RENFREWTHE OFFICIAL RENFREW COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER

DELIVERED MONTHLY TO 3,400 HOUSEHOLDSAPRIL 2020

reflections

Welcome to your neighbourhood Dental Clinic!Caring for Bridgeland and area for over 15 years

Dr. Sandon Wiedemann

Open early morningsEvenings and SaturdaysInsurance plans accepted

Emergencies accommodated promptly

939 General Ave. N.E. Calgary

403.262.1581

bridgelanddentalcare.com

Kent Sargeant Certified Landscape Journeyman

Create-A-ScapeLandscaping & Design

403-371-3440 | www.create-a-scape.garden

Full Landscape Service • Pavingstone Patios/Walkways Retaining Walls • Irrigation • Landscape Lighting

Sodding • Tree & Shrub Planting/PruningWood Decks/Pergolas/Fences

A gracious request for a kidney donation, tips on kidney health, and items to fight kidney disease. Email info@needkidney.ca if you wish to donate.

Website NEEDKIDNEY.CA

Kidney Health Awareness

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARDThe city has several projects in the works that will affect Renfrew. After months of discussion with community representatives and residents at public events and online, the City of Calgary has come up with a proposed North Hill Communities Local Growth Plan for the nine inner-city communities north of downtown, including Renfrew. This long-range plan includes the vision for what those communities might look like in the future, along with develop-ment policies and goals for achieving that growth. A big-picture document, it identifies potential areas for commercial develop-ment, higher density residential buildings, parks and recreation uses, etc. Renfrew Community Association’s Planning Committee has been providing feedback throughout the process, and indi-vidual residents had opportunities to provide feedback as well. The plan was presented to the city’s Planning and Urban Development Committee on March 4, and is expected to be presented to City Council at a public hearing on April 27. For more information, visit engage.calgary.ca/NorthHill/realize.

The city has also proposed a new alignment for the eventual Green Line LRT after determining that tunneling under the Bow River and Centre Street North would be too expensive. The new proposal calls for the LRT to run from downtown up Centre Street at street level, with no LRT station until 16 Avenue North. The deadline for engagement has been extended to April 23. To review the new plan, learn about upcoming open houses, and provide feedback, visit engage.calgary.ca/greenline.

Renfrew will likely be impacted by proposed changes to city ward boundaries. Some wards have a much higher population than oth-ers, so the changes are intended to create a more equitable num-ber of residents per city councillor. Right now, we’re part of Ward 9, but if changes are approved, we would become part of Ward 7 for the next municipal election. The city is collecting feedback on the proposed changes until the end of April. For more information, visit engage.calgary.ca/wardboundaries?redirect=/wardboundaries.

A big thank you to Renfrew resident Paul Gill and all the volun-teers and partners who have worked so hard on the Renfrew Solar Garden proposal. The final open house was held at Telus Spark in February, where plans were revealed for a potential solar carport that would cover the existing parking lot and turn sunshine into clean energy. RCA is excited to be part of this project that is leading the way for small-scale community solar projects. Follow facebook.com/renfrewsolargarden to stay informed and track its progress.

Renfrew is hosting several fun events in April, including the popular Easter Eggstravaganza on Sunday, April 12 — find out more about neighbourhood events in this newsletter, and become a member of the RCA to receive monthly email updates.

COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMITTEE

On February 21, the official kickoff meeting for members of the 2020 Renfrew Commu-nity Garden (RCG) was hosted at the Renfrew Community Hall during their pub night. It was an excellent choice of venue because we all got to hang out and chat after business was handled!

Some key things to note from the meeting:As of March 1, there are still four beds available for rent. If you’re interested in gardening, want to try your hand at growing something new, or are looking to get involved with a fun group of people, email rcacommunitygarden@gmail.com.

In a unanimous decision, one bed in the gar-den will be planted and maintained by vol-unteers with the bounty donated to charity. If you’re interested in helping in the process, please reach out to rcacommunitygarden@gmail.com.

A special thanks goes to those filling the vol-unteer roles, especially to Amber who helped to organize an online payment system!

A friendly reminder that anyone who is a member of the RCG has committed to five hours of volunteer time. There are six different work bees scheduled this year, all listed on the events calendar at renfrewcommunitygarden.wordpress.com/events. Have a look and don’t forget to mark them in your calendar.

Finally, if anyone would like to take on a small project between June 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021, let Lisa (RCG Chair: rcacommunitygarden@gmail.com) know right away and it will be worked into the budget. Note that the budget plan needs to be submitted to the RCA by May 1, 2020 so submissions are requested ASAP.

If you’re interested, the full meeting minutes are available on the RCG website, renfrewcommunitygarden.wordpress.com.

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½ 02 – April Calendar

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 Tiny Tots M-F

9:30-11:00 am Pub Night Lego Comp &

Brix ‘n Blox

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Tiny Tots M-F

9:30-11:00 am Pub Night

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Easter Eggstravaganza

Tiny Tots M-F 9:30-11:00 am

Makers Mingle Pub Night

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Tiny Tots M-F

9:30-11:00 am Pub Night &

Jelly Bean Dance

26 27 28 29 30 Tiny Tots M-F

9:30-11:00 am RCA Board Meeting 7:00 pm

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Renfrew resident Paul Gill,  an electrical engineer and advocate for renewable energy, has been the driver behind the Renfrew Solar Gar-den, a solar carport that will be built over a parking lot in Renfrew and owned by residents of the community. The project will generate revenue from the sale of energy that will go towards the investors and a yearly grant to neighbouring communities for their renewable energy projects. 

1. How long have you lived in Renfrew, and why did you move here?We’ve lived here for 8 years. We moved in the day my first daughter was born. We were tired of long commutes from the suburbs. We loved the location and value of Renfrew when we were evaluating inner city neighbourhoods

2. Tell us about the sustainable house you built in Renfrew.We built a semi-detached house with a friend that was upsizing from a condo. Every build decision we made was green energy focused. We have ICF (insulated concrete formations) in the base-ment, geothermal for the heating/cooling, a hybrid heat water heater, and we now have a large solar array on the roof. 

3. How did you get involved with the  Renfrew Solar Garden project — and why in Renfrew? I noticed a grant program that was funding small-scale generation and thought it would be the perfect application of a solar garden. I approached the RCA to be the non-profit that would be the owner of the project. David Barrett (VP External) and the rest of the asso-ciation have been hugely supportive of the effort.

4. What do you like to do in your spare time?Hockey, hockey, hockey... and electric cars. 

5. Name the person who inspires you the most.He’s nuts, but, Elon Musk.

FACES OF RENFREWCompost Your Food Scraps Follow these tips to make composting food scraps an easy part of your kitchen routine:

•Remember that all kinds food scraps can be composted! This includes meal prep peelings, leftovers from fridge cleanings and plate scrapings. •Your kitchen pail is dishwasher-safe!

Clean it out every few weeks to help it stay neat and tidy.•Empty the pail every 2-3 days into your

green cart to help reduce odours. •Moldy and expired food can go in the

green cart – just make sure to separate from the container first before com-posting.

Find more tips at calgary.ca/greencart

YOUR CITY OF CALGARY

Even though yellow is one of the most common colours for flowers, there are no yellow sweet pea blossoms. Just as horticulture enthusiasts have been in pursuit of breeding a blue rose, there is a mission to breed a yellow sweet pea. No such luck yet!

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RENFREW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONEXECUTIVE OFFICERSPresident Vacant president@renfrewyyc.caVice-President External David Barrett vp.external@renfrewyyc.caVice-President Operations Vacant vp.operations@renfrewyyc.caSecretary Ian Lockerbie secretary@renfrewyyc.caTreasurer Steve Schnick treasurer@renfrewyyc.caPast President Mikki Dergousoff past.president@renfrewyyc.caDIRECTORSCommunications Maureen McNamee communications@renfrewyyc.caCommunity Health & Wellness Vacant wellness@renfrewyyc.caEvents & Volunteers Mary Grace Linton volunteer@renfrewyyc.caInformation Technology Dennis Laird master@renfrewyyc.caMembership Michael Leboldus membership@renfrewyyc.caPlanning & Development Jamie Dugdale planning@renfrewyyc.caSocial Room Michelle Harris social@renfrewyyc.caTransportation & Mobility Maddie Bemrose traffic@renfrewyyc.caCOMMITTEE CHAIRSRCA Community Garden Lisa Mulder rcacommunitygarden@gmail.comJelly Bean Dances (gr K-9) Michael & Mary Grace renfrewjellybean@gmail.com renfrewcandyrave@gmail.comTiny Tots Co-op Playgroup Chrissy & Aleisha rca-tinytots@hotmail.comAirport Community Eva Consultative Committee c/o contact@renfrewyyc.caHALL RENTALSVisit the website for details Jessica www.renfrewyyc.ca hallrentals@renfrewyyc.ca

Call for Volunteers! Volunteers needed for two important events in the community.

Jelly Bean Dance: This 35+ year community tradition needs some new parents to take over. It takes a team to put on this one-night event for the kids in the com-munity. We tend to do about 7 dances a year. So, we’re looking for a group of parents with children in early grades. Set up tends to happen in the morning of the day of the dance, and then back to the hall at 5:00 pm to finish up and let the DJ set up for the dance. During the dance we need about 6 volunteers, followed with clean up after the dance. Please, if you want to help or know more, email Mary Grace at volunteer@renfrewyyc.ca for more information. The Next Jelly Bean Dance is April 24!

Stampede Day always needs quite a few volunteers. A few of them are leads for some of the key areas. This year we need a Breakfast Kitchen Lead, Kids Carnival Lead, and a Clean-Up Crew Lead (for the Sunday). If you think you may be interested, please sign up at https://volunteersignup.org/Q94EC.

Also, a few events need to be highlighted:Join us for our Third LEGO Competition, which we will be hosting during Brix N Blox on April 4, 2020. We en-courage all ages 4 to 99 to participate in our one-day event, which provides the opportunity to create entries (must be prebuilt) for our competition out of the LEGO building system. We invite all members of the commu-nity to view what was submitted and marvel at these master builders. Our own Event Director, Mary Grace, will be setting up a display from her personal creations. There will be opportunity to just play with some bricks and/or take pleasure in guessing at our brick guess con-test, sales table and concession. For more information and to register please check out www.brixnblox.ca

Eggstravaganza: We will have family fun themed crafts & games. (Weather dependant) Easter egg hunt treats and refreshments. We will be looking for a handful of volunteers, so please email volunteer@renfrewyyc.ca if you can help.

Mary Grace LintonRenfrew Community AssociationVolunteer and Events Director

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Aircraft Noise UpdateRenfrew Community is represented on the Airport Com-munity Consultative Committee (ACCC), which was es-tablished to provide an interface between the Calgary Airport Authority and Calgary Communities. For the most part, this committee has been focusing on aeronautical noise management issues. For many in our community, aircraft noise has become increasingly bothersome since the building of the new east runway (17L).

Runway Usage TrialThe previous update in Renfrew Reflections centered mainly on the Runway Usage Trial that began in October 2017. The opening of the new runway in 2014 resulted in a change in aircraft flight pattern from straight in/out over the industrial Deerfoot corridor to in/out over our community. In addition, we receive the vast majority of all weekend and evening air traffic and all of nighttime south departures. The intent of the trial was to equalize the traffic departing south over both runways resulting in a fairer distribution of aircraft noise.

At the September ACCC meeting, we were advised by NavCan that the Runway Usage Trial was cancelled. A re-view of the statistics indicates that there was actually an increase in the number of southbound aircraft depart-ing off of our runway 17R from 69% to 72%. The number of aircraft landing northbound on our runway 35L also increased from 50% to 53%. While the % increase may not seem like much, it does in fact mean over 20,000 more aircraft over Renfrew, mostly during nighttime and weekend hours. Obviously that trial was not working.

So, what now?Alternate Departure Heading TrialThis new, one-year trial began in October 2019 and also attempts to mitigate aircraft noise for communities af-fected by south bound departures. It will not do this by trying to equalize departures off 17R and 17L but rather by offering a second heading option on each runway. For 17, this means an aircraft can depart on the cur-rently used heading of H165 degrees a trajectory right over Renfrew or it can be directed to depart on heading H135 degrees which takes the aircraft over the Deer-foot commercial corridor, much like they used to prior

to 2014. This may not make much difference for people living on the eastern ridge of Renfrew, but others may experience some noise reduction. More details on this new trial can be found at navcanada.ca under Calgary International Airport.

Other NewsNoise Monitoring TerminalsRenfrew has received a new Noise Monitoring Terminal located on the ridge behind Colgrove Avenue. The old terminal which was located in the alley behind Russel Road has been removed. We have requested that YYC provide us with an analysis of the data from the old compared to the data from the new. We need to better understand what information these terminals are actu-ally providing us.

Should you be interested in learning more, all ACCC meet-ing minutes, presentations, reports etc. are available on yyc.com/CalgaryAirportAuthority/Noise Management. As always, you can submit any comments, concerns or ques-tions directly to YYC at concerns@yyc.com or through the concern submission form www.yyc.com/aircraftconcerns.

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Calling All Construction Professionals!Our community association is applying for grant money through Youth Volunteer Corp (YVC) to build ice rink benches. Our current bench has to be frozen into posi-tion or it falls over. YVC asks if we have any construc-tion professionals that could provide instruction for our project. Would you be that person? Contact Michael at membership@renfrewyyc.ca if you can help.

RENFREW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPRCA Membership Regular Adult $10; Regular Family or Associate $15

Cheque payable to Renfrew Community AssociationName: ________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________ Postal Code: _______________

Phone: ___________________________________ Email: ______________________________________

Do you wish to volunteer? Yes ______ No ______

I give my express consent to receive emails from RCA regarding upcoming events and other pertinent community information.

Signature: ___________________________________________

Please complete and mail/drop off to:RCA Membership, 811 Radford Road NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 0R7

Or online at renfrewyyc.ca/membership (third party charges apply)

An RCA membership year runs from June 30 to July 1. The annual membership fee for regu-lar adults is $10, and $15 for regular families or associates. Seniors over 65, and students, qualify for a 50% discount, and no cost memberships are provided to those under the Fair-Entry Program (contact membership@renfrewyyc.ca for more details). Support your com-munity association today. All residents are encouraged to support the RCA by purchasing a membership so we can continue to foster a “community that cares”!

MEMBERSHIP SLIP

Many have heard that “April showers bring May flowers”, which was based on a proverb from 1886. This phrase is seen in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales; “Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote The droughte of March hath perced to the Roote, and all The veins are bathed in liquor of such power As brings about the engendering of the flower.” I think I’ll stick with the 1886 version.

Many have heard that “April showers bring May flowers”, which was based on a proverb from 1886. This phrase is seen in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales; “Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote The droughte of March hath perced to the Roote, and all The veins are bathed in liquor of such power As brings about the engendering of the flower.” I think I’ll stick with the 1886 version.

Many have heard that “April showers bring May flowers”, which was based on a proverb from 1886. This phrase is seen in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales; “Whan that Aprill, with his shoures soote The droughte of March hath perced to the Roote, and all The veins are bathed in liquor of such power As brings about the engendering of the flower.” I think I’ll stick with the 1886 version.

8 A P R I L 2 0 2 0 I Ca l l 403-720-0762 fo r adver t i s ing oppor tun i t ies

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LOW-COST, HIGH-QUALITY SE HOUSING AND SERVICES FOR SENIORS: Silvera’s quaint Valleyview community in Southview offers dining services, housekeeping, Active Aging programs, private suites, lounge and activity areas. Short walk to International Avenue. Ten-minute drive to Marlborough Mall, medical offices, retailers and Walmart. Connect with our friendly team at placement@silvera.ca or call 403-567-5301. silvera.ca.

NEIGHBOURHOOD CONFLICT? Community Mediation Calgary Society (CMCS) is a no-cost mediation and con-flict coaching service that can help you resolve problems and restore peace! We help neighbours be neighbours again! www.communitymediation.ca, 403-269-2707.

LANDSCAPING & WEEKLY YARD CARE: Starting at $36. Garden bed design, mulch, rock and sod installation, stone patios, walkways, raised beds, rock walls. Afford-able exterior painting, deck and fence builds. Window or gutter cleaning starting at $89. A+ Member of BBB, Licensed, insured. Seniors’ discount. Call or text 403-265-4769. YardBustersLandscaping.com

ARE YOU NERVOUS ABOUT PUBLIC SPEAKING? Foothills Toastmasters will give you confidence! Foothills Toastmasters meets Thursdays, Sept 5 to June 2020. Winston Golf Club, 5:45 meeting time. Info@FoothillsToastmasters.com | Website: www.FoothillsToastmasters.com.

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VR PARTY PLANNERS: Rent junior sports equipment and bouncy castle with slide for your next indoor and outdoor events in Calgary and area. Suitable for young-er and older kids. Smaller bouncy castles fit 4 to 6 at a time, larger bouncy castles fit more. Please call 403-464-8612 for rates.

THE GRASS GURUS LAWN AND LANDSCAPING: We are an owner operated company in Calgary since 2008. Reliable, honest and fairly priced. We can help you with spring cleanups (power raking, aeration), weekly lawn cuts and your other yard care needs. Call or email Tara for a free estimate tara.sleigh@thegrassgurus.ca, 403-604-4057.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within any published article, report or submission reflect those of the author and should not be considered to reflect those of Great News Media and the Renfrew Community and/or Residents’ Association. The information contained in this newsletter is believed to be ac-curate but is not warranted to be so.

Great News Media and the Renfrew Community and/or Residents’ Associa-tion does not endorse any person or persons advertising in this newsletter. Publication of any advertisements should not be considered an endorsement of any goods or services.

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Come to our work bee, open to all ages. You have a chance to do your own craft in our space with other makers! Bring your project or projects to enjoy our large tables and space, have a drink and enjoy others’ company, while working on what you‘re making at the time. We encourage chatter as we work and or you can pick a quiet spot to focus comepletly up to you.

Come and work with uson the 3rd Thursday of the Month!

Feb 20, March 19, April 16 & May 21 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Sewing, Knitting, Scrap-booking,Writing, Sketching, Designing,

Card Making, Other

have questions email volunteer@renfrewyyc.ca

Lower Area at Renfrew Community Hall811 Radford Road NE, Calgary AB

Makers MingleMakers Mingle

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