I can't watch

On my wall I have a framed photo I took in Haiti.

I spent a week there in early 2008, tagging along with an NGO as they negotiated the development of a new medical facility on the Haiti-Dominican Republic border.

I took the photo in Port-au-Prince, looking down a steep hill onto an alleyway lined with concrete facades. The green mountainside in the background is barely visible through a haze of smoke, and its lower reaches are a patchwork of cinderblock homes.

I wonder now how that view has changed; in the two years since my visit, Haiti has been devastated by two hurricanes and a massive earthquake.

I can’t bring myself to watch the footage of the aftermath of the quake. When I read of the destruction in Petionville, a neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince where I spent most of my time during my visit, I felt a confusing mixture of emotions wash over me: grief, loss, and the awkward sensation of having accidentally walked in on someone in a moment of private pain.

My reaction surprised me. When I returned to the D.R. after my week in Haiti, all I felt was relief. I’d spent the entirety of my stay in Port-au-Prince in a state of high agitation, worrying about my money, about my food, about the discussions in Haitian Creole I couldn’t participate in, about the bugs slowly eating away at the wooden headboard in my hotel room.

I listened and looked and sensed, internalizing my surroundings without understanding them, and when I stepped off the bus in familiar Santo Domingo, it was like releasing a gigantic breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding in.

When I debriefed the experience with the founder of the NGO, a Haitian-born lawyer from New York, he cautioned me against making assumptions about the things I’d seen.

I had viewed Haiti through a privileged lens, eating in nice restaurants and touring only the safest neighbourhoods. I never ventured into those misty mountainside shanties, just photographed them from afar and wondered about the lives being lived out there.

Haiti’s situation is uniquely complex and probably one of the least understood of any developing nation in the world; I acknowledged this, but with a sense of regret that I hadn’t really connected with the country or its people.

For that reason, the strong sadness I felt at the news of the earthquake felt misplaced, inappropriate somehow. The hundreds of thousands of deaths and the utter destruction of beautiful, historic Port-au-Prince are undisputable tragedies, but ultimately, they’re not my losses to bear, or any of the millions of people who have generously donated to the relief effort.

The outpouring of money and support is wonderful, but much of the lightning-fast response smacks of opportunism.

Everyone who’s anyone in the journalism industry is down there covering the story and some of their dispatches sound almost giddy, as though picking their way through mangled, body-strewn streets and asking survivors about the horrors they’ve witnessed is the thrill of a lifetime.

In the days immediately following the quake, North American expats in Haiti were the only accessible sources of information about the situation, and some, like American Luke Renner, saw their chance to seize a few moments of fame. Renner’s Twitter feed is a stomach-turning combination of self-promotional references to his interviews and talk show appearances interspersed with gory updates on the carnage.

I refuse to watch the Haiti telethons (either incarnation) because to me it seems like the height of exploitation — a bunch of wealthy, fabulous people essentially using the tragedy to further boost their profiles.

The absolute nadir was reading that a woman in New York who was involved in some political sex scandal (I can’t be bothered to mention her name) was planning to donate all the proceeds from her “strip-a-thon” to the Red Cross.

All of this is completely removed from the Haiti I choose to remember, the Haiti I hope rises from the dust, the Haiti that captured my imagination and my heart without me even realizing it.

The world will tear its eyes away, the television crews will pack up and go home, the stars will find another worthy cause they can use. In that sudden vacuum of attention, I hope it’s Haitian voices that emerge, telling their own story, in their own words, inviting us to understand.

Weekly Roundup — Sept. 11

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• Leduc and district RCMP welcomed a new regional commander, Insp. Chuck Jackson, to the force Aug. 10.

• Local MPs are preparing for a possible fall federal election.

• Leduc County council will borrow $3.5 million from the province on behalf of the Leduc Foundation to finance their three-year affordable housing plan.

• The Leduc Public Library is offering an outreach service to the housebound.

• The City of Leduc is gathering feedback on changes to Leduc Assisted Transportation Services, including a possible fare reduction.

• A trial date has been set for an Edmonton man accused of stabbing a Co-op taxi driver in Nisku last month.

• Second Glance clothing has made a financial contribution to the upcoming Visualeyes Youth Conference, which aims to motivate local students and teach them about good decision making.

• In sports, the Chinese national curling teams have chosen Leduc as their training ground in the leadup to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver; the Red Deer Rebels and Edmonton Oil Kings played an exhibition game in Leduc last week; and a local track star placed fifth in his event at the recent Canada Games.

• Goofy Alberta musical comedy duo Lewis & Royal will play a free show in Leduc Sept. 19.

• Calmar is considering changing its water utilities bylaw to protect landlords whose tenants renege on their payments.

• A longtime employee of ATB Financial celebrated his retirement last week.

All this and more in the Sept. 11 issue of the Rep!

Weekly Roundup — Sept. 4

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• Local school boards are waiting to find out how an $80 million cut to Alberta Education's budget announced last week will affect their operations this year.

• RCMP will be stepping up their presence in school zones this week to give drivers a refresher on speed limits.

• Laura profiles local punk band California Lane Change, who won the Battle of the Bands at Leduc's first Rock the Rails youth event Aug. 27. Also, check out our photo gallery with tons of pics from the event.

• Leduc County council has provided staff with guidelines for the county's 2010 budget, including a $250,000 contingency fund for Capital Region Board projects.

• Are you prepared to take up the Terry Fox challenge?

• Local school boards are updating their pandemic plans in advance of the fall flu season and are expected to include some guidelines for dealing with the H1N1 flu virus.

• Alex has a feature about Leduc County's Bridges mentorship program, which provides support and guidance for women living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

• City of Leduc council turned down a request by the owners of the Prairie Professional building — partially destroyed by a June 12 fire — for more than $10,000 in tax relief.

• Leduc County and the Town of Beaumont are embarking on a joint sustainable growth study.

• Construction is underway on a new elementary school in Thorsby.

• In sports, the Atlanta Thrashers have their eye on Leduc minor hockey alum Travis Toomey, who is heading to a scouting tournament this week.

• We have updates on the Bobcats', Wildcats and Ti-Cats' weekend football games; and despite not making the finals, the E2 Crude/West women's rugby team dominated in the B-division playoffs last week.

• And in your weekly crime and punishment update, a Leduc man racked up more than $3,000 in fines for playing his stereo too loud.

All this and more in the Sept. 4 Rep!

Weekly Roundup — August 28

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• A 55-year-old Edmonton woman remains in hospital after sustaining serious but non-life threatening injuries when her car jumped the barrier on the Highway 2 overpass and landed in the middle of 50 Avenue in Leduc Monday afternoon.

• Time is running out for Canadian boaters to get their pleasure craft operator card.

• The 16th annual TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is coming to a body of water near you next month.

• Canadian Blood Services are looking for at least 115 donations at their next clinic in Nisku.

• The City of Leduc is giving residents the chance to sneak a peek at the LRC next Wednesday.

• Protect your "grown-up toys" this winter.

• Laura has an inside look at the daily life of a STARS air ambulance pilot.

• Leduc County council aired some fears about the Capital Region Board's land-use plan at their Aug. 25 meeting.

• ACI-NA says EIA is tops in PR.

• Leduc and District Victim Services is looking for volunteers.

• You know that inner door connecting your garage to your house? Always lock it.

• Feel sorry for Laura.

All this and more in the Aug. 28 Rep!

The story I wish was on our front page

“Next goal wins, boys. Next goal wins.”

Hockey for Hubbs organizer Jim Garrick spoke those words through a microphone to the 40 players at the rink next to Ecole Bellevue School as well as the crowd gathered to watch at 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 23.

Two minutes later, with Tanner Hubbs watching from the bench, the Braves scored, winning the game for the white jerseys despite the two hundred (or so) goal lead the black-clad Chiefs had.

At the end of it all, 109 hours and 32 minutes after Tanner Hubbs dropped the ball on Aug. 19, 40 young men (ranging in age from 15 to 29) had set a world record for the Longest Marathon Street Hockey Game and had also helped raise more than $50,000 for Hubbs and his family ... More from the Beaumont News

(Photo: Rick Hubbs, father of spinal cord injury victim Tanner Hubbs, embraces one of the 40 young ball hockey players who rallied the Town of Beaumont around Tanner's cause last week. Photo by Alex Pope)

Party central

Broken glass found on the banks of Conjuring Creek, just west of Calmar. The creek is one of hundreds of waterways across Canada that will benefit from a litter sweep during the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup from Sept. 19-27. According to Bob McKerracher, who registered Conjuring Creek as a cleanup site, the creek is a popular party spot for local teens and needs a lot of work. McKerracher and others on Calmar's recreation board hope to eventually turn the site into a park. See the Aug. 28 Rep for more. (Photo by Alex Pope)

A wish come true

As reporters, we spend a fair amount of time writing about sad or difficult subjects, so when we get the chance to cover something positive, it's a real joy and makes our job so much more fun.

Last Friday, I had just such an opportunity: covering the fulfillment of 8-year-old Kaelyn Halyk's wish for a hot tub.

Kaelyn is one of 55 children with life-threatening medical conditions who will have their wish granted this year by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A local volunteer made the day very special for Kaelyn by mobilizing members of the RCMP, Leduc Fire Services and a team of volunteers to march Kaelyn's hot tub to her house in a parade.

The parade assembled around the corner from Kaelyn's house and set out in a procession:


Cst. Jodi Heidinger turned the police cruiser's lights and sirens on, which was pretty exciting for Kaelyn:


Once everyone was in the backyard, Kendra presented Kaelyn with some other gifts, including a crown and wand and a Hannah Montana beach towel to dry off with after using her new hot tub. Courage the Fire Dog also gave her a special stuffed dalmatian puppy:


Even Leduc Mayor Greg Krischke showed up to congratulate Kaelyn on her wish fulfillment with a certificate commemorating the occasion:


While all this was going on, the staff of Beachcomber Hot Tubs installed Kaelyn's new tub:


The fire department members stuck around afterwards to fill the hot tub using the fire hose.

It was all very special and touching and I hope Kaelyn gets a lot of enjoyment from her new hot tub!

(Photos by Alex Pope)

Weekly Roundup — July 3

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• Alex has seen the future of the capital region, and it's large and scary and GTA-like.

• Residents of Wizard Lake say boating is all fun and games until someone gets hurt.

• Bobby waxes rhubarbic on Alberta's forgotten vegetable.

• She's a dancer.

• Leduc County missed out on grants for a waterline study this year.

• Everyone knows you shouldn't leave your dog in a hot car, yet for some reason we hear about it every summer, so here's the obligatory "DON'T LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A HOT CAR" story, along with some other great tips to help your pet beat the heat.

• Of the five whole people who answered our poll question about vacations versus "staycations," three said they will be staycationing this summer, so here are some ideas for what to do in the Leduc County area.

• A local charity is collecting pyjamas to give to children in need this Christmas.

• This gal ROX.

• Sometimes the court stories just write themselves. Oh, and in case you're wondering, this is why we report on court cases.

(Photo: Photographer Charles Hope, centre, takes a picture of a mock crash scene featuring members of the Thorsby Fire Department for The Fire Within 2010 volunteer firefighter calendar. The calendar will be sold at Canadian Tire to raise money for the fire department. Photo by Bobby Roy.)

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Flagging down Canada Day

Waking up at five in the morning may not be one of my most favourite things to do, well actually it's not on the list at all, but doing it for a good cause this Canada Day made it worthwhile.

At 6 a.m. I headed down to Leduc to participate in some flag planting with a fellow Leduc Rep sales rep and Bob and Sharon Buttar. Bob is the owner of Coldwell Banker in Leduc and he and his company have been secretly putting tiny Canadian flags in the front of every house in Leduc for the past 15 years.

The cat's out of the bag so to speak. 

I'm sure people have begun to figure out who has been putting miniature Canadian Flags in their front yards every Canada Day for the past 15 years, but thanks to me (hopefully) people will know who the devious flag planters are by next Friday.

Walking front yard to front yard on a somewhat chilly Canada Day morning planting the flags I found that I was actually enjoying myself rather than trying to hopelessly stay awake. 

I have never really done anything special for Canada Day and I definitely found it interesting to hear Bob talk about how patriotic Americans are for Independence Day while Canadians are pretty passive when it comes to our day. It made me realize that maybe I take this country for granted sometimes. I always hear people complain about how terrible Canada is sometimes and when you think about it how can you complain? We've got so many advantages over so many other countries yet I know that all Canadians have complained about our country one time or another. 

This unselfish deed that employees from Coldwell Banker and helpers do every Canada Day is a great symbol to what Canadians are like. Some of the helpers woke up as early as four in the morning to help with the Canada Day flag planting, which is a real testament to the importance of this annual event. 

I'm sure when people woke up in the morning they either loved the little flag or did not care at all. It's the little joys in life that make life worth living and being a part of something like this was great.

Weekly Roundup — June 19

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• The community is helping the victims of the tragic Prairie Professional apartment fire pick up the pieces, while the fire department continues its investigation into the cause of the blaze.

• A group of young boys raised money for the victims with an impromptu juice stand.

• Laura's life was touched by the fire as well, an experience she wrote about in a column this week.

• The editorial this week also focuses on the incredible generosity of residents in the wake of the tragedy.

• As Bobby blogged last week, Alberta Liberal leader David Swann is critical of Bill 44.

• At the last EDA breakfast before summer, Travel Alberta vice-chair Bob Normand told everyone not to worry for the province's tourism industry.

• Leduc is ready to get co-operative — housing, that is.

• Your life is not complete until you've enjoyed a hot dog from the Leduc Community Living Association's outdoor vending cart.

• Across the county, Calmar is trying to cut down on misuse of its skatepark. The town also enjoyed a very successful diabetes walk. Also, the New Sarepta Municipal Library came in under budget last year.

• A local teen is preparing to showcase her pinup-inspired paintings in the upcoming Whyte Avenue Art Walk.

• Drugs are still bad for you — take it from Mike Ryan of Clean Scene.

This week was stacked with news and events, so pick up a June 19 Rep for more.

(Photo by Kate Hamilton)

Help victims of Prairie Professional fire

STORY HERE.

Updated: More HERE.

FOOD DONATIONS: Leduc and District Food Bank Association, 4810 49 Avenue, Leduc. Info: 780-986-5333.

CLOTHING DONATIONS: Second Glance Clothing, 5607 50 Street, Leduc. Please no donations until Wednesday.

LARGE ITEM DONATIONS: Register with Leduc FCSS Victim Support Line: 780-980-7181.

MONETARY DONATIONS: ATB Financial Leduc Branch, 4821 50 Avenue under the name Prairie Professional Fire Victims.

Photo by Laura Ring

Weekly Roundup — June 12

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• The manager of a local Chevrolet dealership says GM's decision to terminate their sales and service agreement is "unfair" and an inaccurate reflection of the store's recent sales record.

• A new website hopes to bring closure to families of missing persons.

• The children of Southfork finally have a park.

• Accessibility is a key issue in the construction of the new Leduc Recreation Centre.

• A local team is preparing for the upcoming Ride to Conquer Cancer in Calgary.

• In county news, Leduc County councillors want residents to be aware that an application has been filed to develop a gravel mining operation on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Warburg reviewed its financial audit, and Epcor hopes its new project will make its Genesee generating station a world leader in clean energy and carbon capture and sequestration.

• In sports, the LCHS Tiger rugby boys are hoping for redemption in the Tier 2 provincials, the Bantam Ticats football team has wrapped up their spring training camp, the Otters swim team is winding down their season after a strong showing at a recent meet in Red Deer, and it's charity golf season again.

• Alex has an omnibus edition of provincial court briefs, including a man who racked up $4,500 in fines stemming from one drunken ride through Beaumont and a man who stole tip money from a bartender to play the VLTs.

(Photo: Cheryl Agostinho, wife of the late Cst. Jose Agostinho, and Kool Mom Shannon Moroz unveiled the temporary sign dedicating the brand new Southfork park to Agostinho's memory after the park build on June 6. Agostinho, who was killed in the line of duty on July 4, 2005, while serving as a member of the Wetaskiwin RCMP, believed passionately in helping children become good citizens and loved Leduc, friends said. Photo by Alexandra Pope.)

Weekly Roundup — April 24

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• It was all about volunteers this week! The Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Authority held a special breakfast to recognize the contribution Leduc's hundreds of volunteers make to the community, and guest speaker Sandy McLeod called volunteers "the most powerful force on earth."

• Local emergency personnel are gearing up for a baseball tournament in support of Little Warriors.

• Blackgold Kennels are preparing for their busiest season by adding space for more lost and abandoned animals.

• The tragic death of a 10-year-old Calmar boy in an ATV rollover last weekend has prompted calls for more safety precautions.

• The City of Leduc is planning for future traffic headaches by highlighting areas for improvement on the city's roads.

• Stageworks is finishing off their season with three upcoming performances.

• In sports, a local team triumphed at a major pool tournament in Edmonton, the Leduc Drillers are preparing for their epic 200-km bike ride to raise funds for cancer research, and the Leduc StrayCats got their season off to a good start.

Check out our website or pick up a copy of the Rep for all this and more, including full coverage of what to expect at the 40th annual Black Gold Rodeo, which kicks off this Thursday!

(Photo: Magician Kent Wong demonstrated a little-known technique for relieving neck and head tension on Kaylee Dewar at the EDA's volunteer appreciation breakfast on April 21. Photo by Alex Pope.)

"This is why they call us hillbillies."

Joan Shackley, one of the co-ordinators of Extendicare's music program, entertained the crowd as "Cousin Minnie" at a special appreciation supper for Extendicare's many volunteers at the Royal Canadian Legion hall in Leduc on April 23. As one onlooker commented, "This is why they call us hillbillies!" (Photo by Alex Pope)

Weekly Roundup — April 17

• Leduc has lost two great champions of the community: Doris Smith and Pearl Livingston.

• A man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery at CIBC in Leduc on April 8.

• Leduc County is looking at ways to cut back on capital spending after the province announces fewer dollars for municipal grants in 2009.

• Thorsby police are cracking down on drunk drivers.

• The Boys and Girls Club of Leduc is one step closer to its new home in the Leduc Recreation Centre.

• In sports, the Leduc Atom B1 Roughnecks brought home a banner.

• Laura has some tough advice for Leduc vandals.

For all this and more, visit our website or pick up a copy of the Rep.

Weekly Roundup — April 10

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• The Alberta government has provided a grant for nearly $3 million to help an Edmonton company build a second supportive living residence for seniors in Leduc.

• Following country legend Charley Pride's amazing show of generosity last week, the City of Leduc has made him an honourary citizen. Have you ever paid too much for concert tickets? Weigh in on our poll.

• Country fans enjoyed a kickin' concert in Warburg on April 4 — and raised $60,000 for local projects.

• Leduc residents are being reminded to stay off the ice now that the weather is warming up.

• Leduc's fire department has received special equipment that will help them save peoples' pets from smoke inhalation.

• In sports, Tiger Studios recognized students who have earned their black belts.

Pick up a copy of this week's Rep or visit our website for all this and more.

The best surprise

I just got trampled in a press scrum for legendary country singer Charley Pride, who came to Leduc all the way from Dallas just to present one of his biggest local fans, Jackie Sharp, with a front row ticket to his June 20 show at Jubilee Auditorium — and a cash refund for the exorbitant sum she originally paid for second-balcony tickets.

Sharp bought her tickets online from a scalper for $1,201 — $1,000 more than the face value of what the tickets should have cost her. Upset, her son wrote an email to Pride's management to alert them to the scalper situation. He never expected that Pride himself would get involved.

Her reaction when Pride walked through the door of the City Centre Mall to personally present her with an upgraded ticket was priceless — check the April 10 Rep for more!

Weekly Roundup — March 20

Here's what's making news in Leduc and region this week:

• One economic analyst says the recession will be more like a long winter than an ice age.

• People with developmental disabilities are finding new opportunities in the community thanks to the Leduc LINX Connect Centre in this week's feature.

• Laura tagged along with Coldwell Banker realtor Colin Bland for a day in the life.

• A local youth organization hopes to bolster young girls' self-esteem with a special weekend at camp.

• Old Man Winter is refusing to budge from Alberta for at least another month.

• The students of Caledonia Park School are preparing to learn what famine feels like.

For all this and more, pick up a copy of the Rep or visit our website.

Back from Bolivia

They faced peeling sunburns, altitude sickness and some less-than-savory additions to their lemonade, but a seven-member team from Leduc Community Baptist Church says the two weeks they spent outfitting homes in a poor village in Bolivia recently were "life-changing."

This week I spoke to team member Tim Kerber about what the team learned during their stay in Tookma, a small Quechua community in the mountains of central Bolivia, and it sounds like the experience has laid the foundations for a longer partnership between the LCBC and the people of Tookma. Read all about it in the March 13 edition of the Rep.

The team — made up of Kerber, Jake Giesbrecht, Curtis Giesbrecht, Rob Unrau, Ken Boschman, Wilf Kopp and Dwight Paras — also kept a blog where you can read a first-hand account of their adventures.

Banned bottles

If you've been to an airport in the past eight years, you're probably aware of the tight restrictions on what types of items you're allowed to bring onto the plane in your carry-on baggage. Maybe you've even experienced the inconvenience and mild embarrassment of having the contents of your makeup case searched and confiscated by security personnel.

Well, this past weekend, I was interested to discover that in Edmonton, most of those confiscated bottles of shampoo, suntan lotion, moisturizer and various beverages find their way to local people in need thanks to the Leduc and District Food Bank Association.

I rode along with food bank volunteer Gerry Hamilton on one of his daily trips to the Edmonton International Airport to collect all the items that never make it onto the plane. In addition to being shocked and enlightened, I also scored a free (gently used) water bottle:


It's a huge relief to know that a lot of this stuff is going to a new home or being recycled instead of clogging up a landfill, and as I found out, the need in our community is great in these trying economic times. Read more about it in the March 6 Rep.