avenue

city| life| style| cAlGARy

January 2011 | $4.95 avenuecalgary.com

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Who do we think we are?

the city and the province rebrand

avenue Weddings

Life Re-Imagined
ordinary calgarians whove made extraordinary changes

Gorgeous local celebrations, invitation etiquette, boutique venues and more

BLACKFOOT TRAIL AND HERITAGE DRIVE FOR OPENING DATES AND TIMES VISIT CALGARYFARMERSMARKET.CA.

FRESH LOCATION COMING THIS WINTER.

Correct fuzziness without bifocals.

As you age, the lenses in your eyes harden making it difcult to focus. A new procedure, called Crystalens, replaces the hardened lenses with synthetic flexible ones so you can see the way you used to. For more information call 403 640 20/20 or visit mitchelleyecentre.com. New location in the Southern Alberta Eye Center 100, 5340 1st St. SW.

chinookcentre 403.258.1818 ~marketmall 403.202.2553 ~downtown 227-8th avenues.w. 403.262.3366

a r n o l d c h u r g i n . c o m

Shop Quality Choices.

This year I resolve to: be healThIer, Make good food choices - know where my food comes from, Cleanse My body of ToxIns, Increase my energy levels, TreaT My body lIke I wanT IT To be around for a long TIMe, Choose organic and geT fIT noT beCause I ThInk I Can haTe Myself InTo a sIze 0 buT beCause I feel beTTer aT a healThy weIghT.

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It is a proven fact, diets rarely work! PGX helps address the core reasons why we gain weight. Find out how PGX can help you change your life and help you reach your goal of lifelong weight management. Free book with purchase, see instore for details.

New York Times bestselling author, Brenda Watson, gives you the power to fight back with her book, The Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps. She outlines the revolutionary 5 step RENEW plan for getting rid of toxins and living healthier every day!

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10th Ave Market and Caf 403.229.2383 Kingsland Farmers Market 403.255.3276

www.communitynaturalfoods.com

Chinook Station Market 403.541.0606 Online Market 403.476.8931

Every lot has a view.

Every view offers a lot.
dream homes in mind. And to ensure thats exactly what you build, we provide you with the choice of two of Calgarys very best builders: Augusta Fine Homes (403-233-9265) and JayMack Custom Homes (403-483-7253). Crestmont is Calgarys most ambitiously minded community. And its here where youll find estate-sized lots starting at 52 wide, up to as large as a quarter acre all with incredible views of either the Rockies or natural green reserves. However, as were down to the last few remaining lots in this private community, you should probably visit soon. Prices start in the $900s for lot and home. Crestmont has been developed with

www.crestmont.ca

GET INSPIRED JANUARY 20, 2011 I 5-7PM

CHANGE IS GOOD, BUT IT IS HARD. HARD WORK SHOULD BE REWARDED.
Avenue magazine and Southcentre Mall have partnered together to recognize five Calgarians who have Re-Imagined their lives. They share their inspiring stories of change in this issue of Avenue magazine. Join us on January 20th, 2011, from 5-7pm at Southcentre Mall, as we celebrate a positive change and hear their stories live.
[Appetizers from Milestones will be served.]

Register to attend online at AvenueCalgary.com/life

[Space is limited.]
Brought to you by:

southcentremall.com

See what youve been missing...

SURGICAL VISION CORRECTION FEATURING THE LATEST LASER AND LENS OPTIONS.

www.demong.com ...because your vision is priceless 1-800-976-3937 Calgary 254-6007

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contents
bookends
14 Editors Note 16 Letters

| January.11 |
19 Contributors 98 Photo Contest

52
features
44 Life Re-imagined
Meet five Calgarians who have overcome adversity and challenges, and changed their lives for the better.
By Tracy Johnson

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Calgary is in the process of re-branding and Alberta just did. Now is as good a time as any to decide who we are and what we want others to think of us.
By Jaelyn Molyneux

Who Do We Think We Are?

34 The Expert
Clairvoyant Kim Dennis on her psychic abilities and being a medium.

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Back to nature with rustic, fireside-worthy Canadiana tchotchkes.

Cool Hunter

40

60 Branded in Cowtown

36

From smoothies to SMART boards, more than a few Calgary businesses have turned into notable national brand names.
By Tyler C. Hellard

The delectable simplicity of Farms menu makes us all say cheese.

Only the Best

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Where to find items featured in our Decor story.

The Source

40 Find Dining

special section
81
Making the most of unconventional venues, setting the tone with invitations and finding a ring with the right bling. Plus three couples celebrate with style.

city
22
Travelling tailor Zahoor Bhat, a new historical opera about criminal Alexander Keith Jr., the Kinjo Brothers debut album and visual letter poetry.

Global flavours top this months restaurant roundup.

Weddings

Detours

life
62 Vital Signs
Cancer is on the rise in young adults and creating a new forgotten generation.

28 Calendar

Joe Satriani shows off his guitar-playing skills, Brian Eno exhibits at the Glenbow and Vertigo Theatre tells tales about Edgar Allen Poe.

66 Quick Trips

An off-the-beaten path bike trip in Bermuda turns into an adventurous history lesson.

on the cover
Robb Price is one of Avenues Life Re-imagined winners, starting on page 44. Photographed by Greg Gerla.

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Wining and dining to support Canadas Olympic team at the Gold Medal Plates competition and food for thought at the Chefs for UNICEF gala.
10 avenue
January.11

Party Crasher

style
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Green thinking turns a Marda Loop bungalow into an energy-efficient dream home.

Decor

Estate Living. Country Charm.

NEW SHOWHOMES NOW OPEN!

The spirit of an acreage, without the inconvenience.

Now is the time to consider Country Estates in the fully developed family community of Cimarron. An impressive selection of expansive lots and country living with full urban servicing: shopping, schools, golf, parks and a world of recreational opportunities at your doorstep. Country Estate Homes by: California Homes, Lask Homes, Coco Homes.
Visit our Showhomes today; follow HWY #2 south from Calgary, exit at Okotoks and follow the Cimarron signs. Showhome Hours Monday - Thursday 5 to 8pm, Weekends & Holidays 12 to 5pm, Closed Fridays www.cimarronliving.com | (403) 640-0708 | A peaceful riverside community brought to you by Tristar Communities

avenue
RedPoint Media GRouP inc. 105, 1210 20 Ave. S.E. Calgary, Alberta T2G 1M8 Phone: 403-240-9055 Fax: 403-240-9059 E-mail: [email protected] Website: AvenueCalgary.com editor Kthe Lemon art director Anders Knudsen executive editor Jennifer Hamilton Senior editor Jesse Semko Web editor Anthony Charron associate editor Lynda Sea assistant art director Mason Hastie assistant editor Jaelyn Molyneux Staff Writer Shelley Arnusch copy editor Alex Frazer-Harrison Factcheckers Joan Dixon, Dan James SubScRiPtionS (Prices do not include 5% GST) 1 year: $24.99 2 years: $46.85 3 Years: $65.25 1 year (USA): $40.00 U.S. To subscribe call: 403-781-1770 adVeRtiSinG inQuiRieS Phone: 403-240-9055 x0 Toll Free: 1-877-963-9333 x0 E-mail: [email protected] Website: AvenueCalgary.com Published 12 times a year by RedPoint Media Group Inc. Copyright (2011) by RedPoint Media Group Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Canadian Publications Mail Product Agreement No. PM 40030911. Publication Mail Agreement No. PM 40030991 interns Kelsey Mulyk, Sean Young Staff Photographer Jared Sych contributing editors K.D. Attwell, Melody Baker, Cinda Chavich, John Gilchrist, Tyler C. Hellard, Rita Sirignano contributors Venessa Brewer, Brian Buchsdruecker, Catherine Caldwell, Greg Gerla, Tracy Johnson, Melanie Jones, Ric Kokotovich, Rob Mabee, Carolyn McTighe, Belle Mellor, Selina Renfrow, Kathryn Sloniowski, Rhett Soveran, Sue Vella Strother, Colin Way Publisher Gary Davies Sales Manager Karen Hounjet account executives Melissa Brown, Peggy Bogdan, Jocelyn Erhardt, Deise MacDougall, Caren Mendyk, Rebecca Molina, Elyse Murphy, Lindy Neustaedter Sales Resource Manager Stacy Haakonson Marketing intern Jasmine Croteau Production Manager Mike Matovich Production coordinator Melissa Bentley Sales traffic coordinator Necole Hoskins accounting Nancy Lavallie, Erika Purdy (on leave), Donna Woo circulation & distribution Manager Rob Kelly Subscriber Services Manager Robin Cook Printing Transcontinental LGM distribution City Print Distribution Inc.

intimate

in
details

Avenue is a proud member of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association, abiding by the standards of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors. Visit www.albertamagazines.com. Paid circulation is audited by the CCAB. RedPoint Media GRouP inc. President and chairman Don Graves executive Vice-President Gary Davies Vice-President, Sales & Marketing Karen Hounjet director, creative Anders Knudsen director, custom Publishing Vivienne Feick director, editorial Kthe Lemon director, Marketing Kathy Randle director, Web Dave Wilkinson controller Mark Leduc Human Resources Manager Jackie Bernard office Manager Anna Russo

domainefurnishings.com p 403 301-2339

#8 -7130

Fisher Road SE

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January.11

WOW!
BE WHO YOU WANT TO B
Bankers Hall 403.234.7971 Southcentre 403.225.8315 See more at Peplum cashmere mix cardi $498 Doubleweave cami $145

bookends editors note

Spread the Word

Calgary is changing, but the perception of the city has not kept pace
Working at a Calgary city lifestyle magazine gives me and the rest of the staff at Avenue a wonderful view of where we live.
Calgary is now to the world. And that is Avenues Big Idea for 2011. For the year, we will tackle this question of how to more closely match the perception of the city with all that is happening here. And that doesnt mean we think everything is perfect. This city has plenty of problems, only one of which is our identity problem. Throughout the year, we will be talking to Calgarians whose perceptions of the city have changed and well share their stories on our Big Idea blog (AvenueCalgary.com/BigIdea2011). Well also host events to talk about the perception of the city here and abroad, and well dedicate our October issue to the question. To kick it all off, weve written about the rebranding efforts both provincially and in Calgary, starting on page 52. Were also embarking on another big project at Avenue, and its all about you. Were calling our July issue Your Avenue and were asking readers to sign up for our Editorial Panel and give us feedback on every aspect of the magazine from the theme of the issue to the person on the cover. To find out more, visit us at AvenueCalgary.com/ Your-Avenue. We know about many of the arts, cultural and community events happening in Calgary. This job also gives us the perfect excuse to talk to anyone who is doing something interesting. We get to see great examples of design and seek out the best things to eat. We also chronicle the problems the city faces and the people who are working to improve them. So we know that theres a lot going on here. Perhaps thats why I find it so frustrating when I hear the national and international perceptions and even sometimes local views that Calgary offers little more than the Stampede in the way of culture, and that Calgarians are a homogenous group of oil executives uninterested in anything other than making money. The Calgary I see is not the place I hear described in the news. Calgary is clearly facing a perception gap the citys image doesnt reflect what is going on here or what Calgarians are really like. So whats to be done? The province is battling image problems of its own and has just completed a rebranding project and the City is in the midst of rethinking its slogan from Heart of the New West to something well, all we know right now is it will be different. But unless Calgarians embrace and believe in the concept, the most incredible slogan wont mean anything. What we need is a way to spread the story of what

Kthe Lemon Editor [email protected]

Correction
In the November issue, our Top 40 Under 40 story about Trevor Smith stated that Smiths company produced the award-winning music video The Indie Queens Are Waiting. While Smith was the director of the video, the work was produced by Crowsnest Films. Find out more at crowsnestfilms.blogspot.com.

100 years ago, Mount Royal started something we never intended to finish.
On Dec. 16, 1910, Mount Royal became Calgarys first post-secondary institution. Our goal was to create an undergraduate experience like no other. As long as we welcome students, we will pursue the same goal and in the process, illuminate the minds and lives of generations. Come celebrate with us! Details at mtroyal.ca/100
Thanks to for your generous gift of this ad.

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January.11

Beautiful Living

722 17th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta 403.228.7192 [email protected] Monday - Saturday 10:30am to 5:30pm www.rubaiyatcalgary.com

RUBAIYAT

bookends letters
Survey Methodology
I have never been a fan of Top __ or Best __ lists, which have become profligate in Canadian magazines in recent years, because unless rankings are determinable by fully quantifiable data, and are compiled from a broad representative sample, they are all very contrived. Your current article (Best Places to Live, August 2010), despite your claims to have conducted a balanced representative survey, may be the most egregious example of these problems that I have seen in some time! Do you really believe that the majority of Calgarians would concur that the top 10 neighbourhoods and 12 of the top 15 are all in the inner city? Not everyone wants to live near downtown! Not everyone wants to live in a home 40 to 50 years old or more! And the majority of Calgarians meet neither of these tests! I can only assume that you had more responses from the inner city, and/or that the inner city represents a disproportionate share of your distribution base. You owe your readers another mea culpa; better luck next year. Bruce W. Healy

Best Neighbourhoods
Thanks for writing the article on the Best Places to Live in Calgary (August 2010). Im just a little surprised that Mission didnt make the cut. With 4th Street restaurants and lounges, the Talisman Centre, Elbow River, Safeway, proximity to downtown, C-Train, Saddledome, Calgary theatre, bike paths, etc., not including Mission makes it difficult to take your article seriously. Best of luck and hope to see some changes to this article next year! Trevor Bolze

High Achievers

No More NIMBYism
I just wanted to let you know how impressed I was by your October issue, and, in particular, the Big Idea concept. The articles on housing were excellent, and covered a very wide spectrum about this very complex issue. I have worked with Inn from the Cold through my church, and it is very scary to see families with kids who dont have a permanent roof over their heads. Housing is everybodys issue, and warehousing people in shelters is only a Band-Aid solution. I hope that the new mayor and council will address this issue more forcefully. There will always be a small group of people who are very challenging to house, but there are many families and individuals who just need a little help and support, and then they will be fine. NIMBYism is simply not acceptable; if schools have successfully integrated special needs students into regular classrooms, then it is entirely possible to make a greater effort to integrate lower-income people into suburban neighbourhoods. Keep up the good work! I look forward to the next Big Idea. Mary Buckley

We have been advertising in Avenue for many years, and have seen some changes in the magazine. For sure, it is one of the best we read. It is beautifully printed, illustrated and we love the interesting articles. And we want to congratulate you for the lovely November issue, because: 1. The front cover is wonderfully photographed and amusing, fun rather than glamorous; 2. The Top 40 Under 40 article (November 2010) emphasizes people in medicine and charity, rather than just in high-end businesses; 3. The artwork, like always, is great. So glad that you can encourage the talented local artists. The reason we advertise in Avenue is the friendly and helpful service you provide, and the fact that the magazine is not just about high-end products or glamorous people, and we, like the many people we know who read Avenue, read it right through and keep it around. Manuel and Laura Galvez, Designs by Manuel Jewellery

Housing Crisis
Congratulations on the fantastic Big Idea spread in Octobers Avenue magazine. It is wonderful that you guys took that on and are raising awareness of the housing crisis in Calgary. We at Highbanks appreciate very much being included in this report. Thanks again for including us in this extremely worthwhile and informative report. Bette Mitchell, Highbanks Society
16 avenue
January.11

Help us make the Best Neighbourhoods ranking better this year by telling us what you think it is that makes a great neighbourhood great and how your own community stacks up. The survey is open now until February 28 at avenuecalgary.com/survey. Fill it out and you could win a trip for two anywhere WestJet flies.

Development Costs
In your October issue of Avenue, the article, Building out and not up or in-between, quoted former Alderman Joe Ceci saying home prices in the suburbs are kept artificially low by the development lobby, without providing any evidence to support his claim. In essence, the article implied that the development industry offloads all of the costs for new suburban development to the City and, therefore, the taxpayers. Not just Avenue, but many media outlets in Calgary echo similar accusations of the development industry and it largely goes unchecked. In fact, developers pay for a significant portion of new suburban development costs that are ultimately borne by the consumer in the price of their lot, not Calgary taxpayers. It might be easier to provide a list of costs not covered by developers, as their contributions are extensive. However, the list of items developers do pay for is often overlooked. To start with, their list of contributions includes pipes for water, sanitary sewer and storm water drainage; all roadways, including sidewalks, medians and boulevards connecting a community to major city thoroughfares; and all street lighting. Furthermore, developers give (not sell) a minimum of 10 per cent of the developable land in every residential subdivision to the City for parks, pathways and schools. These lands are fully landscaped, planted then maintained for one to two years by the developer before being handed over to the City for their care, while the City collects taxes from the new homeowners in these communities. This does not include the millions of dollars in levies ($44 million in 2009) and contributions-in-kind ($75 million in 2009 for parks) that are paid to the City on a per-hectare basis by developers. With this in mind, the assertion that the cost of suburban growth is dumped on taxpayers is simply not true. The article also missed the point that we live in a market-driven economy. Although some people believe the City should dictate where and how people live, this cannot trump the wishes of consumers. Throughout the recent municipal election, the development industry stressed the need to protect consumer choice and affordability; up, out and in. The development industry recognizes that we need to provide diverse housing products to respond to, not dictate lifestyle needs of Calgarians. Do we need to grow up in our downtown core and redevelop our established neighbourhoods? Yes, we do. But the suburbs remain the first and most-affordable choice for families. Although there are many obvious reasons families choose the suburbs, including safety, security and a yard for their kids to play, many also locate there because this is where they can afford to buy. It is time to recognize that the development community is contributing a great deal toward the cost of suburban growth and building smart suburban communities with a diverse and dense mix of housing products. The debate needs to not just be about density but also about diversity. Growth is a complex topic, one without a simple solution, but at the end of the day the answer lies with the housing demands and aspirations of Calgarians, not social engineering. Karin Finley, P.Eng. General Manager, Qualico Communities Executive Board Member, Urban Development Institute Garett Wohlberg, BA. (RUD), Development Manager - Planning, Qualico Communities Member - Planning Committee, Urban Development Institute
avenuecalgary.com January.11

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bookends

JOIN US AS WE HONOUR

EXCEPTIONAL
at the annual Woman of Vision Awards Luncheon. Monday, March 7, 2011

WOM EN
Noon | Westin Hotel 403.262.0484

For tickets:

ywcaofcalgary.com/wov
1910-2010

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January.11

February

next Issue

RooM iMPRoVed Calgary businesses are creating beautiful spaces by reimagining what can be done with overlooked and aging buildings and lots. FinaLiStS in tHe deSiGn inSide tHe box coMPetition And then there were five. Weve narrowed down the finalists for the Design Inside the Box competition. See which local designers created the best pieces of furniture and home decor accessories, and then visit BoConcept to vote on which one should win the Peoples Choice award. bReaKinG uP iS HaRd to do But Karen Stewart, CEO of Fairway Divorce tries to make it easier. Find out what makes her the expert on divorce. HoW to tRaVeL noW Put some of the luxury of yore back into the modern travel experience with top tips on how to get there in style.

Contributors
Greg Gerla
Calgarian and Alberta College of Art + Design grad Greg Gerla has been a professional commercial and fine art photographer for 20 years. His work has taken him from the frozen north of Inuvik to the fashion Mecca of Miami. He has won the Kenneth R. Wilson award for outstanding photography and best photographic series in the Western Magazine Awards. To see more of his work, visit greggerla.com.

44
Carolyn McTighe
Carolyn McTighe is a freelance writer and author whose articles can be read in various magazines and newspapers across Canada and the United States. As well as having worked for CBC Radio, she has also written for the Los Angeles Times, ELLE Canada and Sun Media. She is the author of two books for young readers, The Sakura Tree and How

96
Belle Mellor
and the Los Angeles Times. She has receivedsilver, bronze

to Ruin Your Life and Other Lessons School Doesnt Teach You.

Your Place for Tile

United Kingdom-based illustrator Belle Mellor works internationally with clients including The Economist, The Guardian and gold awards for her editorial and personal work from the Association of Illustrators in London. In 2003, she went back to school to earn her Masters of Art in Animation at the Royal College of Art in London. Her graduation project,Sleep with the Fishes, was screened at various international animation festivals, collecting several awards along the way. To see more of her work, visit bellemellor.com.

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1315-11 Ave. SW Calgary, Ab T3C 0M7 Ph: (403) 245-4353 Fax: (403) 245-1850 [email protected] www.contempacarpet.com

Rhett Soveran
Rhett Soveran is a proud web geek. He spends his time playing online games while making rude comments about his opponents mothers, as well as producing a podcast and blog at bailingbucket. com and making new friends through Twitter, which in a roundabout way led to his current gig as web editor of WestJets up! magazine. His non-nerdy activities include playing soccer, walking his giant schnoodle named Duke and hanging out with his wife (whom he did not meet through Craigslist). This month,

66

he writes about his trip to Bermuda where he explored the island by bike and came to appreciate the value of friendly locals willing to point a lost tourist back onto the beaten path.
avenuecalgary.com January.11

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bookends

On the Web

Madison

INNOVISIONS IN LIGHTING
Crystal and light enchant spaces, turning your visions into reality. Let us surprise and convince you! These and other Swarovski fine lighting products are now available at the showrooms below.

This month at
LetS Rodeo

avenuecalgary.com
One Yellow Rabbits High Performance Rodeo takes over the Calgary theatre scene in January and well have guest bloggers and coverage of the scene all month long. HiGH PeRFoRMance cocKtaiLS What happens when we ask our favourite Calgary watering holes to create a cocktail using one of the High Performance Rodeo shows as inspiration? Good things. Get primed for some great theatre by making them yourself. caLGaRy cHeFS In these exclusive online videos we catch up with local chefs about how they became a chef, what makes a great meal and the best things they ate in Calgary this year.

WWW.ARCHITECTURE.SWAROVSKI.COM

NORTH LOCATION (Corner of 5th Ave & Crowchild Tr NW) 2513 5 Avenue NW 403.264.5483 SOUTH LOCATION (Deerfoot Meadows) 400 - 33 Heritage Meadows Way SE 403.259.3532 www.carringtonlighting.com
20 avenue

tHe Avenue WeeKendeR Never wonder what your weekend has in store. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get great events delivered right to your inbox. KeeP in toucH Follow @avenuemagazine on Twitter, or find us on Facebook at Avenue Magazine Calgary to stay connected with Calgarys premiere city lifestyle magazine.

January.11

Image courtesy of Knoll Inc.

avenuecalgary.com January.11

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city

detours

Cutting Out the Middle Man

Born in Kashmir, trained in Hong Kong, Zahoor Bhat brings authentic Asian tailoring to the Beltline
Westin Hotel, Room 355, 3:09 p.m. A secret meeting is taking place. Zahoor Bhat listens as Mark Armstrong, a senior account executive with the recruitment firm Executrade, describes his desire for a form-fitted suit and dress shirts that dont bulge at the back when tucked.

You want Shanghai cut, Bhat says. The 42-year-old tailor from Hong Kong explains through a thick East Indian accent how the shirt will have two near-invisible slits up the back, hemmed according to his clients measurements. Shanghai cutters are the best; they make the cuts according to the shape of the people, he says. This is just one stop of many around the world for Bhat, the travelling tailor known by few, rumoured of by many. He travels eight months a year to cities including Paris and New York, selling around 2,000 suits a grind, he admits, but he needs to do it to take care of his wife and two daughters, ages five and six, back in Hong Kong. Armstrong agrees on a light-grey herringbone material from one of the dozens of fabric sample books covering the queen-sized hotel bed, and an Oxford style of cut from the companys look-book. Thats normally a $5,000 suit, Bhat tells Armstrong, who flashes an immediate grin. Of course, its all part of Bhats pitch. In roughly four weeks, Armstrong will receive in the mail two tailored suits and four dress shirts for $1,000, shipped from Bhats Vogue Tailors shop, located in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Regularly, that would run somewhere around $4,500, which is why 150 Calgarians a year turn to Bhats services. Bhat says the near lack of import and export tariffs in Hong Kong make it ideal for importing fabrics and exporting finished suits inexpensively; and the low cost of Chinese labour keeps the price of manufacturing down. But, business at his shop isnt always booming, so, four years ago, Bhat
22 avenue
JANUARY.11

But go to any tailor, if he gives you my price: Ill give you 20 suits, free. Zahoor Bhat
decided he would travel to cities including Calgary to find clients looking for a good deal. Think of it as marketing in its most direct sense. I meet all kinds of business people from all over the place at our shop in Hong Kong, Bhat says. I built up an e-mail list, and now I just tell people, Hey, if you need a new suit, Im coming to this city on this date. Bhat has been coming to Calgary every six months for about three years now because the Beltline has been very supportive of him. And he will continue to do so, because he knows there is business to be done. But that doesnt mean he isnt without some healthy competition. Sometimes, there are three tailors in the same hotel, doing the same thing as I am, Bhat says. But go to any tailor, if he gives you my price: Ill give you 20 suits, free.Sean Young To find out more about Zahoor Bhat, visit his website: voguetailor.com

Photograph by Sean Young

- ADVERTISING FEATURE - ADVERTISING FEATURE -

e eXt

d ed

city detours

A Ruff Job
Meet Ben. Hes a three-year-old chocolate lab who loves eating apples and works as a canine ambassador at the Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire. Avenue caught up with Ben to find out about his job and ask: what is it like to work as a dog?
Weve gotta know: What does a canine ambassador do? Im the four-legged guy who works with the concierge team to greet guests. Im also here to collect all the extra belly scratches that people have to give, and if a guest needs a canine escort on their daily walk or run, Im their guy. How did you get the job? Im handsome, calm, gentle, loving what more can I say? The job just had Ben written all over it. Whats a typical day like for you? I go to my office its the doghouse beside the concierges desk. Its there that Ill be waiting to greet guests and, if anyone has booked an appointment with me for a walk, Ill take them out. Who are your favourite type of guests? I take pride in making the big guys in suits melt. How do people react to a canine employee? Ive had guests bring me gifts and give me treats youd think I was a movie star. Im also a regular in the comment cards the guests love me. As told to Kathryn Sloniowski Bens responses have been translated by Erin Richter, director of sales and marketing for Sheraton Suites Calgary Eau Claire
roBinson lighting & Bath Centre The new location of this 12,000-square-foot lighting and bath centre is a great spot for anyone looking to renovate or upgrade their interiors. The showroom has a fully functioning shower suite and a lighting lab, with lighting fixtures to test and choose from. (4120 Blackfoot Tr. S.E., 403-245-8637, rlrbc.com) sugar Pie Bakery In November, this pie bakery opened at the Kingsland Farmers Market. Its specialty is pie pops, which are sweet and savoury mini pies on a stick. They can be ordered by the dozen or individually, and are available fresh and frozen. If youre looking for full-size pies, Sugar Pie also does custom orders. (7711 Macleod Tr. S., 403-456-5700, sugarpiebakery.ca) The third location of the B.C. coffeehouse franchise is now open on 17th Avenue S.W. Drop by for assorted pastries, cold African shaken iced tea, fruit frappe, rooibos tea or steaming cups of espresso, latte and macchiato. There is also free wi-fi and a boardroom thats available for work meetings. (1019 17 Ave. S.W., 403-457-5441, wavescoffee.ca) Have a new business, restaurant or store youd like us to know about? Please email openings@ avenuecalgary.com
Ben the Dog photograph by Kathryn Sloniuski.

OPENINGS

Blush Bridal Boutique This consignment wedding dress and accessories boutique in Kensington carries never-worn or worn-once gowns that include sample dresses from other bridal salons at discount prices. Brands include Vera Wang, Melissa Sweet, Pronovias and Watters. It also sells veils, shoes, handbags and jewellery. By appointment only. (102, 424 10 St. N.W., 403-862-0712, blushbridalboutique.ca) Cruffs After the cupcake and macaroon, the latest dessert to hit Calgary via its own specialty bakery is the cream puff. Cruffs, The House of Cream Puffs, offers large cream puffs with custard cream filling selections such as hazelnut chocolate, lemon, coconut and strawberry. It also has pannekoek (crepe-style) pancakes with various fillings, and shells are baked daily. (2312 4 St. S.W., 403-453-1134, cruffs.com) lounge Central 899 Located in Htel Le Germains lobby, this sophisticated lounge features a curved communal dining table and plush seating along a wall of windows. Drinks include Champagne,

your dream kitchen, now up to $ 2,500 less.

save instantly when you buy a combination of sub-Zero and Wolf products. limited time offer.

Waves Coffee house

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cocktails, beer from local microbreweries and a small-plates menu that features raw-milk cheeses from Quebec, olives, charcuterie and poutine. (899 Centre St. S.W., 403-264-8990, germaincalgary.com)

All in the Family

Kaley and Jory Kinjo have been making music in Calgary for more than a decade, and have played separately in a handful of successful Canadian Devils and Mocking Shadows. But their self-titled

The Kinjo Brothers connect for a soulful debut

because

groups such as The Planet Smashers, Plaid-Tongued album (available on iTunes, CD Baby and kerfmusic. com) will mark the first time the duo have released music together. The seeds of the project were planted when the brothers travelled to Okinawa, Japan, three years ago at the request of their father, who was facing major surgery. He phoned home and asked that we go over there and be with him and connect with our roots, should the worst happen, Jory says. Upon planning the trip, we knew we wanted to play music while we were over there. Countless nights playing sets at Japanese bars gave birth to a debut album that showcases the diverse songwriting and compositional talent of Kaley and Jory. On the tracks Hard Woman to Love and Pretty When It Rains, the brothers muse about past relationships over well-paced reggae beats, evoking the full spectrum of the genre. And, the soulful vocals on Still Be Alright speaks with emotion akin to a modern-day Otis Redding. After playing their material in Okinawa to a growing Japanese following this past fall, the brothers cant wait to play for Calgary audiences in the coming months. S.Y. You can hear new Kinjo Brothers songs and find out about upcoming shows at myspace.com/ kinjobrothers

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city detours

The Story Behind the Art

The ArTisT Derek Beaulieu is a poet and publisher known for his boundary-pushing visual poetry. Working only with Letraset which is dry-transfer lettering thats rubbed onto a papers surface, letter-by-letter, entirely by hand Beaulieu creates poems that are intentionally unreadable. He has taught at Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary and currently runs the small independent press, No Press. This past November, he unveiled a new letter poem now on display on the window of Pages bookstore in Kensington. The ArT One of his largest and most complex pieces is an 18-inch by 53-inch print with several thousand characters. It took him four months to complete and

is in response to avant-garde French artist Blaise Cendrars book, Prose of the Trans-Siberian, which combines abstract art and prose on a long sheet of paper. The idea is that 150 copies of Cendrars work, laid end-to-end, is the same height as the Eiffel Tower, whereas 150 copies of Beaulieus piece equal the height of the Calgary Tower. The inspirATion As a child, I was always reading, says Beaulieu. I was definitely influenced by Dr. Seusss On Beyond Zebra! There are some very strange graphic Seussian symbols with curlicue letters that sort of remind us of text. And I read comic books continuously,
This intricate Letraset poem by Derek Beaulieu is inspired by abstract art and prose. From the collection of The Sackner Archive of Concrete Visual Poetry.

because theres this interplay between text and pictures. Were not used to reading our art or looking at our text. The poems, for me, start and end with the shape of the letters. I start by putting a letter or two on the page and allow it to build organically. I rarely compose words and try to assert a meaning, and I dont encode letters. The type of writing that excites me is the type that leaves the reader and viewer unsure. Lynda Sea

The Invention of Lying

The Calgary Operas newest production is about a brewing familys black sheep
Renowned Canadian playwright John Murrells newest work is called The Inventor, but the historical opera has nothing to do with patents or technology. Its about Alexander Sandy Keith Jr., the nephew of beer mogul Alexander Keith, and a man most historians consider Canadas first mass murderer.
Alexander Sandy Keith Jr.

Sandy was born in 1827 in Caithness, Scotland, and immigrated with his family to Canada
26 avenue
JANUARY.11

as a young boy. Though he worked for a time in his uncles Halifax brewery, hes best known for his criminal exploits, which included everything from setting fire to factories for insurance money, to ripping off the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. Life [was] nothing more than a giant shell game to Sandy, says Murrell, who was commissioned by the Calgary Opera to write the opera. I think the excitement of reinventing himself and getting away with it must have been a driving force in his life.

After fleeing the repercussions of his many scams in Nova Scotia, Keith ended up in Germany, where in 1875 he orchestrated what would ultimately be his final con job. He planted a timed explosive device on an unoccupied passenger ship, but the bomb went off early and killed 80 civilians on a dock in Bremerhaven. Upon hearing how hed been responsible for what was being described at the time as the crime of the century, he shot himself and died less than a week later. So, why did the Calgary Opera feel compelled to bring this dark story of crime to Calgary audiences? Even today, dangerous chameleons like Sandy Keith exist, and it is important to understand and recognize how often-smart people can be so easily hoodwinked, Murrell says. I mean look at [fraudster Bernie] Madoff. We all want to know how did he become such a scoundrel? And even more: How did he get away with it for so long? S.Y. The Inventor plays January 29, February 2 and 4 at the Jubilee Auditorium. For more information, visit calgaryopera.com

in
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avenuecalgary.com JANUARY.11

27

city calendar

by Sean Young
1 SAT 2 SUN 3 MON 4 TUE 5 WED 6 THU 7 FRI

JANUARY.11
new YeArs eve CelebrATion december 31 to february 1 the austrian-Canadian Cultural Centre (3112 11 st. n.e.) Why not ring in 2011 all month long? The Austrian-Canadian Society will be offering a celebration every night in January, featuring a five-course dinner and live authentic Austrian music. 403-2509126, austrianclub.ca

Calgary philharmonic orchestra: salute to vienna. cpo-live.com perCepTions of proMise: bioTeChnoloGY, soCieTY AnD ArT January 4 to March 20 glenbow Museum Scientists, scholars and artists collaborate for this exhibit that considers the possibilities of stem cell research and biotechnology. 403-268-4100, glenbow.org

briAn eno: 77 Million pAinTinGs January 6 to March 20 glenbow Museum Composer Brian Eno who has worked as an experimental music producer for the last 30 years with notable acts such as Cold Play, U2 and Talking Heads brings an installation featuring generative software which creates layers of interwoven sound visually using futuristic artificial intelligence. 403-268-4100, glenbow.org UnDer Milk wooD January 7 to 22 Pumphouse theatre (2140 Pumphouse ave. s.W.) Dylan Thomas famous radio play is brought to life by an ensemble cast of 15 different actors, who describe the innermost thoughts and dreams of the inhabitants of an imaginary Welsh village. 403-246-2999, morpheustheatre.ca ACres of DreAMs January 12 Jack singer Concert hall, epcor Centre The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra joins rising Canadian songwriters Kris Demeanor, James Keelaghan, Wendy McNeill and Cadence Weapon to craft a powerful tale of immigration in the Canadian West. 403-571-0849, cpo-live.com

Joe sATriAni January 5 Jubilee auditorium Hes recognized by guitar players as one of the best living virtuosos, and he taught Steve Vai and Larry LaLonde to name a few almost everything they know about the guitar. 403-777-0000, ticketmaster.ca neverMore January 6 to february 6 vertigo theatre (161, 115 9 ave. s.e.) Dark elements of Edgar Allen Poes work are fused with music in this fictional biography about Poes life and mysterious death. 403-221-3708, vertigotheatre.com Morgan Davis - Carma Acoustic blues series. epcorcentre.org

8 SAT 9 SUN 10 MON 11 TUE 12 WED 13 THU 14 FRI 15 SAT 16 SUN

billY bishop Goes To wAr January 18 to 22 Max Bell theatre, epcor Centre The creators of this play about the First World War fighter pilot reunite, more than 30 years later, to stage it at the 25th High Performance Rodeo. 403-294-7447, theatrecalgary.com

17 MON 18 TUE 19 WED

Craig Cardiff at the ironwood stage & Grill. ironwoodstage.ca

20 THU 21 FRI 22 SAT 23 SUN 24 MON 25 TUE 26 WED 27 THU 28 FRI 29 SAT 30 SUN 31 MON

lorChesTre DhoMMes-orChesTres perforMs ToM wAiTs January 20 to 22 theatre Junction grand (608 1 st. s.W.) Quebec Citys LOrchestre dhommes-orchestres recreates classic Tom Waits songs using a repertoire of nearly 100 everyday objects and newly invented instruments. 403-205-2922, theatrejunction.com steve pineos blue Mondays. mikeysjukejoint.com inDiA CAllinG: An eveninG wiTh kirAn AhlUwAliA AnD rhYThM of rAJAsThAn January 29 Jack singer Concert hall, epcor Centre BD&Ps World Music Series brings noted Persian and Punjabi Ghazals performer Kiran Ahluwalia and Rhythm of Rajasthan, a collective of Muslim and Hindu musicians formed in 2007 by Nitin Nath Harsh, a folklore promoter. 403-2949494, epcorcentre.org

GUiTAr heroes: A TribUTe To ClApTon, henDrix & frienDs January 28 Jack singer Concert hall, epcor Centre The CPO pays homage to the legends of the sixstring by arranging a medley of classic 1960s and 70s rock songs in this original production. 403-571-0849, cpo-live.com The invenTor January 29, february 2 and 4 Jubilee auditorium Renowned Canadian librettist John Murrell teams up with composer Bramwell Tovey to create this original production about the life of notorious conman and the nephew of Alexander Keith, Sandy Keith Jr. 403-262-7286, calgaryopera.com

on the web Find many more Calgary listings at avenuecalgary.com/going-out

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avenue

JANUARY.11

India Calling photograph by George Whiteside

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city party crasher

by Rob Mabee photography by Brian Buchsdruecker

Chefs for UNICEF

Hyatt Ballroom, October 30, 2011

Q: imberly, why is tonights Chefs for UNICEF event so special for you? K A: erethrilledthatthisgroupofpeoplehavecometogethertosup W portsuchawonderfulcause,helpingtensofthousandsofchildrenin Guatemala.Withexpertchefs,asilentauctionandanamazingdinner, Icantellitsgoingtobeaspectacularevening. Kimberly Moran, acting president and CEO, UNICEF Canada

Kimberly Moran

10

From left to right: 1. John Conley 2. Britt Giuffre and Anthony Giuffre 3. Charolette Diodati and Carl Diodati 4. Mary Giuffre and Joe Giuffre 5. Melonie Britton, Ann Sullivan and Jaquie Arling 6. Bruce Heroux, Mark Holland and Dave Heroux 7. Lane Greenway and Jessica Greenway 8. Carrie Ferguson and Kent Ferguson 9. Holly Davidson 10. Pam Donaldson, David Donaldson and Patti Giuffre
30 avenue

JANUARY.11

Sheer Drinking Pleasure.

You enjoy exceptional coffee. In fact, youd enjoy it more often if only you had a machine at home that made espresso as good as your favourite coffeehouse. Visit Cappuccino King and drive away with an espresso machine that really performs.

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Inspiring Minds. Changing Futures.

Phone: 403.220.0077 | sciencealberta.org

avenuecalgary.com JANUARY.11

31

city party crasher

Gold Medal Plates

Hyatt Ballroom, November 12, 2010

Q: arnie, this is your sixth time at a Gold Medal Plates Dinner. M What are you most looking forward to tonight? T A: onightsalittlework,butmostlyalotoffunforme.Myfavou ritepartistryingallthefoodthatthechefshaveprepared,and youneedtobefasttogettoall10ofthem.Also,Igettogether withmyOlympicfriendsandpeerstoraisesomemoneyforthe CanadianOlympicFoundation
Marnie McBean

Marnie McBean, master of ceremonies, three-time Olympic gold medallist in rowing

10

From left to right: 1. Joe Gysel and Adam Kreek 2. Adrian Urlacher, Vern Reynolds-Braun and Kimberly Whieting 3. Jonathan Wilson and Kate Peterson 4. Karen Blair, Jan Hrabec, Lois Mitchell and Douglas Mitchell 5. Joe Gysel 6. Rob Urbanowski and Christi Day 7. Kathy Naaykens, Sean Naaykens and Sandra Stahl 8. Ali Pressman and Andrew Matheic 9. Tracy Kapteyn and Richard Kapteyn 10. Roslyn McMann, Jon McMann, Tara Matheron and Chris Stewart
32 avenue

JANUARY.11

Building homes, like any art form, requires patience, care and extraordinary attention to detail. As a family business, Lupi Luxury Homes has combined their experience of traditional and contemporary techniques to rene this art form like no other. Build your dream home with the rened elegance and serene sophistication that only a master homebuilder can provide.
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Since 1995, KidSport has helped put a smile on the faces of 36,564 kids across Alberta
Together we can spread more smiles to more kids through participation in sport. Join us February 5th for the antoszOrthodontics/KidSport So ALL Kids Can Play 2011 launch with Olympic Gold Medalist, Kyle Shewfelt

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For details on how you can help spread more smiles through sport go to www.antoszorthodontics.com or www.kidsport.ab.ca
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33

city the expert

psychic
What I know about being
Who: Kim the clairvoyant Dennis Age: 50 Experience: As a natural-born clairvoyant and medium, Dennis has been giving readings providing insights into the future and helping family members connect to loved ones whove passed on for more than 13 years; her readings book up to seven months in advance; she has published Whats Above, a book that recounts her discovery and journey into becoming a clairvoyant and medium; she had her own TV show, The Antique Psychic, which ran from 2003 to 2006 on Access TV; she has made numerous radio appearances, giving on-air readings, on Vibe 98.5, CJAY 92, XL 103 and 90.3 AMP; she says she is almost never wrong.
n Igrewupwithnoreligiousbackground.I neverwenttochurch,soIwaslikeablankslate. n At13,Ihadmyfirstout-of-bodyexperience. Itwastrackandfielddayatschool.Ihadgone homeearlyandfallenasleep.NextthingIknew, Icouldseemyselflookingdownatmyselfonmy bed.Icameinrealclose.IcouldseethatIwas breathing.Iwasntfrightened,butIwasntsure itwasjustlikehavingnogravity.Atsome point,mymomcameintotellmedinnerwas readyand,snap,Iwasback.Thatwasmyfirstof almostdailyout-of-bodyexperiences. n IcontinuedtohaveoutofbodyexperiencesuntilIwas23.WhenIwasexpectingmyfirstdaughter,itallstopped.Ihadnothingfortwotothree years.Imusthavebeenasleep-deprivedmother.
34 avenue
JANUARY.11

n Whenmydaughterwasaboutayearanda half,Iwenttoworkatabankforafewdaysa week,justtogetoutofthehouse.Thatswhen theintuitionphasekickedin.Ikneweverything. Idplaythisgamewithmyco-workerswhere Idthinkofaclient,writedowntheirnameand showmyfriends,thenmomentslatertheydwalk throughthedoor.Everyonewaslike,Howdyou dothat? n Wereallpsychictoadegree;Imjustgifted atit.Itsjustlikewecanallsing,butwerenotall giftedsingers. n Improbablymoreclairaudient.Iusually hearavoiceinmyhead,morethananything else.WhenImeetwithpeople,itllgiveme informationortellmetoaskaquestion,likeAsk aboutaboyfriend.

n Iletpeopleaudio-recordtheirreadings.Ivehad about10peopleovertheyearswhovecalledme afterwardtosay,Oh,mygod,Icanhearthepartin thetapeweretheyregivingyouinformation. n Inordertohear,[informationwhilegiving areading]Ihadtolearntoshutoffmythinking throughmeditation,untilIwasabletoturniton andoff.Now,Icangobackandforth,andchannelinformation. n Everythinginthisuniverseisjustonebig energyfieldvibratingatdifferentfrequencies.Its science.ItsEinstein.Thistableisntsolid.Ifyou lookatanythingintheuniverseunderabigmicroscope,youllseebeyondcellsandatomsthat itsjustanenergyfield.Youcantdestroyenergy. Itonlychangesform.Itsthesameforpeople

by Jesse Semko photography by Brian Buchsdruecker

whocrossoveranddie.Theychangeform,but theyrestillwithus.
n Ivechannelledlotsofpeoplewhohave crossedover.IvechannelledChristopherReeve. Ivealsochannelledawholebunchofstuffon whoIthinkJacktheRipperwas.Ivegotitallon tape.TheonlyproblemisIcantgetanyoneto verifyit.Thatsalwaystheproblem.Ineedsomeonetovalidateit.Itwouldbegreatiftherewere apolicefilethatwasnevermadepublic.Iguess thatskindofhardafter122years. n Myreadingsarealmostalwaysbangon. ThatswhyIhavethereputationthatIdo.Its likebeinggoodatyourjob.Imprettygoodat interpreting.
avenuecalgary.com JANUARY.11

35

city only the best

by John Gilchrist and Catherine Caldwell photography by Jared Sych

Say Cheese
Fromage-focused Farm delivers flavourful fare reminiscent of simpler times

Thatwasinthedayswhenwethoughtcheese cameinjarsandonlythefancystufflikeVelveetacameinabox.Andforspecialoccasions? Thosetiny,foil-wrappedSwissKnighttriangles ofimportedstuff.Thatwasreallylivinghigh onthehog. Butthereisaworldofgreatcheeseoutthere, andJaniceBeatonisresponsibleforintroducingmanyofustowheelsandchunksofit.From obscure,cave-agedgruyeresandash-covered goatcheeses,tosmelly,rind-washedfromage, Beatonhasfilledhershopswithcheesesthat sometimesmeltinourmouthsandothertimes wrinkleournoses. Beatonsoriginal8thStreetS.W.shopbecame aMeccaforcheeseheads,andthenherKensingtonshopdelightedfolksnorthoftheriver.In 2009,sheconsolidatedherretailoperationunder oneroofon17thAvenueS.W.,nearanother businessshesinvolvedinCaffeBeanoand openedarestauranttogoalongwiththecheese shop.SimplycalledFarm,therestauranthas becomeafavouriteofmanyRedMilediners. Farmevokesmemoriesofagrariantimespast withitswallpapered,wainscotted,harvest-tabled interioranditsdishtowel-napkinandcandle-ina-bone-china-teacuptone.Tuckedintoalong, narrowstorefront,Farmsopenkitchenhouses athreshingcrewofwhite-cladchefswhofocus intentlyontheirwork.Acrowdofhungrydiners gathersalongthekitchensbar,watchingeachdish cometogether,hopingitstheonetheyordered. Moredinersareparkedattablesbeside thewainscotting,inthesunnywindowatthe frontortheyreperchedatthetall,12-seat harvesttable.Whenitsfull,Farmispacked withenergyandlaughterasgroupsenjoythe casualroom. Theatmosphereisfartoourbantobeatrue farmhousesetting,butitsmodernistturnon agricultureworksinthesettingandforthe crowd.Farmcelebrateslocalgrowers,producersandtheirproductsbykeepingpresentationsimple,while,atthesametime,exuding anurbansophistication.Itsstill17thAvenue outside,afterall.

One of us grewuphavingCheez Whizsmearedonawhitebunand toppedwithasliceofrawbaconcrisped underthebroiler.Theotheronedidnt getthebacononhers,butadmitstolikingthesoundofit.

36

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JANUARY.11

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city only the best

Epic burger with housemade bun, a Berkshire Pork and Spring Creek beef patty, Rougette cheese, sauerkraut and smokey mayo, with a side of Poplar Bluff homefires.

The blackboard at the back of the room at Farm features daily specials.

handcrafted, regional & organic

R E S E RVAT I O N S :

403-263-5330 / blinkcalgary.com
1 1 1 8 T H AV E N U E S W C A L G A RY

Thecheeseshopitselfisintheback,facing onto16thAvenue.Ithasitsownentranceand somecustomerswevetalkedtoweresurprised toheartherewasarestaurantontheotherside. Thatshowdistractingafinelyhonedfocuson cheesycomestiblesis,wesuppose. Meanwhile,Farmtakescheesecuisinetoanew level;theresscarcelyanitemonitsmanymenus thatdoesnthavesomethingcheesyonit.And manymenusthereare.Theresthemainmenuof salads,steaks,macncheeseandtrout.Theresa dailyspeciallistwrittenonablackboardattheback oftheroomandsmallcardsateachtablewitha charcuteriemenuthatallowsyoutobuildyourown mealofmeats,cheesesandcondiments.Theresa drinkmenuofmanywinesandbeerstogoalong withthefood.And,finally,theresadessertmenu. Itsallabitoverwhelmingatfirst,but,oncarefulstudy,iseasyenoughtoabsorb.Thebiggest challengeisindecidingwhattoorderonthe menuthatchangeswiththeseasons.

Thecharcuterieishardtobypassselectionsoflambliverptandvenisonsalamiand porkrillettepairedwithpiecesofSaint-Nectaire andblueErmiteandComtcheeses.Alittle mustardoronionrelishorpickledrhubarbon theside,andwerehappy.But,lookingforamore substantialmeal,weredrawntothebraised wildhogshoulderoncaramelizedcabbagewith house-madesauerkraut.Orthepan-seared sablefishontopofmashedrootswithsauteed kale,crispyrootsontopandservedwithspicy beurre-blanc.Thisisgoodfood,simplyand naturallyprepared,enhancedbyaglassfrom Farmsextensivewinelist. WeprobablywouldntgotoFarmforaquiet dinner.Butwhenwefeellikealittlecheese-focusedfoodinalivelyatmosphere,itsoneofthe firstplaceswethinkof.Itseitherthat,orbreak outtheCheezWhizwiththatbacon. Farm is located at 1006 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-2276

38

avenue

JANUARY.11

Best
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Take Creative Writing, Floral Design, Film and Television, Photography, Residential Decorating and Visual Arts programs with us.
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city find dining

photography by Jared Sych

Mix n Match
From old world to new school, theres something for everyones palate and pocketbook
Dapper Drinks
WhilemanylocalslamentedtheclosingofthepopularcountrymusicspotBarNamedSue,manymorearediscoveringitsreplacementaclassiccocktailbarbythenameofMilk Tiger Lounge isahardsecrettokeep.Thedrinkmenuisaneducationinwhat cocktailsshouldbewhilethebeerandwinearehandpickedtooffer adecentselectionofalternativestothehardstuff.Ifyoureserious aboutdrinking,trytheKentuckyColonel($9.29).Theupdated foodmenuissmallandconcisewithappetizers(goatcheesefilled dateswrappedinbacon,$10;Chinesesteaktartareoncucumber, $8),avarietyofcheeses(cheeseplatter,$17)andafewmains (bonemarroworeggplantandgoudataquitos,$12each).The menualsohasvegetarianoptionsandisentirelyglutenfree. (1,14104St.S.W.,403-261-5009,milktigerlounge.com) Selina Renfrow
40 avenue
JANUARY.11

Milk Tiger Lounge

QuickIndianisonthemenuatTiffin Curry and Roti House withthreedifferentmeatandvegetablecurriesservedhotand ready-to-eatdaily.Justchooseoneofthecombomealsthatrange insizeandpricefrom$7.95to$12.95andenjoy.Theirdelicious butterchickenandchutneysareavailableeverydayorcheck outthewebsitetoseetheweeklyscheduleofchoices.Onthe menuyoullalsofindappetizerslikeMogo(friedcassava$5.95) andmasalafries($6)andentreessuchasshishkebab($11)and chomachicken($13).EatinandenjoytheBollywoodfilmson theTVsorpurchaseastainlesssteeltiffintoget10percentoff take-outorders.(18828St.S.E.,403-273-2420,tiffincurry.com) Anthony Charron

Rotis, Spice and Everything Nice

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Enjoy a multi-course culinary evening complete with equally tantalizing wines. In this intimate setting, guests will be treated to course overviews by Chef Bob Matthews and wine pairings by Sean Rodas.

La Chaumire
139 17th Ave SW Best Service 2010

February 1, 2011 Cocktail 6:00pm Dinner 6:30pm Tickets are extremely limited and on sale at AvenueCalgary.com/avenue-live
Sponsored by BMW Canada. Test drive the new BMW X5, arriving soon at your BMW retailers of Calgary.
avenuecalgary.com JANUARY.11

41

city find dining

The Tiger Eye Roll at Sushi Motto

Old World Italian Flair

TellGuidotomakemesomethingspecial. ThatsaphraseCalgariansintheknowusewhen requestinganoff-menumealatDa Guido Ristorante.ThecozyItalianeaterylocatedonCentre StreetN.W.wasstartedbychefGuidoPanarain 1984andreceivesmorethanafewofitsorders inthismanner.Ifyoudontlikesurprises,dont worry;DaGuidohasdozensofchoicesonits ratherlargemenu.Warmyoursensesandbrush uponyourItalianpronunciationwithsome deliciousappetizers.Theprosciuttoemelone (curedparmaprosciuttoandmelon,$12)orthe lumacheallaRomana(escargotinwinewithgarlic,tomato,spicesandrice,$12)aregreatplaces tostart.Forentrees,trytheinvoltinimarinara (vealscaloppinirolledwithscampiandmushroomsinalightcreamsauce,$25)orthesella diagnelloalforno(rackoflambbakedinwine, garlicandfreshrosemary,$35).(2001CentreSt. N.W.,403-276-1365,daguido.ca)Sean Young

Roll with It

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Cable sweater $275 by Gianni Marcelo; jeans $225 by 7s for Mankind; leather jacket $795 by Milestone; necklace Kangs own. All items from Thomas Jeffery (Southcentre Mall, 403-278-2445).

Fulfillment, for me, is living who you were meant to be to the maximum potential. Ed Kang
Photograph by Colin Way.
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Celebrating five people who changed their lives for the better
by Tracy Johnson photography by Greg Gerla and Colin Way hair and make up by Diva Salon styling by Sue Vella Strother, Southcentre Personal Stylist

re-imagined

Lets face it: Everyone at one time or another has dreamed about reinventing themselves and changing their life for the better. But making that life-altering change isnt always easy. In fact, its downright difficult. So, what does it take to jump-start a change in your life? To find out, Avenue turned to five Calgarians who have re-imagined their lives for the better. Read on to hear their stories and be inspired.

Ed Kang
awnings, and they would line up and youd get through as many people as you could. On the flight to Nicaragua, Kang says, he knew things were unravelling at home in Calgary, both personally and professionally, and a part of him wished he didnt have to go back. My business was failing because of the economy and the sub-prime mortgage crisis. It seemed like there was an unending train of pressure and I felt powerless and with no purpose, he says. The trip to Nicaragua was the catalyst. Ten days in, Kang had a meltdown, begged off the planned outing that night and went back to his hotel room where he decided to make a change in his life. Kang wanted to redirect his life to focus on social change, but decided to do it in a micro way. When he got back to Calgary, for example, he took advantage of his skill in the kitchen, where he makes a mean lasagna. Whenever he cooked lasagna for his family, he would make eight more, freeze them, and look for families in need who could use the food. People would ask to come in and cook; we called them impact kitchens, Kang says. That idea caught on, I realized there was really no competition for just helping someone in your community, going next door and saying, Can I help you with something? I realized that was a niche and its fun. Out of this, Kang created a community in 2009 called Re:Life, which stands for Regard for Life. Re:Life is a community of more than 100 like-minded people who work for social change. So far, the group has sent people to Uganda, Haiti and Nicaragua on humanitarian projects. It has raised support for an orphanage in Burundi and a mosquito net project in Tanzania. Closer to home, members also regularly volunteer at the Calgary Drop-In Centre. And, of course, they make lasagna, too. As for his work, the friend who originally steered Kang to Nicaragua is now his boss. Kang works as a corporate chaplain and business manager in Calgary for the Goliath Group of Companies. Kang says hes now fulfilled, although he doesnt equate that with being happy. Fulfillment, for me, is living who you were meant to be to the maximum potential, he says. People come to me and say, Im not happy. I ask them if they think the point of life is to become happy and they say, Yes! I believe the point of life is fulfillment, and the by-product of that it happiness.
avenuecalgary.com January.11

d Kang has packed a lot into his life so far. Hes 34 years old and has been an animator and an entrepreneur. He worked in marketing and for a dot.com company, making and losing a million dollars on paper through the boom and bust. He got married and had two children, took a company public on the stock market and even worked as a pastor. Sounds exhausting, doesnt it? Kang would be the first to admit that, as of a couple of years ago, he was a burnout with too many loose ends in his life, and too many unmet obligations to work and to his family. It was a Who are you? situation, says Kang. Youve tried all these different things, the spiritual route, the business route and what do you have left, really? A friend who had travelled to India with a charity called Impact Nations suggested Kang do something similar in Nicaragua, and that trip in 2009 is what led him to reinvent his life. It was two weeks of opening medical clinics and feeding centres in the poorest parts of the country, Kang says. I was a bouncer; I had to do crowd control; wed go into a village and set up some tents and

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Its way easier to eat badly. If you write down what you eat, and if you have a bad day and can see it, but if you have five bad days, then you know that its a bad habit.
Tanis Tzavaras

peting, she didnt follow a consistently healthy lifestyle. It was really yo-yo at that time, and I think thats how a lot of novice competitors are; they go really hard for a competition and then rebound back, she says. After her moment of clarity in the hospital, Tzavaras decided to leave those extreme habits behind and take a more measured approach. Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation, is one of Tzavarass favourite quotes, from American televangelist and author Robert Schuller, and it probably best describes how she lost her weight. She thinks weight loss comes more from changing your eating habits than from exercise, although exercise plays a role, as well. Tzavaras took time to prepare food, so that she wasnt eating on the go. She kept a food diary to keep track of calories, and she worked out consistently. And it wasnt easy. Its way easier to eat badly, she says. If you write down what you eat, and if you have a bad day you can see it, but if you have five bad days, then you know that its a bad habit. After losing 80 pounds over a six-month period in 2008, Tzavaras decided to turn her success into a career change. She had coached gymnastics for a number of years and branched out into meal planning and boot camps, along with training other women to compete in fitness and other figure competitions. Her website, tanisfit.com, is full of photos of her and her clients, in bikinis, working some serious muscles. Tzavaras herself is pregnant with her second child right now, but she knows this time shell keep her eating under control. It has to be a priority this time, she says. There is a selfdiscipline component that has to be a priority. You cant ever think that youre so good that its not going to be a problem for you anymore. Its always going to be there.

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Photograph by Colin Way.

Tanis Tzavaras
dred pounds over the course of her pregnancy. Every woman who has given birth has had that postpartum moment when she has to face down the damage done to her body. In Tzavarass case, that moment came early, in the hospital, just after she had given birth. There was a shift change, and the two nurses were going over my chart, Tzavaras recalls. One said to the other, Shes doing really well; her only risk factor is her obesity. That was my reality check. No one else in my life would say, Youre getting too big. Tzavaras says that, even when she was com-

f you Google Tanis Tzavaras (use her maiden name: Hill), one of the first things youll come across is a set of photos of her from a fitness competition in 2006. Tanned, 24, and posing in a bikini, the first thing you think is: Holy Crap, look at that womans body! Lots of muscles, no visible body fat, Tzavaras was very, very fit. Its tough to maintain that type of physique, though, and when Tzavaras got pregnant 18 months later, she fell off the wagon. She leaped off the wagon, actually, gaining more than a hun-

Robb Price

aving your first child is a lifechanging experience for just about everyone. But Robb Price took it a step further. After his son was born in 2008, Price was inspired to turn his whole life upside-down and give it a shake. To set an example for his child, he quit smoking, quit his job and quit eating badly. He launched a charitable website and drove an RV across the country, handing out 30,000 pairs of mens underwear to homeless shelters. Imagine if hed had twins.

Price is a transplanted American, born in California and raised in Oregon, who was motivated by love to come to Calgary. When he got here in 2003, he did the prototypical Calgary thing and became an entrepreneur, running a marketing business with his now-wife that specialized in community investment. A few years ago, Price, his wife and their business partner sold their firm to a national public relations company, put in some time at the new firm and then cut loose with a bit of money and lots of time. Price and his wife bought a house, had a baby and Price dabbled in the software business, which he described as hair-pulling. It all sounds nice, right? A very typical upwardly mobile Calgary family. Scratch the surface, though, and Price wasnt particularly healthy; hed smoked for his entire adult life, was Type-1 diabetic and was carrying 40 extra pounds. When his son was about a year old, he began noticing and mimicking what Price was doing, so his dad gave up cigarettes, which, of course, can be brutally difficult by itself. But then another health issue reared its head. In November 2009, Price woke up in his bedroom surrounded by paramedics standing over him, fire engines in the street and a scared wife and son. I had a seizure caused by extreme low blood sugar. It was right around the time Id quit smoking, so there were lots of changes happening in my body, Price says. It happened again two months later but, this time, Price started to seize in front of his son. Later that day, my son said to me, Daddy shaking? Daddy shaking? Daddy fall on floor? Price recalls. Giving up smoking wasnt enough. Price realized his weight was a part of the problem and added that lifestyle change to the mix, with a personal trainer, Kevin Smith of Body Be Fit, and an eating plan. The final element of Prices turnaround was his work. After he left the software business, Price had a think about what work hed found most rewarding so far in his career. He realized the community involvement projects hed done through his marketing firm had been the most fulfilling, so he spent a year working for a local charity called The Doorway, which helps transition kids off the street and into society. During his tenure there, a fire destroyed the charitys office and most of its supplies. Price needed to replace the desks, computers and binders. He didnt have the money to do so, but he figured there would be a website somewhere that would help him search for donations. Say youve just replaced your computer monitor; you could sell it on Craigslist or Kijiji, or you could

Non-iron texture two tone check classic fit shirt $95; flannel button cardigan sweater $160; fender straight denim jeans $100. All items from Banana Republic (Southcentre Mall, 403-225-9459).

You only live once, and I want to do everything I can to make the most out of that life. Robb Price

donate it to a charity. That scenario happens all the time. But how do you know what charity needs a computer monitor? he says. Price created a website called delivergood.org. Charities register at the site and list what they need, such as printer ink cartridges, external hard drives, classroom space or winter jackets and underwear. Speaking of underwear, Price launched delivergood last summer by travelling across the country in an RV, with his mentor and investor Brent King, giving away 30,000 pairs of underwear at homeless shelters. Why underwear? Theyre one of things that homeless shelters are most in need of, so King and Price supplied the shelters they visited with enough underwear for a full year. Price found his big turnaround to be exhilarating, and says anyone with a bit of determination can do the same. You only live once, and

I want to do everything I can to make the most out of that life, he says. Its an uphill battle, but the power is in you to take those steps.

Photograph by Greg Gerla.

Brian Martin

ne day Brian Martin could walk; the next day he could-nt. Life changes dont get much more abrupt than that. It was May 2001. Martin was 28 years old, in his first year of Computer Science at the DeVry Institute of Technology, and he was riding home from work on his motorcycle late at night. The streets hadnt been cleaned of winter-ice gravel yet, and he skidded out and crashed. A short
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Wool tipped rib button mockturtleneck sweater $110; jeans Martins own; powderblue long-sleeve waffle crew shirt $50; white pima cotton crew shirt $25. All items from Banana Republic (Southcentre Mall, 403-225-9459).

I get passed a lot on the bike, and people say youre such an inspiration, but I think that anyone is capable of it.
Brian Martin

Martin says he was fine right after the accident, but it took time for it to sink in that his life was forever changed. It came to a head when I was 40 pounds overweight. I had marital issues. I realized, this sucks; this isnt any fun, he says. Martin decided getting active again would be the key to solve his malaise and marital problems. Hed been a gymnastics tumbler and a professional dancer through his 20s. Those options were out of the question, so Martin began with skiing, with a sit ski. Later, he got the funds for a handcycle, from a provincial fund that helps accident victims, and tried racing. He then decided to train for a triathlon. I knew that I could do two of the things: the cycling and the wheelchair race. I just had to figure out the swimming, Martin says, adding he figured it out by simply tying his legs together and getting in the pool. Martin is now one of two paraplegic athletes competing in triathlons in the Calgary area, and he has completed five in the past two years. Martin admits he pushes himself to see just how much his body can do, but he also pushes society to see what hell be allowed to do. Im not going to go so far as to inconvenience anyone, he says. Im more curious than anything to see what I can do. Ironman Canada is going to see what he can do this summer. Martin is signed up to compete at the Ironman in Penticton in August. By his reckoning, no athlete in a wheelchair has ever completed the Canadian Ironman. Martin knows hes an inspiration. Hes certainly an inspiration to his wife, who says hes her hero. Hes also an inspiration to able-bodied athletes, which he has mixed feelings about. I get passed a lot on the bike, and people say youre such an inspiration, but I think that anyone is capable of it, he says. You can be an inspiration at different levels.

time later, at the Foothills Medical Centre, someone offered Martin something for his pain. I said, theres no pain; I feel fine, actually, he recalls. It was the next day before Martin was told he couldnt walk again, and he was initially unfazed. I was, like, whatever, lets go. Ive got things to do. Ive got my life to live. Its an inconvenience for now; Ill figure it out later, he says. And live his life, he did. Martin wrote his firstyear final exams in the hospital, finished school, and married his girlfriend, who had stuck with him through the hospital and rehab. His brother and father jerry-rigged Martins two-storey house with a ramp made of wood and roof shingles, so he could
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pull himself and his wheelchair up the stairs. Id crawl up and pull the wheelchair up behind me, Martin says. He and his wife also took in foster children, he got a job doing technical support for Telus, and they had their first child. On the surface, it was a success story. Martin didnt miss a beat. In reality, things were a little more complicated. In 2005, 2006, we started going through some marital issues, says Martin. This wasnt what she signed up for. I mean, it wasnt what anyone had signed up for. There were lots of challenges. Every time we went out, we had to plan ahead. I couldnt even go for a walk and hold hands.

Photograph by Colin Way.

Dawn McIntyre

awn McIntyre had a difficult start to life. She was a victim of physical abuse and says she was beaten so often she nearly died twice: once when she was five, and again when she was 11. And the physical abuse wasnt the whole story. It was drilled into me that I was fat, ugly and stupid, and would amount to nothing, she says. McIntyre left home at 18, her self-worth in tatters, and began a long journey to figure out who she was. First of all, though, as McIntyre puts it, she spent a long time figuring out who she wasnt.

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From one of the greatest musicians, artists and thinkers of our time
Tragedy followed McIntyre through her early adulthood. She had a daughter, who is a teenager now and still lives with her, and ended up divorcing her first husband. She remarried and had a stillborn baby and then a son. When that marriage dissolved, McIntyre agreed to give up her parental rights and let her ex-husband and his girlfriend raise her son, on the understanding it would be an open adoption. Unfortunately, she has rarely been allowed to see the child. McIntyre says the loss of her son about 10 years ago was the moment she hit bottom. It was a dark night of the soul. I had to say yes to life, or continue to spiral down, she says. McIntyre chose the former and tried an alternative, and somewhat controversial, psychotherapy called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Its a type of psychotherapy designed specifically to help people who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. It doesnt take as long as traditional talk therapy and, very roughly, involves replacing negative memories with more positive feelings. McIntyre credits the therapy with her gradual emotional recovery. McIntyre decided to use her life experiences and subsequent recovery to create a career for herself. McIntyre describes herself as claircognizant, which isnt a term thats well known, but, in the psychic community, it means you simply know things. She created a personal coaching business, called Boldly Beautiful, which was based on that ability and has had some success with it. She wrote a self help book, The New 10 Redefining Beauty, in which she sets out a 40-day program for women who are suffering from low self-worth, tackling a different self-esteem problem each day, from body image to negative thoughts. McIntyre has had phone calls from readers telling her how the book helped them through some challenging experiences. The New 10 came out last summer, along with a media blitz during which McIntyre did 19 television interviews in less than four hours. She spent a lot of the summer doing talk radio and television through the United States, a process she found freeing. There is almost a cathartic experience that happens when you can be so transparent with listeners and viewers about your own experiences and witness the appreciation of such honesty, she says. Not surprisingly, given the negativity in her early life, McIntyre now focuses on the positive. She firmly believes everyone is capable of an exceptional life. Never say never, she says. Life can be as great and as fulfilling as we want.

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Think
Calgary and Alberta are both in the middle of re-branding projects that force the city and province to ask who we are and how we can convince the world to live, work or visit here
by Jaelyn Molyneux illustrations by Belle Mellor

Are We

DoWe

Who

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It turns out Calgarys current branding, just a decade old, doesnt quite grasp what this city is all about these days. At least, not according to the City of Calgary, Calgary Economic Development (CED) and Tourism Calgary, three of the partners involved in a project that is currently working to replace Heart of the New West and the swooping cowboy hat illustration that comes with it. Heart of the New West wasnt conveying the depth of experiences and personalities that Calgary really is. The city has grown up a lot since that brand was first developed, says Gisele Danis, vice-president of marketing for Tourism Calgary. When it was created in 2000, Heart of the New West was a reference to the citys hospitality and generosity. It was supposed to represent a city that was emerging as a corporate centre with western values, including entrepreneurship and determination. As slogans go, it wasnt a terrible start. It was bold, says Dave McKean, creative director at Rare Method, who has worked with clients including Tourism Alberta. It showed Calgary as confident. We knew we would be leaders and that we would surpass other major centres in the west. Heart of the New West never amounted to much more than a logo and a slogan and one that was only used by CED and Tourism Calgary, at that. That tepid support is hardly the stuff branding dreams are made of. To be a success, the mayor has to slide it into everything he says and does, companies that work internationally and post-secondary schools have to stand by it and Calgarians have to be willing to back it up without cringing. We need to have a single-minded approach [that] reunites the city, instead of just one logo or brand that only speaks to a single dimension, says Danis. Western heritage, cowboy attitudes and the concept that we are the best in the vaguely defined West is not enough to sell a city in a globally competitive market. We are at the point now where we are not just competing with Edmonton or Vancouver. Were competing with Dublin, Savannah and Seoul, says Trent Burton, managing director and creative director at local ad firm Taxi, which has

algary is about to lose its heart. After a lot of soulsearching or, more accurately, focus groups and surveys, it was discovered that Calgary is no longer the Heart of the New West.

won awards for its work with WestJet, among other clients. To be competitive, Burton says, Calgarys branding needs to do what all great brands do and sell the experience. People see a tagline and a logo and think they are branded, he says. But it is much more than that. Its about the story and, if you find the truth, it is easy to tell that story. The challenge is finding that truth and while CED, Tourism Calgary and the City are on duty to find it and brand it, Calgarians can also take this opportunity to reflect on what we want our story to be. If our answers to who we are and what we want others to think of us matches what the branding team comes up with, then Calgarys brand has a good shot at success. If Calgarians think the brand is a lie, it has no chance. You have to have a consumer base that loves your brand, takes it on and owns it, says Danis. A brand is now about the power of people, and not a company telling you to buy something. For it to be successful, Calgarians have to believe in it and share its core values. Perhaps the most successful example of truth in marketing is the I NY campaign. Since

plied to any place, but it works because it takes the next step and sells an experience. It is also one of the few place brands with a slogan you can quickly recall; it became iconic. In 2005, the City of Toronto spent $4 million to research, develop and launch its Toronto Unlimited campaign. The brand was met with mixed reviews by the business community who didnt quite get what the City was going for with its references to unlimited opportunities, resources and potential. The brand was marginally better understood when the slogan We Build This City was added and local success stories were introduced to the mix. In 2001, Ottawa adopted and quickly dropped its Technically Beautiful tag. The capitol was rebranded in 2010 with Ottawa: Just Like You. The generic phrase has yet to elicit much enthusiasm. A slogan might only be part of an overall branding campaign, but it is a tool used to trigger emotion, and if a citys tagline doesnt at least make you feel something more than confusion or apathy, then it has failed. A brand tells people the essence or the truth of who you are and cuts through the clutter, says

For [a brand] to be successful, Calgarians have to believe in it and share its core values.
Gisele Danis, vice-president of marketing, Tourism Calgary

it launched in the 1970s, the tourism brand has been recognized as one of the best, partly because of a graphic slogan and logo, but mostly because New Yorkers themselves support the sentiment. They love their state and can back that attitude up with experiences from eating pizza in Brooklyn to lounging on beaches in the Hamptons that show where that love comes from. The I NY slogan could have been ap-

Geoff Plewes, director of client services at Rare Method. Brands are instant. When you think of one, you have an immediate feeling or image in your mind. So what is the essence of Calgary? If we arent the Heart of the New West and the Saddledome, cowboy hats and Rocky Mountain images that brand was meant to conjure, then who are we?
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different than other cities, and it was something concrete marketers could hang their hats on. References to western heritage are still part of the conversation, but outside of 10 days in July, it is not the first thing that comes up when branding experts talk about Calgary. Its something to embrace, but not something we have to define ourselves by, says Burton. After all, we are a city with energy and ideas. The global human resource company Mercer named us number one in the world for quality of living in its eco-city ranking, and Macleans named us Canadas most wired city, putting us in the top five for intelligence and culture. As a city, we have a lot of things going for us. On October 18, cowboys and western heritage were bumped even further down our list of best qualities when Naheed Nenshi was elected mayor. Overnight, an unexpected media storm gave Calgary a marketing boost that years of advertising couldnt accomplish. Flashes of Nenshis face were on the cover of national newspapers and on CNNs list of interesting people. Calgarys demographics werent any different the day after the civic election, but perception had shifted. Now, instead of being typecast as a city of a million rednecked right-wingers, our Harvard-educated mayor from Marlborough had people seeing Calgary as multicultural and progressive with a motivated population of young, engaged citizens. Naheed Nenshi put Calgary in the spotlight and [Western heritage] is somechanged the perception of the city from being a cowboy town thing to embrace, but not to being a cowboy town with something we have to define more richness, history and ourselves by. Trent Burton, managing diversity, says Danis. Its that kind of richness director and creative director, Taxi that makes a brand resonate. Before joining Tourism Calgary, Danis worked CED and its branding team began trying to figBranding is a complex process especially with the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) ure that out in 2007, with research that included with a vibrant city such as Calgary, says Mary on its brand campaign, which is currently surveys and focus groups. By January 2010, CED Moran, director of marketing and communicaranked by FutureBrands Country Brand Index was ready to spin that research into something tions for CED. Its a very high-risk game to as the most successful nation brand in the it could use. The City paid California consulting launch a brand prematurely. firm Gensler nearly $200,000 to come up with a Further slowing the progress was the 2010 civic world. Canada got a bump from the attention of logo and slogan. Nine months later, all Gensler election. The new mayor and council needed time the 2010 Winter Olympics but, more than that, CTC used its Canada. Keep exploring brand to had, or at least all anyone was willing to share, to settle in so they could weigh in on the brand. expand the countrys image beyond just pretty was a mission statement saying that Calgary is At the same time, the election may have pictures of geography. Canadas most dynamic city. handed the citys marketers the golden ticket The success of Canadas brand was commuThat phrase is a suggested jumping-off point they were looking for. Successful brands not only nicating more depth and breadth, while staying for further branding and not even one that the tell the true story of a place, they also tell a story true to Canadas core values, says Danis. CED and its branding partners are willing to that is different than everyone elses. speak on just yet. They are keeping tightlipped Calgarys go-to differentiator has almost After two years of intense international polling, on any specifics about the direction of the new always been cowboys and the Calgary Stampede. CTC narrowed Canada down to five unique sellbrand and when it will be revealed. Those images, ideas and attitudes made Calgary ing propositions. On that list: vibrant cities on the
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but by the time it was officially edge of nature; personal journeys rolled out in March 2009, plans by land, water and air; active had changed. adventure among awe-inspiring The recession led to swift natural wonders; award-winning spending cuts by the province. Canadian local cuisine; and Creating and rolling out the connecting with Canadians. The brand was supposed to cost $5 selling points arent revelatory, million in the first year, and but CTC made them personal then $10 million in each of the to every curious traveller who two years after that. Within might come to Canada. a year, the budget was scaled People couldnt see their back to $3.7 million in each of vacation movie in their heads, the first two years, and $7 milsays Danis of CTCs old camlion in the third year. paign, which successfully sold Canadas impressive landscape, To make matters worse, but didnt show any people in early embarrassment came it. Whether it is for business when the campaign used a or tourism, everyone wants to photo of kids running on see the experience. a beach in England as an Now, locals sipping wine on advertisement about Albertas terraces in Montreal or kayakfuture. The province was ing with Vancouvers skyline called out on its mistake and in the background are part of gave a quick apology, but not CTC advertising. Once the before anyone watching the CTC stopped showing Canada news that week heard about as an isolated wilderness, the the provincial governments country jumped up the list of inability to recognize its best-branded nations, ahead own geography. of perennial favourites New At the same time, a public Zealand and Australia. There is a recognition by the provincial relations storm was brewing That same idea of commugovernment that we have to be involved around the oil sands. National nicating more depth is what Geographic photo essays of in the branding game to capture those tailings ponds and mobile led the Government of Alberta to launch its new brand in opportunities to the best of our ability. home parks in Fort McMurray, March 2009. The campaign is as well as international anti-oil Lee Funke, managing director, Albertas Public Affairs Bureau pegged to the slogan Spirit to sands movements like the Create. Freedom to Achieve. Re-Think Alberta campaign, talking about branding, its all about caring about didnt reflect well on Alberta, and the province Lengthy as it may be, the slogan was chosen what others think. using the same types of focus groups and online was forced to put its message that this is a pretty Alberta continues to be an economic engine surveys used in the civic and national brandplace of possibility on the backburner while it for Canada and we forecast up to $200 billion in ing exercises. That fact-finding mission was all went on the defensive. But it faced competition investment for major projects in the upcoming about learning what others think of Alberta, so from photos of oil-slicked ducks and highyear, says Lee Funke, managing director of Althe province could either amplify the existing profile Hollywood types like director James bertas Public Affairs Bureau. There is a recogni- Cameron condemning the provinces environconversation, or change it altogether. tion by the provincial government that we have The research found that Americans rarely mental record. think about Alberta. When they do think about to be involved in the branding game to capture Anybody familiar with brand- and reputationthose opportunities to the best of our ability. our province, they think our landscape seems management know the two go hand in hand, says The Spirit to Create. Freedom to Achieve nice, but, overall, it is a vast and cold place. In Funke. We have spent most of our time defendbrand is meant to put Alberta at the top of the other words, they dont think we are anything ing Albertas interests, both here and abroad, by list of options for corporations deciding where special. Other Canadians like Alberta, but also making sure that people are talking about the tend to see us as right-wing and lacking in com- to set up their head office, families choosing facts and not rumours. We have to make sure vacation destinations and young professionals passion and tolerance. Albertas image isnt tarnished. starting careers, among others. We could easily get huffy, stomp our collecThat reputation-management plan includes The brand began its development in 2008 tive feet and say we dont care what others think. launching the oilsands.alberta.ca website, with with an initial three-year $25-million budget, But tantrums wouldnt help anyone. When were videos promoting the oil sands in a more posi56 avenue
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Logo Logic
tive light. The province took out ads in papers including the Washington Post and paid for a spot on an electronic billboard in New York Citys Times Square. The price tag for the first three years of Albertas brand- and reputation-management project will tally up to just under $15 million; a bargain considering winning marketing power struggles with lobby groups pushing Alberta as a dirty oil destination isnt cheap. The numbers scare people who might not realize there are billions of dollars being spent daily in advertising globally, says Plewes. It is not cheap to change the worldwide perception of a brand. While the Alberta brand is off to a rocky start, the provincial government is quick to point out it is just a start. It takes years to build a brand, and it takes years to sustain a brand, says Funke. We are very much at the infancy of the new brand identity for the province. There have been some measures of success for Albertas new brand. International advertising agency DDB says the benchmark for a successful brand is 51 per cent recognition. A recent survey found 57 per cent of Albertans have some awareness of the brand. If Albertas new brand identity is in infancy, Calgarys is still in gestation. Barring any public relations disasters, what is really holding Calgarys brand back is the need for everybody to be on the same page with what the future of this city holds. You have to have a long-term vision and keep ahead of the curve, says Moran. It is important to not just consider what you are today, but also who you will be tomorrow. The biggest challenge is capturing all that Calgary represents. It is tricky business telling a million people who they are and having them all agree, especially in a city like Calgary where the identity debate is constantly bubbling and not likely to let up anytime soon. While we wait for the official word on who and what Calgary is, well have to be content to continue that debate amongst ourselves. Join the debate. Share your stories about the perceptions of Calgary both here and around the world as Avenue tackles Big Idea 2011: Spreading the word about what Calgary is now. From now until October, we will be exploring ideas about how Calgary is perceived and what can be done to help align perception with reality. Visit us at AvenueCalgary.com/bigidea2011 for stories, information and to share your own views.
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As the City of Calgary rebrands itself, we take a look at the history, people and messages behind some of the Citys most recognizable existing logos

Background: In 1901, City Council and the Calgary Herald announced the winner of a contest to design the Citys official coat of arms. Elements of designs by J.D. Wilson of Calgary and A.C. Racey of Montreal were both used, so they split the $10 prize. In 1970, an updated version of Calgarys official seal was established. Message: Like many coat of arms, this one is a hodge-podge of symbols. The shield features a setting sun over the Rocky Mountains, and a buffalo bull inside a maple leaf, surmounted by the Cross of St. George to represent the settlers who established the city. Calgarys motto, Onward, sits below the shield, between the citys founding year (1884) and incorporation year (1894). Due to a misprint in the Calgary Herald, the coat of arms incorrectly displayed Calgarys founding year as 1882 for more than 60 years.

Background: The CBE logo was created by Joe Tsang, one of its Architectural Services department employees, in the mid 1970s. It incorporates an image of the Family of Man sculpture that was donated to the CBE by the construction company Maxwell Cummings and Sons. It stands outside CBE headquarters. Message: The stylized CBE letters behind the image of the iconic statue represents the Education Centre building.

Background: Developed in 2008 for the Marda Loop Business Revitalization Zone. The name of the area refers to the fact it was once Calgary Transits outermost streetcar turnaround. Message: The BRZ took the term loop to create Calgarys Flag Background: Selected in a competition conducted by the Centennial of Incorporation Committee and adopted by City Council on October 3, 1983. Message: The C stands for Calgary, but it also signifies the change, character, culture and charm that is synonymous with the Calgary community, according to the City of Calgarys Corporate Record Archives. The scarlet and bright white mimics the colours of Canadas flag, but it is also meant to evoke the red of the North West Mounted Police uniform, punctuated by the snow of the Rocky Mountains. Background: In 2006, the Calgary Downtown Association (CDA) realized that the logo used to represent the downtown and the association was Background: In 1999, the Calgary Public Library hired a local designer to update its dated logo, which kind of looked like the PBS logo, says Grant Kaiser, the CPLs manager of marketing and development. Message: The logo, sometimes mistaken for a ribbon, is meant to be a book, standing on its end, but it can also be interpreted as a person, the Calgary Tower, or a keyhole or threshold, beyond which lies a wealth of knowledge, says Kaiser. old-fashioned, out of date and really not unique in its visual characteristics, says Caralyn Macdonald, marketing and communication manager for the Calgary Downtown Association. The CDA wanted to create one symbol that Calgarians would recognize as representing their downtown. Message: The use of the d in a circle is meant to represent the idea that all roads lead to downtown, with the dot representing the downtown, Macdonald says. The logo was used in a provocative campaign called Find Your D Spot to bring awareness to the rebranded CDA. Sean Young a modern connotation, such as being in the loop, which suits a vibrant, diverse business area, says Bernadette Geronazzo, executive director of the Marda Loop BRZ. The colours, purple, yellow and teal are the Marda Gras Street Festival colours, which had already been in use.

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Branded in Cowtown
Calgary brands that have made it big
by Tyler C. Hellard, illustrations by Belle Mellor

More significant is the cultural impact of brands. Consider the ubiquity of Starbucks a word that wasnt even in our vocabulary 15 years ago, yet now has iconic status. While Calgary itself has a bit of a schizophrenic identity our tagline could easily be A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll our city does have a good track record of new businesses turning into notable brand names. Some are strictly local, while others have conquered their industry, both across Canada and internationally.

Dont believe in the power of a brand? Tell that to Coke or Apple or Nike. A companys brand is its identity. Its the thing people care about, even when they dont realize it. Every day, people are paid to figure out, and understand things like brand equity, because its that important to business.

By his own admission, Mayor Naheed Nenshi used the colour purple for his successful election campaign because it distinguished him from the other candidates. While the optimist in me hopes it was good ideas that led to Nenshis election, even good ideas need proper packaging to take hold. The Purple Revolution helped Nenshi go from mostly unknown to virtual celebrity to mayor of the city, first sweeping Facebook and Twitter, then capturing the hearts and minds of Calgarians. At some point during last falls campaign, Nenshi the man and Nenshi the brand became kind of the same thing.
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Approximately 18,000 years ago, a glacier rolled over Alberta and dropped a rock into a field in Okotoks. It is a very big rock, though the technical term is glacial erratic. Would you drink a beer called Glacial Erratic? Probably not. But Big Rock is a different story, and the brand, coupled with events like The Eddies, are well on their way to turning Ed McNally into the next Alexander Keith.

In 1977, Mark Blumes opened a small store in Calgary that sold work clothing. Over the next three decades, the name Marks Work Wearhouse has become synonymous with Clothes that Work, operating more than 400 stores across the country. Now owned by Canadian Tire, the Calgary brand has been expanding in recent years, adding weekend wear and business casual to its inventory, but maintaining that core identity.

In just a dozen years, Jugo Juice has grown from a Calgary smoothie store into a massive national franchise, and the second-largest smoothie company in the country. Founders, Derek Brock and Jason Cunningham both worked for Starbucks, and they have applied similar strategies with Jugo Juice, including rapid expansion and an upscale attitude. They also promoted their product as a healthy drink at a time when people really started caring about healthy everything. Interestingly enough, the largest smoothie chain and Jugos biggest competitor, Booster Juice, was also started in Alberta.

The 1990s were kind of crazy for airlines in Canada, culminating with Air Canada purchasing Canadian Airlines which was headquartered in Calgary in 2001. WestJet, founded in 1996, became the little Canadian carrier that could. By pushing itself as the little guy and an employee-owned airline, WestJet continued to grow from regional, to domestic to international airline in a market that saw Jetsgo and Canada 3000 go bankrupt.

The Stampede we know originally started in 1923, making it one of Calgarys oldest brand names. Its also arguably our biggest, known worldwide as The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth. With annual attendance at well over 1million people, the Stampede has become more closely tied to the citys identity than anything else. The organization even owns a large chunk of land and is in a perpetual state of expansion, both in terms of physical growth and in taking over a larger piece of the calendar than just the 10 days of the Calgary Stampede and Exhibition, hence the organizations new tag, Here. All Year.

Ever heard of an interactive whiteboard? Probably not. How about a smart board? Calgarys SMART Technologies arrived early (the first SMART Board came out in 1991), and positioned itself as an innovator. The result? In addition to having more than half the global market, it has made itself the Kleenex of interactive whiteboards.

Forzani Groups stable of sports stores (Sport Chek, Athletes World, Sport Mart and others) has grown into a billion-dollar business for its parent company. How big is it? Forzanis stores currently account for more than 16 per cent of the Canadian sporting goods retail market. But its Sport Chek that leads the way. With stores from coast to coast, it has become the largest sports retailer in the country since being purchased by Forzani back in 1991.

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life

vital signs

Darren Neuberger
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by Melanie Jones photography by Jared Sych

Forgotten Generation
Besides facing a deadly illness, young adults with cancer must cope with pressures unique to their age group, but because the group is relatively small, their particular treatment needs are often overlooked
It started in January 2003 with a cough that wouldnt go away. After a month, Darren Neuberger went to a clinic, was told to keep an eye on it and sent home. He went back a month later, still coughing, and was sent away a second time. By August, his wife, Jaylene Ulmer, insisted her husband go to the emergency room. I had to practically arm-wrestle the ER doctor for a chest X-ray, Neuberger says.

Within hours, the athletic, otherwise-healthy 34-year-old was told he had cancer. Diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, Lethbridgebased Neuberger began an intense two-year journey of treatment during which he would be an in-patient at the Foothills Hospitals Tom Baker Cancer Centre for five months, and receive more than 600 chemotherapy treatments, two weeks of brain radiation and more than 34 blood/platelet transfusions. He would also endure a near-death infection due in part to his immune system being heavily suppressed by the chemotherapy and face the fact his chemo treatments would likely render him sterile barely three years into his marriage. Approximately 6,500 Canadians between the ages of 20 to 39 are diagnosed with cancer every year. Compared with the total number of new cases, 171,000 nationally and around 15,000 in Alberta per year, it doesnt seem like a lot, but cancer facing young adults can be some of the deadliest and most life-affecting. Being diagnosed with breast cancer before your 39th birthday, for example, means a significantly lower chance of survival than a diagnosis at age 60.
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life vital signs

me? But, I realized then theres a reason Im The belief that people in their 20s or 30s are still here, he says. too young for cancer can delay diagnosis for After his treatment ended in 2005, Neubermonths, even years, giving the disease time ger was galvanized into action. First, he began to worsen or spread. Most cancer research, collecting stories to make his book dream come treatment protocols and support programs are true, reaching out to the cancer community for focused either on children under 15 or on older stories of survival from people like 18-year-old adults, leaving a great gap for those in-between. Brittany Taylor, whose bone cancer led to her Screening programs, especially for common canleg being amputated at the knee. She chose to cers like prostate and breast, target people over handle her situation with a sense of humour. 40 or 50, making prevention efforts for young She went as a pirate last Halloween, with a peg people almost non-existent. leg and everything, Neuberger says. Allison Lane, a self-employed writer and Neuberger amassed stories from 40 young performer, found out how easily young adults adult survivors and his book, Lets Talk About slip through the cracks. At 34, she was well into Neubergers book. It: Inspiring Stories from Young her treatment for breast cancer Facing your mortality as a young person Adult Cancer Survivors, was before she discovered her treatment may have affected her makes you rethink how youre living your life. published in January 2010. Hes translated the concept into an Inability to have children. Sometimes, you dont have the opportunity ternet radio show, interviewing I started having hot flashes, to do that until something like this happens. other inspiring young survivors she says. I asked a nurse about every week online. (To listen, it, and she told me I was in meno- Darren Neuberger go to blogtalkradio.com/letstalk pause. My oncologist had forgotaboutitradioshowwithdarrenneuberger) ten to tell me [about the effects of chemo] because profound sense of isolation most young cancer Neuberger also discovered he had a gift for survivors experience. Lane agrees: I had no one most of her patients are in their 50s or 60s. inspiring and empowering people, both in the to talk to. It was almost like I was forgotten. Its an oversight Lane is struggling to come cancer ward and out. People always felt better In fact, cancer patients and survivors aged to terms with. Everything else will go back to after I talked to them, he says. I knew this was 15 to 39 are often referred to as the forgotten normal my hair will grow back, Ill gain back my calling. generation, a portion of the cancer community the weight but not having kids is a hard pill to Neuberger began mentoring cancer patients for whom few studies have been done, few ageswallow, she says. and became a Certified Empowerment Coach. appropriate treatments have been determined Unfortunately, the experiences of Lane and He started speaking at Canadian Cancer Society and few support systems exist. Neuberger is a common one for young adults beevents, then at other organizations, schools and For Neuberger, his cancer diagnosis was a cause Albertas system of cancer care simply isnt businesses in the Lethbridge area. Hes since major turning point. Facing your mortality as designed for them. Adult cancer wards and supbecome a sought-after speaker nationwide. a young person makes you rethink how youre port groups are filled with patients decades older Neubergers positive spin on both cancer and living your life, he says. Sometimes, you dont than Neuberger and Lane. Treatment protocols life means hes ended up inspiring more than have the opportunity to do that until something are made for either older adults or young chiljust cancer survivors. Why wait for something like this happens. dren, and may not address the specific treatment crappy like a cancer diagnosis to really start livHis time in the chemo ward brought him needs of people in their 20s or 30s. While many ing your life? he says. Recently, hes expanded insights that would shape the next chapter of his older adults have the option to retire and most his coaching practice and Internet radio show to life. After reading Lance Armstrongs book, Its children are supported by their parents, young reach people who havent necessarily experiNot About the Bike, Neuberger remembers adadults face financial stresses, infertility issues and enced cancers wake-up call. miring how the pro cyclist endured the horrors their own mortality, just as their lives and careers of diagnosis and treatment. were beginning to hit their stride. Post-cancer is where my life took off, he Then I thought, wait a minute, Im doing that says. Its an understatement given what the Neuberger ended up being out of work for right now, he says. I thought it would be cool the full two years of his treatment, relying on now-41-year-old has accomplished in the past to have a book full of normal peoples stories. employment insurance to help with the bills five years. For him, cancer was his opportunity People who arent famous, but who are still and, when that ran out, $645 per month from to rebuild his life based on purpose, values and inspiring in their own right. Canada Pension disability benefits. Lane had to the kind of perspective most young people dont After a life-threatening bout of E.coli put continue working through her treatment, wearyet have. Neuberger on deaths door in intensive care, ing a wig and running to the bathroom in the I dont know if my cancers going to come and after losing several of his friends from the middle of performances. back, but I now know how precious time really cancer ward, he felt a new sense of purpose. I thought I was the only young person on is, he says. I dont want to waste it. Im going to You go through this thing of thinking, Why this earth with cancer, Neuberger says of the live my life to the fullest, with no regrets.
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January.11

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life quick trips

by Rhett Soveran photography by Venessa Brewer

Bike
A ride along the islands historic rail trail makes for a memorable journey
A sand path leading up to the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse.
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Bermuda by

My first three days in Bermuda were bliss. I lived amongst the rich and famous (yes, the rumours are true Michael Douglas, Michael Bloomberg and many other superstars live here). I stayed at the four-diamond Cambridge Beaches Resort & Spa, drank wines wildly outside of my budget, endured a massage from a stunning blonde, experienced most of the pricey tourist attractions and scarfed down as much fresh seafood as possible. Life was good. Really, really good.

My stay at the resort was an exercise in hedonism, which is precisely what Id been banking on. But then I began to wonder if there was another side of Bermuda I should see. Sure, I could have hopped aboard the Famous Homes & Hideaways cruise, but maybe it was time to dig a little deeper. Was there something beyond all those coves of powdery pink sand and the predictable tourist experiences listed on the lobbys sandwich board? I craved a travel adventure without the velvet rope. And so I rented a bicycle through the hotel (for around US$40 per day), pointed my handlebars toward Bermudas Railway Trail and hit the road. The 29-kilometre trail is named after Bermudas ill-conceived and short-lived rail line, now fondly referred to as the Old Rattle and Shake. Finished in 1931, this now-abandoned railway line survived 17 years until it fell into disrepair and was deemed too expensive to maintain. It was only a few blocks to the trailhead in the Sandys Parish in Somerset Village on the west side of the island, but still I managed to get lost thanks to the labyrinthine layout of the streets. Also, I was concentrating really hard on remembering to ride on the left.

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life quick trips

Left Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is one of the highest points on the island.

Right A paved section of the 29-kilometre Railway Trail.

Doubling back, I eventually found the police station I was supposed to have turned at and was on my way. My modest goal was to cycle nine kilometres to Gibbs Hill Lighthouse, which is about a quarter of the way across the island and is one of its highest points. Since it was once a rail line, the trail is relatively flat a swath thats been cut through the jungle, with strategic cut-outs that afford peeks at the ocean and at lush gardens and mansions that seem plucked from the pages of Architectural Digest. While its well-signed and well-maintained, the trail isnt exactly a snap to cycle as it crosses bridges, busy roads and alternates between paved and dirt. Its well worth the effort, though, for the sense of history you experience along the way. A must-stop is Scaur Hill Fort, which sits atop the highest hill in Sandys and was built by the British Army after the American Civil War to protect the Royal Naval Dockyard against possible land attack. The panoramic views are incredible, and youll appreciate the rest after the steamy uphill slog. After I crossed Somerset Bridge (reputed to be the smallest working drawbridge in the world), which connects the mainland with Somerset Island, I lost the trail again. This time, I was rescued by a pair of father-and-son fishermen. I obviously wasnt the first to look baffled. Without a word, the father pointed to the nearby stone forms that once held up a train bridge, and on I pedalled. I cycled past multi-million-dollar, pastel-painted cottages and postcard views of pink sandy beaches. And then I got lost again, somewhere around Franks Bay, where another helpful Bermudian stopped and gave me directions. It turns out my goal, Gibbs Hill
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A must stop is Scaur Hill Fort, which sits atop the highest hill in Sandys the panoramic views are incredible.
Finally, after puffing up 185 stairs, 110 metres above sea level, I could see it all: The brightly coloured homes that look like jelly beans, the ferries that shuttle folks around the island, the kiteboarders and yachties and those absurdly blue waters that surround the island. It was the perfect place to catch my breath and reflect upon my visit to the island. Being waited upon comes naturally to me. I have no problem receiving decadent spa treatments or having my glass filled with fine wine or savouring a bowl of Bermuda Fish Chowder. But there was no one on the trail to wait on me. I was left to my own devices and the goodwill of the locals, who not only showed me the way, but gave me the key to chunks of their past and present. This adventure reminded me that no matter the ease and comfort on an all-inclusive resort, the rewards of venturing beyond the five-star walls are priceless.

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse photograph from iStockphoto. Bikepath photograph by Venessa Brewer.

Lighthouse, was right around the corner, beaming like the beacon its been for 164 years. Many of Bermudas attractions are pricey, but here, at one of the worlds oldest cast-iron lighthouses, it isnt. For US$2.50, you can visit this unusual lighthouse and discover that Bermudas natural limestone wasnt strong enough to support the 2.5-tonne beacon, so cast-iron was used to build it in 1844.

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style

decor

Above This modern duplex by Coley Homes has two separate entrances and windows designed to take advantage of the angle of the sun.

Above right Energy efficient building materials are left exposed such as the polished concrete floors and metal ceiling rafters in the main floor living room.

Opposite Functional furniture such as this credenza in the dining room doesnt sacrifice style for storage.

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by Karen Attwell photography by Ric Kokotovich

Eco Logic
At first glance, there is nothing too unusual about Nicolle Pittmans bright-white, modern attached home set on a corner lot in Calgarys trendy Marda Loop neighbourhood.

A commitment to create an environmentally friendly home takes a Calgarian on a five-year adventure of learning, designing and building her dream

However, a closer look beneath the inverted roofline reveals a home so energy efficient, it wont even use all the electricity it will generate over the course of a year. Pittman purchased the lot and its original bungalow in 2005. In keeping with her idea to create an environmentally friendly home, she had the bungalow relocated rather than demolished. And when she was unable to find someone willing to build the energy-efficient house of her dreams because the city was in the middle of a building boom, she decided to take the project on herself. She formed the company Coley Homes with her parents, Anne and Peter Pittman, and her boyfriend, Scott Findlay, to build the duplex. She plans to move into one half of the duplex after the other side has sold, which she did to subsidize the whole venture. Through it all, she also maintained her day job at a local ad agency. I call it house by Google, Pittman says. Its not that you know how to do everything, but you can find all those people and different points of view. If you happen to get one subtrade who tells you, Oh no, you cant do that. Its impossible, you can dig around and find people in your area who have done it. Pittman says she gave the tradespeople working on the house the freedom to come to her with solutions and ideas after sharing her end
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goal in terms of esthetic and energy use. You get better stuff out of everybody if you let them do what they are good at, she says. One of those people was architect David Ferguson, who worked on the design of the concrete, steel and wood building from the very beginning. Although he says sustainable design wasnt a specialty of his before the project, hed always had an interest. Ferguson designed the attached homes to take advantage of the angle of the sun throughout the year. Trees on the property helped create the final butterfly shape of the roof because, he says, the goal was to leave the existing trees and work around them. The key to creating a roomy feel was realigning the subdividing property line by six degrees, explains Ferguson. This resulted in an angled wall between the homes and allows for a unique floor plan in each. The tilted wall also creates visual interest, with open, angled shelving in the kitchen and a spacious feeling throughout the homes, whose floor plans cover almost 1,800 square feet on one side, and 1,900 sq. ft. on the other. In addition to assembling a good team, Pittman also put time into educating herself about energy-efficient building practices. She completed Natural Resources Canadas R-2000 builder certification, and has applied for LEED Platinum for Homes status for the project. Generally, what weve tried to do is build out of better stuff and then leave that stuff exposed in the end, says Pittman, motioning to the metal ceiling rafters on the main level and polished concrete floors. The blackened steel used as banisters and railings is the exposed structural steel holding up the house. While the final palette of grey, yellow and white is earthy and soothing, Pittman is more interested in the homes function than its style, and she emphasizes the importance of the homes systems. It can look as great as you want, but in the middle of the winter its going to be -40, and its Calgary, and you need to have a reliable heating system, she says. To that end, the duplex has seven, 200-foot wells beneath the driveway powering a geothermal hydronic system that supplies heat for both the air and water in the home. There is no gas line into the house. Anywhere we could do things passively and just make use of the ground around the house, or the heat above the house, we did that, Pittman says, before moving on to explore other energy efficiency measures. The fresh-air intake is one example,
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Top left Reclaimed wood dominates the open kitchen from the counters to the cabinetry. Above left Blackened steel banisters and railings in the stairwell not only look sleek, they are the structural elements holding up the house.

Top right On the lower level, a stainless steel backsplash, formaldehyde-free wood and LED lighting in the powder room add to the homes environmentally friendly design. Above right The dining room is full of quirky features including colourful art and a slightly angled wall with slanting display shelves.

Energy Cents
Starting this year, Calgary homeowners can lease solar panels and wind turbines for their homes from Enmax. The new program makes it cost-effective to step into home-based electricity generation by reducing the need for significant upfront investment in green technologies. Its exciting news, but Sonja Winkelmann with the Calgarybased Net-Zero Energy Home Coalition says a home should rate at least an 86 on the EnerGuide scale (out of 100) before a homeowner considers measures to sell electricity back into the power grid. An energy audit will provide a homes rating, as well as specific measures to improve its energy efficiency. Nicolle Pittman achieved superior energy efficiency with her new build by using integrated concrete forms for the walls, placing insulation beneath the foundation and selecting a geothermal heating and cooling system. The home is oriented to take advantage of the angle of the sun for heating, cooling and light throughout the year, and the inverted roofline collects rainwater and channels it into a 1,500-gallon cistern buried in the yard. Inside, she chose sensorbased lighting and bath fixtures, as well as energy-efficient appliances, such as the kitchens induction cooktop and Liebherr refrigerator. While Pittman concedes the upfront costs are higher, she says she will never have a gas bill. Also, she can sell excess electricity back to the power grid. Her home is also eligible for a $10,000 grant from the Alberta Provincial Government because it exceeds 86 on the EnerGuide scale.

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involving three lengths of 125-foot tubing for air to travel through before a entering a mechanical system and then the house. In the summertime, that travel time cools the air. In the winter, it heats it. Thats $500 worth of tubing, and its not an expensive system to have in place, she says. Despite being a new build, the house doesnt have that new-car chemical smell. In fact, the entire home smells of freshly split wood, rather than of paint or new carpeting. This is because all the paints and finishes are free of volatile organic compounds, and most of the wood used is either Forest Stewardship Council-certified, or reclaimed from Alberta grain elevators, and all of it is formaldehyde-free decisions that translate into better air quality. One choice that may seem surprising is Pittman chose not to use the compact fluorescent lighting most of us think of as environmentally friendly. Instead, she used mostly LED lighting, because she doesnt like the mercury used in compact fluorescents. A normal home of comparable size would use about 3,300 watts of electricity with all the lights on. Pittmans uses only 848 watts. While most of us arent that familiar with the exact power use of our homes, Pittman became familiar with the figures after applying to sell excess electricity back into the power grid as soon as her rooftop solar panels are installed. Those panels will be placed above a cedar clad ceiling on the top floor, which carries on in an unbroken line to the ends of the soffits visible beyond the windows. But it is not only the choices of electrical systems and lights themselves, but also the home design itself that will help keep the bills low. For example, transoms above the interior doors help distribute light through the entire space, reducing the need for light fixtures. And, in the master bathroom, which features a concrete tub moulded from a cast-iron soaker, all the lighting and fixtures are on sensors. All of the really great low-flow toilet and shower stuff comes from Australia, notes Pittman, who researched the homes materials extensively. She says she observed during the build that, wherever in the world certain resources are scarce and regulation is high, such as is the case with water in Australia, that this is where all the greatest innovation comes from. The hardest part was starting with the blank rolodex, says Pittman, who jokes about opening the Yellow Pages to research suppliers for the
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1. Transoms above doors and a glass block wall in the upstairs hallway help let light shine in, reducing the need for light fixtures.

2. An earthy palette of grey, white and wood in the master bedroom creates a relaxing spot in the house.

3. Cedar planks on the ceiling hide solar panels on the roof and continue out onto the overhang on the private balcony of the second bedroom.

4
homes footings. She says that, as she went, she worked increasingly from referrals to create a team she trusted. While the first Coley Homes project has been a success, Pittman doesnt have immediate plans for more building. However, she says, she may try building an energy-efficient single-family home at some point, but she isnt sure exactly when. Ive built two-bedroom homes, she says. At some point, you outgrow them.

5
4. The master ensuite is open to the bedroom and features a concrete tub moulded from a cast-iron soaker.

5. To save water and electricity, the lighting and fixtures in the master ensuites shower are all sensoractivated.

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style cool hunter

Fireside ChiC
Cozy up with Canadiana-inspired items that keep the cold at bay
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1. Classic elegance for her with this Iris Fox fur collar. Its $450 at Crabapple Clothing Company. (3526 Garrison Gate S.W., 403-686-3661) 2. Incorporate some Canadiana into your decor with this solid Cast Iron Stag. Its $99.95 at the Haskayne Mercantile Block at Heritage Park. (1900 Heritage Dr. S.W., 403-268-8500) 3. A cup of Joe just tastes better in a mug from the Pendleton Legendary Mug Collection. $22.95 at Micah Gallery in Art Central. (112, 100 7 Ave. S.W., 403-245-1340) 4. These Original Sven clogs might look and sound Swedish, but theyre made in the U.S.A. $235 at Aritzia. (The Core, 403-441-0234, and three other Calgary locations) 5. These cheeky flannel boy shorts are questionably hot for winter. Theyre $38 at Abercrombie & Fitch. (Chinook Centre, 403-252-8007) 6. This silver and gold wolf bracelet by Joe Descoteaux ($1,000), and this copper wolf bracelet ($120), are from a selection of Haida jewellery at Rubaiyat. (722 17 Ave. S.W., 403-228-7192) 7. By Urban Renewal, this
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by Rita Sirignano and Melody Baker photography by Jared Sych

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cardigan sweater is made from recycled vintage knitwear. $58 at Urban Outfitters. (Chinook Centre, 403-264-5844) 8. Since 1924, Pendelton woolens have been a staple in mens winter wardrobes. These Virgin wool and leather gloves are $69.95 at Micah Gallery. (Art Central, 112, 100 7 Ave. S.W., 403-245-1340) 9. This cabinkitschy wooden Cottage mill for sea salt or pepper is $64.95 at Switzers Grocery and Confectionary in the Haskayne Mercantile Block at Heritage Park. (1900 Heritage Dr. S.W., 403-268-8500) 10. Protect your skin from winter with Kiehls All-In-One Refueling Wash ($21) and UV Skin Protector ($32) from Kiehls. (Chinook Centre, 403-242-4456) 11. These cozy fur and beaded moccasins by Fleece Line are made in Canada. Theyre $200 at the Haskayne Mercantile Block at Heritage Park. (1900 Heritage Dr. S.W., 403-268-8500)
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Builder Coley Homes (coleyhomes.com) Architect David Ferguson (403-229-0927) Staging Dominic Blanchet of Domicile Interiors (715 11 Ave. S.W., 403-262-9780) Windows & Doors Polar Ray-O-Max (38, 5329 72 Ave. S.E., 403-296-1222) Sofa Ligne Roset by Didier Gomez from Domicile Interiors Art above sofa Curl and Stir by Annette Sicotte from Domicile Interiors Side table Eileen Grey reproduction from Domicile Interiors Coffee table De La Espada from Domicile Interiors Flower chair Magis Design by Pierre Paulin from Domicile Interiors Stool Bleu Nature from Domicile Interiors Portrait art by Aaron Sidorenko Area rug Delinear Rugs by Chris Baisa from Domicile Interiors Photographer lamp from Domicile Interiors Fireplace Bis Nova from Classic Fireplace Distributors (8002, 11500 35 St. S.E., 403-279-4448) Kitchen cabinets Fraser Finishing (40, 3260 46 Ave. S.E., 403-272-1122) Concrete countertop Sculptural Design (237 39 Ave. N.E., 403-276-8846) Wood countertop Reclaimed from Alberta grain elevators by Mountain Timberworks (mountaintimberworks.com) refrigerator Liebherr CS1660 from AJ Madison (ajmadison.com) Hood fan Whittington Collection from Signature Hardware (signaturehardware.com) Ceiling Comflor steel decking from TDL Drywall (200, 4279 120 Ave. S.E., 403-212-0944) Dining table and chairs De La Espada from Domicile Interiors Cowhide rug from Domicile Interiors Artwork Four Dreams by Lyle Morrow from Domicie Interiors

Ceiling light Saucer Bubble Pendant by George Nelson from Carrington Lighting (2513 5 Ave. N.W., 403-264-5483 and 400, 33 Heritage Meadows Way S.E., 403-259-3532) Bar stools by Calligaris from Domicile Interiors Table lamp by Jonathan Adler from Domicile Interiors Console by Blu Dot from Domicile Interiors Art above console Tribute to the Bubble Bee by Cynthia L. Pasloski Bed and sidetables by Autoban from Domicile Interiors Bed linens by Daniel Stuart Studio from Domicile Interiors Accent pillows by Daniel Stuart Studio and Jonathan Adler from Domicile Interiors Artwork Rosedale by Kimberly Wieting Area rug Rasta by Ligne Roset from Domicile Interiors Vase Giant Dora Maar Vase by Jonathan Adler from the Muse Floral and Gift Boutique (715 11 Ave. S.W., 403-806-0099) ensuite sink Caroma Leda Vasque Semi-Recessed from BuyPlumbing (buyplumbing.net) Faucets Toto Helix EcoPower Wall-Mount from BuyPlumbing ensuite cabinets from Fraser Finishing Concrete bathtub from Sculptural Design Studio Artwork Tomohawk by Kemberly Wieting Stool by Bleu Nature from Domicile Interiors Bed by Simmons from Domicile Interiors Diptych headboard Looking Back and Now and Then by Annette Sicotte Floor lamp and Dogon baskets from Domicile Interiors Shower tile Classic China from Hakatai (hakatai.com) Shower fixtures from Signature Hardware Hallway cabinets from Fraser Finishing Cedar ceiling from Harrop Procter Community Forest (hpcommunityforest.org)

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A Place to Build a Dream On

When it comes to a choice of reception venue, many couples are thinking outside the hall or hotel ballroom. Alternative venues can offer charm and character, but can also pose particular problems of their own, so be sure you know what to look for and what you want.
by Shelley Arnusch

More and more Calgary couples are thinking outside the big square box when it comes to their wedding receptions, opting instead for unconventional venues like art galleries and restaurants. In doing so, theyre eschewing longstanding traditions like the sit-down-banquet-with-headtable format and paring down their guest lists in order to fit into boutique-sized spaces. According to Lisa Hanslip, owner and operator of The Wedding Planner Inc., The more character youre looking for, then, ideally, the fewer guests.
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These days, going to the chapel doesnt necessarily mean going to the hotel ballroom afterward.

But for the couple that comes prepared to throw convention to the wind, location options are nearly limitless. Those seeking an urban-contemporary vibe for their big day are behind the rise in popularity of art-gallery receptions, says wedding planner Amira Harris of Posh Productions. People are going for a lounge effect, bringing in lots of furniture, cocktail tables and cruiser tables, and doing a fully catered, la carte-style cocktail reception food all night instead of a sit-down dinner, but still having lots of seating, says Harris, who has staged weddings at Art Gallery of Calgary, Endeavor Arts & Event Space and the Gerry Thomas Gallery.

While this smart, sophisticated style might come across as effortlessly chic, the gallery wedding has its own unique set of challenges, starting with, well, the art. Potential gallery-wedding couples need to understand the elegant, blackand-white landscape photography that was on display during the location scouting tour might have turned into a brash series of oversized nudes by the time the wedding rolls around. Art galleries are also not the best choice if the wedding guest list has a lot of young kids, who may not understand the art is for looking at and not for touching. Many galleries have a very strict contract to protect the art, says Harris. You have to

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Weddings
Far left The historic Lougheed house. Left Endeavor Arts & Event Space, like many gallery settings, is a blank slate for your wedding. Bottom, far left Bonterra Trattoria set up for a wedding. Bottom left Private rooms at the Calgary Zoo can accommodate small to large groups. Lougheed House and Calgary Zoo photography by Edward Ross Photography. Endeavour photograph by Jeff McDonald photography. Bonterra photograph by Bliss Photographic.

avenue

take out additional liability insurance in case something does get damaged, so that is another cost factor to think of. Aside from the art, the blank-canvas aspect of the gallery space means extra costs will be incurred from having to create an environment from scratch. If you have a tight budget, I wouldnt recommend it, says Harris. Better to go for something more traditional, like a hotel that includes chairs and tables. When you do [your wedding] at a non-traditional venue, youre bringing everything in, absolutely every single thing, from catering to glasses to decor to furniture, everything under the sun. This isnt necessarily the case with upscale restaurant weddings, which are also becoming an increasingly popular choice, especially among foodie couples that would rather call the whole thing off than serve their guests banquet-hall chicken cordon-bleu. My clients who opt for a restaurant venue may sacrifice having a large number of guests due to size restrictions but the tradeoff is a more intimate setting with amazing food, wine and ambiance for their guests, says wedding planner Terra Law of Inspired Occasions, who knows of events done at Rouge, Teatro, River Caf and The Ranche. Unlike galleries, which require a lot of outside furniture and accoutrements, restaurants come pre-furnished and pre-decorated.
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Theres also an expectation a restaurant will bring a high standard of food, wine and service to the table. If theres a downside to using restaurants as wedding venues, its that the layout isnt usually planned with unobstructed sightlines in mind, meaning some guests at a sit-down dinner likely wont have a very good view of the happy couple. One way around this is to use the restaurant space to host a cocktail party event, but then the issue becomes the flipside of the gallery wedding that is, what to do with all the tables and chairs, which need to be moved out and stored for the evening. You cant have the character and the service and the food necessarily with the easy-to-work-with floor plan, says Hanslip. You just have to change your expectations of the dynamic of what the event might look like, but that doesnt mean it wont be fabulous and memorable and the perfect thing for you. One thing thats guaranteed not to be perfect is the weather in this part of the world. Even so, outdoor weddings are still in high demand, often against wedding planners advice. I think thats something that lots of brides dream of, but in southern Alberta, I will not take an outdoor wedding unless there is a reasonable backup that wont make the bride cry, says Hanslip. Still, the reasons to have an outdoor wedding often have more to do with the extended familys connection to a particular piece

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10 Hot Wedding Venues

1. EndEavor arts + EvEnt spacE This second-floor art gallery-wedding darling gets high praise from planners for its elegant hardwood floors and large skylight. Its kind of a blank canvas, but its got beautiful architectural details. Its an old building, but you can bring in a lot of modern esthetic, or play up the more-vintage details in the space, says Terra Law. One downside: no elevator, so its not wheelchair-accessible. (200, 1209 1 St. S.W., 403-532-7800, endeavorarts.com) 2. LocaL 522 Couples who would rather quaff a microbrew than sip a fine wine, and who are looking for a laid-back pub vibe for their reception can always go downtown. Pubs like Local 522 and other establishments that cater to the weekday working crowd are more 6. caLGary zoo A great choice if the guest list includes a lot of the very young and the very young at heart all guests receive zoo admission, so theres something fun to do during the down hours when the bride and groom are out doing their photos. (1300 Zoo Rd. N.E., 403-232-9300, calgaryzoo.org) 7. EaGLEs EyE at KicKinG horsE rEsort For those who have always dreamed about getting married at the top of the world, this post-andbeam chalet perched at the top of Kicking Horse Resort boasts panoramic views of both the Rockies and the Selkirk ranges. Wedding bookings are available in both summer and winter. Access via gondola is an added thrill for everyone, save those guests with a crippling fear of heights. (Golden, B.C., 250-439-5425, kickinghorseresort.com) 8. LouGhEEd housE This historic mansion on park-like grounds in the heart of the Beltline oozes old-money class and regal charm. Like most houses of its era, the inside is segmented into a series of rooms, making sitdown dinners for large groups difficult, although its an elegant option for those looking to throw a classic cocktail fete. The basement ballroom can accommodate groups up to 96 for a seated recepAve. S.W., 403-244-6333, lougheedhouse.com) 9. QuaiLs GatE winEry Follow the wave of other Calgary couples and get married in the Okanagan. Quails Gate Winerys Old Vines restaurant, which can accommodate 75 sit-down diners, or up to 125 for a cocktail party affair, overlooks Lake Okanagan and rows upon rows of vines for a classic wine-country vista. Food is prepared using seasonal fresh ingredients from local producers and the winerys estate garden. The wine list, of course, is not up for discussion. (Okanagan Valley, B.C., 250-769-4451, quailsgate.com) 10. BontErra trattoria One of Calgarys favourite Italian eateries is fast becoming one of Calgarys mostdesirable wedding venues. The lovely back terrace is an ideal spot for a small ceremony, weather permitting. Inside, the room will fit up to 70 people for a sit-down dinner. Larger guest lists can be accommodated with a festivalfood-style cocktail party set-up. (1016 8 St. S.W., 403-262-8480, bonterra.ca)
Eagles Eye Terrace photograph by F8 Photography. The Grand photograph by Jennifer Chiesa.

Jennifer a Saturday night for a reception likely to give upChiesa

Eagles Eye Terrace at Kicking Horse Resort in Golden, B.C.

than those located in the citys weekend hot zones. (522 6 Ave. S.W., 403-244-6773, localtavern.ca) 3. thE Grand For the couple whose taste is more boho than classic, the restored Grand theatre is rife with edgy touches, like broken-bottle chandeliers and exposed brick, providing a wealth of interesting photo backdrops. In-house Velvet Restaurant has a dramatic, loungy vibe and can accommodate a smaller, cocktail-party style affair, while the cavernous theatre space can be cleared out for larger, sit-down banquet receptions. (608 1 St. S.W., 403-205-2922, theatrejunction.com) 4. aEro spacE MusEuM of caLGary The Aero Space Museum offers a cavernous open space with the vibe of an old-school Hollywood movie set, perfect for the modern couple looking for a vintage feel. Plus, the museums collection is guaranteed to be a hit with the war history buffs in the family and theres plenty to keep kids occupied while adults dance and socialize. (4629 McCall Way N.E., 403-250-3752, asmac.ab.ca) 5. horizons paviLion at sprucE MEadows The tented country wedding is a lot easier to deal with when someone else supplies the country and the tent. When its not being used for equestrianrelated events, the Horizons Pavilion can be booked for private functions. The tent holds up to 200 guests, has a dance floor, chandelier lighting and a draped ceiling. (18011 Spruce Meadows Way S.W., 403-974-4264, sprucemeadows.com)

of land than with the whims of the bride. The logistics of staging an outdoor wedding are almost as formidable as the weather everything from toilets to tables and chairs have to be carted to the site, not to mention the challenges in preparing and serving food in an area far removed from kitchen facilities, which, depending on the meal, might have to be created in an adjacent tent. One way to get the outdoor country wedding vibe without having to start from the ground up is to go with a seasonal tented venue, such as the one Great Events Group has been running for the past two years at the Anderson Ranch equestrian farm just south of Calgary, or the new permanent tent which opened at Spruce Meadows last summer. The Spruce Meadows tent remains up through the spring and summer, and has beautiful touches like chandelier lighting and elegant draping, as well as less-graceful, but much more important features like permanent washrooms. Another option is to choose a venue with an adjacent garden, such as Rouge Restaurant. Its one way to have your outdoor wedding and your fancy dining reception, too, plus, if and when the wind whips up and the hail starts crashing down, its easy to get everyone inside tout de suite. In the end, the perfect venue may be the one that requires the least amount of planning and tweaking and bending, which is why the hotel ballroom remains a wedding reception staple. Honestly, says Hanslip, its rare that a venue is going to check off every single box.
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January.11

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Weddings

avenue

1. Satin-finish platinum band with pav set diamonds. Price available upon request at Brinkhaus. (823 6 Ave. S.W., 403-269-4800, brinkhaus.com) 2. Designed by Bruening, this platinum band features a strip of 18k yellow gold. Price available upon request at Calgary Jewellery. (1201 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-3131, calgaryjewellery.com) 3. Called The River this custom-designed band features 15 diamonds. $1,650 at Designs by Manuel. (1106 6 Ave. S.W., 403-245-5225, designsbymanuel.com) 4. This band by Kon Zuk design is made of stainless steel and concrete. $225 at Shed. (200, 1022 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-1702, konzuk.com) 5. This Makhlouf 18k white and yellow gold band is hand made. $2,250 at Wong

With this Ring

Mens wedding bands worthy of the love of your life
by Nicole Waring photography by Jared Sych

Kens Jewellery. (Willow Park Village, 570, 10816 Macleod Tr. S., 403-271-9267, wongkens.ca) 6. 14k gold comfort-fit pipe band. $530 at Henrys Jewellers. (TD Square, 304 8 Ave. S.W., 403-269-3562, henrysjewellers. com) 7. Hand engraved 18k white and yellow gold band. $2,100

5
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at Carati. (Bankers Hall, 403-264-5557, carati.ca)

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A River Runs Through It

When Cam Inglis and Morgan Haights Labour Day wedding on Princes Island arrived with a chill in the air, they heated it up by moving the party indoors. The 160 friends and family gathered in the River Cafes dining room, where the couple said their I dos in front of the stone fireplace. After a Champagne toast, the DJ quickly replaced the romantic serenade of the cello and violinist with more danceable beats. As the party got under way, guests piled their plates with dinner set out by River Cafe staff at food stations and, instead of a cake, servers passed out miniature ice cream cones courtesy of Cams company, Marble Slab Creamery. At the end of the evening, guests left with glass river rocks engraved with the couples initials that were handblown by Robert Held, a long-time family friend of Morgans and an artist represented by her familys store, Rubaiyat. In return, guests wrote well wishes and thoughts on marriage to the couple on rocks that are now piled in a metal picnic basket in their home as a keepsake of their river-themed wedding day. Jaelyn Molyneux

Brides dress By Pnina Tornai from Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City (kleinfeldbridal.com) Brides ring and earrings by Arunashi from Rubaiyat (722 17 Ave. S.W., 403-228-7192) Brides bracelet By Armenta from Rubaiyat hair Josef Saliba Salon (1516 7 St. S.W., 403-244-5556) Bridesmaid dresses J. Crew (jcrew.com) Bridesmaid jewellery By Jeanine Payer from Rubaiyat Grooms suit Thomas Jeffery Mens Wear (The Core, 403-265-2081 and Southcentre, 403-278-2445) Grooms ring By Joe Descoteaux of the Haida Nation from Rubaiyat flowers La Fleur and Edward Tsang Design (103 7 Ave. S.W., 403-266-1707) dJ PM Gigs (403-276-4447, pmgigs.com) wedding favours Custom made by venue and catering River Caf (Princes Island, 403-261-7670) dessert Marble Slab Creamery (Chinook Centre, 403-301-4140 and eight other Calgary locations) photographer Kristi Sneddon (403-835-3055, ksphotographer.com)
Photography by Kristi Sneddon.

In Calgary, even summer weddings can come with a forecast of sunny with the chance of a cold snap.

Robert Held Art Glass from Rubaiyat

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enrys Jewellers
Since 1979
Celebrating 30 Years of Family Tradition 3r d Level TD Squar e
(Next to Harry Rosen)

gift registry available

3rd Level The Core, TD square 301, 304-8th Avenue S.W. 403-269-3562 www.henrysjewellers.com

Knifewear 1316 9th Avenue SE Calgary, AB 403-514-0577 knifewear.com

Where chefs, foodies and knife nerds shop.

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Afternoon Delight
We didnt want to plan something huge and elaborate, but we wanted to make sure it was a memorable day, says Angi. At the top of their list of must-haves were photographs that mixed their artsy personalities with a splash of tradition that told a story. A pre-ceremony photo shoot at Hotel Arts took care of that. E-vites sent a few months earlier asked the 40 guests to show up at Cilantro on 17th Avenue S.W., where the ceremony and cocktail-style after-party were held in an intimate outdoor courtyard. The patios Virginia Creepers eliminated the need for extra floral arrangements, and a constant rotation of appetizers pumped out from the kitchen kept the crowd satiated. Eventually, the party moved to Lars and Angis home, where the day ended with a backyard dessert reception. Our wedding turned out to be a day that exactly reflected us, says Angi. Jaelyn Molyneux

When low-key couple Lars Asak and Angi Johnson got down to the business of planning their celebration, simplicity was important.

Brides dress Bridal Fashion Group (517 16th Ave. N.E., 403-230-7648, goldenbrides.com) Brides shoes Nine West (The Core, 752 3 St. S.W. and three other Calgary locations) Brides ring Her grandmothers Brides bracelet Swarovski (Chinook Centre, 403-259-2022 and Market Mall, 403-288-5467) hair Kirei Salon Spa (1107 17 Ave. S.W., 403-228-2150) Grooms ring Spence Diamonds (6708 Macleod Tr. S.E., 403-258-2242) Makeup Aga Bona (agamakeup.com) Grooms suit OConnors (244 7 Ave. S.W., 403-264-1275) Marriage commissioner weddingsbytamara.com) venue and food Cilantro (9338 17 Ave. S.W., 403-2291177, crmr.com/cilantro) photographer Andras Schram (403-829-4092, andrasschram.com)
Photography by Andras Schram.

Tamara Jones (403-463-6918,

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Your Day Your Way

9030 Macleod Trail South | Calgary, Alberta T2H 0M4 | 403.253.1101 or Toll Free 1.800.661.9566 | www.carriagehouse.net

A moment in history
that will last a lifetime.

Ph. 403.268.8526 [email protected] 1900 Heritage Dr SW Calgary Alberta www.HeritagePark.ca

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International Affair
wedding planner Kylene Donaldson from the Fairmont Palliser Hotel Brides dress Ethos Bridal Group (908 17 Ave. S.W., 403-245-4188) hair and makeupHedkandi Salon (Bankers Hall, 315 8 Ave. S.W., 403-237-8458 and Hotel Arts, 146 13 Ave. S.W., 403-215-8458) reception venue and catering Alberta Room in the Fairmont Palliser Hotel (133 9 Ave. S.W., 403-262-1234) flowers Panda Flowers (155, 10233 Elbow Dr. S.W., 403-253-8888 and 10 other Calgary locations) dJ Bruce Hanishewski of Clearsand DJ Services (403-714-7228, clearsandsoftware.com) photographer Sarah Anderson (403-874-8587, sarahandersonphotography.com)
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I had to be extremely laid-back when I planned the wedding, says Marianne. Because of the distance, I couldnt be too fussy about anything. The elaborate affair came together based almost entirely on a single decision to hold the reception in the Alberta Room at the Palliser Hotel. The hotels historic decor took care of the elegant atmosphere the couple wanted, world-class chefs were on hand to create the gourmet menu and the hotels suites provided a place for guests to stay and for the wedding party to primp. When the 100 guests arrived, the festivities went smoothly into full swing. Chefs stations were set up around the room for guests to gather their dinners. Bubbly wine, beer and Brazilian caipirinhas kept the party going. And, as the evening stretched on, monogrammed flip-flops were given out to comfort sore feet and keep the dancing going. Jaelyn Molyneux

Navigating international relations is par for the course for Jeremy and Marianne Wallace. Two weeks after Jeremy, a Calgary-born engineer, proposed to Marianne, a Brazilian-born French teacher, the couple moved to Abu Dhabi. They spent the next year planning their Downtown Calgary wedding from 11,000 kilometres away.

Photography by Sarah Anderson.

ceremony Sacred Heart Church(1312 15 St. S.W., 403-228-6298)

Start your new life with some new dishes! Sophie Conran by Portmeirion 12 Pc dish set Reg $162.50 Special $99.99!

The Happy Cooker Emporium

Tools For The Creative Cook
Glenmore Landing 1600-90 Ave SW 403-258-3230 Strathcona Square 555 Strathcona Blvd SW 403-242-6788 www.happycooker.ca Market Mall 3625 Shaganappi Tr NW 403-288-6220

Exquisite Catering and Rentals Since 1982

Photos taken by Photobolic at the Horizons Pavilion, Spruce Meadows

Catering 403-256-7150 | Rentals 403-319-0028 | 7207 Fairmount Drive SE Calgary, AB [email protected] | www.greateventsgroup.com
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Youre Invited
Set the tone for your celebration with an invitation that suits your style
by Carolyn McTighe

Whether its an e-vite or a custom-designed letter-press print invitation on linen paper, it is your chance to set the tone of the celebration and to introduce yourselves for the first time as husband-and-wife-to-be. Dawn Messer, manager of the stationary store, The Social Page, believes paper invites, unlike online announcements, are a more intimate way to invite people to one of the most special events in a couples life. You only get one chance to make the impression that says this wedding has been planned with great care and attention, says Messer. A bride and groom are building the anticipation of the day and want it to be memorable for both them and their guests. This just cant be done with an e-mail. Though online invites can be easier and less expensive than printed cards, Messer says relying solely on them to announce the details of your wedding can lead to some sticky situations. E-mails can end up in the junk mail boxes of guests, Messer says. And they lack the wow factor. In fact, we have had clients comment that their e-mail invitation received no reaction at all from guests. Not exactly what a bride wants for her wedding. Invitations, like other details of the wedding, should reflect your personalities and the style and theme of the wedding the two of you are planning. Think of them like a preview a tantalizing taste of the coming attraction. If youre planning a casual affair, an e-mail invite may be appropriate, but it can convey that the event is an
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When it comes to your wedding, you always make the first impression with the invitations you mail out to family and friends.

everyday get-together, rather than a once-in-alifetime celebration. While having a wedding website can help explain complicated details for out-of-town guests, if you are planning a formal event with a dress code, printed invitations go a long way in sending the message that you want your guests to take your wedding seriously. The number of options available can be overwhelming gone are the days of being forced to choose between just a few font options or paper choices. The options are now nearly endless, with many couples choosing to add ribbons, layers of specialty paper and other embellishments. Its helpful to find an experienced invitation studio to work with, so you can see a wide range of options and to help you realize what your own personal style is, says Anna Chow of Box Paper Scissors. Its also nice if the invitation studio has a wide range of paper and envelope types, sizes, textures and colours you can see and touch, before making your final selection. Before you select invitations you will, of course, have to know where and when your wedding will take place, and it is helpful to have decided on the themes and colours so you can match the invitations to those choices. Choosing the right size of invitation is also

important. While you need the basics of where, when and who, you may also want to include an engagement photo or poem. Maureen Reid-Bilton, co-owner of Reids, notes that, in addition to knowing what you want your invitation to look like, you must also know what you want the envelope to look like. Envelopes, though typically left until the end, often cause problems if overlooked. We have had couples come in and choose their cards and then not be able to find an envelope that fits, says Reid-Bilton. I always tell our brides and grooms to pick out their envelopes first, and then design a card that will fit inside. Doing it the other way can result in difficulty using the invitations that have already been designed and printed. In the end, you should create your invitations with yourself the bride and groom foremost in mind. Jen Kynoch, sales associate with Papyrus, says couples should always follow their gut and not let other people tell them how their invitations should look. We have had some brides come in and waffle on their choices, because someone other than themselves is making the decisions, says Kynoch. Theme and mood is important, but ultimately your invitations should be something you love and are happy with.

all events are not created equal

EVENT ACCESSORIES, FURNITURE RENTAL AND CUSTOM DECOR
403-242-8889 www.eventaccessories.ca

Big day. Little effort.

BMO Centre at Stampede Park is Calgarys largest, most flexible venue, offering everything you need under one roof: 265,000 sq. ft. of exhibition and meeting space Gourmet catering Decorating and set design Audiovisual, lighting and technical services Over 4,000 parking spaces Convenient transit access

For more about BMO Centre services or to book one of our many venues, call 1.800.661.1260 or 403.261.0125 or visit calgarystampede.com

Winner of the Consumers Choice Award for the seventh consecutive year in the category of Convention/Reception Hall.

33773 CS Wedding Bells ad Avenue_rvsd.indd 1

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bookends photo contest

from Here
Each month, three photos selected by readers and a panel of judges appear in Avenue. Photographers whose shots are selected also receive a one-year subscription.

The View

Top Eye on Fulton Farms by Dean Thompson Thompson of Dats Photography captured this HDR image of the Fulton Farm grain elevator in Indus, just southeast of the city. Left Graffiti/Art by Tanya Murchie Murchie snapped this art on a wall in a dumpster area close to her innercity home. She loves the creativity and expressiveness of graffiti. Above Jump! by Rosalind Lightle While looking over the edge of this dock last summer, Lightle couldnt help but think about taking the plunge.

on the web
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Vote on all the entries and upload your photos at avenuecalgary.com/photo-contest