Life

Economic development will continue to be a hot topic if debates during the recent municipal elections are any indication. Many candidates talked about attracting new businesses in a drive to create jobs, but few mentioned the critical need to support existing businesses. Why is this a concern? Because investment attraction is just one part of [...] Read More »

As a small business, there are many factors that are outside of your control and these things can affect your operation and profit. How can a business stay on top of industry trends and changes? A business needs to be constantly assessing their market. By following market trends, you can have better success in understanding [...] Read More »

With election signs popping up all around us, it comes as no surprise that our next priority within our communities is our municipal elections. With that comes the importance of taking the time to make an informed vote in order to select our next municipal leaders. Elections can be challenging and frustrating for an electorate, [...] Read More »

A few weeks ago, the Medicine Hat News reported that the City of Medicine Hat is planning to drill exploratory wells to look for helium. If that activity bears fruit, it could be a boon for Medicine Hat. Which begs the questions, what is helium and what makes it an opportunity worth pursuing? Although best [...] Read More »

A lot of time, effort, money and hard work goes into starting up a business and some still fail. It is this knowledge and the process itself that sometimes gets in the way of the best ideas moving from concept to reality. While some would say that, the traditional method of starting a business should [...] Read More »

Some of you might remember the very popular kids videos and songs called Veggie Tales by Phil Vischer. My kids loved them and I think I loved them even more. Each video had a moral theme and they were not only entertaining but educational. In one video Madame Blueberry (yes there were also fruits not [...] Read More »

Mero Editorial Food is a key component of any social occasion. Party hosts often rely on buffet-style offerings as opposed to sit-down meals to feed guests in environments where space may be limited. Buffets also are handy when hosting guests with various dietary restrictions or people who are picky eaters. When establishing buffet service, hosts [...] Read More »

Getting your family involved in the kitchen cooking together has multiple benefits. It’s family bonding time, it teaches cooking skills and math skills, it helps get everyone eating the meals — even picky eaters. It’s an opportunity to talk together and many more benefits. You can involve the whole family in a variety of meal [...] Read More »

Gardening time is getting closer to an end. So many delicious fresh fruits and veggies have come our way over the past few months and there’s still some to come. There are a bounty of benefits from enjoying a variety of vegetables in a healthy well balanced diet. Not only are there many nutritional benefits [...] Read More »

We are having such a spectacular summer and although summer doesn’t officially end until Sept. 21, back to school time is right around the corner. Every year when I write this column I cry, but not this year. Nope, I flatly refuse. Unlike some parents I do not at all look forward to back to [...] Read More »

Why is it that we accept the fact that everyone should see their dentist twice a year to detect dental decay? That we should get regular eye examinations and a checkup by our family doctor once a year? But ironically we rarely, if ever, hear that we should do the same for our ears! So [...] Read More »

A week ago we collectively took a day to be thankful and the benefits go way beyond just the lovely dinner and tasty treats. Thanksgiving is an ancient tradition of expressing thanks for a bountiful harvest and in Canada that includes an historical celebration of thanks for the safe return of explorer Martin Frobisher after [...] Read More »

This week I interviewed Dr. Andrew Saul, an international authority on nutrition and vitamin therapy, and editor of The Orthomolecular Medical News Service. Saul believes the greatest medical dangers today are the epidemic of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, overuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and neglect of natural remedies. These, he says, will be the [...] Read More »

We’ve become so accustomed to using a temperature thermometer in our homes, to indicate whether we have a fever or not, and in the future we may be relying on a device to measure inflammation in our bodies. A research centre in Finland, VTT Technical Research Centre, has developed a device similar in size to [...] Read More »

Of all the people seeking help in Alberta hospital emergency departments after falling, 25 per cent are seniors. There are a range of contributing factors for those falls. In winter there are additional hazards because of slippery surfaces but many falls take place in the home. Side effects from certain medications such as tranquilizers, sedatives, [...] Read More »

Sept. 6 1. Jim Hillson 2. Bert Howes 3. Ruth Tidy 4. Betty Biffard 5. Bruce Perrin Sept. 11 1. Adrienne Warynycia 2. Lynne Windjack 3. Lil Iwanicki 4. Bruce Perrin 5. Matilda Weiss Sept. 13 1. Bruce Perrin 2. Bert Howes 3. Norma Campbell & Lois Howes (tie) Sept. 18 1. Bruce Perrin 2. [...] Read More »

Narcotics are the oldest (since 4000 BC) as well as the strongest pain-relieving drugs known to mankind. Narcotics or opioids (means the same thing) are drugs that act on the nervous system to relieve pain. Continued use and abuse can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms. Is there a difference between narcotics, opioids and [...] Read More »

MONDAY — Do you have a drinking problem? Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held seven days a week in Medicine Hat. For times and locations, call 403-527-2065. — Moms’ Walking Group, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., meet in Mall Food Court in front of A&W. Walk, then have coffee. — TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 5:30 p.m., [...] Read More »

I can hardly believe that today is Praxis’ 26th annual Family Science Olympics. Trust me, I have been pulling this event together for a number of years now and I have to say it is my absolute favourite time of the year. There is nothing more exciting than seeing families participate in the hands on [...] Read More »

I have always loved playing sports. One of my skills was speed. However, over the years I have noticed that I am less willing to expend so much energy when playing games. I want to be able to wake up the next day without pain. Bottom line is that I am getting slower. This made [...] Read More »

Mansoor Ladha Special to the News During a recent visit to an alpaca farm in Quebec, I was presented with a pair of socks, made from alpaca fibre. Since such socks are not available in stores, this was a unique present. Who are the alpacas, was my question? Alpacas are domesticated species of south America, [...] Read More »

Steve MacNaull Special to the News Shortly after we’re startled by the Headless Horseman galloping by, we enter The Haunted Mansion. Then we hurl ourselves through a mostly-dark galaxy, get in an elevator with dodgy wiring, perilously hang upside down and ride a railway with sketchy tracks. It seems we can’t get enough of deliberately [...] Read More »

Marilyn Krause Aspen Crossing Railway located southeast of Calgary and one kilometre west of Mossleigh is where you will find a unique train experience. We recently took advantage of the Open Farm Days mini tour which was an hour long ride on a full-size excursion train. The day was sunny as we explored the different [...] Read More »

Mansoor Ladha Special to the News When native Quebecers hear the word poutine, they don’t usually think of Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, says Danis, my guide in Quebec City. She is talking about poutine which has been the staple diet of Quebec. Walking down a street in Quebec City on a sunny afternoon, you are [...] Read More »

Ernest Fode Upon arriving in Veradero, Cuba after a four-hour flight from Calgary, the sight of old vintage cars from the 1950s and aged horse-drawn carriages got me wondering if I had landed back in time after a trip in an H.G. Wells time-machine. This was the start of a seven-day all-inclusive vacation at a [...] Read More »