This was breakfast on Jan 28th.

Chilling. Scary, if not downright threatening. MJ (from OSI; he works with Brett) described the state of online security. Or lack thereof. We are probably not alone on our devices. But hey, OSI can protect your data like no other. Seriously, MJ is worth a chat with, if not dinner.(And yes, on you.)

Local economic performance influenced this mornings’ chats but general attitude seems to be: we’re not participating in the recession (if there is one).

Members:

Brett Bain. Dusts off old Scottish trick: OSI is following the money to Treaty Seven school district. Good solid client base. Margins are modest but the work is rewarding in other ways. • Ran a Help Wanted ad on Kijiji and was overwhelmed with responses.

Sean Baylis. Our celebrity wealth manager graces the cover of WP Magazine as a Top 50 Advisor in Canada. If you didn’t know that he started out as a school teacher, now you do. His drive to educate is his forte and that helps him help his clients, so much. • Two reminder lessons: #1: as Warren the Buffet says: all good assets appreciate over time. #2: Jim Allworth reminds us: you can invest anywhere in the world via RBC and Sean

Jim Bladon.  Raved about a cute knee injury clinic at the U of C. Yes, I know: it’s Acute Knee Injury Clinic and thanks to this unique in the world facility, Jim was seen, diagnosed and operated on within weeks of his injury. They’re opening a shoulder clinic and already have a concussion facility in operation, too. All said, we live in a pretty good place to screw up, eh.

Paul Boucher.  Continues to heed and appreciate the business advisory services that ATB supports around town. I have never heard anyone praise such a company for being ‘gracious’ in its approach to business. That word says volumes about ATB, I say.

Greg Callander. 

Ian Campbell. Ah, the joys of city hall. Ian has moved his office across the parking lot to a new location. This was accomplished with various city approvals, except for one: their red tape has tied Ian’s office location sign to the old location. When will the sign relocate? Will it ever relocate? We’ll hear.

Matt Dart. While CRA allows depreciation to flow along at about 4% per annum, they heat it up for solar and other smart thermal assets. Starts at 50%.

Don Davis. 

Todd Dean.  Had a great set up and segue into Mel this am. (Had to be here.)

George Doherty. 

Don Doolan. Montana is wondering where the Canadians went …

Ken Eades. 

Tony Fisher. Was in Vegas and appreciated that many operators there are giving up 5 to 10 points on exchanging the $C.

Gord Forsyth.

Mel Gibson.  It’s ba-a-a-ck. As in 2008, job loss insurance is being offered. Not sure it’s a great idea but it is available.

Henry Heuver. 

David Hicks.  While home is reno-ed, the Hicks are elsewhere. Where Dave is busy putting together many estimates and quotes.

Bill Hoogstratten. 

Dan Kennelly.  Experienced a bout of vertigo. Not fun. • Loves the Rick Mercer (CBC TV) rant about how pipelines are good for Canada as opposed to the whine of some silly mayor of the village of Montreal.

Keith Kozak. Hot Dog story rings true to all, this am.

Matt Litke. Not afraid of rising food costs.

Andy Lockhart. A promise made is a promise kept. Andy is famous for starting fights at Birds because of his woodwork contributions to the Xmas breakfasts. Unable to attend this year, Andy had a draw this am. The winning bird (Michael McLennan) got a belated, beautiful wooden box, by Andesign. • DI video that ran before Xmas went viral and attracted much attention and donations. Not one to not copy a successful idea, the DI is preparing another video to support their NE hotel project. May it do as well. Or even better.

J.D. MacDonald. .

Michael McLennan. His oldest son is a chip off … his grandfather. Yet another McLennan gets his LLB and joins one of the UK’s most prestigious firms. Yet another example of how we colonists are helping the Olde Country cope with the modern world.

Ross Mikkelsen. 

Mike Mikkelson. Had to watch the Flames lose, while sitting in a private box at the Saddledome. So bad. So sad. We are.

Gerry Parcells. 

Bruce Roblin. 

Bob Wiggins. Very much enjoyed Jim Allworth’s presentation at Sean’s event.

Chris Wright. 

George Roberts.  Words work when written well.