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Articles

Published Articles

Explore a featured selection of my writing work below.
Calgary Journal •

Louise Gallagher: How one woman uses her own tribulations to help others

As interim director at Inn from the Cold, Louise Gallagher helps Calgary’s most vulnerable despite her own share of adversities.

Gallagher hopes to ensure that Inn from the Cold’s vision statement — to build a community where no child or family is homeless — is fulfilled.

“When families come here, it’s not that they’re going to stay here a long time, it’s that we recognize that shelter is hard and they need to find housing,” she says.

Gallagher further explains,“We create opportunities for th
Calgary Journal •

Dark Table limits vision to encourage use of other senses as part of culinary experience

On a recent Thursday evening, the lobby of Dark Table is filled with roughly 10 skittish, yet charged, customers, all with reservations for the downtown Calgary restaurant.

We’re asked to turn off and place our phones in a locker along with anything else that emits light. We form a single-file train, hands-to-shoulders, and are led by a visually impaired “guide-server” to our tables in the dining room.

Calgary’s Dark Table restaurant takes away diners sight, causing them to dine, literally, at
Calgary Journal •

Thomas Mo, founder of Alberta Apparel encourages Calgarians to shop more sustainably this holiday season

The world of fashion is seen as being glamorous. But all that glamour comes with a cost, as it is the second leading source of pollution in the world. That’s why Thomas Mo, the founder of Alberta Apparel, is challenging Canadians to shop more sustainably, especially this holiday season.

People tend to buy more items during the holiday season than any other time of year, so it is especially important to be made aware of the effect clothes shopping can have on the planet.

FashionUnited.com, a ne
Article 1 •

Words that weigh heavily

Harbir Kaur, a young Sikh-Canadian woman, proudly wears a dastar – headwear in Sikhi, an article of faith representing honour, self-respect, courage, spirituality, and piety. Commonly worn by the Khalsa Sikh men and women that decide to keep the Five Ks – Kesh (uncut hair), Kangha (hair comb), Kara (a bracelet that is traditionally made from iron or steel), Kachera (undergarment), Kirpan (small curved sword) – wear the turban partly to cover their long, uncut hair (kesh).

Kaur is not a stranger
Calgary Journal •

Connor Curran, founder of Local Laundry hopes to build a sense of community with his apparel.

Back in 2015, Connor Curran, the founder, and co-owner of Local Laundry – a local online apparel store, dedicated to representing Canada and Canadian manufacturing – didn’t have any experience in the fashion industry. But a drive to represent YYC and give back to the community helped him turn it into the successful business it is now.

Curran was laid off from his job as a subcontract specialist in 2014. This prompted him to move to Sweden with his wife, where he received an MBA at the Universit
Focal-Articles •

Top 5 reasons to hire a family photographer | Focal

Photography has become much more accessible than it has ever been before. Most moments are captured by taking a quick picture on your phone. However, these photos that lie in your camera roll are rarely good enough to hang on your walls or to perfectly capture and document those memorable and candid moments of your family.

Read more: What to consider when hiring a family photographer

We spoke with four experienced family photographers from across the United States and Canada. Together, we have
Focal-Articles •

What to look for in a newborn or maternity photographer | Focal

The time between your pregnancy to the arrival of your newborn is a magical journey; however, it will fly by quicker than you anticipated. Entrusting a photographer to understand and capture those incredible fleeting moments that you want to cherish is very important.


We partnered with Calgary maternity and newborn photographer Nadine McKenney to narrow down key points you should consider when looking for your next maternity or newborn photographer.

Read more: Why you should hire a newborn
Focal-Articles •

What to consider when hiring a family photographer | Focal

Family photographs are a symbol of love and joy. They are displayed proudly in your home and have the power to take you back to not only how you looked but how you felt in that exact moment. Picking a family photographer who you want to represent and capture each of your unique personalities and relationships can be extremely intimidating, but it doesn't have to be!

We compiled a list of what you should consider before you hire your next family photographer.


Each family is unique; with tons
Focal-Articles •

Why you should hire a newborn and maternity photographer | Focal

During this new chapter in your life, it may seem like you have an endless amount of things to do before the baby comes. It is a very exciting yet busy period. You may be hesitant about whether or not you should hire a maternity and newborn photographer -- well, we have compiled a list of reasons why you should!

Read more: What to look for in a newborn or maternity photographer


1. It’s incredible what the female body can do.


During the time of your pregnancy, your body goes through endle
Focal-Articles •

Can’t decide between in-home or studio newborn photos? | Focal

Wanting to capture the fleeting newborn stage can be a very daunting task. With an ongoing list of things to do, the last thing new parents want to worry about is the location of their newborn photos.


If you are having a hard time deciding between an in-home session or a studio session, don’t worry: We partnered with Calgary newborn photographer Nadine McKenney to offer some helpful insight.


In-home newborn photography is great for parents who want to capture the comfort of their home. P
Focal-Articles •

What to wear during your winter family photography session | Focal

Winter photography sessions hold a special place in my heart. The physical and emotional connection you get by snuggling closer, the fresh snow that looks like a blank canvas, and the snow-covered landscapes can be stunning. However, it can be tricky when dressing for a winter shoot. On one hand, you want your family to look amazing and on the other, you have to make sure everyone is warm.


Read more: What to consider when hiring a family photographer


To help ease your mind and give you so
Focal-Articles •

Why you need to book yourself a portrait session | Focal

Hiring a photographer is seen as an investment, commonly reserved for special occasions; weddings, graduations, families, etc. Many people wait to hire a photographer until one of those ‘special occasions’ happens in their life and those moments are amazing, but guess what? You deserve to be celebrated just as much!


We believe that it is important to have your portrait made at least once because why should you settle for cell phone selfies? Having said that, we have compiled a list of reason
Focal-Articles •

Why elopement weddings are rising in popularity | Focal

I’m sure you have heard of the phrase eloping, commonly defined as running away secretly with the intention of getting married. Previously, it was treated as a stigma because to elope meant that your marriage wasn’t supported by your family or friends. It was considered a whim and many other misconceptions surrounded it. But, now it is being seen as for what it really is: a choice to focus the wedding entirely on you and your significant other.


Elopements and weddings have the same result, co
Focal-Articles •

Tips and poses for including siblings in newborn portraits | Focal

Newborn sessions highlight a new chapter in a parent’s life. In these sessions the newborn should be the star, however, we understand how important it is for parents to have a sibling photo during this exciting period. Capturing the love and impending lifelong friendship is a cherished moment.

Read more: Why you should hire a newborn and maternity photographer

However, with that being said, we also understand how kids can be. The reality of a sibling photo can be chaotic. To help make your lif
Narcity •

6 cute Calgary cafes where you can have a cozy late-night coffee date

Sometimes, the best moments happen when the sun goes down, and these Calgary cafes are perfect for a late-night coffee grab. As the city winds down, it gets quieter and more chilled, making it a great time to enjoy some quality time with someone special.If you're looking for the perfect spot for an evening coffee date, or even a place to get some work done after-hours, why not check out one of these cute Calgary cafes? They're not just about the coffee; they offer a warm, inviting atmosphere tha...
Narcity •

6 of the best pizza slices in Calgary that you need to try at least once

If you're craving the best pizza in Calgary but don’t want to commit to a whole pie, we've got you covered. The city's pizza scene is full of spots where you can grab a single slice loaded with flavour.Calgary loves its pizza, and for good reason! From perfectly crispy crusts to mouthwatering toppings, these slices are a testament to the city’s pizza passion.We've rounded up some amazing spots for must-try pizza slices that deliver all the cheesy, crispy goodness you’re after. Whether you’re int...

Articles

Watch My Video

​​This video is a demo from my JOUR 4709 Investigative Journalism class. It discusses Dr. John Cowell, who was appointed as the full-time official administrator for Alberta Health Services on November 17, 2022, succeeding the Board of Directors. Collaborating with Mauro Chies, interim AHS CEO, Dr. Cowell has set four key goals in the AHS Reform Plan, with one primary focus on enhancing emergency medical services (EMS) response times.

The initiative includes several strategies:

  • Allowing EMS dispatch to redirect calls from 911 to Health Link when appropriate, reducing the burden on emergency services.
  • Authorizing paramedics to assess whether patients require ambulance transport to the ER.
  • Streamlining ambulance transfers at emergency departments to free up paramedics for additional calls.
  • Utilizing more suitable transportation methods for non-emergency interfacility transfers.

In my recent video interview with Dave Deines, current President of the Paramedics Association of Canada, we discussed these strategies and their potential impact, examining both anticipated successes and challenges.



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