techlife: the opportunity issue v5.1

gamePlay his Bet

you’d tyler ste. marie swings for a mobile app knockout

t e c h l i f e m a g . c a

v5.1 2011$4.95

people technology innovation

retirement savings mistakes to avoid

the 48 hours that changed Jim Barr’s Business

social media what you should know

have a future in alBerta?

Doeslocal food countdown

to 50 years

a top alumnominate

your old nait photos

and win!p. 62 & 66

share

As part of NAIT’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2012, 50 outstanding alumni will be recognized in a commemorative issue of techlife magazine. We’re searching for these fabulous 50 right now – and we need your help. Do you know a NAIT grad who has made a particularly significant contribution to their industry, workplace or community? Someone who has led a remarkable life or is an influential leader?

Nominate that person at www.nait.ca/top50. You could win an iPad2 just for sharing the tip!

EXCEPTIONAL ATHLETES? They’re named MVP and play on the all-star team.

MEMORABLE MUSICIANS? They get Juno awards and earn gold records.

NOTABLE NAIT GRADS? There’s special distinction for them, too.

Closing date for nominations

31 December 2011WWW.NAIT.CA

SEARCHING FOR SENSATIONAL

4 techlifemag.ca

on the cover15 SocialMedia

WhatYouShouldKnow

32 BetYou’dPlayHisGameTylerSte.Marieswingsforamobileappknockout

40 The48HoursThatChangedJimBarr’sBusiness

50 RetirementSavingsMistakestoAvoid

54 DoesLocalFoodHaveaFutureinAlberta?

62 NominateaTopAlum

66 ShareYourOldNAITPhotosandWin!

techlife > contents

technofile17 TheFuturein3D

New3Dtechnologyfortabletsandsmartphonesmeansyoucanforgetabouttheglasses

19 DataControlAlumnahelps10NAIThealthsciencesprogramsdigitizethepapertrail

21 RollingintoActionRobotictechnologythat’spoisedtospeedupAlberta’smanufacturingindustry

22 Rosemary’sAngelsDenturistinstructorsmakeadiscoverythatmayhavesavedapatient’slife

24 HomefortheHolidaysMakeyourhomelookfestivewithlight,texture,colourandareindeerproject

27 BrightLights,BigSavingsStudents’roadmapforlightingupgradesatAlbertaEnvirofuelsgeneratesasmuchas50percentinsavings

innovate28 YourHouseandthe

RisingSunAprimeronthealternativeenergytechnologychoicesavailabletothehomeowner

31 Harder,Better,Faster,StrongerNewappliedresearchfindshigh-intensityfitnesstrainingwithabreathingapparatusimprovesperformance–forsome

32 TheGamesPeoplePlayThatsimplegameonyourmobiledevicehasdisruptedthevideogamemarket–andopenedavirtualworldofopportunityforanewgenerationofdevelopers,designersandprogrammers

38 ALivingLaboratoryTheSturgeonRiverwatershedofferslessonsontheimpactofhuman

activities

PeoPle40 CaliforniaDreamin’

JimBarrearnedthechancetopitchhiscompanytoinvestorsinthehigh-techmeccaofSanFrancisco.Followhimthrough48hoursinthevalley

32

40

taBle of contents

v5.1 2011 5

DePartments6 Contributors

7 Editor’sNote

8 Feedback

9 Connectionswiththe

President

10 NewsbytesNAIT’snewVP;theLRTiscoming;meetingstudentneeds;engagingemployees

11 PreviewAninsidelookatemerginginnovationsatNAIT

13 ReadingRoom2011’smosttalked-abouttechnologybooks

15 3QuestionsFacebook,Twitter,Foursquare,Google+.Doyou?Moreimportantly,shouldyou?

50 AskanExpertNinemistakestoavoidwhensavingforretirement

54

53 PostcardAfterthefire:NAITphotographygradreturnsto

SlaveLake

61 SpacesGoinsideNAIT’srenovateddentalclinic

62 5WaystoGetInvolvedWithNAIT

63 JobDescriptionEdmonton’snewEpcorTowermarksamilestoneinMikeRoper’scareerascarpenter-turned-projectmanager

65 AcclaimAward-winninggrads,staffandfriends

65 ClickWhat’snewattechlifemag.ca

66 RewindDigupyouroldNAITphotosandyoucouldwin

24

63

48 FitforLifeTwoPersonalFitnessTrainergradsre-energizeEdmonton

seniors

cUlinait54 TheLocalFoodChallenge

BuildingasustainablemarketforAlberta’sfoodproducersisn’teasy,butchefBlairLebsackiscookingupaplan

58 WhereOurChefsLovetoShopThelocalsuppliersinstructorsturntowhenstockingtheirkitchens

59 RecipeSmokedduckandsaskatoonberrytartwithparsnip

ScanthisQRcodetoconnecttotechlifemag.cafornews,videos,storiesandinterviews

postedeverymonth.

Accompanyingthisissue’swebextrasandcontestsarebarcodesthatmakeiteasiertoconnectwithonlinecontent.AllyouneedisaQRcodereader,whichyoucandownloadforfreefromyoursmartphone’sappstore.Then,usingthereader,scanthecodesfoundthroughoutthemagazine.

contriButors

6 techlifemag.ca

techlifev5.1 2011

people technology innovationtechlifemag.ca

editor SherriKrastelmanaging editorKristenVernonassociate and online editor ScottMessengerart directorDerekLueassociate art directorAndreaYurydesignersDebraBachmanSmith,SandyBrown,TrinaKoscielnuk,SheenaRienercopy editorKathyFrazercirculation managerNicoleRose(Marketing’08)advertising managerLynnRyancontributing writers ElizaBarlow,FionaBensler,ArmandCadieux,RachelleDrouin,KlayDyer,NidaFarooqui,RuthJuliebo,FrankLandry,CherylMahaffy,TheresaSheacontributing photographers JohnBook(PhotographicTechnology’87),BrandonBoucher(DigitalMediaDesign’09),LeighFrey(PhotographicTechnology’01),GarrettKey(PhotographicTechnology’11),JasonNess(PhotographicTechnology’00),BlaisevanMalsensubscriptionsSendchangesofaddresstocirculation@techlifemag.ca.

Signupforthetechlifemag.cae-newsletterattechlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm.freelance submissionsSendqueriestoeditor@techlifemag.ca.Wedonotacceptunsolicitedmanuscripts.letters to the [email protected] and circulation [email protected]

TechlifemagazineispublishedtwiceayearbyNAITMarketingandCommunications.Onlinefeaturesarepublishedregularlyattechlifemag.ca.OpinionsexpressedarenotnecessarilythoseofNAITortheeditorialteam.

TechlifeisaproudmemberoftheAlbertaMagazinePublishersAssociation,abidingbythenationalmagazineadvertising/editorialguidelines(albertamagazines.com).

PAGE f 32

Abarbequeiscalledabraai,andbootsandbonnetsarepartsofacarifyou’reaskingBlaisevanMalsen.HegrewupandstudiedphotographyinSouthAfrica,andhasworkedasaphotographeronthreecontinentsandasmanyoceans.VanMalsenstartedhiscareeratNAITearlierthisyearshootingcurriculumcontentbeforeheclinchedtheroleofphotographerintheDepartmentofMarketingandCommunications.“Photographingpeopletodaywhowillchangetheworldtomorrowisincrediblyrewarding,”hesays,reflectingonthephotoshootwithBitshiftGamesInc.“NAITpeoplehaveagenuineenthusiasmfortheirjobsthatinturnmakesmineeasy!”

PAGE f 28

WhenaskedtodoanillustrationforYourHouseandtheRisingSun,alookatrenewableenergysystemsavailabletohomeowners,SandyBrownreadilyagreed.Theprojectcombinedherloveofillustratingwiththechancetobecomefamiliarwiththeseexcitingtechnologies.“OneofthethingsIloveabouttechlifemagazineishowmuchinformationispackedintoeachissue,”saysBrown.“Iamconstantlylearningsomethingnewfromit.”BrownworksasacommunicationsspecialistwithNAIT’sDepartmentofMarketingandCommunications,supportingtheDepartmentofContinuingEducation.

PAGE f 31

RuthJuliebowearsmanyhats.AfterseveralyearsbehindandinfrontofaTVcamera,shebroughthernaturalcuriosityandloveofstorytellingtoNAIT.Threeyearslater,herNAIThatshaveincludedmediarelations,internalcommunicationsand,mostrecently,videoproduction.Jugglingvideoshootsbydayandwranglingtheschedulesofthreeyoungdaughtersbynight,Juliebohappilymadetimetocoverthisissue’sfeatureonresearchinvolvingüber-fitfirefighters.Enjoythevideowebextraaccompanyingherarticle.It’sallinaday’swork.

PAGE f 54

VisitingfarmersmarketswithchefBlairLebsackgaveCherylMahaffynewrespectforthegrowersbehindlocalfood–andforthechefswhoareputting“local”onourdiningradar.Withapenchantforspendingmorehoursatthekeyboardthaninthegarden,Mahaffygrowsmoreword-picturesthancauliflowerandcabbage.Perhapsnotsurprisingly,she’samongthegrowingnumberofcitizensrootingforthepreservationofthefertileagriculturallandthatisessentialtoEdmonton’sfoodsecurity.AnEdmontoniansincetheearly1980s,she’stheauthorofThat’s Amazing,therecentlyreleasedhistoryofSportCentral,andisworkingwithalocalsurvivoroftheRwandangenocidetotellherstory.

a report on giving managing editorFionaBenslercontributing writersRachelleDrouin,NidaFarooquicontributing photographersJohnBook(PhotographicTechnology’87),LeighFrey(PhotographicTechnology’01),JasonNess(PhotographicTechnology’00),BlaisevanMalsen

v5.1 2011 7

[email protected]

editor’s note

although i’ve never been much of a gamer,it’shardnottobeenthusedbythepossibilitiesthatlieaheadoftheyoungfacesofthegamingindustry,profiledinourcoverstory(TheGamesPeoplePlay,p.32).Theevolutionoftheindustryontomobileplatformshascreatedawholenewsetofcareerandbusinessopportunitieswaitingtobeembracedbyagenerationofdevelopers,designersandprogrammers,includingDigitalMediaandIT(DMIT)studentTylerSte.Marie,RudyJanvier(ComputerEngineeringTechnology’08),JustinJames(DMIT’11)andMattLaRose(DMIT’11).

It’sthatenergyandanticipationofbeingonthebrinkofsomethingexciting–poisedtotakethenextbigstep–thatwecelebrateinthisissue.

LikenovaNAITclientJimBarr,forexample.HistriptoSanFranciscotopitchhiscompanytoagroupoftoughex-patventurecapitalistswasajourneyofdiscoveryforthedrivenentrepreneur,andresultedinanew–ifunexpected–directionforhisonlinebusiness(CaliforniaDreamin’,p.40).

Alums-turned-culinaryinstructorsBlairLebsackandHongChewarepartofthemomentumbehindamovementtotakeeatinglocalfromfadtomainstream(p.54).ThetwoareimprovingtherelationshipbetweenAlberta’sfarmersandchefsandinfluencingthenextgenerationofchefstoembracethebenefitsofcookinglocal.ThenexttimeyoueatatErnest’sdiningroomonMainCampus,youcanseeforyourself,astheinimitablerestaurantismovingtowardshaving50percentlocalingredientsonitsmenu.

Therearemoregame-changersinstoreforNAIT,nottheleastofwhichisanewacademicmodel,which,overthenexttwoyears,willfocusonhelpingstudentsachievebothcareerandpersonalsuccessandintroducenever-before-seenoptions,includingflexiblecourseregistration(BigAcademicChanges,p.10).

Onthetransportationfront,gettingtocampusisabouttotakeasteptowardsgreatersustainabilitywiththeconstructionofthenewNorthLRTlinetoNAIT(p.10).By2014,students,staffandvisitorswillbeabletoenjoythespeedandefficiencyofthetrain.

Bestofall,in2012,wewillcelebrate50yearssinceNAIT’sveryfirstclassofstudents–29CommunicationElectricianapprentices–begantheirtrainingin1962.We’replanningacommemorativeissueoftechlifededicatedtothepasthalf-century,andarelookingforyourphotosofthegoodolddays,aswellashelpidentifyingourtop50alumnitofeatureinthesepages.Thereareprizestowin,socheckoutpages62and66formoreinformationandlet’sgetthepartystarted!

“It’s thAt EnErGy And AntIcIPAtIon of bEInG on thE brInk of somEthInG ExcItInG – PoIsEd to tAkE thE nExt bIG stEP - thAt wE cElEbrAtE.”

For more information: Department of Advancement

780.471.8800

AN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESSwww.nait.ca

A bequest is a thoughtful, practical way to make a real impact. It’s a lasting contribution that allows you to give beyond your lifetime.

Bequests to NAIT support students and have enabled hundreds to receive the financial support they need to complete their studies.

Your bequest could:

• establish a student scholarship in your name• purchase equipment that enables hands-on learning• fund applied research

Your GIfT CanChANGe the Future

Charitable Registration Number: 10778 1205 RR0001

feedBack

LastissueweaskedreaderstoidentifytheNAITlocationinthephotographonp.57forachancetowinthebooksfeaturedinWorkbooks(p.13).Thecorrectanswer:thesouthlobbyoftheForMedicalWingonMainCampus.

Congratulationstoourfivewinners:sherry Gibbs(BiologicalSciencesTechnology‘93),luc lefebvre(PersonalFitnessTrainer‘07andNAITrecreationfacilityattendant),don murray (ChemicalTechnology‘67),claudia Villeneuveandscott wyman.

Winners

8 techlifemag.ca

take our surveyScanthisQRcodetotakeourreadershipsurveyorvisit

techlifemag.ca/survey.htm.NeedaQRcodereader?Seep.5.

great issue, withanumberofinterestingandusefularticles(techlifemag.cae-newsletter,Aug.16,2011).Thanksforsendingit.

PerrinBeattyPresidentandCEOTheCanadianChamberofCommerce

here’s what you’re saying aBout us, in print and online.

i was dismayed toreadGreetingsfromUganda(p.48,V4.2,spring2011).Thetworeferencestoreligionwereoutofplaceinamagazinerepresentingapublicinstitution.

TeresaEnglerElectrician’09

have you read a story in the magazine or at techlifemag.ca that inspired or challenged you? We want to hear from you.

here’s how you can reach us:

• email: [email protected]

• techlifemag.ca (comment online by logging in through facebook)

• twitter: @nait

• www.nait.ca/facebook

• mail: sherri Krastel editor, techlife magazine 11762 – 106 st. n.W. edmonton, aB t5G 2r1

Publishedcommentsmaybeeditedforlength,grammarandclarity.

Subscribe to the techlifemag.ca e-newsletter at techlifemag.ca/subscribe.htm.

v5.1 2011 9

Proudly

Oureffortstoprepareourstudentsforrealjobsandcareersalsosetusapartfromuniversitiesandcolleges.GraduatesofNAITareimmediatelyemployable:theyhavetheskills,theexperienceandtheenthusiasmthatsaw91percentoftheclassof2010employedashorttimeafterconvocation.Fromthemomenttheyleaveus,ourstudentsarereadytostartmakingadifferenceoftheirown.

Wehavedefinedanddifferentiatedtheinstituteasaneducatorfortherealworldfornearlyhalfacentury.Weintendtogrow,butonlywhilehonouringourheritageasapolytechnicortechnicalinstitute.We’veseenthestrengthinthat,andwerecognizeitasasolidfoundationtobuilduponasweachieveourfullpotentialinservingAlberta.We’reextremelyproudofwhatweare,inthesamewaythatIamtobepresidentandCEOofNAIT,oneofCanada’sleadingpolytechnics.

GlennFeltham,[email protected]

nait is an extraordinary post-secondary institute–apolytechnicthatfocusesonmakingarealandsignificantimpactonAlberta’seconomicprosperity.Weworktoenableourprovincetobeinternationallycompetitive.Wealignourprogramsandresearchwithcurrentandemergingneeds.ThatmakesNAITessentialtothefutureofAlberta.Weareveryproudofthisrole.

Wearepracticalandpragmatic.Asapolytechnic,wearefundamentallydifferentfromuniversitiesandcollegesinanumberofways,includingwhatweteachandhowweteach.Thesedifferencesareagoodthing.Wefocusonjustfoureducationandresearchpillars:scienceandtechnology,business,healthcareandtrades.Ineachfield,thelearningisexperiential:hands-onandusingstate-of-the-artequipment.

ThedifferenceisalsoclearinourrelationshipwithAlbertaindustry.Theserelationshipsplayacriticalroleinensuringourprogramsandresearcharerelevantandresponsivetotheevolvingeconomicenvironment.Ourcoursesaredevelopedincooperationwiththeprovince’sbusinessandtechnologyleaders.NAITappliedresearch,conductedbystaffandstudents,addressesrealindustrychallengesandproducesinnovativesolutionsthatcanbeputtoworkinavarietyoffieldsacrossAlberta.

connections With the President

PolytEchnIc

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to become one of theworld’sgreatestpolytechnics,NAITiscommittedtoprovidinganoutstandingworkplace.Theinstitute’sfirstemployeeengagementsurvey,conductedthisspring,wasanimportantsteptowardsthat.Overwhelmingly,facultyandstaffreportedahighlevelofsatisfactionwiththeinstitute,theirjobsandtheirco-workers.Butthesurveyalsoindicatedareasforimprovement,includingcommunication,clarityaroundNAIT’sfuture,infrastructureandmore.

“We’llusethatinformationtoinformdecisionsthataffecttheinstituteandourcollectivefuture,”saysDr.GlennFeltham,presidentandCEO.Thesurveywillbeconducted,andactedupon,annually.

— S.M.

as a nait grad (Accounting’74),Dr.RayBlockcamefullcirclethisAprilwhenhebecamevicepresidentadministrationandchieffinancialofficerfollowingDavidJanzen’sretirement.Alongtheway,BlockexpandedhiseducationtoincludeaCGAdesignationandaPhDinPublicHealthSciences,whichhasservedhimwellasaformerAlbertaMentalHealthBoardpresidentandCEOandacurrentAlbertaHealthServicesBoardmember.BeforecomingtoNAIT,BlockwasvicepresidentfinanceandadministrationatAthabascaUniversity.Rightnow,he’sbusypreparingNAIT’sfinancial,HRandregistrationsystemsforitsnewacademicmodel(seestoryonthispage).“I’mthrilledtobebackonNAITcampusandtobeworkingwithsuchanenthusiasticandcollegialstaff,”saysBlock.

— Scott Messenger

by 2013, nait students insomeprogramswillbeabletolearnatatime,placeandpacethatbestsuitsthem.Semesterswillbe15weekslongandtheinstitutewillofferacombinationofdeliveryoptionsincludingday,evening,onlineandacceleratedweekendcourses.Someprogramswillgivestudentstheoptiontotakecoursesbeforeapplyingfortheprogram,choosehowmanyand

whichcoursestotake,transfer

betweenprograms,andenroll

incommoncreditcourseswith

studentsfromotherprograms.

Thisstudent-focused

approachisthemotivation

andguidingprinciplebehind

NAIT’snewacademicmodel,

whichisanticipatedtobefully

implementedinthenexttwo

years.Themodelwillbuildon

NAIT’scurrentstrengthsofhands-

bIG AcAdEmIc chanGes

alum joins nait execUtive

Build a Better workplace

onlearningandrespondingtoindustryneeds.

“Thenewacademicmodelisdesignedtosupporteveryaspectofthestudentexperience.Bybeingrelevant,responsiveandflexible,NAITcanhelpstudentsachievebothpersonalandcareer-relatedsuccess,”saysDr.PaulaBurns,provostandvicepresidentacademic.

— Nida Farooqui

when it goes into servicein2014,thenewNorthLRTlinetoNAITwillprovidestudents,staffandvisitorswithasustainabletransportationalternative.

“I’mabsolutely

thrilledtoseetheLRT

extensiontoNAITunder

construction,”saysDr.

GlennFeltham,NAIT

presidentandCEO.

“Thisprojectsupports

oursustainabilityvision

andwillbeanenormous

benefittoourstaffand

students.”

AstheCityof

Edmontonbuildsthe$755-million,

3.3-kilometreextensionnorthwest

fromChurchillStationdowntown

toNAIT,students,staffandvisitorstocampuscanexpectconstruction,followedbyLRTtestingaroundtheinstitutefromnowthroughApril2014.TheNAITLRTstationwillbelocatedatstreetlevelonthesouthcornerofMainCampusalongsidetheathleticsfacilities.ThecityestimatesthatweekdayLRTridershipwillincreaseby45,000whentheextensionopens.Theridefromdowntownwilltakeapproximatelynineminutes.

— Fiona Bensler

10 techlifemag.ca

neWsBytes

full sPEEd AhEAd

an insiDe looK at emerGinG innovations at nait

you walk into your house,pulloutyoursmartphone,selectaplaylistandimmediatelyhearyourfavouritesongsbroadcastintheroomwhereyoustand.Soundlikealuxury?ZenoviaElectronicsInc.founderandCEOLoganJacobsplanstomakehomeandcommercialaudioautomationsimpletoinstallanduse,affordableandascommonasturningonthelights.Nowworkingtoraisemoreseedfundinganddeveloptheprototype,thenovaNAITincubationclienthopestobemanufacturingandmarketingthefirstgenerationZenoviahomeautomationsystemwithinayear.Projectedcosttosupplyandinstallintonewconstruction:lessthan$3,000foreightroomsofaudioondemand.

— Sherri Krastel

with 1,600 treesgrowingonanabandonedwellsitenearPeaceRiveraspartofareclamationresearchprogram,researchersneededanefficient,reliablewaytomonitorthegrowthoftheaspens,blackspruce,whitespruceanddogwoods.Whichiswhytheytradedpenandpaperforradio-frequency

it can be toughtofigureouthowtogrowandmaintainagreenroofincentralAlberta,wherethesummersareshortandthewinterslongandcold.Butthatcouldchangeasaresultofathree-yearstudybeingledbybiologicalsciencesinstructorDaveCritchleyfromNAIT’sSchoolofSustainableBuildingandEnvironmentalManagement.He’slookingathowexistinggreenrooftechnologiesandstrategiescanbeadaptedforanorthernclimate.Green

to your EArs

if a tree groWs

in the forest

rooftoP research

musIc

roofs–essentiallyroofsusedasplanterboxes–canreducesolarradiationandgreenhousegasemissions.Aspartoftheresearch,roofingevaluationmodulesanddataloggersinstalledattheEnjoyCentreinSt.Albertarebeingusedtocollectinformationaboutarangeoffactors,includingwaterandnutrientretention.TheequipmentwaspurchasedbyNAITwithhelpfromaNaturalSciencesandEngineeringResearchCouncilofCanadagrant.

— Frank Landry

identification(RFID)technology.Thissummer,studentsworkingforthenovaNAITBorealResearchInstitutemarkedtheyear-oldtreeswithcreditcard-sizedRFIDtags,suppliedbynovaNAITincubatorclientTriple-iTrackingTechnologiesInc.,astartupfoundedbythreeBachelorofTechnologygrads.Thattechnologywentintoactionforthefirsttimethisfallwhensecond-yearForestTechnologystudentsrecordeddata,includingtheheightanddiameteroftheyoungtrees,onmobiledevicesafterscanningtheRFIDtags.

— Kristen Vernon

v5.1 2011 11

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12 techlifemag.ca

THE DEGREE WITH DIRECTIONTyler Mowbrey earned a Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management degree in just two years, building on the strength of his previous IT diploma. Now he’s pursuing an MBA on the west coast, while employed as a consultant for a leading software provider.

NAIT’s BTech degree combines advanced technical knowledge with critical thinking,

leadership and managerial skills. With a range of elective courses and a choice

of full-time, part-time and online study options, it’s a great fi t for a career that’s going places.

Where are you headed?

SCAN THIS TO HEAR TYLER’S STORY

WWW.NAIT.CA/BTECH

EDUCATION FOR THE REAL WORLD

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BiBliotech in time for the holidays, a look at three of 2011’s most talked-about books on technology.

Alone TogeTher: Why We expecT More FroM Technology And less FroM eAch oTher

by sherry turkle

Cantechnologydeliveremotionalfulfillment?ThatquestionisthecoreofAlone Together,psychologistandMITprofessorSherryTurkle’sfinalinstallmentofatrilogythatincludesThe Second Self andLife on the Screen,twopioneeringstudiesoftechnology’seffectonthehumancondition.Turklecomestoheranswerbyexaminingtheroleofrobotsinsocietyandofsocialmediaandwirelesscommunicationinourlives.Technologyisagreatenabler,butcanmachines,forexample,providetruecompanionship?DoFacebookandtextingadequatelyreplaceface-to-facecontact?Turkleisunconvinced:

“Technologyreshapesthelandscapeofouremotionallives,butisitofferingustheliveswewanttolead?”Afterreadingherinvestigationofourquestforintimacyinthedigitalage,expecttore-evaluateyourownrelationshipwithtechnology,and,inturn,people.

— Scott Messenger

The neT delusion: The dArk side oF inTerneT FreedoM

by evgeny morozov

WithThe Net Delusion,EvgenyMorozovissuesagloves-offchallengetothenotionoftheInternetasathreattoauthoritarianism.ThebookprecededArabSpring,butMorozovdidn’trecantinaMarcharticleatguardian.co.uk.

“Perhapstheoutsizerevolutionaryclaimsforsocialmedia...areonlyamanifestationofwesternguiltforwastingsomuchtimeonsocialmedia,”hewrote.Lively,smartandatadcranky,Morozov–blogger,researcherandscholarfocusedonthepoliticalimpactoftheInternet–thrasheswhathecallsthe“cyber-utopian”mindset.JustasTwitterandFacebookappeartohavethepowertosparkrevolution,dictatorialregimeshaveturnedthewebintoamachineforpropaganda,surveillanceandtighteningcontrol.WhetheryouagreewithMorozovornot,The Net Delusionremindsthat,fundamentally,theInternetspreadsinformation,notdemocracy.

— S.M.

reAliTy is Broken: Why gAMes MAke us BeTTer And hoW They cAn chAnge The World

by jane mcGonigal

JaneMcGonigalisapowerfulplayerintheworldofgametheoryanddevelopment.Shehascreatedaward-winninggames(specializingingamesthattacklereal-worldproblems),deliveredaTEDtalk,andcontributedtoThe Economist,New York Times,Wired,MTV,CNNandNPR.Andasafanofherideasgenerally,IanticipatedherfirstbooklikeanavidgamerawaitingthereleaseofthenewestCall of DutyorHalo.

Writtenforgamersandnon-gamersalike,Reality is Brokenarguesthatgamesarenotmerelytime-wastingdistractions.“Computerandvideogamesarefulfillinggenuinehumanneedsthattherealworldiscurrentlyunabletosatisfy,”McGonigalwrites.“Theyareteachingandinspiringandengagingusinwaysthatrealityisnot.Theyarebringingustogetherinwaysthatrealityisnot.”

Asthesexy,wittyandhipevangelistofthepowerofgamesandgamerstoreinventindustry,educationandevenhumancivilization,McGonigalwouldeasilyconvincehercoreaudience.I,however,leftthisbookquestioningthenewnessofMcGonigal’svisionandthecrispnessofherargument.Butforthosewhowanttounderstandwheregame-basedtechnologiesareheading,Reality is Brokenwillproveengagingandinformative.

— Dr. Klay Dyer

Dr. Klay Dyer is the director of Applied Research and Scholarship at novaNAIT. He is also a speaker who inspires organizations to add value through a renewed emphasis on creativity, responsible leadership and innovation.

WIN these books!Visittechlifemag.ca/what-technology-wants.htmforareviewofKevinKelly’s What Technology Wantsandfordetailsonhowtowinitoroneofthebooksfeaturedhere.

v5.1 2011 13

reading room

THE DEGREE WITH DIRECTIONTyler Mowbrey earned a Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management degree in just two years, building on the strength of his previous IT diploma. Now he’s pursuing an MBA on the west coast, while employed as a consultant for a leading software provider.

NAIT’s BTech degree combines advanced technical knowledge with critical thinking,

leadership and managerial skills. With a range of elective courses and a choice

of full-time, part-time and online study options, it’s a great fi t for a career that’s going places.

Where are you headed?

SCAN THIS TO HEAR TYLER’S STORY

WWW.NAIT.CA/BTECH


14 techlifemag.ca

From rocket science, to research or retail. In manufacturing, argriculture and health care, natural gas means more than jobs. Fact is, natural gas is helping create careers. And we couldn’t be prouder. We are Encana.

Follow us on twitter.com/encanacorpLike us on facebook.com/encanaWatch us on youtube.com/encanaConnect with us on linkedin.com/company/encana

Visit www.encana.com for current career opportunities

Ph

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3 questions

on bEInG social

IDON’TCAREWHATYOUATEFORBREAKFAST.WHYSHOULDITWEET?

WHATISGOOGLE+ANDWHYSHOULDICARE?

WHAT’SYOURTOPPRIvACY

PROTECTIONTIPFORSOCIALMEDIAUSERS?

MarketinginstructorRaymondBilodeauteachesSocialMediaMarketinginNAIT’s

JRShawSchoolofBusiness.HetweetsatRayBilodeau.

AradiojournalistwithiNews880and630CHED,BrittneyLeBlanc(Radioand

Television’07)wasoneofEdmonton’stop25mostactivetweeterslastyear.FindheronTwitteratbritl.

Ifallyou’retweetingiswhatyou’reeating,thenI’mlikelynotfollowingyou.However,ifyouareanexpertinafieldI’minterestedin,then,likely,Iwillbefollowingyoutokeepuponwhat’shappening.Forthissamereason,Itweettodemonstratemyexpertise,sharelinkstomyblogorinterestingarticlesandmaybeevenjustforfun.

Socialmediaislikebeingatadinnerparty.(Note:Ididn’tsayahousepartywithfriends.)ReviewwhoisfollowingyouonTwitterandblocktheundesirable,andcleanoutyourFacebookfriends.

It’snotaboutwhatyouate,it’saboutwhoyouare.Tweettofindoutthelatestnewsandtoconnectwithyourcityandthepeopleinit.I’vemadesomegreatfriendshipsandwouldsayIammoreintunewiththecitysincejoining.

Usecommonsense.EverythingyoutypeisareflectionofyouandstaysontheInternetforever.Thinkbeforeyoupost.Don’tbadmouthyourfriends,significantother,andcertainlynotyourclient,employerorpotentialemployers–peoplecanseewhatyoudoonline.

Kathleenversteegt,aprincipalatPapertreeCreative,wasamongthetop

10mostactiveEdmontontweeterslastyear.Thisthree-timeNAITgrad(GraphicCommunications’06,ComputerSystemsTechnology’08,DigitalMediaDesign’10)andcurrentBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementstudentcanbefoundonTwitteratguitarkat.

ThereismoretoTwitterthanbreakfast.Thereislunch,dinneranddessert,too!Actually,mostpeopledon’tdothisoftenenoughforittobecomeanissue.It’sacommonmisconception.Twitterisagreatsourceofinformationonlocalhappenings[search#yegonTwitterforEdmonton-relatedtweets],awaytoconnectwithpeoplewhosharesimilarinterestsandaforumforaskingquestions.

AlthoughIhavebeeninvitedtoGoogle’snewsocialnetworkingservice,Google+,Ihavenotfoundauseforit.ThismaygothewayofWaveorBuzz[twoGooglesocialmediaflops].Nonetheless,ifit’sfromGoogle,it’sworthwatching.

Tobehonest,Idon’tknow.I’mstilltryingtofigurethatout.Sofar,itseemslikeatoolmoreforthesocialmediaearlyadoptercrowdthantheaverageperson.I’mgoingtoholdoutalittlelongertomakesureit’snotanotherBuzzorWave.

Google+isawaytofilterwhohearswhatyousay.Byplacingpeoplein“circles,”youchoosewhoseesyourposts,unlikeonTwitterand,untilveryrecently,Facebook(I’msureyou’veencounteredthe,“ButmymomisonFacebook!”issuebefore).

Don’tpostorcheck-inwhereyoulive(don’tgetmorespecificthanneighbourhood,atmost).Whenyou’repostingphotosonline,tweetingorevencheckinginonFoursquare[alocation-basedsocialnetworkingsite]beawarethatthepostmayincludeyourGPScoordinatesorlocation.

Web ExtraGetmoreprivacyprotection

tipsattechlifemag.ca/social-media-privacy.htm.

FollowNAITonTwitter:@NAITLikeNAITonFacebook:www.nait.ca/facebook

facebook, twitter, foursquare, Google+. Do you? should you? our social media experts weigh in.

v5.1 2011 15

3 questions

AN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS | www.nait.ca/ledcorchair 11762 – 106 St. Edmonton Alberta Canada t5g 2r1

DR. HANEEF MIAN Ledcor Group Applied Research Chair in Oil Sands Environmental Sustainability

SOLUTIONS

we’re filling the gap between existing oil sands environmental research and real-world solutions that have an immediate impact on sustainability.

Our focus is on applied research – working with industry to develop market-ready, cost-effective, practical solutions for improved tailings management, water management and land reclamation.

Our research teams, supported by NAIT’s multi-disciplinary expertise and resources, investigate oil sands environmental challenges and take ideas from concept to commercialization. Let’s talk about working together.

FOCUSED ON OIL SANDS

Contact Dr. Mian | Ph. 780.440.1680 | Email: [email protected]

alumni award of distinction celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of NAIT alumni who have earned professional prominence and have contributed significant service to NAIT or the community.

Visit www.nait.ca/alumniawards for details or for more information email [email protected] or call 780.471.8539.

do you know a nait graduate whose achievements make you want to stand and cheer?

SHOUT IT OUT! spirit of nait alumni award recognizes remarkable achievements earned by a NAIT alum within 12 years of graduation.

1nait celebrates successful alumni with two awards that recognize exceptional achievement

2

submit your nomination before the deadline: december 31

16 techlifemag.ca

THE FUTURE IN 3D3DTHE FUTURE IN

v5.1 2011 17

technofile

most people are familiarwithstereoscopic3D,whichrequirestheviewertowearspecialglasses.Theeffectiscreatedbypresentingthesametwo-dimensionalimagefromtwoslightlydifferentperspectivestotheleftandrighteye,separately.Stereoscopicdisplaycanbeachievedinvariousways.Anaglyphtechniquesincludetheclassicred-blueglasses,withtwoimagesintwocoloursviewedthroughlensesofthesamecolours.Inalternateframesequencing,liquidcrystalsinthelensesoftheglassesmomentarilyblocktheviewingpath,ensuringeacheyeseesonlytheimageintendedforit.Stillanothertechniqueispolarization,wheretwoimagesareviewedthroughpolarizingglassesthatfilterlightinsuchawaythateacheyeseesaspecificimage.

Butgoingforwardwith3Dtechnology,glassesareabarrier.Peopledon’twantthem:carryingthemaroundisahassleandsharingthemisunhygienic.Fortheseandotherreasons–includingexpense–3Dstereowithglassesisnolongerappealingtoconsumers.

OuRExPERT

ArmandCadieux’s20yearsofexperienceasaprofessionaldesignerandentrepreneurincludesfoundingSpiralArt&Designand3DInteractiveInc.,adevelopmentstudiothatcreates“seriousgames,”orsimulationsforindustrialtrainingandotherapplications.Nowthathe’ssoldthecompany,CadieuxisagamedesigninstructorwithNAIT’sDigitalMediaandITprogram.

Autostereoscopydeliversthesame3Deffect,butwithouttheglasses.Thishasactuallyexistedforseveralyearsbutisjustnowbeginningtopenetratethecommercialmarket.Theeffectrequiresascreenwithextremelyhighresolution.Manufacturersarenowracingtodevelopsuchdisplaysfortablets,smartphonesandTVs,givinguserstheoptionofwatching3Dmoviesandplaying3Dgames.Aswell,they’restartingtoofferdeviceswithcamerasdesignedfortaking3Dphotosandvideo.

InCanada,LGhasreleaseda3Dtablet,theOptimusPad,aswellastheOptimus3Dsmartphone.HTChasalsojustreleaseditsnew3Dsmartphone,theEvo3D.And–aswegotopress–it’srumouredthenextiPadandiPhonewillhaveautostereoscopicdisplay,too(theyhavealreadyachievedadisplayresolutionhighenough!).Keepaneyeoutforthatandotherpre-Christmasreleases,whenseveralmorebrandswillbring3D-capableproductstomarket.

— Armand Cadieux

new 3D technology for tablets and smartphones means you can forget about the glasses.

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18 techlifemag.ca

NAIT GOLF TOURNAME NTFRIDAY, S EPTEMBER 9, 2011

NAIT GOLF TOURNAME NTFRIDAY, S EPTEMBER 9, 2011

AN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESSph 780.471.6248 | www.nait.ca

NAIT GOLF TOURNAME NTFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

NAIT GOLF TOURNAME NTFRI DAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

Thanks to our generous sponsors, NAIT’s recent Cuban-themed golf tournament provided funding needed to support our student-athletes

in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.

Muchas gracias

CATFISH COFFEE ROASTERS | CLARK BUILDERS | ENBRIDGE PIPELINES INC. NORTHERN BEAR GOLF CLUB | SINCLAIR SUPPLY LTD. | TELUS

data control

v5.1 2011 19

technofile

software developer GreatBigSolutionsLtd.hiredKathrynFrasertosellaprogramcalledCompTrackerrightaftershegraduatedfromBusinessAdministration–Marketingin2004.Shetooktoitinstantly,recognizingitspotentialtohelpensuregradsarereadyforthechallengeofservingthehealth-careindustry.

“It’sagreatwaytostreamlinedatagathering,”saysFraser,whohassincebecomethecompany’sownerandCEO.“Forexample,tobecomeacertifiedparamedic,studentshavetoshow

competencyinupto400skillsinvarioussettings–hospitals,classroomsandambulances.Imaginethepapertrailforthat.”

Lastyear,NAIT’sparamedicprogramtriedCompTrackertohelpeliminatethattrail,anditimpressedMichaelEast.“We’reabletofollowstudentsmuchmorecloselynow,”saystheprogram’sassociatechair.Anambulanceattendantworkingwithapracticumstudentcanverifyacompletedhealth-careskill(startinganintravenous,forinstance)andimmediatelyenterthatintothestudent’srecords

bywayofamobiledevice.It’sneat,quickandtothebenefitofstudentandinstructoralike.“Ifastudentisthree-quartersofthewaythroughpracticum,andIseehe’sonlygot25percentofhiscompetenciesdone,Icanjumponit,”Eastadds.

NAITnowhas10healthprogramsusingCompTracker(upfromthreelastyear).

Givenitssuccesssofar,CompTrackercouldsoonbeputtofurtheruseinadditionalprogramsintheSchoolofHealthSciences–andbeyond.

WhileFraserbuildsontherelationshipwiththehealthprograms,shealsohasplanstomarketCompTrackerforsimilaruseswithtradesprograms–hereandworldwide.Butshe’salsomindfulofgrowingtooquickly.

“We’reasmallcompanywithlimitedresources,”shesays.“It’seasytogetstretchedtoothin.TheexpansionweachievedwithinNAITthisyearwastheresultofmanypeople’songoingefforts,andweconsideritahugeopportunityandsuccess.”

— Theresa Shea

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kathryn fraser’s mobile software has helped 10 nait health sciences programs streamline data gathering, enhancing the student experience. left, an example of how comptracker has been put to work by nait’s respiratory therapy program.

NAIT GOLF TOURNAME NTFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2 01 1

NAIT GOLF TOURNAME NTFRIDAY, S EPTEMBER 9, 2 011

AN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESSph 780.471.6248 | www.nait.ca



Thanks to our generous sponsors, NAIT’s recent Cuban-themed golf tournament provided funding needed to support our student-athletes

in their pursuit of academic and athletic excellence.

Muchas gracias

CATFISH COFFEE ROASTERS | CLARK BUILDERS | ENBRIDGE PIPELINES INC. NORTHERN BEAR GOLF CLUB | SINCLAIR SUPPLY LTD. | TELUS

20 techlifemag.ca

With Gateway, it’s personal.™

Service Excellence starts with Technical Expertise

As a leader in the air conditioning, heating and refrigeration industry,

Gateway knows that success depends on the quality of our people.

We take pride in providing the highest degree of customer service

available – a goal only achieved through knowledgeable employees

with a commitment to excellence.

24 hour service locations across Western Canada

www.gatewaymechanical.ca

the wheels for ivan gonzalez’s ideaweresetinmotionduringa2006businesstriptoEurope.

Gonzalez,amechanicalengineer,wastouringfactoriesinItalyandGermanywheresteelrollersforconveyorswereassembledwhenhediscoveredtheprocesswasfarmoreautomatedthanbackinWesternCanada,wheremuchoftheworkisdonebyhand.

Ayearlater,Gonzalez,whohadbeendoingsimilarworkforanAlbertacompany,startedIgonRoboticsInc.Hewouldusethelatesttechnologytodesignandbuildroboticequipmentthatwouldautomatetheassemblyofconveyorrollers–anupdatedversionofwhathehadseeninEurope.ThecompanymovedintonovaNAIT’sbusinessincubator,theDuncanMcNeillCentreforInnovation.

Now,withbusinessguidanceandprototypedevelopmentservicesfromnovaNAIT–NAIT’scentreforappliedresearchandtechnologytransfer–Gonzalez’sAutomatedRollersAssemblyMachineIntelligenceSystemisbeingtestedbyCalgary-basedLuffIndustriesLtd.Theprototypehasthepotentialtocuttheassemblytimeforasingleconveyorrollerfromroughlytwominutestohalfaminuteorless,saysGonzalez.

“It’sgoingtobephenomenal,andit’sgoingtotaketheplaceofsomeofthemanualoperationthat’sinourplantrightnow,”saysMatthewFasoli,generalmanagerofLuffIndustries,whichsuppliesconveyercomponentstoavarietyofcompanies,includingmanyinvolvedintheoilsands.“WithIvan’sinnovativeideasaboutautomatingdifferentmanufacturingprocesses,we’rehopingtosavesomelabourinthegrandschemeofthingsandreducecosts.”

GonzalezsayswhilethisparticularmachinewasmadespecificallyforLuffIndustries,thetechnologycanbetailoredtoautomatemanufacturingprocessesforothercompanies.

SandraSpencer,novaNAITbusinessmanager,saysthekeyforGonzalezwillbeidentifyingotherclientsandkeepingthemomentumgoing.Shenotesthere’slittledirectcompetitionforthecompanyatthemoment.“Heneedstomakesureoncethisone’sreadytogohe’sstartedthedesignandbuildonthenextproject,oratleastidentifiedwhohisnextcustomerisgoingtobe,”Spencersays.

IgonRobotics,Gonzalezsays,isintalkswithLuffIndustriesaboutbuildingadditionalequipmentthatwouldhelpautomateproductioninotherareasofthecompany’smanufacturingplant.

— Frank Landry

v5.1 2011 21

rollInG Into action

ivan gonzalez (left) inspects automation equipment he designed for luff industries ltd., represented by luigi fasoli and, at right, robert fasoli.

ivan Gonzalez’s robotic technology is poised to speed up alberta’s manufacturing industry.

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ask rosemary kuikenaboutSteveCheemaandTomSulekandshe’lltellyouthey’reher“specialangels.”ThetwoDenturistTechnologyinstructorsmadeadiscoverythatlikelysavedherlife.

It’saserendipitousstorythatstartedin2009whenKuikenbecameapatientattheNAITDentalClinic.Thatsameyear,LEDDentalInc.donateditsVELscopetoNAIT.Cheemawasaskedtofamiliarizehimselfwiththetool–whichassistsinidentifyingabnormalitiesinthemouth,includingthosenotvisibletothenakedeye–anddevelopprotocolsforhowitwouldbeusedintheclinic.ItwasJanuary2010whenhewentinsearchofhisfirstpatientonwhomtotestthescope.Hescannedthecharts,identifyingKuiken,whowasintohaveherdenturesadjusted,asagoodcandidatebecauseofherhistoryofsmoking.Whilehesaysheexpectedhertissuetobealittledifferent,“Ididn’texpecttofindanything.”

Normal,healthycellsproducechemicalsthatglowunderthelightoftheVELscope.Abnormalcells,

includingdenturesorespots,scartissueandcancer,appeardark.WhenhelookedthroughthescopeintoKuiken’smouth,Cheemasawadarklineonhertongue.HeaskedSulek,whowasalsosupervisingintheclinicthatday,totakealook.

CheemareferredKuikentoapathologist,whoconfirmedthatthelineCheemahadseenwas,indeed,cancer–somethingthatsurprisedKuiken,whofeltfine.

“Ifitwouldn’thavebeenforthatscopeandSteveandTom,”saysKuiken,trailingoff.“Theyprobablyendedupsavingmylife.”

Kuiken,59,hadsurgeryinNovember2010,losingasmallpartofhertongueintheremovalofthetumour.Awarethatitcouldhavebeenmuchworse,Kuiken,whohassmokedsinceshewasabout20andhasquitmanytimes,isnowtryingtocutdowntotwocigarettesadayand,soon,giveupthehabitentirely.

Thisyear,studentsintheDenturistTechnologyprogramwillbegintousetheVELscoperoutinely.

— Kristen Vernon

rosEmAry’s angels

steve cheema and rosemary kuiken

22 techlifemag.ca

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v5.1 2011 23

We’re Big - one of the most diversified companies in Canada, with huge, multi-disciplinary projects springing up all over the continent - and we’re looking for solid, dependable people to join in and lend a hand.

We offer an exceptional work environment. Management is approachable, ethical and accountable. Innovation is respected, effort is rewarded and job safety is a primary focus for absolutely everyone: zero incidents is the goal. Hours are reasonable, home life is encouraged and remuneration is competitive.

If you’re good, a career with us is as secure as it gets.

now hiring. Apply onlIne At: WWW.ledCor.CoM/CAreers

I (WE) BUILT THIS

BUiLDing | CiViL | inDUSTriAL | MAinTEnAnCE | Mining | TELECoM

24 techlifemag.ca

technofile

try a monochromatic colour scheme with different shades of the same colour.

v5.1 2011 25

ShareyourfavouriteholidaydecoratingideabyDec.1,2011forachancetowinthesereindeerplans.ScanthisQRcodeorvisit

techlifemag.ca/holiday-decor.htm.NeedaQRcodereader?Seep.5.

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reindeer proJect

even an inexperienced woodworker

can build this pair of reindeer in

a weekend. the wooden pieces fit

together like a puzzle and best of

all, stack flat for storage after the

holidays. You’ll get both reindeer

out of a sheet of plywood and need

nothing else but an electric jig saw,

paint brush and exterior paint.

Plus the plans, of course – purchase

the instructions online at

woodstore.net/4footlarrein.html.

making your home look festive doesn’t need to involve a huge outlay of cash or the talents of martha stewart. We asked interior designer Peggie melnychuk-millard for a few simple tips to add holiday cheer at home. read on for melnychuk-millard’s thoughts on light, texture, colour and a great idea for building a pair of outdoor reindeer. — Kathy Frazer

[ hoW to ]

LIGHTuPYOuRLIFE

with new lightingproductscontinuallyintroduced,it’sbecomingeasier–andmorefun–toaddseasonalambiancebycreatingcentresoflightthroughoutyourhome.ThelightoutputandcolourofLED(light-emittingdiode)lightingisimproving,andthepriceiscomingdown,makingLEDchoicesattractive.Aswell,LEDlightsarenothot,sothey’reespeciallyversatileindoors.

LookforLEDsticklightsthatresemblebranches,andarrangesomeinalargeclearvasefilledwithcolouredChristmasballs,oraddthemtoanentrance-wayurnfilledwithcedarandpineboughs.

RopesofLEDlights(lightsencasedinplastictubing)arebeautifulwoundthroughartificialgreenerystrungalongabanisterorcurledaboveyourtopkitchencabinets.

Forinstantdrama,addacolouredbulbtoapotlight.Tryredorgreeninaninteriorwallniche,oroutdoorsinasectionofsoffit.

Simplyreplacingsomeofyourknick-knackswithitemsthatreflectlightcanalsobeeffective.Increaseseasonalsparklewithshinyceramic,metallicandmirroredsurfaces.

DON’TSTOPATREDANDGREEN

while the red and green colour

schemeistraditional,achange

canberefreshing.Noneedto

packallthoseredsandgreensawayandstartover.Keeponeofthecolours,saythereds,andaddnewitemsinananalogoushuelikepurple,toachievearich,harmoniousscheme.(Analogouscoloursarethoseadjacenttoeachotheronthecolourwheel.)Orgomonochromatic,usingdifferentshadesofthesamecolour.Forexample,addlime,apple,emeraldorsagetotraditionalforestgreen.

Feelingbrave?Addapunchofcolourwithanartificialtreeinanunusualshade.Abrowntreewithall-greenornamentsdecoratesMelnychuk-Millard’sofficeatGoDesignGroup.

home for the holiDaYs

OuRExPERT

“We’renotopinionated–wejust

havealotofgoodideas.”That’s

howpeggie melnychuk-millard

(InteriorDesignTechnology’96)

laughinglydescribesGoDesign

Group,theinteriordesignfirm

sheandbusinesspartnerTammy

Mackay(alsofromtheclass

of’96)ownandhaveoperated

inEdmontonsince2003.The

company,whichemploystwo

otherNAITgradsonitsstaffof

six,isbusywithawiderangeof

projectsfromofficeandretail

spacestotrendycafésand

upscaleshowhomes.

ADDRICHTExTuRE

heavier textures–bothvisualandtactile–canupthecosyquotientinaroom.Replaceyourcottonorsilktosscushionswithvelvetones.Placeawarmwoventhrowoverthebackofthesofa–orgobolderwithredfauxfur.Fillalargebasketorbowlwithpinecones,andaddextratexturetoyourChristmastreewithspraysoftwigsor,foranexoticlook,feathers.

analogous colours are adjacent on the colour wheel.

NAIT Continuing Education focuses on industry-driven education that provides a competitive advantage when it comes to earning power or second career choices. Professional development starts with building new skills that set you on the path to advancement.

NAIT’s flexible learning options allow you to fit classes around your personal or professional commitments.

• Business Degrees, Diploma and Certificates• Trades & Technology• Health & Safety• Digital Media & IT• Culinary & Hospitality• General Interest

IMPROVE YOUR EARNING POTENTIAL

Call 780.471.6248 orvisit www.nait.ca/ConEd

EdUcATION fOR ThE REAL WORLd

AN INsTITUTE Of TEchNOLOGY cOMMITTEd TO sTUdENT sUccEss

ConEd Techlife_Ad_Fall11 VF.indd 1 11-08-04 9:13 AM

Education for thE rEal World

Learn more at nait.ca/ctc phone 780.378.5008

nait computEr training cEntrEThe Computer Training Centre (CTC) offers a range of information technology (IT) learning opportunities — from introductory training to advanced courses — all designed to help you stay on the cutting edge. As Alberta’s leading trainer of IT professionals, we can also customize certificates and courses to meet the specific needs of your business and industry. Our expertise in IT training includes:

• AutoCAD/CADD/MicroStation• Geographic Information Systems• Database• Computer Programming• IT Management• Web Developer• Software Testing

• Linux/UNIX• Windows Servers and Systems• Networking and Security• PC Servicing • Digital Communications• Accounting• Office Technology

an institutE of tEchnology committEd to studEnt succEss

26 techlifemag.ca

BriGht liGhts,

Big savings

v5.1 2011 27

technofile

when alberta envirofuels inc. (above) wanted environmentally friendly lighting options for its facilities, it turned to nait students.

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mike swanson, electrical specialist atAlbertaEnvirofuelsInc.,wantedaroadmapforupgradinglightingatthecompany’scompressorandutilitybuildings,whereitmakesablendingcomponentforpremiumgasoline.Hewantedasolutionthatmergedenvironmentalawarenesswithcostefficiencyandimprovedthequalityoflighting.

TheprojectturnedouttobeaperfectappliedresearchcapstoneprojectforBachelorofTechnologyinTechnologyManagementstudentsRyanKirstiukandNadiyaHerman,whograduatedin2011.Kirstiuk(alsoaCivilEngineeringTechnologygrad,classof’07)tooktheleadrole.HeanalyzedAlbertaEnvirofuels’lightingsystemandthensuggestedthecompanytradeitsexistingHPS(highpressuresodium)lightingfornew,highlyefficientLED(light-emittingdiode)lights.

ByDecember2010,thecompanyhadchangedalltheindoorlightsinthecompressorbuildingandsomeintheutilitybuilding.Kirstiukcalculatedthatswitching

toLEDwouldsaveAlbertaEnvirofuelsasmuchas50percentorapproximately$59,000inelectricityandunitreplacementcostsovertheapproximate10-yearlifetimeofthelights.

Intime,Kirstiuk’sworkcouldsavethecompanyevenmore.“WewillmakeupgradestolightingthroughoutAlbertaEnvirofuelsinthefuturebasedonbudgetavailability,”saysSwanson.

Meanwhile,Kirstiuk,anengineeringtechnologistinpropertymanagementatAtcoGas,hopestobringwhathehaslearnedaboutgreenlightingtohisemployerandabroadermarket.“AlotofplacesmightbeinterestedinLEDlightingbutnotbeawareofthesavings,”hesays.

“Sometimestheupfrontcapitalcostsscareoffinterestedparties.”However,afterhisworkforEnvirofuels,Kirstiuknowhasthecost-andenergy-savingsnumberstosharewiththoseinterestedinmakingtheswitch.

— Theresa Shea

innovate

this fall, 24 students started classesinNAIT’snewAlternativeEnergyTechnologyprogram,wherethey’rebeingtrainedtoworkinthegrowingAlbertaindustry.Or,inessence,“likeWayneGretzkysays,toskatetowherethepuckisgoing,nottowhereitis,”saysGordonHowell,aprofessionalelectricalengineerandprincipalwithHowellMayhewEngineeringInc.,whowillteachasolarphotovoltaicandsolarthermalcourseinthenewprogram.“Thisisatransformationalchangeinsociety.Thisisanenergyrevolution.Toprepareforthistakesalongtime.”Anditrequirestherightpoliciesandtrainedpeople.

web extraForwhatyouneedtoknow–anddo–beforegettingseriousaboutalternativeenergytechnologies,visit

techlifemag.ca/energy-efficient-homes.htm.

StudentsarelearningabouttechnologiesfrombiomasstofuelcelltosolarelectrictogeothermalinthenewCentreforSustainableEnergyTechnology–andcouldonedayconsultwithyouaboutwhatrenewableenergysystemmakesthemostsenseforyourhomeorbusiness.Here,instructorsandadvisersintheprogramofferaprimeronthealternativeenergytechnologychoicesreadilyavailableforthehomeowner.

— Kristen Vernon

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1 solar photovoltaic (pv; also known as solar electric)this technologyconvertssunlightintoelectricityandworksanytimethesunisshining.

WhoshouldconsidersolarPv?“WhenpeopleaskmeaboutsolarPV,Iturnthatquestionbackonthemandsay,‘Whywouldyouliketodothis?’”saysRobHarlan,executivedirectoroftheSolarEnergySocietyofAlberta,whowillteachinthenewprogram.“Ifit’ssimplyeconomicreturnoninvestment,theymaynothavethestomachforitatthispointintime.”Commonreasonstoconsidersolarelectricareadesiretolessenyourenvironmentalfootprint,tomakeastatementortogivebacktotheutilitygrid.

Pros

• SolarPVmodulesareextremelylonglasting(theyhavea25-yearwarranty,havenomovingpartsandcanhandleextremetemperatures).“Theoriginalphotovoltaiccellsthatwereinventedinthe1950sarestilloperating,”saysHarlan,althoughcellsdoloseefficiencyovertime.

• Systemsareeasytoinstall.

• SolarPVisquietandnon-pollutingonsite.

cons

• Cost,thoughthisischanging.Thepriceofphotovoltaicmodules–thelargestexpenseuponinstallation–hasdropped70percentsince2008,andthattrendwillmostlikelycontinue,saysHarlan.Atthesametime,aspressuresdriveupthecostofelectricityinAlberta,weareheadedtogridparity–orthepointatwhichthecostofsolarPVisatleastequaltogridpower,whichHarlananticipatesisfiveto10yearsawayinAlberta.

• Storagecapacityofoff-gridsystems.“Wecanconsiderstorageastheholygrailoftherenewableenergyindustry,”Harlansays.

• Asouth-facingexposureisoptimal.

Whatpeopledon’tknowaboutsolarPv:“Astemperaturedrops,efficiencygoesup,”saysHarlan.That’sbecauseheatreducestheperformanceofsiliconsolarcells.

Cost*:$36,000fora5,000-wattsolarPVsystemconnectedtothegrid.Asystemthissizewouldserveanaveragehousethatuses539kilowatt-hoursofelectricityamonth.(Source: Harlan)

Returnoninvestment(thepointatwhichtheinitialcapitalcostofthetechnologyispaidoffinenergycostsavings):It’salongtime,saysHarlan,anditdependsonanumberoffactors,includingutilityrates,thevalueofthedollar,thecostofsolarpanelsandgovernmentincentives.

3

rising sun

*Allcostsareroughestimates.

v5.1 2011 29

2 solar thermalan average domestic solar thermal systemprovidesabout15percentofahome’sspaceheatingand70percentofitshotwater.

Whoshouldconsidersolarthermal?LeighBond,presidentofThresholdEnergiesCorp.,analternativeenergydesign/buildcontractorandanadvisertotheNAITprogram,suggestspeoplewhoarebuildingnewhomesconsiderbothsolarthermalandgeothermal,butacknowledgesthedecisioncomesdowntowhatpeoplecanafford.Becauseageothermalsystemreliesonelectricitytooperatetheheatpump,installingsolarthermalcanbeagreatwaytooffsetelectricitycosts(whicharegreaterwithgeothermal).Forpeopleretrofittingtheirhomes,solarthermal(alongwithsolarPV)isBond’srecommendedalternativeenergytechnology.

Pros

• Itcanbeeasilyinstalledwhenretrofittingahome.

• It’srelativelyinexpensive.

• Itcontributesasignificantamountofdomesticwaterheating.

cons

• Averagesystemsprovideonlyasmallpercentageofspaceheatingneeds.

• Storage.“Inoneday,wegetenoughenergyshiningontheearthtolastusthewholeyear,”Bondsays.“Theproblemis,howdoyoustorethatenergy?”

• Asouth-facingexposureisoptimal.

Whatpeopledon’tunderstandaboutsolarthermal:Albertansthinktheycanheattheirhomeswithsolarthermal,butthat’snotthecase.

Cost:$9,800forafamilyoffour (Source: Bond)

Returnoninvestment:15years (Source: Bond)

3 geothermal (also known as geoexchange, geothermal heat pump, a ground source heat pump or earth energy)electricity excluded,theaveragedomesticgeothermalsystemcanmeet82percentofyourhome’senergyneeds,coveringspaceheating,coolingandhotwater(seechartbelow).Thisfreelow-gradeenergystoredwithintheEarth’scrustisactuallystoredsolarenergy.

Whoshouldconsidergeothermal?“Everynewhomeforsureandeverynewcommercialbuilding,”Bondsays.Geothermalisalsobeinginstalledatthesubdivisionlevelinsomenewdevelopments,whichmeansthehomeownerdoesn’tpayupfrontforthepipingintheground(whichisabouthalfthecapitalcostofgeothermal),butischargedamonthlyfeetoaccessit.(Andinthisscenario,thecapitalcostisabout$5,000moreforgeothermalcomparedtonaturalgas,Bondsays).It’salsopossibletoretrofitanexistinghomewithgeothermal,butevenwiththe$4,375grantfromthefederalecoENERGYRetrofit–Homesprogram,it’sacostlyundertaking(remember,onaretrofit,you’vegottodigupyouryardandaddthecostofre-landscapingtothejob–andmostpeoplehavemorethan$4,500inlandscaping,Bondsays).

Pros

• Energystoredintheearthisavailableatalltimes.

• InAlberta,geothermalis11percentmoregreenhousegasfriendlythannaturalgas.

• Thepipesinthegroundareapermanentassetexpectedtohaveresalevalue,Bondsays.

cons

• Itisexpensivetoinstall.

• Itincreasestheoverallelectricityconsumptionofyourhome.

Whatpeopledon’tunderstandaboutgeothermal:Peoplethinkthetemperatureofthegroundneedstoberoomtemperatureotherwiseitwon’twork,Bondsays.Itdoesn’tworklikethat.Itworksatcoolergroundtemperatures.

Cost:$50,000(abouthalfthecostisforthepipingintheground).Regardingthehighupfrontcosts,Bondemphasizesthat,apartfromelectricity,“Geothermaladdresses82percentofyourannualenergyneedsinonetechnology”–anamountheconsiderstobeinlinewiththepriceofinstallation.

Returnoninvestment:Eightto11years(Source: Bond)

RESIDENTIALENERGYuSE

Spaceheating 63percent

Waterheating 17percent

Appliances 14percent

Lighting 4percent

Spacecooling 2percent

Total 100percent

Source: Natural Resources Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency

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web extraScanthisQRcodetoseeDr.RandyDreger’sprograminactionorvisit

techlifemag.ca/firefighter-training.htm. NeedaQRcodereader?Seep.5.

andcardiacfunctionwithVO2

maxtesting.Thetestreflectsphysicalfitnessbymeasuringthemaximumamountofoxygenyourbodycanusewhileexercising–thehigherthevalue,thegreaterthefitness.

MenwhotrainedwithanapparatusexperiencedanaverageincreaseofninepercentinVO2

maxlevelsoverthosewhotrainedwithoutone.Dregersaystheimprovedabilitytogetoxygentotheworkingmusclesgivesfirefightersmorepowerandendurance.

“Ifyoucan’tmakeitupthestairstosavesomebody,you’renotmuchhelptothesituation,”saysScottStarling,afirefighteratStationNo.2indowntownEdmonton.At250pounds,Starlingdoesn’tcallcardiovascularendurancehis

“strongsuit.”ButastrainingwiththemaskgreweasierduringDreger’sfive-weekprogram,hegainedenoughconfidenceinhisoverallfitnessthathewouldrecommendtheexperimenttocolleagues.“Physicalfitnessisprobablyoneofthemostimportantaspectsofourjob,”hesays.

ToDreger’ssurprise,thestudyshowednodifferenceinfitnesslevelsbetweenwomenwhotrainedwiththeapparatusandthosewhodidn’t–openingthedoortofurtherresearchtotrytoexplainwhy.

— Ruth Juliebo

harder, bEttEr,

when temperatures are well above 500Candtheairisfilledwithtoxicsmoke,aself-containedbreathingapparatusisoneofafirefighter’smostimportantpiecesofequipment.Consistingofahigh-pressureairtank,facemaskandpressureregulator,it’sbothalifelineandastopwatch.

Abreathingapparatusiscapableofsupplyingcleanairfor30to60minutes.Butdependingonafirefighter’sfitnessandexertionlevelinahigh-stressenvironment,thatwindowcanbereducedtoaslittleaseightminutes.Dr.RandyDreger,PersonalFitnessTrainerinstructor,recentlylookedathowhigh-intensityfitnesstrainingwhilewearingabreathingapparatusaffectsafirefighter’sperformance.

“Ifyou’regoingtoworkwearingthe[apparatus],youshouldtrainusingthe[apparatus],”saysDreger,whoseresearchwassupportedbynovaNAITandfiredepartmentsinSt.AlbertandLeducCounty.“Weneededscientificprooftoshowthatthistypeoftrainingworks.”

Overfiveweeks,27menandwomentrainedonstationarybikestwiceaweekunderthesupervisionofScottParadis(PersonalFitnessTrainer’10),Dreger’sresearchassistant.Halfthegroupworeabreathingapparatuswhiletheytrained;theotherhalfdidn’t.

Atthebeginningandendofthefiveweeks,theresearcherscomparedparticipants’lung

faster, STRONGER

dr. randy dreger’s five-week training program left firefighter scott starling (left) feeling more confident in his overall fitness.

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story by SCOTTMESSENGER

Photos by BLAISEvANMALSEN

illustrations by TYLERSTE.MARIEANDPIETERPARKER

the Games PeoPle

that simple game on your mobile device has disrupted the video game market – and opened a virtual world of opportunity for a new

generation of developers, designers and programmers.

cover story

graphics from the mobile game app Super Punch

v5.1 2011 33

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the game is simple.ThevillainousDr.Competentawaitsyouonadarkcitystreet.Afrantic,funkysoundtrackplaysoutinblipsandbeepsonyoursmartphone’stinyspeaker.Dr.Competent

doesn’tactuallyseemthatbad:he’sshortandlab-coated,andlooksimportedfromaG-ratedcomicstrip.Neverthelessjusticemustbeserved,andyou’rejustthesuperherotodoit.Whenyourpowermeterspikes,youstartpunchingbytappingandswipingyourscreen,sendingDr.Competentspinningintodeepspaceonaparabolicflightthateventuallybringshimbacktoearth.That’sit.Gameover.Maybe30secondshavepassed.

That’sSuper Punch,oneofthelatestentriesintothecasualgamemarketformobiledevices.Besidesbeingsimple,it’spointlessandenoughfuntomakeitoneofthetopappsonyoursmartphoneortablet.Oratleastthat’swhatNAITDigitalMediaandIT(DMIT)studentTylerSte.MarieisbankingonasoneofthefoundersofBitshiftGamesInc.,theEdmontonstartupresponsibleforSuper Punch,availablethisfallintheWindowsMarketplace.

Fromabusinessperspective,thegameisalreadyanenviablesuccess.Thisspring,itsearliestformearnedSte.MarieandpartnersPieterParker,JeremyBurnsandStephenBadenthe$25,000topprizeattheGreatCanadianAppathon,a48-hourcodingcontestthatdrew100teamsfromacrossCanada.

Thathasputthegroupintheunusualpositionofbeingastartupwithitsbankbalanceintheblack.TheprizefundedthefoundingofthecompanyfollowingtheAppathon,butthecompetitionalsohighlightedotheradvantages.In48hours,theteamcreatedaworkingprototypewithnothingmorethanlaptopsandworkspaceatthehomeofRudyJanvier(ComputerEngineeringTechnology’08),afriendwhohassincejoinedBitshift.Inotherwords,overheadisexceptionallylow.Andas

“bigvideogamenerds,”thetalentisalreadyinplace,saysSte.Marie,oneoftheartistsbehindthegame.“Learningtobeentrepreneurs:that’sgoingtobethetoughestthing.”

the home of rudy Janvier (centre) was the site of the development of Super Punch, the mobile game app that won the spring 2011 great canadian appathon. after the contest, Janvier joined (from bottom left) Jeremy Burns, tyler ste. marie, pieter parker and stephen Baden to form Bitshift games inc.

v5.1 2011 35

PHOENIxWRIGHT,ACEATTORNEYAsarookielawyer,it’syourjobtodefendthequestionableinnocenceofyourclient.

pieter parker BitshiftGamesInc.,Partner

PLANTSvS.ZOMBIESUsemutantplantstokillzombiesattackingyourhouse.

Justin James DigitalMediaandIT’11FluikEntertainmentInc.,Programmer

ANGRYBIRDSStrategicallylaunchbirdsatafortressofenemypigs.

armand cadieuxNAIT,GameDesignInstructor

PEGGLEAnaddictivepeg-bustinggameinvolving55levels.

tyler ste. marie DigitalMediaandITStudentBitshiftGamesInc.,Partner

Despitethatknowledgegap,developerslikehimareshapingintoaformidablethreattoanindustrybasedonelaborate,expensivegames.Super Punchandgameslikeitareprovingtobeadisruptivetechnology.They’regivingrisetoanewgenerationofgame-makerswho,despitegrowingupwithcartridges,controllersandcathoderayTVs,arenolongerconvincedtheconsoleisking.

the traditionalu.s. video game market,worthabout$18.6billioninannualrevenuein2010,isshowingsignsofcontraction.Thisspring,Maysalesdropped14percentyear-over-year,theworsthitinalmostfiveyears.Junerepresenteda10-percentdrop.Incontrast,themobileappindustryisrapidlygrowing.By2010,themajorappstoreswerecollectivelygeneratingmorethan$2billionannually,up160percentfrom2009.Gamesmadeupmorethanhalftherevenue.

“It’sthesecasualgamesthataresendingshockwavesthroughtheindustry,”saysArmandCadieux,aDMITgamedesigninstructor.Onereasonisthescaled-downproduction,illustratedbyBitshift’s48-hourcodecrunch,andtheresultinghigherreturnoninvestmentinthecaseofahomerunapp.Ontheconsumerside,healsopointsoutthatthegamesareeasytoplay,accessiblethroughaplatformundergoingsteadyadoption,highlyaddictive,andappealtoabroaderaudience,includingwomen,whoaccountforabouthalfofusers.

Maybemostimportantly,they’recheap.Thehottestgameapps–dominatedbytheAngry Birdsfranchise–costaboutadollar;quiteoften,theycostnothing.In-gameadvertisingorpurchasesofnewlevelsorfeaturesprovidethebulkofrevenue.Overall,foranewdeveloperlookingtogetafootintheindustry’sdoor,evenasafreelancerorstartup,casualgamesmightseemtheidealpointofentry.

Butcompetitionisfierce.Likemuchoftheentertainmentindustry,thisisahit-drivenbusinessthatmeasuressuccessinvolumesales,particularlybecauseofhowithasembracedtheuser-entitlementcultureoftheInternet.Bitshift’sParker,whohasgravitatedtowardsthebusiness’smanagementrolewhilekeepingahandindevelopment,understandsthat,butdoesn’tlikeit.

Earlygameappswerevaluedhigher,hesays,untildevelopersundercuteachothertoboostsales.“Noweveryoneexpectsthat.[Developers]arestillthinking,‘Howcanwegetthebest$1appoutthere?’andIthinkthat’sthewrongattitude.”Fornow,Bitshift’splanistobuckthistrendbychargingapricereflectingthegame’svalue,possiblyjoiningaminorityofgameappsthatcost$3toeven$10forHDversions.“Ifithastotakesomepunchesalongtheway,wethinkitwillbebetterinthelongrun.”

He’sprobablyontosomething.TheAppleAppStore(whichtakes30percentofanapp’srevenue)recentlyraisedpricesinkeepingwithdemand.ThisJuly,thecompanyannouncedthatmorethan200millionusershaddownloadedmorethan15billionapps.Analystsseepricesrisinghigherstill,asnodoubtnumbersofuserswill,too.

GAMEDEvSTORYSteeryourowngamecompanytobestsellersuccess.

matt laroseDigitalMediaandIT’11FluikEntertainmentInc.,JuniorGameArtist

GDS

game aPPmy favourite

illu

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ion

s su

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lied

playthrough.”Jamesagrees,suggestingastigmaaroundvideogamesingeneralmayhavelifted.“NowyourmomcanpickupaWiicontrollerandbowl.”

Thoughthey’rebothnostalgicenoughforthoseimmersive,console-basedgamestowanttoonedaymakethem,they’renotinterested–notyet,atleast–intakingthatleapoffaithintoentrepreneurismandsettingupashoplikeBitshift.Thisisariskymarket(noneofFluik’sseveralothertitleshaveperformedaswellasOffice Jerk).Infact,theirworkcycleisbased,essentially,ontryingtooutpaceuser-fickleness.Afterdownloadsofanewversionofagameplateau,aslightdipsignalstheneedforyetanother.Yourepeatthis“untilyougetthatfreefall,”saysJames.“Thenyouabandonshipandgotothenextgame.”

ThoughOffice Jerkisfarfromthosetwilightmetrics,Fluikisbusyplanningforanotherhit,thenatureofwhichremainsatradesecretuntilrelease.

“I’vebeensittingatmydeskworkingonanothergame,”saysJames.“I’lljustsaythat.”

if all goes well,Super Punchwouldlikelyworkaccordingtoasimilarmodel.“ThewayIwanttoseeBitshiftisdefinitelyastheindiegamedeveloper,”saysSte.Marie.“Justasmallteam....We’renotreallymakingacompanytosellittoGoogle.Iwanttohaveasayinwhat’shappening.”

Parkerfeelsthesame.“Idon’twanttobemanagingsomethingthat’ssohugeittakesupallmylife.ThemainthingthatdrivesTylerandmyselfandalotofgamedevelopersispassion.It’ssomethingweenjoy.Wejustwanttocreateascenariowherewe’redoingitfulltime.”

Andhe’sconvincednowisthetimetotry.ThefutureCadieuxdescribesforthisindustryis,fornewdevelopers,

bothgoodandbad.Alowbarriertoentry,forinstance,intermsofstartupcosts,meansthepotentialofarisingfloodofcompetition–givinggamersplentyofoptions.“Thecustomer’sgoingtogiveyoutwo

as a recent hitontheiPhoneandiPad,Office Jerkcanclaimarelativelysmallbutsignificantshareofthosenumbers.OneofseveraltitlesproducedbyFluikEntertainmentInc.,locatedinapinkstuccowalkupjustoffdowntownEdmonton,thecasualgamerepresentsthesuccessBitshifthassetitssightson.Asofthissummer,thefreeapp(whichmakesitsmoneyonadvertising,in-gamepurchasesand,recently,brandedmerchandise,includingmugsandiPhonecovers)reached9.5milliondownloadsandhadhitNo.1in50countries.Thatmaderoomforthefull-timeadditionsofprogrammerJustinJamesandjuniorgameartistMattLaRose,bothfreshlymintedDMITgrads(classof’11).

Office Jerkisanothersimplegame.The“jerk”sitsathisdeskandyouthrowstuffathim:muffins,staplers,eventhefanthatcreatesthewindcurrent–thephysics,asgamerscallit–thataffectsyourtoss.LaRoseworkedonanimatingthingsincludingthejerk’sfacialexpressions,thesuppliesonhisdeskandtheobjectsthrownathim,whileJamesreconfiguredthegameforAndroid,Google’sfast-risingoperatingsystem.Theyworkwithateamoflessthan10,codinganddesigningtogetherinaspacethesizeofamasterbedroom.AtlunchtheycanplayconsolevideogamesonabigscreenTVinfrontofapinkleathersectional,approximatingSiliconValleycasualness.“It’sstillkindoflikeschool,”saysJamesoftheatmosphereandthelearn-on-the-jobguidancehereceives.

ApartfromJames’sexperiencedevelopingaPC-basedgamecalledGoobersthatpaidhiswaythroughschool,andLaRose’sfreelancework,thisisthepair’sfirstviewofanindustrytheydidn’texpecttocracksosoon.Thatsaid,theveterangamersaren’tsurprisedbythemarketshiftthatopenedthedoor.“Therehasbeenahugeexplosionofcasualgamers,”saysLaRose.HeattributesthattotheiPhoneand,surprisingly,aconsole.“Wiihasmadegamingaccessibletoallsortsofpeople.Before,gamingwasjustforahardcoreaudience–30-,40-hour-longcampaignsthatyou’d

right to left, programmer Justin James and junior game artist matt larose take a break with co-workers lisa lindsay and pat sluth at edmonton’s fluik entertainment inc., the company responsible for the hit game app Office Jerk.

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minutestoevaluateyourgame,”saysCadieux.“Assoonasthere’sanyfrustrationthey’regoingtogo,

‘Thisiscrap.Next!’”Ontheplusside,however,istheuncharted

vastnessoftheplayingfield.Mobilecasualgamesrepresentamarketinitsinfancy,Cadieuxpointsout.SmartphonepenetrationinCanadaandtheU.S.,forexample,isjust30to35percent.Aswell,sincegoodgamestendtobenon-linguistic,they’revirtuallyborderless.Eventhewaydevelopersmakemoneyongameshasplentyofroomtoevolve,headds.

Butthebiggestadvantagerestsinthemobiledevicesthemselves.Whiletheindustrycalled2011“TheYearoftheTablet,”Cadieuxalsobelievesthesmartphoneshouldn’tbeoverlooked.“Thetechnologyiswayaheadofwhatwe’reproducing.Therearesomanythingswecandowiththis.”Hiseyesgowideashelistsfeatureslikemotion-sensingand3Dtechnologies.“Prettytrippystuff.”

TheteamatBitshiftknowsit’sgoingtobeuptocompaniesliketheirstodiscoverjustwhat’spossiblewiththesedevices,thususheringthevideogameindustryintoitsnextphase.“Youwon’tbeabletojustreleaseonegame,makemillionsandgoliveonthebeach,”saysParker.“There’salotofworktodo.”

That’sfinewithSte.Marie.Ashefinisheshisdiplomaandpreparestoadvancetohisownnextlevelinlife,hecouldn’taskforabettergameplan.Asakid,hesays,“ThatwasthebestwayIcouldconnectwithmyfriends:throughvideogames.It’sprobablybeenthebiggestsocialaspectofmylife.”Now,tomakethatacareer,and“toturnmysillylittlesketchesintoagame–intosomethingthatworksandmoves–it’sactuallyquitemagical.”

Developingandsellingapps,gamesincluded,hasbecomemorethananichebusiness.Inresponse,NAITlauncheditsAppleiPhone/iPadDevelopercertificateprograminMarch2011,asthefirstoneofitskindinAlberta.Thepart-timeprogram,offeredthroughtheComputerTrainingCentre,teachesthefundamentalsofappdevelopmentandprovidesinsightintotheAppleprogrammingphilosophy,givingstudentsasolidentrypointintoamarketestimatedtobeworth$100billionby2015.

Visit www.nait.ca/coned

BUilD YoUr aPP-titude

The Bookstore’s wide assortment of NAIT-imprinted products gives you lots of ways to keep the pride alive. From prestigious diploma frames and great gifts to your favourite comfy sweatshirt, we’ve got a selection that will surprise you.

We make shopping easy: Online: www.nait.ca/onlinestore | Phone: 780.491.3104 | Email: [email protected] the NAIT Bookstore: Room X114, 11762 106 Street, Edmonton, AB

AN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COMMITTED TO STUDENT SUCCESS | www.nait.ca

SHOW YOUR NAIT PRIDE

An InstItute of technology commItted to student successwww.nait.ca

Show Your NAIT PrIdeDisplay your hard-earned credentials in a high-quality frame from the NAIT Bookstore.

The NAIT Bookstore offers a wide range of high-quality, classic frames that are perfect for displaying your NAIT credentials. All of our frames include acid-free mats, are easy to assemble and hang, and are imprinted with the NAIT name. Choose from the following:

• Brushed Gold – economical and elegant, with a classic brushed finish.

• Vogue – clean, modern black metal frame with a double mat.

• Briarwood – contemporary wood frame; rich satin finish with a double mat.

• Diplomat and Diplomat Plus – Our top-of-the-line frames feature a rich lacquered wood frame and an elegant triple mat. The Diplomat Plus frame adds an extra touch of class with a suede mat and a gold wood fillet.

Purchase options:Online: www.nait.ca/onlinestoreBy phone: 780.491.3104 Fax: 780.471.1966Email: [email protected] Visit the NAIT Bookstore:Room X114, 11762-106 St. NW Edmonton, AB T5G 2R1

v5.1 2011 37

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snowmobilers should avoid sensitive parts of the sturgeon river and stick to designated trails in order to avoid killing fish, suggests new nait applied research.

biological sciences students found ice is thicker under snowmobile trails because compacted snow removes a thermal barrier, allowing cold to penetrate deeper. the conclusion was drawn after measuring ice thickness and water depth at 10 sites along the sturgeon river near st. albert, and onoway, west of edmonton. at each location, a measurement was taken under a snowmobile trail and nearby, at an undisturbed location.

“at some sites, under the tracks the ice was almost a metre thick and a few metres away the ice was perhaps half-a-metre thick, so it was significantly different,” says debbie webb,

a biological sciences instructor and senior faculty researcher.

that can be hazardous to the health of shallow waterways like the sturgeon. thicker ice takes longer to melt in the spring, which can lead to more winterkill, according to the researchers. as well, thicker ice can fragment the river during the winter, making it harder for fish to move between deep pools, where oxygen levels are higher.

“if the ice is too thick, the fish can’t get through,” says student researcher lindsey oberst, who graduated from the biological sciences program in 2011. “what we found in quite a number of areas was the ice was frozen right down to the bottom.”oberst says it’s important for snowmobilers to be aware of the impact they can have on the ecosystem.

DANGER:THICKICE

it’s the same kind of struggle that’s going on in communities across canada. human activities, from agriculture to urban development, strain vital aquatic ecosystems. this has caught the attention of researchers in nait’s Biological sciences technology program, who have been tracking the impact urban development is having on waterways and natural areas, using the sturgeon river watershed in central alberta as their laboratory.*

“our studies are designed to look at best management practices that can benefit the sturgeon river watershed, but can be applied to watersheds elsewhere in alberta and canada and possibly globally,” says laurie hunt, the program’s associate chair and senior faculty researcher.

— Frank Landry

a living lAborAtory

*this applied research program is funded by the alberta conservation association, the natural sciences and engineering research council of canada and through a court penalty stemming from the aug. 3, 2005 cn train derailment and oil spill at wabamun lake.

it may provide tractionfor vehicles during the winter, but the salt and sand mixture used on st. albert bridges also gets into the sturgeon river, potentially harming the fish and invertebrates that live there.

“additional sedimentation or salt in aquatic ecosystems has been shown to be detrimental to aquatic life,” explains hunt, who co-led the applied research project that examined the impact of road salt and sand on the waterway.

the researchers, including six students, collected snow and water samples at four bridges and at two control sites along the sturgeon river. like many northern cities, st. albert uses a sand and calcium chloride mixture on roadways and bridges.

with help from als laboratory group in edmonton, which did

v5.1 2011 39 v5.1 2011 39

some of the analysis, as well as funding from novanait – nait’s centre for applied research and technology transfer – and the alberta association of colleges and technical institutes, the researchers found higher concentrations of salt and sand in the samples taken at the four bridges.

they concluded bridge deck plowing, the spray from passing vehicles and runoff from the roads was to blame for the problem.

leah Jackson, manager of st. albert’s office of the environment, says similar findings have been made in different municipalities across the country. as a result of the research, st. albert will look at its snowplowing procedures to see if anything more can be done to minimize the amount of sand and salt getting into the river, she says.

coyotes don’t appearinterested in dining on st. albert’s dogs.

the conclusion comes after biological sciences students collected and analyzed coyote scat.

“we were interested in whether coyotes were using the corridor through the city of st. albert,” says hunt. “we were also interested in whether they were eating pets.”

the research found urban growth isn’t stopping coyotes from venturing into st. albert, but the predators generally avoid busier areas of the community, and stay away from pets.

with funding from novanait and guidance from university of alberta and alberta government researchers, three students found evidence of coyotes along the city’s river valley and adjacent ravines, concentrated along

the eastern and western edges, suggesting the animals are avoiding the downtown area.

hair samples from weasels, rodents, deer and even bovine were detected in the scat, but not from cats or dogs, indicating coyotes were eating a wide variety of animals, but not pets.

the coyotes use the sturgeon river valley corridor primarily to travel between two natural areas on either side of the community, hunt says. the study shows it’s important to maintain natural corridors whenever possible to allow for wildlife movement, she adds.

uNDERTHEBRIDGE INDEFENCEOFTHEuRBANCOYOTE

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v5.1 2011 41

jim Barr earned the chance to pitch his online company to investors in the high-tech mecca of san francisco. he’d have liked to come back with a cheque. What he got instead altered the course of his business.

this june, jim barr left his officeatnovaNAIT,theinstitute’scentreforappliedresearchandtechnologytransfer,forawhirlwindtriptofoggySanFrancisco,California.Forthe

web-basedmediaentrepreneur,ithadthepotentialtoseriouslyrampupoperations.TheBayAreaandSiliconValleyremainthemeccaofhigh-tech,populatedbygiantslikeApple,Google,HPandmore.But,mostimportantlytoBarr,theregionishometoagroupofCanadianentrepreneursandinvestorscalledtheC100,hostof48hrsintheValley,abootcampwiththepowertotransformastartupintoamultimillion-dollarconcern.Asheadofoneof20Canadiancompanies(andtheonlyonefromAlberta)acceptedtothatevent,Barr’sdreamssuddenlyseemedwithinreach.

ThepresidentofSeekersMediaInc.is,inalmostallways,atypicalentrepreneur.Barrisoutgoingandoptimistictoapointnearingmania.He’sdrivenasmuchbyriskasambition.He’susedtorelentlessuncertaintyandstress,andhe’scomfortablewithbeing,at38,greyerthanmostpeoplehisage.FornovaNAIT’sentrepreneurinresidenceandSeekersMediaadviserRandyThompson,itwasBarr’stirelessnessandknackformultitaskingthatearnedhimaspotin48hrs:“Thosethingsareessentialifyou’regoingtotakeacompanytomarketquickly.”OntopofallthisisthefactthatBarr,atenantofnovaNAIT’sbusinessincubator(theDuncanMcNeillCentreforInnovation)alwayshasanextstepinmind.Havingestablishedtwobrands–SnowSeekers,theonlineandmobileguidestowinteractivities(includinghisbelovedsnowboarding),and,followingasimilarvein,therecentlylaunchedFestivalSeekers–BarrwaseagerforafootholdinCalifornia,itspopulationofmorethan37millionenoughtoconvincemostentrepreneursofarichreturn.

PitchingtotheC100,andthepossibilityofimpressingpotentialinvestors,wasameanstothatend.GrowthforSeekersMediahadbeensteadybut“bootstrapped”:slow,hard-wonandmostlyself-financed.Thingswereabouttochange.Andtheydid–justnotexactlyhowheexpected.ThisishowBarr’striptooneoftheworld’shottestspotsforbusinessunfolded.

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Web ExtraVisittechlifemag.ca/festivalseekers.htmforalookatSeekersMedia’slatestbrand,FestivalSeekers.com.

day 1, 12:35 P.m.BarrsitsinthedepartureloungeatEdmontonInternationalAirportinablueblazerandjeans.Betweencheckingtexts,hemusesaboutanideal,post-SanFranfutureforSeekersMedia.He’snervous,but“sostoked.”

“Thenervesareintheunknown,”hesays.“There’ssomuchherethatcouldtotallychangeusandtakeustosomeoutstandingheights.”

Previously,theplanwastogrowintoEasternCanada.No,advisedoneventurecapitalist.Go south. Improve your market by an easy five to 10 fold.

SonowBarrasks,hismindfixedontheGoldenState,“WhathappenswhenSnowSeekersTahoecomesintoplay?”Hepointsouthowhismodel,builtoutinAlbertaandBritishColumbia,isproven:roughly100clients,ahandfulofshareholdersandrevenuessurpassing$605,000sinceinceptioninJanuary2009.

“TakethatandputitintoCalifornia,andallowthemarketstocross-pollinate.”

Tohim,it’sallbutreality.“It’snotaquestionofifforusbutaquestionofwhen,”hesaysintheminutesbeforeboarding.

Roughlythreehourslater,astheplanedescendstoSanFranciscoInternational,Barrunbucklesandjumpsacrosstheaislefortheviewofthecityasthewingtipsearthward.

day 1, 3:15 P.m.Attheairport,shortlybeforethefirst48hrsevent,Barr

distillshisgoals.Thetripisanopportunitytomake

connections,but“weneedsomecapital,”hesays

bluntly.“I’mtiredofbootstrapping.I’vespentsomuch

energywatchingmybankaccount.”

HerecallsapitchhemadeinCalgarythatdidn’t

generateasingledollar,butlesstobemoanitthanto

upenditasmotivation.Heboardsatrainfordowntown

SanFranciscowithouthesitation,asifit’sasubway

backhome,andmullsoverhisbusinessplanforthe

upcomingpitch,lessthanadayaway.SeekersMedia’s

“secretsauce,”hesays,isscalability:spa-seekers,zen-

seekers,retirement-seekers,onandon.Hesmilesat

thepossibilities.

Later,checkingintohishotel,hepressestheclerk,

unsuccessfully,foradiscount.“Whenyou’restartinga

business,”Barrsays,“you’vealwaysgottobewheeling

anddealing.”

day 1, 5:19 P.m.“Iunderstandthenetworkinggame,”saysBarr,“but

whatdoorsareouttherethatweasacompanydon’t

evenknowexist?”Atthe48hrswelcomemixer,heldat

alivelybarinaslightlyshabbypartoftown,hestarts

investigating.Freefoodanddrinksfuelconversation

betweencompanyexecsinvitedfromacrossCanada.

above, Jim Barr in san francisco between events during 48hrs in the valley. opposite page, from left, a mixer hosted by c100 for canadian companies invited by the non-profit organization to its entrepreneur boot camp; Barr receives advice about his company, seekers media inc., from former stumbleupon ceo michael Buhr and fellow 48hrs participant, torontonian sandy gibson.

v5.1 2011 43

Theaverageagemightbe30;maleisthegenderbestrepresented.Theplaceispacked.ADJspinsvinyl.Theairdoesn’tmove.Stillinhisblazer,Barrisoneofthefewattendeessportingsemiformal.

“IthoughtyouwereaVC!”RoyPereiratellshim.TheToronto-basedCEOandfounderofShinyAds,acompanydealinginonlineadvertising,meansventurecapitalist,orpotentialfunder.Hemasksdisappointmentwithasmile.“OnlyVCswearjackets,”hepersists.

“Comeon.ThisisCalifornia.”Barrmoveson.He’sblessedwithapersonalitythat

allowshimtowadeintoconversationslikethey’reopenwater,buthe’sstillrelievedbythecasualatmosphere.

“It’salittlemorechillthanIexpected,”hesays.“Insteadofitbeing,‘Let’stalkaboutyourbusiness,’it’s,‘Let’stalkaboutsurfing.’I’mgoodwiththat.”

C100memberDebbieLandaisalsomakingtheroundsand,asCEOofDealmakerMedia,connectorofstartupsandleadingbusinessexecutives,theSaskatoonnativeseestheeventdifferently.“Ifyouhavetheluxuryofbeinghere,useittothefullpotential,”shesays.“Bedirect.LetgoofthatCanadianchitchatandgetdowntobusiness.”

Butlengthycommiserationremainsapopularactivity.SandyGibson,co-founderofConnectedN,focusesonthefundamentalchallengeofhowtoraisecapital,specificallyforhisbusiness-to-businessmarketingplatform.

“Dude,ifweallknewthat,wewouldn’tbeinthisroomrightnow,”Barrtellshim.

Nevertheless,Barrwillleavetheeventupbeat.“AlotofthisisaboutexpandingtheRolodex,”hesaysoutonthestreet.“That’sthevalueofbeinginanincubatorliketheDuncanMcNeillCentreforInnovation.HowwouldIhaveheardaboutthiseventotherwise?”

Hepauses,hismindbacktrackingtoconversationsofminutesearlier.“God,”hesays.“Howmuchmoneydoyouhavetoraisebeforeyoustartactuallymakingit?”

the c100CanadianChrisAlbinsonlikestorefertohiscommunityoffellowexpatsinCalifornia’sSiliconValleyas“thelostprovince.”Onereasonissize:anestimated300,000ofusliveandworkintheregion.Anothermaybethatit’sacommunitythatrememberswhereitcamefrom–atleastiftheC100isanyindication.

FormedbyAlbinsonlessthantwoyearsagowithAnthonyLee,ageneralpartnerattechnologyventurecapitalcompanyAltosVentures,theC100wasaresponsetotheglobaldownturnandmodelledafterthesuccessfuleffortsofIndiaandIsraelinmarketingtheirentrepreneursintheUnitedStates.Thesameshouldbedone,theyfigured,forCanadians.So,theyinvited98othertopCanadianexecsandinvestorstobechartermembersofthenon-profitorganization.

“WefeltweowedalottoCanada,”saysAlbinson,aveteraninvestorinstartups.

Today,theC100supportsentrepreneursfrombackhomewitheventslike48hrsintheValley,abootcampthatconnectsCanadianstobusinessintheregion.Sinceinception,thegrouphasbroughtdownmorethan110entrepreneurs,seenroughly$180millionraisedandtwoC100companiesexit–one,socialmediamonitorRadian6,sellingfor$326million.

ButforAlbinson,successisn’tmeasuredinmillions.Mostly,C100isaboutbuildingabetterentrepreneurialcommunityandmeetinganeedformentoringandbusinessdevelopment.“Itbringseveryoneupalevel.”

Novanait client Jim Barr at rocketspace, which offers shared office space in downtown san francisco.

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v5.1 2011 45

day 2, 9:21 a.m.Barrstartsthefirstofthemorning’stwomentoringsessionsinatinyofficeatRocketSpace,whichofferssharedofficespacefortechstartups.GibsonofConnectedNsharesthetime.EarlystageadviserMichaelBuhrplaysmentor,bringingexperienceasformerCEOofStumbleUponandseniordirectorofcorporatestrategyateBay.

SnowSeekersarosefromthecombinationofhispastasajournalistandmarketingandsalesjobsintourism,Barrexplains,andfromanabandonedbookdeal.Termsincludedaslimroyaltyofsevenpercentona$29bookandnoownershipofcontent.Basically,hetellsBuhr,“theguidebookwentfullydigital”astheSnowSeekersmobileapps.

Buhrlikestheconcept,butwondersifit’strulyreadytomoveintoCalifornia.Barrlistensquietly.

“Mygutfeelingistofindawaytobuilditoutbeforeyouexpandsomewhereelse,”saysBuhr.“WhytaketheriskwhenyouhavesomuchopportunitytoexpandinCanada?”

“ButcanIdoboth?”asksBarr.Buhrisn’tconvinced.“Maybewerevisitthisa

yearfromnow.”JustbeforethefocusturnstoConnectedN,

GibsonconsidersSnowSeekers’competition.“Thethingthat’snotbeingdonewelliscontent.Youcandothat,”hetellsBarr.

Atthesecondround,mentorDanMartelltakesBarrandsession-matePereiraofShinyAdstoanearbycafé.Theco-founderofFlowtown,asocialmarketingplatformforsmallbusinesses,takesamoregeneralapproachthanBuhr,pepperinghispairwithadvice:bebrutallyhonestaboutriskwithyourearliestinvestors;limitthetime-suckofraisingcapitalbyraisingmorefromfewersources;generouslyvaluateyourcompany;talktoveteransinyourfield.Thenheasksifhecanbeofanymorehelp.

“Uh,introductionstoVCswouldbegood,”saysPereira.

RegardingSnowSeekers,MartelldoesgetspecificaboutCalifornia:forgetit–fornow.CapitalizeinsteadontheproximityofWashingtonandMontana.“The[market]overlapiswhatgivesyouthatcompetitiveadvantage,”saysMartell.

ThoughBarrunderstandsthevalueofalltheadvicehehasreceived,heseemsoverwhelmedbyit,evendisheartened.Infact,afewhoursfromhispitch,hisoptimismhaserodedsignificantly.He’sdistractedandunsmiling.Heneedstorefinehispresentation.

“IknowI’mgoingtogeteatenalivebytheVCs,”hesaysbeforedisappearingtowork.Heshrugs,willinghimselfasquicklyaspossibleintoastateofacceptance.“Butitiswhatitis.”

day 2, 3:30 P.m.Barr’spitch,inanofficeneartheSanFranciscowaterfront,keepstothesevenminutesallottedbyorganizers.Attendingareahandfulofotherentrepreneurs,alongwithdealmakersChrisAlbinson,C100co-founderandamanagingdirectoratPanoramaCapital,investorinlifesciencesandtechnologycompanies;RonWarburtonoftheBusinessDevelopmentBankofCanada(BDC);andExportDevelopmentCanada’s(EDC)PascalBritt-Côté.

Barrwasn’tquiterightaboutbeingeatenalive.Theatmosphereisrelaxedandsupportive,thetensionrisingonlymildlywhenAlbinsonquestionssomeofBarr’sgrowthprojections:“I’vebeeninthisbusinessfor20years,”hesays,“andyoudon’tseecompanieswiththatkindofprofitability,ever.”

ButBarrcorrectlyanticipatedtheconclusion:nooneconsidersSeekersMedia“VC-backable”–atleastatthisstage.

AsVCs,saysWarburton,“We’relookingforworld-changingtechnology.Theaverageinvestorislookingfora10-timesreturn.Thatisthereality.”Butstill,theBDCmanagingdirectorofventurecapitalisimpressed.“Ithinkyou’lldoreallywell,”hetellsBarr.

“Youcanstillhaveaverygood,profitablebusiness.”Barrbrightens.“I’mokaywiththat.”Britt-Côté,asEDCinformationandcommunication

technologyseniorassociate,suggestsBarrshouldbeintouchabouthisWashingtonandMontanaplans.

Butit’sAlbinson’sfinalcomments–cautiousbutencouraging–thatliftthecloudsfromBarr’shorizon.

“There’sasignalthere,”hesaysofSeekersMedia.“There’saheartbeat.Isitgoingtobeawinnerofthe100-yarddash?It’stooearlytosay.”

ForBarr,that’senough.Thefeedbacksessionendsandhegathershispresentationmaterials.

“WhenaguylikeChrissaysyou’vegotsomething?”hesays.Withthat,he’ssmilingagain.

that night,backatRocketSpaceforsnacksanddrinks,RoyPereira’sreflectionsonthedayturnphilosophicallytowardthelifeoftheentrepreneur.

“You’reagambler,”hesays,“buthopefullyyou’recountingcards.Oratleastyouhavesomeunderstandingofthegame.”

Certainly,Barr’sunderstandinghaschanged,andgrown,thankstotheC100.Thenextday,beforeleavingSanFrancisco,hewouldmeetinformallywithprospectiveinvestorsandcomeawaynotwithachequebutwithconnectionshe’dseeasnearlyasvaluable.Regardlessofwhetherthoseleadonedaytocash,thosemeetingsrepresentthekindsof“doors”that,backatthatfirst48hrsmixer,BarrhopedmightopenforSeekersMedia.Andevenwithnocertainend

jim Barr’s STaRTup TIpS

“Don’tbeafraidtotalktopeopleaboutyouridea.Carefullypickyouralliesandtalkitthrough.”Feedbackfromlike-mindedentrepreneursisessential;don’tfrettoomuchaboutlosingyourintellectualproperty.

“Justkeepmoving.”Theonlydirectionisforward,andevolutionisonlypossiblewithmomentum.Neverrest.

“Figureouthowyou’regoingtopayforeverything.”Itsoundsobvious,butwhateveryoudo,it’sgoingtocostfarmoremoney–andtakemoretime–thanyou’vebudgeted.

46 techlifemag.ca

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“We’re looking for world-changing technology. The average invesTor

is looking for a 10-Times reTurn. ThaT is The realiTy.”

-RONWARBURTONMANAGINGDIRECTOROF

VENTURECAPITAL,BDC

tothebootstrappingthatbroughtthecompanytoSanFrancisco,hegavetheimpressionthatevenknockingonthem–ifnotgettingafootin–hadofferedabetterviewofhisfuture.

“Idon’tfeelthesame,”hesaid,justhoursbeforeleavingforEdmonton.“Ifeelsomuchbiggerandenthusiastic.I’msoexcitedtogetbacktoAlberta.”

RandyThompson’sviewofthefutureforSeekersMediaisalsooptimistic,atleastwithincertainparameters.“IsJimgoingtobeaglobalmediabrand?Probablynot,”saystheserialentrepreneur.“Butishegoingtobetheleaderinhisspace?Absolutely.”

Barrisfinewiththat.“Allofasuddenwe’reabillion-dollarbusinessandIcan’tgosnowboardingasmuchanymore.”

Butheknowsthatevenbecomingamultimillion-dollarbusinessisgoingtotakework,alongwithanewplan.California’sontheback-burner,butWashingtonandMontanaarenewpriorities–aftertighteninghisfocusonthelocalmarketbyseekinginvestmentbackhometofinancetwonewpositions:abusinessdevelopmentofficerandachieftechnologyofficer.

“Whatwedonowismakesurethisisthebestproductwecanmakeit,”saysBarr.“Arewethereyet?No.

“Butwewillbe.”

as part of his last 48hrs in the valley event, Jim Barr delivers his pitch for seekers media brands snowseekers and festivalseekers to a group of venture capital investors and other 48hrs participants.

v5.1 2011 47

nait and seekers mediaBesidesconnectingSeekersMediatotheC100throughnovaNAIT,theinstitute’scentreforappliedresearchandtechnologytransfer,NAITfaculty,staffandstudentshavesupportedthecompanysinceSeptember2009,whenJimBarrbecameatenantoftheDuncanMcNeillCentreforInnovation.MembersoftheDepartmentofTeachingandAcademicDevelopment,forexample,initiallybuiltthecoretechnologyforitsmobileapps,andstudentsandinstructorsfromDigitalMediaandIT(DMIT)helpedproduceSunny on the Slopes,ashortfilm

aboutaMongoliangirl’seffortstolearntoski.Recently,SeekersMediaagainturnedtoDMITfor

assistance.Studentsdevelopedasystemthatallowseventorganizers,advertisersandBarr’sstafftouploadinformationtotheSeekersMediasites.Goingforward,Barrwouldliketoseemorepartnerprojects.

“It’sawin-win,”hesays.“It’sanopportunityforustogetasolutionweneed,andit’sobviouslyanopportunityforstudentstogetsomereal-worldexperience.”

lifeearlier this year, TomMcClocklinwouldn’tventuretothediningroomathisretirementcommunityfordinner.Rather,the91-year-oldwouldeataloneinhisroom.“I’vehadafrozenshouldersinceIdon’tknowhowlong,whichmakesitverydifficultandpainfultoraisemyarm,”saysMcClocklin.Itwasembarrassingforhimtopropuphishandjusttoliftupacup.

ButafterjusteightweeksofspecializedexercisewithPersonalFitnessTrainergradsSeanReidandAndrewDo,McClocklinnolongerhasproblemseatingonhisown.Infact,hehasevenbegunworkonhisgolfswingagain.“I’mjustamazedattheimprovementthat[exercise]hasmade,”hesays.

McClocklinisjustoneofaboutadozenseniors–whoseaverageageis85–whoReidandDohelpedduringtheirpracticumthisspringatTouchmarkatWedgewood,anadultretirementcommunityinwestEdmonton.Duringthattime,thepairconfirmedtheirbeliefthat,withtherightexercise,seniorcitizenscanleadfull,activelives.Often,becauseofalackofmobility,theelderly“arewatchingtheirlivesfadeawayastheygetolder,”saysReid.

Dofounditrefreshingtoworkwiththeseniorsbecausetheyweresociable,focusedandeagertolearn.Reidsayshefoundhelpingseniors

fItfor

PeoPle

gainindependence,confidenceandmobilityrewarding.Infact,theirpracticumwassosuccessfultheyjoinedwithfellowclassof2011graduateCynthiaRobbtoformTightAssetsFitnessTrainingInc.,whichwillservetheolderadultandcorporatetrainingmarketunderthecompany’sPillarsofStrengthFitnessTrainingbrand.TheyreturnedtoTouchmarkinAugusttoteachamen’sclass.

“Thishasbeenalife-changingexperienceforTomaswellasotherresidentswhoparticipatedinthepracticumwiththePersonalFitnessTrainerstudents,”saysBrendaEdmonds,thefacility’slifeenrichmentandwellnessdirector.Itcouldhaveanevengreaterimpactinthefuture,shethinks,ifmoreseniorsgetinvolved.

AsforMcClocklin,hekeptupwithhisexercisesaboutthreetimesaweekafterhisinitialtrainingendedandalsojoinedtheAugustclass.DosaysMcClocklinmustcontinueexercisingdailytomaintainmobilityandstrengthandtodecreasemuscleloss.“Idon’twanttowrecktheprogressthatIhavemade,”McClocklinsays.

— Fiona Bensler

48 techlifemag.ca

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oftEn, bEcAusE of A lAck of mobIlIty, thE EldErly “ArE wAtchInG thEIr lIvEs fAdE AwAy As thEy GEt oldEr.”

-SEANREID PERSONALFITNESSTRAINERGRAD

lifekeeP movingsean reid and andrew do recommend three key exercises for seniors 65 and older who do not rely heavily on mobility aids.

Singlelegbalanceengagesthecoreandlegsandimprovesbalance.Holdthebackofachair,liftonelegandbalanceontheotherforfiveseconds.Tento15repetitionsperleg.Twotothreesets.Graduallyincreasethelengthoftimeyoubalanceoneachlegto20seconds.Asyoudo,decreasethenumberofrepetitions,keepingthetimeperlegtoaboutoneminuteforeachset.

Standupandsitdowntoimprovelowerbodystrength.Sitdowninachairveryslowly,inacontrolledmotionandstandupforasecond,thensitdownagain.Eightto12repetitions.Twotothreesets.

vacuumandkegelexercisesstrengthenpelvicfloormusclesvitaltocorestability.Thishelpswithbalanceandpostureandreducesincontinence.Forvacuums,pullnaveltowardsthespineasfaraspossiblewhilebreathingnormally.Forkegels,pullinandup.Holdtwotothreesecondsandrelax.Eightto10repetitions.Twotothreesets.

how to

eight weeks of exercise with personal fitness trainers andrew do (pictured) and sean reid helped 91-year-old tom mcclocklin get his golf swing back.

v5.1 2011 49

50 techlifemag.ca

1

2

ask an eXPert

nurturE your nest eGG:nInE mIstAkEs to AvoId

when it comes to saving forretirement,manyofusignoreoursituationuntilit’stoolateandhaveunrealisticgoals.“Peoplethinktheyhaveitallfiguredout,”saysfinanceinstructorTannyaMcBride,“andthat’smistakeNo.1–thattheythinktheydon’tneedtheadvice.”

AmajorityofworkingCanadiansage25to64saytheyaresavingforretirement,yetlessthanhalfreportknowinghowmuchthey’llneedtosavetomaintaintheirstandardoflivingwhentheyretire,

accordingtoStatisticsCanada’s2009CanadianFinancialCapabilitySurvey.

Here,McBrideandthreeotherNAITfinancialexpertspointyouintherightdirectionwith

adviceonavoidingcommonmistakeswhensavingforretirement.

— Kristen Vernon

web extraMakethemostofyourRRSPcontribution

beforethedeadline.Visittechlifemag.ca/rrsp-deadline.htm.

v5.1 2011 51

6 9

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3 5 81

24

NOTTAKINGRESPONSIBILITYFORYOuRRETIREMENT

“Noonewillevercareasmuchaboutyourretirementasyouwill.Theonusisontheindividual,”saysHardeepGill,acertifiedfinancialplannerandassociatechairinBachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration–Finance,whoadvisespeopletopickupabookortakeacourse(NAIT’sDepartmentofContinuingEducationoffersanIntroductiontoFinanceclass;visitwww.nait.ca/ConEd).

NOTKNOWINGWHATYOuWANTUnderstandwhatyourgoalsareandhowmuchyouneed–andallocatetherightamountofmoneytowardthat,saysJeffShigehiro(BusinessAdministration–Management’03),acertifiedfinancialplannerandownerofShigehiroFinancialPlanningInc.Makesurethatyou,yourspouseandyouradviserhaveaclearunderstandingofyourvisionforretirement.“Ifthatmeansyouwanttoretiresomewherewarmeroryouwanttositathomeandbeahermit–whateveryouwant,youjustneedtofigurethatout.Andit’snevergoingtobebang-onaccuratebecausetheworldchanges,yourlifechanges.Andthat’swhyit’simportantthatonalong-termbasisyou’realwaysreviewingyourvision.”

MAKINGPRODuCT-CENTREDDECISIONSAlotofpeoplegetdistractedbyproducts,buttherearealotofproductsthatcanhelpmeetyourgoals–youjustneedtoknowwhatyourgoalsare,saysGill.“Mostfinancialplanningconversationsareusuallyaroundproducts:WhatmutualfundsshouldIown?ShouldIbeinvestinginCanadianequities?Thoseareallthewrongquestions.Thefirstquestionis,whatareyourgoals?”Productdecisions,saysGill,areimplementationdecisionsthatshouldcomelater.

HAvINGHIGH-RISKINvESTMENTSASYOuAPPROACHANDENTERRETIREMENT

“Oneofthewayswherepeoplegowrongisextremelyhighexposuretoequitiesorhigher-riskstocksormutualfundsastheyapproachretirement,”saysShigehiro,whoadvisesloweringyourriskfiveyearsbeforeandfiveyearsafterretirement.Asyouapproachretirement,youshouldhavehigherexposuretofixed-income,lower-volatilityinvestments.“They’renotgoingtoearnyouahighreturn,butthey’renotgoingtodrop.”

NOTPuTTINGYOuRSELFFIRST

“Yourretirementcomesfirst,”saysMcBride(BachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration–Finance

’07),acertifiedfinancialplannerandinstructorinNAIT’sJRShawSchoolofBusiness.“It’sgreatthatyouwanttosaveforyourkids’education,butthebestgiftthatyoucouldpossiblygivetoyourchildrenisnothavingthemtakecareofyouwhenyou’reoldbecauseyourunoutofmoney.”

RETIRINGWITHDEBTBeforeyouevenstartsavingforretirement–payoffyourconsumerdebt,McBridesays.Then,balancesavingforretirementwithpayingdownyourmortgage.“Theoptimalsituationwouldbethatyouretirewithnodebt,”shesays.

NOTPARTICIPATINGINYOuREMPLOYER-SPONSOREDPENSIONPLAN–ORNOTuNDERSTANDINGITAlotoftimes,youhavetoopt-in–andyoushould.“SometimesemployershavematchingRRSPplans–that’sfreemoney.It’sano-brainer,”McBridesays.Ifyou’reoneoftheroughly32percentofCanadianworkerswithanemployer-sponsoredpensionplan,educateyourselfaboutyourcompanyplanbytalkingtoyouremployerorthehumanresourcesdepartment.

THINKINGYOuCANLIvEOFFGOvERNMENTPENSIONPLANS

“Oneofthereasonspeopledon’tplanforretirementisbecausetheythinkthey’regoingtolivefromgovernmentplans.Thetruthisthatgovernmentplansareveryminimal,”saysMcBride,whosuggeststalkingtoanadvisertolearnhowgovernmentplanswork–andhowyourincomeinretirementwillaffectwhatyou’reeligibletoreceive.

REACTINGEMOTIONALLYTOTHEMARKET

“Mutualfundsaredesignedforthelongterm,”saysKristieButler(BachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration–Finance’09),aninvestmentfundspecialistwithATBSecurities.“Asaninvestor,youhavetoremembermarketsareboundtomoveupanddown.Theydothatonadailybasis.Youhavetolearntodisciplineyourself.Ifyouknowyouhavealongtimehorizon,don’twatchyourmoneyallthetime,letitdoitsthing.Andtaketheadviceofyouradviser.”

illu

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ue

Jeff shigehiro BusinessAdministration–Management’03CertifiedfinancialplannerandownerandpresidentofShigehiroFinancialPlanningInc.

tannya mcbride BachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration–Finance’07CertifiedfinancialplannerandinstructorinNAIT’sBachelorofBusinessAdministrationprogram

hardeep gill CertifiedfinancialplannerandassociatechairinNAIT’sBachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration–Financeprogram

OuRExPERTS

kristie butler BusinessAdministration–Finance’07BachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration–Finance’09InvestmentfundspecialistwithATBSecurities

52 techlifemag.ca

Alexandria Mah works full-time as a Revenue Canada auditor, plays intercollegiate soccer for the NAIT Ooks, and is pursuing both a degree and a CGA credential. She needed a degree program that delivered fl exibility and results – and found it in NAIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration.

The BBA builds on Alexandria’s previous JR Shaw School of Business diploma, allowing her to fi nish quickly and work toward her accounting designation at the same time. And the choice of full-time, part-time and online course options means she can tailor her studies to fi t her busy schedule.

Find out what NAIT’s BBA can deliver for you.

THE DEGREE THAT DELIVERS

SCAN THIS TO HEAR ALEX’S STORY

WWW.NAIT.CA/BBA


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v5.1 2011 53

Postcard

growing up in slave lake,we’dhadevacuationsforotherfiresbefore,butIneverthoughtfirewouldhitourtown.Thatseemedsounbelievable.

I’mlivinginEdmontonnow,andIrememberthenight,May16,wheneveryoneleftSlaveLake.Whenmysister,herfiancéandmycousinshowedupatmydoorstep,theyallsmelledlikesmoke,andthey’dlostprettymucheverythingexceptwhattheyhadwiththem.Firehadhitthetown.Itsoundedlikemyparents’placemightbegone.Ittookawhileforittosinkin.Ireallywantedtogobackandseeformyself.

Iwasn’tsurewhattoexpect.Ididn’treallyhaveaplanofwhatIwantedtotakephotosof.WhenIfirstarrived,Ididn’ttakeany.Thatfeltwrong.

Ididn’ttakephotosofmygrandparents’placewhentheywerethere.Theirtrailerwasreducedtonothing,buttheirgaragewascompletelyuntouched.Mygrandpawasreallyaffectedbyit.It’shardtoseeyourgrandmacrying.Itwasreallydifficult;Ireallydidn’tknowwhattosayordo.It’shardtomakethemfeelbetterwhenthey’restandingintherubble.

Mygrandparentsarelivingwithmyparentsnow.Myparentsliveonanacreagesurroundedbytrees;somewerecompletelycharred.Also,mydadhasashopthere.

Thetreesalongsidethathadburnedandcharredthesidesofit,buteverythinginsidewasfine.We’resofortunatethatthefirecamesocloseandwestillhaveahome.

It’sareallyweirdmixtureofbeinghappythatmyparents’placeisstillstandingand,atthesametime,thereareallthesepeopleIknowwholostsomuch.Itwashardtoshoot,but,atthesametime,Iappreciatedocumentingit.It’seasytoforgetsomeofthesethings.It’saniceremindertoknowthat,throughthistragedy,peoplepersevere.

Ithinkalotofpeoplearestayingandaregoingtorebuild.It’saclose-knitcommunity.Peoplebuilttheirlivesandtheirhomeshere.Ithinkthereareafewwhohavedecidedit’stimetomoveon,butmosthavedecidedtostay.Itstartswiththetownoffice:they’djustfinishedbuildingthatandthelibrary.Brandnew.Nowtheyhavetostartalloveragain,butIthinkthecommunitywillcontinueasitwas.

GARRETTKEYPHOTOGRAPHICTECHNOLOGY’11

As told to Rachelle Drouin

after the fire

a third of slave lake’s buildings were destroyed by a wildfire this may, including the town hall (pictured).

Techlife invites nait students, alumni, staff and friends to share experiences and photos from their travels.

AuG.18,2011

54 techlifemag.ca

culinait

Building a sustainable market for alberta’s food producers isn’t easy, but chef Blair lebsack is cooking up a plan to make it happen.

A s usual on a saturday morning,BlairLebsack(Cook’98)ishangingoutatfarmersmarketsinandaroundEdmonton.ButasIdiscoverwhen

taggingalongatCityMarketDowntownonecooldayinJune,hangingoutisnotaspectatorsportforthischef,whojoinedtheNAITculinaryartsdepartmentinJanuary.Besidespickingupsomedeliciouslookingasparagus,cherriesandgranolaforhisowndiningtable,he’snailingdowndetailsforanupcomingdinneratNature’sGreenAcres,wherehe’lldonthewhitehattoroastoneofthegrass-fedpigsraisedbyShannonandDannyRuzicka,ownersofNature’s,afamily-operatedfarm.Andhe’sliningupfareforErnest’sdiningroomatNAIT,wherehe’llbeinchargeofhotlunchesinthefall.

the local food challenge

Lebsack’senthusiasmforthisfoodbubblesoveraswegraze104Streetamidbuskersandbustle.AtMightyTrioOrganics,wherebottledcanola,hempandflaxoilsglinttallandelegantinthesun,heenthusesaboutthebrightcolours,nutrientvalueand“absolutelyphenomenalflavours”co-ownerSeanSuperkoskiachievesbycoldpressingsmallbatchesoffineseeds.AtSmokyValleyGoatCheese,hemarvelsathowquicklyHollyGale’shobbyofmakingartisancheesehasbecomeafull-timeoccupationascustomersdemandmore.AttheGullValleyGreenhousesmegastand,heravesabouttheTiemstrafamily’stomatoes,hisfavouritesbarnone.

chef Blair lebsack at riverbend gardens – a large, sophisticated producer and one of several major contributors to alberta’s local food economy.

v5.1 2011 55

story by CHERYLMAHAFFY

Photos by JASONNESSthe local food

challenge

56 techlifemag.ca

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at edmonton’s city market downtown, chef Blair lebsack checks out his favourites: (from top) mighty trio organics oil, tomatoes from gull valley greenhouses and smoky valley goat cheese.

It’snoaccidentthatLebsackknowsthepeoplebehindthefood.DuringnearlyfiveyearsasexecutivechefatMadison’sGrillintheUnionBankInn,asteadystreamoffarmersflowedthroughhiskitchen,stockingamenuthatalwaysleanedlocal.Hestandsamongagrowingsubsetofchefswhorecognizethateatinglocalismorethanafad–it’sessential.

Eatinglocalisnotprimarilyaboutcalculatingthedistancefromfarmtotable,Lebsacksays,butaboutsupportingthe“artisanandspecialtyfarmsthatshowcasewhatourlandcanactuallyproduce.”Besidesuppingthetasteandnutritionquotient,eatinglocalfuelsoureconomy,reducestheenergyconsumedintransportationand,astoday’stourillustrates,buildscommunity.

Reducingourrelianceonfarawayfactoryfarmsalsoincreasesfoodsecurity,Lebsacksays.“EdmontonisthefarthestreachforCaliforniaproducts,soifanythingevergoeswronginCalifornia,we’rethefirsttobecutoutoftheloop.”

Butonlyifwesupporttheseartisanfarmerswilltheycontinuetoexist.Towardthatend,Lebsackislaunchingalocalchefs’collaborativeaimedatmatchingfarmerswithchefstohelpmovemorelocalfoodintorestaurants–nolongerniche,butmainstream.

as executive chefatthehigh-volumeShawConferenceCentre,SimonSmotkowiczhassetagoalofdoublinghisuseof10percentlocalfoodbytheendof2012.Heknowstheextratimeinvolved,fromscoutingoutsupplierstopreparingpotatoesthatnolongercomepeeled.Healsoknowsthatthisfoodtypicallycostssomewhatmorethanmass-producedfare,althoughthatdifferencecanbeoffsetbychoosinglesspopularcutsofmeatandin-seasonproduce.Butdinersappreciatetheresults,hesays.“Itcanbeanedgeforarestaurant,becausetheseproductsarealwaysmuchbetterquality.”

Yetonlyaminorityofareachefsisdedicatedtousinglocalfood,saysSmotkowicz,whoseculinaryleadershipearnedhimanhonorarydiplomafromNAITin2003.AspresidentoftheCanadianCulinaryFederationEdmontonChapter,heisdeterminedtochangethat.It’snotacaseofeither-or,hesays.

“Becauseweeatlocaldoesn’tmeanwe’vegottosaynotoeverythingelse.It’slikebeingonadiet–usemoderation.”

Notingthatachefs’collaborativeinVictoriaissucceedinginputtingmorelocalfareonthemenu,SmotkowiczimportedtheconceptincollaborationwithDineAlberta–andaskedLebsacktoleadthecharge.

AninitialmeetinglastNovember,hostedbyAlbertaAgriculture,ledtoaproducersshowcaseatNorthlandsinFebruary.Morethan200attendedtheshowcaseandthebuzzwasencouraging,Lebsacksays,butfewchefschangedtheirbuyinghabits.Toovercomeinertia,thecollaborativeintendstobuildalistoflocalproducersthatwanttoworkwithrestaurants,hesays.“Weneedtoseesomelong-standingrelationships,notjustone-offpurchases.”

lebsack’s mid-summer farm dinneratNature’sGreenAcresillustratesthedanceinvolvedinexpandingtheclienteleforlocalfood.Theeventisattractingquiteacrowd,butexpandingthetableisnotasstraightforwardasitmightseem.“We’rebutcheringonepigjustforthis,”Lebsacknotes.It’snotasifkillinganotherhalfpigisaviableoption.

Thechefs’collaborativefacesthatsameissuewritlargewhenconnectingchefswithpotentialsuppliers,

v5.1 2011 57

Lebsackadds.“Wehavetobecareful.TheRuzickasraise20animalsayear;wecan’tputthemincontactwiththeShawConferenceCentreandthenextthingyouknowthey’realloutofcertaincutsandhavenothingforthefarmersmarket.It’safinebalance.”

Evenforlargerproducers,weatheranddiseasecanwreakhavoconsupply.Onegrowerwemeetsays70percentofhiscropsremaintobeplantedduetorain;inprevioussummers,theissuehasbeendrought.Butbyworkinginconcert,producersandchefsarefindingwaystoensurethatwhat’sonthemenuwalksinthedoorintimetobeserved.

DistributorLoriMenshikoffersonesuchsafetyvalve.OperatingasFullCourseStrategiesfromadowntownwarehouse,shesourceslocalfoodonbehalfofchefs.“IfIknowI’llhavesomethingonmymenuforsixtoeightmonths,she’llmakesureshehasthatonhand,”Lebsacksays.

Farmersarealsopartneringuptodobusinessinvolume.EdgarFarmshasastallatthemarkettodaytosellasparagus,itsspecialty.ButthefarmisalsopartoftheInnisfailGrowersCo-operative,whosefivefamilieshavebandedtogethertoattendmoremarkets–andattractlargeraccounts.

Someproducershavegrownsolargeandsophisticatedthattheycoulddependablysupplyourentireregion,Lebsacksays.HepointstoKuhlmann’sMarketGardensandRiverbendGardensasprimeexamplesofoperationsthat“runlikeclockwork,”growfantasticcropsandsellsomeofitallyearthankstogreenhousesandclimate-controlledstorage.Theirexcessgoestolargegrocerychainstobeshippedwhoknowswhere,henotes.Ideally,thisfoodwouldstayclosertohome,replacingshipmentsfromafar.

Thechefs’collaborativeaimstoaddressvolumeissuesbymatchinguserswithright-sizesuppliers.“Sayyou’reusingallprimecutsandsomeoneelseismakingburgers,”Lebsacksays.“Whydon’tyouteamuptoworkwiththesesuppliers,sofarmersarenotbutcheringanimalsandbeingleftwithtoomuchgroundbeef?”

HankStrokappe(RetailMeatcutting’05)ofFarmFreshLamboffersacaseinpoint.Hesworeoffrestaurantsafterdealingwithsomehigh-handedchefswhowantednothingbutprimecuts–atadiscount.YethenowsuppliesfourEdmontoneateries.Whatmakesitwork?Creativity.“They’renotafraidtocookwithdifferentcuts.”

Partoftheonuslieswithsuppliers,Strokappeadmits.“WhenIfirststartedcuttingshouldersteaks,theydidn’tsell.Butnowwedobonelessstewingmeat,whichworkswellincurries,andwedoupabonelessshoulderrollwithnetting.Sowe’remorecreativeinhowwemarketthecuts.”HecreditsNAITinstructorswithlayingthefoundation.“Theydrilledintousthatajobworthdoingisworthdoingright.”

like a growing numberofconsumers,NAITinstructorHongChew(CulinaryArts’93),theCanadianCulinaryFederationEdmonton’sOutstandingMemberoftheYearfor2011,wantstoknownotonlywherebuthowthefoodwasgrown,harvested,storedandshipped.

“Idon’tspecificallyfollowthe100-milediet,althoughmostofthethingssoldatfarmersmarketscomefromwithin100miles,”hesays.NotingthatBritishColumbiaberries,fruitandseafoodgreatlyexpandourmenuinashort-summerprovincewhosewinterfareleanstorootvegetables,headds,“Ibelievefoodshouldtranscendprovincialborders,andI’mabigsupporterofanythingCanadian.WehavesomuchtoofferfromtheCanadianperspectiveintermsoffood–coasttocoastandnorthtosouth.”

RecognizingNAIT’sroleinequippingthenextgenerationofchefstocooklocal,bothChewandLebsackaremakingapointofinjectinglocalfareintothecurriculum.Ernest’s,thediningroomwhereculinaryartsandhospitalitymanagementstudentscuttheirteeth,nowuses30percentlocalfareandisaimingfor50percent,Chewsays.“We’redoingitgraduallyinbabysteps,tryingtoswitchkeyproductsover.”

Incomingstudentsarefuelingtheshift,Chewadds.Hiscolleaguesareinterestedaswell,butmanyarefocusedoncoveringsetcurriculumratherthanscoutingoutlocalproducers.Asaculinarymanagementinstructorwithafocusonprocurement,he’sinaperfectpositiontoshiftbuyingpatternsbytakingstudentstoareafarmsandinvitingproducerssuchashoneyproducerLolaCanola’sPattyMilligantocampus.“Pattyisagreateducator,justpassionateaboutwhatshedoes,”hesays.“That’swhatyouwanttoseefromalocalstandpoint.”

Indeed,featuringthepeoplebehindthefoodisoneofthekeystopromotinglocal,Chewsays.“Whenweputacertainproductonthemenu,therehastobeastorybehindtheproduct.That’showyoueducatetheconsumeraboutwherethefoodcomesfrom.”Andiflocaliswhatconsumersdemand,headds,“Guesswhat,therewillbealotmorelocalproduce.”

like many vendors atthatSaturdaymarket,AlanIrvingisexpandingcarefullywhilerefusingtocompromisequality,producingporkproductsthatmytourguidedeclares“absolutelyphenomenal.”Infact,IrvingsFarmFreshstandsas“oneofthemodels”ofhealthygrowth,saysLebsack,whohasvisitedtohelpstuffsausagesandwatchthefamilyinaction.

“Therearealotofreallygoodsuccessstoriesoutthere,”Lebsackadds.“Rightnow,theproducersaredoingabetterjobthanthechefs.They’reofferingallthesereallygoodthings,butwe’renotbuyingenough.Weneedtoseemoreofitonourmenus.”

“BecaUse We eat local Doesn’t mean We’ve Got to saY no to everYthinG else. it’s liKe BeinG on a Diet – Use moDeration.”

–SIMONSMOTKOWICZ ExECUTIVECHEF,SHAWCONFERENCECENTRE

58 techlifemag.ca

With the lineup of local food suppliers getting longer by the year, we thought you’d enjoy finding out where culinary instructors Blair lebsack and hong chew go to stock their kitchens.

Where oUr chefs love to shop

FOuRWHISTLEFARMLamb,beef,pork,poultry

MariusandTwiggyDeBoer,[email protected](2333)

GREENS,EGGS&HAMFAMILYFARMFowl,duckeggs,sausages,smokedmeats(alsovegetables,includingall-yearheritagegreens,edibleflowers,spinach)

MaryEllenandAndreasGrueneberg,[email protected]

HOGWILDSPECIALTIESWildboarmeat,bowhunting,barbecues

EarlandDebHagmanMayerthorpehogwild.ab.cadhagman@hogwild.ab.ca1.888.668.9453

IRvINGSFARMFRESHGluten-freeBerkshireporkproducts,Britishstyle

Alan&NicolaIrvingRoundHillirvingsfarmfresh.cominfo@irvingsfarmfresh.com780.672.2787

NATuRE’SGREENACRESGrass-fedchicken,pork,nouveaubeef

DannyandShannonRuzicka,Vikingnaturesgreenacres.comnaturesgreenacres@gmail.com780.336.2265

SPRINGCREEKRANCHPremiumAngusbeef,withoutaddedhormonesorantibiotics

KirstinKotelko,[email protected]

MEAT

BEEF

FRUITS + VEGETABLES

GRAINS

OTHER

DAIRY

SMOKYvALLEYGOATCHEESEArtisancheesesandyogurts

HollyandLarryGale,SmokyLakesmokyvalleygoatcheese.comholly@smokyvalleygoatcheese.com780.383.3798

THECHEESIRYArtisansheepcheese(alsogluten-freebeefproducts)

RhondaandBrianHeadon,Kitscotyosolmeatos.com/[email protected]

SYLvANSTARCHEESELactose-freegouda,gruyereandedamcheese

JohnSchalkwijk,RedDeersylvanstarcheesefarm.cainfo@sylvanstarcheesefarm.ca403.340.1560

MEAT

BEEF

FRUITS + VEGETABLES

GRAINS

OTHER

DAIRY

GuLLvALLEYGREENHOuSESHydroponicallygrowntomatoes,beans,lettuce,peppers,basil

PhilandCarolynTiemstra,[email protected]

INSPIREDMARKETGARDENSHerbsandedibleflowers

GwenSimpson,[email protected]

MO-NAFOODDISTRIBuTORSMushrooms,freshandfrozenberries,wildrice,grainsandpulses

MichaelAvenati,[email protected]

PEASONEARTHORGANICGARDENCertifiedorganicproduce

EricandRubyChen,[email protected]

RIvERBENDGARDENSSeason’sfirstvegetablesthankstoriversidemicroclimate

AaronandJanelleHerbertEdmontonriverbendgardens.caaaronherbert@albertacom.com780.378.9606

STEvE&DAN’SFRESHB.C.FRuITApples,berries,peaches,nectarines,prunes,plums,pearsandnutsfromfamilyorchard

StevenandDanielSouto,Oliver,[email protected]

MEAT

BEEF

FRUITS + VEGETABLES

GRAINS

OTHER

DAIRY

GOLDFORESTGRAINSOrganicfarm-milledflourandwholegrains

JohnSchneider,Morinvillegoldforestfarms.blogspot.comgoldforestgrains@yahoo.ca780.987.3743

MIGHTYTRIOORGANICSHemp,canolaandflaxoil;hemppowderandbutter

SeanSuperkoski,[email protected]

MEAT

BEEF

FRUITS + VEGETABLES

GRAINS

OTHER

DAIRY

BRASSICAMuSTARDLTD.Uniquemustards

DesmondJohnstonandKarenDavisCalgarybrassicamustard.comdesmond@[email protected]

BIRDS&BEESORGANICWINERYANDMEADERY(previouslyEnSanté)Alberta’sfirstandonlyorganicwineryandmeadery(honeywine)

Chrapkofamily,Brosseaubirdsandbeeswinery.cominfo@birdsandbeeswinery.com780.657.2275

LOLACANOLANATuRALHONEYUnfiltered,unpasteurizedhoneyandhoneyproducts

PattyMilligan,[email protected]

MEAT

BEEF

FRUITS + VEGETABLES

GRAINS

OTHER

DAIRY

WHERETOBuY:Productsareavailabledirectlyfromproducers,atvariousfarmersmarkets,selectrestaurantsandretailoutlets,aswellasthroughlocalfooddistributors.Checkwithproducersfordetails.

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v5.1 2011 59

duck BreastINGREDIENTS2 DUcK Breasts

450 g (1 lb) sasKatoon Berries

155 ml ( cup) maPle WooD chiPs (availaBle at BarBeqUe sUPPlY or harDWare stores)

tart shellINGREDIENTS280 ml (1 cup) all-PUrPose

floUr

5 ml (1 tsp) salt

120 g (4 oz) UnsalteD BUtter, cUBeD

30 ml ( cup) ice Water

METHOD

Cutparsnipsinto1.5-cm(½-in)pieces

andplaceinsmallpotwith250ml

(1cup)ofheavycream,waterand

salt.Simmerfor25minutesoruntil

parsnipsareverysoft.Blendsmooth

withhandblender.Puréeshould

bethick;addbutterandsomeof

remainingcreamifnecessary.

METHOD

Soak125ml(½ cup)ofmaplewood

chipsinwaterfor1hour.Placesoaked

chipsplus30ml(cup)ofdrychips

infoilpokedwithholes.

Scorethefatonduckbreast(cutting

aloosecross-hatchjustthroughthe

skin)thencookinsautépanoverlow

heat,drainingfatoccasionally.

smoked duck & saskatoon Berry tart

with parsnip

Removedoughfrommixer;confirmno

butterpiecesremainandmixlongerif

necessary.Allowtorestfor1hourin

plasticwrap.

Rolloutdoughroughly6mm(¼inch)

thickandputintorectanglepastry

panwithedgestothetopofpan.Bake

shellwithoutfilling,usingpieweights

topreventpuffingup,at190C(375F)

forabout20minutes,thenremove

weightsandbakeforanother10

minutesat180C(350F)until

goldenbrown.

METHOD

Inmixer,combinehalfofflourandsalt

withthebutteronlowspeedusing

paddleattachment.Turnuptomedium

speedandmixuntilcompletely

blended,stoppingandscrapingsides

asnecessary.Reducespeedand

combineremainingflour.Incorporate

water.Thedoughwillcomeuparound

thepaddleandshouldfeelsmooth,

notsticky.

Cookskin-side-downuntilfatis

rendered,ormelted,andbrown.

Onbarbeque(orinwell-ventilated

kitchen),placefoilpackdirectlyover

medium-highheattostartsmoking.

Placeduckbreastonsideofbarbeque

withnoheat.Quicklycloselidtotrap

smokeforabout20minutes.Remove

andallowtocool.

ParsniPsINGREDIENTS2 ParsniPs

310 ml (1¼ cup) heavY cream

125 ml (½ cup) Water

5 ml (1 tsp) salt

5 ml (1 tsp) BUtter

ASSEMBLY

Putparsnippuréeintartshell.Place

saskatoonsontopandsprinklewith

saltandpepper.Bakeat180C(350F)

toheatthrough(roughly10minutes).

Heatduckbreastinovenfor5minutes.

Removeduckandsliceverythinly.

Removetart,topwith4piecesof

slicedduckbreastin4evenrows.

Cuttartinto4portionsandserve

immediately.

serves 4

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recipe courtesy of Blair lebsack and served at ernest’s dining room on nait main campus.

for ernest’s menu and reservations: www.nait.ca/ernests 780.471.8676

web extraToaddacrispparsnipgarnishto

thisrecipevisittechlifemag.ca/duck-tart.htm.

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Métis Training to Employment Services can provide support to Métis students entering:

» The final two semesters of a university degree, a college diploma or a technical institute program

» A certificate program of one year or less » A college diploma or technical institute program for up to two years in length if the training results in an occupation designated as being in high demand

» The first and second year of technical training in a Registered Apprenticeship Trade

» The financial contribution for eligible clients may include tuition, mandatory books and supplies and

income support.Métis Scholar Awards are also available to students enrolled full-time in any certificate, diploma, applied undergraduate degree or

undergraduate degree program at NAIT.

For more information, contact: Métis Training to Employment Services

1-888-48-MÉTIS 1-888-486-3847

www.metisemployment.ca

MÉTIS POST SECONDARY

FUNDING

RupertslandInstituteMétis Centre of Excellence

Techlife Ad 2011-2.indd 1 07-04-11 16:13

sPacessPaces

after more than two decadesastheplacemanyofAlberta’sdentalassistantscuttheirteethintheprofession,NAIT’sDentalAssistinglabhasreceivedaradicalmakeover.

“Ouroriginalequipmentwasover20yearsold,”saysMaureenSymmes,DentalHealthScienceschair.“Nowourstudentswillbeworkingwiththemostefficientandtechnicalequipment.”

Thanksto$1.7millionfromAlbertaAdvancedEducationandTechnology(and$250,000fromNAIT),thelabwasoutfittedthissummerwithnewchairs,cabinets,sinksandotherstaplesofthe

practice,aswellasstate-of-the-artinfectioncontrolequipmentanddigitalx-raymachinesfoundinAlberta’smostadvancedclinics.

NAITstudentsaren’ttheonlybeneficiariesoftheremodelling.Theoldequipment–including15dentalchairs,threex-rayunits,cabinetryandtextbooks–wasshippedtoRwandatotrainup-and-comingdentalhealthprofessionals.

ForSymmes,thatmeansimprovedoralhealthinacountrywithextremelylimitedaccesstoequipmentanddentalcare.“Allofusinthedentalareafeltthiswasareallyspecialcause,”shesays.

— Scott Messenger

v5.1 2011 61

stationfillinG

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TOp 50 aLuMNI1

3find nait

alumni online

NAITiscelebratingits50thanniversaryin2012.Aspartofthefestivities,wearelookingforNAIT’stop50alumniofthelast50years.Tellusyourpickandwhyatwww.nait.ca/top50andwe’llenteryouinadrawtowinaniPad2.

NomineesmustbegraduatesofNAITcreditorapprenticeshipprogramsorretiredfromemploymentatNAIT.AllnominationsmustbereceivedbyDec.31,2011.We’lldrawfortheiPad2onJan.16,2012.Onlythewinnerwillbenotified.

stay connected

5employment services EmploymentServicesconnectsstudents,alumniandemployersthroughonlinejobpostings.Ifyou’reastudentoralumlookingforajob,orifyou’reanemployerlookingtopostajob,visitwww.nait.ca/employmentservicestoseewhatfreeservicesareavailabletoyou.

NotallgiftstoNAITneedtobemonetary.Youcanalsodonategoodsandservices.Thesedonationshelptheinstitutereducethecostofequipment,suppliesandservices.Formoreinformation,visitwww.nait.ca/giftsinkind,orcontacttheDepartmentofAdvancementat780.471.8800oradvancement@nait.ca.4other ways to support naitAreyoulookingforwaystoconnect

withotherNAITgraduates?LiketheNAITAlumniFacebookpage

atfacebook.com/naitalumniorjointheNAITAlumnigrouponLinkedInatwww.nait.ca/linkedinalumni.

nominate a top alum at www.nait.ca/top50.

Gettingmarried,movingorchangingjobs?KeepyourcontactinformationuptodatewithNAITthroughtheAlumniConnectionwebsite:www.nait.ca/alumniconnection.

Keepingyourinformationcurrentwillensureyoureceivetechlife magazine,thetechlifemag.cae-newsletterandinvitationsfromNAITwithoutinterruptions.

get involved With nait

2

62 techlifemag.ca

5 Ways

suchgreat

v5.1 2011 63

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in 1993 i was looking for a summer job. MydadwasatruckdriverwithLedcorandIgotonwiththecompanyasalaboureronajobatBonnieDoonmall.Itpiquedmyinterestincarpentryandconstructionwork.

i did a four-year carpentry apprenticeship withNAIT,graduatedin2000,andgotmyRedSeal.ThewayIbecameaprojectmanagerisalittleoutoftheordinary;mostdon’tgothefieldroute.Iwentfromlabourertoapprenticecarpenter,journeymancarpenter,leadhand,foreman,superintendent,projectmanagerandnowseniorprojectmanagerontheEpcorTowersinceNovember2007.

communication skills are key–Ilearnedthatthehardwayonmanyoccasions.Youhavetobeabletodealwithsomanydifferentkindsofpersonalitiesoutthere.Ifyoucan’tgetacrosswhatyouneedtogetacross,itcanmakeorbreakyourconversation.

the work-life balance is good.I’musuallyhomeintimeforsupperandtoseemywife,18-year-olddaughterandsix-year-oldson.WorkinglongerhoursduringtheweekisapersonalchoicesoIcanhavemyweekendsfree.

i like building stuff.It’sareallygoodsenseofsatisfactiontobeabletosay,“Webuiltthat,”whenIdrivearoundEdmonton.It’sreallycool.

it’s a tall order, but someone has to build it. as senior

project manager for ledcor construction limited on

the 30-storey epcor tower in downtown edmonton,

mike roper (carpentry ’00) works an average of 10

hours a day keeping the job on schedule, managing

and reporting on budgets and monitoring the trades’

progress. nearly four years after he started on the

project, tenants have moved into the building and

construction is drawing to a close. as with every

job throughout his 18-year career, roper’s efforts

are rewarded each time he drives past the tower –

the first new office tower built downtown in more

than 20 years – and beholds the concrete results

of his labour.

— Eliza Barlow

THESKINNY

• pay:Average:$95,000

• location: Withanotherpotentialskillsshortageonthehorizon,companiesarenowlookingtogetstaffinplaceacrossAlberta

• work hours:Average:41.9hours/week;MikeRoper:57–60hours/week

• training: Extensiveexperienceasprojectmanager,plusconstructionand/orengineeringcredentials

ghtssuchgreat

edmonton’s new 30-storey epcor tower marks a milestone in mike roper’s career as carpenter-turned-proJect manager.

he

acclaim • click

Grads, staff and friends of nait continue to amass awards and accolades in everything from industry to innovation to athletics. here are a few recent winners.

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and the aWard Goes to...

NAIT’sSenatorThelmaChalifouxAwardforsignificantcontributiontoaboriginalstudentsuccessisawardedtoimperial oilforitsongoingsupportofaboriginaleducation.ThroughitssupportofNAITprogramssuchasAboriginalPre-TechnologyandChemistryonCampus,thecompanyhasprovidedhundredsofaboriginalstudentswithuniqueopportunitiestolearnandsucceed.

Competingagainstmorethan1,000professionalsfrom30countries,sixculinarystudentsbroughthome10medals(foursilverandsixbronze)thisspringfromtheHongKongInternationalCulinaryClassicatHOFEx2011,Asia’sleadingfoodandhospitalitytradeshow.Thestudents(someofwhomhavesincegraduated)–ashley broad,pattaree poprasat(CulinaryArts’11),tiffany sorensen(CulinaryArts’11),phillip robidoux(RetailMeatcutting’11),jayden kresnyakanddavid leeder–weremembersofCulinaryTeamNAIT,agroupofstudentsandinstructorswhocompeteregionally,nationallyandinternationally.

Celebritychefcorbin tomaszeski(Cooking’92)istherecipientofNAIT’s2010AlumniAwardofDistinction.RaisedonanAlbertafarm,theformerexecutivechefofHolt’sCaféinTorontoisbetterknownforturninguptheheatasthehostofFoodNetworkshowsCrash My Kitchen,Restaurant Makeoverand,currently,Dinner Party Wars.

SkillsAlbertarewardedstanley townsend,chairofNAIT’sCulinaryArtsprogram,withtheSkillsAlbertaVolunteeroftheYearawardfor19yearsofdedicationandinvolvementwiththeannualcompetition.Avolunteersincethefirstprovincialskillscompetitionin1993,Townsendhasservedasprovincialandnationaltechnicalcommitteemember,regionalskillscoordinatorandTry-a-TradecoordinatoratWorldSkillsinCalgary.

5

rosalyn naqvi-parasynchuk(Accounting’99,BachelorofAppliedBusinessAdministration’03)earnedtheSpiritofNAITAlumniAwardforherprofessionalaccomplishmentsandvolunteeractivities.ThevicepresidentofCameronHomes,Naqvi-Parasynchukmakestimetohelpoutseveralcommunitycauses,includingaddictionrecoveryandhomelessnesswhileoverseeingthecompany’shomebuildingdivision.

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GOAL-ORIENTEDPresidentDr.GlennFelthamrevealshishopesforNAIT>techlifemag.ca/feltham-aspirations.htm

KINGOFTHECOuRTDavidDoward’squesttobringprobasketballtoEdmonton

>techlifemag.ca/edmonton-energy.htm

HAPPYHOMESHomeinspectorPaulTobolskiexplainshowtocheckoutahouse

>techlifemag.ca/home-inspection.htm

AuTOAFICIONADOBuyingacar?NickThibaulthasanappforthatandmore

>techlifemag.ca/auto-app.htm

PuTTINGOuTFIRESStoriesfromthefrontlinesofthisyear’swildfireseason>techlifemag.ca/alberta-wildfires.htm

KNIFETRICKSWatchculinarychairStanleyTownsendtransformveggiesintoflowers>techlifemag.ca/vegetable-flowers.htm

v5.1 2011 65

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66 techlifemag.ca

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nostalGic get your photos published andtakehomeNAIT-brandedmerchandise.

dig uP your old nait Photos and you could Win.

in 2012, nait will celebrate its50thanniversary. Tohelpmarktheoccasion,wewantyoutohelpcreateaphotogalleryofNAIToverthepastfivedecades.

Postthephotosyoutookwhileyouwereastudentorstaffer–photoslikethesebyBruceWoloshyn(RadioandTelevision’84)–totheNAITAlumniFacebookpage(facebook.com/naitalumni)[email protected].

AteamofalumniandretiredstaffwillselectphotosthatbestcapturethespiritofNAITforpublicationinthe50thanniversaryissueoftechlifemagazineinfall2012.Visittechlifemag.ca/photo-contest.htmforcontestrules.DeadlineforsubmissionsisMarch30,2012.

radio and television arts students in Jasper in the early ‘80s filming a feature titled James Bombed. the photographs Bruce woloshyn shares “paint an accurate picture of the amazing time we had in the radio and television arts program back in 1983 and 1984.”

– Miika KlemettiSatisfi ed client since 2008

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TD Insurance Meloche Monnex is the trade name of SECURITY NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY which underwrites the home and auto insurance program. The program is distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc. in Quebec and by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in the rest of Canada.Due to provincial legislation, our auto insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan.

*No purchase required. Contest ends on January 13, 2012. Each winner may choose the prize, a 2011 MINI Cooper Classic (including applicable taxes, preparation and transportation fees) for a total value of $28,500, or a cash amount of $30,000 Canadian. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received. Skill-testing question required. Contest organized jointly with Primmum Insurance Company and open to members, employees and other eligible persons belonging to all employer and professional and alumni groups who have an agreement with and are entitled to group rates from the organizers. Complete contest rules and eligibility criteria available at www.melochemonnex.com. Actual prize may differ from picture shown. MINI Cooper is a trade-mark, used under license, of BMW AG, which is not a participant in or a sponsor of this promotion.

®/The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/or other countries.

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The Syncrude Project is a joint venture undertaking among Canadian Oil Sands Limited, Imperial Oil Resources, Mocal Energy Limited, Murphy Oil Company Ltd., Nexen Oil Sands Partnership, Sinopec Oil Sands Partnership and Suncor Energy Oil and Gas Partnership.

Join the most modern oil sands operation in North America and watch your career take off. Syncrude’s Campus Recruitment

Program for post-secondary students is the perfect opportunity for you to gain valuable experience and be part of a

team working to secure Canada’s energy future.

Our operation is growing and so are the possibilities to join a new frontier—one full of excitement, adventure and huge success.

Dream bigger with one of Canada’s top employers.

Visit syncrude.ca/careers for additional information.

You supply the dream. We’ll provide the opportunity.

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techlife: the opportunity issue v5.1

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