BT Calgary Blogs

There is a casting call taking place this weekend in Calgary – the casting director is looking for very specific requirements so scroll down if you’re interested!

SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 2011

SUNDAY, JUNE 12, 2011

10:00am – 4:30pm each day

LOCATION: THE RADISSON HOTEL – SELKIRK A ROOM

2120 16^TH AVENUE N.E., CALGARY, AB

SPANISH & FRENCH SPEAKERS & AMPUTEES SOUGHT TO HELP IN

PEACEKEEPING TRAINING EXERCISES

Casting director Rhonda Fisekci is searching for 19 to 60 year-old Spanish & French Speakers of any ethnicity and Amputees interested in participating as civilian role players to enact a variety of different village scenarios during various military training sessions in Alberta this fall from August  – October, 2011.

The roles for both men and women will include leadership type roles in addition to various other community members to populate the “virtual village”.  Training will be provided for all participants. The daily rate of pay will be between $195.00 and $290.00 per day, including training days and days off will be paid at a reduced rate as everyone is required to remain on the base during days off.  Travel from Edmonton & Calgary, meals and accommodation will be provided. A fixed return travel allowance will be given to participants from outside of Alberta. These are peacekeeping exercises between civilians and military personnel. No weapons or live fire will be used.

For the Amputee Role Players: Can be of any ethnicity and speak any language. The production does hold what we call “Heavy Casualty Days”. By using special effects make-up etc we are able to re-create a very real aftermath of a bombing which the soldiers come in to deal with.  We ask that the applicants not be faint of heart as these scenarios can be very intense and dramatic. Our Amputee participants will be a very important element on these particular training days.

In its commitment to provide military support to other nations, the Canadian government has engaged the film industry to re-create specific villages and scenarios in Wainwright.  By having the motion picture industry re-create dramatic village settings with real civilian and real dramatic situations, military recruits will come to understand cultural, religious and political issues that will help them assist the local people on their own terms.

• All participants, male and female, must be between 19 and 60 years-old and speak fluent Spanish or French and be of any ethnicity.
• All Amputee participants must be between 19 and 60 years-old and can be of any ethnicity and speak any language.
• Meals and accommodation will be provided by the production.
• Separate accommodation is provided for the women.
• Travel is provided from Edmonton and Calgary to the training location.
• A fixed travel allowance is provided for return travel to participants coming in from outside of Alberta.
• All participants must complete and pass a security clearance.
• Paid training will be provided.
• The daily rate of pay will be between $195.00 – $290.00 per day. Days off will be paid at a lower flat rate for all participants.
• These are peacekeeping type exercises involving both civilians and military personnel.
• Role players will not use weapons, nor do these training exercises involve live firing.
• All interested participants should bring their Alberta Health Care Card, Drivers License, Social Insurance Number and addresses of their place of residence for the past 5 years.
• All applicants must have lived in Canada for a minimum of 5 years and have obtained Landed Immigrant Status.
• No experience required.

I had the chance to interview the Chicoine family and was so impressed by the feat they’ve taken on!  The family of eight is running across North America to raise funds and promote health and wellness – 20,000km in total and about 90k a day!  And I complain about my little 10k runs on the weekend….

Here’s the interview – log onto their website to follow their journey and support their fund raising efforts!  Safe travels to the Chicoines and thanks for stopping by BT to share your inspiring message!

Another glorious season of the Bachelorette is upon us rose lovers – what an episode last night for Ashley!  She has new hair and teeth and is looking fabulous.  Last night we saw some winners, weirdos, and a memorable wino in the mix.  I’m already looking forward to Bad Boy Bentley getting the boot and hot dates for Ash in Taiwan.  Looks like a great season already!  Here’s my review of last night’s episode!

We kicked off National EMS Awareness Week at Calgary Headquarters and learned more about what it takes to be a Paramedic.  I warmed up by getting a heart assessment in the back of the ambulance which was easy enough.  Then I was dressed as an Incident Response Paramedic for a segment and learned what the IRPs use for incidents involving chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive agents.  We also checked out the equipment used by the TEMS medic (different uniform, body armor, different medical equipment).  Thanks to Calgary EMS for hosting us for the morning!

We are so lucky to have the Rocky Mountains in our backyard!  It’s such a treat to spend a weekend in Banff and escape the pace of the city for a few days.  We had a delicious dinner one of my favorite restaurants Bison, stayed at beautiful Hidden Ridge Resort, had lunch at Saltlik,  and hit up the Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival.

While I love the Banff Springs, Hidden Ridge is a great little getaway.  It’s a serene resort on Tunnel Mountain with spectacular views.  You can walk down the hill and spend the afternoon shopping and dining in town.  We had the opportunity to sample some of Saltlik’s new menu items Saturday — delicious!  They’ll be launching their new menu in Calgary for the summer and I’m sure the lobster mashed potato dish will be a hit with the local lunch crowd.

Saturday night we headed to the Grand Tasting Hall at the Banff Springs for the Festival  It was sold out and packed and so much fun!  I have to say, Banff knows how to throw a fabulous party!  Here are a few pics from the weekend

It’s only Monday but the BT team is already thinking ahead to the long weekend — many families will be headed out for a few days of camping in the mountains!  We recruited Chef Kyle Groves from Catch Restaurant to do some cooking on a Coleman stove this morning.  If you’re menu planning and want to fancy up your camping cuisine – try this recipe!  Thanks to Campers Village for giving us the gear to get frying

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m terrible in the kitchen but this weekend I walked on the wild side and took a cooking course!  Catch Restaurant has sessions every 2nd Saturday of the month and it was such a blast!  We made a caprese salad, panang mussels and clams, poached halibut on wilted bok choy and had lemon pie for desert.  Delish!

The course is accessible for aspiring chefs of all levels – there were people there who actually knew what they were doing and then there was me.  I brought our Sr. Producer Jen along for the ride (check out her mad skillet skills) and met some really fun ladies Tracy, Dani and Kim.  Executive Chef Kyle Groves was a master at teaching us some easy tips and making some easy crowd pleasing plates!

The Calgary Stampede has a new entertainment agreement with Penny Lane Entertainment.  2011 Stampede is going to be a fun one!  Here’s the official release from the Stampede:

“The Calgary Stampede is pleased to announce it has finalized a new management contract with Penny Lane Entertainment (PLE) Group. The agreement, which will require City and regulatory approval, will allow PLE Group to manage certain food, beverage and entertainment areas within the current casino.

“With the new management agreement in place, the Stampede will have a terrific opportunity to strengthen what is an emerging and exciting entertainment area in the Beltline,” says Warren Connell, vice-president, Park Development, Calgary Stampede. “The Penny Lane Entertainment Group has a proven track record of successfully operating popular entertainment facilities.”

The Calgary Stampede believes the new agreement will help spark additional growth of the entertainment options adjacent to the planned Stampede Trail.

Once regulatory approval has been received from the City of Calgary and the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC), the Stampede Casino will be officially re-branded as Cowboys Casino.

“Being the pioneering establishment to Stampede Trail, Cowboys Casino and entertainment complex will work closely with all stakeholders to ensure this revolutionary entertainment establishment is representing and providing Calgarians an entertainment landmark they are truly proud of,” says Paul Vickers, president of Penny Lane Entertainment Group, who added that the enhanced entertainment facility will bring new jobs and drive new tourism revenue for Calgary and Alberta.

“For out-of-town visitors, Cowboys is a well-known entertainment brand and a great tourism draw that will benefit the City of Calgary – it’s great news that Cowboys will be back up and running in Calgary,” says Randy Williams, president of Tourism Calgary.

The current Big Sky Showroom will become Cowboys Dance Hall, while other non-gaming areas of the existing casino will be redeveloped and become home to other PLE Group operations, including Zen 8 restaurant and lounge and a sports bar to be announced.

With the necessary approvals, Cowboys Casino is expected to be an exciting part of this year’s Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth, July 8-17.”

Have you loved this season of The Bachelor rose lovers?  I, for one, will be happy when Brad is out of therapy and waiting at the altar for his bride.  Although I wonder if he would be happiest riding off into the sunset with his therapist.

Aaaaanyway….down to the final 2 ladies on The Bachelor – Emily and Chantal!

Brad has a couple of fabulous ladies to choose from – and let’s be honest…it has to be Chantal.  There’s no way he can propose to a woman like Emily.  Here’s why:

a) Brad barely knows Emily on an intimate level.  While I respect their relationship is moving at a more “natural” pace, The Bachelor is designed for a grand finale and a proposal.  It’s reality tv after all.  Hugs in the fantasy suite aren’t going to cut it.  And that’s cool – Emily can do better anyway!

b)  Brad barely knows Emily’s daughter – can they really walk down the aisle after only one playdate?  No.  They can’t.

Which brings me to the point that I don’t think Emily will end up being the next Bachelorette – if only for her daughter.  It’s not really fair to parade a bunch of guys in front of a 4 year old – is it?  Call me old fashioned.  As much as I’d love to watch a season of Emily – she is my favorite!

Regarding Chantal – she is a beautiful and decisive girl (something that Brad definitely needs) with a solid family (read: enticing inheritance).  Brad is probably thanking his lucky stars he’s marrying a girl who is fabulous AND has her mama’s genes

I love the first few episodes of The Bachelor when the crazy contestants are in the mix.  Case and point: Michelle. Michelle the hairdresser (aka the Birthday Girl if you missed her repeating it ad nauseam) was in fine fine form last night.  The Birthday Girl spent most of the episode pouting off camera for not getting enough attention – it’s her birthday and she’ll cry and whine if she wants to.  That must have been fun for the editors to sift through.  BUT at this point Birthday Girl’s true colors are only in her confessionals when Brad isn’t around.  “When I kiss Brad, fireworks are going to go off – probably right behind us (insert crazy firework hands and crazy eyes to camera)”!

I wonder how long she can play it.  And speaking of players…

**JUICY MICHELLE GOSSIP** – I have a source from Michelle’s hometown who revealed to me that Michelle cheated on her ex-husband.  With an pro basketball player.  Who was also married at the time.  The source is credible.  That is all.

My faves this season – Emily, Ashley H and Jackie.  Ashley and Brad have great chemistry out of the gates and they share daddy issues.  Emily is gorgeous and the clear favorite – but she needs a strong man to step up for her daughter and is Brad really that guy?  Jackie is a class act and Brad’s opposite.  May I point out Jackie is very much Brad’s “type” if you remember DeAnna and Jenni from his last season.  I have a feeling Jackie will make it to the end and Emily will be cast as the next Bachelorette.

P.S.  I didn’t understand those scandalous Red Cross PSAs.  Am I alone?  That was awkward to watch.

Until next time Bachelor fans!