Do you have what it takes to be cheerleader? Are you able to donate some time to help out? Sign up! Shifts are from5 am – 1 pm for 1 or 2 hour intervals or for the full event. Breakfast and lunch is provided.

If the East Village Spirit Hub shows the most spirit, The DI will win $2,000!

We’ll keep the music pumping and the fun happening all race long, but we need your supportive energy.

Volunteer Orientation Night: Wednesday May 23, 7-9pm at the Historic Simmons building, 618 Confluence Way. Contact Erin for more information or to RSVP: edarroch@calgarymlc.ca or 403-718-0300.

The Calgary Foundation thanks you for participating in this survey that measures Calgary’s quality of life in 15 key issue areas and provides a snapshot of our city’s wellness and livability for Calgary’s Vital Signs 2012 report card.

Calgary Vital Signs provides a reading of Calgary’s strengths and weaknesses today so that we can effectively move toward the city we want to create for ourselves and our children in the future.

Your views and the information you provide will be grouped with other respondents to ensure you remain anonymous.

Please enter your email address at the following website: http://surveys.praxis.ca/vitalsigns_2012/registration.php. You will automatically be taken to the survey and assigned a unique password that allows you to re-enter the survey.

Drop In, Have a Dance, Make a Difference!

Dave Dormer, Calgary Sun

May 6, 2012

 

Julie Guimond shows a wooden boat found during the city’s annual river and pathway cleanup Sunday. The boat will be displayed by the Erlton Community Association. DAVE DORMER/CALGARY SUN

From a hot pink Barbie chair to a pair of crystals wrapped in packing paper and a pair leopard print underwear — an eclectic mix of junk was carted away Sunday during the 45th annual pathway and river cleanup.

More than 2,100 volunteers spent the day sprucing up the riverbanks and pathways across the city, hauling away thousands of pounds of junk and garbage amassed over the last twelve months.

Other interesting odds and ends found Sunday include a wig wrapped around a horseshoe, a coconut, a giant fur blanket and even a Christmas tree.

“Here’s a cell phone with a credit card and a winning Roll Up The Rim free coffee,” said event organizer Julie Guimond as she surveyed the growing pile of junk.

“And here’s a pair of hiking shoes which someone has lovingly put a dryer sheet in so they don’t smell.

“Down there is a blender and a piece of luggage to go with it.

“There’s usually some pretty good stuff.”

In total, around 10,000 pounds of waste was collected, and that’s not including recyclables.

“It is a little amazing isn’t it?” said Guimond.

“And that’s actually gone down from our peak of 14,000 pounds.

“Ultimately, my goal is that we don’t have to do this anymore because we don’t have litter on pathways.”

One incentive for the volunteers, said Giumond, is that they get to return all the bottles and cans they find.

“They can keep the money for their community group to do something or they can donate it to charity,” she said, noting the city is donating all proceeds from this year’s cleanup to the Calgary Drop-In Centre.

Years past have seen volunteers haul away everything from vintage licence plates to a motorcycle, which had been stripped down before being tossed in the river and a family portrait that looked to be from the early 1900s.

Whenever possible, Guimond said items of value and things like cell phones and credit cards are returned to their owners.

dave.dormer@sunmedia.ca

Read more: http://m.calgarysun.com/2012/05/06/calgary-river-cleanup-yields-eclectic-bounty

Greg Beneteau, May 3, 2012

Big Idea: Jane’s Walk Explores Walkable Calgary

American-born urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs, best known for her 1961 book The Death and Life of Great American Cities, was a prominent social and political figure in Toronto, where she spent her later years. Her ideas on creating livable cities influenced development projects across the city, including the cancellation of the Spadina Expressway and the Airport Island Bridge, and the re-development of the St. Lawrence housing projects.

Since her death in 2003, Jane’s Walk has worked to keep her legacy alive, hosting walking tours that educate citizens about the unique architecture, history and culture of their communities.

It’s a simple idea that has caught on in cities around the world, including Calgary.

“The whole idea behind Jane’s Walk is that if you want to know where your community is going and how to make it better, you have to know what you’re got,” says Julie Black, organizer of Jane’s Walk Calgary, which runs May 5 and 6.

Now in its 5th year, Jane’s Walk Calgary boasts 38 volunteer-led walking tours over two days, many in areas that “people wouldn’t normally think of as walkable communities,” Black says. 

So if you’re ready to take the city by foot, Avenue suggests these 11 fun and enlightening Jane’s Walk Calgary tours.

Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre

Not everyone has benefitted from Calgary’s growth and prosperity. Jordan Hamilton leads participants on a tour of Canada’s largest homeless shelter while discussing strategies to combat the homelessness. Length: 1 hour. Meet Sunday, May 6 at 10 a.m. at Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre Society Volunteer Office. (2nd floor, 1 Dermot Baldwin Way S.E.)

Kensington

Locally-owned, independent businesses contribute to Kensington’s hip and happening vibe. But many shops in the neighbourhood are also committed to sustainability, paying a living wage and other community building initiatives. Tim Neis of the REAP Business Association shows you why it’s cool to care in Kensington. Length: 1.5 hours. Meet Saturday, May 5 at 10 a.m. at Higher Ground. (1126 Kensington Rd. N.W.)

Unique Food Shoppes of the Beltline

This tasty tour of specialty food shoppes has something for everyone, from wine and cheese to hard-to-find ingredients. Length: 2 hours. Meet Saturday, May 5 at 10 a.m. at Community Natural Foods. (1304 10 Ave. S.W.)

Braeside

Calgary singer-songwriter Paulo Finkelman will regale you in story and song while exploring this southeastern neighbourhood. In the spirit of leaving something better than you found it, participants will also be given “litter-grabbers” to clean up the neighbourhood as they go. Length: 1.5 hours. Meet Saturday, May 5 at 1 p.m. at Braeside Community Centre. (11024 Braeside Dr. S.W.)

South Calgary and Marda Loop

Harry Sanders, aka “Harry the Historian” from CBC Radio, takes a walk through time to explore the iconic buildings of one of Calgary’s earliest suburbs. Length: 1.5 hours. Meet Saturday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at Alexander Calhoun Library. (3223 14 St. SW.)

Cultural District

An art walk in everything but name, local artist Patti Dawkins explores the community galleries, artist-run centres and commercial galleries that call the downtown core home. Length: 2 hours. Meet Saturday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at Grain Exchange Building. (815 1 St. S.W.)

North Central LRT

Follow three possible routes for a proposed LRT route in the city’s north end. Jen Malzer, a senior transit planner with the City of Calgary, and resident Julia Frohlich speculate on how the expanded transit service could affect the surrounding neighbourhoods. Length: 1.5 hours. Meet Saturday, May 4 at 4 p.m. at Buchanan School. (3717 Centre St. N.)

The Calgary That Could Have Been

Jason Markusoff, a civic affairs writer for the Calgary Herald, takes a look back at construction projects that could have had a tremendous impact on the city we know today. Length: 2 hours. Meet Sunday, May 6 at 11:30 a.m. at Prince’s Island Park River Café. (25 Prince’s Island Park)

Genesis Centre and Saddle Ridge

Completed in 2011, the Genesis Centre of Community Wellness is a 225,000 square foot multi-purpose complex that houses everything from sports facilities and a library to meeting spaces for community groups. Local residents highlight how the facility has benefitted the neighbourhood of Saddle Ridge. Length: 2 hours. Meet Sunday, May 6 at 12:30 p.m. at Genesis Centre. (7556 Falconridge Blvd. N.E.)

Highland Park

Local resident Kevin Bentley uses his neighbourhood of Highland Park to explore the concept of “complete communities” where people can live, work and play. Oh, and he’ll also tell ghost stories. Length: 2 hours. Meet Sunday, May 6 at 1 p.m. at Highland Park Community Association Hall. (3716 2 St. N.W.)

Currie Barracks

City alderman Brian Pincott claims Currie Barracks, Canada’s first Gold LEED-certified community, offers a “bold vision for our city.” Find out why. Length: 2 hours. Meet Sunday, May 6 at 2 p.m. at Rutland Park Community Association. (3130 40 Ave. S.W.)

Read more: http://ht.ly/aHZ1f

This is My City Festival Finale
May 3, 5-9 pm
Art Central, 100 7 Ave SW, Calgary

Join us on the closing night of This is My City Festival for a spectacular celebration! See live performances, film screenings, art exhibits, and more. Be inspired by artists who portray their city in innovative ways. Contribute your vision of Calgary to our collaborative mural in the back alley. Raise your voice in honour of the inaugural This is My City Festival and in anticipation of many more! Presented by This is My City Art Society with support from The City of Calgary and Calgary 2012. Visitwww.thisismycitycalgary.ca for more information.

This is My City Festival Finale features the work of the following artists:

• Artists from Alpha House and The Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre (DI)
• The DI Singers
• The Eviction of the Stuart Block cast
• Vincent T. Joachim
• Tomas Jonsson
• Kirk Miles
• The Ministry of Walking
• Cat Schick
• Cody Swinkles
• Women, Creativity and Political Voice

Program of Events 
Hosted by MC Kirk Miles

5-9       Artist Trading Cards
Lower level gallery 1:    Workshop and exhibit of small, tradable works of art

5-9       Projections
Upper level gallery 6: Images taken at Cat Schick’s recent Photowalks

5-9       Art from the Margins
Upper level gallery 7:  Visual artworks created by individuals who have experience of or are at risk of homelessness

5-8       Collaborative Mural-Making
Back alley:  Leave your mark on a group mural facilitated by Cody Swinkles

5-7       This is My Village
Lower level gallery 8:  Interactive website by Tomas Jonsson exploring Calgary`s East Village past and present

5:30-9 The Stuart Block
Lower level gallery 4: Projected photographs by Cat Schick and Vincent T. Joachim paired with an audio recording of The Eviction of the Stuart Block, which premiered at the 2012 High Performance Rodeo

5:30-6  The DI Singers
Back alley: Listen and sing along to musicians who have been singing together at the Calgary Drop-In Centre for more than 3 years

6:15-7  Paradise Alley
Meet in back alley:   Join the Ministry of Walking for a guided tour of alleyways

6:30-6:45         Lil Oil on the Prairie
Lower Level gallery 2:  Performance by Women, Creativity and Political Voice                                                       

6:45-7  The DI Singers
Upper level: Listen and sing along to musicians who have been singing together at the Calgary Drop-In Centre for more than 3 years                                                 

7-8:45 Take Note and Take Positions L
Lower level gallery 8:   Films about place and displacement curated by Tomas Jonsson

6:30-6:45         Lil Oil on the Prairie
Lower level gallery 2; Performance by Women, Creativity and Political Voice

7:45-8  Midnight Yoga for Alcoholics
Lower level gallery 2 :  Music and spoken word performance by Kirk Miles

8-8:15  The DI Singers
Main level, front entrance:   Listen and sing along to musicians who have been singing together at the Calgary Drop-In  & Rehab Centre for more than 3 years

You’re invited to participate in a four day Art of Living seminar from May 4 to May 7, 1pm to 2:30pm.

Using stretches (simple, subtle and effective yoga),  breathing (pranayama) and simple mediation, participants will  reduce stress, and increase energy, overall health and mental well-being, inspiring greater feelings of belongingness.

The Art of Living has taught over 300 million participants in over 150 countries around the world.

This workshop costs $200 —  for DI clients, volunteers and staff. it’s FREE!

Everyone and Anyone is welcome!

For more information, please contact Christa at 403-699-8207.

You can help people in need. Simply “ POP ” by The DI with your empty cans and bottles.  Bring them to our loading dock at your convenience, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our staff will help you unload.

Your empties help the following critical programs  strive: The Book Nook, Hair Salon, Clothing Room, Music & Art, Sports and Recreation, Gardening, Volunteer Services, Special events, small gifts for clients who give back, and so much more.  By simply dropping a few bags of bottles you will make a huge impact on the people we serve.

As a reminder to pop by The DI with your empties, please also download the following background for your computer. Thahnk you for helping low-income and homeless Calgarians.

• 1024 x 768
• 1280 x 720
• 1920 x 1080

Click to Watch

Our organization could not function if it were not for our volunteers. Thanks to their dedication and committment, our organization is able to do the great work it does serving Calgary’s less fortunate. Thank You volunteers!