Happy New Year! - Suburban Journals

JANUARY 2011
Be a Snow Angel
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New
Fine Increase for
Parking in
Accessible Stalls
Healthy Winter Meals with
Fresh Grapefruit
THE KINCORA VIEW
JANUARY 2011
3
In Our City
Elected Officials
Alderman: Gord Lowe, 403-268-2430
[email protected]
MLA: Len Webber, 403-288-4453
[email protected]
Suburban Journals Publishing
Editor & Article Submissions:
[email protected]
Advertising Sales:
Pam, 403-880-1819
[email protected]
Ad booking deadlines for this monthly
publication are the 14th of the month, prior to
the distribution month.
This publication is published 12 times a year by
Suburban Journals Publishing and delivered to
residents by Canada Post. This publication is also
available for pickup from local retail outlets.
Please note: the information and opinions in this
newsletter are subject to change, and do not
necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher
or editor. Content contained in this publication
may not be reproduced without the written
consent of Suburban Journals Publishing. The
information herein is believed accurate but not
warranted so. Any advertisements, home
businesses, babysitters & nannies, or other parties
listed in the Kincora View should not
be interpreted as recommendations or
endorsements by the editor or
the publisher.
Country Hills
Library
Programs for Adults
•Discover Your
Style for Women:
Jan. 18, 7:00 p.m.
– 8:30 p.m. Registration begins on
December 20.
•Contemporary Music at Your
Library - featuring Stan Climie
and Laurie Radford: Jan. 22,
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. No registration required.
Programs for Children & Families
•Design it Green: Jan. 24, 4:00 p.m.
– 5:30 p.m. For ages 6 to 10.
•Snuggle Up and Read on Family
Literacy Day: Jan. 27, 2:15 p.m.
– 2:45 p.m. For ages 2 to 5 with a
parent or caregiver.
Visit www.calgarypubliclibrary.com
for more information on these programs. Registration is required for all
programs unless otherwise noted.
Women and
Politics—How
We Rank
According to data compiled by
the Inter-Parliamentary Union,
Canada ranks 51 in the world for
the number of women it has in
Parliament.
As of the fall of 2010, the three
countries topping the list for women
representatives were Rwanda,
Sweden and South Africa. Canada
ranked higher than the United States
which placed 73.
Be an Angel
For some, the first
snowfall of the year
is a welcome event.
For others, the first
snowfall brings worries of slipping and
falling. Calgary is
home to more than
98,000 older adults
and approximately
95 per cent of them are living in the
community. This is a large portion of
Calgary’s population that is greatly
impacted by snow and ice. They
need your help this winter keeping
their sidewalks shovelled, ice-free...
and safe.
You can help by becoming a Snow
Angel. Snow Angels "adopt" a neighbour’s sidewalk and help keep the
walkway clear of ice and snow all
winter. You don’t have to register for
a program, you just pick up a shovel
and go!
The City of Calgary is asking that
those whose sidewalks are "adopted"
send their story to the City and officially recognize their Snow Angel.
They can nominate their Snow Angel
by calling 3-1-1 or filling out an online
form at www.calgary.ca and following
the links to 3-1-1 Online.
For more information call The City of
Calgary Seniors Services Division at
403-974-3112 or 3-1-1.
"You don’t get the dog
you want, you get the
dog you need."
Cesar Millan,
The Dog Whisperer
THE KINCORA VIEW
JANUARY 2011
5
In Our City
Events In and Around Calgary
Nevermore: Jan. 6 – Feb. 6, Vertigo
Mystery Theatre. The imaginary life
and mysterious death of Edgar Allan
Poe. A Gothic tale told in song.
www.vertigotheatre.com
High Performance Rodeo: Jan. 6 –
30, Epcor Centre for the Performing
Arts. One Yellow Rabbit presents one
of its most popular festivals. Showcases new local and national works by
original and respected talent.
www.hprodeo.ca
The Calgary Motorcycle Show:
Jan. 7 – 9, BMO Centre Stampede
Park. Exciting exhibits, performances,
demonstrations, competitions and
more. www.calgarymotorcycleshow.ca
Titanic, The Musical: Jan. 13 – 22,
7:00 p.m. (1:00 p.m. matinee), UofC
Theatre. Music and lyrics by Maury
Yeston and book by Peter Stone.
Opened on Broadway in 1997, winner of five Tony Awards, including the
award for Best Musical.
www.TitanicTheMusical.ca
Jeff Foxworthy: Jan. 13, Scotiabank
Saddledome. Enjoy a comedic performance by Jeff Foxworthy along with
Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy.
www.jefffoxworthy.com
Tickets, admission or registration may be required
for events. Event details are believed correct as of
press time but may change at any time.
Homexpo: Jan. 14 – 16, BMO Centre.
Calgary's home renovation and decor
show. A wealth of interior and exterior products will be on display and for
sale. Includes demonstrations, presentations and expert advice.
www.showswork.com
Calgary RV Expo & Sale: Jan. 27 –
30, BMO Centre. Western Canada's
biggest showing of RVs and related
services and accessories. Vehicle and
product displays, and seminars covering all one needs to know about the
RV Lifestyle. www.rvshowsalberta.ca
Bridal Fantasy Calgary, The Boutique Bridal Show: Jan. 16, Telus
Convention Centre. An amazing and
dramatic bridal fashion show and
theatrical production featuring the
latest trends in flowers, formals, wedding dresses and wedding accessories,
bridesmaids’ dresses, destination wear,
wedding hair and make-up.
www.bridalfantasy.com
Wine Stage: Jan. 29, 7:30 p.m. –
10:30 p.m. Hotel Arts. Calgary's Most
Dramatic Wine Event! At this dramatic
fundraiser for One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre, guests will savour
the world’s finest wines from the city’s
best wine merchants, expertly paired
with the succulent culinary creations
of Calgary’s most celebrated restaurants. hprodeo.ca
The Wedding Fair: Jan. 23, BMO
Centre. Visit with more than 200 wedding specialists. Top vendors showcase the latest trends and fashions to
help you plan your perfect wedding.
www.theweddingfair.ca
Bliss Wedding Fair Extraordinaire:
Jan. 30, Carriage House Inn. Showcasing Calgary’s hottest hidden talents
and bringing a fresh and modern twist
to the table. www.blissweddingfair.ca
An Afternoon with Arnold Schwarzenegger: Jan. 25, Telus Convention
Centre. Spend an afternoon with Arnold Schwarzenegger famous for his
action movie roles and as governor of
California. Includes lunch and wine.
http://gov.ca.gov/
Ski for Heart: Jan. 30 – Feb. 1, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. Bundle up
for a heart warming, pulse-racing, life
saving weekend in the Rockies in support of The Heart and Stroke Foundation. www.skiforheart.ca
THE KINCORA VIEW
JANUARY 2011
7
In Our City
Parking Stalls for People with
Disabilities: What Are the Rules?
Who can legally
park in a stall
designated for a
person with a disability?
•Only when the vehicle displays the designated parking placard or a designated
license plate.
•Placards are issued to individuals. Only the placard holder
is entitled to use the placard.
Loaning the placard to a
friend or family member may
result in the card being cancelled.
•Anyone who helps a person with a
disability run errands should avoid
using the designated stalls if the
person with the disability remains in
the vehicle.
•Visitors to Alberta with a valid parking permit for people with disabilities may use their valid placard from
the home province.
What is the penalty for unauthorized parking in a designated stall?
Beginning January 1, the fine for parking illegally in an accessible stall will
be $200 if paid within 10 days, $250
if paid within 30 days and $300 after
that time.
How can abuse of a parking
placard be reported? Please
make a written report of the occurrence. Record all details of the
incident, including the date, time,
place, vehicle license number
and description and submit the
information to: Registry Services,
Alberta Government Services
Building, 710 - 4th Ave. S.W.,
Calgary T2P OK3. Fax:
403-297-8982. Reminder: Not
all disabilities are visible. For
example, heart or lung conditions
may not warrant a wheelchair; however, people who have them may qualify
for a parking placard because they are
unable to walk further than 50 meters.
What can you do to help?
•Be personally responsible. It is not
okay to park in a designated stall
“just for a minute”.
•Remind family and friends to leave
designated parking stalls for those
who need them.
•Don’t abuse a handicapped parking placard. For example, family
members are not allowed to use the
placard. Only the placard holder is
entitled to use it.
Fines for Parking in Accessible Stalls
Increase on January 1
Beginning January 1, the fine for parking illegally in an accessible stall will
be $200 if paid within 10 days, $250 if paid within 30 days and $300 after
that time.
The Calgary Parking Authority asks you to think before you park and leave
designated parking stalls for those who need them.
Cash Memoir
Tells An Honest
Story
“The lonely road is
a bodyguard.”
“This one line, in
this one song, is
how I know who I
am, and how I know
I survived,” writes
Rosanne Cash in her memoir Composed (Viking—Penguin Group).
In this book, the daughter of Country music legend Johnny Cash talks
honestly and in detail about her life,
her music, her losses and fears including recovery from brain surgery,
and her loves. And, of course, she
talks about what it was like living in
the shadow of her famous father.
Rosanne’s life, in many ways, was
surprisingly normal. Becoming a
writer/singer was almost second
nature to this woman, now 55, who
came from an extended family of
musicians. “I have learned more
from songs than I ever did from any
teacher in school. They are interwoven and have flowed through the
most important relationships in my
life,” she notes.
Composed like any memoir or
biography gives us poignant insight
into human nature, and the life of a
woman who believes her life “could
only be magnificent.”
Jean Andrews
Book of the Month
JANUARY 2011
THE KINCORA VIEW
9
House & Home
Lock in the Heat
Whether it's record cold, or warmerthan-usual, we can all agree winter is
cold, no matter which way you slice
it or dice it. Deep freeze or somewhat
frosty, families across Canada are firing up the proverbial home hearths in
preparation. Dave Walton, director of
home ideas, Direct Energy, has a few
very simple tips to keep the heat from
those hearths where it belongs:
•Lock onto a program: Install a programmable thermostat and set it to
lower by about 2 degrees overnight
and during the day. This easy step
could save as much as 4% on heating
costs.
•Lock in the heat: Windows and
doors let cold air seep in and warm
air sneak out.
Put a stop to
the heat-loss
by sealing up
leaks with
caulking or
weather stripping.
•Lock in the
dates: The
furnace works more efficiently when
the filter is cleaned or changed on a
regular basis. Commit to changing
the filter every 2 to 3 months. This
simple chore could save as much as
10% on the heating bill.
News Canada, www.directenergy.com,
www.davescorner.ca
How to Buy The Perfect
Snow Blower
This winter could be the time to invest
in a snow blower.
Before purchasing a snow blower,
keep in mind your budget and the size
of your property, and then compare
models, sizes, and prices.
Larger properties require heavier
equipment. If your driveway can fit
more than four cars or is on a slope,
you may want to invest in a blower
with a track-drive system that provides
superior traction through all type of
snow conditions. With the benefit of
pliable, low-temperature rubber tracks
that come with sure-gripping cleats,
you will achieve solid traction and
ideal balance.
A smaller driveway and less sidewalk
space will benefit from more agile
Is A Winter
Home Inspection
Worthwhile?
While some of the shortcomings of a
home you are considering to buy will
not be evident under snow coverage,
winter also presents an opportunity to
see other things that snow can teach us
about the condition of a house.
For example, a snow-covered roof may
hide the overall state of the shingles
and underlay, yet large spotty patches
of melted snow on a roof and dripping icicles are indicators of insulation
deficiency. Likewise, snow piled on the
outside of a home can show tell-tale
signs inside the home, revealing foundation cracks and basement leakage
problems.
While every season teaches us something about the condition of a home,
cold weather and snow may prevent
a home inspector from determining
certain aspects, such as the grade of the
land, and if rain and moisture drains
away from, or toward, the house.
In rural areas, testing the health of a
septic system is a task much better task
left for warmer weather. Also, it is not
feasible to test the state of an air conditioning system during cold weather.
equipment. Smaller snow blowers
allow for easier maneuvering along
sidewalks and steps and come with a
convenient pull start or electric start
option. Also, consider one with complete CVT transmission, which means
that there is no manual gear shifting,
just smooth lever control from high
speed to low speed.
In order to protect yourself from possible future expenses as a result of a
winter inspection that cannot uncover
certain conditions, it is advisable to
speak to your real estate agent about
working into your contractual agreements provisions for compensation
or replacement, should it become
necessary.
News Canada, GIObikes.com
News Canada, www.royallepage.ca
JANUARY 2011
THE KINCORA VIEW
11
Food & Drink
Healthy Winter Meals with
Fresh Grapefruit
Wintertime “comfort” meals are often
rich and heavy and therefore unkind to our digestive systems. Finding healthy, nourishing recipes that
energize can help reduce the sluggish
factor we are prone to in the winter
months. The citric acid in grapefruit
for instance, promotes an alkaline
environment in the body, which is an
ideal state for absorption of nutrients
and minerals and fighting off fatigue
or illness.
“Heavy foods tend to make us feel
worn down in the winter and we're
left feeling continuously tired”, says
Lydia Knorr, a registered dietitian
with the Florida Department of Citrus. “But adding fresh fruit or vegetables, such as grapefruit to recipes
infuses meals with rich nutrients like
vitamin C, fibre and potassium, and
enhances the flavour of winter fare.”
Try the following recipe, which fuses
the complimentary flavours of grapefruit and asparagus – ingredients that
are both delicious and loaded with
goodness for healthy winter meal
options.
Asparagus Stir-Fry with
Grapefruit and Almonds
Ingredients:
•1 large pink grapefruit
•1 tbsp olive oil
•1/2 cup slivered almonds
•3 cloves garlic, minced
•1-lb asparagus, trimmed and cut into
3-inch pieces
•Pinch salt
Directions:
•Cut grapefruit in half. Squeeze juice
into measuring cup to make about 1/2
cup. With small spoon, scrape pulp
from grapefruit into separate bowl to
make about 1/2 cup. Set aside.
•Swirl oil into large skillet or wok set
over medium-high heat. Stir-fry almonds and garlic until golden-brown,
about 30 seconds. Add asparagus and
salt; stir-fry 1 minute.
•Add grapefruit juice and 1/4 cup water. Cook asparagus, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp. Stir in reserved
grapefruit pulp.
News Canada, www.floridacitrus.ca
Moving Away from Cork
Wine can be spoiled by its cork. Sealing wine this
way goes back centuries and while there is romance in
the tradition, the pitfalls of using a tree bark derivative
can't be denied. Cork is susceptible to impurities and
defects, the worst offender being the nasty little organism compound known as TCA, or trichloroanisole. The fact that this material spoils one in 10 wines is the reason many of the world's most prestigious
vineyards are changing to synthetic corks and screw caps.
News Canada
Family Dinners
Start New Year
Off Healthy
A study in the March 2010 issue of the
journal Pediatrics found that kids who
ate dinner with their families were less
likely to be obese.
According to the study's authors, Dr.
Sarah Anderson and Dr. Robert Whitaker, U.S. preschool-aged children who
obtained adequate sleep, spent limited
time in front of the computer or TV,
and regularly ate dinner as a family,
had a 40% lower incidence of obesity
than children who did not.
And it's easy to understand why. Not
only does less screen time allow for
more active time (which leads to better
sleep), but other studies have shown
that quality time with the family may
help children make more responsible
decisions about food and exercise.
So make it your family's New Year's
resolution to eat together every night,
not just on holidays. At My Best, a national school-based wellness program
developed by AstraZeneca Canada and
Physical and Health Education Canada, can help make all of your family
meal times healthy and delicious. You
can find year-round, kid friendly recipes online at www.atmybest.ca.
News Canada