Challenges at YYC's New International Terminal

Recently, I had the experience of using the brand new "state of the art" international terminal at Calgary International Airport.  It was quite a challenge!  It is one of the most passenger unfriendly terminals I've been in!

WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky was complaining about it in the paper this morning.  I agree with many of his concerns.  Here are my comments;

• Long walks.  Be prepared to walk long distances through a maze of hallways and huge rooms.  There's not a slide-walk or moving walkway in sight.
• Little art or decoration on the miles of corridors.  This is what prison hallways must look like!  After leaving Las Vegas from Terminal 3 there, it's quite a shock! 
• Some of the folks I was travelling with were concerned that their luggage would get lost travelling between the International Terminal and the Domestic Terminal since they understood that the two luggage systems are not connected, yet.  I was skeptical about this, but apparently it's true!  Gregg says it's like having the terminal system broken in the middle!
• Little seating at gates.  Maybe I was looking in the wrong places but I saw very few seats in the waiting areas at the gates.  After that long walk, I could have used a chair for a few minutes!
• Very few services available on the long walk to the departure gates.  I was looking for a little kiosk to buy a snack and a soft drink.  The only one I could see was most of the way up a long sloping ramp which I had just come down.  I didn't feel like coaxing these old bones back up the ramp so I did without my snack.

I agree with Gregg's critique of this new palace.  It needs to made more user friendly.  We need to have the place more welcoming to our international visitors and to those of us leaving for destinations outside Canada!

Sights and Sounds of Christmas in Beiseker

Every year, I eagerly wait for  certain sights and sounds of Christmas to appear around the village.  Here are a few:

• I really enjoy all those homes decorated up for the festive season.  We've got some real stunning ones out there this year.  Take time to drive around a check them out!
• It's not in Beiseker, but close by, we attended the Rosebud Theatre production of Miracle On 34th Street.  I highly recommend this live theatre production of the Christmas classic.  The dinner before the show is excellent, too!
• I am impressed when I heard that 34 Christmas hampers were given out this year to those who need a hand up this year!  Here's a shout out to Gail Peckham and her bunch of elves who prepare and distribute those hampers each year! 
• The Village of Beiseker office light display is always spectacular but this year they've outdone themselves!
• I really enjoyed our Christmas Festival held earlier this month!  It gets bigger and better each year!
• I'll also list the Christmas Craft Market held in conjunction with our Christmas in the Village festival.  I know you found some very unique gifts, there!

There are a few things I look forward to each year as Christmas comes to Beiseker.  Merry Christmas to you all!

The 2017 Air Show Season Looks Exciting!

I've returned from the annual International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Convention in Las Vegas. 

It was a great convention this year compared to a few years ago.  You will recall budget cuts prevented the American Armed Forces from participating in any airshows off their own bases.  The American jet teams, the demonstration flights, static displays, and the parachute teams were confined (or as they called it; "sequestered") to their bases.  Air shows across the continent suffered.  Many cancelled their shows altogether.  

Things have been slowly improving, but this next year looks fantastic!

Some Good Air Show News:

• The Fowlers are headin' North!  Ken and Wendy Fowler from Rocky Mountain House are forging ahead with their plans to conduct more than a half dozen full air shows and around 40 fly pasts in Northern Canada to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary!  Most of their audiences have seen lots of bush planes but nothing like the aerobatic craft they'll see this summer!  What a fantastic way to celebrate Canada's birthday!
• The Canada Remembers Air Show in Saskatoon is back!  Brian Swidrovich who is the mover and shaker for that show, is looking to revive that wonderful air show at a new venue!  Stay tuned on this one!
• Demo Hornet to Honor Canada's Birthday!   Every year Canada paints up its CF-18 Demonstration Hornet to honor something.  This year they honored the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, in 2017 they will honor Canada's 150th Birthday.  I saw a proposed design for the bird.  Its mostly red with the stylized maple leaf symbol across the topside!  What a beautiful tribute to our country!  I'm anxious to see it all done up.
• Local Shows are Getting Ready!  Saskatoon, Lethbridge, Springbank, Abbotsford and Edmonton are planning shows this summer along with some smaller ones in the West!   Looks like an awesome air show summer!

At our banquet last Thursday evening we had a very moving tribute to the "Best Stick and Rudder Man who ever Lived;" Bob Hoover.  During the convention we also heard that astronaut John Glenn had passed away.  It was a bit of sadness in an otherwise very upbeat convention.

I know that not many of you are as "plane crazy" as I am, but if you enjoy seeing talented pilots fly amazing maneuvers in equally amazing planes, then this summer of 2017, an airshow is the place to be!  See you there! 

Christmas in the Village a Huge Success!

I know I'm over a week late with this one, but I had to comment on a wonderful day on Saturday, December 3rd at Beiseker's annual Christmas in the Village!   I had to leave very early Sunday morning for my annual air show convention, and I'm not techno-savy enough to blog from another location!  Call that a new trick and I'm an old dog!

I and hundreds of others had a great day welcoming Christmas to Beiseker!  First up was a visit to our Christmas Market at the Community Centre!  (A shout out to Les and Susie Spurgeon and their helpers for organizing this event)  It was crowded and business appeared to be brisk!  The Beiseker Fire Department was there accepting donations to our Food Bank and our Christmas Hampers.

Next it was off to the hockey game of the decade as the old-timers squared off against a women's team.  It was a close,  hard fought game with the ladies eventually eking out a 4-2 victory over the strong men's team!   I'm not a hockey player but in my opinion I thought the men spent too much time getting down close to the ice surface to check its temperature.  That extra dedication may have cost them the game!

After a spectacular fireworks display, we had a short parade down Main Street!  I walked the parade route this year and handed out candies and Christmas wishes to as many as I could.  I was pleased at the turnout.  The weather was good, and the Christmas spirit was alive and well in the Village!

Here's another shout out to Michelle Boyer, Gail Peckham and all their many helpers for making our Christmas in Beiseker just that much more special.  Merry Christmas!

Distracted Driving Enforcement Stories

Let's get one thing straight;  driving while texting or talking on a hand-held cell phone is dangerous and deadly!  I fully support laws which penalize this behavior! 

However, there are a number of stories out there which I hope are just urban myths.  If not, we have a big problem!

Story #1;  A young lady is waiting at a red light when she notices a rather grubby individual approaching down the line of stopped vehicles.  The man is going from car to car holding up a sign and knocking on car windows.  Fearing for her safety, she picked up her cellphone and quickly dialed 911.  As she was talking to the 911 operator, the man bangs on her drivers side window and pushes his sign against the glass.  It reads; I am a police officer. you have just been apprehended using your cell phone while in control of a motor vehicle.  Proceed through the intersection and stop next to the patrol car where another officer will give you a summons.  Fine $200.00 plus three demerits.

Story #2; A businessman is waiting (admittedly impatiently) at a stop light.  His meeting is upcoming and he has to be there.  He glances at his watch and notices it has stopped for some reason.  He looks at the car's clock, but it's set a few minutes fast.  He picks up his cell phone and checks the time there.  He is still stopped.   He hears a sound and looks in his rear view mirror to see a police car with its lights flashing.  He is fined for using his cell phone while driving.  Fine = $272.00 plus three demerits.

Story #3;  A young man is waiting in the drive through lane at Tim's.  While stopped in the line, he texts his buddy to see if he wants him to pick up a Double-Double for him.  After he gets his coffees a police officer steps out in front of his car and instructs him to pull into the parking lot where he is given a summons for driving while distracted.  Fine; $300.00 plus three demerits.

I know you've all heard these stories or variations of them.  Is there any truth to them?  I certainly hope not!

I believe that this kind of alleged behavior by law enforcement officers trivializes the danger in driving while distracted.  It reduces the distracted driving laws to a silly game!  If these kinds of things are happening, governments need to readdress the laws to account for these overly zealous officers!

The Death of Fidel Castro

Cuba is in mourning these days after the death of their retired dictator, Fidel Castro. 

Love him or hate him, you can't dispute the fact that he was an important figure in 20th century politics here in the Western Hemisphere. 

I recall that before the revolution in Cuba, as a young Cuban revolutionary, Castro was looking for international recognition and support.  The United States, who supported the Batista dictatorship which Fidel was trying to overthrow, rejected him.  Fidel went looking for help elsewhere.  He found it in the U.S.S.R.! 

Then things between the U.S.A. and Cuba went from bad to worse!  You all remember reading about the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the world within a hair of nuclear war.  The world, led by the U.S. put trade embargos and sanctions on Cuba.  Those barriers were up for about seven decades!

Over a million Cubans fled to the U.S., mostly to Florida.  Americans were forbidden to go to Cuba or buy Cuban exports.  It just got worse and worse! 

Then, President Obama changed all that.  He went to Cuba and started the thaw in relations, which continues today!  Fidel had long since retired, and his brother Raul now functions as dictator there.  Things are slowly changing in Cuba.  If the Americans can rein in Trump from undoing what President Obama started, those changes will continue, hopefully leading to a more democratic Cuba in the future.  I think Trump's threatened return to trade embargos and sanctions won't work now, any better than they did over the past seventy years!

It is no secret that Fidel was NOT a benevolent dictator!  He was ruthless and despotic!  Thousands of innocent Cubans died, simply because they were in opposition to his government!   Others were tortured and imprisoned.  Fidel hasn't run the country for about a decade, but his legacy still permeates Cuba.  He brought literacy and medical services to all in Cuba.  He purged Cuba of its American influence and brought a sense of forced nationalism to the population.

I felt sorry for our Prime Minister Justin Trudeau - the Trudeaus lost a family friend with the death of Fidel.   I thought Trudeau's remarks about Castro's death were those of family friend and not of a statesman and in that context were quite inappropriate. 

I chalk that up to Justin's lack of knowledge of international political protocols.  He's on a steep learning curve here!  He'll learn that in these kind of situations he has to speak from the head and not the heart!

Fighting the Giants

You might recall that in the story of Don Quixote, the beleaguered knight was forced to battle giants who were threatening all around.  He took out his trusty (but rusty) sword and went off to battle these giants, along with his trusted companion Sanchez.  

The giants turned out to be windmills.

Now it's my turn to battle the giants, but these giants are hurting others!  I'm talking about the giant wind turbines which are springing up all over the continent providing green power to the grid.  I heard a rumor that it would take 6500 wind turbines to replace one coal fired power plant.  If that is true we might see thousands of these things appear across Alberta.  Before we agree to have these built around here, I suggest that we all travel out to one of the existing wind farms and see these turbines in operation. 

The first thing you notice is the sound.  The "whomp-whomp-whomp" sound is quite loud and very permeating.  Would you like to live close to that?   Many municipalities in Eastern Canada have put guidelines of how far away from a residence these turbines can be built.  That distance ranges from one half a kilometer to five kilometres.

The second thing you'll notice is the dead birds and bats littering the site.  These critters appear to be disoriented by the sounds created by the huge rotors and collide with them.  It is estimated that thousands of bats and songbirds are killed each year by wind turbines.

I am going to be asking that Beiseker Village council create a bylaw prohibiting these large wind turbines within our village limits but I'm concerned about their possible location just outside the village in the county.

I don't know what guidelines the County has for wind turbine construction, but I'm going to find out!  Stay tuned.

Good Town Hall Meeting

We had a good town hall meeting last Monday night.

Our official delegation were two members of the crew busily turning Beiseker into Eden Valley, Minnesota so it can become the backdrop to the third season of the television show Fargo!

They told us of their plan to turn the now-vacant hardware store into a general store along with some other modifications to our village so it can stand in for the U.S. mid-western town of Eden Valley.  Filming will start early in the new year.

Most of the story line for this season's episodes occur around Christmas time, so Beiseker will be decked out for Christmas for most of the winter months!  Those in attendance were very intrigued, and I think the Fargo crew will find Beiseker and its residents easy to work with! 

Questions from the floor on other matters included;

•  the burned out Bassano Station
•  sidewalk replacement priorities
•  the spread of foxtails from the Grasslands development
• the cleaning up at the Community Centre
• the price of water
• water quality in the village

I was most concerned with one resident's comment about the quality of water within our village. She complained that the water at her home faucets was grey in color and smelled bad.

I can find no evidence of this problem elsewhere in the village. Our water is settled and chlorinated at least twice before it reaches our homes. If the chlorine level of the water in our reservoir is lower than provincial standards it will be treated again by our public works staff here in the village.

I urge anyone who is concerned of the quality of water at their homes please have it checked out by a plumber, and then report those findings to the Village office.

I would like to thank all of the residents who came out to our annual fall town hall meeting, and I'm looking forward to to seeing you at our spring meeting in a few months time.

A Personal Remembrance

Fred Courtman

My father, Fred Courtman, was a veteran.  He joined the British Royal Air Force as a young man before the Second World War.  He was trained in electronics and avionics.   He spent much of 1938 and 1939 patching up RAF planes broken by over eager student pilots, or later shot at by Germans.  He witnessed the Battle of Britain from the tarmac of airfields around London.

Shortly after that he was sent overseas to Canada to become a part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, or BCATP.  Now he spent his days patching up the brightly painted yellow training aircraft of the training schools around Calgary.  He spent much of his time posted at what is now the Calgary International Airport (YYC).  He told me stories of he and his RAF colleagues marching around the drill hall which is now home to the Hangar Flight Museum (formerly, the Aerospace Museum) .  He met and married my mother while he was stationed here.

He was shipped back shortly after the war ended.  My Mom followed as soon as civilians were permitted to sail.  My Mom told us that she was in the very last convoy to leave Halifax. That makes my Mom a "reverse" War Bride!  She went to Britain, at the same time thousands of British girls were coming here after marrying Canadian soldiers, over there!

Life in Britain was hard after the war.  Factories that would have hired my Dad with his electronics and avionic skills had been bombed into oblivion.  Shortly after my birth my parents decided to return to Canada.  We three sailed back to Canada as part of a shipload of immigrants and refugees.  My Mom loved to say that she was one of the few immigrants to arrive in Canada carrying a Canadian passport!

The rest they say is history.  My parents settled in Calgary after they came to Canada, and Dad worked at the Calgary Brewery on Blackfoot Trail for many years until he retired.  Although he didn't talk about it often, my Dad was always very proud of his eight years in the Royal Air Force.  He wore a poppy every year, and he loved his adopted country.

My Dad passed away sixteen years ago.

I will be attending  the Remembrance Day ceremonies at Acme on Friday morning.  I will be placing a wreath on behalf of the Village of Beiseker, but I will also be thinking about my Dad!

Beiseker Says Goodbye to Leo Berreth

It's been a couple of rough weeks here in the village. 

We had to say farewell to another long standing citizen of Beiseker on Friday, as Leo Berreth had passed away.  Leo and his wife Eunice had moved away, first to Airdrie then to Olds, but I know their hearts and souls were still here in Beiseker. 

Leo was a veteran, a husband, a farmer, a father, and grandfather.  He worked at the KIBA Seed Cleaning Plant for many years.  They lived on our street over here in Beacon Heights before going west to be closer to medical services.

Leo returned to his beloved Beiseker last Friday.  He was 93 years old.  Rest in peace Leo.  Our sincere condolences to his many family and friends.

Bob Hoover Passes

It was with deep sorrow that I heard that one of my all-time heros has passed away.  R.A. (Bob) Hoover died this morning at the age of 94. 

Bob was probably the best pilot to have ever lived!  He flew in the Second World War. As a P.O.W. he escaped, stole a German fighter plane and flew it to freedom.  He was Chuck Yeager's wing man during many of that famous aviator's exploits including the breaking of the sound barrier. 

Bob flew air shows across the continent for many, many years.   He flew a brightly painted yellow P-51 Mustang though an unbelievable performance that awed everyone and inspired thousands to become pilots.  His other plane was a twin engine executive plane.  He would fly it down to the runway with its wheels retracted, shut both engines off and perform a series of stunning aerobatic maneuvers!

I first met Bob at the Medicine Hat Air Show.  When he wasn't talking airplanes and flying, he was looking for a place to go trout fishing!  Over the years he and I touched base often, usually at our annual air show convention..  He'd always have a new story to tell about something that happened in his storied career.  He knew all those who have made aviation what it is today; everyone from Orville Wright to Neil Armstrong!  He was probably the world's most active aviation ambassador.

The world is a little darker today without Bob Hoover.

Clear skies Bob! 

We'll miss you!

Beiseker is Open for Business

Beiseker's Main Street is looking a little empty lately.  The loss of a couple of businesses have really impacted the heart of our village's commercial district.

We need help!  I read often of other small communities reinventing themselves after similar losses and economic slumps.  There's the Manitoba community of Swan River, which now houses a gourmet mustard factory!  How about the New Brunswick village of Gagetown that's now making jams and jellies based on local recipes!  How about the Alberta town of Vulcan, who have used the popularity of Star Trek to advance their town!  There are many other such examples.

Beiseker has much to offer!
We have plenty of property to be bought or rented for residential, commercial or industrial endeavors.
We have a very active Chamber of Commerce.
We have excellent access to roads going in every direction on the compass!
We are on the main CN rail line between Calgary and Edmonton.
We have an airport!
We have good water.
We are on a major tourist route from Calgary to the Canadian Badlands!
We have an excellent workforce here of all skill levels, and a K to 12 school for their families!
And, we have a fascinating history. 

All we need are folks to recognize that there are plenty of opportunities here.

If you hear of someone or know someone who is thinking of starting a business, mention our village as a possible venue for their enterprise.

Here are a few ideas to think about;

• An aviator who wants to live close to his airplane
• A sausage maker wanting to make some locally inspired sausages.
• A baker wanting to open a small village bakery
• An aviation mechanic wanting to own and operate his or her FBO (fixed base operation)
• Someone wanting to open and operate a independent hardware store
• Someone wanting to promote Beiseker's connection to Sam McGee and Robert Service
• An entrepreneur wanting to make something of a local resource.

Just to mention a few!

Barb Morden's Memorial

It has been a sad day in the village of Beiseker.  Today we said goodbye to Barb Morden. 

I did not know Barb well, but many in our village did.  She was remembered in a very touching ceremony at Beiseker's Baptist Church.  It was obvious that she was loved a respected by those who knew her well.  She touched many lives of her family, friends and neighbors. 

Our village is poorer by her loss.  She will be missed by all of us.  My sincere condolences go out to her family and friends.

Tragic Death of Jim Prentice

I was totally shocked when I heard that former Alberta Premier Jim Prentice was killed in a plane crash last night near Kelowna, B.C. 

I was a big supporter of Premier Prentice.  I had the opportunity to talk to him on a couple of occasions, and I was impressed with his ability to see a reasonable compromise between groups that seemed otherwise at loggerheads.  I truly believe he would have become one of Alberta's best premiers ever, had he won the last election. 

That loss really hurt Jim and he dropped out of the political fray for a long time.  He was enjoying his private life and his family now he was semi-retired. 

My sincere condolences to his family and many friends both here in Alberta and in Ottawa.

Horseshoe Canyon Saved!

Friday afternoon, I had the distinct pleasure of attending the official dedication of Horseshoe Canyon at the canyon's outlook. 

Kneehill County acquired a major portion of the canyon site this past summer and has been working with a number of partners to improve the lookout and the canyon area so that the thousands of visitors stopping there can enjoy it. 

Today I heard the canyon referred to as 'Alberta's Peggy's Cove,' but visitors to the canyon have been literally loving it to death.  Thousands of people stop there every day during the summer months! Folks scrambling up and down the steep, slippery slopes created mini-gulches, down which water rushes, severely eroding the sides of the canyon. 

Also, numerous tourist game trails crisscross the canyon floor, jeopardizing the fragile plants growing there.

Now a set of stairs takes tourists safely up and down the canyon wall to designated walking paths networking across the canyon floor to elevated lookout points.  The improvements are slightly intrusive, but very necessary!  Now the canyon will remain in its present state for generations to enjoy for years to come!

Here's a shout-out to Kneehill County, who spearheaded this project to save Horseshoe Canyon.  Next time you're heading east, why not stop at the Horseshoe Canyon Lookout and see for yourself how the canyon has been saved.

Shocking Death of Mylan Hicks

I have to admit I'm having trouble understanding one of the events of this past weekend in Calgary.  A young man, a Calgary Stampeders football player was shot (yes I said shot) at a nightclub in that city!  Mylan Hicks, a 23-year-old American was killed early Sunday morning while celebrating a recent win by the team.

The part I'm having trouble with is; "Why would anyone bring a loaded gun to a nightclub?"  I'm certainly not a lawyer, but to me that sounds like premeditation!  If you bring a gun to a nightclub your intention is obvious: you plan to harm someone!

According to the paper this morning, the Calgary Police have plenty of witnesses.  I hope they catch those responsible, and soon!

My condolences to Mr. Hicks' family and to his teammates.

Fourth Avenue and Main Street!

We're finally seeing some action on our streets and sidewalks program.  Here's what's happening;

Fourth Avenue:  

While repairing a water main break last winter, we found some very old water pipes under Fourth Avenue between Main Street and Fifth Street.  They even found a connection to the CN Station which was demolished nearly forty years ago! 

Council decided to have the road completely dug up, all the old pipes replaced with new material, new fill placed and packed, then paved.  That project is very close to being completed once the paving crews arrive to pave that section. 

When the paving crews are here, they will also pave the areas left by crews repairing other water main breaks around town.

Main Street Sidewalks: 

Our sidewalk replacement program has been ongoing all summer and we have many blocks of shiny new sidewalks to show for it.  We were holding off on the Main Street section of sidewalks in hopes that the provincial government would renew their grant program which paid for the upgrades to Main Street between First Avenue and Second Avenue. 

Such was not the case.  The MSI Grants (Municipal Sustainability Initiatives) continue to be reduced, every year.  We decided that we couldn't wait any longer! 

The worst sections of the Main Street sidewalks are being replaced right now.  Other renovations, including the replacement of the rest of the sidewalks between Second Avenue and Third Avenue on Main Street will have to wait, until Beiseker has enough funds to pay for them!

Overall, I would like to thank all of you for your patience and understanding during these two construction projects.  And I would also like to thank all the drivers for avoiding those areas now prepared to be patch-paved.  Those areas should be paved along with Fourth Avenue in the coming days.

Little Things

It's the little things in life that make me smile...or frown.  Here are a few.

I smiled when I read stories about Syrian refugees learning to be Canadians.  They're going to the Stampede, they're learning about Canadian football, they're learning to skate.  They're taking English classes.  They're working hard to become Canadians, like the rest of us had to do when we (or our ancestors) came to this, the greatest country on Earth!

I smiled when I see folks dressed in green and wearing watermelons on their heads or with red painted faces with a galloping horse on it heading for a Canadian football game.  That's what I call Fan Loyalty.  Fantastic!

I smiled when I see young kids experimenting and playing with scientific apparatus at the annual Beakerhead Festival in Calgary.  The only way you can engage our highly talented group of youngsters with science is to show them it can be a lot of fun!

I smiled when I heard that Airdrie's Urgent Care facility will operate 24 hours a day hopefully after the end of September.  In my opinion, having that clinic close each night at 10:00 p.m. was pretty ludicrous, considering Airdrie now has a population of more than 60,000!  I'm hoping this will be the first step in Airdrie getting its much needed hospital!

I frowned when I read that two students enrolled in an openly non-denominational school demanded to have a place and be able to pray during school hours.  The school advertises that it is openly non-denominational and discourages any outward display of any religion because it wants its students to concentrate on their studies during school hours.  The students won the right to pray in that school.

I frowned when I heard that the old Rafter Six Lodge was demolished a few days ago.  Parts of the lodge were probably less than 50 years old but it was a beautiful structure reminiscent of the old log structures built here over a hundred years ago.  I assume the new owners had no idea of its historical and cultural value.

I frowned when I heard that the province was no longer sending out vehicle and drivers' licence renewal notices.  Instead they have allowed the authorities to levy hefty fines for those who didn't renew on time and they have employed an American company to send out telephone robo-calls to remind us!

I frown every time I look out my back window on the huge mess that used to be the Bassano Station.  I frown even deeper when I realize again that there is nothing the village can do to  force the mystic railway museum or Alberta TrailNet to clean up that mess!

Trees are Part of the Solution

I have two words for Premier Notley and her carbon reduction plans; Plant trees!  

Maybe our premier and her colleagues don't realize that during its lifetime, a tree will absorb more than 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air, and replace that with life giving oxygen!  In the summer, deciduous trees provide shade on hot summer days and lower the temperature beneath them by up to ten degrees celsius!  The roots and trunk of a tree can hold thousands of litres of water to be released through transpiration at drier times!

I hope that Premier Notley and her government will twig in soon about trees (pun intended) and divert some of that carbon tax money toward raising and planting more trees!  Trees are not the magic solution to the problem of lowering our "carbon footprint," but they are certainly part of the solution!

A New Name for YYC?

It has been suggested a few times lately that the Calgary International Airport be renamed after former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  I totally disagree!  I have a great deal of respect for Mr. Harper, but I don't think naming the airport after him is quite appropriate. 

Besides, the airport already has a name; McCall Field.  It was named after Freddy McCall, a Calgarian and a fighter ace of the First World War.  He did much to promote and expand aviation in Southern Alberta and Calgary.  I knew his son, the late Fred Jr. who was also heavily involved in aviation in Calgary and worked tirelessly to make the Aero Space Museum of Calgary the success it is today.

I think the airport's name should be returned to McCall International Airport.  Just because the Liberals like to name airports after former Liberal Prime Ministers doesn't mean Calgary has to follow along.

Facing Reality on Health Care

There was a piece on last night's TV news about a woman who was appalled that her elderly father, who had recently suffered a heart attack was placed in the hall of the Rockyview Hospital because there were no rooms available at that moment.  The officials she talked to were very sympathetic, but told her that was the norm in Alberta's health care system. 

This problem has existed for a considerable length of time.  While hospitals like Calgary's Rockyview General Hospital haven't been at full capacity for a while now, certain areas do back up.  Those back-ups in some wards require patients to be placed in the hallways until space in a room opens up.

My recent stint (albeit short) in that same Rockyview hospital showed me that the hospital staff are working as hard as they can with the resources they have to give excellent care to all patients.  Unfortunately, their facility frequently lets them down!

I can hear it now:  "Let's all blame Rachel Notley and her NDP government for this major screw-up!"  

Hey, not so fast!

It wasn't the NDP government who closed numerous hospitals around the province.
It wasn't the NDP government who blew up one of the biggest hospital complexes in Alberta!
It wasn't the NDP government who played membership roulette with the Alberta Health Services board,  (Remember the famous "cookie monster," Stephen Duckett?)

The NDP inherited this screw-up from the previous government that was in power for more than 40 years.  What disturbs me is that the present government appears oblivious to the problem!  They talk platitudes and promises, but nothing else happens.

If you've read my blog for any length of time you'll know that I have been vocal about the creation of a full hospital in the city of Airdrie.  Yes, it will be expensive, and,
Yes, the province is in a financial crunch right now; but the health system in Airdrie is only going to get worse!

Let's not blame Premier Notley and her NDP government for this current health mess.  Let's make her government start focussing on solutions to these problems before it's too late!

Best Wishes, Mr. Harper

I was sorry to hear that former Prime Minister Stephen Harper resigned his seat in the House of Commons, yesterday.  He has represented the good folks in Calgary Heritage very well for a number of years. 

And as prime minister he represented all Canadians very well, too.  I believe that Stephen Harper was one of Canada's most influential leaders of the last century and the first part of this one!  His legacy will be vast and varied.  For one, he was instrumental in patching up a fractured federal conservative landscape and leading the new Conservative Party on to make it once again a strong part of Canadian federal politics.   His work in international affairs, free trade, and finance was landmark!

His defeat in the last federal election hit him hard personally.  I wish he would have stayed on as leader and stick-handled a few rounds with our new Prime Minister.  I would have loved to see that.

It was said once that Harper loved humanity, it was just the people he hated.  I sincerely doubt there was any truth to that at all!  I think throughout his tenure as our Prime Minister, he remained a very private and shy man.  We got glimpses of his personal side when we heard him play piano and sing, or when he talked about his total love of hockey, but they were only glimpses.  But it was very obvious to me and many others that his focus was always on a love and respect for his family, his nation and Canadians!

Mr. Harper will be entering into the consulting world with his new company; Harper and Associates.  I know he will succeed there, too.

So to Stephen Harper, a huge thank you from this proud Canadian.  I wish you well in all your future endeavors.  And I am thankful you were able to lead the federal government of the greatest country on Earth.

Lowering the Municipal Voting Age

There was a proposal made by a youth advisory group to the Edmonton City Council suggesting that they ask the province to consider lowering the voting age in municipal elections to 16, from the present 18.  Edmonton city council narrowly approved their suggestion and will forward it to the provincial government.

I personally don't think it's a good idea.  I've worked with young people as a teacher for thirty one years, and I never met a bad kid.  But I think piling the responsibility of voting onto all the other new and confusing sensations and responsibilities facing them would be overwhelming. 

It's no secret that adolescence is difficult.  There are so many things happening to kids during that time, physically, emotionally, sexually, and socially!  Adding a political change to that as well, I think would be disastrous.

I also believe that 16 year old kids do not have the knowledge and experience to vote well.  They may not be able to recognize and be easily swayed by irrational or illogical political spiels.   Not that 18-year-olds (or older) don't get sucked in sometimes, too - Just look at the American election campaign on now!

Rhino vs Lightning II

While I was at the Abbotsford Airshow I managed to meet and briefly talk to both manufacturers of the two planes Canada is trying to choose one of to replace its aging CF-18 Hornets.   Both planes were in attendance, although only the Rhino flew.

The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning IIs flew in as part of an recently made operational USAF squadron.  They parked one in the static display area and kept the other tucked away.  Representatives from Lockheed-Martin set up a booth tent behind the F-35 on display and were there to talk to the folks about the Lightning II.  There was a US Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet (or "Rhino") on display and one Navy plane flying a demo while the Boeing Company had one of their own Rhinos there to also fly a demo!  The Boeing folks narrated their own demo.  Their Rhino was loaded up with all sorts of ordinance and still flew a complete demo.   The US Navy demo Rhino was unloaded and had just enough fuel to do the demo.  It's demo was impressive too!

I would have liked to see the F-35 fly but I think I did get a pretty good idea what each aircraft is capable of and how it could work for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

So what do I think of this competition now I've seen each aircraft?  In my opinion I think this whole competition thing is a ridiculous waste of time, money and energy!

Talk about comparing apples and oranges, these two planes are completely different!  Yes, they will do each other's job and quite well, but in a totally different way.  For you World War II air power fans, which plane was better; the Spitfire or the Mosquito?  How about the B-25 Mitchell or the P-51 Mustang?  Each plane was important in their own right.  Each could do the others job.  But you can't choose!  The same goes for these two fantastic planes.

The F-35 is light and small while the Rhino is huge and quite heavy in comparison.  The F-35 has one engine (albeit a very powerful one at 40,000 lbs thrust) the Rhino has two!  In my opinion the F-35 appears to be unable to carry the weight of ordinance of the Rhino.  Both rely on their stealth capabilities but the F-35 appears to count on those capabilities more than the F-18!   Most  F-18 Super Hornets seem to be set up for a two-crew while to my knowledge all of the F-35s are set up for a single pilot.  The F-35 is a much prettier little plane than the brutish F-18.

And the differences go on and on.  In my opinion there is only one solution; we buy enough of both planes to equip up to three squadrons of each over the next five to ten years!  Both planes will have a service life well into the 2040s.  That way each aircraft can be assigned the missions to which it was purposefully designed and succeed, all the while keeping our Canadian pilots as safe as they can be in air combat.

I am not an aeronautical engineer!  I am a retired teacher and school administrator.  But I am certified as "Plane Crazy"! I've read and studied this issue in great detail!  There's my opinion!

I'm Back!

I'm sure that you know that I'm back home now from the hospital.  My son Rhys has tried to keep everyone informed. 

My surgery was a complete success and I should be back  to normal (or my version of normal) in about three weeks.

I would like to again thank the surgical staff and the staff of Nursing Unit #82 at the Rockyview Hospital in Calgary.  Those folks work so very hard doing what they do so very well!  For a while I felt a little guilty for my constant and unrelenting criticism of Alberta's severely broken health care system.

Then I realized that those hard working, dedicated folks at the Rockyview are not where the problems lie!  Those people are working so very hard to keep the sinking health care ship afloat.  We need to support them, and help them in any way we can to get those higher up in the health care system to realize what's going on and to start moving toward fixing it!

Thank you to all those who sent me their best wishes for a speedy recovery.  Those wishes meant a lot to me!

Great 2016 Show at Abbotsford!

Last Wednesday, my doctors gave me the OK to attend the Abbotsford Air Show this past weekend.  I was very pleased.  What a super show! 

The show and the Abbotsford Airport were celebrating the 75th anniversary of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.  That airport was actually built as part of the BCTAP along with hundreds more located mostly across Western Canada.

The Royal Canadian Air Force joined in by painting it's demonstration CF-18 Hornet in that yellow and black color scheme of those old Second World War trainers.  Even the folks from our present training base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, got involved by painting up a couple of the new training aircraft in those same colors from WWII.  They were all in the sky over Abbotsford making for a most memorable show. 

Of course a couple of the highlights for me was the flight of the Snowbirds and Alberta's own Team Rocket!  Ken Fowler from Rock Mountain House and Eric Hansen from Cold Lake make up the team.  They did a night show Friday evening that has no equal, then their exciting day show each day over the weekend thrilled everyone!  It was good to see Ken's son Kyle join the fray as a new upcoming aerobatic pilot in the morning show!  Way to go Kyle!

I missed not seeing Canadian Bud Granley and his son Ross at this year's show.  Obviously scheduling conflicts were preventing them from attending.  Bud has always been a huge part of the Abbotsford show.  Many of us missed him there this year.

Overall it was fantastic show and it leaves me anxiously waiting next year's show; the 54th by my count.  As my website gets its much needed update, I will have a complete write up on the 2016 edition of the Abbotsford Air Show there with some of my photos!

August Coffee at Beiseker Airport

photo courtesy Rocky View Weekly

I have cancel this month's Coffee Time and Open House at the Beiseker Airport.  Each third Saturday of every month I put on a big pot of coffee and my wife bakes some goodies for Coffee Time.  We enjoy the coffee, the goodies, and "plane talk" between 10:00 a.m. and Noon.  Everyone is welcome!

Unfortunately, this month's date comes two days after my long awaited surgery so I will not be able to set things up this time. 

See you all on September 17th!

Bad News From Stage East

This evening, the Beiseker Stage East Society decided to cancel our 2016 edition of the popular dinner theatre performance.

The decision came after some key members and actors indicated they were unable to participate this year because of other commitments.  The Stage East Society usually has a cast and crew of around forty people to put on the annual event.  This year the society was down to about half that number.

The Beiseker Stage East Society will remain active, and members will remain in contact with each other through email communication.  Our next production meeting will be held in the spring of 2017.  Our annual general meeting (AGM) will go ahead as usual in early June of 2017.

We know this will come as a disappointment to many of our supporters and fans and we vow to return in October of 2017 with many more skits and giggles!

The Crater on Main Street

Photo courtesy of the Rocky View Weekly

A number of Beisekerites have voiced to me their concern over a business on Main Street, because of a large pit not far from the sidewalk.  It was brought up at our most recent Town Hall meeting in April.  We've even had visitors ask why this eyesore continues to exist.

I understand that the pit was created when underground fuel tanks were removed from the site.  I was told that environmental authorities insisted that the pit be left open for a length of time, to assure that no hydrocarbons would seep into the hole. 

I believe that the stipulated time stated has now elapsed.  The time to fill in the hole and return the area to its past configuration has come.  The temporary fence around the pit isn't really secure and permits people, especially youngsters, to enter the site.  This isn't safe.  In my opinion, the pit should be filled in and the area tidied up a bit.

The Village's Bylaw Enforcement and the Village Office are now working with Alberta Environment and other departments to resolve this situation.  We're hoping that we will have compliance in this situation as soon as possible.

Bullying in Our Village

I'm sure most of you are now aware of that hateful web page that was written anonymously about our little village, and then shared on Facebook.   I regard that page as straightforward bullying!   I felt very badly for those folks singled out for that undeserved wrath on that page!

I will not respond to any of those comments and allegations because they do not deserve a response.  But I was most offended by the venom directed  at our Village office staff and Public Works who work very hard to make our village the best it can be.  I have seen these folks work many hours of unpaid overtime, work all night, or get up from a Sunday family dinner to address a concern within the village.

Their work to improve this little village is very dependent on finances and resources available.  I admire their enthusiasm and dedication!  These are not the people to be bullied for the work that they do -- not that any person should be bullied!

This is all I'm going to say on this - so I've asked my son to close comments on this post.

Sloppy, Wet 2016 Stampede Over

My medical issues prevented me from volunteering at this year's edition of the Calgary Stampede.

I usually help out in the Agrium Ag-tivity in the City area for at least four or five of the ten days.  I was sorry I wasn't able to help out this year.  It was definitely a challenge running the show this year under monsoon-like conditions.

Folks were calling the "Greatest Outdoor Show Under Water and Mud"!  I watched the rodeo on TV.  A shout out goes to the CBC for their excellent ten day rodeo coverage.  I was little disappointed that no Canadian cowboys took home the biggest prize money, but a number of them did do well with day money and pool prizes.  A shout-out goes to Kirk Sutherland who won the $100,000 Chuckwagon race!

One thing I was most pleased and proud of is the fact that no animals were seriously hurt during this Stampede.  Having worked down at Stampede Park for many years, I know that animal welfare and safety ranks very high in the Stampede's creed.  All animals participating in the show are checked by a small army of vets every day.  Living conditions and care are inspected regularly.  The Stampede must be very proud of their record in animal safety and welfare.

I'm sure other shows will sit up and take notice.  The Calgary Stampede once again leads the way!  

Let's pray for a much drier 2017 Calgary Stampede!

Beiseker's First Stampede Breakfast a Huge Hit

Thursday morning on Main Street in Beiseker was the place to be!  The Beiseker Chamber of Commerce held its first annual Stampede Breakfast! 

More than 325 people came out to munch on pancakes, sausages, and eggs, while listening to live music from Verlin Rau and his group;

We were also treated to a square dancing demonstration.  What a fantastic morning! 

A huge shout goes out to our Chamber of Commerce and those members who worked so very hard that morning to give us an awesome Stampede Breakfast!  The support of businesses and businessmen and women like this is one reason why our village is a great place to live.  Well done!

Pothole Victory and Stampede Breakfast!

On behalf of the Village of Beiseker, I declare at least a partial victory over our potholes!  A shout-out goes to Public Works foreman Dave and his crew for their work!

I know some of you will say, "what about that one in front of my place?"  Please report any wayward potholes to the village office (403 947 3774) so Public Works can check it out. 

I hope I'll see all of you at Beiseker's first annual Stampede Breakfast!  It goes this Thursday on Main Street between First and Second Avenues, in front of the Arcadia Cafe!  Pancakes will be served from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  Come on down and meet your neighbors and members of our business community!

Great 149th Canada Day!

I hope you all had a great Canada Day!  The weather sort of cooperated to give most of us the chance to get out and celebrate Canada's 149th Birthday. 

I often wonder if Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, would recognize the nation he helped create 149 years ago.  It was much smaller then with only four provinces, but it grew into one of the proudest nations in the world! 

Thanks again to the "Flag Folks" who put a tiny Canadian flag at each home throughout the village so it will be there in the morning to announce cheerfully Canada Day!  Otherwise, Canada Day was very quiet in the Village.  Other communities around us had parades, parties and fireworks, so this Canada Day did not slip by unnoticed! I hope you were able to take in some of the festivities.

I hope you had a great Canada Day 2016.  I did!  Now we get to plan out our big celebration for next year as Canada turns 150 years old.  I think Sir John A. would be proud of Canada today.  I know I am! Happy Canada Day!

Ray's Note: Did you know that Canada Day was known throughout most of Canada's history as "Dominion Day," to celebrate the creation of the Dominion of Canada?

A Greener Alberta?

We are being inundated by adds from the provincial government telling us that we can look forward to a greener, more diversified Alberta economy with the Climate Leadership Plan.  They show us pictures of wind powered generators, solar panels, and hydroelectric facilities. 

They seem to have forgotten one of Alberta's biggest sources of energy; oil and natural gas.  What is our government doing to help the petroleum industry find ways to make their products greener?  I know for a fact that such research and development exists, where is our government on this? 

With these huge oil, coal, and gas reserves in Alberta, it would seem logical that the Alberta government be encouraging and financing research to find ways to make those products environmentally friendly.

Their biggest contribution appears to be their new Carbon Levy which, in my opinion, discourages any research into making petroleum greener.  It instead encourages us to buy less petroleum products to avoid the tax.  I'm having a problem seeing the logic here.

Does our new NDP government expect the big oil companies to shut down oil production and start building windmills?

The Little Plane That Could

I have followed the latest Antarctic rescue with a great deal of interest and pride for my nation.  This is the third time that Kenn Borek Air of Calgary has sent a team down to the other end of the world in winter to rescue scientists at the South Pole. 

The South Pole is difficult to get to at the best of times, but in winter it is next to impossible.  The Americans fly in there in the summer months, but they stop going there when the weather starts its winter blast.   Winter down there is frightening, with extreme winter conditions coupled with total darkness. To go there in the winter you need an extremely well trained, professional crew and a very special airplane that can survive the -70 degree temperatures, blowing snow and horrible wind shifts.

Enter the Canadian-designed and built de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter or "Twotter" as many of their pilots call them.  It came from a long line of specially built bush planes, designed to fly in Canada's vast North. 

First of the line was the little DHC-2 Beaver, probably the most famous bush plane of all time.  Then came its big brother, DHC-3 Otter.  Both were single piston engine planes built to be happy on wheels, skis, or floats. 

The last in that series was the Twin Otter with turbo-prop engines.  That was in 1965!  The plane was developed from the Otter and was a huge success.  But less than 1000 were built before production ended in 1988, a relatively small number for the production of a successful plane.

Even though production ended, the sturdy little "Twotters" flew on to fame.  Now used all over the globe, they still shine as bush planes, flying in the hostile cold of the worlds polar regions.  Despite the Hollywood stories to the contrary, all three rescues made at the South Pole in the winter have been in DHC-6 Twin Otters from Kenn Borek Air!  In fact I believe Kenn Borek Air has the world's largest fleet of Twin Otters! Makes you proud to be Canadian, doesn't it?

Just a couple of notes;

•  You can see the world's second DHC-6 Twin Otter at the Aero Space Museum of Calgary on McKnight Boulevard, across from the Port O' Call Inn.  It's registry is CF-PAT and it first flew in 1965.  It was fully restored for the Museum by Kenn Borek Air who flew it for many years.
• The DHC-6 Twin Otter was so successful they are now being built again!  Viking Air of Calgary and the west coast is building brand new beautiful Twin Otters under license!  These are gorgeous, updated versions of that famous airplane!

Summertime ATV Woes!

It seems every year at the beginning of summer and at the beginning of winter we must remind those residents who own ATVs, off road motorcycles, and snowmobiles what the bylaw says about their use within village bounds. 

We have a very generous bylaw here in Beiseker which is in jeopardy of being toughened up every year because of a very few who do not comply with it.

In short, the bylaw says;

• These machines can be operated within the Village of Beiseker on trails and back lanes. 
• Riders are to take the shortest distance from their home to the outskirts of the village
• Speed is not to exceed 20 kmph.  
• Noise is to be kept at a minimum.

Every year, the village office receives complaints which are brought to Village Council.  Some members of council are proposing we tighten up the bylaw to insist that all of these types of off-road vehicles be trailered into and out of the village and operation of them within the village would be prohibited.

I would hate to see such a restriction placed on these fun recreational vehicles.  Please support our bylaw, so I and other councilors can support their continued use within the village.

A New Addition!

You already know about my most beautiful granddaughter, Amelia.  This morning she was joined in our family by our new handsome grandson, Evan!

We welcome Evan to our family.  Mother and baby are doing great.

(My son-in-law Greg is doing OK, too! lol)

Times They Have Changed

I heard on the news tonight that the Brooks Big Country Oilmen's Association got themselves in a whole bunch of trouble by placing a photo of our Premier as a target on a golf course during a tournament.  Of course it was done in jest, but the joke flopped!  The tournament organizers had to do some quick back-pedaling and apologized to anyone offended.

Many years ago, I recall attending a contest at an indoor driving range where some photos of government officials were set up as targets.  Our then-premier was one of those with his photo out there.  If you managed to hit the premier's photo with your golf ball you were awarded 12 free golf-balls.   The premier was in attendance and tried as hard as the rest of us to hit the targets.  It was all done in fun, and everyone had a good time.

But that was then and this is now!  With the recent murder of British Labour MP Jo Cox and the Orlando nightclub carnage in just the past week or so, among other events lately have changed what folks find as funny. We are much more serious now, and interpret things in actions such as this which were never intended. 

The golf tournament was entertaining some petroleum businessmen and was probably meant to poke fun at Alberta's new government and its carbon tax.  It obviously took on a much more sinister meaning to some.

The organizers of the event should have realized that times have changed.  This sort of thing is not funny, any more!  Not even slightly!  I sincerely hope that those offended by this stunt will accept the organizer's apology and be assured this kind of thing will likely never happen again.  Let's all move on now!