Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/40418
upfront power pack Do you have a hard time choosing what to bring on vacation? Here are three tips to help you pack smarter: 1. Share the load. If you're travelling with a friend or part- ner, pack an outfi t or two in his or her luggage. This way, if one suitcase gets lost, you'll both have clothes to wear until the errant bag returns. If you're travelling solo, pack one outfi t in your carry-on bag. 2. Take only two pairs of shoes. Limit yourself to a comfort- able pair for walking and dress shoes for formal events. If you plan on getting around a lot by foot, bring a pair of insoles and slip them into your walking shoes mid-day. Ah, that's better. 3. Layer with tissue paper. When folding your clothes, place tissue paper or a dry-cleaning bag inside the folds of each item. This will reduce pressure at the fold and reduce wrinkles. If you have space, use bubble wrap instead. Then if you buy something breakable on your trip, you can wrap it for the journey home. –C.Y. WELCOME buddies bike As you turn a corner on your morning commute, you notice a cyclist coasting down the road ahead. What's your reaction? Pleasure at seeing one less car on the route? Or concern and uncertainty about how best to share the road? Whatever your feelings, there are several ways you can make the interaction safer for both of you: 1. Don't underestimate a cyclist's speed. This is one of the biggest factors in colli- sions where a car has cut off a cyclist. 2. Allow a one-metre clearance when passing cyclists; more if possible. They may suddenly lose balance or swerve to avoid debris. 3. Pass a bike as you would a slow-moving car. If the lane is wide, slow down and move to the far left side. If it's not, signal and shift into the left-hand lane, crossing over the centre line where necessary and safe to do so. 4. Shoulder-check before turning right. It's easy to miss two-wheelers over- taking you curb-side. 5. Occupy a bike lane only briefl y to make a right turn — one or two car lengths before the intersection. Bikes have priority in designated lanes, so if a cyclist is already there, you'll have to wait. 6. When parked, look around for cyclists before opening your door. —Wendy Goldsmith (top) Steve Cole, (bottom) Aurelie and Morgan David de Lossy/Getty Images, iStock WESTWORLD >> SEPTEMBER 2011 13 WEE Obama? IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE deciding what to name your baby, you may want to draw inspiration from poli- tics. According to Service Alberta, a handful of Alber- tans named their newborns after politicians past and present in 2010. Forty-four boys and girls shared the fi rst name Harper. Thirty-seven boys were named Nixon and one girl Palin. The majority of Albertans were more traditional, though. The top three girl's names were Emma, Olivia and Emily. Topping the boy's list were Liam, Ethan and Logan. Once-popular celebrity- inspired names Brittany and Jessica were notably absent from the Top 25 list. No word yet if "Lady Gaga" is catching on. —T.H.