Communities Move to Round 1 Public Voting for Canada's Most Rider Friendly Community Contest 2016!

PRESS RELEASE

CANADA’S MOST RIFER FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CONTEST FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 16, 2017

Grande Prairie AB - The judging portion of Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest has concluded and the finalists in the contest have been announced!

The judges from Community Futures of Alberta, our presenting sponsors had a tough time going through the number of nominations that were received.

"First let me say that we at Community Futures of Grande Prairie & Region and all of the Community Futures of Alberta offices want to congratulate all of the communities that were nominated and acknowledge the efforts of the finalist communities and their community pride and spirit. There were so many great nominations that it was tough to choose the communities but by using the contest guidelines we were able to finally narrow it down to just 6 in the West and the 2 strong nominees from the East" says Holly Sorgen of Community Futures of Grande Prairie & Region. My hats off to all of the riders and community leaders who took the time to nominate the community of their choice! Supporting small business and rural initiatives is important to all Community Futures Offices across Canada!”

“I want to thank all who nominated a community in our soft launch (first) year of Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest.  I am seriously impressed and want to ride in every one of the nominated communities!” All 8 communities are already winners, now it is time to decide what level of marketing support they will get! Three communities from the West and three from the East will be recipients of $1,500 advertising packages with Belt Drive Betty Media.  Three from the West and three from the East will then move on to the semi finals.  One lucky community will be crowned as Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community and will win a multi-media marketing package valued at over $35,000! Belt Drive Betty       Please see the prizing charts attached.

And the finalists are:

West

1. Drumheller, AB
2. Fort Qu’Appelle, SK
3. Kaslo, BC
4. Port Alberni, BC
5. North Cowichan, BC
6. Nisku, AB

East

1.       Cape Breton

2.       Bracebridge

We want to acknowledge the commitment of all of our wonderful sponsors without whom this contest could not happen: EastLink TV, Kimpex, SmartBiker, Starbrite Trophies & Engraveables, The HOG Radio Show, Reality Radio 101, AliG8r Web Design, Suzettee Speaks Silently, 310-Sign, Northern Horizon, Ride Like a Local TV, Rider Friendly Business Association,  The Busted Knuckle Chronicles, Belt Drive Betty Media and our presenting sponsor, Community Futures of Alberta!

About Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest:

Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest was created by Renee ”Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau, founder and CEO of Belt Drive Betty Media.  

Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest is a rural tourism marketing initiative whose goal is to create awareness of the wonderful businesses and communities that are there for riders to explore. Large cities are not as inviting for motorcyclists; with the advent of texting and driving along, the dangers of driving in traffic, road construction and other hazards along with motorcycle only noise bylaws, many riders prefer to get out on the open road and away from the majority of the dangers that cities present. Motorcyclists also face certain barriers when it comes to customer service in the travel and tourism industry.

About Belt Drive Betty Media:

Belt Drive Betty Media is a diverse motorcycle media company founded in 2003. It offers the rider a vast array of ways to connect with the information on the motorcycle community they need.

That diversity offers advertisers looking to connect with the Canadian riding community a large number of advertising vehicles to choose from.

Belt Drive Betty Media offers TV, web, social media, app and email marketing opportunities.

Contact:

Renee “Belt Drive Betty” Charbonneau

(780) 402-8892

bdbetty@beltdrivebettymedia.com

Visit our main site: beltdrivebetty.com

About Community Futures of Alberta:

For 30 years, Community Futures has been supporting small business development and rural economic diversification in Alberta. We are a community driven, non-profit organization with 27 offices in rural areas throughout Alberta. Each office is staffed by local business professionals and guided by a volunteer Board of Directors.

In other words, we live where you live, and reap the benefits of a strong local economy created by business entrepreneurs just you! Read about some of the many successful businesses we have helped start-up and grow over the years.

We provide a wide range of small business loans, business coaching/training services and business management tools for people wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.

We also run a number of specialized business programs, and actively work with community and business leaders to foster rural economic growth.

We are funded by the Government of Canada through Western Economic Diversification Canada

There are a total of 269 Community Futures offices across the country.

Contact:

Holly Sorgen

Community Futures Grande Prairie & Region

(780) 814-5340

Holly.Sorgen@albertacf.com

Unit 57 Benefit Concert and Ride on June 24th, 2017

Cancer affects us all. We are fortunate in Alberta to have access to a world class facility for cancer treatment at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary. Many patients and their families have spent days, weeks, months or more in this facility dealing with life changing illnesses. This can cause a financial burden on patients and their families for such things as travel, lodging, food and parking etc. patients should be focused on healing rather than finances.

Last year, the Patient Financial Assistance Program (PFAP) was accessed more than 3,863 times by over 835 families across Alberta, thanks to the support of folks like you. Based on Alberta's current economic climate, requests for PFAP have increased by 43 per cent from 2015/16 and we expect the demand will continue to grow. 

We would like to invite you, your neighbour, family and co-workers...to the Unit 57 Benefit Concert and Ride on June 24th, 2017. All bikes welcome. 

We will meet at the McMahon Stadium in Calgary and ride Hwy 40 through the beautiful foothills of Alberta and end at the Twin Cities Hotel, Longview to enjoy some excellent local bands, a pig roast and a silent auction. 

Space is limited; you can buy your tickets in advance for $25 at www.twincitieshotel.ca. Tickets include admission to the concert and food; beverages are available for purchase.

This is a request for a donation for our event; your donation will benefit the families who need it the most. All businesses that provide a donation will be recognized throughout the event.

All funds raised at this event will be donated directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, and will support the Bone Marrow Transplant PFAP. 

Promotions will be on local radio/news stations, social media, and commemorative T-shirts will be available for purchase. 

Sincerely,

Chris Goss & Paulo Alves, Owners

Twin Cities Hotel, Longview Alberta

For more information you can contact:

Nicola (Nikki) O'Carroll

Development Officer, Events South

Alberta Cancer Foundation

Toll Free: 1-866-412-4222

Direct: 403-476-2672

or 

Chris Goss

Co-Owner, Twin Cities Hotel

403-312-8569

To view endorsement letters or for more information you can go to  https://www.facebook.com/chris.goss.98837 

Cancer affects us all.  We are fortunate in Alberta to have access to a world class facility for cancer treatment, the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary, AB.  Many patients and their families have spent days, weeks, months or more in this facility dealing with life changing illnesses.  This often causes serious financial difficulty, and things like travel, lodging, food and parking etc, all take a toll both the patient and their loved ones.

Last year, the Patient Financial Assistance Program was accessed more than 3,863 times by over 835 families across Alberta, thanks to the support of folks like you.  Based on Alberta's current economic climate, requests for Patient Financial Assistance have increased by 43 per cent from 2015/16 and we expect the demand will continue to grow.  Thank you for making a difference in the lives of these patients by supporting events like this one. 

All funds raised through this campaign will be donated to the Alberta Cancer Foundation to support the Alberta Cancer Foundations Bone Marrow Transplant Patient Financial Assistance Program. 

Gofundme page https://www.gofundme.com/unit-57-benefit-concert-and-ride

Highway 63 Song for Fort Mac Wildfire

The Fort McMurray wildfire may very go down as the biggest story of 2016.  It was Canada’s largest-ever natural disaster.  Eighty-eight thousand people were evacuated down highway 63 as flames erupted around them.

Fort McMurray still needs help to rebuild, and to aid in a meaningful and financial way, Larry Pegg has been inspired to write a song and put together a touching music video about this ‘coming together’ in such a time of need.

"...it looks like hell on the CBC..." is a line from Larry Pegg Music’s moving song Highway 63. The song is supporting the wildfire relief efforts and creating awareness for #MentalHealth, #PTSD and #SuicidePrevention, all key issues that will affect those affected by this dramatic and tragic event. As Larry has suffered unimaginable loss himself,  he was able to tap into that and thus create his beautiful rendition of this tragedy.

Larry would like to recognize and thank Michel Chamberland who captured the images seen on the video, and to the CBC for their tireless coverage and their interview of Captain Adam Bugden (as you'll see on the video), Chief Darby Allen and so many others. Thanks as well to the Montana Smoke Jumpers who provided their fearless footage in solidarity with their fellow firefighters, both brothers and sisters.  All their efforts and hard work that are seen in the images of the video drove the rhythm, the melody, the lyrics and the message.

You can download Highway 63 here. Click 'Your price' in the player to download and Larry will devote 100% of download proceeds (set your own price, $2.00 minimum CAD) to the wildfire relief cause and mental health and suicide prevention going forward.  The Red Cross is doing incredible work in supporting those that are in need.

Highway 63 features Ottawa-based Jeff Rogers (keyboards/vocals), Ross Murray (drums/vocals), Stuart Watkins (bass), Fred Guignion (guitars and lap steel), Larry Pegg (guitars and vocals) and Edmund Eagan (supporting Ross Murray in production and arrangement). Jeff sings the lead, and he kicks it out of the park with his great voice and delivery. Mastered by the iconic Emily Lazar at The Lodge in New York City.

We feel this song is a strong contender for ‘Canada’s song of the year’ and we are asking you to download, share, and share some more!

Please share via Twitter: @LPGrooves
Like and share on Facebook

If you need mental health support you call these numbers 24 hours a day.
Alberta Addictions Help Line: 1-877-332-2322
Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-2642
Wood Buffalo Distress Line: 1-780-743-4357



Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

New Year, New Directions, New Challenges

Our world is ever changing and every day that we wake up, it seems that there is something new to learn, do, or assimilate. Challenges abound in this life and facing those challenges is what makes it so rewarding!

I determined last summer after battling with adrenal fatigue for over a year and a half, that somehow I was going to turn things around with my health. The adrenal fatigue was caused by blunt force trauma tumors on my adrenal glands.

I decided that I was going to lose the weight in preparation to quit smoking.

I wanted to have some healthy routines in place to support my goal of feeling better, feeling vibrant and strong again. It had been so long since I had felt strong and I was ready.

I started exercising regularly, nothing too heavy, but I was doing it consistently.  I changed my eating habits and became vigilant in checking labels for the sugar quantity of the foods I was thinking of purchasing. I can’t tell you how much cane sugar is in the food we eat.

Wow what an eye opener.

All the while, I was also taking Ayurveda herbs to break up the tumors on my adrenal glands, support my liver, pancreas and lymph system. I went to a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor, Dr. Crystal Su of the Grande Prairie Acupuncture and Acupressure Clinic.  All of these things have added a layer of improvement to my health.

I went from a size 14 clothes to size 7-8 over the course of about 20 weeks.

I started getting reasonably toned and lost a lot of that horrible belly fat one gets when they become pre-diabetic. Although I wasn’t pre-diabetic, the adrenal tumors that were causing the fatigue were also causing the weight gain and basically mimicking diabetes.

I spent some time investigating ways to quit smoking, naturally was important to me.  I found out about Imagine Laserworks, through our sister newspaper “The BKC News Bytes” on Vancouver Island.  I checked out the company website only to learn there was an office here in Grande Prairie that serves the north Peace of Alberta and BC.

I phone the Grande Prairie office that is located in Cooperators Center and spoke with the owner, Victoria.  She was ready and waiting for me when I got to her office.

The process was pretty simple. I filled out some forms, answered some questions and learned about addiction and how to help myself in eliminating this addiction from my life. (Imagine Laserworks can help you with all kinds of addictions!)

I was given a package filled with a CD and handouts that I could refer to for support.

Victoria got me up on her table and explained what the sensation of the laser would feel like and it was exactly as she said it would be, a little prickly feeling.  She gave me some dark safety type glasses to protect my eyes and played the same CD that is in the information kit while using the laser on various points.

There is a lot of very good information on nicotine, addiction, and helping yourself deal with the angst of quitting on that CD.

The whole process took about and hour and I was quite amazed, I had walked in there after just putting out a cigarette, I had been smoking since I got up that morning and my appointment wasn’t until 3 in the afternoon.  When I walked out at 4 pm I was a non-smoker and while I have gotten testy at times, I wasn’t nearly as bothered by it as I thought I would be.

I chose to go to the health food store and order the supplements they recommended, in total the extras I needed came to about $70, and again, I am grateful that I did.

The support from Victoria and Gail has been incredible.  I felt I needed a little booster as I was battling the cravings pretty hard on day three. I took them up on the fact that they offer free boosters for the first 8 weeks after your session and intend to keep taking them up on them if I feel the need.

No problem, they fit me right in, within hours!

After a bad news week, I was feeling some huge stress and was again feeling afraid that I would cave in, that was on day 21. They got me in that afternoon and voila…I am at 23 days as a non-smoker. 

23 days, thanks to laser therapy from Imagine Laserworks and the support from Victoria and Gail.

I haven’t replaced food for cigarettes either!

The other thing that amazes me is that I smoked from the time I was 12.

I am 57 in June.  I quit once for 15 months (6 years ago) but needed pharmaceutical help (Champix) to do it and fell off the wagon at Christmas, I was so crushed because I gave into my weakness. Had I known about Laser Therapy then, I think I could have stayed quit back then.

I am grateful to know about them now and very thankful for the professionalism, the information and the support that Imagine Laserworks offers.  I know that if I ever feel weak I can call on them to help me through a rough spot!

Check them out here in Grande Prairie or at their monthly clinics in Dawson Creek.

There are Imagine Laserworks clinics right across Canada so visit: www.imaginelaserworks.com to find an office near you.

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

Sad News for Victory Motorcycle Riders & Dealers

Polaris Industries announced today via press release, that it is going to immediately begin the winding down of sales of all Victory Motorcycles.

They will supply parts for a ten year period.

As expected, Polaris will be focusing on it's more profitable "Indian Motorcycles" line up.

Here is their press release in it's entirety:

POLARIS INDUSTRIES TO WIND DOWN VICTORY MOTORCYCLES OPERATIONS

STRENGTHENING ITS POSITION IN THE POWERSPORTS INDUSTRY  

MINNEAPOLIS (January 9, 2017) — Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) today announced it will immediately begin winding down its Victory Motorcycles brand and related operations. Polaris will assist dealers in liquidating existing inventories while continuing to supply parts for a period of 10 years, along with providing service and warranty coverage to Victory dealers and owners. Today’s announcement does not affect any other Polaris business units.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision for me, my team and the Polaris Board of Directors,” said Polaris Industries Chairman and CEO Scott Wine. “Over the past 18 years, we have invested not only resources, but our hearts and souls, into forging the Victory Motorcycles brand, and we are exceptionally proud of what our team has accomplished. Since inception, our teams have designed and produced nearly 60 Victory models that have been honored with 25 of the industry’s top awards. The experience, knowledge, infrastructure and capability we’ve built in those 18 years gave us the confidence to acquire and develop the Indian Motorcycle brand, so I would like to express my gratitude to everyone associated with Victory Motorcycles and celebrate your many contributions.”

Several factors influenced today’s announcement. Victory has struggled to establish the market share needed to succeed and be profitable. The competitive pressures of a challenging motorcycle market have increased the headwinds for the brand. Given the significant additional investments required for Victory to launch new global platforms that meet changing consumer preferences, and considering the strong performance and growth potential of Indian Motorcycle, the decision to more narrowly focus Polaris’ energy and investments became quite clear.

“This decision will improve the profitability of Polaris and our global motorcycle business, and will materially improve our competitive stance in the industry,” said Scott Wine. “Our focus is on profitable growth, and in an environment of finite resources, this move allows us to optimize and align our resources behind both our premium, high performing Indian Motorcycle brand and our innovative Slingshot brand, enhancing our focus on accelerating the success of those brands. Ultimately this decision will propel the industry-leading product innovation that is core to our strategy while fostering long-term growth and increased shareholder value.”

Polaris will reduce the appropriate operating cost based on this decision, while continuing to support the future growth of the ongoing motorcycle business.  Polaris remains committed to maintaining its presence in the Spirit Lake, Iowa community with Indian Motorcycle production and in the Huntsville, Alabama community with its Slingshot production.

                                                       

Any one-time costs associated with supporting Victory dealers in selling their remaining inventory, the disposal of factory inventory, tooling, and other physical assets, and the cancellation of various supplier arrangements will be recorded in the 2017 income statement in respective sales, gross profit and operation expense. These costs will be excluded from Polaris’ provided 2017 sales and earnings guidance on a non-GAAP basis. 

Polaris will release its fourth quarter and full-year 2016 financial results and provide 2017 guidance on Tuesday, January 24, 2017. A webcast and conference call will be held at 9:00 a.m. Central Time on January 24, 2017 to discuss the results. A slide presentation and link to the webcast will be posted on the Polaris Investor Relations website at  ir.polaris.com.  To listen to the conference call by phone, dial 877-706-7543 in the U.S. and Canada, or 478-219-0273 Internationally.  The Conference ID is #45015597.

Click here for additional information related to this release.

About Polaris

Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader with annual 2015 sales of $4.7 billion. Polaris fuels the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts with our RANGER®, RZR® and POLARIS GENERAL™ side-by-side off-road vehicles; our SPORTSMAN® and POLARIS ACE® all-terrain off-road vehicles; INDIAN MOTORCYCLE® midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; SLINGSHOT® moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK®, INDY®, SWITCHBACK® and RUSH® snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories sold under multiple recognizable brands, and has a growing presence globally in adjacent markets with products including military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Please visitwww.polaris.com.

# # #

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release, including management's expectations regarding expected disposition charges and future investments, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include such factors as product offerings, promotional activities and pricing strategies by competitors; costs of canceling supplier arrangements; warranty expenses; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; environmental and product safety regulatory activity; effects of weather; uninsured product liability claims; and overall economic conditions, including inflation and consumer confidence and spending. Investors are also directed to consider other risks and uncertainties discussed in documents filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

If you are blessed enough to live where you can ride, please ride safe!




Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

CVFR 2016 Film Available on YouTube

The Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders (CVFR) unit President Roger, A.K.A. "Excalibur," has put together a 2016 season year-end film.

The film covers 66 events in the 2016 season and many of our readers may be featured in the 37-minute feature. Everyone is encouraged to watch the film from beginning to end. 

 You can view the film from CVFR’s Facebook and website links (below) and learn more about the CVFR’s Meaford Ontario Unit and/or how to join.

The club is open to both veterans and supporters from the general public.

Here is the movie:

CVFR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meafordcvfr/

CVFR website: http://www.cvfrmeafordontario.ca/

They are a great group that does some very cool stuff.

You have one day left to get your entry in for Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest! www.riderfriendlycontest.ca

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider