By Todd Curran
Since the beginning of time, people have sought out good luck symbols for protection and good fortune. Steeped in superstition and tied to the psyche of mankind, symbols of good luck are symbols of our own hopes.
We could all use a little more luck and there's no harm in putting a little belief in a charm that gives you a little confidence. As Tennessee Williams said, “Luck is believing you're lucky.”
St. Patrick's Day might be an Irish celebration, but you can get lucky with these symbols from around the world!
Skull:
From hats to slippers, much of my wardrobe is skull themed. As it turns out, skulls were used by ancient cultures to ward off any type of evil influence or illness. They're philosophically viewed as the seat of intelligence, spirit and the spark of human life. The skull is also the remnant of the body that is the least resistant to decay - another sign of its strength as a symbol. Many primitive cultures believed wearing skulls would insure protection and well-being.
To the Celts, skulls symbolized time, power, divinity, creation and initiation. Celtic culture viewed the head or skull to be the seat of power. Some texts point to the skull as the house of the soul. Archeological findings show us the Celts tossed skulls into sacred wells as offerings.
Shamrock and clover:
Specifically, the four-leaf clover is revered in Celtic myth for its emerald green hue and its vigorous growth. Each leaf symbolizes a different lucky characteristic: 1) Fame, 2) Wealth, 3) Love, 4) Health. If you wear a lucky clover, love will come to you, if you possess one, no evil can harm you, and if you dream of one you will live happily for the rest of your days.
Star:
Legend claims this geometric symbol was designed by Pythagoras to represent perfection. It was also known as the Wizard's Star in the Middle Ages and was worn as an emblem on clothing to represent the mysteries of the Universe. The Lucky Star is such because in ancient times it was believed good fortunes were determined by the Stars.
Horseshoe:
An ancient emblem used to ward off the "evil eye”, legend says that the ends must be hung pointing up to keep all the good luck in. Horseshoes were thought to bring good fortune when they were hung up on the wall of a home or above a doorway. This tradition may stem from the 10th century Saint Dunstan. He trapped the devil using a Horseshoe and from that point on the devil would never enter a Christian home adorned with a Horseshoe over the door.
When horseshoes were made by blacksmiths, this added to the idea of luck that embodies the horseshoe as blacksmithing was considered a lucky trade. To the Greeks, horseshoes symbolized the crescent moon which was regarded as a symbol of fertility.
Rainbows:
Rainbows are considered lucky because we all know if we find the end of the rainbow there will be pot of gold. A rainbow also has seven easily discernible colors and everybody knows that 7 is a lucky number.
Lucky Number 7:
Many cultures hold the number 7 in high regard on the luck scale. In the mythology of Japan, there are the Seven Gods of Fortune. The number seven is also important in world religions and spiritual beliefs including Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity.
Seven appears repeatedly in Scripture in such things as the seven lamps of the temple, seven wise and seven foolish virgins, and Christ's feeding of the multitude with five loaves and two fishes. The early church taught that belief in God brings seven gifts: wisdom, understanding, honour, glory, blessings, strength and godliness.
It is believed that the seventh son of a seventh son has the power of healing and that the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter has the gift of interpreting dreams, but who the hell wants that many kids?
Dream Catchers:
Native cultures consider dream catchers to bring good fortune because they catch the negative images from dreams. As legend has it, a spider was quietly spinning his web in his own space. It was beside the sleeping space of Nokomis, the grandmother. Each day, Nokomis watched the spider at work, quietly spinning away. One day as she was watching him, her grandson came in. "Nokomis-iya!" he shouted, glancing at the spider. He stomped over to the spider, picked up a shoe and went to hit it. "No-keegwa," the old lady whispered, "don't hurt him."
When the boy left, the spider went to the old woman and thanked her for saving his life. He said to her, "For many days you have watched me spin and weave my web. You have admired my work. In return for saving my life, I will give you a gift." He smiled and moved away, spinning as he went. Soon the moon glistened on a magical silvery web moving gently in the window. "See how I spin" he said. "See and learn, for bad dreams will become hopelessly entangled in the web. Only good dreams will go through the small hole. This is my gift to you."
Dragonflies:
As a creature of the wind, the dragonfly represents change. As a creature of the water, they represent the subconscious, or dream state. Other symbolic meanings associated with dragonflies are prosperity, strength, courage, peace, harmony and purity.
Elephants:
Elephants are good luck in Feng Shui and the Ganeshsa is the Hindu God of Luck.
Elephant figurines placed on shelves or by doorways are said to ensure longevity and luck. Elephants are a Symbol of Wisdom, Power, Loyalty, Intelligence, Strength and Solitude.
Frogs:
The Frog has been a symbol of prosperity, wealth, friendship and abundance in many cultures and a symbol of fertility in others. In the Native American culture of the Southwest, the Frog carries a piece of wood in its mouth, because the Mojave people believe Frogs brought fire to humans. For the Romans, the Frog was believed to bring Good Luck to the home. The native Aborigines of Australia believed that Frogs brought the thunder and rain to help the plants to grow. Frogs are also said to be effective in speeding up recovery from disease. Among the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, Frogs symbolized inspiration and fertility. In Egypt, Hekt, the Frog goddess, protected new-born babies; hence Frogs are symbols of fertility and birth. The Frog is also said to attract true friends and to help you find long-lasting love.
Gateway Gazette Grande
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Carmangay Going Green?
(Page 2)
The small southern Alberta village of Carmangay will soon be home to a large wind energy project expected to commence next year. Alberta Utilities Commission gave the go-ahead to Calgary-based Greengate Power to build the project, which will generate enough power to supply 100,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gases significantly. It is also believed that the initiative will create jobs and provide increased tax revenues for Vulcan County and royalties for landowners.
The small southern Alberta village of Carmangay will soon be home to a large wind energy project expected to commence next year. Alberta Utilities Commission gave the go-ahead to Calgary-based Greengate Power to build the project, which will generate enough power to supply 100,000 homes and reduce greenhouse gases significantly. It is also believed that the initiative will create jobs and provide increased tax revenues for Vulcan County and royalties for landowners.
Spotlight On Our Communities - Champion and Evergreen
(Page 4)
Champion
Champion, located 147 kilometres south of Calgary, is the largest village in Vulcan County. British, American and Canadian homesteaders began arriving in the Champion area in 1904, as the vast prairie grasslands, cut through by the Little Bow River, provided ideal country for farming and ranching.
Champion is now home to a variety of locally owned businesses and two schools, the Champion Community School (115 students in grades 1-9, plus a parent-run kindergarten), and the Hope Christian School (grades K-12). Recreational and cultural services in the village include the Champion Public Library, the Community Pool (outdoors), the Pioneer Club Seniors' Drop-In Centre, two baseball fields, the Champion Community Park and Campground, the Rodeo arena, and in the winter, a skating arena with natural ice. The village also serves as a gateway to Little Bow Provincial Park, which is located 20 kilometres east of the village and provides camping and many other outdoor recreational activities.
Since its founding, the Village of Champion has celebrated its anniversary every five years, traditionally on the July 1st long weekend. In 2011 the town will celebrate its 100th anniversary, an important celebration for which planning has been underway for some years.
Evergreen
Evergreen is a suburban residential neighbourhood in the southwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is located south of the lovely Fish Creek Provincial Park, and southeast from the Tsuu T'ina First Nation reserve.
Residents enjoy an enviable position somewhere between urban and rural, with quick access to city conveniences, and easy escape routes to outdoor wonderlands like Kananaskis Country. An overwhelming number of homes in the neighbourhood are single-family detached houses and over fifty percent of the residents are in the age bracket from 24 to 55 years.
Fish Creek Provincial Park is a rare gem for a city the size of Calgary: a vast area of protected natural space with kilometres of trails for hiking, biking and running. For Evergreen residents, it's their backyard.
Champion
Champion, located 147 kilometres south of Calgary, is the largest village in Vulcan County. British, American and Canadian homesteaders began arriving in the Champion area in 1904, as the vast prairie grasslands, cut through by the Little Bow River, provided ideal country for farming and ranching.
Champion is now home to a variety of locally owned businesses and two schools, the Champion Community School (115 students in grades 1-9, plus a parent-run kindergarten), and the Hope Christian School (grades K-12). Recreational and cultural services in the village include the Champion Public Library, the Community Pool (outdoors), the Pioneer Club Seniors' Drop-In Centre, two baseball fields, the Champion Community Park and Campground, the Rodeo arena, and in the winter, a skating arena with natural ice. The village also serves as a gateway to Little Bow Provincial Park, which is located 20 kilometres east of the village and provides camping and many other outdoor recreational activities.
Since its founding, the Village of Champion has celebrated its anniversary every five years, traditionally on the July 1st long weekend. In 2011 the town will celebrate its 100th anniversary, an important celebration for which planning has been underway for some years.
Evergreen
Evergreen is a suburban residential neighbourhood in the southwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is located south of the lovely Fish Creek Provincial Park, and southeast from the Tsuu T'ina First Nation reserve.
Residents enjoy an enviable position somewhere between urban and rural, with quick access to city conveniences, and easy escape routes to outdoor wonderlands like Kananaskis Country. An overwhelming number of homes in the neighbourhood are single-family detached houses and over fifty percent of the residents are in the age bracket from 24 to 55 years.
Fish Creek Provincial Park is a rare gem for a city the size of Calgary: a vast area of protected natural space with kilometres of trails for hiking, biking and running. For Evergreen residents, it's their backyard.
Millrise Place Staff wins Spirit Award
(Page 4)
The staff at Millrise Place competed against 26 other teams from the Calgary area (including Banff and Cochrane) to capture the 2010 Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & Nunavut's Spirit Award.
The award is based on a spirit points ranking system covering 14 different criteria that include enthusiasm, team spirit, team cheer, themed t-shirts and generally, making a lot of noise.
Earlier this year, Millrise Place staffers enthusiastically braved rain and wind to pedal approximately two kilometers in Fish Creek Park to raise $10,010.....
The staff at Millrise Place competed against 26 other teams from the Calgary area (including Banff and Cochrane) to capture the 2010 Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & Nunavut's Spirit Award.
The award is based on a spirit points ranking system covering 14 different criteria that include enthusiasm, team spirit, team cheer, themed t-shirts and generally, making a lot of noise.
Earlier this year, Millrise Place staffers enthusiastically braved rain and wind to pedal approximately two kilometers in Fish Creek Park to raise $10,010.....
Rowan House Emergency Shelter - Hope and Healing
(Page 5)
We are a registered non-profit society with charitable status and we rely on the support of community donors to continue our programming and services. Without the amazing support of local businesses and individuals, Rowan House Emergency Shelter would not be able to protect the women and children of the rural Foothills.
Currently Rowan House is a tiny two bedroom facility located in the basement of an adolescent group home. We have significantly outgrown our current facility and are in desperate need of a larger, more secure shelter. Every year we turn away more families than we can house. We have purchased land in the Town of High River and raised $700,000 to date. We need an additional $800,000 to complete this facility in 2011. This dream will only become a reality through the generosity of local businesses and individual supporters.
Hope and Healing Gala 2011
We are asking for your support....
We are a registered non-profit society with charitable status and we rely on the support of community donors to continue our programming and services. Without the amazing support of local businesses and individuals, Rowan House Emergency Shelter would not be able to protect the women and children of the rural Foothills.
Currently Rowan House is a tiny two bedroom facility located in the basement of an adolescent group home. We have significantly outgrown our current facility and are in desperate need of a larger, more secure shelter. Every year we turn away more families than we can house. We have purchased land in the Town of High River and raised $700,000 to date. We need an additional $800,000 to complete this facility in 2011. This dream will only become a reality through the generosity of local businesses and individual supporters.
Hope and Healing Gala 2011
We are asking for your support....
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #78 - Turner Valley
(Page 6)
Birth of a Nation
Submitted by Gordon Day
The annual Birth of a Nation parade and ceremonies will again be held in Turner Valley on April 9th honouring the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The parade will form up near the Turner Valley Fire Station and continue down Main Street to the Legion, where the ceremonies will be held. This year, the Resolution to have this day honoured as a nationally recognized day will be presented by two veterans to the Member of Parliament. Area community mayors have been invited to arrive with letters of support to also be presented to the Prime Minister. ....
Birth of a Nation
Submitted by Gordon Day
The annual Birth of a Nation parade and ceremonies will again be held in Turner Valley on April 9th honouring the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The parade will form up near the Turner Valley Fire Station and continue down Main Street to the Legion, where the ceremonies will be held. This year, the Resolution to have this day honoured as a nationally recognized day will be presented by two veterans to the Member of Parliament. Area community mayors have been invited to arrive with letters of support to also be presented to the Prime Minister. ....
Views On Vision - Matt's Story II
(Page 8)
By Dr Charles A. Boulet
A mother (call her Kay) came in to see me regarding her son Matt and his academic troubles. Matt is almost 8 years old, in Grade 3, and has already become familiar with the insides of 4 different schools. Kay was referred to me by Matt's pediatrician who wanted to know if there was a visual component to the child's trouble in school. I was of course more than happy to see Matt - research shows that about 90% of children with reading delays have some sort of visual developmental delay in motor skills, perceptual skills and frequently both......
By Dr Charles A. Boulet
A mother (call her Kay) came in to see me regarding her son Matt and his academic troubles. Matt is almost 8 years old, in Grade 3, and has already become familiar with the insides of 4 different schools. Kay was referred to me by Matt's pediatrician who wanted to know if there was a visual component to the child's trouble in school. I was of course more than happy to see Matt - research shows that about 90% of children with reading delays have some sort of visual developmental delay in motor skills, perceptual skills and frequently both......
Rein in Spending with Debt Management by Wayne Coristine
(Page 9)
Money Mentors is a not-for-profit credit counselling organization that is dedicated to educating Albertans on debt resolution, the wise use of credit and unbiased personal money coaching.
Credit cards are not cash
You should try to use credit cards only for items you can pay in full when you get your statement. Just because your limit may be $5,000, it doesn't mean you have $5,000. If you buy something on sale with your credit card but don't pay it off quickly, the interest charge each month could end up costing you more than the regular price.
“If you have to carry a balance, avoid only making the minimum payment,” says Tracy Watson, Director of Communications at Money Mentors. “At 18% interest, it would take twelve and a half years with a $200 monthly payment to clear up a $5,000 balance…and that's without making any new purchases. On top of that, you'd end up paying over $2,900 in interest, which more than cancels out the deals at the sales counter.”
More on Debt Management in the next issue.
Money Mentors is a not-for-profit credit counselling organization that is dedicated to educating Albertans on debt resolution, the wise use of credit and unbiased personal money coaching.
Credit cards are not cash
You should try to use credit cards only for items you can pay in full when you get your statement. Just because your limit may be $5,000, it doesn't mean you have $5,000. If you buy something on sale with your credit card but don't pay it off quickly, the interest charge each month could end up costing you more than the regular price.
“If you have to carry a balance, avoid only making the minimum payment,” says Tracy Watson, Director of Communications at Money Mentors. “At 18% interest, it would take twelve and a half years with a $200 monthly payment to clear up a $5,000 balance…and that's without making any new purchases. On top of that, you'd end up paying over $2,900 in interest, which more than cancels out the deals at the sales counter.”
More on Debt Management in the next issue.
Foothills of the Future
(Page 9)
By Todd Curran
Land owners met at the High River Heritage Inn on March 1st, for a Southern Foothills Community Stewardship Initiative forum.
“This is a large-scale input process to get a sense of the public's needs and interest in maintaining the landscape,” says Initiative project manager Carole Stark. After gathering information on residents' priorities for land use and management, the Initiative aims to give the priorities a voice heard by the municipalities and provincial government.
“We want to achieve people's wants with broad strategies, recommendations and ecological benefits,” Carole says. Representatives from local conservation groups also attended the forum, particularly interested in the Initiative's goal of protecting the long-term health of southern Foothills watersheds and landscape.
To date, the forums have indicated a public interest in valuing water quality and quantity, connected landscapes and soil. Effective governance that involves and is accountable to local citizens ranked as the highest want among management values, just ahead of land and watershed planning that reflects local needs and priorities.
For more information visit www.pekisko.ca.
By Todd Curran
Land owners met at the High River Heritage Inn on March 1st, for a Southern Foothills Community Stewardship Initiative forum.
“This is a large-scale input process to get a sense of the public's needs and interest in maintaining the landscape,” says Initiative project manager Carole Stark. After gathering information on residents' priorities for land use and management, the Initiative aims to give the priorities a voice heard by the municipalities and provincial government.
“We want to achieve people's wants with broad strategies, recommendations and ecological benefits,” Carole says. Representatives from local conservation groups also attended the forum, particularly interested in the Initiative's goal of protecting the long-term health of southern Foothills watersheds and landscape.
To date, the forums have indicated a public interest in valuing water quality and quantity, connected landscapes and soil. Effective governance that involves and is accountable to local citizens ranked as the highest want among management values, just ahead of land and watershed planning that reflects local needs and priorities.
For more information visit www.pekisko.ca.
The Informant by Todd Curran
(Page 9)
Tax Tips “The Man” Doesn't Want You To Know
Coming straight from an industry professional, these Tax Tips offer the best ways to lower your taxes LEGALLY.
Black Diamond accountant and bookkeeper Darlene Cox of Stevenson Consulting explains that tax-free savings accounts accumulate interest that isn't taxed. “An investment paying you out in interest is getting heavily taxed,” she says. “I recommend investments that yield capital gains. Tax only applies to half of your gain while the other half remains untaxed. Investments that pay in dividends are also taxed far less than interest.”
If you've acquired capital gains this year, consider selling assets with an accrued loss to offset the gains. You may also want to realize the loss if you've had capital gains in the last three years that weren't offset by your capital gains exemption.
There are also many ways to share your tax burden with others in your family. For seniors receiving pension or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) payments, pension income splitting between spouses means you can now cut your tax bill and potentially reduce the impact of the Old Age Security (OAS) clawback! For those with investment assets, and family members taxed at lower rates there are many strategies such as a prescribed rate loan that can help share the tax burden. The key is to know when income splitting is legally possible.
Tax Tips “The Man” Doesn't Want You To Know
Coming straight from an industry professional, these Tax Tips offer the best ways to lower your taxes LEGALLY.
Black Diamond accountant and bookkeeper Darlene Cox of Stevenson Consulting explains that tax-free savings accounts accumulate interest that isn't taxed. “An investment paying you out in interest is getting heavily taxed,” she says. “I recommend investments that yield capital gains. Tax only applies to half of your gain while the other half remains untaxed. Investments that pay in dividends are also taxed far less than interest.”
If you've acquired capital gains this year, consider selling assets with an accrued loss to offset the gains. You may also want to realize the loss if you've had capital gains in the last three years that weren't offset by your capital gains exemption.
There are also many ways to share your tax burden with others in your family. For seniors receiving pension or Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) payments, pension income splitting between spouses means you can now cut your tax bill and potentially reduce the impact of the Old Age Security (OAS) clawback! For those with investment assets, and family members taxed at lower rates there are many strategies such as a prescribed rate loan that can help share the tax burden. The key is to know when income splitting is legally possible.
Sheep River Health Trust - Don Cherry (aka Gery Schubert) is coming to Okotoks
(Page 5)
The Sheep River Health Trust's Golf 4 Wellness Committee has started the preliminary preparation for the 8th Annual Golf 4 Wellness Charity Golf Tournament hosted at D'Arcy Ranch Golf Course on July 21st 2011.
The Okotoks Western Wheel Readers Choice Awards honoured Golf 4 Wellness as the best fundraising event of 2010 and the committee is planning to exceed expectations for our 8th Annual G4W Tournament.
The theme for this year's tournament is “Hockey Night in Okotoks” hosted by none other than legendary Don Cherry (aka Gery Schubert). Golfers are invited to come out dressed in their favourite hockey gear for a chance to win some great prizes. “Some of our golfers and sponsors from last year have already started their search for the craziest suit jacket to join in all of the fun. Who knew raising money to support rural health care could be this much fun!” said Melissa Pryor Fund Development Officer and Committee Volunteer.....
The Sheep River Health Trust's Golf 4 Wellness Committee has started the preliminary preparation for the 8th Annual Golf 4 Wellness Charity Golf Tournament hosted at D'Arcy Ranch Golf Course on July 21st 2011.
The Okotoks Western Wheel Readers Choice Awards honoured Golf 4 Wellness as the best fundraising event of 2010 and the committee is planning to exceed expectations for our 8th Annual G4W Tournament.
The theme for this year's tournament is “Hockey Night in Okotoks” hosted by none other than legendary Don Cherry (aka Gery Schubert). Golfers are invited to come out dressed in their favourite hockey gear for a chance to win some great prizes. “Some of our golfers and sponsors from last year have already started their search for the craziest suit jacket to join in all of the fun. Who knew raising money to support rural health care could be this much fun!” said Melissa Pryor Fund Development Officer and Committee Volunteer.....
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