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Thursday, 28 March 2013

Road Dogs Required

Just a heads up for all you riders who love animals and want to help out a great cause while having a bit of fun with your fellow riders. "Ride Dogs Ride" is putting on a fundraiser with proceeds going to help out our fur family at the Calgary Humane Society. Blue Circle is happy to be on board with our sponsorship and we encourage you to get involved as well and pencil the date on your calendars.
Saturday August 3rd, 2013, at Irricana Alberta, tickets $20.00 per person, includes dinner and a t-shirt, live entertainment Saturday night and d.j. service Sunday, show and shine and "burn out pit".
Saturday registration starting at 10:00, an optional poker run ($20.00), dinner @ 6:00, lots of American iron but all bikes welcome.
Corey and I presenting Glen Garland from "Ride Dogs Ride" with a $1000 sponsorship cheque from Blue Circle 

Ulmus Americana


Trees are living links to our history. They have witnessed our past and continue to hold meaning for people today.
Sitting all alone in the middle of a parking lot, surrounded by asphalt, concrete and quite a few cars, grows a tree of renown. Ulmes Americana, the American Elm tree, is a beautiful high canopy type of tree that has managed to make Alberta one of it's last bastions after many North American Elm trees were eradicated by Dutch Elm Disease. By the way, this is a disease that didn't come from the Netherlands but, rather, was first identified by Dutch phytopathologists in 1921. Certain cultivars have better resistance to the fungi spread by bark beetles and this is one variety that proved to be hardy enough, though Alberta has a very aggressive program (STOPDED) to help stop the spread of the disease.
This particular specimen, which I see pretty much every day, not only lived through the worst days of the disease but has also managed to survive in the heart of the city, with an ever constant bombardment of construction and deconstruction, pollution and, most certainly, many indignities that may have killed off a lesser soul.
Of course, this tree also may not be there if it wasn't for the efforts of a group of dedicated people who helped form a not-for-profit organization called The Alberta Heritage Tree Foundation. Based on work started back in the '80's with Alberta Forestry and "The Alberta Trees of Renown",  this group set out to identify and catalogue as many of the Heritage Trees that grow throughout this vast province.
"Heritage means trees of particular interest by virtue of such qualities as age, size, shape, special interest, location and/or history. Trees may include individual trees, avenues, groves, shelterbelts, tree gardens, arboretum and sites of botanical or ecological interest."
Once identified, the tree came under the protection of the Foundation and efforts were made to ensure it's preservation. Because the tree sits on Calgary Stampede property their involvement was needed, for which concrete blocks were placed around it's perimeter, as well as grading the lot for proper drainage.
“The value of trees is, they touch our souls and heal our hearts. It is ever so subtle, yet powerful. When we are touched by something, we develop a rapport based in gratitude. We begin to care what happens to that which touches us, it is the beginning of stewardship. Yes we read about what we are doing to our Earth but what we hear can easily be forgotten. What we see will be remembered and when we do something – like visit these wonderful treasures of our Natural Heritage – we begin to awaken an understanding of our deep connection to the Earth. It is the understanding and remembering that strengthens this connection and touches our very souls. It is that which the Foundation hopes to be a part of inspiring.” - Libby Fairweather
Heritage Tree Foundation of Canada


Wednesday, 27 March 2013

Purple Day News


As written in yesterday's post, the whole crew at Blue Circle were decked out in their best purple duds to support the worthy cause of raising awareness about Epilepsy. We shared our enthusiasm with Kathy Fyfe, Executive Director at The Epilepsy Association of Calgary who sent us over some cyber love, along with some great pix of the Langevin Bridge. The bridge has a very cool lighting system and went purple in support of the cause. Way to go!!


Blackfoot Motosports





Stopped in to Blackfoot Motosports to check out all the fantastic bikes and to say hello to Darren Drieger, Financial Services Manager. Blue Circle and Blackfoot Motosports have a solid working relationship that we're proud to be a part of and look forward to continuing. Blackfoot has been around for over 44 years now and needless to say, that longevity speaks to their ability to present top quality motorcycles and  products with top quality service. They have a passion for powersports and sharing it with you is what they do best.
As for me, It's like a kid in the candy store when I get to visit with Darren and wander the showroom after! Could I actually decide between going dual sport with that nice KTM 690 Enduro or strictly street fun on the Kawi Ninja ZX-6R. And how could you not drool a little when you walk through the BMW Motorrad section. So many great bikes...so little money! Back to reality....maybe I'd better think about making room in my garage before even thinking about putting something else in there :0
On a side note...if you want a chuckle, Blackfoot Motosports did a funny little "Harlem Shake" video that's worth a watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPj7UIXrjLg&feature=youtu.be








Spring Has Sprung

Sunshine and plus temperatures means Spring is finally here. Lots of bikes on the road now and with a long weekend and better temperatures in the forecast, it's going to be a busy one.

Tuesday, 26 March 2013

Riding Safe In Spring

James came into the office today and while he was here he expressed how happy he was with the great service he's had at Blue Circle. James is one of our many sport bike enthusiasts who choose Blue Circle Insurance as their go to broker.
And we're happy to have him as a client and see that he's geared up and on the rode, riding safely on his Kawasaki Ninja 650R. By the way, good luck at your new job at Bow Cycle And Motor James.



Blue Goes Purple!

The Blue Circle crew goes purple for the cause. March 26th is "Purple Day"-The Global Day Of Epilepsy Awareness.Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness. Last year, people in dozens of countries on all continents including Antarctica participated in Purple Day!
Purple Day was founded in 2008, by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada, with the help of the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia. Cassidy chose the colour purple after the international colour for epilepsy, lavender. The lavender flower is also often associated with solitude, which is representative of the feelings of isolation many people affected by epilepsy and seizure disorders often feel. Cassidy's goal is for people with epilepsy everywhere to know they are not alone. To learn more about Cassidy and Global Purple Day Partners please visit the Purple Day Official Website.
Melisia, who has a close connection to Epilepsy through her cousin Domenic
For Blue Circle, the association with this disease has a couple of personal connections. Both Melisia and myself have family and friends who are affected by this disease and know full well the impact it has on one's life. Epilepsy has many forms which manifest in many ways, some severe, some barely perceptible. Regardless, there are always adverse effects of some sort which impacts not just the individual, but also their family. I have a friend who's child has been diagnosed with Juvenile Epilepsy, and it makes me think of how difficult and concerning this would be for a parent. We worry about our kids at the best of times, let alone fretting over something with which you have no control and for which there is no known cure. For a child, school and the learning process can be affected and for anyone, there may be social stigmas due to the lack of knowledge and understanding by the average person.
So, kudos to the team here at Blue Circle who are involved in the campaign to bring awareness to this disorder and help advance the research to better understand it's causes and find a cure.



Nicole beaming in her purple tee


Troy sports a lighter shade of purple


Sherri on the front line 

Monday, 25 March 2013

Attitude Adjustment!

Yup. It's Monday and that always means a shift in the attitude, away from leisure and back into the work groove.Spent some more time on the weekend, tinkering with Pearl in the garage, replacing some parts damaged in last August's big hail storm.Everything took a hit that night, with both the car and truck, the roof on the house and garage, and old Pearl getting pummeled by golf ball size hailstones. Fortunately, Pearl took the least amount of damage and only lost a lens cover and a couple of pieces of trim, thanks in part to the big old tree in front of the house. That may be the only time I ever appreciated that giant weed they call a Poplar! haha. There's something to be said about parking in the garage, though it's always easier to just walk out front, jump on the bike and go!
And speaking of jumping on the bike and going, here's a copy of some worthy advice which was also sent out with our Blue Circle Newsletter.
You’ve waited a long time for spring to arrive and you’ll be putting a great deal of trust in your bike to provide a safe and enjoyable ride. Before venturing out for the first time, here are some things to consider.
Remember; always refer to your owner’s manual for guidance for your own specific motorcycle.
  1. Check the condition of your tires for hardness, flat spots, and cracks. They should be OK if you followed our winterizing instructions – however, it’s always good to make sure.
  1. Check your tire pressure and make sure it’s at the recommended setting. Tires can lose air pressure with time, especially in cold weather.
  1. Check for any fluid leaks before and after you’ve started it for the 1st time. Do the full circle check, inspecting hoses, cables and fluid levels and ensuring all the lights and turn indicators are working.
  1. Change your oil and filter if you didn’t do it in the fall.
  1. Examine your battery and make sure it is fully charged and topped up (if appropriate). Check the terminals and leads to make sure they’re secure and free of corrosion.
  1. Check your bike’s tool kit. Make sure tools are clean, free of rust; double check to make sure everything is still there and replenish if necessary. You may want to add a few small frequently used items that aren’t in your kit, such as an air pressure gauge.
  1. Check your chain tension. Make sure the chain is clean and well lubricated.
  1. Make sure to unplug your air filter intake and exhaust pipe(s) before starting your bike (if you plugged it to prevent unwanted winter visitors).
  1. Make sure the gas supply is turned on and that your gas is in good condition.
  1. Look at your brake pads and confirm that they are not worn.
And just like the switch in attitude from weekend warrior to work day wage earner, riders need to get back into the groove on the road. Even if your bike didn’t rust over the winter, to varying degrees, your skills will have. Ease back to riding gently and practice braking and maneuvering in a parking lot or side street.
Also, the need for an "attitude adjustment" applies to those who choose to ride inside the insulated cocoon of a car or truck. Remember that the average automobile driver isn't used to seeing motorcycles on the road and will need time to adjust their thinking to a "share the road" mentality. Riders need to adopt a defensive driving attitude, "driving to prevent accidents despite the action or inaction of others", at all times but particularly when bike season really gets started in the Spring.
We're in the plus side of temperatures today and getting warmer as the week goes by, so we'll see you out there on the road!! Play safe!






Friday, 22 March 2013

Gutsy Gal

Just a side note to the last post about the Talisman Centre. After my workout I was on my way out and stopped to watch this little girl, maybe 8 years old, practicing her dives off the 7.5 metre tower. Pretty gutsy for such a tiny young girl!




Blue Circle Likes Fitness

It's great to see quite a few of the crew at Blue Circle showing some enthusiasm for living a fit and healthy lifestyle. We've got hockey players, swimmers, runners and crossfitters working here and lots of others who strive to eat well and partake in activities and events that add to the one's overall sense of well being.Why, we even have a certified (and insured!! lol, that's what we do!) personal trainer working in the office. We've got some that do their work outs before and after work and many at lunch, be it yoga, cross training, running, or simply a good, brisk walk.
Speaking of which, my latest trip to the Talisman Centre for a work out also allowed me the chance to see some of Canada's premier synchronized swimmers competing in the Canadian Qualifier. It's the largest synchro meet in the country and determines who gets invited to the Canadian Open Championships. Several of the team from Blue Circle are planning on a little badminton challenge match at the Talisman on Saturday, so I plan to catch a bit more of  the synchro action as they narrow down the field.
And, talk about a level of fitness that I could only hope to achieve. Some of these young women can be upside down in the water, sometimes for minutes at a time, sculling with their arms, and raise their entire lower body out of the water. I know I can't do that, cuz I tried. But, at least I didn't have to put all that gel in my hair! haha!

Pretty packed in the practice pool
 A pair doing their routine for the judging panel.

The Early Bird....


...misses the nasty pile-up on the Q.E. II!! Sanjay and I were up and hit the road early on Thursday, in anticipation of a long, slow drive home in such foul weather. Not that we didn't see quite a few cars and trucks in the ditch already, and we had a couple of white knuckle moments ourselves. Not a good feeling to have some guy in a pick up start sliding around in front of you and anything other than a light tap on the brakes starts you slippin' and slidin' yourself. Slow and steady wins the race yet there always seems to be somebody who wants to travel on like there's dry pavement and rips past you doing 120!


Thursday, 21 March 2013

Road. What Road?

What a difference a day makes. Sanjay and I hit the road this morning, not that we could see it half the time. Ugly ugly ugly! Cars in the ditch, total whiteouts at times, slow going at the best. Glad to be back in Cowberry, especially after hearing about a 300 car pile-up on the QE II this morning, after we got home.



Heritage Harley Davidson

Blue Circle was sharing it's knowledge at the Heritage Harley Bootcamp last night. I am always amazed at how surprised new riders are when you start telling them about what kind of coverage is available to them and for such great rates. Of course, the reward of seeing a smile cross someone's face when they realize that they can get coverage while they learn is always great to see.
Many thanks to Garnet, Chrysta and the rest of the great crew at Heritage for giving us the opportunity to talk to the newest members of the riding community

After Dark

Lots of stuff goes on after dark, and lots of stuff goes on at After Dark. That's a very cool and ever expanding custom bike shop in north Edmonton and likely the biggest independent motorcycle shop in Canada. Loved the shop, full of tons of American iron, mostly of the custom kind. Got a tour with Drew and shared some thoughts on customizing rides and protecting investments. Another happy affiliate, with great work by Blue Circle, and Dominion and Intact, in making sure riders have the best coverages they can get!



On The Road Again

Had a great meeting with Mike Romans at Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson. Its great to hear from Mike that GAH-D is super happy with Blue Circle and the great service they get from the team. It certainly helps GAH-D get riders on the bikes when they get such awesome service, and great coverages and rates with our providers. Way to go Team Blue!


Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Road Trip!

On the road but not with Pearl:( However, got the truck, so Sanjay and I headed out together with a load of Blue Circle goodies. Off to see some of the great people out there who are putting riders on the seats of bikes in preparation to another great season of riding! Wish we were on our bikes but the drive was a great chance to talk bikes and insurance with my new mentor Sanjay.
First stop.....Gasoline Alley Harley Davidson.

First Day Of Spring

March 20.....the first day of Spring and still snow on the ground! Aren't we all just a bit sick of that kind of weather? Still, I was out in the garage with Pearl, checking her oil and getting the battery tender going. Lots to do in anticipation of the real start to riding season. Can't wait to get out on the road!