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� INTRODUCING: Laura Lynell DURSTLING (I answer to both) JOB POSITION: Timetabling Assistant, Examinations and Timetabling STARTED IN R.O: November 18, 2008 (that was a good day �) IN WHAT POSITION: Same BIRTHPLACE: Westlock, Alberta INTERESTS: reading (I gave up my TV/cable for it; the list of topics is long – curiosity should have been my middle name), belly dancing, dancing, music, hula-hooping, nature (even though I do not have a green thumb or own a pet), connecting with friends and family, finding the funny and absurd, being silly for the sake of it, just about anything that looks fun and playful. FAVOURITE SEASONS AND WHY: I enjoy all the seasons although the start of spring is becoming my least favourite as I have now been given the gift of allergies (I am a late bloomer, lol). Nature is an amazing cyclical process that is routinely similar and never the same. A friend told me a Russian saying: “Nature knows no bad weather.” I have taken it to heart and now look for the beauty and wonder in all expressions. FAVOURITE FOODS: Wow! There is not enough room to list all the foods that are my favourites. I love food, lol. Diet to me is DIE with a T. My late blooming allergies have now prevented me from eating certain foods – those containing nickel (the list is weird), but occasionally I will not refuse those because they taste GOOD. Food is a big part of life and life is meant to be enjoyed and savoured. FAVOURITE MOVIES/TV SHOWS: I don’t watch much TV but I do enjoy most things done by Joss Whedon. I enjoy science fiction and fantasy, chick flicks, action movies, dramas, documentaries… really the list is long. What I don’t generally enjoy are gory horror movies. I have a friend who loves to take me to them (horror movies) as I hide in my coat or his shoulder as he giggles gleefully. Le sigh… the things I do for friends. FAVOURITE ANIMAL AND WHY: Dragons; they are mythical and fantastical. Baby animals always tug at my heart strings and I love the majesty of horses, wolves, cats, raptors and elephants. PERSONS YOU ADMIRE AND WHY: I admire people who are compassionate, kind, and strong in the face of adversity – the constant or the spectacular. I have been given many amazing examples of this in my life; the one closest to my heart is my mom. There are not enough pages in the world or words in my heart to describe her. I have been blessed with knowing the perfection of imperfection from her. I just realized that I sound like quite the Pollyanna… so what else to know about me…. There is another side…. The dark side and it likes to play too. I have a saying that I give my family and friends. “I smile because you are my ________ (fill in the relationship). I laugh because there is NOTHING you can do about it. Whahahahahahah” Stop by for a giggle I love to give and receive.

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HHHAAAPPPPPPYYY BBBIIIRRRTTTHHHDDDAAAYYY TTTOOO YYYOOOUUU……… IIINNN JJJUUULLLYYY...

Ne Chi Lin Ko – July 6th; Denise Boyle – 12th; Susan Brune – 16th; Iris Galenza – 18th; Edith Diep – 20th (on mat leave); Sarah Meins – 23rd; Michaela Kleinsasser – 25th; Carol Poulin – 26th; Maureen Winchester – 29th; Lucia Nawara – 30th AANNNNOOUUNNCCEEMMEENNTT –– FFRROOMM IINNFFOORRMMAATTIIOONN SSYYSSTTEEMMSS Finally someone is “escaping” from the basement! Yes, it’s true – one of our very own dungeon dwellers is retiring! Although we are sad to see Kam Kong go, we know he’s going to enjoy retirement – just look at the smile on his face already!� After receiving his Masters Degree at the University of Victoria, Kam came to the U of A to continue his Graduate Studies. In September of 1972 he became a Research/Teaching Assistant in the Department of Computing Science, then moved on to become a Programmer Analyst in Chemistry before he “landed” in the RO in 1990. Shortly, Kam will begin a new phase that we hope will include much more time spent getting his tan from the sun rather than from a computer monitor. So be sure to drop by the dungeon and say your farewells before he leaves. There will not be an office retirement party per Kam’s request.�

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GIVEAWAY 20 year old TV (Sony), in good condition, works well. You just have to come and pick it up. Please contact Galyna Glozhyk @ 492-7831. WWAANNTTEEDD Please visit www.thebreastcancersite.com. Number of clicks to fund free mammograms is DOWN this year. Rae Beaumont

NNEEWW BBUUSSIINNEESSSSEESS � Karla Wright is now a Tupperware consultant. Anyone wanting more information about hosting a party, ordering Tupperware, and any other questions at all about the business can email her at karla.wright@ualberta.ca. � Ivy Stephens writes: My daughter is just starting up a part time career in selling the products mentioned below. I am assisting Jenny to get things moving with her new business. If you have time, check out great bargains and shopping at leisure. If anyone wants to see the catalogs, I have them at my desk along with order forms if you are interested in purchasing anything. The best news is that everything is delivered right to your door. �������������� ������������������������������ �������������������������� ��������� ��� ������������������������ ���!�� � ������������ ��"�����������!����� ���������������� � �� �#$������� ��� �� � �$�!����� �� � �%����� ���!�"�����&�����'� �����������(��)����������������������������� �"""(����������(��(����� �������������� �"��"���" ��������� ������ ������ ����� ��*���!����� �������������� ��+�� ���"�� ��������� �"������������� ,���������������������-��� ��� �!��������� �� �.�����$ �!������ �� �!����/��012����(���(�

FFOORR SSAALLEE � Handsome chocolate brown COUCH, "Brooklyn" from Urban Barn $400.00; 7’ wide, 33.5” high at the highest spot, 37” in depth; used for about 2 years. Has lived with cats (for those with allergies) but has been well cleaned and taken care of. No stains or discoloring. Modern in style. Microfibre. Good-looking. Comfortable. I will send photos to anyone who is interested. Email Jodi.tychkowsky@ualberta.ca � Large Vari-Kennel (for up to 100 lb critters). $40. Please contact Ada Schmude @ 492-3644.

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AAADDDMMMIIINNNIIISSSTTTRRRAAATTTIIIVVVEEE SSSYYYSSSTTTEEEMMMSSS Terri Cook is the successful candidate for the Executive Assistant to the VP and University Registrar position. Congratulations, Terri! SSSPPPEEECCCIIIAAALLL RRREEEGGGIIISSSTTTRRRAAATTTIIIOOONNNSSS �� Special Registrations would like to wish Diana Shields all the very best for her and her expanding family; Diana will be beginning her maternity leave in July. We would also like to extend a warm welcome to Susan Oliver who will be starting in our unit beginning July 5. Susan will be covering Diana's maternity leave. Kat McLeod � If you're looking for a good book to read this summer, look no further! Here are Tonia Ness’ summer reading recommendations: The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters -- This is a modern gothic story set in England after World War 2. It will haunt you and leave you chilled, even on hot summer nights. Nikolski by Nicolas Dickner -- Winner of CBC's Canada Reads 2010, a truly Canadian tale of adventure and modern day pirates. A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka -- I borrowed this from Rita Early and after I read it I bought my own copy so I could reread it over and over again. Don't let the book's cover fool you: This is a hilarious, sweet story of a Ukrainian family in England going through some interesting times! The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards -- A good read, it may stir up emotions and ideas about our society's treatment of people with special needs. Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips -- A funny, silly, quick read about the Greek gods living in modern-day London, and the adventures that ensue. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman -- One of my faves! A humourous account of good and evil trying to thwart the apocalypse. The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood -- You may need to start with Oryx and Crake to get the full picture of this book, but don't let that stop you: this is a breathtaking and thrilling story about life after the Waterless Flood and how various groups survive together. The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley -- I reread this again just a few weeks ago and it's still one of the best books I've ever read. It's a retelling of the Arthurian Legend from the point of view of the women in the story. It's a big book but a wonderful read. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee -- I recommend this one always. It's my absolute favourite. Matilda, The BFG, The Fantastic Mr Fox, by Roald Dahl -- You can get through one of these in a day and they're so much fun. And here's what she'll be reading this summer: Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel IIINNNTTTEEERRRNNNAAATTTIIIOOONNNAAALLL AAADDDMMMIIISSSSSSIIIOOONNNSSS �Congratulations to Christina Ren (Student Intern) for being selected for Exchange with the University of Sheffield this Fall Term 2010. http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/ Christina has been helping new international students this summer with their transition to the U of A and is now increasing her international experience by going on exchange herself. Best wishes, safe travels, and don't forget to send a postcard! Jennifer Nicholls

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RRREEECCCOOORRRDDDSSS HOLIDAY REVIEW: Bonny Scotland It snowed heavily on May 4, 2010, the day before my daughter Selene and I drove to Calgary, where we caught our direct flight to Glasgow, Scotland. We saw vehicles off the road; however, thankfully the highway was clear. Our flight, scheduled to depart at 15:25, was delayed until 21:10 due to the closure of Glasgow airport because of the volcanic ash. Our consolation was a $10 voucher as we hunkered down for a long wait. When we boarded the Thomas Cook plane, we could not believe how narrow the aisle was and how tight and uncomfortable the seating. Our next delay was in Immigration at Glasgow airport when three incoming planes – Calgary, Dubai, Manchester – landed about the same time. We were so tired at this point as I don’t know of anyone who sleeps well on a flight. Watching “Fame” caused me to doze off, but that was about it. We took a cab to the Heritage Hotel, a bed and breakfast place, with 45 spiral stairs to get to our very large room. This is an older building; the windows were raised, the birds singing. Any defect I saw in the room, Selene termed “whimsical.” We were allowed one room key, which had to be left at reception no matter how many times we went in and out, as there was a £30 fine if it was lost. Our view was gardens with stone walls and a playground of a primary school. Vegetation was a vivid green. The following morning we were served a very generous breakfast: besides cold cereal, fruit, yogurt, cheese, we also got the traditional Scottish hot breakfast of sausage, bacon, potato scones, tomatoes, mushrooms, and beans, with a generous rack of toast. We soon learned what to leave out for the remaining 3 days we were there! The hotel is located near Byres Road and kitty korner to the beautiful Botanic Gardens (rhododendrons were my favourites) where I spent time relaxing, people watching, or enjoying a bagged late lunch. Reading was impossible with all the distractions. We also had good access to a subway station that took us to the city centre where we caught the Hop On Hop Off double decker bus at George Square. A tour guide pointed out the highlights of the city, with a story or two to entertain us. I felt transported back in time, from the New World to the Old, surrounded by the intricate and awesome architecture with varying colours of stone buildings towering around us, and with an abundance of tall statues for good measure. We visited the University of Glasgow (the only structure that made me think of the RO) with its ancient and modern structures, some still under construction. At the Necropolis we joined a tour group already underway, and listened to the tales of men and women whose resting places sported particularly grand headstones and monuments. This site is on a very steep hill so by the time we got to the top, we had a panoramic view of Glasgow. I wanted to hear more about the three Buchanan sisters of Bellfield who left £4 million (today’s worth) to charity after the last one died. The tour guide thought they deserve to have their monument restored, at a cost of £30,000. I really enjoyed the People’s Palace and Winter Gardens, and the exhibits which portrayed dire times and poverty. A sign caught my eye, “What is good and what is bad about drinking.” Apparently water was unsanitary, people got sick and died, so some preferred the hard stuff. A wagon, on display, had a photo of the inebriated being picked off the street. There was a glass case that had a pair of Carol Burnett’s heels, next to a golden boot of Elton John’s. Nearby was a green costume Lulu (singer) wore. So much to see. Another fascinating place was The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum where we saw paintings or old art, as I like to call it, by the European Masters. Loved it! Two pubs we went to in Glasgow, and not in one day, were The Ark where we had fish and chips, and O’Neil’s, where I enjoyed a lovely Shepherd’s Pie with my Guinness. As I did on my trip to Ireland in 2006, I lifted my glass and drank to Rita Earley’s health. We noticed a lot of charity shops along Byres Road, which were fun to poke around in. I got the book by Sir Walter Scott called “Rob Roy”, a character we heard a lot about in a future tour. After four days, we took a 1 ½ hour bus trip to Edinburgh, a stunning city with the Edinburgh Castle prominent on a huge hill which overlooks a beautiful park and garden and faces an impressive line of shopping venues on Princes Street. We saw many young homeless, huddled under a blanket. We checked into a B&B at Broughton Place, which has 37 stairs to get to our room, pretty but tiny with sloped ceilings. The bathroom was the smallest and the hot water ran out before my shower did. At this place, we had a choice of three hot breakfasts and were there long enough so that I could try each, twice if I liked it. To the traditional hot breakfast of Glasgow, added was blood pudding; and the other two choices were waffles, maple syrup and eggs; or kippers and oat cakes, which had to be requested one day early. I loved the kippers. Freddie, the owner, proved to be a terrific cook. The traffic seemed more hectic in this city. You had to be very careful crossing streets, making sure you paid attention to how the painted white signs on the road in front of you read, “Look to the right,” “Look to the left,” or “Look both ways.” Hardly anyone adheres to the traffic lights; I couldn’t get over how people crossed anytime they pleased. I almost developed a nervous twitch crossing the streets, making that last step to the other side a

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quick hop, after nearly getting mowed down by a bus. Yikes! There was also a lot of construction in the downtown area due to expansion of trams, which will take about three years to complete. We took the Hop On Hop Off bus tours here as well; however, had head phones for commentary. The narrow streets reminded me of Ireland. We visited the Palace of Holyrood House, where the Queen resides when she comes to the city, and took an audio tour. Ostentatious; beautiful gardens. Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious Chinese food buffet at Jimmy Chung’s, advertised in the tour guide. Later in the day we went to Hector’s, a pub Rita recommended, meeting with the lady who shared the plane seat with us and her sister from Edinburgh. This was the day we learned that Gordon Brown resigned as Prime Minister, which caused a lot of talk amongst the locals. We also toured Edinburgh Castle with its many museums, Royal Scots, room of memorial books of fallen soldiers during past and present wars in the National War Museum, including Afghanistan. We were there as the cannon was fired at its daily time of 1 p.m. The castle wall provided an incredible view of the city. Through the highly recommended Rabbi Tours, we took a one day trip to Loch Lomond, The Highlands, and Stirling Castle (had a panoramic view of Forth Valley and saw the tall monument of William Wallace), with a group of eight and Ross, our driver and fun tour guide. We travelled with a young German couple whose last name was MacGregor, a dad and daughter, and a man and his brother-in-law all from the States. We had lunch at Aberfoyle and later stopped at Inversnaid and Loch Katrine, in weather which was the coldest and wettest of our two week stay. On our way back, the driver played tunes his grandmother “made” him listen to. The only one I recognized was “Donald, Where’s Yer Troosers.” The next day we travelled by bus along the east coast to St Andrews, known as the university city and for its famous golf course. On the way we got off at Anstruther, a fishing village, and checked out their lifesaving boat exhibit and boats on the waterfront. In the ruins of an old cathedral in St Andrews, I captured a good photo of two seagulls scrapping at my feet over something they found in the grass. Their bills were locked and wings outstretched. Before we left, we shared a delicious pizza, and fish and chips, sitting at a square surrounded by crows and seagulls. Back in Edinburgh, we walked to the Royal Botanic Gardens and toured Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden, where, unfortunately, the plants were mostly not in bloom. The rest of the gardens and hedges made up for that. We got an all day bus pass for £3 and went to the Edinburgh Zoo where we watched the Penguin Walk, looking so cute in their little tuxes. Also entertaining were the monkeys and the zebras. When a young zebra was provoked, other members of the family showed protection by surrounding it, and running and running in a close pack. I felt every animal had spacious cages and grounds. There was another steep hill that crept up on us, because at the top was another great view of the city. After the zoo, we stopped at a Victorian house on Georgian St at Charlotte Square where the rooms were in keeping with the period. When we boarded a bus, I was surprised to see a dog sitting in the front seat. Dogs are allowed on the bus, but at the driver’s discretion. I overheard someone say that some driver’s allow only one baby carriage on the bus at a time, not like the few we can see on ours. For supper we enjoyed a delicious meal at Bella Italia, spaghetti with beef & pork meatballs, and a lovely cream cheese and fruit cake. Mmm. To still take advantage of the day pass, we caught a bus at random to the east end where it left the city, I suppose like travelling from Edmonton to Sherwood Park and back, but we couldn’t help feeling nervous going into the unknown country side on a nearly empty bus. The main reason for this night travel was because I wanted to see what Edinburgh Castle looked like when it got dark; however, there was no special lighting, not like the Parliament Bldgs in Victoria. On a Sunday, I went to mass at St Mary’s Cathedral where they still have an altar railing in front for communion. A visiting priest involved in missions in Sudan gave a fascinating talk about their work. The churches we visited in both cities are massive, with beautiful stained glass windows, and many statues. Some were in the middle of choir practice. Another art gallery in Edinburgh I highly recommend is the National Museum. On our last evening here we went to a pub called Conan Doyle, next to the cathedral, for Quiz Night, but found the Scottish brogue of the host very difficult to understand. I found that the ladies in Scotland were much easier on the ear then the men. When we returned to Glasgow, we stayed at 27 Clifton House. It was actually very close to the first B&B that we stayed at, old but which was newly renovated inside, and took 43 stairs to get to our very large room, which had the most modern and beautiful bathroom. We spent the final two days in Glasgow just in our locale visiting the University of Glasgow and the Botanic Gardens once again. We ate at the Wee Curry Restaurant for the second time, stopped into Tesco’s for their Scampi salads and yummy sandwiches, and Gregg’s, a bakery, for their bridie. On our return to the B&B’s at the end of each day, my heart lifted at the sight of freshly made beds and tray of tea/coffee/cookies as I nursed my very sore feet. We walked our legs off on cobblestone or cracked sidewalks, going up and down steep inclines. There were no problems on the flight home although a group from Denmark groaned about their cancellation.

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We flew in a roomier plane, were very tired, finding the drive home from Calgary making me question whether a direct flight from Calgary is the best way to go. It was sad to say farewell to Bonny Scotland but I hope to see her again. There is too much I didn’t see or do. Next time I would take an alarm clock, facecloth, and especially a pedometer. Maureen Winchester

SSSTTTUUUDDDEEENNNTTT AAAWWWAAARRRDDDSSS RESTAURANT REVIEW:

The Wildflower Grill 10009 –107 Street NW (in the Matrix Hotel) Edmonton, Alberta

http://www.wildfloweredmonton.com/ Set six days of the week as a fine dining establishment the Wildflower Grill dresses down on Sundays for what is absolutely the best brunch in Edmonton. With items such as the Brioche French Toast (scrumptious) and the 'DeConstructed' Seafood Frittata the Wildflower manages to put a new twist on the traditional brunch. Also worth trying is their coffee (French press) and teas (loose leaf) which are refreshing compared to the plain coffee-from-the-pot and bag teas found in other restaurants. The restaurant has a great upper-end ambiance and superb service; perfect for a meal with someone you want to impress. Dishes range from $12 - $15 during brunch and inflate substantially for dinner. Garrick Burron

SSSPPPEEECCCIIIAAALLL TTTHHHAAANNNKKKSSS TTTOOO::: � "Thank you very much" to the Production Unit staff who kindly helped us pull Retention Project files on the afternoon of June 25th when PeopleSoft was unavailable. File Clerks � A Convocation Thank You: I want to send a huge shout-out to my ticket assignment and parchment pulling helpers. So, to Brett Buchanan, Brenda Bennett, Jessica Cobb, Bernice Gartner, Constance Roshko, Sylvia Currie, Christina Wright and Kelly Park – THANK YOU! Without your help, there would have been a lot of students without a parchment to pick up or a seat to sit in! You all made my life a whole lot less stressful (yes, that was me being less stressed out). Thank you so much for pitching in and helping to get things done! Carolyn Kauffman

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TTTHHHEEEMMMEEE "Pet Talk – How have your pets made a difference to your life? Any new pets? Any unusual pets? What makes them so endearing to you?" � We have two cats, Samwise Catji and Francesca Catciatore, as well as two bunnies, Asparagus (Gus) Bunnington and Sophie Hopsburg. Someday I'll write a novel about how curious and bewitching they are, and all of the adventures they have daily. There are times when I feel as if I'm living in a soap opera, and I love it! Tonia Ness � Gee, how have my animals made a difference in my life? Well, two (Samson and Holly) of my three dogs are wonderful and I love them to death. However, last October my husband brought home a puppy (Pris The Terrible), so we were severely sleep deprived until December, when I decided to start getting up at 4:30AM to walk them, in shifts, in the cold and dark. (Not as much fun as it sounds.) Since joining us, Pris has broken the glass in a sliding door, eaten too many pairs of socks, underwear, and other clothes items to mention, we are waiting for her to finish pulling up the last of the lino in our kitchen (she's made pretty good progress), she's killed and eaten about a dozen sparrows, and last week she 'ate' a PSP. So in addition to the monstrous vet bills, going broke cooking dog food, and the damage control costs, we buy too many treats and toys to afford to license any of them and Chad and I have not had a vacation together since we started owning dogs! Really though, life wouldn't be the same without them. I come home every day to a chorus of what sounds like a pack of rabid orangutans, and get mauled as soon as I step into the house. (The Dog Whisperer would not be impressed!) The dogs have been to visit people in the Glenrose, Rosedale, Dickensfield and we take them to Elk Island to chase buffalo for fun. Anyone want a dog? I've got a three-for-the-price-of-one special this month!!! ;) Susan Brune � My cat Boomerang has made a huge difference in my life. For example, cleaning has never been my strong suit. I had a little vacuum from Sears which just barely generated enough suction to get spilled popcorn off the carpet. Then I got my cat. He has a beautiful, long coat. Soon, so did my apartment. His hair is absolutely everywhere. It was only a short time before I got a new vacuum. It's a Hoover bagless upright which is designed to "not lose suction". It does an excellent job pulling cat hair off of things. Eventually, I hope to get a Dyson, as they're far better than my lowly Hoover. But even so, without Boomerang I would have a boring vacuum, and my apartment would be a lot fuzzier. Regular vacuuming is now unavoidable. A feline companion has had other related effects on my life. I used to have a mostly black wardrobe, and I hated folding or hanging clothes. Like many men, I had clothes in three places: Clean clothes were in the closet (usually in a hamper); worn but not yet dirty clothes were kept on the floor at the foot of the bed; dirty clothes were in another hamper. Enter the tenacity of long, orange cat hair. It simply is no longer tenable to maintain a black wardrobe, nor to store it on the floor. Boomerang feels that floor-clothing is bed-clothing, and is happy (and adorable) sleeping in it. However, after a few such naps, it becomes nigh impossible to remove the hair; sometimes even laundering fails! So, again thanks to Boomerang I have developed the unusual habit of washing my clothes and then hanging them in the closet. (You can't put them in the hamper in the closet, because sometimes Boomerang manages to sneak in and bed down in the hamper!!) And, of course, I buy much more colourful clothing nowadays, and constantly experiment to see what colour combinations look best covered in orange and white fur. I feel that if I get the combination just right, I may eventually be able to revert to my old laundry/organization system. I also credit my cat with reminding me how to care for hair... I started shaving my head years ago, and had all but forgotten the stress relief possible from the act of brushing. Now, I brush Boomerang. As an added bonus, I know an elderly lady who can spin my cat's hair into yarn. I hope someday to be able to knit him a sweater made of his own fur. Then I can shave him year-round and put the sweater on him to keep him warm. I'm certain this must be good for the environment as well. The discovery that my cat enjoys discovering random objects and then eating them, vomiting on them, or scratching them, has made me into a much neater person. I now put away all my toys, electronics, books, and so on. I'm even working on ways to hang especially precious possessions from the ceiling. Most importantly, Boomerang has become best of friends with my girlfriend's cats. While she doesn't realize that I learnt the life skills detailed above from Boomerang, she does know (as does any cat companion) that cats are excellent judges of character. The fact that our cats have bonded, and that her cats accept both me and Boomerang, has surely given her vital insight into my character. In summary, my cat has made me a better person. Boomerang has made me cleaner, neater, tidier, and better-dressed. He let my girlfriend know that I might be worth getting to know, for which I will be eternally grateful. Thanks to Boomerang, I have a lower stress level, and my feet are always warm at night (he sleeps on them). Markian Hlynka

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� I have a 5 year old Pit Bull, named Katrina, who was found living on the streets of Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. I love her more than I would have ever imagined and she's the sweetest dog ever, despite being a "killer breed" and we're fostering another 3 year old Pit Bull named Otto (2 killers in the same house since November??? My days are surely numbered!!). Otto was in a car accident before he came to us and we lovingly refer to him as Tripod, since he had to have a leg amputated. He was SEVERELY abused as a pup and his rib-cage feels like a topographical map of The Rockies and he hates me. Actually, he doesn't hate me; he is terrified of me because I'm a guy. He's fearful of all men. When he's with my wife, though, he lets me play with him and he's getting better everyday. Both these dogs have taught me about patience and compassion and unconditional love. Pit Bulls rock and I defy anyone to tell me how dangerous they are when Kate is smiling up at you and wiggling her butt so hard that she can't even stand up straight! Gregory Wagner � I have a cat named Roxy who only has one tooth - the bottom left fang. She's been like that since she was about 2 and a half years old, due to a nasty dental infection. She's now almost 6, and having a lack of teeth has not slowed her down one bit. In fact we've caught her eating the dog's food! Kirsten Helm � Pets enrich people's lives because they offer unconditional love and companionship. If anyone has any doubt about how beneficial interactions with animals can be, just tag along with a pet therapy animal when they are visiting a hospital or assisted living facility - they brighten everyone's day. Kat McLeod � My dog Rufus certainly encourages me to exercise! I tell you, not only is he in my face, staring at me with those big, sad, brown eyes (which is his way of saying, oh woe is me, woe is me), but he also gets a pouty lip. When I've stopped laughing at his pathetic attempt of guilting me into a run, we'll head out to Terwillegar Park for a run. On our runs together, we talk about stuff. I discuss HR related matters, and he discusses his favourite places for taking a nap. One of his favourite things to do when we're out on a run together, is when he's in the lead, and usually when I'm least suspecting it, he'll stop directly in front of me. I guess he finds it funny that I nearly kill myself trying to avoid him each time. He's such a practical joker. What makes him so endearing to me though, are those big brown eyes, they get me every time. Carl Devost �

��My pets have always been best friends to me. They know when you are feeling down and come to show their support and love. Nothing turns a bad day around better than a fuzzy cuddle. Anon � My pets, two cats and two dogs, continually make a difference in my life. Who else greets you at the door as well as a dog?? And my dogs force me to get exercise by taking them for walks everyday. I would be lost without them! Bobbi Schiestel

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HHHIIIDDDDDDEEENNN GGGEEEMMMSSS Diamond in the rough: Stylus 10538 102 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta http://www.stylusfinepens.com/ Experts in fine pens, Stylus is absolutely the best place in downtown Edmonton to find that perfect writing tool. Whether it be a fountain tip or a ball tip, Stylus will have something that intrigues you. This is not your Staples variety pens though, the cheapest I've seen is $50, so be prepared. Garrick Burron �FFFAAAVVVOOOUUURRRIIITTTEEE RRREEECCCIIIPPPEEE As I love food this is my favourite recipe: Search and collect any foods that make you feel good, Add the spice of adventure, Add the wonder of friends and loved ones, Add the intention of love and sharing, Sprinkle in the gift of giving Once this has been mixed together… Enjoy, savour, appreciate and go for more as many times as you can. ������������������������������������������������������� ������� ����

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EDITOR: Maureen Winchester REPORTERS: John Back Garrick Burron Christina Caputo Mary Jean MacKenzie Kat McLeod Judith Odhuno-Were Candace Ramjohn Toby-Anne Reimer Bobbi Schiestel Anne Vimtrup ARTWORK: Ami Tanaka