CentreCity

Voice your thoughts on condo and apartment recycling service

The City of Calgary is currently conducting stakeholder engagement to develop a multi-family recycling strategy. You can learn more online at Calgary.ca/recycling, or you can attend the next open house on April 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Sunalta Community Hall.

This spring, there will be many others opportunities available where residents of Calgary can attend an open house or participate online to review potential service options and voice their opinions on this interesting issue.

For many who live in multi-family dwellings such as apartments, condominiums, townhouse complexes and other multi-unit housing, having recycling services is something that's important to reducing dependency on landfills and protecting the land, air and water around Calgary.

Multi-family dwellings are typically places where there are more than four housing units on a parcel of land, or are part of a complex with a private road. This may include apartment buildings as well as some condominium complexes and townhouses. Multi-family housing is currently not eligible for the Blue Cart recycling program.

However, The City of Calgary has a network of about 50 Community Recycling Depots that accept the same recyclable materials as the Blue Cart recycling program. Also, there are a number of companies that provide collection of recyclable materials for multi-family residents. For a list of providers, visit the Recycling Hotline and search under residential recycling collection.

While in the planning stages for the Blue Cart recycling program, Calgary's City Council gave specific direction that Waste & Recycling Services:

"Not undertake collection of recyclables from multi-family residences prior to 2020, provided The City is on track in achieving its target to divert 80 per cent of its waste from landfills by 2020."

Access to recycling for those living in multi-family residences is an important piece needed to achieve the 80/20 by 2020 goal. More information on the 80/20 by 2020 goal can be found on the Recycling Programs page.

Following Council's direction, The City rolled out Blue Cart recycling to single-family homes, up to and including four-plexes. Residences that are eligible to receive blue cart collection pay the monthly blue cart charge.

For background information, visit The City of Calgary's engagement project page on the multi-family recycling strategy.

There's opera coming to the East Village...

This summer, Calgary will host the first ever outdoor opera festival in Canada on the bank of the Bow River in the East Village. A collaborative effort with Calgary Municipal Land Corporation, the Opera in the Village will showcase not only the musical talents of Calgary’s singers but also the new RiverWalk area.

A stone’s throw from the Bow River, the festival is not only about opera but also many other activities such as sword-fighting demonstrations, impromptu operatic performances, outdoor movie nights and food truck vendors. The site will be awash with swashbuckling characters of all sorts, getting visitors and performers ready for the main attraction, Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance.

“There are successful summer opera festivals around the world, but until now Canada has yet to take the plunge,” said Bob McPhee, the General Director of Calgary Opera. “We feel that the time is right to introduce Canada’s first outdoor summer opera event and can’t think of a better setting than the RiverWalk in Calgary’s East Village.” McPhee also introduced and thanked The Imperial Oil Foundation, presenting sponsor of Opera in the Village.

“Calgary Opera consistently impressed everyone with their creative vision for the arts in the city of Calgary,” stated Susan Swan, President of the Imperial Oil Foundation. “We are excited to partner with them for this one-of-a kind festival in Canada.”

Opera in the Village runs August 22nd to the 25th. Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, has six performances over the four days. An all Canadian, all-star cast of Brett Polegato as the Pirate King, Tracy Dahl as Mabel, Colin Ainsworth as Frederic, Elizabeth Turnbull as Ruth, Thomas Goerz as the Sergeant of Police and Calgary’s own David LeReaney as Major General Stanley perform the leading roles. The show is directed by Robert Herriot and Gordon Gerrard returns as conductor to the orchestra and singers.

The family-friendly event also includes a two week opera camp for kids aged 9 to 14. The camp culminates in a free public performance of the kids’ own mini-production of The Pirates of Penzance.

“The Government of Alberta is proud to lend its support to this new cultural project,” said Honourable Heather Klimchik, Minister of Culture. “Participation in cultural and recreation activities, like Opera in the Village inspires citizens to feel a sense of pride and belonging in their community.”

“Rebuilding a community like East Village involves much more than the delivery of critical infrastructure,” said Susan Veres, vice president of Marketing and Communications with the Calgary Municipal Land Corporation. “It involves building great spaces and programming those spaces to showcase how they are best experienced. Opera in the Village will bring thousands of people to the banks of the Bow River to experience the transformation taking place in this downtown neighbourhood.”

Calgary Opera would like to extend their thanks to its presenting sponsor, Imperial Oil Foundation as well as the Government of Alberta, The Remarkable Experience Accelerator Program, the Calgary Hotel Association and Calgary Arts Development Authority, The City of Calgary’s Event Stimulus Program, festival founders FRAM + Slokker, Embassy BOSA and Cenovus as well as Tourism Calgary.

Tickets go on sale Monday, April 22, 2013 and are available by calling 403-262-7286 or by visiting calgaryopera.com.

Catch an ATP Show before the end of the season!

With just a few days more to catch an ATP 2012-2013 show, you’d better get your tickets fast if you want to see one of their feature plays. Here's a list of what's playing:

The Valley
by Joan MacLeod 

March 6 - April 7, 2013 

A personal look at protection, safety and mental illness traces two families’ interactions with police. The play speaks about perceptions about police and how they change, or don’t change over time. The Valley also examines the concept of protection. Protection as it relates to being a police officer, a mother or a member of society and what is means to protect and feel protected.
When an episode on the Skytrain between a troubled teen and a police officer turns violent, it reverberates throughout the community, sweeping both families up into a storm of emotion, opinion and conflict.

Dust
by Jonathan Garfinkel and Christopher Morris

March 7 - April 6, 2013

Dust is a deeply compassionate story about the conflict in Afghanistan and how it has affected families of soldiers in combat.

“Dust illuminates the way that loss through this conflict has created a painful legacy in families and the communities around them. It is about the struggle to move forward after loss and find some peace,” says Vicki Stroich, Alberta Theatre Projects Interim Artistic Director.

Based on true stories, this play about courage, grief, and witness is an international collaboration. It features Samiya Mumtaz from Pakistan in the cast.

Contains male nudity and strong language.

The Apology
by Darrah Teitel

March 8 - April 6, 2013

It is 1814 and young Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lord Byron and Claire Clairemont retreat to a castle to write poetry, make love, do drugs and try to invent a new way of being alive. In this funny, hot-blooded portrayal by newcomer Darrah Teitel, romantic tradition is ripped open, unleashing rich, wild and fiery spirits.

Mary Shelley’s novel, Frankenstein, offers a metaphoric framework for the play, explains Teitel, “since it’s about human perfectibility and a utopian vision of society. In a parallel to Victor Frankenstein creating life, the four characters experiment with their lives, hoping for the best. In both cases, the result is an uncontrollable monster.”

The Apology by Darrah Teitel runs from March 8 – April 6, 2013 with curtain times at 7:30 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and matinees at 2:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets start at $30.

Contains nudity, sexuality and strong language.

The God That Comes
Music and performance by Hawksley Workman

Created by Hawksley Workman and Christian Barry
In association with 2b theatre company

March 19 - April 7, 2013

In a world governed by greed, rules and order, people take to the hills in a hedonistic revolt fuelled by wine, ritual madness and ecstasy, in this contemporary take on the Greek tragedy, The Bacchae. The performance stars Hawksley Workman and fuses the chaotic revelry of a rock concert with the captivating intimacy of theatre. Have a drink, hear a story, and get lost in the music.

“Watching Workman sample himself, then go on to another instrument while his first strain repeated and then adding a third on top of it was the kind of brilliance we all came for. What I wasn’t expecting was the slashing sardonic wit he brought to the tale of the uptight king Pentheus, his swinging mother Agave and the demonic god of pleasure, Bacchus/Dionysus.”-The Toronto Star

Contains strong language.

If you can’t make it in before the last run of the 2012-2013 season on April 7th, check out ATP’s spring show Red by John Logan running April 30th to May 18th, 2013.

Red
by John Logan

A young artist is hired to assist Mark Rothko, the world-famous and famously cranky abstract painter. This 2010 Tony Award-winning drama portrays a fierce, funny, and ultimately life-changing relationship. A triumphant return to playwriting by one of the most notable screenwriters of our time, John Logan’s credits include Hugo, The Aviator, and Any Given Sunday.

Please check the Alberta Theatre Projects website at ATPlive.com for details and ticket purchases for any of the shows. Or call Alberta Theatre Projects at 403-294-7402.

Calgary’s downtown parks open for springtime sunning

With the spring sun warming the brick and concrete of the downtown landscape it’s easy to forget under the grimy, melting snow shoots of grass are starting to peek out. The weather is starting to turn and Calgarians should take this early chance to head outside into the melting city. Warm, sunny days don’t last long in this part of the world so get out while you can, even if there is still a spring chill to the air.

The Centre City boasts many nice parks and green spaces for all to enjoy. If you’re lunching, running, people watching or just checking out of the office for a few blissful minutes of natural light, here are a few beautiful places to just be outside in the downtown.

James Short Park

A popular place for Calgarians to relax during the lunch hour, James Short Park at 115 4the Ave SW is right in the heart of it all. A cupola with a hand-winding clock, a seating area and a small playground if you are so inclined make up the amenities in this park. The park was finished in 1991 and was named for the James Short School which once stood here. For those interested in sustainable infrastructure, this park is one of a number of green roofs in the centre City.

Beaulieu Gardens

Tucked away in the centre of the Beltline area is Beaulieu Gardens. In the shadow of the historic Lougheed House, which dates from 1891, this terraced formal garden just cries out to be enjoyed. Even without flowers, the architecture of the space gives visitors much to see even during the cooler months.

Christened by the Lougheed family as Beaulieu, or “beautiful place” is located at 707 13th Avenue SW.

Century Gardens

Another popular lunch spot in downtown Calgary is Century Gardens. Located on the block surrounded by 7th Avenue, 7th Street, 8th Avenue and 8th Street SW.

In 1975, the Devonian Group donated the space to the City in celebration of Calgary’s Centennial. Boasting waterfalls, a pond, benches, a grassy area, sculpture and its proximity to the LRT line, it is no surprise Century Park is a popular destination for many looking for a little lunchtime respite. 

Sien Lok Park 

You’d be hard pressed to miss Sien Lok Park if you are coming from the south. The entrance at Riverfront Ave and 1st Street SW is flanked by two Chinese Lions and borders the Bow River pathway to the north.

In the centre of the park sits the massive sculpture “In Search of Gold Mountain” by Chu Honsun. The sculpture is made from 15 tonnes of granite from the Hopei Province in China and was made to honour Canadian-Chinese history.

Sien Lok Park, named for the motto “happiness comes through good works” and the society by the same name was built in 1982. The park also holds a pagoda, a concrete tai chi area, benches and a small playground and is a lovely way to access the Bow River from the downtown.

Central Memorial Park

At 1221 2nd Street SW sits Calgary’s oldest park. Also known as Memorial Park, it is home to the Memorial Public Library, the Boer War Memorial equestrian statue, a statue of a World War I soldier and a Cenotaph. It is no wonder then that Remembrance Day ceremonies are held here annually. Central Memorial Park is also the home to the Boxwood Café, the casual dining offshoot of the River Café.

Shaw Millennium Park

North America’s largest free outdoor, 24 hour skatepark is at 1220 9th Avenue SW. With a stage and amphitheatre, a waterfall, clock tower, laser lights, basketball courts and washroom, Shaw Millennium Park is a progressive concept that has proved immensely popular.

Established in 2000, the park features 75,000 square feet of skate-able surface. It was designed as a family activity park and sees more than 35,000 visitors per year.

Olympic Plaza

But let's not forget Olympic Plaza! Touted as one of the most frequently accessed parks in Calgary’s downtown, the Plaza offers year-round enjoyment as a skating rink, a special events venue and as simply a lovely place to enjoy the outdoor cityscape. Built in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games, it is located at 228 8th Avenue SE on the west side of City Hall.

The City of Calgary also has additional parks to enjoy like Prince’s Island Park where numerous music festivals are held each year and Tompkins Park which stretches a block along 17 Avenue and is home to many eclectic shops and restaurants.

Also, St. Patrick’s Island, an all-but-forgotten treasure at the city’s centre is poised to regain its former glory…and then some! As part of the rejuvenation of the Rivers District, St. Patrick’s Island has a master plan to steer its development as an amenity-rich, family-friendly park space for all Calgarians to enjoy. Development of the island amenities began on March 12, 2013, and the revitalized St. Patrick’s Island is expected to open to the public in the fall of 2014. During construction, the island park will be closed to the public.

Chinatown Safety Council invites all Calgarians to experience their vibrant community

An idea that sprang from a concern about the reputation of Calgary’s Chinatown has garnered positive results.

In 2008, in the face of increased vandalism and issues of safety, a group of community conscious people formed the Chinatown Safety Council. With the goal of not only safety and cleanliness but of taking pride in one’s community the Council began working to change long held stereotypes about Chinatown as an unsafe place to visit.

The initial meetings and safety audits led to several initiatives but one of them was focused on mural projects to help promote a strong sense of community, graffiti abatement, a generalized clean up of Chinatown and educational seminars for residents and businesses alike. You can view some of the murals here.

The most obvious success was in the graffiti abatement. In years past the number was much greater, well into the hundreds, but this year the Safety Council members removed fewer than 100 graffiti tags demonstrating that persistence can change negative behaviour.

Members of the Chinatown Safety Council include the Calgary Chinese Community Service Association, Oi Kwan Foundation, Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association, the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre, HSBC (Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited), Condo Base Management Inc., Sing Tao Daily, Calgary Block Watch, Sunflower Realty & Property Management Inc., Animal Bylaw Services, City of Calgary, and the Calgary Police Service.

Working closely with City business units, Calgary Police and other agencies, the Chinatown Safety Council has helped educate residents and businesses about health and safety practices.Also, the Safety Council has invited representatives from several associations, such as the CCECA, the Calgary Chinese Merchants’ Association, Cultural centre, United Calgary Chinese Association and Sien Lok Society to discuss the issues and concerns of the community.

Youth are involved in all of the projects providing an opportunity to feel a part of the community and develop a sense of pride and ownership in Chinatown. Two events with the goal of  increasing the public’s knowledge and access to Chinatown were held with their success measured by a decent turnout.

As well as being a vibrant commercial centre, Chinatown is home to many seniors. The Safety Council holds their opinions and well being in high regard. For this reason, the next item of business for the Chinatown Safety Council is to invite apartment managers or representatives from management companies of buildings in Chinatown to attend the Safety Council’s meetings to discuss safety issues pertaining to Chinatown. 

The Chinatown Safety Council wishes to extend a warm welcome to all Calgarians to come and experience a safe and vibrant Chinatown.

Shopping and Dining on 17th Avenue

Go with our Centre City blogger as she profiles two dynamic stops along 17th Avenue for some fine dining and unique shopping.

Blame Betty keeps the rocking 50s alive in Calgary

It’s where Calgary shoppers go to play, 17th Avenue. If you want it, or don’t yet know you need it the boutiques and stores that line one of the city’s busiest streets are where you’ll find it. From edgy to the obscure, 17th is the place to see and be seen.

Blame Betty, a big shop crammed into some of the smallest real estate on the Avenue is all about the edge. Filled to bursting like a big gal in a too small dress, Blame Betty caters to guys and dames looking to add a bit of rockabilly to their wardrobe.

Decked out in red velvet with and with so many framed photos on the walls they’ve become part of the building, Blame Betty is like stepping back in time to the 50s. If your sister was cool enough, this is what her room would have looked like. Crinoline, black frocks, deep red dresses and heels that would do more than turn heads crush in from all sides.

Upstairs is where the duds for dudes are kept. Western shirts for all seasons are packed into a tiny attic room along with the sale items and slightly damaged dresses. Even if nothing catches your eye so close to the rafters, the narrow winding staircase is worth the climb. It’s one of those stairways where the treads narrow around the curve and it’s a bit of a trip coming down.

The main floor is where the magic really happens. From pin-up girl to offbeat bridal wear, Blame Betty is a real find. With nothing else quite like it in Calgary, it’s worth a look. The staff is friendly, the store is packed and the 50s live on at Blame Betty,  829, 17th Avenue SW.

A taste of Spain in Centre City

If Spanish cuisine is what you’re craving the place to hit up is Ox and Angela. Touted as Calgary’s only Spanish Tapa bar and restaurant, Ox and Angela delivers delicious food in a classy and welcoming way.

Open and airy with fantastic millwork, the joint itself is a comfortable spot to sit and visit. Pair that with food and drink that isn’t a miss and you’ve found a winning combination.

It was blind luck we decided on a Saturday visit. Ox and Angela recently started serving weekend brunch and we were in the right place at the right time to sample their new menu. We opted for the four staples of the perfect downtown brunch: a scramble, a fry up, a stack of pancakes and of course a Benny.

All were superb with the pancakes and the Benny stealing the show. The scramble was a fluffy affair. Perfectly cooked eggs topped with crunchy, not sludgy asparagus. The fry-up was disappointing only because someone snagged most of the chorizo while I wasn’t looking but the flavours of the remaining potatoes, onions and peppers more than made up for the lack of meat.

Now the pancakes were something else. Not doughy and filled with melted dark chocolate chips, they were not overpoweringly sweet like some and the butter melt syrup was a surprising twist on perhaps the best cakes I’ve ever had.

It came as no surprise the Benny was the highlight of the meal. Perched atop two bias cut baguette were the runniest eggs with a beautiful hollandaise a la Angela and Ox. I almost felt sorry for my husband who couldn’t join us and missed this textbook example of Eggs Benedict.

To top it off the service was not Spanish at all. By that I mean our waiter was attentive, efficient and smiling. He even created a second fancy drink, on the house, when it was apparent his four-year-old patron at our table was unimpressed with the first concoction.

So the gist of it is, Ox and Angela deliver an outstanding brunch. Now to go back to sample their regular menu…

Viewpoint from a rider on Calgary's LRT

Veronica Kloiber, blog writer for Centre City Talk chronicles her experience as a new rider of Calgary's LRT. Do you agree with her insights? Read on for more...

I’ve just started taking the train. Most mornings I find myself at Anderson Station, still the end of the line for me, waiting to hop on the LRT all the way to SAIT. I’ve never taken the train as a morning commuter and I’m finding the customs a little mystifying.

The most noticeable unwritten rule is no talking. It’s rare to hear anything beyond a small clearing of a throat and if there is a conversation happening everyone is uncomfortable, trying not to listen. I still find it unnerving how quiet a car full of commuters can be.

The generic rules I get. The basics of common decency should be well understood by all – mostly because Calgary Transit has taken great pains to put up many signs and stickers detailing how to behave:

• Give up your seat for the disabled, the elderly and new or expectant mothers
• Let commuters out of the train car before shoving your way in
• Make room for other passengers by moving further into the car or letting them pass

There is even a new sign I noticed just last week stating if the train is full another will be along within minutes so don’t cram in there, wait for the next one.

It’s not these rules I’m having trouble with, it’s the social etiquette I can’t quite grasp. I wish there were some signs to explain away the accepted but confusing rules of conduct I witness.

• No talking. As mentioned, speaking is disapproved of. I once made the mistake of voicing my gratitude for nabbing a seat to my seatmate and received a sniff of disdain.
• Limited or better yet no eye contact. The first few mornings I made it my business to smile at as many others as I could. A few smiled back but most looked decidedly uncomfortable.
• Although there is a small sign indicating it’s a good idea, holding the hand rails is not considered comme il faut. It is usually only the middle aged who reach for the straps and rails. Anyone younger than 35 is simply expected to keep their footing as the train lurches and slows.
• Checking out people’s shoes is permissible, but glances that stray above the knee are right out.
• Discreet coffee sipping is acceptable but no loud slurping or rim rolling.

The one practice I cannot pin down is what to do with your bags. Obviously if you are carrying a purse it doesn’t go on the floor but what to do with the backpack. I asked around, of course not on the train, and I did get a fairly definitive indication that it should be taken off but the problem is in the new articulated cars. The first day I rode the train I put my bag down along the sliding part on the floor of the articulating car. It shredded the bag so now I leave my pack on and hope it doesn’t collide with someone’s coffee or worse their face.

I’m trying to get used to my new morning routine. The early wake up I can handle but the peculiar protocols when on the LRT before sunup are exhausting.

To blend in with the morning masses there are a few things a commuter can bring with them. Must haves to fit in are:

• headphones
• iPhone or similar
• paperback
• business or economic periodical
• black winter wear

In my purple coat I stand out on the platform. I’m also partial to slightly ostentatious hats and this too sets me well apart from the rest. I’ve noticed a few other eccentric straphangers decked out in orange or azure and although I’ve tried to catch their eye to share a smile in our united campaign against muted clothing, the rules of the train apply on the platform as well.

No eye contact, no smiling and no talking.

Seven great reasons to play for a day in the Centre City

Whether you're looking for a dose of culture, a beautiful walk along the bow river or a a vibrant place to shop complete with buskers, boutiques and beautiful people then the Centre City is the place for you. Here are seven great reasons to visit the Centre City!

The Calgary Philharmonic The Calgary Philharmonic is at home in the EPCOR CENTRE’s Jack Singer concert hall, one of North America’s most architecturally beautiful and acoustically perfect venues. From Verdi to Beethoven and CCR to Ray Charles, the concert line up for the 2013 season is sure to have something for everyone.

The Bow River Pathway Built along the banks of the Bow, which cuts a swath right through the Centre City, is alive with nature and nature lovers. Used for cycling, hiking, promenades and bird watching the path system spans 48 kilometres from the Bearspaw Dam to the west right into Fish Creek Provincial Park in the south.

The Glenbow Museum The Glenbow exhibits combine Western Canadian heritage with extraordinary art and artifacts from around the world. With more than one million artifacts under its roof, the Glenbow offers a full day of perusing for all visitors. Now until the end of April check out the Glenbow’s Artist in Residence, Alberta singer Corb Lund. He has created an exhibition inspired by his own music and framed by his interest in Alberta’s history.

The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary A large wildlife reserve located in southeast Calgary where more than 270 bird species visit, the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a haven for more than just those of the avian persuasion. The 36-hectare wildlife reserve has more than two kilometers of level walking trails and more than 1 kilometre of nature trails that take visitors along the river, throughout the forest and by a peaceful lagoon. Open year round and with free admission (donations to the Sanctuary are gratefully accepted) the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary welcomes the public to visit during daylight hours. Leave pets, bicycles, roller blades and bird food at home.

Stephen Avenue Walk The heart of downtown Calgary, Stephen Avenue Walk spans 8th Avenue from 1 Street SE to 4 Street SW. That’s 4.5 blocks of shopping, boutiques, galleries, dining, pubs and cafés and buskers, street vendors, live performances, music, festivals and arts and culture packed into just a few streets. Open daily from 6 till 6, during peak times the streets can be packed with anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 people. Back in 2002, Stephen Avenue Walk was declared a National Historical District. With more than 30 restored buildings, a stroll up the Walk is a trip in time with architectural styles from the late 1800s to the 1930s on display. Reduced parking rates, some as low as $2 are in effect evenings and Saturdays and it is free to park on Sunday.

Olympic Plaza Olympic Plaza was built in 1988 for the Calgary Olympic Winter Games as the site of the medal presentation ceremonies. Today Olympic Plaza hosts special events and festivals throughout the year. In warmer weather it is a lovely spot for a downtown picnic and during the winter months, the Plaza morphs into the only refrigerated outdoor ice rink in the city. Olympic Plaza features a reflecting pond, ice skating, the Famous Five sculpture, a large seating area, a stage, waterfalls, a year-round washroom and a seasonal concession. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Please remember bicycles, skateboards/rollerblades, dogs and pets, smoking and after hour activities are not permitted in Olympic Plaza.

17th Avenue Coined the “Pulse of Calgary”, 17th Avenue is the spot to see and be seen. Fashionistas, Foodies and beautiful people flock to this area. Eateries, entertainment, bars, restaurants and cute boutique shops abound and if your after pizza, shoes, chocolate or handbags, 17th Avenue has it all. Stroll along the tree-lined walkways and enjoy the window shopping and people watching. Starting at 2nd Street and continuing to 14th Street SW, the blocks along 17th Avenue really do beat with a rapid and exciting pulse.

High numbers and high praise for the Downtown Outreach Addiction Partnership

Most of us look the other way. Most of us will avoid any eye contact or we’ll cross the street just to ignore the uglier side of city life while we bustle about downtown. We know there are programs for these people but most of us would be hard pressed to name more than a couple.

Well here’s one for you, the Downtown Outreach Addiction Partnership (DOAP). Run by Alpha House, the DOAP program works with EMS, the Calgary Fire Department, Bylaw Services, Calgary Transit and the Calgary Police Service. Its purpose is to serve people with food and warm clothes while also providing access to reliable transportation for those who are sometimes overlooked in our community including people with addiction problems, mental health issues or illness due to hard living.  

“They call us to bring them where they need to go,” said Adam Melnyk, the Outreach Coordinator for Calgary Alpha House.

The program is helpful because it frees up emergency services, police and bylaw personnel saving them from waiting in hospital emergency rooms or calling shelters looking for empty beds. Alpha House, with a foot in the door so to speak, takes care of all of these needs by getting to know the community they serve and helping those with addictions when help with transportation, food or shelter is necessary or welcomed.

The Downtown Outreach Addiction Partnership (DOAP) began in 2005 with this very goal in mind. Since then their numbers have grown and the program is now operating 22 hours a day, seven days of the week.

“Public intoxication is more a social than criminal issue,” explained Melnyk. "Through this program we have an opportunity to help this vulnerable segment of Calgary’s population in a positive way rather than handing out tickets people cannot pay and involving law enforcement." 

Last years stats indicate there is a strong need for the program. In 2012, the total number of transports came to 19,500. Most referrals, as Alpha House calls them, from the City’s Emergency Services came from the Calgary Police Service and Calgary Transit. The shelters, such as the Drop-In Centre, the Mustard Seed and Alpha House accounted for the majority of all transport referrals.

So now you know of a local program, the Downtown Outreach Addiction Partnership, serving those many of us won’t or don’t often think about. Yet, ensuring their safety is an important part of making the Centre City a better place for everyone.

Making the Centre City safer for birds?

Designing a bird-friendly downtown may seem like a feather-brained idea with all the buildings that have such prominent glass faces and the high density of people always coming and going. But, protecting the environment with some bird-friendly design practices is actually something The City considers in its work and it's not as difficult as you might think.

The City of Calgary's bird friendly design guidelines were assembled based on local data from the Calgary Bird Branding Society and research collected from global sources on bird mortality in man-made environments.This research, from the US Fish and Wildlife service, shows the North American bird population to be between 10 to 20 billion birds of which building strikes account for approximately 97 million deaths per year. An increase in birds colliding with buildings is most apparent during spring and fall migration. Bird mortality from a window strike is very high with an estimate of 50 to 90 percent of birds dying after a strike, usually from internal hemorrhaging. Canada is home to more than 600 species with 71 of those on the North American continent listed as threatened or endangered. 

Birds cannot see clear or reflective glass which can cause collisions in a downtown urban environment when they attempt to fly towards what they think is sky but are in fact just the windows. Research shows that the threat from reflective glass persists at any time of day, season of the year or weather condition. At night, birds can also become disoriented and get trapped in artificially lit and densely-built downtown areas. While they try to fly to safety, birds may then fly into glass through which they see interior landscaping. So, as you can see a bird can easily fall prey to the perils of city life especially in a place like Calgary with so many birds living long our vibrant river systems.  

That's why bird-friendly design guidelines are essential. Here are the key things The City tries to consider in its design efforts to protect birds and save on energy costs. They are: 

1. To clearly distinguish buildings with visual markers.

• Come up with innovative aesthetic approaches to building façades
• Stimulate research and development within the glass industry. Create a need for glass production which is bird-friendly

    2.   Add visual noise with films or decals

• Develop a cost-effective, bird-friendly design solution through application of exterior or interior window films. As an added bonus, the films can also help control the interior building climate by reducing solar heat gain.

    3.   Interrupt reflective glass with panels, sunshades or louvres

• Opaque building elements, such as panels or a curtain wall, reduce capital costs in the attempts to create a more bird-friendly building.
• Better energy performance – shading devises can help control interior building climate.
• Contributes to good design and aesthetics, improves the overall look of the building while increasing bird-friendly design.

    4.   Treat the glass of the lower four storeys to make it visible to birds

• Aesthetically appealing graphic patterns are applied to the lower level windows
• Glare control
• Increase the visibility of retail businesses by applying graphic patterns on windows of the street level windows

    5.   Clearly define building courtyards, walkways and Plus 15's

• Make a defined and legible site plan and building layout to make navigation simpler for both pedestrians and birds.

    6.   Use awnings to cover ground level glass

• Awnings would serve as shading devices for store fronts as well as to control glare and reduce solar heat gain
• Better pedestrian and human scale orientation on street level

    7.  Use Internal screens, curtains or blinds to make clear glass more opaque

• Reduce solar heat gain in buildings during the day
• Reduce light pollution (including urban sky glow and glare) from buildings at night
• Addresses privacy issues, especially for residential buildings

    8.  Angle glass downward to reduce reflections of sky and surrounding landscaping

• Daytime effectiveness – angled glass can substantially reduce building cooling loads, while reducing internal reflections for better glare control
• Contribute to the overall aesthetic of the building façade making for unique visual variations

    9.   Locate building landscaping away from any untreated building glazing

• Simple and cost-effective, locates bird attractive habitat away from glass
• Reduced reflection of existing landscape
• Contributes to maximizing vegetated open space on a new site. For a new site, the smaller the building footprint, the greater the opportunity to spread landscaping on the site
• With landscaping kept 1 metre from the building, summertime shading in increased and reduces cooling loads.

    10.  Locate interior landscaping away from windows

• When practical, an easy and quick solution to reduce bird strike collisions

Lighting

    11.  Select appropriate site and area lighting fixtures

    12.  Consider migratory seasons when placing festival and advertising lights

    13.  Extinguish or manage interior lights

    14.  Use task lighting or draw office blinds

    15.  Use timers and motion sensors to limit unnecessary lighting

    16.  Schedule building cleaning during the day

So, the next time you are wandering the downtown core, imagine a bird’s eye view of the place. Imagine the confusion, the light, the noise and do your part. Turn off lights, draw your blinds if you have them and encourage your building to make a few small but significant changes to improve not only the environment at large but our feathered citizens’ environment as well.