Pet of the Week - Wilpurr

Hi, my name is Wilpurr and I am this week’s Pet of the Week from Animal & Bylaw Services. Being a black cat, I somehow developed a bad reputation for being unlucky. However, did you know that in Britain and Japan it’s considered good luck when a black cat crosses your path? I’m hoping for a little good fortune myself – I’d love to be lucky enough to find a forever home soon. I’m spunky and sweet and a fabulous cuddler, too!

If you are interested in adopting Wilpurr 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

Halloween Day Food Truck Bonanza

Treat or Treats?

On Monday, October 31st, Calgarians can dress in bibs and partake in a Halloween Food Truck bonanza at Olympic Plaza from 11 a.m. through the noon hour.

What:
Food Truck extravaganza

Where:
Olympic Plaza

When:
Halloween, October 31 - 11 a.m. - the early afternoon.

Why:
Food trucks - the perfect Halloween treat

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How to drive the 10 Street area near 4 and 5 Avenue N.W.

For more information, please visit calgary.ca

For related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• Navigating Calgary Roads - Information for cyclists and motorists
• 10 St. N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project Overview
• How to use the bike box on 10 st. and 5th Ave. N.W.
• 10 Street N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project
• Calgary's Cycling Strategy released
• Volunteers needed to help City plan for future of cycling
• City seeks feedback on cycling strategy

Over-height Vehicle Detection System the be piloted on Centre Street Bridge

With an average of almost four crashes a month into the underside of the Centre Street Bridge, The City of Calgary is taking action.

Today, The City of Calgary will pilot a new over-height vehicle detection system on Riverfront Avenue, east and west of the Centre Street Bridge lower deck to put an end to vehicles crashing into the bridge.

The over-height vehicle detection system alerts motorists when their vehicle is above the height required to clear the bridge or lower deck - flashing warning messages to advise motorists that their vehicle is too high to pass through the area safely. The system is intended to avoid crashes that result in delays to commuters and costly repairs to the bridge.

The over-height vehicle detection system is expected to reduce overhead collisions by 60-80 per cent, and will save The City and citizens an estimated $330,000 per year in maintenance, operating expenses and delays in travel time.

“This is the first over-height vehicle detection system in Calgary, and we expect it to be very effective in preventing collisions involving over-height vehicles in this area,” said Gord Elenko, Acting Traffic Manager. “The flashing warning sign will let people know in advance if their vehicle is too high to make it under the bridge or the lower deck, providing the opportunity for drivers to take an alternate route rather that hit the bridge.”

There are an estimated 40 incidents every year in this location as a result of trucks and other large vehicles becoming wedged under the bridge deck. City crews are then required to shut down the area until they can assess and repair any damage and extract the vehicle, often creating lengthy traffic delays.

If the pilot of the over-height detection system proves to be effective on Riverfront Avenue, it may be implemented in other locations throughout the city.

Snow Route parking bans

This winter a new Snow Route parking program is being rolled out in which parking will be temporarily restricted on designated “Snow Routes” for 72 hours following a declaration of a snow event by The City. Snow events will be declared when snowfalls with five centimetres or more of accumulated snow occur.

Mayor Nenshi launches 3 Things for Calgary initiative

Today Mayor Naheed Nenshi, accompanied by civic engagement enthusiast and community organizer, Dave Meslin and The Mayor's Civic Engagement Committee, launched the "3 Things for Calgary" campaign.

The premise of this movement is to pick three things that you can do to make Calgary a better place, share these things with three friends, encouraging them to do their own three things - and complete your three things during winter.

Please visit www.3ThingsForCalgary.ca or their Facebook page to learn more about this initiative and make the pledge.

Will you participate? What three things are you going to do for a better Calgary?

The fast lane to the inside track

Do you like being the first to know about new developments? Do you like being able to speak to the nuances of topics? Do you want news delivered to you the minute it is available.

Well, if this sounds like you, you’ll want to sign up for The City of Calgary’s Newsroom Email Alerts or RSS feed.

It's fast and easy and you’ll start getting all The City news and information you need to stay ahead of the information curve. Signing up is simple.

Email Alerts

1. Start by visiting The City of Calgary Newsroom at newsroom.calgary.ca.
2. Click on the Email Updates icon in the group of four icons in the top right corner.
3. Enter your email address and the security code, then press next.
4. An email prompt has been sent to you. Follow the instructions in that email and follow the links back to the Newsroom.
5. To finish simply enter the required fields and then select the topics you would like to read about by clicking the check boxes in the field below.
6. Et voila! You will now receive City of Calgary news straight to your inbox

RSS Feed

1. Start by visiting The City of Calgary Newsroom at newsroom.calgary.ca.
2. Click on the RSS icon in the group of four icons in the top right corner.
3. Right click and copy the link address from the RSS icons next to the topics you are interested in.
4. Copy those link addresses into the Add New Subscription of your RSS reader.
5. Done, now you've got access to City news the fastest way possible.

Navigating Calgary Roads - Information for cyclists and motorists

Here is are videos featuring Transportation Planner Nicole Jensen explaining how to navigate the City's bike bike lanes - as a motorist, or cyclist.

Calgary Motorists and Cyclists Turning Right and Left



10 Street N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project - Safety and Using the Transit Signal at 16 Avenue North 



Using Calgary Bike Lanes



For more information, please visit calgary.ca

For related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• 10 St. N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project Overview
• How to use the bike box on 10 st. and 5th Ave. N.W.
• 10 Street N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project
• Calgary's Cycling Strategy released
• Volunteers needed to help City plan for future of cycling
• City seeks feedback on cycling strategy

Win Halloween Swim Coupon Booklets and Recreation Gift Cards

The City of Calgary's Recreation team wants to give away free stuff!

Here are your two chances to win:

1. Tell us your favourite Halloween memory on The City's Facebook page, Facebook.com/CityofCalgary for your chance to win five free swim coupon booklets.
   
   Winners will be chosen at random for all posts received before Oct 28. 2011. The free swim coupons can be given to children this Halloween, instead of a traditional sugary treat. For more information, please visit calgary.ca.


2. Win a $150 (or $50) Recreation Gift Card by liking Rec's new Facebook page - Facebook.com/CalgaryRecreation.
   
   Simply 'Like' this Facebook page to enter. Winners will be chosen at random for all likes received since the page's inception. Weekly draws for $50 gift cards will be on October 31 and November 7. The grand prize draw for a $150 Recreation gift card will be on Nov 14, 2011.
   

Good luck everyone and have a safe and fun Halloween, and receive great Recreation information on Facebook.com/CalgaryRecreation.

If you don't have a Facebook account, please email us at media.relations (at) calgary.ca and we'd be happy to throw your name in the hat. Thanks!

Go Girl Program encourages young women to stay fit, be healthy, have fun

Girls, aged 10 to 16 are encouraged to Go, Girl!

Go Girl 2011 is about to begin for these sparkling young ladies to participate in a variety of sport, recreation, wellness and arts programs. These girls are encouraged to explore their creativity through fun activities while building self-esteem amongst their peers.

The Go Girl program is being offered at multiple locations to ensure active living choices are accessible by everyone.  Sessions and themes wikk vary by location, and some are only for the ages 10 to 16.

Teen years are integral to developing life-long habits. Go Girl encourages young women to continue with physical activities during this critical time of development and is designed to boost confidence and assist with making healthy and active lifestyle choices. It encourages girls to stay fit, be healthy and have fun.

• Cost: $15 (lunch may be included)
• Ages:  Age varies at each location
• Dates & times:  Throughout November
• Locations: Village Square Leisure Centre (ages 10 – 13 yrs.)
• Southland Leisure Centre (ages 10 – 13 yrs.)
• Cardel Place (ages 10 – 16 yrs.)
• Westside Recreation Centre (10 – 16 yrs.)

Visit Calgary.ca/recreation for more information on courses, locations and dates. Registration can be done on-line or by calling 403-268-3800 for all facilities except Cardel Place (please contact them directly). Registration ends November 7, 2011.

Centre City Congress - celebrating and planning for success

The City's 3rd Centre City Congress took place this week celebrating the improvements of Calgary's inner city.

Here is a video with Sonny Tomic, Centre City Planning & Implementation's manager and Mayor Naheed Nenshi talking about the Calgary's Centre City.

For more Centre City information, please visit their blog at CentreCityTalk.com

***Image: This year's keynote speaker, Renée Daoust, principal of Daoust Lestage Inc. A renowned architect and designer, she is well regarded for her role as project and design architect for the Quartier International de Montréal and the CDP Capital Centre.

Southland Leisure Centre’s Ed Whalen and Joseph Kryczka arenas re-open

Everyone is invited to skate for free this Sunday, at Southland Leisure Centre's Ed Whalen and Joseph Kryczka arenas grand opening celebration from noon to 1:30 p.m.

There will be face painting and carnival games for the kids and hot chocolate, cookies and coffee for adults. (OK, parents, you can share your cookies if you want).

Skate and helmet rentals are available in the Pro-shop. (Helmets are strongly recommended on the ice). 

The upgrade work at Southland’s arenas this summer replaced piping, concrete slabs, boards, glass and flooring. Public response, from the quality of the ice to the refurbishing of the public areas has been overwhelmingly positive, so please bring the whole family and check it out!

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How to use the bike box on 10 st. and 5th Ave. N.W.

Now that the Bike Box is painted on 5th Avenue and 10 street N.W., here is an instructional video on how to properly use it. Ride safe!




For more information, please visit calgary.ca

For related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• 10 St. N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project Overview
• 10 Street N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project
• Calgary's Cycling Strategy released
• Volunteers needed to help City plan for future of cycling
• City seeks feedback on cycling strategy

Public Art 101 with Jeff De Boer – The Business of Being a Professional Artist

Jeff De Boer with his Lighted Ball instalment - jeffdeboer.com

Honest. Entertaining. Conversational. These were the words used following The City of Calgary’s September instalment of the Public Art 101 series with Calgary’s own Jeff De Boer.

“Is there someone in the audience who will volunteer to assist me?” challenged De Boer in his opening statement. The audience grew still and eerily quiet. De Boer waited. And waited. Finally, a volunteer rose from the front row in response. The task was simple: to unroll a print and show it to the audience. The reward was great: keeping the print.

The entertaining and poignant demonstration ignited a conversation with participants who admitted to fear of taking risks without knowing if there would be a reward.

“A successful career in the arts involves risk,” confided De Boer. “The difference between a business person and an artist is that a business person takes more risks.”

And so began De Boer’s presentation The Business of Being a Professional Artist. He admitted to past failure and provided solace in sharing the knowledge that failing is actually a good thing.

The keys to success are essentially the same in every industry – hard work. And Jeff works hard. During, the first 10 years of his career he participated in 115 exhibitions. That’s 15 exhibitions per year!

Along the way he met a lot people, forged many important relationships and worked on selling himself as a brand. He was inherently aware of creating something that people wanted to buy while maintaining the highest of standards because the quality of your work is a representation of your integrity.

“You’re only as good as people remember,” he said frankly. “Are you selling your work? If not, you have to ask yourself why and ask deeper.”

The harsh reality is that artists are trained in how to create rather than how to sell. Yet business training is imperative to an artist that wishes to succeed.

De Boer substantiated this point by illustrating a sample budget that included studio rental, car payments, utilities, insurance and a $30,000 a year salary. To maintain this budget, an artist would have to sell $80,000 worth of work a year.

“To sell $80,000 worth of work requires planning,” said De Boer. “You need to create a business plan for every project and understand the passion within each one because it allows you to contextually perceive and understand your project before it begins.”

As another successful artist, Andy Warhol said, “Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art.”
One of De Boer’s career highlights was when he was featured on the cover of Popular Mechanics, Russia. He attributes the cover to not taking his work too seriously and recommends having fun and looking at art from a bigger perspective.

De Boer’s candid and constructive discussion about The Art of Being a Professional Artist was enlightening and ripe with possibilities. It was in perfect alignment with the Public Art series goal to provide education, inspiration, information and collaboration for artists in Calgary transitioning from a studio-based practice to the collaborative practice of planning, designing and producing public artworks.

The Public Art 101 series is an important component of the City of Calgary’s Public Art program and assists in achieving the strategic direction of the Arts & Culture division. For more information please visit calgary.ca/publicart.

Submitted by Carissa Vescio.

Related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• Public Art 101 - Webinar Series

Opening of 96 Avenue N.E. from 60 Street to Stoney Trail

Residents in northeast Calgary are enjoying a new roadway which opened October 12, 2011.

The roadway consists of three elements: the building of 60 Street from 88 Avenue to 96 Avenue, 96 Avenue from 60 Street connecting to Stoney Trail, and a temporary three-way intersection at 96 Avenue and 68 Street.

This project is another new road infrastructure initiative to help meet the needs of an ever-growing population in the northeast. The community of Saddle Ridge has a population of over 10,000, while the adjacent communities of Martindale and Taradale have a combined total of more than 25,000 residents.

The roadway is built on the west and north edges of Saddle Ridge and allows motorists limited access to Stoney Trail—southbound onto Stoney Trail from 96 Avenue, and westbound onto 96 Avenue from northbound Stoney Trail.

The intersection at 96 Avenue and 68 Street provides a north-south connection to Country Hills Boulevard.

The ultimate design of 96 Avenue from 60 Street to Stoney Trail calls for a six lane road, but only two lanes were built at this time. There may be an intermediate phase of four lanes sometime in the future.

For more information, please visit calgary.ca

Calgary Pathways and Bikeways Advisory Council (CPAC) looking for new members

Calling all multi-use pathway and on-street bikeway users.

The Calgary Pathways and Bikeways Advisory Council (CPAC) is looking for new members.

“CPAC is a citizens’ advisory group of multi-use pathway and on-street bikeway users" says Nicole Jensen, The City of Calgary’s Transportation rep for the Council. "It is a liaison between users and The City of Calgary.”

CPAC members provide advice and input to The City on planning and development matters, maintenance, management of use, emerging issues and special projects pertaining to pathways and on-street bikeways. It represents a broad range of pathway and on-street bikeway users, and its members operate with the understanding that Calgary’s pathways and on-street bikeways constitute an integrated network for both recreational and transportation purposes.

Check out www.calgary.ca/cpac for more information and to apply. The deadline to received applications is Thursday, October 20, 2011.

10 St. N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project Overview

Here is an interview with City Transportation Planner Nicole Jensen, explaining the 10 street N.W. bike lane pilot project.

For more information, please visit calgary.ca

For related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• 10 Street N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project
• Calgary's Cycling Strategy released
• Volunteers needed to help City plan for future of cycling
• City seeks feedback on cycling strategy

Cities look west, for snow sense

A message from Ryan Jestin, Director of Roads about The City of Calgary’s snow removal efforts:

In light of recent misinformation regarding The City of Calgary’s approach to snow and ice control, we feel it is important to articulate how the corporation has long been on the leading edge of issues related to this service. We are, in fact, a respected industry leader among North American winter cities.

We regularly review our policies and practices and make adjustments as required, taking into account the need to balance the needs of our citizens with financial realities.

The findings of an independent auditor from KPMG has concluded as recently as this spring that The City of Calgary does, indeed, provide excellent value for the money spent and service received compared to other budgets, climates and geography.

Therefore, I must take exception to several comments in a local media column citing Ottawa and Montreal as examples of cities with more effective parking policies. In reality, their circumstances, policies and resourcing are far different than Calgary’s.

The City of Ottawa has winter overnight parking regulations in effect November 15 to April 1. People cannot park on streets between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. when a snow accumulation of seven cm or more is forecast by Environment Canada in the Ottawa area. This includes any forecast for a range of snow of more than seven cms, for example 5 to 10 cm. Vehicles that remain parked on the street during an overnight parking restriction will be ticketed. On-street parking permit holders are exempt from this restriction.

The column also compares Calgary’s snow clearing practices to those of the City of Montreal. That is also an unfair comparison based on several factors.

The City of Montreal has varying parking restrictions in place depending on how much snow is falling and whether crews are clearing streets or removing snow that has accumulated over several storms.

Calgary’s budget this year is $35 million compared to Montreal’s budget of $145 million. Calgary clears more than 5,200 kms of roadway and 237 kms of sidewalks and paths with 100 pieces of equipment while Montreal clears 4,100 kms of roadway and 6,100 kms of sidewalks with a fleet of 1,000 vehicles. In Montreal, 50 per cent of snow clearing work is done by city employees and 50 per cent is by private contractors. And in Montreal, snow clearing is augmented by snow removal about five times a year.

Montreal also has 1.6 million residents, 1.3 million vehicles on the streets every day and 500,000 people passing through downtown every day. Ottawa has 917,500 residents, just over 500,000 registered vehicles. Calgary has 1.2 million residents, 850,000 vehicles on our streets and 150,000 people living or working downtown.

The City of Calgary regularly consults with industry experts. We’ve researched our operations, conducted surveys, and made significant improvements where required.

We also consult Calgarians regularly. In a telephone survey conducted in January and February, 2011, almost half of respondents said traveling on Calgary roads was improved over previous years. About 80 per cent of respondents were satisfied with driving or being in a vehicle on Calgary roads as a result of snow and ice control services. In addition, three-quarters of respondents felt travel times during morning rush hour were reasonable after winter snow storms, even though they typically perceived travel times to double compared to times when there are no winter conditions. Almost one in ten respondents would have difficulty finding a parking space on residential streets if parking restrictions were imposed on one side of the street during implementation of snow and ice control measures.

I can assure you that with the budget we’ve been allotted and the available manpower and equipment we have at our disposable, Calgary receives excellent value for money when it comes to snow and ice control in the winter months.

Thank you.

Ryan Jestin
Director, Roads
The City of Calgary

West LRT Tunnel - How it's made

Highlighting some of the key aspects of construction - this video explains some of the details of West LRT tunneling.

For more information, please visit westlrt.ca.

10 Street N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project

The City is launching a pilot program that sees new bike lanes on 10 Street N.W. between 5 Avenue and 23 Avenue.

The pilot is being launched in response to the Cycling Strategy and to take advantage of major road resurfacing that occurred in September. The City was able to apply temporary pavement markings to accommodate the pilot and get the work done before the first snow fall.

Designated bike lanes are among recommendations contained in The City’s overall Cycling Strategy approved by City Council earlier this year. The strategy is aimed at increasing opportunities for cycling in Calgary and is an important step in implementing strategies to offer more transportation options to Calgarians.

When bicycle infrastructure is installed in other cities, an increase in use and ridership is seen. In the October 2010 telephone survey, 80 per cent of Calgarians told us that they didn’t feel safe cycling in traffic, and that they would cycle more often with dedicated space — this includes bike lanes.

The City will assess the pilot project next spring and host public consultatios to determine the success of the program and how bike lanes might be improved.

Information on the pilot program can be accessed through calgary.ca

For related Calgary City News Blog posts:

• 10 Street N.W. Bike Lane Pilot Project
• Calgary's Cycling Strategy released
• Volunteers needed to help City plan for future of cycling
• City seeks feedback on cycling strategy

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Thanksgiving 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 Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10, 2011.

City Administrative Offices

All administrative offices are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10, 2011 and will reopen Tuesday, October 11, 2011.

Calgary Transit

Calgary Transit will provide a Sunday level of service on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10, 2011. Regular service will resume on Tuesday, October 11, 2011.

LRT Maintenance:  7 Avenue Closure

Due to a traction power upgrade and overhead wire replacement along 7 Avenue, there will be no CTrain service along 7 Avenue from October 8 – 10, 2011.

Shuttle buses will replace CTrain service to downtown Calgary from SAIT in the northwest, and City Hall Station from the northeast and south.

Waste & Recycling

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

Landfills

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

Animal Services Centre

2201 Portland Street S.E.

Saturday, October 8: Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Sunday, October 9: Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 19, 2011: Closed

Tuesday, October 11: Open 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Recreation

For more information please visit calgary.ca/recreation

Arenas

On Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10, the arenas listed below will be open for free public skating from 1-2:30 p.m.:

-          Ernie Starr

-          Frank McCool

-          Murray Copot

-          Optimist/George Blundun

-          Jimmie Condon

-          Shouldice

-          Henry Viney

-          Stu Peppard

All other arenas will be closed.

Visit  www.calgary.ca/arenas  or call 3-1-1 for times and locations.

Athletic Parks

All Athletic Parks are closed on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10, except for Shouldice Artificial Turf Fields and Foothills Athletic Park,  but available for bookings with restrictions. Please call Facility Bookings Office 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

Thanksgiving Day, Monday October 10, 2011: Facility open from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Regular admission applies.

Adult shinny hockey: 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Public Skate: 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Village Square Leisure Centre

Thanksgiving Day, Monday October 10, 2011: Facility open from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Adult shinny hockey: 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Public Skate: 12:30 - 2 p.m.

Aquatics and Fitness Centres

The following Aquatic & Fitness Centres will be open for free public swimming from 1-2:30 pm and 3-4:30 p.m.:

-          Acadia

-          Foothills

-          Glenmore

-          Inglewood

-          Shouldice

-          Thornhill

All other Aquatics & Fitness Centres will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 11, 2010.

Art Centres

Wildflower Arts Centre and North Mount Pleasant Arts Centre will be closed to the public Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10 and will reopen on Tuesday, October 11, 2011.

City of Calgary Parks

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary 

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary Nature Centre will be closed to the public on Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10.

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 Thanksgiving Day, Monday, October 10.

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.

The Calgary Foundation's Vital Signs Report gives high grades

The Calgary Foundation's Vital Signs Grading

Calgarians graded their quality of life as a “B+” according to The Calgary Foundation's fifth annual Vital Signs report released October 4.

According to the report, 91 per cent of Calgarians describe themeseleves as happy. The report surveyed 1,059 Calgarians in 12 key areas that make up opinions about quality of life and happines.

The report can be found at www.thecalgaryfoundation.org.

The survey was conducted online by the Praxis Group amd is accurate plus or minus three per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Related Calgary City News blog posts:

• Calgarians give The City a passing grade
• Quality of Life Improving: Calgary Foundation Vital Signs Report
• Calgarians happy - 2011 Calgary Citizen Satisfaction Survey results
• Calgary Citizen Satisfaction Survey 2010
• Calgarians give high grades in 2009 Citizen Satisfaction Survey
• Ipsos Reid discusses Calgary's Citizen Satisfaction Survey

Join Calgary Transit Customer Advisory Group

Do you want to help Calgary Transit improve customer service? If so, you still have time.

Calgary Transit is looking for residents of Calgary, who use Calgary Transit, to apply for and participate in its new Customer Advisory Group. Membership is on a voluntary basis. You should be willing to constructively bring forward your ideas, enthusiasm and unique customer perspective.

The deadline to apply is Monday, October 10.

The Customer Advisory Group was created in an effort to improve transit service for its customers, by providing Calgary Transit with ongoing input on how to improve the customer experience. It was announced by Calgary Transit Director Fred Wong, and Mayor Naheed Nenshi, on Sept. 19.

Advisory group members will:  

• participate in dialogue on the customer experience 
• serve as a sounding board for customer service initiatives 
• provide new perspectives on the customer experience 
• assist in advising on customer service policies 

Online applications are now being accepted. For more information, please visit www.calgarytransit.com

City presented with three Interactive Media Awards for "excellence in website design and development"

Mayor Nenshi presents Interactive Media Awards in Council

This is the speech by Mayor Naheed Nenshi on October 3, 2011 as he presented three Interactive Media Awards to The City of Calgary.

"Audience needs and expectations continue to change in concert with the changing capacity of technology. Over the past four years we have seen an exponential growth in new communication tools.

These new technologies enable collaboration within The City business units, with citizens, external agencies, and other governments. The landscape for both communications and customer service is changing rapidly and The City is determined to stay ahead of the curve.

Recently Customer Service & Communications has been awarded three Interactive Media Awards. The Interactive Media Awards, based in New York, is a highly respected non-profit organization comprised of the Best World leaders in the web established to honour individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievement. The competition is designed to elevate the standards of excellence on the Internet.

The Best in Class award is the highest honour bestowed by the Interactive Media Awards. It represents the very best in planning, execution and overall professionalism. In order to win this award level, your site had to undergo significant scrutiny through a comprehensive judging process; only a fraction of sites from around the world achieve the high scores required to earn the achievement.

The City of Calgary’s Tax Talk received the Best in Class award in both the Financial Information category and the Government category.

New Media Production and Web team in
Customer Service & Communications, along with City Operations staff

Calgary.ca/TaxTalk provides an explanation of The City’s operating budget. The site also provides citizens with information about how taxes work in the three levels of Government along with information on what services are offered to citizens with their municipal tax dollars.

Citizens can input their tax amount into an online calculator and see the services that they receive in return for their tax dollars, how much is allocated to those services, along with highlights on the value those services bring to their community.

Citizens can also see how their municipal taxes compare to 20 other major cities across the country.

As you click on the site it delves down further into exact expenditures. It also links to The City’s Capital website so individuals can see all the projects underway and the costs for various initiatives.

The Website has been translated into five languages, and is fully accessible for the deaf and blind.

The City of Calgary Interactive Recreation Guide also received the “Best in Class” award in the Government category

The Interactive Online Program Guide makes finding and registering for Recreation programs quick and easy. Citizens can search online for a program by activity, location or age.  The online registration is one more way to sign-up for classes, along with phoning in, filling out a form or simply walking to a facility in person.

The City of Calgary Recreation offers thousands of award winning programs to citizens of all ages at a variety of locations all over the city. Programs include dancing, art, hiking, sailing, birding, swimming and plenty more

In the first quarter of the launch of the on-line Recreation Program Guide both the number of online registrations and revenue increased by 29 per cent. This Interactive Program Guide supports The City’s initiative to provide accessible City information and services to all Calgarians.

I would like to recognize the New Media Production and Web team in Customer Service and Communications, along with the City Operations staff, whose talent and visionary skills have been extraordinary in creating these applications for our citizens.  They are here with us today - I invite them to stand and be recognized.

The Interactive Media Awards recognize the highest standards of excellence in website design and development and honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievement.

Created by the Interactive Media Council, Inc. (IMC), a nonprofit organization of leading web designers, developers, programmers, advertisers and other web-related professionals, the competition is designed to elevate the standards of excellence on the Internet and offer winners a boost in marketing and exposure. IMC serves as the primary sponsor and governing body of the Interactive Media Awards™, establishes the judging system and provides the judges for the competition.

Pet of the Week - Buster

This week Animal & Bylaw Services is featuring a black Labrador retriever of epic proportions: Buster. Weighing in at a hefty 46 kilograms, Buster is a 2-year-old neutered male with a big frame and an even bigger heart. Despite his gigantic stature, Buster is very gentle and good on a leash. No one ever taught him any formal manners, so “sit” is about as far as his training goes. Buster would be best placed in a forever home with a person who is familiar with Labradors, has an active lifestyle and no small children (just so he doesn’t need to worry about knocking anybody over).

If you are interested in adopting Buster 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