City seeks historic photos of Calgary to help educate the “citizens of tomorrow” about city planning

The City of Calgary is seeking public participation in a video project to help educate kids about how Calgary has developed over the years and the role citizens can play in the process.

The project is part of the activities and initiatives currently being planned to commemorate and celebrate the hundredth anniversary of Calgary Planning Commission, November 13, 2011.

The working concept for the video is to highlight major projects and buildings considered by Calgary Planning Commission over the years from the point of view of both proponents and critics. In recreating the cultural commentary surrounding proposed plans and projects, the video will make use of “before and after” photographs to help illustrate the city planning process.

Members of the public are invited to participate in the project by submitting “before” photographs for use in the video and/or promotion of the video. Examples include pictures of prominent buildings and structures, fields that are now subdivisions; cityscapes or aerial photos from over the years; photos of neighbourhoods that have since experienced redevelopment, and so forth. Video may also be submitted.

“If your family has a collection of historic photos, we want to see them,” says David Watson, General Manager, Planning Development & Assessment. “What a wonderful family project this could be to bridge generations.”

Photos, including a brief description of each (year, location, building name, etc.), can be submitted in the following ways:

• Flickr: www.flickr.com/groups/historiccalgary
• Email: CPC100@calgary.ca
• Mail: CPC 100th Video Project, P.O. Box 2100, Stn. M, #8062, Calgary AB T2P 2M5

Note: All original photos and home movies will be returned upon request; however, if possible, professionally scanned electronic copies are preferred rather than originals.

Background: The City of Calgary wants to let kids know in a fun, educational way that cities don’t just happen. They are conscientiously planned and proposed developments go through an administrative approvals process. City development processes are not without their complexities, but the policies and rules are there for a reason: to help ensure the city is built according to plan. For example, the current vision for Calgary is to become a sustainable city. As Calgary has evolved over the past hundred years, Calgary Planning Commission has played a key role making decisions and recommendations on these matters. For more information on centennial activities and initiatives, visit calgary.ca/cpc100.

Labour Day 2011 Statutory Holiday Hours of Operation for City of Calgary Facilities

The City of Calgary is adjusting its hours of operation for services and facilities on Labour Day, Monday September 5, 2011.

City Administrative Offices

All administrative offices are closed on Labour Day, Monday September 5, 2011and will reopen Tuesday, September 6, 2011.

Calgary Transit

Calgary Transit will provide a Sunday level of service on Labour Day, Monday September 5, 2011. Regular service will resume on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.

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

LRT Maintenance:  Heritage Station to Chinook Station

Due to maintenance on the ballast (rock) under the rails of both inbound and outbound tracks, there will be no CTrain service between Heritage and Chinook stations Saturday through Monday. Shuttle bus service will be provided between the stations for CTrain customers wishing to continue their trips northbound and southbound via the CTrain.

Waste & Recycling

Residential collection schedules and pickup at community recycling depots are not affected by the Labour Day holiday.

Landfills

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

Animal Services Centre

2201 Portland Street S.E.

Saturday, September 3: Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday, September 4: Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Labour Day, Monday, September 5, 2011: Closed

Tuesday, September 6: Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Recreation

For more information please visit calgary.ca/recreation

Arenas/Athletic Parks 

All Arenas will be closed on Labour Day, Monday, September 5, 2011.

All Athletic Parks will be closed, but available for bookings with restrictions. Please call Facility Bookings at 403-268-3800 in advance.

City Golf Courses

Daily hours of operation for each City course can be found at calgary.ca/golf

Southland Leisure Centre

Labour Day, Monday September 5, 2011: Facility open from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Regular admission applies.

Arenas: Closed

Sport Hall & Gymnasium: Closed

Village Square Leisure Centre

Labour Day, Monday September 5, 2011: Closed

Arenas: Regular ice schedule resumes September 9, 2011

Aquatics and Fitness Centres

All City of Calgary Aquatics and Fitness Centres will be closed on Labour Day, Monday September 5, 2011.

Art Centres

Wildflower Arts Centre and North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre will be closed to the public on Labour Day, Monday September 5, 2011 and will reopen on Tuesday, September 6, 2011.

City of Calgary Parks

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary 

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Nature Centre will be closed to the public on Labour Day, Monday September 5, 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
Open 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Heritage Park
Gates and Gasoline Alley Museum open at 9:30 a.m.

Village opens at 10 a.m.

Park closes at 5 p.m.

Deane House
Closed on Labour Day, Monday, September 5, 2011.

Calgary Zoo

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

TELUS World of Science

The 11 Street SW location is now closed. The TELUS World of Science will reopen at its new location October 29, 2011.

Calgary Police Service Graduation - Recruit Class 195

On August 26, 2011 Recruit Class 195 graduated into the Calgary Police Service. The graduating class performed a series of drills and received their badges.

This is the Speech that Police Chief Rick Hanson gave to the new Constables:

Congratulations Class 195, and thank you for choosing the Calgary Police Service!

Graduates, over the past five months you have learned many skills necessary to be a police officer. You have learned about the criminal code and how to apply it. You’ve learned about provincial statutes, municipal bylaws, and all things that contribute to maintaining a civil society. You have also learned about using your personal discretion when enforcing the law, because the judicious and intelligent application of persuasion, combined with the timely application of the appropriate law, leads to creating safety in our city, in a respectful manner.

You have learned the hard skills required to do your job. You know how to shoot a gun, drive a car, apply the powers of arrest and use technology to most effectively be a police officer.

And, you have learned the core values of the Calgary Police Service – honesty, integrity, respect, fairness and compassion, and courage.

Today I want to talk to you about compassion – treating people with empathy and understanding. Perhaps more than any other action taken by a police officer, the demonstration of compassion, when dealing with others, has the longest lasting and most significant impact. Compassion is what people will remember the most about you, over the course of your career. There will be certain incidents you investigate and certain arrests you’ll remember for their impact. But, it’s those one-on-one encounters, with an individual who is going through what may be the most difficult time of their life, where they are looking for help or guidance, or sometimes even just a sympathetic ear, that will last the longest in your memory.

All too often, in an affluent city like Calgary, people do not have equal opportunity for success. Many people face significant challenges where they have suffered the loss of someone close or are feeling isolated and alone, or at a loss for what to do. It is at these times where your involvement as a police officer, your willingness to lend a listening ear, your willingness to be patient, and kind and to provide the needed help for that person may well have significance that goes far beyond that event or that day.

In these situations, and many others like them, it is the actions taken by you, as a police officer, at a time when an individual’s life could be at its darkest, is what that person may remember for the rest of their life.

LETTER: (Police Officer's name changed to 'Bill' for privacy reasons)

“In December 2010 I placed a call to the Calgary Distress Centre. Based on a comment regarding self-harm that I made to one of their volunteers, the police were called to come to my home to take me to the hospital.

Two police officers and an officer in training showed up around midnight. I was unimpressed. I was hysterical. I thought I could negotiate my way out of a hospital visit. I had previously been to the hospital on a voluntary basis and found little help. I have been hospitalized several times since that night, and although I have been made safe from myself, I have found little help for my emotional problems.

The police officer who took the lead that night was named Bill. I remember that he introduced himself by his first name, which I found strange. He sat down when he talked to me, which I also found strange. At that point I didn’t realize that these officers were going to be taking me to the Foothills, whether I consented or not. I remember begging them not to take me in. I cried. I probably swore and complained about the inadequacies of our mental health services here in Calgary.

At one point through my tears, I asked Bill why he cared whether I wanted to live or die and why couldn't he just leave me alone.

Bill's answer was this: “You are my sister on this earth and that’s why I care whether you live or die.” I don’t remember anything else he said that night.

It’s months later and although my emotional problems have resolved to some degree, I still have moments in time where I feel that suicide is the only option. When those moments arise there is no drug to help me. What gets me through those moments are Bill's words. This officer, this man who doesn’t know me, made the choice to gently negotiate for my life by choosing words that have been such a comfort and life-affirming gift every day since.

Thank you Bill.”

As a police officer, often you will be expected to be rough and tough, to stand firm in the face of violence and confrontation. There will even be those rare times when you may have to resort to use of deadly force in order to protect yourself or members of the community. Try not to let this rougher edge of policing harden you to the point where you lose your ability to be compassionate to those in need.

The value of compassion exists within the Calgary Police Service, because we truly do make a difference. As you begin your career today, always remember, that as respected members of community, police officers provide many functions. Know when it is time to lead with your heart. These times will impact you significantly throughout your career, and they will be the ones you remember years after you retire.

Finally, as you leave here today, always remember…be vigilant in performing your duties, be courageous and take pride in the contribution you make.

And…welcome to the Calgary Police Service!

Calgary world's 5th most livable city: survey

Calgary is the fifth most livable city in the world, according to the latest annual ranking compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The report analyzes 30 factors to establish its annual rankings, including stability, health care, culture, environment, education, infrastructure and personal safety and is often used by companies to determine hardship allowances for relocated employees. The UK based group explains what makes a high-ranked city:

"Cities that score best tend to be mid-sized cities in wealthier countries with a relatively low population density. This often fosters a broad range of recreational availability without leading to high crime levels or overburdened infrastructure. Seven of the top ten scoring cities are in Australia and Canada, where population densities of 2.88 and 3.40 people per sq km respectively compare with a global (land) average of 45.65 and a US average of 32."

Calgary ranked 96.6 our of a maximum 100.

Country City Rank Overall Rating (100=ideal)

Australia Melbourne 1 97.5

Austria Vienna 2 97.4

Canada Vancouver 3 97.3

Canada Toronto 4 97.2

Canada Calgary 5 96.6

Australia Sydney 6 96.1

Finland Helsinki 7 96.0

Australia Perth 8 95.9

Australia Adelaide 8 95.9

New Zealand Auckland 10 95.7

Bottom 10

Cote d'Ivoire Abidjan 131 45.9

Iran Tehran 132 45.8

Cameroon Douala 133 44

Pakistan Karachi 134 40.9

Libya Tripoli 135 40.4

Algeria Algiers 136 40.2

Nigeria Lagos 137 39.0

PNG Port Moresby138 38.9

Bangladesh Dhaka 139 38.7

Zimbabwe Harare 140 38.2

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• Economic Report: Calgary's economy to climb, but the need to give grows too
• Calgarians Say Centre City is Safer, Cleaner
• Calgary one of the world's "smart" cities
• Sustainable Calgary: State of Our City report released
• State of the Environment Report: Calgary making progress on sustainability
• Quality of Life Improving: Calgary Foundation Vital Signs Report
• 2009 Water Efficiency Report released

Southland and Village Square Leisure Centres gear up for annual maintenance shutdown

Both Southland and Village Square Leisure Centres are gearing up for their annual maintenance shutdown. To accommodate the required maintenance and cleaning of these facilities, closure of amenities will occur as outlined below.

Southland Leisure Centre:

Sport Hall and Gym (climbing and gymnastics) Closed Aug. 27 to Sept. 18

Weight Room (modified hours on other days) Closed Sept 17 and 18

Waterpark and all other amenities Closed Sept 6 to 18

Village Square Leisure Centre:

Waterpark Closed Aug 29 to Sept. 18

Weight Room Closed Aug 29 to 31

Gymnasium Closed Aug 29 to Sept. 19

Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure our facilities continue to be safe and clean for everyone.

Visit Calgary.ca/leisurecentres for full facility closure schedules or call 3-1-1.

The City of Calgary Public Art Program Seeks Citizens Input

The Public Art Program wants to hear from you.

The City of Calgary Public Art Program is currently gathering input from Calgarians on how to make the most of public art in Calgary, and what the Program can do to best serve our citizens. All feedback will be taken into consideration and used to guide our public programming and planning process.

Connection

How can we best connect you to public art in our city? Information, interactivity, improved access? Let us know what is working, and what we can improve on.

Collaboration

What exciting and innovative ideas do you have for making the most of public art’s collaborative potential? Who should we be talking to? What upcoming events and opportunities lend themselves to public art projects and initiatives?

Impact

How can public art have the most impact in your life? Where, what and why?

Send your ideas and comments by:

• Email to publicart@calgary.ca
• Web through an online Feedback Form
• Facebook - The City of Calgary Public Art Program

Please submit your input by September 30, 2011.

Pet of the Week - all of them

The 85 cats and 52 dogs waiting in Calgary’s Animal Services Centre shelter need your help. Two of the cats have been in the shelter for over five months and all of the animals need to be claimed by their owners or adopted into new homes.

“This is very frustrating because the cats and dogs in our shelter are well socialized which tells me that they have owners and homes,” said Bill Bruce, Director of The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services. “We need pet owners who have lost their cat or dog to check if their pet is sitting in our shelter. We also want to encourage people who are thinking of adopting, to consider giving one of these beautiful cats or dogs a home.”

All of the cats and dogs at the Animal Services shelter receiving temporary safe keeping had been wandering Calgary’s streets without their owners. The goal of Animal & Bylaw Services is to reunite lost cats and dogs with their owners. This can be extremely difficult if the pets are not licensed and do not have a permanent form of identification such as a readable microchip or a legible tattoo.

Calgarians who have lost their cat or dog are encouraged to visit calgary.ca and search impounded and adoptable cats and dogs to see if their pet is in the shelter. Bruce also strongly suggests that pet owners visit the shelter located at 2201 Portland Street S.E. Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. or Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to look for their cat or dog. Calgarians are also reminded that contacting 3-1-1 to file a lost report assists Animal & Bylaw Services in helping to reunite owners with their lost pet.

All the adoptable cats and dogs can be viewed at calgary.ca. The cost for adopting a cat is $150 and $200 for a dog. The pets are all vet checked, spayed or neutered, microchipped and come with a free 6 month licence.

Cat and dog owners are reminded that licensing their cat or dog is the best way to ensure that their pet can be returned in the event that the pet gets out. A licence for a spayed or neutered cat costs $10 and $31 for a dog. A licence for an unaltered cat costs $30 and $52 for a dog. A pet licence can be obtained by calling 3-1-1; visiting calgary.ca and searching cat or dog licensing; or in person at the Animal Services Centre during regular business hours.

Come on down to the Animal Services Centre, call 3-1-1 for more information or visit calgary.ca/animalservices.

If you'd like to download the pets mobile app, visit calgary.ca/mobileapps.

More Calgary City News Blog Animals & Pets here

Calgary Police Service to Host Twitter Chat

Are you on Facebook? What about Twitter? Do you blog?

The Calgary Police Service wants to know how you like to communicate online. We want to find out how we can use digital tools and social media to better serve you!

On Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011, The Calgary Police hosting a chat between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Twitter to talk about how the Calgary Police Service can best use digital technology to communicate and provide services to Calgarians.

Please follow the hashtag #TellCPS and share your thoughts, ideas and opinions on this topic – every idea is welcome. If you’re not on Twitter, you can use TweetChat to observe the discussion.

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of developing the Calgary Police Service’s online presence.

For you Facebook fans, stay tuned, we’re gearing up for a live chat there soon!

TweetChat hashtag: #TellCPS

Twitter: @calgarypolice

Facebook: www.facebook.com/calgarypolice

Opportunity to Identify Remains Offers Closure for Pet Owners

In a joint program launched this week by The City of Calgary Animal & Bylaw Services and Calgary Roads, the remains of cats or dogs killed on Calgary’s streets will be taken to the Animal Services Centre for identification.

“These are people’s pets and we want to do everything possible to help give them closure,” said Bill Bruce, Director of Calgary’s Animal & Bylaw Services. “If we can identify the pet, then the notified owner will have an opportunity to make private arrangements for cremation.”

In the past, Calgary Roads has delivered the tags and collars of deceased cats and dogs to the AnimalServices Centre for owner notification. Now, Roads will deliver the remains of any cat or dog killed on our streets to the Animal Services Centre. The Animal Services’ Health Technologists will search for a licence tag, readable microchip or legible tattoo and notify the owner.

Calgarians who have lost a cat or dog are encouraged to check for their pet at the Animal Services Centre located at 2201 Portland Street S.E. during business hours. Information and photos of impounded cats and dogs are available at calgary.ca/animalservices. The location, date, time and reference number of all animal remains picked up by Roads will also be listed under the impounded animals on the web site.

All cat or dog remains will be held for 10 days at the Animal Services Centre. If positive identification is made, the owner will be contacted and given a choice to have Animal Services cremate the remains without the retention of ashes at no cost or to make arrangements for private cremation and keep the ashes at their cost. All unclaimed pet remains will be cremated by a private contractor after 10 days.

This program is specific to cats and dogs which have been killed on city streets. Citizens who discover animal remains on private property or pet owners whose pet passes away, may dispose of the remains at the Shepard landfill site or check with a vet or the Calgary Humane Society regarding cremation. Calgary’s bylaws prohibit placing deceased animals in household waste and it is not recommended to bury the remains on private property.

Calgarians who discover dead cats, dogs, coyotes or raccoons on city streets or public property are encouraged to call 3-1-1.

For more information visit calgary.ca/animalservices or call 3-1-1.

Calgary Fire Department Celebrates 20 Years of the Kevin Brown Memorial Award

After almost three decades of saving lives, Calgary Fire Fighter, Captain Brad MacNeil, has be awarded the Kevin Brown Memorial Award.

The Kevin Brown Memorial Award is peer-nominated and given to an outstanding member of the Calgary Fire Department’s Aquatic Rescue Team.

This is the 20th year the award has been given.

Kevin Brown was a recreational diver who passed away while practicing diving at Ghost Lake on April 24, 1991. The Brown family was overwhelmed by the professionalism shown by the Calgary Fire Department's Aquatic Rescue Team through the recovery operation and wanted to make a lasting donation to the Department, which resulted in the development of the Kevin Brown Memorial Award.

Macneil was a part of the recovery efforts in Ghost Lake in 1991.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the award, the Insurance Bureau of Canada has also donated a rapid deployment craft,which will play an integral role with the more than 400 aquatic resues a year.

The new boat gives the rescue team five rapid deployment crafts at their disposal.

Flags at City Hall will be lowered to half-mast for the Honourable Jack Layton

Flags at City Hall (Historic City Hall )are at half-mast until sunset Saturday, August 27, 2011 to honour the Honourable Jack Layton, P.C., B.A., M.A., PhD – Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition and Member of The Queen’s Privy Council for Canada.

***Image: Jack Layton, NDP.ca

Preparing for distracted driving legislation

If you're behind the wheel, put away the cell phone, camera, video game and electric razor or be prepared to pay.

With the distracted driving legislation coming into effect on Sept. 1, 2011, the Calgary Police Service is reminding drivers that this is the ideal time to practice safe and non-distracted driving.

“We’re not going to be jumping out from behind a tree to issue a ticket to someone glancing at a map at a stop sign," says Sgt. Michael Watterston. "However, if we see someone obviously flouting the law, driving with their knees, reading a map and sending a text, then they can certainly expect a ticket,”

With just over a week to go before Bill 16 becomes law, motorists are encouraged to get into a healthy habit when it comes to concentrating 100 per cent when behind the wheel.

Anyone blatantly disregarding the law in this first month and driving at the extreme end of the distracted driving scale may find themselves with a $172 fine.

“Our priority is to ensure we do everything we can to keep our streets safe. This new legislation is a great tool for us to use to help us achieve this goal,” added Sgt. Watterston.

The legislation is one of the most comprehensive in the country and prohibits:

• Using hand-held cell phones


• Texting or e-mailing


• Using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players (e.g., MP3 players)


• Entering information on GPS units


• Reading printed materials in the vehicle


• Writing, printing or sketching


• Personal grooming

City of Calgary's Staples for Education school backpacks only half-full

The City of Calgary Community & Neighbourhood Services and Staples stores are calling on the generosity of all Calgarians to help a child in need.  The Staples for Education backpack program provides school supplies to children from low-income families to help them succeed in school. To date, only 45 per cent of this year’s goal of 3,000 backpacks has been met.

“We’re less than two weeks to school and still need 1,600 backpacks,” says Tannis Eapen, social worker with Community & Neighbourhood Services.

“There continues to be an urgent need and we encourage everyone who is able to drop off a donation of cash or grade appropriate supplies to any Staples store location. Children need the right tools to succeed in school. This is an opportunity to directly help them start the new school year off right.” 

All Staples store locations in Calgary will be accepting donations until September 17, 2011. Cash donations of $20 or more are eligible for a tax receipt from The City. A cash donation of $40 fills a backpack with all the required supplies.

To learn more about how you can help fill a backpack and support the education of our children, visit calgary.ca/staplesforeducation or your local Staples store.

Calgary water surveillance cameras detect dangerous water levels

The City of Calgary can now see in real time if a river is rising to dangerous levels now that remote water surveillance cameras have been installed on the Bow and Elbow Rivers.

"These four cameras enable Water Service’s emergency operations staff, and others as needed, to monitor Bow and Elbow River levels in real time," says Frank Frigo, a Senior Planning Engineer with The City.

Information from the cameras is used to determine the course of action if there are potential

flooding situations, especially during Spring run-off or winter ice building periods.

“With the cameras, we get a more comprehensive idea of what the river is doing,” explains Jared Serviss, senior BCEM planner with Water Services. “We can also check accuracy of our other, primary methods of river-level reading should we need to. We get double benefit out of it in that we used the cameras to take pictures of debris build-up to relay to Alberta Environment.”

Within Calgary, there's a camera on the Elbow River at Sandy Beach and on the Bow River at Edmonton Trail and at the Bearspaw Raw II pumping station. Outside of Calgary, cameras on the Elbow River are installed in Bragg Creek and upstream of the Glenmore Resevoir.

Water level monitoring via camera locations upstream from Calgary are particularly valuable as they provide advance notice of river conditions with time to prepare for potential flooding. The cameras also provide a backup system to monitor levels in case the other systems, which are installed in the water, are damaged by flood or ice conditions.

Serviss says these cameras save valuable time during flooding.

“I think the benefits will be in the speed of information, real time versus waiting several hours for crews to go to each site and report back,” he says. “The cameras will allow us to check river levels on gauges without having to send teams out to the sites.”

Cameras also provide a valuable data set that can be used to understand an event and feed into ongoing river monitoring systems.  The City of Calgary river monitoring system includes numerous river and climate data sources, such as surveillance cameras, which increases the warning time in advance of high river levels.  In addition, numerous tools have been developed to aid in response planning, such as digital mapping of affected areas.

***Image: Camera located at Sandy Beach.

Calgary Pet of The Week - Juniper (again)

Have you ever spent five months in a cage? Juniper has. She is one of the longest residents at the Animal Services Centre, second only to her buddy Sunny. Despite her prolonged stay, Juniper is a sweet and gentle soul. She does not play very much, but loves to sit and keep you company. Juniper absolutely adores being pet and brushed. This calm and friendly lady is looking for her forever home – can you help? Come down to the Animal Services Centre and ask to meet Juniper.

Come on down to the Animal Services Centre, call 3-1-1 for more information or visit calgary.ca/animalservices.

If you'd like to download the pets mobile app, visit calgary.ca/mobileapps.

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

• Pet of the Week - Zuma
• Pet of the Week - Buddy
• Pet of the Week - Lola
• Pet of the Week - Gorbi
• Pet of the Week - Juniper
• Pet of the Week - Sylvia
• Pet of the Week - Eagle
• Pet of the Week - Kate
• Pet of the Week - Ike
• Pet of the Week - Will and Kate
• Pet of the Week - Blazer
• Pet of the Week - Cookie
• Pet of the Week - Marley
• Pet of the Week - Chester
• Pet of the Week - Sport
• Pet of the Week - Duke
• Pet of the Week - Pixie
• Pet of the Week - Kris Kringle
• Pet of the Week - Boots
• Pet of the Week - Rosie
• Pet of the Week - Hank
• Calgary joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation
• Pet of the Week - Sophia
• Pet of the Week - Corky
• Pet of the Week - Peanut
• Pet of the Week - Fantasma
• Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates
• Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information
• Feline Frenzy at Animal Services
• Pet of the Week - Scrappy

City of Calgary launches search-based website

The City of Calgary has officially launched a new search-based website which uses Microsoft SharePoint and Google search technology.

The website was available for public preview last week. During the preview process, Calgarians were able to test the new site by typing in keywords to find relevant information. Public feedback during the preview process was exceptionally favourable with very few problems reported.

“We heard so much positive feedback from Calgarians during the preview period and while the search-concept was new and different, I am encouraged by how quickly citizens were able to find information,” said David Watson, General Manager of Planning, Development and Assessment and Project Sponsor. “I see this as

such an important tool for The City to communicate with Calgarians.”

Through a competitive bidding process, The City of Calgary hired Infusion Development to complete development work on the website.

“The goal from the onset was to ensure that citizens could find information and services quickly and easily." said, Bill Baldasti, VP Canadian Sales, Infusion. "For this, a custom feed-engine to enable smart searching was developed. On top of this, we built an extensive mapping suite, a completely optimized mobile experience, and online forms that all together will enable revolutionary new ways for the community to interact with their local government.”

The new website marks a movement towards eGovernment and a shift to providing more services and information online.

“Our citizens have said this is how they want to interact with their municipal government,” said Watson. “The upgrades we’ve made to calgary.ca have built the foundation for The City to support future advances in technology and will allow us to better serve and communicate with Calgarians for years to come.”

Since 2002, the internet has steadily grown as the preferred method to contact The City by citizens; even as the population of Calgary has increased, contacting the city in-person or by phone is decreasing.

“Calgarians have told us they are ready for more services and information online, and that is what we aim to provide,” saidWatson.

Visit the new website at www.calgary.ca.

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• The City of Calgary announces the online preview of the new calgary.ca
• City wins prestigious website design award
• CalgaryInfrastructure.ca recognized for innovation at the 2009 Minister’s Awards for Municipal Excellence

52 Street S.E. Widening to improve traffic flow

In an effort to improve traffic flow for motorists in the southeast quadrant of Calgary, The City continues to move forward on the project to widen 52 Street S.E.

On August 13, 52 Street between 94 Avenue and 106 Avenue S.E. was closed to continue construction that will expand the roadway from two to six lanes. The closure will last for approximately 12 months.

“We looked at different closure scenarios, but ultimately determined a full closure of this section of 52 Street was in the best interests of motorists, area businesses and the project,” said Rick Sample, Manager of Major Road Projects for Transportation Infrastructure.

“A full closure will cost less money, take less time to complete, and will be much safer for both workers and the public.”

The project also includes construction of two new bridges over the Western Headworks Canal and the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks, as well as a new storm water

management system and relocation of utilities, pipelines, and power distribution and transmission lines.

The budget for the entire 52 Street S.E. road widening project is $110 million with approximately $34.5 million coming from the federal government’s Gateways and Border Crossings Fund. All project construction is scheduled for completion by 2013.

***Architect’s rendering of the new bridge over the canal and railway tracks on 52 Street S.E.

City demolishes derelict properties at owner’s expense

Seven derelict, unsafe houses were destroyed at the homeowner’s expense recently after being identified as unfit to live in.

When a building is neglected for too long it can become unsafe, becoming a greater risk for fire.

The City, through the Municipal Government Act, is able to order owners to remediate or remove hazards associated with these properties. If the owners are unable to do so or unwilling, The City will intervene and demolish it at their expense.

A multi-agency group called the Coordinated Safety Response Team (CSRT) provides a coordinated approach to identifying and dealing with potentially unsafe properties in Calgary.

CSRT is led by The City’s building regulations authority Safety Response Unit (SRU). The SRU consolidates information about potentially unsafe sites (e.g., former marijuana grow ops; derelict properties) and determines the appropriate course of action through consultation with all CSRT members. The SRU also maintains a comprehensive file of sites reviewed, inspected and/or investigated by the CSRT, including orders, charges, recommendations and timelines for remediation.

Members of CSRT include Calgary Police Service, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team (Green Team and Safe Communities & Neighbourhoods) and The City’s Animal & Bylaw Services. Other stakeholders such as The Calgary Fire Department are also consulted as appropriate.

Calgarians who have information about an unsafe or derelict house in their neighbourhood can contact CSRT at csrt@calgary.ca or visit calgary.ca/csrt.

Young musicians showcase musical talent at Toast 'n' Jam

Q: What's better than bread and butter?

A: Toast 'n' Jam

Har, har.

Young local musicians will perform to adorning fans at the annual Toast 'n' Jam concerts next week.

Since 2003, The City's Community & Neighbourhood Services have used this festival to improve the musical development people under the age of 18 by allowing them to play a live show infront of up to 300 people.

Toast 'n' Jam performance nights are Thursday, August 18 and Friday, August 19 from 7 - 10 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) at The New Black Centre for Music & Art, #200 - 919 9 Ave. S.E.

Ten bands were selected in June and all the band members have been attending industry sessions hosted by Calgary-based music professionals. Free tickets are available upon request for all ages.

For more information, please call 3-1-1, visit calgary.ca or facebook.com/toastnjam

View Larger Map

The City of Calgary announces the online preview of the new calgary.ca

Calgarians are encouraged to preview the new calgary.ca website before it officially goes live next week.

“Beyond improving the search capabilities on calgary.ca, we’ve also updated all our content, optimized the site for mobile devices, introduced an interactive map, and included more ways for citizens to share City information through social media,” said the Project’s Sponsor, David Watson, General Manager of Planning, Development and Assessment.

“With so many significant changes to calgary.ca, it’s important that we preview the new website with Calgarians and give them an opportunity to try the new search-based concept,” he said. “Calgarians are also encouraged to visit our help page explaining the changes.”

The public preview is available until Friday, August 12. Click here to access the preview or calgary.ca for the old site.

City Links - Volunteering to "Paint the Town" for Calgary Seniors

The City of Calgary, TransCanada volunteers and Volunteer Calgary teamed-up today to paint a local senior’s home as part of the “Paint the Town” program. For more information, please visit calgary.ca/CityLinks

For more information please visit calgary.ca/citylinks

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

• Seniors Services: Benefiting Trainees, Seniors and Staff
• City Links Program Helping Calgary Senior Citizens Stay Independent
• City volunteers colour a senior citizen's world
  

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary: A hidden gem in the heart of the city

Hidden away at the end of 9 ave in the S.E. of Calgary's downtown is a 36-hectare wildlife reserve. In this wooded area two kilometres of level pathways surround a connected series of small ponds and marshes. The lagoon is home to more than 270 species of birds, 21 species of mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and almost 400 types of plants.

The enclave of wilderness provides a local destination for migratory birds and some much needed breathing room for our wild neighbours. The area is reminiscent of the boreal forest systems found throughout Alberta and disguises the central city location.

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a City run park, free for use by the public, and provides access to the natural world for school groups and other nature lovers. The park features a nature centre and day camps and allows for the quiet discovery of Calgary's natural environment.

"You can have a great day in nature and you don't have to go to Banff, you don't have to go to the national parks - there's lots to do right here in the city." We were told by Jennifer Gouveia, a Program Advisor with the park. " We can teach kids how to bird watch, we go on bug hunts where we collect insects, we teach them how to nature journal and help to increase their connection with nature".

The park offers nature summer camps all season long and has 3 more sessions planned for August. We're told that available space is almost booked up but that there is still room for a few more people.

Related Calgary City News Blogs

• Easy tips for helping city song birds this spring
• Deer runs amok at City Hall - returned to wild
• Rescuing Wildlife in Calgary: Potentially Harmful to Young Animals

OPEN SPACES: Windows to a View - New Exhibits Explore Urban Connections to Nature

Two new installations are now on view at the TELUS Convention Centre window spaces on the 7th Avenue and Centre Street LRT platform,

The Calgary Clay Arts Association, a local organization of professional ceramic artists, presents Urban Wild - a diverse collection of functional objects, sculpture and conceptual works from eight artists.

Calgary artist, Barbara Hirst, presents a large painting from her Floating City series that examines architectural reflections on water.

Urban Wild considers the planned – and sometimes unplanned – interactions between cities and ‘the wild.’ Featuring the work of eight clay artists (Constance Cooper, Krista Gowland, Aldo Marchese, Connie Pike, John H. Robertson, Monika Smith, Darlene Swan and Susan Thorpe), Urban Wild reminds us that nature remains a large part of our lives, even when it seems like we’re stuck in a concrete jungle.

Barbara Hirst’s Floating City draws our attention to the fluidity and impermanence of all things. Presenting architectural details that are distorted and unravelled by the rippling water, Floating City evokes the surreal qualities of a dream, creating opportunities for imagination, reverie and contemplation.

With support from McLennan Ross LLP, OPEN SPACES celebrates the diversity and quality of local artists while enlivening the downtown 7th Avenue transportation corridor.

The works are on view now through to October 22, 2011.

For more information, please visit calgary.ca/publicart

***Images: Barbara Hirst, Floating City, 2011, acrylic on canvas and Calgary Clay Arts Association, Krista Gowland, Reverting to Nature, 2011, porcelain

East Village river walk moves to next phase

The Calgary Municipal Land Corporation has revealed the next phase of its river walk pathway development. The area between Eau Claire and St. Patrick's Island has been redeveloped with more attractions for pedestrians, cyclists and other pathway users.

On July 30, the pathway and plaza area hosted over a thousand people, several market and artist tents and live music. Other groups that attended were there to show the potential uses for the development. Local cycle enthusiasts came, as well as a boot-camp fitness group and a yoga studio. The area is capable of supporting multiple activities and has already seen large turnout for a Saturday morning yoga session.

Overall, the festivities demonstrated both the multi-use capabilities for the area and the community demand for gathering places in the East Village.

"It was a great opportunity, on a really nice summer day, to invite people into East Village and let them experience the River Walk and see the changes in the community and let them get a feel for the changes to come in the area" said Clare Nolan, Manager of Communications and Marketing for the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation.

This short video highlights some of the great new design measures made in the East Village redevelopment.
 

Related Calgary City News Blog posts

• East Village Master Plan unveiled
• Artists offered a temporary home in East Village
• East Village Community Block Party
• CMLC unveils winning St. Patrick’s bridge design
• Construction begins on 4th Street S.E. Underpass
• Calgarians Say Centre City is Safer, Cleaner

Pet of The Week - Zuma

Zuma is an 8-year-old male Himalayan mix. He is a perfect lap cat. Zuma loves to be brushed and pet. He will even roll over for a belly scratch. Zuma loves attention, but he is just as happy to lie on a pillow and have a nap. Zuma gets along well with other cats, including his roommates at the Animal Services Centre. Would you like to meet Zuma? Come on down to the Animal Services Centre, call 3-1-1 for more information or visit calgary.ca/animalservices

Related Calgary City News Blog Posts:

• Pet of the Week - Lola
• Pet of the Week - Gorbi
• Pet of the Week - Juniper
• Pet of the Week - Sylvia
• Pet of the Week - Eagle
• Pet of the Week - Kate
• Pet of the Week - Ike
• Pet of the Week - Will and Kate
• Pet of the Week - Blazer
• Pet of the Week - Cookie
• Pet of the Week - Marley
• Pet of the Week - Chester
• Pet of the Week - Sport
• Pet of the Week - Duke
• Pet of the Week - Pixie
• Pet of the Week - Kris Kringle
• Pet of the Week - Boots
• Pet of the Week - Rosie
• Pet of the Week - Hank
• Calgary joins National Campaign to Address Cat Overpopulation
• Pet of the Week - Sophia
• Pet of the Week - Corky
• Pet of the Week - Peanut
• Pet of the Week - Fantasma
• Get into the Spirit of Giving with Animal & Bylaw Services Gift Certificates
• Calgary Cat Lovers Needed - Impound Lot at Capacity - Animal Adoption Program Information
• Feline Frenzy at Animal Services
• Pet of the Week - Scrappy