WHERE FLAVOURS EPITOME RUN DEEP OF COOL Every eater who cares about creative cooking needs to make a trip to Houston
‘Star Wars’ and the enduring appeal of Lando Calrissian.
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Red Deer Advocate TUESDAY, NOV. 17, 2015
www.reddeeradvocate.com
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WE ARE PARIS
UNCOVER RED DEER
Website promotes identity BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Red Deer is preparing for its closeup. On Monday, the City of Red Deer launched a microsite — uncoverreddeer.ca — designed to share and promote Red Deer’s identity. “In the lead up to the 2019 Canada Winter Games, we essentially have three years before we welcome 25,000 Canadians and we have a once in a life time opportunity to tell that story. So it was absolutely imperative that Red Deer take the lead and to provide our community and our partner organizations with the tools that they need to convey the authentic Red Deer,” said Mayor Tara Veer at the launch of Uncover Red Deer at Sheraton Red Deer Hotel. “In the absence of Red Deer telling the people of our province and the people of our country who we are, and about the authentic Red Deer, those messages were being filled in on their own.” Since 2012, the city worked with community partners and stakeholders to gather community input in hopes of representing what citizens feel, love and think about their city. More than 1,600 people were surveyed as part of the identity project. The first in a series of videos at Uncover Red Deer was produced to market the city outside Red Deer’s borders. “Red Deerians told us who they are and what they love about Red Deer. Today’s launch is the culmination of what Red Deerians said and it’s the beginning of a whole messaging and equipping of marketing tools for our partnering organizations to tell Red Deer’s story on behalf of Red Deerians,” Veer said.
Please see IDENTITY on Page A2
Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Recognizing the tragic events of last Friday in Paris, the City of Red Deer hung the colours of the French flag on two trees outside City Hall this week. Please see related stories on Page B2.
School boards block debate, vote on LGBTQ motion at meeting BY THE CANADIAN PRESS EDMONTON — Delegates to the Alberta School Board Association’s fall meeting were blocked Monday from debating or voting on a proposal that the group help its members establish policies to protect students who identify as sexual or gender minorities. The motion from Edmonton Pub-
lic Schools needed the support of just over 66 per cent of those attending to be accepted on the agenda. But enough boards — about 38 per cent — argued the issue wasn’t prominent enough and voted against dealing with the motion. Michael Janz, chairman of the Edmonton board, said he was shocked that the proposal didn’t get enough support to be discussed.
“We think that our association, which holds itself to be the gold standard of education policy, should have a policy for sexual orientation and gender minority students,” he said. “We have a policy on oilwell sites. We have a policy on defibrillators. I think it is fair that we could ask for a policy on this area as well.”
Please see LGBTQ on Page A2
Downturn prompts run on Christmas charities BY SUSAN ZIELINSKI ADVOCATE STAFF Local non-profits are calling on Central Albertans to demonstrate their Christmas spirit by donating to hamper and toy programs. Last Thursday, Red Deer Christmas Bureau started accepting applications from families in need and so far registrations have increased compared last year. “This time last year we only had 43 applicants and now we’re at 65. We’re figuring we’re going to have a lot more this year,” said Linda Washchuk, Christmas Bureau director, on
WEATHER 60% showers. High 4. Low -8.
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Monday. Last year the bureau assisted 947 families with 996 children. Families from Red Deer, Penhold, Springbrook and Red Deer County have until Dec. 16 to register. Parents get to shop for gifts for their children for free at the bureau’s toy depot. Washchuk expects toys based on the Disney movie Frozen will be in demand again this season, and electronics are always popular among children and teens. Photo by JEFF STOKOE/Advocate staff
Please see CHARITY on Page A2
INDEX Two sections Alberta . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Business . . . . . . . A8-A9 Canada . . . . . . . . A5-A6 Classified . . . . . . B8-B9 Comics . . . . . . . . . . . . B4 Entertainment A11-A12 Sports . . . . . . . . . B5-B7
Red Deer Christmas Bureau director Linda Waschuk checks the shelves at the Christmas Bureau on Monday.
Paris attack mastermind named France identified a Belgian who fought for the Islamic State group in Syria as the mastermind of the Paris attacks. Story on PAGE B2
Christmas Cash Giveaway! Enter at Parkland Mall Guest Services.
Go to www.parklandmall.ca for rules and regulations. Watch the Advocate for entry forms starting November 18.
Enter to win $2000 in Parkland Mall gift cards Nov. 18-Dec. 16
PLEASE RECYCLE