February

R A M S A Y C O M M U N I T Y A S S O C I AT I O N 1 1 3 6 – 8 T H S T R E E T S E , C A L G A R Y, A B T 2 G 2 Z 7
February, 2005
Circulation 1200
http://www.ramsaycommunity.ab.ca
FAMILY DAY SKATE
Skating on the Elbow River, circa 1900
Sunday, Feb. 20th
1-4 p.m.
Backyard skating rink in Victoria Park, circa 1907
At the Skate Shack on the Hill
Come one, come all!
Enjoy some togetherness with your
family and other members of our great
community. Bring your skates and a chair,
enjoy a big bonfire and delicious snacks.
Even if you don’t skate, drop by for a visit.
See you there!
Skating on the Bow River, circa 1910
Hot chocolate - $0.50
Hot dogs for sale - $1.00
Chili and a bun - $2.00
(We are looking for wood for the bonfire
– call Ev at 259-3753 if you have some, or
bring it along with you!)
Sponsored by the Ramsay Community
Association and the Alex Health Centre.
Don’t Forget — Ramsay Community Association monthly meeting takes place the
first Tuesday of every month – 7 pm in the Lower Hall
RAMSAY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2003-2004 & COMMUNITY CHAIRS
Position
Name
Contact Info
President
Vince Bodnar
Past President
Vice President – External
& Chair, Civic Affairs
Vice President – Internal &
Chair, Membership
Treasurer
Michael Fitzpatrick
Janice Thoroughgood
266-4329
[email protected]
[email protected]
269-2640
[email protected]
284-4918
Secretary
Member
Darlene Travis
Liz Skagen
Member
Chair, Special Events
Brenda Japp
Ev Bell
Member
Allan Baker
Member
Community Hall
Summer and Winter Sports
Lynn Whieldon
Karen Lowry
Karen Lowry &
Jennifer Hapgood
Vacant
Pat Baker
Special Events
Casino
Colleen Peters
Jennifer Hapgood
Ramsay School Liaison
Beautification
Website
Newsletter Layout
Catherine Cartmill
Brenda Japp
Newsletter Editor
Beth Carter
Fred Holliss
MEETING NOTICES
Next General Meeting
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Ramsay Community Lower Hall, 7 pm
Childcare available.
Next Ramsay Community
Board Meeting
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Ramsay Community Lower Hall, 7 pm
217-6750
[email protected]
265-4898
262-8714
[email protected]
264-7137
259-3753
[email protected]
237-7927
[email protected]
265-4898
265-4898
265-4898
265-4898
237-7927
[email protected]
265-4898
264-7137
www.ramsaycommunity.ab.ca
815-3733
[email protected]
269-4199
[email protected]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FAMILY DAY SKATING PARTY ................ 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS ......................... 2
MEETING NOTICES ............................ 2
MEMBERSHIP FORM ........................... 2
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE ....................... 3
BLOCK WATCH ................................ 4
CIVIC AFFAIRS ................................ 5
SAFETY CONCERNS ............................ 5
ALEXANDRA CENTRE ......................... 7
DENNIS HERARD .............................. 8
RAMSAY SCHOOL .............................. 8
COMMUNITY TIDBITS .......................... 8
COMMUNITY TIDBITS (CONT.) ................ 9
SPECIAL EVENTS ............................ 11
100 YEARS................................... 11
THE ALEX ................................... 12
TRAFFIC ...................................... 13
LEE RICHARDSON ........................... 14
PEOPLE IN RAMSAY ......................... 15
CALENDAR OF EVENTS ...................... 16
COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP
Contact Colleen Peters at 284-4918
You are the community – Your voice is important!
Annual Membership allows you to:
Participate in Community Sports
Voice your concerns to the Civic Government
Beautify our Community
$10 Family $8 Single
$6 Senior, Disabled,
Associate
Please cut out this form
and mail with your
cheque or money order
to:
Ramsay Community
Association
1136 – 8th Street SE,
Calgary, AB, T2G 2Z7
Ramsay News page 2
��������������������������������
Family Name(s): _________________________________________________________
Your Name: __________________________Spouse’s Name:____________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________
Postal Code: __________________________ Telephone: ________________________
Email: _________________________________________________________________
Children:
1. _______________________________________ Age: _________
2. _______________________________________ Age: _________
3. _______________________________________ Age: _________
I would like to become involved with:
___ Board of Directors
___ History
___ Membership
___ Casino
___ Newsletter
___ Safety
___ Beautification
___ Sports
___ Traffic
___ Civic Affairs
___ Technology
___ As required
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Vince Bodnar
With the New Year well into full swing
(and winter at its full force), I wanted to bring
greetings from Ramsay Community Association.
Last month I gave many suggestions for a New
Year’s Resolution to get involved with your community; here is a quick recap:
“Get Involved with my Community.”
• attend the monthly Community Association
meetings (first Tuesday evening of every month)
• join a committee;
• support an initiative / project in Ramsay;
• ‘get to know my neighbourhood’ walk around
your block and say hello to your neighbours;
• make you neighbourhood safer by becoming a
block-watch member;
• help out someone in you neighbourhood by
cleaning their walk of ice or snow;
• check in with our residents who are elderly, or
have a disability – offer assistance to help them
$$
��������������
�����������
���� �����������
�������
�����
����������
out this winter;
• even seeing if they need you to pick something
up during one of your quick walks to one of our
great corner stores;
• purchase a community membership;
This month we have had to postpone our Hall
renos; but only briefly. We will have a great new
community hall by the spring! There are some great
community initiatives blooming as well – see the
new report enclosed from the Special Events Committee. Keep reading...
The Casino is coming in February 24 & 25. For
those able to volunteer at this fun event – please
contact Pat Baker. Ramsay community receives
gaming funds from this casino event – and all; we
need to provide community volunteers.
See you out and about! Come volunteer!
���������
������������
������������������
�������������
���������
����
������
������������
����� ����
��������
$$
����������
���������
����������
����������
�����������
���������
��������������
������������������������������������������������������������������������
Ramsay News page 3
Get Involved.
Make Ramsay a Safer
Community!
Block Watch is an effective residential crime
protection program that requires very little time
commitment.
It is impossible for the police to be everywhere at all times.
Police require the assistance of every resident of Ramsay to
be their eyes and ears. The higher number of calls that the
police receive on any suspicious activity, the more detailed information they will have
to solve a crime. Block Watch provides a link between neighbors for this reason.
BECOME A BLOCK WATCH MEMBER TODAY
It's easy! Call Ramsay’s Block Watch representatives:
Theresa @ 263-7127 or Mark @ 714-5570
Please leave your name, address, and phone number.
To receive a monthly newsletter on crime stats and a pamphlet on home security tips,
please email: '[email protected]'. There is no charge to join.
For More Information please visit
www.calgaryblockwatch.com
Dale Fehr at the unveiling of his Ramsy mural, 2003.
Ramsay News page 4
CIVIC AFFAIRS
Janice Thoroughgood
Manchester Water Centre DP2004-1994, LOC2004-0040
As I mentioned in the last newsletter, the committee
met with Alderman Ceci, City Traffic, Parks and Stampede in
the first week of January. Our concern was with the increase of
traffic that will accompany the development of the Manchester
site. It is our goal to mitigate the impact of all traffic from the
Manchester Site on our community.
The meeting was very informative, but we still had a lot of
questions and required more information. Our first concern
was with the extension of Spiller Road, a.k.a. Manchester
Way, South of 25th Ave., it is designed as a 5-lane road and it
is referred to as the “Main Entrance” to the Manchester Site.
Our second concern is the future closure of Spiller Road south
of 25th Ave., beside the cemetery. There is a potential to link
Macleod Trail to Manchester Way. Therefore, we filed an appeal
on the grounds that the DP failed to include the ingress and
egress from the site, and its impact on our community.
City Transportation Planning responded to our concerns,
with the consideration of other interested parties. Vehicles
entering and exiting the site via Manchester Way are to do so
mainly through left and right turn lanes. The goal with this
design is that traffic will not wait in a stacked lane to go straight
through the community. The plans of this extensive project will
continue to be refined as it will take place over up to 25 years.
Regarding the concern that Manchester Way could connect
Spiller Road with Macleod Tr, a City consultant assured us that
“Spiller Road from Macleod Trail will be closed except to allow
access to the cemetery. It is crucial to the functioning of the
Manchester Yard that there be no shortcutting from Macleod.”
It is on the basis of this information that we withdrew our
application to appeal DP2004-1994.
In addition, we requested the opportunity to remain involved
in the following outstanding issues identified in the Water
Centre DP:
1. City of Calgary Steer to Map, 2004.
2. Accountability for the impact of the entire Manchester site
on Ramsay’s existing shortcutting problem.
3. The releasing of land at the northwest corner of 25th
Avenue and Dartmouth Road SE to the Stampede at the
end of 2006 to facilitate the removal of the truck route from
Spiller Road.
Ramsay Community Hall DP2004-3809
We also reviewed the DP for the renovations to our
community hall. There were no concerns with this DP. (It looks
great!)
Both of these projects are very important to Ramsay and
its future. And they wouldn’t have been possible without the
time and dedication from our volunteers. Therefore a big
‘THANKS’ is in order for everyone involved in these projects.
The Civic Affairs Committee meets only when there are
items to discuss. If you wish to be included on my email
notification list please contact me at j_thoroughgood@hotmail
.com.
SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY
Vince Bodnar
Last month I discussed a new initiative – the TriCommunity Safety and Social Issues. I have had some
great feedback from some community members in support of
this venture.
Another big project in Ramsay is our Block Watch program.
Our community volunteers Teresa and Mark have been working hard to establish a good Block Watch program in Ramsay.
I am behind this initiative 110%, so much so – I became a
Block Watch member It was very easy, and informative as well.
More Block Watch members are needed on YOUR street. Your
help is needed – check out the adjacent poster for some information about What Block Watch is, and how easy it is to get
involved.
Watch the Ramsay News for future updates, and ways that
you can get involved. Also – visit Block Watch website at
www.calgaryblockwatch.com.
Proposed Changes
at Lilydale
Presentation at the March 1 General
Meeting
www.javajiveweekly.com
7:00 p.m. at the Hall
1 403 830 JIVE (5483)
Lilydale representatives will be
attending our general meeting in March
to discuss potential renovations to the
neighbourhood plant. Your input is
Client
greatly desired and as part of a good
neighbour
they want to share
s Accounting Services
Miranda’policy
their ideas and integrate your feedback
to this new project.
Tax Man Troubles?
Calls from the government regarding taxes overdue can be handled easily
Bookkeeping
NEGOTIABLE BUDGETED RATES. Simple Taxes for $40* *based on Simple Tax Return
Donna Pomeroy www.mirandasaccounting.com 720­2280
Ramsay News page 5
Ramsay News page 6
922 – 9 Avenue SE
403.269.5588 Fax: 403.269.5868
[email protected]
GOING WILD!!!!!!
������������������
FAMILY DAY
February 21, 2005
6:00PM
Alexandra Dance Hall
Journey into some of the planet’s best
wilderness areas with Brian�
LIMITED SEATS – Get Your Tickets Now!
��������������������������������������������
�����������������������������������������
�������������������������������������������
����������������
����������
“Whole Child Development”
Based on Waldorf Education Philosophy.
Children 3 – 4yrs.
January 24 – March 31
Child & Parent or Guardian
Monday & Tuesday weekly
April 1 – June 30
Children only; 3 – day program
Movement, Music, & Story Telling
in a gentle and beautiful environment.
Register Mon. – Fri. 9:00am – 5:00 pm.
������������������������
�����������������������������
The Alexandra Centre Society Christmas Hamper Program saw another successful year. We provided 48 Christmas
Hampers to families in need in Inglewood, Ramsay and Victoria Park. The program was largely a success due to the
dedication of volunteers, and generous donors. We would like to thank all the individuals and organizations for your
financial, in-kind, and volunteer support.
Special thanks go out to the folks at Fleischmann’s Yeast and The Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. The staff at
Fleischmann’s ensured that every child had new toys under the tree this year, and The Food Bank supplied us with a
huge order of food items at no cost. Fort Calgary, Planet Organic Market, Inglewood Child Development Centre,
Silver Threads, Calgary Co-Op, Mark’s Work Wearhouse, The Calgary Hitmen, The Down Under Club, St. Anne’s
School, and The Lantern Church all made significant contributions to aid our community residents.
We would like to thank the following individuals for contributing their time, The Calgary Alternative Support Services
Crew, Jenny Thomson, Molly Cropper, Carl & Heike Semon, Sandra Whiteford, Lynn MacKinnon, Ria Burr, Sandy &
George Parkson, Pete & Doreen Wiens, Don Raine, John & Grace Westra, Peter & Pat Abbott, Paul Moores, Heather
Wallinder, Shirley-anne Reuben, Everyone at the IODE, and many others – you know who you are!
Ramsay News page 7
Denis A. Herard, M.L.A.
Chair, Standing Policy Committee on
Education and Employment
Calgary Egmont Constituency
#10, 8318 Fairmount Dr. S.E. T2H 0Y8
640-1363, 640-2970 (f)
Edmonton - toll free - 310-0000 and key in 780-422-5378
calgary.egmont @assembly.ab.ca
GOOD NEWS ON TAX RATES
Best wishes to all Egmont residents in this our Centennial
Year. On December 21, the government of Alberta announced
that inflation won’t add to provincial tax bills in 2005 as the
province increases personal credit amounts 1.3 per cent, in line
with the cost of living. The basic personal, spousal, and eligible
dependent amounts will rise to $14,523 for 2005. Most other
Alberta credit amounts will also increase 1.3 per cent.
A typical single taxpayer can make almost $15,400, and a
typical family of four can earn up to $35,900 with the Alberta
Family Employment Tax Credit, before paying any provincial
tax. A typical one-income, two child, family earning $30,000
would not pay provincial income tax and would receive about
$800 from the government through the Family Employment
Tax Credit.
Indexing credit amounts to inflation also helps keep
Albertans with lower incomes from moving on to the tax rolls.
About 130,000 low income earners would have to pay tax in
2005 if the inflation-proofing of exemption amounts hadn’t
been introduced.
Alberta’s personal income tax system is geared to treat people
fairly and keep money where it belongs: with Albertans.
Under the single rate tax in 2004, the bottom 50 per cent of
income earners paid 1.5 per cent of the total income tax burden. Inflation-indexing helps keep the overall tax burden on
Albertans the lowest of all provinces, keeping Alberta competitive and helping make this the best place to live and work.
Individuals and businesses would pay about $6 billion more
in provincial tax under the British Columbia and Ontario tax
systems-including health care insurance premiums-and over $8
billion more with the Saskatchewan or Manitoba tax systems.
Alberta provides the highest basic and spousal amounts in
Canada, more than double those offered by some other provinces. As well, both the basic and spousal amounts are equal,
so as not to discriminate between one- or two-income families.
Personal exemption amounts have been indexed to inflation
since 2001, when the single-rate income tax was introduced.
More than $1.5 billion in personal income tax savings were
phased in from 1999 to 2001, and indexing ensures these savings are not eroded over time. Basic personal exemptions were
$12,900 in 2001 and have risen more than 12 per cent for
inflation.
Please contact my office at 640-1363 or
[email protected] with any comments.
Ramsay News page 8
RAMSAY SCHOOL
Brian Del Castilho, Principal
Our school council playground committee met last week
with a representative of the school board to discuss the location
and other issues concerning the new playground. Plans are well
under way and I shall keep you informed as they progress.
The kindergarten registration has started and right now
there are a number of spots open for next year. It is still important for you to register your kindergarten - aged child for 2005
– 2006 because up to 13 spaces may be taken by students from
a local daycare. To put things in perspective, I recently had to
tell a person who wanted to place her child in our present kindergarten program that the class was full at 25 students. At this
time we are planning to have a full day kindergarten program.
Lana Skauge, a well-known storyteller, is working with all
of our classes this month and next. Several classes will visit the
Science Centre at the end of January and our Mother’s Day
Team will begin training for the walk and race events at the
beginning of February.
I should receive the projections for our student enrollment
for next year soon and I shall share some of the initial plans
with you in the next newsletter.
Community
Tidbits
FOOLS SCHOOL 4 KIDS 2005!
Fools School 4 Kids is a physical theatre workshop for young
people ages 8 - 15. Each class includes warm-up exercises,
interactive theatre games, juggling, stilt walking, masks, and/or
puppetry and its lots of fun!
Where: Green Fools Theatre Studio - #103, 1215 – 13th
Street SE, Calgary, Alberta
When: February 5, 6, 12 and 13 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $200.00
For more information, call 237-9010 or check out our website
at www.greenfools.com.
� � � � �� � �������� �������� ��� ������ �������
������� �� ��� ������� ����� �� ��� � ����������
������� ���� ������� ����� ��� ��������� �����
�������� ������� ��� �������������� ����� ���
����������� ��� �������� �� ��� ���� �� �������
������� �� ����������� �� ���� ����� ��� �����
������������������������������
��������������
�������������������������
�������������������
������
����������������������
�����������
� ��������
� ��������
� ������������
Community
Tidbits Community
604 “MOOSE” ROYAL CANADIAN AIR
CADET SQUADRON CELEBRATES 50
YEARS!
On Saturday, March 5th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the
Stampede Corral, the 604 “Moose” Royal Canadian Air Cadet
Squadron celebrates 50 years. Please join us in our celebration with
a demonstration of skills including drill competition, colour parade,
pipes, drums and brass bands from army, navy and air cadets. This
event is free but we ask that you bring a donation to the food bank.
If you require any further information please contact 263-0300 and
leave a message or visit our website at www.604moose.ca.
ATTENTION MUSICIANS!
Do you have a band? Are you looking to show off your bands talent? Then do we have the event for you. You can showcase your band.
All proceeds go to the Mighty Calgary 70th Beavers, Scouts and
Venturers. This event is in support of the Alberta Centennial 2005.
We will provide all the equipment and advertising, all you need is
yourself and your instrument. Where is it you might ask, it is at the
Ramsay Community Hall located at 1136 8th Street SE on March
12, doors open to the public at 7:00pm. To register contact Lucas at
(403) 266-4217 after 4:00 pm. Registration is only $20.00 per band.
Register before February 1 and get your name on the commemorative
poster.
Tidbits
NEWS FROM ARTPOINT
With the completion of renovations, with a large gallery space
on the main floor and an intimate upstairs Studio Gallery, we are able
to accept bookings by local organizations and art groups. Call us at
265-6867 to find out about renting our gallery spaces.
For the month of February we have our first guest exhibition of
the year with a show by ACAD Extension students, titled Landscape
Works. Join us for the opening of this exhibition on Friday, Feb. 4th
2005 from 5-9 pm.
As always, there will be lots of art to view throughout the building and some artists to watch at work in their studios during our
extended hours of operation, Thursday & Fridays from 1-5, Saturday
from 11-5.
Call for Artists:
Artpoint gallery is looking for the artwork of emerging artists
who have never had their work shown in a gallery before for our
‘”UNSEEN ART” exhibition in May. This is your chance to have
your work displayed in our gallery and win a cash prize. For more
information call Elizabeth Dunn at 265-6867 or 239-2704.
ARTPOINT Gallery & Studio
1139 - 11 Street S.E.
Tel. 265-6867
e-mail: [email protected]
IT’S CASINO TIME!
Don’t forget our next casino on February 24 and 25, 2005. It’s
easy work, and a fun way to meet people and help the community, so
mark your calendar! If you can help out, give Pat Baker a call at 2377927.
GRASSROOTS HOCKEY
Starting in January, Grassroots Hockey will be available to kids
aged 6-8 and 9-11 across the city on outdoor rinks, including
Ramsay. This alternative hockey league was created to give children
of elementary school ages an opportunity to play ice hockey in a fun,
non-competitive environment. The league requires minimal time (1
hr/week) and financial commitment ($90/player) versus traditional
minor hockey leagues, and is open to all skill levels. Basic skating
ability is required.
To register for this program, please go to www.grassrootshockey.ca or
for further information call 338-1118.
NEW ART GUIDE NOW OUT!
ART SEEN is a unique new guidebook, with an interesting Ramsay
link. The book is the first of its kind in Canada and was designed by
Fred Holliss, who lives in Ramsay and also volunteers to design this
newsletter! ART SEEN has over 150 pages describing interesting art
venues such as theatres, museums, galleries, music, dance and film.
Valuable coupons for reduced entrance fees can be found in the back
of the book. It is your one stop guide to the art scene in Calgary. For
more details or to order, visit www.calgaryartseen.ca.
Ramsay News page 9
Yoki & Jeff’s Real Estate Report
4th Quarter Report
October - December 2004
# of
Sales
Bungalow
6
1.5 Storey
2
2 Storey
7
Attach/Twnh
1
RAMSAY
Avg. List Avg. Sale
Price
Price
243,766
240,583
194,900
189,000
245,828
238,764
379,900
402,207
# of
Sales
6
2
8
-
INGLEWOOD
Avg. List Avg. Sale
Price
Price
234,933
230,500
222,750
213,250
331,812
310,625
-
# of
Sales
7
2
2
BRIDGELAND
Avg. List Avg. Sale
Price
Price
252,994
245,894
426,450
402,500
219,900
212,500
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
Mix first three ingredients and beat
by hand 1 minute.
Mix in next 3 ingredients and beat
by hand 2 minutes.
Mix in next three ingredients
Add remaining 2 ingredients.
*Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or
until light brown.
*Add coconut or 3 tbsps. Peanut
butter for variety.
1 cup Crisco shortening
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
3 Tbsps. Water
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 1⁄2 cups Flour
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Salt
3 cups oatmeal
2-2 1⁄2 cups chocolate chips
Yoki & Jeff Nichol, Royal LePage Ram Realty
www.yoki.ca - 271-5555
Yoki
&
J e f f Nichol
TOP 1% in Canada Since 1983
Bus: 271-5555
From one Generation to the Next…
Both working for you with
SINCERITY AND INTEGRITY
Licensed Agent assoc. to Yoki
7 years sales experience
2nd Year MLS Million Dollar Club
Relocation Specialist with over 300 Corporate Clients
We appreciate and we thank you for your loyalty.
www.yoki.ca
Ramsay News page 10
RAM REALTY
SPECIAL EVENTS
Ev Bell
One of the roles of the Ramsay Community Association is to build our community spirit through fun
activities, which bring neighbourhood people together. Up
to now, these events have been held on an ad-hoc basis, usually
with little planning. Our new Board recently formed a Special
Events committee to bring some organization to the process.
The Special Events had its first meeting recently, and as usual,
I was overwhelmed by the energy and enthusiasm in our community.
Here are some upcoming events:
February 20th - Family Day Skate – 1-4 p.m. at the Skate
Shack
February 27th - Bottle Drive - Call Ev at 259-3753 to
arrange pick-up between 12:00 and 3:00, or drop bottles off
at the hall between the same times.
June 12th – Ramsay Day and Alberta Centennial Celebrations
We also had some discussion about monthly Steak & Entertainment Nights at the Hall, which we hope to start in March or
April. We also set a date for the Halloween Event, but we will
let people know more about that later in the year.
If you have any ideas for community events, or would like to
join our committee, please give me a call at 259-3753.
Muffler & Brake
1803 - 11th Street SE
M - F 8 AM - 5 PM 215-0110
www.ericscarline.com
�������������������������
Inglewood
Mural and
Centennial
Celebration
Artist Corrine Dickson is preparing a new mural to celebrate the centennial, entitled 100 Year of Inglewood. The
site for this mural will be the east face of Calgary Home
Appliance Centre, 1025 – 9 Avenue SE.
She is hoping that Inglewood and Ramsay can join forces
to make a fun-filled day of celebration on August 27th,
including a passenger steam train, a live band, food, a
choir, speakers, kids games, as well as the unveiling of
the mural. Passengers could then have more fun taking
a streetcar to Fort Calgary for 50% admission. Watch
for more information on this unique event in future
newsletters.
regretting no snow tires (again)
planning for family weddings
just plain too much television
a certain amount of theatre
friends in from out of town
michael green’s birthday
high performace rodeo
battlestar galactica
shovelling snow
ronnie burkett
jeremiah
books
sleep
food
beer
������ ��������������������
�������������������������������������
������������������������������������
�������� ��������������� ��������������
��������������� �������������
ramsay newsletter for february
815-3733
[email protected]
���������������������������������������
web design print
�����������������������������������������������������������
��������������
only one month to spring solstice
Ramsay News page 11
Community Health Centre
...committed to improving individual and community health.
VOLUNTEER TEAM HELPS FEED HUNGRY
For three years now, a group of
high-energy volunteers have been
picking up food, sorting and
distributing food to hungry
Calgarians through the The Alex
Community Health Centre’s
weekly Spinz-A-Round program.
Thursday mornings are a hive of
activity at the Victoria Park
Community Association building
where the food is distributed
starting at 11:30 (people needing
food start lining up before 11am
to get on the list for that week’s
food).
The food comes from businesses
who have an excess of perishable
and non perishable food items that
are close to the end of its shelf life.
Because of the short shelf life,
these items they must reach the community as quickly as possible to
be useful, thus the name “Spinz-A-Round.” Community Kitchens of
Calgary is the
starting point for
receiving the food
donations, and The
Alex Community
Health
Centre
accesses these food
supplies and redistributes them to
those in need. In
addition, The Alex
Community Health
Centre
obtains
additional food
through the Calgary
Inter-Faith Food
Bank.
The Spinz-A-Round program depends on the
dedication of the commitment of the
volunteers who have taken ownership of this
program and are making a difference in the
lives of the up to 250 individuals who benefit
from this program each week.
To get involved in your community through
this or any other volunteer role at The Alex
Community Health Centre, call 266-2622.
LEAVE A LEGACY
The Alex Community Health Centre is proud
to participate in Leave A Legacy™ Calgary, a
community-based awareness campaign
encouraging people to provide for the charities
they love when arranging their financial and
estate plans.A gift through your will or
financial plan can be your way of ensuring
your favourite causes are well supported now
and long after you are gone. Surprisingly, such
a gift can be a very practical addition to a
financial or estate
plan when tax issues
are taken into
consideration – even
for those who do not
think they have tax
issues.
For more information about how you can
leave a gift in your will, call The Alex
Community Health Centre, 266-2622.
•
•
•
•
The Alex Community Health Centre
The Alex Seniors Community Health Centre
The Alex Community Health Bus
The Alex Suds and Savings Community
Laundromat
• The Alex West Dover Health Centre
The Alex Community Health Centre :: 922 9 Ave SE :: www.thealex.ca :: 266-2622 :: Registered Charity # 13282 4905 RR0001
Ramsay News page 12
TRAFFIC ISSUES
Catherine Cartmill
Traffic has been identified as an issue of concern to
Ramsay residents. The Ramsay Community Association
has formed a Traffic committee to review areas of specific
concerns and work on solutions with the assistance of
the City of Calgary. Recently, we met with representatives from Crescent Heights and Renfrew communities to
compare notes on their traffic calming efforts. Crescent
Heights has completed their traffic calming and Renfrew
is at the same point in the process that we are.
Issues that have arisen since we started our committee
include:
• Development plans for Manchester Waterworks, which,
in conjunction with overall growth in Calgary, has the
potential to increase shortcutting by 3 times the existing by 2023.
• Plans to install an underpass in Victoria Park from
Olympic Way to 4th Street under the tracks.
The City of Calgary has recently requested the drivers of
their vehicles to stop shortcutting through Ramsay. If
you have a complaint about a city vehicle call 268-CITY
and advise the operator that you wish to “place a complaint against a driver of a city vehicle.” The following
information is required:
C
OMMUNITY
CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIED ADS– A free service for
Ramsay community members. Submit your
classifieds to [email protected]
by the 20th of the month.
CAR SHARING - Need a car… sometimes?
The Alexandra Centre Society is looking into
car sharing initiatives. Please contact 2695588 if you are interested.
ART FOR SALE - Gallery Guitarsplat open
2-5 PM every Sunday afternoon. 1019-18
Av SE (up the hill from Carline). New exhibit
every week. 265-6690.
RAMSAY NEWS - The perfect way to communicate with your neighbours! With a
circulation of 1200, the Ramsay News is a
fun and affordable way to advertise your
business. Contact news@ramsaycommunity.
ab.ca to enquire about ads.
• Identifying number of the vehicle
• Time
• Location
This call will generate a “service request number” and you
will be contacted once your call has been dealt with.
To call about off duty busses short cutting through Ramsay call 262-1000, remain on the line for an operator and
advise them of the following:
• Identifying number of the vehicle
• Time
• Location
We have not been advised if there is a return call once
you place a complaint about a bus.
We hope to have some options to present to you in the
near future. In the meantime, if you have any concerns
you would like to raise, please call or e-mail our committee in care of the community association.
Ramsay News page 13
Lee Richardson
Member of Parliament
Calgary Centre
Your views…
In a recent newsletter to constituents I asked if you
support the legalization of same-sex marriage. As you
know this issue will be debated in Parliament and I
would like to hear your views.
Conservative Party’s position…
Stephen Harper outlined the amendments that our
party will be advocating in relation to the government’s
proposed legislation on same-sex marriage:
• Provide clear recognition of the traditional definition
of marriage;
• Provide full recognition of same-sex relationships as
possessing equivalent rights and privileges; and
• Provide substantive protections for religious institutions.
We believe that recognizing the traditional definition
of marriage can be accomplished without detracting
from the rights and benefits of people in same-sex
relationships. Our amendment will ensure that all of
those rights and benefits remain intact, while maintaining the traditional definition of marriage. Same-sex
couples already married have been granted certain
rights, and those rights would be protected.
In addition, public officials who, for religious reasons,
feel that they cannot perform
same-sex marriages must also be
protected from reprisal.
Our party is committed to a free
vote not only on the government’s
legislation, but also on our amendments. Please let me know your
thoughts as the views of my constituents will influence my vote.
Contact us…
Our address is: suite 105, 1410
11th Ave SW Calgary, T3C
0M8 or phone (403) 2441880. Our e-mail address is
[email protected].
Ramsay News page 14
Show your pride in Ramsay!
Bumper Stickers are available for $4 each and will be
available at the general meetings or at select community
businesses.
� ������
�������������������������
For an additional $4, the Heritage Committee will open
its files to share a brief historical review of your property
- including date of construction, previous owners and other
information. All funds will go towards community projects.
����������������������������
We are all being challenged to reduce our
individual greenhouse gas emissions by 1000 kg.
It’s not as hard as you think!
For more information, call 1-800-O CANADA or
check out
www.climatechange.gc.ca
PEOPLE IN RAMSAY
Beth Carter
Ramsay is a diverse and historical inner-city
neighbourhood, which is arts-friendly, family-based,
and active. We are a village surrounded by green space
in the midst of the city. In this monthly column, we will meet
one person who helps to define our wonderful community.
Who was Maggie?
Have you ever wondered who Maggie is? Maggie Street is
one of my favourite streets in Ramsay – it is narrow, quirky,
and retains the feel of a country village with its small cottages.
Of course, recently some of those small cottages are being replaced with larger in-fills, but I hope that the essence of Maggie
Street will remain.
Maggie Beattie & her
husband, circa 1912
It turns out that the street is
named after Margaret (Maggie) Orr, the eldest daughter
of Wesley Fletcher Orr, one of
the first mayors of Calgary and
the owner of the land where
Maggie Street is. Other streets
in the neighbourhood were
also named after his family: 8th
Street was originally named Orr
Street, and Adelaide Street is
named after another daughter.
Maggie was born in 1865 in
Lynden, Ontario, and moved
to Calgary in 1886 with her
father. She married John O.
Beattie, a sales agent for various
firms including Imperial Oil,
and they lived in British Columbia and Ontario for ten years
before returning to Calgary in 1898. They had two sons, Harry
and Roy. Her husband passed away in 1943, and Maggie died
in 1949 at the age of 83. In her obituary, it states that she was
a keen worker for the Women’s Musical Club, the Women’s
Conservative Association and the Southern Alberta Oldtimers
Association. She is buried in Banff.
Her father, Wesley Fletcher Orr was an important member
of early Calgary society. He was born in LaChute, Quebec in
1831, and married Priscilla Miller in 1861, and they had three
children: as well as Maggie, they had Adelaide (called Addie)
in 1867 and Lorne (1879). Orr speculated on property in the
Calgary area, before the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
He purchased a quarter section south of the Bow River and
east of the Elbow River for $10,000, in what is now Inglewood
and Ramsay, sinking almost all his financial resources into the
project. He was sure he would make big returns on the land by
subdividing and selling lots. He eventually moved to Calgary
in 1886 with his young son to promote Calgary property and
thereby protect his investment. By that time, he was estranged
from his wife, and Priscilla and Addie refused to move west
with him.
After arriving in Calgary, he became involved with the Calgary
Herald, and worked as their assistant editor for a time. Over
the years, he also operated a stone quarry, sold real estate,
traded in buffalo bones, and acted as a financial agent. Orr
became an active member of the community, serving as an
Alderman from 1888 until 1893, then as Mayor in 1894, 1895
and 1897. He was actually the first official Mayor of Calgary
after the city was incorporated. He was instrumental in the development of Calgary’s
Wesley Orr, circa 1894
water, sewer and electric
lighting systems. He
also spent much of
his time encouraging
the agricultural and
industrial development
of the Calgary area,
including railways and
coal mining. He had
big dreams for Calgary
and worked tirelessly to
promote them. He died
in February 1898, at the
early age of 67, shortly
after completing his last
term in office.
Information for this article was found at the Glenbow Museum
and in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Some of Wesley
Fletcher Orr’s diaries are digitized and available through the
Glenbow Museum website at www.glenbow.org. They are quite
interesting to read and give some insight into daily life in Calgary
in the 1890s..
Ramsay Community Hall
Space for rent
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
WEDDINGS
ANNIVERSARIES
MEETINGS
Etc.
Is your space too small?
Come and check out the hall!!
For more info & prices contact Karen: 265-4898
Ramsay News page 15
FEBRUARY 2005
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
RCA General
Meeting
7 p.m.
2
3
First Thursday
in the Cultural
District
4
Artpoint Opening
5-9 p.m.
5
Porridge for
Parkinsons
9 a.m. - noon
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Winterfest at
Fort Calgary
10 - 4
13
14
15
RCA Board
Meeting
7 p.m.
16
17
School Council
Meeting
7 p.m.
18
19
Inglewood
Winter Carnival
11 - 5
20
Family Day
Skating
Party
1-4 p.m
21
FAMILY DAY
Brian
Keating 6 pm
Alexandra
Centre
22
23
24
CASINO
25
CASINO
26
27
RCA Bottle
Drive
28
1
RCA General
Meeting
7 p.m.
2
3
4
5
Cadet 50th
Anniversary
Disclaimer Statement The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Ramsay Community Association.
Ramsay Community
BLOCK WATCH
For More Information Call
Teresa Young 263-7127
Mark Wolochaty 714-5570
K EY P OLICE C ONTACTS
If you see crimes in the area,
please contact the police by
phone at 266-1234 or e-mail.
Our community liaison officer is:
Const. John Moriarity, Badge #3319
To e-mail any police officer the address is: pol(badge
#)@calgarypolice.ca
(eg. to e-mail John Moriarity,
[email protected]).
EMERGENCY: 911
Ramsay News page 16
Ramsay Community Contacts
Ramsay Community Hall & Ramsay Community Association
1136 - 8th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2G 2Z7
Phone: 403.265.4898 (please leave a message)•Fax: 403.265.4858
Ramsay Community Website: www.ramsaycommunity.ab.ca
Ramsay Community email: [email protected]
Ramsay Newsletter email: [email protected]
Ramsay website email: [email protected]
ADVER TISING
Newsletter
Ad size
Per month
Contributions business card
$35
Any community member is 1/4 page
$55
welcome to contribute to this 1/2 page
$80
newsletter. The deadline for
Full page
$140
submissions for each upcoming
$75
month’s issue is the 20th of the Flyer Inserts
preceding month. Please email NOTE: New reduced rates!
perfect way to communicate with
your contributions, comments, The
your neighbours! The Ramsay News is a
non-profit newsletter offered free of charge
and articles to:
to the community each month. With a
[email protected]
circulation of 1200, the Ramsay News is
a fun and affordable way to advertise your
or drop it off at the Ramsay
business. Submission deadline is the 20th of
Community Hall, 1136 8 St SE each month.