Spring is in the air as we enjoy a beautiful sunny day in Southwest Alberta.  The weekend kicks off with Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell making a stop in Lethbridge tonight (Thursday May 8) at the enmax Centre.  O’Donnell has a huge following in Alberta and will play to a big crowd this evening.  Showtime is 7 pm.  For ticket information call 329-SEAT.  While you are their check out ticket information on Anne Murray who make a stop in Lethbridge on Wednesday.

A big congratulations to the Lethbridge Hurricanes on a very successful season.  The Canes lost 4-1 to the Spokane Chiefs last night and were eliminated from Memorial Cup contention.  With the win the Chiefs capture the Ed Chynoweth Cup awarded to the WHL champions.  The Hurricanes reached the WHL final for the first time since 1997.

The Legion Hall in Fort Macleod is holding a Strawberry Tea on Saturday afternoon.  For more information on attending call the Legion Ladies Auxiliary at 403-553-2779

Celebrate Children’s Day on Saturday at Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden. This family event features a variety of entertainment, including raising of the koi (fish) nobori (wind socks), Japanese storytelling, chopstick lessons, dancing, plus other activities and events. History: Go-sekku (the Five Festivals) were celebrated in Japan by farmers who sought the help of the kami, or gods, to mark subtle changes in weather that accompany each passing cycle of the moon. Go-sekku were held to move the cycle of life forward and bring crops to harvest successfully.  For more information call Yvonne Sugimoto at 403-328-3511.

This is just a sample of what’s happening in Southwest Alberta this week for more information on upcoming events visit chinookcountry.com’s Event section.

There is no shortage of activity in Southwest Alberta this weekend.  With spring on the horizon the event calendar is beginning to fill up. 

The Empress Theatre hosts A Time to Remember presented by Impetus Magic. Magical duo, Allister and Jodie, have a passion for magic and magicians like Houdini, Keller and Thurston. A funny, spellbinging magical performance is what this team is about and don't be surprised if you ask yourself 'how did they do that?' at the show! You won't want to miss this special performance at the Empress!  The show takes place on Friday (April 18) , for more information visit empresstheatre.ab.ca.

The Odd Couple is featured at Southminister United Church in Lethbridge on Friday Night.  The dinner theatre costs $25.00 per ticket, for more info call Southminister Church 403-327-3404.

The Cultural Affairs concert series resumes Saturday night at the Foothills Community Church in Pincher Creek.  Chuck and Albert are funnymen from PEI equipped with generous portions of faces, flying feet and fiddle fauxpas.   The show begins at 7:30 and will feature local opening acts.  For more on Chuck and Albert’s visit to Pincher Creek call 403-627-3741.

Vroooooom!  Spring fever hits Fort Macleod's Historic Main Street with hundreds of antique and classic cars, trucks and bikes lining the streets. Set against the backdrop of Fort Macleod's historic Main Street, this event will definitely help you cool the spring fever. After the car show you can break a fever again dancing to live music at the "Rockin' & Rollin 60's & 70's" dance (being held in the Fort Macleod & District Community Hall). Presented by the Crossroads Cruisers.  The Show & Shine takes place on Main Street from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. on Saturday (April 19).

The Lethbridge Hurricanes play host to the Calgary Hitmen in games three and four of their 2008 WHL East Conference Final series. If the Canes are able to defeat the Hitmen they will advance to the WHL championship against either Spokane or Tri City. Tickets are available by calling 329-SEAT.

The Movie Mill in Lethbridge has three new movies opening this weekend.  Funny Games, Never Back Down and the Bruges all take to the Mill screens.  For complete Lethbridge movie listings visit www.lethbridgelink.com

Have a great week!

The Lethbridge Hurricanes will try to finish off the Kootenay Ice in game five of their best of seven East Conference semi final at the Enmax Centre.  Lethbridge leads the best of seven series 3-1 and with a win will advance to the Eastern Conference Final.  For tickets call 329-SEAT.

POP Go the Wiggles! Family entertainers the Wiggles stop by the Enmax Centre on Tuesday, April 15th.  The show will feature Anthony, Jeff, Murray, Sam and all their Wiggly friends performing in Goulburn, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Orange, Bathurst, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Tamworth & Dubbo.  For more information visit www.enmaxcentre.ca

Playing this weekend at the Empress Theatre in historic downtown Fort Macleod is the oscar winning Juno.  For show times visit www.empresstheatre.ab.ca.

New films to the Moive Mill in Lethbridge include Semi Pro, Superhero Movie, Fun Fatboy Run and College Road Trip.  Checkout www.moviemill.com for complete show listings.

With the return of the travel season right around the corner there are sure to be plently of road trips in store in the coming months.  Here are some road trip tips from Transport Canada’s website.

Road

Before you head out, whether it's to the grocery store or on a long road trip, take a moment to read these safety tips.

Check your tires

Without proper maintenance, your tires could fail and cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Proper tire maintenance is not only critical to the safe operation of your vehicle, but will also improve fuel economy, extend tire life, provide better vehicle handling, help prevent avoidable breakdowns and collisions, and reduce exhaust emissions that contribute to environmental, health and climate change problems.

• Check your tires once a month, especially before you head out on a long trip.
• Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct levels and do not exceed the load limit of your vehicle. This information can usually be found on the inside of the driver's door.
• Inspect your tires regularly for uneven tread wear, cuts, cracks, bulges and foreign objects and rotate tires on a regular basis.

Sharing the road with large trucks and commercial vehicles

There are more commercial vehicles on Canada's roads now than ever before. These vehicles can be up to 40 times heavier than an average car and take more than twice the distance to stop. To prevent collisions with these vehicles, remember:

• Avoid cutting in front of trucks or braking suddenly in front of them.
• When you are in the driver's blind spot, move through quickly and never pass on the right, where the blind spot is even larger. If you can't see the driver's face in their side mirror, they can't see you.
• When passing a truck, ensure you can do it safely, signal, then pass promptly. Be prepared to encounter splash and spray on wet roads.

Cell phones and other distractions

Pay attention-don't engage in distracting activities while driving. Cell phones and other devices such as electronic navigation systems are emerging as factors in road collisions.

• Do not use a phone while driving.
• Turn the phone off before you start driving. Let callers leave a message.
• If there are passengers in the vehicle, let one of them take or make the call.
• If you're expecting an important call, let someone else drive.

Core safety tips

• Wear your seatbelt. Almost 40 per cent of all vehicle occupants killed in 2002 were not wearing a seatbelt. So whether you're a driver or passenger, buckle up.
• When work correctly, seatbelts save lives. Lap belts should be kept low and snug over the hips, while shoulder belts should always be worn across the chest.
• Airbags save lives. Because they deploy very quickly, you should sit at least 25 centimeters away from the air bag compartment and wear your seat belt.
• Don't drink and drive. Alcohol is a significant contributing factor in road fatalities. Almost two out of every five drivers killed have been drinking.
• Slow down. Excessive speed is a contributing factor in 20 per cent of occupant fatalities.
• Each year, 25 per cent of deaths and 40 per cent of serious injuries from vehicle collisions occur at intersections. Be careful, even when you have the right of way.
• Remember to watch out for motor bikes and bicycles and be courteous to these road users.
• The safest place for kids under 12 is in the back seat. Have kids travel in the back seat, especially when there is an airbag for the passenger seat.
• About 70 per cent of automobile injuries to children can be prevented by using the correct car or booster seat for their height and weight.

Sustainability

• Driving at lower speeds can also help save you money. For example, driving 100 kilometres per hour on the highway instead of 120 kilometres per hour uses 20 per cent less fuel.
• Remove your roof rack when it's not being used. These racks, whether empty or full, increase aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption.
• 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than if you stop and restart your engine. So turn off your engine when you stop to save money and help protect the environment.

   Have a Great Week!

Chinook Country is on the road with stops at home and garden shows in Great Falls, Montana and Winnipeg, Manitoba this weekend.  If you are in either city and would like more information on what’s happening in Southwest Alberta this summer be sure to stop by and say hello.

The Lethbridge Hurricanes have advanced to the second round of the WHL playoffs for the first time since 1997.  The Canes will face the Kootenay Ice in round two.  The series gets under way Friday evening at the Enmax Centre.  For tickets call 329-SEAT.

The Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod is proud to present Stones in his Pocket. Here is the 411 on the play courtesy of empresstheatre.ab.ca.   American film company arrives in a small village in county Kerry, Ireland, to make a blockbuster movie and hires local villagers as extras to fill crowd scenes. Central to the story are Jake and Charlie. Charlie is the former owner of a failed video store, who has a movie script he’s written in his back pocket. Jake has come back home with the notion that he might become a film star, and Charlie hopes that his being an extra in the film will open up opportunities to get his script noticed. Instead, as extras, both are relegated to digging turf as “background bog men”.  The one-night-only show takes place April 5 at 8 p.m., tickets are $24.

Lookin for a rodeo? Look no further.  The good folks in High River are hosting the Senior Pro Rodeo this weekend.  For more information email High River Chamber of Commerce at hrdcc@telus.net.

Lethbridge Exhibition Park is hosting a career fair on Saturday, April 5.  If you are interested in displaying or attending call Nadia at 403-328-3996.

Have a Great Week!