President’s Message – January 2016

With the new year comes new opportunities to get involved and both enjoy and enhance your community. With the success of the Open House in November we have assembled a list of ideas and new volunteers to help continue our program of advancing the objectives of community development inherent in the objectives of our community association. Our Polar Party scheduled for January 16th at the community ice rink will once again offer free skates and helmets plus hot chocolate and cookies to keep everyone warm and energized. There will also be a fire pit to sit and visit with your neighbours as well as a community table where you may sell, swap or give away your old winter sports equipment to others in the community. Participate and enjoy the day.

On March 11th we are planning our first wine tasting event. Helped out by Northmount Liquor we will be tasting 7 wines in various price ranges with breads, meats and cheeses to accompany the wines. Cost for this event will only be $10 per member and $15 per non member. This is a chance to learn about wines and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and evening with your neighbours. Participation is key to supplying sufficient wine for this event and thus we need to have advanced ticket sales that may be purchased at Northmount Liquor at 1041 40th Avenue NW or on our website. If you wish to get involved with helping out at this event or any future event please contact our Social Director Jodi Dixon at social@cambrianheightscommunity.com

The Community Association continues to offer a $100 maximum grant for community block parties. This grant will be provided to a maximum of 10 such block parties over the 2016-18 fiscal years (April/2015-March/2017). Application for this grant can be made through the community email address. Costs will be reimbursed (excluding alcoholic beverages) with receipts pertaining to organized block parties with broad attendance of all age groups. We encourage you to access this funding and create your own block event for the winter, spring or summer.

As we have previously discussed in these monthly messages our Planning Committee continues to be active in attending seminars and educating themselves in regards to the issuance of Development Permits (“DP’s”) by the City in our community. We recognize re-development is going to happen as the population of Calgary grows and the City continues to promote growth and densification in the inner city to better utilize existing infrastructure. We remain committed within the bounds of the existing Land Use Bylaw 2007 to retain the green spaces, large trees and general character of the houses in our community. We have made additions to the website to help explain the permit process and have met with City officials to discuss future development. Everyone should remain vigilant as to developments within their streets and if there are questions or concerns write to the community association (cambrianheights@gmail.com) or contact Darryl Beatty or Gary Wilson of the Planning Committee.

We have experienced another green space issue with the first snowfall as individuals with little or no respect drive their trucks into the parks within our community in some perverse show of individualism. If you witness such activity please contact the community at cambrianheights@gmail.com or the police at 311 or 403-266-1234. The protection of our parks is everyones responsibility.

We continue to encourage all residents to participate in the community activities and future events and program planning by joining the association and communicating your thoughts either through emails or by attending one of our Board meetings which are always open for residents. One of our most successful programs is the Yoga class every Wednesday at 7:00 – 8:00 at the Community Hall. Participate and enhance our community programs. Our next meetings will take place Monday December 2nd. and Monday January 4th. at the Georgina Thomson building on 14th Street and Northmount Drive NW at 6:30PM.

The website now provides memberships to be subscribed over the internet for convenience of the residents.Our new year begins January 1st and we encourage all existing members to renew via the website. There is also an ability for all residents who wish to receive email notifications of special events or issues of interest to the community to register without becoming members. We encourage membership as support to the numerous volunteers and programs initiated by their dedication to the community but also encourage those who are uncertain as to membership to register as email recipients to become better informed of both activities and issues relevant to the community.

Cambrian Heights main fund raising event in support of the many activities and programs is a Casino time slot provided by the Alberta Gaming & Liquor Commission. Our next such Casino is scheduled for January 27-28, 2016. We are always in need of volunteers and if you are able we will appreciate you contacting Dan Vallee at danvallee@shaw.ca. It is a team approach and having volunteered in the past I assure you the work is not onerous nor too stressful. Transportation, babysitting and a meal is provided.

On behalf of the Board of Directors we wish all residents of Cambrian Heights the best for 2016.

Remember Participation Builds Better Communities.

On Behalf of the Board;
Daryl Connolly, President

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