Calgary City News Blog

Calgary joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation

Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates

Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Hey Calgary, what’s the plan for your old garbage can?

Now that Black Cart delivery is beginning in Calgary’s Northwest and Southwest, joining the almost half of all city households that already have a cart, it is time to address the age old question of what to do with the old garbage cans?

The City started a Facebook page called “Hey Calgary, what’s the plan for your old garbage can?” to garner feedback – and people have provided some really good ideas.

Some ingenuitive folk have recommended converting the old metal or plastic bins into a composter. Other people have turned these receptacles into pieces of art and even furniture, such as a nightstand. There are links to how to convert a trash can into a rain barrel or ‘bog’ garden, and some people store their garden tools in theirs.

If you have an idea for what to do with your old garbage cans or if you are looking for alternatives to recycling your bin, please visit our Facebook page.

Also, The City will recycle your old bins for free at Throw ‘n’ go facilities from April 23 to June 30, 2011. For more information on throwing away or recycling your trash can, please visit calgary.ca or visit our Facebook page for neat reusable ideas.

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

Monday, April 25, 2011

City Hall Flags at Half-Mast for National Day of Mourning

City Hall Flags will be flown at Half-Mast on April 28, 2011 for the National Day of Mourning commemorating workers who have been killed or injured in the workplace.

The National Day of Mourning, held annually on April 28, was officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, eight years after the day of remembrance was launched by the Canadian Labour Congress. The Day of Mourning has since spread to about 80 countries around the world and has been adopted by the AFL-CIO and the International Confederation of Free Trade.

In 2009, 939 workplace deaths were recorded in Canada - more than 2.57 deaths every day.

For more information, please visit the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Website.

Spring Clean-up coming to a neighborhood near you

Spring Clean-up is coming to a neighborhood near you soon.

The annual street cleaning program removes sanding materials and debris that has accumulated on roads and along major sidewalks and boulevards during the winter months. This will help make our roads safer, protects the environment and improve the appearance of city roads.

Spring Clean-up street sweeping is scheduled to start once that dastardly snow me

lts. The goal is for all sweeping to be completed by the end of June.

Sweeping of major roads and commercial/industrial areas is done at night (Sun – Wed).

Sweeping of residential areas is done durin

g the day (generally Mon-Thurs.).

Find your community clean-up date in the Spring Clean-Up schedule at calgary.ca/sweep

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Pet of the Week - Ike

This week's Pet of the Week is Ike. He's a neutered Shepherd-Cross who's full of love. He's a big puppy with energy to spare, so may fit best in an active household that doesn't have a lot of small things like children and small pets. Ike has a natural ability to learn and is eager to please.

With some love, respect and an investment of time this Sheppard-Cross can live up to all he can be. To learn more about adopting an animal in Calgary visit calgary.ca/animalservices.

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

Calgary joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation

Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates

Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information

Furniture Audit and Furniture Purchase Policy Concluded

Here is an interview with Sharon Purvis, Director, Corporate Properties and Buildings. For more information about the Furniture Audit and how the Furniture Purchase Policy is followed at The City visit calgary.ca.

An audit of the Furniture Purchase Policy at the City of Calgary was recently conducted to determine cost effectiveness, how the contract was awarded and The City’s compliance with policies governing the purchase of furniture.

The audit concluded The City acted in an economical fashion supported by a competitive award process while maintaining quality furniture standards in keeping with the CSA (Canadian Standards Association) specificatio

ns.

At the City of Calgary, furniture is defined as and includes desks, chairs, filing cabinets, storage fixtures, shelves, meeting room and lobby chairs and tables, office panels to create cubicle areas and demountable walls to create offices. Between 2006 and 2009 the total cost for these items was $22.1 million dollars. This money accommodated an increase of more than 1000 staff at The City during this time. An additional $5 million was spent on photocopiers, calculators, furniture repairs, and delivery charges for a total of $27.1 million dollars which was identified as the total amount spent at The City on furniture between 2006 and 2009.

This newly purchased furniture at The City of Calgary meets the ergonomic standard and will be reused for as long as they are deemed functional. Any surplus furniture that does not meet the ergonomic standard, but is still operational is sold to the public. Broken or unsafe furniture is recycled or discarded.

Overall, the Furniture Audit showed that the City of Calgary is getting good value for its expenditures on furniture. However, the audit did make three recommendations:

The City should formalize the process to extend and renew agreements to ensure decisions are supported by clear rationale as to how the extension would continue to provide value for money.
The City should set and monitor delivery time targets as part of vendor performance for future furniture purchasing agreements.
The City should update the Furniture Purchase Policy

For more information visit calgary.ca

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Easter 2011 Statutory Holiday Hours of Operation for City of Calgary Facilities

The City of Calgary is adjusting hours of operation for services and facilities on Good Friday, April 22, 2011 and Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011.

City Administrative Offices
All administrative offices will be closed on Good Friday, April 22, 2011 and will reopen on Monday, April 25, 2011.

Calgary Transit
Calgary Transit will provide a Sunday level of service on Good Friday, April 22, 2011 and normal Sunday level of service on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011. Regular service will resume on Monday, April 25, 2011.

The Calgary Transit Call Centre will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011.

7 Avenue CTrain and Bus Service Update - Friday, April 22 through Sunday, April 24, 2011
Calgary Transit is conducting maintenance on 7 Avenue downtown starting Friday April 22 through Sunday, April 24, 2011.

There will be no CTrain service past 8 Street Station, Stampede Station and Bridgeland/Memorial Station and all buses that travel on 7 Avenue will be detoured. Service will be replaced by shuttle bus Routes 551, 552 and 553.

For more information on the revised schedules and routes visit www.calgarytransit.com,

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

Residential Garbage Collection
Residential collection schedules and pickup at community recycling depots will continue as usual on Good Friday, April 22, 2011.

Landfills
All landfills will be open 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Animal Services Centre
2201 Portland Street S.E.
Good Friday, April 22, 2011: Closed
Saturday, April 23, 2011: Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011: Closed
Monday, April 25, 2011: Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Recreation
For more information please visit calgary.ca/recreation

Arenas/Athletic Parks
Shouldice Athletic Park has Artificial Turf which has now been open since April 1, 2011. The Glenmore Track and the Velodrome is open for bookings on Statutory Holidays and Saturday, April 23 as well as Monday, April 25.

All Arenas will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but open for approved bookings on Statutory Holidays and will be open for their regular schedule on Saturday, April 23 and Monday April 25.

Southland Leisure Centre
Good Friday, April 22, 2011: Facility open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. No shinny hockey, public skating closed for the season. Regular admission applies

Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011: Closed

Monday, April 25, 2011: Regular hours of operation - 5:30 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Village Square Leisure Centre
Good Friday, April 22, 2011: Facility open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. No shinny hockey, public skating closed for the season. Regular admission applies

Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011: Facility open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. No shinny hockey, public skating closed for the season. Regular admission applies

Monday, April 25, 2011: Regular hours of operation - 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Aquatics and Fitness Centres
The following pools will be open for a free public swim on Good Friday, April 22, 2011 from 1 -2:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m.:
- Bob Bahan
- Canyon Meadows
- Killarney
- Renfrew
- Sir Winston Churchill

All other City of Calgary Aquatics and Fitness Centres will be closed on Good Friday, April 22, 2011.

The following pools will be open for a free public swim from 1 -2:30 p.m. and 3 -4:30 p.m. on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011:
- Acadia
- Foothills
- Glenmore
- Inglewood
- Shouldice
- Thornhill

All other City of Calgary Aquatics and Fitness Centres will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011.

Art Centres
Wildflower Arts Centre and North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre are closed on Good Friday, April 22, 2011.

City of Calgary Parks
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Nature Centre will be closed to the public on Good Friday, April 22, 2011. The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary trails will be open from sunrise to sunset.

Natural Environment Parks
Trails open from sunrise to sunset

Devonian Gardens
Closed for renovations

Other Facilities
Fort Calgary
Good Friday, April 22, 2011: Closed
Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011: Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Heritage Park
Historic Village closed. Heritage Town Square attractions open year-round.

Deane House
Closed Good Friday, April 22, 2011
Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24: Open 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Closed Monday, April 25, 2011

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

TELUS World of Science
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Elbow Drive Reconstruction: Phase Two

Sometimes a road needs to be resurfaced and sometimes it needs to be reconstructed. In this case, Elbow Drive form Glenmore to 50 Avenue - one of Calgary's major thoroughfares - needs to be reconstructed from the foundation up.

This is part of the City's continuing program dedicated to reconstructing Calgary's aging roadways.

"Elbow Drive was chosen for reconstruction due to the poor pavement condition." Says Darren Flood, Senior Transportation Engineer with Transportation Infrastructure. "Reconstruction is required due to the fact that the pavement is reaching the end of its life expectancy and the structural problems extend deep into the road. Without reconstruction, any surface treatments would just mask the problem and not provide a long term solution making it an ongoing maintenance challenge."

Elbow Drive was identified as a priority for this program and has already benefited from reconstruction from 50 Avenue S.W. to Lansdowne Avenue.

In addition to road reconstruction, the project's scope includes improvements to pedestrian safety through the widening of sidewalks on the West side and where needed on the East side of the roadway, larger concrete pads for bus stops and improvements to their connectivity to sidewalks and improvements to crosswalks for safety and usability.

The project will also improve street lights and underground utilities while crews have access to those infrastructure components. Additionally, there is an opportunity to address some landscape elements that will also improve usability and safety.

The City is taking steps to ensure that construction has a limited impact on trees and grassy areas and where necessary grass and affected trees will be replaced if underground and overhead utilities permit.

It is expected that this work will have impacts to the users of this roadway but The City will make every effort to minimize impacts as much as possible. At times the road will be limited to one lane in each direction, bus stops may be temporarily relocated or closed as well sections of sidewalk will be closed during construction.

Access to Elbow Drive from adjacent roads, lanes, and driveways within the construction zone will be restricted at times. This will affect some residents and businesses for a period of time during construction and properties located on Elbow Drive with impositions on the property line will likely be impacted.

Letters will be delivered to adjacent properties explaining potential impacts and providing contacts and further details. Project information can be found on the City's website and through the Elbow Drive Road Reconstruction Newsletter.

Friday, April 15, 2011

2011 Summer Hiring Fair a success

On April 15, 2011, about 5,200 youth aged 15 - 24 vied for summer job at the Summer Hiring Fair.

Here is a brief video of the fair, promoted annually by The City's Youth Employment Centre.

For more information, please visit nextsteps.org

***Photos courtesy of Ashley Chesney

Easy tips for helping city song birds this spring

Although it is sometimes hard to tell, spring is here and that means Calgary’s migratory birds have returned. You've probably heard them singing in the morning over the past couple weekends and with the recent dump of snow the Robins might be reconsidering why they came back so soon.

Photo courtesy of Paul Carroll

All kidding aside, sometimes inclement spring weather can be harmful to our friendlier feathered friends. Between the frozen ground and the snow cover, birds aren't able to get the food they need to keep warm. Whether it's seeds or bugs, foraging for food on the ground is not easy for a hungry, cold and tired bird. Add fattened neighbourhood cats to the mix and it's almost a smarter idea to starve.

Calgarians can help though. Robins and other migratory birds such as song sparrows and red-winged blackbirds are easy to assist with some extra TLC during times like these. Follow these tips to save an avian life:

· Hang mealworm (beetle larvae) and sinew mixtures from trees for robins and other birds requiring protein. It can be purchased in pet stores and is loaded with nutrients and calories.

· Uncover the crab apples and mountain ash berries you strategically left on the ground all winter exactly for this spring moment. Even those old fallen fruits from last season can be digested by birds looking for a hearty snack.

· Remember to maintain, clean and replenish seed in your bird feeder well into the springtime this year to help seed-eating birds during lean, snowy times.

Providing extra food will help attract birds to your yard and keep them warm and healthy so they can nest and compete during Calgary's springtime.

Remember that berries and crab apples can attract coyotes and other natural wildlife. If coyotes frequent your area, place bird food up high where it can’t be detected; also please place food out of reach of cats by using bird feeders or other above-ground platforms.

For more information on birds in Calgary visit the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary's page on calgary.ca. You can find a list of parks, nature and school programs and volunteer opportunities that will get you out in nature in your own backyard.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Pet of the Week - Will and Kate

Will is a neutered male black and white Domestic Shorthair. He is approximately 4 years old. Kate is a female black and white Domestic Shorthair. She is just over a year old.

Both cats are desperately seeking forever homes in order to escape the ‘Royal Wedding’ the animal health techs at the Animal Services Centre have planned for them. Paper crowns and tiny cat outfits are not part of their idea of happily ever after!

If you know someone who could rescue these kitty's from these, usually kind, animal health techs please let them know about our blog post or have them visit calgary.ca/animalservices for more information on pet adoption.

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

Calgary joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation

Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates

Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Emergency Communications Officer talks about accidental 9-1-1 calls

When Donna Moore answers the phone, she doesn’t know if she’ll hear screaming, sobbing, or the muffled sounds of a party.

Donna is an Emergency Communications Officer with Calgary’s Public Safety Communications 9-1-1 Centre, and it’s her job to ensure people on the other end of the line, get the help they need.

Usually when she answers the phone, she deals with a traumatic, even life or death situation, but more often she finds herself listening to a phone from someone’s pocket.

“It’s frustrating, you have to try and figure out if what you’re hearing is a television or a real fight. We need to make sure that people are safe, but if it’s a pocket dial and no one is answering, we don’t know,” says Donna. “Time we could be spending helping someone who really needs it is instead us calling them back.”

A pocket dial is when a phone calls 9-1-1. It’s calls like this, as well as other accidental calls that account to almost 30 per cent of all calls to 9-1-1 in Calgary – about 300 a day.

Donna who has been a 9-1-1 officer for six years and was with Highway Patrol before that, says she loves helping people. “When you help a father deliver his baby, or you comfort someone who’s in distress, or help prevent a robbery, it’s a great feeling.”

Her most memorable call was from a woman who called 9-1-1 because her husband was having a heart attack.

“I was on the phone with her for 35 minutes walking her through CPR before the Fire Department arrived,” says Donna. “What if that lady had been trying to get through to 9-1-1 and I was on the phone with someone’s pocket?”

It’s always in the back of your mind, when you’re on a pocket or purse dial call – what if someone with a real emergency is trying to get through?”

There are a few ways to avoid making these calls: carry your cell phone in a holster, put it on standby or make sure the key pad is locked so it can’t accidently dial 9-1-1.

Inactive cell phones can still call 9-1-1 even if they are not on a plan or don’t have ‘pay as you go’ minutes, so it’s important to always remove the batteries from old cell phones to prevent accidental 9-1-1 calls.

If you are unsure of what else you can do please contact your cell phone service provider to find out how to safely carry your cell phone to prevent accidental 9-1-1 calls, to help Donna and her colleagues, help you.

For more information please visit calgary.ca/911

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

Black Cart automated garbage collection coming soon to northwest and southwest

Residents in the northwest and southwest quadrants will soon be receiving black carts for automated garbage collection.

Black cart deliveries will start in the northwest the week of April 25 followed by homes in the southwest. All homes in Calgary will receive their carts by the end of June 2011. More than 20,000 carts will be delivered every week and residents should start using them as soon as they arrive.

“Black Cart garbage collection is an important step towards keeping Calgary clean, improv

ing collection efficiency and making the work safer for our collectors,” said Program Manager Paula Magdich.

Since the city-wide rollout began in October 2010, approximately 120,000 homes in the northeast and southeast have received their black carts. According to a recent survey, their experience has been very positive.

Of those surveyed, 95 per cent of black cart users say their garbage collection has improved or remained the same with automated garbage collection.
87 per cent of black cart users say the cart is easy to use.
Over three-quarters (77 per cent) of black cart users are able to dispose of all of their household garbage in the Black Cart, while only one in five (21 per cent) sometimes have to set out additional bags beside their cart.
64 per cent agree the program has resulted in their community being cleaner.

Since the launch of Black Cart service in the eastern quadrants, no garbage collectors involved in Black Cart garbage collection have lost time due to injury on the job. During the same period the previous year, there were 22 injuries resulting in lost time from collecting garbage by hand.

About Black Cart automated garbage collection

Black Cart automated garbage collection is provided at no additional cost to residents, and extra bags of garbage that do not fit in the black cart can be set beside the cart for collection.

The carts are about the same size as the blue carts and can hold the equivalent of three or four standard garbage bags. The carts will be collected each week as per the current schedule; garbage will be collected on the same day of the week and from the same location, either the front street or back lane.

For more information about the service, including a community delivery schedule, visit calgary.ca/blackcart

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

Accidental 9-1-1 calls reach emergency proportions

Accidental calls to 9-1-1 are reaching emergency proportions.

Almost one third of all calls to 9-1-1 are accidental, potentially hindering rescue efforts during a real emergency, and the people at 9-1-1 are asking for your help.

“Every year, 9-1-1 receives over 400,000 calls from people who may need emergency services, but about 300 per day are accidental, which could hinder response times,” says Steve Dongworth, Chief Superintendant of Public Safety Communications.

Accidental calls occur for a number of reasons.

The biggest cause of accidental 9-1-1 calls is errant calls from cell phones stuffed in a pocket or handbag, otherwise known as “pocket dials.” Blackberries have an “Emergency Call” function that can dial 9-1-1 even if the keypad is locked. Talk to your cell phone service provider to find out how to safely carry your phone to prevent accidental 9-1-1 calls.

Children playing with phones are another major cause of accidental 9-1-1 calls and inactive cell phones can dial 9-1-1 even without a plan or ‘pay as you go’ minutes. Removing the batteries from old cell phones will prevent accidental 9-1-1 calls.

If you do accidently dial 9-1-1 from your home or cell phone stay on the line and tell the Emergency Communications Officer what happened.

“Hanging up is a big issue for the Emergency Communications Officers who must call you back to make sure you’re safe and that could tie up a line for someone who really needs it,” says Dongworth.

“We need to keep 9-1-1 for emergencies. We want Calgarians to be aware of the significance of accidental 9-1-1 calls. Little changes to how people do things could save lives,” says Dongworth.

For more information please visit calgary.ca/911

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Calgary Soldier’s Memorial Unveiled: Memorial Drive Landscape of Memory Project

Calgary Soldier’s Memorial was unveiled a few days ago, an integral part of the Memorial Drive Landscape of Memory project.

The Memorial, coordinated by The Calgary Highlanders, is a tribute to the sacrifice and service that soldiers serving with Calgary’s Army Reserve Regiments have made in World War 1, World War 2 and Afghanistan. The names of over 3,000 soldiers who have died fighting or their country are listed on large stone tablets with the Cap Badge of the units shown at the top.

More information on the Memorial Drive Landscape of Memory can be found on the Parks website at calgary.ca/parks.

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

Thursday, April 7, 2011

City Links Trainee Program - Employment Preparation and Training

Here is a video showcasing The City's City Links Trainee program.

Who is eligible?

Residents of the city of Calgary who are:

18 years of age or older
In good physical health
Have a basic level of spoken English

Potential candidates will have one or more of the following barriers to employment:
Limited work experience
History of life challenges
Limited educational opportunities

Program details

Full time, up to 10 months in duration
Designed to cover various aspects of support (see Employment Preparation & Training Program Details)
Workers spend most of their time doing home maintenance for low-income seniors. The areas of work are housecleaning, yard maintenance and residential painting. Training is provided and no previous experience is required.

For more information please visit calgary.ca/citylinks

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

Calgary Pet of the Week - Blazer

This week’s featured pet is a 7 year old, domestic short hair, neutered-male, white and brown tabby cat. Round these parts we call this playful little buddy Blazer.

He’s looking for a permanent place to hang his hat and ain’t asking for much, just good ol’ companionship and an overstuffed pillow to get some shuteye on. If you’re fixin’ to pay a visit to Blazer, come down to animal services and ask the gals at the front counter about A432377.

For more information on pet adoption please visit calgary.ca/animalservices.

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

Pet of the Week - Cookie

Calgary joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation

Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates

Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information