Canmore

‘Stellar’ evening for Mayor’s Spotlight on the Arts

The Community Public Art Committee in Canmore has managed to top itself yet again.

Last Friday (Sept. 28) the group, along with Mayor John Borrownman, hosted the annual Mayor’s Spotlight on the Arts, which celebrates and honours those who have contributed to the arts in the community with an evening of song, dance, visual art and this year, a keynote speaker from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

“I thought it was stellar,” Borrowman said afterwards. “It was such a great Canmore event with Canmore spirit. With my background in the arts, I do have a soft spot for the arts sector. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Fuel cells to change the future of the energy industry

The world is moving to a lower carbon footprint and Canadians can expect to see significant changes to the energy industry and development of natural resources over the next 10 to 30 years.

Speaking to a packed room at Silvertip Golf Course on Sept. 13, Guy Turcotte, chairman, president and CEO of Stone Creek Resorts, highlighted this point and outlined for members of BOWDA and other guests the future of hydrogen as an energy source and its relevance to individuals and municipalities.

Turcotte, who previously founded oil companies Chauvco Resources Ltd. and Western Oil Sands Inc., the latter of which was sold to Marathon Oil Corporation in 2007 for an estimated $6.6 billion, is now chairman of Western Hydrogen, a Calgary-based company dedicated to the development and commercialization of hydrogen manufacturing technology. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

More transparency for Alberta’s governing bodies

The provincial government is making strides to be more transparent in how its politicians are spending taxpayer dollars in hopes of influencing municipal members to do the same.

In Canmore, however, that has already begun with the detailed online publication of the contract given to the Town’s chief administrative officer, Lisa de Soto, after she was hired this past July.

The issue of providing all details online was somewhat contentious when the public learned former CAO Don Kochan was paid out over $400,000 after leaving the position in November, 2011. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

No cap set on licences for taxi companies

Canmore council has decided to maintain the taxi bylaw in its current form and not put a cap on the number of future cab businesses it issues licences to.

A motion by Mayor John Borrowman to maintain the status quo passed unanimously among council at its meeting on Tuesday (Sept. 18) following a request from the Canmore Association of Taxi Cab Owners (CATCO) to limit the number of future cab companies the town grants licences to.

In its letter request to council in April, CATCO, which is comprised of six cab companies operating within Canmore, stated that it’s difficult to plan, operate and hire new staff when there is no restriction to limit the number of cab companies allowed to operate. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Black bear moved out of the valley

A black bear spotted in multiple backyards near Elk Run Boulevard last weekend has been relocated out of the valley after it was tranquilized by Fish and Wildlife officers.

Around 16 calls were received on Saturday (Sept. 15) of a bear, which was brown in colour and originally mistaken as a grizzly, seen roaming backyards and eating fruit from trees, predominately crab apple trees.

“It was going from yard to yard, deck to deck,” said Fish and Wildlife Officer Dave Dickson. “It was obviously habituated to fruit trees. The guys were one step behind that bear for most of the day.” Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Death triggers safety review for bylaw officers

The death of a 62-year-old peace officer near High River earlier this month has triggered Alberta’s solicitor general to conduct a safety review to determine whether or not bylaw officers should carry firearms.

However, local bylaw supervisors indicate officers in the Bow Valley may not need to carry such weapons since situations involving violent subjects don’t often occur.

A retired Mountie with 35 years of experience, Foothills peace officer Rod Lazenby died on Aug. 10 after investigating a dog complaint at a property near Priddis. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Slàinte: Canmore Highland Games draws a big crowd

Canmore’s Sally Garen from the Three Sisters Scottish Festival Society at the Massed Pipes & Drums closing ceremony last Sunday (Sept. 2)

As the last pipe bands marched off the field to the tune of “Alba an Aigh” (Scotland the Brave), thousands of spectators in attendance paused to let the hairs on the back of their neck recede and celebrate the end of the day events at the 22nd annual Canmore Highland Games.

With a sun-soaked morning and afternoon filled with heavy sports such as the sheaf toss, colourful regalia worn by highland dancers and pipe and drum bands from across Western Canada, the event at Centennial Park last Sunday (Sept. 2) was another success. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

Mount Assiniboine Lodge restoration project part of Rockies history

The Naiset Huts at Mount Assiniboine Lodge in British Columbia

A ride in a helicopter is an occasion for celebration, but a ride in a helicopter flying to Mount Assiniboine Lodge is one that soars into the history of the Canadian Rockies.

A 20-minute chopper ride from Canmore casually floats you over endless mountaintops akin to waves gently approaching the surf. Mount Assiniboine is an easily recognizable place. It’s picturesque landscape, with clear blue waters from Lake Magog and Matterhorn-resembling peak, make it one of the jewels of the area known as the Great Divide along the Alberta/British Columbia border.

Escaping the grasp of the closely-knit pack of mountains, travellers circle a valley adjacent to Canada’s “Matterhorn” where little red rooftop cabins are scattered throughout the area leading up to Mount Assiniboine Lodge. The light brown-coloured logs that make up the building’s exterior shine with newness in the morning light. However, it’s not the building, the scenery, nor the fresh mountain air you can see your breath in after exiting the helicopter that makes this place so special. Read the full piece at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

MLA Ron Casey backs Premier Redford on re-engaging Albertans

Less than four months has elapsed since the Alison Redford-led provincial Conservatives regained a majority government in Albert’s legislature, but Banff-Cochrane MLA Ron Casey is confident the party’s leader is moving the province in the right direction.

The former Canmore mayor and rookie MLA said he has adapted to his new role as chair of the rural caucus within the party and his experiences as both mayor and town councillor provided the necessary experience. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.

35th annual Canmore folk fest a success

For three days last week, the Town of Canmore was transformed into a hub of artistic creativity.

Musicians performed numbers ranging in styles from old Hawaiian cowboy songs to modern folk and blues. Vendors sold handcrafted merchandise and spread awareness about volunteering in impoverished countries. Food trucks supplied a wide variety of taste for any palette from Greek to Mexican, and thousands of people enjoyed every minute of it.

The 35th annual Canmore Folk Festival officially ended Monday evening (Aug. 6) at Centennial Park, but it wasn’t before both residents and visitors soaked up the perfect amount of sunshine, folk tunes and organic bug spray in what can only be described as another successful year for the festival. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.