Wishful thinking
Snow White sings of one day being with
her prince as the maids of honor look on. The Dewdney Players will present their
production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Foothills Composite High School
on May 11-13 at 7 pm and on May 14 at 2 pm.
photo by Cindy Ballance
Okotoks plays host to some big screen stars
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
While some starstruck residents of Okotoks were following the unsubstantiated
rumors that George Clooney of ER fame was in town, others had the rare opportunity
to meet other movie star icons who were actually in the community.
Wayne Lauinger and staff at the Best Western Hotel in Okotoks were treated to some
rare and intriguing guests recently.
Stars such as James Caan, of Stephen King's Misery; Sherry Springfield, former ER
star; Shaun Johnston of Edmonton; and Tim Abell as well as movie producers and art
directors all set up camp at the Best Western Hotel during their two-month stint
for the film Viva Las Nowhere.
Others such as Daniel Stern of City Slickers and Patricia Richardson of Tool Time
also called Okotoks home for a time, but not at the hotel. Apparently the two stars
rented homes in Okotoks for their families during their stay.
Other actors also visited Okotoks such as the young Lacey Kohl who will be appearing
in a Ron Howard film this Christmas entitled How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Also
visiting Okotoks for a few days was Joey Adams, who co-starred with Adam Sandler
in Big Daddy.
However, to the disappointment of some, George Clooney did not make an appearance
in Okotoks, said Lauinger.
Lauinger explained he did however receive numerous letters and people poking into
the hotel to get a glance at Clooney. Their efforts, however, were futile as Springfield,
who once performed in the renowned ER show, confirmed Clooney was never here.
But those big names who were in town all called Okotoks home while here.
Springfield, for example, never let the grass grow under her feet, said Lauinger.
Springfield and her husband, journalist Larry Joseph, who first arrived in Okotoks
in late February saw everything they could while in the Foothills. 'They did everything
the community had to offer. We became pretty good friends with her and her husband,'
said Lauinger.
During her stay even Entertainment Tonight came out to do a special feature on Springfield
which aired Saturday, April 15.
In addition to having a hotel full of movie actors, Lauinger was also host to the
movie's producer, director and owner.
Jason Bloom, the director of Viva Las Nowhere, spent the most time in Okotoks preparing
for the film over two months. He was accompanied by his golden retriever, Daisy who
also became a welcomed guest in Okotoks.
Others included producer Tom Karnowski, costume designers Bob and Laura Moore and
their cocker spaniel Joey; director of photography James Glennon; first art director
Rick Tunell and producer/ designer, Alec Hammond.
As for the star of the film, Caan, Lauinger said he too fit in quite well with the
community. 'He is an old team roper so he really blended in well in this community,'
he said. Caan left on April 7.
Since Lauinger was able to accommodate the cast and crew of the film, he said he
was fortunate to have such wonderful people stay in Okotoks. 'They are really quality
people. I haven't one negative thing to say about any one of the actors or actresses,'
he said.
And it's a nice kudo to a recently opened business and to the community. 'They ate
here. They shopped here. It is encouraging for the community that they leave here
with a really positive taste,' said Lauinger.
Following the departure of the cast and crew, Lauinger said he was inundated with
letters of thanks indicating how much they enjoyed the hotel and the community.
One such remark came from Jim Glennon who said, 'Of all the places he had been to
and stayed at this had to be the best bar none,' Lauinger reiterated.
Lauinger said despite the common misperception of movie star notoriety, those who
stayed at the hotel were genuine and down to earth.
'Toward the end it was like family around here,' he said. 'It was sad to see them
go.'
While in Okotoks, Lauinger said they were always on the run putting in almost 14
hours a day on the film. 'During the week all they saw was the hotel and the set,'
said Lauinger.
Generally, the film was on track, however, due to Alberta's infamous unpredictable
weather the movie was delayed a week when the snow began to fall. The film was to
depict middle America in the spring.
The film, which was exclusively filmed in this area, tells the wickedly funny tale
of Frank Harvey Jacob, played by Daniel Stern, whose dreams of becoming a country
western songwriter miraculously come to be after fate sends a series of dark and
endearing characters his way.
Frank discovers his muse when Julie Mitchell's, played by Lacey Kohl, soulful singing
blinds Frank to her wayward flaws.
However, Frank's wife Helen, played by Patricia Richardson, is no fool and when she
orders Julie away Helen ends up dead.
While Frank resolves to stick to his dream of setting up a nightclub in which Julie
is the star, Julie comes up with another idea and calls her husband Roy, played by
James Caan. Only Julie ends up dead.
Frank barely has time to gather his wits over the two deaths before Roy and Helen's
twin sister Wanda show up. Yet, the scheming pair join forces and plan for Frank's
death. But greed and a guilty conscience lead to their comeuppance and in the end
it's poor Frank who is free and clear to follow his dream.
Also starring in the movie was Tim Abell as Merle; Springfield as Margarite; and
Shaun Johnston as the sheriff. Also as part of the cast were three cougars and a
flock of ravens who make an appearance in the film.
Most of the movie was filmed near Blackie but certain scenes were filmed at the Longview
Hotel Bar and at the Clingman farm west of Okotoks.
Since the cast and crew have stayed at the hotel, Lauinger said he has had other
inquiries to host stars this summer. 'The industry is going to be here more and more
frequently,' said Lauinger. He explained that the geography of the area is a draw
to many film makers due to the versatility of scenes from the mountains to the prairies.
Lauinger was told that had the hotel been open last year at this time the movie industry
could have filled the hotel.
And as for the cast and crew of Viva Las Nowhere, Lauinger said he would certainly
welcome them back to Okotoks any day.
'We would sure have them back again. They were just great guests,' he said.
Headwaters plan targets improved service
By Cindy Ballance
Editor
More money for equipment, a larger commitment to aging and increased services
are just a few of the goals set by the Headwaters Health Authority in its 2000-2003
business plan.
Using the business plan as a guide, Headwaters has identified key health issues which
it will strive to address in the next three years.
Those issues include such priorities as injuries, tobacco reduction, communicable
diseases, heart health/cardiac rehabilitation and cancer treatment and care.
Another focus of the authority will be to expand outreach services to the community.
Chief executive officer Dwight Nelson explained that the outcomes will be achieved,
in part, by implementing a new service management and delivery structure.
'We are restructuring the way we manage and deliver health services across the region
with greater emphasis on integrating the full range of services on a more local community
basis,' he said in a press release.
Key financial highlights of the business plan include:
- total expenditures of almost $63 million for 2000-01 are up five per cent from
last year;
- $2.5 million will be allocated to new capital equipment;
- an additional $435,000 will be allocated to community and home-based services;
and
- a slight shortfall in revenue due to increased activity and population growth.
Fergie Johnston, regional leader of planning and support services with Headwaters,
explained that the increase in expenditures of five per cent is attributed, in part,
to the 4.5-per-cent increase in wage costs as well as increases in supplies and drugs.
The increase is also attributed to increased utilization of services. 'We are providing
more services than in the past due to population increases,' said Johnston.
As for capital equipment increases, Johnston said the authority is quite pleased
with the amount that has been allocated to capital.
'It is twice the amount we were able to provide last year,' he said.
A large portion of the capital funding will be used to replace and upgrade diagnostic
imaging equipment.
In addition, $435,000 is directly related to Headwaters' commitment to expanding
services for the aging.
The funds will be directed towards such items as medication assistance programs in
two of the senior citizens lodges in the region, a regional palliative care coordinator
and more money for home care.
Also included in the capital projects section of the business plan are plans for
Okotoks health services.
'Clearly the further planning for a facility in Okotoks is part of our agenda,' said
Johnston. 'One of the specific strategies is to complete the functional programming
that we hope will lead to (government) approval of the community health centre in
Okotoks,' he said.
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Some of the strategies include a higher priority for outreach services, improved immunization, expanded service for the aging and stronger rehabilitation services.
'There are a specific number of other items that will also help us to improve the way we manage and deliver services,' said Johnston.
In addition, the plan also speaks to specific planning activities in the future such as a long-range capital plan, a long-term plan for continuing care, more work force planning and developing a regional information management plan.
Nelson also indicated that a greater importance by the authority has been placed on communicating with HHA residents regarding health services and changes.
'We will continue to seek the guidance and support of our residents and visitors in order to obtain, to maintain and to enhance Headwaters' growing reputation as the best health region in the province,' said Nelson.
The business plan is a collaborative effort that reflects the directions and results HHA is working to achieve.
The plan also reveals the progress made in assessing the needs of HHA residents and allocating and managing resources based on these findings.
Johnston said Headwaters' business plan is a realistic picture of what the authority hopes to achieve.
'I believe it is quite realistic this year. Although this is a three-year business plan, I believe that probably 75 per cent of the strategies identified we would hope to undertake in the first year of the business plan,' said Johnston.
'I believe this is a realistic goal. It is probably a bit ambitious but nevertheless it is what we are striving for,' he added.
Building option will be settled by survey
By John Barlow
Staff Reporter and Sports Editor
A survey has been developed by the Foothills MD council which will be sent to
every ratepayer requesting input into the proposed new administration building.
At Thursday's regular council meeting councillors discussed the survey at length
as there were concerns regarding the information included in the mail-out.
The original questionnaire included anticipated costs of each building option, but
council elected to scrap the cost estimates on the new survey.
'Everyone has pretty much agreed that we need a new building,' said Reeve Wayne Berglund.
'Should cost be the deciding factor? Or, should need and proper planning be the deciding
factor?'
The majority of council said it felt the ratepayers would focus on the anticipated
costs of the proposed projects rather than choosing a preferred option.
The options include renovating the existing building, constructing a new facility
or building a joint project with the Town of High River.
Municipal manager Harry Riva Cambrin said any costs the municipality would associate
with the proposed options would not be accurate.
'We are just not far enough into the process to put numbers on (the survey),' said
Riva Cambrin.
Initially, the MD stated a new building would cost a maximum of $4.8 million.
However, once the survey is returned and there is a clear indication as to which
building option the residents prefer, council will come up with firm costs.
Councillor Al Taylor said, 'We need the general views of the people and which way
they want to go. We will follow what they say and after we get some accurate figures
we will go back to the public.'
The survey is expected to be mailed out next week and a return date of June 15 has
been set for ratepayers to return the questionnaire to the municipality.
