Taking In The Sun With Miguelito
Featuring Miguelito
Project Namesake
May 11, 2013
Hardisty, Alberta, Canada

Peacing Out With Mélanie
Featuring Mélanie-Anne Bonnar
Peace Scholar
April 21, 2013
Peace Bridge
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Mélanie is a unique blend of Franco-Albertan Canadian heritage, and thrives on living, travelling and working in cross-cultural contexts. Born in Quebec and raised in Calgary, she has travelled extensively throughout North and South America, Asia and Europe, is a self-declared Peace Scholar, and lives her life in constant search to better understand our global interconnectedness.

She holds a BA in International Relations, an MA in Conflict Analysis and Management, currently works in Calgary’s non-profit immigrant serving agency sector in business development, and volunteers actively as President of the United Nations Association of Canada, Calgary Branch. In all of her life roles, she actively seeks out opportunities to build bridges of understanding between people and groups, and to find innovative ways to celebrate diversity, inclusion and peace.

One of Mélanie’s life goals is to work with the United Nations. In the meantime, she is content to contribute to local community development activities in Canada to make our own society a free, fair and fabulous place to live for everyone.

Joke-telling With Ron
Featuring Ron Ghitter Q.C.
Former Lawyer, Politician, Senator
April 21, 2013
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

In Ron’s words:

I was born in Calgary, raised in Edmonton, and returned to Calgary, which is the best place in the world to live.  (Followed, of course, by Edmonton.)

While my friend Schulz collects subjects with his green car, I choose to collect turtles because they live long and we all know that slow and steady wins the race.

Happy to join the Miquelito’s Little Green Car team.

For more about Ron see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Ghitter.

Storytelling With Omar
Featuring Omar Mouallem
Writer, Rapper
April 19, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Omar Mouallem is an award-winning writer and critically acclaimed rapper, but most people remember him as the guy who wrote a book about cats before it was cool. Predictably, the only ones unimpressed are are his cats, Darwin and Orwell.

For more about Omar visit http://assaultofknowledge.com/.

Blinking To Life With Emily
Featuring Emily Kathryn
Newborn
April 11, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta

This photo was taken approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes after Emily was born, making her the youngest person yet in Miguelito’s Little Green Car.  Welcome to the world, Emily!

Bouncing Around With Lily
Featuring Lily
Red Necked Wallaby
April 3, 2013
Edmonton Valley Zoo
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Unfortunately, Lily was kicked out her pouch by her mother.  After a couple attempts by zookeepers at the Edmonton Valley Zoo to put her back in the pouch, a decision was made that it was in her best interest to be handraised.  At just four months old she was hairless, weighed just under 300 grams and needed bottle feeding every three hours.  Three months later she is fully furred and only needs to be fed five times a day.  She happily sprints around her adoptive keepers’ homes and has started testing her jumping abilities on stairs and beds.  Though she is still on a milk formula, she loves to eat leafy greens like kale, spinach or romaine and enjoys ice cubes on hot days.

Red Necked Wallabys are one of the largest species of wallaby, and often are mistaken for a kangaroo.  After a young wallaby is born, it will spend approximately 280 days in the pouch, and will nurse until it is 12-17 months old.  Wallabies don’t just have strong legs, they also have the unique ability to store energy in their tendons. As a result, most of the energy required for each hop is provided “free” by the spring action of the tendons rather than muscular effort. Increased speed actually requires very little effort, unlike in other mammals.  These marsupials cool themselves by licking their hands and forearms during nervous excitement or hot weather. They prefer cooler weather and will become more active at dawn or dusk.

Promoting Development With Helen
Featuring Helen Clark
Administrator, United Nations Development Program
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand
March 5, 2013
Fairmont Palliser Hotel
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Serving three consecutive terms from 1999-2008, Helen Clark was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand.  She was the first woman elected to that office.  Since 2009 she has been the Administor of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the third-highest UN position.

This is what Sir Edmund Hillary had to say about Helen:

Our prime minister has been rather unique in being a great lover of the out of doors and she’s always off climbing something, doing something exciting and I think that New Zealanders admire that. That is sort of the way of life that they have come to accept in our little old island in the south seas. But Helen has been particularly strong in this respect. So long may she reign.

For more about Helen see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Clark and http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/leadership/administrator/biography/.

Being Dangerously Dapper With Nick
Featuring Nick Lees
Writer, Adventurer, Philanthropist
February 26, 2013
Block 1912 Cafe
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Nick was invited to leave school at the age of 16. He became a reporter and during the Swinging Sixties in London, England, he interviewed the likes of The Beatles and Bobby Kenney Sr. and covered Scotland Yard for the London Evening Standard. He jumped a cargo boat and came to Canada in 1967 and was involved in a car accident that saw him ending up broke in Edmonton with three broken ribs. He worked for the Edmonton Journal for two years before living on the beaches in Baja, California, later working as a carpenter in Vail, Colorado and then returning to the United Kingdom to work on a North Sea oil rig. He returned to Edmonton in 1976 and went on to write a column for the Edmonton Journal as Nick Danger. He drove in demolition derbies; was trapped by a blizzard on top of Mt. Logan, Canada’s highest mountain; parachuted with the Canadian Airborne; flew supersonically in fighter jets and toured under the Atlantic in a Canadian Forces submarine. He loves music, old movies, books, wine and art he can understand.

In Studio With Robbin
Featuring Robbin Reay
On-Air Radio & TV Host, Music Maniac, Wanna-be World Traveller
February 26, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Robbin is a self-proclaimed music & entertainment junkie who wears many different hats. She’s the host of ‘The Robbin Reay Show’, an off-the-cuff radio show on Up! 99.3 FM Edmonton & Up! 97.7 Calgary, in which she uses a “wisecrack approach” to interacting with her audience.  Off air, Robbin is a singer/songwriter, TV host, a competitive soccer player, and an adventure seeker. She’s an uninhibited Saskatchewan girl who loves her beer and Tim Hortons, and spends more time on social media than any one person should. Growing up as a tom-boy, she manifests the “take life by the horns” attitude. Robbin also writes for the local magazine MODCITY Magazine. For some useless facts and comic relief, tune into Robbin’s radio show from 2-6 PM on up!99.3.

You can listen to my mini interview with Robbin broadcast live using the player below.

Caricaturing With Amy
Featuring Amy Kemp
Creative Cat, Fitness Enthusiast, Fun-loving Adventure Seeker
February 23, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

In Amy’s words:

Ever since I was a little kid I’ve always loved to draw cartoons and was always immersed in the arts. My scribblers, binders, and notes were full of doodles that I would draw while listening to music. I remember ignoring my math teacher’s lecture in junior high by making my comic books. Even though I love being a Fitness and Lifestyle Consultant at MacEwan Sport and Wellness, my first love will always be creating, and I’m happy I can keep it as a hobby.  I love what art has to offer. I feel free and grounded when I get to express myself creatively.

For Amy’s awesome band illustrations, see her blog at http://amyvshenryrollins.wordpress.com.

This was the illustrated self-portrait that Amy came up with to start the concept:

And this is the photo we shot to recreate and mirror the illustration:

Taking A Break With Philippe
Featuring Philippe Phan
Business Student, Volunteer Extraordinaire, Card Game Enthusiast
February 16, 2013
Art Gallery of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Philippe is one busy guy, but he likes it that way.  In his words:

I’m proud to say that I wear many hats, from Respite Worker for kids with special needs, to Volunteer Coordinator for International Week at the University of Alberta, to full-time business student.  I’m one of those people that just can’t turn down an opportunity.

I’ve been really lucky in that I’ve gotten to work with tons of amazing not-for-profit organizations here in Edmonton and internationally. My philosophy is to try and contribute a little to several different causes, rather than putting all of my energy into one.  That’s how I feel for now, at least.  Eventually, I hope to discover which cause I am most passionate about and create a career around it.  Even so, I still can’t see myself sticking to one thing for the rest of my life.

We should all give back where we can.  There are millions of causes out there and they can all use our help.  Something that I like to tell myself is that “You can’t complain about something you don’t like, if you don’t try to change it yourself.”

Being a Superhero With Artur
Featuring Artur “R2″ Musial
Welder (Local 488), Long-haul Trucker, Jack-of-all-trades, Modern-day Good Samaritan, Blue Collar Superhero
February 14, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta

This is what Artur has to say:

I have always taken the road less traveled — literally.  At a young age I became a long-haul trucker.  Life on the road has taught me many valuable life lessons. I believe one can really find their true nature alone on a quiet secluded patch of highway. With miles ahead of you and no one else around you have quiet moments to think and ponder life’s many mysteries. Not all roads are paved and some are dangerously slippery, just like the metaphorical roads in life. How one gets to their goals in life is like a trucker trying to make a delivery on a frozen road miles away from civilization. It is amazing how the human spirit can help overcome the most challenging obstacles. Fifteen years driving and over two million recorded miles “under my belt” have given me the opportunity to see and experience lots of our beautiful countryside. I had the privilege to touch both our oceans and all four borders of our vast country.

I hung up my keys to try my hand at a new trade of welding. I feel like a super hero with the ability to melt metal when I don my welder’s shield. I find the trade very rewarding and look forward to the many new adventures that will come with it. In the future, do not be surprised to see a few “welding rigs” with my name painted on the side of them. Who knows?  Maybe I will have them painted green to commemorate Miguelito’s Little Green Car.

I came to Canada in 1981 and have grown up in Edmonton most of my life. I have been blessed with the ability of being mechanically inclined. So if I am not trucking or welding, I am probably either fixing a project or starting one,

In my down time I enjoy “offroading” and spending time in nature’s playground. There’s nothing better than standing in the middle of a forest listening to the music of nature.

Under Heavy Questioning With Sasha
Featuring Sasha Xiao
Journalist
February 12, 2013
Omni TV Studios
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

In Sasha’s words:

I am a dreamer. I like to dream.

I always dream about dreaming.

I have been dreaming about being a teacher, an actor, a traveler, a fashion designer.

One of my dreams finally came true. I became a journalist, a reporter, a story-teller.

But my dream just keeps growing bigger and bigger, more and more.

People have told me dreaming is not good because it’s not real. But I believe that if I can dream, I have at least a 50% chance to make it happen.

But dreaming is just a start. The rest is important too. Knowing your dream is real, then it will be.

As an international student from China, I would love to be a cultural translator to help more newcomers and immigrants to integrate to the Canadian society in a better and faster way. I have started a Mandarin and Chinese culture learning YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/sashaxiao/videos?view=0&flow=grid.

Joining The Opposition With Brian
Featuring Brian Mason
Politician, Member of Legislative Assembly, Leader of Alberta’s New Democratic Party
February 7, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

After completing a political science degree from the University of Alberta, Brian was hired as a bus driver for the Edmonton Transit System. In 1989 he was elected as a City Councillor in Edmonton and remained in that position though three more elections for a total of 11 years.  In 2000 he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for the constituency of Edmonton Highlands-Norwood, winning relection in 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2012.  He has been the official leader of Alberta’s New Democratic Party since 2004.

For more about Brian see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Mason and http://www.brianmason.ca.

Posing With The Jacksons
Featuring Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Tito Jackson
January 31, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

What can possibly be said about The Jacksons that you don’t already know?  They are megastars that started off in Gary, Indiana and went on to achieve music stardom.  They have sold over 100 million albums worldwide, making them one of the best selling artists of all time.  Among their notable achievements and recognitions are several number one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 list, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and having two of their recordings (“ABC” and “I Want You Back“) noted among “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll“.

For more about The Jackons see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jackson_5 and http://www.thejacksons.com.

Staying On Top With Angus
Featuring Angus Watt
CEO & Partner, Angus Watt Advisory Group
Managing Director, Individual Investor Services, National Bank Financial
January 31, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Angus graduated from York University in 1974 with a degree in Political Science, and immediately entered the investment industry. Currently, he is Managing Director, Individual Investor Services, National Bank Financial.  He is a past recipient of the Investment Dealers Association ‘Program of Distinction Award’ for the Prairie Region.  Angus and his group manage over $600,000,000 in assets.  Angus also broadcasts over 50 times per week on
Global TV and 630 CHED.

Angus is Chair of Alberta Order of Excellence Council, member of the Senate of the University of Alberta and serves as an advisor to Little Warriors, and The Hearing Foundation of Canada, and is a Board Member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada.

Among his volunteer work, Angus has been Chair of The United Way of Northern Alberta, Chair of The Minerva Foundation and The Support Network. Angus is a past Director and past Chair of the Edmonton Police Foundation, past board member of the TELUS Edmonton Community Board, David Foster & Friends Edmonton Committee and others.  He is a past recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow  awarded by the Rotary Club of Canada.

Connecting With The Red-Shirts
Featuring Dallas Arcand Jr., Kayla Scanie, Blair Gladue “Magoo”, Kenneth Houle, and Joey Supernault
January 28, 2013
Idle No More Global Day of Action
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Smiley-Protesting With Morningstar
Featuring Morningstar Mercredi
Storyteller, Actress, Social Activist, Poet, Playwright, Researcher, Multi-media Communicator
January 28, 2013
Idle No More Global Day of Action
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Inspiring with Barb
Featuring Barb Stegemann
Author, CEO, Social Business Innovator
January 23, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Barb was raised by a single mom on welfare in rural Nova Scotia, Canada and was  born with a hereditary hearing impairment. She educated herself out of poverty and holds degrees in sociology and journalism from the University of King’s College. She will tell you it’s her positive attitude that has lifted her through challenges.

While living in British Columbia running her boutique PR firm advising cities and large clients on strategy and communications, tragedy struck. Her best friend was wounded in Afghanistan. Barb promised him she would support his mission of peace through economic development. She wrote a bestselling book, The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen, to empower women (and men) to live with the stoic wisdom taught through the centuries. She dedicated the book to her friend.

Her fragrance collection, The 7 Virtues, supports suppliers in countries like Afghanistan, Haiti and the Middle East to rebuild. Barb became known to millions of Canadians when she became the first woman from Atlantic Canada to land a venture capital deal on the CBC’s Dragons’ Den.  The 7 Virtues fragrances are available at The Bay department stores across Canada, Air Canada on-board duty free and Lord & Taylor in New York City.

Among some of her accomplishments are being ranked on Profit Guide Magazine’s Top 30 Cool & Fabulous Canadian Entrepreneurs for 2012 and Chatelaine Beauty 100 Award 2012, an Innovator’s Award from the US Department of State and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2012.

Barb lives in Bedford, Nova Scotia with her husband and children.

For information about Barb see http://www.barbstegemann.com and www.the7virtues.com.

Flying High With Brett
Featuring W. Brett Wilson
Entrepeneur, Philanthropist, Author
January 23, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Brett is the lead deal making panelist or “Dragon” of all-time on CBC’s Dragons’ Den. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Royal Roads University for his role as a business leader, dynamic philanthropist, and entrepreneurial mentor and was appointed to Member of the Order of Canada.  He was one of a select group to receive the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal honouring the achievements and contributions of notable Canadians.

For more information about Brett see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Brett_Wilson and www.wbrettwilson.ca.

Dreaming Of Road Trips With Noel
Featuring Noel Morin
Six Year Old
January 22, 2013
Ft. Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada

Noel is a feisty six year old and like most boys his age, is full of energy every waking minute of his days.  Aside from being a full time Grade One student; Noel likes to build and play with Lego and is an enthusiastic hockey player. He loves to watch Edmonton Oilers hockey on TV and his favorite player is Taylor Hall.  One of Noel’s strategies to avoid falling asleep, includes finding all his favorite toy cars to have in bed with him. When Noel does wind down and eventually falls asleep for the night he is surely dreaming of playing with these cars.

Joking Around With Dave
Featuring Dave Mowat
President & CEO, ATB Financial
January 22, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Dave is an Albertan by birth. And, like more and more of us, he’s an Albertan by choice. After getting his education in British Columbia, he came back home. Over the last 30 years, he has shaped and been shaped by every aspect of the banking world: venture capital markets, credit, retail, corporate, investments, and banking tied to each sector of the Alberta economy.

Bus-Waiting WIth Olivia, Andrew, and Nepin
Featuring Olivia Whitford, Andrew Davis and Nepin Bruno
January 14, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

This trio was waiting for a bus when I walked past with camera gear in hand.  They asked me to take a photo of them, so I invited them to be part of the journey of Miguelito’s Little Green Car.  Thanks for being so friendly, guys and gal.

Getting The Message Out With Ashley & Buddy
Featuring Ashley Callingbull
Actress, Motivational Speaker, Miss Canada Finalist
and Buddy Currie
Champion Chicken Dancer
January 13, 2013
At an Idle No More Flash Mob
West Edmonton Mall
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Ashley Callingbull is a 23 year old Cree First Nations woman from the Enoch Cree Nation in the province of Alberta. She is currently enrolled at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in the Television Program. She is very devoted to her culture and people, and takes pride in her Native Cree heritage, and has shown this through her volunteer work with community elders and aboriginal youth. Ashley’s interest in acting led her to starring in a commercial for The Hudson Bay, and has appeared in television mini-series, acted in countless stage performances and has lent her voice for cartoons. She appears in Blackstone, a television show that airs on APTN, Showcase and on Maori Television in New Zealand. Her youth foreshadowed her young adulthood, as she continued with acting and dancing.

In June 2010, Ashley placed 2nd Runner up in the Miss Universe Canada 2010 Pageant. She is the first Cree First Nations woman to achieve this goal. During her reign as a Miss Universe Canada 2010 finalist, she traveled to hospitals and schools wearing her MUC sash, speaking about her life and reaching out to others. The loss of some very close family members have led Ashley to also support the Stollery Children’s Hospital, Walk for the Cure, Run for the Lung and mentor underprivileged aboriginal youth. Ashley is also currently the Youth Representative for the Stollery Family Centered Care Network for the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
Ashley was chosen as Miss Canada and represented Canada at International pageants held in China, Germany and Barbados. Ashley continues to be a motivational speaker and role model for many educational institutions, workshops, conferences and award ceremonies throughout North America. Ashley got the chance to speak at Harvard University, Boston as the keynote speaker for an All Ivy Native Council and TED Talks. Because of Ashley’s hard work and charity work she received the Role Model Award at the Dreamcatcher Gala in Calgary 2011. Ashley also received the Top 20 Under 30 Award in Canada in the fall of 2012.

Standing On Guard With Sorin
Featuring Sorin Mihailovici
Entrepreneur
January 9, 2013
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Sorin wears many hats, but closest to his heart are two activities: he is the creator of the Scam Detector mobile application, which exposes the world’s most notorious scams, as well as his Community Liaison position with OMNI Television, where he produces the Culture Avenue show.

He moved to Canada in 2001 from Romania, where he used to be a sports reporter.  He interviewed such notable personalities as Muhammad Ali, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Marion Jones, Nadia Comaneci and Ron Wood of The Rolling Stones.  Life took him to Edmonton, where he has settled… at least for now.

In 2008 he started working for OMNI TV and in 2011 he created Scam Detector, which helps over 2 million people around the globe to prevent financial fraud.  The app has become a big success, being accessed from over 100 countries and winning a 2011 Consumers Champion Award from the Government of Alberta.

Celebrating 96 With Mary
Featuring Mary Pahl
December 30, 2012
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Mary’s story as told by one of her friends:

 Mary Pahl was born in Medicine Hat on December 30, 1916; one of her parent’s nine children.  Later she married a gentleman named Jack to became Mary Nittel.

Together they moved to Goldfields, Saskatchewan in 1938 where Jack worked  in a gold mine and Mary kept the home and brought two daughters into the world.

They had no car since there were practically no roads there in those days.  (I bet she would have loved a little green car in those days!)

They valued their many friendships and their small community.  Everyone worked and played together; they supported one another to survive and to thrive.  Music and dancing were their mainstays, something that never changed.  (I recall the countless times Mary has said to me, about entertaining “If you have good friends, good music and good food, you don’t have to worry about anything else!)  As a result of World War II the mine was closed in 1943, so they moved on.

Their family expaned with another daughter and son and Mary and Jack built houses to live in, which they would sell, move on and build again.  So I guess that means they always lived “in the house that Jack built.”

Through thick and thin, Mary made sure her family was safe, warm and happy.  She worked part time at various endeavours but her family was always her priority.  After Jack retired they built with their own two hands — or make that four hands — a cabin-in-the-woods (which Mary always called their Summer Home) at Seymour Arm, British Columbia where they had the best times of their lives.  She has told me that many times over that it really was the best times of their lives.  Their grandchildren spent full summers with them for the ten years that they lived there.

Although she wouldn’t claim to be so, she is an outstanding listener, as well as a conversationalist. For the past almost 28 years I’ve known her she’s been my sounding board and an unwavering support system.

A few facts about Mary:

• She knows Canadian politics better than me.
• She goes to local political forums to speak her mind.  (Though she has slowed down in the last few years, what with the couple of falls that she’s taken.)
• She’s never missed a Calgary Stampede Parade.   (Only now she watches it on TV.)
• She’s never missed a Calgary Flames game.  (Again, she has to watch on TV these days).
• She has read the Calgary Herald every day for 60 years, maybe longer.  Every day.
• And cars. Mary has loved her cars like best friends. I’ve heard all the stories of her Volkswagen Karmann Ghia (died in an accident, God rest its soul), the family Volvo (the camping trips, trips to the lake) and finally her little Toyota. She was denied a driver’s license renewal about three years ago but — I kid you not — she still pays for her Alberta Motor Association subscription every year to this day. She gave her car to me, which was the most touching thing she could ever have done.  Mary made me promise not to ever drive it out of town (it doesn’t like long distances) or ever give it to John!!  She loves the car and worries that John will drive it into the ground. Which I did. And which he probably will. Please forgive me Mary!
• She has a zest for life like nobody I have ever met.  She is an extraordinary person about whom I could say so much more.

Bye for now. (That’s Mary’s closing line which I have heard for almost 28 years.)

Hanging Out With Miguelito
Featuring Miguelito
Namesake
December 28, 2012
Wainwright, Alberta, Canada

Taking A Breather With Larry
Featuring Larry Stewart
Chef, Restauranteur
December 20, 2012
Hardware Grill
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Framed With Ryan And Beth
Featuring Ryan and Beth Kelly
Photographers, Parents, Self-Proclaimed “Food Nerds”
December 18, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Ryan and Beth prefer circles over squares, silver over plastic, slow over fast and soft tones over hard drives.  Based in Edmonton, Canada, they split their time between raising their two boys (Casey and Tom) and photographing the world’s coolest people all over the globe.  Primarily film shooters, they love spreading the word that film is most certainly not dead.  You can check out their work at http://www.ryanandbeth.ca.

Meditating With The Venerable Metteyya
Featuring The Venerable Metteyya
Buddhist Teacher, Spiritual Guide
December 17, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Venerable Metteyya Sakyaputta is the Spiritual Guide of Canadian Engaged Buddhism Association and was born in the same place as the Buddha: Lumbini, Nepal. At age 15, Ven. Metteyya began building Metta Schools along with dedicated friends, calling it ‘A Seed of Compassion.’ The 2 schools provide education to nearly 900 students and encourage many young volunteers to spread the gift of education to the children of Lumbini. Ven. Metteyya, now 25, also co-founded Peace Grove Institute (Nunnery and Girls College) and is a strong advocate for women’s education, equality and excellence in Nepal. He is the co-founder of Karuna Women’s Institute and Girls College and Anatta Children’s Library (both of which are nearing construction completion) as well as Bodhi Institute and Peace Education Centre (which construction is soon to begin) in the World Heritage Site of Buddha’s birthplace, Lumbini.

Venerable Metteyya is a wonderful Buddhist teacher and is much loved by his students both in Nepal and in the west. His enthusiasm to practice and demonstrate compassion in action has been a true source of inspiration for all who have met him. Though his formal training is in Theravada Buddhist tradition and Vipassana, Venerable Metteyya has acquired precious teachings from various masters of Tibetan Buddhism and studied with the Vietnamese Pure Land tradition. The aforementioned and a B. A. degree majoring in Buddhism have afforded Ven. Metteyya a thorough comparative, theoretical and practical understanding of the various Buddhist traditions. He says that knowledge of many traditions of Buddhism has helped him to pinpoint the core and most essential Buddhist teachings. He was also one of the featured scholars in the 2010 PBS film ‘The Buddha’ by David Grubin.  See http://www.pbs.org/thebuddha/featured-scholars-and-poets/.

Story-telling With Christine and Sharon
Featuring Christine Wiesenthal and Sharon Wood
Christine:  Writer, Academic
Sharon: Climber, Mountain Guide, Public Speaker
December 13, 2012

Christine is an award-winning writer, editor and teacher at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. She has published books of literary criticism, poetry, biography and edited The Collected Works of Pat Lowther. Her literary biography of Pat Lowther was shortlisted for the 2006 Governor-General’s Literary Award for Nonfiction. Christine prefers pedestrian modes of locomotion over automobiles, when possible — in cities, and especially as a mountain hiker.

Sharon was the first North American woman to summit Mt. Everest.  Climbing it was a culmination of an odyssey that began at age twelve when her father took her up her first mountain. By the time she was seventeen she was devoting all her time to climbing. Her first break came in 1977 when she joined an all womens expedition to Mount Logan. She went on to climb Mt. Mckinley, Makalu, the south face of Aconcagua and the northeast face of Huascaran Sur.  Her ascent of Mt. Everest by the difficult west ridge and north face was first for a North American woman, but as her friend Albi Sole recalled, “It’s not because she was a woman that she got to the top, it’s because she was the right person for the job”.   After Everest she had moved on to other adventures. Much in demand as a public speaker, she travels North America sharing her experiences and her approach to risk. In 1988 she married and is now raising a family.  In 1997 Sharon received the Summit of Excellence Award at the Banff Mountain Film Festival.  Sharon has this to say about her motives:

“The constants that I have strived to maintain through all of these things is …the steep learning curve, the intensity, perhaps a certain degree of risk….and tremendous adventure…and that ongoing, never ending quest for self knowledge.”

For more about Sharon see http://www.sharonwood.net.

Accessorizing With Nancy
Featuring Nancy Hansen
Climber
December 13, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Nancy has lived in Canmore, Alberta since 1993. She took up mountain climbing shortly after moving there, and along with her husband Doug Fulford, has been an avid climber ever since. Nancy was the first female and sixth person to climb all 54 mountains over 11,000′ in the Canadian Rockies. She is currently working on climbing all of the routes described in Fifty Classic Climbs of North America. No one has yet completed this list. Nancy works for the Alpine Club of Canada and The Banff Centre, showing films from the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour.

Thrilling The Crowd With Robert
Robert Bateman
Artist, Naturalist, Conservationist
December 13, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Robert says:

I can’t conceive of anything being more varied, rich and handsome than planet Earth; its crowning beauty is the natural world. I want to soak it up, to understand it … then I’d like to put it together and express it in my painting. This is the way I want to dedicate my life.”

Robert Bateman’s realistic painting style, featuring wildlife in its habitat, encourages the viewer to examine the natural world. Many of his one-man shows have drawn record-breaking crowds, including one at the Smithsonian Institution in 1987.

His art reflects his commitment to ecology. Besides being one of Canada’s best known artists, he is a naturalist, recognized by the Audubon Society as one of the 20th century’s “heroes of conservation”. He is a spokesman for many environmental and preservation issues, using his art to raise millions of dollars for these causes.

Mr. Bateman’s honours and awards are numerous, including Officer of the Order of Canada. He has been awarded twelve honorary doctorates and has three schools named after him. He has been the subject of numerous films and books that include The Art of Robert Bateman, The World of Robert Bateman, An Artist in Nature, Natural Worlds, Thinking Like a Mountain, Birds and New Works, as well as numerous children’s books.

For more about Robert see http://www.robertbateman.ca and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bateman_(painter).

Anchoring The News With Gord
Featuring Gord Steinke
Newsanchor, Producer, Author, Musician
Global Edmonton
December 11, 2012
Global Edmonton Studios
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Gord is no stranger to Edmontonians. As one of the region’s most popular news anchors, he brings you the News Hour, every weeknight at 6 PM on Global Edmonton.  While Gord is best known as a veteran broadcast journalist, he’s also a best-selling Canadian author. He penned Mobsters and Rumrunners of Canada, which is sold at bookstores across Canada and the United States. It focuses on a little known part of Canadian history: the roaring 1920s and the connection between Canadian and American gangsters during prohibition.  Gord is also an accomplished musician/singer/songwriter, with three albums under his belt.

Although the photo above was shot in the green screen room just after he hosted the evening news, the car was on air during the news.  It’s visible next to Gord’s laptop in the lower left corner during the broadast.

Here’s are close up photos of a studio monitor during the broadcast with Miguelito’s Little Green Car clearly visible.

It’s visible again later next to the poinsettias during an interview with Ed Hervey of the Edmonton Eskimos football club.  This is what it looked like in the studio.

And this is what it looked like on television.

To watch the broadcast see http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/video/early+news+dec+11/video.html?v=2315017740&p=1&s=dd#earlynews/video:

• you can see Miguelito’s Little Green Car at 9:15, in the corner next to Gord’s laptop.
• and again at 10:20, after Gord rolled it out farther so that it’s more prominent.

To watch the broadcast with Ed Hervey see http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/video/ed+hervey+interview/video.html?v=2315020569#interviews:

•  you can see Miguelito’s Little Green Car starting at 0:16, in the background, right in front of the poinsettias.

Dragon Playing With Heather
Featuring Heather Nissan
Illustrator
December 11, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

In Heather’s words:

I believe that art is an essential part of this world as it inspires love, life, happiness and play. A graphic designer by day (and on many occasions, by night), I am constantly driven by colours, typeface and characters in both waking hours and in dreams. Most of all, I like to create art that causes happiness.  It’s then that I know I’ve done what I was meant to do, because as long as you’re smiling, you’ve got some sunshine in your heart.

Heather created a brilliant piece of artwork for Miguelito’s Little Green Car that features her signature dragon characters.  Sorry no, they can’t keep the car.  It’s on a mission.  :-)

Journeying With Vanida
Featuring Vanida Corazon Kemaktun Plamondon
Labourer, Author
December 8, 2012

Vanida’s story is contained in her first book, Vanida’s Journey.  She hopes to publish two more books this year.  Much more information about her is in her book.

Posing With Joey
Featuring Joey Salazar
Age Three Months, One Week
December 8, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Cheering On Doug
Featuring Doug Pruden
Push Up World Record Holder
December 8, 2012

Doug holds several Guinness World Records and other national and world records for push-ups including 5557 fist push ups in 3:02:30 hours, 114 one arm push ups in one minute, 546 one arm push ups in 10 minutes and 1,777 one arm push ups in 1 hour.

For more about Doug see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Pruden.

Staring Down With Ray
Featuring Ray
Carpenter, Scaffolder
December 8, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For a photo of Ray trying to guess the make and model of Miguelito’s Little Green Car, see http://www.flickr.com/photos/inthebag_golf/8259350963/.

Hanging With Ali-B
Featuring Allan “Ali-B” Reimer
Drummer
December 8, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Star Treking With Chris
Featuring Chris Zaruk
Manager of Camera Department
London Drugs
December 6, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Chris has had this model of Star Trek’s Starship Enerprise for about twenty years.  This is what he has to say about it:

I either got it for Christmas or a birthday, but twenty years is a long time to remember a small detail like that. I do remember putting the stickers on it though.  :-)

A few years ago I found it in a box and took a toothbrush to it to clean it off and make it work again.  When I went to the Comic Con last year I was able to get a few of the main cast to sign it.  Patrick Stewart, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner signed it.

I am a huge Star Trek fan.  I saw the new movie that came out in 2009 twice on opening weekend, then again in IMAX a month or so later after that.  I would irritate my GF at the time because I would not shut up about it.

Chris has worked for London Drugs for twelve years.  He’s moved away from and back to Edmonton four times now.  As he puts it, “I always seem to come back.”

Synchronizing The Shutter Press With Patrick
Featuring Patrick Arès-Pilon
Stereographer, Scenographer, Filmmaker & Pataphysicist
December 4, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Natif de la belle ville d’Edmonton, Patrick Arès-Pilon aime se promener dans les rues en contemplant la beauté innée du bruit, de la lumière et du mouvement entre les espaces présent.  Amant du film, Patrick s’intéresse à sa préservation, à sa désintégration et à sa projection tout en explorant une esthétique synesthétique.

On Stage With ‘Da Kemo Treats
Featuring The Kemo Treats
December 1, 2012
The Haven Social Club
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Kemo Treats, featuring The Goody Bags strive to Keep Earth’s Music Original Through Radical Electro-Acoustic Transformative Sound.  Together, they are the embodiment of modern pop culture.  Their narcissistic egos, salacious dance moves, and decadent raps are always topped with a layer of phat, greedy beats.

Kemo Treats are:

• Eleazar.  Though he isn’t included in photo, he is Kemo Treats’s mad maestro, and executive producer.
• G-Wiz3rd is da bess.  His hip hop skills are unrivaled, and, WARNING!!!  His dance moves may cause spontaneous combustion, if his sultry raps didn’t already.
• Smoovie II Smoov is better though, as is proven by science and a jury of peers.  His smooth lyrics flow like golden, hip hop waterfalls of a summer glacier.

The Goody Bags, lovely as always are:

• DJ Gowldigga.  Her life purpose is “cashin’ in on broken hearts,” and dancing on coattails while blazing up the vinyl on the wheels of steel.
• G-Rated stays true to her name, she keeps things clean by showering regularly.  With her gold-plated vocal chords unleashed your ears cut a rug with joy.

For more about the Kemo Treats see http://www.kemotreats.com.

Yee-hawing With Brian
Featuring Brian Chu
Engineer, Moustache Farmer
November 28, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Brian does not take life too seriously. His day job as “some kind of engineer which makes him feel important” demands a high level of professional responsibility, but you wouldn’t know it if you saw him after-hours. His evenings usually begin with a tip of scotch; he’s working on growing his small collection of fine single malts. During winter month weekends, you’ll typically find him cutting tracks in fresh powder at his favourite ski resorts: Kicking Horse, Revelstoke, or Fernie (although he’ll gladly take a quick trip out to Lake Louise, Sunshine, or Marmot Basin any day). You might also find him volunteering at the Birkebeiner – Canada’s Premier Nordic Ski Event. During the summer months, when he’s not at the gym (cough!) he’s usually soakin’ up rays and great company at one of the many great patios Edmonton has to offer. At night, Brian enjoys hammering on the piano. Although he has yet to “release” any original, Brian dabbles in jazz,soul and funk composition. His favourite jazz pianist is the late Oscar Peterson. Brian also loves to organize events to raise money for charitable causes: he’s done laser shows, chest waxing, hair dying, beard growing/shaving, bike riding and moustache growing just to show everyone that he’s always willing to go that extra mile to put a smile on peoples’ faces while fundraising for charity.

Note: Brian’s ‘stache, seen here in all its glory, had enough presence to earn him second-runner up in Edmonton’s Movember contest.

Supporting Pedal-Power With Linda
Featuring Linda Duncan
Lawyer, Politician
November 14, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Linda is a lawyer and politician servicing as a Member of Parliament for Edmonton-Strathcona.  She has the distinction of being the only MP from Alberta who is not a member of the Conservative Party.  An internationally recognized leader in the development and enforcement of environmental law, she is the recipient of many awards and tributes, including a 1989 YWCA Award of Merit, lifetime membership in the Preservation of Agricultural Land Association, the 1998 Award of Merit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the 2004 Emerald Environment Award and tributes from the governments of Canada, Indonesia and the Netherlands.

For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linda_Duncan and  http://lindaduncanmp.ca

Basking With Greg
Featuring Greg Krischke
Mayor of Leduc
November 14, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Greg  is serving his third term as Mayor and prior to becoming Mayor in 2004, he served three terms as Alderman for the City of Leduc.  Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he has been a resident of Leduc since 1960, along with his wife Jo-Anne, two children and five grandchildren.  Prior to his election to Leduc City Council in 1995, Greg held several senior management positions with Air Canada. He is the owner/operator of a local retail business and a strong advocate of the community.  Greg is a recipient of the Alberta Centennial Medal and Lieutenant Governor’s Leadership Award for Active Communities and contributes to the community as a volunteer with the Leduc Lions Club, Leduc/Nisku Rotary Club, Leduc Community Drug Action Committee and the local Communities in Bloom Committee.

For more about Greg see http://www.leduc.ca/City_Government/City_Council/City_Council_Members/Mayor_Greg_Krischke.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Krischke.

Sight-Seeing With Tom And Juanita
Featuring Tom & Juanita Williamson
Retired Engineer, Awesome Spouse
October 6, 2012
Moraine Lake, near Lake Louise
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

In their words:

Moraine Lake is one of our many favorite spots in Alberta.  It just so happens we were enjoying our last weekend as Alberta residents, concluding a three-year assignment with (you guessed it) an oil company.  We have since returned to Sugar Land, Texas to be close to family and enjoy the warm winters.  Our computer is full of photos of Alberta and we strengthened many friendships by hosting visitors and sharing the wonderful sights.

Dancing With The Newlyweds
Featuring Kinsey and Dan Stewart and guests
October 6, 2012
Lake Louise , Alberta, Canada

Hamming It Up With Lady Pearl
Featuring Lady Pearl
Comedic Entertainer/Actor, Speaker, Non-profit Director, Family Man
October 4, 2012
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Lady Pearl, the younger and decidedly more attractive sister of internationally acclaimed house wife and cheeky entertainer Dame Edna Everage travelled all the way from Moonie Ponds, Australia to get her painted nails on the little green car.  Her manager, Greg McCombs was honored that Lady Pearl was asked to be apart of such an inspiring project and hopes no shinny red polish rubbed off on that fancy green car.

For more about Lady Pearl and Greg McCombs see www.gregariousgreg.ca.  (Hint:  Yes, they are one and the same.)

Speech-Giving With Preston
Featuring Preston Manning
Canadian Politician
September 14, 2012

Preston was born in Edmonton, Alberta, the son of Ernest Manning, Social Credit Party Premier of Alberta from 1943-1968. He was the only leader of the Reform Party of Canada, a Canadian federal political party that evolved into the Canadian Alliance, which in turn merged with the Progressive Conservative Party to form today’s Conservative Party of Canada.  The Manning Centre, a conservative think tank, is named after him.

For more about Preston see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preston_Manning.

Rocking Out With Paula
Featuring Paula Cook
Account Manager
September 13, 2012
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

In her words:

I have travelled all over the world. In my travels I carried a small doll from sesame street name Ernie. I added a Canadian flag to his chest. I would ask people to take a photo with Ernie. I got the same reaction everywhere I went. People would light up and were happy to take a photo with him. In countries like China, Japan, Bali and Brazil, where we did not speak the same language, it did not matter. They recognized who Ernie was.

One of my passions is singing. I sing with a gospel choir called The Marcus Mosley Chorale in Vancouver, British Columbia. Through singing I have an opportunity to connect with people that touches their soul and mine. I absolutely love when an audience stands on their feet at a show and is singing and dancing. We are all connecting through music. Beautiful.

In my professional life I meet some wonderful people. Business can be a little dry at times and it is moments like these that feed my soul.

Blending In With The General
Featuring James Cartwright
Four-star U.S. Marine Corps General (Retired)
Former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
September 13, 2012
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

James was the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2007 until 2011.  He currently serves as the inaugural holder of the Harold Brown Chair in Defense Policy Studies for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, is a member of The Raytheon Company Board of Directors, a Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, and as a defense consultant for ABC News.  He is also a leading advocate for the phased and verified elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide.

For more about James see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Cartwright.

Addressing Corporate Canada With Warren
Featuring Dr. Warren Jestin
Senior Vice-President & Chief Economist, Scotiabank
September 13, 2012
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Warren is Scotiabank’s Chief Economist and has been with the bank since 1979.  He is a popular public speaker and media commentator on economic issues in Canada and abroad. Warren travels extensively meeting with experts around the globe to keep pace with the latest economic, political and financial market developments.  Before joining Scotiabank, Warren worked at the Bank of Canada and taught at several universities. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto in 1977.

Chaperoning Guy and Karen
Featuring Guy and Karen Barnabé
August 5, 2012
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

Guy and Karen Barnabé celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on April 28, 2012. They met completely by chance in the summer of 1958 in Hallock, Minnesota. Back in those days, the Canadian boys used to cross the border into the US on Sundays to go to the movies and the beach. Guy and his best friend were cruising down the street when they saw a little girl riding her tricycle. They rolled down the window and asked her if she had an older sister. She grinned and replied, “ I sure do!” She brought the boys home and introduced them to her older sister…Karen. As you can see, the sparks are still flying…50 years later.

On The Picket Line With The Strikers
Featuring striking workers at the Hardisty Care Centre
July 27, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Meeting With Alison
Featuring Premier Alison Redford
Premier of Alberta
Lawyer, Politician
July 24, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Alison is a lawyer and politician and is currently serving as the 14th Premier of Alberta.  She was born in British Columbia and grew up throughout Canada and overseas before settling in Calgary.  Alison has been actively involved in both provincial and national politics since the 1980s and has also undertaken assignments in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Namibia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and the Philippines.

For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Redford and http://alberta.ca/premier.cfm.

Cruising With Mark
Featuring Mark Rosenow and Miguelito
Constable, Edmonton Police Service
July 22, 2012

Cst Mark Rosenow is a 6 year member of the Edmonton Police Service. Born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he attended Saint Mary University where he received his degree in Advanced Criminology. Immediately after completion, he was accepted into the police service and has been there ever since. He is soon to be married to his university sweetheart, Laura.

Enjoying Race Day With Joey
Featuring Joey McColm
NASCAR Driver, Earth Day Canada Ambassador
July 22, 2012
Edmonton Indy
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Joey has been been racing since the age of 15.  For more about Joey see http://www.joeymccolm.com.

Joey also posed for a photo with Miguelito at the 2012 Edmonton Indy.  Thanks Joey!

Paying Respect With The Detectives
Featuring Detective Dwayne Lakusta, Detective Carlos Cardoso, Staff Sergeant Bill Clark, Detective Paul Gregory, Detective Dale Johnson, Detective Rob Bilawey
Edmonton Police Service
July 17, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Standing in front of a 2010 homicide scene, members of the Edmonton Police Service Homicide Unit recall an intense investigation which resulted in the arrest of two suspects for the killing of a homeless man.  Over the course of the investigation into this crime, the detectives called the area behind the fence where the victim was found by many different names.   They referred to it as everything from a  “patio” to an “enclosure” to an “alcove”, at times causing some confusion for other investigators.  Born out of their need for consistency, Staff Sergeant Clark took to calling it an “albacore”.  The name “Team Tuna” stuck to the team, one of three in the Homicide Section.  The reputation of the tuna as a large tenacious predator fish has taken on a new meaning for this team of homicide investigators.

Celebrating Canada Day With The RCMP
Featuring Laurel Clark
Global Edmonton Reporter/Anchor
and Paul Rampersaud
Global Edmonton Photographer
July 12, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Laurel has a Bachelor of Journalism Honours from Carleton University and has spent time reporting on all three capitals of the Canadian Prairies.  Career highlights include mentoring journalists in Monrovia, Liberia in May 2012, covering the Slave Lake wildfire and receiving a national RTDNA award for a feature about an RCMP task-force that attempts to get Edmonton prostitutes off the street.

Paul has worked for several national and international television stations for 20 years. Career highlights include following Canadian troops in war-torn Kosovo in 1999, flying in a Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbird and standing beside the Queen of England. He enjoys meeting interesting people with his career and when he is not working he is traveling the world in search of the next great dive spot.

Celebrating Canada Day With The RCMP
Featuring Kevin Osborne, BCom
Senior Investigator, Calgary Commercial Crime Section
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
July 1, 2012
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Poolside With Laurie and Kadin
Featuring Laurie Blakeman
MLA for the constituency of Edmonton-Centre, Change Agent, Activist for Public Policy
And Kadin
Six year-old Wirehaired Pointing Griffon and Laurie’s best friend
June 26, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

In Laurie’s words:

Actor to theatre Producer to Politician.   With my BFA in Acting I went on to act in various locations across the Prairies in theatre, film and radio.  Frustrated with the lack of roles for modern women I commissioned my friends to write and compose plays which I then produced and performed in.  That moved me to managing different theatres and arts/women focused agencies including as Executive Director for the Advisory Council on Women’s Issues. Always political and a militant feminist I continued that work to political life in 1997. Representing downtown Edmonton in all its diversity is a great joy and daily challenge.  This combines my desire to change the world and to help women, the GLTBQ community, people of different race and ethnic background, and others achieve full and equal participation in the life of the province.  I’m married to another change agent politician, Councillor Ben Henderson and we spend our spare time with 2 dogs and 4 cats.

For more information about Laurie see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Blakeman and http://www.laurieblakeman.com.

Putting On With The Newlyweds
Featuring Michelle (Duffley) and Michael Schuh
On the day of their wedding
June 23, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Marking The X-Spot With Jennifer, Sarah, Michelle, and Linda
Featuring Jennifer MacNeil (2004), Sarah Bussey (2005), Michelle (Duffley) Schuh (2005), Linda Duffley (1979)
June 23, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

All four ladies are sporting the X-Ring from St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.

Ramping Up With Donna, Scarlett, Gwendolyn and Clark
Featuring Donna Hunter with Scarlett, Gwendolyn and Clark Hunter
Mom, “Concerned Parent”
June 14, 2012
Morinville, Alberta, Canada

Donna Hunter and her children were celebrating at the site of the first secular public school in Morinville, Alberta. In 2010 Donna questioned why all the public schools in her town of 8,500 people were operated as Catholic schools. After two years of advocating, researching and building support with the community, Alberta Education responded to the parents’ appeal by changing school division designations in the area. The new public school division in Morinville was granted a permanent home in a fully equipped building. Miguelito’s Little Green Car brought smiles to the children’s faces and helped the school start off on its road to success!

At The Controls With Mike
Featuring Michael Schuh
Director of Business Development, Gold Investment Management Ltd.
June 13, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

With a deep passion for aviation, Michael learned to fly even before he had his first car. Today he works in the private investment industry. However, the love of aviation is still there, and together with his wife Michelle, they are planning a circumnavigation of the globe in their own small aircraft.  Sitting at the controls of the Cessna Citation X, the fastest fully certified civilian aircraft in the sky, cruising just shy of the sound barrier at Mach .92, Michael dreams big… and fast.

Being Serenaded By The Blind Boys
Featuring the Blind Boys of Alabama
Grammy Award-Winning Musicians
June 10, 2012
The Winspear Centre
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The Blind Boys of Alabama are a gospel group from Alabama that first formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind at Talladega, Alabama in 1939. The three main vocalists of the group and their drummer/percussionist are all blind.

Releases by the group in recent years have been favorites at the Grammy Awards — they won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album four straight years between 2002 and 2005. The Blind Boys of Alabama were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2009, they were awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

In February 2010, The Blind Boys performed at the White House for President Obama and the First Lady along with Bob Dylan, Natalie Cole, John Mellencamp, and Smokey Robinson.

For more about the Blind Boys of Alabama see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blind_Boys_of_Alabama and http://www.blindboys.com/.

Discussing Music With The Laureate
Featuring Hinrich Alpers
Pianist, Honens Laureate, Teacher
June 10, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

German pianist Hinrich Alpers talks with his fingers.  He believes “music is one of the most direct and powerful ways of communicating”, and adds “listeners depend on honest and inspired performers.”  Both the International Telekom Beethoven Competition Bonn and Honens agree, having chosen this honest, inspired pianist as First Prize winner and Laureate, respectively.  Hinrich has performed in recital, with orchestra and as chamber music collaborator throughout Europe, the United States and Canada, including performances at the Berlin Philharmonie and Carnegie Hall.   His playing has been called “music making of the highest order” by The New York Sun. Hinrich lives in Berlin with his cellist wife Sabine and son Jasper, and teaches piano at the University of Music and Drama of Hanover.

For more about Hinrich see http://www.hinrichalpers.com.

Dragon-Slaying With Kyla
Featuring Kyla Feschuk
Dragon Slayer, Teacher, Photographer, Mother, Adventurer, and Survivor Celebrating New Life
May 29, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For Kyla’s work see http://www.feschukphoto.com/.

Rocking Out With Alan
Featuring Alan Doyle
And his self-portrait
Musician, Actor, Producer
May 25, 2012
Starlite Room
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Alan is probably best known as one of the lead singers of Great Big Sea.  For more about Alan see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Doyle.

Feigning Meanness With Jim
Featuring Jim Cuddy
May 17, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Jim is perhaps best known for his work with Blue Rodeo.  For more about him see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Cuddy, http://www.jimcuddy.com/, and http://www.bluerodeo.com/.

Motoring With Jason
Featuring the artwork of Jason Blower
Illustrator
April 17, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

I was thrilled to have the very talented artist Jason Blower paint a 15″ x 24″ illustration of Miguelito’s Little Green Car in the same style as his very popular series of Edmonton-area landmarks.

For more of Jason’s work see http://www.jasonblower.com/.

Celebrating Easter with Hazel and George
Featuring Hazel Thomsen and George Goodburn
April 8, 2012
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada

Merging Into Traffic With Jason
Featuring Jason Blower
Artist, Illustrator
April 1, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For Jason’s work see http://www.jasonblower.com/.

Modeling With Botos
Featuring Botos Photos
Model, Photographer
March 29, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Prancing With Richard
Featuring Richard Simmons
American Fitness Personality
March 24, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more about Richard see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Simmons and http://www.richardsimmons.com.

Posing With Linda, Fay and Flat Stanley
Featuring Linda Plomp, Fay Plomp and Flat Stanley
Linda: Office Manager, Edmonton Down Syndrome Society
Fay: Regional Director, Extendicare Canada
Flat Stanley: Paper Figurine, Adventurer
March 21, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

A Grade 2 class in Okotoks, Alberta has read the book entitled Flat Stanley as a novel study. In the story Flat Stanley is flattened by a bulletin board, but isn’t hurt. His parents send him in an envelope to California to visit friends. Flat Stanley has now been sent to us by my great niece’s teacher so that he can visit and learn about our community. Once we have taken pictures of Flat Stanley at various locations I am to write a story about his visit and his adventures and, along with the pictures, send this back to the school where the students will plot all the places he visited and share the stories. I am quite excited to be able to tell the tale of the little green car.  I think the kids will absolutely love this.

For more about Flat Stanley see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_Stanley.

On The Summit Of St. Nicholas Peak
Featuring Craig, Chris, JP, Niall, and me
March 18, 2012
2938 m
Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Nicholas_Peak_(Canada)

Joke-Sharing With Jim
Featuring Jim Garner
Photographer
March 10, 2012
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Based in Seattle, Jim has earned many distinctions in his career, including being named by American Photo magazine as one of “Top Ten Wedding Photographers In The World”.  For his work see http://www.jgarnerphoto.com/

Play-Terrorizing With Sarah
Featuring Sarah Uytterhagen
Eternal Optimist, Occasional Pianist and Future Globetrotter
March 8, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Reassembling With Ian
Featuring Ian Quigley
Social-Based Portfolio Manager,
March 7, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Ian Quigley likes riding bikes.  Even old bikes in 100 pieces.  He is also a portfolio manager at Qube Consulting and believes he can change the world with a socially responsible values-based approach to investment management.

Politicing With Ambassador Sha
Featuring Sha Zukang
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs
Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+ 20)
March 1, 2012
Grant MacEwan University
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more about Sha see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sha_Zukang.

Studying New Liberalism With Anne
Featuring The Honourable Anne McLellan, PC, OC, MP
Academic, Politician, Lawyer
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
February 28, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The Honourable A. Anne McLellan, P.C., O.C. is Counsel at Bennett Jones LLP and the first Distinguished Scholar in Residence at the Institute for US Policy Studies, University of Alberta and is a member of several corporate and community boards. She served four terms as the Liberal MP for Edmonton Centre, during which she was Deputy Prime Minister of Canada and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Minister of Health, Minister of Justice and Minister of Natural Resources.  From 1980-1992 she was a professor in the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Law and served as both Associate Dean (1985-1987) and Acting Dean (1991-1992) of the Faculty.

For more about Anne see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_McLellan.

Scoring With Darcy
Featuring Darcy Scaife
Champion
February 23, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Darcy was part of the winning Team Canada outfit that won the 2012 World Cup of Foosball in Nantes, France.  His trophy and medal are visible to the left.

Being Asked The Hard Questions
Featuring Tyler Grant
CBC Radio Intern
February 9, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

In Tyler’s words:

“I’ve been up and down roads, and I’ve even made a few. I’ve travelled here and there, and I’ve come back home only to meet a little green car head on. Sure, I’ve driven cars and worked on them, but never in my life did I think I’d get that chance to interview one. Let me tell you, it was a thrilling ride from start to finish.”

This photo was shot during an interview with CBC Radio’s Radio Active show.  The ambient noise during the interview is from the traffic that skirted us while we shot and recorded.  Click below to listen to the interview broadcast on CBC Radio 1 on February 26, 2012.

The interview is also archived on the CBC website at:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Radio/1447825254/ID=2198032847.

One Lovin’ With Waymatea
Featuring Waymatea/Sista J of Souljah Fyah
Musician
And a heart-shaped quartz
February 5, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Waymatea, also known as Sista J of Souljah Fyah, is studying with the International Council of 13 Indigenous Grandmothers to become a Minister of Walking Prayer.

Souljah Fyah were the 2011 WCMA Winners – Urban Recording of the Year, 2009 JUNO nominees, 2008 Western Canada Music Award winners, and twice-declared the best Reggae band in Canada by the Canadian Reggae Music Awards and the Reggae Music Achievement Awards.  They never fail to lift spirits or heat up a crowd. They have played with Lilith Fair, the Edmonton Folk Fest, the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, and at the Grey Cup Festivals in Montreal and Calgary, but Edmonton is home, and over the past decade they have been Reggae’s best evangelists in Western Canada.  In November 2010 they released their highly anticipated third studio album, “I Wish,” a project which took them to new heights sonically and lyrically, while remaining true to their roots-reggae sound. It’s on the merits of their live show, however, that Souljah Fyah has managed to accomplish what they have. As Shelly Gummeson from Earshot-Online wrote: “On and off stage…[lead singer] Janaya ‘Sista J’ Ellis, exudes a high voltage, positive energy. Unfettered without setting limitations is precisely the attitude and energy that has propelled Edmonton’s Souljah Fyah to become Canada’s top Reggae band.”  See http://www.souljahfyah.com for more info.

Striking A Chord With The Laureate
Featuring Evgeny Starodubtsev
February 5, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

The New York Times calls Russian pianist Evgeny Starodubtsev “an accomplished and probing artist”.

Starodubtsev was named Laureate of Canada’s Honens International Piano Competition in 2009, and won Lithuania’s Ciurlionis Competition in 2011. After introduction to music by way of accordion at a young age, he studied piano and composition at the Moscow State Conservatory’s Central Music School before entering the Conservatory and continuing piano studies with Natalia Troull. Starodubtsev splits his time between piano performance and composing. His compositions include chamber works for varied instruments, including woodwinds, strings and harp. This performer-composer combination no doubt accounts for his sense of adventure and intelligent approach to music-making. He has an affinity for music of the 20th century and revels in revealing this repertory’s wonder and beauty.

Move your mouse over image for detail

Connecting Pecha Kuchaians
Featuring the crowd numbering 527 at Pecha Kucha Night 12
February 2, 2012
Garneau Theatre
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Pecha Kucha Nights are a popular series of presentations based on a format of 20 slides displayed for 20 seconds each.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecha_Kucha.

For more information about Pecha Kucha Night 12 Edmonton see http://www.pecha-kucha.org/night/edmonton/12 and click here for the Edmonton Journal’s article.

The Edmonton Journal has archived video of my presentation, including the moment when this photo was taken. Click play, below, to watch it.

For the archive of the rest of the presentations from that evening visit the Edmonton Journal’s video archive.

Shooting The Shooter
Featuring Thomas O’hara
Photographer, Thrill Seeker
January 27, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

First Ascenting With Dan
Featuring Dan Ciobotaru
January 17, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

It was -41 C with the wind chill when we shot this photo.  Down jackets weren’t quite enough for comfort.

Self-Reflecting With Sonia
Featuring Sonia Dautovich
Marketing Coordinator
January 11, 2012

Sonia has been jotting down thoughts, ideas, quotes, doodles, and to do lists in journals since she was a teenager. You name it, she’s written it down. When she gets tired of writing in one journal, she simply retires it and goes on the hunt for a new cool journal, or even better, receives one from a friend. Somehow everyone seems to know that Sonia loves stationery. Even in this digital world, for Sonia there is nothing like jotting down new ideas on paper. If anyone were to read through all of her journals, they’d discover a lot about who she is… or at least find out what she had on her grocery list in 1998!

Celebrating Sweet 16 with PC The Cat
Featuring PC The Cat
January 3, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Getting Jacked With Andrew
Featuring Andrew McCloskey
Health Promoter & Personal Trainer
January 2, 2012
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Sweet Dreaming With Baby Ayla
Featuring one day old Ayla Morrissey
Begat by Zoe and Stephen Morrissey
December 21, 2011
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

At a mere one day of age, Ayla is the youngest ever person in Miguelito’s Little Green Car.  While having a few photos taken, she expediently cracked a smile.  Thanks sweetie!

Tree-Posing With Kristine
Featuring Kristine Doiron
Nomadic Yogi
December 18, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Kristine is a nomadic yogi who allows the sun, sand, snow, and surf lead her to many magical lands. Teaching and practicing yoga keeps her grounded through life’s adventures and sane in the insanity of travel.  Through yoga, she hopes to inspire others to explore and experience all that this wonderful world has to offer.

Hanging Out With Sandra
Featuring Sandra Kunz
Artist, Teacher, Mother
December 16, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Sandra loves being a creative bird. She flutters around her art studio to paint animals and write her blog, then twitters over to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology to teach Interior Design.  She devotes the rest of her time to her little bird Xavier and creating a happy nest for the two of them.  Being high in the trees comes quite naturally.

For Sandra’s work see http://www.ravenillustration.com/.

Hydrating With Smytty
Featuring Ryan Smyth
Professional Hockey Player with the Edmonton Oilers
December 13, 2011
Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada

For more about Ryan see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Smyth and http://oilers.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8460496.

On Air With Paul, Yukon, Gillian and Ry
Featuring Paul Brown, Yukon Jack, Gillian Foote and Ry My
At The Paul Brown Show
The Bear 100.3 FM Studio
December 13, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

You can listen to the photo shoot and mini interview broadcast live using the player below.

Without question, Miguelito’s Little Green Car’s photo with Paul Brown was the most uncomfortable to date.

Followed closely in that ranking by the photo with Yukon Jack.

The photo with Ry My was comparatively pleasant.

But really, this was all a ploy to get a photo with the lovely Gillian Foote.  So sorry for using you like that, fellas.  :-)

Moving On With Frank
Featuring Frank Work, Q.C.
Information and Privacy Commissioner
Province of Alberta
December 7, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Frank was born in Calgary, received his Bachelors and Masters Degree in Environmental Design from the University of Calgary and obtained a law degree in 1981 from McGill University. After a brief stint practicing corporate commercial law in Calgary, Mr. Work had the opportunity to work for the Attorney General of Bermuda. During his time in Bermuda, Mr. Work was seconded to the United Nations Environmental Program. After returning to Canada in 1987, Mr. Work took a contract position with the World Bank and was assigned to the country of Mauritius. There he worked with the Minister of Environment, Executive Council, and various aid agencies in developing environmental policy and law. From 1991 to 1996 Mr. Work worked as Parliamentary Counsel to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, and spent time working as General Counsel to the Ethics Commissioner of Alberta. In 1996 Mr. Work began his career at the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner as General Counsel and Assistant Commissioner. Mr. Work was appointed as Acting Information and Privacy Commissioner in September 2001 and was subsequently appointed Information and Privacy Commissioner in May 2002.

For more about Frank see http://www.oipc.ab.ca/pages/About/Commissioner.aspx.

Standing In For Lettuce
Featuring Dr. Indira Samarasekera
President of the University of Alberta
Engineer, Officer of the Order of Canada
December 6, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Dr. Samarasekera is the 12th president of the University of Alberta, one of the top 100 universities in the world. She holds a B.Sc. (in mechanical engineering) from the University of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), a M.Sc. (in mechanical engineering) from the University of California, as a Hayes Fulbright Scholar, and a Ph.D. (in metallurgical engineering) from the University of British Columbia.

Serving the community in a wider capacity, Dr. Samarasekera sits on the Boards of Directors of the Bank of Nova Scotia (Scotiabank), NINT (the National Institute of Nanotechnology) and Industry Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation Council. She has served on the Conference Board of Canada, the Public Policy Forum and as a member of a President’s Visiting Committee at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. Samarasekera has also served as a consultant to steel companies around the world.

Dr. Samarasekera is member of the Royal Society of Canada, an Officer of the Order of Canada, and has received Honorary Degrees from the  University of British Columbia, Queens University in Belfast, Ireland and the University of Waterloo.

For more information about Indira visit http://www.president.ualberta.ca/PresidentsBiography.aspx.

Indira is reading a copy of I Was There:  A Century of Alumni Stories About the University of Alberta, available at http://www.bookstore.ualberta.ca/index.cfm?index=STATIC/IWASTHERE.

Spreading Love With Meaghan
Featuring Meaghan Smith
Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist
Winner of the Best New Artist Award at the 2011 Juno Awards
December 2, 2011
The Haven Social Club
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more on Meaghan see http://www.meaghansmith.com and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaghan_Smith.

Researching with Peter and Chris
Featuring Peter Milot (left) & Dr. Chris Jass (right)
Assistant Curator & Curator, Quaternary (Ice Age) Palaeontology
November 30, 2011
Royal Alberta Museum
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Chris is the Curator of Quaternary Palaeontology at the Royal Alberta Museum (RAM).  Chris received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in December 2007.  Shortly thereafter, he accepted his current position with the RAM, moved his family to Alberta, and bought lots of cold weather gear.

Peter Milot is the Assistant Curator of Quaternary Palaeontology at the RAM.  Peter has worked in the Quaternary Palaeontology Program since 1987.  Chris and Peter conduct field and laboratory research in order to understand the spatial and temporal distributions of animals that lived during the Ice Age.

Part of their current research is measuring isolated mammoth teeth in the collections at the RAM to determine if dental characteristics support the hypothesis that at least two species of mammoths occurred in Alberta during the Ice Age.  In this photo, Miguelito’s little green car is on top of a mammoth tooth specimen estimated to be at least 10,000 years old.

For more information on Chris, Peter, and the Quaternary Palaeontology Program at the Royal Alberta Museum see http://www.royalalbertamuseum.ca/natural/palaeo/intro.htm.

Standing In For Lettuce
Featuring Alfred Kingsley Zissou and Tobias Reign Boswell Featherbottom (The Commodore)
November 28, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Alfred and Tobias are English or Show Budgerigars, which are almost twice the size of regular or wild budgies, and are not usually available at pet stores.  This type of budgie is bred for bird shows where the larger size and fuller plumage plus a more docile attitude is highly desirable.  Although these birds are not part of the show circuit, after their very first professional photo shoot the sky is the limit!

Celebrating Freedom + Forgiveness With Amanda
Featuring Amanda Lindhout
Former Journalist, Founder of the Global Enrichment Foundation
November 23, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Today, November 25, 2011 is the second anniversary of Amanda’s release.

In 2008 Amanda Lindhout traveled to Somalia as a freelance journalist to research a story on the millions of people affected by two decades of war, drought and famine. Three days after arriving in the country, she was kidnapped by teenage criminals outside of the capital city, Mogadishu, Lindhout spent 460 days as a hostage in one of the world’s poorest countries. Following her release in November 2009, she became an unlikely and passionate advocate for a peaceful future in Somalia. Only four months after returning home, Lindhout founded the Global Enrichment Foundation to ignite leadership in Somalia through sustainable development initiatives.

No longer a journalist, Lindhout has advised international governments, non-profits, business leaders and policy makers on the importance of using education to counter the radicalization of youth and provides insight onto the interrelated issues of poverty and violence against women.

She has been featured in ELLE magazine and appeared on The Today Show, Anderson Cooper 360, CNN, CTV’s Canada AM, CBC’s The National, Radio Canada International, BBC, MSNBC, and a variety of other TV and radio programs both domestic and international speaking about her humanitarian mission in Somalia.

Lindhout studied Development Leadership at the Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada.

For more information about Amanda see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amanda_Lindhout. For information about Amanda’s Global Enrichment Foundation see http://globalenrichmentfoundation.com/.

Featuring Mike Hudema
Activist
At the site of Occupy Edmonton
November 22, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more about Mike see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hudema.  For information about Occupy Edmonton see http://occupyedmonton.org/.  For information about the Occupy Movement in general see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_movement.

For more about Mr. Kowalski see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Kowalski.

Finding Zen With Hailey
Featuring Hailey O’Hara
Yogi, Student
November 19, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Remembering With Ronald on 11-11-11
Featuring Ronald Dmetruk
Regimental Association (4PPCLI)
Kitshop Manager
November 11, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Recounting Hoosier Stories With David
Featuring Dr. David Atkinson
President, Grant MacEwan University
Academic, researcher, author, former distance runner
November 8, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For David’s biography see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_W._Atkinson and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_W._Atkinson.

Free-loading The Portage
Featuring Mark Lund
Outdoor, Physical & Health Education Instructor at Grant MacEwan University
Author, Paddler
November 2, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For information about Mark see http://academic.macewan.ca/lundm/ and for his book Mark’s Guide for Alberta Paddlers see http://members.shaw.ca/marksguide/index.htm.

Checking Out Dave’s Stanley Cup Ring
Featuring Dave Lumley
Retired professional hockey play
Former Edmonton Oiler
November 1, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

More Dave’s biography see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Lumley and http://oilerslegends.blogspot.com/2006/11/dave-lumley.html.

Not Getting Roughed Up By Gordie
Featuring Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey™
November 1, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For Gordie’s story see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordie_Howe and http://www.gordiehowe.com.

Manning The Freedom Flight
Featuring Meghan Mulligan, Chris McMurren, Carrie Wierenga, Jen Balding and Kayle Srogen
October 27, 2011
Executive Flight Centre
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Carpooling with Gilles
Featuring Gilles Hébert
Artist and Executive Director, Art Gallery of Alberta
October 21, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For information about Gilles see http://www.youraga.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Gilles-Hebert-Bio1.pdf and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilles_Hebert.

Future Dreaming With Alex
Featuring six-week old Alexander
October 12, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Fighting Off The Fear With Miguelito
Featuring Miguelito
October 10, 2011
Hardisty, Alberta, Canada

Sending Off Drew
Featuring Drew Lemmerick
Globe Trotter
October 8, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Summitting Mt. Opal
Featuring Drew Lemmerick, Terris Glab, Hernando Ortega, and me
September 10, 2011
On the summit of Mt. Opal
Kananaskis Country, Alberta, Canada

Burning Off The Big Breakfast
Featuring Dan Ciobotaru, Andrew McCloskey and me
September 4, 2011
Unnamed Peak near Landslide Lake
Nordegg, Alberta, Canada

Healing With Love
Featuring Mickey Loo
August 31, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Mickey Loo’s front paws were mutilated in a farm accident.  This is what her owner has to say:

“When I found her on a local farm she was bloody and missing her front paws. I brought her back to Edmonton and took her to a local vet.  He gave her a shot of antibiotics for free but told me that there was nothing he could do for my Mickey. But I washed and cleaned her wounds every other day and after five months she was able to get around. I love her with all my heart and it goes to show that love heals all.”

Collaborating With Public Art
Featuring illustrator Gerry Rasmussen’s piece After The Earth Is Saved
August 25, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

After The Earth Is Saved was a collaborative art piece in which Gerry took suggestions from the public during the 2010 edition of The Works Festival in Edmonton.  Early in the process, he drew Miguelito’s Little Green Car into the piece.

The sign reads:

After The Earth Is Saved, what will utopia look like?… Will there be cars? Will it be like the Jetsons? Will sharks be nice? Will only cute animals exist? Will we be nude? Not nude? Advances in genetic engineering? What about people who like to complain? Where will zombies fit in?

View the full-size image to see the super hero along the top holding the car, along with the rest of the piece.

For Gerry’s biography and examples of his work see  http://www.aboutfacesentertainers.com/caricature/artist_pages/gerry_r.htm and http://www.gerryrasmussen.com/

Cooking Up A Storm With Tia Elena
Featuring Elena Perez
Aunt Extraordinaire!
August 22, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Debuting Baby
Featuring Baby
August 22, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Feigning Sternness With Tio Juan
Featuring Juan Perez
Retired Reverend
Latino Robert De Niro look-alike
August 22, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Chin-Scratching With Shawna
Featuring Maui the cat and Shawna Randolph
Spokesperson for the Edmonton Humane Society
Businesswoman, public relations professional, former news anchor and journalist
August 17, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more information about Shawna see http://www.randolphcommunications.com.

Cooking Up A Storm With Tia Elena
Featuring Sherrie and Larry Blau
August 3, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Sometimes you can’t tell a story better than reality itself can.  This is an email that I received:

DEAR MR. SCHULZ;  IN REFERENCE TO THE ARTICLE ABOUT YOUR ENCOUNTER WITH KATE AND WILL AND YOUR NEPHEW’S GREEN CAR, IF YOU WILL BE IN THE EDMONTON AREA POSSIBLY NEXT WEEK OR THE WEEK AFTER, MY HUSBAND AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET A PHOTO OF THE CAR WITH THE DOLL WE FOUND ON THE DEMPSTER HWY. DURING OUR TRIP TO INUVIK IN JUNE.  WE ARE FROM PHOENIX, AZ. AND HAVE BEEN TRAVELLING THROUGHOUT CANADA SINCE MAY 22ND AND ARE NOW ON OUR WAY TO MONTANA.  WE NOW HAVE OVER 8500 MILES ON OUR TRUCK AND TOYHAULER TRAILER ON THIS TRIP AND WE ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE UNUSUAL TO PHOTOGRAPH ON OUR TRIPS. WE HAVE A GIANT ROCKGUARD GRILL WE MADE FOR OUR TRUCK, WHICH HAS COLLECTED TONS OF BUGS ON THIS TRIP AND WHEN WE FOUND THE DOLL AT A RESTOP, WE WIRED IT ON.  EVERYONE KEEPS PULLING UP NEXT TO US AT LIGHTS AND GAS STATIONS, AND POINT, LAUGH, OR  REMARK ABOUT IT, SO WHEN I READ THE ARTICLE ABOUT KATE HOLDING THE CAR, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GOOD LAUGH FOR OUR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES BACK IN AZ. TO SEE.  I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA THAT YOU’RE DOING THIS FOR YOUR NEPHEW, AND EVEN THOUGH WE ARE A COUPLE OF NOBODIES, IF YOU ARE INTERSTED IN DOING THIS FOR US, OR MIGUELITO, WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU WHEN WE COME INTO TOWN.  SINCE WE CAN ONLY GET INTERNET AT A LIBRARY OR STARUCKS, WE WOULD APPRECATE IT IF YOU WOULD CONTACT US ON OUR E-MAIL ADDRESS, BUT ONLY IF YOU’RE INTERESTED.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.  SINCERELY, SHERRIE AND LARRY BLAU

Below is what the doll looked like while holding Miguelito’s Little Green Car.  The car is resting on top of a bracket they built specifically for the photo.

Hands On Rock With Kevin
Featuring Kevin Yallup
Engineer
July 16, 2011
On Sulfur Skyline
Jasper, Alberta, Canada

Colour Coordinated In Green
Featuring Val & Kevin on their wedding day + guests
July 16, 2011
Pyramid Lake
Jasper, Alberta, Canada

Finding Inspiration With Crystal
Featuring Crystal Graham
Principal, Kasian Architecture
July 15, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Joking With Rick
Featuring Rick Ostapchuk
Programming Manager, Princess Theatre
July 9, 2011
Princess Theatre
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Standing Up To Jerry
Featuring Jerry Seinfeld
Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Writer, Television and Film Producer
July 9, 2011
Princess Theatre
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more information about Jerry see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Seinfeld and http://www.jerryseinfeld.com.

Redeemed By Duchess Kate
Featuring Catherine (Kate Middleton)
The Duchess of Cambridge
July 6, 2011
Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada

For more information about the Duchess, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine,_Duchess_of_Cambridge.

Dissed By The Prince
Featuring Prince William
Duke of Cambridge
July 6, 2011
Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada

This shot was taken right after Prince William declined to hold Miguelito’s Little Green Car.

For more information about the Prince, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_William,_Duke_of_Cambridge.

Preparing For Royal Coverage With Ian
Featuring Ian Hanomansing
Reporter, Television Journalist, Host
CBC News, The National
July 6, 2011
Slave Lake, Alberta, Canada

For more information about Ian see http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/personality/ian_hanomansing and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Hanomansing.

Getting Tuned Up By Fasika
Featuring Fasika Aklilu
Physician
July 5, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Feeling The New Heartbeat
Featuring Erin Isfeld
Television Reporter, Anchor
June 22, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more on Erin see http://edmonton.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20071128/edmonton_erin_isfeld/20100301/?hub=EdmontonAbout.

Playing Around With Kyle
Featuring Kyle Shewfelt
Gymnast, Gold Medal Olympian
June 11, 2011
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

For more on Kyle see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Shewfelt
and http://www.kyleshewfelt.blogspot.com.

For more on Right to Play see  http://www.righttoplay.com/canada/.

Ramping Down To Mark
Featuring Mark Wilbert
Realtor
May 19, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more information about Mark see http://www.markwilbert.ca.

Ribbon-Cutting With Greg
Featuring Honourable Greg Weadick
Member of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly
Minister of Advanced Education and Technology
May 3, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more information about Greg see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Weadick and http://www.gregweadick.com.

Revving Up With Jason
Featuring Jason Byrne
April 30, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Schmoozing The Ladies
Featuring Beth Allard-Clough and Marjorie Greer
April 30, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Storytelling With Pat
Featuring Pat Morrow
Mountaineer, Photographer, Author
Second Canadian to summit Mt. Everest
First person to summit the highest peaks of all seven continents
Member of the Order of Canada, Canada’s highest civilian honour
April 19, 2011
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Pat was first person in the world to have climbed the highest peaks of all seven continents: Mount McKinley in North America, Aconcagua in South America, Mount Everest in Asia, Elbrus in Europe, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Vinson Massif in Antarctica, and Puncak Jaya in Oceania.

For more information about Pat see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Morrow, http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/excellence/bio/morrow.asp, and http://www.patmorrow.com.

Celebrating Thirty-Three
Featuring good living
April 18, 2011
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Breakfasting At The Commodore
Featuring David and Wilma Gee
Owners, Commodore Restaurant
February 11, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Checking Out The News Control Room
CTV Studios News Control Room
February 11, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Debriefing After Television Interview
Featuring Dustin Perejma
Cameraman
CTV Studios
February 11, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Accessorizing With Beth
Featuring Beth Allard Clough
Managing Director
Allard Foundation
February 2, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Promoting Eco-Tourism
Featuring Reegan McCullough
Assistant Deputy Minister
Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation
February 1, 2011
Whitecourt, Alberta, Canada

Hanging With Jarrid
Featuring Jarrid Kolodnicki
General Manager of Centre of Gravity bungee jump
January 28, 2011
West Edmonton Mall
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Conquering Bert
Featuring Bert of Bert the Conqueror
January 28, 2011
West Edmonton Mall
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Bert was in Edmonton to film an episode of his television show for The Travel Channel.  For details of the show see http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Bert_the_Conqueror.

Being All-Out Professional With Mariusz
Featuring Mariusz Sikorski
Photographer
January 23, 2011
Near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Matching Green With Angela
Featuring Angela Han
Model
Photo by guest photographer Mariusz Sikorski
January 23, 2011
Near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Lending a hand… err… tire
Featuring Rebecca
Model
January 23, 2011
Near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Photo by guest photographer Sandy Phimester of Midnight Portraits.
Make up by Felicia Gow of Chick Habit Makeup Artistry.

Turning Tables On The Journalists
Featuring Marta Gold, Features Writer, Edmonton Journal
and Brian J. Gavriloff, Senior Staff Photographer, Edmonton Journal
January 12, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Being Optometristical
Featuring Dr. Jimmy Pham
Optometrist
January 12, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Grounding Jacob’s Ladder
Featuring Rob Stefaniuk
Engineering Technologist
January 9, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For more on the Jacob’s Ladder phenomenon see http://www.repairfaq.org/sam/jacobs.htm.

Partying Up At PC The Cat’s 15th Birthday!
Featuring PC (the cat), a capful of Yop, delicious cheesecake, and catnip-infused toys
January 3, 2011
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Co-working The Saloon
Featuring Sandra Fafard
Mountain Server
December 31, 2010
Glacier Saloon
Chateau Lake Louise
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Counting Down The Year End Countdown
Featuring Zoe Morrissey
Recreation Therapist
December 31, 2010
Glacier Saloon
Chateau Lake Louise
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Wrapping Up The Year With King Ralph
Featuring Ralph Klein
Former Premier of the Province of Alberta, former Mayor of the City of Calgary, television and radio personality
December 31, 2010
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

For more about Mr. Klein see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Klein.

Winning Over The Mad Artist
Featuring Jared Robinson and his piece Mechanism:D
Visual Artist, Designer, Videographer
December 12, 2010
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For Jared’s work see http://www.eye-catchers.ca.

Piercing The Lens
Featuring James Leder
Businessman, Owner of The Haven Social Club
December 8, 2010
At The Haven Social Club
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Standing In For Popcorn
Featuring Douglas Mitchell
Musician
December 8, 2010
At The Haven Social Club
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Containing The Grin
Featuring Rob Vollick
Drum ‘n Bass Producer
December 8, 2010
At The Haven Social Club
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Basking in Carny Glory
Featuring the cast and crew of Ann Vriend’s music video for Graffiti On My Heart (You Must Not Love)
December 7, 2010
At the historic St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church (built 1910)
Fort Edmonton Park
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For Ann’s music, see http://www.annvriend.com.

Performing With Ann (And Her Famous Red Shoes)
Featuring Ann Vriend
Songstress
December 7, 2010
At the historic St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church (built 1910)
Fort Edmonton Park
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For Ann’s music see http://www.annvriend.com.

Bonding With Mother & Daughter
Featuring Christine Miller, Stylist, and Olivia Wallis, Ballerina
December 7, 2010
At the historic St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church (built 1910)
Fort Edmonton Park
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Being Acrobatic with Bonita
Featuring Bonita Akai
Rhythmic Gymnast
December 7, 2010
At the historic St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church (built 1910)
Fort Edmonton Park
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Portending The Future
Featuring Nexi Abircod
Design and Motion Student
December 7, 2010
At the historic St. Michael & All Angels Anglican Church (built 1910)
Fort Edmonton Park
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Smiling (Pregnant) Shivasna With The (Pregnant) Ladies
Featuring Tiffany Butler, Policy Analyst
and Nicole Wood, Yogi & Mother-To-Be
and Jill Rich, Investment Representative
December 6, 2010
At Soul Strength Yoga & Fitness
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Artful Tinkering With Aaron
Featuring Aaron Paquette and his piece Spider Grandmother Connects Us All
Visual Artist
December 4, 2010
At Bearclaw Gallery
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For Aaron’s work visit his website at http://aaronpaquette.blogspot.com.

Getting Jolly With Irene & Santa
Featuring Irene Milton and Gordon Scade of Scade Photography
Irene:  Human Resources, Government of Alberta, Grandmother Of The Year
Gordon:  Photographer, Past President of the Professional Photographers of Canada-Alberta
December 4, 2010
At Studio 9 Photographics
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Posing With The Ladies of Studio 9
Featuring Kim Ruff, Lynn Streeter and Lorissa Gates
Photographers
December 4, 2010
At Studio 9 Photographics
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Pleading The Case To Santa
Featuring Gordon Scade of Scade Photography as Santa
Photographer, Past President of the Professional Photographers of Canada-Alberta
December 4, 2010
At Studio 9 Photographics
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Celebrating Amy’s 31st Birthday
Featuring Amy Wood (in absentia)
November 30, 2010
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Happy birthday Amy!

Being A Tool
Featuring Stephen Morrissey
Social Worker, Mini Music Mogul
November 28, 2010
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Getting Serenaded
Featuring brothers Paul and Stephen van Kampen
Musicians
November 28, 2010
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

For Paul van Kampen’s project The Magnetic North, see http://www.myspace.com/themagneticnorthmusic.

For Stephen van Kampen’s project SAVK, see http://www.myspace.com/savksongs.

Staking Out The Rams
Featuring Cody
Instrumentationist, Hunter
November 28, 2010
On Mt. Lady MacDonald
Canmore, Alberta, Canada

Celebrating Life With Roy
Featuring 95 year-old Roy Findlay
World War II Fighter Pilot Veteran, Royal Air Force
November 27, 2010
At the Lion’s Festival of Lights
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Roy pointed out that he’s the oldest member of the Lion’s Club in Calgary, and raved about his wife waiting for him for five years while he was away in the war.

Being Festive With The Mayor
Featuring Naheed Nenshi (and a cup of hot chocolate from Tim Hortons)
Mayor of the City of Calgary, Civic Activist and Business Professor
November 27, 2010
At the Lion’s Festival of Lights
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

At the young age of 38, Naheed became the first Muslim elected to lead a major Canadian city.  For his impressive story see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naheed_Nenshi, http://tinyurl.com/nenshicbc and http://tinyurl.com/nenshiglobeandmail.

Being Authorly With Margaret
Featuring Margaret Atwood
Canadian Poet,  Novelist, Literary Critic, Essayist, Environmental Activist
November 20, 2010
Garneau Theatre
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Atwood:  ”While she may be best known for her work as a novelist, she is also an award winning poet, having published 15 books of poetry to date. Many of her poems have been inspired by myths and fairy tales, which have been interests of hers from an early age.  Atwood has published short stories in Tamarack Review, Alphabet, Harper’s, CBC Anthology, Ms., Saturday Night, , and many other magazines. She has also published four collections of stories and three collections of unclassifiable short prose works.

She is among the most-honoured authors of fiction in recent history; she is a winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and Prince of Asturias award for Literature, has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize five times, winning once, and has been a finalist for the Governor General’s Award seven times, winning twice.“

See Margaret Atwood’s website at http://www.margaretatwood.ca/.

Being Poetic With Ernesto
Featuring Ernesto Cardenal
Poet, Priest, Author, Nobel Prize Nominee, Revolutionary Icon
November 19, 2010
Edmonton City Hall
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

From http://www.festivalofideas.ca/ErnestoCardenal.cfm:  ”Ernesto Cardenal is a Nobel Prize nominee, Roman Catholic priest, former Minister of Culture (1979-1988) and co-founder and honorary president of the international cultural center Casa de los Tres Mundos, an international literary and cultural organization based in Nicaragua. His work has been translated into more than twenty langauges. On his eightieth birthday in 2005, he was given Nicaragua’s highest cultural honour, the Order of Rubén Dario, by President Enrique Bolaños.”  He is referred to as “arguably Latin America’s greatest living poet”.

For more information see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernesto_Cardenal.

Coddling Kayla
Featuring 30 day-old Kayla
November 14, 2010
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Served up by Chef Ramsay
Featuring Chef Gordon Ramsay
Scottish Chef, Television Personality and Restaurateur
November 13, 2010
Hardware Grill
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Chef Ramsay is well known for his television shows Hell’s Kitchen, Kitchen Nightmares, and MasterChef — as well as his liberal use of bleeped-out vocabulary.

Photographed by the very talented guest photographer Margo Klimowicz of eyeLush Photography.  Thanks Margo!

Making the Christmas List with Kris Kringle — oops — Gordon
Featuring Gordon Scade of Scade Photography
Photographer
November 12, 2010
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Clicking With Joe
Featuring Joe McNally of Joe McNally Photography
Photographer, Author
November 12, 2010
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Joe is an American photographer who has been shooting for the National Geographic Society since 1987.  He was Life Magazine’s staff photographer from 1994-1998.  He has been described by American Photo magazine as perhaps the most versatile photojournalist working today and was listed as one of the hundred most important people in photography.  Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_McNally.

Challenging the “Car Guy”
Featuring John Day, Q.C.
Chair of the Board, Grant MacEwan University
Lawyer, Real Estate Developer
November 3, 2010
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Inducted by the Provost
Featuring Dr. Janet Patterson-Weir
Provost and Executive Vice-President Academic
Grant MacEwan University
November 3, 2010
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Flashing The Peace Sign
Featuring Dr. Andy Knight
Political Scientist, Professor, Author
Chair, Department of Political Science, University of Alberta
September 21, 2010 (International Day of Peace)
Edmonton City Hall
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Flying Like A Dove
Featuring Dr. Tom Keating
Political Scientist, Professor, Author, Vice-Dean at the University of Alberta
September 21, 2010 (International Day of Peace)
Edmonton City Hall
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Celebrating Peace
Featuring Renee Vaugeois
Social Activist
September 21, 2010 (International Day of Peace)
Edmonton City Hall
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Renee was recognized by Avenue Magazine as one of Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40.  See http://www.avenueedmonton.com/articles/page/item/renee-vaugeois.

Putting On The Spot
Featuring Ayla Brook, musician and sound tech
September 10, 2010
At Brixx/Starlite Room
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For Ayla’s music see http://www.myspace.com/aylabrookmusic.

Muzzling Mike
Featuring Mike Angus of The Wheat Pool, musician
September 10, 2010
At Brixx/Starlite Room
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For Mike’s music see http://www.thewheatpool.com.

Role-Playing With The Ladies
Featuring Jenn Kowton and Colleen Brown, Musician
September 10, 2010
At Brixx/Starlite Room
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For her music see http://www.myspace.com/colleenbrownmusic.

Decked Out For The Night
Featuring Donna and Joe
September 10, 2010
At Brixx/Starlite Room
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Taking In The Daniel, Fred and Julie Show
Featuring Mike Angus of The Wheat Pool, Gordon Brasnett of Wool on Wolves, and Ryan Christian Anderson and Rebecca Anderson of F&M
September 10, 2010
At Brixx/Starlite Room
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For their music see http://thewheatpool.com,  http://www.woolonwolves.com and http://www.fandmtheband.com.

Pep-talking Before The Gig
Featuring Daniel Romano, Fred Squire and Julie Doiron of Daniel, Fred, And Julie
September 10, 2010
At Brixx/Starlite Room
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

For their music see http://www.myspace.com/danielfredandjulie.

Sharing The Stage With Ryan
Featuring Ryan Christian Anderson of F&M
September 10, 2010
At Brixx/Starlite Room
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Summiting Before The Epic
September 6, 2010
On top of Coral Ridge
Near Nordegg, Alberta, Canada