Daybreak Alberta

As the cool temperatures make most people think about warmer environments, a group of storytellers in Calgary are hoping they can lure people to come and hear tales of the frigid north. StoryTelling Alberta are presenting "Nordic Journeys" at the Scandanavian Centre in Calgary on March 14, and have even invited Norwegian performer, Stina Fagertun to present her arctic adventures. Doreen Vanderstoop and Karen Gummo are two Calgary storytellers who will be part of the evening and they dropped in for a visit with Russell.

An ongoing Fifth Estate investigation has been looking into a series of autopsies conducted in Alberta a decade ago and they’ve uncovered a new development with an old murder case in Calgary. Shelby Herchak was 18 years old - and a teenage mom - when her son died in 2010. Police charged her with second-degree murder in his death. However, The Fifth Estate’s investigation has revealed prosecutors had medical evidence in the case that wasn’t used in court. Herchak's story is now under consideration by Innocence Canada, a group who take up cases involving possible wrongful convictions. Journalist Rachel Ward sat down with Russell to talk about the Fifth Estate story.

The Heebee-Jeebees have been a familiar band for audiences for nearly 3 decades as the four-part harmony vocal group have taken their mix of music and mirth all over the province and beyond. On March 13, they go where they haven't been before - the Bert Church Theatre in Airdrie. As a venue, the theatre is trying to convince people in Airdrie, the surrounding communities, as well as folks in north east of Calgary to make the place a destination for culture. One of the members of the Heebee-Jeebees, Jonathan Love joined Russell in the Daybreak studio.

On March 2nd, some folks will run into their local bank or speaking with a financial adviser in an effort to get in that last bit RRSP contribution for the tax year. To talk about RRSP's and maybe de-mystify what they are for and how they can help you, Russell spoke with finance specialists, Shawn Stack and Braden Burritt with the Licensed Insolvency Trustees, Bromwich+ Smith. They spoke at the Patricia Whelan Performance Hall in Calgary.

Welcome Braden.

An opinion piece on CBC.CA/Calgary asks "Why Calgary can't claim the 'maverick' logo anymore?" It was written by UofC professor and author Aritha van Herk. She was born and raised in Alberta and her 2001 non-fiction work is likely her best-known - "Mavericks: an Incorrigible History of Alberta"

She discussed this idea with Daybreak's Russell Bowers as well as author, Shaun M. Hunter. In 2018, she published "Calgary through the Eyes of Writers," described as "a literary journey around Calgary, from its frontier beginnings to today’s contemporary city." That book has become an exhibit at Lougheed House entitled "Storied City: An Exhibit" and it's on until April 26. All three spoke at the downtown location of the Calgary Public Library.

Each year for the last 7 years, Dr. Christiaan Schrag has been making a pilgrimage to Africa to perform surgeries for people in bad need of medical care. The Alberta plastic surgeon is part of a group called Global Aid Society and they are hosting a fundraiser in Calgary to raise money for their next mission to Zimbabwe. Typically, this team of health professionals perform free cleft lip & palate plus burn surgeries. Their hope is perform over 100 life altering surgeries as they say it only takes $250 to change a child's life forever. Dr. Christiann Schrag and RN Selena Clauson joined Russell to talk about the fundraiser and their work.

She's known for being the anthem singer for the Calgary Stampeders, but there's so much more to Justine Tyrell. She joined Russell Bowers for Daybreak@Night recorded at the Patricia Whelan Performance Hall in the downtown location of the Calgary Public Library. She performs live, including her single, "Hope's Up."

Daybreak's books reviewer, Angie Abdou (The Bone Cage, Home Ice) is back for the month of February with a new poetry collection from Marita Dachsel, entitled "There Are Not Enough Sad Songs."

When business types talk about starting a business, they sometimes talk about seed money to get things going. Well, a business plan is important in the religious industry as well, even if it might not be an area where we think about the business side of opening a building and bringing in a congregation. John van Sloten is a pastor, author, and a columnist for the Calgary Herald and in February, he is opening the doors of a new church, and he spoke with Russell about how you start a church.

This hour, attracting birds to your feeders in the depths of winter. Also, the Top 10 of 1961. Plus music from Bob Seger, Shania Twain, and The Beatles.