Edmonton Bikers "Making Noise for Santas Anonymous"

There's been an ongoing  contraversy here about motorcycle noise.  Granted there is a debate about whether bikers noise is a safety factor (if you can hear me you can see me) or just some clown who wants to be the loudest jerk on two wheels.

Either way I can safely bet there were precious few complaints today (Sept 28) when more than 2,000 bikers started their engines and left the Capilano Mall parking lot on their way to Hawrelak Park in their quest to help children at Christmas.

During the last Sunday each September, since 1984, the motorcycle community meets at the Mall for their annual toy run to assist 630 CHED Santas Anonymous.

Virtually every type of two wheel (and now three wheel) vehicle shows up at the ride, many adorned with gifts that will be distributed to Edmonton's needy at Christmas this year.  

Little 50cc Honda Cubs - the brand new Polaris Slingshot (picture) - Bombardier Spyders - Scooters - and they're all being ridden by men, women, war veterans, Hells Angels, and even some of the 'elite' fund raising business people in our city - the likes of Quick Cards Lyle Best.

There are millions of dollars worth of fine metal at this event every year....


....and as Head Elf Lana Nordland understates "yes this is a very pricey parking lot!"

Bikers that don't bring toys contribute either through purchasing 50/50 tickets and/or by picking up this years 'custom' t-shirt as modelled here by my nephew Joel Forbes who drove in from Golden, BC for his first Toy Run.

This weekend is huge for Santas Anonymous with a large influx of toys and cash to officially start this years campaign.  The toys will be now be delivered to a warehouse at Northgate Industries and readied for 'volunteers' who will come wrap and designate the toys to the proper age group.

The bikers do a short route around the city and eventually end up at Hawrelak Park where the gathering is entertained by a classic rock band - enjoy find food from some of Edmonton's finest Food Trucks - and enjoy 'bonding with your brothers' no matter which walk of life you are from.



Fathers and Grandfathers.
Mothers and Grandmothers.
Kids and Grandkids all attend.


One group walked up to the volunteers holding the cash donation bins putting $20 bills in several of them.


When the volunteer said "thanks" they said "hang on...there's way more coming."


The cash is needed as much as the toys - paying for scotch tape, Christmas wrapping, and other needs for the annual campaign - which now donates over 25,000 toys in Edmonton.

It's an annual event for the Forbes Family.

If you know me that statement is obvious.  If you don't know me the reason it is so close to me is that my late father Jerry Forbes started Santas Anonymous in 1955.

Unfortunately Dad passed away in September in 1981 and obviously had no knowledge of this event and how it has become a very important part of the annual Santas Anonymous campaign.

However, as I get home and think about this day, I can vividly see him in my mind with an all too familiar look when he awaited the call from the likes of the late Gary Draeger saying "another year is done Jer...we did good." 

The fire place is going - the NFL is on the tv - there's a Cutty Sark scotch in his hand and he's likely enjoying the 'pride' of yet another campaign knowing that the citizens of Edmonton have made Santas Anonymous part of the "social fabric" of this city.

So - 'thank you' Edmonton motorcycle riders one and all.

Today, with the sound of 2,000 bikes starting up and heading towards Hawrelak, you get no apology from me for any 'noise' we make because it's damn well worthwhile!


                           Enjoy a few more pictures here from today's event.  

The Grinch (left) shows up every year with his dog dressed up too.



My Edmonton bike (right) is a 2009 Yamaha FJR 1300.  I keep
a Honda Gold Wing in Arizona.

Things I heard or overheard at HIVIO in San Diego

Hivio (means Hive in Spanish) is an annual 'non conference' in San Diego, California put on by Mark Ramsey.

Non-conference means it's by 'invite only' - as he gathers a wide variety of people from media from around the world to discuss current and future trends in radio, television, and new media.

As Mark states "....gather a 'hive' of smart people and amazing speakers to see, discuss, and develop big ideas and rising trends in on-demand, radio, content, social, mobile, and technology that will shake up all audio entertainment and information platforms."

http://hivio.com   (full session link here)

I proudly made the cut and highly enjoyed an 8 hour whirlwind day of high energy thoughts; positive thinking; innovative ideas; and interesting comments from not just Mark and his special guests but from the people I chatted with or simply stood beside waiting to introduce myself.

It's generally agreed that both radio and television are undergoing a huge paradgm shift in consumption mostly from technology but also from the dramaticaly changing habits of a new generation (that is often followed by the older generation).

Through consolodation companies have gotten larger and less mobile - and usually less 'innovative.'  I'm not criticizing just expressing my opinion.

It's awfully hard to roll out new platforms and ideas when you control 100 plus properties in various market sizes (remember how long it took/is taking to roll out HD?)

Here are some of the thoughts and comments from Hivio 2014.

Media/new media:  "It's a hodge podge.  We've confused the customer/listener/viewer."

"You don't fall in love with the distribution channel.  You fall in love with the content."

"Old media is losing consumption to 'everything' digital.  There's a huge platform of choice now."

"As brands become meda - media become brands."  (Describing how Red Bull does 'all' their own promotion/advertising/marketing through extreme sports tied to their target demographic)

"Take control of your own stream.  Go big or go home."

"It's all about storytelling in marketing.  The 30 second commercial is dead!"

"Make radio fun again.  How many 'did you hear' moments. "

"Podcasts taking over...listeners trained to 'on demand' with video...big trend to hear the best stuff."

"Music services adding personality...Pandora, iTunes, etc.  (distribution vehicle)"

"It's not about beating another station...it's about being a great radio station."

"Emotion - get in their heads!"  (discussing the positive commercials out there - ie. Dove type)

PD from large Austalian corporation "We used to come to North America often to listen and get ideas.  We stopped coming a few years ago."

"Invest in your own brand.  Be your own media."  (Referencing podcastone - Adam Corolla)

PD's/Talent:  "Look for companies willing to innovate and try new things.  Most often these days that's in a smaller market and a smaller company willing to learn from mistakes."

Question from Audience:  "Where's the farm team these days?  There's nowhere to learn on the fly anymore and noone to teach at those levels."

*Note: I'm working on an application to the CRTC with the Broadcast Educators Assoc of Canada to address this - more to follow - http://www.beac.ca

"Google hang outs are big for Next Gen's - they travel in packs."

Podcastone had 97 million downloads/listeners last month - quote from agency speaker "nobody has pitched me on a podcast!"  (Opportunity)

"You don't run commercials on a podcast - you integrate the commercial into the podcast - and the best ones are honest testimonials from the hosts."

Austalia again: "Our number one focus is talent."  Note:  Hammish and Andy work for this company - and hold multiple platforms in media - radio, tv, Youtube, etc.

Question to Aussie PD:  "What's the best promotion they ever did?"

A:  "They dropped a car out of an airplane and right on the target - the clients logo in a field.  Huge video exposure."

"Your social media accounts are part of your branding...if you don't or can't say it on the air don't...."  (Note: Most senior management are not even ON most SM platforms and few know of some of the crap that gets sent out under their brands.)

"With Social Media it's all about the share - or RT."

"Make sure your Social Media is mobile friendly - amazing how many sites/apps crap out."

"Make sure your Social Media is compatible with all platforms (and releases....some are cut when companies upgrade)"

Robert Rose:  "We need to again create 'delight' for our audiences.

"Share your audio in bite size pieces"  (Television does this best - who doesn't want to watch 24 after that short promo?)"

"The battlefield is the car dash. There is great change on the horizon."

"Downloading is dying a fast death - it's a streaming world now."

Final guest:  Randall the Honeybear...."Honeybear don't give a shit!"  (Youtube it...)

"I wouldn't want to be selling transmitters in 5 years."

"We've completed devalued the talent now - telling them people turn the station dial when they come on.  PPM is a creativity killer."

"We shop for talent in the Comedy Clubs - that's where you find the best storytellers these days."

From Twitter:  @hiviosd

Podcastone - "it might be tough to sell, but providing a network of shows and personalities enables podcastone to (package.)

"Remember that youtube is more than just a free place to host video - use the social platform."  (More monthly views than NBC/CBS/ABC/Fox combined.)

"Can't lives on won't street."   (Try new things.  More is learned through correcting mistakes than not trying)

"Building your email list is not about extending your marketing reach.  It's about being more engaged with your user."

"You're not in the radio business.  You're in the content curation and creation business."

"Pandora is now selling 'channels' and National clients are buying/programming their own feeds."

The wrap:

It's pretty obvious to see that change is going to continue in a rapidly evolving media/new media world.

To me it's not a 'them versus us' scenario which seems to come up every time I get into a discussion with current media folks.

Yes I'm into digital.  Yes I'm into creativity.  Yes I'm happy I lived through the greatest era in media (hence the invite) but the sooner RADIO has a full media plan to 'co-ordinate' and 'integrate' Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Vine, Instagram, Text, into their operation - constantly assessed from the top down - constantly evolving - then the quicker I think the 'rebuild' is going to take place.

And I don't mean built by your 'digital kid' but by Management, the PD, Promo, and Sales people.

Social Media should be the 'loop' that brings the listener/viewer back to Traditonal Media.  

When you remind me via your SM platforms that 'something I'm interested in' is coming on then I schedule the tune in.

"On demand" in television is beginning to shape "on demand" in radio.

We all don't live under YOUR schedule and still want to see - listen - and enjoy your best work but more and more so now 'on our own time frame - and on our own platform."

For businesses out there you too 'must' get caught up to mobile technology and the impact it is having on your current and future customers.

The best time to plant a tree is...'today'...and the same goes for Social Media.

It doesn't need to be completed 'tomorrow' but get on a platform that works for you, start to develop it, 'engage' with your customers and you too will benefit from the shifting viewing, reading, and listening habits that are going on currently.

It was a thrill to be part of such a progressive media/new media gathering and most of the innovation and creativity seems to be coming from 'outside' the business - but it matters not.

Media is media.

I'm passionate about it from the past.

I'm more passionate for the future - but only in the hands of 'creators.'

Marty Forbes
Radiowise Inc.

about.me/forbesmarty

*San Diego is a stunningly beautiful city...highly worth spending a few days here.*

Graves Disease - the Family Perspective

It's my turn to hurt.

If I don't express my thoughts today in print surely I will be on a Pyschiatrists couch trying to explain to him or her what the effects are of what our family has gone through these past few years with our daughter Rayanne's fight against Graves Disease.

Today is surgery number six....but before I discuss that, some history.

About three years ago Rayanne's body seemingly turned backwards and upside down.  

She was hot when it was cold - she was freezing on a hot summer day.  

She couldn't sleep during the night and then couldn't wake up during the day.

That happy go lucky attitude she usually displayed on a daily basis disappeared and her moods were simply down most of the time.  

It was nearly impossible for her to work during this time period but thankfully her employer understood (a medical clinic) and made arrangements for some tests.

I took Rayanne to the hospital for those first tests and when she came out holding a chart in her hands she said...'Dad I have Graves Disease!'

It didn't hit me immediately because I had no idea what Graves was and certainly didn't understand what affect it would have on her and eventually 'us.'

Maybe a few pills would do the trick...and some normal sleep.

Once at home it was off to Web MD, Wickipedia, and Google to try to learn as much as we could about this thing called Graves Disease.

Very simply it's shocking and severe.

Graves hits young females - mostly - and it attacks the various parts of the body ''continously.'

Since the start of these symptoms Rayanne has been rushed to the hospital by ambulance five times with her heart racing at over 200 bpm.  This happens without notice and, in fact, about fifteen minutes after simply sitting with us watching television normally.

There is no warning.

She has had her thyroid out, her gall bladder too, a double hernia, and three extremely painful operations on her eyes as Graves inflames the muscle and fat behind your eyeballs and painfully pushes them out of their sockets.

This, cosmetically alone, causes immense strain as well as attracts horrible comments from insensitive people who seem to enjoy mocking others who are, in their opinions, not 'normal.'

Currently she is experiencing muscle inflamation around her heart. It 'hurts' to simply wake up.

Last year, a side affect of taking daily heart and thyroid pills, and other related medication, she was forced to endure massive dental work to repair cavities in fourteen teeth due to the pills sucking the saliva out of her mouth.

Today is operation number six. 

It's the sixth time Kim, Lauren and I have sat worrying in the Hospital waiting room. 

Six days of countless hours waiting, and wondering.

And six times when we have walked in to the recovery room, post surgery, and felt the immense 'shot through our heart' simply watching Rayanne in severe pain from the surgery.

And with the eyes fully bandaged you can't even cry...so we do!

The hard part of this disease is simply understanding it. 

Some people can deal with it by simply taking pills. Some adapt with minor surgery.

Others, like Rayanne, continue to think it is all over only to be hit hard again and start to suffer all over again in another area of the body.  She is in the 'highest' category possible in Graves lingo.

My wife and I have tried to figure out if there us any genetic connection from either side of our families in the past and we can't. 

Where the hell did this come from and more importantly..why?  

Why our little girl ?

There was no hint of how this came into our lives.  

As well there is no such thing as a Graves Disease Doctor.

You start with your GP...move on to a specialist...then on to the closest expert in that particular area of the body..ie heart, thyroid, eyes, etc. so in each and every case you are in a long waiting line for attention and literally hear several differing opinions on what she/we should do for the particular pain she is having to deal with at the time.

It's extremely confusing, causes an immense amount of stress, and obviously...frustration.

The concern that 'depression' may strike is crippling.  Thank god for Facebook and Twitter so that we can monitor her thoughts and react quickly if deemed necessary.

And let me state that we will go to the end of the world for Rayanne and gladly spend our very last penny to make sure that she gets the very best possible medical care possible and we will do whatever we can to help her get back to some form of 'normal' in her life.

This is not looking for sympathy.  

Through this adventure Rayanne has been a pilar of strength - far stronger than her Dad.

She is determined to fight.  

She is relentless in studying this, learning more about Graves, passing her knowledge along and helping others.

It has helped all of us get through it.

She has never felt sorry for herself once or blamed others.

Though I can tell you honestly that I have silently cried on the inside when she told me about reaction from 'others'....and especially the girls making fun of her eyes in bars, clubs and restaurants.

Ditto the guys she dated who bailed on her after the third date.  I say third because she never tells them a thing about Graves until the third date to measure their character...which is obvious when they don 't even respond to her calls or texts after that revelation.

Their loss - you don't know what an amazing person you left behind boys.

One girl seems to like to tweet her hate.

'Get over it' she says. 'Sympathy whore' was the lowest thing I have ever seen stated by her...and to this person I hope you never have to go through 'anything' with your children like we have with ours.  I truly feel sorry for you. 

I'm not a spiteful person but on days like this you will never know how deep that cuts - and you should know it.

So today I hurt.

Big time!

I feel guilt. 

I feel angry.

How could 'my' child go through this?

How can I make her pain go away?

How can I help my wife and daughter Lauren deal with this indivudally too because this isn't just Rayannes disease - it's all our disease.

No matter how old your children are they will always remain a todler in your mind...and it simply 

isn't fair...they don 't deserve this hurt.

Rayanne is now home.  She, again, is in immense pain from this surgery.

As we drove home in heart thumping silence the pain is immense.

Hers physical.  Ours emotional.

She will look like somebody beat the hell out of her for about two weeks all the while living like a 'blind person' for three or four days.

She will miss a pay check again for over a month.  

She can't do what she loves to do the most...writing her community column for the Examiner and helping the 'kids' over at YESS.

But she will recover. 

She will be stronger.

She will tell others.

She will start to raise money for her Graves Foundation.

She will try to live as normal a life as she possibly can and wait for Graves to yet strike again somewhere in her body.

And she will deal with it again with strength and determination.

Graves. Will. Not. Win.

The one scary thing she has said to me that simply broke my heart was 'Dad I don't think I'm going to live a long life!' 

I hope she is wrong...very wrong for all of us.

The world needs people like Rayanne Doreen Forbes in it.

So today...I hurt...Kim hurts...Lauren hurts....and I had to tell somebody....thanks for all your kind comments on social media...but mostly...

                                                 ...Thanks for understanding!

Rayanne's blog:  http://www.rayannesthoughts.blogspot.ca

Sincere thanks to the Doctors and Nurses who have helped us cope with Graves Disease. You indeed are very special people. And to every family who has to endure such horrible medical scenarios my deepest respect. The only upside is you become incredibly tight as a family!

Make somebody's WISH come true!

One of the joys of having lots of spare time now is 'helping others!'

 Since I left radio nearly five years ago (wow - really?) I've had the pleasure of working on some tremendous projects in the City of Edmonton.

Included in those was three National coast to coast Radiothons for Astral Media (now Bell) where we raised $21 million dollars for child related medical needs - fund raising for the yet to be built $20 million dollar www.jerryforbescentre.ca - and the amazing www.edmontonsingingchristmastree.com where over $300,000 has been directed to www.santasanonymous.com and  www.edmontonsfoodbank.com and I've truly enjoyed working with the folks at www.makeawishna.ca

All were, or are, tremendously rewarding projects and I've met some of the most dedicated and wonderful people in the world - those that care about helping out others!

My blog today is to announce Year Three of the Capital Cares Radiothon for Make-a-Wish Northern Alberta Radiothon, which will be held on Friday, November 29th, 2013 with Newcap Edmonton's CAPITAL FM.  www.963capitalfm.com

Radiothon's do TWO things.

First, and most importantly it raises cash necessary to send these children and their families on requested 'wishes.'

Each wish is different, and it's not just simply heading for Disneyland/Disneyworld.

Some are as easy as meeting a personality - an Edmonton Oiler - a Musician/Band - while others are a little more complicated, like 'swimming with dolphins.'

One that will bring joy and maybe a few tears to your eyes is the story of (then) 11 year old Cayden wanting to be a rock star.

Enjoy:   http://youtu.be/Oq2_h6KU4aw

Next, these Radiothons bring 'awareness' to the great work done within the public service industry.

Many people behind the scenes work long and hard on these wishes and do the impossible 'ask' of people, and companies, to bring joy to the families of wish kids.

Fund raising goes on 'year round' and the more people help out and spread the word the better the fund raising goes.

During our Capital Cares for Make-a-Wish Radiothon, which is supported by www.edmontonsun.com we bring the families in to the Newcap Edmonton studios to record the families story.

These are hard hitting interviews and it's very common for the Capital FM hosts to shed a tear or two when hearing what Mom, Dad, the Grandparents, brothers/sisters and friends have to endure due to the 'wish kid's' particular medical challenges.

When you hear the stories it's just so eye opening for all of us and most often I head home to hug both of my daughters, one of whom also has had some 'major' medical challenges to face herself over the past several years.  www.rayannesthoughts.blogspot.ca

This November we will once again be asking for your support by donating to the cause.

It costs just under $8,000 now to make the 'average' wish come true - and we hope to make several of these happen again next year with your support.

As well - and this is KEY to the success of this years Radiothon as it is an extremely busy time of the year, we are hoping that YOU, YOUR COMPANY, YOUR FAMILY, and YOUR FRIENDS might think about doing some sort of an event or a promotion yourselves sometime this fall where you can raise money for the Make-a-Wish Radiothon.

It could be simple.  A bottle run to the depot.  Bake sale in the office.  A fun run. Anything!

There are lots of great ideas you can find so that your family or group can join with us in the Radiothon this year and the key is to have 'fun' as well as to raise money to help somebody else.

It's really not that tough.

During the broadcast day in November, we will get you (and your group) on the air where an 'official' thank you will be made.

You'll likely meet some of the kids and their families and get to know them as well as see their appreciation for your efforts.

It's not a cliche when we say "every penny will help!"

It all adds up.

The best line I heard on a Celebrity Radiothon a few years back was when Stevie Wonder was talking to a person on the phone who was donating money.

She said "I'm sorry it's so little."

Stevies response was a classic.

"It takes a whole lotta littles to make a whole lotta lots!"  

I'll simply never forget that.

Please listen to 96.3 Capital FM.  Check their website out - as well as the Make-a-Wish Northern Alberta website - as well as both of their Facebook sites.

Both are on Twitter too:  @capitalfm - @MakeaWishNAB - or mine - @mjforbes as we will being sending out information on the 2013 Radiothon in the coming weeks.

If you'd like to contact Make-a-Wish directly please contact Cathy.Gabucci@makeawish.ca or Amber.benders@makeawish.ca

They'd be happy to fill you in on the details of the event and provide you with any assistance you may require with your fund raising initatives.


                                    And most sincerely "Thank You" from all of us!

Cars for Bloggers becomes Trucks for Bloggers!

I'm a 'two seater' kinda driver.

My favorite cars, post kids in the house phase of my life, are the BMW Z4, the Corvette, and Porsche.

The only practical use for a back seat, for me, is to hold a bag of groceries or two.

So when the cell phone rang last week - and I saw it was a call from my pal Gord McCarvell at Northgate Chev I instantly answered it hoping "phase two" of the Cars for Bloggers program was once again in effect.

After the usual pleasantries the call took a quick turn.

Gord:   "Hi Marty - I've got a vehicle for you to drive and blog about.  It's the brand new 2014 Chev Silverado."

Me:  "Have you got the right guy. Isn't that a truck Gord?"

Gord:  "Yes it is - but I want you to drive this thing.  You simply won't believe it."

Me:  Thinking that one day, maybe just maybe, that Northgate Chev may just become a Maserati dealership and I may want to keep the door wide open.... "OK I'll give it a whirl!"

So I did.

Gord was right!

This is quite the "Big Unit" (my nickname for it!) as it certainly isn't like the trucks I remember from only a few years back.

Now the outside of a truck is one thing - there's just only so much you can do to make them sexy year after year - but the inside is really something else.

Over the last few years "digital" equipment and "safety first" has been the focus for the automotive business.

Accident rates have gone down considerably over the past last five years or so and it's totally understandable when you 'program' these new vehicles for your particular preferences and driving needs.

When you first sit down in the 'cockpit' of the 2014 Chev Silverado you are met with the MyLink system welcome screen.

There you custom build your preferences for sound, safety, and driving needs.

XM Radio is built in (free for 3 months then subscription) - and it actually has a hard drive that can 'stop' the audio for you - and has the capability of 'transferring' your favorite songs, via bluetooth, to your MP3 player.

On Star is available too - and I'm a big fan.  They continue to add and develop benefits so check them out at www.onstar.com when you get a chance!

PS: Bose speakers rock, and these aren't mini's baby.

The Nav system is great - and actually looks like a toy truck driving around town.  You can also customize it to locate key spots of interest - like gas stations.  You can also set the unit for a speed alert as you drive around town where you'll be notified when you are about to go over the current posted speed limit.

Bonus for lead foot drivers!

The important part to note is this is a very easy set up - all icon driven - and when you purchase the vehicle the Northgate Chev sales rep will be in the vehicle guiding you along for your particular needs.

It's easy to understand and the options are almost endless - and it's all designed by you - including two option buttons for a second driver to dial in his/her preferences without interrupting yours.

As well the centre console, right before the drivers eyes, is also easily changed as you toggle through all the analytics that the Silverado gives you.

Check the tire pressure; oil levels, gas and mileage tracker, and other important settings.

The cluster is clean and clear and also has the biggest 'connectivity' options ever in a vehicle.  

Got an iPad; smart phone; laptop and need to do a little work on the job site without worrying about battery power?

You've got every single possible connection within reach - in front of you - in the back seat - and even in the centre console, which is large enough to hold file folders.

Just above those plug in's you'll also see several other settings for the 2014 Chev Silverado - including a parking and lane alert warnings.

You can dial in/out settings for either a video alert or audio tone when vehicles get too close to your vehicle.

There's even a setting for 'crash alerts' both front and back where you get audio/video alerts and even a 'seat vibrator' for that extra second or two that could make a difference in a dangerous situation.

Another great feature is the back up camera which brings up a grid for you to follow in and out of tight spaces.

If you're towing a big load - a trailer, boat, RV, motorcycle, etc. this added technology will certainly make getting in and out of tight spaces much easier.

I joked on Twitter: "I'm going to leave it in reverse so the kids in the cul de sac can play hopscotch today!"

Again with 'one touch' simplicity the 2014 Chev Silverado switches seamlessly between 2 wheel and 4 wheel modes including 4 wheel high and 4 wheel low transmissions.

For those of you who drive in heavy winter conditions or want to be a 'mudder' this unit has more power and pull than you can imagine and it's all in a nice 'performance' package too.

The "Big Unit" brandishes the bold Z 71 logo with pride and 'dares you' to go off road too.

The 2014 Chev Silverado is a workhorse but knows how to have fun too.

The engine is a V8 5.3L that is 'spunky' on the highway to say the least with the bonus part being gas mileage isn't sacrified for power.

The Silverado tracks in at 21 miles per gallon city - and 30 miles per gallon highway.  (I still can't Canadianize that but for those who need it that means 13.3 L/100 km city and 9.0 highway)

Back on the outside of the Big Unit, and I'm certainly not an expert on vehicles of this type, but Gord did point out a few interesting things for me - including the moveable cargo tie downs that can easily be put on/off to fit the load - and there's lighting on the box as well.

There's a box rail protective covering that guards against damage; new handgrip pockets for easy access; the back gate releases slowly for gradual lowering; and new cornerstone rear bumper acess for those wearing protective boots.

The back window of the 2014 Chev Silverado also has winter defrosting and the centre window opens up for fresh air if that's your preference.

The sportiness continues with nice 'wheels' too.

The 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS improve your stopping distance too - which is doubly important if and when you're towing a trailer with added weight like a boat; RV; car or motorcycle.

So who would buy this vehicle?

Somebody who really likes to drive in Alberta all year long without worry....on the road (winter/rain/potholes) and off the road (lakes, mountains, streams, workplaces.)

Somebody who wants true comfort and style.  Somebody who'se got a couple of kids in the backseat who have enough room and creature comforts not to say "Dad are we there yet?" all the way home!

Somebody who doesn't want to sacrifice sportiness and style for work-a-bility.

Gord McCarvell quized me when I brought the vehicle back and after I was raving about it said "...what DIDN'T you like about it?"

My response - "well it sure doesn't corner like my BMW Z4 Roadster!"  

(*I was jesting - it's not supposed to)  

No I love my two-wheel life more than ever - but if I spent a full 12 months here in Edmonton/Alberta and had a bunch of toys to enjoy around this glorius Province of Alberta I sure would not hesitate to purchase this vehicle.

It's a whole new era.  Safety and Style rule!

This is a tremendous vehicle that certainly will be a head turner to those buying trucks 'down the road.'

Base price was just under $50k - Full loaded with features just over $60k.

The 2014 Chevrolet SILVERADO - from Northgate Chevrolet - just raised the bar!

For more information:  www.northgategm.com or follow them on Twitter @NorthGateChev