Posts Tagged ‘Calgary’

July 6, 2011: Calgary

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

I had so much fun at our 4th of July party that I decided to do it twice more.

On the 5th we had one of my favorite events of the year. Our embassy staff in Ottawa and their families came over for a picnic. We ate more BBQ! I know Julie and I get much of the credit for our 4th of July party, but the real credit goes to all of the people in the Embassy and our Residence who work for months to put it together and then volunteer all weekend to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Since they are all working on the 4th, we have a party for them and their families on the 5th. The kids decorate their bikes with red, white and blue streamers and we have a bike parade. There are potato sack races. But the highlight is the softball game between the Marines and the Embassy team. I sit in the embassy team’s owner’s box with Julie. I’m happy to report that the trophy will sit with pride for another year in my office.

Early the next morning it was off to Calgary for the next 4th of July.

Before the party I had the chance to meet the new Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi. He’s a very dynamic and fun guy. We talked about the future of cities, the energy economy in Calgary and the rest of Alberta, and the upcoming Stampede. It turns out we had both bought the exact same new boots from the Alberta Boot Company. We obviously both have great taste. He then White-hatted me.

The Mayor and I then joined about 500 people for the Calgary Consulate’s 4th of July party — two days late. For the third day in a row the weather was perfect and a good time was had by all. One special surprise was the band, led by well-known Calgary blues artist Gary Martin who is originally from Chicago. He assembled a band of American musicians to play some great rhythm and blues for the event. I had a chance to visit with them and we compared notes on our favorite songs and performers (Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf). They played a request from me — one of my all time favorites: Howlin’ Wolf’s “Built for Comfort.” It begins: “Some folks built like this. Some folks built like that. But the way I’m built don’t you call me fat. Because I’m built for comfort. Not for speed.”

No comments please.

The next day I started out visiting with my friend Dave Rutherford on his morning radio show. Then it was off to the University of Calgary for a site visit of the Solar Decathlon house. A team of University of Calgary students will represent Canada in the 2011 Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition in Washington, D.C. in September. The contest challenges 20 student-led teams to demonstrate inventive, clean-energy solutions by building solar-powered houses that are cost-effective and energy-efficient.

 

The University of Calgary Solar Decathlon Team’s Cenovus TRTL

 

The students gave me a tour of their entry, called The Cenovus TRTL (pronounced ‘turtle’) – Technological Residence, Traditional Living,  a safe, durable, net-zero home designed to address critical issues in Aboriginal housing. The team is working with the Treaty 7 First Nations of Southern Alberta on the housing concept and design. The team’s spiritual and cultural advisor Dr. Reg Crowshoe, a Piikani Blackfoot Elder, joined us at the site. Following the tour, he thanked me for coming by, presenting me with a traditional Blackfoot blanket and sang a song for me in Blackfoot. Then Monique Kimber, a member of the team’s Aboriginal Advisory Council, presented me with a handcrafted necklace with a turtle design reflecting the solar home’s shape and Aboriginal influences. 

 

Dr. Reg Crowshoe presents Ambassador Jacobson with a traditional Blackfoot blanket

Ambassador Jacobson wears a traditional Blackfoot blanket

 Then it was time to get ready for the Stampede. I had everything I needed, except western shirts. I now have two. One looks like an American flag. The other has a skeleton dancing among beer bottles on the back, which I was assured in the store was completely appropriate for the Stampede. We’ll see.  

Ambassador Jacobson with Steve Snyder, President and CEO of TransAlta Corporation and former U.S. Ambassador to Canada Gordon Giffin

Ambassador Jacobson's western shirt

 

Sporting my flag shirt, I went to the Prime Minister’s reception where the guests of honor were the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. There were vast numbers of people waiting 10 deep around the building to catch a glimpse of the Royal Couple. 

Next it was off to the annual dinner Gen. Natynczyk gives at the Stampede for friends of the Canadian Forces. The guests of honor were Adm. Sandy Winnefeld and his wife Mary. Adm. Winnefeld is the Commanding Officer of NORAD and NORTHCOM. He was recently nominated by President Obama to be the Vice Chair of the Chiefs of Staff, the second ranking position in the U.S. military. I have been privileged to get to know Adm. Winnefeld over the last year and his promotion is enormously well deserved. The U.S. military is in outstanding hands.

Tomorrow we Stampede!

DJ

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in July 2011 |

July 19, 2010 – Calgary and Lethbridge, Alberta

Thursday, July 22nd, 2010

On Saturday I started out by attending the Pacific North West Economic Region (PNWER) meeting and hearing Minister Jim Prentice talk about the environmental issues that confront Canada. Then I met with Bruce Carson, the Executive Director of the Canada School of Energy and Environment and Chair of Carbon Management Canada. We discussed ways in which we might be able to help facilitate additional collaboration between U.S. and Canadian researchers focused on developing clean energy technologies. Excellent work is going on both north and south of our border and we can both move ahead faster by sharing our experiences and findings.

After that we had a quiet day until the evening when it was back to the Chuckwagon Races. I didn’t seem to lose my touch in picking the winners. We stayed for the Grandstand show. It was really great. Kind of a cross between a musical, Cirque du Soleil, and motorcycle racing.

At the end there was a there was a video montage with all the emotional scenes of Canadian medal winners at the Olympics. I was watching it with a group of Canadian friends and there wasn’t a dry eye among them.

I was able to keep my composure. That is until they showed that clip of Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal in the gold medal hockey game. At that point I too broke into tears.

On Sunday I had a breakfast meeting with representatives of the Idaho National Labs, a Department of Energy facility, and Dr. Lorne Babiuk, Vice-President of Research at the University of Alberta. Again, the hope is to help solidify ties between Canadian and U.S. researchers working on reducing the impacts of energy production in both our countries.

Later in the day I met with Larry Persily, the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. I have met with Larry before in Ottawa. His office is responsible for coordinating activities of federal agencies with respect to permitting and regulations that impact the construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alaska’s Arctic to North American consumers.

We had dinner at the Consul General’s home where Laura and I heard about western Canadian economic development from Roger Gibbins, President and CEO of Canada West Foundation. I learned more about the recently established New West Partnership. This is an agreement between Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan that aims to lower barriers to interprovincial trade and investment. The goal is to take better advantage of opportunities through joining forces in a combined market of nine million people and over $550 billion in GDP.

This morning it was my turn to give a speech at PNWER. I talked about the border and how we did not have to choose between security and efficiency. If we were smart we could have both. I also talked about how the United States and Canada could coordinate our energy policies.

Immediately after the speech, we left for Lethbridge which is about two hours south of Calgary. The ride was just spectacular. To the west were the Canadian Rockies. And I had my first view of canola in flower. If you’ve never seen this before you have missed something. It is a brilliant golden yellow. There are miles and miles of the stuff against the backdrop of the mountains. It is quite a sight.

Canola fields

Canola fields

I loved Lethbridge. It’s the largest city in southern Alberta and is home to the highest and longest steel trestle bridge in the world. Very impressive. In Lethbridge, I had lunch at the Galt Museum with members of the Lethbridge town council, Senator Joyce Fairbairn, local MP Rick Casson and other members of the city’s business, academic and cultural sectors to learn about issues facing their community.

After Lethbridge we travelled to Magrath to tour a wind power project jointly operated by Suncor Energy and Enbridge. Grant Arnold. Suncor’s director of wind project and development operations, gave me an introduction to Suncor’s efforts, which are a key component of the company’s climate change action plan. Suncor is using revenues from oil sands development to invest in this alternative source of power. It was impressive to see the massive wind turbines up close and see them in operation.

Canola fields and wind turbines at the Magrath wind power project

Canola fields and wind turbines at the Magrath wind power project

Then we took the three hour drive back to Calgary and I got on a plane to Winnipeg. A very long – but very rewarding day.

DJ

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in July 2010 |

July 16, 2010 – Calgary

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

We started very early. At 6:30 I had an interview on Calgary’s CityTV breakfast show. I arrived in my western wear. By now I have come to understand that EVERYONE in Calgary dresses this way during the Stampede. In the CTV studio I met Fast Freddie Whitfield, a professional calf roper from Hockley, Texas, who is legendary on the rodeo circuit and felt right at home. Even so, I wasn’t sure if I should wear my hat during the interview. At the last minute, I decided what the heck and put it on. I’m not sure if it was the right call but at the end of the interview host Jill Belland asked me to give the audience a “yahoo.” I’m sure it went over well in Calgary (actually a couple of people stopped me on the streets and told me they loved it) but I’m not so sure it will be quite the hit in Washington or Chicago. But when in Rome ….

The big question I was asked during this interview – and most everywhere else in Calgary – was what I thought of the billboards and You Tube videos that were posted by a group in the United States arguing that people should not come to Alberta because of the oil sands. My answer was that I was there, so I guess I didn’t agree with the argument. I think it makes about as much sense as arguing that people shouldn’t come to my home state of Illinois because we have coal.

The oil sands are a very complicated issue. I’ve traveled to Ft. McMurray and seen the oil sands up close. I understand their importance to Canada and to the United States. I am also well aware of the significant steps that have been taken by the industry to reduce the effect of the oil sands operations on land, water, and air.

But I don’t think I’m alone in saying: more must be done. Industry leaders have to do everything they can – more than just what governments mandate – to reduce the carbon footprint of the oil sands. They need to do more to demonstrate how they are meeting the challenges of providing energy security while meeting the obligations of environmental stewardship.

I’m not sure this balance can be properly struck on a billboard.

Ambassador Jacobson is interviewed on Calgary's Breakfast Television

Interview with Calgary's Breakfast Television

After the interview I had a series of business meetings and then it was off to the Stampede. We spent most of the day with Lee Richardson, the Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre and a member of the Stampede Board. First we went to the rodeo. It was wild. At one point I got to go down to the chutes during the bull riding. I must say that’s one sport I don’t intend to take up. When you are up close you see that these guys are sitting on 2,000 pound fierce animals. They start out in a steel cage. If the bull slides over, they crush their legs. If they get through that part the give their backs and necks quite a beating. And then land on their rears to get off. Sounds like fun. Huh.

I did learn one very interesting rule of rodeo. You can’t go into the infield unless you are properly dressed. Boots, jeans, hat, and a shirt with a collar. Luckily I was all decked out.

After the rodeo we had dinner and then it was off to the highlight of the Stampede. The Chuckwagon Races. Or as those in the know say “the Chucks.” It is totally wild. Whoever thought up the rules had some kind of an imagination. But I will say I seem to have developed quite a talent at picking the winners. And who would have thought that chuckwagon driver Kelly Sutherland, someone I never heard of yesterday, would become such a hero to me.

It was a day to remember.

DJ

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in July 2010 |

July 15, 2010 – Calgary

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

This morning Julie, my daughter Wynne, and I flew to Calgary for the Stampede. It’s one of the things on my “Bucket List.” We are all very excited.

Today was a “work” day, however. Our first stop was at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre to congratulate the community on the Centennial of Calgary’s Chinatown. I was a little uncomfortable on the way over. Julie and I were wearing our western wear. Boots, Hats, Jeans. I kept calling it “cowboy clothes.” But my Special Assistant, Kyle, who is from Oklahoma and who is well versed in these matters kept correcting me. In any event, I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to show up in western wear (per Kyle’s advice) at the Chinese Cultural Centre. That was until I arrived.

The Ambassador and Mrs. Jacobson visit the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre

The Ambassador and Mrs. Jacobson visit the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre


We had a great experience meeting with the crowd, getting a history lesson in the Chinese immigration experience in western Canada first to help in the mines and then on building the railroads. They showed us their Chinese language library and their museum. They fed us great Chinese food. And they showed us a great time.

Next we went to meet with our old friend, Mayor Dave Bronconnier. I came to the Stampede because I promised the Mayor when he White Hatted Julie and me that I would be here. So I thought it was appropriate that we pay our respects. Mayor Dave surprised us by White Hatting Wynne and giving me and Julie Calgary Stampede belt buckles. One the way out we went to the local western wear store, Lammle’s, and bought belts to go with the buckles. I may start wearing it with my suits in Ottawa.

After a meeting with the staff at the United States Consulate in Calgary, the Consul General, Laura Lochman, and I went to a dinner with the board of AmCham West, the American Chamber of Commerce in Calgary. We had an opportunity to exchange views on expanding trade between the U.S. and Canada. And at the end I got a real compliment. One of the board members said he didn’t expect the dinner to be so much fun. I view that as a huge success.
Tomorrow we go to the Rodeo!
DJ

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in July 2010 |

November 29, 2009 – Calgary

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Today I had a very special treat. I got up early and flew to Calgary to watch the Grey Cup. Having brushed up on the rules differences between Canadian and American Football, I arrived for the CFL Commissioner’s Lunch.

The Commissioner, Mark Cohon, is originally from Chicago. Turns out we have a number of friends in common. At the lunch I got to sit with Premier Stelmach of Alberta and his wife Marie. Also at our table was the Lt. Governor of Alberta Norman Kwong and his wife Mary. For those of you who do not know, the Lt. Governor is a CFL legend. He won a Grey Cup playing for the Calgary Stampeders. He was traded to the Edmonton Eskimos where he won three more Grey Cups before being inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Commissioner Cohon referred to Lt. Gov. Kwong as “the only person who is truly loved by people in both Calgary and Edmonton.” We were also joined by Utah Governor Gary Herbert. While he is certainly prominent in his own right, today his daughter Kimberli stole the show. She is married to Montreal Allouettes star Ben Cahoon.

We then headed to the game. I have been to one Super Bowl – back in 1986 when my Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots 46-10. It was – without question – the highlight of my Chicago sports career and will remain so until the Cubs win the World Series – at which point I will die a happy man.

The game was great fun. The fans were REALLY into it. Particularly the ones from Saskatchewan.

You have all, no doubt, seen what happened. I will say this. As a Cubs fan I have seen my teams lose in every conceivable fashion. Errors at crucial times. Fan interference. Inclement weather. Freak injuries. Billy goats. But never have I seen anything like what happened to the Roughriders. Too many men on the field. Ugh!!!

So I would like to extend my hearty congratulations to the Montreal Alouettes for a job well done. But my heritage as a Cubs fan gives me special empathy for the Roughriders in their heartbreak. Keep your chins up, and as I have said so many times before – wait til next year.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in November 2009 |

Calgary

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

This is a BIG country. Julie and I flew for 4 1/2 hrs from Ottawa to Calgary on Monday night. The amazing part is that we started 1390 km from the east coast and landed 677 km from the west coast. It was also a little amazing that we landed in a snowstorm on October 12 and it’s been snowing ever since!!!

Calgary's newest Honorary Citizens with Mayor Bronconnier

Calgary's newest Honorary Citizens with Mayor Bronconnier


On Tuesday, I met with a number of civic and business groups in Calgary. Three highlights. Julie and I were “white hatted” in a meeting with Mayor Dave Bronconnier of Calgary. I learned that doesn’t mean we were turned into good guys. Rather it is a traditional honor given to Calgary visitors. I promised Mayor Bronconnier we would wear our hats when we come back for Calgary Stampede. We then took a walking tour of the historic areas of Calgary led by our new friend and guide, Hugh. He was the most energetic and expressive 85 year old that I have met in a long time. Later that day, we had a great conversation with a group of 30 students from University of Calgary. They were drawn from every part of the university and they were extraordinarily well informed on a broad range of issues. I love these sessions. They renew my faith in the future. One question I will not soon forget came from a First Nations student who asked about what was being done in the United States to ensure educational opportunities for Native Americans. His passion and concern were moving. On the way out, a small group of students and I had an engaging discussion about the importance of young people getting involved in politics. I shared with them my strongly held belief that the most important byproduct of the Obama campaign was the record levels of participation by young people in the political process. Hopefully that trend will continue.

Yesterday, I traveled to the oil sands in northeastern Alberta — the world’s second largest proven energy reserves. I learned a lot about the energy industry when I was in Calgary, but actually seeing it with my own eyes was essential to furthering my understanding of the U.S.-Canada energy relationship. I learned about two different methods being used to extract oil from the ground. We visited both a surface mining operation and a site where oil is extracted from greater depths using steam in a process called “in situ” recovery.

I appreciated hearing about some of the new technologies being developed to make the industry more efficient and to address environmental concerns. I also had a great one-on-one discussion with local aboriginal Chief Jim Boucher, who described some of the concerns of his people. In all of these discussions, we talked about the need for balance between energy production and environmental protection. The scale of these operations is amazing. To get a sense of it, the picture below shows Julie standing in front of a tire (made in South Carolina) from a 400 ton dump truck used to move the oil sands. At the end of the day, we also visited some land reclamation projects, including an area now populated by a herd of very large bison. All in all, it was a fascinating day. I realize I have a lot more to learn, but this was a great introduction to the oil sands and the many issues related to its development. DJ

Julie in the oil sands

Julie in the oil sands

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in October 2009 |