Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Birth of a Nation

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Royal Canadian Legion Branch #78, Past President, Gordon Day, organized the annual Parade and Ceremony to commemorate Birth of a Nation Day on April 9th.

The Parade left the Turner Valley Fire Hall at 1:00pm.

During the ceremony at the Legion a Resolution was presented to Ted Menzies, by two veterans. The Resolution is requesting that Ottawa officially honour this day as a Nationally recognized day.

2011 Census

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Every five years Statistics Canada conducts a census.

The Canada 2011 Census will be a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population on May 10th, 2011. It will consist of a mandatory short form questionnaire and a voluntary National Household Survey.

Find Out Your Credit IQ For FREE!

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By Todd Curran

Money Mentors is offering a FREE presentation of "Credit Rating IQ" from 6:30 - 7:30pm on Wednesday, April 13th as part of their series of monthly Community Information Sessions.

The Credit Rating IQ presentation is available at Suite 150, 1200 – 59 Avenue SE, Calgary, and offers an understanding of credit ratings, money lending, maintaining your credit history to achieve lower interest rates and credit approval.

New Plan For Eye Disorders Announced by Province

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Good news for Alberta residents between the ages of 18 and 65 with eye problems!

A new contract agreement between the Province's Optometrists and Alberta Health and Wellness allows full coverage on the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan for disorders of the eye.

News For The Non-Newsy

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    The IOC executive board for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi approved the inclusion of the Freestyle ski halfpipe event, in which skiers score points for performing gravity-defying tricks off the 22-foot high walls of an icy halfpipe. Also approved were women's ski jumping, a mixed relay in biathlon and team events in luge and figure skating.

    Every five years Statistics Canada conducts a census. The next census of Canada will take place May 10th, 2011. Census forms will me mailed starting may 2nd and you can also complete your census on-line.

    Federal Election day will be May 2nd, 2011. Advanced polls will be on April 22nd, 23rd and 25th. More information is available at www.elections.ca

    Barlow Trail has been closed permanently between 48th Avenue NE and Airport Trail to make way for the construction of a new runway at Calgary’s International Airport.

    The Royal Canadian Mint has unveiled two coins to mark the upcoming marriage of Britain’s Prince William to Kate Middleton. The first is a $20 pure silver coin featuring the couple gazing lovingly at each other, surrounded by maple leaves and trilliums. It's marked with a sapphire-coloured gem to allude to Middleton's 18-carat sapphire engagement ring. The soon-to-be newlyweds' names are engraved on the edge of the coin. It sells for $104.95. The second coin is a 25-cent nickle-plated steel coin featuring a coloured image of the young couple. This one retails for $25.95. The royal wedding is set for the end of April, and the newlyweds will visit Canada this summer.

Views on Vision - by Dr. Charles A. Boulet

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Matt's Story Part III

In Part II of Matt’s Story, Dr. Boulet filled us in on the struggles faced by 8 year old Matt and his mother, Kay, both in learning and behaviour at school. If you want to read Matt’s Story from the beginning you can find it online at www.gatewaygazette.ca. Part I was in the February 15th Grande, Page 6 and Part II was in the March 15th Grande on page 8.

Matt had been suffering with severe farsightedness and visual control problems since he was an infant. He has been struggling against himself to move his eyes in a skilled fashion across the page and likely fighting moderate headaches most of the time. The basic tasks at school have been much more challenging for him as compared to his classmates. He was legally blind in his right eye and hanging on with very difficult vision in his left. His depth perception was non-existent.

Hockey At It’s Best

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Two weekends in March saw the entire Alberta Minor Hockey community engrossed in the Investors Group Hockey Alberta Provincial Tournament.

Our area falls under Zone 5 and we had many hard-working teams vying for the banners.

We had two Provincial Tournament winners:
Okotoks Oilers Midget A Female and the
Lomond Stars Pee Wee B Female teams.


MRU Cougars Win Provincial Hockey

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On Sunday, March 27th the final game of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championship five-game series saw the Mount Royal University men's hockey team declared the provincial champions after a 1-0 win over the SAIT Trojans.

The title was revoked by the ACAC commissioner over an alleged infraction of the roster rules when a part-time student was dressed as the back-up goalie.
Mount Royal appealed the decision and an ACAC tribunal sided with the University and re-installed the title to the Cougars.

This win by Mount Royal ends a four-year winning streak by SAIT Trojans.

FSAR Calls for Recruits

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Foothills Search and Rescue is having a “Call Out for Recruits”, to fill a Basics course we have scheduled for the end of April.

Foothills Search and Rescue is a volunteer search and rescue (SAR) group based in Turner Valley, which has been serving the community for over 18 years. It provides the RCMP, and other government agencies with a dedicated team of trained and experienced members for ground search and rescue, disaster relief and civil emergencies.

Foothills Search and Rescue (FSAR) is the primary SAR group to the south and west of Calgary. The satisfaction of finding and returning someone to their loved ones or rescuing someone in distress provides tremendous satisfaction for members.

Members are expected to supply their own basic gear, attend monthly meetings and training and actively participate in FSAR activities and searches. New members must have Standard First Aid and taken the SAR Fundamentals Basic Course before they can participate fully in a search. Many other training courses, such as Navigation, Wilderness First Aid and Swift Water Rescue, are offered and recommended to augment members' skills.

Do you have a desire to learn and to help others?

Do you enjoy working with a team of motivated, trained people?

Do you lead an active lifestyle?

Are you comfortable in the outdoors?

If you answered YES to any of these questions and would like to learn more about joining FSAR, we want to meet you. The Foothills Search and Rescue team meets every second Tuesday of the month at the Oilfields Hospital in Black Diamond at 7:00 pm downstairs in the Action Centre. You are welcome to join us to learn more about what it takes to become a member!

Check us out at www.foothills-sar.ab.ca.

The Army Cadet League of Canada

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The Alberta Army Cadet League has launched a province-wide fund-raising campaign designed to enable hundreds of boys and girls to join its ranks so they can embark on amazing adventures while learning skills and values that will enrich their youth and guide them to successful futures.

An unprecedented goal has been set to raise just over $200,000 to finance a recruiting program to attract youth to the remarkable world of Cadets. In Alberta, Army Cadets Corps have a total of 39 active units and 1,500 Cadets. The vision is to have 3,000 boys and girls, at no cost to them, enrolled in the program by 2014.

Calgary's Honourary Colonel Fred Mannix (Ret.) and Calgary's Dr. George M. Milne, who both served as Army Cadets, developed this proposal because they trust in its positive impacts on the future of young people and their communities. “We sincerely believe that today's Cadets are tomorrow's great leaders. Many citizens of prominence declare that the values they gained as Cadets ensured their present success,” says Dr. Milne, Governor of fund raising.

Sgt. Taylor Swedburg, 16, says her four years with 2512 Kings Own Calgary Regiment Army Cadets had changed her in many positive ways. “I have learned many different skills that I may not have been able to come by anywhere else. We learn leadership and citizenship skills. We take on responsibilities as we progress in Cadets. We also learn many self-discipline skills,” says Swedburg.

The Army Cadet League of Canada – Alberta is a registered Charity. All donors will receive a Charitable Tax Receipt for the full amount of the donation. As well, four levels of unique Decorations will be given for specific amounts donated and a Certificate of Distinction will be given in appreciation to all donors.

Anyone interested in possibly donating may write to Dr. George Milne, Governor of Fund Raising, The Army Cadet League of Canada – Alberta, 1033 Bel-Aire Drive S.W. Calgary, Alberta, T2V 2C1. Donation forms and details of the Appreciation Decorations will be mailed to them. Or, to receive this information, possible donors my email mailing addresses to: sales@printthree.ab.ca. Possible donors may also phone Dr. Milne at 403-253-5469 and he will send the Donation forms and other data to them.

Nanton Razes The Roof

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By Todd Curran

Nanton Town Council held a public information meeting March 31st concerning the Tom Hornecker Recreation Centre roof replacement project.

The Recreation Centre closed November 30th when structural damage to the roof was discovered, and the Town has since been working to ensure the facility's reopening. The meeting was held to outline the project timelines and advise residents on the Town's proposed funding status and procurement process in obtaining a contractor.

Putting forth a request for proposals, potential contractors for the project had to submit by April 8th. Although contract negotiations were still under way as of press time, the Town will soon obtain an accurate cost for the roof replacement.

The Nanton Future Foundation (NNF) was formed as an entity to help fundraise for the roof replacement and anyone with fundraising ideas can contact NFF Chairman Jo Sears at 403-646-3160 or email the foundation at: nantonfuturefoundation@telus.net.

Critically Speaking - Bolero Fire Grill

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By Lex Monoxide

At this Brazilian style meat parade, glorious gluttony reigns supreme as each table uses a cue to control the pace of the meal in a red light/green light fashion. The green side signals the gaucho chefs to bring out skewers of sizzling fire-roasted meats to carve at the table. The red side indicates that you are either taking a break or are finished. Turning back to green will cue the Gaucho chefs to resume their beefy blitz.

Garlic parmesan striploin, filet mignon, lamb chops, slow-roasted pork ribs, sirloin; the seemingly endless list of delicacies can all be had by ordering the Full Rodizio all access pass for $37.50. This passport to culinary paradise also gives you entry to the fresco bar of sumptuous gourmet salads, fresh cut and grilled vegetables, sliced cold cuts and various worldwide cheeses. But wait, that's not all! You can't leave without sampling the hot bar of dishes including coconut rice, creamy mashed potatoes, sautéed collard greens and a classic hearty Brazilian black bean stew. My god; it's magnificent.

For the faint of heart, or those who value coronary consistency, a $30 Teaser Platter is available and offers your choice of two skewered items delivered entrée style. This option also includes access to the fresco and hot bars. You can also access only the fresco bar and hot bar for $20, although I can't fathom why you would. Another plus is that the meats are prepared gluten free, as are most of the fresco bar and salad bar items.

The atmosphere is retro chic, loud, friendly and hot enough to singe your fringe. Service is consistently good and fabulously informal; the witty gauchos always ready to share a laugh with patrons and deliver the skewers you want. A wide range of exotic cocktails and beers are available and wine starts at about $7 per glass.
My advice is: don't stuff yourself at the buffet otherwise you'll never get to truly enjoy the magnificent meaty mains. Bolero is overall accommodating with its offers of bar dining, fireplace, personal wines with a corkage fee and wheelchair access. This is a great place to celebrate or just have a spectacular meal. A couple of great friends, a few drinks and a metric ton of meat will have even the grumpiest gringo satiated and smiling.

The restaurant is located at 6920 Macleod Trail South Calgary, in the same building as Smuggler's Inn. Enter through the north entrance and head upstairs to a play pen of Brazilian barbecue. I recommend dinner reservations, particularly on weekends…GREEN LIGHT!

Visit Lex Monoxide on Facebook for more recipes, food news and restaurant reviews!

From the Farm To Your Table

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By Todd Curran

Developing bridges between local farmers and food-conscious consumers is the goal of a new "Farm To Table" initiative sponsored by the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society.

"Our Agricultural Society, particularly through our famous Millarville Farmer's Market, is uniquely positioned to establish closer connections between our local area farmers and those regional consumers who would like to know first-hand where the food they eat is coming from," says Hugo Bonjean, best-selling author, local resident and Vice-President of the Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society (MRAS).

The initiative aims to promote awareness and educate consumers about local sustainable agriculture, draw consumers who are interested in the direct purchase of their food from farms and provide space for local farmers to provide and promote information about their farms and products. “We hope to promote direct sales to our area restaurants and food artisans, starting with our own Farmers Market food concession," Hugo says.

In conjunction with the March 25th launch of his new book, "A People's Power," at the Racetrack Hall, Hugo used the occasion to raise $1,600 for the Farm To Table initiative. The $10 cover charge offered event goers a "Farm To Table" presentation, a reading by Hugo from his new book followed by a dance and cash bar with music by local musicians. In line with the Farm To Table initiative, food was supplied by local producers and prepared by local Chef Dennis Jeffery. All aspects of the evening were donated to further the cause.
Hugo added, "Although we live in a world dominated by large corporations, we shouldn't ignore the fact that top consumer food trends are 'local' 'organics' 'sustainable' and 'farm to table'. We think it is a natural fit to position our Agricultural Society as a leader in this area."

Personal Protection - The Importance of Cross Training

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Sensei Tom Gillis

When I first started training martial arts I fell into a very dangerous trap. I used to put down other martial arts. I thought that whatever art I was studying was superior to any others. However over the last several years I've come to realize that the different martial arts actually have more in common than they do apart. I've cross trained in 14 different martial arts. The only art I work at mastering proficiency in out of those is Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu, and some of those arts I've only trained at 1 or 2 seminars, but what I've learned from seeing all these different martial arts and trying them is that there's actually way more in common than what the average martial artist, or even most martial arts instructors, realize.

Let me illustrate with a few examples. A kimura in BJJ is the same as an oni kidaki in Bujinkan. A take jime in judo is the same as a rear naked choke in BJJ. An omote gyaku in Bujinkan is the same as a gun inversion in Hapkido. A hook punch in boxing is the same as a hooking knife stab in Balintawak Arnis. A Jeet Kune Do straight blast is the same as a katana thrust in Kenjutsu. That's not to say that these technique are done exactly the same way but in each example the core body mechanics AND the physics and anatomical principles at play are the same.

When you think about it this makes total sense. There are only so many ways to move the human body. More importantly there are only so many ways to move the human body in a way that maintains structural integrity, balance, skeletal alignment and power. Remember also that empty hand martial arts come out of armed martial arts. Therefore it makes sense to develop a combat system that relies on the same body mechanics regardless of the weapon engaged in combat. Often if you track the lineage of a martial art back in time far enough you realize that it didn't actually originate where it's currently situated. For example Gracie Jiu Jitsu goes back to Japanese Kodokan Judo, which goes back to Chinese Kung Fu, which goes back to Indian śastravidyā. Bujinkan Koto Ryu is another example, its lineage tracks to Cho Gyokko in China.

So what should all this mean to you? It should mean that regardless of your martial art of passion don't put down other martial arts. Each has something to offer the others. It also means that while there's nothing wrong in having pride in your particular history and lineage and striving to master one martial art, it's good to explore and be exposed to others. They may help you see your own art in a new light and help open new doors.

A few weeks ago I was attending a Bujinkan class with Shihan Jay Creasey and he had us working on spinning hook kicks. Rarely in Bujinkan do you see spinning hook kicks and he told us that the kick we were training isn't part of our system. So then why train it? It increases balance, trains the eyes to track targets in a 360 degree circle, increases flexibility in the hamstring and hip, teaches how to move and maintain relative distance and range to an opponent and increases thigh abductor and adductor strength. Those are all things that will help with the rest of Bujinkan techniques as well as self protection and martial arts in general.
In conclusion to develop as a martial artist I would encourage you to cross train in different martial arts and keep an open mind. In the words of Soke-dai Braezeale, “there are no bad martial arts systems, just bad martial artists.”

The Informant

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By Todd Curran

Next time you watch a crime-scene investigation show on television, you may want to take their Hollywood high-tech analysis with a grain of salt. C.S.I. could be a lot of B.S.

Jurors routinely afford confident scientific experts an infallibility because they evoke the bold characters from crime dramas. The real world of forensic science, however, is far different. Forensic labs are overburdened, understaffed and under intense pressure from prosecutors to produce results. According to a 2005 study by the Department of Justice, the average lab has a backlog of 401 requests for services. Plus, several forensic departments have been racked by scandals involving mishandled evidence and outright fraud. Beyond those problems, the real issue with forensic “science” lies in its basic validity.

“There is no scientific foundation for it,” says Arizona State University law professor Michael Saks. According to the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, no advanced degree is required for a career in forensics. And even the most experienced and respected professionals can come to inaccurate conclusions because the research behind most forensic sciences is incomplete and the established methodologies are often inexact.

One of the world's most prestigious scientific organizations, The National Academy of Sciences, has analyzed the field of forensic science and found it deeply flawed. A 5-4 majority in the U.S. Supreme Court recently found that the work of crime labs is not infallible and defendants have a right to make that clear.

Analyses of hair, bite marks, fibers, documents, tools, firearms, shoe impressions, tire tracks, handwriting and blood spatters can help focus an investigation but can seldom provide infallible evidence of guilt. Even fingerprint analysis depends on a subjective judgment by experts as to how closely two prints match, as examiners have sometimes disagreed with their own past conclusions when viewing the same prints later.

In a report from the National Academy of Sciences it was stated that “apart from DNA, there is not a single forensic discipline that has been proven 'with a high degree of certainty' to be able to match a piece of evidence to a suspect.” As a result of junk science, many innocent people have been wrongfully jailed while the true perpetrators roam free to commit more crimes.

Since in nearly half of the 240 DNA exonerations, faulty forensic science was a contributory factor to the wrongful convictions, the Innocence Project filed an amicus brief hoping to nudge the Supreme Court towards recognizing that forensic evidence is commonly exaggerated or distorted. The Innocence Project cautiously declared the Court ruling a step forward, not a solution to forensic science's underlying problems.

In a statement, Innocence Project Co-Director Peter Neufeld said, “The Court said our criminal justice system can't rely blindly on forensic analysts' reports because they may distort results to favour the prosecution, or they may place too much value on forensic disciplines that have not been subjected to scientific rigor.”

Simply put, forensic science doesn't work because it isn't a science at all. It was developed by law enforcement trying to apprehend criminals based on patterns from previous cases. Despite the absence of scientific method or testing, the methods were accepted and implemented for years. Policy makers and the public trust too much in methods they've been convinced are valid, when forensic procedures actually lack set standards and “expert” opinions tend to vary.

Rowan House - The Annual Hope And Healing Gala Is Just Around The Corner

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The 2011 Hope and Healing Gala is set for Saturday, May 14th at the Highwood Memorial Centre in High River, Alberta.

Executive Director, Sherrie Botten says, “This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. The money raised through this event will bring us that much closer to being able to break ground on our new facility this year!”
Rowan House Emergency Shelter is a tiny, two bedroom facility located in the basement of an adolescent group home in the rural Foothills. 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. In 2010 alone, Rowan House housed 21 women and 10 children and helped 24 women and 28 children through our outreach program. In that same year we were unable to accommodate 43 women and 29 children,” says Botten.

We have purchased land in the Town of High River and are well on our way to building a new shelter. We need an additional $500,000 to complete this facility.

Tickets to the gala are $200 each or $1,400 for a corporate table of 8 and can be purchased by calling 403-938-6785. We are also looking for donations of auction items.

With the generosity of the community, the dream can become a reality in 2011!

Meet the Candidates

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We posed six questions to the candidates and requested that they choose two to answer.


1. Why did you choose to run in this election?

2. Give a brief description of your political history.

3. State the main issue that you see as a deciding factor for voters.

4. What is your opinion on a minority government?

5. What is your opinion on coalitions?

6. What personal skills do you bring to the team?


Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce

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Federal Election - Candidate Meet and Greet

Make sure you cast your vote and your voice is heard in the upcoming federal election. And, why not come out and meet the candidates for our riding (MacLeod) in person on Tuesday, April 19th?

At this meet and greet there will be an opportunity for you to talk directly with the federal election candidates. Ask them the questions you have and express your thoughts on what the priorities should be for the government of Canada.

This is being held at the brand new Sheep River Library in Turner Valley, AB from 7 to 9pm. The Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce will be providing refreshments throughout the evening as well.

Candidates that have confirmed attendance include:
    Ted Menzies, Conservative
    Attila Nagy, Green
    Brad Carrigan, Independent
    Nicole Hankel, Liberal
    Janine Giles, NDP

Additional information can be found at the Diamond Valley Chamber of Commerce Website: www.diamondvalleychamber.com.

Local Bestselling Author Raises “Seed” Money

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By Todd Curran

On March 26th, Hugo Bonjean, the bestselling author of In the Eyes of Anahita and Seeds of Germination or Termination, launched his third novel, A People's Power with a full day of events raising $6,000 for The Mustard Seed. The events were sponsored by River Café, Slow Food Calgary and Wild Rose Brewery.
The Mustard Seed is a non-profit Christian humanitarian organization that has been caring for Calgary's homeless since 1984. Through its three ministry centres across Alberta, The Mustard Seed delivers basic services, housing and employment programs to people in need and partners with the community to address the root causes of poverty.

Bonjean gave a presentation at The Mustard Seed for guests, volunteers and community members, then signed books and gave them as gifts to attendees. Slow Food Calgary volunteers provided breakfast for everyone with food donated by local sustainable farms, Poplar Bluff Farms and Highwood Crossing. Randall Arsenault from the band Dr. Zoo treated the crowd to his Afro-Celtic music.

“My novels revolve around the importance of community building,” said Bonjean. “The fundraiser and the time I spent with the guests and volunteers of The Mustard Seed allowed me to give birth to this story in the company of those who care for our community.”

“We were proud to join with Hugo in the launch of his new book. Yesterday is yet another example of how working together we can change lives,” said Jeff Dyer, COO of The Mustard Seed.

“I'm glad to have been able to initiate a book launch that gave people not only a story, but an experience that echoes the importance of community similar to that in my novel, A People's Power,” said Bonjean.
Hugo Bonjean's books are available in bookstores across Canada. For more information about the author and his new book, visit www.apeoplespower.com.

For more information on The Mustard Seed, visit www.theseed.ca.

Mantracker Hunts Playground Funds

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In early March, Terry Grant, better known as The Mantracker, shared how he became a reality television star at a dinner and silent auction to raise funds for a new barrier-free playground at École Joe Clark School in High River.

The school offers the only Diversity Program for physically and developmentally challenged children in High River and area and is working to raise $80,000 for a fully accessible playground for children of all abilities and ages.

Students in the school's Diversity Program currently have to sit on the sidelines for mobility reasons. The new playground will feature a pour-in-place recycled rubber base that will make it fully-accessible for children in wheelchairs and those facing other mobility-related challenges. It will also incorporate more structures that will be safe and enjoyable for children of all ages and abilities – making it a great play place for children throughout the community.

“We are so grateful for the generous support of Terry Grant and a number of local businesses and community organizations that have stepped up to help us make one playground for all a reality,” says Marilyn Boake, who chairs the school's parent council.

“This playground will not only benefit our students, but will be a great play place for children throughout the community. On behalf of École Joe Clark School, I would like to thank all of the volunteers who have been working so hard, as well as all of the community businesses, organizations and individuals who have made donations to help us reach our goal,” says school principal Shannon Culbert. 



Wicked Websites

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By Todd Curran

This installment of Wicked Websites is dedicated to natural highs, game guys and a free feast for the eyes. Check out these sites for some mindless entertainment!

http://gethighnow.com
Tired of spending all your hard-earned money on drugs and alcohol just to be entertained? I know I am! This mind-blowing site offers a magic carpet ride of more than 35 ways to alter human perception and consciousness without drugs or alcohol. Simply by using your computer and headphones, a world of aural, visual and other mystical highs will have you saying “Grooooovy, man!” in no time. Note: This site requires QuickTime Version 6.0 or above to be installed on your browser.

www.kongregate.com
After checking out this site at work, I wouldn't recommend checking out this site at work. Kongregate's massive collection of online games will kill most of your day. The site's point system allows users to "level up" and earn achievements for accomplishments. Offering a mobile app and interaction within the site's gaming community gives incentive to keep returning. Game designers have reason to participate, too, with monthly prizes for the best-rated games!

www.crackle.com
Crackle is always a fun place to discover something old, something new, or something so bad it's actually pretty good. Watch full-length Hollywood movies, cult classic TV shows and original series for free. They focus on the genres of comedy, action, drama, sci-fi and horror, cherry-picking fresh and classic entertainment from around the web.

The Oral Health Connection - By Penny Judson-Benny, Registered Dental Hygienist

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A healthier mouth for a healthier you!
Oral Health and Cardiovascular Disease


FACT: Cardiovascular disease – heart disease, diseases of the blood vessels and stroke – is responsible for one-third of all deaths in Canada and costs the economy $18 billion every year. Heart disease is the nation's leading cause of death in both men and women.

Your mouth is a portal to your body. Increasingly, research is uncovering the link between periodontal disease (disease of the gums and supporting bone) and overall health. Your chances of cardiovascular disease may increase if you have periodontal disease. According to research, the reason for this elevated risk may be the result of bloodstream contamination from bacteria, bacterial by-products and chemicals that are released from certain cells. Once the bacteria enters the bloodstream, they attach to the fatty deposits in the heart blood vessels. This condition can cause blood clots and may lead to heart attacks.

Since periodontal disease can be prevented and controlled, dental hygienists may have an opportunity to play a key role in decreasing the incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease. Your dental hygienist is a licensed oral health-care professional who can work with you to develop a program of good oral hygiene. Regular visits to your dental hygienist can help ensure a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. A regular health history assessment, head and neck examination, as well as teeth and gum assessment and cleanings are crucial for good oral health and integral to general health. With your help, the dental hygienist can develop an oral hygiene care plan that includes prevention and treatment therapies to ensure the best oral health possible. If necessary, a referral to other health-care professionals may be needed.

If I have heart disease, are there special requirements to maintain proper oral health?
To maintain the best oral health, you should:
Establish and maintain a healthy mouth. This means brushing and flossing daily as well as using an antiseptic mouthwash. This helps reduce the accumulation of plaque and bacteria.

See your dental professional regularly for examinations and dental cleanings.

It is imperative that he/she knows you have a heart problem.

Eat a healthy diet low in sugar and sodium.

Carefully follow your physician's or dental provider's instructions and use prescription medications as directed.

Am I at risk if dental procedures are performed?
If you have certain preexisting heart conditions, you may be at risk for developing infective endocarditis – an infection of the heart's inner lining or the valves. Anytime there is bleeding in the mouth, certain oral bacteria can enter the blood stream and may settle on abnormal heart valves or tissue weakened by an existing heart problem or heart condition. In these cases, the infection can damage or even destroy heart valves or tissue.
The American Heart Association updated guidelines require that patients with the following conditions need precautionary antibiotic treatment before any dental procedures:
artificial heart valves
history of infective endocarditis
certain specific, serious congenital (present from birth) heart conditions including:
unrepaired or incompletely repaired cyanotic congenital heart disease, including those with palliative shunts and conduits
a completely repaired congenital defect with prosthetic material or device, whether placed by surgery or by catheter interventions, during the first six months after the procedure
any repaired congenital heart defect with residual defect at the site or adjacent to the site of a prosthetic patch or prosthetic device.
a cardiac transplant which develops a problem in a heart valve.

‘Keep Your Smile For A Lifetime!'

Penny Judson-Benny, RDH, is the owner and operator of Mountain View Dental Hygiene Clinic in Black Diamond and can be contacted at 403-933-7722.

Hey Brides-To-Be

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If you read our Wedding Supplement “How to plan a wedding – a Step-by-step guide” did you notice one very important omission that we inadvertently made?

We feel really bad but we forgot to include when you should be dealing with your wedding cake.
According to our local baker, George Nielsen of Black Diamond Bakery & Coffee Shop, you should be doing this three months before the wedding.  I mean can you imagine the 'cake-cutting ceremony' without a cake?
Contacting your baker and choosing the style, flavour, filling and colours of this very important part of your day will take careful thought and discussions.

Valley Vines by Sarah Harrold

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Chocovine

When helping customers pick out a bottle of wine, I will give my recommendations based on which foods, if any, will be consumed along with it. A very easy rule to follow is, red wines pair best with red meats and white wines pair best with white meats. However, I always remind customers that wine pairing is ultimately a personal preference.

The easiest thing to pair wine with is chocolate. It tastes great with a sweeter white or your favourite bubbly, but is amazing with any red! Red wine and chocolate paired together is considered by me as a little piece of heaven.

So what happens if you take these two amazing products and combine them together into one? Well, you end up with an amazing product called Chocovine. A tantalizing blend of French Cabernet and rich dark Dutch chocolate.

Dark chocolate is known to lower your blood pressure, both red wine and chocolate are rich in antioxidants. The finished product of Chocovine is also gluten free, which makes it a healthy “treat” when enjoyed in moderation.

With fourteen percent alcohol and the taste of a chocolate liqueur, enjoy Chocovine on the rocks, or as the main ingredient in many delicious cocktails.

Visit us online: www.valleyliquor.ca for more information on upcoming specials and tastings of this product. Or email us at: info@valleyliquor.ca for delicious Chocovine cocktail recipes.