Yellowknife Online

On Saturday, May 22, 2010, I attended a workshop put on by local photographer Dave Brosha. The workshop was based on scenes around Yellowknife, so the workshop was appropriately titled Yellowknife Scenes – A Field Workshop.

I had taken one of Dave’s workshops before and was very excited about taking this one. Reading what he had planned for this workshop, on his website, told me this was exactly what I needed. It was a full day workshop design for all skill levels, covering many photographic techniques and styles. The workshop would take us all over the city and cover many questions and pre-defined topics, such as low-light techniques, using flash, portraits, landscape photography, abstract/detailed images and so much more.

Arriving at Tim Hortons at 7:30am we all had the chance to introduce ourselves and bring to light any pressing questions we would like answered throughout out the day. It was great to see such a variety of skill levels throughout all the participants. Some who wanted to apply photography to their jobs, some who were beginners and others like Lee Sacrey and Geoff Fandrick, who want to pursue photography as a profession.

The first place Dave took us was the Frame Lake Trail, just behind the hospital. At this location we worked on taking landscape photos. Dave being an excellent instructor had no problems teaching us the basics about taking a good landscape photo and what to look for when doing it. Although everyone ideas of a good photo various, he explained that you should look for lines, and flow in your shot. He also said that by adding a person, or some sort of item in the photo, can add another level to it.

After an hour and a half we went off to our next location. The location being the hill behind the old Johnson’s Hardware Building, the one with all the hand prints. At this location we focused on Portraits. This was one of the topics I was excited about. As we were gathered at the bottom of the hill, Dave spoke about Aperture and the F-Stop, what contributes to a good portrait and some suggestion about where to stand, kneel, or lie when taking the photo. He mentioned that you shouldn’t be afraid to get down on the ground to take the photo and that more often than not, interesting photos are from angles we don’t often see. Some of my favorite portrait photos are one with a blurred person in the background.

After a hardy lunch we all reconvened at the Giant Mine Docks. There the Mine Historical Society has a great display of old equipment used when the mine was in production. Here we focused on getting the detail in our photos. Getting up close and showing what is really there.

Our final destination for the day was the underpass in front of Co-op. This was and is an excellent location to learn how to use flash and long exposures. We all got right in to it, literally, all 11 of us in the underpass at once with cameras and flashes going. By adjusting setting like, exposure, aperture, and ISO we were able to get detailed photos of the graffiti art. Of course by doing this we are making our cameras stay open for multiple seconds. You can also see in some of my photos on flickr, that by adding a person and bouncing the light from the flash can give an amazing look. This was also one of my favorite techniques and I hope I can remember how to get back to it.

At the end of the day I felt enthused and confident about my newly developed photography skills. I only hope I remember all the information Dave taught us throughout the day. I can’t think of anything I would change or critique about the workshop. Dave is, again, an amazing instructors and does a fantastic job are making sure everyone understand what he is teaching. He makes sure that everyone understands him and gives everyone the chance to ask any questions they have. Along with Dave, it was an honour to take this workshop with everyone attended. It is great to be able to just talk and discuss photography with others who also have an interest in it.

I can tell you now that I plan on attending another one of Dave’s workshop and I definitely think they are worth checking out whether you are a pro or beginner. To find out when his next workshop will be, Like his Facebook page Dave Brosha Photography.

Today the Salvation Army crew setup in front of the Post Office downtown for a “Thank-You” BBQ. Operations Manager, Craig Thomas, explains that they wanted to say thanks to the residents of Yellowknife for being so generous with donations this year. Part of the BBQ was also to kick-off for the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Campaign, which happens annually throughout the month of may. Thomas also wanted to give a special thanks the Katimavik Students who have volunteered at the Army and else where around town for the past couple months.

Watch the video for full details about the BBQ and the Red Shield Campaign.

After Mira went through the how the roasting process starts and some interesting information about where the beans come from, we now get to see the final stages of the process. This is the stage where she needs to carefully watch and listen to the beans so that they are roasted just right. As she continuously checks the beans you can see their progression through the stages because of how dark they become and in some cases how much oil is on them.

Mira also explains to us about how the beans are cooled when roasting and how Yellowknife’s famous power outages can be a hazard to the roasting process. At a certain temperature, Coffee Beans, will actually heat themselves. Meaning if the cooling fan is shut off, the beans will keep getting hotter and hotter. When this happens they can get to a point where the beans will actually burst in to flames, and she tells us about when this has happened to her.

Finally we get to see the beans done the roasting process. Watch the video for full details.

Have any thoughts on coffee beans, roasting or coffee in general? We’d love to hear them, leave us a comment below.

In the first part of this series Mira Hall shows us how roasting raw beans works and begins the process. In this part of our Roasting Coffee Beans Locally series she explains to us about where coffee beans come from, who consumes the most, the different types of beans, how pricing is done and more.

I knew there was a lot more behind coffee beans than them just being shipped to a factory, roasted and then made into coffee but I didn’t know what to expect. Coming out of it you actually have a better appreciation of how coffee comes to be.

Mira will go through a consumption chart as well as an industry chart and a chart they explains bean flavour aspects. Ironically, the country which produce more coffee beans actually consume less. Here is part 2:

Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to find out what it takes to Roast Coffee Beans. Being able to Roasting Coffee Beans in the north is a rare trade. Mira Hall is one of only a hand full in the Northwest Territories and Yukon that have the trade. At this point it doesn’t look like anyone in Nunavut is doing it.

Most of us enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning, whether it is from home, Tim Horton’s or one the downtown coffee shop; but we don’t often think about where the coffee comes from or how it ends up as the hot liquid in our cups. Importing coffee beans from around the world is only one step in the process and we’ll cover it in another part of this series. In this video post (Part 1) Mira explains the process of roasting the coffee beans in the roaster and how she does it. She talks about how the beans are kept fresh after being roasted and how soothing roasting beans can be.

Part 2 & 3 will be the actual roasting of the beans and a look at where the beans come from. Leave your feedback below.

I nearly jumped off my seat when I saw the message from one of the announcers of the local radio station. For the longest time I haven’t thought to highly of their site, but understood there were many factors to why it was so out dated. I’m in awe at how they didn’t say they were coming out with a new site, although I think Paul, the morning host, has been dropping hints for a while. Never the less it is here, and I am excited!

At first glance it looks very slick and professional. A rotating image of hot artistes and bands is what caught my eye first and then the station logo. A nice easy to use navigation is just above that at the top of the page. Going through all the different sections you’ll find all the information you need about the station. Everything from Announcers Bios to contest info. They have also updated their news and sports page, it now no longer pops out into a different window. The only thing I couldn’t find was a RSS feed, although there must be somewhere. They did add a “Share This” button for readers to share the news within their social circle. I’m not sure how the Events page will work as there is nothing on the page yet and the Radio Marketing if for those wanting to advertise on the radio. Back on the homepage they have eight fancy looking image/buttons that take you throughout the site. One being for Mix 100 Cool Club, which will apparently keep us up-to-date about events and concerts. I am presuming it will be a e-mail newsletter type of deal, although I can’t be sure until I get the first update.

The last two things I want to talk about are the two things that excite me the most and what I have always pushed for. CJCD now is on Twitter at CJCD_Mix100 and they are now streaming radio live from their website. Twitter for a radio station is a wonderful tool, I follow a couple from out-of-town and have seen the benefits of having it. It is another way for listeners to interact with announcers live, as well it allows announcers to send out messages. Messages like teasers, contest details, and news. Online radio is quickly becoming more and more popular for those who obviously don’t have access to a radio. It now allows us the listeners to take CJCD with us anywhere we go. I could go on and on like the fan boy I am but I wont. What I will do though is send you to their brand new website at CJCD.ca. Go now.

Yellowknifers, what are your thoughts on their new website. Do you plan on going to it more often now? Let everyone know in the comments.

When I see more businesses and local groups using the Internet I get excited and feel the need to share that with everyone. A couple weeks ago Radio Taiga emerged online on both Twitter and Facebook. As soon as I saw this I became a Fan and followed them on twitter, as I do anyone from Yellowknife. I have always known there was a Francophone Radio Station but have never really listened in, only because I don’t speak French and don’t understand a word of it. Seeing their website, Facebook Page, and Twitter account, I sure wish I could though.

About Radio Taiga, translated by Google Translator:

Since 2001, volunteer leaders give themselves, body and soul, to the mission of Radio Taiga, which is to provide the Francophone and Francophile population of Yellowknife. This local French radio station is able to reflect the interests and concerns of the community. Each volunteer contributes to the team radio, they contribute their enthusiasm, knowledge and abilities. The participation of these volunteers enriches the role of how our radio plays from the Francophone and Francophile population of Yellowknife. REMEC We very warmly thank all those brave people.

It seems they are making a tremendous effort to appeal to listeners online and I think this is just great. Their website not only has full news stories in text, but on occasion they include the audio clip. I will admit it is a little hard for me to navigate their website. This is mainly because I don’t know what some of the words are but some of the features I have found on the site are, like I mentioned News stories sometimes with audio, a full schedule and program descriptions. One other feature their website has that is worth mentioning is the ability to subscribe to their news feed via RSS. RSS is a simple way for their news content to be sent me, rather than me going and looking for it. They also have had a couple local bands come into their studio to perform. Below is the video of 3 Across Dee Eye performing in studio, another band would be Priscilla’s Revenge and hopefully more in the future.

I don’t think they stream their audio live on their website, but I’m willing to let that slide as they have an abundance of other content available for followers. I can confidently say that Radio Taiga is a valuable part of Yellowknife and its Francophone Community. I hope they continue to grow both online and throughout Yellowknife.

It seems like it has been a long time coming but the first store to open in the Centre Ice Plaza has now done so. Nico’s Market opened its doors to the public on Friday afternoon and the word quickly got out, as it was busy by the time I got around to going at noon on Saturday. I did not know what to expect from this store and for the longest time had no idea what it even going to be like. All I knew is that is was open and run by Chef Pierre, a local chef and owner of a couple restaurants and Le Stockpot a Deli/Bakery.

Walking in was literally like walking into a market down south, this may just be because this was the first time I walked into this store but it did remind me of similar stores I have been to in Ontario. I will first give you my impression of the store and then some of the details I know about the store.

When you walk in, you think “wow this is nice”. It isn’t like any other store we have here in Yellowknife. Everything is so close together and there were staff everywhere trying their best to help everyone. The selection of vegetables was decent and they all looked fresh, keep in mind I don’t often go to Co-op and can’t compare. The one thing I noticed right away was the rows and rows of spices and sauces along with many other jarred goods. The choice was there, which is something I think a lot of Yellowknifers will appreciate. At the back of the store is a cooler section which was empty at the moment, but I am guessing will be stocked with juices, milk and dairy products. Along one side is where you’ll find your meats and cheeses to choose from. Then there is the little café called Nico’s Cafe, which serves a variety of food and drinks including Specialty Drinks, Coffee, Panini’s and Sandwiches. On the other side you’ll find kitchen supplies, tons of them. I even saw cast iron pan, which I have been looking for. The selection of supplies was phenomenal and if you can’t find what you are looking for in there, then it probably doesn’t exist. In all I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the store. There are still some kinks that need to be worked out, such as the checking out processes. Many items in the store were not yet in the computer and slowed down the check out process drastically. I am also hoping that they price everything in the coming days, I find that is the one think that will put me off from buying at a store is not knowing the price. I think many would agree, especially since a Facebook Group devoted to the Cost of Living in Yellowknife has just been created.

On to what I know or rather what I was told. If you have at all been to Le Stockpot lately you will have noticed many items there are now gone. That is because the majority of kitchen supplies along with some jarred goods, which I mention earlier, are now available at Nico’s Market. They have now made or are making Le Stockpot more of a Sandwich Shop/Cafe with the addition of tables and chairs. This is all coming from Chef Pierre himself who I was able to talk to while in Nico’s Market. One of things I asked him was store hours as I could not find them posted anywhere. He told me, although he said he could be wrong, as of now they are Monday – Friday 7am-6pm and Saturday 9am-6pm. These seem a little early but he did say they are subject to change.

You have heard my thoughts on the store and now I want to hear yours. Do you think it will succeed? Will you shop there? Let us know.

First if you haven’t had time to make it over there here is a short video and photos.

There’s no easy way to put this:   I’ve packed on the pounds since I moved up here last February.  Be it the cold creating an out-of-control urgency for carbs or the long, dark nights with my new big screen TV, my wardrobe no longer fits.

“It’s time to take myself in hand” I muttered Jan 1st.  But unlike Vancouver where there’s low-cal everything everywhere and a seawall that begs to be run, Yellowknife looked awfully cold and daunting.  I don’t like exercise at the best of times, but I knew it wasn’t just a case of eating less (although, alas, that’s part of the plan.  Farewell, TimHo’s French Vanilla Capuccinos!  Farewell, snacks, gorgeous, home-made snacks, on every third workstation at work!) … it wasn’t just a case of eating less but of integrating activity into my lifestyle.  *le sigh*  I’d much rather be blogging.

I gingerly considered my options.  I am simply not a gym person.  And that UltraIcyRockDeathByColdExcercise thing going on up here just makes me faint to think of it.   Xnay that. I also get bored easily of any one activity.  So with a buddy in Vancouver, we came up with a list of activity options.  Turns out, there’s a real variety of possibilities!

• squash
• shoveling snow
• swimming with the help of a coworker who coaches
• Wii Fit / Active
• shoveling snow
• power walks
• yoga
• Zumba (talk to Donna Wong.  Exercise has never had such an evangelist!)
• X-country skiing
• Snowshoeing
• shoveling snow
• skating
• Agility with the daschunds (in the spring)
• Running groups at Bodyworks (in the spring)
• exercise podcasts (justifies the big screen tv, non?)
• Riding lessons

So here’s my plan.   I’ve created a set of activities, but only through March.  Then, to prevent boredom, I’ll switch it up to something spring-ier.

For now, I’ve joined the Raquet Club.   I have to give them a shoutout.  It’s the most down-to-earth, cozy kinda/sorta gym I’ve ever been to.  We even have candles in our Nia class, for heaven’s sake!   And people there come in all shapes and sizes (and I contribute to that) and age ranges.  It’s not the yummy mummy lululemon club (which is not to say there aren’t any.  It’s just a nice variety of people.).  Anyway, if I can be comfortable there, I’m guessing anyone can be.  I imagine the same applies to Breakaway and BodyWorks

So it’s Nia Class at the club on Tuesday evenings, and Spin at the club on Saturday mornings.

Thursday, a group of us power-walk at lunch to the hospital and back.  Anyone is welcome to join us – we meet 12:05 in the courthouse lobby.

And last, I’m hoping to learn to snowshoe  (pssst – anyone have a second hand pair you’d like to sell?  I’m too cheap to invest in a new pair til I find out if I like it).

Wish me luck, folks.  And if you have any more ideas, I’m wanting to hear them – leave a comment below.

Tis’ the season to go shopping! We are less than a month away from the big day so I hope you have at least started some of your shopping. If not this post may help you find the time to get out and get started. Not only do local Yellowknife businesses want your business, they also what to make the experience pleasurable. One of the ways they are doing this is by extending their hours.

Shopping locally is one of my favorite things, even though my brain can find a better deal online, my heart has the passion of this city. I’ve said it before, and the one thing I truly love about shopping locally is the relationship building. I rarely run into employees who don’t want to help you and after returning a couple times it is as if your buying something off a good friend.

Both the Centre Square Mall and Yk Centre off a wide range of stores to meat everyone’s needs. Electronics to coffees, computers to mens wear, art to music, whatever it is you are almost guaranteed to find it somewhere.

The Yk Centre, which has a new website, wants to help make this shopping season easy on you, so they have extended their shopping hours:

• Monday – Wednesday: 10am-6pm
• Thursday, Friday: 10am-8pm, Gift Wrapping 6-8pm
• Saturday: 10am-6pm, Gift Wrapping 10am-4pm
• Sunday: 12pm-5pm, Gift Wrapping 4-5pm

Over the last week before Christmas Day the mall will also have special hours. As followed:

• Dec. 21, 22, 23: 10am-8pm, Gift Wrapping 6-8
• Dec.24, 31: 12-4pm
• The Mall will be CLOSED December 25, 26 and January 1, 2010.

The Centre Square Mall will be sticking with its regular hours, but are already extended for you convenience. They will only be closed December 25, and January 1, 2010.

• Monday-Thursday, Saturday: 9:30am-6pm
• Friday: 9:30am-8pm
• Sunday: 12pm-5pm

There are also many store which surround both of these malls that are worth stopping into.

I hope everyone has a happy and safe shopping season. If you know of any extended store hours in the downtown core, please feel free to post them in the comment section below.