Varsity is Calgary`s #1 Community!

SEPTEMBER 2012
Varsity is
Calgary’s #1
Community!
Varsity Casino
Volunteers Needed
December 22 – 24
Varsity Community Annual
Christmas Craft Sale
November 16 – 17
Details Inside
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
3
In Our Community
4303 Varsity Dr. N.W., Calgary T3A 0Z7
Tel: 403-288-9001, Fax: 403-247-3100
General E-mail: [email protected]
Board of Directors
President...........................................Jay Pritchard, 403-286-4607
Vice President...................................Bob Benson, 403-286-9502
Secretary.............................................Persica Jear, 403-286-0560
Treasurer......................................Collin Newman, 403-276-9687
Facilities........................................Joe Paviglianiti, 403-286-3130
Civic Affairs.....................................Darlene Feil, 403-247-1151
Sports..............................................Chris Steudler, 403-286-8162
Communications............................Bill Levesque, 403-288-3696
Director of Finance.............................................................Vacant
Director at Large.......................................................Ron Brintnell
Director at Large.......................................................Grant Basiuk
Commitee Chairs
Block Parent.............................................................403-288-5203
Block Watch...................................Jennifer Marr, 403-202-1048
Casino...............................................Gary Collyer, 403-288-2618
Crowchild Twin Arenas.............Jim Courchesne, 403-288-3617
Membership.........................................................................Vacant
Parks.........................Sue Davison, [email protected]
Traffic...................................................................................Vacant
Varsity Cares......................................Len Reeves, 403-288-9312
Community Office Staff
General Manager.......................Gord Smith, [email protected]
Office Co-ordinator..........Alicia MacDonald, [email protected]
Program Coordinator................Ann Wohlers, [email protected]
Building Superintendent...................................................Jon Guy
Accountant.........................Cheryl Yowney, [email protected].
Childcare Services (Preschool/Out of School)............................
.................................................vcachild@telus.net, 403-247-1145
Director........................................................Joanne Nickerson
Assistant Director..........................................Shelley Harrison
Elected Officials
Alderman........................................Dale Hodges, 403-268-2430
School Board.................................Gordon Dirks, 403-294-8121
Catholic School Board...........Sarafino Scarpino, 403-298-1150
MLA................................Donna Kennedy-Glans, 403-216-5436
MP......................................................Rob Anders, 403-292-6666
Varsity Voice
Editor & Article Submissions:
Alicia MacDonald...................................................403-288-9001
Advertising Sales:
[email protected]
The ad booking deadline is 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 Varsity Voice
should not be interpreted as recommendations or endorsements by the editor or the
publisher.
Varsity Programs
Fitness and Dance
Meditation............................Barbara, 403-249-6309
Jazzercize...................................Ruth, 403-288-6026
FitMom.......................................Pam, 302-200-5864
Line Dance..................................Sue, 403-249-5741
UofC Ballroom Dance.........Sandra, 403-220-0049
Ballet/Tap/Jazz.........................Anita, 403-208-7376
Highland Dance....................Jessica, 403-701-0726
Zumba............Alejandra Carrillo, 403-829-8766
Professional Chinese Dance...............................
...........................................Viola, 403-891-8737
Sports
Basketball................Kara Vanhooren, 403-210-2533
Crowchild Hockey......Mario Abella, 403-202-2468
Crowchild Skate Club........................403-239-7091
NorthStar Soccer............Persica Jear, 403 286-0560
Tykes Soccer.......Christine Peterson, 403-400-2194
[email protected]
Karate................................Jeff Jukes, 403-228-5039
Special Interest
Girl Guides/Brownies..Tamra Dorma, 403 202-5445
Scouts..................Maurice Shevalier, 403-286-0459
Musikgarten–Early Childhood Music and Movement Classes..........................Glenda, 403-241-1363
Get Involved...
Join a Program!
Keyboard Classes (Ages 6-9)...................................
................................................Glenda, 403-241-1363
Baby Sign Language..............Tricia, 403-990-4908
Seniors Programs
• Seniors Fitness: Everyone works at their
own ability and pace. Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. $140 yearly.
• Canasta and Bridge: Join us to play canasta
(we can teach you!) and bridge. We meet
every Monday, 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. On the
last Friday of each month, we have lunch and
play whist. We always welcome new players!
Bev Jeary, 403-289-2876.
• Ladies Bridge: Wednesdays, 12:30 –
3:00 p.m. $40 yearly. Gladys Nikiforuk,
403-288-3519.
• Seniors Card Club: Mondays, 1:00 p.m. –
3:00 p.m. $18 yearly. Bev Jeary,
403-289-2876.
• Varsity Cares: Len Reeves, 403-288-9312.
• North Ladies Duplicate Bridge: Paula,
403-286-7103 or Doreen, 403-271-1087.
Varsity Mission Statement:
“To enhance and enrich
the quality of community
for Varsity residents”
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
5
In Our Community
Varsity Babysitters
An asterisk (*)before the names below
indicates that babysitters have passed a
course put on by the Varsity Community
Association and sponsored by the Calgary
Safety Council.
Alanna..........................403-453-4344
Alice & Esther...............403-202-2472
Cassandra.....................403-288-4616
Chelsey.........................403-398-4817
*Christine......................403-686-2157
Courtney.......................403-247-9166
*Elizabeth......................403-286-0422
*Evelyn.........................403-240-9149
Haley...........................403-217-0185
Hong............................403-516-1858
James...........................403-969-9453
*Jocelyn.........................403-243-9912
*Jocelyn.........................403-460-9999
Jocelyn/Nicole.............403-460-9999
Jonathon.......................403-288-8363
*Justina..........................403-453-5607
Kaitlyn Burrows...........403-247-0402
*Kristina........................403-286-9842
Varsity Child Care
Mary............................403-282-0537
*Michael........................403-284-9199
*Nicole...........................403-460-9999
Noshin (ECE Qualified).......403-874-9921
*Olivia...........................403-312-0941
Prema...........................403-286-9595
Robyn..........................403-286-0843
Sara..............................403-671-4929
*Sarah............................403-286-0646
*Shelby..........................403-275-6728
Suzie............................403-202-3593
Victoria........................403-288-6747
Due to the danger of unwanted calls, only
the names of those babysitters who have
signed a release form will be published.
If you want your name added to the list,
please call Alicia at the Varsity Community Centre at 403-288-9001. The Varsity
Community Association will not accept
responsibility – sitters are not screened.
The employer is responsible for negotiating reliability, maturity, safety, rates, etc.
I want to be a supporter
of my communiy and all
the good it does!
Please send me a Varsity
Community Association membership!
Household Members:_____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________
Postal Code:_________________
Phone:__________________________
Type of Membership:  Community (Household) $36.75
 Senior (per senior) $10.50
Payment: $__________________
Donation: $______________________
 Please mail or drop off, along with your cheques made payable to:
Vaild from September 1 2010 to August 31 2011
Before and After School Care:
•For children grades 1 – 6
•We provide care for Varsity Acres and
Marion Carson schools.
•Full day care on professional days,
teacher convention and spring break
for children enrolled in our regular
program.
•Qualified experienced, loving staff.
•Plenty of crafts, sports, special events,
friends and loads of fun.
•We offer a program for children
enrolled in kindergarten at Varsity
Acres (very limited space).
At the Varsity Community Centre,
4303 Varsity Drive N.W.
403-247-1145, [email protected],
www.calgaryarea.com/nw/varsity/community_news/childcare_programs.htm
Varsity
Play Group
Come join our play group for children
to come and play; parents stay. Must
have a community membership or be
willing to purchase one.
At the Varsity Community Centre
on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to
12:00 p.m. For more information
call Shirley D’Eall at 403-239-9620
or 403-669-4316 or email
[email protected].
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
7
In Our Community
Varsity Casino
2012
Varsity Pre-School
2012-2013 School Term
We offer five classes Monday to
Friday morning and afternoon. Your
child is eligible for Pre-School if they
are 3 by Dec. 31, 2012 and or 4 by
end of Feb. 2013. Registration for the
2012 - 2013 school term is ongoing
We welcome you to come and visit us
for a tour.
Location: Cash Casino Place
Saturday, December 22nd, 2012
Sunday, December 23rd, 2012
Monday, December 24th, 2012
Volunteers needed for all positions
Please contact Varsity Community
Centre for Volunteer positions at
403-288-9001.
Features:
•Excellent, qualified teachers
•Low child to adult ratios
•Reasonable rates
•Peanut free snacks and crafts
•Music and movement programs
•Well equipped classrooms, indoor
gyms and outdoor playgrounds.
•Plenty of creative, fun projects, including arts, crafts and science.
What to look for in a great
pre-school:
Children and Activities
•Do the children in class look happy
and involved?
•Do the children seem busy and purposeful?
•Is there a comfortable noise level in
the classroom? Ideally there should
be a busy hum.
•Is there a balance of child and
teacher directed activity?
•Are there alternating periods of quiet
and active play?
•Is the child able to act independently
without constantly having to ask for
teacher’s help?
•Are children encouraged to express
themselves creatively?
•Do the activities offer children opportunities to develop language and
social skills, play skills, math, science, physical movement and drawing, and opportunities to work with
manipulative toys such as puzzles,
pegs, or Lego?
Teachers and Administrative Staff
•Do the teachers seem warm and
friendly in their interactions with the
children?
•Are the teachers smiling and speaking with children at eye level?
•Do the teachers listen and talk in an
engaging tone with children?
•Is the administrative staff helpful, organized and responsive. Do they seem
like people with whom you would be
comfortable communicating?
•The environment should be welcoming and warm.
At the Varsity Community Centre, 4303 Varsity Drive N.W.
www.calgaryarea.com/nw/varsity/community_news/childcare_programs.htm
For more info or to schedule a visit: 403-247-1145 or [email protected]
Varsity 131
Scouting
The Varsity 131 Beavers, Cubs and
Scouts will be holding their Fall Bottle
Drive on Saturday, September 29th
from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
To ensure that your beverage containers are picked up please leave them
at the curb as we do not have enough
participants and volunteers to go door
to door throughout the community.
Varsity 131 appreciates the continued
support of its Bottle Drives by Varsity Residents. Our Bottle Drives are
an important part of our fundraising
efforts and all proceeds are used to
run Scouting programs in the Varsity
community.
For further information concerning the
Fall Bottle Drive please contact Dave
or Narda Simpson at 403-226-5599.
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
9
In Our Community
Baby Sign Language for
Pre-Verbal Babies
Varsity Community Centre has been a
base for ongoing baby sign language
classes for the last eight years. Tricia
Davis, offers 4 one-hour weekly baby
sign language classes on a regular
basis and one-time 1 ½ hour workshops through her program, Baby Can
Sign®.
Many families have experienced the
many benefits of using basic signs
with their hearing, pre-verbal children. These include reduced frustration on the child’s part because they
can communicate much earlier with
gestures and signs. That results in few
meltdowns and a calmer and happier
family!
Signs are taken from American Sign
Language (ASL), developed for communication with the deaf at the time
when formal education for the deaf
was being established in North America over 200 years ago. Examples of
signs taught to parents – to teach their
hearing babies include: “more”, “eat”,
“all done” and “milk” as well as signs
for toys, animals, feelings and manners (like “please” and “thank you”.)
By using these visual signs (while
speaking the word) with pre-verbal
babies, comprehension of spoken language is enhanced. As a child learns
the signs and begins to use her hands
to “express” herself with these signs
she is able to express her wants and
needs many months before she can
actually speak the words. Using signs
with hearing babies has been found
to significantly increase vocabulary,
often enhance spoken language once it
begins to develop, as well as increase
interest in books. Two-way communication begins much earlier between
parent and child. Parents get an insight
into what their child is thinking much
earlier than if they waited for spoken
speech and language to develop.
For information on upcoming classes
contact Tricia Davis at 403-990-4908
or email: [email protected].
Alzheimer’s Early Stage
Support Group
Presented by the Alzheimer Society of
Calgary. This support group provides
an opportunity for persons living
with an early stage dementia to meet,
socialize and share with others going
through similar experiences. There is
also a care partner/caregiver support
group at the same location and time.
The Alzheimer Society of Calgary is
also offering two classes in our Early
Stage services to meet the educational
needs of persons living with early dementia or early Alzheimer’s disease:
•Dementia: Developing a Positive
Perspective
•Living with Dementia
Groups meet at the Varsity Community Centre, third Thursday of each
month, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Please call for more information or to
register: 403-290-0110 or visit
www.AlzheimerCalgary.com.
Bellydancing
You are invited to explore a mysterious world of Bellydancing! Increase
your body awareness, gain flexibility
and stamina, developing pride and
respect for the feminine in yourself.
Varsity Community Centre,
Fridays, 6.30 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.
Contact Galina 403-338-1766
e-mail [email protected]
www.danceyourself.ca
Zumba Fitness
Zumba Fitness® claims a spot on
the list of top 10 worldwide fitness
trends for 2012!! - American College
of Sports Medicine. (By Lilly Workneh,
Special to CNN - updated 11:57 AM EST, Tue.
Dec. 27, 2011)
“The View” names Zumba Fitness®
One of the Best Workouts of 2012!
Ditch the workout, Join the party!
•Zumba Fridays: 9:15 a.m. –
10:15 a.m.
•Zumba Mondays: 7:40 p.m. –
8:40 p.m.
•Classes ongoing on a regular basis
•Your First Trial ZUMBA Class, is
FREE!
Registration:
Alejandra Carrillo, 403-829-8766 or
[email protected].
Highland Dancing
Register now for lessons with the
Alberta Rocky Mountain Highland
Dancers. At the Varsity Community
Association. Call 403-701-0726 for
more info.
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
11
In Our Community
Instep School of Dance
Once again, Instep is
proud to have concluded another busy and
exciting
year of dance.
Our students greatly
enjoyed performing
in our year-end recital
on June 2, 2012 at the Wright Theatre at
Mount Royal University and it was an
amazing display of 5 different styles of
dance, fun choreography and beautiful
costumes.
For parents looking to engage their
children in interesting and meaningful
activity dance can provide many positive
outcomes for children and their development. The many benefits of dance include developing coordination, focus, a
sense of discipline and dedication, a love
of music and movement, confidence,
an awareness of others and a sense of
belonging. Many friendships have
been formed over a common interest in
dance. Instep School of Dance offers
classes in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary
and hip hop to all ages and abilities in a
non-competitive environment. Our goal
is to provide engaging and fun dance
classes that combine a love of dance,
strong technical training and a sense of
community.
We are excited about commencing our
5th year in the Varsity Community Centre and are already thinking about our
Christmas demo and year-end Recital.
In addition, to celebrate our 5th anniversary, we are also planning a trip to
Disney World to dance in the Dance the
World 2013 celebration from June 30 to
July 3rd 2013!
Registration for the 2012 – 2013 dance
season is ongoing and can be completed
online on our website at www.instepdance.ca. Don’t delay as classes fill up
quickly. We are sure you will love our
upbeat, positive, and fun teaching style
and will quickly develop a delight in
dance!
Visit our website or contact us at [email protected] or 403-208-7376 for
more information.
Get Involved
with the VCA!
There are many opportunities for
you to get invloved with the Varsity
Community Association.
Call or drop by the office to explore
the many interesting volunteer opportunities that we have available –
there’s something to interest you!
Chinese Dance
Red Dance Shoes School of Dance is a
professional dance school for toddlers,
school age children, teenagers and
adults. Our school is teaching standard
methodical, healthy Chinese dance
program based on grade exam standards of Chinese Dance Association.
We emphasize fun and lively teaching technique. We treat each child as
an individual. We have group classes
based on different ages, psychological
stage of development and actual performance to help each child to achieve
maximum potential.
Our objective is for every child in
Red Dance Shoes School of Dance to
receive the best Chinese dance training
possible. We have fun dancing & we
have fun growing up together...
Red Dance Shoes School of Dance
(HongWuXie) became Chinese Dance
Association’s 5-star demonstration
center in Canada in 2008 after rigorous
certification exam. Qualified students
will receive Chinese dance grade certification directly from Chinese Dance
Association located in Beijing.
We are teaching Chinese dancing in
both Chinese and English. Welcome
to join Red Dance Shoes School of
Dance!
Located at the Varsity Community
Association, 4303 Varsity Drive N.W.
For more information contact the
community assiciation or Viola Wu at
403-891-8737 or violachaw@hotmail.
com. http://www.hongwuxie.ca/
Bollywood Dance
Studio Bollywood Dance, Canada’s
premiere dance school with renowned
international choreographers Tania &
Vish. At the Varsity Community Association, Fridays 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Contact 403-246-5739/403-708-9900,
[email protected],
www.studiobollywoodidance.com for
more information.
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
13
In Our Community
Line Dance
New Attitude Line Dance will be back
at Varsity in April with contemporary,
progressive classes for beginner/improver and intermediate levels. You’ll
line dance to a variety of music including rhythm & blues, swing, Irish, jazz,
Latin American, rock & roll, top 40,
funk, retro and more. The best part?
You don’t need a partner!
Besides the fun and social benefits,
line dancing is one of the best forms
of physical and mental exercise and
has been proven to reduce the risk of
dementia and Alzheimer’s. Other benefits include reduced stress, increased
energy, muscle tone, coordination,
stamina, flexibility and balance, decreased blood pressure and improved
cholesterol levels. Line dancing is
one of the best activities you can do
for total body wellness. While many
start out with the intention of taking
a session of classes for the exercise,
many more find themselves becoming addicted to line dancing because
they love the music, the confidence
that grows from mastering a dance,
the friendships that start to form and
more. Come on out and join others,
like yourself, who are discovering why
line dancing is enjoying a revival and
becoming one of the most popular
forms of dance.
•Varsity Community Centre, 4303
Varsity Drive N.W.
•Mon. Apr. 16 – Jun. 18 (9 weeks) (no
class May 21)
•5:35 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Beginners/
Improvers
•6:35 p.m. – 7:35 p.m. Intermediates
•$90
Class sizes are limited and pre-registration is necessary by Friday, March
30th. Please contact Sue Hall by phone
at 403-249-5741 or email
[email protected] to register or
for more information.
A registration form can also be found
at www.newattitudelinedance.com.
Jazzercise
Come to class and we’ll help you
tighten up and trim down so you can
look and feel your best. The countdown begins!
The Jazzercise workout program incorporates everything from jazz and Latin
dance, to resistance training, Pilates,
yoga, and kickboxing. Even if you’re
not a dancer, you can quickly pick up
the steps and moves. The hour-long
class includes a warm-up, at least 30
minutes of cardio, strength and flexibility moves and a cool down. Benefits
include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility, as well
as an overall “feel good” factor. There
are more than 32,000 Jazzercise classes
weekly in 32 countries.
Come and join us. Your first two
classes are FREE. There is no registration fee and you can register anytime.
•Varsity Community Centre
•Tue. & Thu. 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
•Evening classes are at the VRRI,
Tue. & Thu. 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. &
Sat. 9:15 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
For more info contact Ruth at
403-288-6026 or [email protected].
Calgary’s #1
Community
For the second year in a row, Varsity
has been named by Avenue Magazine
and Leger Marketing as the best Calgary neighbourhood to live in.
Factors cited were good access to
shopping, restaurants and low crime.
Congratulations to all of our residents
for helping to make us the pride of
Canada’s greatest city!!
VCA Approved
by the BBB
Varsity Community Association was
asked by the Better Business Bureau
to disclose our financial, management and charitable practices. In all,
188 charities across the country were
asked to be put under a microscope in
20 different areas of “Best Practices”.
Of the 188 only 11 charities passed
the scrutiny and yes, you guessed it,
Varsity Community Association was
one of them. We are now allowed
to display the BBB Charity Seal and
have done so on our web site and
on the front door to the community
centre. VCA is the only community
association in Calgary to have been
recognized by the BBB as exhibiting
“fair and honest practices....and ethical
conduct”.
Atta go once again Varsity!!
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
15
In Our Community
Varsity Basketball
All registrations for the 2012-2013 season will be taken online. The community centers
of Silver Springs and Varsity can accommodate walk in registrations if required.
Calgary NorthWest Basketball is a community sponsored sport and you must
purchase your local communities membership to take part. Please pre-purchase
your membership before registering.
Registration is now open. Go to www.cnwb.ca for club information and to
register. For more information contact the registrar at [email protected].
Community boundaries for CNWB: Citadel, Hawkwood, Ranchlands, Arbour
Lake, Bowness, Greenwood, Rocky Ridge, Royal Oak, Scenic Acres, Silver
Springs, Tuscany, Valley Ridge, Banff Trail, Brentwood, Briar Hill, Capital
Hill, Charleswood, Collingwood, Dalhousie, Hillhurst, Hounsfield Heights,
Montgomery, Parkdale, Point Mckay, St. Andrew Heights, Triwood, University
Heights, Varsity, Westmount.
Please register early. Any registrations received after August 1 will have the
addition of a $30 late fee.
Age
Category
Birth Year
LTP
Registration Fee
Uniform Deposit
Cheque
On-Line
2006-2007
$175
$185
none
Tyke
2004-2005
$175
$185
none
Mini
2002-2003
$385
$395
Bantam
2000-2001
$385
$395
Midget
1998-1999
$385
$395
Juvenile*
1996-1997
$385
$395
Junior*
1994-1995
$385
$395
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
Volunteer Deposit
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
$125 (cheque dated
April 1, 2013)
* All Junior and Juvenile Divisions will have a shortened season in the fall (seeding round, 1 game
per week, and playoffs) between September and mid-November in order to be finished for players
to try out for their high school teams. There will be a break from mid-November to January to
allow for high school try-outs. Those Junior and Juvenile players who do make their respective
High School Teams may contact the registrar to receive a refund of $115, for not playing in the
Winter Session. We will accept registrations for the winter Juvenile and Junior season from players who did not play in the fall, again please contact the registrar for further information.
* All deposit cheques—volunteer and uniform—will be collected at league evaluations in
early September. League play for mini- midget teams begins in early October.
Financial Support: Kidsport Canada provides assistance “to overcome the
financial obstacles that prevent some young people from playing sport.” For
more information and an application form or to see how you can make a
contribution, go to www.kidsportcalgary.ca.
Varsity
Community
Association
Open House
Come help us celebrate at our
Open House
Saturday September 8, 2012
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meet the Board of Directors
as they serve up hotdogs,
hamburgers, chips and juice.
Enjoy live entertainment
presented by theVarsity Open
Stage performers. Check out the
program/instructor displays and
take a tour our facility. There
will be face painting, balloons,
and a bouncer.Visit with the City
of Calgary Fire Department and
Calgary City Police.
Special Thanks to Nobuo Kawaguchi for organizing the Varsity Open
Stage Performers and Doug Bassett
for sound and hosting the following performers: Bellabonze, Vinyl
Quartet, Mike Watson, Joanna
Drummond, Deja Mu, Sam Lee,
Gabriel Miller, Gregor Schoenberg
and Allan & Arnell.
Texting During
Meetings
According to Staples Advantage
Canada, 60% of people believe
texting or answering emails during a
business meeting is disrespectful.
News Canada
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
19
In Our Community
Free Women’s ESL Group
Meet your neighbours and practice
English!
Do you want to improve your English?
Do you want to meet new women in
the Varsity neighbourhood?
Drop in at one of our weekly NFNG
groups (New Friends and Neighbourhood Groups). We meet every week
for 2 hours and practice English, talk
about life, tell our stories, have fun,
and learn new things! There is no
cost. There are no immigration requirements and no minimum English
requirement!
It’s free and we have free childcare for
kids 6 months old to 6 years old.
Visit one of our 16 locations throughout Calgary, including three in the
Varsity area:
Varsity Group at 4612 Varsity Dr NW
(Varsity Acres Church Café) – Every
Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
starting on September 11
Montgomery Group at 4712 21st Ave
NW (New Life Church Basement) –
Every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. –
12:00 p.m. starting on September 19
Shaganappi Group at 3415 8th Ave
SW (Shaganappi Public Library) –
Every Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00
p.m. starting on September 11
For more information, please contact:
Marilee Campbell, Program Coordinator, New Friends and Neighbourhood
Groups, Calgary Immigrant Women’s
Association. Phone: 403-444-1752
Email: [email protected]
Visit our website:
www.ciwa-online.com
Wine & Cheese Speaker Series
Get your thinking caps on and let us
know what would interest you in a Fall
Speaker Series. For example:
•What happens to you when you lose
your Driver’s License? What are
your options? How will you feel?
How will you get to appointments,
meetings, shopping? Have you ever
taken a bus?
•What is a RIF? When do I have to
transfer my RRSP’s to it? What else
do I need to know about taxes as I
age?
•How do I deal with the loss of my
spouse? How do I move on? How
do I define my new life?
•I’ve always
wanted to
see Fiji...
the Scottish
Moors...the
Tower of
London...
Perhaps we
can find a
Photo Video
Presenter
for some of
our “Dream
Trips”.
Please contact the Program Coordinator at the Varsity Community Centre
at 403-288-9001 or [email protected]
with your ideas.
Athletic Parks
The City of Calgary
Recreation has developed concept plans
to redevelop both
Foothills and Glenmore Athletic Parks.
The proposed redevelopments include
an overall reorganization that incorporates facility, site, and
infrastructure improvements to address
existing deficiencies, accommodate
demand, increase opportunities for
broader usage, as well as, enhance
the aesthetic qualities of each athletic
park.
The next step in the proposed redevelopments of Foothills and Glenmore
Athletic Parks is to submit the site
planning and overall reconfiguration of
the sites for Site Development Permit
(DP). The intent of this next stage is
to identify community concerns and to
incorporate concerns from other City
departments with the technical input
resulting from the feasibility studies.
The goal of this exercise is to resolve
any outstanding issues that may prevent effective implementation. Notably, this DP application will be for site
planning only, no buildings/structures
will be included.
Recreation enriches lives and builds
strong communities. Your support
of this project will strengthen your
community and help build additional
community spaces, playgrounds and
competition-ready athletic amenities for all Calgarians. As part of the
City’s ongoing commitment to engage
citizens, we will be hosting an Open
house for each Athletic Park. For
more information about the project
and the upcoming Open houses visit
www.athleticparks.ca.
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
21
In Our Community
U6 To U18
Indoor Soccer
Registration
Indoor Soccer Registration for all ages:
four (U6) to eighteen years old (U18),
birth years 1995 to 2008. Calgary
Northside Soccer is an amalgamated city league soccer program of the
communities of Edgemont, Hamptons,
Dalhousie and Varsity open to players
from all communities.
Please consult our website for registration information as details are posted.
Please note there is alternative funding
available. If you or someone you know
requires assistance to be involved in
sports, complete the KidSport Application
form (available at the Community Centre
offices and on our web site) and submit
it with the registration forms. Please
encourage your friends and neighbours to
participate in Calgary Northside Soccer.
For enquiries about our program,
please go to our website or email us:
www.NorthsideSoccer.ca,
[email protected].
Community
Connection
Leukemia and Lymphoma Benefit
Concert and Silent Auction.
• Featuring Magnolia Buckskin.
• Friday, September 14, 2012 at the
Varstity Acres Presbyterian Church.
• 7:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
• Tickets: $15
• Coffee and Confectionery.
For more information and to purchase
tickets, please e-mail
[email protected]
Bowmont Natural Environment Park
Photo Contest
The Bowmont Natural Environment
Park Committee is looking for your best
shots taken in Bowmont Natural Environment Park. Photos will be judged by
experienced photographers. Prizes will
be awarded in the following categories:
•Scenic Views: Scenic landscape views
of the park
•Flora: Trees, shrubs, grasses or flowers
•Wildlife: Animals in the Park (not
including domestic animals)
•Environmental Issues: Damage
within the park (excluding private
property)
•Park Users: People enjoying the park
(submit their permission using the
consent form)
•Best of Show: Best photo in the show!
Contest Rules
1. Contest is open to all amateur photographers.
2. All photos must be taken within
Bowmont Natural Environment Park
between January 1, 2012 and January 1,
2013.
3. Entry deadline is January 16, 2013.
4. Photos submitted MUST be accom-
panied by the contest Photo Release
Waiver or will be disqualified.
5. Some restrictions regarding prizes
may apply.
6. Only two entries per category may be
submitted.
7. Submissions must be good quality 4”
x 6” prints (no slides) with entry form
attached. Please do not write on the
back of your photos.
8. Please email a digital version if possible of photos (JPEG file) to lknight@
hopewell.com prior to entry deadline.
9. Photos submitted will not be returned
to the entrant. They will remain with the
committee for reproduction and use as
per the Photo Release Waiver form.
Entry forms and the contest Photo Release Waiver are available at the following Community Centre Offices: Bowness, Montgomery, Silver Springs and
Varsity; or by e-mail request to lknight@
hopewell.com and pdf format form and
release waiver will be forwarded to your
e-mail address.
For more information, contact:
Linda Knight at 403-298-8116 or
[email protected].
Varsity Community Annual
Christmas Craft Sale
Friday, November 16,
3:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 17,
10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Handmade Ornaments, Jewelry & Lots
More! Fun for the whole family.
Free Admission.
Concession Available.
Christmas Decorations, Paintings,
Knitting, Handmade Woodwork,
Photographs, Crochet, Christmas Art,
To register contact the Varsity community Centre at 403-288-9001.
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
23
In Our Community
Crowchild Hockey
We would like to welcome everyone back
to the start of another exciting hockey
season. The arena is a buzz of activity
with the kids sharing their adventures
from the summer and their eagerness to
see who is gearing up for the ice.
The evaluation dates for each age
group are listed below but please
confirm them with our website, as
changes may occur:
Timbit/Tyke
•Players (Sept. 19 – 23)
Novice
•Players (Sept. 22 – 30)
Atom
•Goalies (Sept. 6 & 7)
•Players (Sept. 8 – 16)
Peewee
•Body Checking (Sept. 5 – 8)
•Goalies (Sept. 6 & 7)
•Players (Sept. 9 – 16)
Bantam
•Goalies (Sept. 20 & 21)
•Players (Sept. 23 – 30)
Midget
•Goalies (Sept. 20 & 21)
•Players (Sept. 23 – Oct 1)
Juniors
•All (Sept. 24 – Oct 3)
All teams will be confirmed prior to
the second weekend in October.
We are kicking off our season with
our Annual Fall Freeze Tournaments.
They will be running throughout the
month of October. It’s a great way
to get the season rolling and there is
nothing like a tournament to ignite the
competitive engine. Please stop by
For Older Adults—Triple A
Tim Horton’s Day Out Trip
Thursday October 25, 2012
All Inclusive Trip To Banff
Cost: $38
• 4:45 p.m.: Drop Off at Crowchild Twin
Arenas
• 5:00 p.m.: Drop Off at Varsity Community Centre
• 9:00 a.m.: Pickup at Varsity Community Centre
• 9:15 a.m.: Pickup at Crowchild Twin
Arenas
• 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Self guided
tour of the Whyte Museum featuring
the new exhibition “Gateway to the
Rockies”.
• 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Lunch at The
Old Spaghetti Factory. Choose from
7 available entrees. Ask your CA’s for
information.
• 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.: Free time for
shopping, sightseeing, visiting, etc.
Seating is limited. For Info and to
register & pay call Alicia at the VCA at
403-288-9001
Soups, Slides & Socialize
Seniors Social Lunch
Monday, September 24, 2012
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Lunch will be served with a dessert and
travel slide presentation.
For more information please call MCA
at 403-247-3116.
and enjoy some engaging hockey!
Complete information and all detailed
schedules can be found on our website
(www.crowchildhockey.org). If you
have any questions please contact us at
[email protected].
Crowchild Hockey
Nose Hill Library
Programs for Kids & Teens
•Mo Willems Madness: Sep. 8,
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
•123: Count with Me: Thu. Sep. 13 –
Oct. 25, 10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
•Reptile Party: Sep. 15, 1:00 p.m. –
2:00 p.m.
•Preschool Storytime Series:
Mon. Sep. 17 – Oct. 29, 10:15 a.m. –
10:45 a.m.
•Toddler Storytime Series:
Wed. Sep. 19 – Oct. 24, 10:15 a.m. –
10:35 a.m.
•Baby and You for Moms: Fri. Sep.
28 – Oct. 19, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Register by calling 403-955-1450.
Programs for Adults
•50+ Coffee and Conversation:
Mon. Sep. 10, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
•Law at your Library: Sep. 22,
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
•Adult Book Club: Sep. 24,
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. –
8:30 p.m.
•Writer-in-Residence, Brian Brennan: Sep. 24, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
•Black and White Photography:
Sep. 25, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Visit www.calgarypubliclibrary.com
for more information on these
programs. Registration is required for
all programs unless otherwise noted.
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
25
In Our Community
It’s Playtime at the New
St. Vincent de Paul Playground
After two years of hard work and
fantastic support from the community,
local businesses and various granting
organizations, the NEW playground at
St. Vincent de Paul School is buzzing
with activity.
On behalf of St. Vincent de Paul School
and the playground committee, we
would like to thank everyone who came
out to support our Grand Opening Friday, June 1st. It was a pleasure to have
local MLA, Donna Kennedy-Glans, and
Father David Meadows join us for the
Opening Ceremony. The weather was
perfect and gave everyone an opportunity to try out the new playground,
blow hundreds of bubbles and enjoy
lunch and cake provided by M&M Meat
Shops and Be My Guest Catering while
listening to a variety of great music by
RF Sound. Thank you to all volunteers
and local businesses who helped make
this a fun and memorable day.
Thanks again to everyone who was with
us during the 4 days of building. Your
efforts, whether it was digging holes in
the rain, holding up bridges, bolting in
screws, shovelling cement after work
or slinging sod and loam on a Sunday,
helped build a stronger community.
See you at the playground!
We would like to thank families,
businesses and donors for their
generous contributions:
Be My Guest Catering
Blue Grass Nursery, Sod and
Garden Centre
Brentwood Co-op
Burnco
Clayton Dunford
Eagle Lakes Turf Farm and
Landscape Supplies
The Gagnon Family
Greater Calgary Orthodontics
Harco Landscaping
Home Depot
John Gaucher Images
Market Mall Safeway
Matador Pizza and Steak House
Mathpro Learning Centre
The McCann Family
Northland Starbucks
Scott Russell and Kathy Savoia
Shaganappi M&M
Strange World Tattoo
Varsity Pizza and Subs
WR Paving and the Widomski family
Year Round Landscaping and the
Caputo family
Grants
Community Facility Enhancement
Program
The Alberta Recycling
Management Authority
The Calgary Foundation
The Parks Foundation, Calgary
Major Suppliers
Blue Imp
Softline Solutions
Sudden Fun
Emmanuel Foundation
New Recreation
Centres Taking
Shape
Now that Council has approved what
goes into the city’s four new recreation
facilities, The City of Calgary is moving into the design phase.
These concept plans aren’t the final
designs, but show how amenities
might be arranged to ensure they fit
on the sites for the two larger facilities
being planned; Seton (top) and Rocky
Ridge (bottom). Architects will take
these concept plans and develop them
into detailed designs with the help of
user groups from Calgary’s sport and
cultural community.
These centres will be designed to act
as community hubs for residents to
gather to play, learn, create, connect
and grow.
If you are interested in getting
more involved, contact your Community Advisory Group. Visit
www.calgary.ca/newreccentres for
contact details and updates.
VARSITY VOICE
SEPTEMBER 2012
27
In Our City
City of Calgary Shaganappi Trail
Corridor Study
An article in the March 2012 Varsity
Voice provided information and
Calgary City website addresses for
a Crowchild Trail Study then in
progress. Included was reference to
a planned Shaganappi Trail Study.
An engineering consultant has
now been hired for the Shaganappi
Trail Study and the City has an
information page at http://www.
calgary.ca/Transporation/TP/Pages/
Projects/Current-Planning-Projects/
Shaganappi--Trail-Corridor-andHOV-Study.aspx
If you have trouble with this address,
type in “Shaganappi Trail HOV” in
the City’s search page and it should
also get you there. This will also
lead you to information about current
construction at the John Laurie
intersection.
The purpose of the Shaganappi Trail
Study is to provide a long term vision
of Shaganappi Trail for all modes
of transportation (walking, cycling,
transit, high occupancy vehicles,
single occupancy vehicles). The
study scope does not include detailed
engineering nor capital funding.
Those subsequent steps would have
to be justified in future City budget
deliberations.
On the above referenced webpage
is a wealth of information about the
City’s road classification system
and high level transportation plan.
Of specific interest related to the
Shaganappi Trail Study is the July 24,
2012 “Presentation to Stakeholders”
which is a twenty-five page bullet
point summary of the scope and
project plan. The City is tentatively
planning to have a Public Open
House in October / November 2012
and a second one in March 2013. The
dates will be finalized as the project
content is developed. Watch for
signs and further updates on these
activities.
Members of the Varsity Community
Association Civic Affairs Committee
have met with the Shaganappi
Trail Corridor Study project leader
and expressed obvious interest to
be involved with the study of this
major roadway that travels through
the center of our community. Some
specific topics of interest that were
discussed included:
• Changes causing increased ‘cutthrough’ commuter traffic
• Addressing existing intersection
safety concerns for all modes of
travel
• Improving the quality of ‘transit
hub’ service at Market Mall
• Appropriate use of potential excess
land along the corridor with the
designation change from Skeletal
Road to Arterial Street classification
for the segment from Crowchild
Trail to Bowness Road.
Watch for further updates!
John Uncles,
Member of the Varsity Civic Affairs
Committee
"In all things of nature
there is something of
the marvelous."
Aristotle
Community
Volunteer
Awards
The Federation of Calgary Communities is excited to announce that we are
now accepting nominations for the
2012 Encana Community Volunteer
Awards!
No matter the kind
of volunteer, there
is an award to recognize their time
and achievements.
Nominate your most
deserving community
volunteer today and
help celebrate Calgary’s 20,000 community association
volunteers! There are four different
awards to choose from when nominating someone:
•The Step Up Award
•The Spark Award
•The Be Part of It Group Award
•The Community Builder Award
Please visit www.calgarycommunities.
com for detailed descriptions of the
four awards and the nomination form.
The deadline to nominate someone for
a 2012 Encana Community Volunteer
Award is September 15th, 2012.
"Chains do not hold a
marriage together. It is
threads, hundreds of
tiny threads which sew
people together
through the years."
Simone Signoret
SEPTEMBER 2012
VARSITY VOICE
29
In Our City
Calgary Connection
781 Air Cadet Squadron New Recruit
Presentation: Sep. 12, 7:00 p.m. at our
offices in the Vecova Centre, 3304-33
St. N.W. Bring your birth certificate,
Alberta Health Care Card and your parent or guardian. For youth aged 12 to 19
interested in making new friends while
learning valuable skills. For more information visit, http://781aircadets.ca/.
Vocal Latitudes Wants You! We are a
mixed-voice, world music, community
choir based in central Calgary. Looking
for new singers in all voices. Choral
experience is not necessary, no auditions. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings
at the Unitarian Church of Calgary. Call
Frank at 403-277-5295 or e-mail
[email protected] for more information.
Free Dance Lessons: Week of Sep. 10.
The University of Calgary Ballroom
Dance Club functions in several locations in Calgary, and in Cochrane, under
the instruction of trained volunteers and
professional instructors. A partner is not
required. For more information, visit
www.ucalgaryballroomdance.ca or call
403-220-0049.
Global Festival Sale: Oct. 26 – 28 at
Woodcliff United Church, 5010 Spruce
Dr. S.W. International Fair Trade marketplace with wonderful handcrafted
treasures that provides an opportunity
for families in the developing world to
support themselves with dignity. No
admission cost. For more information,
visit www.woodcliffunited.com.
Super Rummage Sale: Hosted by
the Samaritan Club of Calgary. Sat.
Sep. 29, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the
Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre,
1320- 5th Ave. N.W. All items bargain
priced: collectables, clothing, toys, tools,
household items, shoes, jewelry, etc. All
proceeds to needy Calgarians.
Red Cross Babysitting Certificate
course: Sat. Sep. 29, 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. at St. Thomas United Church,
100 Hawkwood Blvd. N.W. Registration fee of $47.25 required with registration before Sep. 25. Offered by Health
Education Inc. Call 403-241-0366 for
more information.
604 Air Cadet Squadron Open House:
Sep. 11, 6:30 p.m. at the Mewata
Armoury, 801-11th St. S.W. Provides youth aged 12 to 19 with the
opportunity to develop attributes in
leadership, citizenship, and physical
fitness. For more information, visit
www.604moose.ca.
Calgary Interfaith Food Bank 8th
Annual Citywide Food Drive: In
2008, we set the Guinness World
Record for the most food collected
in a single day in a single municipal
jurisdiction. Let's do it again! Between
Sep. 4 and 6, volunteers will distribute bags to homes. Fill your bag with
non-perishable food items and leave it
on your front step for collection prior
to 9:00 a.m. on the morning of Sat.
Sep. 8. For more information, contact
Marvin Clifton at 403-257-8438.
Bags, Babies and Beyond Handcraft
Sale: Oct. 19 – 20 at the South Calgary Community Association, 3130
16 St. SW. Quality Handcrafted items.
Visit www. ujamaagrandmas.com for
more information.
#22 Sea Cadets Open House: September 11, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at
HMCS Tecumseh, 1820 24 St. S.W.
Bring your birth certificate, Alberta
Health Care Card and your parent or
guardian. For youth aged 12 to 18
looking for opportunities to meet new
friends in a rewarding, exciting and
adventurous environment. For more
information visit www.undaunted.ca.
Calgary Reads Volunteer Tutors:
Calgary Reads is a not-for-profit
organization that helps kids learn to
read. Our primary program trains
volunteer tutors to work one-on-one
with struggling Grade 1 and 2 readers.
If you love reading and working with
children, consider becoming a trained
volunteer tutor. We offer free training
sessions that start in September. Tutoring is provided at no cost to families.
Learn more at www.calgaryreads.com.
Calgary Association of Lifelong
Learners (CALL): The city's newest
adult learning group will be having a
Fall Launch on Sep. 6 at the Triwood
Community Association Hall, 2244
Chicoutimi Dr. N.W., 4:00 p.m. – 7:00
p.m. and a Stampede Breakfast on
Sep. 8 at the Rosedale Community
Association Hall, 901 11th Ave. N.W.,
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The very first
Stampede, back in 1912, was held in
September of that year. For more info,
visit www.calgarylifelonglearners.ca.
City of Calgary Recreation Centennial: In September, we’re celebrating
‘Culture’ and Calgary, as the Culture
Capital of Canada in 2012. Join us for:
•Calgary 2012 Culture Days:
Sep. 28, 29 & 30, Olympic Plaza.
www.calgary2012.com
•Sport Day in Canada: Sep. 29,
various City of Calgary Recreation
facilities. www.calgary.ca/recreation
•Doors Open YYC: Sep. 29 & 30,
Southland Leisure Centre.
For info: www.calgary.ca/rec100.
VARSITY VOICE
SEPTEMBER 2012
31
In Our City
Affordable Housing And Attainable
Homes – Is There A Difference?
In Calgary, over 38,000 renter households are considered in need of affordable housing– that is they spend
greater than 30% of their gross income
on housing and earn less than $44,000.
Those in need include students,
seniors, young couples, people with
disabilities, Aboriginal peoples, lowincome workers and their families,
new Canadians and people who are
unemployed. Another 33,500 households that own their homes are considered at risk of losing their homes.
If, due to circumstances beyond their
control, these households were to miss
a paycheque or realize a decreased
monthly income, they would no longer
be able to meet their housing costs.
(2006 Federal Census)
With rising housing costs and rising
standard of living costs, these households are challenged to afford housing
and other basic needs such as food,
clothing, medicine and childcare.
Household incomes in Calgary have
not risen as dramatically as housing
prices. Over the past 10 years, housing prices have increased 156% yet
incomes have increased only 34%
during that same time. Over these
years, Calgary experienced a rapid
boom and this resulted in a dramatic
rise in house prices. In 2008, with the
global economic changes, house prices
moderated.
The City of Calgary, through their
100% owned Calgary Housing Company, provides safe, affordable housing solutions by providing below market and subsidized rental options for
low income families and individuals.
On the other
hand, Attainable Homes
Calgary
Corporation,
also a 100%
City of Calgary owned
entity, is a
not for profit
organization
that assists
working, middle income Calgarians in
realizing home ownership sooner than
they might otherwise. We require all
potential purchasers to attend a home
education session that teaches them
more about the home buying process
and assists in preparing them for the
largest purchase of their life.
They are key employees that our city
needs to be a successful, vibrant city.
Hard working Calgarians earning
moderate incomes including teachers,
mechanics, nurses, truckers, social
workers and many others who contribute to a strong community. They
are young professional, older singles,
single parents, couples, families and
single parents – what unites them is a
desire to purchase their own home and
live in vibrant urban surroundings.
Attainable housing exists to assist
those who desire and can afford the
monthly obligation required to own a
home, but lack the finances to provide
a full down payment. Program participants must still qualify for a mortgage
through their chosen financial institution, and meet other program criteria.
More information is available at the
website AttainableHomesCalgary.ca.
Fostering Safe
Communities...
Maintaining your property helps to
keep your neighbourhood and community safe!
By keeping your property tidy and
well-maintained, you are breaking
or even stopping the potential cycle
of vandalism and violence in your
neighbourhood. The Broken Window
Theory states that maintaining an urban
environment in a well-ordered condition may prevent vandalism as well as
an escalation of more serious crimes.
An untidy property can also attract insects, mice and/or coyotes. By keeping
your property tidy, you are protecting
yourself, your pets, your property and
your neighbours from unwanted visitors and the negative impacts of their
presence.
Help to set the standard in your community!
Animal & Bylaw Services
"Trust yourself. Create the kind of self
that you will be happy
to live with all your
life. Make the most
of yourself by fanning
the tiny, inner sparks
of possibility into
flames of achievement."
Golda Meir