4 | 2017
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Serving Medicine Hat & Area (403)977-1869 Email: Merle@bowas.ca
Washers, Dryers, Fridges, Stoves, Dishwashers
JESSICA DAY
Family
Opinion
Tuning Into Spring 6-7
MLA Report - Fighting For Albertan Families 20 - 21
New Theatre. New Seats. New Way to Donate. 10 - 11
Business Tufts Management Inc. 14 - 15 In Light Wellness Systems 16 - 17
BNI Member of the Month Joey Merriman MNP, LLP 22 - 23
Fun Stuff Easter Quotes 26 Hot Cross Buns Trivia 27
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Tuning into
Spring
by Corlaine Gardner, Chief Park Interpreter
With the sunshine streaming in our windows, and the robins arriving back from the south, can you feel spring? Were you active all winter, or did you hibernate? If you curled up and stayed cozy inside since last October, it is now time to shake off the winter sleep and get out the door.
Spring is here!
H
ow do we know? If we wake up all our senses and see what is happening outside, we’ll find lots of clues. First of all, there is the beautiful sunshine and the warmth. Doesn’t it just beg you to head out for a walk? Feel the warmth on your face. Breathe deeply. Look around at all the other people emerging from their homes. With spring, we can feel the new season giving us energy and enthusiasm. Now listen. The birds are busy. Some of the ones who stayed here have literally changed their tunes. The chickadees who chattered away at the b i r d
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feeders all winter with a chick-a-dee-dee-dee here and a chick-a-dee-dee there, are now trying to woo the cute little lady with a different song. Some people hear it as an invitation to a lunch date, “Cheese burger” while other think the little black and white gentleman is calling “Hey sweetie”. Can you hear it? Other birds are carrying on their own conversations. The flickers are using whatever drum they can find to prove how big and tough they are. Sometimes that drum happens to be a lamppost, but they aren’t looking for food, and it does act as a great amplifier! The geese who are staying here have staked out their nest sites and will tell all potential intruders just
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who is the boss. Some of the comments might not be polite enough for mixed company! The birds that went south for the winter are arriving back, and they too are looking for places to set up house keeping. With each new day, there will be someone else arriving. The wrens might check out your yard, and even build several nests in the houses that you have provided. Their cheery song is a lively addition to the neighbourhood. The robins are singing. And the chorus continues to grow. The snow melted and some of it soaked into the ground, helping the early plants get started. Smell the moisture in the air. The earliest spring blooms tend to stay tucked down low, sheltered from the wind. South facing slopes
Photo by Dwayne Myers
are good places to look for the earliest blooms, especially the moss phlox. Slightly later, the moist slopes where the snow banks collected might show off some crocuses or penstemons. The crocuses in your garden will be showing their cheery colours too.
If you visit Police Point Park, you will find another sign of spring. Dozens of school groups will be visiting the chicks and bunnies and going for spring walks. During the Easter weekend, families will be creating wonderful traditions of decorating eggs, visiting with the animals, and roasting hotdogs.
If you would like to join the fun, or find out more about spring happenings, give the Nature Line a call, 403-529-6225. The non-profit MH Interpretive Program offers displays and activities all year round. They would welcome your participation, your volunteering, or your donations.
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&
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Sunday, April 30
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New Theatre. New Seats. New Way to Donate. by Gillian Reimer, Head of Marketing Services
M
ore than 241,000 visits were made to the Medicine Hat Public Library last year. Another 251,000 visits were made virtually. A total of 900 Library programs saw attendance of almost 19,000 people. With numbers like that, it’s no wonder the Library’s theatre – the last original part of the 1960’s building – is ready for an upgrade.
The space plays an important role in the lives of children, families and single individuals who enjoy free 10 Copy Works CONNECTION Issue 04/17
films on a regular basis. It is also used for author talks, presentations, and other library programs, and is an inexpensive and popular venue to rent for meetings, special events, or music recitals. Renovations to this well-loved space have now begun. When complete, the theatre will benefit from more accessible seating options, new audio/visual systems, new seats, repairs to a leaky ceiling and an update to the carpets, wallpaper, paint, lighting and doors. www.copyworksconnection.com
When complete, the theatre will benefit from more accessible seating options, new audio/visual systems, new seats, repairs to a leaky ceiling and an update to the carpets, wallpaper, paint, lighting and doors. affixed for a minimum period of 10 years to a seat in the newly renovated theatre. The plaque can be inscribed for yourself, your business, or as a unique way to remember a loved one. The goal: to sell all available name plaques, roughly 180, so that when the theatre reopens in the summer of 2017, every seat is dedicated to someone.
The necessary renovations carry a hefty price tag just shy of $700,000. A City of Medicine Hat loan for more than $100,000 will ensure this project can be completed before grant funding deadlines need to be met, but we hope not to rack up debt. Library supporters are hoping the community will step up to help complete this project debt-free by making a donation — in any amount — to this worthwhile project. One way to donate, and to go down in history as a supporter of your public library, is to purchase a name plaque that will be
Every dollar the Library doesn’t have to spend to pay back interest on a City loan is a dollar that can be used to provide literacy programs for children and families. The number of visits to the Library in 2016 show that a lot of people in Medicine Hat take part in engaging and informative library program. If you, your family or your business are interested in going down in history as a supporter of public programs and community meeting spaces, visit the Library or call 403-502-8527 to see how you can support this initiative.
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Graham and Maxwell Tufts Photos by Megan Antoniuk Photograhy
The Condominium Convenience in the Comfort of Your Own Home
F
or most people, their home is one of the most important investments they will ever make. With this in mind, Tufts Management Inc. (TMI) is a locally owned father and son team who, along with their professional trained staff, are working hard to ensure you receive the most out of your investment. Co-owner Maxwell Tufts says, "We offer corner to corner coverage on your home maintenance and improvement
needs, from snow removal to lawn care and everything in between. We provide a one call service ensuring you are getting the very best of your home maintenance needs." TMI is able to offer year round service at competitive rates without compromising quality of service.. Because of the continuity TMI provides to its customers, work fluctuations are reduced which results in savings and
improved service compared to what seasonal only competitors can offer. "Many home-owners live busy, active lives and it is very easy to become a slave to your most privileged investment," says Graham Tufts, the senior member of the team. Since year round programs are the hallmark of TMI service, they provide customized programs to meet the individual needs of each homeowner. The TMI team take great pride in ensuring
TMI owners collaborate with a homeowner
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your home looks well-cared for no matter how busy your schedule becomes. "The equipment used by TMI is the same used by golf courses and recreational facilities, providing a professionally groomed look 365 days of the year," says Max. "TMI is one of the very few services that can boast same day snow removal to our clients, no matter how large or small the task." Security is another cornerstone of TMI so trucks are marked and employees uniformed. "No more wondering if the rusty truck in front of your home is there to service or stake out your property," says Graham. "Like any homeowner, I want to know who is on my property, and that they are qualified, insured and licensed." "Since subscribing to TMI my life has become easi-
er," says local businessman Matthew Murray. I have more time for enjoying the things I like about my home and less worry about the heavy maintenance load associated with home ownership. The TMI squad is consistent and courteous and they have been able to transform my yard into an extension of my home, while being mindful of my dog throughout." Since the owners are pet lovers themselves, they offer pet safe and environmentally friendly products to meet all client needs. With spring and summer just around the corner a TMI member is always available for a free consultation, whether for one of our year round programs, a seasonal program or a spring cleanup. Whatever your maintenance needs, TMI can help.
Additional services include: • Vacation home watch • Sub-division upkeep • Landscape development and planning • Irrigation • Real estate buy/sell maintenance • Acreage • Condominium • Industrial and commercial maintenance • Snow removal
Tufts Management Inc. 1.877.225.4TMI (4864) 403.977.4282 www.tuftsmanagement.com info@tuftsmanagement.com
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Call Us TODAY! 403.977.4282 Copy Works CONNECTION Issue 04/17 15
BRILLIANT LIGHT ENERGY! www.inlightwellness.com
You owe it to yourself! Stay as healthy as you can so you can live a full and active life! What Is Light Therapy? Infrared Light Therapy, or photo-biomodulation, is a unique therapy that harnesses the healing powers of infrared light. It emits special wavelengths of light energy that dramatically increase circulation to injury sites and areas of chronic pain. The result is a rapid relief of discomfort, improvement in sensation and regeneration of damaged tissue. Effective for any condition characterized by pain and inflammation.
How Does Infrared Light Therapy Work? Simple and painless. Flexible pads, containing multiple infrared and visible red diodes, are placed directly on the skin over the area of pain or injury. Light energy from the diodes penetrates beneath the skin and is absorbed by proteins within 16 Copy Works CONNECTION Issue 04/17
cells that lay beneath the skin. Those cells release nitric oxide, the body’s natural vasodilator. After just 20 minutes of treatment, blood flow is increased to nerves and other tissues.
Chronic Pain Relief NIR light therapy has been used by the U.S. military to speed recovery from soft-tissue injuries in elite soldiers in the Navy Seals, Army Rangers and Special Forces. Hospitals, nursing homes and long-term care facilities use it to accelerate the healing of pressure ulcers (bed sores) and decrease the number of falls in elderly patients. This therapy is also used to ease the pain of neuropathy, restore sensation to patients with nerve impairment, speed up the healing of diabetic ulcers and other wounds and relieve many kinds of chronic pain.
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DISCOVER THE REVITALIZING POWER OF LIGHT! Light is absorbed by human cells and this is key to light therapy. Light Therapy is backed by Nobel winning science and over 4,400 articles on Pub Med. Try it, you will like it.
Light Therapy is comfortable and relaxing. It is gentle, painless, effective, safe, non-invasive, nonabrasive and restorative. There is no “down time” afterwards.
EXPERIENCE THE LIGHTS! Call Donna for your appointment today at 403-504-0011 / 403-866-0714 located in Copy Works Design and Gifts in the Co-op Mall on 13th Ave.
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LOOKING TO BE A PART OF THE MARKET? We're seeking vendors to fill the following dates:
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Member of the Medicine Hat & District Chamber of Commerce
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MLA REPORT
Fighting For Albertan Families
Written by Drew Barnes, Shadow Minister of Energy
I
n the same way a family ensures their future by instilling values, building a financial foundation and allowing ideas and individualism to foster, I have spent considerable time the last few months listening to Cypress-Medicine Hatters and Albertans about our economy, culture and future. A family, of course, does it in their home, throughout community organizations and with extended family members. I have
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spent my time outside the Legislature holding Town Halls, drinking tons of coffee, attending public events, basketball and hockey games and listening -- listening to many new and innovative ideas. What is overwhelmingly evident is that Albertans are deeply concerned with our government’s deliberate decline of our economy, accumulation of debt and interest expense (2019: $2.3 Billion in annual interest) and orchestrated changes to our www.copyworksconnection.com
Opinion culture, values and education system. When I stand in the Legislature and the NDP announces a cap on oilsands production, yet another spending and tax increase, or more bureaucrats being hired to centralize health care or record keeping, I immediately know how negatively this will affect our families and communities. It hurts that a mother of two hardworking 20 something year olds tells me that, despite actively searching, they are now past 2 years unemployed. Cypress-Medicine Hatters are deeply concerned and a large majority have told me their preferred solution: Fiscal conservative Unity. At first, this surprised me. However, it accurately indicates how deeply dissatisfied Albertans are with the NDP government’s direction. Just 2 years ago, Albertans told the wasteful, entitled PC party that “NO”, you can’t break your word and call an opportunistic election a year early. Albertans value one’s word and honor. They are hard workers who look for value for tax dollars and a government that cares more about families, communities and social needs than power and entitlement. It is abundantly clear however, Albertans are expecting all fiscal conservatives to engage in discussions to see if values, policy and governance are similar enough to form one unified, conservative party.
On all accounts, the inalienable values that Albertans believe in, hold true. These core values are smaller government (Alberta spends 25% more per capita than any other provincial government) and empowering communities through local deci-
Albertans value one’s word and honor. sion making. Albertans also value greatly enhanced equity and fairness to eliminate corporate welfare as well as choice in health care and education. In addition, they often tell me about their strong desire to strengthen property rights and grow individual and family opportunities. My chief aim is to ensure that Cypress-Medicine Hat values and needs are promoted, respected and not compromised in the discussion and unity process. I ask that all interested constituents contact me so I can fully understand all our needs and ideas. Let’s return Alberta to its position as a leader in Canada, where opportunity and jobs make families and communities strong!
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JOEY MERRIMAN That glorious time of the year is upon us, it’s time to get ready to file your tax returns. Whether you prepare your tax returns yourself or take them to an accountant here are a few tips to make your “Tax Season” hiccup free:
• Make sure you have all of your information. Certain tax slips don’t arrive until late in March (T3 slips and some RRSP slips for example). Missing income can result in painful tax penalties. • Little tax credits can add up: Claim your official charitable receipts,
collect all your medical related expenses, and claim eligible children’s fitness and arts fees (this credit will be eliminated in 2017). • Preparing in advance can help you determine if you can and should be contributing more to your RRSPs.
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NEW FOR 2016 TAX RETURNS: • For 2016/2017 there were a few changes that took effect, including changes to the Federal and Alberta tax credits. The combined top marginal tax bracket in Alberta is now 48% for income above $300,000. This is considerably higher than we are used to in our province so look to your accountant for advice on opportunities for income splitting and tax deferral to help lessen this burden. www.copyworksconnection.com
BNI
• Did you sell your home in 2016? If so, while any capital gains on your principal residence are tax free for most individuals, you are now required to disclose the details of the sale in your tax return. • If you received the Universal Child Care Benefit up to June 2016, this needs to be reported on your tax return. The subsequent program, the Canada Child Benefit, is a nontaxable benefit.
One of the benefits of taking your return to a professional is the advice you can receive in addition to making the filing as low stress as possible. Unfortunately, ignorance of tax rules isn’t an acceptable defense in the eyes of the Canada Revenue Agency, so when in doubt, as your accountant. I enjoy visiting with my clients and talking about their personal and business situations as this helps to identify areas of tax savings that otherwise could slip through the cracks. A few minutes of chit-chat often brings up moving expenses, new home buyers’ tax credit, qualifying medical costs or even the disability tax credit that can potentially save thousands of dollars. Joey Merriman, CPA, CA of MNP LLP earned his professional designation in 2005 and with his wife and two children has called Medicine Hat home since 2008. He is a member of the Medicine Hat Kinsmen Club for the past 4 years, and a member of the local referral networking chapter “BNI Advantage.” He also enjoys running, fishing, training his dog and building elaborate Lego creations with his kids. For consultations, please call 403-527-4441. Copy Works CONNECTION Issue 04/17 23
Joey Merriman
IS THE BUSINESS OF THE MONTH. for more information call Joey at 403-527-4441 www.bni.com
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gives ction nd e r r u es ning a The r e mea d the f i l y m ion an t direct ity to star n u t a r h w t oppo atter m o n nces. over umsta c r i c my tt
Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there. - Clarence W. Hall
t Fla
er - Rob
saddest Earth’s t gladdes day and t s e ju day wer part. sa y a three d - Susan
Coolidge
t beauty, Easter spells ou of new life. the rare beauty - S.D. Gordon
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Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection , not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime. - Martin Luther
Easter is me of hope ant to be a sy mbol , renew al, and new life." - Janine di Giova nni www.copyworksconnection.com
Superstitions about Hot Cross Buns
• If you share a hot cross bun with someone else, you’re supposedly going to be friends for the year, especially if you say “Half for you and half for me. Between us two shall goodwill be” at the time. • Some people believe in kissing the bun before eating it because it’s got a cross on it. • They apparently protect against shipwrecks while at sea.
Hot Cross Buns Trivia • A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun made with currants or raisins and marked with a cross on the top. • The hot cross bun is traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, South Africa, India, and Canada. • In many historically Christian countries, buns are traditionally eaten hot or toasted during Lent, beginning with the evening of Shrove Tuesday (the evening before Ash Wednesday) to midday Good Friday. • The traditional method for making the cross on top of the bun is to use shortcrust pastry; however, more recently recipes have recommended a paste consisting of flour and water.
• And, if you hang one in your kitchen, they’ll protect against fire and make all your breads rise perfectly – so long as each year you replace the bun.
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