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The curling season is in full swing at the Crowsnest Pass Sports Complex with weekly leagues and several bonspiels on the horizon. The Miners’ Spiel is on Jan. 31, the Lumbermen’s Bonspiel is March 7 to 9, the Shamrock Mixed Bonspiel is March 14 to 16 and this year’s Bunny Bonspiel will be April 17 to 20. Hurry hard! Photo by J. MacFarlane
Health system not working, says local physician By Joni MacFarlane Editor
President of the Alberta Medical Association and local physician, Dr. Allan Garbutt, took to the airwaves recently to comment on a Calgary surgeon’s decision to opt out of the public healthcare system. This is the first time in Alberta that a surgeon has taken such a step. On Dec. 24, Garbutt was interviewed on CBC Radio’s Eyeopener program to talk about Dr. Robert Hollinshead who said he was frustrated by increasing wait times and a government unwilling to fund the system. “If the public system isn’t prepared to step up for Canadians and provide the resources so they can get timely access, then maybe we have to have an adult discussion about considering other op-
tions,” said Hollinshead. Past president of the Alberta Medical Association and former clinical chief of orthopedics in Calgary, Hollinshead said too many young surgeons can’t find work in the province while patients are waiting months, and sometimes years, for surgeries because the government isn’t properly funding the public system. The move should spark a discussion with the government that the current system isn’t working, Garbutt said. “I do know that all of the doctors in Alberta, and I mean all the doctors in Alberta, are concerned about wait lists, access to the patient, lack of services, and things of that nature,” he said to interviewer David Gray. Garbutt said Hollinshead’s decision sends a message that “the current system is not delivering the access, the care, the speed, that Albertans
want and need... it’s just not the way things should work”. Garbutt said AMA would like to sit down with the government, Alberta Health Services and anyone with good ideas to find solutions. Cautious not to endorse or oppose the surgeon’s decision, Garbutt said the move highlights that doing things in the same way has failed. Although infrastructure exists, he added, the system is inefficient. Operating rooms sit empty while surgeons sit idle and patients suffer. The decision to opt out of the public healthcare system, he believes, was meant to provoke a discussion that would lead to solutions. “We’re in favour of working with the government, working with Alberta Health Services and getting a better system in place so that patients get better care, quicker, and the government gets to save some money in the process,” said Garbutt.
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Thursday, January 9, 2014 Crowsnest Pass Free Press
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The Alberta Whitewater Association proposes to reposition rocks and remove gravel from the Crowsnest River upstream from the Blairmore east access. Photo by J. MacFarlane By Joni MacFarlane Editor
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A request by the Alberta Whitewater Association to dredge part of the Crowsnest River and move rocks has received municipal support. Executive Director Chuck Lee wrote to the municipality requesting support for the work in order to get permission from federal and provincial government authorities. His letter stated that with damage to the kayaking club’s slalom site near Pincher Creek, the Blairmore site is the only “workable training” area nearby. However, a lot of rocks and gravel have filled in the channel, said Lee, and
the river has become unnavigable during most of the season with boats scraping along the bottom. The organization proposes to “bring in an excavator and a rock truck from Highway 3 during the spring fish window in April. “The equipment would move upstream from the East Blairmore entrance removing extra gravel from the river bed that has silted in the deeper parts of the main channel and the backwater eddies,” said the letter. “Rocks that create the eddies and drops that have been tumbled into non-alignment would be repositioned so that they are performing as per the original design. We would endeavour to deepen the channel and move the rocks
so that the flood capacity of the channel is increased and the bank reinforced to prevent erosion.” Alberta Whitewater Association requires approval from Alberta Environment as well as Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Their work would also be reviewed by Alberta Environment River Engineering Division, said Lee. “We are confident that our work will enhance flood capacity and bank stability for the next 25 years,” stated the letter. Council was told that the Director of Planning, Engineering and Operations Frank Besinger, has been working with the kayaking club on their initiative.
Heritage inventory project proceeds By Joni MacFarlane Editor
Now that the heritage inventory project in Coleman is complete, the Municipal Heritage Board is looking towards an inventory of other historical sites in the Crowsnest Pass. Development Officer Ken Bourdeau and Fred Bradley with the Municipal Historic Resources Board presented council with an overview of the project and asked for support for the remainder on Dec. 10. Phase One included Coleman’s National Historic Site and surrounding hamlets west to the B.C. border. Phase Two will look at the historic communities of Blairmore and Frank and the Third Phase focuses on Bellevue, Hillcrest, and Passburg east to the M.D. of Pincher Creek, said Bradley. To begin with, the Municipal Heritage Board identified about 80 potential sites in Coleman for inclusion in the inventory, Bradley said. This was narrowed down to a total of 30 individual sites and 10 buildings at the Coleman Collieries that underwent exhaustive research necessary to obtain municipal heritage designation, he added.
Community Design Strategies was retained for the project with extensive assistance from local volunteers, said Bradley. A total of three open houses were held to explain the project and receive input from the community and property owners. Copies of the exhaustive survey conducted on each site were given to the municipal heritage board and the province. Property owners were also sent a letter with an evaluation of the site and a Statement of Significance. Owners can approach the board to work towards heritage designation that would allow them to access grants to repair or rehabilitate their building. Bradley said there were a number of successes that “truly speak to the commitment of the community in conserving its unique heritage, and eager to learn the process for future phases”. Challenges include the need to educate building owners about the positive impacts of having a historical designation. Municipally designated buildings may receive up to $50,000 in each application year for rehabilitation work, Bradley told council.
He recommended the municipality proceed to Phases Two and Three over the next two years. “The application has gone forward and the board is desirous to have that consultant put in place and to get the process launched as quickly as possible.” He said there are 80 tentative structures in Blairmore and Frank but it would likely be narrowed down to a minimum of 30 sites. Buildings and sites must be over 50 years of age and could potentially include municipal structures. Bradley also told council an opportunity exists to rejoin the Alberta Main Street Program (AMSP). This program provides funding and expertise to municipalities to help restore the historic integrity and architectural character to traditional main streets across Alberta. Council was asked for support for continuance of the project. Bradley said the process for Phase Two was already underway and as the project proceeds, the board will come to council for support for Phase Three. The municipality budgeted a total of $15,000 per year in their previous triennial budget, he added.
Crowsnest Pass Free Press Thursday, January 9, 2014
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Municipal entranceway signs forge ahead By Joni MacFarlane Editor
Continuing debate about the municipality’s new entranceway signs, some council members agreed they may not support the signs, but they are a “legacy” issue inherited from previous council and need to go ahead. Council received a letter from the Crowsnest Pass Ratepayers Association regarding concerns about installation of the new entranceway signs into the municipality. New president of the Ratepayers, Ed Strembicki, wrote that although they understand money has been spent, “nothing is impossible and as mayor and council, you can take action to temporarily halt or stop completely the installation of the new signs”. Four options were presented to council: stop the installation, solicit public input, leave the old signs, or go
ahead with new signs but consider alterations in the future. Myron Thompson, chief administrative officer, told council on Dec. 17 that the signs had already been constructed and will be installed in midJanuary. “This was a project that was identified in the strategic action plan. Previous council had wanted these installed prior to the tourist season. The process took longer than that,” he said. Some council members expressed interest in considering the Ratepayers’ fourth option – that of looking at the signs at a future date to consider “something that reflects more of our community and its heritage”. Councillor Dean Ward said he agreed with considering future changes and that although he personally did not care for the signs, council was committed at this point. “As I heard for the last year,
previous council were faced with legacy issues, and I guess this is one of ours,” said Councillor Ward. “In some ways we may not all love this thing and not be keen about it, but commitments were made, contracts were signed, monies were spent.” Councillor Marlene Anctil asked if there were any plans to remove the old signs. She said she’s received numerous calls from volunteers who were interested in repairing and maintaining the eastern structure as a sign of the area’s heritage. Thompson also said there were no immediate plans to remove the old structures and council can determine whether to leave them standing or not. Councillor Doreen Glavin also pointed out that some banners were tearing or completely torn off the poles. Thompson said the banners are covered under warranty and will be inspected and replaced.
Flood recovery work awaits approvals By Joni MacFarlane Editor A total of 27 sites within the municipality have been identified for repairs from the June flood event, but no work can begin until further approvals are received from the province. Chief Administrative Officer, Myron Thompson, told council on Dec. 17 that all applications have been submitted but they’re waiting for approvals under the Water Act and Public land Act. Two separate programs are at work for sites damaged by the floods. First is the Disaster Recovery Program which has targeted a total of $1.862 million for repairs within the municipality . The only site that has received necessary approvals is Tent Mountain Road. The second program is the Flood Recovery Erosion Control program which has targeted nine priority areas that are also awaiting approvals from the province. Funds under this program total $2.4 million for the follow-
vert upsize; • Star Creek: Willow Dr. Crossing, road repair; • Crowsnest Creek: Tent Mountain Rd, erosion control. Thompson told council Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resource Development (ESRD) have said that the applications are receiving top priority and funds will be deposited into the municipality’s bank account. “Administration is doing everything possible to ensure the completion of in stream works well in advance of another high water event that may have potential to cause further damage to municipal structures and lands,” said Thompson. Upon further disDozens of sites within the municipality and the backcountry have cussion, it was emphasized been identified for repairs after the June flooding. Work is delayed that there are no definitive timelines on when all the while officials waiting for government approvals. necessary approvals will be Submitted photo received or when the work will begin. Thompson also ing sites: dential, erosion control; • Lyons Creek: erosion con• Drum Creek: 6th added there is still no word from ESRD for recovery to trol and log jam removal; Ave. Bridge replacement; • Drum Creek: Coke & Coal • Blairmore Creek: Hospital, backcountry trails and infrastructures. The province Park through upstream of erosion control; 4th Ave. Erosion control; • Byron Creek: erosion con- has approved $10 million for backcountry flood repairs. • Drum Creek: east of Coke trol; & Coal Park through resi- • East Hillcrest Drive: cul-
COMMUNITY CALENDAR JANUARY 11 – Crowsnest Consolidated High School will holds its 2014 bottle drive on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. If you are not home and would like your bottles picked up, please leave them outside and clearly marked. If you would like to donate your bottles before or after Jan. 11, please call CCHS at 403-563-5651 and
we will gladly arrange a time for pick up. JANUARY 13 - Metis Nation monthly meeting to take place Monday, Jan. 13 at the Provincial building in Pincher Creek at 7 p.m. Please use east side entrance. FEBRUARY 7-8 – Red Cross Babysitting Course targets youth ages 11-15
who are planning to start babysitting. It introduces basic first aid and how to respond to emergency situations, explains basic baby and child care and offers advice on becoming a responsible babysitter. The course runs Friday 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register, call Tracey at 403-5628833. Cost is $20 and includes lunch both days. Sponsored by Crowsnest Pass Community Services and FCSS.
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Thursday, January 9, 2014 Crowsnest Pass Free Press
Opinion
Phone: 250-509-0177 Email: publisher@cnpfreepress.ca For news tips, community, sporting and other events, please contact Joni MacFarlane at 403-563-7725 or email: joni.macfar@gmail.com
New year, new rules
Every year with the flip of a calendar page, Canadians welcome in a few new rules government leaders believe will make our world a better place. A couple are highlighted below that may or may not affect your daily living. First, starting on Jan. 1, Canadians said goodbye to old-fashioned lightbulbs. Yes, this is the same government that fast-tracks pipelines over environmental impacts, is the undisputed winner of the annual Colossol Fossil Award for inaction on climate change initiatives, and has all but muzzled federal scientists. Having seen the light however, the federal government has decided Canadians will no longer be able to buy incandescent light bulbs and instead are forced to buy compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LED) bulbs, which tend to cost more than the old-fashioned types. While retailers can still sell incandescent bulbs left on their shelves, manufacturers will no longer supply Canadian stores with them. Take that global warming! Ushering in the new year, we can also say goodbye to foreign strippers. The new rules are part of an ongoing reform of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program that puts the responsibility on employers to show why they need to hire temporary foreign workers over Canadian employees. The government will no longer approve labour market opinion applications from employers looking to hire foreign workers in the sex trade industry. The new rules are intended to protect vulnerable foreign workers such as strippers, erotic dancers, and those hired to work in the escort services or erotic massages industry. I can see Canadian girls lining up to fill those jobs. Finally, Canadian businesses that hide sales to avoid paying tax using special software will be fined up to $50,000. Anyone caught using, selling or developing the software can be criminally charged. Happy New Year from your federal government. JLM The Crowsnest Pass Free Press welcomes letters to the editor that are of interest to our community. Whatever the subject, there are a few basic guidelines to follow before Crowsnest Pass Free Press will publish your comment. • Letters must be received by 4 p.m. Thursday for the following week’s paper. • One letter per person per month. • Letters should be typed or neatly written and present the issues as clearly as possible in 350 words or less. • All letters must contain the name, address and signature of the writer, and a phone number where they may be reached during business hours. • Anonymous letters will not be published and pen names may not be used, except in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the editor. • The editor reserves the right to edit for length, clarity or reject letters over matters of libel, legality, taste or style. Letters published do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy or belief of this newspaper.
Letters Put new entranceway signs on hold
Dear Editor, We would like to congratulate Ed Strembicki for assuming the presidency of the Crowsnest Pass Ratepayer’s Association. Also for their position on the question of the new signs at each end of the Crowsnest Pass. Rather than simply offering criticism, they have offered some realistic alternatives to the council’s decision to proceed with the signs approved by the former council. We feel that installing the
signs with the new “brand” would be an unpopular move, and an unwanted tribute to the old council which was so soundly defeated in the last election. We travel in and out of the Pass often, and do not look forward to looking at the new “brand” every time in the years to come. They will be symbols of the dictatorial actions of the past council. Do we need this as a reminder of how oppressed and manipulated we were? The suggestion that the signs be put on hold until the present council assesses the public’s feelings about them, we think is a good one. What’s the hurry to put up signs that remind
CROWSNEST READS Crowsnest Reads is a new section in the Free Press that talks about what we’re reading and why. We will feature a few selections every week and hope many, many people in the community participate. If you would like to be included, please send a brief paragraph or two telling us what you’re reading and why you chose it, what you liked (or didn’t). Any and every genre goes – children’s books, non-fiction, biography, business, historical, how-to’s, self-help, graphic novels, romance, humour, whatever you’re into. Let’s talk about what we’re reading. Send your submissions to joni.macfar@gmail.com.
us every day of the previous mayor and council? Once they are up, they are going to be there for a long time. Also in holding some kind of poll, council would indicate to us that they really are willing to listen to what we the voters have to say. A simple “Yes” or “No” ballot could be placed in every mail box, and made available to everyone at very low cost, and would indicate to council how the voters feel. This new logo, we and many others feel, is NOT representative of the Pass, its history, or its culture. Why would we want to adopt it as our “welcome mat” to those coming here? Dick and Susan Burgman
DO YOU HAVE A PHOTO YOU THINK WE’D BE INTERESTED IN PUBLISHING? WE’D LOVE TO SEE IT! SEND PHOTOS TO: joni.macfar@gmail.com
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Published weekly each Thursday by The Crowsnest Pass Free Press, a division of Black Press Group Ltd. and distributed throughout the Crowsnest Pass. Free circulation, 1,700.
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Crowsnest Pass Free Press Thursday, January 9, 2014
Police briefs By Joni MacFarlane Editor
with a vehicle. The incident occurred sometime over the last 10 days.
Between Dec. 18 and Dec. 26, Crowsnest Pass RCMP responded to 44 calls for service. They included: Assaults: 2 Threats/Harassment: 1 Mischief: 1 Theft: 1 Impaired Driving: 2 Disturbing Peace: 1 Driving Complaints: 5 MV Collisions: 11 Suspicious Occurrences: 2 Assistance to General Public: 4 Assistance to Other Agencies: 1 False Alarms: 4 911 Calls (Invalid): 4 Animal Calls: 2 Prisoners Held: 2
Where’s there’s smoke… On Dec. 23 at 3:15 a.m., police responded to a report of a chimney fire in Coleman. Fire/Rescue and EMS were on scene. The occupants were treated for smoke inhalation.
Impaired I On Dec. 21 at midnight, during a Check Stop on Highway 3 in Frank, police saw a driver consume alcohol. The driver failed a roadside breath test and provided two breath samples, both over .08 percent mg. A 52-year-male from Lundbreck was charged with impaired driving. A court date was set for Jan. 7.
Mischief On Dec. 24 at midnight, police received a complaint of a disturbance at a residence. Police attended and found an intoxicated 18-year-old female from Lundbreck. She was arrested for mischief and taken to Pincher Creek detachment to stay overnight. No charges were laid.
Impaired II On Dec. 21 at 2 a.m., police observed a vehicle infraction and stopped the vehicle. The driver admitted he had a Graduated Drivers Licence and had been drinking. He failed the roadside breath test and provided two breath samples, both over .08 percent mg. A 26-year-old male from Crowsnest Pass was charged with impaired driving. A court date was set for Feb. 4. There is zero tolerance for liquor for drivers with a GDL. Hit & Run I On Dec. 21 at 2 p.m., police received a complaint of hit and run to a 2000 Chevy Trail Blazer parked in a parking lot in Blairmore. The incident occurred sometime during the night. Hit & Run II On Dec. 24 at 10:30 a.m., police received a complaint of hit and run to a 2006 Toyota Corolla parked on private property in Blairmore. The incident occurred sometime during the night. Hit & Run with a twist On Dec. 26 at 2 p.m., police received a complaint of hit and run to a building in Lundbreck. It appeared that someone had driven into the front side of the building
Assault On Dec. 21 at 2:15 p.m., police received a complaint of a disturbance at a Coleman residence. Police attended and charged a 27-year-old female from Coleman with assault, mischief, and overcoming resistance. She was released on cash bail and a court date was set for Jan. 21.
Between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2, Crowsnest Pass RCMP responded to 40 calls for service. They included: Assaults: 2 Threats/Harassment: 1 Theft: 2 Disturbing Peace: 2 Driving Complaints: 6 MV Collisions: 8 Suspicious Occurrences: 2 Assistance to General Public: 4 Assistance to Other Agencies: 6 False Alarms: 1 911 Calls (Invalid): 2 Animal Calls: 2 Municipal Bylaws: 1 Heard it in the wind On Dec. 27 at 10:30 a.m., police received a report of a collision on Highway 22 about 15 km north of Highway 3. A southbound cargo trailer that had blown across the highway struck a northbound vehicle. The driver of the northbound vehicle, a 48-year-old male from Calgary, was taken to hospital in Pincher Creek and later released. The cargo trailer also collided with another northbound vehicle. That same day at 12:35 p.m., police received a report of a semitruck that had completed rolled over and was blocking Highway 22 about 15 km north of Highway 3. Traffic was delayed while the trailer was removed. A second semi-trailer had rolled over
in the area shortly before. Extreme winds were to blame. Boxing Day heist On Dec. 26 at 6 p.m., police received a complaint of theft of cash from a purse that had been left in a shopping cart in the parking lot at a Blairmore grocery store. The owner of the purse returned to the store shortly after and the purse was returned to her – missing cash from the wallet. Phantom feline On Dec. 29 at 7 p.m., police received a report of a cougar lying in the westbound land of Highway 33 west of Coleman, possibly due to collision with a motor vehicle. Police and Fish & Wildlife attended and searched the area but no cougar was located. Road sledding On Dec. 28 at 2:40 p.m., police received a complaint of an OffHighway Vehicle pulling children on a sled on 19 Ave. Coleman. Under Municipal Bylaw, quads are not allowed on streets. Under the Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulations, it is unlawful to tow anyone riding a sled/toboggan with a motor vehicle. The driver of the quad was warned. No charges were laid. Bar theft On Dec. 30 at 12:20 p.m., police received a complaint of theft of a wallet from a purse from a tavern in Blairmore. The incident occurred on the evening of Dec. 26. Domestic assault On Jan. 1, police received a complaint of a domestic assault in Lundbreck. Police attended but the complainant had left the residence to avoid further confrontation prior to their arrival. The matter is under investigation. On the lookout On Jan. 1 at 11:40 a.m., police received a complaint of a driver smoking drugs via drug paraphernalia. The complainant reported a male and female, possibly in a rented vehicle, eastbound on Highway 3. A licence plate number was given. Surrounding detachments were advised and the matter is under investigation. Afraidy cat On Jan. 2 at 9:30 a.m., police received a complaint from a Coleman resident that someone had cancelled a veterinary appointment for her pet without her knowledge.
Rezoning of Passburg property begins By Joni MacFarlane Editor
A Passburg property passed the first hurdle for rezoning to allow for a wider variety of uses after years of numerous permits. Council voted to rezone the property on Highway 3 from C2 Drive-In Commercial to C1 Retail Commercial after a lengthy discussion on the technicality of past approv-
als.
Ken Bourdeau, development officer, told council that the revised land use would allow the owner a wider variety of permitted uses and allow future tenants to obtain business licences without first obtaining a development permit from the Municipal Planning Commission. Bourdeau said over the past 10 years, the property has been
the subject of numerous business permits including apartments, office/sales area, repair garage, and snowmobile/ATV related business. A retail store is now being considered which would be permitted under the revised land use bylaw. Normally, C1 is generally applied to properties in downtown cores of the municipality, said Bourdeau, but in this instance, admin-
istration recommended changing the zoning primarily because the historic use of the property has been C1 zone businesses. C o u n c i l agreed and approved first reading to rezone the property. They also waived the $750 rezoning application fee. A public hearing was held on Jan. 7 but details were not available as at press time.
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Thank You!
Thank You!
2013 Christmas Hamper Program Crowsnest Pass Family and Community Support Services would like to thank everyone who generously donated to the 2013 Christmas Hamper Program. This year FCSS and the Crowsnest Pass Food Bank provided 130 hampers to those in our community who were in need of a helping hand.
We are very thankful to everyone who volunteered their time and energy and supported us financially to make our annual Christmas Hamper Project a success!
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Thursday, January 9, 2014 Crowsnest Pass Free Press
Local hospitality shines in Costa Rica By Erin Fairhurst Submitted
with the race. Although it wouldn’t be a typical two-week vacation to Costa Rica, we were both excited about exploring
race year round in the Adventure Race World Series, and others like Andrew’s team who were “just” hoping to finish the nine-day race.
A trip to Costa Rica in itself is a pretty exciting thing to plan for, but when you are going because your husband is racing in the world Adventure Race Championships for two weeks, the excitement takes on a whole new level. Adventure Racing is a sport where teams of four must navigate a wilderness course, using a map and compass, to find checkpoints that have been laid out by the race organizers. Teams travel the course by trekking, mountain biking, and paddling their way through landscapes that are typically remote, always challenging and simultaneously beautiful and brutal – and they do it all with little to no sleep and just the food and supplies that they carry on their backs. When my husband Andrew was offered a spot to race on an Albertan team, he was both tempted and daunted by the task at hand. Having raced in Costa Rica before, he had fond memories, but this race in question was a nine-day expedi- Team Epic Endurance (L-R): Teresa Richeter of Red Deer, Andrew Fairhurst of Blairmore, Wayne Nytion race that promised to be the man of Calgary and Kelly Boyd of Grand Prairie. hardest race in recent Adventure Submitted photo Race history. Eventually, the lure of Costa Rica won us over, and The race was 813km, and took we both decided to head to the Adven- the country in a unique way. In total, 67 teams from over racers coast to coast and border to borture Race World Championships – he on one of three Canadian teams, Epic 20 countries were participating in the der within Costa Rica – they paddled Endurance, and myself as a volunteer race, some professional athletes who through mangrove swamps, trekked
through dense jungles and biked in both busy cities and on remote mountain roads. A memorable moment for Andrew’s team, was when one of his teammates had a collision with a motor bike while on a busy road. Luckily, no one was seriously injured, but the bike was seriously damaged – thanks to the helpful staff at a nearby hardware store, they were able to repair the bike with some hose clamps, a stove pipe and a lot of duct tape. For my part, travelling with the medical crew, I was often at remote check-points where news about the race was scarce, but tidbits would trickle in – we heard stories about farmers letting teams sleep on their land, families welcoming teams into their homes and offering food, and bystanders providing fresh water. When I finally saw Andrew and his team at the finish line in 31st place, 215 hours after the race had started, they were tired and grimy, but brimming with stories about their experiences of racing through Costa Rica and the kindness they had met along in the way. In fact, it became apparent as teams crossed the finish line that a common thread in their race story was that most of them would not have been able to cross the finish line had it not been for the generosity of strangers – one team had even borrowed a bike from a farmer. Although our trip to Costa Rica was not exactly relaxing, it was certainly an adventure and I would love to go back – this time however, I’d like to hit the beach!
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Crowsnest Pass Free Press Thursday, January 9, 2014
7
The elusive forest trout: seen only in Crowsnest Pass By Susan Douglas-Murray Submitted
My specialty is trout. So I was thrilled to spot the elusive Forest Trout on the United Riders of Crowsnest (UROC) multi-use trail beside the ski hill! You just never know what surprises await when you venture out on a trail. Happy Trails….how about steep, deep, winding, snow packed, groomed, muddy…our trails combine the vistas and challenges real Rocky Mountain enthusiasts crave. Biking, hiking, skiing, snow shoeing, sledding, walking, we are surrounded by trails. Groups such as CNP Quad Squad, Crowsnow Riders Snowmobile Association, UROC, CNP Cross-Country Ski Association, and the Walking Trails committee, have provided the Pass with a vast network of off road trails. The volunteer hours these groups have worked are staggering. The generous donations by many in our community keep flowing. Winter; the word sends many back to bed. Why not take a pair of snowshoes from deep in the basement and tromp the trails UROC have developed around the ski hill. The trail head begins opposite the water reservoir on the ski hill road. Park at Isabelle Sellon School and walk up to the reservoir. As the trail head at this moment isn’t marked, look for the tree “attached” to the reservoir. Directly opposite is the trail. This trail is used extensively by mountain bikers and hikers in the summer months, and clearly winter brings the snowshoers as there were tracks when we arrived. There are two main loops within this area. The larger loop leads you to an open meadow complete with outstanding
views.
The shorter route is nestled in the forest, a perfect hide out from Chinook winds. No motorized vehicles are allowed, so look forward to a peaceful walk through the forest. I don’t know who painted the two colourful Forest
a large parking lot. The trout hatchery is at the north end of the lot…what? more trout! This organization has done a superb job of laying such a vast network of trails that it’s unlikely to see another skier. Picnic spots, benches and a shelter
The elusive forest trout can be seen on trails above Pass Powderkeg Ski Hill. Photo by J. Redekopp Trout attached to fir trees; well done, a great addition to the system. Allison-Chinook Cross-Country ski trails offer beginner to expert groomed runs set within the natural basin between Tecumseh and Crowsnest Mountains. Follow Highway 3 west to the right turn at Chinook-Allison Road, turn left after the cattle guard and continue two kms to
hut can easily be located. There are many viewing spots with Crowsnest Mountain breathtakingly close. Trail maps are easy to find in this exquisite forest setting. Keep your eyes peeled for cross-country ski classes, races, and moose! Allison offers a true backcountry experience. A new dog-friendly trail is in the works and snowshoers have access
to set paths as outlined on the maps. The Quad Squad and Crowsnow Riders have worked together to provide an incredible number of vehicle use trails. Using forestry roads, power line alleys, and the existing forest paths, Crowsnow has made available the bowls and ridges of our surrounding mountains. Be prepared for incredible scenery and exciting sledding. There are kilometres of trails, groomed and managed with safety and the environment in mind. Routes to the staging areas are posted throughout the community. Crowsnow Riders have designed a unique mountain experience enjoyed by many Albertans. This volunteer group has been operating for a long time and it shows. The trail system is vast on both the north and south sides of Highway 3. Crowsnow Riders have maps available at Coleman’s Husky gas station and online. Check out their site for further information. Each organization has designed their trails with the view to create a superb get-away while keeping nature at the forefront. Their members are informed and practice proactive management of their trail systems by conferring with the province, the Municipality, and by researching other region’s mistakes and strengths in trail development. Trail maps can be downloaded by visiting web pages, or picked up at the Municipal office. Allison-Chinook CrossCountry maps are posted throughout the trail system and are also offered online. Visit crowsnow.org, allisonwonderlands. ca or uroc.ca. So dust off your grandpa’s old equipment and be up close and personal on a trail to somewhere. Moose anyone?
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Crowsnest Pass Sports Complex, Coleman, AB
Despite a valiant effort, Novice Thunder #2 beat Novice Thunder #1 at a Crowsnest Pass Minor Hockey tournament last weekend. Another tournament is scheduled for Jan. 25-26 Photo by J. MacFarlane
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8
Thursday, January 9, 2014 Crowsnest Pass Free Press
Club record broken at indoor track meet By Ritch Braun Submitted
Four Passtrak athletes attended the Dino Classic indoor track meet at the University of Calgary on Jan. 4 where they competed in a total of 11 events. Mosese Ratudradra had three races in the 11-year-old boy’s age group. He finished fifth in the 150 metres in 31.73 seconds and fourth in both the 60 metres and 600 metres with times of 11.79 seconds and 2:55.40 respectively. Tim Jorgensen ran the same three distances but in the 12-year-old boy’s group. He placed 10th in the 60 metres in 9.69 seconds, ninth in the 150 metres in 24.26 seconds and eighth in the 600 metres in 2:21.12.
Alice Murray competed in the sprints only in the 12-yearold girl’s division. She finished sixth in the 150 metres with a 24.98 second clocking. Her time of 9.76 seconds in the 60-metres crushed her previous best time by over 6/10’s of a second and earned her a third place ribbon. Alisi Ratudradra represented Passtrak in three of the 15-year-old girl’s races. She placed fourth in the 60 metres in 8.65 seconds then moved up one spot to third in the 60 metre hurdles in 10.82 seconds. Her third event was the 600 metres where she ran away from her competitors in 1:46.74 for first place and a lifetime best performance. That time also broke a 12-year Passtrak club record by eight seconds.
The Food Bank Needs Your Help!
Please drop off your donations at our location on 20th Avenue
Mon. & Wed., 5-7 pm., Thurs. 11am-2pm (closed Tues.) (403)564-5110
Thank you for your support
While much of the country is suffering from extreme cold, record snowfalls and power outages, the Crowsnest Pass has seen high winds and seasonal temperatures. Plenty of sunshine has brought magnificent sunrises on the mountains. Photo by J. MacFarlane
Printer 101 from Mountain Ink Question: I’m looking at buying a new printer and although I have always used inkjet printers, I am wondering if I should upgrade to a laser printer. Can you help me decide? Inkjet VS Laser Printers Inkjet printing creates a digital image by dropping spots of ink onto paper; laser printers produce digital images by scanning a laser beam across photoreceptors. So which is better? It depends. Thanks to easy availability and low startup costs, most households today use inkjet printers for their everyday printing. But laser printers — even color models — are now becoming available at prices and sizes suitable for a home or small office. To figure out if you should make the jump to laser, you need to analyze your printer usage.
Inkjet Printers PROS: • Great for photos and image-heavy documents. Inkjet printers do a better job of blending smooth colors than laser printers. • Inkjet printers have a low start-up cost. Printers are less expensive than laser printers and inkjet ink cartridges are cheaper than toner cartridges. • Inkjets can print onto many types of paper, including glossy photo paper, textured stationery and even some fabrics. • Almost no warm-up time is needed before printing. • Inkjet cartridges can be refilled and reused and are available as compatibles, cutting down on waste and saving money. • Inkjet printers tend to be smaller, lighter and easier to maintain than laser printers. CONS: • Inkjet ink can be expensive. • Inkjet ink is water-based, so prints are susceptible to water damage and fading. • Ink cartridges need frequent cleaning. Although printers perform this maintenance automatically, it wastes lots of ink. • Inkjet printers are getting faster, but are still very slow compared to laser printing. High volumes are a challenge with inkjets. • Some inkjet printers will produce gray, fuzzy text if printing on plain office paper. • Inkjet printers for home use have low-capacity paper trays of around 50-100 sheets. Output trays are nearly nonexistent. This might be a
problem if you print a lot.
Laser Printers PROS: • Laser printers can print faster than inkjet printers. It won’t matter much if you print a few pages at a time, but high volume users will notice a huge difference. • Laser printers produce perfect sharp black text. If your print jobs are mostly text with occasional graphics, laser is the way to go. Laser printers also handle small fonts and fine lines far better than inkjet. • Laser printers are better prepared to handle high-volume print jobs. • Price-by-price comparisons favor laser printers over inkjet printers for documents that aren’t graphically complex. Although they’re more expensive, laser toner cartridges print more sheets relative to their cost than inkjet cartridges and are less wasteful. CONS: • Although laser printers work faster, they take time to warm-up. • Although toner is cheaper in the long run, upfront costs for laser printing are more. • Laser printers can’t handle a variety of paper or printing materials like inkjets. Anything heat-sensitive cannot be run through them. • Home laser printers can handle simple graphics, but smooth photographs are a challenge. If you want to print photos, go for inkjet. • There are some compact laser printers on the market, but in general, laser printers are bigger and heavier than their inkjet counterparts. Deciding on inkjet vs. laser printing comes down to what you want to print and how much of it. Small, image-heavy workloads, like family photos and school projects, are better suited to lightweight and low-cost inkjet printing. But if you handle heavy volumes of text-based documents in your home office, a laser printer is a more economical choice for the long run. Mountain Ink is your local supplier of printer equipment, brand name & compatible ink & toner cartridges, office supplies and fax, copy and printing services. For more information on inkjet & laser printers or if you have a question or specific topic you would like discussed contact MJ sales@ mountainink.ca, 403.564.4303, find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter.
Crowsnest Pass Free Press Thursday, January 9, 2014
9
MONEY
MANAGEMENT The basics of property tax (MS) Paying property taxes is a necessary side effect of home ownership. Across the United States and Canada, residents are required to pay property taxes based on an assessment of their homes’ value. Taxes on land and the buildings on it are one of the biggest sources of revenue for local governments. In Canada, property taxes, or milliage taxes, are levied by the jurisdiction in which the property is located. They may be paid to a federated state or a municipality or the national government. Sometimes multiple jurisdictions may tax the same property. Although the taxes are mandated by a higher governing power, the rate at which you pay taxes could be based on a very local assessment of
the area in which your house is located and the current market conditions. An assessor will visit a home -- usually prior to purchase -- and make a determination on the p e rc e n t ag e of tax to be paid depending on the condition of the home, the improvements that have been made and the climate of the economy in your particular town or city. Property taxes are usually calculated by taking the assessed value of your home and multiplying it by the tax rate that has been determined by
your local government. While no one can “legally” escape paying property taxes, there are several ways to have them lowered. Getting your home re-assessed is one such way. Individuals who have reached a certain age
may be eligible for certain discounts on property taxes. But this may require a very low income to qualify. There are also some tax credits or homestead exemptions that may qualify you for a limited assessed value on the property. In this tough
economy, lowering property taxes (which are generally rolled into the mortgage amount for ease of payment) could s u b s t a n t i a l ly reduce bills. If you suspect your property taxes are high, here are the steps to take. * Get a copy of your property tax assessment from the local assessor’s office and doublecheck all the infor mation contained to see if it is correct. * Check the assessments of five comparable homes that have sold in your neighborhood in the last three years. * An independent appraiser can also provide you accurate information at a cost. Make sure he or she is licensed with
the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers or by the American Society of Appraisers. * It’s not possible to lower the property tax rate, just the assessed value of the home through an official appeal. There may be fees associated with this appeal, however. Some home improvements will increase the value of your home and, in turn, your property taxes. Here are some of the most common culprits: - extra stories to the home; - outhouses, like a guest house; -sports courts, like tennis; -installation of an inground pool; -improvements to fencing; -addition of a garage or another room on the home. A change in the status of a neighborhood can also give rise to higher property taxes. An influx of new residents or new construction of stores and homes can have a major effect on the assessed value of your home.
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Thursday, January 9, 2014 Crowsnest Pass Free Press
MONEY
MANAGEMENT
Financial Focus
Ready…Set….GO
Well another year has passed and I’d like to think that most Canadians have started 2014 by spending more time planning for their retirements but recent studies have proven me wrong once again. Given that the average person spends more time planning their annual vacation than planning for their futures it would seem we’re still a long way off from realizing the importance of taking charge of our futures. In light of all the recent media attention regarding concerns about Canadian Social Security benefits and the shortfall in the average Canadians’ retirement savings, it would seem that we are bound and determined to fail. Just in the past few months there have been numerous calls by government opposition members and lobby groups to overhaul the Canada Pension Plan system so Canadians will have more money in their retirement years. The reason why the current government and any future governments won’t do anything is a simple matter of mathematics. The math is pretty simple given the large group of baby boomers that are entering their retirement years and the situation will get even worse. The reality is that no amount of increase in CPP contributions by employers or employees will make up for current shortfalls in funding that we now have. In 2011 the estimated percentage of our population 65 years old was 14.4 per cent. This will grow to 18.7 per cent by 2021 and 23.4 per cent by 2031. You could double or triple contributions to
CPP and you would still never come close to eliminating the deficit we have now. The bottom line is that we have to start taking care of ourselves and stop relying on government or employers. The Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security were never meant to be our primary source of retirement income as the intent was to provide a supplement to our personal retirement savings. According to the last RBC Myths and Reality poll in 2012, a full 41 per cent of retirements are unplanned and 39 per cent of retirees returning to work do so because they’re bored not because they need the money. Given these results there would seem to be a disconnect between reality and myth. It would appear that retirees returning to work are doing so more for social interaction and not for the money. So given the New Year and a new opportunity to start the year off on a positive note, I wonder how many Canadians made a resolution to start 2014 by taking charge of their retirement needs and implementing the steps necessary to gain control over their own futures? Remember CPP and OAS are supplements and are not intended to be our only source of retirement income. So it’s now 2014. Ready….Set….PLAN. Patrick B. Sager CFP, CLU, EPC is a Certified Financial Planner with IPC Investments Ltd and specializes in Retirement, Investment and Tax Minimization Strategies. If you have any comments, questions or would like additional information, you can contact Patrick directly at (403)753-0020 or by email at psager@ipcc.org. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of IPC Investments or The Crowsnest Pass Free Press.
Your days of feeling small are over. And sometimes that’s how the big banks make you feel. Not so with Investment Planning Counsel. We’re a team, dedicated to helping you create a solid financial strategy. We take extra care to ensure we understand your needs and goals, and take pride in developing a one-on-one relationship with you. Our unique process helps our valued clients to customize a long-term strategy to their personal objectives. As their circumstances change over time, we monitor their plan to keep it on target.
For more information or a free consultation, contact:
Patrick B Sager, CFP®, CLU, EPC Senior Financial Planner
Tel: 403-753-0020 Email: psager@ipcc.org 2nd Floor, 12707-20th Ave. Blairmore, AB T0K 0E0
How to manage personal debt (MS) As if anyone needs their memory jogged, debt is a substantial problem for men and women living in fully developed countries. In Canada, an early 2011 report from the Vanier Institute of the Family suggested the debt-to-income ratio for the average Canadian family was 150 percent, which means that for every $1,000 a Canadian family earns, it owes $1,500. What these figures illustrate is that even the most financially savvy debtor may be in a precarious position, one that, should an unforeseen layoff or medical emergency occur, could turn disastrous in a relatively short period of time. As a result, an individual’s ability to manage personal debt is of paramount importance, and the following tips can help men and women walking a financial tightrope address their debt in a way that might help them get back on their financial feet. * Eliminate bad debt. Not all debt is bad, but credit card debt is rarely good. Card holders with substantial credit card debt should contact their companies as soon as possible to see if the company is willing to work with them on a repayment plan. This is more prudent than declaring for bankruptcy, which will negatively impact an individual’s credit score for years to come. Companies are often willing to work with card holders about repayment plans that make it easier to pay down debt. But once an agreement is made, card holders must make meeting the terms of that agreement their top priority. * Stop accruing bad debt. Using a card wisely is the key to
avoiding unnecessary debt. When using credit cards, do not use them for everyday purchases like groceries or movie tickets. This type of credit card usage is habit forming, and it’s very easy for card holders to quickly amass a large balance on their accounts for items they could just as easily could have paid for with cash. Keep in mind interest will be charged on all balances not paid in full each month, so don’t make that cup of coffee or that pair of movie tickets cost even more by adding interest to the overall cost. * Pay down high-interest debts first. Always work to pay down high-interest debt first while paying a little more than the minimum on low-interest debt. If a car loan came with an especially high interest rate (hint: borrowers whose down payment on a car loan was small or nonexistent are likely saddled with a high-interest loan), work to pay down that balance as much as possible. Something as simple as paying an extra $25 per month on a $200 per month car payment can reduce the length of time it takes to pay off that loan considerably. Once a high-interest debt is paid off, move on to the debt with the next highest interest rate. * Stop paying the bare minimum. Paying just the minimum will barely cover the interest. That means the principal will hardly disappear, and the debt will be a seemingly impossible obstacle to overcome. Pay more than the bare minimum each month, even if it means making sacrifices elsewhere. * Avoid borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. Transferring balances from a high-interest card to a low-interest card is one thing, but borrowing against property or a retirement savings account is playing with fire.
Crowsnest Pass Free Press Thursday, January 9, 2014
11
MONEY
MANAGEMENT
Tips to investing in RRSPs By Michel Collings, CFP Laurie, Kenna & Associates Financials Services LTD. Let’s start with an obvious but important question. What is an RRSP? You may know that RRSP stands for Registered Retirement Savings Plan. But it’s easy to be confused about what that really means. If you think you buy an RRSP, you wouldn’t be the first person to make that mistake. Actually, you buy investments -- mutual funds, stocks, bonds, guaranteed investment certificates, annuities, etc. -- and register them with the federal government. When you retire, you’ll be able to use the money that comes from the investments. Is it a good idea to invest in an RRSP? The simple answer is yes. Many people are putting their money in RRSPs because they’ve been told they can reduce the amount of income tax they pay. They think, “Okay, I’m getting this tax savings every year. It reduces my taxable income, so my overall taxes aren’t going to be as high.” For a lot of people, that’s a good enough reason to contribute to an RRSP. Paying less income
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™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. ™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary MP1433 (03/2010) corporations. MP1433 (03/2010) ™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations.
tax has always been a good idea. If you’re self-employed, you have another reason to invest in an RRSP. It may be the only way to save for retirement, since you probably aren’t working at a company that sets up pension plans for its employees. Whatever your reasons, the most important thing you can do as far as investing in RRSPs is concerned is to start contributing regularly as early as possible. When you start early, you give your money more time to grow. Let’s say you’re 45 years old and put $100 dollars into RRSP investments every month and don’t make any withdrawals. We’ll assume a return of 6% per year. At age 65, the total value of your investment would be $45,344. Now, if you’re 25 years old and invest the same monthly amount with the same return and don’t make any withdrawals, the total value of your RRSP at 65 would be $190,768. You can see how the extra two decades of investing makes a big difference. Perhaps you’re think-
cottage, car or vacation? Have you maxed Are you currently saving for a home, out your car RRSP contributions cottage, or vacation? Haveand youlooking maxed Are you currently forinvestment aand home, for another waycontributions tosaving shelter out your RRSP looking cottage, carway or vacation? you maxed income from tax? for another to shelterHave investment out your RRSP contributions and income from tax? Talk to us today to determine howlooking the for another way to shelter(TFSA) investment Tax-Free Savings Account could Talk to us today to determine how the fit income tax?plan. Save for your goals into yourfrom overall Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) could fit Talk toand usoverall today to determine faster tax free. into your plan. Save forhow yourthe goals Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) could fit faster and tax free. into your overall plan. Save for your goals faster and tax free.
CAROL BUDGEN PFP Consultant
MP1433 (03/2010)
It’s tax free! It’s tax free! It’s tax free!
carol.budgen@investorsgroup.com ConsultantBUDGEN PFP CAROL
carol.budgen@investorsgroup.com (403) 563-7660 Consultant (403) 563-7660 carol.budgen@investorsgroup.com
(403) 563-7660
Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Investors Group Financial Services Inc. Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
CAROL BUDGEN PFP CAROL BUDGEN PFP
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(403) 563-7660
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
Michel Collings, CFP Group Financial Services Inc. Laurie,Investors Kenna & Associates Financial Services Ltd. MP1433 (03/2010) Investors Group Financial Services Inc. ™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary403-564-4086 corporations. ™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. ™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary MP1433 (03/2010) corporations.
your RRSP. Canada is a big country, but it makes up only a small part of the global investment market. There are lots of great opportunities to invest outside our borders and the federal government has no limit on investing your RRSP in foreign securities. To keep track of all your assets, you may want to consider keeping them in one investment company. There are distinct advantages to this strategy. You’ll receive more effective advice because your advisor has access to your full financial picture. And you’ll be able to see all or most of your investments by looking at one statement. Nobody’s financial situation will be exactly the same as yours. That’s why your financial strategy should reflect your needs, desires, and goals. Professional money managers can help because they understand the complexities of the market. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the pros! © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2007
CAROL BUDGEN PFP
MP1433 (03/2010)
It’s tax free! It’s tax free! It’s tax free! Are you currently saving for a home,
ing that you don’t have $100 to put away every month. Try investing in small doses by setting up a plan where your contributions flow directly from your bank account to your RRSP on the day you’re paid. A few dollars now will go a long way later. You’ll be surprised at how quickly your RRSP will grow - if you contribute regularly! Think about borrowing money to invest in your RRSP. At today’s low interest rates this can be a very effective strategy. You will reduce your taxable income and may increase your tax refund. Many people then take that refund and use it to help pay off their loans. Ask your advisor if this approach makes sense for you. Remember: the best thing you can do for your retirement fund is to put away the maximum amount allowed by the government. If you’re short, you can take out a “catch-up” loan. Or, you can carry forward your unused contribution to a future year. You can also help your money grow by including foreign investments in
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Investors Group Financial Services Inc. ™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. MP1433 (03/2010)
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. MP1433 (03/2010)
™Trademarks owned by IGM Financial Inc. and licensed to its subsidiary corporations. MP1433 (03/2010)
Investors Group Financial Services Inc.
12
Thursday, January 9, 2014 Crowsnest Pass Free Press
Peking & Cantonese Cuisine Western Food - Fully Licensed
free DeLiVerY on orders over $65 (before tax) within Blairmore
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on cash pick up over $65 (before tax)
Lunch buffet
tuesday - friday 11am-2pm
Dinner buffet
friday & Saturday 5pm-8:30pm hours: Sun. 11am-9pm, Tues.-Sat. 11am-9:30pm, Mon. closed
Ben Wong Restaurant and Grill Ben
13249 20th Ave., Blairmore, AB
(403)562-8388
Dine in - tAKe Out - DeLiVerY
Stone’s Throw Café All Day Breakfast
Open every day 7am-5pm Sunday 10-4pm 13019-20th Avenue, Crowsnest Pass, AB
Ph/Fax 403-562-2230
www.stonesthrowcafe.ca
Specials 11-8pm
Wednesday-Steak Day 7 oz NEW YORK Thursday-Pasta (including Spaghetti or Baked Lasagna) Friday - Homemade Fish and Chips Saturday - BBQ RIB Night
Pick Up Orders 403-564-4522
Popiel’s R E S TAU R A N T
Now open Mondays! Visit our Facebook page daily specials
The Best Western Fusion Restaurant in the Pass. 8329 20th Ave Coleman, AB 403 563 5555
Call Chris to reserve your spot on our Eat and Drink Page (250)509-0177
Crowsnest Pass Eat & Drink CHEF DEZ ON COOKING
Culinary Stocking Stuffer Ideas
Making Food Prep Easier One of the most common reasons as to why one doesn’t cook from scratch more than they currently do is because of how long it takes to prepare ingredients for the meal. Whether it involves slicing, dicing, measuring, or simply getting ingredients out of the fridge and pantry; let’s face it, these tasks require some time. In a world of horrible pre-cooked, pre-packaged foods that are meant to enhance the schedule of our busy lives, I thought it would be practical to discuss options to make food preparation easier, rather than avoiding it altogether. There are many things one can do in their kitchen to simplicity this pre-dinner burden. Having to gather fewer ingredients from your pantry not only reduces time, but also makes a recipe easier to approach psychologically too. These tips come from my experience at working in a restaurant. Have a small dish of salt and a pepper mill at your fingertips on the counter at all times. Chances are if you’re going to cook, you will need these 2 crucial ingredients. Another great idea is to keep a couple of plastic squeeze bottles of oil handy. One could be filled with healthy no-heat/low-heat oil like extra virgin olive oil, and the other with high heat tolerance oil such as grape seed oil, rice bran oil, or even canola oil. You can also arrange spices/herbs that you enjoy using on a regular basis in decorative containers by the stovetop for ease of use. Imagine how inefficient a restaurant would be if they had to gather ingredients from around the kitchen for each meal they prepare. Think like a restaurant and you’ll perform like one. Reduce clutter and always have a prep area ready and waiting. Every kitchen should have an open area in close proximity to where the kitchen knives are kept reserved for a pulling out a cutting board. If preparing every meal includes a task of de-cluttering your countertops, the chances are greater that you will not bother to cook to begin with. If you currently keep your knives in a knife block, then a wall-mounted magnetic strip for your knives may be the perfect solution to creating this vacant counter space. A beautiful wood cutting board that you are proud to show off in a permanent location also makes it easier to get started. General accessibility of all cooking utensils, including pots and pans, will also play a big part of your successes in the kitchen. Take some time to reorganize based on your cooking habits and everything will fall into place in a much more efficient manner. Start a collection of recipes that you not only love to eat, but also are comfortable to prepare. Maybe arrange them in a tablet that you keep in the kitchen or printed in a binder with plastic page covers to make them splatter proof. The decision making process of “what to make” can become one of the largest time wasters when it comes to preparing a meal. We all have a collection of cookbooks, but we need to take one step farther and create our own assortment of recipes from these books that we know and love. A quick flip through this customized compilation will get you moving in the right direction a lot faster. Lastly, consider taking a knife skills course. Chances are you have a kitchen and plan to continue eating food the rest of your life, so the small cost amount of such a course will be an investment and pay you back one hundred fold. This will be a saving of not only your future time, but also your future health as well: Whenever one cooks from scratch, there is a greater ability to control ingredients and ultimately what goes into your body. Chef Dez is a Food Columnist, Culinary Instructor & Cookbook Author. Visit him at www.chefdez.com Write to him at dez@chefdez.com or P.O. Box 2674, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6R4
Here to make you happy 1130 Table Mountain Street, Pincher Creek, AB • 403-627-2787
Crowsnest Cafe and Fly Shop Dine In or Take Away
Breakfasts, Lunches and Sweets from scratch. Gluten Free Options. Bold Flavours from around the World. Fine Rooibos Teas; Oso Negro and Crowsnestcoffeeco.coffees Winter Hours: Wed-Sun 8-5 Gift certificates available Healthy food on Highway #3
403-563-8510
www.crowsnestcafeandflyshop.ca
Quality Ingredients, Pizza by thee slice availabl for lunch
Better Pizza! ...now that’s good food!
FIVE R I V E R S PIZZA
(403)564-4545
11001-20th Ave., Blairmore, AB (next to the Bargain Shop) Hours: Sun. 11am-9pm, Mon. Closed, Tues. & Wed. 3-10pm, Thurs.-Sat. 11am-11pm