SeaSonS GreetinGS! ramSay rink riverwalk eco walk DEC.8 Jodie

www.ramsaycommunity.ab.ca
www.ramsaycommunity.ab.ca
Dec 2007 - Jan 2008
Circulation 1200
Seasons
Greetings!
Ramsay Rink
opens
Riverwalk
Open House
Eco Walk Dec.8
Jodie
Urchyshyn
Next General Meeting
Tues, Feb.5th, 2008 Lower Hall 7pm
No Glitter,
No Glory
Merry Christmas by Trish Boyko, 2007
at noon
R a m s ay C o m m u n i t y A s s o c i at i o n • 11 3 6 – 8 t h S t r e e t SE , C a l g a r y, A B T 2 G 2 Z 7 • 2 6 6 - 4 3 2 9
Ramsay Community Association & Hall
Board of Directors & Community Chairs 2006-7
1136 - 8th St SE T2G 2Z7• T: 403.266.4329 • F: 403.265.4858
Position
President
Name
Judy
Hellevang
Past President Vince Bodnar
Vice President
– External
Vice President
– Internal
Treasurer
Secretary
2 yr Member
At Large
2 yr Member
At Large
2 yr Member
At Large
1 yr Member
At Large
1 yr Member
At Large
Traffic
Hall Mgr.
Summer and
Winter Sports
Winter Sports
Special Events
Casino
Beautification
Ramsay School
Liaison
WebMaster
Website
Newsletter
Editor
Newsletter
Layout
Michael
Benoit
Shelly Reid
Contact Info
697-3068
[email protected]
266-4329 vincentbodnar@
hotmail.com
291-0865
[email protected]
640-7071
[email protected]
(open)
Darren
668-4522
Zacher
[email protected]
Lexie Shmyr 265-4898
[email protected]
Brad Kuhne 542-3587
[email protected]
Catherine
[email protected]
Cartmill
Quinton
245-9075
Rafuse
[email protected]
Velma
[email protected]
Toporowski
Taras
264-1972
Semeniuk
[email protected]
Karen Lowry 265-4898 (hall)
508-5070 (home)
[email protected]
Karen Lowry 265-4898
& Jennifer [email protected]
Hapgood
Dave
264-9233
Graham
[email protected]
Darlene
269-6694 or 617-9591
Traviss
Pat Baker
237-7927 [email protected]
Brenda Japp 264-7137
[email protected]
Gordon
269-6694
Murray
[email protected]
Yukiko
[email protected]
Monks
www.ramsaycommunity.ab.ca
Beth Carter 269-4199
[email protected]
Fred Holliss 815-3733
[email protected]
Complaints about Lilydale smells:
City 311 • AB Environ’t 1800-222-6514 • CHR 943-8060
P olice C ontacts • Emergency: 911
If you see crimes in the area, please contact the police by
phone at 266-1234 or e-mail. Community liaison officer:
Const. Blaine Ellerby, Badge #3799
403-268-8601
Newsletter Contributions
Any community member is welcome to contribute to this newsletter. The deadline for submissions for each upcoming month’s
issue is the 20th of the preceding month. Please email your
contributions, comments, and articles to: [email protected] or drop it off: Ramsay Community Hall,
1136 8 St SE
DISCLAimer: Opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Ramsay Community Association.
President’s Message
Judy Hellevang
The Casino needs volunteers for February 4 and
5, 2008 so if you can help
out please call Pat Baker at 237-7927
or email her at [email protected]. This
event brings in around $80,000.00 so
it is very important to the community
association - I will work the evening to
close shift on the 4th, so Pat sign me up!
Winter Sports is actively seeking
volunteer support for the winter season
at the outdoor rink. The events depend
upon a commitment from volunteers but
will provide for a very good opportunity
to network with your community. There
is too much for one or two people to
handle alone, so if you can help out
please contact David Graham at 2649233 or [email protected].
CBC’s Coffee in the Morning,
held November 7, was a great event
and drew many residents to the community hall. Host Angela Knight commented on air that Ramsay was just
like a small town noting that everyone
knew each other. Joe Ceci, detouring
slightly, jogged in on his way to work
and left sporting the very prized red and
white coffee mug. I was interviewed at
6:45 and spoke to traffic calming and
the ice rink. The same morning CBC
discussed the shortage of ice in the city
so I announced that we would have
ice as soon as it was cold enough to
flood. Thanks to the initiators of this
mini project; it was such fun.
A follow-up letter has been sent to Joe
Ceci regarding Lilydale. The timelines
promised at the city hall meeting in
September have not been met. You
are encouraged to complete the fliers
delivered to your residence from Lee
Richardson, MP, Calgary Centre. The
Canadian Food Inspection Agency is
responsible here and we need them to
respond.
COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP
Contact Shelly Reid at 640-7071
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
Community
BLOCK WATCH
For More
Information
Contact
265-4898
Ramsay Community Membership Form
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
Advertise With Us!
Ramsay News is the perfect way to communicate with your
neighbours! The Ramsay News is a non-profit newsletter offered
free of charge to the community each month. With a circulation of
1200, the Ramsay News is a fun and affordable way to advertise
your business.
Submission deadline is the 20th of the month.
• Email us at [email protected] or
• Phone Beth at 269-4199
___ Beautification
___ Sports
___ Traffic
___ Civic Affairs
___ Technology
___ As required
Ad size 1 mo. 5 mo. 10 mo.
business card $45
$210
$400
¼ page
$75
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½ page
$100 $475
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Full page
$180 $875 $1600
Flyer inserts
$80
* special rates may apply for designated pages
Ramsay News page Alexandra Centre Society
St John the Evangelist Anglican Church
Shrine Church of Our Lady of Walsingham
THE SPIRI T OF CHRISTMAS…
CHRISTMAS HAMPERS
The Alexandra Centre Society is once again
providing Christmas hampers to Inglewood,
Ramsay, and Victoria Park families in need. Tax
receipted donations and volunteer time are
gratefully accepted. Call to help or to refer a
neighbour who may need a hamper. We’re
packing hampers Dec 18th 6:30-9:00. If you
would like to help, RSVP by Dec 9th.
CAROLLING AND HOT CHOCOLATE
December 12th 7:00pm
Bring your voice and musical instruments to
the Hall and join the sing-along or set out
with a group to regale the neighbourhood.
CAREER EXPLORATION FOR YOUTH!
Tuesdays Jan 15th-Feb 19th ’08 With
Todd O’Gryzlo MA Certified Career
Development Professional. Call for details.
Merr y Chris tmas and
Happ y Holid ays from
the Board and Staff of
the ACS
And Happy N ew Year
e.
Experience the True Meaning of Christmas
Christmas Eve (Monday, Dec. 24)
10.00 am Morning Prayer
10.30 am Low Mass
6.30 pm Evensong
7.00 pm Sung Mass
10.30 pm Christmass Mattins
11.15 pm Procession/Solemn Mass
Christmas Day (Tuesday, Dec. 25)
8.30 am
Low Mass
10.30 am
Solemn Mass
December 26 (Wednesday)
10.30 am Low Mass
7.00 pm
Low Mass
December 27 (Thursday) / December 28 (Friday)
7.00 pm
Low Mass
Weekly Worship Services
Tuesday
6.30 pm
7.00 pm
Evening Prayer
Low Mass
Wednesday
10.00 am Morning Prayer
Thursday
6:30 pm Evening Prayer
Friday
10.00 am Morning Prayer
10.30 am Low Mass
12.00 pm Low Mass
Saturday
8.30 am
9.00 am
Sunday
Morning Prayer
Low Mass
8:30am Low Mass
10:30am Solemn Mass
8.45 pm
Compline
10:30 am Low Mass
7.00 pm
Low Mass.
6.30 pm
7.00 pm
Evening Prayer
Sung Mass
5.00 pm
Evening Prayer
7.00 pm
Evensong & Benediction
(3rd Sunday of each month)
All services Book of Common Prayer/Anglican Missal.
For daily Mass times and information please contact
Fr. Michael Heidt at (403) 265-5072
or visit our website www.StJohnAnglican-Calgary.ca
1423 – 8 Avenue SE (Inglewood)
Register now for:
Suzuki Baby Music Jan 11th-Apr 11th ‘08
Aikido (16+ years) Tues.& Thurs. 6pm-8pm
Ongoing classes
Yoga Tues. mornings and Wed. Evenings
Jan 15th-Apr 1st
Jan 16th-Apr 2nd
For information on all programs, call Pam @
269-5588 or email
[email protected]
Ramsay News page Muffler & Brake
1803 - 11th Street SE
M - F 8 AM - 5 PM 215-0110
www.ericscarline.com
Civic Affairs
Michael Benoit
DP2007-1504, for 821-21st Ave
The owners were denied approval to raise an
older home in order to build a full-height basement, along with other improvements. At issue
is the fact that the home is considered “legal non-conforming”
because it was built before current land use bylaws were in
effect. The committee recommended that the owners reapply
in 2008 to build only a foundation /basement that would not
raise the total building height, and that they have documented
support from adjacent owners for their restoration project.
Secondary Suites
In the new Land Use Bylaw 1P2007, the rules for secondary suites will change in June 2008, in an effort to encourage
homeowners to build secondary suites that conform to building bylaws, thereby making suites much safer. The City will
be holding public meetings with stakeholder groups in 2008 –
community associations, developers, etc. to discuss the changes
to the LUB and impacts on low-density residential communities. Ramsay has numerous illegal suites in older homes, with
absentee landlords taking profits without maintaining properties. Perhaps when new rules come into play, landlords will
be encouraged to improve their illegal suites to current safety
standards, or face fines for lack of compliance.
EcoWalk Saturday Dec. 8 @ 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm
The Elbow River regional pathway on the east bank through
Ramsay has re-opened after two long years of being closed to
walkers, joggers and cyclists. Come join us for an informal
celebration walk along the new pathway. Experts on the
environment will be present to talk about the importance of
the riverbank ecology and the significance of Ramsay’s sandstone escarpment facing the east bank. Meet at noon at the
Ramsay Dairy/Coffee Bar, 815 McDonald Ave. We hope to
also be able to view the new Water Centre building from 1:00
– 1:30, though this has not yet been confirmed.
DOWNTOWN FRIENDSHIP CENTRE
610 – 8 Avenue S.E.
262-6342
Programs And Services
For Seniors, Pre-Seniors and The Community
Health and Fitness, Coffee and Conversation, Bingo, Adult Day
Program, Computer Courses, Arts and Crafts, Wood Shop,
Dances, Day Trips, Outreach, Shufflecourt, Carpet Bowl, Pool,
Darts, Lounge, Cafeteria, Barbershop, and much more!!
RIVERWALK
MASTER PLAN OPEN HOUSE #2
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
2nd AVE. SE
3rd AVE. SE
BO
W
ME
MO
R
RIV
E
IAL
R
DR
IVE
POTENTIAL RIVERWALK ROUTE
COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION
LEVY DISTRICT
OPEN HOUSE LOCATION:
CMLC OFFICE - SIMMONS BUILDING
MACLEOD TRAIL
ST. PATRICKS
ISLAND
CITY HALL
6th ST. SE
EAST VILLAGE
BO
W
ZOO
RIV
ER
FORT CALGARY
9TH AVE. SE
8th
7th
AVE.
SE
AVE.
SE
9t
9th AVE. SE
h ST
. SE
“SERVING INGLEWOOD AND
RAMSAY SINCE 1993”
LEGEND
N
LANGEVIN
BRIDGE
3rd ST. SE
CHINA TOWN
EDMONTON TRAIL
EAU CLAIRE
CENTRE ST. BRIDGE
RIVERFRONT AVE.
3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
BELTLINE
VICTORIA
PARK
11TH AVE. SE
INGLEWOOD
12TH AVE. SE
AVE SE
8th ST. SE
McDONALD
17TH AVE. SE
CALGARY
STAMPEDE
SCOTSMAN
HILL
LINDSAY PARK
RAMSAY
6th ST. SE
MACLEOD TRAIL
EL
BO
W
RI
VE
R
25
th
AV
E.
S
READER ROCK GARDEN / E
UNION CEMETERY
[email protected]
ERLTON
riverwalk
Ramsay News page To all our friends and clients:
In the rush of events, we tend to overlook
the important friendships that are the true basis
of business relationships. One of the greatest
pleasures of the Holiday Season is the
opportunity to exchange greetings with those
whose friendships and good will
we value so highly. In this spirit it is a
pleasure to once again say
“Thank You”
and extend our sincere appreciation for the very pleasant
experiences we have enjoyed with you.
We wish you all a joyous Holiday Season
and a prosperous New Year filled with peace,
happiness and good health.
“Thank You for your continued support”
Yoki & Jeff
Nichol
271-5555
Caffe Rosso Now Open!
What was once a bustling steel mill in the southern part of
Ramsay is now becoming a community hot spot known as the
Ramsay Exchange (803-24 Ave S.E). First on the scene is Caffe
Rosso, a comfy and modern coffee shop and bakery serving
quality Italian coffee and delicious freshly baked goods. Caffe
Rosso provides quality and comfort; serving Illy coffee with
pairings of enticing scones, muffins and cookies. All items are
baked fresh daily providing a selection of bread from classic
Italian ciabatta to a healthy muesli loaf. Caffe Rosso also serves
lunch with a selection of panini sandwiches and soup. The
atmosphere in Caffe Rosso blends together old and new with
exposed brick walls and modern design. Walking through the
doors is like entering a small, inviting and modern Italian-style
cafe. Come join us for a coffee or a chat. Eat. Sip. Stay.
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Fri 6am to 6pm • Sat-Sun 8am to 5pm
We will be open for the Christmas Holidays including
Christmas day.
Bring in your response to Dave or Meagan to the following question and receive a free coffee!
How do you say “red” in Italian?
Gingerbread House Building
Friends and Family - Join us December 8th and 9th for our
first annual gingerbread house-building event! For $10 all
supplies are provided, just bring yourself and your creativity,
leave the mess to us. House-building starts at 10am until close.
Please call to reserve your spot, 971-1800.
Scout News
Rick Ryan
Another busy month for the Mighty Calgary
70th. Freddy Petersen, one of our cute Beavers
was featured in last month’s newsletter, wearing military gear weighing 40 lbs, just like the soldiers in
Afghanistan. A big load for a little guy. After the military
museum, we went to Tip A Canoe Chocolate shop to make
BEAVER BALLS. It’s not as rude as it sounds - just peanut
butter, icing sugar and rice krispies mixed into a ball and
dipped in chocolate. They were wrapped in gold foil and sent
as gifts with a note to soldiers in Afghanistan. Our kids were
featured on Global news and in Neighbours section of the
Calgary Herald!
The Scouts went to Confederation Park to help the
Lions Club put up the lights of their Christmas display. On
Remembrance Day we attended St John the Evangelist on
8th Ave. Special thanks to St. Johns for giving us space for our
troop to meet. Next we are off to survival camp with lots of
exciting stuff such as eating rattlesnake. Details next month.
“This isn’t a SISSY troop and we aren’t going to have girls in
our troop!” That was me talking 10 years ago. Although Scouts
Canada had opened the door to girls, I thought Guides was
good enough! Well, on registration night, one dad turned to
me and said “Sam wants to join scouts too”. I knew Sam was
really Samantha and I responded that we had no female leaders, but the dad informed me “her Mom wants to be a leader”.
I was caught like a deer in the headlights. Stuck.
Mom and Sam showed up and slept in snow houses and
got dumped out of canoes during our most brutal summer
trip. Since then there have always been girls in the Mighty
70th. This year we have Jesse Lowry, Courtney Dolan, Sophia
Desmond-Rosner and Terrin Leclair. And they are definitely
not sissy!
Our door is always open for more kids - Rick 278-2547.
Sissies need not apply!! 
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Ramsay News page DECEMBER 2007 - JANUARY 2008
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
25
Craft Sale
26
27
28
29
30
1
World AIDS Day
2
3
International
Day for Disabled
Persons
4
RCA Meeting 7pm
Riverwalk Open House
– 3-8pm
Hannukah begins
5
Special Kids
Day
6
First Thursday
7
Artpoint
Opening
8
Eco Walk
12noon
Gingerbread
Houses at Rosso
9
Gingerbread Houses
at Café Rosso
10
Human Rights
Day
11
12
Alexandra
Carolling 7pm
13
14
15
Civic Symphony
16
17
18
RCA Board mtng
Alexandra Christmas
Hampers
19
Ramsay
School Winter
Celebration
20
21
Schools out
Miniprints
exhibit ends
22
Winter Solstice
23
24
25
CHRISTMAS
26
Boxing Day
27
28
29
30
31
New Year’s Eve
1
HAPPY NEW YEAR
2
3
First Thursday
4
5
6
7
Schools back
8
No RCA meeting
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
RCA Board meeting
16
17
Ramsay PAC
meeting
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
Beautification
Brenda Japp
The mandate of
the Beautification
Committee is
to make Ramsay
a more beautiful place to live,
encourage arts in our community, and increase neighbourhood
interaction and safety. For the
last year, we have been steadily
working on fundraising to install
new signage at the four major
entryways to Ramsay. To date,
we have raised $10,000 from a
private donor and the Calgary
Foundation.
We are now pleased to present our proposal for the new
signage, designed by local artist
Sharon Jones. Using natural
materials and the leaf design,
which is part of the Ramsay
logo, Sharon has designed a
Ramsay News page varnished wood sign with a steel
core, and adjacent leaf shaped
benches on a concrete base. The
dramatic and artistic design
keeps in mind maintenance and
security issues. The seating will
vary depending on the location,
and the design also includes
adjacent landscaping and lighting. With this new signage, we
hope to enhance our community
spirit and remind the general
public that they are entering a
residential neighbourhood.
We invite you to view the signage proposal more closely and
provide comments at the next
General meeting on Tuesday,
February 5th. Hope to see you
there!
Community
Ramsay Rink Thank-yous
Tidbits Community
Dave Graham would like to thank all those who helped shingle
the roof of the rink shack and loaned equipment. The work
required a commitment of 2 weekends and was completed
November 3rd. The community appreciates your hard work!
EcoWalk
Saturday Dec. 8 @ 12:00 noon – 1:30 pm
Join us for an informal celebration walk along the newly
opened Elbow pathway, starting at the Ramsay Dairy Bar.
Experts on the environment will be present to talk about the
importance of the riverbank ecology.
Casino
Our next fundraising casino will be held at Cash Casino on
February 4 & 5th, 2008. We will need volunteers. Please call
Pat Baker at 237-7927.
RiverWalk Open House
On Tuesday Dec. 4 at their offices in the Simmons Building,
at 610-5th Ave. SE, the Calgary Municipal Lands Corporation
(CMLC) are hosting a second Open House for Bow and
Elbow River pathway improvements, with construction to start
in 2008. This project will affect Ramsay, as the existing east
bank regional pathway will be included. Ramsay residents are
encouraged to attend and make your opinions known to the
developers.
High Performance Rodeo 2008
January 5-26, 2008 Various venues
The annual festival gallops in for its 22nd year! Enjoy the best
in cutting edge performance. Check out www.oyr.org for tickets.
Artpoint Gallery & Studios
1139 - 11 St. S.E. 265-6867. Opening 5-9pm Fri., Dec. 7, 2007
Terra McDonald - Pleine Air - A collection of paintings
and drawings, promoting the voyage of figures in flight. The
Artpoint Annual Christmas Exhibition - Artpoint members
create work from a wide range of medias: painting, drawing,
printmaking, and sculpture.
Alberta Printmaker’s Society Studio
Balancing Acts
Tidbits
November 27 – December 3
Calgary’s Annual Disability Arts Festival is a celebration of creative self-expression by people with disabilities. They highlight
the creativity of disabled performers through artistic expressions that celebrate and challenge the perception of disability
culture. www.stage-left.org/ba7.htm
Ramsay Seniors
The Ramsay Welcome Centre offers a range of enjoyable activities through the week. Come down to play pool on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays. Whist is played on Tuesdays. A potluck supper is held on the 3rd Thursday of each month. For
more information, call Roy Braybrook at 262-5650.
Inglewood Arts
and Music School
Affordable rates – beginner lessons for guitar, drums, keyboard, painting and voice only $24 for 6-week session. Lantern
Community Church. Call 234-9116.
Become
a Block Parent
There is no cost involved and no meetings to attend. For more
information, please call the Calgary Block Parent Association
269-6460, www.calgaryblockparent.ca.
Water Polo
Join the coolest Olympic sport around! The
Calgary Water Polo League offers a fun and competitive
program for boys and girls ages 7 and up to learn this
fast, fun and physical game. www.calgarywaterpolo.ca.
C
OMMUNITY
CLASSIFIEDS
Ramsay Bumper Stickers – are still
available. Contact Ev at 708-8012. 2010F - 11th Street, S.E.
Wanted - Help with light house cleaning.
[email protected] or call 287-1056
Please call Bob at 703-3531.
Miniprint Exhibition and Sale will offer not only fine art
prints by member artists but also hand printed one of a kind
Ninjistix hoodies and t-shirts. Until Dec.21st.
The All Canadian Karate Union
Ramsay Hall, Tues and Thurs from 6pm-7pm
Contact Diana at [email protected] or 366-6887
Concert – Seasonal Celebrations with
the Calgary Civic Symphony, Saturday,
December 15, 2:30 pm Tickets only $14.
Call 670-5430.
Ramsay News page Calgary Public Library
616 Macleod Trail SE
Telephone: 260-2600
This holiday season visit the Calgary Public Library for
all the ”trimmings” you need for a festive and memorable
occasion. Drop by and pick up some cookbooks to help you
plan a scrumptious feast, some holiday music to enjoy, and a
few good novels to relax with afterwards. Here’s a short list of
books, CDs and DVDs to give you an idea of what we have
in store for the holidays. Don’t forget that we close early (at 4
pm) on December 24th and December 31st. Happy Holidays!
• The Handmaid and the Carpenter: A Novel by Elizabeth
Berg
• The Secret Life of Mrs. Claus by Carly Alexander
• Christmas in Canada: a Celebration of Stories from Past to
Present by Rick Book
• Photocraft: Cool Things to do with the Pictures you Love by
Caroline Herter
• Christmas Cookies from the Whimsical Bakehouse by Kaye
Hansen and Liv Hansen
• Jacques Pepin’s Chanukah Celebration (DVD)
• Fiction and Folly for the Festive Season by Linda Kupecek
• Duke Ellington Christmas
• Amazing peace: a Celebration by Maya Angelou
• Celebrate Hanukkah: With Light Latkes and Dreidels by
Deborah Heiligman
nice
weather
eh?
cold
enough
for
ya?
how
‘bout
them
‘riders?
sure
can’t
wait
fer
tha
nex’
chinook...
815-3733
[email protected]
web design print
remember to sweep your sidewalks
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Ramsay News page 10
243-4200 • 4620 Blackfoot Trail SE
Traffic Committee
Taras Semeniuk
Traffic Calming – ‘greening’ of the curb extensions along Spiller Road is now complete. In
addition to providing a ‘neighborhood feel’ to
our Spiller Road streetscape, the added texture
and vertical massing is expected to have a positive effect on
drivers. We hope drivers will be more respectful and attentive
to the fact that they are in a residential neighborhood. Thanks
again to the volunteers who worked with Transportation
Planning in the selection of the shrubs.
The MacDonald Avenue / Sunshine Gate calming element
was discussed at November’s general meeting. It was decided
that the proposed alternative element would be rejected in
favor of status quo, i.e. no change. The community association’s reasons for rejecting the alternative element were as follows:
• the use of approved traffic calming funding to potentially
enhance Flames/Saddledome traffic egress through our community was not desirable,
• the addition of a concrete element (new) rather that a green
element (old) at one of our main entrances was not desirable,
• issues of ‘special events’ traffic were not included as part of
the traffic study that originally brought the element forth,
• there was a potential for increased vehicle conflict by virtue
of the design of the alternative element,
• it was possible that the ‘net benefit’ of the element would
favor Stampede Park at the degradation of the Community
of Ramsay.
A letter reflecting the above decision was sent to
Transportation Planning and Transportation Infrastructure on
12 November 2007.
Elbow River Pathway
The Elbow River pathway between Spiller Road / 25th Avenue
and Scotsman’s Hill re-opened on 23 November 2007. This
section of the pathway was closed due to June 2005 flood
damage. New features include a terra-mesh retaining wall
covered with native grasses and shrubs; slightly less slope on
the access ramp from Spiller Road; and removal of the power
pole that used to sit in the middle of the pathway. Delays in
re-construction included clean-up of an unforeseen industrial
area in which 84 truck loads were hauled out; Department of
Fisheries curtailments based on turbidity levels in the Elbow
River; Stampede Park thoroughbred racing; and rework due to
high water this spring.
Please contact the Traffic Committee if you have any trafficrelated comments, concerns or would like to become involved
the committee.
Ramsay News page 11
Ramsay School
Jim Gibb, Principal
At Ramsay School we believe that each student
is capable of being a responsible citizen who is
an informed member in his or her local, national and global communities. We recognize the teaching and
learning opportunity that Remembrance Day presents for our
students and the development of their citizenship.
Students and staff honoured those who have served their
country or who are serving their country at our Remembrance
Day Assembly on November 9th. We can all be proud of the
thoughtful contributions made by students in the assembly
and through their artwork and reflective writing. Here is a
sample of student writing that represents understanding of an
important time in our country:
“Remember: There once were two great wars they left many
homeless and poor. It took many years to end…but when the wars
were over all the soldiers lent peace to some of the countries. Many
did not return home. Still today we have soldiers trying to keep
peace.” (Ian)
Congratulations to the great students at Ramsay for their
outstanding work in all areas of learning. Your enthusiasm,
teamwork, perseverance and effort gives evidence of your
personal growth, character and the amazing citizens you are
becoming. Watch out for our Winter Celebration concert on
December 19th!
Thank you to everyone in our community for your continued support of Ramsay School. Together we can fulfill
the Calgary Board of Education’s mission of “Educating
Tomorrow’s Citizens Today”. On behalf of the staff we wish
you all the best for the holiday season.
Ramsay News page 12
Ramsay Rink
Denis A. Herard, M.L.A.
MLA Calgary Egmont
Dave Graham
Another outdoor ice hockey and recreational
skating season is just around the corner and,
pending weather conditions, the main rink and
ball diamond ice should be ready for skating by Dec 15th. We
can expect a 2-3 month season. The main rink is available for
shinny hockey and the ball diamond ice for recreational skating. There is a Grassroots Hockey Program in the City. For
further information please visit the web site: www.grassrootshockey.ca/web/grassroots/bins/home
The community schedule for the season will be as follows
(weather permitting):
Day
Activity
Time
Monday
Community Youth skating and shinny
3-5 PM
Tuesday
Community Youth skating and shinny
3-5 PM
Wednesday
Community Youth skating and shinny
3-5 PM
Community hockey
8-10 PM
Thursday
Community Youth skating and shinny
3-5 PM
Friday
Community Youth skating and shinny
3-5 PM
Saturday
Community skating
1-4 PM
Sunday
Community skating
1-4 PM
Community hockey
8-10 PM
Calgary Egmont Constituency
#10, 8318 Fairmount Dr. S.E. T2H 0Y8
640-1363, 640-2970 (f)
Mon - Fri 9 am - 2 pm
Edmonton - toll free - 310-0000 and key in 780-427-5777
calgary.egmont @assembly.ab.ca
May Christmas bring you peace, happiness
and a special appreciation of the blessings we
share as Canadians and Albertans.
Please check the notice board on the door of the rink shack
for any other ice time availability. Note that rink and shack are
available for rentals (shinny, team practice ice, and birthday
parties). Rentals will not interfere with community time slots.
Costs to rent the facility are $60.00/1.5hrs. Contact me at
264-9233 or [email protected].
We also have volunteer opportunities to run our programs:
Canteen Manager (3-4hrs/week): Manage the Canteen and
keep it stocked; open the canteen for the Community activities; collect memberships.
Community Hockey program coordinator (2-3hrs/week):
Coordinate community youth and adults who are interested
in playing hockey Weds and Suns, contact the participants,
be available for and organize the games. Coordinate the 3 on
3 Hitmen/Flames Enmax Pond Hockey tournament.
Ice flooders (2-3 hrs every 2 weeks): We have a great group of
ice flooders, but we are always looking for more! Training is
provided by some of the best in town!
Winter Carnival/Family Day: Take the lead to organize this
fun family event on Monday, February 18th with help from
rink volunteers. It is Ramsay’s turn to host the Inglewood vs.
Ramsay annual hockey game this year. Last year the Ramsay
team won, so Inglewood will be looking to avenge their loss.
A community membership is required for the above programs
and it can be purchased for a reasonable fee by filling out the
“Community Membership” form here in the newsletter.
See you at the rink!
Ramsay News page 13
Joe Ceci
268-2430 or [email protected]
News of Note in Ward 9
The new City Council is getting down to work with budget
reviews, committee meetings and keeping up with busy community activities and events. I’m pleased to announce that
numerous Calgary Housing Company residential properties
throughout Ward 9 have been approved for lifecycle upgrades
which began in 2007 and will continue in 2008. In all about
$3.1 Million dollars worth of upgrades to buildings, sidewalks, fences, windows, landscaping and more is being done to
improve city-owned properties, something many constituents
have wanted to see.
Joe’s Clean Team works through the winter months, meeting at
the Drop In Centre on Sundays and picking up litter in nearby
communities and along the riverbank pathways. A recent letter
from a Clean Team participant has been excerpted below:
“I was delighted to learn that Alderman Joe Ceci has spearheaded
an initiative that formalizes voluntary garbage collection within
a 1 km radius of the Drop-In Centre, and that it involves both
members of the general public, and clients of the Centre. I suspect that lots of Calgarians like me are hungry for some concrete,
Ramsay News page 14
practical ways to make the situation and the city better, and Joe’s
simple idea is a great one that achieves a lot of great things: builds
a sense of fraternity between the homeless and mainstream society,
and cleans up the mess not only along the pathways, but also for
the people in communities like Bridgeland. All these benefits, and
the only overhead expenditures are disposable gloves and garbage
bags! What an inspired idea.” Jane Kubke - Eau Claire resident.
The CleanTeam is happy to come out to your community
event or cleanup, just call Sharon at the office. 268-5330.
As 2007 comes to a close and you gather with your neighbours, family and friends to celebrate over the holiday season,
don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions or concerns ...
get information straight from the source. My email is joe.ceci@
calgary.ca or phone 268-2477 or 268-5330 to reach my office.
— Joe
Best wishes for a great 2008!
People
Beth Carter
in
Ramsay
Ramsay is a diverse and
historical inner-city neighbourhood, which is artsfriendly, 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.
Jodie Urchyshyn - No Glitter, No
Glory
As the winter days get
darker, I love
to see lots
of sparkle
– tinsel and
tree decorations, the
Zoolights
display, and
flashy festive
clothing. So it seemed only fitting that
I should meet up with Jodie Urchyshyn,
Ramsay’s resident “glitter girl” and the
owner of Lit Cosmetics, which sells
intense eye and body glitter.
We met in her small shop, currently
in the basement of Kismet on 10th Street
NW. I was dazzled by the amazing array
of glitter available – almost 300 colours
which are available in four sizes. The
larger the glitter, the more light it catches, and the more dramatic the effect. You
dip a fine brush into Lit’s specially developed clear liquid glitter base, then dip
it into the glitter colour of your choice,
and it can be used for all sorts of makeup. The glitter can also be added to body
lotion for an overall shine. All of the
products are water-based and organic, so
they are great for all skin types, and wash
off with warm water.
Jodie is excited by the rapid growth
of her company over the last 10 years.
Starting with 5 colours and a gross profit
of $15,000, she now has her massive
line, hires 5 part time staff and will earn
about $500,000 this year. Her product
is sold in 200 stores in Canada and the
US, as well as through independent
agents. Currently, Jodie is in discussion
with international makeup distributor
Sephora to carry her line, which will
require a total change of packaging,
some fine-tuning of the product and a
major expansion.
How did this woman from the oil
town of Drayton Valley, Alberta become
a glitter phenomenon? After finishing
school, Jodie travelled in Europe for 6
months, and then moved to the Cayman
Islands for five years, getting into bartending. When it was time to move back
to Canada in 1996, she chose Calgary
and purchased her house in Ramsay. “As
soon as I walked into that house, I knew
that was it. It had the right vibe. The street
was pretty rough at that time, but I loved
the area and the central location.”
Jodie’s “glitter quest” began shortly
after that. She was still working in
clubs, and wanted a glitter makeup that
showed up at night. There was nothing
out there at the time, so she developed
her own. People kept asking where they
could find it, and Lit was born.
With no science background, Jodie
worked with a lab to develop the glitter base. “It’s funny how people create. I
developed it out of necessity and it evolved
from there. Through this
business, I have learned
more than any school
could have taught me.”
One of those learning opportunities
came earlier this year
when Jodie pitched her
product on Dragon’s
Den, on CBC TV,
where ambitious
entrepreneurs try to
secure funding for
their product from five
top business moguls.
A friend pushed her to
try out in Calgary, and
she was selected to go
to Toronto. The experience was not comfortable – definitely out of
her comfort zone. In
the end, she did receive
a financing offer, but
turned it down. The
trip was a success, though, since she was
able to connect with her Sephora contact.
Now her product is used by women
and men, of all ages. It continues to be
popular for clubbing, but many mothers
and daughters also buy it together for
everyday wear. I got a kick out of the
fun colour names, such as beach baby,
champagne wishes, caviar dreams, carrot head. As Jodie says on her website at
www.litcosmetics.com. “Glitter is good
for the soul. Something happens when you
add a little glitter to your day. It gives you
a smile, a good energy and just pumps you
up… Life is way too short to be boring or
to simply be bored.”
Being self-employed doesn’t allow for
much downtime, but Jodie also loves to
snowboard, attend Pilates classes, or jog
and bike around the neighbourhood.
She lives with her fiancé, James Perks,
who is in charge of glitter maintenance.
They do a lot of work on their hundred-year old house, and enjoy living in
Ramsay. As Jodie said, “All my hopes and
dreams have so far been successful. What
can I say? Glitter talks to me!”
Ramsay News page 15