october 2010

Dan Young, President

Talewinds... by Dan Young, PresidentI was recently in our IGD warehouse in Winnipeg. Manager Vince Kerr was away howev-er, Grant and Crystal were both very well organized and hospitable. I throughly enjoyed the visit.

I also managed to make my way up to AWG Whitehorse and AWG Ft. Nelson and around Alberta with Phil. AWG Edmonton has a new manager. Manager Gordon Johnson is step-ping up from the fabrication department. Gordon has prior experience as superintendent running contract crews and he is looking forward to this new challenge. Manager Shaun Matson (AWG Ft. Nelson) and Manager Blake Simon (AWG Whitecourt) are settling in to their new management positions nicely.

I have just returned from Quesnel, Prince George, and Vanderhoof, fi nding all the stores extremely busy. We have dozens of large contract jobs that will keep all of the company very busy for months.

I am off tomorrow to spend some time at our new IGD warehouse in Kelowna with Man-ager Kevin Dupre and GM Dewey McMahon.

Those of you that I have missed, trust me, I will get to you before too long.

Best Regards,Dan Young, President, AWG Northern Industries

The Cops for Cancer “Tour de North” rode into Smithers on Sep-tember 9. All-West Glass Donated $2000 to the Cops for Cancer to raise funds in the fi ght against cancer. Here VP Laura Stanton (Industries) and Man-ager Darryl Coles (AWG Smithers) present the cheque. I do wonder how they are going to carry that cheque with them while they are riding though. Funds raised help the Canadi-an Cancer Society fund the most promising re-search projects in the

country, provide information services and support programs in the community and advocate for public policies that prevent cancer and help those living with it. To date, the Canadian Cancer

Society Cops for Cancer program has raised more than $45.5 million dollars across Canada!

Follow Cops for cancer all around BC via twitter: http://twitter.com/CopsforCancerBC

Cops for Cancer

AUTOMOTIVE TECH TIP

Staying safe on the roads…

Driving is a component of many of our workers’ day-to-day jobs, some more than others. While many of you drive in small towns and rural areas, there are quite a number of employees who drive in major centers across Canada.When you are driving for work-related activities, the vehicle is considered a worksite and therefore the same employer and employ-ee responsibilities apply to motor vehicles as to other worksites. What this means as an employee is that you must follow safe work practices and the rules of the road, and ensure that the vehicle you are driving is properly maintained. This includes keeping it clean and free from debris. From an employer’s perspective, it is important to ensure that drivers are qualifi ed to drive (ie. have a valid license), that the vehicles are well maintained and properly insured, and that there are clear policies on alcohol and drug use.

Removing Door Panels On A 2002 Dodge Grand CaravanSkill Level: 2-3 (Basic to Intermediate) Time Taken: About 25 Minutes

1. Removing this 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan plastic door panel is not too diffi cult. However, the window must be rolled down before removing the door panel.2 There is a small round cover behind the inside door release handle. I placed the tip of a small fl at screwdriver in the notch on the screw cover, and I pried out the cover.3. Then I removed the Phillips screw from behind the door latch handle.4. At the bottom of the door pull handle, I removed another screw cover. I just used a fl at screwdriver and pried up at the notch.5. I then removed the Phillips screw from the bottom of the door pull handle.6. I used a small fl at screwdriver and pried up the window switch cover to release it from plastic door panel. This switch panel just pries off... there are no screws or hooks. There are 4 snap connections on the back... you can see one to the left of my thumb.7. I used a fl at screwdriver to unlock the red wire harness lock by sliding the red lock to the right. Then I pressed on the wire connector release tab and I was able to pull the wire connector out of the switch. This is a pretty fancy design for an electrical connector. You can’t even press that release tab until the red lock is moved aside.8. At the bottom of the door panel underneath the speaker, I found the last Phillips screw and removed it.9. Then I used a rigid putty knife to pry on the door panel to release the snap clips that attach it to the metal door frame.10. I lifted the door panel upward to release it from the top lip and the door lock button.

Disconnecting The Door Latch Handle:1. I was able to open the swing clip and pull the connector rod out of the door release handle.2. Then I used a fl at screwdriver to lift the release tab and pull the wiring connector from door lock switch. (This is adjacent to the door handle.) At this point the door panel was completely separated from the car.3. This dust cover can be peeled back to reach the components inside the door, such as the power window mechanism or door latch.-For Pictures, View the Tech Tip Online on The Glazette

Here are some safety tips to consider when you are out driving:• Drive defensively• Obey all traffi c rules• Wear your seatbelt at all times• Give yourself extra time in poor weather conditions• When entering an intersection, look around very carefully, obey all traffi c signals/signs, proceed

with caution and don’t assume anything• When changing lanes, check your mirrors and blind spots, watch out for other vehicles and start

to signal well before you actually change lanes.• Obey speed limits and slow down in unfavourable traffi c or weather conditions.• Always maintain a safe following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you (3 to 6

second rule depending on length of vehicle)• In case of rain, fog, ice or snow, drive slower than you would normally and pay even more at-

tention.• Pay special attention to wiper blades and washer fl uid, brakes and tires and replace as soon as

they are worn.Remember, safe driving doesn’t just happen; it takes a conscious effort on your part, whether driving a company vehicle or your own.

MILESTONES10 Years

Dennis Balogh, AWG Prince George

5 YearLinda Leber, AWG Ft. St. John

Sabri Mahmoud

Ron Webb

John Garrison

Keith Peters

Brad McDonald

Alana Wegner

Adam Russell

Curtis Murray

Matthew Clayton

Braden Renner

Lynette Powney

Jose Pereira

Coen Eykelboom

Brandon Arcand

Chad Clefstad

Robert Rathwell

Robert Flasch

Bill Burns

Keith Fell

Shawn Devries

Crystal Morin

Roma Dawe

Cathy Cooper

James Fisher

John Wiebe

5

6

7

10

11

11

12

13

13

14

16

17

18

24

25

26

26

26

27

29

29

29

31

31

31

AWG Prince George

AWG Kitimat

AWG Ft. St. John

AWG Northern Distribution

AWG Edmonton

IGD Ft. St. John

IGD Coquitlam

AWG Whitehorse

AWG Prince George

IGD Kelowna

IGD Edmonton

AWG Prince Rupert

IGD Edmonton

AWG High Level

AWG Edmonton

AWG Peace River

IGD Coquitlam

AWG Windows & Doors

AWG Terrace

IGD Edmonton

IGD Winnipeg

AWG Prince Rupert

AWG Northern Distribution

AWG Grande Prairie

AWG Grande Prairie

Chris Donais, AWG Prince George

Gordon Christian, AWG Grande PrairieKyle Vandemosselaer, IGD Winnipeg

Dan Maddaloni, IGD CoquitlamColin McCormick, AWG Terrace

Colton Harvey, AWG Prince GeorgeTrevor Oliver, AWG Windows & Doors

Gerald Barton, AWG Whitecourt

Photo Above: President Dan Young presents Manager Jeff Marshall of AWG Quesnel with his 10 year Milestone.

I thought this month, because Halloween is coming up, and the theme of this refl ections is hal-loween, that I would share some history about halloween and how it came to be.

The word itself, “Halloween,” actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a con-tracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1, “All Hollows Day” (or “All Saints Day”), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints. But, in the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, sum-mer offi cially ended on October 31. The holiday was called Samhain (sow-en), the Celtic New year.

One story says that, on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. It was believed to be their only hope for the afterlife. The Celts believed all laws of space and time were suspended during this time, allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living.

Naturally, the still-living did not want to be possessed. So on the night of October 31, villagers would extinguish the fi res in their homes, to make them cold and undesirable. They would then dress up in all manner of ghoulish costumes and noisily parade around the neighborhood, being as destructive as possible in order to frighten away spirits looking for bodies to possess.

Probably a better explanation of why the Celts extinguished their fi res was not to discourage spirit possession, but so that all the Celtic tribes could relight their fi res from a common source, the Druidic fi re that was kept burning in the Middle of Ireland, at Usinach.

Some accounts tell of how the Celts would burn someone at the stake who was thought to have already been possessed, as sort of a lesson to the spirits. Other accounts of Celtic history debunk these stories as myth.

The Romans adopted the Celtic practices as their own. But in the fi rst century AD, Samhain was assimilated into celebrations of some of the other Roman traditions that took place in October, such as their day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol

of Pomona is the apple, which might explain the origin of our modern tradition of bobbing for apples on Halloween.

In Greek mythology, goddesses of the underworld were often used to invoke the Samhain. Popu-lar Greek Goddess costumes portray Hecate and Medusa. Hecate was the most favored goddess by Zeus, and wandered the emptiness between the worlds of life and death looking for souls of the dead. Both were considered serpent goddesses, and their ancient dark legends spawned myths such as vampires, who fed off the living using venom and snake-like fangs. Ritualistic dress includes snake adornments and three headed masks. Today, Hecate is often referred to as the goddess of witches.

The thrust of the practices also changed over time to become more ritualized. As belief in spirit possession waned, the prac-tice of dressing up like hobgoblins, ghosts, and witches took on a more ceremonial role.

The custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840’s by Irish immigrants fl eeing their country’s potato famine. At that time, the favorite pranks in New England included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates.

All Hallows Eve (or Halloween if you prefer)

Anne McRae (on right), CSR, AWG Fort Nelson

What was your fi rst job ever?Janitorial in a department store - YUCK!

If you could trade jobs with anyone else in the world, who would you trade jobs with? Why?Ben Southall - He was selected for the $111,000 gig - a six-month contract to serve as caretaker of a tropical Australian island. He now has to live rent-free in a three-bedroom villa, complete with pool.

What is/was your favorite subject in school?Music - I played the clarinet then taught myself the saxophone and fl ute

What do you like to do for fun?Fun is leaving Fort Nelson!

What is the craziest gift you ever received from someone?My kids Ashlee (Pictured Above) and Justin :P

If you could invite 5 famous people to your party and every single one of them would come, which 5 people would you have come to your party?Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Brad Paisley - it would be an awesome concert!

What cartoon character best describes you?Tweety bird - I am cute, smart and like to sit in my home relaxing but always ready to act when the oc-casion calls for action

If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?Australia

If you could choose one of your personality traits to pass on to your children, what would it be?I would pass on responsibility

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?Start my own business

What is your favourite movie of all time and one that you can watch over and over again and quote lines from it?My favorite movies are The Notebook and Braveheart

If you were a contestant on Fear Factor, what would be the worst/scariest thing for you to do?Is that show still around? I think eating live things would be the worst!

Whats the worst/most embarassing CD/Album you’ve ever owned?The Backstreet boys - I was young and foolish lol

What would you do with a million dollars?I would buy my dream home in a dream location and then start my own business

Which one song describes your life the best? Why?Life Ain’t always beautiful - Gary Allan

SPARKLE

SPARKLE

Reflections is a monthly newsletter for employees

and friends of AWG Northern Industries. We welcome and encourage

your articles, photos, cartoons etc. However, we reserve the right to edit all submissions for space and

content.

Contact: Tonya GillardAWG Northern IndustriesPhone: 250-877-7619Fax: 250-877-7606

E-mail: reflections@

all-westglass.com

QUALITY CORNER

The winner of last month’s puzzle is: AWG ChetwyndSend your answers to refl ections@all-westglass.com OR fax to 250-877-7606 OR pop in your mail bags. The winner will be a blind draw of all the correct entries and will receive $25.00 for their staff fund.

LAST MONTH’S BRAINBUSTER ANSWERSName an English word of more than 2 letters that both begins and ends with the letters “he” in that order. There are at least two possible answers. “hehe” is not acceptable. ANSWER:Headache and Heartache

In a tree-clearing project, six lumberjacks can chop down 18 non-endangered trees in twelve hours. How many lumberjacks will it take to cut down 9 trees in four hours? ANSWER: 9 lumberjacks

Clark, Daw and Fuller make their living as carpenter, painter and plumber, though not necessarily respectively. The painter recently tried to get the carpenter to do some work for him, but was told that the carpenter was out doing some remodel-ing for the plumber. The plumber makes more money than the painter. Daw makes more money than Clark. Fuller has never heard of Daw. What is each man’s occupation? ANSWER: Clark - Carpenter, Daw - Painter, Fuller - Plumber

Which of the four shapes comes next in this sequence? A,B,C or D?

This month in Quality, I, Adam Ethier, your local computer tech (or I guess for most of you, I’m the guy that takes over your mouse when you call in for help) have taken over Tonya’s corner for this month. In general computer news here at the IT Shop, we are always updating computers. If you go to another shop, the computers should look virtually identical to the ones you use at your own shop. That means you can go anywhere in the company and be familiar with them. Hope it helps those of you that travel.

Below I have provided some Computer Lingo that may help you understand what we are always mumbling on about when we fi nd out what the problem with your computer is.

Cheers, Adam Ethier, IT Technician

Computer Lingo and YouBIOS:Stands for ‘basic input/output system’ and helps to initialize, recognize and test all of the machine’s hardware so the software can load and take control of the PC. Also known as “booting the computer”.CPU:The ‘central processing unit,’ often called simply ‘processor’ or ‘microprocessor’ acts as the PC’s brain. The CPU is in charge of following the instructions of a particular program and performing all of the func-tions that the computer is being asked to complete.LAN:Meaning ‘Local Area Network’, it is generally used to connect groups of PCs in small areas like your offi ce. We use different types of LANs (specifi cally VLANs) to connect all of the company computers together.Operating System:A type of software that manages and coordinates the hardware resources while also hosting computer applications running simultaneously. We Use Microsoft’s Windows OS for our main operating system accross the company. Mac’s OS X and Ubuntu Linux are examples of other OS’s.PC:Is a general and all-purpose term that stands for ‘personal computer.’ PCs can take many different shapes and sizes. Video Card:Another term for a GPU. This computer component allows you to see everything on your screen; it gives you the power to watch movies, play video games, edit photos, and design a PowerPoint deck and more, all on your PC. More powerful video cards can run videos in high defi nition.