Lacombe Express, December 12, 2013

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GIVING SPIRIT: Local Big Brothers Big Sisters holds third annual Festival of Wreaths – PG 3

HOLIDAY CHARM: The Nutcracker is set to be staged this weekend at Red Deer College – PG 17

www.lacombeexpress.com THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013

GENEROSITY: Father Lacombe school making a difference on local and global scales – PG 11

FIRST TIMER - Jacob Poettcker, 3, learns to skate at the Jim Hurley Family Skate at the Blackfalds Multiplex this past weekend. Brian Vossen/Lacombe Express

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2 Lacombe Express Thursday, December 12, 2013

Scavenger Hunt Clues:Over the past couple months we have encouraged everyone

to get out and explore this great community by participating

in a Scavenger Hunt. Each week an article along with a clue

was published in the Lacombe Express and the Scavenger

Hunt clues related to the article that week. If you missed

any of the clues – don’t worry! There is still time to enter

and you can find all of them below.

Submit your answers by Monday, December 16 at noon

and win a Family Pass to the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre for

1 Year and some City of Lacombe swag!

Enter to WinSubmit your entry by Monday, December 16 at noon. Please provide your name, age, address and contact number along with your Scavenger Hunt entry.

Drop off your entry at Lacombe City Hall Attn: Scavenger Hunt Planning & Development Dept. 5432 - 56 Avenue, Lacombe, AB T4L 1E9

Deadline

extended!Submit by

Monday, December 16

to win!

Clue #1

Introduction

In 2003, an air photo of the ‘Town’ of Lacombe was taken. Can you spot five major differences between then and now? If you need some hints, a map of 2013 can be found on our website or on the Facebook page!

Clue #2

Where We LiveFor this week’s scavenger hunt we challenge you to go to Lacombe’s most historic home (it’s now a museum) and take or draw a picture of it.

Clue #3 Where We WorkSave a receipt from a recent purchase you’ve made in Lacombe, and take a picture, or draw one, of what you purchased!

Clue #4 The Way We Move – Transportation in LacombeHow many sets of stop lights are located within the City of Lacombe on Hwy 2A?

Clue #5 Powering Our Community, Powering Our LivesExplore our commercial and industrial areas and take a photo of a business that serves the agricultural industry.

Clue #6

How We Play: Recreation and Culture in LacombeThe City just installed eight new pieces of fitness equipment at several locations along Cranna Lake. The equipment is spread along the trail and is designed to encourage residents to go out and be active. This week go out, be active, and get a photo of you on one of the new pieces of exercise equipment at Cranna Lake.

Clue #7Bringing It All TogetherFor this week’s scavenger hunt we challenge you to look at the three Area Structure Plans and let us know which plan has not seen any development? Area Structure Plans can be found on our website at: http://www.lacombe.ca/doing-business/planning-development/planning/land-use-plans

For more info:

FACEBOOK

Growing Lacombe - Municipal

Development Plan

WEBSITE

lacombe.ca/planning/whatsnew

OR CALL

403 782 1264

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BY BRIAN VOSSENLacombe Express

There are many who be-

lieve that this time of year

should be about spreading

joy and kinship with others.

Lacombe & District Big Broth-

ers Big Sisters is one such organi-

zation that tries to do so through-

out the year, but they need some

help.

As such, Big Brothers Big Sis-

ters is holding the third annual

Festival of Wreaths fundraiser.

Crystal Zens, executive direc-

tor of Lacombe & District Big

Brothers Big Sisters, said the

festival is a miniature version of

the Festival of Trees, a fundraiser

held by many larger Big Brothers

Big Sisters groups, particularly

in the United States.

“We kind of cloned it from a

program in the States. The idea

was that it would be a really cool

way to collaborate with business-

es.”

Zens explained how the fund-

raiser works. She said that Big

Brothers Big Sisters provides

wreaths which are then decorat-

ed by businesses that wish to sup-

port the program.

In decorating the wreaths,

businesses also incorporate

swag, promotional items, sam-

ples, gift cards and other goodies

into the package. Zens said there

is a minimum of $150 worth of

such items with each wreath, but

some of the wreaths are worth as

much as $700.

“It’s like a gift basket on a

wreath.” She added that the

wreaths are then sold off via si-

lent auction, with the funds go-

ing to support Big Brothers Big

Sisters.

There are many perks that

benefi t various partners in the

program. Zens said the City of

Lacombe gets to use the wreaths

to decorate the Lacombe Memo-

rial Centre and Big Brothers Big

Sisters gets a venue to display the

wreaths and assistance in setting

them up. Without this, Zens add-

ed, the organization would not be

able to host the fundraiser.

Zens also said that she has

heard from participating busi-

nesses that decorating the

wreaths makes for a good team-

building and staff-bonding exer-

cise within the business.

As with most of the fundraisers

in the community, the Festival of

Wreaths is very successful. Zens

said the wreaths are very popular

and most are purchased as gifts

for friends and family.

Each year, the quality of the

wreaths improves as well.

Zens said that the businesses

who support the program have

really bought into the idea of

decorating the wreaths and fi nd

it a good way to get exposure and

help out the community.

“The businesses have really,

every year, raised the bar. The

wreaths are getting better and

better.”

There is even a bit of compe-

tition between the businesses

to see who can make the best

wreath. Zens said there are prizes

for the fi rst and second best deco-

rated wreaths each year.

This year, there are 27 wreaths

in the festival. That is down from

last year’s 31, but still above the

18 wreaths the fi rst year the festi-

val was held.

Usually, Big Brothers Big Sis-

ters has the opportunity to auc-

tion a few of the wreaths as well.

Zens said that this opportunity

is not available this year so they

are anticipating money raised to

be slightly lower than previous

years, but the organization still

hopes to reach a goal of $4,000

with the fundraiser.

Festival of Wreaths is an im-

portant fundraiser for Big Broth-

ers Big Sisters, said Zen. Without

it, there would be quite a dry

spell for fundraising and lack of

revenue for several months, she

added.

“It’s a great way to end our

year and inject some revenue into

our children’s programs.”

Zens added that the fundraiser

enables Big Brothers Big Sisters

to host a big Christmas turkey

dinner for all of its families as

well as fund other programs.

Bids for the wreaths can be

made online or in person at the

LMC.

Zens said online bidders have

the advantage of being able to

sign up for a service that auto-

matically processes billing infor-

mation and sends the bidder noti-

fi cations immediately when they

have been outbid.

Should bidders choose to go

the old-fashioned route and make

silent bids in person at the LMC,

those bids will be manually up-

dated to the online system as

anonymous bids. When those bid-

ders are outbid, they will not re-

ceive notifi cations and will have

to check their bids themselves to

keep track.

To bid on a wreath in the Fes-

tival of Wreaths, visit www.bids-

forkids.kinterra.org or visit the

LMC in person. Bidding closes

Dec. 17.

Festival of Wreaths is not the

only event Big Brothers Big Sis-

ters has going on this time of

year.

Tomorrow, Dec. 13 they will

hold their annual Charity Check-

stop event outside the police sta-

tion.

Santa will be present handing

out candy canes as the stop col-

lects spare change for both Big

Brothers Big Sisters and the La-

combe Food Bank. For more in-

formation, call 403-782-7870.

[email protected]

Third annual Festival of Wreaths better than everLocal fundraiser supports many programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters

COUNTRY CHRISTMAS - Crystal Zens shows off the winning entry in this year’s Festival of Wreaths from Refl ections Day Spa. Brian Vossen/Lacombe Express



Lacombe City council has voted unani-

mously in favour of giving second read-

ing to the rezoning of a parcel of land

in order to facilitate the future Trin-

ity Crossing at Terrace Heights develop-

ment, also known as Trinity Crossing.

The decision came after a public hear-

ing where council heard the concerns cit-

izens in the area have with the proposed

re-zoning and the subsequent high-den-

sity housing to be built there as part of

the Trinity Crossing development.

While the housing needs assessment

stated Lacombe is in dire need of high-

density, residents made it clear they

were not happy with the re-zoning or

proposed development.

Located north of Terrace Heights Dr.

and east of C & E Trail, the proposed

development requires the rezoning of a

section of land from Future Designation

District (FD) to Maximum Density Multi-

Unit Residential District (R6).

During the hearing, council heard

from at least half a dozen residents and

had already received more than 100

written responses. Most were opposed

both to the re-zoning and the proposed

development. Those in opposition cited

concerns of increased traffi c volume,

speeding, parking congestion, decreased

property values for existing properties

and unpleasant views from their homes.

Some stated they opposed the idea of

low-income, high-density housing in this

area of the City, saying it would attract

transient individuals not invested in the

well-being of the community and would

lead to higher crime rates.

Others suggested the City was plac-

ing too much emphasis on high-density

developments in this area of Lacombe or

even that there was enough high density

residential zones existing.

Some suggested density should instead

be spread throughout the City or was bet-

ter suited to other areas like downtown.

“When is enough, enough?” said Jenni-

fer Nesbitt, a resident of Terrace Heights

Dr. “There are town homes, there are du-

plexes and the assisted living down the

street. That’s enough, that’s plenty.”

A few residents suggested high-densi-

ty housing developments were not need-

ed or did not belong in a city the size of

Lacombe.

While there was little in the way of

support for the re-zoning or the develop-

ment, some of those who spoke stated

Citizens sound off on residential area rezoning


Blackfalds Town council has approved a

$19.9 million budget.

At its meeting Tuesday, council voted

in favour of adopting the proposed opera-

tional budget of $19,997,400 and the capital

budget at $5,593,000.

“I think it addresses some of our short-

falls as we’ve grown so rapidly. This is a

super community and this is a super bud-

get,” said Councillor William Taylor.

Chief Administrative Offi cer Corinne

Newman agreed. “I believe this is a great

budget. Growth is paying for growth.”

Mayor Melodie Stol also shared her

thoughts on the strengths of the budget.

“I’m very pleased that this budget helps

accomplish the goals that were laid out

in the Municipal Sustainability Plan and

again, I commend every member of the

team who put their stamp on this budget.”

In order to provide higher levels of ser-

vice, the budget includes funds for six new

full-time positions with the Town, two ex-

isting positions to go to full-time and the

addition of one new bylaw offi cer to Black-

falds. These additions are outside of the

staff for the Abbey Centre which is slated

to be operational in 2014. Two of the addi-

tional staff will be in public works.

As snow removal is on the minds of

everyone right now, administration com-

mented on how these additions will im-

prove snow removal for the Town, saying

that having the additional personnel and

better equipment included in the budget

will translate to public works being able to

clear snow more effi ciently.

Newman said the addition of another

bylaw offi cer will allow the Town to “keep

up” with the increased traffi c and proper-

ty issues. She added it will also allow for

greater fl exibility in creating shifts for by-

law offi cers and allow for double the cover-

age.

The budget also includes a net munici-

pal tax increase of 1.5% over 2013 and an

average increase for utility rates of $3.93

monthly per household. Property taxes,

operating reserve transfers, user fees and

cost sharing agreements fund the operat-

ing budget and the capital budget is funded

by reserves, grants and developmental lev-

ies. [email protected]

Blackfalds council pleased with budget

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ReminderHoliday Season Garbage Schedule:

Christmas Garbage Collection:

Contact:Infrastructure Services Office Phone: 403.782.1261

Regular Collection Day Revised Collection Day

Monday, December 23 collected on Thursday, December 19

Tuesday, December 24 collected on Friday, December 20

Wednesday, December 25 collected on Monday December 23

Thursday, December 26 collected on Monday, December 23

Friday, December 27 collected on Tuesday, December 24

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Wednesday, January 1 collected on Thursday, January 2

Residents are reminded to have their individual black rollout bins on the street for collection by 7:00am, on the scheduled day

they were not in opposition to development

or growth of the City, but only opposed to

how the City and developers were approach-

ing it.

Marco de Andrade, a resident of Terrace

Heights Dr., said he did not oppose high-den-

sity, but felt that the City should be striving

to exceed requirements instead of simply

meeting them.

Many of those who spoke at the public

hearing also voiced complaints about how

the City notifi es area residents of coming

developments.

In response, Councillor Grant Harder said

a revision of the City’s notifi cation system

was necessary, something that earned him

applause from those gathered in the gallery.

“I think it’s very clear that we need to ad-

dress our notifi cation system,” said Harder.

“Just because we have always done it that

way doesn’t mean it’s the right way to do it.”

[email protected]


The City of Lacombe has a Pre-Authorized Tax Installment Payment Plan.

This voluntary plan offers you an easy, time-saving way to have tax payments

automatically deducted from your bank account each month.

It means eliminating the chore of writing cheques and you’ll never have to worry

about remembering to make a payment or the cost of postage or a possible late

fee. There are no service charges or fees for enrolling in this plan and setting up

is easy:

1) Complete and submit the Authorization Agreement for the plan, along with

a void cheque. The form can be picked up in person at City Hall (5432 56

Avenue, Lacombe, Alberta) or on-line at http://www.lacombe.ca/living/taxes-assessment

2) Payments will start being automatically withdrawn from your bank account

on the 16th of each month

5432 56th ave., lacombe

For Information Contact:Marc Perreault, City of Lacombe Tax Clerk

Phone: 403.782.1257

www.lacombe.ca

Discover the convenience of pre-authorized monthly payments

Andries Steegstra

Michael & Sandi Gouchie

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Donations accepted at our offi ce Donations accepted at our offi ce TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17,TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2013 2013

from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.


A home was destroyed in a

blaze late last week in Lacombe

County.

At 3:45 p.m. last Friday, the

Lacombe Fire Department re-

sponded to a major house fi re in

Lacombe County at 26203 Milton

Rd. Due to the severity of the

blaze, a request for aid was made

to the Bentley, Clive and Mirror

fi re departments.

“Our volunteer fi refi ghters

braved -37C temperatures and se-

vere wind chill to battle the blaze,

but the building was a total loss

in spite of their efforts,” said La-

combe Fire Department Chief Ed

van Delden. He added that apart

from a few cases of frostbite and

one fi refi ghter receiving what is

believed to be a small heat burn,

there were no injuries.

van Delden said Lacombe re-

sponded with an engine, a tender

and a rescue unit. En route to

the fi re, crews could already see

smoke and clear signs of the fi re

from the outskirts of Lacombe.

With the fi re fully involved,

fi refi ghters took on a ‘defensive

fi refi ghting’ strategy to combat

the inferno.

He added that while the house

was lost, fi refi ghters were able to

contain the damage and prevent

the fi re from spreading.

“The excellent cooperation and

inter-operability between the as-

sisting fi re departments played a

vital role in this effort,” said van

Delden. “I also want to recognize

the vital support we received

from Lacombe County enforce-

ment.”

Volunteer fi refi ghters are well

aware of the diffi culties they have

to face when responding to calls

in severely cold weather, both in

terms on the human element, as

well as the logistical complica-

tions in using water and equip-

ment at -37C.

According to van Delden, snow

accumulation around the side

and back of the house must have

been at least a meter deep, and

it took a ‘herculean’ effort on

the part of the fi refi ghters to ini-

tially plow through while pulling

a hose full of water and wearing

their full gear, including their

breathing apparatus.

Firefi ghters also had to con-

tend with multiple frozen valves

on pumps, as well as ice on face

masks and frozen regulators on

breathing apparatus, said van

Delden. He said fi refi ghters had

to use hand held propane torches

to thaw out frozen valves.

“I did not hear a single dis-

couraging word from the volun-

teer fi refi ghters in spite of the

extreme conditions,” said van

Delden. “No fi refi ghter had the

opportunity to rest until we were

well into the second hour of the

operation.”

van Delden said that the ex-

emplary conduct of the fi refi ght-

ers humbled him and made him

proud, and reminded him again

of why he chooses to work with

these brave and selfl ess volun-

teers. Meanwhile, in other emer-

gency services news, Blackfalds

RCMP are investigating mischief

and damage to rural post offi ce

boxes as well as theft of mail from

boxes along C&E trail west of Red

Deer.

Between Dec. 8 and Dec. 9, un-

known individuals knocked over,

damaged and removed mail from

multiple mailboxes. Unknown

suspects also damaged lights on

entry gates to the homes along

C&E Trail. Anyone with knowl-

edge about these instances is

asked to contact Blackfalds

RCMP.

RCMP are also reminding rural

residents with rural mailboxes to

collect mail frequently, as gifts be-

ing sent through the mail create

an incentive for thieves to force

access to mail boxes in search of

valuables.

[email protected]

Lacombe Fire battles blaze in frigid temperatures


The City of Lacombe has made winter just a

little bit easier for some of its citizens.

At its regular meeting on Monday, council

voted in favour of amending the City’s snow re-

moval policy in order to allow workers to clear

snow from the private walkways of residents in

cases where such walkways provide the only ac-

cess to the street.

To facilitate this amendment, the City ap-

proved the replacement of one seasonal public

works employee with one permanent full-time

employee and funds for the repair and upgrade

of a skid steer unit. This meant that council also

had to amend its operating budget, the amended

version of which was approved later the same

evening, and further increased the tax rate for

2014.

Director of Infrastructure Matthew Goudy

said the additional resources, both human and

mechanical, were necessary for the increased

level of service and implied that the additional

equipment may be a good idea anyway.

“We’re running fairly lean with equipment

here.”

This amendment does not propose any chang-

es to the current policy of windrowing snow,

said Goudy. He stated that the current policy is

to windrow snow and, when necessary, contact

contractors to have the snow removed.

Before the amendment, the City’s policy was to

clear paths to private driveways in areas where

snow is windrowed along the side of the street,

but not private walkways. Goudy said that this

practice can at times leave some residents, who

do not have front driveways, with no access to

the street at all.

[email protected]

City council amends snow policy



This is the fi nal week of the City of

Lacombe’s awareness campaign re-

garding the revision of its Municipal

Development Plan (MDP).

In the New Year the City will move

onto the next step of the revision pro-

cess by starting a more formal consul-

tation process with the community.

Lyla Peter, manager of develop-

ment and planning for the City of

Lacombe, said while the City un-

derstands they have been asking for

quite a lot of feedback lately, getting

input from the community when up-

dating plans is still an important step.

“We are very aware that the com-

munity may be having ‘consultation

fatigue’.”

Peter went on to say that, since the

City has updated so many different

plans recently, they will also be using

some of the feedback gained in the

consultation of other plans, like the

Municipal Sustainability Plan (MSP)

and Solid Waste Roadmap when re-

vising the MDP. In the meantime, the

City is still hoping to brainstorm with

the public and start a conversation

before the consultations take place.

To that effect, the City is doing a

scavenger hunt along with its aware-

ness campaign. For the last eight

weeks, the City has been running a

series of informative adds about the

MDP covering a different aspect of

the plan each week.

Last week’s add featured the fi nal

clue for the scavenger hunt, but if you

missed them don’t worry, they can be

found at the Growing Lacombe face-

book page or on the City’s web site.

Peter said it’s a fun way to explore

the community but it also serves to

get people thinking about topics that

will be discussed when revising the

MDP. “We’re trying to have questions

that get people out across the com-

munity,” said Peter. Some examples

include bringing in a receipt from a

local business or counting how many

lights there are along Hwy. 2A.

Once all the submissions for the

scavenger hunt are received, they will

be put into a draw for the grand prize

winner. The prize for the Scavenger

Hunt is a one-year family swim pass

to the Kinsmen Aquatic Centre.

The deadline for entries to the scav-

enger hunt is Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. The

winner should be announced in the

Dec. 19 edition of the Express.

For more information, fi nd Grow-

ing Lacombe on facebook or visit the

City’s web site at www.lacombe.ca.

Residents can share their thoughts

on the MDP via email, phone, visiting

the facebook page and/or visiting the

web site. Or, send a letter to the editor

to [email protected] and let

the community know your thoughts

as well.

[email protected]

Lacombe wraps up MDP awareness campaign

13122SA0

Stop Bill 46In 1977, Premier Peter Lougheed promised that in all future contract negotiations, provincial employees would have

the right to binding arbitration in lieu of the right to strike.

Now, Premier Alison Redford has rammed through Bill 46, which goes back on that promise and takes the right to

arbitration away from 22,000 front-line government employees.

Redford’s Bill 46 gives government the power to freeze wages, with no independent arbitrator determining what is

fair and justified. That’s not negotiating, that’s bullying.

And bullying is not the Alberta way.

The Alberta way has always been to keep your promises and respect the rights of others.

Bullying. That’s not the

Alberta way.

Premier Alison Redford

Demand that Premier Redford scrap Bill 46 at TheAlbertaWay.com

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City council recently passed the

2014 capital and operating budgets,

which allows the City to maintain

service delivery at current levels,

and includes resources for a num-

ber of new initiatives that are part

of council’s strategic priorities for

next year: a curb side recycling

program, a regional public tran-

sit service and investment in the

City’s fi re and police services.

I am pleased to say that this bud-

get is responsive to the needs and

preferences of our citizens, which

are established through public en-

gagement and consultation and

through collaboration with com-

munity organizations.

In keeping with council’s bud-

get guidelines, the average tax rate

increase on municipal taxes for a

property in Lacombe will be 2.7%

while there will be a 5.24% increase

per month for the average residen-

tial utility account.

Utility customers will see the

water consumption rate increases

from $2.18 per m3 to $2.26 per m3,

with the monthly fl at rate increas-

ing from $23.25 per month to $24.01

per month. The wastewater con-

sumption rate (charged at 80% of

water consumption used), will in-

crease from $0.78 per m3 to $0.80

per m3, with the monthly fl at rate

is increasing from $11.43 per month

to $12.28 per month.

For solid waste, residential rates

will increase to refl ect the new

curb side recycling program, with

the monthly rate increasing from

$21.45 per month to $27.09. Com-

mercial rates will increase from

$80.89 per month to $89.43 per

month.

The 2014 operating budget has

expenditures of $29.49 million, with

$18.1 million in offsetting revenues

excluding property taxes and $11.4

million in municipal property tax-

es to achieve an operating surplus

of $4,170.

This is a $2 million or 7.5% in-

crease over the 2013 expenditures.

Additional property tax revenues

resulting from assessment growth

amount to $167,624 and additional

property tax revenues from the

2.7% tax increase generate $289,203.

Debt repayment amounts to a

total of $2,078,622 ($466,068 inter-

est and $1,612,554 principal). Next

year’s contributions to capital

from capital reserves total $2.8 mil-

lion ($2.5 million in 2013).

The 2014 budget includes funding

for projects that will support the

City’s strategic priorities through

commercial/industrial land de-

velopment, safe communities, and

infrastructure development. They

include the Tangible Capital As-

sets Inventory and Amortization

Software Implementation; Down-

town Area Redevelopment Plan

Implementation; Council Strategic

Review, Recreation and Culture

Master Plan implementation, Mu-

nicipal Sustainability Plan (MSP)

Review and Implementation, the

Municipal Development Plan Re-

view, the Land-Use Bylaw Review,

the Echo Community Endowment

Program Marketing, the Fleet Au-

dit Action Plan, the Solid Waste

Review Implementation Plan, the

Completion of Wolf Creek Basin

Study, the Len Thompson Indus-

trial Park Phase II Site Servicing

and Lot Sales and Cemetery Plan

Implementation.

The 2014 capital budget includes

44 new capital projects totalling

$15.9 million, with $7.59 million to

be grant-funded. Not only will the

2014 Capital Works Program main-

tain and enhance our infrastruc-

ture and facilities, it will develop

new infrastructure to encourage

economic growth.

Projects include $1.69 million for

Maple Dr. – College Ave. to end –

sidewalk, base and pavement proj-

ect, $4.55 million for 34 St. – Hwy.

2A to City Boundary – curb, base

and pavement project, $810,000 for

signals; lighting; 50th Ave. barrier,

Henner’s Pond Outfall and NE Lift

Station.

Other highlights include $1.83

million for vehicle and equipment

replacement, $3.2 million for Len

Thompson Phase II Site Develop-

ment, $1 million for Land Acqui-

sition Site, and $800,000 for Police

Station Design & Engineering

among others.

Lacombe’s growth is impacting

staff capacity and it is getting more

diffi cult to sustain existing servic-

es. However, we are working hard

to fi nd effi ciencies, and City admin-

istration has prepared a budget

that maintains service levels while

supporting increased demand from

residents in a sustainable manner.

Steve Christie is the mayor of La-combe.

By now, you have probably seen

the A&W advertisements promot-

ing the restaurant chain’s elimina-

tion of hormone use in its beef.

In September of this year A&W

began advertising its new hor-

mone-free foodstuffs as ‘better

beef’.

It’s something that has upset

a lot of cattle farmers. There are

certainly those who believe that re-

moving hormones from beef make

it better for you, but there is some

debate over whether or not this is

true.

Firstly, to call A&W beef hor-

mone free is not completely true

because all multi-cellular organ-

isms, humans included, produce

hormones of their own. So, there

may not be any hormones added to

the cows A&W gets its beef from,

but the cows will still produce hor-

mones of their own.

What A&W has actually done is

eliminated the use of hormone im-

plants in its beef production pro-

cess. Many conventional beef pro-

ducers use hormone implants to

make their beef grow more muscle

faster with less feed by producing

more.

These implanted animals pro-

duce meat that contains slightly

more of the hormone estrogen. But

it’s only a little bit more with 1.9

nanograms versus 1.3 nanograms

of estrogen per three ounce serv-

ing, according to Bruce Treffer of

the University of Nebraska.

There is some belief that these

extra estrogens can cause harm to

humans who eat them, but all hu-

mans, males included, already pro-

duce estrogen. According to Ann

Macrina at Penn State University,

children’s bodies each produce

54,000 nanograms of it each day.

Not only that, but estrogen in

implanted beef is miniscule com-

pared to how much you might fi nd

in other foodstuffs. In cabbage,

for example, you would fi nd 2,000

nanograms of estrogen. Several

studies have been done which sug-

gest that natural foodstuffs like

grains and seeds (most notably soy-

beans) contain the highest levels of

estrogen. Also, those hormones are

broken down by the digestion pro-

cess, so they no longer work as hor-

mones, said Macrina.

Use of hormone implants is le-

gal in Canada and the U.S. but is

illegal in other countries, such as

those within the European Union.

According to Health Canada, re-

search has yet to yield signifi cant

evidence that consuming beef

raised with hormone implants can

lead to health concerns.

To be fair though, one could

probably argue the opposite is true

as well; that there has not been

enough research to completely dis-

credit claims that hormones are

harmful either.

In any case, there certainly is a

market for hormone-free beef. But

the market still remains for con-

ventionally raised beef as well.

So if you want to eat hormone-

free beef (which as mentioned

above isn’t really hormone free),

by all means do so. If you want to

continue eating beef with hormone

implants, you are free to continue

doing that as well.

Just make sure to educate your-

self before doing either and don’t

believe something is better just be-

cause someone on TV told you so.

A prudent and realistic budget for 2014

OPINION

Copyright. No material - news, photographs or

advertising - may be reproduced without the express written consent

of the Publisher. Failure to obtain such consent

may result in legal action without further notice.

5019A - 51 StLacombe, AB

T4L 2A3Main phone:

403-782-5303Fax:

403-782-5344

The Lacombe Express is a proud newspaper of

EditorBrian Vossen

[email protected]

PublisherTracey Scheveers

[email protected]

Customer ServiceTanya Kenyon

[email protected]

SalesKarina Folden

[email protected]

Free isn’t necessarily better

Steve

C H R I S T I E


fyifyi Your weekly Community Events Calendar

These events brought to you by:LACOMBE

EVENTSFundraiser Concert – Melrose

Randell’s Voice Studio pres-ents An Evening of Classical Music featuring Soprano Nicole Brooks at St. Andrew’s United Church on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. Admission is free but donations to A Better World are most appreciated. Funds raised will go to feeding the children and building sanitary structures at the Ringa School in Kenya.

Festival of Wreaths - this third annual event allows you to bid for the kids! Through to Dec. 18th, bid on amazing wreaths to help local programs through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Online Bidding. The event runs Dec. 2 between 5-10 p.m. at the Lacombe Memorial Centre.

Annual Christmas Concert – at the Lincoln Hall on Dec. 13 at 7:30. All welcome. If you wish to participate contact Merrigold at 782-6313 or Kathy at 782-4194.

Open Stage – At Lincoln Hall on Dec. 14 at 7:30. All Welcome. If you wish to participate or for more information contact Laura Siebenga at 782-4095

Lacombe Christmas Farmers Markets will be held every Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through to Dec. 13 at the Lacombe Memorial Centre. Huge variety of baking, crafts, honey, perogies, woodwork, jams, veggies, meats, cloth-ing, and more. Call 403-782-4772 for more information.

Lacombe Dance Lessons - social and choreographed ballroom dancing. Traditional Two-step or Cha Cha/Jive. For details phone Cliff at 403-782-4094.

Real Men Sing Barbershop! The Wild Rose Harmonizers Bar-bershop Chorus is a chorus for males of all ages who love to sing four-part a cappella har-mony. We are a proud member of the Barbershop Harmony society providing entertainment at seniors’ lodges, hospitals and numerous community and private functions throughout the year. No experience is required, just a love to sing.

Join us on Tuesday evening, rehearsals from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Davenport Church of Christ (#68 Donlevy Ave.) For informa-tion, call David at 403-342-1318 or email [email protected]. Visit www.harmonizers.ca.

The Red Deer Legion Pipe Band is actively recruiting experienced and inexperienced people from the Central Alberta area, who are interested in joining the Band. Anyone with piping or drumming experience, or if you would like to learn piping or drumming, are asked to please contact us at 403-782-7183 or by email at [email protected]. Prac-tices are held at the Red Deer

Legion on Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

The Lacombe Legion has bingo on Mondays at 7 p.m. in the upstairs hall. Coffee time runs Wednesdays from 9:30-11 a.m. ($2 for coffee, tea and cook-ies). On Fridays, there are four meat draws and tickets are $2/set of three tickets. Draw starts at 6:30 p.m. On Saturdays, there are four meat draws which start at 4:30 p.m. Chase the ace starts after meat draws.

New to Lacombe? Contact La-combe Welcome Wagon at 403-348-9567 for free maps, information about the City & area, as well as free gifts from local businesses. New baby in the family? Contact Lacombe Welcome Wagon at 403-348-9567 for free information, baby product samples as well as free gifts from local businesses.

Youth Unlimited Drop-in Activites - every Tuesday and Thursday, for ages 12 and up. Movies, crafts, games, and more! It costs $2/night or $50/season (June-

September). Last Thursday of the month is girls only. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. and activities run at the YU-Turn Youth Centre.

Drop in Pool Tournament runs every Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Lacombe Hotel.

Circle of Friends - free weekly supper for the community, nutritious meals for anyone interested. It runs at Bethel Christian Reformed Church.

Taoist Tai Chi - a relaxing, low im-pact exercise; continuing classes year round, for those who have completed beginners or have learned Taoist Tai Chi before.

Participate in classes of your choice. Available in Red Deer, Lacombe, Rocky Mountain House, and Innisfail. Contact 403-346-6772 for more information.

Coffee Time at the Lacombe Legion runs every Wednesday morn-ing. Come join us for coffee. $2. Gatherings run from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the Lacombe Legion.

Old-time dances run at the Red Deer Legion every Wednes-day evening. Smorg at 5 p.m. with dance at 7:30 p.m. Cover charge $6. Country music runs Friday and Saturday evenings 7 to 11 p.m. 403-342-0035.

The Lacombe Hospital Auxil-iary meets the fi rst Thursday of every month at 1:30 p.m. in the Education Room at the hospital. New members wel-come. For more information, call Rilla at 403-782-6165.

Imperial Daughters of the Em-pire is a non-profi t women’s

volunteer program that raises money in support of numerous initiatives supporting educa-tions. Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month and begin at 7:30 p.m. at St. Andrew’s United Church. For more information, contact Mary Lou Wilson 403-782-3923.

W.H.O.L.E. - Widows Helping Others Live Earnestly. W.H.O.L.E. can help you adjust to your loss, to channel your grief into help-ing others who are struggling with loss, and to help you gain perspective as a person who has a new role to be fulfi lled. It’s about widow to widow interaction and socialization. It’s about being

able to express with like-minded women the pain and confusion that comes with loss, as well as the encouragement and friend-ship to help you once again live a life fi lled with meaning and purpose - an earnest life. There are no councillors present, only a facilitator to help keep conversations moving. W.H.O.L.E meets monthly and is open to widows of all ages. Space is limited, so please phone to book a spot. Refreshments will be served. Call 403-550-4508.

Lacombe Art Guild - the guild meets regularly on the second and third Tuesday of each month. A variety of workshops are provided for developing artists. Membership is $15 per year. Contact Betty Peers at 403-782-9968 or blog lacombeart-clubwordpress.com. Meetings runs in LMC Credit Union Room at 5214 50 Ave. in Lacombe.

Are you having problems with someone else’s drinking? We are an anonymous group of men and women who can offer encourage-

ment and support. Call Al-Anon Family groups at 403-346-0320 for a list of meetings in Red Deer and the surrounding area.

Writers’ Ink, The Red Deer & District Writers Club has weekly meetings (every Tuesday) in the old farmhouse at Sunnybrook Farm (4701 30 St.) from 7 to 9 p.m. We meet, share our writing, and offer constructive criticism to one another. We also do our utmost to improve our craft by Skyping professionals in the fi eld of writing, by inviting guest speakers to our Spring Workshop and to the occa-sional meeting. Our professional library is increasing as is our knowledge gained from mem-bers who are constantly seeking new challenges and sharing successes and failures with the group. Guests are welcome!

Food Addicts in Recovery Anony-mous is a 12-step support group offering a solution for all forms of food addiction. No dues, fees or weigh-in. Central Alberta groups meet in Red Deer, Lacombe and Rimbey. For locations and dates, call Joanne at 403-314-1972.

The Parkinson’s Society Edu-cation and Support Group runs the third Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the Davenport Church of Christ. 403-346-4463.

An Amputee Support Group Meet-ing, sponsored by the Alberta Amputee Sport and Recreation Association at 7:30 in Room 2207 in the South Complex of the Red Deer Regional Hospital. Meetings the fourth Monday of each month. 403-357-3671.

Air Force Association of Canada. The aims and objectives of the Association are to preserve and perpetuate the traditions of the Royal Canadian Air Force and to advocate a profi cient and well-equipped Air Force in Canada. 703 Wing in Red Deer provides a forum for serving and former participants in military and civil aviation to meet and enjoy the company of like-minded people. 703 Wing members meet at noon every second Saturday of the month at the ABC Country Restaurant, 2085 50th Ave. in Red Deer for a luncheon and business meeting. Contact President Al Low at 403-341-3253 or [email protected].

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NOW OPENOPENING SOONNOW OPENNOW OPEN

Oh, Come Oh, Come Let Us Adore Let Us Adore Him! Him!

You are invited to a Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service 6:30pm

Trinity Lutheran Church - Lacombe (north east corner)

Everyone Welcome

BY MARK WEBERLacombe Express

For many, the Christmas

season includes family get-

togethers and lots of oppor-

tunities to reconnect with

old friends as well.

But for many, includ-

ing some local seniors,

it’s a relatively ‘solitary’

time of year, said Leanne

Landry, older adult pro-

gramming supervisor with

Family Services of Central

Alberta. That’s something

the FSCA is working to

change through the Gifts

for Grandparents program

– now in its sixth year.

“Who wouldn’t want to

help someone who may or

may not get a phone call

or some recognition on

Christmas?”

Last year, more than 450

gift bags were delivered

to isolated seniors in Cen-

tral Alberta just in time

for Christmas. This year’s

goal is to make Christmas

brighter for 500 seniors in

the community.

Through various ser-

vices and programs, FSCA

staff came to see there are

many seniors who are ei-

ther isolated or don’t have

family in Central Alberta

to celebrate the Christmas

season with.

“We have a lot of refer-

rals that come through

home support.” Other

agencies in the community

provide referrals as well.

She also encourages

folks to be on the lookout

for seniors who seem to

live rather isolated lives

in their neighbourhoods,

as these residents may be

ideal candidates not just for

the Gifts for Grandparents

program but for other help

FSCA can provide year-

round as well.

“We want to fi nd the tru-

ly isolated seniors.”

Donations are gratefully

accepted until Dec. 17th,

but will be taken after that

date as well, said Landry,

who is co-chairing the

program along with Lisa

Smith.

Suggested donation

items run the gamut from

slippers, socks, toiletry

items for men and wom-

en, prepackaged cookies,

crackers, jams, gift cards

for coffee shops and gro-

cery stores, coffee, tea,

hot chocolate, books, word

puzzles and other small gift

items. Other ideas include

pajamas, mittens, bed lin-

ens, bath/hand towels,

nightlights, sweater vests

and such.

Landry said that really,

she likes to simply encour-

age folks to purchase what-

ever they feel is appropri-

ate for a gift and drop it off

at one of the donation loca-

tions.

Cash donations are also

welcome, and donations

over $10 are eligible for a

tax receipt.

Landry said that dona-

tions can also be made

with the ongoing costs of a

senior’s home support ser-

vices. The agency provides

light housekeeping, meal

preparations and grocery

shopping.

In some instances, cli-

ents are struggling with

their fees and are on fi xed

incomes. All donations

designated for home sup-

port will help relieve some

of the fi nancial burden on

seniors.

Gift cards can be pur-

chased at FSCA in incre-

ments of $20 as well.

Landry also pointed out

that volunteers are needed

to help in the sorting, pack-

ing and delivery of the

gifts. In the past, the pro-

gram has seen overwhelm-

ing support from schools,

service clubs and individu-

als and families and online

applications are currently

being accepted for volun-

teer positions.

Delivering the gifts is

always a popular task for

sure, but what’s also need-

ed is help in the sorting and

packing of donations, she

added.

“We have donations com-

ing in all the time.” She

said that sometimes, they

are coming in right up un-

til 10 minutes before they

close their doors on the

campaign’s last day.

“It’s awesome. Some-

times we even get dona-

tions after Christmas.”

These are always put to

good use – perhaps in the

form of a care package - do-

nated to someone who is in

need, she said. “We always

fi nd a home for things that

are needed.”

Meanwhile, Landry

said the support for the

program has been grow-

ing from the start. “The

involvement and response

from the schools is unbe-

lievable,” she said.

Kids often help out with

decorating bags for the

gifts and making Christ-

mas cards.

Support from the busi-

ness community has also

been tremendous.

Families have also been

quick to get onboard.

“We have families that

volunteer – they talk to

their kids about volunteer-

ism as well.” As Landry

said, it’s a great way to

promote the volunteering

spirit within a family, too.

“We are so thankful for the

community.”

For more information

on how to help out, or to

arrange for drop-off of do-

nations, call 403-309-5834 or

403-343-6400 or check out

www.fsca.ca.

[email protected]

Gifts for Grandparents in its sixth year

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RECOGNITIONON CHRISTMAS?’

LEANNE LANDRY

NEW WHEELS - Cora Hoekstra, coordinator for LacombeParent Link, accepts keys to the new C4 Initiative van from Andy Kotowich, co-owner of Lacombe Ford. Ford donated the van to the C4 Initiative to help improve promotion and serve as a method of transporting promotional materials to thedifferent events C4 will have a presence at.

Brian Vossen/Lacombe Express


Lacombe Christmas Marketevery Friday

Taxes are on the rise for

Lacombe.

City council has passed

the 2014 capital and operat-

ing budgets, which allows

the City to maintain ser-

vice delivery at current lev-

els and includes resources

for council’s priority areas

including a recycling pro-

gram, a regional transit ini-

tiative, and making safety a

priority by investing in the

City’s protective services.

Mayor Steve Christie

said the tax increase and

budget will ensure the City

continues to provide the

level of service citizens ex-

pect.

“Consistent with coun-

cil’s budget guidelines,

property tax rates have

been budgeted with a 2.7

per cent increase,” said

Christie.

“This budget is respon-

sive to the needs and pref-

erences of our citizens,

which are established

through public engage-

ment and consultation and

collaboration with commu-

nity organizations.”

The 2014 operating bud-

get has expenditures of

$29.49 million with $18.1

million in offsetting rev-

enues excluding property

taxes and $11.4 million in

municipal property taxes

to achieve an operating

surplus of $4,170.

This is a $2 million or

7.5% increase over the 2013

expenditures.

“Lacombe’s growth is

impacting staff capacity

and it is getting more dif-

fi cult to sustain existing

services,” said Chief Ad-

ministrative Offi cer Norma

MacQuarrie.

“However, we are work-

ing hard to fi nd effi cien-

cies and administration

has prepared a budget that

maintains service levels

and supports increased de-

mand from residents in a

sustainable manner.”

The average tax rate in-

crease on municipal taxes

for a property in Lacombe

will be 2.7% while there

will be a 5.24% increase per

month for the average resi-

dential utility account.

The 2014 operating bud-

get also includes a 2% cost

of living adjustment for

police offi cers, and 1% for

staff.

The 2014 capital budget

includes 44 new capital

projects totaling $15.9 mil-

lion with $7.59 million to be

grant-funded.

Not only will the 2014

capital works program

maintain and enhance

infrastructure and facili-

ties, it will develop new

infrastructure to encour-

age economic growth, said

Christie.

Projects include:

• $1.69 million for Maple

Dr. – College Ave. to end

– sidewalk, base and pave-

ment project.

• $4.55 million for 34 St. –

Hwy. 2A to City boundary

– curb, base and pavement

project.

• $810,000 for signals;

lighting; 50th Ave. barrier;

Henner’s Pond outfall and

NE Lift Station.

• $867,000 for infrastruc-

ture replacement at Wood-

land Dr. and C&E Trail; par

count, 49 St. and 52 Ave.; 49

Ave. and Hwy. 2A.

• $1.83 million for vehicle

and equipment replace-

ment.

• $3.2 million for Len

Thompson Phase II site de-

velopment.

• $1 million for land ac-

quisition site.

• $800,000 for police sta-

tion design and engineer-

ing.

• $604,000 for parks and

trail development.

• $391,000 for facility up-

dates for pumphouse A &

C; Aquaplex, Arena and

Pickwick Lane playground.

• $172,000 for offsite levy

software; wastewater im-

pact study bleacher re-

placement and Henner’s

Park landscaping.

Municipal Sustainabil-

ity Initiative (MSI) capital

grants for 2014 are estimat-

ed at $2.15 million:

• $800,000 will fund the

police station – engineering

and design.


Michener Park design and

ball diamond.


trail expansion – Elizabeth

and Lake Anne.


council Strategic Plan, the

Municipal Development

Plan, and the Land Use By-

law.

• $192,000 will fund arena

and pool upgrades.

• $55,000 will be carried

forward from 2013 to com-

plete the Municipal Devel-

opment Plan, the Housing

Needs Assessment and the

Organizational Affective

Review.

Additional property tax

revenues resulting from as-

sessment growth amount

to $167,624 and additional

property tax revenues from

the 2.7% tax increase gen-

erate $289,203. Debt repay-

ment amounts to a total of

$2,078,622 ($466,068 interest

and $1,612,554 principal).

2014 contributions to capi-

tal from capital reserves to-

tal $2.8 million ($2.5 million

in 2013).

- Vossen

Lacombe passes capital and operating budgets

Request for Proposal Sidewalk Snow RemovalYou are invited to submit a proposal to provide

sidewalk snow removal for the City of Lacombe for

a period of 1 year. Extensions will be considered.

All interested parties are invited to pick up a full RFP

at City Hall beginning immediately. Packages can

also be acquired through the City of Lacombe

website at www.lacombe.ca or by contacting

Wayne Lowe at 403-782-1269 ext. 1.

The RFP will define the content of the proposal. You

are urged to structure your responses accordingly

with sufficient details so it is complete, appropriate

and competitive.

Any interested parties must submit proposals and

confirm City Hall’s receipt of them no later than

2:00 pm on December 23, 2013.

Only proposals submitted within the time frame

and guidelines provided will be considered.

For more information contact:

Wayne Lowe, Community Peace Officer

403-782-1269 ext. 1

[email protected]

Ph: 403782-3333www.lacombefeed.com

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The of ce of the Lacombe Express The of ce of the Lacombe Express will be closed for the Holidays from will be closed for the Holidays from

Friday December 20Friday December 20thth to Sunday December 29 to Sunday December 29

Due to the Holidays early booking deadlines

will be in effect for the December 26 and January 2nd editions.

TUESDAY December 17

@ 4 pm will be booking

deadline for both editions.

Everyone welcome to come and enjoy a coffee, Christmas treats

and great conversation with

Rod Fox MLA

Christmas Open House

e

ChristmChristm

Tuesday December 17th 1:30 - 3:30

Constituency Offi ce: 101 4892 46th street - Lacombe Ab


Students and staff at

Father Lacombe Catholic

School are making a dif-

ference this Christmas on

both local and global scales.

With its ‘Santa’s Shack’

program recently fi nished

and its ‘Giving Tree’ proj-

ect about to wrap up as

well, Father Lacombe is

supporting both the Philip-

pines typhoon relief effort

and the local Santa’s Anon-

ymous program.

Principal Denis Côté said

that the two programs are

not related but both are

examples of the type of be-

haviour the school wishes

to instill in its students. He

added that the students are

constantly taught to share

God’s gifts with the rest of

the world wherever possible.

“It’s just normal for our

kids and our staff to give.

It becomes automatic with

our students to share with

everyone around us.”

Côté said the Giving Tree

is an initiative that has

been running every year

since long before he came

to the school two years ago.

It begins each year during

the fi rst week of Advent.

A tree is set up at the

school decorated with sev-

eral ornamental tags. Each

tag has the an age and gen-

der on it. Students and staff

take tags from the tree and

purchase a gift for that age

and gender and then place

it under the tree.

When the project wraps

up tomorrow, Dec. 13, the

gifts will be taken and

donated to the Santa’s

Anonymous program run

through Lacombe FCSS

and Lacombe Kinsmen.

Côté said each year there is

typically a small mountain

of gifts that usually fi ll up

one or two trucks or vans

and he is expecting a simi-

lar response this year.

This year, the students

at Father Lacombe came

up with an additional ini-

tiative of their own to lend

a hand to the victims of

the Philippines typhoon.

Côte said the project began

when he was approached

by a group of Grade 9 stu-

dents seeking his blessing

to start a project that would

benefi t the relief efforts.

“I said by all means,”

said Côté. He added he gave

the students two condi-

tions, the project must go

through the student coun-

cil and must be inclusive of

the whole school.

What the students came

up with was Santa’s Shack.

From Dec. 2-5, Grade 9 stu-

dents ran a sort of canteen

twice a day during recesses

where students could buy

baked goods, hot chocolate,

other confectionary items,

even have their faces paint-

ed with funds going to ben-

efi t the Philippines.

Through the Santa’s

Shack and a $650 donation

from Côté in lieu of staff

Christmas gifts, Father

Lacombe was able to raise

$1,530.20 to benefi t the

Philippines typhoon cause.

Côté said the donation will

be matched by the federal

government for a total

of $3,060.40. Côté reiter-

ated that students at Father

Lacombe are constantly

taught the importance of

sharing. As such, he was

not surprised that it was

the students who showed

the initiative for the Santa’s

Shack program, but it was

still impressive.

“It’s incredible.” He

added that the initiative

coming from the Grade 9

students, the most senior

students at the school,

shows great mentorship

from the older students.

Projects like the Giving

Tree and Santa’s Shack

help to instill charity as

part of students lifestyles,

said Côté. He said that,

through such projects,

students begin to have the

qualities of being good

people ingrained in them-

selves.

[email protected]

SEASON OF GIVING – Principal Denis Côté poses with Grade 1 students Thomas Hibbs and Madison Oswald, by the Giving Tree at Father Lacombe Catholic School. Brian Vossen/Lacombe Express

Lacombe school shares gifts through charitable projects


NOV

16 -

DE

C 22

Warm up the New Year with a $9,000 Hot Tub Package from

OVER$12,000 IN PRIZING

TO BE WON!

Living a healthy lifestyle is no easy task

- especially when the holidays roll around.

Extra calories and delicious but fattening

foods beg to be consumed.

And it seems the hosts to every party

will not take ‘No’ for an answer. So how do

you stay strong in the face of temptation?

The easiest way to control what temp-

tations you’ll face is to bring the holiday

festivities to your house. There, you can

plan the menu and know every ingredi-

ent in every dish. Don’t want to take

a stand against pecan pie topped with

whipped topping? No problem. It’s your

house, your menu, your rules. Simply

don’t make it, and you’ll never have to

worry about it.

If you have other people bringing foods,

let them handle a dish that is diffi cult to

turn into a fattening temptation. Dole out

responsibilities for salad, vegetables and

bread. This allows friends and family to

contribute something besides double-choc-

olate bars fi lled with chocolate and topped

with chocolate syrup.

Not able to throw a holiday shindig at

your place? Then you’ll want to do a little

eating before you leave your house. Eat a

snack consisting of healthy foods, such as

carrot sticks and peanut butter crackers.

These will help you feel full faster and pre-

vent you from overeating at the party.

Once you’re at the party, begin your

meal by downing a glass of water. Then in-

stead of diving face fi rst into your plate, sit

back and relax for a few minutes.

The holiday season is about being with

family and friends, so instead of turning

the focus on food, enjoy the people around

you. As you eat, take time to sit back and

enjoy every bite.

After all, many holiday foods aren’t

served year-round and you rarely get to-

gether with such great loved ones, so make

the most of it without consuming the most

possible calories. Regardless of what you

do to avoid overeating and fi ghting the

urge to fall for holiday temptation time and

again, you’ll not get through the holidays

unscathed if you’re not mentally prepared

for the temptations that will come your

way. Well before the holidays descend, you

should come up with a game plan.

What will you say when offered a tasty,

yet unhealthy treat? How often will you

let yourself indulge in holiday cheer, via

cookies, cakes, and pies? What will you do

to ensure you don’t overdo it? How will you

react if you do overdo it?

Who will help you stay accountable

throughout the holiday season? Having an-

swers to these questions will give you the

upper hand when holiday treats are trying

to get to you.

Being mentally prepared for the holiday

temptations sure to come your way will

give you the strength necessary to hang

tight to your healthy lifestyle, regardless

of what obstacles may come your way.

As important as the foods you’re tempt-

ed with is, so is what you choose to drink

during the holidays. While you may not

care for cakes and pies, you may be prone

to drink down extra calories in the name

of good cheer.

Want to keep yourself from drinking

your way to calorie overload?

Then you’ll need to drink limited

amounts of alcohol, punch and calorie-lad-

en eggnog. Instead, opt for water (whether

plain or fl avored), hot apple cider, hot tea

and diet soda. Your mouth will feel re-

freshed and your belly won’t grow by leaps

and bounds.

Jack Wheeler is a personal trainer and owner of 360 Fitness in Red Deer.

Staying healthy throughout the holidays

Jack

W H E E L E R


Companions 5858 YR old farmer seeks honest, romantic, slim lady 48-64 for lifetime commit-ment in the Red Deer area. Not looking for a hired hand. Please include likes, dislikes & phone number. Reply to Box 1071, c/o RED DEER ADVOCATE, 2950 Bremner Ave., Red Deer, AB T4R 1M9

Personals 60COCAINE ANONYMOUS

403-396-8298

Is someone’s drinking causing you problems?

AL-ANON 403-346-0320

Clerical 720OFFICE Administrator/ Bookkeeper needed.

Responsibilities include general offi ce duties,

invoicing and A/P A/R management. Apply to [email protected]

Farm Work 755F/T FEED TRUCK

OPERATOR for largeexpanding feed lot in Sundre.

Fax resume to 403-638-3908

or call 403-556-9588or email:

[email protected]

Oilfield 800

$2500 BonusEvery 100 days

IMMEDIATE OPENINGSNight Foremen,

Day & Night OperatorsMust have H2S, First Aid,

valid driver’s license. Pre-employment Drug

screening Competitive Wages.

Benefi t PackagePlease submit resume with

references to:[email protected]

or by fax to (403) 783-8004Only individuals selected forinterviews will be contacted

Oilfield 800

1ST RATE ENERGYSERVICES INC.,

a growing ProductionTesting company, based

out of Sylvan Lake, is currently accepting resumes for the following positions:

* ExperiencedProduction Testing* Day Supervisors* Night Operators

* ExperiencedProduction Testing

Assistants

If you are a team player interested in the oil and

gas industry, please submit your resume,

current driver’s abstract and current safety

certifi cates to the following:Fax 403-887-4750

[email protected]

Please specify position when replying to this ad.

We would like to thank all those candidates who apply, however only

qualifi ed personnel will be contacted.

FLUID Experts Ltd.Fluid Experts of Red Deer

is seeking experiencedClass 1 Operators

to haul clean fl uids for the Oil & Gas Industry. Home

every night, company benefi ts with exceptional

pay structure. Must be able to work on their own with

minimal supervision. Compensation based on experience. Fax resume w/all tickets and current

drivers abstract to: 403-346-3112 or email to: roger@fl uidexperts.com

NOW HIRING Well Testing Personnel

Experienced Supervisors& Operators

Must have valid applicable tickets

Email: [email protected]

WANTEDEXPERIENCED

CLASS 3 VAC/steamer Truck driver.

Lacombe area,HOME EVERY NIGHT.

Fax resume to 403-704-1442

Oilfield 800

PROVIDENCE Trucking Inc

Is now hiring experienced

Picker OperatorBed Truck Operator

Winch truck Operators

All candidates must be able to pass a pre-employ-

ment drug screen. We offer exceptional wages

and benefi ts for exceptional people. Fax resume and abstract to 403-314-2340

or email to [email protected]

Q TESTINSPECTION LTD.

Now has immediateopenings for CGSB

Level II RT’s and CEDO’s for our winter pipeline

projects. Top wages and comprehensive benefi t

package available.Subcontractors also welcome.

Email resumes to:[email protected]

or Phone 403-887-5630.

TANKMASTER RENTALS req’s Exp’d Class 1 Fluid

Haulers for Central Alberta. Oilfi eld tickets

req’d. Competitive wages and benefi ts.

[email protected] or fax 403-340-8818

TANKMASTER RENTALS requires Labour Crew

supervisor for Central Ab. Pipe fi tting & light picker exp. would be an asset . Oilfi eld tickets and clean

driver’s licence req’d. Competitive wages and

benefi ts. [email protected]

or fax 403-340-8818

ZUBAR Production Services

is currently taking resumes for experienced

Production TestingPersonnel

Email resume to: rdzubaroffi [email protected] or fax to (403)346-9420.

Must have all valid tickets.

Looking for a place to live?

Take a tour through the CLASSIFIEDS

You can sell your guitar for a song...

or put it in CLASSIFIEDS and we’ll sell it for you!

Restaurant/Hotel 820RAMADA INN & SUITES

REQUIRES ROOM ATTENDANTS.

Exp. preferred.Only serious inquiries apply.

Rate $13.50/hr.Drop off resume at:

6853 - 66 St. Red Deer or fax 403-342-4433

Trades 850

PETROFIELD Industries, the Leader in manufacturingHydrovac trucks, is acceptingresumes for the following positions:* General Labourers* Industrial Painters* Sandblasters* Material Handler* Automotive Electrical Technician* Journeyman Welder / Apprentice* 2nd Yr Welder with Aluminum experience* Production Manager

Visit our website at: www.tornadotrucks.com

for more details. Our Company has an

enthusiastic fast paced working environment, with advancement possibilities for the motivated person, and offers an excellent benefi t package. fax

403-742-5544e-mail: hr@petrofi eld.com

Precast Concrete Plant in Blackfalds, AB, is looking for new team members to join an enthusiastic and

growing company. Concrete fi nisher

needed to perform detailed and quality fi nish-ing as well as other related

tasks, minimum 5 years experience. All applicants must be fl exible for hours and dedicated due to a demanding production

schedule. Own transporta-tion to work is needed. Wage will be based on

experience, attitude and willingness to commit to long term employment. Please fax resume to

403 885 5516 or email to k.kooiker@

eaglebuilders.ca Thank you to all

applicants but only those selected for an interview

will be notifi ed.

Tar-ifi c Construction has a F/T position avail.

for a H.D. MechanicApprentice. We offer competitive wages,

combined with a deluxe benefi t pckg. Drop resume at 7809 48 Ave. or fax to

403-340-1246 email tarifi [email protected]

Buying or Selling your home?

Check out Homes for Salein Classifieds

TOO MUCH STUFF?Let Classifiedshelp you sell it.

Trades 850United Tank Inspections

Inc. is currently looking for a Full-Time Heavy Duty

Mechanic for our Stettler,AB shop. You will be doing

repairs, overhauls,maintenance, service, andCVIP’s on Heavy Trucks &

Trailers. We offercompetitive wages, grouphealth benefi ts and groupRSP. Please call 403-742-

4747 or email [email protected]

Truckers/Drivers 860

Central AB based trucking company requires

Owner Operators& Company Drivers

in AB. Home the odd night. Weekends off. Late

model tractor pref. 403-586-4558

F/T TRUCK drivers req’d. Minimum Class 5 with air and clean abstract. Exp.

preferred. In person to Key Towing 4083-78 St. Cres.

Red Deer.

Ponoka has openings for WINCH TRACTOR,

PICKER OPERATORS & BED TRUCK DRIVERS for Branch and Winter

Camp Jobs. Experience perferred, willing to train. Competitive Wages and Benefi ts. Fax resume to (403) 783-3011 or e-mail hr@calnashtrucking. com www.calnashtrucking.com

No phone calls please. Only individuals selected

for an interview will be contacted.

Misc.Help 880Academic Express

ADULT EDUCATION AND TRAINING

WINTER START

GED PREPARATION Jan. 14 or Feb. 10

STARTS

Gov’t of Alberta Funding may be available.

403-340-1930www.academicexpress.ca

DISPATCHERS req’d. Day/Night. Knowledge of

Red Deer and area isessential. Verbal and

written communication skills are req’d. Send

resume by fax to 403-346-0295

Misc.Help 880Blue Grass Sod Farms Ltd.

BOX 11, SITE 2, RR 1Red Deer, AB

Req’s Farm labourers for 2014 season (April-Oct) in Red Deer. Duties include

sod farming and treenursery. Tree nursery will involve planting, pruning and digging trees. Will

train/exp. an asset. Wage $9.95 hr, 60 hrs weekly. Email resume to [email protected] Builders in Black-falds, AB is looking for

hard working, motivated individual to fi ll a full-time precast concrete erecting

laborer position at our company. Must be physically fi t as this labourer position requires constant heavy lifting and involves

fast paced, on the job training. Applicant must be

able to travel and must have reliable transportation

to and from work as well as a valid class 5 driver’s

license. All meals and hotel expenses are paid when out of town. Suc-cessful applicant must

provide an up to date driv-ers abstract. Construction experience an asset. Full benefi ts provided. Starting

wages based on experi-ence. Fax resumes to

403 885 5516 , must fl ag attn: Craig or e-mail to

[email protected].

EXP’D parts person for small engine and quad

dealership. F/T position. Must be able to work Sat’s. and overtime hrs. may be req’d in summer months. Please apply in person at 5717-40 Ave. Wetaskiwin or email: wetaskiwinrad@

xplornet.com

Looking for reliable newspaper carrier for 1 day per week

delivery of theCentral Alberta Life

in the town of

INNISFAIL

Packages come ready for delivery.

No collecting.

Contact Quitcy at403-314-4316

NEWSPAPER CARRIERS REQUIRED

To deliver theSYLVAN LAKE

NEWS & CENTRAL AB LIFE

1 day a week.

Please call Debbie at 403-314-4307

Tired of Standing?Find something to sit on

in Classifieds

CELEBRATIONSHAPPEN EVERY DAY

IN CLASSIFIEDS

Misc.Help 880

NEWSPAPER CARRIERS REQUIRED

For afternoon delivery

once per week

In the towns of:

BlackfaldsLacombePonokaStettler

Call Rick for more info 403-314-4303

Contractors 1100RMD RENOVATIONS

Bsmt’s, fl ooring, decks, etc.Call Roger 403-348-1060

MassageTherapy 1280

Executive TouchMassage (newly reno’d)

(FOR MEN)STUDIO 5003A-50 st. Downtown 9 am - 6 pm. Mon. - Fri.

403-348-5650

LOOKING FOR F/T Registered Massage

Therapist in busy salon & spa in Drumheller. LONG

waiting list of clients. Please call 403-823-6161

or email [email protected] Attn: Cindy

Misc.Services 1290

Ironman Scrap Metal Recovery picking up scrap

again! Farm machinery, vehicles & industrial. Serving Central AB. 403-318-4346

Auctions 1530BIG STRAPPER

AUCTIONSSALES EVERY WED. @ 6 pm.

Moose Hall 2 miles south of Ponoka on 2A

WE BUY FOR CASH.

403-304-4791 Check website for full listing

www.bigstrapperauctions.net

Children'sItems 1580CUSTOM made baby change table w/drawers $70 403-347-5648

Classifieds...costs so littleSaves you so much!

Firewood 1660AFFORDABLE

Homestead FirewoodSpruce & Pine - Split

7 days/wk. 403-304-6472

LOGSSemi loads of pine, spruce,

tamarack, poplar. Price depends on location.

Lil Mule Logging 403-318-4346

Now Offering Hotter, Cleaner BC Birch. All Types. P.U. / Delivery. Lyle 403-783-2275

HouseholdAppliances 1710ELECTRIC heater oak cabinet portable, remote, thermostat control $150 403-314-2026

HouseholdFurnishings1720

FREE! 39” Boxspring& mattress. Sheets

& pillow cases included. 403-347-6183

PHONE bench solid oak $175 403-314-2026

Misc. forSale 17605 shelf wall unit 81”h x 50”w, adjustable shelves $70; 15 saw horses 36”w x 27”h $8/ea, chrome plated 12 bottle wine rack $10 403-314-2026

LOUIS L’Amour pocket books 95 cents ea. or all 28 for $16 403-342-7460

LOVESEAT, with arm cov-ers, exc. cond. $125;

Kanon 920 copier machine w/metal stand, exc. cond.

$75 403-352-8811

POTTERY, soup set with urn & ladle, 4 bowls,

casserole dish & salad bowl w/4 plates, like new. $125, Danby microwave oven 900 watts, $30; 2 matching suitcases, like

new $25. for both; 403-352-8811

STORBURN Propane toilet system. Ideal for cabin or remote camp. $750. Firm

403-302-0987

WOODEN slider rocker chair and ottoman, good cond, $95; 3 wool accent matching carpets, clean, will sell seperatly $50 for

all 3. 403-352-8811

Cats 18303 FRIENDLY MALEORANGE KITTENS.

Litter trained. Desperately need loving homes. FREE.

403-782-3130

BALINESE KITTEN$50. 403-887-3649

ClassifiedsYour place to SELLYour place to BUY

Looking for a new pet?Check out Classifieds to

find the purrfect pet.

CLASSIFIEDSCHRISTMAS HOLIDAY

EARLY BOOKING DEADLINE

is Thursday,

December 19 @ 4 p.m.for the December 26 and

January 2 publications

Happy Holidays to you and your families!

CLASSIFIEDSdeadline: Monday @ noon

To place an ad, call Toll Free: 1.877.223.3311or email: [email protected]

Lacombe Express


Dogs 1840

EXTRA FLUFFY& extremely cute! Teacup

Babydoll Morkies†(very tiny).Call 587-987-3422 or email [email protected]

SportingGoods 1860

GOLF travel bag, w/wheels, hard cover $50. soft cover $40, very good

cond. 403-346-0093

Horses 2140WANTED: all types of

horses. Processing locally in Lacombe weekly.

403-651-5912

Grain, FeedHay 2190ROUND hay bales. Cheap Free delivery. Self unload-

ing. No Sunday calls Please. 403-843-6380

SMALL SQUARE HAY and straw 403-340-3061

SMALL Square Hay Bales:1st & 2nd cut.

SMALL Square Straw Bales403-784-2276

Houses/Duplexes 30203 BDRM. in Sylvan. 4 appls.,

fenced yard. No pets. All utils. incl. 403-347-6033

4 BDRM. house, 2 full baths, near schools and bus route, avail. Jan. 1, 2014, $1450 rent, DD

$1100 no pets, 403-343-6229 304-3979.

Celebrate your lifewith a Classified

ANNOUNCEMENT

Suites 3060MOUNTVIEW, bsmt. suite, 1 bdrm. + den, full bath, 4

appls., great location.$975. incld’s utils. & cable.N/S, no pets. 403-350-0913

RoomsFor Rent 3090Room, Avail. immed. $600. + dd 403-505-4777

StorageSpace 3160SHOP and Offi ce for sale or lease. 4300 sq. ft. on 7.5 Acres in Blackfalds.

Call 403-350-8431

MobileLot 3190

PADS $450/mo.Brand new park in Lacombe.

Spec Mobiles. 3 Bdrm.,2 bath. As Low as $75,000. Down payment $4000. Call at anytime. 403-588-8820

HousesFor Sale 4020

2 SPEC HOMESReady for your colours.

Can be shown at any time. 10 & 98 MacKenzie Cres. Lacombe. 403-588-8820

Condos/Townhouses4040

CONDO FOR SALESylvan Lake 1 Bedroom +

Den condo for sale in Sylvan Lake. Available January 1st. $164,800.

Please call (403) 302-7230 for additional info

Start your career!See Help Wanted

CommercialProperty 4110

42,000 sq ft Offi ce/Residential Building, RedDeer, AB Built in 2011. 21

separately titled unitsconsisting of 16 executivecondos and 4 commercial

suites, Zero TenantVacancy, 10 year triple netleases in place, expiring

2021. Assumable mortgage. Price - $8,400,000.00

Accepting OffersChristine@

andersonbuildersgroup.com

IndustrialProperty 4120RIVERSIDE INDUSTRIALheated warehouse & offi ce

space. 5,280 sq. ft.Available immediately.

403-588-4081

Cars 50302001 HYUNDAI Accent 2 dr. red, 403-348-2999

Cars 5030

ALL WHEEL DRIVE2007 530 XI BMW. Original Owner, 143,000 km. Exc. Cond.

Regularly Maintained,Fully Loaded!

Call 403-350-4323

2000 Chrysler Neon, 2L, 4 dr.,5 spd. Clean. 403-318-3040

1999 PONTIAC Bonneyville 4 dr., saftied. 403-352-6995

Trucks 5050

2011 GMC Sierra 1500Hybrid, 4X4, 6.0L, nav.,81,735 kms, $28,888

403-348-8788 Sport & Import

2007 FORD F-150 Lariat Ltd. Leather., sunroof,

tonneau cover, $15,888.403-348-8788 Sport & Import

Tires, PartsAcces. 518012V BATTERY Group 24 CC610 load tested at 590 $65 403-357-9664

AutoWreckers 5190RED’S AUTO. Free Scrap Vehicle & Metal Removal.

AMVIC APPROVED. We travel. May pay cash

for vehicle. 403-396-7519

VehiclesWantedTo Buy 5200 RED’S AUTO. Free scrap vehicle & metal removal. We travel. May pay cash

for vehicle. AMVIC APPROVED. 403-396-7519

Misc.Automotive 5240

FREE removal of scrap vehicles. Will pay cash for

some. 403-304-7585

Looking for a place to live?

Take a tour through the CLASSIFIEDS

www.drakeex.ca

• Skidsteer Services

• Gravel Hauling

•Excavating•

Your Quality Excavating Solution

403.304.3887

Snow Removal Now Available

•Travel Vaccinations•Ostomy Supplies•Shingles Vaccine•Compounding•Breast Pump Rentals

5049 Parkwood Road, BlackfaldsPhone: 403-600-2280 Fax: 403-600-2243

PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY

BLACKFALDS

•BOBCATS•GRADERS•LOADERS•TRUCKS•TRACK HOES

•AGRICULTURE•DEMOLITION•EXCAVATION•GENERAL CONTRACTING•SAND/GRAVEL•SUBDIVISION WORK www.dbbobcat.com

CERTIFICATE OF RECOGNITION

For All Your Excavation Needs

403.782.3437

Service Service DirectoryDirectoryAdvertise your service or business here for 3

weeks and receive the 4th week

ABSOLUTELY FREE

Call 403.782.5303

Successful Careers Start Here

CareersFor a chance to work at a GM Auto Dealership located

in a growing, small city environment.

Lacombe has all the amenities of the City and theSmall Town Lifestyle.

We are looking for an

AUTOMOTIVE TECH• With good communication skills and work ethics

• Great benefi ts & hours• Production Bonus• Training Provided

• Full Time/Long Term

We need you at this Award Winning GM Dealership!

Apply to:Bert Rumsey, Service ManagerEmail: [email protected]

APPLY NOW

Black Press, an independently owned newspaper company is looking for a full time Sales Representative for our Lacombe paper.Must be a professional, task-oriented, energetic individual. The ideal candidate will possess a solid background in customer service. Marketing or sales experience is a defi nite asset but not imperative. The ability to multi-task and attention to detail is key. Strong written, computer and verbal communications skills are an absolute must.This position requires a reliable vehicle.This full time, Sales Representative position is a base plus commission position.Interested candidates should forward their resume in confi dence to:

Email: [email protected] Or mail to:

Red Deer Express

#121 5301 43 Street, Red Deer, Alberta • T4N 1C8Attention: Publisher

Competition closing date: December 19, 2013 Only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.

No phone calls please.

Arnett & Burgess is now acceptingapplications for the following:

CLASS 1TRUCK DRIVER

Must have experience moving heavy equipment that is related to

pipeline construction.Clean abstract.

Competitive wage.Benefi ts available.

Please fax resumesto 780-372-4238

Or email to:[email protected]


Special

of the Week

403.782.87084718 Hwy 2A – Lacombe, AB

www.accessoryland.cawww.accessoryland.ca

The only place toPIMP Your Ride!!

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SPORTSBY BRIAN VOSSENLacombe Express

You are (almost) never too young to

start curling.

Once a week during the curling sea-

son, Lacombe Curling Club runs a ju-

nior curling program. It is well attend-

ed every week with some of the curlers

as young as fi ve years old.

Mandy Peakman, manager of the

Lacombe Curling Club, said that get-

ting and keeping young curlers in-

volved in the sport is benefi cial both

for the individuals and the sport itself.

“It’s a lifelong sport,” said Peakman.

“You see fi ve-year-olds out here and

then you see someone who is 85-years-

old out here. It’s investment in a physi-

cal activity for life, really.”

Peakman added that there is a social

camaraderie that comes with curling,

teamwork and belonging to a club. She

also said it’s a good way for newcom-

ers of any age to get involved with the

community.

Lacombe’s junior curling program

meets every Friday during the curl-

ing season. Most of the equipment is

loaned or donated by other curlers and

the juniors need to provide little equip-

ment of their own outside a pair of

runners.

Gwen Farnsworth, who has been in

charge of the program for the last few

years, said the children take well to the

program and many keep coming back

year after year.

“Curling has always tried to keep the

young people involved.”

Farnsworth started helping out

with the junior curling program in

Lacombe since she moved here in 1998

and has been running it herself for the

past four or fi ve years.

But the program was running even

before then and has been going strong

for over 20 years.

Coaching the junior program

seemed like a natural fi t for Farn-

sworth, she said. She had previously

worked for the Alberta Curling Federa-

tion and helped out with curling sum-

mer camps and Learn to Curl clinics

for several years.

As with many coaches and instruc-

tors, Farnsworth said her favourite

part of coaching is watching the pro-

gression of the players’ skills. She add-

ed that she really enjoys seeing how

young curlers develop a mind for the

strategy of the game.

Lacombe’s junior curling program

teaches more or less the same skills

that adult curlers use and practice,

said Farnsworth.

The difference is the techniques and

how they are taught and adapted to fi t

the abilities of the younger players.

For example, many young curlers

have trouble throwing a rock hard

enough to get it down the full sheet of

ice. To remedy this problem , the junior

curling program has smaller rocks for

the younger curlers so they can still

practice that aspect of the game.

“We modify most of it to accommo-

date the age group,” said Farnsworth.

During practices, the junior curlers

are divided by their age groups on dif-

ferent sheets of the curling ice. Farn-

sworth said there are two main age

groups, 5-11 and 12 and up.

There is more of a focus on learn-

ing than competing in the junior pro-

gram, but there is some competition,

said Farnsworth. At the end of the sea-

son, the younger curlers, those aged

between fi ve and 11, have a bonspiel

and get a chance to test what they have

learned.

As the older curlers, those aged 12

and over, don’t have the numbers for

a league, they are welcome to compete

in other bonspiels throughout the year,

though this is independent of the pro-

gram, said Farnsworth.

Farnsworth added that curling is a

sport pretty much anyone can play at

any age. She said that many modifi ca-

tions have been made to the sport to

accommodate those who have mobility

problems that come with age or other

physical challenges.

In February of next year, Lacombe

will host the Boston Pizza Cup, the Al-

berta Men’s Curling Championship.

Through this event, Lacombe’s

young curlers and the community as a

whole will get to see some of the best

curlers in the world compete.

Peakman said that this is a great

way to show young curlers where their

skills can take them and give them ex-

posure to the broader world of curling.

[email protected]

Junior curling program keeps sport strong

SLIDING STUDENT - Treydon Thien, 13, practices his slide during a junior curling session at theLacombe Curling Club late last week. Brian Vossen/Lacombe Express


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ARTS & LEISURE

BY MARK WEBERLacombe Express

There are lots of fresh, colour-

ful touches to this year’s rendition

of the seasonal classic The Nut-

cracker, staged at the Red Deer

College Arts Centre.

The production runs Dec. 14 at

1:30 and 7 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 1:30

p.m. on the Arts Centre main-

stage.

Director Tania Strader has

been with the production since

1999, and has been directing it

since 2002.

“I love the magic of Christmas

and The Nutcracker is part of the

Christmas season just as much as

candy canes and gingerbread,”

she explains. “A lot of the danc-

ers I only see for this nutty season

and I look forward to seeing them

year after year.”

Strader said she also truly looks

forward to meeting new dancers

who are making The Nutcracker

part of their Christmas tradition

as well.

“I love how the dancers are

all here for the same thing - to

make this year’s production more

magical than the last,” she said.

“Whether it be through their

dancing or the support and love

they show towards each other, it

is equally important. We are one

family that has grown twice in

size this year with a cast of ap-

proximately 80 dancers ranging

from ages four to adult.”

It’s certainly a big cast to work

with, but Strader welcomes the

challenge.

“I was excited for such an un-

usually large cast,” she said, not-

ing that of course there are a few

challenges with this as well. “I am

thrilled that so many local dancers

want to share the magic of Christ-

mas through their dancing. It was

challenging trying to rethink the

production with so many more

dancers being involved but excit-

ing at the same time.”

Even after a century, Tchai-

kovsky’s perfect score and epic

battle of mice and toy soldiers still

draw holiday crowds wherever

The Nutcracker is performed.

The Nutcracker ballet is based

on a book called The Nutcracker

and the Mouse King, published by

German writer E.T.A. Hoffman in

1816.

Hoffman, a writer, composer,

caricaturist, and painter, was

known for his stories in which

supernatural characters reveal

people’s hidden secrets.

Of course, there’s the sweeping,

elegant score written by Tchai-

kovsky as well. He began work

on the project in early 1892 before

beginning a tour of the United

States, completing it later that

summer.

Clara receives a cherished Nut-

cracker from her mysterious Aunt

Drosselmier.

After everyone has gone to bed

for the evening, strange things

begin to happen. Clara watches as

rats and soldiers battle for victory.

She is guided through falling

snow and taken to the Land of

Sweets where sweets from around

the world dance in her honour.

Many versions of the story

have been published as children’s

books, and it’s been said that in his

stories Hoffmann combined wild

fl ights of imagination with vivid

and convincing examinations of

human character and psychology.

As a ballet, The Nutcracker

made its première at the Mariin-

sky Theatre in St. Petersburg in

December of 1892.

Audiences are invited to settle

in for an unforgettable journey;

a tale that hasn’t remotely lost

its sense of wonder. And Strader

also works to provide a few fresh

touches from year to year.

“The story line has stayed tra-

ditional with a few, fresh twists,”

she said.

“For example, when the Rat

King is defeated and the spell over

the Nutcracker is broken, the

spell is also broken over the Sugar

Plum Princess and her true iden-

tity is revealed.

“Together, the prince and prin-

cess travel back to their castle in

the Land of the Sweets for a cel-

ebration in their honour.

“Here the audience will be in-

troduced to some new characters

- so fi tting to our wide range of

dancers.

“The Nutcracker is as tradi-

tional as the Christmas tree which

makes it loved by all who watch it

year after year,” points out Strad-

er. “People fi nd comfort in tradi-

tion and The Nutcracker is there

year after year to provide that to

its viewers.”

Tickets are available by visiting

www.bkticketcentre.ca or by call-

ing 403-755-6626.

[email protected]

Sparkling holiday charms aplenty in The Nutcracker

CHRISTMAS CLASSIC - Breanna Nagy, rehearses a scene from The Nutcracker. Performances run this weekend at the Red Deer College Arts Centre. Jenna Swan/Lacombe Express

Production runs Dec. 13-14 at the Arts Centre in Red Deer

18 Lacombe Express Thursday, December 12, 2013ARTS & LEISURE


This weekend, soprano singer Nicole

Brooks will be returning to Central Al-

berta to perform at St. Andrew’s United

Church in Lacombe.

Brooks said she is looking forward to the

homecoming.

“I love coming home and singing for

everyone around there,” said Brooks.

She added that she enjoys performing for

friends and family as they do not have

much exposure for this style of music.

“I love coming and bringing something

different and interesting to them.”

Hailing from Wetaskiwin, Brooks start-

ed her singing career at the age of 14 when

she began taking voice lessons from Mel-

rose Randell in Lacombe.

As a child, Brooks loved to sing but had

no interest in formal training.

“I would sing all over the house all the

time,” said Brooks.

Eventually, with the encouragement of

her mother, Brooks decided to try voice

lessons. She quickly learned that she had

a talent for singing and a voice for opera.

Brooks added she found that strange as

she knew nothing about opera.

Recognizing Brooks’ talent, her instruc-

tor, Randell, urged her to continue her

classical training, telling Brooks that, if

she had classical training she could sing

any genre of music she liked.

“Melrose was a very large part of en-

couraging me to continue.”

As she continued her musical training,

Brooks slowly developed a strong love for

music, even the operatic style she previ-

ously had no interest in. She said that she

took part in some opera competitions and

fi nished very well, winning many of them,

which spurred her further to continue her

training.

Before taking voice lessons, Brooks had

also started studying piano at the age of

eight.

She continued playing the piano until

the end of high school, but said it hasn’t

really stuck with her the way singing has.

Brooks said that while she had little in-

terest in opera originally, the more she was

exposed to it the more she began to enjoy

it.

“I think part of it for me was I didn’t

know much about (opera),” said Brooks.

“When you don’t know much about some-

thing, it’s hard to have an appreciation for

it. So as I was exposed to more of it, I start-

ed to fall in love with it.”

Anyone who has heard opera before

knows there are some pretty impressive

feats of voice involved in the art.

As a soprano, Brooks sings in the high-

est pitch of all opera singers.

While hitting some of those notes might

seem like a superhuman feat to some,

Brooks said it just comes with a lot of prac-

tice.

“It’s a lot of training.” She added that,

for herself, a natural ability helps. “I al-

ways could sing high, I didn’t really have

to work a lot at high notes.”

Opera singers train to learn breath con-

trol and practice techniques that allow

reaching any notes easier.

Today, Brooks attends the University of

British Columbia where she is studying for

a degree in music with a major in opera

performance. Brooks added she plans to re-

main at UBC and pursue her master’s after

obtaining her bachelor’s degree in hopes

of having a career as an opera singer.

Brooks performs as part of An Evening

of Classical Music at St. Andrew’s United

Church on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Admission to the concert is free but do-

nations to the local humanitarian organi-

zation A Better World are accepted.

All proceeds raised at the event will go to

feeding the children and building sanitary

structures at the Ringa School in Kenya.

[email protected]

Soprano singer returns to Central AlbertaNicole Brooks’ performance to benefi t the Ringa School in Kenya

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Horoscope

Aries, handle some unfi nished

business and establish

clear priorities. Otherwise,

you may turn what could

be a productive week into

something frustrating.

Taurus, when you wear your

heart on your sleeve for

everyone to see, you cannot

be shy about expressing your

emotions. Friends may be

skeptical of you though.

ARIESMar 21/Apr 20

TAURUSApr 21/May 21

Gemini, don’t be shy about

sharing unique plans with

your loved ones. The

support of friends and family

members will only restore

your confi dence in this new

direction.

Expect your ideas to take

shape over the next couple of

days, Cancer. Concrete plans

will materialize as you begin

to pull thoughts from your

imagination. The results will

be unique.

GEMINIMay 22/Jun 21

CANCERJun 22/Jul 22

You probably are not

interested in inching along

this week, Leo. Though it’s

good to attack a project with

gusto, don’t rush so much

that you make mistakes.

Virgo, you are quite

comfortable sharing your

thoughts now that you have

gotten some things worked

out. It’s now much easier to

talk about future possibilities.

LEOJul 23/Aug 23

VIRGOAug 24/Sept 22

Decoding all of the mixed

signals coming your way

won’t be easy, Libra. The

only thing you can do for the

moment is to take each signal

one at a time.

Scorpio, you are not in the

mood to play games, so

you will want to push your

romantic relationship to the

next level. You will have no

problem leading the way.

LIBRASept 23/Oct 23

SCORPIOOct 24/Nov 22

Opportunities to address

your physical well-being

present themselves this week,

Sagittarius. Make the most of

these opportunities to make a

signifi cant change.

Capricorn, you will ride a

creative wave for the next

several days. Inspiration will

strike when you least expect

it. You should have some time

for play.

SAGITTARIUSNov 23/Dec 21

CAPRICORNDec 22/Jan 20

Aquarius, expect some

support from family members

and close friends. Receive

their generosity as warmly as

you can, even if you’re feeling

a bit smothered.

Pisces, it can be easy to get

swept away by other people’s

agendas when you attempt to

lend a helping hand. Do your

best to pitch in.

AQUARIUSJan 21/Feb 18

PISCESFeb 19/Mar 20

ANSWER

CLUES ACROSS 1. Binder 5. Move up and down 11. Wild sheep of northern

Africa 12. Annoys 16. An upward movement 17. Ducktail 18. Town in central

Minnesota 19. Philatelist’s delight 24. Carrier’s invention 25. Foreign travellers 26. Aurochs 27. Batter advanced score 28. Show the way 29. Steep rugged mass

of rock 30. Valley 31. Digital data device 33. Insert mark 34. Breakout 38. Dissention from dogma 39. Kuhil and clown fi sh

40. Unconsciousness 43. Czech River 44. Johann Sebastian 45. Flows to the Danube at

Belgrade 49. World data organization

(abbr.) 50. Comedian Sahl 51. Porch furniture wood 53. Potato state 54. American Pickers 56. Yellow-fever mosquitos 58. Edison’s company 59. Axis and offshoot angle 60. Standard 63. Blame (Scottish) 64. Esoteric 65. Pronounces

CLUES DOWN 1. Any wrist bone 2. Baltimore bird 3. Czar’s nation 4. Regulated food

5. Space next to someone 6. Expunction 7. Trauma center 8. Spanish yes 9. Matters 10. Twist out of shape 13. Toward 14. Renders able for a task 15. An extended social

group 20. Article 21. GMA anchor’s initials 22. Streetcar 23. Summer month (abbr.) 27. Not widely distributed 29. Plays great music 30. Female 1776

descendants 31. Speed gauge ratio 32. Old English 33. After B 34. Expressing sorrow 35. More hearty, fi rmer 36. Taxis

37. Single pip card 38. 50th state 40. A source of worry 41. Eight sided 42. Highest military valor

award (abbr.) 44. Former Harvard Pres.

Derek 45. Drinking tubes 46. Loss of coordination 47. Self-love 48. Talus joints 50. Accumulator 51. Rural delivery 52. Lady Soul’s initials 54. Prefi x indicating

abstraction 55. Hawaiian goose 57. Prince William’s mom,

Lady __ 61. Aid organization (abbr.) 62. Farm state

HOW TO PLAY:

Fill-in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once.Each 3x3 box is outlined with a dark-er line. You already have a few num-bers to get you started. Remember: You must not repeat the numbers 1 through 9 in the same line, column or 3x3 box.

ANSWER


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Standing Rib Oven Roasts Standing Rib Oven Roasts Soft Dinner RollsSoft Dinner Rolls

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Valid Dec. 13 to Dec. 26, 2013

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Lacombe Express, December 12, 2013

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Transcript of Lacombe Express, December 12, 2013