bratin ele g RiverbendRaggTimes Next Deadline C Friday, March 2 Ragg_Times of Community Delivery: March 19 FEBRUARY 2018 | VOL. 35, NO. 4 A PUBLICATION OF THE RIVERBEND COMMUNITY LEAGUE Celebating the Grand Opening of Family Futures Supporting Families Throughout South Edmonton By: Brandon Kelm n Thursday, January 18, to this rapid expansion, South their excitement at having such a folks at so many points along the 2018 we celebrated the Edmonton as a whole is really much needed venue in the area. journey.” O Grand Opening of our lacking in terms of the types of Tim Cartmell, Edmonton City At Family Futures Resource brand-new Summerside location. programs and services that we Councillor of Ward 9, brought Network we endeavor to create This was a major milestone for provide, especially the area south greetings and congratulations stronger communities, and thus both our organization, as well as of the Henday, and we are ecstatic from both the Mayor and the a better future for everyone, for everyone in South Edmonton. to be among the first to fill those City. Mike Lake noted that “it is by building on the strengths As our Executive Director, Shari- needs. We are extremely thankful really hard to create community, of individuals and families Lynne Gidyk, put it so succinctly, for the efforts of so many that a true sense of community in a through connection, support, and “it has been quite the journey made this expansion possible; major city.” He went on to say education. Last year we served over to get to this point.” A journey because of the strength of the that agencies like Family Futures 5000 individuals and we expect indeed, one that involved years agency, the vision and generosity are an integral part of fostering to serve many more this coming of planning and negotiation, and of our funders, and the hard work a larger sense of community here year after this expansion in South a lot of dedication to the end goal of our committed staff, we were in the Edmonton area by first Edmonton. We have a diverse and of having a significant presence in able to cut the ribbon on what is creating smaller, stronger, and well-trained staff that offer and the more southern communities sure to be a community hub for more resilient communities – that facilitate everything from group of Edmonton. all kinds of services, programs, small town feel – that then helps programs, to home visitation and Our expansion south of the camps, and events. connect everyone. parent mentorship, to one-on- Anthony Henday means so Our celebration of this new Our past Board Chair, Mark one support. We help with early many great things for both us facility was very well attended by Neufeld, Chief of Police for the childhood development, adult as an organization, and more the community, past participants, Camrose Police Service, added education, offer tons of child importantly, for the communities and several government officials some of his own insight into and youth programming, spring we serve. The many communities from the municipal, provincial and our journey and evolution as and summer camps, promote of South Edmonton are some federal levels. The Honourable an agency, saying that “there is and encourage physical activity, of the fastest growing in both Mike Lake, MP, Edmonton- such a rich history here of being and much more. Please check out the city and the country, and a Wetaskiwin, and Rod Loyola, closely connected and remaining everything we do at familyfutures. large portion of that growth is MLA, Edmonton-Ellerslie, both current even in an era of shifting ca. comprised of young families. Due offered congratulations and values. Family Futures supports CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF COMMUNITY EDITOR Champions for Community Sherri Henderson Stephen Avivi [email protected] By: Mary Lou Sedgwick ADVERTISING f you are a hockey, soccer, coached us growing up, and my Elizabeth Emslie baseball or Brookside mom was super involved with School parent, it is likely us at school. That may have [email protected] I you have met Haddow resident, been what inspired me to get 780-437-7108 Stephen Avivi. He is an active involved, but the truth is I do www.riverbendonline.ca dad, husband and community it now because I really enjoy member, supporting local it. There is no better feeling sports, his boys’ school and the then seeing the kids have fun, organization, 100 People Who improve and being a part of TABLE OF CONTENTS Care. In this edition of the that. Riverbend Ragg-Times, I am Aside from volunteering, how SECTION PAGE honoured to share an interview do you spend your time? Riverbend News 1-24 Stephen Avivi, a man who Hodgson Community League 14 volunteers his talents and time I am normally spending it Brookview Community League 18 in our community. with the family and socializing with our great friends. In the Riverbend Community League 19 Where do you volunteer? Community League Directory 23 summer we love to bike in the Oak Hills Community League 24 Minor Hockey Coach with SWAT Hockey River Valley, have BBQs, and spend time in the since 2013, currently coaching 2nd year Novice park. In the winter we spend time at the Brookside (Dylan) & Senior Timbits (Connor). I am also Rink and sledding. In general, we try to take in all on the SWAT Board, currently serving as the the fun activities that occur in festival city. Oh, Category Director for Novice. In the spring, and I do still try to play hockey myself… you will find me helping with baseball, coaching What is your favourite quote? spring hockey and/or soccer. My favorite quote, which isn’t only applicable THANK YOU, RAGG Why do you volunteer? on the ice but in life has to be: “You miss 100% DELIVERY VOLUNTEERS! I am not sure how I can give you an answer of the shots you don’t take.” -Wayne Gretzky Thanks to the following volunteers who that won’t sound cliché…The obvious/flippant helped deliver our last issue to businesses, answer is that someone has to. My Dad always schools, and retirement residences. Lita Bablitz, Jim Bradshaw, Ryan Henderson, Daryl Matter, Sean McConnell, Jihan Marjan, Karin Shott, Sabine Sintenis, Shelly and Leanne Stevens, Mary Wagner, Helma Voth, and Joan Wood. We’re always looking for volunteers to help us deliver copies of The Ragg-Times to schools, businesses, and retirement homes. If you can deliver The Ragg-Times seven times a year, we’d love to hear from you! Your gift of time and service would be greatly appreciated. Please call 780-437-7108 or email [email protected] for more details. NEXT DEADLINE March 2, 2018 Delivery the week of: March 19, 2018 The opinions expressed in this publication may not necessarily be those of the publisher. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the written permission of the publisher. ** Ads Printed as Submitted ** The Glass Monkey is a comfortable, casual, family friendly restaurant located in the Lendrum Shopping Mall, just minutes from Riverbend and Terwillegar. Locally owned and operated, we are open daily from 3:30pm until 10:00pm. Closed Tuesday. We look forward to seeing you soon! Rob Filipchuk Owner 780.760.2228 www.theglassmonkey.ca 5842-111 Street 2 February 2018 LIVE LOCAL, GET INVOLVED, STAY INVOLVED Terwillegar Drive Freeway Plan Updates Modernizing Roadways in Our Community he City of Edmonton is updating its 2001 Terwillegar Drive Concept directional access to Terwillegar Drive using on/off ramps at all future Plan for a free-flow freeway (no traffic signals) between Whitemud interchanges will not be possible,” said Wintle. “The project team is looking T Drive and Anthony Henday Drive. Interchange plans will be reviewed at ways to provide efficient traffic flow both along the freeway and into and updated for Terwillegar Drive/Whitemud Drive, 40 Avenue/Bulyea the adjacent neighbourhoods, while minimizing impacts to the surrounding Road, and Rabbit Hill Road and 23 Avenue. Overpass plans will be reviewed roadway network.” and updated for Haddow Drive. Terwillegar Drive was built in the 1980s with the intention of a free- The plan is being modernized to reflect current realities in roadway flow freeway configuration in the long term. It is an important roadway standards and population growth. It will also be refined to reduce for movement of goods and services, transit and commuters. It is also an construction and maintenance costs and confirm that the 40 Avenue/Bulyea important connector to 170 Street south of Anthony Henday Drive (AHD), Road interchange construction will be recommended for the 2019-2022 which is planned to be a freeway from AHD to Leduc. Capital Budget cycle, before it is shared with Council in mid 2018. Options for the freeway and interchange/overpass configurations being “The travel demand on Terwillegar Drive already exceeds capacity, causing considered are posted and questions can be asked online at edmonton.ca/ users to experience delays and collisions, and to emit more greenhouse gases,” terwillegardrivestudy. said Christopher Wintle, project manager with Integrated Infrastructure The Open House in January was well attended. A second public event Services at the City of Edmonton. “The intent is to alleviate congestion and will be held in April 2018. provide for the efficient, safe movement of all users, locally and regionally.” Project Timeline Freeway options being evaluated by the City were shared with area residents and commuters at a public engagement event held at St. Thomas Fall 2017 - Spring 2018 More Parish on January 24, 2018. Nearly 500 people learned about the Concept Planning Study Update proposed changes and provided input that will help shape the future Winter 2018 configuration.