Packing Seminars
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Locations
South
#480 WillowPark Village
10816 Macleod Trail South
Calgary, AB T2J 5N8
(403) 777-1767
North
#165 Dalhousie Station
5005 Dalhousie Drive N.W.
Calgary, AB T3A 5R8
(403) 239-7084
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Since we're on the subject of Fathers, I thought I would share some of these "Dad Facts" and Father's Day trivia with you.
Enjoy!
It is said the fist Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910.
Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd, of Spokane, Washington, is credited with starting Father's Day after hearing a sermon on Mother's Day while attending church with her father.
Dodd wanted to honor her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six children after his wife died during childbirth.
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However, some say Father's Day is not a modern invention.
It was first celebrated by a Babylonian youth named Elmesu, who carved a Father's Day card out of clay, around 4,000 years ago.
His special card was to wish his father good health and long life.
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In Thailand, the king's birthday also serves as National Father's Day.
The celebration includes fireworks, speeches, and acts of charity and honor-the most distinct being the donation of blood and the liberation of captive animals.
In 1950, after a Washington Post music critic gave Harry Truman's daughter Margaret's concert a negative review, the president came out
swinging: "Some day I hope to meet you," he wrote.
"When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!"
Best selling author, Kurt Vonnegut was (for a short time) Geraldo Rivera's father-in-law.
Rivera's marriage to Edith Vonnegut ended in 1974 because of his womanizing.
Her ever-protective father was quoted as saying, "If I see Gerry again, I'll spit in his face."
He also included an unflattering character named Jerry Rivers (a chauffeur) in a few of his books.
Tennis great Andre Agassi's
father represented Iran in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics as a boxer.
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In 2001, Yuri Usachev, cosmonaut and commander of the International Space Station,
received a talking picture frame from his 12-year-old daughter while in orbit.
The gift was made possible by RadioShack, which filmed the presentation of the gift for a TV commercial.
The only father-daughter collaboration to
hit the top spot on the Billboard pop music chart was the 1967 hit single "Something Stupid" by Frank & Nancy Sinatra.
The Stevie Wonder song "Isn't She Lovely" is about his newborn daughter, Aisha.
If you listen closely, you can hear Aisha crying during the song.
Dick Hoyt has pushed and pulled his son Rick, who has cerebral palsy, through hundreds of marathons and triathlons.
Rick cannot speak, but using a custom-designed computer he has been able to communicate.
They ran their first five-mile race together when Rick was in high school.
When they were done, Rick sent his father this message: "Dad, when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!"
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Roses are the official flower for Father's Day. A red rose is worn in the lapel if your father is living, a white rose if he is deceased.
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Männertag, celebrated 40 days after Easter, is Germany's twist on Father's Day.
Instead of breakfast in bed, in some parts of the country, men pile wagons high with
beer and set off on long, boozy jaunts through town.
While Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year for phone calls, Father's Day is the busiest day of the year for
collect phone calls!
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And, finally . . . Canada's national symbol, the beaver, is one of the few male creatures in the animal kingdom that sticks around after mating to help raise the kids.
In rare cases, biologists have even spotted male beavers taking on the role of a single dad.
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Travel Tips
Normally, I tell you to pack light, and suggest there are things you don't need to bring on your trip.
This time, I'm going to tell you about some things you should bring.
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Bring a freshly laundered pillow case from home.
You can put the not-so-clean airline pillow inside it, and even use it in your hotel room if your worried about the cleanliness of the hotel linens.
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If you're a wine lover, pack a wine stopper in case you don't finish that delicious bottle you found.
Also, pack a corkscrew. While it's easy to find good wine, it's not always easy to find a corkscrew.
And there's nothing worse than not being able to get into that bottle of wine when you want to!
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Bring a nightlight so you don't stub your toe in dark, unfamiliar hotel rooms.
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Print and bring along a chart to remind you of foreign exchange rates.
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BYO blanket (and disinfecting wipes, too).
"I hate to say it, but tray tables are rarely cleaned, so wipe them off before you use them," says a former US Airways flight attendant.
"And steer clear of the blankets and pillows. They're only washed when they look dirty."
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Pour rubbing alcohol into a small spray bottle so you can disinfect on the go.
Rubbing alcohol can be used for sanitizing hands, spraying and wiping down surfaces before eating, and even for cleaning public toilets before using them.
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Bring your sense of humor.
It weighs nothing and can be a lifesaver if you find yourself confronted with the unexpected!
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Watch Out
For These Scams
Norway in a Nutshell
Norway
How it works:
"The "Norway in a Nutshell" tour is heavily promoted to tourists visiting Norway, but if you ask a local if they'd take it they'd laugh because the tour is actually just a collection of public transport tickets sold at a higher price.
Norway isn't generally a country where you have to worry about tourist scams, but if Norway does have anything close to a scam, this would be it!
What you can do:
"The tour takes you on trains, buses, and ferries, but you can book each leg of your journey independently online (all of the websites are available in English) and save a lot of money.
In fact, if you book your train tickets well in advance, you could end up paying less than half of what the tour package would cost you.
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The Litter Bug Scam
Thailand
How it works:
You might innocently (or not) drop a piece of litter on the street, perhaps outside the Skytrain (metro) station.
A man dressed in camouflage then approaches you and tells you he is the tourist police.
He will then take you to a small hidden card table around the corner.
He tells you littering is a crime and that you have to pay a $150 USD fine, showing you all the tickets he's written to foreigners to prove he is legitimate.
Then he'll say he likes your watch (our some other valuable looking item), and if you trade your valuable item with him - for something considerably less valuable! - then you would be friends and friends don't give friends tickets.
What you can do:
First,
always obey all rules and laws while overseas.
Second, know your rights in every country you travel to.
The people who accost you may seem very intimidating, but they have no legal power to write you a ticket and likely are pro Thai scammers.
And really, I shouldn't even have to say it, but -
don't litter!
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The Pipestone Patter
June 2018
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Welcome Back Loyal Readers!
Welcome back everyone.
Remember me?
I know, I know - it seems like it's been a long, long time since you've seen a Newsletter in your inbox, doesn't it?
And, I know, I didn't even send out an Newsletter to wish all you Mothers out there a Happy Mother's Day!
You have my most profuse apologies.
In my defense, I was lucky enough to get to spend Mother's Day in Texas with my Son, Daughter-in-Law and beautiful Grandson.
So, surely, you can forgive me for missing one Newsletter, right?
Thanks everyone. I knew you would understand! (And a belated Happy Mother's Day to all you Mothers out there. I hope you had a wonderful day!)
Now here we are in June, and it's already time to wish all of you Fathers out there a Happy Father's Day.
And, if you're looking for a gift for dear old Dad, well, just keep reading.
At Pipestone Travel Store we have lots of gifts for Dad.
From socks to hats to clothing to gadgets - there is so much to choose from.
So why not come in and take a look? I'm sure you'll be able to find something that Dad will love!
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It's June.
So of course, this month the spotlight is on . . .
Father's Day!
Ah, Father's Day.
The day we get to show our Fathers, Husbands and all those other Father-like men in our lives how much we love and appreciate them.
The day we get to shower these men with gifts, and give them the opportunity to "take the day off".
The day when everything is all about them, orchestrated by us.
This is the day on which we honour our Dads, Step Dads, Foster Dads, Husbands, Grandfathers, Uncles - or really, just any man who makes a difference our life.
And what better way to do that than with some love and attention; and, oh yeah, a wonderful gift ?
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Could there possibly be a more iconic gift for Father's Day than the Tilley Hat made famous by Mr. Alex Tilley?
I don't think so either!
Tilley hats are made in Canada, have a UPF rating of 50+, and they're guaranteed for life.
Not to mention, they're comfortable and good looking.
And recently, Tilley has come out with some great new styles and colours, so now you have even more options available to choose from.
Take a look:
Designed for the avid hiker,
 Tilley's innovative Hiker's Hat comes with lots of features for the trail.
The sun-protective hat is designed with an evaporative cooling insert, powered by HyperKewl™, to help relieve heat stress during treks.
The broad brim protects from both sun and rain, and a rear brim loop provides a place to securely clip your hat in place when not in use.
These unique features, plus all the usual Tilley Hat benefits make this the ultimate Hat for the trail!
Sizes: 7 to 7 7/8
Colours: Brown and Olive
$110.00
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Tec-Cool Hat
Made with a c_change™ technology, Tilley's aptly named Tec-Cool Hat works to keeps you cool when the temperature climbs.
What is c_change® technology from Schoeller®?
Think pinecones; they open when the outside temperature rises, and close again when the temperature drops.
So does the c_change® membrane of our Tec-Cool Hat, ensuring constant comfort.
This hat is water-repellent, and has front and back vents for additional airflow.
The front and back wind cord system secures the hat in gusty conditions.
Perfect for all kinds of weather!
Sizes: 7 to 7 7/8
Colour: Grey
Paddler's Hat
Is a day on land a day wasted?
For those who love to paddle, Tilley has designed the ultimate Paddler's Hat.
The fabric is water-repellent through Schoeller® Technologies ecorepel®, and temperature is regulated with Schoeller® Fabric c_change® membrane.
You will stay cool with extra ventilation in the back, and there is an extra stiff front brim and plastic wiring around the whole brim to give it extra stability in the wind.
And to top it all off, there are reflective yarns in the wind cords to increase visibility at dusk and dawn!
Sizes: 7 to 7 5/8
Colours: Grey and Orange
$110.00
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T3 Wanderer Hat
Pre-washed to look like it's already journeyed 1000 kilometres, this snap up style is just waiting for the right adventurer to take it on 1000 more!
Enzyme-washed for a worn look, Tilley's Wanderer Hat has a versatile brim style; snap it up on one side, both sides or not at all.
The water-repellent finish keeps off the rain, so nothing can stop you from your journey!
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Eagle Creek National Geographic
Guide Series
National Geographic and Eagle Creek join forces with a new collection of premium luggage, duffels, and packs, inspired by explorers who traverse the planet seeking answers to some of the world's most complex questions.
These pieces are rugged, extremely functional, and very good looking.
Of course, they also carry the Eagle Creek
"No Matter What" Lifetime Guarantee.
And, when you purchase any one of these pieces, you will also receive a one year subscription to the National Geographic Traveler magazine - absolutely free.
What a perfect gift for Dad!
And, not to brag or anything, but Pipestone Travel Store is one of only 6 stores in all of Western Canada that was chosen to roll out this new collaborative line.
Check it out and see what you think:
Borderless Convertible Carry-On
Built to withstand the harshest environments, the Borderless Convertible Carry-On will take you further and last longer!
- Ultra-durable weatherproof internal and external material can be wiped down and kept clean trip after trip
- Self-repairing zippers are both weatherproofed and lockable
- Moisture-wicking backpack straps for a comfortable wear
- Separate front compartment stows away damp & dirty laundry from the rest of the pack to keep your clean items fresh throughout your travels
- Top quick stash pocket holds an airline approved TSA 3-1-1 toiletry kit for easy access during security checks
- Deploy the zip-away backpack straps to travel hands-free and be lighter on your feet
- Internal transparent mesh pockets allow for fast identification of packed items
- Internal compression straps keep contents from shifting during travel
- Compression straps, attachment loops and external D-ring allow for extra gear attachment
- Multiple grab handles and ID luggage tag window facilitate a quick grab right off the luggage carousel
- Retractable handle system is protected b
 y durable casing, while corner bumpers and wheel housing protect bag against rough roads and handling
- Treaded wheels can conquer rough terrains and smooth roads alike
- Safety features include an emergency whistle and reflective materials used for visibility in low light
- Environmentally friendly and safe product made without PVC
- Dimensions: 14" x 22" x 8.75"
The Utility Backpack removes the worry and re-ignites the passion for travel. This backpack will become your true travel companion.
- Ultra-durable weatherproof fabric can be wiped or hosed off for enduring clean presentation and incredibly abrasion-resistant backpack
- Book-style large opening allows for full access everything inside
- Internal webbing panel facilitates gear attachment, ideal for the Pack-It Storage™ Compression Cube Set to create customizable internal organization
- Self-repairing lockable zippers are treated for maximum weatherproofing and feature a dust guard for additional protection in high wind environments
- Comfortable ergonomic construction supports your back and shoulders and features a tuck-away hip belt for extra stability
- Back panel and straps are moisture wicking to keep sweat off your body and are designed to resist dirt
- Lockable padded 17" laptop compartment is ideal for the traveler who wants to stay connected
- Internal mesh zippered pockets allow for you to quickly identify where youâ€Tve stashed your essentials
- Key FOB holder inside the pack keep keys accessible, but safely stowed away
- Separate your clean gear from you dirty gear with a moisture-trapping front zip compartment
- Hidden side stash pocket for quick access to phone and passport
- Built-in emergency safety whistle and reflective materials for visibility in low light
- Compression straps and external attachment points allow for you to load on a little extra gear to the exterior of your pack, such a travel pillow, a water bottle or a secondary smaller pack
- PVC is not used in the manufacturing of this backpack
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All Purpose Duffel - 60 L
Versatile, durable and weather resistant, this duffel is truly meant to go to the most remote regions of the planet.
- Ultra-durable weatherproof fabric features the ability to completely wipe down both the inside and outside of your All Purpose Duffel 60L
- Easily compartmentalize and access essentials through the innovative split frame opening which reveals two large packing sections
- See-through mesh material on packing compartment allow for fast identification of items, which means less time spent rifling through luggage
- Lockable zippers are treated to resist water and dirt in order to protect the items packed inside the duffel
- Self-repairing zippers permit you to pack more without the worry of overstuffing the bag
- Moisture-wicking pack straps keep you comfortable on long trips and hot days by keeping sweat off the body
- Bouldering clips secure pack straps and the weight of other add-ons with their heavy-weight carrying capabilities
- Multiple grab handles and compression straps, external elasticized pockets and stability elastic chorded pockets allow for extra gear attachment
- Safety features include an emergency whistle and reflective materials for visibility in dim lighting
- Handle wrap secures pack straps together for an effortless singular grab handle
- PVC coatings are not used on this product
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Pack-It Storage™ Compression Cube Set
The Pack-It Storage™ Compression Cube Set allows you to optimize your luggage and save space by ridding your bag of excess air.
- Set comes complete with one medium cube and one small cube
- Ultra-durable coated tarpaulin material keep items protected from weather and dirt and can be easily wiped down inside and out
- Two-way zippered opening gives full access for maximum packing and easy access to packed items
- Mesh front window permits quick identification of items from one cube to another
- Compression zipper safely compacts clothing and gear for optimized packing and space
- Small Compression Cube mounts to the internal panel in the 40L Utility Backpack for effortless organization
- Top carry handle permits quick grab on all Compression Cubes
- This is a PVC-free product that is safe for yourself and the environment
$79.00
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By the way, much like Henry Ford's cars, you can get all the above pieces in any colour you want . . . as long as it's black!
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Tales from the Road
Death by Zipline!
(a recap)
As this Newsletter is all about Father's Day, I thought I would ask the man in my life if there was something specific he would like me to write a story about this month.
He told me that one of his favourite stories was the one I told about us going on the zipline in Las Vegas, and he asked me if I would re-run that one (I wrote it for the April 2015 Newsletter).
So, in honour of my Wonderful Husband, here it is.
As you'll see, it's no wonder he likes this story so much. It's one of the several that chronicle his myriad of attempts to kill me!
A month or so ago my Wonderful Husband and I had to go to Las Vegas for a trade show.
I can hear some of you now . . . Nice! Vegas baby!
Well, the truth is that neither one of us is a huge fan of Las Vegas.
We find it's full of lights and noise and dinging and casinos and people and casinos and dinging and noise and lights.
Constantly.
It's not bad for the first few days (especially if you can squeeze in a "Donnie & Marie" show while you're there . . . ah, Donnie!) but this time we were going to be there for a week.
A week is just too long to spend surrounded by lights and noise and people and - well, you get where I'm going.
We're not big gamblers, and we're not big drinkers, and we're not big party-ers (don't we sound like a bundle of fun?!) so we don't really love being on the Strip.
I had heard that you could find a touch of "Old Las Vegas" on Fremont Street, so I told my Wonderful Husband that we should take the time to go check it out. That way we wouldn't be spending all our time on the Strip.
My Wonderful Husband, who really is wonderful, started searching for stuff on the internet, and by the time he was done he had found a great hotel for us to stay in
right
on Fremont Street!
Yeah! This was going to be great! We didn't have to worry about being on the Strip, and we could get a sense of what Las Vegas used to be like. Who knows, maybe we would even bump into the ghost of Dean Martin or Louis Prima! We were about to have us a Fremont Street Experience!
And, although we didn't know it at the time, that's exactly what they call it - The Fremont Street Experience.
And what an experience it was!
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Handy Gadget
Is your Dad, or anyone else you know, alway
s losing things? Like keys, wallets, cell phones, tablets or whatever?
If so, you're going to be very interested in this little gadget!
It's the TrackR Pixel!
The TrackR pixel is a small (measuring 1" x 1" x .2" - about the size of a 25 cent piece), lightweight and very bright Bluetooth® tracker.
With its loud ringer and LED lights, you can find a
lm
ost anything, even in the dark.
Basically, you download the app, and attach the TrackR pixel to any item you choose.
Then, if ever you can't find that item, it's simple!
Just tap the app to make your TrackR pixel ring loudly so you can hear where your stuff is hiding.
And, the TrackR pixel doesn't just ring, its LED
 lights also light up so you can find your missing item in a flash.
This tiny little device may just be exactly what you've been looking for - besides your keys, wallet, phone or tablet, that is!
Click
here to watch a video showing how the TrackR pixel works.
Colours: Various Colours
$29.95
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The Secrid Wallet is a product that was recommended
 to us by a customer, and we thought these wallets sounded like a great idea, so we searched them out for you!
Secrid Wallets are made in Holland, and they've been around since 1997 when the first "Secrid Bodycard" was released.
Since then, the collection has grown, winning many awards along the way.
With an aluminum core, the wallets protect your cards from bending and breaking, while remaining small enough to fit in any pocket - but even better, they protect your cards from RFID theft.
Thanks to the patented mechanism and the aluminum casing of the Cardprotector, your cards remain protected even during use.
By revealing only a portion of the cards, the sensitivity for the radio signal is substantially reduced but sufficient for contact over short distances.
By minimizing the exposure, you remain outside the  reach of digital pickpockets, even while using your cards.
Also, by registering your product online you receive one extra year of warranty on top of the two-year standard warranty!
There's even an optional "Moneyband" you can purchase to place around the "Card Protector" model. That way, you can keep your cards and your bills all in one place.
These wallets come recommended
by several customers, as well as by us at
Pip
estone. Why not come on in and check them out?
There are many styles and colours to choose from.
Prices range from $21.95 (for the Moneyband)
to $44.95 - $134.95 for the wallets.
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Gift Certificates
Can't decide what to get Dad?
Here's an idea - why not let
him decide?
A Pipestone Travel Store Gift Certificate makes the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for Dad on your list.
After all, what's that old saying? A happy Dad is never mad!
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