Copy Works CONNECTION
1
sion s i m m o C rson e p s e l a S Positione Availabl
Innovative Advertising Opportunities “It’s where everybody is pitching!”
indoor waste unit
streetside waste unit TM
tower directory
Perfect Pitch Marketing Products Innovative in concept. Uncompromising in quality. Unmatched in performance.
golf course
For Information or Advertising Rates call us at 403 526 6129 2
Copy Works CONNECTION
www.digitalcopyworks.com Copy Works CONNECTION Issue 10/17 5
05.49.18 EDITOR
DONNA BENGERT
403.504.0011 donna@copyworksdesign.com
SALES
OREST TKACHYK SHARON DAVIES
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS MATT POWER JUSTINE BICE ERIN PENGELLY
Phone: 403.504.0011 Fax: 403.504.0041 116, 3030-13 Ave S.E. Medicine Hat, AB, T1B 1E3 For a complimentary subscription to the Connection Magazine forward your Email to: copyworksconnection@gmail.com digitalcopyworks.com
DEBT?! WHY'D IT HAVE TO BE DEBT?
MOM'S DICTIONARY 15
4-5
GET BACK TO BASICS WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE
by Drew Barnes, MLA
CACTUS ROSE QUILTER'S GUILD QUILT SHOW 8-9
by Elizabeth Blair
16 - 17
by B&L Lawn
MOTHER'S DAY QUOTES AND TRIVIA 18
CYPRESS VIEW VETERINARY CLINIC 12 - 13
OUT OF THE BOX: THE SLEEPING GIANT: ENERGY - V - WASTE: PART 2
LAWN CARE TIPS 11
PET HEAVEN MEMORIAL GARDENS AND CREMATORIUM 14
by Basil Dodd
20 - 21
Designed and printed by Copy Works Design and Gifts Disclaimer: No responsibility can be taken by the Copyworks Connection Magazine for errors or omissions contained herein. Furthermore, responsibility for any losses, damages or distress resulting from adherence to any information made available through this magazine is not the responsibility of the Copy Works Connection or Copy Works Design and Gifts. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Copyworks Connection.
Copy Works CONNECTION
3
One of my favorite movies is Raiders of the Lost Ark. It’s a classic tale of overcoming obstacles and highlights one of my favorite and most persistent adventurers, Harrison Ford. Through the twists and turns, who can forget how many challenging threats to his safety and careful planning were followed by larger tribulations and road blocks? With the state of affairs in Alberta, looming debt and deficit, and literal road blocks to our natural resources, it is not a stretch to infer that this is how many Albertans feel right now. The NDP have implemented a large, overreaching, debt accumulating government. The NDP misled Albertans when they promised a balanced budget in 2019. Instead, the Notley NDP delivered a $9 Billion operating deficit (annual expenses on the taxpayer’s credit card), a $15.5 Billion consolidated deficit and $55 Billion in debt. 4
Copy Works CONNECTION
All of this is topped off by $1.9B in interest is looking like obstacles that Harrison Ford himself would have trouble defeating. Every Alberta family now finds themselves shouldering $55,000 in provincial debt, supporting $5 million of interest payments a day to wealthy bondholders, all the while receiving less services. For example, what Albertans pay in interest every single day, translates to the same cost as employing 1500 teachers. Next time we hear about class sizes being too large, school transportation funds lacking or our southeastern Alberta seniors not receiving full and adequate care, please remember how much of your tax dollars the NDP is sending to some of the world’s richest bondholders in New York, Toronto and Zurich instead. Unlike Harrison Ford, Rachel Notley and www.digitalcopyworks.com
by Drew Barnes, MLA
Joe Cici do not have a plan to navigate Alberta out of the darkness. Their idea of a “plan” is to have your daily interest cost double to $10,000,000, your family’s total provincial debt burden to grow to $100,000 and to saddle you with a 67% increase to the carbon tax to add to their general revenue.
Our United Conservative Party team, myself included as Finance critic, intend to leave things better than we found them. Albertans need a government that will not unfairly tie the hands of wealth creators and everyday people with excess regulation, spending and taxation.
If the NDP are re-elected in 2019, they are projecting our provincial debt to reach $96 Billion by 2023 with annual interest expenses coming in at a fiery $3.7 billion. This is looking like a challenge that Harrison Ford himself would have trouble overcoming.
I have absolute confidence in the ability of Albertans to acknowledge the disaster facilitated by the NDP and respond to this challenge with an overwhelming United Conservative Party victory in 2019.
Copy Works CONNECTION
5
6
Copy Works CONNECTION
www.digitalcopyworks.com
Copy Works CONNECTION
7
CACTUS ROSE QUILTERS GUILD
Quilt Show The Cactus Rose Quilters Guild is now over 100 members and are very busy sewing quilts for their upcoming Quilt Show on June 8 & 9, 2018 at the Medicine Hat Curling Club. The talented quilters have artistic minds and will have a variety of quilted items to inspire each individual. Stop in anytime from 12:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 8 th , 2018 or on Saturday, June 9 th , 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to see all the quilts on display and enjoy a cup of coffee with friends and fellow quilters. Cactus Roe Quilters Guild meets every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from Sept. to June at the Kinplex at 7:00 p.m. The content of our meetings vary, hands on demos, quilting technique videos, “Show & Share” of the quilts members have completed. Although the Guild is a very
8
Copy Works CONNECTION
sociable club, we are also very committed to giving back to the community through the “Comfort Quilts” made by our members and given to Teen Moms, Food Bank Healthy Bundles, Medicine Hat Housing, fire victims, and hospital Geriatric and Cardiac Units.
FEATURE QUILTER Our feature Quilter, this year, is Colleen Winter who has been a member of our Guild for five years and previously a 15 year member of the Hearts and Hands Quilt Guild in Estevan, Sask. In her 20 years of quilting, Colleen has pieced close to 1000 blocks!! Colleen has always been interested in Arts and Crafts. She started quilting with Bisqiut Quilts and expanded her love of
www.digitalcopyworks.com
SAVE June 8 THE DATE , 12:00 June 9 , 10:00 8:00 pm - 5:00p m At the Medic ine Ha Curlin g Club t
quilting to making all sizes of quilts, from full size bed quilts, table runners, placements, and bags to name a few. She also enjoys making scrap quilts from fabric left over from her other quilt projects. Colleens specialty if doing “needle turn” applique which is a unique feature of her many quilt One queen projects. Stop by and say “Hello” to Colleen and see some of her many quilted items on display.
(featu size one l red above quilt a ) and p quilt raffle w d i o n Sa ll be Ticke tu a v a i l at s will rday. b l e be at the Show ticket for $2.0 Quilt . 0 pe r
10
Copy Works CONNECTION
www.digitalcopyworks.com
S
pring is in the air and now is the time to start thinking about making our yards beautiful and healthy for the upcoming summer season. Aesthetically, lawns enhance the quality of life, contribute to social harmony and community pride, increase property values and compliment other landscape plants. Most homeowners don’t realize noise and air pollution are reduced in most suburban areas because the grass ecosystem serves as a natural filter for the environment. Lawns provide excellent soil erosion control. They enhance entrapment and biodegradation of synthetic organic compounds. They absorb and sequester carbon dioxide gases. They bring substantial urban heat dissipation which results in temperature moderation. Lawns contribute to home security as well, providing high visibility zones that deter potential intruders and open green spaces that serve as a firebreak to reduce fire hazards. For these reasons…and so many more…lawns ARE important. Maintenance of your lawn is important to keep it healthy no different than keeping ourselves healthy. Power Raking is one of the best ways to spruce up your lawn during the spring season. If you have already raked your lawn in the fall to clean up leaves and debris, you may wonder if it’s overkill to rake again in the spring. During the
winter months, grass blades that die off can become thatch, so the fall workup won’t always prevent your grass from building up grass stems, roots and clippings that prevent water from penetrating to the roots. Although some people prefer to use leaf blowers to remove debris, leaves and dead grass, blowing doesn’t scratch the grass surface the same way that raking does. This is why power raking in the spring can help keep your lawn healthy. A power raked lawn has several benefits: - Grass grows sooner - Easier to spot problem areas that need attention - By removing the thatch, seeds that are planted will grow their roots into the soil instead of into the thatch which increases their survival rate. - Power raking removes thatch that can become nests for insects - Removal of thatch prevents fungal and bacterial diseases from developing in your lawn Core Aeration can help make your lawn healthier and reduce its maintenance requirements through these means: - Improved air exchange between the soil and atmosphere - Enhanced soil water uptake - Improved fertilizer uptake and use - Reduced water runoff and puddling - Stronger turfgrass roots
- Reduced soil compaction - Enhanced heat and drought stress tolerance - Improved resiliency and cushioning - Enhanced thatch break down Lawn Fertilization is important because your lawn needs fertilization just as much as it needs sunshine and water. Grass needs these things to be healthy and green but don’t forget to feed it too! Fertilizer replaces and replenishes all the essentials in order to give your lawn a great look. Watering is vital to the life of your lawn. Cool temperatures make for better water retention when watering. With this in mind, the best time of day to water your lawn is in the early hours of the morning say around 4 or 5 am. The ground is at its coolest and can absorb the water best. If you water during the afternoon the sun is high and hot, the water will evaporate before soaking into the ground. Watering in the evening is not recommended unless absolutely necessary as the ground is still hot and not all of the water will soak in before evaporating Let B&L Lawn & Home Maintenance Ltd. take care of your lawn care needs including the mowing and trimming so all your family has to do is enjoy. We can even offer you tips and advice on keeping your lawn in top shape between treatments.
Copy Works CONNECTION
11
Cypress View Veterinary Clinic was established over 40 years ago. Even in our early beginnings the goal has always been to provide care for your pets that we can take pride in.
M
any things have changed since the beginning but the goal is still the same. We strive to be the best at what we do, forming bonds with our client and patients all while maintaining a great place to for our staff to work. Cypress View is a small animal practice focused on care for Cats and Dogs. We offer a wide variety of services to existing and new clients. Including but not limited to preventative care, elective surgery, orthopedic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, ophthalmic surgery, diagnostic services including radiology, laboratory, and pathology, ultrasound, rehabilitation, dental services, nutrition counselling, weight loss counselling, and exportation assistance. Cypress View moved our focus to strictly small animal 5 years ago and since then have begun expanding to better suit our patients’ needs. Our state of the art rehabilitation centre, including an underwater treadmill, has been changing the lives of many pets in the Medicine Hat and surrounding area. We now have two veterinarians with rehabilitation certification as well as
12
Copy Works CONNECTION
two certified rehabilitation assistants. We have really enjoyed the changes we have been able to make in injured, aged, ov e r w e i g ht , athletic, competing, and working dogs. The rehabilitation facility houses the underwater treadmill, laser, and of course our rehab team that will work on a treatment plan made specifically for your pet. Surgery has also become a large part of our veterinary practice with our growing team forever learning about new and improved procedures. We offer a variety of surgical services and are so proud of the work we do that we have a day in the life of a surgery patient album on our website. Laparoscopic surgery has given www.digitalcopyworks.com
us greater potential with allowing minimal invasiveness for large procedures such as dog spays and prophylactic gastropexy. We also use the same equipment and training for scoping for diagnostic procedures. Aside from this procedure we offer additional orthopaedic procedures that was previously only available in larger centers. Surgery at Cypress View ranges from electives to emergencies. The large team of veterinarians has allowed each Dr. to find their surgical strong point and work towards offering services with continuing education and other additional learning opportunities. We also offer preventative care in order to keep your pet in top condition throughout the years. Preventative visits address everything from vaccination against common diseases, and an examination from nose to tail. Items such as dental care, skin care, and nutrition are common topics
during these visits. This is also a great time to have any questions answered about your pet answered by your veterinary team. Our team is forever expanding and we now employ 7 veterinarians, 10 registered technicians, and 11 support staff. We all take pride in the community that has embraced us and love giving back whenever we can. Our team can be found at local pet events hosting hydration and first aid booths, or microchipping clinics with all proceeds going to local rescue, and in recent years holiday photo shoots with local pet photographer Emma Bennet, again with all proceeds going to local groups and our SPCA. We also enjoy getting out in the community for fun as a group in local runs and taking part in the Medicine Hat Stampede for the last 4 years with no intention of stopping.
2458 - 9th Ave SW 24hr ON CALL EMERGENCY Available Medicine Hat, AB We're Social! FindFind us onus on We're Social! @cypressviewvet and Ph: 403-527-1825 Download our free app from the iStore and Google Play. Fx: 403-526-1091 www.cypressviewvet.ca
Mon/Wed/Fri 8-5 Tues/Thurs 8-7 Sat 9-12 Works CONNECTION Copy WorksCopy CONNECTION Issue 11/17 13 17
NOW OFFERING - K9 REHABILITATION THERAPY TREATMENTS
Pet Heaven Memorial Gardens and Crematorium Ltd.
Contact
(403)526-0747 or (403) 502-1930 Established in 1988, Pet Heaven Memorial Gardens and Crematorium is a family owned and operated business.
T
hroughout the Medicine Hat and surrounding area’s veterinarian clinics, we offer cremations of your beloved pets. All arrangements can be made through your veterinarian clinic. Over the last 27 years, we have established a close working relationship with this clinic to help pet owners during this distressing time. Located just twenty minutes outside of Medicine Hat in Cypress County,
we also provide burials of your beloved pet. Burials are completed in a park like setting, where owners may visit grave sites. If you choose to cremate, we offer a variety of beautiful urns to keep your pet’s remains. Your veterinarian clinic will provide you with a list of prices depending upon the size of your pet and the choice of keepsake urn.
Copy Works CONNECTION
15
Consider this: 68% of customers who experience poor customer service will not come back, and most who leave do not take the time to provide their feedback after having a bad experience.
elsewhere, they will. Growing competition means you need to deliver excellent customer service. Excellent customer service will lead to improved customer satisfaction, long-term customer retention and loyalty.
Whether customer service is a key part of your business or not, customer experience can spread like wild fire and proliferate through social media discussions that can point back to your business reputation.
Develop a customer service plan and train your staff. Ensure you have a customer service plan and build on that customer service culture. The customer service plan should be clearly communicated to your staff, and its importance upheld within all departments. Identify opportunities to talk about customer service excellence with your team and share stories of positive and negative feedback with the intention to learn from these and then make adjustments if necessary. If your customer takes the time to give excellent feedback, take the time to
The fact that your customers may be talking about your customer service is reason enough to invest or re-invest in your customer service programs. Let’s face it. People have more choices and options. If you give your customer or client a reason to go 16
Copy Works CONNECTION
www.digitalcopyworks.com
celebrate those wins with your team. Describe the ideal experience for your customer. Does your team know what that ideal experience should look like? Try to move your customer service level from average to excellent. What are the things that you need to change to make your service level great? Seek and obtain customer feedback. Listen to your customers and hear what they are saying about your products or services. You can begin to rewrite a poor customer service experience immediately by ensuring your customer feels acknowledged and heard. Take time to review customer feedback carefully because it will likely contain some key ideas to help your business. If your customer is saying that line ups are too long, it might be time to add another cash register in your store. If you do not have a plan to capture and monitor feedback, you might be missing some important information to help your business grow. Evaluate customer feedback regularly and show your team how to respond.
get quick resolution are likely to feel good about their interaction and tell a positive story about your business. Thinking about the next conversation your customer might have after dealing with your business is an important part of every transaction. Will they tell others about a great experience or a poor experience? Is their story about their experience driving business towards you or away from you? A well implemented customer service plan is an accessible investment for all business owners and can offer a key competitive advantage. Community Futures Entre-Corp has been supporting small business since 1988. We provide entrepreneur training to provide the tools and guidance you need to run your business. For more information about our programs, please call Community Futures at 403-528- 2824.
Deal with customer service complaints quickly and take action to resolve them. Customers who complain and
Elizabeth Blair is the regional innovation network coordinator for APEX. APEX supports the growth of innovative and technologically-oriented businesses in Southeast Alberta. APEX is a collaborative initiative between three core service providers: Community Futures Entre-Corp, Medicine Hat College and Alberta Innovates. Copy Works CONNECTION
17
The clock is still working, but we are running out of time. Part II describes some obvious ways of how we use time and waste it. All of us are unavoidably living a constant fight against time, and always being too early or too late for appointments and work. We are traditionally driven by a routine time table. Twice a day "rush hour", except for a selective few whose work term is split into 3 shifts a day. Most of us prefer to move into large cities, to find a job, get married, buy a house in a neatly established suburban area, and live happily ever after. Great idea on paper, however most of us have become confirmed commuters, which means long travel times.
When middle age is reached, the kids are grown up, the family has two cars, with 3 times as many activities to attend. The local bus route is fine for short distances, and the light rail line is not within easy reach, not yet - maybe one day.
Operating costs for a family with two cars has gone through the roof. This does not take care of the unexpected situations, as time lost in travel, highway accidents, or bad weather. Mobility of suburban living has caused nothing but waste, in every respect. There is a new age of baby boomers on retirement, coupled with the empty nesters, just waiting to find a new place to live.
However there is still outstanding issues with carbon tax, clean air, and climate control. This would focus on all vehicles using gasoline, diesel oil. jet fuel, and could also include machines using propane gas. Enter the new age of manufacturing automated traffic control and clean cars. This would result in the largest change to our mobility and safety since the beginning of the Twentieth Century. It would also minimize and cut down dramatically the number of accidents, save many lives, and reduce costs to both individuals and health systems alike. Add to this if cars were electrically driven, the chance of a burning fuel tank in an accident would be eliminated.
For them, consolidation, save costs, and move back into downtown where all the amenities are. For seniors over age 65, means massive amounts of free time to join clubs, do hobbies, and travel far and wide. "It's Only a Matter of Time" Now that major cities, have for the most part prevented building expressways, it's time to build light rail systems.
“Enjoy Canada in Copy 2018� Works CONNECTION
21
Copy Works CONNECTION Issue 08/17 23
22 Copy Works CONNECTION
?
BUYING or
SELLING
路 Good Market for Good Homes!
路 Interest Rates are at a Record Low! 路 Great Time to Upgrade! 路 Excellent Time for First Time Buyers!
CALL TODAY! 403.528.7563
JIM DOUGLAS Realtor jimdouglas@royallepage.ca
Copy Works CONNECTION
23
Present this ad to receive
$8.00 OFF ANY SERVICE
403.528.4356 3215 Dunmore Road SE Behind Earl’s Restaurant
Mr. Kim Schick Owner/Operator
NO APPOINTMENTS NEEDED
24
Copy Works CONNECTION
www.digitalcopyworks.com