SEPTEMBER 2013THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF THE CITADEL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

Summer’s Almost Over...

Back to School!

Citadel’s Fall Fair

Back to School Safety

Citadel Volunteer Coordinator Needed

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 3

Membership questions?Email boardmail@citadelca.ab.ca

Citadel Community Association860 Citadel Drive N.W.Calgary, AB, T3G 4B8

(Please note: this is only a mailbox)www.citadelca.ab.ca

boardmail@citadelca.ab.ca403-397-3454

Newsletter Submissions and Classified Ad Inquiries:citlink@citadelca.ab.ca

The Citadel Link is published 12 times a year and delivered toresidents of Citadel by Canada Post. This newsletter is also available

for pickup from local retail outlets.

Article submission deadlines are the 8th of each month, prior to thedistribution month. The ad booking deadline is the 14th of the month,

prior to the distribution month.

Board of DirectorsPresident: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VacantVice President: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jason PerryTreasurer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ilzett ThomsonSecretary: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VacantEvents Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Karen MillsFacilities Director:. . . . . . . . . . Graham FarquharsonMembership Director: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ryan MillsAdministration: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VacantCommunications/ Newsletter Editor: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holly PerryLot Levy: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Catherine Wall Volunteer Coordinator: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Holly PerryCatholic School Liaison: . . Vacant (Interim Fran Carelli)Public School Liaison: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . VacantFundraising: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Board of Directors Meetings for 2013Meetings will be held on the last Tuesday of each month, except July and December The meetings will be held from 7:00pm to 9:00pm in the boardroom of the Hampton’s Co-op. If you wish to attend a board of directors meeting, it is recommended that you contact one of the above directors to confirm the date, time and location of the meeting that you wish to attend.

Citadel Community AssociationMembership Drive

NEW MEMBERSHIP

RENEWALCurrent membership #__________

Date: _____________________________Name: ____________________________Address: ____________________________________________________________Postal Code:________________________Phone: ____________________________E-mail: ____________________________Number of People in Household: _______ Signature:__________________________

Mail this form, along with a cheque for $25.00, to 860 Citadel Drive NW, Calgary, AB T3G 4B8 (note: this is a post box address only).

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 5

The Citadel Community Association Board normally meets the last Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the boardroom of the Hamptons Co-op, unless otherwise specified.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 27th.

Community members are welcome to attend. Please email boardmail@cita-delca.ab.ca for more information.

Community NewsCitadel Monthly Meetings

Have you bought or renewed your Citadel Community Association Membership Yet?! October was the start of the new year. Membership to the Citadel Community Associa-tion gives you...

Cost: A one-year Membership to The Citadel Community Association costs $25. Upon receipt of payment, you will be provided with a Membership card, which is valid from October to October of each calendar year.

Here’s what you get for only $25 a year: • Special Events (Stampede Breakfast

& Winter Gala)• The Citadel Link Community News-

letter Monthly• Citadel Association website

www.citadelca.ab.ca • Ice Maintenance equipment and sup-

plies• Building fund for a future small

community center• Association and Public Meetings• Annual Insurance Premiums for the

community site and equipment• Monitoring green-space maintenance

quality• Bulletin Boards• Sports Association user fees and

insurance• Free access to tennis courts and bas-

ketball court• One of the best community hockey

rinks in the City• Volunteer appreciation• Landscape/Christmas Light Awards• Citadel Block Watch is a sub-com-

mittee of the Citadel Community Association

Most importantly membership gives you a Community Association that

supports Citadel residents in a myriad of Community, City and Provincial issues, such as enhanced maintenance of the community, traffic concerns, program funding, local development, and much more.

Who Benefits from Community As-sociation Funds?• Residents who have concerns within

the community. Volunteers with the community association handle these concerns and liaise with The City of Calgary, the province of Alberta, or the government of Canada.

• Residents who have children who use the hockey and free-skate rinks, tennis and basketball courts, play areas, parks, and Park ‘n Play pro-grams. These items are very expen-sive to maintain and replace.

• Residents who have children in organized sports. The community association pays for the insurance for these sports. This is why it is man-datory that parents must purchase a Membership if their children wish to register for organized sports.

• Residents who enjoy the safety of traffic lights at major intersections along Country Hills Blvd. It was the Citadel Community Association that was instrumental in getting the city to install these traffic lights.

Citadel Community Association Membership Benefits

The Citadel Link is your link into what is going on with the Citadel Community Association Board; it provides information on your commu-nity and city and it highlights topics of interest.

The newsletter is produced monthly, isdistributed to every door in Citadeland is also available from the CitadelCorner at Esso.

We want to hear from you! Does the Link meet your needs? Is there some topic you would like to see covered? Are you interested in submitting your own article for possible inclusion?

Let us know your feedback bycontacting citlink@citadelca.ab.ca.

It’s Your Link

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 7

Community News

Citadel Community Association 2013 Events Listing

Looking For A Way To Give Back?

Citadel’s Fall Fair

October 5th – Fall FairDecember 26th/27th – Fundraising Casino

Volunteers are needed for each of these events. Please email our Volunteer Director Holly Perry at motherwarriorholly@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering!

Make a difference in the life of a fam-ily... VOLUNTEER!

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Calgary Home-Start Program is looking for volunteers!

Volunteers visit a family home once a week to provide emotional and practi-cal support by offering companionship and practical assistance. Help create a healthy community and meet a new family! It is a simple idea that really works. Training, police and child wel-fare checks are provided.

For more information or to register as a volunteer, please contact Lynne, 403-660-1136 or email lbrownel@bgcc.ab.ca.

October 5 (11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)Citadel Park School

Bring out the family for crafts, games, and a fun filled afternoon!

Pumpkin Decorating – Free to Assoc. Members . $3.00 each for non mem-bers.

Pie Eating Contest - Think you can down a pie faster than Superman? Contest at 1:00 p.m. – call Karen to sign up.

Vendor Tables: (Calgary Board of Education rules state there cannot be any sales transactions where vendors make a profit when holding a function in their schools). Therefore we can only have information booths inside the school. If you are interested in dis-playing your “wares” and only “take orders” or provide information, we can accommodate that.

All food items at this event are free of charge to Citadel Community As-sociation Members (small charge for non-members)

Info: Karen (403) 238-1364(Memberships Available to Purchase/Renew at Event - $25)

The Citadel Community Association is on Facebook

A place for dialogue with community members you might not otherwise meet, or to voice concerns or other comments, the CCA hosts a Facebook page.

Visit http://www.facebook.com/groups/90173188658/ or simply search for ‘Citadel Community Association’. Please join and add your voice to the community!

PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT Accounting, Personal Tax, Corporate Tax, GST, Payroll & Other Services at Reasonable Price. Contact: Ranjan Nandy, CGA, Citadel Drive, 403-467-9712 or email randyranjan@yahoo.com

Citadel community we need your help! The community board has been through many changes this year and we are about to go through one more....we desperately need someone to fill the position of volunteer co-ordinator! If you are out going, love meeting and working with new people and have a few extra hours a month to give to this PLEASE contact Holly Perry ASAP at HMLPerry@gmail.com

Thank you so much! We would be lost without our volunteers!!

Classifieds

Citadel Volunteer Coordinator

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 9

Community News

:liamE:enohpeleT:emaN

Please check the month(s) the ad will run:

Ad text (please print):

Amount Paid (enclosed with this form):

January February March April May June July August September October November December

Payment Method: Cash Cheque (Please make cheques out to: Citadel Community Association)

Are you 12 years or older? Have you taken a babysitting course? (Avail-able at the Crowfoot YMCA and other places).

If you would like to advertise yourname, age, and phone number infuture issues of the Link, with aparent’s permission (for those 12 to 17years of age), please go to the Citadelwebsite and download the waiver form(http://www.citadelca.ab.ca/groups-babysitters.php). Get a parent tocomplete the form and send it to theCitadel Community Association at theaddress on the form. If at some point in the future you decide you no longer want your name on this list, then you must contact us via phone or e-mail and let us know.

Note: The Citadel Community Association and the Citadel Link are only compiling and publishing a list of names. We are not responsible for any other services with respect to this listing. The employer takes on full responsibility of interviewing and hiring the babysitters and the parents of the babysitters are responsible for screening the prospective employer of their child.

Available Babysitters:Grace - 20 years old, 403-830-4149 (c) or 403-239-7690 (h)Tyneka - 12 years old, 403-697-1460Caitlin - 16 years old, 403-275-0516Bailey - 12 years old, 403-208-0057 (h) or 403-796-7233 (c)Kathy - Adult, 403-241-8896Dannea Minty - 14 years old, 403-547-7477Kassaundra - 12 years old, 403-453-4323Megan - 13 years old, 403-651-1235Hailey - 23 years old, 403- 366-5142Breton - 12 years old, 403-239-2748 Cassandra - 14 years old, 587-999-5024

Andrew - 13 years old, 403-275-0516Kamilah - 14 years old, 403-547-3197Sadie - 12 years old, 403-239-7784Elise - 15 years old, 403-286-3712Seanna - 14 years old, 403-547-7799Catherine – 15 years old, 403-719-6792Chantal – 13 years old, 403-241-6836 or 403-241-9010Emily – 14 years old, 403-276-6205Sami – 12 years old, 587-580-5704Jonathan – 14 years old, 403-239-1011

Please fill out the form, put it in an envelope with your payment and place in the drop box at the ESSO station.Fees per issue: $15.00 for up to 25 words, $25.00 for 26 - 50 words, $35.00 for 51 - 75 words.The maximum per ad is 75 words (no exceptions). Maximum number of ads per advertiser is 2 per issue.DEADLINE: 5th of each month, prior to issue month. For example, for the March issue, the ad form would need to be submitted by Feb. 5th. For more info, please contact citlink@citadelca.ab.ca.

Classified Ad Form Citadel Community Association

Calling all Babysitters!

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 11

In Our CityBack to School Safety

Alberta Health Services EMS would like to remind parents and students about some basic road safety tips, as streets become more congested, with the return of the school year. Both, pedestrians and motorists have an important role to play—road safety is a shared responsibility.

Motorists:• Avoid talking on cell phones,

texting, or any other behavior that diverts your attention away from driving.

• Give right of way to pedestrians who have activated overhead cross-ing lights or who are waiting to cross from a street corner.

• Remember, it is illegal to pass vehicles - other than those that are parked - in school zones or play-ground zones, during posted hours.

Around school buses:• Flashing amber lights mean a bus

is slowing down to stop. Motorists should do likewise.

• No matter which direction you are coming from, STOP, when ap-proaching a school bus with acti-vated flashing red lights - unless the bus is on the opposite side of a divided highway from you.

• Driver courtesy goes a long way. By simply being alert and cautious when approaching a school bus, you are contributing to school bus safety.

Pedestrians:• Cross only at marked crosswalks or

street corners that have clear vis-ibility from all directions.

• Make eye contact with all drivers before crossing the street.

• When activating overhead crossing lights, pause before stepping off

the curb to ensure motorists in both directions have come to a complete stop.

• Stay within the crosswalk lines until fully clear of the road way.

• Obey pedestrian lights at intersec-tions. Cross the street only when you see the ‘walk’ sign and only when all cars have come to a com-plete stop.

• If you are with young children or

pets, hold your child’s hand firmly and keep a solid grip on leashes when crossing.

• Remember: children learn by observing. By teaching them safe crossing habits as early as possible you can reduce the chance your child may be involved in a prevent-able auto/pedestrian collision.

Alberta Health Services

The Courtship DanceLast year, the Calgary Wildlife Reha-bilitation Society (CWRS) received an orphaned Western Grebe chick into their care. This adorable chick grew into a beautiful bird that is recognized by their striking red eyes and impressive courtship ritual.

The Western Grebe breeds on freshwater lakes and marshes that are home to extensive open water. They often nest in colonies with hundreds or even thousands of individ-uals. Here they spend most of the time on the water as they are very awkward on land. In the fall they migrate South to saltwater and sheltered sea coasts.

The courtship ritual of the bird pair includes ‘rushing’. This occurs when two birds turn to one side, lunge forward with their bodies completely out of the water racing side by side in synchrony across the lake.

The female will lay 3-4 eggs. The chicks and eggs are most vulnerable to avian predation, accounting for 40% of nest loss. Once hatched, hatchlings leave the nest to ride on the back of

either parent, where they feed and pro-tect them. Interestingly, the hatchlings never return to the nest.

These birds are the larg-est of the Grebe family with a lifespan of around 15 years. Characteristics include a black back and face with a white neck and underside. They have a long neck, a thin bill and a most striking feature; their brilliant red eyes.

There are approximately 80,000 Western Grebes in North America. The species are not considered threat-ened, however there is concern for their status on the edges of their range, including British Columbia, as they are sensitive to pesticides, poor water quality, fishing line and gill nets. The parents are also easily frightened by boating disturbances and may not return to the nest for hours.

To help reduce the orphans it is best to observe these wonderful birds from a distance.

Cheryl Bowman, CWRS

Picture courtesy Melanie Seneviratne

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 13

In Our City

The Subdivision and Development Appeal Board can only consider if a City order was correctly issued; it cannot grant an approval, because only through a Development Permit ap-plication can a development or use be reviewed for a decision.

There was an appeal of an order for the Bottle Return Depot at 30, 141 Crowfoot Way NW. The order issued Jun 14, 2013 pertains to completion of plans and conditions by July 31, 2013, although the previous date was by May 15, 2013.

Among the changes are removal of outdoor cart collection, repainting of parking stalls,landscaping; no parking signs, handi-cap ramp, exterior finish, and other amenities, such as new windows.

The appeal argues that the City should allow the project to proceed. A valid building permit was issued in April and is in place for one year, although the Development Permit was approved in December 2012.

Anne Burke

Bottle Depot Appeal

Crowfoot LibraryPrograms for Adults• Computer Technology Coaching:

Tue. Sep. 3 – Dec. 17, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Steam Punk: Sep. 18, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Career Basics—Interview Skills Workshop: Sep. 25, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

• Get an A—For Parents: Sep. 29, 1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Programs for Children and Youth• Drop-in Family Storytime: Wed.

& Sat. Sep. – Dec. 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Ages 2 – 5 with caregiver.

• Grandparents Family Storytime: Sep. 8, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Ages 2 – 5 with caregiver.

• Boy-sterous Storytime: Sep. 19, 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Ages 3 – 5.

• Word Games for Families: Sep. 19, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Ages 9 – 12.

• Gaming For Kids: Sep. 20, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Ages 7 – 12.

• Get an A: Sep. 26, 4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Ages 13 – 17.

Visit www.calgarypubliclibrary.com for more information on these programs. Registration is required for all programs unless otherwise noted.

Organic On RiseEach year, more and more Canadi-ans are making the conscious effort to go organic. In fact, organic sales have tripled here since 2006 and continue to grow each year. Check out all the Organic Week Activities from September 21 to 28.

News Canada, organicweek.ca

City CensusPopulation for 2013 is 1,149,552, up 29,327, from 2012, a 2.62% increase.Evanston leads the way in growth.

Communities with a population in-crease of more than 1,000 are:• Evanston (1,680 additional residents)• Auburn Bay (1,632 additional resi-

dents)• Cranston (1,578 additional residents)• Skyview Ranch (1,519 additional

residents)• Panorama Hills (1,358 additional

residents)• New Brighton (1,325 additional

residents)• Copperfield (1,108 additional resi-

dents)• Aspen Woods (1,100 additional

residents)

For more information, contact 403-476-4100 or census@calgary.ca or visit www.calgary.ca/census or www.calgary.ca/geodemographics .

Anne Burke

Community Population Dwellings

Arbour Lake 10,892 3,929

Citadel 10,285 3,482

Evanston 8,274 3,205

Hamptons 7,846 2,472

Hawkwood 9,801 3,330

Kincora 5,088 1,592

Nolan Hill 147 172

Ranchlands 7,775 3,056

Royal Oak 10,969 4,072

Sage Hill 2,976 1,306

Sherwood 3,111 1,088

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 15

In Our CityTraffic Safety PlanDrainage Report

The City initiated driver awareness of school and playground zones in September 2013, for a one-year trial at 24 locations and 8 control sites. The cost is $20,000. The school site review cost $150,000. Another trial for road markings, or "shark's teeth", approach-ing pedestrian crossings, cost $3,000 for 9 locations. A new Traffic Safety Plan (2013-2017) means more education in elementary schools and at open houses for pedes-trian safety.

Some other measures are:• Traffic Tips Booklet revised 2013

(1,000 copies for $5,000) at www.calgary.ca.

• Crosswalks and signs at $1,000 cost, $925,000 per year for repainting.

• Countdown timers for 184 traffic signals, 30 more by the end of 2014.

• "Scramble crossings", where walkers can cross diagonally at $15,000.

• $85,000 per location for pedestrian-activated crossings. In 2012 there were 237, with 5 more per year.

• Solar-powered "rapid flash" beacons were unreliable, after a trial which cost $200,000, in 2013.

• Audible signals at 111 locations at $6,000.

• Walking-speed timers under review to give walkers more time to cross.

Anne Burke

City Council earmarked $52 million for flooding relief and referred additional tax "room" to the November budget discussion.

Even before the massive summer flood-ing, the City of Calgary was aware of the risks of inadequate and outdated storm-water management, especially in mature communities. A 10-year forecast plan was intended to address these risks "in a timely and financially sustainable manner."

There are 23 projects on the Commu-nity Drainage Improvement (CDI) list at a total cost of $170 million within 10-25 years. With $50 million for com-munities not yet analyzed, the total of $220 million requires annual spending of $11-$22 million per year. Service fee rates for 2015-2018 will rise.

Pre-1988 design has led to recurrent flooding, high street flows, and sewer back-ups. In 1994, an upgrade charge was added. By 2006, the City decided "most known, high priority projects had been completed" and drainage funding was diverted to water quality issues.

In 2007, there were 13 more communi-ties ($6.2 million per year, 2007-2011). Studies showed there may need to be $50‒$75 million more in capital upgrades. Since 2009, a life cycle cost-and-benefit assessment tool has been in place to achieve renewal of aging infra-structure in affected communities. The aim was to "avoid" public and private property flood damages to buildings, contents, and vehicles; disruption, traf-fic delays, utility outages.

Anne Burke

Water for HeadachesHeadaches that are the result of water deprivation can be at the front or back or just on one side of the head—and sometimes, all over. Drink water slowly and regularly all day, approximately two to three ounces at a time. Most health experts now recommend you drink half your body weight in ounces daily.

News Canada, www.leadingdentists.ca

Want to Make A Difference?Citizens are invited to apply for mem-bership to the 2014 Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB), and the Licence and Community Stan-dards Appeal Board (LCSAB).

Applicants should have experience in-terpreting and applying laws, policies and/or procedural rules, as well as:• for the SDAB, experience in archi-

tecture, law, engineering/construc-tion or urban planning/development and,

• for the LCSAB, an ability to read, understand, and interpret complex municipal bylaws.

For additional eligibility requirements and further information, please call 403-268-5888, or visit calgary.ca/city-

clerks. Applications will be received from Monday, September 23rd until 4:30 p.m. Friday, October 4th, 2013.

Interested in applying? Please indi-cate your interest in the SDAB and/or LCSAB and forward your application to cityclerk@calgary.ca. Only candi-dates selected for an interview will be contacted.

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 17

In Our CityEvents In and Around Calgary Tickets, admission or registration may be required

for events. Event details are believed correct as ofpress time but may change at any time.

A Sampling of Concerts• Eagles: Sep. 12, Scotiabank Sad-

dledome• Drake: Sep. 29, Scotiabank Sad-

dledome • Indigo Girls: Sep. 30, Knox

United Church • Ron Sexsmith: Oct. 3, The Gate-

way (SAIT)• Hanson Anthem World Tour:

Oct. 5, Deerfoot Inn & Casino• Jason Aldean: Oct. 5, Scotiabank

Saddledome • Sarah Brightman: Oct. 21,

Scotiabank Saddledome• Loretta Lynn: Oct. 23, Southern

Alberta Jubilee• Brad Paisley: Oct. 25, Scotiabank

Saddledome• Jethro Tull's Ian Anderson: Oct.

25, Southern Alberta Jubilee • Leon Russell: Nov. 9, Deerfoot

Inn & Casino • Nine Inch Nails: Nov. 25, Scotia-

bank Saddledome• Pearl Jam: Dec. 2, Scotiabank

Saddledome

Spruce Mead-ows Masters: Sep. 4 to – 8, Spruce Mead-ows. See

the world's best equestrian athletes compete for over two million dollars in prize money at this exciting interna-tional show jumping tournament. www.sprucemeadows.com

Calgary Corporate Challenge Fam-ily Day: Sep. 7, WinSport's Canada Olympic Park. An all-day festival of activities, including a mountain bike race, truck pull, a kids area and much more. Open to the public and free. www.calgarycorporatechallenge.com

Parkinson Step 'n Stride: Sep. 7 – 8, Glenmore Park North. Raises funds and awareness for the Parkinson Al-berta. www.parkinsonalberta.ca

YYComedy Festival: Sep. 9 – 15, Jack Singer Concert Hall. Highlights 9 of the best of the best from the win-ners of the Canadian Comedy Awards.www.yycomedy.ca

War Horse: Sep. 10 – 15, Southern Alberta Jubilee. Broadway Across Canada presents the Tony Award win-ning production of War Horse about about a teenaged boy and the horse he loves during the first World War. www.calgary.broadway.com

Monster Jam: Sep. 14 – 15, Stam-pede Park. Live motorsport event.www.monsterjamcanada.ca

Calgary Bridal Expo: Sep. 15, BMO Centre. Features fashion shows, a wedding gown sale and hundreds of Calgary's top wedding specialists. www.bridalexpo.ca

The Terry Fox Run: Sep. 15, Eau Claire. Run in support of cancer re-search. www.terryfox.org

Calgary Home + Interior Design Show: Sep. 19 – 22, BMO Centre. Everything home—helpful advice, money saving solutions and 375+ of Calgary's favourite retailers.www.calgaryhds.com

Walk A Mile in Her Shoes: Sep. 19, Olympic Plaza. Join local celebrities and other men by strapping on high heels in support of women and chil-dren taking steps to walk away from family violence. www.walkamile.ca

Calgary International Film Festival: Sep. 19 – 29, vrious downtown ven-ues. A non-profit festival, bringing the best in global and Canadian cinema to the city, from enlightening documenta-ries, to compelling dramas and inter-national films. www.calgaryfilm.com

Time Travel: Can It Really Be Done? Sep. 20, 7:00 p.m., MacEwan Hall A&B at the UofC. Professor Paul Davies will deliver a University of Calgary Institute for Quantum Science and Technology public lecture. Free ticket with advance registration at www.iqst.ca/outreach/publiclecture.php.

Rock the House Run: Sep. 22, Market Mall. 10K & 5K run, 5K walk or 1K McDonald's Go Active walk (perfect for little legs) in support of Ronald McDonald House with entertainment along the route. www.rmhsouthernalberta.org

Walk for Farm Animals: Sep. 22, Plaza Theatre in Kensington. Raises money and awareness of the cruel and unsanitary treatment of factory farm

animals. Welcome to bring your dogs. www.walkforfarmanimals.org

Red Green—How To Do Everything Tour: Sep. 29, Southern Alberta Jubi-lee. Enjoy a night of comedy with Red Green. www.redgreen.com

Helping Families Art Exhibit: Oct. 4, 7:00 p.m., Marda Loop Communities Centre. Art sold on a first come first served basis. Tickets include appetiz-ers and live music by The Doll Sisters. www.helpingfamilieshandlecancer

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 19

In Our City

Help Us Find Housing For Fami-lies In Need: Discovery House is a not-for-profit agency that helps women and children leaving domestic violence. Since 2009, we have placed 247 families in homes across Calgary. Families are provided with individual-ized support for up to two years to suc-cessfully transition to independence. We are looking for landlords to partner with us to house 35 families currently on our waiting list. If you are a caring landlord and have space available for rent, please contact our Housing Liaison at 587-226-0983. For more info: www.discoveryhouse.ca.

952 Westjet Squadron Membership Drive: Sep. 5 at the Springbank Heri-tage Club (244168 Range Road 33, ¾ km south of Calaway Park). Bring your birth certificate, Alberta Health Care Card and your parent or guard-ian. We are a new Air Cadet Squadron in the NW Calgary and Cochrane area youth aged 12 to 19 to learn the skills of flying and leadership (among oth-ers). For more information: 587-777-9520, 952aircadets.ca, www.facebook.com/WestJetRCACS.

Go back to school—as a tutor: Do you miss that back-to-school excite-ment, the buzz of the school bell, and the energy of kids? Then become a school reading tutor. The benefits: you get to be part of the school community, giving back feels great, and you make a difference to a child! Training is free. Register at www.calgaryreads.com.

781 "Calgary" Squadron Air Cadets new Recruit Presentation: Sep. 11, at 7:00 p.m. at our offices located in the Vecova Centre, 3304-33 St. N.W. For ages 12 to 19 who are interested in learning the skills of flying, making

Calgary Connectionnew friends, and learning other valu-able skills. Bring your birth certificate, Alberta Health Care Card and your parent or guardian. For more informa-tion, visit www.781aircadets.ca.

Women’s English and Social Group: Improve your spoken English and meet new women in your neigh-bourhood with the New Friends and Neighbourhood group program. Drop in at one of our weekly groups. There is no cost. There are no immigration requirements and no minimum English requirement. Free childcare for kids 6 months old to 6 years old. Visit www.ciwa-online.com/get-involved/ongoing-events for group locations and times. For more information contact 403-444-1752 or marileec@ciwa-online.com.

Back-to-School Fair and Informa-tion Night: September 26 at the Triwood Community Centre. Hosted by EducationWise. Free. For parents and students to have a successful school year: how to study effectively; how parents can support their children; ask questions of experienced tutors and teachers; and tutoring sessions for your child. For more information, contact Louise at 403-228-0081 or louise@educationwise.ca. www.educationwise.ca.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Cal-gary Home-Start Program is look-ing for volunteers: Volunteers visit a family home once a week to provide emotional and practical support by offering companionship and practical assistance. Help create a healthy com-munity and meet a new family! Train-ing, Police and Child Welfare checks are provided. For more information or to register as a volunteer, please

contact Marion at 403-660-6809 or mpaulson@bgcc.ab.ca.

1292 Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) Army Cadet Corps: Join us if you are 12 years or older, want to meet friends and try new things. Activities include survival training, trekking, marksmanship, military marching, sports, leadership training, and more. Parade nights are held at the Sir Arthur Currie Building on Thursdays from 6:20 p.m. to 9:10 p.m. with optional training on Sun-days. Visit www.1292armycadets.ca or www.1292cadetparentsociety.com to learn more.

Super Rummage Sale: Hosted by the Samaritan Club of Calgary. Satur-day. September 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Cen, 1320 – 5th Ave. N.W. All items bargain priced: col-lectables, clothing, toys, tools, house-hold items, shores, jewelry, etc. All proceeds to needy Calgarians.

Responsibly Recycle Mobile DevicesAt www.RecycleMyCell.ca enter your postal code to find the drop-off locations where your devices will be accepted for recycling, regard-less of brand or condition. The site also gives you simple information to delete all of your personal infor-mation from the device before you recycle it.

News Canada

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 21

Your Family5 Tips for a Great School Year!

I’ve talked with many parents about concerns for their children having hap-py school experiences. We’ve found the following ideas have led to positive results for us and our children.

1. Set High Expectations. Start as young as possible. Teach your children to expect success. Let them know how well they can do in school so that is their expectation. Encourage them to participate in setting goals. What went well last year? What would they like to make better? What will success look like for them? Perhaps it will be mak-ing a new friend, or trying out a new activity.

2. Talk and Listen. Have family con-versations about learning, where you share things you are learning as well as show interest in what they are learning. Focus on their efforts and what they find fascinating rather than on grades.

Ask specific questions, for example:• Who is your favourite teacher?• What’s the best part of your school

day?• Have you gotten to know the new

student in your class yet?• What's your least favourite subject?

Talking about a wide range of topics as a family, and asking questions to stimulate thinking give them practise to listen and participate in class.

3. Model, encourage and support helpful work habits. Students need a quiet space for doing homework, with school supplies. Make sure the space is well-lit and comfortable. Watch that a computer for homework doesn't get taken over for playing games, chatting with friends or surfing the internet for non-school fun.

Teach your children how to do home-work, and plan to get it all completed when due. Then let your child work independently, but be available if they need help.

You may need to teach them how to study effectively or how to prepare for tests. Get them a planner.

If your children struggle with school-work, help them yourself, or get ad-ditional help from a teacher or profes-sional tutor.

4. Read with your children every day, in any language, even when they can read alone. Reading will allow us to learn about anything all our lives.

As you read together, ask questions about the story, even encouraging predictions of what is going to happen next.

Make sure your home has lots of books and reading material. Make regular trips to the library to borrow books and see others using and enjoying a vast range of reading resources.

Read for plea-sure as well as to accomplish your daily work and let them see you enjoying read-ing.

If your chil-dren have difficulties reading, find the resources to help them overcome their challenges.

5. Create a Balanced Routine. Help your children create a balanced routine with time for reading, doing home-work, talking together, eating nourish-ing meals and snacks, getting enough sleep and time for fun, relaxation, physical activity and friends.

Wrap them around with your love, encouragement and belief in them, and together you will make it a great school year!

Louise Ridout

Be An Active FamilyThe latest Canadian Community Health Survey found the combined rate of children and teens who are overweight or obese has jumped from 15% to 26% over the span of just 25 years.

Being active and including fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet can help improve and maintain weight:• Walk with your children to school.• Let your children help you rake the

leaves or shovel snow.

• Register for physi-cal activity at school or after.

• Get the kids in-volved in making your meals; add mushrooms high in water content, to make every-one feel fuller, faster.

News Canada, www.mushrooms.ca

CITADEL LINK SEPTEMBER 2013 23

Your HealthSeniors—Stair Safety At Home

Falling down can be very dangerous—this is es-pecially true for seniors. Approximately one-third of independent seniors take a fall at least once

a year, due to diminished strength and mobility. Between 20% – 70% of those falls result in injuries; between 5% – 12% of the injuries are serious.

In addition to physical injuries, a loss of confidence and self trust can also result. Seniors will often avoid going out and taking part in other activities to try and prevent another fall. The odds of an independent senior mov-ing into care are three times as high for those who’ve had falls as for those who haven’t and 40% of admissions to nursing homes are related to falls.

Stairs are a particular hazard; they are involved in 10% – 15% of all falls by seniors. Falls on stairs account for about 10% of all fatal falls in Canada, but 70% of people who die from fall-ing on stairs are 65 years or older.

After a senior falls they often shoul-der the blame, regretting they were being careless, not paying attention, or just assuming they are old and falls ‘happen’. However, there are many reasons people fall and one of the main hazards are stairs.

What follows are 9 tips on how to safely use stairs. They are excellent exercise and don’t need to be avoid-ed—just used safely!

9 Tips To Stair Safety: 1. Stairs should be a maximum

height of 7” and minimum depth of 11”.

2. Open backed stairs are not recom-

mended as light can be distracting.3. No more than 13 stairs without a

landing to minimize fatigue.4. Non-slip coating on stairs, carpet

needs to be low-pile and securely fastened.

5. Handrails on both sides of stairs, circumference no more than 6.25”, height between 36-39”.

6. Lighting is important, bright as possible and switches at both top and bottom.

7. Install contrasting edges on each step for better visibility.

8. Keep stairs free of clutter.9. Take your time, remove reading

glasses, keep hands free to hold handrail, ensure your shoes/slip-pers fit properly

Statistics from: Canada Safety Council. (1991). Fatal accidental falls, by age and sex. Ottawa.

Carla Berezowski, Aging In Place Calgary

Add “Dip” to Your Fitness GoalBroccoli is a healthy snack, but many of us would rather eat chips, right? But if we add a tasty and healthy dip—say, spicy hummus—it's easier to keep choosing broccoli. The same goes for pursuing our fitness resolutions: to increase our chances for success, we have to find and attach an effective incentive or “dip” to our goal. Below three leading Canadian fitness experts suggest how.

• Make an emotional connection to your goal such as “I am going to the gym to keep up and have fun with my young children,” or “I will eat more fresh fruit and vegetables to avoid the heart disease my mother had.” Use photos to keep reminding yourself of the reasons behind your actions. – Lisa Bélanger, certified exercise physiologist

• Have Fun. If you aren't having fun, you won't stick with it. So make sure you are staying active by doing the things you love. “Dance, play tennis, go for a walk with friends, hop on the treadmill, or attend a group exer-cise class, whatever makes you smile and brings you enjoyment.” – David Patchell-Evans, the Founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness

• Commit to the smallest goal so you are ensured success. Instead of committing to going to the gym twice a day, seven days a week, com-mit to twice a week for four weeks. This will make it more likely that you will succeed, feel great about it and then do more. – Rod Macdonald, Vice President, canfitpro

News Canada

"Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. If makes it feel needed."

Charles M. Schulz