In June we celebrate the special seniors in our lives

Seniors are an important part of our community and every year, from June 6 to 12 during Seniors’ Week, we celebrate their contributions to making Calgary a great place to live.

Province of Alberta recognizes Calgary as an age-friendly city

This year, Seniors’ Week kicked off in Calgary’s Municipal Building with the placement of a plaque recognizing Calgary as an age-friendly city.

Find an event near you

With a variety of events across Calgary, this week is a chance to spend some time celebrating the older adults in our lives, thanking them for the difference they make. There are dozens of events being held across the city all week long.

Some events are specifically for seniors, while others are for the whole family to enjoy. As well, there will be several conversation cafes for you to join and talk about how to address the issue of elder abuse in the lead up to the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event on June 15.

Seniors take part in staying active during Seniors' Week

This year, the Age-Friendly Calgary Steering Committee has released their first annual Report to the Community on the progress of the Seniors Age-Friendly Strategy and implementation Plan 2015-2018.

You can find the most up-to-date list of events (including conversation cafes) online. Stay informed by following the Seniors’ Week Facebook event page. Check out all the events and find your own special way to celebrate the older adults in your life.

However you chose to celebrate, please share your stories and photos with us on our Seniors' Week Facebook event page or on Twitter, using the hashtag #yycseniors.

Four firefighters who died in World War One honoured on 100th anniversary

June 2 marks the 100th year anniversary of the death of John Gallacher, the last of four firefighters who were killed in action in World War One. The Calgary Fire Department will honour those four members at a ceremony at the Cenotaph in Central Memorial Park, 1221 – 2 St S.W. at noon on June 2. Members of the public are invited to attend.

The Calgary Fire Department Honour Guard and a piper from the Calgary Fire Department Pipes and Drums Band will open and close the ceremony. The event will conclude with the laying of wreaths at the cenotaph.

Fifty-five Calgary firefighters served in World War One. When they enlisted, they did so knowing that they would be able to return to their jobs thanks to a new fire department policy. Forty-Three firefighters resumed their duties in Calgary after the war.

Four heroes who did not return

Private Walter Bartlett was killed on the front lines while serving with the Canadian Army Service Corps in May 1915. He was 27. Bartlett is buried in the Boulogne East Cemetery in France.

Private Arthur Bowden was seriously wounded in combat and eventually died in May 1916 at a base hospital in France. He served with the Canadian Pioneers. The 30-year-old was a member of Calgary Fire for two and a half years before enlisting. He is buried in the Ypres Resevoir Cemetery in Belgium.

Lance Corporal Eric Burton was 22 when he died in May 1915. He was among the first recruits to leave with The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry early on in the war. He is buried in the Lijssenthoek Miltary Cemetery in Belgium.

Corporal John Gallacher was killed June 2, 1916 while fighting with The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Gallacher joined Calgary Fire in the fall 1912. He was 24. Along with 55,000 other allied soldiers killed in the battle for the Ypres Salient, whose bodies were never recovered, he is remembered on the Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium.

For more on Canada’s role in World War One, visit the Canadian War Museum website.

Meet Daisy, Barlow, Chestnut & Outlaw

Yahoo! Today is the day our new street sweeper Critters have been waiting for — their very first Stampede Parade!

Since 2001, the Roads Maintenance Critters have been cleaning up along the Calgary Stampede Parade route. Last year, after 13 years of service, Dixie, Samson, Rocky and Alfalfa hung up their cowboy hats and headed for greener pastures.

Since their retirement, The City has been working to design and build four new Critters, including a horse, a cow, a bull and a buffalo, to replace the old crew.

But they needed names, so we held a contest asking Calgarians to help us with that.
Over 100 Calgarians suggested more than 80 names over two weeks during The City’s Stampede Critters naming contest.  Name suggestions came in through The City’s social media channels on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the Calgary City News blog.

Names suggestions were compiled and presented to City Roads staff who voted over four days and the results are in:

Horse: Chestnut
Buffalo: Barlow
Bull: Outlaw
Cow: Daisy

All those who suggested the winning names were entered into a random draw for a chance to ride in their Critter’s sweeper in the Parade.

Congratulations to Marie Smalls, Amber Cannon, Laura Jacobs (pictured) and Laura Betton.

"I entered because the thought of winning and being in the parade was always dream of mine. Also, I thought it would be cool to name one of the sweepers. They always get the loudest cheers," says Marie.

Follow us on Twitter this morning @yyctransport to see them in action.

And happy 2015 Stampede to everyone!

The City's guide to Stampede parading

It's that time of year again... rodeos, midway, shows, exhibitions and everything country. Those of us who know it, know it well.

The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth kicks off tomorrow with the Stampede Parade and The City will be there to help you get around, view the parade, clean up and stay safe.

Getting around
Biking & Walking
Cycle your way down to the Stampede Parade using the city centre cycle track network or ride along part of Calgary's 800 kms of pathways and bikeways.

Take extra caution when passing through intersections. Most Stampede time pedestrian collisions occur on Friday and happen at traffic signals, when vehicles are making right hand turns. It’s important to watch out for one another so we can all enjoy a safe Stampede.

Calgary Transit
Effective the evening before parade day, 'round the clock transit service and discounted day passes will be available for Stampede week.

During the parade about 350,000 float-fanatics line the 4.5 km parade route, so many downtown transit routes will be on detour. Thousands make their way to the Stampede Grounds afterwards and can use bus, CTrain and walking options from the parade to the grounds.

Transit impacts on parade day will include detours for some regular and express bus services.

Driving
There will be a number of road closures to accommodate events all over the city during the Calgary Stampede (July 3-12). Spectators travelling to the Stampede Parade are encouraged to walk, bike or use transit to get into the downtown core.

Road and parking impacts on parade day will include several parking lot closures.

Viewing the parade
The City has reserved and will monitor eight accessible Stampede Parade viewing zones along the parade route for people with mobility challenges (canes, walkers, wheelchairs, scooters) and their friends/families.

Space is limited, so get there early! Look for barricades and signs. If space remains in the viewing areas after 8 a.m., they will be opened up to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.

The City in action
Street sweeper critters have been a Stampede tradition for nearly 15 years, bringing joy to parade goers and youth at the Children's Hospital that are unable to travel to the Stampede parade --  the most rewarding event of the year, according to street sweeper operators.

Representatives from Calgary Stampede, Public Safety Communications,
 Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, Alberta Health Services,
Animal & Bylaw Services, and Inspections and Permits

City staff collaborate across many departments to ensure the event flows smoothly and safely:

• Parking and traffic control will be coordinated by the Calgary Parking Authority (CPA), Roads, Calgary Police Service (CPS) and Animal & Bylaw Services (ABS).
• Calgary Emergency Management Agency will open the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) and activate the Municipal Emergency Plan during the Stampede Parade to monitor and assist as required. 
• CPS have collocated their Tactical Operations Centre in the EOC. This will help to ensure the facilitation of a collaborative, coordinated and multi stakeholder response.
• Fire, ABS and CPS officers will be onsite and in communication for the duration of the Parade for immediate response.

Other Useful Info

• Calgary.ca/calgarystampede
• Calgary Police Stampede safety tips

Mayor’s Urban Design Awards now accepting submissions

From towering skyscrapers to impressive housing projects, the Mayor’s Urban Design Awards celebrate the most innovative buildings and public spaces in our city.

The City of Calgary is on the hunt for those who contribute to the beauty, comfort and vitality of Calgary through their designs.

“Great design is integral to building a great city,” says Mayor Naheed Nenshi. “People should be inspired and excited by the spaces and the places that they see and interact with every day.”

The biennial awards recognize urban design projects in 12 categories such as community improvement, city edge development and civic design. This year, we have introduced two new categories: the People’s Choice Award and the Green City Award.

“The Mayor’s Urban Design Awards give me a chance as mayor to really recognize the highest quality work that happens in our city,” says Mayor Nenshi.

“The design bar keeps going higher in Calgary. We’re increasingly getting a national reputation for great design, and that’s something I want to see continue.”

Do you know of a great urban design project? Nominate by September 18, 2015 at Calgary.ca/MUDA.  

Stampede Critters are back! Suggest a name to win your spot in the Stampede Parade.

This summer the Critters are back!

Last year we said farewell to our Calgary Stampede street sweeping Critters. For 13 years Dixie, Samson, Rocky and Alfalfa kept the Calgary Stampede parade route clean on parade day.

Since the Critters’ retirement last year, The City has worked to design and build four new Critters, including a horse, a cow, a bull and a buffalo, to replace the old crew.

click to enlarge photo

“The Critters have been a Stampede tradition for nearly 15 years,” said Roads Director, Troy McLeod.  “We received feedback from Calgarians who were disappointed when we retired the Critters last year so we wanted to continue the tradition for visitors and Calgarians enjoyment for many years to come.”

The Critters aren’t just a part of the annual parade. They are also taken to the Alberta’s Children’s Hospital for the kids to enjoy during Stampede.

“We are also glad to be able to bring some joy to the youth unable to travel to the Stampede parade and our operators say it is the most rewarding event of the year to support.” said McLeod.

The Critters were designed and built in Calgary by Heavy Industries; you may recognize some of their work including Wonderland (the head at The Bow building). They are made out of light weight material and are fitted specifically to our new fleet of street sweepers which will make it easier for the operators to see during the parade. They’re also waterproof which will help keep the new Critters in good condition for years to come.

Before the new Critters make their debut at this year’s Calgary Stampede Parade on July 3, they need names! So we’re hosting a naming contest on The City’s social media channels.

Stampede Critters Naming Contest

This is your chance to name a Stampede Critter and be in the Calgary Stampede Parade!

Here’s how it will work:

• Starting today, Friday, June 12, we’re encouraging Calgarians to post your name suggestions on The City’s social media channels. There’s several different ways you can do it:
• Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post with a name suggestion
• Respond to either @cityofcalgary or @yyctransport on twitter using #stampedecritters 
• Comment on The City of Calgary’s Facebook page
• Comment on The City of Calgary’s Instragram pictures
• The contest will be open for two weeks, ending on Friday, June 26.
• Once submissions have been collected, City staff will vote on your suggestions to name the Critters.
• Participants who suggested winning names will be put in a draw to win a ride-along in a Stampede sweeper during the parade. Four winners will be selected and the names will be announced before the Stampede parade.

So what are you waiting for? Get your name suggestion in today and you could be riding in the 2015 Calgary Stampede Parade on July 3!

New Year's Eve: Skate, swim and dance into 2015

This New Year’s Eve, ring in 2015 with a free Outdoor Celebration and countdown to midnight at Olympic Plaza, a free Family Dance Party at the Municipal Building atrium, or a Family Pool Party at Village Square Leisure Centre (regular admission rates apply).

Outdoor Celebration

Come down to Olympic Plaza and countdown to midnight with a free Outdoor Celebration where festivities run from 9 p.m. to midnight. Bundle up, bring your ice skates or borrow from us onsite, and cuddle up by the fire pit while sipping hot chocolate. Enjoy tunes spun by a DJ, ice sculptures and fantastic fire dance performances.

Family Dance Party and kid’s countdown

Put on your dancing shoes and join us for the Family Dance Party from 7 to 9 p.m. at Municipal Atrium (City Hall). Have fun at this free and warm celebration with music, games, crafts and living statues.

Share your big resolutions for 2015 on the glow-in-the-dark resolution wall. Wear neon, white, or anything that glows, and join in on the kid’s countdown at 9 p.m.

Family pool party 

Families can also choose to swim, jump, splash and slide their way into 2015 with a pool party at Village Square Leisure Centre from 5 to 8 p.m. Boogie to the sounds of a DJ in the wave pool, make special crafts, and enjoy treats, prizes, and a pool party countdown! Regular admission rates apply.

Getting to and from the events

Calgary Transit is providing late night New Year’s Eve service to connect you to and from events safely. CTrains will run every 15 minutes with the last CTrain leaving downtown at 3 a.m. A number of main bus routes will be running every 30 to 45 minutes with the last trips leaving downtown at approximately 3 a.m.

Grab your sweetie for a New Year’s kiss, and watch the spectacular countdown to officially ring in 2015.

Join the event on Facebook for regular updates, visit our website or call 311 for more information.

Submitted by Lauren Greschner, Recreation