FEB 2017

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER SINCE 2010

Girl Guide News Happy Be a Valentine’s Snow Day Angel In Our Community Councillor Report

t the start of 2017, all City Councillors Evanston-Creekside Community Association Atook a 2.49% wage roll back. I am very supportive PO Box 47059 of this decision as I believe that The City needs to be 20 – 12192 Symons Valley Road NW, Calgary, T3P 0B9 responsible with spending so that we can prevent taxes eccacalgary.com and fees from increasing.

Elected Officials The City’s snow removal crews have been busy this Councillor: Joe Magliocca...... 403-268-3280 winter ensuring our roads are in a safe and reasonable MLA: Karen McPherson...... 403-215-7710 winter driving condition. One method that they use [email protected] on residential streets is “flat-blading,” which flattens MP Calgary Rocky Ridge: Pat Kelly...... 403-282-7980 the snow to a hard pack so that it’s easier to drive ...... [email protected] on. One result of flat-blading is the build-up of snow along the side of a roadway, also known as windrow. Community Resource Officer: Constable Steve Kelly...... 403-567-6700 Plow operators make every attempt to keep driveways YYC Noise Concern Hotline: ...... 403-735-1408 clear, or keep windrows as small as possible, but any snow buildup on driveways that does occur is Suburban Journals Publishing the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to remove, much like sidewalk shovelling. Editor & Article Submissions: Karla: [email protected] Submission deadlines are the 5th of the month, prior to the distribution month. The Calgary Awards is one of the largest citizen Advertising Sales: recognition programs in our city which recognizes Pam: 403-880-1819...... [email protected] outstanding achievements and contributions made by Calgarians in the previous year. Each year, individuals, The ad booking deadline is the 14th of the month prior to the corporations, community groups and organizations are distribution month. nominated in five major award categories, for a total of 13 awards. The Calgary Awards are for Calgarians. This publication is published 12 times a year by Suburban Journals Individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, Publishing and delivered to residents by Post. This publication is community groups and other organizations can all also available for pickup from local retail outlets or view it online at be nominated. For specific eligibility requirements, www.suburbanjournals.ca/current-issues. how to nominate someone in your community and Please note: the information and opinions in this newsletter are subject for more information visit: calgary.ca/calgaryawards. to change, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher Nominations close on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. or editor. Content contained in this publication may not be reproduced without the written consent of Suburban Journals Publishing. The Joes Tip: information herein is believed accurate but not warranted so. Any Stay informed about parking bans this winter by advertisements, home businesses, babysitters & nannies, or subscribing to email alerts at Calgary.ca/snow, following other parties listed in the Evanston-Creekside Current should @yyctransport on Twitter, calling 311 and listening to not be interpreted as recommendations or endorsements by the automated message, and watching local news or the editor or the publisher. listening to the radio. Joe Magliocca, Councillor, Ward 2

EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT FEBRUARY 2017 3 In Our Community Girl Guide News 2017 is full of fun! 4th Brownies (Tuesday nights): in November, we Nitanisak Girl Guides had a Brownie sleepover at the church, then we made Here is some of what we were up to November and snowman soup (colour Styrofoam cups with a snowman December, and some upcoming events in February. face, then put hot chocolate, marshmallows and a candy Our district covers the communities of: Edgemont, cane inside) and donated food to the Veterans Food Evanston, Hamptons, Hidden Valley, Hanson Ranch, Bank. We also did badge testing, went to Home Depot Kincora, Nolan Hill, Sherwood and Sage Hill. We have for wood working with Dads, and learned about First units for all age groups – Sparks (ages 5-6), Brownies Aid and Emergency Preparedness. In December, we (ages 7-8), Guides (ages 9-12), Pathfinders (ages 12-15) sang Christmas carols at the seniors home in Evanston, and Rangers (ages 15-17). and had a Christmas party to round out the year! In the new year, we are planning to do a Zumba night, attend Sparks the Brownie STEM day and Brownie Camp Academy. The 165th Sparks had a wonderful start to the year. We joined the 170th, 70th and 145th Sparks for a fun-fill Guides Princess mother-daughter sleepover. We worked on all The 110th Guides were very busy learning all about kinds of magical crafts and ate scrumptious food. We Guiding to ensure 1st year girls were prepared for a had a visit to Pieces Pet Centre where the girls had the very cool “Harry Potter” themed enrolment held late opportunity to pet/touch some interesting animals like a November. Our unit also went on a Hostel fat tail lizard, bunnies, a tarantula and a scorpion. The Trip, and earned lots of badges. In December, we made guiders were not so interested in some of those not so wreaths and sang Christmas carols for the residents of cuddly pets. Most recently, Santa visited us and we all The Bethany Care Centre. Our 3rd year girls planned and got to ask for what we wanted and then we sang some hosted a fantastic PJ / Christmas sweater unit Christmas Christmas carols with him. party, and we collected lots items for the food bank.

In the New Year we had lots of fun events planned. We The 4th and 25th Guides have been very busy! Our girls will be having a sleep over at Telus Spark in February. have officially made their promise at their Enrolment We will also be visiting the fire department, going Ceremony, which was centered around a candlelight behind the scenes at a Gelato Fiasco and going camping theme highlighting our Guiding Trefoil. To celebrate the in April! The girls and the guiders are all really excited Holiday Season, our units have been out to see Disney for what is coming! on Ice at the BMO Centre and It’s a Wonderful Life at the Pumphouse Theatre. We have done service projects Brownies to get involved in our Community. 4th Guides made 151st Brownies (Thursday nights): We had memory Snowman Soup for the Calgary Women’s Emergency project speakers come in just before Remembrance Day Shelter and 25th Guides sang carols and visited the to talk about their experiences. Then two Dads came seniors at the Evanston Grande. We are looking forward in and did a career night with the girls. We also did to a busy New Year full of fun activities such as a Christmas crafts and we attended PC cooking school to gymnastics sleepover, District Thinking Day Sing Along make pasta and salad. and our Spring District Camp.

In November, we did our sleepover at Flip Factory, and Trex we ended our year at Beauty and the Beast, Storybook In October, the 9th Trex unit made Halloween stickers Theatre. Next year we have scheduled a service project packages for the Children’s Hospital & went to Nite Trek. to assemble hygiene kits for the homeless, a Kids In November, the girls wrote thank you cards to the Zumba session, a Home Depot Workshop Woodwork HMCS Calgary (Canadian Naval ship) and planned their session, and attending Brownie Camp Academy. hostel trip. In December, the girls went to Canmore for an overnight trip at the Alpine Hut of Canada 229th Brownies (Monday nights): In December we hostel. While in Canmore, they explored downtown went caroling at St Margureite Manor in Evanston, we with a scavenger hunt, learned about Geosciences at had a Christmas snack and did crafts with the seniors. the Canmore Museum and Geoscience Centre and the We had a Santa Holiday party complete with a photo Earth Science Resource Centre. The booth and a snowman craft! Santa was there and gave girls are planning to join one of the Pathfinder units in the girls ornaments and Reindeer food. In the New year January in their visit to the Calgary Firefighter training we have a BMO and Loblaws City Market tour planned. Also planning a career night for the girls! Looks like Continued on Next Page

EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT FEBRUARY 2017 5 In Our Community ...Girl Guides Continued Be a Snow Angel! centre. The Trex unit has their enrollment too. inter can be a challenging time As many of our units are full, please consider becoming Wfor people to get around their a leader, even if you don’t have a daughter in Girl neighbourhood. A person with Guides! Relatives such as aunts, cousins, grandmas, reduced mobility, a parent or even university students can become leaders, and with a stroller or even volunteer experience looks great on a resume! No just someone carrying previous experience is required to become a leader bags from their car and training is offered through Girl Guides to help you to their door can become a great leader. If you are interested, please easily slip on ice and email [email protected] snow on sidewalks and pathways. Why Become a Girl Guide Leader? Consider helping • For women, Guiding is a chance to be part of their your neighbours and community by helping girls develop their potential. community by being It’s a place for personal growth, mentoring and travel a Snow Angel and opportunities. keeping walkways • The widest range of activities of any extracurricular program for girls and of any volunteer experience for clear of snow and ice! women. Guiding is unique in the breadth of its focus, which ranges from leadership development to global The Snow Angels awareness to environmental stewardship. campaign encourages • Belonging to the world’s largest organization of girls Calgarians to look out for those and women, the World Association of Girl Guides and who may need assistance with Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). snow removal. Now in its 13 year, it’s • The chance to challenge yourself with the emotional one way that community members can safety that can only come from an all-girl environment- come together and help each other out. and you get to spend time with up to 30 other girls! If you, or someone you know has been helped by a Snow Angel, call 311 or go on line to recognize them and nominate them prizes. For more information visit calgary.ca/SnowAngels. City of Calgary

Cupid Facts

• The myth of cupid originated as part of Roman mythology. It’s said that cupid was the son of Venus who was the Goddess of Love and Beauty, and the god, Mars.

• Cupid is often portrayed as a small, chubby boy with wings, holding a bow and an arrow. Some artists have painted him with a robe or diaper.

• Cupid carries two types of arrows. The golden tipped arrow strikes and leaves uncontrollable desire. The blunt lead arrow, takes an opposite approach, leaving the person with a desire to flee. Larynda McKay

EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT FEBRUARY 2017 7 In Our City fun-filled afternoon of nature games, wildlife crafts, Calgary Connection scavenger hunts and more. For more information, visit calgary.ca/parksevents. Volunteer Calgary: Visit the “Volunteer” page of www.propellus.org for Youth Employment Centre: volunteer opportunities in Calgary. Do you know someone aged 15-24 who is looking for work? The City of Calgary’s Youth Employment Centre Women’s English & Social Group (YEC) offers year-round services and resources to help Improve your English and meet new women at a New youth, aged 15-24, secure employment and take the first Friends and Neighbourhood Group. We have 16 groups step in their career.YEC offers a variety of services FREE locations in the city. Groups meet once a week for 2 hours of charge including employment counseling, career to practice English, make friends and have fun! No cost, planning, networking assistance, resume assistance, no immigration requirements and no minimum English. industry training and mentorship opportunities.Youth Free childcare provided for children 6 months to 6 years who need support with their job search or career old. Visit www.ciwa-online.com or contact Debra Colley development are encouraged to drop by the office at at [email protected] or 403-444-1752. 315 - 10 Avenue S.E. or visit nextSteps.org.

Home-Start: Helping Your Toddler with Social and Emotional Home-Start is a free program coordinated by Boys and Skills Girls Clubs of Calgary that offers to support to families 1. Eye contact with all conversations. This will mean with young children, who may be experiencing a variety that you will have to get down to their level and talk of issues such as: feeling alone, caring for twins and to them. triplets, postpartum depression, being new to Canada, 2. Have routines that are predictable for your toddler. parenting and/or family stresses, illness in the family. 3. Always let them know that they matter to you. Interested in getting involved? For more information or 4. Be positive when they try something new. It doesn't to learn about upcoming training sessions, contact our matter if they succeed or not. Home-Start coordinators or visit our website at www. Please contact us at [email protected] for boysandgirlsclubsofcalgary.ca. North Calgary: Marion, more information. 403-660-6809, [email protected]. South Calgary: Claudia, 403-660-1136, [email protected]. New to Canada? Arriving in a new city can be overwhelming. In Free family fun for the holiday weekend Calgary, there are many resources and services to assist Family Day weekend is a perfect time to slow down, newcomers, community organizations to help you get reconnect with loved ones and create lasting memories settled, and immigrant serving agencies who can help if together. Finding holiday activities everyone will enjoy you’re new to Canada. The Newcomers Guide to Calgary can be a challenge, but this year it will be a walk in the (available in English and Arabic) provides important park. The City of Calgary will be hosting a free We Are information for new residents in an easy to download Family event on Sunday, February 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. and print format. For more information, visit calgary.ca/ at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary. Bring the kids for a newcomers.

EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT FEBRUARY 2017 9 In Our City The Common Redpoll A Winter Migrant to Alberta

he Common Redpoll is an energetic, little songbird Twith a flaming red cap, black throat, whitish rump and streaked back. This songbird a highly sociable, noisy, chattering bird that travels in large flocks of several hundred birds. It is one of the finch family’s most northern breeders and is found circumpolar. When in a large group, Fun Facts: the Common Redpoll • You can find the often moves frantically Common Redpoll from on the ground in their April through September search for seeds to

in the Yukon, Northwest eat. Photo by J. Burns and Nunavut Territories, and even across into If you find an injured or orphaned wild bird or Newfoundland and Labrador. The Common Redpoll animal in distress, please contact the Calgary Wildlife migrates south into the lower Canadian provinces in Rehabilitation Society hotline at 403-239-2488, for tips, late autumn. instructions and advice, or look at the website at w In Alberta, we are likely to see the Common www.calgarywildlife.org for more information. Redpoll in the winter when they might forage as JG Turner, CWRS large groups in weedy fields or small tree lots. w Sightings can be scare when there are winter food shortages in their normal wintering range. This forces them to go even farther south, a behaviour called an “irruption.” Common Did You Know... Redpolls tend to exhibit this irruptive behaviour every second year to match the production cycle These Facts About of catkins on birch and alder trees. • The Common Redpoll’s normal breeding range is on February the Arctic tundra or in boreal forests. The female nests • The birthstone of February is Amethyst. low down in dwarf willows, spruce, birch, alders, and small shrubs, where the male brings her food. • The birth flower is the Primrose. • This songbird likes the small high-energy seeds of birch and alder trees and can eat 42% of their body • The two zodiac signs in February are Aquarius mass every day! (January 20 - February 18) and Pisces (February w When in a large group, the Common Redpoll 19 - March 20) often moves frantically on the ground in their search for seeds to eat. • February has 29 days in leap years, when the • When it is extremely cold or food is scarce, the year number is divisible by four. In common Common Redpoll can store some seeds temporarily in years the month has 28 days. a stretchy part of their oesophagus (diverticula). They will knock seeds down, fly down to scoop them up, • February is black history month. then find a sheltered and safe spot to shell and eat the seeds at their leisure. • Rumor has it, the Roman emperor Augustus took • If you want to attract them to your yard you can plant one day off February and added it to August, the birch trees, but we city folks are most likely to see month named after him. them at a backyard feeder in the winter where they favour nyger seed offerings.

EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT FEBRUARY 2017 11 In Our City

Calgary Reads helps children learn to read with Calgary Reads: Sharing confidence and joy. This includes helping children in Calgary to have their own books at home; supporting Books and Loving parents and caregivers to help their child develop literacy skills; and engaging businesses and the community to Feelings! make reading a priority. Explore our website for ways you can support our work. You’ll also find resources to n February, with the celebration of Valentine’s help your child develop critical literacy skills and the joy IDay, thoughts turn to love and other kind feelings. of reading: calgaryreads.com February 14th is also International Book Giving Day Calgary Reads which is a volunteer-led initiative that aims to get books into the hands of as many children as possible. Fourteen Ideas for Three ways you might celebrate International Book Giving Day: • Gift a book to a child in your life Valentines Day • Leave a book in a waiting room or at a bus stop for ooking for some fun ideas to celelbrate with those children to read (and keep) Lyou love on Valentine's Day? Here are some of our • Donate a new or gently-used book to a local hospital, favorites! shelter or to Calgary Reads Book Bank that helps get books into the hands of Calgary children who have few • Make a Heart Shaped Pizza or none of their own at home. • Watch a Chick flick Our Favourite Book of the Month • Dress up in red This book is a beautiful way to help children • Go ice skating and enjoy a hot understand their cup of hot chocolate after feelings. Borrow a copy from your school or • Make a heart shaped breakfast, public library and get such as pink heart pancakes (a cozy with your family favorite in our house!) and talk about and share your feelings. • Make handmade Valentines/cards for those special people in your life In My Heart: A Book of Feelings by Jo Witek (Author), • Bake some sweet treats Christine Roussey (Illustrator) Sometimes my heart feels like a big yellow star, • Have a manicure day, and choose a heart theme! shiny and bright. I smile from ear to ear and twirl around so fast, • Write a list: Ten things I Love About You! I feel as if I could take off into the sky. This is when my heart is happy. • Make a Valentines themed craft

Happiness, sadness, bravery, anger, shyness ... our • Have an indoor picnic by the fire hearts can feel so many feelings! Some make us feel as light as a balloon, others as heavy as an elephant. In My • Make a cupid float (Cream soda and vanilla ice cream) Heart explores a full range of emotions, describing how they feel physically, inside. With language that is lyrical • Write a poem but also direct, young children will be empowered by this new vocabulary and able to practice articulating • Buy some of your favorite candy! and identifying their own emotions.

EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT FEBRUARY 2017 13 Get Out and Explore Alberta Five Great Spots to Cross Country Ski in Alberta

hether visitors carve their own backcountry paths Win untouched snow or glide speedily along well- groomed trails, Alberta’s cross country ski routes are the best way to enjoy the pristine snow-covered landscape.

Waterton’s Wildlands The sweet solitude of a silent forest blanketed in snow is what delights cross country skiers in Waterton Lakes National Park. Rent skis from the Waterton Lakes Lodge, one of the few properties open during the winter Matthew Clark @stirlandraephoto months in the tiny townsite.

Olympic Training A Capital Adventure Beginners to cross country skiing will appreciate the The city of is home to North America’s largest learning programs at Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial urban parkland, a top cross country ski destination with Park, the training centre for Canada’s cross country more than 160 km of groomed and track set trails and Olympic teams. There are onsite rentals and 65 km of lighted trails for . Ski rentals are available groomed and trackset trails. through several city outfitters.

Waskasoo Wonderland Banff Backcountry Lodges Waskasoo Park in the city of Red Deer is a spectacular A cozy wilderness lodge with a crackling fire and a spot for cross country skiing with more than 50 km of gourmet meal awaits visitors who can ski their way into groomed trails. Visitors can rent skis at Pure Outfitters the heart of the Canadian Rockies. and hit trails that run along the Red Deer River, past lakes and through wooded areas. Reprinted with kind permission from Travel Alberta

tube back up a steep hill. Just hop on the magic carpet A Sport for Everyone and ride to the top.

odern ski resorts are not just for Snow tubing parks are all the rage at Mskiers and snowboarders. Snow Alberta’s ski resorts. This winter, tubing parks make it possible for visitors can give it a try at the young and old alike to feel the brand new tubing park at rush of the wind through their Mountain Resort, hair as they whiz down a steep which features two tubing mountain slope on an inflatable tracks and a total of three tube in the spectacular magic carpets. Lake Louise Canadian Rockies. and Mt. Norquay Resort also have tubing parks. Snow tubing parks are great fun for visitors of all ages and Outside the Canadian Rockies, athletic abilities. They provide visitors can find tubing parks an alternative for those who don’t at Canyon Ski Resort near Red ski or , but still seek Deer and in the thrills an epic downhill ride can Edmonton. Travel Alberta provide. The best thing about this kind of Reprinted with kind permission from sledding is that you don’t have to carry your Travel Alberta EVANSTON-CREEKSIDE CURRENT FEBRUARY 2017 15