May 2023 Newsletter

Hey Neighbour,

With warmer days and lots of sunshine in the forecast ahead, we hope you are able to get outside and enjoy all the beautiful things spring has to offer!

You’ve likely heard about the new Event Centre & Rivers District Development Update. We understand both the celebration and criticism of this agreement, as the investment is significant. You can read Councillor Carra’s full statement on our website.

Lastly, this months newsletter contains a lot of information, but of course, we aren’t able to include everything. If you are looking for updates on what’s happening in your community, check out the community specific pages on our website. We also share broader Ward 9 and City updates on the W9 News page.

Hey Kids! What is your favourite thing in Ward 9?

Maybe you know of the best local place to eat, or a delicious neighbourhood treat? Do you have a cool nearby park or an epic playground? Perhaps you love your school or have a special place you or your family always visit?

Whatever you love about Ward 9, we want to hear about it!

Draw or paint a picture of your favourite thing in Ward 9 and ask a grownup to help you share it with the Ward 9 office for a chance to win some awesome prizes!

We will draw winners at random to receive a pair of tickets to either TELUS Spark or the Calgary Zoo. Your piece of art will also be kept on file to potentially be featured on an upcoming Ward 9 map!

To enter, simply email a photograph of your creation to caward@calgary.ca. Be sure to include your first name, age, and a description of what your artwork is about.

The contest is open to all Calgary residents under the age of 14 and will run until May 31, 2023. Winners will be contacted by email in early June to receive their tickets.

Happy creating!

Jane’s Walk takes place May 5, 6 + 7, 2023 - Calgarians of all ages are invited to participate in free walking tours throughout the city!

Below is a roundup of the Jane’s Walks scheduled throughout Ward 9. Click the title link to learn more about the walks noted below, or register today for walks in your neighbourhood.

Sun, May 7, 2023 2PM - 3:30PM
Greater Forest Lawn SE Calgary
Led by: Shelly McElroy

Learn about the locals who called this area home, and the towns and businesses that predated the communities of Applewood and Penbrooke Meadows.

Sat, May 6, 2023 11AM-12PM
Fort Calgary
Led By: Jeff Murray

Learn about the layered, complex histories of our site, with fascinating stories that reveal how the past connects us to the present.

Sun, May 7, 2023 10AM - 12PM
Millican-Ogden SE Calgary
Led By: Bonny Warbeck & Bob Appleby

Ogden is one of Calgary’s earliest communities, being built in 1912. Learn about one of Calgary’s hidden historic communities!

Sat, May 6, 2023 2PM - 4PM
Inglewood/East Village SE Calgary
Led By: Bob Chartier

Learn about Calgary’s music history while exploring the role of music and the arts in the heart of inner-city life. Bob is one of the founders of the Music Mile.

Sat, May 6, 2023 11AM - 1PM
Inglewood SE Calgary
Led by: Gian-Carlo Carra

Rediscover our City’s misremembered past in the patterns and echoes of its oldest neighborhood.

Sat, May 6, 2023 1PM - 3PM
St. Patrick's Island SE Calgary
Led by: Carolyn Fisher

Do you like to draw? Grab some colored pencils and paper and join children’s book Carolyn Fisher for a sketch walk of St. Patrick’s Island.

Neighbour Day started in June 2014 to celebrate the incredible outpouring of support and generosity of neighbours following the 2013 floods. The event has evolved over the years to be an opportunity for communities to come together in the form of BBQs, block parties, sports activities, cleanups, and potlucks to meet their neighbours and celebrate, and foster a deeper sense of community.

Saturday, June 17th marks the 10th annual Neighbour Day, and is poised to be our biggest and best year yet! And right now is the time to start planning! To help you celebrate, The City of Calgary is providing resources and support for residents to organize activities with neighbours, including waiving the fees for block party and greenspace permits. (The permit application deadline is May 28.) You can also reach out to your local community association to see about possible volunteer opportunities or additional support they may be providing residents planning their own events.

Visit calgary.ca/NeighbourDay for more information, including ideas for events, information about permits, opportunities to invite City officials, and promotional tools.

YYCmatters.ca helps keep Calgary’s priorities top-of-mind during the upcoming provincial election. Voting day is set for May 29 and it can be easy for the issues at hand to get lost in the fray of political campaigning. YYC Matters allows Calgarians to share their thoughts and learn more about the most pressing issues facing the city today.

The City is asking that you keep Calgarians and City priorities top of mind when candidates ask for your ideas and priorities before voting in the election.

As part of the campaign, Calgarians can share their perspectives on their top municipal priorities and how the Province can support Calgary by accessing the YYC Matters Community Voices tool between April 26 - May 5, 2023. Results will be shared at YYCmatters.ca.