Don't waste your long weekend sifting through clutter - Spring cleaning tips from The City

Plan to do some spring cleaning this May long weekend? Find information on The City’s landfill hours and locations quickly and easily on Calgary.ca – anytime, anywhere, any device.

All three City landfills are open 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Sunday including holidays. In addition to garbage, the landfill Throw ‘n’ Go areas accept many items for recycling or safe disposal, including: Old, unusable electronics, household hazardous waste, and old tires. Old, unusable appliances are also accepted, however charges apply.

With spring clean-up in mind, yard waste such as leaves, branches and plants will be accepted for composting at all landfill locations free of charge until June 2.

Please visit our website for detailed information and guidelines.

16 Avenue and 19 Street N.E. interchange planning study open house

The City of Calgary is conducting a planning study to look at a future interchange at the intersection of 16 Avenue and 19 Street N.E. An interchange at this location is the last major road enhancement needed to provide free flow traffic on 16 Avenue east of Deerfoot Trail. The objective of the study is to develop a plan that:

• Improves traffic flow and safety at the 16 Avenue and 19 Street N.E. intersection, and along 16 Avenue from Deerfoot Trail to Stoney Trail.
• Improves pedestrian and cyclist movement across 16 Avenue between Deerfoot Trail and Barlow Trail.
• Accommodates frequent, reliable transit service in northeast Calgary. 
• Addresses other issues identified during the study. 

Join us on Wednesday, May 22 at the Crossroads Community Association (1803 14 Avenue N.E.) from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to learn about the project and public engagement process, and provide input about the community’s needs, concerns or issues. City of Calgary staff will be in attendance to answer questions.

For more information visit calgary.ca/16ave19st.

Sneak Peek reveals eight new public art projects

Concept rendering of "Charged Line" to be installed at the South Calgary Fire Station this summer.

Calgarians were treated to a sneak peek Wednesday of eight public art concepts soon to be installed in communities throughout Calgary, including New Brighton, South Calgary, Windsor Park, Beltline, Harvest Hills, Parkdale, Inglewood and along the 7th Avenue corridor.

Sneak Peek: Public Art 2013, hosted by the Public Art Board and emceed by its passionate chairman Chip Burgess, featured concept imagery, video clips of the commissioned artists and a special presentation by celebrated artist Cliff Garten.

"The City's commitment to public art really shines through this exciting and diverse offering of projects," said Burgess. "My board colleagues and I are very proud to be involved in these installations that will undoubtedly enliven our public spaces, engage our fellow citizens and have a positive impact on our urban realm."

The projects presented by Rachael Seupersad, Superintendant of Public Art, include a large form steel abbreviation of the term 'versus' (for New Brighton Athletic Park), an interactive, illuminated sculpture inspired by both the Chinook arch and the historic Beltline streetcar loop (for the park located at 12th Ave. and 9 St. SW) and an inverted mountain range which references the source of the Bow River and its glacial origins (designed for a new plaza being developed  for the Parkdale Regional Pathway at end of 34 A St. NW.).

Cliff Garten’s project, which he introduced at the event, is titled Luminous Crossings and consists of a series of standing and hanging stainless-steel sculptures to be divided between the City Hall and West Downtown-Kerby LRT stations.

 “The installation will create a visual experience for the thousands of people who pass through these stations every day,” said Garten. “The city is a backdrop for the sculptures, and the sculptures are the backdrop for the activities going on around them.”

All the projects are possible thanks to The City's Public Art Policy. The Policy enables the commission of public artworks that are placed throughout our city, and freely accessible at all. An energetic, illustrative video has been developed to help citizens understand a little more about this collaborative process.



Through its Bonus Density Program, The City also encourages corporate Calgary to invest in public art. Recent examples include Wonderland and Alberta’s Dream, commissioned by Encana for The Bow plaza, and several temporary and permanent installations in the East Village.

Sneak Peek: Public Art 2013 was a free event and open to the public. Visit calgary.ca/publicart to view the eight new concepts and learn about other projects underway.

How should The City use $52 million?

Today, City Council announced a new public engagement asking Calgarians how The City should use the $52 million of provincial tax room.

“This is a significant amount of unbudgeted money,” said Mayor Nenshi. “We’ve debated five options in Council—all of which reflect the priorities of Calgarians—and this is our opportunity to engage with citizens to hear what they think before Council makes a decision in July.”

City Council wants all citizens to give input on all or any of the five options. There are three ways citizens can get their input to City Council:

• Online at calgary.ca/52million
• Attending face to face opportunities at five different locations in Calgary over the next two weeks  (schedule below)
• Contacting 311

City Council is also preparing a public debate, moderated by former Dragon's Den panelist Brett Willson, at the Devonian Gardens on Tuesday, May 28, from 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

Currently, about 60 per cent of the property taxes citizens pay goes to The City for operations including police, fire, 9-1-1, road maintenance, parks and recreation facilities. The other 40 per cent goes directly to the Province.

City Council approved the 2013 budget in November 2012. The Province, after its budget in March 2013, actually requested less of its estimated portion of 40 per cent than had been anticipated.

That means that, with the same budget approved last November, The City now has $52 million more than expected. Council policy states that this money cannot be used for day-to-day operational expenses, but may be used for capital projects, which The City often asks the Province to help fund, or debt reduction.

City Council has come up with five options for using this tax room that will provide value for Calgarians. They are:

1. “Let the buses roll!” Creating a new dedicated capital fund for Calgary Transit
2. “Give business a break!” Reducing the tax rate for businesses
3. “Revitalize our communities!” Investing in maintenance and renewal of older neighbourhoods
4. “Drop the debt!” Reducing The City’s debt and our annual interest payments
5. “Give it back!” Lowering the taxes that homeowners pay

City Council will carefully review all feedback and use the information in helping them to decide how to use the $52 million when Council meets in July.

Please visit calgary.ca/52million for more information and to have your say from 2:00 pm, May 16, 2013 through 12:00 midnight, June 2, 2013.

$52 Million face-to-face engagement opportunities:

Location	Date/Time
Bankers Hall	Wednesday May 22 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Stephen Avenue	Wednesday May 29 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Northland Village Mall	Friday May 31 2 – 6 p.m.
Chinook Centre	Saturday June 1 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
South Centre	Saturday June 1 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Sunridge Mall	Sunday June 2 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Stepping up for the Mayor's Environment Expo

Students at St. James School exemplify what it means to be a global citizen for the Mayor's Environment Expo.

The Global Leadership class at St. James School is building a better world one project at a time.  Instead of talking about global issues, they made the choice to be part of the solution.

Their Showcase School Project for the 2013 Mayor’s Environment Expo includes a model display of a sustainable Calgary.  Each student picked a building located in Calgary, researched how to sustainably build it and then crafted a model of the building out of recyclable materials.

Additionally, each student developed a project that helps protect our most precious resource – water.

From raising awareness about the decreasing shark population and the impact on our oceans to collecting bikes for the Africa Bike Project to raising money to send overseas for sustainable farming tools, to collecting sporting equipment and books for kids in Africa, to hosting a dance to raise money to ensure villages in third world countries have the right to clean water – this Leadership Class exemplifies what it means to be a global citizen.  They are working to make the world a better place.

“We are really excited to go the Expo,” says Maddy Schaefer, Grade 9 student.  “We have been working really hard on our projects and we want to show other students that they can do this too and that together, we really can change the world. “

“All of their projects will be showcased at the Expo in their ‘Awesome Castle of Learning,” says teacher, Bill Robinson.

Join us at the 2013 Mayor’s Environment Expo, June 4-6 at the Municipal Building and be inspired by today’s youth leaders.

Read about what other showcase schools are doing to protect land, air and water.

The Mayor’s Environment Expo thanks Encana and Calgary Transit for their partnership in the Showcase School program. Encana is sponsoring a $250 grant exclusive to the Showcase Schools. Calgary Transit is providing Showcase Schools with free transportation to and from the Expo.

Victoria Day 2013 Holiday Hours of Operation for City of Calgary Facilities

The City of Calgary is adjusting its hours of operation for services and facilities on Victoria Day, Monday, May 20, 2013.

City Administrative Offices

All administrative offices will be closed on Monday, May 20 and will reopen on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.

Calgary Transit

Calgary Transit will provide a Sunday level of service on Victoria Day, May 20, 2013.

The 201 line (Somerset/Bridlewood to Crowfoot) will be running from Somerset/Bridlewood Station to Heritage Station and from 8 Street Station to Crowfoot Station.

The 202 line (69 Street to Saddletowne) will be running from 69 Street Station to Marlborough Station and from Whitehorn Station to Saddletowne Station.

A shuttle bus service will be in place to connect you to the Stations that are without CTrain service.

For information and schedules, please visit www.calgarytransit.com, call Teleride at 403-974-4000, or
Calgary Transit Customer Service at 403-262-1000.

Community Recycling Depots

Collection at Community Recycling Depots is not affected by the Victoria Day holiday.

Residential blue, black and green cart collection

Residential collection schedules for blue, black and green carts are not affected by the Victoria Day holiday.

Landfills 

East Calgary Landfill (3801 - 68 Street S.E.)
Victoria Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Spyhill Landfill (11808 69 Street N.W.)
Victoria Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Shepard Landfill (12111 - 68 Street S.E.)
Victoria Day: Open 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Animal Services Centre

2201 Portland Street S.E.

Saturday, May 18: Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, May 19:  Open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday, May 20:  Closed
Tuesday, May 21:  Open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Recreation

For more information please visit http://calgary.ca/recreation

Athletic Parks
All Athletic Parks are closed, except for any advanced bookings.

Aquatics and Fitness Centres
All Aquatics and Fitness Centres are closed on Victoria Day.

Southland Leisure Centre
Open Monday, May 20
Facility hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Regular admission applies.

Village Square Leisure Centre
Open Monday, May 20
Facility hours: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Regular admission applies.

Art Centres
The North Mount Pleasant and Wildflower Arts Centres will be closed on Victoria Day.

City of Calgary Parks

Bowness Park 
Park hours 5 a.m. – 11 p.m. daily. Follow the Bowness Park Redevelopment Project and picnic site availability updates throughout the summer here.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Nature Centre will be open 10 a.m. -4 p.m. on Victoria Day.

The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary trails will be open from sunrise to sunset.

Devonian Gardens
Open from noon to 5 p.m.

Other Facilities

Fort Calgary
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Heritage Park
Historic Village opens for the summer season on May 18, 2013.
Gasoline Alley and Historical Village: open daily 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Haskayne Mercantile Block: Open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Railway Café: Open 9:00 a.m.  – 5:30 p.m.
Park Lane Portrait Studio: Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Selkirk Grille: Open 11:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily for lunch. Tuesday – Sunday from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. for dinner. Reservations recommended.

Deane House
 The Deane House will be closed on Victoria Day.

Calgary Zoo
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily.

TELUS Spark
Monday, May 20:  Open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Regular Admission Applies.

Students go to the moon and beyond in search of gardening tips for the Mayor's Expo

Students at Cappy Smart School learn what it takes to garden in space for the Mayor's Environment Expo

Robert Thirsk, former Canadian Space Agency astronaut, holds the records for the longest space flight and the most time spent in space.  And luckily for the grades three and four students at Cappy Smart School, he was just the right person to chat with about growing plants in a space station.

Through a video conference, the astronaut shared his knowledge, provided tips and answered questions about growing plants in limited natural light.  The students applied what they learned to their five greenhouses that are being used for their Showcase School Project for the 2013 Mayor’s Environment Expo.

Even though they didn’t have the best of luck with all their greenhouses, they did manage to grow radishes, tomatoes, corn, peas, pumpkins, beans, and more.

“These kids are very excited to go to the Expo,” says teacher, Florin Panaitescu.  “They are very bright.  And this is an opportunity for them to learn how to communicate and engage peers by presenting their powerpoints and catching the eye of their audiences.”

Join us at the 2013 Mayor’s Environment Expo, June 4-6 at the Municipal Building and be inspired by today’s youth leaders.

Read about what other showcase schools are doing to protect land, air and water.

The Mayor’s Environment Expo thanks Encana and Calgary Transit for their partnership in the Showcase School program. Encana is sponsoring a $250 grant exclusive to the Showcase Schools. Calgary Transit is providing Showcase Schools with free transportation to and from the Expo.