This  Saturday downtown Drumheller is being transformed into a celebration of the arts.
     Alberta Culture Days are September 30 to October 2. These are a time to discover, and experience the arts in all their forms. Drumheller is participating this year as members of the community have been working together to organize a “Pop-Up Arts and Culture Showcase” on Saturday, October 1, from 1p.m. to 5p.m.
    The event will see various artists and entertainers temporarily set up in the storefronts of vacant buildings throughout downtown Drumheller. These artists and performers will be either displaying their works for public viewing or, if possible, providing ways for the public to actively engage in the creation of art pieces, such as painting and pottery sculpting.
    The public is invited to stroll around the downtown to take in the displays and performances for free, and to participate in activities like sidewalk-chalk art. Local musicians will be performing on the sidewalks, and warm beverages will be offered in some of the spaces as well. The aim of the Showcase, in keeping with the goals of Alberta Culture Days, is to celebrate the wealth of talent and creativity that exists within our community.
     “From rodeos to dinosaur bones to Alberta’s ‘Cool little towns,’ Southern Alberta has a rich heritage that attracts visitors from around the world. Alberta Culture Days is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the art and history that makes Southern Alberta special.” -Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism
     This event is a collaboration between the Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Badlands Artists Association and other local artists. It is made possible thanks to the provincial government’s Alberta Culture Days Grant, the Town of Drumheller’s Arts & Culture Grant, and Century 21 for providing space for the artists and activities.
     The Pop-Up Arts & Culture Showcase is part of the celebrations occurring throughout the province during Alberta Culture Days 2016. Alberta Culture Days, September 30 – October 2, is about discovering, experiencing and celebrating our unique blend of peoples and passions, and the importance of culture to a healthy and vibrant province. To learn more, visit www.AlbertaCultureDays.ca

    An inmate, who is serving a life sentence for murder, has received 48 -hour unescorted leave from the Drumheller Institution Minimum Security Unit, prompting a member of a slain woman’s family to inform the community.
    Robin Spooner is the sister in law of Stephanie Spooner, who in 1991, was slain by the hand of Bradley Paetsch, who is now known as Tristan Ryan.  Stephanie was 16 years old at the time, and Ryan was 18. Spooner is concerned that he will be out on the street.
    “You will have in your community a guy who has been convicted of first degree murder,” said Robin.
    He was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 25 years. In 2010, he was granted ability to apply for parole by March 2014, two years earlier than his statutory date. According to reports at the time of this ruling, he has changed, and the Faint Hope Clause was suitable for him.
    Robin tells The Mail he was just granted unescorted temporary absences.
    “These are overnight, with no ankle bracelet, no monitoring, he does have some conditions attached to those.”
    When Ryan became eligible for parole in 2014, he waived his right.
    While he has now been granted these new terms of release, he has volunteered in the community during temporary escorted absences. He married while he was in prison.
    He was granted the unescorted absences at a hearing in front of a judge, who ruled on September 8. Robin says a family member still attends these hearings.
    According to the Parole Board of Canada Website, “The decision to grant or deny parole involves a thorough review of information and assessment of risk. The safety of the public is always the paramount consideration in all parole decisions.”
    “I think it is something that is important that the community knows, especially when it is somebody who has been convicted of such a horrendous crime,” said Spooner.