What keeps you going on difficult days? I can not give up after only 6 months. I follow other boutique owners on social media to learn from them. I ask questions and I am always trying to figure out what I can do. It is a relief when other owners say it’s been slow for them or what their struggles are. I have to remember to give myself grace as I am very new. After finding the courage to get uncomfortable I can’t just throw in the towel. Patients and Persistence!

KNOWLEDGE - what makes you an expert? Oh I am no expert at all!!! I am always learning and trying to evolve. I will never be able to call myself an expert. I believe if you're not constantly learning you are not living.

What ADVICE do you have to help people become better versions of themselves? Get comfortable being uncomfortable!!! Failure is a good thing as long as you acknowledge, accept and get back up to move on or try again. Don’t be afraid of failure. Failure is part of what has gotten me to be confident to keep trying. Believe you can do anything you want to accomplish.

PODCASTS you recommend? Mel Robbins

WHAT IS YOUR BIG DREAM?! For Boutique76, to make it as successful as I can. For me personally, I would love to one day tell my story on a big stage.

The Great Disconnect - an award-winning and timely documentary uncovers why, in a world seemingly more connected than ever before, people are feeling more and more socially isolated – and the true cost this has on our lives and communities.

Watch the trailer here to get a glimpse

Tickets available here

Replacing the Zamboni at the CRA with the electric Zamboni 650 would produce a smoother ice surface. The 2023 budget includes $190,000 for the purchase of a new ice-resurfacer and the City was successful in obtaining a grant of up to $50,000 to purchase an electric ice­resurfacer.

The Zamboni used now produces a rougher surface and poorer quality ice, due to the limited size of the tank, it doesn’t scrape as much ice off as needed.

The annual Tax Rate Bylaw is a requirement of the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The Bylaw is prepared to reflect the municipal revenues required in the 2023 budget, as well as the property tax requisitions received from the Alberta School Foundation Fund (ASFF), Newell Housing Society and Alberta Municipal Affairs for the Designated Industrial (DI) property assessment.

The 2023 budget requires $13,545,902 of tax revenues to be collected through the Municipal portion of property taxes. Using the same revenue splitting approach as the previous year, which is 30.46% to non­residential properties and 69.54% to residential properties, the impacts can be summarized as follows:

• Residential/Farmland - For every $100,000 of assessment, property owners would be paying $21.59 less in total property taxes than in 2022. However, it is likely that residential properties will see an increase in their assessments this year, as the City's total residential assessment increased by 6.4%, of which 6.2% was due to market increases. Where the average residential assessment was $225,000 last year, it is $239,000 this year. Therefore, the average residential property is likely to see an increase of $107.08 in 2023.

• Other Non-residential - For every $100,000 of assessment, property owners would be paying $20.91 more in total property taxes than in 2022. For every $500,000 of assessment, total property taxes will increase by $104.53.

• Vacant Non-residential - For every $100,000 of assessment, property owners would be paying $18.87 more in total property taxes than in 2022. On the average parcel, which is assessed at $104,000, total property taxes will have increased by $19.62.

Brooks Motocross - BFD Alberta Motocross Championship in Brooks, May 13 &14. Race begins at 9:00AM. Two full days of racing, foodtrucks, $5 per person

MUSIC at the Market 👏👏 country, classic rock, folk, and bluegrass stories., Featuring the music of Garth, Willy, Eagles, Stones, Valdy . . .

Veteran’s Park in Downtown Brooks Thursday’s 2-6PM

In Duchess - Last Saturday of the Month 10-2PM

Know Dementia presented by Prairie Rose Hospice Palliative Care and Alzheimer Society at the Heritage Inn & Convention Centre on June 8th, 9-4PM. Featuring Brooks local resource groups, Q&A Panel with community members sharing their journey, interactive musical experience with guest Erica Phare-Bergh. Lunch and refreshments provided. Registration $20.

Rental Properties - Effective June 1, all new City of Brooks utility accounts will need to be opened in the owner's name. Owners who rent out their property will be responsible for any utility services received by their tenants unless an owner authorizes the City to have their bill forwarded to the tenant. If the account is not paid, however, outstanding charges will be transferred to the owner’s property tax account. Important Information for Landowners with Rental Properties/Tenants.

McKay Park Revitalization Phase 1 includes replacing the picnic area pad, asphalt basketball courts, pour'n'place surface of the play area, and installation of picnic tables, basketball hoops, trash receptacles, soccer goal posts and a U-swing. The total cost for Phase 1 is $470,664.

The City received one proposal from BDI Play Designs. Since the proposed project cost exceeded the budget amount, the Proposal was split into two phases. Phase 2 of the project includes the asphalt pathway extensions and an asphalt parking area for a total cost of $150,611.

JBS Foods' donated $475,000 for the project as part of their Hometown Strong Program.

Staff is recommending using the Linear Trails and Beautification budget to cover the additional costs. The Linear Trails and Beautification Master Plan currently being completed is budgeted at $50,500, leaving an available $176,395 to cover the pathway and parking area at McKay Park. BDI Play Designs is sourcing a local contractor to do the asphalt work within the project.

Tumbleweed Theatre production Small Town - Last chance - Shows run April 27-29 at 7pm. Tickets are on sale at Steaming Cup and at HERE.

THE TOP 5 WINNERS!!!