April 2021 Newsletter

2021-04-19 21:34

St. Andrews Heights Community Association

2504 - 13th Avenue NW - Calgary, AB  T2N 1L8

Board of Directors

President : Shannon Andrukow : president@standrewsheights.ca
Past President : Liz Murray : pastpresident@standrewsheights.ca
Treasurer : Jeff Unruh : treasurer@standrewsheights.ca
Secretary : VACANT : secretary@standrewsheights.ca
VP Facilities : Michael Fuchs : facilities@standrewsheights.ca
VP Sports : Kevin Noakes : sports@standrewsheights.ca
VP Residential Planning : Adev Ahluwalia : residentialplanning@standrewsheights.ca
VP Non-Residential Planning : Al Rasmuson : nonresidentialplanning@standrewsheights.ca
VP Communications : Ellen Nielsen : communications@standrewsheights.ca

Resource Contacts

Hall Rentals : Deb Gaffney or Julia Stadnyk : hallrental@standrewsheights.ca
Newsletter : Shannon Andrukow : newsletter@standrewsheights.ca
Social Coordinator : Tiffany Talen : social@standrewsheights.ca
Membership : Gwen Schaefer: membership@standrewsheights.ca
Soccer : Simon Baines :  soccer@standrewsheights.ca
Tennis : Gwen Schaefer : tennis@standrewsheights.ca
Website : Jeremy Mortis : webmaster@standrewsheights.ca
Ice Rink : David Brown : ice@standrewsheights.ca
 
Volunteering is an excellent way to engage in your community. There are a number of initiatives on the go in our community, including the revamp of our community hall and the space around it. Be part of what happens in your community!

We are in immediate need of volunteers for the following positions:

SECRETARY: 
Time required: 3 hours per month
The Secretary is responsible for note-taking, distribution of agenda/monthly minutes and attendance at our monthly virtual meeting.

VP COMMUNICATIONS: 
Time required: 3 hours per month
This position is an excellent opportunity to develop or sharpen your marketing skills. The VP of Communication conveys information to the community through Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, NextDoor and any other media tools you wish to use. The VP of Comm attends each monthly virtual meeting.

NEWSLETTER WRITER: 
Time requirement: 3 hours per month
The newsletter template is fully automated and distributed through MailChimp. This is an excellent opportunity to work with companies in and around our community to grow the newsletter through advertising. 

We will take the time to train you and answer all questions for a simple transition into these positions and of course we are always here to help you along the way!
 
If you are interested in any of these positions, please feel free to attend our next board meeting or contact us at president@standrewsheights.ca
Dispose of pet waste the right way
 
With the warmer weather finally upon us, you may be cleaning up your yard or outside enjoying the sunshine with your pets. Help keep our city clean by disposing of pet waste properly.
 
·        You can put pet waste and kitty litter (all varieties) in your green cart for composting. For the safety of your collector, put pet waste in a certified compostable bag or paper bag and securely tie/roll closed.
·        Never put plastic bags or bags labelled biodegradable in your green cart. These bags do not break down and end up as small pieces of plastic that contaminate the finished compost.
·        If using conventional plastic bags to clean up pet waste, please double bag and securely tie closed before disposing of in the black cart.
·        Only dispose of pet waste in your own carts. If you want to use someone else’s bins, you need to have permission from the homeowner or occupant.
·        If you live in a multi-family complex like a condo or townhouse, check with your building owner or manager to see if your compost collection company accepts pet waste.
 
To see a list of acceptable compostable bags, visit calgary.ca/greencart.
 
Not sure how to properly dispose of an item? Visit calgary.ca/whatgoeswhere for answers to hundreds of items.

Weekly green cart returns end of April
 
Weekly green cart pickup is returning at the end of April. Visit calgary.ca/collection to check your schedule and sign up for reminders, or download the Calgary Garbage Day app.
 
Here are some tips for using your green cart:
  • All food scraps, food-soiled paper, pet waste and yard waste go in the green cart.
  • Use only certified compostable bags or paper yard waste bags in your green cart – no plastic bags.
  • Always fill your green cart first, then fill paper yard waste bags. Roll tops of bags closed and set at least two feet to the side of your green cart.
  • No plastic plant pots or bedding trays in the green cart. Rinse out and recycle in your blue cart instead.
 
Compost giveaway: Compost will be available for pickup, by appointment only, from May 10 to June 26. For details visit calgary.ca/compost.
 

Jason Copping
MLA, Calgary-Varsity
calgary.varsity@assembly.ab.ca
Unit 201, 1055 20th Avenue NW
403-216-5436

facebook.com\jasoncoppingAB  Instagram: Jason_CoppingAB @JasonCoppingAB

Protecting lives and livelihoods – Budget 2021

Alberta’s government reconvened its spring session with Budget 2021 and a focus on strengthening the health-care system to fight COVID-19 and creating jobs for economic recovery.

Budget 2021 invests more than ever before in health care with $23 billion for pandemic response, to clear surgery back logs and support mental health programs. It will also pave the way for the Alberta’s economic recovery to create new jobs now, support our core industries, and diversify for the future with a total investment of over $22 billion.

The budget also takes a balanced approach to get Alberta back on track, sticking to strong fiscal anchors by keeping debt-to-GDP below 30 per cent.  The Alberta Government will streamline service delivery, and bring overall spending in line with other provinces.

Although we are still carrying a large deficit, Alberta’s government is maintaining K-12 education spending to school authorities and maintaining the funding to provide social services to help keep Albertans safe.

Alberta remains in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Alberta’s government is preparing for brighter days. Budget 2021 was developed in response to these challenges and is a plan that will see Alberta past its current crisis by focusing on what matters most.

We still have a long road ahead, but hope is on the horizon and Budget 2021 will set Alberta up to emerge stronger than ever before.

As always, if you need to get in touch with me on any provincial issue or have questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at Calgary.Varsity@assembly.ab.ca.

 

April Newsletter: Youth 

Cities play an important role in young people’s lives: they provide social experiences, training, learning, and jobs, diverse cultural offerings, and captivating public spaces. This is a reciprocal relationship. Not only do youth depend on cities to enhance their standard of living, but cities depend on youth to survive and thrive for the generations that follow.

Cities require diverse populations with people of all ages and abilities. Young people are full of new, innovative ideas that help cities rise to meet the challenges associated with economic recessions, a changing climate, and other societal needs. Unfortunately, Calgary does not rank highly on the “Youthful Cities” index. In fact, the youth population (20- to 24-year-old demographic) has decreased over the last decade despite Calgary being one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada. 

Calgary is at risk of losing its most critical asset: our young people. This is a threat to our city’s economic future. We must build a city for the next generation, and a place where people of all ages, abilities, and incomes want to live and work. Perhaps the best way to start is to ask youth what kind of city will attract them and keep them.  We have a new generation of capable young leaders who need to be at the table when discussing matters related to urban planning, policy, and budgets. Young people are looking for a city that takes economic diversification, public transportation, climate action, affordable housing, and social justice seriously. For youth, these things are non-negotiable.

It’s not enough for a city to excel in areas like cost of living and employment. Many youth are seeking places with a vibrant arts and entertainment scene, and walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly neighbourhoods. Too often the stories we hear about Calgary reflect a lack of optimism. It’s important to change these perceptions, and a healthy, thriving youth population will help us do that. 

So, what kind of city does our next generation want? We need only ask and listen. 


 

- Liz Murray

Review: The Push

by Ashley Audrain

Published in 2021

A neighbour came by a while ago saying she had a book for me and handed me an actual paper book. I’m so used to doing most of my reading on an e-reader now I was out of practice actually reading a paper book! I hadn’t heard of The Push so went into it knowing nothing about it. 

The Push is written in an interesting way and is a novel that examines an area that I’m sure no parent wants to consider when they have a child. What happens if your child hates you right from the start? What if they never warm up to you as a mom and become dangerous? This psychological thriller is told from the perspective of Blythe. She is giving a historical narrative to her husband Fox in the first person, describing her feelings and observations of their life together. It also flashes back to Blythe’s family history describing the incredibly dysfunctional family she came from. 

Blythe and Fox are a happy young couple. Blythe doesn’t really want children given her challenging family past, but Fox always dreamed of a family. Blythe gets pregnant and gives birth to a little girl they name Violet. Blythe dreams of the mother/child bond she will form with Violet and wonderful memories they will create. But Violet never bonds with Blythe and Fox doesn’t really believe Blythe when she tells him about her observations and challenges. Then Violet’s behaviour starts to take a disturbing turn. 

I found the book somewhat disturbing. I never had children and never wanted them, so I was a little disconnected from the emotions of having children – having something so dependent on you for their every need and yet hating you at the same time, playing you against the other parent.  It is a believable story, and I was hooked. I could feel the frustration Blythe was going through trying to convince those around her that something is wrong with Violet. No one believed her and I could just picture everyone thinking Blythe was just jealous of the bond Violet had with her father. 

Turns out this is Ashley’s first novel and she’s a Canadian. Always a bonus when you can support an author in Canada. This is definitely a worthy addition to anyone’s reading list if they like thrillers. I borrowed this book so it will not be in the Little Free Library.

An update from my last review in February about Alex Berenson’s John Wells series. I have read 4 books in the series now and they have continued to get better. If you like the whole CIA fighting terrorism topic, the series is a good read.

Audio book: available through Audible and is around 8.5 hours.

Paperback Published by Penguin Random House, 307 pages.

 
April in Fish Creek 
 
Text to Give to Support our Stewardship Truck 
In February 2020 In-Line Pigging Solutions generously donated an amazing work truck to the Friends of Fish Creek - a Dodge Ram 5500 with a crew cab, flatbed and crane! You may have seen the truck cruising around the park last year. Many of our Watershed Stewardship Programs like Riparian Restoration and Tree Wrapping require the use of a vehicle to haul equipment and supplies to and from work sites. It is also essential that we water newly planted trees and shrubs at restoration sites in the park, so we needed a truck that could haul a full water tank. While the truck is parked for the winter, it will soon be out in the park for the busy spring and summer season. There are ongoing vehicle expenses such as fuel, insurance and maintenance and we are inviting community members to help support the stewardship truck this month. Any contribution would be sincerely appreciated! You can donate by visiting https://friendsoffishcreek.org/programs/truck, or simply text WHEELS to 587-417-6606. If you have a local business and are interested having your logo featured on the truck, please contact the Friends of Fish Creek.   
 
The Fish Creek Community Terrace - Summer 2021 
Every Brick Tells a Story! Share Your Story with the Fish Creek Community. You may have seen the personalized bricks installed in front of the Cookhouse at the Bow Valley Ranch, commemorating milestones like weddings, anniversaries, new family members, or memorials for those who have passed on. If you did not get a chance to dedicate a brick along the pathway, or would like to dedicate another brick, now is the perfect opportunity to support the Friends of Fish Creek, share a little of your own story, or provide an amazing gift for a friend or family member. There are fewer than 60 spaces available along the terrace and registration will close June 1. For more information, please contact the Friends of Fish Creek at 403-238-3841 ext. 1 or visit https://friendsoffishcreek.org/brick 
 
The Fascinating World of Fungi with Lacey Roberts 
Wednesday, April 21, 2021 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm 
Presented by Lacy Roberts, CPAWS Intern and HBSc. Environmental Science 
Explore the fascinating world of fungi beneath our feet. Gain a valuable understanding of how these seemingly insignificant organisms have helped to shape our world since the beginning of time. Explore the interconnectivity between topics such as dinosaurs and the infinite galaxies all around us. Learn about edible and poisonous mushrooms, the medicinal properties and uses of fungi, and how innovation and technology have increased awareness about the conservation of our natural spaces. Free for Friends of Fish Creek Members, $10 for non-members, and free for youth 16 years of age and younger with a registered adult. For more information or to register visit https://friendsoffishcreek.org/event/fungi 
 
Volunteer Opportunities in Fish Creek 
The 2021 volunteering season is just around the corner, and we are looking for people to assist with various programs. Not only are there opportunities for our longstanding programs, such as Park Watch, Weed Whackers, and Riparian Monitoring Stewards, but a variety of new programs are kicking off this year! For more information and links to apply to volunteer, visit our Volunteering Basics page. We look forward to working with you to bring the Friends’ 2021 programs to life in Fish Creek! For more information please visit https://friendsoffishcreek.org/volunteering-basics 
 

 

About Wine

By Nik Rasula

About Wine features wines not typically on one’s shopping radar; unique wines with a story - of people, place or style. It tells of artisans making reasonably priced wines (under C$50 retail) while demonstrating careful Earth consideration.

2020 Gorgo, Bardolino Chiaretto (Rosé). Verona, Italy (cantinagorgo.com)

About Price: $25

About the Label: Terms Gorgo, Bardolino, Chiaretto, Biologico figure prominently on the modern, minimalist bottle label. Gorgo is the winery, Bardolino the area (DOC) in Veneto’s Verona Province, Chiaretto (key-ah-ret-oh) means pale or rosé, Biologico denotes organic.

About the Backstory: From a long line of medical doctors, Roberto Bricolo set about to carry on the family tradizione. In 1973, he left medical school and established the 22-hectare Gorgo Winery near the town of Custoza. Thirty-two years on, daughter Roberta (then 28) joined, pivoting from life as a Bologna lawyer to pursue her true passion, making great wine. Bringing perspective and fresh outlook, she set about transitioning the winery to organic. Today, Gorgo has expanded to 53 hectares, growing a healthy mix of both reds and whites.

About Sustainability: in 2018, after an 11-year travail, Gorgo was certified organic by the EU. The healthier choice for all stakeholders, Roberta relates higher (>50 per cent) operating expenses including specialized training, labour inputs and the costs associated with certification.

About Place: Located just southeast of Lake Garda in northeastern Italy, Gorgo vines anchor into a landscape of rolling glacial moraine - with surfaces that vary between rock fragments, gravel, sand, and clay. Cool northern mountain air, and breezes from Lake Garda provide the Bardolino DOC a microclimate distinct from others in Verona.

About the Blend: Traditonale to Veneto, the red grapes of Valpolicella; Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara are used to make this chiaretto. 

About Making Rosé: A hybrid of white and red wine techniques. After harvest, grapes are crushed, with the white runoff juice exposed to the red grape skins for a limited number of hours. The resultant salmon-coloured juice is then fermented into rosé wine. 

About the Wine: An appealing pale salmon, notes of white flowers mix with stone fruits and minerals. On the palate, light-bodied flavours of fresh peaches and ripe strawberries meld with a touch of salt. The finish is fresh, long and stony.

About Pairing: Seafood risotto, summer salads, deck afternoons.

About Alcohol Level: 12.5%

About Availability: Check liquorconnect.com (call the listed store too) confirming availability. 

CSPC # 813611

SAHCA made a successful grant application to the "Embrace the Outdoors" program of the Calgary Parks Foundation.  We were awarded $3,225 for an outdoor project that includes local artisans building and painting benches for public use and an upgrade to the night lighting over the ice rink area. Many thanks to Kevin Noakes who initiated and worked on this project.
Stay tuned for more details!

Moose McGuires has relocated and is now open !! Our new location is 779 Northmount Drive NW. Situated on the Southwest corner of Northmount Drive and 14th Street NW, formerly the (Riverstone Pub). 

While the new restrictions have forced us to close we are excited to reopen. We are taking this time to come up with some new daily features we think you’ll love; including an additional wing night! We can’t wait to be back at it, serving the community we love. 

Stay safe! 
Moose McGuire’s 

We have a number of community members who suffer from respiratory issues in our community. Please be a kind community member and abide by the following rules:

https://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Fire/Pages/Safety-tips/Safety-tips-home/Fire-pits.aspx

  1. Only burn clean, dry firewood. Do NOT burn:
·        Wood that is painted, treated or contains glue or resin
·        Wood from a different location, region or province
·        Wet or green/fresh cut wood
·        Yard waste (cut grass or leaves)
·        Garbage
·        Rubber or plastic
·        Furniture
  1. Always have a way to put out the fire close to your fire pit. Easy options are your watering hose or a bucket of water.
  2. All fires in your fire pit must be continually supervised.

You can be fined, up to $5,000, for not following Calgary's fire pit bylaws.
 
Call 311 to report a complaint about a backyard fire pit.

St. Andrew's Anglican - Your Community Church
Another Easter has come and we are still living through this pandemic that seems to have no end. We know, of course, that is not the case. It’s just going on longer than we imagined, and certainly longer than we want. The “race” between variants and vaccines is a little like the tortoise and the hare. I’m confident that the slower, yet steady, spread of vaccines will win the day and our lives will one day (once again!) include gathering in-person, sharing meals or coffee, singing together and hugs. We just need to wait a little longer.

On Easter Sunday, we heard the surprising and joyful news that the large stone sealing Jesus’ tomb had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty because Jesus is risen. Our hope this Easter season (it goes all the way until May 23!) is that out of this time of “emptiness” in our personal lives and in our community, we too will bear the fruit of new life, resurrected life. Through the miracle God works at Easter, we too are freed from the bonds of death. May we use that freedom for the benefit of the world.

 

We are excited to announce SAHCA is in the process of applying for grants through the City and the Province to renovate our community hall. Further information will be provided as it becomes available. 

The community hall will remained closed at this time in light of the current COVID-19 restrictions. 
We are continuing to monitor COVID-19 related restrictions on children's activities and team sports.  As most of you are likely aware, the expected relaxations of the restrictions set to occur on February 8th will still not allow for any team sports.  There is still some hope that matters will improve sufficiently quickly to allow for us to enjoy a 2021 season, but we're certainly not there yet.  We will continue to monitor the restrictions (and what is and is not allowed) and send out a future notice when we know more.  Hopefully that notice will be announce that we can proceed with registration!

https://www.standrewsheights.ca/soccer

Play Ball with Bow Ridge Little League!

Spring is just around the corner, and that means returning for fresh air and baseball. Registration for the 2021 Bow Ridge Little League Baseball Season is currently open and runs until March 1st. Bow Ridge provides options for boys and girls between 5 and 16 years old, as well as all levels of experience.
 
Register online at www.bowridgebaseball.com. If you have questions, check our website or contact us at registrar@bowridgebaseball.com.

2021 Fee Schedule
Coach Pitch League (Age 5 and 6 year old) - $ 110.00
Machine Pitch League (Age 7 and 8 year old) - $ 170.00
Minor League (Age 9 and 10 year old) - $ 210.00
National/Major Intermediate League (Age 10, 11, 12 and 13 year old) - $210.00
Junior League (Age 13 and 14 year old) - $ 210.00
Senior League (Age 15 and 16 year old) - $ 210.00

Registering for Coach Pitch or Machine Pitch? 

Our Coach Pitch and Machine Pitch teams play into July, and accommodations are made to account for summer holidays for both players and coaches so that teams can still play throughout that month.

SAHAS/SAAA - We are hoping to resume meeting in the Hall this Fall, on Wednesday afternoons, September-November and January—April.  If you would like any information about this group, please contact Laura at 403-289-6484. 

This will be the last newsletter sent until we fill the position of Newsletter Writer. 

The newsletter template is fully automated and distributed through MailChimp. This is an excellent opportunity to work with companies in and around our community to grow the newsletter through advertising.

Training will be provided to anyone interested in writing the monthly newsletter. 

If you are interested in this position, please contact newsletter@standrewsheights.ca or president@standrewsheights.ca


Be well,
Your SAHCA Board