The Crescent Vi w October 2008

NEWSLETTER OF THE CRESCENT HEIGHTS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION President’s Notebook Return to Fall Calyx Distinctive Arts by John McDermid Have you ever considered becoming a Exhibition & Sale It’s a quiet time of year as everyone Block Parent? The Calgary Block Parent Satur settles into the new school year and work Program www.calgaryblockparent.ca or day and Sunday routines after a fine summer. As I write (403) 269-6460 is looking for individuals October 18th & 18th this, it is mid-September and so far we’ve or families willing to display a Block Parent 10:00 am – 4:00 pm had no killing frost, so let’s hope that sign in their front window in order to offer Crescent Heights continues to help ripen the last of the refuge for kids or others experiencing tomatoes and allow everyone time to put difficulty in our community. As we learn Community Centre their gardens to sleep for the coming more about the scourge of bullying, it 1101 - 2nd Street NW winter. would be a good thing to have even more Block Parents here in Crescent Heights The CHCA board reconvened on than we do currently. Particularly if you September 8th after skipping its regular are a stay-at-home parent or if you work monthly meeting for the month of August, from home, consider making an set the benchmark for public consultation and we are hard at work seeing to the application to become a Block Parent and in the planning of major city initiatives little things that need doing at the hall, make our community even safer for kids. that impact residential communities. including trying to get a few items ready for an early October grant application In Traffic and Planning, September was Having been less that well-served by deadline for a series of municipal grants “Rotary Park Month”, at least for our first some of the City’s public engagement to help with things that need doing meeting of the month. (Remember that efforts in recent years, the transparency around the hall. Following on the heels Traffic and Planning, our most active of the EOC’s planning and development of our new roof, most of the pressing committee, continues to meet of the first effort has been refreshing to say the least. items seem more manageable: it’s more and third Tuesday of each month And the result will be a most striking and a matter of inducing tradespeople to take (provided there are agenda items)). un-bunkerlike major public building right an interest in our smaller-scale projects. Contact our Planning Director, Joe Nagy here in the heart of Crescent Heights. (403) 277-1364, if you’d like to be added The Calgary Block Watch Councils’ next to our e-mail list for T&P meetings. On On a somewhat more modest scale is the fund-raising Casino will be held on September 2nd we reviewed two major Rotary Park Lawn Bowls Club’s charming November 26th and 27th. They have filled projects for Rotary Park: The Emergency new Clubhouse. Having seen the all but a couple of their volunteer positions Operations Centre for the City of preliminary designs some months ago, we for the event, so if you have an eight- Calgary’s Emergency Preparedness group reviewed the formal plans associated with hour block of time you might spare them (Police, Fire, EMS) and the new Clubhouse the Development Permit just recently. on the 26th or 27th, please contact Lori for the Rotary Park Lawn Bowls Club. The Small in scale, both the Clubhouse and Winder at Block Watch either through their EOC’s Development Permit circulation modest accessory building for equipment website at www.calgaryblockwatch.com/ was the culmination of over a year’s storage settle into the West end of the or by phone at (403) 509-2565. worth of public engagement, which really existing Rotary Park site as though it has always belonged in the park. It appears that the DP may be delayed somewhat while the City of Calgary completes a Scotch Tasting Event study of Lawn Bowling facilities across the city. It appears that the City’s Preventers Friday, October 10th of Recreation will be proposing to shut down one or more long-standing facilities, $40 per person even as Lawn Bowling enjoys a resurgence of popularity in Calgary. Lets Crescent Heights Community Hall hope as the 2008 season winds down that See article inside for further details RPLBC, with its two greens and growing Cont. page 3. Return to Fall membership base, survives and thrives membership cards. Many thanks as another jewel in the crown of Rotary especially to Wendy Hopkins and Bobby Park. Watch this space come spring for Baum who have handled the news on how you and try your hand at membership duties for the last while, The Crescent View is published 10 times per year by Flexys Systems Publishing for the Crescent Lawn Bowling and take advantage of a and who suffered through the initial Heights Community Association. The View is unique recreational opportunity right here migration of our list from a PC to a Mac distributed to all households within Crescent Heights by your neighbours. in our community. environment. Once we get the list The material contained herein is copyrighted and migrated again in the other direction, may not be reproduced without authorization. I attended the Federation of Calgary we’ll be back in business on the Letters and submissions from community mem- Communities General Meeting on membership front. bers are always welcome. Please mail or drop off at the Hall mail slot at 1101 - 2nd Street NW, September 13th which was well attended Calgary, Alberta T2M 2V7, or submit materials by community reps from across the city. I have a feeling by the time we read this via email to [email protected]. The event was held at the Calgary in the next issue of the View, we will have Editor Interfaith Food Bank, in part to promote had a taste of frost or worse. But frost or Elizabeth Hancock 245-3331 [email protected] the food bank’s and the FCC’s support worse is a necessary step toward the Publisher of the Mayor’s Food Drive, coming up in realization of the annual Crescent Nicole Hankel 271-4101 December. I know many Crescent Height Heights Christmas Party. Mark your Advertising residents make regular contributions of calendars for December 13th and watch Flexys Systems Publishing 271-4101 (ext. 805) [email protected] food and cash to the food bank, but we this space and our e-mail list for details Distribution Manager might try organizing those efforts around on this year’s event. You will recall that Diane Altwasser 276-7118 the December Food Drive in order to last year’s was a little different than Circulation secure credit for our donations as a previous years, with the food and drink Sharon Anderson-Marr (NW) 276-1831 community as well as from individuals. a little more informal that the Turkey with Elizabeth Hancock 245-3331 (NE – North of 8th Avenue) More to follow on this initiative. trimmings that we did in previous years. Opinions expressed in the View are not necessar- As we gather and consult with our core ily those of the Crescent Heights Community Finally, a welcome to the community to of volunteers, we’ll see what direction Association or Flexys Systems Publishing Ltd. Jonathan and Alison Martin, new we want to go this year and let everyone For community and hall information visit residents of Crescent Heights and old know in good time. www.calgaryarea.com/nw/crescenthts/ friends who have expressed interest in crescent.htm taking on the CHCA Membership If you can volunteer for the event in Crescent Heights “portfolio”. In the coming months, as you some capacity, please contact any of Community Association renew your membership (or become a your CHCA board members listed on member for the first time), Jonathan and page 3 of this issue. 1101 - 2nd Street NW Calgary, Alberta T2M 2V7 Alison will be handling the processing of Volunteer Board of Directors those renewals and the delivery of new A happy and fruitful autumn to all. President John McDermid 277-8653 Treasurer George Day 277-1043 Secretary Anne Underwood 277-0249 Planning Joe Nagy 277-1364 Traffic Kris Karvinen [email protected] Parks Sharon Anderson-Marr 276-1831 Business Liaison Daniel Dang 355-0058 Communications Penny Smith [email protected] Block Watch John McDermid 277-8653 Past President Connie McLaren 230-0224 Committees Hall Rentals Marlene Zaharichuk 804-5600 Hall rental inquiries will be answered in two to three days Playgroup Lisa Simic 685-9367 Memberships Jonathan and Lisa Martin Babysitting Co-op Robin Strathdee 276-8610 Rink Manager Tim Edwards 606-9303 Block Watch John McDermid 277-8653

Inquiries and comments can be emailed to [email protected] Member of FCC Community Liaison Officer: Dominick Laporte District 3, #3241 284-3393 Community and Block Watch e-mail list contact George at [email protected] or John at [email protected] October 2008 3 It Takes a Village... Crescent Heights Crescent Heights Babysitting Coop Playgroup Crescent Heights Playgroup meets every The Babysitting Co-op continues to attend the once-a-month informal Tuesday from 10:00 to 11:30 am. Any expand. We have lots of new members evening meeting (sans kids) to get to caregiver can bring a child who lives in this year, and a whole crop of kids under know one another. Meetings are held Crescent Heights and/or is a current the age of five. The Co-op is a not only the last week of each month between member of the Crescent Heights a great network for babysitting; it is also September and June rotating at various Community Association (Yearly Fee $20). an excellent way to meet new people, members’ homes. It’s a great place to Bring slippers or indoor foot wear (the make play dates, and ensure that you talk about parenting challenges, floor is cold), snacks and drinks. have a safety net if you should ever need neighbourhood news, new things in your short-notice or emergency care. If you life, and enjoy munchies and wine. The hall is a large open area for children are new to the neighbourhood or the city, • Community Association members in to run around in and there are plenty of and especially if you don’t have family good standing pay a $25 non- toys to play with. nearby, the Co-op can be an invaluable refundable fee to participate. resource! Come join us at our next Mothers with babies are also welcome to monthly meeting – we look forward to And voila! Your own local Mary come out, meet and socialize with other getting to know you. Poppins(es) can give you a few hours to mothers in the community. For more yourself. information call Lisa Simic at (403) 685-9367. How it works: • Using a system of chits, members If you would like to see if joining the co- arrange and exchange babysitting op is a venue for you, information on the amongst themselves on an as needed meeting date and place can be obtained basis. from Robin Strathdee at (403) 276-8610. • All members and their families (all adults in the home) are required to participate in the Block Parent program and go through the Calgary Police Usbourne Service’s security Book Fair at screening process. Rosedale • Moms (and dads!) can Playschool Rosedale Playschool will be hold their first- Library News ever Usborne Book Fair at the new playschool located downstairs at Wildrose Louise Riley Library is located at 1904, Preschool Storytime United Church,1317 – 1st Street NW, on 14th Avenue NW. Programs are free with Join us for stories, songs, and fingerplays Wednesday, November 5th and Thursday, a library card. Register in person, by call- especially for preschoolers. Ages three to November 6th. ing (403) 260-2620 or online at five independent of a parent/caregiver. www.calgarypubliclibrary.com. Thursdays, October 2nd to November 6th, Usborne Books publishes a wide variety 10:30 to 11:00 am. of very high quality books for children – Parent and Child Book Club toddlers to teens.Their fiction and non- Drop-In Family Storytime Explore some of the best children’s nov- fiction titles are not available in els with your child, then meet for a lively Drop in for stories, songs, and fingerplays bookstores. Usborne books are highly discussion of the book and author. Ages the whole family can enjoy. Ages two to nine to 12 with a parent/caregiver. Tues- five with a parent/caregiver. Fridays 10:30 recommended by teachers and librarians days, October 7th, November 4th and to 11:00 am until December 5th. as books that “make finding out December 2nd, 7:00 to 8:30 pm. fun”. French and Spanish titles are StoryPALS available. Baby Storytime Trained Pet Access League Society vol- Enjoy age-appropriate songs, rhymes, and unteers and their highly socialized dogs What a great way to get some Christmas stories; and learn ways to share books and provide a calm, accepting presence for shopping done for the younger folk on language with babies ages six to 23 struggling readers to practice reading your list, and help support the playschool months with a parent/caregiver. Tues- aloud. Ages six to 12. Thursdays, Octo- at the same time! For further days, October 21st to November 4th, ber 2nd to November 6th, 7:00 to 8:00 information, contact Helga Shield at (403) 10:15 to 10:45 am. pm. 230-5531. October 2008 5 View Delivery Help Required

Volunteer carriers required for the Crescent View!

• 2nd Avenue NE between 2nd Street and the Hill •4th and 5th Avenue NE between 2nd Street and Edmonton Trail • 1st Avenue to 4th Avenue Calyx Art Sale and Exhibition NE between 3rd and 4th Street, bottom of the hill in Crescent Heights Hall Calyx Distinctive Arts presents its Artists will be in attendance to discuss Interested volunteers are 16th semi-annual Exhibition and Sale artworks and techniques in painting, encouraged to call Diane of original artworks by local artists photography, sculpture, jewellery, Altwasser at 276-7118 or on Saturday, October 18th and metalwork, woodwork, ceramics, glass, Sunday October 19th from 10:00 am to fibre and more. Different artists will be email [email protected]. 4:00 pm, at the Crescent Heights participating each day, so please attend Community Centre, 1101 - 2nd Street NW. both days! For more information please Free admission, free parking and free call (403) 289-2136 or visit our website draw. at www.calyx.ca. Call for Articles Put the Brakes on Idling Crescent Heights View and Courtesy Climate Change Central • Give up the remote car starter. While Rosedale Reporter With gas prices soaring people are looking nice on those cold mornings, it’s too To improve our communication network, for ways to improve their fuel efficiency easy to turn your vehicle on with one we are now able to include articles, ac- now more than ever. One easy way is to of these and then let five or ten minutes tivities and events in the Rosedale Re- avoid idling. slip by. Instead use a block heater to porter as well as our own Crescent warm up the engine when temperatures Heights View. This will ensure that ev- Of course there are moments (such as are freezing. eryone in our two communities will be when in traffic) when idling is necessary, • Park your car and put those legs to use kept up to date of current activities, and but more often than not it’s something rather than sitting in drive-thrus. will ensure that course offerings for both that can be avoided. So, put these four Students at the University of Alberta communities will be ‘a go’. idle-free ideas into practice and reduce monitored a Tim Horton’s drive-thru in what you are paying out at the pump. Edmonton last year for 54 hours, during Articles/events for the Crescent Heights • If you are stopped for more than ten which time they found that 3,756 cars View are due on the 15th day of each seconds, turn off the engine. Idling for idled in line for at least five minutes month. Please email your articles (as word more than ten seconds actually uses each. documents), to Elizabeth Hancock at more fuel than it does if you turn the [email protected]. Please send any vehicle off and back on. If you would like to promote anti-idling in digital photos (scanned at a minimum 300 • Avoid idling as a method of warming your school or community, the City of dpi) as an attachment to the email and be up your car. Idling does nothing to Calgary, City of Edmonton and NRCAN sure to send a caption and any names of warm up your vehicle’s transmission, all have free resources on their websites people who are in the photo. Everyone de- tires, suspension or steering, and to support anti-idling outreach serves their 15 minutes of fame... doesn’t allow the engine to operate at campaigns. its peak temperature which results in Articles/events for the Rosedale poor fuel efficiency. The Ontario For more ideas and information, subscribe Reporter are due on the 10th day of Ministry of Transportation found that it to the free online newsletter enerclick, each month. Please email articles only took 30 minutes of idling to warm up visit www.climatechangecentral.com, call (as word documents), to Bill Waddell at an engine to the same level as driving 1-866-609-2700, or email contact@ [email protected]. for 12 minutes did. climatechangecentral.com.

October 2008 7 Crescent Heights Scotch Tasting Planned for Friday, October 10th This fall the Community Association is community event. expanding its social offerings to adult members with a Scotch tasting event on The number of participants will be Friday evening, October 10th at the limited to 20 and there will be a charge Community Hall. of $40 per person, payable in advance, to ensure all costs are covered. Contact No, we’re not advocating cannibalism but Anne Underwood by e-mail or snail mail, Hey! Where can I rather providing an opportunity to get on or after September 15th, at together with others from the community [email protected] or at 1428 2nd pick up a copy of this who appreciate the occasional wee dram Street NW, T2M 2W1 to reserve your seat. T newsletter? to sample six single malts. Suitable Include your e-mail or a phone number GREA snacks will be provided to accompany this you can be reached at in the evening so informal tasting run by complete a confirmation of your booking can be The Crescent View is published monthly and is amateurs. Participants are strongly made. We look forward to raising a glass available for pick-up at Gardens Grace on encouraged to walk to and from this with you! Edmonton Trail, as well as The Riverside Coffee House, The Urban Baker, Pints & Half Pints, Boogies Burgers, The Country Kitchen, Subway, Parking Permit Renewal Time Joshua Tree, Crescent Heights Convenience, Second Residential Parking Zone M permits expire restricted zone as well as a copy of some Cup on Centre Street, Center Convenience, October 31st. You may obtain your 2008/ other proof of address, such as a cable or Peter Pan Convenience Store, Lamda Centre 09 permits beginning September 1st from utility bill. Please don’t forget your vehicle and New Asian Market the Calgary Parking Authority. Calgary registration.

The View is also delivered by volunteers to Parking Authority is located at 620 Alternatively, you may mail or fax a all households, but is very hard to deliver to 9th Avenue SW, T2P 1L5. Phone (403) photocopy of your entire valid vehicle any condo’s or apartments due to building 537-7000, fax 403-537-7001. They are registration(s) along with a copy of some access, etc. If you would like to have enough open Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:15 other proof of address, such as a cable or copies for units in your condo or apartment pm. utility bill (Drivers’ license does not fax building, please call our distribution well). We will mail your permit to you. Be manager Diane Altwasser at 276-7118. The permit may be picked up at our office. The bylaw required that you sure to allow enough time for mailing. If you would like access to the newsletter on present a valid Alberta vehicle registration It is your responsibility to renew your the web, you can visit www.calgaryarea.com/nw/ for each vehicle requiring a permit, permits in a timely manner in order ot crescenthts/crescent.htm and you will see the showing the correct address within the avoid receiving a parking violation. View PDF underneath the Block Watch Logo on the right side of the screen.

Business Membership

The CHCA would like to recognize business members in good standing: Alan Yiu of Edward Jones • Annie’s Book Company • ATB Financial – North Hill Chinese Christian Wing Kei Nursing Home Association • Chinook Glass and Screen Crescent Heights Baptist Church • Don’s Hobby Shop • Intercept Security Corporation Metz Law Office • Mykonos Greek Restaurant • RE/MAX Central – Bob Dawe, Agent • Santorini • Sharon Lutheran Church • St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Cultural Centre • The Care Group • North Hill Mazda•Peter’s Drive-In Video Game Trader • Wild Rose United Church Support Your Community!

October 2008 9 Halloween Safety Calgary EMS reminds parents and Trick- • Set boundaries for your children before or-Treaters of the following safety tips: they leave. Explain the importance of choose brightly-coloured costumes that staying within those boundaries, and will be clearly visible to motorists. When also returning home at a predetermined purchasing or making a costume, look time. for materials and accessories that are • Advise your children not to eat anything labeled flame-resistant. All costume until they get home. Dispose of any accessories, such as swords or wands, items that appear as though they may should be soft and flexible and should have been tampered with, or are not not have any sharp edges. Instead of properly wrapped. masks, try hypoallergenic, non-toxic • Use extra care on the roads on make-up kits. Be sure costumes are Halloween night. loose enough to be worn over warm clothing if the need arises, but not so Trick-or-Treaters baggy or long that it becomes a tripping • Don’t criss-cross back and forth across Purses for Africa hazard (the costume should not be longer the street. It is best to work your way than your child’s ankles). up one side of the street, and then start Annual Sale on the other. Cross at marked The City of Calgary Emergency Medical crosswalks or well-lit corners. Bags and Babies Services will be on patrol in communities • Stay away from houses that are not well throughout the city on Halloween night lit. Never go inside a stranger’s house, Purses for Africa annual sale Bags and to provide a safety resource to parents or accept a ride from a stranger. Babies will be held on Saturday, October and Trick-or-Treaters. • Let your parents know where you’re 18th, 10:30 am to 3:00 pm at the South going to be at all times and advise them Calgary Community Centre, 3130 16th Parents if you will be late returning. Street SW. • Be sure younger trick-or-treaters are accompanied by an adult. Older Homeowners We have a selection of unique sewn, children should stay in groups of three • Turn on outdoor lights and keep your knitted and felted purses, bags and or more. yard clear of debris or obstacles that accessories as well as some wonderful children could trip over. baby and toddler items. • Keep lit candles away from trick-or- treaters. Use battery powered jack-o- All proceeds of this sale are donated to lanterns where possible. the Grandmothers Campaign of the • Because some children have food Stephen Lewis Foundation assisting allergies, you may want to consider African women raising their grandchildren giving treats other than candy, such as orphaned by HIV/AIDS. stickers, erasers, or yo-yo’s. • Keep pets inside and away from trick- For more information call (403)931-3539, or-treaters and lit candles. They may email [email protected] or visit become frightened or over-excited in us online at www.pursesandprojectsf the presence of strangers. orafrica.org.

October 2008 11 October 2008 13 Time for Calgarians to Speak Up for Change By Cheri Macaulay and tell them you are concerned about If you’ve opened a Calgary newspaper or Roughly speaking the “Dispersed” scenario the impact of Calgary’s future growth on turned on the local news in the last few would see the City continue to grow every Calgarian. Attend the October 15th months, you’ll know that a lot of people outwards, the “Compact” scenario would City Hall meeting on Land Use Planning are talking about Calgary’s rapid growth see densification of land use within our and Transportation where Plan It Calgary and the strain on our infrastructure. Our existing footprint and the “Hybrid” scenario is expected to present their Key Directions city is facing issues of sprawl, fast-paced falls somewhere between Dispersed and and seek approval to continue. (The growth, car dependency, lack of affordable Compact. Next an appropriate direction – meeting will take place at 1:00 pm in the housing, low voter turnout, marginalization likely a synthesis of the three scenarios - Engineering Standards Room in the of people who don’t drive and of those will be identified and incorporated into City basement of the Old City Hall at 800 living with low incomes and the largest strategy and policy. Heady stuff and even Macleod Trail SE.) Make a two to three ecological footprint in the country. Things a little overwhelming to an average minute statement or simply be there to are not sustainable in Calgary. Calgarian like me who is only just waking show your support for a sustainable future up to the implications of this work. in Calgary. The City of Calgary is currently working on a long-range land use and mobility plan Wanting to better understand these issues, After doing some research and asking through Plan It Calgary, a project which will I turned to Sustainable Calgary’s website many questions, I have come to see this influence the direction of our City’s growth at www.sustainablecalgary.ca and took a as a watershed moment in our city’s for the next 60 years. As Plan It Calgary look at their online Charter for Change history. Council is about to make decisions prepares to make recommendations to petition. Then I had a conversation with that will set the course for generations to Council, many of the best and brightest SC’s Colleen McCracken who has some come and this is a critical time to let our thinkers in Calgary are prodding their fellow suggestions for steps a concerned citizen aldermen and mayor know we need a citizens to sit up and take notice. According like me might take next. change in the direction that growth and to Colleen McCracken of Sustainable development has been taking in Calgary. Calgary, “this is a pivotal moment for Here are a few ideas: Talk to friends and In the words of Noel Keough, Assistant sustainability in Calgary and a time for neighbours about what kind of city they Professor of Sustainable Design in U of C’s citizens to think about the kind of future they would like Calgary to be and encourage Faculty of Environmental Design and want and then stand and speak up for a others to take action, too. Download a researcher for Sustainable Calgary, “for a sustainable future.” print version of the Charter for Change and fair, healthy, fiscally viable city – a city built share it with others who are not online. for everyone – choices have to be made In January of this year, council adopted 11 Call or write your alderman and the mayor and now is the time to make them.” Sustainability Principles for Land Use and Mobility, principles which have provided the direction for Plan It Calgary to develop a plan for Calgary’s long term land uses and transportation networks. The first phase of the Plan It Calgary project focused on three city-wide scenarios, each with different land use patterns and transportation networks.

Please mail this form Crescent Heights with your cheque to C.H.C.A. Crescent Heights Community Association 1101 - 2nd Street NW Calgary, Alberta Membership Application Form T2M 2V7 Voting (Residents) Single ($10) Household ($20) Senior ($5/per person)

Non-Voting (Business and Non-Residents Associate ($20) Business ($50)

Names :

Address : Postal Code: Phone : E-mail:

Yes, Send Me Community Emails Yes, Send Me Blockwatch Emails

New Membership Renewal Date Amount Enclosed $

October 2008 15