Up One LevelNews
Students do their chores for Haiti
By SUSAN SCHWARTZ, The Gazette
Students at The Priory School, a private elementary school on The Boulevard, have involved themselves in a campaign to "hug" Haiti - figuratively, at least.
The school prepared a presentation about Haiti for students at a recent assembly; it included photos of the devastation resulting from the Jan. 12 earthquake. The students were then asked to do a chore at home each day for five days during the week of Feb. 8; chores ranged from cleaning fish bowls and making beds to walking dogs to setting tables.
Priory parents were asked to contribute $2 for each chore completed; each chore was deemed a "hug" for the people of Haiti.
The collective chores by the 159 students added up to nearly $2,450; the federal government will match the amount. The money has been forwarded to the Canadian Red Cross for its relief efforts in Haiti.
School principal Deborah Heuff said she knew one way to help the Haitian people was to mobilize her students to do something that would permit them to help their fellow man. She could have asked parents to donate $10 on behalf of each child, but she felt the children would appreciate contributing in a more direct and personal way through their own actions.
"A time of difficulty presents an opportunity to teach our children that they, indeed, can make a difference," she said. "This is a time for our children to experience firsthand how many little actions can add up to make a significant impact."
The student body at The Priory continues to hold fundraising activities for the children of Haiti.
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Twenty-seven food bloggers and writers from around the world, including one from Montreal, rushed to act on the need for food and aid in Haiti the best way they know how: by compiling a cookbook. The Blog Aid cookbook might well be the fastest concept-to-publication book in history: the idea was launched Jan. 14, two days after the earthquake; the full-colour, 110-page cookbook, featuring photographs of each recipe, was completed Feb. 3.
Proceeds of book sales will support Haitian relief via the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières.
Chef Michael Smith, best known as Chef at Home and Chef Abroad on Food Network Canada, jumped on- board despite being incredibly busy as executive chef for the Vancouver Olympics.
George Brookman, past president of the Calgary Stampede and CEO of West Canadian Graphics in Calgary, rallied his team to make arrangements for a print-on-demand concept: that means buyers bought the book online and it was, in turn, printed and shipped - a faster, more economical system than traditional large-run printing. The federal government matched the proceeds as well, until Feb 12.
Books were available for online purchase until then - they no longer are - and 1,818 books were sold, with a total of $47,166, which includes the Canadian government's matching donation, going to Haiti relief.
Each writer contributed recipes and photos; a paperback version of the 110-page book, which featured 72 recipes, was $25; a hardcover version was $50.
"What wonderful evidence of what good can come from a single thought, when so many generous people work together to bring an idea to fruition," said Calgary-based food blogger (DinnerWithJulie.com) and food journalist Julie Van Rosendaal, who spearheaded the cookbook effort. "Thanks as well to all 27 food bloggers ... who donated recipes and images and Tweeted and Facebooked to help spread the word."
Montreal-based Blog Aid contributor Aimée Wimbush-Bourque, of the blog Under the High Chair (www.underthehighchair.com), had this to say about the effort: "A step taken to bless others, has in turn blessed me with a connection to the other bloggers and a keepsake cookbook, not to mention the feeling of fulfillment that comes from giving."
For more on the effort and a list of contributors, go to blogaidforhaiti.blogspot.com.
applause@thegazette.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
February 4, 2010 - Blog Aid: food bloggers unite to compile a cookbook in support of Haitian relief
In the morning following the earthquake in Haiti, food writer, author, stylist, journalist and blogger Julie Van Rosendaal (dinnerwithjulie.com) lay in bed listening to the news of the day. Saddened by the stream of commentary depicting the helplessness and disparity, she began to think of ways she could help. Unable to go dig through the rubble, but wanting to do more than write a cheque, she pondered the possibilities. Then, in a moment of clarity it came to her "do what you know"....food. And so began the conception, creation and cultivation of a cookbook.
Calling on a global network of food writers, bloggers and chefs as contributors and West Canadian Digital Imaging along with Blurb.com as print and publishing partners, Blog Aid, has gone from thought to fruition in three weeks.
Today we are thrilled to announce the launch of Blog Aid. All proceeds from the sale of Julie's cookbook will go directly to Haitian relief via the Red Cross and Doctors without Borders. Proceeds from sales prior to February 12th will also be matched by the Canadian government.
The book is available in paperback ($25) and hardcover ($50) on Blurb.com and contains recipes and photographs from 27 contributors including the Food Network's Chef Michael Smith and cookbook author Emily Richards.
February 4, 2010 - West Canadian hosts photo exhibit
In collaboration with Vistek, The Fig Tree Foundation collected used digital cameras and distributed them to development organizations in Africa during a 12-month pilot project. The cameras were placed in the hands of project participants to learn a skill, create economic activities and photograph their world as they see it. This exhibition highlights images taken by the participants as well as photos taken by Calgary based development workers while at projects around the world.
West Canadian is thrilled to be hosting this free exhibit from February 4th to 28th in the main lobby of our Calgary office (1601 - 9th Ave SE).
To learn more about the Fig Tree Foundation and thier help with disadvantaged populations around the world visit: www.figtreefoundation.org
January 1, 2010 - New Roles for West Canadian VP's
In preparation for the next decade of growth, West Canadian's President, Irene Price, is pleased to announce expanded roles for Tim Flaman and Sid Nieuwdorp.
Tim Flaman - Vice President, Marketing & Online Business Solutions
Tim has been with West Canadian for 18 years. Tim has been instrumental in establishing West Canadian as one of the premier independent digital print & imaging companies in Canada. Tim's new responsibilities will include online business solutions and photo books, corporate marketing and Orangedoor Direct, West Canadian's direct marketing division.
Sid Nieuwdorp - Vice President, Business Development & Strategy
In his 9 years at West Canadian, Sid has been responsible for the significant growth of West Canadian's major on-site services contracts. His expanded role will include all corporate sales strategy, the Edmonton Branch and West Canadian's extensive on-site managed services programs throughout Alberta.
Congratulations Tim and Sid.
September 22, 2009 - A silly scene for onlookers is in truth a serious fundraiser for guys with good conscience.
West Canadian VP's Tim Flaman and Sid Nieuwdorp slid into stilettos to raise money for the YWCA Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The event raises money to help women and their children take steps to walk away from domestic violence.
The duo was all business on top but was daring in their choice of shoes. Tim, sporting a pair of leopard prints and Sid in bold red patent were noticeably more confident this year over last.
Together Tim and Sid raised an impressive $3,675.00 which entitled them to complimentary foot massages. Needless to say they took full advantage.
To watch video of the 2009 Walk a Mile in her Shoes click on this link...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89slZPE0vEE
September 14, 2009 - Orangedoor Direct & West Canadian Shine at Print 09
West Canadian Digital Imaging & orange door direct were among the winners in the Xerox Best of the Best competition that showed off some first-rate real world print jobs using Xerox technology. This one was a self-promo piece that immediately brought in new business.
Check out Tim Flaman, VP Marketing & Online Business Solutions interview with Noel Ward, Managing Partner of Brimstone Hill Productions:
http://www.youtube.com/realworldprint#p/u/5/fa_d2BVI9Do
Click here to view press release
September 9, 2009 - Tourism Calgary names George Brookman, Chairman of the Board
CALGARY - Tourism Calgary, the city's strategic marketing vehicle, has acquired a new engine and a streamlined look after its members voted to sweep the board clean and cut the bulky 22-director group in half.
Calgary business icon George Brookman is the new chairman of the agency which has seen three chief executives in less than two years. He heads the new 10-member board which now consists of executive recruiter and lawyer Adam Pekarsky, Pengrowth Energy Trust's Dan Pigeon, real estate developer Larry Ryder, strategic consultant Janet Salopek and communications expert Maureen Payne.
The group was voted in Aug. 20 during Tourism Calgary's annual meeting. Another four representatives leading hotel, transportation, events, and marketing and communications divisions will be appointed in the near future.
Tourism Calgary has faced criticisms for its lack of polish, poor effectiveness and lack of balanced representation of city interests. A third of its funding comes from city coffers.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
January 22, 2009 - West Canadian settles into Inglewood home
By David Parker, Calgary Herald
West Canadian CEO George Brookman has moved his team of 240 people to a new, high-tech home in Inglewood.
Photograph by: Grant Black, Calgary Herald, Calgary HeraldIf it were possible to add up the amount of volunteer time George Brookman has spent helping and guiding the Calgary Stampede over the past few years, the result would be staggering.
In March, he steps down as president after two years--an intense period that he prepared for by handing over the reins of his West Canadian company to Irene Price. She was appointed president of the digital printing, graphic design, microfilming, document management and digital imaging operation when Brookman became Stampede president.
But Brookman was never far away. West Canadian sold its building on 8th Street and 10th Avenue S. W. and went through the process of buying land and, with the help of architect Cohos Evamy, designing a new building in Inglewood at the corner of 9th Avenue and 15th Street S. E.
Although the exterior is still being worked on, CEO Brookman, Price and their team of 240 have moved into the new head office and what they say is the most advanced plant of its kind in Canada. The building provides ample and better production space, which allows for a streamlined flow for three million documents per month.
The digital self-serve print centre is on the main floor, as is the main plant, where I recently watched a huge amount of drawings being produced for major projects such as The Bow and South Calgary Health Campus.
Brookman says 90 per cent of work comes into the plant electronically from architects and engineers, and the 17 offset centres that West Canadian runs in Edmonton, Fort McMurray and Sarnia, Ont.
Fifty-two servers keep track of the flow of work. I was most impressed with a new book scanner--the only one in Western Canada--which photographs a whole book, page by page, for conversion to digital storage.
Administrative offices are on the second floor along with Orange Door, a graphic design and advertising division of West Canadian.
The four-storey building was designed with the latest environmental technologies, including large green roof balconies on all floors, which allow impressive views of Inglewood and the nearby downtown skyline. The top two, which have 360-degree views are available for lease. Glenn Simpson of Avison Young Commercial Real Estate has listed them at 10,000 square feet each and as high-technology space with ample parking.
David Parker appears Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He can be reached at 403-830-4622 or e-mail info@davidparker.ca.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald
November 13, 2008 - West Canadian Moves Calgary Facility to Historic Inglewood
Our brand new building is finally done and production is rolling! There is still some work to do but the facility is great and already more efficient. Walk-in customers will have to use a temporary entrance for a few days....
We have moved our Calgary office and production facility to 1601 - 9th Ave SE in historic Inglewood.
The 901 - 10th Ave SW location is now closed.
Self-serve computers and copiers will be available on Tuesday, November 25th at the Inglewood location.
Please call 403-541-5650 for questions regarding existing orders or 403-245-2555 for all other inquiries.
October 2008 - Team West Canadian joins in the race to end breast cancer
2008 marked the 5th anniversary of West Canadian's sponsorship of the Canadian Breast Cancer Run for the Cure. This year teams in Calgary, Edmonton and Fort McMurray, joined thousands of Canadians of all ages in the October 5th event.
Through fundraising efforts and sponsorship dollars, West Canadian contributed nearly $20,000 to this years run. West Canadian Calgary headed up several fundraising events including a global potluck, dunk tank and hugely successful West Canadian Idol, while WC Edmonton hosted a Community Business BBQ, poker tournament and 50/50 draw. It was all caped off with the run held on October 5th, where almost 23,000 Albertan's joined in the race to end breast cancer.