livingston noted that because there will likely be a two-year implementation phase-in period for individual EU states, the proposed directive won’t be fully in effect until at least 2017 - and it is unclear what will happen in the post-2020 period.

As more data is collected about the relative greenhouse gas emissions from different sources of conventional and unconventional oil, Livingston said the EU may revisit its rules. “The big victory here is they have the infrastructure in place to be able to strengthen and refine this regulation over time,� he said.

The EU’s fuel quality directive has been the subject of intense lobbying since early 2012, when it was proposed that Canadian bitumen be rated 22 per cent more carbon-intensive than conventional oil.

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THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

Have excess weight around your The “pear” body type has a tendenmiddle area? Does your extra weight cy to store excess fat in the hips and sit on the hips and thighs? These two thighs. While this shape is associated different body types are classically with fewer health risks, it can also be (and affectionately) termed “apple” related to hormone imbalances like and “pear” shapes. excess estrogen or low thyroid funcEach body type carries tion. different health risks and Knowing where and has different hormones why we store excess body at play that contribute to fat makes a big difference weight gain. to our health, and to sucKnowing your body type cessfully losing the weight! is essential in understandHere are some sensible tips ing why you gain weight, so that can decrease your risk learn the simple calculation of disease and help you lose to find out which type you weight, no matter what your are. body type is: Weight on the scale is not ● Diet — Eat lots of necessarily the best meafruits, veggies, nuts, lean sure of health. We know it protein and whole grains.

SHANE is actually the composition Avoid foods made with JOHNSON and shape of our body that white flour and sugar, esis more telling. Body shape NATUROPATHIC pecially for those that are is based on something “apple” types. Choose olive called the waist-to-hip ratio oil instead of butter or marMEDICINE (WHR). This measurement garine. becomes critically impor● Movement — Be active! tant in evaluating our overall health Take the stairs instead of the elevaand our risk for certain diseases. In tor. Park further away from your workfact, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is three place. Join a fitness class that interests times more powerful in predicting you. heart disease than weight alone! ● Stress and sleep — Too much So, how can you figure out your stress and not enough sleep set you up shape? A waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) is for weight gain — schedule time for reall we need. To easily calculate your laxation, hobbies and rest.

WHR, follow these instructions: ● Testing — Get routine testing regStep 1: Take measurements of the ularly for cholesterol, fasting glucose, largest part of both your waist and thyroid function and a glucose tolerhips. ance test, which is a good indicator of Step 2: Divide waist/hip for your insulin sensitivity. waist-to-hip ratio (WHR).

Talk to your naturopathic doctor Step 3: Interpret your results. If you about your body shape and how you are female and your WHR is great- can test and balance the hormones er than 0.8, you have an “apple” body that might be undermining your efshape. If your WHR is less than or forts, especially with all of those new equal to 0.8, you have a “pear” body years resolutions around the corner. shape. If you are male and your WHR Set yourself up for long term success is greater than 1.0, you have an “apple” of your weight management goals and body shape. stop experiencing the frustrating ups The “apple” body type has a ten- and downs in your weight. dency to store excess fat around their Dr. Shane Johnson ND was born and stomach. This type of fat decreases raised in Red Deer and is the owner of Asinsulin sensitivity (increasing the risk pire Natural Medicine. He completed his of diabetes), raises cholesterol, blood naturopathic medical training at Bastyr pressure, and risk for heart disease. University, and is among only a handThere are two major hormones at play ful of naturopathic doctors in Alberta to that cause you to carry weight around complete an additional one-year residenyour middle — insulin and cortisol, a cy in family medicine. For more detailed hormone that is secreted when we are information on naturopathic medicine under stress. visit www.aspiremedicine.ca.

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Herbal gifts that will take the seriousness out of Christmas season The other day, a couple of friends At my office Christmas party, we and I discussed gift giving at Christ- play Secret Santa. The wrapped packmas. There seemed to be a consensus age that looks like a bottle of wine is on how dissatisfying gift giving can be always stolen many, many times. If with the rampant consumerism of this alcohol is on the gift list, try making time. It all just seems too serious! rosehip gin.

Our conversation turned construcGather one pound of rose hips, dry tive when we began to brainstorm ways them and smash with a hammer. to put the play back in gift giving.

Add them to a bottle of gin.

Of course, my mind To the gin add 1 cup of turned to herbal gifts, besugar. yond teas and lotions.

Shake vigourously and One of my favourite gifts let sit for a month. Strain is a dream pillow. A dream and enjoy! pillow is a small sachet of Or there is rose petal liherbs that is slipped into queur: the pillowcase to encourage Mix three cups of rose deeper sleep while enhancpetals with one bottle of ing dreaming. brandy and 1½ cups of sugTo make dream pillows I ar. Grate in a little lemon rummage through the rempeel. Shake and let sit in nants bin at the fabric store the cupboard for a month. looking for a soft cotton Strain and enjoy. or flannel, perhaps with a A less intoxicating gift, stars and moon print. Once but still exciting to the ABRAH home, I cut the cloth into senses is homemade herb ARNESON rectangles about 12 inchbutters. Herbed butters are es by six inches. I fold the HERBS FOR LIFE perfect for great cooks and cloth in half and sew up two are super easy to make. sides.

Pick up some good quality butter.

Then I mix up equal parts of these Let is soften. Using your mixer, whip three dried herbs: hops flowers, laven- a half-cup of butter. Add to the butter der flowers and mugwort leaves. Hops 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons of dried is a traditionally used sleep aid. The herbs. Avoid fresh herbs, they make scent of it wafting up through the pil- the butter difficult to spread. I really low dulls the senses and makes one love to add rosemary and sage to the feel sleepy. The scent of lavender is herb butters. Any of culinary Mediterused in many places including pris- ranean herbs can be used. ons to ease anxious minds. Mugwort Wrap the herb butter in tinfoil and is plant that induces vivid dreams. Be- freeze. Be sure to give herb butter on cause mugwort leaves have a slivery the day of giving. It’s not the kind of under side, the plant was once said to gift to leave under the tree for weeks. belong to the moon, the guardian of A perfect hostess gift, beyond helpdreams. ing with the dishes, is corsage of dried Fill the cloth bag with the dried and fresh herbs. Gather a few sprigs herbs and sew up the open end. Tie a of fresh rosemary, a dried rose or two, ribbon around the pillow to make it baby’s breath and three stems of lavenpretty and write a little note about the der. Cut the plants so that they are all herbs contained in the pillow. Attach the same length. Carefully arrange the it to the ribbon. dried and fresh herbs and bid them If a dream pillow just does not feel with florist wire. Insert a safety pin at like the right gift, try this. the back so the flowers can be worn.

Once I accidently tossed my dream Tie a ribbon around the wire and prespillow into the washing machine with to, it’s a lovely simple gift. the sheets. When I pulled the sheets Here’s wishing everyone a joyful, from the dryer, they were softly scent- creative gift giving season. ed with lavender. Since then, I have Herbs for Life is written by Abrah washed my sheets with a small sachet Arneson, a local clinical herbalist. It is of lavender flowers. A lavender sachet intended for information purposes only. for the wash is a perfect gift for those Readers with a specific medical problem who dislike the stronger fabric soft- should consult a doctor. For more inener odours. I also know many people formation, visit www.abraherbalist.ca. who keep a lavender sachet in a dress- Arneson can be reached www.abraherbs. er drawer to scent their clothing. com.

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Identify your body type and why you gain weight

ENTERTAINMENT

D8

THURSDAY, DEC. 18, 2014

Nothing but platitudes Spoiler alert: this discusses the series finale of The Newsroom.

bombing beats at the time. And The Newsroom never offered us a credible alternative to what we have now, a show that would be both substantive and truly popular.

Instead, The Newsroom closed out with bromides. Leona Lansing (Jane Fonda) lectured Pruit that “You’re not fighting with your news director, you’re not doing your job. And if they’re not fighting with you, they’re not doing theirs.” Neal Sampat (Dev Patel) lectured Pruit’s Web goons for the meanness of writing about overrated movies rather than being positive by championing underrated ones.

And Will finally came up with a way to eulogize Charlie after he died in the line of duty.

“Charlie Skinner was crazy. He identified with Don Quixote, an old man with dementia who thought he could save the world from an epidemic of incivility simply by acting like a knight. His religion was decency, and he spent a lifetime fighting its enemies,” Will declared. “This fight is just getting started, because he taught the rest of us to be crazy, too.”

If Will was being honest with himself, and if Sorkin was being honest in his assessment of his characters, both men would have to acknowledge that Don Quixote is a good point of comparison, though not in entirely flattering ways.

The Newsroom spent plenty of time tilting at windmills but was less inclined to raise up women by looking past their social station to their potential. The Newsroom ends with Will in full embrace of his delusion. Don Quixote, at least, learns that you can’t change the world by setting yourself above it.

Rosenberg writes The Post’s Act Four web channel covering culture and politics. http://www.washingtonpost.com/ news/act-four/.

Toward the end of the series finale of The Newsroom, Aaron Sorkin’s HBO series about the staff of a cable news network, Don Keefer (Thomas Sadoski) explains to his girlfriend Sloan Sabbith (Olivia Munn) why he turned down a promotion to run the channel’s biggest show, choosing instead to stay with a later-night program where he has more free rein to pursue his vision of the news. “I figure, why do a broadcast with 1.1 million viewers when I can do one for 287,000 and make less money at the same time,” he tells her. “It’s getting better. It’s getting good.”

Sorkin said at the beginning of this season that he was “just now starting to learn how to write” The Newsroom.

And whether Sorkin intended it or not, Don’s discussion with Sloan is a perfect statement of what the show was really about. Anchor Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels) may have declared himself on a “mission to civilize” during the first season of The Newsroom, with women as his particular targets. But neither he nor Sorkin ever really wanted that quest, with its whiff of pith-helmeted colonialism and Don Quixote’s tilting at windmills, to succeed. The problem with lecturing everyone else on how they’re living wrong is that if they listen and learn, you have no one left to feel superior to.

I’ve gotten a lot of emails over the past couple of weeks accusing me of having it in for Aaron Sorkin or of not knowing good television when I see it. But my problem with The Newsroom really comes down to this: I agree with a lot of what Will McAvoy and his colleagues claim to believe in. I love long-form journalism! I believe in commentary that doesn’t conform neatly to partisan boundaries, and that comes from careful thought rather than via talking points! But I also want to share them. And I think The Newsroom in MAKES A general, and Sorkin and Will McAvoy in particular, GREATS were rotten ambassadors CHRISTMA ENMAX CENTRIUM – RED DEER for the ideas they claimed GIFT! Tickets at all Ticketmaster outlets, to believe in so deeply.

Call 1-855-985-5000, They lectured rathor www.ticketmaster.ca er than organized. They produced a program that drove News Night from second in the ratings when The Newsroom began to last in its final season. Charlie Skinner (Sam Waterston) was right to be incensed when his Friends. Family. Home. staff responded to Lucas Pruit’s (B.J. Novak) or6 Daykin Street, Red Deer www.theredwoods.ca ders to broadcast garbage by either surrendering or committing career suicide. After all, we learned that he had wooed MacKenzie McHale (Emily Mortimer) to run Will’s show by telling her “Take the offer and you’ll have a chance to frame the debate. Or pass. But then you never get to complain about the news again.”

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