NOV 2014 The official newsletter of the Evanston Creekside Community Association Home Based Business Fair November 23 Details Inside Request for Volunteers Our next ECCA meeting is November 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the Servus Credit Union. NOVEMBER 2014 EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT 3 In Our Community Evanston-Creekside Community Association PO Box 47059 20 – 12192 Symons Valley Road NW Calgary, Alberta T3P 0B9 eccacalgary.com Board of Directors President:............................ Asif Rahemtulla [email protected] Vice President:............................. Joerg John ..................................... [email protected] Treasurer:........................... Dennis Estacion ........................... [email protected] Secretary and Newsletter:...... Tianna Melnyk [email protected] Past President:.......................... Doug Blazer ............................ [email protected] Sports:......................................Ryan Lipowy [email protected] Communications:......... Evangelos Kordakis [email protected] Safety:..........................................Darcy Blair [email protected] Planning and Development:.....Robbie Morton ........................... [email protected] Memberships and Bus. Development:........ .............................................................Vacant Director at Large:...................Martin Foster Elected Officials Councillor: Joe Magliocca......403-268-3280 MLA: Neil Brown...................403-215-7710 ....... [email protected] Community Liason Officer:......................... Constable Jeff Suderman.........403-567-6700 YYC Noise Concern Hotline: ....403-735-1408 Suburban Journals Publishing Editor & Article Submissions: Karla: [email protected] Advertising Sales: Pam, 403-880-1819, [email protected] Ad booking deadlines for this monthly publication are the 14th of the month, prior to the distribution month. This publication is published 12 times a year by Suburban Journals Publishing and delivered to residents by Canada Post. This publication is also available for pickup from local retail outlets. Please note: the information and opinions in this newsletter are subject to change, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher or editor. Content contained in this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of Suburban Journals Publishing. The information herein is believed accurate but not warranted so. Any advertisements, home businesses, babysitters & nannies, or other parties listed in the Evanston Suburban Journal should not be interpreted as recommendations or endorsements by the editor or the publisher. Letter from the Editor To newsletter editor, I’d like to bring up a huge safety concern for our community I’d like to implore all community residents to make a concerted effort to have flashing pedestrian lights put in at the various crosswalks along Symons Valley Parkway. They needn’t be the overhead ones but potentially similar to the solar powered ones they have throughout Airdrie with flashers along the side. Other streets in Calgary, like Beddington Boulevard, where there are 4 lanes of traffic, and speed limits of only 50km/hr, have pedestrian flashers! There are a number of factors that make this road so dangerous for pedestrians including, 4 lanes of 60 km traffic (many of whom exceed this by 10 or more km/hr), trees along the boulevards reducing site lines, a steep hill which obstructs the view, school buses and transit letting off children who don’t always watch as closely as they should and limited street lighting after dark. Some one IS going to be killed on this road unless we all do everything we can to prevent it. Flashing lights will help to alert motorists and give pedestrians a fighting chance of being seen. As both a driver and a pedestrian, because of the factors listed above, pedestrians are often not seen crossing until they are half way across and have witness near misses both in my car and on foot. Please please please call 311, write to our city councillor and keep the conversation going until we have the proper safety measures in place. We can prevent a terrible incident. Kimberley Vircoe Thank you for your letter Kimberly. I agree with you on this and ECCA (as well as local residents) have told the councillor our concerns. Last I heard on this, the councillor, Joe Magliocca, did a study of the road at that spot and somehow the study demonstrated that the crosswalk wasn’t needed. I’m not sure how that happened because I know from experience that pushing a stroller across that road is near impossible. Perhaps with some Continued on next page NOVEMBER 2014 EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT 5 In Our Community Letter from the Editor Continued Community Issues prodding he will reopen the issue. It is also worth noting that the councillor is given a monthly listing of all issues that are called into 311. The issues are tracked, and the more often an issue is called about, the more likely the city is to take action. That being said, If other communities call 311 more often than the people of Evanston, the city assumes that their issue is of greater concern. So, call 311 and encourage everyone around you to do the same. Thank you for the letter! Tianna Melnyk ECCA is often contacted with issues of snow removal or the length of the grass along the parkway. Some parts of Evanston fall under the authority of the city while other parts are still maintained by the local developers. Since parts of Evanston are being built over a long stretch of time, different parts of the community are being turned over to the city at different times. Developers are responsible for the maintenance of a community for five years and then become the responsibility of the city. Want to stay current with changes and developments in Evanston? Check out our website and Facebook page! Evanston-Creekside Community Association Membership Application PO Box 47059, 20 – 12192 Symons Valley Road N.W. Calgary, AB T3P 0B9 Cheques made payable to: Evanston-Creekside Community Association $ (Membership Fee: $20 Family/Year) Several community amenities such as the Geese and many local gazeboes have in the past been funded by the builders of the community (such as Qualico). ECCA would appreciate your feedback. There are several options, such as having the community association pay for the maintenance, removing the amenities, or perhaps gaining charitable donations or sponsorships to cover their upkeep. Please provide your feedback to [email protected]. What is ECCA Working on? The priority of the community association is on building a rink for community use. Currently, there is land designated for potential community use at Symons Valley Parkway and Evanston Way NW (directly South of the commercial development). The ECCA has a vision to create an outdoor hockey rink and pleasure skating rink similar to the one in nearby Hidden Valley. We have the support from several area including the City of Calgary and Qualico. But we don’t have enough people to do the work that needs to get done. If you are able to help in any way from writing business plans to hammering nails please contact our volunteer coordinator Maria Berntzen at [email protected]. Want to support the creation of a rink even if you are too busy to turn the dirt? Buy a membership at www.eccacalgary.com NOVEMBER 2014 EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT 7 In Our Community Stay Connected to Your Community The ECCA invites all residents to be active, engaged, and up to date on community initiatives and affairs. There are a variety of mediums of communication utilized by the ECCA to disseminate information and encourage dialogue. The most common forms of information distribution (in order of quickest release to slowest release) are presented below: Facebook Page: Please “like” our “Evanston-Creekside Community Association – Official Site” Facebook page. By doing so, communication releases will show up in your news feeds on a real time basis. You may either search for our page on Facebook or go to our ECCA webpage and click on “Join us on Facebook” ECCA Webpage: Please bookmark our official community website: www.eccacalgary.com and check back often. We are in the process of making further enhancements, some of which will include advertising options and business directories. Being an ECCA Member: Included in your ECCA membership is inclusion to our database of residents. From time to time, we disseminate relevant information directly to your mail inbox. Community Newsletter: This is the monthly publication you see in your mailbox and are reading right now. As this is only a monthly publication, content and discussion is forward looking versus real time. Family Memberships The ECCA would like to remind residents that all 2013 residential ECCA memberships expired on January 31, 2014. Our new membership year is February 1, 2014 to January 31, 2015. We invite you to go on-line to www. eccacalgary.com and renew your membership for the upcoming year. Please ensure your household information is up to date as we will require this information for soccer registrations. Benefits of Membership: • Support the community you live in: The ECCA is a voluntary not for profit organization and 100% of membership fees go directly to community programming and resources funding • Stay informed and have a larger voice: Membership keeps you in the loop and gives you the opportunity to join the dialogue on what’s happening in our community • Access to programs and events: Memberships provides access to programs and events such as the soccer program, community cleanup, local events and more • Help grow resources: The greater our membership base, the greater the funds available for community programs and initiatives • Members Discounts: We have recently introduced our members discounts with a growing list of participating businesses. • ECCA Community Memberships are a requirement for registration in our 2014 Soccer Program. Community Business Memberships The ECCA is pleased to announce we now have business memberships available. Benefits of business memberships include but are not limited to: supporting your community and being visibly recognized; inclusion into our on line business directory; ability to participate in our members discount program; sponsorship opportunities and more. We also have a special category for home based business. For more information, please email [email protected] Acknowledgement of Business Members The ECCA would like to acknowledge and thank the following businesses for their partnership and participation in our Business Membership Program. Any business (including Home Based) interested in more information can contact [email protected] • All Rush Copies and Print • Gillette’s Fabricare - Evanston Towne Centre • Little Caesar’s Pizza - Evanston Towne Centre • Make A Book - Home Based Business • Servus Credit Union - Creekside • The Chamberlain Group - Real Estate • The Mou Studios • Queseda Burritos and Tacos • RBC Royal Bank • Time Music Studios NOVEMBER 2014 EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT 9 In Our Community Request for Volunteers The ECCA has the following volunteer positions available. If interested, please email Maria at volunteer@ eccacalgary.com a passion for creating an approach to marketing and communications that promotes the position of ECCA within the community. Director of Communications: As a member of ECCA Board of Directors, the Director of Communications will be responsible for overseeing all messages from ECCA. This person should have a working knowledge of website maintenance, Facebook and Twitter. Ideally the Director of Communications will have Secretary: The primary role of secretary is to maintain an accurate account of board matters including minutes, list of directors and correspondence. As the secretary, most board business will be organized and advertised through the efforts of the secretary such as securing meeting space, updating by-laws, Local Babysitters Ann: Age 52, contact-403-569-0237, Course: Yes It seems to be so difficult to find babysitters. In the local newsletter we will publish the contact information and age of local people who are willing to babysit. If you are interested in posting your information as a local babysitter please e-mail [email protected]. Please note ECCA does not endorse any babysitters and has done no screening of the individuals posted. Determining the appropriateness of a babysitter is the responsibility of the parents. Community Calendar •November 23, 2014: Home-Based Business Fair Evanston-Creekside Board Meetings At Servus Credit Union at 7:00 p.m. • November 3, 2014 • December 8, 2014 Have an Issue in Your Area? Evanston is still a growing community. When an area is first built it is the responsibility of the developer to maintain flower beds, sweep streets, replace dead trees, remove snow etc. After an area is established, those responsibilities return to the city. If you are unsure about who is responsible for the maintenance in your area, call 3-1-1. orienting new members and general administration. The secretary should have working knowledge of word processing and e-mail as well as the ability to attend most board meetings. Lawyer: ECCA is looking for a volunteer with a background as a lawyer to help advise on issues that arrive as needed. This position could include a seat on the board or can be done through email at times that are convenient. Local Development Do you wonder what the new building will house in the area around the Servus Credit Union? Right now they are building a Tim Hortons. There will not be a drive through at the new Tim Hortons due to an issue with the lack of space in the parking lot. Also soon to be built in the same are is an A&W and a daycare. The former Rona space has been approved to be developed into a Target. The CBE Capital Plan for 2015-2018 includes the request for the development of a middle school that would provide space for grades five to nine. Although the recommendation has been made to the Alberta Government, no funding for a public middle school has been announced. To keep up to date on local developments please see the Evanston Creekside Official Facebook page or the community website at www.eccacalgary.ca. NOVEMBER 2014 EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT 11 In Our Community Pick up, Pitch in & Pull Together – Recovering from Early September Snow City crews and citizens are pulling together to deal with the aftermath of the recent storm. We would like to thank our community associations for working with us to respond to the needs of Calgarians who are dealing with tree debris. The City continues to have jumbo crews cleaning up priority debris in communities across Calgary. The City’s focus remains on taking care of critical safety issues and ensuring public spaces are safe and accessible. The City Links program, in conjunction with CEMA, will be able to assist seniors and those who are physically challenged in Calgary with extensive tree damage on their properties due to the recent storm. Citizens can call 311 and ask for the “Seniors Home Maintenance” Service Request to process their requests. Requests for service will be taken starting the weekend of September 13 and work will commence the following week. The City is also providing the following options to assist Calgarians with their clean up efforts: • All three City Landfills are operating under extended hours from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. until further notice to accommodate tree debris. Tipping fees continue to be waived for all tree debris that is not mixed with other garbage. • Beginning Saturday, September 13, citizens can access all 33 of The City’s leaf & pumpkin drop-off locations to dispose of damaged tree limbs. Calgary’s community spirit has continued to shine through, and citizens are encouraged to help neighbours by picking up, pitching in and pulling together. Help those who are unable to clear small tree debris like small branches and leaves from their properties with what you can safely manage. If you can help with the small debris, we can get to the big stuff faster. The City would like to thank all Calgarians for their patience as cleanup efforts continue throughout the coming days and weeks. This effort will take time. We encourage everyone to stay safe. Please don’t put yourself at risk. If you are not the correct contact for your group, please forward this information to the appropriate board member. If you have any questions, please contact The City of Calgary, Community & Neighbourhood Services – Lead, Community Recreation Coordinators, Tina Brillantes at 403-807-1401. City of Calgary Community and Neighbourhood Services Home-Based Business Fair Date: Sunday, November 23 Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Location: Servus Credit Union, Creekside, 12662 Symons Valley RD NW In partnership with Servus Credit Union, Symons Valley Community Associations are hosting a business fair that showcases the many homebased businesses that offer services and products right in your neighbourhood. There will be many service related businesses, as well as gift-oriented products just in time for Christmas! Some examples of businesses: • Jamberry Nails • Stella and Dot • Tupperware • Scentsy • Financial Services • Skincare products/ services • Fitness coaching • Handmade gift items And many original services that you probably never knew you needed! A final listing of all vendors will be published on www.kincora.org and www.eccacalgary.com. We hope that our efforts allow you to save time and transportation costs. Servus Creekside, KCA and ECCA look forward to putting residents in touch with local businesses. "It's always too early to quit." Norman Vincent Peale NOVEMBER 2014 EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT 13 In Our Community James Fowler High School The staff of James Fowler High School has planned an exciting, productive and engaging school year, both in and out of the classroom, with the wish that all students will take advantage of all the wonderful academic and social opportunities that our school community has to offer. September was an exciting and busy time at James Fowler High School as we focused on the start of the first semester. Teachers offer students a full range of co-curricular and extracurricular activities through clubs, fine and performing arts, volunteerism, athletics and curriculum-based clubs and activities. At James Fowler, we continue to offer students courses to meet their individual learning needs and interests. We offer Alternative programs such as Arts-Centred Learning (learning curriculum through an arts-based focus) and Advanced Placement. Our Advanced Placement program continues to attract many students who wish more academic rigor while completing the core high school curriculum. We are also pleased to continue to offer a full range of core and option Knowledge and Employability courses for students in all grades. Our English Language Learning courses are comprehensive and students have the opportunity to take courses leading to a high school diploma. Students can choose courses from a wide array of academic, Career and Technology Studies (CTS), Fine Arts and option courses. Our learning and teaching focus for this school year has three main goals: 1.Ongoing Formative Assessment • Teachers will incorporate into teaching practices formative assessment strategies where students will be able to identify and articulate their own strengths and areas for improvement while having a better understanding of their progress and achievement during a course. 2.Engaging Students through flexible learning opportunities • Teachers will provide flexible learning opportunities for students to engage in learning both in and outside of the classroom. These opportunities include: blended learning, credit recovery classes, cross-curricular and cross-stream partnerships, extending timelines outside of the semester and dual enrollment. 3. Developing Positive School Culture and Student Leadership • Students will be more actively involved as global citizens and community leaders by participating in Teacher Advisory, pep rallies, clubs, athletics, social awareness initiatives and by participating in volunteer opportunities. In addition to these three main goals for our learning and teaching focus, we are also intent on providing more meaningful and relevant tasks for our students to engage with in their daily learning. Our sports teams at James Fowler are well underway with teams in volleyball, football and soccer competing across the city. Recently we have had the good fortune to be the recipient of the Nissan Canada “Back in the Game” program with donations to our school of $10,000 in new uniforms and football clothing and gear. We are one of 21 high schools in Canada to receive this donation with the goal of building our football program. This school year we are continuing to offer services to our community such as automotive repair, cosmetology services and commercial cooking and baking. If you would like to access any of these services, please contact our school at 403-230-4743, ext. 0. As the Principal of James Fowler High School, I am excited to be a part of a dynamic staff who care about our students reaching all of their dreams and goals while achieving success in many different ways. If there are ways that our school can be more involved within our community, please contact me at the school. Keith Johnson, Principal A Sampling of Concerts •Chubby Checker: November 1, Deerfoot Inn & Casino •Fleetwood Mac: November 14, Scotiabank Saddledome •Blind Melon: November 15, Deerfoot Inn & Casino •Sam Roberts Band: November 16, Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium •Motley Crue: November 19, Scotiabank Saddledome •The Trews: November 21, Flames Central •John Fogerty: November 24, Scotiabank Saddledome •Lights: November 25, MacEwan Hall NOVEMBER 2014 EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT 15 In Our Community Country Hills Library Programs: • Colossal Calgary Playdate! Ages up to 3 with a parent/caregiver Thursday, Nov. 20 from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. No registration required. • Poetically Poetical: Ages 5 to 11, Thursday, Nov. 13, 4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. • A Very Grumpy Storytime: Ages 3 to 5 independent of a parent/caregiver Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. • Vital Conversations: Planning Canada's 150th Birthday: Refreshments will be served. Friday, Nov. 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. • Introduction to Infant Sign Language: Register online at http://fcrc. albertahealthservices.ca/ces.php. Ages up to 18 months with a parent/ caregiver. Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. • Computer Technology Coaching: Wednesdays, Sept. 3 to Dec. 17 from 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. No registration required. • 50+ Coffee and Conversation: Ages 50 and up. Thursday, Nov. 6, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Topic: Food as Fuel After 50 and Thursday, Nov. 20, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Eight Centuries of the Sonnet in an Hour and a Half. No registration required. Visit www.calgarypubliclibrary.com for more information on these programs. Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted. "I'm sorry, if you were right, I'd agree with you." Robin Williams Calgary Connection Women’s English and Social Group: Improve your spoken English and meet new women in your community with the New Friends and Neighbourhood Groups program. Drop in at one of our weekly groups throughout the city. No cost, no immigration requirements and no minimum English requirement. Free childcare for kids 6 months to 6 years old. Visit www.ciwa-online.com for group locations and times or contact Rae-Lynn at 403-444-1752 or [email protected]. Make a Difference in the Life of a Family! Are you looking for a way to give back to your community? Our Home-Start program is looking for volunteers! Our volunteers visit a family's home once per week, provides support, friendship and encouragement, Gets the family involved with the local community and shares their own experiences of parenting. For more information, visit www.boysandgirlsclubsofcalgary.ca or call 403-660-6809 (North) or 403-660-1136 (South). St. Andrews Heights Artists' Society presents its Fall Art Show and Sale on Saturday, November 22, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Original works of art in varied media and styles. Cash or cheque only. Door prize. Free admission and free parking. Location: Rundle College Elementary School, 2634 – 12 Avenue N.W. Bullying Ends Here: Tad Milmine has been featured on dozens of television programs and newspaper articles over the past year for his passion in helping others overcome bullying. Using his own story, Tad has made it his mission to help others. While Tad doesn't hold back on his own troubling upbringing, the message is powerful in that it speaks to perseverance and determination. Tad will bring his story, here to us, and we invite everyone to come and see this award winning presentation. Please note that the presentation is not suitable for those under 11 year olds. Join us Tues. Nov 18, at St Thomas United Church, 100 Hawkwood Blvd. NW, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Donations accepted. Please register by calling 403-241-0366. The Calgary Creative Arts Guild Annual Fall Art Show & Sale: November 8, Montgomery Community Centre. The CCAG invites you to their upcoming exhibition of original artworks from 20 local artists. Door prize - no admission fee. Come and find a treasure for yourself or someone special on your Christmas list! Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. We will be accepting donations for the Veterans Food Bank. Guns and Gangs: Please join us and Sgt. Jason Walker of the Calgary Police Service Guns and Gangs Unit for a free informative session on the current organized crime and gang landscape in Calgary. Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at the Bowness Community Association, 7904 – 43 Avenue N.W., from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. For more information and to register visit calgarycommunites.com/ workshops-events. 952 Westjet Squadron Air Cadets: 952 Westjet Squadron is currently accepting new members! Come to our meetings Thursday nights at 6:30 p.m. at the Springbank Middle School Gym (244234 Range Road 33), directly south of Calaway Park). Remember to come with your birth certificate, Alberta Health Care Card and your parent or guardian. For more information, visit www.952aircadets.ca.
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