Bearspaw student reflects on shipwreck experience

March 3, 2010
By: Sarah Junkin

Samantha Schaerer

A Cochrane High School graduate is gradually readjusting to life on dry land after a spectacular shipwreck that saw her stranded on a crowded lifeboat for more than 40 hours.

Samantha Schaerer, 18, of Bearspaw had been taking some university classes aboard the S.V. Concordia, a floating classroom for the Nova Scotia-based West Island College International that capsized (more…)

Haiti’s future uncertain and dark as rainy season approaches

March 3, 2010
By: The Eagle
Tamara Palinka

On the ground in Haiti

By Tamara Palinka
Special to the Eagle

Haiti embeds itself further into my soul as each day passes.

I can no longer imagine life without Sonson being the centre of it. I have grown accustomed to the rank smells of rot in the markets, the horns going all day long, the chaos of driving here, seeing army tanks and uniforms every where. (more…)

Living life to the fullest: Grace Priest dedicates 102 years to the Lord

March 3, 2010
By: Alan Mattson

Grace Priest

Even though she recently celebrated her 102nd birthday, Grace Priest can still tell one heck of a story.

One would never expect this elderly woman, with all the prim manners of a born-and-raised Londoner, to be filled with energy. But her mind is strong; her laugh is hearty; her voice is clear and filled with the oratorical flourishes that can only come from a lifetime of storytelling. (more…)

Local panel to ‘re-examine’ steps toward gender equality in Canada

March 3, 2010
By: The Eagle

International Women's Day

International Women’s Week 2010 begins March 7 and wraps up March 13, with International Women’s Day March 8.

To celebrate the week, a few local Cochranites are getting together for a panel discussion on gender equality.

The topic is “Re-examining our practical commitment to the equality of women and men” and will be held March 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (more…)

Pianist hits international scene

March 3, 2010
By: Sarah Junkin
Alicia Grime

Alicia Grime

When local pianist Alicia Grime first received an e-mail inviting her to compete in an international competition, she thought it was merely junk mail.

But on closer examination, and in communicating with the director of the American Protégé International and Strings Competition of 2010, she said she decided to “go for it.”

(more…)

Local releases debut CD

March 3, 2010
By: Lindsay Wilson
Lucas Chaisson

Lucas Chaisson

Cochranite Lucas Chaisson, 16, has bundled up his alarming talent and remarkable maturity into his first-ever 10-track CD entitled No Loitering.

He will be releasing it to the public at Cochrane’s own coffee house Java Jamboree March 5 at 7:30 p.m.

The new disc features eight original tracks and one cover, Man in the Mirror (Michael Jackson), but what makes this album stand apart (more…)

County surveys residents

March 3, 2010
By: Sarah Junkin

Claiming “Rocky View is a very happy community,” Jamie Duncan of Ipsos Reid presented to the county findings from a community satisfaction survey conducted by the market research firm last year.

The associate vice president of the firm added the findings indicated a sense that Rocky View is a better place to live than to do business. (more…)

ESL exchange looks for local host families

March 3, 2010
By: Cori Lee Miller

Lisa Wood, president of A Creative Experience, is bringing five different exchange programs to Cochrane and is looking for more than 75 families to take in participants.

Most of the programs revolve around exchange participants looking to brush up on their English.

“Being with a Canadian family, even for a month, speaking only English, really improves their English,” Wood said. (more…)

Seniors who age in their communities have ‘good health’

March 3, 2010
By: Sarah Junkin

The project manager of a proposed seniors’ housing complex in Bearspaw says that making it possible for older residents to remain in their communities may be a more important contributor to good health than living in a more urban centre.

Ben Kawaguchi is the project manager of a seniors’ housing complex that, supported by local residents and the non-profit Communities Development Society (CDS), is one of the first of its kind in Canada. (more…)

Harpdog Brown releases new disc at the Blue Dog

March 3, 2010
By: Lindsay Wilson

Harpdog Brown

With his latest CD Above and Beyond, Edmonton bluesman Harpdog Brown is looking to shake up his fan base with a new, unexpected sound.

Accompanied by the fast fingers of pianist Graham Guest, Brown is heading to the Blue Dog Cafe for a one-night show March 5 to release his new CD.

“Playing at the Blue Dog (more…)